The Ultimate Soccer Thread 2012-2013 Vol. 3 Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga etc

Joe Cole backs West Ham team-mate Andy Carroll to become new Didier Drogba

Cole played with Ivorian goal-machine Drogba, now of Galatasaray, at Chelsea, and told The Sun: ‘I played with him (Carroll) at Liverpool and West Ham and the player that is at West Ham is full of confidence, energy and aggression, and everyone can see what a good player he is.

‘He had a difficult time at Liverpool but the West Ham Andy Carroll is a real handful and a top player. He’ll be looking at getting himself in the England squad now.

‘He can be anything he wants to be. You can look at a Drogba, that’s the level he can get to.’

http://metro.co.uk/2013/07/29/joe-c...-carroll-to-become-new-didier-drogba-3902906/

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Sounds like Brazilian winger might be moving to Porto instead of Arsenal (Liverpool or Tottenham)...

http://espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/1509178/arsenal-target-bernard-close-porto-switch?cc=5901



Arsenal are set to miss out on Atletico Mineiro star Bernard, with the Brazil international’s agent confirming he is set to join either Porto or Shakhtar Donetsk.

French newspaper L’Equipe had earlier claimed the 20-year-old was set for a medical in London, but Arsene Wenger told the Daily Mirror that was not the case.

Bernard’s father has told O Jogo that the Gunners do hold an interest but expressed a preference for a move to Porto, with fellow Brazil international Hulk recommending his former club.

"Nothing is decided yet, but we know there is an interest from Arsenal," he said. "There has been nothing official from them. Hulk has convinced Bernard that Porto move would be better for him at this stage of his career. Porto would be a better move for his career.”

The player’s agent, Adriano Spadotto, has also indicated that a move to Portugal is the most likely outcome, despite rival interest from Ukrainian side Shakhtar.

Asked about Porto, Spadotto told Mais Futebol: “I can confirm that is the strongest possibility, but Shakhtar are interested too. He should join one of the two clubs.

“If it is up to me, Bernard will be a Porto player. As I have said, this would be the best solution for him. He would prefer to join a middling, but good, club in Europe rather than risk joining an elite club and not getting the chance to play. Bernard has great interest in going to Porto.”

Paulo Fonseca, the Porto coach, refused to be drawn on the talk, telling the media: "I only talk about the players who are already here. I don't know if he will come and I won't talk about anyone who is not part of the squad."

Atletico Mineiro have confirmed that Bernard will be allowed to leave should a club meet his €25 million valuation.

"The president has made it clear: if we have a great offer, he will be sold and you will know, but he plays for Atletico-MG and this speculation has been going for months, the club’s director of football, Eduardo Maluf, said.
 
^ It was a giant pool of mud on Wed!

Kitcheeeeeeeeeeee!
That's the same pitch Man City played on right?

Damn... It looks like it was built to be a mud pool...
Yep... that pitch hosted...

Sunderland-Tottenham

Man City-South China

Tottenham-South China

Man City-Sunderland

and today...

Man Utd-KitChee...

All over the past 6 days + torrential downpour.

That's why it looks the way it does. 
 
Barcelona has their full team back today, and Tata's first day training. Exciting times.

Cesc isn't going anywhere. I expect to hear that Arsenal passed on him before hearing he actually signed for Man U. 
 
Looks like everyone passed their physicals too Lucho. Can't wait for the season to start & the first classico... :smokin

I'm excited about Tata. The more I read about him, the more I like him. He's a gentleman first, & footballer second. By all accounts, he's a good manager (from managing people & tactician).
 
Bale spotted in spain

oh boy


700
 
Nice feature about Rooney's futbol boots coming from Nike’s Montebelluna Factory. Spoiler mode below.


http://www.footy-boots.com/wayne-rooney-custom-hypervenom-phantom-36148/


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FROM MONTEBELLUNA TO MANCHESTER(?): WAYNE ROONEY’S CUSTOM HYPERVENOM PHANTOM
Posted on July 23, 2013 in Football Boots, Nike Football Boots, Nike Hypervenom, Players, Wayne Rooney

Whilst it might not be clear where Wayne Rooney will be plying his trade next season, one thing that is certain is he will be doing it in the Nike Hypervenom Phantom.

The England international gave Nike’s ‘new breed of attack’ the dream start to its life on the pitch with a memorable strike against Brasil at the Maracana.

To mark the retail launch of the Hypervenom range in the UK, Nike have assembled some pretty neat photos of how each boot goes through production at their Italian player-issue factory in Montebelluna. Ever wondered what goes into a pro player like Rooney’s cleats? Find out, here.

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The uppers are mostly made in standard sizing – here, each boot is wrapped around a ‘last’. These are moulds taken of each player’s foot (Montebelluna has bookcases full of each of their sponsored athlete’s lasts) for a perfect fit.

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Here and above, the Hypervenom Phantom is being heated from different angles to mould the upper to the last.

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After that, the moulded boot – still on the last – is stitched and glued onto the soleplate by hand.

Here, Nike can monitor durability and accommodate requests from players for particular stud patterns and the like.

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To set the glue and stop the boot shaping in any unwanted ways, each boot is chilled to -15˚C on this conveyor belt, completing the proces

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Each boot is then checked against a player’s spec-sheet, listing their size and personal customisation preferences. This allows the Nike master boot-makers to tweak and change little things about the boot for optimal performance.

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Wayne Rooney, as you’d hope, is fairly low-maintenance in the boot department, so it’s straight off to the stitching station for his Hypervenoms. Much the same as you’ll find in NikeTowns across the world, Nike stitch on Rooney’s initials and number with this machine.

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A quick visual check for imperfections and a cross-reference against the spec-sheet from Nike’s team in Italy make sure the striker will be able to enjoy a distraction-free break in wearing his new boots.

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Finally, they’re teamed with a rather striking boot bag (even pro’s love a good boot bag, apparently) and ready to be sent to the striker.

We presume there’s a pair in Montebelluna with a blank delivery label on them for Rooney at the moment. Will they be sending them to Stamford Bridge, Old Trafford or somewhere else next season?
Let us know in the comments!
 
Higuain being presented to Napoli fans as we speak.
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In other news Tottenham have reportedly rejected a €94 million offer from Real Madrid for Bale. They have to be crazy to reject that sort of money :{
 
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NBC released details of their TV coverage of the upcoming season of the prem. Spoiler mode below

http://prosoccertalk.nbcsports.com/...ue-tv-schedule-for-nbc-sports-group-released/


Premier League TV schedule for NBC Sports group released
Joe Prince-Wright


Jul 29, 2013, 3:28 PM EDT
The day you’ve all been waiting for is here. Get excited.

On Monday afternoon NBC Sports released the TV schedule for coverage of the Premier League for the 2013-14 season.

Here are all the details for the opening three months of games, as England’s top league will be aired exclusively in the US by NBC Sports group.

Take a look through the detailed lists below to see when your team is playing and get the lowdown on all the big matchups coming to a TV screen near you.
Let the games begin.

Details

Unprecedented Coverage of All Premier League Matches

Debuts Saturday, August 17 at 7:00 AM ET

on NBC Sports Network

69 Live TV Game Windows through Dec. 1 Include

57 Matches on NBC Sports Network, 10 on NBC,

27 on Telemundo/mun2 & 61 on Premier League Extra Time

All 130 Matches in First 3 Months Available on

NBC Sports Live Extra

More Than 100 Distributors Nationwide to Carry Games

Via Premier League Extra Time Package and TV Everywhere

STAMFORD, Conn. – July 29, 2013 – Following the Premier League’s announcement of the first three months of the 2013-14 schedule on July 11, NBC Sports Group today released its television schedule for that time period featuring live coverage of all 130 matches, beginning Saturday, August 17 at 7:00 AM ET on NBC Sports Network with the Liverpool-Stoke matchup.

A total of 69 Premier League matches – at least five games each week in the season’s first three months – will be presented on NBC Sports Network, NBC and CNBC with all games preceded and followed by Premier League Live pre- and post-match shows from the NBC Sports Group International Broadcast Center in Stamford, Conn.

The 61 remaining Premier League matches will be made available on Premier League Extra Time, a bonus television package available to MVPDs at no extra cost for customers who receive NBC Sports Network.

In addition, 27 matches in the season’s first three months will be telecast in Spanish by Telemundo and mun2.

All Premier League games will be streamed on NBC Sports Live Extra, NBC Sports Group’s live streaming product for desktops, mobile devices and tablets. Games airing on NBC Sports Network will be live streamed via “TV Everywhere,” the media industry’s effort to make quality content available to MVPD customers both in and out of the home and on multiple platforms.

Premier League Matches, First 3 Months, By Outlet
NBC Sports Network - 57
NBC - 10
CNBC - 2
Telemundo/mun2 - 27
NBC Sports Live Extra - 130
Premier League Extra Time - 61

To date, AT&T U-verse[emoji]174[/emoji], Cablevision’s Optimum, Comcast’s Xfinity TV, DIRECTV, DISH, and Suddenlink have opted to carry the additional Premier League matches via the Premier League Extra Time package, and AT&T U-verse, Cablevision’s Optimum, Comcast’s Xfinity TV, Cox, DIRECTV, DISH, Suddenlink and Verizon FiOS will make all Premier League games available through TV Everywhere. Additionally, over 100 NCTC partners have either signed-on to the Premier League Extra Time package or have opted-in via TV Everywhere, including Blue Ridge Communications, Buckeye CableSystem, CenturyLink Prism, and RCN.

Following are schedule highlights for the first three months of the Premier League season:

Saturday, August 17, 7:45 AM ET on NBCSN

LIVERPOOL v STOKE

NBC Sports Group’s first-ever telecast of Premier League action features the Liverpool-Stoke matchup.

Saturday, August 17, 12:30 PM ET on NBC & mun 2

SWANSEA CITY v MANCHESTER UNITED

Manager David Moyes takes the reins of the Premier League’s most decorated team – returning champions Manchester United – from their legendary manager of over 26 years, Sir Alex Ferguson. The Red Devils’ first test comes against a fiery Swansea side.

Sunday, August 18, 11:00 AM ET on NBCSN & mun2

CHELSEA v HULL CITY

Chelsea, last season’s third-place finishers, begin their campaign against newly promoted side, Hull City.Jose Mourinho, “the Special One,” is back as the Blues manager to the delight of the Chelsea faithful. With an all-star international line-up, Chelsea will be looking for strong showing against the Tigers, whose quest to avoid a trip back to the Championship begins against one of the Premier League’s perennial powers.

Saturday, August 24, 10:00 AM ET on TBD

STOKE CITY v CRYSTAL PALACE

Stoke, established in 1863, are the oldest club in the Premier League and in their first home match of the campaign, they host newly promoted London-side Crystal Palace. Stoke were known for playing an aggressive, physical style of soccer but new manager Mark Hughes is looking to change that, and playing against colorful manager Ian Holloway’s Crystal Palace, that now boasts rising Spain star and exciting midfielder Jose Campana, will provide an early measuring stick for both the Stoke team in transition and Palace’s rising star.

Monday, August 26, 3:00 PM ET on NBCSN

MANCHESTER UNITED v CHELSEA

In just the second week of the campaign, last season’s first- and third-place finishers meet at the Premier League’s largest stadium, Manchester United’s Old Trafford. Eight of the last nine Premier League titles have been won by either United or Chelsea and both clubs will be under tremendous scrutiny this season with new managers.

Sunday, September 1, 8:30 AM ET on NBSCN, Telemundo

LIVERPOOL v MANCHESTER UNITED

The two most decorated teams in English soccer history simply do not like each other. At Liverpool’s historic Anfield, the Reds’ beloved captain and star Steven Gerrard, aka “Stevie G”, will look to help his side earn three points against United in the Premier League for the first time since March 2011.
Sunday, September 1, 11:00 AM ET on NBSCN & mun2

ARSENAL v TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

Arsenal host neighbors Tottenham at Emirates Stadium for the first edition of the season’s North London Derby and for a tough, early test at home for Arsenal. The rivalry between the Gunners and Spurs dates to the early 1900s, and with Arsenal having finished directly above Tottenham in the table the last four seasons, Tottenham will be looking to make an early statement that their place in the standings belongs above Arsenal.

Saturday, September 14, 10:00 AM ET on TBD

HULL CITY v CARDIFF CITY

Hull and Cardiff, both promoted at the end of last season, meet early on in their Premier League campaigns, and as familiar foes, having faced each other the last three seasons in England’s second tier Championship, the Tigers and the Bluebirds will be eager to prove they belong in the league when the world is watching.
Sunday, September 22, 11:00 AM ET on NBCSN & Telemundo

MANCHESTER CITY v MANCHESTER UNITED

This season’s first installment of one of the league’s most riveting local rivalries, the Manchester Derby, kicks off at the Etihad on September 22. The Manchester teams’ stadiums are just four miles apart, but their distaste for one another is huge. City dramatically won the title on the final day of the season in 2012, leaving the Red Devils in second, while United were crowned champions in 2013 and City were runners-up. The competitiveness and physical distance between these two sides always makes for an electric game, and this time both clubs will be playing under new managers.

Sunday, October 27, 9:30 AM ET on NBCSN & mun2

CHELSEA v MANCHESTER CITY

Last season’s second- and third-place finishers are sure to provide an exciting match — Chelsea finished just one win behind City last season. By the end of October, the teams’ new managers and summer signings should be settled in to their roles, so this match should offer more of a glimpse as to these teams’ chances at the coveted trophy.

Sunday, October 27, 12 Noon ET on NBCSN & mun2

SUNDERLAND v NEWCASTLE UNITED

Sunderland’s Stadium of Light hosts the season’s first installment of the Tyne-Wear Derby, the name given to any match between Sunderland and Newcastle. Just 12 miles separate the Magpies and the Black Cats, and last season, Newcastle edged out Sunderland to finish 16th, but both teams sat dangerously close to the relegation zone. American forward Jozy Altidore, recently signed by Sunderland, will be a player to watch as he works to prove he’s a Premier League force.

Sunday November 3, 11:00 AM ET on NBCSN & mun2

CARDIFF CITY v SWANSEA CITY

The South Wales Derby between Welsh sides Cardiff City and Swansea City is one of the most widely anticipated matches of the season. With Cardiff’s promotion at the end of last season, the Bluebirds will be playing top-flight soccer for the first time in 51 years, and two Welsh teams will be playing in England’s top flight for the first time ever.

Saturday, November 9, 10:00 AM ET on TBD

LIVERPOOL v FULHAM

This match features two American owners as Liverpool and owners Fenway Sports Group host Fulham and owner Shahid Khan, who also owns the Jacksonville Jaguars. While the Red Sox and Jaguars will have nothing to do with this match, the American influence in the Premier League will be on display as Liverpool, who need a successful season more than ever, face the Cottagers.

Sunday, November 10, 11:10 AM ET on NBCSN & Telemundo

MANCHESTER UNITED v ARSENAL

Last season’s leading scorer Dutch star Robin van Persie, aka “RVP,” welcomes his former club to Manchester United’s Old Trafford. RVP managed a goal in both matches last season against the Gunners, and with the 2012-13 Premier League title in his back pocket as well, his news-grabbing move from the Emirates last season has paid off. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will look for some magic from his scoring threats Lukas Podolski, Theo Walcott, Olivier Giroud, and Santi Cazorla.

Saturday, November 23, 7:45 AM ET on NBCSN & mun2

EVERTON v LIVERPOOL

The Merseyside Derby, the longest running top-flight rivalry in England (played at the highest level of English competition since 1962-63), features the Blues of Everton against the Reds of Liverpool. The two clubs know each other well; their stadiums sit less than a mile apart, and they are playing for the 221st time. Though Liverpool are the historically better side, Everton finished 6th, one spot ahead of Stevie G’s lads last season. With both clubs scratching at the door to the top-5 and European play, the Merseyside Derby at Goodison Park holds much meaning for both sides.

Following is the NBCUniversal schedule for the first three months of the Premier League season:

(NOTE: TBD indicates that there will be one match in that time slot on NBCSN, in some cases one match on mun2, and remaining non-NBCSN games on Premier League Extra Time. Final channel assignments for those matches will be made in the coming weeks.)

Date Time (ET) Home Away Network

Sat., Aug. 17 7:45 a.m. Liverpool Stoke NBCSN
10 a.m. Arsenal Aston Villa TBD
10 a.m. Norwich Everton TBD
10 a.m. Sunderland Fulham TBD
10 a.m. West Ham Cardiff TBD
10 a.m. West Brom Southampton TBD
12:30 p.m. Swansea Man United NBC, mun2

Sun., Aug. 18 8:30 a.m. Crystal Palace Tottenham NBCSN
11 a.m. Chelsea Hull NBCSN

Mon., Aug. 19 3 p.m. Man City Newcastle NBCSN

Wed., Aug. 21 2:30 p.m. Chelsea Aston Villa NBCSN

Sat., Aug. 24 7:45 a.m. Fulham Arsenal NBCSN, mun2
10 a.m. Newcastle West Ham TBD
10 a.m. Everton West Brom TBD
10 a.m. Southampton Sunderland TBD
10 a.m. Hull Norwich TBD
10 a.m. Stoke Crystal Palace TBD
12:30 p.m. Aston Villa Liverpool NBC

Sun., Aug. 25 11 a.m. Tottenham Swansea TBD
11 a.m. Cardiff Man City TBD

Mon., Aug 26 3 p.m. Man United Chelsea NBCSN

Sat., Aug. 31 7:45 a.m. Man City Hull NBCSN
10 a.m. Newcastle Fulham TBD
10 a.m. Cardiff Everton TBD
10 a.m. West Ham Stoke TBD
10 a.m. West Brom Swansea TBD
10 a.m. Norwich Southampton TBD
12:30 p.m. Crystal Palace Sunderland NBC

Sun., Sept. 1 8:30 a.m. Liverpool Man United NBCSN, Telemundo
11 a.m. Arsenal Tottenham NBCSN, mun2

Sat., Sept. 14 7:45 a.m. Man United Crystal Palace NBCSN, mun2
10 a.m. Sunderland Arsenal TBD
10 a.m. Stoke Man City TBD
10 a.m. Tottenham Norwich TBD
10 a.m. Aston Villa Newcastle TBD
10 a.m. Fulham West Brom TBD
10 a.m. Hull Cardiff TBD
12:30 p.m. Everton Chelsea NBC, mun2

Sun., Sept. 15 11 a.m. Southampton West Ham NBCSN

Mon., Sept. 16 3 p.m. Swansea Liverpool NBCSN

Sat., Sept. 21 7:45 a.m. Norwich Aston Villa NBCSN
10 a.m. Cardiff Tottenham TBD
10 a.m. Liverpool Southampton TBD
10 a.m. West Ham Everton TBD
10 a.m. West Brom Sunderland TBD
10 a.m. Newcastle Hull TBD
10 a.m. Crystal Palace Swansea TBD
12:30 p.m. Chelsea Fulham NBCSN, mun2

Sun., Sept. 22 8:30 a.m. Arsenal Stoke CNBC, mun2
11 a.m. Man City Man United NBCSN, Telemundo

Sat., Sept. 28 7:45 a.m. Tottenham Chelsea NBCSN, mun2
10 a.m. Aston Villa Man City TBD
10 a.m. Man United West Brom TBD
10 a.m. Fulham Cardiff TBD
10 a.m. Hull West Ham TBD
10 a.m. Southampton Crystal Palace TBD
12:30 p.m. Swansea Arsenal NBC

Sun., Sept. 29 8:30 a.m. Stoke Norwich NBCSN
11 a.m. Sunderland Liverpool NBCSN

Mon., Sept. 30 3 p.m. Everton Newcastle NBCSN

Sat., Oct. 5 7:45 a.m. Man City Everton NBCSN, mun2
10 a.m. Tottenham West Ham TBD
10 a.m. Liverpool Crystal Palace TBD
10 a.m. Cardiff Newcastle TBD
10 a.m. Fulham Stoke TBD
10 a.m. Hull Aston Villa TBD
10 a.m. Southampton Swansea TBD
12:30 p.m. Sunderland Man United NBCSN, mun2

Sun., Oct. 6 8:30 a.m. Norwich Chelsea NBCSN
11 a.m. West Brom Arsenal NBCSN

Sat., Oct. 19 7:45 a.m. Newcastle Liverpool NBCSN
10 a.m. Man United Southampton TBD
10 a.m. Arsenal Norwich TBD
10 a.m. Chelsea Cardiff TBD
10 a.m. Everton Hull TBD
10 a.m. Swansea Sunderland TBD
10 a.m. Stoke West Brom TBD
12:30 p.m. West Ham Man City NBC

Sun., Oct. 20 11 a.m. Aston Villa Tottenham NBCSN, mun2

Mon., Oct. 21 3 p.m. Crystal Palace Fulham NBCSN

Sat., Oct. 26 7:45 a.m. Crystal Palace Arsenal NBCSN
10 a.m. Man United Stoke TBD
10 a.m. Liverpool West Brom TBD
10 a.m. Tottenham Hull TBD
10 a.m. Aston Villa Everton TBD
10 a.m. Swansea West Ham TBD
10 a.m. Norwich Cardiff TBD
12:30 p.m. Southampton Fulham NBCSN

Sun., Oct. 27 9:30 a.m. Chelsea Man City NBCSN, mun2
Noon Sunderland Newcastle NBCSN

Sat., Nov. 2 8:45 Newcastle Chelsea NBCSN
11 a.m. Fulham Man United TBD
11 a.m. Man City Norwich TBD
11 a.m. Hull Sunderland TBD
11 a.m. West Ham Aston Villa TBD
11 a.m. Stoke Southampton TBD
11 a.m. West Brom Crystal Palace TBD
1:30 Arsenal Liverpool NBC, mun2

Sun., Nov. 3 8:30 a.m. Everton Tottenham CNBC
11 a.m. Cardiff Swansea NBCSN

Sat., Nov. 9 10 a.m. Liverpool Fulham TBD
10 a.m. Crystal Palace Everton TBD
10 a.m. Swansea Stoke TBD
10 a.m. Aston Villa Cardiff TBD
10 a.m. Southampton Hull TBD
10 a.m. Chelsea West Brom TBD
12:30 p.m. Norwich West Ham NBC

Sun., Nov. 10 7 a.m. Tottenham Newcastle NBCSN
9:05 a.m. Sunderland Man City NBCSN
11:10 a.m. Man United Arsenal NBCSN, Telemundo

Sat., Nov. 23 7:45 a.m. Everton Liverpool NBCSN, mun2
10 a.m. Arsenal Southampton TBD
10 a.m. Fulham Swansea TBD
10 a.m. Stoke Sunderland TBD
10 a.m. Newcastle Norwich TBD
10 a.m. Hull Crystal Palace TBD
12:30 Man City Tottenham NBC, mun2

Sun., Nov. 24 8:30 a.m. West Ham Chelsea NBCSN
11 a.m. Cardiff Man United NBCSN, mun2

Mon., Nov. 25 3 p.m. West Brom Aston Villa NBCSN

Sat., Nov. 30 7:45 a.m. Tottenham Man United NBCSN, Telemundo
10 a.m. Man City Swansea TBD
10 a.m. Cardiff Arsenal TBD
10 a.m. Everton Stoke TBD
10 a.m. Aston Villa Sunderland TBD
10 a.m. West Ham Fulham TBD
10 a.m. Norwich Crystal Palace TBD
12:30 p.m. Newcastle West Brom NBC

Sun., Dec. 1 8:30 a.m. Hull Liverpool NBCSN
11 a.m. Chelsea Southampton NBCSN
 
Gomis looks to be headed to Newcastle and he'll sit out OL's champs league match tomorrow...Newcastle are trying to build a French based team like Arsenal but they were horrendous so I'm not worried :lol Gomis has been wanting out for a while
 
Would have loved to have seen this... happened a few days ago when he played in a charity match.

Craig Norwood ‏

@CraigNorwood 27 Jul

Scholes spotted his mates drinking beer in the stands at Stalybridge tonight, said "watch this" - pinged the ball 25-yards, beer everywhere.
 
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