2010/2011 Premier League Thread

[Locke]

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has named Cesc Fabregas and Zlatan Ibrahimovic as potential transfer targets after securing a place in the Champions League qualifying rounds next season.

When asked which players he wanted to recruit to strengthen City as they head into Europe's elite competition, Mancini replied: "Cesc Fabregas". The Italian also told The Sun that there is a place at Eastlands for AC Milan striker Ibrahimovic.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/st...zlatan?cc=5901

Ugh, I hate City.

[SeoulFire]

This will certainly provide some entertainment.

http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Fe...gue-wrath.aspx

If United secure a record 19th league title by getting a point or more at Blackburn Rovers on Saturday, Ferguson intends to rest almost his entire first-choice team against Blackpool, despite the controversy when he did the same on the final weekend of the 2006-07 season and a 1-0 win for West Ham United at Old Trafford meant the London club avoided relegation at the expense of Sheffield United.

[NBC]

How much did the scousers pay for Andy Carroll?

How is it any different?

[d_phaneuf]

Originally Posted by SeoulFire

This will certainly provide some entertainment.

http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Fe...gue-wrath.aspx

his reserve team is likely to include Berbatov, Nani, Scholes etc.

But I think its a stupid rule in general, the league makes them name a 25 man roster, why not let them use it

[d_phaneuf]

Originally Posted by NBC

How much did the scousers pay for Andy Carroll?

How is it any different?

exactly, in fact I wouldn't be surprised of Fabregas is sold for less than 40m

and Fabregas>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> > I could go on >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> could still keep going >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> you get the point>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Carroll

[Locke]

Originally Posted by NBC

How much did the scousers pay for Andy Carroll?

How is it any different?

I suppose thats a good point.

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

exactly, in fact I wouldn't be surprised of Fabregas is sold for less than 40m

and Fabregas>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> > I could go on >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> could still keep going >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> you get the point>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Carroll

Granted, I suppose it depends on what you need, but in terms of overall ability I dont think theres any arguing that.

Although, if its to City I would imagine that the selling price could in the 40 range if not higher.

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by Locke

I suppose thats a good point.



Granted, I suppose it depends on what you need, but in terms of overall ability I dont think theres any arguing that.

Although, if its to City I would imagine that the selling price could in the 40 range if not higher.

Agreed. Especially since Barca can likely match anything City will offer.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by rubecube

Agreed. Especially since Barca can likely match anything City will offer.

The only possible reason he would go to City over Barca would have to be money. Maybe playing time, but mostly money.

[d_phaneuf]

I do think there is a City tax and he would be probly 50m to them at least, every player they have gotten they have tapped up in the media, and every one knows they have billions of dollars so they know they can ask for more (in some cases double like Milner)

the Barca thing is tricky, Sid Lowe talked about it on the guardian podcast (which is fantastic) a few weeks ago, they want him to eventually be the replacement for Xavi but Xavi may play another 2-3 years. So does Cesc want to go there and be a reserve (like he currently is for Spain) for a few years, or does he want to stay at Arsenal (this was obviously before Mancini brought him up) for the time being

I think if he does go this summer it is to Barca, he's going to get paid either way, and I don't see going to a team like City appeals to him

[Addick]

Originally Posted by SeoulFire

This will certainly provide some entertainment.

http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Fe...gue-wrath.aspx

Although it would never happen with the Old Boy's Club, it would be awesome if they docked points from United. However, if they didn't have the OBC they wouldn't want you to field your best XI every week yet allow you to have a 25-man roster.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

the one thing that gives me hope, besides all the spanish strikers we are being linked with, is that it is likely Harry's last season with Spurs before he takes over England

he is going to want to make sure its a great big season, and he truly believes the core of this team is good enough to win the league, just needs some help up front and at the back

I read this today, 'Arry is concerned that the lack of any European competition of Spurs may limit access to funds for spending.

That result means that Spurs have slumped into sixth place, leaving them staring at the prospect of no European football whatsoever next season - and Redknapp concedes that may curb the club's spending power.

"I don't know if we have any money to spend. We might not," said Redknapp. "I have not asked the chairman. We will have to wait and see. If there isn't we will get on with it again and be strong next year. The only way we can do it is to shift a few in the summer and bring on or two in."

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/st...ending?cc=5901

Van Nistelrooy is going to be available on a free.

[DeanOMac]

Originally Posted by Addick

Although it would never happen with the Old Boy's Club, it would be awesome if they docked points from United. However, if they didn't have the OBC they wouldn't want you to field your best XI every week yet allow you to have a 25-man roster.

My dislike for Man U may be greater than Spurs (ok, not really), but to dock them points while using a roster composed of their designated 25, as demanded by premier league rules, would be ridiculous.

Without the 25 rule, I'd say a fine would be necessary.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by DeanOMac

My dislike for Man U may be greater than Spurs (ok, not really), but to dock them points while using a roster composed of their designated 25, as demanded by premier league rules, would be ridiculous.

Without the 25 rule, I'd say a fine would be necessary.

Ian Holloway got fined for squad changes despite the fact that they were part of his designated 25.

[d_phaneuf]

Originally Posted by Locke

I read this today, 'Arry is concerned that the lack of any European competition of Spurs may limit access to funds for spending.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/st...ending?cc=5901

Van Nistelrooy is going to be available on a free.

he changes his mind every week, they will spend, even if they don't overspend and just do it with the sales of the 6-7 guys who can leave

and Levy knows if the club is to take the next step, right now is the time, if they miss out on top 4 next season I would guess Modric is gone

[d_phaneuf]

John Terry says Chelsea need to spend money this summer

does he not realize it should be on a new CB?

[Locke]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

John Terry says Chelsea need to spend money this summer

does he not realize it should be on a new CB?

So true. Not to mention, how many strikers does that team want?

Also, I mentioned it in the Liverpool thread but as it relates to many fewer points for all of your teams I shall mention it in here:

Kenny Dalglish has signed a three-year deal to become the permanent manager of Liverpool.

John W Henry and his Fenway Sports Group team flew into England this week to finalise the contract with Dalglish. First-team coach Steve Clarke, brought to the club by Dalglish, has also signed a three-year deal.

When Dalglish took the helm Liverpool were languishing in 12th in the table but he has led them up to fifth, and they can secure a place in the Europa League with a win at home to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/st...erpool?cc=5901

[d_phaneuf]

and they can secure a place in the Europa League with a win at home to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.

Go Liverpool!

[Locke]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

and they can secure a place in the Europa League with a win at home to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.

Go Liverpool!

I've come to peace with the Europa league, I figure that some European games is better than none, and the extra income will probably allow Kenny more flexibility.

Personally, with the future investment in the squad and looking at what Kenny's already been doing I feel that the Europa league, particularly in the early going, is going to be a great proving ground for a lot of the reserve kids.

[Addick]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

the one thing that gives me hope, besides all the spanish strikers we are being linked with, is that it is likely Harry's last season with Spurs before he takes over England

he is going to want to make sure its a great big season, and he truly believes the core of this team is good enough to win the league, just needs some help up front and at the back

Considering his past, would his imminent departure be good the club or just good for 'Arrry as it would provide him with a convenient escape route?

Just Watch Harry Redknapp Time His Run To Perfection, Again

11 April 2011
London Evening Standard
Jason Cowley

Have Spurs hit the wall under Harry Redknapp? It seems as if something like this always happens to his teams before too long.

[...]

Redknapp is an inspirational man-motivator and a street-smart, cheeky chappy, with a huckster's gift of the gab. He's part Del Boy, part Alan Sugar, part sage. His chairmen often spend big on transfer and agents' fees and wages and his squads are usually bloated and require "streamlining", to borrow Levy's euphemism.

Over the years, Redknapp has shown himself to be the master of the vertiginous ascent: his teams fleetingly fly high but a crash nearly always follows, and usually just after he has left, closed the door behind him and pushed the keys back through the letter-box.

Complete Article

Although it does appear to be Ol' Twitchy's MO, I'm not sure Levy would be having any of it.

[DeanOMac]

Originally Posted by Locke

Ian Holloway got fined for squad changes despite the fact that they were part of his designated 25.

I should have clarified that any fines in regards to this rule are ridiculous but that the possibility of them getting fined is not.

I remember Holloway threatening to quit if he got fined, but then he never did. How did he ever save face on that?