Discuss here, your favorite leagues, teams, players.

can't wait for the new season! favorite teams are: FC Girondins of Bordeaux, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United, AS Roma, Ajax Amsterdam, West Ham, and Chicago Fire. teams that i hate: all the Spanish teams, all the German teams, Lyon, Monaco, Chelsea, both Milan teams, and Juventes. Favorite league: EPL. least favorite league: La Liga (Spain) seriously gargles my balls. favorite players: Eric Cantona, Thierry Henry, Brian McBride, Wayne Rooney, Zenedine Zidane, and Alan Shearer.

Quaresma top ten goals:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1L82VWIJepE&feature=related

Compilation of some moves, by portuguese players Ronaldo and Quaresma

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFAr0TUPurI&feature=related

i like the premier league and la liga. my favorite club team is lfc. my favorite national team is the oranje. :mwahaha:

favorite players: fernando torres, lionel messi, javier mascherano, sergio aguero, kaka, wesley sneijder, ryan babel, robin van persie

hermanamiento Atleti-Liverpool

Im a Nottingham boy born and bred so Its Nottingham forest for me. Poor start to the season admittedly but i can see them just staying in the championship. Alas, gone are the high flying days of Stuart Pearce and Steve Stone *wipes a tear*

you guys need another brian clough tbh.

There isnt another Cloughie, that's the point. That man should have the england job. Tell me another person whos clipped roy keane around the ear and got away with it?

there are decent low profile coaches from spain, italy, nederlandse who could help revive the club's fortune imo. granted, not exactly cloughie. but getting promotion to the premier league is first priority. the tv money that comes with that would help the club along way. if the likes of wigan and sunderland, west brom, even hull and stoke could do it, nottingham should be right up there too. you guys have history.

made me laugh [happy,

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man city was beaten 3 - 0 at home by nottingham in the FA cup. maybe we can expect a resurgence, aggie.

reina legend. torres sexy basturk. [happy,

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nigel clough named the new manager of derby county, a good start beating the mancs in the league cup.

he did a brilliant job at burton albion but it remains to be seen if he can step up though. i'm sure the derby fans are loving the romance of it all though, cloughy's son coming to their rescue.

would love to see him at nottingham one day. great interview here:

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/archivedirs...081015-1402.htm

I saw on the local news. There's definitely a lot of expectation regarding his appointment. I imagine most of the fans are hoping he is channeling his dad.

italian midfield maestro, alberto aguilani, is joining liverpool fc from as roma, pending a medical. and he's bringing along girlfriend, michela quattrociocche.

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im not as avid a fan as you guys are but I support Arsenal and Tottingham

arsenal played well saturday. and tottenham beat liverpool yesterday ... :moody:

I know. :D

Friend of mine and I clebrated accordingly. bail has been set yet for him

:lollol: :lol:

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Women soccer :karate stick: lol

yea seen that. i think she's awesome. [happy,

btw i'm looking at spain as favorites in next year's world cup. :cartman:

Ireland gets screwed by Henry's handball goal.


[dohtml]<embed src="http://www.metacafe.com/fplayer/yt-TRLWMeDCx_U/france_vs_ireland_world_cup_qualifier_2009_thierry_henry_handball.swf" width="400" height="345" wmode="transparent" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullScreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" name="Metacafe_yt-TRLWMeDCx_U"> </embed><br><font size = 1><a href="http://www.metacafe.com/watch/yt-TRLWMeDCx_U/france_vs_ireland_world_cup_qualifier_2009_thierry_henry_handball/">France Vs Ireland - World Cup Qualifier 2009 - Thierry Henry Handball</a> - <a href="http://www.metacafe.com/">More amazing video clips are a click away</a></font>[/dohtml]

Automatic promotion please Forest, i dont want to go through play off pains again...

Netherlands' first win over Brazil for 36 years, then, puts them within a single match of the World Cup final. That match - their fourth World Cup semi-final (after 1974, 1978 and 1998) - will pit them against Uruguay or Ghana and promises to be a cracker either way. Bert van Marwijk's side are THE form team of the tournament, will be flying sky high after their Port Elizabeth triumph, and in Wesley Sneijder or Arjen Robben have two fellas hitting peak form. I wonder if Uruguay or Ghana are worried?

Spare a thought, meanwhile, for Brazil coach Dunga - who has confirmed the defeat by the Netherlands will be his last in charge of the team. "We knew when I started that I would be here for four years. It's sad, it's difficult, nobody prepares to lose." A World Cup winner and finalist as a player, I hope Dunga is not now remembered as the man who failed Brazil as a coach.

Anyway, we know that the Netherlands have booked the first semi-final spot, what we don't know is who they will face on 6 July, next Tuesday.

Fernando Torres' agent has refused to commit his client's long-term future to Liverpool.

Although the Spain international is contracted to the Anfield club until 2013 Rafa Benitez's summer exit has raised question marks.

Torres is currently in South Africa preparing for a World Cup semi-final against Germany, although his form to date this summer has been below par.

The 26-year-old was thought to be a target for Barcelona, but agent Jose Antonio Martin has ruled out that possibility after they signed David Villa.

Rumours
Martin believes, if anything, Torres will remain in the Premier League, but not necessarily with The Reds, sparking rumours of a possible move to Chelsea.

"Barcelona have signed David Villa and now they want to invest the money they have in other players," he told the Daily Mail.

"It is very likely that Fernando Torres will stay in the Premier League, but I cannot say that it will be with Liverpool.

"We are working on his future but right now you cannot guarantee that he will stay with the English club."
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Yaya Toure has revealed his heartache at leaving Barcelona for Manchester City and plans to return to Camp Nou later in his career.

The Ivory Coast international completed his £27.5million switch from Spain to Eastlands on Friday to become Roberto Mancini's latest big-money signing.

Defensive midfielder Toure will link up with his brother Kolo in Manchester and moves away from Barca after three years with the Catalan giants.

The 27-year-old was unable to command regular first-team football with Pep Guardiola's side and elected to move on to secure more time on the field.

"The decision to leave was complicated because Barca is the team of my whole life," he told radio station RAC-1.

"It was a sad decision because everybody wants to come to Barca and I have had to leave, but not playing has been difficult and it wouldn't have been normal to just sit on the bench and pick up the money.

"I don't feel that I'm away from Barca and I'm sure I'll go back one day."

Toure admitted his agent, Dimitri Seluk was instrumental in the move but stressed that he had found watching on from the bench tough to take last term.

"He told me I had to leave," he said. "I wanted to bring more joy to the fans, but life is like that.

"Barca is a great club with the best players in the world and I have played less in this third season, which for me has been difficult."

Toure had nothing but praise for former manager Guardiola and has now set his sights on helping City challenge for honours in England after signing a five-year deal.

He added: "I had no certainty that the situation would change, so I decided to start a new experience.

"I am coming to City to help them grow and reach the level of Manchester United and Chelsea.

"At Barcelona there are the best players in the world and it is difficult for Guardiola to choose who should play.

"Guardiola knows a lot about football and is a very good person who I have great admiration for and I cannot say anything bad about him."
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Chelsea midfielder Deco has already agreed personal terms with Fluminense, according to the president of the group that owns the Brazilian club.

The Brazil-born Portugal international has long been expected to leave Stamford Bridge and he said in the last domestic season that he wanted to return to South America.

That could soon become reality as Fluminense claim that discussions with Deco have reached a positive conclusion and that all that is left to address is a deal with Chelsea and the 32-year-old's medical.

"As Deco himself said, the deal is well under way," said Celso Barros, the president of the group which owns Fluminense, a club based in Rio de Janeiro.

"It depends only on him being released by Chelsea and passing the medical tests, because the salary and length of contract have already been agreed.

"We will not talk this Wednesday, but in principle Deco will go to London to try to expedite his release with Chelsea.

"That done, he has asked Fluminense for at least a week to be with his children in Brazil and then he will report for medical tests and to start training."

Deco developed his career in Europe after struggling to make the grade as a teenager in Brazil, and starred for both Porto and Barcelona before moving to Chelsea in 2008.

Born and raised in the state of Sao Paulo, he represented Portugal after moving to the country and gaining citizenship, but retired from international football following their exit from this summer's World Cup.

Hmm, torres in chelsea?

World CUp Drama!!!
Everyone is talking about punishing Uruguay's hand-ball hero Luis Suarez or dispensing of the third-place match. In fact, some people are talking about dispensing of Luis Suarez before the third-place match - hopefully Fifa won't bring in a rule to do that though. My thoughts? Anyone would have done what he did, but he should not be crowing about it now.

Uruguay v Netherlands team news:

So, Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez makes four changes with Jorge Fucile and Luis Suarez suspended and Diego Lugano and Alvaro Fernandez injured, with Diego Godin, Walter Gargano, Martin Caceres and Egidio Arevalo coming in. Frontman Diego Forlan takes over the captain's armband in Lugano's absence. Joris Mathijsen returns for the Netherlands after missing the quarter-final through injury, but with Gregory van der Wiel and Nigel de Jong banned, Khalid Boulahrouz and Demy de Zeeuw are drafted in as the other two changes to the team that beat Brazil.

Horrible end to the game, few handbags between some of the players. Mark van Bommel was furious that there were more than four minutes of injury time when three were signalled, but anger soon turns to sheer jubilation as the magnitude of what they have achieved sinks in. The Dutch are in the final for the first time since 1978. It was all history to me - never before in my lifetime, until now.

No first final since 1950 for Uruguay, but those players should hold their heads high, they've had a superb World Cup. There are tears, but this is more about the Netherlands and their ecstasy. Johan Cruyff and Rob Rensenbrink - your boys have done it again.

News just in from Reuters agency: Inter Milan have no intention of listening to offers for playmaker Wesley Sneijder amid reported interest from Manchester United, club president Massimo Moratti has said.

And now the Press Association is reporting that Arsenal are on the verge of completing a £10m deal for French defender Laurent Koscielny from Lorient.

*Fifa hints at changes to refereeing future World Cups* (FINALLY)


Goal-line technology is back on the agenda after Fifa revealed this World Cup is set to be the last tournament under the existing refereeing system.

Fifa General Secretary Jerome Valcke told the BBC that TV replays showing Frank Lampard scoring a goal against Germany was a "bad day" for organisers.

And Valcke hinted changes would be made before the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

"We're talking about a goal not seen by the referee which is why we are talking about new technology," said Valcke.

"But let's see if this system will help or whether giving the referee an additional four eyes will give him the comfort and make duty easier to perform, then why not?

"I would say that it is the final World Cup with the current refereeing system."

Although Valcke's comments will be interpreted as a change of policy by Fifa following the International Football Association Board's (Ifab) decision to reject goal-line technology and other aids for referees in March, the Fifa general secretary wants the whole approach to refereeing to be reformed.

"The teams and the players are so strong and so fast. The game is different and the referees are older than all the players," said Valcke.

"The game is so fast, the ball is flying so quickly, we have to help them and we have to do something and that's why I say it is the last World Cup under the current system."

Fifa president Sepp Blatter has repeatedly rejected calls for the introduction of goal-line technology or TV replays, insisting an element of human error has always been a part of the game.

Opponents have also pointed to concerns over universality - that all levels of the game should be subjected to the same rules and methods of refereeing.
The referee waves the Mexico and Argentina players away

Tevez puts Argentina into controversial lead

But following the Lampard "goal" in England's 4-1 defeat by Germany and Carlos Tevez's offside strike for Argentina against Mexico, also in the second round, Blatter performed a U-turn, saying that it would be a "nonsense" not to reopen the file on technology.

Ifab - the game's rule making body which consists of representatives of the English, Scottish, Northern Irish and Welsh FAs as well as four representatives from Fifa - is due to hold a meeting on 21 July where the issue is expected to be discussed.

But Valcke added that it was unlikely to hold serious discussions until a further meeting scheduled for October.

In March, Ifab heard presentations from two companies pitching to introduce systems which they say provide definitive proof when the ball has crossed the line for a goal.

But both the proposals from Cairos Goal-line technology, which uses a microchip inside a football and magnetic fields around the goal line, and Hawk-Eye, which uses six television cameras positioned around the goal, were rejected.

The Cairos system was tested by Fifa in the World Club Championships in Japan in 2007, but despite their claims that the test was a success, Ifab again rejected the proposal in March 2008.

606: DEBATE
Are you a supporter of goal-line technology?

It was debated again in 2009 but again turned down.

Both Hawk-Eye and Cairos insist cost is not an issue as they offered to pay for the installation of the system in return for a share of sponsorship rights.

The introduction of two extra referees positioned on the goal-line, a move initiated by Uefa president Michel Platini, was trialled last season in the Europa League and is set to be used in the Champions League this coming season.

But again, Ifab turned down the chance to introduce it in time for the World Cup in South Africa.

Thierry Henry leaves Barcelona for New York Red Bulls

Henry scored 51 goals for France in 123 appearances

France striker Thierry Henry has signed for Major League Soccer side New York Red Bulls from Barcelona on a "multi-year contract".

The former Arsenal captain, 32, is expected to make his debut for Red Bulls in a friendly against Tottenham in the United States on 22 July.

Henry signed for Barcelona in 2007 and had one year remaining on his contract but the club agreed to let him leave.

Henry said: "This marks an exciting new chapter in my career and life."

After falling out of favour at Barcelona last season and enduring a torrid World Cup, where France failed to progress past the group stages, Henry is excited about the prospect of a new challenge in the United States.

US football is improving - Ferguson

"It is an honour to play for the New York Red Bulls," he stated.

"I am fully aware of the team's history and my sole goal during my time here is to help win the club its first championship.

"Knowing Red Bull's significant commitment to soccer locally and internationally, I am confident that my team-mates and I will succeed."

The Frenchman is Arsenal's all-time record goalscorer, with 226 goals in 370 games between 1999-2007, a period where the club won the Premier League twice and the FA Cup three times.

In June 2007 Henry moved to Barcelona in a £16.1m deal and his success continued at the Nou Camp.

Henry scored 49 goals over the course of his three years in Spain, where he twice won La Liga and picked up a Champions League winner's medal and also won the Uefa Super Cup and the Fifa Club World Cup.

606: DEBATE
I personally wish Thierry all the best... legend is bandied around too much these days but he certainly qualifies

RVP1968

In a distinguished international career, Henry scored 51 goals in 123 appearances for France, winning the World Cup in 1998 and the European Championship in 2000.

And Henry's impressive career trophy haul is something Dietmar Beiersdorfer, head of Red Bull global soccer, is eager to add to.

"It is without question that Thierry Henry is one of the most successful and recognisable soccer players over the past 15 years," said Beiersdorfer.

"We are thrilled that Thierry has decided to come to New York to help the Red Bulls compete for championships this year and for years to come. His international pedigree is second to none and he is a proven winner."

Pep Guardiola signs new deal as coach of Barcelona

Barcelona coach Josep Guardiola has signed a new contract to stay with the Spanish champions until June 2011.

The 39-year-old has led Barca to seven trophies in two seasons, including the 2009 Champions League and two successive La Liga crowns.

Guardiola made a verbal agreement in January to stay on for another season.

He put pen to paper on a new deal with the Catalan side following a meeting with new club president Sandro Rosell on Wednesday.

The new contract had been delayed by Barcelona's presidential elections, with Rosell assuming control from the outgoing chief Joan Laporta.
The lack of a written contract had led to some speculation towards the end of the season that Guardiola could leave, with suitors said to include Inter Milan, who knocked his side out of the Champions League this season.

Guardiola, who spent most of his playing career at Barcelona and coached their B team before taking control of the first-team squad in June 2008, signed a similar one-year deal last summer.

As he looks to continue his success at the club, Guardiola will have the services of David Villa for the forthcoming season after the Nou Camp outfit signed the striker for £34.2m from Valencia just before the World Cup.

His squad could be bolstered further as Barcelona try to lure Spanish international midfielder Cesc Fabregas from the clutches of Arsenal.

However, their attempts to sign the Gunners star could prove problematic from a financial perspective.

Barcelona failed to pay their players at the end of June and have sold Dmitro Chygrynskiy and Yaya Toure as well as taking out a £125m loan to generate extra funds.

As a result, Rosell has said that the club now have 50m euros (£41.5m) to spend on players, which may not be enough to tempt Arsenal to part with Fabregas.

David Beckham rules out England management role

David Beckham has ruled out managing England in the future while stating his ambition to play in the London 2012 Olympics and the 2014 World Cup.

Beckham, 35, was an unofficial member of manager Fabio Capello's staff at the World Cup in South Africa after injury ruled him out of the tournament.

"It is not a passion of mine to be a manager and I don't see me doing that in the future," said the midfielder.

Beckham also said the players were to blame for England's poor World Cup.

England were beaten 4-1 by Germany in the last 16 and were disappointing throughout the tournament.
Capello came under huge criticism following their exit but Beckham has defended the Italian.

"He [Capello] did everything that he could have done," said Beckham.

"He prepared us right. He worked the players to the right amount and he set everything up for the players, but obviously the players know it was disappointing.

"We didn't perform and as players you know that - you know when you don't perform, you know when you don't play well.

"The manager can do so much and then it's down to the players. The players go on to the pitch and they know if they don't perform they don't win games.

"The players are honest about that but it's not about individuals, it's not about how individuals play - it's about how we played as a team. It's a cliche but you win as a team and you lose as a team."

Beckham's coaching role with the England team in South Africa has led many to believe that the LA Galaxy star would one day move into management.

But the former Manchester United, Real Madrid and AC Milan star says he would prefer to coach kids at his academy and is not interested in a career in management.

"I must admit it's something I've never been interested in," said Beckham, who is recovering from an Achilles injury.

"I'm passionate about the game and being there and obviously I was wearing the suit so people have looked and thought I could be going into that.

"I spoke to James [Milner], Shaun [Wright-Phillips], Aaron [Lennon]... all the right-sided players. I spoke to all the players. If there's anything that needed saying from the manager to the players, that was kind of my role.

I enjoyed that but, coaching-wise, I love coaching kids - that's one of the reasons I have my academies - the children, I love seeing their faces when they're kicking the ball around. I love the enthusiasm, the honesty - that's one of the things I love doing.

"But coaching a team, being a manager, at this point in my career I don't want to do that and in the future I don't think that will happen either."

As for his personal fitness, Beckham indicated in late April he may not play again until November - sparking fears he may miss the entire Major League Soccer season which is due to end on the 21st of that month.

But Beckham says he is ahead of schedule and now hopes to return by the start of September.

Beckham is also confident he can play on for England until the 2014 World Cup and wants to be part of the Great Britain team at the 2012 Olympics in London.

"If I'm still playing and I'm still considered to make a difference to the team I'd love to be involved," said Beckham.

thanks for posting those ...

should we have a different thread for player transfer news?

Sure why not!!

Inter Milan keen to keep Balotelli and Maicon

Champions League holders Inter Milan are not looking to sell Mario Balotelli and Maicon, the club's technical director Marco Branca has said.

Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United have been linked with bids for striker Balotelli, 19, with Real Madrid reportedly keen on right-back Maicon.

"We will consider offers, but they are not transfer listed," Branca told the club's website.

"How much is Balotelli worth? He doesn't have a price."

Inter won the Serie A title and Copa Italia last season to complete a treble under former manager Jose Mourinho, but while Maicon was a key player Balotelli fell out with the manager and was an unused substitute as the Italian side beat Bayern Munich in the Champions League final.

But with former Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez now in charge at the San Siro, Branca insisted the club have no need to sell key players.

"We are in a privileged situation, having won so much," he said. "It's true that we receive calls each day because everyone wants at least six or seven of our champions."

Balotelli had a temperamental relationship with Mourinho, but is considered one of Italy's brightest prospects and is likely to get his chance in the national team after Italy crashed out of the World Cup in the group stages.

Maicon, 28, is an established member of the Brazilian national team and his form over the past season has seen him shortlisted for the 2010 Ballon d'Or - given to the player voted the best in Europe.

Former England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson, who has been linked with the Fulham job, has "unfinished business" in the Premier League, says his agent.

The Swede is the front runner to replace Roy Hodgson after Fulham's attempt to lure Martin Jol from Ajax ended in failure.

"It's a very attractive club, not just for Sven [but there has been] no contact whatsoever," said Athole Still.

"We've know for some weeks Sven's one of the managers under consideration."

Eriksson is unattached after taking charge of Ivory Coast at the World Cup, and is thought to be keen to return to England, where he was previously involved with Notts County and Manchester City.