Weekend Mailbag

It's time once again to take another peek into the Bookable Offense mailbag. To the delight of millions, mailbag duties will be handled by Brian this week. As always, these are actual questions from actual readers. Enjoy.

Luca in Barrie, Ontario: What's going to happen to Juventus and Italian football in general? I heard they are going to be relegated as far down as the fourth division. Is that really possible? Will Buffon be left off the Italy team?

Brian: Yikes, crazy stuff going on Italy, wouldn't you say? Let's see, we've got the managing director of Juventus on tape discussing match-fixing, influencing referee assignments, and joking about locking a referee in a room after awarding a penalty against Juve. And where there's match-fixing, gambling often rears its ugly head. Powerful dudes are now resigning from their posts left and right. As Internazionale coach Roberto Mancini said today, "It is a very serious matter - the most serious ever heard of in the history of world football." Before we jump to too many conclusions, let's wait a bit for some of the facts to come out. But if Juve is guilty of match-fixing and various other dubious activities, they must be demoted to Serie B or lower. This is a direct challenge to the principles of fair play that we as fans demand in our sports. As for Gigi Buffon, he hasn't been charged with anything yet, so there's no need to kick him off the Italian team. But I bet when all is said in done, he isn't the only big name player whose name comes up in this discussion.

Sandeep in Worcester, MA: So I've had something stuck in my craw since reading your thoughts on the England squad. If Theo Walcott is so great, why can't he get a sniff of first-team action at Arsenal? Why is Arsene pushing him on Sven if he isn't good enough for his own team?

Brian: I admit, I'm surprised that Walcott hasn't played at all yet for Arsenal. But the lad just did turn 17, and Wenger likes to take things slowly with his kids. Remember, Cesc Fabregas didn't play for the first team in his first year at the club, save a Carling Cup game or two. Arsenal has four world class wingers, so there was no need to rush young Theo along. He also had a minor knee injury that probably delayed his debut. Now he gets to magically appear as Sven's super secret weapon. That's pretty cool, right? Everyone who's seen this kid says he has that "it" factor that they only throw around when you're talking about a Rooney or a Fabregas. Wenger is investing up to £12 million in Walcott, so I think he's plenty good enough for Arsenal. But with any of these youngsters, only time will tell. Thanks for reading, Sandeep.

Emma in Brighton, UK: What is your favorite transfer rumour? Please don't say Eto'o, Sheva, Ballack, and Tevez to Chelsea - that would make me cry.

Brian: I never like to make the ladies cry, Emma. Chelsea rumors bore me to tears as well. It's just not fun anymore when Roman tosses around, say, £21 million for a speedy, young winger and keeps him on the bench all year just so Arsenal and Liverpool can't get him. The Shevchenko rumors are interesting because I really couldn't see him leaving Milan until recently. The recently suggested van Nistelrooy for Diarra swap involving Manchester Utd and Lyon would be interesting, but I think Ruud will want to go to Spain or Italy. I think Joaquin needs to leave Real Betis, so that could happen. The summer immediately following a World Cup is always busy, as players' stocks rise and fall. Just like Bryce's Saturday nights, you can expect a lot of action.

Paul in Henderson, NV: Should we be concerned by the trend of repeat titles in every major European domestic league (England, Spain, Germany, France, Holland, and Italy)?

Brian: Good question, Paul. European football is a world where the rich like to stay rich, and they don't really like to invite anyone else to the party. In each country, there are only three or four teams with the money and resources to compete for titles each year. Should we be concerned? Well, if you want competitive balance, it would take a radical overhaul of the system - wage caps, player drafts for young talent, revenue sharing, etc. - that no one is willing to take on. So I think we should get used to this trend.

Jean-Pierre in Montreal: Bonjour Brian and Bryce! France announced their World Cup team this Sunday. What did you think of Cisse making the team? Any surprising names left off?

Brian: Cisse had to be on this team. He quietly had a decent season for Liverpool. Did you see his goal in the FA Cup final? It was superb. In fact, I'd rank him and Louis Saha ahead of that plonker Trezuguet. It's too bad Robert Pires was frozen out again. I was surprised that they named Barthez the starter in goal. I think it's time for Coupet. France will be better than they were at Euro 2004, but I don't seem them going past the quarterfinals. I hope they make Bryce happy and play Boumsong.

Jon in San Diego: I want a prediction of the game on May 17th. Arsenal are sans Diaby, but still looking good. Is Campbell mentally prepared for the likes of Eto'o? Can Gilberto slow down the great Ronaldinho Gaucho? I want a final score prediction with an explanation.

Brian: Ah yes, we do have a game this week to talk about, don't we? Champions League finals often are not as exciting as we hope they are, although last year's game certainly didn't lack for drama. If anyone knows Ronaldinho's game, it's Gilberto. But Wenger doesn't like to man-mark that much, so it'll have to be a team effort to defend him. The key matchup will be Arsenal's wingers versus Barca's fullbacks. Expect Barca to win the possession battle. But something tells me this is Arsenal's year. I'll say Arsenal 2, Barca 1. Goals from Henry, Fabregas, and Eto'o.

Vanessa in Santa Monica: This is kind of a wild guess, Brian, but were you at Skybar last weekend with Craig Kilborn, or did I just imagine it? I was too nervous to approach you, but I could have sworn it was you. PS What's Craig like?

Brian: Guilty as charged, Vanessa! What can I say? I do love the L.A. scene, and the L.A. scene loves me. Craiggers is a great guy. He's laying low these days now that his talk show duties are over, but he's still a star among stars. We love our readers, Vanessa, so don't be a stranger. In fact, feel free to email us a picture and your measurements so we know to look for you out in Hollywood.

Dean in Washington, DC: Love the website, but isn't soccer a girl's sport?

Brian: By "girl's sport" you mean a sport inundateded with hot girls, yes. Thanks for playing, Dean.

Photos courtesy yahoo.com, deportivo.cl, sportinglife.com. Want to get in on the fun? Send us your questions for our next mailbag at bookableoffense@gmail.com.