Continuing with the transfer sagas. Here goes the next part.
1. Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Barcelona, Real Madrid:
This is funny one. Ibrahimovic has been touted by his coach (Jose Mourinho, who else) as the world’s best player. Yeah, right. There is no doubting his talent. He is quick, strong in the air, can score outrageous goals but is still a big game bottler. He hardly turns up for Inter’s big European games. Against United, he was simply outclassed by Vidic and Rio.
His club president says he is worth some 60 million euros. Honestly, for someone who has never contributed in Europe, he is not worth that much. But it seems Barcelona and Madrid are both interested in his signature. Madrid I can understand. They are interested in all the big players. I honestly can’t understand Barcelona going for him unless they dispose of Samuel Eto, which I think would be a big mistake. He no doubt would fare well in the La Liga but I think Madrid is where he will land up.
Likely Outcome: Won’t leave
2. Cesc Fabregas and Barcelona, Real Madrid:
I hope Cesc leaves. He is my favorite player in the Arsenal side. And at Arsenal, he is not going to win anything unless Wenger gives up his project and injects some much needed experience into the side.
Cesc is a true delight to watch. He is not physically the biggest but as a passer of the ball, there is only Xavi and Iniesta for company. He reminds me of Paul Scholes in his younger days - someone who would play simple one-touch and then make the run into the box. And he is still young, just 21. He has a long way to go. I have this fantasy of seeing him at United but that will remain a fantasy only.
He is a Barcelona youth product. Wenger poached him from there and turned him into the superb midfielder that he is. But he still remains a cule by birth. Unless Arsenal beef up in the summer, he is potentially staring at another season without anything. Arsenal play really pretty football but there is no end product. Cesc is their captain and driving force but I think he should realize that this current Wenger project won’t take him anywhere. On the other hand he does have age on his side. So he can wait for another season or two.
In case he does move, then it will always be Barcelona. To go to Madrid would be a betrayal and he would never do so.
Likely Outcome: Won’t go, atleast not this season.
3. Xabi Alonso and Real Madrid:
He has been for me Liverpool’s player of the season. He and Mascherano. Without these two playing ahead of the back four, I don’t think Gerrard, Kuyt and Riera would have got so much freedom to move ahead. He has an incredible passing range and a good shot.
Last season he was almost sold to Juventus. But then Aston Villa did not give up on Barry and so Liverpool were stuck with Xabi. But he has put in a wonderful performance this season and now Benitez is saying that he is going nowhere. If he does go, then it is to Madrid. Some reports say a £25 million deal has been sealed but I doubt it.
If he leaves then Liverpool have to find someone to replace him. And at present there is no one like him who is available. Even Gareth Barry can’t replace him (he might sign up for Manchester City).
Likely Outcome: Won’t go.
4. David Villa and Real Madrid, Chelsea, Liverpool, Barcelona:
He is an exceptional striker. Not a poacher but he does have his fair share of poached goals as well. He is fast and has an exceptional touch and vision. He has consistently hit the 20 goal mark in La Liga and is pretty good in Europe as well.
The financial crisis at Valencia is very well documented. They are a club who are direly in need of finances to keep them functioning. Hence, it is natural that other clubs will circle around like vultures. Their prize jewels are Villa, Silva, and defender Albiol. Also, Valencia have not qualified for the Champions League.
Villa himself has denied that he wants a move away from the Mestalla. But Valencia may have to cash on him now and I think he should move. He won’t be winning much there. As again, Madrid are interested. Barcelona have shown fleeting interest. Chelsea have courted him for 2 seasons as Abramovich thinks he is the kind of player who will add flair to them. Liverpool are also a shoe-in as Benitez might just try and replicate the Torres and Villa partnership at the club level. But again, Liverpool playing with two strikers is very rare.
Likely Outcome: Will go. Valencia will cash-in. Most likely destination is Chelsea or Madrid.
More to come later. And as I post this, it appears Manchester City have completed the signing of Gareth Barry from Aston Villa for £12 million. Nevertheless, City won’t be burning up the Premier League. Another mid-table finish for the Citizens.
1. Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Barcelona, Real Madrid:
This is funny one. Ibrahimovic has been touted by his coach (Jose Mourinho, who else) as the world’s best player. Yeah, right. There is no doubting his talent. He is quick, strong in the air, can score outrageous goals but is still a big game bottler. He hardly turns up for Inter’s big European games. Against United, he was simply outclassed by Vidic and Rio.
His club president says he is worth some 60 million euros. Honestly, for someone who has never contributed in Europe, he is not worth that much. But it seems Barcelona and Madrid are both interested in his signature. Madrid I can understand. They are interested in all the big players. I honestly can’t understand Barcelona going for him unless they dispose of Samuel Eto, which I think would be a big mistake. He no doubt would fare well in the La Liga but I think Madrid is where he will land up.
Likely Outcome: Won’t leave
2. Cesc Fabregas and Barcelona, Real Madrid:
I hope Cesc leaves. He is my favorite player in the Arsenal side. And at Arsenal, he is not going to win anything unless Wenger gives up his project and injects some much needed experience into the side.
Cesc is a true delight to watch. He is not physically the biggest but as a passer of the ball, there is only Xavi and Iniesta for company. He reminds me of Paul Scholes in his younger days - someone who would play simple one-touch and then make the run into the box. And he is still young, just 21. He has a long way to go. I have this fantasy of seeing him at United but that will remain a fantasy only.
He is a Barcelona youth product. Wenger poached him from there and turned him into the superb midfielder that he is. But he still remains a cule by birth. Unless Arsenal beef up in the summer, he is potentially staring at another season without anything. Arsenal play really pretty football but there is no end product. Cesc is their captain and driving force but I think he should realize that this current Wenger project won’t take him anywhere. On the other hand he does have age on his side. So he can wait for another season or two.
In case he does move, then it will always be Barcelona. To go to Madrid would be a betrayal and he would never do so.
Likely Outcome: Won’t go, atleast not this season.
3. Xabi Alonso and Real Madrid:
He has been for me Liverpool’s player of the season. He and Mascherano. Without these two playing ahead of the back four, I don’t think Gerrard, Kuyt and Riera would have got so much freedom to move ahead. He has an incredible passing range and a good shot.
Last season he was almost sold to Juventus. But then Aston Villa did not give up on Barry and so Liverpool were stuck with Xabi. But he has put in a wonderful performance this season and now Benitez is saying that he is going nowhere. If he does go, then it is to Madrid. Some reports say a £25 million deal has been sealed but I doubt it.
If he leaves then Liverpool have to find someone to replace him. And at present there is no one like him who is available. Even Gareth Barry can’t replace him (he might sign up for Manchester City).
Likely Outcome: Won’t go.
4. David Villa and Real Madrid, Chelsea, Liverpool, Barcelona:
He is an exceptional striker. Not a poacher but he does have his fair share of poached goals as well. He is fast and has an exceptional touch and vision. He has consistently hit the 20 goal mark in La Liga and is pretty good in Europe as well.
The financial crisis at Valencia is very well documented. They are a club who are direly in need of finances to keep them functioning. Hence, it is natural that other clubs will circle around like vultures. Their prize jewels are Villa, Silva, and defender Albiol. Also, Valencia have not qualified for the Champions League.
Villa himself has denied that he wants a move away from the Mestalla. But Valencia may have to cash on him now and I think he should move. He won’t be winning much there. As again, Madrid are interested. Barcelona have shown fleeting interest. Chelsea have courted him for 2 seasons as Abramovich thinks he is the kind of player who will add flair to them. Liverpool are also a shoe-in as Benitez might just try and replicate the Torres and Villa partnership at the club level. But again, Liverpool playing with two strikers is very rare.
Likely Outcome: Will go. Valencia will cash-in. Most likely destination is Chelsea or Madrid.
More to come later. And as I post this, it appears Manchester City have completed the signing of Gareth Barry from Aston Villa for £12 million. Nevertheless, City won’t be burning up the Premier League. Another mid-table finish for the Citizens.
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