Theirry Henry leaves Arsenal and comes up with a more ridiculous reason than Shevchenko, for his move. The Big Four sans Chelsea is very active in the transfer market and the next couple of weeks should finalise their squads for the next season. Holland U21 wins the U21 European Championships beating Serbia U21 4-1 in the final, thereby retaining their title.

Thierry Henry, on his high-profile colleagues, after the Champions League final loss against Barcelona in May 2006:

Everyone was talking about Ronaldinho before the game. I didn’t see him today and I didn’t see Eto’o.

After 8 fantastic seasons, Thierry Henry is finally gone. Even with his annoying arrogance and planet-sized ego, I cannot deny that he has been a great player with incredible skills. Not sure if Arsenal would be too worried (I heard some gunners fans saying ‘good riddance’) by his exit, but surely Premiership would miss him. Something tells me that Cesc and Arsene would also follow suit, sooner or later. 16 million pounds is ridicuous price for Henry, even at this age and his medical bill. It’s like Arsenal would give Henry plus 1 million and get Darren Bent from Charlton. With genuine motivation (read playing for Barca), Thierry surely has atleast 3 or 4 more years in him.

While he did justice to himself with a reasonable expectation of winning something, he could have surely avoided the talk about the private discussion between him and Arsene about Arsene not willing to extend his own contract. His parting words have been more demoralising for the fans than his exit in itself. He feels that the club is in troubles waters and the captain has opted to jump from the ship. Compare this to Nedved and a host of other Juventus players who stayed with them in Serie B last season.

Arsenal-No1.JPGI’m not sure how he would fit in Barca. Ronaldinho and Eto’o have their own relationship issues and so are Eto’o and Rijkaard. In this line-up of outspoken superstars, another outspoken superstar joins them. Should see how it goes after the honeymoon period. Now Rijkaard will have to change his successful 4-3-3 formation to accomodate Henry, Messi, Ronaldinho and Eto’o. Unless Ronnie agrees to move to the left midfield or something, preserving 4-3-3 is gonna be difficult. For all his talk about being excited about playing with Henry, he should be accepting adjustments and Rijkaard must have worked out all this. Finally, such a loyal gentleman he is, Theirry Henry has ensured Arsenal are at No.1 in the table, when he left the club!

The Holland U-21 team has won the U-21 world championship. The winning team also included Royston Drenthe, the right back Chelsea are after. While a lot of these Dutch youngsters can be in the radar of the top european clubs, is anyone worth their place in the other finalists Serbia U-21? It’s not so strange that the Press writes only about the popular ones and Serbia is had only discussed.

No news on where Tevez would go. Real Madrid, Arsenal and Liverpool are all as interested as West Ham themselves for his services. Liverpool have made a quite retreat after Atletico wanted 27 million pounds for Torres, who would not go for even 17 million, given his current form. Rafa is still trying his best to land Yossi Benayoun for about million pounds. Arsene Wenger sees the circle of life as he would move for Nicolas Anelka, with the proceeds from the Henry sale, whose sale proceeds was used for the signing of Henry in 1999. Both Man Utd targets – Tevez and Anelka – are now nearly ruled out for Fergie which takes him to Fabio Quagliarella. Riquelme, on loan to Boca from Villareal, has just won the Copa Libertadores. The 28-year old could join possibly West Ham. The signings and transfers of the last few weeks are promising a very interesting battle next season where top 4 won’t be able to dominate as much as they did in the last few seasons.

Yes, I know you’re not seeing any Chelsea-related rumours here, barring the Drenthe one. The fact is, there is none. I’m sure we’re not done yet. We still one genuine right back of class and a centre/right back. With respect to forwards or midfielders or goalkeepers, I believe we have the best lot already.