gazza ladra

(1) Angel is shit. He will stand out in MLS. (2) Lalas didn't bring Beckham over. The league brought Beckham over-- its a single entity. Prior to being the GM of the Galaxy, he was the GM of the San Jose Earthquakes and the New York Metrostars. He's a an errand boy, sent by grocery clerks, to collect a bill. (3) The attention span argument is bull shit. It has nothing to do with attention span. Look at how many Americans watch golf on television. There are a lot of historical and cultural reasons why football/soccer languishes behind other games in the US-- but "attention span" is not one of them.

Lalas knows MLS is shit. He's a spokesman for the league and likes to see his name in the papers. He needs the attention, that's all.

Doesn't really matter who it is. He is worth that much. Christ, Jenas went for £8m. Can't think of any English International that is going to go for £5m much less £2m.

Babayaro, I suppose.

Barcelona are supposed to be looking at Del Horno. Surely Zambrotta is returning to Italy. Other than Sylvinho would might that make available?

What was that football.365 article? West Ham are the new Newcastle United

Valencia bought Del Horno for that.

Andrea Barzagli

Make a bid for Del Horno. Probably won't come, but aren't many better left backs. [but I suppose he's a galactico]

Raids cast new shadow over game

Heard that somebody asked Ronaldinho about the best player in the world, and he pointed at Messi?

Just saw that Valencia are looking to sell Asier Del Horno. Right there with Heinze on at the top of my [no chance] list.

yes, right Definitely depends on the player. Looks like Valencia have decided to sell Del Horno. It'll be interesting to see how much they ask for him.

Or not. The asking price for Heinze is supposed to be £5M. The way things are going you'd be better off buying rejects from Man Utd and Chelsea than Championship prospects. They buy good players at prices above their worth and turn around and sell them at cut rates.

Barzagli is excellent. Pick up Zaccardo while they're at it. Or not, Palermo is my favorite club in Italy. Would hate to see both go.

This has got to sting. Argentina had everything to lose. Brought their A senior squad to win something-- for the first time in x years-- 20? 10? Kaka and Ronaldinho are on vacation... and Brazil is pissing all over them.

Argentina are the new Brazil '82.

Brazil is the new Brazil.

Can think of a lot of players not on that list; No chance of getting any of them though. A bid for Grosso would have been great-- not that he would've come. (1) Phillip Lahm (2) Gabriel Heinze (3) Wayne Bridge [injured?] (4) Juan Pablo Sorín (5) Leighton Baines (6) Salcido (7) John O'Shea (8 ) Maxwell (9) Nicky Shorey (10) Franck Querdrue (11) Damien Duff (12) Celestine Babayaro

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_football/4160715.stm My favourite football story from last year features Cristian Rodriguez. Cristian Rodriguez Rodriguez is one of the brightest young talents in South America A stocky attacking midfielder with a wonderful left foot, he plays for Penarol, one of the giants of Uruguayan football. Rodriguez is only 19, but already has eight full caps for his country, and scored a cracking goal away to Argentina last October. Towards the end of the year an injury ruled him out of a few games but Penarol officials were surprised when television pictures showed him in the uncovered stands jumping up and down with other supporters in the pouring rain. The club were unimpressed with his unprofessional conduct but I felt uplifted by the existence of a bit of amateur spirit. It is heartening to find a player who still feels like a supporter. Penarol threatened to fine Rodriguez, but happily they showed some Christmas charity and let him off. With his bank balance intact, he flies off this week to Colombia, where he will be Uruguay's star player in the South American Under-20 Championships, which get underway on Thursday. It should be a fantastic competition. Held every two years, it is a tournament which brings together some of the best young footballing talent on the planet. The top four sides can qualify for the World Youth Cup, staged later this year in Holland. In the last World Youth Cup all three of South America's representatives reached the semi-finals, with Brazil winning, Colombia coming third and Argentina finishing fourth. Rodriguez will be the senior figure in the Uruguay Under-20 side The same three countries should come through strongly again this time. Brazil and Argentina are the undisputed giants, while Colombia have both home advantage and a generation of players from whom great things are expected. All three reached the semi-finals of the last World Under-17 Cup - Brazil winning, Argentina third and Colombia fourth. Many of those players have come up through the ranks and will now be featuring at Under-20 level. Uruguay, then, have a tough task ahead of them if they are to claim one of the qualification slots. Two years ago even home advantage was not enough to help them through to the 2003 World Youth Cup. But luck was not on their side. They had a nasty run of injuries during the championship. Rodriguez, then just 17, made a superb start to the tournament but was injured in the second game and played no further part. Now he has another chance, this time as the senior figure in the side. European scouts will certainly be watching him. But if he does make the move across the Atlantic, he should keep quiet about his antics in the stands. Another Uruguayan hoping for better luck this time is Ignacio La Luz, a highly rated full back who missed the last South American Under-20 Championships through injury. Still only 19, he is young enough to have another chance. Also in the squad are two attacking midfielders who did well in the last Under-17 Championships, playmaker Juan Albin and the left-footed Jorge Garcia, who last year was linked with Chelsea.

Well I'm American, maybe I should give it a shot?

LB, CB, CB, RB

Since your a betting man... care to bet on Veron returning to Man Utd or Chelsea?

damn. Messi.