The Soccer Thread

[wvcbxl]

Do you (or anyone else) know if relegated teams can go to the Europa League? Because Birmingham still isn't safe from relegation.

 

If Birmingham stays up or goes regardless of relegation, Arsenal blowing that Carling Cup final will screw over either Liverpool or Arsenal.

 

Relegation has nothing to do with it; in 2007, Dunfermline were relegated from the Scottish Premier league but played in Europe because they qualified through losing the Scottish Cup final to Celtic, who also won the SPL that year and thus qualified for the CL.

[shnsajax]

http://www.cbssports.com/#!/general/story/15050579/fifa-members-accused-of-corruption-in-world-cup-bidding

[Guest]

Do you (or anyone else) know if relegated teams can go to the Europa League? Because Birmingham still isn't safe from relegation.

 

If Birmingham stays up or goes regardless of relegation, Arsenal blowing that Carling Cup final will screw over either Liverpool or Arsenal.

 

Relegation has nothing to do with it; in 2007, Dunfermline were relegated from the Scottish Premier league but played in Europe because they qualified through losing the Scottish Cup final to Celtic, who also won the SPL that year and thus qualified for the CL.

 

Well that's unfortunate. I figured that situation had happened before but I wasn't sure. Thanks for the info.

[Guest]

City beats Tottenham to lock up the fourth Champions League spot. They could still top Arsenal to finish third and avoid the qualification round.

 

Liverpool can wrap up the Europa League spot with a win on Sunday over Tottenham.

[wolf stansson]

http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/1614/americans-abroad/2011/05/11/2482050/sources-confirm-paris-saint-germains-interest-in-clint

Clint to PSG is a possibility.

[wvcbxl]

Do you (or anyone else) know if relegated teams can go to the Europa League? Because Birmingham still isn't safe from relegation.

 

If Birmingham stays up or goes regardless of relegation, Arsenal blowing that Carling Cup final will screw over either Liverpool or Arsenal.

 

Relegation has nothing to do with it; in 2007, Dunfermline were relegated from the Scottish Premier league but played in Europe because they qualified through losing the Scottish Cup final to Celtic, who also won the SPL that year and thus qualified for the CL.

 

Well that's unfortunate. I figured that situation had happened before but I wasn't sure. Thanks for the info.

 

Is related bizarre news, Russian second division side Alaniija Vladikavkaz has secured a place in Europe without scoring a single goal. They have reached the Russian Cup final after drawing every single game of every round 0-0 after extra time and advancing every time on a penalty shoot-out. As their opponents in the final (CSKA Moscow) are already assured of a CL place, they thus qualified for the Europa league.

[Guest]

Looks like the Liverpool-Hodgson split has worked out well for both sides. Liverpool's doing great under Dalglish (as Exile posted earlier) and West Brom is doing very well under Hodgson.

 

Since he took over, West Brom is 5-5-2 for 20 points, which is tied with Liverpool (though Liverpool has played one less game) for fourth best in the EPL, behind only Chelsea, ManU and Everton. He's taken West Brom from the relegation zone to tied for ninth.

[Exile on Waveland]

Looks like the Liverpool-Hodgson split has worked out well for both sides. Liverpool's doing great under Dalglish (as Exile posted earlier) and West Brom is doing very well under Hodgson.

 

Since he took over, West Brom is 5-5-2 for 20 points, which is tied with Liverpool (though Liverpool has played one less game) for fourth best in the EPL, behind only Chelsea, ManU and Everton. He's taken West Brom from the relegation zone to tied for ninth.

 

I don't think Hodgson is a bad manager at all. He just never realized he was at Liverpool (i.e., a big club, even if currently not up to standard). His interactions with the fans/media were also exceedingly poor and I think symptamatic of that.

[wolf stansson]

Oh snap, Seth!

http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/69/transfer-zone/2011/05/16/2489966/reports-from-italy-say-that-as-roma-is-interested-in-los-angeles-

As part of an ambitious summer in the transfer market under its new American owner, Thomas DiBenedetto, AS Roma is expected to make a bid on the 29-year-old Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder according to a report in Corriere dello Sport.

 

If the report is accurate, Roma will be taking a considerable risk to acquire MLS’ most popular player. Donovan won’t come cheap as it is expected that his transfer fee would be over $15 million and he would seek a long-term deal and a raise from his current salary of $2.3 million, not common for a player approaching 30. Also, under Serie A’s new rules, signing Donovan would prevent the club from recruiting any other non-European Union passport holding players over the course of next season.

[wolf stansson]

More US AMERICAN AS Roma stuff:

 

http://www.noshortcorners.com/2011/05/i-feel-like-fat-hen.html

This has started popping out in Italy, so I may as well give: AS Roma are in fact pondering a Michael Bradley move, just as they are pondering other moves for Americans. The difference here is actual contact, and the sides seem to want each other. And despite how much Serie A clubs particularly love Mikey's game, there are large complications to such a move actually happening - which I will go over now.

 

1) Roma will probably only buy one American player, and they do not seem to have decided which one they like best. That a certain L.A. Galaxy fella is their other big crush has obvious effect and they could also find another crush. This is a club that casts a wide net and gets interested and talks to a lot of people.

 

Mikey to Roma would be inspired for him.

[wvcbxl]

Mikey to Roma would be inspired for him.

 

As far as my perception of Serie A is concerned, Bradley makes more sense than Donovan.

[wolf stansson]

Mikey to Roma would be inspired for him.

 

As far as my perception of Serie A is concerned, Bradley makes more sense than Donovan.

No doubt. That's his style. Landon is ridiculously overpriced too. I think it's an American owner who wants to make a splash in the American market, doesn't make a ton of sense on the pitch for more than a year or two. Don't get me wrong, MLS is rough and Landon is a very smart, tactical player. He'd fit. He's just overpriced.

[USSoccer]

Mikey to Roma would be inspired for him.

 

As far as my perception of Serie A is concerned, Bradley makes more sense than Donovan.

No doubt. That's his style. Landon is ridiculously overpriced too. I think it's an American owner who wants to make a splash in the American market, doesn't make a ton of sense on the pitch for more than a year or two. Don't get me wrong, MLS is rough and Landon is a very smart, tactical player. He'd fit. He's just overpriced.

 

Mikey is a much better fit for Roma short and long term. He might even have a Euro passport, or be close enough to one to have that matter. Remember that Serie A has a limit on non-Euro players you can have. Mikey's cheaper, too.

 

I don't think MLS sell Landon in the summer window anyway.

 

FWIW, I think Clint is a better buy if they wanted an immediate impact player that was American.

[wolf stansson]

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2011/05/17/could-us-stars-bradley-donovan-be-headed-roma

Though things may change before any offer could be made, Roma's lead crushes are currently Borussia Mönchengladbach midfielder Michael Bradley (now on loan to Aston Villa) and LA Galaxy star Landon Donovan. Sabatini has also sized up the likes of New York Red Bulls forward Juan Agudelo, FC Nürnberg right-sider Timothy Chandler, Aston Villa 'keeper Brad Guzan and Anderlecht midfielder Sacha Kljestan.

[wolf stansson]

I know Guzan has an Italian passport and Chandler has a German passport.

[wolf stansson]

Also, it's been confirmed, Roma have $14 set aside for LD. That'd be enough, but damn, that's a ton of cash for someone his age.

[wvcbxl]

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2011/05/17/could-us-stars-bradley-donovan-be-headed-roma

Though things may change before any offer could be made, Roma's lead crushes are currently Borussia Mönchengladbach midfielder Michael Bradley (now on loan to Aston Villa) and LA Galaxy star Landon Donovan. Sabatini has also sized up the likes of New York Red Bulls forward Juan Agudelo, FC Nürnberg right-sider Timothy Chandler, Aston Villa 'keeper Brad Guzan and Anderlecht midfielder Sacha Kljestan.

 

No way Kljestan is ready for Serie A (having watched him this season with Anderlecht)

[wolf stansson]

Yeah that's ludicrous. Also, Agudelo needs more seasoning before he goes abroad. Even then, I'd prefer it be somewhere more open and less tactical.

 

Edit - to clarify, ludircrous that they would consider Kljestan Roma standard. Not ludicrous that you don't think he's ready. That is totally correct.

[wolf stansson]

Haha, the negotiation begins:

@RichardMotzkin Appreciate the interest, but why would @landondonovan leave MLS for the same salary?

 

 

Richard Motzkin is his agent.

[USSoccer]

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2011/05/17/could-us-stars-bradley-donovan-be-headed-roma

Though things may change before any offer could be made, Roma's lead crushes are currently Borussia Mönchengladbach midfielder Michael Bradley (now on loan to Aston Villa) and LA Galaxy star Landon Donovan. Sabatini has also sized up the likes of New York Red Bulls forward Juan Agudelo, FC Nürnberg right-sider Timothy Chandler, Aston Villa 'keeper Brad Guzan and Anderlecht midfielder Sacha Kljestan.

 

No way Kljestan is ready for Serie A (having watched him this season with Anderlecht)

 

If Roma sign Sacha I'll change my sig to a picture of me in a dress.

[wolf stansson]

http://www.noshortcorners.com/2011/05/re-last-post-title-never-mind.html

I can divulge another reason that Roma finds Clint Dempsey not to be a worthy target. As with guys like Brek Shea and Jonathan Spector, scouting Deuce left them wondering what position he plays. The technical director doesn't mind versatility, but he wants to see a clear standard position. Long story short: they do admire Dempsey's work, he's just not the one for them.

 

Like I reported, it's not just go get an American to sell shirts - they want the spot-on right man for the job on the field.

Allow me to clear up what seems to be a growing misconception born somewhere I don't know: Landon Donovan's agent has not spoken with AS Roma about the L.A. Galaxy star. And I don't mean they have, but (wink-wink) they haven't. I'm informing that they have not had contact.

 

I just want to keep things factsy in our bubble and I spotted a couple of things out on the interwebs that claimed otherwise.

However... I overlooked something when re-iterating that Roma would only get one of those short list U.S. internationals: Timothy Chandler holds an EU-passport. Furthermore, I've learned that the Giallorossi have been liking the right-sider more and more as they scout him.

 

Therefore, I am officially amending my earlier reporting that no more than one American could make the Eternal City move. In fact, at this progressive rate, it may well end up as two.

 

The potential downside of such a Chandler move is that Roma seem to view him as one for the future - as in he likely won't be a starter right away unless he simply blows doors off on arrival.

Last goodie for the day, I swear. And it's really more a mint apertif. Leeds United would love to sign Eric Lichaj on again, and they aren't too picky on the type of move.

 

Meanwhile, Aston Villa is not interested in selling him. He also has a couple of teams in the Prem sniffing around, but (end facts reporting, start opinion) I kinda get the all-around impression that he will be in Villa wear to start next season.

 

Again, that last part is just a personal hunch.

[Guest]

Another one bites the dust.

 

Ancelotti fired by Chelsea

[wolf stansson]

He's the favorite for Roma. His past interest interest in LD is noteworthy.

[Mark Priors Calves]

I'm bummed that Blackpool got dropped, they started off the season so strong. They were a fun team to watch this season. QPR should be a good addition to the EPL.

[Guest]

I'm bummed that Blackpool got dropped, they started off the season so strong. They were a fun team to watch this season. QPR should be a good addition to the EPL.

 

Agreed on Blackpool. Any game they were in was certain to be entertaining.

 

But I'm glad to see QPR returning to the top flight. Norwich should be interesting since they just earned promotion to the Championship before last season and they seem to be similar to Blackpool - score a lot of goals but give up a lot also. I'd like to see Swansea City win the playoff. They've only spent two seasons in the top tier and have never been in the EPL.