Silly season is back as Chris Hughton becomes first Premier League casualty

By Simon Glanville

Newcastle United like surprises. First it was the return of ‘King’ Kevin Keegan. Then they plucked Joe Kinnear back from the football wilderness. This time it’s the ruthless sacking of Chris Hughton.

The Special Case of Right or Wrong?

By Simon Glanville

José Mourinho has been labelled many things since bursting on the football management scene, but rarely has he been referred to as a ‘cheat’. Last night, however, his Real Madrid side pushed the boundaries of the rulebook.

Still not getting it right: Why Man City still have much to do before they win a trophy

By James Phillips

Following on from their last two matches, both goalless draws, it has struck me that Roberto Mancini is going about building a trophy-winning team at Manchester City in completely the wrong way.

Bright future at Villa Park

By Simon Glanville

Manchester United’s last-gasp comeback stole the headlines from their clash with Aston Villa at the weekend, but the performances of Villa’s young stars should not be forgotten.

Belgian football on the way up as exciting new talent emerges

By Richard French

Not generally considered as a powerhouse of world football, Belgium have largely had to look on with envy as their prestigious neighbours, France and Holland, have had success at international level. But could that be about to change?

Why Newcastle should secure the future of Chris Hughton

By Simon Glanville

Newcastle United have long been associated with a gung-ho approach when it comes to managers.

Since their entertaining phase under the great Sir Bobby Robson, the Magpies have struggled for both consistency and stability.

England would prefer to win the World Cup rather than host it

By Jake Harrison

England’s hopes to host the 2018 World Cup took a turn for the worse recently as it was revealed that the media have “significantly damaged” their bid to host the coveted tournament. But do England really want to stage the World Cup in eight years time?

The FA bottled it over Redknapp

By Jake Harrison

Manchester United’s second goal on Saturday continues to cause great debate amongst football fans, pundits and even managers alike.

Football: Just a game?

By Richard French

“Whoever invented football should be worshipped as a God”

- Hugo Sanchez, former Mexican footballer

It unites and divides communities, families and nations. It provides endless hours of waiting room small talk and heated debates in pubs and on radio talk shows. It gives some people their raison d’etre, so why is it that so many people write off football as a mere game?

Bright future for the Three Lions despite current troubles

By Simon Glanville

Nominations for the FIFA Ballon d'Or were revealed this week and not one Englishman was named in the 23-strong party.

Toon Must Give Hughton a Chance

By Marcus Cleaver

Newcastle crashed out of the Carling Cup on Wednesday night to a young Arsenal side who seemed to dominate every blade of grass at St. James’ Park.

FIFA Ballon d'Or: Who is the Best Player of 2010

By Gautam Sharma

This is the first year of the FIFA Ballon d'Or, brought about by the happy marriage of the FIFA World Player of the Year, and the Ballon d'Or of France Football. France Football has come out with the 23 player shortlist for the 2010 award. While the snub of Diego Milito from the shortlist is causing all the controversy, lets take a look at some of the most deserving candidates to win the 2010 FIFA Ballon d'Or...

A Tougher Stance is Needed...

By Stephen Adams

Violence and racism still blight football at the top level, it's time the governing bodies thought differently and acted decisively to eradicate the problem.

The Unheralded Genius of Andrei Arshavin

By Gregor Vasconcelos

13 games. 5 goals. 6 assists. How can someone with those numbers be so criticized? That is the story of Andrei Arshavin.

The death of the “Professional Footballer”

By Robert Ellis

As an avid football follower from birth (according to my dad anyway) the life of modern day footballers fascinates me. The lifestyle, playing on the big stage and the thrill of walking out for a club you love is something many “amateur” footballers like myself crave.

IFAB – Last Bastion of the Empire

By Graham Burt

Everyone has heard of FIFA. The international football governing body is difficult to ignore with its pomp and public proclamations. But it is a lesser known organisation – the slightly shady sounding IFAB – that controls the rules of the game.

Arsenal deserve more credit after coming of age against Manchester City

By Richard French

Arsenal went to big spending Man City yesterday and played them off the park, but today all the praise is going to Roberto Mancini’s team for their ‘battling’ performance with ten men. Arsene Wenger must be pulling his hair out.

Fabregas an example to follow

By Simon Glanville

Newspaper headlines have been dominated this week by the surprising tug-of-war battle between Manchester United and Wayne Rooney.

Video Technology simply isn’t feasible

By Jake Harrison

Association football has been a way of life since it took a formal bow in a London tavern in 1863. The debates, discussions and arguments still rumble on to this day and, as part of the modern game, the topic that gets all football fans talking is video technology.

Bill Nicholson: Spurs through and through

By Jake Harrison

In 1961 Tottenham Hotspur “proved the doubters wrong” as they enjoyed a glorious campaign, claiming a league and cup Double. Six years ago today, the man who masterminded Tottenham’s finest hour sadly passed away. Bill Nicholson will always be remembered by Spurs and football fans alike, not only for his desire to win, but also for his desire to win well.

Quest for First Team Football, Part Two: "Finishing School"

By Daniel Soffa

In a Five Part Series, Daniel Soffa deals with the struggles associated with some of the most talented young players & their quest for first team football. The first part dealt with the issue of youngsters at big clubs ("Forever Young!"). In this second instalment, we take a deeper look at the practise of loaning out talents as a "Finishing School".

‘Tackling’ the problems of the beautful game.

By Scott Rogers

A lot of hue and cry over the last few weeks has been on poor or dirty tackling, and how can it be controlled. Many players and managers have had their say but the the matter remains unclear...

Quest for First Team Football, Part One: "Forever young"

By Daniel Soffa

In a Five Part Series, Daniel Soffa deals with the struggles associated with some of the most talented young players & their quest for first team football. In this first instalment, we tackle the issue of the "youngster tag" at big clubs, how it can limit first team opportunity, potentially rendering a player... "Forever Young!"

Benitez rant a poor excuse for his Liverpool performance

By Ben Greenwood

Almost unnoticed amongst the speculation, shock and subsequent opinion-giving that came from the Wayne Rooney revelations were Rafa Benitez's comments regarding his former club Liverpool and “where it all went wrong”.

A Costly Win for Barcelona?

By Melanie Hughes

Xavi Hernandez shone in Barcelona’s 2-1 victory over Valencia at the weekend but news of his ongoing injury has dampened the victory for the Catalan club, and for football lovers everywhere.

In 'Pole Position' but who are Lech Poznan?

By James Brown

When Manchester City fans saw the draw for group A in the Europa League, they might have been forgiven for dismissing Lech Poznan as a threat.

White Liquid in a bottle comes from the Cow in a field

By Gautam Sharma

Is it just me, or are football analogy’s becoming increasingly bizarre? First Rafa rants about bottles of white liquid earlier this week, and then Sir Alex stares at cows in a field... what is going on?! Am I the only one who misses "intellectual prostitution"?

Rooney should leave and go abroad

By Jake Harrison

A move away from England would be great for Wayne Rooney and for England. There always seems to be an over-hyped topic in football.

Sir Alex Ferguson. Defeated at last or master of the Art of War?

By Richard French

“If your opponent is temperamental, seek to irritate him. Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant. Attack him where he is unprepared, appear where you are not expected.”- Sun Tzu, The Art of War

There is no doubt that Sir Alex Ferguson is rarely beaten.

Rijkaard to Replace Hodgson?

By Marcus Cleaver

After Liverpool suffered a humiliating 2-0 defeat at the hands of local rivals Everton at the weekend and now sit in the relegation zone of the Premier League, speculation is rife as to who will replace beleaguered boss Roy Hodgson.

Theatre of Dreams waking up to their own Nightmare

By Stephen Adams

The recent court-room drama at Liverpool has shown even the biggest clubs are not immune from financial meltdown. With things going wrong both off and on the pitch, United look set to be the next team facing a crisis...

Rafa’s Lucky Escape

By James Phillips

Rafael Benitez has got to be one of the luckiest men in football. Having escaped his sinking Liverpool ship with a hefty multi-million pound pay-off in the summer, he has somehow found himself in the plush position of Internazionale coach.

No more Rooney, where do Man Utd go from here?

by Mark Duffield-Thomas

So, the absolutely unthinkable seems to be happening. Sir Alex Ferguson’s talismanic forward wants away, Rooney is turning his back on Old Trafford.

Milan vs Real: The Greatest Team in History?

By Mohamed Smaili

It's about a continental clash, a Derby of Europe if you may... between the two biggest European Champions in history

Real Madrid vs Milan, Tactically Different…

By Mohamed Smaili

AC Milan of Massimiliano Allegri and Real Madrid of Jose Mourinho began the season with very definite ideas about their tactical strategies... but on Tuesday, that pattern will change.

Are the wheels coming off at Old Trafford?

By Simon Glanville

When you think of Manchester United, love them or hate them, you think of success.

Barcelona vs Valencia Match Preview

By Melanie Hughes

Valencia CF have tonight’s game against Barcelona to prove that they deserve their place at the head of La Liga.

“The Man With The Hat” Malcolm Allison Remembered: 1927-2010

By Ben Greenwood

'Big Mal', Malcolm Allison, died on Thursday 14th October at the age of 83. Remembered as much for his flamboyant, outspoken nature, his cigars and his “Lucky Fedora” as his time as Manchester City assistant manager to the great Joe Mercer, Allison remains a legend in football.

Anybody out there?

By Matt Mariconi

Just throwing it out there to all those who care to listen. Becoming addicted to the game of football in the United States is hard.

A Year in the Life of Wesley Sneijder

By Gregor Vasconcelos

Humiliated. That is possibly the only word that can explain how Dutch Maestro, Wesley Sneijder, must have felt after he was booted out of Madrid.

One step backwards, two step forwards

By Ross Dunbar

Long-term vision is needed to save Scottish Football...

Did you know, Scotland was the first country to have four clubs reach the Quarter Finals of the European Cup?

Football’s last taboo... Gay Players

By Richard French

Of all the footballers in the United Kingdom, not one is Gay. Either you believe that or you admit that the game is closed off to openly homosexual men and that there are plenty who live secretive lives in the ‘closet’.

Numbers Favour The Hunter

By Mohamed Moallim

27 goals in 37 games for AGOW, 39 in 61 for Heerenveen, 105 in 136 for Ajax, 8 in 20 for Real Madrid, 7 in 30 for AC Milan and so far 5 in 7 for Schalke 04. Throw in 24 goals in 39 games for Holland, we can conclude that Klaas-Jan Huntelaar is nothing less than a serial goal scorer.

Can Sven The Super Swede Reproduce O’Neill’s Luck of the Irish?

By Steven Downes

Leicester City. My hometown club. One that has played home to some great players over the years, including: Gordon Banks, Peter Shilton, Gary Lineker, Emile Heskey and even Roberto Mancini!

Liverpool problems deeper than a 'Gillet' shaving cut…

By Gavin Dobson

Sometimes I wonder whether I am to blame.

Everybody and their Labra-Doodle know the off-the-pitch story taking place at Liverpool

Nothing pointless about them

By James Brown

There is always dissatisfaction during the international break over what are perceived as “pointless games,” those where the likes of Liechtenstein and Andorra get thrashed 7-0 with alarming regularity.

So Just Who Are Montenegro?

By Marcus Cleaver

The England Players left the Wembley pitch last night to a chorus of boos from the home fans that has almost become a parody of itself.

Scotland vs Spain: A Battle for Pride...

By Melanie Hughes

On a night when David Villa made himself the best striker in Spain’s history Scotland were heartbroken in a battle for pride.

A Standing Ticket, Please?

By Ross Dunbar

The last weekend of November will see Scottish Football fans participate in one of the biggest choreographed fan actions in British Football history

A Brazil that made Brazil smile

By Gregor Vasconcelos

The Samba is back and the World better be ready for it...

It is early days in July, the World Cup has just ended and with it a very disapointing participation from the greatest footballing nation in the World.

Sickening blow for Bent as England chance goes up in smoke

By Simon Glanville

I feel for Darren Bent. England’s upcoming European 2012 Qualifier with Montenegro was set to be the Sunderland striker’s big chance, a chance that he has more than merited to be presented with. Instead, injury has taken his chance away.

A Decision of the Heart?

By Lorenzo Scala

The January rumour mill is spinning once more in Italy with a host of speculative suggestions and stories surfacing in the daily sports newspapers.

Hot topic in Milan at the moment is the 'almost definate' return to the peninsula of the Brazilian who ‘belongs to Jesus' as early as January

UEFA Coefficients Explained - Why Bundesliga will overtake Serie A this season...

By Gautam Sharma

(This article has been updated at UEFA Coefficients Explained)

This is Serie A’s last season among the top 3 "superleagues" of Europe, at least as per UEFA... few seem to admit what is almost a mathematical certainty... guys, this is inevitable. Let me explain how...

Hard men don't do easy!

By Stephen Adams

The Premier League has got off to a leg-cracking start, but is it right to ask the hard-men to go easy in the tackle?

Its a man's game... or is it?

By Simon Glanville

Football has traditionally always been a man’s game – known for its tough tackling and ultra-competitive nature - but maybe that’s about to change.

How can we finally rid football of hooliganism?

By Richard French

Each season sports news channels and radio stations will inevitably report that violence has occurred up and down England. While it is not as frequent or widespread as the dark days of the seventies and eighties, there is still a problem with the ugly side of the beautiful game.

Could Big Kev lead the line for the Three Lions next week?

By James Phillips

Kevin Davies is no spring chicken. A key member of the Chesterfield F.C team that reached the 1997 FA Cup semi-final and with nearly 400 Premier League appearances to his name, the Bolton Wanderers captain has certainly been around the block. Yet it is only now, at the age of 33, that the Yorkshireman has made a breakthrough into the England squad. So why has Fabio Capello, or any of his predecessors for that matter, failed to move before?

The Rise of Jan Vertonghen

By Mohamed Moallim

Sometimes you know when a player is playing at the top of his game, at ease with it, totally comfortable with what he is asked to do on the football pitch – Jan Vertonghen has come on leaps and bounds cementing himself as one of the most versatile players in the game and a definite star in the making.

There Are More Questions Than Answers

By Rohan Kallicharan

There are, as so often in recent times, more questions than answers when it comes to the subject of Liverpool Football Club this morning. The question that I have heard most often is whether the club can be sold whilst George Gillett and Tom Hicks are pursuing a legal challenge

The Rise and Rise of Image Rights in Football

By Marcus Cleaver

“È arrivato ama un re, e parte come un ladro” roughly translates as ‘He came as a King and leaves as a thief’. These were the rather poetic words used in Italian daily sports paper Corriere Dello Sport back in 2002 to describe the transfer of Ronaldo from Internazionale to Real Madrid.

Achieving the impossible: Mainz begin to believe that they can win the Bundesliga

By Henri Neuendorf

Seven wins in seven games, this is where the record stands for the best ever start to a Bundesliga season. Bayern Munich and Kaiserslautern held the record jointly, and last weekend the unlikeliest of teams matched it.

Harry Potter of Bernabéu

By Melanie Hughes

Mourinho suggested the help of Harry Potter was needed at the Bernabéu and it seems that Los Blancos got it after racking up their highest goal tally of the season so far against Deportivo.

Yogi leaves the Picnic

By Martin Clark

John “Yogi” Hughes has left Hibernian under fire from fans and most likely the Board.

Olympique de Marseille: Will they ever be European Champions Again?

By James Philips

France has had a major impact on the history of football. Jules Rimet, founder of the World Cup, Henri Delaunay, founder of the European Championships and Gabriel Hanot, instigator of the Ballon D’or award and European Cup

Same old story from same old Arsenal

By Simon Glanville

Arsene Wenger – Arsenal legend, highly-rated manager, stubborn persona. It’s the latter of those three traits that once again could cost Arsenal silverware this season.

An All English FA Cup?

By Daniel Soffa

Who are the best 4 English teams? Arguably United, Everton, Villa, Spurs, perhaps West ham deserve a mention.

Is Milan Ready to Win the Scudetto?

By Henri Neuendorf

It has been six years since AC Milan, the historic Italian powerhouse have been able to win the Italian title.

Liverpool face defining moment...

By Rohan Kallicharan

The phrase ‘defining moment’ is a well worn cliché in sports journalism. More often than not, it will refer to a David to Goliath scenario observing a rise from mediocrity to champion.

My eyes have (finally) seen the glory...

By Gary Paul

Memory can do the strangest of things.

My earliest football related memory dates back to 1981, and more specifically the F.A. Cup final replay which has the name "Ricky Villa" indelibly writ large across our collective football consciousness. I was six years old.

Do Arsenal have the muscle to break down Chelsea?

By Melanie Hughes

Last week in North London prior to the West Bromwich Albion game, the general feeling from Arsenal fans was boredom. Not with the style of football, but with the predictable nature of their team;

Club success not translating into International success

By Scott Rogers

Another week of Champions League football and a similar story for the English teams involved, four wins, ten goals scored and just two conceded and all four sides either top or joint top of their groups after two rounds of fixtures.

Why England should go with the form book against Montenegro

By Simon Glanville

It’s decision time for Fabio Capello as he prepares to name his England squad for the upcoming European Championship qualifier with Montenegro.

Will they walk alone?

By Stephen Adams

The current plight faced by Liverpool Football Club...

For every team looking to challenge at the top of the Premier League, there comes a tipping point at which the club either kicks on or falls by the wayside.

Time to Nut Up or Shut Up - The Chronicles of the Wenger Boys

By Gregor Vasconcelos

We often hear about how great Arsenal are. It is basically implanted in everyone’s brains that they play the most attractive football in Europe, alongside Barcelona. It has however been too long since they’ve won anything.

Importance of Fullbacks in the Modern Game

By Lorenzo Scala

If Douglas Maicon is the footballing version of Xerxes, then Marcos Cafu was Darius the Mede before him. The King among fullbacks.

A Preview to a Kill...

By Bluenine

The Champions League did not throw any big surprises yesterday, but today is another day... Twente visit Spurs, Manchester United to Valencia, Bremen travel to Guiseppe Meazza and Barcelona get a chance to take some revenge at Rubin Kazan...

Flight of the Aquila

By Marcus Cleaver

Despite eventually finishing 11 points safe of the relegation zone, Lazio spent much of last season’s Serie A campaign precariously close to the foot of the table.

The Championship more open than ever

By Simon Glanville

The Championship is widely regarded as an unpredictable and inconsistent division where anyone can beat anyone, but this season seems to be boarding on the ridiculous.

Shades of Black and White

By Gary Paul

Unlike Manchester United away to Southampton, I long for grey. Furthermore, there is a part of me that longs to see an uneventful game of football.

A Clash of the Titans...

By Bluenine

As Spartak lead 3-0 over Zilina in the closing minutes of the early game at Moscow, we take a quick look at the pick of the day, and what that game could offer...

Premier Shocks: The Weird And The Wonderful

By Scott Rogers

Another weekend passes us by and it was another weekend that should have seen routine outcomes, with the so called bigger sides facing the small fishes in the big premier league pond, however the weekend strangely turned into one that was very different to what we are used to...

Art, culture and beauty. Why it is so refreshing to have Ajax back in the Champions League...

By Richard French

The glory days of Johan Cruyff and Rinus Michels may be long gone, but Ajax Amsterdam have still held onto their traditions and philosophy.

Has David Moyes Taken Everton As Far As He Can?

By Ben Greenwood

Six games, three points and bottom of the League. David Moyes must be feeling the pressure but is his time up at Goodison Park?

Rooney not going to Spain, yet

By Jake Harrison

Wayne Rooney misses Champions League trip through injury.

Great Expectations

By Rohan Kallicharan

Is the glorious history of Liverpool FC in reality an unnecessary burden?

The change in fortunes of Luis Nani

By James Phillips

In November 2009, Luís Carlos Almeida da Cunha, aka Manchester United’s Nani looked to be at the end of his Old Trafford career.

West Ham 1-0 Tottenham Hotspur: Bale wasted at full-back

By Jack McInroy II

Earlier this week we learned that derbies are not necessarily a priority for Harry Redknapp. More significant than being the team we hate second most, West Ham were bottom of the league and they turned us over. There’s a long way to go, but its easy to get the feeling we’re using up all our lives early in the season.

A Classic Indicator of Progress: Milan v Juventus

By Lorenzo Scala

At 20:45 CET on October 30th at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza di San Siro Milano, two of Calcio’s most illustrious and historic clubs, A.C. Milan and Juventus F.C., come head to head on Gameweek 9 of the stagione 2010-11 Seria A calendar.

Who cares about adultery? The ‘Football’ press, that’s who!

By Richard French

It is some years now since football has been reported for what it truly is; the most beautiful competitive game human beings have ever created.

Serie A: New Kids on the Block!

By Gautam Sharma

The young revelations of Serie A so far... Five weeks in the new season, here is a list of youngsters to watch out for... these new kids are already starting to impress with their promise:

4-4-2 & Hypocrisy

By Gary Paul

So here we are again: the media have built it up only to knock it down when the mood and the need to sell newspapers or gain ratings dictates it should be so. Only this time the "it" is not a person.

Hart Of Class?

By Matt Rawlinson

Joe Hart had a fantastic season last year in the Premier League with Birmingham City, in addition he was bestowed with the honour of being voted by his fellow professionals as the best keeper last year in the division.

Strength in Unity, A Red Fight for Survival...

By Rohan Kallicharan

This is not an easy period in which to be a supporter of Liverpool Football Club.

English After Capello?

by Jake Harrison

Fabio Capello's departure as England manager after Euro 2012 will leave room for a fresh, new English manager....

Guest Writers! - Message from Bluenine

In the next 4-5 weeks, there will be some guest writers contributing to this blog. So hopefully you will get increasing content with diverse views represented here, which can only be a good thing.

I have enabled the "comments" feature, and added a new "Reactions" feature to get your ratings. Lets get the discussion rolling, & please be generous with your ratings!

You want to be a guest writer, email me

The "Mentos" Kid...

By Gautam Sharma

The amusing and amazing success story of Josip Iličić of Palermo...

Poor Richie Rich... Serie A Players Strike

By Bluenine

While I appreciate that with rich Serie A players it can be difficult to be taken seriously when talking of labour rights, their bold move is quite naive in respect to labour union practices. And how lame is it that they announced the strike before entering proper talks, not after they failed!!

Palermo vs Inter: Before, During & After....

By Gautam Sharma

A preview & analysis of the line-ups before the game, half-time thoughts, and post game reflections...

The Sokratis Paradox...

By Bluenine

Bonera - Sokratis - Thiago - Antonini
Zambrotta - Nesta - Bonera - Antonini

Sokratis. No, not the guru of Plato. This Sokratis is no philosopher of Athens, he is a defender of Milan. Yet one of the great Socratis paradoxes seems to be relevant here:

"I know that I know nothing" - Sokratis, something like 400BC

Crazy matchday, this...

By Bluenine

Neat start to Serie A, nothing predictable about it.... Just goes on to prove the strength in depth of the league. Its the games against the minnows that usually decides the scudetto... thats a theory which always simplifies my analysis.

But so far this season, its only increasing the confusion...

Troubled Un-edited Thoughts of a Nerazzurri...

By Gautam Sharma

Its over. The transfer market has officially closed in Italy. And Inter made no big signings. Is this time to get worried? Or even scared?? These are the ramblings of a worried Inter fan, interspersed by ramdom & unnecessary Yoda quotes.

"The path to the dark side, fear is." - Yoda

CalcioMercato Watch: Deadline Day updates!

By Gautam Sharma

Latest: Borriello joins Roma, Robinho joins Milan, Taraore & Rinaudo join Juve, Cribari joins Napoli, Kaladze joins Genoa Camoranesi & Zebina leave Juve, Dumitru joins Napoli, Stankivicius joins Valencia, Huntelaar joins Schalke, Candreva joins Parma, Sosa joins Napoli

The Tracker for confirmed deals at top clubs: Likely signings in BLUE

CalcioMercato Watch! 2 days to deadline...

By Bluenine

Latest: Bocchetti joins Rubin, Montelongo joins Milan, Trezeguat joins Hercules, Burdisso joins Roma, Ilicic & Bacinovic join Palermo, Yebda joins Napoli, Ibrahimovic joins Milan, Quag joins Juve, Diego joins Wolfsburg, Cerci Joins Viola, Diamanti joins Brescia, Cavalieri joins Cesena, Andreolli & Thereau join Chievo, Chevanton joins Lecce, Lucarelli joins Napoli

The Tracker for confirmed deals at top clubs: Likely signings in BLUE

Serie A 2010-11: A Peak at the First Weekend!

By Bluenine

Serie A finally starts this weekend, and as I write this blog, the first game is already underway! Must say, I didn't realise how much I missed my weekly dose of Calcio... its a serious addiction! Waiting to watch my first game of this Serie A season (Roma-Cesena in 2 hrs time) now feels like waiting in line in the loo to take a leak... like for 3 months..............

............Serie AAAAAAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhh!!!! ;)

This weekend's fixtures:

CalcioMercato Watch! 3 days to deadline...

By Bluenine

Latest: Burdisso joins Roma, Ilicic & Bacinovic join Palermo, Yebda joins Napoli, Ibrahimovic joins Milan, Quag joins Juve, Diego joins Wolfsburg, Cerci Joins Viola, Diamanti joins Brescia, Cavalieri joins Cesena, Andreolli & Thereau join Chievo, Chevanton joins Lecce, Lucarelli joins Napoli

The Tracker for confirmed deals at top clubs: Likely signings in BLUE

Ibra Transfer Explained - Football Accounting Jazz!

By Gautam Sharma

Intriguing facts about the Ibrahimovic transfer... and all that Jazz!! (The figures have been edited after the transfer)

Ibrahimovic is all set to transfer from Barcelona for Milan. Its a 1 year loan deal, after which Milan have the option to buy Ibra for Eur 24m. But here are some very interesting facts about this transfer... Milan were ready to buy Ibra outright this summer, it was Barca who insisted on a loan deal!! If that sounds strange, how about this fact - Barcelona will lose only Eur 17m in the entire Ibrahimovic saga!!

Intrigued? Shocked? Read on....

Who Needs Whom? A look at some Transfer Market Gaps...

By Bluenine

So as the summer draws to a close, the time is short for european clubs to achieve their transfer objectives... Here is a look at the gaps yet to be filled, and some intriguing questions so far unanswered...

Arsenal:
Another miserly summer, though this time the Gunners managed to retain all their stars. And decent additions in Chamakh and Kociensky. So it does appear as one of the better summers for Arsenal. However, Wenger surprisingly still hasn't done anything about Arsenal's Achilles heel...

Inter's Shadow on Mancio City!

By Gautam Sharma

What is the price of failure? Manchester City may soon give this question a whole new answer... or is Mancio building another Inter at Citeh? As Mancio City cross the £100m mark in transfer spend this summer, this has become one of the most debated topics in football...

This is an honest attempt to analyse the grand Mancio plan, and form of view on whether this would work...

Too Good a Summer for Genoa...?

By Gautam Sharma

Genoa are buying a player who impressed in the World Cup (Boateng) only to loan him to Milan... a role reversal?? Yeah, its been that kinda summer... Genoa have surprisingly been the biggest movers in Serie A this summer. But is this their usual scatter-brained approach to the transfer market, or is there more method to the madness this time...?

Forza Prandelli... A Triumphant Loss!

By Gautam Sharma

The first shot has been fired. The intent is now clear. The Revolution. Has Just Begun.

Italy lost their first game under Prandelli to Ivory Coast. But the intent was clear. Prandelli plans to completely reconstruct the Azzurri from scratch. And I think that not only was this long due, it is infact the best thing to happen to Italian football since the 2006 World Cup final.

Oriundi Reloaded!

By Gautam Sharma

One of the more heated arguements in Italian football these days is what to do about the "Oriundi" concept. Or more specifically, should they be allowed to play for La Nazionale??

Oriundi is a term used to describe foreign players of Italian origin (at least one of whose ancestors emigrated from Italy) who then immigrate "back" to Italy. There was a time when Oriundi played a large part in the success of Azzurri, and from the sounds of it, they may play a large part once again... Perhaps there are lessons to be learnt from the past...

CalcioMercato Watch!

By Bluenine

Latest: Lazio buy Hernanes, Veloso joins Genoa, Garrido joins Lazio, Munoz joins Palermo, Kolarov joins City, Chico joins Genoa, Ranocchia & Destro now co-owned by Genoa & Inter;

The Tracker for confirmed deals at top clubs: Likely signings in BLUE

Inter Summer Diary: Youngsters impress at Baltimore

By Gautam Sharma

Decent start of the summer tour for Inter with a comfortable 3-0 win over City.... with many of our primavera lads showing why the future of Internazionale is secure.

Fantasistitis, an Italian Disease....

By Gautam Sharma

There was a time when the Fantasista was the most celebrated player in Italian football... the protagonists, these were the real Gods in Italy, the ones who provided fantasy to the game.... a spark of colour in a sea of black & white, or the artists midst the atheletes... Rivera, Mazzola, Baggio, etc - the history of Italian football is not complete without reviewing its legendary "Fantasista". Sadly, not only are the fantasista disappearing from the modern Italian game, its now more like a disease which is destroying the most talented crop of Italian football talent.... a disease called Fantasistitis...

INTERested in Change?

By Gautam Sharma

Our beloved Internazionale are about to make some bigs moves in the market... it will be interesting to see who they go after! Lets take a look at the key targets, and analyse what the new Inter may look like in 2010-11...

ReJUVEnated, again!!

By Gautam Sharma

Is there any particular direction to the startegy of this new Juve? Or are they rebuilding for disaster yet again, like last summer? After some consideration, it looks like there may be some method to the madness this time... but something is still missing....

CalcioMercato Watch!

By Bluenine

Latest News: Cavani to Napoli, Arevalo Rios joins Cagliari, Boruc to Viola, Eduardo joins Genoa, Glik joins Palermo, Bresciano joins Lazio, Curci joins Doria, Motta joins Juve, Kjaer joins Wolfsburg

The Calcio Mercato Tracker for key transfer deals at top Italian clubs: Likely moves in BLUE below....

Yugolavia - Musings from a Parallel Universe!

By Bluenine

Imagine if Yugoslavia were still in existence, and had sent a squad for this World Cup.... a combined team of Croatia + Serbia + Slovenia + Montenegro + Macedonia + Bosnia & Herzegovina! Now that would ve been some squad, maybe it could ve looked something like this:

An Italian Revolution - the Prandelli Era

By Gautam Sharma

The Vuvuzela, the Jabulani, and the darn Octopus... that kinda sums up the World Cup for us Azzurri fans. But the wretched cephalopod is not completely to blame for this misery, the pathetic excuse of the game displayed by Lippi and his lads did not exactly light up this World Cup for us... now as the sounds of the vuvuzela's start fading away like a distant nightmare, key question arises... where to from here, o beloved Azzurri?