Eto’o – BRITISH SOCCER {DIVA}

Money, money, money…

Forbes magazine announced the top 10 richest clubs on the planet yesterday and Manchester United still rule the school when it comes to money.

Biggest surprise is Barcelona dropping from 4th to 5th place, even after their treble winning season. You would expect them to be in the top 3.

1. Manchester United {$1.86 billion} 2. Real Madrid {$1.45 billion} 3. Arsenal {$1.19 billion) 4. Bayern Munich {$1.1 billion} 5. Barcelona {$975 million} 6. AC Milan {$838 million} 7. Chelsea {$658 million} 8. Juventus {$628 million} 9. Liverpool {$552 million} 10. Inter Milan {$441 million}.

The richest players list was also revealed by Forbes yesterday. The one surprise here is that Ronaldinho is still bringing in some large coin. And John Terry must be a bit peeved that Lamps made the top 10 and he didn’t!

1. David Beckham {$40 million} 2. Cristiano Ronaldo {$38 million} 3. Lionel Messi {$32 million} 4. Ricardo Kaka {$25 million} 5. Ronaldinho {$24 million} 6. Thierry Henry {$21 million} 7. Wayne Rooney {$20 million} 8. Frank Lampard {$18 million} 8. Zlatan Ibrahimovic {$18 million} 10. Samuel Eto’o {$17 million}.

Cristiano Ronaldo once said “footballer’s are like slaves.” What do you think?

One thing is for sure, the next round is on one of these guys. And if they were getting in the drinks, who would you like to be buying yours?

Talk around the pub is…

42-17021668 John 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.

Transfer news in a nutshell…

nutshell400 There 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?

Viva Barcelona and coach Guardiola…

Italy Soccer Champions League Final In 1999 Manchester United capped an incredible season by beating Bayern Munich in the dying seconds of the Champions League Final to secure an amazing treble. Fast forward 10 years and it’s now Barcelona celebrating a treble of trophies as they captured the biggest prize of all in Rome last night. Congratulations on winning the Champions League. Barcelona were simply beautiful.

After the first 10 minutes it seemed United had this game in the bag. Barcelona were nowhere. Then a goal from Eto’o stunned the Red Devils and they never recovered. Messi turned it on like Britney Spears on Grammy night. Xavi and Iniesta ruled the midfield. They were brilliant and my prediction for United to win was wrong, wrong, wrong!

A shout out must go to Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola. What a first season as coach of one of football’s most famous clubs. He was a very successful player for Barca many moons ago. And now he has delivered the treble in his first season. Where does he go from here? Hopefully he’ll experience the same success Sir Alex Ferguson has enjoyed over the last 15 years. He’s a good bloke and there’s no question he has created a great environment for these players in the dressing room. They have a great spirit and the coach should be patted on the back for that.

But after last night’s game, the real debate will begin. Who is the best player in the world? Surely on last night’s display it’s Messi right? Or Is Ronaldo still the best in the world? Who has bragging rights for the 2009-10 season?

Who will lift the Champions League trophy..?

champions_league_trophy The two sexiest teams in Europe have a hot date in Rome on Wednesday. But who will come out on top? Manchester United? Barcelona? Let’s hope it’s us fans that are the happiest at the end of the game, for this really is an exciting Champions League final and we hope it lives up to every expectation.

This game will also solidify who the best player in the world is for the 2008/09 season. It’s Ronaldo vs Messi. Have you already decided who is the best? Are you waiting for the game to play out before you choose? Who will rise to the occasion and be crowned king of the soccer world? We all know it takes a team to win, but let’s be honest, everyone will be watching the battle between these two talents to see who shines on the big night.

There’s no doubt the talent on display in this game will be too sexy for the pitch. Dimitar Berbatov, Carlos Tevez, Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic, Wayne Rooney, Samuel Eto’o, Andres Iniesta, Thierry Henry and Yaya Toure can all be match winners for their team. And don’t forget legends like Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes. Let’s hope all of these players can stay injury free for the final.

This is when the summer starts to sizzle in Europe. As fans, we crave moments like this. My money is on the boys of Manchester to do it all over again…