Loyalty. I believe this is the thing that every football player should have. What I mean is loyalty to the club. What is the point of big transfer if two or three seasons later, they move out again. Yet, it is hArd to find player who can declare their loyalty to the club nowadays. Recently in this month, we see David Silva had signed a new contract with Valencia, washed away all the rumors saying that he will Leave the club.
Now, his international partner, had do the same. David Villa had finally signed a new agreement with Valencia, making him stay at Mestalla until 2014. David Villa is my favourite
player and he shows the quality that I think others should also have.
Loyalty. Yes, it is. Even though David Villa can easily transfer to a giant club like Real Madrid and Chelsea who had been interested to sign this key player for Spain's victory in Euro 2008, but he decided to stay. What he can get at Mestalla? Valencia could not promise him european championship and yet, he tells that what he think he can get at Bernabeu, he can get it too at Mestalla.
And this news will surely Valencia's new coach, Unai Emery. He will need this two player, Villa and Silva to improve the overall performance of Valencia. Yes, and Vicente also had keep his promise to the fans that he will not let Silva and Villa out at all cost. This is loyalty, a quality that hard to find in young players nowaday.
Finally, I manage to create my own wallpaper. This is my first wallpaper, all edited by myself using Photoshop. Feel free to download. :)
Nope, this is not corner goal that you have seen before. They got goal straightforward from the corner. Don't believe me, look at these video. Yes, from Roberto Baggio and Michael Bastos. I don't remember where I get it but enjoy it. :)
Yes, it's in. Goal for Chelsea. Superb freekick indeed by Deco. Unbelievable, isn't it? Deco had secured the Blues win with his only goal last night to send Chelsea to the top of the table. Yes, a superb freekick, good pace, high creativity, these remind me to his team mate, Frank Lampard.
Yeah, we can say that both of them are pretty same in case of talent. Now Bllues has got another 'Lampard' for them. Since his arrival to Chelsea as among the first signing of Scolari alongside with his international team mate, Jose Bosingwa. He is going to be keyplayer for Chelsea this season to win the league title. Forget Ronaldo, Deco is far too good.
Steven Gerrard last night came up with a late goal to make sure the Red's victory of their rival, Boro. Victory is seemed so sure for Middlesbrough last night after Mido put Boro ahead with a beautiful goal in minute 70 before a goal by mistake of Boro's player, Emanuel Pogatetz at minute 86.
With not much time left, Liverpool starts to attack with their fullest and Gerrard ne
arly score a freekick at minute 92. Finally, Gerrard managed to score at last minute with the help of Jamie Carragher. This win has sent Liverpool at the top of the league table with the only team currently win all the matches. Arsenal is beaten up by the Fulham with the only goal from Hangeland, and Manchester United had held draw with Newcastle United, the only big four who survived maybe Chelsea.
Is this a sign for a wait for league title will end this year for Liverpool's fan? Well, more or less, Liverpool is going to be a tough rival for other Premier League clubs. However, this game has just started. We don't know what is going on soon but I am predicting Liverpool to be top 3 in the league table this season. Let see if my prediction is true. :)
Away Kits
Home Kits
This is the GoalZone prediction for the end of this season in England:
1) Chelsea
2) Liverpool
3) Tottenham Hotspurs
4) Arsenal
5) Manchester United
6) Blackburn Rovers
7) Aston Villa
8) Portsmouth
9) West Ham
10) Everton
11) Middlesbrough
12) Newcaastle United
13) Bolton Wanderers
14) Wigan Athletic
15) Sunderland
16) Manchester City
17) Fulham
18) Hull City
19) West Bromwich Albion
20) Stoke City
Valencia had faced a horrible season last season, seeing two of their coach had been sacked. Lucky for them to escape from relegation, Valencia is lucky to retain their star from leaving the club including David Silva and David Villa. Now they have a new coach, Unai Emery who is the youngest coach that Valencia had hired and under him, Valencia is improving from day to day.
Valencia had crushed Real Madrid in their first match of Spanish Cup and is looking comfortable to maintain their cup title again this season. With one goal each from Mata, David Villa and and late goal from Vicente, the Emery's squad easily defeated the league champion last season.
This could a good example of how good Valencia today under a new coach. Everyone in the team is supporting him and they are looking good to give challenge to Real Madrid, Barcelona or other Spanish club for La Liga's title.
Yes, Valencia will be a big challenge for Real Madrid to retain their league title this season. Despite having a lot of attacking option, Real is seen to rely most on Ruud van Nistelrooy and maybe a bid of Klaas Jan Huntelaar will help them with the attacking. After Real, Barcelona and Villareal, Valencia is one of the choices of league winner this season.
With the dynamic duo, David Silva and David Villa, Valencia will surely rise and prove to the world why they survived from relegation last season.
Shevchenko is being reported to go back at San Siro. Roman Abramovich and Silvio Berlusconi had agreed that Shevchenko will play for AC Milan on loan for one year. Shevchenko is the former AC Milan's striker and departed to Chelsea in 2006 for €45 million. Even though Sheva play very well in Italy, scorin
g 127 goals in 208 appearances, his performance in Stamford Bridge is not as good as before. He is seen to be desperate to go back to Italy since his arrival to Chelsea in 2006.
More over, AC Milan now is in crisis for their attacking option. Their only available option right now is their youth striker, Alberto Paloschi. They have to get at least one striker before transfer window is closed soon. With Ronaldinho and Pato is currently playing for Brazil in Olympics and Filippo Inzaghi is not in full fitness yet, they are seeking chance to bring back their star striker to Italy.
Now, fans maybe asking questioned, after two dreadful seasons at Chelsea, could Sheva give out all his best soon at San Siro? It is hard to tell. After ends up at the sub bench for almost game in England, Shevchenko surely needs a place to rebuild himself. Yes and the perfect place for him is surely the same place where his talent is appreciated much. And I am expecting this loan deal will soon be converted to a permanent deal. England is just not for Sheva.
No one can describe how happy the player will be to score a goal and the funny part about it is how they celebrate it!
There is plenty of funny goal celebration in YouTube but I am sure this one is the best. Enjoy it.
Fabio Capello had recently announced that he will choose the same man that had led England under Steve McLaren as the skipper. Even though there are rumors that Red Devil's centre back, Rio Ferdinand will take the responsibility but Capello had chosen John Terry to wear the armband.
The rumors about England's captain had long spread and with Capello's announcement, we should expect some improvement from England's squad which even unable to qualify for Euro 2008 tournament. John Terry said that he himself had heard rumors that Ferdinand will be the new captain and he 'shocked' that he will wear the same armband again.
Beckham, Gerrard, Ferdinand and Terry are person who are said to be the captain and with Beckham is too old for that job and Gerrard are not qualify enough for it, the competition left for Terry and Ferdinand. Even me myself are not a big fan of Manchester United, I can clearly say that Ferdinand is far much better than Terry and he should take the responsibility to become the captain instead of John Terry.
In the previous season, we can see how performance of those two are differs. Even though Ferdinand is Manchester United's captain as a replacement for Gary Neville and sometimes switch it with Giggs, for me, he had done his job well. John Terry who led his team for UEFA's final match with the Red Devil, failed to score the penalty which then turned the game around.
If John Terry should be a new captain, he should somehow prove that he is the best person to take that responsibility. Let us see a new era of England's football under Capello led by John Terry.
This is my second part for the latest kits for 2008-2009. Feel free to have a look.
West Ham (Away)
Liverpool (Away)
Portsmouth (Away)
Manchester United (Away)
Here is the latest kits for this season. Take a look.
Chelsea (Home)
Chelsea (Away)
Arsenal (Away)
Barcelona (Away)
Barcelona (Home)
Celtic (Away)
After Euro 2008, rumors about Russian's superstar, Andrei Arshavin leaving Zenit is spreading out, signaled big clubs to spend money buying him. Big clubs start to find a way to sign him but the price tag is too far expensive for some clubs. The only clubs who is reported still pursued this playmaker are Tottenham Hotspurs and Barcelona.
Even though Nou Camp is Arshavin primary target, there are still possibilities to see Arshavin to set foot in England. Luckily, the price tag is reduced by Zenit to a lower price, allowing Barca and Tottenham to continue their hunt for this forward.
Arshavin's outstanding performance in Euro 2008 for Russia attracts the attention of Spaniard coach, Juande Ramos to sign him and he is reported to be most interested person with him. Although Arshavin dreams a move to Barcelona, but according to Guardiola, Barcelona's coach, Arshavin is just one of their option and they do not necessarily have to sign him in as there are still lots of players on the market have the chances to be in Barca's squad next season.
Juande Ramos does not give up in signing this Russian and had already made personal contact with him and it seems that Arshavin is interested to go to White Hart Lane. He like the attacking style of Tottenham and a move to Tottenham would not be impossible. As Robbie Keane had walked out the club to join Rafa's side at the Anfield and Berbatov is most likely will be in Old Trafford soon, Ramos needs to sign players which is suitable to fill the empty seats leave behind.
Zenit's coach, Advocaat meanwhile stated that everything will be decided this week. These rumors had really affected the overall performance of the team. With only sits in seventh place this season after 17 matches, this thing needs to be resolved as soon as possible. Advocaat also had seen a possible transfer if Arshavin should leave the club.
But who is he? Zenit understands that they can't stop Arshavin to leave and they would have to prepare for the worst. To be in Barcelona will be almost impossible to Arshavin and England might be his only target left. Zenit is planning to sign Miguel Alves from Dynamo Moscow but is is look like impossible transfer as the club demands €30 million for their player. It causes they change their attention to this Feyenoord's midfielder, De Guzman, who is currently play for Oranje in Olympics. Maybe this is their only option left for Zenit but there is nothing they could do as Arshavin is not happy at Russia.
Luiz Felipe Scolari has taken the coach responsibility from Avram Grant last season after Chelsea fails to grab two most important titles which is UEFA Champion League and English Premier League title from their rival, Manchester United.
Since his arrival at Stamford Bridge last month, lots of improvement has been brought to Chelsea and obviously Chelsea is starting to transform to become a better team than last season. They have a pretty good pre-season campaign where they have completed their Asia tour with all three wins against two China's club and also one from Malaysia.
With their new signing such as Deco and Jose Bosingwa, Chelsea becomes stronger and stronger. While Manchester United seems to have problem with their attacking option for the start of the season, Chelsea looks like a suitable candidate to become the title winner this upcoming season.
If before this, under 'The Special One' guidance, Chelsea has evolved to become one of the strongest team in Europe and yet the most unattractive one, with Scolari arrival, he tries to change that impression with changing the style of Chelsea's game. Even though Scolari insists that his style is playing well and win, it might be hard for him as he has English players, not Brazilian. They do have different style of playing football but Scolari said that he will try the best to do what he is ordered to.
Who ordered him to implement Samba style to Chelsea? The Chelsea transformation is believed under the order of Roman Abramovich who want Scolari turn his club to become the most attractive and marketable. For a better option, Chelsea is also being reported to get the services from two Samba players, Kaka's and Robinho to Stamford Bridge.
But, both players most likely won't leave club this season as Real Madrid is reported to offer Robinho a new contract. Before, Robinho had told his club about his desire to play for Scolari but it is being rejected by the club. As a protest, Robinho refuses to follow Real for next match with Valencia. Can Scolari bring Robinho to Stamford Bridge before the transfer window is closed? Stay tuned with GoalZone for latest update.
And for Kaka's who has been Abramovich target since last season might not step his foot in England this season. Chelsea is being reported to break the record to offer Kaka' €100 million bid but Galliani had rejected the bid. Rumors then spread out that Chelsea is ready to increase their bid for AC Milan's star midfielder with €150 million. And recently The Times reported that this transfer most likely to happen next summer as AC Milan is said to consider the bid next summer as Kaka' also is said eager to team up again with his former Brazilian's coach at Stamford Bridge.
"They want us to play very well and win. It’s not just Mr Abramovich. But they need to understand that, sometimes, it’s difficult to play beautifully and win," according to Scolari.
Everything is seemed not going well for Real Madrid this season. Even though they manage to retain La Liga league title last season with a huge advantage compared to their challengers, Villareal and Barcelona, this upcoming season maybe will not be as good as before. With Wesley Sneijder is unable to start the season due to injuries and Julio Baptista is leaving Bernabeu for AS Roma, Real Madrid is in crisis.
Despite they have lots of option for their offensive with Raul, Robinho, Javier Saviola and Higuain, but the only true striker in the team is Ruud van Nistelrooy. With Nistelrooy will be too old for playing in few more years, Real Madrid should really find another striker for backup, which at least can be a replacement for Nistelrooy when he retires. The attacking crisis of Real Madrid is become more obvious as Robinho starts to refuse to travel with his team for Supercopa campaign as his request to move to Stamford Bridge is not approved by the club. With Ronaldo's is surely will not fly to Real Madrid this season, obviously Real Madrid has to find a striker as soon as possible because lots of time has been wasted to lure Ronaldo's out of Old Trafford until they maybe not have enough time to buy another players.
But, what are strikers available for Real Madrid? They surely will want someone who can prove that they can become a perfect 'second Ruud' for the team. According this year transfer market, Real Madrid surely has lots of forward to choose from. Dimitar Berbatov, Didier Drogba, David Villa, Klaas Jan Huntelaar and the latest, Real Madrid seek a chance to bring in Karim Benzema to Bernabeu.
This maybe looks like a solution for Real but with lacks of time available, and plus they start do not have a lot of option anymore. With Drogba decided to remain at Chelsea and David Villa also had announced his loyalty to Valencia, their option become less and less. Meanwhile, Dimitar Berbatov most likely will become one of Red Devil's squad rather than be in Bernabeu.
Even though Real Madrid has launched a bid valued €25 million for Ajax's striker, Huntelaar but Huntelaar is also seemed to stay, relieving Marco van Basten even though he knows someday Huntelaar will go out but he really hopes it is not this season. So, with that, the only available striker for them is Karim Benzema but it is not that easy to bring him to Spain as Lyon's president has decided that Karim Benzema will only leave for €50 million. Surely, it is not worth is for a striker which is might only start his first season at the sub bench.
So, will Real Madrid able to find a new striker for them or they will just have to rely on their all time scorers, Raul and Nistelrooy? We will have to wait and see whether this crisis is going to be resolved.
Transfer window is going to be closed soon. Big clubs try to bid their selected player as high as they can so that the player will play for them. Transfer window this season also is mixed with different kind of drama where loyalty of the players starts to be questioned. Ronaldo's saga also seems going to be end as Ronaldo himself has stated that he will stay at Old Trafford even though Real Madrid is seemed not going to give up on him. Here are top five transfers of the season based on my review.
The first one is Barcelona's creative midfielder, Deco who moves to Stamford Bridge to team up again with his former Portugal coach, Luiz Felipe Scolari. His transfer has brought positive changes to the Blues squad and his role in Chelsea in undeniably important. John Terry himself as the captain of Chelsea has praised Deco for his outstanding performance to the squad.
Secondly is the transfer of Tottenham Hotspurs's striker, Robbie Keane who decided to join Rafa's squad at Anfield. With the arrival of Fernando Torres from Atletico Madrid last season, Liverpool will surely need a partner for Torres so that the Reds's attacking is unstoppable. Keane is expected to build a good teamwork with Torres and Steven Gerrard.
Third, the transfer of Ronaldinho to AC Milan which had washed away all of the speculations about his future with Barcelona along this summer. Ronaldinho's performance last season is not good enough makes him being critic by the fan. He is also suffers from injuries, disallowing him to perform much for the Catal
an club. However, AC Milan decided to shine up Ronaldinho's name once again at San Siro which he will join his international friends there, Kaka' and Pato.
Fourth is the transfer of Arsenal's winger, Aliaksandr Hleb to Barcelona. Barcelona who is reported to be interested with this winger finally manages to lure him out from Arsene Wenger's side. Hleb's arrival at Nou Camp is seen as an option for Barca's new coach, Pep Guardiola to replace an empty seat which is leaved by Ronaldinho. The question is how good is Hleb actually to replace Ronaldinho?
The last one is the transfer of Hamburg's captain, Rafael Van der Vaart to Real Madrid. As transfer window is going to be closed soon, and they seem are not going to get Ronaldo, Van der Vaart is seemed to be a needed transfer by Real Madrid. This midfielder will bring a great impact to the team as their set piece taker; Wesley Sneijder is injured and unable to start the season with the squad. And at the same time, Van der Vaart arrives at Bernabeu, which I expected that he will take Sneijder's role with no problem at all.
Frank Lampard has recently announced that he has signed a new five years contract with Chelsea, making him the highest paid player in English Premier League. So, who are the other players who get high paid from their club? Here are the top 10 earners of English Premier League.
- Frank Lampard (Chelsea) - £140,000 a week
- John Terry (Chelsea) - £131,000 a week
- Andriy Shevchenko (Chelsea) - £121,000 a week
- Michael Ballack (Chelsea) - £121,000 a week
- Steven Gerrard (Liverpool) - £120,000 a week
- Cristiano Ronaldo (Man Utd) - £119,000 a week
- Wayne Rooney (Man Utd) - £110,000 a week
- Michael Owen (Newcastle) - £110,000 a week
- Rio Ferdinand (Man Utd) - £100,000 a week
- Didier Drogba (Chelsea) - £91,000 a week
Chelsea has officially confirm that their midfielder's Frank Lampard has signed a new contract, allowing him to stay at Stamford Bridge for another five years. Lampard who wears number 8 for The Blues is happy to extend his contract, washing away all the speculation about his move to San Siro to team up with former Chelsea's coach, Jose Mourinho at Internazionale. Mourinho is being reported to be interested to sign his ex-players, Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba to play for his new club.
This season had been a difficult season for Lampard as his mother, Pat died from pneumonia in April. Lampard 
had becomed an important player for Chelsea which he has helped Chelsea to win every domestic title possible and already has seven fantastic seasons which Chelsea and hoped to have more in upcoming season. With the new contract, this former Hammer's player will be the highest paid player in English Premier League with earning approximately close to £140,000 a week, which is £9,000 more than the last top earner which is also his team mate, John Terry.
It is surely a big amount of money but how good is Lampard actually? Well, let take a look at his record. After being transferred from West Ham, Lampard had make 369 appearances for Chelsea which he had scored about 110 goals. Lampard also had helped Chelsea to win two Premier League titles, two League Cups titles and also the FA Cup.
"It has taken a long time to get here but I'm happy that my future at Chelsea has now been sorted and that I will be staying here for the next five years," Lampard said. That is for Lampard but how about his club-mate, Didier Drogba and Joe Cole who is expected to have only one year contract remaining? Kenyon has admitted that there has been extension regarding those two players but West Ham has showed their interest to sign Chelsea's winger, Joe Cole.
Rumors about Samuel Eto'o is going to leave Nou Camp has spread wide all over the world and draw the attention of big club to sign him. This Cameroon's striker is one of the best striker in the world, so no wonder that the rumors about his leaving is absolutely a big chance for other clubs to get his service. Some of the big clubs which are reported interested with him are Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspurs and also surprisingly Eto'o also has flew to Uzbekistan as local club, Kuruvchi is being reported to lure this Barca's superstar out from Nou Camp.
But, do you ever wonder why the rumors of Eto'o's are leaving spreading out? It is all because of Frank Rijkaard's successor as the coach of Barcelona, Josep Guardiola reveals his plans about the Barcelona's future in his first press conference which he stated that Deco, Ronaldinho and Eto'o are not in his plan. Plus, those three players are also being gave the permission to leave the club. As we all know, Ronaldinho has moved to AC Milan to join his international friends at San Siro, Kaka' and Pato meanwhile Deco chooses to follow his former Portugal's coach, Luiz Felipe Scolari to go to Stamford Bridge. Two out, how about Eto'o's future?
The answer is no. Eto'o will stay at Nou Camp for another season with Guardiola. This is what Guardiola tells recently. "Samuel Eto'o will stay with us because that's his wish and my wish. I know what I said in the first day, that I did not count with him, as I also said that I would treat him like any other player," Guardiola said.
Why is that so? Guardiola explains that Eto'o is able to impress him in the team's pre-season campaign. Eto'o's performance in Scotland and United States make Guardiola thinks back about his decision and the latest is Guardiola says he needs Eto'o at Nou Camp. Eto'os surely is a guy with a lot of talent as a forward and Guardiola will be stupid to let him go.
Guardiola denies that his decision is being influence by the difficulties to get Eto'o's replacement. Plus, he even denied that he is looking for that Cameroon's striker replacement. As a part of his statement, Guardiola also insists that Thierry Henry is also going to stay at the club despite the rumors of his leaving. Manchester United, Liverpool and his former club, Arsenal are said to be interested to bring Henry back to English Premier League.