I'm always surprised that Schweinsteiger is only 6ft. He's such a colossus he looks like he's 6ft 4+ out there
Toni Kroos | Madridista
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In fairness Sebastian Deisler and Bastian Schweinsteiger are two players who are linked so its easy to get their first names mixed up on rare occasions.
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TBF isn't Bastian the German short version of Sebastian? Like Dan/Daniel, Mike/Michael? People are actually called just Dan/Mike, but it's understandable to assume they're short/nickname versions of the longer names.
God damn it @TheNewEra. I'd convinced myself this was never gonna happen.
You are right it is short form for Sebastian. Imagine if Schweiny was referred to as Sebastian Schweinsteiger though... Wouldn't seem as macho then
Why would you do that?Not really. Basti is a short version for both Sebastian and Bastian, that would be comparable to Mike/Dan. Pretty sure both names originate from the same name (I think it's Greek, not entirely sure though), but both are regular full first names in German.
I know who Seb Deisler is, and I know that Shweini is usually referred to as Bastian. That said, I thought it was pretty obvious that his name is a derivative of Sebastian, and on this occasion I felt like saying it properly. Seemed right when describing his colossal performance.
That said, if Bastian isn't indeed short for Sebastian, then my mistake. Hardly the biggest deal anyway.
From my recollection when he was a young wide player coming through the ranks he was always referred to as Sebastian Schweinsteiger. Perhaps it was just commentators who were wrong and assumed just as I did that his full-name was Sebastian.
That said, if Bastian isn't indeed short for Sebastian, then my mistake. Hardly the biggest deal anyway.
From my recollection when he was a young wide player coming through the ranks he was always referred to as Sebastian Schweinsteiger. Perhaps it was just commentators who were wrong and assumed just as I did that his full-name was Sebastian.
No big deal, but definitely confusing, especially if you mix it up with a Juve player, it all made no sense at first
.And yes, Bastian isn't short for Sebastian in this case. Schweinsteiger's first name is 'Bastian'.
No he bloody well isn't. He's not as good as Lewandowski, but apparently that is enough to be considered garbage now.
Applies to Giroud, Hernandez as well
Btw. Toni is usually the short/nickname version of the German name Anton, but Kroos' first name is indeed Toni and not Anton.
Ah, we have to do this thing where if we say a player is rubbish, we need to put an asterix and say in the small-print 'not rubbish in the same was my gran or a conference player is rubbish, just rubbish in comparison with all the other comparable players at other teams'.
If Giroud or Hernandez were first choice centreforwards for Bayern (or even United, in Hernandez' case), people are likely to spend more time talking about how 'not good' they are as opposed to how good they were.
So yea, Mandzukic is garbage. Just as Grosskreutz is, and Valencia is and Torres is (currently). I imagine they would all be quite revered if they played for their local school team though.
I think Großkreutz can offer a lot in teams with his versatility though he's one that can fill in quite nicely, if there's a problem in that area, or if you need a player to help surpress attacks down a flank in a game you can throw him on he's a player who maybe isn't a world beater but he does offer a good deal to the team, the German John O'Shea but can play in the midfield too!
John O'Shea is rubbish too. The ability to play several positions is useful, but does not make you good. Kuba can play almost all the same positions that he can, and is not a rubbish player. Grosskreutz is just not very good. I've heard this 'tactical' argument quite a few times. He's just a tryer who stands out amongst his teammates for being noticably less talented than them.
I know that, but I'm saying for instance if you had a team that had a star performer on the left wing like Ribéry for instance (although I know he could Roam) and a player was struggling defending, you bring him on to sure things up, it does help at times to take the pressure off especially if the LB / RB wasn't so assured in that game.
I think at times there is room for a squad player like that in a team where it has its achilles heal, if you have a starting XI of world class players of course a player like Kevin isnt going to suffice.
Manchester United given Toni Kroos boost as Real pull out of race
MANCHESTER UNITED could have a clear run at Bayern Munich's prize asset Toni Kroos after Real Madrid pulled out of the race to sign him.
Real Madrid have pulled out of the race for Toni Kroos [GETTY]
Kroos' future has been up in the air for a while as there has been a stand off over a new contract.
Bayern have already insisted they are doing everything in their power to keep hold of Kroos, but the midfielder hinted recently he would be open to moving to the Premier League and admitted: "No decision has been made.
"It is no secret that the Premier League is a possibility for me."
David Moyes has taken a keen interest in Toni Kroos [GETTY]
It is no secret that the Premier League is a possibility for me
Toni Kroos
David Moyes could be handed a bumper £200 million warchest to spend on players in the summer.
Kroos could be available for £25m but reports emanating on the continent indicate Real may be reluctant to spend big.
It will be intriguing to see whether or not United get their hands on their man.
Cue "Why do we only buy players Real are not interested in?"
"Kroos could be available for £25m but reports emanating on the continent indicate Real may be reluctant to spend big"
Cue every other team will buy him and not us or he's just using us for the inevitable new contract
"Kroos could be available for £25m but reports emanating on the continent indicate Real may be reluctant to spend big"
I really don't see any problem with the quote at all.
Cue some kind of 'we're talking about Real Zaragoza, right?' joke.
This. Changes. EVERYTHING!
Just to state the obvious, £25m doesn't count as "big" with Madrid, though it's possible they won't want to enter a direct wages bidding war if we're after him.
The "don't want to spend big" rumour coming from Madrid relates to them looking at players like Pogba and Vidal - and viewing them as too expensive unless they sell/swap players.
The "don't want to spend big" rumour coming from Madrid relates to them looking at players like Pogba and Vidal - and viewing them as too expensive unless they sell/swap players.
25mil too big for Real Madrid if they want a player?
Probably more like not a fancy enough purchase. Reckon they might be looking at someone a lot more marquee like Suarez.
Clearly my hilarious, sophisticated and well executed joke went over your head
Although I don't actually see Kroos going to Madrid even if they offered an enormous amount like 25 million. It's crazy money, sure but I think Bayern would find the conviction to turn down such an Earth-shattering fee.
Surely £25M is far too cheap for Kroos?
He'll only have 12 months of his contract left.
They don't really need kroos though, one of the few times who don't. He's always been more of an attacking one, and they have modric or isco for that. He's not as defensive as Xabi Alonso so I can't see them using him as that replacement either. More likely that Madrid will go after pogba rather then kroos.
If Kroos does leave, I can see United, Arsenal, Chelsea, Barca, and maybe psg and Juve going after him. Now we just have to hope he really wants to play in the premier league, and then we'd have a chance as we're still a bigger club then arsenal or Chelsea, irrespective of current positions. I think he'll get a new contract though.
If Kroos does leave, I can see United, Arsenal, Chelsea, Barca, and maybe psg and Juve going after him. Now we just have to hope he really wants to play in the premier league, and then we'd have a chance as we're still a bigger club then arsenal or Chelsea, irrespective of current positions. I think he'll get a new contract though.
aah, ok. That explains that then. Thanks.
I expect him to be Juve's number one midfield target if Pogba leaves for big money this summer, which is not unlikely.
you think Juve could offer a better deal than we could? He's not 33, he'd much rather the Premier League.
I presented no opinion whatsoever on the likeliness of Kroos signing for Juventus or United. There are arguments for and against both, and even more likely that he stays at Bayern. Do you disagree with my expectation that Juventus might be in for him if 1) Pogba leaves and 2) Kroos doesn't sign a new contract? If not, why the cockiness?
Since you brought it up any way, considering United's situation right now, English teams in the CL and the history of German players in the Serie A and Premier League respectively: stones, glass houses etc.
Yeah, it did
Kroos is definitely a fancy purchase. One of the best young CMs in the world atm.
I'm sure Juve would be interested, as probably would City, Chelsea, PSG, Barcelona, Monaco, Real Madrid, and of course United.
Yes they could, depending on the criteria a players prioritizes (more often than not money, then CL, then the general quality of the team) Juventus could more tempting. I'm just saying we know nothing and Kroos a long time Serie A fanboi for all we know.
Normally Juve wouldn't be interested because they don't need him and he would also cost too much for them (they never spend much on transfer fees, Pogba, Llorenthe etc were all as good as free transfers). But in the event Pogba or Vidal would get sold they would have a spot for him in their team and I guess he would be on their targetlist and they would also have money available to afford the transfer fee.
The thing is if it boiled down to either Juventus or United (which is in no way a given because there might be other parties who could get interested) than I don't see Juventus as the favorite to land him. The reason why is because Kroos clearly wants to earn alot of money, which is the reason why he would leave bayern in the first place. United can pay higher salaries than Juventus because they have more money available, definitley this summer where they'll be desperate to improve the quality in the team and Kroos will be one of their number one priorities. Another thing is United already know they need Kroos and already started scouting trips and perhaps even negotiations, as soon as Kroos becomes avaiable they will be all over him to try and land him. Juventus will only step in as soon as Pogba or Vidal will be sold, which might drag on longer, hence why Kroos (if he is available) may already be a United player before Pogba or Vidal would get sold. In the event Juventus and United are both equally interested and offering the same wage I think the choice isn't clear cut either, surely Juventus is the preffered destination in the short term because you'll be playing CL footy next year but lets not forget the PL is a more attractive league than the Serie A and United (although we are crap atm) is still a bigger club (with more resources to back up their ambitions) than Juventus which will no doubt play out in the long term.
I also don't get your point about english teams in the CL as Italian teams are actually doing a poorer job in the CL. Naploi and Juve didn't even get past the group stage and Milan is defeated now by Atletico. Sure I won't be bragging that english are doing a great job in europe (definitley not United this season, although we may still progress to the QF) but saying that Italian teams should be preferred over english ones because of the CL is just weird because Italy is even poorer in europe than england. We've had United in 3 CL finals over the last couple of years and Chelsea also won the CL final and after that the EL. Italy only had Inter in 2010, after that for Italian teams it has been very poor.
United will invest in the summer and no doubt within a couple of seasons they'll be able to compete for silverware in the PL and CL again. Maybay with or without Moyes will see. Anyway if it boils down to long term Kroos would be better off playing for United than for Juventus because they have more resources available to match their ambitions while Juve will have to bite on every penny they spend and their succes will match the success of the Serie A which will not be great. If he is shortminded you may be able to attract him but only if you are prepared to spend the cash not only on his transfer fee but also on his wages, which is something that could be a problem for Juve and in terms off timing you'll only be able to go after him when Pogba or Vidal are sold, which might drag on after which it might already be too late to sign Kroos.
Saying all that I'am not claiming he is a definite United player (as staying at Bayern or going to a team like for example Real, City or PSG are maybay even more likely) but when it comes down to United or Juventus I think United is the favorite in signing in and I think it is unlikely he'll end up at Juventus.
Good post @NoArroJusBeta. I absolutely agree with you on everything, and I never said anything else than that Juventus will likely be in for a quality midfielder with 12 months left on his contract. I just objected to Pexbo's post, since it implied that the very notion of Juventus' potential interest is laughable.
Real currently have money, sex appeal and an excellent manager, so they're super attractive. Out of all other teams interested, I'd say Juventus is no less attractive than City, PSG or United. Vidal and Tevez currently earn significantly more than Kroos does at Bayern, so don't underestimate the financial power. Wages in Italy are presented post-tax, apparently causing some confusion.
Real currently have money, sex appeal and an excellent manager, so they're super attractive. Out of all other teams interested, I'd say Juventus is no less attractive than City, PSG or United. Vidal and Tevez currently earn significantly more than Kroos does at Bayern, so don't underestimate the financial power. Wages in Italy are presented post-tax, apparently causing some confusion.
@NoArroJusBeta Was spot on with the post, Juventus wouldn't come close, however the other day Ancelotti said he would love to have Pogba at Real Madrid.
I still don't see Juventus being favourites, I don't see City personally, they have too many midfielders, Fernandinho, Silva, Nasri, Touré, Milner, Navas (a lot of those occupy the space he would play in) but PSG it is a possibility, I don't see Kroos wanting to play in Ligue 1 though, It'd be the premier league... all teams either need a striker or defenders too so I think if he were to leave it'd be one place he'd go to.
Seeing the likes of Pereira in our youth academy right now though, by the time he's 21 I can see him as a first team player for United, (with fletcher and carrick moving on) so it'll be interesting to see obviously the team needs a spine to flesh out with youth in the coming systems, I think Kroos, Carvalho are all young to allow us to do that, I'd love Gundogan too but who knows if all of those would happen.
Then the question boils down to, what defenders are available in europe, a lot of clubs need one this season, Moyes would have to have done his business early (before the world cup) to tie down crucial signatures.
I still don't see Juventus being favourites, I don't see City personally, they have too many midfielders, Fernandinho, Silva, Nasri, Touré, Milner, Navas (a lot of those occupy the space he would play in) but PSG it is a possibility, I don't see Kroos wanting to play in Ligue 1 though, It'd be the premier league... all teams either need a striker or defenders too so I think if he were to leave it'd be one place he'd go to.
Seeing the likes of Pereira in our youth academy right now though, by the time he's 21 I can see him as a first team player for United, (with fletcher and carrick moving on) so it'll be interesting to see obviously the team needs a spine to flesh out with youth in the coming systems, I think Kroos, Carvalho are all young to allow us to do that, I'd love Gundogan too but who knows if all of those would happen.
Then the question boils down to, what defenders are available in europe, a lot of clubs need one this season, Moyes would have to have done his business early (before the world cup) to tie down crucial signatures.
You don't have to look at what Kroos is earning right now at Bayern I don't know the exact number but I'd say it is somewhere in the region of £70.000. He is asking that to be significantly increased by Bayern who are refusing that, what I have heard he is demanding something in the region of £150.000. If he doesn't get an agreement with Bayern than United will step in as soon as the transferwindow opens and according to the rumours we would be willing to offer him up to to £200.000-£250.000 to come here. Now I don't know what Vidal and Tevez are earning at Juve but I know it is not that much and given the financial situation I doubt Juventus will be willing to match it.
For me these are the most likely situations:
1: He'll sign a new contract Bayern when they give in to his wages (they'll realise it is stupid to lose such a player over wages)
2: He'll stay at Bayern but he doesn't sign a new contract (the thing gets dragged on into next season, where he might sign a contract or leave for free at the end of the year)
3:He'll sign for United, who will make him one of the top earners in the world and who will be able to guarantee him a big role in a squad that will be building to become a new powerhouse again
4: He'll sign for a team like Real, Barcelona, PSG, City or Chelsea
5: He'll end up at a team like Arsenal, Juventus or Monaco
The reason why I think he is more likely to end up at United over those other teams is because they don't really need him as much as United needs him. Which is also the reason why they might hesitate in making him a real top earner. Most of these club will have other priorities in the summer and will be focusing their money on other targets I think. While for United the number one priority is unmistakenbly a midfielder and Kroos is the first name on the transferlist, money available and willing to spend it because they really need to this time. I can't really see Real, Barca, City or PSG making Kroos a priority this summer and I think that will be the only way they'll be able to beat off United is when they want him as much and are willing to throw their money at him. Which is also the reason why I think he won't end up at Juventus or Arsenal, for Monaco I just think he isn't interested in playing for them.
I think he wants the premier league personally, by what he has said in the past, the hints his brother has dropped, I also think Gundogan is likely and Carvalho, those 3 I think are very likely this summer, maybe only two of them, but maybe all three.
I think they'll prefer money on the table for him to chase a few other targets, I personally think, Bayern will lose to Barcelona in the Champions League this year, and I think because of losing to Barcelona, they will sell to strengthen in other areas, that's my personal opinion.
There's one problem though with Kroos is, I think we would need a similar to bayern set up to help him split teams in two, he's capable of going through the middle yes... but stretching teams, if you look at some of Kroos best passes, it's when Lahm/Alaba, or Robben, Ribéry run behind and he plays the ball perfectly time in behind, we'd need a winger who is capable of doing that on either side.
Valencia, Young, Nani, Januzaj don't run behind defences, they like it to feet to run at the opposition, so where are we going to get that from? Griezmann fits that profile, so does Reus, but Reus is obviously a no-go this summer, and in 2015 when he is... there'll be a lot of teams keen, so would United go for Griezmann this summer also to aid with stretching teams?
Then there's the needing a CB and a LB to add to all those woes, it's quite a few players the team needs to have the depth to challenge in all competitions next year.
I do think United's a realistic possibility for Kroos, with our without the CL. What goes on in the head of Kroos, none of us can know. Maybe Mario Gomez and Klose highly recommend Juventus to him - who knows?
Harsh to put us in the same category as Monaco, though.
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