<div style="text-align: center"><a href="http://view.picapp.com/pictures.photo/entertainment/press-conference-the/image/9056142?term=yoann+gourcuff" target="_blank"><div><figure class="external-image"><img loading="lazy" src="http://view4.picapp.com/pictures.photo/image/9056142/press-conference-the/press-conference-the.jpg?size=500&amp;imageId=9056142" border="0" alt="Jun 07, 2010 - Knysna, South Africa - YOANN GOURCUFF during a press conference of the French National Football Team." width="500" height="333"></figure></div></a></div>
On the weekend of the World Cup final and the (only) slightly interesting third place game, my mind can’t help but to think forward a few more days until the transfer rumors coupled with over inflated transfer fees start to blast off from the Internet like the Millenium Falcon did out of Mos Eisley space station all those galaxies ago.
After a World Cup, there are a few football related occurrences you’re guaranteed to experience. (a.) Players will disappear for a few weeks to some form of lavish tropical paradise and attempt to recharge their batteries, (b.) football fans will start to feel slightly odd as the realization of NO FOOTBALL, at least for a month, starts to set in, and (c.) the amount of money thrown around, talked about, rumored, spent and wasted on over-hyped players by clubs who don’t have it to begin with will be enough to fund a small country for a year or more (let the fun begin).
In my hopes to add to the eventual transfer market chaos, here are five players I’d like to see come play in the Premier League this season (note to readers – some of these players will have been rumored to be coming to the Premier League, some will have voiced their intentions to stay at their current club – these picks are nothing more than a “wish list” of sorts).
 
Wesley Sneijder – His name has been mentioned in the same sentence with both Manchester United and Chelsea in recent weeks as the current Inter Milan man looks set to SCREAM his name to FIFA as likely Ballon d’Or winner if the Netherlands defeat Spain in the World Cup final. Having already conquered the Champions League and Serie A with club, the 26 year old midfield play maker could realistically walk into any club in the world with his ability to create scoring opportunities for himself and teammates.
Sneijder’s match winner v Brazil in the quarter finals was one of the team goals of the tournament. Holland pulled ahead of Brazil for good from a brilliant corner as Arjen Robben found Dirk Kuyt at the near post who then flicked on to Sneijder for a quickly redirected header past Julio Ceasar. Precision and brilliance all in a few seconds.
Obviously, Sneijder wouldn’t come cheap. Potential Ballon d’Or winners who’ve just won everything in their path would surely have an inflated transfer fee attached to them. Inter Milan would be silly to let him go as he’s now at the peak and in the prime of his career. Still, Sneijder would be a brilliant addition to the Premier League’s attacking flair.
Potential fit in Premier League – Manchester United
Asamoah Gyan – My heart still breaks for Ghana as their story of elimination must go down as one of the most gutting in World Cup history. Gyan could have sent his country to the semi’s with the last kick of the ball after an excruciating 120 minutes, but his spot kick heard round the continent of Africa just wasn’t to be.
His failure at the spot shouldn’t take away from the brilliant tournament the current Rennes striker did in fact have. Gyan is a strong and powerful striker with pace. He’s best when he receives good service into the box and needs only a moment to set himself and pick his spot for a deadly strike.
Gyan seems more poised for a Premier League switch than the previously mentioned Sneijder. In a recent interview with The Sun, Gyan was quoted as saying, “I always dream about playing in the Premier League. The sooner the better“.
Potential fit in Premier League – West Ham or recently promoted Newcastle United.
Michael Bradley – In five years time, US Soccer fans could realistically be talking about Bradley as one of the best, if not the best soccer player the US has ever produced. Currently in the Bundesliga with Borussia Mochengladbach, Bradley had a fantastic World Cup in the center of midfield for the US where he was able to show his strength, vision, passing abilities and smart decision making as the US won their group.
I like the way Bradley seems to stand tall in midfield like a classic general. He’s strong and isn’t afraid to get forward when the opportunity presents itself. He’s sure to be a future Captain of the US, possibly even at the next World Cup in 2014. Still only 22, Bradley looks set for a long and successful career in Europe.
Potential fit in Premier League – Tottenham Hotspur 

Yoann Gourcuff – let’s face it, the French play maker had a woeful World Cup. Sent off in the last group stage match with what was deemed violent conduct, Gourcuff was never able to show his true talent in a France squad that was more dysfunctional than the Royal Tenebaums.
Still, one cannot base an entire career on a few games. Currently at Bordeaux in France, Gourcuff is the kind of silky smooth play maker that would thrive in the fast pace, attacking tempo of the Premier League. Dashingly handsome and dubbed the next Zidane for some time now, the Premier League beckons for the young midfield maestro.
Potential fit in Premier League – a perfect fit at Arsenal.
Milos Krasic – the speedy Serbian winger had a great World Cup for a Serbia team who failed to impress and progress out of a tough group. Turning in a man of the match performance in his country’s 1-0 win over eventual semi finalists Germany, Krasic possess the speed and skill needed to succeed in the Premier League. There’s not a skill in midfield Krasic doesn’t possess, he’s brilliant with the ball at his feet, he’ll run at and take on defenders and he can shoot from range.
Currently at CSKA Moscow in the Russian Premier League since 2004, Krasic performed well in last seasons UEFA Champions League before being knocked out by eventual Champions Inter Milan in the quarter finals.
Potential fit in Premier League – Liverpool – could add some much needed width to their attack.
Whether these players will ever kick a ball in anger in England is yet to be seen. What’s known is that they’d add dimensions to the star power already playing in England and would sure be fun to watch each week.
Which players would you like to see playing in the Premier League either for your club or that would fit in well at another team?

Premier League Fans: Who Would You Like to See in the Premier League This Season?

Premier League Fans: Who Would You Like to See in the Premier League This Season? - World Soccer Talk

<div id="attachment_2953" style="width: 510px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="http://epltalk.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/6/files/2010/03/Manolo-Jimenez.jpg"><div><figure class="external-image"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-2953" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-2953" src="http://epltalk.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/6/files/2010/03/Manolo-Jimenez.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="333"></figure></div></a>A forlorn Manolo Jiménez rues his side&apos;s inability to capture the moment against CSKA Moskva.</div>
With the advantage of the away goal, Sevilla looked in prime position to advance to the quarterfinals of the UEFA Champions League.&nbsp; Unfortunately, Manolo Jiménez’s team played as though they were already in the next round.&nbsp; A 0-0 score line would have sent Sevilla through, and even though Diego Perotti declared that they could not be confident in their advantage or rely on the fact that they were playing at home, there was little impetus from Los Nervionenses in their attack.
CSKA Moskva also played this cat-and-mouse game, knowing that they did not need to push forward and leave themselves open to a swift counter-attack.&nbsp; When Tomáš Necid scored in the 39th minute from a seemingly harmless throw-in deep in the Sevilla half, Sevilla woke up from their slumber and immediately responded with a goal of their own two minutes later.

The CSKA defense allowed a long ball from an Andrés Palop free kick to bounce near the penalty area, and Jesús Navas capitalized on this good fortune by gathering the ball and squaring the ball to Diego Perotti, who coolly finished with aplomb from seven yards to equalize at 1-1.
Jiménez substituted Diego Capel to start the second half in favor of Frédéric Kanouté to have another out-and-out striker with Luís Fabiano, but play reverted to the opening thirty-eight minutes of the match.&nbsp; Sevilla went into hibernation again, and it cost them in the 55th minute, when Palop palmed Keisuke Honda’s free kick into his own net.&nbsp; Although Honda fiercely struck the ball, Palop got himself into perfect position to catch it or deflect it away.&nbsp; Palop rightly decided to push the ball away instead of attempting to snatch it in the air, but he somehow managed to deflect it into his own goal in one of the worst blunders in this year’s Champions League.
Galvanization did not repeat itself after Sevilla fell behind a second time, and they timidly fell out of the competition 1-2 in the match and 2-3 on aggregate.&nbsp; The ineffective performances ran rampant across the Sevilla squad.&nbsp; Renato failed to muster any extended possession in midfield, Luís Fabiano became a ghost as he could not be seen through most of the match, and Andrés Palop made the mistake that forced Sevilla to score twice without conceding in the final thirty-five minutes.
It would be easy to say that without Palop’s error, the match would have gone into extra time, but with all of these “what if” scenarios, any single event in a football match is not mutually exclusive.&nbsp; Assuming that the rest of the match would have gone as it ended up without CSKA’s second goal would be fallacious.&nbsp; CSKA had the slight upper hand throughout the match, and they were the more likely team to score anyway, whether it occurred with a goalkeeping error or by CSKA’s own brilliant play.
Sevilla deserved to be knocked out of the Champions League, and they face a fight from multiple angles to qualify for the Champions League next year.&nbsp; Deportivo La Coruña, Mallorca, and Athletic Bilbao are all within three points of Sevilla for the fourth Champions League spot, and while these teams do not possess the talent and the European experience like Sevilla, the Andalucians cannot take for granted that they will finish in the top four.&nbsp; If they finish the La Liga season in the same nonchalant fashion and attitude as they played against CSKA, the Europa League beckons.
<div id="attachment_2959" style="width: 510px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="http://epltalk.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/6/files/2010/03/Lionel-Messi.jpg"><div><figure class="external-image"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-2959" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-2959" src="http://epltalk.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/6/files/2010/03/Lionel-Messi.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="353"></figure></div></a>The "Best Player in the World" debate should be tabled for the time being.</div>
Someone forgot to tell Stuttgart that there was a crucial Champions League match this evening.&nbsp; As confident and daring as they were at the Mercedes-Benz Arena in the first leg, Die Roten were timid and meek at the Camp Nou.&nbsp; Obviously needing at least one goal in order to have any legitimate chance of brushing the defending champions away, they only had two shots all night, and neither of those shots were on target.
The match, however, told more about Barcelona’s dominance than Stuttgart’s quiescence.&nbsp; Pep Guardiola made the bold move of leaving Zlatan Ibrahimovic on the bench in favor of Thierry Henry, a man who has only scored three goals in La Liga and has found it difficult to break into the starting eleven.&nbsp; His revealing performance in the second half against Valencia on Sunday gave Guardiola the confidence to employ him as the central striker against Stuttgart.
A thigh injury ruled Xavi Hernández out of the Stuttgart match, and with Seydou Keita not fully fit to start, Touré Yaya became the choice for Guardiola, although there was little alternative.&nbsp; Mainly used as a defensive midfielder, he patrolled the left side of midfield as though he were a tricky winger.&nbsp; Numerous counter-attacks saw him bomb down the left flank with astonishing ease, and he directly contributed to Pedro Rodríguez’s opening goal with an unselfish squared ball across the penalty area that he could have easily shot himself.&nbsp; Another player that has been stuck on the substitutes’ bench for most of the year, Guardiola shows the ability to inspire even the most disgruntled of players.
Then there is that man again.&nbsp; Without waxing poetic to the point of veneration, Lionel Messi continues to befuddle the opposition while involving his teammates in many of the attacks in which he is involved.&nbsp; Lately, due to the inconsistencies of Ibrahimovic, Pedro, and Henry, Messi had to shoulder more of the scoring load, and he looks to take a crack at goal more often than at any other time in his career.
Messi always possessed the skill and the guile to be one of the best players in the world, but in the last couple of seasons and especially in the last few months, his clinical finishing ascended to world-class level.&nbsp; When Messi scored the first goal in the 14th minute, the Stuttgart defense decided to back off him instead of closing down his space in fear that he would make one move and slice them in half.&nbsp; With this clearing, Messi popped a top left corner laser that Jens Lehmann had no chance of saving, and the rout commenced.
On Barça’s second goal, Messi played the provider, as he floated a ball over the top of the Stuttgart defense to Touré Yaya, and he squared the ball to Pedro, who delivered it into the back of the net.&nbsp; Messi would score another goal in tandem with Dani Alves later in the match, but the damage was done, and Barcelona marched on into the quarterfinals, where no one would want to draw them on Friday afternoon, when the matchups for the rest of the competition will be sorted out.
Bordeaux’s talisman Yoann Gourcuff already declared that his team would like to face anyone but Barcelona in the quarterfinals, and every other team left might have this same request.&nbsp; Now that Olympique Lyonnais eliminated Real Madrid and CSKA Moskva bounced Sevilla from the Champions League, Barcelona represents the only Spanish team remaining in the competition, and they are peaking at the right time of the season.&nbsp; They wrote this script last campaign, and they won the treble.&nbsp; Why deviate now?
<div id="attachment_2963" style="width: 510px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="http://epltalk.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/6/files/2010/03/DSC03475.jpg"><div><figure class="external-image"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-2963" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-2963" src="http://epltalk.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/6/files/2010/03/DSC03475.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="334"></figure></div></a>My nieces, in blue, combining to nullify the opposition attack.</div>
Apologies to those who expected the usual Monday column that recaps the latest round in La Liga.&nbsp; I did not watch a single La Liga match this past weekend because I attended my twin nieces’ soccer tournament.&nbsp; Although classified as U-9, their team played in the U-10 group, and they won the championship, proudly accepting the winners’ medals with an everlasting gleam in their wondrous eyes.
The older U-10 team that my nieces’ team faced held a 2-1 lead with seconds remaining, but a late equalizer forced extra time.&nbsp; After two scoreless periods in extra time, both of these teams would encounter the cruel ending that is penalty kicks for the first time in their lives.
My precocious nieces feel the nervousness when they perform penalties on FIFA 09, and now, they were selected to be two of the penalty takers in the shootout.&nbsp; They invoked the power of prayer as a vehicle for their jangling nerves while they watched their teammates take their penalties and awaited their own.&nbsp; They both made their penalties, but after each team took their five penalties, both teams were still tied.&nbsp; The sixth penalty proved pivotal as my nieces’ team converted their penalty and the opposition missed theirs.&nbsp; Even at such a young age, the famous Jim McKay line “the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat” felt appropriate because while my nieces’ team celebrated, their opposition could not hold back their tears.
The most telling difference between watching professionals in various European leagues and watching children in this U-10 tournament was the willingness of the children to adapt to their surroundings versus the paid football players.&nbsp; A torrent of rain surged through the city hosting this tournament the night before the competition started, and when my nieces’ first match kicked off at 12:30 PM the next day, they trudged through a mushy pitch that bore little grass with which to begin because the last vestiges of winter still reigned even though spring temperatures had sprung up sporadically.
Bad bounces, balls halting to a complete stop while dribbling, and frequent slips that these children endured would discourage many professionals.&nbsp; The chronic carping and lamenting of the surface would have been endless from the professionals, but the children continued to play their football as though the pitch compared to the old Wembley Stadium.
Covering professionals for a living can jade the most optimistic of journalists, but if they need a break from the constant petulance and complaining of grown men who earn millions of Euros, attend a match or competition involving young children.&nbsp; They just want to play.&nbsp; Although you get the occasional parent who goes overboard, the purity of the sport lies here in these children.

La Liga in the Champions League: Sevilla Stumbles While Barcelona Bedazzles

La Liga in the Champions League: Sevilla Stumbles While Barcelona Bedazzles - World Soccer Talk

One of the least talked about ties in the Round of 16, Bordeaux’s match-up with Olympiacos, could turn out to be one of the most important in shaping the face of the Champions League as well as French football. Lyon’s ouster of Real Madrid last week combined with a potential advancement by Les Girondins would put two Ligue 1 clubs in the quarter-finals, which last occurred when Monaco reached the finals back in the 2003-2004 season.
Looking at the domestic form of Les Girondins does not fill one with confidence. They club has failed to win any of their last three games in a run that has threatened their Ligue 1 title defence. Over the course of the last ten days Bordeaux have been held by Montpellier, defeated by Auxerre and held to a scoreless draw by Monaco. It must be said that Bordeaux manager Laurent Blanc has taken the opportunity to rest some key players such as star players Yoann Gourcuff and Marouane Chamakh.
Bordeaux hold a narrow one goal advantage from the first-leg but it is an away goal so Olympiacos will need to win by at least a 2-1 or 2-0 scoreline to advance. Olympiacos has had a domestic dynasty in recent seasons, having won the last five Greek Super League championships, and having been crowned champions in nine of the last 10 seasons overall, they currently lie third behind Panathinaikos and PAOK (Panthessalonikian Athletic Club of Constantinopolitans). They still have two games to play against leaders Panathinaikos (who hold a 7-point lead) so they still have a chance albeit a slight one.
Making this an even more uphill battle, Olympiacos have not won away from home in the Champions League proper since a 2-1 group-stage triumph at Lazio in November of 2007. That was their second away success in three games, having had to wait 31 matches for their first, but they have lost three of their four matches since that Lazio victory with the other result being a draw. Kostas Mitroglou will need to lead the line for Olympiacos and hope that he can add to his team-leading haul of 3 Champions League goals.
I foresee a Bordeaux win and a historic night for French football.

Bordeaux To Bolster Ligue 1 Status

Bordeaux To Bolster Ligue 1 Status - World Soccer Talk

<a rel="attachment wp-att-464" href="http://www.serieatalk.com/roma-fights-back-putting-bordeaux-to-the-sword/459/vucinic-and-perrotta-celebrate-a-goal-against-bordeaux-reuters/" title="Vucinic and Perrotta celebrate a goal against Bordeaux (Reuters)"><div><figure class="external-image"><img src="/files/2008/10/roma-vucinic-perrotta-celebrate.jpg" alt="Vucinic and Perrotta celebrate a goal against Bordeaux (Reuters)"></figure></div></a>
Yoann Gourcuff’s&nbsp;first-half strike gave Laurent Blanc’s side the lead, but <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mirko_Vu%C4%8Dini%C4%87">Mirko Vucinic</a> brought the visitors level midway through the second half, before Julio Baptista struck twice in the final quarter of the match to revive Giallorossi Champions League ambitions.
There was no surrender that typified Bordeaux’s 4-0 defeat by Chelsea in their first match&nbsp;in Group A, however, and a spirited start was rewarded with the opening goal for Bordeaux.&nbsp; Gourcuff (on-loan from AC Milan) cut in from the left flank&nbsp;advancing past&nbsp;two challengers before curling a low shot into the bottom corner of Doni’s net.
Bordeaux’s hopes were undermined when Henrique was dismissed 10 minutes before the interval when he elbowed <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simone_Perrotta">Simone Perrotta</a>. Laurent Blanc had to change&nbsp;plans,&nbsp;and it appeared to be working as his side&nbsp;held the visitors&nbsp;until after the hour mark when Mirko&nbsp;Vucinic rising highest at the near post 
to head powerfully past&nbsp;Bordeaux keeper Matthieu Valverde. Tables now turned, crushing Bordeaux’s spirit, new arrival &nbsp;<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J%C3%BAlio_Baptista">Julio Baptista</a> took full advantage.
The Brazilian, who replaced former Monaco man <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J%C3%A9r%C3%A9my_Menez">Jérémy Menez</a> on 53 minutes, won a free-kick which he subsequently curled over the wall and past a static Valverde before touching home Rodrigo Taddei’s first-time cross seven minutes from time to give&nbsp;the Roman Gladiators their first win of the group stage helping to cancel out the visitors opening day results against&nbsp;Champions League minnows CFR Cluj.&nbsp;
<h4>Lineups</h4>
Bordeaux (4-1-4-1): Valverde; Chalmè, Henrique, Diawara, Jurietti (78′ Gouffran); 
Diarra; Menegazzo, Obertan (40′ Planus), Gourcuff, Jussie (37′ Wendel); Chamakh.
Roma (4-1-4-1): Doni; Cicinho, Mexes, Panucci, Riise; De Rossi; Taddei, Aquilani (63′ Okaka), Perrotta, Menez (53′ Baptista); Vucinic (85′ Brighi).
Goalscorers: Gourcuff (B) 18′, Vucinic (R) 64′, Baptista (R) 71′, 83′.&nbsp;
<h4>Goal Highlights</h4>
[display_podcast]
<h4>Related Articles</h4>
yahoo uk sports – post-match&nbsp; <a href="http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/football/champions-league/2008-2009/bordeaux-roma-253873.html">Live&nbsp;commentary</a>
Final score in the other Italian club match,
Inter Milan&nbsp;1 – 1 Werder Bremen

Roma Fights Back Putting Bordeaux To The Sword

Roma Fights Back Putting Bordeaux To The Sword - World Soccer Talk

<a rel="attachment wp-att-146" href="http://www.serieatalk.com/bordeaux-win-french-super-cup-the-italian-connection/145/frenchsupercup-bordeaux-victory-lap/" title="FrenchSuperCup-Bordeaux victory lap"><div><figure class="external-image"><img src="/files/2008/08/frenchsupercup.jpg" alt="FrenchSuperCup-Bordeaux victory lap"></figure></div></a>
It’s true Lyon have finally been knocked from their pedestal, and Bordeaux win 5 – 4 on penalties, the first Cup of the season and the first Girondins’ Super Cup victory since 1987.&nbsp; Lyon having won the Super Cup 6 years running makes this a huge change of scenery for French Football.
Bordeaux started the shoot out in the worst way when Fernando Cavenaghi missing the first attempt. The next five penalties were scored and than another missed attempt for Bordeaux this time by striker David Bellion.&nbsp; However, the tide turned once both Sidney Govou and Italian connection&nbsp;uno <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fabio_Grosso" title="Fabio Grosso - player profile">Fabio Grosso</a> missed for Lyon, while Italian connection due,&nbsp;on-loan&nbsp;AC Milan playmaker, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoann_Gourcuff">Yoann Gourcuff</a> , scored for the eventual winners.&nbsp; Here’s hoping more to come from Bordeaux this 08-09 season.
It’s said a vacation does wonders so hurrah Gourcuff, but of course there’s no place like home, so can you say Grosso and Inter in the same sentence?&nbsp; Moratti I say, show him the money!&nbsp;

Bordeaux win French Super Cup &#8211; The Italian Connection

Bordeaux win French Super Cup - The Italian Connection  - World Soccer Talk

Bordeaux win French Super Cup – The Italian Connection

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