Thread: New Soccer Thread+An EPL Preview

Originally Posted by krudmonk

Stupid Darrrrrrby beat WBA. This means only one derby (no pun intended) match for Villa next season.

I'm fine with seeing a new team getting a shot in the Premiership. West Brom have had their chances before.

Originally Posted by Mr. Irreverent

Eto'o is the ****, that being said he still misses a lot of opportunites, but then again he creates a lot of them for his teammates. I will ALWAYS be an Eto'o fan...

Eto'o is a very good player, arguably a top 5 striker but he is nowhere near Henry in terms of overall ability. In terms of finishing they are close. Inside the 6 yard box, Eto'o might even be better, but Henry fits Arsenal a lot better, he creates a ton for his teammates. When healthy he's always among the leaders in assists and in Arsenal's attack they have a lot of moving parts. For example, Henry likes to drop back to the LW to collect the ball and start the attack. Eto'o to me is not as vesatile and Arsenal's attack would probably suffer unless they change the way they play.

Originally Posted by VEGASKING

"Manchester United is delighted to announce that it has agreed terms with Bayern Munich for the transfer of Owen Hargreaves," read a statement from United. "The player has also agreed terms with the club and passed his medical.

"Owen will formally sign his contract with Manchester United when he returns from his holiday at the end of June and will join on July 1, 2007."
http://home.skysports.com/list.aspx?...ture&channel=&


Also Scott Parker is close to joining Wet Ham for £8.5 million.

http://home.skysports.com/list.aspx?...clid=21&cpid=8

The Hargreaves move has been in the makings since last summer. Almost inevitable really.

As far as Parker, that is quite a loss for Newcastle. Rumors are that Allardyce would buy Barton to replace Parker. That would be a downgrade although Barton would come for cheap. It would depend on what they could do with that 8.5. Parker improves West Ham's midfield in a big way.

Originally Posted by redxalonso

Like Ballack and Shevchenko coup for Chelsea?

Ballack actually moved on a free transfer. So that wasn't much of a coup.

As far as Sheva goes, going into this past season I believed that Sheva was one of a handful of strikers that could succeed in any league. Not sure what happend to him this past year in the EPL. Maybe he needed a year of adjustment or perhaps it was the style Chelsea plays.

Originally Posted by VEGASKING

As Arsenal and Liverpool fans we can hope they suck as much as those two did.

Originally Posted by redxalonso

We don't have to hope. They ARE going to get a rude awakening in their first season in the EPL.

Whether they sink or swim is another story.

The difference is United don't need Nani and Anderson to peform in order to repeat as champions. Both these signings, especially the Anderson signing were made with an eye torwards the future.

United had a need for more cover at winger, and Nani is closer to being EPL ready. But they still have Giggs, Ronaldo, and Park. Those are 3 legit wingers as well as the option of playing Rooney in a wide position in a pinch.

The 2 Chelsea signings were made with an eye torwards winning the Champions League. 2 very different situations.

Originally Posted by ASUcruz

The African Nations cup is going to hurt Chelsea more than any other team. They will lose Drogba as well.

I don't know if Makalele will be sold, I think Essien is wasted in playing a Makalele role and Mikel is not ready ye.

My comments about the African Nations cup was a reference to Chelsea's need of signing of another midfielder in Steve Sidwell.

That's why I did not include Drogba in that post.

Originally Posted by ASUcruz

I don't thinK Mido is good enough for Man U. He's big and pretty good in the air but he's not all that great technically. No thanks.



Torres has been rumored to be coming to Manchester since last summer. I believe he has a gigantic buy out clause that has swayed teams away from buying him. I've never been a big Torres fan, I tend to think he's a bit overrated. I'd rather have Berbatov or Huntelaar. Torres is a good player but not the sort of striker United needs.

All Spanish players have a buy out clause in their contracts. It's just how it is in Spain.

Xabi Alonso had a 20 million pound buy out clause, but he was sold for 10.6 million.

Originally Posted by VEGASKING

I totally agree. Next year isn't what i'm worried about. If they perform and United decide to keep them along with Ronaldo the next decade is what I'm worried about.

Rooney, C. Ronaldo, Nani and Anderson(if they pan out), is quite a collection of young talent.

ASU is right, both Nani and Anderson has veterans at United to buy them time.

IMO, there is no such thing as being EPL ready for any player who has never played in the league, regardless of how good they look playing in other leagues. Some of them has the ability to adapt right away, and some just takes longer depending on many other factors.

Originally Posted by redxalonso

My comments about the African Nations cup was a reference to Chelsea's need of signing of another midfielder in Steve Sidwell.

That's why I did not include Drogba in that post.

Yea I know. Just thought I'd bring it up.