Manchester City

Ronaldinho Still On The Cards But £19m - King Jo or Joking?

Manchester City have broken their club transfer fee record by signing Jo from CSKA Moscow for £19m but at what price? Whilst his record in Moscow was impressive, 30 goals in 53 games is not to be sniffed at is the money that has been paid obtaining best value or will he be an expensive flop?

With youth on his side, the Brazilian is only twenty-one, City are investing heavily in his potential. The Premier League is a different league from the ones he has previously played in, both physically and in speed of play which will require some adjustment on his part. His cost may preclude that from being a long period with brickbats handed out readily for big-money signings if they fail to deliver.

Sven Goran Eriksson built a solid base for Mark Hughes to launch City forward but they tailed-off badly post -Christmas last season to finish in ninth place, having been in the top four for some time at the start of the season. The stability in the squad may come if Joe Hart and Richard Dunne sign new contracts but to expect anything more than a top six finish is wishful thinking on the part of City’s owner, Thaksin Shinawatra.

More of his dubious millions could be spent on Ronaldinho who has yet to rule out a move to Eastlands apparently. Chelsea is one destination the player mentioned but Hughes believes the challenge of rebuilding City to the glory of thirty-five years ago will appeal more than Champions and Premier League titles. Delusion it appears is a virus spreading rapidly at the club.

RONALDINHO NO NEARER RESOLVING HIS FUTURE

Ronaldinho has yet to decide his future, not knowing for certain whether his stay in Catalunya will be replaced by a journey into Northern England, Italy or the USA. Speaking at the recent World Cup Qualifier between Brazil and Argentina, the former FIFA World Footballer of the Year said,

Until July 19 lots of things can still happen, but all I’m worried about now is getting better and being able to play again as soon as possible and to get back in the national team as soon as possible

Having been publicly told by new Azulgrana coach, Pep Guardiola, that he has no future at Barcelona, Ronaldinho is searching for a new club with little apparent success. Once the toast of European football and coveted by all of the continent’s big clubs, his options are being downgraded to a cast of wannabe’s. Manchester City are, according to reports, in prime position, willing to meet the phenomenal salary of £200k per week being demanded. Whether the prospect of a season in the InterToto Cup and midtable Premier League fodder appeals to the Brazilian remains to be seen.

Continual doubts about his fitness have been raised over the past year within the Camp Nou and Spanish media, leading to accusations of a lack of desire on the players part. In no small part, the mud slung in his direction is inhibiting his future. A move to the MLS appeals no doubt for the chance to start afresh although whether this would enhance his route back to the national team is open to debate.

For one who was hailed as the Greatest Player of his Generation, it is indeed a sharp fall from grace.

BARCA PUT TRIO ON TRANSFER LIST

Pep Guardiola signalled the start of his Barcelona revolution by informing the world that his illustrious trio of Deco, Ronaldinho and Samuel Eto’o are all up for grabs. widely believed to be the most troublesome inmates at Camp Nou, the internationals are seeking pastures new following Guardiola’s Press Conference yesterday where the Coach said,

All of the players in the first team squad last season are of a very high level but we are forming a squad and Deco, Ronaldinho and Eto’o are not in our minds.

Each of the trio has been linked with new homes this summer already. Cameroonian international Eto’o was initially interested by Tottenham Hotspur’s overtures but stated his desire to continue playing at the highest level. A move to a major Premier League club seems unlikely unless Cristiano Ronaldo moves to Real Madrid or Didier Drogba leaves Chelsea. Even then, other players are reportedly ahead of Eto’o in the wanted list of Ferguson and Scolari. AC Milan have been negotiating with him but were seen to be backing off as Adriano Galliano, Milan’s vice-president, stated recently that Eto’o was the most expensive option of their striking requirements.

Deco meanwhile has been publicly telling everyone that Chelsea have been in touch with him. Whether his national team coach remains as big a fan as the player thinks remains to be seen. For Ronaldinho, the options are more limited and the fall from grace startling. His relationship with the Barcelona power-brokers has become more publicly fractious over the past two seasons as their concerns about his fitness - physically and mentally - were leaked to the press, culminating in yesterday’s announcement.

In itself, it is not a surprise that Guardiola has permitted the Brazilian to leave. The destinations being mooted are. For all of Thaksin Shinawatra’s reported investment in Manchester City, it is a club who would not have even been entertained by his agent twelve months ago. Salary figures of £200k per week might turn players heads but there is little evidence that City are likely to challenge for honours or even qualify for the Champions League. It has been suggested that Ronaldinho might follow David Beckham’s path to America and the MSL seems a plausible destination, a chance of the player to be an exceptionally big fish in a small pond. The benefits of the USA are plain to see; it will raise his public profile to a higher level and keep him in the public eye. His fondness for a party might well be tolerated more in a country more at ease with celebrity than others around the globe.

Whatever the case, to go from FIFA’s World Player of the Year to footballing mercenary, unwanted on the biggest stage is a sharp decline indeed.

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.

The weekend where it al changed

When there are just two teams challenging for the title they need to keep in touch with each other, this means they need to match each others results, however this weekend see a change at the top with Arsenal beating Man City 3-1, while the leaders Man Utd could only manage a 1-1 draw with Tottenham, it was a battle of North London V Manchester and Arsenal come out on top, they now lead the premier league by two clear points from Man Utd.

The ITV Sport weekend top team is:

Goalkeeper:

Jussi Jaaskelainen - Bolton

Defenders:

Alan Hutton - Tottenham

Jonathan Woodgate - Tottenham

Joleon Lescott - Everton

Bacary Sagna - Arsenal

Midfield:

Joe Cole - Chelsea

Jimmy Bullard - Fulham

Lassana Diarra - Portsmouth

Jermaine Jenas - Tottenham

Strikers:

Emmanuel Adebayor - Arsenal

Jermain Defoe – Portsmouth

Source [ITV Sport]

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)

Is Anelka All He Is Cracked Up To Be

Nicolas Anelka’s move to Chelsea was finally sealed, the £15m transfer fee bringing the total spent on the player to £85m (including additional fees / players), a truly astonishing sum for a player who has never ranked in any World Footballer awards.

In buying Anelka, Chelsea is assumed to have bought an outstanding goalscorer. His record appears at odds with that belief, 128 goals in 423 appearances does not seem to warrant such sums being spent on him, the record of a goal every 3.3 games is nowhere near as prolific as his top echelon peers. Indeed, his international record is equally patchy, 11 goals in 42 appearances is consistent with his club performances but neither outstanding nor spectacular. The best opposition that he has scored against at this level are England, Russia and Ukraine which with all due respect, are hardly impressive, even more so when you consider that the first two opponents in that list were 1998 and 1999. He missed out on a considerable number of caps through his personality and competing with other more highly rated forwards which explains some of the record.

Statistics can be deceptive though but in Anelka’s case they bear out the fact that he is overrated. He has played in two of Europe’s premiere Leagues, England and Spain where his record dips further, 345 League appearances for Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City, Bolton Wanderers and Real Madrid yielded 86 goals, an average of a goal every 3.6 games.

So why has he been so apparently sought after? The media have much to answer for in this case, consistently linking him with top notch clubs, psychologically improving his standing within the game. He is undoubtedly fast and can be relied upon to cause problems for defenders, helping others to score. However, for the best part of £100m, clubs are entitled to expect more consistency in front of goal. One wonders if Anelka has regrets about his career. He recently admitted that he left Arsenal too soon, his head turned by advisors and the bright lights of the Bernabeu. When he finally hangs up his boots, will he look back and believe he should have achieved more than a Champions League winners medal and three League titles in England, France and Turkey? He has the opportunity to add to that haul with Chelsea, who will always challenge for honours with Abramovich’s backing. Yet the doubts will always be there.

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

Derby Seek Reinforcements to Counter Relegation Concerns

With Derby County at the bottom of the EPL table at a mere 7 points, it’s hard to imagine any new signing could make a tremendous impact to counter their relegation worries. But with the confidence of chairman Adam Pearson—and cash to back it up—Derby manager Paul Jewell is moving into the remainder of the 2007/2008 season full steam ahead.

Jewell is looking to bolster the team, whose performances he recently described as not “good enough”, with strategic signings during the January transfer window. Derby are presently the only side with no European players, having invested heavily in homegrown talent; Pearson revealed it’s part of the club’s plan to look outside of the UK for reinforcements.

That search has already bearing fruit, with Argentinian striker Emanuel Villa arriving from UAG Tecos in Mexico. Frenchman Laurent Robert, a winger with a past in Newcastle and Portsmouth, is likely to join after a trial period. He was with Spanish team Levante until his contract was canceled following a lackluster season.

Derby will see the inclusion of at least one UK player during the transfer period, however; they are set to welcome defender Danny Mills from Manchester City (on loan), perhaps in time for this weekend’s FA Cup 3rd round. The former international player has previously been playing on loan to Charlton.

Derby need all the fresh blood they can muster; with only 1 win and 4 draws in 21 games played, they are far from a threat in the Premiership. Yet Pearson remains optimistic. “We will be a Premier League force, I’ve no doubt about that,” he told BBC Radio 5 Live. “The club’s in good shape. It’s got a fantastic fan base, great facilities, one of the best managers we could have possibly have attracted to the club and we’ve got potential investment coming into the club in the new year. With or without it, this club will come back.”

Source:
ESPN [1] [2] [3]
BBC

« go back — keep looking »