Nice house mate! Sheikh Mansour's gaff. His boy's are in town for a visit.
You may remember way, way, way back to lunchtime today when Lingering Bursitis told you that the Manchester Arabia squad had received expensive Franck Muller watches from team owner, Sheikh Mansour. We all muttered extravagant bastards and sighed. Well, Manchester Arabia are now calling BS on the story's originators, the Sun and they are taking legal action.
The official Arabia website states...Manchester City can confirm that the story in The Sun newspaper this morning claiming that our players visiting Abu Dhabi had been given expensive watches by Sheikh Mansour is a fabrication.
The club is pursuing the matter legally and will do so in the most robust fashion possible.
It then goes on to tell us how nice they players are being by visiting kids etc, etc, blah blah blah.
If the Sun did in fact make the story up they could be in serious trouble. Not as if this opponent is short of a few quid to spend on lawyers is it?. Especially when they are prepared to splash 20 million on a future bench warmer. Talking of Roque Santa Cruz, he was apparently spending today 'fulfilling a host of engagements on behalf of new club sponsors Etihad."
Manchester Arabia are on holiday training in Abu Dhabi ahead of travelling to South Africa for a holiday tour.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Liar Liar, Pants On Fire.
**UPDATE** What do you get for the overpaid footballer who has everything?
If you're a Citeh player, you're probably wearing yours right now!Imagine you're Carlos Tevez, or Gaz Baz. You've just signed an absurd contract in moving to Citeh, new home of all that is evil and wrong with soccer etc etc etc etc, and you're meeting the gold-encrusted Sheikh Mansour whose money is bankrolling your hair gel expenditures.
The Sheikh is a nice man, and as if those cushy pay packets weren't enough, allegedly he's only gone and gotten you all limited edition Franck Muller watches worth 168,000 pounds each!
What a guy! Imagine what he'd buy you for Christmas if he celebrated the holiday.
Allegedly, the entire team was greeted in a fancy, swanky reception in Abu Dhabi, a pit stop before they head to South Africa for some pre-season friendlies in Durban and Polokwane. Staying in the five-star Emirates Palace Hotel, the team got a taste of the good life, although they might want to mail the watches directly home instead of taking them with, amirite?
Not much more to this story other than this being a harbinger of greedier, money-driven times to come (seriously, if Citeh win any kind of trophies this season I'll vomit), although I did like this quote from a "club source".. I'm guessing it's Mark Hughes: "Manchester City's players are now the most pampered on earth, and they were greeted like kings."
If Adebayor and John Terry somehow manage to talk themselves out of the lucre, I'll be absolutely fucking amazed.
**UPDATE** Manchester City claims that The Sun's story is false and will be pursuing legal action against it. In that case, let me just throw an allegedly in here.
Read more on "**UPDATE** What do you get for the overpaid footballer who has everything?"...
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
UF Quick Throw: Adebayor to Citeh almost confirmed!
Arsenal have accepted a 25m pound offer from Citeh for their sulky, lanky Togolese striker. How many pre-pubescent French starlets will that buy?
Personal terms for Emmanuel are believed to be around 150,000-175,000 pounds a week, proving the adage "more money than sense." They now have a striking corps of Bellamy, Adebayor, Tevez, Santa Cruz, and Robinho. Good luck keeping everyone in check! Or maybe they're bringing back the 2-3-5 formation?
[Guardian Sport]
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Monday, July 13, 2009
UF Quick Throw: Ade-Bye-Yor?
If we Quick Throw’d every Citeh rumor we’d be all-Citizens all-the-time. And when we thought we’d just do a complete round up this morning of everyone who has turned them down, they go and ruin it by making another splashing rumor. This time it's with someone actively wanting to leave their club.
Adebayor to the powder-blue Mancs?
Friday, July 10, 2009
UF Quick Throw: Eto'o No Go.
Samuel Eto'o has missed the opportunity to become the richest player in the Premier League. Manchester Arabia set a deadline and that has passed. It was reported that Eto'o was to earn 250k a week! Arabia top dog Garry Cook tonight announced "The circumstances surrounding him were such that a deal couldn't be completed."
It looks as if Eto'o has joined Kaka in the "I have some credibility" camp. Who will Manchester Arabia sling their cash at next? David Villa? I'm sure we won't have to wait long to find out.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Terry On the Move? Maybe, If His Feelings Are Hurt.
Apparently Manchester Arabia are keen on making another bid for England's brave John Terry. Two bids have already been turned down by Carlo Ancelotti for the Chelsea man, but that won't stop Manchester Arabia (MA) trying again.
They believe that John Terry wants to move to the Mancunian desert. I wonder what gave them that impression? Maybe a certain ex-Chelsea left back? Or maybe a chance meeting over a sea breeze?
Now, I like John Terry. He is a no nonsense center half who always gives his all for his country, but some reports in today's papers are suggesting that EBJT is a little upset and feeling 'unwanted' by Chelsea.
Surely this can't be true?
The Independent is suggesting that Wayne Bridge is well, the bridge between the Russian sector of Saaaaaath London and the Mancunian desert. Surely if Terry wasn't interested in a move he would have said so by now? But he hasn't!
The Sun say that Terry is up for a move also, but they are suggesting that's because he feels 'unwanted'. But why? Chelsea have turned down TWO mega offers for their captain and handed him a 5 year deal in 2007, worth a whopping 130k a week! That deal made Terry the third highest earner at the club after Lampard and Ballack. If that's a sign that the club doesn't want you, then you need to get your sign-sensors checked. 'An insider' (i.e his agent) says that John has heard nothing from Chelsea and feels "betrayed and unwanted". Obviously turning down more than 30 million smackers and paying you 130k a week is a right good kick in the knackers. If that's the case, kick away, my legs are parted.
I said NO. What more do you want?
But this is where the Sun's theory plays on the common theme of footballers as mercenaries. They say that Terry's unhappiness is because he hasn't been offered a new contract, putting him on a par with Lampard. That MA's offer should have sparked his club to throw money at him, making him feel 'wanted'. If this turns out to be the case then Terry will lose any respect he may have earned with football fans outside of the Stamford Bridge walls, making the England captain just another greedy footballer, out for another Ferrari.
Personally I think there is something to the Sun's musings. Not that he feels "betrayed and unwanted" but that he wants whatever will make him happier, which translated in football land means 'richer'. Last week, right before Manchester Arabia made their bids, MA manager Mark Hughes and John Terry stayed in the same hotel in Dubai. Now what are the chances that they didn't have a little chat on the beach or over dinner?
"We met John Terry in one of the restaurants and saw him around the hotel gardens. We also had breakfast at the next table to Mark Hughes." - Holiday maker Jason Dyer.
Jumeirah Beach, Dubai. The perfect place for Arabia manager Hughes to hang with his new captain?
Whatever happens over John Terry's future, he will need to say something soon, not to could drag this on and spoil Chelsea's pre-season preparations. To lose their captain a few weeks from the new season would be a real blow, money in the bank for a replacement or not. New center halves do not just slide into place a week before the first game.
If Terry is sold to Manchester Arabia, he will need to be honest or risk losing any integrity or respect he has earned over the years as a nations captain. Because a move won't be for the Champions League football and it won't be for the new City his wife will get to party and shop in. It will be for the reported 300k a week that Manchester Arabia will put in his pocket.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Eto'o Not So Impressed with Citeh's Money
Everything seemed in place for Citeh: a "monster" offer of £25m accepted by Barca for mercurial striker Samuel Eto'o, who only has one year left on his current contract and has worn out his welcome at the Camp Nou; a £250,000 a week proposed salary (£180,000 after taxes), which would make Eto'o the highest paid player in the Premier League; a team on the cusp of a £100m summer and about to put together a lineup that would seriously challenge the big four.
The only problem is that much like Kaka earlier in the year, Eto'o has no interest in being part of the latest greatest experiment in the Eastlands. Yes, it seems that Eto'o has turned down a move to Manchester City and is content to play out the rest of his contract with Barcelona (who, on the other hand, are not exactly thrilled). There would be something endearing about leaving all that money on the table, except that Eto'o is a Grade A headcase and who knows what his real motivations are.
Some in the British press are speculating (as they are wont to do) that Eto'o's real motivation is to punish Barcelona for pushing him out the door by, strangely, not leaving. Others are speculating that Eto'o is demanding even more money. Eto'o's agent has scheduled a news conference this morning, so maybe that'll clear things up (full disclosure: I wrote this last night!).
No matter, this story will probably drag out during the summer. I can't help but anticipate it'll all end in tears and a nasty split between Eto'o and Barca. Meanwhile, why don't you click here and get this theme song stuck in head for days to come.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
UF Quick Throw: Gareth Barry to Citeh Is a Done Deal
The Beeb is saying that the transfer has been completed for £12m. Barry was out of contract next summer, so it's actually a high transfer fee. Reportedly will earn £100,000 a week.
[BBC]
Friday, May 1, 2009
Manchester City Attempts to Keep Spending Money
Fat-bottomed girls Money makes the world go-round, and Manchester City still have loads of it. Owner Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan (brother of the ruler of Abu Dhabi) is worth approximately $1 trillion (yes, that's a "T") and he would like to spend as much of it as possible on his toy. Latest reports have Man City targeting 2 world-class players for a move to the Eastlands in the summer.
Arjen Robben, who moved to Real Madrid from Chelsea just 2 years ago for a £24m fee, has been on the outs at the Bernabeu this season and the club is looking to unload the winger in preparation for a run at Ronaldo (non-fatty edition). In 30 matches in La Liga and the Champions League, Robben has 8 goals and 6 assists - not horrible, considering that he has been injury-prone, but nowhere near a Ronaldo-like output. Real Madrid are willing to part with him for an £18 fee and may even package him with Rafael van der Vaart (Sylvie to the Eastlands!) to make more room for spending in the transfer season.
Man City also coveted Robben's teammate, defender Fabio Cannavaro, who is out of contract in July and has not yet been offered an extension. However, the Italy captain has turned down the advances of the club (as well as those from Bayern) and is awaiting the results of the Real Madrid presidential elections before he makes his decision. Cannavaro, who will be 36 next year, has stated that he wants to focus on preparations for the World Cup (undoubtedly his last) and would prefer not to have to start over with an entirely new club. Despite this, he has also noted that a move to Juventus or Napoli is a possibility, as this would move him closer to the training grounds of the Italian national team.
But is all this just more transfer bullshit? Manchester City have already indicated that Michael Ball and Danny Mills will not be offered new contracts when their current ones expire this summer but there has been no other word on the release or transfer of players. Perhaps they would make the transfer of Jo permanent, as well as sell off either Joe Hart or Kasper Schmeichel (neither of whom are replacing Shay Given any time soon). But Steven Ireland will certainly be rewarded with a better contract, and Man City have indicated that they also intend to pursue John Terry (although they were unsuccesful last year), either Roque Santa Cruz or Nacho Pete, and perhaps Franck Ribery.
John Terry's lack of interest last year would seem to demonstrate that it is perhaps not a financial problem, but an image problem that is the club's biggest hurdle. Currently sitting 9th in the table, Manchester City is 20 points adrift of a Champions League spot and it is difficult to attract talent when all you offer is the possbility (not even a guarantee) of a spot in the Europa Cup. Can Abu Dhabi United give hope to the blue half of Manchester, or are they just throwing good money after bad?
As an aside to these rumours, I should note that as a Frenchmen I loathe all of the members of the Italian national team. Except for Cannavaro - as a former defender myself, I simply love the way he plays the game and I have nothing but the utmost respect him for him as a player. It's really confusing, this forbidden love.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Sunday Liveblog: Liverpool vs. Man. City
For whom does the red and white confetti fly? Ask not, for if Liverpool lose this match, it flies for United. Again. The Reds have, of course, never won the Premier League trophy, shit they haven't won the top flight since Lingering (and the players, see above) were in short-short-short pants.
So really, it's all quite simple. If you're looking for an angle this morning, here you go: Liverpool has to win every game for the rest of the season if they're to have any chance of climbing back over United. If they lose to Citeh, IT IS especially OVER. Somewhere, Lingering and Sven are taking their nervous poops.
Still, they'll find no sympathy here (I'm incapable of empathy)... no, much better, they shall receive this roadmap: Win today, win next week, then win at mid-week next week. Then go to Old Trafford and win there. It's a four-part plan. Part One begins now!
(Oh, by the way, Stevie G is still out, and looking unlikely for Madrid, and Xabi Alonso misses from suspension. Same for SWP. Richard Dunne does make his Prem return after some league-imposed vacation time.
Lineups and Live updates after the jump.
Lineups:
Liverpool:
Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Skrtel, Dossena, Benayoun, Mascherano, Lucas, Riera, Torres, Kuyt.
Subs: Cavalieri, Hyypia, Aurelio, Babel, Ngog, Spearing, El Zhar.
Citeh: Given, Richards, Dunne, Onuoha, Bridge, Zabaleta, De Jong, Kompany, Ireland, Bellamy, Robinho.
Subs: Hart, Garrido, Vassell, Evans, Elano, Weiss, Caicedo.
Referee: Phil Dowd and his sweaty, taped-on headpiece
In case you're just waking up, or haven't yet gone to sleep, know this:
-Still no goals down (I am, in theory, at Anfield) in London. By all accounts, Fulham is dominating the Baggies, but yeah, no goooooooools.
-Newcastle and Everton play concurrent to our concerns.
-Norwich have nicked a point off Burnley. Though, it seems-- and both the managers have acknowledged this much in their post-match comments-- that Norwich dominated the action. Stepping back, I'd say this result keeps Bigus off the pavement for another week.
K-minus 3 mins:
The Sky Sports "pre-game" is really weird. They can't show the Fulham game, so we settle for watching someone else watching. Then, face aflutter, the gentleman relays to us what he's seen. Mostly, it's been Zamora not scoring. My god, that boy's done quite a bit of not-scoring today.
Moments to glory:
We've switched over to the control room in Winnipeg. And the images have begun to stream in from the ground. Liverpool in red, Citeh in their sky-blues.
The FSC presenter has scored a point for himself-- using "influential" instead of ohhhh, "talismanic" to describe Liverpool's talismanic (d'oh!) captain.
Under way at Anfield!
p.s. Man City has no midfield.
2 min: first goal kick to City.. Kuyt down the right side. Blocked off, but out for an attacking throw.
4 min: City deal with it, but Dossena heads back in and Liverpool now have a corner.
5 min: After some ticky-tacky on the right, Riera walks into the box, pops one in front, which Micah Richard head butts into the ether.
6 min: announcer: Manchester is "United" (ho ho) in their rooting interests in this match.
9 min: Dossena says "Hey, Micah, look at the studs on my new boots!" He then attempts to plant them in the defender's leg. Dowd reminds him of his manners.
The Flying Jew takes a lovely pass in the box, lays it off for Torres, who slices it off into the crowd. Nice work again from Yossi.
10 min: the themes so far: No real chances - Man City strikers hardly a touch - Arbeloa loves aiming for Benayoun down the right side - Liverpool are looking strooong
11 min: Robinho gets his first touch... just outside his own box. It's an asault right now.. but surely it can't last. And if Liverpool go another 15 without a goal the locals are bound to grow restless. (...ball bouncing round middle of the park)
13 min: Lucky Richard Dunne: he takes down Torres near the goalline extended, but Dowd is spared the decision by his linesman. Offside. Dodgy at best.
14 min: Stevie I manages Citeh's first "shot." More like a bad pass that hits Reina in the chest. Liverpool back, sturdy in possession.
15 min: Not much doing after a quarter-hour. 'Pool has owned the wings, City has handled all crosses.
Just you and me, eh Georger? Just like I planned.
18 min: First half-chance for City. Bellamy almost sent through, but Pepe comes skipping out to snatch it up on the edge of the box.
Torres taken down 20 yards out. Free kick from range.
20 min: Benayoun with a nut-crusher into the Shitty Wall
22 min: Mayhem in front of Shay Given--> Newcastle flashbacks. Corner to Liverpool. Again, trampling bodies before Given. City just manage to clear... and gaaa... back into the box. Surely a matter of time now...
24 min: Riera to Torres, laid off to Kuyt, who fires just wide from distance. Liverpool are dominating here. Alas, there's the small issue of a goal.
26 min: Kompany has Robinho in good space on the right side, room to flush in... if he had just received the pass. He does not. Goal kick.
27 min: Credit to City for not putting everyone behind the ball. That said, maybe they should.
28 min: What the fuck? "Stand-by for Operation Anfield Exercise!" announcement on loud speaker at the ground. Air raid??
29 min: Kuyt with a touch. I'd nearly forgotten about him. Liverpool back in possesion.
30 min: Best chance of the match-- and it's for City... a 70-yard give-and-go between Ireland and Robinho. Reina steps up and stops Ireland from point-blank. Ireland knows he should've had one.
31 min: YELLOW for Richard Dunne, who takes a fleshy scythe to Kuyt, who was about to receive a pass from Torres... who's playing deep.
32 min: Mascherano takes chances from 30 yards out. Spectators under fire. Goal kick quickly finds Liverpool back in possession. Again, they dominate the wings, but Dunne and Co. have been strong on the crosses.
34 min: Torres, deep again, looks to slot home Kuyt, who has come inside for at least a moment. City close ranks again.
36 min: Torres runs miles alone down the right side. Has a choice of Kuyt or Riera, both alone at the top of the 18. Riera gets, takes two touches, then misses the mark. Weak.
38 min: Captain Obvious: Liverpool needs to turn possession/shots into a goal. (Capt. Obvious is our play-by-play man)
39 min: Watching Liverpool is like watching NBA basketball. Let's just fast-forward to the last 5 mins and enjoy. They're not scoring until at least the 75th minute.
41 min: Torres, deep AGAIN, takes Reina punt and manages to get incisive pass onto Yossi's foot. The Jew promptly floats a balloon over Given's net.
I'm Jewish, it's ok, I can call him that.
43 min: Carra steps in to break up City march. Corner to City, then. Their first.
44 min: dealt with... Liverpool dicking around on the edge of the box (hmmm)... Torres is eventually floored. No whistle, and we're back in the middle third.
45 min: +2 min...
45 + 1 min= City make some strides at the end, but Mascherano, playing the Wilson Palacios role, cleans everything up.
The whistle goes and the World Soccer Sho/Pro-Activ show begins.
What FSC thinks of you, the viewer. Acne-covered, Soccer shirt fiend, who likes to have a nostalgia tug to JLH's face. You may also be considering a Middle Eastern holiday, courtesy of the US Army.
So Fulham pulled through, 2-0 winners. Apparently Andy "Diving C*nt" Johnson played some role. I'm just relaying Bigus's commentary...
Question: Is Kasabian pissed that the Marines stole their song?
Hooters commercial? Really? That's rare. Like they'd even show this game at Hooters.
Question 2: Is anyone else already mad over the idea that Benjamin Button could potentially, maybe win a Best Picture award tonight?? If this happens, I'm done. Really. it'd be too much to bear.
SECOND HALF--
46 min: Liverpool do the honors... and we're off!
47 min: Uh OH!!! GOAL!!!!! for Craig Bellamy. Kompany holds the ball up inside the box, lets one off for Bellamy who whips a shot off one/two Pool defenders.
1-0 CITEH
48 min: Commence "they need Gerrard" wailing... De Jong whips one in from 35 yards that, ugh, almost nips the upper 90. Liverpool are on their heels.
52 min: Has the Welshman just taken a (golf) club to Liverpool's title dreams? (little late, but salient nonetheless)
54 min: and the natives are officially restless. Long pass nips off Torres for a defending throw from Richards.
55 min: Riera and Yossi go one-two down the park. Shot blocked by City defender. The pressure is back on from the home side.
56 min: Riera throws a long, diagonal ball in for Torres who juuust misses nipping it with his sliding right foot... Welcome back to the match, Reds.
58 min: Riera again, working that left side. Cross deflected off for a corner.
58 min: Torres heads from the near post... well away... goal kick.
59 min: Robinho with precious incisive touch to Ireland, who promptly spins and skies one miles over Reina from 25 yards.
61 min: Lucas LAUNCHES cross-field pass for Benayoun, who applauds the idea. Tens of thousands jeer the execution.
63 mins: SUB: Riera off for El Zhar. Riera had been, if not good, then on-the-ball. But he's done.
66 min: and there he is. El Zhar with lovely cross for Torres. But there's Dunne again.
66 min: City break after the corner. Richards finds a very offside Ireland who touches home. Disallowed. Clearly so.
69 min: Great build-up from City (begun by a wicked bicycle kick pass from Kompany)... it ends with Robinho on the deck, but play was deemed offside. Correct again. Liverpool leave it late again. A loss here will indeed hurt their UF Power Poll ranking. Due out tomorrow!
70 min: Oops. Not offside. The foul was called, and Robinho just misses on his free kick. It's deflected, so we prepare for a corner.
71 min: Dossena deals. Man City own this at the moment, if that's not clear.
72 min: Liverpool have possession, but no chances. Every third pass gets picked off. City is like the GOP congress, but more effective. That's to say, obstructionist, but with a goal to stand on.
76 min: Kompany, who saw YELLOW moments ago (my bad, was getting a juice)... seemingly earned another. Somehow, El-Zhar ends up in the book, for an earlier challenge?
The point: Liverpool has not scored.
77 min: City can do no wrong. Kuyt twice has ball taken off him in final third. Each time hard, clean, effective tackles.
78 min: Like I was saying... GOOOOOOOOAAAALL!!!!!! for Dirk Kuyt!!!
78 min: Torres takes a pass in the box, kinda scuffs it in Kuyt's direction, who kinda scuffs it... into the net. Why can't they do this before the last quarter-hour?? Is the next one a foregone conclusion?
82 min: Kuyt fires a rocket from the top of the box... a fantastic reaction save from Given, who had a lot of power to deal with.
SUB: Babel on for Javier M
85 min: El Zhar in to Torres, down to Benayoun, who gets saved from straight away. Shot it right at him! OOOOh that might have been their chance.
87 min: Arbeloa slips a ball into Kuyt, who turns from top-right of the box and puts a shot just across goal and wide. How many more of these?
88 min: SUB: The Ecuadorian Caicedo on for Robinho.
89 min: I don't mean to explode Lingering's small intestine, but Robbie Keane could've been helpful today. All that early pressure and no goals. If this ends a draw, that'll be the worst to remember.
90 min: Citeh have re-asserted themselves here at the close.
THREE minutes added on.
Three minutes to this season being o-v-a.
90 + 1 min: Torres walks in the box (again), but it falls to Aurelio, who launches a hasty moonshot.
90 + 2 min: 60-odd seconds to grim death.
Kleared again by Kompany.
AND THAT'S IT.
a very aggressive challenge by Richard Dunne takes the ball of Ryan Babel in the last second. If Babel goes to ground, there is a... 40 percent chance he earns a penno. Alas, Dunne got ball and Babel has a bit of pride. So there it is. Man City essentially assures Man United another title. Shame on Liverpool for not making more of their epic dominance in the first quarter-hour.
Well done to you Mike Georger, you acne-scarred, hairy-handed, soccer-shirt buying, trained killing machine of a blog commenter. You've earned your day's pay.
Final note: seems the Bellamy goal, which I maintain was goalbound, has been charged as an own goal to Arbeloa. Fair or unfair, the deed is done.
Read more on "Sunday Liveblog: Liverpool vs. Man. City"...
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Quick Throw: Scolari to Citeh?
Thus forever damaging the news-worthy sanctity of the Quick Throw, I present this wonderful, media-driven slab of conjecture: Big Phil could be at Eastlands soon to replace Mark "Inept" Hughes.
Stunning, right? Because only in soccer could mediocrity and dismissal from a big, rich club land you a job at a smaller, richer club that's trying to get big.
One thing is certain: Citeh sure have an eye for quality. Oh look, there's Wayne Bridge now!
[Guardian Sport]
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Mark Hughes is not enjoying Valentine's Day
In the day's only Premiership action, Citeh lost to Pompey 2-0, perhaps condemning Sparky to the sack. His Wikipedia page says he is still employed, but that could change. So far all of the FA Cup games have ended in draws, and Chelsea and Watford are at nil nil in the second half. Elsewhere PSV is hosting AZ Alkmaar, and Barca seeks to continue their torrid stretch against Real Betis. Feel free to profess your love for Lionel Messi here.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Transfer Deadline Day Open Thread -- Updated!
Just hours to go now (and by the time you see this, maybe moments) until the January window slams shut. As always, there remain a host of possible moves. Keane back to Spurs? Arshavin to Arsenal? Veloso to SF Bolton?? Anyone and Everyone to Citeh? We'll keep count, with your aid and peerless commentary, right here.
Summary of the [more-or-less] confirmed Prem deals after the jump.
IN:
Everton-- Jo (Man City)
Fulham-- Olivier Dacourt (Inter loan), Gray (Coventry loan extended)
Newcastle-- Ryan Taylor (Wigan)
Portsmouth-- Angelos Basinas (AEK loan)
Stoke-- Henri Camara (Wigan loan)
Tottenham-- Robbie Keane (Liverpool)
West Brom-- Youssouf Mulumbu (PSG loan), JC Menseguez (San Lorenzo loan)
Wigan-- Charles N'Zogbia (Newcastle)
Chelsea-- Ricardo Quaresma (Inter loan)
Friday, January 30, 2009
UF Quick Throw: Transfers of minor merit!
Blackburn Rovers open the flea-bitten wallet for El-Hadji Diouf, leaving us all wondering why. Citeh get massive bid for Santa Cruz rejected! My guess: they'll sell for 5 million pounds more as Sparky is desperate. And Bolton lose their talismanic/average midfielder Kevin Nolan to the SS Newcastle.
Oh, and Arshavin lowers his wage demands to get a deal done. Sorry, Gooners; looks like you'll pass another transfer window without buying based on need.
[Diouf @ BBC Sport]
[Santa Cruz @ BBC Sport]
[Nolan @ BBC Sport]
[Arshavin @ Guardian Sport]
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Things Might Get Even Worse for Citeh
Karma truly is a bitch. Manchester City has made a mockery of the transfer window by attempting to sign big name players, only to find themselves bidding against themselves and, in the end, having not a lot to show for it.
Now it is karma's turn. First there was the investigation of Robinho. Now things might get a whole lot worse. The Guardian Sport blog has taken notice of news surfacing in Italy that Man City used Kia Joorabchian (pictured) as part of their negotiating team on the Kaka transfer. As you may recall, Joorabchian was the man at the center of l'affair d'Tevez et Mascherano.
The problem is that Joorabchian is still not a licensed agent and, as the FA has made clear, that is a strict no-no. For instance, Luton was docked 10 points as part of their punishment over the summer, and the FA has sent out at least two strongly worded reminders to all clubs.
So far Citeh is being understandably coy about Joorabchian's involvement in the Kaka negotiations. However, given the strong stance that the FA has taken on using unlicensed agents, there appears to be some possibility of an investigation and eventual point deduction coming their way. If nothing else, it's simply more evidence that Man City are groping in the dark as they set about rebuilding their team. And that probably won't help Citeh convince more world-class players to sign.
photo: Daily Mail
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
UF Quick Throw: How to leave training camp early and panic people
So Robinho goes missing from the Citeh training camp in Tenerife, but don't worry folks, it was planned! (The "planned" part being the swift damage control, of course).
Citeh are the EPL's best soap opera. Will they sign a player for double what they're worth? Will they botch another audacious, 100m Euro bid for a superstar?
Tune in tomorrow to find out!
[Goal.com]
[BBC Sport]
Friday, January 16, 2009
UF Quick Throw: Someone Thinks The Kaka Deal is Done
Soccernet is claiming that "reports from Abu Dhabi suggest that Manchester City owner Sheikh Mansour believes his club's chase for Brazilian superstar Kaka has ended in success."
Reports. Suggests. Belief. Make of it what you will.
Kaka can make an assload of cash of it if he wills.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
UF Quick Throw: Kaka Turns Down the Opportunity to Trade the Champions League for an EPL Relegation Fight
That was fast. Although AC Milan accepted Citeh's ridiculous transfer fee, Kaka has rejected a move to Citeh.
Read more on "UF Quick Throw: Kaka Turns Down the Opportunity to Trade the Champions League for an EPL Relegation Fight"...Citeh is Playing with Monopoly Money
Welcome to the brave new world. Rumors of Man City making an unprecedented offer to AC Milan for former World Player of the Year winner Kaka spread through the British rags yesterday, and the Daily Mail was the first to report the details: 100 million pounds in cash to Milan; 500,000 pounds per week to Kaka.
How do you pry a world class player from a team that says it won't sell? You make AC Milan an offer they can't refuse. How do you convince a world class player to come to a team that's currently sitting 15th in the Premier League? You make Kaka an offer he can't refuse.
No matter the outcome, this is the equivalent of Godzilla landing in Tokyo -- the normal rules of the game have changed, and all transfers up until now seem quaint by comparison, even the 48 million pounds that Real Madrid paid for Zizou. Or maybe it's more like Frankenstein -- doesn't City know that, when you play god, you only create monsters that want to rip your arms out?
The simple fact is that Man City has just raised the stakes exponentially on gaudiness. There just doesn't seem to be much design or plan to the way they're building this team: splash obscene amounts of Abu Dhabi cash at an underperforming and dysfunctional squad and then hope for the best (i.e., it'll be Mark Hughes's fault when the team continues to underperform).
Maybe this will unite 99% of football fans in wishing that the Citeh experiment ends in disaster. It sure would be hard for anyone to argue that this good for the game, except maybe the most diehard City fan, but even they must feel some sort of trepidation at where this is all heading. And to think, it was less than six months that Thaksin was at the helm of City.
Quoth Ian Curtis, "Where will it end?"
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Well It's Not Like They Were Going to Put 50 People on the Roster
Linked with transfer targets Villa, Buffon, Fabragas, Tevez, and Jesus (great left footed shot, the Messiah), Manchester Citeh is making room at the Middle Eastlands for its drastically diminished transfer target estimations by shipping out—or attmepting to ship out—three malcontents.
And by 'malcontents' we mean people who may or may not want to see manager Mark Hughes take a mudshark up the pooper.
From Al Guardian:
Mark Hughes has identified a small but influential group of Manchester City players he fears are trying to lead a dressing-room mutiny against him. There has already been one meeting at which the ringleaders shared their grievances, and a fringe player has complained about Hughes to the club's executive chairman, Garry Cook.
The coup plotters? Two Brazilians and a Jew.
So, Mark Hughes is an anti-semite, eh. Actually he's just stupid.
That's not our assessment, that's merely an inference based on the fact that his squad is sitting 2 points from safety. But he's trying to move Jo, Elano, and Ben Haim, which also makes him kind of stupid.
Okay, if they are going to bring in around £100M in transfers in January, then some bodies have to go. Ben Haim has been offered to Blackburn as part of the Santa Cruz deal. That's no biggie. He's more than serviceable, but to get Santa Cruz that's an easy sacrifice.
But cutting the Brazilians loose? It's no secret that Hughes and Elano aren't bosom buddies—but the image of them in drag does make me giggle—but Elano was maybe one of the 5-7 best attacking mids in the Prem last season. Plus, if the Abu Dhabi owners want to continue to bring in Brazilians, it might help to keep some others around. Robinho barely knows that he's there to begin with, and seems to get the fuck out of there any chance he can. So, not the wisest move from a recruiting standpoint, but when you can pay players by the truckload, maybe that matters less.
In any event, this might all be desperate attempts by Hughes to stave off the inevitable: his getting sacked. Again, the team is just a couple of point from safety (but to be fair so is about half the table) and got humiliated in an FA Cup match 3-0 against Nottingham Forrest over the weekend.
As the Guardian article points out: "Yet Hughes's problems can be gauged by the fact that one of the players who was involved in Saturday's game was seen laughing and joking in the showers directly afterwards."
Bet it was the Jew. Oh, and Mark, just because you're paranoid, doesn't mean they're not out to get you. Read more on "Well It's Not Like They Were Going to Put 50 People on the Roster"...
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