The speculation surrounding a potential loan deal involving the LA Galaxy’s David Beckham heading to Tottenham Hotspur has drawn severe criticism from the US press.
Soccer America’s Paul Gardner, SI.com and MLSsoccer.com scribe Steve Davis, ESPN’s Alexi Lalas and FoxSoccer.com’s Ives Galarcep have all provided detailed explanations for why they think it’s a bad idea.
One gossip column in England expects the loan deal to go through, speculating that a working relationship between Tottenham and the Galaxy’s owners will bring the transaction to fruition.
One Beckham getting favorable media coverage today is Romeo Beckham, who is already considered one of the best-dressed people from all of the UK.
The developments in Toronto are also capturing headlines. According to the Boston Globe, Paul Mariner and Aron Winter will in fact form the most unlikely pairing of soccer minds to run an MLS club at Toronto FC.
In Toronto they want to know who will be handling what. Is Mariner a GM, or will that job be left to Winter?
The former Ajax man says he has complete control over all technical aspects of the club according to this Dutch report.
One announcement that will reportedly take place today is the formal unveiling of Robin Fraser as Chivas USA head coach. As he gets set to leave RSL, he is likely to take someone with him to Chivas USA.
There will be a cost if one MLS star striker wants to make a move. A report indicates that the Colorado Rapids have set the buyout fee for striker Omar Cummings ahead of his Aston Villa loan.
Guillermo Barros Schelotto will be back in Columbus this week but he says his future is still up in the air.
Jay DeMerit is having a more entertaining offseason. Find out why the Vancouver Whitecaps defender was singing a song called “Roll Out The Barrel” back home in Wisconsin on Sunday.
Another state will get a rare taste of MLS as South Florida hosts the annual player combine and a special meeting involving Commissioner Don Garber.
Meanwhile the international rumor mill continues to churn. The Philadelphia Union are reportedly interested in Nuremberg’s Slovakian striker Marek Mintál. (SLOVAK)
In Scotland they are linking the Chicago Fire with Guadeloupe forward Mikael Antoine-Curier.
And the Whitecaps welcome back two young Hondurans that are signed to contracts through August and could make the jump to MLS. (SPANISH)
Former DC goalkeeper Josh Wicks has turned up again in Europe, where he has joined a Finnish club. (FINNISH)
January will seemingly involve a transfer for US national team midfielder Jermaine Jones, who is on the outs at Schalke but still has plenty of fans in the German Bundesliga.
Another American in the Bundesliga who could be on the move is former US Under-17 defender Neven Subotic of Borussia Dortmund. His suitors are in the EPL.
The Indian owners over at EPL side Blackburn Rovers are leaving many scratching their heads. One day after confirming they were not in the Ronaldinho bidding, they give financial details of a three-year deal proposed to the player’s agent.
Also in England, American ‘keeper Brad Guzan got another 90 minutes for Hull City on Monday and came up big to help his team to a 3-2 win. Meanwhile, US World Cup forward Jozy Altidore came on as a late sub as Villarreal racked another La Liga victory.
American Clint Dempsey will take the spotlight today as Fulham host West Bromwich Albion (3 p.m. ET, ESPN Deportes) in league play. Other big match-ups on the day include Manchester United vs. Stoke City (3 p.m. ET, Fox Soccer Channel) and Athletic Bilbao vs. Barcelona in Copa del Rey action (1 p.m. ET, ESPN Deportes).
Manchester United’s Ryan Giggs has released a new training DVD … for a yoga regimen. (VIDEO)
Lastly, credit the Moroccan league with another rare highlight: a player who gets sent off for an altercation during a match … with his own teammate. (VIDEO)
MLSsoccer.com Must-Reads:
Monday’s edition of ExtraTime Radio with ESPN’s Allen Hopkins
DC United manager Ben Olsen identifies his plans ahead of the combine and SuperDraft
Tyrone Marshall looks forward to making his mark in Colorado
