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[Yasser]

Im trying to buy Huntelaar in FM, Ajax turned down 17 million :'(

if david villa still has the £24,000,000 minimum release clause and you can afford him, buy him! i got him with united after selling smith and he's been fantastic. i tried to get aguero from athletico madrid but they won't sell him ;[

 

[jamesinclair]

:lol

if you are not used to playing at altitude you have a severe disadvantage, unless you prepare for weeks there. I once had a concert at 1700 meters and after an hour or so I was absolutely ****ed.

Temperature is just as bad. You cant take away a teams home advantage because other teams arent willing to arrive early enough to the city to get used to the altitude.

 

[Cornballer]

Jaime Moreno weighs in....

Moreno's Reaction to FIFA

Like all Bolivians, United captain Jaime Moreno is not happy about FIFA's decision to ban high-altitude venues for international matches. Bolivia has played qualifiers in La Paz over the years with mixed results.

"It's terrible because in '97 Brazil beat us in the final in Copa America [in La Paz], so that shows any team that is fit can play the game and can play anywhere."

What about the health concerns?
"So far nobody has died. They don't have any proof to say that it is dangerous for your health. Definitely it is going to affect you as much as playing in 100 degrees."

I will have more from Jaime on his return to the national team and his Copa prospects on washingtonpost.com later this evening and in the print editions tomorrow.

Does this put Bolivia at a disadvantage?
"It didn't [affect us] in the last qualifying because we lost a lot of games at home. So that showed we didn't have the home advantage anymore. Teams right now are fit enough to play in the altitude so that's not an issue."


Is this a case of big countries using their influence?
"I don't think anyone has a doubt about that. Brazil is Brazil, Argentina is Argentina, they put a request. They are doing this to the people who live there. I don't think it's our fault, to anyone that was born there. People who love the game won't be able to watch it anymore. That is kind of devastating."

 

[celestial body]

For all you FM2007 -ers.

First of all if you're rich enough to afford the 24M for Villa snap him up sharpish. For best young players...

Millan - FC - Starts off fragile but turns into one of the best strikers in the game.
Bojan - FC - Only 16, Tough to get a hold of 'cause he loves Barca but typically becomes the best striker in the game.
Aguero -FC - very accomplished, try and get a hold of him.

De Guzman - M - Becomes very strong, prone to the odd red card.
Benavente - M - Stats are already good at 16....you can imagine...
Cardenas - M - Ditto, starts at 17 strong, get better and better...

Marcelo - DWL - fantastic player, can play at ML too.
Ratinho - DWR -very strong, well worth picking up.
Vanden Borre - DC - Very strong.
Tuia - DC - Ditto.

Other worth considering:

Laurito, Sultan Cem, Celsinho, Rafinha.

All these are young players you can get cheaply at the start, with few hassles. Low salaries too, just have to sign up for 5 years. Just make sure you also have experienced players in your team that they can learn from. They are prone to getting tired easily.

Also, if you're big enough to get a feeder club, try and associate yourselves with a team from the far east...tons of mechandising cash will be heading your way.

 

[h0pper]

is ribery going to arsenal or not?

I would like to get some confirmation on who is going/who is not going as well. There are alot of big names floating around being linked to Arsenal, in both directions actually.

 

[Cornballer]

Here's a list of confirmed transfers from the BBC. I'm not sure how accurate or up-to-date that is. Everything else is just rumor, speculation, or total bullshit.

 

[Lakitu]

Moop is the biggest high profile signing so far.

 

[Cornballer]

Gareth Bale, maybe?

 

[hadareud]

Temperature is just as bad. You cant take away a teams home advantage because other teams arent willing to arrive early enough to the city to get used to the altitude.

it's not about being willing, there's simply no way that would make it possible for teams to arrive early enough to get used to it. We are talking about weeks here, it's not like shaking off jetlag. And 2500 meters is still plenty high - I grew up in the mountains and even then you will have problems doing stuff at that altitude if you're not used to it.

Temperature is an issue, but I am sure there are certain regulations too (minimum and maximum temperature). I doubt games would be played at minus 20 or plus 50 degrees.

 

[Cornballer]

Heh. The Houston Dynamo got a visit w/ President Bush....

White House Guests

For only the second time in MLS history, the reigning champions were invited to the White House for a chat with the president, a photo op and, in the tradition of teams of all sorts, the chance to present a jersey to the commander in chief. That moment arrived Tuesday for the Houston Dynamo, which stuck around Washington for a couple extra days following Saturday's 2-1 loss to D.C. United at RFK Stadium.

"This is, without a doubt, the memory we will take from this trip, a memory we will keep with us the rest of our lives," team captain Wade Barrett said. "It doesn't win us any points in the standings over the next couple games, but certainly made this trip memorable."

The team watched Bush's helicopter land on the grounds, took a guided tour of the building and then spent about 15 minutes with the president. They presented him with a championship ring, an orange No. 1 jersey, a ball and a team pendent for the First Lady.

"At first, I wasn't too excited about coming here, but when you actually stand face to face with the most powerful man in the country, it's pretty exhilarating and pretty cool," forward Brian Ching said. "The moment will leave a lasting impression."

Said Barrett: "He definitely did have a little bit of soccer knowledge, which surprised us."

Such as? "Well, he talked to his father, who was at our first game [in Houston this season]. It was just very engaging. He made us all feel welcome."

Ching: "We know he's a little more of a baseball guy, but he was good to us. ... On the field we are still frustrated, but it was nice to be able to enjoy the day."

Goalkeeper Pat Onstad, a Canadian who became a U.S. citizen last year, hopes the visit will rub off on the team. "Hopefully, it's a little incentive to get invited back next year. We've got a long way to go right now. I'm excited to see how we turn it around. I am confident we will."

Coach Dominic Kinnear ran the team through a practice at the RFK training grounds Monday. Following the White House visit, the team headed to the airport for the flight home and to begin preparing for Sunday's match against Dallas.

"It's one of those things where you can't pass up the opportunity," Kinnear said. "The results aren't going our way, but this is a reflection of last year's achievement and obviously another reward for all the work we put in last year. We've had a chance to be together and we're looking forward to Sunday because the only way you can cure your problems is getting back on the field."

United visited the White House following its 1997 championship.

 

[Shinobi]

Do people rate Reo-Coker? I haven't seen him play very much, but he seems more of a liability (based on his attitude to a large extent) than an asset.

Reo-Coker would have a tough time cracking our Carling Cup squad based on last year's form. That said Wenger did want to buy him at some point, so he must have something there.

Moop is the biggest high profile signing so far.

:lol

It's my belief that Arsenal are seriously going after either Ribery or Malouda. Ribery appears to be the first choice option. Personally I prefer Malouda simply because of his left foot, but either player would be a big addition to a team that I don't think is missing much else (outside of like, health).

 

[Mama Smurf]

Training ground spies, otherwise known as journalists paid to do nothing but sit by a pitch all day, reckon McClaren's working on a 4-5-1 for the Brazil game. This is the current set up he's looking at:

---------------------Robinson-----------------

P Neville----Carragher----Terry-----Shorey

------------------------King--------------------

Beckham----Gerrard-----Lampard---J Cole

-----------------------Owen-------------------

G Neville, Ferdinand, Woodgate, Bride, A Cole, Hargreaves and Rooney are either injured or suspended (obviously, this wouldn't be an England game without half the squad missing), so in many of these positions there's really little choice, but Brown could get ahead of Neville at right back.

I admit, I mainly posted this to see if I could cause any venom to fly at King being ahead of Carrick.

 

[Steroyd]

OMG that is a shit team but it's what i'd expect to get the best out of Lampard and Gerrard in midfield it was blatently obvious 4-4-2 meant axing either of them.

And Owen doesn't do lone Striker well, you need Crouch and only Crouch for that role.

 

[Fowler]

Brazil need a dose of Crouchinho.

 

[hadareud]

it's getting a bit quiet here now, we have to change that.

anyway, rumours:

TRANSFER RUMOURS

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is in the hunt for Barcelona's Samuel Eto'o and Ajax's Klass Jan Huntelaar. (Daily Star)

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez wants to make £12m Valencia winger David Silva his first summer signing. (The Sun)

The Reds are ready to offer Djibril Cisse in part-exchange for Benfica winger Simao Sabrosa. (Daily Star)

Liverpool hope to make Lyon midfielder Florent Malouda their first signing. (The Guardian)

Newcastle want Manchester City's Joey Barton and are prepared to let fellow midfielder Scott Parker move to West Ham for £8m. (Daily Mirror)

AC Milan want Chelsea striker Andriy Shevchenko to return to the club on loan. (Daily Mirror)

West Brom midfielder Jason Koumas may lead the exodus from the club after the failure to gain promotion to the Premiership. (Various)

Arsenal are targeting West Brom captain Curtis Davies. (Daily Mirror)

Coventry want to sign Ipswich striker Alan Lee in a £400,000 swoop. (Daily Mirror)

Kanu's dispute at Portsmouth has alerted Spanish La Liga clubs Osasuna and Espanol. (Daily Mirror)

Reading are keen on Luton's Leon Barnett but the Hatters are asking for £3m. (Daily Mirror)

Cardiff skipper Darren Purse, who has been linked with Wigan, Sheffield United and Charlton, is poised to sign a new contract. (Daily Mirror)

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy is lining up a £400,000 move for Nottingham Forest's out-of-contract winger Kris Commons. (Various)

Arjan de Zeeuw looks set to join Leicester after his release by Wigan. (Daily Star)

Wigan hope to convince Sami Hyypia to leave Anfield for the JJB Stadium. (The Independent)

Coventry are lining up a double swoop for Southend pair Jamal Campbell-Ryce and Luke Guttridge. (Daily Star)

Sheffield United midfielder Phil Jagielka is set to join Everton by the weekend. (Daily Mail)

OTHER GOSSIP

Reading defender Nicky Shorey is set to be drafted into the starting line-up for England. (Daily Express)

Ledley King could pip Michael Carrick for the holding role against Brazil on Friday. (The Independent)

Derby manager Billy Davies went to war with the club because of a dispute over bonus payments for players for gaining promotion. (The Sun)

Former Chelsea boss Claudio Ranieri is on the brink of accepting the Manchester City job. (Daily Mirror)

Ranieri held talks in London on Tuesday with representatives of the consortium trying to buy the club. (Daily Mail)

Or alternatively, Ranieri is ready to snub City's offer and stay at Parma. (Various)

Premiership referee Graham Poll, who is retiring a year earlier than planned, has accused the Football Association of failing to protect match officials from unruly players and managers. (Daily Mail)

Wales and Manchester United winger Ryan Giggs is to announce his retirement from international football. (The Sun)

Former Sheffield United manager Neil Warnock believes he is the fans' choice to become the new boss of Northern Ireland. (Daily Star)

AND FINALLY

Charlie Richardson, a female cousin of Manchester United midfielder Kieran Richardson, is to be part of the Big Brother television programme. (The Sun)

Former Coventry and West Brom striker Lee Hughes, who was jailed for six years in 2004, has agreed a deal with Oldham while still in prison. (Daily Mail)

Story from BBC SPORT:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/sport1/hi/football/gossip_and_transfers/6703189.stm

Published: 2007/05/30 07:32:18 GMT

© BBC MMVII

"Since I started playing football, there’s been speculation about me going to a lot of clubs so that will never stop. As I said last week, for now I’m an Arsenal player."

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhh

He says he’s getting annoyed that we’re finishing at the wrong end of the top 4. Shock horror. He’s obviously leaving. I was talking to a mate of mine in Barcelona the other day and he said that he saw Henry talking to a newsagent and has already set up delivery of the Daily Mail, the NME and Model Train Enthusiast to his new home. Henry has actually bought the amusement park at the top of Tibidabo and when he’s not playing will survey the city with a giant crown on his head from the Ferris wheel going round and round and round and round and round…

:lol

 

[Shinobi]

:lol :lol :lol

 

[Steroyd]

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez wants to make £12m Valencia winger David Silva his first summer signing.

Liverpool hope to make Lyon midfielder Florent Malouda their first signing.

Aren't they both Left Wingers?

Well seeing how this thread has died, lets talk about Englands thrashing by Brazil A potential Ledly King being chosen over the holding Midfielder role to Michael Carrick or something.

WTF could that be all about I'm trying to think of his tactics but I can't. ~_~

 

[hadareud]

King did quite well in that position before, I suppose they want to use his defensive qualities against a team like Brazil.

Which brings up the question if Brazil is the best team to play before you go to play Estonia away - you can't test a lot of things against Brazil. On the other hand, that might not be the worst thing to happen. I don't know.

 

[Lakitu]

Whatever you do, don't tell kaizoku. Seems a bit uneasy as of late.

 

[Steroyd]

But to throw him into a role he's not completely used to going against the likes of Kaka, Ronaldinho, Adriano.... hang on who is in the Brazil Squad, would Barca even let Ronaldinho go at such an important time of the season?

Edit:

Oh crap yeah the red card.

 

[hadareud]

Brazil squad:

Goalkeepers: Doni (AS Roma), Helton (Porto)

Defenders: Alex Rodrigo (PSV Eindhoven), Daniel Alves (Sevilla), Gilberto (Hertha Berlin), Juan (Bayer Leverkusen), Maicon (Inter Milan), Marcelo (Real Madrid), Naldo (Werder Bremen), Alex Silva (Sao Paulo)

Midfielders: Diego (Werder Bremen), Edmilson (Barcelona), Kaka (AC Milan), Elano (Shakhtar Donetsk), Gilberto Silva (Arsenal), Josue (Sao Paulo), Mineiro (Hertha Berlin),

Forwards: Afonso Alves (Heerenveen), Jo (CSKA Moscow), Robinho (Real Madrid), Ronaldinho (Barcelona), Vagner Love (CSKA Moscow)

 

[Blablurn]

I didn't expect so many Bundesliga players.

 

[hadareud]

definitely a surprise that there's so many

 

[psycho_snake]

Whatever you do, don't tell kaizoku. Seems a bit uneasy as of late.

Where is the fun in that? We need to tell him to liven things up in this thread.

However, I do think that carrick would be a better option than king in this case.

 

[psycho_snake]

Some interesting news:

Barca have offered samuel eto'o + 17 million pounds for henry, but that sounds like bullshit to me, but if it is true, id say that arsenal have been given an offer that they cant turn down.

Milan said they are willing to buy back sheva from chelsea as long as the price are right. Maybe he is the star striker they've been talking about.

LA Galaxy president alexei lalasd has said that david beckham could be loaned out to a european club when the MLS season ends, but the coach Frank Yallop is against it because he thinks becks needs to prepare for the upcoming season.

Mark Hughes has said that he wants to buy a striker, which is something we all knew really. Bellamy is the person who has been strongly linked with rovers.

Giggs is going to quit international football.

 

[hadareud]

Barca have offered samuel eto'o + 17 million pounds for henry, but that sounds like bullshit to me, but if it is true, id say that arsenal have been given an offer that they cant turn down.

sound like a big pile of poo. It would be very hard to turn down though

 

[Mama Smurf]

I'd never picked Crouch as a loan striker over Owen. He likes to drop off too much to play that role, it's why he and Rooney could never play together well, they'd both drop off and leave no one actually up front.

If I was picking a 4-5-1 based on the players available, my midfield would either be:

-----------------------King---------------------

Beckham----Carrick-----Lampard----J Cole

or

-----------------------King---------------------

Bentley----Beckham-----Lampard----J Cole

I have a feeling we're gonna do well against Brazil regardles of the team we put out though.

 

[h0pper]

I don't know, I love Henry. There is a lot he has done for the club and he still brings so much talent and experience to the pitch. We all saw how the Gunners struggled without him for more than half of the season. I think letting him go would be a big mistake. Arsene, do not get rid of Henry.

 

[hadareud]

I don't know, I love Henry. There is a lot he has done for the club and he still brings so much talent and experience to the pitch. We all saw how the Gunners struggled without him for more than half of the season. I think letting him go would be a big mistake. Arsene, do not get rid of Henry.

I'd definitely keep Henry over Eto'o. But if the rumour is true (and it's not, because it's bullshit) it would be an offer you almost can't turn down. 17 million + Eto'o, who's worth around 25 to 30 million and only 23 would be an incredible deal, money wise.

That said, it's not gonna happen (because it's poo) and I very much hope to have Henry in the squad next year.

-----------------------King---------------------

Bentley----Beckham-----Lampard----J Cole

I have a feeling we're gonna do well against Brazil regardles of the team we put out though.

I think England will do well on Friday too.

They would do even better like this though:


-----------------------King---------------------

Bentley----Beckham-----Gerrard----J Cole

 

[Wes]

Villa Park will host a pre-season friendly for the first time in 12 years - and the opposition doesn't get much bigger.

Patrick Vieira, Zlatan Ibrahimovich, Olivier Dacourt, Adriano, Walter Samuel and Hernan Crespo will be in town with Inter Milan on Saturday August 4 (ko 3pm).

The friendly will be the first at Villa Park since the club welcomed Partizan Belgrade in 1995.

Martin O'Neill said: "We're playing Inter Milan on August 4. They're down here to play in a tournament featuring Manchester United, so it should be a good game for both sides.

"It will provide us with a significant test at a vital time in our preparations.

"As they have won Serie A by 22 points they are clearly no pushovers as their history suggests and hopefully our supporters will enjoy it.

"Villa fans will remember the two cracking UEFA Cup ties in the 1990s, the latter of which was won by a Phil King penalty in a shootout.

"So Inter's arrival will bring back a lot of memories, and hopefully this game will be as good, even though it's only a friendly.

"Hopefully everyone enjoys the occasion."

I want to go watch

 

[Merovingian]

Whoever buys Nani is going to get burned. Moutinho is an exciting future prospect however, any team would only gain by getting him.

And check this out

 

[Mama Smurf]

Is that what Forza 2 looks like? I kind of hate driving sims so haven't bothered checking it out at all, but I'm not impressed.

Villa Park will host a pre-season friendly for the first time in 12 years

What? Really? They've just played away friendlies for the last 12 years? Doesn't seem very smart to me, friendlies at home are a good chance to get new players used to the size of the pitch and things.

-----------------------King---------------------

Bentley----Beckham-----Gerrard----J Cole

Gerrard, Lampard, I don't really care. Lampard is my personal preference, but either will do a good job.

 

[Merovingian]

Is that what Forza 2 looks like? I kind of hate driving sims so haven't bothered checking it out at all, but I'm not impressed.

Yeah. The graphics aren't all that great, but the game itself is.

 

[hadareud]

Is that what Forza 2 looks like? I kind of hate driving sims so haven't bothered checking it out at all, but I'm not impressed.

you'll be impressed once you see my car designs

 

[Cornballer]

:lol Nice one.

17 million plus Eto'o, eh? Interesting. I get the feeling Arsenal will get another season or two out of Henry, but I have a tough time seeing him staying past that. I wish he would, but it just seems inevitable that he'll leave sooner or later.

 

[Mama Smurf]

Is that where Henry's urinated on the badge on his way out the door?

 

[hadareud]

 

[Mama Smurf]

Crespo is staying on loan at Inter for another year, which basically guarantees Chelsea are signing at least one new striker. Drogba and Kalou will be heading off to the African Cup, leaving only Shevchenko and even if his form were good enough (and it's obviously not), you can't rely on one striker who could get injured or suspended at any time.

I guess Tevez is the most likely at this point, but we'll see.

 

[h0pper]

Is that where Henry's urinated on the badge on his way out the door?

neg.

Henry won't leave this season, and he's said multiple times how he loves the club. Not saying he won't leave anytime in the future, because he probably will, but i can't see him leaving anytime soon, especially if Wenger is staying.

 

[Cornballer]

A good lineup of preseason friendlies for Arsenal this summer...

Barnet v Arsenal
Pre-Season Friendly, Underhill, Saturday, July 14, 2007, 3pm

Genclerbirligi Ankara v Arsenal <--- bonus points if you can pronounce that one...
Pre-Season Friendly, Bad Waltersdorf, Austria, Thursday, July 19, 2007, 7pm

FC Red Bull Salzburg v Arsenal
Pre-Season Friendly, Salzburg, Austria, Wednesday, July 25, 2007, 7pm

Arsenal v Paris Saint-Germain
Emirates Cup, Emirates Stadium, Saturday, July 28, 2007, 4.15pm

Arsenal v Inter Milan
Emirates Cup, Emirates Stadium, Sunday, July 29, 2007, 4.15pm

Lazio v Arsenal
Amsterdam Tournament, Amsterdam Arena, Thursday, August 2, 2007, 7pm

Ajax v Arsenal
Amsterdam Tournament, Amsterdam Arena, Saturday, August 4, 2007, 8.15pm

 

[Mama Smurf]

HOW DO YOU EXPLAIN THE URINE THEN?!

Are Barnet blackmailing Arsenal or something?

 

[Cornballer]

Are Barnet blackmailing Arsenal or something?

Arsenal have been playing them annually during preseason for a long time - I can't remember exactly why....

 

[hadareud]

HOW DO YOU EXPLAIN THE URINE THEN?!

I'm sorry, I got a bit excited

 

[Cornballer]

I'm sorry, I got a bit excited

That is urine, isn't it?!?

Exciting news in the last 24hrs!

30 May 2007

Eugen Bopp [Rotherham - Crewe] Free
Glynn Garner [Leyton Orient - Shrewsbury] Free
Darran Kempson [Crewe - Shrewsbury] Free
Marc Pugh [Bury - Shrewsbury] Tribunal

29 May 2007

Andrew Cook [unattached - Carlisle]
Phil Gulliver [Hereford - Rushden & Diamonds] Free
James Hayter [Bournemouth - Doncaster] Undisclosed
Billy Jones [Exeter - Crewe] £65,000
Darren Moss [Crewe - Shrewsbury] Free
Max Porter [Bishop's Stortford - Barnet] Undiclosed

Let me tell you, Bopp is no Moop.

 

[hadareud]

I almost pissed myself with excitement.

Oh, wait, I take that back.

 

[Lakitu]

Seems that Mamchester United are close to signing Nani.

 

[h0pper]

Crespo is trying to stay at Inter permanently.

No one ever answered my question about Tevez. Is anyone aware of where he will be going?

 

[Lakitu]

Crespo is trying to stay at Inter permanently.

No one ever answered my question about Tevez. Is anyone aware of where he will be going?

As far as I know, he's been linked to Real Madrid, Chelsea and Liverpool. Not sure about other clubs though.

 

[Shinobi]

:lol @ preseason sched...so Arsenal will be playing games again in like six weeks. There's simply no off-season in football.

(And yeah I know it'll be all the reserve guys for the first few weeks, but it still strikes me as looney.)

And check this out

Did he pay off the rest of the field to stay in pit lane?

 

[Lakitu]

Did he pay off the rest of the field to stay in pit lane?

:lol :lol