There Is Only One Sinnacle

In what was actually a pretty entertaining game Greek Champions Panathinaikos defeated Champions League holders Inter Milan 3-2 in front of 17,169 at Toronto’s Rogers Centre.

The game itself I’m not going to spend too much time harping on. It’s the attendance that I’m going to touch on. Good on Toronto for staying away from this game. The first thing which came to mind when looking at the attendance is the promoters of this game must of taken a bath putting it together. It was almost brush league with ads on TheScore promoting this game as a match up you will never forget. Come on this isn’t the World Cup, it’s a friendly. Promote it for what it is an interesting match up between two teams and two cultures who have a large following in Toronto. Instead it was presented in some grand fashion. Another reason I’m pleased with the attendance is the fact you can only go to the well so often with these stupid ticket prices. The worst seats in the house shouldn’t cost 40 dollars and the best seats shouldn’t hit close to $200. When you factor in parking and the hassle of getting to Rogers Centre it just meant people were going to turn up there nosies.

First it was Juventus-Fiorentina, then it was Manchester United vs Celtic (which was a can’t miss from a box office point of view) and finally Inter vs Panathinaikos. The 3rd time wasn’t the charm it appears as Inter Milan doesn’t seem to have the Toronto following as Juventus or even A.C Milan seem to have. Panathinaikos has a large Greek following but they have been there three times in the last year. You can only except fans to spend so much on this friendly games which don’t mean anything.

Now to make it more interesting the people who put together these events should actually make it mean alittle something. Follow the New York Red Bull blue print and create something like the New York Football Challenge. Granted it’s not the Champions League but it isn’t a one off game either. Invite four teams, one Portugese side, one English or Spanish side, one Italian side and one Greek side and your set. You have covered all the major hotbeds in soocer in this city. You can even have TFC and three European clubs but that may be tricky due to the amount of games TFC has to play this time of year.

Bottom line is I like seeing international teams make a stop in Toronto but there comes a point were paying hundreds of dollars to see teams who may not even play there best players seems foolish. For this to be done right more value for money is needed.

Yahya Kirdi, who represents a group of investors from the Middle East and Canada, says his group is in advanced negotiations with Liverpool owners Thomas Hicks and George Gillett to purchase 100% of the club.

Any “ownership group” who talks to the press about being close to the takeover are fools. These are people who want to be known as rich and want their name in the press. If a group is really serious about buying Liverpool they would keep it hush hush until the ink is dry on a deal. The likes of Kenny Huang taking about saving Liverpool and ripping the club out from under Gillett and Hicks is foolish. If your the current Liverpool owners are you really going to sell the club to someone who has badmouthed you in the press?

Manchester City are ready to snap up £34m-rated Barcelona midfielder Gai Assulin for nothing after the Israeli teenager cancelled his contract with the Catalan club. Daily Mirror

Dumb move by Gai Assulin who will go to one club where he couldn’t crack the starting lineup to another lineup loaded with players.

Manchester United are poised to bid for Real Madrid midfielder Lassana Diarra. His arrival could result in Tom Cleverley being sent on loan to Bolton. Daily Mirror

Wonder if Michael Carrick can feel Tom Cleverley and Darren Gibson breathing down his neck?

United could also offer midfielder Anderson and about £12m to land Werder Bremen’s Germany World Cup star Mesut Ozil. caughtoffisde.com

As a comment wisely pointed out on my side the other day said a move like this would help Manchester United with the 25 man squad limit set for the first half of the year. (Thanks for all the comments by the way, enjoy reading all of them)

Poulsen’s agent – Joern Bonnesen – has denied any kind of agreement has been made between the Danish midfielder and Liverpool. imscouting.com

Poulsen would be the wrong Juventus midfielder. Tiago would be the right one has he knows what it takes to be a success in the EPL.

Tottenham have opened talks over the £4m signing of Portugal striker Yannick Djalo from Sporting Lisbon but Newcastle are also reported to be interested. Daily Mirror

Sporting agreed to sell Djalo to Auxerre early this summer but the player refused to sign. Most likely ended up being the right decision for all parties involved.

James Milner hopes his proposed move from Aston Villa to Manchester City will finally be approved by this weekend with fellow midfielder Stephen Ireland set to move in the opposite direction.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Aston Villa and Manchester City would be foolish to let this drag one way or another into the start of the season.

Manchester United’s Portuguese winger Nani has upstaged his team-mates by showing up to training in a limited edition Lamborghini Gallardo LP 550-2 Valentino Balboni – costing £150,000. It is one of only 250 made in the world. Daily Mail

This won’t end well. Hope Nani doesn’t take driving tips from Anderson.

Chelsea are set to complete the signing of Brazilian World Cup midfielder Ramires from Benfica on a £18.3m deal. Daily Mirror

Have no doubt that Ramires would be a hit in English football. Would be a big loss for Benfica if they lose Ramires. The chances Benfica find a player to replace Ramires would be slim.

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has revealed Spurs could cap their summer spending at £9m by looking at loan deals instead of buying players outright – with strikers Craig Bellamy (Manchester City) and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (AC Milan) still targets. Daily Mirror

Mark my words, Tottenham is going to lose their first game of the season then the chequebook will be whipped out.

AC Milan are interested in Tottenham’s Mexico midfielder Giovani dos Santos and could offer Huntelaar in a swap deal. Daily Mail

Two players who were on my Diego Milito all star team. Little chance this happens mind you.

Sporting Lisbon’s Portugal striker Yannick Djalo has held talks with Tottenham to discuss a possible move to White Hart Lane. imscouting.com

I’d like to see Djalo make the leap in his career but I’m far from sold on him. He has the physical gifts to make scouts drool but he isn’t exactly lethal in the penalty area.

New Fulham manager Mark Hughes has joined the race to take ex-Arsenal midfielder Alexander Hleb on loan from Barcelona. Daily Mirror

Hughes is also interested in a reunion with Manchester City striker Roque Santa Cruz but Stoke are also keen on signing the Paraguay World Cup striker. Daily Mail

It will be interesting to see how much money Mark Hughes has been given to remodel this Fulham team into his own side.

Arsenal and Manchester United’s hopes of signing Germany World Cup star Mesut Ozil were boosted after the midfielder told his club Werder Bremer to lower their £16m asking price. Daily Star

I know these things don’t happen overnight but I’d be shocked if Manchester United pass up the chance to sign Mesut Ozil.

West Ham manager Avram Grant insists that star striker Carlton Cole will not be sold, despite strong interest from Stoke, who are being linked with a £9m bid for the 26-year-old. Daily Star

Don’t think Carlton Cole is jumping at the chance to join Stoke.

Blackburn are set to sign striker James Vaughan from Everton and will offer about £1.5m for the 22-year-old. Daily Mirror

Things haven’t turned out so well for James Vaughan who was hyped up quite nicely a few years back.