World Football Daily

On the weekend i took advantage of Setanta acquiring rights to the Russian Premier League to catch the Moscow derby between CSKA and Lokomotiv. CSKA Moscow are most notable for their 2005 UEFA cup triumph and connections to Chelsea football club through their main sponsor Sibneft who is owned by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich. The ever increasing profile of Russian Premier League (now ranked 6th in UEFA’s coefficients behind the PL, La Liga, Serie A, Ligue Un and the Bundesliga) gives thanks the ability of their clubs to offer some of the best exports from Brazil (and around the world) both lucrative contracts and an avenue to the traditional big three leagues. CSKA Moscow are part of the trend setting with four Brazilians on their books; the amorously named  Vagner Love, 2005 Russian footballer of the year Daniel Cavalho, highly rated 20 year old midfielder Ramon and the relatively unknown Ricardo Jesus.

For the Moscow derby stuttering CSKA (an indifferent start under Zico in the league and knocked out of the Uefa Cup by Shaktar Donetsk) were without playmaker Cavalho fresh from a spell back in Brazil and league top scorer Vagner Love. However they were not without attacking quality with Euro 2008 star Yuri Zhirkov (who is mainly deployed on the left wing for CSKA), wonder kid Alan Dzagoev and Serbian winger Milos Krasic all starting in an increasingly common 4-2-3-1 formation. Of the three it was Russian prodigy Alan Dzagoev who shone the brightest adding to his ever increasing reputation. He gave CSKA the lead with a pin point free kick and demonstrated Cahill-esque timing, bursting into the box to get on the end of a Krasic cross to complete his brace before being substitute to applause. A class professional Alan Dzagoev has extraordinary potential to go with his tireless effort on match day and when training. At 18 he can dribble, can run (clocked most kms of the CSKA players including Yuri Zhirkov), takes a good set piece, is deceptively good the air and times his forward forays impeccably.

With attacking midfielders Michael Ballack (similar to other ageing attacking midfielders e.g. Scholes is becoming a pseudo-DM) and Deco on the decline, Chelsea incidentally Dzagoev’s favourite club could well be his future destination.

1. On Rafa putting pen to paper and the Real Madrid rumours?
Rafa the ranter has signed an extension with Liverpool theoretically securing his future at Liverpool for another five years. This puts the rumours linking him with a move away at least dormant for another a season (well maybe six months). In any case I want to take a look at some of the issues surrounding the Rafa to Real rumours.

For some the reasons linking him to Real Madrid are obvious; He’s Spanish a Madrista no less and of course a champion’s league winner. For others though the internal bickering over club control at Liverpool makes the association with Real Madrid (whose structure puts even less power in the manager’s hand) seem implausible. Though that point can be appeased by reiterating that Real Madrid remain an institution revered throughout the footballing world; few managers and players can resist when Real Madrid come calling, the galatico era case in point. I think it’s also important to discuss Real Madrid’s personal affinity to one Mr. Benitez. (Borrowing from Sid Lowe) Rafael Benitez Maudes was born in Madrid, grew up in Madrid and was schooled in Madrid. He also played for and coached Castilla, the Real Madrid reserve team. All good and not so good things come to end, so how did Benitez’s 15 year association with Real Madrid end? Well, over a disagreement with then senior team manager Jorge Valdano. The club sided with their Argentine manager and Benitez spoted the exit and left through it. The internal board politics would become a familiar theme throughout Benitez’s managerial career. (more…)

Fabulous Fabio

This is Italian and Udinese forward Fabio Quagliarella. Serie A fans will know the 26 year old as the forward that ONLY knows how to score the spectacular. This outrageous strike against Napoli displays both technique and athleticism at the highest level. Be sure to check out Quagliarella’s numerous sensational strikes for club and country.

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Club Transfer Review: Real Madrid
Media Prediction: 1st to 2nd
32 points (3rd) GF 35 (4th) GA 26 (7th) Points
January Ins/Outs
Lassana Diarra 20m euros
Klass Jan Huntelaar 20m euros

Analysis (see transfer ins/outs below)
The current Real Madrid tag team of Ramon Calderon and Predrag Mijatovi? perhaps rival everyone’s favourite English Football Association for their ineptitude in decision making. The consequences once again can be seen through Real Madrid’s on-field performance.  There have been countless instances where the management have overpromised and under delivered; the transfer window being a key example. It has been clear for two or three seasons which areas Real Madrid need improvement yet the signings have consistently failed to represent the needs of Europe’s most successful club.
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