Van Persie

[Maria]

i already imagine his answer to that:

LOL, it's not true.

premier league is more competetive and better. anybody can win anybody...

blabla

FACT

The problem is that in the last 2 years at least Bundesliga and Serie A have been more competitive..not that he has taken into account what I wrote few posts ago..

 

[UberNjufer]

No, I mean totenham, arsenal, liverpool, chelsea, man city. There is no way bottom teams in Spain are better than those in England b.c bottom teams in spain don't have the money that bottom teams in England do.( money = signings)

those prem. teams barely play football,and best proof is absolute rubish results in europa league.

 

[UberNjufer]

lets give him a break, he is obviously born in the world of skysports etc:

can't expect much from this guy

 

[evilhita666]

lets give him a break, he is obviously born in the world of skysports etc:

can't expect much from this guy

Well, at least they got Portugal right...

 

[Daemul]

That map is a true reperesentation of what the English media think of everyone else, it's shocking

 

[zanela]

Are you trying to say that Messi is not that good actually for playing for Barcelona all these years? If you want to be unfair to Van Persie by saying he hasn't played for average sides like sporting and zaragoza then why do we even consider Messi among the best players in history? I would like to say that the fact that Van Persie has remained in a top club for so long proves that he's quality. Anyone can get to the highest level but not everyone can mantain there. The time Villa spent at Valencia wasn't too bad becAUSE vALENCIA in the 2000's were actually really good teams.

Messi is a once in a generation talent. He stood out in a team of superstars as a teenager, was our best player in a poor season 07/08, and has been pivotal in propelling this team to its zenith, he does things with the ball that's synonymous only with Football's crème de la crème. Individually he'd be just as special in a lesser(functional) team even if he doesn't win as many titles. But neither DV7 or RVP, as good as they are, can be put in the same bracket as Leo. Proving one's worth in an average side don't always make you greater, but it's to the player's merits. One that will be used in favor when evaluating players of similar ilk.
And i didn't say the Valencia DV7 played for lacked quality, but there was growing instability within. And if you do want to attribute much of his success there to his quality teammates, then how about his time at Zara and Gijón. oh..but that would be unfair to Van Persie.

Most of these skills have not been produced in Barcelona yet. And most strikers can actually do things like these so I'm not surprised.

There are those who can, and there are those who do, and its the latter that 'll be remembered. And Villa has pulled the spectacular in the biggest of stages and games.
If you were to make a Top 10 compilation of Villa's career so far, you'll find his left footed curler vs sevilla and his arc vs madrid(supercup) in there. And that was whilst wearing the blaugrana. He has produced his magic at barca, just not frequently but more than enough for someone playing a supporting role.

If Messi hasn't been able to shine against "less technical sides" in English soil I really doubt it would be so easy as you claim. Messi score in English soil last year...... how long has Messi been playing champions league and still hasn't managed to do something espectacular against english teams ( the final was an exeption). For the most part Messi has failed there.

You come across as a hardcore EPL fanboy who sees everything through EPL glasses. The top English defences have always found it difficult
containing messi (at 18 he ripped mou's well-drilled and organised chelsea defence), he was our best player at old trafford 07/08 having immediately returned from an injury break. The only way to stop him was to double/triple mark him which hiddick's chelsea later deployed effectively. Yet, he came up with an assist and unsettled their defense. He's always had the better of them(and this was against a prime terry, cole, carvalho, vidic, rio)..can u imagine what he'd do to the likes of evans, jones, luiz, cahill, kaboul, dawson..and it gets worse you as you go down. He was always a threat on the English soil, but its only now that he's statistically showing it, for 2 reasons - He has devoped further and improved as a player, and so has the team around him. Villa won't be much troubled disposing of EPL defences outside top 5, and make a mug out of the top tier every now and then.

I did watch Villa before Barca and today he's not even the shadow of the player he used to ber and unfortunately I don't think he's ever coming back. If I had to choose between THAT Villa ( valencia) and this Van Persie, there is no doubt I would pick Villa but If I have to choose between THIS Villa and this Vanpersie I'd take this Van Persie anytime any day (Putting feelings aside b.c I really like Villa as a person). The Villa I have watched at barca ( besides that first part of his first season) is nowhere near the villa I once knew. The Villa from Valencia was one of the best finishers in la liga . He would never miss the goals that I watched him miss after that first half of his first season with barca. So many situations one on one against the goalie. One game comes to mind.... the game against Valencia when we drew. He had a chance alone with the keeper after a Messi through ball and he failed . The game against Arsenal, had a few clear goal opportunities that could have saved us all the suffering and Van Persie situation. He's not the same player. He's slow, tired, weak, wasteful. I love him as a person and if he stays I will not mind but let us not forget Madrid will get stronger and stronger next season. They will sure uy more quality players and form one of the best squads the world has seen. I'm worried we won't be able to face them with what we have now.

That villa (valencia) won't be the same as the villa today, because he's now playing supporting cast, while at Los Che he was the primary goal-scorer. He has additional duties at Barca, which is essential to our team play and he performs them to the tee. Strikers tend to be hot and cold in front of goal, and their efficacy very much depends on form. I agree his finishing hasn't been consistent the past year, and has missed few crucial chances, but the same can be said about other forwards, do you want them all out too? And Villa missed loads of chances at Valencia as well, it's not a recent phenomenon. But he always delivered on the big occasion, and has for us for the most part. Lets not forget he's had injury woes since mid 2011, which has impeded his return to better form.
I could atleast understand if you were advocating a younger player as villa's replacement. But the rationale behind Van Persie is weak and unconvincing:

- He's only 1.6 yrs younger. If he came, the adaptation will take time. Don't you think he'll instantly fit in to our play because he's a great talent, technical, has the skills etc. Our system and style of play is different to that of arsenal, and any foreign player coming in will struggle initially and it doesn't matter how big of a star you're (villa being an exception - reason being he was accustomed to playing on the left( for his NT), and even as a CF he built his moves from the left channel, the other being his chemistry he previously shared with the catalan contingent). Our former arsenal signings took time to take off - Henry, and some never did - Hleb, and those who have - Cesc -'ve proved determintal to our game play. Van Persie's adaptation period means he loses the 1.6 years advantage he has over Villa.

- Post Cesc, RVP is now the focal point of Arsenal's attack, one main reason for his high numbers(which seem to be why people think he's on the up). RVP won't enjoy the same luxury at Barca, and the best player in the world won't be moved wide to accommodate a lesser player in RVP in the centre. Even if he is, he'll still be playing sec fiddle to Messi. Furthermore, Van Persie has not once in his career shown to be as effective or productive as Villa from a wide position. People think scoring 23(52) from wings is ordinary. It's not. And i doubt a 30/31 y.o RVP can emulate the same, forget improving on it.

-With Villa, you get reliability and a player who knows our system, and works in unison with the team. To break such an association to fit in a lesser player, but also injury-prone without significant age advantage isn't a very smart idea.

 

[danumber10]

lets give him a break, he is obviously born in the world of skysports etc:

can't expect much from this guy

You don't have anything to say about my answer? Well I guess that's a good way to evade my comment....

 

[danumber10]

FIFA World Player of the Year (1991-present)
13 winners from La Liga.
10 from Serie A.
1 each from Premier League, Dutch League and French League.


UEFA Champions League Winners (1991-present)
7 wins for La Liga.
5 from Serie A.
3 from Premier League.


So yeah, the Premier League has all the best players and the best teams.

And, mentioning the World Cup as evidence of Premier League being the best? Yeah they provided the most players but how many of the 4 top goalscorers were from the Premier League? 2 were from La Liga, 1 from Serie and 1 from Bundesliga...

And how many of the World Cup XI were from the Premier League? 0 if I remember correctly?

And remind me again of the team that one, how many from the Premier League compared to La Liga?

Maybe my wording was not correct and for that I apologize. Fifa player of the year can easily be dismantled knowing that Madrid and Barca are the only teams in Spain to have players win this award. Does it surprise anyone? In one hand we have Madrid the richest team on earth and on the other hand we have barca the 2nd team with better economy in Spain. They both have been able to afford what other couldn't. I'm not surprised about italy because in the 90's Serie A WAS the best league in the world. You see we can't talk about the past trying to prove the present. Yes, in the past at some point the Italian league was the best but not today.UEFA Champions League Winners? It represents more the BEST TEAMS and not the best league. You see, You can have the best team in your league while not having the most competitive league. Something we see today. I don't think anyone would say La Liga is the best league ( ask even Spaniards and they will tell you the EPL is the best league) yet la liga has the 2 best teams in the world. Maybe the way I used words was incorrect when I tried to express myself. I know for sure the best players are in la liga ( madrid, barca) but in the EPL the best players are divided among 5-7 teams. That's the difference and therefore it makes it more competitive.

 

[danumber10]

those prem. teams barely play football,and best proof is absolute rubish results in europa league.

the fact that a team can win a cup doesn't mean a LEAGUE is competitive. England has won the Europe Cup 6 times , the same number as Spanish teams.

 

[UberNjufer]

the fact that a team can win a cup doesn't mean a LEAGUE is competitive. England has won the Europe Cup 6 times , the same number as Spanish teams.

i had last few seasons in mind,and if you are talking about competitvness surely epl is not a good example where man.u won it 11 out of last 19 titles KABOOOM arty1:

 

[Maria]

@danumber10

Why don't you try to answer Zanela's post instead of repeating 10 times that the EPL is the best league in the world? After all we were comparing players, not teams or leagues.

 

[danumber10]

i had last few seasons in mind,and if you are talking about competitvness surely epl is not a good example where man.u won it 11 out of last 19 titles KABOOOM arty1:

I will try to explain again. You can't look so far into the past to find out which league is competitive today. why? Because leagues tend to change from time to time. In both leagues in the past 6 years there has only been 2 teams winning titles. In spain Madrid and barca, In England Manchester United and Chelsea. The difference comes in the other teams competing for the title. While In spain it has only been madrid and barca for 6 years (Except villareal one second place so 3 teams) In England there has been Man United and chelsea plus Arsenal and liverpool ( 4 teams ). Speaking about last year . There was a great gap in la liga after Madrid and Barca , While in the EPL 2nd and third place had the same number of points.

 

[danumber10]

@danumber10

Why don't you try to answer Zanela's post instead of repeating 10 times that the EPL is the best league in the world? After all we were comparing players, not teams or leagues.

I will. it's just a little too long. I did answer her the first time and I will do it again. I need some time dawg!

 

[UberNjufer]

I will try to explain again. You can't look so far into the past to find out which league is competitive today. why? Because leagues tend to change from time to time. In both leagues in the past 6 years there has only been 2 teams winning titles. In spain Madrid and barca, In England Manchester United and Chelsea. The difference comes in the other teams competing for the title. While In spain it has only been madrid and barca for 6 years (Except villareal one second place) In England there has been Arsenal and liverpool ( 2 teams ). Speaking about last year . There was a great gap in la liga after Madrid and Barca , While in the EPL 2nd and third place had the same number of points.

Can you tell me the difference between premier league and la liga this year.Fact is there is none.City and utd. dominate epl while others are far far back same as in la liga with barca and real

 

[Ode to Django]

Can you tell me the difference between premier league and la liga this year.Fact is there is none.City and utd. dominate epl while others are far far back same as in la liga with barca and real

A very average United at that aswell, there is no best league in the world it's just an opinion, i would genuinely argue that the top six or seven in Serie A is just as strong or perhaps even stronger than the Premiership with Milan, Juve, Roma, Napoli, Inter, Udinese, Lazio but who cares just enjoy all the leagues.

Great post too Zanela as always