European football has been dominated by Premier League clubs over the past couple seasons. The Champions League has seen 3 English teams in the semi finals for the past 2 years and at least one 1 English team in the finals for the last 5 years. Despite only winning 2 of the 5 finals mentioned, the EPL has bee named by many the strongest league in the world by many experts. It is not necessarily English Players that make these teams so lethal but that's not the discussion at hand. I'm going to be brave and go out on a limb and say the next couple years belong to Spain's La Liga and here is why...
Manchester United have just completed their third league title in as many years for these reasons. 1. Cristiano Ronaldo. Hated or loved, the man can change the outlook of the game by himself. 2. Sir Alex Ferguson. Without a doubt the greatest coach of our time. Unbelievable the way he can scout players and develop them from such a young age and still manage senior players all mixed together and come up with the results he has. 3. Team chemistry. United Have all the spark of young fresh talent and the experience of seasoned veterans, the perfect mixture. However, this year, golden boy Ronaldo, and out of favor but useful Tevez are on the way out the door leaving extremely big boots to fill. I'm not one to doubt Sir Alex but so far he has signed Valencia, Ecuadorian winger from Wigan, 21 year-old French winger Obertan from Bordeaux, and oddly enough, now labeled a traitor, former Liverpool favorite, Micheal Owen from shock relagated Newcastle. Rooney and Owen made and interesting partnership in the 2006 World Cup Qualifying, but will it be enough to see the Red Devils lift trophies next season? Is this a squad they are building to be stronger than last years Barcelona, who triumphed over them in the Champions League final? Arsenal seem to be making pebble sized ripples in the transfer window but will they be good enough to compete with Europe's best next season? Or say the Premier League's best? Van Persie has signed a brand new contract that will keep him at the Emirates for 5 more years and Cesc seems to be staying put as well. Adebayor has been linked with Milan who need players to fill the void left by Madrid bound Kaka. The last few years have seen a dissapointing Gunners. They are in need of great change and are not getting it. Liverpool have hardly made any changes in their squad. Rafa has put not for sale sign on Madrid Transfer target, Xabi Alonso. Gerrard and Torres, if both fit, can really carry the team but the Merseyside based club, at times looks lost without them. If Torres goes down injured, it is difficult for Liverpool to play their fabled system with Gerrard off of the big striker because they don't possess another striker than can do that same job. N'gog, is no Torres and we all know Kuyt looks a much better player on the wing. However, I believe the Reds to be a much tidier side than the Gunners and Red Devils next term. Last leaves the Blues from West London. With a new coach in order, Ancelotti, looking at a totally different style than Italian league football, it may take him a few tries to get things right. Can owner, Roman Abramovich be patient enough to let a new system at Chelsea take its place without sacking the manager half way through each season? Not everyone is a Murinho. Not everyone is special. The Have signed Russian International Zhirkov, no doubt a favorite of Roman's, but where will the newcomer break into the midfield with the likes of Lampard, Ballack, Deco, Essien, Mikel, and Malouda. English youngster Sturridge looks a good player but has to break a barrier of French speaking favorites, Drogba and Anelka, to break into the starting XI. Chelsea skipper, Terry, has told the club he would like to hold talks with Man City, which would not only heart break many fans but leave a whole in the back line that would be arduous to fill. Chelsea are always solid, but always have their fallouts. Even though I'm a firm believer they should have been in last seasons Champions League final.
Now your probably wondering what this has to do with Spanish futbol. With the likes of Barcelona completing the triple last year and beating what was said to be an unstoppable Manchester United last season in the Champions League final, notorious Spanish giants Real Madrid whose hope for a 3rd league title in a row was cut short by their arch rivals despite a remarkable second half of the season run with a mangled and displaced team, are looking for sweet revenge. It was decided that Florentino Perez, famous club president of the Galacticos Era, was returning for a sequel. Under his rule the Club claimed two Champions League trophies in 3 years. This time not Ronaldo, but Ronaldo, Another Algerian blooded Frenchman, Benzema (the first being Zidane), and Brazilian playmaker Kaka. With more starlets expected to arrive, Los Blancos look to be creating a team that can conquer the football known in Catalonia. Barcelona will most likely put out a similar outfit as last season, seeing is why fix it if it isn't broke? With all of these stars playing for the two sides, it should make one hell of an "El Clasico." In the year 2000 there were three Spanish teams in Champions League semi finals which saw two El Clasico's in 2 weeks. The Capital triumphed over the Catalonians and defeated Valencia in the final 3-0. However, there only seems to be the pair of rivals that will be challenging to be dominate in Europe as once powerful Valencia seem to be financially unfit and Sevilla, though a tidy team are simply not talented enough at this point to uphold European glory at the highest club stage. It's simple enough. The change of dominate leagues in Europe has happened many times. I may be calling this one a bit premature, but it seems that Madrid and Barcelona are on the way up as English teams look to be the same or diminishing in power. Which leaves an open space for a new power, a Spanish Power.
Viva el futbol y Hala Madrid
Bobby
Manchester United have just completed their third league title in as many years for these reasons. 1. Cristiano Ronaldo. Hated or loved, the man can change the outlook of the game by himself. 2. Sir Alex Ferguson. Without a doubt the greatest coach of our time. Unbelievable the way he can scout players and develop them from such a young age and still manage senior players all mixed together and come up with the results he has. 3. Team chemistry. United Have all the spark of young fresh talent and the experience of seasoned veterans, the perfect mixture. However, this year, golden boy Ronaldo, and out of favor but useful Tevez are on the way out the door leaving extremely big boots to fill. I'm not one to doubt Sir Alex but so far he has signed Valencia, Ecuadorian winger from Wigan, 21 year-old French winger Obertan from Bordeaux, and oddly enough, now labeled a traitor, former Liverpool favorite, Micheal Owen from shock relagated Newcastle. Rooney and Owen made and interesting partnership in the 2006 World Cup Qualifying, but will it be enough to see the Red Devils lift trophies next season? Is this a squad they are building to be stronger than last years Barcelona, who triumphed over them in the Champions League final? Arsenal seem to be making pebble sized ripples in the transfer window but will they be good enough to compete with Europe's best next season? Or say the Premier League's best? Van Persie has signed a brand new contract that will keep him at the Emirates for 5 more years and Cesc seems to be staying put as well. Adebayor has been linked with Milan who need players to fill the void left by Madrid bound Kaka. The last few years have seen a dissapointing Gunners. They are in need of great change and are not getting it. Liverpool have hardly made any changes in their squad. Rafa has put not for sale sign on Madrid Transfer target, Xabi Alonso. Gerrard and Torres, if both fit, can really carry the team but the Merseyside based club, at times looks lost without them. If Torres goes down injured, it is difficult for Liverpool to play their fabled system with Gerrard off of the big striker because they don't possess another striker than can do that same job. N'gog, is no Torres and we all know Kuyt looks a much better player on the wing. However, I believe the Reds to be a much tidier side than the Gunners and Red Devils next term. Last leaves the Blues from West London. With a new coach in order, Ancelotti, looking at a totally different style than Italian league football, it may take him a few tries to get things right. Can owner, Roman Abramovich be patient enough to let a new system at Chelsea take its place without sacking the manager half way through each season? Not everyone is a Murinho. Not everyone is special. The Have signed Russian International Zhirkov, no doubt a favorite of Roman's, but where will the newcomer break into the midfield with the likes of Lampard, Ballack, Deco, Essien, Mikel, and Malouda. English youngster Sturridge looks a good player but has to break a barrier of French speaking favorites, Drogba and Anelka, to break into the starting XI. Chelsea skipper, Terry, has told the club he would like to hold talks with Man City, which would not only heart break many fans but leave a whole in the back line that would be arduous to fill. Chelsea are always solid, but always have their fallouts. Even though I'm a firm believer they should have been in last seasons Champions League final.
Now your probably wondering what this has to do with Spanish futbol. With the likes of Barcelona completing the triple last year and beating what was said to be an unstoppable Manchester United last season in the Champions League final, notorious Spanish giants Real Madrid whose hope for a 3rd league title in a row was cut short by their arch rivals despite a remarkable second half of the season run with a mangled and displaced team, are looking for sweet revenge. It was decided that Florentino Perez, famous club president of the Galacticos Era, was returning for a sequel. Under his rule the Club claimed two Champions League trophies in 3 years. This time not Ronaldo, but Ronaldo, Another Algerian blooded Frenchman, Benzema (the first being Zidane), and Brazilian playmaker Kaka. With more starlets expected to arrive, Los Blancos look to be creating a team that can conquer the football known in Catalonia. Barcelona will most likely put out a similar outfit as last season, seeing is why fix it if it isn't broke? With all of these stars playing for the two sides, it should make one hell of an "El Clasico." In the year 2000 there were three Spanish teams in Champions League semi finals which saw two El Clasico's in 2 weeks. The Capital triumphed over the Catalonians and defeated Valencia in the final 3-0. However, there only seems to be the pair of rivals that will be challenging to be dominate in Europe as once powerful Valencia seem to be financially unfit and Sevilla, though a tidy team are simply not talented enough at this point to uphold European glory at the highest club stage. It's simple enough. The change of dominate leagues in Europe has happened many times. I may be calling this one a bit premature, but it seems that Madrid and Barcelona are on the way up as English teams look to be the same or diminishing in power. Which leaves an open space for a new power, a Spanish Power.
Viva el futbol y Hala Madrid
Bobby
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