EXTRA TIME
WANCHAI RUJAWONGSANTI
Deco |
With just over one month before the major football leagues in Europe open, clubs are strengthening their squads.
It has been one of the busiest transfer markets for years as three wealthy clubs - Chelsea, Inter Milan and Barcelona - have new coaches who want to build a team to fit their philosophy.
Brazil's World Cup winning coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has made Portugal midfielder Deco the first signing of his Chelsea reign.
The Blues bought Portugal defender Jose Bosingwa just before Scolari's appointment was made public and the former Portugal coach might have a hand in the purchase.
With unlimited funds from club owner Roman Abramovich, Scolari will certainly buy more players in an attempt to conquer England and Europe.
Players on Scolari's - or Abramovich's - shopping list reportedly include Brazil stars Kaka of AC Milan and Robinho of Real Madrid as well as Euro top scorer David Villa.
In the meantime, Brazil forward Ronaldinho, who is unwanted at Barcelona, is reportedly urging Scolari to bring him to Stamford Bridge.
Ronaldinho |
It is apparent that Scolari wants to add Brazilian and Portuguese flair to Chelsea who already have several players from the two countries on their books.
While Abramovich has money to burn, the Russian billionaire does not overlook the business side and Scolari will have to sell some of the current stars.
The arrival of Deco is likely to trigger the departure of Michael Ballack. The Germany midfielder receives in the region of 130,000 a week but at 31 is injury prone.
Scolari might still be upset by Ballack who pushed Portugal defender and Chelsea teammate Paulo Ferreira before scoring in Germany's 3-2 win in the Euro 2008 quarter-finals.
Other players who are likely to be shown the door include Claude Makelele, Florent Malouda and Wayne Bridge.
Jose Mourinho has returned to football as Inter Milan coach after leaving Chelsea early last season.
According to press reports, the Portuguese coach is chasing his former players at Chelsea including midfielder Frank Lampard and striker Didier Drogba.
New Barcelona coach Josep Guardiola is making wholesale changes at the Camp Nou and is keen to sign Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor who is also wanted by AC Milan.
To scare away potential buyers, the Gunners have priced the Togo international an exaggerated fee of 45 million euros (35.8 million).
It would be a shrewd business if any club agrees to pay the sum for the striker who joined Arsenal for just 7 million in 2006.
The Adebayor issue is probably the second most boring story this summer after the Cristiano Ronaldo saga.
Adebayor, who only shot to stardom last season, has not yet made it clear whether he wants to remain at the Emirates Stadium or join another club.
On the other hand, the Ronaldo saga seems to have ended and the Manchester United star is likely to remain at Old Trafford now that he is injured and may have to face the knife.
As for Man U, they are still quiet in the transfer market although it is believed that they are chasing Spurs striker Dimitar Berbatov who is priced at 30 million.
Not only big clubs can pay astronomical sums for players but also average sides.
Manchester City, spurred by funds from owner Thaksin Shinawatra, have been buiser than Man U in the transfer market.
Money is certainly not a problem for Thaksin. Under new coach Mark Hughes, City have signed Brazilian striker Jo from CSKA Moscow for a reported fee of 19 million. City also hope to sign Ronaldinho whose transfer fee is not too high but his wages are. The Brazil star could become the highest paid player in the world if he joins City.
It would be a huge achievement for Thaksin if City land Ronaldinho. Although he looked out of sorts last season, a player of his calibre would help raise the club's profile in Thaksin's attempt to make it a global brand.
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