Chelsea’s recent freebies haven’t had much success at the Bridge
Chelsea’s decision to bring in Ross Turnbull on a free transfer makes sense: they get to fill the squad place vacated last January by Carlo Cudicini on the cheap and if a year or two down the line they want to upgrade, he’s young enough for them to make a profit on him.
But is the former Middlesbrough keeper going to stay the duration of his four-year contract and prove a shrewd acquisition or will he be swiftly written of as a failure? Chelsea’s recent record at signing out-of-contract players suggest that the latter is more likely.
The last four players that the Blues have picked up for nothing - Steve Sidwell, Tal Ben Haim, Claudio Pizarro and Mineiro - started a combined 21 league
The latest transfer gossip, rumours and damned lies
Luis Fabiano to Manchester United
While Michael Owen stories have dominated today’s back pages, The Daily Mirror claim that Manchester United are offering Sevilla £16 million to try to beat AC Milan to the signing of Brazil striker Fabiano.
The Spoiler truth-o-meter: Fans probably wouldn’t be too happy to see Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez replaced solely by Antonio Valencia and Owen so it is plausible, especially considering the latter’s injury record, that Sir Alex Ferguson will want another attacking option.
Yuri Zhirkov to Chelsea
Chelsea completed their first summer signing last night, bringing in Middlesbrough’s reserve keeper Ross Turnbull - who conceded seven goals
The latest transfer gossip, rumours and damned lies
Maicon to Chelsea
According to Sportitalia’s transfer “expert” Alfredo Pedulla, the Brazilian’s move to Stamford Bridge is “very probable”. He adds:
“It will be the week of the interweaving with Chelsea. Inter should be led to accept by having Deco and Ricardo Carvalho added in the negotiation.”
The Spoiler truth-o-meter: Maicon can’t seem to make up his mind and we don’t see any reason to take this guy’s word as gospel. (In other words, we have no idea if this is true.)
Karim Benzema to Arsenal
Real Madrid have reportedly offered Lyon £27m for their prized striker and Manchester Utd have also registered an interest, but Professor Wenger believes the presence of French team-mates William Gallas, Bacary Sagna, Gael Clichy and Mikael Silvestre will tempt him to North London.
The Spoiler truth-o-meter: We can’t see Arsenal offering
The bookmakers expect the Blues to miss out on Carlos Tevez
This is a huge transfer window for Chelsea - their chance to build on a strong end to the season by bringing in players who can freshen up the squad and thrust them back into title contention - but it hasn’t gone to plan so far.
With Manchester United losing two of their “Fab Four”, the Blues have a real chance to close the gap but they have already been snubbed by Glen Johnson, while Ricardo Carvalho wants to leave and Michael Essien’s agent has made noises about his client moving to Spain.
Whereas a few weeks ago they were linked with Franck Ribery, Sergio Aguero and David Villa, this morning it’s Charlton youngster Jonjo Shelvey and Ross
Black Cats help Championship teams find new away ground
After years of living in the shadow of their Tyneside rivals, Sunderland fans have been putting their sign making skills to good use, by rubbing the downfall of Newcastle into the tear-stained faces of the Toon Army.
In a stunt that almost certainly comes from the pranksters behind Alan Shearer’s £1 shop, the highways of the north east have been adorned with some helpful directions to the largest Championship stadium in the country.
Even Middlesbrough were unable to escape the sharp wit of Sunderland’s finest sign artisans…
Another claret-and-blue team break Sheffield United’s hearts
Sheffield United chairman Kevin McCabe laughably claimed before the Championship play-off final that they would be a top-half Premier League side now were it not for only picking up 38 points in 2006-07 Carlos Tevez.
However, Burnley were the team who showed top-flight quality at Wembley and deservedly won with a brilliant 13th minute goal by Wade Elliott. Having beaten Fulham, Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham and West Brom this season and seen Sunderland and Hull stay up despite being dreadful, Owen Coyle should be confident that the Clarets can survive their first Premier League campaign.
Kevin Blackwell, as you would expect of a former assistant of Neil Warnock, struggled to be gracious in defeat and insinuated that Mike Dean’s performance
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