Ronaldo - The Plot Thickens
There was another twist in the Ronaldo situation today as reports announced that the United man was due to undergo an operation on an ankle injury in Portugal [source].
United officials reportedly met with the player and the Portuguese national team medical staff to discuss an injury Ronaldo apparently carried throughout Euro 2008. Portugal’s team doctor later revealed that the player would go under the knife in “two to three days” but, confusingly, United vehemently contradicted that on their official site but stating that no decision has been made on the injury [source].
According to United “further specialist advice is being sort and an announcement will be made on any action in due course.”
Ronaldo meanwhile, seems pretty certain that he will undergo the operation.
“I can only say that (I) will spend the period of my recovery in my house in Sintra”, remarked the winger.
Should he require the operation Ronaldo is expected to miss United’s entire pre-season although it is hoped that he would be available for the opening game of the season against Newcastle on August 16.
On the face of it this new twist certainly looks rather suspect. The player appears to be resigned to having the operation and spending his summer resting in Portugal, an idea scenario for a player looking to escape the spotlight back in Manchester while speculation over his future and the attentions of Real Madrid still rumble on.
United meanwhile appear to be against the idea and will obviously want to get the player back in Manchester as soon as possible. When you consider that communication between Alex Ferguson and Ronaldo appear to have broken down, this latest declaration by Ronaldo would certainly seem to support stories that suggest that Ronaldo has no intention of opening up those lines of communication and returning Manchester anytime soon.
All this continued uncertainty is bad news for fantasy football. Ronaldo’s situation is a major problem for the various fanatsy football games since his valuation will be key to the pricing of the entire player list. There’s every chance that player values will have to increase across the board to accommodate Ronaldo’s valuation this season and some games may even be contemplating increasing the budget handed to fantasy managers. If the United man moves on after player lists are released, those games risk being unbalanced.
It’s no better for us fantasy managers. Even if Ronaldo does remain at United, it looks as though he’ll be a doubt for the season opener which will mean that we’ll need to decide on risking a half-fit, stroppy Ronaldo in our initial squad or face the prospect of carrying out major surgery a fortnight into the season should he settle back in at Old Trafford.
We all need a conclusion and fast.
I’m not sure that Ronaldo could match last season anyway. His performances sound to have been driven by his desire to move onto Real, now he’s not got his way and United haven’t seen fit to “repay him”, i think he could have a very average season by his own standards. I won’t be starting with him regardless of how the remaining chapters of this soap plays out. Gerrard anyone . . . . .
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Reply by Tommyg on July 4, 2008 8:14 am:
Im not so sure about that, Ronaldo didn’t have the best of starts last season either.
I don’t think a player of his caliber would allow himself to have anything but a leading role. Hes the best, he knows it, we know and most importantly he likes being the best which i think will contiue to motivate him where ever he is. Ill be making a hole in my team for him, i think not doing so would be mistake. Even if he’s not in my team from the start the money will be put aside so i can slot him in.
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Reply by Al on July 4, 2008 9:31 am:
Ronaldo did start well initially last season but he got himself banned for 8 matches for pushing a ref which was pretty stupid. That was lucky for me as I didn’t have him, but allowed people to get a jump on me. After that if you didn’t have him then you would be going backwards each gameweek.
My view is if he stays at united he will continue to score big points, even if he’s unhappy at united, he will bide his time. And I think Tommyg is right, he’s a natually gifted player with a competitive edge which means he would probably do well on the pitch whatever the situation.
The only exception to this is if FPL price him out of contention but I reckon that would have to be 15m plus.
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Reply by Phil Pino on July 4, 2008 9:55 am:
Um, i’m gonna go with Tommyg here in that Ronaldo didn’t have the best of starts… He got sent off in the 2nd game for headbutting Richard Hughes so was banned for 3 games but even then struggled for the 2 after that. He started flying from then on.
Personally i can’t see how this whole saga won’t affect his start next season (i wouldn’t be surprised if once again he gets roundly booed even by his own fans) and even with a possible injury and loss of form from the Euros i don’t think he’s worth the initial risk until he gets going. Although by that point i suppose he’ll be priced out!
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I’m guessing that he’ll come onto the market at £14M, the same price Henry used to be, which should be manageable, but it will restrict the number of other big players you can afford. What would be really interesting is if he were classed as a forward.
With the captain thing, it’s normaly so important to have the highest scoring player, no matter what the cost, but there are some really good alternatives this season; Gerrard playing as a suport striker, Fabregas, and Ballack - who may be a bargin if Lamps goes. It makes me wonder if the money might not be better spread around a little bit. The alternative to having him is to have an emergancy back-up plan whereby you could bring him in for a quick 4 point hit. If he does have a poor start, then there may be profit to be made on some of the cheaper alternatives too.
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Hopefully he’ll be priced at £15M + so that people at least have to think about whether he is good value.
Anyway I won’t be wasting my time sorting my team until this whole tedious business is sorted.
Oh who am I kidding… *clicks on FPL link to desperately see if new season is up and running*
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Reply by Phil Pino on July 4, 2008 2:25 pm:
I do the same Guy! And on your mention i did the same, IT’S BEING UPDATED RIGHT NOW!!! Imagine my surprise!
I quote “The game is currently being updated. Please try again later when the updated scores / teams will be available.” See for yourself… An orgasmic sight if ever i saw one.
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Haha glad I’m not the only one. I’ve been checking the FPL daily ever since Mark wrote there was a rumour FPL would be open this week. My guess it will be sometime next week with a bit of luck.
I think Lescott, Downing, Bentley and Santa Cruz will all see big price hikes. The best bargains could well be amongst the new players without an FPL history. They are more of a gamble, but the likes of Jo, Modric, Degen and more to follow could be shrewd buys.
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NEWS ALERT!! THE FPL GAME IS UP! I’m gonna start picking my team right now. Bye bye rest of working day…
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Crumbs lads, we need to get out more, its become an addiction!
So who’s the top tip from the new boys arriving in the prem? My money is on Modric. Im always cautious of new arrivals as they take time to settle, unless ya name is Torres. I think modric could be another though, he was amazing in the euros.
Mark. I think this would be a cracking subject for a new seasons poll?
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Damn you Phil got there first LOL.
Ronaldo - 14m
Fabregas - 10m
Gerrard - 11.5m
Barry - 8.5m
Bentley - 8.0m
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Reply by Phil Pino on July 4, 2008 4:00 pm:
Indeed i did! I’ve already picked my team, how sad, no Ronaldo (sad that i’ve picked my team, not sad that i haven’t picked Ronaldo)
I reckon potential bargain = Young 8.5m now classed as a midfielder. A “must buy” now he’ll get more points for goals, added points for clean sheets, possibly more bonus points and if Barry is off then a monopoly on dead-balls. He’s in mine.
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Reply by Al on July 4, 2008 4:16 pm:
I’ve gone for ronaldo, bentley, downing and barry accross midfield. But that almost will certainly change.
Can player values change before gameweek 1? I’m guessing not…
What is this head to head league thingy they’ve brought in.
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YAY!
i went for young, might change it later. villa don’t keep many clean sheets and it’s only an extra point for every goal, not a huge difference. all the gks seem to be cheaper as well.. scharner still a defender..
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Reply by Dr Sanchez on July 4, 2008 8:53 pm:
Young was on my must buy list but the £8.5M has put me off. Bosingwa’s my top bargin so far…
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*hyperventilates*
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Has anyone noticed any points/rule changes from last year?
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Just read this:
In addition, within an hour of joining you will be automatically entered into a public league with 19 other players.
Players joining before Gameweek 1 will be placed in a head to head league which follows the real Premier League structure.
Each Gameweek you will play a match against another team in the league, with a match result based on fantasy scores. Three points will be awarded for a win and one point for a draw.
Over the course of the season you will play each of the other 19 teams home and away, a total of 38 games.
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Reply by puffinboy on July 4, 2008 8:49 pm:
True. I’m the only Heard and McDonald Islander amongst 12 Englishmen, 2 Scots, 2 Saffers, a Swede, an Irishman and a Nepalese.
Come on you uninhabited Southern Ocean islanders!!
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According to ‘The People’ Ronaldo could be out for up to 3 months. Looks like I’ll be pulling him out of my team, not worth the risk and the money I’ll get will go a long way…
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I do like the new idea of the mini league system - will keep peoples interest going once the idea of WINNING the whole competion has gone out the window after only a few months ! I`ve stuck clear of ole `Winky` way too much money this time . Plus the fact that he`s gonna miss the start of the season .
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Berbatov and Van persie my main goal threats.
Any thoughts on any suprise packages in goal scoring terms?
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I reckon Jo, Crouch and Alves will be bargain goalscorers next season. Santa at 9m is no longer included in the term bargain anymore.
Most improved team this season, Spurs?
My H2H league is rediculous, everyone got over 2200 points last season. I guess thats what you get for signing up in the first 13,000 hardcore diehard fans. My tip, register last minute with the casual managers!
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