Hypothetical situation here, based on the likes and dislikes posts that happened in a David Villa thread. If you were the best player in the world and money didn't matter, where would your career take you and where would you never play? Since I'm awesome, I'd join the MLS at age 15 and play for the New England Revolution. Since I'd be a defensive mid, it would take me a bit to break into to regular playing time. I'd get a few starts early on when there was the occasional red card or an injury to one of the d-mids there. In my second season, I'd be more prepared for the beating and I'd start to establish myself in the starting XI. I'd stay until I turned 18 during the playoffs of my third season. As my contract with MLS is up, I'd make a move abroad to Shakhtar Donetsk in January. I'm interested in the Ukraine because my grandfather came over from there in the 20's. I don't know why Shakhtar because my grandfather came from Kiev, but I started playing with them in Football Manager and I have preferred them to Dinamo ever since. After three seasons, I'd be 21 and ready for a move to Celtic. My brother and I found a local pub back home that was dedicated to Celtic and I have liked the club ever since. I'd be starting my international career at this time shortly after the 2006 world cup. As much as I like Celtic, as the world's best defensive midfielder, I'd be getting a ton of offers to move abroad and after three seasons at Celtic, the 24-year-old me would be moving to FC Barcelona. I was able to see Barcelona live at Foxboro stadium when Ronaldinho made his debut with the club against Juventus. I was also fortunate enough to go to Barcelona with my brother to see Carles Puyol lifting the trophy as it was the first match after they clinched La Liga. While at Barcelona, I'd be participating in the 2010 and 2014 World Cups. At age 29, I'd be leaving Barcelona at the end of my contract and heading to the Serie A and Juventus. Despite the recent issues with the club, they have been my club of choice since I discovered Edgar Davids and developed a deep appreciation for the defensive midfield position. I'm now 33, and just after the 2018 World Cup, I'd be moving back to the United States, signing a three year deal with New England. I would announce my international retirement after the World Cup to dedicate myself fully to the Revolution and my new youth academy. It would combine the best American athletic training, with attacking training from my Spanish contacts and defensive focus from my Italian contacts. At 36, I'd be moving to the USL's Puerto Rico Islanders. My girlfriend is Puerto Rican, and since this is my story we still end up together (despite not meeting in college because I wasn't there), and I have enjoyed the culture, food, and music, though the weather is a bit hot for my liking. I'll play here for three seasons, while setting a youth academy similar to my American academy. Upon my retirement from football, I would dedicate myself to my youth academies, rather than coaching. I definitely see the importance in coaching, but I would rather help develop generations of young Americans and Puerto Ricans in this way. Since I'm not coaching, I'd also have time to work with ESPN's commentary team and web site. Other teams I'd consider: The two New England stops and the Puerto Rico years would have no alternative, so here are other teams I could consider at each move: Along with Shakhtar, I would consider Werder Bremen, Monaco, and Boca Juniors. As alternatives to Celtic, I would think about Tottenham, Fenerbahce, and Ajax. Instead of Barcelona, I'd think about Bayern Munich, Arsenal, and Lyon. Instead of Juventus, I would think again about Munich, Arsenal, and Lyon. Teams I'd never play for: - Chelsea, Man City, and the Qatari league. - AC Milan and Inter Milan. No real reason, I just never liked these clubs. - Rangers. Despite their history with Americans, I am a Celtic supporter. - Real Madrid. I respect the history and enjoy watching them play, but I'm a Barcelona fan. - Any other MLS team, though particularly Chicago and DC United. - Athletic Bilbao. It goes without saying and I hesitate to include them since it goes against the spirit of the list. I would play for Bilbao if I were Basque, so its nothing about the club that I dislike.
I would play at .. I'd start my career in the MLS with the Chicago Fire. Obvious choice playing with the home team until my skills are noticed and I have an excellent offer abroad. Based on this topic and being the best player out there, I'd probably only stay two seasons and leave at 20 years old. My first move would be to Club Brugge based in Bruges, Belgium. The club cares a lot about their players on a personal level and establishes great relationships. I'd like to get in two seasons there before my career takes off and I can move on to a bigger club like everyone else does. At 22 I'd transfer out to CSKA Moscow because they pay a lot of cash and they are a competitive club. Though Russia isn't my top choice by far as a place to settle down and have a family, I wouldn't mind the experience and the trophies first. If decided against playing in Russia, I'd probably go to Toulouse FC instead because I love the region. It'd be interesting to help draw in more supporters for the club with our new-found success! At 26 I'd transfer out again, this time near the peak of my career to Arsenal FC. I would love to play football for Mr. Wenger and help the club win every trophy we can possibly scoop up. What's better then this situation? I'd be in a great city like London, rich and famous and have my first child in France to have him or her grow up in England. That's a top choice my friends. Got to think about other things aside from football as well even as a professional! At 33, just reaching that point where I'm past my peak, I'd return to my family's home country of Germany to play for Karlsruher SC. My mother was from that city and I love it too. The club's supporters are considered to be some of the best in Europe and I can't disagee. Football is life in Karlsruhe, Germany. At around 34, I would retire from International football from the United States. I'd stay at KSC until I'm 36 and leave at the end of my contract to return to Chicago to play one more season for the Fire. I'd like to end my career where I started. It shows respect to who helped you get to where you are by giving you your first opportunity. I wouldn't play at .. Oh the list is enormous! I'll just list the European clubs. Chelsea FC - I have no respect for this club and never will. Liverpool FC - I don't like their supporters' violent history. No offense to our resident Liverpool supporters. Manchester United FC - I wouldn't play under Ferguson. Wenger is better at building individual careers. Middlesbrough FC - I wouldn't play for a club with such poor supporters. Newcastle United FC - I don't like their management choices and some of their players. Olympique Lyonnais - Nothing against them really, they've just won too much and I wouldn't feel needed. lol Olympique de Marseille - While their regular supporters are passionate, my wife would kill me if I played for them because she's lived around many of their ultras for years. From what I've heard and even seen, they are drug abusing, violent psychopaths. Stay clear of l'OM! Paris Saint-Germain FC - If I wanted to play for a club that has violent and racist supporters I'd just go to another club that isn't based in a city that I personally believe has terrible people in general living there. Internazionale Milano - I hate Inter. Period. AC Milan - Silvio Berlusconi. Period. Fiorentina - I don't want my season ruined by finding out my club cheated, again. S.S.C. Napoli - Their fans can't even travel to other cities because they are so damn violent! Calcio Catania - Ditto! U.S. Citta di Palermo - Ditto, again. Genoa C.F.C. - Ok, you get the pattern here? Oh yeah, and they're known to be cheaters. AS Roma - The idea that Roma fans are better then Lazio fans comes from people who don't know shit about the two clubs. Roma fans have killed Lazio fans, Lazio fans have never killed a Roma fan. The worst instance being two decades ago when a Roma supporter shot a flair directly into the face of a Lazio supporter, killing him. Fuck Roma. Athletic Club Bilbao - You can't play for them unless you're of Basque origin. Damn, I love that region! FC Barcelona - Racist Ultras and poor ownership ruins the club. Atlético Madrid - Racist Ultras. Real Madrid - Racist Ultras and poor ownership. I wouldn't want to be a part of a team that focuses on bringing in big stars even if they don't fit into their system. Los Angeles Galaxy - I don't like LA. New York Red Bull - I don't like NYC. Oh, there's more, but I'm tired. In reality, just about every club in a big city in Europe has a racist ultras group. The worst in western Europe being in Paris, Barcelona and Madrid. Samuel Eto'o spoke a few times about being chanted at like a monkey and having fruit thrown at him by his own club's supporters. That's nice.
Zenith st Petersberg are the racist capital they wouldn't even sign the whole brazil team because it had black people in it (e.g). They chant monkey chants all the time and you would play there! Even I am suprised at that M21 . But other than that: great post. I will do mine shortly. P.S I know someone who plays for a swedish 2nd-3rd divison side.
That's true Barmy, I suppose my interest in playing alongside Arshavin and Pogrebnyak with leadership from Dick Advocaat overtook my interests. I shall remove them!
I didn't hear about Eto'o getting monkey chants from his own support. I do remember the time he was getting them and got his revenge by stealing the ball just inside midfield, dribbling through two or three defenders and then scoring. He promptly ran over to the corner flag where the worst fans were and jumped around like an ape. It was brilliant. This may have been against Espanyol.
Glad you did. pos: RM/CF I would start my Career at Darlington F.C my home club (16-17 although I am slightly younger now), trying to get them promoted guarenteed that it would take about a season or two. I would try to keep them up in the first season then move. To Motherwell or Aberdeen in the SPL to get reconised by the media at top flight football, and try to break the top two's dominance over about 3 years until a good offer came through. So at (23) I would move to........ France to Bordeaux to meet some players who have player for super clubs e.g David Bellion. Again I would try my best to overcome Lyon's dominace but probably fail despite how many seasons I stayed. Although trying to catch others attention by geting plenty of man of the matches and player of the year in fance. I would probably enter the international stage now, for England starting as a sub. At the peak of my career maybe (26), I would move to..... Either Manchester United or Juventus two of my favorite teams. I would play my heart out with the current legends, trying to break into the first team and making myself a known name across the world. While increasing my international status to first team player at (28) At 29 In international standards I might become vice-captain. Plus stick woth United or Juve for 5 years until I became a minor player. So to play out most of my days I would take a step down to....... The Columbus Crewto help the club get reputation, after about 2 and a half years when my career was wanning down. In international status I would retire at 33 if they hadn't booted me out first, and before my 35th Birthday..... I would go back to Darlington F.C for 2 years, to etablish myself as a Loyal and respectfull player, playing just within my depth, and giving the club back the memories they saw at other clubs. Then Retire at 37-38 years old Then I would become........................... lol I could continue and will since I am bored. a assistant manager at Bordeaux since I am known there, after gaining much reputation (42) , I would manage..... Celtic as again being known in the SPL again for a couple of year trying to dominate the league until I was (48), then I would travel to....... Either Juve or Man Utd after a hiatus of about 2 years, depending on which one I played at. While wining the Champions League once I would retire a season after it and be Chairman of Darlington F.C in a takeover bid at 67 P.s I have took it too far now.
I'd definitely try to become a manager afterward. In fact, I'm actually looking to become a real manager for youths in this area.
You can get the qualifications, apparently its easy my friend (swedish footie player) said they were just giving them away about 10 years ago, but I think it might be a bit harder now-a-days.
I'm definitely looking into it because I receive a lot of praise from people around the Chicago-area telling me that I should be coaching at a local high school or youth club. Anyway, back on topic!
Well I would never player for Zenith S.T Petersburg: Racists the lot of them. Hartlepool United: Monkey Hangers Chelsea: Would make me look like a scumbag being tempted by money Man City: Same as Chelsea reason and United Rivals Fiorentina: they need to sort there team out first!
Yea I know that was just 5. Each one top of a catagory for hating them. By the way those who don't know what me and M21 are on about with Monkey Hangers. Then look at this: there are different versions of it based in different times but at least one of them were true due to the idea being passed along time and time again: Now I think that is disgusting either way a Monkey!!! So the Darlington F.C surporters (me included) and their biggest rivals. Hate them because of it and geographical reasons. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monkey_hanger
Darlington (darlos) chants are brutal at times lol e.g "I asked my mother, who should I be, should I be Poolie, should I be Darlo, Heres what she said to me, wash your mouth o' son, and fetch your fathers gun, and shoot the Poolie scum, shoot the Poolie scum, We hate Poolie!"
Back on topic sorry. By the way if a club cheated recently without a good explanation then I wouldn't go there.
In the best case scenario: I would start my footballing career at Woking F.C., just because it's my local club, and that's where I would be picked up if I was good (I wish!). I'd play there for about a year or two, and then I'd like to move to Millwall F.C. just because the fans are so brutal, and passionate. I'd probably stay here until I was around 19, and I'd like to go to a title contending Championship team (I wouldn't want to join the big guns yet). At 20, I would play for newly demonted Reading F.C. and I would get some help from players like Hunt and Lita. I'd try my best during F.A. games versus big teams. Hopefully a scout would pick me up, and I'd be signed by Portsmouth. I'd make a huge first season impact, and get signed by Arsenal. I'd stay there for until I was around Henry's age, and then I'd like to move to Ajax or something like that. I'd probably end up at D.C. United. I would never play at: Manchester United - I don't think Ferguson is that nice of a guy. There was that incident with Beckham and Keane. Chelsea - I would hate to have a manager every season. Sunderland - Roy Keane is crazy.
I would never play for Barcelona or At. De Bilbao, also Man U because Ferggie is a douche. Real Madrid would be my first choice no matter what. Also for those who say they wouldn't play in Madrid for poor management. The Florentino Perez days are over.
Great idea agoo, and some great responses so far. I would start my career at KF Fushë Kosova, it's the town that I was born in on Feb. 1985. It's just outside Prishtina like 4 kilometers away. For a long time they were in the 2nd Kosovo division, but just last season they made it to the Raiffeisen Superliga - Kosova. Would probably start there at an early age and stay until 17 or 18 years old. Then move to KF Prishtina, and stay there for 2 years maximum, just to get more exposure on TV and other media. After those 2 years of quality playing time with KF Prishtina, I would get a call from 1860 München and sign for a 3 year deal, to be their main striker. At 22 years old, being that the team plays in Allianz Arena, same stadium that FC Bayern München, and getting constant attention from their recruiters and coaches, finally get signed by the big team in Bundesliga and the prime time of my career. Deal is 5 years long, 55 million Euros. 5 years pass, and Bayern are going into another direction and will not renew the contract. At this point a team from EPL makes the call and asks what the price would be. So after 8 years total in Germany (Bundesliga), I pack my things up and move to Old Trafford to play for the almighty Manchester United. It was a dream from the beginning to play for them, and the contract is 4 years long. Win a couple of titles, and 2 champions league ones. At 31 years old, starting to feel older, decide to head back to Deutschland once again, where it feels like home, where most of family live. This time make the call myself and offer services very cheap in turn for the team letting me become an assistant coach once my playing career is over. The team is Eintracht Frankfurt and get a contract of 2 years. Finish them quickly, acting more as a leader on the team, and then finally become an assistant and start developing new talent. Get the duty to focus on Eastern Europe and work with young kids there in trying to get them to play for the team. Teams I would play for other than the career: Arsenal Tottenham Lyon Marseille Lazio Roma Real Madrid Sevilla Tirana Hertha Berlin FC Vaduz Teams I wouldn't play for: Chelsea West Ham Celtic Inter Milan Stuttgart CSKA Moscow Besiktas
