What the Transfer Market Has in Common With a Cheesy 80s Movie

Anyone checked out our 2011-12 schedule yet? August doesn't get much tougher than that, I'd say.

Yeah, Liverpool and Man U right off the bat.

Huh, first post and first double post. Thanks a lot, Disqus.

Anyone checked out our 2011-12 schedule yet? August doesn't get much tougher than that, I'd say.

Also, I loved that movie. Cindy rips off his shirt sleeves, takes off his glasses, musses his hair up a little and voila, he's cool. 

Does anyone know much about Douglas Costa from Shakhtar Donetsk?  I just read we made a bid.  I actually read there was some interest in his teammate, Willian.  But this is the first I've heard about Costa.

I read an article on him a few years ago, Futbolista in Spain said he was the future (btu then again they say that about a lot of people, they get about 20% right, Iniesta was one)

EDIT: Well, he played about 70 minutes against us in the two CL games. He was a starter and a sub for the Brazil U20 team last season (09/10). He's left-footed, small, quick, likes to take players on, and seemed to have his way with the Fulham defence in their Europa League match after coming on in the 54th.

Further edit: According to Youtube, football in Brazil is still played like it's 1970.

He was apparently wanted by United 2 years back, before he moved to Shaktar, and he got hyped as the 'new Ronaldinho'.

Am I the only one worn out by constantly reading that various players are the "new Henry," "new Zidane," "new Ronaldo," etc?  

We've got "the Swiss Ronaldinho" playing for Vancouver. He's quite good. I'm not even sure he's Swiss, though. 

Here are some other transfer targets Ive been thinking about tell me what you guys think.

Marko Marin-mid/winger from Werder Bremen, Toni Kroos-Mid from Bayern, Lukas Podolski-mid/fw from Cologne, Per Mertesacker-Def from Werder Bremen. Marco Reus-Borussia muchenglabach... i believe correct me if im wrong.

Marin attracted a lot of attention this year; I would expect him to move, but he's stated that he wants to stay in Germany, at Bremen, and has rejected Pool and Spurs. Podolski has plateaued. I can't help but think that Mertesacker would have gone elsewhere already if he were better, but I like what I've seen. Kroos has had a good year. I don't know anything about Reus, though he seems to have been the best of a sorry lot at Monchengladbach.

Darren's right, though. The Bundesliga has the highest attendance and tons of tv money coming in, and German clubs will be better positioned to keep ahold of their key players. 

I like them. The issue seems to me though is, the German league is getting weathly and not needing to seel their top players as it was like prior years. Their brand of football is very good, and their TV deal getting stronger with each renewal.

It appears you watch a lot more Bundesliga than the rest of us put together.  I'm not a huge Podolski fan, seeing as how he didn't really hang on at Bayern, and seemingly plays better with a national team shirt on his back.  Mertesacker was the flavor of the summer last summer.  I don't hear his name rumored much for anyone this summer though. 
As for those others, I really can't speak with much authority at all. 

Just a quick programming note... I'm going to be posting a review of the EPL schedule, which is supposed to be released in the early morning tomorrow, for those of us in North America.  But I have to do the work thing in the morning, so I'll get something up in the later afternoon. 

Homey its simple why teams such as West Brom or Fulham want average Arsenal, United or Chelsea players. We have a relatively large budget and have a strong squad so we can afford to go out and buy the likes of Vermalen or Van Persie or Koscielny (sorry for miss spelling) beacuse if all fails and they arent good enough we have the cover to be able to, well, cover it

However smaller clubs dont and they need to be sure that what they are paying 12 million for isnt going to be a massive flop, homesick or just not up to standard and therefore have to buy relatively proven players and leave experimenting to the big dogs. For example Bent is definately not worth 25 million when that is the same price as Alexis Sanchez or Nasri BUT he is proven to be clinical and is English therefore is worth it (and shown) to Villa.

Dzsudzsák is very good but think about the time it would take for him to 1) Learn English, 2) Accumulate to the game and 3) Begin to shine. By that time whichever team bought him would be in a strong relegation battle thinking about how much better that 12 million could have been spent. Look at Nasri even he has taken at least 2 years to really become great....

Hmmm... good points.  I guess my only response would be that sometimes players take a turn for the worse when they go from a bigger club to a smaller one, for various reasons.  Maybe not as much incentive to compete for a place in the team. 

Haha thats definately Hleb :)

I have a question for the group regarding something I read today and hadn't thought much about before.  What if we spend decent money on another CD, such as Cahill, then we sell Clichy and move Vermaelen to left back?  I think I'm kinda feeling it, to be honest.  Then TV5 could still provide cover as a CD if needed.  He's left footed, so that's a plus.  And he's fairly offensive-minded, which has been a bit of a criticism in the past.  But I don't think it hurts as much if he's at left back. 
I dunno... I'm open to being told it's a nutty idea as well.  And it's still behind a better option, such as Leighton Baines.  But it's not bad either.

Good idea but would Vermalen a proven strong CB really want to stay if he could easily break into another Big Premier League team like Liverpool or Everton when he is only being offered a LB place?

Everton...big?

I can't see him moving to Everton even if he was offered regular playing time as CB, when he is a starter for Arsenal, albeit as a left back.

Well I dunno.  I wouldn't force it on him - that's for sure.  But maybe he'd enjoy the ability to make deeper runs more often. 

Well, the biggest plus would be that we wouldn't have to spend on a new LB, leaving more money to buy a quality forward (like Falcao). Still, I doubt Vermaelen has played as a LB for any significant period of time, and could come across the same defensive issues that has plagued Clichy- we really don't know. Maybe if Clichy goes (and if he goes, please let it be soon), Wenger could start Verms in the pre-season games and the Emirates Cup, just to see what it's like. And if it doesn't work out, he can go back to CB and Wenger can go get a shiny new LB.

first 2 seasons at Ajax, Verminator played as left back.

He's played at LB for Belgium. 

So... you're sayin' there's a chance?!?

Well, considering Wenger has been historically successful in changing the likes of Henry, Van Persie, Kolo Toure (dude was a forward, believe or not), Cesc, and recently Wilshere and (maybe) Theo, I'd say he has a good shot.

Just curious, how'd Wenger change RvP and Jacky Boy? I always thought RvP was a forward/attacking mid-type thingy and Jack was an all purpose midfielder. 

Jack started out as a firmly attacking midfielder, but as you saw this season he did wonders as a box to box, deep-lying playmaker. And RvP was at first, just like Henry, a winger.

Some off subject:
I just posted a comment elsewhere regarding the signing of Samba, I thought of Carlos Santana and his song Samba Pa' Ti (samba for you) and changed it to "Samba Pa Arsenal".
Silly comment, I know, but just wanted to share it here.

Gigi, I was laughed at back in December when I brought up signing Samba in January window, lo and behold he's basically a 1/10 odds of signing with Arsenal now (SKYBET has him placed at that).  Last on my wishlist is Per Mer - solid discipline record, great understanding of the game, and EXCELLENT on set pieces which is our bane!

a new 2 men club! yeeeyyy :)

I'm still not a huge fan of signing Samba

Agreed. Too slow. 

well, I am more a "get us a new defender , proven in EPL" fan, so I rather have Samba pa us, instead of no Lambada for us :)

Homey, why all the hate for Bendtner? The guy has a very good scoring record, playing against some of the top teams in the world. Obviously he has his warts, but then it's never been his fault he is constently played out of position. Am I the only one that remembers the vital roll he played for us down the stretch 2 seasons ago? You know, when he had a string of games as the central striker, and scored many vital goals to ensure we stayed in the CL?

And that is the reason he commands 12+ Because he is proven to play against the world's best. You play in the Dutch league, and everyone knows how terrible the defending is there. We can talk about Alfonso Alves scoring 7 goals in one game for Heerenveen. Scored 45 in 39 matches that year. Then went to Middlesbrough for a record signing for them, around 12million pounds, and flopped with only 4 league goals as they were relegated.

That is why Steve Bruce and others sign Wes Brown, Gibson etc. They atleast know who and what they are in the league they are playing. Sure it's unspectular, but it's safe.

Yeah, I think Bendtner would be a really good buy at that price for a German, Italian, or French team willing to play him as a true central striker.

I got blasted for saying it over the past couple of seasons, but I still say that to me, he's basically indistinguishable from Edin Dzeko, and I think he could put up similar numbers to Dzeko in a situation similar to Dzeko, where he was deployed in the correct role in a team that suits his game. And he's younger and available for 1/3 of the price. It's no surprise at all to me that Wolfsburg, Dzeko's old club, are in for St. Nick, I think he'd be a really good buy for them.

I also think St Nick has come on heaps and bounds this year as now instead of getting really upset and doing the typical "groan" when he comes on, now I actually kind of want him on because he adds something different.

But your forgetting all of those moments were he has played and in your head the Benny Hill theme tune is playing. For example when he ran around the pitch in circles for about 5 minutes and then lost the ball....

I genuinely think he gets all the hate because he is so outspoken and confident. And people tend to dislike others who have confience like that.

Well he certainly hasn't backed it up, thats why all the angst.

Has a pretty good scoring record to my eye.

I think Bendtner merits some of his rumored transfer price- as you said, prior to this season he had a very respectable scoring record, and his hattrick against Porto in the CL last season is still fresh in my mind.
Now Denilson, anything above 10, 8 million is just a steal for us. I don't care if he plays for Arsenal, he can't even cut it against Leyton Orient.

Have to agree here, I am definitely far and wide the biggest naysayer of Bendtner, but he has proven that he can in some form "hold his own" in the top league in the world and has scored some timely, clutch goals. I think there are middle table teams in top level leagues out there that could use his service. 

I don't agree with Homey about Dzsudzsák for numerous of reasons not to mention the league he plays in isn't actually that strong of a league.

Martin, is that you?  Are you back on the site, posing as Darren?

Yes, continue to avoid the facts Homey. Well done! :)

First of all, it's GREAT to see the real Martin commenting on here.  I'd love to hear from Sairax sometime too.  Then it will seem like things haven't changed all that much. 
Second, I wrote a short little response because I had to go and the work thing was getting in the way. 
Third, I don't know why we should dismiss great accomplishments in the Dutch league as not counting for much.  Vermaelen and RvP seemed to have transitioned pretty well.  And as much as I hate to say it, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Wesley Sneijder, and many others have gone from lighting up the Eredivise to dominating a bigger league. 
Fourth, I guess my "hate" of Bendtner is increased a bit from the fact that we don't really have a chance to play him in his best spot as long as RvP is healthy.  And yes, he does mouth off a bit about being great, and then fails to back it up. 
And finally, I think he's old enough, and with enough chances already, to show us that while he's serviceable, he's never going to be an elite player.  So I'd rather take a little chance on a guy who might be great or might not be great, than to take a pretty good player who's a legend in his own mind.

You have to understand that Bendtner isn't BAD, he's 23, and has a lot of potential. He never fit in at Arsenal, because he's more of a physical centre forward, so I think a move to Dortmund or even Bayern Munich for 10-12 million is likely, and I also think that if he does get to go to a good, physical club, he will most certainly do well.

I don't see him fitting in at Dortmund, unless Klop changes their tactics.

His numbers are not bad, but in other seasons he scored more in "key moments". I d vote to keep him, but he definitely wants to go.

There was a great article on ESPN a year or so ago about how ManU bankroll their team by having a large academy and selling their fringe (read: no appearances for senior team) players to teams that just see the ManU pedigree and splash the cash, especially to former team members who are now coaches at other clubs.

Also, that's a pretty poignant quote, given that we're at the beginning of a transfer saga. 

Hmm... interesting.  I didn't read that article, but now I feel better about what I wrote.  =)

Steve Bruce was the principle actor in the "I'll buy anything Ferguson rejects" role. And surprise surprise, he's making bids for Wes Brown, John O'Shea and Darren Gibson. 

Hahaha, I actually thought you were making that up when I read your "I am not making this up" comment. lol.
Well, I agree with you, I just thought (or hoped) that AW actually had scouts, after all he IS known for coming with unknown players, fact that I actually agree with. I dont agree so much with bringing them too young because they are bought when they are fully develpped and no too old because they...well they tend to be the Sylvesters of the team.
I think that there is a good point in buying unknown players, but somehow I think that defenders should be more...known? or played in EPL and NOT hitting the 30s.
I am sure that teams buy from Arsenal with that theory in mind, and thank God for that. I just hope we could profit from that and do one "à la Campbell" (1st time, 1st time around), and have a locked defence finally.
And then we can go on and ask Wenger to buy the unknown Tejada for a cheap price to Juan Aurich hahaha.
Hey c'mon the Canadians, I want to share with you opinions. It is a huge thing for me that Panama got the 1st spot (of course now I am waiting for everybody to come after us and smash us but they at least cant take that 1st little spot away :).

Gigi, are you Panamanian? Really? 

Yep my friend, really :)

Well, congratulations to your team. They've had an awesome run so far, and they got the easiest team in the first knock-out round in El Salvador. But it gets tougher after that, with the US or Jamaica, and I think the US will be out for blood. 

I am now officially cheering for Panama.

Thx for cheering for Panama Brenton!

The US, if we face them and whenever we face them, will definitely be out for blood...and they got a good team, so...its a feeling I ve known....where, where...? :)

I don't know, Jamaica look pretty so far. And Panama have Blas Perez, he's a beast, isn't he Gigi? And besides, any team that makes it into the final will be thrashed 1-289 to the Mexicans.
And don't forget that after the Gold Cup, cometh the Copa America- hopefully Peru won't embarrass themselves! Hopefully.

Thats right Blas is a beast. But somehow Tejada seems in better shape imo.
Baloy is also really good, but I am not too confident in the defence overall.
Funny note: Baloy was linked with Arsenal several years ago, and recently I got a pic of him and Gigi Jr, the team was staying at a hotel where we had breakfast.
But in the end, sadly for me, you are right, those Mexicans seem really up for it this year, like never before imo.

I hope Brenton wasn't out rioting last night in Vancouver.

Ugh. I was downtown at a friend's apartment, sad, etc, when I read on twitter that a car had been flipped and burned. What a bunch of fucking morons. I don't want to go downtown to see the damage. 

You should go downtown and help clean up the damage

Even though I'm American, I was pulling for your team last night.  Too bad about that, and too bad about the riots.  I hope your title comes soon.

Right now I don't care about an NHL title. Drunk suburban shit-disturbers can have the Canucks. The Whitecaps won the title in 2008 and I was there to see it. 

Gotta agree with you homey. Steven Defour is also in a similar situation, and is close to signing with Spartak Moscow. And Keisuke Honda, there's another one. He plays for CSKA Moscow. He did have a good World Cup and is having a flying start to this season's Russian League, having scored 4 goals in 8, so I wonder why he hasn't been snatched up by one of "the popular kids" if you will.

HA! Orion, I've been talking about Arsenal picking up Honda for over a year now, I'm completely baffled why he isn't in the EPL, he fits the pedigree to the T.

See, I love football. I couldn't bare three months without watching a decent game, so I started following the Russian League. And, damn, that player would rip teams like Stoke and Bolton apart. He's very quick yet quite strong for a player of his stature. Would love him in an Arsenal shirt, that's for sure.

I liked what I saw of him in the WC.  But I would only see him in an Arsenal shirt if we sold Cesc.  So I'm not sure if I want that very much.

He can be quite the engine in midfield, if you know what I mean.

Nice play on words.  But would you see us getting a guy like that if we still had Cesc?  I mean, I wouldn't be opposed.  Just saying it won't happen. 

Yeah it probably wouldn't happen, of course. He's the playmaker kind of guy, and as good a player he is, he is far off Cesc in terms of consistency. So as long as Cesc stays or Nasri stays and is pushed to the middle in Cesc's role, then there isn't a chance in hell.