Official Premiership 2008/09 thread

[METALMAN]

Wenger and Bentiez as co-managers would be epic.

And a fucking great sitcom.

I actually really want to see this now. But I know I never will.

[King Ellis]

'Arsene, have you seen my new contract? The one where I have full control over all transfers and the academy?'

'I saw nothing, my view was blocked. '

[stokeriño]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/t...sea/7846371.stm

Arab tycoon considers Chelsea bid

The Arab tycoon who led the takeover of Manchester City has revealed that he and a group of German investors are considering a bid to buy Chelsea.

Blues owner and Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich has insisted that the London club is not for sale.

But Dr Sulaiman al-Fahim said: "It would not be cheap... but through a number of investors, there is money available to put together a deal."

Abramovich has invested about £600m in Chelsea since taking over in July 2003.

Fahim, part of the Abu Dhabi United Group that bought Manchester City, is understood to have drawn up a proposal with Falcon Equity - a Swiss-based private equity partnership.

He added: "Nobody wants to be over-exposed on one deal... first we need to see if we're in a position to buy it."

Even though Abramovich's personal fortune is understood to have been affected by the global economic downturn, Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon insists the club is not for sale.

"Next year we expect our operating profit to break even," he said.

"Our financial accounts for 2007-08 are published in February, and any notions about the owner losing interest are dispelled in that.

"The owner does not have to sell Chelsea and he doesn't want to."

Still, it is believed Fahim and his investors are weighing up a bid.

The chief executive of Abu-Dhabi-based Hydra Properties also chairs Falcon Equity, which is run by Holger Haims, former managing partner of 'DVC' - Deutsche Venture Capital.

Heims told www.arabianbusiness.com: "I don't believe anything is not for sale if you come up with the right price.

"We have looked at some European clubs to see if the numbers added up, and now we're doing the same with Chelsea.

"I can't go into more details at this stage. It's not about trying about to buy a football club but about a business.

"You don't make money because 11 guys run around the pitch, you make money because of all the other commercial aspects that go with a football club, particularly real estate and television rights."

One club per league not enough for you eh, Mr. Arab Tycoon?

Oh, and the bolded line is highly entertaining given that he's having that theory disproved by clubs all over Europe as we speak.

Edited January 23, 2009 by stokeriño

[HailtotheYo]

Hicks is apparently considering a buyout as well at Liverpool

[Matt]

... he should just buy the Premier League and have done with it.

[therockbox]

Hicks is apparently considering a buyout as well at Liverpool

If only it was that simple. George Gillett has to agree to the terms of the sale as well.

[-A-]

Not really the perfect thread, but the Championship one (if it exists) is off the first page. Vince Russo has been named a director of Watford FC. Probably not the same one, but I can dream Elton John, Graham Taylor and Vince Russo - somebody write that sitcom.

[HailtotheYo]

Hicks is apparently considering a buyout as well at Liverpool

If only it was that simple. George Gillett has to agree to the terms of the sale as well.

Soccernet article

They're in the same boat, but it is Hicks that is really pushing and has opened up the previous talks. It is also Hicks that has the pressure from the Royal Bank of Scotland. Hicks is the one that really needs to liquidate his assets. And just how the hell can Gillett keep Hicks from selling his (Hicks) stake exactly ? It wouldn't be an outright buy of the team obviously as they are co-owners, but Hicks himself can be bought out or sell his share.

[therockbox]

Hicks is apparently considering a buyout as well at Liverpool

If only it was that simple. George Gillett has to agree to the terms of the sale as well.

Soccernet article

They're in the same boat, but it is Hicks that is really pushing and has opened up the previous talks. It is also Hicks that has the pressure from the Royal Bank of Scotland. Hicks is the one that really needs to liquidate his assets. And just how the hell can Gillett keep Hicks from selling his (Hicks) stake exactly ? It wouldn't be an outright buy of the team obviously as they are co-owners, but Hicks himself can be bought out or sell his share.

In the Soccernet article it says that both sides must agree on a deal to sell. A year or so ago Gillett was ready to sell to Sheikh Maktoum, only for Hicks to put a stop to it leaving us with the two cunts. Obviously now the economic climate has shifted and they both look like they need to sell, but given that they've appointed rival banks it doesn't seem to me like they're quite on the same page (in addition to the reported division between Hicks/Rafa and Parry/Gillett).

[HailtotheYo]

This quote:

"In the 50-50 partnership, both sides must agree on a deal to sell. Gillett could block it, but business requirements will take precedence."

says to me that if Hicks can get something worked out, it won't matter what Gillett thinks of it (as long as it's "fair/practical" or whatever word you choose here), with the summer being the limit on the loan from RBS. That's how it reads to me anyway.

[therockbox]

I suppose it depends on what the business requirements are. I'm just going from experience with Sheikh from Dubai, Gillett was ready to sell but Hicks was able to block it.

[Adam]

Fahim is the guy that was the face of the deal between Abu Dhabi & City wasn't he? The one who said 'well sign Torres, Ronaldo AND Kaka'. Then it turned out the Mansour guy was actually in charge.

I can't see Abramavich selling to Fahim tbh.

[-A-]

I suppose it depends on what the business requirements are. I'm just going from experience with Sheikh from Dubai, Gillett was ready to sell but Hicks was able to block it.

I take it as meaning 'he can legally block it if he wants, but in practice he probably won't.' Similar to how clubs can deny transfer requests until the cows come home, but many eventually decide to sell up just to avoid having a troubled player. Technically, the club can force him to see out his contract, but it's not always in their interests to do so.

[therockbox]

I don't think it is similar, because when a player leaves a club he has no further links with them. If Gillett decides it's ok he's still then got to deal with the new half-owners coming in, which is what's caused a lot of issues in the first place.

I think both Hicks and Gillett will end up selling together, although it's going to drag out for a long time. I hope I'm wrong, but this happened before with Dubai.

[Hobo]

The Kuwaiti people who wish to buy into Liverpool are apparently big in construction and that might sway the deal with the need to get the new stadium back on track.

[therockbox]

Process Flow Diagram according to Harry Redknapp:

Edited January 25, 2009 by therockbox

[The Future]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AlgNkLJefsI

Figured I'd post this here, it's Beckham's first goal for Milan.

[Scott McFly]

The commentator began saying something at the end about Beckham scoring in all 3 top European leagues (England, Spain, Italy). I'm assuming he isn't the first player to do so, but I'm tired since I stayed up to watch the Rumble and can't think of anyone else... >_>

[METALMAN]

Patrick Kluivert, no?

Edgar Davids maybe..

Edited January 26, 2009 by metalman

[ChrisSteeleAteMyHamster]

Theirry Henry scored for Juve, Arsenal and Barcelona.

So there you are.