Looking at the Premier League table, it seems so strange that Arsenal are just two points from the top after a debated and disappointing transfer window.
Gunners supporters expected a top player in, at least, but none came. The name on every fan's lips was Karim Benzema: from what I know, the French striker had been very close to signing for Arsenal, with Arsene Wenger, Mesut Ozil and Thierry Henry involved in convincing him to accept the new destination. But it seems that the negotiations failed due to Florentino Perez changing the cards on the table.
Arsenal have a very seesawing trend, combining an unstoppable march in he Premier League with back-to-back losses in the Champions League - and against a couple of not so compelling opponents like Dinamo Zagreb and Olympiacos Piraeus. In a season where every team looks like they want to avoid winning the title, the Gunners could be the real revelation. Especially with a Niño Maravilla in this shape.
THE LIVERPOOL CONTENDERS
While the idyllic life between Jose Mourinho and Chelsea is close to breaking point, the ownership at Liverpool decides that the time has come to change roads and sacks Brendan Rodgers, after 166 matches and 50% of these won. The start of the season was too bad, with 3 wins from 8 matches and 10th place on the table, to keep working together. Better to part the ways.
The two names close to Anfield are now Jurgen Klopp and Carlo Ancelotti, with the former Borussia Dortmund coach seeming to be in pole position. The nickname Jurgen Kop is ready.
MARIO BALOTELLI AT AC MILAN
Not an easy moment for another exile from Liverpool, Mario Balotelli. The Italian striker has joined Milan in the summer, scoring once in 4 matches played with his team falling on the Serie A table after a transfer window where they spent €90m.
Now is controversial the position of the manager, Sinisa Mihajlovic, who was chosen for his draconian manners in the dressing room: I think that none could have done better than him with a lacking squad, having unripe players in key roles, like Alessio Romagnoli in the center of defense. The former Roma player is too young and unready to take the place of Franco Baresi: furthermore the €25m paid to get him weighs heavy on his shoulders. Too big a price, too big a responsibility to play serenely and have the right to get things wrong: Serie A football, especially at Milan level, doesn't give time, there's no patience.
NEXT CHELSEA SIGNING A CLUB OWNER
And now let's talk about some (very likely) good news - all in all.
World Champion in 2006, as third goalkeeper of the Italian squad, Marco Amelia is ready to join Chelsea, after a trial period, with a short-term deal: he will have to take the place of the injured Thibaut Courtois, who will be away from the pitch for three months, at least.
José Mourinho seems to be convinced to take the Italian goalkeeper, who in 2014, after having become a free agent from AC Milan, decided first to start again from the Promozione, the 6th level of Italian football. And he bought the team Rocca Priora where he played.
After the one goal scored in UEFA Cup with Livorno against Partizan Belgrade in 2006, it seems another extraordinary goal for the goalkeeper. When I asked him for an interview he told me: “You have to speak with club first, to be allowed". My club? Weren't you a free agent? This is more than a clue that Amelia is ready to dress in Blue.
WALTER MAZZARRI AND ENGLAND
What about Mazzarri? The former Inter Milan manager was rumored among the names to substitute Brendan Rodgers at Liverpool, but he doesn't seem to have a concrete chance. A bench more suitable for him could be the Sunderland one, after Dick Advocaat has decided to resign. It's not a new rumor, but the manager from Tuscany, who was the trainer of that wonder Amelia's Livorno is a strange connection.
