Here's your checklist of stories to follow for the next two months.
Ronaldo, Ronaldo, Ronaldo.
He's gone, just like he said he would these past two summers. A theory that's been floating around was that he had a clause in the last contract he signed to let him bolt this summer for a nice round number, (€94,045,108.82 isn't quite as catchy). It makes more sense if you remember that Man Utd have been linked with Antonio Valencia, (a rich man's Nani), since January.
If I cared, I'd be annoyed. How much would he have be worth if he had another season like 2007/08 and then had a great World Cup?
I suppose it'll be interesting to see what he's like when he isn't the most dominant player on the pitch. Ronaldo and Kaka are polar opposites. While they are both very good, it's Ronaldo's physical attributes that make him stand out, while Kaka is the best because he's so clever. He never makes a bad decision, and I expect him to emerge as the star and leader of that Real Madrid team.
That said, I think Ronaldo could get an obscene number of goals next season, playing in a league where no one can defend, it's just a matter of how many. 35 or 45?
Some International Recognition.
It was only narrowly bumped into second place for this summer's top stories, but everyone will be delighted to know that Bolton finally caught Capello's eye. Well, Gary Cahill did.
I won't go over the reasons why Gary was a great selection and an egregious omission from both England sides this past week. Instead I'll just point out that any semi-competent manager/chairman combo would be able to use this as a recruitment tool, pointing out Gary's progress since he joined the club and how he's been able to break into the England squad despite not featuring near the top of the table.
I can see it now: BOLTON SNAP UP ENGLAND U-21 STAR CATTERMOLE. Excited yet?
Change At The Top
The season only finished a couple of weeks ago, and already the Top 4/5 have made some drastic changes.
If you don't care for Man Utd, or you're Dimitar Berbatov, you've got to like Ronaldo's departure. If you are a fan, or you're Wayne Rooney, you've got to be mad that Ferguson let an irreplaceable player go so cheap. Man Utd will have to change their whole way of playing, featuring lots more Berbatov and much fewer lightning counter-attacks. When teams, such as Bolton, were able to stop United counter-attacking last season, more than once Berbatov popped up with a late goal and there could be more of that next season.
Liverpool should benefit from Benitez having no money to spend. When he did have money last season, he wanted to ditch Xabi Alonso for the older and not-quite-as-good Gareth Barry. Without big money to spend, he should keep this team together which wouldn't be a bad thing. Give Gerrard and Torres an injury-free season together and see what happens.
Chelski have another big name manager in charge. Ancelotti earned his crust at AC Milan by getting the best out of some savvy veterans, which is just what Chelsea need. They might not get David Villa, but they don't need him as they already have the Deadliest Striker in the World.
Arsenal have opened the chequebook for Thomas Vermaelen in an attempt to exorcise the ghost of William Gallas' career that's been haunting Arsene Wenger for a while. Vermaelen and Arshavin are the first "proven" players Arsenal have signed since Gallas, so this could be a sign that Arsene is ready to make another run at some trophies.
And Man City... well, it might start to get a bit crowded at the top. Which is nice.
New Blood
With Wigan's Roberto Martinez and Burnley's Owen Coyle entering the Premier League, managers are getting younger and (hopefully) better. Better managers should mean better games, which should be good for the fans.
Unless your manager sucks.
Big Signings
LEE CATTERMOLE!!
PAUL ROBINSON!!
MARK VIDUKA!!
I can't wait.
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