Can the Best League in the World win the 2010 World Cup?

Surely now when I say the best league in the world, most people will straightaway refer to none other than the Barclays Premier League (or more widely known as English Premier League). Yes, the English League. They have come a long way from European minnows (among the major football league) to ultimate conqueror of Europe's Premier Club Competition- UEFA Champions League. Last season's all English final is the ultimate evidence to cast away any doubts or doubters that- Barclays Premier League is the best league in the world right now!

To add the icing on the cake, Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo was named UEFA's European Club Footballer of the Year, and also the Forward of the Year, while John Terry, Frank Lampard and Peter Cech made up the BPL dominations in the Defender, Midfielder and Goalkeeper of the Year. So, now the question is, can the best league in the world win the World Cup 2010 in South Africa?

The implication of being the best league, is the foreign influx of players. Now, players-and also investors all around the world set their sight on coming to BPL. While more big money investors in the BPL will certainly raise the standard of the league further, the group of talented English footballers for the national team has certainly become an issue.

While Theo Walcott- the lastest young prodigy to set the world alight- hattrick may have cover up the national team's attacking prowess, but any right-minded can sensed a lack of talent when the squad include Emile Heskey, who is way passed his best years.

Besides, the goalkeeping department doesn't look good as well with Paul Robinson (who is not playing at his best) sitting on the bench, while David James (not the most steady of hands) started the game.

So now we know the problem, but what is the solution, or where is the potential talents that may be able to replace them. The bigger problem is, there are none, or they are not given the chance to show them. Why?Because in the best league in the world, the players must also be the best around. So no time for nurturing! One of the example is Glen Johnson, who moved to Portsmouth from Chelsea to play first team football. Who can blame Chelsea for not giving him more chance to play, when they have other complete-article players at their disposal?

The trend now and here-to-stay is there will be more players from outside the big four to join the England squad, and these teams actually provide the only hope for Capello if he is to steer England to glory. And if the Big Four expand to Big Five, then there will be a team less to produce talents for England, as they will be too busy buying the best players in the world to the best league in the world!

And in another 1 year plus, we will see whether the best league in the world can win the World Cup!

Dramatic end to transfer window!

I was stunned when I checked out soccernet for the last minute transfer deals before the transfer window close. Robinho leaves Real, and surprise surprise, not to Chelsea, but to Manchester City! WTF?! Manchester City? I thought Thaksin is having all kinds of trouble, and Bangkok in emergency rule partly because of him, yet he can outwits the mighty Russian owned Chelsea in transfer market?! Incredible!

The 32.5 million is definitely higher than the Chelsea's reportedly offer of 28 million. Even if Real accepted the offer, why the hell Robinho will want to play in the UEFA Cup? Manchester City offer more (in terms of transfer fee) for Ronaldinho as well, yet Ronaldinho rejected them. What is he thinking?

I finally understand when I read that Thaksin is selling his stakes to Abu Dhabi United Group. With all these Arab money, City not only can afford the transfer fee, but also huge weekly salary that should be tempting to a young lad. Besides Robinho, City also bought in quite a number of reinforcement during this transfer window. They are Gláuber Berti from FC Nuremburg, Pablo Zabaleta from Espanyol, Shaun Wright-Phillips from Chelsea, Vincent Kompany from Hamburg SV, and Tal Ben Haim from Chelsea.

Though some of the signings are still unknown quantity, Manchester City should be a team to watch this season.

Tottenham also had a busy last day, with Dimitar Berbatov leaving to Manchester United for 30.75 million, while Roman Pavlyuchenko and Vedran Corluka join from Spartak Moscow and Manchester City respectively. These deals certainly solved the attacking options for both Spurs and Man Utd, as both will now have 3 strikers to sustain the whole season. Spurs won a psychological battle against Man Utd in the transfer market by not compromising the transfer fee, and also successfully completed two deals of their own in time to finally put the transfer saga behind. This is really a win-win situation where both teams get reinforcement, while Berbatov's wish to play for Manchester United is granted.

And we will be seeing the last of the tireless Andriy Voronin, who was loaned to Hertha Berlin in the Bundesliga