As far as strength in depth goes, England’s left hand side has not been particularly blessed. Hence from now until June, Capello will be on his knees begging the Lord to make Ashley Cole better - both physically, and as a human being.
Otherwise, he’ll be left with one of those horrible rock/hard place decisions when the World Cup comes around.
There will, of course, be much debate about the likes of Lescott, Milner, and even Barry stepping in to plug the Cole/Bridge shaped gap. But, really, it’s a two man battle - Villa’s Stephen Warnock against Everton’s Leighton Baines.
Between them, they have something like eight minutes of full England experience. Which one wouid you go for? Let us know with a vote and a comment.
Loathe him or hate him, Ashley Cole is going to be difficult to replace in the England team, should everyone’s worst fears come true during the build up to the World Cup.
Begging the question, who would YOU like to see stepping into his boots, and lining up alongside Terry, Ferdinand, and whoever it is that finally gets the nod on the right?
The latest transfer gossip, rumours and damned lies
Stephen Warnock to Aston Villa The Mirror say Sam Allardyce has handed Martin O’Neill “The Warnock Ultimatum”. It’s not a Robert Ludlum novel, but rather a 48-hour deadline to snap up the left back.
The Spoiler truth-o-meter: Balckburn want a little more than the £8m Villa are offering, but we think it will go through before Blackburn’s League Cup bout with Gillingham tomorrow.
Some sort of defender to Everton
After their thoroughly crappy start to the new campaign and the imminent loss of Joleon ‘bad attitude’ Lescott to Manchester City, The Toffees are looking at a number of options to strengthen their back line, say The Times. Bolton’s Gary Cahill and Boro’s David Wheater and Robert Huth are said to be in consideration, for no real reason other than that they have been linked with some other clubs over the summer.
The Spoiler truth-o-meter: Everton definitely need fresh blood, but landing
Proof that some of the best bargains can be found after Christmas
After yesterday’s worst January transfers XI, The Spoiler feels the need to show a little more positivity, without showing any more imagination. Hence, the bestJanuary window signings XI hath been declared. See what we did there?
David James (West Ham to Manchester City), 2004 - £2m
Calamity James wasn’t as good at City as he has been at Pompey, but Scott Carson (Leeds to Liverpool, 2005) was the only other suitable candidate. Despite profiting £2.5m on the latter, Carson only managed four league games for the Reds.
Patrice Evra (Monaco to Man Utd), 2006 - £5.5m
He wasn’t an instant hit at Old Trafford (he was subbed on his debut at half time in a 3-1 defeat to rivals Man City), but has since proved his worth. In his first full season at the club he became United’s first choice left-back ahead of Argentine Gabriel ‘why-won’t-you-let-me-go-to-arch-rivals-Liverpool’ Heinze, and has been a mainstay in a side that has won two consecutive league titles and a Champions League.
Nemanja Vidic (Spartak Moscow to Man Utd), 2006 - £7m
Vidic signed at the same time as Evra and endured a similarly disappointing start in
The latest gossip, rumours and damned lies from the world of football…
Andrei Arshavin to Real Madrid
Zenit boss Dick Advocaat claims Real Madrid boss Juande Ramos has been interested in his forward Arshavin for a long time, and would have been at Tottenham this season if the board didn’t kick up such a fuss about his price. Advocaat has also stated his belief that Arshavin would do well in Madrid.
The Spoiler Truth-o-meter: If Ramos can convince the Real Madrid money men that Arshavin can change their fortunes a deal is likely.
Amr Zaki to Chelsea
Chelsea boss Scolari needs more firepower in attack to compete
Whereas bit-part players like Wayne Bridge are being made to feel like superstars, Chelsea fans’ Player of the Year Joe Cole apparently doesn’t know where he stands with Luiz Felipe Scolari. Liverpool desperately need wingers and are thought to have expressed interest, although a transfer would appear highly unlikely, at least until that whole Gareth Barry kerfuffle is sorted out.
Stephen Warnock to Newcastle
Titus Bramble and Stephen Carr prove that Newcastle’s purchases of British defenders haven’t been too hot recently, but a move for Warnock could change all that. Warnock shone at Blackburn last season and received his first England cap this summer.
The Spoiler Truth-o-meter: Ince would rather avoid selling a regular this close to the season starting
Stephen Appiah to Portsmouth
Harry Redknapp looks likely to beat former club West Ham to the signature of the headline makers dream. Look out over the next few days for the tabloid headline: “Pompey couldn’t be Appiah about new signing”.
The Spoiler Truth-o-meter: Strong
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