Tuesday, July 3, 2007

European Musical Chairs: Torres Finally Moving, da Silva the Replacement, and Sven in at Citeh, etc.

First off, good luck to the boys in Canada as they take on Poland at 5pm est. Poland is coming off of a 1-0 win over Brazil.

European Transfer News

If you haven't already noticed, I have a running tally of most Premiership and MLS moves since specific dates - if I have missed one, please let me know. I would love for it to be consistently up-to-date. On to the good stuff...

Fernando "El Nino" Torres, a favorite at Atletico Madrid but a headache to the front office, has passed a medical in Liverpool. The deal is set to be announced tomorrow and the transfer figure is reported to be as high as $53 million. Luis Garcia, the once heralded Liverpool midfielder, is heading the other way as Atletico looks to respond after a fairly mediocre showing this past season in La Liga. Torres up front with Dirk Kuijt has the potential to be remarkably dangerous (as a Spanish/Dutch forward pairing normally is), but Liverpool just wants results this coming season.

Craig Beattie, the once somewhat prolific Scottish striker but not to be confused with James Beattie of Everton, has found a place at West Bromwich Albion. His time at Celtic was often second-hand and playing time never became commonstance but the Scot international found net 16 times in 65 appearances. W.B.A., although paying $2.5 million for his services, should be happy with this one as consistent playing time could see Beattie becoming a decent transfer target for Premiership squads or better yet, his presence could help the Baggies to promotion.

Sam Allardyce has found some good men and his list continues to pile up. Geremi, the well-seasoned Cameroonian utility man, has found his way to Tyneside and looks to occupy the right-back spot in Allardyce's whole new back line. The work permit still has to be obtained, but Geremi looks to join Viduka, Rozehnal, and Joey Barton at St. James Park. Another Chelsea forgotten man and England international, Wayne Bridge, is being targeted to join Geremi on the other flank sometime in the near future.

Eduardo da Silva, the Brazilian Croat hitman, has signed on at Emirates Stadium. Is he Henry's replacement? Who really knows until we get a look at him but it has been proven that he can play with and against the big teams. Eduardo comes from Dinamo Zagreb and comes off a long season of giving goalscoring seminars - 34 goals in the 32 appearances. He signs a four year deal and is known for his work ethic and midfielder-like striker smarts.

For all the Canadian fans out there, Rob Friend - the former Heerenveen striker - has been picked up by Kasey Keller's old club, Borussia Monchengladbach. His stay in Netherlands was brief and Friend is in search of more playing time which he looks to get as Gladbach was just recently relegated from the German Bundesliga.

Manchester City is set to informally introduce former England boss Sven Goran Eriksson as their replacement for Stuart Pearce on Wednesday. His FORMAL introduction will happen once the takeover involving former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra takes over majority control of the club. Once that happens, a three year deal will begin. Look for Eriksson only to make something happen with Man City if he gets the resources that are so desparately needed at the Eastlands. Rumor is that a significant budget will be given to the Swede and a massive roster turnover might grace Citeh and their supporters.

Off to watch the game, be back later.

No comments: