No Rest For The Weary & Insane - But Some For Vincenzo.

Vincenzo
Did not see it coming, yet unsurprised all the same, as looking back all the signs were there. Vincenzo, like everyone on the roster, battled through his fair share of injuries this year, but the difference is he's been doing it for years and it'd clearly taken its toll. The chances he'd have buried just two years ago were skied over the bar or hit weakly into the napping keeper's arms. The legs were going and at 35, he was clearly in the tapioca pudding stage of his career.
After it was clear this season was going nowhere fast - at least not without the hasty transfer of a miracle healer - one of my great hopes was just one more goal for Montella at the Stadio Olimpico. That's all - and one which probably wasn't much of an ask, given his qualities in front of the net. Unfortunately he didn't get it - not unless you include his stutter step against Arsenal in the PK's - and that's probably sign enough that his career was over. The chances were there to be had, but he could no longer bury them. The lone indication it's time to walk off.

WEEKLY TRANSER RUMOR ROUND-UP PART III

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Hotting up.

Grazie, Vincenzo.

RAWSE, our new No. 2

RAWSE.
Yeah, I know. Ross -- as in former Middlesbrough goalkeeper Ross Turnbull, our newest signing -- is mispelled.

From henceforth, our new No. 2 between the pipes who just signed a four-year contract at Stamford Bridge, will be known as RAWSE in honor of everyone's favorite fictional druglord/correctional officer/rapper Rick Ross. ...

City launch Terry bid, promptly told to f** off

Those baby blue boys on the other side of Manchester have come knocking again. And, again, they're bringing the chocolate and flowers to the door of England's Brave John Terry.

As expected -- like City's initial inquiry in January -- they were quickly told to beat it. This time, however, there ...

Raul Albiol presentation..., is he happy to be here????

Raul Albiol was presented as a Real Madrid player earlier this afternoon.

Do we really need this guy????

I still have mixed feelings about the Benzema signing, but I'd like to share my concerns with you regarding another frenchman, Franck Ribery.

NE M'EN VOULEZ PAS. APRES TOUS, C'EST REAL MADRID!

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Don't hold-it against me. After all, it's Real Madrid!

I Like the Motta/Milito Signing. Am I alone in this?

We say goodbye to a beloved Inter player in Julio Cruz this week, but also we say goodbye to an Inter Philosophy this week too.
First, I have a few thoughts about Cruz. Cruz has something, a certainty maybe that the goal would happen when he needed it too. Cruz always had that goal somewhere in a big game (ahemJuventusahem) that was the difference between winning or drawing and losing… between living and dying that week.
Like Johonna said, it’ll be hard to say goodbye to him, I am used to seeing him on the bench, or on the field in the best looking shirt in the world, but at the same time I am excited at what seems to be a new departure for the club from the Mancini era – who for the record, I didn’t have any problems with as the manager of The Beloved. On the contrary, I was happy that we found a manager that we could keep for a few years and actually implement his ideas.
But that time is now officially over. Mourinho and Moratti are saying goodbye to that era and bringing in a newer one. Again, I am happy that we are giving a manager multiple years – so far – to implement his plan.

Why an EPL Salary Cap is a Terrible Idea

Arsenal Chief Executive Ivan Gazidis came out today and said that the Premiership should consider a salary cap to stabilize itself financially. He didn't come out and say it, but I think it's pretty clear this has been brought on by Manchester City's profligate transfer fees and wages since the new ownership group has been in place.
It is undeniable that the idea has some superficial appeal.