comment by Marcelino- Nahuel Leiva (U6171)
posted about a minute ago
I see Strootman is now among the list of players who are going to miss the World Cup.
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even bigger miss for Roma

Sort of, but their season is finished for me. The title is well and truly done and they're guaranteed Champions League too- also out of the Cup.

If anything its a good thing for Roma as he now wont be poached

How much would you say he's worth?

That being said I think he was getting a tad overrated, anyone who plays with De Rossi/Pjanic is going to look like a world beater.

comment by Marcelino- Nahuel Leiva (U6171)
posted 15 seconds ago
How much would you say he's worth?
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Wouldn't really like to say. Proven himself in two leagues, is young and playing for (probably) a CL team. However some players go for far too much or far too little. I would say he would be about as much of a PL gamble as Luka was when he came to us.

I'd say he's worth about £20m, I don't see many clubs paying more than that for him though.

Although clubs have certainly spent much more on worse players...

comment by Mex. (U6687)
posted 11 minutes ago
Who was that toothless guy -in the literal sense- who used to play for you?
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Derek Dougan?
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Can't remember Mex. Been googling pics but can't find the guy I have in mind.

Did come across this man though: http://www.whoateallthepies.tv/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/07-Leonardo-CUELLAR-Panini-MExique-1978.png

Reckon nowadays he'd be shot on site at any airport in the U.S.

To put it this way, I wish we got Strootman and Roma got Paulinho.

Yeah, Strootman cost less too.

Between 10-15m for Strootman I think and Paulinho was 17m.

I actually think the Brazilian would excel in the Italian league.

Well, well, well...looks like Pogba could be the next top player who Real Madrid manage to sign.

“Will I bring him to Real? Why not?” Ancelotti said to RMC. “The Frenchman is a great player and has a bright future ahead of him.

“He is also one of the best young midfielders around at the moment.

“However, he is already at a big club in Juventus and he is doing great work there.

“We are talking about an almost complete midfielder.”

Does anyone know if Thursday's game between Fiorentina and Juventus will be televised?

I know ITV are covering the Tottenham game, but this too is a big game...

It's on BT Sport.

Good.

Think it will be a tight game bearing in mind they've just played, and that was also a tight game, there'll be a familiarity.

Hopefully that suits Fiorentina.

It's a shame they've drawn each other so early in the competition.

I'd be very surprised if Juve don't go through. Surely they've got to win this tournament? They're easily the best side left in it.

Yes, they're favourites for sure.

A fully fit Fiorentina would have been in with a real chance this season though. It won't be very easy for Juve' though-at least I hope not!

Saying that, it occurred to me that they aren't easily the best team in it because Tevez is shiiite in Europe.

Can't believe he's not going to the World Cup either...

I can, he's a twaaat.

There's also a Sevilla derby in the EL.

Oh yeah. You'd expect Sevilla to go through in that one.

Them and Valencia could be outsiders to win it depending on the draw. Spanish teams usually do well in this competition as well.

Both also seem to be finding their feet after a very poor start to the season, but I don't really fancy either to go all the way. In fact, I think that with it being a derby and the fact Betis seem to have found a tiny bit of form of late, the outcome might not be as one-sided as expected. I'd make it 70-30 Sevilla. What are the bookies' odds?

It depends on the draw I suppose.

Between Napoli, Porto, Spurs, Benfica, Fiorentina and Juve you've got three of the favourites going out in this round.

The odds for their game or outright?

For tomorrow the odds are:
Sevilla 4/7
Draw 7/2
Betis 11/2

I meant outright, not that I'm a betting man. Bit surprised Sevilla aren't even clearer favourites though.