The Football Thread 2017-18

[Preezy]

BBC Sport have picked up the "Ronaldo leaving Madrid" story now, so it might have more than a kernel of truth to it.

I don't know how much he'd cost - he's 32 now so would Madrid expect to get back what they initially spent? I mean he's probably the fittest 32 year old on the planet and could easily play at the highest level for a few more years, but still.

[Moggy]

BBC Sport have picked up the "Ronaldo leaving Madrid" story now, so it might have more than a kernel of truth to it.

I don't know how much he'd cost - he's 32 now so would Madrid expect to get back what they initially spent? I mean he's probably the fittest 32 year old on the planet and could easily play at the highest level for a few more years, but still.

I guess it depends on if they want to get rid of him and how long is left on his contract. Didn't he sign a new 5 year deal just a year or two ago?

If he is desperate to leave and if Real still want De Gea, maybe he'll head back to Man U in some sort of swap deal?

[Preezy]

If he is desperate to leave and if Real still want De Gea, maybe he'll head back to Man U in some sort of swap deal?

I think that would be best for all parties involved

[Moggy]

If he is desperate to leave and if Real still want De Gea, maybe he'll head back to Man U in some sort of swap deal?

I think that would be best for all parties involved

I'm not sure how well he will play in goal for you though.

[Preezy]

If he is desperate to leave and if Real still want De Gea, maybe he'll head back to Man U in some sort of swap deal?

I think that would be best for all parties involved

I'm not sure how well he will play in goal for you though.

I think it would more likely play out like:

Woodward - Ok, give us Ronaldo and you can have De Gea
Perez - Ok, give us De Gea first and then we'll release Ronaldo
Woodward - No, give us Ronaldo first and then we'll release De Gea

*stand-off lasts for infinity*

[RogueLeader]

Could this affect the Morata deal? If Ronaldo leaves, that's one less player in his way at Real. Or United could switch gears to Ronaldo instead.

[BOR]

So, it's real that Ronaldo wants to leave Real Madrid. Hmm...

I'd welcome him back and trade De Gea if we really need to.

Ah well, it's unlikely anyway.

[Irene Demova]

England saved another penalty in a youth tournament!

[Saint of Killers]

And it was a similar kind of save to the last one.

[Rocsteady]

Ronaldo's release clause is 1 billion. I imagine he's staying at Real.

[Saint of Killers]

José Mourinho and Mike Tyson are the heavyweights of counterpunching - The Manchester United manager’s tactics mirror those of boxing’s former world champion: get your retaliation in first

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/ ... erpunching

Mourinho and Tyson What a bizarre combo for an article. Still, an interesting read. (Especially as I initially thought it was going to be about Mourinho getting his digs in first.)

[Moggy]

Ronaldo's release clause is 1 billion.

[Mafro]

First Confederations Cup game about to start on ITV1. Russia vs New Zealand.

[BOR]

First Confederations Cup game about to start on ITV1. Russia vs New Zealand.

Yep, I'm watching it.

[BOR]

It was a poor game and I fell asleep during half way the game

[Saint of Killers]

Football rule-makers to consider reducing games to 60 minutes

• International Football Association Board looking at radical rule changes
• Attempts to cut down time-wasting and make game more attractive

https://www.theguardian.com/football/20 ... 60-minutes

I can't recall which channel first showed the number of minutes a ball was in play stat, but I do recall being amazed how often said stat was nowhere near 90 minutes. I think 30 minute halves with the clock stopping when ball is out of play is a very good idea. Ditto ref's watch linked to stadium clock. That should have been done over a decade ago.

[Denster]

131 million for Ronaldo. That's a hell of a chunk of dough for a 32 year old. Personally - I think this is just tactics to get Madrid to pay his tax bill.

[Pancake]

Football rule-makers to consider reducing games to 60 minutes

• International Football Association Board looking at radical rule changes
• Attempts to cut down time-wasting and make game more attractive

https://www.theguardian.com/football/20 ... 60-minutes

I can't recall which channel first showed the number of minutes a ball was in play stat, but I do recall being amazed how often said stat was nowhere near 90 minutes. I think 30 minute halves with the clock stopping when ball is out of play is a very good idea. Ditto ref's watch linked to stadium clock. That should have been done over a decade ago.

Yeh I like most of the proposals actually, although I'm sure they would cause outrage. People don't like change!

[sawyerpip]

131 million for Ronaldo. That's a hell of a chunk of dough for a 32 year old. Personally - I think this is just tactics to get Madrid to pay his tax bill.

Not sure how that would work because Madrid paying his bill would be some form of remuneration from his employment so he'd have to pay tax again on the amount Madrid paid

[Blue Eyes]

I'm so sick of tax dodging thieves like Ronaldo. Put the banana split in prison.