04/26/24
January 15, 2004
Who they should sign.: The EPL transfer window has reopened amidst a more sober financial environment. Even clubs who were throwing money around just six months ago are playing Scrooge. (Well, OK, Chelsea's in their own spending league.) This article actually analyzes the key position that each team needs to fill, and points out the candidates, rather than just reporting all the done deals and rumored rigmarole. I'm just surprised noone's been discussing it here. Don't disappoint me, you puttering pundits.
posted by worldcup2002 to soccer at 01:30 PM - 18 comments
I think it was funny that the writer said that Arsenal's deficiencies are due to "injuries and the African Nations Cup." Could have just as easily mentioned all the bans ;) I think the only thing Arsenal needs is what one can't buy... a killer instinct. They need to dispatch these low table dwellers. Draws don't cut it.
posted by scully at 01:49 PM on January 15, 2004
Arsenal are leaning too much on Henry and goalscorers who tend to get injured regularly: Ljungberg, Pires and Bergkamp. At least Aliadere is coming along. But they do need another striker.
posted by worldcup2002 at 02:03 PM on January 15, 2004
If only there was something to pontificate about; this has been an extremely boring transfer window, notwithstanding the odd Saha sulk.
posted by Fat Buddha at 04:29 PM on January 15, 2004
Very witty writing at least. I'd be interested to see Michael Ballack in the EPL, though Chelsea is not necessarily the preferable squad. Why she would even mention Steven Gerrard leaving for Leicester is puzzling, there's no way he'd be for sale at less than dazzling amounts.
posted by billsaysthis at 05:03 PM on January 15, 2004
FB, the Saha saga is somewhat puzzling to me, guess I'm still a bit in the dark on the rules. But if he is really determined to leave Fullham, aren't the management being fools to hold on, unless this is just a tactic to get a bigger fee?
posted by billsaysthis at 05:04 PM on January 15, 2004
There is local idiosyncracy involved with Saha: Mohamed Al Fayed, owner of Fulham, owner of Harrods, conspiracy theorist extraordinaire; small of penis, but large of ego. He does not want Saha to go, nor does he wish to be perceived as a man who can be pushed around by the likes of Man U. It's no use looking for logic with this one.
posted by Fat Buddha at 05:36 PM on January 15, 2004
bill: Why she would even mention Steven Gerrard leaving for Leicester is puzzling, there's no way he'd be for sale at less than dazzling amounts. I doubt Stevie Gerrard would _want_ to go Leicester for any fee. Maybe they'd take Heskey back (if he doesn't get sold to Boro or Inter Milan first ... hahahahaha *koff*).
posted by worldcup2002 at 07:13 PM on January 15, 2004
re: Saha, I'm sure Fulham can be persuaded to the tune of 18m pounds (which is the release fee they've set). This is kind of like the Damien Duff situation that Chelsea had with Blackburn. At the end of the day, it's business. Chelsea may still come up with that fee, but I don't think Man U is in the running.
posted by worldcup2002 at 07:15 PM on January 15, 2004
Arsenal are leaning too much on Henry and goalscorers who tend to get injured regularly: Ljungberg, Pires and Bergkamp. At least Aliadere is coming along. Heh heh, didn't he just get injured? There is some stuff going on in the other leagues you know...like Davids going to Barcelona. Can anyone understand their sub-par performances in La Liga the last few years?
posted by StarFucker at 02:45 AM on January 16, 2004
Too many arrogant Dutch buggers old chap, ripped the Catalan heart from the team.
posted by Fat Buddha at 07:02 AM on January 16, 2004
What other leagues?
posted by worldcup2002 at 07:11 AM on January 16, 2004
Blackburn signed an American, Brian McBride, and Fullham took another, defender Carlos Bocanegra. Amazingly, Boto took a run at Heskey but GH stuck his tongue out.
posted by billsaysthis at 10:59 PM on January 16, 2004
Not so fast, billy. Saha goes to Man U for 10.5m pounds. To fill the striker gap, Fulham have outbid Blackburn for McBride. Saha's move will mess up my yahoo fantasy score this week. Curses.
posted by worldcup2002 at 01:09 PM on January 19, 2004
And where are the fresh faces for Liverpool?!?!?!?!?!
posted by billsaysthis at 02:12 PM on January 20, 2004
We'll have to wait until summer for Djibril Cisse.
posted by worldcup2002 at 03:24 PM on January 20, 2004
Or Martin O'Neill!
posted by billsaysthis at 09:11 PM on January 20, 2004
Ha! I'm wondering if Liverpool will do better against Wolves today than Man U did last weekend. Good luck to Houllier and the boys.
posted by worldcup2002 at 01:43 PM on January 21, 2004
The Fooker will be pleased to know that Liverpool was the only team in the article where the key position that needed to be addressed was manager.