wb 4ever
Draftee
I have heard a lot people talk about how the EPL is now better than the Seria A, what a load of crap. The Seria A is head and shoulders above the EPL and here are my reasons why.
TALENT & SKILL
The most talented and skillful players outside of the Spanish League are in the Seria A. The most talented and skillful player in every position in the EPL would not be worthy of cleaning his Seria A counterparts boots. Here are some examples...
KEEPERS
SERIA A
BUFFUN - Without doubt the best keeper in the world, he has the reflexes of a cat and the natural talent of being in the right position all of the time.
TOLDO - Just think back to Euro 2000, enough said.
EPL
BARTEZ - Okay his reflexes are extraordinary, but I've heard of vampires that can handle crosses better than he has. And can you really see Buffon or Toldo doing what he did against West Ham.
MARTYN - his work effect and heart can not be questioned, but really not in the same class.
JAMES - What I said about Bartez and crosses x 10... no x 100.
DEFENDERS
SERIA A
THURAM - If not the best defender in the world, surely is in the top three. He has the perfect mix, the touch and dribbling skills of a center midfielder, a tackling ability that is unsurpassed, and the
ability to read the game like a book. You don't get nicknamed the defender who doesn't make mistakes for nothing.
NESTA - Different to Thuram but just as good, can read the play and some of his tackles come straight out of a coaching manual.
CANNAVARO - The best man to man marker in the world, has the ability to completely man mark a center forward out of the game.
MALDINI - Has anyone ever seen a better left back?
This could go on forever
EPL
STAM - As hard as a rock and unbeatable in the air, but against a quick and agile forward he struggles.
CAMPBELL - Exact same story as Stam, but would struggle even more against a quick and agile player.
FERDINAND - Has there ever been a more over rated defender. Okay his young, but some of his mistakes are under 10 stuff.
G. NEVILLE - When coming through the MAN U. youth system was rated as the English Maldini, come on let's be serious. If he wasn't playing for MAN U. he would have been dropped to the Nation Wide League by now.
MIDFEILDERS
SERIA A
RUI COSTA - Behind Zidane the most skillful center midfielder in Europe, he has amazing vision and his through balls can cut any defence in two. Doesn't score many goals, but when he does they make the plays of the week.
TOTTI - Okay his arrogant and has an inflated opinion of himself, but his skill can not be denied and his only 25.
NEDVED - The perfect wide midfielder, has the dribbling skills to get passed defenders, the speed to get to the goal line and his crosses aren't half bad, and just to top it off he scores from open play as well.
TOMMASSI - Works hard and tackles harder, but he has nice touch as well, make no mistakes he was the most important player in Roma's title winning side.
HONARABLE MENTIONS
Albertini, Seedorf, Davids, Zambrotta, Poborsky, Redondo, Serginho, Coco, S.Conceicao, Emerson.
EPL
BECKHAM - The one thing that the EPL has that it can be proud of, even though I think he is one-dimensional the one thing that he can do better than anyone else is cross the ball.
KEANE - I don't care what anyone says but for me he doesn't have enough natural skill, he works hard and he'll die for the cause, but and it might be just me, however I think a center midfield can't afford to get as many red cards as he does.
VIERA - What a nut case, and when he does something that he knows was disgraceful he plays the race card.
GIGGS - Again a wonderful talent, he has all the weapons, but doesn't play enough games.
OTHERS THAT AREN'T UP TO IT
Batty, Butt, Wise, Anderton, Bowyer(nut case), Ince
FORWARDS
SERIA A
BATISTUTA - The best forward I've seen since Van Basten, he has everything, strong in the air, great on both feet and the ability to be in the right place at the right time.
VIERI - As he showed in the second half of the 2000/2001 season when fully fit he is unstoppable. Fast, strong and has a great touch, and most importantly knows where to go and when to go there.
SHEVCHENKO - Only foreigner to win Seria A golden boot in first year, says it all doesn't it.
CRESPO - Like a young Batistuta, already won one golden boot.
HONARABLE MENTIONS
Montella, R.Baggio, Salas, Recoba, Chiesa, Trezeguet, Di Vaio
EPL
KEWELL & HASSELBAINK - Only forwards in the EPL that could cut it in the Italian League, and it's just a matter of time before they see what they are missing and come over.
A. COLE - If you think he is world class I seriously recommend you go and get a brain scan. Takes him 5 good chances before he scores, and needs his team to be totally dominating a game or else he is unseen.
DUBLIN - Plays 90% of game with back to goal and therefore makes it easy for defenders to make sure he has no impact on game.
HESKEY - Again just doesn't have it, and if it weren't for the Liverpool rotation system would not get a game.
REJECTS
Think of all the players that have tried their luck in Italy and failed, but have then gone to the EPL and become stars. Such names include, VEIRA, RUSH, BERGKAMP, HENRY, INCE, R.KEANE...the list goes on. This proves the point that the EPL is easier therefore NOT better than the Seria A.
TACTICS
In this aspect there is no question the Italian League is at least 30 years ahead of the EPL. Italian clubs are able to change their games from 3-5-2 to a 4-4-2 or even a 4-5-1 formation, they are able to keep the ball when winning and change the tempo of a game with a blink of an eye. On the other hand English clubs stick with the 4-4-2 formation all the time, and for most of them there only tactic is to pump it to the big man up front, and hope for the best.
COMPETION
This year there are 5 clubs, Juve, AC, Inter, Roma and Lazio, in the Seria A that have realistic title hopes. Add to that the fact that Parma, Fiorentina and Bologna are all able to bet these teams and you have the most competitive title race in Europe. Also at the other end of the table you have a drop of 4 in an 18-team league, some say that it is unfair, but it is there to cut the dead wood from the league.
In the EPL do you really see anyone challenging Man U for the title, the only real question is Man U by how much? At the other end of the table you will again have Everton, Derby, Southampton and the 3 promoted clubs, and with only 3 going down it will happen again and again, and all these clubs couldn't defeat the top 10 in the league even with a 2 goal start.
CLUBS
Without doubt if any of Juve, Lazio, Roma, AC, Inter or Parma were to enter the EPL they would win it by Christmas. But, with the exception of Man U who would finish around mid table, if any EPL club were to enter the Seria A, they would be relegated with a maximum of 18 points. (with 38 points you were safe this year)
NATIONAL TEAM
I think you already know what I'm about to say, the EPL has only produced one national team that has won anything, the 1966 World Cup side. While the Seria A has produced 3 World Cup winning teams and 2 World Cup final teams for Italy. And you can also add to those 4 U-21 European Championship winning sides.
So to all you EPL supporters if you ever have the urge to say that the English game is better than the Seria A, stop and remember the points above. And they will stop you from making a complete ARSE of yourself.
TALENT & SKILL
The most talented and skillful players outside of the Spanish League are in the Seria A. The most talented and skillful player in every position in the EPL would not be worthy of cleaning his Seria A counterparts boots. Here are some examples...
KEEPERS
SERIA A
BUFFUN - Without doubt the best keeper in the world, he has the reflexes of a cat and the natural talent of being in the right position all of the time.
TOLDO - Just think back to Euro 2000, enough said.
EPL
BARTEZ - Okay his reflexes are extraordinary, but I've heard of vampires that can handle crosses better than he has. And can you really see Buffon or Toldo doing what he did against West Ham.
MARTYN - his work effect and heart can not be questioned, but really not in the same class.
JAMES - What I said about Bartez and crosses x 10... no x 100.
DEFENDERS
SERIA A
THURAM - If not the best defender in the world, surely is in the top three. He has the perfect mix, the touch and dribbling skills of a center midfielder, a tackling ability that is unsurpassed, and the
ability to read the game like a book. You don't get nicknamed the defender who doesn't make mistakes for nothing.
NESTA - Different to Thuram but just as good, can read the play and some of his tackles come straight out of a coaching manual.
CANNAVARO - The best man to man marker in the world, has the ability to completely man mark a center forward out of the game.
MALDINI - Has anyone ever seen a better left back?
This could go on forever
EPL
STAM - As hard as a rock and unbeatable in the air, but against a quick and agile forward he struggles.
CAMPBELL - Exact same story as Stam, but would struggle even more against a quick and agile player.
FERDINAND - Has there ever been a more over rated defender. Okay his young, but some of his mistakes are under 10 stuff.
G. NEVILLE - When coming through the MAN U. youth system was rated as the English Maldini, come on let's be serious. If he wasn't playing for MAN U. he would have been dropped to the Nation Wide League by now.
MIDFEILDERS
SERIA A
RUI COSTA - Behind Zidane the most skillful center midfielder in Europe, he has amazing vision and his through balls can cut any defence in two. Doesn't score many goals, but when he does they make the plays of the week.
TOTTI - Okay his arrogant and has an inflated opinion of himself, but his skill can not be denied and his only 25.
NEDVED - The perfect wide midfielder, has the dribbling skills to get passed defenders, the speed to get to the goal line and his crosses aren't half bad, and just to top it off he scores from open play as well.
TOMMASSI - Works hard and tackles harder, but he has nice touch as well, make no mistakes he was the most important player in Roma's title winning side.
HONARABLE MENTIONS
Albertini, Seedorf, Davids, Zambrotta, Poborsky, Redondo, Serginho, Coco, S.Conceicao, Emerson.
EPL
BECKHAM - The one thing that the EPL has that it can be proud of, even though I think he is one-dimensional the one thing that he can do better than anyone else is cross the ball.
KEANE - I don't care what anyone says but for me he doesn't have enough natural skill, he works hard and he'll die for the cause, but and it might be just me, however I think a center midfield can't afford to get as many red cards as he does.
VIERA - What a nut case, and when he does something that he knows was disgraceful he plays the race card.
GIGGS - Again a wonderful talent, he has all the weapons, but doesn't play enough games.
OTHERS THAT AREN'T UP TO IT
Batty, Butt, Wise, Anderton, Bowyer(nut case), Ince
FORWARDS
SERIA A
BATISTUTA - The best forward I've seen since Van Basten, he has everything, strong in the air, great on both feet and the ability to be in the right place at the right time.
VIERI - As he showed in the second half of the 2000/2001 season when fully fit he is unstoppable. Fast, strong and has a great touch, and most importantly knows where to go and when to go there.
SHEVCHENKO - Only foreigner to win Seria A golden boot in first year, says it all doesn't it.
CRESPO - Like a young Batistuta, already won one golden boot.
HONARABLE MENTIONS
Montella, R.Baggio, Salas, Recoba, Chiesa, Trezeguet, Di Vaio
EPL
KEWELL & HASSELBAINK - Only forwards in the EPL that could cut it in the Italian League, and it's just a matter of time before they see what they are missing and come over.
A. COLE - If you think he is world class I seriously recommend you go and get a brain scan. Takes him 5 good chances before he scores, and needs his team to be totally dominating a game or else he is unseen.
DUBLIN - Plays 90% of game with back to goal and therefore makes it easy for defenders to make sure he has no impact on game.
HESKEY - Again just doesn't have it, and if it weren't for the Liverpool rotation system would not get a game.
REJECTS
Think of all the players that have tried their luck in Italy and failed, but have then gone to the EPL and become stars. Such names include, VEIRA, RUSH, BERGKAMP, HENRY, INCE, R.KEANE...the list goes on. This proves the point that the EPL is easier therefore NOT better than the Seria A.
TACTICS
In this aspect there is no question the Italian League is at least 30 years ahead of the EPL. Italian clubs are able to change their games from 3-5-2 to a 4-4-2 or even a 4-5-1 formation, they are able to keep the ball when winning and change the tempo of a game with a blink of an eye. On the other hand English clubs stick with the 4-4-2 formation all the time, and for most of them there only tactic is to pump it to the big man up front, and hope for the best.
COMPETION
This year there are 5 clubs, Juve, AC, Inter, Roma and Lazio, in the Seria A that have realistic title hopes. Add to that the fact that Parma, Fiorentina and Bologna are all able to bet these teams and you have the most competitive title race in Europe. Also at the other end of the table you have a drop of 4 in an 18-team league, some say that it is unfair, but it is there to cut the dead wood from the league.
In the EPL do you really see anyone challenging Man U for the title, the only real question is Man U by how much? At the other end of the table you will again have Everton, Derby, Southampton and the 3 promoted clubs, and with only 3 going down it will happen again and again, and all these clubs couldn't defeat the top 10 in the league even with a 2 goal start.
CLUBS
Without doubt if any of Juve, Lazio, Roma, AC, Inter or Parma were to enter the EPL they would win it by Christmas. But, with the exception of Man U who would finish around mid table, if any EPL club were to enter the Seria A, they would be relegated with a maximum of 18 points. (with 38 points you were safe this year)
NATIONAL TEAM
I think you already know what I'm about to say, the EPL has only produced one national team that has won anything, the 1966 World Cup side. While the Seria A has produced 3 World Cup winning teams and 2 World Cup final teams for Italy. And you can also add to those 4 U-21 European Championship winning sides.
So to all you EPL supporters if you ever have the urge to say that the English game is better than the Seria A, stop and remember the points above. And they will stop you from making a complete ARSE of yourself.
