Author: Soccer Diva

The lion returns…

rooney_ad_41517-708572In sublime form for Manchester United and scoring goals again for England, the boy wonder is back. Who should we credit for this? Well Rooney himself of course. The kid works hard after all. But let’s also save some praise for the master chef of football managers, Sir Alex Ferguson. He benched Rooney and the United striker didn’t take kindly to it. Since then, he’s been sensational.

Could it also be that Rooney is finally ready to step out of Ronaldo’s shadow? He has had to play second fiddle to the Portuguese superstar over the last couple of seasons. Not anymore. It’s Rooney’s shout to have a breakout superstar season and finally conquer the world. He has the talent. He has the physical attributes. The question is, does he have the mental strength to sustain his form over a long period of time? Under Sir Alex Ferguson’s watch, Rooney will do just fine. You cannot tame this lion. Hear him roar…

Remember Nottingham Forest..?

_42460972_spurs416-761272What is going on at Spurs? Their situation is dire. Here is a team that was hoping to snatch that fourth place Champions League spot and instead they are fighting for their Premiership lives. You think that’s melodramatic this time of season? Just ask the 1993 Nottingham Forest team everyone said were too good to go down!

Spurs fans are missing Martin Jol right about now. Who is Juande Ramos anyway? OK he won the UEFA and Super Cup with Sevilla. But let’s all be realistic, both trophies have lost their prestige over the years and are not as tough to win. And if you look closely at his resume, other than Real Betis and Sevilla, he’s only ever stayed at a club for one season. Now we know why! And he can’t blame Berbatov and Kean for the Spurs slump. They’ve been badly managed since they won the Carling Cup.

Before Spurs fire Ramos, they should fire their Director of Football. The appropriately named Damien Comolli has bought overvalued players and done a mess of a job in the transfer market since taking control at the Lane. Bent, Bentley, Modric and Pavlyuchenko were all overpriced. Nobody is bashing these guys as players, but Damien’s decision to pay such ridiculous money for them was a bad omen for this once prestigious North London club! It’s coming back to haunt him now.

Spurs should have hired Jurgen Klinsmann years ago. He has the right mentality, ethics and innovation to manage in the Premier League. He made an average international German side look sublime and strong at the World Cup. But Spurs missed that boat and it’s a shame because they could really do with a classic Spurs hero to swoop in and save them. Who though? They’ve been through most of their heroes as managers already haven’t they?

There is a Spurs legend however that could help if asked. He’s got the experience playing the game at the highest level, he just hasn’t managed a club yet. He was around some of the best managers during his career both domestically and internationally. As a player, we admired his intelligence and overall understanding of the game. Mark Hughes, Roy Keane, Gareth Southgate, Paul Ince and even Klinsmann himself have proved you don’t necessarily need the experience if you’ve got a good back room staff to support you. This guy could do it. Step forward Teddy Sheringham. Oh, and he once played for Nottingham Forest too…

Money, money, money

robinho446-7930141Robinho to Manchester City? Really? We’ve seen it all now. Talk about a twist and turn in the summer transfer market nobody was expecting. What was bigger news for City? The purchase of Robinho or the club being bought by a billionaire? As ABBA once sang, “Money, money, money, must be funny in a rich man’s world.” But who’s laughing now?

If you are a City fan, you must be rubbing your hands together with pure delight. Perhaps you’ve finally put the fear in your neighbourhood enemy, Manchester United. If you are a Chelsea hater, you must be ticked-pink they are finally being knocked-off their transfer pedestal! However, if you are a true football fan, you must be a little worried about the current path our game is taking.

The TV money has helped so many teams and the profile of some lesser clubs has been raised because of that exposure. We are able to see the best players in the world play in the most entertaining league in the world. However, have they taken things too far? Has the importance of money affected our game? Should we use the American sports model which ensures the spread of wealth to all teams? Would this create a more level competitive playing field for all teams in the Premier League? Could it also ensure the survival of smaller clubs with less investment and financial backing?

All we know today is that a new giant has been created in the English game. And this giant is now a giant not because of the way they play football or the amount of trophies they have won. They are a new giant because some rich bloke decided he needed a new toy to play with. Perhaps deep down inside I wish this rich bloke had bought Arsenal, If he had, would the likes of Hleb and Flamini still be at the club? Henry too perhaps?

Young players are easily influenced by things, especially money. As fans across the globe languish in a financial economic crisis, some clubs are behaving in an irresponsible financial manner that could see the Premier League in a football recession in the near future. You can’t blame Robinho for accepting City’s offer. You can’t blame the businessman for making an investment with his own hard earned cash. Ultimately, the league is responsible for how the business side of football is run. What is their primary concern though? What are they going to do about the future our game? Money, money, money, always sunny, in the rich man’s world…

Another predictable ending to a soccer soap opera…

82621528MU009_MUFC_BERBDimitar Berbatov is finally a Manchester United player. His dream is now a reality. He even turned down a “double your money offer” from Manchester City to wear the famous Red Devil shirt. Who’s jaw didn’t drop when they heard City were in for Berba? New owners with billions and far richer than Chelski. More of that later… So congratulations Berba. You’ve got what you wanted. You sulked long enough at Spurs, you let down the fans and the other players in the squad. And your reward for all your bellyaching, a multi-million dollar contract with the world’s most famous football team. Now let’s see if this overplayed summer soap opera has a happy ending…

Premier League team searches for new hero…

arsenal-optimus-wallpaper-02-1024-776582What is wrong with Arsenal? For the first time in a long time, the fans are asking questions about Wenger and how the club is moving towards the future. The board and management have been given the benefit of the doubt for three trophy less seasons. Now the fans want answers. Have Arsenal become a youth farm system? Why won’t they buy British? Why won’t they spend more money in the transfer market? Who is going to step-up and lead this team? Why do so many players want to leave? Where is Arsenal’s magician? Who will be their next hero?

Similar questions were asked of this team last season and this was mostly due to the loss of Thierry Henry. Many pundits and critics ate their words as we soaked-up and salivated over Arsenal’s brand of sexy football. For a while they dazzled fans, opponents and perhaps even themselves! Then the injury to Eduardo, a terrible defensive mistake, a hissy fit from their captain and the implosion was in full swing.

After their performance on Saturday, it seems Arsenal haven’t changed much in the off season. The fans must be praying every night for Fabregas to return. And oh how they need another world class midfielder to support him. He can’t do it alone and who knows when Rosicky will be back in the squad. Arsenal have to splash the cash in the transfer market to solve these issues. Someone please navigate them to the “Buy Now” button.

The money men must not be afraid to pay for a special player who can change a game on a whim. Somone who has the ability to visualize beyond the next move. An influential force that can intimidate teams from the north, south, east and west. A player that can force himself to be written about on blogs and discussion boards across the globe. Arsenal need their Ronald, their Deco or their Torres.

The Arsenal lyricists are on standby to create a song for their new hero. Where is he? Will he come by land or sea? What will his name be? Hopefully when he arrives he comes with a blood hungry predator who can tear his rivals apart and fire in the goals week after week. Perhaps Xabi Alonso can smuggle David Silva through the back…

The art of Deco…

art_deco_shop-775155The King’s Road has long been known for it’s flare and fashion. During the 1960’s, it was certainly the swinging place to be seen. Over the years, the King’s Road has been toned down and turned into a local high street for the posh folk of South West London. It has certainly become more refined and sophisticated and could be compared to the transformation of Chelsea this season. Enter World Cup winning coach. Enter new footballing philosophy. Enter sublime Portuguese superstar. What is the result? The evolution of Chelsea and a classy team worth watching this season.

In their first game against Portsmouth, we witnessed something different. The team appeared inspired by the changes this summer. They played beautiful football and one player in particular made it all seem so easy. Watching Deco is like watching an artist create life on a canvas. His touch and feel for the game is special. I was underwhelmed when Chelsea signed him because they’ve long discussed the possibility of getting him. However, when I watched the artist himself on Sunday, I was amazed how one man who has never played in the Premier League could totally transform the pattern and play of a team.

I know, I know…I’m doing it again…it’s only the first game of the season, calm down Diva. Normally I would agree. As good as Chelsea have been over the last few years, they’ve lacked that flare, pizazz and showmanship. Robben was that type of player for them but he left the Bridge. And as much success as they’ve had, Mr.Abramovich wants to see beautiful football and I believe this could be the season he gets his wish. Could the King’s Road start swinging all over again?..

The Kop has a new hero…

SOCCER Liverpool 5Liverpool have a legend in the making and his name is Fernando Jose Torres. Absent for most of the game against Sunderland today, his power strike in the 83rd minute from a good 25 yards crushed the hearts of the home team. That is what makes Torres a great player. He created something out of absolutely nothing and saved the scousers from an embarrassing start to the season.

On today’s display, you would say Liverpool don’t stand a chance of winning the league. They were slow, unimaginative, uninspiring and gutless. Even Torres was poor by his own standards. But he was determined to re-write the back pages of the Liverpool Echo and every other regional and national rag in the country. Just as every reporter was ready to rip Benitez for his team selection and the poor performance overall, the Euro 2008 champion took matters into his own hands and delivered the killer blow.

What happens if Torres gets a serious injury? Where do Liverpool go from here? I hear you, I hear you…it’s only the first game of the season. We need to give them time to gel and for Keane to feel comfortable in the legendary Liverpool shirt. Agreed. I guess we’ll re-visit the Liverpool situation as the season progresses. That’s when we’ll find out if they are true title contenders.

For now, we’ll just salivate over the new Kop hero. Once upon a time, there was a Liverpool legend who owned the number 9 shirt. His name was Robbie Fowler, aka God. There’s a new number 9 in town now. Finally, the second coming has arrived.

They love me, they love me not…

oxeye-daisy-1-741367On the odd occasion, the greedy part of football can make you dislike the game for about 30 seconds. On the other hand, it can also make you dislike a player for a lifetime. Emmanuel Adebayor hasn’t played it particularly smart during the off-season. He has come across as a greedy guy and somewhat insincere. Perhaps he thinks we’re all stupid. He pledges his future to Arsenal and then in the same breath, whores himself out to the highest bidder because the club won’t match his demand to quadruple his wages. Seems like he’s been spending too much time with Mathieu Flamini and Alexander Hleb.

Adebayor had 3/4 of a good season following Thierry Henry’s departure and now he believes he warrants 120,000 British pounds per week. When is enough, enough? Everyone deserves a reward for their hard work, but Adebayor hasn’t proved he is worth that kind of money yet. He already thinks he’s reached the stature of Henry. You’ve got a long way to go there sunshine…

Arsene Wenger is smart enough to know that the best piece of business he could do all summer is to get rid of Adebayor. He bought him for nothing and he could sell him for at least 25 million pounds. Nobody will pay the reported 32 million pounds. That’s way too much value. Someone will be willing to pay 25 million though. They should throw in a horse and let him ride off into the sunset.

Arsenal would then be wise to take a little of that cash to purchase Roque Santa Cruz. He could be an even bigger star in the league next season and you are buying a player with a far superior attitude. Plus he’s great in the air, scores goals, connects play and overall, is a proven striker. Roque, Roque, Roque…

He may come to every game with big smiles, but Adebayor is slowly moving towards the “lifetime of dislike” category.

Spurs splashed out on a Bentley…

77414576RM024_Blackburn_RovDavid Bentley could prove a great signing for Spurs. He’s young, ambitious, focused and a very driven player. He’ll be dedicated to the cause. However, did Spurs pay too much for him? Is he worth that kind of money and does he have the talent to warrant being in that bracket? Does it matter when his best years are ahead of him? The jury’s still out on Bentley. I mean we know he has a great engine, skillful ability encompassed with sheer confidence and he can make others around him look good. But will he grow to become a classic, a legend and a regular England international? I need to think about this one…

Earthquake…

lagalaxymainlogo-7435321There was an earthquake in Southern California today. Let’s hope that jolt will wake-up the LA Galaxy. Becks and Donovan need help. They can’t be a two man team. Buddle has pulled his weight too, but the other guys need to start mucking in.

Their start to the season was exceptional, but recently their performances have been woeful and they have been unwatchable at times. Looks like they are playing in a galaxy far, far away…