The Soccer Thread

[reggiemiller rules]

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/agent-confirms-big-club-interest-dempsey

Fresh from a strong showing at the World Cup, the Texas native was linked with a bid from Napoli in Italian paper Il Mattino on Monday.

 

His agent says there are no tabled offers at this time, but he admitted that Napoli are among the clubs crowding around Dempsey.

 

"We don't have an offer from Napoli," Lyle Yorks told MLSsoccer.com. "There is a lot of interest from big clubs in Europe in Clint. And now you've got Roy Hodgson leaving for Liverpool tomorrow, if that's confirmed, so there's a lot of different things going on."

 

Yorks revealed that Dempsey has at least one admirer in each of the five top leagues—England, France, Germany, Italy and Spain—and that these clubs coming in all have European soccer on the docket this coming season.

 

"We've got in Italy a major club and in France a major club," he stated. "And in the Bundesliga a club."

 

http://www.noshortcorners.com/

Since someone will ask eventually, I'll just offer up my guesses at the French and Italian 'big clubs" - but let me make it totally clear that this is pure educated guess. This is not any inside info, so don't go tell everyone I reported it as legit news.

 

Now... just for fun... I'll go with Marseille and AC Milan. I could also reasonably see a couple of other options making sense. I also can see Liverpool in if/when Fulham boss Roy Hodgson takes the reins. Any which way, this MC Deuce situation should be fun to watch.

 

Damn, that will be interesting. Feel bad for Fulham though if Hodgson leaves.

 

 

Hodgson is gone, signed a 3 year deal with Liverpool today.

[Banedon]

I don't know how many of you saw it, but The Daily Show last night was fully dedicated to soccer, and had Donovan and Coach Bradley on as guests.

[wolf stansson]

Hodgson is gone, signed a 3 year deal with Liverpool today.

Apparently part of the buyout was an agreement not to poach any Fulham players. Thank God. I can't like Liverpool. Deuce or no.

[Exile on Waveland]

Hodgson is gone, signed a 3 year deal with Liverpool today.

Apparently part of the buyout was an agreement not to poach any Fulham players.

 

Crap. I was dreaming of an American with the Merseysiders (the red ones, not the blue ones). Oh well.

[CubInOK]

There are a lot of people at the Toronto-Houston game tonight. Toronto's players look like American forwards with their finishing so far.

[wolf stansson]

http://www.whoateallthepies.tv/fulham/33541/clint-dempsey-on-his-way-out-of-fulham.html

Dempsey’s representative, Lyle Yorks, told the official MLS site;

 

“There is a lot of interest from big clubs in Europe in Clint, and now you’ve got Roy Hodgson leaving for Liverpool… so there’s a lot of different things going on.

 

We’ve got a major club in Italy, a major club in France, and a club in the Bundesliga. We’ll be sorting through them in the coming weeks and also seeing what happens at Fulham.

 

There’s direct contact and discussions, but first they’d have to agree a deal with Fulham.”

 

The European clubs in question are believed to be Juventus, Bordeaux and Bayer Leverkusen.

[USSoccer]

http://www.whoateallthepies.tv/fulham/33541/clint-dempsey-on-his-way-out-of-fulham.html

Dempsey’s representative, Lyle Yorks, told the official MLS site;

 

“There is a lot of interest from big clubs in Europe in Clint, and now you’ve got Roy Hodgson leaving for Liverpool… so there’s a lot of different things going on.

 

We’ve got a major club in Italy, a major club in France, and a club in the Bundesliga. We’ll be sorting through them in the coming weeks and also seeing what happens at Fulham.

 

There’s direct contact and discussions, but first they’d have to agree a deal with Fulham.”

 

The European clubs in question are believed to be Juventus, Bordeaux and Bayer Leverkusen.

 

Leverkusen, plz.

[Mark Priors Calves]

Dempsey and Ballack? I know who my new favorite side in Germany is.

[wolf stansson]

http://g.sports.yahoo.com/soccer/world-cup/news/sources-ac-milan-interested-in-dempsey--fbintl_ro-dempsey070410.html

According to multiple sources, Milan officials have monitored Dempsey’s progress for several months and were impressed enough by his efforts in South Africa to be considering a formal transfer bid.

...

“[Dempsey] brings a lot of action and energy but he can be creative too,” said a Milan source who is close to the club’s board. “There are some options on the table but Dempsey is a realistic one. A bid is very possible, and soon.”

...

“[Fulham] are aware that if a club like [Milan] comes in it is hard for a player to say no,” said a source close to Fulham. The source added that while no formal bid had yet been lodged the EPL club was “well aware” of Milan’s interest.

 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1291794/Sven-Goran-Eriksson-heads-Fulham-shortlist-replace-Roy-Hodgson.html

Fulham are planning to appoint a "high-calibre manager" to succeed Roy Hodgson in the next fortnight with frontrunners Sven Goran Eriksson and Mark Hughes joined by surprise outside US World Cup coach Bob Bradley.

...

The outsider, American manager Bradley, is keen to embark on a club career in Europe and his advantage would be being able to bring in several members of the American World Cup team including his son Michael to line up alongside Clint Dempsey who is already at Craven Cottage.

Fulham are not rushing into an appointment with Hodgson having only departed on Thursday.

But they want a man in place before they arrive for a pre-season training camp in Sweden on July 19.

[wolf stansson]

If Landon Donovan Jr. is going to be wearing the Three Lions then it's only fair that Christiano Ronaldo Jr. suits up for us.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/soccer/world-cup-2010/07/04/ronaldo.son.ap/index.html

The paper reported that the baby's mother is an American national and gave birth to Ronaldo's son in early June.

 

So how young is too young to cap tie? I'm thinking next year's Gold Cup.

 

Edit - this link has a pic: http://deadspin.com/5579751/

[shnsajax]

http://g.sports.yahoo.com/soccer/world-cup/news/sources-ac-milan-interested-in-dempsey--fbintl_ro-dempsey070410.html

According to multiple sources, Milan officials have monitored Dempsey’s progress for several months and were impressed enough by his efforts in South Africa to be considering a formal transfer bid.

...

“[Dempsey] brings a lot of action and energy but he can be creative too,” said a Milan source who is close to the club’s board. “There are some options on the table but Dempsey is a realistic one. A bid is very possible, and soon.”

...

“[Fulham] are aware that if a club like [Milan] comes in it is hard for a player to say no,” said a source close to Fulham. The source added that while no formal bid had yet been lodged the EPL club was “well aware” of Milan’s interest.

 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1291794/Sven-Goran-Eriksson-heads-Fulham-shortlist-replace-Roy-Hodgson.html

Fulham are planning to appoint a "high-calibre manager" to succeed Roy Hodgson in the next fortnight with frontrunners Sven Goran Eriksson and Mark Hughes joined by surprise outside US World Cup coach Bob Bradley.

...

The outsider, American manager Bradley, is keen to embark on a club career in Europe and his advantage would be being able to bring in several members of the American World Cup team including his son Michael to line up alongside Clint Dempsey who is already at Craven Cottage.

Fulham are not rushing into an appointment with Hodgson having only departed on Thursday.

But they want a man in place before they arrive for a pre-season training camp in Sweden on July 19.

 

Fulham loves the American's, bring on McBride as an assistant with him. Michael Bradley would be interesting to see there for 2 years though I would not be surprised to see bigger clubs coming first.

 

Sounds like Dempsey is going to be leaving if clubs like Milan are coming. I could see him wanting something a little bit more than Fulham despite all of his success and love he gets there.

[USSoccer]

Deuce to Milan would either be amazing or tragic. With Serie A restricting teams to only 1 non EU signing, if they spent it on Clint that would truly be a watershed moment. He could really thrive in that league. I'd love him to get out of England, actually, since I think 4 more years of EPL might run him down too much.

 

No chance Bradley goes to Fulham, but the fact that he's in the rumor mill says something about our worldwide rep's progress.

 

Watched LAG/SSFC last night...at least 4 NT prospects play for the 'Gals: Bowen, Stephens, Gonzalez and Franklin.

 

I like this Bowen thing. Gonzalez needs a serious look, either against Brasil or Poland in the fall. Franklin should be brought into Camp Cupcake and Stephens might be nothing more than depth, but I like the cut of his jib

[shnsajax]

Deuce to Milan would either be amazing or tragic. With Serie A restricting teams to only 1 non EU signing, if they spent it on Clint that would truly be a watershed moment. He could really thrive in that league. I'd love him to get out of England, actually, since I think 4 more years of EPL might run him down too much.

 

No chance Bradley goes to Fulham, but the fact that he's in the rumor mill says something about our worldwide rep's progress.

 

Watched LAG/SSFC last night...at least 4 NT prospects play for the 'Gals: Bowen, Stephens, Gonzalez and Franklin.

 

I like this Bowen thing. Gonzalez needs a serious look, either against Brasil or Poland in the fall. Franklin should be brought into Camp Cupcake and Stephens might be nothing more than depth, but I like the cut of his jib

 

Wouldn't that force out Gooch?

[USSoccer]

Deuce to Milan would either be amazing or tragic. With Serie A restricting teams to only 1 non EU signing, if they spent it on Clint that would truly be a watershed moment. He could really thrive in that league. I'd love him to get out of England, actually, since I think 4 more years of EPL might run him down too much.

 

No chance Bradley goes to Fulham, but the fact that he's in the rumor mill says something about our worldwide rep's progress.

 

Watched LAG/SSFC last night...at least 4 NT prospects play for the 'Gals: Bowen, Stephens, Gonzalez and Franklin.

 

I like this Bowen thing. Gonzalez needs a serious look, either against Brasil or Poland in the fall. Franklin should be brought into Camp Cupcake and Stephens might be nothing more than depth, but I like the cut of his jib

 

Wouldn't that force out Gooch?

 

I think it's one signing per year, and Gooch has Belgish citizenship and holds an EU passport as well.

[wolf stansson]

Deuce to Milan would either be amazing or tragic. With Serie A restricting teams to only 1 non EU signing, if they spent it on Clint that would truly be a watershed moment. He could really thrive in that league. I'd love him to get out of England, actually, since I think 4 more years of EPL might run him down too much.

 

No chance Bradley goes to Fulham, but the fact that he's in the rumor mill says something about our worldwide rep's progress.

 

Watched LAG/SSFC last night...at least 4 NT prospects play for the 'Gals: Bowen, Stephens, Gonzalez and Franklin.

 

I like this Bowen thing. Gonzalez needs a serious look, either against Brasil or Poland in the fall. Franklin should be brought into Camp Cupcake and Stephens might be nothing more than depth, but I like the cut of his jib

 

Wouldn't that force out Gooch?

 

I think it's one signing per year, and Gooch has Belgish citizenship and holds an EU passport as well.

The big threat to Clint going to Milan is they're looking at Keisuke Honda too. Honda would probably be more expensive.

[USSoccer]

 

I think it's one signing per year, and Gooch has Belgish citizenship and holds an EU passport as well.

The big threat to Clint going to Milan is they're looking at Keisuke Honda too. Honda would probably be more expensive.

 

Honda's a very good player. I'd think Milan would be better off with Clint, though, from a financial, PR and tactical perspective

 

Wolf, I still owe you a T Shirt for my stupid Manchester United bet last summer.

[wolf stansson]

Lol, I forgot about that.

 

I'll take a look.

 

In almost but not quite a yank news, Yura Movsisyan scored 2, set up 1 and drew a penalty in a Europa League game vs some Luxembourgian team.

[Exile on Waveland]

Deuce to Milan would either be amazing or tragic. With Serie A restricting teams to only 1 non EU signing, if they spent it on Clint that would truly be a watershed moment. He could really thrive in that league. I'd love him to get out of England, actually, since I think 4 more years of EPL might run him down too much.

 

No chance Bradley goes to Fulham, but the fact that he's in the rumor mill says something about our worldwide rep's progress.

 

Watched LAG/SSFC last night...at least 4 NT prospects play for the 'Gals: Bowen, Stephens, Gonzalez and Franklin.

 

I like this Bowen thing. Gonzalez needs a serious look, either against Brasil or Poland in the fall. Franklin should be brought into Camp Cupcake and Stephens might be nothing more than depth, but I like the cut of his jib

 

Wouldn't that force out Gooch?

 

I think it's one signing per year, and Gooch has Belgish citizenship and holds an EU passport as well.

 

And can't they buy/borrow exemptions from other teams anyway? Or did that change (or am I making it up)?

[wolf stansson]

Sounds like Clint needs to learn some Italian.

http://www.tuttomercatoweb.com/juventus/?action=read&idnotizia=24738

Bad translation:

Evidence to suggest a picturesque Italian auction all to ensure the performance of U.S. midfielder Clint Dempsey of Fulham (27). According to rumors leaked to the circles of transfers Juventus, Napoli and Milan would be ready to do "battle" to win the player. The interest Dempsey, who recently had also bewitched the new Milan coach Allegri, stems from its extreme flexibility: after a thrilling season with Fulham (Juventus fans still remember with regret his goal against Juventus in Europe League) of Hodgson master, the U.S. has played a good world with its national, even if deployed in a less offensive. A modern player, Dempsey with outstanding gifts offensive and capable of covering all roles from midfield up. The starting price seems to be around 8 million, and Juventus will have to make an exchange with London society, perhaps putting one of Poulsen and Zebina.

[Guest]

That's a great translation.

[Guest]

My favorite part is how Hodgson sounds like a sensei.

[wvcbxl]

That's a great translation.

 

It certainly made me laugh.

Luckily, the original link in Italian was there as well.

[wolf stansson]

Fyi, Chuck Davies started and played 45 in Sochaux preseason friendly against some Swiss team.

[USSoccer]

Lol, I forgot about that.

 

I'll take a look.

 

In almost but not quite a yank news, Yura Movsisyan scored 2, set up 1 and drew a penalty in a Europa League game vs some Luxembourgian team.

 

The thing I like best about Yura is that he shoots whenever he's within the same zip code of goal. You can coach tactics and such, but that innate aggressiveness is something most of our strike options lack.

[wvcbxl]

Klejstan was the only Anderlecht player (other than the goalkeeper) to play the full 90 minutes in a warm-up game in Austria against Rumanian champions Cluj.

That is a good sign, imho.