Ashley Cole Heads To ASRoma

Reports confirm that Ashley Cole has moved to Italian team ASRoma after he was released from Chelsea last season.

He has signed a two year deal with the Giallorossi.

Good reasons for Cole joining ASRoma:
1. Most likely first choice Left Back
2. European Football (UEFA Champions League)
3. His high fitness will ensure he can continue to play at a high level in the Serie A
4. Good wages and contract length for both parties

Non football reasons
5. Italian women if he is still single. 😀
6. Italian Food (Delicious)7. New Challenge

 

Reasons against
1. May be subject to racism with previous cases in Italy recently (Hope not)
2. Has to work with Gervinho
3. Can he learn to speak Italian?

 

Cole Joins ASRoma (Image from WorldSoccerTalk)

Pick Of The English Transfer Window

My top five transfers in BPL:

1. Mesut Ozil joining Arsenal from Real Madrid in a £42m transfer.

2. Samuel Eto’o to Chelsea on a free from Anzhi

3. Marouane Fellaini from Everton to Manchester United

4. Ricky Van Wolfswinkel to Norwich from Sporting Lisbon

5. Emanuele Giaccherini from Juventus to Sunderland for £6.5 million

 

What are you views? Who was your club’s best transfer this window?

@Seb_Gomez8 (twitter)

 

Mesut Ozil To Arsenal

Ozil with team mate Podolski with perhaps Podolski’s Arsenal Shirt 😉

After a slow transfer deadline day in the UK, the big deal has to be the £42m for Mesut Ozil. After smashing their (Arsenal) own transfer record, they showed intent by signing the magician German playmaker with calls from fans asking about their ambition. (Post available on that/ Arsenal lacking ambition?)

Ozil is only 24 and has currently 47 international caps (time of writing) and looks to continue to be part of the German set-up for many years. With excellent vision and sublime passing, Ozil will provide Arsenal with attacking impetus and creative flair which sometimes can be missing. With players such as German team mate Podolski, Spanish player Santi Cazorla and England’s Theo Walcott, this could be an exciting attacking force from Arsenal. With also Olivier Giroud having a fantastic pre-season and showing signs of settling in the BPL with his 3 goals so far, Arsenal have the potential to out score anyone in the league.

Ozil started his career at Rot-Weiss Essen as a youngster before moving to Schalke 04 and gaining his first professional contract. He later moved to Werder Bremen, blossoming into the first team and taking over the boots of Diego (left for Juventus). During 2008/09 season, he participated in 18 goals scoring 3 of them himself and setting up 15 assists. Pretty immense for an 19/20 year old at the time. The following season saw him score 9 goals and assist 17 times getting Bremen into the top 3 of the Bundesliga . This caught the attention of many European heavyweights which included Manchester United, Barcelona and possibly Bayern Munich at the time. However, Real Madrid managed to win the chase and reported to agree a transfer of approx £12m. A bargain perhaps for a rising star compared to some prices splashed around now?

However he continued to impress by notching a massive 25 assists during his first season at Madrid and was the best player in Europe to achieve such a feat. He continued to impress everyone yet again with his great displays and helped Madrid win the La Liga during the 2011/12 season. Also, he was part of the German team who reached the semi-final of Euro 2012 and notched up 3 assists joint top with the likes of David Silva, Steven Gerrard and Andrey Arshavin.

It shows his talent is undeniable and possesses great vision, touch and passing ability at the impressive age of 24. With many more successful years ahead of him, its no wonder that Arsene spent the cash on an established playmaker who will definitely make Arsenal stronger. With German team mates Podolski and Mertesacker at the club and playing for a team who suits his style, this should provide him support to settle into Arsenal and England. He has the quality to make an immediate impact and I am sure fans will chant his name when he walks onto the Emirates Stadium and surely receive a standing ovation. Arsenal fans will probably be chuffed with this signing and could this signal an intent to the English teams in the BPL?
Fans across England will be delighted that he will be strutting his skills in the Barclays Premier League and I for one, definitely can not wait until we get to see him in action.

Welcome to the Barclays Premier League Mesut Ozil!!

Seb Gomez
Follow me on twitter: (@Seb_Gomez8)

Bale’s Transfer Saga

At the end of the 12/13 the rumors about the arrival at “Los Blancos” were growing bigger by the Spanish newspaper Marca and the English Daily Mail. The only problem was Daniel Levy, Spurs president, is a really hard business man and Real Madrid knew that since last season they had to reach an agreement to get Luka Modric in the last day of last year’s transfer window. The newspapers reported a 50 million euro bid but Daniel Levy didn’t agree with that sum and then the price spiraled into a £85 million bid matching Cristiano Ronaldo’s transfer from Man Utd (the highest paid player in history) that was crazy for a player that hasn’t currently won any FIFA major prizes like the Ballon d’Or.

Still Levy didn’t want to let his player go and resulted in Gareth Bale to push the move. He decided to play just 1 preseason game and his actions were to let the club know that if he was not allowed to leave, he would not play for the following season. He failed to turn up to training for two consecutive days, just days before the transfer. Also, it was reported he was injured during the first pre-season game, but the excuse was believed to be used to cover up the imminent transfer to Real Madrid.

The sum kept on rising until it was and exaggerated amount of 130 million euros for Gareth Bale that would make him the most expensive player in football history taking over Cristiano Ronaldo’s (95 million) and Zinedine Zidane’s (80 million euros) transfer records. Today 02/09/2013 was the official presentation of the Welsh winger to “Los Blancos” with a deal near the 96 million euros that will be paid in installements via the next 3 seasons and the player will be earning 16 million euros per year for 6 years (more than Messi and Ronaldo). The “Madridistas” couldn’t hold their emotions when the player was presented today since the attacking part of the team built by Carlo Ancelotti that includes; Cristiano Ronaldo, Isco, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema; is the fastest, strongest and deadliest out there. I hope that the 96 million euros that was paid for him, is shown in the form of trophies and honours.

Aaron 
Twitter; (@APARALES17)

Transfer Deadline Day Part 2

Hull City have purchased Shane Long from West Bromwich Albion. (£5m fee)

Romelu Lukaku to Everton on a season-long loan. Not yet confirmed.

Arsenal in from Bafetimbi Gomis from Lyon? In last year of contract and will not sign a new contract at Lyon.

Juan Mata back to Valencia on a season-long loan for 3.5m euros?

Shinji Kagawa to leave Man Utd?

 

Send us your views. Check Part 1 too.

Transfer Deadline Day Part 1

So its the Transfer Deadline Day today in Europe.

The big talk so far is Mesut Ozil To Arsenal for a reported £42m from Real Madrid.
Also, with Marouane Fellaini tempted by Man Utd and may be looking to move from Everton.
Kaka has returned to AC MIlan. Can he discover his previous form and push AC Milan towards the scudetto?

Not much in England to talk about yet. But still got a few hours left.

Any views? Send them in. All countries.
Who do you want your club to sign?

Tweet (@Seb_Gomez8) / (@APARALES17 ) Or leave us a comment here.

Arsenal lacking ambition?

Today’s discussion is about if Arsenal are lacking ambition to challenge for any trophies this season. After news, that Arsenal have re-signed Mathieu Flamini on a free transfer, Arsenal have currently spent £0 in the transfer market. With figures reported from £60-£80m available for transfers, Arsenal have spent nothing compared to their north London rivals Tottenham.  Does this show Arsenal are lacking ambition compared to their rivals to successfully win a trophy after 8 seasons with no avail.

Its gets even worse when it is reported that Nicklas Bendtner will stay at Arsenal after failing to show any consistency and quality for them over the past seasons. Last year provided that claim when he had a poor season at Juventus scoring zero goals , even though they won the Scudetto (Serie A).  With Podolski out injured for around 10 weeks, Arsenal only have Giroud and Walcott as experienced recognised strikers. With Walcott favoured out wide, there is a possibility Arsenal require another striker with PL experience.

Is Flamini the same player as before? Can he provide Arsenal’s midfield with tough tackles and the leadership they so desperately require? At 29 and with previous PL experience, he could be a good buy and will look to provide Arteta cover/competition.

However, Arsenal continue to ignore fans, who are requesting that they buy another CB and GK to provide competition and quality to an occasionally fragile back four. With Vermalen out injured and Sagna currently filling in until then, Arsenal require strength and depth. Added to the fact, that they have a tough UCL group with Dortmund, Napoli and Marseille; they will have some tough games as well as dealing with the PL and domestic cup competitions. Albeit they beat Fenerbache in the UCL qualifying round with absolute ease, they will need one or two signings, preferably one who is also a leader to show fans their ambition to win a trophy. After missing out on Higuain and Suarez, fans continue to find it hard to see light at the end of the tunnel. With only a few days until the windows closes, will Arsene and Arsenal pay for failing to tie up deals as soon as possible?

What are your views about Flamini and Bendtner? Have Arsenal dug themselves a hole? Do they have the ambition or are they happy to win the “4th place” cup? Arsenal medical team a farce too?

(@Seb_Gomez8)

Eto’o to Chelsea

Have Chelsea just sorted out their striker woes?

Chelsea have completed the transfer of Samuel Eto’o from Anzhi after the owner decided to cut the club’s budget and offload some their players. Chelsea have taken advantage and have signed the Cameroon marksman who has a deadly eye for goal. Reunited with former manager, Mourinho; from his time at Inter, he has signed the striker on a one year deal.

Having played in the La Liga, Serie A and the Russian league, we can look forward to the striker now strutting his stuff in the English Premier League. With vast international and European experience, he looks to be a shrewd buy after moving on a free transfer.

I am delighted to see him come to England, as I have admired his ability in front of goal as shown during his days at Mallorca, Barcelona and Inter. Hopefully, with the support from Oscar, Hazard and et all, he will be firing goals in England if he becomes Mourinho’s number one striker. With the recent transfers, it looks like Chelsea want to make sure they reach the further stages in the UCL than last season and challenge for the BPL.

Three words for Eto’o. Welcome to England!! ;D

(Seb_Gomez8)

Tottenham To Sign Erik Lamela?

Tottenham have reported to have completed a £30m bid for 21 year old Erik Lamela from Roma.

£30m for a young player, that is a substantial price for somebody who will be playing in a tough league. With current strikers Adebayor, Defoe and new signing Soldado at the club, it seems to be a weird signing especially with Soldado adjusting well to the PL already. With AVB favouring an one striker approach, it may not be a good signing unless Defoe or Adebayor are their way out.

My view is that £30M could have been used elsewhere and Tottenham have already invested a lot in attacking areas. I don’t see him taking Soldado’s spot anytime soon and this will/could hamper his development.

What’s your view on this? Any Spurs fans who read this, I would like to know your views.

(@Seb_Gomez8)

Transfer Views

Firstly we will start with today’s transfer speculation about Yohan Cabaye’s move to Arsenal. Alan Pardew is upset with Arsenal’s bid of the French international before their opening game of the season. Subject to a £10m bid, Newcastle have rejected the offer and have said Arsenal have acted in an inappropriate manner. Yohan has yet to play either because he chooses not to or Alan Pardew has not risked playing an unsettled player in important games.
My view is that Yohan should still continue to play in a professional manner and continue to do his job as a professional. If he wants to leave, then hand in a transfer request, return a % of his signing on fee and then ask Newcastle to accept a fair price for his departure.

Stoke City have loaned winger Oussama Assaidi from Liverpool on a season-long loan.Great for Assaidi as I think he will get first team football at Stoke. Tricky and a direct player, he can beat a man, cross and score some good goals. Liverpool have not given him much chances while he played well during the Europa League in 2012/13 season for Liverpool.

Wayne Rooney to Chelsea?
Loved by many Man Utd fans, on a huge wage and plays in a team who are always competing for trophies and honours. Why would you want to leave? More money?

If he does move, then it should not disappoint Man Utd fans as I believe Kagawa+Zaha can provide a great job with creating chances and with Van Persie and Hernandez; they have two great goalscorers.
My view/opinion. Get rid of a footballer who wants to play for more money. Shows they don’t love the game; just the money.

(@Seb_Gomez8)