by Steven S
As expected clubs and agents have geared themselves toward a manic final two weeks of the transfer window. Where once Twitter became THE source of football nonsense now the transfers are coming thick and fast and we can’t move the buggers.
Tottenham Hotspur have finally sparked into action finding a solution to an Adebayor saga that seemed dead in the water after all of his finance issues with City. He is now apparently earning around £100k a week under the terms of his new contract, buffered by a considerably large signing on fee and generous payoff from City.
He is a striker that has become remembered more for his transfers in England rather than what he can do on the pitch and this is something of a last chance to create any sort of cult status with a club. That is of course if he cares about that at all. He does contribute a lot of money to charities in Togo and if cutting a deal such as this continues to help that cause, then at least the vast sums of money in football are being put to some lasting use.
Whilst the red half of North London has been sorting its annual summer sale, Spurs, always eager to keep up with their neighbours, have joined in the clearout. In the space of a week they almost shipped out Huddlestone to Stoke, Bassong has joined Norwich, whilst Dawson is very close to joining QPR and Van der Vaart is being heavily linked with a transfer to Hamburg. The loss of Bassong was expected following his loan to Wolves last season but at least two of the other three players were expected to be first team players and Huddlestone viewed as a decent squad player. AVB clearly sees things differently clearing the decks for more of his own men to join, linked heavily with Will.i.an this week.
Sunderland have finally got their man from Wolves with a £12m deal for Steven Fletcher, a price far and above what they will get back from any subsequent sale. Hot on the heels came another double figure transfer as Adam Johnson left Manchester City in search of regular football. Every fan can see the tricks, flicks and ability from the wing but more importantly he has to find a way to integrate into the dynamics of a team. And team work rules under Martin O’Neill so hopefully his skill will not be worked out of him as Joe Cole’s talent was lost under the rigid guidance of Mourinho.
Manchester City started their season last Sunday, coming from behind to win 3-2 at home to Southampton. The Saints should be proud of pushing the champions at home on the first day and will hope to carry that forward for the next few games. Scott Sinclair will be the replacement for Johnson at City , Swansea accepting an improved bid yesterday. Ki Sung-Yueng become the first player from the Scottish Premier not to come from Rangers, joining up with the high flying Swans.
Chelsea sat top of the table Saturday morning following two wins from their opening games, coming from behind midweek to win 4-2 at home to Reading. With Oscar still to settle, Marin injured, Mata and Hazard sparkling, they now welcome Victor Moses who is finally joining the fold following Wigan accepting their £9m bid. 22-year-old Spanish right-back César Azpilicueta also joined from Marseille and almost unnoticed, Josh McEachran joined Middlesbrough on loan.
Everton seem determined to drop their bad starter tag, deservedly taking all three points at home to Man Utd. Before their winning start they also secured the signature of Belgium forward Kevin Mirallas from Olympiacos for around £6m, Moyes finally giving Everton options up front. An interesting stat to come from United’s opening defeat tells us that only twice have a team lost their first game and gone on to win the title. On both occasions that was Fergie although the competition may not have been as tough as it is now. Two more signings at Old Trafford this week; Angelo Henriquez, an 18-year-old striker from Universidad de Chile joining for £3.5m with full back Alexander Buttner transferring from Vitesse Arnhem in a £3.9m deal.
Alex Song’s became another on the Wenger conveyor belt to Barcelona, leaving for a £15m fee that secures a profitable summer for the Gunners, despite the addition of three new players. Matt Jarvis also made his way out of Wolverhampton, arriving at West Ham for a club record £10m and much like his old team mate Fletcher, it may prove hard to get that sort of money back in a few years time. Defensive midfielder Alexander Tettey arrived at Carrow Road on a two year deal likely to be followed by the loan signing of midfielder Lucas Biglia from Anderlecht. Rangers midfielder Maurice Edu agreed terms with Stoke City, the move pending on his medical and obtaining a work permit.
The creation of an under-21 league has been widely backed by every club in the Premiership, the idea being it will help acclimatise young footballers to the bright lights of playing in glare of the home stadium. It is a small tweak from the reserve league that allowed three players over 21 to play in the ‘B’ team and it will be interesting to see if this helps bridge the gap for so many of the young players that never replicate their early form.
Newcastle sent out a much weakened team for their first leg Europa qualifier away to Greek side Atromitos, Ryan Taylor scoring a equaliser for the Toon on half time. Liverpool scraped a 1-0 win away to Hearts in their tie, the goal coming from an Andy Webster deflection into his own net. Nuri Sahin was also confirmed on loan for the season after it had seemed certain he was on his way to Arsenal. The issue appears to have been Arsenals wish for a purchase clause should things work out well, something that Real Madrid were prepared to do at an expense. Martin Skrtel ended speculation about his future by signing a new long-term contract, City now apparently sniffing around David Luiz at Chelsea.
The Blues were not the only busy team in West London this week, QPR appearing close to the signing of Dawson from Tottenham, Carvalho on loan from Madrid and also in talks with Inter Milan goalkeeper Julio Cesar. Big money is being invested into the team on a short term basis, with many of the new additions in their late twenties or older. The longer term strategy has to be built around younger players that can build a side capable of competing in the Premier, which will mean more money having to be spent. Ex-QPR keeper Paddy Kenny showed the fast hands on his mobile that were missing last season, calling the club ‘tin pot’ amongst other things before being fined by Neil Warnock. Fulham lodged a complaint with the Premier League over the comments made by Brendan Rodgers about their interest in Clint Dempsey, although it will most probably end with a slap on the wrist.
Swansea emphatically opened the second weekend of the season with a 3-0 trouncing of West Ham. The goals came from a deflected Rangel cross before Michu took advantage of Collins terrible back pass to poke home for the second. The home team never looked to be in any danger and secured the three points through Danny Grahams stabbed effort midway through the second. Eight goals for and zero against will leave them second in the table by Sunday evening.
High on confidence from their fantastic performance at home to United, Everton raced into a 3-0 lead away to Aston Villa with an early goal from Pienaar. Marouane Fellaini headed a second just after the half hour before Jelavic made it three before half time. El Ahmadi grabbed a consolation for the home team and with no points from their two opening games, it looks like yet another long hard season for Villa.
Robin van Persie repaid Fergie’s decision to leave Rooney on the bench to start with the Dutchman scoring with a trademark half volley, not too dissimilar to the few he scored last term. That was in response to Duff’s first minute opener that silenced the home crowd but once United got up a head of steam in the first half, van Persie, Shinji Kagawa and Rafael blowing away Fulham’s resistance. Their injury problems at the back are still cause for concern as they were decidedly shaky in the games last quarter and lucky not to drop two points as Fulham battled on to a 3-2 defeat. Rooney did make it onto the pitch for the last 30 minutes before picking up an injury that will sideline him for at least a month.
Last week it was a combined 0 to 10 for Norwich and QPR, both victims to horrible opening day defeats in London. Getting some points on the board was crucial for both teams with Norwich striking first through Simeon Jackson heading home from close range. QPR pressed forward forcing debutant Bassong to foul Cisse and concede a penalty 7 minutes later, which was saved by John Ruddy. He was unable to stop Zamora slotting home for the equaliser, leaving the final result at the same scoreline.
Southampton were unable to continue their fine performance from last week at home to Wigan, going down to goals from Di Santo and Kone in the second half. Under a deluge of heavy rain both sides struggled to produce anything of note, Rickie Lambert going closest for the Saints. Goals from Wigan’s Argentine and Ivorian players secured the points for Wigan, who will be determined to get a solid first half of the season under their wing for once.
Tottenham still look like a team in transition sitting in the table with only one point from their first two games. Assou-Ekotto calmed the growing nerves at the Lane with a deflected 25 yarder 16 minutes from time only for West Brom to steal a well deserved point through Clint Morrison’s strike. No doubt Daniel Levy will come into his own over the next week as players will have to come into the club but AVB faces a similar situation to last season, where big changes are taking place quickly and may undermine the team’s progression short term.
In Saturdays late game Chelsea entertained Newcastle bringing back memories of Cisse’s outlandish goal late last season. Once again Mata and Hazard looked in full control of the game with their inter passing, leading to Hazards’ sixth assist in three games sending in Torres through to win a penalty at the expensive of Newcastle new boy Vurnon Anita. Hazard stepped up to slot home the first before an angry Torres – wound up by Phil Dowd’s stupid delivery of a yellow card when Torres was fouled – curled a beauty with the outside of his foot into the top corner. 2-0 it stayed with Newcastle not really offering too much in response in the second half.
Sunderland at home to Reading was cancelled due to torrential in the region, so no chance to see the new boys strut their stuff. Today Stoke take on Arsenal at home and the weekends big game is Man City’s journey up to Anfield straight after. Another week of transfer madness beckons, so for those still praying for some fresh faces to liven up your clubs squad, time is fast running out. If you are still conscious after reading this marathon post, you have fared much better than myself, so without further ado I’m outta here McCartney’s voice. Later.