Some genius decided to tell Google Translate that Mickaël Ciani = Adam Clayton. Hmm, I wonder why. (You might have to fullview that seeing as I don’t have Photoshop yet.)

As you can see, I’ve been absent for the past few weeks, but hopefully I’m back (for a while before school starts again). I know I missed some very exciting/interesting games. I badly wanted to watch them (especially Lens’ return to L1, but also Nice), but both weekends happened to be very busy. I hate to think that I lost chances to see Ciani’s performance, but there are always other times.

But, just reading some of the reviews, it’s apparent that the two players pushing the squad this season are Gourcuff and Chamakh. In some ways it’s very worrying since one of them will be leaving soon and the other will be leaving in a while.

The most important thing right now is that we’re scoring against some good teams and some good keepers (Ospina has been a real catch for Nice).

As anicho in the comments pointed out, we have a most crucial game coming up this weekend, again OM. I don’t see it online yet, but all of the active L1 Offside bloggers have done a little Top 10, and it seems that everyone thinks that OM will be the team to beat and the team most likely to win the title this season. I see where they’re coming from, but I think we’d like to prove them wrong .

In my opinion though, after some reading around, OM’s play hasn’t been THAT stellar, though it’s just the start of the season and they’re bond to pick up. IF we can beat them this weekend, it will set a tone for the rest of the season for sure. Picking up points is crucial from the start and it’s even more imperative when it is picking up points from our biggest opponents (OM and OL both)

I think I’m a little weary after the Chamakh drama (Arse? West Ham? Fulham? Greek club?). He’s obviously going to leave on a free transfer and Bordeaux will lose potential profit. But the opportunity cost gained in him assisting the title run obviously appealed to them more. I’m pretty sure that they’re not idiots and probably did realize that if they don’t let Chamakh go on his request, he will get significantly pissed and refuse to extend. At this point they can hope that 1. Chamakh scores a shitload and secure a lot of points (6 so far) and/or 2. Chamakh does really well that he will consider his situation to be a good one and stay. I think so far Blanc’s plan is working. I guess we won’t know if he’s going to stay for sure until the end of the transfer window on August 31st. It’s drawing quite close and I’m waiting anxiously.

Other things in the transfer window that are coming up is Fernando’s potential transfer to Werder Bremen for 4 or 5 million euros. I wonder if this Fernando would want this considering his open request to go La Liga.

Anyway, hopefully I will find time to put up a real preview of the game against OM sometime soon. (Seeing as I’m going to be busy this weekend again.) So long ’til then!

It is a shocking and tearful goodbye I must say. Who would have thought Sir Alex would sign Gaby? I think all of us were expecting him to come back after a somewhat unsuccessful run at Lorient and help out with the impending loss of Fernando and Chamakh, but to United?

I think a lot of people know that Obertan has the talent to be a fantastic fantastic player. but he never really got the jist of his role on the pitch and often put in spotty performances. Sometimes he was brilliant and you could see him working everywhere and even playing a part in the goals, but often times he was lacklustre and invisible on the pitch (see Gouffran). But we all realize that he’s only 20 and has lots of prove at Bordeaux, despite a less than stellar run at Lorient (he had a great start with that goal though).

Sir Alex has a great eye for prospects, but United is not a place to MAKE yourself. There have been a lot of emigré and reforming at United, but nonetheless it is a challenging and difficult squad to break out of, and right now I’m doubting Gaby’s abilities to break out of even the Bordeaux squad (which of course is nothing compared even to a downgraded United squad).

Personally I don’t think that it’s a wise decison on his part, seeing as he will have much more opportunities at Bordeaux after the departure of many of our star players. I was depending on his return to relieve our need to spend more on midfield but alas our brilliant president thought it was apt to sell Gaby for a mere £3m (€3.5m). So good luck to Gaby in England (he’ll always be my baby Gaby…jks).

In other more uplifting news, our new hope for midfield (ha ha ha) Grégory Sertic has chosen France as his country despite pleas from his native Croatia. Croatia has been trying to lure oh so many players to play for them, i.e. Zlatan and the slightly less known Goran Slavkovkski (haha name drop, what did happen to him?) The amazing Martha linked to an article about the multicultural German squad recently, but perhaps France should be even more receptive of that title. I actually wrote an essay on globalism and multiculturalism in football in France and I must say it really is interesting to research a lot of the global trends now in terms of talent in different fields.

As well, the squad have now returned to training (July 3rd) first at the Hallian. Then they managed to fly to beatiful Dinard, right by the beach and relaxing at a 3 star hotel (I think) with a spa. Chamakh is at training and Gourcuff, after his adventures in NYC was expected on Monday. (They are doing some weight training and sprints w or w/o the ball.)

Turning to the whole Chamakh issue, JLT have been denying a 13m bid from Sunderland claiming that they have not recieved any offers for Chamakh. It’s a bit too early to weigh in on this situation because I do expect a last minute bid that Chamakh would want to take..

Howeverl, Bordeaux has come to an agreement with OM for Diawara (nooooooo!) and obviously did not come to training at Hallian (he’s with the OM squad in Evian). His transfer costed OM 7m, apparently Bordeaux are on the losing end of this equation, seeing as we did not manage to secure the signature of Ronaldo Zubar in that transfer (he’s signed for Wolverhampton for 2 or 3m).  What it comes to is a lot of good out (potentially) and so far only one in. I hope Blanc has some really good ideas (one perhaps involve getting rid of Placente). Olimpa, our 3rd keeper has extended and loaned off to Angers as well.

I really apologize for making this post SO long, but it has to be done to keep up with all the changes. Check out our new signing Carrasso!

He is quite goodlooking, won’t you agree? And I’m out!

You can read his first interview with Bordeaux here.
The presser has yet to go online, so no pretty jersey pictures. Carrasso is quite the stud, no?

Yoann Gourcuff signs on to Bordeaux on a 4 year contract!

He says: “I am very pleased to continue the adventure that I engaged with the Girondins. My decision to sign with the FCGB has matured throughout the season.

We managed to create all conditions for a sporting success while fostering true relationships within the group.

I learned a lot when I was at AC Milan and I would also like to thank the players and the trainers of the club with whom I was learning at the highest level.

The trust that Laurent Blanc and my teammates have put in me since the beginning of the season, the ambition of the club for the upcoming season, and the unwavering support of our supporters, made me determined to accept this new challenge, to beyond the purely economic aspects that have not been a priority in my decision. “

A quick update as I rush through the last 3 days of school and start preparing for finals. It’s a bit stupid that my finals are after the break, but alas, Canada. 

-Monaco are after Gabby. I know Obertan hasn’t looked as promising as of recent, but it will be a real real shame to let him go before he’s proven himself at Bordeaux. 

-Bordeaux’s interests in goal: Yohann Pele, Coman, Nicolas Douchez, Carlos Kameni and …. Mickaël Landreau (?!!). I’m sorry, but Landreau does not make the cut; we’d have to start fixing him in 5 years.

-Grenoble’s breakout midfielder Sofiane Feghouli (but tonnes of other clubs are also after him, so not likely).

-L’Equipe also says Blanc is interested in one Fabio Ferreira, a central defender playing with Corinthians. 

-And for once, thank you referees! Without you Bordeaux won’t have won that game by such a large margin (and for once, everyone agrees.)

-Bordeaux draws ASSE for Coupe de France in round of 32. 

- I have good scans of the rest of the Yoann Gourcuff interview and will be translating soon! I’ll hope to get a few up before Christmas  

I bring good news and bad news.

I must first say that this was very good game after that terrible loss to Nancy. Goals by Cavenaghi and Chamakh, who was bound to score sooner or later. Gourcuff also had his assist.

But there, have the bad news first — the good news will only be a consolation (unless you happen to support Lyon.)

It wasn’t long ago when I broke out the news over the comments that Ramé’s injury will keep him out for another month. It has barely been 4 days when Valverde had a good game against Cluj. It’s been barely two days since Valverde dared to dream about playing against Lyon and Chelsea, and may I venture, Roma. Well that dream ended in the 44th minute when he received a knock to the head. His injury does seem fairly serious for he lost consciousness right after the knock, but he did regain it a few minutes later and was sent to the hospital immediately.

The main point is, we are now down to option trois, Kevin Olimpa, who had his debut today after Valverde’s injury.

«A guardian must be determined in its sorties or feet, without taking situations lightly, and without thinking that talent is easy. In addition, I have thought of anything or anyone, but just m’arracher at any give and implement the instructions of the coach. I prepared this season in order to have my chance at the highest level. Today I am happy. I do not m’avance Tuesday, as it will depending on the injury of Matthew, but I’m ready. So as long as it continues!»

I’m happy that he took it so positively and I can imagine how nervous he would be if he does start against Lyon, but Guingamp will do him a whole hell lot of good. I’ll try my best to keep the injury news updated.