Radja Nainggolan out: why?

Can anyone actually explain this decision by Roberto Martinez to leave out Nainggolan? I believe this is actually going to kill their chances of doing anything at all at the WC.

He claims it was purely a tactical decision... but it makes no sense considering Nainggolan is one of those players that literally fits in any system as he is a good passer, hard worker, good athlete, and a moderately intelligent player.

He doesn't like Radja's lifestyle, but is too chickenshit to say it. So he hides behind tactical reasons.

McLewis wrote:He doesn't like Radja's lifestyle, but is too chickenshit to say it. So he hides behind tactical reasons.

And what lifestyle would that be?

As a Roma fan, wouldn't you say he's consistently been one of your better players for years?

Biggest reason would be Roberto Martinez is a terrible manager tbh.

There's no real explanation for anything he does.

The one that leads him to be drunk on camera looking a tool and to smoke.

Let's be honest it's not for Martinez to judge Nainggolan lifestyle, he has been a pro player for years being the way he is.

The real problem, like with all things, is that both men don't have a good personnalité relationship, and Nainggolan is not a game changer for his national team they have other jobbers for his position

Great Leader Sprucenuce wrote:Biggest reason would be Roberto Martinez is a terrible manager tbh.

There's no real explanation for anything he does.

This might actually go down as one of the worst squad omissions ever, when you relate it to the expectations placed on Belgium this time around. I actually wanted them to win it this year (Because Italy/USA didn't qualify lol) because they seamed to be a fresh face/emerging squad... This makes me really not like them.

This is just an asinine decision

Mr Nick09 wrote:The one that leads him to be drunk on camera looking a tool and to smoke.

Let's be honest it's not for Martinez to judge Nainggolan lifestyle, he has been a pro player for years being the way he is.

The real problem, like with all things, is that both men don't have a good personnalité relationship, and Nainggolan is not a game changer for his national team they have other jobbers for his position

if by jobber you mean someone used as enhancement talent for others... I don't see it. Lets not act like all players are perfect little angels that eat sleep train repeat. If the coach doesn't approve of his lifestyle then thats fine, but if thats the case here than I'm sure he's not the only one that would deserve the cut

If you were a club manager, I would understand you passing on the chance to sign Nainggolan. He's not the easiest player to manage and can be hit and miss. But as a national team coach, considering you named four goalkeepers in your preliminary squad and not Nainggolan, it's a bit stupid.

80s_Stallone wrote:

McLewis wrote:He doesn't like Radja's lifestyle, but is too chickenshit to say it. So he hides behind tactical reasons.

And what lifestyle would that be?

As a Roma fan, wouldn't you say he's consistently been one of your better players for years?

It's mostly the smoking and the tendency to have a drink on occasion. Roma didn't like that latter bit either and fined him for it around New Years.

Mind you, none of this has interfered with his ability to get the job done with Roma. He didn't score as many goals this season as he did in Spalletti's last season, but was just as influential with his passing and defensive ability.

Art Morte wrote:He's not the easiest player to manage and can be hit and miss.

Not sure I understand this. Garcia and Spalletti had no issues managing him, neither did EDF. He's been a top player under all of them. He's not showing up late to training, he's not causing us problems with stupid yellow and red cards constantly throughout the season and he's not put the club in a bad spot by putting his foot in his mouth with media. Outside of the New Year's Eve incident (and let's be honest, that was barely a scandal), he hasn't been the least b it scandalous. He's played DM, CM, CAM, LM and even RB for this team. If that's not easy to manage I don't know what is.

on the bright side its good news for roma.

On the other hand , I still don't get how Witsel is so highly rated with his NT . Undisputed starter for years ..

Martinez is just being petty.

First thing in the morning when I woke up and drove to work yesterday, the news on the radio were talking about the bs that was leaving out Nainggolan. Today, front page of the metro, Nainggolan. At lunch, two belgian friends discussing Nainggolan. Belgium needs him. Alienating him from the NT because of the smoking/drinking when it doesn't really affect his performances is just costing the country.

You end up with 4 GKs. Fellaini, Chadli, Witsel, Januzaj in midfield.

Then he has the balls to say "its purely a tactical choice"

rincon wrote:Martinez is just being petty.

First thing in the morning when I woke up and drove to work yesterday, the news on the radio were talking about the bs that was leaving out Nainggolan. Today, front page of the metro, Nainggolan. At lunch, two belgian friends discussing Nainggolan. Belgium needs him. Alienating him from the NT because of the smoking/drinking when it doesn't really affect his performances is just costing the country.

You end up with 4 GKs. Fellaini, Chadli, Witsel, Januzaj in midfield.

Then he has the balls to say "its purely a tactical choice"

.... no comment ..

Martinez is and always has been a stunningly average manager and a pure cuck at it. Flew all the way to Roma to explain the decision to Radja as if he owes him something.

Ridiculous decision given outside De Bruyne, Belgium midfield has no balls and the Belgian can do anything per say.

None reason behind it and Belgium will flop again behind their overhyped generation of charlatans.

Unique wrote:on the bright side its good news for roma.

Indeed. This is our gain and Belgium's loss. If we don't sell him this summer, he's expected to be pivotal once again next season.

Why are we blaming Martinez with this?

When was Nainggolan appointed national hero of Belgium to the point he must be picked no matter what?

Its his job to cozy up to Martinez and to be nice so he can get a call up, he did not do that and last I remember Wilmots also left him at home in 2014.

Mr Nick09 wrote:Why are we blaming Martinez with this?

When was Nainggolan appointed national hero of Belgium to the point he must be picked no matter what?

Its his job to cozy up to Martinez and to be nice so he can get a call up, he did not do that and last I remember Wilmots also left him at home in 2014.

come on man he is a far better player than fellaini

Radja's not going to kiss any coach's ass to play for them or their club or NT. He's not built that way.

He did nothing wrong here. He didn't even insult Martinez when he got snubbed.

Mr Nick09 wrote:Why are we blaming Martinez with this?

When was Nainggolan appointed national hero of Belgium to the point he must be picked no matter what?

Its his job to cozy up to Martinez and to be nice so he can get a call up, he did not do that and last I remember Wilmots also left him at home in 2014.

Because he's terrible coach who doesn't deserve the benefit of the doubt for any decision.

McLewis wrote:

Radja's not going to kiss any coach's ass to play for them or their club or NT. He's not built that way.

He did nothing wrong here. He didn't even insult Martinez when he got snubbed.

we don't know what's the extent of his relationship with Martinez so you can't claim he did nothing.

And yes you must often be a kiss ass when you have a boss unless you are very very good at your job. I don't know why they don't see eye to eye so let's not speculate.

Mr Nick09 wrote:Why are we blaming Martinez with this?

When was Nainggolan appointed national hero of Belgium to the point he must be picked no matter what?

Its his job to cozy up to Martinez and to be nice so he can get a call up, he did not do that and last I remember Wilmots also left him at home in 2014.

How in the world is that his job? his is to play football well enough to earn a call up. If that is the job Martinez requires then Martinez is the problem.

rincon wrote:

Mr Nick09 wrote:Why are we blaming Martinez with this?

When was Nainggolan appointed national hero of Belgium to the point he must be picked no matter what?

Its his job to cozy up to Martinez and to be nice so he can get a call up, he did not do that and last I remember Wilmots also left him at home in 2014.

How in the world is that his job? his is to play football well enough to earn a call up. If that is the job Martinez requires then Martinez is the problem.

because that's how it is in real life, it's not enough to "play well", this is clearly an example.

Players leverage their affinities with managers all the time, just look at Benzema in Madrid lol.

again, we are not talking about a top 10 midfielder in europe here, even if he would be near the top for his country, i dont think he makes them so marginally better that he is a must have.

Not been his best season this year, but it is basically a decision based on prejudices

Mr Nick09 wrote:

McLewis wrote:

Radja's not going to kiss any coach's ass to play for them or their club or NT. He's not built that way.

He did nothing wrong here. He didn't even insult Martinez when he got snubbed.

we don't know what's the extent of his relationship with Martinez so you can't claim he did nothing.

And yes you must often be a kiss ass when you have a boss unless you are very very good at your job. I don't know why they don't see eye to eye so let's not speculate.

Nope, not buying that. Every coach worth their salt knows to manage their team as a meritocracy. The best players with most talent and experience get the most playing time, not the ones who brown-nose the best.

Radja plays in the most tactical league in Europe and has proven himself tactically flexible season after season yet Martinez considers him tactically incompatible? What bullshit. He's is grasping at any reason available to him as an excuse to leave this guy at home. No speculation is needed. It's simple logical deduction.

As I said, this is Belgium's loss and Roma's gain, but if/when Belgium flop again (especially those midfielders) you can guarantee they'll come back to this decision.