It’s not just England who lack a decent number one
So what did we learn over the weekend then? Well the England goalkeeping problem became a little clearer, in the sense that we now know it is a real problem. Alternative candidates have come and gone, but it seems certain that David James will start “between the sticks” as football writers say, come next June.
But as Paul Wilson pointed out in a terrific article in Sunday’s Observer, the days of long-established number ones are no more. In World Cups of yore, the faces wearing green in the Panini sticker book, were recognisable to football fans up and down the country. Zoff, Zubizaretta, Oliver Kahn - you knew where you were back in the 80s and 90s. Yet now, the current Nationalmeinshaft’s nummer ein, Rene Adler, could have sat next to you on the bus this morning without your knowledge. And who would know if French custodian Steve Mandanda had delivered their mail this morning? Casillas and Buffon aside, we live in a world bereft of top keepers.
So its not just England who have problems - some comfort ahead of next summer. But what possible reason is there for this global phenomena? Light balls flying all over the place? Strikers banging the ball harder than ever? Or government anti-bullying campaigns in school stopping the infirm being forced into goal at a young age? Leave thoughts below…
A cursory glance at the headlines this morning suggests Garry Cook [pictured above with something very overpriced] and Manchester City have learned nothing from the embarrassing Kaka saga. Several papersclaim the Eastlands side have already failed to land David Villa, David Silva and Gianluigi Buffon, while bids are reportedly being lined up for Shay Given (for whom Newcastle want £!4m!), Carlo Cudicini and Thierry Henry. One of the more feasible deals, however, is a reported swap with Chelsea…
Didier Drogba and Robinho switch-a-roo The Star, The Sun and The Mirror have all noticed that Didier Drogba wants to leave Chelsea, and that Robinho is a little unsettled, so naturally they have put two and two together. Big Phil only has Wayne Bridge’s transfer fee to play with, so will have to offer Le Drog, Alex, Salomon Kalou or Florent Malouda if they want Robinho to come to the club he should have joined several months ago. The Spoiler truth-o-meter: With the amount of players and offers being touted at Manchester City, it’s anyone’s guess as to whether this is real or a fabrication. However, one thing does stand in the way - FIFA rules stipulate that a player must have “just sporting reason” to move to a third club within twelve months. Is “I regret chasing the money and joining an international laughing stock” a “just sporting reason”?
Andrei Arshavin to Arsenal
The quick and efficient transfer of the Zenit star is nearly over, say Sky Sports. Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood has said the club will offer absolutely no more than £15m, and insists they maintain a “plenty more fish in the sea” attitude. Hence,
Eleven players who’ll probably all end up at Man City in January
With just 23 days left until the big day, footballers all over Europe are champing at the bit to leave their current employers behind, in search of lots more money fresh opportunities elsewhere. Here’s eleven stars who are likely to change clubs in early 2009, conveniently arranged into a football team in their own right…
Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus, linked to Manchester City)
Juve say they want to keep their star keeper but Buffon says they should cash in if they receive a ridiculous offer. Good news for Joe Hart’s England hopes then.
Wayne Bridge (Chelsea, linked to Manchester City)
Bridge is still behind Cashley Cole in the Chelsea pecking order and Mark Hughes wants to build a world class team. With this vision in mind, one would expect that left backs Michael Ball and Javier Garrido won’t be playing much longer.
Pascal Chimbonda (Sunderland, linked to Lyon)
The man who put in a transfer request just minutes after Wigan’s last game of the season in 2006 seems ready to jump ship again. As Sunderland battle relegation, Chimbonda again proves he has an impeccable sense of timing.
Federico Fazio (Sevilla, linked to Arsenal)
Arsene Wenger has admitted his defence lack height and could sign 6′5 Fazio to shore
Tragic injustice struck the world’s greatest WAG Giorgia Palmas yesterday, as she narrowly scraped a victory on The Spoiler, and suffered a crushing defeat over at On205th. It’s criminal, and I have no idea how Terrie B (who?) will sleep at night after learning of her success. (Actually, it will probably be next to a handsome sportsman on top of a large pile of money.)
Today, Andy Roddick’s swimsuit model wife-to-be takes on Gianluigi Buffon’s former Miss Czech Republic…
Round Six: Brooklyn Decker/ Alena Seredova
[click the image to get a better view]
More pictures of Brooklyn here, more of Alena here
Chile: exporters of wine, copper and top-heavy models
In 2006, a tournament was held in Germany that gripped the attention of men all around the world. Of course, I’m referring to the Triumph Underwear Fashion Cup, where models gathered to show off lingerie with a vague sporting aesthetic. Competitors included (fat Brazilian) Ronaldo’s ex Raica Oliveira, Gianluigi Buffon’s lady Alena Seredova and Pamela Diaz, wife of Chilean striker Manuel Neira. Who were the winners of the tournament, you ask? You and I, friends.
With no British presence, you’ll need something to look at
It was the 2006 World Cup that really embedded the concept of Waggery deep into the conscience of this tiny island we all share, yet this summer, Posh, Cheryl et al will not be spending their time in the finest hard plastic seats Switzerland and Austria have to offer. Thanks, Mr McClaren.
This does not mean, however, that the stands will be devoid of eye candy - far from it. Sylvie (above), wife of Holland’s Rafael van der Vaart, will be just one of many devastatingly beautiful WAGs who will have pitch side snappers aiming their long lenses in the opposite direction to Dirk Kuyt.
Click here for more pictures of Sylvie van der Vaart, and check out the rest of Euro 2008’s hottest WAGs after the jump
Loading ...
