All Things Footie | Friday, January 18 | Jordan
I'm Alive
Before anyone wonders where I've gone, I've just been really busy this week. There's some cool stuff to come very soon so I will make up for it. I see Diego Forlan will be signing for United today all being well. The question for me is if he's that good, why is it only United and Middlesborough fighing for his signature?
There's more Patrik Vieira speculation abound after he (well his agent, the evil Marc Roger) allegedly visited representatives of Real Madrid this week. The mercurial Frenchman definately seems to have had something on his mind this season, the quality of his displays has been dropping by his high standards and it would be better for all parties if the situation was sorted out as soon as possible. Real's proposed situation seems to be a World Record £50m deal completed before January 31st (the end of the Spanish transfer window). Arsenal are likely to refuse any offers but if Vieira wants to leave there's not a lot going to stop him. It's a very odd situation though and I for one would not like to predict the outcome.
NEWSFLASH!! I've just read that both Real and Arsenal have denied any knowledge of the ‘talks’, Vieira will be offered a new contract at the end of the season and if he does leave the fee will be more like £30m.
If Vieira does leave Wenger has Dutch midfielder Marc Van Bommel lined up as a replacement. From what I've seen of him Van Bommel loks a fantastic player — strong, agile, a great shot and strong in the tackle — which begs the question why doesn't Wenger buy him anyway? At £20m he wouldn't be overpriced in today's market and Arsenal aren't short of a bob or two, signing a player of his ability may even convince Vieira to stay. There's no doubt he needs a partner now, because with all due respect to Ray Parlour, Giovanni Van Bronkhorst and Gilles bloody Grimandi, it's a weak spot in the side.
I know it's Friday and time for the next set of fixtures but here are the scandalously late — weekly all things footie awards,
Performace of the week: Newcastle vs Leeds
Player of the week: Kieron Dyer (Newcastle)
Goal of the week: Tugay (Blackburn vs Charlton)
Team of the week:
| Shay Given Newcastle |
| John Curtis Blackburn |
John Terry Chelsea |
Sami Hyppia Liverpool |
John Arne Riise Liverpool |
| Kieron Dyer Newcastle |
Roy Keane Man Utd |
Paul Gascoigne Everton |
Freddie Ljungberg Arsenal |
| Craig Bellamy Newcastle |
Louis Saha Fulham |