Matthew Hall
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Kewell, Schwarzer, Bresciano: All Change
April has just begun but silly season has already started.
Fortunately, global warming has nothing to do with this type of climate change.
As the European football seasons draw to a close and August predictions are confirmed or embarrassingly never spoken of again (someone really thought Liverpool were going to win the Premier League?), we get to occupy our time with ill-informed, wildly inaccurate, based-on-a-whisper, gossip.
Yes, off-season transfer speculation can be a lot of fun.
This year, as Australia continues its qualifying campaign for the 2010 World Cup, there will be an interesting sub-plot brewing behind the scenes.
While Pim Verbeek selects squads to deal with Iraq, Qatar, and China (as well as a friendly against Ghana), three of our most senior Socceroos will be starting new jobs and moving home, probably to a new country.
Last week, I wrote in the Sun Herald (and The Age) that Harry Kewell has some surprising options beyond Liverpool.
Clubs interested in Kewell include Juventus in Italy, a twist that caused some scoffing, some people preferring to be influenced by prejudice and lack of knowledge of how football business works rather than a story based on actual fact.
But what do you know?
Another newspaper followed up my story with comments from Socceroo Vince Grella, who plays for Torino, and was coached last year by Juventus boss Claudio Ranieri.
Yes, ladies and gentlemen, Kewell to Juventus actually has something in it.
Mark Schwarzer is another who will be on the move in July.
The Socceroo goalkeeper has been at Middlesbrough for over a decade and his current contract expires at the end of the season.
He could agree a new deal to tie him to Middlesbrough for the rest of his career but why would he?
A free agent goalkeeper with World Cup experience is a good catch for another club, especially one with better prospects than Middlesbrough.
Fiorentina is a possible destination that could set up an interesting situation for statisticians if Zeljko Kalac is Milan's number one choice next season.
Two Australian goalkeepers playing against each other in Serie A?
Who would have thought it?
Mark Bresciano is one Australian who seems certain to be leaving Italy but, as the Socceroo midfielder has learned from several years in Serie A, nothing is ever what it seems.
Bresciano thought he'd secured a move from Palermo to Manchester City at the beginning of this season - the deal was so advanced that he was looking for somewhere to live and his wife was packing up their Palermo apartment.
I visited Bresciano just over a year ago and discovered Sicily to be - how can this be explained discretely? - one part beauty, one part intrigue, one part complicated, one part completely nuts.
One night in Palermo began with a high-speed ride through the city's back alleys in a car driven by a soldier on leave from the army who insisted he was my "bodyguard".
Later, I ended up on a theatre stage giving a speech in Italian thanking Fabio Grosso, a former Palermo player, for his performance against Australia at the World Cup.
Usually, my Italian language skills extend as far as ordering pasta, wine, and a cappuccino, while saying "Bresciano" and "Grella" a lot.
Still, my speech got a few laughs, even in the right places.
I told Bresciano about the adventure the next day at lunch.
"Eh," he shrugged. "That's Sicily."
But his move to Man City last year fell through for reasons few have been able to work out except the club's volatile president Maurizio Zamparini.
Zamparini has sacked two coaches this season and last month he re-hired the guy he originally fired in November.
Make sense?
That's Sicily.
Another Australian possibly on the move? Jason Culina from PSV Eindhoven.
Wildcards? Mile Sterjovski, who has been impressive at woeful Derby County, may choose to stay with the English club even though they've been relegated.
Few people can ever predict what is going on with Mark Viduka so we won't even go there but don't be surprised if there are a few changes at Lucas Neill's West Ham.
Anyone need a defender with captaincy credentials?
COMMENTS
Player movements is always exciting to read. The player thats fascinated me most is a true legend of the game. Paolo Maldini is now in his 20th season at AC Milan. Am i the only one that finds that amazing ??
What is even more amazing is that i recently read he may not hang up his boots this season. Take your hat off guys, because i cant think of any player in any football code who has spent 20 years playing top class football for the same club. He sure would teach some of these Rugby League players what loyality is !!
- by Rocket Rod on April 05, 2008 at 02:25 PM
kewel is terrible
- by person on April 05, 2008 at 11:44 PM
Matt you seem a little bitter about people not bowing down to your Kewell to Juventus tip. Should we all be bowing down to the Hall altar?
Love your line about prejudice, given you despise anything English. And I'm an Aussie.
Being a cult leader certainly has its appeal but altars have a certain religious connotation that doesn't. I certainly don't despise "anything" English. I enjoy fish and chips. Regards, MH
- by Gaffa on April 06, 2008 at 05:20 AM
Speaking of the silly season with player movements, your "plug" for your mate and his false attempt to get Zizou here is disgraceful and short on substance.
I like reading your stuff ... just stick to the facts please Matthew and SMH.
Comment was edited for potential legal reasons. The facts are quite clearly stated in the story. No more, no less. Enjoy Zidane's visit. I hear he is quite a character.
- by Stifflers Mom on April 06, 2008 at 07:24 AM
A few months ago I mentioned Richard Garcia as someone who is performing well in the Championship. You said you would follow this up and ask Pim about whether he was being considered as an Australia player? Have you any further news regarding his performances and his chances of making the Socceroos? At the moment he looks a good shot of playing in the premiership next season.
Sorry. Got distracted but will get on it. MH
- by Sid from London on April 06, 2008 at 08:58 AM
Schwarzer will go to a club with better prospects! Yeah right. The "better prospects" being dollars on offer like Viduka last year.
Let's face it, Schwarzer could have left Boro at any time for a club with "better prospects" but he has always been swayed by the $$$. I guess he saw the amount V earned by a switch and wants more of the same.
- by tim on April 06, 2008 at 11:24 AM
Alain Baratuad bringing Zidane to Sydney.....be very careful.
- by Stevie B on April 06, 2008 at 12:46 PM
I would like to see more of our players move to Italy and Spain to give the national team a bit more variety. The last thing we need is for every player to be in England and just relying on pumping long balls to our strikers.
- by Bradshaw on April 06, 2008 at 12:50 PM
...harry kewell at Juventus? please. spare me. that guy has lost about 50% of his pace, 50% of his skill and only belongs in the A-League.
and hats off to Paulo Maldini. that guy... is amazing. hes not a very good wing back (not making enough support runs), but doesnt he defend well...
i had thought adriano already moved? ronaldinho should be moving to Milan.
i cant see flamini, lampard and drogba moving.
- by psycho on April 06, 2008 at 01:07 PM
I've been waiting for Kewell to move to Italy since his days at Leeds; he was in such incredible form back then that it seemed inevitable he'd find his way to one of the big clubs in Italy or Spain, especially since he'd expressed an interest to do so.
I just hope his (brittle) stint at Liverpool hasn't hampered his prospects. He's still young enough to get back to his original form.
Personally, I'd love to see him at AC Milan (a vicarious dream, you might say). But maybe a move to sunny Rome would suit him better. A warmer clime might cut down those incessant muscle strains.
- by Brad on April 06, 2008 at 04:45 PM
Viduka missed his chance to play for a great club. Even a Tottenham, Everton, Westham or Blackburn would have been a better option than Newcastle.
Kewell still has much more to offer and I am not surprised there are still clubs chasing after his signature. I think a move to the continent and away from the rigours of the EPL would be good for his career.
- by Ben on April 06, 2008 at 10:10 PM
I agree, Paulo Maldini doesn't get the credit he deserves, i have read in many places he is a true example in training, he is truely an overlooked athlete that deserves the admiration of many kids
- by Anthony on April 07, 2008 at 12:01 AM
anyone seen Scott McDonnald? plays for Celtic in the Scottish Preimer League. top goal scorer last time i saw. fantastic. should be on the way up
- by Rick on April 07, 2008 at 07:45 AM
Matt
Speaking of changes, do you know if Richard Porta has decided on what country he will represent? To your knowledge has Pim/Henk/FFA been in touch about him representing Australia?
- by Kevin on April 07, 2008 at 08:48 AM
I'm a Middlesbrough supporter and I have to say that Schwarzer has had a very poor season for the Boro. He has be terribly out of position for many of the goals conceeded.
Yes he is still a hero for the Socceroos, but he is 35 and out of club form. I cant see him moving to a club with "better prospects" now.
- by Richard on April 07, 2008 at 11:30 AM
From all the quotes I hear from Bresc he seams very unhappy at Palermo. And from all reports their president is just psychotic, and has trouble dealing with foreign clubs. I hope he can get out of there in the summer.
- by Davo on April 07, 2008 at 11:57 AM
Harry Kewell only seems an interesting option because he is on a free transfer. He may be a lucky gamble for someone, he has not got the quality or form at present to play in a first football in a top club in Europe . Good luck to the boys if they secure their futures financially God bless. Not all players are destined for greatness.
Harry is no Zidane then again Zidane wasn't a big name till he played for Juventus
- by Andrew Adams on April 07, 2008 at 01:21 PM
If Kewell goes to Juventus, i'll eat my hat. It's about as likely as C. Ronaldo coming to the A-League.
- by Clarpe Lassie on April 07, 2008 at 02:30 PM
Matthew first of all Id like to say I enjoy reading your articles. Its nice to have an journalist in Australia who actually watches/understands football, and has no problem calling it ‘football’.
As with most people, I’m often intrigued where the summer movements speculation comes from. Leaks within clubs? Crafty journalists? Player agents looking to increase a players value? Regardless there’s no doubt a good percentage of them turn out being not even close (of coarse this depends on your source). As far as the aussies are concerned – being a long time Leeds united & Harry Kewell fan, I am sick of defending him & his constant run of injuries. In saying that I still believe harry will be back…maybe not to what people are expecting of him (some of you may remember the penultimate game of the ‘02/’03 season where both Kewell & viduka crippled arsenals title chances – cracking game) …but he is still very talented nonetheless. I think some clubs may still believe this also but based on his proness to injury I would say most would favour a pay-as-you play style contract…as it is rumoured Liverpool may offer.
Just to add my 2 cents to a couple of others – I think scott mcdonald is talented poacher but wouldn’t cut it out of Scotland…at the moment. Jason Culina is a fabulous player & has never gone missing for the Socceroos…if rumours are correct this will be his last season at psv. I think boro will cut their ties with schwarzer at the end of the season. I think its encouraging that he wants to be around of the world cup…but think that if another keeper hasn’t emerged to challenge him by then for the Socceroos that we may be in trouble.
- by Junior on April 07, 2008 at 03:17 PM
If Australia want to be a very competitive nation in football we must stop trying to play and copy the English.
Have a look at the Brazilian team.. They are all playing in either Italy or Spain, The Argentina team are mostly in Italy and Italy who won the last world cup had every player in there squad playing in Italy. On Paolo Maldini, im dissapointed that a player who has played for his club for 20 years has never been mentioned in our media. Again, its all pro english here and lets be pro english if we wanna be like them.. useless losers !!
As you can tell, i dont like the poms and love beating them.. just like evry other Aussie.. so why we copying them ???
- by Nathan on April 07, 2008 at 04:09 PM
I just cant imagine Ronaldinho playing for another club other than Barcelona. Neither can i imagine Drogba or Lampard. If they do leave and sign for another club i hope we get to read about it. One thing i do like is the official presentation when they show off there new jersey. Ronaldinho wearing another jersey will spin me out. I love the silly season and love reading about the goss. Can you keep your fans posted Matthew ?
- by Norm on April 07, 2008 at 10:27 PM
Ronaldinho will not be going anywhere and the same is for Frank Lampard. No Englishman has ever played in Italy and cant see lampard moving to Italy when he has all the options he wants in England. Drogba & Shevchenko will be a different story though.. They will move on but who knows where.
Paulo Maldini is an example to every young footballer player around the world. He is a true profesional and should be made as an example to all the youngsters.
- by Neil on April 08, 2008 at 03:20 PM
About 2-3 weeks ago i posted a comment and said i was 100% sure that Didier Drogba will be playing for Inter Milan next season. I am now 200% sure that Didier Drogba will be playing his football for Inter Milan. Take the tip Mathew and mention it before anyone else does.. Even the British press dont know this yet. How do i know this ? My uncle works in real estate in Milan and told me that 4 weeks ago Drogba was looking for an apartment in Milan and news just in.. Didier Drogba brought the apartment yesterday !!
- by Mr X on April 08, 2008 at 10:52 PM
A little more information on the Didier Drogba apartment... all i can say its about 10-15 minutes walk from Andrei Shevchenko's preoperty in the heart of Milan. I was reading today on some website and they said that Drogba could well be staying at Chelsea... little do they know !!!
It will be a long drive to training! MH
- by Mr X on April 09, 2008 at 09:46 AM
Another tip for you guys... Ronaldinho is now looking for an apartment in Milan and Shevchenko will be moving into his property which is not far from the apartment that Didier Drogba bought this week. Gonna be some HUGE news coming out soon regarding Ronaldinho, Drogba and Shevchenko !!!
I think we need to get into the Milan real estate market, Mr X. Sounds like it's booming. MH
- by Mr X on April 11, 2008 at 07:56 PM
I have to reject Neil's ckaim "No Englishman has ever played in Italy". Totally incorrect. Tony Marchi was the first moving from Spurs to Milan in 1956 for 65000 pounds.
- by Charles Potter on April 13, 2008 at 08:53 AM
Kewell to Jeve?!?! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Kewell to Preston North End is a much more likely outcome.
You Aussies really enjoy talking yourselves up, eh? HAHAHA
- by Mike on April 19, 2008 at 08:57 PM
Neil may have forgotten Paul Gascoigne's stint at Lazio - on a £5.5 transfer.
Perhaps he mistook him for a Frenchman?
- by HerrKutz on April 20, 2008 at 01:47 PM
Correction; Paul Gascoigne, Lazio, £5.5 million - not bad for a Frenchman!
- by HerrKutz on April 20, 2008 at 01:50 PM
"No Englishman has ever played in Italy" - Neil
Even more incorrect. Paul Ince made 54 appearances for Inter during 1995-7, scoring 10 goals and became a crowd favourite.
- by Brian on May 04, 2008 at 02:16 AM
david platt (Bari)?
- by craig on May 09, 2008 at 07:06 PM
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I love the silly season. This season will be like no other season in history with some HUGE players and some high-profile Aussies on the move. Big names like Barca's Ronaldinho, Chelsea's Didier Drogba, Andrei Shevchenko & Frank Lampard, Arsenal's Mathieu Flamini, Inter Milan's Hernan Crespo & Adriano and then there is former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho and Italy's world cup winning coach Marcello Lippi who will most likely return to a high profile club. Never have i seen a host of Aussies linked with a move.. I think Harry Kewell & Mark Scwartzer will remail in England maybe with a mid-table club and Jess Van Strattan must leave Juventus to get some playing time so he has a chance of playing for Australia in the 2010 world Club. Being with Juve must have done him wonders and training eachday with players like David Trezeguet, Alex Del Piero and Gianluigi Buffon would have taught him alot.. im curious to see just how good he is. All going to be very interesting indeed, keep us posted Matthew cause i love the silly season !!!