Shut the Window Up! Thomas Partey Signs…

Thank goodness it’s over. The transfer window is finally shut and there’s no doubt the Arsenal pulled off the signing of the day stealing, Thomas Partey from Atletico Madrid.

Joining Sophie, Amanda and Super Kevin Campbell is Arsenal legend and Anfield 89 hero, Alan Smith, ex-Newcastle, Wimbledon and now Fox Soccer analyst & LAFC color commentator, Warren Barton! And it doesn’t end there…they are also joined by the Bleacher Report’s transfer guru, Dean Jones.

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A Conversation With…Eoin O’Callaghan

We dive into a pool of football happenings In A Conversation With Eoin O’Callaghan.

The former host of Fox Soccer Report discusses attacking, defending, buying and selling in the Premier League. We look at the exciting debut of Eden Hazard for Chelsea and how Sir Alex Ferguson might regret not signing him for Manchester United. Does Nuri Sahin fit best with Liverpool or Arsenal? Is Andre Villas Boas changing too much too soon at Spurs? Can Everton burst into the top tier of the league like Newcastle United did last season? We dissect all of this and much more from an English football perspective.

There’s even a little time to touch on some Italian madness and in particular the Antonio Conte situation at Juventus and the heartbreak of AC Milan fans as Antonio Cassano defects to the enemy Inter Milan. Grab a tipple of your choice and enjoy the conversation.

The Return of Newcastle United…

In May of 2009, Newcastle United fans were in mourning. The owner, board and executive management team were in shambles and not even Alan Shearer, the ultimate Magpies legend, could save them from relegation to the Championship.

Despite the crash and burn events of 2009, Chris Hughton did manage to ferry the team back to the Premier League after just one season in football obscurity. And how was the then Newcastle United manager thanked by owner Mike Ashley? He was given the sack half way through the 2010/11 season. Newcastle United fans returned to mourning. Their club was once again being dragged through the football mud. And more horror was to come.

Mike Ashley followed up the sacking of Hughton by hiring Alan Pardew, which at the time, appeared to be a like-for-like appointment. Ashley continued to rip through the club by selling fan favourites like Joey Barton, Kevin Nolan and Andy Carroll. It seemed the team were doomed to fail again and a date with Championship football was a certainty for the Toon Army. Surely there would be no return from this for Mike Ashley or the team? Or would there?

The history of Mike Ashley as owner of Newcastle United did not instill any confidence in the fans that he was making decisions that were in the best interest of the club. But for once, the big man may have got it right. Furnishing Alan Pardew with the funds to bring in players like Hatem Ben Arfa, Demba Ba, Papiss Cisse and Yohan Cabaye, has all but erased the bad memories and given everyone belief that the return of Newcastle United could definitely be on. Fans can smell it, but dare they believe it?

Alan Pardew has a lovely blend of foreign and British talent which surely makes many Premier League fans envious. Liverpool fans especially must be wanting to kick their own club right now. Think of the money they have spent in the transfer market in comparison to Newcastle United. And think of the talent the Magpies acquired compared to Liverpool. Bet the Kop would exchange Stewart Downing, Charlie Adam, Jordan Henderson and Andy Carroll for any of those Newcastle United players right now. Yes Liverpool won the Carling Cup. Yes they are in the semi-final of the F.A. Cup. However, their league form has been woeful. Liverpool could have acquired Ba or Cisse but they didn’t. Newcastle’s scouting team should be credited for the talent they’ve seeked and acquired this season. And Alan Pardew should be a consideration for Manager of the Year.

Life hasn’t been this good on Tyneside since the 1995/96 season that showcased phenomenal talent like David Ginola, Les Ferdinand and Alan Shearer. And with only five weeks left of Premier League action, Newcastle United fans can finally believe the changes at the club have worked as they could also return to Champions League football for the first time in almost 10 years.

The return of the Toon Army is definitely on. The questions is, how long will it last? Hopefully, this chapter in Newcastle United’s history will go on for a good few pages…

Deals, deals and more deals…

The January transfer market can be as exciting as it is annoying for some clubs. In the middle of the season, transfers can cause unrest and can lead to disastrous results.

Teams can lose their best players, and before you know it, the season is over. However, teams can also buy great players and see their season end in a winning fashion. Either way, people either love or hate this time of year.

The January transfer window hasn’t exactly set the world on fire, but the last few days can always prove to be a shocker. And there is a story brewing that is making all the headlines. Fernando Torres is being hunted by Chelsea. Surely Liverpool don’t want to sell him, do they?

With Argentine strike Luis Suarez on his way to Anfield from Ajax, this could well be the time where the scouse house finally part ways with the Spanish superstar. Suarez impressed at the World Cup for Argentina and could be a perfect replacement for Torres.

Torres could use a fresh start. He has been ravaged by injuries the last couple of seasons and we haven’t seen the best of him. He is however finding some form of late and could join Chelsea at the perfect time. But should Torres leave?

In other transfer happenings…Edin Dzeko’s move from German club Wolfsburg to Manchester City is at present the most expensive transfer in this January window. I always thought he was a quality player who could do some serious damage in the Premier League. But did he join the right club?

Other transfers that made headlines include Emmanuel Adebayor to Real Madrid from Manchester City on loan, but do we care?

Darren Bent seems to get more expensive as he moves from club to club. Aston Villa paid Sunderland 18 million pounds with the transfer fee rising to 24 million. Is he worth it?

Ryan Babel finally ended his Liverpool nightmare and darted off to Hoffenheim for 6 million. That’s a good move for him and he needed to get out. Should another Premier League team have picked him up?

England has beens David Bentley and Wayne Bridge went on loan deals. Bentley left Tottenham for Birmingham and Bridge left Manchester City for West Ham. Can these players resurrect their careers with these latest moves?

We are heading towards the most exciting part of the season fellow footie fans and it’s all leading to a massive crescendo. Take a deep breath. Oh and by the way, the Diva is back…

The summer transfer saga begins…

world-moneyGareth Barry to Manchester City! Please! This summer could see some amazing squad swapping. It might get really ugly people. Brace yourselves to be annoyed, frustrated and flabbergasted by it all. And even if your team are not in the thick of it all, it will still affect them somehow. Whether it’s getting beat by the teams that have spent big or losing a player because he was offered crazy wages from another club, in the end it all trickles down or up!

What we do know so far is that there is a huge tug-of-war going on between Real Madrid and Chelsea for the services of Kaka. Where do you think he’ll end up? What’s the best place for him? AC Milan hold the winning hand here as the Italians can sell to the highest bidder.

David Villa is another superstar potentially available on the market. His club Valencia need to sell big time because of financial problems. Liverpool, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester City and supposedly Arsenal would love the services of Mr.Villa. Can’t see Arsenal spending the money, can you? And will he be willing to leave Spain?

Franck Ribery is another hot property. The Bayern Munich star is wanted by everyone. They say he fancies a move to Spain. Chelsea want him really badly. He’s the flare player they’ve been craving since the departure of Arjen Robben. Does the Frenchman fancy la vie in London?

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is wanted by Barcelona, which is surprising to me. The Inter Milan hitman is looking for a new challenge and would relish a move to the Camp Nou. Do you think he’s good enough to play up front for the treble winning champs? Can you see Zlatan in a Barca shirt?

Cristiano Ronaldo is Real Madrid bound isn’t he? They say there is a pre-contract agreement in place and if they don’t sign him by the end of the month Real Madrid will owe Ronaldo 26.7 million pounds. Crazy baby, crazy! Will the Premier League be the same without Ronaldo if he goes? Surely we want the best players to stay, even if they annoy the hell out of us right?!!

There are tons of other players on the transfer bubble. People are even talking about Fabregas and Barcelona again. Vidic is even being mentioned as leaving Man Utd. Will Santa Cruz finally move to Manchester City or Arsenal? Are Everton serious about signing Michael Owen? And has Carvalho had enough at Chelsea? Stay tuned…