skysports.com
Chris Burton takes a look at some of the most intriguing deals this summer
After a summer of intense speculation, ridiculous rumours and spectacular signings, the transfer window finally slammed shut at 5pm on Tuesday evening.
Clubs up and down the country, who have been frantically searching for that missing piece to the infamous jigsaw, must now wait until the January sales before adding further new additions to their respective squads - with the exception of Chelsea of course.
The concept may not be favoured by managers and coaches, who would much rather have the freedom to dip into the market as and when they choose, but there can be no denying that the current system adds an air of excitement to pre-season - and the first few weeks of any given campaign.
To supporters, hearing about the latest 'star' name to be linked with a move to their chosen troops is an entertaining as games themselves - even more so in some cases.
Take Manchester City, for example, after years of underachievement and broken dreams on the field, this summer has seen Eastlands become a hot-bed of transfer gossip and big-name arrivals.
The latest 'Galactico' era at Real Madrid, which has seen Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka and co stroll into the Santiago Bernabeu, may have captured the imagination, but the Premier League, with City leading the way, has refused to allow events in Spain to monopolise the headlines.
Here skysports.com takes a look at a few of those deals over the past few months which have set the pulse racing and have given fans of the teams involved reason to get overly-excited.
Thomas Vermaelen (Arsenal)
It is fair to say that Vermaelen's arrival at Emirates Stadium this summer was hardly greeted with fanfare and celebration. Despite having captained Ajax and become an integral part of the Belgium national set-up, a £10million centre-half was not at the top of most Gunners fans' wish lists. Question marks were raised over Vermaelen's lack of height, while there were the inevitable doubts about how quickly a man used to life in the Eredivisie could adapt to the rigours of Premier League battle. Those fears were soon laid to rest as Vermaelen took to life in England with ease and he already looks as though he has been plying his trade in north London for years. The sale of Kolo Toure to Manchester City has hardly been registered as a result, with Vermaelen even helping to bring the best out of sulky Frenchman William Gallas.
Emmanuel Adebayor (Manchester City)
Having alienated himself at Arsenal with unreasonable wage demands in the summer of 2008, it came as no real surprise when Adebayor was offloaded to Manchester City 12 months on. A £25million fee was not to be sniffed at for a player who often wavers between the sublime and the ridiculous. The Gunners were therefore happy to have money in the bank, while free-spending City were delighted to have added another proven goalscorer to their burgeoning ranks of attacking weapons. It remains to be seen which side can ultimately claim to have benefited most from the deal, but the early signs suggest the Blues have landed quite a coup. Three goals in as many games has seen Adebayor spearhead City's 100 per cent start to the season, while the Togolese ace has admitted that the 'love' he has been shown by the Eastlands faithful has helped to reignite his career.
Darren Bent (Sunderland)
Bent is something of a curious case, with bags of ability yet to be fulfilled at the very highest level. An impressive two-season stint in the top-flight with Charlton some years back suggested he was capable of great things, and a move to Tottenham and international recognition duly followed. He will be the first to admit that things at White Hart Lane did not go entirely to plan, as he struggled for consistency under a host of different managers. He did, however, force himself back into the England fold at the end of last season and will be not have given up hope of taking a seat on a plane to South Africa next summer. A move to Sunderland, where he will be tutored by the wily Steve Bruce, will undoubtedly help his cause, while a bright start to the 2009/10 campaign suggests a fresh challenge was precisely what he needed to get back on track.
Michael Owen (Manchester United)
Another man hoping to catch Fabio Capello's eye over the coming months is former 'Golden Boy' Owen. The England coach has consistency overlooked the once integral frontman since taking over from Steve McClaren, and has given no indication that a reprieve is in the offing. A disappointing four-year spell at Newcastle ran in parallel with Owen's fall from grace, as he struggled with injury and form in front of goal. It appeared as though his career was on the skids, with a route back to the top difficult to spot. However, Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson decided to take a punt on Owen this summer, snapping him up as a free agent. A move to the reigning Premier League champions could be just what the doctor ordered for the former Liverpool and Real Madrid ace, and few would be surprised if he ends up playing a major role for club and country this term.
Peter Crouch (Tottenham)
Harry Redknapp knew exactly what he was getting when he teamed up with Crouch for a third time at Tottenham. Having previously worked with the towering striker at Southampton and Portsmouth, the Spurs chief has proven adept at getting the best out of Crouch in the past. The languid frontman offers much more than an aerial threat, as he is no mug with a ball at his feet, and he could prove to be a useful addition for Spurs this season. He also formed a formidable partnership with Jermain Defoe during their days together at Pompey and will be relishing the opportunity to rekindle their little and large double act. Crouch is also another who will have the World Cup on his mind, and that if that fails to inspire him to great things then nothing will.
Fabian Delph (Aston Villa)
Splashing out on a 19-year-old who has spent his entire career to date in the Football League may seem like a bit of gamble, but Delph is not your average teenage talent. A solid grounding at Leeds, a club renowned for giving youngsters a chance, has enabled him to experience regular first-team football at a competitive level and he has not looked out of his depth. He has shone in League One over the past two seasons and was always destined to be on his way to the Premier League sooner rather than later. Villa have ultimately won the race for his signature and will be delighted to have added such potential to their ranks. Martin O'Neill has had no qualms about throwing Delph in at the deep end during the early stages of the new season, and needless to say the classy midfielder has held his own among England's elite.
Glen Johnson (Liverpool)
In much the same manner as Vermaelen's arrival at Arsenal raised a few eyebrows, Rafa Benitez's decision to shell out £18million on a right-back was greeted by puzzled looks on Merseyside. Johnson is an England international, who can boast West Ham, Chelsea and Portsmouth on an impressive CV, but there were suggestions that he offered little more than those already on Liverpool's books. Those critics have been silenced by an eye-catching opening to the 2009/10 campaign, with Johnson having already started to repay his sizeable transfer fee. A buccaneering full-back with an eye for goal, the 25-year-old has already found the target on two occasions - as many times as his predecessor Alvaro Arbeloa managed in two years at Anfield.
Stephen Hunt (Hull)
Following Reading's failure to clamber out of the Championship at the first time of asking last term, the Royals were always going to struggle to retain Hunt's services. The Republic of Ireland international was wasted at that level, having already displayed his undoubted quality in the top tier. His work-rate and ability at set-pieces make him a useful addition to any side and Hull City will be delighted to have welcomed him onto their books. A debut goal at Chelsea will have helped to endear him to the Tigers faithful, while the promise of much more to come suggests Hunt could become a firm fans' favourite at the KC Stadium in the future.
Andre Bikey (Burnley)
Following their promotion to the Premier League, Burnley were always going to be forced to wheel and deal their way through the transfer market. Without millions to spend, boss Owen Coyle was forced to scour the market for bargain buys that could help his side to hold their own on the top-flight stage. Bikey, who could boast Premier League experience from his time at Reading, was identified as an ideal candidate. The Cameroon international is a powerfully built, no-nonsense centre-half who will add much-needed steel to the Clarets' rearguard. He has already helped Burnley to memorable victories over Manchester United and Everton, keeping two clean sheets in the process, and appears to be a steal at just under £3million - considering Joleon Lescott is apparently worth £24million!
Tuncay Sanli (Stoke)
One man's misfortune is another man's gain, or so the old saying goes. That certainly applies to Stoke City, who have benefited considerably from the demise of Middlesbrough this summer. Boro's relegation out of the Premier League was expected to see them shorn of their top talent, and that has proven to be the case. The main beneficiaries of their plight have been Stoke, who completed a double raid on the Riverside Stadium last week. German defender Robert Huth will provide a commanding presence at the back for Tony Pulis' side, but it is the acquisition of talented playmaker Tuncay Sanli which will have Potters fans salivating. The Turkey international has Premier League pedigree, and represents great value at £5million. Capable of winning games single-handedly, he will add guile to Stoke's much-heralded graft.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Arsenal and Chelsea punished because they are English
footylatest.com
The question that both Arsenal and Chelsea are asking is where is the consistency with footballs ruling bodies.
Maybe Chelsea have broken the rules and deserved to be punished and maybe Eduardo deserved all he got from Uefa but their respective punishments would be so much easier to accept if there was a history of fairness but there is not.
Arsenal can point to possibly hundreds of diving incidents that have gone unpunished and it would take a huge leap of faith to believe that Chelsea are the only club that have been involved in tapping up players.
No fan, no club official and no football pundit can hand on heart honestly say that Chelsea are the only club that have committed the crime they have been punished for and as for diving only a blind man could argue that Eduardo is alone in committing that crime.
Uefa and Fifa have been very selective in these punishments and there is some sympathy with the opinion that English clubs are now being targeted.
These may well be examples to be set and if they are that is fine as long as Fifa and Uefa follow through with others that break the very same rules.
It is easy to forget that Michel Platini the head of Uefa is on record at stating his dislike of English dominance and money in Europe and Sepp Blatter head of Fifa and former boss of Platini is another one to state publicly is dislike of the English game.
The power these two have within their respective associations should not be underestimated at all.
All they have to do is walk down a corridor and make their personal views known and the result is then a foregone conclusion.
Anyone not believing this just needs to do a Google with the words Platini or Blatter and add words like corruption, bribes, anti English etc and the results will be revealing.
Fifa and Uefa must now start to come down on the likes of Real Madrid and their history of tapping up, on Real Madrid players like Ronaldo and his consistent diving though Real Madrid are not alone, just an example.
If not then some serious questions will need to be asked by the English FA, they are after all suppose to be defending English clubs rights.
The question that both Arsenal and Chelsea are asking is where is the consistency with footballs ruling bodies.
Maybe Chelsea have broken the rules and deserved to be punished and maybe Eduardo deserved all he got from Uefa but their respective punishments would be so much easier to accept if there was a history of fairness but there is not.
Arsenal can point to possibly hundreds of diving incidents that have gone unpunished and it would take a huge leap of faith to believe that Chelsea are the only club that have been involved in tapping up players.
No fan, no club official and no football pundit can hand on heart honestly say that Chelsea are the only club that have committed the crime they have been punished for and as for diving only a blind man could argue that Eduardo is alone in committing that crime.
Uefa and Fifa have been very selective in these punishments and there is some sympathy with the opinion that English clubs are now being targeted.
These may well be examples to be set and if they are that is fine as long as Fifa and Uefa follow through with others that break the very same rules.
It is easy to forget that Michel Platini the head of Uefa is on record at stating his dislike of English dominance and money in Europe and Sepp Blatter head of Fifa and former boss of Platini is another one to state publicly is dislike of the English game.
The power these two have within their respective associations should not be underestimated at all.
All they have to do is walk down a corridor and make their personal views known and the result is then a foregone conclusion.
Anyone not believing this just needs to do a Google with the words Platini or Blatter and add words like corruption, bribes, anti English etc and the results will be revealing.
Fifa and Uefa must now start to come down on the likes of Real Madrid and their history of tapping up, on Real Madrid players like Ronaldo and his consistent diving though Real Madrid are not alone, just an example.
If not then some serious questions will need to be asked by the English FA, they are after all suppose to be defending English clubs rights.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Arshavin reveals why he was brought off at Old Trafford
arsenalanalysis.blogspot.com
Andrey Artshavin revealed that he started the game at Old Trafford injured and that was the reason why he was substituted by Arsene Wenger.
When asked on his personal web site whether the reason he was brought off was due to possible damage inflicted by Fletcher’s tackle in the penalty that was not awarded in the first half, he said:
“I began the game injured anyway. This injury has worried me for a long time, but I had to play”
This may account for his below par performances as of late but if he can get goals like that when he is injured then there are far more exciting times to come form the little demon.
However, what is worrying is that Arsene Wenger is having to field players who are injured, so desperate the situation has reached with the absence of fit wide players. And there are many ofcourse, Nasri, Rosicky and Walcott.
What was perplexing to us here at Arsenal Analysis is, having decided to take a risk with Arshavin, why did Wenger decide to start with the ineffective Eboue leaving Bendtner on the bench?
Andrey Artshavin revealed that he started the game at Old Trafford injured and that was the reason why he was substituted by Arsene Wenger.
When asked on his personal web site whether the reason he was brought off was due to possible damage inflicted by Fletcher’s tackle in the penalty that was not awarded in the first half, he said:
“I began the game injured anyway. This injury has worried me for a long time, but I had to play”
This may account for his below par performances as of late but if he can get goals like that when he is injured then there are far more exciting times to come form the little demon.
However, what is worrying is that Arsene Wenger is having to field players who are injured, so desperate the situation has reached with the absence of fit wide players. And there are many ofcourse, Nasri, Rosicky and Walcott.
What was perplexing to us here at Arsenal Analysis is, having decided to take a risk with Arshavin, why did Wenger decide to start with the ineffective Eboue leaving Bendtner on the bench?
Liverpool's Gerrard admits he has it all to do this season
tribalfootball.com
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard admits he has plenty to prove this season.
There is no-one more honest than Gerrard when it comes to analysing his career.
On Liverpool’s form this season, he said: “Not good enough yet.”
With England he admitted: “No excuses, we have underachieved in the past and let the fans down.”
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard admits he has plenty to prove this season.
There is no-one more honest than Gerrard when it comes to analysing his career.
On Liverpool’s form this season, he said: “Not good enough yet.”
With England he admitted: “No excuses, we have underachieved in the past and let the fans down.”
Transfer Deadline Day News
by Dan Buxton
A look at all the news from up and down the country
REFRESH FOR UPDATES
11.42 Accrington Stanley have signed Leeds United youngster Tom Lees on loan until 2nd January.
11.35 SSN report that Stoke manager Tony Pulis hoping to bring in two more players today, mentioning David James and Joe Ledley as possibilities
11.22 Ajax have confirmed the loan signing of Inter's Brazilian attacking midfielder de Souza Kerlon.
11.15 Real Mallorca have sealed the loan signing of Paulo Pezzolano from Liverpool de Montevideo.
11.09 Sunderland have had their hopes of landing Egyptian star Ahmed Al-Muhammadi dashed after his club ENPPI rejected their approach.
11.04 Sheffield United midfielder David Carney has joined FC Twente, the Championship club have announced
10.51 Walsall have signed Manchester City defender Clayton McDonald on a one-month loan deal.
10.45 Reading have confirmed the signing of Celtic defender Darren O'Dea on loan until 1st January.
10.44 Niko Kranjcar has passed a medical ahead of his proposed move to Tottenham from Portsmouth.
10.39 West Ham United defender James Collins has visited Aston Villa's Bodymoor Heath training ground and is now due to undergo a medical ahead of his move to Martin O'Neill's side.
10.37 Stuttgart have completed the £7million signing of Fiorentina midfielder Zdravko Kuzmanovic
10.35 Sheffield United have announced that defender Leigh Bromby has joined Leeds United.
10.30 Watford look set to beat a number of clubs, including Middlesbrough, to sign former favourite Heidar Helguson
10.18 Stoke City have completed the signing of defender Danny Collins from Sunderland for a fee of £2.75million.
10.17 Celtic are trying to beat the transfer deadline to secure the signing of Argentine ace Juan Carlos Menseguez
9.35 Richard Dunne is undergoing a medical at Aston Villa,
8.44 Por tsmouth are close to signing Aston Villa full-back Nicky Shorey on a season-long loan deal.
8.37 Reports in Spain are suggesting Atletico Madrid defender Johnny Heitinga has rejected Everton's initial offer of a move to Goodison Park.
8.29 Sky Sports sources understand Manchester City are in talks with Tottenham regarding a deal for David Bentley
8.24 Benfica have confirmed French midfielder Hassan Yebda has joined Portsmouth on a season-long loan deal.
8.13 Ipswich Town are reportedly closing in on the signing of Sunderland duo Grant Leadbitter and Carlos Edwards
7.38 Swansea City have signed Trinidad & Tobago defender Radanfah Abu Bakr on a three-month contract.
7.25 West Bromwich Albion midfielder Borja Valero has completed his return to Real Mallorca on a season-long loan.
A look at all the news from up and down the country
REFRESH FOR UPDATES
11.42 Accrington Stanley have signed Leeds United youngster Tom Lees on loan until 2nd January.
11.35 SSN report that Stoke manager Tony Pulis hoping to bring in two more players today, mentioning David James and Joe Ledley as possibilities
11.22 Ajax have confirmed the loan signing of Inter's Brazilian attacking midfielder de Souza Kerlon.
11.15 Real Mallorca have sealed the loan signing of Paulo Pezzolano from Liverpool de Montevideo.
11.09 Sunderland have had their hopes of landing Egyptian star Ahmed Al-Muhammadi dashed after his club ENPPI rejected their approach.
11.04 Sheffield United midfielder David Carney has joined FC Twente, the Championship club have announced
10.51 Walsall have signed Manchester City defender Clayton McDonald on a one-month loan deal.
10.45 Reading have confirmed the signing of Celtic defender Darren O'Dea on loan until 1st January.
10.44 Niko Kranjcar has passed a medical ahead of his proposed move to Tottenham from Portsmouth.
10.39 West Ham United defender James Collins has visited Aston Villa's Bodymoor Heath training ground and is now due to undergo a medical ahead of his move to Martin O'Neill's side.
10.37 Stuttgart have completed the £7million signing of Fiorentina midfielder Zdravko Kuzmanovic
10.35 Sheffield United have announced that defender Leigh Bromby has joined Leeds United.
10.30 Watford look set to beat a number of clubs, including Middlesbrough, to sign former favourite Heidar Helguson
10.18 Stoke City have completed the signing of defender Danny Collins from Sunderland for a fee of £2.75million.
10.17 Celtic are trying to beat the transfer deadline to secure the signing of Argentine ace Juan Carlos Menseguez
9.35 Richard Dunne is undergoing a medical at Aston Villa,
8.44 Por tsmouth are close to signing Aston Villa full-back Nicky Shorey on a season-long loan deal.
8.37 Reports in Spain are suggesting Atletico Madrid defender Johnny Heitinga has rejected Everton's initial offer of a move to Goodison Park.
8.29 Sky Sports sources understand Manchester City are in talks with Tottenham regarding a deal for David Bentley
8.24 Benfica have confirmed French midfielder Hassan Yebda has joined Portsmouth on a season-long loan deal.
8.13 Ipswich Town are reportedly closing in on the signing of Sunderland duo Grant Leadbitter and Carlos Edwards
7.38 Swansea City have signed Trinidad & Tobago defender Radanfah Abu Bakr on a three-month contract.
7.25 West Bromwich Albion midfielder Borja Valero has completed his return to Real Mallorca on a season-long loan.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Shevchenko's goodbye to Chelsea
Andriy Shevchenko has left Chelsea to go in search of regular first team football at Dynamo Kiev.
The striker, who joined the London club in 2006, opted to end his stay at Stamford Bridge after finding opportunities to play increasingly limited.
Shevchenko spent last season on loan with now Blues manager Carlo Ancelotti at AC Milan but returned to Chelsea this summer. He made an appearance as a substitute against Sunderland in their 3-1 win at the Stadium of Light earlier this season.
Speaking to the club's official website, the 32-year-old acknowledged that he struggled to regularly show the form he had shown earlier in his career but always tried his best.
'I think it is a good decision for me to go back to Ukraine, my home country where I started my career and to finish there,' said.
'I always tried my best for Chelsea and it is only my decision to leave because I want to play regularly in games. I thank the club and Roman Abramovich very much, and everybody who has worked at the club and the players, I have many good friends here and a very good relationship with them and Carlo Ancelotti.
'I have big respect for him, he is not like a manager but a friend and he understands my decision, it is best for me.
The best memories are the relationships with the players and the fans because it was three hard years and some games I played okay but many games I was out injured and every time I came onto the pitch I tried my best,' he explained.
'I feel when I played for Chelsea I received big support from the fans. I will remember for all my life this club and I hope I can come to the stadium and say "goodbye" to the fans, I want to send a message to thank them for their support and to enjoy their football and watching their team, I send my best thoughts for the team and hope that Chelsea wins many titles.'
www.chelseafc.com
The striker, who joined the London club in 2006, opted to end his stay at Stamford Bridge after finding opportunities to play increasingly limited.
Shevchenko spent last season on loan with now Blues manager Carlo Ancelotti at AC Milan but returned to Chelsea this summer. He made an appearance as a substitute against Sunderland in their 3-1 win at the Stadium of Light earlier this season.
Speaking to the club's official website, the 32-year-old acknowledged that he struggled to regularly show the form he had shown earlier in his career but always tried his best.
'I think it is a good decision for me to go back to Ukraine, my home country where I started my career and to finish there,' said.
'I always tried my best for Chelsea and it is only my decision to leave because I want to play regularly in games. I thank the club and Roman Abramovich very much, and everybody who has worked at the club and the players, I have many good friends here and a very good relationship with them and Carlo Ancelotti.
'I have big respect for him, he is not like a manager but a friend and he understands my decision, it is best for me.
The best memories are the relationships with the players and the fans because it was three hard years and some games I played okay but many games I was out injured and every time I came onto the pitch I tried my best,' he explained.
'I feel when I played for Chelsea I received big support from the fans. I will remember for all my life this club and I hope I can come to the stadium and say "goodbye" to the fans, I want to send a message to thank them for their support and to enjoy their football and watching their team, I send my best thoughts for the team and hope that Chelsea wins many titles.'
www.chelseafc.com
Chelsea outdo Man City to make Terry highest paid in England
tribalfootball.com
John Terry is set to become the highest paid player in England with his new £41 million Chelsea contract.
The Sun says the Blues captain is set to sign a £160,000-a-week contract before reporting for England duty tonight.
Terry, 28, has effectively committed the rest of his career to Chelsea by agreeing the five-year deal, worth a total of £41m.
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has allowed the pay rise after Manchester City tried to sign the England skipper.
City's Arab owners were prepared to pay Terry an annual salary of £10m.
But Terry is remaining loyal to Chelsea and has been rewarded with the new deal which will pay him an extra £30,000 every week.
That puts him above £150,000-a-week Frank Lampard as the club's highest earner and on a par with £8million-a-year City striker Robinho.
John Terry is set to become the highest paid player in England with his new £41 million Chelsea contract.
The Sun says the Blues captain is set to sign a £160,000-a-week contract before reporting for England duty tonight.
Terry, 28, has effectively committed the rest of his career to Chelsea by agreeing the five-year deal, worth a total of £41m.
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has allowed the pay rise after Manchester City tried to sign the England skipper.
City's Arab owners were prepared to pay Terry an annual salary of £10m.
But Terry is remaining loyal to Chelsea and has been rewarded with the new deal which will pay him an extra £30,000 every week.
That puts him above £150,000-a-week Frank Lampard as the club's highest earner and on a par with £8million-a-year City striker Robinho.
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