Transfer Grades Through July

Transfer Grades: End of July Edition

Olivier Giroud - Montpelier to Arsenal - B
It's unclear whether Giroud was brought in to the Emirates to compliment or replace Robin van Persie, but regardless, I like this deal. While it may ring out reminders of the presumably failed acquisition of Marouane Chamakh two years ago, Giroud has more skill and pace, and is less reliant on heading than Chamakh, who got muscled around in the Premier League. He should succeed, in the near future, but at 25 and with other strikers already at Arsenal, he has the leeway to develop that Chamakh didn't and that should prove to make this a successful move.

Mario Mandzuckic - Wolfsburg to Bayern Munich - B+
A clinical finisher with a variety of skills, Mandzuckic has been successful in German for quite a while, but didn't catch the eye of Europes elite until his impressive showing for the Croatian national team at EURO 2012, which prompted Bayern to snatch him up to compensate for their almost anorexic depth at striker. I wouldn't expect Mandzuckic or fellow new signing Claudio Pizarro to get many big goals, but as far as cover for Gomez goes, you could do a heck of a lot worse. I see Mandzuckic not only as a success because he should be able to hit the back of the net in Bavaria, but also because he should make Gomez more effective and less tired simply by his presence.

Thiago Silva - AC Milan to PSG - A
The old addege in American football is that 'defense wins championships,' and that must have been exactly what PSG were thinking when they made this deal. Regardless of steep transfer price or surplus of requirements created through this deal, one simple fact makes this likely the transfer of the summer: Silva is the best defender in the world. Strong, smart, and always in the right place, AC Milan looked in anarchy at the back last season when the Brazilian wasn't playing, and he should turn PSG into one of the best defensive sides in the world, if not the best, based on talent alone.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic - AC Milan to PSG - D
You'd have to be an idiot to say that Ibra isn't a great player and world class striker, but this move just befuddles me. PSG have essentially no problems in attack with Nene, Kevin Gamiero, Javier Pastore, Jeremy Menez, Ezequiel Lavezzi and more, so to sign a 30 year old with a notoriously gigantic ego for 20 million Euros and them make him one of the highest paid players in the world just seems unnecessary and excessive. I figure the addition of Big Z will add about five to eight goals a year to this team, and I just don't think he's worth what the Parisians are paying. Not by a long shot.

Marco Veratti - Pescara to PSG - B-
While the rest of PSG's signings have focused on getting ready for European football this season, the signing of Marco Veratti is a move for the next ten years, not just the next two. Built from the same mold as his idol Andrea Pirlo, Veratti combines knowledge, skill, creativity, and trademark Italian flair we haven't seen in half a decade to create goals from the deep midfield, and is considered one of the few bright young Italian stars. With mentoring and consistent playing time against some of the lower level French teams, Parc des Prince could be a perfect place for Veratti to recognize his talents and blossom into a superstar.

Mauricio Isla - Udinese to Juventus - A-
Juventus have yet to address their blaring issue at forward, but Mauricio Isla is a top class winger who provides depth to a position which seemed to need it. Isla is a very straight-forward player with great speed and a knack for crossing, and never abandons his responsibilities on any end of the pitch. His connection to the wing will allow for the versatility of Sebastian Giovinco and Mirko Vucinic to shine, and Isla should get his fair share of assists as well.

Kwadwo Asamoah - Udinese to Juventus - C-
Asamoah is an interesting and good player who has as much strength as he has vision, making him a stand out player in the midfield, but I'm just a little confused about this deal. With a loaded midfield, Asamoah could be seen as an eventual replacement for aging star Andrea Pirlo, but if that were the case, Juventus would have been better suited pursuing Marco Veratti. As it stands, Asamoah is an impact player who may be cursed to the bench behind Pirlo, Claudio Marchisio, and Arturo Vidal, while the striker position continues to one true forward on the Old Lady's depth chart.

Fabio Borini - AS Roma to Liverpool - C-
I was worried about how new Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers would use is new, shiny transfer budget, and the signing of Fabio Borini and targeting of Swansea midfielder Joe Allen are confirming those fears. He seems to be targeting players his wildest Swansea transfer dreams rather than realistic players that could improve Liverpool. Borini is a target man who never impressed me at Roma despite being the most formidable option of a terrible strike force at the Olympico last season. Not only do I feel that Andy Carroll is better than Borini, but I also was able to come up with three names - Luuk de Jong, Clint Dempsey, and Grant Holt - in less than 30 seconds that would have been better options for a similar price than Borini is. This move confuses me, and I'm worried it may be the first transfer misstep of many of Brendan Rodgers' summer.

Luuk de Jong - Twente to Monchengladbach - B
Luuk de Jong was coveted by Newcastle, Liverpool, and others this transfer window as one of the brightest young forwards in the world. The Dutch international, however, had eyes only for Monchenladbach, who he reiterated over and over he wanted to sign for, and eventually, secured his move to the Bundesliga. de Jong will add clinical finishing to a side in desperate need of it, but as far as creating for himself, I'm not convinced Gladbach can do it after the loss of Marco Reus, so the final verdict on de Jong depends really on how he adapts to a much better league.

Jordi Alba - Valencia to Barcelona - A
This is probably my favorite signing of mid-summer thus far. Alba tore up the pitch at EURO 2012, just as he has consistently for Valencia for the last few years, despite being just 23 years of age. Smart at the back and quick and potent in attack, he's a left back that will not only provide more class to one of the best teams in the world, but also cover up for huge depth issues at Camp Nou in defense, with Dani Alves and Carles Pujol aging, Eric Abidal unfortunately having his career cut short, and little other viable options at the back to the point that Javier Mascherano, who just signed a new deal with Barca, was seen as a center back. Great signing, and for only 14 million Euros, too.

Salomon Kalou - Chelsea to Lille - B+
As a free transfer, the price was right for Lille to sign Kalou from Chelsea, the side who bought the man Kalou is replacing: Eden Hazard. Kalou is a wildly underrated player who has consistently convinced me that he is one of the few wingers with major experience who can prescribe to a 'jack of all trades, master of none (or at least few)' label. He's quick, a good passer and crosser, and likes to find the net. While he's no Hazard, Kalou will definitively contribute to a strong Lille side that also bought Marvin Martin this summer and are looking to recapture the magic of their 2010/11 Ligue 1 Championship.

Gylfi Sigurdsson - Hoffenhiem to Spurs - C
Sigurdsson was widely expected to join either Swansea, where he blossomed during his six month loan from Hoffenhiem last year, or Liverpool, where he would join former Swansea boss Brendan Rodgers with the Reds, before pulling off a shock move to Spurs around the time Andre Villas-Boas was appointed the new Tottenham manager. One thing is for certain: he's no Luka Modric. While the Icelandic midfielder is creative, smart, and plenty skilled with a knack for goal scoring, he lacks the pace and fluidity of Modric, and as far as replacements go, I don't think he's the best choice. If Modric sticks around, Sigurdsson will be a marvelous compliment to a Tottenham midfield which lacks depth, but as far as replacements go, AVB might want to focus his efforts on signing Joao Moutinho.

Oscar - Internacional to Chelsea - C+
Oscar is one of Brazil's gems, combining skill, smarts, technique, and plenty of pace to create a true Brazilian starlet alongside the likes of Santo's Neymar and Ganso, Sao Paulo's Lucas Moura, and now former Internacional teammate Leandro Damiao. This is a huge hit-or-miss transfer for me, because generally you have to flip a coin to tell whether those skills will translate to the Premier League if past examples have been any reference. For every starlet who has gone on to shine in England, there have been just as many flops, and there are very few indicators of who will deal with the pressure and muscle in the EPL, and who will not, and I'm not convinced that kind of risk justifies an estimated 25 million Pounds (32 million Euros).

Transfers to watch in August

Andy Carroll to Fulham or West Ham

Carroll is looking increasingly unlikely to feature in Brendan Rodgers' Liverpool, and may look to secure first team football by going on loan for the 2012/13 season, just 18 months after making his unheralded 35 million Euro move to Anfield from Newcastle. While the Toon have been mentioned among his suitors, West Ham United, fresh from their promotion back to the Premier League, has been the most vocal about signing Carroll. Fulham could also be an opinion, as Liverpool have been linked to Clint Dempsey, and Carroll could be used as a swap piece to entice the West Londoners to let their prized American leave Craven Cottage.

Hugo Lloris to Spurs

This one is incredibly unlikely, especially with Lyon higher-ups setting a date for when Lloris' future must be sorted out, but it could prove intriguing. Andre Villas-Boas has adopted a very volitile Spurs side, and it looks like his two main targets, Man City's Emmanuel Adebayor and Porto's Joao Moutinho, will not be coming to White Hart Lane, while Luka Modric and Jermaine Defoe could be on their way out to Real Madrid and QPR respectively. As France's starter, Lloris would be a major upgrade at keeper over aging Brad Friedel, who is nearing the end of his career.

Santi Cazorla to Arsenal

With the Yann M'Vila deal essentially dead in the water, Arsene Wenger still must look to improve this side regardless of the future of Robin van Persie. I would have expected them to turn their focus to left back, but all signs point to Arsene Wenger abandoning his previous desires for a holding midfielder in favor of debt-laden Malaga's winger Santi Cazorla, who was a huge hit for Villareal and Malaga, as well as the Spanish national team. With the team still owing huge numbers for past transfers, Cazorla could be had at a cut-throat  price.

Stefan Jovetic to Juventus
Even after the purchase of Sebastien Giovinco, very few teams need a player like Juventus need a striker, and with the incredibly uncertain future of top target Robin van Persie hanging in balance, paired with the demise of Fiorentina, Jovetic would fit right into this need. An experienced 22 year old, Jovetic would be able to play across the front, and after reiterating his want for Champions League football, his ambition to join the Old Lady, and his displeasure at losing the Fiorentina captaincy, the young Montenegrin seems destined for Torino this summer.

Luka Modric to Real Madrid
If you haven't heard the speculation surrounding this move, kindly remove your head from the sand before you suffocate. This move is full of intrigue, as both Spurs and Real Madrid want him, but after refusing to play in Tottenham's pre-season American tour, prompting a falling out between he and AVB, as well as the desire of Real Madrid to bring him in, his much anticipated 40 million Euro move could be in the cards sooner rather than later.

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Kevin Kryston
Host, Football Central w/ Matt & Kevin
Thursdays from 6-8 (Aug. thru April) on 99.5 & 98.1 WUDR Dayton Flyer Radio

The PSG Revolution: Can The Parisians Compete for European Trophies?

Can Paris Saint-Germain Buy European Success?

After the signings of Ezequiel Lavezzi from Napoli, Thiago Silva and Zlatan Ibrahimovic from AC Milan, and starlet Marco Verratti from Pescara, in addition to a multitude of other high profile signings over the last two years, France's Paris Saint-Germain has gone from struggling in Ligue 1 to potentially a world superpower essentially overnight. Due to new Qatari ownership and the billions of dollars at the clubs disposal, the Parisian club has set out do do quickly what clubs such as Manchester City and Malaga have set as long-term goals: turn a club from a competitor to a perenial champion by buying success. While this approach attracts the best talent in the world, there are also issues, as in the past selection issues and player morale has stood in the way of club success (see pre-2011/12 Manchester City), and with 'financial fair-play' ruling lurking in the shadows, the financial viability of this plan is also in question. However, when looking at PSG, the question which will determine their success is simple: will they compete both domestically and in the Champions League in 2012/13?

In terms of talent, the answer is a resounding 'yes.' Not only has the huge amount of funds been used to acquire top notch players, but PSG, in my opinion, is different from all previous 'cash-to-win' experiments in the way in which they have pursued victory. This team has bought at the core first, then expanded to glamor areas such as attacking midfield and striker. While the additions of Javier Pastore, Thiago Motta, and this years signings of Ibrahimovic and Lavezzi have snatched headlines, PSG has been reinvigorated by key cut rate snatch-ups such as that of Alex from Chelsea and Maxwell from Barcelona which have fortified a defense led by the youngest captain in PSG history, Mamadou Sakho. With the addition the best defender in the world in Thiago Silva, this team now has one of the most fomidible and inpregnable defenses in football. Add to that the likes of goalscorers and creators such as Lavezzi, Ibra, Nene, Jeremy Menez, Pastore, Kevin Gamiero, and more, and PSG have the make of a team which is world class up and down the pitch.

However, show frequenters will understand that both my co-host Matt and I are both unconvinced by big spenders chances, despite the fact that they rarely misstep in the transfer market, and that we prefer set ups such as Manchester United over those of Manchester City. This is mainly due to our own feelings that free spending damages and deconstructs the fabric of team chemistry, player morale, and coaching stability. Even though PSG higher ups have tried to correct these issues by making the team essentially all French and Italian, this does not negate the fact that at every position on the field there will be players with huge egos and contracts sitting the bench at any given point during a match. This creates issues in the locker room, in player performance, and for coaches, who now have the task of pleasing all these players as well. While Carlo Ancelotti may have great experience with handling big names, I guarantee he's never faced a situation quite like this.

So, will PSG contend? In France, I can't see them not being in the top two. There's just too much talent on the field. As for Europe, I have my reservations. This team has great talent, but are still not better than the best in England and Spain, in my opinion, and cohesion issues will come out during big Champions League matches. I don't see this team getting past the Knockout Round, but that's just me. One thing is for certain, the PSG experiment is different and more exciting than any other 'pay to win' cause we've ever seen, and that makes it worth monitoring for the remainder of the year.

The Fashion Post

The Fashion Post: Grading the Kits of 2012/13

More so than in any other sport, fashion in the world of football is incredibly important. In almost any other sport in the world, fans will applaud a jersey or be critical of it, and move on. Jerseys are rarely updated, and the only thing a jersey can really say about a team is separating the contemporary clubs from the traditional ones. However, in football, on-pitch fashion is incredibly escalated. Kit are updated every year, and with each kit, new critiques and statements are made by clubs. Kits can say things about the nature of a current squad, and even about current players. Appearance is also far overdone on the pitch of the football world, just ask the meticulous Cristiano Ronaldo and punk-inspired Raul Miereles, who both have distinct 'looks' to match their respective personalities. Kits are also a huge factor to club finances, as jersey sales are key to raising funds for other ventures. Speculation has it that some foreign players have been bought just for jersey sales in native countries, most of whom are from the Far East. This is why ever summer we over blow how important the new line of shirts are, and I'm no different. Over the course of this post, I'll grade some of the new kits of teams around Europe, and give you reasons why I think they're so great, or why they need to be sent back from whince they came.

Arsenal

Home Kit: C-

Arsenal are not a team that are going to get very far away from their classic red with white sleeves look, so it's always the little things we need to look at when determining the quality of their home kit, such as the highlights (or lack their of) to end the sleeve and other little changes. I personally hate the blue at the end of the sleeve. It makes the shirt look classless in my book. But realistically, it's a very minor change, and Arsenal still have a very clean looking kit.

Away Kit Grade: D-

Honestly, what were they thinking? In 2012/13, Arsenal will be sporting a rich, yet incredibly boring, purple and black for the field players and fabulous pink for the goalies at away sites, which I'm sure is the best way to have the crowds respect them as men (sarcasm). Between the horizontal stripes, nasty colors, and really out of place red on the sleeve, these are a train wreck. They'd get an F if I didn't like the socks. It's been too long since Arsenal sported their classic yellow and blue away's, and I think it's time they return to tradition.

Manchester City

Home Kit Grade: B

Again, City are not a team to tamper much with their home kit, so we've got to knit-pick. The sky blue shirts are an institution, just like Real Madrid's white home kit and Arsenal's red with white sleeves homes. I generally hate both collared jerseys and altering classic shirts, but if you're going to add a color, might as well make it black. These look really classy, and I think if they got rid of the collar, I'd give them an A.

Away Kit Grade: C-

I know City is trying to steal Arsenal's players, but they've gone a little too far stealing their jersey's. These are almost identical to the mid-2000's Arsenal home kits to let it slip by, even down to the gold lettering. They look good, and while being inspired by something is OK, ripping it off is unforgivable, thus the poor grade.

Manchester United

Home Kit Grade: D 

On the surface and from a distance, this has everything a United kit should have: robust, uninterrupted red, white shorts, and black socks. However, when you get within a few feet, the kit falls apart together. Whoever designed this must have thought that Sir Alex would want to have a picnic on some of his players chest, because that's exactly what they look like: a picnic blanket. I'm all for subtle details in simple jersey's, but if you're going to use them, make your team look cool. Picnic blankets are not cool, and neither are these United kits.

Away Kit Grade: D-

Again, same argument as before. Nothing wrong with the kit other than the picnic blanket vibe. Add on the fact that these are also boring, and I'll give the Red Devil's away kit a half letter grade less than the ones they'll wear at Old Trafford.

Chelsea

Home Kit Grade: A-

I gotta say, not bad at all. They're classy and classic, and I really like the horizontal stripe accents on the shirts. These look exactly like what a Chelsea kit should look like: all blue with a few bells and whistles. Even the addition of gold as the letter color isn't too bad, if a little be pompous. Good looking kit.

Away Kit Grade: B-

Chelsea have made it a habit over the last few years to ruin great looking kits with one small detail that just drives me nuts. Last year, their classy yet intimidating black kits inexplicably had a checkerboard on them, and this year, they chose a color that is both uninspired and makes them look like Olympique Marseilles rather than Chelsea. If that stripe was black, yellow, or even something wackier, I'd say this is maybe one of the best kits of the year, but as it stands, its uninspired and wimpy looking. So close to a truly elegant jersey, but no cigar.

Liverpool

Home Kit Grade: B
Yet another case of "why change what isn't broken." Liverpools new kit's red is deep and rich, and I have to say that the gold lettering really matches that, but it's a bit too bland and it has a has a collar, so an average grade will suffice for the Red's jerseys.

Away Kit Grade: C-
Yikes. Black color: awesome. Gold lettering: appropriate. Stripe design: unique. Grey accents: ugh. Collar that looks like it wants to be a turtleneck but chickened out at the end: no. This has all the makings of a really great kit, but a few downfall just make it look very odd, almost like something kids get made of for wearing in the year 2043. If they would have used an exciting accent color an had a normal collar, I'd absolutely love this kit.

Barcelona

Home Kit Grade: C-
Away Kit Grade: C-
Both these kits for me just scream "below average." Sure the homes still have the iconic red and blue stripes, and the more I look at them the less I hate the jersey, but they just look dopey. The aways have some good colors, but I feel the way they handled the color scheme was really misdone, and combining the two doesn't look as clean as it should. Plus the kits are supposed to represent the teams philosophy and were revealed at an art museum, so not only do they look funny, but they're pretentious, too.

Real Madrid

Home Kit Grade: A
Very nice choices all around for the most iconic kit in all the world. One thing a Real Madrid shirt should always be is classy, and the 2012/13 kit is one of the classiest jerseys I've ever seen. From the choice of a V-neck to the black accents to the vertical stripe detailing, this jersey is clean, understated, and elegant: the kind of kit James Bond would wear.

Away Kit Grade: B-
Meh. Nothing really wrong with this one, but you'd think that the away kit would be a negative version of the home kit, and I think that would have looked a lot better. Again, there's nothing much to gripe about, but this jersey just gives me a bad taste in my mouth; it leaves me wondering what could have been.

AC Milan

Home Kit Grade: B+
I really like when teams with vertical stripes as their main kit make sure the lines are bold and pronounced, and that's what AC's homes are. Collar aside, these really have a classic look, which is what you want in a classic kit. The black socks are also a nice choice. My conclusion is that it's a good kit, but I just can't give anything with a collar an A.

Away Kit Grade: A-
Very nice. I like the horizontal stripe and it was a smart choice to double color it. White is always a good kit choice, and having black rather than red shorts was smart. The collar will not give this a damning grade, because it adds a splash of color.

Inter Milan

Home Kit Grade: B
The long sleeve kits with the all black sleeve look amazing, but the short sleeve version is very hum-drum. Really nothing to complain about or write home about; these are just another Inter home kit with little to no differences from any year before. It's a great looking kit, but it's the same as always, and I'm a little disappointed with a lack of ambition by the designers.

Away Kit Grade: B+
I wouldn't have through that red would have worked well with blue and black, but after seeing this, I actually wish this kit had more of Inter's home colors incorporated in this kit. The red is a little overpowering for an away kit, but like I said, these two colors look good, and the jersey still looks classy. A few tweaks and this is a top-notch away uniform, but it's still very nice as it is.

Juventus

Home Kit Grade: A+
I'm bonkers for this kit. The black plate for the sponsor and number, the frequent stripes, the number design, the incorporation of the Italian flag and even the sleeves are all very well thought out and are both classic and somewhat modern. This is what a home kit should be: a modern flair to a piece of club history. Wonderful jersey for the Old Lady.

Away Kit Grade: A
Very nice. Classy and intimidating jersey. The number design is a little funky, but in the few places the designers chose to use white, such as the sleeves, it's a very nice touch. Juventus really outdid themselves this year.

Bayern Munich

From what I've found, these kits will be the same as 2012/13, so no grading is necessary.

Dortmund

Home Kit Grade: C
Away Kit Grade: B+
Dortmund are the face of modernity in football today. They've got a young and exciting coach and mindset through Jurgen Klopp, a great group of young talent, and fresh success to match their youth. Their kits should reflect this. The home kit is dull. Dortmund should be taking risks with their kit designs, but their homes this year don't. The aways are a tad bit nice, but I know for a fact they're the standard Puma design for 2012/13, so that bumps down the grade for lack of originality.

Paris Saint-Germain

Home Kit Grade: B-
Away Kit: Not released
PSG is in Champions League football and will be looking to prove that money can buy success both domestically in this competition through the buys of Ezequiel Lavezzi, and potentially AC Milan duo Thiago Silva and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and these are the kits they'll do it in. Don't get me wrong, they look nice, but as with many other kits, I just feel they're a bit too boring and that an opportunity was missed. Very nice, but not ambitious enough for my taste.

Best of the Rest

Wigan Away Kit
Man does that look nice. Intimidating jersey with a really awesome honeycomb pattern and yellow that really jumps off the shirt. An away kit for a team looking to dominate. It's just too bad Wigan will likely lose most of the games they play in these shirts.

Atl. Madrid Away Kit
Again, it's hard to go wrong with black. When you add red in, that's also something that tough to mess up. The red is just in the right place and the different shades of black in the striping makes this kit really shine. Snazzy and very sleek.

Werder Bremen Home Kit
Innovative and classy. The jersey doesn't take many chances with its color scheme, but the choice of argyle patterns and the deep, full greens rather than using something florescent makes for a good combo. The jersey isn't offensive, but it's still intriguing. Great design choices for Die Bremens kit, especially for a team stuck with goalkeeper colors.

Worst of the Rest

Liverpool Alternate Kit
It's a football kit, not a pair of children's swim shorts. Warrior is a company from Michigan that generally specializes in hockey and lacrosse apparel, and after their successful home and aways for 'Pool, they really show their inexperience with the 3rd kit for 2012/13. The color scheme is boring, but those graphics on the sleeves are just so tacky and lame that this has to be one of the worst of the season.

Valencia Champions League Kit
I'm really happy that the Bats won't be wearing these much. Coming from a club that generally sticks to black, white, and wacky as their three kit colors, these just look bonkers. None of the colors are particularly good and they clash like nobody's business. First time I looked at these I gave the kit a look like it had just farted at an inappropriate time.

Trabzonspor (Turkish Super Lig) Away Kits
Yikes. Between the tops with way too much going on, the solid shorts and socks, and the less than matching or even good looking color scheme, Trabzonspors aways are just ugly. Goalie kit looks cool, though....

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Thanks for putting up with this incredibly insubstantial post. I'll be back with actual analysis next week.

Kevin Kryston
Host, Football Central with Matt and Kevin
Thurs. from 6-8 (Aug. thru April) on 99.5 and 98.1 WUDR Dayton Flyer Radio

Two Choices, Two Paths: Robin van Persie

Two Choices, Two Paths: Robin van Persie

Everybody and their mother now knows that Arsenal forward and 2011/12 EPL Golden Boot winner Robin van Persie has announced he will not to renew his contract with Arsenal, citing a fundamental difference in the policies of the club to peruse trophies. While that seems pretty cut and dry, he's still set to meet with Arsenal president Ivan Gazidiz and manager Arsene Wenger in the coming week, and many within Arsenals ranks still believe they can retain van Persie. What we know is this: van Persie is still under contract for 2012/13, many clubs want his signature, and Arsenal doesn't want to repeat the agony of losing their captain and best player in consecutive years after losing Cesc Fabregas in the summer of 2011. Whether van Persie's motivations are similar to Fabregas, who left for Barcelona to win trophies and be close to home, but maintains Arsenal as one of his favorite club, and is widely seen as a hero by Gunners everywhere, or similar to those of Samir Nasri, who left for Manchester City to pursue trophies and get an increased salary, but is widely considered a villain by Arsenal fans due to his criticism of the club and being seen as 'greedy,' remains to be seen, but regardless of motivation, action will have to be taken this summer. This leaves us with two choices by Arsenal: sell van Persie and collect his money, or keep him (either for long term or for the 2012/13 season) and convince him to re-sign over the course of the year. Both have legitimate risks and rewards, but I will attempt to give you my plan if I was in Arsene Wenger's shoes for both difficult decisions. Van Persie will inevitably get what he wants, whether it be an exit from the Emirates or a stay in North London. The backlash falls with the Gunners, and I'll attempt to manage said backlash through this post.

Option 1: Sell Robin van Persie

The Situation: van Persie cannot be persuaded to stay, and demands a transfer. Begrudgingly, as Arsenal manager, I agree. There is plenty of interest both domestically and abroad, but losing England's top scorer leaves gaping holes in the Arsenal Starting XI, either at wing or striker depending on where we choose to play new signing Lukas Podolski. 

What I would do: I personally would choose not to sell van Persie to another English team, regardless of price. The goal at Arsenal is to win a title in 2012/13, with or without van Persie, and selling him domestically damages those prospects greatly. This takes Manchester City and United out of the equation. PSG recently said they wouldn't target van Persie, leaving Juventus, Real Madrid, and Barcelona as his remaining suitors. I would sell to the highest bidder, unless van Persie rejected a move to the club out of respect to his wishes. I give the captains armband to Thomas Vermalaen and instruct Jack Wilshere to prepare himself for future leadership as vice-captain, where he splits duties with other stand-in captains Tomas Rosicky and Mikel Arteta. The Wilshere vice-captaincy is more of a move to strengthen his own ties to the club so as not to repeat a Fabregas-esque situation again by losing a perceived 'Arsenal-for-lifer.'

Now that the club business is out of the way, it's time to use money gotten through his transfer to buy quickly and thoughtfully. Looking at van Persie-less Arsenal, and moving Podolski to striker to couple with Olivier Giroud, I see massive deficiencies on the wings. After clearing out fringe players for more funds, I would sit down with Theo Walcott to discuss a new deal. If he refuses or talks stall, I have no problem selling him for more funds. If he re-signs, we keep a long time player. No-lose situation. The wingers I would target are former Blackburn winger Junior Hoilett, who may not have the class but is a no-brainer because he can be signed on a free transfer, and big-money bids for Leverkeusen winger and Chelsea target Andre Schurrle and/or Newcastle winger Hatem Ben Arfa. Regardless of transfer incomers at wing, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is featured more in the first team. Alternatively, if Podolski wants to stay on the wing, I target Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski and/or Newcastle striker Papiss Cisse. From there, I turn my attention to the midfield, and snatch up Yann M'Vila from Stade Rennes, who has long been tied to an Arsenal move, or, if this fails, Manchester City want-away Nigel de Jong. Depending on the amount of funds still available after signing a reliable back-up keeper to replace Lukas Fabianski, I also look into moves for an additional defender, or look to strengthen my youth system. At the end of the day, we may have lost talent up front, but the end Arsenal product is leaner and more reliable all-around, and ready to make a run at silverware yet again.

Estimated net transfer costs: 30-50 million Euros

2012/13 Starting XI:

G: Szczesney.

D: Sagna, Vermalaen, Koscielny, Gibbs.

M: M'Vila/Song, Wilshere, Arteta.

F: Walcott/Ben Arfa, Podolski, Chamberlain/Schurrle.

Option 2: Keep van Persie

The Situation: After meetings with the club brass, Robin van Persie reconsiders and decides that he would consider re-signing at Arsenal . Re-signing him now becomes a numbers game, and he still wants to see that Arsenal will challenge for trophies in 2012/13. Some of the transfer budget is gone, but at least we retained the EPL's top scorer and our captain.

What I would do: Crisis averted, now it's time to prove to Robin van Persie and football fans all over the world that this won't happen again by breaking bad habits. First thing's first: sign van Persie to a deal representative of his value. I offer 150k-a-week as a jumping off point, but maintain that there's a possibility that that number could hike 170k-a-week. Arsenal needs to retain top players, and if this means paying them more from time to time, that's what it'll take. I sign him even if it means parting ways with Theo Walcott, who is also in the final year of his contract, to raise funds. 

With van Persie back in as Arsenal captain, it's time to flex our transfer muscles. A fringe clear-out is in order, and with these funds, and the additional (estimated) 15-30 million Euros still in the original budget, we need to make sure this club is ready to compete for not only English trophies, but European silverware as well. Van Persie, Podolski, Giroud, Oxlade-Chamberlain, and Gervinho with Theo Walcott, or if he leaves, free signing Hoilett or starlet Ryo Miyaichi, provide enough class and depth that I can turn my focus to other areas. M'Vila or de Jong are first priority. Next up is getting a star at left back. Leighton Baines of Everton is an attractive option (just ask Manchester United), as is Ajax and Netherlands playmaker Gregory van der Wiel and Lyon's Aly Cissokho. Regardless of price, I sign one of these players to cover for the inexperienced and frequently unreliable Kieran Gibbs. This side, in my opinion, is bona fide top 3 in the EPL, and should guarantee the seven year title drought ends by the end of the 2012/13 season.

Estimated Net Transfer Cost: 25-35 million Euros

2012/13 Starting XI:

G: Szczesney.

D: Sagna, Vermalaen, Koscielny, Baines/van der Wiel/Cissokho.

M: M'Vila/Song, Wilshere, Arteta.

F: Oxlade-Chamberlain/Walcott, van Persie, Podolski.

Conclusion

Detaching myself from a hypothetical managerial role and returning to analysis, I really think it's in everyone involved's best interest for van Persie to stay at Arsenal. While he might have a better chance at trophies somewhere other than North London, Arsenal have been making steps towards getting a trophy ready team for him to lead, he's adored by fans, players, and coaches alike, and I genuinely feel that Arsenal are ready to correct past mistakes and break the bank to give RvP a more lucrative contract. I also have my doubts about whether Arsenal will receive the type of bids for van Persie that would make it a viable option to sell him. Mind you, this is a player in the last year of his deal and with loads of reoccurring and quite frankly serious leg injury problems throughout his career. Arsenal won't sell him for anything less than 15-20 million, but I'm just not sure any teams are willing to dedicate that type of fee to sign him.

Arsenal won't want to lose a captain, and if van Persie is smart, he won't want to leave the glory and adoration he's earned despite having an injury-laden career in the year that Arsenal finally looks like they've got their act together. After about eight years of missteps that have led to this trophy drought, Arsene Wenger is showing signs of learning and altering his plans to break bad trends. We saw this at the end of last year when he bought a mass of players - albeit hastily - before the deadline in 2011, and we're seeing it again with the early signings of big name internationals early this summer. Van Persie has an opportunity to be the leader of a revamped and reinvigorated Arsenal side. Obviously at this time, he doesn't see it that way, and until he can be convinced that this is the case, there's no way he stays a Gunner. I don't blame him for chasing trophies and wanting a contract that reflects his talent; I'm just not so sure that those two factors and more don't already exist at the Emirates.

This saga is far from over. Both sides are a bit disillusioned right now, but hopefully in a few weeks, we'll have some clarity on what's really going on.

EURO 2012 Wrap-Up and Early League Finish Predictions

Spain: Best Team Ever?

By defeating Italy 4-0 in the EURO 2012 Final in Kiev in the end of June, Spain made people question whether they are the greatest international team of all time. Having won the last three major tournaments, and having not lost in a knockout stage since being knocked out of the Confederations Cup in 2009 by the United States, many arguing for Spain certainly have grounds for their claim. With legends such as Xavi, Iker Casillas, and David Villa, as well as blossoming stars such as Cesc Fabregas, Jordi Alba, and Andres Iniesta featuring since their EURO 2008 win, the quality of Spain is both in their individuals and the whole, with Vincente del Bosque instilling an attractive, 'lull you to sleep' triangle passing scheme, with brief glimpses of absolute class leading to goal after goal after goal. In Kiev, the Spaniards made Italy look like chumps, which is no small task. Italy was just finding their stride by the time they reached the final, adding goals and brawn to their trademark Italian defense and creativity. After defeating the co-favorite Germans in the Semi-Finals relatively easily, the Italians convinced the football community (myself included) that they would put up a fight against Spain.

They did not.

And one thing is for sure: it wasn't Italy's fault they got hammered. For the majority of the game, they got Spain out of their comfort zone and even created a few chances with their press. Even when the wheels started to fall off and they were forced to ten men due to injury, the Italians fought hard and defended well against Spain. Spain was just on a different level. And that, for me, is the story of this team. Even against the strongest opponents and in the toughest tests, this Spanish side has come out victorious, and aside from a few games, have made it look easy. They were even so good that Fernando Torres won the Golden Boot despite starting just one game. No small task.

I never saw 1970 Brazil play, so I won't pass judgement over about whether this Spanish nucleus is better head-to-head than the yellow shirts of over four decades ago. All I will say is that the fact that we are making this comparison with a straight face says so much about how good this Spanish team is, and how good they will likely be for the next four to six years. While they have an aging nucleus, plenty of players who broke into the first team in EURO 2012 will be hitting their prime by World Cup 2014 and EURO 2016, and we shouldn't discount them as a world superpower for the next half decade at very least. Between longevity, variety of player, competitive fire, and absolute class (highlighted by their captain, Iker Casillas, who asked officials to call off extra time in the Final because he couldn't stand to see Italy down to 10 men due to injury) of all players, coaches, and the philosophy of this team, there are few teams in any sport that can replicate the formula and success that Spain has achieved over the last six years.

Take heed: this team won't be here forever, so enjoy them every chance you get. There likely won't be another like them.

Team of the Tournament

GK: Iker Casillas, Spain

DL: Jordi Alba, Spain

DC: Pepe, Portugal

DC: Andrea Barzagli, Italy

DR: Philip Lahm, Germany

MC: Andrea Pirlo, Italy

MC: Daniele de Rossi, Italy

MC: Andres Iniesta, Spain

LW: Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal

RW: David Silva, Spain

ST: Mario Madzuckic, Croatia

Bench: 

Gigi Buffon, Italy

Jakub Blaszczykowski, Poland

Cesc Fabregas, Spain

Joao Mountinho, Portugal

Alan Dzagoev, Russia

Joe Hart, England

Mesut Ozil, Germany

Early European League Predictions

English Premiere League

1. Manchester City

2. Arsenal

3. Manchester United

4. Chelsea

5. Newcastle United

6. Liverpool

Manchester United, Chelsea, and Arsenal will have to still make some strides to pass City, even with the blue end of Manchester being abnormally inactive this transfer window. Arsenal jumps up to number two on my list, as I feel their additions of Olivier Giroud and Lukas Podolski, and additional playing time for Jack Wilshere and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain should fill the biggest gaps in a team that finished third last year. They could have easily been swapped with United, but I chose to bump down the Red Devils because I don't exactly see the addition of Shinji Kagawa vastly improving their squad. Chelsea is a bit more like Swiss cheese and has a lot of players hanging in the balance, but I recon they'll be making moves-a-plenty come mid-July. Newcastle, Liverpool, Spurs, Everton, and Fulham make up the second tier, with Spurs falling out of the top 6 due to a complete lack of a striker at time of writing.

Spanish Liga BBVA

1. Barcelona

2. Real Madrid

3. Athletico Madrid

4. Malaga

5. Valencia

6. Sevilla

Jordi Alba is a terrific signing for the Catalans, and should be enough to propel them to the top of La Liga yet again, as they're already one of the deepest and most talented teams in the world up front and in the midfield. Alba's signing should fill depth gaps that exposed an injury-laden team in 2011/12. Real Madrid are the defending champions, but having not made a move this summer, and with plenty of potential selection problems already, I've got them slightly behind Barca. From there, a huge gap separates them from their crosstown rivals Athletico, who have been inactive and will mostly look to hold on to key players such as Falcao. Malaga places fourth because while they need a striker, they should have finished there last year. Valencia drops to the five spot due to inactivity and many first-teamers leaving Nueva Mestalla, and Sevilla breaks the top six because I found on their young talent to return rejuvenated and more battle ready fro the Liga season.

Italian Serie A

1. AC Milan

2. Juventus

3. Napoli

4. Inter Milan

5. Roma

6. Lazio

Milan is still incomplete, but the signing of Ricardo Montolivo, in my opinion, could be one of the steals of the year. They're also retaining most of their core key players, such as Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Pato, and Thiago Silva. Look for them to add more attack force in the coming weeks. Juventus is a close second to Milan, and with a striker of their own, The Old Lady will easily take the first spot in my book. The defending champs signed Udinese pair Mauricio Isla and Kwadwo Asamoah recently, which covers up some weak spots and provides depth to a team that finished unbeaten in league play last year. Napoli has lost Lavezzi, but they're still expected to finish third for me, and management will without a doubt make a big move soon if the last few years is any indication. Inter is in turmoil and find themselves mostly selling despite having cohesion problems and holes in their starting 11, Roma needs to find some quality in the midfield and at striker (although they're notorious for waiting until the last minute to make their signings), and Lazio should retain enough to finish in the top six. 

German Bundasliga

1. Borussia Dortmund

2. Bayern Munich

3. Schalke 04

4. Bayer Leverkeusen

Without a doubt, Dortmund is the class of Germany. The two-time defending Bundasliga champs are proven winners and have a core of young players that are still getting better. They may have lost Kagawa to United, but some would argue his replacement, former Gladbach midfielder Marco Reus, is, in fact, an upgrade. Robert Lewandowski has been linked to Arsenal and Manchester United in recent weeks, but is still unlikely to leave. Bayern is a close second in Germany, especially after signing Mario Mandzuckic from Wolfsburg. With some good form and a little unselfish play from Arjen Robben (don't hold your breath), they could easily win the Bundasliga. Schalke trumps Leverkeusen for the three spot, especially after signing Switzerland international Tranquillo Barnetta for free from Leverkeusen last week to feed goal machine Klaas-Jan Huntelaar on the wing.

French Ligue 1

1. Paris Saint-Germain

2. LOSC Lille

3. Olympique Lyonnais

4. Olympique Marseille

PSG continues to make good move after good move, and with a good core of top class players and more likely to come, they should be able to win Ligue 1 this season. However, I feel they still need help in defense if they're to challenge in the Champions League. Lille, after losing Eden Hazard to Chelsea, instantly replied by signing France international Marvin Martin from Sochaux and Salomon Kalou for free from Chelsea. They're a year removed from winning the French league, so the talent is mostly still there. OL and OM should rebound after disappointing years and finish back in the top 4, although losing Hugo Lloris would damage Lyons chances mightily. Defending champion Montpelier is out of the list.

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Kevin Kryston
Host, Football Central with Matt and Kevin
Thursdays from 6-8 (Aug. thru April) on 99.5 and 98.1 WUDR Dayton Flyer Radio