Fantasy Premier League Blog

After returning to this, our new old home, Neal and I are happy to announce that we're moving back to our old new home with of Yahoo! UK. Be sure to join us over there as we have lots of fun in store for the new season.

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/fantasy-football-blog/

SEOUL (Reuters) - Manchester United midfielder Park Ji-sung will miss the first half of next season following knee surgery, media reported on Monday.

Park, who underwent an operation in the United States in April, arrived on Sunday in his native South Korea and will join up with the United squad on their pre-season tour later this week.

"I will be able to be back playing in January of next year," Park was quoted saying in local sports daily Sports Seoul.

Nani moving up one spot in the pecking order.

Blackburn Rovers

A free-kick from David Bentley was swung into the penalty area where Ooijer arrived to head home.

Stephen Warnock limped off with an injury after 18 minutes and was replaced by Bruno Berner.

Chelsea

[John Terry] struck in the 84th minute when he collected a pass from new signing Malouda and beat America goalkeeper Armando Navarrete with a powerful strike.

It proved an eventful debut for the former Lyon winger, who also netted the equaliser to mark his Chelsea bow in impressive fashion.

Defender Sam Hutchinson found Malouda and the midfielder managed to sneak a shot past America goalkeeper Armando Navarrete to level the encounter before having a hand in Terry's late winner.

Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham's Egypt internationals Mido and Hossam Ghaly are being linked with transfers to Middlesbrough and Birmingham respectively.

Liverpool

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has confirmed that defender Fabio Aurelio will miss the start of the season after failing to recover in time from a ruptured Achilles tendon.

The Brazilian full-back sustained the knock during the Reds' Champions League tie against PSV Eindhoven back in April, but could be out for a further four weeks with the niggling injury.

Derby County

Derby midfielder Giles Barnes is set to miss the start of the new season as he continues his rehabilitation from a broken foot.

Barnes, who suffered the injury during the play-off final victory over West Brom, has been ordered to rest until the end of the month, delaying his return to training.

Arsenal

Brazilian midfielder Denilson suffered an injury scare as Arsenal claimed a 2-0 friendly win at Barnet on Saturday.The Gunners' win over the League Two outfit came courtesy of goals from Emmanuel Adebayor and Nacer Bazarite.

The victory looked set to be overshadowed by Denilson's exit on a stretcher, but a statement on the club's official website said: "Later his injury was reported to be minor."

Northern Ireland striker David Healy has joined Fulham on a four-year deal from League One side Leeds United. The 27-year-old former Preston man is believed to have cost in the region of £2.5 million.

Healy, who learnt his trade at Manchester United, has the Northern Ireland goalscoring record of 29 goals in 56 games and nine so far in their Euro 2008 qualifying campaign, making him the top scorer in Europe.

He is reunited with his former national team manager Sanchez and joins compatriots Steven Davis, Aaron Hughes and Chris Baird at Craven Cottage.

At Leeds, Healy was an enigmatic figure, often criticised for inconsistency at club level and scoring many of his goals from the bench. He hit 29 in three seasons but could not help the Elland Road club avoid relegation to League One.

Sven-Goran Eriksson has sealed his first signing as Manchester City manager by clinching the transfer of Reggina striker Rolando Bianchi.The Italian has moved to Eastlands for an undisclosed fee which the Serie A club had previously claimed to be £8.8million.

Bianchi, 24, was the fourth highest scorer in Serie A last season with 18 goals, helping to keep Reggina in the top flight.

Eriksson told the club's website: "He scored nearly 20 goals last season in Serie A, which is a lot of goals in such a difficult league.

"He's young, and I think it's a very important signing because he should have a great future. He's a good footballer as well as a good goalscorer, which is what we need.

"He's very hardworking, very strong and he can score - if you can score nearly 20 goals in Serie A and you are not with one of the top clubs like Milan or Juve then you must be talented. It's a good record, and let's hope he continues with it.

Sunderland have signed Michael Chopra from Cardiff City on a four-year deal.

The former Newcastle striker joins the newly promoted Mackems for a fee believed to around £5 million, after scoring 22 league goals for Cardiff last season.

He becomes Roy Keane's third signing for Sunderland in the close-season, following the capture of defensive duo Russell Anderson from Aberdeen and Greg Halford from Reading.

"He's a natural goalscorer who will bring competition with our other quality strikers to the side," said Keane.

"I'm very confident he will score goals for this football club."

Keane doing a bit of squad building. I wouldn't expect Chopra to be a top of the line guy as he never showed that he has what it takes when he was at NUFC, and because I think Sunderland will be happy just to stay up this season. Regardless of whether or not Chopra is ready to make the leap, Keane showed last year that he likes to play a lot of players, keeping the fresh, and on their toes.

All that being said, let's not forget about Dean Whitehead. Great (relatively speaking) season in the Premiership when Sunderland were just HORRIBLE around him. And he didn't let up last year even though he was once again playing in the Championship. Depending on his price tag (and as he is a player with Premiership history, you never can tell how Yahoo! will value him) he could be a fantasy sleeper again this season.

Think Dailly is wishing him a happy birthday?

Paul Konchesky became new Fulham manager Lawrie Sanchez's fifth signing of the summer after he penned a four-year contract and ended his anguish at West Ham.

Konchesky's future at Upton Park looked uncertain when his former Charlton boss Alan Curbishley arrived last season and he made just four appearances after Alan Pardew's exit in December.

Konch has always been a bit of a fantasy gamble. He's a good crosser of the ball, good at set pieces, and will (surprisingly unwillingly) play in midfield. However he has a horrible disciplinary record. At his best with Charlton he was good for an assist and a yellow per match. At West Ham it just got worse.

This move doesn't make much sense unless he's going to be asked to play in midfield. Fulham already have Bocanegra and Queudrue on the left side of defence. However they never replaced Boa Morte, who made that side of midfield his own since going to Fulham from Arsenal. And after releasing Jensen, Radzinski, and Pembridge, they may be looking to Konch for his attacking, not his defending, skills. If he does end up in midfield, and if he does end up taking dead balls for Fulham, and if he can stay out of the referee's notebook, he may be a real fantasy bargain.

[Yossi Benayoun] completed his protracted transfer by committing himself to the club until 2011.

The two Premier League clubs spent several weeks haggling over the value of the 27-year-old, who had held off signing a new contract at Upton Park once he learned of Liverpool's interest.

However, a fee - believed to be �5million - was finally agreed on Wednesday and the formalities of the deal were completed with the player on Thursday.

Newcastle manager Sam Allardyce is stepping up his summer rebuilding programme by handing Argentinian midfielder Aldo Duscher the chance to win a move to Tyneside.

The 28-year-old - out of contract with Deportivo La Coruna - has arrived at St James' Park for a trial as Allardyce considers another free transfer.

Duscher, who achieved notoriety for fracturing David Beckham's metatarsal ahead of the 2002 World Cup finals in a Champions League clash between Deportivo and Manchester United, has been dubbed "the butcher" by fans in Spain.

Ajax and Netherlands Under-21 star Ryan Babel joins Liverpool on a five-year deal in a £11.5 million transfer.

The Dutch Eredivisie runners-up announced the deal - which had been expected today - on their website.

"The striker, who had a contract until 2010 will sign a five-year deal with the Champions League finalists," Ajax declared.

"I've spoken to Rafa Benitez and that was when I knew everything would be signed," Babel told the Mail.

"He has a clear vision of what he wants and said I'd be competing with six others for four positions in the forward line."

Daniel Alves' agent has asked Sevilla to lower their valuation of the Brazilian full-back to pave the way for a dream move to Chelsea.

The highly-rated defender is keen on a switch to the Premiership next season and Chelsea have already reportedly tabled a £14 million bid.

But Sevilla are thought to be holding out for a fee closer to £20 million.

And agent Jose Rodriguez Baster has called on the UEFA Cup winners to lower their valuation of Alves in order to push through the 24-year-old's dream move.

Fulham have completed the transfer of Chris Baird in a £3.025million deal from Southampton, beating Sunderland to the signature of the Northern Ireland defender.

Portsmouth have completed the signing of David Nugent from Preston North End for a fee of around £6 million.

The England striker has signed a four-year contract and will be officially presented at a Fratton Park press conference at 5pm.

At the same time, Pompey will announce the signing of a second, as yet unknown, player.

Leave it to 'arry to bring the drama. But the player we know, Nugent, is a good signing for them. Young, but lots of experience in the First Division, and even an England goal to his name. Should go right into the team and contribute. The only question is, is he +10 material?

UPDATE:The "player-to-be-named-later" was is John Chukwudi Utaka.

Utaka, an international team-mate of Pompey striker Kanu, made waves at Rennes with consecutive hat-tricks against Lens and Lyon last year. He ended his time in France with a tally of 22 goals in 62 appearances for Rennes and has netted four times in his 21 caps for Nigeria. Before Rennes he played for three seasons at Lens, who he joined following a season in Saudi Arabia after rising to prominence in Egypt with Ismailly.

The one-in-three goal ratio is encouraging. But probably another wait-and-see player. Will he be a starter? Will he be effective?

• da Silva
• Torres
• Koumas
  
• Malouda
• Nani
• CRon
• McSheffrey
  
• Bale
• Sagna
• Eboue
• van der Sar

Malouda's and Koumas' deals get finalized, so they come into the team. The potential reshuffle on the right side of Arsenal's squad lands Sagna and Eboue in the team. But as Eboue is a bit pricey, we're going from Cech down to VDS to save some cash.

Who's in your eleven?

Jason Koumas has completed a £5.3million move to Wigan, the club have confirmed.

Koumas had already passed a medical, and the Wales international agreed terms on a four-year contract.

The deal represents a £3million profit for West Brom on a player who cost them £2.25million from Tranmere in 2002.

Koumas has since made 141 appearances for the Baggies, scoring 23 goals, while he netted a further 13 during a season-long loan with Cardiff in 2005-06.

West Ham have confirmed the signing of Liverpool striker Craig Bellamy for a club record fee of �7.5million.

Bellamy, 28 on Friday, agreed a five-year deal at Upton Park after it was made clear he had no future at Anfield following the arrival of Spain international Fernando Torres.

The transfer was agreed on Friday but was delayed over the weekend as Bellamy thrashed out contractual issues with Liverpool.

Chelsea have confirmed their long-anticipated capture of France winger Florent Malouda.

The 27-year-old successfully completed a medical on Monday and has signed a four-year deal at Stamford Bridge after the Blues agreed an undisclosed fee with French champions Lyon.

+10.

Arsenal could complete the signing of Bakary Sagna from Auxerre today, according to reports in France.

French daily L'Equipe say the 24-year-old right-back is currently in London and is ready to complete a medical once the two clubs agree on a fee.

The highly-rated defender, who is expected to cost the Gunners around £7.5million, is tipped to become Willy Sagnol's long-term replacement at right-back in the France side.

Would this move Eboue up into the midfield? I've heard that possibility mooted before - that he's a better attacker than defender and his future lay further up the pitch. That would be interesting for fantasy managers because even with a 9 or 10 unit price tag, Eboue listed as a defender but playing in midfield would be a must have. And then you have a new starting right-back for Arsenal. A fantasy win-win!

(For arguements sake, say Hoyte now goes out on loan to another Premiership club. Then you could have all Arsenal right-back fantasy defenders.)

• da Silva
• Torres
• Voronin
  
• Malouda
• Nani
• CRon
• McSheffrey
  
• Bale
• Ben Haim
• Kaboul
• Cech

He was Aaron Lennon before Aaron Lennon was cool.

Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce has received a double boost with James Milner ready to commit his future to the club.

Geremi's free transfer from Chelsea was officially completed on Friday when he was granted a work permit after agreeing a three-year deal earlier this week.

The news marks a remarkable turnaround for the player, who was within hours of completing a permanent move to Aston Villa last summer.

Milner was actually at Villa Park when the Magpies' bid to sign Mark Viduka from Middlesbrough fell through and scuppered the transfer.

Ironically, the two men will be in the same team next season after the Leeds-born midfielder proved himself a valuable asset to then-manager Glenn Roeder during an intensely difficult campaign.

Liverpool have officially announced the capture of Ukraine striker Andriy Voronin.

It was already known the former Bayer Leverkusen star, 27, would move to Anfield and he now joins record signing Fernando Torres in beefing up the Reds' attack.

Sheffield United have completed the signing of Scotland international Gary Naysmith for £1million from Everton.

Naysmith, 28, has signed a three-year deal at Bramall Lane - ending a six-and-half-year stay with the Toffees.

It is the second piece of business between the sides in as many days, after the Blades yesterday agreed to sell Phil Jagielka to David Moyes' side for £4million.

Wigan defender Ryan Taylor has been ruled out of pre-season training with an ankle injury and may need to undergo surgery.The England under-21 international has endured a difficult 18 months after suffering a broken leg and a broken foot - and is now hoping a sustained period of rest will help him overcome his latest injury.

Tottenham have announced the signing of France Under-21 defender Younes Kaboul from Auxerre.

Spurs fought off competition elsewhere in Europe to sign the 21-year-old, who was rated at around £8million.

July 3, 2007 -- CARSON, CALIFORNIA (TICKER) -- The Los Angeles Galaxy completed yet another trade on Tuesday, sending former All-Star forward Nate Jaqua to Houston for midfielder Kelly Gray and a second-round pick in 2008.

Fulham have signed midfielder Steven Davis from Aston Villa.

Davis, a former player of the year at Villa Park, agreed terms with the Cottagers after passing a medical and finalising personal terms this morning.

The Northern Ireland international was a first-team regular at Villa under David O'Leary but when Martin O'Neill took over, bringing in Stiliyan Petrov from former club Celtic, he lost his place and played only a peripheral part last season.

Sven-Goran Eriksson arrived at Manchester City's training ground on Wednesday to have his first meeting with the club's players.

I wonder to what "stars" they are referring... a 19-year old right back and Sweden's number 1?

Update: So this isn't unexpected.

After just one look at the Manchester City squad he is being asked to inherit, Sven-Goran Eriksson has demanded the funds to finance ten new signings.

Although he is yet to be officially confirmed as the club's new manager, Eriksson made a brief appearance at City's training ground on Wednesday.

According to The Guardian, Eriksson 'wants four strikers, two wide players, a central midfielder, a goalkeeper and two defenders'. The Times suggests that his blueprint features 'two forwards, two wingers, two central midfield players, up to three defenders and a goalkeeper.'

Fernando Torres has completed his move from Atletico Madrid to Liverpool after signing a six-year contract at Anfield.The 23-year-old striker, whose transfer has been reported to have cost the Anfield side up to £26.5million, passed a medical at the club's Melwood training ground on Tuesday.

He briefly flew back to his homeland to say an emotional goodbye to fans in Madrid before arriving back on Merseyside on Wednesday to complete the formalities of the transfer.

+10.

Derby have signed Tyrone Mears on a three-year permanent contract from West Ham.

The Barclays Premier League newcomers initially took the full-back on loan in January but have paid the Hammers £1million to keep the player at Pride Park.

A good, attacking full-back to pick next season. I wouldn't expect too many clean sheet points though. Now we just need to get John Paintsil (Pantsil) out of West Ham and onto another Premiership team. Let WHU have Neill. In the immortal words of Christopher Walken, "I want Mears Paintsil!"

Update: For those who don't get the reference, and those who just need "more cowbell":

Newly-promoted Birmingham have added Holland Under-21 winger Daniel de Ridder to their squad for the new Barclays Premier League season.

The 23-year-old, who was part of his country's successful European Under-21 Championship campaign, was out of contract with Spanish side Celta Vigo.

Don't know much about de Ridder. It was Rigters, Babel, and Drenthe who received most of the attention during Holland's U-21 tournament victory. But it looks like de Ridder set up two of their four goals in the final match. So maybe he's someone to watch out for next season. But someone correct if I wrong in thinking that Sebastian Larsson already plays on the right side of Birmingham's midfield.

Nigel Reo-Coker will sign a four-year contract when he finally completes his move to Aston Villa from West Ham in an £8million deal.The clubs have agreed on a compromise fee after Villa made an initial £7million offer while the Hammers were looking for £8-9million for a player who cost them £500,000 when he joined from Wimbledon three and a half years ago.

[Eduardo da Silva] has since made 12 appearances for Croatia, scoring seven times, including one against England in a Euro 2008 qualifier in October last year.

But Home Office regulations stipulate that a player has to have played in 75 per cent of their national team's games over the last two years to win a permit; Croatia have played 25 times in the past 24 months, meaning Da Silva does not even come close to meeting the criteria.

Arsenal will instead have to rely on proving the 24-year-old possesses "exceptional talent", much in the same way that Manchester United did to cut through the red tape and pave the way for the signing of Brazilian youngster Anderson earlier in the week.

As usual when there are ugly doings, Bramble is involved.

Germany captain Michael Ballack will undergo more surgery on his problem ankle on Tuesday, his club Chelsea said on Monday.

The 30-year-old midfielder missed Chelsea's victory over Manchester United in the FA Cup final and two German Euro 2008 qualifiers in June, following a major operation on the ankle at the beginning of May.

Chelsea said on their Web site (www.chelseafc.com) that the operation would take place in Germany, adding: "The operation is related only to a complication in the healing of the wound from previous surgery in May."

Good news:

Jimmy Bullard returned to pre-season training with Fulham on Monday and is aiming to be back in action as quickly as possible.The 28-year-old midfielder, a £2.5million signing from Wigan last summer, has not played since dislocating his kneecap against Newcastle at the beginning of September.

Bad news:

"Hopefully it won't be too long before I'm kicking a ball around again.

"As I've said before, I don't want to set a specific date for my return but hopefully it won't be too long into the season and I can't wait to get back out on the pitch and thank the fans for all their support in the best way possible - by putting in some good performances.

In-demand Dutch striker Maceo Rigters has signed for Blackburn for an undisclosed fee.

Rovers had been following the progress of the 23-year-old for some time and the NAC Breda forward agreed a four-year deal after a passing a medical at Ewood Park.

Rigters' arrival however could be an indication that Blackburn expect to lose Benni McCarthy.

The free-scoring South African striker has made no secret of the fact he would like to be at a club playing in the Champions League.

Now things get interesting.

Sounds like a good signing, and I'll always look forward to picking someone named "Maceo". Not the mention that "Rigters" should make the tabloid headline writers job that much easier. Regardless, Righters should push Matt Derbyshire for the "first striker off the bench" role, um... (sorry) right away. But if Benni can now leave then one of Maceo or Matty becomes a starting forward on a decent side. The other, Jason Roberts, may be dirt cheap too despite his end-of-season form because of his end-of-season red card.

As for McCarthy, there aren't that many clubs playing in the CL, and one of them just spent a lot of money on a striker and another is about to. That leaves Chelsea, who probably don't want another striker who will be away for the African Nations Cup, and Manchester United who are a very interesting proposition. They've already spent a ton of money and have options in attack with Rooney, Saha, Giggs, Ole, and Anderson (and even CRon) available to play in a central role. But McCarthy gives them something a little different. A pure poacher who just might complement all of the more creative elements of this ManU side.

Arsenal have announced they have agreed a deal to sign Croatian international striker Eduardo da Silva.

The Dinamo Zagreb star will move to Emirates Stadium for an undisclosed fee, subject to a medical, after agreeing a four-year deal in North London.

Da Silva, who moved from Brazil to Croatia at the age of 15, enjoys a prolific record at international level with seven goals from 12 games for his adoptive country, including a header against England in their 2-0 Euro 2008 qualifying defeat in October.

The 24-year-old has six goals in total in the qualifying campaign - three behind top scorer David Healy.

Last season for his club, da Silva scored a remarkable 34 times in 32 games, netting 71 goals in total in 100 appearances for Dinamo before earning a move to the Premier League.