Champions League draw outcome

By David Lee Wheatley

Arsenal and Celtic really lucked-out at the Champions League group stage draw on Thursday evening when handed the toughest-looking opponents of the round.

Under-fire Gunners boss Arsene Wenger could have done with a much easier task than facing Group F foes Marseille, Borussia Dortmund and Napoli. Dortmund, of course, present the most stern test having reached the final of last season's competition and strengthening their side substantially during the summer. Napoli have also been very busy in the transfer market under new head coach Rafa Benitez and appear at their strongest for years. Benitez is a former Champions League winner as manager of Liverpool and beat his north London rivals to the signature of Real Madrid forward Gonzalo Higuain recently. Meanwhile, Marseille are probably the only side Arsenal would expect to defeat home and away, but they're no mugs and will take some beating on their own patch.

Scottish champions Celtic scraped by Kazakh side Shakhtar Karagandy to qualify for the tournament proper and were given the 'Group of Death' as a reward! Firm favourites Barcelona, Italian giants Milan and Dutch legends Ajax make up a pool that Celtic will have been having nightmares about ever since the balls were drawn. The positive side for the Glasgow club must be that they'll have an opportunity to experience three wonderful European nights at Celtic Park during the first stage of the Champions League, but they face an extremely difficult uphill battle to get into the top two. However, Neil Lennon's men will take heart from last year when they beat off Benfica and Spartak Moscow to qualify along with Barcelona for the last-16 before falling to Juventus.

Group A looks reasonably straightforward for Manchester United, having been drawn alongside Shakhtar Donetsk, Bayer Leverkusen and Real Sociedad. Leverkusen aren't the force they once were towards the beginning of the new Millennium, while Sociedad are good but complete novices at this level of competition. Donetsk will be a tough away trip for anybody, but shouldn't trouble United at Old Trafford. David Moyes' side possess plenty of experience within the squad on the highest European stage and they shouldn't fall at the first hurdle.

Clear favourites to progress from Group B are glittering European clubs Real Madrid and Juventus, with Galatasaray and FC Copenhagen looking decidedly ordinary in comparison. It would be a major surprise if either of those top teams lose out on qualification.

Laurent Blanc leads Paris Saint-Germain into a reasonable standard group consisting of Benfica, Olympiakos and outsiders Anderlecht. PSG, while viewing the Champions League as the next huge leap in their project to reach the pinnacle of world football, will expect to get beyond the first round and perhaps as far as the semi-finals. Benfica should be strong enough to secure second, but don't rule out Greeks Olympiakos.

Manchester City were teamed with reigning European champions Bayern Munich, fresh from winning the UEFA Super Cup yesterday against a defensively determined Chelsea side. City failed miserably at Europe's top table so far under Roberto Mancini and will hope for much greater success in the competition under new hot-seat incumbent Manuel Pellegrini. Bayern should top the group, while CSKA Moscow present a potentially tricky tie for Manchester City to negotiate. Minnows Viktoria Plzen make up the four, but are expected to falter in last place.

Group E was reasonably kind to Europa League holders Chelsea, who got Schalke, Basel and Steaua Bucharest in their pool. Schalke undoubtedly represent their strongest opposition and especially now following their capture of Kevin-Prince Boateng from Milan and the potential loan signing of Spurs striker Manu Adebayor. Huntelaar is also a massive threat up-front and the Germans could create a few shocks along the way this season. Basel over-achieved in Europe during the last two campaigns, but always lose a couple of their best players each summer and it'll be interesting to see how this year's version cope. Steaua won their first domestic championship for seven years to get into the tournament and don't carry enough threat to trouble Chelsea or Schalke.

FC Porto and Atletico Madrid appear strong contenders in Group G and shouldn't hit too much trouble when faced with Austria Vienna and Zenit. The Russians of St. Petersburg will be tougher to dismiss than the Austrians, but still won't pose enough questions for the group favourites to answer. Atletico look especially nifty this season, despite the loss of superstar Radamel Falcao to Monaco. The experience of David Villa is adequately off-setting the Falcao sale and Diego Simeone has an attacking team fully capable of conquering any rival.

Of the British sides involved, Arsenal, Manchester City and Celtic look most vulnerable to elimination, while Chelsea and Manchester United should go through comfortably. In the longer run, Chelsea look most likely to challenge for the title outright along with outstanding holders Bayern, plus fellow giants Real Madrid, Barcelona, PSG and Dortmund. Also, on the periphery stand Italian sides Milan and Juventus, both of whom could well be counted as 'Dark Horses' for glory come May 2014 in Lisbon.

Twitter: @davewh1980

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Bayern v Chelsea: The Report

By David Lee Wheatley

Fresh from the disappointment of losing his place in the Spanish national squad alongside Blues team-mate Juan Mata for their country's forthcoming World Cup preparations, striker Fernando Torres made a magnificent impact only eight minutes into UEFA's showpiece Super Cup clash involving Chelsea and Bayern Munich in Prague.

The match had been billed all week as a needle-filled head-to-head between trainers Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho, but having each played down their supposed rivalry, it was finally down to business on the field of play.

Belgian ace Eden Hazard displayed grace and skill when firstly turning smartly and then running with absolute gusto from his own half, before playing the ball wide for Andre Schurrle on the right. The German sent in a pinpoint low cross for Torres, who was deadly from inside the box with an emphatic finish on the half-volley, leaving Manuel Neuer no chance.

Bayern were almost totally in control of possession after falling behind, which led to a fine save from hometown boy Petr Cech down low to his left following a good effort from French danger-man Franck Ribery on 16 minutes. Muller then got free on the right side of the penalty area only to see his shot blocked into the side-netting by Cole.

Goalscorer Torres blazed a shot over the bar as the half neared an end, as Europa League holders Chelsea attempted to put a golden seal on a first-half full of counter-attacking menace from Mourinho's men.

Reigning European champions Bayern bit back spectacularly two minutes after the restart when the inspirational Ribery collected the ball 30 yards from goal, advanced and unleashed a powerful right-footed drive past the despairing reach of Cech. He almost struck again immediately after, but the finish was tame in comparison with the equalising effort.

Fans of the Bavarian giants were in full voice as their heroes became increasingly threatening in their forays forward, with a 55th-minute free-kick from the left by Ribery finding Robben in space amongst a snoozing Chelsea rearguard, but he ballooned high and wide when in position to do much better.

Guardiola was getting animated on the touchline, as Bayern's undoubted dominance failed to translate into a second goal; it was all German pressure by the hour mark and the Blues were struggling to cope.

Brazilian defender Dante almost undid Bayern's hard work when inexplicably losing possession on the edge of his own area to Schurrle, his cross finding Oscar who's straight shot was met by the onrushing Neuer's legs. The resultant loose ball pinged out to Lampard 20 yards out, but he fired way over.

What a contest it was turning out to be; especially in comparison with several Super Cups of the past that've largely flattered to deceive, eventually lulling most observers into a peaceful sleep through utter boredom. In contrast, both sides on view tonight desperately wanted to win and were putting up a great fight to claim the honours, while fans inside the stadium were creating a cacophony of noise.

With 12 minutes remaining, captain Frank Lampard sent in a tempting corner from the right which was met by a David Luiz flick-on in the direction of Ivanovic behind him. The Serbian reacted quickly to head agonisingly against the crossbar, while keeper Neuer flapped at thin air.

Chelsea were coming on strong and Neuer was forced to pull off a smart point-blank save from a Luiz leaping header shortly before a savage blow was dealt to the west Londoners' hopes of victory with a red card for the over-zealous Ramires with only four minutes left on the clock.

The two sides couldn't be separated and so matters moved on to extra-time; a daunting prospect for a tiring 10-man Chelsea team, or so it initially appeared.

However, two minutes into the first-half of added time, Hazard received the ball on the left before cutting in menacingly and hitting a 15-yard thunderbolt under a slow-motion Neuer to defy the odds. They then retreated ever deeper into their defensive third to see out the rest of the opening extra-time period, while blocking everything Bayern threw at them.

Bayern were back in the hunt after the resumption of play and Mandzukic was denied an equaliser by an incredible Cech save when it seemed a certain goal.

Mourinho waved his arms furiously to get the Chelsea fans and players rallied for one last Herculean effort, as Ribery lined up a free-kick with time ticking away. The Man-of-the-Match curled a delightful effort towards the top corner, only for the defiant Cech to palm it away to his right.

It looked for all the world that Chelsea were going to hold on, but injury-time saviour Javi Martinez shattered their dreams with a neat finish from inside the area to take the tie to penalties.

In a tense atmosphere, the first three kicks from each side were beautifully executed and then star man Ribery made it 4-3. Afterwards, Ashley Cole got lucky when his attempt hit the inside of the post before trickling in and it was still all to play for. Bayern then made it 5-4, leaving sub Romelu Lukaku with the task of keeping his side in the contest. His penalty was far too soft and much too close to Neuer, who made the short leap to his left to gather the ball easily and hand the prestigious trophy to the Munich outfit.

If this evening's show is a sign of things to come when the world's premier club competition gets underway in earnest, then we can look forward to a compelling list of fixtures throughout the campaign as the continent's greatest clubs do battle for right to call themselves Europe's best.

Twitter: @davewh1980

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Where will Bale fit at Madrid?

By David Lee Wheatley

Gareth Bale's protracted move from Tottenham Hotspur to Real Madrid moved a step closer today with the revelation of the player's lawyers arrival in the Spanish capital to finalise the switch, as Bale already indicated his own agreement with the personal terms on offer.

Unfortunately, the PFA and Football Writers' reigning Player of the Year let himself down slightly with his refusal to train at current club Spurs since Tuesday, due to the growing frustration he feels over the tedious nature of negotiations regarding the size of an expected world-record transfer fee.

Real Madrid realised recently what many sides in the past already knew - Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy is an extremely difficult negotiator to compromise with. He's forever determined to reach the very best conclusion for his club by wringing every last ounce of value from any given deal, no matter how long it takes.

Despite the delays, it's likely the saga will end this weekend or Monday - transfer deadline day - at the very latest. When Bale does sign, the next unknown within this intriguing dynamic is where he will fit in amongst a galaxy of stars at the Bernabeu.

Cristiano Ronaldo wants to be top dog at the club, evidenced once more during the last few days when it emerged he'd suggested to the Real hierarchy he simply didn't want the fee that eventually captures Bale to eclipse the £80m spent on him in 2009. Ronaldo is seen as something of a forerunner to the Welsh international and there are similarities; they frequently display versatility yet play in similar roles and have a penchant for scoring goals from deep-lying positions, both players take a stunning free-kick in similar style to one another and the two also enjoy running at pace towards petrified opposition defences.

Ronaldo can play wide, but has moved into a more central position at Real as time progressed in a parallel manner to Bale at White Hart Lane. Now the pair will be fighting for a starting berth in their favoured role in the middle of the attack, but only one can take the spot.

Meanwhile, competition on the left flank will come from Angel Di Maria, if he sticks around, and more prominently from the fantastic young Spaniard Isco, who is making waves early in his fledgling Madrid career following a summer move from Malaga.

If Bale aims for central midfield, but perhaps in a less advanced part of the pitch to Ronaldo, then he potentially comes up against stern competition from Mesut Ozil, Luka Modric, Kaka and Sami Khedira; all are not expected to remain at the Bernabeu, however.

The extremely highly-rated former Southampton man faces a battle on his hands just to gain a place in the starting line-up and could see his career stall if regular appearances aren't forthcoming. However, should head coach Carlo Ancelotti find a tactical solution within his plans that allows Bale and Ronaldo to co-exist in the same side, then Real Madrid could find themselves in possession of the most powerful attacking unit in European football.

What the Welshman will be desperate to avoid is a repeat of the spells suffered with the Castillian giants by fellow Brits including Jonathan Woodgate and Michael Owen, who both sat out large chunks of their stays due to a potent cocktail of injuries, suspension and a lack of faith from their manager; the splendid period in Spain enjoyed by former Liverpool star Steve McManaman will be the dream scenario for Bale to emulate.

Two-time La Liga and Champions League victor McManaman recently backed Bale to be a success in Madrid, while making it clear he'll need to concentrate on his football in an effort to cope with huge pressure from the media and public alike.

Should he manage to make an impression on the field, while learning the language and integrating off it, then 24-year-old Spurs phenomenon Bale will be fully capable of winning over the team's fanatical support amid Real's attempts to claim several major trophies during his stay.

He may have to cede main-man status to Cristiano Ronaldo, but football's latest superstar holds significant potential himself to further an outstanding reputation by creating a massive impact at one of the world's greatest sporting institutions.

Twitter: @davewh1980

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Transfer market set for overdrive

By David Lee Wheatley

With only five days left before the transfer window slams shut on most of Europe this summer, a selection of massive deals are expected to come to fruition in order to facilitate a massive amount of movement between clubs of all sizes over coming days.

Many managers voiced their disapproval recently of a transfer period that goes on beyond the start of the domestic fixture calendar, but there’s no denying the excitement generated for fans up-and-down the country surrounding the subject of who their team will bring in and/or lose by 2 September.

Gareth Bale refused to train with Tottenham Hotspur in a row over the protracted nature of negotiations between his current club and suitors Real Madrid, as the Welshman bids to force through a dream switch to the Bernabeu and it’s expected to trigger a knock-on effect throughout the Premier League once Bale finally completes his move.

North London rivals Arsenal plan to introduce at least two top-class players to appease their restless fans, with Real Madrid’s Angel Di Maria high up on Arsene Wenger’s wish-list. A deal for the Argentine winger largely depends upon Bale making it to Madrid and could be sealed quickly once Carlo Ancelotti gets his man.

Meanwhile, Manchester United have been linked with a plethora of potential signings, as have title rivals Chelsea and Manchester City. All appear ready and revved-up to pounce as deadline day approaches ever nearer on the horizon.

A little further down the pecking order, Newcastle United look set to sign two more strikers in the shape of Gomis from Lyon and old boy Demba Ba on loan from Chelsea, while the likes of West Brom, Crystal Palace, Sunderland, Fulham and Cardiff City all pronounced their intentions to add more recruits to their respective squads if at all possible.

The biggest mooted deals have taken an age to resolve and some are seemingly off altogether, with Arsenal target Luis Suarez set to stay with Liverpool and Manchester United intent on holding on to Wayne Rooney, whom Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has been courting all summer-long.

However, more mega-money transfers are in the offing and will begin the cascading of cash through the major leagues of European football, making for a very interesting last few days of the window as clubs prepare for the long-haul to January before they can buy again.

Twitter: @davewh1980

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Spurs will be better without Bale

By David Lee Wheatley

With a mystery rival bidding for the signature of Tottenham Hotspur winger Gareth Bale alongside long-time suitors Real Madrid, it seems certain the Welsh wizard will be on his way out of White Hart Lane before the transfer closes in seven days.

Matters seemed to be reaching a conclusion when Real began retailing 'Bale 11' emblazoned shirts at their online store prematurely last week following weeks of speculation, but the revelation earlier today surrounding a potential alternative has complicated the deal.

Wherever the former Southampton star ends up, his sale guarantees Spurs a massive pay-day to the tune of around £90million when he does eventually move on. The north London club have already spent a large chunk of the expected windfall through the introduction of new boys Roberto Soldado, Paulinho, Etienne Capoue and Nacer Chadli and are still looking for more recruits in an effort to off-set the likely loss of last season's PFA Player of the Year.

There's no doubting Bale's ability and influence on the team during the last couple of campaigns, but the over-inflated value currently placed on his head will allow Spurs to continue bringing in fresh blood to strengthen every department of the side. Bale is an extremely talented footballer, but Spurs will reap the benefits if they simply let him go.

Spain is calling and Bale's already there in his head, so the best decision at this stage is to agree to a switch and move quickly in search of a suitable replacement before deadline day. One possibility, Willian, appears to have chosen Jose Mourinho's Chelsea over Spurs and therefore Roma's Erik Lamela is now the front-runner to join up and offer the same attacking spark delivered by the outgoing Wales international in recent years.

If the cash already laid out by Tottenham represents the amount they planned to shell-out in any event, then their coffers will be recharged to a level which would open the way for them to secure at least three absolutely top-notch, world-class footballers for the price of one.

With that budget Tottenham were already set to spend in mind, plus the world-record fee on the verge of being banked for a prize asset, Spurs are about to experience their strongest financial position for an age and must acknowledge the fact they'll be markedly better off without Bale.

Twitter: @davewh1980

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Could Villa be Atleti's trump card?

By David Lee Wheatley

Atletico Madrid began the season impressively with an away victory at Sevilla last weekend, before drawing one-all with Barcelona in the Super Cup first leg. Last night, they turned Rayo Vallecano over at the Vicente Calderon with an easy 5-0 win rounding-off an encouraging opening week for the capital club.

There were fears regarding the fall-out from the loss of superstar striker Radamel Falcao to Monaco this summer, but Atleti's form has allayed those worries thus far. Diego Costa stepped up to the mark in front of goal with a double in Seville and another strike yesterday evening, while Turan and Raul Garcia also look the part.

Bargain signing David Villa has been highly influential after moving from Barcelona and managed to score against his former club during the midweek Super Copa fixture with a fabulous volley. Although he hasn't scored in the two league matches played up to now, he's been heavily involved in much of Atletico's best football and helped his new team to a 100% start to the La Liga campaign.

Falcao is undoubtedly one of the finest strikers on the planet, but the Spanish international all-time top scorer is proving an able replacement. Villa suffered a broken leg during his time at Camp Nou that cost him several months of his career and certainly seems to have stolen a yard of pace from the 31-year-old; despite all of that, his supreme positional play and eye for goal still make him a dangerous forward for opposition defences to contend with.

Head coach Diego Simeone has several attacking talents to call upon, including ex-Rayo man Leo Baptistao currently sitting on the bench. If he can keep major players fit this season, Atletico could be in with a strong shout of a top-three finish. Also, they have the Copa del Rey to defend, which Simeone will be massively keen to retain.

Last evening's comfortable trouncing of Rayo provided stark evidence of the ability within the Atletico squad and should cause concern even amongst the ranks of their most illustrious opponents Barcelona and local rivals Real Madrid. Simeone possesses a motivated side with the added guile of David Villa in a well-balanced forward line, which gives the team a chance of winning any match they take part in.

It would send the loudest message yet to other La Liga clubs around them should Atletico wrest the Super Copa away from Barcelona this week. And, in their spectacular current form, who'd bet against them?

Twitter: @davewh1980

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Round-up: La Liga week 1

 

By David Lee Wheatley

The Spanish league campaign got underway last weekend as top two sides in the country Barcelona and Real Madrid both recorded victories in their opening day fixtures.

Saturday’s action set the scene for week one, with Real Sociedad warming up for their Champions League qualifier with Lyon by easing to a win over Getafe 2-0. Former Arsenal man Carlos Vela gave them a precious first-half lead and Seferovic finished the job with twenty minutes remaining. Fellow Basque side Athletic Bilbao beat Valladolid 2-1 away, with goals from Susaeta and Muniain coming either side of an equalising strike by Ebert. And, having narrowly missed out on a Champions League qualification spot last season, Valencia started well when overcoming Malaga 1-0 at home thanks to Ricardo Costa.

Reigning champions Barcelona started their title defence by putting Levante to the sword in spectacular fashion during Gerardo Martino’s first league outing as head coach at Camp Nou, with a stunning 7-0 thrashing handed out. Alexis got things going with a 3^rd-minute strike, extraordinarily followed by another five before half-time from Lionel Messi (2, 1 pen), Dani Alves, Pedro and Xavi. The Blaugrana took it easy on their visitors in the second period, scoring just once through Pedro for his double to round off a truly sumptuous display.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid didn’t enjoy proceedings all their own way against battling opponents Real Betis, as the Andalusia side took an early advantage through Molina to shock the Bernabeu with quarter-of-an-hour gone. It seemed to wake the hosts into life and Karim Benzema slotted home a low shot from the left-hand of the penalty area to level the tie eleven minutes later. Real toiled until four minutes from time, when new boy Isco rose majestically to power a header past the keeper, thus handing Los Blancos a key victory, even at this very early stage of the season.

Other results on Sunday saw Granada nick three points away to Osasuna with a 2-1 scoreline and Atletico Madrid defeated a much-changed Sevilla 3-1 away, thanks to an impressive double from former Liverpool target Diego Costa, plus a 90^th-minute hit from Rodriguez to end the match as a contest. Perotti brought Sevilla level after Diego Costa’s opener, but the home side simply couldn’t live with their dangerous foes and duly crumbled as the clash progressed.

There were three fixtures scheduled for Monday evening featuring a glut of goals; Rayo Vallecano trounced Elche 3-0 at home, newly-promoted sides Almeria and Villarreal met in a 3-2 away win for the Yellow Submarine and Celta Vigo and Espanyol shared the spoils in a 2-2 draw.

It all represents a fantastic opening round of matches in La Liga for a season that promises great excitement in the months ahead.

Twitter: @davewh1980

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Weekend review: Top 5 Premier League stars

By David Wheatley

Here are the top 5 (in no particular order) Premier League performers who made an impression on me over the opening weekend...

Danny Welbeck (Manchester Utd)
The striker was in fine form the whole week; first with England in their victory over Scotland and followed up by a double haul for United in their 4-1 demolition of Swansea City. It looks as though Welbeck is finally adding goals to his formidable pace and undoubted skill.

Sergio Aguero (Manchester City)
Argentine superstar Aguero ran the show at the Etihad Stadium last night as rampant City ravaged 10-man Newcastle United 4-0. Aguero struck a low shot off the inside of the left-hand post to put his side firmly in control of the clash and was a constant threat to the Magpies defence.

Robin Van Persie (Manchester Utd)
Dutch forward RVP started the season with a flourish as he rattled in a pair of fantastic strikes to help United beat Swansea with ease. His all-round play was a joy to watch, as the former Arsenal man proved he is worthy of number one star billing at Old Trafford.

Paulinho (Tottenham)
Midfielder Paulinho put in an assured display on debut for Spurs, as fellow new boy Roberto Soldado's penalty sealed victory at newly-promoted Crystal Palace. Comfortable on the ball and very difficult to knock off it, the Brazil international looks an excellent addition to the Tottenham ranks.

Cabral (Sunderland)
Cape Verde-born Cabral was outstanding in the heart of midfield for Sunderland, despite a home loss to Fulham. His tackling was accurate and well-judged at all times, while he always found a team-mate when distributing the ball. The energetic ball-winner will be crucial to Paolo Di Canio this season.

Twitter: @davewh1980
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Chelsea ease to opening victory

By David Lee Wheatley

Jose Mourinho returned to a very warm welcome at Stamford Bridge shortly before his Chelsea side kicked-off their new campaign against newly-promoted Hull City.

The beloved Portuguese tactician admitted to an emotional feeling when thinking of taking his seat in the arena where his greatest supporters would be housed in their thousands. As the former Real Madrid man emerged, he blew kisses to his adoring fans while looking contented to be back. Quickly, he focused on the pitch where the match was about to unfold before his eyes.

Chelsea were absolutely superb from the off, winning an early penalty as they attempted to begin the second Mourinho reign in style.

Hull's new signing in goal Alan McGregor committed the foul, handing the opportunity to Frank Lampard to take the kick from 12 yards. The usually reliable England midfielder stepped up and struck the ball low to the keeper's right, but the Scot went the right way and made the save to redeem himself.

However, it was a Blues onslaught from then on as the fans repeatedly chanted the name of their hero Mourinho in what can only be described as a party atmosphere to welcome Jose back 'home'.

Oscar duly put the west Londoners ahead shortly after the penalty miss when slotting the ball home neatly from just inside the box.

At that point, the Brazilian was joined by fellow young stars De Bruyne and Hazard in controlling matters in the final third. Torres looked ineffectual and Juan Mata was missing due to a lack of fitness, but it didn't seem to matter with those three performing in sublime fashion.

Belgian De Bruyne, fresh from a season-long loan at Werder Bremen last term, was especially dangerous with some fine incisive passing and a willingness to have a crack at goal from anywhere.

Torres conned the referee into giving a free-kick around 30 yards from goal when there was no contact whatsoever; the Spaniard taking flight and flipping sideways mid-air to make sure of the foul award.

Hull were struggling to keep up with an awesome performance full of pressing and purpose from the hosts, but it got significantly worse for Steve Bruce's side when Lampard sent a slightly swerving effort towards the top right-hand corner following Torres' theatrics. The wall parted and goalie McGregor laboured to his left before stretching out an arm in vain. The Scot got his fingertips to the shot, but couldn't keep it out.

As the half drew to a close, Hull got some sustained possession for the first time in the match. Unfortunately for the travelling fans, their team weren't capable of unlocking the Chelsea defence.

It seemed Mourinho's charges took a conscious decision to take their foot off the gas in the second period, while Hull looked a tad more composed when on the ball than they'd done previously.

A cross from the right found the onrushing Curtis Davies, who headed firmly towards goal only to find the hands of Petr Cech for Hull City's best chance.

Meanwhile, Chelsea sailed through the half largely untroubled and happy to simply hold their position without becoming too adventurous. The job was done by that amazing showing of the opening 45 minutes and Chelsea knew it.

Overall, the feeling remained that should Hull score, Chelsea could step up another gear to put the game beyond the reach of their opponents whenever they felt it necessary.

Blues were supreme initially before slacking off a little, but if Mourinho gets that type of response every week, it'll certainly take a special team to stop them from regaining the Premier League title from reigning champions Manchester United.

Twitter: @davewh1980
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New boys to the Premier League: Who will fare best?

By David Lee Wheatley

Hull City, Crystal Palace and Cardiff City all secured their spots in the Premier League for the upcoming campaign through the toil of an arduous 46-game league season (plus three more for play-offs victors Palace). Now they get to enjoy the spoils from their endeavours when travelling to such famous stadiums as Old Trafford, Anfield, Stamford Bridge and the Emirates to face some of the best clubs in Europe. All three have been furiously pursuing new signings to augment their squads for the challenges that lie ahead, but which side are best equipped to succeed in the top-flight?

Firstly, the managers at the helm of each club will have a huge role to play in keeping their players motivated and mentally prepared for the difficulties they'll encounter when playing in arguably the world's finest league competition. Hull boss Steve Bruce, Palace supremo Ian Holloway and Cardiff manager Malky Mackay all hold significant experience at the helm of a football club, but Bruce stands out when it comes to the rigours of the Premier League.

The former Manchester United centre-half led Wigan Athletic, Birmingham City and Sunderland in the top division previously, while adding the name Hull City to the list of sides he's helped elevate from the Championship. Wigan were comfortable in mid-table under the Geordie manager and so too were Birmingham and Sunderland for spells, before the wheels came off somewhat at both clubs. Bruce can call upon fifteen years of football management, as well as the momentum he's built up with current side Hull during their run to automatic promotion behind champions Cardiff City.

Meanwhile, Palace put their trust and faith in former Blackpool boss Ian Holloway when previous incumbent Dougie Freedman chose to switch to Bolton Wanderers in October 2012. The Eagles were handsomely rewarded for that decision when the entertaining Bristolian took them to Wembley play-off glory with a win over Watford to seal promotion to the promised land.

Holloway is a massively respected figure and has some knowledge of the Premier League from his time at Blackpool, but mainly he's managed below the very pinnacle and couldn't save The Tangerines from the drop on his last attempt at the big-time. He likes to get his teams playing open football, but it was defensive mistakes that ultimately cost Blackpool their place in the top-tier and the effervescent 50-year-old will be wary of leaving his team so exposed at the back this time around.

Over in Wales, big Scotsman Malky Mackay managed to deliver promotion to a side that'd often come tantalisingly close before his arrival, without ever quite getting over the finish line. What's more, he did it in only two seasons, following a decent stint in charge of Watford. Mackay hasn't any time-served at the Premier level as a manager, but has impressed at Cardiff in the relatively short period he's been there and been placed among a few of the most highly-rated young managers in the British game by many observers.

Championship winners Cardiff have struck the biggest deals of the transfer window so far, including breaking their record for fees paid three times already this summer. Danish striker Andreas Cornelius was the first major signing through the door for £7.5million from FC Copenhagen and then England international defender Steven Caulkner pitched up surprisingly from Spurs to strengthen the centre of defence, before Sevilla midfielder Gary Medel came in for just over £11m. The 'Pitbull of Seville', as he's known, will hand Mackay plenty of steel in the defensive section of midfield, where he can protect a back-four marshalled by the reliable Caulkner.

The Welsh club already had plenty of young stars within the squad and further enhanced their options by bringing in those three. Mackay has an enthusiastic bunch and some real quality in the shape of dead-ball specialist Peter Whittingham, striker Fraizer Campbell, defender Ben Turner, plus attack-minded talents Joe Mason, Craig Noone and Craig Conway. Knitting it all together is elder statesman Craig Bellamy giving his all to the cause for his hometown team. It's an exciting blend of youth and experience that has potential to cause plenty of upsets against much more illustrious sides along the way.

Steve Bruce has also been burning the midnight oil in the quest for quality additions to his well-drilled side, while tying up permanent deals for last year's loan stars George Boyd and Ahmed Elmohamady. Completely new buys include Scotland international goalie Allan McGregor, defenders Maynor Figueroa and Curtis Davies, powerful forwards Yannick Sagbo and Danny Graham (on loan), as well as Steve Harper from Newcastle as back-up to McGregor.

There's no doubting that the Tigers have plenty of threat down the flanks and will be rigidly organised at the back by former defender Bruce, but the jury is out on the arrivals up-front. Graham looked lethargic and disinterested in an ill-fated six-month spell with Sunderland, so has a long way to go to show his mettle. Sagbo is not well-known in England, but did reasonably well with Evian in Ligue 1 last season and could prove to be an ace in the pack for the manager.

South Londoners Palace have been busy in the market, too. However, so far it appears a little too much quantity over quality with eight new faces amassing little in the way of top-flight experience. Striker Dwight Gayle was signed from Peterborough and is an exciting prospect; he'll benefit hugely from having veteran campaigner Kevin Phillips alongside him after he turned his loan move into a permanent deal this summer.

Another to complete a permanent switch to Selhurst Park following a loan spell is forward Stephen Dobbie, while Ian Holloway also brought in Elliot Grandin, Jerome Thomas and Sevilla midfielder Jose Campana, who is something of an unknown on these shores, having only played 20 league matches for the Spanish club. 

The biggest signings thus far for the Eagles are probably Marouane Chamakh from Arsenal and Bordeaux left-back Florian Marange. Chamakh faltered at the Emirates and still has a lot to prove at Premier League level and Marange is completely untested in the division.

Back-up keeper Neil Alexander from Glasgow Rangers rounds off the incoming transfers at this stage, but the manager knows he requires more Premier League nouse within a thin-looking squad if he's to keep them up this season and has publicly stated his intention to find six more new players by deadline day. They've gone in for some tried-and-tested names at times, but been rebuffed on each occasion; the latest occurrence came yesterday when England striker Darren Bent began a medical with Fulham after coming close to an agreement with Palace. It's difficult to attract established stars when you've just been promoted and are existing on a shoestring budget in comparison with many other teams.

All in all, Cardiff look best equipped to do well this campaign, with a good side in place on confirmation of their promotion and a selection of excellent signings this summer to supplement the squad. They were organised at the back and dangerous going forward on their way to the title in the division below and will be even more of a problem for opposition sides to cope with this term. Mackay is a manager on the up and he'll further enhance his growing reputation if he manages to pull off a mid-table finish for the Welsh side.

Hull City will be well-drilled, but are expected to rely on one man up-front for the majority of games in an effort to keep tight and nick results by the odd goal. The bottom six beckons for the Tigers, but their organisation and team spirit may be enough to keep their heads above water. Hull are also looking at more recruits, which could hand them an even greater chance of survival.

At this point, even with time to spare before the transfer window closes, Crystal Palace don't look strong enough in almost every department to stave off relegation. They'll most likely employ an attractive style of play and with Phillps, Murray and Gayle up top, they do have potential to get on the scoresheet. However, they'll also leave holes at the back and better Premier League sides will happily exploit those at will. I fear for Holloway's boys and would have to suggest them as relegation certainties once the season draws to a conclusion.

Twitter: @davewh1980

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England v Scotland preview

By David Lee Wheatley

The oldest rivalry in international football resumes tonight when arch-enemies England and Scotland meet at Wembley.

On the face of it, the assumption would be that Scotland view this as a bigger match than perhaps England do at this stage. The home side have one eye on the upcoming World Cup qualifiers, which are absolutely vital to English hopes of making it all the way to Brazil 2014. Scotland, meanwhile, have no chance of making it to next year's showpiece and therefore will surely put more stock in tonight's result than Roy Hodgson and his men.

That said, there'll be a sell-out crowd in attendance and both sets of supporters will be equally desperate to get one over the opposition tonight, no matter how the players themselves may view the fixture.

Team-wise, the most interesting selection is Wayne Rooney, due to the rumbling saga surrounding his future at Manchester United. Rooney spectacularly proved his fitness in training while the gathered media looked on - he hit shots from all angles and looked very impressive in spite of new United manager David Moyes insisting that Rooney has been injured for the last few weeks. He certainly appeared in good nick in the run-up to tonight's clash and duly starts for England.

Another exciting development for England is the return to fitness of Arsenal star Jack Wilshere. The young midfielder has the hopes and dreams of a nation firmly resting on his shoulders and it'll be pleasing for all connected to see him back in the side.

Scotland arrive with a lot of spirit and determination, but sadly lacking in the world-class talent that they once produced regularly. Many of the starters tonight play their football in the second-flight Football League Championship south of the border, while Kenny Miller of the MLS leads the front-line.

The away team are up against it, but will take heart from the memory of Don Hutchison firing the Scots to victory on their last Wembley visit in November 1999.

It promises to be an intriguing tie, but how seriously England will take the friendly remains to be seen, especially with the FA Premier League season opener just three days away. The hope remains that both sets of players will give everything in order to put on a show for supporters, but also to breathe new life into a rivalry that has faltered in recent years.

A Scotland win could be on the cards if the English aren't prepared to battle for the victory - they must guard against complacency to cut out the possibility of an embarrassing home defeat.

Twitter: @davewh1980

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Barca-Real: Who'll prevail as La Liga returns?

By David Lee Wheatley

The beginning of an exciting La Liga campaign is set to get underway this weekend with the ‘Big Two’ of Barcelona and Real Madrid again the only likely candidates for the title. There’s two new names installed as head coach at each respective club and a number of interesting additions to both squads; particularly in Madrid. It promises to be a very interesting season ahead as the two titans of Spanish football clash over domestic supremacy.

Barcelona were taken aback somewhat by the news that championship-winning coach Tito Vilanova was to step down from his role this summer due to ongoing treatment for throat cancer. It was a shock to the system for the Barca hierarchy, but they acted swiftly to replace him with respected South American Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino.

Martino has developed a fine pedigree on his native continent, with success in both the Paraguayan and Argentine leagues complimented by a decent stint in charge of the Paraguay national side. Though not well-known or well-versed in European football, the Argentinean knows his profession and openly encourages the fluid style of play demonstrated by Barcelona in recent years under Pep Guardiola and Vilanova himself.

A major signing of the transfer window in Catalonia so far involves Brazilian superstar Neymar, touted by many to be potentially even greater than the legendary Pele. The forward cost a mind-blowing £49million from Santos and expectations are high at Camp Nou that he can be the catalyst for not only a retention of the league trophy, but also a return to the European pinnacle.

Keeping hold of Cesc Fabregas in the face of strong interest from Manchester United allows Martino options and flexibility, with the former Arsenal man capable of slotting into midfield or a forward role if required. World-class talent including Lionel Messi, Xavi and Iniesta still remain to pull the strings, but it’s at the back where Barca look vulnerable.

Revered centre-back Carles Puyol has serious doubts over his long-term fitness hanging over him due to ongoing knee problems, while Barcelona have a tendency to rely on midfielders such as Javier Mascherano and Alex Song to fill in defensively. There’s been speculation about a Barcelona bid for Chelsea’s David Luiz, but the west London side seem determined to at least drive a hard bargain over the sale of the 26-year-old. A lack of depth and quality in the centre-back positions must be addressed sooner rather than later.

However, Martino has such an array of attacking talent to call upon that most Spanish teams will struggle to cope with the Blaugrana in full flow and that might well be enough to see off the majority of opposition sides, but the panic-level will rise substantially when it comes to clashes against arch-rivals Real, Valencia, Atletico Madrid et al.

Meanwhile over in the Spanish capital, Los Blancos set about the mounting of a concerted challenge to Barcelona’s dominance domestically by firstly appointing top-class coach Carlo Ancelotti, fresh from leading Paris Saint-Germain to French title glory, in place of the departed Jose Mourinho and then proceeding to recruit a plethora of young guns in the shape of Malaga attacking midfielder Isco, Real Sociedad’s orchestrator Asier Illarramendi, skilful Brazilian Casemiro (following a loan spell from parent club Sao Paulo) and returning right-back Dani Carvajal after only one season away from the Bernabeu with Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga.

It all represents a very different direction to the days of the Galacticos, when players firmly established in the world of football would pitch up for exorbitant fees with little or no sell-on value after their time with Real came to an end. Now, Ancelotti’s arrival appears to herald a new approach with a focus on younger talent to spruce up an already strong squad.

21-year-old Casemiro has caught the eye consistently during pre-season and looks an absolutely fine prospect. If, as expected, the club manage to hold on to prize asset Cristiano Ronaldo they could boast the most promising side in La Liga with an eye on the future. But, for the present time, it’s a case of wait-and-see before judging this current crop of youthful Real superstars.

Links continue in connection with lung-busting running man Gareth Bale, but talks are said to be stalling due to Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy’s insistence on a world-record £100m fee. Widespread media reports suggest the best offer the Spanish giants are willing to put forward is around the £85m mark, which seemingly isn’t tempting enough for Spurs somewhat surprisingly.

Even so, Ancelotti has proved himself beyond doubt during hugely successful spells in charge of Milan, Chelsea and PSG and possesses all the ingredients within the squad to make serious waves in La Liga and the Champions League during the forthcoming season. Granted, they don’t have Messi, but they do have Ronaldo and a set of extremely gifted attack-minded footballers to call upon. Most importantly when in comparison with Barca, they have a stronger back-line with stars Sergio Ramos, Raphael Varane and Pepe vying for the central roles, while Carvajal adds much greater competition at right full-back alongside the experienced Alvaro Arbeloa.

Where they may have a slight problem is at left-back should Portuguese Fabio Coentrao go through with his frequently stated desire to leave, leaving Marcelo as the only senior player fully comfortable in that position. However, if they do fall short due to injury or suspension, they can perhaps ask Pepe to step in or switch to a formation in which Di Maria or another winger takes on the job of wing-back. And, of course, the transfer window doesn’t close until early September, thus allowing them time to bring in a replacement if Coentrao bids farewell to Madrid this summer.

Though the new campaign kicks-off in earnest on Saturday, most eyes will be fixed on the return to league action of Real and Barca on Sunday evening. Both sides begin at home, as Barcelona go up against Levante and Real Madrid face a tricky tie with Betis, who played their way into an impressive seventh spot last season.

It’s going to be one heck of a battle and it certainly appears both potential champions are closely-matched; El Clasico ties will most likely have a massive bearing on the destination of the title, but my feeling is that we’ll be witnessing a return to the top for Real Madrid come May.

Twitter: @davewh1980
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Fab future for Fabregas

By David Lee Wheatley

Former Arsenal star Cesc Fabregas today put paid to speculation surrounding his future at hometown team Barcelona by insisting the dream to play for the Camp Nou club may have been realised but is not yet at an end.

Having made his debut with the Gunners at the tender age of 16 following a switch from Barcelona's famed La Masia youth academy, the Spaniard spent eight happy years in north London before the lure of a return to Catalonia became too hard to resist.

Despite starting 30 La Liga matches last season, the talented midfielder failed to fully convince Barca fans of his worth. Fabregas has since been strongly linked with a move back to England, with Manchester United ready and willing to fork out over £30million to land the 26-year-old.

New United boss David Moyes seemed doggedly determined to capture the attacking midfield man, as the Old Trafford outfit vigorously pursued his signature over the last couple of weeks.

The death of the deal will be a big blow to Moyes as attempts to stamp his authority on the well established United line-up continue to labour, while Barcelona head coach Gerardo Martino will be relieved to have the Spain international available to him for the forseeable future.

It's a critical time for Fabregas and he must produce a consistently high level of performance to finally win over supporters and show them his true colours.

Twitter: @davewh1980
Facebook.com/DLWSports 

Luiz fits the Barcelona framework

By David Lee Wheatley

Barcelona have today put in an official bid for Chelsea central defender David Luiz, which has been rejected initially by the west London club.

The Brazilian has long been linked to a switch to the Nou Camp, but Jose Mourinho appears keen to keep him.

Incoming Barcelona head coach Gerardo Martino earmarked the versatile 26-year-old as vital to his strategy on arrival at the club, but the reported £35million on the table hasn't tempted the Blues to sell as yet.

David Luiz fits into the Barcelona way perfectly with his marauding runs from defence, attacking capabilities in the opposition box from set-pieces and undoubted skill on the ball. It's true that his insistence on going forward can sometimes leave a hole in defensive areas, but his ability far outweighs the disadvantages of having him in the side.

Returning Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho had to bat away questions over the future of Luiz during the first few weeks of his second tenure by stating several times that the Brazil international is part of his plans, but there's been an overriding feeling that Chelsea would be willing to listen to offers if the Portuguese tactician could secure a worthy replacement.

The next step is to see if Barca come back with an improved bid for the player who only signed a new five-year contract last September at Stamford Bridge and if so, it'll be intriguing to hear the response.

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Please release me, let me go

 

By David Lee Wheatley

Controversial Liverpool striker Luis Suarez yesterday revealed his frustration at the perception that Brendan Rodgers and the club have gone back on their word.

He stated that last summer he was asked to stay on Merseyside for one more season in an effort to reach the Champions League. Suarez claims that his manager Rodgers insisted that if they failed to make it, he could leave for a new club that were participating in the competition.

Arsenal bid the unusual amount of £40,000,001 in a bid to activate what Suarez and the Gunners believe to be a minimum fee release clause in the Uruguayan's Anfield contract. However, Liverpool owner John W. Henry refuses to accept the offer and has told supporters he has absolutely no intention of letting go of the club's prized asset.

Now, things are threatening to get ugly, with the forward suggesting he'll take his case to the Premier League if Liverpool fail to let him move on. Arsenal believe they've bid enough to allow them to speak to the player and they won't be adding more weight to their offer at this stage, as they see no reason to do so. They're expected to remain patient, while the stalemate between Suarez and the Reds continues to fester.

The 26-year-old possesses undoubted ability, but a nasty streak marks him out as a troublesome character. Many observers have been surprised Arsene Wenger is so determined to add the former Ajax man to his squad, due to the considerable baggage that comes along with the Uruguay international.

However, Arsenal seem intent on getting their man and Liverpool may well find the terms of the player's contract coming under severe scrutiny over the next few days. If Suarez's revelations are proved correct, then Rodgers could be forced to concede defeat in his battle to hold on to the prolific marksman.

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All about Anzhi

By David Lee Wheatley

Recent upheaval at cash-rich Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala left them in a transitional state when they can least afford it, with the new league season in its infancy and the Europa League on the horizon.

Legendary Dutchman Guus Hiddink chose to step down from his position as head coach on 22nd July, fuelling speculation of an imminent move to Barcelona, who were looking to replace Tito Vilanova at the same time. Former Real Madrid and Netherlands leader Hiddink insisting the timing was coincidental and so it proved when Gerardo Martino snapped up the job in Catalonia a day after Hiddink’s announcement.

The 66-year-old signed a new one-year contract in June, but sensationally decided his time at the club was up after two winless fixtures at the start of the campaign.

Having only just signed up as assistant coach at the club shortly after leaving his place on Manchester United’s backroom staff in June, Rene Meulensteen finds himself in full control of team affairs following Hiddink’s surprise departure.

Despite being a relatively young club (founded 1991), Anzhi harbour ambitions to conquer Europe and missing out on a Champions League spot once again is not an option. The new man at the helm certainly has the tools at his disposal to succeed, with big-name stars such as Kokorin, Ewerton, Willian, and Eto’o on the payroll. In addition, former English Premier League players Chris Samba, Yuri Zhirkov and Lassana Diarra impose their vast experience on the line-up.

Meulensteen, 49, managed the senior sides of Al-Ittihad, Al-Sadd and Brondby previously, plus the youth and reserve teams at Manchester United. However, this latest appointment presents arguably his hardest task yet in attempting to please the billionaire Suleiman Kerimov, who took ownership of the organisation in 2011.

Failing to win anything since the Russian second-flight title two years before the change in the boardroom, Anzhi are desperate to add silverware to their trophy cabinet and Meulensteen will be expected to lead the side from deepest Dagestan to significantly greater heights following a third-place Premier League finish last time round.

His first game in sole charge resulted in a 1-1 tie with Krylya Sovetov; Cameroon star Samuel Eto’o handing Anzhi the lead on 59 minutes prior to being pegged back by the minnows 13 minutes later.

Kerimov insists the newly-installed head coach is no interim appointment, instead entrusting him (at least publicly) with the job of hauling Anzhi up to the very pinnacle of European club football.

For the team that trains near Moscow and flies in to Makhachkala for home games due to security concerns, it’s crucial that the millions spent on new recruits begin paying dividends for the passionate people of the North Caucasas region.

Meulensteen has been afforded the chance to finally step out of Fergie’s all-encompassing shadow if he pulls it off, after five years working directly under Sir Alex with the Manchester United first-team. One thing is for sure; he’ll never get a better opportunity.

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Soldado will soften the blow

By David Lee Wheatley

Tottenham Hotspur today agreed a £26m deal with Valencia for the transfer of Spanish international striker Roberto Soldado.

Real Madrid's relentless pursuit of Gareth Bale appears close to a conclusion and the capture of the former Getafe man will go a long way to make up for the expected loss of the Welsh winger.

Soldado racked up 30 goals in 46 appearances for his club last season and such efficiency will be welcome at White Hart Lane, especially considering the options Andre Villas-Boas currently has open to him.

Jermain Defoe is a predatory finisher, but isn't a player for the long-term at 31 years of age and is possibly on the verge of leaving. Adebayor looked excellent when on loan at Spurs the season before last, but his form faltered badly following completion of a permanent switch and is subject of intense interest from the Turkish league. Meanwhile, Clint Dempsey operates between the midfield and forward line, making the need for an out-and-out striker extremely urgent.

28-year-old Soldado started out at Real Madrid, but struggled to force his way into the first-team and left for Getafe having played just 16 times. A goal every two games with the Madrid-based side brought the attention of bigger clubs and hometown team Valencia signed him up in 2010. Soldado's career surged on to another level with Los Che helping him cement a place in the national squad along the way.

As with all foreign imports, there'll be a settling-down period for Soldado before he feels fully comfortable in his new surroundings, but undoubtedly his supreme eye for goal and positional sense puts him up alongside the very best strikers in world football. During the last two campaigns in particular, the Valencia-born finisher looked consistently excellent.

Spurs already sealed deals for winger Nacer Chadli from Twente and Brazilian star Paulinho from Corininthians before agreeing a fee for Soldado. Another two or three top-class additions financed by the windfall from the likely sale of Gareth Bale should make Tottenham a serious threat to the top three positions in the Premier League this coming season.

Fans may feel disappointed at the prospect of Gareth Bale joining Real Madrid, but they can comfort themselves with the thought that one player doesn't make a team and the north London club are in the process of constructing a squad capable of challenging for top honours both domestically and in Europe.

It really isn't all that bad!