A frugal summer for European clubs

Over the past year many clubs have come under greater scrutiny in regards to their player spending at overall financial stability. With several top flight clubs around Europe's biggest leagues either at the brink of, or falling into administration, UEFA has begun to take action against reckless spending by club management. Starting in the 2011-2012 season, teams who spend more than they make in revenue, or clubs in excessive amounts of debt could be barred from lucrative European club competitions like Champions League or Europa League. The new "Financial fair play" rules also target the amount owners invest into their clubs for player spending.

The legislation will allow owners to inject €15 million (£12.3m) a year into their clubs up until 2015, and then €10m (£8.2m) until 2018. This cash cannot be a loan, which is an approach already taken by the Manchester City and Chelsea hierarchy.

As the transfer window is set to shut on Wednesday, many top European clubs will be looking at their benches and seeing if they need any additions to improve the squad. However unlike years past it seems less likely that major moves will be done at the deadline. Aside from the spending sprees at at Real Madrid and Manchester City, there has been little to speak of from many of the top clubs in Europe. Instead there is a emphasis on either loaning out troubled or unproductive players, and buying lower priced unknown or "diamond in the rough" type players. Manchester United, Arsenal and Barcelona (with the exception of David Villa) have, at least for now cooled on spending tremendous amounts of money on new talent.

As UFEA President Michel Platini stated yesterday at a press conference "For years and years we were in total anarchy but the clubs asked for the rules because they knew they could not continue. He added "Transfers have not been as crazy as in the last few years, they are pulling up their socks and the clubs are making special efforts to comply with the rules."

The new UFEA legislation is a massive reason as to why many clubs have not been as active on the transfer market as in previous years. The fear of having UFEA either ban of scansion the club for financial mis-management is enough to slow down the mad spending of some clubs. Manchester United with it's near £700 million debt have done very little business in the window outside of picking up Javier Hernandez, Chris Smalling and Bebe. Based on their estimated transfer values the total for the 3 barely hits £20 million. Compare this with two summers ago when the signing of one player, Dimitar Berbatov, cost the club just over £30 million.

Other clubs have followed suit in this quiet transfer window. The defending European and Italian champions biggest off season move was losing manager Jose Mourinho, and then signing former Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez. The also normally busy AC Milan has been quite this summer, even the signing of Zlatan Ibrahimovic has not generated as much buzz as it normally would. This would be due to the fact it's only a season long loan deal. German champions and Champions league finalist Bayern Munich have practically signed no one.

This is not to say that the transfer rumors have been stopped, in fact with the lack of movement they have become more prevalent as media outlets need something to write about in the off season. Many of these rumours have been little more than that, and as clubs continue to keep the wallets closed until a gem of a deal comes forward, expect to see a lack of fireworks tomorrow and Wednesday.

Cheers,
Mike

Barcelona Outclass AC Milan amid transfer rumors for Ibra

In front of a completely sold out Camp Nou, FC Barcelona defeated 3-1 on penalties after the game ended in a 1-1 draw to capture the Gamper Trophy. The crowd of 98,787 were entertained by an overpowering display by the home team as they out passed their Italian counterparts for the majority of the match.

The night was also a chance for the supporters to celebrate and properly send off Ronaldinho, who was with the club from 2003-2008. The crowd were treated to a video montage of some of his classic moments in the Barca shirt, and was given the biggest cheer of the night when he entered the pitch solo. He even took the squad photo with the Barca players at the behest of club captian Puyol.

It took all of 5 minutes for Barca to create their first opportunity. After some sublime passing between Iniesta and Jeffren, Iniesta picked out new boy David Villa who beat his marker but blazed the shot 5 feet over the crossbar. It was an early signal of intent by Barca and proved the set the tone for the rest of the first half.

It was clear that both clubs were still in pre season form as there were some periods of less than fluid play in the first 20 minutes, especially for AC Milan who looked like a squad still trying to figure out how to play with each other. They lacked link up play between the midfield and the front pairing of Klass Jan Huntelaar and Marco Borriello. This would normally be provided in the form of Clerance Seedorf, but he was not in the starting 11.

The best chance of the first half was created the electric play of Pedro who after cleverly beating Bonera played in a cross to the streaking Zlatan Ibrahimović who scored on a stretching flick in. However the goal was disallowed after the linesmen incorrectly flagged the Swedish International offside. Ibra has been the focus of many transfer rumors over the past week. One of the rumored destinations is AC Milan, if this is the case AC Milan brass would have been impressed with what they saw. He easily linked up with strike partner David Villa time and time again. It looks like a potential fruitful partnership, if Ibra stays of course.

The rest of the first half dominated by Barcelona position, and half chances. Milan manager Massimiliano Allegri set the squad up to hit Barca on the counter and almost scored on a half chance for Borriello, but he could not get his shot on target just on half time.

Just a minute into the start of the second half, Barca opened the scoring after Adriano crossed the ball into the box and Villa, having moved into the middle after Ibrahimović was replaced at the half for Bojan, beat the keeper with a finely placed volley. This brought the crowd to it's feet as it was Villa's first goal with the club since joining from Valencia. After the goal it seemed that the flood gates would open and Barca would go on to route the Milan club, however Fillipo Inzaghi had other ideas.

After he was brought on in the 50th minute it did not take the mercurial Milan striker long to find the back of goal. With their only real chance in the game, another half time sub Seedorf sent in a magnificent long ball cross into the direction of Inzaghi, who incredibly let the ball run across his body and lashed the first time left footed volley past Pino in goal to equalize in the 66th minute. In a move that might not be understood in North American sports the pro Barca crowd applauded the goal before rallying their team.

From there the game lacked a bit of cutting edge even with the entrance of Leo Messi in the 67th minute. At the end of 90 minutes the game ended 1-1.

In penalties Messi, Bojan and Thiago scored for Barca while only defender Mario Yepes scored for the visitors.

With both squads starting their domestic season this coming weekend there are still some issues both sides need to iron out, for Milan the counter attacked needs to be a bit faster. The when the full 11 start playing the link up play will need to improve if they wish to stop bitter rivals Inter from winning their 6th title in a row. For Barcelona, the key will be getting the David Villa gelled quickly into the squad. Regardless of whether or not Ibrahimovic stays, a new partnership will need to be formed up front. If they can do this quickly then Real Madrid will have an extremely hard time taking the title from the hands of the blaugrana.


Cheers,
Mike

Out of office post

Hello all!

 As some of you might know I'm currently on vacation in Europe and this the reason the post have been few and far between over the past few weeks. I'll have a new one soon on my experience watching FC Barcelona at the Nou Camp soon.

Cheers,
Mike

New Season, New Ambitions at Birmingham City FC

Even though I'm currently on "Vacation" I couldn't leave the football alone! I visited my Uncle and Aunt's local EPL club team Birmingham City at their home pitch St.Andrews to get a feel for what the club is after at the start of the new EPL season. Plus it was an awesome way to get a mini tour of the grounds. I would like to thank BCFC for their hospitality, especially to Chris Kershaw the press officer for the club who gave me the time of day when I showed up unannounced on team photo day!

Enjoy,
Mike
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With the start of the new Barclay's Premier League season, Birmingham City FC supporters are cautiously optimistic about the chances in the league this year. After a higher than expected 9th place finish last season, the best in 51 years. The club is looking to new opportunities both on and off the pitch to grow the success of the West Midlands club. The club turned heads last season with an 12 match unbeaten run after Christmas which went a long way in sealing their place in the top flight for another season.


Player Recruitment/Development

Heads we also turned just before the run started as the long protracted take over of the club from David Sullivan and David Gold to Chinese billionaire Carlson Yeung was completed. At an estimated cost of 81 million GBP, Yeung assumed control of a club that had just been promoted back to the Premier League after winning the Championship League title that spring. At the onset of his take over Yeung promised over 40 million GBP in new signings to the club, and although the full amount of that spending had not happened as of yet the club is confident it can attract top talent to the squad. As with other Premier League clubs this season City have to be concentrated on the new home grown player rule that regulates squad sizes and composition. The rule states that 8 out of a possible 25 man roster must be "home grown". These home grown players must have been in the English academy system from over 3 years by the time they are/were 21. This does not mean the player has be to English born, think Cesc Fabregas.

So where does this leave The Blues in regards to player recruitment? Are they are buying club? Or is there going to be a push of youth from the academy?

Toronto FC Shock Cruz Azul in CCL Group stage opener

In front of an announced 16,892 at BMO Field Toronto FC put forth it's most dominating performance of the 2010 season, defeating 5 time CONCACAF Champions League winners Cruz Azul of Mexico 2-1. First half goals from Martin Saric and newest DP signing Mista sealed the three points for the MLS side.

Mista celebrates after scoring his first TFC goal Tuesday night

Although the scoreline impressive, what was more impressive was how TFC dominated play through out the 90 minutes. The reds played with an urgency that has been rarely seen from the club this year, and key players such as Dewayne De Rosario and Julian De Guzman played their best football of the season.

De Rosario's excellent movement in the first half opened up holes for Misa to cause havoc for the Mexican defenders, as his free header that was saved by the keeper set up the Saric goal within the first three minutes of the match. Mista found himself with another chance in the dying minutes of the first half in which he slotted the ball home just beyond the full reach of Yosgart Gutiérrez. After the match TFC head coach Preki commented regarding Mista that "We always knew he was a quality player,“It was just a matter of getting him fit and healthy and ready for all the games coming up now pretty fast. He gave us 60-plus minutes, good minutes.” Mista has been a bit of an odd fellow for the club even since they signed him. Preki has used him in several different area of the pitch including an attacking midfield role, up front or as a potential winger. It became clear what kind of talent he can provide up front for the club especially with O'Brian White seeming to have lost a bit of confidence in front of goal.

It must be stated that the Crul Azul players underestimated their opponents Tuesday night. At the half time the Cruz Azul players looked shocked to be 2 down by halftime. Varying reports claim the team's scouting report was not up to date, cautioning the players against exerting to much energy on BMO's plastic pitch in case of injury. Evidently the club had not been told that the field had been replaced with the real stuff at the beginning of the year.

Whatever the case may be, Crul Azul did not take to the games as quickly as their hosts, even though they had a clear class advantage. The second half was played at a higher tempo for the visitors but they could not penetrate the Toronto backline lead by Canadian International center backs Nana Attakora and Adrian Cann. Who played arguably their best game as a defensive pairing. Cristian Gimenez’s curling free kick in the 90th minute to beat TFC number two Jon Conway was the lone bright spot for Cruz Azul.

Credit must also be given to Toronto Head coach Preki who got his tactics all right as he started off playing a flexible 4-4-2 which at times floated into a (4-3-1-2) with De Rosario tucked behind Mista and White. This seemed to give the Mexican club problems as they could not handle De Rosario's movement or Mista's clever flicks and runs. In the second half as some players started to run out of gas, he reverted to a more defensive 4-5-1 set up to deal with the increased pace the visitors put on the pitch for the second half.

For Toronto, who when to great lengths to down play their chances of winning put together their most complete performance of the season. However there will be little time for back slapping as their most important league match of the season comes up on Saturday, as New York comes to BMO on the back end of a home and home series. With New York 5 points clear of TFC for that all important second place spot in the East, Preki will have to prepare his squad for the vastly improved Red Bulls, Who will be coming into the game with some confidence having beaten TFC 1-0 last week at home. Saturday will be Toronto's true measuring stick to see where they stand with the top clubs in MLS.

For now though Toronto FC can enjoy a short if not sweet club milestone.