Hello all,

We hinted at this last week, but no need to continue asking you to read between the lines.

The coverage you are now getting at World Soccer Digest is going to be shifted to SBNation's main soccer page, where I will be writing from here forward.

You're still going to get the same type and tenor of coverage.  There will be more quick-hit-type of stuff.  The quantity of coverage is likely to go up, too.

There will be great integration with the other members of SBNation's ever-expanding family of soccer sites, most of which are more narrow in focus that this one.

But it's because the focus of this blog has tried to be global that, especially in this World Cup year, we at SBNation thought it natural to move the coverage to the main soccer page.

I hope everybody will follow me there, as we should be up-and-running within a couple of days.

Until then, thanks, and I will talk to you soon,

Richard

During this weekend's visit by Real Madrid to the Romareda, Real Zaragoza's Humberto Suazo had to leave the match half-way through the first after hurting his left shoulder.  Two collisions with the then-player center half Sergio Ramos saw the Chilean forward hit twice on the shoulder presumedly causing a strain which could sideline him for four weeks.

While the player is currently undergoing medical exams Fernando Felicevich, Suazo’s representative, commented, “If there’s ligament damage he’ll go four weeks without playing,” but Suazo’s representative reassured that “under no circumstance will he miss the World Cup.”

Some sources have reported the injury as a partially torn ligament.

Zaragoza acquired El Chupete on loan from Mexican-side Monterrey in the winter transfer window, and if they stay up (currently in 17th place) are likely to exercise an option-to-buy supposedly at €10 million.  Since his acquisition, Zaragoza have accumulated 20 of their 34 points, with Suazo becoming the team's leading scorer (six goals) despite only playing half the club's Primera Division matches.  

Only two points ahead of fellow relegation-battling Real Valldolid and Tenerife after their 2-1 loss of Real Madrid, Real Zaragoza's battle to stay-up in their first year back in La Liga may have been derailed with Suazo's injury.

For the World Cup, this injury is unlikely to affect Marcelo Bielsa's plans for Chile.  In fact, it may help.  With Suazo as relied upon by Chlie as the Rooneys of the world are relied upon by their sides,  Three weeks rest for a man who - between World Cup qualifiers, the Mexican seasons, and his move to Spain - has been working hard.

By the time he returns to playing, Chile will be starting World Cup preparations, and thanks to some perverse luck with this injury, will have their best player refreshed.

More on this, though some links are in Spanish.  Regardless, there's a large range of speculated time-off.

Humberto Suazo deberá permanecer unas dos semanas fuera de las canchas por lesión en su hombro - El Observador

Top Chilean Soccer Forward Humberto Suazo Injured

...::: Real Zaragoza :::...

Humberto Suazo sufrió rotura parcial de ligamento en el hombro izquierdo - Futbol - mediotiempo.com

Humberto Suazo sufrió una rotura parcial de ligamento en el hombro izquierdo - España - Noticias de fútbol colombiano - futbolred.com

Doctor de Zaragoza: 'No queremos ponerle fechas a Suazo' | FÚTBOL | latercera.com

Lesión de Suazo era menos de lo esperado 

Remember the hand-wringing England supporters have when Ashley Cole suffered his ankle injury?  Or, alternatively, the respectful hop from potential England opposition when it seemed the left back might miss the World Cup?

Oh, don't act like you didn't hear it, read it.  True, it was a bit weird to see people encouraged by a player injury.  At the same time, it was a sign of respect, in a strange way - an acknowledgment of what the Chelsea man means to England.

Well here we are, late April, and Ashley Cole is back, after this weekend's match at Stamford Bridge against Stoke City.

Cole dressed last week at White Hart Lane but did not play.  This week he not only played but showed decent fitness, exhibiting his typical willingness to jump into attack, a skill that will be particularly valued this summer, as his overlapping runs allow nominal left-wing Steven Gerrard to cut in without the Three Lions abdicating a presence on in attack on that flank.

Having one of the best seasons of his career before the injury, Cole could end up being the best left back at this summer's World Cup, a boost to the high expectations the England faithful have developed during this cycle.

Amidst months of discussion as to the merits of Leighton Baines, Stephen Warnock, and the in exile Wayne Bridge, it was always probably Cole would be fine.  On Sunday, he showed it.

Ashley Cole enjoys many happy returns on the home front | Richard Williams | Football | The Guardian 

World Cup 2010 - Cole return boosts England - Yahoo! Eurosport

Thomas Sorensen, playing goal for Stoke City on Sunday, had to be stretched from the pitch after dislocating his right elbow.

The injury occurred in the first half of the Potters' match at Stamford Bridge, when Blues forward Salomon Kalou's stab for a rebound let to Chelsea's second goal.  In the process of trying to save the shot, Sorensen's extended right arm was caught, leading to the dislocation.

In a scary scene, Sorensen was taken from the put while being administered oxygen.

In the wake of being taken to the hospital on Sunday, doubts over Sorensen's World Cup availability for Denmark started to surface.  If the dislocation required surgery, Sorensen would be out of this summer's finals.

However, word from Stoke coach Tony Pulis held the elbow was put back into place without the need for surgery.

As of now, Sorensen is expected to be with the Danes for the World Cup.

More on Sorensen's scare

Sorensen avoids surgery - Sport, Breaking News - Independent.ie

Sky Sports | Football News | Premier League | Stoke City | Sorensen dislocates elbow

BBC Sport - Football - Denmark's Thomas Sorensen faces World Cup fitness race

World Cup boost as Sorensen avoids surgery - ESPN Soccernet

Lionel Messi would have to get hurt to test this theory, but I suspect no country is as invested in their star play as England is in Wayne Rooney.  Every insecurity about the English game, talent pool, and style are projected upon the Manchester United forward, who won the Professional Footballers' Association Player of the Year on Sunday.  More on that in a second, because the story here is a furor the English press is in after it was announced Rooney may miss Manchester United's final two matches with a groin injury incurred Thursday in training.

As you will see in the list of links below (excessive in length, for effect), the English-speaking world is aflutter with the idea that Rooney may not make the World Cup.  Seemingly in response, Rooney has had to make it clear that not only will be be available for England, not only has he communicated this to Fabio Capello, but  he may also play in United's final match against Stoke City.

And while I would love to deride the media for wasting my time by disproportionately blowing-up this story, it didn't waste a second of my weekend.  Hopefully, you were similarly spared, as the British press has become transparently ridiculous as it concerns Rooney.  They exaggerate every accomplishment,panic at every injury - try to sell the idea that this is England's answer to Messi.  Aside from the man who man's Mesi's midfield, nobody has a possible answer for Messi.  That we're put in a situation to have to point out Rooney is not Messi is a disservice to Wayne.  He's being purported to be something he's not, and (unfortunately) that means others have to retort.

And that brings me to the PFA Awards.  I can not remember a year where I disagreed with them more.  I disagree with most of the team of the season.  I disagree with young player, and I disagree with Player of the Year.  Cesc Fabregas has been the best player in the league, to my mind, though that may portray my bias toward creative players in the center of the park.  However, if you're more into goal scorers, Rooney is still an inferior choice to Didier Drogba.

Drogba is one goal behind Rooney in fewer minutes played.  Four of Rooney's goals are from the spot (Drogba has none).  Drogba has more than twice as many assists and is on the team higher in the table.  If you want to move beyond statistics (which I'm happy to do), it's very difficult to make the argument that Rooney has a greater effect on a match than Drogba.  The Ivorian's hold-up play, passing, strength, aerial prowess have all been on display this year.  For any argument you cam make in Rooney's favor (regarding the "things he does"), you can make a similar argument for Drogba.

I suppose I don't begrudge Rooney winning the award as much as I begrudge the lack of discussion.  There are at least two other viable candidates, three when you consider Carlos Tévez, who I could also make a care for (no team has been as important to their team's success, as far as role in the attack, important goals, etc.).

For course, there is glaring difference between Rooney and his competitors.  Have the candidates throw their passports on the table and you'll see it.

Your Barrel of Rooney Links, after the jump.

Continue reading this post »

He's only 24-years-old but has been capped 30 times for the Nationalmannschaft, but when Hamburg left back Marcell Jansen went down with an ankle injury last month, it looked like a potentially important piece to Joachim Löew's World Cup puzzle was taken off the table.

Now comes news that Jansen will return to training, the German FA confirmed, with the former München, Mönchenglabach player allowed to start running come next week.  While the Bundesliga season is closing soon, Jansen is unlikely to regain match fitness before Germany start camp.  Still, with three weeks to get to where he can train with the team, Jansen should make himself an option.

If he can go to South Africa, Jansen becomes a great insurance policy for Löew.  Though it is highly unlikely Jansen will initially be in Germany's choice XI, he is one of the best insurance options for Philipp Lahm on the left - whether needed because of a Lahm injury or because Lahm moves over to right back should Jerome Bôateng not work.

Jansen could also play the left side of midfield, whether it be as a late-match injury replacement, as a starter (if Germany moves back to a more conventional 4-4-2), or in place of Lukas Podolski, should the Köln man's Bundesliga problems extend into his national team play.  

In the case that Germany is chasing a goal, he could be put at left back, Lahm on the right, to give Germany two attacking players from the full back positions.

It's the kind of versatility a coach has to love, part of the reason Jansen's return to health is being trumpeted by the German FA itself.  While he is unlikely to be a star at World Cup 2010, he is another option for Löew to use, should Plan A need tweaking.

More on Jansen

World Cup 2010: Marcell Jansen Maintains Hope Of Germany Berth After Training Go-Ahead - Goal.com

AFP: Germany's Jansen optimistic of making World Cup

Marcell Jansen to resume training - USATODAY.com

In talking to soccer fans here in the United States, there is a healthy amount of hope that the 2018 World Cup could still end up in the States.  Technically, I suppose this is true, but 2018 is going to Europe, either Russia (the favorite) or England.  That leaves 2022, but given what Sepp Blatter said today, that bid is not looking like the favorite, either.

While in Doha today, Sepp Blatter said the Arab world deserves a World Cup.  That can be seen as just being a good guest, much the same way those who savor England's 2018 bid think Blatter was merely being gracious when (in Russia) he told Vladimir Putin Russia's chances were good.

Regardless, Blatter is not going out-of-his way to make England and the United States feel good about their chances, and with the hosts to be announced at the end of this year, these little hints help paint the picture.

If, in the interest of legacy building (as well as altruistic reasons), Blatter is committed to taking the World Cup to the Arab world, Qatar will get 2022.  The country has the resources to put on a great tournament, and the awarding of the 2022 final may be the last one over which Blatter has influence.

People in the United States will be upset.  This country has the infrastructure.  This region has not had the tournament since 1994, and the U.S. has shown a final here can be wildly profitable (a point I find a strange endorsement, as if the undo lining of FIFA's pockets is inherently good).

I have trouble getting too worked-up about these things.  Having the World Cup in the U.S. would be fun for me, personally, but when I think of the places in the world that have not hosted a final, it's difficult to cry misfortune.  If the U.S. gets another final, then people in places like Russia and Qatar miss-out.

It's difficult for me to get too excited about that.

More World Cup News

South Africa

World Cup benefits from surge in ticket sales | World Cup - Times Online - sales in shops and malls help sell 40 percent of remaining tickets.

World Cup Commercials Better than Usual? - Seattle Post Intelligencer - no Budweiser frogs of Spuds McKenzie and I'll be happy.

Brazil and Beyond

Brazil may scratch some cities from 2014 World Cup - USATODAY.com - just part of the process.

Brazil gunmen stage World Cup sticker stickup - BusinessWeek - whereas this is not.

Dutch government backs World Cup bid with Belgium - USATODAY.com - Blatter's dislike for multi-country bids means potentially great events like Spain/Portugal, Netherlands/Belgium are longshots.

Wasserman joins US World Cup bid committee - BusinessWeek - this could actually matter - adding this power-broker to the bid.

Blatter: Arab world deserves to host World Cup - The Associated Press

The original timeline of Michael Essien's recovery was six weeks.  That was four months ago.

Having suffered a knee injury this winter, the Chelsea midfielder was forced to miss the African Cup of Nations, where Ghana finished an admirable second, Milovan Rajevac's squad emphasizing youth.  Had their captain been healthy, Egypt's African reign may have ended.

And had Essien been healthy for Chelsea, Manchester United may not still be competing for a fourth consecutive English Premier League title.  Regardless, the Blues have planned their run-in assuming Essien will not return this year, though as of last week, it was thought Essien would be healthy for Ghana come June (or, in fact, May).

Now we are hearing news that Essien may miss the World Cup entirely.  The source of this news, the man himself; or, more readily, the press running with a player who's become downtrodden with pragmatism:

"Until I know how the injury improves, it'll be difficult to say whether I'll make the World Cup," he told Ghanaian media this week.

"If not, I'll have to sit at home and support the team like every Ghanaian. It would be a disappointment but the World Cup is the best and most difficult football tournament in the world, and I'd rather be there fully fit."

Given what Essien has been through - the trials of rehab combined with the disappointment of setbacks - you can not blame the all-world midfielder for feeling down.  Additionally, nobody knows his own health like Essien.  Perhaps I should give him the benefit of the doubt.

Still, last week Chelsea announced a mid-May return for Essien.  That announcement came from Carlo Ancelotti, who it's safe of assume has been communicating with his medical staff.

All things considered, I think Essien will be at the World Cup, though given the quotes of the last few days, I feel for where this knee injury has taken him mentally.

More on Essien's recovery:

Chelsea resigned to missing Michael Essien for rest of the season with knee injury - Telegraph

Michael Essien concerned he might miss World Cup - Soccer - SI.com

Injured Essien fears he may miss World Cup - USATODAY.com

BBC - Piers Edwards’s Blog: How much would Ghana miss Essien?

BBC Sport - Football - Michael Essien says he may be forced to miss World Cup

Knee Injury May Keep Ghana's Essien Out Of World Cup - NYTimes.com

Ghana's Essien reveals 2010 World Cup injury fears | Ghanasoccernet.com