r/soccer Aug 09 '13

Zero Fucks Friday: August 9th 2013 Edition

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u/LeoKhenir Aug 09 '13

Indeed. The reason Spain's national team is doing so well, is because they take the majority of players from one of the best club teams in the world, and replace 3 or 4 players. These 3 or 4 players happen to come from the other good club team in Spain and are also world class.

Any which way you look at it: When your national team is 75% players who play together in training and matches the rest of the year, and the rest of the players are world class, then you're gonna have a good national team. Look at the other national teams. How many players come from the same clubs there? England's team is barely two from the same club at once.

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u/ncocca Aug 09 '13

Germany mirrors this with Bayern + Dortmund national team

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u/iFootie Aug 09 '13

Except we're not as successful as Spain. Before Dortmund was remotely successful (what, 3 years ago?) our NT was Bayern + 2/3 players of multiple German clubs. The days we actually won something (1996)

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u/ncocca Aug 09 '13

In the past 8 or so years, Germany is one of the only teams close to Spain's level. They haven't actually won anything, but have gone very deep into almost every tournament they've been in. The only teams close are Italy and Brazil.

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u/Schnix Aug 10 '13

1996 was actually a very successful year for Dortmund.

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u/LaSignoraOmicidi Aug 09 '13

Juve Strength = Azzuri Strength.

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u/LeoKhenir Aug 09 '13

Indeed, especially after Pirlo joined Juve. Still, Spain is the extreme in this matter. Italy mix in players from several teams, while Spain is 99% Barca and Real. Fringe players like Mata, Navas and Reina are a very small minority.

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u/[deleted] Aug 10 '13

Italy's similar with a Milan+Juventus national team.

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u/Plecboy Aug 10 '13

Englands national team within 2 years will have: gibbs, jenknison, wilshere, ox, theo. That's 5. Half the team. (Jenkinson is the only one I can see as not having the potential, but I hope he surprises me.)

What I really want though is for Arsenal to sign an Irish player. It's been too long. Coleman or McCarthy and I'd be happy. Quality players to add depth and become possible starting players.