50 Years Over 100 Years - Transfer News: Ribery, Villa, Berbatov, Rijkaard.

Transfer News: Ribery, Villa, Berbatov, Rijkaard.

FRANK RIBERY

By dixon9 May 13 2008
Probably first in series of 167 but anyway, why not let’s have a few “aimless thrills” and see what’s through the round window for Chelsea Football Club during the forthcoming summer sales… This first super soar away edition includes the likes of Frank Rijkaard, Frank Ribery, David Villa, Mario Gomez, Fernando Torres and Dimitar Berbatov.

The ticker-tape has been chattering away here in the “The Shed End” newsroom and our team of highly trained researchers have been sifting through the reams of reports (whilst Since 66 and I look on bemused by their efficiency) and they´ve produced some eye-opening results (What? You mean you didn’t come across a newspaper covered in egg and coffee stains in some old greasy spoon then?! – Ed).

Quite a few ins and outs in what is being described as a “Stamford Bridge Revolution”:

Firstly Avram Grant is hotly tipped to move upstairs as Director of Football and recently deposed Frank Rijkaard is slot in as manager, reunited once again with Henk Ten Cate.

I’d prefer Grant to move upstairs (this, after all, is what he was originally brought in for) and a more “palatable” man brought in to complete the transition from Jose Mourinho.

Rijkaard wouldn’t be my ideal choice however, although it wouldn’t surprise me at all if the move happened – Abramovich greatly admired the football of the Barcelona of a few seasons ago and one part of the jigsaw in Ten Cate is already in place.

Next we have the signing of Frank Ribery. Abramovich covets Messi (Who doesn’t?!!!) but prising the diminutive genius away from Barcelona must be impossible so Ribery is seen as choice number 2.

Now, Lampard looks to be staying and Ballack has also pledged his future to the club so unless we were losing Essien (ccccccccrrrrack! Ed falls off his chair, clutching his chest…!) I don’t see the point. True, Ribery would add penetration and steel to the midfield and I suppose if we are going for a 4 man midfield next season he would fit in......Hmmmm...so obvious surplus to requirements would be Sidwell? Wright-Phillips?

David Villa, Valencia

Drogba is hotly tipped to have it away on his toes from the Fulham Road (although I wouldn’t be surprised if he has a change of heart – probably just wants a bit of attention?) as are also Shevchenko and Pizarro so one replacement apparently being lined up is David Villa of Valencia.

Now Valencia are well in the mire – no Champions League football next season (not even UEFA) - and they are still yet to appoint a permanent manager so his asking price wouldn’t be as astronomic as last season.

So Villa for Chelsea? As long as we are playing two up-front next season then fair enough but as a lone striker forget it. Failing Villa, next on the shopping list is Mario Gomez from Stuttgart. (And I’ll be honest and say I don’t know a lot about him – except that he’s bound to be cheaper than Villa!).

Next up is the other forward - given the supposed exodus of front men from Stamford Bridge – he comes in the shape of Dimitar Berbatov (Great name for a striker isn’t it? Sounds like a missile!).

Apparently an ADIDAS rep leaked this little story out. Now we can be reasonably certain that Grant enquired after Spurs current “jewel in the crown” player last season so given that the north London club look to be in for some (more) serious spending in the summer I’m sure Levy already knows Berbatov is off.

Mixed feelings from Chelsea fans on his signing – personally, I think he’s the most naturally talented footballer in the Premier League at the moment – I’d love to see him at the Bridge! Big-game Charlie? Bad attitude? I’d like to think his motivation would increase 10 fold playing for Chelsea.

Anyway…that’s enough intrepid reporting from me for a while (!!!****++++!!!! – Ed).

P.S.

Oh yeah! One last thing though – forget all this stuff about Torres! His agent knows Benitez won’t accept his prized possession going to a rival but also knows Abramovich is probably the only one who could pay enough to justify him leaving (and Waldorf and Stadtler would no doubt welcome the funds) although it sounds to me like Torres’s man is being a bit over zealous in his job (This probably means that we WILL sign Torres for some obscene amount and we’ll be plagued by scousers on the board “frothing at the mouth”!!!).

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