EPL, Premiership, English Premier League

After the victory against Wigan Saturday Scolari described how he was preparing to finalize the Chelsea squad. “Tomorrow when I am back at the club I will discuss these things. It is important [to be focused] before a game. Last week we only talked about Wigan but tomorrow I will talk about players. Tomorrow when I come into the club I will discuss this or that, who comes, who goes. First we finished the game. Now we get back to London and I start a new week.” What happens remains to be seen but we may see the departure of Shaun-Wright Phillips.

“If Deco is scoring goals or if Lampard is scoring goals is not important, what is important is if Chelsea win. Chelsea is more important than us. They are friends and if one scores the other players are happy. I read that Lampard, in the last two or three seasons, has scored 20 goals every year. This season maybe 25, but maybe 15 or 10. Maybe even five. It is not important [as long as] Chelsea win.”

Wigan’s manager Steve Bruce seemed disappointed by the 1-0 loss to Chelsea because he felt that they competed physically for the ball but were unable to technically dominate the game.

“When you play the top teams you have to have people ready and willing to do their jobs and run a million miles. My midfield four ran themselves to a standstill. You have to do that, you have to physically work harder then they do but we just lacked that little bit of quality. The set-piece delivery just wasn’t there. It was terrible and that is the one disappointment. In pre-season [Olivier] Kapo, [Jason] Koumas, and [Daniel] de Ridder have all delivered and our set-pieces are usually good. But here they were appalling and it didn’t matter who took them, because they all had a go. You need good dead-ball specialists and we have some good ones but they were a huge disappointment.”

In reference to Deco’s impressive performance Bruce joked: “Who is that lad by the way? Where has he been playing for the last couple of years? Seriously though, he oozes class and that is why he is at the very highest level. Chelsea had a bad day but there was one bit of brilliance from Deco.”

“Chelsea have agreed terms for Andriy Shevchenko to return to AC Milan. Details of the agreement will remain confidential.”

Ukranian Andriy Shevchenko is heading back to AC Milan. Luiz Felipe Scolari, the recently appointed Chelsea manager, has indicated that he had no plans to include Ukrainian striker Andriy Shevchenko in the starting line-up. Shevchenko has endured two miserable seasons at Chelsea since he was transferred from AC Milan. He was transferred while Jose Mourinho was still in charge.

Shevchenko was the second all time leading scorer for AC Milan. The 31 year old has won the Ballon D’or and is the 3rd highest scorer in European club competition; in 2004, he won the European Football Player of the Year. However, since he transferred to Stamford Bridge (Chelsea) he’s been struggling to perform and somehow has not clicked with the offense. In 2003 he was ranked third for FIFA World Player of the Year; by 2006 however, he was ranked 21st. Shevchenko began playing with the Dynamo Kiev under-14 team in 1990; he transferred to AC Milan in 1999 for €25 million and later transferred to Chelsea in 2006 for €30 million. He is AC Milan’s 2nd highest goalscorer with 127 goals out of 205 games.

He recently played during a pre-season match (Railways Cup) against Locomotiv Moscow; he came on as a substitute, missed the deciding penalty shot and Chelsea lost. His recent disappointing performance will only enforce Scolari’s decision to not play him: “I’m not thinking about giving Shevchenko a game.”

• In all competitions while at Chelsea, Shevchenko appeared in 106 games, and scored 28 goals with 12 assists.

• He appeared in 47 premier league games he scored 9 goals with 7 assists.

• Out of 15 Champions League games he scored 4 goals with 2 assists.

He will start again with AC Milan after his medical on Monday. Shevchenko was excited about returning saying “For me it’s like winning the Champions League. There were complications but now everything is resolved I’m really happy.”

While Milan wanted to loan Svhechenko Chelsea wanted a permanent transfer; this resulted in some early difficulties. Milan chief Adriano Galliani described the deal: “After a series of frenetic phone calls during the whole day, we reached an agreement with Chelsea. I have heard from Andriy about 48 times in the last three hours. Andriy made a mistake in leaving and I think after two years he has understood that this is his home. Now he has made economic sacrifices but at this point what counts is that he has come back to us. Tomorrow he will be in Milan, Monday he will undergo a medical and then sign a contract. We have managed to bring home a player who has scored the most goals in our shirt in the last 50 years.”

Torres began the season with an excellent start by scoring his first goal of the season in a 1-0 win over Sunderland. Defender Hyypia described the goal:
“It was a good finish from Fernando. I was just behind the shot and I could see exactly where it was going. It was a great strike and it gave the keeper no chance.”

After last seasons’ performance Torres can bask in confidence and a great chance to become the highest scoring player in the EPL. Especially since Ronaldo is injured and missing out on opportunities to score. Last season Torres scored 24 goals in EPL games and 6 in Champions League.

“None of us were surprised that Fernando scored in that way because we have seen him do it before in games and he also does it in training” said Hyypia. “It is great for us that we have that kind of player in our team, and he is right back in the groove.”

“Hopefully it won’t be my last opportunity but of course every year we have high hopes that we’ll be closer to the top. This year is the same. We have strengthened the team with good quality players in the summer and hopefully we will be stronger this season.”

Newcastle recently obtained Argentinian Coloccini (Check: Newcastle signs Argentinian Coloccini) as a central defender. He played in the first game of the season for Newcastle against Manchester United. Though United was wanting offensively with Ronaldo and Tevez out, it was sure to be a difficult game for Newcastle. Newcastle tied United 1-1 and proved that a solid defense could well repel the United attacks while they have a limited offense. “Yesterday [Sunday] was the first time they have played together and there are signs today that it could be quite a good partnership which may get even better” said Keegan (Newcastle manager).

“That could be our central defensive partnership for the next five years. They are both signed for that length of time, so now it is up to them. I have told Steven to watch and learn. I am sure he will because he has such a great attitude. He got a bad knock when we scored that would have seen a lot of players come off, but not Steven. If he does what we ask, he will make another step up and go from the Under-21s to where Coloccini is. The key is he wants to learn because some young players don’t.”

The increasing diversity between the Top 4 Clubs and the rest of the EPL can be easily seen in the City of Manchester.

Manchester United just procured a new lucrative deal with one of the largest cellular companies in the Middle East, Saudi Telecom. The deal was worth approximately €10 million over 5 years. It allows Saudi Telecom to utilize the United logo in marketing for Saudi Arabia. Mobile devices will also have the option of streaming live news, highlights, and goals. This deal is about as great as it gets for a club team: United gets paid money, lots of money, to advertise for Manchester United. What a great way to obtain new fans in locations which are not exposed to the EPL. United also signed a strong 13 year deal in 2000 with Nike worth €300 million, and a 4 year €56 million deal with AIG signed in 2006.

Manchester City on the other hand, just borrowed around €30 million in future TV contract revenues. Why? City owner Thaksin Shinawatra, a Thai billionaire, is now seeking asylum in the UK (see related articles on this site). City thought that they would have about €800 million in available revenues from Thaksin but all his assets have been frozen. City managers have seen the recent string of defeats for City (UEFA Cup loss against FC Midtjylland) and decided that they needed to beef up their team.
What is interesting is that the every year each EPL team receives €45 million from the 3 year Premier League deal with TV networks (the 3 years deal started in 2007/2008 season and was worth €2.7 billion for the entire Premier League). The club may have even borrowed up to €2 million from a former City chairman (John Wardle).

EPL club teams aren’t the only ones changing how their finances are working. Sky, the corporation which has a monopoly over Premier League TV subscriptions in the UK, has increased its costs for annual subscriptions to €15,000 resulting in over 20% of pubs dropping their memberships.

With about 2 weeks left in the transfer season the amount of money spent on players seems to be much lower than last year. Last year about €570 million was spent on players; as of now €300 million has been spent. This could be caused by the consistent increase in player salaries: during the 2004/2005 season clubs spent a total of €785 million, to €1 billion during the 2007/2008 season. Reportedly, near 75% of EPL teams are establishing benchmarks for some members of first string teams to make sure they play up to standards.

“I’m happy because my team play very well. To win the first game 4-0 is important but more important for me is my team looked well in the field and I think the Chelsea fans are the same. We still need more patience and to touch the ball more. We expect more goals but at 3-0 we need to change to keep the ball more.”

Scolari started the season off well with a 4-0 victory over Portsmouth. Goals were from Joe Cole (12), Nocolas Anelka (26), Frank Lampard (pen, 45) and Deco (89). Chelsea owned 70% of the possession throughout the game. Scolari was brought in to bring a different, more exciting, style of play to Stamford Bridge. Full backs Ashley Cole and Jose Bosingwa were used more actively in bringing the ball forward. As a result, the 5 midfielders were able to effectively dominate the midfield creating goal opportunities. Anelka, Ballack and Cole worked togeteher to score the first goal.Soon threrafter Lampard and Anelka threatened but James was able to save. But Anelka would not be denied the next opportunity which was set up by Bosingwa cross which Anelka headed in. He probably should have scored soon thereafter but the shot went wide. Cech was forced into a double save which prevented Portmouth from scoring when Kranjcar and Crouch threatened took consequtive shots. Unfortunately, right before half time Cole crossed the ball and Distin handed the ball inthe box, Lampard took and scored the penalty. Deco took a shot from 30 yards out in the 89th minute, it swerved into the top corner and concluded the match.

Lampard commented on the match saying, “We can build on that. The first half was as good as we can play. Having not won anything last year we go in (to this season) with a real determination and I think we showed that.” He also praised Deco’s abilities: “It was a brilliant start. It’s not easy to come to a different country and settle in as quickly as he has. His touch is fantastic and he’s obviously going to be a great signing for us.”

Deco seemed pretty pleased with the performance also: “I feel good, it was a great game. To start with a win is the important thing.”

Redknapp seemed convinced that once again no new teams would break through the Top Four to earn a spot in the Champions League. “You’re not going to break into the top four. No-one is this year. Spurs have got a squad and can’t even win at Middlesbrough, so you start forgetting about them. The top four are on another level. We’ve improved the standard of the squad in the last three or four years but, today, you step up into a different level.”
While any manager not in the Top Four is probably frustrated, Redknapp seemed to take the task with humor. He’s been linked with a possible move to West Ham. “I’ve had opportunities before and didn’t take them. I’m happy where I am. It’s not a case of the grass being greener. We’ll do better than that, for sure. We’ve got an easy game next Monday against Manchester United.”

Manchester City’s bid for Roque Santa Cruz has been rejected by Blackburn. The Paraguayuan International  scored 23 goals last season with the Rovers. He was signed by Rover’s manager Mark Hughes from Bayern Munchen for €3.5 million. Mark Hughes was then transferred to Manchester City after Sven-Goran Eriksson was fired. Reportedly he may have offered €12 million to lure Cruz to City. While managing for the Rovers, Hughes proved to be an astute judge of young players ability with several excellent acquisitions including David Bentley for about €500,000.

“A bid came in and it was immediately rejected. Manchester City officials have been advised that the player would not be for sale and we are very disappointed they have continued their interest.” Manchester City is having real problems with David Vassell, Benjani Mwaruwari, Valeri Bojinov, and Jo all out.

However he attempted to silence critics, “I think what the bid does show is that the club is in decent shape financially and that we were able to make a bid of that significance. Maybe the stories of the financial crisis flying around are not as substantiated as they should be.”

City have been expecting a huge influx of funds from owner Thaksin Shinawatra, unfortunately he is now seeking asylum in England after he was convicted of corruption in Thailand.

Derek Williams, an English comedian who looks very similar to Sven-Goran Eriksson (who was recently appointed as the Mexican national coach), sent fake documents to the Mexican football federation in advance of his arrival. When he arrived he met with Universidad Nacional’s coach Ricardo Ferretti and said he had come to watch players ahead of his selection of the Mexican National first squad team.

Mr.Ferretti said “To be honest I was quite amused. The fake Eriksson told me that he was watching my players ahead of his next call-ups, and I believed him.” The look-a-like was given a tour of the field with two beautiful women on each side; he later issued statements to journalists and took pictures with women.

Portugese International Deco was recently informed by Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola that he was not a part of Barcelona’s plans and he cold leave. Deco is Chelsea’s newest acquisition since they acquired Jose Bosingwa (and Scolari’s first move as the new Chelsea manager). “It is good for me to be here and first of all I am very happy to be here” said Deco.

“I am sure I have come at the right time to do great things and be able to help Chelsea go back to the way it was and come back to being the first one, not only in England but also to win the Champions League that has been their dream for so long.”

Deco left Porto in 2004; but before he did, he helped Porto win domestic league titles, the Champions League, and the UEFA Cup (under Jose Mourinho). With Barcelona he won a Champions League Title against Arsenal in 2006 and won 2 League Championships. Unfortunately, during the 2007/2008 season he was hampered by injuries and made only 14 starting appearances.

While questions could be raised about the signing (since Deco is 31 years old), I believe that with his record and consistency he will play well. The contract is for 2 years but may continued at that point. The signing also raises speculation about Frank Lampard who could leave Chelsea perhaps for Inter Milan.

“The Premier League is a great league and it is getting better and you can see that with the Champions League final, where you had two English teams.I t is great that we have so many great players here at Chelsea and it is great that there is the competition which is healthy for everybody and this just makes the team better. To have great players in any position of the club just enhances the club. I know it is a new challenge but I am looking forward to it.”

Luis Felipe Scolari has been named by Chelsea as the new manager to suceed Avram Grant. “Chelsea Football Club is delighted to confirm that Luiz Felipe Scolari will be the club’s new manager from July 1, 2008. Felipe has great qualities. He is one of the world’s top coaches with a record of success at country and club level, he gets the best out of a talented squad of players and his ambitions and expectations match ours. He was the outstanding choice. Out of respect for his current role as head coach of the Portuguese national team, and to ensure minimum disruption to this work, there will be no further comment from Chelsea FC nor from Felipe about his new role until his employment with us commences.”

Scolari is currently coaching the Portugese national team in the Euro Cup. While Avram Grant was in no way a bad coach I am sure that Scolari is an excellent choice and will bring a new style of play to Chelsea. Grant also appeared to be rather unexciting and unemotional. The Brazilian International coached the Brazilian national team and won the World Cup in 2002. He also guided Portugal to the Euro Cup finals in 2004 and the semi-finals of the 2006 World Cup. He also turned down the opportunity to coach England’s National team in 2006 after Sven-Goran Eriksson was fired. He has also won the Copa Libertadores (South American equivalent to the Champions League) with two different club teams. However, the 59 years old has never coached a European club team.

Chelsea’s keeper Peter Czech welcomed the appointment saying, “He is a manager with great charisma, great experience, great results. I look forward to working with him. For the club to progress further, I think it’s a wise appointment.”

Reportedly his contract will be worth €6 million, though no details have been revealed officially yet. The decision came less than a week after Scolari said, “What’s going to happen to me after Euro 2008 - if I am going to stay or leave - concerns (only) me and I am not going to talk about it now. If I decide to leave or stay, I am only going to make a public declaration at the end of Euro 2008.”

“I think it’s a top-class appointment. They have got a top-class manager. When he was manager of Brazil their emphasis was on attacking style - I think he will bring that into Chelsea football club.” said Ron Harris (former Chelsea player and legend).

Chelsea midfielder Ray Wilkins described Scolari as “A manager of top quality. It appears that he’s up for a challenge. He’s a big guy, he’s charismatic. This will be a breath of fresh air.”

Carvalho also supported the new manager saying “We were all shocked by the news. We heard the rumours but didn’t guess he would be going to Chelsea after the Euros,’ said the 30-year-old. He is a great manager and a big personality. He’s the kind of guy that players respond to and I think we can go forward with him.”

Fellow Portugese player Paulo Ferreira said “I think Scolari is a good manager and he can do a good job there and it will be good for the club.”