04/26/24
August 09, 2004
European Transfer Window coming to a close: So who are going to make the biggest impact? Will Walter Samuel and Michael Owen put Real Madrid back on top in Spain and the CL? If Viera stays does Arsenal repeat and finally get some European hardware? ManU players seems to be spending way too much time not playing. Chelsea looked pretty good during their American visit, are they going to claim something?
posted by billsaysthis to soccer at 10:05 PM - 22 comments
I'm not sure exactly how painful it will be for Liverpool supporters to see Owen leave. The majority of opinions I've heard from Scousers on Radio 5 (UK Sports Radio channel) are that if they can get a decent fee for him then it's good business. There seems to be a fairly widespread view that he's past his best and will never reproduce his form at the beginning of his career. Most seem to be favouring a front-line of Cisse and Baros.
posted by squealy at 11:31 AM on August 10, 2004
I can certainly understand the enthusiasm for Baros given his form in Euro 2004. The latest rumor I've heard (can't locate link) has Real Madrid sending Morientes to Liverpool as part of a Owen transfer. That should soften the blow. I just want this whole Viera situation over with. His departure will definitely make things more problematic for Arsenal, but it shouldn't remove them from title contention.
posted by trox at 01:28 PM on August 10, 2004
Liverpool on trading rampage: Murphy to Charlton for 2.5 mil pounds. Xabi Alonso to Anfield for 10.7 mil pounds?
posted by worldcup2002 at 01:51 PM on August 10, 2004
Alonso is certainly the hot property right now. Anyone else notice that Owen isn't in the starting lineup versus Graz AK? Does this mean he's on his way?
posted by trox at 02:15 PM on August 10, 2004
Looks more likely than not.
posted by worldcup2002 at 02:20 PM on August 10, 2004
So Madrid gets a midfielder and yet another goal scoring threat. Have they done anything to shore up their defense? (I know Viera can be a holding type midfielder, but I don't think that will be enough to help them.)
posted by trox at 02:27 PM on August 10, 2004
And don't forget the wonders all this will work on our fantasy EPL lineups!
posted by trox at 02:28 PM on August 10, 2004
Speak for yourself, I don't have Owen, Murphy or Viera. And yes, quite interesting that Owen is not, as of the 64th minute, playing in Vienna tonight. Odd that he wouldn't if the rumors were all hot air. Cisse and Baros all the way, except if they do get Morientes in return doesn't that give three players who all expect to start up front?
posted by billsaysthis at 03:11 PM on August 10, 2004
(I don't have any of those three either, but I'm hoping some of our competition isn't paying the slavish attention to such things that we are.)
posted by trox at 03:36 PM on August 10, 2004
haha, right on, trox. Bill, Fooker, did you see the 2-0 win over Graz? How did the team look? All I could do was read the online commentary. Stevie boy worked his magic again. And the Pool did it wivout Owen. He's off to Madrid, he is. From what I read, Kewell, Cisse and Baros are clicking just fine. If we get Morientes, that just ups the bar for the strikers. And if we get Alonso, Gerrard will be free to cause more havoc.
posted by worldcup2002 at 04:31 PM on August 10, 2004
I saw it. Cisse was about as much use as a chocolate teapot, Baros wasn't much better and Kewell might as well have stayed in England. Looks like Stevie G's got another season of dragging Liverpool along by his bootstraps.
posted by squealy at 05:57 PM on August 10, 2004
I think chocolate teapots are very nice.
posted by worldcup2002 at 06:14 PM on August 10, 2004
btw, did you see that tonite's Liverpool v Graz match was played at Graz's Arnold Schwarzegger Stadion/Stadium. I'm so puuuumped. That's funny.
posted by worldcup2002 at 06:17 PM on August 10, 2004
The game was not (fucking American networks) shown in the USA. I kept up with SoccerNet text commentary. Just got to love these rumors though.
posted by billsaysthis at 06:23 PM on August 10, 2004
Just for laughs: Can you identify this supporter's team? Would you want it to be your team?
posted by billsaysthis at 11:01 PM on August 10, 2004
Have they done anything to shore up their defense? Walter Samuel.
posted by blarp at 07:16 AM on August 11, 2004
bill: Arsenal fan. And yes he did eat all the pies. I can understand if he looks normal to you Americans though ;-)
posted by salmacis at 04:12 PM on August 11, 2004
Sal, I understand. I also understand you Blighties are just jealous of all our wonderful fatty foods ;) I have to ask though, what's up with those blue Arsenal jerseys I saw worn for the Charity Shield match? ManU's jerseys looked more like Arsenal's than Arsenal's did.
posted by billsaysthis at 06:00 PM on August 11, 2004
One can only assume it's the away kit, or the cup kit, or the charity shield kit, or the excuse me whilst i fart kit. who can tell nowadays?
posted by squealy at 07:04 PM on August 11, 2004
American teams are getting just as bad, with third kits and retros and what not, but I will say they don't seem to come out with new ones quite so often as EPL and other top European sides do.
posted by billsaysthis at 08:13 PM on August 11, 2004
Also, note that Morientes is now Cup-tied after scoring a brace for RM today. But according to this afternoon's Sky Sports News (on FSW here) Owen definitely wanting out of town. And Et'oo is insisting on a Barca move.
posted by billsaysthis at 08:14 PM on August 11, 2004
Just what Madrid needs, more offensive firepower. Shouldn't they just sign some defenders since that's where their biggest problem was last season? This just gets curiouser and curiouser. Now Real Madrid want Xabi Alonso. Does this indicate that they may have given up on Viera since Alonso was oftened mentioned as a possible Viera replacement at Highbury (especially since Wenger has stated that Maniche is not a target)? Does anyone else tire every year of Real's constant muddying of the waters of the transfer market? As for me, I'm resigned to seeing Viera leave the EPL this week (and this is just as painful for me as Owen leaving would be for you Liverpool supporters). Your thoughts?