Author Archives: Soccer America

[TRANSFER TALK] Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari has a plethora of options available to him in the midfield. At his disposal are Frank Lampard, Michael Ballack, Michael Essien, Deco, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Florent Malouda and John Obi Mikel. That embarrassment of riches is leaving Joe Cole feeling a little nervous about his role in the team.

[TRANSFER TALK] Desperately thin up front with just days to go before the start of the EPL, Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is turning his attention to an unlikely target — former Arsenal forward Thierry Henry. Ferguson is rumored to be preparing a $40 million bid for the French international, who has spent just one season at Barcelona since moving from the Gunners. Throughout his career, Henry has been vocal about his love for Arsenal, but it’s hard to think of a more traitorous act than moving to Manchester United.

[TRANSFER TALK] After a fifth-place finish in the Premiership last season, there was talk that Everton could break into the big four and fight for a place in next year’s Champions League.

[OFF THE POST] Clubs could be facing a rash of psychological lawsuits after Inter Milan was ordered to pay $2,300 dollars to an opposing fan because of "existential damages."

[TRANSFER TALK] Real Madrid’s signing of Dutch midfielder Rafael van der Vaart from German side Hamburg SV in a $20 million transfer deal could spell the end of the Spanish champion’s protracted pursuit of Portuguese international Cristiano Ronaldo.

[TRANSFER TALK] Tottenham has completed the signing of England international David Bentley, whose move from Blackburn will net Spurs’ biggest rival, Arsenal, a tidy profit.

[OFF THE POST] Next time you want to get the attention of your favorite soccer player, try a little serenade. Breaking into song allowed 12-year-old Nishok to meet Manchester United midfielder Anderson. The 20-year-old Brazilian was in Singapore’s National Stadium with his Olympic teammates as the squad went through the paces during a public training session.

[AUSTRALIA/VIDEO] Embattled Australian goalkeeper Mark Bosnich is making a comeback with the Central Coast Mariners in his country’s A-League. Bosnich previously kept goal for Manchester United, Aston Villa and Chelsea in the English Premier League before substance abuse problems and declaring bankruptcy. Bosnich’s opportunity with the Mariners opened up after keeper Danny Vukovic was suspended for violently high-fiving a referee.

[TRANSFER TALK] Manager Roy Hodgson had a huge task ahead of him when was hired by Fulham in late December. The club, which had four Americans on its roster at the time, was languishing in the cellar of the Premier League standings and needed a serious turnaround to help avoid relegation.

[TRANSFER TALK] The Cristiano Ronaldo transfer saga has been going on since Manchester United’s Champions League victory on May 21, and 10 weeks later it remains unresolved. Now the uncertainty over the winger’s transfer is affecting the Real Madrid players, who have grown frustrated with the ubiquity of the Ronaldo rumors.

[TRANSFER TALK] Liverpool has captured the signature of Robbie Keane from Tottenham Hotspur. The Ireland captain signed a four-year deal with the Anfield club, while the two sides agreed to a $38 million transfer fee that could rise to $40.5 million, depending on performance-related clauses. In an unprecedented gesture, Liverpool also will throw in money directed to a Tottenham charity to appease Spurs management for the manner in which the deal was struck.