Scouring for a bargain

EVERYBODY loves a bargain. A simple fact that, not surprisingly, even extends itself to the credit-crunch-free-zone that is world football. And while there is certainly an element of truth in the notion that the Ronaldo and Kaka transfer fees have sent the market into meltdown, there are still, with just under a month until the transfer window closes, bargains to be had.

How about Real Madrid's Dutch five-piece for starters? Klaas Jan Hunterlaar, Ruud Van Nistelrooy, Wesley Sjneider, Arjen Robben and Rafael Van Der Vaart would improve any squad in the world. None of the aforementioned are guaranteed regular action at the Bernabeu and, with the World Cup finals to come next summer, all will need to feature regularly at club level to be in with a shout of making the national squad.

Even domestically, the shrewder managers are liable to bolster their squad without blowing a whole summer's budget if careful. Little over a year ago, Tottenham's David Bentley was being touted as the natural successor to David Beckham; you could now realistically pick him up for less than £10m, and he hasn't become a bad player overnight.

Ironically, even crisis-torn Newcastle have a few diamonds in amongst their rough. Kevin Nolan and Damien Duff were performing consistently in the Premiership not so long ago, the latter even played an instrumental part in Chelsea's back-to-back title triumphs of 04/05 and 05/06, and both, given the Geordies' perilous financial plight, could be available for virtually nothing.

So, whilst finding value for money becomes increasingly more difficult, taking a punt on a player with a point to prove could, in the long term, save a club a fortune. And the last time I checked, international football players were not on the shelves in Primark.

In Arsene you should trust

THERE is a banner at The Emirates which reads "In Arsene we trust". Funny that, because in the last few weeks, having sold both Emmanuel Adebayor and Kolo Toure to Manchester City, for a combined fee of around £40m, there isn't much trusting going on if you listen to all those ardent Gooners out there.

For all the talk of City taking Arsenal's place in the top four, however, the reality is altogether different, and Arsenal fans have much to look forward to as the new season approaches. True, they could certainly do with some cover at the back, and a defensive midfielder to play alongside Cesc Fabregas would add some much-needed steel in the middle of the park.

However, the return of Eduardo, one of the most clinical finishers in the game, combined with an already bedded-in Andrei Arshavin, not to mention the emergence of Jack Wilshere, offers more than just a ray of hope.

Adebayor had a terrible attitude and thought he was better than he was, whilst Toure, quite simply, was past his best. £40m for the pair was a great piece of business, and if Wenger invests it wisely, Arsenal could be the dark horses in this season's title race.

Shooting stars

WITH the new Premier League season only weeks away, it's time for us to assess who, aside from the usual suspects, will be making the headlines.

Arsenal fans will hope Andrei Arshavin continues the rich vein of form he showed towards the end of the last campaign, including that virtuoso four-goal wonder show at Anfield. The pint-sized Russian has taken to the Premiership like a duck to water and, at £12m looks a snip. If Arsene Wenger's men are to challenge for the big prizes, Arshavin will be key.

Chelsea have been relatively quiet in the transfer market, but in Daniel Sturridge, they may have unearthed a gem. The young forward was deemed surplus to requirements at Manchester City, but some sparkling performances in pre-season have set tongues wagging at the Blues' Cobham training ground. With a deft first touch, great technique and an eye for goal, Carlo Ancelotti can send Shevchenko and Pizzarro on to pastures new without any sleepless nights.

Gabriel Agbonlahor and Ashley Young were the toast of Villa Park last season. However, this time around it could be Birmingham-born Nathan Delfouneso stealing their thunder. The 18-year-old striker has been prolific for both the youth and reserve teams, and marked his full first team debut with a goal, against MSK Zilina in the UEFA Cup. By the end of last season he had 13 senior appearances to his name, and only a fool would bet against Martin O' Neill increasing that figure in the coming months.

Harry's forward thinking

DOES Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp actually know what a midfielder or a defender is? After shelling out close to £40m last January to bring both Jermain Defoe and Robbie Keane back to the club, Redknapp has bolstered his squad pre-season by signing Peter Crouch from Portsmouth, whilst still hoping to conclude a deal for Real Madrid striker Klaas Jan Huntelaar.

Tottenham have never had a problem scoring goals, their problems stem from the back. So, though they may have a strikeforce which could quite easily do the business in the Champions League, they are left with a midfield and defence which would struggle to contain the 'Dog and Duck' on Hackney Marshes.

Browned off with Phil

HOW many times in football do we hear the cliché that no individual is bigger than the club. Well, can somebody please tell that to Hull City manager Phil Brown. Brown has done a fantastic job at the KC Stadium, taking the club into the Premier League was a minor miracle in itself.

However, after last season's unbelievable start, when Hull exceeded all expectations, Brown appears to have made the fatal error of believing his own press. Just remember Phil, after Christmas your team embarked on a wretched run which saw you narrowly avoid the drop. Hardly a reason to take hold of the microphone and begin an impromptu karaoke session in the middle of the pitch after a last day home defeat to Manchester United, is it?