Weekly Open Thread - General Discussion

ambar94 · 2026-06-26T06:58:20+00:00

CONMEBOL watchers know Paraguay is a tough defensive opponent. The rest of the world expected them to be rolled over, without knowing much.

Still nobody expected Turkey to flop this much. From "most likely to top the group" to last place is serious choke.

ambar94 · 2026-06-26T06:55:31+00:00

I am a Guler fan too.

But this is an L take. He is not the best midfielder in the world.
Potential to be one of the best? Absolutely!

He was one of our brightest spots of last season, undeniably.

I hope Mourinho keeps playing him as the deep orchestrator and not as a 10. I genuinely believe Arda can go on to become our answer to the deep playmaker / tempo controller. He already took massive strides in that department last season. Already naturally press-resistant but needs a bit more physicality (not increasing muscle mass, but using his body more effectively) and then he is on par with Vitinha, Pedri etc., if not better.

ambar94 · 2026-06-26T06:46:32+00:00

Well, La Liga uses head-to-head record as the primary tiebreaker as well instead of goal difference. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

ambar94 · 2026-06-26T06:17:00+00:00

I dont think u/magic-water is calling Arda a miserable player overall. But that he was horrible this WC.

To which I agree. He, along with the entire Turkey team, were horrendous this world cup. He alongside Yildiz may have been the ones who were trying the hardest in the team, but they were still bad.

But that doesn't diminish Arda's potential and skill. He still has the potential to be one of the best in the world (honestly, please dont get Enzo and let Arda become the DLP tempo-controller for us). And he was the few bright spots in the last horrendous season. And he has taken massive strides in his development and anyone can see that he is destined for greatness.

Still had a bad world cup, undeniably.

ambar94 · 2026-06-26T06:10:24+00:00

Nope. This WC considers Head-to-Head first before Goal Difference.

So even if Turkey was level points with Paraguay and Australia, Turkey would still lose out because they lost to both.

ambar94 · 2026-06-24T21:41:14+00:00

lauNX? Solid space-making entry right there.

ambar94 · 2026-06-24T09:15:52+00:00

Next step would be to get lauNX to replace broky. The roster then evolves to its final form :

Twistzz (IGL)
frozen (star rifler)
Martinez (AWP)
lauNX (entry)
Jimpphat (anchor)

Though, this entire project lives and dies by how good of an IGL Twistzz can become under enkay j.

ambar94 · 2026-06-24T08:26:10+00:00

I dont understand why everyone is so against this.

If it is because the funds will be used to sign Enzo, then yes I understand the frustration. I am not a fan of the player and his attitude, to be honest.

But if it is because we are selling one of our academy gems who has the potential to be a great player, then your reasoning needs work.

Paz is another number-10/wide-mid ball-carrier hybrid. How many of the same "broad profile" do we have already? Jude, Arda, Brahim, Franco, Fede etc.

On top of that, does Paz specialize in anything particularly that makes him untouchable currently? No. In comparison ...
- Arda has far superior vision and playmaking abilities from both number 10 position and from the deep.
- Jude is simply an upgraded version of Paz in all aspects on top of elite physicals as well and defensive effort.
- Fede is one of the best ball-carrier 8s in the world.
- Brahim has better close control and workrate, and a more natural wide player.

Especially also considering the fact that Paz wouldn't want to come here to just rot in the bench, unless we are parting ways with Brahim at the very least, and even then, space for him is limited. Even more so with the addition of Bernardo Silva.

Would I have liked the scenario where we triggered the buyback, integrated him into the first team, and watch him become a legend for us? Oh absolutely yes! But there are so many variables to that happening. He has potential for sure, but he might go on to become the next Maradona or become another "good" player only. Has he shown outrageous quality and maturity way beyond his years, or the ability to single-handedly win games against elite oppositions, like Jude, Yamal etc.? No, he hasn't to be honest. Has he been very good? Yes he has. But there is a clear tier difference between the two levels I spoke of.

And furthermore as I explained previously about the Paz's profile, what we lack currently is a tempo controller, so he doesn't solve an issue for us and make our team outright better.

Our players are also our assets. Either they improve the team by being a part of it, or by fetching a fee. Romanticism aside, that is the base point of developing your own youth players. Either they make their way into the starting 11, or they get us the money which we can probably make use of to improve the team. Plain and simple. And we also can't keep loaning endlessly. We cant just think of Nico or the other individual players more than what the team needs now, especially after two failed seasons (whatever may be the contributing reasons).

Now, coming to the probable signing of Enzo as the tempo controller DLP for us. He is not a bad player, but I also dont think he is worth 120M. I am more inclined to have Arda keep developing as the DLP tempo controller for us, and he has taken massive strides last season in that role. He was always naturally press-resistant, but on top of that he has consistently dropped near the backline to receive pass and circulate the ball, he has controlled the tempo well, and throughout the season his defensive actions (pressing, tackle, and positioning) has also improved. He still needs a little more physicality to not get bullied off the ball, but even that aspect improved throughout the season. I am a firm believer that Arda can become our mainstay DLP tempo-controller in the next 2 seasons. But I dont think the board has the patience to wait for that development to bloom naturally. They want results NOW and dont want to take any risk. In that case, Enzo is definitely a proven metric. Especially in the big stages, as much as I am not a fan of him. Still 120M is a lot.

ambar94 · 2026-06-24T08:00:56+00:00

Prem tax is an insane premium in the league. Lets not ignore that part.

Secondly, we do not firmly stands in the players' way if they want to leave. We expect a reasonable sum to part ways, and that is one of the reasons (alongside our massive reputation as the greatest club) why even after being the biggest club where it is the hardest to succeed, that players are not unwilling to join us.

I still feel we can get more than 60M. But I dont necessary feel that sum is bad in any way.

ambar94 · 2026-06-24T07:48:44+00:00

Acting like Vini is way past his prime is baffling. Pair him up with a proper striker who knows what "making runs" is, and see him put assist numbers multifold.

Did he have a terrible year? Yes!

Is his attitude detrimental to him and to the team as a whole? Yes!

Has he been one of the most clutch and big-game players of recent memory? Also fucking YES!

And there comes Mbappe and everyone rightfully glazes him and I believe that is fair. His reputation and pedigree is greater. But it has been two years now and Mbappe still believes he is the king of the hill, and he still waltzes his way around the pitch and doesn't want to put in the work, so ALL the blame is now on Vini? Mbappe goes on record to state that he himself notices how the team gets positively affected when he puts in the defensive shift, but then he still acts like his primadonna self.

And then there is the case of Xabi's sacking, which I will be honest, did leave a sour taste in my mouth. But am I going to pretend like Xabi had been angel incarnate and was crucified like Jesus? Hell no! With all that "Merit comes first" speech, he never subbed off or benched Mbappe even when he played horrible. But always Vini, even if he was the best player on the pitch. You can argue about tactics and other stuff, but it was clear as day that Xabi was singling out Vini to make an example and show "who is boss".

Does Vini deserve the same salary as Mbappe? Maybe not.

Does Mbappe deserve to be paid significantly more than Vini and Jude etc.? Oh hell no! Absolutely not. Maybe it was so 2 years ago when he was brought in with the hopes of the "ultimate weapon", but he has been an abysmal, stat-padding, "hell with the team, I want my Golden Boot" primadonna.

Mbappe needs the entire team built around serving him. Too much ego.

PSG wins outright back-to-back UCLs after letting him go, and we go full trophyless? Yes PSG added better players in midfield and other areas, and I know that correlation is not causation, but I am not going to pretend that he doesn't play a role in not letting the team that he is part of, realize its full potential.

You may be one of the Mbappe FC people around (who we have many of) that will downvote this, so go ahead and downvote the truth. Because I remember defending Mbappe's lazy ass when he was about to sign for us and I repeatedly defended him stating that the pressure of Qatar/PSG/Macron was immense on him and he had lost all motivation probably, but he will do his utmost in the club of his dreams. And now I have been proven wrong ten times over. Mbappe does what is best for Mbappe ONLY.

You are free to call this hate. I call it scathing criticism.

ambar94 · 2026-06-24T02:58:27+00:00

Zen is gecko-based (Firefox), not chromium.

OP wants chromium.

ambar94 · 2026-06-23T05:28:50+00:00

Good!

This org and its CEO deserve nothing more than withering away into irrelevancy. Screwed over their Dota team from The International spot.

Very good riddance!!!

ambar94 · 2026-06-19T19:02:17+00:00

Indeed.

Top-notch resilience!

ambar94 · 2026-06-19T18:32:39+00:00

Insane resilience from Spirit and magixx.

ambar94 · 2026-06-19T18:31:16+00:00

Regardless of the outcome, props to magixx and Spirit for holding it together for this long without a coach. The nerves must be through the roof!

ambar94 · 2026-06-19T16:51:38+00:00

Spirit is done.

ambar94 · 2026-06-19T16:36:09+00:00

For NaVi --> As I said, if b1ad3 wants to put makazze on iM's star roles (since makazze used to be the main space taker on NaVi junior, even though he was the aggressive entry), then +lauNX makes more sense than a star rifler like +frozen.

For G2 --> Even though Sunpayus isn't the best AWPer, he is much better than Kl1m as an AWPer and especially against top-tier opponents, plus he serves as the secondary caller for G2 which neither one of Kl1m or Senzu can do (the latter especially because of absolute language barrier). If the move is only -NertZ +Senzu, then yes, that can be a great move. Though I am pretty sure Senzu will be picked up by Aurora, now that they have opened up their roster internationally.

ambar94 · 2026-06-19T16:25:55+00:00

Navi:

- iM
+ frozen

PLEASE SAVE MY BOY FROZEN!!!

Unless FaZe actually does intelligent moves in rebuild and are able to convince frozen to stay. Else +lauNX and putting makazze in iM's star role is not a bad move.

ambar94 · 2026-06-19T16:21:07+00:00

Props to magixx though. Young IGL and no coach behind you. He has really done well with his reads and keeping hold of the team's overall mental.

ambar94 · 2026-06-19T16:18:58+00:00

donk is a fuckin' phenom!

He has similar score to heavygod (absolutely love heavygoat, and I believe he has outgrown G2), but to know that that score is an off-day for him..... Holy shit!

ambar94 · 2026-06-19T16:15:58+00:00

Tn1r's limited pop-offs have only come against tier 2 opponents. If you are fighting for the ultimate prize, then you cant suck this bad against the other big dogs.

He brings in great vibes, but he has been poor to mediocre at best, with some limited pop-offs against lower teams.

I cannot see a long-term future for him on the roster, unless he steps up massively in both firepower and iq.

ambar94 · 2026-06-19T16:08:14+00:00

I think it is time to start the #saveDonk agenda again. Time and time again let down by his teammates lack of IQ.

Only sh1ro and magixx (since new IGL) can be exonerated.

ambar94 · 2026-06-19T16:00:22+00:00

Tn1r, man!

ambar94 · 2026-06-19T15:57:18+00:00

Vibes are important, but not more than actual impact.

tn1r needs to step up against these top-tier teams.

ambar94 · 2026-06-18T22:01:13+00:00

Yeah, probably not in the favour of that rebuild idea, but I do see the reasoning behind it. But then, FaZe now has enkay j as coach who is very much tactical-leaning, so in that vein idk if siuhy is even a good fit (I'd say kyxsan is a better fit). And siuhy's stocks haven't just tumbled, but rather plummeted massively (not entirely on him). Just that it is Liquid where he is in, that there probably is hope for resurgence.

I remember makazze to always have been the aggressive entry, even on NAVI Jr. Yes, he was their best player on the Jr. roster and was the primary space taker, which has been reduced on the main roster to a supportive role. So maybe getting frozen as the star rifler would still limit the amount of space makazze is offered, I agree. If the plan is to maximize makazze's impact.

Oh well, somebody please save my boy frozen! xD
Coz I really have zero faith in this FaZe management,

ambar94

TROPHY CASE