Something fishy is going on at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea's marquee signing of the summer – 18-million-pound-man Yuri Zhirkov -  has yet to play a league game for the club and has played less than a combined 90 minutes for them in all competitions. Ever since his big money move from CSKA Moscow in July, the Russian winger and fullback has been trying to shake off a mysterious rash of injuries that have even baffled club doctors.

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First off, thanks to Shatz for asking me to fill in for a minute around these parts, and thanks to Twitter (Follow me @the_amt!) for bringing fans and bloggers together. Cue the cheesy wink.

Since Shatz asked me to guest-blog last week, I've been trying to think of a topic to cover, but most of them just caused me mental and/or emotional pain.

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I have referred to these two as Substitutes in my tiering of Starter, Rotational, Substitute and Reserves, but honestly, Nathan Sturgis likely belongs here as well. All three are almost always on the available bench, but rarely see time. In Sanna's case he is still quite young, just entering the years where he would make or break in the US system.

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A header goal from Haris Seferovic proved to be the difference as the Switzerland Under-17 national team defeated Nigeria, 1-0, in the Under-17 World Cup Final on Sunday in Nigeria.

The Swiss capped an undefeated tournament with it latest impressive victory, knocking off the defending champions and heavily favored Nigerians in the final.

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A header goal from Haris Seferovic proved to be the difference as the Switzerland Under-17 national team defeated Nigeria, 1-0, in the Under-17 World Cup Final on Sunday in Nigeria.

The Swiss capped an undefeated tournament with it latest impressive victory, knocking off the defending champions and heavily favored Nigerians in the final.

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Arsenal fullback Bacary Sagna has rejected interest from Real Madrid and Juventus, it has been revealed.
Both European giants are chasing the France international ahead of the winter market.
But a source close to Sagna told Futbol Mercado: "It is true that Juventus are interested in him, but he does not want to leave Arsenal. Click to continue reading...

Chelsea defender Jose Bosingwa will be out for around three months after undergoing surgery on his left knee this week, according to Chelsea's website.

The 27-year-old fullback has been out since mid-October with the problem and will now not return until the new year.

The Chelsea statement said:

"Chelsea Football Club can confirm that Jose Bosingwa underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee this week.

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The head coaches of Costa Rica and Uruguay are very close to deciding on a starting lineup for Saturday's first leg of the CONCACAF/CONMEBOL playoff. Simões and Tabárez are going to play things close to their vests, with closed training sessions. But barring suspension or injury, both teams are going to go with the same XI that were on the field in the previous two or three qualifiers. Click to continue reading...

Bosingwa ruled out for three months
Via the official Web site: "Chelsea Football Club can confirm that José Bosingwa underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee this week. His recovery time will be approximately three months."

S***. At least we have an in-form Branislav Ivanovic to continue in his absent.

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Way back in March, I wrote a post with links to the preseason predictions of some of the most widely read soccer pundits. Among the prognosticators that went so far as to designate playoff teams were Ives, a consolidation of ESPNSoccernet writers, Martin Rogers of Yahoo Sports and seven others.

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What is the Perfect remedy for a Liverpool team that has lost against a team like Sunderland, by a goal scored by Beach B? Simple. Put them against the Mancs.

In recent years, the end of October meant Liverpool were top of the table and by some series of ill-fated events they start sliding towards the wrong side and find themselves in troubled waters.

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Arsenal fullback Gael Clichy admits being plucked out of the French Third Division by Arsene Wenger was a surreal experience.
Clichy was signed by Wenger as a 17 year-old playing for Cannes in France's lower leagues.
"The night before I'd seen him on TV and now Arsène Wenger was in my house! Click to continue reading...

Early in Bob Bradley's tenure it appeared like the US was going to be a side that utilized width and the quality runs of its fullbacks to stimulate an attack. But as time has worn on, Bradley's ideal playing style has been limited by a lack of depth in the player pool, the falling off of certain key individuals, and the general lack of depth being produced by our national team programs.

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So I wake up this morning to the news that a Sorcerer is the latest opponent to try and take down the dynamo that is Cristiano Ronaldo. No, it's not a nickname for some La Liga fullback with a vendetta against Portugese wunderkinds; an actual fire and brimstone, Lord of the Rings "don't take me as a . Click to continue reading...

It's a lovely fall day here at Fullback World Headquarters, so let's take a few moments to enjoy the crisp, cool air...the leaves going to gold and scarlet...the bright sun and billowing white clouds...and some American Footie news! Deuce's Bum... Click to continue reading...

No points from three games, eight goals conceded, only two scored. On the face of it, a pretty miserable showing by the Young Socceroos in Egypt.
Yet there were a few consolations to take away from the tournament, and the way the team started against Brazil showed that this was far from a bunch of no-hopers. Click to continue reading...

Blackburn

Last Season: 15th, 10-11-17 (41 points, -20 goal differential)

Recent Form: LDWLW

Away Form (last season): 4-4-11

Last Meeting: Arsenal 4-Blackburn 0 (3/14/09)

Back in league action early tomorrow against Blackburn.

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It's a little early to be passing final judgement on Jan Versleijen's group of Young Socceroos, given that they are still in with a slim chance of progressing. But the report card is less than impressive so far.
Many have showered praise on them for how they took the game to both the Czechs and Costa Rica, but it's surely significant that Versleijen's charges only really did so when they were already chasing the game. Click to continue reading...

Other than perhaps law, nowhere does the concept of possession hold more weight than it does in sport. In fact, the debate would be abooout near a cul-de-sac; athletics involving both a "ball" and two "teams" basically have their double helices woven by this exercising of influence over said "ball", a bond so heavy not a jack on earth could lift it. Click to continue reading...

Fortune and poor Portsmouth finishing rather contributed to Everton's three point haul. With one genuine shot at goal and nothing much else to discuss on the long drive home, I wonder why Moyes chooses to restrain the plethora of attacking options now available to him.

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I started writing this as a reply to the comments in the last match reaction, but I figured this discussion worthy of its own posting, and what better format to use than my infamous Versus feature.
The theory here is that one of these two players will be starting next to Dejan Jakovic when the Canadian returns from hernia surgery. Click to continue reading...

Arsene Wenger's rapidly increasing dependence on youngsters within his squad reached new heights this midweek when he chose to start off the Champions League group stages with rookie Italian goalkeeper Vito Mannone between the sticks.

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Some nice goals this week. We're still very early into the season, but two possible goal of the year candidates were scored this weekend. Samuel Eto'o's strike vs. Parma and Giandomenico Mesto's screamer vs. Napoli are joys to behold. Goals of the week after the jump.

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While Emmanuel Adebayor's infamous lack of sportsmanship this past weekend has overshadowed Manchester City's emphatic 4-2 victory over his former club Arsenal, it is impossible to overlook the strong impact he has made at the Eastlands already.

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Great picture find over at The Offside.
Let's get to the other good stuff out there.
The links:

• Jose's story on MLS salaries. [Times]
  
• German women crush England in Euro final. [SI]
  
• Juande Ramos to CSKA Moscow. [BBC]
  
• SI caption gaff.

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Edgar Castillo's switch to the US National Team has weaved its way through the mystery-filled halls of FIFA, and the young Mexican-American fullback will now be available to play for the country of...

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American-born defender Edgar Castillo has been cleared by FIFAÂ to play for the United States, meaning the questions can begin about whether he will eventually be the answer for the team at left back.

Jonathan Bornstein's disappointing showing vs. El Salvador served as a reminder of the lack of options at left fullback, with captain Carlos Bocanegra looking like the most reliable option there these days.

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American-born defender Edgar Castillo has been cleared by FIFAÂ to play for the United States, meaning the questions can begin about whether he will eventually be the answer for the team at left back.

Jonathan Bornstein's disappointing showing vs. El Salvador served as a reminder of the lack of options at left fullback, with captain Carlos Bocanegra looking like the most reliable option there these days.

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QUESTION ON MY MIND
Why didn't New England Revolution and FC Dallas change the start times of their games on Saturday night?
New England v Kansas city starts at the exact same time as the USA game and Dallas v DC just 30 minutes later.
The teams and the league should be completely embarrassed by this. Click to continue reading...

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                                                       Photo by ISIphotos.com

The Colorado Rapids acquired defender Drew Moor from FC Dallas, along with a 2010 second-round pick and allocation money, for defender Ugo Ihemelu.

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                                                       Photo by ISIphotos.com

The Colorado Rapids acquired defender Drew Moor from FC Dallas, along with a 2010 second-round pick and allocation money, for defender Ugo Ihemelu.

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What a difference a week makes. Last week's Colorado Rapids' locker room in Chicago was not a great place to be in as an outsider. This week, it was the Houston players slumped in their seats in frustration as the Rapids celebated a morale-boosting victory over the league leaders.
Yesterday's game, not exactly chock full of action and highlights, will be remembered for one thing and that will be Julien Baudet and a triumphant return to the team after a miserable start to his Rapids' career. Click to continue reading...

With the European transfer window set to close on Tuesday, we are starting to get more and more rumors and deals being made, some affecting Americans directly and indirectly.

The two most high-profile Americans poised to make transfer moves are DaMarcus Beasley and Freddy Adu, who are both in dire need of moves in order to secure more playing time and get back into the U.

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In part four of his season preview, Kais Sabir Jesani looks at Ryan Babel's tactical role in the Liverpool team. Could this be the Dutchman's year or will he flatter to deceive yet again?
In part 3 of this preview, I discussed how Lucas Leiva's career seems to be in the ascendency. In sharp contrast, Ryan Babel is a player whose Liverpool career arc seems to be heading in the opposite direction. Click to continue reading...

Americans Abroad / USMNT
USA Names 24-Man Camp Ahead Of World Cup Qualifiers - Soccer By Ives
USA Roster Announced - Soccer Insider
US Roster Released For WC Qualifiers - WVHooligan
US Team Goes Back To Camp - Goal (NY Times)
US Squad Revealed - MLS Talk
US Names Roster For El Salvador - Yanks Abroad
Bradley Reveals US Roster For Upcoming WCQs - MLS Daily
US Camp Roster Revealed - No Short Corners
US MNT WCQ Squad Named - 100 Percent Soccer
Bradley Names 24-Man Roster For Crucial WCQs - USSoccer. Click to continue reading...