Listened to the Spain/Slovenia match overnight and it sounded like Guardiola totally dominated the midfield. Apart from the French midfield, it sounded as if Guardiola put in the only dominant performance from a midfielder so far in the tornament.

If Guardiola is Bobby's 'Big' signing for the summer I'd be satisfied. However he could not be the only one, as that would give us a pretty old central midfield, with Guardiola, Lee and Speed. We would still need a young defensive midfielder, and Jamie McClen is the only one at the club, and he is no where near the first team yet.

One thing, following NUFC's tradition of signing players who are subject to injury, it appears from Guardiola's bio that he to has had his fair share over the last three years.

JOSEP GUARDIOLA SALA

Country: Spain Club: FC Barcelona Born: 18/01/1971 Height: 1.80m Weight: 73kg

Position: Midfielder Shirt Number: 4

Playmaker for both club and country, he provides the link between defence and attack, initiating almost every move. The leader in the centre of the pitch, he acts as a midfield metronome, controlling the pace of the game with his intelligent distribution. A huge fan favourite at FC Barcelona, he is another veteran of Spains 1992 Olympic triumph.

He has spent his entire career at the Nou Camp, rising though the ranks to become club captain.

Guardiola will be particularly keen to impress at EURO 2000 after missing the 1998 World Cup through injury. Injuries also prevented him from playing more than six EURO 2000 qualifying matches.

-- Anonymous, June 19, 2000

Answers

Yeh, I saw the game Tre and thought he was outstanding. He sits in front of the back four/three and plays it simple but effective. A very cool player who doesn't seem to get caught out of position.
He'd be a great acquisition, but as you suggest is very similar to RL/GS and certainly wouldn't be prepared to be considered a squad player.

-- Anonymous, June 19, 2000

I watched the game the other night and have to disagree. I thought he was much better in the first game.

The problem he will have in the Premier league is thet he will have to change the way he plays.

Can you imagine what would happen to him, if he tried to start every move?

He would be clattered worse that AS. Either that or man to man marked out of the game. He is sadly lacking in the ball winning department as well.

I still like him though, but think the Spanish team will have a big hole to fill if any of the above happen in Euro00.

-- Anonymous, June 19, 2000

he's a looker as well.

-- Anonymous, June 19, 2000

Yeh but we've got as much chance of signing him as we have of getting Rivaldo. No European football....

-- Anonymous, June 19, 2000