Ba-Cisse: Bing Bang Boom, We Go To Europe

Newcastle United's £10m move for Senegalese striker Papiss Demba Cisse was completed on Tuesday morning. Cisse joins the Magpies after an impressive 22 goals in 32 games last season, and nine in 15 this year, all with Bundesliga team SC Freiburg.

This move seems all but successful (already), according to top pundits who are doting on the prospect of a Demba Ba - Papiss Demba Cisse super Sengalese strike force (better known as the Demba Duo). As a budding appreciator of a sturdy Newcastle squad this season, I'll admit, this move looks like it will pay great dividends for the club. Newcastle has a great defense, hardworking midfield, and already capable striker in Demba Ba. The addition of Cisse could very well keep Newcastle on course to hover among the top 7, earning a precious European berth a mere two seasons after being relegated to the Championship.

The one downside I can see is that both players will missing in action for perhaps a month due to the African Nations Cup, which starts this weekend. But, since both are Senegalese, the upside is they will be training and bonding while away from their club.

This looks like another master stroke signing for Alan Pardew and owner Mike Ashley, who fabricated the Andy Carroll sale last January, and followed up by signing the likes of Hatem Ben Arfa (permanently), Davide Santon, Yohan Cabaye, Gabriel Obertan, and the original Demba Duo's Demba Ba. Strangely enough, the team probably still has £15m give or take in the transfer kitty - thanks Andy Carroll, ya big ugly flop! Good management all around, and good luck to those Magpies. I'm hoping the smart guys finish well.


Photo Credit: Bleacher Report

F*ck FIFA '12, I'm Back

FIFA no more, I say.

Pick up your controller and come back to me...

No Javier Pastore I will not!

Sorry for the inactivity over the course of the past few months, but FIFA '12 got me hooked. Navigating the Head to Head Seasons competition with PSG enveloped my life for a few hours each day. It's like a drug, really. When you lose, you play more because you want to win. And when you win, the going is good, so you play more! What a conundrum.

I managed to frustratingly fall short of cup titles, Division 1 promotion, and other accolades, because of gamers who want to win so bad the only teams they select are Real Madrid, Barcelona, or the Spanish national team. Not fair, b*tches. After being relegated from Division 2 I made up my mind to do something more productive with my time like write about soccer or play it. So here we are. I am dedicated to writing first, gaming second. 

What's on the docket, you ask? Well, I don't know. All the football gossip you crave? You bet. It's the transfer window, after-all, so let's start with some juicy rumors from our friends over at Football Spy:



 Stay tuned for more fun folks. And bear with me, I'm in FIFA rehab.


Photo Credits: Europa League, Goal.com
Video Credits: Football Spy via footytube.com

HOT RUMORS on deadline day PART ONE

Hi everyone,

Sorry about the inactivity but shut up for a minute. I am writing this as fast as humanly possible because of the amount of rumors I have been tracking on this extraordinary deadline day. Here they are:

Better late than never

Giuseppe Rossi to Tottenham
Rumors are swirling all over Twitter and even Wikipedia seems to think the deal was done. Not sure if that holds true, but Spurs midfielder Tom Huddlestone exclaimed via Twitter that he could not believe who snuck into training today. Rossi or maybe...

Kaka to Tottenham
What?! Surely it can't be...but maybe. I've heard some things.

Gary Cahill to Tottenham for either Bassong or Bently
Not sure about this but I've heard murmurs.

Scott Parker signs for Tottenham
Now official.

Wesley Sneijder to Manchester United
Have not heard too much about this move, but I believe it will happen. Forlan has signed with Inter, opening the door for a possible exit for Sneijder. We shall see!

Luka Modric to Chelsea
I think this deal will happen today, given Tottenham's need to fortify the rest of their squad. Good luck getting playing time, jerk!

Raul Meireles to Chelsea for cash and Yossi Benayoun
This would be a ridiculous deal in my opinion. Liverpool look great with Meireles in the lineup...why would they do this DON'T DO IT FOR THE LOVE OF JEBUS.

Mauro Zarate on loan to Inter
I guess this deal is done, but who cares because he sucks anyway. Lazio merda.

Arsenal sign Santos, Mertesacker, and Park Chu-Young
Hard to believe, right? Wenger power!

Roma continue to own the transfer market
They will be putting pen to paper with Simon Kjaer and Miralem Pjanic today...as well as possibly Fernando Gago. Great mercato.

Your Top Transfer News Lifeline...

As work pulverizes my life, I blog to urge you to visit Footytube and view what I consider a top transfer news source: the Mirror's Football Spy. During any transfer window, Football Spy will give you the hottest rumors and moves on the market. What started as a two-minute video blurb, has grown into a 5 -7 minute daily scope of all footballing speculations and deals. It is highly geared toward the Premier League, since it is based in the UK, but transfer news from around most leagues is usually mentioned in the show. And for the first time they now have pictured windows aiding their vids! I find the sources reliable and the host a delightful British gentleman. I watch faithfully everyday in and around transfer windows and urge you to do the same!

Today's Football Spy:



Sensible Soccer's brief review of what's hot in the transfer window:

David Beckham
Cometh the man and his gifted right foot! Becks is wanted by many teams around the world, but it seems that a loan deal with Tottenham, the club he supported in his youth, is close.

Edin Dzeko
Reports have emerged that Dzeko is on his way to Manchester as we speak to put pen to paper with City. True?

Ronaldinho

Blackburn?!? What the...are there even any discotecas there for the Brazilian to party at? I don't think it will happen but who knows!

Robbie Keane

Wave bye-bye to Tottenham (again) Robbie, it's time. I am crossing my fingers for some sort of switch with Everton which could include Keane and/or Niko Kranjcar to for the talented South African, Steven Pienaar. Come on you Spurs!

Antonio Cassano
Told you! The temperamental Italian is now officially on AC Milan.


Please tune in to Football Spy for your daily transfer news needs and stand by for an exciting Sensible Soccer filled 2011.