David Villa is a target for Chelsea, Liverpool and Barcelona

Any lingering hopes Arsenal fans had of capturing Spain’s star striker David Villa have died, with the Valencia man’s transfer market price rising in the millions since his hat-trick against Russia.

That was followed by the winner against Sweden, and Valencia are now in an incredibly strong bargaining position. Los Che are set to ask for up to 40million euros for the former Zaragoza man, ruling out Arsenal who are again to avoid investing huge sums on a single player.

Barcelona, Chelsea and Liverpool now lead the chase for Villa’s signature. Barça are thought to be favourites, and with the likes of Samuel Eto’o and Ronaldinho heading for the exit, the club are looking for a new forward to lead the line and have identified Villa as their main target.

Villa has also told the News of the World that Chelsea and Liverpool interest him. Chelsea are ready to hand new coach Luiz Felipe Scolari an open chequebook while Liverpool’s level of funds is unclear following the splurge a year ago by Rafa Benítez. They would likely hold sway, however, as Villa is close friends with Pepe Reina and has demonstrated at Euro 2008 his great affinity for Fernando Torres. The pair have also formed a fantastic partnership for country.

Failing to capture Villa will leave Arsenal supporters disappointed, especially with Emmanuel Adebayor rumoured to be on the move and Cesc Fàbregas publicly stating that he would like his compatriot to join the club. Gunners fans responded positively to the quotes attributed to Villa last season, when the 26-year-old stated that Arsenal would be his preferred destination. However, with the North London side unwilling to splash the cash, Villa has turned his attention to two other members of the big four.

The bidding war for Europe’s most wanted striker is set to commence upon the end of the European Championships. With Valencia cash-strapped, the highest bid will be accepted despite the club’s obvious wish to keep him. With Villa’s departure virtually guaranteed, the only lingering question is over which of the top destinations El Guaje will eventually select.

Luiz Felipe Scolari has worked wonders with the Portugal side

The announcement came as a massive shock to the footballing world, as many had expected Roman Abramovich to delay his decision until the end of the European Championships in Austria and Switzerland.

Least of all, they didn’t expect the Chelsea board to announce Scolari as their new coach at a time when his side are fighting tooth and nail for European glory. However, in the aftermath of Portgual’s 3-1 victory over the Czech Republic and their subsequent qualification to the quarter-finals stage of the competition, Scolari confirmed he would be leaving his post as national manager at the end of the tournament to join the Blues in West London.

Yet rather than put an end to all the Chelsea speculation, the announcement has in fact opened up an entirely new can of worms. Who will Scolari bring in to Chelsea? Ronaldinho? Deco? Will Scolari get on with the fiercely-demanding and sometimes interfering Russian owner, the man set to be bankrolling the Brazilian’s massive £6m-a-year wages, or will he wilt under interrogation like his predecessors? And, perhaps most importantly, will ‘Big Phil’ be able to orchestrate the deadly combination that the owner craves; a samba-style breathtaking brand of football along with unlimited success? Unfortunately, we’re just going to have to wait and see; only time will tell.

While Abramovich enjoys his own personal concert, from Amy Winehouse, yesterday evening, at a reported £1m fee, and while Scolari continues to prepare his Portuguese side for their probable last-sixteen meeting with Germany, Chelsea supporters have been given more questions than answers after Wednesday’s managerial unveiling. The first point to consider is whether Scolari was in fact the board’s number one choice, and the suggestions are that he was not. Carlo Ancelotti, the AC Milan manager, was twice approached by the Chelsea board, but kindly declined the offer to leave Serie A, while Frank Rijkaard is also believed to have snubbed Chelsea in favour of taking some time out of football. That makes Scolari the board’s third choice, at best. But have the Chelsea big-wigs made the right choice?

Whilst opting for a manager with no previous experience of managing a club in Europe, they have undoubtedly landed their hands on another ‘Special One.’ Scolari won the World Cup with Brazil in 2002, guided Portugal to the final of Euro 2004, and then the semi-finals of the 2006 World Cup in Germany. Previous club management in Brazil has seen him win a string of championships, as well as the Copa Libertadores, the South American equivalent of the Champions League, twice. His next major international test is likely to come in the quarter-finals of this European Championships, where it is likely his side will have to triumph over Germany, the pre-tournament favourites, to proceed.

Scolari is also a manager who will demand the utmost respect from the Chelsea players the moment he meets them. Unlike with Grant, who had very little previous experience as a manager, Scolari is a world-renowned coach. He’s been there, done that, and has the World Cup-winners medal to prove it. The Chelsea players should be in no doubt that they are about to meet one of the world’s best. Scolari also has the ability to get the best out of top-class players, which is something he will need to be able to do at Chelsea. However, he has the distinct knack of making tough decisions, even against the wishes of the supporters. His omission of Romario from the Brazilian national squad was unpopular, yet Scolari proved the doubters wrong in the end. Could he be about to make a similar stand at Chelsea, perhaps by showing fans-favourite Frank Lampard the door?

It certainly isn’t just the Chelsea supporters who should be looking forward to Scolari’s arrival in the Premier League; just as the loss of Jose Mourinho was universally mourned, Scolari will be charismatic, bold, open-minded and not afraid to ruffle a few feathers. His recent hints to Cristiano Ronaldo to join Real Madrid, which make much more sense now he has been confirmed as the new Chelsea boss, have already kick-started the war of words with Sir Alex Ferguson, the Manchester United manager. Scolari also infamously punched an opposition Serbian player after a minor confrontation, whilst referees have also come under attack from the brash Brazilian. We’ve been told to expect fireworks and, to be honest, we cannot wait.

But will Scolari be able to deliver in the toughest of climates, at Stamford Bridge? His CV certaintly suggests so, although once he starts work in West London, any previous achievements will be thrown out of the window. Scolari will be judged by the board, the supporters and the public by his work at Chelsea, and that alone. Undoubtedly he will be handed a significant transfer budget for the summer, but who to bring in? Deco has been mooted as joining his current national coach at the Bridge, although with Chelsea’s already-extragantly packed midfield area, surely some would have to make way first. The talk of David Villa, after seeing him in action for Spain last week, is mouth-watering, while the manager’s aim of bringing attacking, entertaining football to Chelsea may see the likes of Didier Drogba and Andriy Shevchenko quickly moved on.

Chelsea’s decision to appoint Scolari as their new coach cannot be disputed in terms of logic; indeed, out of all the candidates he is probably the best-suited for the role. His age - Scolari turns 60 in November - may be a concern, although his experiences of football across the world will greatly benefit his players and the club. His grasping of the English language has also been questioned, and he will have to quickly get his message across to his players if that is not to be a major problem. However, as people often say, football is a universal language. And Scolari, in any language, is a special manager.

Avram Grant has been sacked by Chelsea after just eight months in the job

Avram Grant has been sacked by Chelsea despite reaching the Champions League final and finishing runners-up in the league to Manchester United.

The Israeli lasted less than a year at the club and many expected owner Roman Abramovich to give the coach time to assert his own authority over the squad.

But the short-termism which is rife within football has struck again at Chelsea, with Abramovich ridding of his third coach - Claudio Ranieri and Jose Mourinho being the others.

Despite Arsenal and Manchester United demonstrating the success of sticking to one manager over a prolonged period, the Russian saw defeat to Manchester United in Moscow as the final straw, with the repercussions from John Terry’s penalty miss seemingly unending.

Frank Rijkaard has been installed as immediate favourite to replace Grant having recently left Barcelona. His excellent grasp of English and attacking style of football are plus points, especially as Abramovich is keen on transforming Chelsea’s image as a boring side. Dutchman Rijkaard won two La Liga titles and the Champions League with Barcelona but struggled in his final two years.

After Chelsea’s most successful season in Europe and a fantastic run of form at the season’s climax, has Grant been unfairly treated? Did Chelsea fans want him to remain or was he simply a copycat of Mourinho? And who should be next in at Stamford Bridge?

Leave your views in the comments section below.

If the hype surrounding the Champions League Final is already intense, this is surely still the quiet before the storm.

Because in two short days we will be well and truly within the bounds of the match build up and, by then, most of the front pages will mirror their rears in speculating about the first all English European Cup Final in football history. If you love English football it’s big. If you support either side it’s seminal and if you support both teams, well you’re Ray Wilkins.

Carlos Tevez will play an integral role for Man Utd

And what a great leveller the Champions League final is. Even a month ago, United fans were licking their lips at the prospect of facing a stuttering Chelsea in Moscow. Most would have preferred to play the under-performing Blues than face a resurgent and more coherent Liverpool team with a Torres at the helm. But now it doesn’t seem quite such a simple equation. Indeed, many now have Chelsea down as favourites.

As the season entered its final furlong, it was Chelsea who were improving and United who started to show a slight dip in form and energy levels. And whilst Avram Grant’s detractors haven’t been completely silenced by his recent management, a lot more respect is now being shown.

(more…)

A thrilling title race and a ferocious battle to avoid the drop kept onlookers fascinated until the final minutes of the campaign. And in the midst of all the excitement came a host of high-scoring, memorable matches. Footballing World pick out the top five from the 2007/08 season.

1. Portsmouth 7-4 Reading
Saturday, 29 September 2007

Early season excitement as Portsmouth run riot against a Reading side seemingly incapable of defending. The drama was reserved for the second half as an incredible eight goals were scored along with a missed penalty; Benjani netting a hat-trick as nine different players got their name on the score-sheet in a match that set a new Premier League record for the most aggregate goals scored in a single match. Sadly, it proved an exceptional afternoon for the home side and their supporters: Pompey finished the season failing to score in 10 of their 19 home games.

Portsmouth goals: Mwaruwari 7, 37, 70, Hreidarsson 55, Kranjcar 75, Davis 81, Muntari 90 pen.
Reading goals: Hunt 45, Kitson 48, Long 79, Shorey 90.

2. Tottenham 4-4 Chelsea
Wednesday, 19 March 2008

These two London sides provided various classic encounters against fellow Premier League sides during the season, but they managed something even better when they met in late March. A bustling, high-octane clash ended with Robbie Keane’s stunning late equaliser to earn the hosts a point, just weeks after they had beaten Chelsea in the Carling Cup final. Three goals in the opening 20 minutes set the tempo, but Tottenham left the happier after coming from 3-1 and 4-3 down to rescue a point while helping to ruin Chelsea’s title ambitions, who added to their poor reputation when Ashley Cole threw a tantrum after receiving a yellow card for a challenge that deserved red.

Tottenham goals: Woodgate 12, Berbatov 61, Huddlestone 75, Keane 88.
Chelsea goals: Drogba 3, Essien 20, Joe Cole 52, 80.

(more…)

On the surface, the Premier League has never been more bullish, never so possessed of skillful footballers. Where once, players such as Torres, Ronaldo, Gerrard, Drogba et al would be compelled to move to Italy (or, latterly, Spain) to compete at the highest level, now the general preference is England. A dozen years ago the Premier League could only hope to attract top players in the twilight of their careers, but today, many of the world’s leading talents spend their best years in Blighty.

So great is the pull of the Premer League pound that even the inferior weather can’t keep them away. And because of its global attraction, English football has become seriously big business.

But what price, if any, are we paying for this cosmetic and commercial success? Is the Premier League at risk of becoming the plaything of a ‘scoreumvirate’ of business tycoons who might down tools and move on as abruptly as they entered the fray, leaving vast debt in their wake?

The sports pages have been dominated this season by the ‘business’ of football. Comment on the beautiful game has made way in part for boardroom battles that wouldn’t be out of place in the script of ‘Dynasty’.

(more…)

Despite not making the final, Lionel Messi has been the success story of the Champions League. With effortless skill and astute vision, he has been a joy to watch. His much hyped battle with Cristiano Ronaldo turned how to be a no contest as, at just 20 years old, he was the attacking heartbeat of a Barcelona side with an apparent embarrassment of riches. With 72 matches under his belt and 30 goals, surely the sucess of Messi tells us something about the failings of an England team with few young prospects to turn to and a dim future ahead?

Look at all the big teams in Europe and you’ll see they each have their own batch of prodigies, all boasting to have the world’s hottest new prospect. In Spain, Messi’s catalan compatriot, the 18 year old Bojan has forced out Theirry Henry and put Ronaldinho in a strop. 19 year old Athletico Madrid forward Aguero has already played 71 games for his team bagging 22 goals. In Italy, one time Chelsea target Pato has scored an incredible eight goals in 15 for AC Milan. Meanwhile, 17 year old Inter striker Balotelli is setting Serie A alight with his performances. So to England’s teenage attacking talent: Theo Walcott still spends most of his time on the Arsenal bench whilst Chelsea’s Scott Sinclair has been sent on loan an astonishing four times in the last 12 months.

“It’s about time English clubs showed the next generation some pride”

So, are we really surprised England have failed to qualify for Euro 2008? If the situation remains the same, how can we expect to qualify for the 2010 World Cup? Or Euro 2012? Are we to rely on the same old heads? Bring Beckham out of a third retirement? We might as well get Gascoigne and Lineker back as well for what it’s worth.

In Europe, young players are shown off like trophies. Oppositions cannot deal with their speed and unpredictability. After all, how much homework can you do on a teenager? It’s about time English clubs showed the next generation some pride. And it’s not that England doesn’t have good young players, it’s that our clubs aren’t prepared to risk playing them. But why?

We have become a faithless footballing country.

The endless wells of cash have made it a safer bet to place faith in a hot prospect from outside Britain rather than play our own locally produced players. Our academies have become a novelty, an empty gesture. In fact, the Premiership has become a school for blooding football’s youngsters like Arsenal’s Cesc Fabregas and Manchester United’s Anderson. Sure, they’ve improved the league, but would they have been given the same chances at other clubs? Are we just doing a favour for our rivals by giving playing time to foreign youngsters rather than our own? By so frequently overlooking rising youth, does this mean our top clubs believe the country is ill-equipped to train new talent?

“Surely the proof of a good footballer, as in any profession, lies in performance under pressure?”

Last season, Glen Roeder had a revelation which sadly failed to linger as he drafted in youth players to an injury stricken squad. The young Canadian David Edgar and still-wet-behind-the-ears Steven Taylor featured against Bolton and performed exceptionally. Edgar named Man of the Match. Roeder was baffled. So with this epiphany, you’d expect it would leave a lasting impression, not just to Newcastle but the entire league. Well, Newcastle’s single hot prospect Andy Carroll has been sent on loan and the Premiership has chosen foreign imports over its own academy hopefuls. Surely the proof of a good footballer, as in any profession, lies in performance under pressure? Yet how can we expect to compete if we don’t give our players a chance? It seems Premier League clubs freely distance themselves from the responsibility of providing England with a future.

The Champions League has demonstrated the improvement of the Premier League but the success of English teams stand to leave damaging repercussions for the country’s future. Huge cash influxes from TV revenues threaten to usher more money to pass onto to the continent and fewer chances for young talent.

Should Chelsea win the Champions League, they’ll undoubtedly attempt to coax Messi to the Bridge, Scott Sinclair will be forced to look elsewhere. Man Utd are already eyeing Moutinho and a plethora of young foreign stars. For the sake of an all-star league, are we saying goodbye to competing in national competitions? We can all be proud of the resilience of Chelsea, the determination of Liverpool and the industry of Man Utd. But the glory of Champions League success can only be temporary. A façade for what can only exacerbate the challenge for up and coming prospects, and strangle the future of our national team.

Is it time for Premier League clubs to start taking risks on their young England hopefuls? Share your views in the comments section below.

Chelsea’s away goal is arguably very valuable but it seems that, more and more, the main priority of teams in the first leg is to stay in the tie.

The home side is always tempted to try and build a lead, and consequently starts brightly. But as the game gets older, the cost of conceding becomes greater and both teams prioritise defensive solidity. In short, the second legs are where you will find most of the drama. And so, this week should provide some of the best football of the season.

(more…)

United have conceded just one penalty in 36 Premier League games - an incredible record which might be an indictment of the constant pressure Ferguson places on referees. Yet in matches in two other competitions - against Portsmouth and Roma - in which penalties were awarded against his side, Ferguson has been quick to blame the officials.

Ably assisted by Carlos Queiroz in the complaining department, Ferguson even recently admitted that he has been part of the problem in the lack of respect afforded to referees in the aftermath of Javier Mascherano’s dismissal for dissent against United. On Saturday, his players were similarly disrespectful, constantly surrounding the excellent Alan Wiley in attempting to influence his future decisions.

(more…)

Arsène Wenger’s side have often been lamented for their desire to ‘walk the ball’ into the net and, apart from Emmanuel Adebayor, no player has reached double figures for league goals.

With only two wins in their last thirteen matches, Arsenal’s season imploded in just two months. Their failure to finish off games when ahead or make an early breakthrough against weaker opposition proved critical in their failure to secure any silverware.

(more…)