There are moments in the summer where a lack of football can drive a man wild. Hmmm the job, the girlfriend, a newly found appreciation for sunlight all have their beneficial side. Naturally, I’d ditch them all for the football.

As you can imagine, therefore, a summer without football – and I am not talking about U21s, what a load of rubbish that is – can lead to the devouring of the merest morsel of a football story. Merely looking at the Sky Sports website brings up such treasures like…bet you can’t wait for it….

“Wolves land de Vries.”

No! I hear you shout  in strangled exclamation. It’s true friends, this actually happened. Joking aside, footie fans clamour for decent news all summer long, so when I story of merit comes along it actually has the ability stop working days as it did to mine when the news of Chelsea’s appointment of one Villas-Boas.

This is a man of 33 who already has some outstanding credentials, it makes you sick doesn’t it. This is a man who lead a Porto side to unquestionable glory in Portugal, where a domestic quadruple was plundered, and in Europe, where Porto were crowned as Europa League champions. This is a man who served under Mourinho in his time at Chelsea and who formed a close relationship with Sir Bobby Robson when the great Englishman was at the helm of Porto in the 90s.

The big question that stands in front of us is simple. Is this the man for Chelsea?

Many have tried, many have failed. Abromavich quest for domination is not one that is guided by clemency. You have to feel afraid for the young tactician. Chelsea as a squad are tired. Lampard, Drogba, Anelka, Malouda are progressing into the twilight of their careers. New signings like Torres did not plug the gap.

This is not an easy job!

So how does a young manager succeed where experience and more succesful managers have failed. The key is down to mentality. A ruthless winning mentality needs to be reintroduced such as the one that Mourinho gave birth to. This needs to reemerge.

The only for this to happen is for a new set of players to come in, and for the old to go on to pastures new. This could indeed be a momentous moment for Chelsea, however, big changes at the top need to be supported with plenty of cash and plenty of good will. The new coach needs time which for a man so clearly in a rush might not be a necessity. However, changes do not come over night.

The need is clear therefore. Back the new manager and give him a chance. At a tune of £13 million just to hire the fella, it might prove an expensive mistake not to!

You may not read my blog, but I’m back. Where my ways slipped and I left the blogosphere to slip through my fingers, no longer.

I am back to blog. Boy does that feel GOOOODDDDDD

Campeones Campeones rang out the front page of Spanish sports daily, Marca today after Spain were crowned champions of the footballing world last night. Spain edged out a gruelling finale last night to spurn Dutch hopes with an extra time winner from Andres “El Illusionato” Iniesta. 

The final represented the culmination of the greatest sporting tournament on the planet; unfortunately for South Africa 2010 the football did not match the occasion as both sides, especially the Dutch, resorted to bully boy tactics. However, Iniesta’s goal was the perfect winner from the perfect player. How fitting that the clinching moment of a tournament that is full of ego and extravaganza is secured by a player noted for his solecism, his modesty and most of all for his supreme footballing talent. 

That’s poetic justice in my book anyway. 

La Roja Fura celebrated their first world cup win, the first European team to win outside their own continent, and on the balance of play they deserved the trophy – well on the basis of the final anyway. I still hugely admire the German team this tournament, indeed, they are my team of the tournament but Spain have a true invincibility about them, a raw ability to win and that saw them home to land the Jules Rimet Trophy. 

The Dutch for their part have lambasted Howard Webb for his marshalling of the final, blaming the Yorkshireman for making a litany of mistakes in the build up to the goal. True, Webb did make mistakes, notably not giving the Dutch a clear corner in the build up to the Spanish winner, however, the Dutch should have had players sent off (De Jong and Van Bommel) for horrendous tackles – I don’t know what you call De Jong’s effort … assault – and ultimately cannot complain about the legitimacy of the result. 

They had chances too, Robben had a clear effort to score in the first half which Casillas deflected wide. However, in the end, only one side entered the final wanting to play football in the right way, Spain. The Netherlands wanted to stifle and hinder, Spain wanted to seize the imitative. 

It’s never nice to see the dejection and desolation of the losing side, but I do feel that Spain deserved the win and are worthy tournament champions and in Iniesta they have the perfect embodiment of why they are rightly crowned masters of the world, in a footballing sense that is!

Ladies and gentlemen, today I blog about England’s fallen hero Mr Wayne Rooney. I have been stung to write a defence of the Manchester United ace. Criticised by all and sundry, Rooney, has been cut as selfish, lazy and most cutting of all passionless.

Now, don’t get me wrong, England certainly don’t deserve praise for their capitulation at the World Cup. Collectively they underperformed and were taken to school by a Germany team made up of young whipper snappers and Miroslav Klose. However, Rooney has taken so much stick for England’s demise that it seems important to introduce a sense of perspective.

Rooney certainly had a bad tournament by his impeccably high standards which were mired by his frustration, which was manifest in his vitriolic riposte to the England fans boos after the Algeria game. I saw this reaction and understood that this was a Wayne Rooney immensely frustrated and disappointed.

Indeed, Rooney, who wears England’s three lions on his arm, cut a frustrated figure throughout the tournament. However, now is not the time to question the Liverpudlian, but the time to back him. If England are going to rise again from the ashes of the World Cup, then it is certain that Rooney will be at the fulcrum leading the England wave. It is therefore important to realise that we must support Wayne Rooney instead of smashing him.

One thing is for sure, you cannot keep Wayne Rooney down. If England are to return from the brink, we need Rooney up and fighting. So please get behind him!

I have just witnessed Germany demolish Argentina, a team that possesses the likes of Lionel Messi, Carlos Tevez and Gozalo Higuain. The final result, a 4-0 win for the Germany cements their position as the team of the tournaments and honours them with my support for the rest of the World Cup. The Germans have simply been a revelation, four goals against Argentina and England and they were supposed to be inexperienced, young and naive. They have been anything but. 

Shorn of their captain, Michael Ballack, prior to the tournament, the young German team have stepped up collectively to fill the void left by the former Chelsea ace. Indeed, the likes of Thomas Muller, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Mesut Ozil and Miroslav Klose have individually been stand out performers in the World Cup, making Germany in the process exciting and vibrant to watch. 

There is something innate about the Germans in major tournaments, they always perform. When was the last time you saw a German team limp out of a competition? It simply does not happen. Instead, they bloom. Where other players wilt and splutter – ahem England – Germany explode. 

They are the highest scorers in the tournament, the team that plays the best football, in a good spirit with a young and energetic team that fight for each other. They are making the World Cup come alive with their sheer excellent, and I think if any team can do that, then they can have my support and they should have yours too!

Manchester United have a habit of scoring late, late goals, a habit that brings them back from the brink of redemption all too often. This uncanny knack is an innate quality of a team that is dubbed to have a never-die attitude.

United snatched a draw against Russian side CSKA Moscow which further validate United’s inveterate habit of late, vital goals. Indeed, it was Antonio Valencia’s 91st minute deflected strike that earned the Reds a place in the last 16 of the Champions League.

The point of my blog tonight is to question the motives of playing under-strength sides. Against CSKA, United gave a Champions League debut to Federico Macheda, handed a second start to Fabio da Silva and rested a number of first time regulars.

The culmination of a rookie United side resulted in what one newsreader called “play-time at Old Trafford” for the Muscovites, a clear nod to the newly born Kai Wayne Rooney. Indeed, his father Wayne Rooney cut a brooding presence on the substitute’s bench, as CSKA set about exposing a flapping United defence. The late fightback spared United’s blushes, but cannot act as a carapace for a slow-witted performance.

Now, let me firstly say that I regard Sir Alex Ferguson in somewhat heroic light, but secondly add that some of his decisions leave me scratching my head at times.

His decision to constantly change his side may be apt considering the array of talent he has at his disposal, but personally I feel it adds to create inconsistency. Ferguson, in particular, has struggled to strike upon a trusted combination in midfield this season, with a string of combinations being used. The likes of Carrick, Anderson, Fletcher, Scholes, Nani, Valencia, Park, Giggs, Obertan and Tosic have all been played at some point this season.

United’s lack of stability of presence in midfield has seen the Red Devils stuttering for form, something that continued with the raft of changes that resulted in a draw against CSKA. One of last year’s key performers, Michael Carrick has looked under-confident after being benched early in the season, and I feel sure that players like Scholes, who are in and out like yoyo must struggle for consistency, as must the team.

I guess it will always be the nature of being a football fan to not understand manager’s decisions, and let’s face it, we wouldn’t have much to yarn about if our manager’s made the decisions that we wanted all the time.

But, one thing is for sure. When superstar players like Wayne Rooney are left out sides, they will inevitably be needed at some point. So why not play them from the start, let a lead develop and then haul them off. It just makes more sense to me, but I am just a football fan, what do I know.

The 4-0 nil defeat by Alcoron was bad. Indeed, what a result. This was certainly no rookie Madrid side. The likes of Raul, Karim Benzema and Xabi Alonso were ably and adroitly outperformed in a sensational David vs. Goliath contest.

The freak nature of the result may have been shocking, but for those of us who have taken a keen interest in big-spending Madrid’s season the result isn’t confounding.

Indeed, the loss at Alcoron was preceded by defeats by Sevilla and AC Milan as well as a draw against Asturias side Sporting Gijon. Put all these results together and it is clear for all to see that patience with Pelligrini will be running out quickly, but why should he take the blame for the systematic problems that never seemed to be cured.

 The opportunity to take the job at Real came out of the blue for the Chilean. Despite protestations by the Madrid overlords that he was the man to oversee their grand project, it is clear to see that the likes of Arsene Wenger and Jose Mourinho were more coveted for the position.

Pelligrini, who had performed miracles in masterminding Villarreal’s seamless transition into a regular feature in the Champions League, took over at a club that is notoriously fickle in regards to its manager’s tenure.  Indeed, Pelligrini traded in the safety and security which many years of success had created at Villarreal for the insecurity and culpability of the helmship of a maverick project at Madrid. A gamble that will fail if Madrid don’t achieve success against local rivals at the weekend, if rumours circling the Spanish media are to be believed.

Indeed, one of the rumours that has disgorged from Madrid is that Michael Laudrup has been told to avoid work to keep himself available as a replacement for Pelligrini. Blimey, you’ve got to feel sorry for the Madrid boss. Yes, he inherited a squad of unlimited attacking potential but also a squad riddled with untried combinations and a malignant tendency to concede poor quality goals.

Madrid spent like a man without arms over the summer, buying the best players in the world such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka. However, this has been a blessing in disguise for Madrid. The overt-spending policy has been a carapace  for their underlying frailty, a weak defence that has not been remedied. Indeed is has been exacerbated. And here is the crux of the Galaticos problem.

A host of big-summer signings cannot guarantee team success, Catalan rivals Barcelona have superb individuals, individuals who function together to create an all-singing all-dancing footballing machine. Yet, Madrid have only attained success this season through individual brilliance, namely through Ronaldo. And it is Ronaldo’s absence that has shown the fact that Madrid look confused and disjointed as a side.

Pelligrini is certain in my eyes to be sacked at some point, a reference not to his poor managerial skills, but to the unremedied problems that continue to undermine Madrid as a footballing side is as much a problem created by a misguided attacking ethos at the team set about Florentino Perez and his boardroom pals.

Liverpool’s Champions League game versus Olympic Lyonnais marks a key defining moment in the Reds season, and wait for it, we are only in October.

Last season, Liverpool pushed United all the way in the race for the championship, only losing two games in the process. Optimism marked the start of this season for the Merseysiders, a chance to claim their first domestic league title in 19 years seemed a real possibility.

However, nine games in and Liverpool fans optimism has been smashed, replaced by a deep fear of what is happening to their beloved club. Beachball gate signalled the Anfield clubs’ fourth defeat this season leaving them seven points behind bitter rivals Manchester United, who travel to Liverpool at the weekend.

But before that, a tricky home tie to French superstars Lyon awaits. Liverpool will be without Fernando Torres as they search for the victory that will set their season back on track.

Defeat at Fiorentina augured the threat of a storm; defeat at Sunderland saw it brewing. Defeat to Lyon might see Liverpool reaping the whirlwind.

Indeed, they can be blamed for sowing the seeds of their current problems. The sale of Xabi Alonso has proven to be a terrible error on the part of Rafael Benitez. Alonso’s calming presence in the bluster of  The Premierleague has been replaced by inexperience in the form of Lucas Leiva, Jay Spearing and a whole host of untried combinations.

True, a replacement for Alonso was signed in the form of ex-Roma man Alberto Aquilain, but the Italian’s absence has pronounced Alonso’s departure instead of solving it. And it has really shown. Liverpool have looked  culpable all season and barring the brilliance of  Torres and Gerrard they could  have lost at West Ham and  Bolton.

The return of talismanic Steven Gerrard stands Liverpool in good-sted for tonight’s game. However, with United coming to town on Sunday Liverpool will need to be on best form to topple their East Lancs rivals. And they might struggle without Torres.

If they lose to United, it might not be too early to rule out the Reds for another title shot. Indeed, Liverpool are a club plagued by off-field problems, but for  once it is problems on the pitch that is  giving  Benitez  the biggest headache as he looks to solve a 19 year  itch.

Just a quick post in regards to Steve Bruce’s decision to choose David Beckham as England’s man of the match. A decision that Fabio Capello compared to handing Barack Obama the Nobel Peace Prize – make of that what you will, although I have to say I’m fairly non-plussed.

After the game, Beckham’s fellow teammates, Crouch and Wright-Phillips were both asked about the man of the match award. They both deflected the questions with grace and skill, in much the same way someone defends an elderly relative who speaks out of turn. The reality is that with two goals for Crouch and one for SWP they’ve got to feel miffed that Becks second-half sojourn was rated more highly. Even Beckham seemed shocked by the decision, quipping, “I don’t know who chose that”.

Anyway, back to Bruce. Decent manager, decent enough at providing generally inane comments about television football, obviously good at supporting Beckham, but dear god let’s not give him any more choices in regards to man of the match awards.

And well that Beckham beard – shocker, absolute shocker.

Emile Heskey’s latest comments in regards to the club vs country debate have got me thinking.

Heskey, who has failed to maintain a starting place at Villa this season, has been left warming the bench, while international rivals Gabby Agbonlahor and Ashley Young have been firing the Villains attack.

Feeling that his lack of game time is damaging his World Cup chances, Heskey went public with his frustrations, issuing a statement that inferred that he would seek a move unless Martin O’Neill started playing him in a more regular role.

Now this is nothing new, the balance between club and international life is a difficult situation to manage. Players face the wrath of club managers and fans for choosing to promote their international cause, whereas they face public vitriol if they don’t pay attention to international overtures.

However, Heskey’s outburst to me seems arrogant, presumptuous and well counterproductive.  Heskey, who is a constant under Fabio Capello, hasn’t scored for Villa this season and only managed two goals last season. No player has a divine right to play for his team, as Heskey should know after a 15 year career. And yet, his spiel in the press seems to indicate that he should have a starting place.

A seasoned-pro, Heskey should know that the way to ingratiate himself to his club manager is to keep his head down and work hard to get a first team place. Coming out in the press, voicing your displeasure, is unlikely to garner the favour of your manager.

Naturally players hoping to get into Capello’s world cup team will be agonising over their club from, especially since it now seems that even the surest of team members are called into question. The fact is that players playing week in week out are more likely to board the plane to South Africa.

However, that doesn’t mean there is carte blanche to behave like a child when not selected. Indeed, a player will mark himself out even more to Capello if he can cope with warming the bench and come out even stronger.

By running to the press, Heskey has proved that footballers don’t necessarily act with the greatest of forethought. Now, he has even more to prove if he wants to catch Martin O’Neill’s eye. Something that I am sure he will be reminded with vigour when he returns to Villa Park.