Summer is almost over (it ended in May...) - August is all but upon us and with the start of the new season now dangerously close, it's time to kick things off again with a quick 5 things to test the compatibility of the new "blog style" format.
1. Nobody cares about the Cesc Fabregas saga.
Now 3 years in, the "will he, won't he" Fabregas/Barca/Arsenal merry go round is now officially the most boring story in the whole of sport. Literally nobody cares... even Fab himself appears to have reached a zen like apathy towards the whole situation. It seems simple enough... Arsenal want X amount of money for him... Barca won’t pay it. Either they have to... or they don’t. It’s not rocket science folks, for the love of god will you just resolve it one way or another. Ideally with the little maestro going to warm the bench at camp nou so we don’t have to endure this again for an unforgivable fourth summer.
Now 3 years in, the "will he, won't he" Fabregas/Barca/Arsenal merry go round is now officially the most boring story in the whole of sport. Literally nobody cares... even Fab himself appears to have reached a zen like apathy towards the whole situation. It seems simple enough... Arsenal want X amount of money for him... Barca won’t pay it. Either they have to... or they don’t. It’s not rocket science folks, for the love of god will you just resolve it one way or another. Ideally with the little maestro going to warm the bench at camp nou so we don’t have to endure this again for an unforgivable fourth summer.
2. What does Ferguson see when he looks at the Utd midfield?
Seemingly heading towards a 4th summer without a central midfield purchase, Fergie has now officially lost it when it comes to improving that part of the team. Carrick/Fletcher/Anderson/Giggs are too shit, too injured, too casual or too old. None of them would get in the first teams of the next half a dozen top clubs and Fergie’s comments about “not being able to buy Xavi or Ineista, so what’s the point” do a disservice to the countless midfielders out there who would be an improvement to the squad. In reality, a solid defensive shield such as Diarra or Diame is needed, alongside a creator such as Sneijder or Modric. Failing that, most of the German players (Schweinsteiger or Muller amongst them) would walk into the team. Oh who am I kidding, just buy another winger instead Fergie, you can never have enough of them.
Seemingly heading towards a 4th summer without a central midfield purchase, Fergie has now officially lost it when it comes to improving that part of the team. Carrick/Fletcher/Anderson/Giggs are too shit, too injured, too casual or too old. None of them would get in the first teams of the next half a dozen top clubs and Fergie’s comments about “not being able to buy Xavi or Ineista, so what’s the point” do a disservice to the countless midfielders out there who would be an improvement to the squad. In reality, a solid defensive shield such as Diarra or Diame is needed, alongside a creator such as Sneijder or Modric. Failing that, most of the German players (Schweinsteiger or Muller amongst them) would walk into the team. Oh who am I kidding, just buy another winger instead Fergie, you can never have enough of them.
3. Will Sunderland just buy a new team every year?
A strange club at the best of times, Sunderland’s transfer policy this year represents their 4th major overhaul of players in 5 years. Signing the sort of personal that would make Spurs blush, the trouble with Sunderland is that if they hadn’t bought anyone this summer they would probably have finished around 10th... and with all the new players they will probably finish... around 10th. Given the club are the third most in debt in the league (after Chelsea and City) – it would probably have been wiser to consolidate and develop some youth alongside proven mid-table regulars. Still never mind, all the fans care about is finishing above Newcastle and judging by their transfer policy so far (sell their best player, refuse to give a contract to their second best player) – that should be petty easy.
A strange club at the best of times, Sunderland’s transfer policy this year represents their 4th major overhaul of players in 5 years. Signing the sort of personal that would make Spurs blush, the trouble with Sunderland is that if they hadn’t bought anyone this summer they would probably have finished around 10th... and with all the new players they will probably finish... around 10th. Given the club are the third most in debt in the league (after Chelsea and City) – it would probably have been wiser to consolidate and develop some youth alongside proven mid-table regulars. Still never mind, all the fans care about is finishing above Newcastle and judging by their transfer policy so far (sell their best player, refuse to give a contract to their second best player) – that should be petty easy.
4. King Kenny is taking a big gamble.
Aside from the absurdly midfield heavy squad Kenny now has, his signings over the past 6 months represent a lot of cash for relatively unproven talent. Over 50m combined for Andy Carroll and Jordan Henderson, barely 100 professional appearances between them and 4 international caps, is a huge risk no matter which way you look at it. Charlie Adam was at least cheap but the 20m for Downing will place him under massive pressure from the off. Given Merilies is better than all of them it seems a strange move, more so if they let him go. But with Kuyt and Lucas much improved, a solid defence and the maverick talents of Luis Suarez, Pool are certainly one to watch with interest this year. Could be great, could crash and burn. Either way they should be fun.
Aside from the absurdly midfield heavy squad Kenny now has, his signings over the past 6 months represent a lot of cash for relatively unproven talent. Over 50m combined for Andy Carroll and Jordan Henderson, barely 100 professional appearances between them and 4 international caps, is a huge risk no matter which way you look at it. Charlie Adam was at least cheap but the 20m for Downing will place him under massive pressure from the off. Given Merilies is better than all of them it seems a strange move, more so if they let him go. But with Kuyt and Lucas much improved, a solid defence and the maverick talents of Luis Suarez, Pool are certainly one to watch with interest this year. Could be great, could crash and burn. Either way they should be fun.
5. Everton.
Oh I give up.
