Soccer Silly Season!

Oh Silly Season, where can you find more football gossip than during the Silly season? Post all you rumours and let's discuss them. I will start with one.

As you all know, Leeds have been regilated from Premier League due to the economic situation and the bad gameplay they have shown during this season. Great players like Paul Robinson, Mark Viduka, Alan Smith and Ian Harte all wants to leave. From that list, Alan Smith is one that has "Most wanted" mark on his face.

Rumours claim that Manchester United are after him, I couldn't blame them. Alan Smith is great player BUT his temprament is a big problem. But who knows, if Smith comes to Man Utd, who's going out? Forlan? Bellion?

- T

 

It can't get any sillier than Chelsea (a.k.a Chelski). With Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich taking over Chelsea back in summer 2003. Chelsea is easily the biggest spending club in Europe.. if not the world this season.

World class players such as Adriano Mutu, Hernan Crespo, Claude Makelele, Damien Duff, Joe Cole, Juan Veron... and many others, have all been drawn in by Roman. Technically, with their squad which can (I dare say) match giant clubs like Real Madrid, AC Milan, and Celtic. They should have won at least 2 of the 3 silverware avaliable this season. That being Fa Cup, the Premiership and Champions league. But the only decent mentioning is their claiming at second spot in the Premiership. Poor show if you ask me...

I feel sorry for the players and manager especially. Manger Claudio Ranieri is basically forced out by Roman (poor guy) and there is so much competion in every position between top class players... and more to be expected when Petr Cech, Arjen Robben and presumeably Beckham (with Ronaldo, David Trezeguet, Steven Gerrard, Walter Samuel and a load of other players with rumours) to arrive in the summer, with a number exiting... inluding those who joined last summer, there are bound to be more unhappiness in the Chelski squad.

- Shen

 

Not exactly a silly thing, more unpredicted... The Champions League final between two of the competition's underdogs. FC Porto and Monaco. In my opinion, they are underestimated.

Today's the final... Who is going to win? Monaco (France).............. Or Porto (Portugal)?

Men to look out for for both sides:

Morientes (Monaco) Class striker on loan from Real Madrid, even scored against them in the Quarters to knock them out. Destined for Chelsea next season apparently.

Deco (Porto) Young and skilled attacking midfielder who will be Porto's playmaker. His name and performance should be highlighted and carried forward when he plays for Portugal this summer.

- Shen

 

My money is on Monaco. Didier Deschamp was one of the worlds best central midfielders and now he's one of the young starline of coaches (Others include: Roberto Mancini of Lazio and Mourinhio of Porto)

Well, some more Juicy gossips:

Veron is currently unsettled in Chelski, and Inter are in talks with Chelski. Others include Edgar Davids and Micheal Ballack.

Walter Samuel is ready for Real Madrid. It's good to see that spanards putting money on defenders than just superstars.

Henrik "Henke" Larsson, has finished his time in Celtic. The Swedish attacker who scored 157 goals in 231 matches for Celtic wants to more to a more warmer climate, so Barcelona is close to sign him.

 

You maybe right? but Claudio Ranieri deserve to be forced out...cuz he don't have tactics and he have Star players that he don't let them play...same as Crespo and Mutu.

He let Scott Parker play in Champions league :dizzy2: , scott is young player and untalented...also Robert Huth, he is good player for youth team but in first team he don't know what to do..... Don't BLAME Roman Abramovich .... what he did was that he want to make his team become stronger and better.

 

Wrong. Scott Parker is TALENTED. It's called unexperience. Raneri is giving him playtime in Champions League because of the experience. He wants the player to feel the atmosphere and speed in a Champions League game.

Roman is doing a bad thing for the youth section of Chelski. If you have talented players waiting for the chance, but suddenly a starplayer takes his place, what happens? Well, you basically shut the door infront of the youth player, and his talents will be shattered and forgotten.

A good example is Pirlo. He was first bought to Inter, and he was considered as a new future balance player of Italy. But he didn't have alot of playtime due to the arrival of Farinos and Seedorf. What happened? Inter sold him to Milan, and now he's one of the worlds best midfielders. And don't forget this: Mutu first Italian team was also Inter...and look at him now.

Ranieri is one of the top coaches in the World. The problem is that Abrahimovic is not thinking about the coaches wishes. He buys the players and hoping that Raneri can put them into place. Sure they are all great players but if you have 2-3 star players on the same position it's hard to satisfy everyone.

The Reason of not letting players like Mutu and Crespo play are due to two things:

Injury rehablitation
Players need to time to come to their old form, in this case, Mutu and Crespo were both injured for a certain amount of time. Raneri is afraid that they will go down for a longer period, so he decides to play with Gudjhorsen and Hasselbaink. Don't forget that Gudhjorsen was also the hottest attacker in Champions League.

Squad Rotation
Players need to rotate. You can't force a single player to play all 38 Premier League matches, the International matches, and not to mention Champions League, FA Cup etc. This is for everyone's good. In this way, the players can share the field place, which means that rotation is to satisfy the other players in the same position.
One of the normal things that happen if the coach doesn't rotate is that the players starts to protest and nag, which leads to that either the player goes, or the coach goes.

 

FC Porto ran out 3-0 winners. Great play by the Portugese side, but I was disappointed by Monaco performance eventhough they did not play poorly.

Match goal descriptions:

Porto's 19 year old striker Carlos Alberto scored with the help of Monaco's defender Zikos unintentional lift for him to volley in the back of the net at close range. (38th minutes)

Porto's second came from that talented player (the one I said to look out for) Deco, who scored with a cool finish to send the keeper the wrong way after a calm pass by veteren midfielder Alenichev. (71st minute)

The third came from Dimitri Alenichev himself after an unfortunate rebound from a Monaco defender for the ball to land at his feet and clear for him to blast the ball past the keeper. (74th minute)

Monaco were bogged down by Porto's defence and their increasing frustration after the 1st and 2nd goals meant that lost ball cheaply and tried shots from way out. They were a bit unlucky tonight as well. But I'm sure next year, they will be back...

As for Porto, well done!

- Shen

 

Congratulations Porto! Although I wanted Monaco to win...

By anyways, the questions are big after the finals:

Morientes - Chelski or ARSEnal bound next?
Rothen - Juventus?
Deschamp - Juventus / Chelski ?

Ferriera - Real Madrid ?
Deco - Chelski ?

And lots more coming up...

 

This is how it's going to be for almost all players inbound for english clubs so long that Roman's around... Any one club bids player... Roman looks at their bid, sees if the player is good, then offrs a much higher price. Most players will go for the higher pay of course and end up at Chelsea. Morientes I feel will end up like that if he is linked with an english club.

Porto's leaving manager Mourinho has strongly hinted that he will definately land on an english club next season. Though Chelsea seems likely, Liverpool is also seeking a new manager after Houillier's sacking on Monday. Deschamps IMO is unlikely.

Deco is eyed by Beyern Munich as far as I know but no other club as such.

As for the other players, I havn't heard much news on them but Juve are going to loose Davids to Barca this summer so Rothen could possibly be a replacement, but their have been no rumours about this.

[edit]Fabio Capello has taken the Juve manager spot today[/edit]

- Shen

 

Not to mention Pardenlli of Parma taking over Roma...Oh how the rumours flow...

 

Did u say that Deco is coming to chelsea????

 

... No, if you read the post properly Teddz is just discussing rumours. Hell, for Chelski every world class player is linked to them. This club and Roman is a current disgrace to professional football. He doesn't even consider how the players feel. Just look at the immense competition for each position, telling players like Crespo, Veron, Mutu to be on squad rotation... or even as a substitute is ruining their career. They should be at their peak now and be given much more games than they are given at Chelsea currently.

If he thinks he can win everything by buying everyone.... think again Roman, first understand football.

- Shen

 

I couldn't say it better. Chelski are a disgrace for soccer. I will never say Chelski by it's "normal" name.

Some may call this jealousy, but it's not. I hate them for ruining players and talents.

Speaking of more rumours.

Javier Chevaton of Lecce is the hottest attacker on the market at the moment. He's 23, scored over 19 goals in Serie A this season and teams such as Inter, Milan, Juventus are all looking to sign him.

Antonio Di Natale is also a hot name, he is going to leave Empoli and Inter or Napoli are the ones in front of signing his name.

Gilardano of Parma told to a national newspaper that's he's keen on a move to Parma. The young Italian attacker has impressed everyone after Adriano moved to Inter. Due to the debts of Parma, and the move of Pardenlli to Roma, this could happen.

Cambassio of Real Madrid has signed for Inter on a free transfer, what's left are the medical exams and some further notices and than he's done.

 

Esteban Cambiasso on a free! For Inter! Isn't he like a pretty good Argentine youngster. Didn't really get a chance to play at Real Madrid, was loaned several times. Hopefully he'll do better at Inter.

- Shen

 

Do you know who is going to be Chelsea new Coach???

 

Who knows...It might be Mourinho of Porto but we have to see.

 

It's offical. Mourinho of Porto takes over Chelski. Raneri takes over Valencia C.F, and Ralf Benitez might take over Liverpool since Houllier got sacked.

Man this is dizzy

- Teddz

 

Sheesh, Ranieri was talking with Tottenham just yesterday morning... But I'm glad he's going to Valencia, wouldn't want him at 'spoiling talented players' Tottenham.

On an interesting note. AC Milan lost their second match in their tour in China/Hong Kong. losing 1-0 to Hong Kong team Kitchee on Sunday, they went on to lose 2-0 against Shenhua. Whether they put on their first team or reserve team (but I heard the likes of Shevchenko, Maldini, Ambrosini, Abbiati played)... they are the champions of Itay and one of the best teams in the world. These results are humiliating. Well done to those teams They will play Shanghai a few days later.

- Shen

 

Rumours claim that Inter skipper Christian Vieri is going to Juventus, and Inter will recieve goalie Carini, Di Vaio and some money. They also have the offer to get Marseca.

Sidenote: Emerson might join Juventus due to the fact that Capello took over the team, and Emerson is one of Capellos favorite player.