Join me as I check in with what has been happening in and around the English Premier League over the last week.
Elano seals Gala switch
Bojinov set for Parma move
Two less bodies to choose from.
Petrov fitness a worry for Villa
This could be a chance for Steve Sidwell, at a bargain 4.88, albeit with only the single game in week one.Aston Villa are sweating over the fitness of their Player Of The Year Stiliyan Petrov who suffered a dislocated shoulder during the Peace Cup clash with Atlante...
The midlands club expect to find out in the next 48 hours the extent of Petrov's setback and O'Neill told Aston Villa TV: "Stiliyan dislocated his shoulder and our doctor put it back in immediately."
He added: "He is feeling a little better but we don't know just at this moment how much damage he has done. It was obviously the low point of the night.
"But we don't know the extent of the problem. We will find out over the next couple of days to see how it settles down. We just don't know. But it is a concern to us."
Countdown: Sunderland
Looking at that team... I just don't know. They certainly have the potential to be safe this season. And there are enough clubs with less that they could be comfortably mid-table. But they are going to have to be much more solid at the back because they won't get much defensive help from the midfield, other than Cana who will take the customary time to settle. And up front they'll need Jones to stay healthy and gel with Campbell (or whomever ends up in that spot). I remember reading that KJ and Cisse hardly spoke to each other and in one particular match only passed to each other twice. Campbell has potential (and is CHEAP at 4.16) and if they can form a partnership they can take advantage of what BFAReid, KRich and Steed can create. And everything I just wrote about Campbell, apply to Bent. Save for the price tag, which to be honest is the best part.
Speaking of Bent, I can't believe Marcus Bent is back in the Premier League. I don't even think he makes the Darren Huckerby All-Stars of guys who are "too good for the Championship but not good enough for the Premier League".
Finnan signs for Portsmouth
Finallly, some traffic in, rather than out, down on the south coast. Finnan was a great pick back in the day, but Portsmouth seem a team in crisis. Now they've replaced Liverpool and England's right back of the future with Liverpool and Ireland's right back of the past. He still may be a good bet but a lot will hinge on his fantasy price tag.
Kightly concern for Wolves
Kightly was Neal's double-secret pick heading into the new season, but it looks like he'll have to wait a few weeks.Wolves winger Michael Kightly is unlikely to be fit for the start of the Premier League season.
Kightly is edging closer to full fitness following a serious of niggling injuries but he is not expected to be risked when the new campaign kicks off.
And speaking of Wolves...
No say for Wolves on Milijas call-up
Milijas is my not-so-secret pick for the season and to my delight has been playing "in the hole" behind a lone striker in pre-season. Hopefully national team commitments won't derail his Premier League debut, but that remains to be seen. Indeed, that will be something to watch for a host of players in the next week or so.
Ligament woe for Boa Morte
I can't imagine that the Feather Necklace of Death would have played that large of a role in West Ham's season with Jimenez coming in and Collison returning from injury.
Redknapp hails new boy Naughton
He played in midfield, but I can't imagine he'll do so with Lennon, Bentley (for now) and possibly Robbie Keane in front of him in the pecking order. And with THud filling in at central defender he may even be behind Corluka at right back. But THud's redeployment may be as much of a red herring as Naughton's.
Left-back worry for Blues boss
Not that you are looking to Birmingham's defence any way.
Valencia earns Ferguson praise after scoring on debut
Is Valencia the forgotten man of this off-season? He's priced between the premium guys and the newbies but he averged 7.55/game last season at Wigan for God's sake. He wasn't even taking kicks! Surely that will only increase with regular playing time at ManU. I think we're all looking at the newbie midfielders for the best price-to-return opportunities as there are no must-have new strikers... yet.
Arbeloa passes medical, set to join Real Madrid
Sad to see him go. More importantly on the other side of the field is Insua's likely ascension to the starting left back role. At least until Aurellio comes back from his latest injury - which could be two to six months, depending on whom you read - and Dossena's transfer to Napoli - which may or may not be edging closer, depending on whom you read.
