It's still really, really hot... unusually for October and these aren't air-conditioned stadiums the temperature should drop soon.... the World Cup stadium they are playing in is air-conditioned so won't be so humid...
And here's my video.... don't think I'll be quitting the day job anytime soon, but hopefully get some better footage on Friday....
I was sitting with a Colombian colleague and his friends and one of them was telling me how he'd just seen James playing for Real Madrid a couple of years prior he scored a couple of goals vs Espanyol I asked him if he could've possibly imagined seeing him here just a couple of years later and he was like no, never!
If the report was true and he signed a two year contract there how long do you think before he basically just completely dials it in? I'd say I give it 4 months tops if he's actually playing. How can you allow yourself to be such a joke all considered?
Apparently, there's a secret clause in his contract: because he plays in Qatar, there's an unique circumstance that PSG can sign him for free as their owners are from Qatar. Idk if this is true or how this works (like do the owners of PSG have this type of influence?) as it's just a rumored report as I honestly don't see how he could come surely for just money.
PSG signing James would be really dumb, they already have 2 luxury attacking 10's that are a lot better then James in Neymar and Messi. Might actually be the worst club for him tbh based on their squad, he'd be riding the bench most likely.
he's perfectly fine and content I'm sure. He can walk the whole game and take corners and free kicks. No pressure just like he wanted.
Just a heads up, there's a big, big, big game tomorrow, October 22 @ 7pm Doha time (that's 4 pm GMT), Amir Cup final between Al Sadd and Al Rayyan. The Emir Cup is basically Qatar's premier cup competition like the FA Cup or Copa del Rey. However, the Amir Cup is a really big deal in Qatar as the Emir himself is there to hand out the trophy and it's a huge event. I don't really get it, hardly anyone goes to watch league games or the national team play but the Emir Cup final is almost always sold out. This one is no different as it'll also inaugurate the World Cup Al Thumama Stadium. Sadd and Rayyan are basically the two biggest and most decorated clubs in Qatar and this match is dubbed the "Qatar clasico". Sadd have enjoyed a lot more recent success and will be heavy favorites to win tomorrow. It'll pit former world cup winner Xavi and Laurent Blanc against each other. James, Nzonzi, and co will really have to step it up to cause an upset. Rayyan leak goals like crazy and Sadd can't stop scoring so it's hard not to see the latter win. Anyway, if you're only going to watch one Rayyan game this season then this would probably be the one as I doubt they'll be in the title race later this season.
I will say this. He is really working there and dropping back to defend in his own box. They have held on keeping this close much longer than their performance at the weekend would have indicated. Also - the Qatari's don't seem fond of his tricks. He is getting physically assaulted all the time.
I dont pretend he just score and score...but for me he didnt show a superior level than the other players in the field.
WTH was Blanc thinking taking James out just before penalties. Rayyan loses by 1 pen in the shootout.
Disagree. IMHO, he is clearly a step up in quality over the other dudes there, he is taking a bunch of contact as well because they clearly arent used to his control. Also - his quality stood out in the EPL too, so that shouldn't be a surprise. Was never the issue as he just couldn't stay healthy in the second half of last season. And he certainly looks match fit and was covering back much more than I am used to seeing him. Lastly, I'm not saying this one game would make him suddenly NT worthy, but does he have more quality than his teammates...I think so.
A blessing in hindsight; James will be motivated/irritated to do better so that he feels that it's not a waste of time there.
James is an idiot but he absolutely stood out in the EPL from the first game he played as a class above many and lots of us commented that in here as well as commentators in England who many would have a bias against James from the jump. He almost alway played well in England, was getting nailed physically quite often and did work hard to do defensive work fairly regularly, on the field wasn't ever a problem really. Even during the worst of times for James you rarely see him just be bad, his technique is superb and his passing and poise on the ball is almost always there. Honestly the time he looked the worst was in Madrid when he was just on the fringe of the team and getting disked around by Zidane, he looked nervous and uneasy. IDK his attitude we don't see and the reports are really bad, but his product is still far and away something that is worthwhile for us with our lack of creativity, whether he's toxic and a problem to have in the squad is a totally different story.
Highlights from the match: Tried to get James as much as possible. He did have a few goes at goal towards the end... he seemed injured that's why Blanc took him off. I wonder if he would've taken a penalty in the shootout. I was surprised he didn't take their penalty during the match, but Brahimi took it instead... Nice new stadium at least....
James Rodríguez no está en la mejor condición: Laurent Blanc https://t.co/j56TWwOFVS— La FM (@lafm) October 25, 2021