limpper

5 Sep 09, 16:50

Man Utd's Ferdinand open to shock Real Madrid, Barcelona switch

Manchester United face a massive battle to hold onto Rio Ferdinand.

The Sun says the England defender is a target for Barcelona and Real Madrid - and knows a move to Spain will boost his growing business career.

Ferdinand is under contract until 2013 but United could be tempted to cash in on a player who is 30 and who has suffered from recent injury problems.

A source revealed: "Rio can see the sense of it.

"Not only would it be a fresh challenge as he nears the end of his career, it would also fit all his projects off the pitch.

"Rio has big business plans, which are already taking shape, and would really take off if he moved to one of the big Spanish clubs."

Ferdinand's growing portfolio includes running a record label and a football agency. He is also about to launch a lifestyle management company.

Another off-the-field project is #5 Magazine, which uses the latest digital technology.

Elsewhere, the Rio Ferdinand Live The Dream foundation was established last year to give young people from disadvantaged backgrounds the chance to take part in sports, arts and cultural activities.

A launch party in December, costing £495 per head, will feature Prime Minister Gordon Brown as a guest speaker.

Shao Wei

5 Sep 09, 19:07

won't happen

zocoss

6 Sep 09, 00:02

Actually its not a bad deal for United, Rio is still a very good defender but he is like 30 now and 31 next month and nowadays getting injury prone... So it could be a good deal to cash in on him by next season... Ask for $15 to $20 million... lol

limpper

6 Sep 09, 00:05

i would say a swap deal to bring, like say pepe over will be good for utd

zocoss

6 Sep 09, 00:15

Originally posted by limpper:

i would say a swap deal to bring, like say pepe over will be good for utd

I think a cash deal would be much better... Evans and Vidic will be good together and buy someone else maybe that Fulham defender would be good... Pepe isn't very good...

limpper

6 Sep 09, 00:21

pepe can fight when needed man. rmb last season? lol

zocoss

6 Sep 09, 01:03

Originally posted by limpper:

pepe can fight when needed man. rmb last season? lol

Thats why... He can fight thats why don't want him...

They need players who can defend and not fight and let in goals easily... lol

CannyOng

6 Sep 09, 01:33

Seriously, do u think at age near 30 is old or pass their peak for a defender?

Top class defender play until near the age of 40yrs old. Maldini, Jaap Stam, Fabio Cannavaro, Cafu, Lothar.M.

If Rio is a real top class defender, he still got almost a decade times to play...

And u think is good business to sell him?

a-Lost-9uY

6 Sep 09, 01:36

No wonder he recently openly said Spanish League is e best in e world..

got hidden agenda de.. hahaha

mlmersrlosers

6 Sep 09, 02:29

Originally posted by CannyOng:

Seriously, do u think at age near 30 is old or pass their peak for a defender?

Top class defender play until near the age of 40yrs old. Maldini, Jaap Stam, Fabio Cannavaro, Cafu, Lothar.M.

If Rio is a real top class defender, he still got almost a decade times to play...

And u think is good business to sell him?

yes but no dc remains beyond 34 in bpl/ the pace of the league is faster than any other league in the world

zocoss

6 Sep 09, 02:34

Originally posted by CannyOng:

Seriously, do u think at age near 30 is old or pass their peak for a defender?

Top class defender play until near the age of 40yrs old. Maldini, Jaap Stam, Fabio Cannavaro, Cafu, Lothar.M.

If Rio is a real top class defender, he still got almost a decade times to play...

And u think is good business to sell him?

Depending on how much you can get... And not all top class defenders can last till their last 30s... Many loss their speed when the reach 30 and everything else is different too... Sol Cambell was a very good defender, s good as Rio but at 30, he already lost his place at Arsenal... Today he is only 34.

CannyOng

6 Sep 09, 02:49

Originally posted by zocoss:

Depending on how much you can get... And not all top class defenders can last till their last 30s... Many loss their speed when the reach 30 and everything else is different too... Sol Cambell was a very good defender, s good as Rio but at 30, he already lost his place at Arsenal... Today he is only 34.

He lose his place in Arsenal not becos of his lacking ability while more due to Wenger obsessed with youngster.

Campell I will say is doing well in Porthsmouth but the club is in some trouble.

Good defender lacking in speed can compensate with experience, good marking and timely tackle. That's how those top class defender can last until beyond their 30s..

Speed will be more critical for attacker and winger. That is why most striker passed 32yrs old will usually bench and not favour by coach anymore. It is the case with all 3 big leagues

maskedangel

6 Sep 09, 02:54

please don leave.

especially not now

cos if the stupid ban kicks in, we'll have trouble at the back in case of injury.

hamidisaidi

6 Sep 09, 07:46

C'mon.....'source'?

Until it comes out of the players mouth himself, then its best to take this story as a load of bull.

zocoss

6 Sep 09, 11:31

Originally posted by CannyOng:

He lose his place in Arsenal not becos of his lacking ability while more due to Wenger obsessed with youngster.

Campell I will say is doing well in Porthsmouth but the club is in some trouble.

Good defender lacking in speed can compensate with experience, good marking and timely tackle. That's how those top class defender can last until beyond their 30s..

Speed will be more critical for attacker and winger. That is why most striker passed 32yrs old will usually bench and not favour by coach anymore. It is the case with all 3 big leagues

I think Wenger drop Sol more because he could not keep up with the fast playing style of Arsenal... and he was also getting injury prone due to age... like what Rio is also becoming sadly...

Sol Campbell is no longer doing well at Portsmouth... Portsmouth didn't offer him a new deal when his contract expired... He did show flashes of good at Portsmouth during his time there, but wasn't consistent... He will need to be more consistent to be consider good for the top 4... He is now playing for a League two side...

Good defenders lacking speed may make up with experienced which could be true, but it could also means someone in the defence has to compensate for his shortcomings...

Cafu best days have long past him, He may still be playing at AC Milan but what has AC Milan become today? And he don't even start the match, more like an extra sub...

On Stam, he is only 37 today but his best days ended when he left AC Milan at 34...

Fabio Cannavaro, he is only 35 today, Real Madrid has been letting in goals quite easily these last 2 yrs... I guess after the 2006 WC he started go down as well...

But not surprisingly, all these defenders played in Italy's much slower Serie A... Which probably is more of an advantage than playing in the Premiership...

Rio is still a very good defender but he has to still be good in order for Barce and Real to want him... But he probably has 2 more yrs at this level, so it isn't a bad thing to cash in on him at the end of this season or they won't get anything back in 2 yrs time...

MaNyZeR

6 Sep 09, 13:34

Sol campbell is no longer at portsmouth.. he is now at nottingham forest already...

Anyway... ask them come singapore to play la... the pace is damn damn damn slow.. striker alexander duric is 37 and still in the national team!!!

So if you want to prolong playing soccer... come to Singapore!!

Bus&Soccer l0v3r (VO3x 1)

6 Sep 09, 13:38

Originally posted by MaNyZeR:

Sol campbell is no longer at portsmouth.. he is now at nottingham forest already...

Anyway... ask them come singapore to play la... the pace is damn damn damn slow.. striker alexander duric is 37 and still in the national team!!!

So if you want to prolong playing soccer... come to Singapore!!

Giggs, Scholes and Gary Neville is a better choice

United4Life

7 Sep 09, 03:56

Fegurson wont let him go if the ban kicks in for Man utd.