Transfer News - June 2007

Sorry I have not updated for a while but here is my latest update.

It happened last year and once again it happened this year. The big talk of the summer so far. Was Theirry Henry leaving Arsenal once and for all? After staying and signing a contract last year it was said that he would stay for the rest of his career after declaring his love for the club. How so much has changed in 1 year. David Dein leaving his post as vice chairman, the big move to the emirates and a poor season by Arsenal standards to say the least. 16million pounds for the star striker and although some people feel that Barcelona got a great deal, truth be told they did. Even at the age of 29, Henry was the best all round striker in the world. Goal scoring, assisting and his leadership is Barcelona bought. It is sad to see one of the greatest ever players to play in England to not be returning to our TV screens. But if the time is right then it is now for Henry. Arsenal have to ability and the structure to be a world class team and with a few new players i feel they will be.

Of course there has been lots of other news. 50million spent by Man United for Nani, Anderson and Owen Hargreaves. For me the potential in Nani and Anderson is great. Both touted as the next Cristiano Ronaldo and Ronaldinho respectively.

More transfers will of course be taking place but for now i am out and i wish Thierry the best in Spain and thank him for the great service he has given.

Good Result, Poor Performance?

The first full international in front of a packed new Wembley stadium was a weird one. England Vs Brazil. On paper it looked like a dream match to kick off the new Wembley's hosting of England matches. Kaka, Ronaldinho, Gerrard, Lampard, the list of talent on show was endless. But for all the hype the match was just a little bit....... Dull. The game didn't have the same spark that the Brazilians can produce and England were more workmanlike than wonderful.

All of the press was on two players for England. The in form David Beckham and the low on fitness Michael Owen. Owen for all of his effort looked a little lost on the pitch. No real support and lack of fitness showed for the striker as he failed to get a grip on the game. Beckham on the other hand had a fine game. Returning after McClaren sent him a SAS, the former captain stood up and showed that he merited his place within the squad with a fine all round effort and a assist for John Terry's goal.

Overall the result for England was a good one. To draw against Brazil is no doubt a good result. But you can just see and sense that something is missing from England.

Oh well if only Thierry Henry was English :(

Derby Delight, But Will Davies Stay?

Derby have done it. Since going out of the premier league in 2002 Derby have been floundering in the Championship for some time. Billy Davies came to the rescue and took them from near relegation candidates to a Premiership team. The playoff final is the most lucrative football match in the world. A kitty of 60million was to go to the winner and also a place in the premiership.

Steven Pearson scored the only goal to sink West Brom in the final and to book their place into the the premiership. In a action packed game, it was a up and coming star by the name of Giles Barnes that stole the show. After all of the jubilation and celebration there was a doubt about Billy Davies future. Boardroom issues have affected Davies and it is rumored that he might leave Derby before the season starts. It would be a shame considering he bought them back to the Premiership but that is my main issue. Will Billy Davies stay?

Milan Got Their Revenge

This Champions league final was billed as the revenge match for Milan after the 2005 final. Revenge wasn't the greatest word to describe this match. Liverpool and Milan played out the final in a workmanlike manor with little chances at either end and little action in between. The first blow to Liverpool was at the wrong time. Just before half time Xabi Alonso clumsily tripped up Kaka and the resulting free kick taken by Pirlo was defected in by Inzaghi. Which part of his body he used was always a big talking point but neither less the goal stood.

The goal that won the match was a great move. Kaka played a lovely ball over the top for Inzaghi who in typical fashion rounded the keeper to slot home the second and put the game beyond doubt. Liverpool pulled one back late on through Kuyt but it wasn't enough to deny Milan their 7th Champions league title.

But i do have a few questions and they are with Benitez. With Maldini and Nesta leading the back line i was surprised to see one striker up front. I also question the subs that he made. I feel that Harry Kewell should not of even been on the bench and his appearance was poor. Peter Crouch's appearance came too late for me and the introduction of Alvaro Arbeloa in the 83rd minute was as bizzare as anything. So with 3 English teams in the champions league semi's, it looked set for a English winner. Not time time, but here is to next year :D

Chelsea Lift FA Cup But Is It Enough?

The first FA cup final at the new Wembley and the setting of the final was just as big as the game itself. So down to the match and everyone knew that if Man Utd done it, it would be a fantastic double and if Chelsea done it, it would of been a positive note from a disappointing season. So who was going to take the first ever cup at the new Wembley?

The first half was something of a anti-climax. Poor and dull were light words to use and the only words to use. But of course the second half got a lot better and more exciting. Both sides ended the 90minutes even and there was no separation between the two teams.

Extra time commenced and the game was stretched and players were getting tired. But a neat 1 -2 between Drogba and Lampard resulted in the winning goal and a memorable one for Drogba with it being his first goal against United since joining Chelsea and scoring the first cup final goal at the new Wembley.

As Chelsea lifted the title there were still many questions to ask...

Have Lampard, Terry and Robben played their last games for Chelsea?
Is winning the FA cup good enough for Chelsea with all of the money they spent this season?
Is the FA cup enough to save Mourinho's job?

Post me your comments and we will find out soon enough.

Out With The Old, In With The New

Well this season has seen a absolute frenzy in the manager department. Here are all the managers that left or lost their job this season:

Iain Dowie (Sacked by Charlton)
Les Reed (Sacked By Charlton)
Chris Coleman (Sacked By Fulham)
Stuart Pearce (Sacked By Man City)
Alan Pardew (Sacked By West Ham)
Glenn Roder (Resigned as Newcastle manager)
Sam Allardyce (Resigned as Bolton Manager)
Paul Jewell (Resigned as Wigan Manager)

Here are the ones bought in to replace them:

Alan Pardew (Charlton)
Alan Curbishley (West Ham)
Lawrie Sanchez (Fulham)
Sammy Lee (Bolton)

Good luck to all of the managers who left their clubs, its sad to see you all go :(

Tevez Sinks Sheffiled United

The last premiership game of the season is finished and what a eventful day it has been! Going into the last games of the season, West Ham had to at least get a point while Wigan had to beat Sheffield United to stay up. Only one man was going to steal the headlines and that of course was Carlos Tevez. With all of the controversy surrounding the transfer of Tevez it was only suitable for him to score the only and the winning goal at Old Trafford to keep them in the premiership. Weather he stays or not will be a different story.

Wigan on the other hand did look doomed from the start. They knew a win against relegation rivals Sheffield united would keep them up only by goal difference. And in good old final day action they done what was needed and stayed up. After the match Paul Jewell resigned from his post as Wigan manager leaving a new man to come in a pick up the pieces.

There was also UEFA cup places to decide and they went to Tottenham, Everton and Bolton. Newly promoted reading missed out by just a single point but what a season it has been for them. Here is my personal roundup of the season:

Best Team - Man Utd
Worse Team - Watford
Overachivers - Reading
Underachivers - West Ham
Best Buy - Benni McCarthy (Blackburn ----> Porto)
Worse Buy - Andriy Shevchenko (AC Milan ----> Chelsea)
Best Player - Cristiano Ronaldo
Best Team To Watch - ARSENAL! :D

Bring on NEXT SEASON :D

Theatre of Dreams and Valley Of despair!

Hi all as we are approaching the last game of the season for all teams :( i just want to let everyone know about what has been happening in the premiership. Well for starters the title has been decided and it has ended up at Manchester United. For them it is their first title in 4 years so well done!

As for the other half of the table, Charlton had to beat Tottenham to stay in the Premiership. But goals from Berbatov and Defoe sunk Charlton and condemned them to the Championship. Seeing that i live close to Charlton this has upset me :(

So the last day of the season is going to be a GREAT climax to the season as there are still teams vying for a UEFA cup place and one more relegation place to decide. So bring it on and ill be back with the details for the last day of the season :D

Birmingham and Sunderland to the Premiership!

Well done to both Sunderland and Birmingham for achieving Premiership status. After all of the talk about Sunderland being relegation battlers, they have defined all odds and won the Championship. So well done to both teams and looking forward to seeing them both next year.

There is still one more place in the Premiership but who will get it via the playoffs? any comments please post :D

Football Manager 2007

Considering that this is a blog about football i have decided to talk about Football Manager 2007 that is available on all formats. I currently playing footie manager and was wondering if anyone knows any good young cheap players to buy. I'm currently manager of Birmingham city now in the Premiership. Please look at the picture for my full squad.

good young players to buy -

Fabrice Muamba (Arsenal)
Nicklas Bendtner (Arsenal)
Denilson (Arsenal)
Gareth Bale (Southampton)
Lassana Diarra (Chelsea)
Guiseppe Rossi (Man Utd)
David Silva (Valencia <---- Expensive but EXCELLENT buy!)

Any suggestions on good players please leave a comment :D

Manchester United for the title, Liverpool for champions league??

So it seems that Manchester united will be winning the premiership after steering clear on Chelsea. Well done to Liverpool for reaching the champions league final! Has anybody herd any good transfer rumors for next season? I herd Samuel Eto'o is coming to Arsenal!