by Patrick ‘Rey’ Reynell
>Carlo Ancelotti newest Chelsea manager, already seeing transfer strain of EPL financial woes
Italian manager Carlo Ancelotti left AC Milan to become the most recent manager at Stamford Bridge. This is Chelsea’s fifth manager since hiring Jose Mourinho away from FC Porto in 2004.
While Mourinho brought the club two Premier League titles and many other trophies, none after him were able to do the same until this past FA Cup victory. Roman Abramovich, Chelsea’s owner, has longed for the manager that can handle the throng of superstars since Mourinho’s departure. His hasty hiring and firing practices has led him now to Ancelotti.
Ancelotti has already felt the financial strain of the Premier League. He wishes to sign a major player to help change the identity of the Blues, but realizes that might not be possible without a sale of his own. Surprisingly, Much has been said about captain John Terry’s possible sale.
Some even suggests that the sale of Terry may be the financial gain they need to change the identity of the team to Ancoletti’s liking. Crazy to think of Terry in anything other than Chelsea blue. If Terry or Chelsea actually go through with such a move, one has to question the loyalty in sports today as Terry seems to be of the character of said trait.
Speaking of John Terry…
> Manchester City pulling its best Real Madrid impression, sign Carlos Tevez, Emmanuel Adebayor
While other clubs have felt the strain of worldwide economic woes, big spending Real Madrid and Manchester City have thrown any financial caution to the wind and have spent. The team making the most headlines this summer in Manchester is not the one you would think.
Manchester City has signed Carlos Tevez away from neighboring Manchester United as well as Arsenal’s Emmanuel Adebayor. City has plenty of fire power and have to be considered a huge threat for the top four positions and Champions League and possibly even the Premier League title.
It’s looking more and more like they won’t get their English star in Terry, as Chelsea have already rejected two offers in the realm of 30 million pounds. Regardless, City have added expensive players like Robinho, Tevez, and now Adebayor. The battle for Manchester may augment itself and become the battle for the Premier League.
>Seattle Sounders drawing consistent crowds, currently sit second in MLS standings in first year
How many people attend an MLS game? I can’t tell you the average across the league, but I bet Seattle’s franchise can debunk your prejudices concerning MLS attendance. For their home games in 2009, they currently average 29,983. Yes, I typed that correctly. In fact, they exceeded 31,000 on three occasions, two of which have been their last two home games. I have plenty of questions.
Should I be surprised? Something tells me that their attendance will drop dramatically after this inaugural season. I have mentioned before that I am a big fan of the Philadelphia franchise building its stadium in Chester, PA. There will be much more of a demand there. But I don’t know if interest in the MLS can be sustained like it is in Seattle.
It might also help that the Sounders, who formerly played in the USL divisions, are one of the league’s best teams. They only trail Houston in terms of standings, attaining 28 points with a 7-3-7 record. Their goal differential is also tops in the leagues along with Houston at +10.
They aren’t without their noticeable players either. Former U.S. national team goalkeeper and Fulham goalkeeper Kasey Keller plays in the net. The Washington state native has recorded five clean sheets so far.
Forward Fredy Montero leads the team with 9 goals and 6 assists. The twenty-one year old Colombian, who celebrates his twenty-second birthday this coming Sunday, is fun to watch. He has skills to become a great player and not just in the MLS. He was very popular in playing in his native country and has four caps for the Colombian national team.
But here is the key for the MLS: can they hang on to a young star like Montero? They’ve lost Jozy Altidore, Maurice Edu, and many others to European transfers. As far as Seattle, it seems to be a beakon of hope as far as soccer interest. European clubs have made many a summer trips to the city because they know there is a demand there. Chelsea returned for a friendly against the Sounders this past Saturday and I think Real Madrid was there a couple of years ago.
You can see Montero’s ability to settle the ball and find the back of the net here. His debut in the MLS where he scored 2 goals and had an assist against New York below. An amazing player.
Got any soccer news or comments? Take a seat on the bench and let your ‘pickins’ be heard.
Do you think Seattle’s soccer success has anything to do with the recent departure of the Sonics? Maybe the fine folks of Seattle realize the value of supporting their teams.
Great drama in the upcoming EPL season with the defection of Pretty Boy Ronaldo and these additions by Man City. The frickin’ Toffees better keep pace.
I’m not sure, Casey, but I think soccer has been quite popular in Seattle even before the Sonics left. I don’t get it with the Sonics. Their WNBA team found investors and was able to buy out of the same group that was going to move the Sonics. They were able to stay in Seattle. I don’t know about their attendance, but I want to say on the average it is better than the rest of the league.
Back to soccer – Even when Seattle was in the USL their attendance was decent. I think that’s kind of why they were practically a shoe in for the MLS.
The EPL will be very interesting. At least to the average soccer fan it seems like the power of the Big 4 has been evened out a little bit with the departure of C.Ronaldo. Man. City has to compete, but remember – I compared them to the NY Mets as their MLB equivalancy team. They seem to get big names, coaches, but never produce.