2018 FIFA World Cup
- Thread starter DalilaD
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Are you sure this is right? Croatia has a number of players who are with Serie A clubs in Italy - Perisic and Brozovic with Inter Milan, Pjaca and Mandzukic with Juventus, Strinic with AC Milan.
I don't think it's just the money. English players may be a bit parochial, too, not speaking other languages.They don't travel well, at any level ... and never really have.
The other big European leagues are fairly global, too: Spain, Germany, Italy, France ... not as "global" as England, but not that far away by percentage of foreigners.
I wonder, too, if the high percentage for England is a bit misleading because it does not count British (as opposed to English) players from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland ...
http://www.skysports.com/football/n...est-percentage-of-foreign-players-uefa-report
I wonder, too, if the high percentage for England is a bit misleading because it does not count British (as opposed to English) players from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland ...
http://www.skysports.com/football/n...est-percentage-of-foreign-players-uefa-report
Meta & Sam21,
Very true, re: English language as a competitive advantage for EPL to draw foreign players. I can tell you from my time living and working in Germany and following the Bundesliga that one of the reasons Bayern Munich has maintained its top status in Champions League play in recent years is their ability to draw Spanish-speaking star players from South America like Arturo Vidal, Douglas Costa, James Rodriguez who didn't know any German when they arrived but felt at home in Munich because everything was handled in English and quality of life is high for players and their families. For German cities, Munich is very diverse ethnically and a large majority of population there speak English. As an anecdote, contrast Munich with not so urban Wolfsburg in East Germany where Kevin De Bruyn used to play for a couple of years before moving to ManCity. During his time at Wolfsburg, he never bothered to learn German and gave all his interviews on German TV in English. While the German fans liked him, he never felt comfortable there at Wolfsburg and his numbers on the football field didn't even come close to those he delivered once he moved to ManCity.
Very true, re: English language as a competitive advantage for EPL to draw foreign players. I can tell you from my time living and working in Germany and following the Bundesliga that one of the reasons Bayern Munich has maintained its top status in Champions League play in recent years is their ability to draw Spanish-speaking star players from South America like Arturo Vidal, Douglas Costa, James Rodriguez who didn't know any German when they arrived but felt at home in Munich because everything was handled in English and quality of life is high for players and their families. For German cities, Munich is very diverse ethnically and a large majority of population there speak English. As an anecdote, contrast Munich with not so urban Wolfsburg in East Germany where Kevin De Bruyn used to play for a couple of years before moving to ManCity. During his time at Wolfsburg, he never bothered to learn German and gave all his interviews on German TV in English. While the German fans liked him, he never felt comfortable there at Wolfsburg and his numbers on the football field didn't even come close to those he delivered once he moved to ManCity.
On the subject of English speaking professional athletes being forced to relocate to other countries to continue to play, one of the most interesting books I have ever read is "Playing For Pizza" by John Grisham. It's one of the few books by Grisham that have nothing to do with the law. It's about a 3rd string NFL quarterback for the Cleveland Browns who is forced to play in the AFC Championship game due to injuries to those ahead of him on the depth chart. He proceeds to throw 3 interceptions in 11 minutes, 2 of which are returned for touchdowns, thus blowing a 17 point lead and becoming a vilified scapegoat for the Browns' loss. After this debacle on national TV he is unceremoniously released by the Browns and is mercilessly shredded by the media. He doesn't get any calls, not even from the Canadian Football league, where he assumes there will be interest and where he could go and play and show NFL teams that the championship game disaster was just a case of opening jitters. Ultimately, the only team that makes him an offer is the Parma Panthers, a club football team in Italy. With no other prospects to play football anywhere, he is compelled to accept it.
The main character is a farm boy from Iowa who starred in college at the University of Iowa, and initially Italy is a huge culture shock for him. However he learns the language and culture and becomes particularly obsessed with Italian food. His Italian teammates grow to love and respect him and he plays the best football of his career in Italy. It's actually a really good light fun summer read which I would recommend:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Playing_for_Pizza
I wonder what Rooney must be thinking? England's first tournament without him and they're thriving. He may be England's all time leading goalscorer, but after Euro 04, he never performed well when it mattered ....
Actually Southgate did attempt to recall Rooney last summer to the national team, to which Rooney responded that he was retiring from international scorer albeit not from professional soccer. This move may have been retaliation for Southgate previously dropping him for various reasons. I think it probably worked out for the best for England in any event.
I think DC United is an interesting landing spot for Rooney. Since I have some familiarity with the American cities I would always recommend NYC as a destination for any Eurodude soccer player. NYC has a very good institutional support structure for the Eurodude soccer player, enough to make them feel like they are at home.
I think DC United is an interesting landing spot for Rooney. Since I have some familiarity with the American cities I would always recommend NYC as a destination for any Eurodude soccer player. NYC has a very good institutional support structure for the Eurodude soccer player, enough to make them feel like they are at home.
Yep and we could say the same for Zlatan for Sweden. Seems like players that are no well like by their teammate tend to under perform at national level.
I agree with you EB. I would add Toronto to the mix as it attracted top talent.
These well known players are interested with NYC (like Thiery Henri), Orlando (Kaka, Villa), Los Angeles (Beckham, Zlatan), soon Miami... and even Montreal for the french speaking one (Drogba, Divao). Great players like Piatti and Fanni decided to play in Montreal mostly because they like the french culture. Quite interesting to see an Argentinian players like Piatti speak french but no english!
I would not really think many players attracted to go play in Kansas City, Atlanta or Salt Lake. But perhaps they are wrong as these teams have great attendance, great fans.
Cheers,
Miami is a good second choice behind NYC because unlike LA it’s not too far away (NYC is the shortest plane ride back to Europe), has nice weather and also South Beach has a somewhat Eurovibe to it. Let’s not forget Versace made it his home. Miami also has a great club scene as was mentioned earlier for the aging Eurostud soccer dude who wants to bang a few more hot babes before retiring to family life in Europe. But a guy like Rooney I could hook him up with great fish and chips and British pub fare like back home much more easily in NYC. You would be shocked at how many places there are in NYC, mostly supported by British and Irish guys working in the construction industry. I actually had one as my client back in the day when I was doing trials in NYC, years ago.
To all you guys who fell in love with Belgium front 3: no goals. 1-0 France! Belgium proved to be a “Flavor of The Week” team as I suspected. Teams like that will always bite you in the ass when they step into a huge game. Brazil would have beaten them if not for the sloppy own goal.
Now if England does it’s part tomorrow we get the France-England final that the world wants to see.
Now if England does it’s part tomorrow we get the France-England final that the world wants to see.
I called it wrong, like I did with so much of this World Cup!
I won't pick England, as that would surely curse them, lol, but I do hope they win tomorrow ....
If you go back to the beginning of this thread I said beware of France from day 1. I was roundly rebutted and told France isn’t that good etc., this in the face of actual talent surveys I posted showing France was possibly the deepest team in top talent in the whole tournament. Again, pooh poohed.
We will see what happens tomorrow.
We will see what happens tomorrow.
But you also picked Argentina! Surely that one cancels out the other, lol ...
Did you guys saw Giroux, Griezman and even Mbappé came back often in defense. They stole the ball at very important moment in such a tight game. France is quite good at all position and well managed. They really played as a team.
Belgium was my pick to win this one. Now it will be a heartbreak if England wins tomorrow. I will go for our french cousin
Cheers,
Belgium was my pick to win this one. Now it will be a heartbreak if England wins tomorrow. I will go for our french cousin
Cheers,
I penciled in France to beat Belgium...France has just too many weapons. They are well coached and the players showed they would die for coach Deschamps!
Belgium's big mistake was not to start Mertens and play him in an attacking mode rather than just have him cross the ball towards the box. Huge Huge mistake!
Well done France! Allez les Bleus!!!
Belgium's big mistake was not to start Mertens and play him in an attacking mode rather than just have him cross the ball towards the box. Huge Huge mistake!
Well done France! Allez les Bleus!!!
Belgium had over 5 times as many fouls as shots on goal (16-3). France had 6 fouls and 5 SOGs. That is the difference between champion and pretender.
Go England!!!!!! The Battle of Waterloo rematch needs to happen!!!
Go England!!!!!! The Battle of Waterloo rematch needs to happen!!!
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