All posts by h79snht.top

In the last few months, Harry Redknapp has bemoaned having to work on a small wage budget. He has said that limited money for player’s wages has prevented him from signing top players. Looking through the Tottenham squad, there are a few injury-prone players that rarely feature in the side, on high wages. Releasing Woodgate and King could free up some money, but do Tottenham have enough defenders to do this?

They would be left with central defenders Gallas, Dawson, Kaboul and Bassong. Of these, I see Kaboul as the man to take Tottenham to the top in the future.

There is a touch of the Gareth Bale to Younes Kaboul’s story. Kaboul came to Tottenham from Auxerre in 2007. He was young but showed he had raw ability. Due to the injuries of Dawson and King he started playing regularly in the first team. Just like Bale, Kaboul was not quite ready for this exposure, and made mistakes which affected his confidence. In doing so, Kaboul created many doubters in his potential. However, after a few seasons out of the limelight, Kaboul seems to have matured. He looks assured and confident and has played well this season.

[ad_pod id=’fox-mpu’ align=’right’]

Kaboul has been absent with a hip injury since January, but should be back to full fitness in the next few weeks. To some extent, the jury is still out on Kaboul, but personally I think he will develop into a very good player. Watching him at White Hart Lane against Inter Milan earlier this season, I was hugely impressed with him. He is remarkably quick and agile for such a big defender and teamed up impressively with the experienced William Gallas. He is good in the air, being strong and tall. He also weighs in with his fair share of goals, including the winner against Arsenal in November, lovely.

In his early Tottenham career Kaboul was prone to lapses in concentration. His mistakes against West Ham and Birmingham cost Tottenham points in 2007. This lack of composure resurfaced earlier this year. He head-butted Newcastle’s Cheik Tiote and was sent off, luckily it did not cost Tottenham points that day. However, in general, he has shown signs of maturity in recent months, his time at Portsmouth with Tony Adams has clearly benefited him.

He is as strong as anyone in the league and is one of the quickest defenders. With attributes likes this, he can be a top class defender. He probably still needs to work on his technique, and on his positioning, but if he continues to improve like he has done in the last year I think Tottenham will have a serious defender on their hands.

For the time being, Gallas and Dawson are a good partnership. But there is no reason why Kaboul cannot overtake Dawson, who still makes silly errors, in the next few years.

Tottenham would lack experience without the likes of King and Woodgate, especially as Gallas will be 34 next year and might play less. So maybe this summer is too soon to offload both but I don’t think Woodgate has a future at White Hart Lane. As for Dawson, he will need to rise to the challenge of leading the defence in future years, while Bassong must continue to improve. But my guess is that Kaboul will be running the show for Tottenham before too long.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

You can follow Joe on twitter @joeaustin8

[ad_pod id=’unruly’ align=’left’]

The Seattle Sounders beat the Chicago Fire 2-1 while Philadelphia edged New York by a goal in the MLS.The Sounders opened the scoring through O’Brian White in the seventh minute, although the Fire responded almost immediately when Diego Chaves equalised.

But the home side hit back as Steve Zakuani combined with White to restore the lead as Seattle hung on for the three points and their first win of the season.

Meanwhile, Philadelphia Union defeated New York Red Bull through substitute Roger Torres’ late strike in the second half.

New York went agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock when Juan Agudelo hit the post in the 21st minute before he again struck the woodwork 10 minutes later.

But the final say went to Torres, who fired a low shot past Red Bull custodian Bouna Coundoul after receiving a pass from Danny Mwanga.

Elsewhere, Real Salt Lake, who recently qualified for the CONCACAF Champions League final, had a 2-0 victory over New England Revolution while David Beckham’s LA Galaxy could only muster a 1-1 draw after they conceded a late equaliser against DC United.

The scores finished even in the match between San Jose Earthquakes and Toronto FC while Chivas USA and Columbus Crew played out a 0-0 draw.

Celtic manager Neil Lennon has thrown his support behind a proposed cup tournament that would unite English and Scottish clubs.A ‘British League Cup’ was flagged in a 100-page strategic plan published by Scottish Premier League chief Neil Doncaster, as part of a reform push that could also see a restructure of the Scottish top-flight.

Mentioned in the report as a possible beneficial outcome of a merger with the Scottish Football League, the proposal has already gained support from one of Scottish football’s key figures.

Lennon, whose playing career included stints above and below the Scotland-England border, believes a British cup could be a great success.

“It’s quite exciting,” Lennon said. “I quite like the prospect of that.”

“If it comes off, I think it would be great for us to go down there and play against opposition and it would be great for the supporters as well.”

“It would be great for the game and for the British game as well.”

“When I played Blackburn and Liverpool and even pre-season games with Manchester United, Tottenham and Fulham, the atmosphere was fantastic.”

“Even down at (Arsenal’s) Emirates Stadium pre-season was an amazing spectacle and I think that’s certainly what our supporters would bring to the game down there.”

“It could be one step in the right direction if it’s a possibility. It’s innovative, but if it comes off then we’d welcome it.”

The idea of a British club tournament had been floated as recently as 2001, when a proposal backed by Aberdeen chairman Stewart Milne was rejected by the Football League in England.

But there is a precedent for such a competition – in 1902 a British League Cup was organised to raise money towards the Ibrox Stadium disaster, which killed 25 people and injured 517.

Celtic triumphed 3-2 over Rangers in the final.

Offence is a very interesting thing. We all have our boundaries and we all have things that set us off foaming at the mouth with rage, when, most of the time, it’s just words. And it’s interesting to see how the context of those words changes how much offence is caused: think back, for example, to various tragic events throughout modern history. As soon as they had happened, you were receiving sick jokes via text message or email about Jade Goody or 9/11. But had one of those jokes been broadcast or published, it would be an entirely different story. There would be apologies. And resignations. And Daily Mail campaigns.

On Monday evening, live on Sky TV, Manchester City struggled to a 0-1 victory at Ewood Park. It wasn’t really a deserved victory – not that I’m complaining, because the number of times City have lost and not deserved to down the years certainly seem to outweigh the reverse – but that appears to be the last thing that is being talked about this week. And you can see why, as a brand new chant was aired by the visiting fans, regarding the team’s success in the FA Cup semi-final.

It went as follows: “Who put the ball in the Munichs’ net? Yaya, Yaya Touré.”

While I wasn’t at Ewood Park and only heard the chanting second hand, it was pretty clearly coming through the TV’s speakers. And that may not be a trustworthy measure of how prevalent the chants were, after all broadcast sound can be boosted and dropped based on positions of microphones and the levels they are set at, unfortunately it didn’t appear to be a minority of the visiting fans. This was confirmed by one of my friends who was sitting in the away end.

It’s odd, though. The general usage of the word ‘Munich’ to describe Manchester United or their fans had appeared to have died down in recent years. Of course, it hadn’t disappeared completely, but the number of fans choosing not to use it and frowning upon it seemed to be rising. Even Carlos Tevez crossing the divide of the city and choosing blue over red didn’t appear to trigger too much of a revival; while the expected “Carlos Tevez is a blue, he hates Munichs” has been aired, it has, on the whole, been quashed by an alternative version that ends “he hates Fergie”. Plus that tended to be drowned out by the ironic “Fergie: sign him up!”

But then, on Monday night, there it was again. Belted out loudly from the away end; needlessly, too, given that “Who put the ball in United’s net?” scans just as well. Obviously, though, it’s just not as offensive to Manchester United fans.

Which is why the point about offence is interesting. Do Manchester United fans have a right to be offended by it? Yes, of course. Does that mean Manchester City fans shouldn’t sing it, because it causes offence? No, it doesn’t. Does the fact that twenty three people died make it crass, crude and disrespectful? Yes. And that’s where I’m going with this; the Munich air disaster wasn’t a disaster for football, rather a disaster for humanity. There are some things that transcend rivalries, no matter how fierce they are. And this is one of them.

Some will argue that singing “Who put the ball in the Munichs’ net?” has nothing to do with the air disaster, but rather more to do with winning an FA Cup semi final. To an extent, that’s true: the song in no way is an attempt to make fun of the dead. However, the nickname itself is. Is there really that much distinction between singing about the disaster and creating a nickname for a club based on that disaster? Not really; after all, if it had nothing to do with the crash, then why mention Munich?

I’ve heard several fans defend the term because it’s a mockery of United’s treatment of the injured players in 1958, such as Jackie Blanchflower or Johnny Berry, who were evicted from their club-owned houses when it became clear they’d never play football again. Or that the club wouldn’t remove a sponsor from a memorial banner out of respect. Or that Eric Cantona was paid almost twice as much to appear in the 1998 Munich testimonial game than was paid to each of the victims’ families out of the proceeds.

But how many people understand that this happened? How many people understand that some people choose to use the term ‘Munich’ to mock the club’s actions taken after the disaster? Very few; in fact, I’m willing to bet that a large proportion of blues that do use the term don’t understand that, either.

The problem is, though, that young fans see the behaviour as acceptable. They will join in with the songs and use the nickname, without truly understanding the meaning behind it. In their eyes, it’s just a word that is a derogatory name for Manchester United fans. It has nothing to do with death, grief and tragedy. I wonder, too, how many realise that Frank Swift and Matt Busby, both on the plane as it crashed, were former City players.

Of course, it isn’t just City fans. Other clubs, such as Liverpool and Leeds, have had rivalries with United that have resulted in songs about the Munich air disaster and songs where United and their fans are referred to as ‘Munichs’ being sung. United have their fair share of fans who will sing about the death of Marc Vivien Foé or the Heysel or Hillsborough disasters, too. But two wrongs don’t make it right; you can’t take the moral high ground and be offended by opposition fans’ songs about your club’s tragedies and then return fire with something equally as offensive.

I have no desire to defend the actions of those City fans that do sing about Munich, largely because I don’t believe they should be doing it. Whatever the reason for doing it, it casts the club in a bad light; Monday night being the perfect example: a good victory that put City four points clear of Tottenham on level games has been totally overshadowed. Ignored, even.

Think back to February 2008. City travelled to Old Trafford on the weekend of the Munich 50th anniversary and there were great concerns that a minute’s silence would be disrupted by the visiting fans. And it wasn’t; the fans of both clubs paid a fitting tribute to the people who lost their lives in the crash. The City manager at the time, Sven Goran-Eriksson, recently described the day as one of his career highlights and the minute’s silence as a moment of civilisation; a day when respect was paid, regardless of allegiance.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

We were impeccable that day, but there’s clearly a long way to go for us to be impeccable every day. It matters not that other clubs do it, we can’t control their fans. However, as City fans, we can control ourselves and we should be able to respect what happened over fifty years ago. We did ‘the Poznan’ for Neil Young, yet we’ll sing about the deaths of others, simply because of the team they played for.

People died. Perhaps we should remember that before we think about some silly little football rivalry, which, when it all comes down to it, is nothing short of insignificant. As humans, we can be better than this.

[divider]

[ad_pod id=’unruly’ align=’right’]

When I decided to choose my own Premier League Team of the Year, I thought it would be a breeze. I’ll be done in 20 minutes. Three days and two migraines later, I realised how difficult it is. I watch a lot of football, too much- but there are still many teams that I haven’t seen quite enough of to give a definitive judgement. But eventually I got there, though if you ask me tomorrow I’ll have changed half the team. I have tried to be totally unbiased, and have also considered all performances for their club team, not just Premier League games. I also was boring and went for a conventional 4-4-2, whilst shoehorning players randomly into midfield, perhaps picking more of a team of the top performers rather than a team that would work the best together. A little artistic licence should always be allowed.

Click on Peter Odemwingie to unveil my Premier League XI of the season

[divider]

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Compiled by Howard Hockin

Lecce won 2-0 at Bari 2-0 on Sunday to relegate Sampdoria from Serie A, while Udinese won to retain fourth place.A strike from Brazilian forward Jeda and Andrea Masiello’s own goal secured victory for Lecce against already-relegated Bari at the Stadio San Nicola.

Lecce remain 17th, but are now five points clear of third bottom Sampdoria, who lost 2-1 at home to Palermo.

Jonathan Biabiany had equalised for Sampdoria after Fabrizio Miccoli put Palmero ahead on the stroke of half-time.

But substitute Mauricio Pinilla struck with four minutes to go to see Palmero take all three points.

Coupled with Lecce’s victory, a defeat at home confirmed the end of Sampdoria’s eight-year stay in the top flight.

Like Bari, Brescia went into the penultimate round of matches already relegated to Serie B.

And the poor form that led to their demotion continued with a 1-0 defeat away to Cesena.

At the other end of the table, Udinese remain fourth and on course for a Champions League qualification berth after they beat Chievo 2-0 away from home.

Chilean Mauricio Isla and Ghana midfielder Kwadwo Asamoah were on target for Udinese.

With just one match of the season now remaining, they are two points clear of fifth-placed Lazio, who won 4-2 at home to Genoa.

Roma are out of top four contention after they lost 2-1 away to Catania.

Brazil international Robinho netted twice, while veterans Gennaro Gattuso and Clarence Seedorf were also on target, as champions AC Milan beat visitors Cagliari 4-1 at the San Siro.

Another disappointing season for Juventus took a turn for the worse with a 1-0 defeat at Parma, while Fiorentina were held 1-1 at home to Bologna.

Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez says club owner Sheikh Mansour has told him he can leave if he wants.The Argentine has been the subject of endless speculation linking him with a move away from Eastlands.

But he revealed on Sunday Mansour had given him the go-ahead to leave the club if he wanted to do so.

“He signed me, he wants to keep me but, at the same time, he has told me to do whatever I need to do to be happy,” Tevez told The News of the World newspaper.

“He has told me, ‘if you want to leave, then you can go’. There is no deadline, it’s down to me.”

“They offered me a new contract in December but I didn’t want to extend it.”

“At the end of the season they offered me another new deal but at the moment I don’t know whether I will accept it.”

“There are options but if I don’t play for Real Madrid, Barcelona, Inter or Milan it won’t be a massive void in my life.”

“There are no other issues – Manchester is my second home.”

Tevez, 27, handed in a transfer request last December, but he played out the English Premier League season that saw City finish third.

He said the club’s chief executive, Garry Cook, failed to deliver on several promises and he held no regrets about trying to leave the club.

“It was a situation that some people on the board created. They promised something for six months and didn’t deliver,” Tevez said.

“So, after six months of promises, they don’t do something, why should I believe them now? I don’t. I will never speak to these people again. I still feel the same way.”

“I deal direct with Sheikh Mansour, no one else. It makes no difference to my future, as they don’t mean anything to me. I won’t have a relationship with them. They live in a different world.”

Tevez said he stayed in December because of his respect to the City fans, having considered quitting the game all together.

Having started his senior career with Argentine club Boca Juniors, Tevez admitted he wants to spend more time with his family, who live in Buenos Aires.

“The pressure isn’t the issue but I miss my family and my home life in Argentina too much to be away from them,” he said.

I know the younger players look up to the senior players but there really isn’t a need for them to replicate their tournament form. The Under 21’s crashed out of the European Championships in Denmark last night after failing to realise a match lasts 90 minutes, hardly promising for the the World Cup is in three years time. With regard to the World Cup, England could be without the likes of Rio Ferdinand, Steven Gerrard and John Terry and it will be the current Under 21’s that will be expected to make the step up, but are there any players’ from last nights starting line up who can actually make the grade?

Frank Fielding

Given the standard of recent English goalkeepers the Derby County keeper will no doubt get his chance on the senior stage, and after a few top saves in Denmark maybe the former Blackburn Rovers shot stopper will get his chance sooner rather than later.

Kyle Walker

The Tottenham Hotspur defender enjoyed a very successful loan spell with Aston Villa this season and was tipped to be one of our stars of the tournament and he most certainly was. In a game where the Three Lions were outclassed against Spain, Walker looked like the only bright spark in the team and despite a poor tournament for the squad, it was a good one personally for the full back as he enhanced his fast growing reputation. Walker will definitely be pushing Glen Johnson for the right back spot in the senior squad in the next few friendly fixtures.

Phil Jones

Sir Alex Ferguson has recently splashed out a reported £16.5 million on the England man, such a fee from such a respected manager is praise in itself for Jones’ talents. The 19 year old has already proven he has what it takes to play at the top and deal with the world’s best footballers after his handling of Didier Drogba in his first start for Blackburn. With Terry and Ferdinand entering the end of their international careers’ and will be lacking in leaders but Stuart Pearce believes Jones has the ability to go on to be England captain later in his career. Jones was captain for last night’s game and arguably had his best game of the tournament, which is extremely promising for England’s future.

Chris Smalling

A very impressive debut season for Manchester United providing more than adequate cover for the injured Rio Ferdinand, and no doubt the former Fulham man can provide the same cover in the international set up. Playing alongside Phil Jones in the Under 21 set up now will help them two form an understanding as well as a commanding partnership that they will take with them to the senior level.

Ryan Bertrand

If Ashley Cole was to get accidentally shot by an air rifle tomorrow, ruling him out for the season, Chelsea have definitely got more than adequate cover in Bertrand. The former Gillingham star enjoyed a consistent tournament and has attracted the attention of Wolves, who are in talks about taking the Chelsea left back on loan for the season. However with Leighton Baines improving with every game and Ashley Cole being one of the best left backs in the world, it will be hard for Bertrand to break into the senior squad but there is no doubting he has the talent to do it.

Continued on Page TWO

Tom Cleverley

Impressive while on loan at Wigan Athletic this season, and being touted as a possible replacement to Paul Scholes at Manchester United. Cleverley was promoted to the starting line up for yesterday’s game, which shows how highly Pearce rates the midfielder, and you know what I usually disagree with almost everything Pearce says or does but on this one I agree, Cleverley is definitely destined for a great Three Lions career at senior level.

Fabrice Muamba

Came into the starting line up for Michael Mancienne, and didn’t really implement himself into the game, committing too many needless fouls’ last night. We have been hearing of Muamba’s talents since his Arsenal days and as of yet we are still waiting for the midfielder to perform consistently at the highest level.

Jordan Henderson

If this is the Jordan Henderson that Liverpool have spent £20 million on, I hope they kept the receipt. Went missing when England needed a dominant leader in the middle of the park, and if Henderson carries that on at Anfield he could be walking alone.

Scott Sinclair

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

27 goals for Swansea and was substitute for the first two games, surprising move by Stuart Pearce, especially with England’s obvious impotence in front of goal this tournament. Despite Sinclair having a frustrating tournament the attacker is a player who always looks threatening and you get excited when he is on the ball, the former Chelsea player will most definitely have a bright international career.

Danny Welbeck

England managed two goals in their three group games and both were scored by the Manchester United striker. Despite giving the Three Lions something in the final third, I personally don’t see a bright international future for the striker. Welbeck wont go on to be prolific like Michael Owen or Alan Shearer, Welbeck is very much a supporting striker and lets face it England have them in abundance, and by supporting striker I mean, a poor excuse for a forward.

Daniel Sturridge

The former Manchester City striker has had a real ‘coming of age’ season this year while out on loan at Bolton Wanderers, showcasing his talents consistently in the arguably the world’s best league. The Chelsea man failed to add to his 21 international goals that he has scored at all levels, but Sturridge did look threatening whenever on the ball, even when deployed out wide. England’s senior side don’t really have many options in the final third, with Wayne Rooney the only ‘world class’ striker at our disposal and the likes of Peter Crouch and Darren Bent far from reliable. Sturridge may well become a prominent fixture in the main side before 2014 and will no doubt be key in helping England end their 48 years of hurt.

[ad_pod id=’unruly-2′ align=’right’]

Another new season dawns and with it another new Chelsea manager takes control at Stamford Bridge. Andre Villas Boas has is now at the helm at a crucial juncture in the club’s recent history after a hugely successful season with Porto last year. As ever, the Chelsea job comes with undue pressure placed on it from above in the form of it’s hegemonic Chairman Roman Abramovich – the emphasis to win trophies playing a brand of attractive, attacking football has always been there, but will the transition mean that the fare on show in West London this season will be boring or beautiful? And will the supposed change in style impact on their chances of winning the league with the players he has at his disposal?

Villa Boas carved out a reputation whilst with Porto of being an attacking-minded manager. Last season Porto romped to the league unbeaten with 64 goals in 30 matches, garnering 84 points along the way – a Portuguese league record . They went unbeaten for 36 games across all competitions and won the Europa League. About as perfect as any season can get.

Villas Boas’s hiring appears to be the right for me. Had Guus Hiddink been handed the job, you would seriously have to question the wisdom of handing such a large rebuilding job to a manager on a short-term deal. Villas Boas, while just 33 years of age and on a three year-deal, does appear to be the right man at the right time for Chelsea, but will they be able to play the attacking football that their Chairman so evidently craves and has become their new manager’s staple?

The club’s very public pursuit of Luka Modric goes some way to telling you that all is not rosy with concerns to the balance of the Chelsea squad. Fresh attacking talent is right at the top of the agenda and with good reason.

Chelsea will always boast a steady and resolute defence, but it’s been their lack of guile and the side’s over-reliance on Frank Lampard’s goals which has proven it’s downfall. There’s also an argument for stating that they also lack a fair amount of pace and too much of their approach is built around both their size and power.

The new manager stated earlier this week that: “You free them from their limitations that they might have in a different kind of system, but, in the end, you make them believe in their qualities and this is the most important thing. Coming here in not just a question of big, radical changes. You have to be clear in what you do and decide well and I’m confident that we have enough people with the quality here to go forward.”

Analysing Chelsea’s striking talent and they are well stocked but without a system in place to get the best out of them. Soloman Kalou should remain for he is a perfectly serviceable fourth-choice option to have in reserve. Nicolas Anelka’s days at Chelsea look numbered though – although capable of ‘doing a job’ out on the wing, his lack of threat the past season or so has been troubling and his pace has dropped off immeasurably and he’s sure to be moved on if a suitable replacement is found.

Florent Malouda’s form is a changeable as the wind. He can be brilliant and inadequate in equal measure. He can go missing in games and be a match-winner. He may be moved on, but the fact that he remains Chelsea’s only real recognised winger should ensure his stay.

Didier Drogba remain a key part of the way Chelsea used to play, but does he represent it’s future? At 33 years of age, it’s fair to say that his days as an automatic selection are over. If his big ego can take being part of a squad rather than it’s immediate starting eleven, he’s a fantastic asset to have, but that’s a big if.

What became abundantly clear last term is that Torres and Drogba are not well-suited. Their styles contrast. One goes long, the other holds it up. While in theory that may work, if you have been at the club as long as Drogba has, your team-mates get used to one style of play and Drogba’s style of play only.

[ad_pod id=’unruly-2′ align=’right’]

Torres cannot be a flop. The Chairman has far too much at stake in terms of monetary value let alone pride involved with this transfer. To get the best out of Torres you have to tailor make a formation to suit him. When he’s asked to slot into an existing system, as he has done with Spain, he’s often found wanting.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

A link man between attack and midfield is the main target. Modric, Sneijder and Neymar have all been mooted with  big money moves. Lampard’s goals have been crucial to Chelsea in the past and are just about irreplaceable, but Villas Boas is going to have to adapt and change it up to get the best out of Torres, and with it Lampard’s relatively free role in the side.

The money is there, the willingness is there, but at the moment, on the face of it at least, Chelsea still have a relatively stilted and ageing attacking force. This is Villa Boas primary aim and he knows it.

Until they stump up the cash for a new link man, likely to be Modric, then Villas Boas will simply be unable to replicate the system that he wants at Chelsea, and the one that saw his Porto side plunder 145 goals in 58 games last season.

They appear to have the right manager at the helm, but until his targets are purchased, this current Chelsea side will continue to resemble a side that has seen better days. To be boring or beautiful at Stamford Bridge this season will have little to do with the intent of their new manager, but whether they are successful in their endeavours in the transfer market in what represents a hugely important season for the club, for without a successful transfer window, Chelsea will not win the league with the squad that they currently have.

La Gazzetta dello Sport believe that Manchester United have already placed a bid for Inter Milan ace, Wesley Sneijder.

The Italian sport website have reported that after constant speculation, the Premier League champions came forward with a bid of €39Million today but are not the only ones interested in the Dutch playmaker.

Recent reports in England have suggested that both Premier League rivals, Chelsea and Manchester City are in the running for the midfielder but according to gazzetta.it, it is the ‘Manchester City of Spain’ – Malaga CF who are set to lodge a big of €35Million.

The Spanish club were taking over by a Qatari consortium last season and like the Manchester City owners, they are now starting to flaunt their cash in the transfer market and are determined to make their interest in Sneijder formal. After already acquiring big name signings in Jeremy Toulalan and Ruud Van Nistelrooy this summer, this would really show they mean business.

Wesley Sneijder is much more likely to prefer the option of Manchester United in terms of football but the sweet scent of money may turn his head towards Spanish shores.

With the prospect of a Samir Nasri switch becoming ever problematic, due to the reluctance of Arsene Wenger to sell to his old foe, it seems as though Manchester United are taking the initiative with a bid for Wesley Sneijder.

If the bid has been placed today then there will no doubt be a response, not only from mega-rich Malaga, but also from Manchester City and Chelsea, who will have to decide whether to make their interest a reality.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

This Week’s Tavern Temptress is Francoise Boufhal click on the image below to launch the gallery!