Category: Squad Swapping

He comes from Senegal, he plays for Arsenal…

Patrick_Vieira_280x_856165aThe Sun and other media outlets are reporting today that Patrick Viera is about to make a shock return to Arsenal. I couldn’t believe it when I read the headline. I think this could be more shocking than Michael Owen going to Manchester United. Don’t you think so? Nobody was expecting this were they?

The truth is Arsenal have never filled the void left by Viera when he joined Juventus in 2005. He was a great captain. He was a phenomenal leader. He was Arsenal’s rock and he became a legend. Now he could be making one of the most dramatic returns in Premier League history. The questions is, does Viera still have the legs to play and compete at the top level?

Let’s face it, he has not had a huge impact since leaving Arsenal and he can’t hold down a regular starting spot under Jose Mourinho at Inter Milan. So what makes Arsene Wenger think he can still play? Is this a desperate move having lost Adebayor, Toure and possibly Eboue too this summer?

Generally people say when a relationship ends you should never go back. They say it’s never the same second time around. Even Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor couldn’t make it work after a second chance. But could Arsenal and Viera fall in love all over again? Could they re-ignite their love affair and live together happily ever after? If Viera can still play with the best of them, anything is possible.

There’s no question the French star is unhappy playing in Italy and he wants a move to another club. Tottenham, Birmingham and Fulham are also after his signature, but who do you think he will sign for? Can you see Viera going back to the Gunners? Will Arsenal fans be happy? Do you think Arsenal would rather buy him back than watch him play for their arch rivals Spurs?!!

He does look good in red and white. I need another drink…

Talk around the pub is…

42-17021668John Terry a.k.a JT and Mr.Chelsea is staying at the Bridge. This could mean he’ll be on his way to Manchester City in a week or so!!! Stranger things have happened but it does look like the Chelsea faithful got luckier than a lottery winner this summer. Their boy has vowed to fight on for the Blues. Could be one of their best signings this summer! What do you guys think?

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has sealed his switch from Inter Milan to Barcelona. Eto’o is supposedly going from Barcelona to Inter Milan. I think we’ll go larger on these two stories once we see the lads in their new pin stripes! Who would you prefer on your team…Zlatan or Eto’o?

Peter Crouch is on the verge of moving from Portsmouth to Tottenham. I guess he misses his old boss Harry Redknapp. What is it about ‘Arry the lads love so much? I’d play for ‘Arry. But will he partner Keane or Defoe or will he come off he bench?

Looks like Arsenal might lose yet another player. Kolo Toure is close to joining Manchester City. Adebayor desperately wants his dancing pal to join the City revolution. Will Toure leave Arsenal for the megabucks of the North? Should Arsenal be worried about losing another player? Can Nicklas Bendtner, Carlos Vela, Eduardo, Djourou, Kieran Gibbs & Co step in to save Wenger if he doesn’t splash the cash a little this summer?

Darren Bent, the 17 million pound Spurs flop could be bound for the North of England and a place in the Sunderland starting line-up. Crouch leaving…Bent arriving…makes sense to me, how about you?

Stuart Downing joined Aston Villa from Middlesborough even though he’s injured and won’t be able to kick a ball until October! Never saw the fuss about this player and don’t rate him as an international at all. Lots to prove as far as I’m concerned. Do you guys rate Downing?

Honorable mentions…Zat Knight joins Bolton from Aston Villa. Sam Ricketts joins Bolton from Hull City. Dean Whitehead leaves Sunderland for Stoke City.

Bye-bye Manu, bye-bye…

TRUE_BLUE_____Emman_848719aIt looks like Arsenal fans have been given something to shout about this summer…they’re finally shot of Emmanuel Adebayor!

The love-hate relationship is over. Adebayor’s taunts about leaving have to be heard no more. And surprisingly, he didn’t end up at his “dream club” AC Milan. Adebayor signed-up for the Manchester City revolution and a whopping salary of 130,000 pounds a week. So much for wanting to play Champions League football and joining an elite European club.

Adebayor had one great season at Arsenal…in a contract year! This guy is a greedy little bugger who was out for the big bucks. If he really wanted to stay at Arsenal he would have. Robin van Persie just signed an 80,000 pound a week contract to stay with the Gunners. He made it very clear his next contract wasn’t about the money, it was about winning. Van Persie realizes he already makes a ton of cash. He was courted by Manchester United and Chelsea this off-season but he chose to stay at Arsenal. Adebayor on the other hand took an offer from the highest bidder and isn’t even guaranteed a starting place when the new season kicks-off in August.

Adebayor could be a huge success at Manchester City. He could also flop. So many players that have left Arsenal have failed to shine when they moved for bigger, better money. Look at what’s happened to Alexander Hleb at Barcelona. Flamini at AC Milan is doing much better now, but it was tough for him at first. And in the past Viera, Petite and Overmars flopped when they left Arsenal. They were not the same players. In the end, Adebayor’s pockets might be heavier, but he may have less silverware to admire when it’s time to put his feet up from his playing days.

Will Arsenal replace Adebayor? Is he a great loss to the team? Do you think Adebayor moved for money? Will he start at Manchester City? How loud will the boos be when he goes to the Emirates next season? I wrote an article about Adebayor last season. Check it out. http://britishsoccerdiva.com/prod/?p=61. Just shows you a leopard never changes its spots…

Red card…

BaldrefwithRedCardDear Arsenal Board,

We hope you are having a sizzling summer season so far. Manchester City and Real Madrid sure are! They’ve both created some gigantic waves across the whole of Europe this summer and boy are they having a blast! Even Manchester United have had a little dive in the deep end of the transfer pool. Chelsea and Liverpool haven’t been splashing around as much because they don’t need to get that wet. And you Arsenal…well once again you insist on plodding around in the baby transfer pool while every other major European team continues to swim in the big pool with the big boys. Why?

The Gooner nation is curious…

1. When you are going to buy another player so Thomas Vermaelen doesn’t feel like the only new boy in the changing room come the new season?

2. Are you going to buy that battling midfielder you so desperately need?

3. Do you plan to hijack John Terry’s move to Manchester City?!!! (LOL)

4. Do you have any plans to challenge for trophies next season?

5. Will it be another year of promises and let downs?

For now, the Arsenal Board receives a Red Card to match those red faces that are frying instead of tanning on a beach somewhere around the world. Get your fingers out and your cheque books ready money men because let me tell you…this will be the last season of patience for Arsenal fans. If you didn’t get a copy of the memo, they are over you! They want to win and they want to win now. Don’t let them down or you could find yourselves with red faces again come the end of next season…

He’s a blue devil now…

Join_us_280x390_845842aHere it is. The picture Manchester United fans didn’t want to see. Former United heroes Mark Hughes and Carlos Tevez proudly show-off the blue shirt of Manchester City to celebrate Tevez joining the team. If I were a United fan I’d be gutted. It would feel like someone just stabbed me in the heart. Of all the teams in all the land, did Tevez have to join City! What a dagger!

Carlos Tevez will be a superstar at Manchester City. He will be the main man. He will get everything he wanted at United and more. And Tevez wants to prove Sir Alex Ferguson wrong. Signing for City is a calculated move. It’s also a move about money of course, but why not twist the knife while you’re trying to make your point. Will Sir Alex regret this one?

United have now lost two world class players in Ronaldo and Tevez. They have signed Michael Owen from Newcastle, Antonio Valencia from Wigan and Gabrielle Obertan, a relative unknown from Bordeaux. Now these are not the superstar names United fans were expecting to see swing through the Theater of Dreams doors this summer. But if Sir Alex pulls this off, it will be the shrewdest bit of business he’s done in a while. The man has done it before with his 1990’s so-called team of kids (Giggs, Neville, Beckham) and he can certainly do it again.

So be patient United fans. Let the new season start before you start throwing the same daggers Tevez did.

Transfer news in a nutshell…

nutshell400There are some crazy transfer stories out there right now. It’s been an interesting summer so far and there’s still time for a few more headlines to be written…

John Terry moving to Manchester City from Chelsea? I’ll believe that when I see it. And Cesc Fabregas is being hunted like a wolf again by Barcelona. Don’t think that will happen this season, but it could definitely happen next! Here is some solid transfer news…

Robin van Persie signs a new Arsenal deal. Joe Cole is set to sign a new 4 year deal with Chelsea. Daniel Sturridge signs for Chelsea from Manchester City. Yuri Zhirkov finally moves to Chelsea from CSKA Moscow (could be a fantastic signing for them). Jermaine Pennant has finally left Liverpool for Real Zaragoza. Sean Davis leaves Portsmouth for Bolton. Goalkeeper Joe Hart signs for Birmingham on loan from Manchester City. Antonio Valencia signs for Manchester United from Wigan (watch out for this guy). Didier Zokora leaves Tottenham for Sevilla. Patrick Viera says no to Birmingham. Jo extends his loan move from Manchester City to Everton.

Transfer talk and moves on the bubble…

Peter Crouch to Sunderland from Portsmouth. Frazier Campbell to Sunderland from Manchester United. Eto’o to Manchester City from Barcelona or he could well stay in Barcelona. Former Liverpool player Boudewijn Zenden could possibly make a return to English football at Fulham. 

We’ll keep you posted about what will happen with Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano of Liverpool. Will keep tabs on Franck Ribery of Bayern Munich. Plus I’m sure Manchester United have a joker hidden up their sleeve…

What about your team? How are they doing in the summer transfer market?

I’d play at the Theater of Dreams…

oldtrafford_468x596Why is everyone turning down the chance to sign for Manchester United? Why don’t players want to play at the Theater of Dreams? What is wrong with everyone people?

Benzema admitted today he chose Real Madrid over Manchester United. Ronaldo didn’t want to stay a second longer in the North of England. And Franck Ribery is hellbent on joining Real Madrid over United too. I get it, and I just don’t get it all at the same time. The last time I looked, Manchester United were the team with the stable manager and the countless Premier League titles, F.A. Cup and Champions League wins over the last few years.

If I were a player wanting to win things, United would be a better choice over Real Madrid right now wouldn’t it? But it seems the lure of Real Madrid and their place in football history is too much for players to overlook. Manchester United have just as much history. But wearing the famous white for one of the world’s greatest teams seems to be the soup de jour. Or is it because they are throwing money at players and they all see an opportunity to beef up their pensions while they can? Surely they don’t want to make history and be part of a football revolution do they? I’ll give Ronaldo a pass on this one. He earned his move and gave a lot to United.

But given the choice, would you play for Sir Alex Ferguson or Manuel Pellegrini? Pellegrini doesn’t have the pedigree of Ferguson. Granted neither did Pep Guardiola and he was amazing as Barcelona manager winning the treble in his first season. But how often does that happen? Not very. Real Madrid are obviously building another Galacticos team and they are desperate to emulate what their biggest rivals did last season. It’s hard to win the treble and it’s not a guarantee these superstars are going to gel and be unbelievably good together. 

David Beckham and other Real Madrid players of the past have all said that the revolving door of managers at the Bernabeu hurt their own form and this obviously affected the overall success of the team. No player likes to have a couple of managers a month taking charge. Beckham has said many times the stability at Manchester United and knowing who the manager was and what was expected helped him and every other player evolve and progress as professionals. Perhaps it will be different with Pellegrini. Let’s see what happens when the new season starts.

Manchester United have been turned down a lot this summer. Does this mean the power is shifting to La Liga? Is this where most players want to be now? If I were one of the best players in the world today seeking a transfer, I’d sign for Manchester United in a heartbeat. It’s called the Theater of Dreams for a reason you know! Who would you sign for?

The new Prince of Real Madrid…

01_ron_280x390_840216aCristiano Ronaldo was officially introduced as a Real Madrid player. He will wear the #9 shirt once worn by Ronaldo the Original from Brazil. At some point I’m sure he’ll inherit the #7 shirt from Raul, the current legend and Prince of Real Madrid. With Raul’s career in it’s twilight, could Ronaldo be the heir apparent? Or will it be Kaka?

Ronaldo had more than double the crowd Kaka pulled in at his press conference. 80,000 fans showed up to welcome the world’s most expensive footballer. You could see how stoked they were to finally have their man at the Bernabeu. Sure they were also happy to welcome Kaka, but the fans have made it very clear who they see as their next Prince.

Ronaldo is the signing of Real Madrid’s dreams. With that comes pressure. But he can take the pressure. He loves pressure. He wants to put the entire city on his shoulders. He’s ready to be a Madrid legend. He wants to solidify his place as the world’s most dominant and influential soccer player. Who knows, if he keeps his ego in check and his diving to a minimum, he could even win you over.

Who do you think is a better signing for Madrid, Kaka or Ronaldo? Who do you think will rise as the new Bernabeu hero? If Madrid win trophies, will either of them care who is the main man?

I see Michael Owen…

Michael_Owen_280x39_840301aDo you remember how shocking it was when you realized Bruce Willis’ character  in the Sixth Sense was actually one of those dead people the kid kept saying he was seeing? Well shoot the shrink people! We’re not even halfway through the summer transfer season and we already have a shock-of-a-transfer story that could rival the shocking twist of the Sixth Sense.

Michael Owen has been signed by Manchester United. Let me just writepeat that…Michael Owen has been signed by Manchester United. Who wasn’t shocked beyond belief when they heard the news? I was shell-shocked. Anyone who says they saw this coming is a complete and utter liar.

For the last 2 seasons Owen has been hovering around St.James’ Park like a ghost. He was deflated. There was no life left in him. He had become like a dull, dark cloud. Very much like Bruce Willis’ character in the Sixth Sense. And now Newcastle were relegated, who was interested in buying this one time phenom?

Hull City, Stoke City and some other mediocre City named sides were apparently interested! But were these the only teams impressed by Michael Owen’s famous past? Not quite. Just as Owen’s reps were preparing another mail out of that now infamous 34 page soccer sales brochure, he received a surprise phone call from Sir Alex Ferguson inviting him out for a spot of lunch. By the time they were done with their pudding, Owen was offered a contract at Manchester United. It was easy for the ex-Liverpool hero to accept. Perhaps there’s even a part of him that wants to prove Liverpool made a mistake letting him go to Real Madrid all those years ago.

Sir Alex Ferguson likes to gamble and the media is painting this as a huge one. But we all know most transfers are huge gambles. This one could end up being a great gamble. This transfer could be the shrewdest bit of business this summer. For one, Owen will be playing with world class players again. No disrespect to Newcastle, but Manchester United is a different breed of football club. There are players that can inspire Owen to be better and at United, he will be a star name among other superstar names.

You could compare Michael Owen’s forthcoming adventure to that of David Beckham’s recent experience. Beckham was playing for the LA Galaxy and then he found himself going to AC Milan on loan and all of a sudden he’s in the form of his life playing in Serie A, the UEFA Cup and also playing a part in England’s World Cup campaign. With the medical facilities at United and the talent that will surround Owen, he could find himself achieving the same. And how satisfying would it be for him to pull that England shirt on again and prove his doubters wrong? 

Sometimes people grab their second chance and they savor it like a fine wine. Others throw it away like an empty beer can. Michael Owen was dead at Newcastle. You could see it. You could feel it. He will not let this chance pass him by. He is a very ambitious man who wants to show the world he still has it. Do you guys think he will find his world class form again? Can he stay injury free? Has Sir Alex Ferguson taken too much of a gamble and will he be saying “I see Michael Owen” for the rest of his life…?

The unveiling of a masterpiece…

kaka_682x400_836081aReal Madrid finally unveiled one of their summer signings this week. Dressed in the famous Real Madrid white, Kaka looked like he was about to walk down the aisle with some 50,000 eager fans! Let’s hope his marriage with the Spanish giants is a happy one.

At AC Milan Kaka was the leading man. At Real Madrid, he will be one of several big names. Zidane, Beckham, Carlos and Ronaldo the Original were able to play in a team of superstars at Real Madrid. Will Raul, Ronaldo #2, Van Nistleroy, Ramos and Kaka live happily ever after in the fairy tale being crafted and written by El Presidente Florentino Perez? This man is determined to build a new era of Galacticos. Except this time he wants them to win like Barcelona!

Are you digging Kaka in the white of Real Madrid? Do you still see the stripes of AC Milan when you look him in the eyes? Stay tuned for more unveilings from Madrid. The biggest ego has almost landed…