Friday, January 1, 2010

A Rat Expelled

To start the new year off right, Newell's Old Boys took one more step in distancing the team from former president Eduardo López, as removing him from office in December of 2008 wasn't enough. On December 28th, 2009 La Comisión Directiva del Club Atlético Newell’s Old Boys expelled him from the team's socios (fans who pay membership dues for the right to vote in the team elections, and other privileges,) and added 27 others with suspected ties to the former leader. Unlike López, the 27 in question will be allowed to come forward to defend themselves.

In transfer news Newell's have signed 22 year old midfielder Marcelo Estigarribia on loan from Le Mans of France. He joined Le Mans in 2008, but has only managed to play in 7 matches for them, so I'm sure he'll be looking forward to getting more playing time. He's also been capped 5 times for his native Paraguay, debuting on May 22nd, 2008. I haven't been able to find much on the player, but his wikipedia entry calls him a "versatile midfielder." Even if he can't crack the starting 11, playing more than one position will make him very valuable coming off the bench.

Meamwhile, my earlier rant about Maxi Rodriguez possible loan to Boca Jrs looks to be proving unfounded, as English side Liverpool are also looking to making a move to bring the player in on loan. Reports are that Boca are still interested, but in Liverpool's favor is that no pay cut would be needed. Boca, on the other hand, have the advantage that Maxi would be sure to be a starter, I'm not so sure of that when it comes to Liverpool.

Now, if Liverpool is showing interest, there probably are a few other teams that are thinking about making an offer of one sort or another. Should any of them be willing to make a full transfer offer I have no doubt that all the teams interested in only a loan will be over looked. Atletico Madrid, after all, would much prefer the larger fee such a transaction would bring.

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