The Countdown: 13 July 2024

A Word From the Lisan Al-Ghaib

Javz: So what will you do?

Juninho: If I crash out, all my visions lead to horror. Millions of MMers banned because of me.

Javz: Because you lose control?

Juninho: Because I gain it.

Ezek XI: But you’re the chosen one. Do you not strive to be a hero?

Juninho: Not a hero. Not a devil. Just a mortal man.

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Welcome to The Daily Merengue — a place where you can feel free to discuss all things football. Do not be alarmed by the overt RMCF bias. It’s in the name!

Shoutout to the Mods who do a fantastic job, Valyrian Steel, KungFuZizou, NeRObutBlanco, Felipejack, and Juninho (the “Lisan Al-Ghaib”).

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Brief Madrid News

Yoro (again). Relevo is reporting that the difference between Real Madrid and Lille is only 10M. Early week rumors expected a potential announcement by Monday, but we’ll see. My gut feeling is we’ll hear a Yoro announcement either Monday or Wed.

Balon D’Or. A quick thought while these debates continue to somewhat rage. Regardless of who wins the Balon D’Or it should be a Madrid player and that should be enough satisfaction for all of us. I lean team Bellingham (just slightly) but will be equally happy if Vini wins. If anything, I believe the podium should be all 23/24 Madrid (Bellingham, Vini, CARVA) though I assume Mbappe or even Messi will sneak their way in.

Main Thread: Juni’s Spain v. England Gala XI

Important Disclaimer: As I decide on my Gala Xi, I will also be considering the 23/24 club season form in my analysis because if not this would almost entirely be the Spanish NT team. However, the 23/24 club season will only be weighed at 25-33%. My main consideration will still be the Euros tournament.

Also the lineup will be a 433 featuring a 10 and two pivots.

GK: Who cares lol? Unai Simon.

This is really close. Just from my own eye test, Unai Simon and Pickford aren’t incredibly different keepers. They’re about in the same tier / caliber but I think I’ll give a slight edge to Unai Simon. Now Unai is still filled with a bevy of faults. Expect a cataclysmic pass to the opposition at some point in the final. He’s been getting away with it this far but this is a consistently bad habit.

Defenders (left to right): Cucurella, Laporte, Stones, Carvajal

I think the backline somewhat chooses itself. Luke Shaw / Trippier have been bad in tournament and out so Cucurella is the obvious choice. As I write this, I am still debating whether it is appropriate to leave Guehi out (the initial draft included him). However, I think I’ll stick with Laporte who has had a more even Euros tournament. Stones (imo) has been a decent enough bright spot for the England national team to start over Le Normand or Nacho. And finally, of course Carvajal. I’ve always loved Kyle Walker and I believe Kyle Walker is one of the few fullbacks who is consistently successful against Vini. However, he appears to be losing a step with every game. Dani “Gluten-Free” Carvajal has arguably been the best RB this season. I could sing his accolades for days.

Now time for the hard part.

Midfielders: Jude (10), Rodri, Fabian Ruiz

You are about to witness my wild train of thought. I’m legitimately filling this out as I type. So the only truly obvious name is Rodri...(Ivatar put your pitchfork down). When considering club form + tournament form, Rodri has relatively been consistent if not great. He is arguably the most (or 2nd most) important player for Manchester City and his status in the midfield for Spain enables the rest of their structure. Then to the next pivot things get a bit trickier. If we consider primarily club form the obvious choice should be Declan Rice. However, Fabian Ruiz imo has been Spain’s best midfielder all tournament. I also think Kobbie Mainoo deserves a shout because I’m personally convinced that his inclusion for England has truly affected the team’s performance (TAA + Gallagher in the midfield has been a disaster). Since this imo is close but this is the Euros, we’re going to go with Fabian Ruiz. Now for the final spot. The obvious answer should probably be the Golden Boy in Jude. He has 2 goals and literally saved England from elimination. Additionally, his club performance has been immaculate. Now I would be doing Dani Olmo a disservice if I didn’t mention that he’s been playing quite well this tournament. So he’ll get an honorable mention.

Forwards: Nico Williams, ‘Arry Kane, Yamine Lamal

Now this may be the most debatable portion because I have conveniently left Phil Foden out of the front three for young Yamine Lamal. Well here is my thought process. I have been told all tournament that Phil Foden is a 10 and needs to play as a 10 despite the fact that he’s played LW for the majority of his career and he generally plays RW for City (even though he drifts into the 10 position). From that understanding, I have selected Jude at 10 over Foden (which happens to be the same choice that Gareth Southgate consistently makes). Now if you want to tell me that Phil is a RW then there is a conversation to be had. However, since the majority of my grading is based off of the Euros tournament I cannot place 5-6 appearance Phil Foden (who has zero goals or assists and seems to always get subbed before a miraculous England goal) over Yamine Lamal (arguably the player of the tournament). Yamine has been stupendously amazing this tournament. Barca have a gem. Don’t ruin him.

For the others, I think Nico + Harry are a pretty easy inclusion. Nico’s dribbling has been critical to Spain’s offensive system and he has created chaos similar to how Carlo Ancelotti motivates Vinicius to relentlessly attack fullbacks. Harry Kane just sneaks Morata and that is likely pushed by his club campaign. Harry Kane has been ok this tournament and still may win the Golden Boot so he’ll make the cut.

Manager: de la Fuente. Lol.

Total Score: Spain (8) v. England (3)

Advice For the Lil Homie

“My whole disposition been...f— who told me to sit. Ten toes on the cement. Always speed round the block. Daily threads to repent. Tryna clean up my thoughts. Hit keys in a box. See a lot of MMers talk from the bench. A lotta father figures following trends. I ain’t involved with ‘em. Lemmings like to fall off cliffs and bring they squad with ‘em....I see god in this mirror typing. Threads tee off when the spirit hits me. And I don’t fear the ending. I feel the envy. I reread all my past when it whisper to me. Half of it makes sense. Other half still riddles to me. Moses with a makeshift staff”

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“...do you still evol me?”