[funkdoctorspock]

I know the summer transfer period still has a bit of time left, but I wanted to ask this question.

Who do you think has the best team on paper heading into the new season?

We'll keep this for Europe teams only.

Some teams have made some excellent buys... United, Bayern (god this team is scary...), Barcelona (another scary team), Inter.

Name your top 3 with a lil explanation.

[Jorquera]

I would nominate Roma as well. We have made some good buys and have got equal back-up to every position. We might lack some international experience and not have any superstars besides Totti. Maybe now you can call De Rossi and Mancini superstars too but we have got very good players who are mostly under-rated outside Italy (Mexes, Taddei, Vucinic, Perrota etc). We can surprise next season but we have to couple of things first.

a)sell Chivu
b)get Andreolli on the co-ownership in the Chivu deal or buy Rinaudo
c)sell Cassetti and buy Cicinho
d)buy Modesto

Then we have a very good squad that is capable of competing for Scudetto.

Inter haven't made any big buys this season but they have one hell of a team anyway.
Also Milan looks very strong team and Juve has been quite impressive in the market. It is very close and tight in Italy. All top teams have very good squads.

[dada]

1)Barcelona
- They have added some real quality to their squad this offseason, Thierry Henry topping that list, and the squad already had bags of talent. Last seasons disappointment was a wake up call for them and I feel this season they will come out all guns blazing especially considering Ronadlinho finally got his break. Best team in football on paper and on pitch from my perspective.

2)Chelsea
- Chelsea are stacked on paper no doubt about that. Most importantly they have kept their key players so far. I expect Ballack and Shevchenko to have improved seasons and that will deefinitely aid in the Chelsea cause. They will be right up there again challenging for trophies.

3)United/Bayern
Neither are as scary on paper as the other two up top but still have bags of quality on their side. The good thing in football is that at any given time only 11 players maximum are allowed on the pitch so while Chelsea and Barca may be deeper in number of quality player, when it comes to starting 11s both these teams are right up their with them.

[dimz]

Well said Dada......and welcome.

Barca - Thierry Henry, Messi, Abidal, Milito, and a rested Dinho.....curtains for the other teams in la liga i feel.

Chelsea - Forget the big names, i think they've strengthened all they needed to by adding the backups to the squad. They now have the quality in depth they were surprisingly missing.

United - Boatloads of talent in the youth department now, and add to that the 'indian summers' of Giggs and Scholes. Should be a fabulous season.

[dada]

Yea, I expect another great year. From what I have seen this summer as well I think Nani will be a pleasant surprise to those quesioning how well he can do for us. The kid looks good.

[dimz]

Yeah he certainly does.

[dtunam]

I really do think our squad is up there with any other team. We have so much talent in each position and if most of those players live up to half of what we expect from them then we are in for a delightful season.

[dimz]

I'm especially excited about the youth. Even without including Tevez!