Transfer better or for worse
A few weeks ago Rob Parker did a great little blog on the transfers he would love to see this summer for comedy value, focusing on Robbie Keane’s fake loyalty and Torres going full circle in particular. Today I offer my two penneth worth, focusing on moves I would genuinely like to happen, because hell, they would just work.
In a summer in which we are going to be starved from football (Under 21 European Championships aside) the seemingly never-ending rumour mill will become our staple diet.
So without resorting to the level of Messi, Xavi et al to Northampton Town, we pick the transfers that we would damn well like to see over the next few months. As ever, use and abuse below:
1. Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal to Barcelona)
I genuinely think it could be a good time for Arsenal to sell Fabregas, particularly as it seems that his heart is set in Catalonia. In fact, for me it is more than this: I want them to sell. Because if Fabregas goes, then the clearout begins. Diaby, Eboue, Rosicky, Bendtner, Almunia, Arshavin even. All could follow.
And left with a blank canvas once more, with a few flecks of colour in Van Persie, Vermaelen, Wilshere and Nasri, we could genuinely see a rebranded and exciting Arsenal team.
I am not saying it would be good thing for Arsenal to lose their captain in normal circumstances. But Cesc wants to go.
Just a plea to both parties: Let’s not have the sort of media bandwagon that made us want to end it all last summer eh chaps?
2. David Villa (Barcelona to Manchester City)
Whilst no Barcelona player has disgraced themselves this season (in terms of performance, don’t get me started on the gamesmanship), David Villa has actually been incredibly disappointing.
That may seem incredibly harsh on a player with 22 goals, but when you are the main striker for a team that has 140 in all competitions you start to get my drift, and Villa has one goal in his last fifteen games.
Reports in Spain suggest that Barca are in the market for a striker this summer after Villa’s form, and with Tevez seemingly wanting out of Eastlands, a big money offer from Manchester might just tempt the hand of the Spanish giants.
Villa and Balotelli? That I do want to see.
3. Christopher Samba (Blackburn to Arsenal)
The ultimate 2 + 2 = 4 transfer (see no. 8 for a further example). Arsenal need some more force in their team, and Christopher Samba is the Premier League dictionary definition of force.
Thomas Vermaelen may well suffer more setbacks, Johan Djourou has seemed unreliable since a return from injury, and Laurent Koscielny and Sebastien Squillaci are error-prone. Samaba is by no means the perfect centre-back, but he would go some way to reducing the 54% of Arsenal’s conceded goals coming from set pieces.
Arsenal have had years of Samba style. It may be time for some Samba substance.
4. Romelu Lukaku (Anderlecht to Chelsea)
Whilst it is clear that their London rivals may be having something of a clearout, changes are also likely to be afoot at the Bridge this summer. Chances are both Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka will leave, so what chance Chelsea buying the Ivorian’s ready-made replacement?
Lukaku has a growing reputation at just 17 years of age, and Chelsea have already declared their interest.
5. Miroslav Klose (Free transfer to Everton/Spurs)
Ok, so he is 32 and probably won’t be snapped up by any of the Big Four, but Klose is one of few current players with over 50 international goals, and is available on a Bosman this summer.
Quite frankly would be intrigued to see just how he would get on in England. And with Spurs in desperate need of a goalscoring striker, and Everton in need of proven players that cost very little, is there any reason why clubs wouldn’t be falling over each other to sign Klose? The only question is whether Klose would prefer to stay in Deutschland.
6. Michael Owen (Free transfer to QPR)
It has, to be honest, been a hugely disappointing season for Owen. He recently predicted on Twitter that he would get an important goal, and yet has simply not featured in enough minutes for this to happen.
Owen has started just three competitive games this season, one in each of the three domestic competitions. He has one Premier League goal.
The striker is available on a free transfer this summer, and assuming that United don’t offer the him a further deal, we would love to see how he would get on when given 20-30 starts in a season. QPR would be the ideal fit, looking to sign big name players and with the funds to pay the England international’s wages.
7. Manuel Neuer (Schalke to Manchester United)
All depends on whether the keeper’s proposed move to Bayern Munich is a done deal.
Neuer’s performance in the first leg against Manchester United was genuinely one of the great goalkeeping performances. A slightly less impressive showing at Old Trafford, but the German has a growing reputation.
Players in Germany generally move to Bayern Munich before leaving the country (see Lucio, Ballack and now potentially Klose). United will hope that they can intervene in this process.
8. Scott Parker (West Ham to Spurs)
If West Ham are relegated, as looks increasingly likely, the owners have said that they will not stand in the way of Parker should he want to leave. He will want to leave.
Having played for Charlton, Chelsea and West Ham, Parker would probably prefer to stay in London. Combine that with Tottenham’s love of English midfielders, the injuries suffered by Tom Huddlestone and loss of form of Wilson Palacios, and the transfer is easy to predict.
And honestly, who could begrudge Parker the chance to make it at a bigger club given his performances this season?
9. Adam Johnson (Manchester City to Aston Villa)
I have a confession: I really like Adam Johnson. And it has annoyed me that he hasn’t had regular Premier League football this season.
Slightly questionable as to whether City would let him go, but with high profile players linked all the time for the Champions League journey, Johnno might slip down the pecking order again.
With Villa likely to lose Ashley Young, leaving them with money and the need for a winger, it would be a comfortable fit for all parties. And I get to see more of Adam on the telly.
10. Radamel Falcao (Porto to Arsenal)
Robin Van Persie must be getting sick and tired of scoring wasted goals, and he is crying out for a regular partner. Bendtner and Chamakh are not up to scratch, and so Arsenal must buy.
Falcao would be a perfect fit. Impressive in the air despite being under six foot, he has scored 18 league goals in 24 games, and has also scored an unbelievable 16 goals in 13 games in the Europa League, a goal every 63 minutes.
Porto have said they will listen to offers, so Arsenal should do the business, and do it early.
And finally…
11. Alberto Aquilani (Juventus to Liverpool)
Not strictly a signing obviously, but whereas Liverpool fans would probably have been happy to never hear from Aquilani again, their views may have changed under the current Dalglish renaissance
The way that Kenny has got players such as Maxi Rodriguez performing to such a level, why should Aquilani be any different? Whatever, rather than giving up on the Italian and losing significant money on the transfer, why not at least play Aquilani in a team brimming with confidence? It may just be the key.
