France Transfer Rumors: Anelka, Wenger, and…Dhorasoo!?

June 19th, 2007 | by: Laurie |

First, a quick update on the players we’ve already talked about. Thierry Henry? We’ll talk about him in a second. David Trezeguet? Most recently linked to Valencia, but rumors about him staying at Juventus are still swirling. Juve seems to have moved on, however, and is being linked to other strikers all over the place. I wouldn’t be too surprised to see a quick, panicky rebound move by David, just so he can show the world he’s wanted. Florent Malouda seems to be creeping ever-closer to Chelsea (NO!!!!! NOT CHELSEA!!), but Eric Abidal was so insulted by Barcelona’s low offer that there’s a chance he may be staying at Lyon. And Alou Diarra either wants to play ONLY in the EPL and is going to Portsmouth, or has NO desire to play for Portsmouth and declined the offer. I received both rumors on the same day.

That’s the old news. What about brand new rumors? Nicolas Anelka to Arsenal, perhaps? This isn’t actually a new rumor — I wrote about it way back during the January transfer window. But for some reason it seems a bit more possible now, possibly because Anelka really does seem to be a changed man with a much more mature outlook on life. Or maybe it’s just because I would REALLY love to see Anelka at Arsenal. I think the team matches his playing style so much better than Bolton. (Oh, and Nico? Bring Florent with you, okay?) Also, Anelka is still being linked to Big Sam in his new gig at Newcastle. But I’m ignoring this one, kindergarten-style, sticking my fingers in my ears and hollering “LALALALALA I’m NOT LISTENING!! I’m NOT LISTENING!!” because I don’t want it to be true.

Pssst! Nico! Go to Arsenal!!!

One thing that could throw a monkey wrench in the Arsenal thing, though? An Arsene Wenger move to Barcelona. Wenger has apparently been less-than-happy since the David Dein’s departure, and Barcelona is less than happy with current manager Rijkaard now that Barcelona has lost the La Liga title to Real Madrid. Is there a match to be made here? Arsene is swearing that he’ll finish out the final year on his contract, but he hasn’t seemed too interested in signing a new one. If he does leave, you can probably expect to see Thierry Henry in blue and red very soon.

And just when I’d completely written off his soccer career and pretty much forgotten about him, Vikash Dhorasoo has arisen, phoenix-like, from the ashes of his PSG firing. Or maybe not. Late last week it looked like a move to Sochaux was a sure thing. Yesterday, though? Jean-Claude Plessis, president of Sochaux, said, “We dreamed for a moment, but reality caught up with us.”

Ouch.

I’m sorry, Vikash. But you’ll always have the film. That’s something you can build on. Right?

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sandrahn

“(Oh, and Nico? Bring Florent with you, okay?)”

From your lips to the Football Gods’ ears, Laurie. I will throw several loud tantrums if Malouda goes to Chelsea!

As for Wenger….I don’t believe this at all. IF Wenger leaves, it will be when his contract ends next season. Something to know about Wenger: every single time he re-negotiates his contract with the club, he leaves it to the last minute and never comes out and says to the press “I’m signing a new contract, I’m staying on.” He keeps it close, always.

That said, he has been saying for some time now that he can’t keep going on forever, that he won’t be at Arsenal as long as Fergie’s been at Man United, that his family has put up with him being away from them for so long, that he’s getting older, etc. The David Dein thing might just be the final incentive for him to go (or decide to move upstairs at the club). Dein’s sudden departure has definitely affected the club’s internal situtation.

But I’d think it more likely that he would just retire (tho maybe not permanently). Wenger’s life has been at Arsenal for so long that I can’t see him suddenly adopting a new club. He’s committed so much time and energy toward re-building the squad, scouting and bringing in new players, letting old ones go. This young squad is entirely his creation, he’s passionately committed to see them develop.

Anything’s possible, of course. But Wenger’s not like other managers who flit and fly between clubs and countries after a few years. It’s not his style.
http://lyon.theoffside.com Inara

Nico at Arsenal…that would be a GREAT move for both parties. It sucks for Nico that he plays for Bolton, a club that fights for the UEFA Cup every season when he really deserves the CL. I hope Wenger will be able to get him.
sandrahn

Apparently Sam Allardyce (Nico’s manager at Bolton, he’s now at Newcastle) has been praised for handling Nico very well, disciplining him, keeping him under control, helping him to settle down. But a gifted player like him doesn’t belong in a club like Bolton — under Allardyce Bolton’s style of play has been known for its incredibly boring, super-physical, unimaginative play — lots of long balls and set pieces, atrocious tackles, etc. At least if Nico had been at Reading, he’d be at a club that plays good, positive attacking football where his talents could flourish. Wenger had only praise for Reading this season, and their manager Steve Coppell, saying they were one of the few teams to come to the Emirates to play with intelligence.
Jo

Hello Laurie. Sorry for being so long. According to m y friends, the vest way to buy your places is on the FFF website for France / Ecosse, and on the OL website for Lyon / Metz. But maybe I will have free ones for this match. I’ll tell U. Just tell me when U know if U come to Lyon !
http://france.worldcupblog.org Laurie

Jo, would you or anyone else in France do me a favor and see if you can find a link from the fff site for tickets to this game? I’ve found the spot in the biletterie where it seems the link SHOULD be, but no link I can find. Or are they not on sale yet? If I’m going to do this (and I’m not sure yet) I’ll need to get on my reservations soon.
Jo

You’re right… that’s seems so incredible, but I search on every famous site to buy tickets, and no one propose to ! I don’t stop searching ! I’ll tell you when I know what’s happened with this match.
Jo

Laurie, I think I’ve found.
http://www.ticketnet.fr says that it’s impossible to buy this tickets yet. I will receive an email when that will possible.
You’ll be the first to know it
Or, if U want to, U can go there : http://www.ticketnet.fr/shop/fr/manif.asp?idmanif=125812 and then sign up to have the alert email
http://france.worldcupblog.org Laurie

Thank, Jo! You’re an angel.