Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka: Two Mighty Signings for Real Madrid

Economic recession has not got over yet. Still, Real Madrid dared to spend about $250 million only on two players: Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka- in the summer. Time has not come yet to evaluate their performance and justify the two movies. However, one thing is for sure that no other club in the world could have gone that far to spend such a huge amount only on two players at the time of the economic recession, regardless of the fact how much they really deserve it.

Spending big amount is a trademark for the current Real Madrid president Florentino Perez, who is currently in his third spell at Madrid hot seat. He did the same in his previous two terms brining in some of world’s best players like Figo, Zidane, Beckham, Ronaldo (Brazil) and many other star players. The main objective was to make some quick cash in by capitalizing on the starry image of the likes of Zidane, Figo, Beckham and others.

Well, it is true that he brought a considerable financial success for the club, but in terms of performance, Real Madrid was not very dominant. It is true that Real Madrid won some trophies both in Spain and Europe, but towards the end of Perez’s second spell, Real started showing poor performance, and thus, the pressure was mounting on the star players.

So, in the long run, I do not believe that Real Madrid’s current approach of signing big players and bringing success would work well. For sustainable success, you need to have a strong and effective youth policy (like Arsenal), and if you look at the Real Madrid youth side, you can see that their youth system could not yet produce any world class player after the current goal-keeper Iker Casillas.

So, I think, Real Madrid needs to have a productive approach towards sustainable success; rather than short term glory. It is true that Real Madrid may get some strong success this season or in the coming seasons, but after that would come another spell of some poor seasons because there is no productive approach in their youth policy.

Manchester United vs Arsenal 2009: The Challenge of Thomas Vermaelen

Thomas Vermaelen has created a lot fans in Arsenal within just 2 weeks. I think that last year, the arrival of Arshevin caused this kind of happiness among fans. Everyone is surprised with the way, Thomas Vermaelen has adjusted himself in the club in the first eleven right from the first match. Tomorrow, he has the unenvious task of marking Wayne Rooney in the Manchester United vs Arsenal match. This is his first big test in the club. I am sure that tomorrow, he will do well.

Thomas Vermaelen is a young player but with lot of experience behind him. He is the only big signing in the summer for Arsene Wenger. On the other hand, Rooney has a very good season for Manchester United. SO, it will be a real entertainment for the TV viewers tomorrow’s match.

Joleon Lescott Moved to Manchester City for £22m Transfer Fee

Joleon Lescott has, at last, made his much-anticipated move to Manchester City from Everton for a transfer fee in the region of £22m, and thus, making a place among the top defenders in the world. There is no doubt, with this signing Manchester City has strengthened its already-star-studded squad further. After the Arab-takeover last year, the club has suddenly found bucket loads of money to buy star players in their attempt to become a formidable force both in England and in the Europe.

Manchester City signed Robinho last season for a British transfer record and they continued their spending spree this Summer too. They have already signed the star players like Gareth Barry, Emmanuel Adebayor, Kolo Toure, Carlos Tévez, Wayne Bridge, Roque Santa Cruz and Craig Bellamy. Now, add Joleon Lescott to the squad.

Don’t you think that the squad looks formidable? Now, let us see if Manchester City’s star players can deliver at their best and bring out success for the club who are now hungry for silverware.

Related article:

Goal.com

Nicolas Anelka Wants to Stay at Chelsea as Long as Possible

French striker Nicolas Anelka has said that he would love to play for Chelsea as much as possible as he loves the team and his teammates. The veteran, who joined the Stamford Bridge camp in 2008, scored one and set up another for fellow striker Didier Drogba in Chelsea’s 2-0 premier league victory away at Fulham on the weekend.

With three wins in three games, Chelsea has not lost any point either, and new boss Carlo Ancelotti is pretty much happy with his striking pair Anelka and Drogba. Anelka, however, has revealed something which could be a reason for worry both for Chelsea and France. The striker has said that he has been suffering from injury for the past 6 months almost continuously, and he even thought about undergoing a surgery this summer, but later on changed his mind considering next year’s world cup. However, he has assured his fans on the fact that he does not feel the back pain which has suffered him a lot in the past.

Well, no doubt, Anelka is getting older and it is natural that he would miss some action due to injury in future. However, one thing is true that he is still capable of playing at this level. He was the highest scorer of premier league last season with 19 goals and it shows that he still has something to offer for both his club and country. No doubt, France national team would also like to have an experienced and quality striker like Nicholas Anelka in their 2011 world cup squad.

Related article:

usatoday

Shahid Afridi Still Sees Future for ODI Cricket

Former Australian great Shane Warne has recently suggested that ICC should adopt Test and Twenty20 formats of the game, leaving out ODI format. However, Pakistan all rounder Shahid Afridi, who is also the captain of Pakistan twenty20 side, said that ODI cricket still has good future and there is no need to close down this format.

Shahid Afridi, the record holder of fastest ODI century, thinks that ODI cricket is still very popular among the fans and players. However, he also suggests that ODI format could be reduced to 40-over, in stead of 50 overs, if ICC thinks the format is losing its popularity.

Well, money has become a part and parcel of the game which, in one sense, has been instrumental behind its increasing popularity over the last two decades. However, one thing is for sure that ODI cricket is losing its popularity with the advent of money spinning twenty20 format. So, considering the overall situation, I also think that test cricket and twenty20 should be the two formats of cricket. However, if ICC wants to keep ODI format alive, then it needs to bring out some changes in order to make it less time-consuming, but more exciting. In fact, test cricket itself also needs some changes in order to keep its appeal intact among the fans.

Rafael Benitez Looking for More from Ryan Babel

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has expressed that he wants from Dutch winger Ryan Babel in 2009-10 season. The 22-year-old was unimpressive during Liverpool’s shocking 2-1 defeat at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur in the opening game of the season. As a result, he was left in the substitutes’ bench in the 4-0 mauling of Stoke City in the next game.

Benitez believes that Babel has the mentality to work hard and improve his game. However, the manager has made it clear that Babel has to deliver performance at different level and unless he can do that he would not given enough first team football this season.

Well, I think, Ryan Babel has shown his talent and skill last season, but the problem is that he lacks consistency. In order to clinch a regular spot at this level, one needs to perform almost regularly, and thus, winning the belief of the coach and fans. I hope Babel would nurture his talent and improve on his game to win a regular place in Liverpool squad.

Related article:

Guardian

Arsenal Wants to Make Money with New Executives

We all know that Arsene Wenger is often criticize for his reluctance of not to get big players. What we forget it that big players need big investment. Arsenal has done a huge investment on building a new stadium. However, this stadium was built with thinking to earn more money. The reality is that Arsenal needs to get some good brains if they want to earn money and become big club like Manchester United, Real Madrid and Barcelona. So, the club has recently hired three senior executives to help the club increase its revenue. We work as Tom Fox chief commercial director. All the three executives are very experienced and have successful track record.

Speaking of English Premier League, tomorrow there will be two important matches:

Arsenal vs Portsmouth

Wigan Athletic vs Manchester United

Hopefully, Arsenal will win tomorrow. What do you think?

Arsene Wenger: Big Money and Euro League

Global football is now a very big industry and a substantial amount of money is in European leagues only. So, there are some really very big European clubs like real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester United etc. They get a lot of money from selling tickets, sponsorship and TV lights but it is difficult for them to get all the freedom they desire in buying and selling players. In fact the difference between these clubs and other clubs in their own domestic leagues are too much and it causes a lot of problems sometime. That is why, Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger things that within one decade, there is going to be a European league. Of course, at this moment there is champions league but it is not a weekly affair.

BBC reported:

Wenger said: "Maybe in 10 years you will have a European league.

"The way we are going, the money coming in from the Champions League, for some clubs, will not be enough any more."

The Frenchman added: "I'm not sure 100% that I am right but I feel that there are some voices behind the scenes in our game aiming to do something about a European league, especially if the rules become too restrictive for the big clubs as things currently stand."

The Beginning of Good Time for Arsenal?

Last night, Arsenal traveled to Celtic and won the match by 2-0. Unless something dramatic happens next week in London, it is perhaps safe to say that Arsenal will enter into the group stage of Champions League 2009-10 season without any problem. Before that, they defeated Everton 6-1 last Saturday. Before the start of the season, almost everyone wrote Arsene Wenger off from this season. Well, I cannot blame them because I have almost the same idea. However, I support the policy of Arsene Wenger because it is not that he does not want to sign top quality players. It is just that he does not have the money because his club is passing tough days because of building a new stadium.

Anyway, it is nice to see that Arsenal could make a winning and impressive start both in home and in Europe. Of course, two matches do not determine anything. I still think that they have some weakness in the defense and they need to get another 2-3 quality players. Then, they would become a formidable force.

England Named Jonathan Trott for the Fifth Test of Ashes 2009

England selectors named uncapped Jonathan Trott for the fifth and final test match against Australia in the ongoing Ashes series. With the series tied at 1-1, England needs to win the last match at the Oval starting from 20 August in order to retain the Ashes title. Even a draw would not be enough for the hosts to win the Ashes as Australia won the last Ashes series at home two years back.

Jonathan Trott, an in-form batsman from Warwickshire, is now all set to make his test debut in the decisive test of the series. Out-of-form Ravi Bopara has been left out to make way for the 28-year-old who hit a smashing hundred in his recent match against Nottinghamshire. No doubt, the century against Nottinghamshire played a big part behind his selection. Spinner Monty Panesar has been recalled for the final test.

There were other names like Mark Ramprakash and Robert Key roaming around in the media, but in the end, Jonathan Trott is going to have his debut at the Oval. Now, let us see if the right handed middle order batsman can help England retain the Ashes title.

Related article:

bloomberg

Katrina Kaif and Shahrukh Khan: Favorite to Advertisers

Cricket may be the most popular game in India but it seems to me that companies prefer Bollywood to cricket when it comes to product endorsements. Indian Captain Dhoni, Shahrukh Khan and Katrina Kaif did the maximum number of advertisements in the first half of 2009. I found this short news in MSN India. The interesting information is that Bollywood celebrates endorsed 78% ads when it comes to celebrity endorsement. You may wonder why cricket players are so far behind especially when Indian cricket team has been doing great in the last two years.

I think that most companies in India still believe that pretty women must be in advertisements. So, Bollywood actresses are doing well. Cricket players are men and women cricket players in India are hardly known to anyone.

Fabio Capello Should Leave Alone Jack Wilshere

It seems that Jack Wilshere is the latest sensation in English football. He pays for Arsenal and could not yet make in to the first team but he has already caught the attention of Fabio Capello, coach of England national football team. He is only 17 years old and in the last few days caught the attention of almost everyone because of his superb performance in two preseason matches for his club.

Telegraph reported:

Meanwhile, he has been training with Arsenal and following a program of muscular development. At the Emirates Cup last weekend he was man of the match as a substitute against Atletico Madrid and then scored twice in another man of-the-match display in the 3-0 defeat of Rangers. The development has been radical.

"He surprised me, he really did," Capello said. "I saw him last year a few times in the Carling Cup and this year he has improved a lot. He has a big personality with the ball, he plays without fear, with big confidence.

I think that Capello should leave him alone and let Jack Wilshere grow and find his natural game. This is the thing that Arsene Wenger wants. I think that Capello made a mistake about Theo Walcott last season. Walcott is yet to become matured and he should be given enough time in club level first.

Manchester United or Chelsea: Who will Win Community Shield 2009?

The bookies are very busy with last minute bets for Community Shield 2009. It does not matter who wins tomorrow- they will make money and it is for sure. Anyway, I am not a fan of betting and like most football fans, my attraction is only for the football being played. Fortunately, I do not support any of these clubs. I am a big fan of Arsenal. So, I can enjoy the match with peace and comfort. However, if you are a Chelsea or Man Utd fan then I know that you would be nervous and tensed. Who do you think would win?

I think that Chelsea has a better chance in the match. Well, what I feel is that Manchester United has become some weak after the departure of Ronaldo. They need to find someone to replace him fast. They would surely miss his presence tomorrow.

On the other hand, Chelsea has got the same players like last season and this has made coach satisfied.

NY Times wrote:

"I don't want to take other players because I think that the squad is very competitive at Chelsea. We don't need other players," he added.

Chelsea have added striker Daniel Sturridge, defender Yuri Zhirkov and goalkeeper Ross Turnbull to their ranks in the close season and had a bid for AC Milan's Andrea Pirlo rejected with the midfielder now staying in Italy.

So, Chelsea coach and players all are now eager to lift the trophy tomorrow. Of course, it will be very tough as Manchester Untied is indeed the best club in the last two decades in England.

Time and Venue of Community Shield 2009

There are now even less than 20 hours before the start of Community Shield 2009. Manchester United was the league champions last season while Chelsea won the title of FA Cup. So, they are going to start the English football season with this clash. I remember that it happened in 2007- the same two teams played and Manchester United won in penalty shootout. I hope that the same thing would not happen tomorrow.

The match will start at: 15:00 BST (British Standard Time). It is excellent time for most football fans around the world. This time means that it will be around 8-9 PM in South Asia. 10-11 PM in most parts of East Asia, 4-7 PM in Africa and Middle East, 3-5 PM in most European countries and early morning in USA and Mexico. So, the timing is ideal for most football fans around the world.

The match will take place in Wembley Stadium, London. Wembley is perhaps the most glamorous stadium on earth with full of football histories. It is a new stadium with a long tradition. 90,000 people can enjoy matches and I am expecting a full house tomorrow. Manchester United and Chelsea both are now busy with final preparations and the players would surely go the stadium with only one thing in mind- winning.