Would really like Stekelenburg here, be a great #1 to have in my opinion, great stature and presence and a good goalkeeper. Think he's still only in his late 20's so we could easily get 10 years out of him. Wouldn't be surprised if he goes to United though, because of VDS retiring and him sort of carrying on the throne. If not, go for Neuer, who is probably a little better than Stekelenburg. I just don't think Abbiati is good enough when it really comes down to it. Then again there are more important positions in our team that need filling.

This. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/king.gif) Saved me a bit of a typing. As for Schweinsteiger, I don't think he'll come, but if he does, then as Mr. B likes to say, I'll welcome him with open hearts. It's crazy to see the guy is still in his absolute prime. 26 is nothing really for an established mid of his quality.

All we need is Xavi & Iniesta and we are good (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Yeah... they're all Catalan until they're called up for Spanish NT duty...

I don't know, Schweinsteiger is like Germany's golden boy, when Becks came here he got all sort of hate because of that reason, trust me it wasn't his age, don't really get why Bastian people turn a blind eye to on that matter? He's a good player and if we got him I'd be happy but I'd probably prefer getting Kaka back over him in all honesty and I doubt, if it were to happen, that there would be too much difference in price for either.

He is playing for two years now a DM, and with his vision and stature he is probably the best DM around that can also play some killer balls and play a deep lying role the best while still defending very very very well, i think he would be the absolute best option for our DM spot, with him and Boateng and whoever we will be really a great bunch of midfielders and could really stop looking for any other midfielder but probably he is not going to join us but if he will he would be a real upgrade to our midfield! A fantastic player especially for us!

Stature? I thought he was just about 6ft if that, in reality not massive for a DM. I'm pretty sure he signed a new contract a few months ago so I'm nigh on certain this is paper talk. I thought he was more attacking in all honesty, a centre mid anyway from when I've seen him play rather than an out and out Mikel/Makelele/Diarra type defensive midfielder.

Stature as in "high level of respect gained by impressive development or achievement". (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) At least that's what I thought he meant. Schweinsteiger commands authority, he probably would have been captain by now if it were not Lahm. And frankly I see a 1% chance of him coming, but if he does we could potentially be set for 5 or 6 years.

Oh, I thought he meant physically (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) as he was talking in the context of a DM.

Yup, that was my impression. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) Schweinsteiger is a strong well built player (stuffed, and built like an oak-tree), not overly tall though. Which then again is not such a bad thing. 6 foot is ideal in most circumstances, IMO.

Yeah, I guess outfield players height is pretty needless unless it's a target man CF. Messi is 5ft 7 and he's arguably the best in the world. Ronaldo is actually only 6ft I'm sure, he's just built more. I think strength is a bigger factor than height in all honesty unless you're a GK.

True that. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) I think the biggest asset a player can have is a strong body, one that does not get injured week in and week out. Height also helps, but in some cases can be a hindrance - you don't want to be too tall, slow and lanky.

And to think Usain Bolt thinks he'll win a 100m title..

Yeah, Crouch & Zigic prime examples, they just know one way to play. Messi & Barca themselves are rare in their small height (Iniesta, Xavi etc) but I think if you're around the 6ft mark give or take a few inches you're fine. I mean the more central you play the bigger you are (in the main) you see lots of wingers that aren't even 5ft 9.

Cahill in the EPL is listed as 5ft 10 and he scores as many headers as anybody. Shows it's not all about height.


He's rare I don't think he's 6ft 5 as wiki lists him though, I thought he was labelled 6ft 3 in Beijing, unless he's grown really late. Most runners are no taller than 6ft. Athletes always seem to be given 2 more inches than they are anyway I find. Tevez was listed as 5ft 9 on wiki a while ago, now he's 5ft 8, though still if that's the case then I'd be like 6ft 2, and you'd be like 6ft 6 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

Compared to the NFL guys they are nothing. I mean Brees is talked of as really small (granted a QB) but he's 6ft that isn't small to me. If it were I'd be smaller than most. Still can't believe Welker is like 5, 9 though!

Love Milanfan, you can have an in-depth discussion on height!

Different sports, me reckon. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/innocent.gif) Good height is usually never a bad thing, but in team sports, you have ten other players with varied heights. Some have lower center of gravity, better acceleration and what not. That is one reason why most teams prefer average height full-backs, and if there is an overly tall CB, they match him up with someone that is 6-foot to balance things out.

As good a player Van Buyten is, I have seen him get beat horribly. Reason? Lack of pace when covering opposing attackers. But I think 6 foot is near perfect when it comes to football, going up to 6-2 at most. Anything higher and then you have to be a very agile ninja like Ibra. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) Not a dead certain hard-and-fast rule, but still.