G-O-D

See: Defoe, Smith.

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Smith is way overrated IMO. His goal scoring stats aren't really impressive. The only redeeming quality he has, IMHO, is his combative spirit on the field. But he is far from being on the level of Owen and Rooney.

As for Defoe, he seems promising, but the jury is still out on him. He hasn't proven himself at international level yet, although I do rate him highly. He should be ahead of Vassell and Heskey in the pecking order, but he still has to prove himself.

Czech Republic Squad:

Goalkeepers: Petr Cech (Rennes), Jaromir Blazek (Sparta Prague), Antonin Kinsky (Ramenskoye).

Defenders: Rene Bolf (Banik Ostrava), Zdenek Grygera (Ajax Amsterdam), Tomas Hubschmann (Sparta Prague), Marek Jankulovski (Udine), Martin Jiranek (Reggina), Pavel Mares (St. Petersburg), David Rozehnal (Brugge), Tomas Ujfalusi (Hamburger SV).

Midfielders: Tomas Galasek (Ajax Amsterdam), Pavel Nedved (Juventus), Karel Poborsky (Sparta Prague), Tomas Rosicky (Borussia Dortmund), Jaroslav Plasil (AS Monaco), Vladimir Smicer (Liverpool), Roman Tyce (Munich 1860), Stepan Vachousek (Marseille).

Forwards: Milan Baros (Liverpool), Marek Heinz (Banik Ostrava), Jan Koller (Borussia Dormund), Vratislav Lokvenc (Kaiserslautern), Miroslav Matusovic (Banik Ostrava)

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Czech looks to be a dark horse. They can go far in this tournament with guys like Nedved, Baros, Cech, Grygera and Koller.

You should get either FFVII or FF Tactics. Both are great games.

Juan Sebastian Veron is convinced his Premiership career is over but acknowledges Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich may block a coveted return to Serie A.

The Argentine midfielder has endured a torrid debut season at Stamford Bridge and has failed to justify his £15 million price tag since his switch from Manchester United.

Veron: wants move.

Veron was sidelined for a lengthy spell with a back injury while his performances have also drawn stinging criticism.

The 29-year-old is now chasing an exit from Chelsea after his inability to live up to expectations, with Internazionale favourites to take Veron back to Italy.

The former Lazio and Parma schemer is aware of Inter's interest in his services and is keen to return to the familiar stamping ground of Serie A.

But Veron fears Russian billionaire Abramovich may not want to sell although he hopes any Inter offer will be accepted by The Blues.

"There is interest from Inter but I know that the owner of Chelsea does not want me to go," Veron told Buenos Aires newspaper Ole.

"But if the offer is good, it would please me if it was analysed."

Veron left Serie A for Old Trafford three years ago and admits he has enjoyed his stint in England but believes it is time to close that chapter in his career.

He added: "It has been good on a personal level although not so good on the sport side of things.

"I believe that my cycle in England is finished."

Source

If Veron wants to move, Abramovich should sell him. Why keep a player who isn't committed to the team's cause?

Blues chief Gold wants silverware

Birmingham chairman David Gold has targeted a piece of major silverware next season after the club broke their transfer record to sign Emile Heskey.

David Gold: Up for the Cup. (JohnWalton/Empics)

Blues paid £6.25million to Liverpool to recruit the 26-year-old England striker, eclipsing the £5.5million they paid last summer for David Dunn.

With manager Steve Bruce also expected to bring in more players of proven Premiership class, Gold believes the club are in a position to add to their one and only major trophy - a League Cup success in 1963.

Gold told Sky Sports News: 'What we believe we now have is a squad that can win the FA Cup, can win the League Cup.

'We have to aim at places like sixth or fifth [in the Premiership]. Whether fourth is attainable I'm not sure, but that has to be our target.'

The League Cup may not be glamorous enough to be taken seriously by the Premiership's big three but, as Middlesbrough manager Steve McClaren will attest, it is a far easier route to the UEFA Cup than finishing fifth in the Premiership.

Millwall are also in Europe by virtue of reaching the FA Cup final, despite not facing a single Premiership opponent en route to Cardiff.

Gold believes this is the realistic route for City to go down, adding: 'You've got to accept we've only had two seasons in the Premiership - it will be our third year next year.

'Remember that the great clubs have been in the Premiership receiving huge sums of money, building their squads over a 12, 13-year period, so we've got lots of catching up to do.

'We are very enthusiastic, we are very ambitious but we just have to take care.

'There have been a lot of clubs who thought they could buy their way to the very top and we know what happened to Leeds in their attempt to do that.'

Bruce is now believed to be turning his attentions toward Leicester midfielder Muzzy Izzet, out of contract this summer, while Gold will be doing his utmost to keep his highly-rated manager as rumours persist that he may be a target of other clubs.

'You must expect that if he brings success to Birmingham City Football Club, you will attract predators and you have just got to live with that,' Gold added.

Heskey has expressed his delight at signing and forging a partnership with Mikael Forssell, who will spend another season on loan at St Andrews from Chelsea.

'I think Birmingham is a progressive and ambitious club and very much going in the right direction,' he said.

'But they are also building within a sensible framework without throwing money around and jeopardising the future of the club.

'I am keen to play as an out-and-out striker, which I have not done since my second season at Liverpool, and Steve has made it clear that is the role that he sees for me.

'I am also looking forward to linking up with Mikael Forssell. I have been very impressed with what I have seen of him and I think we can create an effective partnership.'

Source

IMO, Birmingham don't need Heskey to win the League Cup. They can win it with their current squad.

Arnesen takes over as Spurs supremo

Tottenham have confirmed the appointment of Frank Arnesen as the club's sports director with David Pleat leaving the club.

Pleat: Replacement found (NealSimpson/Empics)

Arnesen, technical director at PSV Eindhoven, will take up his post from July 1 and will be involved in the appointment the club's new manager.

Current director of football Pleat, who has been caretaker manager since the departure of Glenn Hoddle in September last year, is 'disappointed' at losing his job at White Hart Lane.

But Pleat is hoping to stay in the game and said: 'I am not going to say I will be smelling the roses. I have been a workaholic for years and I believe I have something to offer.

'I hope it will be taken up in time. This has given me the chance to take a breather which is maybe something I need and some may say it is something I've earned.'

Pleat admitted on BBC Radio 4 that the last few weeks of the seasons had been 'getting difficult'.

He added: 'We had to have a good look at everything. The chairman has had a major review and feels we need to go in a slightly different direction. I respect that decision and wish them well.'

Asked who he thought might become manager, Pleat said: 'There are greater pressures than ever but I am glad to say that question needs to be directed to the chairman. He will deal with it successfully in time.

'It is one decision I am not involved with although I have been very close to everything that has gone on.

'I think they are closer [to an appointment] than they were. We had a setback during the season on the decision-making process but they are closer than they were.'

Chairman Daniel Levy said Arnesen's appointment is part of a new 'Continental structure' which is vital if Spurs are to become a force in the Premiership.

'I have spent a considerable amount of time, and spoken to many heads of major European clubs and international managers, assessing what Tottenham needs to change in order to lay the best foundations for success.

'For many years now, not just for the time I have been here, this club has failed to achieve a league position commensurate with the financial investment that has been made in the team.

'Quite clearly we are operating in an international market and it is vital that we put in place an appropriate management infrastructure and expertise to achieve our aspirations.

'It is important that we have stability and a consistent strategy for first team and youth development.

'I firmly believe that this can be best served under a new Continental structure and that Frank Arnesen is immensely qualified to oversee this for us.

'This decision is the result of a major review and it would be wrong to align it simply to this last season when David took over as caretaker manager.'

Arnesen confirmed he would be involved in the appointment of the new manager.

'We have spoken about the manager. It will be important and we will come to [a decision] as soon as possible. Of course we have discussed that internally. I think there will be only one name finally,' he told Sky Sports.

Arnesen added on Spurs' official website, www.spurs.co.uk: 'I am delighted to get the opportunity to work for a big club like Tottenham and in the most exciting league in the world.

'A club of this stature should be competing regularly for honours and that is what we shall strive to achieve.

'I know the club because I played for Anderlecht in the UEFA Cup final at White Hart Lane in 1984 and was beaten on penalties. I should say though that I left the pitch after 80 minutes when we were still 1-0 up!'

In a statement to the Stock Exchange this morning, Spurs revealed Arnesen will 'be in charge of all matters relating to the football side of the club and the recruitment of key personnel and have responsibility for developing and implementing youth, scouting, medical and international policy.

'Additionally, he will oversee the trading of players in consultation with the first-team management.'

Arnesen, 47, is a former Denmark international who has been with PSV for more than 10 years, during which time the club won 12 major domestic honours.

He is fluent in five languages and has worked with coaches such as Dick Advocaat, Sir Bobby Robson and current PSV boss Guus Hiddink.

Levy added: 'Frank's knowledge of the international transfer market is excellent and no club can operate without that in today's market place.

'He has a proven track record of working successfully alongside some of the world's top managers. The appointment of our first-team management progresses as before and will be announced in due course.' 

Source

I guess this means the deal is done.

Eriksson voices England concerns

LONDON, May 19 (Reuters) - England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson says his squad for next month's European championship in Portugal has shortcomings in goal and up front.

'David James has done well and I have great faith in him but we don't have a Gordon Banks figure in goal,' Eriksson was quoted as saying in British newspapers on Wednesday. Banks was the goalkeeper when England won the 1966 World Cup on home soil.

The Swede said there was a gap in class between first choice James and his deputies, Paul Robinson and Ian Walker.

'Beyond James there's something of a void in the position, which is unusual for England, who have a tradition of great goalkeepers,' added Eriksson.

Eriksson, who named strikers Michael Owen, Wayne Rooney, Emile Heskey and Darius Vassell in his Euro 2004 squad on Monday, also believes England lack depth up front.

'It's our attack which is our weak point. We don't have as much cover as in other positions,' he said.

'Owen is our top man. He's had injury problems and was not scoring for a while but he has recovered and he's at his best in the big games.

'Then we have Rooney, with his imagination and intelligence. But apart from those two, we don't have world class strikers.'

However, Eriksson said his squad was strong in defence and midfield.

'Our defenders are strong and our midfielders brave and skilful,' he said.

'Steven Gerrard is an excellent left-sided midfielder and we have seldom lost with him in the side.'

England, who fell at the first hurdle at Euro 2000 but reached the World Cup quarter-finals two years later, open their campaign in Euro 2004 Group B against holders France on June 13 before facing Switzerland and Croatia.

Eriksson must submit his official squad for Portugal by June 2

Source

There is definitely a lack of quality in attack. If either Owen or Rooney gets injured, I don't think there is a striker of their quality to replace them.

 

Wednesday, May 19, 2004

Morientes linked with Arsenal, Chelsea

Spanish striker Fernando Morientes is interested in a move to England and is proud to be linked with clubs like Arsenal and Chelsea.

Morientes: £17.5m transfer? (AdamDavy/Empics)

Morientes is still a Real Madrid player, but has been on loan at Monaco this season and has played a big part in the French side's run to the Champions League final.

The 28-year-old is the leading scorer in Europe's top club competition with nine goals and has been linked with a £17.5m transfer to either of the English duo.

'I am proud that teams like Arsenal and Chelsea are interested in me,' Morientes told The Sun.

'There are some big clubs in England and it's a very competitive league.

'I have been away from Real Madrid for a year and I don't know what will happen.

'If an offer comes from England then first of all Real Madrid have to take the decision. But I would like to go there.

Source

Morientes? I don't think Wenger needs him with Van Persie coming into the side.

Chelsea could use him to replace Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, but I think Abramovich is going for a 'bigger' signing, in terms of reputation.

As for Hargreaves, I think the idea of him overlapping would work, the whole point of the back three is so the box is crowded with defenders, they don't have to go to the wingers. As wing backs, both Hargreaves and Cole have some defensive duties, but the idea of win backs is to get a attacking advantage when  breaks come your way. Otherwise you might as well play a flat back five. And if Hargreaves were to run the length of the pitch, Beckham, Gerrard or Lampard would stay back in midfield, that's the way a team works. Then if a break occurs there is still more than adequate cover.

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The box would be crowded with defenders, but the wingers would be able to strike just outside the penalty area. And the risk of having men in the box would be when a striker tries to muscle his way through, but the defenders crowd around him, he could just decide to take a dive at the slightest contact, and a penalty could be awarded.

And Hargreaves is not suited to being a wingback. He lacks one of the most important quality of a good wingback: speed. Hargreaves should just stay back in your formation and attacks should be coming from the left flank, with Cole overlapping. However, attacking from our weaker flank is not the best idea.

Of course, we could be playing the ball down the middle, but I don't think we should run the risk of having Zidane and Vieira getting the ball. Once these guys have the ball, it'll be hard to get it back.

Stevie is in central midfield. Those three are all central......with Cole and Hargreaves overlapping. I think Lampard is a good tackler and he would be able to get control.

The thing is Zidane and Makelele are going to get past anyone with thier skills. So a strong defence like that would be able to stop them. Then you have an unbelieveably quick offence (with Hargreaves and Cole included in both sides of that obviously)

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Stevie is on the left of central in that formation. (Does that even makes sense?)

He needs to be in the center of the three midfielders to be able to break up Zidane and Makelele. Actually, Makelele shouldn't be in the starting XI for France. Vieira should be. A Zidane-Vieira partnership takes more than Gerrard to break up.

And, IMO, Hargreaves should not be overlapping. He's not fast enough, he'll prolly get caught out at the back. And if France get past the midfield, (and they prolly will), the defenders would be stretched, with Terry and Neville having to move to the flanks to mark the wingers, leaving Campbell open to Henry and Trezeguet/Saha.

Tell that to Thierry Henry. Last season he had more assists in the Premiership than most strikers had goals.

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You're comparing Henry with the likes of Beattie and Heskey?

Henry is totally in a league of his own.

And I think neither Heskey nor Beattie are good strikers. Comparing them is like picking the better apple out of 2 rotten apples. Has no purpose when you have better options available.

Neither Heskey nor Beattie should be called up for England judging by their performances this season. Defoe and Kevin Phillipes would be better choices, IMHO.

Ha...you said RVD when you meant RVN !

That's only three strikers. Seen as Fergie has lost all hope with Forlan seemingly, and the fact that Ole Solskjaer is probably off, you won't really have enough. Three strikers is an ok ammount, but if one of them get's injured or suspended, you're fucked.

Smith would probably be the one who sits on the bench, as he isn't as talented as Saha, and isn't as good at marking the 'keeper...um, scoring as Van Nistelrooy.

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*clicks 'EDIT' to make Monkey Molester look stupid *

Anyways, would Smith or Saha be content with a role on the bench? Smith said he wanted to move from Leeds for his international good. But if he ain't playing regular first team football, how the hell is he going to be picked by Sven? (Unless your name begins with 'Nicky' and ends with 'Butt')

I would say the best formation for playing against France would be an attacking 5-3-2 formation.

-------------------------James------------------

-------------Neville---Campbell---Terry-------

Hargreaves--------------------------------Cole

----------Beckham--Lampard--Gerrard--------

----------------Rooney-------Owen-------------

That would leave Ashley Cole, a natural left footed player, free to get forward when needed without leaving us short at the back. Owen Hargreaves on the other side has played at right wing-back before so he is the best bet for that position as he has experience. With three at the back we can have terry marking Henry and Neville marking the other striker (possibly Saha). That leaves Campbell free to clear up any balls that come through, or even double up with Terry to take on Henry.

Beckham has been playing centrally all season for Madrid, but playing him in the righthand side of the three means we can still make the most of his crossing and runs down the right as he can drift in and out. Gerrard can also drift in and out on the left, like he's been doing for Liverpool this season - and Sven has been considering putting him on the left anyway. At least we can still make the most of his central strength with him in a three. And of course with Lampard where he is, going right down the middle, we have his strength in spliting the defence.

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Seems like a good formation, but i think France would roll through the midfield. You have no good tacklers in central midfield, with the exception of Stevie, who's playing on the left. France's Zidane and Makelele would gain control of the midfield with ease.

Leeds have revealed that they have rejected two bids from Manchester United for star striker Alan Smith.

United are keen on signing the England international following Leeds' relegation from The Premiership.

The Old Trafford outfit had their first offer of £3.5 million rejected by Leeds and they have also snubbed their improved second bid of £5.5 million.

"The offers by Manchester United substantially undervalue Alan Smith's position as a Premiership player," said a Leeds spokesman.

"He is worth far more than what Manchester United are prepared to pay for him both offers were rejected immediately."

Smith seems certain to leave Elland Road and United appear to be favourites for his signature although Liverpool are believed to have made discreet enquiries for the hit-man.

With Emile Heskey leaving Anfield for Birmingham, Reds boss Gerard Houllier has funds available to bolster his squad and he is a big fan of Smith.

Leeds fans would be prefer to see Smith go to Liverpool as it would cause much outrage among supporters if he was to make the switch to Manchester United.

Leeds value Smith in a the £10 million bracket, but United will be hoping to agree a deal with the Yorkshire club to see Smith join former team-mate Rio Ferdinand at Old Trafford.

Newcastle, Middlesbrough, Valencia and Juventus have also been linked with Smith and Leeds will be hoping that United's offers will now spark a bidding war for the player.

Source

How is Man Utd going to fit Saha, RVD and Smith into the starting lineup? Does this mean Saha or Smith is going to be benched? Or is Van Nistelrooy going to be sold?

Gerrard + Lampard in the central midfield positions = bad idea.  Gerrard is someone who needs to attack as is Lampard, but England also need someone to sit in front of the defence as well.  Personally, I'd play Lampard on the left and let him cut into the middle, with Carragher moving up to put in crosses.  Gerrard at the head of the diamond, with Nicky Butt holding in front of the defence.

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I would put Butt at the end of the diamond, if he had enough first team action.

Problem is, he's not. I fear that he may lack match fitness and we need every single player to be in tip-top condition to be able to beat France. Gerrard can tackle, as he has shown when playing for Liverpool, and I think he could do well to sit in front of the defence and hold up the midfield.

If I was Sven, I would have chosen Scott Parker instead of Butt. He is a great tackler and will do well just in front of the defence in central midfield.

I don't think Heskey will do well at Birmingham.

I mean, if you can't score with good talent like Gerrard and Kewell supplying you with the ball, how can you score when David Dunn is the one supplying you with the ball?

Of course, Steve Bruce could prove me wrong.

Italian coach Giovanni Trapattoni has named his 23-man squad for Euro 2004 and there is no place for Milan's Filippo Inzaghi.

Inzaghi has been struggling with his fitness after recently undergoing ankle surgery and his place in the squad has gone to Juventus striker Marco Di Vaio.

There had been rumours that Brescia star Roberto Baggio may get a shock call for the finals after impressing in a farewell game against Spain earlier this month, but Trapattoni has left him out.

There are no major surprises in Trap's final squad with Baggio as well as Alberto Gilardino missing out.

Parma's highly-rated young striker Gilardino has been overlooked despite his impressive season at the Ennio Tardini as Trapattoni keeps faith with the players who won qualification for Italy.

Lazio goalkeeper Angelo Peruzzi has been given the nod for the third goalkeeping spot ahead of Roma's Ivan Pelizzoli with Gianlugi Buffon and Francesco Toldo the top two keepers.

Milan midfielder Massimo Ambrosini has been surprisingly omitted with an extra defender in the shape of Giuseppe Favalli called into the squad.

Buffon (Juventus), Peruzzi (Lazio), Toldo (Inter), Cannavaro (Inter), Favalli (Lazio), Ferrari (Parma), Materazzi (Inter), Nesta (Milan), Oddo (Lazio), Panucci (Roma), Zambrotta (Juventus), Camoranesi (Juventus), Fiore (Lazio), Gattuso (Milan), Perrotta (Chievo), Pirlo (Milan), C. Zanetti (Inter), Cassano (Roma), Corradi (Lazio), Del Piero (Juventus), Di Vaio (Juventus), Totti (Roma), Vieri (Inter)

Inzaghi won't really be a loss when you have players like Di Vaio, Vieri, and Del Piero to take his spot. Italy's attack seems really strong on paper.

And my best XI for England:

----------------------Robinson----------------

---G.Neville--Terry--Campbell--A.Cole----

------------------Gerrard-------------------

---Beckham---------------------J.Cole----

------------------Lampard------------------

-----------Owen-------------Rooney------

Campbell is now pivotal to the England defence with injuries to Woodgate and Southgate.

If Campbell is not present for Euro 2004, England's defence would instantly collapse.

My heart says England will win, but my head says France will win.

Nah, it won't happen, it is more likely that you get Beckham back than you signing him, I just don't see him leaving to join you.

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You seem to assume me being a Man Utd fan.

Actually, I'm a Chelsea fan.

Abramovich should sell Makelele and bring in Stevie to replace him. That'll please a lot of Chelsea fans.

Frank Lampard could be set for a sensational exit from Chelsea if they fail to offer him a new deal to put him on parity with the top earners at Stamford Bridge.

The England international has been an ever-present for The Blues in The Premiership this season as manager Claudio Ranieri has refused to tinker with his midfield talisman.

However it now appears the former West Ham player could be on the move in the summer as talks between the club and his agent continue to stall over a long-term contract.

"The way things stand, Frank doesn't feel that he will be able to stay," explained his agent Steve Kutner to the SP.

"All he wants is parity with the club's best paid players but Chelsea aren't prepared to give him that.

"After the kind of season he has had, you wouldn't think that would be a problem."

Lampard's form in domestic and European action has already attracted interest from several Serie A sides and Kutner is quick to add that he will not be short of offers should the goalscoring midfielder look to move on.

He said: "Now they (Chelsea) risk losing one of their best players because everyone knows that Juventus and Internazionale want him - and they clearly want him more than Chelsea do."

Source

I hope this isn't true. We need Lampard if we are to challenge for the title next season.

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson feels Liverpool's Steven Gerrard is ready to take over from Roy Keane as the finest midfielder in The Premiership.

The Scottish tactician, who is looking to reshape his squad over the summer, feels Gerrard is probably out of reach in terms of prising him away from Anfield but has made no secret of his admiration for the England international.

Ferguson was also quick to praise Arsenal titan Patrick Vieira, but he feels Gerrard does more for the team than the French superstar.

"If you were looking for the player you would replace Keane with, it's Gerrard, without question," Ferguson told The Sunday Times. "He has become the most influential player in England, bar none.

"Not that Vieira lacks anything, but I think that Gerrard does more for his team than Vieira does.

"To me, Gerrard is Keane; he is now where Keane was when Roy came to us in 1994. I've watched him quite a lot, and everywhere the ball is, he seems to be there.

"He's got that unbelievable engine, desire, determination. Anyone would take Gerrard.

"Vieira has done that job for Arsenal for two or three years. But you can see Gerrard rising and rising."

Keane is still the driving force at Old Trafford but he is very much in the autumn of his career.

Ferguson is sure to be making plans for life without Keane, but he would face a huge battle to lure Kop favourite Gerrard away from Liverpool

Source

Unlikely that Sir Alex will be able to prise Gerrard to OT, but it's possible, albeit it being slim.

They've always had the defence problems. The 'president' of Madrid has always been dead against buying defenders. Personally, I would have gone for Nesta instead of Samuel. Well, they could buy both...

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Perez thinks that it is a sign of 'weakness' to buy defenders, which will prove that his policy of 'Zidanes and Pavons' has failed.

And as shown this season, his policy did fail. Terribly.

Madrid's problem not only lies in their defence, but also their squad depth. Their bench players, with the rare exceptions of Solari and Cambiasso, have second division stamped all over it. You can't expect ageing players like Figo, Zidane and Carlos to play week in, week out in every league, European and cup game. They will suffer from fatigue in the later part of the season, which is what they are experiencing now.

Do you mean when Ronaldo's ankles got clipped by himself?

I just really am fucking tired of Mancs, I really am, they are so blatant cheaters it is ridiculous. They fuckin go on about Porto, they wear fucking blinkers

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I just really am fucking tired of Arsenal fans, I really am, they are so blatant cheaters it is ridiculous. They fuckin go on about diving when they do it themselves, they wear fucking blinkers.

Anyone not going to Chelsea is good news I guess.

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And I don't trust Marca. It is one of the most pro-Madrid daily I've seen. However, I think Samuel will move to Madrid if Roma accepts the bid.