Here We Go Again: A Summer of Comings and Goings in England

So, Manchester United win the league for the third time in a row. Barcelona win the Champions League for the third time in their history. Louis Saha scores the fastest goal in FA Cup history, but Chelsea still take the trophy home.

Now all that is left to do is allow ourselves to become enraptured in the transfer window, with our stars engaging in enthralling moves being played out in front of an adoring public.

Or something like that anyway.

I've got a strange feeling that what we're actually set for is one of the most tedious exhibitions in hyperbole and anti-climax that sport in Britain can deliver. The only thing that's worse is the fact that this year will be exactly the same as last year...Exactly the same.

Example One

Cristiano Ronaldo - Real Madrid

Will he go? Who knows? Furthermore, I'm not sure that many people care. United fans this season have grown weary of his petulance on the pitch. While no-one, not even the most hardened Man City or Liverpool fan can deny the man's immeasurable talent, few can admire his more questionable moments on the pitch.

Fulham away, when he lost the ball there was a moment of despair from the winger, throwing his arms in the air. Then you compare it to the Porto game in the Champions League and arguably the best strike of the competition.

Rumours that Frank Ribery is being lined up suggest United are willing to part with Ronaldo, and why not? They will get an absolutely insane amount of money for Ronaldo, and in return get Frank Ribery, and probably have enough cash left over to be able to resurrect Woolworths and keep Carlos Tevez, actually, speaking of Tevez...

Example One (b)

Carlos Tevez - Somewhere other than Man Utd

This one will run and run, because there is no-one showing an immediate interest. It really depends on what website you're on, which country you live in and what paper you read. The reason for this is the fact that Tevez is an incredibly good player. He's well-rounded, and has got boundless energy.

If Utd allow him to leave, and he moves to either Liverpool or Man City (Who are the two who could really use him at the moment), there will be more than a little disquiet on the red half of Manchester. However, the reason this will run and run is down to one man: Kia Joorabchian.

The asking price is high, and the uncertainty about the contract and ownership is as confusing as it is obscene. Cue the inevitable last day "drama", when these two both end up staying at Manchester United.

Example Two 

Gareth Barry - Liverpool and Xabi Alonso - Juventus, Real Madrid, Arsenal

Firstly, if Liverpool sell Xabi Alonso, it would be a huge mistake. For me, Liverpool's stand out player of the season, and one of the best passers of the ball in Europe. There is a reason he is being courted by the big clubs in Europe. Benitez, in trying to acquire Barry, has left the door open for Alonso to question his place in Liverpool's first team.

I fully expect Gareth Barry to leave Aston Villa, as he must crave Champions League football, but if Liverpool were to offload Alonso and bring in Barry, all they would succeed in doing is replacing Alonso with a replica.

They play very similar styles of football in similar ways, and the only difference is Alonso's passing is superior, and Barry is a much more versatile midfielder.

When Liverpool are up against an attacking side, Alonso gives them an outlet. He can pick the ball up and then spread the play to the front line with ease and efficiency, whereas Barry plays slightly more conservatively. This will be a mirror of last year; however, I suspect that Benitez may get his wish this year, and Alonso going to either Arsenal or Madrid.

Example Three

Every player on the shortlist of 'world player of the year' - Man City

It'll happen, don't worry, Man City will make a healthy number of signings in the summer. It won't be Kaka, Villa, Messi, and Terry, built about four of five players from Newcastle. Probably all on the last day of the season.

The problem with Man City is the reluctance to build and grow. Mourinho made it work at Chelsea because he's an excellent coach, and they had an impressive squad before the money came in, Man City doesn’t yet have that. They have some excellent players, mainly Stephen Ireland, but not enough to justify wanting to go there if you are some of the players mentioned earlier.

There will still be headlines linking them to everyone you can think of, but nothing will surface. Players they should be looking at are the good players around Europe who are looking to move, for whatever reason, and if I were Mark Hughes, Gareth Barry would be top of the list with Tevez.

Both are viable targets, and Man City has got the cash to bring them in. Add into that some quality players in defence, and City will be there next year. But the motto should be 'sensible signings', but while it's 'sensational signings', they are not going to be able to hold a sustained challenge.

So there it is, just three examples of why the transfer window in England will be a carbon-copy of last year. There are more...Lots more and they will all get played and replayed until 31st August. You never know, a year from now, I might even just copy and paste the article again.

Mike Bowers - 31st May 2008