Rooney back on the agenda as Real eye BIG signings

by Simon Sparrowhawk

Are Real Madrid readying themselves for another assault on the Premier League? It seems so!

Real president Florentino Perez has today confirmed that the Spanish giants are looking to make “two or three big signings” before the start of next season. And if their antics of last summer are anything to go by, the Premier League elite should prepare now.

In recent months Madrid have been linked to a host of stars from England, with Manchester United Wayne Rooney apparently topping their list of targets. A £95m bid has been mooted from the Spanish capital and would test the Old Trafford club’s resolve to keep their star man.

Other targets include Rooney’s United team-mates Patrice Evra and Nemanja Vidic, while Chelsea duo Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole have been strongly linked with moves to Spain. Earlier today there were also noises about a possible bid to hijack Barcelona’s attempts to sign Cesc Fabregas from Arsenal. Fabregas’ Emirates colleague Gael Clichy has been linked to Barcelona today, but Madrid is said to be his preferred destination.

Jose Mourinho has barely got his feet under the desk at the Santiago Bernabeu but it seems he is already showing his desire to make his mark in Madrid.

Who do you expect to end up joining Mourinho at the Bernabeu? Could the former Chelsea boss take the English trio of Rooney, Lampard and Cole? I wouldn’t bet against it!

Head-to-head – United versus Arsenal

by Simon Sparrowhawk

Let’s have a debate. I’m sure this one will be hotly contested. If you could pick a team combining the Manchester United and Arsenal squads, who would make the cut?

Goalkeeper: Edwin van der Sar (Man Utd)

This is simply a no brainer. Despite being in the latter stages of his career the big Dutchman is still one of the top goalkeepers in world football. Known for his concentration and distribution the former Holland number one has stepped into the big shoes of Peter Schmeichel and guided the club to new levels of success. Messrs Almunia and Fabianski are not much competition either. In fact, the substitute would probably be United number two Tomasz Kucsczak.

Right back: Bacary Sagna (Arsenal)

Very close this one. Two years ago France full-back Bacary Sagna would have walked this one, but after his average displays last term he has only made it into the team thanks to the propensity for injuries amongst Rafael Da Silva, Wes Brown and the ageing Gary Neville.

Centre half: Thomas Vermaelen (Arsenal)

There is a great deal of choice in the central defence positions at both United and Arsenal and all have a good argument for selection. Vermaelen had a brilliant season and brought a new steel to the Gunners backline. Not only is he strong in the tackle and surprisingly good in the air, for a relatively small centre-back, but he is a menace at the other end too. A great Arsene Wenger signing!

Centre half: Nemanja Vidic (Man Utd)

This one was a bit of a toss-up between Vidic and Rio Ferdinand. Both had injury problems this season but Vidic managed to play more games and towards the end of the season his form improved dramatically. Also an enormous threat in the opposition penalty area, only a lack of pace stops him being the complete centre-back.

Left back: Patrice Evra (Man Utd)

One word. Legend! Patrice Evra has developed into arguably the best left back in world football. Evra v Ashley Cole would be a very tough one to call but Evra v Gael Clichy is not so tough. Clichy took a step back this season, while Evra only enhanced his reputation. Always ready to support on the attack and never caught out of position at the back, Evra is simply world class.

Right Midfield: Nani (Man Utd)

Almost too close to call. Antonia Valencia or Nani? Valencia had a superb start to the season and took Nani’s place in the side. However, by the season’s end, roles had been reversed. Not that Valencia’s form dipped but the penny finally dropped for Nani, who is now one of the most feared players in the league. A goal threat has emerged in the Portuguese flyer and for that reason he gets the nod.

Centre midfield: Darren Fletcher (Man Utd)

What a player this boy has become, and Arsenal would love to have him. Fletcher has such a good engine and seems to improve with every performance and never lets his manager down. Goals have been added to his game but it is his ability to hassle and hound his opposite number that makes him invaluable.

Centre midfield: Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal)

After a little debate about whether to include the seemingly Barcelona-bound Arsenal captain I have decided that he is still contracted to the Gunners so it would be foolish to exclude him. Fabregas is the Gunners main creator and would do the same job in this side, leaving Fletcher to do the defensive work. His imagination and unerringly accurate passing makes him such a major force in world football.

Left midfield: Andrey Arshavin (Arsenal)

Another tough one as Nani could have been switched to this wing with Valencia taking the right hand side but Arshavin deserves his place. The Russian is a menace with the ball at his feet and would fancy his chances against any full back in the world. Comfortable on either foot the outspoken Gunners forward has an underestimated change of pace and bags his share of goals.

Second striker: Robin Van Persie (Arsenal)

I know he was injured for five months but Van Persie is a brilliant player and the Gunners title aspirations might have come closer to reality if he had stayed fit. The Dutchman began the season in devastating style and will be a good tip for the World Cup Golden Boot if Holland can stay in the competition long enough. A scorer of great goals, and a great goalscorer too, he has the ability to provide touches of genius around the penalty area.

Main striker: Wayne Rooney (Man Utd)

What more can you say about Wayne Rooney? There are few superlatives left to describe England and United’s main man. Rooney has always been irrepressible but this season he moved to a new level. With Ronaldo gone the pressure was on Rooney to score the goals to fire United to a third successive league title and he all but managed it. If injury had not ruled him out of the closing stages then the trophy would still be at Old Trafford. I’m sorry Chelsea fans but it’s true. Sadly for United, Rooney’s ankle injury robbed them of his services at the crucial time.

So there you have it. Feel free to debate my selections and it is only an opinion.

Who do you think should be in or should be out of this side?

Joe Cole race takes a new twist

by Simon Sparrowhawk

It is almost certain now that Joe Cole will leave Chelsea on a free transfer this summer, but where will the England midfielder start next season?

Arsenal, Manchester United, Liverpool, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur have all been linked to the former West Ham wonderkid but his future remains unresolved.

It is testament to Cole’s ability that, despite an injury plagued campaign, he still has a list of big name admirers as long as his arm. And why not? Cole is a unique player. There are very few capable of producing the tricks and flicks Cole can produce on a regular basis, and to such devastating effect too. So when a player like Cole becomes available on a free transfer it comes as no surprise that so many teams have thrown their hats into the ring.

Spurs boss Harry Redknapp appeared to admit defeat in his attempts to lure Cole to White Hart Lane earlier this week as he claimed the midfielder already had a deal agreed elsewhere. Old Harry is such a tease. Come on Harry, who is it?

Just last week reports emerged that Cole was on the brink of signing for Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United. There was no official announcement from either United or Cole and the news seems to have been premature, but Fergie is surely in the race. Over the course of last season a lack of invention and imagination haunted his side, particularly when Wayne Rooney was absent, and the Scottish boss is desperate to address this problem. He has wanted to work with Joe Cole for a number of years, but has previously been frustrated in his efforts to take him to Manchester. That could all end this summer, and for nothing too.

Howver, just yesterday, there were credible reports emanating from Fleet Street that Arsene Wenger had stolen in to agree a three year deal with Cole’s advisors. Not only that, but an announcement was apparently on the way. Well, it’s now a day and a half later and there is still no further news. Another false dawn? Possibly.

It is now being reported that Cole will decide on his future after the World Cup. If a deal had already been agreed with either United or the Gunners then surely Cole would have liked to get everything confirmed before his departure. Now the transfer will be lingering over him throughout his time in South Africa and that is far from an ideal situation for Cole or England boss Fabio Capello.

Where will Joe Cole be at the start of next season? It seems that nobody is any the wiser at the moment.

Arsenal Says No To Barca, Gourcuff Not Joining The Gunners, Joe Cole To Replace Nasri?

All Arsenal fans will be happy wherever they are as Arsenal have finally made a statement regarding Barcelona romance of Fabregas – or should I say Tapping up of Fabregas?

One will be happy that the bid has been rejected but in all honesty, it all seems Arsenal is just holding on for the big pay day. Whether we Arsenal fans like it or not, fabregas will be leaving Arsenal this summer – except if he changes his mind because of Barca under valuing which I very much doubt.

However, the funny thing is the fact that Yoann Gourcuff who we all think will be replacing Fabregas may not be coming to the Emirates this summer. Don’t get me wrong, I like him and I won’t mind to have him replace Fabregas but he was “transfer linked” earlier yesterday on Arsenal’s official website which means he probably will not be coming to the Emirates this summer at least.

7AMkickoff believes once a player is transfer linked on Arsenal’s official websites, then it probably means the said player will not be coming to Arsenal and I agree with him. Come to think of it, Arsenal is a club that does her thing the right way. Bringing up the “transfer linked” thing on the site, means they are using that to say ” we are not interested”.

For example : We were linked with Fulham’s Goal keeper and he was transfer linked, but the player himself comfirmed he will not be coming to play for Arsenal.

I don’t think Arsenal will be stupid enough to tap up other clubs players but if the club is interested in any player and he is listed on the “transfer linked list” that will amounts to tapping up which is something Arsenal will never do.

What this means in my opinion is that Gourcuff will not be coming at least not this season. This does not however mean the club is not interested, they might have bidded and got turned down just like they are turning down Barca for Fabregas.

Another player that was transfer linked but one that I am 75% sure will be a Gunner next season is Joe cole. Don’t even call me an hypocrite yet. Don’t forget the fact that Joe Cole is a free agent and there will be no tapping up here since his Contract with Chelsea just expired on June 1.

I believe there is some element of truth in the Joe Cole rummours but where will he play? Obvious he is not the replacement for Fabregas. My believe is he is coming to replace Nasri and not Fabregas. Nasri will most like be moved to the middle while Joe Cole takes over Nasri’s position on the wing.

I prefer having Gourcuff in the middle but from the looks of things, it seems Gourcuff will not be a Gunner any time soon.

What do you think? Is moving Nasri to the middle better than getting another proven player to replace Fabregas? Do you still think Fabregas will stay? How will you feel if Joe Cole Joins Arsenal on a free transfer?