Paul Clement given Derby County managerial berth

Following the sacking of Steve McClaren last month, Derby County have announced their new head coach is to be former Chelsea, Paris-Saint Germain and Real Madrid assistant manager, Paul Clement.

Clement, 43, joins on a three-year deal for his first managerial role and the appointment follows the Londoner leaving Real last week after the sacking of Carlo Ancelotti.

Clement, speaking to Rams Player in Madrid, said: “I’ve been thinking about it [becoming a head coach] for quite some time now, felt it was my own time to go it alone now. I’m looking forward to the challenge of the English Championship and looking forward to pushing on to the Premier League.

“The club has a fantastic stadium that week in, week out the fans go to in droves to support them. The fanbase in Derby is fantastic, they really get behind the club and I really can’t wait to get started now.”

The news had been circulating around Twitter ever since the rumours surrounding McClaren had intensified following a meeting between the ex-England manager and chief executive Sam Rush. Incoming chairman Mel Morris was adamant that persistent speculation linking McClaren to the vacant Newcastle United job since January had had a detrimental effect on a team that sat top of the league in February, yet ended up languishing in eighth place come May, following just two wins in their last thirteen games.

Renewed speculation had again linked McClaren to the United job at the end-of-the-season, but with Clement a wanted man, with Sunderland and West Ham United also reported to be interested, the Rams moved fast to get their man, and potentially lost out on compensation for their outgoing boss.

The level of talent Clement has worked with in the past is impressive to say the least, with the very best of world football on it. From, Didier Drogba and John Terry, to David Beckham, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva, and most recently, Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Sergio Ramos, not bad then!

It remains to be seen whether McClaren’s coaching team of Eric Steele and Paul Simpson will follow him out the door, but one thing for sure is that Rams fans have an exciting, dynamic coach in charge of them for the 2015/16 season, could he be the man to lead them, finally, to the promised land of the Premier League, after two years of banging on it? Who knows, but the ride should be a whole lot of fun…

Who will be Real Madrid’s next manager?

The man above has just guided Real Madrid into the last four of the Champions League once again. Yet Jose Mourinho, of course, is already being touted from all corners to leave Los Blancos this summer, with his most likely destination looking to be the Premier League and West London, a return to his club, Chelsea. If this happens, and if he does win the Champions League, what better way to go out, just who is going to replace the most notorious boss in the world, at one of the world’s top clubs? Here are my five choices…

Maurico Pellegrini

Would Real go ‘Back to the Future’, to find a new manager? Pellegrini was the man in charge when Real got their money back in 2009, and decided to casually break the transfer record TWICE with the signings of Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo. However, despite the impressive spending sanctioned by his overlords, Pellegrini struggled to match the might of Barca in full flow and his side ultimately flopped, leaving Pellegrini without a job.

He then took on Malaga, a side also given an injection of cash, and has worked hard and well to create a Champions League quarter-final team that were mere seconds away from appearing alongside Real in this year’s semi-finals, before one of the best comebacks in recent memories saw them crestfallen. The Chilean managed similar miracles with Villareal before his appointment in 2009, and with Malaga being denied entrance to next year’s Champions League on the basis of some dodgy finances, it could be his only opportunity to face Europe’s elite once again. The chances are very slim, but the players will know him, whether they’ll work for him or not is another issue…

Arsene Wenger

Yes Arsene Wenger. Mr Arsenal. King of the Youth. Except not. His reputation has dimmed somewhat as Gunners fans focus on their current dire run of no trophy in 8 years, rather than the success the Frenchman had previously.  That’s fair enough, but forgetting the past isn’t entirely fair! And given that Wenger has imposed spending restrictions himself, his record of reaching the Champions League every year is a good one, given the fall of Liverpool, and the rise of Chelsea and Manchester City in between. Arsenal could’ve gone the way of Liverpool, but, for now, they are in tact.

Now, Wenger has been linked with Real for years, with nothing ever coming to fruition, due to him wanting to ‘finish the job off’ at the Emirates. But with his contract coming to an end soon, and an extension unlikely unless a dramatic turnaround occurs, Wenger is likely to be out of a job come the Summer of 2014. At this stage, will Real be on the horizon? Sure he’s not fond of actually spending money, something that managers at Real are actively encouraged to do, but will he raid his Arsenal for his pick of the next-generation of starlets? It’s all just a lot of questions at the moment, but Wenger could build a dynasty, a side and legacy to exceed his English revolution, and one to directly challenge the Catalans. Would you bet against him?

Jurgen Klopp

Jurgen Klopp. Pretty much an unknown to the average English football fan, he’s transformed Borussia Dortmund from a side on the brink of relegation, administration, you name it, to a side who won the double, disposing Bayern Munich of their god-given right to take the title every year, and reaching this year’s semi-finals of the Champions League. He’s initiated a new playing style, similar to Barca, developed young talent AND carried them through to the first team, and also showed some smarts on the transfer market, buying the cut-price Shinji Kagawa for £400,000, for example, and selling him on for £20 million. A huge profit right there.

He’s not a boring sod either. He cracks jokes in press conferences, dances in delight on the touchline and is loved by the club’s passionate home support. The one stumbling block when it comes to a possible move to Madrid, is he ready to leave Borussia? At the moment, Bayern have stolen the title from them, but they have a strong core of Reus, Goetze, Lewandowski and Bender, some of the best players on the continent, would he not find more satisfaction in bringing on these players, building a team of world-beaters out of nothing, than spending ludicrous amounts of money over in Spain? That’s to be determined, plus if he stays, the world has the mouth-watering prospect of a clash with Pep Guardiola’s Bayern Munich next season. Whatever he does, watch out for Klopp.

Rafael Benitez

Flopping at Chelsea, derided by his own supporters, Rafa Benitez may seem a strange choice to be the next man to lead Real Madrid. That is to English fans at least, for in his native Spain Benitez is regarded as a tactical genius, having led little Valencia to a La Liga title and UEFA Cup many years ago. His successes at Liverpool must be noted also, as should his keen eye for a signing (Xabi Alonso anyone?!). Sure since then, his time at Liverpool ended badly, Inter Milan should be really struck off his CV and at Chelsea he was up against it from day one, but surely Spain’s biggest team (that’s debatable though), would want a native back in charge of them?

It could even be a straight swap, for West London and the Spanish capital, Jose for Rafa, one that might suit both parties, given Mourinho’s troubling relationship with the Real board and Spanish media. And similarly, there is contempt for Benitez in the English media, almost like we are bored of him, and crave a headline-maker like Mourinho, a man who was LOVED by all in England, never mind the likes of the ‘Sun’ and the ‘Mirror’.

Diego Simeone

Now, the big wildcard of the five, and just an idea I had somewhere. Diego Simeone, a couple of months ago, for sure, would’ve taken this season’s Manager of the Year, in Spain. His Atletico Madrid side were flying high in second in the league, putting up a decent enough challenge to leaders Barcelona, and sitting comfortably ahead of city rivals Real Madrid, toiling back in 3rd, after a few shocking results. Atleti, on the other hand, had beaten every traveller to the Estadio de Calderon, winning EVERY game in all competitions at home, and had an unstoppable forward in Colombian Radamel Falcao. All was excellent. Then came the Europa League exit to Rubin Kazan, the successive losses in La Liga that saw them slip to 3rd and Falcao got injured. All in the space of a few weeks.

Don’t read too much into that though, Simeone has still dragged his side to an excellent 2012-13 season, they should still succeed in 3rd place, confirming an appearance in next year’s Champions League and this year, they still have a Copa Del Rey showdown against Real to come. The Argentinian has signed a new deal recently, meaning any move to any club is unlikely, but if Real want their man they’ll get their man, and if Simeone gets attracted by the unlimited Euro’s available across town he might just make the move. Atleti are in millions of debt, and if a double offer of say £80 million came in for their prized possession Falcao and their manager, they might JUST consider it. The leaving pair would be hated forever by Atletico’s exuberant support, but it would be the biggest move of the summer by far.

Just a few outlandish choices, and it could be well be the case that none of the above are even approached by the men in charge of proceedings the Santiago Bernabeu, but who knows!

Bradford City; a football fairytale

This is a defining week in a couple of club’s histories. There’s Swansea City, a club on the verge of reaching their first ever major final in their centenary year, could a fairytale end any sweeter? Then there’s both Macclesfield Town and Luton Town, a couple of plucky non-league clubs, the toast of the 3^rd Round of the FA Cup, and who now bravely venture on to the 4^th, with Premier League clubs standing in their way. And then, there’s our story, the story of League Two Bradford City…

Looking at their position in England’s 4^th division, a solid, yet unspectacular 10^th place, an early cup exit in the 2^nd round of the FA Cup, you’d think ‘what’s so special?’. But then, we come to their standing in the Capital One Cup, and one can see just how special this season has been for the Yorkshire-based team. As they enter the second leg of their semi-final (yes SEMI-FINAL) with Premier League Aston Villa, with a 3-1 lead from the first, it’s completely viable a Wembley cup final could be on for the Bantams, infact I’m not so sure I’d bet against them given Villa’s recent poor form. Let’s go back to the beginning, all the way back in August 2012.

In 2012/13, it began with Notts County and Watford, in any other year, a couple of massive scalps for the once Premiership greats of Bradford, but in such a golden cup year, they were simply warm-ups. League Two neighbours Burton Albion almost stopped the party, before City beat them in extra-time. Then the first big game of a mighty trio, that lead us to the present day. An away tie at Wigan Athletic, tougher than it sounds. Bradford ground out a 0-0 draw in 120 minutes of football, withstanding all Wigan had to offer, before dispatching them 4-2 in the resulting penalty shootout. Then came the draw, the mighty Arsenal were coming to visit Valley Parade…

A quarter-final against one of the biggest clubs in the county, pack the ground up, get on TV, take home the money and bow out respectably…is what most clubs of Bradford’s stature would’ve done. That’s not what manager Phil Parkinson and co, had in mind though. A more or less full strength Arsenal line-up with the likes of Podolski, Carzola, Wilshere and Oxlade-Chamberlain, also confirmed that the Gunners were taking this mighty seriously, given it was their best chance of a trophy. Come the 16^th minute, when Garry Thompson’s opener for the mighty Bantams, the script for the evening was totally ripped up. The Premier League giants, with their galaxy of foreign superstars began to camp themselves in their opponents half, with wave after wave of attack eventually seeing captain Thomas Vermaelen equalizing in the 89^th minute. Hearts were broken, the dream done…or was it?

Extra-time was a stalemate, so to penalties it went, once again. Bradford were impeccable, producing competence, confidence and quality penalties that England could only ever dream of replicating. Ironically, Podolski missed, strange from a German, and it came down to their captain, and previous saviour Vermaelen, to score to keep them in it. He missed, and the rest is history. Little League Two Bradford City were in a cup semi-final!

Villa were the aforementioned opponents, and to be kind to them, they were battered, Bradford knowing when and where to exploit their weaknesses, grabbing a defensive double from corners, and a great opener by Bermudan striker Nahki Wells set them on their way to a drubbing. Darren Bent came on to try and salvage a consolation, and was promptly hauled off in his dire attempts to do so, before fellow striker Andy Weimann, struck late on to give the Villains some sort of hope.

By all means, the tie isn’t up, a revitalized Villa could go on a scoring spree infront of the home fans at Villa Park, Bradford could crumble, the dream could, once again, appear to be over.  But with a 3-1 lead, and said Premier League scalps already in the bag, Bradford have it all to lose, it’s in their hands, and I for one would love to see them reach the Final, in which I wouldn’t completely rule them out either, they’ve got this far on more than just a bit of luck!

Radamel Falcao; Colombia, Atletico and Chelsea’s Saviour?

As the January transfer window creeps upon us, and Chelsea Football Club are in their usual, frenzied state, people are wondering, who are they going to buy next? Well, with recent reports of striker Daniel Sturridge being sold to Liverpool in the window, that’ll then leave the club with just one recognised forward, the struggling Spaniard Fernando Torres. Usually, we see a swirl of rumours, of forwards from across the globe being linked with a club like Chelsea, but this time only one is being mentioned; Radamel Garcia Falcao.

The Colombian forward has been in immaculate form this season with 20 goals in just 16 games, a record which would be worshipped around the world, if it weren’t for the ridiculously talented lad at Barcelona, Messi is it? Nevertheless, a Falcao-insipred Atletico Madrid, often called Real’s ‘little brother’ have risen to second in the league table, providing Barca with their biggest challenge, as their so called big brothers continue to flounder in La Liga.

Last Sunday’s match at the Nou Camp may have ended in a 4-1 loss for Atleti, but Falcao silenced the 90,000 crowd with the opener, and for a good half an hour they were harassing the home team, getting in their faces and giving them a run for their money. Alas, goals came from unusual sources, right-back Adriano scoring a spectacular equalizer, before Sergio Busquets put them 2-1 up just before half-time, after which Messi dominated, preventing Falcao and Atletico from a famous win. It was sign of intent though, both from the challengers and their talismanic number 9, they mean business and look on course for a top 3 finish at the least, and a return to the Champions League, the question is, will Falcao make it back with them?

Let’s rewind back to Summer of 2011. Our Colombian hero had finished his second season at Portuguese treble-winning Porto, and a huge 38 goals in all competitions, with 17 in the Europa League success, which saw a new record set. Atletico, on the other hand, were in a slight state of flux, having suffered an average season, 7th in the table and early exits from the cups and selling their two world-class forwards, Sergio Aguero and Diego Forlan, to new homes in England and Italy, respectively. Fortunately, for Atleti, with their financial gain came the arrival of Radamel Falcao, paying the £40million buy-out clause Porto had inserted into his contract, which turned into a bit of a bargain.

He fit like a glove, becoming the Spanish side’s number one player, everything revolved around him. Excelling in the Europa League once again, but with his side floundering in La Liga, in came Argentine Diego Simone in a move that has revitalized the club entirely. Ever since Simone’s arrival, Atleti have been on fire, winning a 2nd Europa League title in 3 seasons, and 2 out of 2 for Falcao. Perfect start! This season’s exploits have been well documented, but are Atleti about to lose their star man, as they’ve become accustomed to with the departures of Aguero, Forlan and, previously, Fernando Torres?

Some have even questioned whether Torres might be up for a return to the Vincente de Calderon, to rediscover the form that made him one of the world’s most feared forwards, and saw him idolised by Atleti’s boisterous support. A swap deal then could be a good option for both parties, with Torres’ time at Stamford Bridge not having too many highs and Atletico surely snapping off Roman Abramovich’s arm for the reported £60million transfer fee that’s being banded about Europe. Of course, Simone would love to keep him until the Summer when he’d most likely have the golden carrot of Champions League football to tempt his star man to stay, but Atleti must have contingency plans for this inevitable departure.

Personally, I think Falcao would relish the Premier League. It’d suit his ‘targetman’ style of play, and on first look he would appear to be a clumsy, slow forward, but you’d be a fool to think that’s all he has. He’s shown in his time in mainland Europe that he’s capable of scoring many different types of goals, long-range strikes, a poachers tap-in, headers galore and cheeky backheels. Infact, in the recent 6-0 rout of Deportivo La Courna, in which our man scored 5 out of the 6, he showed many of these attributes, the explosive pace, the superhuman strength and his unnerving presence in the box, unnerving for defenders that is!

With Chelsea employing a system of constantly ‘buzzing’ playmakers this season, the likes of Eden Hazard, Oscar and Juan Mata, he’d fit in beautifully, allowing a couple of the trio to play off him to great effect. That seems to be the one thing Chelsea are missing this season, a confident, consistent front man. For all the millions spent, this is the one area they haven’t gained much in, which may just convince owner Abramovich to support his interim boss Rafael Benitez and make one more significant outlay in the squad, in a topsy-turvey season for the Blues so far.

Of course, if the move goes through, Falcao will have his doubters in England, every foreigner tends to, but he can point to one massive example of his talent, proof he can score against English sides, and something fresh in the minds of every Chelsea supporter. Just this September, Atleti and Chelsea faced off in the UEFA Super Cup, for winners of Europe’s top two competitions, everyone assumed Chelsea would stroll to a meaningless trophy win, but that’s not what Falcao had in mind. He hit a superb hat-trick in a game which, ironically, started the rumour mill off, and led to then manager Roberto Di Matteo’s dismissal. A 4-1 victory was the outcome, but will the eventual outcome be Radamel Falcao in a blue shirt come the end of January? Who knows, but whatever he decides, wherever he may go, he’s going to have a phenomenal 2013.

Luis Suarez; Hero or Villain?

Luis Suarez; a player almost everyone, be they fellow player or fan, loves to hate. I must say myself, I don’t like him. I find his personal tactic of diving and riling opponents, managers, referees, you name it, both pathetic and irritating. But without going on, the Uruguayan is something the Premier League could do with, for drama, aswell as skill. Whilst his many misdemeanours may be the main talking point surrounding him, he has sneaked his way to the top of the goal-scoring charts in England’s top division, is this the start of a change? Can he become as loved in England as he was in Holland for his exploits with Ajax, which incidentally involved biting an opponent’s shoulder, only time will tell…

As Suarez arrived on Merseyside, Liverpool were a side in major transition. After a couple of turbulent financial years under the stewardship of American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett, another American, John Henry had taken the reigns amongst a new wave of positive energy at Anfield. Suarez was the first in a range of changes that hit the club, joining at the end of the January transfer window as part of a brand-new forward partnership with fellow signing Andy Carroll. Together the pair cost £50 million plus, replacing the out-going Fernando Torres, in a deal many would argue has hardly worked out for either party.

Torres has won the trophies he desired and wasn’t getting at Anfield, but to much ridicule, still not hitting his golden form at Stamford Bridge, although I’m sure his double at the Euro’s of the actual trophy and golden boot were pretty sweet for the Spaniard. Then we have Carroll, who’s since been shunted out of Liverpool, with the excuse being he ‘doesn’t fit the system’ of new manager Brendan Rodgers, and so can be found out on loan at West Ham United for the duration of this season. Not something that many clubs record signings have to face, but then not many clubs are Liverpool.

And then we come back to Luis Suarez. The man has been embroiled in a ridiculous amount of controversy since he arrived in England. To begin with, the summer before he transferred to Merseyside, saw him become hated around the world for deliberately handballing a certain goal in the Ghana-Uruguay World Cup Quarter-Final. Ghana missed the last-minute penalty, Uruguay came 4th in the World Cup, and pictures of a jubilant Suarez riled the world. Then the infamous biting incident which saw him banned for a dozen matches, a ban ended prematurely by a move to Liverpool.

Since then, he’s been a mixed bag, in his performances and reputation. The racism case with Patrice Evra was sad. It took over the once proud name of Liverpool Football Club for a good, long time, and personally, I don’t think the club and then manager Kenny Dalglish, covered themselves in glory. They denied the charges, wore t-shirts that backed a man who was essentially charged a racist. Eventually they backed down, but it was slightly embarrassing for a club with so much rich history. After Suarez returned from another lengthy ban, he was hounded by fans up and down the country, and, to a certain extent, the media. A broken up season saw him score just 11 goals as Liverpool finished a pitiful 8th place.

Then we come to 2012-13, and again, more controversy. He’s always been one for the theatrics, be it his crowd-baiting celebrations or his diving. Again, I would say he is a diver, it can hardly be argued against, he has a reputation, but it’s one that if, as Suarez does, is repeated time after time, is obviously going to stick. He does get genuinely fouled at times and not rewarded as he should, but I believe it’s his own fault really, don’t dive at all, and then the reputation will recede, with nothing to base it on. For me, this is the most infuriating thing about Liverpool’s no. 7, he comes across as a flawed man, a cheat.

Don’t get me wrong, he has a lot of talent, shown through this season’s charting topping tally for goals in the Premier League, but if Suarez is to become a true Premier League and Liverpool legend, he’s got a long way to go as of yet. A trophy wouldn’t hurt, but other than a cup run, I can’t see anything major for this side in transition for a good number of years, especially with the Manchester clubs dominance at the top of the table.

First, he has to win over fans of football, as almost everybody I know despises the Uruguayan, stopping diving, and antagonising fans of the game would help, purely showing his talent would add to it. If I’m honest, I struggle to see a day where Suarez will be universally loved by all, he could become more of a ‘marmite’ player, but never truly appreciated. It’s a shame, but his wild antics have unfortunately led to this. Still, he could prove myself and thousands of others wrong, we’ll just have to wait and see…

Are PSG Europe’s new superclub?

First there was Chelsea. Roman Abramovich rode into West London on the wave of his oil-rich wealth, and the club have never looked back, with a total of 10 trophies in just under a decade, resulting in the biggest prize in club football, and the one the Russian so badly desired, the Champions League being secured on penalties in May.

Then came the Abu Dhabi ownership of Manchester City, which saw the perennial underdogs finally depose arch-rivals United as league champions on goal difference, and quite rightly so, given the hundreds of millions of pounds it had taken them to reach their goal. This season, they’ll look to make their mark on the Champions League, and with talents like David Silva, Sergio Aguero and the one-man entertainment that is Mario Balotelli, could be England’s best hope. Similar money-projects are currently unfolding in the unpronounceable Anzhi Makhachkala, in Abramovich’s very own Russia, with Cameroonian star Samuel Eto’o the biggest name over there, whilst Spanish minnows Malaga enter this year’s Champions League, thanks mostly to a nice big Qatari injection of cash.

Qatar are also the reason for the prominence of French capital club, Paris Saint-Germain. They were a massive club, the second-most supported club in France, a host of league titles, cup wins, but for a few years had been floundering, at times flirting with relegation. Then came the money. The Qatar Investment Group took control of the club fully this year, but weighed in to support them last summer, purchasing Argentine Javier Pastore from Palermo for a cool €40million, shattering the club and Ligue Un transfer record, and signalling intent. Intent from the club that they were to become France’s no.1 club, and win the prize every club in Europe has their eyes on, the Champions League.

More players who had lots of European experience were acquired, Italian Thiago Motta, ex-Barca and Inter, and Momo Sissoko, formerly of Liverpool and Juve, beefed up centre midfield. Jeremy Ménez of Roma, returned to his homeland and promptly made the France XI in the Euro’s, Barca backup man Maxwell joined in January, along with fellow Brazilian Alex from Chelsea. Some may be the utility men, the ones not quite good enough to make some of Europe’s top teams, first XI’s, but they carry with them quality and experience of what it takes to win trophies, simply by being amongst the top squadsof their former employers. Plus, this summer PSG aren’t aiming for the best substitutes in the world, they’re aiming to sign some of the world’s best players.

This summer has seen the club aim big. As a part of Napoli’s famed trident of attacking talent, Ezequiel Lavezzi, was linked with huge moves to Chelsea, maybe even AC Milan. PSG snapped him up for a casual €24million, the first major deal of the summer transfer window, and a signal they mean business. Then came the first Thiago Silva strand. One day a record breaking deal for a defender would be on, the next it was off. Speculation was finally put to bed when he signed a lucrative, new 5-year deal to stay at Milan till 2017. Even as recent as two days ago, the humongous Brazilian centre-back had stated his desire to stay at Milan for a ‘very long time’. How things change.

AC owner Silvio Berlusconi, a controversial man for a number of reasons at the best of times, confirmed that a bid of around €65million had been accepted for Silva and teammate, the cult hero Zlatan Ibrahimovic. He reckoned the club would save €150m with their departure (wages mostly), money that could be ploughed back into the club’s next wave of youth. Still, for a club to sell their two most prized assets in one swoop, is unprecedented. A sign of PSG’s true wealth and growing power, or a Milan in transition?

Without a doubt, the capital club are favourites for the domestic Ligue Un title, having only narrowly missed out by three points to first time title winners Montpellier, the fairytale of the year. They’ve lost top scorer Olivier Giroud to Arsenal, and have the burden of a Champions League campaign to deal with, so it’ll be difficult for them to repeat such an amazing feat again. 3rd placed Lille have finally lost star man Eden Hazard, the Belgian also moving to England with Chelsea, although they often find rough gems to replace the departing stars. Former dominant sides Lyon and Marseille have fallen from grace, dropping into the Europa League for the first time in years, so on paper it looks like it’s PSG’s to lose! But then France has had such an open top league for a few years now, you never really know.

A PSG title, would close the league up for years of domination, as there is noone that’ll be able to compete in terms of wealth. A positive for France, is that they may gain a Champions League winner for the first time in 20 years, and the capital could finally have a club with something to match the attractions of the city, a team amongst the best in the world, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic as its leader. What a sight that would be.

Euro 2012: Group D: England vs France vs Sweden vs Ukraine

Group D

So, finally, Group D and co-hosts Ukraine will be wanting to put up a decent fight against their established opponents, the rejuvenated France, a new-secure England and the Scandinavian Sweden. Again, we have a potentially open group, England and France play each other to start, meaning the loser will have to re-organisze and come back strong, hard in tournament football with the initial onslaught of 3 games in 8 days pretty tough.

Ukraine

The Ukrainians have had their own fair share of problems, both racial and construction-wise, but they’ll be looking forward to finally kicking off against Sweden on Monday night, after years in wait. It’s a shame they didn’t get the rights the host the tournament within the last decade, when star striker Andriy Shevchenko was one of the world’s best strikers, becoming an AC Milan legend in the process. Whilst ‘Sheva’ was a great player back then, now, at the age of 35, his career is slowly petering out, and he’s let it known that this will be his last few appearances for the national side. His return of 6 goals in 22 games for hometown club Dynamo Kiev, shows the effects recent long-term injuries have had on him, but at least he gets to go out on home soil, in occasions he must be relishing! Bayern’s Anatoliy Tymoshuchuk is the only other recognisable name, in a transitional squad, with nowhere near the squad unity or quality to match the side that reached the quarter-finals of the 2006 World Cup.

However, it’s not all doom and gloom. Young Russian-born Andiy Yarmolenko will be looking to assert himself on the side, as he looks to step into the outgoing ‘Sheva’s shoes from July onwards. He’s been effective at teammate Shevchenko’s club Kiev, scoring 12 in 20 games, but for any success to occur they’ll need a combination of the experience and the youth, with manager , ex-hardman Oleg Blokhin, back for his second spell, after the first came with the culmination of the successful World Cup campaign.

England

England should literally have no chance. A string of injuries have crippled the side so much, that 6 (SIX) of the poor Liverpool side this season have been shoring up the team, a couple deserve to be there on merit (captain Steven Gerrard, and, to an extent, Andy Carroll), whilst some are bizarre choices (Martin Kelly, Stewart Downing, I’m looking at YOU). Manager Roy Hodgson, announced just over a month ago as England boss, has a colossal challenge on hand, but his pair of tight 1-0 victories against a couple of Euro-pretenders (Norway and Belgium) were promising. England were a solid defensive unit, for the first time in a while, despite injuries to, most likely, first choice right-back Kyle Walker, and the controversial John Terry’s preferred partner, club mate Gary Cahill. In my personal opinion, I don’t think Terry should be anywhere near the squad, instead preferring Rio Ferdinand, as both a player and a man. With an upcoming courtcase over the alleged racial slurs to Ferdianand’s brother Anton, the last thing England need is to carry such a player, and Terry isn’t all what he used to be anyway.

Despite what we think, England DO possess strong attacking talent, of all shapes and size. Ashley Young has just come off the back of a mixed season for Manchester United, but his England form remains, being the bright spark in the friendly double. Sure the talismanic Wayne Rooney is out of the first two group games, due to a stupid red card back in Montenegro, but quick, speedy Danny Welbeck and the similarly talented super-sub, Jermain Defoe will be able replacements, along with the target man Andy Carroll, who’s late-season form has seen him spring rivals like Peter Crouch and nab the place in the squad. New captain Steven Gerrard and former captain Scott Parker, provide the defensive shield, that will be needed to overcome the likes of Ibrahimovic, Benzema and Ribery, but we’ve got a good chance of getting out the group.

It may not be pretty, but should Hodgson even get us out of the group, he should be praised, after being given such a short space of time to turn it around.

Sweden

Sweden are a very constant side, seemingly reaching the summer tournaments, but then struggling to do much. This is mainly due to the lack of players that are able to reach their star man Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who himself has been criticised for not ‘turning up’ in big games. Seb Larsson and PSV’s Ola Toivonen are both decent players, but nowhere near their karate expert forward’s standard, although their delivery will come in handy for Zlatan to convert any chances they can muster up. Veteran Olof Mellberg, he of the caveman beard, will be looking to shore up a defence that has been the trademark for the team for so long.

Chances are they will be hoovering up on any scraps that the leading two, France and England, leave behind, putting the pressure on the losers of the opener, and giving a tough game to both. As England’s bogey team, we haven’t beaten them competitively EVER, they’ll look to jump on history and surprise Europe, but not necessarily us, and sneak through to the Quarters.

France

France and Italy have faced similar renovation jobs since disastrous World Cup campaigns just two years ago. Both finished bottom of their respective groups, mustering up just one point each, against the footballing giants of New Zealand and South Africa. France were in considerably dire straights, with a full-on player revolt against hapless coach Raymond Domenech, there was going to be none of that when new man Laurent Blanc came in, and promptly dropped all 23 players from the squad. Some returned (Malouda, Evra and Ribery), some retired (Gallas, Henry and Anelka), whilst new men were blooded into the team. Yann M’Vila, Newcastle’s Yohan Cabaye and Adil Rami all made their debuts against Norway in Blanc’s first game, and have all stayed, cementing a strong spine to a squad currently on a 21-match unbeaten run. Karim Benzema is one of the leading charges upfront, after a good season at Madrid, where he has complimented the pure goal machine that is Cristiano Ronaldo, with plenty of goals and assists, looking to carry over his club form for his nation.

They’ll be tough opponents, and could, feasibly, with a bit of luck go all the way. They’ve gone unnoticed in guides like this, no-one really fancying them, but if they overcome the Quarters, then in a one-off game against Germany or Holland, they could give it a good go.

So…

I can only really see France and England escaping from Group D. Ukraine, on paper, seem to be a nothing side, but will their team spirit and unity see them spring a shock? Sweden, have more quality peppered throughout the side, but it ultimately depends on whether the big man Zlatan Ibrahimovic, will receive the service he requires to lead them to victory. England have  new defensive qualities, that haven’t been so for a long while, Hodgson will do well to get any further than the quarter-finals, but that should be deemed an achievement, given he’s only had the squad for 3 weeks. France, seem to have banished the demons of the last World Cup, and look like the outsiders who have a realistic go at reaching the final, they have a mass amount of talent in midfield, which should safely see them through the group.

Transfer Deadline Day Report

Well it’s the 1st of September, which means it’s the end of the transfer window! Over the years what used to be a non-event, is now a ‘transfer extravaganza’, in which the papers, radio and TV- especially Sky Sports News- scatter their reporters up and down the country to try and be first to the huge exclusive.

Many windows have often failed to live upto the hype in the past, however, with one of the former champions Arsenal in a crisis, and the likes of QPR, Stoke City and Blackburn all threatening to splash the cash, would this window be any different?

The first place to start, then, has to be Arsenal. After the humiliation of being thrashed 8-2, by once near rivals Manchester United on the Sunday before, Arsene Wenger was under massive pressure to spend money to stay in a job. And, unsurprisingly, spend he did. Mikel Arteta, Andre Santos, Per Mertesacker, Yossi Benayoun and Park Chu-Young all costing in excess of £29million. It’s a serious statement of intent from Wenger, and will reassure many worried supporters. A lot is expected of Mertesacker and Arteta in particular, as they are in positions Arsenal are particularly lacking. Mertesacker, will slot in as a part of a defence which has been lacking a leader, becoming Thomas Vermalen’s partner, whilst Arteta will look to bridge the creative hole in the team, left by Cesc Fabregas’ departure to Barcelona. The Gunner’s now hope to push on and turn their appalling start to the season around.

The next biggest movers on ‘Deadline Day’ were Stoke City, ploughing £20million worth of transfers into their team. Peter Crouch and Wilson Palacios led a mass exodus from Spurs (more on that later), whilst Cameron Jerome joined from recently relegated Birmingham City. It was a strong end to the summer by Stoke, who’d backed their squad up defensively with the free transfers of Jonathan Woodgate and Matthew Upson, both England internationals. The squad, is now brimming with talent, and good times look likely for City, especially as they enter Europe for the first time in 37 years. A cup final, or perhaps the Carling Cup, and a top 7 finish must be the targets for Tony Pulis’ men.

Tottenham always play some sort of role on Deadline Day, however, the surprise this year was the amount of exits made from White Hart Lane, five yesterday alone. Palacios and Crouch, David Bentley to West Ham and Alan Hutton and Jermaine Jenas both moving to Aston Villa. The sole purchase was England midfielder Scott Parker, finally making the move that had become the most protracted of the summer. All in all, not a bad day for Spurs, the wage bill will have gone down as many ‘squad members’ have now left the club, whilst their number one target has arrived, good stuff from Harry Redknapp once again.

Relegation threatened QPR and Blackburn Rovers, both utilised wealthy owners to sign up some much needed Premier League experience. Rovers purchased Yakubu from Everton, and widely sought after defender Scott Dann from Birmingham City, both look to re-invigorate a struggling side, who need a bit of support. QPR, also signed two experienced players, in Shaun Wright-Phillips and Anton Ferdinand, both of whom who know exactly what to do in this division. With a rumoured £6million for both players combined, it seems Neil Warnock has bagged a bargain.

The three remaining ‘big name’ transfers of the window were: Craig Bellamy to Liverpool, Raul Meireles to Chelsea and Owen Hargreaves to Man City.

Bellamy, 32, returns to Liverpool, having not played a massive amount of football since his depature from Anfield 4 years ago. However, he’ll look to prove a point to City boss Roberton Mancini, who has left him in the cold the last couple of seasons. He will be back-up to Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll, but will still play an important part for the Reds, as they look to return to the top four and the Champions League.

Meireles, after a brief season at Liverpool, moves to Chelsea for £12million, to bolster a very attacking midfield. Liverpool themselves have a lot more options, so it’s not a surprise Meireles has been sacrificed, as he wants ‘first-team football’. Andre-Villas Boas now has moulded the squad into his own, and will look to push on and challenge City and United for the title.

Hargreaves to City is perhaps the most peculiar. He’d been linked with all manner of clubs all summer, but the injury-plagued midfielder eventually joined mega-rich Man City. On his day, Hargreaves is a fantastic holding midfielder, as shown for England back in the 2006 World Cup, but the question is whether his long-running problems will hold off, and then will he even fit into an already bulding squad?

All in all, then, a satisfying summer of transfers, and the major work, the football, can begin with a number of questions to be answered. Will Arsenal return as a major force? Will QPR and Blackburn stave off relegation? Will Spurs’ small squad be able to cope with the demands of both the Premier and Europa League’s? Only time will tell!