UK Football

Blackburn’s greatest player, Santa Cruz notwithstanding of course, has just been lured away to Tottenham, despite Ince’s best efforts to keep the England man in his squad.  Bentley’s apparent lack of commitment to Blackburn in the press, has paid off in some respect, as he’s gone to a different club, and Tottenham will be all the stronger for it.  Especially given the recent loss of their former captain Robbie Keane to Liverpool.

But the funny thing about this story, is that Bentley in the end didn’t get what he wanted.  As David Bentley wanted to move up in the world, thinking he was better than playing at Blackburn, and wanted to participate in European tournaments.  But now he’s a few places farther down the rankings list, as Tottenham were very much behind Blackburn in last seasons Premiership table.

Not to mention, Tottenham still haven’t solved the problem of replacing Robbie Keane, and inevitably replacing Dimitar Berbatov, as the Bulgarian doesn’t seem long for London.   So what exactly are they going to do?

Bentley was a great pickup, congratulations, but he doesn’t score that many goals outright.  Though Bentley is a free kick master, and brilliant at setting people up off the wing.  But he needs someone to set up, Jenas and Aaron Lennon just aren’t going to cut it without Berbatov and Keane.  Blackburn aren’t looking to good ever since Ince stepped in, especially now with the loss of Bentley.  But if Tottenham can’t replace their scoring power, than they can look forward to finishing behind Blackburn yet again. 

photo: Matt James

Why, Rafa Benitez, would you spend £20.3million on another striker that you don’t need like Robbie Keane, instead of £15 on Barry to bolster your midfield? Fernando Torres is a lone striker sort of player, who functions best on his own, throwing Keane into the mix will only hurt his production. And the aging Keane is not the sort of talent to make up for Torres lack of production.

So my question is why? Why make the decision? Unless you’re going to convert Keane into a mid-field player, but even then, who says Keane has the talent to play amongst Kuyt and Gerrard in Liverpool’s already talented mid-field?

But then Benitez’s strategy has always been to shake up the starting eleven constantly, never really allowing the players to get a feel for the team chemistry.  Like last year when Liverpool all but dropped off the map, and were then lucky to finish fourth.  Apparently it’s a winning strategy Rafa, so why not stick with it? 

Who needs Torres to constantly score goals, when you could replace him with lesser talent, or interfere with him using lesser talent, like Robbie Keane? 

But then, Benitez, you don’t really seem up for what would be necessary to finish at the top of the Premiership’s grueling 38 game gauntlet.  So I guess keep doing what you’re doing, it’s held your job so far. 

Former France International, and Manchester United legend, Eric Cantona has weighed in on Cristiano Ronaldo’s impeding transfer possibility of joining Real Madrid.  King Eric, as United supporters know him, has stated that Ronaldo would be making a mistake by leaving Manchester United at this point in his career.  And this time Eric Cantona is right.

I know it’s probably getting old, writing about Ronaldo and all the people that want him to stay at United, but the point is still sound.  Cristiano Ronaldo will only hurt his career by going to Real Madrid, because so often the Spanish giants swallow a player and suck everything out of his skill until there’s nothing left.  Leaving little chance of becoming anything like what your potential would have allowed.

The greatest example still being David Beckham, as the England International’s career has been destroyed by Real Madrid.  A team whose care for players is of such a low regard, that a league of practical exile like MLS seemed a better option than staying in Spain.   

Hopefully Ronaldo will realize that Manchester United want to develop his skill, and serve his needs as a player.  And despite the close proximity to his home nation, Spain is only the place to go if you’ve no other option.  Ask Theirry Henry what a trip to Spain before your time in the Premiership is up, is really like.

In other news of note, Brad Friedel is officially Aston Villa’s new keeper.  Which in my opinion is Martin O’Neill’s best signing decision of note for a while, as Friedel has the sort of skill Villa need if they hope to steal a European football spot from one of the top five clubs above them.  Although not losing Gareth Barry, and instead keeping the England man happy would also have worked nicely in their favor, but not everything works out according to plan.

Still though, a newly appointed brilliant goalkeeper is something for the positive.  Now if you could only pick up a few better defenders Mr. Manager, then you’d have a football club. 

Tottenham may have taken a huge step backwards, as they’ve let Liverpool buy club captain Robbie Keane. Supposedly going for £20.3 million, Tottenham are in turn planning on putting that money towards the purchase of Zenit St Petersburg mid Andei Arshavin.

Who you’ll remember from two decent performances in the Euro 2008, and a horribly lackluster one against Spain which led to Russia’s downfall in the tournament. Proving already that Arshavin likely doesn’t show up enough for big games. So clearly it makes sense for Tottenham to ditch their captain and on field leader, for an unproven entity that chokes on big occasions. Right?

So with pressure for Berbatov to move to Old Trafford, and his lack of commitment anyway to the White Hart Lane cause, why would you sell the skipper? The man who was trying to pull hardest at taking his club to Europe, and whose recent run of play has shown despite his growing age, the Irishman can still produce when needed.

Arshavin just isn’t that quality of player often enough to waste upwards of £17million on, without him having proven his ability in the Premiership. A huge gamble that I don’t expect to pay off, especially if Spurs are hoping Arshavin will fill a Keane striker void. Because Arshavin is better coming into the attack, bot being the focal point.

Without Berbatov to help him out, Arshavin’s lack of depth will have Tottenham dead in the water, or worse. Hull and Stoke City are bound to drop at the end of the season, leaving one more spot for a failing team, without Keane, Tottenham could be just that.

photo: John Dobson

Portsmouth are looking to be a stronger side already, in preparation for next season. Having reacquired the services of Peter Crouch, manager Harry Redknapp is looking to bolster the side with the addition of Shaun Wright-Phillips as well. Pompey have offered up in excess of £10million for Chelsea’s fairly unused mid-fielder.

If Portsmouth can make the transfer happen, and Wright-Phillips joins the squad, with Peter Crouch as a target for the Chelsea mid, Pompey may be on to something. As Jermaine Defoe hasn’t been as good as his potential dictates he should be, and Kanu can’t score a goal that isn’t a lucky rebound or deflection, Pompey will gain the much needed attacking prowess that’s been missing from last years FA Cup winners.

Although a few replacements in defense wouldn’t be a bad idea for that transfer money either. Given David James penchant for stupid goalkeeping decisions.

Word has it that one issue is stopping a proposed Shaun Wright-Phillips transfer from happening however.  That being money, and Portsmouth possibly being short of it, in transfer terms.  But whom do you sell to acquire new talent the likes of Wright-Phillips?  Why not just dump Jermaine Defoe?  You can probably catch a good fee for him, and he hasn’t led the squad as much as he should in the past anyway.  Peter Crouch will replace the scoring contingent of his game and more.

After all Crouchy is up for proving himself again, after watching Liverpool from the bench all of last season.  Defoe can probably make you enough cash to spend on Wright-Phillips and a defender, which I’ll mention once again, as long as James is in goal Portsmouth need another capable defender.   In fact they probably can’t have enough capable defenders. 

photo: Austin Osuide

Carlos Tevez however couldn’t be farther from the mark. As the Argentine apparently favors Ronaldo, and has put forth support for the Portuguese International to play for whichever club he so desires. Despite previous engagements through contract I guess. As Tevez has said, many players desire to play for a big club like Real Madrid, and if Ronaldo wants to go, United should let him.

But who cares what Tevez thinks, as he’s only hurt Wayne Rooney’s career. Sir Alex Ferguson even admitting to the fact that he told Rooney to focus on helping out the rest of the team, opposed to focusing on goalscoring. Tevez isn’t really needed in the squad, and will be replaced by Berbatov should United acquire the services of the Bulgarian captain. So his comments to United are completely unfounded, as Tevez doesn’t play as part of the team, so much as just on the field with the team.

However, the veteran and living Manchester United legend Paul Scholes, has it completely right. As Scholes responded publicly, which he so rarely does, to the Ronaldo controversy as well. Scholes said that leaving Man U for any club would be a step down, considering the pay level, treatment from coaches, and the facilities playing at Old Trafford provides.

Manchester United is the biggest club in the world right now, and Scholes is trying to tell Ronaldo not to throw away a good thing. Citing an example of David Beckham, as to the treatment he received away from Manchester, which wasn’t so good a few years into his Real Madrid campaign.

Make the money you can Ronaldo, yes. You deserve it, and are without a doubt the best player in the game right now, by a long shot. Despite your persistent diving, and penalty hunting. But don’t throw away your biggest shot to be a legend, as the United system is designed for you to become a sensation.

Real Madrid’s setup? Not so much.

Has Juande Ramos finally made a misstep?  As Tottenham were linked to so many important transfers earlier this off-season, it looked as though Spurs were set to become a top four contender.  But now all that has faded, and Spurs look fit to lose the services of Robbie Keane to Liverpool, and Dimitar Berbatov to Manchester United.  

So what happened exactly?  A club that was competing in attempting to sign Ronaldinho, Robinho at one point, and countless others, why are they now poised to lose the best strikers they have to offer?  The lack of production, as well as the stability of the team is to blame.  With a defense that only has the positive services of Woodgate, bolstering the back four, who would want to play a club of that sort?  

A team that has the capability to leak goals at any time, because of shaky defending and shakier goalkeeping.  Why didn’t Ramos think to link himself to a few defenders, make the team look as though you were fit to take on the world, before trying to lure the high profile stars?  

Sure filing the dossier against Manchester United, claiming that Ferguson has used improper means to shake up Berbatov, that might buy you some time with the Bulgarian, but you’ll lose him eventually.  And who will take his place?  Even if Tottenham hold on to Keane, the Irish international hasn’t been good enough in his own performances to carry the squad.  

The only seemingly possible links left for Tottenham are Russia’s Pavlyuchenko and Andrei Arshavin.  But both players are unproven in the ranks of a league the skill level of the Premiership.  With players like that driving the club, Spurs fans will be asking what happened Juande?  Just as I am already asking, for the way his grip has failed in the offseason, what happened Juande?

photo: Calebrw

England has a future unlike David Beckham’s uncertainty with his country, Capello is committed to getting football’s impossible job completed. Capello has also stated that he will not be deterred by threats to the effect that, if Capello does not reach the Semi-finals of the upcoming World Cup he will lose his managerial position. Rather Capello is only focused on helping England play good football, as a team.

And that’s the point really, isn’t it? Improve England’s ability to link up on the field, help the players understand each other, and start playing on the same page as a team. That’s the problem with England lately, a lot of good players, and no chemistry.

I like that Capello doesn’t care about threats to his job, because a manager shouldn’t be concerned with anything else than improving his squad. Although a manager needs to be given time with a team, especially a national squad. Take Sven Goran Eriksson for example, the Swede was given years to fine tune his craft as manager. Then England had a great showing at the 2006 World Cup because of it, going to the Quarter-finals and only losing on penalties through a cruel twist of fate.

And Ronaldo’s dirty tactics against Wayne Rooney of course.

Take note of the fact that Rooney didn’t commit a foul in the first place, as all players were legitimately committed to winning the ball. Then after the incident, Ronaldo’s sideline wink to confirm a job well done.

But all of that is beside the point. I just wanted to say that I’m happy England has a manager committed to getting the job done, not a manager who will be pushed around or make stupid decisions in fear of losing his job. And I’m thrilled McClaren is gone, as he seemed more interested in making friends with his players, than managing them to victory.

photo: Austin Osuide

Manchester United is embroiled in a whole world of drama at the moment. As of right now manager Sir Alex Ferguson has said that he has every confidence that Manchester United will be able to acquire the services of Dimitar Berbatov by the start of next season. Despite Tottenham filing a complaint with the FA over Manchester United’s pursuit of their star striker.

Although I can’t figure why Tottenham would even want him at this point, as Berbatov has all but checked out. He doesn’t want to play for Tottenham anymore, the Bulgarian skipper only shows up during the matches that don’t matter, and couldn’t be bothered when they do.

Also Ferguson has finally responded to rumors about Ronaldo stating that once and for all, Ronaldo won’t be sold under any circumstances this year.  Although the Portuguese winger will be absent for three months after having had ankle surgery.   But this just opens the door for Manchester United to show that Ronaldo isn’t that necessary to the squad.

after all, don’t forget about the great Wayne Rooney, who is much more important to the squad as a whole.

 Patrice Evra has also come under fire, for supposed incident during the April 26 match last season at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea.  Supposedly Evra and a member of the Chelsea ground staff argued and the Chelsea worker used a racial slur against Evra.   To which Evra unfortunately responded, unethically, and now may face a ban to start next season.

So apparently the drama doesn’t stop in Manchester, not even for the off season. 

Manchester City, after having no success in acquiring Ronaldinho, which will likely hurt their chances to sign other big names, are apparently turning to a higher power. Currently Manchester City are employing feng shui techniques to thwart any bad luck losses, I guess. Going so far as to bury “magic” crystals under the pitch and in club reception areas. The club shop has also been filled with lucky fortune trees, three-legged monkey toads and buddhas, as reported by the Daily Mirror.

Although with Mark Hughes as manager now, it would seem to me that you don’t need a higher power to intervene. But rather focus on the football and City should be fine. Besides, those “magic” crystals are bound to make the pitch a bit bumpy, which would just interfere with City’s own run of play.

(if magic crystals prevent this, more power to City.)

West Ham United Players, as reported in The Sun, are said to be very angry over their treatment in flight to an MLS friendly against the Columbus Crew. Apparently the Hammers were supposed to have been arranged by MLS to fly business class, but were switched to coach. Which if you’ve ever flown business class before, is a huge difference, I personally can’t imagine footballers on a big club like West Ham sitting next to any average joe off the street. Especially in transit to a match.

But I guess that’s what happens when a league with no money like MLS is involved. The real problem is just that MLS isn’t reliable, because the flight was supposed to be covered by their travel firm, but internal issues made that impossible. And as the MLS has no money, a league that inforces a slim salary cap of around $2million, or little more than £1million, they probably didn’t have the cash to pay for the flight themselves. Despite the good will West Ham has shown by flying across an ocean to play a friendly, to expose English football to a new country, they still have to fly some 10 hours in coach. Only to have to pay football a short time after.

Comfortable conditions.