David Bentley's Tottenham misery is prolonged until January at least with the news that the 28
year old has joined Russian Premier League outfit FC Rostov on a short term loan.
Bentley had suggested at the start of the season that new head coach Andre Villas-Boas had given
him a clean slate and asked the winger to prove that he still has a future at the club.
The culture of association football is sometimes best regarded as a blank canvas onto which we
can project just about any value system. Over the years, it has come to take on its own ecosystem
as a world of its own. It has clearly defined seasons, its own judiciary which mirrors but seldom
matches that of the outside world and it demands its own autonomy, free from what it haughtily
describes as "outside interference.
Liverpool will contemplate sending beleaguered striker Andy Carroll out on loan next season, as the
Merseysiders plot a summer overhaul of their forward options.
Reds boss Kenny Dalglish is targeting up to five new players when the transfer window re-opens at
the end of the season, and having seen his side score just 40 times in the league this term, adding
extra fire power is a certain priority.
Melbourne Victory announced today that they've secured 26 year old defender, Mark Milligan on a
short-term loan deal from Japan's JEF United, until the end of the regular season. Milligan, who
has previously represented Sydney FC and Newcastle Jets in the A-League says he is looking
forward to playing in his home country once again: "The Japanese season
If you have 47 minutes to kill and you want to know how David Beckham single handedly
transformed MLS from deadbeat to drumbeat. No I kid. Actually, Beckham's legacy is mixed. He did
not quite match Alexi Lalas's hyperbole of saviour of football. But he isn't also quite the write
off.
Americans didn't abandon their sporting interests in droves to take to an imported sport because
of Beckham other than an initial spike out of curiosity.
There has been a lot of talk in recent years about successful and yet past-their-prime players
moving to the United States to earn the big bucks and to continue their career in the American
limelight. This began with David Beckham moving to LA Galaxy, with much of the commotion
surrounding his wife, Posh Spice's desire to hang out with Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise.
Arsene Wenger has welcomed Thierry Henry back to Arsenal on a short term loan, and whilst talking
about the Gunners record goalscorer he has admitted that the Frenchman moved to Barcelona as he
wanted to win some more trophies before he retired. In a scenario strikingly similar to today's
problem with Robin Van Persie, Henry [.
Arsenal skipper Robin van Persie believes that club legend Thierry Henry's decision to join his
beloved club for a second time shows how brave he is.
The Frenchman recently put pen to paper on a short term loan deal with the Gunners and scored
the winner in the 1-0 FA Cup defeat of Leeds United on his second debut at the Emirates.
Happy Thursday, everyone. Joe the Curmudgeon here, holding down the fort today as Dear Leader El
Brucio is in Kansas City for the MLS SuperDraft and probably cleaning Oklahoma Joe's out of every
last scrap of meat... Just a bit of news for today... MLS SUPERDRAFT
Its the worst case scenario for Omar Gonzalez - Torn MCL. Yesterday he was introduced at Nurnberg,
went out to train with the team in hopes of earning a contract and promptly blew out the ACL in his
left knee. (In German)
dN
Arsenal has announced that they have signed Thierry Henry for a short term loan through an
unspecified date in February.
When Arsenal posted a very emotional message on their website to fans after the departure of our
then captain and talisman people wondered how we would replace him and if we would even get into
the top four in the coming season. Now, in January 2012, he is coming back. Does he still have the
speed?
Arsene Wenger made it clear that poor officiating has taken its toll on Arsenal's season but
admitted that his own defense was 'stupid' in conceding twice at Fulham last night.
The Gunners were leading 1-0 through Laurent Koscielny's early goal but a disappointing second
half performance allowed their opponents to bounce right back into the match.
An Arsenal side on a swoon of sorts was able to pick itself up against QPR as Robin Van Persie
once again showed how to finish an opportunity. The goal was RVP's 35th, an Arsenal record for a
calender year, and falling short of Alan Shearer's prodigious output by a mere goal.
Although Thierry Henry's recent stint at Arsenal was technically just for training, rumors
continue to swirl that Arsene Wenger is considering offering the former Arsenal striker aÂ
short-term contract. Some reports stipulate that a two-month loan has already been offered to the
New York Red Bulls forward.
For the last few months if speculation has been made over where Arsenal should make a signing in
January it's been in the striking position.
Beyond Robin van Persie we have few options. Or, to put it another way, we have options which no
longer produce goals or which the manager clearly has little faith in.
Given Arsene did his whole, 'I don't know what you're talking about routine', when questioned about
the potential return of Thierry Henry in the press conference on Friday, I would be very surprised
if we do not announce that we are re-signing Thierry on a two-month loan-deal very soon, probably
in the first week of January.
One of the more interesting rumors of the holiday season in Europe surrounds Thierry Henry's
potential return to Arsenal on a short-term loan in January. Nobody at Arsenal is publicly
admitting it is in the works (Arsene Wenger said he has yet decide whether to pursue it), and there
is no guarantee that the New York Red Bulls would be willing to let their star player go on a loan,
but the idea remains an intriguing one.
First of all, no this is not some kind of 4-month-early-April-Fools prank. According to some
quite reliable sources, Arsene Wenger is considering making a sensational re-signing of Thierry
Henry on a short-term loan deal for Arsenal.
Without Robin Van Persie, Arsenal have looked very short for options up front with Maroune
Chamakh not on great form, whilst they will lose both Chamakh and Gervinho to the African Cup Of
Nations next month leaving them with Van Persie, Walcott, Oxlade-Chamberlain and Chu-Young.
Coming off a championship season for the first time in six years, the Los Angeles Galaxy appear
to be even better heading into the 2012 season.
The 2011 season was a special one for the Galaxy, as they won its second straight Supporters
Shield with an accumulation of 67 points. The Galaxy then defeated the New York Red Bulls in the
two-game first round aggregate series, then outlasted Real Salt Lake in a classic Western
Conference final before winning its first MLS Cup since 2005 on a cold wet Sunday November
evening against the Houston Dynamo 1-0 in front of 30,000 plus at the Home Depot Center.
Coming off a championship season for the first time in six years, the Los Angeles Galaxy appear
to be even better heading into the 2012 season.
The 2011 season was a special one for the Galaxy, as they won its second straight Supporters
Shield with an accumulation of 67 points, went undefeated at home and captured its first MLS Cup
since 2005.
There's a whole slate of FA Cup 4th Round matches this weekend, kicked off by a match today that
is especially interesting for viewers on this side of the pond. Everton hosts Fulham, which means
it's also a faceoff of the two best American players of this generation: Landon Donovan vs. Clint
Demspey.
It's official, Robbie Keane is headed to Aston Villa.
The Premier League side confirmed the long-running rumor that the LA Galaxy striker will join
Villa for two months during the MLS off-season. The 31-year-old captain of the Irish national team
is hoping to stay fit ahead of this summer's European Championships and is the latest in a number
of short-term loan deals from MLS clubs to the Premier League.
Robbie Keane, it would seem, has already sealed his switch to Aston Villa.
The Irishman, reported to be on the brink of a loan move to the Premier League club, is already
training with Villa, as seen on a video on the club website.
Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish says he has been told by Liverpool counterpart Kenny Dalglish the
Reds are not interested in signing Darren Bent.
McLeish was speaking after watching his side reach the fourth round of the FA Cup with a 3-1
victory at Bristol Rovers.
England striker Bent, 27, who joined Villa from Sunderland a year ago, has been linked with a move
away, with Liverpool reportedly among the favourites, and he played in Saturday night's win at the
Memorial Stadium.
Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish says he has been told by Liverpool counterpart Kenny Dalglish the
Reds are not interested in signing Darren Bent.
McLeish was speaking after watching his side reach the fourth round of the FA Cup with a 3-1
victory at Bristol Rovers.
England striker Bent, 27, who joined Villa from Sunderland a year ago, has been linked with a move
away, with Liverpool reportedly among the favourites, and he played in Saturday night's win at the
Memorial Stadium.
For a team coming off of a championship run, the Los Angeles Galaxy have had plenty of major
moving parts over recent weeks.
Between Landon Donovan going back to Everton on a short-term loan, Juninho returning to Sao
Paulo, Donovan Ricketts being dealt to the Montreal Impact, Sean Franklin re-signing and David
Beckham, well, still making a decision, the Galaxy remain the talk of MLS deep into the
offseason.
Should the Revs seek to acquire David Bentley on loan? (Photo: Sean Donahue/New England Soccer
Today)
Tottenham winger David Bentley is looking to join Major League Soccer on loan and the New
England Revolution would be wise to try to get him.
The 27-year-old English midfielder, who once garnered comparisons to David Beckham, could be a
perfect short-term fit for the Revolution despite his recent struggles to regain form.
It's official: Thierry Henry is going back to Arsenal.
The New York Red Bulls forward and his former Premier League club put the final touches on a
short-term loan that has Arsenal's all-time leading goal scorer returning to the Emirates through
the end of February.
Henry will be eligible for the club's FA Cup match against Leeds United on Monday.
George John could be on the move (again). (Getty Images)
A fun bit of news broke late yesterday evening. Two US National team defenders George John and
Omar Gonzalez were said to be leaving the national team camp for "club-related matters". Naturally
their two teams instantly sent out messages about those matters.
One of the big weekend stories involves America's most well known soccer player, Landon Donovan,
and his decision to accept a short term loan deal to English side Everton. Though not a business
story in the traditional sense, Donovan's temporary move has the added benefit of shining a global
light upon Major League Soccer and bringing attention to the league.
Liverpool striker Andy Carroll could be in line for a shock return to Newcastle on a short-term
loan reports talkSPORT.
The 22-year-old has struggled to rediscover his best form since making his ÂŁ35million move to
Merseyside last January, and is said to be willing to return to the North East.
Magpies boss Alan Pardew is a huge admirer of the former Newcastle hitman, and has always left the
door open for Carroll to return to St James' Park.
Not even one of the faces of African soccer is immune to punishment of the harshest kind.
The Cameroonian Football Federation banned captain and star forward Samuel Eto'o 15 matches for
his role in a players' strike last month. Eto'o can appeal the punishment over the course of the
next two weeks, but if it is upheld, the ban could signal the end of the 30-year-old Eto'o's
international career, considering the length of the ban and the bad blood between player and
federation.
Kai Herdling's time with the Philadelphia Union has come to an end two weeks before his
short-term loan was set to expire, according to reporters at last night's loss to D.C. United at
PPL Park.
Jonathan Tannenwald, of Philly.com's The Goalkeeper, and Charlie Flowe, host of the World Sports
Show on 1460 AM, both tweeted last night that Herdling indicated he would leave the Union
shortly.
Arsene Wenger has admitted that he desperately needs a short-term loan of a left-back to get the
club through January, but in one of the weirdest Arsenal transfer rumours ever it seems he has
offered a trial to the Oman international Saad al-Mukhaini. The 24 year-old currently plies his
trade in the Omani second division [.
