Hello and welcome to our second instalment of our report on the newly rich clubs around Europe its been an interesting couple of months with a couple of managerial changes within the clubs we are looking at including the highly controversial move by Estonian President Alan Pikkpoiss to dismiss Jose Mourinho who was then instantly picked up by Newcastle United we will further look at how this has impacted these respective teams.
First let us go to the premier league, Everton have managed to hold on to their top 4 place although they had a loss of form after winning the merseyside derby however Roberto Martinez has managed to kick on again and they have found some form again. Next we go to Newcastle the form team in the Premier League right now the appointment of Mourinho seems to be working out well and now currently sit 1 point off 4th and will surely be aiming for champions league football. The other team within our analysis is Southampton they have been hit and miss this season and sit in 11th although with a good January transfer window could yet push on. Elsewhere in England CHampionship side remain real contenders for promotion occupying second spot on goal difference with Phillipe Lahm being their standout player, they will be hoping for a return to the top flight to capitalise on their recent influx of cash.
In France we look at PSG they Qualified from their champions league group and continue to slug it out with Monaco for top spot in Ligue 1, With Zlatan topping the scoring charts and winning the foreign player of the year
Next we travel to Germany and take a look at Schalke they didn't Qualify from their champions league group but in a season of transition must be happy with third place they put up a respectable showing against league heavyweights Bayern and Dortmund but it is against the lesser teams which they have struggled against. However if they turn this round they will not be far behind in the race for he title. Elsewhere in Germany in Bundesliga 2 1860 Munich and their adventurous chairman lead the league by 5 points and will most certainly eyeing promotion and a league title.
Next we head to Anderlecht and what is seen as a transitional season they are another team trying to gel, the pressure must be being felt by Van Den Brom though lying in 7th they can still qualify for the champions league but the bookies make Van Den Brom a certainty to step down and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to be promoted from his role as assistant.
Next up is Holland, The Dutch team qualified from a difficult champions league group and remain narrowly at the top of the division, with James Rodriguez and Kevin Strootman impressing for the reigning Dutch champs.
Next we head to Serie A, with the two teams we are looking at slugging it out for top spot. Juve currently lead Serie A by one point from Inter and this certainly looks like an interesting battle which Inter was leading at one point also. Luigi Di Biagio looks an inspired appointment by President Pikkpoiss and we will certainly be keeping an eye on developments in Italy WIth Juve winning 6 out of 6 in their champions league group too will this be a distraction in the Bianconeri's quest for the Scuddetto or will Nerrazzuri pip them to it.
Portugal saw the purchase of FC Porto and the Appointmnet of legendary manager Fabio Capello, FCP currently sit 4 points off league leaders Braga but must be confident of reigning the leaders in they also qualified top of their champions league group.
Finally we head to La Liga, runaway pacesetters Real Betis have somewhat fallen back in the title race they still occupy third position but are ten points behind leaders Real Madrid but remain firmly in contention for a champions league place. Lastly we look at Celta Vigo they have really started to come together as a team despite the chairmans reservations on Luis Enriques transfer splurge the standout performance being the 2-1 victory over Barcelona they sit two points off a champions league place and Henderson has readjusted his target from a top ten finish to european qualification.
Join us next time on our European football round-up.