***Official Soccer Discussion Thread*** (4 Viewers)

[The Gator]

If Suarez does go, he'd miss only one meaningful game....the Tottenham game. Maybe away to Swansea, too....

H-Villa

A-Fulham

H-Tottenham

A-Sunderlan

H-Stoke

A-Swansea

 

[CletiusMaximus]

Here's what I don't understand about the 40M offer for Suarez-

As I understand it, if a bid in the amount of a release clause is made, then the club currently owning the player is obligated to accept that and the would-be buyer then sees if they can't hammer out a contract with the player. If another club comes in and bids more, then that offer could in turn be accepted by the selling club, but if nobody else does, they're sort of out of luck.

That would mean that Liverpool can't reject Arsenal's bid for Suarez. Is that not the way this works?

They didn't trigger his release clause. You would be correct if they had, then it would be out of Liverpools hands.

Here's what I don't understand about the 40M offer for Suarez-

As I understand it, if a bid in the amount of a release clause is made, then the club currently owning the player is obligated to accept that and the would-be buyer then sees if they can't hammer out a contract with the player. If another club comes in and bids more, then that offer could in turn be accepted by the selling club, but if nobody else does, they're sort of out of luck.

That would mean that Liverpool can't reject Arsenal's bid for Suarez. Is that not the way this works?

It's not a buy out clause. It's a clause that once reached, the club have to inform the player that they have received an official bid.

Tony Barrett, in The Times (subscription)

http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/sport/football/clubs/arsenal/article3823768.ece

Arsenal have failed in their latest attempt to sign Luis Suárez despite making an extraordinary offer of £40,000,001 that they had hoped would force Liverpool to sell the Uruguay forward.

The eye-catching figure was formulated by Suárezs agent, Pere Guardiola, who believed that Liverpool would have to allow his client to leave in the event of any interested party offering in excess of £40 million.

Liverpool have always held a different interpretation of the relevant clause in the former Ajax players contract, however, insisting that they need only to consider such a offer, and their conviction that is the case resulted in a swift rejection of Arsenals latest bid.

Liverpool officials were bemused by the nature of Arsenals latest attempt to acquire Suárez, particularly after Ian Ayre, the Anfield clubs managing director, informed Ivan Gazidis, the Arsenal chief executive, over a fortnight ago that £40 million would not be enough to buy the 26-year-old regardless of whatever encouragement Guardiola was offering them.

That came in the immediate aftermath of Arsenals initial £30 million offer, which they claimed would be their first and only bid. Arsène Wengers growing belief that Suárez is willing to join Arsenal, however, encouraged the North London club to submit an improved offer. After Liverpool also gave that proposal short shrift, they will have to decide whether or not to continue their pursuit.

In keeping with their own analysis of Suárezs contract, Liverpool will inform the player of Arsenals latest offer after their pre-season friendly against Melbourne Victory today.

Yeah, I saw that. So WTF is the purpose of this "inform clause"? It seems like an awfully toothless clause to have in there, no?

Agreed, who knows with these agents, though. Maybe it's just there to get a play unsettled and keep the club from denying bids if things get that high.

My first thought was maybe his Ajax contract is written in Dutch, and there's a translation issue between "consider" and "accept".

 

[The Gator]

 

[Slapdash]

Here's what I don't understand about the 40M offer for Suarez-

As I understand it, if a bid in the amount of a release clause is made, then the club currently owning the player is obligated to accept that and the would-be buyer then sees if they can't hammer out a contract with the player. If another club comes in and bids more, then that offer could in turn be accepted by the selling club, but if nobody else does, they're sort of out of luck.

That would mean that Liverpool can't reject Arsenal's bid for Suarez. Is that not the way this works?

They didn't trigger his release clause. You would be correct if they had, then it would be out of Liverpools hands.

Here's what I don't understand about the 40M offer for Suarez-

As I understand it, if a bid in the amount of a release clause is made, then the club currently owning the player is obligated to accept that and the would-be buyer then sees if they can't hammer out a contract with the player. If another club comes in and bids more, then that offer could in turn be accepted by the selling club, but if nobody else does, they're sort of out of luck.

That would mean that Liverpool can't reject Arsenal's bid for Suarez. Is that not the way this works?

It's not a buy out clause. It's a clause that once reached, the club have to inform the player that they have received an official bid.

Tony Barrett, in The Times (subscription)http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/sport/football/clubs/arsenal/article3823768.eceArsenal have failed in their latest attempt to sign Luis Suárez despite making an extraordinary offer of £40,000,001 that they had hoped would force Liverpool to sell the Uruguay forward.

The eye-catching figure was formulated by Suárez’s agent, Pere Guardiola, who believed that Liverpool would have to allow his client to leave in the event of any interested party offering in excess of £40 million.Liverpool have always held a different interpretation of the relevant clause in the former Ajax player’s contract, however, insisting that they need only to consider such a offer, and their conviction that is the case resulted in a swift rejection of Arsenal’s latest bid.

Liverpool officials were bemused by the nature of Arsenal’s latest attempt to acquire Suárez, particularly after Ian Ayre, the Anfield club’s managing director, informed Ivan Gazidis, the Arsenal chief executive, over a fortnight ago that £40 million would not be enough to buy the 26-year-old regardless of whatever encouragement Guardiola was offering them.

That came in the immediate aftermath of Arsenal’s initial £30 million offer, which they claimed would be their first and only bid. Arsène Wenger’s growing belief that Suárez is willing to join Arsenal, however, encouraged the North London club to submit an improved offer. After Liverpool also gave that proposal short shrift, they will have to decide whether or not to continue their pursuit.In keeping with their own analysis of Suárez’s contract, Liverpool will inform the player of Arsenal’s latest offer after their pre-season friendly against Melbourne Victory today.

Yeah, I saw that. So WTF is the purpose of this "inform clause"? It seems like an awfully toothless clause to have in there, no?

Agreed, who knows with these agents, though. Maybe it's just there to get a player unsettled and keep the club from denying bids if things get that high.

Guardiola again.

 

[T Bell]

If Suarez does go, he'd miss only one meaningful game....the Tottenham game. Maybe away to Swansea, too....

H-Villa

A-Fulham

H-Tottenham

A-Sunderlan

H-Stoke

A-Swansea

There'd also be some League Cup matches to eat up some of the suspension as well.

 

[The Gator]

If Suarez does go, he'd miss only one meaningful game....the Tottenham game. Maybe away to Swansea, too....

H-Villa

A-Fulham

H-Tottenham

A-Sunderlan

H-Stoke

A-Swansea

There'd also be some League Cup matches to eat up some of the suspension as well.

Correct and iirc there was one for Liverpool within that timeframe. So he'd be back for Swansea

 

[Good Posting Judge]

I'm going to redouble my efforts to follow the Swans this year.

#### YOU CARDIFF.

 

[The Gator]

I'm going to redouble my efforts to follow the Swans this year.

#### YOU CARDIFF.

I'll take the bluebirds since they switched their colors from blue to red :upgrade: #####theblues

another reason i want to follow this is because as soon as the schedule came put there were complaints about the late game time start. They don't want people getting pissed and killing each other.

 

[bentley]

This quote is pretty much the story of my life.

Cardiff fans are notorious for drinking rather than causing trouble, but the problem is it tends to lead to that when people have had all day to spend in the pub beforehand.

 

[T Bell]

I'm going to redouble my efforts to follow the Swans this year.

#### YOU CARDIFF.

I love Swans, actually. Underdog that plays attractive footy. Your girlfriend/wife can even drool over Laudrup while you watch the mad tekkers. What's not to like?

 

[T Bell]

This quote is pretty much the story of my life.

Cardiff fans are notorious for drinking rather than causing trouble, but the problem is it tends to lead to that when people have had all day to spend in the pub beforehand.

They say it like it's a bad thing.

 

[dparker713]

What's the shark move for Gold Cup final tickets? Buy now and risk a loss to Honduras or wait until Wednesday night and risk a big price jump? It seems I can get decent seats for me and my son for approx 100-125 per right now.

Cost doesn't skyrocket if the US wins, it skyrockets if Mexico wins.

 

[CletiusMaximus]

I'm going to redouble my efforts to follow the Swans this year.

#### YOU CARDIFF.

I love Swans, actually. Underdog that plays attractive footy. Your girlfriend/wife can even drool over Laudrup while you watch the mad tekkers. What's not to like?

###hole ballboys

 

[Good Posting Judge]

I'm going to redouble my efforts to follow the Swans this year.

#### YOU CARDIFF.

I love Swans, actually. Underdog that plays attractive footy. Your girlfriend/wife can even drool over Laudrup while you watch the mad tekkers. What's not to like?

###hole ballboys

:dempseyface:

My wife likes those slicky-boy Italians.

 

[berndog]

I'm going to redouble my efforts to follow the Swans this year.

#### YOU CARDIFF.

Swansea is my team and they have had a solid offseason. If Bony and Michu click they will be dangerous up front and so far they have kept Ashley Williams to keep them strong in the back.

 

[SmoovySmoov]

:goosebumps:

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

One of these days, the fans should sing some other Broadway standard. Maybe Send In the Clowns.

 

[Mjolnirs]

Also, Stadium has banned drums and banners from the Outlaws. Ridiculous. Wonder if they will enforce that policy on the Mexican game too.

Sounds like some anti Jones songs are in order.

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

AO are saying that the drum ban has been lifted, but still no banners. Guess we'll have to scrap my tifo portraying Jones as Emperor Palpatine.

 

[Sebowski]

Also, Stadium has banned drums and banners from the Outlaws. Ridiculous. Wonder if they will enforce that policy on the Mexican game too.

Sounds like some anti Jones songs are in order.

Either it was a bad report or they got enough #### for it that they lifted the drum ban. I'm still for the anti Jones songs though.

 

[T Bell]

From an Arsenal board:

"Wenger has rubbished reports of having bid 40.000.000 and 1 pound for Suarez! The one pound was atually for Downing!"

 

[Mjolnirs]

What your defending European Champions will be wearing during CL matches this season

 

[CletiusMaximus]

Pretty good depth at Bayern...

https://twitter.com/danielstorey85/status/359963235744636928/photo/1

 

[Good Posting Judge]

Pretty good depth at Bayern...

https://twitter.com/danielstorey85/status/359963235744636928/photo/1

jfc. Those are two CL-caliber XI's.

I like those CL unis.

 

[The Gator]

From an Arsenal board:

"Wenger has rubbished reports of having bid 40.000.000 and 1 pound for Suarez! The one pound was atually for Downing!"

Downing has more trophies than arsenal since he's been at Liverpool....#MiddlesbroughMessi

 

[The Z Machine]

LOL at Robben not in the "A" squad.

 

[T Bell]

From an Arsenal board:

"Wenger has rubbished reports of having bid 40.000.000 and 1 pound for Suarez! The one pound was atually for Downing!"

Downing has more trophies than arsenal since he's been at Liverpool....#MiddlesbroughMessi

You mean that League Cup win that wasn't even enough to save Dalglish's job?

 

[The Gator]

Birmingham City sends their regards

 

[The Gator]

@John_W_Henry - What do you think they're smoking over there at Emirates?

 

[T Bell]

Birmingham City sends their regards

The club with a new stadium that never left the CL sends its regards.

 

[T Bell]

@John_W_Henry - What do you think they're smoking over there at Emirates?

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1075643_10151753985594110_1653886370_n.jpg

 

[The Gator]

@John_W_Henry - What do you think they're smoking over there at Emirates?

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1075643_10151753985594110_1653886370_n.jpg

Hendo shouldn't be included in there...he'd keep everyone but Wilshire on the bench at Arsenal

 

[Good Posting Judge]

Do we know how proficient Suarez is at kicking balls into trash cans?

 

[T Bell]

@John_W_Henry - What do you think they're smoking over there at Emirates?

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1075643_10151753985594110_1653886370_n.jpg

Hendo shouldn't be included in there...he'd keep everyone but Wilshire on the bench at Arsenal

He couldn't carry Cazorla's jock.

 

[Steve Tasker]

@John_W_Henry - What do you think they're smoking over there at Emirates?

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1075643_10151753985594110_1653886370_n.jpg

Hendo shouldn't be included in there...he'd keep everyone but Wilshire on the bench at Arsenal

Shtick?

Henderson is a fine player, but I'd rather have Wilshere, Cazorla, Arteta, Ramsey, Diaby*, and perhaps Rosicky ahead of him if I were putting a team together to play a game today. And I'm far from some "Arsenal's players are all amazing OMG championship so good" apologist fanboy.

* assuming he's healthy

 

[Good Posting Judge]

MARCA insisting that Higuain to Napoli is almost done, for real this time you guys, I mean if another team were interested they could still jump into the bidding, but they'd better hurry because it's suuuuper close to being done. HINT HINT ARSENE.

 

[T Bell]

MARCA insisting that Higuain to Napoli is almost done, for real this time you guys, I mean if another team were interested they could still jump into the bidding, but they'd better hurry because it's suuuuper close to being done. HINT HINT ARSENE.

I don't care if RM initially agreed on a lower number for Higuain before Ancelotti pulled the rug out from under it when he arrived - 32M for Higuain is a steal given what other, older (some far older) strikers have gone for, and given the 40M+ it would cost for them to land Suarez (if that's even possible*).

This is so, so stupid if they've allowed this to slip through their fingers.

*Liverpool's posturing not to sell, and the irony is that RM may now use their Higuain money to become a player in the Suarez sweepstakes further increasing his price.

 

[CletiusMaximus]

Looks like Thiago is starting today in the friendly against Barcelona @ Alliance. Lots of fun plot lines there for a friendly exhibition.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

Sounds like Ribery is lighting up Montoya. :X 1-0 late in the first.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

To be fair, Barca's rolling out their B team + Messi here.

 

[Sebowski]

Looks like Thiago is starting today in the friendly against Barcelona @ Alliance. Lots of fun plot lines there for a friendly exhibition.

On GolTV if anyone still has it

 

[Christo]

What your defending European Champions will be wearing during CL matches this season

That's pretty cool. But to me it needs to be red.

 

[Slapdash]

To be fair, Barca's rolling out their B team + Messi here.

Second half line-up Barcelona: Oier - KikoFemenia SergioGomez Planas Patric - Espinosa Ilie Quintilla - JoanRoman Dongou DaniNieto

 

[Good Posting Judge]

I'm excited to see Dongou play.

 

[SmoovySmoov]

@John_W_Henry - What do you think they're smoking over there at Emirates?

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1075643_10151753985594110_1653886370_n.jpg

Hendo shouldn't be included in there...he'd keep everyone but Wilshire on the bench at Arsenal

He couldn't carry Cazorla's jock.

Yep, it sure sounds like Arsenal's lack of activity in the market (what a surprise) is sure making the natives restless.

Oops

 

[Slapdash]

@John_W_Henry - What do you think they're smoking over there at Emirates?

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1075643_10151753985594110_1653886370_n.jpg

Hendo shouldn't be included in there...he'd keep everyone but Wilshire on the bench at Arsenal

He couldn't carry Cazorla's jock.

Yep, it sure sounds like Arsenal's lack of activity in the market (what a surprise) is sure making the natives restless.

Oops

When was Liverpool's last trophy? Just curious.

 

[T Bell]

@John_W_Henry - What do you think they're smoking over there at Emirates?

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1075643_10151753985594110_1653886370_n.jpg

Hendo shouldn't be included in there...he'd keep everyone but Wilshire on the bench at Arsenal

He couldn't carry Cazorla's jock.

Yep, it sure sounds like Arsenal's lack of activity in the market (what a surprise) is sure making the natives restless.

Oops

I'm definitely a Gooner, but I have no illusions about what they need to do and I'm VERY disappointed today about news of the Higuain signing with Napoli being finalized. I can't for the life of me see how getting him for 32M isn't a huge steal, particularly when it's going to require as much as 50% more than that number to get Suarez.

So yeah, I'm one of the restless natives, but it's not so much for the "8 years without a trophy" as it is with the ineptitude with which they seem to be going about their business this summer when they've got an opportunity to become a serious contender for the PL title. I don't understand what they're doing.

 

[SmoovySmoov]

@John_W_Henry - What do you think they're smoking over there at Emirates?

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1075643_10151753985594110_1653886370_n.jpg

Hendo shouldn't be included in there...he'd keep everyone but Wilshire on the bench at Arsenal

He couldn't carry Cazorla's jock.

Yep, it sure sounds like Arsenal's lack of activity in the market (what a surprise) is sure making the natives restless.

Oops

When was Liverpool's last trophy? Just curious.

2012. Same as Tahiti.

 

[Slapdash]

@John_W_Henry - What do you think they're smoking over there at Emirates?

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1075643_10151753985594110_1653886370_n.jpg

Hendo shouldn't be included in there...he'd keep everyone but Wilshire on the bench at Arsenal

He couldn't carry Cazorla's jock.

Yep, it sure sounds like Arsenal's lack of activity in the market (what a surprise) is sure making the natives restless.

Oops

When was Liverpool's last trophy? Just curious.

2012. Same as Tahiti.

FA Cup?

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

Yeah, I don't care about trophy droughts. I certainly don't think winning the Oceania Cup means anything more than winning the dumb Emirates Cup in preseason.

In terms of the health of the club, Arsene is right. "Fourth place" is a more significant trophy than the F.A. Cup. And it's a lot more significant than the League Cup. Arsenal got over 40 million from being in the Champions League last year.

I want Arsenal to win, or at least to strongly compete in, the EPL and the CL. Which means not finishing 20 + points behind the champs. I don't care about anything else. Arsene can start Gedion Zelaylem against Bradford City in the League Cup. If it works, fine. If not, I won't lose any sleep.