₦airaland Forum

MrCrackles:
Useless bunch of OBERTANS!

couldn't have said it any better 

RuuDie:
RM neva treated Eto'o badly abi !? they were waiting till he reached 50 b4 they put him in the first team time after time, they shipped him out to Mallorca while spending mega-bucks on building a galacticos and u expect him to wait
Each time he came on as a sub 4 RM and scored _{which he did ever so often} he ran over to the vip box and pointed towards the president and y'all didn't get the message!?
Why were y'all so desperate to stave off Barca from signing him from Mallorca when y'all didn't have any plans for him - u go say na love abi !?

Eto'o never scored for RM. In fact he never played for the first team.
Eto'o was on loan to mallorca till 2000 before it became a joint ownership with them and he was sold to barca in 2004.

RuuDie:
And who says he was not good enuff  

If eto had agreed to come and fight for his shirt, he would have gotten his chance later, but it is pure insanity to think eto'o was a better striker than Ronaldo.
Eto has never liked being second fiddle and the we didn't want him joining barca cos we hoped to get him back from mallorca.

Luis Suarez: Ibrahimovic-Eto'o Deal Is Complete
The Inter Milan technical advisor has declared that the player-plus-cash deal involving the two strikers has been concluded.
There have been reports in both Spain and Italy claiming that Barcelona have made an audacious offer of €40 million plus Samuel Eto'o and Aliaksandr Hleb for Inter star Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
The Nerazurri chief, Massimo Moratti, stated earlier today that a deal between the two clubs had not been struck but Luis Suarez, who played for both sides, has now hinted that an agreement has been reached.
"I did not conduct the negotiations myself, but yes, I can tell you that Zlatan Ibrahimovic will play for Barcelona next season," he is quoted as saying in SOFOOT.
"And Eto'o to Inter, it also appears. On the other hand, nothing is certain about Hleb. But since Jose Mourinho has been asking for a new attacking midfielder for weeks, there is no reason for him not to come."
Although Suarez believes that Ibrahimovic's loss is a blow to Inter, he is confident they will be able to retain their Serie A title.
"You have to be honest: Zlatan is individually a better football player than Samuel Eto'o," he added. "At least technically. So it's rather Barca instead of Inter who have made a good transfer. Now on the pitch, we will have to see.
"With Eto'o, Inter will be less dependent on a player that can help the team to work better collectively. And Eto'o is a player that works harder than Ibrahimovic, and is more of a team player who runs more.
"Knowing that [Diego] Milito is not a player that creates spaces, and that Zlatan is not one either, this could give more attacking solutions to Inter.
"In any case, Inter remain the favourites in Italy for me."
https://i.media.goal.com/g/50042_news.jpg
http://goal.com/en/news/10/italy/2009/07/17/1388319/luis-suarez-ibrahimovic-etoo-deal-is-complete

RM didnt treat eto'o badly. Eto'o felt he was good enough to start for RM, we felt he needed more time to develop. If eto'o had been patient, he would have ended up as top striker at Madrid.
Madrid had always liked him and thats why we bought him at an early age, but we prefer to let players develop their careers with other clubs, rather than let them rot on the bench. Madrid would never sell a key player unless he decided to leave. Pep, Laporta and co, are just being asinine, as there is no option better than eto for Barca.
If not for the gentleman agreement with the cules, we would have brought our prodigal son back home. We hate seeing him being treated like that.

Barcelona Sign Ibrahimovic From Inter For €40m Plus Eto’o - Spanish Press
Barcelona have reportedly concluded the transfer of Zlatan Ibrahimovic from Inter.
According to Sport, Joan Laporta, Txiki Begiristain and Raul Sanllehi met with Massimo Moratti late on Thursday and an agreement was reached around midnight.
The transfer will see the Blaugrana part with €40 million plus Samuel Eto’o and Aliaksandr Hleb, with the Belarussian joining the Nerazzurri on a loan spell.
The Barcelona-based daily believes that Inter had initially informed the Blaugrana that Ibrahimovic was keen on moving to the Camp Nou, at which point the Catalan club contacted Eto’o, who immediately gave the part-exchange deal the green light.
And when Barca’s own negotiations with Valencia for David Villa all but collapsed, Laporta promptly contacted Moratti to arrange an emergency meeting last night upon receiving a request from the head coach, Pep Guardiola, to conclude the deal as soon as possible.
It is also speculated that ‘Ibracadabra’ will take a pay-cut in order to play for ‘El Tricampeon’ – and also ensure that he does not eclipse Lionel Messi – while Eto’o has allegedly demanded €13m from the San Siro outfit for a period of five years, or €65 million in total. 
https://i.media.goal.com/g/50497_news.jpg
http://www.goal.com/en/news/12/spain/2009/07/17/1387285/barcelona-sign-ibrahimovic-from-inter-for-40m-plus-etoo

Shakhtar Donetsk Defender Chygrynsky Turns Down Barcelona Move
Dmytro Chygrynsky has rejected the chance to join Barcelona after the Catalan club made an enquiry about his availability.
Shakhtar Donetsk's vice-captain opted to stay with the Ukrainian club in order to further his career rather than push for a move to the European champions.
Barca asked if they could speak to the player about a move, but Chygrynsky turned down the chance to hold talks and is keen to help his current side improve
"I fully understand that Barcelona doesn't make such proposals everyday just to anyone. This is an important moment," Chygrynsky told his club's official website.
"It may be that I won't have such an opportunity again in my career. On the other hand, if I prove to myself that I am worthy of such a proposal, I will raise the bar of my ability."

Form is nothing, class is everything 

Worry less about my ramblings, and be more concerned that your management is rumored to have swapped Eto + Hleb + 40 million euros for Ibrahimovic, who is yet to deliver on the big stage.
If this is true, it will be the biggest rimming of the summer.

Florentino Perez Aims To Change Real Madrid Kick-Offs To Attract Audience Of 1billion
Florentino Perez is already busy working overtime on more business strategies to recoup the €196 million investment on Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka and Karim Benzema.
One of the big financial jackpots in football comes from television rights, and AS has reported that the construction magnet has drawn up plans to change the schedule of Real Madrid’s games at the Santiago Bernabeu to tap further into the Asian market.
It is believed that Perez will try to convince the different broadcasters in Spain to move the team’s kick-off to 15:00 CET during the winter months and 16:00 CET in spring time (anywhere between 20:00 to 22:00 in Asia).
Intereconomia TV reported a few days ago that Perez estimated that, based on current kick-off times, the global TV viewership of Madrid’s matches stands at around 800 million, but he anticipates that the early start time could boost the figures up to 1.8 billion, thanks largely to the massive audiences in China and Japan, where there is a fanatical following of Cristiano Ronaldo, as well as the fans in South America, who support Kaka. 
The White House president is said to have drawn encouragement from the English Premier League’s current TV schedule, where the big clash of the weekend is often held on Saturday at 12:45 GMT and at 15:00 GMT for the bulk of the fixtures. However, he had already come up with this idea during his first stint at the Bernabeu, but he ran into resistance from the LFP {Liga de Futbol Professional) as well as the TV broadcasters.
He is confident that the new timetable will not only benefit Madrid and the opposing team, but it will also broaden La Liga’s appeal to a wider market.
The only setback to this plan would be the disapproval of the paying members in Madrid to attend the games earlier than usual. At present, La Liga’s games are normally scheduled from 20:00 CET to 22:00 CET for Saturday’s round of matches, and 17:00 CET to 21:00 CET on Sundays.
Perez has already predicted that CR9 and Kaka will generate more than €90m of profit every year, a figure that will almost cover this summer’s triple Galacticos signing in two seasons.
https://i.media.goal.com/g/51549_news.jpg
http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/138/spain/2009/07/16/1385611/florentino-perez-aims-to-change-real-madrid-kick-offs-to-attract-

Those cules won't say anything now when we are making moves that benefit the entire league, instead they are busy wasting money on David Villa

Valencia reject €42 million bid for David Villa from Barcelona
http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=es&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.as.com%2Ffutbol%2F

David Villa's Agent To Call Valencia President
According to Superdeporte, José Luis Tamargo, agent of David Villa, will call Valencia president, Manuel Llorente, today to discuss a possible exit from the club.
Tamargo will reportedly ask Llorente whether Valencia have decided the sum that would be required to prize Villa, and then inform Barcelona of it so that they can lodge a new offer.
Reports earlier on Thursday suggested that Villa was considering a lower contract with Barcelona if it helped the Catalan club meet Los Che's asking price.
If Tamargo is told that his charge is "untransferable", than it is believed he will ask the reason why he was on the market earlier this summer, when Real Madrid were interested in his signature
http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/222/transfer-zone/2009/07/16/1386167/david-villas-agent-to-call-valencia-president-report

Premier League - Downing completes Villa switch
England winger Stewart Downing has completed his move to Aston Villa from relegated Middlesbrough.
Downing makes his return to the Premier League for a £12 million fee after completing his club medical despite recovering from a broken foot - ironically sustained against Villa at the end of last season - that will keep him sidelined for around three months.
Middlesbrough were relegated to the Championship on the final day of last season, and Downing cited his need to remain in the top flight in order to book his place at next summer's World Cup as the primary motive for leaving his hometown club.
He said: "That's my aim, to get back to full fitness, get back playing and get myself in the England team for the World Cup."
"I don't just want to go there (South Africa) to sit it out this time either. I want to be in the team. I loved the last World Cup, it was brilliant, but I want to play a bigger part this time.
"I have to be with a good Premier League side if I want to do that."
Downing, who made well over 200 appearances for Boro during his eight years at the club, also praised the club and its manager, Martin O'Neill.
"As soon as I spoke to the manager at the training ground, I wanted to play for Villa and I wanted to play for him," he said. "He has great ambition and wants to build a good squad to take the club forward. I want to be part of that.
"As an outsider looking in, it was obvious that Villa were a club on the up. You can see a chairman and manager who want to build great things.
"They have done that over the past few seasons, particularly by finishing sixth last time around, which was great."
"Leaving Boro feels strange because I've always been at the club. I supported them when I was young and I'll always be a fan."
Boro manager Gareth Southgate, who rejected Downing's transfer request in January when Tottenham Hotspur made an offer, said: "I felt that for the last year or so Stewart has been looking to move to another club and I think it was impossible for us to stand in his way at this time.
"From my point of view, I have loved working with Stewart. He has played very well for his home-town club."
https://d.yimg.com/i//ng/sp/eurosport/20090716/25/fcb08494088fa59b5d7fc01e7a98bc80.jpg
http://eurosport.yahoo.com/16072009/58/premier-league-downing-completes-villa-switch.html

Cristalz:
Okay guys, back to football now.

Arsenal to finish 3rd coming season behind Man City. Hmm, come to think of it, we'll need a thread for that club soon o. I'm sure fans will start appearing soon.

That is expected, as success has many fathers, while failure will remain an orphan

HNIC:
@ Biina
Wetin na?
2007/2008 or 2008/2009
No team, whether English, Arab or Japanese beat the Arsenal 2-1 at the EMIRATES.
If you say any more thing to defend yourself on this goof, I will be forced to cyberknock your head

ok so I got the venue wrong. They beat u 2-1 at old trafford in 2007/08 in the title run in. Happy? and chelsea also beat you at stamford bridge, while you could only manage a home draw against Liverpool.

Leading with 5 points and with just a few matches to go isn't a 'reasonable' title challenge?
Then what is a reasonable challenge?

with just a 'few' matches to go?
You led by 5pts in week 26, with 12 matches still remaining (almost a 3rd of the schedule) and by wk35 were trailing by as much as 7 pts.
Your title ambitions were effectively dead by wk31, and the loss to manU 3 weeks later was just the nail on the coffin. After that it was just mathematics and miracles left.
But dont worry am sure you will repeat your feat again this season as mid season champions

Negredo seems headed to Tottenham while Huntelaar is still negotiating with Stuttgart

debosky:
Who beat us 2-1 at the Emirates? Are you sure you aren't hallucinating?   We didn't lose at the Emirates to anyone in the top 4 in the league till the Chelski beat us after we crashed out of the CL in 2009. Again, stop talking out of your ass.

Which season are you talking about? we were discussing the 2007-08, not 2008-09  

What nonsense are you going on about? The difference between first and SECOND this season was FOUR POINTS, which was the difference between third and 1st last time and we were not in a title challenge? Dude stop this stupid line of argument - if we didn't have a title challenge then no one did.

Prior to the 2007/08 season, the league winner in the last 5 seasons had averaged 91.2pts, so how does 83pts i.e.  almost 3 games short become a reasonable challenge.
The keyword being 'reasonable'. Chelsea had a reasonable title challenge, they finished second, beating arsenal and eventual winners manU in the run in when it mattered, and kept the title within grasp. They were in a position to win till the last matchday.

Wow, so I guess Arsenal just started playing in the league yesterday so we don't know the number of games.  
I'm done with you - when you have anything close to being marginally credible then let me know.

If you know that, then stop counting early league leads as reasonable title challenges.
The performance of arsenal in that season was not good enough for a first place finish in any of the recent seasons. shikena!
But again, you can keep deluding yourself on the wannabe performances of your club.

debosky:
I think you deserve the award for moronic arguments, DK has nothing on you. Ending up a mere 4 points behind the eventual winners is not a reasonable title challenge?  

The previous season, the space between winner and second was SIX points and coming FOUR points behind is not a challenge. The season before that one the difference was EIGHT points between 1 and 2 and it wasn't a challenge to be 4 points off the winner.  

United winning the league had a record of beating only Chelski in the top 4, yet you are listing a 1-3-2 record as 'evidence' of a title challenge ?  

Stick to analysing La Liga - you are obviously hopeless when it comes to the premiership.

Yes and they didnt beat your team 2-1 at the emirates?
You talk about gap between the leader and  second place when 83 pts is par for 3rd place in recent times with late 60s almost guaranteed of getting you 4th.
The league is played over 38 weeks and not won in December as you guys fail to realize.

HNIC:
You must have lived under the rock in the 2007/2008 season
The arsenal led the table from like September till March
The unfortunate incidence at St andrews(Dudu's broken leg) and a few silly draws made us relinquish the top spot and even at that
we finished 4 points adrift the eventual winners, Manure.
If that isn't a reasonable title challenge, I wonder what can be defined as one!

Arsenal led the table a several points in the early and mid season stages, but were not permanently on top like you claim. They swapped places with manu through the early and mid part of the season.
A reasonable title challenge is Chelsea taking the title challenge of the same season to the final week, and not your team being confined to third place in the run in.
It is not arsenal losing crucial games in the run in, despite being out of the UCL as compared to Chelsea and ManU that both played till the finals.
It is not arsenal have a 1-3-2 record against the other 3 top teams.
Yet it was all a flash in the pan, as you have failed to improve on it.

@debosky
So I guess Arsenal has been getting stronger in recent seasons?
Despite your stats dependence, Campbell was a better CB than Gallas, and thus it was a downgrade
With every sale Wenger has made in recent years, the replacements have made the team weaker e.g. where is your replacement that is better than Ashley cole, Henry, Gilberto Silva or Vieira.
Your club has gone from a title contender to one that battles for a top 4 finish, and havent made a reasonable title challenge in the last four years, finishing 4th 3x and 3rd.
I understand the challenges that wenger is facing given the financial situation of the club, but to argue that arsenal has been getting equivalent replacements is being delusional.

Prove himself? wasn't he one (if not the best) of your top strikers, scoring the most goals from open play and in crucial games? Not everyone is like CR that thrives on being booed.
Anyways, he is on his way to City, and it is definitely a loss for Arsenal.
Given recent history, I doubt his replacement would be anything but another downgrade.

@debosky
I dont see what your qualms are with the guy. Arsenal made him available for sale.
Has the guy ever said he wanted to leave? or do you expect him to rubbish other clubs.
I dont think you can blame him for a lack of enthusiasm when the fans boo him.

Barca just signed Maxwell for €5million from Inter!!!

Is it that you guys dont have money, are being tight fisted, or your management just don't have what it takes.
How can you sign a 27yr old maxwell who has never been exceptional to a 5yr deal. The guy was not wanted by inter.
The guy wasnt even first choice at inter (Mourinho preferred to play 18yr old Santon out of position), cant make the brazillian team and I doubt would prove any better than abidal.
The guy is good going forward, but is a complete waste defensively.
Possibly they signed him with a left midfield role in mind, but the quality is still lacking.

Barca land Maxwell
Barcelona have made their first signing of a quiet close-season with the acquisition of Inter Milan defender Maxwell.
While arch rivals Real Madrid have been responsible for unprecedented spending following a trophyless campaign, Treble winners Barca have seemingly been content with their lot.
Barca boss Pep Guardiola is expected to make signings though and it is Brazilian Maxwell that becomes his first of the summer for a €5million (£4.3m) fee.
The Catalan giants have been on the lookout for a new left-back following the departure of veteran Sylvinho.
Maxwell, who made 33 appearances for the Italian champions last season, is the man they have plumped for after negotiations with Deportivo La Coruna for Filipe Luis failed to yield an accord.
https://img.skysports.com/09/03/800x600/Maxwell_2013961.jpg
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11860_5435522,00.html

Manchester City Target Emmanuel Adebayor Granted Work Permit - Report
The Togolese has moved a significant step closer to his Eastlands switch,
Emmanuel Adebayor has been granted a work permit, as he edges closer to a move to Manchester City from Arsenal, according to a report from Sky Sports News.
The striker was reported as being close to a move, after passing a medical in Manchester earlier today, with the fee agreed between the Gunners and the Mancunians a reported a £25 million.
Adebayor stands to earn a staggering £170,000 a week at Eastlands, an amount reputedly double what he currently takes home from the Emirates.
Adebayor will follow Gareth Barry, Roque Santa Cruz and Carlos Tevez into the City of Manchester Stadium, as the Citizens enjoy a busy and big-spending summer in the transfer market, with Chelsea defender John Terry still reportedly in their sights.
https://i.media.goal.com/g/37806_news.jpg

http://www.goal.com/en/news/9/england/2009/07/15/1384427/breaking-news-manchester-city-target-emmanuel-adebayor

AC Milan Can't Afford Luis Fabiano - Sevilla President
Negotiations between Sevilla and Milan for striker Luis Fabiano are on the verge of collapsing, after the Spanish outfit's president, Jose Maria Del Nido, claimed the Italian outfit do not have the funds necessary for the Brazilian hitman.
The Rossoneri have reportedly come to an agreement with investment firm RIO, that owns a majority 65 per cent of the striker, but talks with Sevilla have been more difficult after they have seen at least one bid rejected.
"Milan do not have the money to acquire Luis Fabiano," he bluntly explained, according to Goal.com Espana.
"The first offer we received was worthy of a reserve team player."
The club patron now seems confident that the Confederations Cup hero will continue to ply his trade for the Rojiblancos.
"Luis has renewed his contract with us. I think he will remain in Seville for the next two years," he concluded.
The player himself has stated his desire to join the Rossoneri, but it appears the Serie A side are unwilling to reach the Andalucian club's asking price, which is rumoured to be in the region of €20 million.
http://www.goal.com/en/news/10/italy/2009/07/15/1384157/ac-milan-cant-afford-luis-fabiano-sevilla-president

Wetin dem wan come do with the Kaka Money?

Real will have to sell like 7 players but have shown no intention of them going cheap. A lot of those playaers dont want to leave, and will need good offers to attarct them from Real. Most of them will likely end up in second tier, Europa League teams.

Anyone who has followed ManU for a while knows its not difficult to discern between when Fergie wants a player and when he doesnt.
Fergie wanted Tevez as an after thought.

tubabie:
Seriously am not ecstatic about Owen but we shall see . . . . . . . . .  Well now that Benzema is gone who else is there for us to buy?
We need a striker!! 'cant rely fully on Owen.
I hate Real Madrid right now . . . . . . . . buying every good thing off the market!

Yea, if I were you, I would hate me too!

City's midfield is a bit more tricky. Need to pick 3 of Barry, Kompany, SWP, Elano, Petrov, Ireland, De Jong,
I would go with Barry, De Jong, and Ireland with rumors of Elano headed to serie A.
Playing 3-4-3 might help him utilize his excess talent in midfield.

City plays 4-3-3, and if all are fit, is starting front row would likely be Robinho, Tevez and Adebayor.
The likes of Bellamy and Cruz will come off the bench, while possibly getting more playing time in the FA and Carling cup.
Any of Bojinov, Caecido, Evans and Benjani, who cant stand being on the bench, can be sent out on loan or sold, as none of them can claim to deserve a starting spot.
So I don't see where citeh problem is upfront.

As per Benzema's price, both Debosky and Sauron are correct (in a way)

ManU had the higher true bid (£35 million), but if you add the conditional bonuses, Madrid would be higher (£ 30 million initial with a max of 35.8 million)

The 21 year-old French international has agreed what could amount to a 41 million euro (£35.8 million) move to Real – who were forced to increase their original offer of 35 million euros (£30 million), even though it was agreed with Lyon on Tuesday evening, after a flurry of activity from United on Wednesday morning.

Once United became aware that Lyon had accepted Real’s bid they then submitted an offer of 40 million euros (£35 million). However Benzema was already too far progressed in his discussions with Real, having also spoken to United, and the Spanish club were also willing to add extra payments, depending on targets and bonuses, which meant their bid came in slightly higher than United’s. Benzema has agreed a six-year deal.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/european/5712487/Karim-Benzema-joins-Real-Madrid-after-snubbing-Manchester-United.html

Unless Arsenal makes a few quality signings, they will remain the weakest of the top 4 ( they finished 4th 3x and 3rd, in the last four seasons). If any one is going to drop out of the top four, it will be arsenal.

Everton and Villa dont have the kinda funds that Hughes has at his disposal, and thus it will be difficult for them to improve on their positions. Add that City is getting stronger at the expense of other EPL teams (Tevez from ManU, Barry from Villa, and Adebayor from Arsenal) and one can see the double edge effect (e.g. like when madrid signed figo from Barca). Right now Citeh's midfield and attack is right up their with rest and better than what arsenal is currently left with. Add a few more defensive signings and it would no longer be up for a debate.

I doubt Hughes will ever win a trophy before being fired (likely in two seasons when they start dreaming of trophies) but with the kind of squad he is assembling, it wouldnt take a genius to make 4th place.

Anyways, season go soon start.

debosky:
He's a better coach? Evidence please - Moyes played with NO STRIKERS for almost half the season and finished above City by light years, and he has done it CONSISTENTLY without making the buys that Hughes made at Blackburn. . . but then again, who knows what measures you lot use to rate managers. Maybe it's the amount of white hair on their heads. 

go and check evertons spending in recent times before you mis yarn. How much did Hughes spend at Black burn? compared to moyes who repeatedly broke his club record e.g. beattie, . The problem with you premiership fans is that you cant distinguish between a manager and a coach. People like moyes thrive on stability. In his first 5 seasons, everton finished 15th, 7th, 17th, 4th and 11th and have only been consistent 6th, 5th and 5th in the last 3 seasons. Hughes also started in 15th but since then as consistently finished top 10. Hughes did better given his resources and Blackburn when compared to Moyes at Everton.

Hughes has been at Man City for only one season and yet did quite well in europe when compared to everton who never got past their first pairing.
They would have finished in the UEFA spot if not for the toll of UEFA cup on their thin squad.

Unless you are a novice, you would know assembling players never achieved anything. Lazio had a squad above and beyond what City are doing at the moment, but where did they end up? 

Assembling players does not solve all your problems but the quality of players you have goes towards what you can achieve, or why do you think top clubs are always the top spenders, and the fortune of clubs like arsenal have declined with their transfer budget. Man City have the players and coach for a top 4 finish. The only problem you have is coming to grasp with the reality that it would be at the expense of your club.

He did so well that he lost the placement in the UEFA cup they had last season. Hmm. . . he must be a genius.

Due to lack of depth in the squad. Similar to what happened to Everton in 05/06 after they qualified for the UCL the previous season. They were knocked out in the 3rd round and struggled in the league.

We shall see.

Dont worry league go soon start next month.

@debosky
You can argue that Hughes doesnt have what it takes to win the EPL (yet) but he definitely has what it takes to make a top four finish. He is a better coach than Moyes that you seem to think so highly of. With the crop of players they now have, they will have little trouble dealing with clubs in the lower half of the table, and without European commitments, they are in a good position to hold their own against the elites.

The guy guided city to the round of 16 in the uefa cup, after topping their qualifying group. The lack of depth was what hurt their campaign last season and that would not be the case this season. They wont need Robinho to play every match and would still do well with 1 or 2 player missing.

Man City will finish top four next season at the expense of your debt ridden arsenal.