Tottenham looks set to lose Dimitar Berbatov to Man Ure after having already lost striker Robbie Keane to Liverpool. There’s plenty being said about the Big Clubs in Europe “tapping up” players, basically showing interest in them in the media and therefore getting the player all excited about a transfer. It’s an ugly business because the rich clubs are playing in the big tournaments that any player in his right mind would want to compete in, but this tactic is more of the rich getting richer while everyone else stays where they’re at. Spurs cannot seriously mount a charge on the top four when Man Ure keeps buying their stand-out players—Michael Carrick a couple years ago and Berbatov now.

My second-favorite team in England is probably Liverpool, partially because of their history but mostly because of their Spanish contingent. I have to say that this transfer season has revealed the true colors of both Rafa and Sir Rednose: Rafa is paying too much for players who may well not pan out, and Man Ure is buying pure quality. I can’t believe that Gareth Barry (if the deal ever goes through) is really the midfield answer for Liverpool, and with Robbie Keane they’ve certainly bought industry and talent, but I’m not sure he’s going to be the boost up top the team requires. And did you notice that they paid £19 million for him? Erm, Fernando Torres, one of the classiest strikers on the planet, cost around £20 million. Look, Robbie Keane is a good striker but I’m not sure he’s worth paying through the nose for.

The overhauled Chelski should be interesting, regardless of whether Lampard goes or stays. Deco is a handy little player to have around and it will be fascinating to see who comes and goes in the couple weeks since you can’t believe things are done yet.

Spurs, of course, have made some signings that could either be great or awful. I’ve seen Giovanni Dos Santos play a couple times and the kid is incredible, but Mexicans and the Premier League tend not to mesh well. And Luka Modrić? Who knows, really. But as they have shown the door to Berbatov, Keane, Robinson, Chimbonda, and Tainio, you’ve got to think they’ve got a lot of buying still to do. David Bentley would be more than welcome (even if he’s an ex-Ars*) but the bigger questions are at the front and back. But Juande Ramos surely knows what he’s doing…right?

Anyone who thinks Man Ure is an average squad that was carried by Ronaldo last year needs to get their heads checked. If they get Berbatov—and I think they will—then that adds a new dimension to their attack, and if Nani and Anderson settle, then you have to think that they’re not going to drop that much should Ronaldo leave.

For Real Madrid, I’m not sure Ronaldo’s the player they need either. Yes, they’ve won back-to-back championships, but they haven’t done it with the wide-open attacking style that Calderón wants so badly. Real has seemed like a very fragile team these last couple years, and I don’t think a flashy winger is what the squad needs to settle. But only time will tell…

Current Mood: Fine |
Currently Listening To – Beck – “Modern Guilt”