The first World Cup in Africa has mostly been a disaster for African teams, and not only because one nation advanced from its group.
FIFA is currently investigating Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan's statement that he has suspended the Super Eagles from competing for two years following their disappointing performance at the World Cup.
FIFA has received documents relating to Jonathan's announcement and will continue to look into the situation before making a decision. The sport's governing body is also currently looking into a similar situation with the French national team.
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Simeks signs with Carlisle United
American right back Frank Simek signed with League One club Carlisle United on a two-year deal on Thursday, ending his time with Sheffield Wednesday. Simek, which joined Wednesday in 2005, made 12 appearances for the club last season.
Sheffield Wednesday will also play in England's third tier this season after suffering relegation from the Championship.
Manchester City target Milner
James Milner may not have enjoyed the strongest World Cup performance, but that has not stopped Manchester City from setting its sights on him.
City are hoping to sign Milner from Aston Villa, but believe the 25-year-old midfielder will need to ask his current club to lower his transfer fee in order to make the move happen. Aston Villa's current asking price is estimated to be around €30 million.
Robles leaves Kaiserslautern
American goalkeeper Luis Robles won't be playing in the Bundesliga this season, at least not with recently-promoted Kaiserslautern. Robles turned down a new deal from the club he joined in 2007 and will be a free agent when the summer transfer window opens. After starting for much of the 2008-09 season, Robles reverted to the bench and made just one appearance for the club this past season.
Nakamura hangs international boots
Shunsuke Nakamura announced his retirement from international soccer following Japan's penalty kick loss to Paraguay, ending his 12-year tenure with the Blue Samurai. Having made his debut in 1998, Nakamura played 98 times and scored 24 goals for his country.
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What do you make of Nigeria's situation? Think Simek joining Carlisle United is a good move? Would Milner be a good fit at City? Should Robles look to stay overseas or join MLS? How do you rate Nakamura's international career?
Share your thoughts below.
Good call, but I get the feeling Dempsey would maybe make it about half way through before moving on to something else 😛
Deuce should probably watch the movie, Gomorrah, before deciding to sign with Napoli. 🙂
It is a shame that S.Nakamura did not play a role in Japan’s last game. I felt he could have been a gamechanger if subbed in overtime. He should have a stint in Seattle where he would be a hit amongst the Asian population there. Ljungberg needs to be replaced.
Yeah. National team pool players (most of them) make 6 figures.
I hope he starts because he’s still so young and our pipeline of young US keepers is running a little slower these days.
Did you see Brad’s post above? That’s also why I said, “I’ve heard” but didn’t state anything matter-of-factly.
Average annual salary for League 1:
“The average in League One is now £67,850 (up from £54,600, or a rise of 24 per cent)”
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/163676000-the-average-salary-of-a-premiership-footballer-in-2006-473659.html
Now, I’m not sure what the average MLS plaeyr salary is but there are plenty of good young American players making 6 figures this season. On average though, I’d say they’re pretty close.
frankie simke spent most of his life in England, only makes sense to stay there versus travling to a foreign country like the USA
This is also an interesting read:
http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/what-will-us-national-team-look-2014
Stephen just showed how baseless rumors get started. Greg Seltzer had the report on Dempsey’s options and made it clear in a blog post that although he had NO INFORMATION regarding the Italian and French clubs, he was going to venture an UNSUPPORTED guess that it was Milan and Marseilles. He didn’t report anything–he just made an admittedly unsupported guess.
BTW, Seltzer is one of the best scoops in the business, but he is always very careful not to report on things that he can’t get confirmation on.
While I don’t necessarily disagree with you, the league played in does not mean a player automatically sucks or has no chance. Argentina took a kid from the Championship….just saying
I found it.
http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/goodson-his-way-out-ik-start
Regarding the Nigeria FA situation. It’s a bit humorous the fact that if FIFA suspend them for political interference, Goodluck Jonathan will get what he desired anyway. Lol. Craziness.
Here’s a question, speaking of American transfers:
Is Kljestan’s move to Anderlecht going to help him? (Development wise?) I think he has raw talent, but MLS wasn’t helping him. Will Anderlecht?
Dempsey can’t go to Liverpool. Hodson’s severance agreement with Fulham prevents him from buying any Fulham players.
Dakota- the announced before the start of the WC that borenstein transfered to Atlante in Mexico. I believe it was a few days before the US left for south africa
Thanks Horst. Robles has had a tough time of things since his Gold Cup performance. I am not going to write him off–not by a long shot–but I will be very curious to see where his career goes from here.
I was wondering that myself. Is he the next in line after Guzan? Who are the up-and-coming goal keepers?
According to Kicker.de, Robles is headed to Ginastic de Tarragona in the Spanish Second Division where he is supposed to compete for the starting position.
Robles has a better offer elsewhere?? Or wants a lock on a starting spot?
As far as experience-wise for the National team I would say no but what does League 1 pay its players? Is it that much more than MLS?
At this point, is League 1 a good idea? Could Carlisle beat the Galaxy? I’d rather see US players stay home until they can get 1st division attention from Europe.
The guy is playing in League F*ckin One! Unless he gets back to the Colaship he’s got no chance
Why is it a “disaster” that most of the African teams at an African World Cup did not make the second round? Most federations in the Third World (and many in the developed world, to say nothing of FIFA itself) are so corrupt that it would boggle the mind of the average American. That corruption affects everything: league organization, player development and, yes, referee development. Ghana has one of the few African federations that actually knows what its doing (or, at least, appears to know). We know that Cameroon, Nigeria and South Africa don’t, that the Ivory Coast has been involved in a bitter civil war for years that obviously affects any organizational infrastructure, and that Algeria had not been a major player in international soccer for nearly 30 years. What should we expect, really?
Was sad that Nakamura didn’t play more in this World Cup. He is one of my all-time favorite players. So fun to watch. He’s scored some sick goals throughout his career. A player like him deserved to go out on a high note.
Injuries have robbed Simek’s career much like Spector. I feel bad for him, but im sure he will be back to atleast the championship if he stays healthy
But I have not heard of or seen Milan link yet
Any chance Seattle can get Nakamura on loan or something before he completely retires from playing?
the Off the Ball podcast on another site said AC Milan was interested, I think Napoli was mentioned on a British rumors section at one point…
if you google news “soccer 365 dempsey” it’s the first entry.
All it says is this, “Italian daily Il Mattino says Napoli have eyes for U.S. stars Josmer Altidore and Clint Dempsey…”
Dempsey to Napoli or AC Milan, Bradley to Birmingham…
Link?
I just read it somewhere on here, no proof.
Hodgson to Liverpool is done, so Dempsey to Liverpool, maybe Bob Bradley to Fulham? Will that hold you over for now?
Respect to Nakamura. Played well for Japan when they needed him.
link?
25 million would be a fair price. But he is our best player, and we have no need or desire to sell him. So we’d only ever sell him for a price that is simply too much to turn down.
Goodson is heading to Denmark.
About time. Nigeria really cannot afford to abandon their program for two years, they need to recapture the joy in their play and rethink strategy as well, not to mention bringing in new blood. Not playing for two years of a four year cycle is Stupid and unfair to Nigerian fans.
So, just out of curiosity, Real Madrid and Man City plan to win by employing all players who may threaten their play?
I’ve also heard Milan.
That’s probably why City wants them to lower their transfer fee.
If City buy Milner for 30M Euros, there is no way they will buy Donovan.
Because…Donovan would embarrass Milner so badly during practice, that City would wonder why the heck they paid so much for him.
Simek, if he gets time, could be another defender to make a push for 2014.
Soccer365 reported that Napoli of Seria A are interested in Dempsey and Altidore.
30 mil is ridiculous for Milner.
“We’ve got in Italy a major club and in France a major club,” he stated. “And in the Bundesliga a club.”
Hodgson has officially gone to Liverpool. Perhaps, Dempsey speculation will start to heat up now, although I do not see him going to Liverpool
why is milner so highly rated? i just dont see it.
Dempsey’s agent to MLSsoccer.com that Dempsey has a suitor in the top 5 european leagues (England, Spain, France, Italy, and Germany) and all are qualified for european compitition.
I need some American transfer news. I’m dieing here. I’ll take a Borenstein to Galaxy rumor, anything… Comon Bradley, Altidore, Donovan, Dempsey, Demerit should all be on the move. Shouldn’t we be hearing stuff by now?