Photo by Nick Turchiaro/ISIphotos.com

The pieces are in place for it to be the weekend of the landmark appearance for Americans across Europe.

After Tim Ream was named to Bolton's matchday roster and Charlie Davies was named to Sochaux's, West Ham announced that centerback George John will be part of the 20-man traveling party for the club's match at Peterborough United on Saturday.

Photo by Brad Smith/ISIphotos.com

For Charlie Davies, perhaps not securing a full transfer or loan extension was the best tactic to take this winter after all.

Davies has been included on Sochaux's first-team roster for the club's league game at Stade Rennes on Saturday, marking a major milestone for him and his quest to break back into the club's lineup.

A big snowstorm hit England on Saturday, threatening to jeopardize the slate of matches set for today, but the big headliner between Chelsea and Manchester United will go on as planned, and it will serve as the marquee match of a busy day in the soccer world.

While the Super Bowl dominates the American sports landscape today, soccer fans here will have plenty to choose from for their viewing pleasures, topped off with the big Chelsea-United clash.

As in summer, there will soon be a transfer deadline ticker over at MLSS, which I'll be stocking with as much scene-setting and deal-clinching as we can find.Since that won't begin for an hour or so, let's kick off the day with a couple bits. First off, it now seems Charlie Davies will be remaining at Sochaux.

Let's forget the Bolton horror show for a while and focus on some potentially good news - Algerian attacking midfielder Ryad Boudebouz has confirmed once again that he wants to leave Sochaux, which could be good news for Liverpool, who arguably need to sign another goal-scoring attacking midfielder.

What's say, since it's TGIF, we make it a treble?After two rejected bids, it appears as though Sochaux have given up on getting Mo Edu. Two sources from different worlds have told me they are about to sign Plan B for that defensive midfield role instead.That out of the way, let's survey what's left. Edu still has interest, but I can confirm there are no other offers at this time.

Chasing the Big Leagues Bastia (and the other Ligue 2 contenders) is a post from: Just Football

Tales from Tier Two is a new series on Just Football in partnership with @tiertwofooty, in which we assess the promotion chances of the clubs in tier two of Europe's major leagues.

Chasing the Big Leagues Stade de Reims is a post from: Just Football

Tales from Tier Two is a new series on Just Football in partnership with @tiertwofooty, in which we assess the promotion chances of the clubs in tier two of Europe's major leagues. First up in Ligue 2 were Clermont Foot.

photo by Michael Janosz/ISIphotos.com

If at first you don't succeed, try again.

That is the approach Sochaux is taking in terms of Rangers midfielder Maurice Edu.

Having had a previous bid worth an estimated $774,400 turned down, Sochaux has launched a second bid for the U.

Sochaux has made a second offer for Rangers midfielder Maurice Edu. Consider this full confirmation reporting. That is all for now. Over and out.See? I needed 145 characters for that.- Greg Seltzer

The new timebomb Stoke City are aiming to make amends for their 'turning down The Beatles' moment with their latest transfer target. Tony Pulis and co. infamously rejected the Premier League's current in-form striker, Demba Ba, this time last year. Ba failed a medical at the Britannia Stadium, with Pulis subsequently describing the Senegal international's [.

A couple of weeks ago I wrote a small article selecting the best eleven in Europe who wear the number thirteen shirt. I thought I'd look into this subject further and I believe that if you take the top five leagues in Europe (Spain, Italy, Germany, France and England) that the highest number you can make an eleven from (you need a goalkeeper remember) is 33.

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.

Sochaux returnee Charlie Davies is not in the squad for this weekend's Coupe de France tie at Bastia. It's just a little too soon, doesn't mean anything in particular. He will play for the reserves on Sunday.- Greg Seltzer

Maurice Edu is no stranger to being linked to a move away from Rangers, and Sochaux is the latest club hoping to pry him away from the Scottish giants.

According to a report, Sochaux has made Edu its top midfield target for the winter transfer window. The French club had a bid worth an estimated $774,400 rejected already, but it remains interested in acquiring the U.

Photo by Jose L. Argueta/ISIphotos.com

Two American strikers are drumming up some transfer buzz in Denmark.

According to multiple reports out of the country, Danish Superliga club AGF Aarhus is looking at Charlie Davies and Chris Wondolowski as potential targets during the transfer window, which opens Thursday and lasts through the end of the month.

Liverpool is once again being linked with a move for talented young midfielder Ryad Boudebouz who was heavily linked with a switch to Anfield over the summer.
The 21-year-old impressed many with his superb performances for Sochaux last season and was reportedly close to leaving the Ligue 1 side in the summer but in was convinced by the clubs management to stay.

Newcastle striker Demba Ba will not be replaced this is according to coach Alan Pardew. The Senegalese striker is set to join his national team for the month long Africa Cup Of Nations tournament that is scheduled to start on the 21st of this month.

Ba has been in scintillating form for the Magpies this season scoring 14 times in the league.

Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew annonunced recently that he has abandoned plans to sign a new number 9 in the Janauary transfer window since the deal for Sochaux's Modibo Maiga fell through at the medical stage. However, this may be just a cunning stunt by the Silver Supremo as it has been revealed that the [.

With the expected arrival of Sochaux striker Modibo Maiga not now going to happen, the Newcastle manager has said today the Magpies will not be bringing in a new striker next month. Emerging folk hero Demba Ba will be off to African Cup of Nations soon Newcastle had worked since late August on agreeing a deal with Sochaux for Modibo Maiga, and a £6M transfer fee had [.

Since it is now officially Saturday a.m. here and aside from one holiday stock-up at the market my tomorrow is reserved for general lazing about, let's dispense with as-of-yet unnamed goodie celebration day six.These silly season sagas often take sharp turns, and as such, this holiday nibble is really the goodie that wasn't.

Amsterdam-based Greg Seltzer is certainly a unique cat.

Seltzer

Greg decided long ago to make his name and career in soccer reporting and found himself relocated over to the Netherlands reporting for Soccer America.

With the re-vamp, or re-start if you prefer, of MLSSoccer.com and the need for a qualitative reporter on player movement became clear, Seltzer fit the bill.

There seems to be a lot of activity in the transfer market ahead of the January opening of the next transfer window. Mobido Maiga will be first through the door in early January News yesterday that Mobido Maiga of Sochaux was in London for his medical, and it seems if there are hitches then he will become a Newcastle player in early January.

Il Psg di Antoine Kombouarè va a vincere a Sochaux con il risultato di 1 a 0, nella 17/a giornata della Ligue 1, ed è di nuovo in vetta, assieme al Montpellier che ha rimediato la sconfitta contro il Valenciennes, sempre col minimo scarto. Parigi quindi che festeggia il primato seppur in coabitazione.

Images: Amazon, fcsochaux.fr, Tumblr.

The stocking stuffer display's have come out big and bad in the past week. Can't figure out what to get your family and friends this year? Or do you want to make the special recipient feel incredibly awkward in front of a large crowd?

Well, three professional footy clubs have just what you're looking for.

Algerian attacking midfielder Ryad Boudebouz has confirmed once again that he wants to leave Sochaux, which could be good news for Liverpool, who arguably need to sign another goal-scoring attacking midfielder.In June, Boudebouz confirmed to L'Est Républicain that Liverpool had enquired about his services:"Liverpool are a big club and there has been contact, But I have to take my time, see the [

With the news in the local papers we had thought it was almost a cast iron certainty that the striker that would be coming in early January would be Mobido Maiga of Sochaux. Olivier Giroud -- Newcastle are a big club -- so who knows? Newcastle were close to signing the 24 year-old on the last day [.

Boudebouz wants French move

Sochaux's Ryad Boudebouz has confirmed he wants to leave the club in the summer, but stated he is keen to stay in France.

View the full story here: Sky Sports

A news article on 2011-12-02 15:24:05 from: Sky Sports

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

In a move that hardly came as a surprise, D.C. United has passed on the option to buy Charlie Davies' contract from French club Sochaux.

The club announced the decision on Thursday, but it had been clear for months that Davies future didn't lie with D.C. The team is still in talks with Davies about potential options, but if Davies does return to MLS in 2012, it would be on loan to another team in the league and not D.

The Sunday Sun is reporting today that Newcastle have been offered 25 year-old Montpellier 6'4″ striker Olivier Giroud. Olivier Giroud - Newcastle turn down offer But the news is that Newcastle have turned down the offer, and the deal to sign 24 year-old Sochaux striker Mobido Maiga is almost concluded.

The Sunday Sun is reporting today that Newcastle have been offered 25 year-old Montpellier 6'4″ striker Olivier Giroud. Olivier Giroud - Newcastle turn down offer But the news is that Newcastle have turned down the offer, and the deal to sign 24 year-old Sochaux striker Mobido Maiga is almost concluded.

Liverpool are still monitoring the contract situation of Newcastle captain Fabricio Coloccini, it has been claimed.
The Argentine defender has 18 months to run on his current deal but has reportedly put off any talks over extension until the summer.
According to the Daily Star, Liverpool director of football Damien Comolli has made a personal check on Colocinni and an attempt to bring him to Anfield could now be in the offing.

Liverpool are facing stiff competition in their pursuit of Ryad Boudebouz with reports emerging claiming Spanish side Real Betis have made the Sochaux midfielder their top priority.
The Algeria international revealed recently that Liverpool have been monitoring him with director of football Damien Comolli in France to watch him in action on numerous occasions and to talk with the Sochaux president.

There are reports in the last few days that Newcastle may be interested in Chelsea's Salomon Kalou. Salomon Kalou- Newcastle interested? Newcastle will definitely bring in a new striker in January, to further bolster their squad, although two possibilities seem to be Modibo Maiga of Sochaux and Luuk de Jong of FC Twente, if you [.

There are reports in the last few days that Newcastle may be interested in Chelsea's Salomon Kalou. Salomon Kalou- Newcastle interested? Newcastle will definitely bring in a new striker in January, to further bolster their squad, although two possibilities seem to be Modibo Maiga of Sochaux and Luuk de Jong of FC Twente, if you [.

Ryad Boudebouz on Liverpool radar

Liverpool are back on the trail of Sochaux midfielder Ryad Boudebouz. The Anfield club were keen on the 21-year-old in May and Boudebouz said: 'I was told Damien Comolli had spoken to our club president'.

View the full story here: The Mail

A news article on 2011-11-10 22:32:18 from: The Mail

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

Ryad Boudebouz is the star of Sochaux's show but can they keep him out of Liverpool's clutches?

For the new season, MirrorFootball is teaming up with some of the blogosphere's best new writers to bring you even more great football reads every single day. Thursday is Ligue 1 day, and here's French Football Weekly's Andrew Gibney with his take on events across the Channel.

Sochaux midfielder Ryan Boudebouz has claimed that Liverpool have been in touch with his club over a possible transfer.
The Algerian was reportedly watched by Liverpool's sporting director Damien Comolli during last weekend's Ligue 1 match with Lyon – a game in which Boudebouz scored a penalty in a 2-1 success.

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.

GK: Cédric Carrasso (Bordeaux), Hugo Lloris (Lyon), Steve Mandanda (Marseille) DEF: Eric Abidal (Barcelona), Matthieu Debuchy (Lille), Jérémy Mathieu (Valencia), Laurent Koscielny (Arsenal), Adil Rami (Valencia), Anthony Réveillère (Lyon), Mamadou Sakho (PSG) MID: Yohan Cabaye (Newcastle), Alou Diarra (Marseille), Florent Malouda (Chelsea) Yann M'Vila (Rennes), Marvin Martin, (Sochaux), Samir Nasri (Manchester City) FOR: Karim Benzema (Real Madrid), Kevin Gameiro (PSG), Jérémy Ménez (PSG), Loïc Rémy (Marseille), Franck Ribéry (Bayern Munich), Olivier Giroud (Montpellier)