11/23/24
June 04, 2003
More EPL transfer turmoil!: Arsenal and England goalie David Seaman moves to Manchester City on 1-yr deal! Beckham to Barthelona? Ireland international and Ipswich captain Matt Holland to Portsmouth, and former Spurs striker Teddy Sheringham to join him?
posted by worldcup2002 to soccer at 11:57 PM - 20 comments
Birmingham sign French bloke that I've never heard of. I'd say Ronaldinho was more horse-faced to be fair. So they've probably signed him to be a stablemate for RVN.
posted by squealy at 06:11 AM on June 05, 2003
Just a question: a frenzy of activity. What is the window involved here? Did things (the market) just open up on Monday? When do things wrap up? I've only followed EPL for most of the last season and noticed all the hoo-hah about the winter transfer window and that was what? Two weeks? Just wondering what one can expect here as far as the duration of transfer rumours and action.
posted by gspm at 09:00 AM on June 05, 2003
Turmoil seems a bit overstated, my friend. More players released than we see here in the States but I would guess it's comparable to previous years for the EPL. Of course I'm waiting impatiently for some big deals with LFC...
posted by billsaysthis at 09:32 AM on June 05, 2003
This is the first year for a transfer window system in the EPL. It was introduced to bring the EPL into line with all the other European leagues. It's not really popular with either the big or the small clubs, or indeed the media who feed on transfer speculation. AFAIK the summer window lasts for one month.
posted by squealy at 09:43 AM on June 05, 2003
Our new frog has had an 8 match ban for threatenening a ref, just our kind of player. The prem are trying to change the rules regarding financing deals between prem clubs; once that is done and dusted I expect lots of beautiful activity.
posted by Fat Buddha at 10:56 AM on June 05, 2003
Two changes to EPL transfer rules, in the making. 1. Clubs can start paying transfer fees over the duration of a player's contract. (Currently, they have to pay all of it upfront, or within the first season.) 2. EPL clubs can loan players to each other. (Currently, intra-EPL loans are not allowed. They can go to lower divisions or to other countries.) Read the article for the benefits and other interesting side-effects.
posted by worldcup2002 at 10:58 AM on June 05, 2003
As for Liverpool (hello bill!): We've signed Fulham's former asst mgr as head coach, and are awaiting Fulham defender Steve Finnan's signature. Auxerre's star striker Cisse wants to play for the Reds even though his team won't let him go. We're set to bring back two 18-yr-old first teamers that have been on loan at newly-relegated le Havre. And our current players are kicking ass: Gerrard was a spitfire for England in their last match, where one match was played by basically four teams, and Liverpool players were 3 of the 4 captains (Owen! Heskey! Carragher! A travesty tailored to torture StarFooker.). If we can get Blackburn and Ireland winger Damien Duff and/or Leeds's Australian midfield dynamo Harry Kewell, my summer will be complete.
posted by worldcup2002 at 11:23 AM on June 05, 2003
Sorry FB and all, for reposting FB's link immediately after his comment. Should have read the comment first (this error, btw, is called "doing a StarFucker").
posted by worldcup2002 at 11:25 AM on June 05, 2003
Ha ha <-----sarcastic laughter...
posted by StarFucker at 01:50 PM on June 05, 2003
WC, thanks for the update but I knew all that already, I want to see action, not just words. Though the article you and FB linked explains why the delay. Speaking of transfers, if Beckham goes to Barcelona (or Italy, wherever), and MU signs Ronaldhino, does the Brazilian take Beck's midfield spot?
posted by billsaysthis at 02:04 PM on June 05, 2003
No, Ronaldinho will go in goal to replace Barthez. They bought Tim Howard to replace Becks. /snide
posted by salmacis at 04:09 AM on June 06, 2003
Beckham to Barcelona would be like Jeeter to the BoSox. Say nay!
posted by outside counsel at 10:13 AM on June 06, 2003
You think that ManU will really put Howard in as a starter? What is this, the invasion of the American keepers?
posted by billsaysthis at 01:29 PM on June 06, 2003
Liverpool's out-of-favor Patrik Berger goes to Portsmouth, not Leeds.
posted by worldcup2002 at 02:46 PM on June 06, 2003
Bummer. I was looking forward to seeing Berger at Leeds. I always liked that guy. Thought he was WAY better than Danny "Pants" Murphy....
posted by StarFucker at 03:45 PM on June 06, 2003
Why did we not have an MLS Report this week?! I moved up two spots again! 
posted by StarFucker at 06:49 PM on June 06, 2003
Hahahaha - good one Fooker!
posted by worldcup2002 at 09:49 PM on June 06, 2003
Here's some LFC transfer rumours for you. And my take on them (sorry if self-links are banned: that's one against me for the spofi cops, if there are any). Speaking of Patrik (Berger) going to Pompey, I'm really chuffed (for him) to hear it (also, maybe he can put it a good word for Vladimir Smicer, who's rumoured to be available for transfer if anyone wants him), and he'll get more first team play than he would at Leeds. That's essentially why Seaman plumped for City: as soon as Ericsen told him he can't keep his England shirt unless he's getting first team Premiership football, it was obvious where he was going to go, seeing as they can't afford to replace Schmeichel right now and Wenger won't even guarantee him a place on the Arsenal bench. More snippets: Hasselbaink, and also John Terry if you believe the whispers, has failed to sign up for Chelsea next year and will be available on a free. Question most people are asking is whether any English clubs can afford his wage bill. Certainly someone will fork up for Terry, but they'll have to house train him a bit first.
posted by walrus at 08:39 AM on June 09, 2003
I see my hopeless bunch of wankers got the lowest MLS points tally this weekend. If they get any worse I'm going to change their name to Aston Villa. ;-)
posted by squealy at 11:47 AM on June 09, 2003
Meanwhile, there are 586 unemployed EPL and Nationwide League (First, Second and Third Div) players. And Brazilian "Monkey-face" Ronaldinho, who lobbed David Seaman last summer, is on his way to Man U, where he can repeat the feat in the Manchester derbies.