Tempestuous Tevez

Anyone could've seen this coming.

Disaffected player + Match at Home Ground of Former Employer x Intensity of Cup Tie = THIS and THIS

No wonder Greater Manchester police are on alert for the return leg.

In other cup news, Tottenham and Leeds tied 2-2 away, while Arsenal lost 1-3 to a solid Stoke side with Sol Campbell's return being characterized "as nothing short of a disaster."

Returns are tricky like that.

There Was Nothing "Ruud" About It

With the January transfer window beginning to wind down, there is news of the anticlimactic departure of Ruud van Nistelrooy from the hallowed stands of the Bernabeu.

The exceptional, if oft injured, winger now finds himself under the employment of FC Hamburg in a year and a half year loan deal, on which he and Madrid both mutually agreed. And unlike his prior move from Man Utd, there are no hard feelings this time, with the manager or C. Ron.

I only hope that the injury gods take mercy on Ruud's time in the Bundesliga, as it would be a shame for such a talented player not to regain at least some of his former glory in another uniform (and perhaps back in the Dutch national team kit?)

All this brings us to the end of the first Galacticos era at Madrid with Van Nistelrooy out, Guti soon to be, and Ronaldo and Beckham long gone, Los Merengues have closed the chapter of 2002. It remains to be seen, however, if Los Galacticos 2.0 are able to bring in more silverware than the original iteration.

Chelsea's 7-2 drubbing of a sorry Sunderland side made a few statements on Saturday.

To the pundits: Yes, you can take four of our first-team players, including our leading scorer/offensive lynchpin, and we'll still be fine.

To the doubters: Arsenal good, Man Utd better, Chelsea best.

To Jose: Balotelli won't be your biggest headache come February.

Furthermore, even though Man Utd and Arsenal managed to stay close, neither team has consistently challenged Chelsea this year - either in quality or results. Particularly disappointing have been the Red Devils, who, for being just a solitary point back from top of the table, have never seemed to have the undefinable, yet indispensible, "it" this season, while the young Gunners have suffered multiple injury mishaps, with which their squad is just not equipped to deal.

In the end, the result seemed merciful as Anelka could've easily compounded the pain if he had capitalized on a sitter, while Lampsie narrowly missed the goal more than once. Free-flowing attack-minded football wasn't in the Blue's nature in title-winning years past, but it may just be their hallmark in 2010.

Resurgent Ronaldinho

A hat-trick in Milan's recent 4-0 victory over Sienna has capped an impressive run of form for the two-time FIFA World Player of the Year, and now there is a growing chorus of calls for Dunga to include 'Dinho in his World Cup Squad.

It's not like I called/prayed/wished upon a star for it or anything, but I couldn't be happier that the Greatest Player of the Last Decade has finally found his form. I mean, seriously, check out that last goal and tell me he doesn't warrant a place in Brazil's starting XI.

Dude Cannot Catch A Break

I have alternated between pity for Rafa's predicament, disdain for his transfer policy, and bewilderment at his preference for rotation, but right now I cannot feel anything but sorry for the man.

Not only have Liverpool just crashed out of the FA Cup at Anfield, but they lost both Fernando Torres (knee) and Steven Gerrard (hamstring) before the start of the second half in the process.

It all started out so well (ok, well enough): New signing Maxi Rodriguez was in the stands, Rafa was seeing silverware in his side's future, and Reading even obliged their hapless hosts with a one goal advantage, after the Royal's Ryan Bertrand steered the ball past his own keeper. Even in the front office, it all seemed to be going the Spaniard's way, as one American recused himself, though admittedly not the one Kop faithful would most like to rid themselves of.

But, all good/subpar/barely passible things must come to an end, and so it did for Liverpool on Wednesday night. In the dying minutes of regulation, Reading were given a golden opportunity to equalize after Yossi Benayoun was judged to have fouled Shane Long in the box, which is exactly what Gylfi Sigurdsson did after stepping up to take the penalty. That disappointment became heartbreak only ten minutes later, when Long fired Reading tops. It was another nail in the coffin of the Red's season, finally, if inhumanely, obliterating the last modicum of confidence 'Pool players had diluded themselves into possessing.

Oh yeah and all this on the heel of news that Rafa might be forced to sell El Nino, if (read: when) Liverpool don't qualify for the Champions League next season.

UPDATE: And so it went from bad to worse. Reports have Nando missing 6 weeks with a knee cartilege injury that will require surgery, while Yossi Benayoun (fractured rib; expected 4 week absence) and Stevie G (strained hamstring; expected 2 week absence) did not fare much better.

Something in the Water

Reunited and it feels so good...

Footballers might not usually be considered the most sentimental types. Be it because of their propensity to leave their "beloved" club or their willingness to mock their former employers at the first opportunity, no one would think the likes of Carlos Tevez and Ashley Cole are quietly pining away for the day when they can rejoin they former clubs.

But the announcement of Sol Campbell's return to Highbury (check that: Emirates) as Becks publicly mourns his early departure from Old Trafford calls that perception into question. Not to be outdone, there's talk that Van Nistelrooy could be reclaiming his Premier League past (albeit likely in a Potters [side note: seriously?!] or a Gunners uniform). And then there's this.

Only time will tell if these moves prove masterstroke (a la Hughes) or misguided (a la Sheva), but, in the meantime, sit back, realx, break out the vintage kits, and bask in the nostalgia.

UPDATE: Word is that Flamini is keen to return to the Prem too, which shouldn't come as a surprise, since he is currently suffering the drop in form that accompanies a move to Serie A.

Zidane Weighs In: Messi or Ronaldo?

The French midfield master was willing to share his insight into the current and former FIFA World Players of the Year.

On Ronaldo: "He fascinates me as a player...I feel that is a special player, because with his belief, he has infected the rest of the team. It is almost inconceivable all that Cristiano has achieved already."

On Messi: "Messi is special, there is only one. When he gets the ball, everyone knows what is sure to happen: the ball will finish in the opponents' goal."

Hmm, kind words all around, but there can be "only one" per Zidane.

In other news, after seven months on the job shadowing Florentino Perez, Zizou revealed his "dream" to someday manage Madrid, as well as his World Cup prediction: Viva Espana, y'all.

Fleet Footed Spainard > Unstoppable Argentine?

Rumor has it that Wenger is considering some permutation of a trade that would have Cesc Fabregas for Real Madrid's Gonzalo Higuain (plus some cash?).

And yes, you read that right.

This move is perplexing, but not so much on Arsenal's end, rather it's Real who "got some 'splaining to do." Instead of Higuain, why not try and offload Benzema? Seriously, in what world does it make sense to trade your starting (and in form) striker, in order to keep your sullen, inflexible back-up? Madrid is finally linking up through the middle, and, to my mind, that has been a direct consequence of Benzema's play up front.

If it's a financial calculation (the high fee to pry Fabregas away from the Emirates will be more difficult to swing if the player were obvi Benzie instead of Gonzalo), Perez, Pelligrini et al should look to build on what they already have (with or without Fabregas), not dismantle it, because, for Madrid, gaining Cesc, irregardless of how wonderful he is, is not enough to outweigh the loss of Higuain.

On the other side, assuming Wenger is in his right mind, some may ask how could he ever agree to sell Cesc? Not so fast; after a quick review of the facts (see below), it is not an entirely insane proposition.

Fact: Wenger has long admired Higuain from afar.

Fact: Arsenal has significant offensive frailties, from Van Persie's inability to stay healthy for an entire season to Bendtner making stupid decisions at every opportunity, all of which has been compounded by the summer sale of Adebayor.

Fact: Gonzalo could be a quick fix for said issues.

Fact: Finally, and perhaps most importantly, Wenger has never shied away from the sale of a trademark star (see: Henry, Thierry). Of all English managers, he is consistently confident in his youth ("Young Gunners," anyone?) and unafraid of a (smart) gamble.

I'm not saying it's going to happen. I'm just saying don't be surprised if it does. Whether Cesc survives the away fixture to Barca is another issue entirely....

Mancini Hearts Vieira

Now that the Special One has confirmed the exit of Inter midfielder, Patrick Vieira, odds are the French international will be able to escape Serie A for Premiership pitches, as he is rumored to be heading to Man City. As you'll remember, Mancini was responsible for bringing Vieira to Italy as Inter's manager, and now he is eager to bring Vieira in for his leadership qualities, while the Frenchman is happy to finally have a chance at first team football...and the potential for a World Cup spot come summer.

In other January transfer window news:

• Mancini also had eyes for Juan Sebastian Veron, but the Argentinian maestro has decided to stay at Estudiantes instead of returning to England. The man has learned the lessons of Figo, where his NT teammate, Carlos Tevez, obvi missed the memo.
  
  
• Leeds' FA Cup hero Jermaine Beckford has put in his request to leave Elland Road, with Newcastle United as front runners in the race to procure his services.
  
  
• Liverpool fans can look forward to having Atleti forward Maxi Rodriguez join their ranks, though Rafa may not have the funds to keep him on anything but a temporary basis.

Man Utd Pull A Madrid

The headlines could be the same: "Top-Flight Title Contender Dumped out of League Cup By Third-Tier Side."

If you're blanking a little allow me to refresh your memory. Remember way back when Madrid were dropped out of the Copa del Ray in humiliating fashion by third-tier side Alacorn? Well Man Utd successfully replicated that feat losing 0-1 at Old Trafford in the third round of the FA Cup, while their main title challengers, Chelsea, ran riot against Watford. Not only does this loss mark the first loss to a lower tier team under the tutelage of SAF, but it also came to hated rivals Leeds, an enmity which, despite the years and flights that separate the two sides, has not dissipated.

So will this embarrassment on their home ground spring United into action and compel players (particularly those in its fragile defense) to redouble their efforts a la Madrid, or does it portend the beginning of the end of United's season (either for lack of personnel or the loss of one in particular)?

At least, United's upcoming Carling Cup match against a resurgent Man City will help us get a better idea of their trajectory. It's all in how you respond, right?

UPDATE: Barca has joined the top of the table losers in league cup competitions, crashing out of the Copa del Ray. The Blaugrana lost 1-2 to Sevilla, though the referee's incompetence, as opposed to their own ineptitude, may have had more to do with the final result.

La Liga Round-Up

While Barca were held 1-1 on Saturday by a spirited Villarreal side, Real Madrid failed to capitalize on the opportunity to get on equal terms with Barca at the La Liga summit with a sub-par performance against Osasuna, resulting in an 0-0 draw.

Elsewhere, Mallorca won 2-0 over Athletic Bilbao, moving them into CL qualifying fourth place over Sevilla, who were set back at Atleti over the weekend. Valencia (3rd), Mallorca (4th), Sevilla (5th) are now all within two points of each other, with Deportivo la Coruna, Getafe and Athletic Bilbao not far off their pace.

The title may be out of reach for most, but there's still a lot to play for in La Liga.

Bidding "Adu"

This past week saw U.S. internationals Eddie Johnson and Freddy Adu (remember him?) sign for Greek club Aris Thessaloniki.

Eddie is being loaned for at least the rest of the season, after only making four appearances for the Cottagers and having had, shall we say, a less than successful loan spell with Cardiff City. Let's hope Hector Cuper, the former Inter and Valencia boss, who currently manages sixth-placed Aris, will provide him with meaningful playing time prior to this summer's World Cup.

Similarly, Freddy passed up the chance to play for Hull in hopes of joining the Greek side, because it would allow him the most playing time and best prospects for the development of his game after a disappointing spell at Benfica.

And, thus, Aris has taken the American invasion mantle from Fulham.