I think he meant it's one of the bigger leagues in the world, like Spain, England, Italy, Germany and the such, compared to - his example - Japan.

Yeah, but i donty see why a player would choose a poor league in place of one of the top leagues, unless its all to do with money however.

Well it does happen, like with Beckham amongst others. As you say for money.

He's basically saying if Nedved wants to stay at the top level he should stay put rather than trying to start again in a new league at his age i think.

Yeah i get that. But if i was a player i would want to play in as many of the top leagues as i could, seems logical to want to pit yourself against the best no matter where you are in your career, to me anyway.

Football has to be very tough for him at the age of 36 and if being in one of the best biggest 4 leagues too draining too much of him, then he could move to a smaller league where he could enjoy himself without any pressure. The fixture schedule is also a lot smaller than in the bigger leagues, that's all what I'm saying.

In my opinion the Italian league is better than the EPL, but the CL only has 4 big teams of England and not the rest of the league teams, meanwhile there is tough competition for the CL spots in Serie A (Inter, Juve, Milan, Roma, Fiorentina, and UEFA cup spots - Palermo, Lazio, Sampdoria, Napoli, Genoa etc.).

Here in the Barclays only a few teams are suited for those spots (Chelsea, Liverpool, United, Arsenal and the UEFA cup spot is occupied randomly).

Well, Everton and Spurs over the last 4 seasons have given the other four a good go for that fourth Champions League spot. Everton pipped Liverpool to it in 2004/05 whilst Spurs were ahead on the final day in the following season but had their side torn apart by food poisening prior, hence they lost.

And anyway, it could just mean that our best sides are just that much stronger than they are in Italy, rather than the lower teams being necessarily a lot worse.

I don't think so, because the odds for Everton defeating Fiorentina are not that great (they both lie 5th in the league standings) and as a matter of fact Fiorentina pipped them in the cup to go to the semi finals. Also Udinese currently 6th, are sure to beat a team like Aston Villa (also 6th).

Now a strong league shouldn't have too much difference between the teams, and considering the big barrier between the top 4 and the rest of the league teams, the top 4 should always be winning the CL - but they're not. Chelsea & United are finally in the final after so many years. This is Chelsea's first time and United's first time in a decade or so.

Derby County is the worst team in the EPL by far and have just won once, meanwhile Livorno is the worst team in Serie A, having won 6 times and drawn close to double that of Derby. Livorno would beat Derby County, Sunderland, Birmingham City, Fulham at any given time.

Topic please.

As for Nedved, if i was him i'd want to move to Japan. It would be a less punishing schedule for him, he'd be able to perform to a higher level because of inferior opposition, and he'd be able to prolong his career. He doesn't need to stay in Italy, he's already spend his entire career competing against the best. It's not necessary any more, and he will end up looking like a shadow of his former self - like Vieri who embarrassed himself in the UEFA cup the other day.

I'd also want to experience something new, and Japan is an amazing place for that. It would be about the experience, the difference, the culture - not the primarily the football.

True but he can continue to play in Serie A without a problem considering he is still one of the best wingers, although I think he's too old now.

Anyway there were rumors that Xabi Alonso (Liverpool) was going to join Juve but Benitez seems to have rubbished these:

Benitez: Barry And Alonso Can Play Together

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has poured cold water on reports that Xabi Alonso will have to make way if the club succeed in luring Gareth Barry to Anfield.


Liverpool have recently made a power-play by testing Aston Villa's resolve with a player-plus-cash offer worth £10million for their captain, who has become a key part of England's midfield over the past months.

The Reds’ sudden interest in central players has sparked speculation that Xabi Alonso – also linked with Juve – could leave in the summer, but Benitez's latest comments lend credence to the notion that they are simply seeking reinforcements for the two holding spots in his 4-2-3-1 formation.

"(Alonso) is our player, he has a contract," Rafa insisted.

"Barry can play in three different positions, so I don't think we need to worry about this."

Juventus will sure to be keeping close tabs on the Gareth Barry situation, as despite Benitez's insistence, the outcome of this should still have an affect on their chances of prising Alonso away.

I said Alonso wouldn't be leaving.

Benitez sees centre-midfield as vital and hence he isn't going to have 4 players for 3 positions, one of which being a youngster in Lucas.

Yeah, Benitez is holding tight onto his players let's see if he spends next season on Liverpool's bench.

Looks like Juve are looking to buy Sagnol

Juve Set To Steal Sagnol

Juventus are set to steal Bayern Munich defender Willy Sagnol from the grasp of Milan, according to the Corriere dello Sport.

French full-back Sagnol has had a miserable season with Bayern, where he has lost his first team place and fallen out with coach Ottmar Hitzfeld.

The 31-year-old’s future with the Bavarian giants is very uncertain, especially as he was recently suspended by the club for publicly blasting Hitzfeld in the press.

Earlier this week the Italian media revealed that Milan had opened talks with Bayern over a transfer, and indeed it was the Corriere who claimed that a fee of €5m had been agreed upon.

Sagnol later came out and confirmed Milan’s interest, but said he still had not decided about where his future lay.

The Corriere is today claiming that Juventus have hijacked the Rossoneri’s attempts to sign the former Monaco man and that the Old Lady’s general manager Jean-Claude Blanc met with Sagnol’s agents yesterday.

Sagnol, who has been at Bayern since 2000 and has won 54 caps for France, was close to signing for Juve in 2006 on a Bosman transfer, before he eventually renewed his contract.

I guess he's as good as Grygera and definitely better than having Zebina running as a side back. We've done a lot this season with this lowly defense so with Mellberg, Sagnol and Andrade coming back we're back on track to winning the Scudetto.

I think you're going a bit too far there. That would be a good defence, but what if Andrade gets injured again?

Inter's defence is far superior. Twice as much depth.

Your midfield isn't good enough either.

Yeah you seem to really rate Juve as much better than they really are, getting Mellberg and Sagnol isnt going to mean you will win the league. And i agree with sticky, your midfield isnt that strong, theres good players like Tiago, Salihamidzic and Camoranesi but you dont really have a top class player in any of the key midfield roles. I still think Juve will be much the same next season as this, there wont be any drastic improvments imo.

Juve could maybe improve enough to challenge Inter if they raid Valencia. The likes of Silva, Vicente, Baraja, Joaquin etc. aren't out of reach.

But i reckon if they sign any of them it will only be one of them, maybe vicente or baraja. Silva and joaquin will either stay in spain or join an english club if you ask me.

They should sign the young guy Hamsik from Napoli, and maybe Lavezzi too. And if they can rodrigo palacios from Boca wouldnt be a wasted buy.

But even with players like this i still think they will struggle to get ahead of Inter and AC Milan, at least for next season.

Well, i don't see why they'd struggle to get ahead of AC Milan. They've been pathetic over the last two seasons, and it seems Ancellotti will stick around to continue that.

I still think they have enough to ward off Juve though, even though they really have been poor.

in 99% percent of the seasons Juve are always in front of Milan, even the first season back from Serie B so we will definitely be ahead of them if they don't get a new manager.

Juve have managed 3rd place and that's close to 1st place, if we didn't concede stupid goals (like the one where Sissoko bicycle kicked a player in the shoulder in our penalty are) then we'd be at least 2nd. We just need better defense and another good partner for Sissoko (who is really brilliant, no one can argue that).

Anyways it looks like Sagnol is going to try his luck under new coach Kilnsmann so he won't be moving anywhere - but you never know

It's funny. Weren't many Juve fans calling for Raniera to not buy Sissoko in January?

I'm not sure but I've always wanted him to come to Turin. He's already won the La Liga and from the games I saw (Valencia and first season in Liverpool) he dominated most of the midfielders and won so many balls. I never said no Sissoko but the media expected him to fail miserably because of his form with Liverpool

Makes me want Amauri a little bit less:

Amauri To Milan: Juve If You Finish Fifth

Palermo forward Amauri has indicated that he will chose to sign for Juventus at the end of the season.

Speaking on the subject of a transfer saga that has now raged on for the best part of a month, Amauri admitted that Champions League football would be critical when he chose the side to join at the end of the campaign.

With Juventus and AC Milan the current front-runners for the players’ signature, the speculation should continue right up until pen has been put to paper with one of the sides.

“The Champions League is a crucial factor in my choice,” declared Amauri on Tgs Studio Sport, leaving no doubt.“I repeat that everything will be sorted out after the game against Siena.

“I will discuss things with my agent and we will see what concrete solutions there really are.

"Milan are interested? Even if they don’t qualify for the Champions League, they are a great team.

“However, I think that it would be an important loss for Italian football if they were to fail to qualify because they have picked up great results in Europe.”

The Brazilian then went on to discuss how Palermo have fared this year, with his side currently set for a top ten finish, should Siena be defeated on the final day, although more was hoped for at the beginning of the campaign.

“Given the potential of this squad, we started the season aiming to finish fourth,” he explained.“The season has been cursed and everything became more difficult. In any case, under Stefano Colantuono and Francesco Guidolin this unit has given a good response.”

What an arse, he should either say who he wants to join or say nothing, this is just going to annoy both sets of supporters.

Agreed. The move doesn't look that possible though (to Juve) because Palermo want Giovinco and other 2 youngters + cash - this is blaspheme, this is madness!

You are right mate...

Bayern Munich: Sagnol set to stay

Looks like the Amauri deal is back on:

Gigli To Milan: Amauri Is Ours

Juventus president Giovanni Cobolli Gigli is confident that Juventus will finally reach an agreement with Palermo over Amauri, meaning that the Brazilian won't be going to AC Milan...

The Old Lady has been after the Rosanero forward for over a season, but so far the clubs have been unable to reach an agreement which would take the Brazilian to Turin.

Gigli is a little frustrated that talks have not gone to plan so far, but he is adamant that the northern side will indeed land their primary tansfer target.

Milan, Real Madrid and even West Ham have been rumoured to be in the race for the attacker, but the Juve chief is confident Amauri will sign for the Bianconeri.

"I am convinced that we can reach an agreement with Palermo soon," Gigli told Calciomercato.

"At the moment there is not a yes or a no regarding the deal.

"As always other clubs always come in to challenge, West Ham? I don't think so but I know there are other clubs who are interested in him.

"We will be meeting Palermo again soon to try and conclude the affair."

He continued, "I'm not bothered as to who is after him, Milan, Real Madrid, West Ham, I strongly believe that we can sign him.
"I think it all depends on both clubs reaching an agreement over anything else and we will try and achieve this.

"I am positive and sure that the operation for Amauri will end with a good result for us, but if it doesn't then we are already looking at other alternatives."

Juventus would need to bolster their squad in light of their Champions League and Serie A ambitions next season. The Bianconeri will be challenging for major homours and a boosted pool is needed if they are to fight on two fronts.