The European football thread

[theasfl]

Originally Posted by bababui

The football here is serious and fast paced. It suits his game. And he can play without the wankers dissing him all the time. Its a good move for him, IMO.

if you ever move to a place where youre getting $250 mil...its hard to argue that it was the wrong decision.

[theasfl]

Originally Posted by Sdpm100

Frank Yallop has said on Sky Sports News that he will be playing him in the centre of midfield.

oh christ

[theasfl]

Originally Posted by bababui

Beckham needs voice lessons really bad.

his accent is humorous...Wynalda does it perfectly. I dont mind it.

[theasfl]

Originally Posted by Sdpm100

This is a bad move imo, because it means I am going to be stuck with people mocking MLS and all the other famous ridicule phrases for years.

luckily I dont have to worry about that with most people in this country...they either dont care or bought into Beckham.

[theasfl]

Originally Posted by ukhotstove

You'll get to see more MLS games, whats the betting that at this moment Sky are in talks with MLS about showing games.

Im sure someone is that wasn't yesterday.

He'll help the league in that sense, but hopefully the cons dont outweight the pros in the long run.

[theasfl]

Originally Posted by Sdpm100

Btw, Landodo has just said he's ecstatic and excited that Beckham's coming to the Galaxy.
For all you Donovan haters out there.

Im not a fan of either of them....why the hell cant I get myself to hate the Galaxy?

[bababui]

Originally Posted by theasfl

A-Rod makes exactly half of that.

I think the ARod contract averages to that but his yearlt was is less than $25 mil.

[darkhorse]

Originally Posted by theasfl

He'll help the league in that sense, but hopefully the cons dont outweigh the pros in the long run.

Hey, this is not the NBA.

[rudel.dietrich]

I have heard that both DC United and New York are hard after Ronaldo and are haggling with RM over his transfer price.

IMO he would be a better pick up for a MLS side, he still has the skills to net 30 a year and is as big a name as Beckham.


I am not sure what to think about this, it is a good pick up for the Galaxy talent wise.
Beckham is an outstanding player.
However, where in the hell are they going to get 50 million a year to pay for him?
If it was not reported in many different places I would not believe it.

[theasfl]

Originally Posted by darkhorse

Hey, this is not the NBA.

touche

[Sdpm100]

Tottenham's Dutch midfielder Edgar Davids is in talks to join FC Dallas.

http://www.sportinglife.com/football...TEAMHD=foreign

[LFC1892]

It's making the press all the way down here as well, but if it hasnt already been mentioned, my favorite Beckham quote(about him I mean) comes from the one and only George Best:

He cannot kick with his left foot, he cannot head a ball, he cannot tackle and he doesn't score many goals. Apart from that he's all right.

As far as his $$$, Victoria the skeleton, will spend it on Rodeo Drive as fast as he earns it.

[LFC1892]

Saw this as well:

Jail for Barrow's Cotterill - Reuters


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An English non-league football player has been jailed for four months for breaking an opponent's jaw with a punch during an FA Cup match, police say.

James Cotterill, who plays for Conference North team Barrow, is thought to be the first player in recent times to be jailed for on-pitch violence during a senior game in England.

The defender assaulted Sean Rigg during Barrow's 3-2 FA Cup first-round loss to League Two outfit Bristol Rovers in November.

The incident at Barrow's ground was captured by TV cameras and watched by millions on the BBC's 'Match Of The Day' programme which broadcasts highlights of the cup matches.

Cotterill was imprisoned after being convicted of causing grievous bodily harm at Preston Crown Court.

"The offence was reported to us, we've acted accordingly and we have to say that the footballer himself was very cooperative in the way he dealt with us," a Cumbria Police spokesman said.

"He has been contrite throughout for his actions."

Cotterill, who was immediately suspended, was banned by the Football Association from playing football at any level until March after being found guilty in December of violent conduct.

"I'm devastated for the lad," Barrow manager Phil Wilson told the North-West Evening Mail newspaper.

"This is a lad whose never done anything wrong in his life, he's made one mistake and he is getting severely punished."

A number of high-profile English players have been jailed for non-football related incidents, usually drink-driving, but none have been jailed for recent on-pitch incidents.

Last July West Ham midfielder Lee Bowyer was fined STG600 (AUS$1,495) after he admitted starting a brawl that saw him come to blows with his then-Newcastle United team mate Kieron Dyer during a match in April 2005.

Former Manchester United star Eric Cantona was given a two-week jail term for launching a 'kung fu' attack on a spectator who goaded him during a match in September 1995, but the punishment was later changed to 120 hours community service.

In 1995 Scottish international Duncan Ferguson became the first international in Britain to be jailed for an on-field assault after he head-butted an opponent.

[bababui]

Originally Posted by Sdpm100

Tottenham's Dutch midfielder Edgar Davids is in talks to join FC Dallas.

http://www.sportinglife.com/football...TEAMHD=foreign

Edgar Davids used to be an awesome MFer in the 90's..the Dutch had so much talent..Bergkamp, Overmanrs, David, Seedorf, Cocu, etc..and just wasted it all.

[LFC1892]

When I see Holland play, I always think they can win every damn game they play, no matter the opponent...but they seem amazing players as individuals,but cant seem to click to get the national team the result it deserves. The only Dutch players I cant stand are RVN and "Louganis" Robben.

[LFC1892]

It's not about the Money...hahahahahahahaha.

Becks move 'not about money' - PA Sport




Photo Getty


Related Stories>>Becks in for 'interesting' time12 January 2007>>Yallop's dream to coach Becks12 January 2007>>Beckham's MLS move12 January 2007

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David Beckham is to leave Real Madrid and move to Los Angeles Galaxy at the end of the season after agreeing one of the richest deals in sport - but the former England captain insists he is not going for the money.

Beckham will earn an astonishing US$250million (AUS$320.4million) from his salary, image rights and associated sponsorship from the five-year deal.

The 31-year-old midfielder wants to use the final era of his playing career in Major League Soccer to attempt to transform football in the USA.

His decision to turn his back on European football has seen him reject several bids from clubs in Britain and Italy, as well as the offer of a new two-year contract at Real Madrid.

Beckham said he wanted to join LA Galaxy now rather than in the twilight of his career.

He said: "I don't want to go out to America at 34 with people saying he is only going for the money."

"I am going out to hopefully build a team which has a lot of potential, that's what excites me."

"Soccer in America is the biggest played sport up to a certain age. That's where I want to take it to another level, I think it can go higher in America."

"There are so many great sports in the USA. Soccer is huge all around the world except in America and that's where I want to make a difference."

In terms of finances, Beckham's deal and compares with the biggest in mainstream US sports. Baseball star Alex Rodriguez signed a US$252million (AUS$323million) contract in 2000 with Texas Rangers, but that was over 10 years.

The MLS have recently changed their salary cap rules to allow sides to make 'marquee signings' of top international stars.

As well as his salary, the deal will see Beckham benefit directly from all his image rights and sponsorship deals associated with LA Galaxy. The unique agreement will also involve MLS directly, with the league paying for part of the deal.

Beckham admitted it had been a tough decision and insisted he had no regrets about leaving Manchester United for Spain in July 2003, despite Real having failed to win a single honour since then.

He added: "It has been a huge decision of mine and my family."

"We'll have been living in Spain for four years at the end of this season and I have played for two of the biggest clubs in the world. I have played at the highest level for 15 years and now I think I need another challenge."

"I've no regrets - I have never had any throughout my life and my career."

"To play in the white shirt for four years was an honour. To play with Zinedine Zidane was the biggest honour I have had in my football career, and it was also an honour to play with players such as Ronaldo and Roberto Carlos. For me, there are no regrets."

"For the rest of this season I will continue to give 100 percent to my coach, team mates and fans as I believe Fabio Capello will bring this club and its supporters the success they truly deserve."

Beckham already has a football academy in Los Angeles which shares a home with the Galaxy.

MLS commissioner Don Garber believes Beckham's arrival will have a huge impact in the States.

He said: "David Beckham is a global sports icon who will transcend the sport of soccer in America."

"David's enormous success as a player and team leader will serve as an inspiration to millions of soccer players and fans in this country and his global popularity will help take MLS and the sport of soccer in this country to an unprecedented level of excitement and popularity here and abroad."

However, MLS's decision to scrap the salary cap for the top stars such as Beckham been branded 'a disgrace' by a former Manchester United youth team-mate.

Terry Cooke, now with the Colorado Rapids, shared digs with Beckham as a teenager when they were trainees at Old Trafford.

"It's a disgrace if it's true what I've heard about how much he's going to be earning," Cooke said.

"Obviously it's good for him but we have a salary cap here for each team which is 1.9million dollars (AUS$2.4million) for a roster of 28 players."

"It's marketing money but they've got to be careful because this is what happened in the 1970s."

"They started throwing money about to Pele, George Best and those sorts of players and it backfired. They're trying to do that again but for the wrong reasons."

[LFC1892]

Originally Posted by bababui

I searched for a while and couldnt find anything either..ecxept a post from bigsoccer.com claiming Stayleybridge have the ugliest unis in the world.

Must have been from a Hyde fan.....I seriously doubt these are the worst uniforms in world football?

[LFC1892]

Originally Posted by ukhotstove

They play Leigh RMI in 10 days, give me a shout if you want the programme and I'll see if I can get it signed for you.

That would be awesome, but if you cant, then thanks anyway. I might ask my travel agent how much a trip to Stalybridge will set me back,lol. If they get past Kettering(and its a big if on current form) I'll be happy. Speaking of Kettering,the mind games their Manager is trying to play in the lead up to the Jan 13 game are classic. Making a loan bid for Celtics top striker Lee "Duke" Ellington, knowing full well he's not for sale after signing a 2 year contract extension, and after the subsequent rejection, saying he'll come back with an improved offer,lol. Now I REALLY hope Celtic beat Kettering.

[rudel.dietrich]

Gutierrez, have you been to an A-League game?

In my next FM game I start I am going to take over a club in that league.

[ukhotstove]

Originally Posted by GUTIERREZ

That would be awesome, but if you cant, then thanks anyway. I might ask my travel agent how much a trip to Stalybridge will set me back,lol. If they get past Kettering(and its a big if on current form) I'll be happy. Speaking of Kettering,the mind games their Manager is trying to play in the lead up to the Jan 13 game are classic. Making a loan bid for Celtics top striker Lee "Duke" Ellington, knowing full well he's not for sale after signing a 2 year contract extension, and after the subsequent rejection, saying he'll come back with an improved offer,lol. Now I REALLY hope Celtic beat Kettering.

If it's on I'll go and see if I can nab one of the Stalybridge players during the warm ups and ask him to get it autographed, unlike the top players lower league players don't see it as going out of their way for autographs.

Yes I know prem players get asked more than lower league players for their autographs but to me if they didn't want the hassle of signing auto's then they should have got different job, I have no sympathy for any famous person when they come out with that tired line "I can't lead a normal life" tough crap you should have been a taxi driver or something instead.