I’ll do my best to provide some sporadic commentary, opinion and news on transfers from as far around the world as I possibly can. We’ll start with the obvious head-line: Nathan Burns to AEK.
Only kidding.
In any case, Burns’ move will be a huge test of character for the young Australian.
If he is under the impression that he is guaranteed a first-team place with the ‘Dikefalo Aeto’, then his Greek journey may become myth sooner than it becomes legend.
Make no mistake: for young foreigners, Greece is no easy ride. The standard may not be a problem but the much-publicized politics of Greek football both on and off the pitch, should push the boundaries of Burns’ patience and psychology.
Perhaps I’m being a little bit pessimistic though.
But when there are whispers that the AEK management decided to sign Burns when they had never actually performed a live scout of the Adelaide man (they based their move on DVD footage), one wonders whether he will be able do dislodge the likes of the moody World-Cup winner Rivaldo, whose influence at the Athens club stretches beyond the pitch.
Next to Deco.
An 8 million pound move to Chelsea – linking up with former Portugal boss Scolari – was probably the worst keep secret in European football. Will he succeed in the Premier League? Adaptability shouldn’t be a problem for a player of Deco’s limitless abilities; his cultured feet transcend playing styles.
I foresee Deco’s main obstacle at Chelsea ironically being the man responsible for his arrival in the blue part of London. If Scolari decides to immediately stamp his authority on the side, what better way than to sacrifice Chelsea’s darling midfielder in Frank Lampard?
One can only imagine the feast that the English media vulture would enjoy, picking over the bones of a season-opening loss for Chelsea at home to a plucky Portsmouth side, with “Fat Frank” sitting in the Stamford Bridge dug-outs, tearing impatiently at the side of his British Airways one-wayer to Milan.
As a Newcastle fan (no, that wasn’t a sick joke), I feel compelled to comment on our first summer signing.
The most surprising part of Argentine international and former Mallorca man Jonas Gutierrez’s move to Newcastle isn’t that he becomes our tenth winger in a side with only three central midfielders. It is the fact that the seven or so ‘Directors of Football’ combining their infinite wisdom at St. James Park have actually managed to find a common player from their seven transfer lists.
Productivity personified, courtesy of the Black n’ White brigade.
In all seriousness, this probably spells the end for the perpetually anti-climatic Damien Duff but perhaps more worryingly, might discourage the promising pairing of Charles N’Zogbia and James Milner, both future international stars.
Gutierrez is a typical Keegan signing: flair, entertainment and eccentricity (he is nick-named “Spiderman” for his goal celebrations involving Peter Parker’s mask:
Whilst Toon fans will no doubt welcome an entertainer, what Newcastle really need is a midfield general.
It is from the center of the park where the foundation is built for expressive, attacking football – win the battle and you can have your war in whatever fashion you choose. Keegan and company surely realize this?
Nicky Butt can only play so many seasons of top-flight football.
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