All the news that’s out there

By: Chris | August 26th, 2008

Quick hitters from today’s news. . .

$HSV\'s new 10?$ •Late word yesterday that Hamburg are “interested” In Heerenveen midfielder and USA international Michael Bradley. This is not the first time that Bradley’s name has come up in connection with HSV and he fits their transfer profile to a “T”–young (21), experienced (4+ years of pro football, since 2006 in the Eredivisie) and cheap (well, not so much, but at this point, he’s at about the same point in his career as van der Vaart was when he came to Hamburg)–and fits the team needs–a true #10, a creative midfielder to replace VDV. No discussion of his price, though. Final thoughts: Beiersdorfer and Company have been true to their words in A) getting a quality replacement for Kompany (Alex Silva); B) adding depth and quality to the defense by adding Monzon (and hopefully selling Atouba to Celtic, thereby killing 2 birds with one stone); and C) getting a true finisher (Petric). Now they *appear* to be fulfilling their final promise to the supporters by replacing VDV with another creative force in the midfield–Bradley. They need to do something to keep up with Schalke, Bayern and especially Wolfsburg, who in my estimation have lept over Hamburg and Bremen, and are now the third best team in the Bundesliga. If they go and get Bradley, they will have assembled a roster with a goal in mind (to qualify for the Champions League), rather than acquiring talent for the sake of talent, as they seemed to have done in the past.

•HSV have drawn 1. Bundesliga side Vfb Bochum in the next round of the DFB Pokal (German Cup). Last season in the Bundesliga, Hamburg lost 1:2 away and were victorious 3:0 at home. The match will be played 23 or 24 September at the ‘Bank (HSH Nordbank Arena in Hamburg). The match date and times have not been set yet.

•Even though he took the corner which led to the winning goal by Joris Mathijsen, Anis Ben-Hatira is likely to be moved soon. The leading contenders for his services are Hannover and Nürnberg, with Nürnberg a more likely destination as they are not in the 1. Bundesliga this season. HSV are waiting to solidfy the midfield (see: Bradley above) before loaning Ben-Hatira out. Last season, Ben-Hatira’s father and agent went to the team management to express their extreme displeasure with his playing time with the first team and requested a loan or his release. Looks like they will get their wish with the loan. . .

•Other possible candidates for the “vacancy” in the midfield are reported to be (in no particular order): Crotian international and Heerenveen midfielder Danijel Pranjic (whose price is thought to be too high, especially with Juventus and Tottenham hot on his trail as well), Leon Andreasen of EPL side Fulham, and NIko Krancjar of Portsmouth. OK-if Pranjic’s price is too high, what’s that make Bradley’s price?

•Bastian Reinhardt has sufficiently recovered from his torn calf muscle that he will be return to training this week.