Spurs Not there Yet

 

Each English Premier League season starts with predictions of teams breaking into the elusive top four, and with it Champions League qualification, and each season seems to end the same way – with Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool keeping their top four monopoly. In the last few years only Everton have managed to finish ahead of one of the top four, Liverpool, but have progressed since then.

 

This season sees the best chance yet of an outside team cracking the top four, with Manchester City’s buying power and Spurs progression under Harry Redknapp putting pressure on the top four. Added to this has been the big fours inconsistency, with United, Arsenal and Chelsea having lost 2 of their opening 11 games, and Liverpool’s nightmare start seeing them go down in 5 of theirs. Last season Liverpool finished 2^nd with only 2 loses. City have had their best start to a season and currently occupy 4^th position, at the expense of Liverpool. Although they have drawn their last 4 games City have only lost once, the least in the league. Their money is buying a good team, and with more to spend in January there’s every chance that they can crack a top 4 finish, and progress from there.

 

The same can’t be said for Spurs. Each season begins with Spurs as the side predicted to compete for 4^th place, and with the exception of one season, when they finished 5^th, they have been unable to sustain a real push. Redknapp has done wonders with the struggling team that he took over last year, but with the players at his disposal it would only take the right man to turn them into a competitive outfit. The start that Spurs made to this season filled all at White Heart Lane with optimism. They even led the table for a while. However they have been shown up in their games against United, where they were well beaten by 10 men, and against Chelsea and Arsenal, both who thrashed them. Their opening day win against Liverpool suggested that they had potential to last the pace, however it now seems that was more about where Liverpool are this season then how much Spurs have improved.

 

Spurs have improved under Redknapp and are enjoying a good start to the season, however when they’ve really been tested, against United, Arsenal and Chelsea, they have been truly out classed. Rather than competing with the top four, it is perhaps more realistic to say that Spurs have moved ahead of the chasing pack, the likes of Everton and Aston Villa, made the gulf in class between them and the top four is as far away as ever. Spurs will be competitive but their fans shouldn’t be looking at a top 4 finish but rather at a Europa League place. However City fans may be able to dream of a top 4 finish, especially with Liverpool’s struggles, but for Spurs that’s still more of an ambitious dream then a realistic goal. Still, a cup run may be within them.

 

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When Passion and Will Beat Skill

 

Obviously Liverpool fans will disagree with me, they wouldn’t be fans if they didn’t, but the Liverpool first 11 is no where near as good as the Chelsea, Man Utd and Arsenal first 11’s. They’d compete with the City and Spurs 11 though. And that’s why Liverpool won’t win the league this season – they aren’t good enough.

 

However on any given day, on once off occasions, derby games, cup ties and backs to the wall stuff, good enough doesn’t always win – the team that wants it most does, the team with more passion and will on the day wins. That’s what happened this past Sunday.

 

Liverpool, having gone on a 4 game losing streak, were looking at there worst run in over 50 years if they had lost to United. Rafa may have got his tactics and team selections wrong on a number of occasions so far this season, but the team he put out on Sunday was the right one. They not only wanted a win more, they needed one. The chances are that, media speculation aside, Rafa would not have lost his job had Liverpool lost again, however with the turmoil that is the Liverpool board room, you couldn’t count that out. The players played for their manager that day, but more so they played for their club and its fans.

 

The much maligned Lucas is a great example of this. The Brazilian midfielder gets more stick and criticism from his own fans then he does elsewhere. Many can’t fathom why Rafa keeps picking him. His general displays suggest he isn’t good enough to play for Liverpool, but then again you don’t win a Brazilian player of the year award without knowing how to play. He’s constant fouling saw him lucky to escape unpunished by a referee who let the occasion get the better of him, but his break up play, passing, positioning and bossing of the midfield shone through. He stood out against more talented players like Scholes and Carrick, and Mascherano beside him. With summer signing Alberto Aquilani nearing fitness Lucas playing time may be limited in the coming months, but on this day he stood above others.

 

Like Lucas, Jamie Carragher has come in for criticism this season. His form has been shaky and not up to his usual standards, but when his team needed him the most, he delivered. Like Lucas he got away with a few key fouls that could have changed things, but again, like Lucas, there was no denying the passion, will and want to win in Carragher.

 

United simply were beaten by a team that wanted it more on the day. That’s not saying United didn’t want the win, of course they did, but with Liverpool having their backs to the wall and being written off by all, one team just played with more will.

 

In Gerrard and Torres Liverpool have two world class players, who on their day can be the best in the world, but they don’t have the players to compete with United, Chelsea and Arsenal for the title. But sometimes, on certain days, that doesn’t matter. Sunday was one of those days. Passion and will, commitment and want, sometimes overcome skill.

 

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Has Rafa Lost the Dressing Room?

No team has lost 3 of their first 8 games and gone on to win the Premier League. The first decade of the Premier League was a shoot out between Man United and Arsenal (with Blackburn winning one) and the last decade has seen Chelsea buy themselves into the equation. Since Chelsea’s money made an entrance the league has become harder and harder to win, with each dropped point hurting more than before. Last season Liverpool lost only 2 league games and still didn’t win the league. Rafa still thinks Liverpool can win the title. His players performance suggest otherwise.

Cracks began to show in Rafa’s goateed armour last season during his clown like performance in the infamous “facts” rant against Sir Alex. He clearly lost that battle and with it the league title, despite his team twice beating United. He enjoys a somewhat tenuous relationship with the club’s owners, always wanting more money and seemingly not believing he’s spent quite as much as he actually has during his time in England. Torres, Mascharano, Babel and co were not cheap. He sold the glue to his midfield, Xabi Alonso, to Real Madrid, with the Spanish midfielder suggesting afterwards that he’d been badly treated and let down by his Liverpool manager.

Benitez informed all before this season that this was Liverpool’s time to win the league, something they have failed to do since 1990, in the days of the old First Division. Man United matching Liverpool’s record 18 league titles last season would be another reason the fans demand a title win now. Yet his talk has not been matched with performances on the field. They’ve lost 3 times, against Spurs, Villa, and Chelsea. Spurs have started well but have been shown up against title challengers Chelsea and United, with United managing to brush them aside with 10 men. In the Champions League just before the Chelsea lost Liverpool were torn apart by Fiorentina in Italy. They hardly had a kick. Rafa was said to have torn into his under performing players to an extent that surprised many in the dressing room. More cracks.

Evidence of his teams’ performance against Chelsea suggests that his players didn’t listen, or chose not to. Liverpool is a two man team. Gerrard was sloppy and out performed by Lampard and Essien in the middle of the pitch, and Torres was ineffectual, getting no supply and unable to get on the end of any scraps. Liverpool lost more than Chelsea won. They were punished by the strength of Drogba in both goals, first by Anelka and then Malouda, and allowed Chelsea to take control without ever needing to change gear. Gerrard’s lacklustre performance must be most alarming for Liverpool fans.

Benitez has shown a stubborn side in continuing to defend the under performing Lucas, who has become somewhat of a scape goat for Liverpool fans, while at the same time not showing the same support for Babel, who he may be forcing out of Liverpool. As we saw with the selling of Alonso Rafa has his untouchable players and those he doesn’t trust as much.

The truth for Liverpool fans is that they are still living on the memory of Benitez winning the Champions League in his first season. Most will point to that in defence of their manager and ignore the instability he has edged along in the board room and out on the pitch. Yet immediately after that win against Milan Steven Gerrard, Mr Liverpool, put in a transfer request. Fan power convinced him to stay, but did he know then what others are suggesting now?

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Adeybayor is in the Wrong

There should be no doubt in any minds that the actions by Manchester City’s Emmanuel Adeybayor this weekend against Arsenal must be punished. There has been much said on the issue, or issues rather, and surprisingly there seems to be a wide array of opinions. Adeybayor himself does not understand the fuss being made, he has been defended by his manager, Mark Hughes, and City fans, and has been vilified by many, notably Arsenal fans.

Vilified he should be. There is no doubting the talent of the forward, his record at Arsenal, the fee paid by City, and his start this season, four in four, a goal in every game, point to the Togo player being a talented, accomplished player. Scoring goals is not his problem, but his off field, and during this last match on field, actions are a problem.

Adeybayor feels that he has been unfairly targeted and subjected to abuse by Arsenal fans, during his final season at Arsenal, and continuing into this one. He fails to see the obvious. Ade was a talented young player at Monaco but had problems at the club when Arsene Wenger took a chance and brought him over to England. Few in England would have known about him. He quickly set about showing Arsenal fans exactly what he was about. His time at Arsenal was a success, he played well, scored goals, lots of them, and made a name for himself. And became a wanted man. Chelsea, City, Milan, Barcelona and others were interested. And Ade’s head was turned. During a press obligation for his boot sponsors he came out and said that it was time he went to one of the biggest clubs in the world, probably thinking that a move to Milan was forthcoming. This is where the beginning of the end for Ade at Arsenal can be traced back to. What this said to Arsene Wenger, and to Arsenal, the manager and club that made him, was that he was itching to move, and more importantly, that he didn’t view Arsenal as one of the best teams in the world. Can he be surprised that the Gunners fans turned on him?

The move to Milan didn’t happen and Ade spent another season at Arsenal, with the fans, and his team mates, feeling let down and questioning his commitment. That his performances didn’t match up to the previous season didn’t help. Adebayor has had some harsh words to say about Arsenal youngster Nicklas Bendtner in the media lately. He failed to understand why Bendtner, seen as an inferior player by himself, was commanding the respect of the Arsenal faithful while he was not too kindly viewed. True, Bendtners performances have not been anywhere near that of Ade’s, or in fact of the viewed potential of the Dane, but he has shown commitment on the pitch. He’s run his socks of in some games, and often out of position. Fans love a trier. Ade had stoped trying.

If Real Madrid meet Manchester United at some stage of this seasons Champions League Christiano Ronaldo will get a warm welcome at Old Trafford. Ronaldo’s dream has always been to play for Madrid, so while he kept saying he was happy at United and didn’t want to leave, the truth was his heart was always set on Madrid. The main difference between Ronaldo and Adebayor’s transfer situations is that Ronaldo didn’t, and still hasn’t, shown any disrespect to United. He still has love for the club, and the club still has love for him. Adeybayor does not have that luxury.

Any disrespect that Adebayor has shown to Arsenal before Saturday’s much was taken to the unforgivable during the match. His challenges on Fabregas and van Persie should have seen his sent off before he scored the decisive 3rd goal, but his goal celebration after scoring, running 90m to taunt the Arsenal fans should see him banned. Provocation should not be tolerated, and such over the top actions should be harshly dealt with. City fans have come out and said that such talk is just by jealous and bitter Arsenal fans. Not true. Whatever problems Carlos Tevez has with Fergie and the United board you won’t see him showing that sort of disrespect to United fans. Similarly Michael Owen should he score against Liverpool. The actions of Adebayor were that of a petulant, spoilt child and anyone who can’t see that is either blinded by club blinkers or has something wrong with themselves.

Adebayor is a quality, class player, his actions even before Saturday were not, and the display he should the world that evening don’t belong on any football pitch. The fact that he doesn’t see it that way does him some harm. The FA must hit him with a maximum ban with further fines and bans should he ever repeat his madness. His personal vendetta against Arsenal was that of a player out for himself with no thought about the team, a problem City may face when times get tougher. Adebayor shamed himself and his new club and must be punished and not allowed to get away with this.

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Owen – A Risk Worth Taking

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On Wednesday it looked like there was a chance that Michael Owen could be playing for Everton or Aston Villa, but more likely Stoke or Hull. The Newcastle player had just become a free transfer target having let his contract run down and was looking at his limited options. Four years of injury problems at Newcastle had made the once prolific Liverpool, Real Madrid and England striker a player who’s career seemed to winding down with the only real hopes of a mid table or relegation threatened team willing to take a chance on him. And then Sir Alex called.

48 hours later Owen was signing for the Champions, he was a Manchester United player. With Ronaldo and Tevez gone United were looking to reinforce their attacking lines with a goal scorer. The 80 million pounds brought in from the Ronaldo sale meant United have money to burn most of the games big name strikers were mentioned. United seemed on the verge of signing Karim Benzema before it was announced that he too would be heading to Madrid. David Villa seems set on staying in Spain, and the likes of Huntelaar, Fabiano, Kun Aguero and Ibrahimovic have all been linked at one time or other. There is still two months of the transfer window left and United may still bring in a big name expensive signing, but on Friday evening Michael Owen became a free transfer signing for Manchester United.

Many see this as a risk by Sir Alex, with none of the other top teams seeing Owen as a viable option. Liverpool fans have come out violently aggressive and bitter about their once goal scoring legend signing for United. Opinions are split on the signing but one thing is certain, Michael Owen on a free is a risk worth taking, and a great bit of business by United.

If Owens fitness continues to be a problem the consolation for United will be that he was free. But the forward believes his injury problems are behind him and was put through the most stringent medical in the clubs history before signing for far less then he was on at Newcastle. The gamble is one worth taking. The desire is still there from Owen and is clearly evident in his taking a huge pack cut to play for a team that gives him his best chance at honours and at getting back into the England fold. In a world cup year Owen will be best placed to show Capello that he is not finished, and in playing with Rooney, will give the England selectors something to think about. He has a lot to prove, not to the Liverpool fans vilifying him, but to himself and Capello, and has faith to repay in Sir Alex.

United have not played with an out and out goal scorer since Ruud van Nistelrooy left for Real, and Owen will give them that option. Whether coming off the bench or starting, Owen will bring something new to the United attack and the increased options and threat can only be a good thing. A fit Michael Owen, with the desire and burn to restore his name and reputation could be the stroke of genius United need to follow the departure of Ronaldo. Time will tell, but I think this could be a great signing by Manchester United – for them and for Michael Owen.

United’s Loss

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In a week Manchester United have let Christiano Ronaldo and then Carlos Tevez leave Old Trafford. There will no doubt be a lot of comments from all sides coming out about both these departures, but I fear the loss of Tevez is harder to swallow for United fans.

Ronaldo’s had his heart in Madrid for a long time now. He has come out and said he decided he wanted to leave United for Madrid last season. As much as United fans have loved what Ronaldo has done on the pitch, the news of his departure did not come as a shock. United fans have had a season to prepare for it and many realised that the world record fee of 80 million pounds was too good an offer to turn down. Ronaldo had some great years at United and he will be missed.

Tevez departure is harder to take. The Argentine forward is a United player. His work rate and effort for the team was second to none. United fans took him to heart immediately and all the noises coming out of the Old Trafford board room and from the player himself, after his first season, was that it would be when and not if United would sign the player permanently. As the last season wore on a few grumblings began about why Tevez had not been signed up. He began to start far less often and had to settle for more of a bench role than he, and United fans, liked. Tevez became frustrated at how he was treated and it became more likely that he would leave. And that’s what has now happened.

United agreed to pay the 25.5million fee that was asked and offered a 5 year deal to Tevez. When Tevez needed time to think about the offer United took it off the table and announced that Tevez had turned them down and was leaving. There are two things to take from this. Firstly United are not frustrated and did not lose patience with the player himself, but rather with his representatives. Tevez unique situation meant that his rights were owned by a company and not a club and United were finding it difficult to deal with them. That being said, the second point is United have not been fair to the player himself.

Tevez wanted time to think about the offer. Many feel that he’s had two years to think about it and shouldn’t have been taking this long to let United know. The general feeling is that if a huge, successful team like United want you for 5 years you say yes please. Had the offer been made at the end of last season there is no doubt that is exactly what would have happened. But Tevez situation with United changed this year and he had to decide if he wanted to remain with the United he played for during his first season or the United he played with in his second. He should have been given the time he needed, his loan spell still had 10 days to run, and United should have done everything to make him stay.

With Ronaldo gone Tevez would have played a more important role in the team, and United would have needed that. Yet they have let him go. Another point to consider is if United have known that Ronaldo was leaving this season then why was the team build around him? Surely it would have made more sense to build for a Ronaldoless team and focus on Rooney and Tevez?

It’s been said a million times before and will be said a million more, but no player is bigger than the club. United will go on without Ronaldo and Tevez and build a new successful team, just as they did when Hughes and Ince left, when Cantona retired, when Beckham left, and when Keane left. United will go on. Sir Alex has always steered the club in the right direction and will no doubt do so again. Players will be brought in to replace those who leave, and those at the club, Nani, Tosic, Kiko and Welbeck will be given chances to stake a claim for starting births. However the heart and courage of Carlos Tevez will be hard to replace and he will be missed. It says a lot about the man that he has ruled out moving to Liverpool because of the rivalry between the clubs. Yes Carlos Tevez will be missed by United. Good luck to him.

Ronaldo’s Madrid Bound – Now What?

Manchester United and Real Madrid both confirmed today that a world record bid of 80 million pounds had been accepted by United for Christiano Ronaldo. So after a few years of will he won’t he it now seems that Ronaldo will be a Madrid player before July.

Manchester United are losing one of the best players in the world, and there is no doubt that Ronaldo will be missed, and won’t be easy to replace. In truth a player of his current ability can only be replaced with two other players, Kaka and Messi, and neither will be at Old Trafford next season. So have United erred in letting the current World Player of the Year leave?

The most important factor in all this is that the player wanted to leave. Ronaldo has known for a while that he would end up at Real and has refused to commit himself to United, giving ambiguous answers that best suited him and did nothing to appease the United fans. Rather than vilifying him, what United fans must realise is that while a lot of the world dream of playing for United, kids from Spain, Portugal and Latin America dream of pulling on the Real Madrid or Barcelona shirts. Ronaldo has always wanted to play for Real and players of his calibre generally get to pick their clubs. So while the move may not be the best for his career, and only time will tell, and few have succeeded after leaving Old Trafford, it is his dream move. There is little point in keeping a player who wants to go.

The price tag, 80 million, is too good to turn down. When it became clear to United that Ronaldo wanted to leave, and he asked to, they had to try and get as much as they could. Following so close on Kaka’s move to Real it would have been hard to imagine that Real would be willing, or able, to pay the money being talked about in the press. But thy have agreed. United failed to get the maximum they could for Beckham when he left for Madrid, only taking into account his footballing worth, and not commercial worth. They haven’t made that mistake this time. With 80 million Sir Alex could buy a couple of super stars, or a host of potential stars, or a combination of both.

So what should United do with the money? Replacing Ronaldo is impossible so United should look to do what’s best for the team. Firstly they should sign Tevez. Things have gone on so long that it seems more likely that Tevez will be leaving, but United can not afford to lose both Ronaldo and Tevez, and should do everything possible to convince Tevez he should stay. Most United fans would have chosen keeping Tevez ahead of Ronaldo if asked in the last month. Hopefully those that deal with such things at United will get that right. So which players should be targeted after the Tevez situation is sorted out? United need someone who will score the goals that Ronaldo assured them of each season. They will look at bringing in Benzema, who has been a long time target of there’s. However a better option now would be David Villa. Chelsea and Real have been linked with the Spanish hitman so United would have to move fast to get him, but he will be well worth the 30-40 million Valencia would ask for him. He guarantees goals and that’s what United need. Sergio Aguero, and Pato should also be looked at. Both will be among the best players in the world in the near future, with Aguero closer right now than Pato, but both will work for the future and present. Wide players who United should look at are likely to be Ribery and David Silva. The prices being asked for Ribery by Bayern are too high for the 27 year old, but like United and Ronaldo, Bayern may have a hard time keeping a player who wants to leave. United tried to buy Silva last season but they player wasn’t interested in leaving Spain. If that were to change Silva  could be the ideal replacement for Ronaldo. Another name being mentioned is Madrid’s Robben. United were on the verge of signing him before he went to Chelsea. Fergie is a fan of the dutchman, and with Madrid looking to sell, United could be at the front of the line to bring him back to England. His injury record may be a concern though.

While a host of big names will now be linked to United in the coming weeks, and while Fergie may bring in one or two of them, the more likely scenario is that United will buy Antonio Valencia from Wigan to play down the wing and push Wayne Rooney upfront, where he belongs. While United will miss Ronaldo, and any team would, his leaving may be the best thing for Rooney. Rooney has spent much of his time at United doing whatever job he’s asked to do, and his done it with no complaints. He’s spent much of the last few years out on the wing. Rooney is a forward and needs to be playing there to reach his true potential. This may be his chance to finally get to cement that position, and take him forward on his quest to be the best in the world.

Ronaldo is most likely gone but United can be stronger for it, if they use the money and personnel wisely. It should be an interesting few months.

The Sunday Papers

NEWS OF THE WORLD

Cristiano Ronaldo has pledged: “I am staying at Manchester United.”

Manchester City have stepped up their chase for Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor.

Xabi Alonso has rocked Liverpool by admitting he wants to quit Anfield.

Goodison legend Peter Reid is trying to buy his beloved Everton.

Chelsea are planning for life without Didier Drogba by moving for Atletico Madrid striker Sergio Aguero.

Manchester City are desperate to push through a new deal for Stephen Ireland while Nedum Onuoha is set to sign a three-year contract.

Chelsea’s £25million move for Zenit St Petersburg’s Portugal midfielder Danny has been dealt a serious injury blow.

Newcastle are desperate to keep young goalkeeper Fraser Forster.

Wigan want to sign Alan Smith from Newcastle.

Fulham boss Roy Hodgson has lined up a move for FC Twente’s Austria striker Marko Arnautovic.

Everton face stiff competition for Inter Milan striker David Suazo with Manchester City and Villarreal also interested.

THE PEOPLE

Angry Patrice Evra has accused Cesc Fabregas and Arsenal of trying to kick him out of the Champions League final.

Sunderland are set to have a £200million transfer budget thanks to new owner Ellis Short.

Gareth Southgate will be asked to oversee a fire sale of players if Middlesbrough are relegated.

Bayern Munich want Portsmouth’s England right-back Glen Johnson.

Manchester City are ready to offer Aston Villa midfielder Gareth Barry £19million in wages to tempt him to Eastlands.

Arsenal are ready to launch a club-record move for Blackburn striker Roque Santa Cruz.

Aston Villa are set to make another move for David Bentley of Tottenham.

Stephen Hunt and Andre Bikey are on their way out of Reading. Hunt is a target for Everton while Wigan want Bikey.

Everton are closing in on a £12million deal for Sporting Lisbon midfielder Joao Moutinho.

Manchester United want Charlton’s England youth defender Carl Jenkinson.

Middlesbrough want Leeds winger Robert Snodgrass.

Leicester boss Nigel Pearson is ready to sign Hibernian’s Polish goalkeeper Grzegorz Szamotulski.

Lucas Neill and West Ham are set to agree a new deal.

Kettering boss Mark Cooper is favourite to take over at Chesterfield.

Salomon Kalou has hinted he may leave Chelsea.

Preston boss Alan Irvine is on Reading’s short-list for their vacant managerial position.

DAILY STAR SUNDAY

Djibril Cisse is closing down his classy Newcastle clothes shop The Pr9ject – sparking fears that the Sunderland striker will be leaving in the summer.

Manchester City are set to join the race to land Aston Villa midfielder Gareth Barry.

Tottenham will switch their attention to Juventus striker Vincenzo Iaquinta – if they fail to land Kenwyne Jones from Sunderland.

Derby are launching a £500,000 bid for Blackpool defender Shaun Barker.

Southampton winger Nathan Dyer is wanted by Ajax.

French club Marseille have joined Wigan in showing an interest in Tottenham midfielder Didier Zokora.

Oldham want Bradford skipper Graeme Lee on a free.

Coventry are chasing Leicester outcast DJ Campbell.

Derby manager Nigel Clough is ready to get rid of £3million flop Claude Davis to Crystal Palace – for nothing.

SUNDAY MIRROR

David Beckham is set to join Chelsea as part of Carlo Ancelotti’s blueprint for the club.

Kanu is anxiously awaiting a decision from Portsmouth as to whether he is to be offered a new deal.

Micah Richards has been assured he has a future at Manchester City.

Aston Villa are preparing a £9million offer for Almeria’s 27-year-old left-back Mane.

Ipswich and Sunderland want Bristol City midfielder Marvin Elliott.

Fulham have turned down the chance to sign Derby’s Giles Barnes on a permanent deal.

MAIL ON SUNDAY

Sir Alex Ferguson insists Cristiano Ronaldo is staying at Manchester United but Carlos Tevez looks set to leave.

SUNDAY EXPRESS

Texan millionaire Ellis Short will complete his buy-out of Sunderland this week.

Liverpool’s pursuit of Portsmouth right-back Glen Johnson is gathering pace.

Amr Zaki

Egyptian forward Amr Zaki has made a prolific start to his English Premier League career, leading the early scoring charts with 7 goals in 8 games. A few months ago no one in England knew who Zaki was, now the forward, on loan at Wigan, is being chased by Liverpool and Manchester City, with Real Madrid obviously mentioned too.

Amr Hassan Zaki was born in Mansoura, Egypt, on the 1st of April 1983. His club career started with his home team, Al-Mansoura,  where his prolific goal scoring, 20 goals in 20 games, caught the attention of bigger teams. He moved on to ENPPI  where he found the net 16 times in 41 games, and took ENPPI to their best league finish ever when they ended the 2004-2005 season as runners up. They also won the 2005 Egyptian Cup, their first trophy ever. Impressive performances in the 2006 African Cup of Nations alerted European clubs to his talent and Zaki signed for Lokomotov Moscow for a reported $2million. His first taste of Europe turned out to be nothing short of a nightmare as the Egyptian striker lasted only 6 months in Russia, without featuring for a single minute for his new club. Zaki returned home to Egypt and signed for El Zamalek. Once again he found his scoring touch and eroded the disaster of Russia with 22 goals in 54 games for Zamalek. That scoring form, together with his international exploits, Zaki has netted 29 times in 48 games for Egypt, alerted Steve Bruce, the Wigan manager, and a deal to take Zaki to England, on loan for a season, was completed.

There is no doubting the talent of African football. Drogba, Essien, Toure and a host of others in England’s top teams are testament to that. But for every massive hit there are many misses, as the climate, culture, language and home sickness make settling into European football difficult. Indeed even the best players need a settling in period before we start to see the best of them. Many African players take a similar route to European football success, moving to France first, where the league is full of African players, and in terms of the North African players, language is not a problem. After cutting their teeth in France for a few seasons they are ready to move on to England, Spain and Italy. The likes of Drogba, Essien, Kieta and many others have followed this path. Yet Bruce took a gamble on a player who’s only other European experience had been a failure. And it was a gamble that has so far paid off handsomely.

Zaki has needed no time to settle in. He scored in pre season games, and just carried on scoring in the regular season. He is top of the English scoring tables, and has all the top clubs watching him carefully. A quote from his Wigan manager, Steve Bruce, probably best describes why he has been such a success so far.

When you look at this lad and his build, he is the same height, weight, everything about him, he is like Alan Shearer. He has the same confidence when he gets the ball, he knows where the goal is, he doesn’t need to look up, he has this instinct. Strikers like that have an instinct as to where the goal is. You can’t describe it, you can’t give it to anybody.

Zaki seems made for the English game. The toughness and combativeness that takes many new comers by surprise are part of his game. He is an English type forward who seems to have found the best style for his play.

While all has gone well for Zaki the true test will come from December. Not only will he no longer by a surprise package to the league, but the colder weather will test the mettle of the Egyptian sun reared player. Should he come through that period there can be little doubt that suitors will come knocking on his door.

Bruce has Zaki on load until June. He will do well to tie him down to a permanent deal before then. However the stories doing the rounds linking Zaki with moves to City and Liverpool may give the player more options for his future. He must remember though that Bruce took a gamble on him, showed faith in him, and can guarantee him first team football. In time his talent may prove to big for Wigan, but for now he is at the right club.

Rooney’s Back

It was reported just before the international week that England manager Fabio Capello wanted to make Wayne Rooney the goal machine they hoped could fire them to the world cup. Rooney, after a prolific start to his international career has found goals harder to come by in the last few years. That all changed this week with Rooney firing in four goals in two games. Added to that the goals he has scored for Manchester United in the last three club games the forward is on a prolific run.

Rooney has tended to get his club goals in bursts, followed by a dry spell, and then another burst. However his international goals have not really coincided with any club bursts. That all changed this week with the ease he is now finding the net.

Sir Alex stated that Rooney has sacrificed himself for the team for much of his career, being played out of position, doing a lot of tracking back, and not getting the chances that a true forward needs. What Rooney showed this week, and in the last couple of weeks counting his United goals, is that he is a striker and given the chance to score he will take it. Whereas he has tended to be the player doing the dirty work and letting someone else take the goal scoring glory, Ronaldo at club level, Rooney showed that if you put him upfront, increase his supply, and he will score.

It is perhaps no coincidence that the reinvention of Rooney as a scoring threat has come with Capello partnering him with Heskey. Heskey has a terrible goal scoring record for his country, but critics look to far into that. You don’t pick Heskey to score you goals – he won’t. You pick him to get your team, and his partner goals. Englands best strike partnership of the last decade has been Owen and Heskey. Heskey spent the last three years out of the international fold and Rooney’s goals dried up. He came back and Rooney can’t stop scoring. What England have missed is not the Rooney isn’t a goal scorer, he is, it’s that he needs the right partner. A big man like Heskey works for England, with the little and large formula that worked with Owen suiting Rooney as well. Not to say that Rooney is only effective in this way, his partnership with Tevez, both small men similar in style, shows that he is not a one trick pony.

England, and Rooney, under Capello are a far different side to any we have seen in the recent past. They have their problems, the Lampard, Gerrard partnership still doesn’t work, they don’t always impress in performance, but they are winning. Four wins from four in the World Cup qualifying is testament to that. There is a belief there that has seldom been seen in England and they may have just found the right man to take them to within a realistic chance of glory at a major tournament.

Rooney and Capello could take England all the way in South Africa in 2010.

pic from teamtalk.com