£45 million La Liga won't be heading for the Premier League after all

£45 million La Liga won't be heading for the Premier League after all
David Villa has today ruled out the possibility of moving to the Premier League after months of speculation regarding his future. Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United have all been linked with the Valencia striker in recent times, however it would appear a move to England is now dead.

When asked about his future, the 27-year old replied : "When I said I had taken a decision it was true, and this decision is that next season I will play in Spain because it is the league that is best for me, I will not go abroad."

These comments will obviously be music to both Barcelona and Real Madrid ears. It is thought that Valencia will only sell Villa if the price is right, with a fee of £45 million being touted and with Barca and Real both willing to splash the cash this summer, it will be intriguing to see who eventually comes out on top.

As a massive fan of Premier League football in general, I'm devastated to see that Villa won't be arriving this summer. There is no doubt he is one of the best strikers on the planet and it would have been a pleasure to see him play in, undoubtedly the best league in the world. If I was a betting man (which I am) I would certainly be having a few quid on Villa to join Barcelona before the summer transfer window closes.

Where will David Villa be playing next season? Well, we are currently running a poll on that topic at the moment which can be found just to the right of this post. Also, leave your comments below please.

Monday cup of coffee: Tuesday edition

Monday cup of coffee: Tuesday edition

We all know that holiday Mondays aren't really Mondays at all. And in any case, I was too busy enjoying the first weekend of real summer, canoeing some of Manitoba's lakes and rivers, to be bothered with a catch-all post of soccer happenings.

I did, however, spend those moments of yesterday evening where I wasn't falling asleep on the couch (watching the seemingly excellent mini-series Guns on CBC), catching up on the stories of the past few days.


De Guzman to TFC?
Perhaps the biggest story to emerge over the weekend is the likelihood that Julian de Guzman will sign on with Toronto FC.

It may come as a surprise to some, but it really shouldn't. The longer that de Guzman remained out of work in Europe, the more likely it is that he would reconsider an offer from this side of the pond, the terms of which had always been generous. The bigger surprise, and disappointment, is that JDG was unable to get an offer from a European side that was up to snuff. I don't buy into the blackballing theory that Duane Rollins has thrown out there, and I do think he may have been a little picky, but that's not my problem.

I am interested in why JDG would agree now to a deal. Some problematic issues:

• TFC are looking more and more likely to miss the playoffs, especially after their 1-0 loss this weekend. That means JDG may have signed on for only 6 games.
• Playoffs or no playoffs, JDG will not be playing games for nearly half a year. This is not good when you are in the prime of your career.

Unless a deal provides an out clause at the end of the season, I don't see how this is good for JDG. By extension, it's not good for Canada's MNT either.


Canadian pro teams in action
Vancouver have played twice since last Monday: a 3-2 win over Austin Aztex on Wednesday, and a 1-1 draw against Minnesota on Friday.

Montreal have also played twice over the same span, earning two wins: 1-0 over Carolina, and 2-1 in Cleveland in the Cheese Bowl.

As mentioned above, Toronto FC were beaten 1-0 in Colorado, and in addition to playing terribly, failing to score, and harming their playoff chances, they had two players (Adrian Serioux and Amadou Sanyang) sent off.

If the rest of the season holds to form, Toronto will miss the playoffs, while Vancouver and Montreal will make it as lower seeds.

I'm looking forward to: Vancouver and Montreal going head-to-head at Saputo Stadium on Wednesday (Go Caps!)

If you want to check out the Canadian content in these matches, go check the data.


Eredivisie report: No Eredivisie action to report as top European leagues had the weekend off to accommodate World Cup qualifying. We did, however, receive a third entry into our Eredivisie pool from Pompey Canuck. Entries to date:Yours truly:

J: AZ, Ajax; Mounir el Hamdouai (AZ), Luis Suarez (Ajax)
HH: AZ, PSV; Luis Suarez (Ajax), Balazs Dzsudzsak (PSV - this pick is brought to you by the letter 'Z')
Pompey Canuck: PSV, Ajax; Luis Suarez (Ajax), Jon Dahl Tomasson (Feyenoord)

See the original post for details on how to enter.


Canadian soccer blog post I enjoyed this week: This has not been a good soccer day.
In this post, squizz, the most prolific of the canadian soccer guys, explains why I was so right in my decision to spend the long weekend in the wilderness instead of watching soccer (and, in my case, another sport).

Non-soccer blog post I enjoyed this week: I haven't been reading the blogs much. Does anyone have a good one for me?

Confirmed callups for Macedonia, Poland friendlies

Confirmed callups for Macedonia, Poland friendlies
There's a thread going on the Voyageurs board listing confirmed callups for the friendlies against Poland and Macedonia next week. This happens with every set of Canada matches, and the fact that we hear the news from assorted club sites and European media sources before the final CSA roster is announced is nothing to be surprised or upset about. Liking not all the names have been confirmed quite yet.

Here's what we know:

Goalkeepers

• Lars Hirschfeld (FC Energie Cottbus, 28 caps, 7 clean sheets): After a nightmarish year in Transylvania, Lars made the move to Germany where he is again riding pine, though his prospects seem improved [source for call-up news]

Defenders

• Richard Hastings (Hamilton Academical FC, 56 caps, 1 goal): Hastings has been a loyal service in the past, but is long past his prime. I can't think of a good reason for this selection. [source]
  
• Jacob Lensky (FC Utrecht, 0 caps): Lensky has been an interesting story over the years. In January, he was interviewed about his reasons for quitting Feyenoord. Soon after, he washed out in trials with Vancouver and Seattle, before popping up in the Eredivisie this summer, where he has been a regular with an upper-table side. [source].
  Says Lensky of his callup: It's a pleasant surprise. I had heard rumours here and there, and I know that the coach had seen some Utrecht matches on TV. THIS!
  
• Dejan Jakovic (DC United, 5 caps, 0 goals): Jakovic became a fixture of Canada's back line in this summer's Gold Cup and acquitted himself well. He was also a central part of DC United's defense, and his late season injury damaged the team's playoff hopes. He's one of several younger players who have the opportunity to put their stamp on the centre back position.
• Mike Klukowski (Club Brugge, 24 caps, 0 goals): Klukowski is a personal favourite of mine, and probably the most consistent national team performer over the last few years. He has the starting left back spot locked down for the next while, which means guys like Lensky and de Jong will likely have to find work in the midfield if they want to play. [source]
• Paul Stalteri (Borussia M'gladbach, 77 caps, 7 goals): Stalteri is a dedicated servant of the national team who is currently 5 caps short of tying the all-time record for Canada held by Randy Samuel. He is the runaway leader among active players, and I expect he'll keep getting called until he surpasses 82 caps. He also is one of few options at right back, and is a useful player when healthy, which hasn't been the case often this season. [source]
  

Midfielders

• Atiba Hutchinson (FC Kobenhavn, 45 caps, 2 goals): Hutchinson is a consistent midfielder who, at age 26, seems to have reached a plateau career-wise. This isn't entirely a bad thing. FCK is a top team in Denmark that is in Europe every year, and Hutchinson is a key player for them who has been scoring goals lately. A key cog in any Canada midfield for the next few years. [source]
• Marcel de Jong (Roda JC, 11 caps, 1 goal): Canada is in the unique position of having a glut of left-sided defensive players. With someone like Klukowski in the picture, de Jong is unlikely to play much at left back. But he's played in midfield with the national team, and more recently with his club. That's where I'd expect to see him play for Canada in these matches. [source]

Forwards

• Rob Friend (Borussia M'gladbach, 22 caps 2 goals): Friend is returning from an injury, and scored a big game winning goal for his club on the weekend. His Bundesliga scoring record is much better than his national team strike rate, which he needs to improve. He's playing at the highest level of Canadian strikers, and should be a part of every squad in the near future. [source]
  

I'll keep updating as we learn more names, or we accidentally call up another waste of time like Lensky.

The Transfer Window is officially open

The Transfer Window is officially open
The Transfer window is now officially open and boy are we in for a busy few weeks.

Many big money deals have already been confirmed, including the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka signing for Real Madrid and Glen Johnson signing for Liverpool.

The next few days are bound to be extremely busy with several big name players tipped to be moving including Carlos Tevez and Karim Benzema. So, make sure to stay tuned to Football Corner for all the latest transfer news as it happens.

Who will be on the move this summer? Comments below please.

Enjoy Blackburn Rovers vs Tottenham Hotspur Live free online streaming video

Enjoy Blackburn Rovers vs Tottenham Hotspur Live free online streaming video

Saturday 4th April 2009 12:45 GMT

Watch here Blackburn Rovers vs Tottenham Hotspur Live Free online streaming video of English Premier League on your PC. You can also enjoy this match’s live streaming on different TV channels. Blackburn Rovers vs Tottenham Hotspur Match Information Stadium: Ewood Park English Premier League Match Time: 12:45 GMT Date: 04-04-09 Blackburn Rovers vs Tottenham Hotspur live streaming link

Bradford leaves frustrations behind with one run

Bradford leaves frustrations behind with one run
MATT CALKINS PE.com

LOS ANGELES - Was it everything Allen Bradford was hoping for since he signed with USC in 2005? Not quite. This was more like the trailer for such expectations.

But when the running back from Colton High scored a touchdown off a career-long 43-yard run in the second quarter Saturday, it was a welcome change compared to what the redshirt junior has been used to.

After all, in his first two years with the Trojans, Bradford failed to log significant playing time while competing as part of one of the deepest groups of running backs in the country. And last year a hip injury ended his season early.

So when he crossed the goal line to the sound of a roaring Coliseum crowd, he had a reason to smile for a second.

"First I saw the safeties, then I saw the end zone, then I saw the crowd. I'd been waiting for that since I got here," said Bradford, who played running back at Colton but was more highly touted as a linebacker. "I'm just glad the coaches gave me the opportunity to showcase what I could do."

His mind-set when he first saw the hole?

"I thought, I'm going make this. I'm out," said Bradford, who finished with 53 yards on four carries.

They meant to do it

With San Jose State leading 3-0 at the end of the first quarter, frustrated USC fans were booing their team's inability to score.

USC middle linebacker Chris Galippo was asked about the slow start.

"The game plan was to actually have the offense come out slow so they (the Spartans) could challenge the front seven," Galippo quipped. "We did that on purpose."

More USC Notes

USC has won its past 12 season openers, scoring at least 21 points in each. It was the Trojans' most lopsided opener since a 62-7 win over Hawaii in 1999.

The Trojans' 28 points in the second quarter were the most since scoring 28 vs. Fresno State in a 50-42 win in November 2005.

USC has scored 40 points 44 times since Pete Carroll was named head coach, and has scored 50 points 17 times.

USC has allowed just 22 points in its past seven home games.

Myles Eden, San Jose State's third-string quarterback out of Lake Elsinore Temescal Canyon High, completed 1 of 2 passes for 3 yards.

Manchester City to win the League?

Manchester City to win the League?
Many leading figures in the game have questioned whether or not Manchester City can win the Premier League title this season. Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has already dismissed City's chances, however both Harry Redknapp and Martin O'Neill think Mark Hughes' men are contenders.

With the players they have signed over the summer (Gareth Barry, Roque Santa Cruz, Emmanuel Adebayor, Carlos Tevez etc;) you would think that they must be contenders, however it is how they gel together is the main thing. If they lose two or three games on the trot, suddenly pressure begins to mount and the players begin to lose interest, so it is vital Hughes keeps all of his players happy.

So, can City really challenge? I'm still undecided, however one things for sure, I wouldn't be gambling against it.

Source: football-corner.blogspot.com