EPL Team Info: Arsenal, Aston Villa, Blackburn, Bolton, Charlton

Arsenal:
http://football.guardian.co.uk/season200607/story/0,,1841301,00.html

Aston Villa:
http://football.guardian.co.uk/season200607/story/0,,1841340,00.html

Blackburn:
http://football.guardian.co.uk/season200607/story/0,,1841388,00.html

Bolton:
http://football.guardian.co.uk/season200607/story/0,,1841406,00.html

Charlton:
http://football.guardian.co.uk/season200607/story/0,,1841442,00.html

Roman squanders and the game is being ruined

http://football.guardian.co.uk/comment/story/0,,1843665,00.html

Calderón backtracks over election pledge

http://football.guardian.co.uk/continentalfootball/story/0,,1844334,00.html

Preview: Old rivals, new faces spice up Community Shield

People are constantly stopping me on the street and saying, "Hey Sanford! What the hell is the Community Shield?" So in order to save time in my life and ease the difficulty that now exists when running simple errands, I'll give a brief explanation...

This match has been called the Community Shield since 2002. Prior to that (all the way back to 1908) it was called the Charity Shield. In recent times it has become the curtain raiser for the new season. It pits the winner of the top division (now called the English Premier League) against the winner of the F.A. Cup. F.A. stands for Football Association. Although it is a "friendly" that has no bearing on the season itself, it is a trophy nonetheless and often results in a great match. Since the teams playing are usually close in stature, there is a rivalry and intensity that exists, and tensions have been known to boil over. The match is not usually a mellow stroll in the park. Roy Keene's "tackle" on Gus Poyet in 2000 speaks to that.

One day the match might be played at the new Wembley. But until that fiasco is sorted it will remain in Cardiff, in the Millenium Stadium. And yes, it was called the Charity Shield because the money goes to charity. I think they changed the name to make it sound a little better. Anyway, the dough goes to all the 124 clubs that played in the first round of the F.A. Cup the previous year and they then give it to a local charity of their chosing.

http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=reu-englandshield_preview&prov=reuters&type=lgns

Abramovich ready to dictate terms of Cole's Chelsea move

Make it stop...please...make it stop!!

http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,1842104,00.html

Bayern struggling as Bundesliga season kicks off

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=375470&cc=5901

Beckham axed by McClaren

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/sport/football.html?in_article_id=400074&in_page_id=1779&in_a_source=&ct=5

Teammates pick Kasey Keller as captain

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=375536&cc=5901

Friday's rumours

http://football.guardian.co.uk/rumourmill/index/0,,1842560,00.html

Liverpool: El Boot Room

http://observer.guardian.co.uk/sport/story/0,,1833275,00.html

Wenger's star men are always on the go

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/sport/football.html?in_article_id=399958&in_page_id=1779

Redknapp & Le Tissier discuss the upcoming season

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/sport/football.html?in_article_id=400107&in_page_id=1779&in_a_source=

McClaren sees sense in evolution, not revolution

http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,1842097,00.html

Cole's Chelsea move stalls over £25m price

So what now? If you're Arsene Wenger you're wondering how to get team morale back on a solid footing with a super-vocal want-away player in the mix. But here's the real question: What makes Chelsea think Cole isn't worth the money? The just dropped over 50 million on a 30-year-old striker while letting The Good Johnson bail to Barca. They won't pay half that amount for a young left-back who scores goals and defends better than almost anyone else in the world? They paid just as much for Shaun Wright-Phillips and he never plays! So now they're looking at Wayne Bridge (injury-prone and linked with moves away from The Bridge) and Willam Gallas (offended The Family). Other things about Chelsea are becoming interesting. I think the sale of Duff will come back to haunt them. Cole just got hurt and Robben is about as injury-free as Britney Spears is classy. If Chelsea stumble out of the blocks things'll get really interesting. -Sanford

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/index?cc=5901

My Friends at the MLS All-Star Game

Just look at these clowns. You'd think they were posing with the EPL Championship Trophy or something. At least Sara's dressed for the occasion. That's Bob's (shades) "smoking hot" wife. Nice gown! Too bad your boy toys are all slimy with no sense of style. Why don't you ditch the three geeks and hop in with me?

And how about those seats? Almost as good as the seats I had in Germany. OK, better in fact. I just have a few questions: Were you able to get a touch of The Amazing Geremi? Does Robben really look like he's 57 years old in person? Who's a better diver - Drogba or Robben? Did you promise to watch Carlo Cudicini and SWP in all their League Cup matches this season?

Juventus sell Ibrahimovic to Inter Milan

I know Ibra has got skills and perhaps his woeful form last season can be chalked up to problems with Capello but that doesn't explain his crap performances in Germany. Perhaps his injury was still bothering him? Regardless, I can't help but think that Inter got a dud. In my book he plays like Cruz but not as well. I would have passed on him... -Sanford

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=375465&cc=5901

Liverpool 2-1 Maccabi Haifa

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=204455&cc=5901

Walcott returns to Under-21s

Back where he belongs. Theo wins the award for most bizarre World Cup roster place of 2006, if not for the last 20 years. The question is, when will he play in the EPL? -Sanford


http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,1840885,00.html

AC Milan 1-0 Red Star: Milan not thru yet

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=204813&cc=5901

Thursday's rumours

http://football.guardian.co.uk/rumourmill/index/0,,1841181,00.html

A dozen Americans begin season in Premier League

http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=ap-sportsshowcase&prov=ap&type=lgns

Real Madrid close in on Reyes transfer

http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,1841471,00.html

Real Madrid 1, DC United 1

http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news;_ylt=Aoau42FLvRPeKY4z8L.OwbMmw7YF?slug=ap-realmadrid-dcunited&prov=ap&type=lgns

Brazil: Dunga drafts plan B

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=375413&root=global&cc=5901

Dinamo Zagreb 0-3 Arsenal

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=204817&cc=5901

Uli Hesse-Lichtenberger in Germany

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=375301&root=europe&cc=5901

Premier League prospects, Arsenal to Chelsea

http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=reu-englandprospects_1&prov=reuters&type=lgns

Premier League prospects, Everton to Newcastle United

http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=reu-englandprospects_2&prov=reuters&type=lgns

Premier League prospects, Portsmouth to Wigan Athletic

http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=reu-englandprospects_3&prov=reuters&type=lgns

Ronaldo rises above the taunts

http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news;_ylt=AixyoO_9A0Hhk_U5C7WO6hQmw7YF?slug=afp-fblengprmanutd&prov=afp&type=lgns

Should Steve McClaren drop David Beckham?

http://football.guardian.co.uk/comment/story/0,,1839974,00.html

Wednesday's rumours

http://football.guardian.co.uk/rumourmill/index/0,,1840491,00.html

Henry unhappy at possible Cole exit

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=375388&cc=5901

Milan, Liverpool and Arsenal eye European glory

Here we go. I cannot believe it's already starting again. Seems like just yesterday Barca were hoisting the trophy in Paris. Now we've got Arsenal (Barcelona's opponent that day in May), Liverpool (2005 champion) and Milan all forced to hack their way through the qualifying rounds. And next week is the Community Shield. Where did the summer go??

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=375213&cc=5901

Young Gunners go for it in Champions League

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=375283&cc=5901

Mutiny at the Bridge?

Norman Hubbard on the recent grumblings at Chelsea...

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=375252&root=england&cc=5901

Richard Williams on Martin O'Neill & Villa

http://sport.guardian.co.uk/columnists/story/0,,1839355,00.html

Drink spiking puts Everton forward in hospital

http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,1839305,00.html

Cole faces long spell on sidelines

Maybe we'll actually get to see Shaun Wright-Phillips play in a real EPL game!! -Sanford

http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,1838795,00.html

Tuesday's rumours

http://football.guardian.co.uk/rumourmill/index/0,,1839669,00.html

Sol Campbell settles for Portsmouth

Wenger added: "I have no regrets about letting him go but it is a big surprise to me because he cancelled his contract to go abroad. Have you sold Portsmouth to a foreign country? No."

Ahhh, Arsene. Always quick with the wit...

http://football.guardian.co.uk/comment/story/0,,1839330,00.html

Arsenal ready to complete £13.5m deal for Ribéry

http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,1839406,00.html

Rolling Stones concert ruins Stuttgart's pitch

http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news;_ylt=Ak5iXL5OsU9oWuFwVjNYYh0mw7YF?slug=stuttgartstones&prov=st&type=lgns

Tim Vickery in South America

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_football/5251788.stm

MLS All-Stars: Postgame celebrations were overkill

This is a little sad. I mean, I know it was a big game for a lot of these guys but they have to realize that it was just a runabout for Chelski. Be pleased that you won and played well but don't get all loopy about it... Sanford



http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=375249&root=mls&cc=5901

Cole sits out Zagreb trip as deal edges closer

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/sport/football.html?in_article_id=399426&in_page_id=1779&in_a_source=&ct=5

De Rosario stuns Chelsea's high-priced lineup

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=375156&cc=5901

MLS All-Stars show rugged determination

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=375155&root=mls&cc=5901

Crespo set for loan deal at Inter

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/c/chelsea/5252154.stm

Monday's rumours

http://football.guardian.co.uk/rumourmill/index/0,,1839036,00.html

American project reaps rewards

http://football.guardian.co.uk/comment/story/0,,1838589,00.html

United rocked by Carrick injury

http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=afp-fblnedengprajax&prov=afp&type=lgns

Tottenham fans involved in brawl in Dortmund

http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=reu-germanybrawl&prov=reuters&type=lgns

Grant Wahl column

http://sports.yahoo.com/mls/news;_ylt=Ala5AsdbPOJ39ZsiN8jMemcmw7YF?slug=cnnsi-asmallstep&prov=cnnsi&type=lgns

Borgetti set to swap Bolton for Saudi Arabia

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=375211&cc=5901

Chelsea target Cole named in Arsenal Euro squad

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=375199&cc=5901

Onyewu rejects Middlesbrough move

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=375065&cc=5901

MLS stars look for validation vs. Chelsea

Sure, it's a better match-up than in years past but it's still a grab bag of MLS guys versus a team that is just starting to train together after a separation in which most of them were on national team duty. I'm going to give it a miss in favor of Miami Vice at the drive-in... -Sanford

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=374904&root=mls&cc=5901

Confident Chelsea ready for MLS All-Stars

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=374924&root=mls&cc=5901

Fit for a Hollywood thriller: the story of John Obi Mikel

http://football.guardian.co.uk/comment/story/0,,1837019,00.html

Friday's rumours

http://football.guardian.co.uk/rumourmill/index/0,,1837327,00.html

Davids staying at Spurs for another season

http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=afp-fblengprnedtottenham&prov=afp&type=lgns

Toni pleads with Fiorentina to let him go

Big Sam where are you?! This has Bolton Wanderers written all over it!

http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=afp-fblitafiorentinatoni&prov=afp&type=lgns

Tuesday to make or break Reyes Real move?

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=374980&cc=5901

Pope retires from international competition

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=374945&cc=5901

Boro head queue as Real prepare to dump brawling Gravesen

This has "no contest" written all over it. I've never gotten closer to Graveson than when he's been on my television set but I'm still terrified of the guy. I don't think Robinho's step-over move was much help in this brawl. -Sanford

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/sport/football.html?in_article_id=398869&in_page_id=1779&in_a_source=

McBride going nowhere, insist Cottagers

McBride's proven that even at 34 he can still play and play well in the Premiership. I'd hate to see him sent to the Championship or go elsewhere in the EPL and ride the pine. His best chance to see action is staying right at Fulham (Coleman loves him, as he should) and I'm glad it looks like that's what will happen. When he's on the pitch for the Cottagers, he opens up a lot of space for other players and generally creates loads of problems for defenders. Oh, and he scores goals, as most good forwards do. But one question: Where did you get those pants?? OK, two questions. What are those pants?? -Sanford

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=374693&cc=5901

More Photographs From Germany

My occasional travel partner Pat took most of these shots in either Kaiserslautern, Munich or Stuttgart. I'm particularly fond of the one of me preparing to attack my sausage and kraut breakfast in Munich after the overnight train trip. The large foosball table is also nice - there were loads of these all over Germany and they always seemed to be fully occupied with enthusiastic fans.

There are also a couple shots of Allan and Pat at the Nuremberg rally site. Heavy stuff. Allan is the kind Scottish chap from Arizona who sold Ivar a ticket for USA/Ghana. That ticket enabled his girlfriend to attend the very first soccer match of her life. Danke, Allan!

OK - here's the link:

http://community.webshots.com/myphotos?action=viewAllPhotos&albumID=552561832&security=OebyXz

While I have a moment, allow me to weigh in on the Ashley Cole affair. It'll be done soon, and he'll be a Chelsea player. That's fine with me. He's already made it clear that he doesn't want to stay in North London, so we don't want him either. How he could claim the Arsenal managment hung him out to dry after he met with Chelsea's biggies illegally is beyond me. He needs to go now so we can work on team chemistry for the start of the season. Our first Champions League match is fast approaching, and if we play Ashley, he'll be tied and won't be able to show for Chelsea in the Champions League. Hence, expect a resolution soon. I'm eager to see how much we can fetch for him. 20 million? 25? It'll be a hefty sum and Arsene will use it well.

-Editor

Arsenal to pick Cole in European squad despite transfer furore

Not sure how I feel about this. Will Cole even agree to play if he's picked for the squad? I don't want him on the team with all the crap he's been pulling - I'd rather just get rid of him and cash in.

http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,1836089,00.html

Foreign stars snub the Bundesliga

http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=afp-fblgertransfers&prov=afp&type=lgns

Mourinho: Gallas has disrespected the family

Do not, I repeat, do not disrespect The Family...

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=374890&cc=5901

UEFA slam AC Milan but give them Champions League place

http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news;_ylt=An.BgnHFsZVTysRiqQ8BfyYmw7YF?slug=reu-championsmilan&prov=reuters&type=lgns

Bates reports Chelsea over 'tap-up'

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=374851&cc=5901

Calcio Addicts: Tears Of Joy And Great Tribulation

http://goal.com/en-US/articolo.aspx?contenutoId=104644

Champions League Wrap & Third Qualifying Round Draw

http://goal.com/en-US/articolo.aspx?contenutoId=104536

Deluded Frank Lampard joins football's book worms

http://football.guardian.co.uk/Columnists/Column/0,,1835780,00.html

Nerazzurri complete £6.5m Vieira deal

Yeah! Thank God he didn't go to ManU...

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=374835&cc=5901

Mourinho dismisses Liverpool title challenge

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=374841&cc=5901

Gunners trio to miss start of season

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=374839&cc=5901

Gabriele Marcotti column

http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news;_ylt=AgUrtn7WOLwjTbxRlUr81Pomw7YF?slug=cnnsi-superstarsweeps&prov=cnnsi&type=lgns

Gallas in hot water as he skips Chelsea's US tour

http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=afp-fblengprchelseafra&prov=afp&type=lgns

Wembley rows get more bitter as legal action gets closer

2010 FA Cup Final anyone??

http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,1835373,00.html

Wednesday's rumours

http://football.guardian.co.uk/rumourmill/index/0,,1835567,00.html

Zokora snubbed Arsenal for Spurs

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/t/tottenham_hotspur/5236366.stm

England's coolest head walks tall into the new era

Owen Hargreaves interview...

http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,1834712,00.html

Cole's absence sparks Arsenal stand-off

What a wanker...

http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,1834607,00.html

O'Neill 'to take Villa job'

Even with Ellis leaving I wouldn't touch Villa with a ten-foot pole... -Sanford

http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,1834959,00.html

The Fiver

http://football.guardian.co.uk/Fiver/0,,1834997,00.html

Home matches for Israeli clubs in UEFA Cup to be played in neutral countries

http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news;_ylt=Avx65e2ecCt7SeUIjoAqgJgmw7YF?slug=ap-uefa-israel&prov=ap&type=lgns

FUNNIES

They certainly know how to have a good time at Chelsea!! -Sanford

FUNNIES

Fulham's German defender Moritz Volz is a massive fan of David Hasselhoff, describing the former Baywatch star as "like some higher spirit". He added: "In times of trouble I ask myself 'How would the Hoff deal with this situation?'"

Andriy Shechenko and Michael Ballack will be forced to take part in a traditional Chelsea initiation ceremony later this week, where they will be asked to sing a number of their choice in front of their new team-mates.

Blues midfielder Joe Cole said: "Absolutely no-one escapes. It's horrible - I was more worried about the singing than making my debut! And when the lads have had enough, they let you know by throwing bread rolls and stuff." (The Sun)

Home for Giggs is a £6m 'carbuncle'

Ryan Giggs: Pure class...

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=398473&in_page_id=1770

Paradiso to inferno

This is an excellent in-depth look at the Italian scandal...I wonder what the Elvi think of it all?

Part I:
http://observer.guardian.co.uk/osm/story/0,,1830656,00.html

Part II:
http://observer.guardian.co.uk/osm/story/0,,1830710,00.html

The top British transfer fees - and how they rate

Who wants to bet that Juan Sebastian Veron is the worst??

http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,1834146,00.html

Monday's rumours

http://football.guardian.co.uk/rumourmill/index/0,,1834149,00.html

Aimar quits Valancia for shock Zaragoza move

Here's a case of a fantastic player who just can't seem to find the right situation. He had some decent spells with Valencia last season, but something always ended up going wrong. Injuries and benching continue to hold him back. I was hoping he'd come to England - he's a joy to watch. And he's still only 26! I'm still pissed at Pekerman for not putting him in for Riquelme in Argentina's last match in Germany. Instead we got Cambiasso. And Argentina went home... -Sanford

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=374616&cc=5901

McBride: Tough shoes to fill

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=374580&root=us&cc=5901

Tottenham captain King out for up to two months

This is really bad news for Spurs. An already suspect defense has been dealt a rough blow. Better hope those strikers can cover the difference... -Sanford

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=374651&cc=5901

Rioting supporters set toilets on fire in Brazil

Ahhh...good times

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=374683&cc=5901

Four red cards and a brawl in Friendship Cup

Ahhh...more good times

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=374681&cc=5901

The Football League: Beyond the promised land

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=337873&root=england&cc=5901