After the Fox Soccer Report tonight I am heading to Toronto to cover the USA vs. Uruguay and Argentina vs. Poland. There won’t be a speakers’ corner response post on Wednesday although I will respond to some questions in the comments section here.
Sky in UK have announced their EPL TV schedule for the first 4 months. So have Santanta.
Do you know if FSC plans to do the same?
(I am a cable subscriber so I cannot/don't won't to switch. Cable doesn't carry Santanta)
Can you post an answer Pleese!!!
l have to make a comment on gallas's feelings as l think we honestly all know why henry left that is wenger, the fans and everyone is that he did not see silverware at arsenal and that is what gallas is saying.l think a lot of people are jumping into the oh gallas shouls shut his mouth and trust wenger when l think both sides should be rational and look at the situation , there is no doubt arsenal need to spend and we also neeed a focused gallas although his comments wont do enough to ensure that.
In gallas's defence, l do have a su####ion that the players do not think that they can win the tittle, and that has to be put squarely on wenger's sholders.we honestly need to spend to address our problem last season whilist l think eduardo will do a good job and and rvp will score lots of goals we really need a better third choice than adebayor, because for all his good works he missses a lot of guilt edged chances , something which inevitably puts pressure on defense and we relive last season all over again.Last season when rosicky , and the always injured freedy were out we had flamini as one of our wide players something a tittle winning side should never have to do.we need a goalscoring wide man and a young and clinical anelka mould striker to displace adebayor and probably a tall centre half, and if gallas sees these faults we all saw he can not be blamed for speaking out.selling gallas is a non starter because its giving up the tittle before the first game, although we seem to be doing that
On the other hand we can not just spend willy nilly , look at liverpool, they ne
Q1 where do you think man u are getting all this money given their debt and , will this affect their spending in the next two seasons or so?
Q2 how do you fit tevz and rooney in the same team?
Q3 what your take on gallas's comments and do you see him in an arsenal shirt come august
Q4 who do you think has made the best deals or gains in the tranfer market and who are the losers so far?
cont.....
nilly , look at liverpool, they need a regular goal scorer and kuyt and torrres at a combined 37m pounds hardly give you 40 goals a season, so l feel we do neeed to buy a specialized player to solve a particular problem
Here is my take:
Q1. From the Glazers.
Q2. United are clearly moving in the direction of not having a traditional center forward. They will utilize pace and flowing soccer to break down opponents.
Q3. Gallas like Henry is older than the most of the players at Arsenal. They want to win and they want to win now. Wenger on the other hand is trying to build a team without braking the bank. He has a project and he [and everyone else] can see that this is a work in progress and will be a team to reckon with in a couple of years. That said, Gallas knew what he was getting into... If he doesn't like it, I'm sure Wenger will be happy to replace him and his wage for a cheaper and younger player.
Q4. Losers: WEST HAM over the Tevez issue. If it is found that West Ham do not own Tevez, should they be relegated? Real Madrid for letting Capello go...
Winners: Atletico Madrid and United seem to have made some great buys. Atletico are definately the most improved from their transfers so far. Fenerbahce with the coup of Carlos. I also think Chelsea have made some great moves and without breaking the bank. Mourinho has made some smart choices. I also don't think Wenger is done yet. So, his moves are always interesting. Plus, Machester City and Newcastle will be out to rebuild their teams. This transfer season is far from over to say who is the clear winner and loser.
I think you need to have some more faith in Wenger. In 2-3 years you (Arsenal fans) will all be hailing him as king again.
Can you please shed some light on the situation that Inter and Milan are in. That are the investigations about? Is the investigation also the reason why neither of the Milan sides have been making moves in the transfer market? Is there a chance either team could be relegated to Serie B?
H14,
Q1- Man Utd have gotten their money from the new tv deal, the Glazers have put in nothing and they won't own the club in 5 years.
Q2- Tevez and Rooney won't play together that often look for the same situation as with Argentina in Messi and Tevez. We will see that Tevez is a only a small piece for Man Utd and he will spend much time on the bench b/c Fergie will not play large portions of the EPL season w/o a true CF. This is a shame and an insult to Tevez who is at least as good as Rooney. I believe Fergie is doing this b/c he doesn't Tevez to go to his rivals. It is disgusting.
Q3- As much as I trust Arsene, I agree with Gallas why should older players who among the best at their positions be satisfied with playing for 3rd and maybe an FA cup, Arsenal should expect him to want to leave. If Arsnal lose Gallas and bring i one young CB they will be competing with Tottenham for 4th, no doubt. We need an additional world class CB not to lose one, big trouble!!!!
4th- LOSERs- Man Utd (w/o Tevez), Liverpool, they both lose on money spent to quality received- questionable deals. too early on other teams.
WINNERS- Atletico, Newcastle, Chelsea, Barcelona
CIAO- I agree Wneger is working his magic and in 2-3 years everything will be great...maybe. You do realize he manages Arsenal in England. If and when Arsenal are in 3rd or fourth and out of the Champs league in Feb., they will be calling for his head and he will be defensive make some very funny and witty comments and not return the following year, he has had it, why else would he sign 4 consecutive 1 year contracts. If Rijkaard fails he is gone for sure.
And even if he stays and in 2-3 years he is successful, why should Gilberto and Gallas go through that at 30. They are both easily in the top 5 of their positions, why should they be happy with 4th place.
Gallas was at Chelsea and could not break through Terry or Carvolho to play CB. If he moves to a big club who is to say he can win a first 11 spot there? A bigger club will have depth so there is a lot of competition for each spot. If he does move, I see him moving to Italy. Maybe Juventus or Inter -both are in the market for a CB.
Regardless all players at Arsenal know Wenger's plan is to build a team without spending a lot of money. They also know that past 30 they are only offered a one year rolling contract as long as they are performing... So if they don't like it they can leave, just as Pires did. I think the French said it best, C'est La Vie! Oh, la la
Also I'm not so sure Barcelona are winners in the transfer market just yet... Henry will probably score 15 goals or so; however, what impact will his transfer have on the team's line up. Will anyone be sold and will the coach be fired.
I do agree with you that if Rijkaard is fired Wenger will probably be his replacement the following summer.
CIAO- I agree if they don't like it they can leave, however that is a bigger problem for Arsenal than Gallas. It is telling that you say he would go to Italy, the best defensive league in most peoples opinion.
Gallas didn't beat out Terry due to English bias which is fine its their league and due to Portuguese bias, however at this stage Carvalho is slightly better than Gallas, but he wasn't 3 years ago. If you think Terry is better than Gallas I know someone who will sell you some riverfront property at the confluence of the Tigris and Euphrates. Please a name a big club where Gallas shouldn't be 1st or secong choice CB, based solely aon ability??
Real Madrid. With Cannavaro there and Metzelder on his way this summer. If Gallas made way to Madrid he would have probably be relegated to the bench, unless the two above were injured. Cannavaro may have not had a good past season, but he will rest this summer and be fresh for next year.
For the record, I don't think Terry is better than Gallas. But if Gallas was a class apart from Terry it would have made Mourinho's job of selecting Gallas a lot easier.
I thought Canavaro came on brilliantly towards the end and Madrd were so weak at the back b/c Ramos thinks he is still a RB, which he should be and will likely be next year, I hope.
Is Metzelder better than Gallas? I haven't seen enough of him, maybe. It is easy to look good in a well organized German defense
1. I don't think Liverpool are losers (yet). I have heard the price paid being quoted is higher than it really was. Plus, they may be able to sign Quaresma from under Atletico's noses and/or Babel from under Arsenal's
2. Gallas isn't a replacement for Terry because they're differing in style. Terry and Carragher, for instance, are more physical and bring a stronger aerial presence in defense. Gallas is more in the style of Rio Ferdinand and Daniel Agger which is comfortable on the ball and able to being more adept at breaking up ground play
Metzelder like Terry is tall and scores goals. So if he continues to do so, the coach could opt to keep him in the team versus Gallas. It all subjective... Especially since Gallas cannot compete with Cannavaro, not even on his best day.
I agree with Verbal, it is too early to consider Liverpool as a loser. I actually think Torres will do well. However, I have only seen Torres play on international level. Does he normally play off of a central forward? If so, would he would take Kuyt spot and be paired with Crouch?
Maz-I find it a bit unfair to hold SAF in contempt for not playing a player that a)we have yet to see or hear how he will be played and b) doesn't have yet.
I would also not count United as transfer failures w/o tevez-they haven't greatly improved immediatly-they still found midfield talent to replace current stars as they fade.
Bobby-on the Brookings article-no mention of youth development in Italy or Spain-can you shed light on that? Also any thoughts on the US and weather we stick with ODP or encourage MLS teams to create academies or go another direction(outsource to europe).
ummmufan- good point about jumping to conclusions about Tevez and Fergie. I hope for the best, but I know who will be set aside. They don't chant Rooney at OT for nothing.
Also good point in saying that it is too early to declare winners and losers, it is always too early until a player leaves. However the bar is high for Fergie's 60M pounds on midfielders to pay off.
Hargreaves I am okay with b/c he is English and it will please the fans. Anderson hasn't had a look since the first Copa match.
Reading the article Bobby provided about Torres is a little more comforting b/c he is still so young, but remember when you buy in an inflated market you are likley to deal in a deflated market when you sell. But yes I will say a loser when you sell Bellamy for a loss, and you sell Cisse a 20 goal a year striker for 6M pounds not only for a loss on his original price but then buy a 15 goal a year striker for 22M pounds. And sell one of your most clutch scorers in Garcia.
l think when gallas started blasting the gunnners we were all shouting at him, now look at liverpool throwing 10m pounds at babel,l would not mind us missing him , but will make the reds better, fergie is spending like a drunken sailor and are my favourites to win the prem, coz saha is still their player and chelsea are just chelsea fighting for everything, as for the gunners as long as we have a squadwe have we are clearly the summer's biggest losers, as henry was tried and tested in the prem , eduardo euphoria is ending and reality shows that we can not be anything higher than fourth
Maz-Thanks for taking that is stride.
I agree on the midfielders. My sense is they jumped early for Anderson and Nani before the bidding gets high later (underpaying later vs overpaying now). I am curious how big a role Qeiroz had in the decision.
They shout for heinze and Argentina at OT, too. I think SAF will play them all together. I predict a bucketfull of memorable goals and a barrel full of errant blasts into the stands. I'd be more worried between Tevez and Ronaldo arguing over who gets to take the free ficks at the egde of the box. handbags anyone?
It's July 9th...i.e., anything can and will happen, including a few more blockbusters. I'm not sure you can say Liverpool are either winners or losers at this stage.
In, Torres, jury out on how he'll adapt, but I'm feeling better about him with every piece I read. In, Leiva, who (although I disagree with "next so and so") has been said to be the South American Steven Gerrard...i.e., a box to box player that can score goals.
Out, Cisse...unfairly not given much of a chance under Rafa, but at this point he really wasn't a Liverpool player anyway so any money is a bonus. Out, Luis Garcia...this one hurt a lot, but he wants (and deserves) regular play instead of being one of Rafa's "possibilities". On the way out, Bellamy...good #### riddance and the figures I'm hearing are 50% more than Liverpool paid.
With Babel and/or Quaresma plus Benayoun (to replace Garcia's unpredictability) possibly coming in, it could still be a good transfer period for Liverpool
First of watching the Copa quater finals was like watching a goal scoring highlight show.
Gallas spoke his mind and I don't blame him coz he is old and wants to win like most of you have mentioned and he said he will talk to Wenger so lets wait and see what will happen after talking to Wenger.
The problem with a summers with no World Cup or Euro cup is people are so busy looking at the transfer list. Arsenal fans are looking at Man U, Liver and Chelsea buy great players and forgeting that in the last 10 years Arsenal has rearly bought a hyped player and I don't see it happening this season, coz of the simple fact that there is no Money.
On the link with the story with the Torres story that Bobby posted there is a link to the top 50 best players I take a look at it. But I'll warn you and tell you that G. Neville is on the list yet Deco, Kolo Toure, Rio Ferdinald, and many others are not. People should stop making these stupid list of the best players just keep them to your self. His top ten though is pretty fair though.
Players missed in the 50 worst players, Pascal Cygan should be higher than no 1. Francis Jeffers, Kleberson also have to be on the list.
H14: I also think ManUre are getting the money from the tv deals and of course they definetly got alot from winning the EPL and making the C.L semis.
On Tevez signing coming to ManUre I don't think playing him together will be a problem. The question is how will all this players with pretty huge egos(Ronaldo to) and very short tempers get along? Remember they are all young guys.
ManUre have made the best moves offensivly but as a team Barca have, because they have added a striker who can cover for Ronny, Eto and Messi incase they are injured. They have added a defensive mid which they desparately needed and they have added a good defender. The problem I have with ManUre is there is still no good cover for Rio and Vidic incase they are out for a long term and there is no replacement for Gary N one of the top 50 best players in the world wow.
Gallas: I'm deeply shocked that he lasted 10 months without his inner child coming out. Looks like he didn't get the pay rise he asked for. "I will have a discussion with Arsene Wenger and board members to know the objectives of the club this season and what they wish to set up to build an even more competitive team," he concluded. Yep it's a pay thing.
"Today I am at Arsenal but I do not know what can occur tomorrow. It all happens so quickly in the world of football."
MasMaz was right on this morning. Gallas was the better central defender than Riccy in his final season and scored some critical goals, but Mourinho needed cover at full back and all Gallas did was complain. The main problem was that Chelsea underpaid him for a few seasons and he couldn't forgive them. I think that JT was better too - but really got slowed down by the injuries this past seasn.
OK, Bobby this is your quiz time.....
Q1: What is the purpose of a director of football (e.g. Avram Grant)
(a) To play an important role in the formulation of overall football policy with Kenyon, Manager and First Team Coach José Mourinho and Director of Youth Development and Scouting Frank Arnesen" and what ever else, rubbish that Kenyon said ...?
(b) To make sure that Jose never speaks to Kenyon or Abramovich ever, ever again.
(c) To launder arms between the Russian and Israeli governments
(d) To take over as interim coach the very next time Mourinho has a spat with anyone of his fellow "Football Board" members?
Q2 When would be a good time to ask Jose what he thinks of the situation? (a) In the entrance lobby to the hotel in LA this evening, immediately after he arrives from his flight from Gatwick with a refueling stop in Goose Bay, Labrador, and before he’s checked in?
(b)
A few minutes later and immediately after he gets off the phone with Real Madrid after finding out that it really is too late to get the RM job?
(c) This is really a trick question because 1(d) above has already happened.
Answers will be posted in due course. Good luck. Others may play too.
BTW, obviously Roman must have bought a really old Illyushin jet from Aeroflot that it needs to refueled from London to LA . Strange stuff.
Last edited by LosAngelesChelseaFan on July 9th at 12:40 PM.
LACF - It seems that Frankies minders are not doing a very good job ,see if you can help him out.
And also try to keep Glen Johnson away from the DIY stores!
Ringo: That's a disaster ... They're playing at Home Depot stadium. They better play him for the full 90 minutes in case he wanders off to plumbing!!!!
WRT to Frank... That's a big blunder for the Wynn. They're supposed to recognize, separate and protect the VIPs ... huge mistake financially as will put off both stars and hangers-on. It was all avoidable. Frank needs to fire his manegement people. ... Actually, Frank should sue the Wynn for a few mill, settle out of court avoiding bad publicity, and Frank can buy a really expensive apology Bentley for the lady back home. That way everyone gets a happy ending.
Last edited by LosAngelesChelseaFan on July 9th at 2:12 PM.
Why so little interest in the Copa America?
There were four matches of fantastic attacking football over the weekend and all anyone wants to talk about is EPL gossip and prospective transfers....tis a shame.
gongatore, I mentioned it at the start of my posting and all I can add to it is Robinho, Messi, Riquelme and the Mexican guy wearing n.o 21(forgot his name) have really impressed me and if there teams do make the final it will be one of this players who is player of the tourny. But apart from that it was exciting watching all the goals.
Loook, anyone can make up a plausible story of an exciting 6-0 thrashing of a no hope opponent in the Venezuela Copa Cabana/Mobana/Americana thing. No doubt it was a work of art etc. However no-one could come up with the "Dream Team Live" happening at Chelsea as seen on News of the World TV. Besides I've seen the ending. Argentina wins the final when Messi's poodle rushes on the pitch and scores the winner with his paw. This will be later known as the "hand of dog" goal.
Last edited by LosAngelesChelseaFan on July 9th at 2:54 PM.
I am holding my breath to see the Chelski-LA ####e match.
A pre-season over priced EPL side against one of the worst sides in the MLS with an aging overrated englishman that only kicks dead balls and an occasional cross into the box.
Gonga: You almost nailed it but you also could have noted that UCLA is an Addidas school. You also missed the part about being ripped off by the Galaxy as the boys "compete" for the "please don't let get me injured" kickabout cup. If you bought a ticket you're way ahead of me.
Football DirectorsIt was interesting to see a couple of EPL manager's comment on Sky Sports this afternoon on the "Football Director Role"
I think they were favoring my 1(d) option earlier. I.e., he's there to create a deterent to "problem" managers and then to be an interim or permanent role when the manager inevitably gets fired.
Bobby - Regarding the Brooking/Jackson article and with the understanding you have done some coaching, I was wondering if you had some suggestions on reference material for coaching youth teams. I and some other ageing players in my area are starting to "make the transition into management" that our knees, lungs, speed and waning reaction/recovery time have begun demanding of us. We feel this will be a fun way to give back to the sport while preparing us for our own future kids. Also, we need something to help the ego bruising (if one of these 24yr old punks calls me “sir” one more time . . . !!) march of age while waiting to reach renewed youth in the masters league!
While I feel more than confident (especially from the stool in my favorite watering hole, or on this blog!) in my expert armchair analysis and ability to guide, both technically and tactically, the top adult players and clubs in the world... ahem, cough... I have no idea how to go about passing on our vast and valuable knowledge to the youth. All advice on the subject is welcome, as four of us (with the usual act, then think mentality - hey, at least we still act young) have signed up to coach this fall.
Bobby do you get the feeling that the transfer market gives a poor indication of how people look at the season, like for instance if one says totenham have spend $70m in signings , it looks as if they are going to be up there but when you look at it they overpaid for darren bent , bale and in reality the signings are worth $40m and when you hear this figure you think they are not going to compete,looking at man u the $160m is flattering because l think with the exception of tevez they over paid and looking at liverpool, $27m on babel is not right you can get a relatively young and good player for that value with expirience and for torres as well, now when people look at the prices being quoted in the press they do not look at the fact that the figures might not justfy the quality hence tittle race might not be a for gone conclusion that united have it wrapped.what are your thoughts Bobby?
Ulsterson,
congrats on the coaching gig. Good luck. It is one of the most rewarding and frustrating ways to spend your time....I wouldn't give it up though, I'm hooked. One word of caution, be prepared for the layers of politics and the supposed experts/know it alls. They will be the most frustrating thing you have to deal with. Bobby and other bloggers have given me some good advice in the past.
.......Personally, i believe Gallas should go, as his best days are behind him. More importantly, we do not need him, what we need is a tall center-back, capable of being physical when needed, yet versatile enough to fit in our style of play. He is also dispensable because of his lack of aerial ability, something arsenal desperately needs and has been missing for some time now.
We should SELL GALLAS and use the funds to buy a younger defender, not a young talented with little or no experience, but a talented young defender with experience to compliment Toure, and eventually lead the back four.
Last edited by Icemonkey on July 10th at 11:30 AM.
....Why does Wenger want to buy Sagna? We already have two young right backs, as well as other young players waiting to step up. We all know Wenger makes great moves that often baffles one initially, but this move makes no sense, this is a waste of money and there are more pressing matters at hand; for eg, we have no wingers, need a center back and a great forward.
Granted, we do need to get rid of Justin Hoyte, for he just does not make the grade, but i still think Sagna is not the option. This money would have been better spent on Bale. Oooooops, Wenger let him go to the damn Hotspurs.
I am the soccer analyst for the Fox Soccer Report and appear twice a week - every Monday and Friday at 10:00 EST. I have also been a regular contributor to the Fox Soccer Channel website since the summer of 2004. Over the last twenty years I have contributed to various radio and television programs throughout North America as well writing about the game for newspapers, magazines and websites.
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