It's been a while since an update! Apologies to anyone to has been waiting. It's been a hectic few weeks in the world of football with the season getting into full swing and the transfer window shutting. Today we're going to take a look at some of the more interesting and odd transfers from around the English leagues.
In the top flight, the most "shocking" transfer was that of a certain world cup finalist, none other than former Real Madrid player, Rafael Van Der Vaart. Tottenham managed to sign him on the deadline day, having only found out about his availability two hours before the deadline, they swooped in to purchase him from under Bayern Munich's nose. This is a very interesting transfer for the premiership with people clamouring to see how he will play in the premiership, the last few years he has been wasted at Madrid and now his chance to show that actually he is still a top class player, domestically and in Europe. However, will he fit into Tottenham's style? Surely not. The squad will end up having to either accomodate for him, or he will have to change how he plays for the squad, with so many class talents at White Hart Lane, it beggars belief to see how he will be able to play top dog, like he will clearly want to within a few months.
The biggest move in the Championship saw one of the most promising youngsters in English football leave England. Gylfi Sigurdsson over the last season has produced some sublime football for Reading, but was sold off for just over £6M according to the media. This figure however is surely a pittance to Hoffenheim who within 2-3 years if he keeps up his current level of development will double their money at the very least. This depature at Reading however has angered the fans, with many not knowing what the club are doing anymore and slowly becoming disillusioned with how the club is running, after the manager Brian McDermott only managed to bring in previous loanee Zurab Kishnishvill and also Ian Harte from Carlisle United. No massive replacement there then, this however can be seen by most fans round the country now that the Reading chairman, Mr Madejski is bored of the club and will not put any money in anymore, thus the club is sturggling to sign anyone. Reading really might end up in problems this season now if they cannot find a goalscorer to replace their midfield talisman ASAP.
Other big transfers included Robinho to AC Milan, meaning that despite Man City paying almost £1M a game for the privelege of having him, Roberto Mancini has got rid of him in time and recouped a lot of the money with an £18M sale. Man City of course were the big spenders this summer spending well over £150M bringing in names such as James Milner, Mario Balotelli and Yaya Toure. Surely now this is their season to push on towards the top four and qualify for the Champions League. If they do not manage this, Roberto Mancini will only have his own money to be spending next summer in the comfort of his own home, most likely unemployed.
In the betting world of football, there is only one tip I am advising today, and it is a small long term bet on Reading to be relegated, the defensive mentality that Brian McDermott has shown with the signings made may lead towards Reading gaining too many draws with a lack of goals. This is available at 25/1.
