The Bitter Fruit of the Transfer Market

Ball Harambee by Bagga Wilks

Transfers at the eleventh hour can strengthen or weaken a team. It also means not good news for those already in the roster. The transfer of Fellaini from Everton to Manchester United will unquestionably strengthen the Manchester United mid-field. It will mean Anderson might never be a regular starter for Manchester United and Cleverly will see less playing time.

Arsenal is the beneficiary of the Gareth Bale trade to Real Madrid as it made Ozil available. In his first game Ozil settled in right after the referee’s whistle even though it often takes players coming into the EPL one year to adjust. Wenger’s patience paid off and as they displayed against Sunderland Arsenal, will be a contender all season.

Mourinho acquired the players he wanted to possible triumph in his return to Stamford Bridge. Samuel E’too made his debut. Willian, the Brazilian, was not included in the roster and the new Chelsea is still struggling to find the right chemistry.

Manchester City is also struggling to integrate new players and a new coach. They are far from sharp and could only manage a draw at Stoke City. The departed Tevez is rejoicing as he will get to play regularly as the point striker for Juventus in Serie A. Juventus has readily integrated Tevez into the lineup even though they could only manage a draw against the newly reconstructed Inter Milan.

A.C. Milan sent Prince Boateng to Schalke in the Bundesliga, and re-possessed Kaka who had wallowed in Real Madrid’s bench since he transferred to La Liga a couple years ago. Kaka will now play regularly and try to get back to the form of the old Kaka. He joins with Balotelli and Robinho but Robinho against Torino was not in the game. Kaka did not sparkle. A.C. Milan drew 2-2 with Torino in a game that Torino deserved to win.

Across the river in La Liga, Spain, Neymar is settling in and his combined play with Messi should produce numerous highlights. One wonders why Alex Song transferred to Barcelona as in the prime of his career when he had established himself in the EPL. He has become a bench warmer at Barcelona.

Bale scored in his debut for Real Madrid but Real Madrid’s game ended up as a draw. All eyes are on Bale to determine if he can live up to the money spent for his acquisition. Like Ozil, he might not need much time to justify the bounty on his head.

Those who have lost places as a result of eleventh hour trades will certainly seek new pastures in the January transfer market.

Whither Ronaldinho, Robinho and Kaka

Ball Harambee By Bagga Wilks

Paul Vickery who is one of the better soccer pundits published a piece on ESPN soccer stating that the Brazilian coach, Scolari, has indicated that 80 percent of the Brazilian team for the World Cup 2014 has already been selected. Based on the success of the Confederation Cup, I doubt if Scolari will tinker with his starting eleven or the bench. Scolari has a lot to do with accelerating the work rate of every member of the squad. The forwards are expected to fall back and defend. The mid-field players and full backs are expected to join in the attack. It’s a full court press for ninety minutes and especially in the final with Spain, Brazil out-hustled, out-muscled the Spaniards.



The pre-Scolari teams tended to play too slow, were too tardy and lacked intensity. That is anti-thetical modern football. Like the workers of the world, international players must have a high rate of productivity. Unlike the workers of the world, the professional soccer players are well paid.



Does that mean there is no hope for Ronaldinho, Robinho or Kaka?

Ronaldinho has recovered some form since returning to Brazil and has taken his team, Atletico Mineiro, to the final of Copa Libertadores. But at 33 can Ronaldinho play on two sides of the ball? He certainly is capable of defense splitting passes but for Scolari that might not be enough.

Robinho has fallen off a cliff. A.C. Milan was negotiating a transfer to Santos of Brazil but the transfer negotiations have broken down. Robinho doesn’t seem to be in the plans of A.C. Milan and his hefty salary of 4 million pounds makes it a chore for another club to give the once Brazilian star an opportunity to play on a regular basis.

Kaka’s career also plummeted once moving to Real Madrid. Plagued by injuries and the garguantun footprints of Ronaldo, Mourinho kept him in the shadows. With the advent of Ancellotti, Kaka hopes that he will be given more playing time. Whether that will mean space on the Brazilian national team, that will not be an easy task.



Scolari’s message is that Brazil has entered a new age and the stars of yesteryear must be confined to the history books.

Scolari’s Tinkering: Kaka or Ronaldinho

Ball Harambee By Bagga Wilks

Time is running out for the Brazilian team to get their act together for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Brazil who was rated as the top team in the world in 2002 is now rated at number eighteen and falling. In recent warm-up games, the Selecao have lost to England (2-1), drawn with Italy (1-1) and drawn with Russia (2-2).

Scolari is not waiting on official friendlies and have started playing friendlies using their local based players. In a game against Bolivia, Brazil won handsomely 4-0 and against Chile drew 2-2.

Brazil has two pending international friendlies coming up against England and France. Brazil is the host of the Confederation Cup which serves as the forerunner for the World Cup. The Confederation Cup will be played in Brazil from June 15-30, 2013 and should be a test as to where the Scolari coached squad is in preparation for 2014 World Cup. In the Confederation Cup, Brazil will compete against Spain, Germany, Argentina, Japan and others.

There is no lack of talent inside or outside of Brazil. Brazil did not perform well in the 2006 World Cup when they were knocked out by France. Under Dunga’s tutelage, Brazil also was knocked out in the quarter final in South Africa when they lost to the Netherlands. From 2012 to 2013 Brazil has been struggling to be like Brazil. Under Mano Menezes the Selecao never found their stride and in a practice match against Germany were clobbered. The Brazilian Federation lost confidence in Mano and called back Scolari who had won the World Cup for Brazil in 2002. Scolari in 2014 will either be the hero or the goat.

In a recent interview with a Brazilian publication, Scolari indicated that he will go either with Kaka or Ronaldinho as his playmaker. Kaka was recalled for the friendlies against Italy and Russia. Ronaldinho was recalled for the English game and then again for the matches against Bolivia and Chile. Kaka has not managed to break into Real Madrid’s starting team and has not looked like the Kaka of old. Ronaldinho in the game at Wembley against England was taken off at half time but against Bolivia, the old maestro looked like the Ronaldinho of old. Scolari has stated that he has been impressed with Ronaldinho’s form at Atletico Minero. In the Bolivian game, Neymar and Ronaldinho combined beautifully and Neymar has expressed a preference for playing beside Ronaldinho.

Scolari will soon name his squad for the Confederation Cup and that will tell us which players are likely to represent Brazil in the 2014 World Cup. There is no shortage of talent. As central defenders, there are David Luiz, Thiago Silva, Dante and Dede. As full backs, there are Dani Alves, Rafael, Marcelo and Adriano. In mid-field, there is Paulinho, Hermanes, Ramires, Oscar and Ferdinand. As forwards, there is Hulk, Neymar, Kaka, Ronaldinho, Osvaldo, Damiao and Fred. Kaka or Ronaldinho is considered to play the role as playmaker, but Scolari should not overlook Coutinho who has shown at Liverpool that he is a mega star in the making.

Scolari must bring players who can forge the right chemistry. That togetherness will determine whether Scolari is the right man for the job or one who will suffer a similar fate like his predecessors, Dungo and Menezes. In the world of soccer, managers can determine whether teams achieve greatness or wallow in mediocrity. At this juncture in their football history, Brazil is in need of a Sir Alex Ferguson. If Scolari succeeds, he will be known not as “Big Phil” but as “Sir Felipe”.

FIFA x Young Money

What Do Wayne Rooney, Kaka, Lil' Wayne & Drake have in common?

Arsenal: The Last Supper

By Bagga Wilks

Bolton broke Arsenal’s back with a 2-1 defeat on their home turf where they have been more than resilient for most of the season. For Arsenal, this was the last supper. For 2011, there would be no resurrection. Not winning vital matches, giving up goals from set pieces, giving up goals in the last minute of games, failing to close the show has been the club’s “bugaboo”.

By some standards, Arsenal had an excellent season. They have played great football. Nasri has emerged as a fine creative player. Fabregas is ending the season unhurt. Walcott has shown flashes of brilliance. Wilshere is a great player in the making. Song has become an indomitable defensive mid-field player. Van Persie is a great goal scorer. But the team lacks certain essential defensive ingredients.

American's help Rangers FC draw AC MILAN

Tonight Milan played a friendly at Ibrox Park against Glasgow Rangers. Rangers point of view it was a chance for a host of fringe players to get involved and the big plus was Maurice Edu who did well in midfield all night. Not much happened in the first half, with the only highlight coming from a Ronaldinho free kick that shaved the post. Rangers FC opened the score in the 66th minute through DaMarcus Beasley, who profited from a misunderstanding between Silva, who did not make the best of impressions tonight, and Darmian. It was his USA team mate Edu who set the chance with a good ball through.

Milan managed to tie the score just four minutes later through Pato, who had just come in to replace an ineffective Shevchenko, after Kaká wreaked havoc in the Rangers' defence. The 2007 Golden Ball winner then got himself on the score-sheet as well, giving Milan the lead with a terrific run and shot from inside the area in the 78th minute.

However, the home side managed to come back to make it 2-2 with a goal from defender Sasa Papac, who made a smart run into the area and beat Dida in the 81st minute.

BECKHAM HELPS AC MILAN THRASH LAZIO

David Beckham created two goals as AC Milan thrashed Lazio 3-0 at Rome's Stadio Olimpico on Sunday to move into second place in Serie A. The victory cut Inter Milan's lead at the top to six points after their bitter city rivals were held to a 1-1 draw at home to lowly Torino.

Beckham was chief orchestrator with pin-point crosses to create the first two goals before Kaka rounded off the scoring late on. Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti said the difference between the two teams was merely quality. "Lazio had a lot of pressure and maybe the only thing they lacked was a clinical finish but we held onto the ball well," he said.