ALL players have a shelf life — even Frank Lampard

There is talk of a lack of respect towards a man who has played 88 times for his country and made more than 700 appearances for Chelsea and West Ham.

A lot of this is down to the fact Lampard is one of the brightest and most engaging footballers of his generation, not simply one of the best. 

He is courteous, approachable, uncontroversial and unconfrontational, though still extremely tough mentally.  So there is an obvious sadness at the inescapable demise of a popular figure. Yet time waits for no man.

A few weeks ago, an England team without Lampard produced a lively and impressive 3-0 win in Bulgaria.

Four days later, with Lampard restored, they laboured to a 1-0 victory over Wales at Wembley. It seemed Fabio Capello's team had taken one of its customary steps backwards.

That Lampard was no worse than James Milner or Gareth Barry is not the point.

As for Lampard's Chelsea career, though he may no longer be an untouchable, it is far from over.

But Andre Villas-Boas was not appointed by Roman Abramovich to maintain the status quo. And no manager is more powerful than in his first few months. There were always going to be high-profile casualties and Villas Boas has to be applauded for the brave decision in replacing Lampard at half-time against Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Having lost the first half 3-0, they won the second 1-0.

With Meireles, Ramires and Mata in the side, there is more pace and fluidity in the team and a far better service to Fernando Torres.

Lampard was left on the bench for the 4-1 win over Swansea where 18-year-old starlet Josh McEachran rather than he came on as the third and final sub. The Mail on Sunday reports that Lampard then got up and walked down the tunnel without speaking to his manager. He then departed to prepare for a 60-minute warm-down rather than, as suggested, "storming off" to the dressing room.

Lampard, the arch professional, doesn't do "storming off".

With Torres now suspended for three league matches, both he and Didier Drogba could well start those games.

But the days of the Lampard-Drogba-JT axis of power are over. It wasn't bad while it lasted, though.

source: Thesun.co.uk

Los Angeles' Robbie Keane has become MLS's fourth-highest-paid player

According to a recent Associated Press report, Robbie Keane has become the fourth-highest-paid player currently in Major League Soccer, making $3.4 million a year.

Fellow Los Angeles Galaxy star David Beckham remains first at $6.5 million annually while New York Red Bulls designated-player duo of Thierry Henry at $5.6 million and Rafa Marquez at $4.6 million are second and third, respectively. Keane’s other Galaxy teammate Landon Donovan is fifth with a $2.3 million salary.

In addition, there are some other recently announced salary figures from some of the league’s newcomers. Philadelphia’s attacking midfielder Freddy Adu makes $594,884 while Toronto FC’s Danny Koevermans earns $1,413,319 and Torsten Frings collects $1,113,663 per year. Rounding out, New York’s Frank Rost is listed at $545,460


source: Goal.com

Chelsea fans urged to boycott Genk game

CHELSEA fans are being urged to boycott the club's next Champions League home game against Genk.

The Blues opened their European campaign with a 2-0 win over German side Bayer Leverkusen last night. 

But just under 34,000 supporters were at Stamford Bridge to witness second-half goals from David Luiz and Juan Mata.

And a campaign attracting growing interest on social networking site Twitter wants the Chelsea faithful to stay away on October 19 in protest at the club's ticket prices.

The Chelsea Supporters Group believe the only way to get Roman Abramovich and Co to sit up and take notice is for fans to vote with their feet.

source: Thesun.co.uk

Ticket prices were heavily reduced for last season's Champions League group games but have jumped up to £40 this term, except in the stadium's family centre where they cost £36.

And with standard seats set to cost a minimum of £52 should the Blues reach the knockout rounds, many supporters simply cannot afford to attend games.

Michelle Shaw, co vice-chairman of the CSG, said: "Not only am I boycotting Genk, I am also boycotting Leverkusen and Valencia.

"Why? Because I don't want to wake up one May and find I can't afford my season ticket any more.

"The only way to send a message to the club is by a low attendance at the Genk game."

However, not all fans share the same view as Shaw and her fellow CSG members.

One supporter, who wished to remain anonymous, said: "I totally understand why people are up in arms about ticket prices.

"Times are hard but the club had frozen them for a number of seasons and a rise was inevitable at some point.

"Considering the atmosphere has deteriorated anyway, I reckon it's more important to get behind the team and make the Bridge a fortress once again.

"We've got a new manager and new players who deserve our support, so I for one will not be joining the boycott."

Who says Arsenal need a leader?

Amazingly, the team accused of lacking a true general in their ranks now boasts half-a-dozen current international skippers.

They are Thomas Vermaelen, Aaron Ramsey, Tomas Rosicky, Yossi Benayoun, Andrey Arshavin and Chu-Young Park.

Yet the Gunners' new captain, Robin van Persie, does not wear the armband for Holland.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger said: "All I can say is we have, I think we counted, six or seven captains, so they're all big personalities. I will discover who, like you.

"I have some idea but I wouldn't like to prioritise one more than the other."
It was the 8-2 thrashing at the hands of bitter rivals Manchester United which led to accusations Arsenal lacked backbone and characters.

But the recent arrival of Israel skipper Benayoun and South Korean captain Park has changed all that.

Wenger also signed former Werder Bremen skipper Per Mertesacker, who once led Germany for a 45-minute spell, in the August transfer window.

It means the Frenchman now has a wealth of leaders to choose from — with Belgium star Vermaelen, Wales ace Ramsey, Russia's Arshavin and the Czech Republic's Rosicky already among his ranks at the Emirates.

source: Thesun.co.uk

Top 10 Transfers of Summer 2011 - The Final List

Goal.com (sport news website) made the list of top 20 transfer in 2011 summer.  His judgement is based on :

• The player's overall ability (the most important factor)
• How the player will fit into his new lineup
• How the player will adapt to his new surroundings, and vice-versa
• The transfer fee payable, if any, and any other financial details known, with unofficial transfer fees listed as approximations.

 But here I'll mention only top 10 transfer:

1. Cesc Fabregas 
 From: Arsenal
To: Barcelona
Fee: 34 million euros

It may have been the most tedious of transfer sagas but there can be little doubting the impact that Fabregas’ move will have on both Barcelona and Arsenal. A tactical reshuffle seems likely at Camp Nou and the 24-year-old is the reason for it. 

2.  Sergio Aguero 

From: Atletico Madrid

To: Manchester City
Fee: 38 million euros

The former Atletico Madrid man had been earmarked as the replacement for the unsettled Carlos Tevez but 'El Kun' has the ability to far surpass the achievements of his compatriot at Eastlands. Strong, fast and deadly in front of goal, the explosive star looks set to take the Premier League by storm in 2011-12 and beyond.


3. Samir Nasri
 From: Arsenal
To: Manchester City 
Fee: 25 million euros

Samir Nasri is a signifier of the power shift currently taking place in the Premier League by joining Roberto Mancini's men. Clearly believing that the Eastlands outfit has the ability to chase silverware, the Frenchman could prove pivotal to his new side's title aspirations. 

4. Alexis Sanches 
From: Udinese
To: Barcelona 
Fee: 26 million euros

Shortly after joining the European champion, the Chile international declared that he hopes to one day be as good as new teammate Lionel Messi. 


5. Arturo Vidal 
From: Bayer Leverkusen
To: Juventus 
Fee: 10.5 million euros

Having personified consistency in Germany, the 24-year-old will be looking to prove himself as one of, if not the leading, defensive midfielder in Europe with Juventus.


6. Radamel Falcao 
 From: Porto
To: Atletico Madrid
Fee: 40 million euros

In the two full seasons that Radamel Falcao spent at Porto, he scored 73 goals in 88 games and was pivotal in the side that won the treble under Andre Villas-Boas last campaign. Now he will be expected to replace Sergio Aguero in the Spanish capital. His caliber commanded a huge transfer fee but the Colombian certainly has the ability to justify it.

7. Maarten Stekelenburg  

 From: Ajax
To: Roma
Fee: 6.3 million euros

The Italian side has secured a quite astonishing bargain. A World Cup finalist and undoubtedly one of the most consistent goalkeepers on the planet, the 28-year-old keeper will be up there with Serie A's best in 2011-12. 

8. Ashley Young  

 From: Aston Villa
To: Manchester United 
Fee: 19 million euros

Not cheap by any means, the former Watford man is likely to move into the Premier League champion's first team. The battle to maintain a place ahead of the likes of Nani will be an absorbing one.

9. Juan Mata 

 From: Valencia

To: Chelsea 
Fee: 26 million euros

A lack of creativity among the Chelsea ranks was plain for all to see as Manchester United strolled towards the title. Juan Mata has the ability to change all that and got off to the perfect start with a strike against Norwich on his debut.


10.  Manuel Neuer  
From: Schalke
To: Bayern Munich
Fee: 18 million euros

Having solidified his position among the continent's finest goalkeepers at the Veltins Arena last season, Neuer moves to Bayern Munich in the form of his life. 

source: Goal.com