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The always on target Tim Vickery has an excellent article in today’s BBC regarding the recent $26.5 million transfer of rising Argentina and former Boca Juniors star Ever Banega to Spanish side Valencia, and the pressures he will face in adjusting to European football at such a young age.
Given the state of global football these days, clubs like Boca are often times forced to sell their prized and homegrown young talent just to stay financially solvent, often times at risk to the club’s own chances of success at home. Before it seemed that a club in Argentina or Brazil could at least hold on to their young players for a few seasons and build a winning team around them, but that window is narrowing as the game becomes more global, and in an unstable economy, cash strapped clubs have no choice but to sell. Boca have found ways to be successful, having put together a solid run of local and international titles since 2000 even as they sold off players like Carlos Tévez and Fernando Gago, but coming into 2008 with an unproven coach in Carlos Ischia and the prominence of “smaller” clubs like Lanús and Tigre fighting for the title alongside the traditional powers, that level of success may prove more and more difficult to sustain.
As for Banega, the task ahead of him at Valencia would be monumental for any player, let alone a 19 year old. Los Che are now but a shadow of the side that won La Liga in 2004 and are in a free-fall in the standings, currently in 7th place and 17 points behind leaders Real Madrid. Unless new head coach Ronald Koeman can instill some confidence in his squad, the future for Banega won’t be looking very bright. He’s no doubt an incredible talent and a joy to watch, but let’s hope he not burdened with the task of rescuing a Valencia’s season, at least not before he’s ready.
Garay may not be moving to Liverpool. Benitez may/will instead sign young Slovakian defender Martin Skretel who has impressed with Zenit St.Petersburg.
Real Sociedad have inquired about taking Emiliano Insua on loan for the rest of the season which would be good experience for him.
Posted from 
United States
Hammers to sign our U-17 star
http://ironworker.wordpress.com/2008/01/07/nicholas-mazzola-the-corn-oil-wonderkid-loves-west-ham/
Posted from United States
Another vickery comment.
I am a Chelsea fan born and bred, there has been a lot of talk about us signing a playmaker to add a bit of extra creativity. Having watched a lot of European football with Chelsea over the last few years, I have been especially impressed with Argentina’s Lucho Gonzalez. He appeared to me to be an industrious midfielder with a good engine, an eye for a pass and strong on the ball. This season he has the captain’s armband at Porto and although they are a large club and in European competition, I wondered how long it would be before he was off to one of the “Super clubs” in European football?
Alex Cork
An excellent and very versatile player – I’ve even seen him fill the holding role, he can play either side of the midfield diamond or as playmaker. Flush with money from the sale of Anderson to Manchester United, there’s little imperative for Porto to sell. I also wonder about him in the Premier League – he might find it all too frenetic. And at the very highest level I think he’s better in the supporting cast than as playmaker – for a while with Argentina he was a splendid lieutenant to Riquelme’s captain.
Posted from United States
What is the video ?
Valencia coach Ronald Koeman needed a police escort as he left the Mestalla after Sunday’s disappointing 0-0 draw with Levante.
Marca says angry fans chased his car out of the stadium carpark in the evening as pressure from supporters continues to mount on the Dutchman.
Koeman was brought in by Valencia president Juan Soler to replace Quique Sanchez Flores, who was dismissed after failing to win over the Mestalla crowd. However, the decision to dump fans’ favourites Santiago Canizares, David Albelda and Miguel Angel Angulo has only increased the tension inside the Mestalla on matchday.
Even the arrival of new signing Ever Banega is not without controversy with news of a ‘racy’ online video doing the rounds.
Posted from United States
|Thats not the sex tape, thats a link to an article on it completey clean sorry i didn’t say it in the previous post
Posted from United States
Insua needs to leave Liverpool; he’s wasting away in England’s rubbish reserve league.
Beşiktaş are interested in Coloccini.
Diego Placente is back in Argentina.
The former River Plate lateral defender was called up by Ramon Diaz, his ex-coach, to play this time, for San Lorenzo de Almagro.
Higuaín would be a great match for Lyon, I think. Maybe he’ll receive more playing time there.
You have to wonder that if he makes a move to Ligue, he might be lured into playing for France since he was born there.
-a,
Higuain changed his papers to argentina. He is can’t chose to play for france anymore.
Posted from United States
http://www.goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=540705
Gago starting spot.
Posted from United States
http://www.goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=540335
Valencia wants another boca jr?
Posted from United States
Argentina Could Confirm Scotland Friendly
According to the Argentine Football Association (AFA), Argentina are likely to face Scotland in a friendly match in Glasgow in mid-February.
The AFA have been looking for possible friendly match opponents, and it seems like they will finally come to an agreement with the Scottish FA.
The other alterative is a meeting with Mexico, familiar opponents who Argentina eliminated in the knock-out rounds of both the ‘06 World Cup and the ‘07 Copa America.
If they schedule a match with Mexico, it could take place in the United States, with Los Angeles being the most likely city to host the match.
While if they confirm their encounter with Scotland it will most definitely be staged in Glasgow.
Argentina have already confirmed a friendly match with Egypt for the 26th of March in Cairo.
They could also possibly face Poland on the 31st of May, although no city has yet to be designated for the match.
Alfio Basile’s side will resume their 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign towards the middle of the year.
http://www.goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=541002
Posted from United States
“If they schedule a match with Mexico, it could take place in the United States, with Los Angeles being the most likely city to host the match.”
I AM THERE.
Me too 
10 hour drive is all . I went last time they played mexico there but most of the big guns did not play and it ended in a 1 to 1 draw.
Posted from United States
awwww i wish they would go to Houston
Posted from United States
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