As season’s kick-off approaches, all of the focus seems to be on the massive transfers and personalities that make up the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, and the rest of Europe’s biggest competitions. It is easy to forget the magic of the Football League, where many of today’s international superstars got their start. 

Many know Theo Walcott as an Arsenal player, but he first tasted success in football with Swindon Town and later Southampton. Likewise, Joe Hart is widely tipped to be England’s first choice goalkeeper for years to come, and one of the Premier League’s best shot-stoppers, but he owes much of his success to Shrewsbury Town. This season will see some clubs, like Leeds, seeking to reach their former glory, while others look to emulate Blackpool and blaze a path into untracked territory. Here are some of the players, young and old, to watch out for this season.

JOE LEWIS – GK – PETERBOROUGH UNITED

Before Joe Hart was the hottest young commodity in English goalkeepers, it was the Norfolk native Lewis who looked most likely to be the next staple between the sticks. He came up in the Norwich City youth system, and despite never making a senior appearance, earned rave reviews, so much so that he earned a shock call-up to the England senior team in May of 2008, the same month he made his U21 debut. His impressive form on-loan at Morecambe was enough to make Peterborough break the bank to bring him to London Road, shelling out a record £400,000 to Norwich. However, with the Posh being relegated back down to League 1 after a lone season in the second tier, the 22 year old could face a cross-roads of his career. He impressed last season despite Peterborough’s poor form, and similar form could see a return to the Championship, and the chance for bigger things for Lewis.

BILLY SHARP – ST – DONCASTER ROVERS

Although Billy Sharp is just 24, the days when he was rated one of the top young strikers in England does seem to be a bit of a fading memory. Sharp began his career at hometown Sheffield United, but left for Scunthorpe United in 2005 after making just 2 senior appearances for the Blades. It was at Glanford Park where Sharp caught fire, striking up a wondrous partnership with fellow youngster Andy Keogh. Sharp scored a stunning 53 goals in just 82 appearances for the Iron, and it wasn’t long before Sheffield United came calling in hopes of getting Billy back. Sharp’s dream move never materialised into the stuff of story books, as he managed to find the net just 8 times in 51 appearances, and soon fell down the pecking order. Last season he went to Doncaster Rovers in search of first team football, and looked revitalized, scoring 15 goals as Rovers finished a surprising 12th. With Sean O’Driscoll singing his praises, Doncaster would not be denied, and eventually paid just more than £1 million for his services. He has been given the number 10 shirt, and the Keepmoat faithful will hope that his continued good form could see Rovers better their top half finish this term.

LUKE O’BRIEN – LB – BRADFORD CITY

Since their relegation to League 2 in 2007, Bradford City fans have had little to cheer about. A desired quick return to League 1 has failed to materialize, with mediocre mid-table finishes. They’ve failed to progress past the second round in any cup competition (FA Cup, League Cup, and Johnstone’s Paint Trophy) since the 2003/04 season. But if there has been one bright spot, it is undoubtedly Luke O’Brien. The 21 year old is Bradford through and through – he has spent his entire career with City, and his brother is a hooker with rugby league outfit Bradford Bulls. O’Brien is just 21, but he has already made 80 appearances and picked up various player of the year awards from his club. Bradford have been terribly average, but O’Brien’s shining performances could well attract performances from other clubs. A solid defensive player with a knack for a good cross, greener pastures may well beckon for the youngster, as well as an Under 21 cap for England.

AIDAN WHITE – LB/LM – LEEDS

Despite frequent injury problems in the past two years, Aidan White has Leeds United supporters excited about the future, and some think he may be a key figure as Leeds seek to re-enter the Premier League. Although just 18, he is firmly in the first team side, and his ability to play either left back or on the left wing gives manager Simon Grayson a bit of flexibility. White has impressed so much that he was awared Young Player of the Year at Leeds after an impressive campaign where he helped Leeds gain promotion to the Championship. The teenager will be tested by the higher level of play in the Championship, but it will certainly aid in his development, and he could build in the one England U19 cap he has.

KEVIN KILBANE – LB/LM/CM – HULL CITY

Killer joined Hull City from Wigan in January 2009, when Hull were on cloud nine, sitting eighth in the table with a win over Arsenal already under their belts. Reality eventually set in, and Kilbane was an integral part of the side that survived to maintain top flight status. The Irish international has been at Preston, West Brom, Sunderland, Everton, and Wigan, and is renowned for his effort and determination. Although not the most technically gifted player, Kilbane is extremely reliable, and has appeared a stunning 103 times for Ireland, joint-top with Shay Given, which included a run of more than 50 appearances in a row. “Zinedine Kilbane” may be nearing the end of the road in football, but helping the Tigers back to the Premier League could be a great final memory. Although it may sound nostalgic, the Irishman can still play. Despite being criticized as too old or limited by some, his performance against France in Paris reeled back the years, but it seems his days as a staple in the Irish XI may be under threat. Giovanni Trapattoni is a firm backer, but 19 year old Greg Cunningham and the ability of John O’Shea to play on the left side of defence may see Kilbane forced out. If he wants to keep his place, and help Hull to success, Kilbane will have to show that he can still do a job this year.

By Andrew McCarten

Arsenal full back Gael Clichy has spoken publicly about the Gunners’ title prospects for the season ahead, and has rightly concluded that they can no longer hide behind the excuse of youth and inexperience should they fail to recapture the Premiership crown they last won back in 2003-2004. However, with Chelsea starting as title favourites and Manchester United not far behind, can Arsenal realistically challenge for top spot in the season ahead?

The North London side were in serious contention for the title right up to the middle of April last season, when a defeat to Tottenham and a second half capitulation against Wigan finally did for them. However, perhaps of greater concern for Arsene Wenger will have been the fact that they failed to take a single point off either Manchester United or Chelsea during the season, highlighting a gap in class which simply has to be narrowed if they are to stand any chance of winning the league.

There is no question that frustration is building amongst the Arsenal squad and supporters, with only a league title likely to quench their thirst for success. A victory in the FA Cup or League Cup is likely to be seen as merely a consolation prize, whilst a tilt at the Champions’ League looks like a remote possibility given the manner in which they were outclassed at the Nou Camp last April. So do they have a squad capable of mounting a serious challenge for the biggest domestic prize on offer?

The transfer window is yet to shut and it’s widely anticipated that Wenger will look to do some more business before it does, but to date he has been typically cautious in his dealings. As was widely anticipated, Marouane Chamakh has arrived for free, whilst Wenger has laid out £8.5 million for the services of French centre half Laurent Koscielny, recouping £6 million of that in the sale of Eduardo da Silva to Shakhtar Donetsk.

Wenger will expect Chamakh to provide a suitable attacking foil for Robin Van Persie, who he will hope can stay fit for the entirety of the season given the extent to which they missed his services in the last campaign. Similar to Thomas Vermaelen in the last transfer window, Koscielny is relatively unknown, but like the Belgian he will need to quickly live up to his price tag following the departure of William Gallas, Sol Campbell, Philippe Senderos and Mikael Silvestre.

The main talking point of the summer however has of course been Cesc Fabregas’s proposed move to Barcelona. Following a prolonged tussle and with both sides having their say on the matter, it appears that Arsenal are set to keep their captain having been unwilling to negotiate with Barcelona on a sale. Whilst this is likely to be widely perceived as good news amongst the club’s fans, there is an element of doubt as to whether he will continue to deliver his best when his heart seems set on a move away.

Elsewhere, Wenger will have familiar concerns. The goalkeeping situation has yet to be resolved but needs to be put to bed before the transfer window shuts. Mark Schwarzer, Mark Stekelenburg and Federico Marchetti have all been mooted as potential solutions. Further central defensive reinforcements also look to be required given the glut of depatures in that position, as well as Koscielny’s relative inexperience. Phil Jagielka and Per Mertesacker are the players that have been linked.

Further up the field, doubts continue to persist over Alex Song in the holding midfield position. Whilst competent, he has yet to put in the kind of commanding performances that Arsenal fans became so used to when Patrick Vieira was at the club. Elsewhere, the likes of Tomas Rosicky, Samir Nasri and Theo Walcott need to develop from bit part players to consistent performers who can provide reliable attacking support to Van Persie, Fabregas and Andrey Arshavin.

In order to compete at the top of the league, it is clear that Wenger needs to make a couple more shrewd purchases and work intelligently with the squad that he has at his disposal. Whilst the title race should be every bit as tight as it was last time out, Arsenal need to address the imbalance of results against the top two sides, or else the Premier League trophy may once prove to be out of their reach. Whilst it takes a brave man to bet against ‘The Professor’, it is all easy to see how Arsenal might come up short once again.

To the surprise of few, Manchester City have once again been dominating the headlines in the transfer window, with last summer’s splurge seemingly set to be dwarfed by their current transfer dealings. Whilst the City faithful might be looking forward to seeing the likes of Jerome Boateng, David Silva and Yaya Toure at Eastlands, with Mario Balotelli and James Milner yet to come, they may like to spare a thought for those players whose careers in sky blue are over almost before they started.

Over the past two years, a series of high profile signings have ridden into Manchester on the crest of City’s spending wave, ready to play their part in a club revolution of the most extreme type. However, what they probably should have realised is that they were a means to an end. Once they had sufficiently elevated City’s league status to the point where the club could attract bigger names, they would then be deemed surplus to requirements.

A run through the City squad list makes for interesting reading these days, with only a handful not having either arrived this summer, or linked with a move away. How much truth there is behind the speculation remains to be seen of course, but by all accounts there could be a number of players heading for the exit door who have only recently signed for the club, just over a year ago in some instances. So who is likely to plying their trade elsewhere in the forthcoming season?

Starting at the back, Roberto Mancini has stated his desire to have two players to cover each position, but will Wayne Bridge really be content to play understudy to new £17 million arrival Aleksandar Kolarov at left back? Bought for £10 million in January of last year, the former Southampton and Chelsea man wouldn’t be short of suitors, but as will be the problem for a club trying to buy any of City’s off casts, they are unlikely to be able to match the extremely generous wages being offered at Eastlands.

In midfield, World Cup final villain Nigel De Jong is another name mentioned as a potential casualty. His price in January 2009? £16 million.  With Premier League clubs now restricted to a squad of 25 players for the season, Mancini has admitted that De Jong may be one of those that does not make the cut. The Dutchman is unlikely to hang around in the reserves to see if he can force his way back into the reckoning in January, so a move away from City seems a distinct possibility.

Up front, much depends on the arrival of Balotelli and, even more speculatively, Fernando Torres or Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but it seems highly likely that both Craig Bellamy (£14 million in January 2009) and Roque Santa Cruz (£17.5 million in June 2009) will be moved on as part of the shake up. Santa Cruz has admirers in the form of Stoke City, who are looking to pay half what City did to Blackburn Rovers for the forward whose career at Eastlands never got going courtesy of injury.

Stoke’s valuation of Santa Cruz is typical of what City can expect: for the players they are looking to sell, they will most likely make a significant loss on each. Whilst, this is almost inconsequential for a club whose owners have virtually limitless funds, questions have to be raised as to whether this instability will ultimately prove detrimental to their chances of smashing the top four cartel and lifting the Premier League trophy.

So whilst nobody is suggesting that we should start to feel sorry for a number of players who will undoubtedly find another club to pay their exorbitant wages, it can hardly be in either the player’s interest, nor the club’s, to have been seemingly bought on a whim, only to be spat back out when the transfer window opens again. Time will tell if the end justifies the means, but for now the cash piles seem to have eliminated the need for some more balanced long term planning in the blue half of Manchester.

The 2009/2010 campaign will surely be one of the best remembered in the history of Blackpool FC, no matter the outcome of their first season in the Premier League. Ian Holloway led the Seasiders to unlikely promotion via the play-offs in his maiden season at the helm, after being given just a one year contract by the board, and won over the fans and the media with his spontaneous and quirky quotes and personality.

But as 14 August approaches, and the euphoria from promotion slowly dissipates into anticipation of the new season, Blackpool’s luck seems to have run out. An extensive check of the relegation odds from prominent bookmakers finds the best odds at 1/3 for them to beat the drop, from Paddy Power. There are even low odds for Holloway’s men to lower the bar for least points ever managed, set by Derby County during a tortous 2007/8 season where they managed just 11 points.

Seamus Coleman and DJ Campbell, both important cogs in the play-off success, have returned to Everton and Leicester, respectively. Coleman looks set to stay at Everton and fight for his spot, as he is highly-rated by manager David Moyes, and the Irishman poised to break into the first team at the expense of againg Tony Hibbert. Campbell is still a possibility, but Leciester gaffer Paulo Sousa has repeatedly stated that Campbell is a part of his plans.

Holloway has yet to make a signing, but it seems he sees the loan route as the preferred option. He wants to bring in Manchester United youngsters Danny Welbeck and Tom Cleverley, and this could well happen as Alex Ferguson is eager for both to gain first team football. And if the team is to play attractive, attacking football, as Holloway intends to, then reinforcements are indeed needed.

In the current squad, there are just three strikers; Billy Clarke has no Premier League experience, and is likely out for the season, Louis Almond is just 18 and has made no senior appearances for the Tangerines, and Brett Ormerod is nearing the end of his career and would struggle to get playing time at any other top flight club. Gary Taylor-Fletcher has often been employed at the center of the three strikers, even though he is a midfielder by trade. Even if the club were to bring in Welbeck or Campbell on loan, the 4-3-3 formation that Holloway employs would call for at least four quality strikers in the squad.

The midfield situation is a bit better, but still needs a lot of work. Charlie Adam enjoyed a resurgence at Bloomfied Road following his move from Rangers, and his heart and grit is unquestioned, but the Scot has never been given the chance in the top flight. Jason Euell impressed for Blackpool last season, and the 33 year old’s Premier League experience may prove useful, even if his legs aren’t quite as fresh as they once were. 

Keith Southern and David Vaughan are both dependable, hard workers, but their quality is in question and with little depth behind them, an injury to either would be disastrous. Ishmael Demontangnac and Stephen Husband have a combined age of 37, and despite the promise that each have shown (rewarded by underage caps for England and Scotland, respectively) they have only mad 11 combined appearances for Blackpool.

Alex Baptiste and Stephen Crainey are useful and experienced at for the back four, but Coleman’s departure leaves Holloway searching for a right back; Neal Eardley was easily displaced upon Coleman’s arrival, and is not thought highly of by Holloway. Rob Edwards is one of the tougher centre backs in England, and all of his determination will be needed to keep out ravenous attacks this season. Matt Gilks and Paul Rachubka have alternated at keeper in recent years, and both are very experienced. It seems Holloway is content at that position.

The pending addition of Dekel Keinan from Maccabi Haifa brings some much needed quality to the defence. The centre back has 15 caps for Israel, and will certainly go straight into the starting eleven. For months now Celtic’s Pat McCourt has been linked with Blackpool, and the winger would certain bring some pace and creativity to the side. However, fellow Northern Irishman Neil Lennon seems to have taken more of a liking to McCourt then predecessor Tony Mowbray, and this season could see McCourt feature more often for the SPL side, lowering chances of the move. Francis Jeffers could be given a second chance in the Premier League, with the former Everton wonderkid being given a trial. Holloway could do well by inquiring about a few of Arsenal’s young guns, many of whom go out on loan each season. A lot of work is left to be done.

This season’s Premier League looks to be the toughest in years.  Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal are all looking typically strong. Tottenham were able to break into fourth spot last year, and there are genuine opinions that they and Manchester City, powered by their seemingly limitless millions, can mount real title challenges. It is also impossible to forget Liverpool, who look to rebuild after last year’s disappointing finish in seventh, as well as Aston Villa and Everton, both full of European ambition.

Roy Hogdson swapped Craven Cottage for Anfield, but the majority of the side that almost won the Europa League remains intact. Roberto Martinez has improved Wigan with a batch of new signings from around the world, and Birmingham and Blackburn Rovers will be keen to improve on their top half finishes. Sunderland and West Ham are traditionally considered “big clubs,” and their fan support will expect much more than last year, where
 relegation was closer than European competition. Newcastle defied the doubters to come back up on the first try, and their huge fanbase and strong squad is a tough task for almost any opponent.

It seems there are almost no easy matches anymore; Blackpool may find out the hard way.

By Andrew McCarten

Following on from the success of our World Cup prediction game (congratulations go to Dobbo for victory in that), here at The Football Blog we are now launching our very own Premier League prediction competition in conjunction with our sister site, SportGuru. The key to winning is simple: correctly predict as many Premier League results as you can. If you’d like the chance to prove yourself against other readers, then read on. 

As any player or manager will tell you, it’s a very long season and as such our competition won’t follow every fixture of the Premier League because it would just be too exhausting to try to pick so many results. Instead, we’re following the top eight sides from last season: Chelsea, Manchester United, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City, Aston Villa, Liverpool and Everton. Any matches involving one of these teams will appear in the competition.

Entering our league couldn’t be more simple, the hard part begins when you start to predict the outcome of the games. To get involved, here is what you need to do:

1. Head over to SportGuru and, if you haven’t already done so, register to play
2. Join the Premier League tournament
3. Under ‘Pools’, click on ‘Join a pool’ and enter the following code: kalealum
4. You are now part of The Football Blog league and are ready to start making your predictions

With the start of Premier League competition now just three weeks away, now is the time to start swotting up on the pre-season form of the teams involved and assessing how well you think they can do in the new season. You have right up to kick off to make your predictions for each round, although the game is already up and running so feel free to make your opening predictions now if you are feeling bold. Be warned however: once made, your picks can not be changed.

Our prediction game is the perfect way to drag yourself out of the post-World Cup lull and ignite your interest in the domestic season ahead, so get involved today and prove what you really know about top flight football.

Deafened by the vuvuzela and with sofa sores on my behind, I sit remote control in hand decidedly underwhelmed. Don’t get me wrong; to me it is still the beautiful game. It has just started to sport a few wrinkles.

I had a good, if somewhat childlike build-up to the World Cup. The obligatory purchase of the Panini World Cup sticker album fuelled the anticipation. But I quickly worked out that purchasing stickers to fill the damn thing was akin to purchasing condoms when I was a lad of eighteen. There was always an excuse and acute embarrassment as I handed over the cash, quickly stuffing the packets of stickers in to the pockets of my jeans. I half filled the book and gave up trying just like I did as the aforementioned eighteen year old boy.

Every World Cup tournament needs the host country to do well, tradition states. South Africa kicked off the competition scrounging a one all draw with Mexico. Inevitably South Africa disappointed. An inspired win over a shambolic France was too little, too late as they crashed out on goal difference.

It is impossible as an Irishman not to take a certain amount of joy out of watching France implode. I have tried not to let the fact that Domenech and his bunch of chancers cheating Ireland out of a place at the finals colour my opinion of them. And I can’t, so I won’t. It was pure gold. Frenchmen striking in summertime? Preposterous. At a World Cup Finals at any rate. Nicolas Anelka indirectly spoke for the Irish nation when he spat ‘f*** you, you son of a wh*re’ at Monsieur Domenech. Raymond was gracious to the last, refusing to shake Carlos Alberto Perreira’s hand in defeat, muttering something about Perreira’s statement that the Irish play-off match should have been replayed as being out of order. Of course it was Raymond. In Raymond Domenechland maybe. And that is not a nice place to be in now or at anytime I’m sure.

Diego Maradona once again provided most of the entertainment. Aside from his Argentinean charges attacking and entertaining their way into the last eight and his outrageous touchline back-heel flick, his comments on current UEFA bigwig Michel Platini “he thinks he’s better than the rest” and Viagra ambassador Pele who according to El Diego “should go back to the museum” and the resultant apology to the pair “I apologize to Platini…but not to Pele” more than made up for the lack of new true footballing greatness on display at this year’s finals. 

England didn’t even flatter to deceive. Burdened by the weight of an ever expectant media and the players’ obscenely large pay packets, they crashed and burned against their old enemy, the Germans. And right on cue the papers exclaimed ‘Capello Must Go’. Knee jerk nonsense. The coaching situation is not the root of England’s problem. It is their unquenchable belief that whenever they qualify for a major tournament they believe they have the divine right to win it. The resultant brainwashing of the nation by the media exerts enormous pressure on their players who, despite their exalted beliefs that they are deity due to the fact that they surround themselves with people who never say no, are only human after all. Peter Crouch taking part in a ridiculous crisp advert is surely proof enough for the worshipping masses.

But they’ve got their excuse to hand as they always seem to. Simeone, Waddle, Southgate, Seaman et al have been joined by the plucky little Uruguayan linesman who should have seen that Lampard’s shot had crossed the line by a country mile, who denied the comeback of comebacks and who denied England the chance to go on and rightfully win the World Cup.

Portugal relied far too heavily on the prima donna that is Cristiano Ronaldo. He fell far short of what was expected of him, unless you count the omnipresent petulance and an all encompassing belief that he can take on the planet with his own ego as that expectation. They needed a half decent goalkeeper and found one. Eduardo was a revelation. If they could only find a half decent centre-forward they’d be laughing.

The World Champions Italy were past their prime and devoid of any imagination, creativity and surprisingly, anyone who could defend properly. Fabio Cannavaro should have taken note of Lothar Matthaus at Euro 2000 whose descent into clowning and huffing and puffing lay down the marker for once great players taking part in one tournament too many.

New Zealand were the romantic interest. Three draws and non qualification for the Second Round and they were being feted as the greatest surprise element the tournament has ever seen. The fact that Cameroon reached the Quarter-Finals in 1990 against all odds has being conveniently forgotten by the media desperate for a’ rags to riches’ story non-existent in World football today.

Ghana emulated the ‘plucky’ Cameroonians but fell short of surpassing their achievements at the final hurdle. Assamoah Gyan missed a 120^th minute spot kick to win the quarter-final tie, crashing it against the bar above an ever-flailing Uruguayan goalkeeper who’s ineptitude knew no bounds. Ghana went into the penalty shoot out with bowed heads and it was no surprise to anyone when Uruguay progressed into the semi-finals.

The Germans did nothing to disprove the widely held theory that they can never be written off or should you so wish to, be it at your own peril. They sashayed their way through the tournament scoring goals for fun. Led from midfield by the disgustingly talented Mesut Ozil they fell in the semis to Spain. It isn’t supposed to be this way. The Germans? The most entertaining side at the World Cup? Pull the other one. I’ll bet my Nan that they’ll be triumphant in Brazil in four years time.

Nike FC (Brazil) will push them all the way on home soil in four years time.  This time out, which was more surprising? The fact that they only reached the quarter-finals or that Robinho actually has discovered a work ethic?

And so to the World Cup Final. The showpiece. The climax of two years toil and countless countries engaging in battle to be called the best there is. Holland and Spain. Or The Netherlands and Spain if you prefer. I prefer to call the Dutch, the Thuggery XI. Not since 1990 when Argentina chanced their way into the final has there been such a display of connivery, petulance and outright violence in a final. Mark van Bommel should be jailed for what he got up to in South Africa. And what is more alarming is that he got away with it time and time again (Howard Webb take a bow). Aside from the wonderful Wesley Sneijder, this Dutch outfit were a gaggle of hyped up nightclub bouncers in a luminescent orange kit. If Johann Cruyff were dead he’d be turning in his grave.

Spain deserved to win it and it is actually astounding to think that they’ve never won it previously. Sure, it was a poor final that may have actually been enhanced by a penalty shoot-out but Xavi and Iniesta stuck out like a pair of sore thumbs amongst the dross. That Puyol and Ramos cannot actually defend when faced with a player with pace didn’t matter in the end. The Barcelona midfield pairing drove Spain on through the whole tournament and when you have a lethal marksman like David Villa up front to finish off what they’ve created you are always going to be there or thereabouts.

And so the curtain falls and the Spanish celebrate. But where does football go now? What have we learned from all this?

Regrettably, this World Cup has shown up Sepp Blatter, FIFA and modern day football as out of touch with the ordinary fan and out of touch with modern technology. Overpriced tickets, overhyped overpaid players, over-indulgement of the so-called super powers and over cautious tactics. I haven’t even mentioned the sick joke that is the Jabulani ball. The World Cup is a barometer of the worldwide state of the game. A quadrennial health check if you will. I’d get on the phone to the Doctor on Call if I were you, FIFA.

By Paul O’Connor

You know it’s a quiet time in the world of football news when the banning of the vuvuzela by a handful of Premier League clubs makes the press. This is the situation in which we have found ourselves however, as the effects of a post-World Cup lull and a three and half week wait before the start of Premier League football begin to take their toll. With a distinct lack of anything meaningful happening in the transfer market, it appears that a plastic trumpet is one of the more newsworthy items on editors’ desks.

The tabloids are still trying to persuade us that there is a lot is going on of course, but there isn’t much in the way of evidence to support that. The Cesc Fabregas to Barcelona rumour rumbles on, Manchester City continue to be linked with any player in Europe considered to be worth more than £20 million, whislt everybody is waiting with baited breath as Fernando Torres decides his future. In terms of cold hard transfers in which money has exchanged hands however, there is not much to write about.

Joe Cole’s move to Liverpool this week is about as big as it has been so far, with newspapers even seeking to use that as a way to generate more speculation on the futures of Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres and Javier Mascherano. Gerrard now wants to stay by all accounts, Mascherano very clearly doesn’t, whilst Torres has yet to declare his hand. One thing is for sure, for what was effectively a swap of Yossi Benayoun in return for Cole and £5 million, Liverpool have got the better deal than Chelsea.

Much of the recent inactivity may be due to the lack of funds that the top clubs have at their disposal. Sir Alex Ferguson has declared that he sees little value in the existing market and is isn’t proposing to spend big ahead of the new season, but would he be in a position to do so even if he wanted to? At Liverpool, Roy Hodgson has found himself very much in a ‘sell to buy’ situation, with Emilio Insua heading out of the exit door and the likes of Sotirios Kyrgiakos and Albert Riera also set to make way.

Money is no issue for Manchester City of course, with David Silva and Yaya Toure both brought in for more than £20 million, whilst Jerome Boateng was bargain basement by their standards at £11 million. Mario Balotelli is increasingly looking like their next signing to add to an ever expanding collection of strikers for a figure around £23 million. However, talk of a move to Eastlands for Didier Drogba appears to be nothing more than the Ivorian’s agent trying to get better terms for his client at Chelsea.

The champions themselves have been particularly quiet, with Benayoun, Matej Delac and Tomas Kalac being Carlo Ancelotti’s only summer captures to date. With an assault on the European title so coveted by Roman Abramovich surely at the top of Ancelotti’s list of priorities, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the owner’s cheque book opened again, although it remains to be seen whether he is prepared to fund the kind of transfers for which he became synonymous when he first arrived at the club.

Elsewhere, Harry Redknapp has proved to be remarkably restrained with just Sandro Ranieri having arrived at Tottenham, Martin O’Neill hasn’t brought in any players at Villa Park to date, whilst at the other end of the Premier League spectrum, the promoted sides are yet to make the kind of investment which might be needed to retain their place in the top flight, with Blackpool, Newcastle United and West Bromwich Albion having made just five signings between them.

As the season edges nearer, we are likely to see a steady increase in transfer activity as managers get to better understand the strengths and weaknesses of their squad in pre-season, although with funds increasingly limited there may not be the blockbuster signing that everyone is agitating for. So perhaps now is the time to enjoy the summer and a break from the game, but somehow picking over the finer details of Titus Bramble’s move to Sunderland still seems more appealing. Roll on the new season.

For many, the phrase “its just a game” is an adage to live by when dealing with football. After a major disappointment, like a relegation or a heartbreaking loss, we are often told that, in reality, football is not the most important thing in life, even if that late goal or that blatant handball may make happiness seem a distant memory. But football is, in many cases, more than that; football can be the impetus for change in society, and can create social opportunities beyond a joyous group of supporters enjoying themselves in the post match pub. Football to many is not just a 90 minute distraction, but a way to change one’s life.

These scales of change often differ dramatically; for superstars like Lionel Messi, Didier Drogba, and Robbie Keane, it has brought financial security to their family and loved ones, as well as incredible fame and notoriety. On a much more prevalent and grassroots level, though, football works in local 
communities to enable people who will never play in a World Cup, or be subject to a multi-million euro bid, to gain self-confidence and a set of tools for improving their life off the pitch, as well as helping society to understand some of the unique problems they face. One such organisation is the Irish Deaf Football set-up.

Though deaf people do not face the hardships and obstacles that those afflicted with conditions like Cerebral Palsy, blindness, and Down’s Syndrome do,their condition is often frighteningly misunderstood and “under-represented,” according to team manager Thomas Coyle. Far away from the massive stadia and contracts, the ethos of football is kept alive and well around the world, and a great example of this is the Irish national deaf team. The Irish Deaf Football team and organisation have provided a benchmark for football associations around the world to emulate in their work with the deaf in Ireland, and have had a high degree of international success to go along with it.

Technically, FIFA defines deaf football competition as disabled football, under the “Football For All” programme; however, if you were to watch a match, that would be a tough sell based on the quality of play. The public seems to think deaf football is “slow and ragged”, says Coyle, but “the games run remarkably smooth, particularly at international level, where the skill of the players is extremely high. Anytime new fans come to watch the team they are impressed”. There are  only two main deaf clubs in Ireland, St Vincent’s of Dublin and Belfast Deaf United. However, Coyle notes that Irish players working or studying in England often turn out for Fulham Deaf FC or Arsenal Deaf FC. Further, “7 or 8 Irish players compete for mainstream clubs, some at Intermediate levels”, dispelling any myths about the quality 
of deaf football. 

The competitive atmosphere is indeed very intense, and ahead of the 2007 European Championships team captain Darren Dunne said the team were “highly motivated to reach the final”, and even had to put up with malicious, “blatant” diving from their Russian opponents at the quarter-final stage, just like their senior national team brethren. Coyle experiences some of the same problems Trapattoni does, due to the “smaller quota of players to pick from,” but this didn’t stop the side from achieving their biggest feat to date, taking third place.

And the loyal fans were not left bored in the slightest, as every goal was celebrated with a Ric Flair-like salsa dance. Dunne says the team were inspired to do this after meeting the hugely popular professional wrestler in Dublin Airport, and it certainly stuck out as one of the most impressive celebrations (imagine Keane and co pulling that off!). 

The future, too, looks bright for the Irish. The FAI “has become more and more involved” in the process, adding both funds and assistance in identifying new talent. And the hard work of all involved means that those who come to a training camp or try-out “see how professionally run the environment is, and are always keen to become involved”. Coyle and his staff devote a lot of time to scouting opponents and working on fitness and tactics, as well as looking for new players to bolster the squad.

To qualify for the 2011 European Championships, Ireland faced a two-legged tie against Slovakia, who Coyle knows all too well took traditional heavyweight France to the wire in the 2007 edition. But the Irish put in a heroic, extremely efficient display in the first leg in Dublin, running out 6-1 winners.  Coyle, quick to remind both myself and the players that “the tie isn’t over yet”, was extremely happy with the “work-rate and hunger” the players showed.

The effort by all involved is the main catalyst behind the remarkable success of a team so small, but Coyle describes the real reason why he is involved with the team; “I have personally witnessed so many quality-of-life improvements gained by young deaf players through participation in football. Many of these lads have been given a disadvantage because of their disability, but to boost the self-esteem and confidence through footballing success often leads to knock-on benefits in other areas of their lives such as education and jobs”.

A bigger success than any scoreboard or league table could ever measure.

By Andrew McCarten

Of England’s 23 man World Cup squad, a nice trivia question could have been ‘how many players have played abroad at some point in their career?’. You’d be certain to find a few working through the list, at least you would think. However, the results are shocking – only one player in the squad has tested his merits beyond the borders of  England, and it was a brief one at that; Peter Crouch made 8 appearances as a 19 year old for Swedish outfit IFK Hassleholm in the summer of 2000, on loan from Tottenham. 

None of the other 22 players have ever been registered with a club in another country; in fact, if  you include players who have been called up or capped within the past year but were not given a seat on the plane to South Africa, only David Beckham has ever plied his trade abroad, and the majority of his   time has come in the MLS. This is not to say that the Premier League is rubbish, or that the league structure in England needs a makeover.

In the 2010 UEFA rankings of Europe’s 53 domestic leagues, the Premier League finished first, ahead of Spain and Italy.  This is no light feat considering that the vast majority of Italy’s 2006 squad and Spain’s current champion squad were drawn from their respective domestic leagues. The Premier League is without a doubt a competitive competition with a high degree of technical skill across the table. 

The Championship can also be rated as one of the highest calibre second tiers in Europe, and the same can be said of League 1 and League 2, where many Premier League players get their start. Why, then, would one advocate a higher percentage of English players, superstar or not, testing themselves abroad?

The answer is the staleness and isolation that not only England but the rest of the United Kingdom and Ireland have put upon themselves, and hence suffered for. Looking at the national sides of Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, and the Republic of Ireland, we see a similar trend. None currently play outside of the British Isles, and only Robbie Keane (Inter Milan), David Vaughan (Real Sociedad), and Garry O’Connor (Lokomotiv Moscow) have all made brief forays to the continent, which when combined total up to less than two full seasons. 

And this isolation has begun to hurt the national sides. As countries like Spain, the Netherlands, Italy, and Germany move ahead tactically, and have more success, England and co are stuck with the same routine. It is extremely uncommon to see a top flight side in any of competitions in the UK or Ireland not use a 4-4-2, or a 4-5-1 if the manager wants to be more defensive.

Some may point to the Premier League, but with the considerable foreign presence in both players and coaches, as well as the increased globalization of this league, the Championship may provide a better example. When is the last time you saw Derby County or Ipswich Town line up in a 4-2-3-1, the current in vogue formation of the continent? The players are, of course, of a lower standard than these international giants, but it is only from the beginnings of coaching at use where a renewed sense of tactical awareness and skill can be moulded in the young players.

From practically the first time they tie up their boots, British and Irish players are taught that winning is the most important thing; they are drilled the same formations and ideas, for example “cross when you get 
the chance, ” and often use a regulation size ball before they turn ten. Futsal is also derided as “pointless” by many, but countless players and coaches who have come through the Spanish and Brazilian set-ups praise its merits and the way it teaches ball control and precise passing.  

Another criticism often levelled at British and Irish football culture is the emphasis on the physically bigger players from an early age, rather than technically gifted ones. And with players loathe to move away from the UK and Ireland comfort zone, and with it a new philosophy of football, players choosing to try their luck on the continent like Keane and O’Connor have become very rare.

One need to only look at the career of Liam Brady, who spent 7 years in Serie A with Juventus, Sampdoria, Inter Milan, and Ascoli, to see the potential benefits. It is no coincidence that Arsenal are one of the only clubs to play attacking, continental football, because Brady is in charge of their youth development. Time and time again he has praised the continental game and philosophy for bringing up youngsters  which he learned in Italy, and again it is no surprise that he has felt the need to go away from England to find players to fit into this system; many young English players cannot adapt to the system employed at Arsenal, as it is so different from those of other clubs.

The complete contrast of Brady is often seen in the modern game. Versatile Welsh talent Joe Ledley had an offer from Italian giants Roma, but decided on… Celtic. Former Hamilton Academical midfielder James McCarthy attracted interest from Juventus, and Lazio even put in a bid for him, but he eventually chose…Wigan. Joe Cole was a free agent, but it seems that he is intent on staying in the Premier League with Liverpool, despite Jose Mourinho being rumored to have offered him a chance in Madrid.

This, among many others, exemplifies the closed mindset many footballers have, often completely discarding the idea of  playing abroad as irrelevant. If success at the international level is to be attained, this, as well as the approach taken to youth development, must change; and quickly too, because the hole has already been dug.

By Andrew McCarten

Whilst everybody basks in the warm afterglow of the World Cup, it’s perhaps important to put a bit of perspective on things and not paper over the cracks of some of the less positive aspects from the tournament. For example, the need for video technology has been particularly well documented, particularly in this country, following Frank Lampard’s ‘goal’ against Germany. However, equally pressing for the game’s governing bodies to address should be ‘player simulation’, or in other words, diving.

If anything, the situation is getting worse and it was frankly embarassing to see so many incidents of feigned injury during the tournament. It not only disrupts the flow of play but more importantly it is just plain cheating and at its worst can change the outcome of a game. Witness Kader Keita collapsing after being brushed by Kaka and getting the Brazilian sent off. Fortunately for Brazil the game was already won, but imagine if that had been inside the first ten minutes of the game.

Joan Capdevilla could also be criticised for a similar overreaction to a tangle with Ricardo Costa in Spain’s last 16 game with Portugal. Again, Portugal’s fate had already been sealed but it could have been all very different. Referees are becoming gradually more conscious of players’ attempts to dive their way to a penalty or free kick and there were some yellow cards brandished by way of punishment. However, it is clearly not enough as the video below highlights.

Over a year ago we published an article highlighting the damage that diving is doing to the game. Unfortunately, since then next to nothing has been done to eradicate it from the sport and it is threatening to blight the game for years to come unless some preventitive action is taken. What that is remains the big question though, and nobody has yet dared to propose the radical solution that is required.

What do you think? Can you suggest something which might help prevent diving and simulation? Or could it be argued that it adds to the drama of a game, despite its unfair nature? As ever, let us know your thoughts.