Momo Sissoko has signed a new four year deal at Liverpool, as announced yesterday. In a squad now full of talented midfielders, the Mali International will have to fight it out with Alonso, Mascherano and new signing Lucas Leiva. The indications now are that Steven Gerrard will revert to the right wing on a permanent basis having played a lot of last season in the centre of midfield. Luis Garcia may now be deemed surplus to requirements, Djibril Cisse will sign for Marseille this weekend, while Bellamy may follow him if, as expected, Fernando Torres agrees personal terms next week when he returns from holidays. Of more significance however, was Rafa Benitez’ facial hair which looks extremely controversial to say the least. However, thefc100 gives it the full thumbs up, simply for the shock factor…..
http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N156129070628-1712.htm
Derby have broken their transfer record to sign Robert Earnshaw from Norwich City for three and a half million pounds. Earnshaw, who has played in the Premiership for West Brom, is a proven Championship goalscorer but has often been accused of lacking the proper attributes at the highest level. However, Derby have been quiet on the transfer front this summer, and the fans will no doubt be delighted to see someone who, if given the proper chance, will score goals for them this term, something promoted teams often find most difficult.
Everton duo Mikel Arteta and Tim Cahill have signed new contracts to keep them at Goodison Park until 2012. The two, rumoured to be targeted by West Ham, are hugely influential to the club and having signed new deals, will hope to be joined by some new faces this summer to help them progress to the level whereby they are fighting for a Champions League position.
Tottenham have ended the long running saga over where Darren Bent will play his football next season by capturing the England international for a fee in the region of 16.5 million pounds. The former Charlton forward has signed a deal for ‘up to six years’ at White Hart Lane, and his arrival puts Jermaine Defoe’s future at the club in some doubt while effectively ending any chance Mido had of competing for a place next term. Martin Jol may seek to keep Defoe though, as Berbatov, Keane, Bent and Defoe will be an array of forwards unrivalled in the Premiership. It remains doubtful though that Defoe will be happy to stay and play a rotation game with Englands potential appearance in Euro 2008 next summer.
Fabio Capello has been sacked as manager of Real Madrid after just one season in charge of his second spell at the club. Capello, who was sacked in similar circumstances last time, led Real Madrid to the title last season but the style of football he instigated was often criticised by the media and President Calderon. Bernd Schuster is Calderon’s favourite to succeed the Italian, though Getafe have vowed to fight to hold on to the manager who led them to the Copa del rey final last term.
Barcelona have confirmed the signing of Eric Abidal from Lyon for around fifteen million euros today. Abidal, a member of the France team who reached the final of the 2006 World Cup in Germany, has signed a four year contract at the Nou Camp and joins fellow new boy and compatriot Thierry Henry to La Liga. Abidal, widely considered to be one of the best left-backs in Europe, will replace Giovanni van Bronckhorst, who has re-joined Feyenoord whom he played for as a youngster. The Dutchman had signed a new deal in December but included a clause which allowed him to join Feyenoord alone if they came in with an offer.
And in the weirdest story to come out of La Liga so far this century, Chris Coleman has been installed as the new manager of Real Sociedad. Having been relegated last term, Sociedad clearly feel the Welsh approach might be best and having flirted with everyones favourite Welshman John Toshack, decided to go with a younger model in Coleman, sacked from Fulham after a disastrous campaign last term. Well, you know what they say, a sacking and a relegation makes a promotion….? Kinda…..
