Digging Through The Rumor Mill

As we get closer to the start of the season, the transfer gossip is starting to heat up and it's time to start evaluating the implications of the rumors credible enough to make it onto the Rivals.com Transfer Gossip wire. Time permitting, I'll do this every day they publish new rumors (usually Mon-Fri) so check back. Heck, I may even add a few of my own in as I have the occasional conversation with a player agent...

So here are my comments on the Rumor Mill for Friday July 14 (and a Happy Bastille Day to those of you still suffering from the happenings in Berlin).

EXPECT CHELSKI TO SIGN BOTH COLE AND CARLOS - Leave it to Chelsea to mess up a potentially great fantasy situation by signing two left backs. I'd actually be surprised to learn that there was much truth to this one - not because Chelsea can't afford both but because if there's a gap at left back in Madrid and Ashley Cole is available, I'm guessing that he'd be their target. Arsenal would be much more likely to sell AC to Real Madrid even if it meant a little lower price. Verdict: If Chelsea signs one of the two, he's a no-brainer, if they sign two, then good luck not pulling out your hair trying to figure out which one to buy.

RUUD GETS REAL - The core of the rumor (Ruud to Real Madrid) is sort of boring and irrelevant but it is funny to see someone trying to report that both Ruud and Ronaldo want to go to the same place. Who thinks that's a good idea/likely to happen after their tempestous relationship at ManYoo? Verdict: Ruud goes, Ronaldo stays (or goes somewhere else) - ManYoo suffers (good times all the way around).

RICHARDS FOR SPURS - Is he really worth THAT much? I know they're desperate but this smacks of the same sort of gauging that teams with a central midfielder tried to pull on Arsenal last summer. That said, Spurs are likely to have a solid defense next season and if Richards goes there and plays, he could be a nice, cheap option for fantasy managers. Verdict - Could be this year's Dawson and if he plays on the right he could get some successful crosses as well.

POMPEY'S LATEST DUO - Pompey rumors are a dime-a-dozen this off-season but I like the Nelsen rumor. He's quietly one of the excellent central defenders in the Premiership and if Pompey are looking to spend wisely (always in question w/ 'arry) this guy would be a GREAT investment. Verdict - Given that it makes sense, it probably won't happen. If it does, it's good for Pompey but hurts Nelsen's fantasy value because Pompey won't get as many CSs even with him.

BOLTON SET TO WASTE MONEY - Traoré? I guess he'd be OK cover. Anelka would be an interesting fit at Bolton - not sure what to make of Wanderers with someone capable of putting the ball in the net. Verdict - Anelka is always a nice fantasy option but who knows how a couple years away from the Prem will impact his quality, I'd wait and see.

DIARRA BACK ON THE AGENDA - Diarra to ManYoo? I'll believe it when I see it. Much more likely to see a combination of Carrick and Hargreaves (which would be a nice central midfield behind Rooney and Saha) lining up at OT next month. Verdict - not terribly likely and even if it does happen, I expect Diarra to be the fantasy equivalent of Michael Essien. Good player, but not much fantasy value.

Let the countdown begin - only 36 shopping days left until kickoff...