Jermaine Beckford has now completed his move to Everton and penned a four-year deal at Goodison Park.The squad-building continues.
The 26-year-old has enjoyed an excellent couple of seasons at Leeds and has now been rewarded with a switch to the Premiership, after netting 31 goals for the Elland Road club last term.
Lakeside jog : French national football team's defender Bakary Sagan runs during a training session around a lake near Tignes in the French Alps, as part of the preparation for the upcoming World Cup 2010. (AFP/Franck Fife)
A report claims that Birmingham have agreed a £6m fee with Valencia for 6'8" striker Nikola Zigic.He never made the cut at Valencia, but on loan to Racing Santander last season he scored 13 goals in 19 matches. If he can be the proper foil for Cameron Jerome (or another striker to be named later) it will go a long way towards solidifying Birmingham's place in the Premier League's mid- to lower-tier.
Darren Bent's World Cup dreams could be in tatters after a hamstring injury ruled him out of tonight's penultimate warm-up game against Mexico at Wembley.Shame. It would have been interesting to see if Bent could make "the leap" this summer.
The Sunderland striker has been unable to train fully with England in Austria and now faces a race against time to convince Fabio Capello he can be fit for the finals in South Africa.
Arsenal have confirmed the signing of Morocco international striker Marouane Chamakh on a long-term contract from Bordeaux.+10?
Chamakh has long been expected to join the Gunners and will arrive at Emirates Stadium on a free transfer at the end of his Bordeaux deal.
The 26-year-old has been a consistent scorer for the 2009 French champions and will bolster Arsene Wenger's attacking options for next season.
Birmingham have completed the signing of Manchester United goalkeeper Ben Foster.
The England international has agreed a three-year contract and although Blues have not disclosed fee, it is reported to be around £6million.
West Brom have signed Auxerre defender Gabriel Tamas on a permanent deal following his successful loan spell.
The Romania centre-back, 26, arrived at The Hawthorns back in January and played 26 games, scoring twice.
(CNN) -- Barcelona have signed Spain striker David Villa from league rivals Valencia for $49 million, further boosting an already potent forward line.And speaking of Fabregas, the article continues:
The 28-year-old goalscorer will be in Barcelona on Thursday evening and will undergo a medical test on Friday morning, the Spanish champions said on their official Web site.
Meanwhile, club president Joan Laporta has commented on rumors that Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas is to make a return to the club he played for as a youth team player.
Fabregas has once again been strongly linked with leaving Arsenal amid media speculation that he wants to play once again for his home town club and Laporta said: "It's remarkable that a player should commit himself in this way (if the reports are true)
"If the club technical staff believe we need to make the extra effort and sign him, we'll speak to Arsenal," Laporta added.
Cesc Fabregas is understood to have told Arsene Wenger he wants to leave Arsenal in order to rejoin Barcelona as president Joan Laporta hints at making a bid...I can't wait to get Neal's thoughts on this, though I'm afraid they won't be worthy of publication on a family-friendly website.
It now appears that the midfielder is ready to ask for permission to join the newly-crowned Primera Liga champions next season and a fee is likely to be in the region of £30-35million...
Laporta also confirmed transfer talks were well underway with Valencia over a deal to bring striker David Villa to Camp Nou.
"We are in the negotiating process and everything is going in the right direction," Laporta added.
Juventus defender Fabio Grosso and Udinese midfielder Antonio Candreva have been cut from the Italy squad for the World Cup as coach Marcello Lippi reduced his 30-man provisional group to 28.I have to admit, I was counting on Grosso as one of my defenders for my World Cup 2010 fantasy team. I guess both Lippi and I will be looking for new options. But it gives me an early chance to rerun this video my friend (a player on the Professional Arena Soccer League North American Champions, San Diego Sockers) shot four years ago when Grosso sealed the Cup final for Italy.
Grosso was a pivotal player for Italy four years ago, scoring the decisive first goal against Germany in the semi-final and then the winning spot-kick in the penalty shootout against France in the final.
Germany captain Michal Ballack has been ruled out of the World Cup after injuring his ankle in Chelsea's FA Cup final win over Portsmouth.This is a blow to Germany as Ballack is their captain, and could have started for them in the holding midfielder position that he's played for Chelsea since Mikel's knee injury.
The German Football Federation (DFB) said Ballack underwent a scan on Monday which showed that he had partially torn a ligament in his right leg.
They said his right ankle would be placed in a cast and he would have to wear a special shoe for two weeks once the cast had been removed.
The DFB said it would be eight weeks before he could resume training. The World Cup starts in South Africa on June 11.
Robert Koren has admitted he was surprised that West Brom decided not to keep him at The Hawthorns.I'm thinking this is the club rallying around Dorrans, who has already been subject to a transfer offer from West Ham. Though there is also bad blood between he and Di Matteo. Strops after being substituted, complaints about where he was being played on the pitch, etc.
The Baggies confirmed earlier on Monday they were releasing Koren after opting against taking up the further year's option on his contract.
It was expected West Brom would keep hold of the attacking midfielder as they prepare for life back in the Premier League, but Baggies boss Roberto Di Matteo has decided to let him move on.
They are Middlesbrough in disguiseAnd who can forget Massimo Maccarone's heroics in turning those games?
Seriously. What exactly is the difference between Fulham and Middlesbrough, whose run to the 2006 UEFA Cup final inspired little but indifference? Boro's voyage through the knock-out stages was no less remarkable than Fulham's, as they beat Stuttgart and Roma before securing not one but two miracle comebacks - coming from 3-0 down to beat Basel 4-3 and, er, coming from 3-0 down to beat Steaua Bucharest 4-3. Both teams were managed by an Englishman, both teams had a core of British players and both had Mark Schwarzer in goal. Both teams even play by a river, although Boro's Teesside location wedged between industrial estates is arguably less salubrious.
Hats off to Atletico Madrid, by the way. Like a pre-wonga Manchester City, they have had to exist in the shadow of their city rivals, given little choice but to revel in their reputation for chaos and heroic failure. They deserve a chance to lord it over Real just this once.Ouch, baby. Very ouch.
And ED can't help but wonder what hometown hero Fernando Torres, who left the Calderon for a chance to win trophies with Liverpool, made of last night's goings-on.
Birmingham boss Alex McLeish will be in the market for a new striker this summer after sending Christian ‘Chucho’ Benitez back to Mexican side Santos Laguna.Chucho was a good enabling striker mid-year when Birmingham had a good matchup or two-games. But he completely fell off the radar only reappearing at the end of the season in a cameo role.
The Ecuador international arrived on loan at St Andrew’s last summer and Blues had the option of making the move permanent for around £6m.
But McLeish looks to have baulked at the valuation in light of Benitez’s return of just four goals in his 36 appearances for the Midlands outfit.
David Moyes says he's enjoying watching the progression of Seamus Coleman. The young Everton defender, currently on-loan at Blackpool, is heading for Wembley after the Seasiders beat Nottingham Forest in their Championship play-off semi-final...
Coleman made seven appearances for the Blues before his loan move to Blackpool. The 21-year-old attracted attention for his performance during his home debut against Tottenham at Goodison Park in December – coming off the substitute’s bench to play a key role in a dramatic comeback from 2-0 down...
"He had a terrible injury in pre-season which kept him out and, if hadn't been for that, he might have had more games and he might have even been further along," said Moyes.Certainly someone to watch for next season. Right-back has been a trouble spot for Everton recently with Phil Neville, Tony Hibbert, Joseph Yobo, and even Coleman getting games there. It isn't inconcievable that Coleman is in Everton's starting back four next August.
Sunderland have agreed a deal to bring midfielder Cristian Riveros to the Stadium of Light.Riveros scored three times for Paraguay in qualifying (twice in a 5-1 rout of Ecuador) and has been named to their provisional World Cup squad. So hopefully we'll get a good look at him in South Africa. Regardless, his fantasy value is going to depend on Andy Reid's recovery from surgery and/or a possible move infield for Reid.
Steve Bruce has made his first summer signing soon after the end of the Premier League season by bringing the Paraguay international to Wearside...
'He is a very creative midfielder and a player that will enhance our attacking options from wide positions for next season.'
Manchester United goalkeeper Ben Foster is set to move to Birmingham City for £4m, BBC Sport understands.This is probably a good move for all parties. Birmingham need a number one as Joe Hart returns to Manchester City. Ben Foster needs a new start after failing under the pressure of the ManU number one jersey. That's not as damning as it sounds. Look at Tim Howard. He's established himself as a top-class keeper after being judged not good enough for the Red Devils. Birmingham will be hoping that Foster can repeat Howard's arc.
Foster, 27, has only played one Premier League game since October after falling behind Edwin van der Sar and Tomasz Kuzczak in the United pecking order...
He started the season as United's number one but high-profile errors against Chelsea in the Community Shield, against Manchester City in the derby and Sunderland led to reports of a fallout with manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
"captain Phil Neville will miss the game after undergoing minor surgery on his left knee."So get in Rodwell if you're looking for an enabler as Heitinga remains a doubt.
It started with the Manchester City-Tottenham Hotspur game, which I watched with long-suffering City fan Marc Stein in a Phoenix hotel room.I wanted to post this yesterday as it was Simmons' big intro to his latest column. Here are two of the World Leader's biggest names (online, at least) talking about, and really being engaged with, the Premier League. It bodes well for the future of the sport here in the States, even if it doesn't bode well for MLS who just can't capture the country's imagination in the same way as these teams from across the pond.
Which prompted this quick discussion:The Red Devils will arrive in Chicago, home of new shirt sponsor Aon Corp., on July 12 for training and then meet Glasgow Celtic on July 16 at Toronto’s Rogers Center, the club said Thursday. The 18-time English champions play the Philadelphia Union five days later at Lincoln Financial Field and meet the Kansas City Wizards on July 25 at Arrowhead Stadium.
Manchester United will compete in the MLS All-Star game against the league’s top players on July 28 at Houston’s Reliant Stadium.
JSpitzberg: The 18-time English champions play the Philadelphia Union five days later at Lincoln Financial Field
NealThurman: might have to journey up for that one :-)
JSpitzberg: july 17, i think
NealThurman: hmm, so no WC players, maybe not
NealThurman: Giggs for 30 minutes, Scholes for 30 minutes and then the kids?
JSpitzberg: macheda! diouf!
JSpitzberg: what's not to love
NealThurman: maybe I'll save the milage/gas/tolls/$75 tickets
Stoke boss Tony Pulis has hit back at Dave Kitson's 'scapegoat' allegations and insists the club have got a great dressing-room spirit.
A disgruntled Kitson claimed at the weekend that he had become a scapegoat after the striker had previously been criticised by Pulis for his reaction to being substituted during the 7-0 thrashing at Chelsea.
But Pulis used a heavy sense of irony in givin little credence to these allegations.
He told The Sentinel: "Dave Kitson was spot on with his comment that everybody blames him for everything that happens at the football club.
"That's right - everybody blames Dave."
With huge fantasy ramification overseas and potentially even in the United States, Britain's High Court ruled that the schedules of the English Premier League are copyrighted materials and should be protected as such. The court ruled that since making the schedules was a very complicated activity that schedule makers should have the results of their laboring protected under British copyright law. The lawsuit was brought by the EPL against a subsidiary of Yahoo!, which printed the schedules without licensing the information from the EPL.Further:
Fantasy English Premier League is one of the largest fantasy markets outside of the United States and is the most popular in a number of countries, including the United Kingdom. While it remains to be seen how this will be enforced in Britain, and if possible, in the United States, this should definitely be something of which anyone operating or playing in an EPL game should take note.
The judge said the work in compiling the fixture lists in England and Scotland involved "very significant labour and skill".
After trawling through national and European law, he concluded that the lists were the subject of database copyright.
Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp is sweating on the fitness of centre-half Ledley King and goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes ahead of their crucial Barclays Premier League clash against Manchester City at Eastlands.
King's long-standing knee problem means he remains a doubt while Gomes has a muscle injury sustained in the win over Bolton at White Hart Lane last weekend... Young goalkeeper Ben Alnwick stands by to replace Gomes.
Gareth Barry is set to return for Manchester City as the Blues look to put themselves in line for Champions League qualification by beating Tottenham at Eastlands...
Joleon Lescott (hamstring) has been ruled out for the remainder of the campaign and Stephen Ireland (ankle) will also miss out.
Fulham striker Bobby Zamora is unlikely to play any part in the Barclays Premier League clash with Stoke...And...
Clint Dempsey will continue to deputise in attack for Fulham's last home match of the season.
Stoke captain Abdoulaye Faye remains an injury doubt ahead of the trip to Fulham in the Barclays Premier League...
Asmir Begovic will continue to deputise in goal for Thomas Sorensen, who is recovering from a dislocated elbow.
Imagine the body of an NBA star with feet as nimble as a prima ballerina's. When the World Cup kicks off in South Africa in June, he will carry the hopes of a continent as Africa's best-known soccer star. (West African fans will toast him with a beer glass called the Drogba. It's nearly twice the size of a normal mug.)He's certainly on our short-list of fantasy players of the year (other suggestions are welcome in the comments) and this is another nice feather in his cap. To which, he'll likely be adding another Premier League winners medal this weekend. And good luck to him in his pursuit of Jules Rimet.
No one knows the rickety and high-spirited but often heartbreaking touring bus that is African soccer better than Drogba. At the 2006 World Cup, his homeland ravaged by civil war, he organized a statement from the Elephants, as the Ivorian national team is referred to, calling for peace. Many credit the ensuing calm for allowing reconciliation to begin. At a match last March, 22 Ivorians were killed in the crush to see their beloved heroes play. After the game, Drogba resolved to donate every dollar he earns from endorsements to a charity he set up to build new hospitals in the country.
Tottenham goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes is to undergo a scan on a groin injury after he fell awkwardly during his team's 1-0 win over Bolton on Saturday.
Spurs play Manchester City on Wednesday as both teams battle to finish fourth and qualify for the Champions League.
'Gomes's groin is sore,' said Spurs manager Harry Redknapp. 'He'll have a scan and see what the damage is. Hopefully he is OK.'
Redknapp will bring in Ben Alnwick for the City game if Gomes is unavailable.
