Friday, August 01, 2008

Speed, power and touch make modest Rush my top choice




Ian Rush's ability in front of goal was unparalleled, argues John Barnes.

Britain's 25 Richest Young Footballers

Football players are supposed to be astronomically wealthy, but David Beckham – the richest player in the world – is only the 616th richest person in the UK. Thanks to television money and our love affair with the beautiful game you can make a fortune from running around and kicking a ball, but don’t expect to be rubbing shoulders with Bill Gates or Warren Buffett.


"I made how much for doing nothing?!"

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Friday's Rumours


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EPL Ins and Outs

Champions League Third Round Qualifying: Arsenal Face McClaren




Former England manager Steve McClaren will face Arsenal with his new club Twente Enschede after the teams were paired in the Champions League third qualifying round draw on Friday.

And Liverpool get Standard Liege.

Police question Rooney over spitting allegation




England footballer Wayne Rooney
was questioned by police after allegedly spitting at a paparazzi photographer outside a London restaurant, a spokesman confirmed Friday.






"I didn't do it..."

Dell'Apa: Brawls mar conclusion of SuperLiga semifinals

So much for the SuperLiga as a bridge-building event. Someone should have built a wall to separate the Mexican and MLS teams after the semifinal games, both of which degenerated into full-scale brawls involving coaches and players.

Martin Rogers: McBride ready to lead by example


While the soccer tournament in China is an opportunity for the under-23s to showcase their ability and boost their international reputation, McBride is all about using all the tricks gathered during his long career.

In terms of experience and know-how, his input could be priceless.


I am now officially addicted to this photograph...-Ed.

Class Act: Zanetti To Finish Career At Inter




Internazionale's Javier Zanetti is set to extend his contact until 2011 and end his career with the Nerazzurri.

Blanco receives two-year Open Cup suspension

The organization's disciplinary panel banned Blanco after he punched United midfielder Clyde Simms in the stomach and poked him in the eye July 8 during an Open Cup quarterfinal game against D.C. United.

The 2008 Beijing Olympics




Africa has potential to win gold



Defending champs Argentina look loaded

Thursday, July 31, 2008

McBride Move Finally Completed






The deal to get Brian McBride to the Chicago Fire becomes official.




Appearing at a South Side park soon....

Spurs still need final jigsaw piece


According to Henry Winter Ramos is assembling a terrific squad at Spurs but the team lack a forward focus...
Assessing David Bentley's move to Spurs

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Through European nights and days of horror, Dalglish dazzled




Kenny Dalglish possessed more talent and dedication than any other British footballer of the last 50 years, argues Kevin McCarra.





King Kenny

MLS Seeks More Northern Exposure




Martin Rogers: With two more teams to join in 2011, the groups behind Montreal and Vancouver are both tipped to present a formidable case. Even previously unmentioned Ottawa was included in the league’s eight-city shortlist.

England: Transfer Updates



No Anfield Move for Barry (for the moment)

Bentley says his heart is at Tottenham

Arsenal are set to receive up to £7 million following David Bentley's transfer from Blackburn to Tottenham.

Steed to Sunderland

Ben Haim leaves Chelsea for Citey

Arsenal sign "gamble" Bischoff

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

FIFA orders clubs to release players


World soccer’s governing body FIFA has told clubs they must release any players aged under 23 selected for next month’s Beijing Olympics after rejecting a protest by three European teams.

In a statement issued to the clubs and the media on Wednesday, FIFA said Players’ Status Committee member Slim Aloulou had ruled as a single judge that the release of players was mandatory for all clubs.


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Wednesday's Rumours



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Fun With The Sun




Rooney Goes Back to Everton






Wayne's cousin. Be afraid. Be very afraid.

English Debate: Implications Of The Keane Transfer




What difference has Liverpool's signing of Robbie Keane made to the Premier League landscape as the Big Four - and Spurs - jockey for position pre-season? Graham Lister looks at some of the implications of the Irishman's dream move...




(From left: Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool)

When Irish eyes are frowning




'Arrogant' and 'over-rated' are not the words generally used to describe Robbie Keane in the country where he has made his fortune, yet a vocal majority in his Irish homeland regularly brand him with such damning judgments.

Nike dump Barton



Joey Barton has been dropped by Nike for bringing the brand into "disrepute" following six-month prison sentence for violent attack
Nike put the boot into disgraced Barton

Big year for Malouda



It seems Florent Malouda left his playing boots Lyon. Since signing for Chelsea he has been woeful, both for club and country. Luiz Felipe Scolari, the Chelsea manager, has challenged the french winger and others in his squad to prove their worth.
Malouda is facing a make-or-break season

Spurs need Modric to deliver



With Robbie Keane gone and Dimitar Berbatov expected to follow, Juande Ramos needs his record signing to live up to his billing
Tottenham keen for Modric to spur new generation
Tottenham splash out on Bentley

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Is Premier League killing Nigerian football?



About 30,000 Nigerians took advantage of a rare chance to see their football heroes in action on Sunday, as Manchester United beat Portsmouth 2-1 in a friendly in the capital, Abuja.




Murderers...

Subotic's international future still undetermined



A talented defender with tremendous upside, Subotic is one of those players whose heritage and nomadic upbringing make him eligible for numerous national teams, including the United States.



Subotic (fourth from left) and his family...

Norman Hubbard: Confusing reigns once more at City



European football and Barnsley are not often mentioned in the same sentence. Nor are Manchester City and stability, but when the first game on British soil of Mark Hughes' reign begins at Oakwell on Thursday, there will be the hope that the Welshman can provide a steadiness and a permanence to a much-changed club.

Arsenal's Kolo Toure on track for the new Premier League season after malaria scare




Kolo Toure is expected to recover in time to start the new season despite catching malaria during the summer break.

Everton will use Johnson fee to up bid for Moutinho

Andy Johnson underwent a medical in London yesterday and, barring unforeseen problems, may be confirmed as Fulham's record signing today. The former Crystal Palace striker has agreed personal terms with the Cottagers and favours a return to the capital over Wigan and Sunderland, who were both prepared to match the initial £10.5m that Everton are to receive for the 27-year-old.


Ahh, but Wigan looks lovely...

The Monday MLS Breakdown: Halfway There




Goal.com USA's Kyle McCarthy takes a team-by-team look at what lies ahead for the second half of the MLS season.

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Tuesday's Rumours


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Newcastle midfielder Barton released from prison




Newcastle United midfielder Joey Barton was released from jail on Monday after serving 2-1/2 months of a six-month sentence for attacking a teenager last year.

Barcelona to take Messi on US tour despite Olympic row - report




The squad will face Mexican side Chivas de Guadalajara in Chicago on Sunday and the New York Red Bulls three days later in New York.

Martin Rogers: Beckham’s midseason report card



This is more like how David Beckham imagined things in the United States working out for him.

Four months into the 2008 Major League Soccer season and with four months to go before the championship game in November, Beckham can focus his thoughts on the title instead of worrying about the injury shadow that clouded his first North American campaign last year.

U.S. goalie Friedel joins Aston Villa on 3-year deal




American goalkeeper Brad Friedel signed a three-year contract with English club Aston Villa on Saturday.

Torres is my dream partner, says £20m Keane





Robbie Keane is relishing the prospect of teaming up with Fernando Torres after completing his £20.3million move from Tottenham to Liverpool.