The English Premier League is witnessing major transfers that would transform the league next season and the years to come.
Soccer’s off season is relatively hectic especially with Copa America and the FIFA U20- World Cup going on. While national squads and youngsters are preoccupied to win for their nation's glory, English Premier League clubs are busy flexing their financial strength or flaunting their appeal into the transfer market to reinforce their teams. In the past few months, some of these transfers have the potential of changing competition and even the fate of an entire league.
Here are a few significant transfers, including 1 possible signing, that will have major repercussions next season.
Farewell Arsenal
Thierry Henry’s transfer to Barcelona struck a major blow to Arsenal’s championship aspirations this coming season. And it will probably signal the end of Arsenal’s French revolution as its architect, manager Arsene Wenger hasn’t made any commitment regarding his long-term future with the club.
During its heydays, Arsenal became a global phenomenon with its swashbuckling soccer and won several English Premier League championships under Wenger leading French stalwarts Henry, Patrick Viera, and Robert Pires. Arsenal is now in a decline and quietly rebuilding its ranks through shrewd transfers, particularly Francesc Fabregas. Losing its talismanic captain will certainly slow down the process, if not stop it altogether. Some members like Fabregas and Ljungberg are already mulling their possible transfers.
The Tevez Affair
Last year, Javier Mascherano and Carlos Tevez arrived from Corinthians to West Ham United and the duo caught the English Premier League unawares. Their transfers raised protests and slowly died down until recently.
Relegated Sheffield United renewed its complaints of possible league violations after league authorities turned them down and simply fined West Ham. Tevez’s supposed agreement and impending transfer to Manchester United have already attracted attention and renewed concerns with everyone involved.
Sheffield wants West Ham deducted points with its possible relegation instead of receiving fines for punishment. English Premier League authorities are in a bind for downplaying the incident involving a possible breach of league rules regarding player ownership. Manchester is also in a predicament as points might be deducted should the team field ineligible players.
Arrival of Spanish Armada
Liverpool has long awaited its chance to rule the English Premier League only to fall short from its goals. Long-suffering but loyal fans even thought all was lost when Michael Owen decided to leave only to join a flawed galactico era in Real Madrid. It all changed when Rafael Benitez left Valencia and took charge of the fledging English giants.
Benitez’s arrival is a signal to the Spanish armada to launch and hopefully start winning battles inside the pitch in English soil. It is also similar to the already declining French revolution at Arsenal. Benitez has invited compatriots Luis Garcia, Pepe Reina, Xabi Alonso and now, finally, Fernando Torres. Whether Rafael Benitez wrestles the crown from Manchester United still remains to be seen but he has a Champion’s League crown in just 2 years to show for a start.
