Mixed messages over Adebayor's Arsenal pledge http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=551873&cc=3888
The latest news on Barcelona and Dinho is that he wants to play out his remaining contract. The only problem is that the new manage of Barca has stated that Dinho is not in his plans.
This is in my opinion, the greatest video ever made on Youtube. It's the legendary career of Zinedine Zidane. One of my favorite players all time. http://youtube.com/watch?v=dYUtKKbBTkw&feature=related
IMO Zidane ranks up there with the all-time greats like Maradona and Pele. In fact, I think those people that laugh and say "he should never be mentioned with Maradona and Pele" forget just what Zidane has accomplished in his career. He has a trophy cabinet that will rival any player ever! I'd even go as far as saying that he's won the most that any player ever has! 1 1998 World Cup Gold 1 2006 World Cup Silver 1 2000 Euro Gold 2 Champion's League Trophies 2 Champion's League Runner ups 1 Uefa Cup Runner up 2 La Liga Titles 1 Serie A Scudetto Individual 1 Ballon D'or 3 Fifa world player of the year 1 Fifa world player silver 2 Fifa world player bronze And those are just the major titles and awards he's won or came runner up in. He's always been a big game player and has scored many crucial goals in crucial situation. His goal in the 2001/2002 Champion's League final will forever be remembered. His 2 goals in the final of the 98 world cup handed France the title. To gauge we must ask: How many other players dominated the game like he did in 2 different leagues and also dominated on the international level in club and national soccer. When in Italy he was arguably the best player in the Serie A. When in Spain he was arguably the best player in La Liga. When in the France National team he was arguably the most dominant national player in the world. Yes, Pele was a man amongst boys in his day. Yes, Maradona took the small club of Napoli to the promised land and pushed Argentina over the top, but Zidane certainly deserves to be amongst those 2 and his career and accomplishments have proven that and may even trump Maradona and Pele's accomplishments.
Nice vid Alen. Thanks. Was that Ronaldinho that Zidane schooled at 1:08? Great player, but I've always disliked the guy. Best Algerian to ever play the sport, thats for sure.
FIFA RANKINGS top 25 teams [TABLE]1 Spain 2 Italy 3 Germany 4 Brazil 5 Netherlands 6 Argentina 7 Croatia 8 Czech Republic 9 Portugal 10 France 11 Russia 12 Romania 13 Cameroon 14 Turkey 15 England 16 Scotland 17 Bulgaria 18 Greece 19 Mexico 20 Ghana 21 Israel 22 Uruguay 23 Colombia 24 Egypt 25 Paraguay [/TABLE] http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/ranking/lastranking/gender=m/fullranking.html
Looks like Domenech is still going to be the coach of France... http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=553404&sec=euro2008&cc=5901 Someone please get pink_dove away from guns ropes or sharp objects.
So what does one have to do to lose his job? Play people way out of position Go out in the first round of a major tournament scoring 1 goal Leave deserving players at home and take undeserving players Create unnecessary media attention toward yourself Get so little out of arguably the most talented crop of players from any country I mean, seriously, what else does he have to do to lose his job? I'd love to hear Pink_Dove's reaction to them keeping him on.
Thought this might happen when in the last few days, Ribéry, Houllier, and Platini, all of whom, have influence in FFF circles, have voiced support in his favor. Mind you, it's not a decision bereft of an asterisk. He stays on at the condition that media sessions discuss football instead of astrology or state of minds. The bunker mentality present at the Euro with the players isolated from fans, and family, is to be amended as well. It won't fix the questionable decisions in terms of pure football though. And for that I worry. The Federation made it clear today that they expect Domenech to be forward thinking with regards to offensive football. In light of these comments, he'll have to push forward, and rescind the defensive mentality he's cultivated to date. If you ask me though, a coach very rarely can change his spots, no matter the goodwill, or shackles put on him.
It has been confirmed that Chelsea has made an offer of $100M Euros for Kaka and are willing to pay him $10M Euros a year for 5 years. They faxed the offer sheet this morning. Other AC Milan news, the fans are threatening to not buy season tickets because of Milan's lack of acquisitions. With that being said, It looks more and more likely, almost certain that Ronaldinho will be joining Milan. However, for next season, he will be on loan to Milan, with Milan buying him the following year. Adebayor will not be wearing black and red either as he wants to go to a team that is Champions League bound.
Ugh, that's a bad move. If you're going to ask the guy to be a different type of coach, you may as well get a new coach altogether. If he's been successful as a coach with his brand of defensive soccer for decades, it's not too likely that he's going to suddenly change over to a master of Total Football or Samba Soccer overnight. Not that I want to put ideas in anyone's head, but if you want an offense-first coach, why not put in a call to Arsene Wenger, and appeal to his patriotism? He's from France, after all, and he's achieved just about everything he could possibly achieve at Arsenal. (I mean, once you have an undefeated season, it's kind of downhill from there.) Mind you, I pray they don't do this, but I think it makes sense, maybe for both of them.
Yep, Arsene's name has been floating around. Colour me a Laurent Blanc supporter, who in his first year of coaching, led Bordeaux to a second place finish in the championnat and was a terrific centre-half in his time. Arsene would seem logical with the next French generation of Flamini, Nasri, Sagna, Clichy, moving on to the national side. He knows them all very well, having coached them at Arsenal, but my concerns with Arsene are threefold: a) I think he's the type of coach that needs the hands on. That thrives on everyday football. Being a national side coach, you're only playing once every two months, are often criticized. It's not as fun, you don't get to see the young pups become better, don't feel the ups and downs of every EPL year. b) He's payed a handsome sum, puts in a word to management on anyone he fancies, and usually gets his wish. Is just behind the Royal family and Mick Jagger in terms of star treatment in London. I reckon Domenech makes about 1/6 of his annual salary. It's a comfortable life, very few would leave. c) Achieved every thing he could possibly achieve at Arsenal ? Believe there's a small trophy called the Champions League trophy, he hasn't touched Phil. That has to be on his mind, for he'll never be recognized as a great coach without it.
Well, I hope you're right, Arsenal fan that I am. And in my post, I did say "just about everything"; I'm well aware that Arsenal has come up short in the Champions League so far. (Though I think they would have beaten Barcelona in 2006 but for Lehman's red card.)
Some comments from Wenger that might be of interest to the legion of Gunners - from this morning's Tehran Times no less. http://www.tehrantimes.com/index_View.asp?code=172616
Interesting. I read that they say he has all the money to spend, he just chooses not to. He goes for the young players to develop and become stars.
Now we are suppose to be bought by the Russian guy I believe, he is suppose to buy the whole team instead of just a certain percentage. Once he buys it, the budget is suppose to go up and Wenger will be able to go after the high-priced, big name players.
On another rumor, I've heard Pirlo could be on his way too. http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/jul7d.html I don't think that will happen, yeah Pirlo was off form last year but he could improve if has some better players surrounding him. he's irreplaceable to this team. And Kaká is a Milan icon right now, just my opinion but I think Galliani would be very stupid if he sells Ricky, but who knows? I hope Ricky will be rossonero until he retires.
Kaka won't go anywhere unless he demands it. Chelsea made a 170 euro million (?) bid for Liverpool's Torres.
Well, it would be a sad day for AC Milan if any of these players are sold. On a side note, if we do get Ronaldinho, expect Seedorf to not be with us. I can live with that, great player, but a little inconsistent for me. I also can’t understand where this financial debt is coming from. We won the Champion’s League two years ago. That’s like $150M right there. Thanks for the article though.
100 million Euros? 170 million Euros? 100 million pounds? Everyday we're reading about these new astronomical transfer rumors. Until I actually see one of these transfers take place, I don't believe a single one. not for Ronaldo, not for Kaka, not for anyone. What's the highest transfer fee on record? something like 40-45 million Euros?
Think Zidane transfer to Real Madrid is still the record. I read it more that the owners cant afford him the money to spend on keeping players due their new stadium.