Friday 20 May 2011

We're here again - Facts, Fiction and Speculations


Just as the end of one thing sparks the beginning of another, the end of the football league season across europe kick-starts the transfer gossip season. You might argue that transfer gossip runs throughout the year, what happens before the end of the season is the big build-up to the start of the transfer season itself. And on behalf of everyone, I'll like to begin the season a little bit early.


Some teams have rubbished some of the rumours filling the airwaves and print media. Some players have also been quoted to extinguish some of the transfer claims about them. While some have kept mute, perhaps waiting to see how it all pans out or just unwilling to let the cat out of the bag.


Here's a little look at some of the interesting rumours, the quashed and the authenticated as well as the surprising ones.


Not Surprised?

He came through the Gunners ranks from the youth team and became a regular for the first team playing the most number of games in the 2009/2010 campaign. After 6 years with a big club like The Arsenal, Neves Denilson has not been able to secure a call up to the Brazilian national team. His 2010/2011 campaign wasn't also the best performance of his career as it was injury plagued and he eventually lost out his place in the defensive and creative portion of the midfield to 19 year old Jack Wilshere, Alex Song, Samir Nasri and of course Cesc Fabregas. Perhaps the course in which the season ended unfruitfully for the North Londoners and the fan and media-instigated call for an overhaul of the squad has made the Brazilian review his option. According to Skysports, Neves Pereira Denilson has approached his fatherly French boss for a transfer. According to Denilson, he is quite sure he won't be playing for any other English clubs and sees his future most likely in Spain or in Italy.

Earlier in the season, Denilson was quoted as attacking the leadership abilities of his team captain. But he was defended by his Arsene Wenger that the lad was misquoted. The exit of the talented and aggressive Brazilian will be seen by some as a "one-down more to go" situation for those calling for an overhaul of the squad while some....


Staying Put


Is CR9 on the transfer market? Well, that's what a few people in the media are trying to make us believe. Who wouldn't love this bundle of talent in his team? with 38 goals in the la-liga so far and about 50 overall, Real Madrid will sure do anything to hold on to their talisman. Truth is, as Spanish football expert Gulliem Ballage puts it, after all this Ronaldo rumours, don't be surprised to see the Portuguese extending his contract anytime soon. Ronaldo is definitely going nowhere as far as I am concerned. He hasn't won the La-liga title. He hasn't won the Champions League with Real. And he will do anything to distance himself from Messi's shadows which seems to be all around him.


Cheque Please?

2 seasons after making switching allegiances from the red to the blue side of Manchester, reports are rife

that the hard fighting Argentine is ready for his next big challenge. Carlos Tevez has spent an average of 2 years in every club since he turned professional with Boca Juniors in 2001, appearing 75 times for the club and scoring 26 goals. According to EspnSoccernet, the Argentine declared his intention to leave Manchester City while speaking to an Argentinian radio station. The prolific and physical forward had earlier in the season turned down a mouth-watering deal said to be worth £300,000 offered by CIty. For him, football has changed and perhaps isn't all he thought it would be. He adds that he won't be surprised if he doesn't represent Argentina in the next world cup. The 27 year old concedes that a return to Boca Juniors is quite tempting but financial issues may make it difficult.

"Carlos, it has been an honour having you in the English Premiere League. Wherever you go from here, keep fighting, keep scoring, and kiss your daughter for me. Cheers"


Holding On...

A school of thought believes Arsenal - and Wenger's - ability to keep its talismanic and youthful captain will be the club's biggest signing this summer. Francesc Fabregas has been a perfect fit into the Gunners' squad since his arrival in September 2003. Since then, the midfield maestro has more personal and national team laurels than Arsenal team trophies. Speculations about his future at Arsenal became compounded when Spain won the Euro Cup and the World Cup. And this he did with his compatriots who are mostly players of his boyhood club - Barcelona. After Spain won the World Cup in South Africa, his national team mates who play for Barcelona conferred on him a (perhaps) honourary team membership by putting the club's jersey on him. The Catalan club has since made bids to the North London club asking for a "return" of the "son". But Arsenal is unwilling to let go of Cesc....just yet?





Bayern Bound


What a difference 15 months can be in the life of a footballer. Rewind over a year ago, Manuel Neuer wasn't even first choice for the German national team. But somehow fate played a fast one on Tim Wiesel, Germany's former number one. He got injured and up stepped Neuer. The Bayern Munich bound 'keeper has never looked back. Neuer has followed his superb showing at the World cup with some breathtaking displays for Schalke 04 this season. Just incase you are still in doubt about his talent, why not check out Schalke's UEFA Champions League semi final first leg showing against Manchester United. No wonder he was on Alex Ferguson's wish list until recently. Unfortunately for Fergie, Neuer won't be Edwin van der Saar's replacement. The German international is on his way to Bayern munich as the German giants have already agreed a deal with Schalke for his services.


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