2007/08 Soccer Thread - Euro Fever!

And Gattuso was Gattuso.

Not the best game I've watched, but still...

Prederick wrote:

Pretty much. 2-1 to the Rossoneri. Not a great match, but Liverpool had no cutting edge (any midfield involving Bolo Zenden has none) and Pippo Inzaghi is, as always, Pippo.

I had no rooting interests for this one, though I'm glad that AC Milan has, despite what everyone considers a poor match, brought a shred of relevancy to the rest of the football world outside of the EPL and their snazzy marketing and pop culture references. Lest they remember that it was not so long ago that the Italian and Spanish Leagues of the 90s once held the crown they seemingly wear...

Wow, Manchester United snap up Anderson and Nani from Sporting Lisbon and Porto, respectively. I didn't see that coming at all. Will they be good though? Tough to say, Anderson is a Brazilian attacking midfielder, the kind that probably won't thrive in England where they "eat your legs" (Carlos Tevez). Nani's another winger, so he'll probably deputize Giggs.

I dunno how it'll work out. South American forwards and the Premiership have rarely worked out.

Meanwhile, Becks got called back to the English National Team donchaknow, for their friendly against Brazil, which they'll probably lose 2-1, especially with the new and unimproved Michael Owen.

I do think Nani's there to be the 'next Giggs.' With Giggs out of internationals, I can imagine him playing for a couple more seasons, then moving to a more managerial role.

Speaking of Welsh players, we've picked up Bale. He's definitely got some class, but let's hope he can stay healthy.

Prederick wrote:

Wow, Manchester United snap up Anderson and Nani from Sporting Lisbon and Porto, respectively. I didn't see that coming at all. Will they be good though? Tough to say, Anderson is a Brazilian attacking midfielder, the kind that probably won't thrive in England where they "eat your legs" (Carlos Tevez). Nani's another winger, so he'll probably deputize Giggs.

I dunno how it'll work out. South American forwards and the Premiership have rarely worked out.

Meanwhile, Becks got called back to the English National Team donchaknow, for their friendly against Brazil, which they'll probably lose 2-1, especially with the new and unimproved Michael Owen.

2-1? You mean lose 1-0? They haven't really bothered much with getting any goals lately.

Prederick wrote:

Wow, Manchester United snap up Anderson and Nani from Sporting Lisbon and Porto, respectively.

It's actually the other way around. Nani is from Sporting Lisbon (my boys :)) and Anderson from Porto (boo, hiss, boo :X).

I predict this will not be the last time we hear about ManU grabbing players from Sporting. I'm not real sure about the details, but the two clubs have an agreement where ManU gets first crack at players that Sporting cant afford to keep. It might only involve players that came up through Sporting's soccer academy though, which is arguably has one of the best in Europe. Luis Figo, Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani have all come up through there. Oh, and one more thing. Carlos Queiroz, Sir Alex's right hand man, is a former Sporting skipper. So there is that connection as well.

Anyone watching England v. Brazil tomorrow? Becks will be there! He's got hair and other bits!

Its on right now, actually. I won't spoil it for you.

So Becks will be coming to America with a La Liga title to his name. Good on him. I've never understood the amount of Beckham-hate i've heard. Yes, he's embraced the celebrity lifestyle, but you'll be hard pressed to find a player as professional and as determined as him, and he's damn good at what he does, which isn't a whole ton, but is certainly something. He's no Zidane, but he's a damn fine player. Hell, if Titus Bramble can get a job in the Premiership....

Damn skippy, Pred.
I can't imagine a better league for Becks to shine in than the MLS. The slower play and the emphasis on hard work will really let him slot in, I would expect.

If there is still any doubt Alexi Lalas is a jackass, this should be all the proof needed.

Yknow, I read part of that interview, and almost thought he was going to make a salient point about... anything. Then he just turned the tard on full-blast and I couldn't take it anymore.

That said, SOCCER IN JAPAN IS AWESOME.

No really, there's some Soccer in there. Just wait until the end.

sad day for us gooner fans and anyone who likes watching the epl. Henry off to Barca ;_;

http://www.teamtalk.com/football/story/0,16368,2483_2443143,00.html

arguably the best foreign player to ever grace England.

It was coming, sadly. After a downer season of this magnitude at Arsenal, I can see Mr. Henry saying "Screw this, I want that CL title and Arsenal aren't going to get it." Arsenal are in a rebuilding state (more or less) and at his age (29? 30?) I can see not wanting to deal with that when you've got what, 2-3 years of being The Man left? The only thing that really surprises me is that he's going for as much as Charlton want for Darren Bent. More importantly, will he pull a Shevchenko? (I.E. - Blow)

EDIT: Important follow-up question, who else will be left at Barca when the season begins? Deco, Ronaldinho and Eto'o have all been rumored to be leaving the Camp Nou. Intrigue indeed.

Oh, and if you haven't been following the Manchester City saga, which has gotten exponentially more ridiculous, well... let's just say this guy's heavily involved. Oy.

Charlton knows that Bent can be a big asset either in winning promotion or in bringing in enough money to compete next year, so I understand why they're standing firm, but I can't explain Thierry's price.

I have to say, I'll be sorry to see Henry leave the Premiership, but I won't be sorry to see the damage done to the Gunners. He's a class act, but as a Spurs fan, I'm laughing inside. Maniacally.

The Bent transfer saga is the epitome of what can go wrong in the transfer market when there's too much money floating around to burn.

Is he worth 17m to Charlton? For sure a great striker in the championship can clinch promotion and that huge TV money.

Is he worth 17m to a relegation troubled team? maybe if hes the difference in keeping you afloat but even 14 goals this year Charlton proved it takes more to stay up.

Is he worth 17m to any top 10 prem team? god no with Michael Owen having a 9m buyout clause Martins having a 13m buyout clause and Alan Smith going at 3.5m if you can afford the 17m that means you can afford any of those players wage bill and all three are better gambles. (yes even owen's injury problems)

and as a gunner fan I'm in horrible pain from the Henry transfer but with Tottenham rumored to be near signing Bent and selling Defoe if Arsenal turn around and steal Martins abit of that pain will be relieved ;D

Well, as a Gooner, this may screw up your Saturday. Is the departure of David Dein going to collapse the house of cards at Arsenal?

As far as Mr. Henry goes, I have no idea why Barca signed him. They need wingbacks, defenders, not another massive ego in the dressing rooms. It's just me, I know, but I think the arrival of Henry doesn't mean Eto'o is going, but means that Ronaldinho is on the way out.

CLEAR!

*BZZZZRT!*

Okay, I think i'll just make this into the one-stop place for all your Soccer needs. Even if i'm the only guy maintaining the thread.

Anywho, after reading a few pieces on the absolutely wonderful Sons of Ben who almost make me not hate anything from Philadelphia as a knee-jerk reflex, i've finally worn out. While I really hate the way they went about doing it, I think i'm ready to get back behind the local team. Which would be the... sigh..., Red Bulls. As much as I loathe literally rooting for a brand name, the Empire Supporters Club convinced me otherwise, since, frankly, it's about f*cking time MLS games stopped being a haven for Jayden, Tyler and their Soccer Moms. I don't think i'll be able to bring myself to call them the Red Bulls yet though. They're still the MetroStars to me.

Also, our "B"-squad in the Copa America got trounced 4-1.

EDIT: Oh, and apparently, Darren Bent is worth a whole lot to Tottenham, Liverpool are all prepped and ready to sign another striker who probably won't adjust well (call it a hunch) and this Tevez thing is going to go on for-freaking-ever.

Liverpool are expected to announce Fernando Torres as their £26.5million record signing on Wednesday after he passed a medical.

http://www.teamtalk.com/football/story/0,16368,2483_2465037,00.html

Arsenal have completed the signing of Croatia striker Eduardo da Silva from Dinamo Zagreb, pending the receipt of a work permit.

http://www.teamtalk.com/football/story/0,16368,1766_2464509,00.html

Tottenham have confirmed the signing of Darren Bent from Charlton in a £16.5million deal, smashing the club's transfer record.

http://www.teamtalk.com/football/story/0,16368,1784_2456419,00.html

The arms race is heating up! will be fun to re visit these three signings by Xmas and see who's scoring and who's stuck on the bench.

Pred's Exceptionally Early Predictions -

Bent nets 10 in all competitions, isn't really worth the price tag (but not many people are worth $30M.)

Torres is better in Europe than he is domestically, has something like Fernando Morientes's first season at Anfield, but begins to adjust by February.

Eduardo is no Henry, but actually acclimatizes quickly and ends up scoring perhaps 20 in all competitions.

RUMOR ALERT:

No F**ing Way

I have no idea how it'd actually play out, but lord, Tevez, Nani, Anderson, Scholes, Ronaldo, Rooney, Giggs, Carrick, Hargreaves... ManU may become the best team in the latter 2/3rds of the team in England if it all works out.

Other unsubstantiated crap...

Chelsea have upped their bid for Tottenham defender Pascal Chimbonda to £12m after being priced out of a move for Sevilla's £20m-rated full-back Daniel Alves, who is wanted by Liverpool. (The Sun)

France midfielder Florent Malouda is on the brink of joining Chelsea from Lyon. (Various)

Chelsea are set to make a £25m double move for Chimbonda and Malouda. (Daily Express)

West Ham have prepared an £11m package for Liverpool striker Craig Bellamy, which would include midfielder Yossi Benayoun going to Anfield as part of the deal. (Daily Star)

Liverpool may swoop for Porto winger Ricardo Quaresma. (The Times)

Striker Alan Smith, who has been linked to Middlesbrough and Everton but who had been holding out for a chance to stake a claim for a first-team place at Manchester United, has been told he has no future at Old Trafford. (Daily Mail)

Sunderland boss Roy Keane is running out of patience with West Brom over his interest in defenders Paul Robinson and Paul McShane so may turn to FC Copenhagen centre-half Michael Gravgaard. (Daily Mail)

Fiorentina are set to make a £3m bid for Arsenal midfielder Freddie Ljungberg. (Various)

Aston Villa are to step up their bid to land Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe. (Daily Star)

Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp also wants Defoe. (Daily Telegraph)

Real Madrid are close to agreeing a fee for Chelsea winger Arjen Robben. (Daily Telegraph)

Preston striker David Nugent will seal a move to Portsmouth within the next 24 hours. (Various)

Blackburn want £4m for striker Jason Roberts after turning down a £2.5m bid from Fulham. (Daily Mirror)

Reading are targeting West Ham forward Bobby Zamora in a £2.5m swoop. (Daily Mirror)

Reading would be doing well to pick up Zamora, I think.

And if we sell Chimbonda for £12 to make up the bulk of the Bent signing, I'll consider this transfer window a success, despite not being happy with the money we paid for another striker. Which we didn't need.
I just don't get it. Three world class strikers weren't enough? The problem last year was that we weren't solid enough in defence. Not that we didn't score goals.

To remedy that, Spurs have picked up Kaboul. This and the Bale signing are two huge ones, in my mind. Though I wonder if they'll try to convert Kaboul to a winger. I can't see them breaking up the Daws-King partnership, so long as they remain healthy.

Tough to say what my ideal back line would be now. Hell, I wouldn't want Martin's job setting any of the squad. Spurs are freaking loaded with talent, so its going to come down to making it all click. The depth will be helpful for Europe, though.

Haakon7 wrote:

To remedy that, Spurs have picked up Kaboul.

IMAGE(http://www.whoateallthepies.tv/Kaboul.JPG)

Ew.

Tevez's move to Old Trafford may turn into a Loan move, since noone's entirely sure who owns him and the FA want to make sure that the transfer fee actually goes to West Ham and not to Kia Joorabchian.

Is it just me, or does anyone else think there's something so illegal going on here it's stunning?

More on how obscenely good ManU may be in attack next year.

So, Sven's in at Manchester City (should make for some fun headlines), and after having seen City's first team squad, has asked International Human Rights Poster-Boy Thaksin Shinawatra to let him buy a new Manchester City.

Prederick wrote:

Is it just me, or does anyone else think there's something so illegal going on here it's stunning?

Isn't it called slavery when a company owns a person? It just doesn't make sense. How can they direct where he plays. Shouldn't he have the ultimate say in it?

[quote prederick]
Tevez's move to Old Trafford may turn into a Loan move, since noone's entirely sure who owns him and the FA want to make sure that the transfer fee actually goes to West Ham and not to Kia Joorabchian.
[/quote]

They're talking that West Ham will get nothing at all, no transfer fee or anything if Man U takes Tevez, at least that's what ESPN reported a day or two back.

My two cents here though about the other prem topics pulling time here:
1 -- ManU won't be any more invincible than they were last year, even with Hargreaves and possibly Tevez being added to their lineup. It seemed at times that (not to over-simplify) this team revolved around C. Ronaldo and it became his team and he's the terror that people fear when playing them. With all the talent you have up front, using Tevez as a change of pace striker (a la Argentina vs USA where he looked damn good in the 15 minutes or so he played) after the other side is worn down is going to be killer and if nothing else, maybe it gives Rooney that boot in the ass he needs to get going. Wayne is still an up-and-down player which would be understandable if he were on a crap team, but that's not the case. Hargreaves I think is over-rated and I don't know if he'll have much impact his first year back.

2 -- Arsenal is still chock full of talent and young talent at that, which people seem to forget because it can be hard to look past Henry. I think they'll be fine even if they stand pat. They looked good without Henry last year, all things considered (when you build an attacking gameplan around a guy and he goes down) and I think with a summer training without him and retooling will do them well. I certainly don't see them slipping past 4th any time soon.

And my obligatory West Ham comment -- They're f*cking nuts with that spending. Now they want Bellamy?! Bellamy? Are we assuming now Ashton has taken the 'Owen' road to, erm... success? Zamora probably needs to go, but I hate to see it happen. He showed grit and heart last year in a lot of those heart-breaking losses and terrible games when no one else but he and Tevez seemed to give two sh*ts. (To be fair, Green tried his hardest and though there's talk of him competing for the England national shirt, I just don't see this --- he's as yo-yo as the Irons are) I do think, however, Benayoun could certainly use a change in locale, even if he did happen to save West Ham's bacon with that goalline clear in the ManU game (defense? Yossi! Strange things happened on the last day)

Haakon7 wrote:
Prederick wrote:

Is it just me, or does anyone else think there's something so illegal going on here it's stunning?

Isn't it called slavery when a company owns a person? It just doesn't make sense. How can they direct where he plays. Shouldn't he have the ultimate say in it?

theres some shady stuff popping around in transfers now that the fa's and fifa are going to have to get involved in. There are actual companies who play the player speculation market buying up the rights and part rights of players to turn a profit when they make their big move.

I'm not 100% of the details but this is partly what happened with Manuel fernandes at Portsmouth. When it actually came to try and sign him they couldn't figure out a price and it just kept on rising as if their were multiple handlers saying no we want more until Portsmouth said screw it.

As for the Tevez debacle hes going no where in my opinion unless West ham get a huge settlement from the agent or whoever actually owns him. If the fa doesn't screw this up they will back up West ham and block every move that West ham don't approve and this quasi loan deal is one they don't approve. This one really smells of Fergie plus the agent trying to pull a fast one and hope it happens so fast it cant be undone. Lets hope it doesn't not because Man U are getting a great player but this would set a pretty ugly precedent in the transfer market.

In other news...

WOOOOOOOOOOT!

WOOO!! WOOOOOO!!! WOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

Messi. 'nuff said.

Spunior wrote:

Messi. 'nuff said.

Beautiful goal. He's got some hella vision and large huevos to pull that stunt that close. Oh, and skill.

I really enjoyed the comments down below the video. Mexican fans are generally pretty poor losers, which is odd because they should be used to getting beat down on a national (or semi-national) stage at this point.

Argentina v. Brazil in the final, although, as it has been written, the roles have been reversed.

Markus Babel goes to Liverpool, along with Yossi Benayoun (me likey the Israeli). Dave Nugent heads for Pompey, David Healy, he of Northern Ireland scoring fame is headed for Fulham (watch him barely notch 8 goals!), Chelsea are rumored to be angling for Daniel Alves, one of the best right-backs you might not have seen, Cesc is still a Gunner having snubbed Real Madrid, Kia Joorabchian may be in trouble (Seriously, in 5-10 years the sordid details of the Tevez move are going to come out and it's going to be seedy as sh*t), Manchester City signed an Italian striker (and they always travel well - See Bernardo Corradi), Javier Saviola left Real Madrid for Barcelona, UEFA still isn't serious about racism, and is Michael Chopra worth Five million pounds?.

Erm... no. Oh, Sheffield inevitably lost their battle against relegation, having lost in court again today in their suit against West Ham and the Premier League. Again, seedy as hell.

Here's Friday's nonsense from the BBC...

Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas has snubbed a £21.5m move to Spanish giants Real Madrid. (The Sun)

Man City boss Sven-Goran Eriksson will take on Sunderland's Roy Keane to try and sign £5.5m Man Utd winger Kieran Richardson. (Daily Mirror)

West Ham striker Marlon Harewood will rush through his £3.7m move to Wigan on Friday. (Daily Mirror)

Fulham are on the brink of signing Leeds striker David Healy for about £2m. (Daily Mirror)

Arsenal are mulling over whether to apply for a work permit for their 18-year-old Mexican striker Carlos Vela, who has been on loan at Spanish side Salamanca. (Daily Mirror)

The Gunners are also set to sell Jose Antonio Reyes to Real Madrid for a cut-price £6.5m. (Daily Mirror)

Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce will hold talks with striker Obafemi Martins on Friday to try and stop him leaving - Arsenal are said to be interested. (Various)

Leeds chairman Ken Bates wants to buy Bolton's Slovakian centre-half Lubomir Michalik - in a move that will astound the club's creditors. (Daily Mirror)

Bristol City have signed Wolves winger Michael McIndoe for an undisclosed fee. (The Sun)

Sheffield United hope defender David Sommeil will join French side Valenciennes. (Daily Mirror)

Ipswich have rejected a £600,000 Hull bid for striker Alan Lee. (Daily Star)

Chelsea are poised to lend Scott Sinclair to Cardiff - in order to land teenage sensation Aaron Ramsey. (Daily Mirror)

Former Liverpool goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek is to sign a one-year deal at Real Madrid. (Daily Mail)

Aston Villa are ready to move for Tottenham defender Anthony Gardner - but have been told to stump up £3m for him. (Daily Mirror)

Charlton boss Alan Pardew is battling with Leicester for Birmingham striker DJ Campbell. (Daily Star)

Leicester chairman Milan Mandaric is planning a triple swoop for Birmingham's Stephen Clemence (£750,000) and DJ Campbell (£1.75m) and MK Dons striker Izale McLeod (£1m). (Daily Express)

Portsmouth are ready to let Cameroon international Rudolphe Douala leave to join French side St Etienne. (Daily Mirror)

Fulham are set to follow up the capture of Chris Baird by bringing in West Ham left-back Paul Konchesky for about £2m. (The Sun)

MK Dons have taken Newport striker Matt Prosser, 20 and Eastwood Town's Lindon Meike, 19, on trial. (Daily Star)

Former Sunderland midfielder Tommy Miller is considering a move to either Ipswich or Preston. (Daily Mirror)

Mansfield have offered Matt Piper, 25, the chance to rebuild his career. (Daily Star)

Burnley's Garreth O'Connor is training with Bournemouth with a view to rejoining his old club on loan. (Daily Telegraph)

Wolves have approached Chelsea to sign 19-year-old defender Michael Mancienne on a long-term loan next season. (Daily Mail)

Rangers new signing Lee McCulloch has told Steven Naismith not to give up on his dream of leaving Kilmarnock for Ibrox. (Daily Record)

Thomas Gravesen's agent has warned Sheffield United they will have to pay top dollar to lure the Dane from Celtic. (Daily Record)

Dundee are set to hand a trial to Portuguese striker Andre Martins. (Daily Record)

Rangers will hand a trial to Australian superkid David D'Apuzzo, 18, next week. (Daily Record)

Tell us your transfer rumours

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OTHER GOSSIP

Stoke are planning to charter a plane to Austria for fans to see their friendly with Real Madrid in Irdning on 27 July after learning the Spanish champions were staying nearby. (Daily Star)

Bolton's Nicky Hunt could face a three-match Premier League ban after being sent off in the Peace Cup in Seoul. (The Sun)

Aston Villa midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker says they can gatecrash the Premier League's top six this season. (The Sun)

Dutch coach Marco van Basten reckons Liverpool have signed the "new Thierry Henry" in Ryal Babel. (Daily Star)

Preston midfielder Paul McKenna faces surgery on a groin problem and could be out until October. (Daily Mirror)

Portsmouth new boy John Utaka snubbed a last-minute move to Manchester City - despite being offered an extra £20,000-a-week at Eastlands. (The Sun)

Robbie Fowler has asked Cardiff for 48 hours to chew over a move that could cost them a £1.5m-plus wage. (Daily Mail)

England defender Nicky Shorey is still waiting for Reading to offer him a new contract. (Daily Star)

Southampton are the target of a multi-million takeover bid from Dubai Holdings - the Arab group which tried to buy Liverpool. (Daily Mirror)

Blackburn boss Mark Hughes claims David Bentley is already benefiting from his England Under-21 snub in the summer. (Daily Star)

PFA chief Gordon Taylor believes Premier League stars deserve their massive wages. (The Sun)

Chelsea's 17-year-old striker Ben Sahar will not be forced to return to his native Israel for national service. (Daily Mail)

Everton boss David Moyes believes the Premier League's big-spenders are making it difficult for them to sign new players. (The Sun)

Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp says he is only six games from the sack after spending £22m this summer. (Daily Star)

Colchester defender Wayne Brown has asked to leave the club. (The Times)