I wonder how Valencia will bounce back? How much money is the manager going have to spend on new players, because presumably the point of selling Villa, now Silva and probably Mata is to raise funds for the board and pay debts etc. not for a transfer budget for the manager? They seem to develop incredible players and always make a profit! Villa, Silva, Mata? All developed and sold (apart from Mata, not yet
) for pretty big (not so much nowadays
) fees. Perhaps they'll have a season which "won't count" and maybe do pretty badly, then do progessively better until they are decent again! Good side though and it's a pity they're being forced to sell like this.
In other news, Wenger has said that he hopes to sign a defender, who he won't name but we assume is Laurent Koscielny before the end of the World Cup, hopefully "quite soon" won't be Wenger's time but normal, he seems to take forever to complete signings, but there is no news on the future of Gallas, Silvestre and Campbell (who is talking to Celtic, as well as considering his options at Arsenal after an impressive return to the club in the 11 games he played at the end of the season.)
Mark Shwarzer could be on his way to the gunners too, if they can arrange a fee with Fulham (apparently in the £3.5m region!) Personally, i rate him, but he's what 37? How many seasons can he have in him? 1? 2 at best surely unless he does what David James did (who i think attracted interest from Tottenham not too long ago? Before they decided that Carlo Cudicini was Italian, and therefore guarenteed to be good, not to mention playing for Chelsea.
I'd like to see Wenger put in a bid for Joe Hart, I know City will be reluctant to sell after his impressive season, but a) he's english b) he's young c)Arsene has a decent budget this year d) won't cost upwards of 6m i shouldn't think especially because he's young!