The transfer dispute of 2008/2009 season

With the transfer window closing today, there has been many switches of players between clubs, league involving all kinds if nationalities for the past 2-3 months. Though there are many big names transfer that are already completed, some transfers are still in dispute or ended after months of speculating. And the most notable one are the 3 cases stated below:

Cristiano Ronaldo
Manchester United has shown their authority over player power as they successfully keep CR, even though CR had expressed his desire to move to Real Madrid, and even suggested that he is made a slave. This remark seriously infuriated a number of people (including me), as this remark is seriously crazy and offending. If a 100k per week bloke is a slave, then what do you call those on a few k per month? It was your decision to extend your contract with MU, and you will have to be responsible for it. If you really so desperate to leave for "the club you supported since kid", then don't extend your contract, and leave on free when your contract expire.

Dimitar Berbatov
Berbatov has been a hit with the Spurs fan, as he score goals for fun in the past few season for Spurs. But now, as he had expressed his wish to joined MU, the Spurs chairman to let him rotted in the reserve instead of selling him to MU for a lower price. In this case, no one is at fault, really.

Berbatov wants to play in Champions League, that's why he choose to leave. But when his wish is not granted due to different valuation of him by MU and Spurs, his morale and performance drop, and affected the spirit of the team.

Spurs is selling their best player to a BPL rival, so surely they will sell at a premium. Besides, they will be more than happy to keep Berbatov if MU can't match their price.

MU is unwilling to match the selling price set by Spurs, so they are unwilling to proceed.

If a deal cannot be completed before the transfer window close, hopefully Berbatov will leave the saga behind, and focus on helping Spurs to achieve greater success. Berbatov, at his best is a joy to watch, and also, prove a point to MU that he is worth every penny of the 30 million they are unwilling to pay.

Gareth Barry
Barry has shown that he is truly professional player. During the long transfer saga (which just ended with him staying put at Villa), he proved that he is not affected, and continue to perform at his best for Villa. His performance during the 1st BPL game is impressive, and if he can keep on playing at his best, his wish to move to Liverpool will still happened when they have the money and make him their 1st priority.

Soccernet title: Blues flop Shevchenko moves back to Milan

Is this a track record of a flop? You rate it yourself! But to me, the record is respectable, considering the injuries and the sudden change of style of football. People maybe saying that for 30 millions, Chelsea deserve better reward, but as in any investment, there is always risk that things may not go as planned, and this is one of the case. I do admit that at times, when he was given the chance to prove himself, he did not take it as well as he is capable. His performance is slightly worse than Hernan Crespo (which is also considered a flop, but if anyone just look at his record, I believe he is such a superb striker!)

And I believe, no one will disagree that Sheva is a top professional, never complained to the media during this tough period in Chelsea. He works his socks up, and fight for a place in the Chelsea squad. In the Champions League semi final last season when he comes on as a substitute, he made a on the line clearance to ensure Chelsea made it to the final. That moment just showed how good a professional he is, and he is a roll model to the footballers around, who is getting arrogant and acted unprofessionally.

2006/2007: 13 goals in total
4 in the League, 3 in FA Cup, 3 in League Cup, 3 in Europe

Appearances:
30 in the league, 22 starts, 8 as sub
6 in FA Cup, 5 starts, 1 as sub
4 in League Cup, 4 starts
10 in Europe, 9 starts, 1 as sub

- Significant strike at White Hart Lane in an FA Cup replay.
- Hernia operation in the closing weeks of the 2006/07 season ruled him out of the FA Cup Final win at Wembley.
- Carling Cup winner, having played all Carling Cup matches except for the closing seconds of a 2-1 win over Arsenal in the final at Cardiff.

2007/2008: 8 goals, 5 in the league, 2 in League Cup, 1 in Europe

Appearances:
17 in the league, 8 starts, 9 as sub
1 in FA Cup, 0 starts, 1 as sub
2 in League Cup, 2 starts
5 in Europe, 2 starts, 3 as subs

- fitness problems keep him out of competitive action until mid-September 2007.
- in his second game back he scored the final goal of the José Mourinho era, in a home Champions League draw to Rosenborg.
- there followed by an outstanding strike in the Carling Cup against Leicester
- leading up to Christmas, he scored six important goals in ten appearances with Didier Drogba out injured
- back-related problems called a seven-week halt.
- never start a game in 2008
- made seven sub appearances and scored the final league goal of last season