World Football Thread

[Chelsea4thewin]

DARREN BENT'S Tottenham career ended in a bizarre airport drama last night.
The striker was forced off a plane about to take off for the club's trip to China when his £15million move to Sunderland got a last-minute go-ahead.

Bent was already in his seat and needed his bags retrieved from the aircraft's hold.

He and Sunderland boss Steve Bruce will now hold talks today.

The £15m fee has been agreed and Bent, desperate for the move to go through, is expected to sign in the next 24 hours.

A car was kept ticking over for him at Heathrow all day yesterday in readiness for a breakthrough in the proposed transfer.

But talks were slow, with the Londoners determined to recoup the £16.5m they paid Charlton for Bent in June 2007.

Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy finally agreed to end the England forward's unspectacular stint at White Hart Lane following discussions with opposite number Niall Quinn.

Spurs' £13m new boy Peter Crouch was unable to make the flight for Beijing, where Spurs take on West Ham tomorrow in the Asia Trophy. It is believed Spurs could not get him a visa in time.

He will now begin training with his new team-mates on their return from China next Monday.

[BigPete33]

Arbeloa is leaving Liverpool and going to Real Madrid (not too upset about that one).

Toure has left Arsenal and signed for Man City.

I reckon pretty much every season I go "wtf?" to Arsenals efforts in the transfer market. Wouldn't be too surprised to see some young whipper snapper come in and dominate though.

[Bacon]

Arbeloa is leaving Liverpool and going to Real Madrid (not too upset about that one).

Toure has left Arsenal and signed for Man City.

I reckon pretty much every season I go "wtf?" to Arsenals efforts in the transfer market. Wouldn't be too surprised to see some young whipper snapper come in and dominate though.

Will the Manc's go for Yaya now?

[BigPete33]

Be interesting to see, Kolo was practically begging for him to come to Arsenal.. be looking a bit silly now if he did hey?

City still need a better defense, and a better manager

[Chelsea4thewin]

Arsenal are looking to resign the 33 yr old Patrick Viera, used to love how this guy played

Arsenal have not been the same since he left or was that henry lol

should be one of the best seasons in a long time, so hard to pick a champion, im putting money on chelsea if they continue the form from the end of last last season

[BigPete33]

It will definitely be interesting, can't wait!

Another chelski fan I know was having a whinge at them not signing anyone noteworthy and reckons they're screwed.
I'm not so convinced though, you guys were without Essien for a lot of the season and he's an absolute gun.

[Chelsea4thewin]

well he knows nothing if he thinks that

only notable signing is Zhirkov, russian midfielder

Anelka Drogba

Malouda lampard Essien Ballack

Cole Terry Ivanovic Carvalho

Cech

not much of a weakness if any, yeah no chance with a lineup like that

[Chelsea4thewin]

thats what i think ancelotti will play

he has said in the press he wants Anelka and Drogba up front

[BigPete33]

That's one less spot in the midfield then, reckon Deco will stay or go?

I think he should go cos he's soft, like Diego.


Actually, has he already gone? Can't remember!


What sort of formation do you think Chelsea will play this season?

[Chelsea4thewin]

Nah hes still there, Ancellotti might play him but i dont really like him either, we still got Shevchenko played against AC milan the other day, almost positive he will get loaned out

i think we will play a modified 4-4-2 with lampard sitting behind the strikers