All things soccer 2013-14

[Phil C. McNasty]

that's my point... in 2004 it was Leverkusen...in 2007 it was Bremen...2013..its Bvb.... any team that comes in second or bests BM , are in for a poaching

Agreed.

FIFA is supposed to introduce some kind of financial fair play rule for clubs this year or next. They say it will level the playing field somewhat. We shall see. I'm not holding my breath

 

[Insidious Von]

All the big clubs poach, Roma just poached Nainggolan from Cagliari making the Sardi club considerably weaker. Here's a poaching that wont happen, ManU thinks it can poach Pjanic from Roma. Somehow I don't believe that Fenway Group will allow that to happen. I'm sure the Serb would be thrilled to move from Rome to Northern England.

 

[Phil C. McNasty]

Midtable clubs will often poach from teams headed for relegation as well, if that they have 1 or 2 decent players

 

[rld]

Agreed.

FIFA is supposed to introduce some kind of financial fair play rule for clubs this year or next. They say it will level the playing field somewhat. We shall see. I'm not holding my breath

The financial fair play rules will be hard on some BPL teams, very hard. But they will have no impact on Bayern who are run like a real company not a rich man's toy.

And another fine announcement from Bayern, who to thank their fans will be subsidizing their away tickets to the Arsenal match in the CL. Many British fan groups salute the move, and call for British clubs to act more like Bayern. Arsenal of course have the most expensive tickets in the BPL.

 

[Phil C. McNasty]

The financial fair play rules will be hard on some BPL teams, very hard. But they will have no impact on Bayern who are run like a real company not a rich man's toy

Do you know the details of the new rules?? Can you give us the cliff notes??

 

[rld]

Do you know the details of the new rules?? Can you give us the cliff notes??

The very simple version is that if teams spend more than they earn over certain periods of time, they will be penalized.

While the execution is of course complex and fraught with legalities the basic idea is this:

Introduced amid concern at the heavy spending of a number of professional clubs across Europe, it was hoped that the regulations would eventually lead to a more ‘level playing field’ by preventing clubs with very wealthy owners who make substantial cash gifts to their club from gaining an unfair advantage over other clubs who are run on a more sustainable business model, and in so doing encourage lower levels of spending. The financial fair play (FFP) regulations provide for sanctions to be taken against clubs who do not spend within a set budgetary framework over several seasons.

It has been phased in slowly, but I understand progress is being made. The wiki page on it is pretty good and there are a number of good articles on it out there.

 

[Insidious Von]

Unless you bring in some sort of luxury tax like they have in baseball, I don't see fair play rules working.

So Cagliari is about to lose another core player, David Astori could be on his way to Old Trafford. I'd prefer he stay in Serie A but like Nainggolan he cannot secure a WC spot without taking the next step. He's going to have a much rougher ride at ManU but if Moyes is patient they have themselves a good centerback.

 

[trod]

Signing of Mata should hopefully give us a chance of finishing in the top 4. Still need a Center Midfield and a fullback at the very least.

 

[blackrock13]

[video=youtube;I6VtbRZkCf4]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=I6VtbRZkCf4[/video]

 

[Insidious Von]

Good commercial.

However I think Michael Bradley is the better signing. He'll stabilize FC,s midfield and cut down their turnover rate, the worst problem FC has had since I could remember. Mind you I'm biased. As a Roma fan I got to see Bradley play every weekend, Dafoe not so much.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65pc_xTJn4Q#t=13

Tim Leiweke, to Bradley's right, has negotiated an addendum to the Bradley deal that could pay huge dividends for Canada. Canadian prospects will have access to the Tregoria Football Academy, it could be just the tonic Canada needs to get to the World Cup.

 

[AK-47]

Check out OG from Barca match today: http://shrani.si/f/18/Ld/19mmckMe/funny-og.gif

 

[AK-47]

Toronto FC sign 34-year old Julio Cesar. Its a good signing, he should bring lots of experience:

http://www.torontosun.com/2014/02/07/toronto-fc-grabs-brazilian-goalkeeper-julio-cesar

Toronto FC grabs Brazilian goalkeeper Julio Cesar

Brazilian international goalkeeper Julio Cesar will join Toronto FC on loan from the Championship’s Queens Park Rangers ahead of the 2014 MLS season, the club announced Friday morning

A former teammate of TFC head coach Ryan Nelsen, the 34-year-old Cesar is a former Serie A goalkeeper of the year and comes brimming with UEFA Champions League experience.

Currently out of favour at QPR, Cesar is looking for more playing time ahead of this summer’s World Cup, where he’s expected to compete with Brazil.

Current TFC goalkeeper Joe Bendik took the news in stride, tweeting: “A hit to my pride today but luckily I’ve got shit tons of it! Going to take in everything I can from a top shelf gk to better my abilities.”

In other news, the Toronto Sun confirmed last week that TFC will offload Argentine Designated Player Matias Laba ahead of Major League Soccer’s March 1 roster deadline date.

Already with three Designated Players — Jermain Defoe, Gilberto and Michael Bradley — the Reds simply don’t have room to accommodate Laba within the confines of the league’s salary cap.

The Reds will look to loan Laba out ahead of the season rather than sell him or trade him to another club

 

[Carling]

Toronto FC sign 34-year old Julio Cesar. Its a good signing, he should bring lots of experience:

http://www.torontosun.com/2014/02/07/toronto-fc-grabs-brazilian-goalkeeper-julio-cesar

it s a loan deal... great for TFC...but kinda sucks that he ll only be here till the World Cup

 

[AK-47]

it s a loan deal... great for TFC...but kinda sucks that he ll only be here till the World Cup

How do you know he won't stick around after the world cup??

 

[Insidious Von]

Milan sucks, they're going to get annihilated by Atletico. How badly did they play against Bologna, check out Balo's reaction after scoring in the 86th minute:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=za-J53QAa4c

 

[trod]

The Champions League is back in action this week and the next. Some mouth watering matches !

Manchester City vs Barcelona. My prediction is 1-1

Arsenal vs Bayern Munich. My prediction is 2-2

 

[AK-47]

Messi doesnt usually do well on English soil.

Should be interesting

 

[Carling]

How do you know he won't stick around after the world cup??

it's already been confirmed that the deal will be for 10 games...he will then be returned or sold by QPR... only reason he's in the MLS is because of his lack of playing time in the Championship...

would be nice if he did stay around for the whole season...but i highly doubt it

 

[rld]

I am also super pumped for the return of the CL this week.

Predictions...with scores I go with Bayern, Man City, Athletico, Dortmund, and United to win. My dark horse if Bayer to tie PSG, although that may be more heart than head.

 

[AK-47]

it's already been confirmed that the deal will be for 10 games...he will then be returned or sold by QPR... only reason he's in the MLS is because of his lack of playing time in the Championship...

would be nice if he did stay around for the whole season...but i highly doubt it

Wow, I didnt hear that.

Sucks!! But at least we got for him for a bit. Better then nothing