After speaking to a friend of mine about his beloved Reds and why he wants Rodgers gone I've done some extensive research on Liverpool's transfer policy.
Going back as far as the arrival of Gérard Houllier and his meticulous painstaking overhaul of everything from Melwood to Anfield in a bid to halt Manchester United's dominance and bring back the league title back to Anfield.
It hasn't happened and 17 years later, 5 Managers and 77 Million spent and they seem even further away then the day Gérard Houllier stepped of the plane in England.
Of course its just my opinion after all but the amount of money been spent at Liverpool on players that have been majorly over priced IMO has not helped matters.
Rodgers has nearly spent the same as Rafa Benitez only 40 million less and he will probably go over that in January should the board again open the cheque book, and that's in only 3 season and took Rafa 6 seasons to spend the same.
Houllier also only spent half of what Rodgers has, again in 6 seasons and arguably he left Benitez with only minor tinkering in his first season to win the Champions League with the squad Gerard had assembled.
Below is a document I've spent a while on and I've tried highlighting the players who I believe have just not lived up to the price or reputation and they're far to many of them that fit that bill.
Until Liverpool start spending the money they have more carefully they have no hope of becoming champions.
Every manager buys duds and they always will but some of the player in the last 17 years are just nowhere near.
You only have to look at the players that have signed and then left with the exception of a couple ie Xabi Alonso and a few more who have moved on and progressed since leaving.
Most have left and disappeared into the football wilderness and the reason is because they were just never good enough.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1wBETaAglNQQ34ryp_zrrd-Z6Ia-u2LeoxL8EN2hnZJc/pubhtml
Semper Fidelis.
Ps There is a few players who I'm undecided on if they will work out so haven't included them in the GOOD BUYS or DUD list so will amend if they make me sway one way or the other
Tuesday 23 December 2014
Thursday 11 December 2014
Champions League: Can Chelsea, Manchester City or Arsenal challenge in the Champions League?
Manchester City's win in the Italian capital's Stadio Olimpico against AS Roma was just about enough to push them into the last 16 knockout stage for a second successive season under Manuel Pellegrini.
But in all honesty can Chelsea, Manchester City or Arsenal Challenge in the Champions League?
In short my opinion is Yes but it isn't going to be easy, But when should becoming European Champions be easy!
Who is into the last 16?
Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City, Atletico Madrid, Juventus, Real Madrid, Basel, Monaco, Bayer Leverkusen, Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Paris St-Germain, Schalke, Porto, Shakhtar Donetsk.
The fact that from the 3 progressing English clubs only Chelsea managed to top their group is going to no doubt give Arsenal and City a huge task in the first knock out round, on paper it looks grim reading though all hope is not lost as we know winning the group by no means guarantees you an easy passage to the quarter finals.
Who can English sides can face in Monday's last-16 draw?
Arsenal - Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid, Monaco, Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Porto.
Chelsea - Juventus, Basel, Bayer Leverkusen, PSG, Shakhtar Donetsk.
Manchester City - Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid, Monaco, Borussia Dortmund, Barcelona, Porto.
Whatever the outcome of the draw on Monday the clubs will have until the end of February to prepare for knockout football and hope to keep players injury free around the busiest time of the season over Christmas and New Year, And also try to get injured players back before the 17 February.
The Usual Suspects
Arsenal - Arsene Wenger has come under much scrutiny again but his Champions League record speaks for itself. Arsenal have yet to match the 2005/06 final, on their day will provide a stern test for anyone and most teams will fear the pace in the side from the likes of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Alexis Sánchez and Theo Walcott when he returns. They really need to keep the squad fit to have any chance of bettering the 05/06 final.
Chelsea - The Pensioners were the group stages highest scorers finding the net 17 times in the 6 group games and that's without the prolific Diego Costa yet to bring his league scoring exploits to this years Competition, Having also only conceded 3 they go into the last 16 flying in Europe and will be a match for anyone.
Real Madrid - Carlo Ancelotti will be looking to bump his CV into football history, after securing 'La Decima' with Real's 10th title when they beat neighbours Atletico Madrid in Lisbon. If he can repeat last season he would become the only manager to win it 4 times. At the moment he's in good company tied with Bob Paisley on 3. They have also been the only team to win all 6 group games and with a squad of new Galácticos really showing how strong they can be and must be the last team you want to have in the first knockout games.
Barcelona - The Catalans are also a team you really don't want, Lionel Messi is now on 75 Champions League goals and the all time leading goal scorer in the competition. The biggest threat without doubt is the attacking options they have are scary with Messi, Neymar and the small £75m signing from Liverpool, Luis Suarez. Defensively though they can be rattled.
Bayern Munich - Pep Guardiola twice a winning manager with Barcelona crashed out last season to Madrid will want to make amends. The German champions will need to improve on the showing in Manchester if they want to progress even though they did field a weakened side. With a solid well balanced squad they have quality all through the squad from arguably the best goalkeeper in the world Manuel Neuer to experienced midfield maestro Xabi Alonso and Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery and World Cup golden boot winning Thomas Muller they will be a match for anyone.
Atlético Madrid - Diego Simeone is proving as adept a manager as he was as a player, after winning the Europe League in his first season and then following it up with a Cope Del Ray and Super Cup and then last season proving his most fruitful grappling the La Liga trophy from the dominance of Barcelona and Real Madrid and also coming runners-up to Madrid in last years final. This has all been done whilst losing arguably his best players each summer. In the summer Thibaut Courtois loan ended and also selling Diego Costa and Filipe Luis to Chelsea like the previous season losing Radamel Falcao to Monaco doesn't seem to of effected their progress with key replacements of Mario Mandžukić and Antoine Griezmann proving quality replacements. Having only lost one game in the group they will again be a deadly opponent.
Borussia Dortmund - After a stuttering start domestically Dortmund have faired better in Europe topping group D above Arsenal. Losing Robert Lewandowski last summer and replacing his 28 goals from last season is starting to have an impact, and has made goals hard to come by with replacement Ciro Immobile hardly hitting the ground running isn't helping. Still a well organised outfit but not quite what they were.
Paris Saint-Germain - Since QSi acquisition of Paris Saint-Germain in June 2011 a lot of money has been spent bringing in the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimović, Thiago Silva, Edinson Cavani and most recently David Luiz. Seemingly unfazed after receiving €60 million fine along with City for breaking Financial Fare Play ( FFF ) rules. The fact they got through a group also containing Barca and beating them once this season they will fear nobody. They have plenty of talent and I don't see them going out easily. Chelsea only beating them on the away goals last year proves that and they've only strengthened since.
Manchester City - With a formidable squad it's quite bizarre that city left it until the final group game to scrape through the groups. Will they have any chance of progressing? Its not going to be easy as like Arsenal only coming second in the group means the heavyweights await on Monday's draw and both will be hoping to avoid the Spanish sides but with the likes of Sergio Aguero who has been on fire this season and a solid defence with the likes of Kompany and Zabaleta and Hart between the posts they have every chance.
Bayer Leverkusen - After just squeezing into 4th to qualify on the last day of the season it may be a surprise to see them making the knockout stages. But with Stefan Kießling they have someone who knows his way around the box and the back of the net so they can't be taken lightly.
Juventus - The Old Lady are no European fools, The Serie A Champions came runners-up behind Athletico and always provide a test in Turin. The away form hasn't been great and with Tevez and Llorente leading the line they have goals in the side. Also Gianluigi Buffon shows no sign of slowing down.
Basel - The reigning Super League Champions are obvious underdogs and have little or no chance of making the final let alone winning it, Saying that they've been around the competition and have a few players who have got good pedigree and can damage you as Liverpool and Manchester United have found out in recent seasons. Paulo Sousa has Argentine hardman Walter Samuel with his wealth of experience sure to help along with captain Marco Streller also clever player and topped with Albanian Shkëlzen Gashi scoring 11 from his first 15 appearances he's one to keep an eye on.
Monaco - Remarkably goal shy Monaco won their group after only scoring 4 goals in the 6 opening games, Despite this it was enough to top the group and the fact that they sold James Rodríguez and let Radamel Falcao join United on loan to scale down on wages is surely going to coat them. They do obviously have quality in the team but I don't think even captain Jérémy Toulalan probably wouldn't of expected them to make the knockout stages.
Porto - The Portuguese Dragons topped the group without losing a game. The fact they lost two players in Mangala and Fernando to City in the summer for a combined €42 million they've used that money well bringing in Yacine Brahimi and Dutch International Bruno Martins Indi and also Adrián López Álvarez from Athletico Madrid. The squad has no fewer than 9 Brazilians which shows were the majority of there players are scouted. Jackson Martinez has a phenomenal goal scoring record and with pace to catch out any defenders expecting an easy game.
Schalke - Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting provide the attacking options for the 4th Germans left in the competition. Along with pace from the likes of Jefferson Farfán and Sidney Sam a summer arrival from Leverkusen. Benedikt Höwedes is captain and normally with Kevin Prince Boateng providing the strength in the middle of the park. Also 21 year old hot prospect Julian Draxler is a player to watch out for.
Shakhtar Donetsk - The Ukrainians make up the final place and with this years leading scorer Luiz Adriano on 9 Goals which is 1 more then Messi they do have quality. Though it has to be said the group they were in was by far the easiest with FC BATE Borisov in the group winning 7-0 away and 5-0 home helped massively. They Also have Brazilians Fred and Bernard and Croatian Darijo Srna as captain they have plenty of experience but definitely not enough quality to win it.
Will this year see an English team become champions of Europe remains to be seen but for the record I think it will be Real Madrid with Carlo Ancelotti becoming the first to do it outright as a manager 4 times putting ghim ahead of the legend Bob Paisley. Add that to his to winners medals as a player this could be his 6th year of holding the European Cup which would really be something.
Semper Fidelis
But in all honesty can Chelsea, Manchester City or Arsenal Challenge in the Champions League?
In short my opinion is Yes but it isn't going to be easy, But when should becoming European Champions be easy!
Who is into the last 16?
Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City, Atletico Madrid, Juventus, Real Madrid, Basel, Monaco, Bayer Leverkusen, Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Paris St-Germain, Schalke, Porto, Shakhtar Donetsk.
The fact that from the 3 progressing English clubs only Chelsea managed to top their group is going to no doubt give Arsenal and City a huge task in the first knock out round, on paper it looks grim reading though all hope is not lost as we know winning the group by no means guarantees you an easy passage to the quarter finals.
Who can English sides can face in Monday's last-16 draw?
Arsenal - Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid, Monaco, Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Porto.
Chelsea - Juventus, Basel, Bayer Leverkusen, PSG, Shakhtar Donetsk.
Manchester City - Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid, Monaco, Borussia Dortmund, Barcelona, Porto.
Whatever the outcome of the draw on Monday the clubs will have until the end of February to prepare for knockout football and hope to keep players injury free around the busiest time of the season over Christmas and New Year, And also try to get injured players back before the 17 February.
The Usual Suspects
Arsenal - Arsene Wenger has come under much scrutiny again but his Champions League record speaks for itself. Arsenal have yet to match the 2005/06 final, on their day will provide a stern test for anyone and most teams will fear the pace in the side from the likes of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Alexis Sánchez and Theo Walcott when he returns. They really need to keep the squad fit to have any chance of bettering the 05/06 final.
Chelsea - The Pensioners were the group stages highest scorers finding the net 17 times in the 6 group games and that's without the prolific Diego Costa yet to bring his league scoring exploits to this years Competition, Having also only conceded 3 they go into the last 16 flying in Europe and will be a match for anyone.
Real Madrid - Carlo Ancelotti will be looking to bump his CV into football history, after securing 'La Decima' with Real's 10th title when they beat neighbours Atletico Madrid in Lisbon. If he can repeat last season he would become the only manager to win it 4 times. At the moment he's in good company tied with Bob Paisley on 3. They have also been the only team to win all 6 group games and with a squad of new Galácticos really showing how strong they can be and must be the last team you want to have in the first knockout games.
Barcelona - The Catalans are also a team you really don't want, Lionel Messi is now on 75 Champions League goals and the all time leading goal scorer in the competition. The biggest threat without doubt is the attacking options they have are scary with Messi, Neymar and the small £75m signing from Liverpool, Luis Suarez. Defensively though they can be rattled.
Bayern Munich - Pep Guardiola twice a winning manager with Barcelona crashed out last season to Madrid will want to make amends. The German champions will need to improve on the showing in Manchester if they want to progress even though they did field a weakened side. With a solid well balanced squad they have quality all through the squad from arguably the best goalkeeper in the world Manuel Neuer to experienced midfield maestro Xabi Alonso and Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery and World Cup golden boot winning Thomas Muller they will be a match for anyone.
Atlético Madrid - Diego Simeone is proving as adept a manager as he was as a player, after winning the Europe League in his first season and then following it up with a Cope Del Ray and Super Cup and then last season proving his most fruitful grappling the La Liga trophy from the dominance of Barcelona and Real Madrid and also coming runners-up to Madrid in last years final. This has all been done whilst losing arguably his best players each summer. In the summer Thibaut Courtois loan ended and also selling Diego Costa and Filipe Luis to Chelsea like the previous season losing Radamel Falcao to Monaco doesn't seem to of effected their progress with key replacements of Mario Mandžukić and Antoine Griezmann proving quality replacements. Having only lost one game in the group they will again be a deadly opponent.
Borussia Dortmund - After a stuttering start domestically Dortmund have faired better in Europe topping group D above Arsenal. Losing Robert Lewandowski last summer and replacing his 28 goals from last season is starting to have an impact, and has made goals hard to come by with replacement Ciro Immobile hardly hitting the ground running isn't helping. Still a well organised outfit but not quite what they were.
Paris Saint-Germain - Since QSi acquisition of Paris Saint-Germain in June 2011 a lot of money has been spent bringing in the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimović, Thiago Silva, Edinson Cavani and most recently David Luiz. Seemingly unfazed after receiving €60 million fine along with City for breaking Financial Fare Play ( FFF ) rules. The fact they got through a group also containing Barca and beating them once this season they will fear nobody. They have plenty of talent and I don't see them going out easily. Chelsea only beating them on the away goals last year proves that and they've only strengthened since.
Manchester City - With a formidable squad it's quite bizarre that city left it until the final group game to scrape through the groups. Will they have any chance of progressing? Its not going to be easy as like Arsenal only coming second in the group means the heavyweights await on Monday's draw and both will be hoping to avoid the Spanish sides but with the likes of Sergio Aguero who has been on fire this season and a solid defence with the likes of Kompany and Zabaleta and Hart between the posts they have every chance.
Bayer Leverkusen - After just squeezing into 4th to qualify on the last day of the season it may be a surprise to see them making the knockout stages. But with Stefan Kießling they have someone who knows his way around the box and the back of the net so they can't be taken lightly.
Juventus - The Old Lady are no European fools, The Serie A Champions came runners-up behind Athletico and always provide a test in Turin. The away form hasn't been great and with Tevez and Llorente leading the line they have goals in the side. Also Gianluigi Buffon shows no sign of slowing down.
Basel - The reigning Super League Champions are obvious underdogs and have little or no chance of making the final let alone winning it, Saying that they've been around the competition and have a few players who have got good pedigree and can damage you as Liverpool and Manchester United have found out in recent seasons. Paulo Sousa has Argentine hardman Walter Samuel with his wealth of experience sure to help along with captain Marco Streller also clever player and topped with Albanian Shkëlzen Gashi scoring 11 from his first 15 appearances he's one to keep an eye on.
Monaco - Remarkably goal shy Monaco won their group after only scoring 4 goals in the 6 opening games, Despite this it was enough to top the group and the fact that they sold James Rodríguez and let Radamel Falcao join United on loan to scale down on wages is surely going to coat them. They do obviously have quality in the team but I don't think even captain Jérémy Toulalan probably wouldn't of expected them to make the knockout stages.
Porto - The Portuguese Dragons topped the group without losing a game. The fact they lost two players in Mangala and Fernando to City in the summer for a combined €42 million they've used that money well bringing in Yacine Brahimi and Dutch International Bruno Martins Indi and also Adrián López Álvarez from Athletico Madrid. The squad has no fewer than 9 Brazilians which shows were the majority of there players are scouted. Jackson Martinez has a phenomenal goal scoring record and with pace to catch out any defenders expecting an easy game.
Schalke - Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting provide the attacking options for the 4th Germans left in the competition. Along with pace from the likes of Jefferson Farfán and Sidney Sam a summer arrival from Leverkusen. Benedikt Höwedes is captain and normally with Kevin Prince Boateng providing the strength in the middle of the park. Also 21 year old hot prospect Julian Draxler is a player to watch out for.
Shakhtar Donetsk - The Ukrainians make up the final place and with this years leading scorer Luiz Adriano on 9 Goals which is 1 more then Messi they do have quality. Though it has to be said the group they were in was by far the easiest with FC BATE Borisov in the group winning 7-0 away and 5-0 home helped massively. They Also have Brazilians Fred and Bernard and Croatian Darijo Srna as captain they have plenty of experience but definitely not enough quality to win it.
Will this year see an English team become champions of Europe remains to be seen but for the record I think it will be Real Madrid with Carlo Ancelotti becoming the first to do it outright as a manager 4 times putting ghim ahead of the legend Bob Paisley. Add that to his to winners medals as a player this could be his 6th year of holding the European Cup which would really be something.
Semper Fidelis
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