At the time of
writing, I'm on the other side of the world and the lack of football news is
unusually distressing!
I've kept up with some
unusual news in the last few days - Lampard becoming a Manchester City player,
Spurs big summer signing being a player no one has heard of, who is an
Englishman from abroad (I may be wrong, but if this is true then the precedent
of Owen Hargreaves and Lewis Holtby are not the greatest of forerunners) and
Arsenal's no mark striker Sanogo being the star of the Emirates cup is
surprising.
After a tournament,
football always seems to go into frenzy. Those of us who even recall Euro 1992
will recall the way Europe's giants went crazy for the Danish team, and the
same after Euro 1996 with the Czech team. After the magnificent spectacle that
was the Brazilian World Cup, it was hardly surprising that the biggest stars
would be the biggest targets.
Whether "player
of the tournament" Lionel Messi will enjoy the spoils of that accolade
remains to be seen, but his new strike partner Luis Suarez should prove an
interesting combination with Neymar.
I don't know what the
future is for Costa Rica's Joel Campbell, but with Arsenal needing another
striker they may have the solution in their ranks already. Also, the multi
millions spent by Real Madrid on Colombia's James Rodriguez should see its impressive
strike force defend the Champions League well.
Turning to the Premier
League, arguably the biggest arrival is new Manchester United manager Louis Van
Gaal - the signings have mostly been "domestic" and I won't be the
first to predict Southampton's downfall without Pochettino (Spurs), Lallana,
Lambert and Lovren (Liverpool) and Shaw (Manchester United, training on his
own).
No one seems to
understand the exodus from St Mary's, but you don't replace quality with loan
signings.of Chelsea fringe players.
I'm obviously hoping
Spurs come good and Lamela and Soldado show their potential, but I suspect that
a lot of eyes will be on QPR. I know what Harry Redknapp can achieve and whole
Rio Ferdinand is a great signing, the acquisition of Steven Caulker should not
be overlooked.
It's too early to call
a potential winner or loser in this season, but I'd be keeping a keen eye on
Manchester United and Chelsea, Liverpool are to be determined without Suarez
but the combination of Lambert/Sturridge/Sterling should be good. Quite how
Sanchez will fit in with Arsenal's style will be interesting having been used
to Barcelona's 4-3-3 style.
The
one national team I haven't mentioned is winners Germany, and I'm surprised
that Goetze and Co haven't been cited more in the transfer news. Maybe Sami
Khedira's long rumoured move to the Premier League may change that. Let battle
commence (soon)!
