A Conversation With…Janusz Michallik

Talking Italian in A Conversation with Janusz Michallik from ESPN. AC Milan are going through a huge change in personnel having lost some legends together with Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva. How will the Rossoneri cope? Is Allegri the manager under the most pressure in Europe before the season starts?

And what of the Old Lady? Can Juventus repeat their magical season? How will they perform in the Champions League? We even dabble in a little Michael Bradley, Clint Dempsey and Robin van Persie, plus Janusz shares his thoughts on the players he’s most excited to see as the new season approaches. You won’t want to miss this conversation. Pour a glass of fine Italian wine and enjoy!

Overrated FC…

Tis’ the season to laud the best of the best. The football universe is filled with incredible talent. And we love to bestow awards on those who play sexy football. Messi, Ronaldo, Iniesta and Rooney are world-class players. They are part of the reason we love to watch the beautiful game.

On the other side of the coin, there are some players who have prominent roles in elite teams and they often leave you scratching your head as to why. And let’s face it. Every team has them. Even the team you love and adore.

We present our Overrated FC team of the season. Now remember…the keyword here is overrated. Nobody is saying they are rubbish! But they certainly won’t be winning the Ballon d’Or. Do you agree with our choices?

Goalkeeper = Joe Hart {Manchester City}

Left Back = John Arne Riise {Roma}

Center Back = Joleon Lescott {Manchester City}

Center Back = Johan Djourou {Arssenal}

Right Back = Glen Johnson {Liverpool}

Midfield = Sami Khedira {Real Madrid}

Midfield = Gareth Barry {Manchester City}

Winger = Ricardo Quaresma {Besiktas}

Winger = Aaron Lennon {Tottenham Hotspur}

Striker = Nicklas Bendtner {Arsenal}

Striker = Robinho {AC Milan}

Manager = Arsene Wenger {Arsenal}

Overrated FC Subs = Heurelho Gomes {Tottenham}, Anton Ferdinand {Sunderland}, Christoph Metzelder {Schalke 04}, Assou Ekotto {Tottenham Hotspur}, Jack Rodwell {Everton}, Mathieu Flamini {AC Milan}, Alberto Aquilani {Juventus}, Angel di Maria {Real Madrid}, Andy Carroll {Liverpool}, Edin Dzeko {Manchester City}

Hello. We are Manchester City…

_46367397_adebayorb466Manchester City battered Arsenal 4-2 today. After a dominate 1st half performance by the Gunners, Manchester City gave them a good pasting in the 2nd half. I don’t know what Mark Hughes said to his men at half-time, but whatever it was, it worked to perfection. Unfortunately for City, their great performance is not what the papers will be shouting about tomorrow morning. A deliberate and provocative celebration by Adebayor against his old club Arsenal is what will dominate the headlines on the back pages. Adebayor ran the length of the pitch to celebrate his header and Manchester City’s 3rd goal, which obviously incited fury from the Gunners fans.

What he did was wrong. He should know better. Adebayor has obviously dreamed of shoving it down the Arsenal fans throats following months of abuse by them. But so much has been written about City and Arsenal before the season started and we all know there is no love lost between Hughes and Wenger. It certainly appears as though a new rivalry has been born between these two teams and Adebayor is more than happy to lead City from the front lines. This is the first of many battles. Arsenal fans 0 Manchester City fans 1.

City’s 4-2 defeat over Arsenal illustrates how Mark Hughes and his men are ready to prove they can win the title. They have been ripped by many in the media for spending tons of money in the summer transfer market. People have questioned Mark Hughes and his ability to manage a group of growing stars. Bets have been made on whether or not they can break into the so-called Top 4. Well today, Manchester City were able to put some of their critics in their place with a dominant performance. Oh and by the way…they did it without Tevez and Robinho.

Arsenal looked in control of the game in the first half. They had good possession and it appeared as though they could do some damage. But some of their final balls and overall attempts on goal lacked bite. Sure Van Persie and Rosicky scored and the latter looked bright when he came on as a substitute for Arsenal, but it just wasn’t enough. And in the second half, Manchester City took over completely and whipped Arsenal about the pitch like jockeys on a race horse. Adebayor tortured his old team both in attack and defense. I lost count how many Arsenal corners he cleared away with his head. He played with a chip on his shoulder and it worked for him and City.

Once again there are many question marks against Arsenal. The finger will be pointed at Wenger for not splashing the cash in the transfer market. In today’s game, money definitely was the one doing the talking and winning. You could see City’s investments on the pitch and it was fruitful for them today. Let’s remember this is a long season. We still have to see how City perform in adversity. For now, they are enjoying their winning ways. And for now, it’s Arsenal that have to show what they will do in adversity.

Was this game proof that Manchester City will finish above Arsenal this season? Do you think City can win the whole enchilada? Can Adebayor finish as the Premier League’s top scorer? Do City need Robinho and should they let him go to Barcelona? Should Wenger have taken Bendtner off instead of Denilson? Should he give Jack Wilshere more playing time? What’s wrong with Fabregas? Who is getting the drinks in?

Manchester City splashing the cash…

picsrvmcfccoukThe new Chelski are starting to dig deep in their pockets of infinity. Manchester City have splashed 18 million pounds on Roque Santa Cruz. The ex-Blackburn striker put pen to paper for his old boss Mark Hughes and so the long arse chase for his signature ends. Thank God. 

I like Roque Santa Cruz. He is a good player. He has lots of quality and strength. He is a solid signing for Manchester City.

I also thought he would be a good fit for Arsenal if Adebayor left. But City is his chosen destination and that has a lot to do with wanting to play for Mark Hughes again. He scored 23 goals in his debut season for Blackburn and the Paraguay international certainly has the confidence to bounce back from his knee injury nightmare of last season. Perhaps after that injury I would have paid more around the 10-12 million pound mark. But clubs know City have the money to spend and City are willing to pay the asking price. Do you think Santa Cruz is worth the money?

Mark Hughes has been given the chance to start a revolution at Manchester City. They say Tevez is on the way but we’ll believe that when we see him pictured in the blue shirt at the press conference. Wow wouldn’t that be a dagger to United fans hearts? Mark Hughes, a hero of the past at United now manager of Manchester City. And Carlos Tevez, their Argentine Prince potentially leaving the Theater of Dreams to play for across the street for the Blue side of Manchester. Why don’t you just twist the knife on your way out Carlos!

City have Robinho too remember. And with the signing of Santa Cruz and maybe Tevez, do you think they can challenge for the Premier League next season? Will Mark Hughes still have a job by Christmas?

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…

Transfer season so far…

CB018788The Ronaldo saga is not over. The race for Adebayor’s signature continues. Will Drogba be a Chelsea player this season? Is Lampard going to join Mourinho at Inter Milan? Has Wenger found replacements for Flamini and Hleb? Is it true Robbie Keane is leaving Tottenham for Liverpool? Would Tottenham really let Berbatov and Keane go? Is Gareth Barry ever going to leave Villa? Is Robinho really thinking of hanging out at the King’s Road?

All of the abovementioned questions have yet to be answered. I’m going to noodle on how some of these transfers might work out. Nothing major is going to happen until August. It’s always the case. Now I’ve said that, something big will happen tomorrow! Lampard to Milan! Berbatov to United! Keane to Liverpool! Barry to Arsenal! Whoops…did I say that out loud. Let’s hope we get some news soon…the wait slows down the pre-season prep work…