2020-21 News Thread

[jeffbear]

His best year at Real Madrid was playing for Ancelotti, so both sides are hoping for a repeat.

Indeed. Last time I saw him was his last year on loan at Bayern and he still had that magic in his left foot. I would imagine he'll be a big impact player at Everton once he settles in and gets used to the grind again. He's always needed to be "the guy" and hasn't had a chance to do that at club level for a long while.

 

[jeffbear]

Hector Bellerin: Arsenal defender invests in Forest Green Rovers
Arsenal defender Hector Bellerin has become a shareholder in League Two side Forest Green Rovers.

www.skysports.com

Interesting. Arsenal fullback Hector Bellerin has become a significant but still minority stakeholder in League 2's Forest Green Rovers. Forest Green's ownership is deeply committed to the environmental movement, operating carbon neutral, fully vegan and playing in a stadium that's operated in a uniquely eco-friendly manner. Say what you will about the green movement politically, this club puts its money where its mouth is and takes this stuff seriously.

 

[andyt]

Hector Bellerin: Arsenal defender invests in Forest Green Rovers
Arsenal defender Hector Bellerin has become a shareholder in League Two side Forest Green Rovers.

www.skysports.com

Interesting. Arsenal fullback Hector Bellerin has become a significant but still minority stakeholder in League 2's Forest Green Rovers. Forest Green's ownership is deeply committed to the environmental movement, operating carbon neutral, fully vegan and playing in a stadium that's operated in a uniquely eco-friendly manner. Say what you will about the green movement politically, this club puts its money where its mouth is and takes this stuff seriously.

If the transfer rumors are to be believed, he’ll be an absentee owner. Supposedly, Arsenal has made him available if the price is right, with PSG showing the most interest.

 

[jeffbear]

Well, he is, by requirement, a minority partner ... so ... no biggie there.

 

[andyt]

Well, he is, by requirement, a minority partner ... so ... no biggie there.

I meant that he won’t be able to pop over to Gloucestershire whenever he wants to check on his investment.

 

[jeffbear]

Aston Villa signed their striker ... kinda. They spent a bunch of money on Ollie Watkins from Brentford. He's more of a number 10 than a number 9, and only really broke through in terms of goal scoring last season - in the Championship. He should fit the system as he's played for Dean Smith before and he has a similar skill set to Tammy Abraham who did well for Villa on loan two seasons ago. He's just far from a sure thing at the Premiership level, so ... here we go again.

 

[andyt]

Another USWNT/NWSL player is off to England. Tobin Heath has signed with Man U. Expect similar news on Christen Press shortly.

 

[jeffbear]

Another USWNT/NWSL player is off to England. Tobin Heath has signed with Man U. Expect similar news on Christen Press shortly.

Have you seen some of the roster announcements for NWSL's fall "season?" Woof ... it's not great, Bob. A good chunk of the top end talent that hasn't already bailed for Europe is opting out or agreeing to only a restricted schedule. This is truly going to be a lost calendar year for NWSL.

 

[andyt]

Have you seen some of the roster announcements for NWSL's fall "season?" Woof ... it's not great, Bob. A good chunk of the top end talent that hasn't already bailed for Europe is opting out or agreeing to only a restricted schedule. This is truly going to be a lost calendar year for NWSL.

It’s semi-surprising, considering they have nothing on the schedule until the league starts up again in Feb/March. The She Believes Cup is usually March too, but it’s not on the US Soccer website right now. And it may not happen, England announced in July that they weren’t coming. They’ve already qualified for the Olympics, but the Olympic roster is smaller than the World Cup roster. You’d think they’d want to get some matches in before the winter layoff.

 

[andyt]

Press to Man U was just announced. Also, Denise O’Sullivan of the NC Courage was loaned to Brighton until December 31. She’s already been in Ireland training with the national team ahead of their Euro qualifiers later this month

 

[andyt]

Have you seen some of the roster announcements for NWSL's fall "season?" Woof ... it's not great, Bob. A good chunk of the top end talent that hasn't already bailed for Europe is opting out or agreeing to only a restricted schedule. This is truly going to be a lost calendar year for NWSL.

Jusr saw the Courage list. McDonald, Dunn, Hamilton, Erceg, Daniels all opted out and Labbe is leaving after the 9/19 match. Abby Dahlkamper is the only federation-supported player left on the roster. Not a good look for the league after finally getting a decent TV package.

 

[jeffbear]

Yeah, and the Courage aren't alone. Most of the teams are going to be playing their youth teams, pretty much. There are some exceptions, but not many.

 

[andyt]

Add Alex Morgan to the USWNT exodus to England. She’s joining Tottenham Hotspur on a short term deal through the end of the calendar year.

 

[HNIM]

Add Alex Morgan to the USWNT exodus to England. She’s joining Tottenham Hotspur on a short term deal through the end of the calendar year.

Spurs forum is full of Americans explaining what womens' football is, and why this is a really big deal for an otherwise nondescript Spurs side.

The fact the USNWT trained at Enfield couldn't have hurt.

 

[andyt]

Spurs forum is full of Americans explaining what womens' football is, and why this is a really big deal for an otherwise nondescript Spurs side.

The fact the USNWT trained at Enfield couldn't have hurt.

She also has 2 Orlando teammates playing on loan there, Alanna Kennedy and Shelina Zadorsky.

 

[andyt]

Barcelona finally sign Miralem Pjanic from Juventus for €60 million with another €5 million in possible add-ins. He signed a 4 year deal with a €400 million release clause. Juventus will sign Arthur from Barca for €72 million with another €10 million in possible add-ins.

 

[andyt]

Macclesfield Town was wound up by a judge today, over unpaid debts exceeding £500k. They were relegated out of the EFL after 3 separate points deductions left them adrift.

Macclesfield Town FC wound up in court

National League club Macclesfield Town are wound up in the High Court over debts totalling more than £500,000.

www.bbc.com

And Southend United May be next. They’re been granted until October 28 to pay nearly £500k in back taxes.

Southend get more time to pay HMRC debt

Southend United are given more time to clear tax debts after a winding-up petition is adjourned for a fourth time.

www.bbc.com

 

[jeffbear]

As you know, I hate this stuff. English football is built on the back of the diversity and history of their league sides up and down the tables, and losing long timers like Macclesfield, Bury and Southend (seems inevitable) is bad for business ... not to mention those communities. And I suspect there's more to come. Lots of village clubs weren't on great financial footing before this freaking pandemic, and that certainly isn't helping matters. Scottish football's rapid decline can be tied directly to the re-alignment that created and favored the Premiere League, starving and eventually killing off a bunch of small village clubs ... or bumping them to amateur, non-league status.

 

[andyt]

All of the county of Cheshire, where Macclesfield is located, has 1 club in the Football League, Crewe Alexandra in League 1. There is 1 club at level 6 and 4 at levels 7/8 in the National League system. Macclesfield Town was founded in 1874.

There is no way that this is the end either. With no gate revenue, many of the clubs in Leagues 1 and 2 are going to struggle, absent a deep pocketed owner.

 

[andyt]

Missed this earlier in the summer. Sheffield Wednesday has had 12 points deducted for breaking spending rules. They included the sale of Hillsborough in their 2017-18 accounting even though it was sold during the 2018-19 season. Had the deduction been applied during the 2019-20 season, they’d have been relegated and Charlton would have remained in the Championship. Charlton are considering a legal challenge. The article also notes that Wigan are appealing their points deduction for entering administration.

Owls deducted 12 points for next season

Sheffield Wednesday are deducted 12 points by an independent disciplinary panel for the 2020-21 season for breaking spending rules.

www.bbc.com