Soccer Transfers and Transfer Rumors

Originally posted by pelos21:

Originally posted by 49ersMyLife:

Originally posted by pelos21:
Can someone please explain to me how the Champions League works? I went too their website but it just confused me more. Is it like a league that controls the whole continent or what? I'm trying to get more into soccer so I figured what better league to watch than the Champions League.

8 groups - 32 teams - group stages - top 2 advance to knockout stage.

It runs parallel to other leagues...so teams that finish at the top (3 or 4) of their leagues (really depends on many things) like Chelsea, Real Madrid, Barca, Inter etc. play in their league and also Champions League at the same time. Just wiki search Champions League - it's easier to read it than explain how the qualifications work.

That's what I don't understand. Can you word that like in NFL terms?

Okay...I'll try:

Think of each division in the NFL as a separate league (ie. Premier League, La Liga, Serie 1 etc.) but 20 teams per league. So, the top 3-4 teams in each of the top leagues in Europe qualify for Champions League. I'm sure you know which are the top leagues (English league, Spanish league, Italian, German are the strongest).

Now, the teams that finish top 3 in Premier League, they automatically qualify for NEXT year's Champions League. Let me give you an example...Liverpool finished in the 2nd spot in 2008-2009 season of Premier League. So, they qualified for Champions League for 2009-2010 season. In 2009-2010 Premier League season - they finished 7th - so they they won't play in Champions League in 2010-2011 season (which is this year).

So, your league standing of this year will determine if you will qualify to Champions League next year or not. Teams that finish 5th-8th play in Europa League in the same fashion. So, this year - Liverpool will be playing Europa League and not the Champions League.

So, it is possible that Liverpool wins Premier League this year and yet they won't be featured in Champions League this year.

I know it's confusing.

Originally posted by dman:

Originally posted by foreign49er:

Originally posted by dman:

Originally posted by foreign49er:

Originally posted by dman:
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=809023&sec=transfers&cc=5901

Btw I'm pretty excited about the Frenchman, sounds like abother Vernaelen. Now if Wenger would just go get another CB and a keeper....

I watched some of the first friendly today but it was hard to judge the new signings ... seems like the fans are complaining that Kos is a little lightweight for a CB but Chamakh impressed, very good with his touch and should fit in well.

Also watch out for Jack WIlshire, hes the future

Yeah I saw him play in the carling cup a few times, he was extremely impressive. Good to hear about Chamahk, I still have my doubts about his goal-scoring touch though. Kos will be fine, everything I've heard about his play has been positive, only concerns seem to be hypothetical as was the case with Vermaelen. I'm hopeful though, seems like this was a good summer so far from Wenger.

Ya Im not too worried about Kos either, they need smaller and more agile CBs because they play up the field so far.

A start to a good transfer window but like u said before a new keeper and another CB are needed, and maybe cover for Song at DM.

Oh and Chamakh looks like Ronaldo's evil twin.

Yeah they're attacking style requires quicker CBs and it's not as if Gallas was a towering CB.

I'd love to see then get another DM who can also slot in as a 3rd or 4th CB also.

Haha hopefully he isn't a d-bag like Ronaldo can be...

I hope Eduardo gets sold' he hasn't been the same player since he broke his leg.

Originally posted by NickV:
Real Madrid boss approves striker's move to Benfica

So apparently this young kid is suppose to be very talented? I never seen him play. Anyone have any feed back on him?

I'm gonna see if there is any you tube clips of him.

He sounds good and if Jose approves that's a bonus! My only fear is that it will pave the way for Cardozo's exit... I'm surprised there hasn't been an approach for David Luiz yet.

I'm on my phone so I can't post the link but the Joe Cole move to Liverpool is complete. I really thought Arsenal had a chance but it sounds like his wage demands were pretty high, a little too high for Wenger's liking.

Originally posted by silkyjohnson:
Oh and also Nery Castillo goes to the Chicago Fire

I hope he revives his career there.

Originally posted by foreign49er:
I'm on my phone so I can't post the link but the Joe Cole move to Liverpool is complete. I really thought Arsenal had a chance but it sounds like his wage demands were pretty high, a little too high for Wenger's liking.

Yes, UK TV all over it, nice signing for Liverpool.

Liverpool sign Cole

Originally posted by foreign49er:

Originally posted by NickV:
Real Madrid boss approves striker's move to Benfica

So apparently this young kid is suppose to be very talented? I never seen him play. Anyone have any feed back on him?

I'm gonna see if there is any you tube clips of him.

He sounds good and if Jose approves that's a bonus! My only fear is that it will pave the way for Cardozo's exit... I'm surprised there hasn't been an approach for David Luiz yet.

A Ukranian (sp?) team offered Benfica 25 mil for Cardozo which they turned down. I think he stays another year, same as Luiz. Man City offered like 30+ mil for him, but he didnt take it. Rumor has it we wants to go to a Spanish club. But he has no problem staying in Lisbon :D. Im on my phone so ill get better info when im home from wrok.

Originally posted by redrose49er:

Originally posted by foreign49er:
I'm on my phone so I can't post the link but the Joe Cole move to Liverpool is complete. I really thought Arsenal had a chance but it sounds like his wage demands were pretty high, a little too high for Wenger's liking.

Yes, UK TV all over it, nice signing for Liverpool.

Liverpool sign Cole

I completely agree, great replacement for Benayoun. I think he and Torres will link up well for them, assuming Torres stays.

Originally posted by NickV:

Originally posted by foreign49er:

Originally posted by NickV:
Real Madrid boss approves striker's move to Benfica

So apparently this young kid is suppose to be very talented? I never seen him play. Anyone have any feed back on him?

I'm gonna see if there is any you tube clips of him.

He sounds good and if Jose approves that's a bonus! My only fear is that it will pave the way for Cardozo's exit... I'm surprised there hasn't been an approach for David Luiz yet.

A Ukranian (sp?) team offered Benfica 25 mil for Cardozo which they turned down. I think he stays another year, same as Luiz. Man City offered like 30+ mil for him, but he didnt take it. Rumor has it we wants to go to a Spanish club. But he has no problem staying in Lisbon :D. Im on my phone so ill get better info when im home from wrok.

Wow, I was't aware they had turned down such large offers. Great to see so many players glad to stay at Benfica, it really bodes well for the club's future.

Originally posted by 49ersMyLife:

Originally posted by pelos21:

Originally posted by 49ersMyLife:

Originally posted by pelos21:
Can someone please explain to me how the Champions League works? I went too their website but it just confused me more. Is it like a league that controls the whole continent or what? I'm trying to get more into soccer so I figured what better league to watch than the Champions League.

8 groups - 32 teams - group stages - top 2 advance to knockout stage.

It runs parallel to other leagues...so teams that finish at the top (3 or 4) of their leagues (really depends on many things) like Chelsea, Real Madrid, Barca, Inter etc. play in their league and also Champions League at the same time. Just wiki search Champions League - it's easier to read it than explain how the qualifications work.

That's what I don't understand. Can you word that like in NFL terms?

Okay...I'll try:

Think of each division in the NFL as a separate league (ie. Premier League, La Liga, Serie 1 etc.) but 20 teams per league. So, the top 3-4 teams in each of the top leagues in Europe qualify for Champions League. I'm sure you know which are the top leagues (English league, Spanish league, Italian, German are the strongest).

Now, the teams that finish top 3 in Premier League, they automatically qualify for NEXT year's Champions League. Let me give you an example...Liverpool finished in the 2nd spot in 2008-2009 season of Premier League. So, they qualified for Champions League for 2009-2010 season. In 2009-2010 Premier League season - they finished 7th - so they they won't play in Champions League in 2010-2011 season (which is this year).

So, your league standing of this year will determine if you will qualify to Champions League next year or not. Teams that finish 5th-8th play in Europa League in the same fashion. So, this year - Liverpool will be playing Europa League and not the Champions League.

So, it is possible that Liverpool wins Premier League this year and yet they won't be featured in Champions League this year.

I know it's confusing.

Wow bro, that example really helped me out. I don't fully get it but I understand alot better. Thank you

Originally posted by pelos21:

Originally posted by 49ersMyLife:

Originally posted by pelos21:

Originally posted by 49ersMyLife:

Originally posted by pelos21:
Can someone please explain to me how the Champions League works? I went too their website but it just confused me more. Is it like a league that controls the whole continent or what? I'm trying to get more into soccer so I figured what better league to watch than the Champions League.

8 groups - 32 teams - group stages - top 2 advance to knockout stage.

It runs parallel to other leagues...so teams that finish at the top (3 or 4) of their leagues (really depends on many things) like Chelsea, Real Madrid, Barca, Inter etc. play in their league and also Champions League at the same time. Just wiki search Champions League - it's easier to read it than explain how the qualifications work.

That's what I don't understand. Can you word that like in NFL terms?

Okay...I'll try:

Think of each division in the NFL as a separate league (ie. Premier League, La Liga, Serie 1 etc.) but 20 teams per league. So, the top 3-4 teams in each of the top leagues in Europe qualify for Champions League. I'm sure you know which are the top leagues (English league, Spanish league, Italian, German are the strongest).

Now, the teams that finish top 3 in Premier League, they automatically qualify for NEXT year's Champions League. Let me give you an example...Liverpool finished in the 2nd spot in 2008-2009 season of Premier League. So, they qualified for Champions League for 2009-2010 season. In 2009-2010 Premier League season - they finished 7th - so they they won't play in Champions League in 2010-2011 season (which is this year).

So, your league standing of this year will determine if you will qualify to Champions League next year or not. Teams that finish 5th-8th play in Europa League in the same fashion. So, this year - Liverpool will be playing Europa League and not the Champions League.

So, it is possible that Liverpool wins Premier League this year and yet they won't be featured in Champions League this year.

I know it's confusing.

Wow bro, that example really helped me out. I don't fully get it but I understand alot better. Thank you

No problem. If it was NFL - it would mean - you qualify for playoffs based on your record from previous year.

Quote:
Benfica's Ariza Mukukula will return from Turkey this week where he spent a season on loan to Kayserispor.

"I'm in Lisbon and tomorrow I will present myself at the Estádio da Luz. On Tuesday I will be back at Benfica and will begin training, but I don't quite know where my future lies."

"There are some offers that my agent is studying along with Benfica, and for the moment I am here. Benfica is my club and I would like to stay, but that doesn't depend on me."

The Portuguese striker was on hot form in the Turkcell netting 21 goals and topping the goalscoring charts.

I hope this guy turned it around. Before he wont on loan he looked fat, out of form and completely lost on the pitch. Now he got in shape and lit up the Turkish league and almost made the Portuguese national team.

We will see. This leads me to believe that we are preparing to move Cardozo in the future the way Benfica is making moves for all these strikers.

Originally posted by foreign49er:

Originally posted by NickV:

Originally posted by foreign49er:

Originally posted by NickV:
Real Madrid boss approves striker's move to Benfica

So apparently this young kid is suppose to be very talented? I never seen him play. Anyone have any feed back on him?

I'm gonna see if there is any you tube clips of him.

He sounds good and if Jose approves that's a bonus! My only fear is that it will pave the way for Cardozo's exit... I'm surprised there hasn't been an approach for David Luiz yet.

A Ukranian (sp?) team offered Benfica 25 mil for Cardozo which they turned down. I think he stays another year, same as Luiz. Man City offered like 30+ mil for him, but he didnt take it. Rumor has it we wants to go to a Spanish club. But he has no problem staying in Lisbon :D. Im on my phone so ill get better info when im home from wrok.

Wow, I was't aware they had turned down such large offers. Great to see so many players glad to stay at Benfica, it really bodes well for the club's future.

Yea man, we have been getting offers left and right from a bunch of clubs.

Benfica turns down Shakhtar

Man City After Coentrao

Coentrao wants to stay in Lisbon

Genoa interested in Amorim, without him knowing lol and interest in Andres Guardado

Luiz turns down 35 mil offer from Man City

Originally posted by rigs49:

Originally posted by silkyjohnson:
Oh and also Nery Castillo goes to the Chicago Fire

I hope he revives his career there.

Yah me too, he's only 26 so he has a chance to make the squad in 2014. But by then I hope we can find a couple more young dynamic players from somewhere. lol

I heard about Coentrao and Cardozo but wasn't aware of the approach for David Luiz. 60M seems a bit too steep for Cardozo but with them getting this Spanish youngster along with bringing back Makukula (a former league-leader in goals) and the two Argentinian youngsters the writting appears to be on the wall. Hopefully they hang on to him for another year then sell him for a hefty fee in the summer. I wouldn't be suprised to see Real make a move in the near future, could be why Mourinho is allowing Benfica to take the talented youngster.