Box Score
Friday, 11 July 08, 04:35 AM
Just a couple pieces of news from across the spectrum.
I've had this page for three days and I haven't mentioned Cristiano Ronaldo yet? I'm pretty sure that's some kind of crime. I'll pay my debts to the soccer world here. Sky Sports has the story. The successful procedure will likely keep Ronaldo out of action throughout the pre-season and perhaps into the beginning of the 08-09 campaign. How this will affect the transfer drama surrounding the player remains to be seen. Real Madrid President Ramon Calderon has seemingly accepted Ronaldo is likely to remain at Manchester United this season, but remains hopeful a deal can be reached before the end of the transfer window.
Pompey have reportedly reached a verbal agreement with Liverpool regarding Peter Crouch. Liverpool have granted Portsmouth the right to speak to the player. The deal appears to be a good one for all parties involved. Portsmouth could certainly use a forward to join the aging Kanu and Jermain Defoe. England fans could very well be happy to see a potential international partnership in Crouch and Defoe getting time together at the club level, as well. Crouch will benefit from the exponential increase in playing time he'll get at Portsmouth. The giant striker has always looked at least third choice behind players such as Fernando Torres and Dirk Kuyt. Liverpool will appreciate the money they receive from Crouch's sale, perhaps putting it to use in their pursuit of Aston Villa midfielder Gareth Barry.
The Catalan club have seen a bid of £12 million for Euro 2008 revelaton Andrei Arshavin rejected by Zenit St. Petersburg. The Russian club value their star player at closer to £20 million. This is the second bid for Arshavin that Barcelona have seen rejected. The Russian playmaker has garnered attention recently after his Zenit St. Petersburg side won the UEFA Cup and impressing at Euro 2008. Arshavin was suspended for Russia's first two games before playing a vital role in Russia's victories over Sweden and Holland, scoring in both games. Based on these performances, Barcelona's interest in the player is understandable. The club currently seem to be in something of a rebuilding phase. The club has lost out to Real Madrid for the La Liga title the last two seasons and change has been deemed necessary. Portugese midfielder Deco has already been shown the door and the departures of Ronaldinho and Samuel Eto'o seem imminent. With such large holes to fill, Barcelona are on the lookout for quality replacements, having also been linked with Arsenal hitman Emmanuel Adebayor.
You can almost hear Rafael van der Vaart thinking, "Them? Really? Are they serious? I'm too good for them." The Dutch midfielder has reportedly been linked to a move to White Hart Lane, reports that he had no problem shooting down. Van der Vaart was quoted as saying, "The interest has been there for some time already, but they are not the club I want to go to. Tottenham are not a club I want to swap Hamburg for." That's all well and good, but I just don't see why Tottenham would be interested in van der Vaart. Well, that's not true. I know exactly why someone would be interested in a player of van der Vaart's quality, but Spurs have just acquired two attacking midfielders in Luka Modric and Giovanni dos Santos. That's in addition to Jermaine Jenas and Steed Malbranque, both of whom are capable of playing the role for Spurs and have done so. It would be more in Tottenham's interest to go after a defensive midfielder, another winger, and some defensive options. Another forward wouldn't hurt either. You know, just in case.
Ronaldo's Ankle Surgery A Success
I've had this page for three days and I haven't mentioned Cristiano Ronaldo yet? I'm pretty sure that's some kind of crime. I'll pay my debts to the soccer world here. Sky Sports has the story. The successful procedure will likely keep Ronaldo out of action throughout the pre-season and perhaps into the beginning of the 08-09 campaign. How this will affect the transfer drama surrounding the player remains to be seen. Real Madrid President Ramon Calderon has seemingly accepted Ronaldo is likely to remain at Manchester United this season, but remains hopeful a deal can be reached before the end of the transfer window.
Portsmouth Reach Agreement With Liverpool on Crouch
Pompey have reportedly reached a verbal agreement with Liverpool regarding Peter Crouch. Liverpool have granted Portsmouth the right to speak to the player. The deal appears to be a good one for all parties involved. Portsmouth could certainly use a forward to join the aging Kanu and Jermain Defoe. England fans could very well be happy to see a potential international partnership in Crouch and Defoe getting time together at the club level, as well. Crouch will benefit from the exponential increase in playing time he'll get at Portsmouth. The giant striker has always looked at least third choice behind players such as Fernando Torres and Dirk Kuyt. Liverpool will appreciate the money they receive from Crouch's sale, perhaps putting it to use in their pursuit of Aston Villa midfielder Gareth Barry.
Barcelona's Arshavin Bid Rebuffed
The Catalan club have seen a bid of £12 million for Euro 2008 revelaton Andrei Arshavin rejected by Zenit St. Petersburg. The Russian club value their star player at closer to £20 million. This is the second bid for Arshavin that Barcelona have seen rejected. The Russian playmaker has garnered attention recently after his Zenit St. Petersburg side won the UEFA Cup and impressing at Euro 2008. Arshavin was suspended for Russia's first two games before playing a vital role in Russia's victories over Sweden and Holland, scoring in both games. Based on these performances, Barcelona's interest in the player is understandable. The club currently seem to be in something of a rebuilding phase. The club has lost out to Real Madrid for the La Liga title the last two seasons and change has been deemed necessary. Portugese midfielder Deco has already been shown the door and the departures of Ronaldinho and Samuel Eto'o seem imminent. With such large holes to fill, Barcelona are on the lookout for quality replacements, having also been linked with Arsenal hitman Emmanuel Adebayor.
Van Der Vaart Scoffs at Spurs Link
You can almost hear Rafael van der Vaart thinking, "Them? Really? Are they serious? I'm too good for them." The Dutch midfielder has reportedly been linked to a move to White Hart Lane, reports that he had no problem shooting down. Van der Vaart was quoted as saying, "The interest has been there for some time already, but they are not the club I want to go to. Tottenham are not a club I want to swap Hamburg for." That's all well and good, but I just don't see why Tottenham would be interested in van der Vaart. Well, that's not true. I know exactly why someone would be interested in a player of van der Vaart's quality, but Spurs have just acquired two attacking midfielders in Luka Modric and Giovanni dos Santos. That's in addition to Jermaine Jenas and Steed Malbranque, both of whom are capable of playing the role for Spurs and have done so. It would be more in Tottenham's interest to go after a defensive midfielder, another winger, and some defensive options. Another forward wouldn't hurt either. You know, just in case.
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J0J0 said:Not sure if you're just kidding, but the guy in that last photo is Thierry Henr...
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Maitiu
Glen Rock, US
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