Manchester United starts their title defence with a 1-0 win over Birmingham City. Wasn't the best finishing from the whole team, only god knows how Darren Fletcher & Michael Owen missed their glorious chance at the end of both half. They will also play another midweek match against Burnley, who happens to be also one of the promoted teams, fixtures have clearly went our way this year! Lets hope the team starts firing all their guns the next game =)
My prediction this season?
1) Manchester United
2) Chelsea
3) Man City
4) Arsenal
*I tipped Arsenal for 4th IF they manage to hold on to Cesc Fabregas.
Before i end my entry, i would like to state my Top 10 great transfer deals that were made up to date. (Regardless the money they spent)
10) Michael Owen ( FEE : Free transfer ) Manchester United
What a smart piece of business made by Sir Alex. Great player to replace Carlos Tevez, a totally different one to compare, even with Rooney & Berbatov. That's why i think he would do well even if he comes off the bench most of the time.
9) Zlatan Ibrahimovic ( FEE : 46mil Euro + Samuel Eto'o to Inter ) Barcelona
Is it too early to kiss the badge? To be honest, i don't really care. Because footballers speaks on the pitch, and the stats at the end of the season says it all. He is probably the closest thing to Marco Van Basten in this modern era, tall, big, fast, great with head and legs, with a bunch of skills in the bag too. He may be a big flop against big teams, but i don't think it matters now right? They have Messi,Henry,Xavi,Iniesta to do that. My opinion a good signing but question mark on the fee, especially Eto'o being part of the deal. Nuts? Yes.
8) Klaas-Jan Huntelaar ( FEE : 15mil Euro ) A.C Milan
Named Dutch footballer of the year in 2006, jumped to Real Madrid in 2008. Made a mess out of it, and now gone to Italian giants A.C Milan. His goal scoring ability never fails to shine, almost the same type of player as Ruud Vanisterooy. A.C Milan's Dutch connection has hardly failed in the past, so i will go with the odds this one joining the likes of Seedorf / Van Bastern / Gullit / Rijkaard to make a big impact in his first Serie A year. Especially with the form of Ronaldinho apparently getting back, we shall see.
7) Yoann Gourcuff ( FEE : 15mil Euro ) Bordeaux
"WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU THINKING A.C MILAN??!?" is the word to use knowing Kaka' will be leaving the same exact season. Name French Ligue Player of the year award, single handling helping the club to win a double during 2008-2009 season (League & Cup) The new up and coming attacking midfielder, something that was lack in the French national team after Zinedine Zidane retired. Watch him try to fire the team to a second successive league champ and rock in the World Cup next summer.
6) Xabi Alonso ( FEE : 30mil Pounds ) Real Madrid
One of the most accurate long/short passer in the game that can offer right now. Probably the best season he had with Liverpool (08/09) not to mention playing a key part of Spain historic win in the Euro Championship. He would fit in the new Real Madrid team perfectly, with the likes of Kaka', C.Ronaldo, Benzema, Robben, Sneijder to pass around with. A player Real Madrid needed badly, sit in the middle breaking plays and keeping in possesion. A bit over price but i guess money isnt an issue if you are Real Madrid.
5) Samuel Eto'o ( FEE : In exchange for Zlatan Ibrahimovic and gain 46mil Euro ) Inter Milan
When i first saw this guy playing for Mallorca. OMG, he score goals for fun. He has every ability you need as a striker. Pace, Agility, Strength, Finishing, Heading whatever you name it, he got it. Winning champions league twice with Barcelona, also part of the treble historic team last season. Playing 52 games and scoring 36 in all competition, Barcelona will surely miss him. Inter will transform to a very scary team now that the goal scoring machine is on their side. As for the transfer fee, all i could say is, typical "Italian Job"
4) Karim Benzema ( FEE : 35mil Euros would rise to 41mil on incentives) Real Madrid
Personally saddened by the news when he decided to join Real Madrid instead of Man United. He is the highest paid french footballer in the league at just 21 years old, breakthrough a real threat in the 2007-2008 season for Lyon scoring 31goals in 51appearance. He was only 19 years old. Now one of the deadliest finisher in the game, seen in the national team, champions league against various big clubs including Man Utd. Only time will tell how much more he can improve with this god like team. Well spent on the fee I'd say.
3) Diego ( FEE : 24.5mil Euros ) Juventus
Made his name through the Brazilian giants Santos. Famously graduated with the likes of Robinho, Alex, Elano in the same side. Made his debut at age 16, winning the Brazilian league the same year as well. After all his hyped in South America, he signed with another top club, FC Porto. Initially to replace the famous Deco who left to Barca after the Champions League glory, but couldn't really find his feet like he did in Brazil. Not long after that, he join Werder Bremen. That's when he started making his name big in Europe this time, scoring and assisting crucial goals for them. Made it to the national team, winning Copa America and clinching 3rd place in the Olympics. The time has come for this guy to shine, joining a major club like Juventus. Has a lot of potential to be one of the greats, especially with a scary attacking line up in front of him. I like him, hopefully he does well and goes on to prove my 3rd spot entry good =D
2) Kaka' ( FEE : 56mil Pounds ) Real Madrid
What can i say about this guy? He probably has won it all, both individual and team events. World cup, Champions cup, Confederations cup, Fifa world club cup, World player of the year, European player of the year. Okay lets stop right there, it will take a while to type everything out. But yes, i rate him the best attacking midfielder out there right now. His short burst of pace makes fast defenders look slow. His vision and eye for goal is second to none, helping Milan win matches countless time. My personal sickest game i have seen him play was against (sadly) Manchester United 2007 in the Champions League semi final. Both 1st and 2nd leg, he tore Rio/Vidic/Evra/Gary/Brown/O'Shea apart. He could have also became the highest transfer fee player when Man City came in with a 100mil Pounds offer bid, but to be turn down because of his loyalties to Milan. Now that he has move (economy issue) to Real Madrid Galatico team, i think he might just become unstoppable.
1) Cristiano Ronaldo ( FEE : 80mil Pounds ) Real Madrid
World's Most Expensive player. Current Ballon d'Orr, Fifa world player of the year, FifPro player of the year. One of the most exciting footballer to watch, so many tricks, skills, techniques, confidence. Burst into the scene with Manchester United in 2002-2003 season, for only 12.5mil Pounds. Apparently he requested jersey number 28 the same he wore with Sporting, but Sir Alex as usual best at motivating players, forced him to wear the famous no.7 shirt (Previously worn by George Best, Bryan Robson, Eric Cantona, David Beckham) Besides his tricks, skills and amazing free kicks, he made a lot of wingers look bad by scoring 42goals in 07/08 season. Man United did eventually crown BPLeague & Champions League winner, and everyone including myself thought he was bound to leave the club. He stayed on one more year and may not score as many as the previous year, but still contributed 26goals in all competition. He helped Man Utd to win Community shield, World club cup, League cup, and also the BPLeague for the 3rd time in a row. He will undoubtly be one of my favourite United player, hopefully someday he will return to Old Trafford and strait his skills once again. I can bet my ass that he would not be a flop in Real Madrid, or anywhere he wishes to go in future. The transfer fee will definitely not pressure him, i am pretty sure he thinks he worth more than that.
Now there you go, top 10 transfer that were made this season. There is still 2 weeks left before the market close, but i think most of the big clubs and players will be kept locked in. But you never know, football is nuts at times :)
Cheers y'all, enjoy the fooooooooooooootball ! I will certainly do, 19th league coming this year!