Football Is here again.

After a summer of blockbuster trades and rumours of trades, the season is finally here. Some leagues in Europe have alreday begun, but the "big" boys will begin in the next few weeks. Today, the Community Shield between, EPL champs Manchester United and FA Cup champs, Chelsea is to be played. It is supposed to give one bragging rights over the other, however it is really a glorified friendly that kicks off the season.

I expect the main players to get a start with some of the new blood getting a run. As always, I expect this season in Europe to be played at a high level. EPL especially, with Man City making big buys, the 4 horse race at the top should be opened up this year, atleast that is the least we expect after the millions that have been spent.

Anyway, thats all for today and I look forward to another exciting football season. As always, football is not just a sport, Its A Way Of Life!

Cheers,
Deon

Florentino Perez: What the heck?

After an estimated £136 million, what has Real Madrid got? Two attacking players (Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo) who can, potentially help them score more. But for what? After scoring 83 goals last season, I simply can't see the response is buying more attackers. Especially after conceding 52 goals, and may I add it was a shaky 52. 

I am a big supporter of Real Madrid, but Mr. Perez you are upsetting the apple cart, again! Gonzalo Higuan, the back up striker, who only got a chance to play because of a long term injury to Ruud Van Nistlerooy had 23 goals. The resurgent Raul 'Madrid' as he is affectionately known, scored 24. So with Ruud coming back next seaon, prospects were great from the attacking front. But what does he do, upset the chemistry.

With Canavaro heading back to Italy, the defense needs a leader. Ramos, arguably the best defender on the team, is a 'closet' striker. Marcelo, is an attacking winger playing wing back. Pepe, well temperamental doesn't begin to tell the story. Finally, Salgado and Hienze are past their prime. 

The money spent already could have outfitted the entire defense, and with the requisite sales, they would have been able to get maybe an extra midfield or attacking player. It remains to be seen, if throwing money at a team will make it better. If Manchester City is anything to go by, the prospects of instant results are iffy at best.

Needless to say, I will still support my (Spanish) team and see how it goes next term. Until next time, football is not just a sport, ITS A WAY OF LIFE.

Cheers,

Deon

Who is the best team in Europe?

With Manchester United clinching the title this morning, and Barcelona on the brink, it is very safe to assume that these two have risen head and shoulders above the others. Some in Italy, may want to a vote for Inter Milan, having won two titles in a row and closing in on a third. But, with no reall success in Europe, they are a hard sell. Both Man U and Barca have played consistent and at times very high levels of football and both have dominated their leagues, for large spells during the season.
Most importantly, they will face each other at the end of the month, in the Champion's League decider. With Barca also winning their domestic cup title this week, I would say that with a CL win, they may just edge Man U for best team in Europe. But you can't deny the winner of this greatly anticipated final. Great seasons by both and as a neutral, I hope that the final is keely contested and very entertaining.

Cheers,
Deon

Congratulations Manchester United!

Well, as the saying goes, give honor where honor is due. Manchester have played consistent football all season and are now champions of the EPL. This time, Ronaldo didn't have a "spectacular" year like last time, but they played total team football, with defense being their most impressive trait. To all my friends and those of you out there who support Man U, I say you really saw something there that I didn't, but you were right. Chelsea just didn't have that "killer" instinct this year, but like true competitors, we will be back next year.
One thing though, just when you thought Alex Ferguson was done, he wins back to back EPL titles and has the chance to repeat at the CL. He is definitely something special!

I love this sport.

Cheers,
Deon

Whew...Let me catch my breath!

If the last CL match day did not have you excited, then you don't have a pulse. As a Chelsea fan, I was happy, then petrified, then numb and then finally happy again. As a nuetral, I am sure the match between Chelsea and Liverpool ranked with the best of them in  terms of entertainment value.

The irony of it all was that everybody including myself was anticipating a "War of Attrition" between the two teams. A game where the teams are so evenly matched, defense will dominate and a moment of brilliance/error will determine the outcome. This game had both, multiple times and in the end Chelsea advanced to the semi-final of the Uefa Champions League.

In the other "main event", a game that I definitely expected to be more open, one moment of absolute brilliance by Cristiano Ronaldo decided the result and Manchester United marched on.

However, there is no rest for the weary. Both players and fans alike will embark on another "rollercoaster" of emotions as the three English, Champions League semi-finalists, gear up again this weekend for the FA-CUP semi-finals. If this week was anything to go by, I need to invest in an oxygen tank. Clearly, this is more than just a game, IT'S A WAY OF LIFE.

Cheers,
Deon

Is the EPL the best league in Europe?

Hands down, yes. I like European football. Who doesn't? It is definitely the most glamorous. And over the years there has been great debate over which league is better, who has the best teams, players etc. The truth is, every league has its argument.
La Liga boasts, Spanish heavy weights, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Sevilla, Valencia, Atletico and Villareal. All with world class players, all who have had recent European success. The same can be said of Italian powerhouses, Inter Milan, AC Milan, Juventus. In Germany, there is Bayern Munich, Bayer Leverkusen and Werder Bremen. All these teams are destinations that any player in world football will gladly accept a contract to play. But if we want to look at sheer consistency, let's examine the EPL.
How many years in recent memory, have there been a quarter final or semifinal stage of a European competition (either Champions league, or Uefa Cup) in which at least three teams are English? Take this year for example. Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool are all in it at this stage of the competition. In fact last year and many years before. The draw was such that English teams met in quarter finals, semi finals, and Finals consistently. Clearly there is something special there. To add to the case, Uefa cup, in recent years "second teir" EPL teams (like Tottenham, Manchester City, Portsmouth, Bolton) have made pretty good runs.
Now I am not making any arguments on which team is the best in Europe, because to me that can be any of a number of teams, but when it comes to European competition, the English teams collectively do well. So any given year in the later stages of the season, there can be atleast 4 or 5 EPL teams still involved in some type of European football. At first I was not a believer, having previously voted for Italian League and most recently La Liga. But with these facts, the answer is a resounding YES!
p.s With the EPL winding down, it looks like a 2 horse race for the title between Man U and Liverpool. We (Chelsea) have an outside chance of winning, but our focus in retribution for last year's Champion's League final let down. Also, for good measure we will also be going for the FA Cup with all our strength. We will let those two fight for the League title, it will be our's next year anyway!

Till next time, Football is more than just a sport. IT'S A WAY OF LIFE!

Cheers,
Deon

MLS, Laying down for Beckham.

I must admit, during Manchester United's brilliant run during the mid to late 90's and early 21st century, I and probably any observer of English football admired what David Beckham did on the field. In those days (Dwight Yorke, Andy Cole, Peter Schmeichel), I was a huge Man U fan. I used to marvel at the accuracy that Beckham "sprayed" the ball to all parts of the pitch, finding his strikers dead on from 50 yards. His set pieces were also amazing. anything within 35 yards was a sure bet to contest the opposing goal keeper. Such was the brilliance of Beckham.

But of course, football being the business that it is, Beckham quickly became the new poster child for Man U/English football. He was "annointed" the saviour of the national team, who was sent to this earth to take the English national team to its former international glory. And yes, he did have many fine displays in national team colors, but the success just didn't materialize.
Meanwhile on the other side of the world and almost parallel to Beckham's rise, Major League Soccer (MLS) was formed. After the resounding success of staging the '94 World Cup a few years earlier, the USA soccer Association, decided to ride soccer's popularity and form a professional league. To prevent a failure like the "North American Soccer League" MLS decided to be in control of all the individual players and contracts and then "assign" them to a team. This was to avoid, the "rich" teams from having too much talent and to encourage more even competition.

Well the league is now about 14 years old and enjoying relative success. The big mistake they made is thinking that one man, who undoubtedly was past his prime, could change the "status" of the league. INSANITY! Ok if the team alone took that risk, but an entire league? His actual football salary was $5 million a year. So why was it advertised as a $250 million contract? Well the league sweetened the deal with guaranteed endorsements, poisitions within the league once his playing days were over and of course the LA lifestyle. Beckham gleefuly accepted and was eager to raise the standard of football in America, right? Wrong! It was about the money. Beckham never did it for the love of football. In his mind, his international career was over and he had his slew of business interests to take care of and why not America?

Needless to say, his team sucked. Plagued by inconsistency and mis-management his team failed to capture the expected glory. And Beckham himself was average. It all changed when he "sniffed" another oppurtunity to represent England, and better yet even play in the next World Cup. In the "best interest" of the player MLS and LA Galaxy allowed him to go on loan, for 3 months. As if none of us know where this was heading. Beckham just knows how to give those "inspirational" performances, where he seemily recaptures his former glory just long enough to make believers out of us again and then the steam runs out.

To MLS, you got punked! I for one do not feel sorry for you. You have screwed over too many great players, paying them 35k a year, even though they represent the league with loyalty, and in some cases carry the MLS banner into the World Cup. So many transfers (of non-American players of course) to Europe that were denied for the "sake" of the league (See, Shalrie Joseph and Avery John). Yet when "cash cow" Beckham betrays his "loyalty" to American soccer, what do you do? Lay down.

To be honest, the league will be better off with out him. The league has been improving and will continutally grow at a consitent and steady pace. It will soon be a "real" option for young players around the world. In the mean time, its about time MLS as an entity, stop "owning" the players rights. The league is mature enough for teams to control it themselves.

As for Beckham's future? It remains to be seen. As always, football is more than just a sport, IT'S A WAY OF LIFE!

Cheers,
Deon

Can MAN U win it all?

As much as I hate to admit it Manchester United, under the supreme guidance of Sir Alex Ferguson, seem poised to win it all. With the FA cup quarter-finals up tomorrow against Fulham, I am sure Sir Alex is doing all in his power to ensure there is no "let down" in their performance just 6 days after winning the "Carling Cup".
Fulham, currently ranked 10th (out of 20 teams in the English Premiership) is one of those teams that puzzle me. Usually a "mid-table" team means, you beat everyone ranked below you, and every so often you may get a good result against a higher ranked opponent. This is not always they case with Fulham, they will struggle against a lower ranked team and then the next week, play the "game of their lives" against top ranked opposition. Which Fulham will show up tomorrow? Only time will tell.
Meanwhile "drunk and disorderly" Ashley Cole and Chelsea are on the road to take on "League Championship" side Coventry. Being a Blue's fan, I will really like to see Chelsea assert themselves from early, find Drogba and Anelka upfront and avoid a cup-tie replay. Unless a MAN U suffer a major slip up, "FA cup" and "Champion's League" are all that is left for Chelsea to add to their trophy case. I hope the hunger is there.
I don't really care about the other FA cup games, to me they are just the other teams in the "pot". These two games in addition "Real Madrid vs Althletico Madrid" (the Madrid derby) and "Barcelona vs Bilbao", should make for an exciting Saturday.

Up next week, my thoughts on Beckham's transfer saga and the MLS. Until then remember, Football is not just a sport, IT'S A WAY OF LIFE!

Cheers,
Deon

Spain's La Liga race is wide open!

WELCOME TO MY BLOG! I am going to save the other pleasantries for a later post. I was so moved by the results in Spain over the last three weeks, it has inspired me to create this blog.
  Any one who knows me, know that when it comes to football in Spain, there is no other team that tickles my fancy like "Los Blancos", for all "non-believers" that's the pet name for Real Madrid (31 time league champions, 17 time Copa del Rey champions, 9 time UEFA champions league champions, amongst other prestigious awards).
This weekend, Real Madrid beat Espanyol which makes it 10 league wins in a row, while their title rivals Barcelona, slipped to another shameful defeat, leaving Real Madrid just 4 points behind with one more "Superclassico: nickname for the match when they play each other" to go. I can not help but be excited about this.
Many times in the recent months, I have been told that Real Madrid's title last season was a fluke, the talismanic Raul is past his prime, too many average players, no "flashy" wins as compared to Barcalona. But the truth is a win is a win. I will take it any way it comes. I will not make any bold predictions as yet but I will say this, it's not over until its over!

Finally, congrats to all you Man U fans. After I finally woke up (due to the boredom), the guys kept their composure and took the title. Again I say congrats.

Until we meet again remember, Football is not just a sport, IT'S A WAY OF LIFE!

Cheers,
Deon