What The Soccer Guys Are Reading — Sept. 9, 2010

Didier Drogba was snapped up by Chelsea from Marseilles in 2004 when Jose Mourinho took over as manager for his brief spell in charge at Stamford Bridge. Marseilles will have t pay a hefty price if they want to bring the striker back to France. Courtesy United Nations Development Programme

FIFA.com —  Blatter: Encourage free-flowing football

President of FIFA, Sepp Blatter sits down and talks about this summer’s World Cup in South Africa and what changes could be made to how games are played. Blatter says rules for extra-time could be changed before the next World Cup to either include a shoot-out without any extra-time played or the the golden goal could return to encourage teams to play to win rather than draw during the earlier stages of the World Cup. Too bad the interview doesn’t mention anything about the use of technology in the future or the missed calls by some of the referees.

Sky Sports — Marseille reveal Drogba bid

Marseilles will try to defend its top-spot in Ligue 1 this summer the club’s manager Didier Deschamps had some disagreements with sporting director Jose Anigo over signings and transfers, but there was one move the two agreed on: An attempted signing of Chelsea’s prized striker, Didier Drogba. Drogba was sold by Marseilles to Chelsea in 2004 for £24 million and the club looked to bring their former ace after selling last season’s top scorer, Mamadou Niang, to Fenerbahce. The club’s bid for Drogba fell through as Chelsea values the player too much to let him leave without a suitable replacement.

The Guardian — John Toshack resigns as Wales manager

Wales hasn’t had the best start to its Euro 2012 qualifying campaign and the Welsh FA and manager, John Toshack, have agreed its in the best interest of the national team if Toshack resigned after six years in charge. Wales lost to Montenegro on Friday in a Euro 2012 qualifier and after the game Toshack and the Wales FA board met and decided on the fate of the manager. Toshack has been in charge of the national team since 2004 and had previously manager Real Madrid. Stoke City manager Tony Pulis looked to be the front runner to take over the spot as Wales’ manager, but he has already stated it is too soon for him to take over.

What The Soccer Guys Are Reading — Sept. 8, 2010

Theo Walcott becomes the latest Gunner toadd himself to the injury list. Arsene Wenger is surely tired of international breaks during the Premier League season. Courtesy khanh_coltech

The Telegraph — Parents of prostitute linked to Wayne Rooney apologise to Coleen

It’s not the apology that Wayne Rooney’s wife, Colleen is waiting for, but it’s a start. In the last week the rumors of Rooney’s affairs have pooped up all over the Internet and in ink across England, but the England striker has yet to acknowledge them and his wife has been left reeling. The high-school sweethearts have been the darlings of the English press because they were different than the rest of the soccer players and the WAGS, guess somethings never change. How does it compare to some of his England teammates affairs?

New York Times — FIFA Begins Tour of Sites in U.S. Bid — by Jeff Z. Klein

Americans bought more tickets to the World Cup this year than any other country, and the single largest television contract for this year’s World Cup in South Africa was in the United States. Impressive stats from a country not known for its love of the beautiful game. With those stats the U.S. hopes to win a bid to host either the 2018 or 2022 World Cup in the states. The U.S. has the infrastructure to hold the games, but does the country show the desire that say England, the Netherlands or Australia and Japan have? The officials in charge are trying their best to show FIFA the U.S. has soccer fever and deserves one of the two bids.

Rooney Saga Has Only Just Begun

Rumors of England forward Wayne Rooney's extra-marital affairs overshadowed the Three Lions 3-1 win over Switzerland on Tuesday. (Photo Courtesy Ger1axg)

By Kevin Koczwara

Life won’t be getting any easier for Wayne Rooney in the next few weeks, in fact, life will be a little more difficult for the Manchester United and England forward as more stories come out about his extramarital affairs. This is part of being a famous athlete these days: you make the millions and you have to deal with the pressure of the public and the press.
It’s no secret that professional athletes, movie stars and just about anyone in the entertainment industry have affairs. It is almost understood by now that it happens. Last year’s Tiger Woods’ story was the media’s big story of the year, and why not? The public feasted on the allegations and the sexual preferences of the world’s single most popular sports icon.

English National Team players seem to have garnered a lot of this type of attention in recent years. They have become adept at creating news stories not about their skill on the field, but about their talents off.

John Terry was scorned during the build up to the World Cup for his misgivings. Terry slept with former teammate Wayne Bridge’s ex-girlfriend while Bridge and his ex were dating and Terry was his teammate. Because of all the negative media attention, Terry was relieved of his duty as England’s captain.

What The Soccer Guys Are Reading — Sept. 1, 2010

Real Madrid had a disappointing start to the season with a 0-0 draw with Real Mollarca over the weekend, but Mourinho is confident that with time he can make the team into Champions. Courtesy Paul Bence

Sky Sports — Jose – I’m not Harry Potter

New Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has had to answer plenty of critics this week after the team’s season opening 0-0 draw with Real Mallorca last weekend, and his answer is classic a from the “Special One.” Despite winning 17 trophies in the past 8 years with three teams, Los Blancos fans are still a little skeptical of Mourinho’s tactics after the opening draw. Madrid need to win almost every game this season because their closest rivals are the defending champions Barcelona, and Barca doesn’t drop many points in any league it is in.

BBC — Uefa bans vuvuzelas from European matches

Remember that buzzing sound that came from your television while watching the World Cup? Well it won’t be coming from it during any Uefa sanctioned games, including Euro 2012 qualifiers and the Champions League. Breathe a sigh of relief, I know we are. There was no bigger story from this past summer’s World Cup in South Africa than those horns that can cause hearing  loss and sound like a hornets nest.

What The Soccer Guys Are Reading — August 31, 2010

Manchester City broke the transfer record fee in England when they signed Brazilian forward Robinho from Real Madrid just two seasons ago. But the little playmaker has been a flop in the Premier League and had to be loaned out last summer to his boyhood club Santos for the season. Could he be on his way out of Manchester for good today?

The Washington Post – Bob Bradley to remain with U.S. National Team – Steven Goff

After leading the United States Men’s National Soccer Team to the Round of 16 in this summer’s World Cup, Bob Bradley has signed a four-year extension that will likely make him the leader of the USMNT for another World Cup. Bradley, who took over following Bruce Arena’s dreadful performance as manager in the 2006 World Cup, had been connected with the job atop England Premier League club Aston Villa, but he agreed to terms with U.S. Soccer on Saturday night. German national Jurgen Klinnsman, who has lived in California for years, was rumored as Bradley’s replacement.

The Guardian – van Persie likely out of a month – David Hynter

Arsenal fans worried that Saturday’s match at Blackburn was going to be more of the same – a loss or a draw instead of what should have been an easy three points. While the Gunners defeated Blackburn, 2-1, Arsenal fans did see a familiar sight, as van Persie left with an ankle injury. It is likely the Dutch international will miss at least one month due to the injury, which rules him out of European Championship qualifiers for the Netherlands and Champions League matches with Arsenal.

La Liga Preview: Mourinho leading Real

Jose Mourinho took over as manager of Real Madrid days after leading Inter Milan to victor in the Champions League final. The questions of whether or not anyone can be Barcelona and whether or not Mourinho can win anywhere will be answered about nine months from now. (Photo Courtesy: APasciuto)

By Joe Meloni

Visions of Spain captain Iker Casillas proudly brandishing the nation’s first-ever World Cup trophy two months ago are still fresh in the mind of soccer fans around the globe. Surrounding him on the podium were his teammates, including the likes of Barcelona stars David Villa, Gerard Pique, Carles Puyol, Xavi and Andres Iniesta. While the group celebrated the championship together, it all ends once La Liga begins its season.

The stars of los Galacticos and the leaders of l’equip blaugrana don’t have much to celebrate together in most season. Last year, Barca edged out Real Madrid by three points and hopes to win the league for the third consecutive time.

There are, of course, other clubs in the league. But it always comes down Madrid and Barca when the season’s approaches its conclusion.

Unlike last season, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Thierry Henry won’t be able to help Barca to the title. And Jose Mourinho will be calling the shots in the Spanish capital.

Serie A Preview – Juve to unseat Inter

Juventus captain Alessandro Del Piero are hoping to overtake Inter Milan, the five-time defending champions of Italy (Photo Courtesy James Adams)

By Kevin Koczwara

Inter Milan dominated the world of top-flight soccer last season. The club won its domestic title in Italy, Coppa Italia and the one trophy the club’s fans and ownership had been dreaming of for 60 years, the Champions League. Inter was on top of the world, and when that happens in the world of soccer, people take notice and try to build off of your success.

Inter Milan needs to find a way to handle this season without manager Jose Mourinho – the “Special One” – who bolted for Real Madrid at just days after winning the Champions League title with Milan.

Inter’s league title didn’t come without tough competition. Roma made a valiant run for the title in the later months as they strung together win after win, but it was unable to knock down the reigning and eventual champions.

France ready after miserable summer

Marseille striker Loic Remy is one of several younger players France has turned to after its disgraceful showing at the World Cup. (Photo Courtesy Fabio Dekker)

By Michael King

At the international level, 18 games is an eternity. With friendlies scattered sparingly throughout the soccer season and major tournaments only once every few years, opportunities for international success can be elusive.

And for the French Football Federation, that’s exactly the point.

The organization suspended maligned striker Nicolas Anelka, 31, for precisely that length Tuesday afternoon, effectively ending his international career.

The FFF also suspended former captain Patrice Evra for five games and handed down lesser bans to Franck Ribery and Jeremy Toulalan for their roles in the team’s off-the-field antics during June’s World Cup.

Donovan Saga Illustrates Issues in U.S. Soccer

MLS Commissioner Don Garber has made sure Landon Donovan has not been allowed to move to one of Europe's top leagues because of Donovan's importance to MLS and its success. Courtesy Jose Argueta - MLS Soccer

By Joe Meloni

Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber made it clear this week that Los Angeles Galaxy captain Landon Donovan will play for the MLS side this season. Given the current popularity of Donovan and the Beautiful Game in the United States, Garber’s refusal is the right decision for the league and the game.

When European clubs came calling about Donovan in the past, Garber’s outright refusal to let the league’s talisman walk, bordered on selfish. His latest decision, while still selfish, just isn’t as important as the first few. Donovan’s performance in the World Cup was inspired, and, paired with successful loan spell with Premiership side Everton this year, silenced most of his primary critics around the world. Still, at 28, Donovan is quickly approaching his final few years of relevance. And by the time the next World Cup rolls around, he’ll likely be a shadow of his current self.

What the Home Grown Player Rule Means for the Future of the English Premier League

By Cameron Dickinson

Since England’s disastrous World Cup campaign everyone has been coming out of the woodwork to bemoan the complete lack of young English talent coming through the ranks in the Premier League, particularly at the top clubs.

The second round would be all the nation could hope for such is the dearth of players available to Fabio Capello; indeed that would be a great achievement in 10 years time when the so-called ‘Golden Generation’ retires.