Andre Villas-Boas: Mini Mourinho or a flash in the pan?

Here is my second blog-post of the week. In my second post I will express my views away from my beloved Arsenal. I hope you enjoy it just the same.

Chelsea have appointed another manager. Anyone surprised? Not at all. Ancelotti never stood a chance as soon as the Champions League dream was over. Why is Abramovich so obsessed with it? They’ll never win it with an attitude like that. All he has proven is that you can’t buy success. He’s been trying 7 years to bring the Holy Grail to Stamford Bridge and failed every time. Just to think that they were one kick – and slip – away from it just 3 years ago…

Speaking of buying success, though, the £13.3m they dished out on rookie manager Andre Villas-Boas may turn out to be the wisest amount they’ve ever spent. But what kind of impact will he have on the club? And why did they pick him and not a more experienced manager?

Villas-Boas: Can he cut it at Chelsea?

Many have questioned Chelsea’s appointment of AVB – yes I’m being lazy – largely due to his age. The man is 33. Yet he achieved so much in his first and only season with FC Porto. He won the treble and went through the entire league season unbeaten. This proves age means nothing. I’d like to see him do that in England, though. Even Ashley Cole – who is not known for his wise words – said that “age is just a number”. And for once, he is correct. What’s more, that’s not the only reason why Villas-Boas is more than meets the eye:

He also has the knowledge. He was 25 when he first joined Mourinho’s staff at Porto, and won the Champions League – what Chelsea have been missing – just two years later. He was also part of Mourinho’s team at Inter, when they won the Champions League in 2010. So he doesn't seem as inexperienced as we all first thought. And besides, if he can win the treble in his first season with Portugal’s top club, he must be doing something right.

But can he recreate these kinds of results for Chelsea? Of course he can. I have high hopes for Villas-Boas and Chelsea for this coming season (unfortunately). Don’t be surprised if he wins a trophy or two, and don’t be surprised if he’s sacked for missing out on any, either.

Heartbreak: England lose on penalties - again.

What happened at the Women’s World Cup on Saturday was heart-breaking. What a shame for the England Women, to go out on the cruel lottery that is penalties. Naturally, of course, not a shock to any of us, even when they took an early lead in the shoot-out. A shoot-out victory may be exactly what this country needs – either that or getting through to the semi-finals of a World Cup – to think they were only two minutes away from it in the first place is just typical of England. Or is that typical of the French?

I have to say, some of the quality of football in the women’s game has been pretty admirable. Take Jill Scott’s goal for England, for example. It may have been poor goalkeeping, but you have to sit back and wonder when was the last time you saw a goal curl in like that. Amazing. Never mind though, better luck in four years’ time.

There has been some fascinating movement in the transfer market recently. My favourite signing of the summer so far? It has to be Charlie Adam. What a great player he will be for Liverpool. Plus, the £9m or so that they bought him for is an absolute bargain. He could form a deadly duo with Gerrard. A few more signings like that and Liverpool can get right back up there with the big boys again. We could have 6 or 7 teams challenging for the title this season.

Coming a close second is Ashley Young’s move to United. Great buy. An ideal replacement for Giggs once he eventually retires (shouldn't be too long what with all his problems at home). Alternatively, he could probably keep Valencia out of the team. He’d do well to get in front of Nani in the pecking order, though. A Young and Nani on the pitch at the same time looks to be the best outcome, it seems. I'm looking forward to seeing how well he does.            

Ironically, for my most bizarre transfer so far has to be Liverpool new-boy Jordan Henderson. Yes, he has lots of talent and great potential, but never in a million years is he worth £20m. Either Sunderland have the best hagglers in the business, or Liverpool are just unnecessarily desperate. After all, they have a history of over-pricing. Remember Andy Carroll? £35m for 2 goals and a dodgy knee. Now that’s what I call a waste of money. I wonder if Carroll can prove me wrong with his performances for club and country? That remains to be seen…

Just one final word this week about England’s place in the current world rankings. Somehow, we are the fourth best team in the world. Has the rest of the world been on holiday or something? What have we done to deserve this? Oh yeah, that’s right, we were robbed of hosting the friggin’ World Cup!!

Thanks a lot, Russia.