In For The Hat Trick

For every Chicharito, there are a thousand and one ridiculously ill fated transfers that take place every year. Here are three of them that have caught my eye this summer. 


1. Carson To Bursaspor- It’s difficult to know where to start with this one, whether it be with Carson’s mediocrity, or the ridiculousness of an English player trying his luck in Turkey, it will all boil down to the same thing- I just can’t see those terrifically British teeth of Scott Carson biting into a kofta kebab or a patlican dolma. I just can’t see it.

Carson has enjoyed a mixed career, he was briefly the next great English goalkeeper- before he got the rite of passage mistake which always seems to be bestowed on players with that title. In eight years, Carson has bounced around the two highest English divisions, playing for Leeds, West Brom, Villa and Liverpool among others. And now he’s gone to Turkey. I can’t say I’ll miss him, his smile, or even that error against Croatia, but good luck to him nonetheless.

2. McLeish To Aston Villa- According to the Aston Villa chief executive, Alex McLeish was brought to Villa in part for his Premier League experience. Now, whether two and a half seasons in the Premier League constitutes experience is debatable, but I’ll let that go for now, what’s interesting is that the Villa chief didn’t mention the other thing that McLeish has experience with. Relegation. Twice relegated over the course of a four year career in English football isn’t a particular impressive resume, certainly not one that should attract an ambitious club like Aston Villa.

Alex McLeish will start out at Villa next season with his most important potential allies, the fans, firmly against him due to his Birmingham history, and you can be sure that if the shape of Villa’s opening week bares even the slightest resemblance to a pear, he’ll be out of there faster than Birmingham’s nosedive into the Championship.

3. Kevin Nolan To West Ham- If you haven’t already read me vent against this transfer, then you will now. A move from the Premier League to the Championship is one clear indicator that perhaps Kevin Nolan intelligence doesn’t differ drastically from that expected of an English footballer, but his move to West Ham proves that actually, it does differ drastically. The lad makes Rio Ferdinand look like some kind of blend between Stephen Hawking and Hermione Granger.

Freshly relegated from the Premiership, West Ham is what happens when you put porn directors in charge of a football club. Soon to be stripped of all their best players, West Ham may struggle to return to the Premiership at the first time of asking, condemning former Newcastle midfielder Nolan to a career that will likely end in England’s second division.

Over the last couple of season, Sunderland have been one of the most disappointing clubs in English football. Consistently strong in the opening months of the season, the Black Cats always fall off after Christmas, and end up fighting against relegation. Last year, the team proved themselves capable of beating Chelsea three-nil, yet vulnerable to more than just the odd off day; see under the first Tyne-Wear derby of 10/11.

Over the past couple years, Sunderland have brought in seventeen players, a level of transfer activity which is as unhealthy for the team as it is for the club’s finances. Upfront is where most of the money seems to be going; Darren Bent, Frazier Campbell, Asamoah Gyan, Benjani, David Healy, Dwight Yorke, Michael Chopra, Daniel Welbeck, Kenwyne Jones and Stephane Sessegnon have all come in or gone out over the past two seasons, a group which has been added to further by the signings of Conner Wickham and Ji Dong-Won this week.

With this constant merry go round of players, it is no surprise that Steve Bruce’s team struggle for consistency; too often do they purchase in excess during the January transfer window, and too often do they use the summer as an excuse for a total face lift of the starting eleven.

Already this summer, Sunderland have splashed out on two members of Birmingham’s relegated midfield, Sebastian Larsson and Craig Gardner will both expect to start next season, presumably they will be Bruce’s alternatives to the failed Sulley Muntari experiment and the departing Jordan Henderson. How a Champions League winner and a man who has attracted interest from some of the top clubs in England can be adequately replaced by two players incapable of keeping their former team in the division escapes me.  Moreover, that is half of the midfield changed from last season, and with Lee Cattermole unlikely to avoid red card trouble for any substantial run of games, one further central player will be rotating in and out.

For a team like Sunderland, the only way to advance is to keep a core group of players together for the long haul, and while that is difficult with big clubs constantly poaching, surely Niall Quinn and Steve Bruce could be doing a little bit better. Had Henderson been part of a midfield built for the long term, and not one featuring players like Steve Bruce’s creative band aid Bolo Zenden, then maybe the England international would have considered staying, so as to help Sunderland advance. 

There are clubs in football who have perfected the rebuilding and replenishing cycle, Portuguese giants FC Porto seem to have learned to deal with the departures of important players, but they wield a certain financial clout which Sunderland can’t come close to matching. The Porto model is one that works for them, consistent qualification for major European competition insures that the team can recruit top level talent, while Sunderland can only replace stars with three or four mediocre players.

It seems like year after year, Sunderland are just rotating out average players for other average players, forcing themselves into a perpetual state of renewal that has kept the team’s progress stagnant. Every time the side looks to have made an advancement, they take a step back, something clearly demonstrated by the arrival of Gyan and departure of Bent.

Going into the new season, there is nothing new about Sunderland’s transfer exploits, star players have been offloaded, and replaced by quantity not quality; next year could be another frustrating season for fans of Sunderland AFC.

It is a subject which polarizes opinion, prompts fits of nostalgia and starts arguments between football fans around the World. Messi’s ascent to the top of the modern game is undoubted, but whether he has surpassed that and moved above some of football’s greatest names is another question. Messi is the greatest player in the World right now, but is he the greatest of all time?

In terms of club success and individual achievement, he tops the lot, but internationally Messi still falls short of players like Maradona and Pele. A Quarter Final exit at the hands of Germany last summer cast more doubt over whether Messi deserves to be placed alongside his two of his South American predecessors, doubt that the Argenitinan will have ample opportunity to quash at the upcoming Copa America.

Having not won an international trophy since the 1993 Copa America, Argentina are desperately in need of success on home soil, success that will only come if Lionel Messi finally performs. Complementing him is an army of attacking talent, players like Higuain, Pastore, Tevez and Milito are all match winners, but none possess the genius of Messi.

When Argentina kick off against Bolivia on Friday, all eyes will be fixed on the little number ten, everyone in the stands on their feet when he receives the ball.

“My greatest dream is to win Copa America.” A way to gee himself up for an upcoming tournament, or an actual slight to the World Cup, it is hard to tell, but you can be sure that this competition is one that Messi dearly wants to win. Standing in his way are the usual suspects, a team of Brazilians headed by youngsters like Neymar and Ganso, as well as a group of overachieving Uruguayans, inspired by a front three as good as any in World football.

For Messi, winning a major international tournament will be his greatest challenge, one that could end up deciding his place in the pantheon of legends. If Messi and Argentina capsize as they did in 2007, then the voices of doubt will begin to approach fever pitch, until they reach a volume that would only be silenced by an unlikely success on enemy soil three years from now.

For now though, Messi must forget about Brazil 2014 and focus on the task at hand. Coming off a wonderful season with Barcelona, he is in a rich vein of form, and is as ready as he will ever be to topple the Brazilians.

Will Argentina win the 2011 Copa America?
If they do, is Messi the best player of all time? Is he already?

Read more by David Yaffe-Bellany @ Red Flag Flying High
Follow him on Twitter @INFTH

For United fans, the memories of Sir Alex’s last goalkeeping search are ones best tucked away into the same drawer that houses their last two European Cup finals. With Peter Schmeichel departing, United had the mammoth task of replacing one of the best of all time, something they failed miserably at until a certain Dutchman came in to save the day.

Fabian Barthez, Tim Howard, Massimo Taibi… none of them could fill the void, in a period which was stained by mistake after mistake after mistake. A shot squeezing under Taibi’s body embodied the botched search, one which was both frustrating and damaging.

Hoping to have learned from past errors, Ferguson entered goalkeeper search 2.0 this summer following the retirement of the man who finally did replace Peter Schmeichel; Edwin Van Der Sar. Van Der Sar’s time at United was silver lined, four Premier League titles rolled in, complemented by one in Europe, as Van Der Sar’s save in the Champions League final shootout of 2008 brought United their third ever European Cup.

The number of names linked to the newly vacant goalkeeping post at United was unprecedented, it seemed that every goalkeeper who had made one fantastic save in the last decade was a potential target. A few years ago, there was Igor Akinfeev at CSKA Moscow, and more recently, big names like Manuel Neuer, Pepe Reina and Gigi Buffon. However, as is his wont, Ferguson elected to go with a young gun, Spanish U21 international David De Gea.

There is no question that De Gea has potential; he saved a penalty brilliantly in last year’s Uefa Super Cup, and has carved out a decent reputation for himself in La Liga, but is it really an intelligent move for United to go with someone so young? Of all the positions on the football pitch, goalkeeper is the one which rewards youth the least; it is strange for a goalkeeper to peak before his early thirties. It could be with that in mind that Ferguson has chosen De Gea, after all, his best years are yet to come and Ferguson will want to insure that United are the team to enjoy them.

Ferguson found in his last goalkeeping search, that whether a player is young or old, experienced or inexperienced, they are still capable of dropping clangers; see under both the youthful Taibi and the veteran Barthez.

However, in the end it was a man of experience who came through for the Red Devils, Edwin Van Der Sar had already won a European Cup, and played for Juventus in the Serie A, before he signed for Manchester United. Supposedly in the frame for the goalkeeping post 2.0 were players that had starred in World Cups, won Champions Leagues, and even pulled off blinders against Ferguson’s men, yet it was a man still to play on Europe’s biggest stage who was chosen. De Gea’s impending signing sees Ferguson ignore his success with Van Der Sar, and take a risk on youth; though I guess, that is the Ferguson way.

But what the Scotsman may come to realize as the season draws on, is that promoting youth in the outfield positions is much, much different than placing it in goal. While a mistake put down to youthful exuberance in midfield often goes unpunished, one made in between the goalposts is always significantly more severe.

Last time I raised a concern about the prospect of De Gea joining United I was slated, so I want to make it clear this time that this should not be perceived as a damning verdict on the Spaniard’s career in the sport, merely a warning, that sending a man with only a season and a half of top level experience to his name into the boots of one of the greatest football has ever seen is both unfair to the player, and jeopardizing to the club.

Yes, De Gea might go on to blossom under pressure, rule the roost for decades, and vindicate Sir Alex, proving that his risk had payed off. Yet at the same time, the potential of disaster is there, the potential for another Taibi.

Will De Gea succeed at United?

Read more by David Yaffe-Bellany  at EPL Talk
Follow me on Twitter @INFTH

In a season which was remembered partly for the woes of an under performing striker, one other struggling forward was barely mentioned. The trials and tribulations of Fernando Torres’ first season at Chelsea are well documented, his was a year to forget, one marked by a record transfer fee, but only one goal.

However, further North of London, there resided another man equally in need of a break; former Wolfsburg striker Edin Dzeko. Twelve months ago, when players like Sanchez and Young were hardly talked about in the context of a move, Dzeko was the main man, a supposed transfer target of every big time club, from Manchester United to AC Milan and back over to Barcelona. During that window, a transfer did not materialize, but Dzeko needed not worry, within six months he would have his move; to moneybags Manchester City. Already boasting strikers like Carlos Tevez and Mario Balotelli, playing time at City was anything but guaranteed, yet, we all thought that the brilliant Edin Dzeko could handle it, that he would be the next big thing to rock the Premier League.

Edin Dzeko’s nose dive from so hot to so not was a quick one. After impressing in a home game against Wolves, he flopped away at Aston Villa, in a match which was marked by the debut of another big money signing; Villa’s Darren Bent. From then on, Dzeko found that first team football was a difficult thing to find, and while the big Bosnian racked up a handful of goals against opposition like Notts County, Premier League strikes were a precious commodity which he just couldn’t attain. It took Dzeko until the twenty-fifth of April to find his first League goal, a winning one, against Blackburn Rovers.

With the season winding down, Dzeko only played one other consequential part, scoring in a virtually meaningless match at the Reebok on final day, a confidence booster but one which is unlikely to be remembered.

And so the season ended for Dzeko and City, the latter much happier than the former, but hopes still abides within Dzeko, next year he will have the chance to make an impact in the Champions League; a stage which he excelled on when playing for Wolfsburg.

“Form is temporary, class is permanent” goes the saying, and I think that Dzeko has class, the perdurable kind. The Bosnian has a wonderful touch for a big man, but is also dangerous in the air, once he fully catches up to the speed of play in the Premier League, he’ll start to bang in the goals.

Next season, Dzeko may end up playing a much greater role than he did in 10/11, Balotelli is ever inconsistent; and Tevez has still refused to commit either way as to whether he will stay or go. Yes, at the moment, Dzeko is really the only City striker with a clear cut future, even after suffering from such a lack of form last season.

When City kick off against Swansea in August, you can be sure that the likes Dzeko will be complemented by further attacking gems, after all, City have never been particularly shy in their transfer dealings.

Sanchez perhaps, could be the man to set up Dzeko’s first goal of the new season, and who knows, it might be Modric who he goes to celebrate with! Whatever the supporting cast, mark my words Dzeko will be a star, class is permanent and the man from Bosnia has plenty of it.

Read more by David Yaffe-Bellany at EPL Talk

A terrific tournament, capped off by a fabulous final, the 2011 Concacaf Gold Cup produced some stunning performances; here are the best of the lot.

Goalkeeper: Tim Howard- As ever, Tim Howard was right on form in the Gold Cup, saving the United States on numerous occasions during their early tournament woes. One stunning reflex save in the opening minutes against Jamaica was indicative of Howard’s effort all tournament long, he is the latest in a long line of brilliant American goalkeepers, and hopefully, he will keep goal for the States for many years to come.

Left Back: Carlos Salcido- A starter at Fulham, Salcido reaffirmed his classy reputation with another stellar series of performances. He has been a stalwart member of the Mexican defense for years now, starting all six games at the Gold Cup, he shone on attack and in defense. Though he was forced to come off with an injury early on in the final, Salcido will still take home a winners medal, something that he should be very proud of indeed.

Center Back: Felipe Baloy- The highlight of Panama’s Gold Cup was their 2-1 victory over the United States, and the Panamanians have Baloy to thank for that, as well as most of their other successes. A tough central defender, Baloy takes no prisoners, and was able to shut down the US forward line on one, and almost two, occasions. At age thirty, Baloy is a journeyman defender, but he will be remembered for the rest of his career, for that fabulous performance against the United States.

Right Back: Steve Cherundolo- The only consistent performer in defense for the United States, Cherundolo was by far the United States’ best performer at the tournament. The captain of Hannover in Germany, Cherundolo has plenty of high level European experience, and he kept a steady shift every time he played for the US. Bombing forward when he could, Cherundolo was also a threat on the attacking side of things, throwing in accurate crosses for the likes of Altidore and Dempsey to feed off of.

Left Midfield: Andres Guardado- The Mexican attack was filled with guile and creativity, qualities perfectly embodied by Andres Guardado. Capable of sprinting down the line or taking the ball inside, Guardado was a threat every time he had possession. Three goals from a wing position is an impressive return, and his strike against the USA was arguably a game turner, though admittedly, had he missed a goal probably would have come from elsewhere. Next season, you can be sure to see Guardado changing clubs, he is just way too good to play in the Segunda Division for Deportivo.

Center Midfield: Jermain Jones- Without having played in a major international tournament before, Jermain Jones acquitted himself quite well for the United States of America. Sitting alongside Michael Bradley in defensive midfield, Jones was at the heart of every midfield battle, intercepting passes, and breaking up play with his wonderful tackles. Despite not being known for his goalscoring, Jones did come up with a crucial strike for the United States; his deflected effort in the quarter final against Jamaica crucially opened the scoring.


Center Midfield: Gerardo Torrado- Another player accustomed to sitting deep in midfield, Torrado started virtually every attack for the Mexicans, picking the ball up off one of the central defenders, and spraying passes out hither and thither. With players of the quality of Dos Santos, Barrera and Guardado on the wings, Torrado’s accurate passes out wide were very effective weapons; ones that caused problems to every team that came in Mexico’s way. On the defensive side, Torrado also excelled, knicking the ball of attacking midfielders, and sliding in with tackles that instantly destroyed promising looking attacks.


Center Attacking Midfield: Clint Dempsey- Dempsey is the best American player of his generation, experienced at the top level of the game and a consistent performer for the National Team. With three goals, Dempsey was the United States’ top goal scorer, chipping in with strikes against Canada, Jamaica and Panama. However, Dempsey’s usefulness in attack extends outside his ability to find the back of the net, the American is capable of dictating an attack, as well as finding a crucial pass, an aspect of his game demonstrated by his assist on Landon Donovan’s goal against Mexico.

Right Midfield: Giovanni Dos Santos- The man of the match in the final, Dos Santos ran rings around the US defense, causing Jonathan Bornstein all kinds of problems down the right. His solo goal which capped off tournament victory for Mexico, was simply stunning, a combination of skill, poise, speed and sumptuous vision. The United States just couldn’t deal with his pace in the final, pace that had ripped apart lesser foes all tournament long.

Forward: Luis Tejada- Luis Tejada contributed to all of Panama’s Gold Cup highlights, scoring against the US, equalizing in the Quarter Final and then scoring the winning penalty in the subsequent shootout. Tejada’s consistently impressive performances for Panama will insure that he goes down as one of the most legendary footballers to come out of that country, he should be proud of his and his nation’s effort at the finals.

Forward: Chicharito- What more can I say about this guy that hasn’t been said already? Pace, movement, quick thinking he has got it all, and a winners medal for his troubles too. The tournament’s top scorer with seven goals, Chicharito didn’t actually find the net in the final, but his superb through ball for Barrera was absolutely crucial. Officially named as the player of the tournament, it’s difficult to argue against him, he is one of the best strikers in the World, and is set to enjoy success at club and national level for the next decade at least.