This summer’s transfer window is providing plenty of evidence that the football universe is more affluent than ever, and whilst us mere mortals in the real world are still tightening our belts and having our pocket money slashed, those involved in elite football are shaking hands with Midas.
Although the metaphorical gold mine of football resides in East Manchester these days, it is their North-West rivals in red that have been splashing the cash in the transfer window so far. Indeed, Manchester United and Liverpool have both spent big already this summer, bolstering their squads early in preparation for the new campaign, both hoping their new-look sides will gel in pre-season.
Although many are tipping this to be Liverpool’s return to serious title contention under the Messiah that is Kenny Dalglish, the Anfield outfit’s back line is not up to scratch for a serious title challenge, and this is the area that the weathered Scotsman has resisted to invest in. With an admittedly impressive, but bloated array of midfielders to choose from, clever rotation and inspired selections will be the key to maintaining squad harmony at Melwood this season which will be key to any success they enjoy.
As for the Red Devils, I have been impressed with the shrewd captures of Phil Jones and Ashley Young, with David De Gea having big gloves to fill if he is to be the true replacement for Edwin Van der Sar. These three transfers have come at a big cost, and show Ferguson’s commitment to the long-term future of the club as he is unlikely to still be around when Jones and De Gea reach their peak.
Taking a shorter-term approach are their fierce local rivals Manchester City, whose pre-season tour of North America only amplified my perception of them as a circus act. With Carlos Tevez earlier joking on an Argentinian TV show about his dislike for the rainy city that has been a welcoming home for him for the last 4 years, he is now ignoring his manager’s calls after his desired move back to Corinthians fell through due to the closing of the Brazilian transfer window.
Another unhappy striker in the blues’ camp is Mario Balotelli, who confirmed his role as chief clown of the circus with this comical failed attempt at showboating that took the spotlight off David Beckham following his teasing comments regarding City in the build-up to the match.
Despite all this, Mancini remains upbeat and the imminent arrival of Sergio Aguero from Atletico Madrid has led some pundits to speculate that this may prompt his fellow Argentine Tevez to stay. Others are possibly closer to the truth by reporting that Tevez will depart for Inter Milan, although this would contradict the player’s claims that he wants to leave City to be closer to his children, and City will demand much more of Milan for their talisman’s signature.
However, this may not be an issue for the San Siro giants, as their funding could be helped with the heavily rumoured exit of Wesley Sneijder, who looks to be heading for Old Trafford in a £35m switch that would take United’s summer spending over £90m.
Ferguson has been keen to rule out any move for the diminutive dutch playmaker, but we have seen this smokescreen from the great scot in the past and the relentless nature of this rumour lead me to believe that there is no smoke without fire.
So with all this going on in the North-West, it is easy to forget about the Russian Billionaire who splashed £50m on Fernando Torres only 6 months ago. Chelsea have been slowly going about their business thus far and Villas-Boas is yet to unleash Abramovich’s chequebook on the transfer market, with most columnists speculating about moves away from the bridge rather that to it. The exception to this rule is of course Luka Modric, with Tottenham rejecting the initial £22m bid faster than Carlos Tevez can reject a phone call.
Spurs’ stubbornness in asking the tricky Croat to honour his recently-signed contract seems unfair, especially since their failure to finish in the top 4 is denying such a brilliant player Champions League football. But it was Modric’s folly if he did not demand a clause in his contract guaranteeing himself the opportunity to play in the top club competition in the world. Villas-Boas doesn’t seem the type of guy who messes around so I can see Modric having to settle his differences with Levy and co unless Chelsea are willing to spend big to prise him away from the Lane.
Should the price of Modric rise above Internazionale’s asking price for Sneijder, common sense might suggest that a move for the latter may be the better option, but common sense is not as abundant in football as money these days – see Andy Carroll for more details.
