I love the Keanemiester, but I also love the Berbatovster. Hope they both stay, but it ain't looking likely. If one or both go, we'll definitely need another striker. I liked what I saw of Pavlyuchenko at Euro 2008, but I'd be a little worried about him turning into another Rebrov. Huntelaar would do, though.
On the DM front, I'd like either Diarra from Pompey, Essien from Chelsea, or a rock-solid dude from another team as yet unnamed.
There has been substantial speculation in respect of the futures of Dimitar Berbatov and Robbie Keane, including press comment from both Sir Alex Ferguson and Rafa Benitez. In response our Chairman, Daniel Levy has made the following statement:
"Today's public comments by Manchester United's manager, announcing that he has made an offer for Dimitar and is confident that the deal will go through with time working in their favour, is a blatant example of sheer arrogance and interference with one of our players. It is also probably one of the worst offences by any manager in the Premier League to date and is unbelievably hypocritical given his recent comments in respect of Cristiano Ronaldo and Real Madrid.
"This comes after a series of events, dating back to last summer, which have shown Manchester United to be in breach of Premier League (PL) rules. As a result, we have today made an official complaint to the PL about the conduct of Manchester United. Benitez made similar comments in respect of Robbie recently and we made an official complaint to the PL about the conduct of Liverpool earlier this week.
"The behaviour of both clubs has been disgraceful. We told both clubs very early on that we had no interest in selling Robbie or Dimitar, respectively, and that they should refrain from pursuing the player. Both clubs arrogantly chose to ignore this request and we now have evidence that both clubs have systematically been working to prise the players away from us, outside of PL rules of conduct.
"Our subsequent position has been severely compromised by both clubs making their intentions widely known and indeed making contact with the players and their agents, without the Club's permission.
"I have absolutely no wish to sell either player and to date we have not accepted any offer for either. However, when a player's head is turned and their commitment is absent, particularly when they occupy key positions such as that of striker, they become a negative influence in a team dressing room in which they were once a positive addition and influence. This is the situation we now have on our hands, with both Dimitar and Robbie having made it clear that they wish to leave for Manchester Utd and Liverpool respectively.
"Irrespective of the outcome and futures of Robbie and Dimitar, we are continuing to seek to bring in quality, talented players for the future, who want to play in a Spurs shirt."
too ****in' right, bout time SAF got pulled up for this bullshit he pulls.
every transfer window he runs his mouth without any repercussions.
I knew Berba wanted to go, but i'm very surprised if Keane has made a formal request to leave... Either way, we'll be set to receive £50m-ish, which can be spent bringing in a star striker or two.
I doubt Keane will go anyway, Liverpool can't even afford him.
Good work, Levy.
It'd be a great shame to loose either of them, but to loose both would be a catastrophe. That would leave us with only Bent as a recognized striker, and the transfer window only has a little over a month left in it, right?
Makes the people who make comments like this look a bit silly:
Originally posted by Alpha Centauri
All I'll say is, it's always Arsenal. Nobody chases any other club's players with such ferocity, bar Ronaldo.
Originally posted by Bicnarok
Because they are more likely to want to leave such a crap club. 💃
Where does everyone think Barry's going? Villa just tried to forgive him, he ignored them and said he wanted to go to Liverpool, but Liverpool can't afford him. That leaves Arsenal, who are thinking about a Hoyte+cash for him.
Now that Ronaldinho has joined AC Milan, will it be a case of "too many cooks spoil the broth" or will they be an awesome attacking force?
Kaka, Ronaldinho & Pato certainly sounds like dynamite.
Mind you theres rumours of kaka wanting to go to Chelsea, and Kaka and Ronaldinho didn´t "mesh" very well in Brazils previous games.
A shame they arn´t playing in the champions league
Originally posted by Bicnarok
Because they are more likely to want to leave such a crap club. 💃
I recognise this is another example of the Bicnarok maturity that is winding someone up on the net, on purpose, but let me clarify something;
People chase Arsenal players with ferocity...because they want to leave a crap club? Joking or not, that makes no sense.
First of all, chasing them doesn't imply them WANTING to leave, but being IN demand. If a lot of Arsenal's players are in demand, they can't be a "crap" club can they?
-AC
Ferguson appears to have a "one rule for me, another for you" frame of mind, probably due to arrogance because he belongs to the "old boys" and has been successfull, maybe feels untouchable because he´s a "Sir" or just tries it on like any other manager.
On the Arsenal "grab a player" theme (in a serious frame of mind), maybe lots of clubs want to emulate Spains one touch football style. Arsenal is one of the few clubs who have players who can play like this, probably chosen for that reason by wenger in the first place.
Hasn´t Arsenal got enough financial backing to keep the players?
In regards to Levy's comments, when Ferguson says, "It is going to be very embarrassing for them (Tottenham)," is he just talking from the experience of Man Utd reporting Real Madrid to UEFA? I really can't believe how he can say things like that with a straight face.
Originally posted by Bicnarok
On the Arsenal "grab a player" theme (in a serious frame of mind), maybe lots of clubs want to emulate Spains one touch football style. Arsenal is one of the few clubs who have players who can play like this, probably chosen for that reason by wenger in the first place.Hasn´t Arsenal got enough financial backing to keep the players?
You make me cringe.
Every manager has an element of "Didn't see it happen/Did see it happen." with his own team, but the fact is, Ferguson is outrageous.
I'm pretty sure he has a lot of string-pulling ability in places he shouldn't, I've suspected as much for a very long time. Especially with regards to media like the B.B.C. They aren't allowed to say a bad word about him.
-AC
Originally posted by Alpha Centauri
Every manager has an element of "Didn't see it happen/Did see it happen." with his own team, but the fact is, Ferguson is outrageous.I'm pretty sure he has a lot of string-pulling ability in places he shouldn't, I've suspected as much for a very long time. Especially with regards to media like the B.B.C. They aren't allowed to say a bad word about him.
-AC
I know that they all do that dance when it comes to controversial decisions during the game, but this stuff is black and white. He cried like a baby about Real Madrid commenting on Ronaldo, but then he goes and does the exact same thing in regards to Berbatov! It's not like he could argue around it because it's plainly obvious and indisputable.
For my faults, I listen to 5-Live's Footbal Phone-in podcast, and Allan Green is always extra careful around mentioning anything about Ferguson. Sure, he'll say the odd-thing or two about Ferguson not speaking to the BBC, but it's all pretty tame considering. Friends in high places, indeed.