The Wimbledon finals just ended today, and as we have been witnessing for the past decade, yet another enthralling final, with the better player on the day winning. You look at Federer though, and wonder how a 34-year old has been able to sustain himself (almost continuously) in Top 5, and conjure up crushing performances like the one against Andy Murray. Clearly a case for greatest ever.
There is a sudden void in the sporting calendar: No EPL, no Champions League, no NFL, no tennis, no NBA. One India (2nd string team) against Zimbabwe. That's it. Truly boring times indeed. Thankfully, there is the transfer circus to keep us football-breathing mortals busy, and discuss the transformation of Ed Woodward, the valuation of a player named Sterling (Does naming a player after a currency increase his valuation) etc. ?
On to Manchester United first. Ed Woodward has suddenly emerged from a hopeless figure in the football transfer market to an absolute genius operator in the transfer market. This does raise hopes for many bored-to-death blokes in the banking industry, who suddenly believe that they have a future in the football transfer business (I am trying not to talk about myself). Of course, the only measure of anyone's success in the transfer market is your closeness to Jorge Mendes, who of course runs the entire transfer market, and may be considered the most powerful person in Europe.
From the times when he paid over and above the buyout clause for Fellaini and found imposters dealing with Ander Herrera, Ed Woodward has come a long way. 3 signings in 2 days, assuming that Schneiderlin is also headed to the Northwest. And picking up Memphis Depay from under the nose of PSG for GBP 22m, well before the season was over.
Memphis Depay's performances in the 2014 world cup were pretty good, not least when he came on in the Round-of-16 game with Mexico leading, caused havoc in the Mexican defence and freed up Arjen Robben. For a winger to top the goalscoring charts in the Eredivisie, ahead of the team's recognized striker, and take PSV to the title, 17 points clear of Ajax is pretty special. He is very good with set pieces, his free-kick style reminiscent of a certain Cristiano Ronaldo.
Memphis was snapped up from PSV for GBP 22 mn, even as we hear that Raheem Sterling will be on the blue side of Manchester for a not-at-all-paltry GBP 49 mn . Excellent business, from Liverpool of course. You see David De Gea who already has a foot and a half in Madrid, and is yet turning up for each training session in the Carrington complex like a true professional. And then you see Raheem Sterling. Clap clap.
Matteo Darmian, a solid right back, acquired for GBP 14 mn. Not a bad deal for a young player who is the starting right back for the Azzurri. Did someone say GBP 50 mn for Ramos?
And now the two midfield signings: Schnei and Schwei. Both these players add the much needed steel to the midfield. The differences in the performances of the Red Devils with and without Carrick was there for all to see. Given the added workload due to European football, it makes sense to acquire at least two midfield anchors, since the team needs to have at least 1-2 such players at all times. While Schwei can provide the leadership for the next 3 years, Schnei can develop himself under the stewardship of Carrick and Schwei, two of the finest in the business.
So as it stands, the team could do with one backup goalkeeper (Going with Valdes as the starting goalkeeper is not a bad idea), a quality centre back (someone better than Jonny Evans and Chris Smalling) and a backup striker (assuming that Robin Van Persie has one foot and three quarters more in Istanbul). The midfield is packed, no really, with options such as Herrera, Blind, Fellaini, Carrick to add to Schnei and Schwei. Blind and Fellaini are versatile enough to be accommodated in multiple positions. Valencia possibly (in case you remember, he used to be a right-winger), or Di Maria (depending on the amount from Paris funded by Qatar). We will wait and watch. The window has only just opened.
