Transfer Updates

Its 2nd Week of Transfer Window and Big News comes from German giants Borussia Dortmund  

Nuri Sahin to Dortmund :

  

Nuri Sahin's Liverpool loan deal ends as he makes Dortmund switch.

Liverpool have ended Nuri Sahin's loan, and he will now spend the next 18 months at Borussia Dortmund.

The 23-year-old joined Liverpool in August from Real Madrid and had been due to play out the season at Anfield.

However, after 12 appearances and three goals, Reds boss Brendan Rodgers has decided to end Sahin's loan deal.

The Turkey international started his career at Dortmund, won the 2011 league title with them and was voted Bundesliga player of the year in 2010.

Sahin moved to Real Madrid in 2011, signing a contract until 2017 with the Spanish side. He will now represent his former club on a temporary basis until the end of the 2013-14 season with a buy back clause.

Significance of signing:

 Borussia Dortmund are currently 3rd in Bundesliga with Bayern Munich having a 12 points lead it seem Dortmund will not complete hattrick of League titles.Dortmund Had a good Champions League run,after being  top in the group of death.

They have a good Lineup,Nuri Sahin will add to the depth of the squad and is considered future replacement for Kehl,if Dortmund are planing to bring sahin back,he might return to first team football immediately and will make an instant impact as he is very familiar with players,coaches,game play.

Where Does he fit in the team???

    

  Sahin will back to his deep lying midfield role, probably Klopp  will follow rotation  policy  with kehl , gundogan , sahin playing at similar position's.This will surely help sahin as he will get more first team action which he lacked at madrid and liverpool spell. 

Style of play: 

Sahin will be playing at his prefered position at dortmund as an  deeplying Midfielder,so we should expect him to be back in his sparkling form,Sahin is an incisive passer, Sahin's ability to play a killer ball marks him out from his peers. His vision is excellent and can dictate the tempo of the game,he is a Incisive, skilful, a visionary midfielder with a great eye for a pass, Also an excellent dead ball specialist.

Verdict:

Its a win win situation for both Dortmund and Sahin as both of them favored this move.this move will also improve Dortmund Champions League chances as now they have a really good squad depth,With this squad Dourtmund are among the favorite's to win the Champions League.

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Transfer Updates

Its 5th of january and we have already seen lots of action in transfer market ,2nd big Transfer move comes from stamford bridge

Demba Ba to Chelsea:

Chelsea complete signing of Newcastle striker Demba Ba on three-and-a-half-year deal

The Blues have announced the capture of the forward for an undisclosed fee and he will be eligible for Saturday's FA Cup tie against fellow Premier League club Southampton

The club refused to disclose the fee although it is expected to have met the £7 million release clause that had been in Ba's contract at St James' Park.

The 27-year-old was the Magpies top scorer last season with 16 goals in all competitions, and was also leading the scoring charts this term, with 13 goals to his name.

Significance of signing:

Chelsea misfiring Striker Torres seem to showed few glimpse of his World class status when rafael benitez Become Interim Manager for chelsea.

With sturridge leaving club chelsea were left with only one Senior striker in squad.Chelsea desperately needed a clinical Striker as an backup if torres misfires again,so chelsea opted out for a Smarter and Cheaper option  by bringing in Ba early in transfer window making him eligible for FA cup matches,Capital One cup matches though he won'nt be available for Europa Cup matches.

His stats at newcastle seem quite attractive he has scored 36 goals in  66 matches which is way better than torres record of scoring 14 goals in 66 matches. 

Though Now Chelsea have 2 striker with a bad knee problem.

Where Does he fit in the team???

  

With torres and benitez relationship it does'nt seem that Ba will anytime soon get first team start's,though he might come in from bench to score goals.he will get start in carling cup matches and FA cup matches. rotation under Benitez seem unlikely.

Style of play:

  Ba is a typical African striker Physically very strong and adds lots of pace to the game, he is a strong finisher inside the box and boasts plenty of strength to hold off defenders, a deadly finisher who is always thinking of a shot.

His injury problems (and his knees) are a concern for his long-term future, while his loyalty and the plethora of agents surrounding him can make it hard to deal with him.

Verdict:

Its as smart move by chelsea considering his form and transfer fee.though he won'nt be a regular at chelsea unless torres hit his low once again,long term prospective for chelsea,considering many  youth player are yet to settle in.i do'nt see any more big names  coming in to chelsea so sorry chelsea fans no falcao,no villa this time around.(FFP rules showing its effect's at chelsea)

Transfer Updates

The Transfer Market has re-opened and action has already started. With first Big move coming from English Premier League side Liverpool.

Daniel Sturridge to Liverpool:

   

The English International signed a long term contract at Melwood on Wednesday and has expressed his desire to stay at Anfield for long.

Liverpool have signed Sturridge for an undisclosed transfer fee, believed to be £12 million.

Liverpool overpaid for an unproven striker but then in a long term prospective, he might prove people wrong. 

The 23 year old has become Liverpool's 4th signing under Brendon Rodgers. It is believed that Sturridge took a pay cut to join Liverpool.  

Significance of signing:

Liverpool have struggled in scoring goals, although Suarez has been among the top scorers there is no other significant scorer for Liverpool. Borini's early injury left Liverpool with only one senior Striker.

This season liverpool have scored 31 goals with a conversion rate of 8.6%, an average goal conversion rate for a midtable team has been around 12% and average goal conversion rate for top table team is 15%

Liverpool has 3rd lowest conversion rate in EPL so it is obvious liverpool needed a Clinical striker.

  

Sturridge hasn't been a regular at chelsea yet last season he was the top scorer for chelsea in the League. Sturridge has mostly played as a Second Striker or as a winger for Chelsea.

If u look at the stats, he had a prolific run at Bolton where he scored 8 goals in 12 matches.

Though if u look at his stats at chelsea and manchester city it may not be convincing.

But out of 84 matches that he has played for played for city and chelsea he has only started in 39 matches.

His conversion rate per goal is 13% which is way higher than suarez who has a goal conversion rate of 8%.

Where Does he fit in the team???

Suarez seems to enjoy the role of false nine, and Rodgers doesn't seem to change that for now, Sturridge is likely to play the role of wide forward, though he has expressed he is intrested in playing as central striker but in Rodger's fluid game play he will have many chances to play central striker role as he can interchange position's  with Suarez.

Style of play:

Sturridge isn't typical English striker such as Andy Carroll, Rooney , Defoe etc. He is a pacy striker, and has quite good skills, dribbles the ball a lot, etc. He has an eye for goal and is calm in front of goal, he is a versatile striker, plays well on wings too, and has got the strength to handle EPL defenders.

At times he has been very mean in front of goal. If he wants to play at Liverpool under Rodgers he needs to improve on this particular attribute , another thing he needs to improve is decision making.

Verdict

This move won't do wonders but will solve Liverpool's striking problem a bit with suarez having a partner, it will take the burden of scoring goals off from suarez, though liverpool still need lot of reinforcements. Though this deal seems to be more of long term solution, if Sturridge hit's his bolton form then it will change  the season for liverpool. However, some people may still say that Rodgers played a gamble. 

Hopefully this is the start of more signings for liverpool in january 

Sturridge All goals 2011/2012 

Football dossier

JANUARY TRANSFER MARKET :ARSENAL

ARSENAL

 It has been Almost 8 years since we saw a phenomena in English Football called the  'The Invincibles' , after Invincibles', Arsenal shouldn't have stopped, but their stubborn manager Arsene Wenger efficacy has propelled him to let his best players leave the club,and build a team around youngsters. His work with young player has always been great,but then  the  youngster which thrived for glory(and money+medals)couldn't adhere themselves with Arsenal for long. Arsenal was, is and will always be a top team with top table finish, but has never been a team which  threatened other top teams for titles. Lately Wenger did realize that his efforts are not going in right direction and young players are not the  solution, so he signed Mikel Arteta, very unusual signing from a manger who usual prefer's young player. 

Wenger was quick to get Lukas Podolski, Oliver Giroud, Santi Cazorla to Arsenal as if he already knew that at some point Robin Van Persie will leave Arsenal.

Arsenal failed to have a perfect start but it was still a decent one. Players seem to be very inconsistent, with Giroud missing the easiest chances and Podolski's form being aberrant. Arsenal have been very inconsistent till now but I would not blame them because it has been the story of PL so far, but it was shocking to see Arsenal losing to Bradford FC, a second division club. Currently Arsenal are 5th in Premier League table. Although Arsenal signed Podolski and Giroud in summer, Arsenal striking department has never looked cogent at times. Another area of concern for Arsenal has been the mediocre defense.  

Current Arsenal Line up and Squad 

Arsenal first team line up:

Arsenal second team line up:

Note: First team and second team line up has been made on the basis of start player have got so far.

  

DEFENDER:

Arsenal's defense hasn't been up to the mark and has lots of glitches, Vermaelen  has been the only positive in Arsenal defense, Mertesacker has been good but sloppy at times , Koscielny has been  plagued with injuries this season. Jenkinson as RB has shown some quality, but still needs to burgeon, while Sagna has not been very impressive. Gibbs needs lots of improvement. Santos has been awful.

Arsenal LB hasn't been up to the mark. If they want to improve defensively they need to change their LB, Gibbs and Santos are poor at that position

Szczęsny and Mannone have got fair amount of chances and both need improvements. They don't seem to be of Arsenal quality but yet again they are quite young.

Overall i would rate it 6/10

MIDFIELDER

Midfield has been quite sorted. Arteta has comfortably adapted to role of CDM and has been quite brilliant over there, his passing and vision has been great. He plays a key role in Arsenal playmaking. Ramsey has been above average, well not much of expectations from him.

Wilshere has shown some class in midfield after his return and fits perfectly in the role of playmakers and his love for club has just made him better player though he still need to work on his fitness.

Cazorla has been nothing less than world class, best Arsenal signing this season. He has been Arsenal most outstanding and consistent player.

Overall Arsenal midfield has been good. I would rate it 9/10.

Forwards

 Podolski and Giroud were brought in to replace RVP, but didn't live up to the expectations. Podolski has shown some class, but he has been too capricious. Giroud, apart from one or two matches, has been awful.

Gervinho has been average, as expected and has missed chances, one of which qualifies for miss of decade. Alex-OX is improving season by season he need more start he has the talent to become better. Walcott has been outstanding  with all that chance's he has got and has proven he deserves a place in Arsenal starting XI.

Overall forward department has been inconsistent and requires reinforcement.  I would rate it 6.5/10.

  

ARSENAL TARGETS

     

  

Arsenal are targeting bundesliga top socrer Huntelaar, who is up for grab for a cut short price of 5m to 9m as he is yet to renew his contract which ends in june 2013. It doesn't seems that Hutelaar will any soon sign a new contract so might join arsenal. Many clubs are after Huntelaar and this might be one such signing that will be decided on the closing day of transfer window.
Arsenal are also targeting Newcastle striker Demba Ba who has an salary issue's with Newcastle and will be available for price of 7.5m which is his release clause. Deal seems to be very close, and he might join arsenal in the very first week of transfer window.

Arsenal are also targeting Pepe Reina from Liverpool this deal doesn't seem to  go through,as Liverpool has made it clear that they have no intention of losing their first choice keeper.

Nathaniel Clyne left back from Southampton seems to be other Arsenal target, considering  the fact that Arsenal wants Santos out. Clyne is promising talent but won't be available cheaply.

Wifired zaha is another player being chased by Arsenal his transfer value has increased since he made debut for English national team , he is being chased by many big club's another player who's faith will be decided on the last week of transfer window.

Thierry Henry might just return to Arsenal on another loan deal. Wenger may just surprise everyone by bringing few french talents such as Loic Remy, M'villa etc

PLAYER LIKELY TO LEAVE

  
Andre Santos never had a good relation with Wenger,and his awful performance is likely to show him gates out of the club . Fenerbahçe has made an enquiry about availability of Santos, his likely destination is turkey.


Walcott has finally made a breakthrough. He came to arsenal as a youngster, he was considered to be brightest english talent ,but he was never consistent, but this season he has been 2nd best arsenal player ,walcott has highest no of goals on all competitions,yet sometimes he fails to get starts. Walcott contract expires in June 2013 so will be available for cheap price. Walcott doesn't seem to sign new contract as his wages demand are to high to be met by Arsenal, Wenger is putting his best efforts to not let Walcott leave but all seems to be in vain. Walcott has been linked to clubs like Liverpool,Chelsea, Manchester United lately but situation seems to be unclear, deal wouldn't strike before last week of transfer market.

Blogger's verdict:

Arsenal fans should a expect busy transfer window. Wenger's position as Arsenal manager still remain gloomy though he is likely to stay.
Walcott issue should be resolved as early as possible. There can be a dramatic transfer saga at Emirates, so stay tuned.

PS: This blog was written before Huntelaar signed a new contract, so he is very unlikely to join arsenal now.

Next up will be united and city.

JANUARY TRANSFER MARKET :CHELSEA

JANUARY TRANSFER MARKET

JANUARY TRANSFER MARKET is fast approaching and as usual RUMORS have piled up,with numbers of player's getting linked to numbers of clubs.some rumors are true,some of them are false and most of them are just utter shit.January market is about correcting mistakes done in summer,or getting some targets which were missed during summer.January market has never been about reinforcement of entire team, though some club's that are struggling may require it.

Recently brendan rodgers said "the January window is one of the least ­productive, and the least ­movement goes on there,the market come down to two things: the availability and affordability of players, and in the January window you don’t get either”.

quite true it's all about getting thing done quick and getting it done right.In January Owner do not spend much,only a small amount to get 1 or 2 player right,but we have seen some of Biggest january Transfer such as fernando torres,Andy Carroll,david luiz. Till january market reopens we will discuss few transfer target their possibilities of joining certain club and what kind of reinforcement is required by a club.

CHELSEA

 Champion League and FA cup winners Last year,chelsea had almost the perfect start to their campaign. chelsea got most of their transfers right and even torres was working for then,but as they reached last week october chelsea saw a defeat in hand of Manchester United,which turned fortunes for them,Champion League winner's saw a defeat in hand of juventus which took them out Champion League, torres stated failing again and then Roman Abramovich in typical Russian style sacked Roberto Di Matteo. rafael benitez was appointed as an interim manager.Chelsea are currently placed 3rd on premier league table.

 After so much of transitions chelsea seem to get back,chelsea have an almost prefect team with torres improving yet again, but they can'nt rely on him,atleast after so many up and downs in his form,mostly downs.Chelsea requires Striking department reinforcement.

Current Chelsea lineup and squad

Chelsea first team line up:

Chelsea second team line up:

   

    

  

note: first team and second team line up has been made on the basis of start player have got so far. 
DFENDERS:

     Chelsea defense seem quite sorted. CB john terry has been  injured most of the season due to which pair cahill and luiz has been given regular start and they have proven their worth. we have even seen luiz going forward in the mid. chelsea CB's has been rock solid.

 Branislav Ivanović has done some brilliant job as RB he has even scored many goals coming forwards, azpilicueta seem to be promising as RB he has got his opportunities when  Ivanović plays as CB and luiz play's in mid.

Ashely cole asusual has been rock solid as LB his exceptional form from last year has continued.Bertrand as LB hasnt got enough chances but appears to be sloppy.

cech solid asusual ,turnball ahhhh never mind.

Chelsea defence has been awesome so far i would rate it 9/10. 

MIDFIELDERS:

 Jon Obi Mikel as DM has played key role,his takles have been clean and also has prefect passing skills, ramires has been bit sloppy in playmaking position though is good going forward. Romeu  has shown some quality and seem to be fighting for first team place,though recently suffered from serious injury overall has been decent. lampard and marin another player who have been affected by injury.

Oscar has been standout buy of all those chelsea player with eye for a goal and  classy finishing he has been brilliant though he still need to work on his Strength.it has been mata season so far each game he seem to be better and better.hazard had a great run in beginning but some way around he lost his form though he has gradually improved and is coming back to his form.

Overall chelsea midfield has been good with some sloppy performance would rate it 8/10 .

FORWARDS:

Chelsea have played with lone striker torres which has been the area of concern for chelsea he has been constantly in and out of form mostly out of form. benitez has brought back some confidence in spainsh striker still it doesnt seem enough.situation has been tough for him and pressure has increased,sturridge and lucas pazion are not given many chances.

moses has been decent when given chance.

forwards have been poor for chelsea and other are'nt getting much chances overall i will rate them 6/10.

Reinforcement:

  It is quite clear That chelsea need a quality striker, goal scorer or target man as they call it.

Other areas seem too good,no reinforcement in other area.

CHELSEA TARGETS:

 

   Roman Abramovich and his fantasy for long hair striker(torres,shevchenko,drogba) is know to every one he latest interest seem to be sensational colombian Striker Radamel Falcao 

£40m rated Striker is going through some Awesome form at Atletico Madrid 2nd highest socrer in la liga with 17 goals,recently scored 5 goals in a match. falcao has been nathing less than a goal scoring machine.this will solve all problems for chelsea it might happan that chelsea are back into EPL title contention.

Chances of falcao arriving at chelsea are very high ,many ruomor have linked falcao to chelsea,£40m price doesnt seem to be an issue for chelsea,nor his salary which is assumed to be 10m in a year,after all their owner is a russian he get what he wants.

Fellaini another player that has been linked to chelsea ,rumors are strong that the deal is almost done,it would'nt be  surprise as chelsea has quite a few belgium players(buryne,hazard brothers,lukaku,coutious).Fellaini has said that he will leave everton in january or summer.he could be heading to chelsea,that's an offer he cannot refuse.

Gomiz,Bony are other striker that have been linked to chelsea but if roman gets Falcao then they might just remain a rumor.

paulinho has been heavily linked to chelsea ,marked by chelsea scouts,this deal just might happan if they fail to sign fellaini.

PLAYERS LIKELY TO LEAVE:

Daniel Sturridge to liverpool in 12m seem to have been done with Sturridge agreeing 60k salary ,could'nt have been better for him after not given enough chances at chelsea,just 1 start for him this season.

ashely cole seem to have contract issues with chelsea over salary recently benitez said in an interview that cole and lampard might leave the club,ashely cole has been linked to PSG but their has'nt been strong basis for this link.

Lampard seem to have become too old for chelsea now,he isnt getting much starts though rumor had linked lampard to chinese club and la galaxy in summer but now it seem lampard has made up his mind and will leave chelsea in january.

Done Deals  

Wallace Oliveira dos Santos deals is done,18 year old Right Back  seem to be quite a talent previously played for Fluminense and has played for brazil u20. again he will be quite comfortable because of barzilain connection(ramires,luiz,lucas pazion,oscar). 

BLOGGER VERDICT:

chelsea need to do business only in striking  Department other area are good , give youngster more chances to play so that load on senior players is less. falcao could be a game changer for chelsea he might turn every thing towards chelsea's side.if not him gomiz is another good option. fellani and paulinho are luxury for chelsea. sell ramires if chelsea get fellani or paulinho as then he might be a complete waste over their.

Sturridge seem to leave chelsea for sure as well as lampard in january. chelsea should put in efforts for not letting ashley cole leave the club.

next BLOG will be on Arsenals transfer targets