Comments on: Will he stay or will he go?

By: Pepe

Pepe — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 04:57:58 +0000

Glenn, any chance you can give us updates on Dynamo personnel? What’s up with Ianni and Boswell? Is the Botero deal going to happen? Any news on a possible return of Ngwenya?

By: wren

wren — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 04:48:36 +0000

You’re kind of making my point Dave Clark. Thirty-one matches in his last season w/Arsenal (for club AND country) is pretty underwhelming when the league alone involves 38 fixtures. Fact is he played 18 premiership matches and that’s only half a season by anyone’s standards. His 25 appearances at West Ham was marginally better but then he didn’t have the add’l cup fixtures as w/the Gunners.

I also never said Freddy didn’t want out of West Ham which could have been the case. Its my position that West Ham wanted just as much out of Freddy because frankly, he didn’t deliver. Considering other clubs weren’t clamoring to sign him and he’s now gone under the knife before the ink was dry on his Sounders contract, if you’re trying to tell me his injuries shouldn’t have been a concern, then I have to respectfully call bollocks on that. I’ve watched Freddy since the pre-Invincibles days and his play has gone from world-class to wtf in two short years. It may well be a good PR move for Seattle but my point is that MLS clubs can’t afford to gamble DP designations on players that bring a high degree of risk.

By: Dave Clark

Dave Clark — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 01:51:41 +0000

wren, I would love to see why you thinnk Freddy should have not wanted out of West Ham, probably the best story about an organization without a philosophy and now without money? Their owner is on the short list of people most singularly responsible for the global financial crisis.

In Freddy’s last season at Arsenal he played a total of 31 matches for club and country. Before that 38, year before that 48. While that is a decline, it is also right down to the number of matches top players in MLS play in a year.

If he’s healthy, and this is the first time he’s had this surgery, from a surgeon that created/maintained all-stars in other US sports, he will be a top 10 player. If he’s not healthy, than Seattle will have a low price to a billboard model (he’s guarunteed less than 2 M$).

Seriously, read up on that surgeon.

http://sounderatheart.com/2008/12/ljungberg-surgery

Ugh, sometimes I feel like a broken record on two things (Freddie and Field Turf).

As for Kaka, here’s an MLS related note. His CONTRACT would be enough to fund the roster of every non-DP in all of MLS. His transfer would pay for the next four expansion teams.

By: wren

wren — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 00:29:26 +0000

As the offer rises w/each passing day, the funny thing about the Kaka deal is watching Berlsuconi react publicly as if he truly wants him to stay when the reality is that he’s dying to line his pockets w/a few euros and get his hands on the funds that could conceivably transform Milan for the next decade.
I find it ironic that Kaka, a devout Christian and positive role model on and off the pitch is being tempted by what many refer to as an “unGodly” sum of money. The deal looks like its done but if there is one player mentally equipped to say no to mad money, it’s Ricky Kaka.
Bank on this. Del Piero to LA is rubbish. He’s far too important to Juve’s quest THIS SEASON for the Serie A title.
Memo to Seattle, Freddy Ljunberg was a BAD deal. He is still serviceable when healthy but he’s was in decline and rarely fit at Arsenal. West Ham…THAT’S WEST HAM… dumped him one year into a four year deal. He’s past his sell by date or he’s damaged goods, or both and anyone expecting him to shine in MLS is delusional. Get ready to add Freddy to MLS’s bust list”.

By: Nord

Nord — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 22:12:41 +0000

Glenn –

Like I said on your show last week, it would be a tremendous blunder for HDNET to let MLS get away. From the very inception of the network, it was a perfect match. Soccer is an ideal sport to fully realize the advantages of HD broadcasting.

That being said, with the launch of Fox Sports Houston, I wouldn’t be as disappointed if the Dynamo inked a deal to show the home games in HD. Of course, I would insist that the microphone go to you, otherwise, its a net loss.

And Kaka is not worth it. His girlfriend, on the other hand…

By: Dave Clark

Dave Clark — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 18:22:34 +0000

Certainly a large question mark, it was a high risk/high reward signing. It is notable that the Freddie signing did not result in any bump in ticket sales. So while Freddie is marketable, and he has signed some advert deals, his DP status was not an issue of increasing ticket sales.

It may have been done to give the team increased identity. But his health and play on the field are more key to whether he is a success than the number of jersey’s he sells.

What’s intriguing is that Sounders FC drafted two players that are similar stylistically to Freddie in Zakuani and Fucito. Wingers in the ground game/running at defenders mold who can score, but aren’t target nor crossing types.

Hopefully if Freddie can’t play he can coach.

By: Marco

Marco — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 15:37:23 +0000

I first I thought Kaka would stay, but the money and allure of playing in the best league in the world may be enough to change his mind.