Hope everyone is enjoying their weekend. We have a lot of juicy bits to get to, including an unlikely career resurrection, an even more unlikely spending spree, and a family reunion you thought you would see when Hell froze over.
Arsenal to Go on Spending Spree
The idea of Arsene Wenger spending big is about as foreign a concept to English football as one of the Big Four getting relegated. However, it looks like Arsenal’s board have authorized Wenger to throw some money around in January and reinforce the club.
Analysis: Wenger is stubborn and is seemingly determined to prove that his approach can work. He may bring in some quality players to complement his existing squad, as well as one or two high profile players if he needs to replace Gallas, Bendtner, and Eboue. I wouldn’t expect him to go crazy like Manchester City, though.
The Neville Brothers Reunite
No, not those Neville Brothers. Could Gary be joining his brother, Phil, at Everton That’s what the News of the World would have us believe. David Moyes could make a shock bid for the United skipper, who seems to have lost his place and is out of contract after the season.
Analysis: If you can’t trust the News of the World, then who can you trust Seriously, though, the fact that Gary is now, more or less, backing up an 18-year old kid, and has been benched for most of the big matches speaks volumes. It’s also telling that, in the last week, Manchester United extended Van der Sar and Evans, but not Neville. Gary could very well retire rather than leave Old Trafford, but if he thinks he can still play, then there are clubs out there that would go for him. Even Everton… “Gary Neville is a Blue, is a Blue, is a Blue! Gary Neville is a Blue! He hates, uh, us”
Solution to Tottenham’s Keeper Woes is — Gomes
After a dominant performance against Manchester United on Saturday, Spurs goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes may have saved his job.
Analysis: Spurs have been linked to almost every single available and semi-available goalkeeper out there, other than Buffon. Gomes certainly looked good yesterday, and if he can keep this up, then the Spurs can throw their money around elsewhere.
Spurs Weigh £4m Bid for Owen
Spurs may be throwing their hat into the Michael Owen Sweepstakes lining up a bid of £4 million for the Newcastle striker. Everton still remains interested in the former England international.
Analysis: Owen (who turns 29 today — man, I feel old), should have his fair share of suitors. I guess it’s nice to be wanted, especially after what Capello did to him.
Chelsea Desperate for Striker
Luis Felipe Scolari has been agitating for another striker for a while now, and he has Wigan’s Emile Heskey, Sunderland’s Kenwyne Jones, and Bolton’s Kevin Davies on his wish list. All three figure to cost, at maximum, half as much as last year’s January purchase, Nicholas Anelka.
Analysis: Heskey is in demand these days, so his price could go up. Jones might want out of Sunderland given their current situation. Davies would probably be the cheapest of the three, but does Chelsea really want to reunite Bolton’s strike force from the first half of 2007-2008