Village Idiot

Yes, he played in their first friendly I think.

Grrr... for the life of me can't find the squad we sent. I suppose the likes of Samper, Pol García, Pol Ballesté, Toral, Dongou, Ebwelle, Riera, Baldé are there, but dunno who's wearing #6.

We really don't have much depth. The treble season was almost miraculous regarding injuries. Getting another talented midfielder allows a lot of options regarding rotations, since shipping Iniesta out wide allows us to play Villa central for example and rest Zlatan, Pedro can then cover for Messi (his first role when breaking out into the team), etc... also Cesc has more goal on him than Xavi or Iniesta (Xavi is still better at controlling a game, something that comes with experience) which would be another option if we have problems breaking teams that set out defensively.

Love how ManCity behave like a 16-year old playing FM with an edited save.

Well, that's good news for my FF team since I had drafted Fabregas Next season I guess, and to be frank we probably have a couple more urgent positions to cover (Second DM and probably centreback). Don't get me wrong, I'd love to see Cesc in a Barça shirt, and I'd love it to see it as soon as possible since I'm pretty sure his value will increase as he develops.

Sevilla got Braga, could have been worse I guess.

To be honest, it's a make it or break it moment for Wenger. Selling Cesc pretty much means no chance of silverware this season, and Arsenal slipping more and more. What point serves his (very successful) youth policy if you end up losing your best products to other teams when they make it? Teams like Sevilla can get away with that, but they're f***ing Arsenal, they are expected to contend.

Some other local media are putting it at only €42m. But all seem to agree there's a new bid.

Madrid are fuming since it seems Kaká played in the WC with a dodgy knee, according to the doctor that operated him. Weird that the doctor would say it openly though, doctor-patient trust and all that... Guy has given an interview to "As" today.

I think it's way too much money, but he's just 23 afterall. Him and Iniesta would sort our central midfield for most of the next decade.

Barcelona press reporting we have upped our offer for Cesc to €50m.

Would be fun to play you lot in the semis.

Got mixed up since Stoke were after him too

Real Madrid just confirmed Kaká is out for 3-4 months.

He played wide right. Keane and Fowler got games up front ahead of him, as well as JFH and Viduka. I remember when he played a few games as a target man though, and he was dreadful. I think he was fine... mostly his workrate and pressing, his actuall goalscoring skills were always Heskeyesque.

Smith was playing the "make a nuisance of yourself" forward role, while Hasselbaink/Viduka were the out-and-out goalscorers. He was quite dynamic back at Leeds to be frank.

Looks like the Hércules case is going to be dismissed. Hércules president was tapped admitting to bribing rivals to ensure his team's promotion to First division while being investigated for real estate fraud. The judge investigating the case says he won't send the tapes to our sporting authorities since the tapping was only authorized in regards to the real estate case. He also says that match fixing isn't tyipfied as an offence in our laws (this was changed but won't take effect until the end of the year), so there's no crime to pursue.

How do the knockout stages work? Is there a draw? It's pretty likely we'll wind up 2n place in our group.

Actually I think Kaká played better in Istanbul, although 2007 was the best season overall for him. But his first half against the dippers was immense. *That* pass for Crespo's first (I think)

Mmmmm... should I pick up Cesc in the drafted FF league I play in? The other usual suspects are all taken. At least I would have a reason to be happy about if he doesn't sign.

Is he seriously saying "f***ing" and "jack s***" while writing in French?

Actually forgot about Canales. He might get more airtime than I expected if Kaká keeps on being a crook.

That chronic groin injury alone ensures he can't enjoy a full season at a top level anymore. Just realized Madrid have a glut of DMs now, but only him and Van der Vaart to cover for the "Zidane role". Bizarro world.

Kaká has left the Real Madrid squad hours before their first friendly. Rumor is that he's f***ed his knee and he's going to get an op. EDIT: "As" are confirming it. Probable meniscus tear. Man, he's got a shit luck with fitness.

Fiorentina. Several in Spain... from the top of my head CD Málaga, Burgos, Marbella, Granada 74... most of them refounded in some guise (Málaga CF even managed to eventually win back top flight status). CD Logroñés seems as good as dead too. Pretty sure quite a few less known clubs in Segunda B and below have gone under too.