European Leagues

[Joe.]

Gotta say Beckham looks to be proving me wrong so far.

And me. I thought he was past it to be brutally honest.

As an aside, I also think it's good to see more English players abroad. I'll be quite interested to see how Derbyshire gets on at Olympiakos for the rest of the season.

[lildave3]

And me. I thought he was past it to be brutally honest.

As an aside, I also think it's good to see more English players abroad. I'll be quite interested to see how Derbyshire gets on at Olympiakos for the rest of the season.

Yup.

No idea how that move actually came about though

But I think playing abroad definitely improves players, just look at Kazim

[Darkzzz_]

Beckham's been far more effective at the San Siro than we could have imagined. He could well help them reach the Champions League this year.

Considering how few English players, even at their peak, succeed in Serie A, that would take some doing.

Maybe he could play in the 2010 World Cup after all.

Yes I think he will, Milan are in a great position now.

It is great to see him winning them over, I love Serie A and I have been hoping for a English player to go and do well over there. Even towards the back end of his career he is proving all the critics wrong.

I hope it continues.

[Ultra]

A tad random, but did anyone catch Gourcuff's goal for Bordeaux the other week? Forget who it was against, but it was a brilliant finish.

If he's still on loan from A.C Milan, I think it'd be better for him to leave the San Siro permanently. Criminally under used there, now he's got some confidence he's starting to look the business, like he did at Rennes.

This one?

There's a few more like that on YouTube. He's being hyped up in France as the new Zidane.

[Darkzzz_]

I remember seeing the highlights to that game a few weeks back on 101goals.com.

Special goal by a future star.

The close up replay shows how good that goal is and to finish with the outside of the boot is as the commentators say "Exceptional"

[Miquel The Work Geordie]

This one?

There's a few more like that on YouTube. He's being hyped up in France as the new Zidane.

That's it. I don't think anyone will ever replace Zidane, comparing all these upcoming talents in France to him is unfair imo. It's nigh on impossible of anyone to reach his standard. The French press are ridiculous.

He'll definately go far though, but I'd rather see him stay in France for perhaps a year longer, depending on whether he can force one of the veterans out of the Milan set up.

Does anyone know what would happen if A.C did try and buy Beckham form Galaxy? Are there any clauses in his contract that could prevent a move?

[Darkzzz_]

That's it. I don't think anyone will ever replace Zidane, comparing all these upcoming talents in France to him is unfair imo. It's nigh on impossible of anyone to reach his standard. The French press are ridiculous.

He'll definately go far though, but I'd rather see him stay in France for perhaps a year longer, depending on whether he can force one of the veterans out of the Milan set up.

Does anyone know what would happen if A.C did try and buy Beckham form Galaxy? Are there any clauses in his contract that could prevent a move?

On this form Michael he needs to be starting and playing week in week out when he goes back to Milan.

If not then they should sell him. They won't be short on offers.

I agree with what your saying about the Zidane comparisons, Benzema is another.

It has happened in Argentina for years, every single player to come out of Argentina is the next Maradona.

Zidane is one of a kind and these boys have a long way to go to reach his dizzy heights.

As for Beckham I have read that there are no clauses but I can't believe that. There must be.

Milan are ready to pay over £4M for him.

[Ultra]

On this form Michael he needs to be starting and playing week in week out when he goes back to Milan.

If not then they should sell him. They won't be short on offers.

I agree with what your saying about the Zidane comparisons, Benzema is another.

It has happened in Argentina for years, every single player to come out of Argentina is the next Maradona.

Zidane is one of a kind and these boys have a long way to go to reach his dizzy heights.

As for Beckham I have read that there are no clauses but I can't believe that. There must be.

Milan are ready to pay over £4M for him.

But will they pay him as much as Galaxy do?

[Miquel The Work Geordie]

On this form Michael he needs to be starting and playing week in week out when he goes back to Milan.

If not then they should sell him. They won't be short on offers.

I agree with what your saying about the Zidane comparisons, Benzema is another.

It has happened in Argentina for years, every single player to come out of Argentina is the next Maradona.

Zidane is one of a kind and these boys have a long way to go to reach his dizzy heights.

As for Beckham I have read that there are no clauses but I can't believe that. There must be.

Milan are ready to pay over £4M for him.

Totally agree. Milan need to start blending a bit more youth with what experience they have, I'd love to see Gourcuff make an impact there.

And some of the Argentinian comparisons are ridiculous, I read somewhere that Angel Di Maria and Franco Di Santo were both being compared to Maradona over there. Di Maria is a winger, and Di Santo is 6ft 4". How can any comparison be made?

And as for Beckham, I doubt that a move could come off and only cost Milan £4 million, when all Beckham is is a marketing tool. They'd stand to lose more if he left imo, what he brings in in shirt sales is probably invaluable to them.

[Ultra]

Totally agree. Milan need to start blending a bit more youth with what experience they have, I'd love to see Gourcuff make an impact there.

And some of the Argentinian comparisons are ridiculous, I read somewhere that Angel Di Maria and Franco Di Santo were both being compared to Maradona over there. Di Maria is a winger, and Di Santo is 6ft 4". How can any comparison be made?

Don't know about Di Maria, but Di Santo isn't (at least not yet) in the same class as Tevez or Messi, let alone Maradona.

But South American journalists are obviously just as lazy and fond of cliches as their counterparts in Europe.

[Miquel The Work Geordie]

Don't know about Di Maria, but Di Santo isn't (at least not yet) in the same class as Tevez or Messi, let alone Maradona.

But South American journalists are obviously just as lazy and fond of cliches as their counterparts in Europe.

I know. I wouldn't class Di Maria or Di Santo in the same bracket as either Messi or Tevez, but, out of the two, Di Maria is the more likely to succeed. He's at least getting a decent amount of game time at Benfica whereas Di Santo's been restricted to just a handful of games. I'd like to see more of him, though.

Diego Buonanotte of River Plate is another youngster who's currently generating all the hype in Argentina. Expect him to be branded as "The New Maradona" soon enough.

[Ultra]

I also think that, as we've seen with Tevez, young South American players can be vulnerable prey for greedy, parasitical agents who have a clear interest in hyping players above their true quality.

But while the economy over there lags well beyond that in Europe, this situation isn't likely to change any time soon.

[Miquel The Work Geordie]

The sheer amount of Brazilians alone moving to out of the country is ridiculous. I remember reading (in World Soccer, I think) that approximately 1000 Brazilians signed for overseas clubs last year, a figure which is constantly rising. And that's only official transfers.

[Darkzzz_]

But will they pay him as much as Galaxy do?

I don't think they will. What is he earning over at the galaxy any ideas?

Totally agree. Milan need to start blending a bit more youth with what experience they have, I'd love to see Gourcuff make an impact there.

And some of the Argentinian comparisons are ridiculous, I read somewhere that Angel Di Maria and Franco Di Santo were both being compared to Maradona over there. Di Maria is a winger, and Di Santo is 6ft 4". How can any comparison be made?

And as for Beckham, I doubt that a move could come off and only cost Milan £4 million, when all Beckham is is a marketing tool. They'd stand to lose more if he left imo, what he brings in in shirt sales is probably invaluable to them.

As Ultra says, there is so much hype surrounding these players, It is important they come to Europe and live up to the hype.

I remember when Barca signed Maxi Lopez, he was touted as a potential "Maradona" look what happened to him, he was one of the worst players I have seen in a Barca shirt in recent years. Yes even worse than the money grabbing bench warmer Winston Bogarde.

I really love to see the talent from South America but I wish they would shut up with the comparisons.

[CosbehFox]

Diego Buonanotte of River Plate is another youngster who's currently generating all the hype in Argentina. Expect him to be branded as "The New Maradona" soon enough.

He's the new 'Messi'. They share the nickname of the 'Flea'.

[Miquel The Work Geordie]

I don't think they will. What is he earning over at the galaxy any ideas?

As Ultra says, there is so much hype surrounding these players, It is important they come to Europe and live up to the hype.

I remember when Barca signed Maxi Lopez, he was touted as a potential "Maradona" look what happened to him, he was one of the worst players I have seen in a Barca shirt in recent years. Yes even worse than the money grabbing bench warmer Winston Bogarde.

I really love to see the talent from South America but I wish they would shut up with the comparisons.

Maxi Lopez!

Doesn't he play in Eastern Europe now? Scored one good goal in the Champions League if I remember rightly. I'd much rather see talent nurtured in South America, then being sold after they are ready for European football. Rodrigo Palacios of Boca, for example, could definately cut it at Champions League level. Know / knew that Barca were interested in him at some stage.

Beckham's contract is apparently worth £128 million over 5 years.

Beckham.

[Darkzzz_]

Maxi Lopez!

Doesn't he play in Eastern Europe now? Scored one good goal in the Champions League if I remember rightly. I'd much rather see talent nurtured in South America, then being sold after they are ready for European football. Rodrigo Palacios of Boca, for example, could definately cut it at Champions League level. Know / knew that Barca were interested in him at some stage.

Beckham's contract is apparently worth £128 million over 5 years.

Beckham.

I have heard good reports on this Palacios and I know Barca have had him watched a few times.

Beckham certainly is a money maker isn't he?

[Miquel The Work Geordie]

I have heard good reports on this Palacios and I know Barca have had him watched a few times.

Beckham certainly is a money maker isn't he?

He is a very good player. Impressive whenever I've seen him.

And surely that contract would entitle Galaxy to some compensation?

[Ultra]

Indeed - and the reported £4m sum wouldn't be anywhere near covering it..

[Miquel The Work Geordie]

Indeed - and the reported £4m sum wouldn't be anywhere near covering it..

Looks like he's staying in LA for the foreseeable future then.

[Darkzzz_]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/...r-5million.html

They reckon £5M.

I am not too sure about it now.

[Miquel The Work Geordie]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/...r-5million.html

They reckon £5M.

I am not too sure about it now.

Not a chance.

Unless Beckham buys his contract out.....

[Darkzzz_]

Not a chance.

Unless Beckham buys his contract out.....

I am sure I read that somewhere.

Or maybe it was suggested.

I mean, lets face it he could.

But he could have saved himself this hassle by not going to LA in the first place.

[Miquel The Work Geordie]

I am sure I read that somewhere.

Or maybe it was suggested.

I mean, lets face it he could.

But he could have saved himself this hassle by not going to LA in the first place.

Depends how much England caps are worth to him I guess.

Doubtless he could afford it.

[Floating Fox]

Well I tried to stay out of this thread to avoid knowing the German scores as I put some bets on but I read an email from my mate who told me Bochum had won which ****ed up my accy!!

Watched the Highlights when I got back from Walsall last nite, immense. Loved it being back.

Watching Bundesliga.

1-0 Hamburg at min.

Hamburg very good first half, now it's all Bayern. Toni missed an absolute sitter, he is a donkey who has 10 chances a game and then scores one.

Trochowski been brilliant though, very open game.

Hamburg were good, Bayern deserved a draw. And please not a bad word about Toni Although that miss was ridiculiii and not the first time he's done it

Watched it too. Loads of chances in both ends, how Bayern didn't score must be down to something divine. I was impressed with Jarolim in the middle as well as Trochowski for HSV. Ribery is an awesome player though, probably the best player in the Bundesliga.

Have a soft spot for HSV, so well pleased with the win for them. Great to have the German guys going again......

Trochowski is a quality player, knows how to hit the ball and decent technically too.

HSV though = No! Hamburg ist Braun Weiss!

Dortmund only managed a 1-1 draw with Leverkusen.

Frei for Dortmund, Helmes for Leverkusen.

And Boubacar Sanogo and Demba both scored to give Hoffenheim a 2-0 win over Energie Cottbus.

Good result for Dortmund imo. Helmes looking aweshum as every. Widenfeller is a good keeper too.

Surprised Sanogo scored for Hoff, never really made it at Werder. Hoffenheim are still playing some awesome football despite a lot of their top guys missing! There first goal is pretty impressive.

They also moved into their new stadium, which is something else really. Odd stadium.

Glad the Bundesliga is back , gonna catch up with some of that

Highlights are on again at 4pm. Watch it!. I generally enjoy them more than MOTD! Look out for Pinto's goal for Hannover. Amazing strike, rivals Gourcuffs one fo'sure.

And Klimoviz (sp?) scored on his Bochum debut 2-0 and they are out of the relegation zone. Come on vfl!