Happy Wednesday, Spursland! So it appears that we have signed a replacement for Rafa. This makes me happy because while I like Rafa, he can't seem to play for longer than the length of an episode of the Wire, and he is kind of crap at free kicks and he takes all of them. However, in an effort to acclimatize myself to the culture of our new player's homeland so that if we have a chance meeting I do not offend him, I spent several hours watching the Three Sheets Iceland epsiode over and over again. It is a fool proof plan.

And now the "news"

Branislav Ivanovic Urges Modric To Join Him At Chelsea- Sky Sports

We have now crossed the Rubicon and Chelsea just look pathetic and desperate to sign Modric. Please, pretty please, Luka, come pass me the ball!

Overrated: Luka Modric- The Fighting Cock

Shots Fired! Shots Fired! Shhhhhhh somebody silence this guy before he starts making sense and we get £20 million for Luka and not a penny more.

What's happening around SB Nation after the jump

VIDEO: The Soccer Equivalent To The Crossover- SB Nation Soccer

God damn it, DC United's defense is just complete shit.

England Expected...What Exactly?- SB Nation Soccer

Andi Thomas on England and the expectations game. OR as the rest of the world calls it, "Oh you also have noticed how much better other people are at this?" If only me and my American bro (Ashlock doesn't count because he is so into living in Rome AND hating freedom he probably has already join the PNF) could pull off a similar trick and realize that we are a Clint Dempsey ACL injury away from being meaningless on the world stage.

The Fifa 13 Cover Is Out- Coming Home Newcastle

Messi On The Cover? I was really pulling for this girl. You know, someone deserving for once.