EPL Ramblings – Talking Rubbish And Transfer Gossip

By: Wayne Farry | March 12th, 2009

Another round of ramblings here at the EPL Offside. My promise to keep this as regular as a fibre lover’s bathroom goings was ultimately fruitless, but now seems like a better time than ever to post some utter drivel. I’ve finished college for the day, but am still using their computers for my leisure. Beating the sytem from the inside…

Some lovely transfer gossip today, with Chelsea doing some stuff, as well as some gossip from Middle Eastlands with the news that David Villa is apparently growing tired of the circus at the Mestalla and looking for a new circus.

First off, some news that Chelsea are keeping tabs on Russia and CSKA Moscow’s incredibly versatile left-sided player Yury Zhirkov. Zhirkov, who can play either left back, left midfield or wing-back was extraordinary at Euro 2008 and I was shocked that no-one came in for him in the summer or January. There has been talk that some of Serie A’s giants want him but nothing substantial has been reoprted. Today, however reports have emerged that Guus Hiddink has advised Roman Abramovich to take a look at the player. If this were to be true, and Guus really has got some transfer targets, it could be an indication that he intends to stay at Chelsea for longer than expected.

The rumours linking Zhirkov to Chelsea were further strengthened with quotes from his current boss, Brazilian legend Zico;

“Zhirkov is a player of such high level, he would only show all his potential playing in such a strong competition as the English Premier League…”

“He’d easily fit into Chelsea’s first-choice team. I don’t like to lose him, but I won’t stop his move to London.”

This is one that I think is highly possible. Malouda is rubbish and Chelsea really need width, and in my opinion there are few better wingers in Europe than Zhirkov.

On the David Villa front, it appears that (probably) Europe’s best striker is on his way out the Mestalla back door with a massive wad of cash going in the opposite direction. Valencia are in dire straits financially and last week finally admitted what everyone knew already; that they will have to sell their prized assets to keep the wolf from the door. Apparently, City execs have met with Valencia with regards to buying Villa. There are some quotes around but really, we know that if Villa’s for sale City will come in for him.

When asked about whether he’d sell David Villa and David Silva, Los Che’s VP Fernando Gomez responded with more than a tone of resignation in his voice. Probably, I didn’t hear him, I juts read it…Heres the quote;

“I think they are two very important players, with a lot of quality and, if we sell them, we are not going to sell them on the cheap…”

“I would like them both to stay. But we cannot discard anything and any of them (the players) could leave at the end of the season.”

Might as well wave goodbye to them now, Valencia fans.

You’ve probably read this already but the Guardian are reporting, as well as everyone else, that Jose Mourinho has been accused of punching a supporter close to his team’s bus after last night’s game. It doesn’t say whether he was a United fan or an Inter fan but it’s pretty funny. Only Jose could ever do something like this.

The whole thing doesn’t appear to be that serious as a police spokesman told Reuters that they’d received a report of ‘a very minor assault’.

Just thinking, what are the odds that it’s that kid he punched a few years back at his daughter’s school? That would be the best story ever, hands down.

Now last, but certainly not least is the story that Everton’s Victor Anichebe is demanding an apology from police after he was caught up in ‘police swoop’ outside a jewellers in Cheshire. He and his mate were standing outside the jewellers when police handcuffed his mate and police then began a ‘heated discussion’ with Anichebe. That could either mean they stood beside a radiator or, alternatively, were just shouting at each other.

Now Anichebe’s a big, tough guy. But he’s obviously a sensitive soul as an Everton spokesman said;

“Victor was deeply upset and very distressed by the incident. I believe he is still waiting for a full and unreserved apology from the police involved. Once he has received that both the club and the player will consider the matter closed.”

I actually feel sorry the guy. No-one likes to be thought of as a criminal. Probably. I’ve never allowed myself to be in that sort of situation. I’m similar to a ninja like that.