The Premier League simmers down
The autumn of the transfer window is now in full bloom. In this transfer update, I outline the increasingly cheap alternatives that the Premier League big boys are dabbling in, in the face of the market earthquake caused by Manchester City and Real Madrid.
French and brown. But Thierry Henry?
First up is the surprising signing of Gabriel Obertan. Of course the ManU fans will have you believe the kid is the next Christiano and that Ferguson has unearth a real gem at 3 million pounds (cue inevitable comparisons to Thierry Henry). Yes the kid is fast but he looks more like David Bellion of a few years ago than either Ronaldo or Henry. Obertan is also the player of the year in the Toulon Tournament held just last month and by winning that, he joins an exclusive list which includes Figo and Giovinco to name a few. So the boy definitely has talent and at 3 mil is almost risk-free. But being compared to Henry and Ronaldo is a pressure almost no one can bear and to put that tag on the shoulders of a young kid who couldn’t even find a place in Bordeaux’s first team last season seems way to much.
I give the transfer a 5.5/10 rating given that its almost risk free. However, I do not see him adapting straightaway and with a lack of tricks in his bag, he may struggle initially. That initial struggle will also call into question his mentality and if he may be able to stand the physical vigours of the English Premier League.
Obertan may have come but where does that leave the mercurial Nani? One would have thought, he would have gotten a straight run in the team competing with Park Ji-Sung and Tosic (who may make more appearances next season with Valencia almost a permanent on the right). It seems he may have to fight for his place now. Ferguson does not seem very enamoured with him either even though he possesses an even higher level of skill at the moment than Ronaldo did when he came on against Bolton Wanderers at Old Trafford six years ago. His problem has always been his decision-making, quite like Ronaldo all those years ago. Yet he has been unable to make the set-up. One would have thought having a run of games in the team would only give him time and confidence (like Ronaldo got during the dominating years of Chelsea). I fear Nani’s career may be at an end unless he starts delivering from the onset.
So Manchester United is scrounging for bargains in the basement with Obertan and Owen despite having 80 million in the bank. Is it savvy? Sure. Would they have wanted to sign Benzema if they had a chance? Without a freakin doubt.
Another team looking to balance the books (and make a tidy profit) is Liverpool is reports are to be believed.
With the futures of Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano in doubt, the Anfield outfield is looking at Lee Cattermole as a possible replacement. Yes the same from Wigan. He is a good player no doubt but a top-four club team? As a replacement for Alonso and Mascherano?? Liverpool will have to battle with Sunderland in order to secure the boy’s signature. If this basement bargain hunting isn’t a sign that the Premier League is on the decline at least year, I don’t know what is.
Masch-monster II?
Chelsea, the mega-billionaires are now being trounced into paupers as well by Manchester City. It is ironic and plenty amusing as City try to BUY the talismanic symbol of Chelsea.
But with Terry being a twit, i am sure there will be more time to talk about that.
Chelsea have snapped up Yuri Zhirkov for 18 million pounds in what sounds like a great deal to me. 18 million is big money (I am an Arsenal fan after all) but it isnt the marquee signing that they are craving for. Besides, they already have the admittedly very good Ashley Cole at left-back. So unless they want Zhirkov to play on the left of midfield, it really doesn’t make sense. UNLESS they are about to sell Cole? Barcelona do need a rather good left back as do Real Madrid. It is just a thought.
The flying Russian - but where will he play?
More curiously, Chelsea snapped up Ross Turnbull, the Borough keeper on a free and are now looking at Adam Johnson. Yes, a precocious talent but really? I doubt any of the big European clubs will be quivering in their boots at the thought of facing upto the rather decent but hardly great Johnson. Maybe it has to do the home-grown players rule that is coming up.
Adam Johnson - the scourge of the continent
For whatever reason, the Premier League has been made poorer this season. Manchester City could probably still entice Eto’o or Lucio but having lost Ronaldo and with plenty of rumours surrounding Alonso and Mascherano, it seems the summer will hand with more notable exits than entries.
Also, is everyone now sort of waking up to Arsene’s miserly transfer wiliness. Ferguson especially with his stables of youngster (Tosic, Ljajic(?), Nani, Welbeck, Macheda, Obertan, Possebon, Da Silva brothers) seems to have caught to Le Professor’s strategy. Of course, having experienced players in his squad (helped by a big bank balance) puts him at an advantage.
So far so good though. Next season is promising to be interesting.
(will become super interesting when Arsenal buys a DM)
