We have lots and lots of news from the Premier League, as well as more info on which players are reportedly unhappy with their current situations. We also take a look ahead at the US national team’s World Cup qualifiers! It’s all in Tuesday’s Daily Kick Around!
EPL
The transfer window may have closed, but that doesn’t mean the signings are finished. Since former England striker Michael Owen was a free agent, he was able to sign a one year deal with Stoke City even after the window closed Friday. He only made four appearances for his most recent club Manchester United last season, and hasn’t played competitively since November due to a thigh injury.
One of Tottenham’s biggest and most recent signings, French national team goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, is a bit peeved that he will not automatically be taking over the No 1 spot–at least according to France manager Didier Deschamps. Current keeper, and former US international, Brad Friedel has made it clear that he will fight to keep his spot in the starting lineup. Spurs manager Andre Villas-Boas has indicated that he will not drop Friedel in favor of Lloris; stating, in fact:
“When you transfer it’s not written in the contract that you have to play.”
Touché.
Liverpool players have more than just pride to play for. LeBron James has promised the players a party in Las Vegas, co-hosted by Kanye West, if they win a trophy this season. According to James, a stakeholder in the club, “nobody does Vegas like LeBron and Kanye.” I am inclined to believe that.
Ligue 1
Amid all the talk of Cristiano Ronaldo’s “sadness” and rumors of a possible move, one club has made clear they are NOT interested in the superstar. Paris St. Germain had been rumored to have interest in the Portuguese international, along with the two Manchester clubs, but their sporting director attempted to quell the rumors, pointing to their marquee signing Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
“Ibrahimovic is the best striker in the world. So why hire Ronaldo?”
USMNT
US head coach Jurgen Klinsmann announced his roster for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers over the weekend. Although he was forced to leave out some heavy hitters due to injury, some familiar faces made a reappearance.
One of those qualifiers will be against the Jamaican national team in Jamaica. The national team is currently training in Miami in an attempt to acclimate themselves to the weather conditions they will be likely to face (i.e. HEAT!). Were the US to pull out a victory, it would be the first time beating Jamaica in Jamaica. As we saw in the friendly against Mexico, there is a first time for everything!
Image courtesy of Fox Soccer
