Football

Bayern, aka Leverkusen mark II. But you knew it would happen when they sent a Dutchman in to do a German's job

As for Chelsea, I don't recall a Champions' League winning team that has been as bad as them in recent memory. Liverpool took a squad of average players but at least we smashed Leverkusen, dominated Juve and matched Chelsea. I don't know what Chelsea have done this year, but it has worked I guess.

So who are we betting on in the Euros? I'm gonna go with the Germans, even though they're on the harder half of the draw.

Villa release Emile Heskey on the same day I get a new job. OH HAPPY DAY

*Cowers in anticipation of inevitable Heskey signing*

It's sorta amusing that my team name is still as topical on the end of the season as it was at the beginning...

From the BBC

So it turns out, Torres' goals per game ratio is actually pretty good considering the transfer fee.

From the BBC

So it turns out, Torres' goals per game ratio is actually pretty good considering the transfer fee.

To be fair, there have been spells in Torres' Chelsea career where even that fee looked a rip-off.

Lol. I'll start reading this thread. It's a nice sport

So Fred, Paul Lambert - a good choice? Same question to Ed and Enigma but for Lambert read Brendan Rodgers.

Lambert's more than fine by me but God in heaven does he have a lot to do this summer. I could easily make a case for selling 96% of the squad, whether it be for the cash or, in the majority of cases, because they're rubbish. I'm really hoping that one half decent performance for Ireland in the Euros doesn't mean Dunne will suddenly be bestowed a new contract and the captaincy. Realistically I'm hoping next season will be like the first under O'Neill: top twelve finish, positive football, development of some of the youngsters and an exit door for some of the wage sponging veterans who's sense of entitlement would shock an Arabian prince. Lambo (as I intend to call him) has a good track record plucking raw lower league talent and making them into well drilled, committed, slick passing top flight pros; the complete antithesis of the nightclub bouncer vibe McLeish instilled in every player last year. He might even be able to find the good player that supposedly resides in Fabian Delph's subconscious.

STOP EVERYTHING!

Peter Crouch to make chat show debut

Stoke City striker, Peter Crouch, is set to host a new chat show with ex-Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher rumoured to be among his first guests. On the Couch with Peter Crouch will mark the footballer’s television-presenting debut. A Sky TV insider has described Crouch as ‘a smart guy’ who ‘takes on the role of a chat show host well. ‘The idea is he will go and visit people at their homes or workplaces and chat to them in a quirky way.

‘It's more Ruby Wax than Michael Parkinson as it's supposed to be more of an entertainment show.’ He praised Crouch’s ‘good command of the English language,’ suggesting that this was ‘not something many footballers have’. The programme is expected to be broadcast later this year.

Can you guys find someone who wants to buy Milan? Berlusconi is making a mockery of the name

Can you guys find someone who wants to buy Milan? Berlusconi is making a mockery of the name

As disappointed as I'd be too (were I a Milan fan), the Ibra/Silva deal might not be such a bad one in this odd era of stupidly rich owners and economic depression. Zlatan is approaching 31 and probably has a shelf-life of maybe two or three more years if he's lucky. Silva will be a loss at the back but there should be at least a couple of capable players available for relatively little outlay. The problem will be if Milan go for a 'star' replacement like Carlos Tevez, where they'll no doubt be quoted some ridiculous fee by Man City. Could Kaka be an option?

It's also hard not to sympathise with the other teams in Ligue 1. In years to come, no-one will have anywhere near the resources to compete with an increasingly impressive PSG and their seemingly unlimited funds.

Kaka's wage demand will probably make it not likely. Others like Tevez will be very expensive like you say. If the aim is to save money then there isn't many or any 'star' players available that will also mean savings. if the aim is to go for youth then there is lots to do because Milan doesn't exactly have a history of developing players.

I was surprised when I heard about the ibrahimovic transfer. I know he's getting older.. but the french league? I would've loved to see him in the premier league

The only english team that could offer as much as PSG was Manchester City but they have too many strikers to fit them all so they didn't wan't to spend so many million for a player that they don't even need that much.

It'll be interesting to see if any other ridiculously minted clubs emerge over the next couple of years or so. Chelsea were followed by Manchester City, then Anzhi Makhachkala and Malaga (though that seems to be going horribly wrong as of late) and now PSG. Many more and they'll shift from positions of prominence to much of a muchness, constantly competing to attract the same select group of players.

There is money and rich people still left and football is still a big thing, I am pretty sure it will happen. The thing is how much teeth does Platini's financial fair play have moving beyond its early stages.

Milan's recent exercise in debt-clearing seemed to send out a message that the Fair Play order is a genuine concern for high-profile clubs, but PSG and Chelsea are still lashing out large transfer fees like there's no tomorrow, so presumably they're confident of being able to circumvent it somehow. So mixed signals thus far, I guess. We'll see how it all goes soon enough.

Abramovich has been always spending a lot of million for transfers in order to make his team win a CHL trophy and that finally happened only the season when Chelsea had made no transfers because they were banned! They didn't even have a normal manager but they made it! (they were very lucky though) This proves that everything can happen in football even if you don't spend much however we do expect more from the clubs that spend a lot of money for transfers like City which would have never won the EPL without all these transfers that the Arabs made.

Dear footballing brothers and sisters in arms,

Requesting the pleasure of your company at the fourth annual BZ Fantasy Premier League extravaganza (yes, it's that time of year again!). All welcome. First deadline is on Saturday August 18th 2012, 11.30 GMT, free transfers unlimited until then.

Classic League: 600942-153361 (I've renewed this one so players from last season should be automatically entered upon registering a team)

Head-to-Head League: 600942-153389

RSVP