Mega Bucks and Deals

Spain who was infamously known as the perennial underachievers of world football has finally struck gold. They surely deserve the plaudits of being a dominant footballing nation for years to come. Viva Espana!

The focus now shifts to European clubs gearing up for the season that’s going to kick off. I must say the inflated markets that we are in football stars inflated prices ad salaries are a wonder in economics. Man City has sheiked up frenzy in acquisitions with star players from all over. The last 2 seasons that they have been in the frame to be the so called BIG club, they have gone ahead with a spending spree close to 220 million USD.

The WC has unearthed some great talents and names unheard of such as Mezut Ozil, Muller, Alexis Sanchez, Khadeira seem to be the buzzword among fans who want their clubs to sign them. But at what cost? The buoyancy of the market seems to o inflated that prices are of no concern. Clubs that have the financial power and muscle will invariably get those deals done in petro cash. I was surprised to hear the news that Barcelona a club run in a very organic fashion with their home grown talents nurtured and developed in Catalunia going to the bank to get a loan in order keep parity with payments.

An indicator of clubs taking mortgages and hedge funds to actually service debts has no relevance to highlight the way the game is heading. Man united has become largely skint despite being on the Forbes list as the richest club in the world. Sir Alex who has had a gripe about calling his squad sufficient on the contrary is wash away from the fact that the clubs yank owners are in a pile of debt and they would milk the brand as much as they can until another consortium takes over.

I must emphasize that with the arrival of star players and the big buck deals the expectation has loomed to extent where fans might call for the head of managers who might not be able to deliver (beyond their control). At the same time the optimism of more excitement through competition makes the leagues lively.

There is a strong lobby from the UEFA chief Michel Platini who is now planning to impose the need for a cap on spending and player wages. Needless to say it’s a wise move but cringe worthy players who could sell loyalty for a bigger pay should rake in the moolah as long as clubs don’t adopt a sense of austerity in spending. The saying everything has its price hold well in these cases.

Overall, the case of mega deals and huge transfer pay outs will remain. Question is who will take the brunt of servicing these deals? Will the fans land up paying more for a season ticket? Will the owners pledge more funds and mortgages in buying and spending on players and their wages? Will the debts contrive a clubs development?

Serious questions in the name of football that is going into the 21^st century.

Darel Luiz

Kick Off and Play

Kick Off and Play!

A little late, but a worthy congrats to the Chelsea team for claiming their title after the cup being at Old Trafford for 3 years. Whilst I can’t seem oblivious to the fact that the PL this season has been the most exciting in years and considering the competition is getting tougher with clubs spending big. United came close but fell short of reclaiming a record 4^th consecutive title. I must say it hasn’t gone to well at the Lancashire club with the turmoil off the field, injuries and the departures of key players. But nothing must be taken away from what Chelsea has achieved – a historic double as they cleaned up the silverware with the premiership and the FA cup. They have been a largely the dominant team with a strength in bench and resilience that they have shown despite the loss in Europe against Inter.

Inter however, I must say get full plaudits for sweeping the treble with the Serie A, Copa Italia and most importantly their second Champions league after 4 decades. Jose Mourinho has led a team that resembles the gritty coach’s strong and tough as nails character. Where the neutrals observe that Barca plays the beautiful game on and off the field Jose has personified the art of defensive football and he really seems to be the special one. Soon as Inter won Jose declared his profound love for winning a 3^rd Champions League with another club. In came Real Madrid and the special one has now joined to overtake a project that will raise a few concerns at their bitter rivals Barcelona. Can’t wait for the next season!!

South Africa has gone a notch up with the biggest sporting spectacle that starts June 11^th. The 3 lions must be hoping this is where they will be redeemed and it will be only so when they clutch that coveted trophy! I must admit England don’t even have a chance. Traditionally the English qualify from the group stages but get their heels kicked at the knockout stages. Their single point of pocus will be mercurial striker Wayne Rooney, if he hits top form and has got enough rest they will have a good chance. The bookies have put them in favorites by giving a short odd and to be frank this might be their best year to win some major honors.

The teams that are likely to reach the summit will be Brazil and Spain. I think these teams have been consistent and boast an array of talent that could do a lot more than their rivals. One would argue so does many other teams but I think the key is playing as a unit and that’s where other falter these 2 teams based on current form will be my favorites. I really hope Diego Maradona was trying a gimmick when he announced to the world that he will run in the streets of Buenos Aires naked if they were to win the cup. I’m pretty sure that Maradona knows better that he really wouldn’t have to. From a personal point I would just love to see Argentina win it not from the view that I would get to see a bellied Diego run naked but the fact that Argentina really should be up there winning major honors and it’s been a while too.

The pretenders will be former champions Italy, France, Germany and Portugal. Beyond them I can only see a good outing from the Serbs. Well we all have our favorites and I sure hope as much that it will be a cracking event. I will be tracking those stars in the reckoning. These young players would have the ultimate platform in showcasing their talent and skill and it will only be fitting that they might as well get picked up sooner or later by the big clubs. Keep an eye for those transfers this summer as we will witness some big spending ones.

So here we are now, this is it! – Kick OFF on June 11^th!! Press PLAY >

Darel Luiz

Final Frontiers

Final Frontiers

This season would be exactly what the footballing scriptwriters would have wanted. The script has been laid out and the climax of this thriller the season has unfolded into is amazing. The only season that seems a very obvious case when is the French Ligue1 where Marseille is 11 points clear. As a matter of fact the Serie A is interesting where Roma and Inter is fighting a close battle, the German Bundesliga another interesting situation between Bayern and Schalke. I had my money on Barca closing things up but all of sudden they drew with Espanyol and Madrid is hot on their heels.

Back on English soil I always felt the title was Chelsea’s to lose and despite United draw against Blackburn a resurgent Spurs beat Arsenal and then Chelsea to give a United a life liner. United in return beat their noisy neighbours and handed a favor to Spurs in strengthening their quest for European football with that coveted 4^th position. Despite these nervy anti climax I still think the script does tilt in favor of Chelsea and even if United manages to win all their remaining 3 games they need teams like Stoke, a certain Liverpool and Wigan to take points of Chelsea in a bid for United to retain their 4^th consecutive title and overall 19^th. What a historic achievement that would be?

I watched the Inter Vs Barca with an attitude that Barca will run Inters socks and the first goal by Pedro jus reinforced my belief that this will be a rout. Interestingly the special one Mourinho who has got a drilled team crawled back a 3-1 result. Deservedly Inter won and I was thinking was it the 20 hour journey by bus that made Barca look wary. I observed that the way to overcome Barca is to close down their play, getting in close and defending tight – in the process a few tackles might just shackle them. Inter was physically imposing and resilient, Messi wasn’t even close to the magic he created at Nou Camp against Arsenal. I think the tie is poised for a dramatic finish for the return leg at Barcelona. Bayern too has gone close with a 1 goal advantage against Lyon and now travel to France. I’m going to go with Lyon in bringing a performance that will enable them to be in the finals

Among other things I wanted to cover was imminent news that Sir Alex Ferguson is all set to go at the end of next season. The contenders have already been set by the media mainly Mourinho who has a self confessed love to manage United one day or the Glaswegian rooted David Moyes who have done fantastic work at Everton with the limited resources. The issue I fear is that United is looking at continuity and the institution Sir Alex has built over the past 24 years means that the system should carry on, but Mourinho has a habit of leaving too early, he is winner of course and a controversial act with quite justifiable responses. But he might not be the solution as I personally think. Throw in a few more names along and the headhunters and the media will be in frenzy.

I must say who so ever takes up the job will have uphill task and replacing one of the most successful managers in club history will mean the weight of expectations is going to be massive. Let’s wait and watch how things will pan out, to be honest SAF will go on as long as he wishes and that’s a fact, unlike 2003 he won’t be making any hue and cry about his departure as he rightly learned how his team’s performance dipped during that season and there was a lull for 3 years without much silverware.

These days everyone has a final frontier, winning a season, reclaiming a title or even leaving an empire built over time they all have their charms. Few more weeks and the end for this seasons blockbuster will lead to another – WORLD CUP, South Africa!! 

Darel Luiz 

Hola Madrid !

Hola Madrid!!

When Real bought their Galaticos -2 this season for over 250 million dollars in Roanldo, Benzema, Kaka, Garay, Raul Albiol these were the same words they uttered after being paraded in the most pompous ways.

Sadly, this May 22^nd when the champions league final is held at the Bernabeu, Madrid it won’t witness any of these players playing nor their beloved club. It just reinforces that wise thought money can’t buy everything. Football is team sport and to win and play consistently you need team effort.

So how has the CL draw been, rather interesting? Well to start off I felt before the draw is being made that this season the champions league has been full of history, I mean United meeting AC Milan and the Beckham return to his boyhood club, the return of the self appointed special one Jose Mourinho to his old club – Chelsea and what a match that turned out to be, the blues well beaten in the end, Lyon ousting Madrid..

I was telling myself there’s got to be more and that’s exactly what we got – Man United visit Bayern Munich after their treble winning success in 99 when they beat Bayern in stoppage time and went home with all 3 cups, a mouth watering match between Arsenal and Barcelona, when Barca got the better out of Arsenal, highlight would be an emotional return of the gunners No.14 legend Henry who plied his trade to the summit at Arsenal. The other 2 matches being Inter travelling to CSKA Moscow and the all French Quarter finals between Lyon and Bordeaux.

Both United and Arsenal have tough draws, Barcelona and Bayern are tough opponents. But at this stage of the season if you got to be the best then one must beat the best. Arsenal and Barcelona will be a great spectacle the brand of football these teams play with Total Football ethos. The Germans are efficient teams and they play good compact style, United plays with possession and blistering counter, Inter is a reflection of their manager and that’s tactical, strong at the back and physical game, Lyon plays with a lot of energy with a fluid passing system and the surprise package this year has been CSKA Moscow and Bordeaux.

CSKA has been fuelled by their mercurial winger Milos Krasic who plays on either flanks and will be summers hottest property for all major clubs, the Russians are tough as nails and play with good movement and have terrific stopper in Igor Akinfeev. Bordeaux has done really well under former United player Laurent Blanc, the Girondins have toppled Lyon for the first time in 7 years when Lyon went unchallenged. Last season Blanc forged a winning team under the creative inspiration of Yoanne Gourcuff who is simply special. They play a very compact style, defensively good and yet strong going forward too.

Overall I feel it’s a great draw and next week we will witness which one of these teams will draw first blood and prove themselves.

I think we ought to celebrate the fact that the CL has teams like Bordeaux and CSKA who have made it this far in the knockout stage. Watching special players like Messi (Barcelona), Fabregas (Arsenal), Rooney (Man United), Ribery (Bayern Munich), Milito (Inter), Dzagoev (CSKA Moscow), Pjanic (Lyon) and Gourcuff (Bordeaux) will be a celebration indeed.

Darel Luiz

Title HUSH / PUSH

In a pro footballers season this time of the year is the most crucial in what may appear sluggish, hard and to reach the summit top, they need to put in performances week in week out. They would probably make their clubs push closer to another title, a champion’s league spot or even make the plane to the world cup in South Africa.

I have had quite a bit of excitement when I look at the premier league table and it’s such an open one. The turnaround has been Arsenal, what dark horses they have been all season. They have a relatively easy run in to remainder games at hand than Chelsea and Man United and with the resurgent form they are on I’d place a healthy bet for a top finish this season. What worries me is that they somehow manage to lose games when they would ideally have their noses upfront. That has been the problem for them for a while now isn’t it?

Crikey! Me what a thumping Milan got from Man United. Their chief tormentor in head boy Wayne Rooney has been phenomenal. Rooney has stood out this season, with 30 goals and counting he has lead the pack by stepping from the shadows of his former partner C. Ronaldo. Milan looks old, they have an ageing squad who couldn’t match up to United’s tempo and make no mistake I watched 2 legs which was dominated by the current English Champions.

Ronaldo on the other hand cut a despondent face with Real Madrid failing to win against Lyon at Santiago Bernabeu. The stadium where they play this year’s CL final. It is just plain disappointing to see that a club that has invested over 250 million dollars in the summer buying big name stars has not been able to qualify to the quarters. As a matter of fact Real has not qualified to the quarters in the past 6 years. What a shame!!

Nonetheless they stand atop in the Primera Liga at the expense of Barca who has lost a bit of fluency, due to their injuries. Yet they are title contenders and I wholly expect them to finish the race on top.  This weekend comes away specialists Valencia at Nou Camp. I think the title push will be brilliant this year around and I hope the matches to the run in will give us enough entertainment.

Fancy Beckham back in OT a well deserved reception by the United faithful, the team with whom he brought his career to glorious heights, a really shocking injury for young Aaron Ramsey, the boy was just too quick for Ryan Shawcross and I hope he gets back stronger. A struggling Pompey side who are battling every match to exit the league with a bang, the frustrated gaffer at Merseyside- Rafa knows Liverpool blew their best chance to make a top four finish with a loss at Wigan and many such more events that can decide if a team will stay put on course a title or a European spot or even history. Better or worse, make or break the HUSH / PUSH period is here.

Darel Luiz

Toffee Club Rising

Toffee Club Rising

Over the years Everton has grown in stature, a good manager in David Moyes and passionate blue half of the Merseyside. The Toffee men club, are a rising figure in English football. A masterstroke from Moyes in taking the game to the champions left United in a fit, ruing the 3 points they could have taken to be on par with league leaders Chelsea.

David Moyes and Everton have come a long way from being close to relegation in 2003 to a club that produces some exciting young prospects. Rooney was a true blue once, as the young lad 16 years of age pulled on the Evertonian shirt and scored a brace against mighty Gunners. The world noticed and in came a 30 Million sterling offer from United. The latest result at Goodison Park means the returning prodigy of Everton would have felt the sting in loosing.

On the goal scoring sheet was young Jack Rodwell, 18 year old, compact defensive midfielder who has been in the limelight for some time. United has been fervently enquiring on his status and the lure of champions league nights and at the biggest stage in football ‘Theatre of Dreams’ would certainly tempt him. The highlight is the fact that in 2003 when Rooney left Everton there was nothing David Moyes could do to keep him. The club was seeing definite lows almost finishing as low as 17^th in the premier league table.  

The change that he has brought up now is significant and that means Everton will be resolute in keeping hold of their young stars because the club is going in the right direction, it’s finishing for Europa League places almost every season and even vying to break into top four. Like Fergie, Moyes hails from working class background in Scotland and has done wonders in managing Everton, a club with rich tradition contesting for honors with the big 4’s and the newer clubs that have tons of cash. Not a lot has changed in scene between their arch rivals Liverpool but I really believe with players like Jagielka, Leon Osman, Rodwell , a gritty manager and the Evertonian loyal fans. The toffee men club is on the surge!!

(Between here’s some trivia – Everton are called ‘The toffees’ because they had an old toffee vendor right outside the main stands and seemingly rival fans christened them with the pseudonym)

I loved the Rossoneri challenge between Milan and United, despite playing in dominant fashion in the first half Milan looked lost in the second, with Rooney playing headmaster with 2 goals. Having said that, has Ronaldinho rekindled his footballing genius that brought him as the biggest thing in football? The tricks, composure and silky movement flashed just as he did at Nou Camp. The tie is still there for all to play but Milan needs fresh legs and I doubt they will have a say in the second leg at Old Trafford.

Interesting match tonight!, the special one Jose Mourinho’s Inter against his former club Chelsea. Jose is a master at upping the ante and he is always at it. Hope this one turns out to be a belter.

Overall this season has been rather funny considering top teams have lost quite a few matches and the title finish will be tight. What crosses my mind is that Chelsea seems that better prepared physically and mentally this time around to finish atop. United will hope now that they drop points and so will Arsenal who will fancy a final thrust, hoping to sneak in with a title challenge that will quench their 6 year long barren spell in winning any silverware. Gotta Love the game – Don’t You?

Darel Luiz

The Blues view on Morality!!

What could be a major scupper to England’s hopes of clenching a world cup in South Africa could possibly be a direct outcome of captain of Chelsea and England John Terry’s exploits on bed. I couldn’t help asking myself what chance they had anyway! Terry’s secret affairs with the French seductress Vanessa Perroncel will certainly give the infidelity brigade a hard knock on the backside.

Chelsea really can be questioned on their morality; the blues have been courting controversy on and off the field since long. For instance, Roman Abramovich managed the stunt to kick start with his affair with a model that he settled off a whopping 1.5 billion USD for the parting partner. Way to go! The owner and his exploits paving way for Ashley ‘Cashley’ Cole, who’d been so high on spirits he eventually had to get a hairdresser Aimee Walton to do the clearing up act. His more famous wife, singer from Girls Aloud - Cheryl Tweedy literally banned him for months together.

Lately, Mr. Chelsea John Terry couldn’t resist his sexual prowess with his own team mate Wayne Bridge’s partner! That’s total lack of class. I mean here we are and we could open up a Mills & Boon classic from Stamford Bridge with all the Blue lining.

I’d have fun in titling the novel –‘The Offside Blues’ with a multi star casting between Chelsea owner Roman and the players themselves – Ashley Cole, John Terry and god knows whom.

The truth is sportsmen who are at their highest caliber in profile and in the public domain should maintain their icon status as a role model for people who aspire and youngsters who look up to them. Going back recently a genius and golfing legend that Tiger Woods was brought down completely with a list of lasses he has been secretly preying on. Remember a certain David Beckham and all the mania behind that, this latest incident will certainly be washed away. The deep pockets that these stars have, the millions of money they earn on endorsements and their PR agents can very well handle such a situation with the monetary benefits of keeping mouths shut.

Fact remains Chelsea has been having more than berating issues when it comes to morality on and off field. The might have got some reprieve on their transfer saga of tapping up Gael Kakuta, but then again they always got around with Obi Mikel, Ashley Cole so and so forth. The press has been crying Judas at Terry and a good section of the public asking him to relinquish his captain’s arm band both club and country. Well to say Terry’s off field antics might just not add up to their world cup campaign seems albeit lame and a simpering outcome. The good things remain with Senor Capello that Wayne Rooney and Jermaine Defoe are at their peak in the goal scoring charts, if that is something anyone would want to consider as a positive indicator.

I’m looking forward to the Merseyside derby this weekend between Liverpool and Everton and the much awaited London derby between Chelsea and Arsenal.  The gunners were shredded by United with a 3 goal performance from a rampant United side and like Fergie said – “Hope Arsenal goes in there and batters them, batter them absolutely”

I don’t think the gunners will get a result out at Chelsea with the sort of physical and compact style of play they will put out, the least we could look at is a draw. Whatever be the case the match will be exciting as always.  The meantime, Blues infidelity Heroes might just have to look in deep and hard on how their actions will reflect and that their fans will certainly be let down.

 I’m going to let football win until then.

Darel Luiz

The Disneyland Hurrah at Wembley

Nothing might seem more impervious to the fact that the empire still stands after a scintillating Carling cup semi final. Aghast! at 2 legs for a semi final, the Carling cup which has been so closely linked to nothing more than a Mickey Mouse Cup was now seen under terrific light as a Champions League match. The contender from the blue half of Manchester - Man City against the red half of Manchester - Man United. The public announcer did his bit in introducing to a travelling 9000 fans from city “Please stand up to the current champions and holders of the Carling Cup, Manchester United"!

The first leg was all to play for and Tevez's 2 goals dug holes in Man United's ego which transcended in the British media on how the old fox Fergie missed a trick on signing up a terrier that Tevez is for 25 million pounds citing a bad first touch and a player who runs like a headless chicken. Well the 3 goals he scored, displayed everything exclusive about his touch. Red Nev has always seem to be the one that licks up to the boss's backside and Neville should really have kept his gob shut considering he is on the wane at the age of 35 who cannot keep a place for him at the Right back birth. The exchange of actions intended with big words and the silly finger jab just added up to the contest back in Old Trafford.

Man United yet again finished city with clinical play and an injury time winner. Undoubtedly, over the 2 legs they were the better side but nothing should be taken away from Man city for the industrious performance on display. They can take heart from their show, Mancini looking away after the match gave a posture much like the Oasis hit “Don’t Look back in anger now". Sir Alex wouldn't have wanted to lose base on an empire built over 2 decades by letting the vast bank balances and coffers of  Man city getting any silverware, much aligned to what the United fans displaying a banner 33 years and counting. That will certainly be 34 years till they have won any form of silverware.

The Mickey mouse cup has just got an overhaul with the derby semi final cash between one which has been the more popular and famous brand in modern sports industry and the other a poser that is vying to be the best club in the world with the riches from their Arab owners. Sadly, United is facing some anxious moments among their fans who wore the green and gold scarves indicating distrust and unhappiness at their debt and their American Owners. Till the tides change Man United will be among the great, greater and greatest clubs in footballing world.

Between I found ‘Rooney - White Pele’ moniker rather ridiculous. The only thing that is possibly right is the word white. Nonetheless a word of mention for his brilliant performances he seems to be their most improved player and still carrying the weight of his team with might and desire to win game after game, season after season..

3 Cheers for the Disneyland final between Aston Villa and Man United!!

Darel Luiz

Crippling Debts and Big Freeze

The cold wave and the big freeze in many parts of Europe and a resultant postponement of games couldn't be the best way to start the new year. But what agony when you see United losing ground in the league and getting beaten by Leeds. Shambolic and dismal performances!! There seems to be clear lack of depth in that striking department. Rooney alone won't be able to help United get goals, they are missing the link up play the pace and trickery that could leave defenses dry. They need to get a good striker upfront and thats for real.

Safe to say they are still 1 point better than last year and this years league has been rather funny. The top teams have all lost matches and I would reckon Arsene Wenger has a strong point that you could still win the title despite loosing 5-7 games. Anfield is probably witnessing their worst league in years and I surelly think they won't be able to notch up a top 4 finish. Rafa should do the decent thing of leaving the club. The mediocrity that they have on field barring a certain Stevie G and Torres I really doubt they will Champions League football the coming season.

Talking about crippling debts there is a growing concern on owners who have been buying into PL clubs, Man utd has just declared a profit largely due to the sale of C.Ronaldo for a whopping 80 Million pounds. Fact remains the Glazers has turned the biggest brand in sports industry to a high interest paying, debt ridden outfit to the extent of 760 million. The millions they have borrowed in hedge funds has crippling effects. What is interesting is the club has been milked every way possible by the owners and this could still continue. I bet the red half will be vehemently staring at City's riches and the fact that their 84 million pound loss this year was simply written off by Sheikh Mansour their billionaire owner and ruler of Abu Dhabi.

The growing debt issue and leveraged buy outs of clubs in the English premier league is a concern that needs to be sorted. Certainly over the years the money infused brought us success stories of clubs like Chelsea and off late Man City will get there, in the long run if clubs followed an organic growth pattern like Aston Villa, the fans who pay big price would have been least affected. Lets hope one of these top clubs don't loose out and lop side into the abyss like Leeds United.

Conundrums of Impatience !!

Mark Hughes getting the sack at Man city is quite a refer to the classic case of  'The Wrong man at the WRONG place'. It had to be with those 200 million stashes of sterling he had an asorted talent at his disposal. Abu Dhabi's investment had to see rich dividends, needles to say the impatient owners pulled the plug over Hughes inability to keep a team who performs inconsistently. The victories over Arsenal and Cheseal might have seen as an indicator that they are here to be with big boys and play in the big leagues. I do wonder on that note had Mark Hughes got them to a top four finish they would have been looking at Champions League nights..what a shame..

Tough luck Sparky! , there is always a job somewhere.. Over to the new man in charge Roberto Mancini... now thats a lot of Italian Infussion in the league.. talk bot senor Capello, Carlo Ancellotti, GioFranco Zola and now Mancini... Well we all love pasta and the Italian way of things..

Barca is the team to beat. They have got a record six titles from their campaign last season and surely this record can be matched, but with sort of football they play it jus amaze me what a formidable team Pep Guardiola has created. Messi is in top form and a tall individual buy from Inter, Zlatan has been regular on the score sheets. watch out for a truly amazing talent in Pedro - he has got the pace, the trickery, balance.

Okay now at the red side Manchester, quite an dismal performance really, slipping up against a mighty Aston villa who played deservedly for their victory and an awful day against the cottagers. Fulham tore open United's shambolic makeshift defence. Sir Alex must be warming up his chequebooks to go and buy a good defender and goal scoring striker. Someone has to put those goals behind and finish games off if they really want to catch up on Chelsea who to safely say will sail through.

Liverpool and Rafa are struggling to get anywhere, i doubt the anfield crowd will go on puckering up to Rafa's "Facts" . I jus gotta feelng Rafa is gonna walk alone now !!!

Loved the CL draw, david beckham back at Old Trafford and Jose Mourinho back at Stamford Bridge, exciting times ahead..Certainly indeed...

Merry X'mas !!

DAREL Luiz