What's the latest....

...On Paul Dickov?

Good question.

Depends on who you ask.

The folks in Blackpool seem to think the 35-year-old former Manchester City star is a whole lot closer to signing with TFC, especially since he turned down a contract offer from Blackpool.

But news on Paul Dickov is like the weather in Detroit: if you don't like it, just wait five minutes.

This morning I had a quick correspondence with someone close to the situation, and he assured me that nothing is happening on the Dickov front.

At least not over here.

Tuesday Ridge Mahoney of Soccer America reported that negotiations between TFC and Dickov had "hit a snag."

That link might have asked you to register and log in to read the story, but if you're not interested in doing that, I'll post the important part here:

A deal for former Manchester City striker Paul Dickov hit a snag last week. What snag? Has Dickov upped his demands? Has TFC balked at paying him approximately $500,000 guaranteed for the remainder of this season and next season, or has MLS refused to tender such a contract to a 35-year-old? Is there a competing bid for Dickov, who rejected an offer from one of his former clubs, Leicester City, before visiting Toronto?

But again, when dealing with Dickov, wait five minutes and the news will change.

Apparently Leicester City still wants him, and if their chairman, Milan Mandaric, is telling the truth, the player and the club are still negotiating.

So what's the latest with Dickov?

Nothing, as far as I can tell....but check back in about five minutes.

AND WHAT ABOUT TEBILY?

Commenter on a previous post asked me to give him some good news on Olivier Tebily.

Um, I can deliver a little news, but I'm not sure if you'll consider it good.

The team hasn't announced their plans regarding the 32-year-old defender so I can't really give you the official word here, but I can tell you that he wasn't at last Friday's practice, nor was he hanging around BMO Field when I showed up just after Saturday's practice. Those are matters of observation, not official information.

Beyond that, I can't say, but I can tell that if you look around the Internet you'll find highly unofficial but pretty accurate info on what happened to him.

Seriously, it's not that big a secret.

You just didn't hear it from me.

-- Morgan Campbell

Comments

[dogu]

any update on the mcbride / barret saga? what i mcbride gets hurt playing for the US. what's with the delay?

[Morgan Campbell]

Hi Dogu

Apparently the McBride deal becomes official within the next few hours. At that point it's not TFC's problem if he gets hurt in the Olympics.

-- Morgan Campbell

[doug]

Thanks Morgan.

If Dichio can come back and Chad Barrett can make an impact, the season might not be lost!

Is Tebily the key to adding Barrett (i.e. they need to drop a guy on the roster to make space? my internet skills are apparently not very sharp - i can't find the rumours you outlined in your article - haha).

[Ben]

Yours and mine both Doug - I can't seem to find these rumors mentioned (other then his ankle keeping him out for the last bunch of games but that's not so much rumor). Any other helpful hints you could offer Morgan?

[louis]

the not so unnoficial news is that he's gone. he went back to france. complained that Toronto was too expensive and, apparently, his wife didn't like it here much.

that and, probably, he wasn't 'the' star here in t.o.

[Michael]

first post:
Olivier Tebily has left TFC and gone back to France. He had complained that Toronto is too expensive and apparently his wife was really unhappy here. Can our luck get any worse? I can't reveal my source but I assure you this is reliable news

[M Phillips]

Well if that is the case then James will get more playing time. While it is sad that for personal reasons it did not work out, that is the way it goes sometimes.

Adding Barrett should help. Anyhow they are home for Sunday and that is always great.

Go TFCCCCCCCCCCC!!

[doug]

i went to the TFC website today, and they've taken tebily off the roster page and added barrett.

guess they don't think tebily quitting the team is worth a press release?

[Tim]

TFC has now updated their news section with the notification of Teliby being waived.

Another turf victim.
Toronto HAS to look into putting real grass into that field.

[Philip Enright]

Hello from sunny Blackpool in the U.K. RE:Paul Dickov, apparently Paul was happy to sign permanently for Blackpool but his agent scuppered the deal demanding more money,however manager Simon Grayson wants the deal decided by midnight tonight(01/08/08)one way or the other,Morgan you are so right,wait 5 minutes and things will change,I do know he was very impressed with F.C.Toronto's facilities.Whoever he signs for,the club he joins will get a quality striker who scores and creates goals,even at 35 years of age.There is still life in his legs.Anyway having lived in Toronto for many years I do keep tabs on F.C.T.,all my family live in and around Toronto.Up The 'Pool,Go Toronto.Phil Enright,Blackpool.

[Trevor]

If I recall correctly, very basically, the biggest challenge to getting a grass surface is that artificial turf is a requirement in the agreement with the City to fund or subsidize BMO Field.

If so, Morgan, what would have to change so that MLSE or the City could be free to add a grass pitch?

[Ossington Mental Youth]

Trevor-
The budget of the city.
As of right now the city rents out BMO to community groups as a result up keep of grass would be relatively expensive. If the city wasnt always in debt, it prob wouldnt be as much ofa concern...

[Ossington Mental Youth]

Im willing to bet that the fact the National team doesnt want to play at the National Soccer stadium may have some sort of sway but then again it is Soccer in Canada with the CSA backing it...

[Jason]

I like your blog.