After a weekend of surprising World Cup Qualifying results in Europe and South America, two of the planets biggest players are in danger on missing out on the big party next summer. In my opinion if Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo do miss out on the festivities in South Africa, the World Cup will be severely diminished by their absence both in terms of star power and the economics that they drive.

If I was FIFA president, Sepp Blatter, I'd be getting on the phone pretty sharpish and having a quiet one with the respective coaches, Diego Maradona and Carlos Queiroz. 'Excuse me gentlemen I know you're under a little bit of pressure but would you mind purchasing the required paddle and getting your teams well away from this foul smelling creek - you're about to ruin my World Cup'. What the Swiss supremo may wish for if both countries do the unthinkable is hope that a Roberto Rojas moment occurs in their respective qualifying groups. You may remember that Rojas was the Chilean goalkeeper who cut and doused himself in blood during a World Cup qualifier against Brazil leading to the match being abandoned. A subsequent investigation by FIFA led to Chile being banned from World Cup '94.

The Finals have missed stars before, George Best and Johan Cruyff come to mind but the world has never been deprived of the two shinning faces of football on the biggest stage. UEFA boss, Michel Platini must be praying for a Champions League showdown between Barcelona and Real Madrid in May and a non-to subtle...take that Blatter!

Both Portugal and Argentina have three matches each left in which to climb out of this royal mess, a mess that would devastate both nations football psyche because this is seriously twitchy-bum-time in Lisbon and Buenos Aries.

Portugal look to have the tougher task and unless they can do a double on Hungary, even a play-off berth is nothing more than a pipe dream. Honestly though, who hires a number two to be a number one. Queiroz was out of his depth when coaching the New York Red Bulls, let a lone a team that is a perennial contender for the last eight, if not last four of major competitions. A man's got to know his limitations!

Argentina led by a man who has no limitations, Diego Maradona, at least have destiny firmly in their hands. They currently reside in 4^th, which will see them through to Africa however after getting shelled by Brazil, moral is shot. A trip to Paraguay before finishing up against neighbors, Uruguay means that the unthinkable could still happen. Maradona proves that once again being a great player doesn't mean beans when it comes to coaching. He is simply not up to the task of leading this team and it's to the shame of the Argentine Football Association that they went with a martyr instead of a footballing brain.

Back to the two players in question, Ronaldo and Messi - I think that it is vital to the advancement of football that they parade their skills on the big stage. In their absence all WC advertisements would have to come with a disclaimer - 'The World Cup Finals...bringing the planet's second best footballers to a screen near you' or 'Catch the best footballers in the world, they'll have their feet up in Lisbon and Buenos Aries!'

Obviously in their absence, two other players may take their shot at being acknowledged as the best but c'mon, this is the time where individuals stake their claim at immortal footballing greatness. Until you've conquered the world, you're just another good player.

Until then, I'll see you at the far post.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There are many times when a win is deserved win. There are many times when a win is fluky win. And there are times when a win is just a win. At Old Trafford on Saturday there was the kind of win that leaves you shaking your head and asking 'what just happened' - it just could be the kind of win that translates into yet another title!

Sure, hyperbole at its very best but even the most die-hard Manchester United fan would've have said the following after 59 minutes of a one-sided contest versus Arsenal, 'I'll take a point from this.' It wasn't robbery in the true sense, just a light pick pocketing but what is has done is paint over some nasty cracks that appear to be developing around the Red Devils. These cracks that Wayne Rooney and Co conveniently brushed over will eventually develop into some serious buyers remorse...trust me!

Let's be honest here - it's not easy to be critical after a win because the bottom line in professional sports is the sweet nectar of victory and at the end of the day, United did what was asked.... but c'mon!

I can hear the screams of outrage from Manchester - 'good teams find a way to win even when they are playing badly' is the old adage however there is a whiff of bad brie that's hit the super sweaty stage coming off this United team making even Arsene Wenger's nose twitch.

From top to bottom there are flaws and they are the same areas of concern that we saw during the Community Shield. Ben Foster looks terrified and apart from one save to deny Robin van Persie (yes, a very important save), he exudes the confidence of a Massimo Taibi (did I just type that out loud!). Wes Brown is suspect to anyone who has pace. Michael Carrick is one bad game from being transfer listed because of a behind the scenes tantrum and the $48 million man, Dimitar Berbatov...he can't even get 10+ minutes.

One can't help but wonder why SAF would leave out one of the most expensive strikers in the HISTORY of football for a 'B4' match - oh, that's right, Fergie has made a mistake and as usual, he can't admit it. Perhaps the sitter in the 94^th minute will convince you that the echo of Juan Sebastian Veron continues to reverberate around Old Trafford - 'what a waste of money' goes the song. I just wonder how long Wayne Rooney can carry the team for.

And to the losers go the spoils! Arsene Wenger and his Gunners will look at this match and wonder how they left Manchester empty handed. Other than the wobble when Manuel Almunia had the kind of blood rush that David James is famous for and Abou Diaby expertly fired into the WRONG net - Arsenal looked and felt like a side in control of the game. Please don't include the last ten-to-fifteen minutes when the Londoners were chasing the game and United were getting counter-attack opportunities in the overall scheme of things.

The Gunners dominated the best parts of this contest because of their midfield and one player in particular, Abou Diaby. He was a monster, a beast, a freak and if he wasn't a reincarnation of Patrick Vieira, I've got to lay off the mescal. That performance was epic in nature, quality and stature. I can't ever recall seeing two players booked for fouling the same player within a three second time span but that's what happened to Rooney and Brown as the Frenchman dragged to drag his team back into contention. This is a player that we must pay attention to in the future!

Wenger's post-match complaints about getting kicked off the park smacked of sour grapes but it is great to witness the beginnings of another Ferguson/Wenger feud - how we've missed them over the last few years. What it signifies is that Arsenal is perhaps closer to United than many would care to admit north of the Watford Gap.

Ultimately what this game said was that no matter how many eyes are trained on the same match, we can all see something different but a win will always be a win. On Super Saturday, United supporters saw the never-say-die character of their team. Arsenal fans were given a tantalizing glimpse of the promising future their club holds. The neutral fan saw a ridiculous game of Premiership football. I witnessed United struggling to find their identity in the post Cristiano Ronaldo era and I looked at an Arsenal still learning how to put the 'big' matches away - what did you see?

Until then, I'll see you at the far post.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The conservative pundit Rich Lowery once said this about ex-vice Presidential nominee, Sarah Palin - 'I'm sure I'm not the only male in America who, when Palin dropped her first wink, sat up a little straighter on the couch and said, "Hey, I think she just winked at me." And her smile. By the end, when she clearly knew she was doing well, it was so sparkling it was almost mesmerizing. It sent little starbursts through the screen and ricocheting around the living rooms of America. This is a quality that can't be learned; it's either something you have or you don't, and man, she's got it.' - Please now do the following and substitute Palin's name for Arsenal FC!

Over the course of the 18 Premier League opening days we have witnessed some stunning exhibitions but surely nothing can ever top what Arsene Wenger and his Gunners did to Everton. This was a display of raw intent that contained not only the dazzling teamwork we expect to see from Arsenal but a new look maturity. I know, I know its only one match but traditionally the North Londoners have been nothing short of excellent when the sun is out. Their record last season during the balmy days of Fall & Spring bare that out. Between August and the beginning of November there were only two loses while in April and May only the Chelsea debacle blotted their copy book. In other words, when the sun is out there is only one team to watch in England if you want to see the 'beautiful game'.

The 'beautiful game' we speak of belongs to Arsene Wenger and there is no doubt in my mind that while other managers think they may possess the 'beautiful game' very few have the guts to put it into practice. This vision the Frenchman has, has now become a high wire balancing act after four trophy-less seasons between money and style. "Other clubs have more money. At Arsenal we try to go a different way that, for me, is respectable. When you buy all the time, it becomes a trap. The team we have now gets there, and by that I mean it wins the championship. At 22 or 23 I think a team is mature enough to deliver, and this is a massively important year for our club. To talk of winning the league is an audacious statement, but I built this team, and I want to deliver with this team," he said this week and although I think we've heard it before, somehow this version rings of the truth.

I believe that this season could be the one to get that elusive silverware that has evaded them since the FA Cup in 2005. Two big egos have been moved out in the form of Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Adebayor freeing up space for the younger players to fully express themselves. With this new found maturity, Cesc Fabregas truly knows that this is his team - Robin van Persie truly feels that he is the number one striker - Andriy Arshavin will have a whole season of English football to dazzle - Eduardo, the purest goal scorer in the Premiership has recovered from injury - and Manuel Almunia wants to play for England. If all these ingredients fire consistently and the sun stays out, Arsenal will be the team to beat. This is England though and the sun doesn't stay out forever!

The knock on Arsenal is the lack of depth and the fact that they 'don't fancy it up 'em' on those brutal Northern winter nights. On the first matter the Arsenal board must convince Wenger that if he needs to spend, he has to spend. Buying Thomas Vermaelen is a step in the right direction and he mustn't be afraid to do the same again. On the second point they must find a way to turn those ugly draws into scrappy, grinding wins in the fashion of a Manchester United. Until they do the title will always be just out of reach.

 If you're an Arsenal fan you'll be hoping that parts of the first statement I made come true. What you'll not want though is the same outcome as Palin, who came on strong but faded dreadfully down the stretch. However if you're sitting up straighter in May, it'll be because of the medals hanging on your necks and the feeling of pride.

Until then, I'll see you at the far post.

 

 

 

 

 

I've looked at the tea leaves while fondling my crystal ball and with the knowledge that absolute certainty is on my side this is how the Barclays Premier League will finish on May 9^th.

20. Birmingham City:  With Alex McLeish already installed, as the bookies favorite to get the chop it isn't going to be pretty at St. Andrews. So much will depend on big summer signing, striker Christian Benitez -however 'there is a problem Houston' he'll miss the start of the campaign through injury. Who does this kind of business!

Key Man: Sebastian Larsson - he keeps them ticking over and occasionally comes up with wonder strikes.

Transfer Business:

In: Christian Benítez (Santos Laguna, £7.7m), Scott Dann (Coventry City, £3.5m), Joe Hart (Manchester City, loan), Lee Bowyer (West Ham United, free), Roger Johnson (Cardiff City, £5m), Barry Ferguson (Rangers, £1.5m), Giovanny Espinoza (Barcelona Sporting Club, free), Stephen Carr (unattached, free)

Out: Stephen Kelly (Fulham, free), Krystian Pearce (Peterborough, loan), Robin Shroot (Burton, loan), James McPike (Kettering, free), Michael McKerr (Oldham, free), Semih Aydilek (released

19. Portsmouth: This is a riches-to-rags story and I really feel for Pompey fans that are amongst the best in England. This club is getting ripped apart from within and losing your two best players isn't just careless, it's criminal. Unless new owner, Sulaiman Al Fahim starts spending money like Man City, the pre-season bust up with Marc Wilson and David Nuggent will look like a tea party.  

Key Man: David James - England's number one will be shattered by the end of the season but he'll be battle hardened for sure.

Transfer Business:

In: Steve Finnan (Espanyol, free), Aaron Mokoena, (Blackburn, free), Antti Niemi (free), Frederic Piquionne (Lyon, loan).

Out: Glen Johnson (Liverpool, £17.5m), Peter Crouch (Tottenham, £9m), Sean Davis (Bolton, free), Andrea Mbuyi-Mutombo (Standard Liège, free), Andre Blackman (Bristol City, free), Noe Pamarot (released), Jerome Thomas (released), Lauren (released), Djimi Traore (released), Glen Little (released).

18. Wolves: The early season fixture list is kind to Mick McCarthy and he must take advantage of this to get points in the bag much like Hull achieved last campaign.

Signing a proven Premiership goal scorer in Kevin Doyle is an excellent start but like all new clubs, squad depth will eventually catch up with them, spank them and eventually relegate them.

Key Man: Sylvan Ebanks-Blake - scoring goals for fun in the Championship is very different to the Premiership.

Transfer Business:

In: Ronald Zubar (Marseille, undisclosed), Greg Halford (Sunderland, undisclosed), Nenad Milijas (Red Star, £2.7m), Marcus Hahnemann (Reading, free), Andrew Surman (Southampton, £1.2m), Kevin Doyle (Reading, £6.5m), Michael Mancienne (Chelsea, loan)

17. Hull: From flirting with Scarlett Johansson to waking up with Susan Boyle, the Tigers started life in the penthouse and ended up all but homeless. Phil Brown will surely show more humility this season with his squad and the media, which I believe, will be the difference but only just. I'll be looking forward to Jozy Altidore lacing them up and having a go at Tim Howard and Brad Friedel.

Key Man: Michael Turner - defensively solid and a threat at set pieces

Transfer Business:

In: Steven Mouyokolo (Boulogne, undisclosed), Seyi Olofinjana (Stoke, £3m), Jozy Altidore (Villarreal, loan)

Out: Sam Ricketts (Bolton, undisclosed), Wayne Brown (Leicester, free), Matt Plummer (Darlington, free), Dean Windass (Darlington, free), James Bennett (Darlington, free), John Welsh (Tranmere, free), Ryan France (Sheffield United, free), Tom Woodhead (released

16. Burnley: Why the optimism for the Clarets? Its simple really - they score goals. Admittedly they'll concede a hatful but within the confines of Turf Moor they will play football. Owen Coyle is highly regarded in the coaching fraternity and how he manages a very small squad will either burnish his credentials or send them up in smoke. With the toughest fixture list to start to a season, they'll take anything they can get.

Key Man: Brian Jensen - Danish keeper who is part of the furniture at Turf Moor and will be the busiest player this season.

Transfer Business:

In: Tyrone Mears (Derby, £500,000), Steven Fletcher (Hibs, £3m), David Edgar (Newcastle, undisclosed), Richard Eckersely (Manchester Utd, undisclosed), Brian Easton (Hamilton, £350,000)

Out: Alan Mahon (Tranmere, free), Steve Jones (Walsall, free)

15. Wigan: Roberto Martinez is walking into a superb situation as the Latics remain largely intact after a decent campaign last season. Whether he can inspire them to the heights that Steve Bruce managed is another question and one I think he can't answer. In all honesty, its hard to love Wigan, I mean, they just don't do it for me.

Key Man: Mario Melchiot - almost a Premiership original. His experience will be the key between a roller coaster and relative safety.

Transfer Business:

In: Jordi Gomez (Espanyol £1.7m), Hendry Thomas (Olimpia), Jason Scotland (Swansea, £2m), James Mcarthy (Hamilton, £1.2m), Scott Sinclair (Chelsea, loan)

Out: Antonio Valencia (Man Utd, £16m)

14. Bolton Wanderers: I don't know if you know this but anything bad that happens in the world is Gary Megson's fault! Never has there been a manager so unloved however he does what he's paid to do...keep Bolton in the Premiership. Look, if you want entertainment, come around my place and watch my two-year-old kick it about, if you want BPL football, Megson is your man.

Key Man: Jussi Jaaskelainen - at times the Fin seems like a pin cushion with the amount of shots he takes however his reaction saves make him one of the best.

Transfer Business:

In: Zat Knight (Aston Villa, £4m), Sam Ricketts (Hull City, undisclosed), Sean Davis (Portsmouth, free), Paul Robinson (West Brom, loan)

Out: Blerim Dzemaili (Torino, undisclosed), James Sinclair (released), Robert Sissons (released), Nathan Woolfe (released)

13. Stoke: Everybody loves a Cinderella story especially when it arrives at 70mph courtesy of Rory Delap. In all fairness you can only use what you have but I can't but help feel that this fairytale still has some legs to it. Don't be surprised when this lot turns over one of the big four at the Britannia.

Key Man: Ricardo Fuller - chinning his captain has revitalized his career!

Transfer Business:

IN: Dean Whitehead (Sunderland, £3m)

OUT: Seyi Olofinjana (Hull, £3m)

12. Blackburn Rovers: Blackburn is the best value for money in the Premiership - I'm not talking football but ticket prices. Hey, when Sam Allardyce is the gaffer you don't expect to be entertained on a weekly basis but every once in a while they will serve up a tasty appetizer or two.

Key Man: Morten Gamst Pedersen - needs to recapture the form that made him one of the leagues hottest properties.

Transfer Business:

In: Lars Jacobsen (Everton, free), Steven N'Zonzi (Amiens, undisclosed), Gaël Givet (Marseille, £3.5m), Nikos Giannakopoulos (Asteras, £5,000), Elrio van Heerden (Bruges, free), Franco Di Santo (Chelsea, loan), Nikola Kalinic (Hajduk Split, £12m)

Out: Roque Santa Cruz (Manchester City, £17.5m), Matt Derbyshire (Olympiakos, £3m), Aaron Mokoena (Portsmouth, free), Dean Winnard (Accrington, free), Andreas Arestidou (Shrewsbury, free), Jamie Clarke (Lincoln, free), Tony Kane (Carlisle, free), Keith Treacy (Sheffield United, loan

11. Sunderland: Steve Bruce with a budget of sorts could be a different proposition than a skint SB at Wigan. After escaping the drop at the expense of neighbors Newcastle, the Black Cats have the spotlight to themselves. With the expected strike partnership of Darren Bent and Frazier Campbell duo intent on proving Mr. Redknapp completely wrong, the goals that were in short supply last campaign may begin to flow.

Key Man: Steed Malbranque - for my money one of the most under rated players in the Premiership.

Transfer Business:

In: Darren Bent (Tottenham Hotspur, £10m), Lorik Cana (Marseille, £5m), Fraizer Campbell (Manchester United, £3.5m), Paulo da Silva (Toluca, free).

Out: Michael Chopra (Cardiff, £4m), Dean Whitehead (Stoke City, £3m), Greg Halford (Wolves, £2m), Nick Colgan (Grimsby, free), Peter Hartley (Hartlepool, Free), Arnau Riera (released), David Connolly (released), Dwight Yorke (released), Darren Ward (released).

10. Fulham: Outside of the 'big boys', Fulham were one of the toughest nuts to crack and credit must go to Roy Hodgson. This under-rated tactical genius took the club from relegation fodder to Europe without the aid of a huge checkbook and he'll be looking to shock the football world again. I like the look of this team and hope that we'll see, Clint Dempsey push on this year.

Key Man: Brede Hangeland - a monster for the Cottagers who'll earn a huge money move, if he plays like he did last season.

Transfer Business:

In: Stephen Kelly (Birmingham, free), Bjorn Helge Riise (Lillestrom, undisclosed), Kagiso Dikgacoi (Golden Arrows, undisclosed - subject to work permit approval)

Out: Moritz Volz (released), Julian Gray (released), Troy Brown (Ipswich, free), Olivier Dacourt (Internazionale, end of loan

9. West Ham:  Consistency on-and-off the park will be the mantra that Gianfranco Zola preaches at Upton Park. The financial troubles that took center stage have taken a back seat recently allowing the Italian to concentrate on what he does best...create a team that plays attractive, flowing, Academy football

Key Man: Mark Noble - the production line of fine Hammer youngsters continues. Will the next stop be the England team?

Transfer Business:

In: Herita Illunga (Toulouse, £2.75m), Luis Jiménez (Internazionale, loan), Frank Nouble (Chelsea, tribunal), Fabio Daprelà (Grasshopper, undisclosed), Peter Kurucz (Ujpest, undisclosed), Jack Lampe (Harlow, undisclosed)

Out: Lee Bowyer (Birmingham City, free), Kyel Reid (Sheffield United, free), Joe Widdowson (Grimsby Town, free), Freddie Sears (Crystal Palace, loan), Diego Tristán, Walter López, Jimmy Walker, Tony Stokes, Lucas Neill (released)

8. Aston Villa: This could be the year that Martin O'Neill and his Villains go backwards. For sure Randy Lerner has been a model owner but with his wallet snapping shut I can't see this side improving. Yes, they're a year older and should be wiser but they've lost two massive influences in Gareth Barry and Martin Laursen - don't be surprised if O'Neill makes an exodus either.

Key Man: Gabby Agbonlahor - drifted away as the previous campaign moved into the later stages, he must find a way to stay fresh this season.

Transfer Business:

In: Stewart Downing (Middlesbrough, £12m).

Out: Gareth Barry (Manchester City, £12m), Stuart Taylor (Manchester City, free), Zat Knight (Bolton Wanderers, £5m), Martin Laursen (retired

7. Everton: The Peoples club will maintain their reputation as the hardest working team in England and that will be about it. David Moyes is finding it increasingly hard to attract top talent and with a budget that shrinks every season, he'll continue to bottom feed on scraps. The return of Mikel Arteta from injury will be like getting a new player but it's impossible to wrap a starting XI in cotton wool for 38 games.

Key Man: Tim Cahill - the biggest smallest man in the Premiership continues to improve and will be eyeing a major move if he keeps scoring big goals.

Transfer Business:

In: Jô (Manchester City, loan), Anton Peterlin (Ventura County Fusion, signed), Cody Arnoux (Carolina Dynamo, signed)

Out: Lars Jacobsen (Blackburn, free), Nuno Valente (released), Andy van der Meyde (released), John Paul Kissock (released), John Ruddy (Motherwell, loan)

6. Tottenham: They'll be no excuses this time around at White Hart Lane. They've got the manager they want, Harry Redknapp and he's got the players he wants, for now! If you look at the talent assembled in North London, a top four challenge must be a realistic expectation except that there is no sensible cover for the two most important pieces of fragile bone-china in the team, Jonathon Woodgate and Ledley King.

Key Man: Jonathon Woodgate - will be looking at the England squad knowing that if he stays fit he'll have a chance to go to South Africa.

Transfer Business:

In: Peter Crouch (Portsmouth, £9m); Sebastien Bassong (Newcastle United, £8m); Kyle Naughton (Sheff Utd, Undisclosed); Kyle Walker (Sheff Utd, Undisclosed).

Out: Darren Bent (Sunderland, £10m); Didier Zokora (Seville, £8.5m); Chris Gunter (Nottm Forest, £1.75m); Gilberto (Released); David Button (Crewe, Loan); Adel Taarabt (QPR, Loan); Ben Alnwick (Norwich, Loan); Troy Archibald-Henville (Exeter, Loan); Jacques Maghoma (Burton, Loan)

5. Man City: Money rarely buys happiness and when you marry that with a collection of egos the likes of which only Real Madrid could compete with, you have a recipe of disaster. Personally I don't see how Mark Hughes is going to create chemistry from this band of mercenaries but with the depth they now have, City will surely be there or there abouts when all is said and done.

Key Man: Stephen Ireland - can only improve surrounded by better players. He won't get lost in the shuffle.

Transfer Business:

In: Carlos Tevez (unattached, £25m), Emmanuel Adebayor (Arsenal, £25m), Roque Santa Cruz (Blackburn, £17m), Kolo Touré (Arsenal, £14m), Gareth Barry (Aston Villa, £12m), Stuart Taylor (Aston Villa, free).

Out: Elano (Galatasaray, undisclosed), Ched Evans (Sheff Utd, £3m), Daniel Sturridge (Chelsea, undisclosed), Jô (Everton, loan), Felipe Caicedo (Sporting Lisbon, loan), Joe Hart (Birmingham, loan), Shaleum Logan (Tranmere, loan), Darius Vassell (Ankaragucu, free), Dietmar Hamann (released), Michael Ball (released), Danny Mills (released), Richard Martin (released), Angelos Tsiaklis (released).

4. Arsenal: Despite all the young bright shinning stars, it feels like the end of an era at the Emirates. The Gunners can't or won't compete in the transfer market as crushing debt strangles the dreams of the Professor and the faithful. Not surprisingly Arsene Wenger was unhappy with certain sections of the home support last season as they vented their bile but unless he brings home silverware this campaign, that relationship will deteriorate even further hastening the great mans exit.

Key Man: Andriy Arshavin - showed that he is the real deal and with a full season ahead of him I believe he'll become the 'new' Ronaldo of the Premiership.

Transfer Business:

In: Thomas Vermaelen (Ajax, £10m).

Out: Emmanuel Adebayor (Manchester City, £25m); Kolo Touré (Manchester City, £14m); Abu Ogogo (Dagenham & Redbridge, Free); Rene Steer (Oldham Athletic, Free); Amaury Bischoff (Released); Rui Fonte (Released); Paul Rodgers (Released

3. Man Utd: Sir Alex Ferguson maybe the best manager in the world but losing the best player in the world is a massive hit. The pressure now falls squarely on the shoulders of Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov, two unlikely characters to lead United into a new era. I know writing off United is a recipe for disaster but there is a whiff of uncertainty surrounding them this year.

Key Man: Rio Ferdinand - Mr. Casual is the beating heart of this team and he must stay healthy.

Transfer Business:

In: Antonio Valencia (Wigan, £16m), Michael Owen (Newcastle, free), Gabriel Obertan (Bordeaux, undisclosed).

Out: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid, £80m), Fraizer Campbell (Sunderland, £3.5m), Carlos Tevez (contract expired), Manucho (Real Valladolid, undisclosed), Lee Martin (Ipswich, undisclosed), Richard Eckersley (Burnley, undisclosed), Rodrigo Possebon (Braga, loan).

2. Liverpool: To replace the finest passer of a ball in the Premiership (Xavi Alonso) with a player who is injured (Alberto Aquilani) is hardly a statement that will have you know who quaking! Like the previous two seasons, it's all about Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres and I don't believe you can sustain the challenge when you're so dependent on two players. If someone else is prepared to step up and except the pressure of 19 years, they'll need to demonstrate it early doors.

Key Man: Javier Mascherano - the Argentine is heavily involved in WC 2010 qualifying, how he recovers from trans-Atlantic flights may well define Liverpool's season.

Transfer Business:

In: Glen Johnson (Portsmouth, £18m), Alberto Aquilani (Roma, £20m)

Out: Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid, £30m) Alvaro Arbeloa (Real Madrid, £3.5m), Sebastien Leto (Panathinaikos, £1.3m), Paul Anderson (Nottingham Forest, £250,000), Sami Hyypia (Bayer Leverkusen, free), Jermaine Pennant (Espanyol, free), Jack Hobbs (Leicester, free), Astrit Ajdarevic (Leicester, free), Shane O'Connor (Ipswich, free), Ryan Flynn (Falkirk, loan), Dean Bouzanis (Wrexham, loan

1. Chelsea: Carlo Ancelotti has been bequeathed a gem of a club. This squad has not been disrupted, they are injury free, they have bags of experience and they want the Premiership title back. As long as the Italian doesn't get distracted by the cup with big ears, I can't see anyone stopping the Blues once they get up a head of steam.

Key Man: Frank Lampard - wants to be known as the finest midfielder in England and with the team surrounding him he'll never have a better chance to show it.

Transfer Business:

In: Daniel Sturridge (Manchester City, fee to be determined by a tribunal), Yuri Zhirkov (CSKA Moscow, £18m), Ross Turnbull (Middlesbrough, free)

Out: Franco Di Santo (Blackburn Rovers, loan), Jimmy Smith (Leyton Orient, free), Ben Sahar (Espanyol, £1m), Frank Nouble (West Ham, nominal), Ryan Bertrand (Reading, loan), Tom Taiwo (Carlisle, loan), Lee Sawyer (Southend, loan)

Until then, I'll see you at the far post.

 

One of the first things you are ever taught about football once you start playing competitive matches is to play to the whistle - it sounds pretty basic doesn't it. The referee blows his whistle to start play and blows again to stop play, if you don't hear it, well, guess what...keep playing except of course if you're Manchester United!

The annual curtain raiser at Wembley between Chelsea and United was exactly what I wanted to see - two very good teams, shaking off ring rust and going at one another in an effort to lay down the first marker of the campaign. Yes, its early doors but I think we learnt a number of things about the respective clubs.

Other than the glaring 'playing-to-the-whistle' which won't happen again this season if Sir Alex Ferguson has anything to do with it, United didn't have that extra punch in the post Cristiano Ronaldo era. Nani who had a few good moments looks like a cheap, lightweight replacement that still needs to evolve into a consistent Premiership performer.

The pace of the Red Devils was also a concern of mine whenever Dimitar Berbatov got hold of the ball. With Ronaldo they were a team of fliers however the Bulgarian constantly wanted to slow the game down to his speed and I don't believe that suits his teammates. Don't get me wrong, his touch on the ball is dreamy while his vision is almost clairvoyant but he screams a Juan Sebastian Veron purchase. It took far too long for SAF to swallow his pride with the Argentinean and there is a danger he'll do the same with this 30 million pound purchase. Of course, Berbatov could come good but at what price to the style of a team that has made its name with swashbuckling football.

I think we also saw the need for United to have a decent back-up goalkeeper as Ben Foster looked unsure of himself and his surroundings. Perhaps it was the watching eyes of England boss, Fabio Capello that had the youngster fluffing his lines however you'd certainly want to see more confidence on such a large stage.

The plus points for the current Premiership champions in my mind was the consistency and industry of Michael Carrick and Darren Fletcher along with the fire of Wayne Rooney in a rousing first half display which makes their disappearance in the 2^nd period all the more puzzling. So in conclusion plenty for SAF to ponder post match as he deflected any problems in his team in the general direction of referee, Chris Foy.

On the other side of the coin, Chelsea finally won a penalty shootout and over the course of the match it was a deserved victory. I really like the fact that new boss, Carlo Ancelotti had a 'plan b' after his side were outplayed in the opening stanza's. Introducing Jose Bosingwa was just the tactical change that was seemingly beyond Filipe Scolari last season.

On the other flank, Ashley Cole, who I'll admit to not being a fan of was largely excellent and if he can combine his attacking endeavors with more consistent defending, I'll be forced to revise my opinion. One player who I always think is quality is Ricardo Carvalho and the match sponsors agreed with that perspective by making him man-of-the-match. If his head is in London and not Milan, the Blues will have the best defensive four in the Premiership and they'll need it as the one concern has to be the continued inconsistency of Petr Cech. To let Nani's long range effort in was poor but to then turnaround and produce stunning back-to-back saves leaves me wondering how long Ancelotti will remain patient.

The character and bottle installed by Guus Hiddink still courses through the team and that was epitomized by Frank Lampard who not only took his goal superbly but stayed ice cool from twelve yards. I think that Lampard is going to have a massive year as he goes head-to-head with Steven Gerrard for the title of England's best attacking midfielder. Throw in a happy Didier Drogba and you have the makings of a team that I believe will once again challenge on all fronts.

In conclusion Manchester United and Chelsea served up a tasty appetizer before we get down to the real business of the Premiership and UEFA Champions League and in the process they sure whetted my whistle!

Until then, I'll see you at the far post.