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BOSTOCK VALUATION IS AN IMPORTANT RULING DESPITE PALACE’S OBJECTIONS

European clubs confirmed their opposition to Sepp Blatter’s Quota Plans earlier this week, a hardly surprising result since had they supported them, it would have been the footballing equivalent of Turkey’s voting for Christmas. Does this mean that the ideas are without merit or is it simply a case of the vested interests of the club overriding their concern for the game as a whole?

Without doubt it is the former yet despite the derision of the media, fed by the clubs, there is some point to the idea behind quotas, albeit the methodology of achieving those aims is awry. Blatter’s intention is to create a strong international game; arguably, he already has it. However, there are exceptions to this rule and one of them in particular, England, is also the richest league in the world.

To have the English fail to qualify for Euro2008 was neither good for the game as a whole nor was it bad. One nation’s travesty is a benefit for another; Russia served notice that under Guus Hiddink’s leadership that they are not to be taken lightly, providing a delightful aspect to the competition. That they were eventually undone by the uncrowned Champions is no shame. They had recovered from a thrashing in their first match to reach the semi-finals, dismantling one of the tournament favourites en route.

That the English failure to qualify forced the Football Association to bring into existence a National Training Centre, situated in Burton-on-Trent, is further benefit to the game as a whole. It is shameful that they had not done so sooner. Any initiative that brings a standardisation to coaching for the elite of the game of any age should be applauded.

However, the idea of quotas is an anathema to any European governement which is a member of the European Union. To the bureaucrats of Brussels, everything is about levelling playing fields without barriers to its citizens. The only way for football to address the imbalance at a national level is to ensure that there is sufficient technical quality amongst natives.

One example of this is John Bostock. Aged sixteen, Crystal Palace valued him at £5m. It is ludicrous to believe that his true worth was anywhere near that yet Simon Jordan, The Eagles owner, used emotive language in describing the players valuation at £1.25m by a tribunal. Jordan has a vested interest, a desire to do the best for his club yet he epitomises all that is wrong in the transfer system. Had the deal not been struck by the tribunal, another player would have been lost to the lower divisions through the excesses of money that are believed to permeate the upper echelons of the English game. There is merit in the argument that Bostock would have been better served by playing regularly for Palace but that is based on the assumption that he will be dumped into Spurs reserves. Perhaps he will be used in the same manner that Theo Walcott is at Arsenal, benefitting from a mix of substitute and starting appearances at Arsenal.

Whatever the case, transfer fees have to be regulated; this is the biggest cause of consternation at larger clubs. Some sense needs to come into the system otherwise indigenous talent is lost through greed. Yet protection of the lower league clubs is also needed, a balance must be struck. Simon Jordan observed that there is little incentive for clubs such as his own to nurture talent if they are not going to be suitably rewarded. As a businessman, he will recognise the paucity of his argument. If football clubs only survive because of transfer fees, something fundamental is wrong with their financial model. Seeking talent is to be eulogised yet seeking reward as their only solace through this opportunity is folly. Finding a talented youngster is the equivalent of finding a needle in a haystack; many average players must pass through the doors for the ‘chosen ones’ to be found. If a club’s future is dependent upon this result, something is rotten in the state of Denmark and owners must look to their own weaknesses for a longer term solution.

Manchester United vs. Wigan – EPL Title Battle – Second Half

Image details: Wigan Athletic v Manchester United - Premier League served by picapp.com

Second half report from the final match day of 2007/2008 EPL season.There were no changes to the United side during halftime despite Scholes’s yellow card and his risky play.United found themselves in a more attacking mood in the second half, with 3 shots taken within the first 10 minutes. By the 65th minute that tally rose to 5. At full time it had risen to 7 (4 on goal and 1 goal). Wigan did not get their first decent chance at goal until the 69th minute.Referee Steve Bennett’s calls caused massive frustration and sparked Rooney’s temper; a penalty not given against Wigan for bringing down Scholes immediately created controversy. Rooney was awarded a yellow card for his attitude in the 57th minute. Steve Bennett famously dismissed Javier Mascherano for a temper tantrum, so Rooney’s inability to keep his thoughts to himself could have been cause for concern. With Scholes on one yellow and risking tackles in his usual fashion, and Rooney on one yellow and apparently unwilling to calm himself down, the chances of a red seemed to be mounting against United. In the 67th minute this pressure was alleviated as Scholes was taken off and Owen Hargreaves brought on.In the 61st minute everything grew uncertain in United’s world as Chelsea scored against Bolton, courtesy of Andriy Shevchenko. Fans and players surely knew if Wigan evened the scoreline Chelsea could take the title. Undeterred, United continued to press Wigan as second wore on.In the 68th minute Ryan Giggs equaled Bobby Charlton’s record for United appearances as he came on for Ji-Sung Park. In the 69th minute Antoine Sibierski replaced Marcus Bent, who played strongly for Wigan today.In the 79th minute Ryan Giggs ended all uncertainty. His goal from a Rooney cross crowned Manchester United the 2007/2008 EPL Champions. It was an amazing way to mark his historic 758th appearance. Bobby Charlton looked on as the man who met his record brought his team to victory.Following the goal Marlon King replaced Michael Brown for Wigan, and Wigan didn’t give up the fight. In the 85th minute their second shot (off target) of the half came via Jason Koumas. Desperate attempts to take something away from this match saw two more shots in the 88th and 89th minute, and 3 more in the 90th. Wigan finished with 7 shots in the half, 4 on goal.Full time stats show Manchester United’s domination with 67% of possession to Wigan’s 33%.Despite a rocky start United went on to fully earn this 2007/2008 EPL title, and even the Wigan supporters gave the squad a standing ovation as they made their way off the pitch to prepare for the trophy presentation.An emotional end to an incredible season: Ryan Giggs hoisted the EPL trophy and Sir Alex sang along to “We Are the Champions”. There is pure joy in the JJB tonight.The results around the league:Birmingham vs. Blackburn 4-1Birmingham put in a very strong showing but it’s too little, too late. Had they played this way during the season the overall outcome would have been far more positive. Birmingham have been relegated.Chelsea vs. Bolton 1-1Unfortunately for the West London side not only did they not win the title, but they couldn’t hold onto a clean sheet to end their season. Kevin Davies gave Bolton its consolation prize in the 90th minute. Bolton are safe from relegation.Derby vs. Reading 0-4Hapless Derby couldn’t end their dismal season with even a single goal for fans to celebrate. Reading, however, routed them with 4 goals—to little end. Reading’s play this season has landed them in the relegation zone as well, and in fact Reading rounds out the trio of relegated teams. Birmingham, Reading, and Derby have gone down.Portsmouth vs. Fulham 0-1This was undoubtedly one of the most exciting surprises of the day. Fulham seemed destined for relegation but very recent form kept them in the league by the skin of their teeth. The hero today was Danny Murphy, ensuring his team remains in the EPL to fight another year.Sunderland vs. Arsenal 0-1A match of little consequence and little coverage! Sunderland will be happy to be safe and Arsenal will be disappointed to end their season, which was so strong for so long, in third.Tottenham vs. Liverpool 0-2Liverpool bested the North London club to keep them in 11th place. Liverpool’s spot in 4th was never in doubt or danger.West Ham vs. Aston Villa 2-2Thanks to a late goal by Dean Ashton West Ham managed one point from this match, to ensure their place in the top 10 regardless of what occurred at Tottenham vs. Liverpool. West Ham stay up in 10th, and Aston Villa ends the Intertoto Cup club in 6th.Wigan vs. Manchester United 0-2The trophy celebrations for Champions Manchester United are still under way!Middlesbrough vs. Manchester City 8-1An embarrassing end to the season for City, who started the year so strongly. With the sending off of their captain and stalwart defender Richard Dunne, City seemed to lose all composure. They allowed 8 goals, a bitter pill to swallow, and managed only one as small consolation. Manchester City finish in 9th while Middlesbrough lodge themselves firmly in the middle of the bottom half of the table. Surely this result seals Sven Goran Eriksson’s unfortunate fate.Everton vs. Newcastle 3-1It’s not an end-of-season result Kevin Keegan will remember fondly, but Newcastle finish in 12th. Considering they were flirting with relegation earlier in the season, it can be no cause for complaint. Everton’s 5th place spot, and UEFA Cup inclusion, were not doubted and have now been secured.What a season and what a finish for all.Champions: Manchester UnitedChampions League: Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal, LiverpoolUEFA Cup: EvertonIntertoto Cup: Aston VillaRelegated: Birmingham, Derby, Reading

Manchester United vs. Wigan - EPL Title Battle - First Half

First half report from the final match day of 2007/2008 EPL season.

A United side that looks slightly nervous has managed to score against a Wigan side that seems confident and plucky. Cristiano Ronaldo’s penalty (given against Wigan in the 32nd minute for a foul in the box against Wayne Rooney) pushed his team ahead, 1-0. It’s the Portugese scoring machine’s 31st goal of the season.

Wigan have boldly attempted, and nearly succeeded, to dominate United. Their physicality has worked in their favor in their end of the pitch, and United have struggled to mount any decent attacks. Aside from his penalty Ronaldo is not in his usual form, and Carlos Tevez is also struggling to find his scoring boots.

Wigan held the mass of possession during the opening half of the first, but by the halftime whistle United wrested possession back 57% to Wigan’s 43%. Wigan have kept United’s defense on their toes, with 8 shots (2 on goal) to United’s 4 shots (1 on goal).

One can only wonder if the news from around the other Premiership fixtures will influence United’s morale in the locker room. John Terry, Chelsea skipper, was stretchered off early in the goalless Chelsea vs. Bolton game with what appears to be a collarbone injury or dislocation or shoulder injury to the left arm. If Chelsea lose their focus they will pose no threat to United.

As the first wore on, rain began to pour on the JJB, slickening the surface of the pitch. Tackles grew messy and Scholes seemed bound and determined to receive a second yellow late in the half. Fortunately for him and for United, referee Steve Bennett let him off with a warning. Scholes’s physical play on a sloppy pitch may be a reason for concern to United in the second.

Overall United’s first half performance has been far from the smooth, clockwork machine we’ve seen when United are at their best. One goal is all they need, but if Wigan convert a shot and Chelsea score, the situation will be turned on its head. A sense of urgency must lead United in the second.

Around the League:

Blackburn vs. Birmingham 1-0
With relegation a very real possibility the goal in this game is a major boost to Birmingham, and throws the relegation zone into further unsureness.

Derby vs. Reading 0-1
Two teams also in the relegation zone, though there is no question Derby are already relegated. Reading are fighting for their EPL survival.

Portsmouth vs. Fulham 0-0
Portsmouth are safe in middle-to-lower top half of the table, and Fulham are another team on the brink of relegation. The relegation zone is an exciting mess!

Sunderland vs. Arsenal 0-1
A match with very little at stake, since Arsenal are already in the Champions League for next year, and Sunderland are safe from relegation but have no hope of passing any milestones with this match.

Tottenham vs. Liverpool 0-0
Liverpool’s title hopes ended long ago, but they are safe for next year’s Champions League. Tottenham are firmly in 11th place, and have struggled for a long time to dislodge West Ham and break into the top half of the table.

West Ham vs. Aston Villa 1-1
Aston Villa are, as it stands, the Intertoto cup team. If scores hold as they are West Ham will finish in 10th place, where they have remained for much of the second half of this season.

Wigan vs. Man Utd 0-1
If this scoreline holds, United will be declared Champions within an hour.

Middlesbrough vs. Man City 0-2
A 10-man City (Richard Dunne sent off early in the first) is safely lodged in 9th place; Boro might best Wigan for 13th.

Everton vs. Newcastle 1-0
Everton will compete for the UEFA Cup next year. Newcastle have no chance of achieving the top half of the table, and will likely finish the season in 12th.

Eduardo on the Road to Recovery

Injured Arsenal striker and Croatian international Eduardo de Silva has left the hospital today, following surgery to repair his broken fibula, ruptured medial ligament, and dislocated ankle sustained during Arsenal’s match versus Birmingham last weekend. Eduardo was catastrophically injured by a tackle from Birmingham’s Martin Taylor in the 3rd minute; after 7 minutes of on-pitch treatment he was stretchered immediately to a waiting ambulance and transported to a Birmingham trauma center.

He underwent the emergency surgery in Birmingham and was then shifted to a London hospital. He now begins the doubtlessly long and painful process of recovery, which will put him out of play for at least nine months to one year. Though some warn this could be a career-ending injury, Eduardo remains optimistic and vows to do everything within his power to be back in the game as soon as possible.

The extent of injury could have been far greater. Arsenal physio Gary Lewin is credited with saving Eduardo’s life as his quick and careful action prevented risk of serious infection through the wound where the fractured bone pierced Eduardo’s skin.

Lewin administered painkilling medication, oxygen, and laughing gas to the understandably distressed Eduardo while he maneuvered the leg into immobilization.

While Eduardo received treatment Taylor received a straight red for the challenge. Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger emotionally called for a lifetime ban, a position he has since reversed. However, Eduardo himself has said he didn’t believe Taylor lunged at him in malice, stating “It was an unfortunate situation but these things can happen in football.”

Meanwhile, Taylor was described as “distraught” after the incident, and pundits suggest he may require psychological counseling as a result. Taylor visited Eduardo in hospital twice; once while he was in surgery, and again when Eduardo was conscious and able to receive Taylor’s explanation for the tackle.

Blatter Battered But Not Beaten - Yet

Sepp Blatter was caught with straight to the chin earlier this week when the European Union scuppered his plan to regulate the flow of foreign nationals playing in domestic leagues. An EU spokesman unequivocally stated that in implementing such a ruling, FIFA would be in breach of the law. That Switzerland where the ruling would be passed is not a member of the EU matters not one jot; it is effectively an associate member of the ‘august’ body and its members are based in the zone under the control of the bureaucrats from Brussels.

To celebrate such a comment is to underestimate the FIFA President. He has not survived this long in his current position without a considerable amount of politicking behind the scenes. Next week he will meet with the English Premier League and Football Association. Both of these bodies have been less than supportive of his plans in the past yet they both have much to gain by working to his goal.

The EPL plans for matches to be held on foreign soil may yet find favour with the powerbroker if they were, for instance, to suddenly make themselves available as a ‘guinea pig’ for his ruling. The new wave of club owners will not bat an eyelid about jeopardising their clubs chances in European competition if they can double the revenue that the Champions League has to offer. Similarly, the FA want Blatter’s blessing for their 2018 World Cup bid. Such rewards are a small price to pay for backing his plans.

For Blatter, getting the most commercially successful and rapacious football economy on his side is a feather in his cap. Whilst the British government may not be popular with their continental counterparts, the horse-trading, commercial wealth and the chance to halt the dominance of English football in the money stakes may yet be too good an opportunity of Brussels to miss.

Liverpool and Arsenal Fall from FA Cup Grace

Liverpool and Arsenal both toppled from FA Cup contention today in what proved to be a day of upsets from giant-killers and giants alike.

In their fifth round match Liverpool faced Championship league side Barnsley, currently in 14th place in their league table, at Anfield. While Liverpool, 5th place in the Premier league, dominated possession and had a dramatically greater share of shots on goal, they could not penetrate a Barnsley defense largely held firm by debuting keeper Luke Steele. Steele dazzled in a “man of the match”-worthy performance, allowing only one of Liverpool’s 20 shots on goal into the net. Dirk Kuyt scored his first goal for Liverpool since December.

At the opposite end of the field, Liverpool keeper Charles Itandje faced fierce assault from Barnsley’s full compliment, with the equalizing goal coming from defender Stephen Foster. 7,000 Barnsley fans celebrated what looked to be a 1-1 draw, but had even greater reason for celebration when Brian Howard hammered in Barnsley’s second goal during injury time.

Arsenal faced Manchester United at Old Trafford. While neither team featured their complete range of high-profile players - such as the notable absence of Cristiano Ronaldo from the United side - Manchester’s squad proved to have the right chemistry for scoring magic. Before the first half whistle United were 3 goals up to Arsenal’s nil. Wayne Rooney, Darren Fletcher, and Luis Nani were responsible for the goals that virtually guaranteed United’s victory against a struggling Arsenal side.

The situation did not improve for the London team, whose fate was sealed in the 74th minute by a second Fletcher goal, setting the scoreline at 4-0 with little time to recover. Arsenal’s task was further complicated by a red card to Emmanuel Eboue in the 49th minute, rubbing salt in the wounds United had already inflicted. Overall, Manchester’s presence was far greater. They held 56% of possession (to Arsenal’s 44%) and had 12 shots on goal to Arsenal’s 1.

Liverpool, Arsenal, and United will all face European foes in another round of UEFA matches this week. It is widely believed this is the reason that key players were rested for all three teams. However, for all but United, further FA Cup ambitions are over, and Sir Alex Ferguson is one step closer to turning the whispers of “Treble” to full-voiced expectation.

The sixth round of the FA Cup will be played on March 8th.

The top five free kick goals

With the disappointment that David Beckham had yesterday by not getting into the England side for the friendly against Switzerland, he would be very pleased that he is still top of pack.

When it comes to brilliant free kick goals, his have always stood out well above the rest and so when Fabio Capello is looking at the team sheet and thinking who the hell can I put on now, he should had had a look at these top free kick goals and see where the real talent lies in England.

The top goals from free kicks:

1. David Beckham - Everton Vs Manchester United 11/05/2003

2. Cristano Ronaldo - Manchester United Vs Portsmouth 30/01/2008

3. John Arne Riise - Liverpool Vs Manchester United 04/11/2001

4. Cristiano Ronaldo - Sunderland Vs Manchester United 26/12/2007

5. Matt Le Tissier - Southampton Vs Wimbledon 26/02/1994

Well maybe there is only one left out of this lot who could possibly ever play for England again, and so does everyone else in the country.

Source [SL]

FA Cup fifth round draw

It promised to be a great round for some of the lower league clubs that had made it through to the fifth round of the FA Cup, but as usual it seemed the balls were not going their way as the top two teams in the country Arsenal and Manchester United have once again been drawn against each other preventing those lower league teams of a decent pay day.

This means that one of the top teams will not be making it any further in the competition, which is probably a sad thing, although it will give a couple of those teams the opportunity to progress through and maybe then have the opportunity to face up to the premierships finest.

FA Cup fifth-round draws in full:

Bristol Rovers v Southampton

Cardiff v Wolves

Sheffield United v Middlesbrough

Liverpool v Barnsley

Manchester United v Arsenal

Preston v Portsmouth

Coventry v West Brom

Chelsea v Huddersfield

Ties to be played 16/17 February.

Who is going where?

With the transfer window open there has been a little flurry of activity going on, here are the details:

Arsenal
OUT: Matthew Connolly (Queens Park Rangers, undisclosed)

Aston Villa
OUT: Chris Herd (Port Vale, loan)

Birmingham City
OUT: Neil Kilkenny (Leeds United, £150,000), Sam Oji (released), Rowan Vine (Queens Park Rangers, undisclosed), Wilson Palacios (loan expired), Olivier Tebily (released)

Blackburn Rovers
OUT: Robbie Savage (Derby County, £1.5million) , Peter Enckelman (Cardiff City, loan)

Bolton Wanderers
IN: Tamir Cohen (Maccabi Netanya, undisclosed), Gretar Steinsson (AZ Alkmaar, £3.5million) OUT: Gary Speed (Sheffield United, loan); Nicolas Anelka (Chelsea, £15million), Gerald Cid (Nice, undisclosed)

Chelsea
IN: Nicolas Anelka (Bolton Wanderers, £15million), Branislav Ivanovic (Lokomotiv Moscow, £9million)

Derby County
IN: Danny Mills (Manchester City, loan), Emanuel Villa (UAG Tecos, £2million), Laurent Robert (unattached, free transfer), Robbie Savage (Blackburn Rovers £1.5million), Hossam Ghaly (Tottenham Hotspur, loan) OUT: Steve Howard (Leicester City, undisclosed), Mo Camara (Norwich City, loan), Andy Griffin (Stoke City, £300,000), Matt Oakley (Leicester City, £500,000)

Everton
IN: Manuel Fernandes (Valencia, loan), Dan Gosling (Plymouth Argyle, undisclosed) OUT: Lukas Jutkiewicz (Plymouth Argyle, loan)

Liverpool
IN: Martin Skrtel (Zenit St Petersburg, £6.5m)

Manchester City
IN: Nery Castillo (Shakhtar Donetsk , loan) OUT: Danny Mills (Derby County, loan), Marc Laird (Millwall, undisclosed), Ched Evans (Norwich City, loan), Matthew Mills (Doncaster Rovers, loan)

Manchester United
OUT: Jonny Evans (Sunderland, loan), Lee Martin (Sheffield United, loan)

Middlesbrough
OUT: Andrew Davies (Southampton, undisclosed)

Newcastle United
IN: Ben Tozer (Swindon, undisclosed) OUT: Tim Krul (Falkirk, loan extension)

Portsmouth
IN: Danijel Subotic (Basel, undisclosed)

Reading
IN: Marek Matejovsky (Mlada Boleslav, undisclosed), Radoslav Vasilev (Slavia Sofia, undisclosed) OUT: John Halls (Crystal Palace, loan)

Sunderland
IN: Jonny Evans (Manchester United, loan), Jean-Yves M’Voto (Paris Saint-Germain, undisclosed) OUT: Stanislav Varga (Burnley, loan)

Tottenham hotspur
IN: Chris Gunter (Cardiff City, undisclosed) OUT: Ben Alnwick (Leicester City, loan), Philip Ifil (Colchester United, undisclosed), Hossam Ghaly (Derby County, loan)

West ham united
OUT: Hogan Ephraim (Queens Park Rangers, undisclosed)

Wigan athletic
OUT: Fitz Hall (Queens Park Rangers, undisclosed), Wilson Palacios (Deportivo Olimpia, undisclosed)

January Transfers Mount in England

Although January 1st saw the greatest number of transfers on a single day since the January window opened in English football, the moves are still predictably full steam ahead. In the past ten days 39 moves have been made in and out of the EPL alone.

Perhaps not surprisingly, struggling Derby County have been most active in transfers. Including those conducted on January 1st, Derby has seen 10 transfers to and from their club. With a new manager and more financial support, the club had promised to take full advantage of the transfer window.

The least active EPL teams thus far, with 1 transfer each since the 2nd, are Arsenal, Aston Villa, West Ham, Wigan, Everton, Middlesbrough, Liverpool, and Portsmouth. (For a list of January 1st transfer see this Corner Kick article.)

A list of EPL transfers between January 2nd and January 11th, 2008:

Steve Howard from Derby County to Leicester City for an undisclosed amount

Hogan Ephraim from West Ham United to Queens Park Rangers for an undisclosed amount

Matthew Connolly from Arsenal to Queens Park Rangers for an undisclosed amount

Leslie Thompson from Bolton Wanderers to Torquay United on loan

Michael Barnes from Manchester United to Chesterfield on loan

Stanislav Varga from Sunderland to Burnley on loan

Danny Mills from Manchester City to Derby County on loan

Neil Kilkenny from Birmingham City to Leeds United on loan

Jonny Evans from Manchester United to Sunderland on loan

Ryan Bertrand from Chelsea to Norwich City on loan

Mo Camara from Derby County to Norwich City on loan

Matthew Pattison from Newcastle United to Norwich City for an undisclosed amount

Fitz Hall from Wigan Athletic to Queens Park Rangers for an undisclosed amount

Scott Spencer from Everton to Yeovil Town on loan

Ben Alnwick from Tottenham Hotspur to Leicester City on loan

Ben Tozer from Swindon Town to Newcastle United for an undisclosed amount

Danijel Subotic from FC Basle to Portsmouth for an undisclosed amount

Neil Kilkenny from Birmingham City to Leeds United for £150,000

Sam Oji from Birmingham City to Leyton Orient (free)

Laurent Robert as free agent to Derby County

Marek Matejovsky from Mlada Boleslav to Reading for an undisclosed amount

Rowan Vine from Birmingham City to Queens Park Rangers for an undisclosed amount

Emanuel Villa from UAG Tecos to Derby County for £2,000,000

John Halls from Reading to Crystal Palace on loan

Chris Herd from Aston Villa to Port Vale on loan

Marc Laird from Manchester City to Millwall (free)

Robbie Savage from Blackburn Rovers to Derby County for £1,500,000

Lee Martin from Manchester United to Sheffield United on loan

Peter Enckelman from Blackburn Rovers to Cardiff City on loan

Ched Evans from Manchester City to Norwich City on loan

David Button from Tottenham Hotspur to Grays Athletic on loan

Andrew Davies from Middlesbrough to Southampton for an undisclosed amount

Phil Ifil from Tottenham Hotspur to Colchester United for an undisclosed amount

Lee Holmes from Derby County to Walsall on loan

Hossam Ghaly from Tottenham Hotspur to Derby County on loan

Mark King from Blackburn Rovers to Accrington Stanley (free)

Martin Skrtel from Zenit St Petersberg to Liverpool for an undisclosed amount

Andy Griffin from Derby County to Stoke City for £300,000

Nicolas Anelka from Bolton Wanderers to Chelsea for £15,000,000

Source:
ESPN

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