What do you say to this?

Holy @#$%.

Incredibly, everyone from Samsunspor Turkish Super Lig survived and the team bus is the only thing which netted catastrophic damage. And as evident from the video, no signs/warnings appeared that, ya know, a train was steaming in.

Someone's likely to see a change in employment status for this.

Silly season continues to go on around the world, and today Sporting KC was named in the silliness. Sky Sports is reporting that the "Kansas City Wizards" are interested in Scottish international striker, Kris Boyd. The 28 year old striker was most recently with Eskisehirsqor in Turkey, where he recently had his contract canceled.

Once again back is the incredible...You're not even going to fully realize how sick this corker by Inter Milan's Maicon really is until you see the final replay angle.I supposed we could say the same of Robbie Keane's second strike this weekend. And remember: EPL = MLS old folks vacation spot.Fenerbahçe's Miroslav Stoch saunters in from the wing to bury one after my own playing heart.

Ricardo Quaresma is sort of the quintessential flashy footballer. The type of gent whose game translates better to YouTube and the video game of your choice rather than a pitch of appropriate measure. Turns out his lifestyle is equally as flashy. He was the victim of an armed robbery this morning, of things which were on his person.

By Chris Wright

Being their lead clothes horse as he is, Adidas have produced a snazzy little viral video to commemorate Lionel Messi's Ballon d'Or turkey.

Indeed, they also manage to pay homage to their man without so much as mentioning Barcelona once, which is rather odd considering Messi probably wouldn't be on many shortlists if it was only his international form that was being taken into account.

UPDATE: In a bizarre set of circumstances, Gonzalez picked up an injury in his first training session with Nurnberg. In a collision with fellow US National Team player Timmy Chandler, Gonzalez tore his left anterior cruciate ligament and is expected to miss considerable time. Gonzalez is reportedly already on his way back to Los Angeles.

Mail: Transfer news: Dirk Kuyt no to Turkey: The Insider

Simon Jones is Sportsmail's man on the inside of all the major transfer moves this January. Don't miss your daily Insider installment here for Wednesday, January 4.

View the full story here: The Mail

A news article on 2012-01-05 14:51:02 from: The Mail

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

photo by Andrew Katsampes/ISIphotos.com

We now know Omar Gonzalez's destination.

Gonzalez has been loaned from the Los Angeles Galaxy to FC Nurnberg until at least mid-February, the German club announced on its website on Thursday. Nurnberg official Martin Bader said the club had hoped to make a move for Gonzalez in the summer, but that the opportunity to acquire the centerback came up.

Chicharito's bench thoughts : "Did I wrap the turkey with aluminium foil this morning?!"

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Johor in the second tier Malaysia Premier League have reportedly signed English striker Richard Offiong. If true then the 28 year old striker is no stranger to playing overseas. Previously he has plied his trade in Scotland, Turkey, South Korea, Belgium, Australia and Sweden.

There are not many games on New Years Eve Eve, and I would advise to stay away from a home victory at Anfield. Liverpool may have not lost at home this season, but with Andy Carroll the principal striking option available, I would rather eat more turkey. Instead bet on Southampton to beat Bristol City [.

There are not many games on New Years Eve Eve, and I would advise to stay away from a home victory at Anfield. Liverpool may have not lost at home this season, but with Andy Carroll the principal striking option available, I would rather eat more turkey. Instead bet on Southampton to beat Bristol City [.

It's Boxing Day in the United Kingdom. My gift to the loyal, hardy, salt-of-the-earth readers of this little blog? A picture of Mario Balotelli. Think that should suffice, considering it's a holiday period and I really don't feel like sitting in front of my keyboard and trying to form sentences or come up with lame, strained egg nog jokes.

Merry Christmas! Enjoy the best of our festive content here

It truly is the most wonderful time of the year! And to celebrate (not to mention buy us some time go and eat our own bodyweight in turkey and pigs in blankets), we've pulled together a sackful of Christmas content to keep you going until the football kicks off again on Boxing Day, which you can see by following the links below.

Why I can't understand Bridge wasting his talent when he should be playing

For the first time in 19 years I won't be playing professional football over Christmas. No more tiny nibbles of turkey because you're training in the afternoon. No more refusing a glass of champagne with your lunch.

This is how tifo is made, in this case by ultras of Fenerbahçe in Turkey, honoring their Brazilian star and captain Alex.

This is how tifo is made, in this case by ultras of Fenerbahçe in Turkey, honoring their Brazilian star and captain Alex.

By Chris Wright

Spotted in the stands at the DW during Wigan's last gasp 1-1 draw against Chelsea yesterday, a Wigan fan sporting an audacious 'plucked turkey' hat a hat which, if you consider the mechanics of for too long, quickly becomes pretty disgusting...

Via Anorak

Nicolas Anelka will soon be playing professional soccer in China. This is surprising because Nicolas Anelka is still a talented, effective soccer player who would help all but about 10 teams in the world. This is not surprising because Nicolas Anelka is going to a place where they'll pay him an exponent of a number it'd take me years to count to.

Stoke lost their unbeaten Europa League record last night in Turkey going down 3-1 to Besiktas, Ricardo Fuller and Jermaine Pennant got the Turkey treatment as they were showered with lighters and coins but Stoke manager Tony Pulis refused to report the incident to UEFA quoting: We are Stoke we don't complain.

All the focus yesterday was on USA vs. Brazil. Understandably so, since that was the decider for the 2011 Nike International Friendlies. But if you only watched the second game on the bill, you missed an absolute thriller in the undercard: France vs. Turkey. This game had everything. From six goals, to great saves, a red card and a late, late equalizer, France vs.

The 2011 Nike International Friendlies trophy is on the Stadium Field and ready for kickoff!
Day 3 of the 2011 Winter Showcase kicked off today at 9 a.m. with 40 Development Academy games and the final round of Nike International Friendlies.
Today's the big day for the U.S. U-17s, taking on Brazil at 5 p.

Turkish Club GALATASARAY attempted to sign ATLETICO DE MADRID player JOSE ANTONIO REYES at the start of the season, but the player rejected the offer. Now with a head to head clash with Coach Manzano, where the player is being punished for "inadequate behaviour ( insults at Coach)" with prolonged sitting on the bench, Reyes is apparently open to ideas.

We've got some photos from the USA's games so far at the Nike International Friendlies:

DeAndre Robinson opens the scoring for the USA. More photos from USA vs. France.
A handshake between captains. More photos from USA vs. Turkey.

The U.S. U-17's in action from yesterday...- Greg Seltzer

A fantastic day of action in the Nike International Friendlies witnessed a thrilling 1-1 draw between France and Brazil, setting the stage for the USA's dramatic 2-1 win against Turkey. Here's a look at the highlights:
USA vs. Turkey
Brazil vs. France

In case you missed Wednesday's games, or you just can't wait until this evening's contests, catch the highlights from the opening two matches of the 2011 Nike International Friendlies.
In the tournament opener, Brazil edged Turkey with an impressive solo effort from substitute Linik in the 64th minute.

The USA U-17's play Turkey on Fox Soccer at 5pm. Serie A on Fox Soccer: Genoa - Milan at 2:30pm. Fox Soccer has Crystal Palace - Derby County at 2:30pm. All Times Eastern

The future of the United States men's national team is on display in Sarasota, Fla., as the U.S. Under-17 national team takes on France on the opening match of the 2011 Nike International Friendlies (5 p.m., Fox Soccer Channel).

The match is the first of three for the U.

At the 2010 Nike International Friendlies, the U.S. Under-17 MNT took on Korea Republic, Brazil and Turkey in Phoenix, Ariz. With the 2011 edition set to kick off this afternoon, ussoccer.com looks back on last year's tournament.
Brazil and Turkey opened the competition last year, with both teams earning a point in the scoreless tie.

Last but not least!
Ahead of the 2011 Development Acacemy Winter Showcase and the Nike International Friendlies, ussoccer.com arrived in Sarasota and headed to the Premier Sports Campus, a new facility where the week-long event will be held.
The Sunshine State welcomed us with rain all day.

It was a mixed week for Serie A clubs competing in Europe's top competition. An enthralling encounter with the world's best side ended in disappointment for AC Milan, while city rivals Inter did just enough to earn qualification into the knockout stages with a draw in Turkey. But for calcio fanatics, the highlight of this week's Champions League action came from a 2-1 contest at the Stadio San.

Hey, it's Thanksgiving week in the States ... meaning the comings-and-goings of the Premier League take a backseat to turkey and gravy, that is unless you're Frank Lampard! (See, get it, he's allegedly 'fat'.)Wait, let's get a take two on punchline.Unless you're ... Ronaldo?Ronaldinho?Eh, let's just move on.

Happy Thanksgiving to you from all of us at Chelsea Offside. As has become tradition around these parts, we have foregone helpings of thinly sliced turkey in favor of a cooked Guus.

Awkward

We hope that each of you manages to enjoy the holiday festivities with family, friends or otherwise on this day of many thanks.

Why Poyet is so wrong to call us colonial for a brave stand on racism

A strange new orthodoxy has spread in the weeks that have passed since racism in football became a mainstream issue once again. It seeks to suggest that actually it is the English who are the bigots for failing to understand that, in other cultures, racism is really no big deal.

The NextGen Series seeks to feature the premier youth teams of Europe. In effect, it showcases the next generation - get it? - of European talent.If Rosenborg and Aston Villa's do-or-die Group 3 clash at Lerkendal Stadium is any indication, we have years of little Frank Lampards to look forward to.

By Chris Wright

Several of Nike's international kits for 2012 have apparently been 'leaked' by a company in China, and we've snaffled a few photos for you to give the once-over. See what you reckon (open in a new tab for larger images)...

Any favourites Pies fans?

They only booed me at the Emirates Former Arsenal cult hero Emmanuel Eboue got a vicious welcome to Turkey from Besiktas fans at the weekend. Just a handful of games into his Galatasaray career, the Ivorian found out the hard way that matches between the two sides tend to get a bit tasty. A plastic [.

Any bets on this re-union at White Hart Lane? Greg appears as 'deep throat' Meyer, this time, going underground for the inside story of the comings and goings in the courts and in the boardroom: of the wheeler dealings above even Harry's head. He bestrides the whole of Europe and ranges from South Korea to Turkey, from the attractions of birthday girl Bo Derrick, to the Tottenham High Rd.

Guus Hiddink is unemployed. He likes Chelsea, a lot.

So, is a return to London in some capacity other than manager represent good business for the club and Roman Abramovich? Yes and no.

London calling?

Hiddink resigned his managerial post this week following a turbulent near two-year spell in charge of the Turkish national team.