By Chris Wright

Je suis bostin' for a slash

It's pretty damn parky over in France at the moment, with freezing temperatures (we're talking -13ºC in places) threatening to disrupt the weekend's football fixtures not that Saint-Etienne 'keeper Jeremie Janot is remotely fussed, for Monsieur Janot has devised a fool-proof method to beat the cold snap as a game ticks over into it's latter stages.

2012, after 2001?
Today is a crucial day as we'll know whether we continue our currently successful run in 4 competitions. Since the last victory against Dijon, OL players and staff didn't focus on the all important incoming clash at the Velodrome against Marseille, which could condition the path of the two clubs in L1.

African All-Stars: 7 Players to watch at Africa Cup of Nations 2012 is a post from: Just Football

"I think it is a responsibility for every proper club in Europe to go to the Africa Cup of Nations to see what the market brings and what hidden talents are running around in Africa," Hoffenheim scout Lutz Pfannenstiel told the BBC on the eve of the African Cup of Nations 2012.

AS Lyon Duchère vs. Olympique Lyonnais

Coupe de France, Round of 64

Coupe de France greets us on the other side of the winter break, and OL travels to, well, Lyon. The fourth division team of Lyon Duchère, the youth club of Eric Abidal, hosts Olympique Lyonnais, the big boys this time.

Forward Mario Rodriguez (above) is among a 12-player group competing in the 2012 U-19 Stuttgart Junior Cup indoor event in Stuttgart, Germany.

U.S. Soccer sent a men's team to Stuttgart, Germany, to compete in the 2012 U-19 Stuttgart Junior Cup, which is an annual indoor tournament.

Someone give him back his snood

You know what comes after November? December. What after December? January. Brilliant. You know what comes in January? In so many different walks of life, January usually means a new year and a new beginning. In football, it means the transfer window reopens once again.

The likely starters

It's football day once again. Not something you would usually expect so soon, since Arsenal only last played on Sunday. Seemed to remember reading somewhere that the FA asked if we are comfortable with the schedule and we didn't say no. So, no point pondering over that now.

Arsenal skipper Robin van Persie has no doubts that despite the impending return of vice-captain Thomas Vermaelen and the continued development of summer signing Per Mertesacker, Frenchman Laurent Koscielny can go on to become a cornerstone of the club's defense based on recent performances.

Koscielny himself was a major summer acquisition last year but due to limited top-flight experience in France, it took some time for the 26-year old to adapt to English football.

It was a gutsy performance in the south of France, which secured a fine win away from home in Europe's elite competition against a side who themselves have not made the best start to the new French season, but are none the less an experienced European outfit, playing in a daunting albeit diminished, stadium.

Joe Cole has admitted he would be happy to make a permanent move to French side Lille at the end of his season-long loan from Liverpool.
Following a frustrating season at Anfield in which the midfielder struggled to make an impact, the 29-year-old moved to the Ligue 1 champions in search of regular football.

Joe Cole hopes his Lille form will earn him an England recall

• On-loan midfielder: 'I hope Fabio Capello watches Ligue 1′ • Cole makes immediate impact at French club with first goal Joe Cole is relishing his first-team opportunity with Lille – and has targeted a return to the England squad under Fabio Capello.

Dijon Mustard is a tricky seasoning. You put the the right dose and it enhances the taste; but if you put a little too much it ruins the dish. And burns your tongue.
So OL better watch out today as they resume the championship following an international break.

Photo: Paul Rudderow

Is Sebastien Le Toux back?

Two goals from the run of play in two games, both spectacular in nature.

Is the cold streak over for good? Has the Le Toux we knew and loved returned to greatness?

With strikers, goals can come in bunches and disappear in vacuums.

Mais um jogo da Copa América, foi realizado no dia 07/07/2011, na cidade de Jujuy-ARG, no Estadio 23 de Agosto, onde jogaram as seleções da Bolívia (94º no ranking da FIFA) e a seleção da Costa Rica (55º no ranking da FIFA).
Antes desse jogo, as 2 seleções jogaram:
Copa América
2001Medellin 19/07/2001 BOL0:4 (0:1)CRC Group matches
O árbitro desse jogo, foi: Carlos Vera-ECU
O primeiro gol do jogo, foi de Josue Martinez, aos 14 minutos do segundo tempo, ele que é jogador do Saprissa-CRC, que marcou seu segundo gol pela seleção nacional.

Could he get a role in midfield?

There's no use hiding behind it. Today, Arsene Wenger will fully utilize the every corner of his squad. Suspension has robbed (but justified) us of Alex Song, Emmanuel Frimpong and Gervinho. Injuries have put paid to the hopes of seeing Kieran Gibbs, Nicklas Bendtner and Sebastien Squillaci.

Could he get a role in midfield?

There's no use hiding behind it. Today, Arsene Wenger will fully utilize the every corner of his squad. Suspension has robbed (but justified) us of Alex Song, Emmanuel Frimpong and Gervinho. Injuries have put paid to the hopes of seeing Kieran Gibbs, Nicklas Bendtner and Sebastien Squillaci.

Ligue 1 kicked off with a belter and some sort of facial malady. (0:50)

szólj hozzá: Cea 1-0 Val

[101gg]

• Money doesn't buy everything. (Guardian)
• Loving Citeh. (Surreal Football)
• Bonus goals. (The Best Eleven)
• Dancing with promise. (IBWM)
• This club is a wonderful trainwreck.

Paris Saint-Germain have shattered the French transfer record by signing playmaker Javier Pastore from Palermo for €42m.

The fee for the Argentinian international, who has signed a five-year contract, eclipses the €33.5m PSG paid to Real Madrid CF for Nicolas Anelka in 2000

Qatar Sports Investments bought a 70% stake in PSG on 30 June and quickly installed former Inter Milan coach Leonardo as general manager.

szólj hozzá: Par 0-1 Lor

This was not a good weekend for oil and gas rich sheikhs shaking up football with their big spending ways. Paris St Germain now under control of the Qatari Investment Authority (QIA) lost their season opener at home against Lorient who scored through Julien Quercia.

Saturday Fox Soccer has Liverpool - Valencia at 12:30pm. ESPN has the Barcelona - Club America friendly at 4pm. Ligue 1 on Fox Soccer: PSG - Lorient at 3pm. Championship on Fox Soccer Plus has Brighton - Doncaster at 10am and Southampton - Leeds United at 12pm. Under-20's on ESPNU: Australia - Spain at 6pm and Saudi Arabia - Nigeria at 9pm.

Well, we're halfway through the summer, and everything is just as uncertain as it was when the season ended just over a month ago. I keep checking the transfer news and rumors every day, but nothing is official just endless speculation.

We've repeatedly been told from various sources that July 1 is the official start to the transfer season, or at least it's the start in some countries.

Jérémy Morel said "I still have to prove myself" after joining Olympique de Marseille on a four-year contract from FC Lorient to replace the AC Milan-bound Taye Taiwo.

Arsene Wenger will be busy this summer in the transfer market, but when looks at bringing players in he has to negotiate carefully as there is a small army of Arsenal players who were scattered throughout Europe.

Of the players plying their trade, Pedro Botelho is the most likely player to make the Arsenal first team squad this season.

The Newcastle Journal is reporting today that either Kevin Gameiro of Lorient or Gervinho of Lille will sign for Newcastle soon. Cheikh M'Bengue - will replace Enrique if Jose leaves At least they are consistent in saying that only one of the two will be signed, so it remains to be seen if the club [.

The Newcastle Journal is reporting today that either Kevin Gameiro of Lorient or Gervinho of Lille will sign for Newcastle soon. Cheikh M'Bengue - will replace Enrique if Jose leaves At least they are consistent in saying that only one of the two will be signed, so it remains to be seen if the club [.

Newcastle United's team could take on a distinctly French feel if the club's transfer plans work out as they want. Apparently Lorient have accepted Newcastle's £10m offer for Kevin Gameiro and it's now up to the player to decide if Newcastle can trump his first choice of Valencia. A couple of things are definitely in [.

The Journal is reporting today that Newcastle had a £10M offer accepted late last week for Kevin Gameiro. But we all know that Gameiro's preference is Spain but his club Lorient are more than keen to do business with Newcastle, since they will get the £10M up front in cool cash. That's one reason why [.

News today that Newcastle officials have been very busy on up to three deals, that would represent an excellent start to the transfer window, if they can close them. Kevin Gameiro - Newcastle after him this week? There have apparently been two separate approaches to French club Lorient in an effort to sign their [.

News today that Newcastle officials have been very busy on up to three deals, that would represent an excellent start to the transfer window, if they can close them. Kevin Gameiro - Newcastle after him this week? There have apparently been two separate approaches to French club Lorient in an effort to sign their [.

According to Luke Edwards at The Journal, Newcastle have made an improved £10million bid for 24-year-old Lorient striker Kevin Gameiro.

Newcastle made an initial bid at the beginning of the month but were shut down as the player's agent told them that he'd prefer to play in Spain.

There's an article by Luke Edwards today in the local Newcastle journal that's reporting the news that Newcastle have increased their offer for Kevin Gameiro of French club Lorient. Kevin Gameiro - have Newcastle put in increased offer? The news was initially in the Daily Mail this morning and although the Frenchman wants to go [.

We had an article out last Saturday wondering if Newcastle had increased their offer for Lorient's Kevin Gameiro. Kevin Gameiro top striker target And the news today is that Newcastle have indeed gone back in with an improved offer, which is said to be £10M for the French International striker. The news is in [.

Newcastle United pursue Gameiro, seem to have definitely signed Mehdi Abeid and welcome back Xisco from his loan spell at Deportivo. The Daily Mail is suggesting that we're still in hot pursuit of Lorient striker Kevin Gamerio, despite the player indicating a preference for Valencia over Newcastle (has the man no taste?

According to the Daily Mail, Newcastle United have increased their offer for Lorient Striker Kevin Gameiro to £10 million.

Pardew, with around £30 million to play with clearly sees a striker as one of his top priorities I think we can all agree there. The likes of Ameobi, Lovenkrands and Ranger are not likely to push us into European contention, let alone the top half of the table.

Lorient's Kevin Gameiro would like to move to a Spanish club in the summer. Kevin Gameiro Newcastle have already bid for this player The 24 year-old striker has looked a very good p[layer this season with 22 goals in 36 games for his club, and has been capped 3 times by France. Spurs manager [...]

By IAN HOLLIDAY

After this weekend's matches, four of the five leagues we've been following all year have crowned champions, and the fifth is well on its way to being decided.

With Borussia Dortmund, AC Milan, and FC Barcelona all having claimed their respective titles already, Manchester United joined the club this week, officially claiming an English record 19th title with a 1-1 draw at Blackburn on Saturday.

There is a very short report in the Daily Mail today that Sunderland are interested in £12M rated French striker Kevin Gameiro. Kevin Gameiro French striker in big demand Newcastle have already had a reported £8M bid refused by his French club Lorient, and London clubs Arsenal and Tottenham are also now said to [.

The games that will matter most to the relegation battles the weekend of May 7 & 8:
Officially Relegated
Arles - Ligue 1
Bari - Serie A
St Pauli in Germany and Almeria in Spain are down for all intents and purposes, but not officially quite yet.
Serie A - 3 games to go (three lowest placed teams relegated)
42 Chievo - Mon May 9 at Juventus (-13)
41 Parma - Sun May 8 at Bologna (-13)
40 Catania - Sun May 8 at Brescia (-14)
37 Cesena - Sun May 8 at Cagliari (-13)
36 Sampdoria - Sun May 8 at Genoa (-12)
- - - - -
35 Lecce - Sun May 8 v Napoli (-20)
31 Brescia - Sun May 8 v Catania (-13)
REL-21 Bari - Sat May 7 at Palermo (-30)
Bundesliga - 2 games to go (two lowest placed teams relegated, with third lowest in playoff against third highest in 2.

Tottenham Hotspur and Sunderland are set to be involved in a bidding war in the summer for Lorient striker Kevin Gameiro. The 23 year old has caught the attention of both Harry Redknapp and Steve Bruce after some excellent performances for Lorient in the ongoing 10/11 Ligue 1 season. Gameiro, who at the age of [.

Carlos Bocanegra will headline American efforts in France this weekend as he leads St. Etienne in action against FC Lorient