Robben

[Brophs]

Thats not my point, in the past we seems to be able to lure the top bracket of players you would hear players talk United up but it just seems that most players have their eyes on la liga now (or more focused at Real Madrid). I agree United have always seemed more inclined to make world class players opposed to buying them but IMO buying Robben would almost signal that we only got him because other (better) players had turned us down - like Ribery and Benezema

Nah, it's exactly your point. I asked when you think we were able to lure these 'top bracket' players here. Simply saying in the past we seemed to be able to isn't an answer. Not without mentioning a few of these 'top players' you reckon we got.

The Latin players were always more inclined to go to Spain, Italy, Germany and Portugal. That won't change as long as our culture is so different to theirs, and work permit regulations stay as they are. Not to mention the 50% tax rate. And the fact they grew up watching thos leagues rather than the then-developing Premier League.

This club will always struggle with attracting the very, very top players both for reasons of money and geography, to name but two factors. It was ever thus, to be honest.

 

[OneUnited24]

Nah, it's exactly your point. I asked when you think we were able to lure these 'top bracket' players here. Simply saying in the past we seemed to be able to isn't an answer. Not without mentioning a few of these 'top players' you reckon we got.

The Latin players were always more inclined to go to Spain, Italy, Germany and Portugal. That won't change as long as our culture is so different to theirs, and work permit regulations stay as they are. Not to mention the 50% tax rate. And the fact they grew up watching thos leagues rather than the then-developing Premier League.

This club will always struggle with attracting the very, very top players both for reasons of money and geography, to name but two factors. It was ever thus, to be honest.

Fair enough, totally agree about European footballers watching the Italian/Spainish league when they were younger and "dreaming". But i do believe that we have lost some sort of appeal but it could be more to do with the league losing its appeal rather than just us - i mean each league has its highs and lows, first it was Seria A then La Liga then the PS and now it seems to go back to La Liga

 

[Floyd]

The Latin players were always more inclined to go to Spain, Italy, Germany and Portugal.

What?

 

[Striker10]

Fair enough, totally agree about European footballers watching the Italian/Spainish league when they were younger and "dreaming". But i do believe that we have lost some sort of appeal but it could be more to do with the league losing its appeal rather than just us - i mean each league has its highs and lows, first it was Seria A then La Liga then the PS and now it seems to go back to La Liga

you say la liga though but it isn't. It's Barcalona who won the european cup and real madrid who have spent around 200million....

Liverpool have no money, arsenal have never spent big, chelsea don't really need anyone and we've chosen not to use the money...

Prices right now are distorted and that's for everyone but come the end of the season we'll see how things progress

 

[Brophs]

What?

There are an awful lot more Brazilians and Argentinians in Germany than the UK, no?

 

[Floyd]

There are an awful lot more Brazilians and Argentinians in Germany than the UK, no?

Probably, but they are not any good are they?

Who cares if Utterwankinho plays for Schalke instead of Tottenham?

 

[vuc]

Just read on Serbian news site that Robben has gone to Bayern for 25 million Euros..

Anyone else seen this anywhere?

 

[Ballache]

Just read on Serbian news site that Robben has gone to Bayern for 25 million Euros..

Anyone else seen this anywhere?

Wechselt Arjen Robben zum FC Bayern München? - FC Bayern - Sport - tz-online.de

would be a very good signing for them, but don't know where he will play as they are using a diamond formation under van gaal

 

[vuc]

Does this mean Ribery is leaving?

 

[jojojo]

Just read on Serbian news site that Robben has gone to Bayern for 25 million Euros..

Anyone else seen this anywhere?

It's not confirmed by the clubs yet but it is everywhere. I assume a deal between the clubs is agreed. Whether Robben has agreed personal terms - I don't know, it seems too sudden for that.

The Spanish press says there's an "accord" for Madrid to get first shot at Ribery next year as part of the deal. But I don't know what that means either! Presumably they've agreed a fee and then it'll be up to Madrid/Ribery to take up the option next season or not.

 

[charleysurf]

Does this mean Ribery is leaving?

Hmm, interesting point. I'd rather he went to Madrid than end up at Chelsea.

 

[FranklyVulgar]

So he is leaving? i must admit i'm surprised, a cracking player.

 

[Anduin]

There'll be a Bayern Munich press conference right after the Champions League draw in the evening. You can be sure they'll inform the public that they've signed Robben today. I guess Bayern told Real they can have Ribery next year for a fixed fee if they sell them Robben now.

 

[Boss]

Big mistake from Madrid unless he does go on to suffer a long term injury. I really think they could have used him and Wesley as utility players who were determined to stay.

 

[Gio]

Ribery and Robben on the flanks would be devestatingly good. Usually the case though that if one comes in the other's on his way out.

 

[Rowem]

I imagine that Ribery will be heading in the opposite direction. If not Madrid then certainly somewhere.

Bayern have Schweinsteiger on the wings too. With Ribery's contract coming to an end soon it looks like they have to sell really.

 

[jojojo]

Big mistake from Madrid unless he does go on to suffer a long term injury. I really think they could have used him and Wesley as utility players who were determined to stay.

I don't think I've ever heard anyone call Robben a utility player before.

Madrid wanted them gone - they even talk about them as a set the "Holandes" or the "tulipanes" - it's not got much to do with football except that they were chosen as the fallguys for Barca's treble.

Robben could have stayed at Madrid, they weren't actually kicking him out (unlike Van der Vaart who's still sitiing tight) but I think he probably weighed up the entire atmosphere of the last few weeks and decided he'd be better off somewhere else.

 

[Suedesi]

Huntelaar, Sneijder and Robben gone.
Drenthe, Ruud and Van der Fart still there.

 

[Raoul]

Where did Sneijder go ?

 

[Suedesi]

Inter.

 

[VoetbalWizard]

robben-ribery wings is very good, but i think this just means that madrid are getting ribery either this round or a garunteed option for him next summer for bucket loads of money.

 

[Richter]

The Spanish papers claim Real got a first option on Ribery next year or something like that.

 

[davisjw]

Bollocks, another quality player heading to Real then in Ribery... Until he moves on however Bayern will be dangerous with their wingers... Maybe they can finally win one in their league now

 

[marcus agrippa]

2 Season for RM played 50 Laliga games Vs Rooney's 2 season for MU 55 PL games played. Can't be that bad, and how is he not brave ? Doesn't sound like a realistic quote or you are just assuming or making this up.

why would i make shit up? - what...do I look like Custis?

the link is in this very thread, Genius.

or here.

 

[kouroux]

Jorge Valdano on french radio said that there is still of chance of signing Ribery before the deadline

 

[Dans]

Bayern talking of Robben AND Ribery on the flanks this season with Robben on the right.

 

[prateik]

Jorge Valdano on french radio said that there is still of chance of signing Ribery before the deadline

if he was going to madrid this summer then surely robben wouldve been a part of that deal

think he will stay on for another season

 

[R.N7]

Scored two goals on his debut.

 

[Red Pavan]

Why didn't we even make an attempt to sign these dutch men?

We missed out on both of these Madrid players.

 

[Ekeke]

Bundasliga.

 

[Franq]

Scored two goals on his debut.

comparing that with the way Nani and Valencia played today makes me wonder... i hope SAF proves me wrong and Nani and Valencia will turn out to be wonderfull, but right now, i just dont understand that theyre playing for manchester united... Iif they were considered squad players like park and oshea, it would be a different matter, but theyre not, theyre both first team players... and IMO not good enough by a country mile... or hundred.

 

[Ekeke]

comparing that with the way Nani and Valencia played today makes me wonder... i hope SAF proves me wrong and Nani and Valencia will turn out to be wonderfull, but right now, i just dont understand that theyre playing for manchester united... Iif they were considered squad players like park and oshea, it would be a different matter, but theyre not, theyre both first team players... and IMO not good enough by a country mile... or hundred.

Nani was, as with every game this season, one of our better players.

 

[Franq]

Nani was, as with every game this season, one of our better players.

hmm, i'll concede that Nani wasnt that bad, but, and i dont know why, i just have this negative 'vibe' with those two characters... like i said, i hope to be proven wrong....

 

[Ekeke]

hmm, i'll concede that Nani wasnt that bad, but, and i dont know why, i just have this negative 'vibe' with those two characters... like i said, i hope to be proven wrong....

Well they do still have a lot to prove. But Nani is doing about as well as we could have expected towards doing that.

 

[Godfather]

Nani was, as with every game this season, one of our better players.

Agreed

 

[Alwyn]

Could only find a vid of one of his goals. Have to say, I hope their centre halves are that bad when Rooney's advancing on them.

 

[VoetbalWizard]

robben is going to torch bundesliga. that much is obvious. he wont be there more than 2 years IMO.

 

[Franq]

robben is going to torch bundesliga. that much is obvious. he wont be there more than 2 years IMO.

166 goals in 31 games... bump this thread in 11 months....

seriously, i think robben is one of the best wingers in the world when he is allowed some space to run into, but as soon as they find out in the BL, theyll have two defenders on him constantly and he'll struggle as he he isnt that good with the ball at his feet in small spaces....

 

[Count Duckula]

Where did Robben play, if Ribery played at the same time?

 

[Sonny1972]

They switched , both started of the bench.