The daily grind

By: Sam | November 20th, 2006

With the winter transfer window fast approaching, France’s big guns are looking to eastern Europe for young players to recruit and develop.
Case in point in Croatia, where 20-year old NK Sibenik striker Ante Rukavina has attracted Lyon as well as Marseille. Don’t count on a signing just yet, but his name will pop up more often than not in the looming rumor conversations.

The big mouth of Marseille has also announced their interest in Monaco’s captain and French international Gaël Givet. The full-back, immensely frustrated by the inconsistency of his side in the first third of the season is without a doubt looking for a change. Juventus were looking to ink him in the summer, but the curly-haired veteran opted to stay put. Marseille, hardly loaded with cash at the moment, are hard-pressed to find the money to convince ASM’s head offices. But I think this could be the move that would make OM’s starting eleven that much closer to being compete, therefore Marseille’s president Pape Diouf is expected to lend a considerable amount of attention to the man.

Brazilian website Sambafoot has recently written that Selecao’s single-capped defensive midfielder, Lucas Pezzini Leiva, currently employed at Gremio Porto Alegre, could sign a contract in Bordeaux, already strong with fellow countrymen Wendel, Fernando and Henrique, as well as manager Ricardo.

Paris Saint-Germain, currently sucking, enjoying heartily their worst start to the year in 38 seasons, are riding a wave of insults of late. Most of them targeted at their wierd decision making manager, Guy Lacombe. PSG’s president, Alain Cayzac, has reassured supporters that there is nothing to worry about. Said Cayzac (translated from French): We have to think positive. There is a psychological reason that leads to a considerable lack of confidence. I’ve spoken to the players without Guy Lacombe, I didn’t press anything. I told them that the situation was bad, but I asked them to react and tell me what they thought was wrong. I am trying to bring about my contribution. I felt they were happy with the dialogue. They need to lose their stress and I told them to liberate themselves. I stand by my argument that Guy Lacombe is a good manager. The supporters have every reason to whistle, to complain, but I have every reason to do what I need to do.

Florent Malouda, the solid winger for Olympique Lyonnais and Les Bleus, could be heading to London next summer, according to various vague sources. Malouda would apparently head to Stamford Bridge in 2007, one reason being his very important friendship with some guy named Didier Drogba. What’s more, Lyon has said they are not repulsed by the alleged 22 million Euros proposed by Chelsea. Keep an eye out…