There have been reports that Blanc is the United’s #1 in terms of replacing Sir Alex when he retires (which health permitting might be in a season or two). I can see why Blanc would be an excellent choice for United, and I know that if indeed Sir Ferguson does retire, Blanc will certainly be the man to fill in the position very nicely. (Or indeed, Jose Mourinho’s spot when he goes to Real Madrid*, or even Domenech’s position.)

I’m a big fan of Blanc as our manager and the logic he applies our game here. Most of the strategies and the moves he makes make sense. I understand why he starts a certain player or substitutes another, and I appreciate his good taste in selecting players (with the exception of Placente). I have no doubt that bringing Ciani to Bordeaux had a great deal to do with him.

A quick look at Blanc’s current record with Bordeaux on scapulaire.com shows that Bordeaux wins at home 69% of the time and 50% of the time away. The away percentage is quite high compared a lot of the previous coaches (this is why I love scapulaire.com AND all their stats.) Blanc has quite the record. Guiding Bordeaux to a second place finish in his first year of coaching, and then a L1 title, and now early qualifications to Champions League, and though with spotty performances here and there, a top table standing in L1.

Blanc to United is just a little bit farfetched, but it does make sense seeing as Fergie did try his best (and succeeded) to get Blanc as a player. He has also attempted to bring Blanc in as an assistant coach but that was not accepted. However, it is evident that Blanc and Fergie are on extremely good terms…seeing Blanc’s reaction to Gaby Obertan’s recent move to United, I don’t doubt that Blanc had something to do with it. (In a related note, Gaby has been toted to take over Nani’s beleaguered spot and is apparently doing quite well indeed. Oh how I tear up with pride.) There are now also rumours at an United bid (an alleged £13 million versus Arsenal’s meagre £7.5 million) on Marouane Chamakh. Wenger should be fearful of Ferguson indeed, but of course he doesn’t want Chamakh anymore…..

I guess the point that I’m trying to make here, while writing this at 4am when I should be designing, is that if Blanc can make so much out of our squad and our meagre resources, imagine what he can accomplish with the vast resources at United? For me, Blanc has always been a coach (alas not for a long time) that made the most out of his resources and what he has. He always finds the best that his money can get (which in Placente’s case was almost free). While some people complain that his lineups always seem to depend on a few players (Chamakh, Gourcuff, say what you will), there is no doubt that he always tries to field the best possible and the most logical combination.

Blanc to Inter is quite plausible as well. The job isn’t as prestigious as taking over the reins at Old Trafford, but makes sense for Moratti to hire an ex-player. To be honest, as an Inter fan (hahahahahahhahaha no jokes here), I will actually resume following Inter if Blanc went.

I’m really curious to see what your reactions are to Blanc’s possibly departure from the club after bringing us so much. I forsee a great exodus of talent, from Gaby (already), to Chamakh (soon), then Gourcuff (obviously) to even Blanc, then many many other players. If Blanc does leave, who will be suitable to take over?

*I’m not justifying goal.com’s credibility in anyway, just a rumour that has been propogating.

P.S.: Happy birthday Laurent Blanc I was really trying to get this post up today just for your birthday.

Oh they’re so cute!
I’ve decided that having Gourcuff, Carrasso and Diarra is enough to make me support France in the World Cup (especially considering Sweden’s exit…)

Gouffran’s picture just kills me in this! In the beanie and the scarf, it’s just a puddle of “awwwww”. He should pose for like Abercombie or something. Also, Carrasso and Chamakh.

I know I’ve been gone for a long time from this blog and that’s because of school commitments and midterms and all that stuff. But, midterms are done, and even though I’m still really busy, THIS POST NEEDS TO GO UP OMG.

So we can talk about the finals 13 years ago, or we can talk about this upcoming game. I really haven’t been keeping up with the league and I have no idea what is going on with both Bordeaux and Lyon falling to teams that have been in the relegation zone just last year. I did watch Lyon vs Liverpool yesterday though, and it really showed that it is POSSIBLE to beat teams of that calibre away while coming off of a defeat. Nevertheless, Bordeaux is really struggling with the attacking portion of the game.

Or maybe more things, I guess. Just a quickie update before Rennes.

-Gourcuff had to rush away from training after a thigh injury. He might not be available for Rennes as he was told not to exert for the next 48 hours. (The above image is from yesterday.)

-Wenger has allegedly said that he will not consider putting in another bid for Chamakh when the January window opens. He claims that he doesn’t need another striker since he has many capable players already (this is true). I think he just wants go wait till Chamakh is free and then make a grab for him.

-Also good news is that Bordeaux (the city) has been selected as the French candidate that will go for Euro 2016. If this does happen there will be a spanking new stadium for Bordeaux and all kinds of amazing things will happen.

The image is not suggestive at all, only hopeful. I know I’ve been gone for a loooooong while but university (and frosh week) ate a chunk of my time, but now I think I’m back, albeit not for very long posts but still back.

The group for Turin:
C. Carrasso, Rame – Sane, Chalmé, Ciani, Henrique, Jurietti, Placente, Planus, Trémoulinas – A. Diarra, Fernando, Gourcuff, Plasil, Wendel – Saivet, Bellion, Cavenaghi, Chamakh Gouffran, Jussie.

My probable lineup (because I feel like I understand Blanc a bit more now):

Carrasso
Chalme  Ciani  Planus  Tremoulinas
Diarra     Gourcuff    Wendel
Chamakh          Gouffran
Cavenaghi

I pray pray pray that I can stream the game tomorrow, but it’s right smack in the middle of my physics lab (from 1-4…), but I should be able to stream part of the second half. I was reaaaaally excited for Inter-Barca too, but my schedule just goes right above it. *RAGE RAGE RAGE* University sucks.

I recently spotted an article titled Arsenal Target Marouane Chamakh Isn’t Very Good, and guess what, besides their video proof, I have proof too. I agree wholeheartedly with him. Chamakh is a terrible player. Everything from his ridiculously ludicrous headers to his impossibly insane moments in the air. The man is a beast (and I mean that in the bad way.)

This is why I say so:

1. His hair defies gravity, and he probably uses enough hair gel to fund a small economy.

2. He defies gravity. <— most ridiculous photo I’ve seen of him yet.

3. He gets chummy with Gourcuff.

4. He gets kisses from Triaud.

5. His head is small.

6. He ain’t no arshavin or brazillian.

7. He’s really old. I mean, 25? Come on, he is only functional for like 5 more years.

8. I think he has a nightclub in Morocco? (<– cannot be confirmed)

9. He photographs too well.

10. He’s skinny.

There you go Wenger. 10 reasons why you shouldn’t sign Chamakh on even a free transfer. Do you really want him ruining the lucrative hair gel market, skyrocketing the prices for the average Londoner? ‘Course not. In fact, no club deserves the completely undesirable Chamakh. If Gourcuff didn’t have a slight crush on him, we wouldn’t even want to keep him for ourselves (but obviously, to please Gourcuff we must, and we must pay him a lot of money.)

(If it’s not obvious I was totally stuck on the 7th reason and beyond.)

Can someone else give 10 reasons why Arsenal shouldn’t sign Chamakh?

In other news, I am completely grateful for the international break. I’m going MIA for the next week as I’m packing like crazy and moving. Also, frosh activities and the beginning of school is going to eat a chunk of my time. Similarly, since school is starting and I don’t think I want to fail post-secondary education, I’m going to take it easy on this blog.

Possible groups:

Marseille:
Mandanda – Bonnart, S. Diawara, Heinze, Taiwo – Abriel, Mbia, Be. Cheyrou – Kone, Brandao, Niang (cap.)

Bordeaux
Carrasso – Chalmé, Ciani, Planus, Trémoulinas – Diarra (captain) – Plasil, Gourcuff, Wendel – Chamakh Cavenaghi (or Gouffran)

Also known as Mr. 55% now, it’s been pointed out thatGourcuff responsible for 54.54% of Bordeaux’s goals.

Gourcuff had let slip that a girl who is not famous/celebrity/model CAN BE MRS GOURCUFF! Any girl indeed.

Also he says “I am very happy that Marouane remains even if the transfer window is not finished yet and it may happen a lot of things. I get along with Marouane on the field and off. He happens to be easy [going] and he is understandable. And he’s a good guy, so it’s nice to play with guys like that.”

I honestly apologize for the random bit of trivia I threw in there. I sort of planned a post a few days before and saved this draft, and now I kind of just put everything together. Anyway, there are the streams: http://www.myp2p.eu/broadcast.php?matchid=47087∂=sports

Also, live blogging right now in the comments.