After witnessing Manchester United defeat against Blackburn Rovers for our New Year's Eve match, I would touch on another significant matter to the football world, the opening of the transfer window....
Continue to the full story

England national team got themselves a pretty good draw in their Euro 2012 campaign, considering all the worse possibilities, being paired with Ukraine, France and Sweden obviously isn't the toughest group on paper.

This drawing result apparently gave confidence to the Union Jack's manager, Fabio Capello, who revealed that his team obviously got a pretty comfortable group on paper especially compared to Group B which consist the likes of Holland, Germany, Portugal and Denmark.

By Ulysse Pasquier

Les Bleus wrapped up 2011 with a 0-0 draw at home against Belgium, an unconvincing performance that unsettled many critics in France. Just over a year since taking the top seat, the grace period and overall optimism linked to Laurent Blanc's appointment have clearly evaporated.

By Ulysse Pasquier

Les Bleus wrapped up 2011 with a 0-0 draw at home against Belgium, an unconvincing performance that unsettled many critics in France. Just over a year since taking the top seat, the grace period and overall optimism linked to Laurent Blanc's appointment have clearly evaporated.

Paris St. Germain defender Sylvain Armand has become the first player to publicly voice concerns about the potential arrival of David Beckham in the French capital after claiming that the Los Angeles Galaxy star adds little value on the field.

Armand, 31, has spent seven seasons with PSG and only recently has he been able to enjoy training with a strong squad, which is currently built around Argentine sensation Javier Pastore.

Tuesday with his take on what just happened in Paris

No surprise that this one should become a battle between revolutions.

Blanc's squad: Thumbs up effort...

Laurent Blanc came in to clean the French house after the 2010 World Cup, with the federation sending players like Nicolas Anelka to their international doom.

Philadelphia Union

Sebastien Le Toux hopes there won't be the same roster turnover there was last year, because it was difficult to adjust to.

U.S. France

Recaps from yesterday's U.S.-France match:

• Associated Press
• The New York Times
• Goal.com
• MLSsoccer.

The Young Ones: French soccer players run Wednesday during a training session at Clairefontaine training center, west of Paris ahead of Friday's game against the U.S. (AP Photos).

As Associated Press writer Trung Latieule reports, it's not just the U.S. - a complete roster is here, by the way - that is searching for its next generation of national team players:

PARIS (AP) -- France's next generation of soccer players could get their chance Friday when the national team faces the United States in an exhibition (live at noon on ESPN2 and Univision).

Players don't make passes at girls with moustaches. Don't try to fool with us, Olivier Giroud. By the way, any chance of a small favour? Images via fff.fr.

Right. Stop what you're doing, take the necessary precautions regarding colleague/spousal/parental nosying and feast your eyes on this selection of French NT players in varying stages of fully-clothed hotness.

It has been confirmed that a knee injury will rule Manchester City's French midfielder Samir Nasri out of Friday night's high-profile exhibition against the United States at Stade de France.

Nasri suffered from issues with his knee tendon following City's UEFA Champions League win over Villarreal last week and did not make his club's starting line-up for the thrilling 3-2 Premier League triumph over QPR on Saturday.

France has shuffled its roster ahead of the game on Friday with the U.S. MNT. Samir Nasri will miss the game due to a knee injury. Manager Laurent Blanc has not elected to call up a replacement but there are a few other injury doubts for Les Bleus ahead of Friday's game. Both Yohan Cabaye and Florent Malouda have fitness concerns.

There's some good news and then some not so good news about Yohan Cabaye today. Terrific shot of Yohan Cabaye in action Cabaye is currently at the French Clairefontaine Football Academy for tests on his groin injury, but French manager Laurent Blanc told the French media yesterday that he would be keeping Yohan with the French squad [.

Via US Soccer:

Will it be Chandler's forehead vs. Ribery's....face?

France head coach Laurent Blanc has named a 22-man roster for the upcoming match against the U.S. Men's National Team on Nov. 11. Blanc calls in a formidable squad for the countries' first meeting since 1979, with Ballon d'Or nominees Eric Abidal and Karim Benzema among the headliners.

France head coach Laurent Blanc has named a 22-man roster for the upcoming match against the U.S. Men's National Team on Nov. 11. Blanc calls in a formidable squad for the countries' first meeting since 1979, with Ballon d'Or nominees Eric Abidal and Karim Benzema among the headliners. The U.S. Men's National Team will release its roster on Thursday.

As league action takes a break this coming weekend and into the new week, more and more shocking surprises are emerging from team camps all round Europe. After England coach dramatically left out established players Rio Ferdinand and Steven Gerrard, his French counter part Laurent Blanc will have to look for other attacking options as he 2 main men are out injured.

As league action takes a break this coming weekend and into the new week, more and more shocking surprises are emerging from team camps all round Europe. After England coach dramatically left out established players Rio Ferdinand and Steven Gerrard, his French counter part Laurent Blanc will have to look for other attacking options as he 2 main men are out injured.

Funny how football fortunes can quickly change... Not so long ago, such a game would have been eagerly expected, for this was promising an intense and entertaining game. But shortly before Laurent Blanc announced he would be leaving the Girondins to take the reigns of the French National Team, the internal dynamics of the so far successful team started to derail.

Ka-boom!! For all Spurs fans Younes Kaboul's 85th minute winner at the Emirates last season was a moment to savour. It wasn't the first time the French international had scored a crucial goal in a big game. Spurs 125th anniversary game had turned into a bit of a nightmare, being 4-1 down to Aston Villa certainly didn't point to a glorious birthday celebration.

Ka-boom!! For all Spurs fans Younes Kaboul's 85th minute winner at the Emirates last season was a moment to savour. It wasn't the first time the French international had scored a crucial goal in a big game. Spurs 125th anniversary game had turned into a bit of a nightmare, being 4-1 down to Aston Villa certainly didn't point to a glorious birthday celebration.

Fabio Capello looking for the Philosopher's stone to transform England?

There is no one in this England team save Wayne Rooney who'll make a World XI. And he relies on service. The best European teams have a midfield that have all five bars of connectivity when on the pitch while England stumble around looking for a signal.

There was something oddly consuming about the dullness of today's France-Romania European Qualifying match. It was played in Bucharest, in front of a packed and energized crowd of Romanian fans, who understood that this was probably the pivotal moment in the country's attempt to get to the European Cup next year.

Laurent Blanc, being grilled by reporters after the Albania match, posed the question, "Can someone reassure me that we won the match?"

France had won, away from home, 2-1, with both first-choice central defenders unavailable, and sat 3 points clear at the top of the qualifying group.

But Blanc was still being [read more]

Pretend you are Laurent Blanc, and you have to pick the first 11 to play against Albania.

What approach are you going to take? Will you be too adventurous going forward, and get caught on the counter attack?

What formation will you play. You've never like France's formation and you [read more]

France midfielder Samir Nasri, who plays club football for Manchester City of England's Premier League, has hit out at France Boss Laurent Blanc.

Nasri was left reeling when Blanc told the press on August 10, 2011, after France's 1-1 draw with Chile (where Nasri was, to be fair, underwhelming) that Nasri [read more]

Diego Maradona kisses the Argentina shirt after reaching the final of Italia 90. 20 years later, he went on to manage Argentina and told the press to suck his dick after qualifying for the World Cup in South Africa.

After joining the club from Juventus months earlier, Attilio Lombardo was seen kissing the Crystal Palace shirt during a 3-1 defeat to Aston Villa.

Arsenal striker Marouane Chamkh has told French television outlet L'Equipe TV that teammates Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri are "likely" to leave the Emirates before the transfer window closes.

Both players have been linked with transfers all summer, with Fabregas heavily tipped for a return to boyhood club Barcelona.

The Telegraph sings the praises of Tom Cleverley.

The Mirror claim Sneijder's deal to United will be confirmed in the next two days.

Alan Hansen predicts in The Telegraph that United will win the league.

The Daily Mail reports on Laurent Blanc's claims that Nasri should leave Arsenal.

France manager Laurent Blanc has revealed that Samir Nasri will not sign a new contract at Arsenal,...
[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

After sealing a five year deal with Newcastle, Gabriel Obertan has spoken about the seasons why he left Manchester United.

The Frenchman joined United two years ago for £3m, much to the surprise of his manager, Laurent Blanc, who didn't think he was good enough for us.

He's played just 28 games in all competitions in the past two seasons and despite showing some potential, isn't prepared to bide his time to see if he makes the first team.

Here's Laurent Blanc's selection for the friendly on Wednesday in Montpellier against Chile:

Goalkeepers
Hugo Lloris (Lyon)
Cedric Carrasso (Bordeaux)
Steve Mandanda (Marseille)

Defenders
Eric Abidal (Barcelona)
Patrice Evra (Manchester United)
Younes Kaboul (Tottenham)
Adil Rami (Valencia)
Anthony Reveillere (Lyon)
Bacary Sagna (Arsenal)
Mamadou Sakho (PSG)

Midfielders
Yohan Cabaye (Newcastle)
Alou Diarra (Marseille)
Yann M'Vila (Rennes)
Florent Malouda (Chelsea)
Marvin Martin (Sochaux)
Blaise Matuidi (PSG)
Samir Nasri (Arsenal)
Jeremy Menez [read more]

According to the Daily Star, Arsenal yesterday avoided "embarrassment" by having their official squad photo postponed due to rain, giving captain Cesc Fabregas time to sort out his future. According to the newspaper, Fabregas has made it clear he wants to leave the club, and a transfer to Barcelona could be edging nearer.

The France international team manager Laurent Blanc is unlikely to pick Samir Nasri for next weeks international friendly. Nasri is currently injured anyway, but Blanc thinks that the uncertainty of where he will be playing next season is also causing him problems on the pitch. Nasri's form dropped off for club and country in the [.

The France international team manager Laurent Blanc is unlikely to pick Samir Nasri for next weeks international friendly. Nasri is currently injured anyway, but Blanc thinks that the uncertainty of where he will be playing next season is also causing him problems on the pitch. Nasri's form dropped off for club and country in the [.

France furious at World Cup seeding that leaves them facing Spain

"I don't understand why France is in the second group? Why are Greece, Norway and Croatia ranked higher?" asks coach Laurent Blanc

View the full story here: The Mirror

A news article on 2011-07-31 12:41:31 from: The Mirror

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

O Sorteio Preliminar da Copa do Mundo da FIFA Brasil 2014, que acontece no próximo sábado, no Rio de Janeiro, contará com a presença de representantes de 106 federações, incluídos aí 38 técnicos das seleções nacionais que disputam as eliminatórias.
Além do sorteio em si, que sera realizado na Marina da Glória, os membros das federações se reúnem no dia 29 para o Seminário para as Equipes que disputam as eliminatórias contentais.

Vocal Laurent Blanc supporter Alou Diarra has just transferred within France's top division (Ligue 1) from Bordeaux to Marseille.

The shortened versions of these club names I can type without worrying about the spelling the full names, though, are much, much cooler.

Olympique de Marseille; and
FC Girondins de Bordeaux.

Wigan Athletic manager Roberto Martinez has reportedly turned down an offer to take over for Gerard Houllier at Aston Villa, opting to remain at DW Stadium for the foreseeable future.

According to reports, Martinez met with Villa's American owner, Randy Lerner, who wanted the 37-year-old Spanish manager and former Wigan player to become his new manager.

By Chris Wright

All things must pass an apt epitaph for the career of a man who used the ball like Paul Scholes did in his pomp, a midfield hub that could ping a zephyr-like pass across the width of a crowded football pitch and land it on a pound coin 99 times out of 100.

By Chris Wright

All things must pass an apt epitaph for the career of a man who used the ball like Paul Scholes did in his pomp, a midfield hub that could ping a zephyr-like pass across the width of a crowded football pitch and land it on a pound coin 99 times out of 100.

In the last 15 to 20 years the best central midfielder that I have seen — the most complete — is Scholes. I have spoken with Xabi Alonso about this many times. Scholes is a spectacular player who has everything. He can play the final pass, he can score, he is strong, he never gets knocked off the ball and he doesn't give possession away.