Football

not sure Wenger would take him back

No but I would

Barca also have Song and Mascherano - both are adept at playing CB. I liked Song at CB when he was at Arsenal

Barcelona have tried to play 3 DMF as CB - in the CL it has not really worked for them, whereas with Luiz they would have a CB that could also play as a DMF. On the face of it, it should be a match made in curly heaven.

Masch is not a. CB.

^ yup I agree with this

But I also think they need a proper gutsy defender to replace Puyol when he leaves. I've been pretty impressed with Inigo Martinez during these championships.

Song has been found wanting in both midfield and defence. He's not quick enough, both feet and brain. There's no shame in that as only 4 or 5 players in the world would be able to improve on what they've got already. If he's happy to be a stand in they'll probably keep him.

Schurrle confirmed

Schurrle confirmed

Not quite.. bid accepted.

Personal terms have been agreed weeks ago. I'd say, subject to medical it's all confirmed.

Kevin de Bruyne to go on loan to Bayer Leverkusen.

Haven't seen too much from Schurrle other than he seems to have a good shot and scores a lot from the edge of the box. Solely based on that you'd think they buy him as a second striker next to Torres? or if either of Cavani or Hulk comes our way. With Lukaku coming back (reportedly) there seems to be more strength in depth in the strikers role than ever before. Not sure where that leaves Demba Ba (Newcastle or Everton as a makeweight for Fellaini).

heard somewhere that Ba might go to west ham on loan?

full circle ba

West Ham keep getting linked to Wilfried Bony.

I'd have loved all the fully fit, young Arsenal players to have been at the championships - fuck this burnout nonsense.

Burn out?!?!

HAHAHAHAHA

Chamberlain has played what, 11 games all season? The German's (I think) had players flown straight from senior action to join the U21 squad. Our little pricks seem to think one game in the seniors and they've made it. TBF when you look at what they're getting paid despite achieving NOTHING who can blame them. These idiots are more interested in twittering tattoos and flying out to Dubai and Vegas.

#premkilledeng-err-laand

......
(10) Will St George's Park, the national football centre, and the Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP) prevent a repeat of what we have seen in Israel?
Blah blah blah...

John Barnes summed it up perfectly:

What the fuck will that structure bring? Will it magically produce more coaches per capita? Will it magically produce municipal courts up and down the land? Will it magically make the cost of getting badges reasonable?
It looks like another expensive elephant of the albino variety. Was it really needed? Not with the premiership holding all the cards. If clubs choose to buy up all the promising young talent (e.g. Arsenal recently taking a 9yr old) and refuse to let them go, whom will be coached on the St George pitches?

(not a direct quote^)

John Barnes summed it up perfectly:

What the fuck will that structure bring? Will it magically produce more coaches per capita? Will it magically produce municipal courts up and down the land? Will it magically make the cost of getting badges reasonable?
It looks like another expensive elephant of the albino variety. Was it really needed? Not with the premiership holding all the cards. If clubs choose to buy up all the promising young talent (e.g. Arsenal recently taking a 9yr old) and refuse to let them go, whom will be coached on the St George pitches?

You lost me at "John Barnes..."

Ha!

Heung-Min Son gone to Bayer Leverkusen - for 10m euro. If they get De Bruyne on loan for the season as part of the Schuurle deal, then I'd say it's a tidy bit of business.

He's a good player but I can't see how he furthers what Chelsea have available really, it would be strength in the centre of the park that I would be looking at. Xabi Alonso/Thiago Alcantara are the players I'd look to bring in.

John Barnes?

Oh wait, he was the rapper that Liverpool got in to give the Anfield Rap some credibility, right?

Liverpool FC - Anfield Rap (Full version) - YouTube

No, he was the one who gave Lucozade credibility.

Lucozade Sport - YouTube

fourfourtwo article on some incoming spanish imports Navas, Aspas & Canas

http://fourfourtwo.com/blogs/statszone/archive/2013/06/14/what-to-expect-from-the-premier-league-s-newest-spanish-imports.aspx

Owen Coyle to Wigan....

Not great but at least they dodged the bullet that is Mark Hughes.

Owen coyle, feel like his star is on the wane. Obviously he's a good manager felt like he made a bad choice going to Bolton? Was it?
Other brighter young managers are now ganging up on him to show off their football acumen and kind of feels like he's now lumped in with that cast of old fogey managers ONeill, maclaren, mcleish, etc who are out of work and looking for a return to the big chair.

He'll probably prove me wrong by doing really well, but think there are better managers out there..

It's definitely a step down from Martinez!

^ Watch them win the Europa league now..