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[Fowler]

Does it even matter if the window is open though? Rafa's supposedly on holiday until the weekend, as are a number of other managers (I heard Allardyce was too, but then I heard Allardyce went to speak to Owen, so...). And the season hasn't finished in Spain yet, so I doubt we'll have any big moves there until that's over.

 

[Izzy]

Breaking news - Man U are interested in

Spoiler

Anelka

Spoiler

Anelka next on United's list as summer spending hits overdrive


Dominic Fifield
Friday June 1, 2007
The Guardian


Manchester United's pursuit of a striker has prompted them to lodge an inquiry with Bolton Wanderers about the availability of the France striker Nicolas Anelka, with the Premiership champions having already taken their potential summer spending beyond the £50m mark with the purchase yesterday of Owen Hargreaves

 

[Mama Smurf]

Anelka? :/

Only if he's cheap, and he can't stay at a club beyond a season. Bad attitude too, surely there are better options.

 

[Izzy]

I don't think he's cheap. A very good player though, perhaps Fergie could sort him out. IMO not a bad choice - if true.

 

[Mama Smurf]

Looks like McClaren's had a change of heart on the England formation/team, this is the latest likely formation and as it's only tomorrow night I guess this is it barring injuries:

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

Carragher------King-------Terry-----Shorey

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

-----------------Owen------Smith-------------

Now I forget, did Gerrard and Lampard together work, or NOT WORK?!?!?!?!

 

[Mama Smurf]

I just think he's a wanker and not a team player in the slightest. Certainly a talent, but I'd think there are cheaper options, I mean maybe you could get McCarthy for the same price (not that I want him to go, but if it's enough I guess we'd sell). Or like I said, Pizarro on a free.

 

[Fowler]

Seriously? Alan Smith?

 

[Izzy]

Oh, I rate McCarthy.

My first choice would be Eto'o but, sadly, I can only see him leaving in a swap deal, so L'Arse could have a decent shout.

Not that I believe that ridiculous 'Barca offers Eto'o and 17m GBP for Henry' article...

 

[celestial body]

I really can't remember the name but I don't think it's Bojinov...it was something typically italian...

Palladino?

 

[Izzy]

Palladino?

Yes, Palladino. Apparently, he said he'd join Man U in a heartbeat - too bad I can't be arsed to find that article. But here's a more recent one:

Man Utd make formal approach for Juventus starlet Palladino
May 21, 2007

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is making a fresh bid for exciting Juventus striker Raffaele Palladino.
Tuttosport says a fax from United arrived at Juve's HQ on Saturday asking for information about Palladino's availability.

Ferguson has been following the Italy U21 international for over three years and is convinced he can reach the heights of Cristiano Ronaldo, who he landed from Sporting Lisbon as an 18 year-old.

Juve are determined to hold onto Palladino, though the player has admitted in the past to being flattered by Ferguson's interest.

 

[Mama Smurf]

It's another kick in the nuts for Crouch, that's for sure. What does the guy have to do to hold down a regular place, in any team?

I thought this was a good Anderson video:

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/117217/anderson_the_new_ronaldinho/

There's that goal he scores running from the left, parallel to the goal line, until he scores with his left foot. I think that's a really smart goal, most players running from there would hve headed directly towards the goal, narrowing their angle all the way. Instead, he kept going until he had the best shooting angle possible.

This United formation that's been rumoured:

-------------Van der Sar--------------

Neville----Vidic----Ferdinand----Evra

----------Player 1---Player 2---------

Player 3-------Player 4------Player 5

----------------Player 6----------------

Seems like it'd work really well to me. It's perfect for the squad they have.

Player 1/2 can be filled by Hargreaves, Carrick, Fletcher, O'Shea, even Scholes

Player 3 by Ronaldo, Park, Giggs, Rooney, Solskjaer

Player 4 by Scholes, Anderson, Rooney, Ronaldo, Giggs

Player 5 by Giggs, Nani, Ronaldo, Anderson, Rooney

And obviously Player 6 is Rooney if not playing off another striker.

Of course, I've no idea how that formation has come about as a rumour, it's not like anyone could have seen them training since the new buys. Maybe it's just an educated guess and nothing more.

 

[Ryck]

Formation stuff.

IIRC they said sources close to Fergie....

 

[Mama Smurf]

Pfff, I have a source close to Fergie; his arse. Oh wait, it's the same one as the journalists use.

You know, if Chelsea buy the right players, this could be one hell of a battle next year. I mean if they can get Richards at right back, Alex and Ben Haim at centre back, they've already got Sidwell in midfield but add Quaresma, and Tevez and Pizzaro up front...it'll be insane.

They've been linked to all those players btw, I haven't just pulled them out of Ferguson's arse. And thanks to the number of freebies, they'd probably only spend about as much as United.

 

[Steroyd]

It's another kick in the nuts for Crouch, that's for sure. What does the guy have to do to hold down a regular place, in any team?

Head the ball so it'd actually look like he'd score from one.

 

[Cornballer]

Head the ball so it'd actually look like he'd score from one.

He does it all the time.







But in all seriousness, Crouch does actually score some headed goals now and again - against T&T in the World Cup, against Chelsea in the Charity Shield, etc...

 

[Fowler]

...also against United in the FA Cup, and Arsenal in the league.

He certainly doesn't get as many as he should, that I'll give you. But he does score with his head.

 

[Steroyd]

Of course he scores with his head more often then not though it's pathetically tame with aimed straight to the keeper.

He also needs to learn not to lean on defenders and have fouls against him when it gets long balled to him he's 6ft 7 he doesn't need leverage.

Well that's my bitching of Crouchinio.

Oh man seeing that 4-4-2 England formation makes me cringe.

 

[psycho_snake]

It's another kick in the nuts for Crouch, that's for sure. What does the guy have to do to hold down a regular place, in any team?

I thought this was a good Anderson video:

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/117217/anderson_the_new_ronaldinho/

There's that goal he scores running from the left, parallel to the goal line, until he scores with his left foot. I think that's a really smart goal, most players running from there would hve headed directly towards the goal, narrowing their angle all the way. Instead, he kept going until he had the best shooting angle possible.

This United formation that's been rumoured:

-------------Van der Sar--------------

Neville----Vidic----Ferdinand----Evra

----------Player 1---Player 2---------

Player 3-------Player 4------Player 5

----------------Player 6----------------

Seems like it'd work really well to me. It's perfect for the squad they have.

Player 1/2 can be filled by Hargreaves, Carrick, Fletcher, O'Shea, even Scholes

Player 3 by Ronaldo, Park, Giggs, Rooney, Solskjaer

Player 4 by Scholes, Anderson, Rooney, Ronaldo, Giggs

Player 5 by Giggs, Nani, Ronaldo, Anderson, Rooney

And obviously Player 6 is Rooney if not playing off another striker.

Of course, I've no idea how that formation has come about as a rumour, it's not like anyone could have seen them training since the new buys. Maybe it's just an educated guess and nothing more.

It is an educated guess. You just have to take into account our signings and see how they can fit into the team. I thiunk this formation would work very well. Some might be upset because there isnt another striker playing alongside rooney, but it doesnt matter becauuse rooney will have two wingers and an attacking midfielder supporting him in attack. With that formation we'll have a very strong attacking line-up.

Im not sure what to make of the anelka rumour. He's been pretty good at bolton, but he has some serious mood swings. He isnt commited to the club. It would be a risk buying him, but maybe it will pay off if fergie can get his head straight. I dont think its too far off being true. Now that united have spent nearly 50 million pounds, I cant see us going after a striker thats could cost us a lot like huntelaar. It wouldnt surprise me if we did get someone like viduka or anelka.

 

[hadareud]

Anelka would be a great buy I think, he's good for 15 to 20 goals (more than any other Manyoo striker), he sets up goals and he's still not old. I think he's matured a bit over the years too.


rumours:

TRANSFER RUMOURS

Manchester United's summer shopping spree is set to continue with a move for Bolton's Nicolas Anelka. (Various)

And while one striker comes into Old Trafford, another could be on his way out. Tottenham want England international Alan Smith. (Sun)

West Ham are lining up a £5m bid for Joey Barton and want to pair him in midfield with Scott Parker. (Star)

Parker is set to become the highest paid player in West Ham's history when he joins from Newcastle. (Sun)

Nigel Reo-Coker has lowered his sights. After saying he would only play for a Champions League club the West Ham man now wants a move to Newcastle. (Sun)

But Aston Villa have emerged as Reo-Coker's most likely destination in an £8m deal. (Guardian)

And Villa are hoping to land West Brom full-back Paul Robinson. (Sun)

Villa boss Martin O'Neill says he will not be held to ransom by Liverpool over a fee for striker and new Wales captain Craig Bellamy. (Sun)

France international midfielder Florent Malouda has begged Lyon not to price him out of a move to Liverpool. The French champions want £17m. (Mail)

Chelsea's veteran midfielder Claude Makelele has been offered a two-year deal by Paris St Germain. (Various)

The Blues have agreed personal terms with Claudio Pizarro. Bayern Munich's Peruvian striker will join on a free deal worth £50,000 a week. (Times)

And Chelsea are also hopeful of signing Benni McCarthy from Blackburn. (Times)

Derby County are eyeing a move for Aston Villa defender Liam Ridgewell and could get their man for £2m. (Mirror)

And Aston Villa will also let Steven Davis leave for £5m. Fulham are keen on the Northern Ireland midfielder. (Various)

In fact, new Fulham boss Lawrie Sanchez is keen on a fair few players. Southampton have rejected a £2.5m bid for defender Chris Baird. (Sun)

The Cottagers are set to raid neighbours QPR for Lee Cook and Roy Jones. They have opened the bidding with a £1.5m combined offer. (Various)

And they want to sign Liverpool goalkeeper Scott Carson. (Mirror)

Portsmouth are eyeing Fulham midfielder Papa Bouba Diop in a £2.5m deal. (Mirror)

Having called time on his Celtic career, Neil Lennon will join League One outfit Nottingham Forest. (Various)

The Old Firm are going head-to-head for Robbie Fowler. Celtic have the edge over Rangers... at the moment. (Various)

Defender Pascal Mendy is set to finally seal his move to Hearts. (Record)

Crystal Palace want Teddy Sheringham. In order to fund the move manager Peter Taylor is listening to offers for midfielder Jobi McAnuff. (Star)

Former QPR midfielder Marc Bircham is keen on a move to LA Galaxy. (Star)

Newcastle manager Sam Allardyce is confident Mark Viduka's arrival on Tyneside will persuade Michael Owen to stay. (Mirror)

Middlesbrough are aiming to replace Australian Viduka with West Brom's Diomansy Kamara. Any deal is set to cost in the region of £5m. (Mirror)

And Boro are busy keeping tabs on defensive midfielder Marcelo from Corinthians. (Times)

OTHER GOSSIP

Manchester United's signing of Anderson is set to be probed by the Premier League. It fears the Brazilian's move could mirror Carlos Tevez's deal at West Ham that involved third-party ownership. (Mirror)

Freddy Shepherd is on the brink of relinquishing control of Newcastle to Mike Ashley. (Various)

Portugal boss Luiz Felipe Scolari claims Roman Abramovich wants him to be the next Chelsea manager. (Sun)

Juventus hope to hijack Manchester City's move for Claudio Ranieri after top target Marcello Lippi turned down the chance to become boss. (Mirror)

John Brown is a top contender for the manager's job at Clyde. (Record)

Leeds boss Dennis Wise has offered to take a pay cut following the club's relegation to League One. (Various)

Wales boss John Toshack is relieved Ryan Giggs retired from international football as he was dreading telling the midfielder he was dropped. (Various)

John Terry will hand David Beckham the the captain's armband if he reaches the 100-cap mark for England. (Various)

And Terry has called for England to turn Wembley into a fortress. (Various)

Brazil boss Dunga says the pitch at Wembley is sub-standard. "The grass comes off very easily," he said after a shortened training session. (Various)

AND FINALLY

Derby goalkeeper Stephen Bywater says he could be in contention for England's No 1 jersey next season. (Mirror)

"I grew up with a few of the lads like Paul Robinson, Rob Green and Chris Kirkland and they are good but I don't think they are anything special," he said. "I'm confident but not cocky."

Story from BBC SPORT:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/sport1/hi/football/gossip_and_transfers/6710683.stm

Published: 2007/06/01 06:14:30 GMT

© BBC MMVII

 

[Steroyd]

:lol @ Reo-Coker

 

[MrPing1000]

No way are we buying Anelka. lazy bastard with a notorious attitude problem

 

[hadareud]

still better than any of your current forwards

 

[Lakitu]

**** OFF INTERNAL SERVER ERROR

 

[Lakitu]

Chelsea snap up Pizarro

Bayern Munich striker Claudio Pizarro has reportedly joined Chelsea on a free transfer, according to Friday's press.

The Peruvian striker is out-of-contract and is seeking a move away from the deposed Bundesliga champions after they failed to qualify for next season's Champions League.

Pizarro had been heavily linked with a move to Juventus after snubbing an ambitious offer from Rangers, but it appears the departure of Didier Deschamps from the Turin giants put an end to their interest.

Pizarro has scored 97 goals in 229 games for the German giants.

Chelsea are also very close to signing McCarthy, Mama am crying.

Also according to AS Newspaper (most probably bull but funny still) Liverpool have bid 60 million Euros for Eto'o.

 

[hadareud]

all of a sudden they are signing forwards? Next thing they sign a central defender and have a real squad. scary stuff

 

[Lakitu]

Common Sense in Chelsea camp shock

According to various reports Liverpool have sold Sissoko to Juventus for £10 Million

http://www.corrieredellosport.it/sportnetwork/

 

[hadareud]

the internal server errors are getting unbearable.

Sissoko is a big loss, I think. Not the greatest idea to sell him.

 

[Steroyd]

Common Sense in Chelsea camp shock

According to various reports Liverpool have sold Sissoko to Juventus for £10 Million

http://www.corrieredellosport.it/sportnetwork/

:'(

Wow Benitez's axe spare's no-one if true.
Guess Rafa wants more creative players in the squad.

 

[hadareud]

headline of the day:

Anglophile Gilberto is looking for a passport to success at Arsenal

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/li...article_id=459170&in_page_id=1779&ito=newsnow

edit: quite a good article actually, I will post a few excerpts once the bloody server is not annoying the **** out of me anymore

 

[Lakitu]

Boro move for Gunner

Skysports.com understand that Middlesbrough are set to agree a deal with Arsenal for Jeremie Aliadiere.

Boro were close to signing the French striker in January, but their interest cooled in recent weeks and they looked like going elsewhere.

However, with rivals interest from the Premiership and La Liga - Boro boss Gareth Southgate has again launched a bid.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is willing to do business as Aliadiere - who featured a number of times towards the end of last season - wants regular first-team football.

The 24-year-old has been with Arsenal for eight years and obviously feels the time is now right to move on and Teesside looks set to be his new home.

Boro are in need of new strikers with both Mark Viduka and Yakubu Aiyegbeni looking unlikely to start next season with the club.

Viduka is understood to have told Newcastle that he will be moving to Tyneside, shunning a host of other offers - including one to remain with Boro.

Yakubu is known to be frustrated with life at The Riverside and although Boro are keen for him to stay, a big offer this summer will likely see the Nigerian depart.

 

[hadareud]

"I have two years left at Arsenal and I hope to stay here for that time and hopefully even longer," said the softly-spoken midfielder in the Park Lane hotel that is Brazil's base for tonight's friendly at Wembley.

"Of course, if Arsene tells me he has an offer and wants me to go, then everything changes. But I am very happy here. I don't want to leave. I would love to finish my career at Arsenal.
.......................................................
He said: "They are all good players and will make Manchester stronger. But, you know, the first year in England is very hard. I know that from my own experience. If they get better, then it is up to us to get better too."

The only new addition to the Arsenal squad so far has been promising Polish goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski. Does he hope there will be more to follow?

"Yes, I hope so," replied Gilberto. "We have a good, young squad but I think we need maybe two or three new players.

"It's not for me to say who Arsene should buy or what positions need strengthening. We have to have faith in the manager. He is a great record of bringing in new players who make the team better."

The esteem in which Wenger is held by the entire Arsenal squad is unquestionable but a degree of uncertainty has been created at Ashburton Grove by the Frenchman's reluctance to extend his contract beyond 2008.

Are the players concerned? "Yes, some of them are," he added. "Arsene brought us all to the club and we all want to play for him.

"He promised us at the end of the season that he is not just planning for the short-term. He is planning long-term as well and we have to believe him when he says that."
.............................................................................................

"I think Thierry will stay," said the Brazilian. "We need him. Everyone knows what he can do. He wasn't very happy last season and we struggled without him and Robin van Persie, who was playing really well when he got injured.

"I am angry about last season. We were better than the year before but we should have done better considering the quality we have and some of the football played. We were not as consistent as we should have been and we need to improve on that."

he has some interesting things to say

 

[hadareud]

Boro move for Gunner

good news!

 

[Lakitu]

500 - Internal Server Error

 

[hadareud]

500 - Internal Server Error

 

[Steroyd]

Bloody 'ell what's with Neogaf today i want the lowdown on transfers.

 

[Lakitu]

:lol



Premier League Transfers (so far):

Arsenal (Total Spending: £2.6 Million)
(GK) Lucasz Fabianski - £2.6 Million

Birmingham City (Total Spending: £2 Million)
(Mid) Fabrice Muamba - £2 Million
(Def) Stuart Parnaby - Undisclosed

Bolton Wanderers (Total Spending: 0)
(Def) Gerald Cid - Free Transfer
(Mid) Blerim Dzemaili - Free Transfer
(Fwd) Zoltan Harsanyi - Undisclosed
(Def) Jlloyd Samuel - Free Transfer

Chelsea (Total Spending: £1)
(Mid) Steve Sidwell - Free Transfer
(Def) Alex - £1*
(Fwd) Claudio Pizarro - Free Transfer

Everton (Total Spending: £500,000)
(Fwd) Lucas Jutkiewicz - £500,000

Liverpool (Total Spending: £12.55 Million)
(Mid) Sebastian Leto - £1.85 Million
(Fwd) Andriy Voronin - Free Transfer
(Mid) Lucas - £8 Million
(Fwd) Krisztian Nemeth - £1.35 Million
(Fwd) Andras Simon - £1.35 Million

Manchester United (Total Spending: £47 Million)
(Mid) Owen Hargreaves - £17 Million
(Mid) Nani - £17 Million
(Mid) Anderson - £13 Million

Middlesbrough (Total Spending: £7 Million)
(Def) Jonathan Woodgate - £7 Million

Newcastle United (Total Spending: 0)
(Fwd) Mark Viduka - Free Transfer*
(Fwd) Tal Ben Haim - Free Transfer*

Portsmouth (Total Spending: £7 Million)
(Def) Sylvain Distin - Free Transfer
(Def) Hermann Hreidarsson - Free Transfer
(Mid) Sulley Muntari - £7 Million

Reading (Total Spending: £1.6 Million)
(Def) Andrew Bikey - £1 Million
(Mid) Khalifa Cisse - £600,000

Tottenham Hotspurs (Total Spending: £10 Million)
(Def) Gareth Bale - £10 Million

West Ham United (Total Spending: £8.5 Million)
(Mid) Scott Parker - £8.5 Million*

*Deal not done yet

 

[Steroyd]

Chelsea (Total Spending: £1)

:lol

Wasn't there an article a few days ago saying that Abramovich was fully commiting to spending lots of money this summer as usual.

Then again it depends on what these players are bankrolled on because afterall Ballack went to Chelsea for... "free"

The irony.

 

[Fowler]

I like Sissoko a lot... but after Mascherano's arrival... and if we need to sacrifice him to fund a big-big-money move for a big-big-name striker (sit down, Marcus Bent), fine, do it.

I do have a lot of faith in Sissoko though. I said during the Barca games that his gift for single-handedly disrupting an opponent's midfield is unparalleled in England. Yes, sure, he follows that up by passing the ball straight back at the opposition, but at least he'll run back to win it again!

(And give it up again...)

 

[h0pper]

Lakitu, that avatar is hilarious.

Benny McCarthy is sick. I do not want to see him go to Chelsea. Those are the rumors right?

 

[Lakitu]

Benny McCarthy is sick. I do not want to see him go to Chelsea. Those are the rumors right?

I'd say he's 50/50 to join Chelsea. He could join Chelsea for 3 reasons:

1) He wants Champions League football
2) He's reiterated his desire to play for Chelsea
3) Already played under Jose Mourinho with Porto

And now Chelsea are rumoured to be close to signing him, there's a good chance he'll go there. Which would be a great signing for Chelsea.

 

[Cornballer]

So wait, did Arsenal just sign a young striker by the name of 500 - Internal Server Error?

 

[hadareud]

Arsenal are apparently interested in signing Pedersen now too

sorry Mama

 

[Merovingian]

How can i watch the England vs Brazil game?

Wasn't there a link around here?

 

[Lakitu]

Yes, here's a li

 

[Mama Smurf]

I thought this forum was entirely down, didn't know if I kept refreshing I could get in.

I hope Blackburn do sell McCarthy and Pedersen, could do with freeing up some money for Rob Earnshaw and Lee Hendrie.

Anelka didn't have a great season at Bolton, he just did fine. He scored 1 goal every 3.3 games, and Rooney scored 1 goal every 2.4 games. Obviously you can score more at United than Bolton, but I'm not convinced he'd score much past Rooney. Not that he necessarily needs to, just a useful striker who can grab say...15-20 goals if he plays enough.

 

[hadareud]

seems gaf is finally working again.

I think that Anelka could score more goals than Rooney, like you say 15 to 20 seems realistic. I don't think Rooney will score more than 15 a season, at least not on a regular basis.

Things are soooo quiet on the Arsenal front, I'm getting a bit worried. Not that we need too many players, but some rumours would be nice. And Wenger and Henry coming out (yet again) to say that they will be here next season and beyond would be nice too.

 

[Mama Smurf]

I don't suppose anyone has a Brazil team yet, do they?

I'm worried (well, not that worried, it's only a friendly) that we're going to be cut open by the pace. Normally we'd have Ferdinand and Cole in there, perhaps even Woodgate, but I mean Carragher, King and Terry might have a hard time against Kaka and Ronaldinho, not to mention Beckham on the wing, he can hardly take up some of Carragher's slack. I dunno about Shorey, to be honest I only know of him. I must have seen him play as I saw quite a few Reading games last year, but I wasn't paying attention as I had no idea he was an England possibility.

 

[h0pper]

At this point, I'm not expecting Arsenal to make any big moves. I'm fairly certain Henry will stay for at least another season. I just hope that him and Van Persie are fit for next season. It would be nice to see two of our best players on the pitch again ;x

 

[hadareud]

I know. Also, Arsenal are known to move very quietly on the transfer market to not attract attention from a certain london club that would double the price.

That, and there is still 3 months to go in the transfer windows.

Still, I'm nervous, as always.

 

[Cornballer]

Today's youtube competition: worst freekicks.

Here's my entry - try to top that!