And It Begins

Originally posted by Neal Thurman.

Now that the Premier League season is over I know the media will start doing two things (OK, three things but I don't want to focus on the legal battle over whether the Hammers should or shouldn't stay up):  1) they're going to print a ton of transfer gossip; and 2) they're going to rail against the proliferation of transfer rumors as they drag on and get repetivite. 

I know there are plenty in the media who scoff at some of the rumors that are clearly fanciful but I have to admit that the summer is my favorite part of any campaign.  Supporters of all teams are excited by the possibilities of the youngster purchased from the lower divisions or the exotic foreigner.  Certainly we, as fantasy managers, can start pondering the possibilities of new entrants into the league as we look to find some cheap players that will allow us to purchase Cristiano Ronaldo for the first weekend of next season without having to give up on production from elsewhere in the line-up.

So, since the window isn't quite open yet (although the confirmations of the first deals have started to come through the wires) I'm going to kick off the silly season with a few thoughts on things that SHOULD happen.  We'll get to some analysis of the value of the things that DO happen once they actually start happening.

1) Carlito to Chelsea - defenders would have nightmares for weeks before having to face Tevez and Drogba and THINK of the space that Lamps would have behind those two.

2) Berbatov to ManYoo - perfect craft to balance the speed and explosion of Rooney and Ronaldo.

3) Sidwell for Villa - Sounds like NUFC or Chelsea will be the spot but Petrov never really clicked and there is a TON of talent for Sid to orchestrate between Carew, Agbonlahor, Moore, Ashley Young, and Gareth Barry.  THAT would be fun to watch.

5) Wingers for Arsenal - the only guy who made a difference out wide for the Gunners was Eboue and he is a rotten fullback so unless he is moved up to right midfield, Arsenal need wide players who actually want to play wide - enter Ribery (right) and Babel (left).  Mr. Rosicky and Mr. Hleb please don't let the door hit you on the way out.

6) Kewell and Huntelaar for Spurs - an risk but also a potential answer on the left side for a team that has struggled getting the ball in from that side and a replacement for Berbatov who would be a nice complement to whichever of Keane or Defoe remains (presumably Keane) after Berbs leaves.

7) Someone with Flair for Bolton - with Big Sam gone, hopefully Bolton will change up the formula a little bit and add someone to the mix that can combine with Nicky Anelka to make them watchable.

8) McCarthy and MGP for Rovers and Arteta for Everton - both clubs need to find one or two more players to make a real challenge for the 4th Champions League spot but job number one for both will be keeping their own players who had stellar campaigns sure to attract higher profile interest in England and abroad.  More likely, Arteta heads back to Spain, Pedersen heads to Manchester United and McCarthy heads to either Chelsea or Liverpool.

9) Parker for Reading - with Sidwell on his way out there's a HUGE hole in the middle of the park for the Royals and if Sidwell is going to supplant Parker at Newcastle maybe Parker is the man to replace him and keep the Royals engine moving in their second year in the Premier League.

10) Health for Owen - who knows where he'll end up (don't bet on him being a Red Devil anytime soon - if Saha is too much of an injury risk then how could they justify Owen who hasn't been healthy in a few years?).  If I had to throw out a prediction, I'd guess he'll end up staying at Newcastle for one more season and if healthy and productive, he'll move on to greener pastures.

Anyway, here's to the beginning of the rumor mill - may it be prolific and keep us interested until August.