Newsie Odds and Ends
•Internationals went slightly less well this round: Jorgy (who was captain again in Denmark's 3-0 win over Malta and was terribly modest about it), Jojo (Georgia 0-0 Montenegro) and Melo (who scored the third goal in Brazil's 3-0 win over Peru) all went the full 90 minutes for their teams. Gambit and Kuzi both made the bench for theirs, while Monty and broken Mutu and Krol all watched from the stands, and Vargas was already back in Florence, since he was suspended and no one wanted him around.
•The injury situation following the internationals isn't great: Mutu is due back in Florence today to have his knee examined (the Romania FA announced yesterday that he was headed back for immediate surgery, but Fiorentina said they'd like to examine him before they decide that, thanks), while Krol has already been declared out for a couple weeks, and Jorgy's suffering from some sort of a knock, too. With Gambit suspended, the absence of Krol could mean Zauri in the middle of the back again. Or even -- dare we hope? -- Mazuch!
•In good injury news, Gila took part in today's friendly, so he's good to go Sunday, and Gobbi, despite being pronounced out of commission for at least a week just a few days ago, is talking like he'll be ready this weekend, as well.
•El Mundo Deportivo are reporting that Fiorentina have offered Seb to Barca. O rly? (Does that seem plausible to anyone?)
•On the topic of transfers, there was more talk yesterday about the recession clauses that Fiorentina are reportedly inserting into their contracts this summer. I believe the rumored amounts are the same as they were when it was discussed a few months ago but, just for the sake of being thorough: If anyone wants Gila or Monty, they will each cost about €25 million, Mutu will be about €18 million, Seb and Melo will each run about about €15 million, and Gambit is valued just below them, followed by Jojo and Vargas.
•And, still speaking of transfers, here's an update on Fiorentina's defensive targets -- mostly, it's the usual suspects, like Zapata and Ivanovic, but there are also a few young names, as well as that of Daniele Bonera, who first started turning up in rumors only a week or so ago. There's also Simon Kjaer who everyone wants, but whose agent for some reason says Fiorentina are in the best position to land.
•Whenever Melo gets back to Florence, Cesare reportedly wants to have another big, clear-the-air meeting. Super. (Wasn't the last one supposed to fix everything?)
•Finally, an Ujfi interview from a Florence paper -- he really, really loves Fiorentina and Florence, and talks about how nice it would be to end his career in purple. Additionally, he says he recently called Pazzo "a couple times" to congratulate him, and isn't at all surprised at how well he's doing. &hearts
•The injury situation following the internationals isn't great: Mutu is due back in Florence today to have his knee examined (the Romania FA announced yesterday that he was headed back for immediate surgery, but Fiorentina said they'd like to examine him before they decide that, thanks), while Krol has already been declared out for a couple weeks, and Jorgy's suffering from some sort of a knock, too. With Gambit suspended, the absence of Krol could mean Zauri in the middle of the back again. Or even -- dare we hope? -- Mazuch!
•In good injury news, Gila took part in today's friendly, so he's good to go Sunday, and Gobbi, despite being pronounced out of commission for at least a week just a few days ago, is talking like he'll be ready this weekend, as well.
•El Mundo Deportivo are reporting that Fiorentina have offered Seb to Barca. O rly? (Does that seem plausible to anyone?)
•On the topic of transfers, there was more talk yesterday about the recession clauses that Fiorentina are reportedly inserting into their contracts this summer. I believe the rumored amounts are the same as they were when it was discussed a few months ago but, just for the sake of being thorough: If anyone wants Gila or Monty, they will each cost about €25 million, Mutu will be about €18 million, Seb and Melo will each run about about €15 million, and Gambit is valued just below them, followed by Jojo and Vargas.
•And, still speaking of transfers, here's an update on Fiorentina's defensive targets -- mostly, it's the usual suspects, like Zapata and Ivanovic, but there are also a few young names, as well as that of Daniele Bonera, who first started turning up in rumors only a week or so ago. There's also Simon Kjaer who everyone wants, but whose agent for some reason says Fiorentina are in the best position to land.
•Whenever Melo gets back to Florence, Cesare reportedly wants to have another big, clear-the-air meeting. Super. (Wasn't the last one supposed to fix everything?)
•Finally, an Ujfi interview from a Florence paper -- he really, really loves Fiorentina and Florence, and talks about how nice it would be to end his career in purple. Additionally, he says he recently called Pazzo "a couple times" to congratulate him, and isn't at all surprised at how well he's doing. &hearts