The Soccer Thread

[wolf stansson]

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2013/07/01/american-exports-jozy-altidore-drawing-interest-clubs-premier-league-bundesl

AMSTERDAM – The transfer scene around AZ Alkmaar goal monster Jozy Altidore is heating up, MLSsoccer.com has learned, with one mystery English Premier League side in deep talks over the US striker.

 

In all, the 23-year-old has interest from two clubs in the English top flight, two in Serie A and at least two in the Bundesliga. Oft-linked Sunderland are, in fact, one of the two Premier League admirers – but not necessarily the team to have progressed in negotiations.

 

Though Altidore's agent Lyle Yorks would not name any names, he did confirm that an English club had taken the lead in the chase for his client's services and they were "in advanced discussions with them."

[shnsajax]

Is the mystery team Sunderland or another team? Jozy just said I think two days ago he would be very interested in going back to the EPL.

[USSoccer]

The extreme disparity of the celebrations inside the stadium and the increasingly violent protests outside are making this one of the most unique and strange games I've ever seen. The fans inside are treating this final like its the World Cup final. An outsized jubilation and celebration of this team. Outside people are tossing molotovs.

 

I was really, really impressed with the Brasilian crowds. I expected to hear stupid assed drumming all game, but it was like a ramped up college basketball game.

[wolf stansson]

Is the mystery team Sunderland or another team? Jozy just said I think two days ago he would be very interested in going back to the EPL.

Didn't post the whole thing. The article mentions Sunderland is the known team that isn't out in front.

[Guest]

Any chance it could be Tottenham? They do need a striker and just bought Dempsey last year.

[wolf stansson]

Any chance it could be Tottenham? They do need a striker and just bought Dempsey last year.

They seem to be swimming in deeper waters than that.

 

Is the mystery team Sunderland or another team? Jozy just said I think two days ago he would be very interested in going back to the EPL.

Didn't post the whole thing. The article mentions Sunderland is the known team that isn't out in front.

I misread it. This actually isn't the case. Sunderland could be the team.

[shnsajax]

Looks like Spurs have signed Paulinho.

[wolf stansson]

http://www.noshortcorners.com/2013/07/look-out-broken-clock-theyre-gaining-on.html?m=1

 

Sunderland submitted a formal offer for Jozy.

[shnsajax]

http://www.noshortcorners.com/2013/07/look-out-broken-clock-theyre-gaining-on.html?m=1

 

Sunderland submitted a formal offer for Jozy.

 

Yep, just saw that on Skysports.

 

I wish Swansea would get in on him if he is to move to England and not to a top club.

[wolf stansson]

I think he'll do fine wherever he goes. I think we're past that point with him where we should be concerned about finding a style that suits his development. Sunderland plays fine soccer. They'll get him decent enough service. I'm just glad to be able to see him week in and week out.

[wolf stansson]

If I hear/read one more English football wonk talk about how 19 year old Jozy didn't impress at Hull, a team who's style of play and quality of service can generously be described as a steaming pile of elephant [expletive] and that he'll have a tough time displacing Steven Fletcher as the first choice striker based on those performances, I'm going to die of laughter.

[shnsajax]

That's putting it nicely on Hull. Now that a bid is in, I am wondering if a couple more get submitted. Any signs on the fee?

[wolf stansson]

That's putting it nicely on Hull. Now that a bid is in, I am wondering if a couple more get submitted. Any signs on the fee?

6 million Euro was the initial offer that is rumored to have been rejected.

[wolf stansson]

Sounds like a done deal.

 

http://www.noshortcorners.com/2013/07/jozy-jozy-jozy-all-i-ever-hear-about-is.html

My birdies are a-singin'. I'm told by a very solid second-hand that Paulo Di Canio is crazy intent on landing Mister Altidore. Apparently, over at Sunderland, they are quite confident of getting a deal done.

 

Meanwhile, it also seems Lazio may have now dropped away for some reason - still checking around on that one, so don't consider it 100% yet.

 

UPDATE: Ah, yes. I forgot. Magically, the UK reports have suddenly upped their guess at his transfer value from £5 million to £7 million (which is just past €8 million). Gosh... I wonder how they came to make that exact change.

That would be about $1.6 mil more than Villareal paid for him from NYRB. AZ got him on a free. Tidy biz.

[USSoccer]

I don't like the Sunderland move.

[wolf stansson]

http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/10521716.Alkmaar_tell_Sunderland_to_up___5m_Jozy_bid/

5mil pound bid rejected by AZ. Looking for 8.

[wolf stansson]

@ESPNSteinLine: Big news from soccer world amid NBA chaos: Just reported for @ESPNFC that Jozy Altidore deal to join Sunderland will be wrapped up by Monday

I'm glad he's going somewhere I can a) watch him on the reg, b) the manager really, really wanted him. Not a striker. Not an attacker. Him, specifically.

[wolf stansson]

http://jozyaltidore.com/news_media/breaking-news-altidore-heading-back-to-epl-gets-transfer-to-sunderland/

Jozy's site reporting.

[Guest]

http://jozyaltidore.com/news_media/breaking-news-altidore-heading-back-to-epl-gets-transfer-to-sunderland/

Jozy's site reporting.

 

Seeing your previous post, I take it you like Jozy with Sunderland?

[bukie]

http://jozyaltidore.com/news_media/breaking-news-altidore-heading-back-to-epl-gets-transfer-to-sunderland/

Jozy's site reporting.

 

Seeing your previous post, I take it you like Jozy in Sunderland?

Most of the critical response I've seen to this is regarding the Hull City disaster, but this should be a completely different situation for at least two reasons:

1) Sunderland specifically wanted Altidore, not just a striker

2) Jozy is much better now than he was 3 years ago

[manbearcub]

http://jozyaltidore.com/news_media/breaking-news-altidore-heading-back-to-epl-gets-transfer-to-sunderland/

Jozy's site reporting.

 

Seeing your previous post, I take it you like Jozy in Sunderland?

Most of the critical response I've seen to this is regarding the Hull City disaster, but this should be a completely different situation for at least two reasons:

1) Sunderland specifically wanted Altidore, not just a striker

2) Jozy is much better now than he was 3 years ago

Sunderland is a powder keg waiting to explode. This isn't going to go well.

[wolf stansson]

http://jozyaltidore.com/news_media/breaking-news-altidore-heading-back-to-epl-gets-transfer-to-sunderland/

Jozy's site reporting.

 

Seeing your previous post, I take it you like Jozy with Sunderland?

I don't like it in terms of where I'd prefer to see him land, but I ultimately don't know what his options were and I'm glad he's going to be able to have a full preseason so we don't get a repeat of Clint at Fulham and Tottenham last summer.

 

I understand why people don't like it. In a World Cup year you don't want to see a key player take on a risky new club situation.

 

I just don't think Jozy has done anything to make believe this will be anything but a success. If he continues to play as well as he has for the last year, this will be a stepping stone to a bigger club. If he continues to improve, it could be a huge opportunity for him to make his next move into potential super stardom and make some serious money.

 

So it's not ideal. I hate his manager's politics and it's certainly a risk in a World Cup year, but I think it'll be fine. I don't see him as the kid he used to be who could only thrive in perfect conditions. I think he's harder and ready to work.

[wolf stansson]

The first touch decided to boycott this game. Non-stop bobbling and turnovers.

 

This Onyewu-Goodson cb combo might be the worst the US has fielded in 30 years,

[wolf stansson]

FYI, you guys, Landon Donovan and Stu Holden can ball. Mix too. The frenetic pace that was too chaotic for the starters gelled into a serious steam rolling in the second half when Shea, Mix and Stu came in.

[Guest]

This is just fantastic.