Short Thought: On the Move

This summer's transfer market has been all the talk. It quickly over shadowed the international tournament, the Confederations Cup. Little names to megastars have all been on the move but why? What's wrong with the club they're at? I can think of three reasons and I'm willing to share them with the you the readers. We'll take a look at while suite cases are full and every dressing room has a different look and how it might affect the future.

1. Reason 1: It's a World Cup year. It's every player's dream to lift the golden trophy and South Africa is all the hype being the first African nation to host. So why does this affect club transfers? Well players need to impress their national team coaches. Some times the teams they currently play for aren't significant enough to catch the coaches' eyes. Let's look at a prime example. David Beckham had to extend his stay at Milan before returning to LA to play with the Galaxy to impress Fabio Capello, England National Team coach, because playing in the MLS will not boost your credentials to be on the Three Lions next summer. When the MLS season ends this autumn, he will most likely return to a European based outfit to continue his pursuit of World Cup glory. Also some national team players are looked upon as surplus at the club they currently play for. In order to be noticed or considered, a footballer needs to be a regular team player to be on form and it doesn't look good if you wan't to make a difference for the national team and you don't even smell the grass at you're club. Take the dutch players at Real Madrid. Now Robben looks to be safe. However, dutch star midfielder Sneijder, Dutch Euro 2008 captain Van der Vaart, and striker Huntelaar are having trouble establishing themselves amongst the galacticos Real Madrid have brought in this summer. Sneijder has been linked with a loan move to Internazionale. Van der Vaart has already established he will leave the Bernabeu to a destination unknown and Huntelaar looks close to completing a move to AC Milan as of today.
   


2. Reason 2: Deep pockets. The world of football is growing ever more financial. With big money owners taking over clubs, the cash is being spilt out on new prospects. The likes of wealthy owners and lucrative deals from prosperous clubs have the money to to throw out deals other clubs have a hard time denying. Perhaps this is why so many big players have been on the move. Manchester City, a club of no great prestige but with the deepest of pockets, was able to bring in players like Tevez, Adebayor, Barry, Toure, and look to be close to a Lescott transfer after he asked for one recently. Chelsea owner Roman Abromavich hasn't spent his never-ending money supply yet but talks this week suggest Chelsea are planning to make the move for three big stars. Real Madrid have spent around a quarter of a billion dollars bringing in players this summer with signings of footballing super stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka to name a few. A lot of people do not think this kind of cash is good for the game. However, people like FIFA president, Sepp Blatter, believes it shows an even higher interest in the sport. It's been a very controversial topic this summer but it doesn't seem to be coming to an end any time soon because more tycoons, those of Arab dissent in particular, and interested in buying EPL clubs. Portsmouth was bought out in recent weeks by a wealthy Dubai based business man. Are they the next City?
   


3. Reason 3: Some clubs are on the up and some clubs are on the down. The main reason for joining a team is success. If you want to be successful, you have to join a good squad. It makes perfect sense. Ibrahimovic joins Barcelona. Why? Well, why not? The team just came off it's greatest season in the history of the club and they don't plan to stop there. Real Madrid came off a terrible season last year. However, everyone knows there is time for change so a combination of deep pockets and the clubs willingness to succeed brought in a second era of galacticos. Micheal Owen, a (former) Liverpool favorite joined arch rivals Manchester United this summer after a spell at a few other clubs. Now that seems awfully odd doesn't it? Nonetheless let's look at the direction of the club he was leaving and the club he is joining. Newcastle United was his outfit last year. Where are they now? Relegated to the championship. Who did he join? The EPL champions for the last three years. It makes a lot of sense for a play no matter where your allegiances are tied too.
   

From what I can see, and that's a lot folks, these are the reason that so many players on the move this year. There are little other reasons, of course, but these are the main ones. There are definately going to be more transfers this summer. Take a step back and see if you can tie them to the reasons I have provided here.

Viva el futbol y Hala Madrid

Bobby