Monday, January 18, 2010

Top 10 free transfers by Sportmail

The Spanish giants paid Manchester United a world record £80million for Cristiano Ronaldo last summer but teams don't always have to break the bank to land a superstar. At the other end of the scale we have the free transfers.

In the week that Arsenal legend Sol Campbell rejoined the Gunners, Sportsmail's team of experts have come up with their favourite freebies.

1 Michael Owen (Newcastle to Manchester United)

Stop looking so puzzled, his late winner against Manchester City and his hat-trick away at Wolfsburg provided proof that Owen can still cut it at the top level after his nightmare with Newcastle.

He has boosted his England chances with seven goals for United so far this season and as the fixtures pile up he is sure to be given more opportunities by Sir Alex to help their push for a fourth successive title.

2 Goran Pandev (Lazio to Inter Milan)

The Macedonia international was branded a 'rebel' by club president Claudio Lotito and frozen out of the squad, as well as being forced to train separately from his former team-mates after handing in a transfer request.

But the Italian League's contract dispute resolution chamber ordered Pandev's release - much to Inter's benefit.

After turning down offers to move to the Premier League with Tottenham and Arsenal, Pandev, 26, who was valued at £15m, has been in fine form since joining up with Jose Mourinho's side.

3 Jari Litmanen (Barcelona to Liverpool)

The Finnish goal machine was anything but finished after his unsuccessful spell with Barcelona had come to an end following a spate of injuries.

He moved to Liverpool in 2001 and helped Gerard Houllier's side to a treble of Worthington Cup, FA Cup and UEFA Cup.

Unfortunately for Litmanen, further injuries hampered his time at Anfield and he departed to former club Ajax after making 43 appearances and netting nine times for the Reds.

4 Billy Dodds (Rangers to Dundee United)

It was his lack of first-team opportunities at Rangers under their new manager Alex McLeish that persuaded Dodds to return to Dundee United in 2003.

Dodds played the vast majority of his career as striker but, in an inspired move he was shifted to midfield where his performances helped United move away from relegation.

5 Fernando Hierro (Al Rayyan to Bolton)

Sam Allardyce has a fine track record of eking a few more years out of footballers who appeared to be at the end of their careers and one of the finest examples of this has to be the former Real Madrid centre-back Hierro.

After leaving the Bernabeu, Hierro spent a season in Qatar with Al Rayyan but Allardyce persuaded the three-time Champions League winner to move to the Premier League in 2004.

In his one season at the Reebok, Bolton reached the League Cup final and finished eighth in the table, at the time their highest finish in the Premier League.

Friday, January 8, 2010

Viera joins Man City

Manchester City midfielder Patrick Vieira believes his new club are still in the Premier League title race and that there is enough quality at Eastlands to win a trophy for the first time in 33 years.

The veteran France international passed a medical on Thursday to become Roberto Mancini's first signing as City manager and was presented to the media on Friday afternoon.

"When you look at the players the club has got you can achieve a lot," Vieira said. "I strongly believe we are not out of the race to win the title. I am sure we can do it.''

"I chose City because I really believe something can be achieved at this club and I want to be part of it. I believe the team is strong enough to win trophies."

Vieira joined City from Inter Milan, where he won three Serie A titles, two under the guidance of Mancini, and hopes to add to the three Premier League titles he won with Arsenal.

The midfielder signed a six-month deal at Eastlands with an option for a further year and is confident he will prove he still has what it takes to perform at the top level.

"I believe in myself," Vieira said. "I know I am not 20, but I am not 40-45. Overall I am really motivated. I know I can give something to this club and hopefully we will be successful this year."

Vieira also admitted the move was motivated in part by his desire to secure first-team football to work his way into the France squad ahead of the World Cup finals.

"I hope that the club as well will give me the opportunity to get back to the French national team,'' he added.

Mancini was delighted to be reunited with Vieira and believes his new signing will help City to imporove their performances this season.

"Patrick won with Arsenal, with Juventus, with Inter a lot of trophies. I think he must continue at City. He can help us to improve our performance, for sure.''

It remains to be seen whether he will be match fit to face Blackburn Rovers on Monday night, having taken in kick to the calf in his final appearance for Inter on Wednesday. In any case, Vieira knows he will have to prove he is worthy of a place in the City starting line-up.

Friday, January 1, 2010

Amazing Soccer Style of Top Players

Let's see the Amazing Soccer Soccer of Top Players such as C. Ronaldo, Messi, Drogba