Hello Aaran Ramsey And Chelsea Appoint ‘Big Phil’

Okay so it’s not official official in that Arsenal have yet to announce Aaran Ramsey’s arrival on the website. That however is because they wait until it is 100% done and dusted before unveiling him. Manchester United could take a leaf out of that book. They became the favorites after announcing on their website that they had agreed a fee for the player. But no, Ramsey chose Arsenal. Good man.

Seventeen year old Ramsey made his Cardiff debut on the final day of the 2006-07 season. The following season, that being the one that has just seen Man Utd been crowned European and Domestic Champions, saw more of a role for Ramsey who battled his way into the first team. He went on to make 22 appearences, an impressive figure even at Championship level for a player of his age.

I have not seen much of him myself but he is highly rated and I’m pleased to get one over United as ever. You can never have enough potential so no it doesn’t bother me that we have signed another kid. Five million’s a large sum by Wenger’s standards. That he is prepared to pay such an amount for a seventeen year old just shows the faith he has in what he can become.

Chelsea have replaced Avram Grant or Jose Mourinho rather given that Grant was always seemingly a tempoary manager until someone with more managerial credentials was found. The new man is ‘Big’ Phil Scolari, known for winning the World Cup in 2002 with Brazil, turning down the England job and punching an opposing player. Yes, he is said to have a bit of a temper. Despite an impressive international record, Scolari has yet to dip his toes into the art of European club management, which is interesting. It fits with talk that Roman Ambravavich wanted a disciplanarian in charge, someone who will take no shit from his players.

If you want my take on whether it is a good appointment or not I honestly don’t know. Hard to see him being as good as Mourinho.

The Euro has picked up a bit. Since Holland’s 3-0 victory over Italy Spain have beaten Russia 4-1, David Villa scoring a hattrick and demonstrating just what all the fuss is about. Fabregas scored the other and got an assist too and that was in a cameo role. Portugal, yesterday, beat the Czech’s 3-1 in a game which saw Cristiano Ronaldo open his Euro 2008 account. It was a decent goal actually. Portugal have now qualified for the next round of fixtures.

Today I’ll be watching Croatia V Germany, kick off at five on ITV. The game I’m looking forward to tomorrow is France V Holland. Being a Friday and all I might miss it though.

Barcelona have reportedly launched an eight million pound bid for Hleb. Eight million’s not good enough for me, not after the season he’s had. We need to at least make our money back and really should be looking to make a profit. Twelve million would not be a bad figure, providing he wants to go that is. Talk that we wanted Kolo’s brother Yaya as part of the deal to fill the void in defensive midfield left by Flamini but Barcelona don’t want to let him go. I don’t think we will accept eight million for Hleb.

Wenger has hinted new defenders are not neccessarily needed next season. Whether that means he couldn’t get who he wanted, is keeping his cards close to his chest or believes that our defensive issues can be solved in another area of the pitch (midfield?) I don’t know.

There is also talk that we might be in for Roque Santa Cruz if Adebayor departs for Milan. I personally don’t think it will happen, Adebayor’s move that is and if that’s the case, I doubt very much that a move for another striker will materialize. I rate Roque Santa Cruz though.

And that is all for today.