EPL Pre-Season

We are one month away from the return of the English Premier League. Saturday nights have been something short but yet it gives soccer fans a really good break and rest. The reason why the new season is going to be exciting is simply because of the fact that it is during the closed season that many changes are going on - new manager, new players and the transfer market. When footballers changed clubs, they get a portion of the huge transfer fee. Wonder why they do not do these to us when we change jobs. They should.


It will be an interesting new season in 2011/2012. Starting with Manchester United, Ryan Giggs started the ball rolling with his unsavoury liaisons. His wing play wizardry and slalom was not restricted on the soccer pitch but he was one half of Ferguson's wing wonder (David Beckham played on the right). Watch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xhBFp7HOmg. It is indeed sad for a legend in his twilight to be faced with his own undoing. I do not particular like Manchester United but I love the history of the Busby Babes, George Best, Bobby Charlton and company. I do like the name Red Devils. For everything you do not like about Sir Alex, he is doing the right stuffs. In particular I shared his passion in using and always playing with wingers. Remember Steve Coppell and Gordon Hill in the past United tradition.


Ferguson more than replicate with Cristiano Ronaldo - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Duw1-55oblc & http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=feE3Ko6Sfzc, followed by Luis Nani: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNYM6UhGkpU and they have Antonio Valencia too (a great crosser): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9tyg7p0AvY.


United has been eyeing Chilean star Alexis Sanchez who may prefer to go to Barcelona. This fellow is like Messi and Ronaldo and is going to be a star: http://www.youtube.com/watch?=M5XfmnJT1O4. As if not content, they have also signed Englishman Ashley Young who is fast and a good crosser: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6tRtEuM_Ac. They have beefed up a future defence with the signing of Phil Jones (they already had Chris Smalling): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXT6gRzRX1I and the capture of David De Gea who plays like Edwin van Der Sar: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdWJAKUrmoE.


I think the player who United will find hard to replace is Paul Scholes. Zinedine Zidane once described him as his most difficult opponent. No small praise coming from Zidane. Scholes possessed a cannon of a shot and it is very difficult to see him making a mistake and almost impossible to get the ball from him. He thinks so quickly and move the ball really well before you can get near him. Watch his goals: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rx_oM60tkv0. Watch this clip to understand what I have said: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcOujukDqz0. Even Barcelona's Xavi himself look up to Scholes. Messi, Xavi, Pedro, Iniesta all wanted Scholes shirt after the Championship Final. Scholes has the highest pass success rate in Europe with 97% followed by Xavi at around 95-96%. In other words the best passer of a ball. The most suitable player to replace Scholes would be Wesley Sneijder - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilB-19oVa_Q, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0EsU_IUK9o.


Let me now move you on to Arsenal. If have to begin with el capitan (the captain) Cesc Fabregas: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMJAY8Ox5ko. Fabregas at his best was fantastic and he is not even an automatic choice in the Spain team. If only he were English. His on/off saga to Barcelona has been like a broken record. He does not sparkle as much in recent seasons. For the right money Arsenal should let him go.

Samir Nasri who for a part of last season was probably the best player on show has also drawn interests from Manchester United, Chelsea and Manchester City - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WHA8P7G_y3Q&feature=related, here is the reason why. Surely Arsenal needs a less dodgy goalie in fact a very good goalie, followed by a very good defender and a solid midfielder. Scott Parker (West Ham), last season Footballer of the Year would be a nice addition. It is his tackles and steel that the Gunners need.


There is rumour that the Gunners may add Real Madrid's French striker Karim Benzema:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntUUbTEcQ1c. Arsenal needs a striker that can give 20 goals a season. Benzema could be it?

Chelsea wanted Brazilian sensation Neymar but...: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0rs6rEUFI4&feature=related

Meantime, Liverpool has signed up Sunderland's Jordan Henderson who could one day be a Steven Gerrard? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBsk69cBhpM & http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHXhDqJ0NHo&NR=1


In soccer, I have experimented playing in all different positions - as a defender, midfielder, striker and even as a goal-keeper but to me none is more exciting than as a winger running at defenders, making crosses and using feints and trickery to beat your man and I used to love watching Mat Noh when he played. Now I can only play as a whinger.

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