UK Football

Fearing a possible move to Chelsea, Liverpool have given their star striker Fernando Torres a £4million raise.  More power to them, because Liverpool need to hold on to Torres if they have any hopes of success in the Premier League.  Of course they probably still have many more decisions to make, in terms of strengthening the squad, but holding on to Torres is one huge step in the correct decision.

Tottenham have shelled out £12million to sign Barcelona’s Giovani Dos Santos.  A big fee for such a club, let’s see if he turns out to be a good thing, or just someone who will use the squad as a stepping stone like Dimitar Berbatov has this past year.

The FA and FIFA have voted for Sepp Blatter’s five-plus-six rule, which would limit how many foreign players a squad can put in their starting eleven.  If support continues and the law is determined to coincide with European law, then we should see the new concept in full effect for the 2012/2013 season.

And finally, continuingly cutting managerial staff are Chelsea, and now have sacked assistant manager Henk ten Cate.  Abramovich made the move to open up the doors for the new manager a little wider, letting whomever it should be know that the next manager will be able to make all the new decisions about the reshaped squad Abramovich is looking for in the 08/09 season.

Robin Van Persie has warned Arsenal that they risk losing all their star players if they don’t adopt a new policy about wages.  Which makes sense, because I understand the policy of developing young players and not going into debt to buy new players, but you have to spend a little cash on the players that become stars, if you would like to hold on to them.  I’m all about commitment to your club, but when you’re a star and not making a wage competitive to other top flight clubs, you can’t blame someone for leaving.

Aston Villa has entered a bidding war with Tottenham for Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart.  After such a brilliant season, who wouldn’t want the City goalkeeper for their side.  The price for Hart is expected to extend beyond £8million, but I would hope City would do more to hold on to a good thing, if they want to further their success in the Premier League.

Manchester United may take action against Real Madrid by filing a complaint to FIFA, for their public pursuit of Cristiano Ronaldo.  More power to them, as the age of luring players away with underhanded tactics can hopefully be over.

The United States have now joined England in making a huge bid to host World Cup 2018.  Given the absence of American interest in the World Cup for a long time running now, and given FIFA’s apparent dislike for football’s nation of birth, America may have a strong case for hosting the event.

Roy Keane has joined the long list of managers linked to possibly taking over the reins at Chelsea.  Although the front runner of the moment seems to be Mark Hughes.  I don’t think Roy Keane would abandon Sunderland to jump to a bigger club at this point, because Sunderland is his biggest chance at making a managerial name for himself.  And with Sir Alex set to retire within three years, he may want to keep his options open for a possible return to his Manchester club.

And finally, Peter Crouch will not be leaving Liverpool and will serve out the last year on his contract.  Although he is still in protest of the 15million manager Benitez put on his head as a transfer fee.  It looks as though Crouch will have to swallow his first team starter pride, and finish up one last year of watching Liverpool play, from the bench.

Inter Milan’s Roberto Mancini has denied claims that he was considering a Chelsea contract for next season, and has responded to said claims by stating he is happy at Inter Milan.  I guess Chelsea will have to chase someone else with their bottomless pit of transfer money.

Although he hasn’t officially been sacked yet, Manchester City manager Sven Goran Eriksson may accept a proposed offer from the Mexican National team to become their new manager.  Supposedly Sven is strongly considering the scenario, and you can’t blame the guy at this point.  Even if City doesn’t fire him, he’s been disrespected for years now in England even though he’s always gotten positive results, Sven deserves to move to a club where his value will be appreciated.

Fabio Capello has every confidence that the England National team has the ability to reach the World Cup final in 2010.  Wouldn’t that be a sight to see, although England’s realistic chances have come under scrutiny recently from managers the likes of Sir Alex Ferguson.  The Scot has said that England’s chances are slim only because the long seasons that now run in England leave the players little time to rest and train together, resulting in a tired squad that isn’t equipped to play as a team.

And Finally, Frank Rijkaard, Mark Hughes and even a possible return from the special one Jose Mourinho himself have all been reported as contestants to fill the gap in Chelsea’s managerial position.  Although every day a new name is pulled out of the hat.  It seems that when a club like Chelsea has so much money to spend, anybody could end up in the manager role next season.

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has stated that he will depart from the club by 2012.  Ferguson has stated that he could stay up to three years, but it is far more likely that he will be retiring sooner.  I’m guessing in the two year range.  I don’t think after so much success Ferguson can let go after only one more season.  Whatever happens though, Manchester United could be absolutely destroyed in the process of trying to accommodate a new manager trying to bring in a different system than what’s been in place for 22 years running now.

Avram Grant was fired Saturday, after having failed to win in the Carling Cup, Premiership, and Champions League, though Chelsea were in both tournament finals and within two points of Manchester United in the league.  Roman Abramovich, is apparently unhappy with the Israeli’s progress at the helm of Chelsea, and will look to pad the team with more managerial depth with his bottomless pit of a wallet to do the job.

John Terry announced to the world that he takes personal responsibility for Chelsea’s loss in the Champions League.  As Terry missed the fifth penalty that would have given Chelsea the title, he has come out to apologize to Chelsea supporters and team-mates for blowing the opportunity to become Champions.  John Terry is for most intents and purposes an honorable footballer, and I think it’s commendable for him to salute every other contributor to the club, and apologize for one huge moment of football weakness.

 photo credit: CliveRose/GettyImages

Hull City have achieved their right for promotion to the Premier League next season, by beating Bristol City 1-0 at Wembley in the Coca Cola Championship Final.  Although I still think despite any possible transfers they can acquire in the off season, neither Hull City nor fellow promoted club Stoke City, have the depth to stay afloat for more than one season in England’s biggest stage.

And finally, Nicolas Anelka has revealed that he may have been the cost of Chelsea’s loss, as he refused to take the pivotal fifth penalty that would have won Chelsea.  John Terry of course missed the penalty which brought United back in the match, meaning Anelka could be to blame for the blues shattered title hopes.

After having lost the Champions League two days ago, Nicolas Anelka has stated that he is unhappy with the way he is being used at Chelsea.  More recently Anelka has been playing in a winger role, opposed to being played upfront as a forward, which is what Anelka is.  So Anelka has said he will moan and complain more next season, in order to make a case to the in all likelihood, new manager, for Chelsea.

Chelsea captain John Terry is facing UEFA charges, for allegedly spitting on Manchester United forward Carlos Tevez during the final.  UEFA will view video footage from the match to determine how accurate the allegations are.  If John Terry did such a thing it wouldn’t be much of a surprise, as the former England captain seems to always let his temper get the best of him, or if not his temper his bad attitude.

Manchester City manager Sven Goran Eriksson is back from City’s Asian tour today, and will find out if he has a future at the club.  Despite overwhelming support from fans, Eriksson in all likelihood will be sacked, even after having guided the club to a good season, and would have led them to European football by the UEFA fair play rankings.  If they hadn’t acquired a red card in their final Premiership match against Middlesbrough that is.  I’ll never understand why owners throw away good managers, the biggest example being Chelsea’s complete flop of a decision in letting Jose Mourinho walk away.

Manchester United have won the Champions League in a thrilling nail-biting competition against Chelsea, in a contest that went all the way past extra time into the penalty shoot-out.  United gave Chelsea plenty of opportunities to put them down, but somehow through some twist of fate, the Manchester side is victorious again.  Marking their second major piece of silverware this season, completing the domestic/European double.  Congratulations Manchester United.

In other news, the story of Lampard committing his future to Italian club Inter Milan yesterday, turned out to be completely false.  Lampard has even opened up talks with Chelsea to consider his future with the organization.  I would hope the Chelsea side learn how hard it is to get to the Final in the Champions League, and after a loss would try and keep the club together, seems as though that would be the best chance for any of the players to repeat the glory.

In response to interest by Italian club Juventus, Liverpool have put a 16million price tag on Xabi Alonso.  Presumably to help fund Benitez’s need for cash to use in the transfer market.

And finally, amid speculation that Drogba is waiting to comment on his future until Jose Mourinho announces his, the Chelsea striker has said he will make his own decisions as to where his services belong.  But given the performances of late, and also having someone as skilled as Anelka in the squad, why would Chelsea worry about Drogba at all.  Sell him and move on at this point.

Newcastle mid-fielder Joey Barton is once again in legal trouble, this time in somewhat larger legal trouble than he’s been in before, as he’s been sentenced to jail for six months.  Barton apparently was drunk, and turned violent against a 16-year-old boy and an older man, repeatedly punching both of them and leaving the 16-year-old with broken teeth.  As well as the sentence Barton was ordered to pay £2,500 to the 16-year-old as compensation.  But the bigger story is Keegan’s commitment to defending his players, even given the rocky history he’s had with Barton, Keegan has still come out to defend Barton, saying that he’s become a changed man after the incident.

Chris Kirkland has renewed his commitment to Wigan Athletic by signing a four year deal with the club.  Kirkland appears to be the best thing going for Wigan at the moment, given his record last season of 20 clean sheets in 64 games and having only given up 5 goals at home this year.  With a goalkeeper of such quality at a smaller club, Wigan should keep a steel grasp on Kirkland as long as possible, if they want to keep avoiding relegation.

And finally, Xabi Alonso will not be playing for Liverpool next season, as reportedly, Juventus’ Jean-Claude Blanc has just concluded a £12million deal for the mid-fielder.  Which is just as well for Alonso as Liverpool seem, in all likelihood, ready to replace him.  And well they should, given that every game I’ve seen where Alonso started, Liverpool looked awful.  Well actually most of the year Liverpool looked sub-par, but especially when Alonso started.

Frank Lampard has announced that in all likelihood he will be leaving Chelsea to join Inter Milan after the upcoming Champions League Final.  Which will be an enormous loss to Chelsea, as Lampard has been an absolute force to be reckoned with in the mid-field when he’s healthy.

John Terry believes he can win back the England captaincy with a win on Wednesday against Manchester United.  Although I still think the armband belongs to Beckham, as it was firmly his before the awful decisions of one Steve McClaren.  Whose brilliant strategy involved dumping players who are proven to carry the team in times of need, like David Beckham.

Manchester United chief executive David Gill has come forward to reply to comments made about a possible Ronaldo move to Real Madrid, stating that United won’t sell Ronaldo for any amount of money.  Meaning the Portuguese international will be at Old Trafford at least to the end of his contract.

And finally, Reading manager Steve Coppell has come to a conclusion as to whether or not he will stay with the club, and it turns out he will remain.  Which is extremely good news for Reading supporters, as Steve Coppell is their greatest asset to crack the ranks of the Premiership again.  I personally would enjoy seeing Reading back, it’s their own fault, but I also see the tragedy in their having been relegated.  But that’s what happens when Coppell doesn’t think he needs to replace a player of Sidwell’s quality.