Let the Silliness Begin

By: Taylor Rockwell | March 31st, 2009

So, I sat down at my desk this morning, booted up the computer, and then spat out my coffee when I saw the ESPN Soccernet frontpage story. “Liverpool lining up Eto’o bid?” According to ESPN’s sources in Spain (I’m guessing they’re very reputable) Rafa Benitez is preparing an £18 million bid for Barca striker Samuel Eto’o. This, of course, in the face of an interview with a local TV station where he recently stated, “Of course I want to continue, I’m very happy and see no reason to leave. I’m going to stay to the end of my contract and if the club want me, I would like to stay longer.”

Of course, this is nothing new. Every year big names get linked with big clubs, and no one is ever really all that surprised… especially since “the credible source” is actually credible about .5% of the time. And with that in mind, let’s get the “silly season” off and running with our own choices for who needs to find their way to another squad and who needs to don the red, white, and black next season.

Taylor’s Predictions

My guess is that as long as Fergie is in charge, Nani will continue to fall. The youngster hasn’t really gotten the opportunity to impress in his time in Manchester, and has generally only figured in Carling Cup/FA Cup matches this season. With rumors linking United with a plethora of new wingers, Nani could easily find himself in a different kit at the start of next season.

Nani Waves Bye-Bye to Old Trafford

The same goes for Slave, except in the opposite direction. I think that as long as Fergie exists in a managerial capacity, the Portuguese winger stays at Old Trafford. This season has been less than impressive for Slave, and I don’t really know what to expect in the off season. If he calmed down and signed an extension, I think my dislike of him would diminish. For now, he seems to care more about his statistics than he does the team’s results. When that’s the case, the supporters have to worry.

But what of our Carlos Tevez? The Argentinian has been at the center of transfer talk for a few solid months, and United have done little to nothing to curb those rumors. With his loan deal set to expire and no new deal on the table, United could be short one striker come July. The saving grace for the Argie could, sadly, have absolutely nothing to do with his performance levels. Last week, Lyon striker Karim Benzema (one of Fergie’s long term transfer targets) snubbed the Red Devil boss when he publicly declared, “I will stay at Lyon. I still have a lot of work to do, to make some steps forward. I’m very good here at Lyon. The club takes part in the Champions League each season, I’m well-integrated. I will stay at Lyon next season.” So, with Benzema seemingly off the table, Tevez could see a new deal come his way sooner rather than later.

So where does that leave the Red Devils? Possibly in need of a role-playing forward (think Solskjaer), a solid winger (Tosic hasn’t had time to develop, Park isn’t a consistent performer, and Giggs is getting on in the years), and, as always, fortification in the defense. For such a solid defensive squad, the oft mentioned “need for a true right back” will no doubt resurface when the transfer window opens.

For me personally, I think we need one fairly big signing (Riberry, I’m looking in your direction) to shake things up. The defense has been rocked by injury, and perhaps a minor signing could fill in for Gary Neville (who you must believe is in his last season at Old Trafford). So, keep Tevez, sign Riberry, and bring in a decent defender and United are ready for 2009/2010. Unless, of course, Ghana captain Stephen Appiah looks even half decent… then we should sign him up in a second. How say you, dear readers?