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It's not a totally made up rumor though, so maybe there is some merit to others as well.
TSG likes to get ahead of reality.
Looks like Steffen Freund, the former Dortmund and Tottenham player, is going to be AVB's assistant. He's been working in the Germany youth set up. Spurs are putting a lot of people in place who have experience/background with youth or young players which is interesting. Basically the exact opposite of Redknapp's focus though, to be fair, Redknapp's edict was immediate results, not long term planning. Also, looks more and more likely that Moutinho and Lloris are coming on board as well as Adebayor and that Modric is going to Real with Carvalho coming back as part of the deal. Linguica sandwiches will be replacing bacon sandwiches in the N17! Mmmm, linguica. Who wins in a fight between bacon and linguica?
Maradona out at Al Wasl in the UAE. Stunner.
Stoke has put in a bid for Geoff Cameron but nothing final yet.
Marcelo Bielsa staying at Bilbao.
Good for Cameron and for MLS/the Dynamo if that transfer goes through. Curious to see how he does at a higher level, although I'd guess he's probably looking at mostly cup and cameo league appearances, at least for the first few months.
Is there any reason to get particularly excited about Carvalho? I don't know much about him as a player, but it's hard to get worked up about a 34-year-old.
No. He would just be an experienced hand to have around like Gallas or King or Nelsen were last year. I think it helps Real just to get him off the books, too. Always good to stay on Real's good side as they always seem to have more quality players than they can actually use.
If the result is linguica wrapped in bacon, everyone wins.
The talk is that he will be a sort of player/coach. I'm guessing AVB is trying to prevent a Chelsea repeat and thinks having a stubborn, well-respected player who already believes in his system will help. As a player, I don't think there's much reason to be excited about him. Gallas already fills the formerly great, but rapidly declining center back role pretty well. Hopefully, Spurs don't give much of a discount for him.
Re Lloris: He's looked kind of shaky coming out for crosses/corners in the admittedly few times I've seen him. Anyone who's seen him more have any thoughts?
He's still around. As of now he'll be part of the rotation at CB.
He's been crocked for most of the last two years or so. Bad knee injury on international duty just after the start of the 2010/11 season cost him a big chunk of time. And then he completely dicked his ankle around the same time a year later and missed all but the first two games of 2011/12 as a result. Consequently, I am not counting on him for much during the coming campaign.
About five years ago he was, for my money, one of the best central defenders in Europe. Unfortunately, age and injuries have caught up to him. I haven't seen a lot of him recently, but one of his strengths was always a great ability to read the game and anticipate and that shouldn't deteriorate with age. Still, he was never the fleetest of foot and he'll probably be caught for pace sometimes.
I don't know what the consensus is about who wanted Carroll. Some say Dalglish wanted him, some say Carroll. Who really knows? I'm guessing a lot of people at LFC were responsible for that and most of them have been given the sack. I think they would have to subsidize the wages somewhat to make a deal. There is no way they don't take a bath on this deal, but then everyone knew that from day 1. He's a useful player and it's actually kind of shame they put that millstone of a record transfer fee around his neck. Big Sam is, of course, lusting after him...
edit: Also, 25 million for Oscar? That seems a little over the odds but I suppose Chelsea have a few pounds burning a hole in their pocket. If they really wanted to screw Spurs they could have jumped in for Moutinho, the club's #1 target.
Supposedly West Ham want in on Carroll, although whether they actually want him--or just want the press for being interested in a loan deal (see: Beckham, David)--is open to interpretation. Also the issue of whether they have a chance in hell of getting him. In other crazy Hammers related transfer news, they supposedly kicked the tires on Anelka, who told them he wasn't leaving China. I guess he likes it there.
Hammers had a draw in a pre-season friendly with Boreham Wood. Don't laugh, the Wood did finish 8th in the Blue Square Bet South last year. I mean, that's only (does some counting) five levels below the Prem. So I guess you could write the headline as WEST HAM DRAWS WITH 131ST BEST TEAM IN ENGLAND.
So, an upset then!
According to Harry Harris the West Ham link is true. Keep in mind the "According to Harry Harris" designation...Carroll could do a good job for West Ham but I have trouble wrapping my brain around the idea that Carroll could get loaned. The Telegraph reported last night that LFC contacted Tottenham to see if Spurs wanted Carroll. That just seems too ####### surreal.
Kaka is pretty pale too.
Is Benny Feilhaber disqualified? Because he's pretty pale too. Not Elano pale, but in the mix.
Carroll seems to be one of those players that the fans and media focus on what he can't do and not what he can do. Yes, he's not mobile or fast, but he's a hard worker and has a decent first touch (from what I've seen). Looks like Aquilani is staying too - Henderson, Adam, Lucas, and Gerrard are a lot of midfielders, not to mention Shelvey and Spearing plus Joe Cole (if he doesn't play wide).
I'd like to add Julio Cesar into the "palest Brazilian" mix.
No idea if Kagawa will start immediately, but I would certainly hope that Cleverley and Anderson are healthy this year. That alone would mean less time for Giggs and Scholes. Also, some rumors that they are interested in Lucas Moura.
Gerrard will be hurt half the year, Henderson almost certainly isn't good enough yet to worry about, and Adam should be playing in the Championship. I think Lucas and Gerrard (when healthy) are the obvious starters in the middle. I remain curious to see what Aquilani is actually capable of; I didn't see very much of him last year in Serie A.
Yes, he's actually pretty good with the ball on the deck. Unfortunately he's been typecast, as happens to so many players who are dominant in the air.
I have to think he will; he's a fantastic little player.
I would say 90% of these guys are on the take.
I would love for him to finish his career as a Spur. He could certainly see a lot of time in Cup games as the team's #2 if a new #1 actually comes in.
EDIT: I couldn't make it through that article on Havelange because I was too haunted by the picture. Jesus. That's horrifying.
What, you're shocked by pale Brazilians, too?
Anyone have any thoughts on Adrian from Atletico Madrid?
A quick google determined that in 2011, Marca reported that Barcelona had an agreement to acquire Gareth Bale for a 40M transfer fee. A little more googling turned up a lot of people saying that Marca has a history of just entirely making things up.
The story about what?
It's probably entirely made up.
Most likely. I haven't seen anything about it anywhere else. I know nothing about the guy.
They've got to fill 40-60 pages a day, and they usually focus on one club or one city (i.e. Tuttosport cover primarily Juve and Torino, Marca and As are Madrid newspapers, Sport is Barcelona with a small sprinkling of Espanyol). A usual Marca will have 20 of its pages on Real Madrid. That leads to a lot of repetition and caterwauling over the slightest thing.
Is this the first step towards the MLS?
Fulham have signed Hugo Rodallega. That seems very meh to me.
Randall's Island is probably the most likely. Seems to me that going back to Hofstra would be completely counter-productive to the vibe they are trying to create. Pier 40 may be a possibility, but I still think it is a logistical nightmare, and there are a lot of other events booked there. This should put pressure to get the permitting for the Flushing Meadow site done, though.
I think it gives Jol some pretty decent options up front with Rodallega, Petric, Ruiz, Dembele, and maybe Dempsey. That's the most attacking depth Fulham have had in yonks.
It would be cool if Kerim Frei sees more game time with the first team this season. He's a lot of fun to watch.
Anyway, are you guys going to come visit me when the Cosmos play the Rowdies?
Any idea if the Cosmos owners are connected to the MLS expansion team? Randall's Island would be ideal for me--I could just walk over there. And hey, Mattbert, the Rowdies SUCKKKKKKKKK111!!!!!!! LOLZ!
That's the third place Rowdies to you, sucka. Only four points adrift of top spot!
edit: Thiago Silva, too. Isn't this overkill for Ligue 1? ####'s sake, man. Did Platini tell his Qatari buddies not to sweat FFP?
They've supposedly offered/will offer 65M for him and Thiago Silva, and then Milan would bring in Carlos Tevez.
They'll have a chance to bid for a team like other people, if that's what you mean.
Is Terry Byrne still affiliated with the Cosmos? Because if so you should just give up hope now until he's gone.
Nope, he was sacked last year when the Saudi's came out of the closet.
Smart move. I get that there is a lot of sentimental value attached to the Cosmos, but this is so far removed from the original Cosmos that I can't buy in. Granted, not being in or caring about NY teams factors into that. Being in NYC will help them attract premiere talent, but "name players" in MLS are hit and miss, so be weary. Failing to field a team for the PDL might not matter but isn't a good sign.
I just want a New York City team and, if it happens to be the Cosmos, even better. There's still an emotional attachment to the old NASL teams and even if they can't sign Messi and Ronaldo and Vidic, just being able to tap into that history would be great for the league. The Cosmos ARE American soccer internationally and I can't believe MLS has been so slow to take advantage of that. When other clubs are selling their souls to try to sell shirts and crap in Africa and Asia, all the Cosmos will have to do is exist. But, really, I'd settle for the NYC Wandering Rovers FC or whatever.
Are they? They haven't existed in nearly 30 years. An entire generation of fans and players has happened since then.
Cheap shots aside, it's very strange that Arsenal would basically have the same away kit as United did last year, just trading in purple for blue.
Raiola is saying that Ibra is going to make 15 million euro a year with PSG (essentially doubling his take from Milan).
I wonder how much of that will go to lawyers charged with figuring out how to best shelter it from Hollande's 75% tax.
Portsmouth has gotten yet another point deduction penalty.
I'd say they still are. Pele, Beckenbauer, Alberto...people haven't forgotten. It's actually kind of fascinating. I wonder if it has something to do with the 70's? The Dallas Cowboys seem to have that same kind of mystique from around then, too. When I moved to New York I was shocked by how many Dallas Cowboys fans there were and it turns out they all latched on in the 70's and it has stuck. I'm going to blame ABC for all of this.
Spurs say purple is so last year...
Yeah, but the Cowboys remained a pretty good team in the first half of the 80s and of course were great in the 90s. But more importantly, they were a team from this country. The Cosmos, being an American team that no longer existed, aren't the same. Don't get me wrong, if the Cosmos coming back (in MLS) means increased exposure for MLS overseas, that's great. I'm just having a hard time imagining Europeans caring in this day and age.
Huh? Are you implying it's MNF's fault?
It's not like anything noteworthy has happened in US domestic soccer though. There's Beckham and... oh, I'm sure there's something else worth noting, though nothing comes to my mind right now.
I think it needs a Jorge Campos look.
Just making a point about the mythologizing aspect of tv in general, though MNF in their hey day did make everything seem larger than life. No one could hype sports like ABC back in the day.
I'm just having a hard time imagining Europeans caring in this day and age.
The Cosmos were cool and, since they died young, they've remained cool. They're the Hendrix/Cobain/Morrison (take your pick) of soccer teams.
The Cowboys = ratings (as do several other teams). I hate it, but it's undeniably true.
The Cosmos were cool and, since they died young, they've remained cool. They're the Hendrix/Cobain/Morrison (take your pick) of soccer teams.
Soccer, celebrities, glam, America and the 70's, it's like the ultimate combination of cool for an European audience. It's a wonder they're not bigger than they're are.
I do hate the ####### Cowboys.
Berlusconi confirms that Ibrahimovic and Silva have been sold to PSG.
Holy crap. Who challenges those bastards Juventus now? Milan is going to be a radically different team next season.
Maybe they can get in on the Modric sweepstakes, there's a Pirlo-shaped hole in their squad.
I assume the race for 2nd place means more money in refs pockets.
If I took you to a sports shop here and showed you the amount of Cosmos merchandise - the only domestic American team you can buy - you'd get it.
MLS has virtually zero profile in Europe. If you asked European soccer fans to name three MLS players, about one-third would say Beckham, Henry, and Donovan, and the other two-thirds would only be able to name Beckham and Henry.
My Swedish pal nails it in two sentences - I'd throw in New York too. Europeans adore New York.
It's a really cool brand that should be the USA's flagship soccer franchise.
I have a feeling Real has already won that.
Did they sign Lavezzi last week or am I making that up?
They did. This makes 95 million EUR for 3 players.
You are not making that up.
Excellent. I didn't want to push it any more than I had and sound like a total dick, but I was interested in the POV of someone in Europe. I respect Shooty but as a fan (or perhaps more accurately want to be fan) of the Cosmos he is biased, which is completely natural and there's nothing wrong with that. We all have exaggerated perceptions of the things we care about (or hate). I'll STFU now.
Probably a smoke screen, but PSG apparently has interest in him too.
The Seattle Sounders Women draw over 4,000 to their home games? That's amazing, although less so once I realized that Meg Rapinoe, Alex Morgan and Hope Solo are all on the team.
It'll be a real shame if the Cosmos are a drain on the 80 people that show up to Brooklyn Knights games.
Also I already hate the Cosmos.
I like that this will presumably mix up the champions league a bit.
I think their interest is probably genuine, but what Real wants, Real gets. I do hope PSG get aggressive, though!
Excellent. I didn't want to push it any more than I had and sound like a total dick, but I was interested in the POV of someone in Europe. I respect Shooty but as a fan (or perhaps more accurately want to be fan) of the Cosmos he is biased, which is completely natural and there's nothing wrong with that. We all have exaggerated perceptions of the things we care about (or hate).
I actually went to Quakes games as a kid. I'm not so much a Cosmos fan as an NASL fan and I'd really like an MLS team in NYC that is not owned by the Red Bull folks. I've lived in New York for 12 years now and am really starting to long for a local team to care about. To me, the Cosmos make all kinds of sense for the MLS, but, like I said, I'd settle for AC New York United Rangers Spartak FC.
Seattle is soccer crazy. Looks like they sell out the Sounders secondary stadium.
See, they're already building interest!
Did you get to see George Best play? That would be pretty cool.
I don't mind Red Bull, I generally have no problem (in all sports) with teams pouring money in to be competitive, it's the teams that don't when they can that I have issue with.
I did, but I was too oblivious about the culture of soccer to even take note of it. I like to think he didn't score this at one of the games I was at and I was too busy screwing around with my friends to notice.
edit: Why don't the English make 'em like that anymore?
You could be fan #81 for the Knights! Maspeth is awesome, I would live there if I were in NY.
I'll look them up. Honestly, I've never heard of them before!
Probably because he's Northern Irish?
The Brooklyn Italians is a much better name though.
Juventus has Italy locked up for at least a good two years maybe longer depending on whether Inter and AC decide to spend money. Of course, there is potential for another match-fixing scandal.
That's a special kind of ridiculous. Question though, there is a line about midway between midfield and the penalty box that stretches across the field. It doesn't look like a leftover (American) football line, it looks like it's there intentionally. Was NASL doing something with off-sides similar to hockey back then or is that just a random line because the field was used for other stuff?
Is it fair to assume you're a Union fan (just going off of your Flyers affiliation)?
No, I'm not a Union fan. They're not my local team (I carpetbagged to Atlanta), so I have no ties to them. Just because they are from Philly isn't enough for me. This sounds weird to some people, but I'm not rooting for a team "just because," I'm not wired that way. I'm not blindly investing significant time, money and energy into a brand new team without knowing what they are. What if they're really poorly run? If an MLS team started here in Atlanta, I would go to a game or two the first couple of seasons but then I would evaluate "is this team worth rooting for?" What if I get the Charlotte Bobcats of MLS? I can't root for a new team that's awful from top to bottom just because of where they are from. I've never been to a Silverbacks game, because they stink, but the hiring of Eric Wynalda has made me rethink my position, because I thought that was a smart move. (Last year they made moves such as signing some guy who played a handful of friendlies for Mexico years ago because they thought that would draw in Mexican fans. It didn't work out. That's the kind of stuff they did.) Or to use a baseball example, if I moved to say, Kansas City, I wouldn't start suddenly rooting for the Royals. I'd go to a few games because I like baseball, might even buy a t-shirt or two to wear to games, but that would be the extent of my fandom. If David Glass sold the team, I would then give them a chance to change my mind. If I moved to say, Tampa, I would be much more invested because they're one of the best run teams in the league. That's the way I am with the Braves. (I gave up on the Phillies years ago. Then they got really good. Oh well, too late.) If that makes me a bandwagoner or fairweather fan, so be it, that tag doesn't bother me when it comes to soccer and baseball (and college football), I like the sport/individual players more than I like any one team. I am however a big Flyers and Eagles fan.
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