Premier League 2008/2009 Thread

**deangel9** · 16-07-2008 15:31

Nigel De Jong claims he is only focusing on Hamburg after being linked with a move to Newcastle United in the English press.

The Sun claimed Kevin Keegan is already in talks for the Holland international but the midfielder is only looking forward to working under Martin Jol next term.

"I am in HSV now and I am concentrating on the new season," he told Spox. "Everything else, whether there are other offers, does not interest me.

"Sure, if you have a good European Championship then it's easy to get one or the other offer but, for me, this is not so important.

"I am just focused on HSV."

The 23-year-old joined Hamburg from Ajax in 1996 and is a versatile performer who would be well suited to The Premier League.

**beavis** · 16-07-2008 16:14

London calling for Behrami

Valon Behrami's agent has revealed that he is currently in London to speak with 3 clubs about his client's future.

Lazio star Behrami has been linked to a summer move to West Ham, and reports claim that his representative is due to meet with Hammers directors.

Agent Alessandro Beltrami has confirmed that he is currently in the capital to discuss the Swiss international's future, but would not divulge the names of the teams he is speaking to.

The 23-year-old, a Lazio player for the last 3 years, could use the Webster Clause to buy out the remaining part of his contract and join a club without the need for a transfer fee.

**deangel9** · 16-07-2008 20:46

as vrea sa castige Liverpool.

nu stiu daca si poate...

**dj_b0by** · 17-07-2008 10:34

Manchester United

**Dragos2005** · 17-07-2008 10:39

Manchester United

**beavis** · 17-07-2008 14:26

Larsson could still push for City exit

Sebastian Larsson is still hoping to leave Birmingham City despite chairman David Gold's threat that it would be "over his dead body".

The relegated Blues do not want to lose the former Arsenal midfielder, who has emerged as a target for Blackburn Rovers and Newcastle United.

Larsson has rejected a new contract offer at St. Andrews and would clearly prefer to be playing at Premier League level next season, even though Gold has explained he is vital to manager Alex McLeish's plans.

**deangel9** · 17-07-2008 21:51

Mowbray Denies Meite Bid

Former Uefa Cup finalist with Marseille Meite Abdoulaye, has been rumoured to be the subject of a £1million bid from Championship winners and Premiership new boys, West Bromwich Albion.

Reports earlier in the transfer window suggest that Bolton were holding out for £3million, so Tony Mowbray's bid, if true, would have been shrugged off.

Mowbray, though, has moved to rubbish these claims. He told the Birmingham Mail: "Nothing has happened there. If comments have come out of Bolton then that is disappointing but it's just speculation and no more."

Mowbray also commented on the possibility of luring Liverpool reject Scott Carson (pictured), to the Hawthorns. "We've had conversations but we can not say any more as it may come to nothing - we don't know. We haven't set a timescale, things will either move along or they won't."

Scott Carson has also been sounded out by Stoke.

**beavis** · 18-07-2008 19:19

Denilson ready to take his chance

Arsenal star Denilson is not ready to follow compatriot Gilberto Silva out of the Emirates Stadium exit door and has made his case for a regular first team role under Arsene Wenger this season.

The Brazil youth international made 23 appearances last season but a large proportion of those came as a substitute as he acted as an understudy to Cesc Fabregas and Mathieu Flamini.

Now the Frenchman and Silva have both left North London, there is an opportunity for Denilson to establish himself in the side and the 20-year-old is determined to do just that.

After suggestions that his progress in the last 12 months has not been quite as rapid as had been hoped, Denilson has now pledged to stay at the club and prove his worth in the coming campaign.

**deangel9** · 19-07-2008 10:35

Claus Lundekvam’s testimonial ended in defeat as Celtic beat Southampton 2-0 at St Mary’s.

The SPL champions led in the 25th minute through Chris Killen’s strike and a 66th minute penalty converted by Barry Robson made sure Celtic boss Gordon Strachan was a winner on his return to the South Coast club.

Portsmouth beat Swindon 3-1 as they came from behind with goals from Hermann Hreidarsson, Jermain Defoe and Danijel Subotic, as Harry Redknapp made three changes to the side that drew 1-1 at Exeter in midweek.

The League One side led through a first half penalty from Simon Cox.

Middlesbrough opened their pre-season schedule with a 2-2 draw at York City, while Kidderminster against Plymouth finished in the same scoreline.

**beavis** · 20-07-2008 11:31

'Ade won't follow Hleb'

Arsene Wenger expects Emmanuel Adebayor to resume training with his team-mates on Monday, and the Arsenal chief is confident the striker will not follow Alexander Hleb to Barcelona.

Adebayor is still linked to the Catalonian outfit, but Wenger does not seem to be ready to lose another player this summer.

The man in charge answered reporters following the 2-1 victory against Barnet, claims his in-demand attacker will be back to training on Monday to prepare for the new Premier League season.

The Togo international, who did not attend the friendly game at Barnet, appears to still be part of his manager's plans following a top class season with The Gunners last term.

**deangel9** · 21-07-2008 10:42

Kenyon: Robinho yes, Kaka no

Although Real Madrid also want to keep Robinho, Kenyon appeared more confident that a deal can be brokered for the Brazil forward.

"It is well noted we have shown interest," Kenyon conceded.

"We have had discussions with Madrid over it and they are ongoing.

"The window is still open and we are still talking to Madrid.

"There was no offer made," he stressed about Kaka. "I have read the same articles.

"They [Milan] have made it clear that he is not for sale and we will make it clear we have not made an offer.

"There is no reason to negotiate over something they don't want to do and we have not made an offer."

**beavis** · 22-07-2008 11:40

Essien signs up for Scolari

Midfield powerhouse Michael Essien has committed his future to Chelsea by signing a new five-year contract at Stamford Bridge.

The Ghana international had been linked with a move to Inter Milano with former Blues boss Jose Mourinho but has now confirmed he will play a key role under new manager Luiz Felipe Scolari.

Essien is tied to the West London club until 2013 after putting the finishing touches to his new contract following his arrival in China for the club's pre-season tour.

Since his arrival from Lyon in 2005, Essien has proved a consistent and selfless performer for The Blues, making 143 appearances in both his favoured position of midfield and as an emergency defender when required.

**deangel9** · 22-07-2008 14:16

**beavis** · 23-07-2008 13:50

Statisticile sezonului 2007 - 2008 în Premier League

Manchester United detine recordurile pentru cele mai multe goluri marcate si cele mai putine primite (80-22). La polul opus s-a aflat Derby County (20-89). De asemenea, echipa lui Sir Alex Ferguson a castigat cele mai multe partide (27) si a adunat cele mai multe puncte pe teren propriu (52). Cea mai buna formatie in deplasare a fost Chelsea (42 de puncte).

Comparand ultimele 3 sezoane disputate in Premier League, observam ca media meciurilor castigate de gazde a scazut de la an la an: in 2005-2006 gazdele au castigat 51% din meciuri, in 2006-2007 s-au impus in 48% din partide, iar in 2007-2008 doar in 46%.

In sezonul recent incheiat s-au marcat cele mai multe goluri din ultimele 3 editii: 1002 reusite!

**deangel9** · 23-07-2008 15:18

Hammers close in on Swiss star

West Ham are in pole position to secure the signing of the 24-year-old, and it is believed he is due to undergo a medical at Upton Park ahead of a move from Serie A.

Behrami’s agent revealed his client could use the Wester Clause to be released from his contract with Lazio after a three-year stay, but Nani claims an agreement regarding a move could finally be reached.

"I hope the negotiation will be concluded," Nani told the Italian press.

"We have worked to do what is possible for a solution that doesn't consider Fifa article 17."

**T-BaG** · 23-07-2008 16:29

Manchester United cred

**baal** · 23-07-2008 16:53

Englezii de la Daily Express scriu ca este sigur faptul ca Lampard va ramane la Chelsea.

Omul cu banii de la Chlesea, Roman Abramovici, e gata sa ii indeplineasca toate dorintele lui Lampard. Contractul lui Lampard cu Chelsea o sa fie prelungit pana in 2013 cu un salariu de opt milioane de lire (circa 10 de milioane de euro) pe sezon. In cazul in care Lampard va semna, starul lui Chelsea va deveni cel mai bine platit jucator din Premier League.

**FanStiintza** · 24-07-2008 00:51

Behrami a semnat cu West Ham

Internaţionalul elveţian Valon Behrami, coleg în sezonul trecut cu românul Ştefan Radu la clubul italian Lazio Roma, a semnat un contract până în iunie 2013 cu echipa din Premier League West Ham United. West Ham a plătit în schimbul mijlocaşului dreapta al formaţiei romane cinci milioane de lire sterline.

În vârstă de 23 de ani, Behrami a mai jucat, în afară de Lazio, la formaţia elveţiană Lugano, până în 2003, la Genoa şi la Hellas Verona. La Lazio s-a transferat în 2005, în cele trei sezoane petrecute la gruparea din capitala Italiei evoluând în 64 de partide şi marcând patru goluri.

**deangel9** · 24-07-2008 00:55

Mudingayi reveals Premier League bids

The Belgium midfielder was surprised when Lazio set up a deal to send him to Bologna as he had previously shunned overtures from The Premier League.

Although admitting everything has been a bit of a whirlwind for him, Mundigayi is looking forward to representing the Rossoblu with distinction.

"I was surprised," he told Il Tempo. "Also because in the past years I have stayed despite offers from Liverpool and Tottenham.

"Even with the fact that the negotiations with Bologna went very quickly but this is a good thing.

"I am very happy. I immediately got on with my team-mates and I am sure I'll do well."