Franco has graced us with his views, albeit narrow considering the breadth of this summer's footy happenings! But it's good to have you back for predictions at the least because those aren't my bag. I'm sure the web is glowing with your renewed presence...enough with the intro.
Youngest brother to Adam Himeano, Fumio, has been signed to the NY Red Bulls' youth squad! Robinho and his dribbling skills will grace the Prem in a Man City blue after Arab oil money flowed into the English top flight at the end of the transfer window. Inter, Juve and AC all strengthened over the summer, yet the lot drew during the Serie A kickoff. Speaking of, Olof Melborg, how did it feel to lose two points after Gilardihno turned you with such skill inside the area?
Paul Ince, Former MK Dons manager, became the first black manager to work in England's top flight as new faces grace all levels of international footy but most noted is the activity of Zenit, having spent 24 million pounds on Danni (a Portuguese player with one cap) the club refused to lower their asking price for Russian starlet Arshavin. Why mention the Ruskies when the likes of Deco, Ronnie and Giovanni flew the Nou Camp coup? Simply , because our pride n' joy Man U lost out to Zenit in a preseason cup match that exposed United's lack of bite as Danni cashed in and Fletcher saved blushes with a 2-1 scoreline. Thank the mafioso g-ds that are Sir Alex and the Glazer Family for swooping Spur's Bulgarian striker Berbatov. Berba, a highly touted player, has been in the top three in goals and assists over the past two seasons will now link up with Rooney and Co. donning the number 9 kit.
With the summer full of sporting stories I hope to highlight something other than the Olympics or the EuroCup through this media. The Homeless World Cup took place and was the subject of a documentary film that was featured as of last night on ESPN. The film follows seven player's stories of inclusion from the farthest edge of society, a tale of humanism, the games were played on six-a-side courts that were constructed on the exact spot Nelson Mandela was released from prison. High Bishop Desmond Tutu(guest speaker at my graduation)is featured in the film along with his strong views that homelessness is the new apartheid. For instance, their are five million homeless people in Russian that legally don't exist...check it out via IMDB or Apple's web site trailers.
I was excited at the beginning of last year's season but with the most recent manager sackings the drama reaches new heights. Firstly, Allen Curbishly steps down at West Ham over disputes with the club's transfer policy and the dicey sale of defenders Ferdinand and Macartney to Keane's Sunderland. Secondly, Kevin Keegan quits Newcastle amid a collapse in relations with both the board and owner Mike Ashley over, you guessed it TRANSFER POLICY. Young Milner's move to Aston Villa seem tip the scales of discontent, then King Kev fought against the sale of Micheal Owen during a bought of madness where-in every player at the club was on the chopping block. As to be expected the Jordies' rage over the loss of the messianic manager has overflowed from protest to outright boycot of Ashley's ownership and the boiling-point position of Director of Football held by Dennis Wise.
With this turmoil turning to dust, soon to settle, the Hammer's appoint Zola the former Chelsea star at the end of this recent international break. What impact will all of this and more have on the top league in the world? Can't really begin to guess, but I can for sure say this: IT'S GOOD TO BE A MANC
