Musical Clubs: The Transfer Market Winners and Losers of 2006

Until Lucky Luciano Moggi got pinched talking dirty on the phone to the referess, many of the transfers resulting from the Italian job were unimaginable just six months ago. But in the 40 days and 40 nights since the announcement of the scandal verdicts, we have been and will be treated to one of the most surreal transfer seasons in recent memory.

Van Nistelrooy to Real Madrid

Undoubtedly the most notable transfer of the season is Ruud van Nistelrooy to Real Madrid. There is no doubting the quality of a striker, who has, in 5 short years with United, scored 3 goals in 4 games on average, but all good things must come to an end, and this one is (finally) over.

With service from Beckham and loads of possession to keep the chances coming, this is a good move for the player, whose untouchable status at United dissipated like a Dutch fog towards the end of last season. Highly motivated to prove his worth, and in need of performances to impress a stern boss, Ruud will have everything to play for, including Euro2008, and it’s likely that Capello will find it as difficult as Ferguson not to play him.

Showing incomprehensible dedication to Ibrahimovic, who gives the ball away as often as he keeps it, the harsh exterior of the man at the helm of Real belies a keen sense of pragmatism, and nobody can ignore the Dutchman’s scoring rate and obvious synergy with the qualities of David Beckham, who will likely stay put under Capello, on the right to serve his signature balls into the area. Now he won’t have to aim for a gap between two enormous teeth (Ronaldo), or a midget whose nose is longer than his legs (Raul).

For United, the loss of van Nistelrooy will be difficult, given the sporadic scoring of their current strike force (including Rooney) and no comparable replacement in sight. Look for United to struggle early on as they come to terms with the absence of an average 30+ goals per season from one of the most selfish players in the world.

Sheva and Ballack to Chelski

I’ve always wondered how long Frankie “Four Fingers” Lampard can go on scoring 20 goals a season for the Blues, and now I know that Mourinho has wondered the same. At 30 million pounds, Andriy Shevchenko is worth every penny, and has given Chelski the chance to win the Champions League as well as repeat as EPL winner the third year on the trot. While Drogba is a blunt instrument, Shevchenko can give Chelski the clinical finishing they need to win tight matches they’ll surely have in Europe and the EPL, and can there be any better option for a single center forward strike force than Sheva receiving crosses from Robben and Cole? For the club it’s a big win.

It’s hard to imagine that Sheva could have it better at Chelski than at Milan, but the 3 million he pocketed from the transfer will do his bank account no harm. From a footballing perspective, he’ll have just as much possession and service as he had at Milan, and there’s no better scorer in European competition. Strong, fast and relentless, he’ll have no problems adjusting to the Premiership – really there’s no downside for him either.

In Ballack, there’s no better passer in the world, and his age and form make him a great pickup for Chelski both domestically and in Europe, where his goal scoring could add to a paltry total from Lampard on that stage. The style of play and professionalism is similar to what he had at Bayern, and he is unlikely to have any problems adjusting to the style in England. However, there is a small question of a partnership with Lampard – I see Lampard being just as selfish as he was with England. Never seeing a shot he doesn’t like, Lamps is likely to clash with Ballack tactically, and that could make things hard for Ballack. Not to mention how they’re going to fit him in a center midfield with Essien and Makelele – who may find himself at stopper to make room.

For Chelski, it’s a brilliant move – tactically and in terms of what he brings to the team, Ballack is a perfect fit. Tight defenses in the EPL will put a premium on the quality of long pass to the wings, a Ballack specialty. Any injuries to Essien, Makelele or Lampard could see him becoming very prominent very soon. Question: will Mourninho be able to drop Lamps if he still playing as poorly as he did in the WC? I have no doubts, but for this transfer it’s the only question mark as any team in the world would love to have him.

Juventus Exodus

So far they’ve lost Cannavaro and Emerson to Real, Thuram and Zambrotta to Barcelona and Vieira to Inter, with Ibrahimovic and Trezeguet likely to follow. Frankly, I’d be surprised – no shocked – if they made it back to the Serie A next season with a 17 point penalty. Cannavaro and Emerson give Madrid the one thing they’ve lacked since the departure of Makelele: steel in the spine of the team. It remains to be seen how long Emerson will last with injuries, but Cannavaro is a no-brainer for Real.

Zambrotta may be the best right back in the world, so for Barcelona to be able to replace the likes of Belleti and Oleguer with a World Cup winner like him, is brilliant. The Thuram question is a little trickier – the Spanish game is a little faster than Italy, and while his pace has dropped off, at the World Cup he had Gallas at his side as a minder, and did pretty well on his own. Who will he displace in the center of defense: Puyol or Marquez? Tactically there’s no question that Puyol should take a long walk off of a short plank, but it’s hard to see Riijkaard dumping his captain. Look for Thurman to share time with Marquez until a Puyol injury makes the decision for him and then the proper combination will emerge of its own momentum.

Vieira to Inter is interesting – Cambiasso should make sure his parka still fits, because there’s no way you can play him before Vieira, but Inter have an amazing knack for getting it all wrong when it counts. Interestingly, midfield is probably where Inter are weakest, and his arrival could give them their second scudetto in 2 years – maybe this time they’ll be able to celebrate it. BTW – do you think there’ll be any fireworks between Vieira and Materazzi (the animal) in training? You better believe it.

Carrick (not) the New Keane

At first glance the 14 million pound transfer seems on the high side, but consider a few things: he’s 25 years old, his tepid performance at the World Cup lacked bite, but not quality, remember the premium Man U pays on all major transfers, and Ryan Giggs, a converted winger, probably wouldn’t make the first 11 as a center midfielder on any of the other top 5 teams in the EPL. As such, the price for Carrick makes a lot more sense. Clearly the weakest link at United is the center of midfield, and they will need a steady production of quality passes (where Giggs is more adventurous than needed in that position by nature) to spring their strikers and wingers. Let’s not forget that with Scholes and Giggs past 30, this is a move as much for the future as it is for the coming season.

Carrick wins big both financially and professionally. Reportedly bagging a 50,000 pound a week salary, he’ll make just a bit less than Roy Keane did before he moved to Celtic. Truth be known, Carrick is one of the best kept secrets in English football, with only Tottenham fans truly recognizing his talent. It may be the spring board Carrick needs to finally be considered for a place in the England midfield, something he was rarely afforded in the reputation-laden Eriksson era.

The key will be how quickly he can gain an understanding with Scholes and Giggs, as they will certainly take up a majority of the play through midfield. If Carrick can add some steel to his game, with hard tackling and tracking a desperate need for United with the departure of Roy Keane, he may very well turn out to be the best transfer of the EPL, and given that he’s likely to be the only big transfer for United, he will need to be.

Ruthless Rafa

The rap on Benitez is his penchant for buying cheap from the markets he knows. And with the majority of his signings coming either from the EPL, or La Liga, that assessment isn’t far from the truth. But if nothing else, Benitez is ruthless. In the two years he’s been at the helm of the would-be title contenders, Benitez has signed and dumped Morientes, Pellegrino, Nunez and Josemi. All highly praised upon arrival from Spain.

Nobody would dispute the wisdom of those decisions, which demonstrates a double edged-sword – he may not get it right, but when he gets it wrong he’s not afraid to admit it. Add to the list the litany of Gerrard Houllier’s sloppy seconds, and Benitez has given the chop to more people than the French revolution. Gone are Owen, Baros, Cisse, Diao, Cheyrou, Kirkland, Le Tallec, Sinama-Pongolle, Vignal, Biscan, Whitbread and Mellor. This list is by no means complete, but gives you an idea of how willing he is to bury players while they’re still (professionally) breathing, although the Owen decision was out of his hands. What isn’t so well known is his willingness to buy British talent. With Fowler, Crouch, Bellamy and Pennant, Liverpool have bought more British talent than Chelski, Man U and Arsenal combined, and shows his appreciation for players that can function in the strange EPL environment, which for all it’s foreign talent, retains the characteristics that distinguish this league from those on the continent – fast, fast and faster. To do this he’s had to take huge risks.

This year we’re treated to unknown foreign transfers Mark Gonzalez, a Chilean who recently received his work permit, and would have had an easier time crossing the Rio Grande than the English Channel, Fabio Aurelio a Brazilian who excelled at Sevilla and Gabrial Paletta who will be the best defender at Liverpool in 2 years time. Of the 3, Gonzalez is the most likely to feature in the first team, although his arrival may light a fire under Harry Kewell in a way only the risk of being dumped can. I would be surprised if Aurelio lasted 2 years, because Riise will push, and if Traore can’t find a new team, it could be very crowded at left back.

But it is the two British transfers that will be the difference this year. In Bellamy and Pennant Benitez couldn’t have bought two faster more aggressive attackers in England, but he has also taken a huge risk given their disciplinary records. Both will benefit enormously from the move, as they’ll get better service/finishes than their previous teams, but Liverpool would be the clear winner if Pennant puts in as many crosses as he did last year (more than anyone in the EPL) and if Bellamy continues his impressive goal every-other-game scoring rate.

The biggest problem I see is how to put Gerrard, Sissoko and Alonso on the field at the same time while playing 2 strikers. With just one, Bellamy could find himself on the right, something he hated about Newcastle, and Pennant would have too much time on his hands for my taste. This midfield trio may be the best in the premiership after Chelski’s, but playing all 3 at once may force off a striker, making life very hard indeed for Liverpool’s strikers. If a formula is found, such as playing a 4-3-3 , we could see more goals and a real title challenge from Liverpool this year.