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It’s ALL starting to happen very quickly…

Arsenal are set to unveil their second signing today - Samir Nasri. After going by private jet from France to London, Nasri will undergo his medical and sign a reported 5 year NOT 4 year contract before going of for a few weeks holiday after a very long season.

Mean while Emmaneul Adebayor looks certain to be leaving Arsenal for Barcelona as the Gunner’s have had several offers for strikers knocked back. It appears that Barcelona have their man, but have a clause with Arsenal not to say anything until the Gunner’s have signed a replacement. But speculation has been further heightening when it appears that Samuel Eto has been offered to the Gunner’s in a player and cash deal.

And what’s happening with Aliaksandr Hleb move to Barcelona? Well that will go ahead now Nasri has signed for Arsenal. The reported £16.5m transfer will become public knowledge as soon as Nasri has been unveiled later today. Hleb expected to sign in the next few days.

Now it looks increasing likely that Ronaldo will join Real Madrid in a huge transfer following Portugal’s exit from Euro 2008 last night. Ronaldo did nothing to suggest otherwise, and the next few days it will be come clear that Ronaldo wants to leave Manchester United after a successful period with them in winning most things and now will join Real Madrid. Manchester United face facts – your Star Player from Portugal grew up dreaming of playing for Real Madrid NOT Manchester United. He has done you proud and should be dignified in getting the best cash offer for him and letting him go. Your stance and behaviour will turn away future star players, just like what’s happened at Chelsea. You have been warned.

More Soon…

The Mad World of Football - Latest News

Did I get it wrong with Sweden and Russia last night! Finally the Russian’s turned up, thanks largely to Andrei Arshavin, playing his first game of the tournament after suspension, inspired a superb attacking display. Arshavin, a £10m target for Arsenal, Newcastle and other Premier League Clubs, was involved as Aleksandr Anyukov set up Roman Pavlyuchenko for a close-range finish after 24 minutes. And Arshavin then started and finished a sweeping move to slide home Yuri Zhirkov's pass in the 50th minute. Sweden looked old and tiresome as Russia showed why they are at Euro 2008 and not England.

Arsenal have won the race to sign France midfielder Samir Nasri from Marseille. The 20-year-old, who has been dubbed the new Zinedine Zidane, has reportedly agreed a four-year contract and will join after Euro 2008. Arsenal are thought to be paying £13.5m for his services. While Nasri maybe joining it looks like midfielder Alexander Hleb and striker Emmanuel Adebayor will be joining Spanish giants Barcelona for a reported £40m. Will this pave the way for Valencia Star David Villa to join Arsenal?

Barcelona have taken a swipe at the great rivals, Real Madrid. They have questioned the potential huge world record breaking transfer deal taking Ronaldo from Man Utd to Real Madrid for a reported £60m/£70m for his services. And bad news just continues for the Premier League and European Winner’s United, who could not only loose midfielder Anderson to long term injury, but also Carlos Quiroz to Portugal.

And if United have it bad, well so do Chelsea. Not only are some of the Worlds Best Players turning their backs on playing for Chelsea regardless of what salary is on offer but with contracts for Deco and Lampard being stalled because of length and costs, Chelsea are stumbling. Add the fact that their new Manager is ONLY going for the money and you will have to question will Chelsea be capable of challenging for any major honour next season?

"Show me the money!" maybe the call from many players and Manager's but say your from Chelsea and those still in their prime are saying "No Thanks!"

Euro 2008 - Italians Scrape Through as France Exit

Last week I wrote; “Could Turkey, Poland, Italy and Greece all be on the verge of elimination before their final group matches?”

Well Turkey pulled off an amazing 3-2 win over the Czech Republic, who were cruising at half-time 2-0 with a foot in the Quarter Finals. Well the 2nd 45 minutes provided pure shock as Turkey hit 3 goals and took the place in the last 8. The Czech’s were joined in elimination with co-hosts Switzerland who managed to beat a weakened Portugal side 2-0.

Poland went out as predicted and finished last in their group, loosing 1-0 to Croatia and rightly so over there bad behaviour against British referee Howard Webb. Hopefully Webb’s actions will now be seen across the whole of the world as match officials clamp down on cheats! Joining Croatia in the last 8 is Germany who managed to beat co-hosts Austria 1-0 with the help of a stunning Michael Ballack free-kick.

A second string Holland side beat Romania 2-0 to finish the group stages like Croatia on maximum 9 points from their 3 matches. Marco Van Basten has his side playing total football and free scoring with a goal difference of +8, far superior then any other team in the competition. Joining Holland in the last 8 is World Cup Winner’s Italy. Italy are a poor side who rely heavily on the ‘black arts’ of football as they dive around a football pitch to secure a win. They managed to beat France 2-0 to gain qualification, as France finally saw the end of a productive era in their footballing history, having won both the World Cup and European Cup. Personally I can not see Italy beating Spain, unless Spain fail to turn up in the Quarter Finals.

Who will join Greece on elimination from the competition? Greece have been poor with their very defensive approach, the same style that won it for them 4 years ago. But defence has given way to attack, and I expect Spain to finish off Greece with another win tonight. But it’s the groups other match that is the show piece tonight. Will Russia beat Sweden or will Sweden have enough to hold off Russia? I personally see a draw in this match, which will send Sweden through and fulfil the last Quarter Final’s place.

I did pick at the very start a Spain v Portugal Final, and still stand by that. BUT I can see the Dutch playing Germany in the Final as well, with the Dutch beating the Germans. Holland are in fantastic form and must be joint favourites with Spain and Portugal. Sweden don’t have enough about them, nor do Turkey and Croatia are missing Eduardo to do any real harm. Italy are just a poor unorganised team I don’t see getting any further then the Quarter Finals. Which leaves the ‘lucky’ Germans, and the attacking trio or Holland, Portugal and Spain in to the Semi Finals???

"It just got interesting…"

CHEAT TAUGHT A LESSON - BEWARE

FINALLY a Match Official ACTUALLY dose something about the cheating known as ‘Shirt-Pulling’. But will other Officials follow suit and actually follow the great example by English referee Howard Webb, who rightly awarded and injury time penalty to Austria after it was clear that Mariusz Lewandowski of Poland was holding Austria’s Sebastain Prodl.

I really hope that finally we may turn the corner on known shirt pulling cheats. The Premier League’s best known Club for shirt pulling is Chelsea, and in particular their captain John Terry. Week after week you can watch SKY or BBC and you will notice at least once if not many times that the Chelsea player’s result in physical shirt pulling against the opposition. But don’t get me wrong, it’s not just Chelsea. United’s Rio Ferdinand is another player who likes to grab hold of the opposition shirt time after time. And it's not just Chelsea or United, there are so many that 'shirt pull' (corners and free kicks mostly) that Webb's actions may hopefully will have these cheats looking to change there ways.

It’s about time Match Officials clamped down on cheats. It won’t take a lot to stamp it out. A few penalties and yellow cards or even Red cards would end this unsporting behaviour very quickly. Poland coach Leo Beenhakker maybe furious with Howard Webb, put if the situations were reversed he’d be the first to shake Webb’s hand.

Euro 2008 - Italy and Russia Destroyed

Euro finally took off with some scorching results, some poor matches but some brilliant games as well.

Group A - saw the Czech Republic just scrapping a 1-0 by co-hosts Switzerland who have only themselves to blame for loosing a match they could of at least got a point from. The same could also be said for Austria loosing out to England conquers Croatia, who only managed to win by a penalty. Portugal saw off an average Turkey side 2-0 in the other Group A match as did Germany beat Poland by the same score line in Group B.

With Group A joint leaders Czech Republic playing Portugal later today, Switzerland have a chance to close the gap by beating Turkey in the other match. While tomorrow the Group B leaders Germany taken on Croatia, Poland and Austria who play each other have a chance to close the gap.

Group C – aka ‘The Group of Death’ probably saw the worst game in European football for a long time as Romania played out a very boring 0-0 with hot fancied France. France have only themselves to blame for such a shocking display. Meanwhile Van Basten’s Holland ripped apart World Cup Winner’s Italy 3-0 in some excellent attacking football. The best we have seen from a Dutch side in a long while. The 2nd and 3rd goals were like watching a brilliant Arsenal attack. Italy will have to beat Romania in two days time or risk going out, as will France have to beat a Dutch side full of confidence. Can Henry save France?

Group D – Finally the Spanish Team have turned up for a major Tournament with a stunning 4-1 hammering of Russia. David Villa just added several millions to his price tag by bagging himself a stunning hat trick as Cesc Fabregas scores his first senior International goal for Spain. My Tournament tip to win, certainly did no wrong and sent out a warning to the other nations. As for Euro 2004 Winner’s Greece, they lost to Sweden 2-0 in another boring match only lit up when Ibrahimovic scored a stunner from distance.

With Sweden topping the group with Spain on points, both meet on Saturday, and on this form I can only see Spain denting Sweden’s hopes. Greece will have to improve much better to stand a chance of beating the Russian’s who surely will bounce back after such a mauling from the Spainsh.

Could Turkey, Poland, Italy and Greece all be on the verge of elimination before their final group matches? And it just shows you England don’t have to be part of a major Tournament for trouble to erupt.

United Left Red Faced Over Rambo

Manchester United put a statement on their website on 3 June, announcing: "Manchester United is delighted to announce it has agreed terms with Cardiff City for the transfer of Aaron Ramsey subject to terms being agreed and the player passing a medical."

So it must pass as a huge United PR blunder, and has left Sir hugely annoyed to have missed out on the latest British ‘Wonderkid’ who has decided his future lies with Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal and not the European and Premier League Champions.

Wales U-21 Aaron ‘Rambo’ Ramsey at 17 has a huge bright future ahead of him, and it’s such an important move that will shape his career. The Caerphilly-born playmaker is the latest off the Cardiff production line of players to move to the Premier League. He beat John Toshack's record to become Cardiff's youngest ever player at just 16 years and 124 days when Ramsey replaced Paul Parry in a 1-0 home defeat to Hull City in April 2007.

Ramsey caught Arsenal's eye when the young midfielder shone in a goal-scoring display during Cardiff's FA Youth Cup quarter-final defeat to the Gunners in February 2007. Ramsey, who has made just 22 appearances for the Championship side, is expected to have a medical at Arsenal's plush Hertfordshire training ground within the next few days.

A Cardiff City statement read: "Cardiff City were informed on Tuesday morning that Aaron Ramsey's preferred destination this summer is the Emirates Stadium with Arsenal. We will now continue the dialogue with the Gunners with a view to Aaron's move being completed. The move, unlike other options, does not include a loan back period at Ninian Park for the 2008/09 season.”

"We would like to wish Aaron every success in the top-flight."

I personally believe Aaron Ramsey has picked the best Club due to his playing style to progress. Everton were never in the running, and at United Ramsey would be changed as a player. But at the Gunner’s his style would be embraced and improved.

FA Chairman Barking Up Wrong Tree Again

Lord Triesman, the FA chairman, wants to use the FA Cup as a trial for Sepp Blatter's proposals to limit the number of foreign players each club can field.

While Triesman believes Blatter's proposals will be rejected by the EU on anti-discrimination grounds, he remains concerned by the lack of young English players breaking through at club level. In an attempt to allay those concerns, Triesman is ready to draw up plans to increase the number of British players involved in the FA Cup.

"The FA Cup is directly within our domain and if we want to implement change we need to do that in conjunction with the Premier League and Football League," he said.

"Whether there are legal restraints or not there can be a means of implementing an optimum number of English players participating in the FA Cup."

And you wonder why football is in this state of things when a moroon with no true unstanding of the game, having never played at any decent level is in charge of the home of football. Please resign as you are doing more harm then good.

He goes on saying "Sir Alex Ferguson has come out in support of this, stating his view that there should be more English players in major club competitions, and conceivably, there could be. Of course, it's very dangerous to try to enforce a minimum number of English players - but it can be achieved in ways other than enforcement."

What dose Sir Alex care for – he retires from the game shortly.

This is typical of some idiot who thinks he knows best BUT hasn’t a clue of what is really going on. A bit like Gordon Brown. If you don’t resign Lord Triesman, then I am sure we could get you sacked for gross-misconduct.

Perennial Underachievers To Win Euro 2008

I am going to say I firmly believe perennial underachievers Spain will finally end there long standing hoodoo and win Euro 2008. Everything is right for them to finally win a Major Competition. They are very strong right through the team and have all the qualities to succeed.

I don’t believe joint hosts Austria and Switzerland are good enough to make it to the latter stages, nor will former winner’s Greece. Romania, Russia, Sweden, Poland and Turkey will also fall by the wayside, as will the Dutch.

Holland are brilliant going forward, but unfortunately they are probably the weakest in defence out of the top nations. And with their usual ability to fight amongst themselves, I think Marco Van Basten will be stepping down as Manager before the quarter finals. But I think Croatia and Czech Republic may surprise and get to the latter stages.

Which leaves the usual suspects as tournament favourites in Germany, Italy, France and Portugal. You can never right off the Germans who excel in the big tournaments, which is also the same for the Italians and also France. Portugal are the new comer’s to this table and with Manchester United or Real Madrid’s Ronaldo in top form, have a great chance to make the final.

And what a final that would be if Spain played Portugal in the final on 29 June 2008 at the Ernst Happel Stadium in Vienna? With finally Spain landing there first major trophy!

'Dinho' will get 'Sparky' the Sack

Manchester City chairman Garry Cook insists that there's a very real chance of Ronaldinho making a shock move to the Eastlands in the summer, which until very recently would have been considered unfathomable.

Sky Blues owner Thaksin Shinawatra is desperate to land the two-time FIFA World Player of the Year, having admitted recently he would be a dream signing.City are currently in the midst of discussions with Ronaldinho and his brother-cum-agent Roberto de Assis Moreira, and a deal looks increasingly likely to be agreed as new Barca boss Josep Guardiola prepares to revitalise his squad.

To be totally honest I personally think this is a bad move for both the Sky Blues and Ronaldinho. First for City as it will cost them a huge amount of money on a transfer fee and wages. Secondly is the fact that 28 year old Ronaldinho is currently unfit, fallen out of love with football and spends much of his time partying. You only have look at the fact’s that the worlds biggest clubs are not interested in a player that no longer has the desire to perform at the top level, and that is dangerous.

Would Mark Hughes really be behind partying Ronaldinho joining City in his present state? The way ‘Sparky’ gets his teams to play, ‘Dinho’ just doesn’t fit his team ethos at all. This is a publicity stunt by City for world wide exposure, a huge influx of shirt sales on a fallen star and a typical owner believing they know better then a former International Player/Manager.

Signing Ronaldinho would be the end of ‘Sparky’ at the Sky Blues – and that’s before he has begun!

Player's, Manager's and Director's Merry-Go Round

The Management merry-go round of the Premiership is in full swing with poor old Sven being ruthlessly sacked as Manchester City boss, even thou they had a great season compared to recent times! No sooner has the hot seat at City been left open, then former Red Devil Hitman Mark Hughes from Blackburn Rovers takes over the reigns while Sven finds himself in Mexico as the new National Boss, with many Mexicans unhappy with his appointment.

Then Roman’s billions at Chelsea can’t persuade Milan’s Manager Carlo Ancelotti to join Chelsea, with a whole host of other top Manager’s not interested in the role at all. There are a few desperadoes’s who do want the job after just loosing there’s at bigger Clubs, but at present are not favourites for the role.

And it’s not just Manager’s moving either, with Fulham’s Managing Director David McNally leaving, reportedly going to take over at Arsenal, and Liverpool’s Rick Parry position at Liverpool under immense threat as co-owner Tom Hicks approaches Manchester City’s Alistair Mackintosh to take over.

But the biggest story must be that Spanish and Valencia Super-Striker David Villa could leave for as little as £17m, instead of the reported £40m. Villa has already stated his love for Arsenal, and at this price would tempt the Gunner’s. Villa style suits the Gunner’s style of play and would be a huge major coup for the Club, considering Chelsea’s recent overtures for the player. But North London rivals Tottenham with their Spanish Manager are also very interested in Villa.

Sir Alex Threatens Ronaldo

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson says the club would rather put Cristiano Ronaldo in the stands rather than sell him to Real Madrid. United have threatened to report Real to Fifa over their publicly declared interest in signing Ronaldo.
Ferguson has met the Glazer family, who own the club, and said: "Their attitude is 'To hell with them. They'd sit a player in the stand, I'm telling you, absolutely no doubt about it, just to prove a point."

This is just the bravado to come from United, but in reality if the player wants to go, they are powerless to do anything. You see in today’s world its player power that rules, and not what the Club wants. United can try to let Ronaldo rot in the stands BUT they face being hauled through the courts, heavily fined and also the strongest possibility that they would be thrown out of major competitions, including the Champions League.

So in reality it may make pretty headlines for your board Journalist, Sir Alex sounds his usual ‘Bully-Boy self’ but in reality United don’t stand a chance if Cristiano Ronaldo wants to go to Real Madrid. And to be honest, Real Madrid is bigger then Manchester United – their Trophy Cabinet proves it.