Leonardo, Felipe Melo, and Donovan's blow to Goldenballs

July 8, 6:23 AMSoccer ExaminerBrian Louie

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Anyone who's read The Italian Job by Gianluca Vialli and Gabriele Marcotti is aware of the notion that up-and-coming Italian managers, and perhaps continental managers on average, are more prepared for the task than their counterparts in England.  One need only to look at how many English clubs hand the reins to a newbie on the touchline with very little managing experience (Paul Ince at Blackburn, Alan Shearer at Newcastle), only to be sacked at the first sign of unmet expecations.

New Milan gaffer Leonardo certainly falls into this category, and the former Brazilian international is currently cramming the knowledge into his floppy-haired dome so he can lead the Rossonieri into a new Serie A campaign.  The extra coursework may not replace Kaka, but it's surely more than Ince or Shearer went through.  [Gazetta dello Sport]

Gooners suffering through the last five years of Arsenal's trophy drought would find it hard to deny that their club desperately need some grit in midfield.  With Arsenal seemingly so close to fulfilling its potential,reaching the Champions League Final in 2006, and leading the Premier League for about half a season, it seemed Arsene Wenger's squad was only a few pieces away from some silver. 

Letting holding midfielder Mathieu Flamini leave for Milan meant the Gunners took a few steps back.  The Denilson/Abou Diaby/Alex Song experiment didn't quite tighten up the back of midfield, and had little positive impact on an already shaky back line. 

So Gunners may have been excited (but skeptical) about a move for Brazilian Felipe Melo from Fiorentina.  They knew it was a longshot, with the defensive midfielder priced around 21M GBP.  Throw in the returning Phillipe Senderos and fan irritant Emmanuel Eboue and a deal seemed possible.  Alas, it could be the giants of Turn that may grab the 26-year old in the end. 

If you're a Gooner, you must be shaking your head.  If it only takes a few extra million, why not splash out for an experienced player for a position you cannot seem to fill?  Sure, he's probably overpriced, but with Liverpool's Xabi Alonso rated at 35M GBP (a Real Madrid price, sure) it's an overcharge that may be worth paying.   [Daily Mail]

I haven't chimed in yet on Landon Donovan's comments regarding Goldenballs, excerpted from Grant Wahl's new book, The Beckham Experiment.  The US and LA Galaxy striker said the following of the savior of US Soccer:

"All that we care about at a minimum is that he committed himself to us," Donovan said. "As time has gone on, that has not proven to be the case in many ways – on the field, off the field.

"Does the fact that he earns that much money come into it? Yeah. If someone's paying you more than anybody in the league, more than double anybody in the league, the least we expect is that you show up to every game, whether you're suspended or not.

"Show up and train hard. Show up and play hard. Maybe he's not a leader, maybe he's not a captain. Fair enough. But at a minimum you should bust your ass every day. That hasn't happened. And I don't think that's too much for us to expect. Especially when he's brought all this on us.

"I can't even say he's a good team-mate any more. He's not shown that. I can't think of another guy where I'd say he wasn't a good team-mate, he didn't give everything through all this, he didn't still care.

"But with Beckham, I'd say no, he wasn't committed. Let's say he does stay here three more years. I'm not going to spend the next three years of my life doing it this way ... I don't want to have soccer be this way. I've got to confront it somehow. If that's the way he's going to be, fine, then hold him accountable. Bench him. Just say, 'We're not going to play you, we don't think you're committed'."

I admit, I really didn't think much of Donovan, simply because I wish he had toughed it out in Germany instead of slinking back to the States.  Sure, he didn't get the playing time, and he missed his girl and In-N-Out burgers, but he's a guy I would've liked to see do well in Europe, since Damarcus Beasley and Freddy Adu have done little overseas.  But I gotta give the guy some credit for having the balls to say what everyone was thinking.  Should he be bitter?  Of course.  Was Beckham taking the piss, with his "building up soccer" script, while he just wanted to give Posh the El-Ayy life?  You bet.  [Sports Illustrated]