Zhirkov 'a Chelsea player'
Chelsea sign Russian winger Zhirkov
Zhirkov is a realy quality player, but I'm not sure I understand this signing. Neal seems to think that there was already a deal in place and given Chelsea's Russian ties, it makes sense. But Florent Malouda and Ashley Cole finally started clicking on the left-hand side for Chelsea and you wouldn't think it worthwhile to break that up. The only thing I can think of is that FloMa moves infield as a second striker and Zhirkov plays out wide. Now if he's also listed as a defender in the fantasy game... +10 for sure!
Foster inks new Man Utd deal
Now the only question is where will Ben Foster play this season on loan? Hopefully it's a half-decent Premier League side though most teams seems to be settled at keeper. Maybe Portsmouth tries to cash in on James and gets Foster on loan for a season until their ownership situation is settled. And speaking of loan signings...
Jo set for Everton deal
Seems good business for all involved. Well, if you don't count the 18million that Citeh paid to CSKA Moscow. That looks like a bit of a waste now, doesn't it? But clearly Hughes doesn't rate Jo, despite his good form at Everton. On the other hand, Moyes gets to keep a player who flourished in his system (at least at Goodison Park) and hopefully will get to play him in tandem with Yakubu. After all, Jo only looked an 18million player when partnered with Wagner Love.
Fiorentina ponder Melo swap
Felipe Melo for Emmanuel Eboue? For most Arsenal fans, I think this falls into the category of "I'll drive him to the airport!". But what is it with Wenger and Brazilian holding players? First Silva, then Denilson and now Melo? It's like going to France for the beer. Or Italy for the hamburgers.
United favourites to bag Obertan
Obertan on brink of Man Utd move
French ace set for United
Another for the future, or with Cristiano Ronaldo gone, on for the here and now? Tosic, Nani, Park and possibly Rooney akready give SAF options on the wing. But none have the experience or the game-changing skills that United will need next season. None, save for Rooney and I'm thinking that it is less and less likely that he'll be deployed through the middle. Perhaps a front three of Rooney, Berbatov and Samuel Eto'o trying to replicate Eto'o's Barcelona from this season just past?
Martin makes Ipswich switch
Not Premier League, but with an opening like this... "Ipswich manager Roy Keane has raided former club Manchester United to sign winger Lee Martin for an undisclosed fee."... I couldn't resist an "who could have seen THAT coming? Next thing you know he'll sign a former Ireland teamate! Sheesh!
And the big news of the week, which at this point seems so long ago:
Owen completes surprise Man Utd move
Owen completes stunning Manchester United move
Let's break it down, blog roundtable style.
[09:31] Neal J Thurman: Mikey Owen as the new Ole?
[09:31] Neal J Thurman: 3rd striker behind Roonaldo and Berbs?
[09:31] JSpitzberg: that the latest rumour?
[09:31] Neal J Thurman: y
[09:32] JSpitzberg: interesting
[09:32] JSpitzberg: still don't like it
[09:32] JSpitzberg: but interesting
[09:32] JSpitzberg: why spend all that money on him
[09:32] Neal J Thurman: apparently the odds have moved from 20/1 to 7/4 in the last day or so
[09:32] JSpitzberg: when you have a bunch of young guys you can use as impact subs?
[09:33] Neal J Thurman: not ready for big stage, etc.
[09:33] JSpitzberg: and give them the experience you can capitalize on in the future
[09:33] Neal J Thurman: same reason you don't want to have to count on Bendtner at ARS or Di Santo at CHE
[09:34] Neal J Thurman: he actually seems like the perfect solution for them - no transfer fee, probably not crazy wages, can limit his minutes and play younger guys to "keep him fresh"
[09:34] JSpitzberg: is he free?
[09:34] Neal J Thurman: y
[09:34] JSpitzberg: out of contract?
[09:34] Neal J Thurman: y
[09:35] JSpitzberg: can cover attacking mid too
[09:35] JSpitzberg: still not convinced it's money well spent
[09:35] JSpitzberg: but can't argue w/ it on football terms
[09:36] Neal J Thurman: guess it comes down to the salary he wants and the opportunity cost of that money - not sure what their options are at this point
[09:36] Neal J Thurman: save money for midfielders, i guess
[09:37] JSpitzberg: waiting for the madrid fire sale
[09:37] Neal J Thurman: bring Ruud back
[09:37] JSpitzberg: if you want someone old and past it that can give you a spark...
[09:37] JSpitzberg: why not robben?
[09:37] Neal J Thurman: why not both :-)
[09:37] JSpitzberg: ha
[09:37] JSpitzberg: sure
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