There Is Only One Sinnacle

The problem with football is the people who know very little about football manage to hold so much power in the game. Exhibit A we have the former head of England’s World Cup bid Lord Triesman who has been axed as the Chairman of England’s Football Association after saying how Spain will try to bride World Cup referees as the highlight of his gossip session with Melissa Jacobs.

Personally I think it’s a sad state of affairs when someone like Melissa Jacobs is paid to wear a wire in order to get some gossip on Lord Triesman is part of the norm in English culture, a culture who love to knock someone down while kicking dirt on them. The only silver lining is many people seem outage how the Mail on Sunday and Melissa Jacobs went about wearing a wire like they were a part of Scotland Yard. Sure, what Lord Triesman said was stupid and in the end he had to go but this says more about how certain things are deemed acceptable in trying to create news in England instead of the state of England’s World Cup bid went has been knocked off the rails before it can even get going.

Over the years I’ve said this countless times but the difference between a team with titles at the end of the season and a team like Real Madrid with none is very small. The difference usually comes down to being able to hold a slim lead when the pressure is on. While Inter looked nervous against a game Siena side they managed to make Diego Milito 57th minute goal hold up as they won 1-0. You saw it on display yesterday and again in a round about way holding Barcelona from scoring another goal in the semi finals.

Roma deserved all the credit in the world for pushing Inter to the wire and it would of been interesting to see what would of happened if Claudio Ranieri was in charge for the entire season instead of taking over in September but Inter were in the Champions League hunt. They had to play the likes of Chelsea and Barcelona mid week where as Roma where only focused on Serie A after crashing out early in the Europa League.

Congratulations who after a stunning 99 point season where finally crowded La Liga Champions on the final week of the season by beating Real Valladolid 4-0. Barcelona where the best team in Spain this season. Not only did they top the league since the turn of the year but they also defeated Real Madrid twice this season. They set the standard and as hard as Real Madrid tried they could come over Barcelona who were worthy winners of their second straight La Liga title thanks to the brilliance of Lionel Messi.

Real Madrid may be tempted into loaning Kaka to Chelsea – only if Ashley Cole goes the other way.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Welcome to silly season where wild rumours now start flying.

Arsenal are hot on the trail of Bologna goalkeeper Emiliano Viviano. Daily Mirror

I’d be fine with Arsenal saving a penny or two on a goalkeeper provided they sign someone who has seen the Champions League in Midfield or their back line.

Manchester City are set to make an offer of about £24m for Aston Villa midfielder James Milner.
Full story: Daily Mail

Adam Johnson on one side, James Milner on the other. Would be two of England’s best young players at the wide positions.

Manchester United have made further enquiries about Benfica winger Angel di Maria, who is valued at about £38m and is also wanted by Real Madrid. Daily Mail

The whole cash plus Anderson rumour for di Maria I heard about this weekend was just silly. It reminds me in North American sports where on those sport radio call in shows some homer calls in trying to work a deal around Hedo Turkoglu for Kevin Durant.

Liverpool are lining up a bid of about £11m for Sampdoria’s Italian striker Giampaolo Pazzini as manager Rafael Benitez looks to bring in new attacking options. caughtoffside.com

Sampdoria may not have a coach but they do have a Champions League place in their pocket. Pazzini is happy at Sampdoria where previously he was struck on the bench at Fiorentina.

Benitez is also reportedly interested in bringing talented Sevilla winger Jesus Navas to Anfield.
Full story: caughtoffside.com

If Liverpool can bring just a few of the players they have been linked with to Anfield they would be an exiciting team to watch next season.

Liverpool and Aston Villa have joined the race for West Ham striker Carlton Cole after it emerged that the Hammers rejected a £10m bid for the striker from Birmingham. Daily Mirror

West Ham will sell Carlton Cole for the same type of money they sold Criag Bellamy for. Don’t think West Ham will end up missing Cole either.

Manchester United are considering a move for Marseille winger Hatem Ben Arfa this summer with Old Trafford boss Sir Alex Ferguson known to be an admirer of the 23-year-old French international. caughtoffside.com

Hatem Ben Arfa just got dropped from the French World Cup roster so there goes his World Cup dream. Ben Arfa has always been talented, but a headcase. Sir Alex Ferguson knows how to deal with those types of players.

Bolton will make a sensational £5m bid for Real Madrid’s Spain Under-20 internationals Marcos Alonso, a left-back, and Rodrigo Moreno, who is a striker. (Daily Mirror)

It would be sensational if they then signed with Bolton.

Chelsea’s Petr Cech has hailed goalkeeping rival David James as England’s number one after the Portsmouth player’s performance in Saturday’s FA Cup final, which the London club won 1-0. Daily Mirror

You know what you are going to get game in and game out from Joe Hart. With David James his good days are better than Joe Hart but you always got to worry about the bad days.

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola hailed Lionel Messi as “the best [player] I’ve ever seen” after the Argentine forward scored twice in Sunday’s win over Real Valladolid, equalling Barca’s 34-goal league record and taking his tally to 47 in all competitions this season. (Daily Mail)

Some would say Messi has had a good season.

Whereas Fulham had there dream stopped in the Europa League finals I’m going out on a limb here and say Portsmouth will complete the dream run and defeat Chelsea this weekend to win the FA Cup.

Do these Chelsea players really care about winning the FA Cup? Sure, it would be nice and in any other year being the first Chelsea team to win both the league/FA Cup double would mean a lot but most of these Chelsea players have a greater prize to play for in a weeks time. With John Terry’s scare in practice mid week do you think these Chelsea will dive for a 50/50 ball and risk getting hurt? If I’m Droba I’d be living in a bubble for the next month.

Portsmouth on the other hand, this has been their dream since the start of the year. Once they went into administration the league became secondary with Portsmouth faith sealed thanks to a nine point deduction. Then there is the Avram Grant effect, you can tell these Portsmouth players play hard under him. They could of rolled around at many points in the season and despite being lack of talent their results as the season went on didn’t scream wave the white flag. Chelsea have already seen what a former coach can do against them and Avram Grant knows this Chelsea team quite well.

Then again Chelsea may win by 5-0 but either way I’m leaving this post up. Good luck Pompey.

When I was growing up there was actually such a thing called the Canadian Soccer League. I remember one of the teams were called the Calgary Kickers. Even as a kid I knew this name was just wrong. What pot smoking hippie did the Calgary Kickers hire to come up with such an awful name? If Winnipeg ever gets another NHL team I’m sure they won’t name them the Winnipeg Wrist Shots.

It’s not a shock to anyone that the Canadian Soccer League is no more thanks to such awful names. Watch this clip below of the Edmonton Brick Men against the Vancouver 86′s. If you watch all 8 minutes of this clip I’d give you a hand as it was 7 minutes more than I could get through. Notice the empty seats by the way.

Maybe if they had African football names the league might of been around for awhile. You have my personal favorite Hearts of Oak, then such names like the Kaizer Chiefs (good band too), Real Republicans, Simba FC, ASEC Mimosas with a ton more. Everytime I read about an African club I think that is a kick ass name. Someone should license those jerseys and sell them over here. Someone will and I’ll complain about it for years after. Til then just wanted to tip my cap at all the unique football clubs in Africa.

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp hopes to resign Inter Milan midfielder Sulley Muntari. Redknapp first brought the Ghana international to England when he signed him for Portsmouth in May 2007.
Full story: Footy Latest

Inter would sell Muntari if enough cash is offered. I’m sure Muntari wouldn’t mind linking up with Redknapp again if enough money came his way as well.

Tottenham are hoping to raid Valencia with boss Harry Redknapp preparing a £28m bid for winger David Silva. caughtoffside.com

Tottenham are set to sell midfielder Jermaine Jenas and forward Robbie Keane to fund moves for targets such as Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick, Chelsea playmaker Joe Cole and Wolfsburg striker Edin Dzeko. Daily Star

Not a bad list of players the press have linked Tottenham with. Wonder how many if any Tottenham would be able to sign.

Manchester United are ready to smash the British transfer record and bid £45m for Valencia and Spain forward David Villa. caughtoffside.com

Another summer where rumours of how Valencia will have to sell players only to never happen.

Inter Milan are planning to buy Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard in the hope that the midfielder’s signature will stop manager Jose Mourinho from leaving for Real Madrid. Daily Mirror

Frank Lampard may not regret quitting Chelsea for Inter Milan but have a feeling Gerrard might regret his last chance to play for an elite European club.

Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas has revealed he is considering his future at the north London club with Barcelona waiting to pounce if the Spaniard decides to quit the Gunners. Daily Mail

Can already see the Fabregas press conference at the Camp Nou.

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has admitted that he would like to sign Liverpool striker Fernando Torres, increasing speculation the Spaniard could be heading out of Anfield. Daily Mirror

Steven Gerrard they can sell, fans won’t like it but it’s time. If Torres leaves all hell breaks loose on the red side of Liverpool.

Birmingham City are keeping tabs on Mamelodi Sundowns’s South Africa international striker Katlego Mphela. Daily Mail

Watch out for my post on how much I love Africa football names.

Fulham are interested in Aston Villa central defender Curtis Davies who cost the club £8m from West Bromwich Albion in 2008. Daily Mail

Injuries have set Curtis Davies back this year but does Aston Villa sell him to fund other targets?

Liverpool are lining up an £8m offer for Werder Bremen striker Mesut Ozil. caughtoffside.com

Not a chance Werder Bremen will sell Ozil for that amount. Like the players Liverpool are being linked with however.

Portsmouth striker John Utaka is set to join French side Sochaux in a cut-price £3m deal. Utaka cost Portsmouth a club-record £7m. Daily Mail

I’m sure Portsmouth would love to get out of playing Utaka who is one of the clubs top earners.

Manchester City winger Shaun Wright-Phillips has backed Manchester United and England skipper Rio Ferdinand as the man to to take on John Barnes’ rapping role in a cover of England’s 1990 World Cup song “World in Motion”. FourFourTwo

Don’t mess with a classic.

Barcelona have offered Manchester City and Chelsea the chance to sign striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic for about £40m. Daily Mail

If I’m Manchester City I don’t even wait. I’d be cutting the cheque for Zlatan Ibrahimovic who would be a perfect player in English football. A link up with old coach Roberto Mancini would do him some good.

Barcelona midfielder Yaya Toure is “90% certain” to leave the Nou Camp this summer according to his agent. Dimitri Seljuk said Arsenal were interested in his client and that he was confident a deal could be done. Sport (in Spanish)

Every year for the last three years it seems Yaya Toure was on the way out of Barcelona. This year it finally looks like it will happen. I know Toure is a fit with Arsenal but if I was an Arsenal fan it wouldn’t excite me seeing Yaya Toure on the pitch.

Galatasaray are weighing up a bid for out-of-favour Tottenham striker Giovani dos Santos who has spent the second half of the season on loan at the Turkish side. IMScouting

Good idea to wrap up any transfer now just in case Giovani dos Santos blows up at the World Cup.

Tottenham are preparing a bid for Bayern Munich midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger after the player expressed his desire to leave German football and play in the Premier League. Footy Latest

Does Tottenham need Bastian Schweinsteiger? No, but you can’t blame them if they decide to go after him. Too good of a player to look away from. Plus look at all his International/Champions League experience to fall back on.

Liverpool are poised to sign Valencia midfielder Ever Banega for £8.5m. Goal.com

Can’t believe this story has some real legs in it. Ever Banega would be a steal for Liverpool at 8.5 million.

Everton boss David Moyes wants to sign Manchester City’s Craig Bellamy from under the nose of Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp but a deal would cost about £7m. Daily Mirror

The real question is where will Bellamy be in 18 months? He kept quiet and stayed out of trouble for his part with Manchester City but it still looks like he’ll be shown the door.

Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas has told friends and family that he hopes to rejoin boyhood club Barcelona before this summer’s World Cup. IMScouting.com

Again tell me how this is difference from all the Ronaldo to Real Madrid rumours of the last two years?

Liverpool could snap up striker Roman Pavlyuchenko from Tottenham with an offer of midfielder Yossi Benayoun and £2m. Daily Mail

Pavlyuchenko would be no better off at Liverpool than he is at Tottenham. There is only room for one striker at Liverpool and that is Torres, every time Rafa has tried to add a second striker in the mix it has rarely worked.

Midfielder Mikel Arteta could be on his way out of Goodison Park after contract talks hit an impasse, alerting Manchester United and Arsenal. Daily Mirror

Mikel Arteta’s next contract should be interesting. Does Everton pay him based on his past performance and the fact he’s been a great player for them. Or do they hold out a little over concerns about Artera knee holding out long term?

Manchester United are reportedly considering a shock move for AC Milan’s £17m-rated forward Marco Borriello. caughtoffside.com

It’s a shock to see Marco Borriello rated as a 17 million pound forward.

Manchester City will attempt an audacious raid on Aston Villa as they look to sign striker Gabriel Agbonlahor and midfielder Ashley Young. caughtoffside.com

You can only imagine Martin O’Neill running, not walking right out of the door if Aston Villa sold both Agbonlahor and Ashley Young.

Arsenal’s William Gallas looks set to leave the Emirates after chairman Peter Hill-Wood described the defender’s £80,000-per-week wage demands as “extravagant”. Daily Star

Look for Gallas to be wearing another uniform next year. I’ll give him credit however for being on of the few Arsenal who stepped up his game against the elite teams.

Didier Drogba has urged Chelsea to secure a dream team strike partnership of him and Liverpool’s Fernando Torres. Daily Mirror

Drogba still won’t pass the Torres.

Midfielder Stephen Hunt has criticised some of his Hull City team-mates who he felt did not give enough for the cause as the Tigers battled to avoid relegation. Daily Mail

Hull did roll over and die this year. It was like they were resigned to going down.

Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes will spend the summer coaching football to children in Florida after turning down the chance to return to the England fold. the Guardian

Nice little story to end this post off with.

Fulham had a great story and it was hard to root against them but in the end Atletico Madrid were deserving winners of the first Europa League as Diego Forlan goal late in extra time gave Atletico a 2-1 victory. It was a match up of a team wanting to win the game in Atletico against a team wanting to take it to penalties in Fulham. Bobby Zamora who to his credit gave all he could give, once he was subbed off it was all hands on deck time for Fulham.

Bobby Zamora gave it all he had but it was Diego Forlan who grabbed the headlines. You just can not teach that type of movement in the box. He knows where to be and the ball just finds him. Picture how good Barcelona would of been if they had signed Forlan with the money they used to buy Zlatan Ibrahimović, never mind the Eto’o part of the deal. Diego Forlan who of surely played in another European final if that had been the case.

You barely see it in the picture and yes it hit me once I saw Siamo waving the Portuguese flag over his shoulders but how great it is when players wrapped themselves in their home flag once they win something important. You don’t (or rarely do) see it in North American sports but in Europe the flags come out once a major trophy is won.

Speaking of trophies, couldn’t UEFA have updated the trophy instead of using the big vase from the UEFA Cup era?

I shouldn’t be cheering anyone’s injuries but I truely believe there is a god if John Terry has to miss the world if reports of him breaking his metatarsal are to be believed.

Karma….enough said.

Maybe Jamie Carragher will get his desired central defender spot afterall.

Update – Damn you press for getting me worked up.