Planet Drogba

It should be common knowledge by now. He's said that so many times. I'll try to find it via google nonetheless. edit: can't find it :(

Well, funny enough, there are still people who think he's the next big thing. In fact, I think most people who don't watch football believe so. Then there are those of us who know better. He's getting older and he hasn't gotten a lot better. In my opinion, he would've been better off staying in MLS for a little while. Heading over to Europe too early might just have killed his career. I hope Najar doesn't make the same mistake.

I'm not that worried about this because I believe that Matic is ready to step into the first team and Zhirkov and even Malouda can play there (in the case of Malouda shifting down there like he did at the end of last season, put Kalou out wide). And if you believe reports, Ramires is about to sign for us. I think that all we need is one big signing, and if it's Ramires, then I'm happy. We need to start focusing on bring the youth through.

Great movie. Probably just barely scratches my top 10 movies I've ever watched. I really loved that cliff hanger ending and aside from Leonardo di Caprio, I can't recall too many things I didn't like. Perhaps it was too dragged out at times.

Oh well. I've typed worse in the past :)

I haven't seen too many Wolves games, but the few I did, I was most impressed with Mancienne when McCarthy employed him as a holding midfielder. Like you guys said, he reads the game really well and that's really essential for a holding midfielder. Also, he doesn't seem physical enough to be a center back. However, if he is converted to holding midfield, he can still provide cover at right and center back.

To be fair, I just got a vuvuzela from my friend who just got back from SA and they're a lot of fun to blow. Still, I'm glad the Bridge can create its own atmosphere.

The reason I'm happy he's here (if he comes) is because we've lost a lot of old central midfielders in this transfer window and now we've replaced them with a young one. Hope he does well, and I also hope this isn't a pile of horse sh*t.

Butch, you're forgetting Hutchinson, who in my opinion is ready to be back up right back, possibly ahead of Ferreira depending on his performances in the pre-season. So if worst comes to worst, Ivanovic can slide in at center back and Hutchinson can go to right back. Then again, we also have Bruma who can play there, though admittedly he is better at center back. Then again, center back might not be a great position to have a youngster play in. I do think that the Bruma to Wolfsburg on loan deal would work out great. He gets playing time and it allows for other youngsters to get some playing time. I really just don't believe Bruma will get much time playing as a center back.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=809558&sec=transfers&cc=5901 I guess that doesn't really settle it but it does look like Cole is staying with us.

He's definitely out for the Community Shield but hopefully he'll be back in time for the away fixture against Man City. I feel that's the only fixture in August and September that we really need him for. Apparently, it's a similar injury to the one he suffered at Inter.

Hold on, why do you think that City have pretty much snapped up Balotelli? Do you have a source?

I have to agree with most of the replies here. Of the three really young strikers we're being linked with (aguero excluded), my order definitely goes like this: 1. Lukaku 2. Neymar 3. Balotelli I only posted this because it's a rumor and this is a rumor forum. If he does sign, I just hope he can mature. That, or someone like Drogba or Terry is going to have to set him straight.

I didn't get to see the game but wow did all those players really play? The youngsters really had a lot of chances. Really nice to hear that McEachran and Tore are getting some playing time in these friendlies. Also nice to not only see Essien back, but also to have him score. I'm really curious - how did Lalkovic, McEachran, and Clifford do? And what about Matic? Do you guys think Matic is good enough to break into the first team squad?

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=809146&sec=transfers&cc=5901 Stupid of Inter to let this talent go, but it seems he's on is way out, be it to Chelsea or not.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=809114&sec=transfers&cc=5901 It seems like this is still all speculation, but it's yet another name to add to the long list of possible big money transfers in this window.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=808806&sec=transfers&cc=5901&cc=5901 Typical, given the way transfer windows work. On topic, I'd rather have Raul Mereiles (spelling), as he was mentioned in the article. He's also a more realistic signing than Schweinsteiger, though perhaps not as good.

At 29, he's not going to be the best left back in the world for much longer. Better to cash in on him when RM is bidding with this much money, which they won't next year. And saying we don't need 30 million pounds is ridiculous, sorry. Abromovich has kept his wallet tight in recent years. If we sell Cole for 30 million pounds, buy Fabio Coentrao, a good replacement, for between 10-15 million, then we have 15-20 million to spend on our big transfer. Well, that's your opinion. You already know mine.

But let's be realistic. If they're offering 30 million pounds for a 29 year old...

I thought it's because they got 2nd in the league. I'm pretty sure double winners play runners up in the league.

^ I think he might have actually played there a couple times for CSKA Moscow.

I'm from America and I think most people know that our best players are Tim Howard, Landon Donovan, Clint Dempsey, and Michael Bradley. I'm actually a huge fan of Michael Bradley as he's already proven himself on big stages despite being only 22. A lot of uneducated Americans say he's only in the squad because his dad is the coach, but, as you Brits say, that's complete bollocks and anyone who has watched a USA game knows just how important he is. Right up there with Donovan. In terms of up and coming talents, we've quite a few, most notably Andy Najar who has made his mark on the DC United first team despite being only 17. Hopefully he won't turn into the next Adu. He needs to stay in MLS for a few more years before moving to Europe. There's also Altidore, who seems to mimic Drogba in his style in that he uses his strength to bring his teammates into the game. He lacks composure, but he's only 20 and that will come with age. Technical things I think he needs to work on are his fitness, as he cannot seem to run more than 60 minutes, and his aerial ability. I really think he could be that much more dangerous if he could win balls in the air a la Drogba. I mean seriously, every time he wins an aerial ball (which unfortunately isn't too often) a dangerous play develops. Just look at the equalizing goal against Slovenia. Speaking of the WC, I think we had a pretty good outing. We definitely turned some heads in the group stages, though the exit to Ghana was disappointing to say the least. It's certainly progress nonetheless, and it's only going to get better by the next WC as more gems begin to break into the scene. Combine these energetic youths with the experience that Donovan and Dempsey will bring and players like Bradley, Torres, Edu, and Altidore who will be in their prime (well, Altidore will only be 24 so he won't quite be in his prime) and we'll have a pretty good squad.

All you really need to know is that San Francisco is in the Bay Area, nothing else there is significant :)

Anything is better than last season's home jersey. I mean seriously, breast plates?

I'd like to see us experiment with Ivanovic and Mancienne in holding midfield during our friendlies. If it works out, we might not even need to sign Schweinsteiger and can focus our money elsewhere. What about Van Aanholt?