ARSENAL
READY FOR THE BIG KICK-OFF?
In better shape than many expected after the sale of Thierry Henry to
Barcelona. Eduardo Da Silva, the Croatia striker, has been signed from
Dynamo Zagreb, but Robin van Persie and Emmanuel Adebayor will start the
season up front. Bacary Sagna has arrived from Auxerre to play at right
back, while Arsene Wenger, the manager, convinced Cesc Fàbregas to stay at
the club.
WHERE CAN THINGS BE IMPROVED?
The squad looks short up front, particularly because Van Persie may have to
play wide in the event of José Antonio Reyes’s likely departure. Wenger is
an admirer of Obafemi Martins but has balked at Newcastle United’s £13
million asking price. Fredrik Ljungberg has been told that he can leave, so
cover is needed in midfield.
HOW MUCH MORE LEFT TO PLAY WITH?
Wenger has £10 million left, so any more arrivals are likely to be youthful
and unheralded.
IN Eduardo Da Silva (D Zagreb, £8m), L Fabianski (Legia Warsaw, £2m), H
Nordveit (FK Haugesund, £2m), B Sagna (Auxerre, £6m rising to £8m)
OUT J Aliadiãre (Middlesbrough, £1.5m), T Henry (Barcelona, £16.2m
rising to £20.2m), M Poom (Watford, free), A Lupoli (Fiorentina, free), F
Muamba (Birmingham City, undisc), M Connolly (Colchester United, loan),
Kerrea Gilbert (Southend, loan), Jose Antonio Reyes (Atletico Madrid, £8m)
PRESEASON Wednesday: Salzburg (a); Saturday: Emirates Cup: Paris
Saint-Germain (h); July 29: Inter Milan (h); Aug 2: Lazio (Amsterdam) Aug 4:
Ajax (a)
ASTON VILLA
READY FOR THE BIG KICK-OFF?
No, and Martin O’Neill, the manager, has admitted as much. He has allowed six
players to leave, and Liam Ridgewell and Eric Djemba-Djemba will follow at
the right price. So far the only new arrivals are Nigel Reo-Coker and Marlon
Harewood (pictured) — and O’Neill may be seen as taking a risk with two
players who cannot escape their share of the blame for West Ham’s struggles
last season.
WHERE CAN THINGS BE IMPROVED?
The squad looks light in defence and midfield, and O’Neill expects to
strengthen. “We need a few more players, but I was aware of that when I let
players go,” he said. “In an ideal world, it would have been great to keep
every player. But unlike last season, I’ve got time to do something about
it.”
HOW MUCH LEFT TO PLAY WITH?
Enough. Randy Lerner will back O’Neill’s judgment.
IN N Reo-Coker (West Ham United, £7.5m), M Harewood (West Ham United,
undisc)
OUT A Hughes (Fulham, £1m), J Samuel (Bolton Wanderers, free), G McCann
(Bolton Wanderers, £1m), S Henderson (Bristol City, free), R Olejnik
(Falkirk, free), J P Ángel (New York Red Bulls, free), L Hendrie (released),
S Davis (Fulham, £4m), C Sutton (retired)
PRESEASON Wednesday: Toronto FC (a); Saturday: Columbus Crew (a); Aug
1: Stoke City (a); Aug 4: Inter Milan (h); Aug 7: Walsall (a)
BIRMINGHAM
READY FOR THE BIG KICK-OFF?
The completions of the signings of Mido for £6 million and Hossam Ghaly for £3
million from Tottenham Hotspur would increase the amount of recent
top-flight experience in the squad, even if, in Mido’s case, it is
experience of sitting on Premiership benches. “Our board have realised, as
well as I have, that you must be competitive in this market, so we’ve made a
big investment and I’m absolutely delighted,” Steve Bruce, the manager,
said.
WHERE CAN THINGS BE IMPROVED?
Paul Robinson, the West Bromwich Albion left back, is reported to be a £2
million target and Liam Ridgewell, the Aston Villa central defender, will
also be allowed to cross the second city for £2.5 million. Bruce must wish
that Carson Yeung, the new shareholder, had become involved earlier.
HOW MUCH LEFT TO PLAY WITH?
Yeung has promised plenty in January, but it might be too late.
IN O Kapo (Juventus, £3m), F Muamba (Arsenal, undisc), S Parnaby
(Middlesbrough, free), G O’Connor (Lokomotiv Moscow, £2.6m), D de Ridder
(Celta Vigo, free), R Schmitz (Lille, loan), R Kingson (Ankaraspor, free),
Hossam Ghaly (Tottenham, £1.5m rising to £3m)
OUT B N’Gotty (Leicester City, free), J Gray (released), Neil Kilkenny
(Oldham, loan)
PRESEASON Wednesday: FC Schweinfurt 05 (a); Saturday: Walsall (a); July
31: Peterborough United (a); Aug 4: Sheffield Wednesday (a)
BLACKBURN
READY FOR THE BIG KICK-OFF?
More or less. New signings have been thin on the ground, with only Maceo
Rigters, the highly rated Holland Under21 striker joining from NAC Breda,
and Gunnar Nielsen, a young goalkeeper, arriving from BK Frem Copenhagen.
Mark Hughes, the manager, will feel as if he has made a whole lot more given
that Steven Reid, Robbie Savage, Andre Ooijer and Jason Roberts have
returned to the fold after long spells out injured last season.
WHERE CAN THINGS BE IMPROVED?
Another striker would not go amiss. Hughes retains an interest in Roque Santa
Cruz, the Bayern Munich striker, and James Beattie, of Everton. Hughes is
confident that Benni McCarthy will stay, despite the striker’s desire to
join Chelsea or another Champions League club.
HOW MUCH LEFT TO PLAY WITH?
Plenty, and more if the club is taken over.
IN G Nielsen (BK Frem Copenhagen, undisc), M Rigters (NAC Breda,
£350,000), Roque Santa Cruz (Bayern Munich, undisclosed)
OUT M Gray (released), A Todd (Derby County, undisc)
PRESEASON Saturday: Vetra (h) (Intertoto Cup third round, second leg);
Aug 1: Huddersfield Town (a); Aug 4: Preston North End (a)
BOLTON
READY FOR THE BIG KICK-OFF?
The arrival of Heidar Helguson has left Sammy Lee, the manager, with a surfeit
of options upfront, while Gavin McCann should add some more bite in central
midfield. Lee will be thankful he signed Jlloyd Samuel, the left back, on a
free transfer after Ricardo Gardner was ruled out for around two months with
a torn hamstring.
WHERE CAN THINGS BE IMPROVED?
They could still do with another central defender given that a replacement has
yet to be found for Tal Ben Haim, who has joined Chelsea. Lee has talked
about switching to a 4-4-2 formation, although he does not appear to have
the wingers at his disposal to play such a system, and that was before the
injury to Gardner.
HOW MUCH LEFT TO PLAY WITH?
Lee has spent very little so there is money with which to capture a top-class
defender. Finding one, however, is another matter.
IN G Cid (Bordeaux, free), B Dzemaili (FC Zurich, free), D Guthrie
(Liverpool, loan), Z Harsanyi (FC Senec, undisc), G McCann (Aston Villa,
£1m), J Samuel (Aston Villa, free), H Helguson (Fulham, undisc)
OUT T Ben Haim (Chelsea, free), Q Fortune, C Martin, H Pedersen, D
Thompson (all released)
PRESEASON Tomorrow: Racing Santander (Goyang, South Korea); July 25:
Hibernian (a); July 28: Tranmere Rovers (a); Aug 1: Espanyol (h); Aug 4:
Colchester United (a)
CHELSEA
READY FOR THE BIG KICK-OFF?
Cannot come soon enough. José Mourinho has assembled what appears to be his
strongest squad in three years, with plenty of cover after injuries
disrupted last season. Florent Malouda can make a huge impact, while Steve
Sidwell, Claudio Pizarro and Tal Ben Haim should be useful squad players.
WHERE CAN THINGS BE IMPROVED?
Alex, the Brazil defender who has spent three years on loan at PSV Eindhoven,
needs a work permit, but Chelsea’s main task is keeping the rest of the
squad intact. Arjen Robben wants to join Real Madrid but could be persuaded
to stay with an improved contract, while Mourinho is confident of keeping
Shaun Wright-Phillips. The one weakness is at right back, with Daniel Alves
and Pascal Chimbonda targets.
HOW MUCH IS LEFT TO PLAY WITH?
Unlimited, in theory, but Mourinho must sell before buying again.
IN F Malouda (Lyons, £13.5m), S Sidwell (Reading, free), C Pizarro
(Bayern Munich, free), Alex (PSV Eindhoven, free), T Ben Haim (Bolton
Wanderers, free), S Searle (Basingstoke Town, free)
OUT Nuno Morais (Apoel Nicosia, free), Y Makabu-Ma-Kalambay (Hibernian,
nominal), J S Verón (out of contract), J Elmer (FC Aarau, undisc), Gérémi
(Newcastle United, free), K Boulahrouz (Seville, season-long loan)
PRESEASON Wednesday: Feyenoord (a); Saturday: Rangers (a); July 31:
Brondby (a)
DERBY
READY FOR THE BIG KICK-OFF?
Ready as they’ll ever be without replacing the entire team. Robert Earnshaw
and Andy Todd bring top-flight experience, but neither has performed
consistently at the level required to make a difference. Todd is looking
forward to playing for the club where his father, Colin, performed with
distinction in the 1970s, but will have to surpass those lofty standards to
give Derby a chance.
WHERE CAN THINGS BE IMPROVED?
Hard to know where to start. The promising young players will have to grow up
very quickly if Derby are to avoid a long and hard winter — and autumn and
spring. Reading stayed up and prospered last season with even less top-level
experience, but Watford conspicuously failed to. Place your bets on which of
the two Derby resemble more. Those who have so far make the Rams favourites
to go down.
HOW MUCH LEFT TO PLAY WITH?
Not enough.
IN R Earnshaw (Norwich City, £3.5m), T Mears (West Ham United, £1m), C
Davis (Sheffield United, £3m), A Todd (Blackburn Rovers, £750,000), Andy
Griffin (Portsmouth, undisclosed)
OUT R Smith (Millwall, £150,000), S Johnson, M Bisgaard, P Boertien, L
Grant, P Peschisolido (all released), Steve Cann (Rotherham, free)
PRESEASON Today: Burton Albion (a); Today: Macclesfield Town (a);
Saturday: Mansfield Town (a); Aug 1: Crewe Alexandra (a); Aug 4: Espanyol
(h)
EVERTON
READY FOR THE BIG KICK-OFF?
Phil Jagielka, signed from Sheffield United for £4 million, should do a decent
job, but whether he can help take Everton to the next level is open to
debate. Steven Pienaar has joined on a one-year loan to bolster a midfield
already boosted by the fact that Mikel Arteta and Tim Cahill have signed new
long-term contracts.
WHERE CAN THINGS BE IMPROVED?
Given that James Vaughan will be out for four months with a dislocated
shoulder and James Beattie’s days are numbered, another striker would not go
amiss. David Moyes, the manager, would love to bring Alan Smith, the £7
million-rated Manchester United striker, to the club. Johann Vogel, the
former Switzerland captain, should join on a free transfer from Real Betis
once one or two complications are resolved.
HOW MUCH LEFT TO PLAY WITH?
Moyes will hope enough to lure a top-class forward.
IN P Jagielka (Sheffield United, £4m), S Pienaar (Borussia Dortmund,
loan)
OUT A Pistone (released), G Naysmith (Sheffield United, £1m), R Wright
(West Ham United, free)
PRESEASON Thursday: Stirling Albion (a); Saturday: Kendal Town (a);
July 31: Werder Bremen (h); Aug 2: Warrington Town (a); Aug 4: Crystal
Palace (a); Aug 7: Aberystwyth Town (a)
FULHAM
READY FOR THE BIG KICK-OFF?
Even the most pessimistic Fulham supporter will be looking forward to the new
season. Lawrie Sanchez, the manager, has stamped his authority and Roy
O’Donovan, the Cork City striker, is likely to become the eighth player to
arrive at Craven Cottage this summer. Paul Konchesky, Chris Baird and Aaron
Hughes will strengthen the back four, Steven Davis and Lee Cook will add
energy in midfield, and Diomansy Kamara and David Healy are expected to
provide the edge in attack.
WHERE CAN THINGS BE IMPROVED?
Sanchez has spent about £20 million and more high-profile signings are
unlikely. To balance the books, the manager has agreed to sell Heidar
Helguson to Bolton Wanderers for about £1 million and Collins John, Michael
Brown, Franck Queudrue and Moritz Volz could go if the price is right.
HOW MUCH LEFT TO PLAY WITH?
Only small change — £500,000.
IN A Hughes (Aston Villa, £1m), S Davis (Aston Villa, £4m), D Healy
(Leeds United, £1.5m), P Konchesky (West Ham United, £4m), C Baird
(Southampton, £3.025m), L Cook (Queens Park Rangers, £2.5m), D Kamara (West
Bromwich Albion, £5.5m)
OUT M Collins (Swansea City, free), M Crossley (Oldham Athletic, free),
T Radzinski, C Jensen, M Pembridge (all released), Michael Brown (Wigan,
undisclosed)
PRESEASON Tomorrow: Portsmouth (in Hong Kong); Friday: Liverpool or
South China (in Hong Kong); Aug 3: Queens Park Rangers (a)
LIVERPOOL
READY FOR THE BIG KICK-OFF?
Very much so after a busy summer of spending. To judge by the reaction
Fernando Torres received upon Liverpool’s arrival in Hong Kong yesterday for
the Barclays Asia Trophy, all eyes will be on the Spain striker as he seeks
to justify his £20.2 million price tag. Yossi Benayoun will also be out to
convince that he has what it takes to play for a top-four club while Rafael
BenÍtez, the manager, will hope that Ryan Babel can add magic up front.
WHERE CAN THINGS BE IMPROVED?
BenÍtez still wants and needs a defender, and has his sights set on prising
Gabriel Heinze away from Manchester United. The Argentina defender, who
would cost about £6 million, has threatened to go to court in his attempts
to move to Anfield after United claimed that they would not sell him to
their rivals.
HOW MUCH LEFT TO PLAY WITH?
Enough to buy Heinze or another defender.
IN F Torres (A Madrid, £20.2m), R Babel (Ajax, £11.5m), Y Benayoun
(West Ham United, £5m), L Leiva (Grêmio, £6m), N Mihaylov (Levski Sofia,
undisc), A Kacaniklic (Helsingborg, undisc), K Nemeth, A Simon (both MTK
Hungaria, £100,000 each), D Pacheco (Barcelona, £350,000), D Amoo (Millwall,
undisc), M Purie (B Dortmund, undisc), M San José (A Bilbao, £270,000), A
Voronin (B Leverkusen, free), M Alexandrov (CSKA Sofia, undisc), R Crowther,
B Robinson (both Stockport County, undisc)
OUT C Bellamy (West Ham United, £7.5m), F Sinama Pongolle (R Huelva,
£2.7m), D Cissé (Marseilles, £8m), L GarcÍa (Atlético Madrid, £2.7m), R
Fowler (released), A Hammill (Southampton, loan), Lee Peltier (Yeovil, loan)
PRESEASON Tomorrow: South China (in Hong Kong); Friday: Portsmouth or
Fulham (in Hong Kong); Aug 3: Shanghai Shenhua (in Rotterdam); Aug 5:
Feyenoord (a)
MAN CITY
READY FOR THE BIG KICK-OFF?
Not yet, but making up for lost time after Thaksin Shinawatra’s protracted
takeover and Sven-Göran Eriksson’s appointment as manager. Rolando Bianchi
may appear overpriced but he has looked sharp in preseason matches, while
the acquisition of the talented Geovanni could be a real coup if he can
adapt to English football. The arrival of Martin Petrov, the Atlético Madrid
and Bulgaria winger, for £6 million is thought imminent.
WHERE CAN THINGS BE IMPROVED?
Almost everywhere, including the centre of defence and midfield, after the
departures of Sylvain Distin and Joey Barton. Petrov should add quality on
the left, but City still lack options on the right. Yakubu Ayegbeni, the
Middlesbrough forward, is still the principal target up front.
HOW MUCH LEFT TO PLAY WITH?
More than £30 million. And Sven will feel he needs every penny.
IN R Bianchi (Reggina, £8.8m), Geovanni (Cruzeiro, free), G Fernandes
(Sion, undisc), Elano (Shakhtar Donetsk, £8m), Javier Garrido (Real
Sociedad, £1.5m), Vedran Corluka (Dinamo Zagreb, undisclosed)
OUT J Barton (Newcaste United, £5.8m), D Beasley (PSV Eindhoven, loan
ended), S Distin (Portsmouth, free), N Weaver (Charlton Athletic, free), S
Jordan (Burnley, free), N D’Laryea (Rochdale, free), T Sinclair (Cardiff
City, free), L Matthewson, A Williams, H Trabelsi (all released)
PRESEASON Saturday: Charleroi (a); Aug 1: Shrewsbury Town (a); Aug 4:
Valencia (h)
MAN UNITED
READY FOR THE BIG KICK-OFF?
Yes, frankly. They still hope to sign Carlos Tévez from West Ham United, but,
if the season were starting tomorrow, the champions would be in good shape,
having committed more than £50 million on signing Owen Hargreaves, Anderson
and Nani. The concern for Sir Alex Ferguson is that Hargreaves and Nani have
yet to figure in the first two matches of their Asia tour because of injury,
while Anderson’s peripheral involvement for Brazil in the Copa America has
delayed his integration.
WHERE CAN THINGS BE IMPROVED?
Ferguson clearly thinks he needs more in attack, hence the pursuit of Tévez.
There is a slight question over the goalkeeping department, with Ben Foster
suffering a long-term injury, but most of the remaining transfer activity at
Old Trafford will be outgoing.
HOW MUCH LEFT TO PLAY WITH?
Whatever it takes to get Tévez.
IN Anderson (FC Porto, £8m rising to £20.4m), O Hargreaves (Bayern
Munich, £16.8m rising to £20.2m), Nani (Sporting Lisbon, £8m rising to
£17.3m), T Kuszczak (West Bromwich Albion, undisc)
OUT K Richardson (Sunderland, £5.5m), P Marsh, F Ngalula, D Rose (all
released), Giuseppe Rossi (Villarreal, undisclosed)
PRESEASON Today: Shenzhen FC (a); Friday: Guangzhou Pharmaceutical (a);
Aug 1: Inter Milan (h); Aug 5: Chelsea (Community Shield, Wembley)
MIDDLESBROUGH
READY FOR THE BIG KICK-OFF?
Jérémie Aliadiãre and Tuncay Sanli are unlikely to set pulses racing on
Teesside, while the addition of Luke Young, the England defender, from
Charlton Athletic, cannot be relied upon to sell too many extra season
tickets. Gareth Southgate, the manager, has claimed that there have been no
bids for Yakubu Ayegbeni.
WHERE CAN THINGS BE IMPROVED?
Any sort of “wow” factor might be a start, but Southgate seems unconcerned.
“I’m very relaxed,” he said. “I’m sure by the start of the season we will
have strengthened the side.” Al-Ahly, who won the double in Egypt, claim
that Boro have offered £2 million for Emad Meteab, the forward, and Mohamed
Shawki, the midfield player. A decision is expected this week.
HOW MUCH LEFT TO PLAY WITH?
Steve Gibson always seems to find the funds and £2 million will be no problem.
IN J Woodgate (Real Madrid, £7m), J Aliadiãre (Arsenal, £1.5m), Tuncay
Sanli (Fenerbahçe, free)
OUT A Xavier (Los Angeles Galaxy, free), S Parnaby (Birmingham City,
free), M Viduka (Newcastle United, free), D Graham (Carlisle United, free),
M Christie (released)
PRESEASON Tomorrow: Darlington (a); Saturday: Hibernian (a); July 31:
Carlisle United (a); Aug 4: AZ Alkmaar (h)
NEWCASTLE
EADY FOR THE BIG KICK-OFF?
Joey Barton is likely to be out for at least six weeks after partially
fracturing the fifth metatarsal in his left foot during the 1-1 draw at
Carlisle on Saturday. Barton captained the side at Brunton Park — which
might send shivers down the spines of traditionalists at St James’ Park. “I
was very pleased with him,” Sam Allardyce said. “He is going to drag the
rest of the players up to his standard.”
WHERE CAN THINGS BE IMPROVED?
Allardyce is ready to offer Real Madrid £6 million for Julio Baptista, who was
on loan at Arsenal last season, but the Brazil forward wants to stay in
Spain. Allardyce also needs a left back and a central defender — he has
offered Manchester United £7 million for Gabriel Heinze, but Heinze would
prefer Real Madrid or Liverpool. So he may have to settle for Edmilson, the
Barcelona defender.
HOW MUCH LEFT TO PLAY WITH?
£15 million.
IN M Viduka (Middlesbrough, free), J Barton (Manchester City, £5.8m), D
Rozehnal (Paris Saint-Germain, £2.9m), Gérémi (Chelsea, free)
OUT S Parker (West Ham United, £7m), A O’Brien (Hibernian, tribunal), T
Bramble (Wigan Athletic, free), A Sibierski (Wigan Athletic, free), O Onyewu
(Standard Liãge, end of loan), C Moore, O Bernard and P Srnicek (all
released).
PRESEASON Thursday: Celtic (h); July 29: Juventus (h); Aug 1: Hull City
(a); Aug 5: Sampdoria (h)
PORTSMOUTH
READY FOR THE BIG KICK-OFF?
The signings of Sulley Muntari and John Utaka promise something different at
Fratton Park, but their arrival probably means the departure of Lomano
LuaLua and Andrew Cole, while other players, such as Sean Davis and Pedro
Mendes, may find their roles reduced. Kanu has yet to decide whether to
accept the offer of a new contract, the second year of which depends on
games played this season.
WHERE CAN THINGS BE IMPROVED?
With LuaLua on his way out and Kanu’s future uncertain, Harry Redknapp wants
one more forward and would love it to be Jermain Defoe although the player
has said that he wants to stay at Tottenham Hotspur. The absence of a
specialist winger is a weakness, although Utaka can play wide.
HOW MUCH LEFT TO PLAY WITH?
There should be more than enough television revenue left to make a serious bid
for Defoe.
IN S Distin (Manchester City, free), H Hreidarsson (Charlton Athletic,
free), S Muntari (Udinese, £7m), M Cranie (Southampton, free), A Mvuemba
(Rennes, undisc), D Nugent (Preston North End, £6m), J Utaka (Rennes, £7m)
OUT S Todorov (Charlton Athletic, free), Andy Griffin (Derby,
undisclosed)
PRESEASON Tomorrow: Fulham (in Hong Kong); Friday: Liverpool or South
China (in Hong Kong); July 31: Bournemouth (a); Aug 1: Newport (IoW) (a);
Aug 4: Leicester City (a)
READING
READY FOR THE BIG KICK-OFF?
Evolution rather than revolution is the name of the game at the Madejski
Stadium. Steve Sidwell has moved to Chelsea, Greg Halford has been sold to
Sunderland and Kalifa Cissé is the only new arrival. Cissé’s teammates have
been impressed and believe that the former Boavista midfield player can make
a big impact in the Barclays Premier League, but Reading are likely to
struggle unless Coppell starts spending.
WHERE CAN THINGS BE IMPROVED?
Reading failed to make it into the final of the Peace Cup but Coppell was
delighted with his team’s preseason preparations in South Korea. If Leroy
Lita and Nicky Shorey agree new contracts and Coppell signs another midfield
player and follows up his interest in Leon Barnett, the Luton Town defender,
Reading should be good enough to consolidate their place in the top flight.
HOW MUCH LEFT TO PLAY WITH?
£3 million — more if Lita or Shorey are sold.
IN K Cissé (Boavista, £1m)
OUT G Halford (Sunderland, £3m), S Sidwell (Chelsea, free), Alan
Bennett (Southampton) Loan
PRESEASON Today: Didcot (a) Wednesday: Brentford (a) Saturday: Brighton &
Hove Albion (a) Aug 4: Wolverhampton Wanderers (a)
SUNDERLAND
READY FOR THE BIG KICK-OFF?
Are you joking? Sunderland lost 1-0 away to Scunthorpe United on Saturday and
it could be a long season at the Stadium of Light unless Roy Keane gets his
chequebook out. The manager has found it difficult to convince players to
move to the North East and the ones who have joined — with the exception of
Kieran Richardson — hardly inspire confidence. The previous time
Sunderland were in the top flight they finished bottom with 19 points.
WHERE CAN THINGS BE IMPROVED?
Keane has not given up on signing Craig Gordon, the Scotland goalkeeper, from
Heart of Midlothian and another move for Leighton Baines, the Wigan Athletic
left back, is on the cards. If Hearts refuse to play ball, Keane will go for
Jussi Jaaskelainen or Mark Schwarzer.
HOW MUCH LEFT TO PLAY WITH?
£15 million. “We are working hard to add maybe three players to the squad
soon,” Keane said.
IN M Chopra (Cardiff City, £5m), K Richardson (Manchester United,
£5.5m), D Etuhu (Norwich City, £1.5m), G Halford (Reading, £3m), R Anderson
(Aberdeen, £1m)
OUT J Evans (Manchester United, end of loan), D Simpson (Manchester
United, end of loan), S Elliott (Wolverhampton Wanderers, undisc), T Miller
(released), K Cunningham (released)
PRESEASON Saturday: Bohemians (a), July 30: Cork City (a), Aug 1:
Galway United (a), Aug 4: Juventus (h)
TOTTENHAM
READY FOR THE BIG KICK-OFF?
Martin Jol has signed two of the best young defenders in Europe — Gareth Bale
and Younes Kaboul — and Darren Bent, so there is not too much to complain
about. Bent may find it hard to start if Dimitar Berbatov and Robbie Keane
continue where they left off last season but selling Mido, the Egypt
forward, for £6 million to Birmingham City looks like good business.
Birmingham are also interested in Hossam Ghaly.
WHERE CAN THINGS BE IMPROVED?
Jol already has a lengthy injury list so expect more new arrivals. Kaboul was
added to the casualties on Saturday joining Bale, Ledley King, Aaron Lennon
and Lee Young Pyo who are recovering from injuries. Jol is competing with
Manchester City to sign Martin Petrov, the Atlético Madrid and Bulgaria
midfield player.
HOW MUCH LEFT TO PLAY WITH?
£10 million — more if Jermain Defoe is sold
IN G Bale (Southampton, initial £6m rising to £10m), D Bent (Charlton
Athletic, initial £15.5m rising to £16.5m), A Taarabt (Lens, undisclosed), Y
Berchiche (Athletic Bilbao, undisclosed), Y Kaboul (Auxerre, undisclosed),
Kevin-Prince Boateng (Hertha Berlin £4.7m)
OUT Mido (Birimingham City, £6m), C Lee (Peterborough United, free), M
Yeates (Colchester United, nominal), R Ziegler (Sampdoria, £1.4m), R Burch
(Sheffield Wednesday, free), E Hallfredsson, Lyn Oslo (free), Hossam Ghaly
(Birmingham, £1.5m rising to £3m)
PRESEASON Tomorrow: Orlando Pirates (a) Aug 1: Leyton Orient (a) Aug 4:
Torino (h)
WEST HAM
READY FOR THE BIG KICK-OFF?
They were until Julien Faubert, the £6.1 million signing from Bordeaux, was
ruled out for six months with an Achilles injury and Alan Curbishley decided
to make a move for Kieron Dyer. The Newcastle United midfield player has a
poor injury record and may find it difficult to stay fit for long enough to
make an impact. Ominously, it is only July and Curbishley is already
claiming he is down to the bare bones.
WHERE CAN THINGS BE IMPROVED?
Carlos Tévez is irreplaceable, but that has not stopped Curbishley being
linked with more forwards than he needs. Lomana LuaLua and Shaun
Wright-Phillips are long-term targets, as is Stephen Appiah, the Ghana
captain. Eggert Magnusson, the chairman, is a fan of Fredrik Ljungberg, the
Arsenal midfield player, who is valued at £5.5 million. “We are very
confident we can finalise a deal,” Magnusson said.
HOW MUCH LEFT TO PLAY WITH? £15 million.
IN S Parker (Newcastle United, £7m), J Faubert (Bordeaux, £6.1m), R
Wright (Everton, free), C Bellamy (Liverpool, £7.5m)
OUT E Sheringham, R Carroll (both released), N Reo-Coker (Aston Villa,
£8.5m), S Newton (Leicester City, free), T Mears (Derby County, £1m), P
Konchesky (Fulham, £4m), M Harewood (Aston Villa, udisc)
PRESEASON Tomorrow: Leyton Orient (a) Wednesday: MK Dons (a) Saturday:
Southend United (a) July 31: Norwich City (a) Aug 4: AS Roma (h)
WIGAN
READY FOR THE BIG KICK-OFF?
Titus Bramble aside, Chris Hutchings, the manager, seems to have bought well,
although whether well enough to keep Wigan in the Premier League remains to
be seen. Jason Koumas, the Wales midfield player, could prove a revelation
or just as easily flop, but Antoine Sibierski should nick a goal or two.
WHERE CAN THINGS BE IMPROVED?
Another striker and midfield player are needed. Hutchings thought he had
bagged Marlon Harewood only for the striker to join Aston Villa so must go
back to the drawing board on that front. The manager also wants Michael
Brown, the Fulham midfield player, for £2.5 million, although more important
will be keeping Leighton Baines, the £6million rated left back, even if that
is looking increasingly unlikely.
HOW MUCH LEFT TO PLAY WITH?
Enough to sign another striker and midfield player, so about £7 or £8 million
— more if Baines is sold.
IN J Koumas (West Bromwich Albion, initial £4.6m rising to £5.3m), T
Bramble (Newcastle United, free), A Granqvist (Helsingborg, undisc), M
Melchiot (Rennes, free), C Nash (Preston North End, £300,000), A Sibierski
(Newcastle United, free), Michael Brown (Fulham, undisclosed)
OUT L McCulloch (Rangers, £2.25m), A de Zeeuw, M Jackson, D Unsworth
(all released), J Filan (retired)
PRESEASON Wednesday: Blackpool (a) Saturday: Halifax Town (a) July 31:
Barnsley (a) Aug 4: Leeds United (a)
