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Last Days

December 31st, 2007 | By: Christian | 52 Comments »

Not much going on here on this final day of 2007, but there’s still plenty of rumors flying about that should make for some big storylines in ‘08. I probably won’t write any more posts today or tomorrow unless something big goes down, but if I don’t, I quickly want to wish everyone a safe and happy 2008.

And remember, Manchester United tomorrow against Birmingham on FSC. Let’s see if Tévez can help keep the Red Devils on pace against Arsenal, who play against West Ham as well.

Saviola to England?

Poor Conejito. Gets transferred to 2 of the biggest clubs in Spain, and yet he can’t seem to get regular playing time with either. Real Madrid coach Bernd Schuster believes Saviola to be surplus to requirements, so a move during the transfer window seems imminent with both Bolton and Chelsea believed to be interested. Of the two, Bolton seems to make the most sense; the Wanderers are languishing in 16th place in the table and will spend most of the second half of the season in a relegation battle. And with rumors of striker Nicolas Anelka moving to Chelsea, the club will be desperate for goals. A usual, the question of whether an Argentinean can make it in the Premiership will be asked, but Saviola is simply too good to not make some sort of impact in any starting XI, regardless of the league. He has the drive as well as the talent to succeed, so hopefully we can see him on a regular basis next year.

Banega to Valencia Rumor Grows
Ever Banega

In an interview on Spanish radio, Boca Juniors midfielder Ever Banega added fuel to the fire that a move to Valencia is close, saying he would relish the opportunity and challenge to play in Spain. Valencia could certainly use his help; they currently sit 7th in La Liga and a whopping 15 behind leaders Madrid, and most recently were outclassed by Barcelona in an embarrassing 3-0 loss at home. Banega also hinted that Atlético Madrid had shown interest in him as well.

Oscar Ustari to Barca?

With a recent injury to Barcelona backup keeper Albert Jorquera, the race is on to find a suitable replacement and ex-Independiente Oscar Ustari appears the most likely to be making his way to the Catalan giants. Currently the number 2 behind Roberto “Pato” Abbondanzieri at Getafe, Ustari has been strongly linked as a possible candidate as backup to Víctor Valdés, with Jens Lehmann from Arsenal also being thrown into the mix. Ustari may have the advantage given that he is 17 years younger then the out-of-favor Lehmann, currently on the bench at the Emirates.

‘Guille’ To Remain in U.S.

It appears the the Columbus Crew will retain the services of Guillermo Barros Schelotto for one more year. In an interview last week with Diaro Olé, Guille made it clear that he would see out his contract with the MLS club, putting to rest rumors that he would return to Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata, the club where he first played in Argentina before moving on to an incredible career at Boca Juniors. Schelotto at one point was rumored to be in the running for the vacant Boca coaching position, and given some of his comments last month regarded by some as critical of the state of play in MLS, it appeared his time in Ohio might be coming to an end. Guille however spoke optimistically about the Crew and looks to do great things with them. “The expectations for the [Crew] are to get better and to fight for the championship next year. That is what motivates me to stay in the U.S. The league, the stadiums, the fan’s respect.”

Schelotto had an almost immediate effect when he joined Columbus earlier this year, but unfortunately his season was cut short when the team failed to reach the playoffs.

Tags: Miscellaneous, player watch

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Comments

Displaying the most recent 25 comments from a total of 52 comments.

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By Ken | January 4th, 2008 at 1:07 pm

John,
I am a naturalized American citizen. I have no relatives in Argentina.
As a young boy I felt in love with the way Mario Kempes
and later Maradona played football specially
the way he treated the former colonial masters, the British. I am an ardent
supporter of Riquelme, the player, a dying breed.
When I asked you about your background,
I was more interested in your educational
background because some of your comments evoke the name of Einstein.
My undergraduate background is Physics.At the professional
I did something completely different.

I may disagree with you at times but I respect you
you and all others equally including my two main
detractors, Albo and Maradona.
Cheers and greetings from San Diego
Ken

By James | January 4th, 2008 at 2:11 pm

I’m more in favor of a 4-5-1/4-3-3 (the formation we used against Bolivia) with Roman then without him. Just sub out Maxi Rodriguez in favor of Tevez. Let Tevez and Messi concentrate on the flanks as they have a tremendous work ethic and have no problem tracking back. Aguëro as our poacher.

Posted from Belgium

By Ken | January 4th, 2008 at 3:04 pm

Todd utah,
please note that I have nothing against you personally.
May god bless you, your family including all your children.
Best wishes,

From a fellow country man
ken

By Ken | January 4th, 2008 at 4:18 pm

To: Maxilopez,
Bonne Annee 2008!
Ken

By J-Argie | January 4th, 2008 at 9:41 pm

1.- Bonne Annee 2008 a tous les blogers du site et que Dieu vous bennisse
2.- guys, i watched the realmadrid-alicante game and i think that the gago-robben-guti+higuain up front combination worked quite well for schuster. of course they missed a lot of opportunites but i think this is a system that schuster should think about and use in the future.

casilas
(ordinary defense)
baptista-gago-guti-robben
higuain-(nistelrooy)or ( raul)

By J-Argie | January 4th, 2008 at 9:43 pm

i think that Higuain is really finding himself more & more in this team
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7944344572322173650&q=real+madrid+vs+alicante&total=27&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=0

By Ken | January 4th, 2008 at 11:50 pm

The deadly Rooney/ Tevez partnership:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjN3q43QdxE

By SAL | January 5th, 2008 at 6:50 am

higuain is good he must be called for the national team and i hope he gets selected for the olympics team

Posted from United Arab Emirates

By Albo | January 5th, 2008 at 2:21 pm

Ever Banega’s first name might suggest “a moment yet to be determined”, but his time is definitely now.
Only 19 years old and 44 matches as a professional player.
Already a Sub-20 world champion, Copa Libertadores, Olyimpic games waiting for him, and his unbelievable career started in 2007!!!
He just went to Valencia for 26 million dollars (20 for Boca).
He cried in front of the cameras, before boarding his flight to Spain, a bit overwhelmed by the roller-coaster that his life has been lately.
He’s a little kid, for goodness sake.

His achievements yet, are, so far, remarkable.
Boca has had Sebastian Battaglia for years, a solid #5, NT quality, not very technical but very efficient (al la Diego Simeone).
Along came Gago, who became Boca’s #5 instant starter with his elegance, played for a year or so, and off he went to Real Madrid.
At this point, and when Battaglia was going back to the lineup, Banega was given a chance.
The rest is history.

I wish him good. He’s definitely got game.
But he should be careful with his tendency to over-react on the pitch. He has already been kicked off games for that. Like “D’Alessandro and Gallardo do.
I hope Ever finds good company in his new team.
He’s young and still needs a bit of direction.
But what a player he is…

Special mention to Boca Juniors for having produced defensive midfielders of such caliber in such short period of time, and to River Plate for giving us “El Jefecito” Mascherano, el mejor de todos.

Posted from United States

By Rune | January 5th, 2008 at 5:00 pm

In a way I am happy that Ever Banega went to Valencia. I think he will have a fair chance of gettig a starting place there. In a bigger club he would have had a difficult task, like in Real or Barca, but Valencia could be a good place for Ever. Valencia seems to be in real trouble at the moment and look like they need a gifted midfielder to take control of their game. I really hope Ever can be that man….but let’s not forget how young he is….

Posted from Norway

By James | January 5th, 2008 at 6:13 pm

Zabaleta to the NT team please. Zanetti’s successor for the RB position imo.

Posted from Belgium

By -a | January 5th, 2008 at 8:44 pm

Ya, I think it’s only a matter of time before he’s given a call-up.

Best wishes to Banega. He’ll prove his quality at Valencia. They need it…!

By john | January 6th, 2008 at 12:13 am

Sorry guy’s I have been really busy and unable to post my thoughts on all things Argentine.

I do try and check in and keep up with all your posts.

Blog to you shortly….regards

By Golazo | January 6th, 2008 at 10:19 am

I just came back from Argentina after spending two weeks there. And it rose a few eyebrows about Soccer within that country. This is If your not a boca fan, you pretty muuch think Riquelme is like a 2002 world cup veron. Thats all i can write for now I’m so jetlagg I can’t even think straight.

Posted from United States

By Christian | January 7th, 2008 at 10:21 am

What part of town were you in, Golazo?

By toddutah | January 7th, 2008 at 11:14 am

Good luck to Banega amd what a classy goal by Aguero over the weekend. Please real madrid go away. You play just like Brasil.

Posted from United States

By toddutah | January 7th, 2008 at 11:28 am

http://www.vxv.com/ole/CatrachoMillonario=15091.htm

Posted from United States

By toddutah | January 7th, 2008 at 2:21 pm

Now this is kinda funny :

In one of the more bizarre injuries that could be picked up during a training session, Independiente striker German Denis was bitten by a dog during the team’s return to training today.
zoom - galleria During their first morning of training after the winter break, Independiente’s session was interrupted when a dog ran onto the training pitch and took a bite out of striker German Denis.
Denis was shaken up by the whole incident, but it seems that he is in no danger of contracting any diseases from the bite according to the club doctor.

Posted from United States

By toddutah | January 7th, 2008 at 2:37 pm

http://www.goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=538121

Interesting debate here on Barcelona and Real madrid. I would argue that we are Barcelona in style and real is Brasil.

Posted from United States

By Golazo | January 7th, 2008 at 4:26 pm

gutierrez, beunos aires its pretty calm there and its nice and it is right by the “country” part of town.

In Argentina I got a chance to meet my cousins boyfriend who play for the reverses of Arsenal de Sarandí.

I also have a cousin who is 17 who plays for the reverse of Lanus but I didn’t get a chance to meet him.

Posted from United States

By aimar10 | January 7th, 2008 at 4:27 pm

fernando belluschi is now in athens joining olympiacos. they will now have five argetines on their squad. along with luciano galletti, christian ledesma, lionel nunez and rodrigo archubi. i think galletti in particular is having afantastic year, i wish he could make a return to the national team and challenge maxi rodriguez for the right midfield spot.

By Golazo | January 7th, 2008 at 4:34 pm

1st was Fernando Gago then it was Ever Banega now its Exequiel Benavidez.

The 18 year old number 5 is set to take over Ever Banega spot in Boca Jr. He is set to start along side Riquelme, Battagli and Cardozo. This kid is more of a Mascherano player then a Banega or Gago. Meaning he is a moe defensive player(slide tackling) then offensive(paaing).

Posted from United States

By Golazo | January 7th, 2008 at 4:37 pm

In the clasura execpt to see a lot of 17 and 18 year old kids playing for big team in Argentina. All these whiz kids you guys heard about are going to start for some of the big teams in argentina.

Posted from United States

By toddutah | January 7th, 2008 at 5:38 pm

Any comments on my paste on barcelona and Real and how that mirrors what is happeneing with Argentina and Brasil ?

Posted from United States

By Asil | January 7th, 2008 at 11:22 pm

It depends on players you have, talents wise, the style/tactical the coach wants. It also needs to meet certain expectations - fans, business, marketing, winning/results/championship pressures, etc. So there’s a lot of expectations need to be balanced.

Last season, Real was desperate to win the title, so they practically assembled no nonsense & hungry players and discarded Galacticos blueprint and Capello did just that. And what happen now is the same blueprint & it suits Schuster.

Maybe it’s a cycle/evolution thing. Maybe that’s what has happened to Brazil. Maybe that could happen to Argentina. But if can we balance those expectations & eventually win WC - then that’s even sweeter !