Almost missed this one, but it is still Feb. 18 here on the west coast. So happy birthday to Chelsea and Bleus defensive midfielder Claude Makelele, who turns 34 today!
Claude made headlines after the World Cup when Bleus coach Raymond Domenech forced him back into international play by invoking obscure [...]

Congratulations to Bleus’ left-back Eric Abidal and goalkeeper Grégory Coupet, who have both been selected “to join the Europe XI in the European celebration match against Manchester United FC at Old Trafford, Manchester on 13 March.”
I’ve been searching for more info on the remainder of the team, but all I can [...]

A couple of weeks ago, I was wondering here how long it would take Bleus and Arsenal defender William Gallas to get fit and healthy. You’ll recall that Gallas has been out with a thigh injury since November — an injury Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger still blames on France Coach Raymond Domenech because Raymond [...]

Dear Dave Sarachan, coach of the Chicago Fire:
Was it your goal to ruin my weekend, stomp on my illusions and destroy my dreams? Because if so, well, congratulations.
Alas, folks, contrary to what was reported by the Washington Post this morning, ChicagoSports.com is now reporting that “there have been no conversations [...]

I keep track of all my French guys with Google Alert e-mails. I always save the ones about Nicolas Anelka, (aka my favorite bad boy) for last because I know there’s a higher-than-average chance that there will be something fun there. And this week there has been.
First I get the news [...]

I started up the LA Galaxy Offside blog so I could get in on the Beckham fun and madness. It looks like that may have been premature. Because guess who’s apparently in serious talks with the Chicago Fire (and NOT the New York Red Bulls as previously reported.)
Yes, this would apparently [...]

I’ll ‘fess up here. Lilian Thuram is my favorite current Bleu. I’m madly in love with his instincts on the field, where he and William Gallas created a virtually impenetrable center defense and were instrumental in getting France to the World Cup final. And I love his social activism off the field. [...]

This came from the LA Times and was written by Mike Penner. You have NO idea how much I with I’d thought of this first!.
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Raging Bull?
Rumor: Zinedine Zidane is considering a move to the New York Red Bulls of Major League Soccer.
Fact: The Red Bulls are named after and sponsored by the energy drink [...]

I think I have a new favorite English language blog**, which at least semi-frequently covers French soccer: The Bean Town Frog.
Be sure to check out the site if you love French soccer. His thoughts on the France-Argentina game are the kind of insightful analysis that I, too, would have done last week. [...]

I’m thinking it’s not a good thing for me to write about players with love and TLC in my heart. It didn’t work out so well for Trezeguet last week. And now…well, let’s have a look at my second-favorite** former Bleu, Nantes goalkeeper Fabien Barthez.
As you’ll surely remember, Fabien signed with [...]