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!