Sam Brown Posted January 27, 2013 Share Posted January 27, 2013 http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/liverpool-transfers-steven-gerrard-is-wanted-1557905 David Beckham will try to convince at least four big-name England stars, including Steven Gerrard, to join the MLS – once he has sorted out his own future, writes the Sunday People. The former England captain, who has offers from around the globe, is not expected to make a decision on his next move until mid-February at the earliest. But once that is secured and he has settled into his new team, his role as an MLS recruitment officer will see him target his old Three Lions pals Peter Crouch, Ashley Cole, Gerrard and Michael Carrick in a bid to convince them to end their careers in the US Will never happen. Gerrard = one club man; Cole = defender; Carrick = Doesn't score enough for a midfielder; Crouch = maybe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alberta white Posted January 27, 2013 Share Posted January 27, 2013 http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/liverpool-transfers-steven-gerrard-is-wanted-1557905 David Beckham will try to convince at least four big-name England stars, including Steven Gerrard, to join the MLS – once he has sorted out his own future, writes the Sunday People. The former England captain, who has offers from around the globe, is not expected to make a decision on his next move until mid-February at the earliest. But once that is secured and he has settled into his new team, his role as an MLS recruitment officer will see him target his old Three Lions pals Peter Crouch, Ashley Cole, Gerrard and Michael Carrick in a bid to convince them to end their careers in the US Will never happen. Gerrard = one club man; Cole = defender; Carrick = Doesn't score enough for a midfielder; Crouch = maybe Yes, with one voice the MLS calls it's farm team tie-in as a step towards further development of the game stateside, yet with the other looks to turn it into an English and European Football retirement home. T'was a time when the likes of these players would play down the leagues as a way of giving back experience to younger players who were developing at a lower level. Still, that was when you could go down 't pictures, watch Richard Burton and Clint Eastwood "sticking it to the Nazi's" Buy yerself a pint and the missus a Babycham during the interval and still 'ave change from 10 quid to buy a fish supper ont way 'ome! Be interesting to see how the DP's will work once UEFA financial fair play system is up and running as you can be sure FIFA will look to impose it worldwide should it work in their favour. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tmcmurph Posted January 27, 2013 Share Posted January 27, 2013 Ugg. Peter Crouch? Let's just say no to bad ideas :0 Zlatan and Kaka finishing their careers in MLS could draw attention but I don't see any of those aging UK stars being anywhere near the name recognition that would make their primary value (ie selling the sport) any good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
finchster Posted January 27, 2013 Share Posted January 27, 2013 Ugg. Peter Crouch? Let's just say no to bad ideas :0 Zlatan and Kaka finishing their careers in MLS could draw attention but I don't see any of those aging UK stars being anywhere near the name recognition that would make their primary value (ie selling the sport) any good. Gerrard could sell the sport, but all those other players from England would be a waste. Why would anyone want to spend a DP slot and money on Ashley Cole? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Brown Posted January 27, 2013 Author Share Posted January 27, 2013 Zlatan and Kaka finishing their careers in MLS could draw attention but I don't see any of those aging UK stars being anywhere near the name recognition that would make their primary value (ie selling the sport) any good. Really, you don't think Gerrard has the same/MORE recognition that Zlatan or Kaka? Gerrard plays in a real league, unlike Kaka who is overrated and couldn't get a game in La Liga. Zlatan, well, he plays in France, what does that tell you about him. I could see Kaka being an utter failure in MLS because he wouldn't be able to deal with the physicality Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Macksam Posted January 27, 2013 Share Posted January 27, 2013 Really, you don't think Gerrard has the same/MORE recognition that Zlatan or Kaka? Gerrard plays in a real league, unlike Kaka who is overrated and couldn't get a game in La Liga. Zlatan, well, he plays in France, what does that tell you about him. I could see Kaka being an utter failure in MLS because he wouldn't be able to deal with the physicality No, Kaka and Zlatan definately has more recognition than Gerrard, and they both play in "real" leagues as well. I'm not sure what a fake league is suppose to be. Kaka is more than capable for MLS. Are you one of those guys that really doesn't know anything about the sport besides watching a few prem games here and there? Be honest, you can admit it to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alberta white Posted January 27, 2013 Share Posted January 27, 2013 Gerrard could sell the sport, but all those other players from England would be a waste. Why would anyone want to spend a DP slot and money on Ashley Cole? Strange because he is consistently referred to as the best right back in the world. Yeah I know, I don't see it myself, buts that what the media say. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alberta white Posted January 27, 2013 Share Posted January 27, 2013 No, Kaka and Zlatan definately has more recognition than Gerrard, and they both play in "real" leagues as well. I'm not sure what a fake league is suppose to be. Kaka is more than capable for MLS. Are you one of those guys that really doesn't know anything about the sport besides watching a few prem games here and there? Be honest, you can admit it to me. 19 team league that plays 34 games so that it can play an all star money game half way through the year, and your not sure what a fake league is? But, don't take it from me ask the boys in Cascadia and the rest of the world what they think. and No Spain is not a fake league. It just has strong centres in a very sparsely populated interior. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SthMelbRed Posted January 28, 2013 Share Posted January 28, 2013 Strange because he is consistently referred to as the best right back in the world. Yeah I know, I don't see it myself, buts that what the media say. He's a left back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SthMelbRed Posted January 28, 2013 Share Posted January 28, 2013 No, Kaka and Zlatan definately has more recognition than Gerrard, and they both play in "real" leagues as well. I'm not sure what a fake league is suppose to be. Kaka is more than capable for MLS. Are you one of those guys that really doesn't know anything about the sport besides watching a few prem games here and there? Be honest, you can admit it to me. Kaka and Ibrahimovic will be well-known to existing followers of the sport. However, there is not doubt that the Premier League is the highest-profile professional league in Canada and most of the US. For that reason alone, I'm sure that players like Ashley Cole and Peter Crouch will have decent-enough name recognition in North America. I have no doubt that Steven Gerrard will be the biggest name of any of the six mentioned in this thread in a North American context. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ag futbol Posted January 28, 2013 Share Posted January 28, 2013 Using the DP rule to attract fans has failed four times out of five, although it's getting harder to judge now since most signings are simply about the level of play on the field. Gerrard would probably fit the bill with his cult following. The interest in Kaka and Ibra is more likely to depend on their level of play. But for the last two, I still think you wouldn't see much of an attendance bump. Cole and Crouch? Don't think they'll have much of an impact on the stands, with apologies to the former who is a fine player. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ag futbol Posted January 28, 2013 Share Posted January 28, 2013 Really, you don't think Gerrard has the same/MORE recognition that Zlatan or Kaka? Gerrard plays in a real league, unlike Kaka who is overrated and couldn't get a game in La Liga. Zlatan, well, he plays in France, what does that tell you about him. I could see Kaka being an utter failure in MLS because he wouldn't be able to deal with the physicality Kaka has definitely regressed a lot, but I don't know about overrated. Is anyone fooled by the level he's playing currently? His AC Milan / world player of the year days are definitely behind him. That being said, lot of depth at Mardid and they spend on transfers in every window. Squad selection is a constant battle. I can't think of too many other teams in the world where Luca Modric only sometimes gets his name in the first 11 team sheet. MLS is a physical league, but the absolute impact of that on a world level footballer is not quite what it's made out to be IMO. It often gets blamed for the slow adjustment period of imports, but there are a lot of moving parts to that equation. Grueling travel schedules with economy class flights, teammates who are multiple levels below what they are used to, in many cases going from fame to relative anonymity... it can be a lot to take in for some star who's used to first class everything. You look at the profile of Kaka today, still has wheels, still pretty technical and he's 6'1. If there's anything left in the tank, I'm pretty sure he can do well in MLS. More likely though, a trip back to brazil would be in the cards. They have the money these days and are repatriating their guys. Total package they'd probably offer something more appealing than any MLS club could. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alberta white Posted January 28, 2013 Share Posted January 28, 2013 He's a left back. Are you sure, you may be looking at it from the other way round... Kidding! nope I can't tell me left from me right some days Happy Australia Day for Saturday just gone, by the way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Brown Posted January 28, 2013 Author Share Posted January 28, 2013 Using the DP rule to attract fans has failed four times out of five, although it's getting harder to judge now since most signings are simply about the level of play on the field. Gerrard would probably fit the bill with his cult following. The interest in Kaka and Ibra is more likely to depend on their level of play. But for the last two, I still think you wouldn't see much of an attendance bump. Cole and Crouch? Don't think they'll have much of an impact on the stands, with apologies to the former who is a fine player. So we've heard the ideal DP should do three things: sell tickets, winning games, and have a popular off the field persona. So Ibra and Kaka might do the first, they might help with the second, but the third is probably a bust with the culture/language difference. Gerrard would be the ideal choice out of all of them. Why? He would sell tickets, he's a very likeable player/person, AND most importantly he has dragged Liverpool to victories on numerous occasions meaning he could likely do the same for MLS teams. He's the ideal choice, too bad it just won't ever happen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grizzly Posted January 28, 2013 Share Posted January 28, 2013 Using the DP rule to attract fans has failed four times out of five, although it's getting harder to judge now since most signings are simply about the level of play on the field. I think you can't judge the draw of DPs solely on people coming to the game specifically for them. Yes Beckham was really the only one who really drew a lot of fans by himself although Henry was a moderate draw as well. However, having these DPs sprinkled throughout the league really gives it a lot of credibility with fans even if they are not specifically buying a ticket to see that player. I remember the NASL days in Montreal when there was never any player on any opposing team that anyone who follows soccer had heard of unless they were a die hard Impact fan. Now most of the teams we play against have at least one player that a casual soccer fan has heard of and that brings a lot of credibility to the league in the eyes of many fans and does indeed sell tickets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ag futbol Posted January 28, 2013 Share Posted January 28, 2013 So Ibra and Kaka might do the first, they might help with the second, but the third is probably a bust with the culture/language difference. Both of these guys speak English pretty fluidly. Zlatan is fairly charismatic, typical big head athlete. Kaka is noted for being more modest and somewhat religious. That being said Zlatan is still one of the top strikers in europe, he's not coming to MLS anytime soon. Kaka is not nearly at the same level, but both players have a multitude of options they can consider before coming here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Macksam Posted January 29, 2013 Share Posted January 29, 2013 So we've heard the ideal DP should do three things: sell tickets, winning games, and have a popular off the field persona. So Ibra and Kaka might do the first, they might help with the second, but the third is probably a bust with the culture/language difference. Gerrard would be the ideal choice out of all of them. Why? He would sell tickets, he's a very likeable player/person, AND most importantly he has dragged Liverpool to victories on numerous occasions meaning he could likely do the same for MLS teams. He's the ideal choice, too bad it just won't ever happen. Gerrard seems like a great family guy, but Ibra is definately head and shoulders above him when it comes to his potential to win games for an MLS team. It's not even close. He can win games on his own. If you asked all 19 MLS teams which player would make their team a contender overnight, all of them would choose Ibra over Gerrard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Brown Posted January 29, 2013 Author Share Posted January 29, 2013 Gerrard seems like a great family guy, but Ibra is definately head and shoulders above him when it comes to his potential to win games for an MLS team. It's not even close. He can win games on his own. If you asked all 19 MLS teams which player would make their team a contender overnight, all of them would choose Ibra over Gerrard. Debatable, but Gerrard has far superior intangible qualities. Sorry, but Gerrard is better fit for MLS and you are wrong. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
finchster Posted January 29, 2013 Share Posted January 29, 2013 Both of these guys speak English pretty fluidly. Zlatan is fairly charismatic, typical big head athlete. Kaka is noted for being more modest and somewhat religious. That being said Zlatan is still one of the top strikers in europe, he's not coming to MLS anytime soon. Kaka is not nearly at the same level, but both players have a multitude of options they can consider before coming here. If any of these players came to MLS it's NY or LA for them, but I could picture Kaka being the ideal guy to grow the sport in the mid west/bible belt area. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Macksam Posted January 29, 2013 Share Posted January 29, 2013 Debatable, but Gerrard has far superior intangible qualities. Sorry, but Gerrard is better fit for MLS and you are wrong. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Brown Posted January 30, 2013 Author Share Posted January 30, 2013 ^^ I'm just going to assume you're conceding I'm right, because you have no argument. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Macksam Posted January 30, 2013 Share Posted January 30, 2013 ^^ I'm just going to assume you're conceding I'm right, because you have no argument. Yeah, I'm stumped by your argument of Gerrard having "superior intangible qualities," whatever that's suppose to mean. I lol everytime I see that post. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpg75 Posted January 31, 2013 Share Posted January 31, 2013 Ibra is a goal-a-game beast whereas Gerrard is a hard working pony who distributes and pots a handful a year. Macksam wins the argument. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alberta white Posted January 31, 2013 Share Posted January 31, 2013 Ibra is a goal-a-game beast whereas Gerrard is a hard working pony who distributes and pots a handful a year. Macksam wins the argument. Ah-ha! but what if the Argument is conducted in English?... Oh hang on , Gerrard's a scouse-a so Ibra's probably got a better grasp of RP as well... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SthMelbRed Posted January 31, 2013 Share Posted January 31, 2013 Ibra is a goal-a-game beast whereas Gerrard is a hard working pony who distributes and pots a handful a year. Macksam wins the argument. Stats taken from Wikipedia: Zlatan Ibrahimovic (career) Club: 514 App 255 G International: 85 App 39 G Steven Gerrard (career) Club: 615 App 155 G International: 100 App 19 G Basically, as a central striker, Zlatan is just over a goal per two games across his career. He's been known to be a trouble maker within most clubs he's played at, as well as the Swedish national team. He's got sublime talent, but is incredibly selfish. It's worth noting that he has played several seasons in leagues (Sweden, Holland, France) which are significantly weaker than the top leagues in Europe. Steven Gerrard, having played across midfield or behind a single striker (and even the odd match at full-back) throughout his career for club and country, has scored about a goal every four games. He's captain of his boyhood club, as well as his country. Every manager he has ever played for has praised his dedication and willingness to sacrifice for the team. I think some people may be blinded by the odd spectacular goal scored by Ibrahimovic. If you asked 19 MLS managers which of the two they'd prefer to bring in as a DP on their team, I'd be shocked if less than 15 didn't pick Gerrard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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