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Official Football Thread 2006/2007 (Soccer)

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Mama Smurf said:
You said something similar about Drenthe!

Given his performances in this competition, his pace, his crossing accuracy, his pwoerful shots, even his tackling...he'd pretty much be one of the 3 best left wingers in the Premiership.

Drenthe is a different story though. At Feyenoord, he plays as a leftback, and he's not very good at that position. This tournament though, he plays as the leftmid in a 4-4-2, and he's suprised everyone with his great performances. Feyenoord has even bought a new leftback (de Cler) so that Drenthe can play as a leftmidfielder next year. I still wonder though, if this is his usual form at leftmid, or if he's just having a good streak.

Penalty for Holland.
 
:lol Just like that Babel's price drops back 5 mill...

Ironically he wouldn't have taken that spot kick if he was playing for Arsenal...Wenger tends to keep the player who's tripped up away from the spot, even if it's someone like Henry.





















Shit...Henry's not with us anymore is he? I almost forgot!
 
This really couldn't be going better. With two black strikers it was always likely there'd be black scorers, but I hope the racist Serbian fans feel like twats right now.
 
quick reminder: we stole henry from arsenal :)

you may now continue discussing the intricacies of blackburn's away kit for next season
 
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let's buy all the dutch
 
This is never gonna happen with Van Basten in charge, and perhaps not at all with the Dutch hard on for their traditional formation, but imagine this midfield and attack:

Robben----Van Bommel----Seedorf-----Drenthe

-----------Van Nistelrooy---Van Persie-----------
 
Mama Smurf said:
This is never gonna happen with Van Basten in charge, and perhaps not at all with the Dutch hard on for their traditional formation, but imagine this midfield and attack:

Robben----Van Bommel----Seedorf-----Drenthe

-----------Van Nistelrooy---Van Persie-----------

That be awesome, but it'd be a race for scoring the most goals, because we'd most definitely concede a lot too. :lol

Also, as long as Van Basten is coach, Van Bommel will never play for Oranje. Just another reason to hate Van Basten.
 
Mama Smurf said:
This is never gonna happen with Van Basten in charge, and perhaps not at all with the Dutch hard on for their traditional formation, but imagine this midfield and attack:

Robben----Van Bommel----Seedorf-----Drenthe

-----------Van Nistelrooy---Van Persie-----------
amazing. but like you say, it's not gonna happen unfortunately.

it's hard to believe that a country as small as Holland is putting out players like this year after year. incredible.
 
Okay, so we lost Suazo (he wanted to join inter) and we really need a new striker because:

Oliveira can't do anything and is probably leaving
Borriello (the sexaddicted guy who got suspended) is going to genoa. He was worthless and the only good thing he ever done is this:

"Little-used Milan striker Marco Borriello faces a lengthy ban after testing positive for illegal substances (again) yesterday. His first positive test occurred immediately after the club’s November 11 loss to Roma, and he was provisionally suspended pending testing of his B sample — that’s the one which just turned up positive. The club is sure, however, that things will be cleared up right quick, and that Borriello will be back in the side in no time.
What’s their secret? Well, according to Borriello’s girlfriend Belen Rodriguez (Why yes, she is a model. Did you even have to ask?), the problem stems not from doping but from sex: She sort of accidentally gave him an STD, and the cream he was directed to rub on his manly bits to make it go away (Read: Kill the crabs.) contained cortisone, which is on the list of banned substances. Oops. On, like, six different levels.":lol :lol :lol
esterne291438412912144219_big.jpg



3 strikers are staying; Ronaldo (lol @ fenerbaches offer), Gila (hopefully) and Inzaghi.

At the same time Henry is going to Barca, so we are probably going to buy either Etoo or Ronaldinho. Adriano-rumors is also starting to come up. I really hope that they are true.

A motivated Adriano>Etoo in my eyes.
 
Cornballer, because you asked (?):
Abbondanzieri; Zanetti, Ayala, G. Milito, Heinze; Verón, Mascherano, Cambiasso; Riquelme; Messi y Crespo serían los once para el debut del jueves ante Estados Unidos por la Copa América.
A nice midfield, i should say.
 
Babel played pretty well today.Not quite the ripe melon, but he has time on his hands.I think i'll watch him a few more times to see if Falch's opinion of him is valid.
 
Don't forget that Falch is a PSV-fan ;). So take his reviews of Ajax players with a bit of salt





He's mostly right about Babel though, he isn't as good as the media portrayed at the start of the tournament. He's potential, and that's basically it at the moment. Same with a Theo Walcott for example (although Babel is further along).

About his performance yesterday, I thought it was great. The finishing could have been better (for nearly all Dutch players), but the work he did when the ball was not near his feet was remarkable. The way he ran for opening up spaces, annoying the opponents and creating that all important second goal.

Also, this tournament, he played center-forward. Whereas he's a left winger at Ajax, his position changed after Ajax bought Huntelaar and Charisteas. He wasn't good enough to be at the number 9 position, but too good to be left on the bench. Our views of his performances are thus tainted if you want him for the center forward position...
 
I'd bring him in as a winger, but I'd probably look at Drenthe and De Ridder first.
Speaking of Huntelaar, there is rumours that we will sign him and Babel next week.

Still no BBC rumours out :(
 
As good as Drenthe has been (player of the tournament) he has shown how raw he is, there is no way he is ready for top class football!

His energy and athleticism have been his strong points and he has been very good defensively imo, but going forward he offered little in terms of end product. Thats what a player with no end product looks like, while everyone was accusing Ronaldo of it because the press told them to, its people like Rossina and Drenthe who are more guilty of failing to produce something.

Rossina because his awareness is poor and he just gets his head down and runs into dead ends constantly, Drenthe because he fails to make that final pass or shot count. But they are young and the whole point is you look at their potential.
 
thanks for the link.

Drenthe looked ready to me, let's not forget his age and that he is a converted leftback.

rumours:

TRANSFER RUMOURS

Arsenal will bid £10m to sign former striker Nicolas Anelka from Bolton to replace Thierry Henry. (Various)

Tottenham are on the verge of signing Charlton's Darren Bent for a club record £16m. (Various)

Birmingham will capture Scottish striker Garry O'Connor after he meets with manager Steve Bruce later this week. (The People)

But O'Connor's move to Birmingham has been put on hold because of a disagreement over a £135,00 extra pament to Lokomotiv Moscow. (News of the World)

Rangers are poised to beat Roma and Tottenham to the signature of Bordeaux midfielder Julien Faubert. (Sunday Mail)

But Bordeaux insist that Rangers have not been in touch about Julien Faubert and that they want to keep the winger. (News of the World)

Rangers have had an increased offer of £1.5m for Scotland midfielder Lee McCulloch rejected by Wigan. (Sunday Mail)

Shakhtar Donetsk defender Razvan Rat says Rangers and PSV Eindhoven are considering a transfer bid. (News of the World)

Chelsea are lining up an £18m bid for 17-year-old Brazilian striker Alexandre Pato. (News of the World)

Blackburn have rejected Coventry's approach for unsettled striker Francis Jeffers. (The People)

Portsmouth are winning the race to sign Preston striker David Nugent after offering him £10,000 more a week than Sunderland. (The People)

And Pompey boss Harry Redknapp is also set to sign full-back Martin Cranie from Southampton. (The People)

But Redknapp faces competition from Premier league rivals Bolton for the signature of Atletico Bilbao striker Ismael Urzaiz. (The People)

Everton will swoop for Fulham's Papa Bouba Diop. (The People)

Manchester United have accepted a £6m bid from Middlesbrough for striker Alan Smith. (The People)

However, Boro face competition from Portsmouth, who are lining up a £3.5m bid for Smith. (Sunday Mirror)

Derby boss Billy Davis is chasing Sheffield United defender Claude Davis and is ready to pay £3.5m. (The People)

Aston Villa are set to cool their interest in West Ham midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker as the clubs are 'poles apart' in their valuation. (The People)

Portsmouth striker Andy Cole is wanted by Nottingham Forest. (The People)

Manchester City defender Micah Richards has pledged his future to the club despite interest from Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool. (The People)

Liverpool have rejected the chance to re-sign Michael Owen, who was offered by Newcastle in exchange for John Arne Riise and Craig Bellamy. (Various)

Middlesbrough will move for Barcelona's Argentine international forward, Javier Saviola. (The People)

Sevilla are seeking £8m for Freddie Kanoute, who is wanted by a trio of Premier League clubs. (The People)

And Portsmouth are ready to hijack Newcastle's move for Kanoute by bidding £8.4m for him. (News of the World)

Manchester United will again bid for Atletico Madrid's £27m-rated striker Fernando Torres. (Sunday Mirror)

But they face competition from Liverpool, who are ready to pay £25m for the Spain international. (News of the World)

Fulham and Blackburn are battling it out to sign Espanyol defender Juan Velasco. (Sunday Mirror)

Arsenal are interested in 22-year-old Roma midfielder Alberto Aquilani. (Sunday Mirror)

Sunderland want to sign Liverpool keeper Scott Carson, possibly on a season-long loan deal. (Various)

But Sunderland will this week make a £3m move for Hearts and Scotland goalkeeper Craig Gordon. (Sunday Mail)

Manchester City striker Georgios Samaras is wanted by his former club, Heerenveen, but only at a cut-price £2m. (News of the World)

Reading are battling to keep striker Leroy Lita, with Sunderland and Portsmouth ready to pay £5m for his services. (Sunday Mirror)

West Ham are prepared to spend £11m to sign Chelsea winger Shaun Wright-Phillips. (News of the World)

Meanwhile, West Ham striker Marlon Harewood is wanted by Birmingham, Fulham, Portsmouth and Aston Villa. (News of the World)

Aston Villa midfielder Eric Djemba-Djemba is wanted by Benfica. (News of the World)

Celtic are battling it out with Monaco for the signature of Nice's £3.5m rated defender, Rod Fanni. (News of the World)

New Motherwell manager Mark McGhee wants to take Celtic defender Adam Virgo to Fir Park on loan. (Various)

Celtic will move for freed Hibernian midfielder Michael Stewart if they fail to land Sampdoria's Gennaro Delvecchio. (News of the World)

Bolton striker Henrik Pedersen is wanted by Preston, who are resigned to losing forward David Nugent. (News of the World)

Dundee United are poised to exploit a transfer-market loophole to sign Oldham striker Chris Porter for nothing. (Mail on Sunday)

St Mirren look set to move for Rab Douglas should the goalkeeper agree a compensation package with Leicester. (Various)

OTHER GOSSIP

Manchester City's Bernardo Corradi is desperate to leave the club and return to Italy's Serie A. (Sunday Mirror)

Bolton winger Ricardo Vaz Te will ask boss Sammy Lee to be allowed to leave the club. (Sunday Mirror)

Arsenal will offer manager Arsene Wenger a new three-year contract in the next few days. (The People)

But departing striker Thierry Henry insists Wenger will not sign a new deal. (News of the World)

And both Real Madrid and Barcelona want to lure Wenger away from the Emirates Stadium. (Sunday Express)

Manchester City will turn to Celtic boss Gordon Strachan if they fail to lure Sven-Goran Eriksson to the Eastlands hot-seat. (Sunday Mirror)

John Toshack could quit as Wales boss to take up the role of sporting director at real Sociedad. (Various)

AND FINALLY

Charlton are set to close down their entire women's set-up - the second biggest in the country - following the relegation of the men's team from the Premier League, in a cost-cutting exercise.

Story from BBC SPORT:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/sport1/hi/football/gossip_and_transfers/6234428.stm

Published: 2007/06/24 09:57:38 GMT

© BBC MMVII
 
If Wenger signs Anelka, its a pretty sure sign that he's checked out and he'll be gone next year (as if that wasn't 100% guaranteed anyway).
 
I hate my Internet connection, it buggers up this morning, but it looks like i haven't missed anything. :D

I also hate The Mirror, usually when they print a rumor 9/10 times it's correct. :(

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RAFARGH!
By Simon Mullock 24/06/2007

LIVERPOOL'S American owners will call Rafa Benitez's bluff if the Kop boss attempts to use Real Madrid's impending search for a new coach as a threat to extract more transfer cash.

Benitez must fear the money being made available by George Gillett and Tom Hicks to reinforce his team is only a fraction of the £60million he indicated he would need to build a squad capable of challenging for the Premier League title.

With Real ready to launch a search for a coach to replace Fabio Capello - set for showdown talks with the Spanish champions tomorrow - there is concern inside Anfield that Benitez will feature prominently on the Bernabeu wish-list.
Advertisement

The Spaniard has twice before used interest from the club with which he launched his coaching career as political capital to get his own way at Liverpool.

But Yank duo Gillett and Hicks will not be railroaded into altering their financial plans for the club - regardless of Benitez's frustrations.

When questioned last night about Liverpool's inactivity in the transfer market, Hicks said: "I will not comment publicly on transfer business."

But after being priced out of moves to secure top strikers like Samuel Eto'o, Carlos Tevez or Fernando Torres, the two Liverpool owners are aware of Benitez's growing frustrations.

The 47-year-old refused to work under similar circumstances at Valencia, quitting the club three years ago after winning two La Liga titles and the UEFA Cup - safe in the knowledge that Liverpool wanted him to succeed Gerard Houllier.

Madrid's likely decision to part company with Capello, just a week after he reclaimed the Spanish title, will once again call into question the coach's future at Anfield.

Last summer, Benitez used interest from Real and Inter Milan to secure transfer funds from the club - and an improved contract. And within weeks of Gillett and Hicks completing their £450m buy-out of the Merseysiders he again indicated that a return to the Bernabeu was being mooted at the highest level of his former club.

The two Amercans, however, have not taken kindly to being publicly lambasted by an employee over their lack of knowledge about football's transfer market.

Benitez was being touted as a genuine successor to Capello earlier this year, with Chelsea's Jose Mourinho and Getafe's Bernd Schuster seemingly his only rivals for the biggest job in club football.

But that was when Madrid trailed Barcelona and Sevilla in La Liga, before a late-season surge claimed the championship on the last day of the season.

Capello's days at the Bernabeu still look numbered, with a decision expected in the next 48 hours.

Schuster is now the clear favourite to step in, with Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, PSV Eindhoven's Ronald Koeman and former Bernabeu favourite Michael Laudrup also in the frame.

http://www.sundaymirror.co.uk/sport/2007/06/24/rafargh--98487-19348016/

I find it disgusting that Capello gives Real Madrid the La Liga title, and they're STILL thinking about getting rid of him.
cussing.gif
 
I've been through it before, but I really don't think Anelka is a good buy. He has this reputation which seems largely based on his potential when younger, but he doesn't score that many goals.

I mean, he scores a fine amount, but we're talking about replacing Henry here. Now I don't think Arsenal will be able to actually replace Henry, but they can get closer than Anelka.

Henry - 1 goal every 1.63 games

Anelka - 1 goal every 3 games

So on average, Anelka will get 12 to 13 Premiership goals a season, whereas Henry would get 23 to 24.

I realise Van Persie is likely to be the main striker in this scenario, but all the same, it goes from Henry and Van Persie to Anelka and Van Persie? You're probably losing 10 points with that switch.
 
I'm starting to question bringing in a striker like Anelka or Trezeguet anyway. I doubt Trezeguet would score more than Anelka btw.

Maybe it would actually be better for us to bring in somebody like Huntelaar and Babel (who can act as a back up and can also play on the wing).
 
I really dont know if its worth selling smith. He isnt an amazing striker, but he puts in so much effort and you just love him for it. Lets say we dont sell him and we keep rossi, our strikers would be:

Rooney
Saha
Smith
Rossi
Solskjaer

The only player certain of a place is rooney. Solskjaer will rarely start a game, he'll be limited to appearances as a sub. Saha would also be guaranteed a place if he can stay fit, but thats never the case. It would be great if he could finally put all his injury problems behind him. So if saha does carry on having injury problems, then him, smith and rossi all have a more or less equal chance of starting. If thats the case then maybe he'll want to stay and fight for his place.

But Fergie decides in the end and you can understand if he does sell him. You cant really keep a player at a club because he tries hard. Last season smith only scored once. He has come back from injury, so to an extent he can use that excuse, but if he does have a proper pre-season, will he be good enough next season? That is what fergie needs to decide. If its not the case, then we should sell him and look to replace him.
 
hadareud said:
I'm starting to question bringing in a striker like Anelka or Trezeguet anyway. I doubt Trezeguet would score more than Anelka btw.

Maybe it would actually be better for us to bring in somebody like Huntelaar and Babel (who can act as a back up and can also play on the wing).
Doesnt Huntelaar play like trezeguet and ruud? If thats the case then you might as well buy trezeguet. He's cheaper and he'll probably provide just as many goals.
 
but Huntelaar is a lot younger and could be here for years, so he would probably be worth the extra money.

I could also imagine that Van Persie would be quite happy with some Dutch people at the club, and the Dutch have a very good tradition at Arsenal.
 
hadareud said:
I'm starting to question bringing in a striker like Anelka or Trezeguet anyway. I doubt Trezeguet would score more than Anelka btw.

Umm, why? His goalscoring record is far superior.

Trezeguet:

Monaco - 93 games, 52 goals (1 every 1.79)
Juventus - 168 games, 107 goals (1 every 1.57)
France - 69 games, 34 goals (1 every 2.03)

Anelka:

Arsenal - 65 games, 23 goals (1 every 2.83)
Madrid - 19 games, 2 goals (1 every 9.5)
PSG - 39 games, 10 goals (1 every 3.9)
Liverpool - 20 games, 4 goals (1 every 5)
Man City - 89 games, 38 goals (1 every 2.34)
Fenerbahce - 39 games, 14 goals (1 every 2.79)
Bolton - 35 games, 11 goals (1 every 3.18)
France - 38 games, 10 goals (1 every 3.8)

To be honest, some of those stats are wrong. They're from wikipedia and for some reason they don't get all the games and goals right. I just don't know of a comprehensive site covering entire players' careers, otherwise I'd use them.

Even wikipedia itself says something different in the article than in the column (Anelka scored 28 in 90 games for Arsenal according to that bit, which is actually condierably worse), but as they're both from the same source, I've just gone with the list.

Still, I 100% guarantee Trezeguet would easily outscore Anelka, perhaps by as much as 10 goals.
 
Who do you think was better, bergkamp or henry? I was having this conversation with a few friends and they thought that bergkamp was the better player, but I disagreed. Its very difficult to decide between the two. Both of them were excellent. I'd say that Bergkamp has better technique, but Henry has got speed and his technique is almost just as good, so thats why I chose him.
 
Mama Smurf said:
Umm, why? His goalscoring record is far superior.

Trezeguet:

Monaco - 93 games, 52 goals (1 every 1.79)
Juventus - 168 games, 107 goals (1 every 1.57)
France - 69 games, 34 goals (1 every 2.03)

Anelka:

Arsenal - 65 games, 23 goals (1 every 2.83)
Madrid - 19 games, 2 goals (1 every 9.5)
PSG - 39 games, 10 goals (1 every 3.9)
Liverpool - 20 games, 4 goals (1 every 5)
Man City - 89 games, 38 goals (1 every 2.34)
Fenerbahce - 39 games, 14 goals (1 every 2.79)
Bolton - 35 games, 11 goals (1 every 3.18)
France - 38 games, 10 goals (1 every 3.8)

To be honest, some of those stats are wrong. They're from wikipedia and for some reason they don't get all the games and goals right. I just don't know of a comprehensive site covering entire players' careers, otherwise I'd use them.

Even wikipedia itself says something different in the article than in the column (Anelka scored 28 in 90 games for Arsenal according to that bit, which is actually condierably worse), but as they're both from the same source, I've just gone with the list.

Still, I 100% guarantee Trezeguet would easily outscore Anelka, perhaps by as much as 10 goals.

Yea I'd rather get Trezeguet than Anelka. All I know is that we need someone and quick.
 
Sunderland are rumoured to be buying both Lita and Carson. Its a good move. Carson is a quality goalkeeper. He's young, full of talent and has a good shot at being englands next goalie. There are better options that Lita, but its still a good buy. He impressed me at the u-21 tournament. The lita deal suggests that they might nort have been able to get nugent, or maybe keane's ambitious enough to get both.
 
h0pper said:
Yea I'd rather get Trezeguet than Anelka. All I know is that we need someone and quick.
Its better to take your time and right the right person rather than rushing out and buying someone for the sake of it. Arsenals summer has been horrible so far, but ther's still a lot of time for things to happen. Wenger isnt sitting at home doing **** all, I'm sure he's trying so hard to find someone that arsenal need. Just give him a bit of time.
 
If they are after Lita they must have lost out on getting Nugent from Preston. Still a good buy, Lita had a good 2nd half to the season after Doyle was out injured.
 
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