Daily Archives: July 23, 2021

FIFA 16: The Leaked Barcelona Player Ratings in the latest FIFA edition

  By O-Posts Team | July 23, 2021 - 21:23 | , , ,
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EA Sports’ latest installment of the FIFA series, FIFA 16, is due to hit stores worldwide on September 25 and with all the spare time between now and the release date, the fans are anxious to get some insight to what is coming and what they should expect in the latest FIFA edition.

Luckily, we have a leaked snapshot from the E3 conference which has leaked the player’s ratings of both Barcelona and Real Madrid. Below are reportedly the ratings to expect of Barca’s players in FIFA 16.

The leaked image (Source: http://imgur.com/gs03vbN)

We have always seen player ratings leaked in previous editions of FIFAs, but many of them did not match the actual rating when the game was released. What we are trying to say is, the ratings we saw in E3 may not have been the final ratings that we’ll see when the game is officially released to the public.

Barcelona had an amazing season winning the treble consisting of the Champions League, La Liga, and the Copa Del Rey. We will not be surprised that the ratings of the club’s top players and stars will increase in the upcoming edition of FIFA as the likes of Neymar, Messi and Suarez played a vital part in the team’s success. Let’s find out which Barcelona players had the most impressive jump in their ratings.

The reported FIFA 16 ratings:

Lionel Messi - 94

Neymar Jr – 87

Luis Suarez – 89

Andres Iniesta – 90

Sergio Busquets – 85

Ivan Rakitic – 83

Jordi Alba – 83

Javier Mascherano -83

Gerard Pique – 85

Dani Alves – 83

Claudio Bravo- 83

Pedro – 83

Rafinha– 78

Sergi Roberto- 76

Ratings define how rival counterparts perform in the game meaning that even in the digital level, people will be competing against Barcelona and Real Madrid. It is astonishing how a real life rivalry has sneaked into the gaming world to become one of the most played fixtures within the FIFA online community.

 

Written by Charchit Dahal

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Steve McClaren: What are the five key issues he’s facing at Newcastle?

  By O-Posts Team | July 23, 2021 - 19:13 | , ,
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Newcastle United concluded their pre-season tour of the US with a 4-3 loss to Portland Timbers’ second-string side and we look at five key issues facing manager Steve McClaren ahead of the start of the English Premier League season.

 

Choosing a captain

Fabricio Coloccini has been Newcastle skipper for the past four seasons but his position is now tenuous. Battling an Achilles problem that could see him miss the beginning of the campaign and also linked with a move to Crystal Palace, he has spent the current pre-season on the treatment table.

In his absence, Jack Colback has worn the captain’s armband and the midfielder looks a good chance to succeed Coloccini as captain. The latter has struggled for form over the past couple of seasons and his quiet, stoic leadership style has lost its efficacy since Newcastle finished 5th under Alan Pardew back in 2012.

A lack of leadership direction on and off the pitch has crippled Newcastle and rectifying this issue is one of McClaren’s most important tasks. The identity of his captain will speak volumes for the direction the former England manager will want to take the club.

 

Working on set-pieces

Statistically Newcastle are one of the worst attacking sides from set-pieces in the Premier League. Their defending from dead-ball situations is equally dire and countless points have been thrown away due to a lack of discipline.

McClaren was reminded of this weakness throughout his side’s tour of the US, culminating in a 4-3 defeat to the Timbers. With just over two weeks left before his first competitive match in charge of Newcastle – against a dangerous Southampton side – a great deal of work is clearly still required on the training pitch.

Making sure his players are well drilled and switched on during set-pieces could be the difference between a push for a European place or flirt with relegation.

 

Finding a goal-scorer

The signing of Alexandar Mitrovic from Anderlecht and a consistent link with Charlie Austin will appease Newcastle fans, who have been starved of a regular goal-scorer since the departure of the imperious Demba Ba.

Papiss Cisse remains instinctive, dangerous but largely inconsistent, a combination of his poor discipline and a lack of support. Mitrovic’s arrival will increase competition amongst the squad’s forwards at the very least, but McClaren will also be hoping he has unearthed a gem who will hit the ground running in England.

Ayoze Perez is a bright prospect but to ask the Spaniard to shoulder the goal-scoring burden could hurt rather than harm his development.

McClaren will need to choose between Cisse and Mitrovic and give his full-support to his preferred choice by building his team around them.

 

Repairing media relationships

As it currently stands, all of the north-east’s local newspapers have been banned by the club from contact with staff and players. At Steve McClaren’s unveiling as Newcastle United manager, only Sky Sports and the Daily Mirror were allowed to have a private meeting with the new gaffer.

The ban on press outlets such as The Daily Telegraph and Newcastle Chronicle reflects poorly on the club and has contributed to a poisonous atmosphere with fans who perceive a lack of boardroom transparency under Mike Ashley.

Banning journalists who in most cases seem to have the club’s best interests at heart seems counter-intuitive. McClaren is in an awkward position, having had to deflect requests for quotes by a number of scribes at what should have been his first press conference as Newcastle boss.

Those same journalists will be more inclined to get behind the manager if he is able to foster a give and take relationship with them: something that seems unlikely in the current circumstances.

 

Win over the fans

Newcastle fans have an unfair reputation for being unreasonable in their expectations of managers. Far from being the partisan, obdurate mob they are often portrayed, they only ask that their local team remains competitive and attempts to play a positive, proactive brand of football.

However, McClaren will understand the importance of winning over the Geordies, who have tired from a lack of communication and progress from the club over the past two seasons in particular.

The former Middlesbrough manager is familiar with this football stronghold of England and surely understands the galvanizing effect a vocal Newcastle support can have.

When they get behind their team, the city transforms and the job of Newcastle boss becomes infinitely more enjoyable.

 

Written by Chris Paraskevas

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Sergio Romero: Why Argentina’s number one is Europe’s most sought-after free agent

  By O-Posts Team | July 23, 2021 - 16:59 | , , , , , , , , ,
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Despite being the most-capped Argentine goalkeeper of all time, Sergio Romero has struggled for attention at club level over the past couple of years. Now, a free-agent after being released by Sampdoria, the Argentina number one is being courted by some of the biggest club sides in Europe.

The 28-year-old needs a decent transfer and after his admirable service at international level he deserves the opportunity to prove his talents.

 

Who is Sergio Romero?

There are none more established international stars who have experienced such a strange and difficult career as Sergio Romero. Born in the northern city of Bernado de Irigoyen, deep into the province of Misiones, Romero moved as a teenager to Buenos Aires province after being spotted by Club Almirante Brown.

Already standing over six feet tall, Romero had already earned his nickname of ‘Chiquito’ as a result of being the youngest of three brothers and his brother Diego, a professional basketball player, being significantly taller.

Racing Club’s famed academy soon snapped up the young Romero and he signed his first professional contract with La Academia aged nineteen. Despite some years in Avellaneda, young Chiquito made just five first team appearances before Louis van Gaal’s AZ Alkmaar side snapped him up at the end of the 2007 season.

A difficult first season in Holland meant Romero spent a lot of time on the bench but the following season he established himself as Van Gaal’s number one as Alkmaar were crowned Eredivisie champions for only the second time. Romero kept 18 clean sheets in the season and the following season came close to a Dutch record after not conceding a goal for 950 minutes.

These impressive statistics and having already established himself in the Argentina side prompted Serie B side Sampdoria to pay €2.1 million for the keeper and in his first season in helped the club back into the Italian top flight.

However, just as Romero became more and more of a permanent fixture in the Argentina starting eleven despite changes of management, his status at club level declined. Eventually loaned out to Monaco, Chiquito still found himself struggling for playing time behind the Croatian first-choice keeper, Danijel Subasic and returned to Sampdoria at the end of the 2013-14 season.

Matters in Genoa had not improved after a year away but in spite of this Gerardo Martino followed all his predecessors in naming Romero his first-choice for the Copa America. This run in the side saw Chiquito overtake Ubaldo Fillol as the most-capped goalkeeper in Argentine history and cement his place in national side history.

Romero’s greatest successes have undoubtedly come in Argentine colours and during the World Cup in Brazil he truly announced himself on the international scene. Few Argentina fans will forget the sight of Javier Mascherano screaming “You’re going to become a hero” before Romero stopped penalties from Ron Vlaar and Wesley Sneijder to send La Albiceleste to the World Cup final.

Ultimately, Romero’s career, like all his current Argentina teammates, is a series of what-might-have-beens after narrowly missing out on two major tournaments. Now though, his career needs the club move that a keeper of his status warrants.

 

Manchester United and Real Madrid lead the chase

A 28-year-old, 62-times capped international, available on a free-transfer it is no wonder that there is intense interest in Romero. Newspaper reports suggest that Roma, Real Madrid and Manchester United have all met with his agent to discuss possible terms since his client was released by Sampdoria.

Perhaps the possible transfer of David De Gea may change the market for goalkeepers, particularly when it comes to Manchester United and Real Madrid, but current reports suggest it is Louis van Gaal’s side who are poised to seal the deal.

A three-year-deal worth €1.8 million-per-year is close to completion and will see Romero finally move to one of Europe’s elite clubs.

The link with Louis van Gaal may have been the tipping point in these negotiations but, with United ready to dispense with Victor Valdes, there is a need for a goalkeeper regardless of whether De Gea stays or goes.

As backup to De Gea, Romero should still see plenty of playing time with United back in the Champions League and at least this will see him playing at the highest level.

At 28 years of age, and as a goalkeeper, Sergio Romero should have his best years ahead of him and so he could still add plenty to his already burgeoning number of caps with Argentina.

For whichever club he ends up at, they might be picking up a real bargain.

 

Written by Peter Coates

Follow Peter on Twitter @golazoargentino

You can check out more of his excellent work on Argentinian football through his website, Golazo Argentino

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Karim Benzema and Arsenal: A Match Made in Heaven?

  By O-Posts Team | July 23, 2021 - 14:34 | , , , , ,
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With reports in Spain suggesting that Arsenal have made contact with Real Madrid about the possible transfer of striker Karim Benzema - we ask the important questions: Is it the right move for the player and is he the right man for Arsenal?

It’s no secret that Arsene Wenger is a big fan of the striker and the Gunners boss has plenty of form when it comes to signing French-born players - albeit with varying degrees of success. However, while some of his previous purchases could be classed as calculated wagers, there can be no doubt that Benzema represents the finished article.

Since joining the Spanish club from Lyon in 2009, the French international has bagged 131 goals in 281 appearances and established himself as a first-team regular in one of world football’s toughest environments. He has also managed an impressive 25 goals in 76 appearances for the French national team. A move to Arsenal would be not be intimidating for a player that can boast four French League titles, one Spanish League title and a Champions League medal amongst his list of honours.

So far this summer, the North Londoners have made just one signing, but it certainly was a significant one as Petr Cech arrived from Chelsea in an £11m deal. The veteran shot-stopper should finally give Arsenal the world class option in goal that they have craved for so long.

With the signing of Cech and the recent acquisitions of Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez, the Gunners boss has shown that he is now in a position to spend serious money on already-established quality in order to bolster his team’s title ambitions.

If a deal can be struck at a figure close to the £31m being quoted, then Arsenal would be getting a proven goal scorer still in his prime at a great price. It could also give the Londoners genuine hope of wrestling the Premier League title away from their capital city rivals.

For Benzema, it would present an opportunity to play Champions League football at a club managed by a man that has been an admirer of his for many years. With suggestions that new Los Blancos boss Rafa Benitez may not be so keen on using the striker in his preferred central role, a move to the Emirates might provide the continuity that the Lyon-born front man desires.

In previous transfer windows, the player himself has expressed his reluctance to move away from the Bernabeu but after six years in Madrid, reports now suggest that he is open to a possible exit. If the Gunners can pull off this deal, they will certainly be a force to be reckoned with in the coming season.

 

Written by Neil Morris

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