World Football Postulant

I got too busy yesterday to publish my thoughts on Shaun Wright-Phillips moving to Manchester City, though I just updated American Soccer Reader with the story.

The move came about pretty quickly.  Not so much the Wright-Phillips moved from Chelsea-part.  That seemed to be a given all summer, and it was somewhat surprising when, over the last two weeks, it seemed Wright-Phillips would not be moving.  If anything, he looked to play less under Scolari than he had last season.  But this week rumors regarding Everton and Manchester City surfaced, and while they were initially denied by Wright-Phillips, the winger moved on Thursday.

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Newcastle United midfielder James Milner has joined Aston Villa. The former England U21 international has submitted a transfer request last week in what has become a highly publicized wantaway saga. Over the last two days, the transfer request become known after the club had asked the player and his representation to keep his August 20 request private. The Professional Footballer’s Association was brought in to help in what became a dispute after the news of his transfer request leaked.

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This summer’s rumors that Samuel Eto’o might be moving to Uzbekistan might have been more than tabloid creativity, because today’s confirmed move of Rivaldo from AEK Athens to Uzbekistani side Bunyodkor proves that the Uzbek club was big game hunting.  Rivaldo may have been off the mainstream footballing radar long enough to marginalize this move, but for the 36-year-old former Barcelona star, it is one huge payday more than most would get.  He is a name that puts Bunyodkor into the news, if only momentarily.

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Like Armand Traore loan to Portsmouth last week, Philipe Senderos has become a happy casualty of Arsene Wenger’s mysterious fascination with Mikael Silvestre. The 23-year-old Swiss center back has been loaned out to Milan for the year after falling to sixth on the Arsenal depth chart.   At Milan, Senderos will have a chance a meaningful playing time, as a combination of injury, age, and lack of quality will put him into the mix.  He has to be encouraged by the move.

For Arsenal, getting Senderos a year’s playing time at an elite club while retaining his rights is good development for what’s still a young player. I am not a big fan of Senderos, but he has all the physical skills, even if he does seems to rarely use them. He had a horrible game in the second match of the Champions League quarterfinals, an unforgettable match which saw Ryan Babel draw that miracle penalty (oh, how I wish I had this blog back then) which put the Gunners out. He immediately lost his spot at the back to Alexander Song and looks unlikely to regain Arsene Wenger’s confidence.

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Everton FC has finally started adding depth. They have completed the acquisition of Lars Christian Jacobsen, a Denmark international. If you don’t know who he is, don’t worry. There are only so many footballers we can be expected to know off the top of our heads.

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The liberation of Andriy Shevchenko is complete, with the player making a permanent move to AC Milan today. Whereas the move to the San Siro was thought to be a loan, it was confirmed that the Rossoneri have fully acquired the Ukrainian striker’s rights.

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United States international left half/back Eddie Lewis has left Coca-Cola Championship side Derby to join the Los Angeles Galaxy of Major League Soccer. The Galaxy made room for Lewis by dealing Carlos Ruiz to Toronto, who have added another forward (to Chad Barrett, who they got from Chicago three weeks ago).

Lewis has been one of the more unrated contributors to the U.S. national team because of his relatively one dimensional nature. He provides service from the left but nothing much more, but his service is exquisite. It is not quite to the level of his new teammate David Beckham’s, but that’s a high standard. Lewis’s service is truly world class. Landon Donovan and Edison Buddle’s already charmed lives living on the end of Beckham’s passes just got that much easier. Let the myth that is “Landon Donovon - World Class Player” continue as he piles up goals thanks to Beckham and Lewis.

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With Mikael Silvestre now second in line at Arsenal’s left back position, 18-year-old Armand Traoré has been loaned out to Portsmouth, where he will be Hermann Hreidarsson’s understudy.

With Portsmouth being a four competition team this year, Hreidarsson’s age (34), and Harry Redknapp probably eager to evaluation Traoré for a permanent move, the French teenager will get ample playing time.  With all of Arsenal’s injuries last season, Traoré got 12 all-competition appearances.  He should get around that many this season should Hreidarsson not be injured.  That would be around ten more appearances than he would have got at Arsenal.

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This is truly kicking somebody when they’re down, but today’s events need to be looked at from Manchester City’s perspective.

First, Djibril Cisse slips through their fingers after Sunderland swoops in and Marseille decides to deal him as soon as possible.  I get the feeling that Sunderland was willing to just take him, as soon as possible, and was more persistent after this weekend when Cisse’s benching made it clear has was about to go.  I can’t help but feel Manchester City’s organizational turmoil prevented them from making a quick decision on bringing in Cisse and his salary.

Second, Mikael Silvestre.  This one is much more mundane, which is why it may hurt even more.  City was about to get Silvestre from Manchester United, who have been trying to find a home for him all summer.  Right as they are ready to bring him in, Arsenal and Arsene Wenger decide they need more depth.  Silvestre was so close to making this deal that he has to call City and apologize for going to Arsenal.

So you have these two issues, another striker injury this weekend, the UEFA cup and open day loses, Tkashin Shinawatra not returning to Thailand, and that soft hum of Ronaldinho using them still audible in the background.

Mark Hughes is staying, Jô will be back soon, but yeesh:  What a difference a year makes.

It is the first time Arsene Wenger and Alex Ferguson have done business, the first time Ferguson’s done business with Arsenal, and the first time since 1974 Arsenal and Manchester United have directly exchanged players.  It took the power of Mikael Silvestre to get it done.

Silvestre was once a regular with Manchester United but injuries and replacements have rendered him a virtual non-factor on the Red Devil roster.  Now that he is healthy, he wants playing time, but he had to move elsewhere to get it.  In doing so, the French defender forgoes his opportunity for a testimonial, have been at the club since 1999.

The fee Arsenal paid was undisclosed, but it couldn’t be much.  Silvestre’s contract was such that it prevented moves to Roma and Bordeaux earlier this summer, both clubs wanting to work out a loan agreement.  That Arsenal was willing to take on Silvestre and sign him to a two year deal may have persuaded Ferguson to make history.

For the Gunners, he may get some infrequent starts with William Gallas in the middle, though he will likely be the understudy for Gael Clichy on the left as well as Wenger’s center backs.  It is still difficult to see the 31-year-old getting much time, but you never know.  Wenger has an affinity for his fellow Frenchmen, with Silvestre becoming the seventh on Arsenal’s roster.

Silvestre had also been linked to Manchester City and Paris St. Germain.

Links
Silvestre seals shock Arsenal switch
Arsenal sign Silvestre - reports
Gunners swoop for Silvestre
Defender Silvestre leaves Man United for rivals Arsenal
Arsenal signs defender Silvestre from Man United
Official - Arsenal Sign Mikael Silvestre
Arsenal sign Man Utd’s Silvestre
Arsenal sign Silvestre
Arsenal hijack Silvestre move
Arsenal scupper City’s bid for United’s star