Arsene Wenger | Footy20

July 23rd, 2008

Countdown to Kick off

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With the premier league kick-off less than a month away, club managers are busy working ways to lure some top signings. Compared to last few years, this year’s transfer activity has been very dull (thanks to Roman Abrahamovic for busy activities in the past few years). Top clubs like Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool are yet to make any big signing for this season. Though there have been few signings in the past few weeks, the signing of big names like Eto, Kaka, Robinho, Arshavin, Berbatov are still awaited.
Chelsea have already started their pre-season in China with a 4-0 win over Guangzhou Pharmaceutical. Lampard, Wright-Phillips, Kalou and Argentine di Santo scored for Chelsea. Lampard’s stay at Stamford Bridge is not final yet as Jose Mourinho is preparing to sign him for Inter Milan. Manchester United will be as strong as they were during last season if they manage to hold Ronaldo. Arsenal will take new shape with Arsene Wenger still pondering over the transfer market.
In the bottom, Sunderland will have some encouraging news in the next week or so with manager Roy Keane prepared to sign a bunch of players from Tottenham which includes Chimponda and Darrent Bent. Roy is also preparing to sign Darren Fletcher from his old club Manchester United. The new boys Hull are also busy in transfer market as they are on the verge of signing few star players. No activities in Newcastle camp after their disappointing performance in last season. They would have to rely on Michael Owen to score as Viduka and Martins were ineffective during latter half of the 08 season.
Every game will be important - well, I have to say that after the close finish last season. I would expect Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea to fight it out for the top spot as I think Liverpool are yet to learn to be consistent. So..who is it going to be… Scolari or Ferguson or Arsene Wenger?

Tags: Arsenal, Arsene Wenger, Chelsea, Darren Fletcher, Drogba, Eto, Ferguson, Lampard, Manchester United, Martins, Newcastle, Owen, Roy Keane, Scolari, Sunderland, Viduka

Guna | Posted In Opinions, Previews | Tagged Comments 1 Comment »

July 14th, 2008

Arshavin flirts with Arsenal

Andrei Arshavin, who had earlier said that he was only interested in a move to Catalunya, seems to have changed his mind over the past few days. Barcelona were priced out of a move for the Zenit St Petersburg and Russia playmaker, having made an offer in the region of just 15 million euros. This has whipped up Arsenal and Chelsea’s interest in a transfer for the Russian.

If Emmanuel Adebayor’s proposed move to AC Milan materializes, Arsenal would be in the money for launching a transfer bid for Arshavin. The player himself has been flirting rather openly with a move to Arsenal, having declared that he is a fan of Gunners boss Arsene Wenger, and that he is “desperate” to join the North London club. Will Arsenal be able to beat Chelsea to Arshavin’s signature?

In some more latest transfer rumours from the Emirates, Arsenal are considering making a move for Liverpool target Gareth Barry from Aston Villa.

Tags: AC Milan, Andrei Arshavin, Arsenal, Arsene Wenger, Aston Villa, Barcelona, Catalunya, Chelsea, Emirates, Emmanuel Adebayor, Gareth Barry, Gunners, Liverpool, North London, playmaker, Russia, Russian, Transfers, Zenit St Petersburg

Vijay | Posted In News, Transfers | Tagged No Comments »

July 8th, 2008

Profile: Carlos Queiroz

Image by Getty Images via DaylifeManchester United’s assistant manager, Carlos Queiroz, is strongly tipped to leave Old Trafford to become the new coach of the Portugal national team. Here is a brief profile of the man.

Mozambique-born Carlos Queiroz is more than just an assistant manager. In the past few years, he has become an influential force in the Manchester United coaching hierarchy, and is often referred to as a co-manager of the club. Queiroz, who has been in management for almost 25 years now, is strongly tipped to take over the reins at Old Trafford when Sir Alex Ferguson eventually steps down.

Queiroz first came to prominence for his work with the Portuguese national under-20 youth team, with whom he won the 1989 and 1991 FIFA Football World Youth Championships. The teams comprised of stars like Luis Figo, Rui Costa, Joao Pinto, Jorge Costa and Fernando Couto, players that Queiroz is credited with unearthing and mentoring in their youth.

Managerial stints at Sporting Lisbon, Nagoya Grampus Eight (the Japanese club which Arsene Wenger also managed for a year) and the NY/NJ Metro Stars followed, as did national positions with the United Arab Emirates and South African teams (2000-2002). Queiroz joined Sir Alex Ferguson’s coaching staff in June 2002, and helped United recapture the Premier League title in 2002-03.

However, he left for Real Madrid at the end of the season (along with David Beckham) replacing Vicente Del Bosque, but Real’s inconsistent form saw them finish 4th in the league in the 2003-04 season, leading the club to sack him. Queiroz returned to Manchester United a couple of months later.

In the years since, his role has been profound, and he was credited with United’s resurgence, and their new attacking formation. Queiroz also became a kind of father figure to Cristiano Ronaldo, and was instrumental in bringing in Anderson from FC Porto and Nani from Sporting Lisbon.

Queiroz has been linked with a host of clubs in the past. He was widely expected to replace Ronald Koeman as manager of Benfica in the summer of 2006, but he stayed on at United. Recently, Sir Alex himself suggested that Queiroz would be the best person to take over when he retires. However, Luiz Felipe Scolari’s decision to quit Portugal for the Chelsea job might just have tipped the scales for Queiroz, who is linked with a four-year $1.5 million a year deal.

Tags: 1989, 1991, Anderson, Arsenal, Arsene Wenger, assistant manager, Benfica, Carlos Quieroz, Chelsea, David Beckham, F.C. Porto, Fernando Couto, FIFA, Joao Pinto, Jorge Costa, Luis Figo, Luiz Felipe Scolari, Manchester United, Metro Stars, Mozambique, Nagoya Grampus Eight, Nani, Old Trafford, Portugal, Portuguese, Real Madrid, Ronald Koeman, Rui Costa, Sir Alex Ferguson, South Africa, Sporting Lisbon, United Arab Emirates, Vicente Del Bosque, World Youth Championship

Vijay | Posted In Profiles | Tagged Comments 1 Comment »

June 30th, 2008

Transfer Update - Adebayor/Robinho to Chelsea

Chelsea are heavily linked with a move for Arsenal hitman Adebayor in a £30m bid. Scolari is also interested in signing Real Madrid’s Brazilian forward Robinho, with a weekly wage of £30,000. Shevchenko might make a loan move to Barcelona who are not willing to pay a transfer fee for the unsettled striker. Chelsea might well get Sheva off the payroll. Good for Sheva too.

Arsene Wenger who might most likely lose Adebayor this summer, might make a move for Newcastle striker Obafemi Martins who has a £13m release clause in his contract.

Argentine international Pablo Aimar might make a move to Everton or Newcastle.

Premier league new boys Hull are poised to make some heavy weight signings this week.

Liverpool are all set to sign Spurs striker Robbie Keane. Peter Crouch transfer is still pending as Liverpool’s estimate for the player is not yet met. Will it be? I doubt it.

Tags: Arsene Wenger, Barcelona, Chelsea, Cristiano Ronaldo, Emmanuel Adebayor, Hull City, Liverpool, Newcastle, Obafemi Martins, Pablo Aimar, Peter Crouch, Robbie Keane, Robinho, Sheva

Guna | Posted In Transfers | Tagged No Comments »

June 29th, 2008

Transfer updates: Ribery, Kaka and Arshavin to Chelsea

Chelsea are vigorously tracking Bayern Munich midfielder Frank Ribery, Kaka and Andrei Arshavin. Scolari is very keen to sign Kaka and Deco. Lampard is on his way out of Chelsea. John Mikel Obi could replace Makelele as a regular holding midfielder this season which might force Makelele out of Chelsea.

Christian Vieri is holding talks with Hull City !!!

Roy Keane has opened talks with Daniel Guiza.

Barcelona striker Eidur Gudjohnsen is wanted by Portsmouth and West Ham. Pompey is also interested in signing Harry Kewell or Peter Crouch. Harry Redknapp has told Chelsea winger Wright Phillips that he would be a great success at Portsmouth. Liverpool want to swap Peter Crouch for Robbie Keane who had a very good season alongside Berbatov at Spurs last season.

Marcos Senna could move to Arsenal to replace Flamini. Arsene Wenger has put a price tag of £30m on Adebayor. Arsenal are trying to hijack Chelsea’s move for Arshavin.