Arsenal; Letting Cesc go

Some things in life just seem to be inevitable; like torrential rain when you’ve organised a summer barbecue.  Or James Corden.  The same rules apply to football, and nothing in football over the last two years has looked more inevitable than Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas moving to Barcelona.

 

From the second that Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger whisked the raw but talented young Cesc away from Barca’s academy aged just 16, there has been a steely determination from the Catalans to right a wrong and bring their boy back.  A prodigal destined to return.  

Of course Cesc certainly hasn’t stood still during his time with Arsenal, far from it.  Providing an array of skills, a wide range of passing and having grown into an on field general with goals to boot, Fabregas is every inch the complete midfielder and one of the best players in world football today.  

The complete midfielder

Not being a first choice for his country has not been enough to deter Barcelona in their pursuit though, and the campaign to bring Fabregas back to the Camp Nou has raged since he left, reaching a crescendo this summer.  For his part, Fabregas has just uttered the ‘flattered to be linked with’ line up until recently, but things have notably stepped up a notch over the last few months.  Barcelona have made a bid, understood to be in the region of £29m for the Spanish international, which Arsenal have turned down flat, with Arsene Wenger this week maintaining the line that his captain is not for sale, at any price. 

However things will crank up again this week; possibly as early as tomorrow.  New Barcelona President Sandro Roselli takes up the reins of his club on the 1^st of July, succeeding Juan Laporta, and makes no secret of his intentions, or the Catalan clubs main priority;

"My idea is to work hard to make sure that Barca follows in the tradition of last few years and I have the experience as a director in negotiations and Fabregas is the priority.

"I am sure that we can close the operation [to sign] Cesc. The relations between the two clubs has been very positive and we must make sure this does not damage those relations.

"Until July 1 we can't do anything as Laporta and his team remain in charge, but if negotiations are advanced and the coaching staff want the player, we will continue with the negotiations, without doubt."

It seems increasingly likely that a second bid, somewhere in the £30-40m bracket will follow this week.  That may not be enough to tempt Arsenal into the inevitable just yet, but with a lot of Europe’s media suggesting that Barca coach Pep Guardiola may turn his attention to Werder Bremen playmaker Mesut Ozil, their hand may be forced.  Fabregas has maintained a dignified silence of late, concentrating on Spain’s’ world cup campaign, but he will be sitting down for talks with Arsenal soon and if a deal is not struck between the two clubs it does seem likely that Cesc will ask for a transfer.  

So how do Arsenal go on without their talismanic captain?  The Arsenal supporters I speak with agree that there is a degree of inevitability about all this, with opinion ranging between it being time to cash in, to it being the final straw with Wenger; Fabregas’ frustration at failing to collect trophies mirroring the feelings of many supporters. 

While a minority of Arsenal fans will call 606 and demand that Wenger goes, the majority still maintain support for their manager…..but many will carry a strong sense of frustration at Wenger’s stubbornness not to play certain players in certain positions, or a stubbornness not to just blow some of those tidy profits on that one player that would make the difference; ‘one player’ is the quote I hear from Arsenal fans the most often, the margins certainly look that fine when you see Arsenal play.

As an outsider looking in though, I tend to think that Arsenal are actually moving forward at a rapid pace, mainly because many of their rivals are going backward so quickly, in financial terms at least, but I accept that it might just not seem like it when you go along and watch games at the Emirates.  

Ok, there have been no trophies of late, and losing your (arguably) best player is a bitter pill to swallow, but the North London club have a healthy bank balance, an excellent coach, a second-to-none scouting network, a first class stadium and excellent training facilities.  There is also that prodigious production line that shows no sign of stopping - in fact it looks on the verge of producing its finest crop yet (and I heartily recommend you visit www.younggunsblog.co.uk, to see what I mean) - and a reputation for fine football that stretches right across the globe; a far cry from the Arsenal I grew up watching.

.....and there's more

There’s not much anyone else can do to realistically compete with the money that Manchester City or Chelsea are spending, but money does not guarantee success - as Real Madrid consistently prove - and will it last forever? we all thought it would at Blackburn in the 90’s.  

Liverpool, even with the excellent Roy Hodgson set to come in, are awash with debt, as are Manchester United, where Alex Ferguson will one day have to retire.  Near neighbours Spurs have joined the top 4, but can they really afford to keep paying those transfer fees and wages, and what about Harry eyeing England?

Cesc might be on his way South, but Arsenal are far from doing the same.

World Cup 2010 - Ultra defensive Quieroz stifles Portugal

You can't really blame anyone for parking the bus when Spain comes to town.  It worked to great effect for Switzerland in their opening World Cup group game against the Spaniards, catching the European Champions cold on the break.  So tonight in South Africa, Portugal followed suit with another ultra defensive set up, with coach Carlos Quieroz taking a leaf out of Swiss counterpart Ottmar Hitzfelds big book of defending.  

For a long while it looked like working, Spain ran out of ideas and quickly got that 'feeling the weight of expectancy' look, while the Portuguese did look threatening on the break.  But that was all Quieroz's team could offer, and by the time David Villa had latched onto Xavi's deft through ball to make it 1-0, there was no plan B, and so Portugal, like Italy, France and England, head home barely doing themselves justice.

Now IBWM likes it's Latin sides to play with flair, and when you have a player as explosive as Cristiano Ronaldo on your team, I'd like to think you'll utilise him properly.  It's easy to remember Portugal cutting loose and knocking seven past the hapless and hopeless North Koreans, but bear in mind that those seven strikes apart, Portugal failed to register in any of their four other games at South Africa 2010.

Admittedly, steering a side through the so called 'group of death' along with Brazil was always going to require a plan, and knowing that you would likely be facing your next door neighbours who are much bigger and better than you would suggest that safety first should apply.....but did we always need quite so many players behind the ball, Carlos?  

Bigger, better

Portugal have for many years lacked a target man, a striker that weighs in with lots of goals.  Nuno Gomes and Helder Postiga have both enjoyed lengthy international careers despite being, well, shit basically.  However Portugal could always be relied to make up for this with goals from the flanks and midfield.  I accept that Nani got injured, which is a shame as he was in top form for Manchester United going into the tournament, but there were still options.  Simao, Danny and Deco would have all at one time all started alongside Ronaldo, and now that prolific Sporting Lisbon striker Liedson has finally decided he is in fact Portuguese (ahem), rather than Brazilian, there were options.  But no, Carlos had his plan.

Carlos Quieroz is a well respected coach that is only too happy to receive the plaudits in being described as the man behind the discovery of Portugal's golden generation of Figo, Costa and Couto, so why stifle his current charges so much?

Am I being too harsh here......or is this world cup turning out to be just a bit on the piss poor side?  So many teams and players just haven't turned up at all.

What do you think?

Spurs bid accepted for Arsenal and Manchester United target Kjaer

Just as Arsenal seemed to have been on the verge of nipping in, Sky Italia have confirmed tonight that Tottenham Hotspur's bid for Palermo's Danish defender Simon Kjaer has been accepted.

Simon Kjaer

Whether Spurs actually know anything about this bid yet is open to conjecture, but the story was running at the weekend without denial from London and the Italian media are fairly convinced that a double deal for Kjaer and Uruguayan striker Edinson Cavani will go through...........but Inter Milan could still step in.

Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United and City were all linked with the big blond stopper, but Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini is clear on who has got in first........unless he's just hiking the stakes for Internazionale at the last minute, which just wouldn't be cricket, would it;

"Tottenham have bid €35m, an offer we cannot refuse, seeing as the two players have both said they want to leave," said Zamprini on Monday.

Both players certainly fit the current Spurs identikit; with central defenders Ledley King and Jonathan Woodgate spending most of their lives on the treatment table, the signing of Kjaer, one of the worlds most highly rated defenders aged just 21, would be a significant coup.  In addition, Uruguay forward Cavani, who scored 13 Serie A goals last season, will bring further firepower to the Tottenham ranks.

Edinson Cavani

Kjaer has been a huge success this season for Palermo, who like Udinese and Sevilla have targeted the worlds rising youngsters over the last few years with a view to developing and selling on for a tidy profit.  The young Dane had already passed a trial at Real Madrid in 2007, but his club, FC Midtjylland, turned down the Madristas offer.

23-year old Cavani first arrived in Italy from Montevideo club Danubio in January 2007 and has developed well at Palermo.  Fairly tricky and a good mover at over 6 foot tall, Cavani looks the type of player that will thrive in an attacking team.  Whether he can dance like a robot is not yet known.

IBWM rates both, so fingers crossed for you Spurs fans, these are excellent players, primed for the Champions League........just hope Inter are sleeping.........

World Cup 2010 - EXCLUSIVE - FIFA Presdient Blatter backs goal line technology

FIFA President Sepp Blatter has backed goal-line technology.

"I am sure that when we play the World Club Cup then we will have goal-line technology," he said.

Following the Germany v England match at South Africa 2010, which was poised at 2-1 when Frank Lampard scored a legitimate goal for England, only to find this missed by the officials, the clamour for the introduction of goal line technology had hit vuvuzela volume.*

"But we will not have video technology and stop the game" added the FIFA president.  Fair enough Sepp, still it's a start though eh?

Just one word of caution though.  Timing.  That's right, timing.  These comments are direct quotes from FIFA President Blatter......but he made them in November 2006.

We've yet to hear from Uncle Sepp on the latest controversy, and of course Blatter has long since decided that the current Hawk-Eye technology isn't reliable enough, something that has been openly challenged by Dr Paul Hawkins, one of the Hawk-Eye folk, to no avail.  Isn't reliable enough?  It seems to work fine at Wimbledon as far as this correspondent can see and has to be a step up from what we have now.

"I just can't see it......"

I understand that you can't replicate goal line technology right down to all levels, which always seems to be Blatter's gripe, but we hardly need it to filter right down; just for it to be effective at the top level.......although if you're listening Mr Thompson; Kenton School interform April 1987, I hit that from a full 30 yards so I'd like you to review your decision.

* Please bear in mind that while I am English and live in England, IBWM is as neutral as you can get; I love all teams because I love football, enjoyed the way Germany played and would have backed anyone that has been unjustly punished due to the head honchos stubbornness on technology.  He's not even following IBWM on Twitter yet.  The silly old goat. 

Manchester City; Maicon set for Real Madrid, Alves staying at Barcelona

IBWM's mailbox has received word that Brazillian international, and rather good player Maicon will most definitely be following Jose Mourinho to Real Madrid in the next week, for a fee in the region of £30 million.   Most of the English tabloids had Maicon on Manchester City's shopping list.....but then they had everyone else on that list as well.

Spanish tittle tattle merchant's Marca have gone a little further this morning though and suggested that City will now target Maicon's Brazilian understudy, Dani Alves.  Alves has already turned down an initial contract offer from Barcelona and Citeh's name has sprang up.  Now there's a surprise.

With the Catalan club securing the services of most of it's top players on long term contracts, as well as adding David Villa to it's roster, it's highly unlikely that 27-year old Alves will be leaving the Camp Nou for Eastlands.  Bit of a non-story then.  Sorry about that.......

Forgotten man Vittek issues a reminder

Robert Vittek, once courted by the great and good of Europe has issued a timely reminder at South Africa 2010 that he's still around.

While the gaze of Europe's leading clubs watching Slovakia at their first world cup has been clearly trained on Napoli's Marek Hamsik, it is Vittek who has come to the fore.  Scoring Slovakia's first ever goal at a World Cup finals in their opening 1-1 draw with New Zealand, Vittek repeated the trick, and then again, in the 3-2 victory over defending champions Italy last week.

While most of us look and wonder whether we should indeed have had Vittek in our respective fantasy football sides, there will still have been plenty of coaches and managers across Europe tuned in to Vittek's exploits.

But it certainly isn't the first time that Vittek has caught the eye.  He moved from hometown club Slovan Bratislava to Nuremberg in 2003, at a time when when the German side were playing outside of the top division.  Having averaged almost a goal every game by the age of 21 with Bratislava, Vittek was starting to attract attention.  While others stalled, Nuremberg pounced.

Helping his team gain promotion back to the Bundesliga's top division in 2004, Vittek was an in and out sort of player, struggling to adapt to top flight football.  Some reasonable appearances came and went for the muscular forward but by the start of 2006 everything fell into place.  

If only Robert could reach the ball.......

Just after the Bundesliga's winter break, Vittek netted an astounding 17 goals in the last 15 games of the season for Nuremberg, including 3 separate hat-tricks.  This little display got Vittek noticed and bids from other clubs prevailed.  Courted by several Bundesliga sides, and with others from outside of Germany's borders making ultimately fruitless enquiries, Vittek remained at Nuremberg.  And stagnated.

Hampered by a severe loss of form following a couple of minor niggles, Vittek eventually moved on to French club Lille in 2008, with little success, and then onto Turkish side Ankaragucu, his current home. 

Tucked away in Turkey, Vittek has shown signs of past glories, but his current World Cup form might just get the forward another chance in a big league.

England fans - you need IBWM!

How's the conversation right now?  Linesmen?  or something deeper?

Just for the record, I suspect that you, like plenty of others, are in knee jerk territory right now.  I thought that this England side was on the slide, I just didn't expect it to collapse so quickly. 

These are still good players, although quite a few will probably call it a day internationally, and up until two weeks back, we all thought that Capello was great.  Reasons?  Could be one or a mix of several.  It's a strange one.

And before you get dragged into how we don't teach our kids properly, that's an argument that's only half true.  We lack top coaches nationally, but for every local set of kids rigidly sticking to a long ball game with 9 year olds on a full size pitch, there are other local sides brimming with tricky players, comfortable on the ball, often attached to clubs who are teaching youngsters the way that the Germans and Dutch do.  There will be stars again, there's just a dearth in the current 20-30 year old age group.  Platini's home grown plans will help as well. It'll all be fine again. Honestly.

Feeling better?  Don't give up on football just yet, or England; just visit this site every day so that you can enjoy the world game with odds and ends from everywhere, right across the globe.

IBWM can't fix the English climate, or guarantee English success, but at least you'll know who these Johnny Foreigners are before they tear England apart next time!!.......Mesut Ozil anyone?

World Cup 2010 - French Lessons

Headers and volleys in the park.  That's my level.  I played for the odd team along the way, but just your local pub sides etc and these days all that is a bit of a distant memory.  

The only recollection I have of my days creating havoc as a speedy left winger are in my head.......but then, being a speedy left winger creating havoc was pretty much all in my head as well.  The seizing pain in my knees, that stops me from vaulting out of bed each morning like Dick Fosbury, also acts a reminder that what never was, never will be.  Tragic.  Best have another of those glucosamine tablets.  Sniff.

Plenty of blokes my age (that's mid....ok, becoming late thirties) will still turn out to play 5-a-side, or maybe 11-a-side, where they can.  In their heads, it's still there, they've still got it....perhaps if Capello gets really desperate.....perhaps, but no.  

But just one shot, just one chance to make it, right to the top.  To turn out for Rochdale must be one thing, to play a couple of times for Manchester United must be another.  And for your country?  Wow.  And at a World Cup?  Unbelievable.  What an honour, what a privilege, tell me where to go, I'll crawl over broken glass and hot coals for that......what's the catch?  I have to take instructions from Raymond Domenech?  Forget it.....

I find it completely bewildering that anyone could contemplate effectively throwing away  a chance of a lifetime just because they don't agree with their boss.  Surely you do things to spite him, after all, the only reason you are here is because he picked you.....and you cheated your way past the Irish.

The dye for the French World Cup meltdown was cast long before 2010 though.  Domenech was never a popular choice when originally selected in 2004, and qualification for the World Cup Finals in Germany in 2006 was only secured once Zidane, Thuram and Makalele had returned to the national side following retirement.  Even then, Domenech was no stranger to controversy, Robert Pires, Vikash Dhorasoo and Gregory Coupet all finding an axe to grind with their national coach.

As it turned out, France only just missed out on a second world cup win and it's perhaps due to this to more than anything that the French FA decided to stick with Domenech following his team's dreadful showing in Euro 2008, where they finished last in Group C.

"you can't land the chopper here, T.C."

A stuttering qualification campaign for World Cup 2010 was sealed after that game against Ireland, when Thierry Henry's handball gifted the French a route to South Africa.  Facing a backlash from pretty much everywhere, including their country, it didn't take long for things to unravel for France at South Africa.  

I can only pick up from what's been reported over the last few weeks, the full inquest may never be made public, but Nicolas Anelka's tirade at Domenech following France's 0-0 draw with Uruguay seemed to be the lighting of le bleu touch paper; the French players looking particularly uneasy from the start in that game.

Subsequent player strikes, resignations, arguments and then Domenech's dreadful final act, failing to shake Carlos Alberto Parreira's hand following France's defeat to South Africa, are how France will be remembered for many years following this World Cup.  Far more damning than Zinedine Zidane's headbutt on Marco Materazzi in 2006.

Too much player power, or too much stubbornness on the part of the French FA for persisting with, or perhaps even selecting in the first place, the hapless Domenech.

Evidence growing for Torres Liverpool stay

With reports suggesting that 'cuddly' Roy Hodgson (we're all entitled to an opinion, now) is at this very moment taking planes, trains and automobiles to Anfield, there is, potentially at least, further good news for Liverpool fans.

Nothing concrete on this one, but having recently stepped into the barbers for a nice new World Cup haircut, Fernando Torres is looking more likely to remain at Anfield by the day.

Something for the weekend, sonny?

IBWM's reasoning for this, like most things on this site, is simple; the number of clubs likely to move for Torres is dwindling daily.  

Reports from Italy state that Diego Milito has signed a contract extension with Inter Milan, and there is a growing likelihood that Zlatan Ibrahimovic is in line for a return there, closing that door.

Of course Ibrahimovic would need to be replaced at Barcelona, another long term Torres suitor, but that situation has also developed, with Pep Guardiola on the verge of completing a £20m move (I'll not bother converting to Euros) for Juan Mata, having already secured the services of David Villa.  With the rest of Barca's cash targeted directly at Cesc Fabregas, that would leave only the richest of English clubs, Chelsea and Citeh, in the frame.

Money talks, as ever, and the loss of Champions League football will hit Liverpool hard, but Torres is clearly a very principled young lad.  He's already been on record denouncing all things Real Madrid, having grew up with Atletico, and doesn't seem the type to jump ship to another English club.  

Whether Liverpool's owners or bank managers see it that way is another matter.

David Silva; City in, Chelsea poised, Manchester United on standby

Transfer merry-go-round now beginning to step up a gear, and at the top of all the speculation at present is David Silva, the fleet footed winger from Valencia....or 'the canary' if you go in for that side of things.  One thing seems sure though, and that's a move to England.

Silva has long been courted by a number of sides, with both Manchester clubs registering an interest.  Indeed City looked to have stolen a march on their rivals with Valencia confirming that they have given the Spanish international permission to speak with the Eastlands outfit, without a final fee being agreed, despite reports to the contrary.

Silva;"Tweet"

City obviously have the financial muscle to satisfy both Silva and his agent, and keep some of Valencia's long list of creditors at bay, however without Champions League football being secured for this season at least, it's likely that Silva will bide his time.  Chelsea are also ready to put some numbers on the table for a player that Carlo Ancelotti views as pivotal to his future plans.

Throughout all this, Manchester United have remained lurking in the shadows, but Silva is a player that has long been targeted by Sir Alex Ferguson.  Whether United actually have the financial muscle to compete on this one - reports suggest a fee in the region of £30m - is by no means a given though.

World Cup 2010 - Slovakia, an apology

Rather than do as the tabloids do and hide it's grovelling apologies on page 23, IBWM is putting it's apology right here, on the front page, at the front door.  For the world to see.  Are you listening, world?  Pay attention.

Slovakia.  May I apologise for despatching you back home earlier today, when it was clearly Slovenia that should have been packing their bags.  Having got so worked up watching the England v Slovenia game, IBWM decided, in it's wisdom to get a summary report out quickly and, not for the first time, forgot to check it's facts......like who was playing.  Schoolboy's don't even go that far wrong.

So apologies to you, Slovakia; may your stay in Mexico be long and fruitful.

World Cup 2010 - Defoe rescues England

After a week that had become a bit like watching someone spew their guts out for a full 11 days, Team England finally rallied to defeat Slovenia at Port Elizabeth.

A clearly pumped up England, wearing their world cup winning red shirts (cliche number one) looked a different side from previous games, with Milner, Upson and Defoe all starting.  

Defoe had been largely, if not completely, anonymous for he first 20 minutes before doing what great strikers do best and popping to score following a delicious cross from Aston Villa's James Milner.  England were doing what they do best in the second half, really coming out fighting and with tails clearly up, going for a second, however a combination of the woodwork and some fantastic goalkeeping from Handanovic in the Slovenian goal kept the marauding English forward line at bay.  

However Slovenia continued to look dangerous counter attacking on a sand box of a pitch, with England pushing forward in numbers, somewhat unnecessarily in the eyes of this correspondent.....but it wouldn't be England had they not made it nervy.  With the back four and Milner all outstanding England hung on though.  1-0.  Phew, said a whole nation....after the usual nail biting.

In amongst all that fun and frivolity, the USA, who had put a good shift in during this tournament so far, went through as group winners....in the last seconds against Algeria.  Ladies and gentlemen, that concludes group C.....the EASY group, so they say......

Argentina through, France out, Greece never at the races

Enjoy it?

Business end of the World Cup began today with France, as inevitably as is possible, packing their bags and heading home........although there is an argument to say they never actually turned up at South Africa.  

IBWM along with the French government (not together mind) will wade in with its two penneth on that one in the coming days, but today the French, down to 10 men, stumbled to a 2-1 defeat to hosts South Africa.  In failing to do so, Bafana Bafana became the first host nation to fail making it over the qualification line in 80 years.  How they must rue that woodwork worrying against Mexico in the opening game.  Uruguay, unsportingly taking advantage in IBWM's drunken state that saw a hefty wager on a draw with Mexico, beat the Mexicans 1-0 to top Group A, with their opponents also going through.

Group B threw up an entertaining clash between South Korea and Nigeria, which ended 2-2 and included one of THE all time bad misses from Yakubu, enough for the Koreans to progress, finishing second to El Diego's Argentina.  

I should mention here that IBWM has taken the decision not to put all its eggs into Diego's basket and focus totally on Argentina (HEGS, Mundo Albiceleste and the lads at southamericanfootball.co.uk all do a much better job of that) in order to begin it's ultimate quest to concentrate on World Football in all it's glory, from all regions....... but we still love El Diego.  And so do his players, it seems.  

Sending out what could almost be described as a reserve side, sort of, through very squinted eyes, Argentina comfortably won 2-0 against the Greeks.  In truth, just the two flattered Greece, they were never in it.  Deciding that parking the bus was the way to go, the Greeks were comprehensively outplayed as Diego not only oversaw a win, but did a lot to keep morale high amongst his second string.  Captain for the night Leo Messi was again outstanding, but still failed to score, DiMichelis and Palermo doing the damage this time. 

Roll on the last 16.

Comments welcome.

South America to Sunderland; Bruce set to move again

Harry Redknapp of Spurs, continuing his ongoing dialogue regarding all things England, this week gave his verdict on Wayne Rooney's showing for the Three Lions against Algeria; "If he'd have been available for £1.5m, on that showing, I'd have said no'.  

Of course there is no chance of Rooney becoming available for that amount, so it's all hypothetical, but as you will have already sussed, Redknapp has made an astute point.  Rooney was awful.  If a scout had recommended that you go and take a look at the England striker, not being aware of his work, you'd have probably ducked out after half time and went home.  Not worth it, the verdict.

Which is why clubs need scouts.  Building up a profile and having players watched regularly before passing a final judgement; something that Steve Bruce at English Premier League side Sunderland has done to very good effect.

Riveros; he's in there, somewhere

In May, Bruce moved to secure the services of Cristian Riveros from Cruz Azul in Mexico.  Having tracked the player during his time as manager of Wigan Athletic, the Sunderland manager continued to monitor Riveros' progress and availability.  Originally put off by Cruz Azul's prohibitive price tag, which estimates suggested were near the £12m mark, Bruce could easily have choked on his cornflakes after learning of Riveros' eventual availability......on a free transfer.

“We have been monitoring Cristian for a while now so I’m delighted to have concluded a deal which will bring him to Sunderland and the Premier League" said Bruce, following the capture of the Paraguay international.

“He is a very creative midfielder and a player that will enhance our attacking options from wide positions.”  added the Newcastle born Sunderland manager, and this is something that Riveros has demonstrated already in Paraguay's World Cup campaign at South Africa.  Indeed Sunderland fans will have been pleased not only to see Riveros turn out for his national side, but to play particularly well at the heart of their engine room, capping his displays with a fine goal in the 2-0 win over Slovakia.

South America continues to be a happy hunting ground for Bruce, and his forays into the murky waters of transfer markets in that part of the world have been particularly effective.  Targeting players not always from the cost inflated Argentinean or Brazilian stables, but focusing on the rest of Latin and Central America, Bruce already has a good record.  

While Antonio Valencia of Ecuador was signed by Paul Jewell and Honduras international Wilson Palacios' recommendation come straight from Arsene Wenger, Bruce was certainly responsible for the development of both during his time with Wigan.  As both players were then sold on for huge transfer fees to Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur respectively, Bruce demonstrated the opportunities that arise by purchasing from the Americas.

Over the last year Wigan have seen the potential resale value of a second Honduras international, Maynor Figueroa as well as Columbian striker Hugo Rodallega rocket, with several of Europe's top sides closely monitoring both.

So what is Bruce's secret?  In a nutshell, a good scouting team........that includes John Benson.  Not a hugely well known man, despite holding just about every role - including manager -  at Wigan over the last 15 years, Benson recently joined his former boss at Sunderland.
 
And this as a partnership that again looks potentially fruitful.  Bruce has already added Riveros' international team mate Paulo da Silva and has been linked with moves to increase the Paraguayan contingent at Sunderland by adding Nelson Haedo Valdez, as well as looking at Argentinian duo Mauro Boselli and Marcos Angeleri from Estudiantes.  Chile's 'big boned' hitman Humberto Suazo has also been linked and the excellent Salvador Cabanas was also on the Bruce/Benson radar, prior to the Paraguay strikers 'run-in' with a revolver.

Suazo.  Mid air peanuts; out of shot

South American players have traditionally settled well in the North East of England; Nolberto Solano of Peru more than enjoyed his time at Newcastle, and more recently Argentinean duo Fabricio Coloccini and Jonas Guttierez have fell in love with the Geordies.  At Middlesbrough, Brazilian Juninho became part of the fabric on the banks of the Tees in the 1990's..

Further back, the Chilean Robledo brothers were also trophy winners with Newcastle in the 50's; are Sunderland set to follow with a 2011 vintage?

Viva la mackems.

Comments welcome.

Is Harry Redknapp of Tottenham Hotspur about to take England job?

Another day at the World Cup, another day of South American progression.....and European retreat.  

Brazil qualified, Paraguay in control and Argentina already have their slippers on.  Italy tottering, England likewise and France imploding; spectacularly so.

Each of these European sides are, to put it bluntly and despite one or two exceptions, past their sell by dates.  All three are still largely reliant on the same squads that represented them, well in the case of Italy and France, at the last World Cup.  While there is a similarity there, Italy and France have something in common that England don't.  Coaches.  Raymond Domenech and Marcello Lippi were both here last time, Fabio Capello was not.

In a few weeks time, possibly a few days, Laurent Blanc and Cesare Prandelli will have taken up their new roles as the top dogs for France and Italy respectively.  If we are to follow hastily adjusted contracts, adjusted during something of a power vacuum (again) at the English FA, Fabio Capello will be working on where England go next.  

But should England fail to beat Slovenia this week, where will Capello stand then?

Prandelli; top dog

IBWM would like to add the retainer here that it could still quite easily see Italy in the final, and while France are clearly a lost cause, what of England?  This was never a best chance, in fact for this golden generation, it was hoped to be a final hurrah; but that white shirt certainly looks heavy draped across English shoulders at present.

Should England do the unthinkable and fail to make it past Slovenia, contracts or not, Capello's position would be completely untenable.  He'll walk, albeit with a golden farewell, and the shambles that is left at the FA will be staring into the void.  The collapse of the 2018 World Cup bid will be the least of the problems facing Team England.

Clearly there will need to be a new appointment, and quickly.  Stuart Pearce, having worked with the Under-21's, was once thought next in line, but tarnished as Capello's 'yes' man by the most inept of displays at South Africa, where next?

Roy Hodgson at Fulham has made a case for himself, and has the benefit of international experience with Finland and Switzerland, but will that pacify the locals?  There is clearly only one direction the FA looking at the mother of all backlashes will face; Tottenham Hotspur.

Did I say Tottenham Hotspur?  Or should that have been Sandbanks, Poole?  After all, the media do like to point out how happy 'Arry is with his life and his home overlooking Poole harbour.  He's also just steered Spurs into the Champions League and would surely like a tilt at that?  But do a bit of research; Google the words England and Redknapp together and you'll see how much copy Harry has provided on the subject 'England' recently.  IBWM thinks it's clear what's on his mind, last chance and all that, picking something up off the floor; that's Harry's style.

Redknapp; now or never

We could get all hung up on the innuendo, rumour and potential 'stories' that have been attached to Redknapp, but there can be no worse bad press than the bad press that England and the FA could be facing soon.  

Tottenham; that looks like our stop.

Comments welcome.

Will Manchester City or Real Madrid get Argentina's Angel Di Maria?

I dare say there will be a fair few rumours about who is going where over the coming weeks should topics of conversation ever move away from Vuvuzelas and Jabulani's....or how crap England are.

99% will be mere speculation and most of these will involve Manchester City, as is always the case with these things, but some just look inevitable. Especially where the shrinking violets that are Real Madrid are concerned. 

 

Di Maria; Bernabeu bound?

Currently in the Madridistas sites, (and I’ll include the word ‘allegedly’ here) allegedly, is Argentina’s fleet of foot young left winger, Angel Di Maria, who looked a little more into his stride against South Korea this week....but Manchester City have also been linked

"I have not been called about anything new, I hope it is true that my transfer goes ahead, because it will be a great option," stated Di Maria, speaking to Spanish sports daily Marca this week.

"I have not spoken to anyone about my move to Real Madrid, because right now I am solely focused on the World Cup", added young Angel. The fee is suggested to be somewhere in the region of £30m, which certainly sounds like a Real Madrid type amount of dosh to this correspondent. There have already been reports of medicals being carried out for the player.

Of course I should add a word of warning here, as the majority of quotes do seem to be emanating from the player, rather than the club, and we all know how Real Madrid like to keep these things quiet. (Ahem).

Quite exactly where Di Maria would fit in considering that Cristiano Ronaldo is already in situ at the Bernabeu is one issue; another is whether new Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho quite fancies the player.   All encouraging for Roberto Mancini at Manchester City.

The enigmatic Jose may well prefer to send his large amounts of cash in the direction of his former employers at Milan, with Inter reluctantly sticking the likes of Maicon, Milito or even Samuel and Cambiasso onto a train bound for the Spanish capital.

No doubt there will be more to come.

Comments welcome.

World Cup 2010 - Cameroon : The loneliness of the long distance Samuel Eto'o

There are few things in football as sad as the out of position player.

 

While some are happy enough just to lace up their boots and fight for the greater good, others just end up going through the motions.  Dejected, heads down and ineffective.  Pitiful really.

Of course many players end up like this when they are played in their favoured position by their club; “I’m ready to move on when this shambles gets itself relegated, my agent can get me a move to Italy…..once the loyalty bonus has kicked in of course”  Just insert relevant name here, we’ve all seen ‘em.

But at international level things are different, well sometimes anyway.  I watched Japan beat Cameroon (do I need to have an s on the end of that? should Hartlepool still be Hartlepools?) in what was one of several uninspiring first round games at the South Africa World Cup.  Japan worked hard and deserved their victory.  Cameroon, once the darlings of World Cup football, were toothless and insipid.  In their own continent, and with a new batch of players, Paul Le Guen’s side, while not expected to pull up trees at South Africa, could surely be expected to put on a decent show.  But no. 

Paul Le Guen

The main reason for Cameroons ineptitude stemmed, as far as I could see, from their coach, Paul Le Guen.  Le Guen has an extensive, if somewhat mixed CV.  He was lauded as a genius in France after a spell with Lyon, winning the championship three times while in situ, but labelled a clown in Scotland following his time at Rangers.  I read a comment yesterday from Oliver Kay of the Times, who questioned whether Le Guen’s time at Rangers had been a blip.  He concluded, after watching the Japan game, that it was Le Guen’s time at Lyon that was the blip.

Whilst they huffed and puffed, Le Guen’s side looked lost.  Bereft of ideas, the African side resorted to the most basic of long ball tactics, with no positive outcome.  Whilst they were never Brazil, Cameroon were always easy on the eye, if not the ankle, as Claudio Canigga will probably concur. 

 

What I found to be particularly sad though, was the site of striker Samuel Eto’o, cut adrift on the right flank and left helpless, like a lost child in a supermarket.  Of course top players should be able to roll up their sleeves, get stuck in get on the front foot for their country, especially if they’ve been made captain.  But I have sympathy with Eto’o; he doesn’t give the impression of being a shrinking violet, but deep down he looks the type that probably needs the velvet glove treatment.  Eto’o clearly needs to be loved.  And played up front. 

 Eto'o; short of love, it says here

‘Play to your strengths’ is a maxim that works well on the national stage, with current World champions Italy the embodiment of that philosophy.  Eto’o has been in sparkling form this season for Inter, playing just off and just behind Diego Milito, but he was equally devastating at Barca as a main striker.  Quite why Le Guen saw fit to stifle the life out of his best player, the player he made captain, is well beyond my comprehension.  Evan Japan appeared shocked at the selection, and probably couldn’t believe their luck at seeing such a potent force tucked away as ball after ball sailed straight down the throats (not literally you understand) of their centre backs.

I can recall a similar situation at Newcastle United in the mid 1980’s.  Incumbent magpies manager Jack Charlton, decided that it was his way, which was also the high way.  Deploying two burly strikers in George ‘Rambo’ Reilly and Tony Cunningham, with service provided from Chris Waddle on the left, and the deft Peter Beardsley shoved onto the right, Charlton felt that getting the ball lofted into the box by hook or crook gave the best chance to score.  In fact Charlton’s tactics also asked ‘Pedro’, not to get too involved with crossing the halfway line.  Reilly and Cunningham struggled, Beardsley struggled and Newcastle struggled.  Waddle went to Tottenham.  Within 12 months Beardsley was thankfully back in position for club and was a huge star for England in Mexico 86.  Redemption.

Sadly for Eto’o, this will likely be his swansong at international level.  Fiercely criticized by 107 year old Cameroon legend Roger Milla for his lack of international prowess, Eto’o cut the look of dejection perfectly.  There will be no surprise should he announce his international retirement by the time Cameroon pack their bags and head North, which looks like being sooner rather than later under Le Guen’s guidance.

Comments welcome. 

World Cup 2010 - Was Spain defeat really a surprise?

When I read a headline on the interweb this week titled ‘Swiss shock’, I just assumed it was a typo and all I had to do was follow a link to get a free bar of toblerone.  One of the big ones that you get at airport duty free shops (who does buy those by the way?).  However, I was wrong. 

 

On clicking it was indeed a 'Swiss Shock', rather than a choc, and it referred to Switzerland’s opening group game, the 1-0 win over much fancied Spain.

In terms of shocks, this was pretty significant as well.  Spain entered the World Cup as reigning European Champions, have the best set of international players available, a tried and tested system, a respected coach in Vincente Del Bosque and have only lost once in around about 3000 matches, give or take a few.  Heck, even IBWM backed them for glory and you can’t get a more glowing endorsement then that.

Sooooo; Switzerland 1 Spain 0........was it really a shock?

Ok, to be fair to Espana they looked for the most part as invincible as they always do.  The ball looked as if it belonged to the Spanish and the Swiss were little more than traffic cones scattered across the pitch for Xavi et al's passes to avoid.  But to write this result off as a total fluke does a great disservice to a decent Switzerland side.

 Bike parking at Swiss FA headquarters

In qualifying for South Africa, Switzerland topped their group; admittedly this wasn’t the most difficult of groups to steer out of (they lost only once, at home to Luxembourg of all people in 2008), but there has been a growing feeling across Europe that this is a Switzerland side that has been developing at a rapid rate.

Talented players such as Gokhan Inler and Eren Derdiyok have made huge strides over the last two years and are already established in Serie A and the Bundesliga respectively.  Inler with Udinese and Derdiyok with Bayer Leverkusen .  Supplemented with a few old hands this is a Switzerland side with a clear sense of focus.  And that focus has been provided by coach Ottmar Hitzfeld.

If there was one thing that stood out from the Spain game, it was the tactical approach of the Swiss, admittedly ‘stop Spain scoring’ is a fairly straightforward instruction, but the execution of the game plan was no fluke.  Hitzfelds set up was fairly simple, he was more than happy for the Spaniards to play their neat little triangles and maintain a tippy tappy passing game with ole!’s a plenty coming from the crowd (if you could hear them) provided it was all done in front of his Switzerland team. 

 

Stifling space for the Spaniards to make incisive runs down the flanks was also a feature, and anything that went straight down the middle was easy fodder for centre backs Phillipe Senderos and Stéphane Grichting, with the former sadly due to miss the rest of the tournament due to ankle ligament damage.

Hitz; providing focus 

In fact the Swiss were so effective at executing their plan that the Spaniards almost swallowed their collective dentures when Switzerland broke forward.  You just don’t do that to Spain.  Fernandes scored after an excellent run from Derdiyok, and his team could have scored again with another incisive move resulting in a bit of woodwork worrying.  Patience the key, the weight of expectancy looked to hang heavy on Spanish shoulders.

All this just demonstrates the value of a good coach.  In the previous two World Cups we have seen the brilliant work of Guus Hiddink, teaching South Korea and then Australia to punch well above their weight.  

Hitzfeld has already won the champions league twice with Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich, and so far looks to have the ability to ruffle feathers at South Africa 2010. 

Anyone fancy an Alp?