Summer Transfers: My Top Transfers of the Summer Window

This transfer window has seen its fair share of drama and endless speculation about who is going where and for how much. I am going to share my limited knowledge on some of the big transfers and their effect on each team and the league.

First off, I want to say that Rooney to Chelsea is absolute rubbish. Moyes is not going to let Wayne Rooney go and make Chelsea even stronger.

By far the most talked about transfer is the new Blaugrana man, Neymar. The Brazilian wonder kid will take loads of pressure off of Lionel Messi and provide more speed and quickness to the already potent Barcelona attack. There is big talk about whether Neymar and Messi will get along, which is not even a real question given the humility of Messi. Messi and Neymar will be the better version of the Keane and Donovan relationship in LA. Pass and move, goal. Expect Barcelona to make a serious Champions League run after the disappointing 7-0 aggregate loss to Bayern Munich in last year's campaign.


My next big move is Aspas to Liverpool. With all the Suarez drama it is not hard to see how important of a buy this was for the Reds. Aspas is a replacement for the want-away striker and a good one at that. Iago always seems to show up in the right spots to lay off a pass or dribble and shoot. Vision is great also. The lad has a great future at Liverpool with Liverpool playing good football right now.

My last big transfer is Mario Gomez to Fiorentina. Gomez is a clinical finisher and with Fiorentina losing Stevan Jovetic to Manchester City; Gomez is the perfect replacement. Gomez is another striker who always seems to be in the right place at the right time which is a huge attribute for any team to have with a striker.

Although there have been many more big transfers, these are by far the most important (in my opinion) and with more big transfers waiting to happen in the dying embers of the window, my list could change. The big transfers I am talking about are David Luiz and Gareth Bale. Only time will tell where those two superstars end up and each will have huge effects on the teams they are leaving and especially the ones they are moving to.

Back to School Woes

Just a little bit of a heads up. I am starting back to school today. So I won't be able to write quite as often. But I will try to write as much as possible. Please keep checking in and I'll keep writing. :) 

Real Salt Lake and Portland Timbers: The Most Euroesque Teams In The MLS

Last night, a man by the name of Matt B. (@BasinSportsGuy) sparked an interesting conversation. Who are the teams that will represent the tactical norm in the MLS? I thought RSL, PTFC and SKC. But a die hard RSL fan , Derek, said that SKC plays a "bullish direct route style." which he is right about, but on a good night SKC can be a sight to behold.

Now, many of you might remember that some said the same things about the Seattle Sounders last season, but not so much this year. Now that Klinsman is in charge of the USMNT, and the Sounders signed Dempsey, could that change in this last half of the season? I think, yes. Klinsman has the Americans playing a very Euro style of football, and now that Eddie Johnson and Clint Dempsey are teamed up in Seattle, that could change the whole way that the Sounders play football.

As many of you saw, the night Dempsey was unveiled, Johnson did his half of he and Dempsey's celebration. The start of the Johnson-Dempsey era. Exciting for Seattle, scary for opponents. Dempsey has everything the Sounders need, and at the perfect time too. As, Seattle are 2 points out of the playoffs. Can Dempsey and Johnson bring Seattle back to the Seattle of old? Can they bring silverware to CenturyLink Field? Only time can tell, and Seattle will have everyone watching and waiting.

Has Loyalty Disappeared From The Beautiful Game?

With the Luis Suarez fiasco comes this very big question, is there loyalty in the beautiful game anymore? Yes, but it is going quickly. While there still are many loyal players, money is changing that quicker than we might think.

Luis Suarez wants to leave the Anfield club because of the lack of premier league play, which is understandable, but with the young talent in Jordan Ibe and others, it might be worth sticking around. Suarez has done this to another club. A club called Groningen in Holland. Ajax sent a 3.5 million Euro offer for the striker and when Groningen rejected the offer, Suarez took them to court. Ridiculous, right? Suarez lost in court but Ajax then upped their offer to 7.5 million Euros which Groningen accepted.

Rodgers has a very opposite view then Suarez stating, "The Liverpool Way is all about a club with ambition, a club that strives to be the very best, a club that is about commitment. That means that everyone is committed to the cause of fighting for the shirt." That bold word is one that Suarez struggles with. Suarez, along with many others only want what is best for them at that moment.

One of the other people that comes to mind when I think about club jumping is Mario Balotelli. Mario has never been on my good side. My first experience with Balotelli was in the 2012 season. Mario was having a bad game and late in that game, Manchester City won a free-kick in a good area. City's manager told Mario to let someone else take the kick, and he did not take that well. He threw, for lack of a better explanation, a temper tantrum.

Balotelli has not only off the field problems but on field problems as well. His move to Milan was, in my opinion, a bad one for Milan. He cannot hold his temper in tense games which often sees him getting sent off for unnecessary reasons. His career was marred with drinking and a love for late nights, when that is the last thing you want from an athlete.

With all that being said, money definitely has changed the game we all know and love. The most important thing for clubs now is finding a loyal player with his priorities in tact. Which in this era, will be very difficult, be we do see it. Players like Messi, Gerrard, Terry and many more are still here and can be a good influence for the future generation of players.

Will Neymar And Messi Play Beaitiful Music?

With the huge signing of the Brazilian Wonderkid, Neymar, Barcelona look to make a huge push for the Champions League title. If Neymar and Messi get along that is. Neymar always likes to steal the show, but that won't work for him at FC Barcelona.

Just a few days ago, Barcelona destroyed a Brazilian team 8x0. That game showed the promising future of Alexis Sanchez, and was the debut of Neymar. Messi had one goal, Neymar had none. Now, Barca fans shouldn't be worried about Neymar not scoring in a goal fest like that game was. His thirst for goals is stronger than ever now that he's in Europe and we will surely see plenty of goals from him.

Messi had an amazing year last year scoring 91 goals. And my biggest fear is that bringing Neymar in will take away from Messi's scoring. But, as I really thought more about it, I realized how silly I was being. Neymar and Messi will both score a great amount of goals putting Barcelona in a great position next year.

Also, Neymar has amazing speed, vision, and can shoot and pass from anywhere on the field. We saw his full potential in the Confederations Cup where he not only scored but assisted also. So, he already has the skill set to play in Spain, but the biggest thing for him in these next couple of weeks is to adjust to Barcelona's style of play that is vastly different from the Brazilian style he's used to.

If he can nail that down, he'll be just fine for his first season in Europe. Neymar brings a lot of excitement to Barcelona and gives great hope for the future of this football club.

The video shows Neymar's top ten goals. He looks a lot like Messi in some of them!

Clint Dempsey: His Effect On The MLS

There has been much speculation on Twitter that Clint "Deuce" Dempsey is making a move to the Seattle Sounders. Now, an elite player like him moving to the MLS could only be positive for the future of the league. He would not only be playing with another US Men's Team starter, Eddie Johnson, but would be playing for a very solid MLS team.

Dempsey lived in the shadow of Gareth Bale last season while at Tottenham. With only 7 goals and 4 assists, I would say it wasn't the best season of his career. A quick winger with good vision, passing, crossing, and finishing could not only help the sounders make a push for a playoff berth, as they are not far off, but show that a player can succeed on the national and club level in the US.

In my first article, I touched on Real Salt Lake and their style of play and their men on the national team. Clint would be another superstar to play in the MLS and the national team if he made this move. The MLS is more and more becoming a breeding ground for national performers with the likes of Chris Wondolowski and Eddie Johnson becoming essential pieces to the puzzle in this last Gold Cup.

IF Clint does make this move, it could only be positive for the youngsters looking to play football in the MLS, because it shows that great players can be bred in the USA. If you ask me, that gives USA football a very bright future.

Giroud: Superstar at the Emirates

Giroud's importance to the Gunners was once again brought up as Tomas Rosicky stated that he needed to up Arsenal's goal tally this coming season. With him netting 25 goals in 43 game last season, is that too much to ask? His former team mate Robin Van Persie was at the top of the table with 26 in only the Barclays Premier League.

Giroud brings quickness, clinical finishing and great runs to this motivated Arsenal team, but do the Gunners have anyone to set him up? Indeed he does! Arsenal has a midfield with a mix of experience and youth with Aaron Ramsey, Santi Corzola and Mikel Arteta all getting regular minutes in midfield.

If Arsenal can come out with a big midfielder or winger in this transfer window, you can expect to see a lot more of Oliver Giroud on the score sheet. If Giroud can score more than 20 goals in this next season you can expect to see the Gunners finish in a Champions Cup spot, but success lies heavy on Oliver Giroud just like Rosicky stated.

A Replacement for Donovan?

Gedion Zelalem: born in Germany, Ethiopian blood. 

Zelalem is a Center mid for the Gunners at the young age of 16. On this years preseason tour of Asia, Gedion has been playing solid minutes along side Mikel Arteta. He is 6'1" and a mere 140lbs; plus being agile he can move his tall body around quickly. 

Zelalem has a great first touch and incredible vision and the passing to go along with that vision and in a couple years he should be ready to perform on the national level. Hopefully he chooses to play for the US Men's team not the German Men's team. 

Jurgen Klinsman needs to be doing all he can to convince Zelalem to play for the Stars and Stripes and considering Zelalem grew up in the states, he should already have some fondness for the US. The timing would also be perfect as Donovan is reaching the end of his carter and Gerdion could help keep the assists flowing. 

Competition for Howard at National and Club Level

Everton's manager Roberto Martinez has signed Joel Robles, a younger, fresher keeper from Athletico Madrid which leaves competition for the USA No.1, Tim Howard. 

Joel already has a long list of accomplishments that almost equal Tim Howard's, such as winning the FA Cup with Wigan, winning the U-21 World Cup this year with Spain and playing for Spain as every level U-23 and below. He has had great experience and great men teaching him, and he's only 23, Howard is the ripe age of 34. 

Howard did win an FA Cup and League Title with Manchester United in 2004 but was soon replaced by a new GK the next year. He also won the FIFA Confederations Cup Golden Glove in 2009 and had the best save in the CONCACAF Gold Cup in 2011. In that light Howard may seem like a better No.1 than Joel, but keep in mind that Howard is 10 years older. 

All USA fans will hope that this new challenge for Howard will only make him better in time for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, where he will face all kinds of strikers who will test him in various ways. He has competition on the US Men's National Team as well with Rimando having a great showing between the sticks this CONCACAF Gold Cup. (The video below will show you his acrobatic double save). I would say that this competition for Howard can only mean good things for the USA as they look towards Brazil in 2014. 

Guus Hiddink: New Coach for The Catalan Giants?

Guus Hiddink resigned as head coach of the Russian outfit Anzhi stating on the club website that his reason for resignation was he felt the club could develop on its own without him. I think he feels his future could be better at a larger club such as Barcelona. Considering Tito Villanova resigned yesterday and Guus today, I think he has his eye on the head coaching job for Blaugrana. 

But, the real question is if he is the right man for the job. Guus had a mediocre showing as coach of the Dutch national team but the headlines were more about internal strife than football prowess. Hiddink resigned after a tough loss in the 1998 World Cup to the Brazilian side that was home to a host of stars such as Taffarel, Giovanni, Ronaldo and Rivaldo. 

After his time with the Dutch national team he took Jupp Heynckes place at the Spainish super team, Real Madrid. He was sacked the very next season because of remarks about the clubs board and the money he was allowed. Guus then took over Real Betis and was sacked that same year. 

Where ever Guus Hiddink goes he doesn't stay for very long and has mixed results. So maybe he is not the best choice for Barcelona in wake of Villanova having to take medical leave. With locker room drama following him everywhere he goes, this could be a very bad choice for Barcelona. 

MLS v Europe for Our National Team

One thing that I have come to notice about our USA Men's National team is that very few of them play in a European league. Considering that any team in a top-flight Euro league could crush even our best MLS teams, shouldn't there be more concern that our men are still staying in the MLS? I say no after watching this Gold Cup and doing some research. 

On our current Gold Cup roster we have thirteen men playing in a league other than the MLS, seven in Europe and five in Mexico. However, we are missing Clint Dempsey and Tim Howard. Out of the five men in Mexico are Demarcus Beasley and Micheal Orozco who I think have a very good chance to go to Brazil as they are playing well. So, that gives good marks to our men in Mexico.

Now for Europe, we have one man in Sweden and two in Norway. Alejandro Bedoya plays in Sweden and Mix Diskerud and Joshua Gatt play in Norway. Now, I think I am safe to say that Sweden and Norway are not home to the most elite European leagues in the world and none of them are consistent starters.

We have two men in England, only one of which plays in the top division and that is Brek Shea, who just recently moved from FC Dallas to Stoke City and we have yet to see how that will affect his style and quality of play. 

Even though all of those men play in other leagues, our MLS boys are looking very good this Gold Cup with Beckerman hooking up well with Chris "Wondwoloski on multiple occasions. Also Nick Rimando has put in a very good showing between the sticks for us. With Wondo and Donovan doing most of the scoring and Rimando making solid saves I would say MLS is just fine to develop people who preform on the national level.