Euro 2008 (Official LOL Vidic Thread)

[Minus The Flair]

Well, that's kind of unfair. Arshavin's played 3 matches and has been outstanding in 2 of them. The entire Russian team was poor tonight, and Arshavin was one of the few who battled to the end.

Yeah, I meant hyped for that match in particular after his great performances in earlier matches. As if he would single-handedly take on Spain. He may have battled, but he didn't play well. Still definitely a great prospect though, shame he probably won't come to the Premier League.

[clown_phobia]

Speculation Ballack might not play... that would be a dent for Germany

[poorquality]

Think it'll be one of those speculations which result in the player playing. Trying to mess with Spain?

[clown_phobia]

What's the consensus in this thread about the game? Spain or Germany?

[poorquality]

Personally Spain for me, if they play like they did against Russia in the 2nd half then I can't see the German defence which isn't great, especially with Lehmann in goal, coping with the Spanish attack.

[badtaste]

Yeah, I'm a rooting for Spain. They haven't had any trophyware in a while yeah?

Hopefully, it'll be a stunner of a game.

[TakeWarning]

Rooting for Spain, but not really that bothered who wins, or if it's a good game or not.

[badtaste]

... or if it's a good game or not.

Bah, you don't have to wake up at 4:45. Nothing quite like waking up in the dead of the night to a boring game of football.

[sgrevs]

Bah, you don't have to wake up at 4:45. Nothing quite like waking up in the dead of the night to a boring game of football.

I hear that bro. And it's happened to me way too many times.

I'm hoping for a Spain win, for sure.

[TakeWarning]

Bah, you don't have to wake up at 4:45. Nothing quite like waking up in the dead of the night to a boring game of football.

I hear that, we Australians get pretty much all of our football between midnight and 6am.

[Dave de Sylvia]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVHityT0u2k

[Iai]

Been rooting for Spain since year zero so yeah.

[badtaste]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVHityT0u2k

"**** u bitch u r the gay asshole"

[RandyfromPennywise]

Get up at 4am? Get up? You mean stay up!!

[Dave de Sylvia]

I've been awake since 5am. Dunno why.

I think the match will be a good one. I think the Germans will take a similar approach as they did the Portuguese, trying to win the battle in midfield and using Podolski and Schweinsteiger to test the full backs.

Fabregas will be magnificent and set up 12 goals :D

[RandyfromPennywise]

Germany were ****, Spain were good. Spain deserved to win. Torres has now scored winning goals for Spain in European Cup finals at Under-17, Under-19 and now senior level. All 1-0 results apparently too.

Same amount of goals in Euro08 and Euro 2004, but I think everyone will agree it was a much more attacking tournament this time around.

Who's playing in the Charity Shield this season?

[Dave de Sylvia]

What an anti-climactic end to the best international tournament in years. Spain put some world-class moves together, but the Germans barely put up a fight. It was almost like watching Spain train, such was the leisurely pace they were spanking the Germans at.

[Timm]

brief summary of how I experienced yesterday's game:

0-33 = :-)

33-45 = :-/

46 (Lahm out) = :-(

58 (Kuranyi in) = >:-( (ok, **** this ****, I get hammered now)

60-90 = X-/ (can't remember, was hammered)



oh well;
WC 06: 3rd
Euro 08: 2nd
WC '10: ;-)

[AA-12]

Germany was hardly ****. They played a solid game.

[sgrevs]

Been rooting for Spain since year zero so yeah.

This...good news all round. Spain deserved it without doubt, it would have been an injustice if Germany won it.

[badtaste]

123^^

Poor Ballack, they ought to give him a statue or something, haha.

[RandyfromPennywise]

Holland or Germany to win 2010.

[2muchket!]

ahem

england for 2010


<_<
>_>

[badtaste]

Where will that tourny be hosted?

[2muchket!]

South Africa

but FIFA have a plan B if all goes tits up in the country

[badtaste]

Oh woops, I thought we were discussing the next Euro.

[Dave de Sylvia]

Germany was hardly ****. They played a solid game.
They didn't have a single shot on target!

[RandyfromPennywise]

Euro 2012 is in Ukraine and Poland.

Frankie my man, England... can't see it, personally. Another 40 years of hurt. I said two years ago that Australia will win a World Cup before England will win another one, only half tongue-in-cheek. It'll take Australia at least 30 years before we could win a World Cup. I can feel something coming for 2038...

[Dave de Sylvia]

I'd say England are a lot better equipped than Germany. Even Holland, it's difficult to predict where they'll be in 2/4 years.

[RandyfromPennywise]

Australia F. T. W.

[sgrevs]

Australia F. T. W.

This. I hope we get to host the 2010 WC. That will be the greatest thing that's ever happened in Australia.

[Dave de Sylvia]

Australia to win Euro 2012!

[2muchket!]

Srs if South Africa cant carry out the WC properly it'll come to england

[sgrevs]

Srs if South Africa cant carry out the WC properly it'll come to england

Yeah probably. I think Australia will host 2018 WC.

[Mother]

gg spain .. finally after 44 years the won something..


Now Holland have to win something.

[Iai]

Apparently the backup plan for 2010 is Scotland/Wales. How dumb is that?

[Dave de Sylvia]

Chelsea have announced Deco signature. Looks like Keane may join Berbatov on the way out of Spurs, with Crouch and Podolski being considered as replacements. Another shrewd move by Juande Ramos!

[AA-12]

They didn't have a single shot on target!

hey I was trying to be nice :v

[Iai]

Can't see Keane leaving Spurs to be honest. Not unless Ramos is SERIOUSLY hard up for funds.

[Dead Star]

Apparently the backup plan for 2010 is Scotland/Wales. How dumb is that?

We backed out of that ages ago.

Can't have home advantage being an excuse for us winning the thing ; -)

[Dave de Sylvia]

Can't see Keane leaving Spurs to be honest. Not unless Ramos is SERIOUSLY hard up for funds.
Or if Keane does a Gareth Barry and starts crying: "NOBODY TELLS ME THEY LOVE ME ANYMORE"

[RandyfromPennywise]

Australia to win Euro 2012!

I like it. Why not? First Oceania, now Asia, then Europe.

Ahh this is awesome. Bosingwa, Scolari and Deco all in, now time for some outs: A. Cole, Drogba, Anelka, Ben Haim and Mikel. And Deco for £8m, bargain. We must keep Lampard now too, because if he goes, we lose 10-12 goals a year - Deco just won't score a dozen goals for us. So if Lamps goes, the pressure moves on to the strikers, so we need a gun replacement for Drogba. And we need Ballack to keep playing like he has since the turn of the year. How about the midfield options?! Lampard, Deco, Ballack, Essien, an aging Maka and also Mikel. Putting it like that, something's gotta give. Just don't let it be King Lampard! (Waaay better than Steven Gerrard. No question!)

[badtaste]

Lol at Christian Vieri joining Atalanta for the third time.

And I thought he had a good season at Fiorentina...

[Iai]

Or if Keane does a Gareth Barry and starts crying: "NOBODY TELLS ME THEY LOVE ME ANYMORE"
Looks like he formally requested a transfer today, so yeah, basically. Liverpool - the new kings of tapping people up.

Looks like Boro will have both Didier Degard and Marvin Emnes by the end of the week. I like it, we're signing some really interesting looking young players with decent experience and tiny price tags. Depends how long it'll take them to settle, I guess, but at least it won't be like the beginning of last year when we were basically dependent on Tuncay and Wheater, both of whom hadn't quite adjusted to the Prem yet.

[Dave de Sylvia]

I thought you said Didier Drogba. I almost plotzed!

[badtaste]

Haha, me too actually. My eyes just kept moving between "Boro" and "Didier Drogba", while thinking "wtf" in between.

[2muchket!]

Looks like he formally requested a transfer today, so yeah, basically. Liverpool - the new kings of tapping people up.

Looks like Boro will have both Didier Degard and Marvin Emnes by the end of the week. I like it, we're signing some really interesting looking young players with decent experience and tiny price tags. Depends how long it'll take them to settle, I guess, but at least it won't be like the beginning of last year when we were basically dependent on Tuncay and Wheater, both of whom hadn't quite adjusted to the Prem yet.

Degard is quite interesting as is Emnes I think. The more pressing issue is a goal keeper, unless Southy is thinking about bumping Brad Jones to first choice keeper with Knight as back-up.

This year looks really promising for a boro fan. Alves, Aliadiere and Tuncay leading the line is a really good prospect.

Now if only I had a job to afford a season ticket.

[Dave de Sylvia]

I really don't know what anybody sees in Tuncay.

[Iai]

You're picking on Tuncay rather than Aliadiere? Interesting.

We'll probably end up with Paul Robinson.

[Iai]

also the title of this thread needs changing fyi

[2muchket!]

It does indeed

The geordies have made their first signing

Not sure who it is yet tho

[Iai]

This new thread title appeases me!

[2muchket!]

I am pleased at the new title

Very pleased !

[badtaste]

Aha, could be worse I guess.

[Timm]

I'm not pleased. The Euro 08 is over...

[2muchket!]

Back to underachieving German club football for you then ?

I mean in terms of Europe

[Timm]

yep =(

but it's not so bad, I don't really care for any of the german club that qualified for uefa cup or cl.

[Dave de Sylvia]

I'm not pleased. The Euro 08 is over...
Well technically it's still 2008 and the rest of the world still doesn't matter...

[2muchket!]

Hmmm so Man City get their man by signing Jo.

[TakeWarning]

19 million seems a little steep tbh. A few clubs seem to be spending insane amounts this summer, I heard Abramovic has given Big Phil 250 million pounds to spend.

[ChodaBoy]

It is a lot, but the rest of the team wont need any more purchases (assuming no-one leaves). Also, the Ronaldinho deal isnt going to happen so that leaves the cheque book open

[Pastorius]

I wish Rafa would chase someone worth chasing.

[2muchket!]

I wish Rafa would chase someone worth chasing.

Liverpool haven apparently tabled a £12/13m bid for Downing.

[Dave de Sylvia]

I'm sure English Player Tax will be levied on that before it has a chance of going through.

[Dead Star]

I wish teams would stop signing all the good unknown players from Football Manager.

Digard and Jo will never come to me now!

[2muchket!]

I remember when I could grab Arshavin for a bargain of £4m :(

[Dave de Sylvia]

haha Crespo's finally out of his Chelsea contract

[RandyfromPennywise]

I'm sure English Player Tax will be levied on that before it has a chance of going through.

And seeing as it's just ticked over in to the new financial year, the English-Player Tax has increased to 410%, up from 405%. Gareth Barry and Michael Carrick each approaching £20m players... Seydou Keita goes for £11m from Sevilla to Barcelona. John Heitinga has been bought for the same price (£8m) as Curtis Davies. Seriously, that is ****ing ridiculous.

No one's mentioned about Dani Alves going to Barcelona either. He'll do well there.

Graham Arnold is a complete and utter disgrace. He has not selected Nathan Burns or Bruce Djité in Australia's Olympic squad. The man is a disgrace to Australian Football. Complete joke.

Harry Kewell has signed for Galatasaray which is very, very surprising. Very interested to see how he goes.

[TakeWarning]

Harry Kewell has signed for Galatasaray which is very, very surprising. Very interested to see how he goes.

Didn't see that one coming. I hope he'll return to Australia and play A-League sometime soon.

And do you really rate Djite that highly? I can see why you rate Burns, but Djite has looked nothing special when I've seen him play.

[Iai]

I remember when I could grab Arshavin for a bargain of £4m :(
Just started a new game with boro and signed him for 6m, funnily enough.

[2muchket!]

haha Crespo's finally out of his Chelsea contract

Hahaha I'd feel sorry for him but

meh

[RandyfromPennywise]

Didn't see that one coming. I hope he'll return to Australia and play A-League sometime soon.

And do you really rate Djite that highly? I can see why you rate Burns, but Djite has looked nothing special when I've seen him play.

Dude, Djite is pretty good, but that's not even the point. Arnold is a complete disgrace - he's selected Archie Thompson ahead of either Djite or Burns. It's a farce. Ruben Zadkovich? You have to be joking. It is a disgrace. But back to Djite, yes, he is easily good enough to be in there - Verbeek played him twice for the full national-team in World Cup qualifiers, and started him against China - and yet dickhead Arnold doesn't even select him for the Olyroos. And Burns signle-handedly ripped apart Bin Duong in the Asian Champions League and has shown more than almost all of the blokes in that squad, yet ****wit Arnold doesn't pick him and goes for Topor-Stanley and Billy Celeski. Royal ****head. I want to organise a protest or something but there's nowhere to do it here in Adelaide. Arnold is such a ****head. Makes me so angry that we still have ****ing donkey duds like him in positions of great influence in Australia Football. I am very angry.

[ATM]

Just out of curiosity, is the British press still ragging on MLS or do they not talk about it at all?

[Pastorius]

Doesn't really talk about it at all. And it never really ragged on it anyway.

Degen has officially signed for Liverpool, another high profile signing for Rafa!

[ATM]

I just remember when Beckham signed with LA I read all this press from the UK calling MLS a Mickey Mouse league among other things.

[Pastorius]

There's no doubt it's a joke of a league compared with the Premiership or La Liga, but any football fan worth his salt knows that you can't expect much of such a rookie league.

If the culture for football is established in America there is no doubt they'll churn out some quality players, but I just can't see the sport taking enough of a foothold to make it a major sport.

[2muchket!]

They need major stars to bring major success to the country in international tournaments then it'll become popular.

And well it is slightly detrimental to the growth when probably the best american player skillwise, Freddy Adu isnt even in your first team.

The league itself is pretty much a rookie league as Pasta said. Some half decent players tho'.

[ATM]

Well. Bob Bradley is not liked very well among US Soccer fans, so hopefully he gets fired soon. He totally neglects MLS players when selecting the national team.

[Illmatic]

is Bradley still giving Eddie Johnson playing time? please tell me he's learned hi lesson by now.

[RandyfromPennywise]

Let's stop talking about US Soccer.

Anyone going to Tashkent, Uzbekistan, for Australia's World Cup qualifier against Uzbekistan in the second week of September? I'm thinking about it.

[Illmatic]

let's stop talking about US soccer but let's talk about Uzbekistan. ok...

[Iai]

Is Freddy Adu still at Benfica? He actually getting first team action there?

[Illmatic]

he only played 2 games last season...maybe he'd be better off going to some low-rung EPL team if he wants European experience?

[2muchket!]

I'd welcome him with open arms

WIDE OPEN ARMS

[Dave de Sylvia]

Well he's only 19 and Benfica are a decent team. He may well break through to the first team next year.

[Dead Star]

he only played 2 games last season...maybe he'd be better off going to some low-rung EPL team if he wants European experience?

Go to Motherwell for European experience :)

Please Freddy.

[RandyfromPennywise]

let's stop talking about US soccer but let's talk about Uzbekistan. ok...

I'm calling it hypocritical irony.

[Dave de Sylvia]

Speaking of irony, this is the funniest thing I've ever seen:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUfqp7e7mBI

[TakeWarning]

Dude, Djite is pretty good, but that's not even the point. Arnold is a complete disgrace - he's selected Archie Thompson ahead of either Djite or Burns. It's a farce. Ruben Zadkovich? You have to be joking. It is a disgrace. But back to Djite, yes, he is easily good enough to be in there - Verbeek played him twice for the full national-team in World Cup qualifiers, and started him against China - and yet dickhead Arnold doesn't even select him for the Olyroos. And Burns signle-handedly ripped apart Bin Duong in the Asian Champions League and has shown more than almost all of the blokes in that squad, yet ****wit Arnold doesn't pick him and goes for Topor-Stanley and Billy Celeski. Royal ****head. I want to organise a protest or something but there's nowhere to do it here in Adelaide. Arnold is such a ****head. Makes me so angry that we still have ****ing donkey duds like him in positions of great influence in Australia Football. I am very angry.

I saw the squad today and I can see what you mean. Although I don't rate Djite as much as others, there are some pretty terrible players in there. Topor-Stanley, Celeski, Velaphi and Zadkovich to name a few. Also, although I rate Rukavystya, I'd put Burns before him. In fact, Burns would probably be one of the stand-out players in that squad if he was selected.

[2muchket!]

Speaking of irony, this is the funniest thing I've ever seen:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUfqp7e7mBI

god IS english tho'

fact yo :mad:

Since this is the middlesbrough thread (:p) we've just signed Marvin Emnes for £3m. Which since I believe he is a technically good right winger, quite pleased. Lmao and according to wiki he rejected newcastle as he wanted to play for a bigger club.

**** YEAH

[Iai]

he rejected newcastle as he wanted to play for a bigger club.

**** YEAH
hahahahahahahaha

[Minus The Flair]

Haha Calderon.

Yesterday: "Ronaldo has said he would like to play here, that it is a dream, that he would be excited to come to Real Madrid, but it is a desire of the player which can not be carried out without Manchester's agreement. Manchester has to want it."

Calderon added that the most probable outcome 'as of today' is that 'Cristiano Ronaldo will continue to play for Manchester United next year'.

Today: "It is up to the player. If he wants to come, then he can join Real Madrid."

When asked if he would put money on Ronaldo joining Real, Calderon told The Sun: "Bet. I would bet".

That 'as of today' cannot be stressed enough apparently.

Also, off topic because I don't see a thread for it, but that Wimbledon final yesterday was bloody epic.

[talk show host]

Yeah that match was amazing. I can't imagine how gutting it must be to play for 5 hours and get so close only to lose. Nadal was awesome though.


on topic, I wish Ronaldo would just come out and say whether he's staying or going. It's getting beyond tedious.

[2muchket!]

Off topic, I'm glad Nadal finally won at Wimbledon, even if I was cheering for Federer.

The whole barry saga is almost as annoying as Cronaldo. Funny how Benitez rates Croucho at £15m but he doesnt rate barry the same, when he plays over Hargreaves and Carrick who were both £15m+ when bought.

So tbh I dont blame O'Neill on holding out.

Looks like Crouch is heading to Pompey as well. Him and Defoe make the ultimate little and large pairing acually :p

[poorquality]

Yeah i'm annoyed at Ronado and want him out tbh, any player who can't commit his future to the club doesn't deserve to play for us.

It took Torres 1 day to say he wasn't leaving for anywhere else after Chelsea showed interest.

As far as Calderon goes, he's become more careful with what he's releasing to the press (UEFA got the Spanish FA to talk to them unofficially about tapping up players). But he's still doing it, and no subtly.

Is anyone else getting annoyed at the amount of Ronaldo stories on the Sky and Beeb websites?

[2muchket!]

Thats because UEFA hate the english

That and any real madrid affiliate can get away with bloody murder

[Minus The Flair]

Is anyone else getting annoyed at the amount of Ronaldo stories on the Sky and Beeb websites?

Yeah definitely. It's like Ronaldo gets asked where his future lies, he says exactly the same as he's said before and it's turned into "Ronaldo pledges future to Madrid". Ridiculous stuff, they're turning the most obvious/typical/already said quotes into top stories.

[Dave de Sylvia]

I haven't bothered reading any of the Ronaldo stuff since the start of the Euros. It was deathly tedious even then.

Benitez's valuation of Crouch is a stalling tactic I think. He wants to see if Spurs will be interested in a part-exchange, and he knows Harry won't lose interest. I can't really see him going for more than 10 or 11 mill.

[RandyfromPennywise]

Crouch is so not worth £11m. It's only after you add on his English-player transfer tax that he will go for that much. Gareth Barry is worth about £8-9m, but the English-player tax is the killer. If Newcastle can sign Damien Duff for £5m, Gareth Barry is certainly not worth £18m.

[2muchket!]

Hes worth more than Hargreaves and Carrick and they all went for stupid amounts. So I dont blame O'Neill stalling out for more like I said.

[ATM]

is Bradley still giving Eddie Johnson playing time? please tell me he's learned hi lesson by now.

Yes, and it's awful. He shouldn't even be on the team.

[ATM]

Also:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBfCZBFJMIE

[Dave de Sylvia]

Crouch is so not worth £11m. It's only after you add on his English-player transfer tax that he will go for that much. Gareth Barry is worth about £8-9m, but the English-player tax is the killer. If Newcastle can sign Damien Duff for £5m, Gareth Barry is certainly not worth £18m.
Duff would have gone for more if Chelsea didn't have a bottomless pit of money. I can see the logic in English Player Tax, in that Gareth Barry has grown up in English football as opposed to a cheaper foreign import, but history has shown with players like Dyer and Ashley Cole that being English alone doesn't mean you'll succeed at the highest level.

[RandyfromPennywise]

Mark Bresciano was going to go from Palermo to Man City last year, for £4m. I think City balked when Palermo wanted £5m. If he was English, and playing in England, his club would ask for £15m. He's about as good as Downing I'd say, and what was the figure on his head recently, £12m or something? The TV money has really made the market go crazy these last three years, and it doesn't look like stopping. £18m used to be reserved for world-class players, now it's for any of England's top dozen midfielders.

Villa are not doing the wrong thing asking for £18m or whatever the sum is. It is just very worrying when it is entirely likely that more than half of the clubs with the greatest spending power are English. It widens the gap between the top-half of the Premiership and the rest, over-inflates transfer prices and gets too many players wanting to come to England for the £££s. Among other problems. And I'm a Chelsea fan.

[Dave de Sylvia]

Well, like I said, there's some logic to it. £5m for Bresciano is still a risk: there's no guarantee he'll adjust to life in Britain, the climate, the style of football etc. Downing might cost more, but you can be guaranteed he'll at least be somewhat settled, that thousands of kids are gonna want his name on their shirts, and that he's gonna have a resale value not massively below what you're paying.

[2muchket!]

That and hes got a beaut of a left foot

BONUS

[Dave de Sylvia]

Yeah but he's got a silly Middlesbrough accent

oshi

[Dead Star]

and he'll stab you

[2muchket!]

True

He sounds very much like me actually

[Iai]

Jeremie Aliadiere has the funniest voice in the world.

[Pastorius]

Marcel Desailly?

god knows how that's actually spelt

[Iai]

Aliadiere's is this beautiful mix of cockney, French, and smoggie. It doesn't matter what he says, it sounds gay and retarded.

[RandyfromPennywise]

Aliadiere's accent is classic. He speaks really good English, probably about as good as Kazim Kazim.

Well, like I said, there's some logic to it. £5m for Bresciano is still a risk: there's no guarantee he'll adjust to life in Britain, the climate, the style of football etc. Downing might cost more, but you can be guaranteed he'll at least be somewhat settled, that thousands of kids are gonna want his name on their shirts, and that he's gonna have a resale value not massively below what you're paying.

That argument does hold weight, but moreso with South Americans or Latinos or southern Europeans. Bresciano, as an example, is an Australian. How many Aussies have failed to adapt to Britain?! I can't think of any who haven't been able to cope with the culture, the weather, the language, the food, anything like that, and the physcality, can't think of an Aussie who hasn't coped with that: our football is, unfortunately (and nothing derogatory meant against the English here) very similar to English football. The only reasons Aussies wouldn't make it in England would be from lack of skill or discipline I would say. And the English clubs are all richer, so they can hold out for more dosh I guess. Look at Villa. Any French club apart from Lyon would bite your hand off if you offered half of what Villa are holding out for.

Anyone see the Scolari press conference in full? Really interesting to watch it, and then see the stories come later throughout the day. What a load of beaten up bollocks footie journalism is!

[sgrevs]

Anyone see the Scolari press conference in full? Really interesting to watch it, and then see the stories come later throughout the day. What a load of beaten up bollocks footie journalism is!

Elaborate plz?

[Iai]

Lampard apparently launched a verbal assault on Peter Kenyon in the canteen just after the conference because of some of the things Scolari said. Good on him, I wouldn't go after Scolari either, even if he does punch like a girl.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hezzTGkloJY

[TakeWarning]

Speaking of Chelsea, how about Branislav Ivanovic?

They paid 9 million pounds for him in January and haven't played him once. It's a shame because he's been decent when I've seen him play for Serbia.

[RandyfromPennywise]

Elaborate plz?

Basically Scolari said nothing of interest, it was a standard start-of-the-season press conference. He said he'd talked with Lampard and that they both want Lampard to stay. BBC had four Lampard/Scolari stories within a matter of hours, all saying the same thing, all using whatever licence they felt appropriate to draw far too much from a few comments from Scolari. This time of year it's all pish. Then Scolari says he wants a squad of 25 to work with, so the headlines are of a mass exodus at Chelsea, and the only name mentioned in the stories is Sidwell. That story has been on just about every site. Erm, what else... Can't think of anything else. I have elaborated, hopefully enough.

And Lamps, just sign on, they've offered you more than John Terry - who is the highest-paid player in England, and more than likely the second highest in the world following Beckham - for four years: you're 30, so getting that sort of coin 'til you're 34, just sign on. Honestly, would Inter be able to afford - or want to pay - £150,000 a week? The only clubs I can see who would or could pay that would be Real, United, Barcelona and Chelsea. Maybe Milan, and possibly Inter, but really, apparently he wants a five-year deal, which is ludicrous. Just sign on for four, and if you're still doing the business in the 2011/2012 season, we'll give you another year. ****ing footballers.

And Ivanovic, yeah don't know what's going on there. He played in the ressies, but now we have Bosingwa, Balletti and Ferreira (and Essien!) for right-backs, and Terry, Carvalho, Alex and Ben-Haim for centre-backs. Surely Paulo Ferreira's got to go this summer. Fair play to the lad, given us good service, but he's now third-choice right-back. Thanks for the service Paulo, but might be time to pack it in.

[Iai]

personally I'd get rid of Belletti before Ferraira but that's just me

also Ben-Haim needs to move to a team the size of Everton or Tottenham really

[TakeWarning]

Would like to see Ivanovic at Tottenham.

Also, if you're a third choice fullback, there's really no point sticking around.

[2muchket!]

I wish some of the bigger money deals would start rolling in soon tbh

And havent Inter only bid £8mill for Lamps ?

[RandyfromPennywise]

personally I'd get rid of Belletti before Ferraira but that's just me HEY?! Paulo's not bad, not by any stretch, but he's definitely third-in-line in my estimations, and in my opinion.

also Ben-Haim needs to move to a team the size of Everton or Tottenham really
Correct. We never should have signed him. It was like with Sidwell. Although we'll probably make a quid out of Sidwell, wages and everything considered. But still...

Lampard won't go to Inter this year, not going to happen. Good, we have Lampard Power for one more year. Another 20 this season from Super Frank.

[Dave de Sylvia]

I had no idea Fat Frankie was 30. He only looks about 11.

[RandyfromPennywise]

And Stevie Gee is now 28 as well. Fat Frank has scored the same number of goals in the Premier League as Fat Scholesy. No doubt Fat Frank is better than Ginger Prince.

Also:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBfCZBFJMIE

Poor taste that.

[Dave de Sylvia]

Nobody is better than the Ginger Prince.

Also can somebody explain this David Silva hysteria to me? All I saw at Euro 2008 was an ordinary player playing for a great team for no other reason than he happens to own a functional left foot. I will laugh out loud at the unfortunate club that drops £20 million on him. Shades of Torben Piechnik methinks...

[TakeWarning]

Nobody is better than the Ginger Prince.



I hear that.

[RandyfromPennywise]

Nobody is better than the Ginger Prince.

Also can somebody explain this David Silva hysteria to me? All I saw at Euro 2008 was an ordinary player playing for a great team for no other reason than he happens to own a functional left foot. I will laugh out loud at the unfortunate club that drops £20 million on him. Shades of Torben Piechnik methinks...

We watched different matches. He was great. If he was English, he'd be £20m without hesitation. He's much better than Downing. He is a good player. Would be a good buy for any of the teams outside of the top four, and would probably be a good buy for Scouse or Goonahs too.

Frank Lampard is better than Ginger Prince. Fat Frank is like the Ginger Supreme Emperor, and the Prince is one of his disciples. Ginger Prince could learn a lot from Ginger Emperor. Like not having red hair for starters.

[Dead Star]

Scholes > Lampard

in their prime anyway

and from the BBC gossip:

Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate insists he can lead the club into the Champions League. (The Sun)

Talk about setting your goals high.

[Pastorius]

It seems his self-belief is almost as big as his nose, and lips, and eyes.

Hell, the man's face looks like he's borrowed the biggest everything.

[poorquality]

Scholes > Any English midfielders in his career

I'm so bored without football, I need it, there's still ages to go I can't take it :(

Looking forward to seeing some big name signings soon. United guarentee they're buying one player, I can't see Arsenal not buying if they lose Adebayor, Liverpool need to, and Chelsea just will, it's their normallity.

[Minus The Flair]

Scholes > Any English midfielders in his career

QFT.

Lol at Blatter getting involved in the Ronaldo saga. Seems Rafa is interested in Robbie Keane now, that would seem a wise move. Doubt Spurs would let him go though.

[2muchket!]

Scholes > Lampard

in their prime anyway

and from the BBC gossip:

Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate insists he can lead the club into the Champions League. (The Sun)

Talk about setting your goals high.

Nothing new there tbh

Our goal 7 years ago set by Steve Gib himself was to bring UEFA cup football, THEN champions league football.

If Everton can do it and Tottenham nearly do it, whos to say ?

And pasta the southy remarks are a bit low arent they ?

[Pastorius]

not as low as you're going to finish next season

BAM

[Dave de Sylvia]

Uh oh, Blatter's been opening his mouth again.

[2muchket!]

Uh oh, Blatter's been opening his mouth again.

jesus christ

Ronaldo being treated like a slave

SERIOUSLY sep, SERIOUSLY :amaze:

http://i320.photobucket.com/albums/nn328/bambamnull/picard-facepalm.jpg

[Pastorius]

jesus...

he must realise how insulting that is to normal people

[Dave de Sylvia]

He obviously doesn't. And I'm pretty sure the only reason he wasn't sacked years ago is because he owns just about everybody at FIFA. He's embarrassing.

[sgrevs]

http://i320.photobucket.com/albums/nn328/bambamnull/picard-facepalm.jpg

This is exactly what I did when I first read what he said. Absolute knob.

What does anyone think about a possible Robbie Keane --> Liverpool?

[2muchket!]

Whats even more disgusting is that Ronaldo agrees with him !

What a cunt

[talk show host]

What does anyone think about a possible Robbie Keane --> Liverpool?

Can't see it happening tbh. It sounds like the Alonso to Juventus move might be off so as it is they'd probably be lucky to get Barry, let alone Keane as well, unless they actually do have transfer funds available.

Though if Alonso does stay I can't see why they'd need Barry anyway.

[Dave de Sylvia]

The Barry thing is absolutely bemusing. The only reason I can see for it is that Alonso is as keen to get out of Liverpool as Barry is from Aston Villa. I just can't see any other reason for it.

I'd love to see Keane at Liverpool. Perhaps playing at the top level with top players might inspire him to actually score a goal or two for the national side.

[RandyfromPennywise]

Scholes > Lampard

in their prime anyway


Lampard in his prime was amazing, I think a lot of people forget that. He was runner-up World Footballer of the Year and for the Ballon d'Or, and was probably the best midfielder in the world that year. Fk off if you think Gerrard was better. Scholes is awesome, love watching him play, he is brilliant. This is interesting -

Career appearances - Lampard 565, Scholes 569.
League appearances - Lampard 395, Scholes 402.
League goals - Lampard - 96, Scholes - 96.
European goals - Lampard 23, Scholes 21.
International appearances - Lampard 61, Scholes 66
International goals - Lampard 14, Scholes 14.

Their appearance and goal-scoring records are basically identical, pretty amazing. The only major difference is Scholesy has played 25 more games in Europe, and Lampard's played 25 more games in the League Cup. There is some crazy symmetry to their stats.

I guess you can also argue for Scholesy that he was part of one of the best midfields in the history of the sport, that being Giggs-Keane-Scholes-Beckham in the late 90s. And because of the stars around him, he maybe never got the individual recognition he deserved either.

[sgrevs]

Can't see it happening tbh. It sounds like the Alonso to Juventus move might be off

Wait, what? Seriously? Sources please. I kind of want him to leave because last season he was useless and I don't see him getting any better.

[talk show host]

Wait, what? Seriously? Sources please. I kind of want him to leave because last season he was useless and I don't see him getting any better.

I can only find this at the moment: http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11854_3802857,00.html

[Minus The Flair]

Quieroz takes the Portugal job. Cantona for United number 2?

[sgrevs]

I can only find this at the moment: http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11854_3802857,00.html

Yeah, that sucks. It would be a waste having both Alonso and Barry. Would be good to sell Alonso for a decent amount.

Also I hope we keep Benayoun, I definitely rate him.

[Dave de Sylvia]

Quieroz takes the Portugal job. Cantona for United number 2?
Andrei Kanchelskis!

[Iai]

Karel Poborsky!

[Pastorius]

Apparently the Gunners might try to sign Barry. Suits me, I'm not even that keen on getting him. Would be nice, but he's too expensive. What I'd prefer would be keep Alonso, spend the money that would have gone on Barry on Arshavin. But he'll never come to Anfield :(

[Iai]

Arshavin seems desperate to go to Arsenal.

The Barry to Arsenal story looks seriously unlikely. Honestly, of all the players for Arsene Wenger to beak the club record transfer fee for? He probably knows at least 20 African teenagers who can do the same job.

[Pastorius]

Yeah it seems unlikely to me as well, but I don't want him to go to Liverpool, 18m could be spent so much better.

[Dave de Sylvia]

I doubt Barry could lower himself to Arsenal's wage-level. You know, since he has such a high opinion of himself.

[TakeWarning]

Arsenal could be in for some real trouble this year midfield-wise if they don't replace Flamini. Looking at their midfield right now, there's pretty much no experience and no strength.

[sgrevs]

Honestly, of all the players for Arsene Wenger to beak the club record transfer fee for? He probably knows at least 20 African teenagers who can do the same job.

Funny and true.

Arsenal still have Rosicky, who is awesome when he actually plays.

[Iai]

I doubt Barry could lower himself to Arsenal's wage-level. You know, since he has such a high opinion of himself.
lol

[poorquality]

Anyone set up a league on Fantasy Prem League yet? I just set up my team >_>

[Iai]

You've already made a team? The transfer window's only been open less than 2 weeks :-/

[Dave de Sylvia]

I'm gonna do the Champions League one at UEFA's site once they put it up. I'll wait until the season's a bit closer before making my Premiership team.

[Iai]

Does the Champions League one go through all the qualifiers too? That'd be pretty cool.

[Dave de Sylvia]

I'm not sure, I only found out about it a couple of weeks ago and they haven't started the new one yet.

[Pastorius]

Where do you guys do your fantasty leagues at?

[2muchket!]

Fantasy Prem was a good one last season

Especially as a lot of people joined

Think I came 9th in that actually

MUST IMPROVE

[poorquality]

You've already made a team? The transfer window's only been open less than 2 weeks :-/

I know, but the only potential change I'll have to make at the moment is if Ronaldo leaves.

I've got Keane in, he's either going to be at Spurs or Liverpool, Santa Cruz is either going to be at Blackburn or another premiership club.

My team's pretty solid at the moment :)

[Dead Star]

Fantasy Prem was a good one last season

Especially as a lot of people joined

Think I came 9th in that actually

MUST IMPROVE

:winner:

I want a big avatar for that k.

[sgrevs]

I haven't been able to maintain a fantasy team for the whole premiership in the last 3 years or so, but this year I will try to get all the way through.

[Surtr]

**** making my team yet lol.

I'll lose anyway.

[Iai]

Across last season's Prem one and the Euro 2008 one I leapt from about 49th to 2nd.

Now THAT'S progress!

[Dave de Sylvia]

I won!

[Pastorius]

Where do you lot do your teams to?

[RandyfromPennywise]

New season's league: 189124-44805

Get in there. Good way to pass the time for the next month waiting for the season to start.

[2muchket!]

There we go team done and I've joined

Barring someone like Arshavin coming to the prem I wont change it either.

[Pastorius]

Made my team but it won't let me join.

It's a winner, got some right bargains.

[Dave de Sylvia]

HAHAHA

Alonso's transfer to Juventus has fallen down and now he wants to stay at Liverpool. Gareth "You Don't Tell Me You Love Me Anymore" Barry may have to spend another season at Villa XD

[sgrevs]

I think I heard Arsenal are maybe inquiring about him?

[TakeWarning]

I think Aston Villa should have let him go to Liverpool. I mean, he's in no way worth 18 million pounds and Villa could really use that money.

[RandyfromPennywise]

This is my team at the moment, probably will change it four hundred times before the season kicks-off.

[Iai]

You're going for a side with one striker? Risky.

Also, isn't it a limit of two players per team? If Bentley goes to Spurs you'll have to change it anyway.

[2muchket!]

Its a limit of 3 players tho'

And Barry's situation is quite lolworthy

my current team consists of : Friedel, Lescott, Laursen, Ferdinand, Richards, Bentley, Fabregas, Downing, Petrov, Alves and Santa Cruz

[Iai]

Oh, okay. For some reason I was sure it was 2.

[sgrevs]

Hleb to Barca looking very probable.

I made a team, I can't remember it exactly but I think I had Friedel, Petrov, Carew, Gerrard, Lescott, Santa Cruz...can't remember anymore. I think it's a strong team though.

[Pastorius]

No-one wants to tell me :(

Where are you doing your fantasy prem league to?

[badtaste]

No-one wants to tell me :(

Where are you doing your fantasy prem league to?

New season's league: 189124-44805

Yah?

edit: Tommy, nice league name :lol:

[RandyfromPennywise]

Oh, okay. For some reason I was sure it was 2.

You're probably thinking of the Euro one, which was 2 per team.

The league can be found at http://fantasy.premierleague.com ! And to save you going back to the previous page, the league code is 189124-44805. :)

Iai, one striker, well my rationale has always been the midfielders get the most points, that's the way it is every year, and strikers are the most expensive. I may go with two strikers, but any team I have will always have 5 midfielders I would say. The top strikers are just too expensive. You can get a decent midfielder who will score points like Tim Cahill or Arteta for 8 or 7.5, but a striker for 7.5 who will score lots of points is almost non-existent. That's why Santa Cruz was such a good get last year.

Vinnie Grella, CHAMPION!

[Pastorius]

Yah?

edit: Tommy, nice league name :lol:

but what site i mean

ty, got it, time to start building...

[Iai]

Iai, one striker, well my rationale has always been the midfielders get the most points, that's the way it is every year, and strikers are the most expensive. I may go with two strikers, but any team I have will always have 5 midfielders I would say. The top strikers are just too expensive. You can get a decent midfielder who will score points like Tim Cahill or Arteta for 8 or 7.5, but a striker for 7.5 who will score lots of points is almost non-existent. That's why Santa Cruz was such a good get last year.
Hmm. Looks like you're right, but every other fantasy league I've played in has been biased so that the strikers get the most points. Thanks for the tip - I'd set up as a 4-3-3. :)

Also, Alves is only 7.5 just saying

How are you guys planning your teams anyhow? Are you going for star names and then just buying cheap substitutes or are you looking for a good all-round side that you can sub around depending on what the fixtures are? I went for the latter.

[Iai]

Also, curiosity - who do you guys think will start the season in goal for Fulham? They have both Schwarzer and Niemi now. Can't imagine that Schwarzer would have gone unless he was being promised regular football, but Niemi is better. There's rumours about him and Southgate never liking one another too.

Man I wish we'd buy Niemi. Or Robinson. Or Sorensen. Or Carson. There's a bunch of decent keepers who could move this summer and we don't seem interested. Brad Jones = not good enough.

[Pastorius]

Done. Gonna try shift some players round to nab Alves, later though. And there's no-one I really want to lose. WIll have to look for some bargains.

[Iai]

I have Mikel now, I think it might be an idea to take a striker out, buy another one for the 6m Mikel cost, then buy a more expensive midfielder.

Thing is I have Santa Cruz, Crouch, and Alves and I don't want to lose any of them :(

[2muchket!]

Also, curiosity - who do you guys think will start the season in goal for Fulham? They have both Schwarzer and Niemi now. Can't imagine that Schwarzer would have gone unless he was being promised regular football, but Niemi is better. There's rumours about him and Southgate never liking one another too.

Man I wish we'd buy Niemi. Or Robinson. Or Sorensen. Or Carson. There's a bunch of decent keepers who could move this summer and we don't seem interested. Brad Jones = not good enough.

Why the **** we arent trying to bite liverpool's hand off to sign Carson I don't know really :\

Niemi would be a decent buy as well but I can really see Schwarzer being played over him. Oh and Nick just go with Alves and Santa Claus. Its what I've done. That and crouch wont get that many points.

[poorquality]

Revamped my team:

Cech

Dunne, Richards, Johnson, Corluka

Barry Fabregas Nani

Torres Berbatov Bendtner

SubS: Ward, Anderson, Wallace, Cesar

[Dave de Sylvia]

I wouldn't touch Cech with a stick right now. It'll be interesting to see how the City backline squares up with Hughes in charge.

[Iai]

Those are the same doubts I had when making my defence. Oddly I've ended up with all three of my Man U players amidst my back 5, although considering how they started last season it might be a smart move.

Oh and Nick just go with Alves and Santa Claus. Its what I've done. That and crouch wont get that many points.
I swapped him for Defoe when I noticed they were the same price.

[Pastorius]

I've got

GK: Van Der Sar
DEF: Agger, Boswinga, R Ferdinand, Hreidarsson
MID: Modric, Bullard, Cahill, Babel
FW: Torres, Alves
SUBS: Schwarzer, Derbyshire, McShane, Ireland

[talk show host]

provisional:

Howard
Lescott, Evra, Richards, Hutton
Young, Gerrard, Petrov, Downing, Kranjcar
Berbatov

subs: Schwarzer, Bojinov, Meite, Sears

[RandyfromPennywise]

I wouldn't touch Cech with a stick right now.

Oh turn it up. Most biased thing you've ever said. He's 400 times better than van der ****.

Iai - my attitude has never been to pay money for decent subs. I take the view that I want 11 players who are regular first-teamers who will play upwards of 35 of the matches, and work from there. I always go povo on the bench, cheapest I can get, and will still hopefully play.

Should definitely start a league up for the Champo too.

[Illmatic]

Ronaldinho signs with AC Milan on the cheap

[Dave de Sylvia]

Oh turn it up. Most biased thing you've ever said. He's 400 times better than van der ****.
hahaha

He's still a top goalkeeper but he doesn't put himself out there anymore. He's probably more on a par with the Reinas of the world rather than the Buffons.

[poorquality]

Oh turn it up. Most biased thing you've ever said. He's 400 times better than van der ****.

Iai - my attitude has never been to pay money for decent subs. I take the view that I want 11 players who are regular first-teamers who will play upwards of 35 of the matches, and work from there. I always go povo on the bench, cheapest I can get, and will still hopefully play.

Should definitely start a league up for the Champo too.

I know Cech isn't crap, he's one of the best. But to say he's so much better than Van Der Sar is complete wank.

In fact if anything, VDS was a lot better than Cech towards the end of last season, and came away with 2 trophies, Cech even said himself how disapointed he was with his performances and was just glad the season was over.

They're both excellent keepers, you don't win Championships without one.

[2muchket!]

Cech is better than VDS imo.

Altho VDS was pretty amazing in the Euros.

[mph4ever]

cech has some serious work to prove his bottle isn't gone, he has all the ability of one of the best ever but this losing streak for his teams, peppered with mistakes, is something he must reverse

[2muchket!]

Losing streak ?

On another note its quite sad to the Boat go from the boro, he served us well and I'll applaud him when he returns against the boro.

[mph4ever]

Losing streak ?


yeah, lost the premiership, lost the champions league and then went out miserably in the euro '08s



On another note its quite sad to the Boat go from the boro, he served us well and I'll applaud him when he returns against the boro.
good bloke for you

[2muchket!]

yeah, lost the premiership, lost the champions league and then went out miserably in the euro '08s



good bloke for you

Hardly a losing streak

and Czech republic are pretty weak all over now, Cech's only a magnificent GK

[Dave de Sylvia]

Yeah the Czechs would be a mess without him. How they managed to put a 3-0 over on ze Germans I'll never know.

[talk show host]

pfft, if Matejovsky hadn't got injured the Czech's would've gone all the way.

[RandyfromPennywise]

Yeah I find it hard to believe how thin the Czech's squad was without Rosický. Euro 2004 and WC 2006, I backed them to go far. This time, I had no confidence in their squad at all.

[mph4ever]

yeah, sad, they barely put ireland out in the qualifiers with a donkey like staunton at the helm.

[RandyfromPennywise]

Who are the big Arse going to play next to the big Fab in midfield this year, seeing as there is no Gilberto, no Flamini? Seems like they need a central midfielder if they are going to do anything this season. Guess they could play Rosický there in an advanced role with Fab deeper, but I can't see that working. They need Gareth Barry. Diaby is not going to deliver a Premiership. Well, neither is Barry, but they need a centre-mid urgently.

[Iai]

I could see him giving Denilson a shot, honestly.

[TakeWarning]

I'm sure Wenger will be trying to bring someone in ASAP, they're going to get raped using a holding midfielder in their squad. Unfortunately for him, there's not many on the market.

[Iai]

Frings is the latest name in the name. I'd definitely have him over Barry tbh.

[Pastorius]

Cahill won't be fit for the start of the season...

Time to c hange my team up a bit! Cahill out, Bentley in, might make that permanent.

And Gunners are after Alonso.

[TakeWarning]

Heard about Frings linked with Arsenal.

Apparently his club form is nowhere near as good as his form for Germany.

[Dave de Sylvia]

Frings is a super player.

pfft, if Matejovsky hadn't got injured the Czech's would've gone all the way.
All the way to the Madjeski?

[talk show host]

He'll take the Championship by storm next season (hopefully)

[RandyfromPennywise]

Frings or Alonso would do well with Arsenal. Would certainly prefer to spend less money getting one of those than forking out £18m for Barry, if I was Arsenal.

[2muchket!]

Tottenham seem quite keen on Bentley even tho they have a good winger with Lennon.

[Pastorius]

I'd rather use the Barry money to get Bentley to Liverpool tbh. Give them Pennant as well, keep Benayoun.

[2muchket!]

No-one wants Pennant

[mph4ever]

i can see him heading for the championship in a deal for a player from reading

ince would get some kick if he let bentley go one way with just cash and pennant going the other

[Pastorius]

blackburn want pennant in a straight transfer for bentley

[TakeWarning]

Tottenham seem quite keen on Bentley even tho they have a good winger with Lennon.

Not too sure about Lennon. He was great under Jol but last season he was terrible, hardly got a cross on target after the Carling Cup final.

Either way, it's unneccessary to spend 17million pounds on a replacement for Lennon when Spurs have bigger problems at the moment.

[mph4ever]

bentley stright swap for pennant hahahaha

suppose, bentley and fowler could be potent up front lol

[talk show host]

argh, Stoke have signed Kitson for 5.5mil. Gutted to see him go.

Hopefully there's a decent replacement lined up but all the Reading transfer rumours are for players leaving and none for any coming in.

i'd definitely have Pennant though, right wing's been a right problem recently. Don't think he'd fancy dropping a division though.

[mph4ever]

don't think he will have too much of a choice unless some new manager to the premiership stakes their career on making him any good again, if was ever any good lol

[Pastorius]

bentley stright swap for pennant hahahaha

suppose, bentley and fowler could be potent up front lol

bentley + 6m out
pennant in

that's the rumour

[mph4ever]

other way around surely

bentley out

pennant + 6m in

ince values pennant at around 5m

[Pastorius]

no no no

bentley +60m out
pennant in on 1 season loan

i got it wrong

[mph4ever]

hehehehehe

[Iai]

This obsessive Liverpool fan I know keeps going on and on about how it's a travesty that Pennant isn't in the England squad and Bentley is.

Be interesting to see how quickly he changes his tune if his deal goes through.

[mph4ever]

is nani a waste of money or will we see an significant improvement this year?

likewise mikel

likewise walcott

or are you better waiting a year or two and nabbing someone like torres?

[Dave de Sylvia]

Nani was probably Portugal's best player in the Germany match, despite only playing about 20 minutes. k apart from Deco but come on. I think he's developing nicely- his final ball has improved a lot, much like Ronaldo had to work on his the first 3 years.

[mph4ever]

sure, a lot of what i've seen lately leads me to agree. he seems to be heading in the right direction. needs to look up a little more and complete the pass or cross.

do you think he has the right attitude?

[Pastorius]

Nani is shaping up to be a great player, if he becomes a little less selfish.

I'm tempted to say he's got the wrong attitude, but only because he's Portugese and looks like an egotistical prick.

Pennant is way not better than Bentley, Bentley has one of the sweetest crosses, great free kick, and SHOULD BE PLAYING FOR LIVERPOOL

[Dave de Sylvia]

I think he has a similar attitude to Ronaldo, so I think he'll develop into a top player and then sell us out as soon as a big Spanish club comes sniffing. But that's alright!

This obsessive Liverpool fan I know keeps going on and on about how it's a travesty that Pennant isn't in the England squad and Bentley is.
It's a travesty that Pennant is in England at all. The national football team would just be too much.

[mph4ever]

i think bentley to liverpool would be a great move

interesting about nani's attitude. i have some similar thoughts

[poorquality]

I put Nani in my fantasy team because I honestly think he will be better than Ronaldo. They both have the same attributes, once Fergie does what he did with Ronnie and gets the part of his game that involves headbutting people and going down out, I think he'll be one of the worlds best.

[mph4ever]

do you think that ferguson is looking to nani's maturity as an opportunity to offload ronaldo

btw - all the sh!te talk about ronaldo and transfer and injuries - it was to keep him out of the olympics i am sure. he would have been asked and i think he would have had difficulty not accepting the place

[TakeWarning]

I don't think Nani will become better than Ronaldo anytime soon, if ever. But he is developing well.

I can definitely see Anderson becoming an awesome player.

[badtaste]

These repeated rumours of Kaka heading to Chelsea have me scared. :(

[mph4ever]

the one for €100m is incredible

[Iai]

If they spunked all that money on Kaka and still didn't win the Champions League I'd laugh so, so, so hard.

[2muchket!]

Scott Carson goes to West Brom then. And as I've read no reports linking us to a new GK southgate may well be going with Brad Jones this season.

[Pastorius]

Good buy for West Brom that, he's a quality keeper. More money in the coffers for the Scouse too!

[Iai]

Every game we play this season is going to finish with us losing 6-3 :(

[Illmatic]

These repeated rumours of Kaka heading to Chelsea have me scared. :(

doesn't he basically play the same position as Deco, Lampard, and Ballack? what is Chelski going to do with all these midfielders, play a 3-6-1?

[2muchket!]

Lamps could be on his way out and well Ballack hasnt signed a new contract meaning hes out next season

[Illmatic]

where's Lampard been linked to? I heard he and Drogba may go to Inter.

[2muchket!]

Inter to apparently join up again with Jose

[badtaste]

doesn't he basically play the same position as Deco, Lampard, and Ballack? what is Chelski going to do with all these midfielders, play a 3-6-1?

I was thinking the same thing last night. How many leading midfielders can a team have?

Milan have stated that Kaka isn't for sale though, so let's hope that that was just a nasty rumour.

Inter to apparently join up again with Jose

Nice :D

[2muchket!]

I watched me some MLS the other day

I Lol'd