To be able to attract the top 8 club in the world, Top 4 of English Premier League, Top 2 in Italian Serie A and Top 2 in Spanish La Liga, shall be the dream of all footballers. Those 8 clubs has filled up all the 4 spots in the Champion League Semi-Final for the past 2 season. Still a nobody in May 2006, Ribery received his first international call up for France and then goes on to represent France in World Cup 06. Soon he was being hailed as the new Zidane in France after the retirement of Zidane, and attracted lots of big club before making a move to Bayern Munich in June 2007.

Even with Bayern Munich put the price tag of £85m (€100m) on their star player Ribery, it didn’t manage to scare those suitor off. So far, Real Madrid has bidded €80m, Barcelona offered €60m, Man Utd line up £35m bid, Chelsea launched £40m bid, Arsenal considering £40m bid, Liverpool prepared £44m bid, Juventus with €50m budget next season  and Inter with €45m fund available. With just 2 years left in his contract, all these clubs might force themselves to wait for another season, so that they can acquires the french playmaker at a lower costs, provided he never renews his contract.

Seem to me, Barcelona style of soccer suit him the best with the flow of passing and the option to team up with Ibrahimovic and Messi in the strikeforce. Real Madrid will be another option as he can being labelled as 1 of the new Galactico and playing alongside with previous 2 FIFA player of the year, Kaka and C.Ronaldo. For Man Utd, to play under Sir Alex Ferguson will be his honour as over the years, Ferguson has bring out the potential of many star player like Cantona and C.Ronaldo. Under Ancelotti in Chelsea, 1 of the most profilic manager in Europe, trophy shall be within his reach as Chelsea currently are the most stabled team in EPL. In Arsenal, a chance to team up with all the future star player like Walcott and Wilshere will be quite interesting and he can remake the all attacking squad of Arsenal just like Henry reign in the past. Joining Liverpool with the best club fans in the world, he shall never walk alone and dream of getting EPL title shall come true along with Gerrard and Torres. Juventus shall be his destination if he decide to join the squads where all the famous Frenchmen Henry, Zidane, Vieira and Thuram had stay at before. Inter only attraction will be the chance to play under the self labelled “Special One” Jose Mourinho, 1 of the most arrogant manager in the world.

My bet will be of Ribery joining Real Madrid in the end, with the project of current era of Galactico ongoing too tempting for him to turn down. As early as January shall the deal be done with the sale of Real Madrid unwanted player to fund the costs, and with just 18 months left in the contracts will for sure reduce the price tag by at abit.

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Despite being link to all these big clubs, Villa has been keep making statement that he is currently happy in Valencia and doesn’t wish to move away to another clubs. All the link  finally come to a end after Valencia has confirmed that David Villa is not for sale this summer on mid June 09 and will do everything to hold on to him.

So far he has only been playing in Spain for 3 different club, Sporting Gijon, Real Zaragora and Valencia. His forms of scoring has been consistance throughout his career, scoring a total of 155 goal during 8 season which 6 season is at Spanish top flight. Not only his club performance is good, his international level performance is even awesome. Only been called up for Spain 4 year ago, he is now currently the second top scorer of all time for Spain with 31 goals, just behind Raul of 44 goals but Raul has more than twice the amount of cap than Villa for Spain.

Liverpool are back linking up with David Villa again with Xabi Alonso on the verge of moving back to Spain, Real Madrid with as estimate of 30 million pound. Liverpool plan to use the money they get from Alonso to try bid for David Villa again, if the deal go through, it will break Liverpool transfer record which is set by the capture of Torres few year back of 20.6 million pound. Liverpool manager Benitez believe Torres held the key in bringing Villa to Anfield, as they formed 1 of the most feared strike international partnership in the world.

Should Alonso go and Villa come with Mascherano staying, Liverpool can change their current 4-2-3-1 formation to 4-3-1-2, with Mascherano taking up Holding Mid and Lucas serves as backup for him, Babel, Kuyt, Benayoun and Riera fill up the 2 wing spot, Gerrard taking Attacking Mid with Villa and Torres at the frontline. This new formation might work for Liverpool but the only problem still lie on Gerrard as he is unreplacable if he get injured again, with Torres or Villa get injure, they can switch back to 4-2-3-1 again.

I believe Villa will leave Valencia sooner or later just like Torres last time, which eventually leave Aletico Madrid. Hardly got player who is so loyal to their club now where there is clubs like Man City, Chelsea and Madrid which can offer big money unlike Raul, Gerrard, Gigg and Maldini whereby their club are European top tiers unlike Valencia which is 2nd tier now. If Villa really does move to Liverpool, biggest reason shall be silverware instead of forming fearsome partnership with El Nino in the front at club level. Valencia has been dropping out of champion league for years and Liverpool are getting better chance to get their long lost EPL Title.

He was the first player to be bought by Ancelotti in AC Milan and has acheieve 1 Scudetto in 2004 and 2 Champion League title in 2003 and 2007 during Ancelotti reign in Milan. He has make over 200 appearances for AC Milan and scored quite a number of spectacular goals and provided plenty of assists.

Chelsea has been making bids for Pirlo a number of time which got rejected repeatly. The last bid was worth 14 million euro containing striker Claudio Pizarro was rejected early this week. AC Milan was say to look for 20 million euro for Pirlo instead with Chelsea might want to add on player to reduce the cash offer. Negotiation are still going on which Chelsea would prefer to finish the deal within next week to prepare Pirlo for the Premier League opening match on the 15th Aug.

He has also won everything he can in Italy already and held World Cup winner medal, which is why his career so far has been consider very successful. Guess it time for him to move on for new challenge and prepare for defending next year world cup. Chelsea will be a good place where he can reunite with his former manager and perhaps help revive Shevchenko form, as they has form a formidable partnership in the past.

I would said it would be better for Pirlo to leave the clubs than to remain under an inexperience manager managing an ageing club. AC Milan are seem to be in a financial crisis as it was said financial was part of the reason why Milan sold Kaka away. Milan haven’t been spenting much in bringing in good player or replacement for Kaka, as their rival Inter bought in Lucio, Eto, Milito and Motta, rival Juventus bought in Diego, Melo, Cannavaro and Caceres. They are behind strength to Challenge for the ISA title in coming season.

]]> http://www.soccerzero.com/andrea-pirlo-to-join-up-with-ancelotti/feed/ 0 http://www.soccerzero.com/list-of-striker-who-are-still-available/ http://www.soccerzero.com/list-of-striker-who-are-still-available/#comments Thu, 30 Jul 2009 17:33:09 +0000 RQ http://www.soccerzero.com/?p=323

With a lack of striker among the EPL club With Man City bought over some of club key striker. A look at it seem like Liverpool, Arsenal, Blackburn, Portsmouth, Sunderland and Hull are all busy looking around in the transfer market for good striker. Liverpool need someone who can tag with their star striker Torres upfront. Arsenal need a replacement for Adebayor who just left for Man City. Blackburn need replacement for key striker Santa Cruz who left for Man City too. Portsmouth need someone who are able to replace Peter Crouch who joined Spurs.  Sunderland need someone to do better than Cisse which they loan from Marseille last season. Hull need someone who can provide them goal.

Krkic Bojan

A raw gem produced from the Barcelona academy, he was tips to be the next Raul which can lead Spain in the next generation for plenty of years. He got his first Spain cap at the age of 17 and decline the offer to be part of the Euro 08 squad as he believe he still not up to the level yet. At the age of 18, he was already part of Barcelona rotation squad and hold the Spanish La Liga and Champion League title. His capability can see him being first team player in most of the club in the world already. He is a good player which might be able to be loan out by Barcelona to get more experience before returning back to be the club star players alongside with Messi which still have plenty of years ahead of them.

The way i saw him play, i see the image of Torres few year ago where he still in Aletico Madrid. Those confident run and smooth ball control with lethal finishing touch. It would be the best for him to join Liverpool on loan which benefit both party. With a good spanish manager to nurture him and the help of his senior Spanish International to give him tips and guide, he shall evolve to a better player when he return to Barcelona. With Voronin out of form, and Ngog without much matches experience, Liverpool need someone who can play along with Torres, and Bojan shall fit that role.

Mark Viduka

A veteran striker which has 9 season of EPL experience with Leeds, Boro and Newcastle. He is recently being released by Newcastle upon relegation to English League Championship. He has already scored over 200+ goals since the start of his career already. The only con of him shall be the stamina are not as good anymore and has been plague by injury for years. But to be able to acquire him on a free transfer basis, its still seem to be a good deal. He has so far attracted the like of Hull City, Fulham and Portsmouth.

Joining Hull City will be better as he will not hold any burden rather than joining Portsmouth and expected to be Crouch replacement. Joining Fulham might help in their Europa league advanture with his experience. He is not as quick as before but his instinctive toward goals are still going strong though. An estimation of 10-12 goal shall be his target for next year at the age of 34.

Eidur Gudjohnsen

He has win 3 title in Dutch with PSV(Dutch Eredivisie, Dutch Cup, Dutch Super Cup), 3 in EPL with Chelsea(Premier League, Football League Cup, Community Shield) and 4 in La Liga with Barcelona(Spanish Super Cup, Copa del Rey, La Liga and UEFA Champions League). Total of 10 different title in his career has make him a true winner with lots of memories. He currently still part of Barcelona rotation plan which mainly involve in Cup matches. Not really prolific striker with the amount of goal he bought to his club, but still he make a good support striker, and at the age of 30, its price shouldn’t be that high too.

A remain in Barcelona seem to be best plan for himself but i believes Barcelona will be willing to listen to offer if enquiry and bidding came in for him. Another option is leave for West Ham who did enter negotiation with Barcelona about him week ago, and a reunion with his former teammate Zola shall do him good.

Obafemi Martins

An all rounded Striker i would said about him, he can score through far range, and near post, or even with header. I would rate him on par or even better than Chelsea’s Drogba as he is still young at the age of 24 which he still can improve. With Newcastle just relegated, their key striker look highly to seek a move out instead of staying with them to get the club back to EPL. The costs is also not that expensive as an estimate price tag of 10 million pound compare to the like of Adebayor and Tevez which cost 25million pound each.

Rumour has it that Wolfburgs are currently the favourite to sign the Nigeria Striker for a price of 9 million pound, and the striker are keen on the move and will undergo medical checkup within 48 hour. He is a striker of big stages, shouldn’t have waste his time in Newcastle instead. A move to Wolfburgs will suit him as a tough battle lies ahead of him to help the club retain their title and make their maiden appearance in champion league.

Darren Bent

The signing of Peter Crouch to Spurs shall mark the leaving of him, with already quite a number of establish striker in the club already. Robbie Keane, Defoe, Crouch and Pavlychenko will see the out of favour to drop to 5th choice for the lineup. The rumour of him leaving has been around for quite awhile with Blackburn, Sunderland, Aston Villa and Hull City all shown interest about him. Look even more likely to leave as he already been bid farewell by manager Harry Redknapp and been left out of Tottenham pre season tour to China.

I would say he is an overrated player which i didn’t see why he worth the 16.5 million pound which Tottenham signed oveer from Charlton in the first place. So far his performance i would say only worth like 5 million only, as he often missed open chances. So far the favourite has been Sunderland who are near to seal his signature for £12m to form partnership with Jones.

David Trezeguet

1 of the reputable striker who is still available in the transfer market. He has an average of 0.6 goals matches for Juventus which is very consistance during the past 9 season. He has so far attracted quite a few ISA club which include AC Milan who enquiry about this striker. But seem like Juventus are not prepare to offload him to any club in italian at the moment, so a solution will be to move to Premier League.

The speculation of him leaving the club has since started during the scandal which see Juventus relegated to serie B, but still as a Juventus fan, i would see him as a loyal and faithful player who did his best to serve the club so far. He has injured his groin that kept him out for most of the previous season which he only scored a total of just 3 goals. At the age of 31 though, i feel he still got plenty to offer and his partnership with Del Piero are still superby, i would not wants him to leave as next season shall be the best chance for Juventus to challenge for scedutto with great signing of Cannavaro, Melo and Diego and few more signing to come.

He is French born Morocco international who play a key role along with Cavenaghi to score 13 goals each in french league to lead Bordeaux to the first Ligue 1 title in new century and broken off Lyon 7 titles straight. Chamakh has so far been link to Arsenal, Sunderland and Lyon. With the departing of Arsenal’s Adebayor to Man City, Lyon’s Benzema to Real Madrid and Sunderland’s Cisse return back from loan to Marseilles, all 3 club are desperately after decent striker left around in the market.

Sunderland was first in contact with the striker at mid June but Arsenal joined in the chase soon enough, which change Chamakh’s minds that Arsenal shall be a better choice. Now Lyon also express their interests with the striker and wants to enter the race. Sunderland can assure him of first team striker spot which Arsenal can’t provide as they still got Bendner, Van Persie and Eduardo, 3 establish striker fighting for the spot. Lyon style might suit him the best and he is more familiar with the playing style in french league since throughout his career so far, he been playing at France.

Currently Arsenal seem to be the favourite for him to join as he has express his interest in joining Arsenal more than the other two rival. Arsenal’s manager Wenger has been well known to bring out potential of talented youngster and has also been able to revive Henry career from Juventus previously. By joining Arsenal shall bring his skill and technique to another level.

At the age of 23, he is already one of the regular in Spanish squad and was part of the team who help lift the Euro 08 for Spain. He was developed from Valencia youth academy and was loan out to 2 different club at 04/05, 05/06 season to gain experience. When he return back to Valencia, he managed to be part of the rotation squad and managed to get into first team lineup since 07/08 and has since be part of the key players for the club.

Valencia biggest success so far has been 03/04 season whereby Rafael Benitez lead the club to both Spanish La Liga title and Uefa Cup. But since he departed for Liverpool, Valencia performance has been going downhill, and Silva just nice promote up from youth team on the year Benitez left. That why Silva so far only has acheive a spanish king cup winner under his name.

Due to the club financial crisis, lots of the star player in the club has been link to other club. Silva are 1 of them which attract the attention of Real Madrid, Liverpool and Manchester United. Real Madrid seem Silva as backup choice if they unable to signed Ribery from Munich while Liverpool are keen of signing the playmaker as 1 of the key player, Man Utd then join in the chase planning to hijack him away from Liverpool.

All 3 club seem good for him to join rather than staying with Valencia. By joining Real Madrid, i believes he can be part of the changeover squad who shines for Madrid along with the like of Kaka, C.Ronaldo and Raul and standing good chance of winning silverware with only problem might be he only part of the rotation squad.

By joining Liverpool, he can make immidiate impact with the spaniard Reina, Arbeloa, Alonso and Torres in the team who he work with in international level. He also has the chance to work with the spanish manager who he missed out in Valencia. But will he be comfortable with the EPL playing style?

 With the departure of C.Ronaldo and ageing Gigg retiring soon, Man Utd are really in need of a winger who can perform the trick. Silva is definitely a better choice than Nani or Valencia in the lineup with the only problem might be is language.

In order to cash in for more Galactico after spenting near 200 million pound on Kaka, C.Ronaldo, Benzema, Albiol and Negredo already. Madrid are ready to offload all their Dutchman away after a season without obtaining any silverware. There is rumour about Real Madrid fax those player price list to all the top club as well as whole EPL club. An estimation of sale of all of the Dutchman would possibly bring in 100 million to the club to fund better player.

Klaas-Jan Huntelaar
Despite just joining Real Madrid for 20 million Euro in January this year, Madrid are already prepare to listen to offer for the striker. So far Madrid has bought in C.Ronaldo who proven he can play in striker role and Benzema who is a natural and lethal striker. His role for the team are deeply in doubt after Benzema taken his No.19 Jersey Number and naturally he will be behind Raul, C.Ronaldo and Benzema for the lineup spot with rival of Van Nistelrooy, Higuain and Negredo backing up if any injury.

He is a profilic striker who scored 76 score in 92 matches for Ajax before moving to Bernabeu and hold a good international record of 13 goal in 23 matches. He has so far been link to English Trio Manchester United, Tottenham and Arsenal and has been put on a price tag by Madrid of 20 million pound which they paid for him in Jan.

Overall i would say he is being under used, a player of his caliber is good enough for big matches just lack of chance to prove so. Not his loss for sure if he leave for another big club.

Royston Drenthe
He is a winger who failed to impress on the left wing and has Marcelo taking the left back role which leave him out of Madrid first team squad. He is being label a price of 12 million pound at the moment and attracted both Fiorentina and Ajax. A moving to Ajax will be a better choice as dutch league suit his playing style better than ISA which required more psychical strength than technique.

Rafael van der Vaart
He was being placed on transfer listed as well, often being used as substitute in game, with Real Madrid still looking for an establish Center Midfielder, and constantly link to Liverpool’s Alonso. For an attacking midfielder to score 81 goal in 191 game in his career before coming to Real Madrid is impressive.

Too bad, he joined the wrong club. He should joins club which centralise around him and hold the team up instead of playing support for other big name player. He is currently link with Ajax and former club Hamburg.

Ruud van Nistelrooy
A key player who take up the striker role after Ronaldo left Madrid. He joined Real Madrid for 18 million euro and scored an impressive of 45 goal from 67 game in Madrid which contribute to 202 goal from 284 game throughout his career in PSV, Man Utd and Madrid. He has a bad last season which plague by injury for more than half of the season last year which link to his exit for the club with enforce of Benzema and C.Ronaldo into the club which reduce his chance of performing. During his first season with Madrid, he scored an amazing 23 goals in 32 leagues game which top European league scorer ranking and awarded Pichichi Trophy.

Since the summer transfer market reopened, Van Nistelrooy has been link with English Trio Everton, Tottenham and Blackburn. A player of his standard to be available at the price of 1.25 million pound seem very attractive, but it doesn’t last long. Everton soon switch target to Reyes while Tottenham switched to Huntelaar which both player are at the age of 25, which still can continues their career for the club for quite few club instead of Van Nistelrooy who is already 33 year old. Blackburn still remain on the target as they need someone who can cover their star striker Santa Cruz role who left for Man City. Still, in the end, Blackburn also seem to be giving up on the player due to the £90k weekly wage demand which will costs near £5m to support the striker yearly.

Hmm, a player who lost his peak and plague by injury lately shouldn’t ask for that much, perhaps to take pay cut to join Blackburn will seem to be the best solution for him to continues his football career. Once he joined Blackburn and proves that his form is back, obviously Blackburn will sign a new contract extension with pay rise to keep him with them till retire instead.

Arjen Robben
He is well known for his speed and ball control but often being underrated. Still remember those day whereby he just joined Chelsea and immediately bring effect by nice run and playmaking skill to lead Chelsea winning matches with clear winning margin. He also bring immediate effect by helping Real Madrid to retain their spanish title on the first season.

Despite lots of European club like Tottenham and Fenerbahce monitoring him, Robben made his stand that he would prefer to remain with Madrid and win back his position instead of moving on. So far none of the club who enquiry about himself interests him too.

I believe Robben is often being underrate but i still rated him as the standard on par with C.Ronaldo, believed his quality are good enough to be counted as 1 of the Galactico. Since Madrid unable to convince Bayern Munich to sell their star player Ribery to them, 1 solution can be done is use Robben instead. The only different between Robben and Ribery which i can think of is Ribery got the skill to influence in matches to bring out whole team capability instead. So sticking with Madrid will be a correct decision with other big name player signing this year, Madrid shall be seem as favourite which can overthrown Barcelona who lost their top scorer Eto in Champion Leagues.

Wesley Sneijder
He is a player who specialise in set pieces and taking free kick role most of the time for his club. He has been helping to fill up Robinho empty role and taken his jersey number 10. He has been quite constant with his performance for the club, just that their overall team performance and teamwork are below par which see them behind Barcelona 15 point at mid season which is quite impossible to chase up.

Since summer transfer market open, Sneijder has been used as a bargaining chip for quite a number of time of different occasion. This can be quite frustrated for a player who is loyal to his club as its seem that the club doesn’t show respect of you, whether you are interested with that club, that Madrid is dealing with. Madrid has been trying to get signature of Alonso to replace him or an alternative Aquilani who can fill up the slot comfortably.

A move to club which treasure him will be better for him although Madrid are currently 1 of the strongest club in the world with their player basis. It all depend on his character whether he is stubborn and arrogant that wanted to get back his role in the squad before moving on, or just joined another club which he can easily identify as the key player than wasting his time for chances in Madrid.

4 ISA title from the 4 season since he departed from Arsenal might seem bigger achievement than 3 EPL title he won with Arsenal from 10 season. But is he happier now in Italy than in Arsenal? Guess not, as the ageing Midfielder gained first title with Juventus but due to the scandal which see Juventus relegated and revoked of title and then he switched to Inter Milan. The other 3 title come with Inter but not directly come from his contribution as he often being used in rotation or backup for the title team as he found himself behind Javier Zanetti, Dejan Stankovic, Sulley Muntari, and Esteban Cambiasso.

In order to search for a more regular football, he look likely to move and was available for free transfer and so far attracted a number of club, Birmingham, Fulham, Tottenham, Lyon and Paris St Germain. He was at first appointed as captain for the Euro 08 Qualifying but missed the campaign due to injury. A regular football might see him retake back the armband for France squad again for World Cup 2010.

Paris St Germain was the first to be enquiry for the midfield before talk fallen due to wage demanding. Birmingham then join in to bid the midfielder and even offered 100k weekly wage for him. After that Fulham and Sunderland also express their interest in the out of favour midfielder. Soon Both Lyon and Tottenham also join in the race for his signature. So far Tottenham look favorite to be the next destination for the Frenchman as he was a good friend of Spurs manager Harry Redknapp.

A move to Tottenham will be a great deal for both the club and the man. Tottenham has concede the least goal at home last season. Tottenham form has changed from 4 win 6 draw and 12 lose from the start of the season till the signing of Palacios and Keana changed the form in January to 10 win 3 draw and 3 lose toward the end of the season. With the introduction of Vieira to the squad, Palacios and Vieira will surely form a formidable wall in front of the backline.

To Liverpool?
Liverpool seem to have the upper hand on the bid with Champion League offer. With Liverpool haven’t sign any striker yet, a return to Anfield will ensure his amount of playing time unless Benitez switched back the formation to 4 4 1 1 with lone striker Torres supported by Gerrard. By playing in the Champion League will definite higher his World Cup hope with his rival Owen, Rooney, Heskey, Dent, Defoe and Agbonlahor all have European football to play with their clubs next season. Its now up to himself whether to choose Liverpool as the only reason stopping him is as a supportive role to Torres and being outshined.

To Tottenham?
Tottenham have too many decent striker already, with Pavlyuchenko, Bent, Keane and Defoe, so his playing chance will be limited unless Spurs sell off some of them. The only way he will choose Spurs will be to join league with his former boss again who signed him back to Portsmouth from Kops.

To Fulham?
Fulham is an ideal choice for him. With Uefa cup playing chance, first team striker choices, with solidify defense and his add on of his height against set piece will make Fulham even harder to score against after Fulham concede the least goal apart from the top 3, Man Utd, Liverpool and Chelsea. Their weakness so far has been unable to score, as they scored even lesser than relegated Newcastle.

Real Madrid has been working on getting him to Bernabeu for few weeks already. Manchester City and Chelsea has then express their interests in the midfielder too.The latest update has been the wonderful passer has been label on a £35 Million price tag by Benitez.

Pro for the move
-For a player to play in their homeland is definitely better than in foreign whereby all their family are there.
-To be involves in the Changeover of once know as Galactico in Real Madrid and play alongside with the like of Kaka and C.Ronaldo
-It better to work for a manager which treat you better instead as Benitez didn’t really treat him well enough.(To put on a price tag on a player shall mean that players are allowed to leave the club)
-There is more spanish player in Real Madrid than in Liverpool which will help in their teamwork and chances to get into Spain squad for World Cup 2010.
-Higher chance of getting silverware i would say

Con for the move
-Can the glory memory of winning Champion League in 2005 make him think twice of consider moving
-Real Madrid have too many player at the moment which will reduce his chance of performing( Will be drop easily if no decent performance being make immediately)
-Harder to shine in the match with World Class star like Kaka, Ronaldo and Raul in your team
-Biggest rival Man Utd just sold their key player, C.Ronaldo, which mean Liverpool got better chance of winning EPL Title now
-Liverpool has a better manager compare to Madrid current manager

I think he should move to Real Madrid consider that its a once in a lifetime kind of offer in this kind of project of creating of era of Galactico. Benitez haven’t do much in trying to stop the move also, by saying he is important player to the club yet put up a price tag doesn’t show compromise. There is also higher chance of getting silverware with the new Real Madrid squad than Liverpool squad.