As the calendar creeps toward 2008, a thought occurred to me: which soccer team is the best in the world right now? Who was the best in 2007?
The answer: sort of like the 2007 NCAA football season, nobody.
Whereas it was easy to identify the year's top players: Kaka, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, finding the team of 2007 isn't as simple.
Currently, Arsenal are undefeated in the Premier League but drew a pretty hapless Newcastle team on Wednesday, a result more in line with the 2006-07 season than the current campaign.
Sure the Gunners have flash and panache alongside perhaps the player of 2008 -- Cesc Fabregas. Yet in their heart of hearts are Gooners convinced this team will remain atop the league table come May? This isn't a knock on the red and whites, far from it. Gutty comebacks to get results with Liverpool and Manchester United prove that. It's just, well, is Arsenal really that amazing?
2008 will tell.
And yeah, Manchester United won the Premier League last term. For every hammering, when Rooney and Ronaldo were firing on all cylinders there just as many smash-and-grabs from the likes of John O'Shea. Factor in the drubbing by Milan in the Champions League semifinals and you might have to eliminate the Red Devils, too.
Chelsea certainly underachieved domestically and in Europe. Let's not even dicuss Liverpool, which despite going to the 2007 Champions League final faces a do or die in Marseilles Tuesday. (Better get Popeye Doyle on the phone. 'French Connection II', totally underrated.)
Speaking of Milan, yes the Rosseneiri took home the trophy with the big ears. However their Serie A form was middling at best, regardless of the points deduction.
Their crosstown rivals, Inter, were without par in Serie A but didn't show up in up Europe, losing to Valencia in that famous brawl in the Round of 16. Above all, are Inter anything other than perennial underachievers?
Maybe the most entertaining team in Italy was Roma, but you eliminate them for losing 7-1 to Manchester United, on principal at least.
Around the rest of Europe, Barcelona slumped last year and hasn't set the world on fire as of yet with the addition of Thierry Henry. Real Madrid won La Liga, but with a string of performances that can best be described as forgettable...even with that Beckham fellow.
Again, the most consistent and fun team in Spain might have been Sevilla, which won the UEFA Cup. Yet since Juande Ramos took the money to go to Spurs, Sevilla currently sits closer to last place than first place in the league table.
Germany certainly doesn't have any candidates.
Stuttgart, the 06-07 winners were the proverbial team that got hot at the right time. Mighty Bayern slumped, missed the Champions League and revamped the lineup. Bayern started out like gangbusters, threatening an unbeaten Bundesliga run...but now are just a point ahead of Werder Bremen.
Dutch stalwarts PSV and Ajax were good, not great. Celtic has had a good run in Scotland and Europe, but even the most ardent faced-tattooed Bhoy won't say they're the best in the world.
One-time challenger for best in the world -- Lyon -- broke up the team after winning it's sixth Ligue 1 in a row and might not even make the knockout stages of the Champions League.
Maybe you can tell me some of those Brasilian-laden Eastern European teams are amazing, but how would you know?
Boca Juniors can make a pretty good claim after taking home the Copa Libertadores and featuring the uber-in form Riquelme. In fact they're just as good a candidate as any of these other teams.
The point here?
Umm...good question.
Maybe it's just that thought that the last couple seasons you could pick the best team in the world pretty easily. Right now, maybe because of all the money splashed around you can't. It's all subjective anyway. The Academy awards a 'Best Picture' every year, even if all the candidates in a particular year pale in comparison to those of yesteryear.
Either way, there's a few weeks left for somebody to claim it.
** Ronnie to Chelsea -- Warrants it's own little mention. Soccer rumors are worse than the crap that comes out of baseball's winter meetings. My own personal rule of thumb is until we see his horsey-smile taking pictures in a blue shirt on the Stamford Bridge field, it's simply rumor and speculation.
Theoretically, in this day and age it doesn't take much to start a rumor.
Do Chelsea need the Brasilian ace? Not really.
Will it garner them more headlines? Yep.
Will it win them the league? No.
** Not about football, but worth mentioning. The short HBO series 'Mayweather/Hatton 24/7' proved one thing -- Ricky Hatton is beyond nuts for Manchester City. Every shot of his young son featured the lad in a full City kit. How about the City bedspread and comforter. I was half expecting Richard Dunne to show up to read bedtime stories.
In any event, no surprise here that I'm pulling for Hatton simply because he likes to eat his lards and fats like any good English geezer. And shit, that zit/acne/grow on Hatton's lip might be the only drawback HD televisions possess.
It's also pretty bizarre that a foreigner, a Redcoat if you will, gets the home crowd love in Las Vegas when Mayweather actually lives there.
The question still remains, why does Wayne Rooney carry out the belt? And will Mr. Potato head make the quick flight out to Vegas after his match Saturday to pull the duties again?
Enough of my yappin', time for picks.
Saturday
Aston Villa v. Pompey -- (Live, Setanta 7:45 a.m.) Two flavors of the week meet at Villa Park. After coming close to rape in a few wins, Pompey has actually played to 0-0 draws in three of their last five. Villa seem to play better when no one is paying attention. Perhaps David James can further turn the knife in Scott Carson for the England keeping fiasco against the Croats. ... Villa 1, Pompey 2
Chelsea v. Sunderland -- (Live on FSC, 10 a.m.) Bizarre non-story of the week goes to Flourent Malouda complaining about the Chelsea diet plan, which allows players to drink of all things, gasp, Coke. On a serious note, Didier Drogba is out for around two months. Does Shevchenko still own a uniform? Time for some of Fat Frank's patented luck deflections. ... Chelsea 1, Sunderland 0
Everton v. Fulham -- (Setanta Broadband, 9:30) So Everton gets through to the knockout stages of the UEFA Cup...which is nice. At least Fulham owner Mohammed Al-Fayed is getting some good sales numbers for Christmas at his Harrod's store in London, because his football team doesn't inspire much. Also worth noting that Brian McBride is still weeks away from recovery from his knee injury. Balls. ... Everton 2, Fulham 1
Manchester United v. Derby County -- (Live, Setanta 9:45 a.m) This one is about an even a matchup as the 'Sportscenter' intramural hoops team against those vaunted Bristol Plumbers circa 1996. ... United 3, Derby 0
Newcastle United v. Birmingham City -- (Delayed, FSC 4:30 p.m.) Where would you rather not live, Newcastle or Birmingham? At least the Magpies showed they have a pulse with a 1-1 draw with Arsenal that made SAF smile. City are surprisingly not shitty. As for this game on the other hand... ... Newcastle 1, Birmingham 1
Reading v. Liverpool -- (Live, FSC, 12:15 p.m.) Only question here is if Rafa rests a couple bodies ahead of Tuesday's do-or-die affair in Marseilles? Though, Reading aren't a team you can overlook, especially at home. Speaking of the Royals, has there been a more anonymous season in the league than them? Maybe Steve Coppell and Bob Bradley switched jobs or something. ... Reading 0, Liverpool 1
Sunday
Middlesbrough v. Arsenal -- (Live Setanta, 7:30 a.m.) If they awarded points for listless play, sleepwalking through matches and disinterested fans -- 'Boro would be atop the league. Two years ago Arsenal beat them 7-0 (I think). We could see a repeat, even with Cesc sidelined again. I mean, why would Arsene risk it? ... 'Boro 0, Arsenal 3
Bolton v. Wigan -- Run to the hills...run for your life. ... Bolton 1, Wigan 1
Blackburn Rovers v. West Ham United -- (Live on FSC, 11 a.m.) Both these teams can play fun, exciting games...except in recent games on US airwaves. I'm scared this one could put you to sleep, especially with David Bentley on the sideline for yellow card accumulation. ... Rovers 1, WHU 1
Tottenham v. Manchester City -- (Delayed on FSC, 4:30 p.m.) Spurs = excitement. City fans are going to be pretty hungover from watching the Ricky Hatton/Floyd Mayweather bout which I'd guess airs live around 4 a.m. in England. Considering it's Spurs, they ought to do the unexpected in this one. ... Spurs 3, City 1
Last week: 6-4
Season: 75-72
The answer: sort of like the 2007 NCAA football season, nobody.
Whereas it was easy to identify the year's top players: Kaka, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, finding the team of 2007 isn't as simple.
Currently, Arsenal are undefeated in the Premier League but drew a pretty hapless Newcastle team on Wednesday, a result more in line with the 2006-07 season than the current campaign.
Sure the Gunners have flash and panache alongside perhaps the player of 2008 -- Cesc Fabregas. Yet in their heart of hearts are Gooners convinced this team will remain atop the league table come May? This isn't a knock on the red and whites, far from it. Gutty comebacks to get results with Liverpool and Manchester United prove that. It's just, well, is Arsenal really that amazing?
2008 will tell.
And yeah, Manchester United won the Premier League last term. For every hammering, when Rooney and Ronaldo were firing on all cylinders there just as many smash-and-grabs from the likes of John O'Shea. Factor in the drubbing by Milan in the Champions League semifinals and you might have to eliminate the Red Devils, too.
Chelsea certainly underachieved domestically and in Europe. Let's not even dicuss Liverpool, which despite going to the 2007 Champions League final faces a do or die in Marseilles Tuesday. (Better get Popeye Doyle on the phone. 'French Connection II', totally underrated.)
Speaking of Milan, yes the Rosseneiri took home the trophy with the big ears. However their Serie A form was middling at best, regardless of the points deduction.
Their crosstown rivals, Inter, were without par in Serie A but didn't show up in up Europe, losing to Valencia in that famous brawl in the Round of 16. Above all, are Inter anything other than perennial underachievers?
Maybe the most entertaining team in Italy was Roma, but you eliminate them for losing 7-1 to Manchester United, on principal at least.
Around the rest of Europe, Barcelona slumped last year and hasn't set the world on fire as of yet with the addition of Thierry Henry. Real Madrid won La Liga, but with a string of performances that can best be described as forgettable...even with that Beckham fellow.
Again, the most consistent and fun team in Spain might have been Sevilla, which won the UEFA Cup. Yet since Juande Ramos took the money to go to Spurs, Sevilla currently sits closer to last place than first place in the league table.
Germany certainly doesn't have any candidates.
Stuttgart, the 06-07 winners were the proverbial team that got hot at the right time. Mighty Bayern slumped, missed the Champions League and revamped the lineup. Bayern started out like gangbusters, threatening an unbeaten Bundesliga run...but now are just a point ahead of Werder Bremen.
Dutch stalwarts PSV and Ajax were good, not great. Celtic has had a good run in Scotland and Europe, but even the most ardent faced-tattooed Bhoy won't say they're the best in the world.
One-time challenger for best in the world -- Lyon -- broke up the team after winning it's sixth Ligue 1 in a row and might not even make the knockout stages of the Champions League.
Maybe you can tell me some of those Brasilian-laden Eastern European teams are amazing, but how would you know?
Boca Juniors can make a pretty good claim after taking home the Copa Libertadores and featuring the uber-in form Riquelme. In fact they're just as good a candidate as any of these other teams.
The point here?
Umm...good question.
Maybe it's just that thought that the last couple seasons you could pick the best team in the world pretty easily. Right now, maybe because of all the money splashed around you can't. It's all subjective anyway. The Academy awards a 'Best Picture' every year, even if all the candidates in a particular year pale in comparison to those of yesteryear.
Either way, there's a few weeks left for somebody to claim it.
** Ronnie to Chelsea -- Warrants it's own little mention. Soccer rumors are worse than the crap that comes out of baseball's winter meetings. My own personal rule of thumb is until we see his horsey-smile taking pictures in a blue shirt on the Stamford Bridge field, it's simply rumor and speculation.
Theoretically, in this day and age it doesn't take much to start a rumor.
Do Chelsea need the Brasilian ace? Not really.
Will it garner them more headlines? Yep.
Will it win them the league? No.
** Not about football, but worth mentioning. The short HBO series 'Mayweather/Hatton 24/7' proved one thing -- Ricky Hatton is beyond nuts for Manchester City. Every shot of his young son featured the lad in a full City kit. How about the City bedspread and comforter. I was half expecting Richard Dunne to show up to read bedtime stories.
In any event, no surprise here that I'm pulling for Hatton simply because he likes to eat his lards and fats like any good English geezer. And shit, that zit/acne/grow on Hatton's lip might be the only drawback HD televisions possess.
It's also pretty bizarre that a foreigner, a Redcoat if you will, gets the home crowd love in Las Vegas when Mayweather actually lives there.
The question still remains, why does Wayne Rooney carry out the belt? And will Mr. Potato head make the quick flight out to Vegas after his match Saturday to pull the duties again?
Enough of my yappin', time for picks.
Saturday
Aston Villa v. Pompey -- (Live, Setanta 7:45 a.m.) Two flavors of the week meet at Villa Park. After coming close to rape in a few wins, Pompey has actually played to 0-0 draws in three of their last five. Villa seem to play better when no one is paying attention. Perhaps David James can further turn the knife in Scott Carson for the England keeping fiasco against the Croats. ... Villa 1, Pompey 2
Chelsea v. Sunderland -- (Live on FSC, 10 a.m.) Bizarre non-story of the week goes to Flourent Malouda complaining about the Chelsea diet plan, which allows players to drink of all things, gasp, Coke. On a serious note, Didier Drogba is out for around two months. Does Shevchenko still own a uniform? Time for some of Fat Frank's patented luck deflections. ... Chelsea 1, Sunderland 0
Everton v. Fulham -- (Setanta Broadband, 9:30) So Everton gets through to the knockout stages of the UEFA Cup...which is nice. At least Fulham owner Mohammed Al-Fayed is getting some good sales numbers for Christmas at his Harrod's store in London, because his football team doesn't inspire much. Also worth noting that Brian McBride is still weeks away from recovery from his knee injury. Balls. ... Everton 2, Fulham 1
Manchester United v. Derby County -- (Live, Setanta 9:45 a.m) This one is about an even a matchup as the 'Sportscenter' intramural hoops team against those vaunted Bristol Plumbers circa 1996. ... United 3, Derby 0
Newcastle United v. Birmingham City -- (Delayed, FSC 4:30 p.m.) Where would you rather not live, Newcastle or Birmingham? At least the Magpies showed they have a pulse with a 1-1 draw with Arsenal that made SAF smile. City are surprisingly not shitty. As for this game on the other hand... ... Newcastle 1, Birmingham 1
Reading v. Liverpool -- (Live, FSC, 12:15 p.m.) Only question here is if Rafa rests a couple bodies ahead of Tuesday's do-or-die affair in Marseilles? Though, Reading aren't a team you can overlook, especially at home. Speaking of the Royals, has there been a more anonymous season in the league than them? Maybe Steve Coppell and Bob Bradley switched jobs or something. ... Reading 0, Liverpool 1
Sunday
Middlesbrough v. Arsenal -- (Live Setanta, 7:30 a.m.) If they awarded points for listless play, sleepwalking through matches and disinterested fans -- 'Boro would be atop the league. Two years ago Arsenal beat them 7-0 (I think). We could see a repeat, even with Cesc sidelined again. I mean, why would Arsene risk it? ... 'Boro 0, Arsenal 3
Bolton v. Wigan -- Run to the hills...run for your life. ... Bolton 1, Wigan 1
Blackburn Rovers v. West Ham United -- (Live on FSC, 11 a.m.) Both these teams can play fun, exciting games...except in recent games on US airwaves. I'm scared this one could put you to sleep, especially with David Bentley on the sideline for yellow card accumulation. ... Rovers 1, WHU 1
Tottenham v. Manchester City -- (Delayed on FSC, 4:30 p.m.) Spurs = excitement. City fans are going to be pretty hungover from watching the Ricky Hatton/Floyd Mayweather bout which I'd guess airs live around 4 a.m. in England. Considering it's Spurs, they ought to do the unexpected in this one. ... Spurs 3, City 1
Last week: 6-4
Season: 75-72
Labels: Prem Picks, Soccer
Mate, you must remember that who will be rated as the best player (and the best team) in the world are people who win the prestigious trophy like Champions League or Euro 2008. Cannavaro didn't win the Champions League but he received the Golden Ball award because he won World Cup. Kaka was not better than Ibra in Serie A but he was definitely the hero in Champions League so he deserves the Golden Ball this year. I think everyone who plays well in Euro 2008 will be included in the world's best XI next season.
Cheers,
Ruddy
Football Transfers and News
Points-wise in the Premiership... hmmmm...
I think you have to go with Man Utd. They progressed well in all competitions (sans the Carling Cup) and they won, arguably the toughest league the world. They get my vote, or the England National team...