Just over two weeks and the real action kicks off. Once again you’ll be watching full bore football at the highest level.  No more suffering through bland friendlies with a lack of pace. The real stars will be back soon, no worries.

Is it the big wages that gear up the action or a secret drive inside? Will Mark Hughes know the answer at his new club Fulham? Surely he’ll relish a chance to take down Manchester City where he was shortchanged. With the possible addition of fellow Wales native Craig Bellamy, a jump in standings seems likely. Under Hughes the attacker has found the net six times in an eight month span.  Zamora, Dempsey, and Bellamy would be a fun trio to watch. If he doesn’t come in, look for Eddie Johnson and Diomansy Kamara to provide support.

The Red Devil’s have laid back with their summer signings. Only young talent has put on the crest so far. Javier Hernandez being the player I expect to have the biggest impact. Impressing in the World Cup and for former club Guadalajara should earn him some playing time. Might see a few injury time winners for the “little pea”. Other signings Smalling and Welbeck are unproven and could see limited big game action. One concern I have is their defensive depth. If they were to face any serious injuries it could cost them a top three finish. You’d think such a big club would make at least one formidable signing.  Fans will surely not be pleased if things remain the same.

Meanwhile City look to hit the jackpot with their numerous transfers. Eventually one signing will turn out to be a huge bargain. Mario Balotelli will probably be the next player added to the collection. Scoring nine goals in 1388 minutes at 19 is pure quality. He fits the mold for top villain at the club everyone loves to hate. With his fee it would put them over $75 million for their three disclosed signings. Now that Mourinho is gone though he may get  his chance to shine with Inter.

The transfer window ends August 31st so there is still time for hopeful fans. Plenty of great deals have been made so far. Birmingham have easily been the best negotiators, spending a total of $14 million on Foster and Zigic. While Wolves may have been forced to pay extra for Steven Fletcher at $7.8 million. His eight goals last season for Burnley might not be worth the fee. The next inflated contract may come for the German Mezut Ozil. However it’s likely he’ll retain his value even if he has a bad season in the EPL. It’s almost a freebie for the club that can name the right price.

 Feel free to comment on the player you’d like your club to sign.

The wait for the Premiership season continues

Chelsea captain John Terry (Zumapress)

With the World Cup coming to a close in exciting fashion it’s hard to look to the future. However spare your energy and let me get your EPL juices flowing. The 1053 goals scored last season is the highest in recent history. Will the trend continue? I believe so with players like Frank Lampard, Wayne Rooney, Jermain Defoe, Didier Drogba , and Darren Bent.

These are just a few of the stars climbing the all time scoring list led by Alan Shearer’s seemingly unreachable 260 goals. He racked up 148 of those with the newly promoted Newcastle United. Will they become an easy target for goals galore like Burnley or stun their opponents like Birmingham City? Other newcomers West Bromwich Albion and Blackpool will hope to continue their fine play and avoid relegation.

Charlie Adam features for Blackpool’s midfield and scored an impressive 18 goals in the championship. While Newcastle features English born Kevin Nolan in their midfield. A player racking up a respectable 17 goals in 44 appearances.

Will these Midfielders be a threat in their new turf? Or will it be a new striker that emerges for the World to enjoy. Either way it will be a pleasure to see some new clubs battle it out in the highly competitive league.

Transfer rumors are also flying which intensifies the hype around the upcoming season. With several big clubs already making moves there is no doubt your favorite side will have some new faces. Many will hope the additions aren’t at the cost of their beloved stars.

Liverpool have yet to release Torres or Gerrard but Benayoun has already been dealt. Manchester City meanwhile are shaking the pitch by bringing in stars Yaya Toure, David Silva, and Jerome Boateng.


Are two Toure’s better than one? We’ll surely see, but the big spenders will have to fight in order to advance higher on the table. Man. United are taking a different approach and producing some capital. Selling off Ben Foster and the unused Zoran Tosic seem like good moves.

How will newly added defender Chris Smalling fare? At the age of 20 playing for the Red Devils will be a pressure cooker. Arsenal meanwhile have laid back only signing Bordeaux striker Marouane Chamakh.

Seeing how the six foot striker transitions will surely be fun to watch. More moves are on the way in the EPL so stay tuned!

Simply Futbol wants to welcome Matt Mariconi to our team. He will be covering the Premiership for us as well as various other leagues around the  world.  You can also check him out on Twitter.

EPL 2010/11: What's to come?

Touré against Valladolid (Wikimedia)

If there is one downside to the Culé culture in the past is the way they have let some of their stars in the past. Cruyff, Rivaldo, Ronaldo, Stoichkov, Kluivert, Ronaldinho, Deco, and Samuel Eto'o just to name some stars of note. Also include Javier Saviola and Yaya Touré to that list. This has been one thing that has remained constant with Barca brass regardless of who was the president.

When there are players that are ready to make an exit through the back door, what better way to do so than by having a virtuoso performance. Week 38 came around and there were lots of doubts in the Barcelona midfield as Xavi was out due to suspension and Andrés Iniesta was injured. Pep Guardiola started Seydou Keita, Sergio Busquets, and Yaya Touré and people cringed because there was no one that was there in an exclusive creation role. Enter the former Olympiacos man; he showed everyone yet again why he was signed and Barca decided to keep him after his back surgery around this time two summers ago.

That doubt was clearly erased as soon as the Ivorian international started showing his skill with the ball at his feet. His assists to Lio Messi and Bojan Although he was not gliding like Iniesta or being as millimetric as Xavi, Touré has the combination of pace and ability that is a notch below very few others in the world. Yaya was the co-player of that match that handed Barcelona their 20th league title. Let's not get too carried away as they were playing a Valladolid side whose 15 minutes flickered away and their descent into the second division turned from probability to reality. His runs into the box and assists made the difference for the Blaugrana that night.

Touré departure could be bad news for Barcelona

The title race has again been thrown wide open by the events of another weekend, in what is becoming one of the most exciting run-ins for many seasons.

Having beaten Manchester United last weekend and apparently sown the whole shebang up, Chelsea’s hard-fought for four point cushion has been cut to one again, and again at the hands of an impressive Tottenham team.

Last week, Tottenham effectively ended their North London rivals Arsenal’s title bid, and this week White hart Lane proved an equally difficult place for the Blues to visit.

Celebrated for their classy attacking style, Spurs are beginning to discover a bit of a backbone, defending strongly and attacking quickly on the break, and appear to be relishing the contests against the big teams – Manchester United await.

Chelsea’s chief tormentor was Welsh international Gareth Bale, whose pace forced a penalty for Jermain Defoe and who scored the second himself. Frank Lampard scored a late consolation goal for the Blues. Their misery was compounded by a sending off for John Terry after a second yellow card. For Terry the season gets longer and longer, bearing in mind that he has so far this year been stripped of the England captaincy, failed to conceal news of an affair with a teammate’s partner, been caught in other nefarious business dealings by a newspaper “sting” and managed to run over a club security guard in his 4x4.

Another team who are reluctant to make the running is Arsenal. In the face of the turmoil at White Hart Lane, Arsene Wenger’s men found themselves in the position of being able to claw back three points on Chelsea by beating strugglers Wigan the day after. Two nil up with ten minutes to go and it seemed to be job done, until Wigan scored three times in eight minutes, including the by now obligatory comedy goalkeeping moment from the hapless Lucas Fabianski. A goalkeeper is surely top of the summer shopping list…

Meanwhile, champions United toughed out a tense Manchester derby and took the spoils with a Paul Scholes header in the 93rd minute. “Fergie Time” jokes and comments about the game not being over until the red-faced Scotsman sings are by now commonplace, but still United continue to clinch tight matches with last minute winners.

With the exception of Rooney, United are a shadow of their former selves but do appear to want (really want) to win this title, in spite of being second best to Chelsea for most of the campaign. Another league championship would be the record breaking 19th title which one suspects may be their driving force. In truth, they have at times seemed like a team playing by memory, but with the experience of Scholes, Giggs and Neville coming to the fore, and with Sir Alex still at the helm, what memories they have…

Related Articles

• BBC Soccer: Why Newcastle's promotion is good for the Premiership
  
• ESPN Soccernet: Essien to miss out the rest of season 
  
• Soccernet: Tosic happy to make Koln move permanent 

Does anyone really want to win the Premiership?

So this week saw the Premiership move from a three- to a two-horse race, as Arsene Wenger’s battered Arsenal team succumbed to a determined Tottenham side at White Hart Lane. It was the first time Tottenham had beaten their bitter North London rivals in 20 attempts, stretching back to 1999.

The win leaves Arsenal six points behind leaders Chelsea and five behind Manchester United, and even Wenger concedes that another campaign is to end fruitless. The three points also keep alive Spurs’ hopes of taking the fourth Champions League spot – they are now just a point behind big spending Manchester City.

Aside from the result, the night was chiefly memorable for a stunning opening goal from league debutant Danny Rose after ten minutes. The nineteen-year-old latched onto what looked like a good punch out by Arsenal keeper Almunia. He caught it perfectly, showing excellent technique and watched it whistle by the astonished Spanish goalie.

Arsenal toiled away for the rest of the half but lacked any edge to their play and straight after half time Spurs extended the lead with a second from Gareth Bale. Wenger threw on Theo Walcott and later Robin van Persie. The latter was returning from a five month lay off after an ankle injury and immediately forced three excellent reaction saves from Gomez in the Tottenham goal. Eventually Bentner pulled one back for the Gunners to leave seven edgy minutes for Spurs to hold out.

In the end, Spurs’ excellent defence and combative midfield saw them through to a deserved victory, and Arsenal were left to rue the absence of their main striker for over half the season.

Spurs now find themselves in the role of Kingmaker, as they travel to Chelsea on Saturday and later on to Old Trafford, in a crucial string of three games that will make or break their season.

In a cruel twist, Arsenal’s Champions League tormentors of the last two weeks, Barcelona, scored a similar, but even more outrageous, goal against Deportivo la Coruna on the very same evening. In a week when Arsenal had fallen some way short of the very best, the shadows of Barcelona seemed to be everywhere.

Andrew Arnold is the newest addition to the Simply Futbol team. He will talk Premiership with our readers. You can also follow him @sweeny99.

Season and title hopes end for dazed Arsenal

Lineups:

Manchester City: Given – Kompany, Kolo Toure, Wayne Bridge, Onuoha – Barry, De Jong, Bellamy, Johnson – Tevez and Adebayor

Manchester United: Van der Sar – Vidid, Evans, Evra, Neville – Schole, Fletcher, Gibson, Giggs – Valencia, Rooney

Both teams respected each other a bit too much, and it seemed like the game was just destined to finish goalless. But, in the last 17 seconds of the 3 additional minutes of ET, Paul Scholes broke the deadlock with a gasping header and gave United a victory, scoring his 149th goal with the United jersey.

After the match United head coach Sir Alex Ferguson made the following statement in regards to Paul Scholes: “I decided to put Scholes a bit further forward and it paid off. He was the man of the match today, he was wonderful, and he’s such a skilful player.”

He also added the fact that if they would have not won things could have complicated, speacially with a ten-man Chelsea being defeated by spurs. Chelsea has a one point lead now, instead of four.

Paul Scholes saves Manchester United in the derby

The buzz in the Mexican media is evident and if one were to read all the headlines coming out of the Aztec media there is a sense of pride in the transfer of Javier Hernández to Manchester United.

For many, he might not have needed the Mexican media machine or his position at Chivas to really make a leap of this level. He is sincerely that good and his potential became reality very quickly in his first two years fresh out of the Sacred Flock's youth system.

There was a certain buzz all throughout the Manchester United camp as they signed a player that will have the possibility of replacing Dimitar Berbatov.

He is doing what only two other players have done in the history of Aztec ball- play for one of the biggest clubs in the world.  This is an honor held only by Hugo Sánchez (Real Madrid) and Rafael Márquez (Barcelona).  We all know what paths they have etched in world football.   Many expect him to do great things in England; a place that has seen players like Jared Borgetti fail miserably with much lesser clubs.

His talent was overshadowed by injury as well as the emergence of Carlos Vela and Giovani Dos Santos in the 2005 U-17 World Cup. Hernández was present two years later at the U-20 held in Canada. For the Aztecs he was a welcome addition to the nucleus of the U-17 side that won it all in Peru. That was the first "Chicharito"sighting.

For many, Hernández will be more like Márquez and Sánchez than Borgetti or Cuahtémoc Blanco (Valladolid).  He is one of the few Mexican players to have, literally, all of the tools to be successful on the pitch.

So what type of player exactly did Alex Ferguson sign and what are these tools I am talking about?

First of all, "Chicharito" Hernández is explosive off the dribble. He can blow by defenders from all angles and come at you from different positions if need be. Coming from the right, Hernández will give that support to Wayne Rooney and open even more space for the Premiership's leading scorer- that's a scary thought.

He has the potential to give the Manchester attack a semblance on offense of a consistent threat since Berbatov has failed to do so. 

He creates space with his dribble.  "Chicharito"can changed directions at the drop of a dime.  He can turn a tiny crease in the defense into a gaping hole with just one cutback.   He will be a huge beneficiary of the tough marking that Wayne Rooney endures to make a name for himself, and then feed Rooney after defenses adjust to him.

He is one of those players that plays for his team and that is something that can pay dividends.

"(Chicharito) has great human qualities and is a very good footballer as well."- Chivas coach José Luis Real

Physically, although he seems fragile, he has a low center of gravity which allows his to remain on his feet. This will neutralize the Premiership defenders that will try to out-body him. He has enough smarts 

He is very effective in the air as he can attack the ball. So if there are any taller defenders underestimating "Chicharito", they could be in for a big surprise.

Most importantly, they are getting a player that has the game in his DNA. His grandfather and father have fed him the game since he was in the womb and that does say a great deal. He will adapt well as his close circle has helped him remain focused in his young career.

This influence reflectos on the pitch in the way he carries himself.  Respectful, hard worker, but most of all... hungry for success.  

Accolades have come his way since he has stolen the spotlight in Mexico:

"A potent version of Hugo Sánchez... but without the prepotence."

"A good version of Borja"

"An improved Luis García"

For some those names might mean little, but to his game it is a roadmap that could guide him to success in a league that is as competitive as the Premiership.

Some might not think that is important, but it is. Having a grandfather that played in the 1954 World Cup as well as a father that played in 1986, that is enough help to help him overcome anything that Manchester can throw his way.

If United are patient with Hernández, like that have been with other talented youngsters that have stepped foot onto the Theatre of Dreams, they could witness a player that will accustom fans to be shocked. Of course, there will be a period of adaptation that he will have to endure, but if you know anything about this kid is that he is as mentally strong as they get.

For those of you who might doubt him taking the pressure of the expectations, well one thing is for sure... he handled the Mexican media quite well. Let's be honest the press there pick fights and try to chum the waters as good as any English reporter out there.

Still he was able to succeed and even excel in his humble and respectful ways. The media have actually become his best ally based on his merits on the pitch.

For Manchester fans this could be a refreshing site as he brings a sense of humility to the game. And that could be the first step in enamoring a group of fickle fans.

Manchester have Hernández... so what do they have?

June signifies the end of the busiest part of the football season, we at Mad About Fútbol would like to salute & list some of the newly crowned champions from recently ended tournaments. Congratulations to you that support these great clubs.

DOMESTIC LEAGUES

FRENCH LIGUE 1
Football Club des Girondins de Bordeaux

ENGLAND PREMIERSHIP
Manchester United Football Club

ITALIAN SERIE A
Football Club Internazionale Milano

SPANISH LA LIGA
Futbol Club Barcelona

GERMAN BUNDESLIGA
Verein für Leibesübungen Wolfsburg-Fußball GmbH

DUTCH EREDIVISIE
Alkmaar Zaanstreek

SCOTLAND PREMIER LEAGUE
Rangers Football Club

PORTUGUESE LIGA
Futebol Clube do Porto

TURKISH SUPER LIG
Beşiktaş Jimnastik Kulübü

GREEK SUPER LEAGUE
Olympiacos F.C.

MEXICAN TORNEO CLAUSURA
Club Universidad Nacional Pumas

INTERNATIONAL CLUB TOURNAMENTS

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Futbol Club Barcelona (ESP)

UEFA CUP
FC Shakhtar Donetsk (UKR)

UEFA SUPER CUP
Football Club Zenit Saint Petersburg (RUS)

CONCACAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Atlante Fútbol Club (MEX)

CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Al-Ahly Sporting Club (EGY)

AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Gamba Osaka (JPN)

COPA LIBERTADORES
Liga Deportiva Universitaria de Quito (ECU)

COPA SUDAMERICANA
Sport Club Internacional (BRA)

RECOPA SUDAMERICANA
Club Atlético Boca Juniors (ARG)

FIFA CLUB WORLD CUP
Manchester United Football Club (ENG)

While the summer isnt the busiest time of the footballing calendar its still loaded with action from MLS, Brazilian Championship, World Cup Qualifiers, Copa Libertadores, Confederations Cup, CONCACAF Gold Cup and some exciting local tournaments from some of the lesser known footballing nations. Keep logging on to Mad About Fútbol to get latest info.

Roll Call Of Champions: 2008-09

Ladies & Gentlemen, Welcome To Mad About Fútbol's new look site. It looks better and contains everything you still love about MAF, we hope you enjoy and continue to visit the site. As for the business at hand of naming a Team Of The Week. It was an eventful week once again in world football with international club tournaments raging on and domestic champions becoming clearer. The TOW played matches and/or made headlines during the calendar week of April 13-19. The winner is:

CHELSEA FOOTBALL CLUB (ENG)

The team also known as The Blues had an amazing week of fine results that would be envied by any club in Europe. Chelsea held off a gritty Liverpool team on Tuesday the 14th in the 2nd leg of their Champions League quarterfinal clash. It was a 4-4 classic with Frank Lampard's 2 late goals sealing Chelsea's place in the semis against Barcelona.

On the Saturday the 18th, Chelsea had to face a red-hot Arsenal squad in the FA Cup semis. The Gunners had also advanced to the Champions League semis & came in riding an amazing 18-game unbeaten streak in the English Premiership. The Blues were not intimidated and defeated Arsenal 2-1 as Didier Drogba continued to display his clutch goal scoring prowess with the game winner in the 84th minute. Chelsea will now face Everton in the FA Cup final.

Two massive cup wins in the span of 4 days, that's what the TOW is all about. Therefore, Chelsea Football Club is the Mad About Fútbol Team Of The Week.

2nd Place: Boyacá Chicó FC (COL)

The team from Tunja defeated Aurora 2-1 in a Group 7 Copa Libertadores match on Thursday the 16th and then defeated Millionarios on the road 1-0 in Colombian Copa Mustang I tournament on Sunday the 19th.

3rd Place: Sport Club Corinthians Paulista (BRA)

On Sunday the 19th, O Timão advanced to final of the Paulista State Championship by defeating Sao Paulo 4-1 on aggregate. In the 2nd leg, former Milan & Real Madrid striker Ronaldo set up the first goal and scored the 2nd to give Corinthians a 2-0 2nd leg win and secure their place in the 2009 Paulistão final versus Santos.

MAF Team Of The Week #8: April 13 - 19