Top Five Olympic Transfers

The summer is not over as yet and there are a lot more transfers left to take place in the football arena. However, with the Olympic games about to take centre stage, many of these big transfers to come might go unnoticed.  So, before the Olympics brain washes everyone, here are the top five transfers to keep an eye out for while the games are going on.


1.Robin Van Persie:
 After announcing that he will not be signing a contract extension with Arsenal, the Dutch man has left the world to wonder where he will be heading next. With just one year left on his gunners contract, there is no reason why Arsenal should not cash in on the want away striker.




2.Luka Modric:
 The long awaited transfer of Modric has continued for another season. In 2011, Chelsea were the main suitor for the Croatian but this time around, its Real Madrid with Manchester United lurking in the background. While AVB seems hell bent on keeping the little maestro, one feels the sand in his hour glass is almost out and August 2012 could mark the exodus of Modric from White Hart Lane.


3.Maicon: 
Another star player with one year left on his contract and many suitors lurking in the background. Chelsea are desperately in need of a right back, Real Madrid continue to want what everyone's got, Paris Saint German have enough money to waste and top that off with all the talented players leaving the Serie A and Maicon should definitely be out of Italy by the end of the Olympic Games.



4.Edin Dzeko:
 Manchester City's abundance of strikers coupled with AC Milan's lack there of and Edin Dzeko's need for playing time and the result is, summer transfer! After selling Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Milan are desperately looking for his replacement and with an abundance of cash at their disposal, even the likes of City might be tempted to sell

Dzeko "Edin" for an exit

5.Andy Carrol: 
The purchase of Italian Fabio Borini has casted doubts over Carrol's future at Liverpool. With West Ham, and former club Newcastle, willing to take the overpriced striker off Liverpool's hands, it is only a matter of time before he leaves, whether on a short term or permanent basis.

Bank On Mattocks

I remember like it was yesterday; October 1,2007 was the date that Bridgeport High thrashed Ardenne High 7-1 in the Jamaican School Boy Football Competition (Manning Cup). Representing Ardenne high, we played a terrible game but nonetheless, we were outplayed by a star-struck team for the game was dominated by the lankey Andre Clennon and the skillful Adrian King,  who scored five (5) goals between them. There was one player on the pitch that day, a player I was able to meet for the first, but by no means last time and that was Darren Mattocks.  At that time, at 16- year old, Mattocks was made to play second fiddle to his more senior counterparts.

Darren Mattocks - Then

 But that was just the beginning. Mattocks went on to score 24 goals in his final season playing for Bridgeport, Shinning at Waterhouse in the U-21 and then being promoted to the senior team in the Jamaican National Premier league where he continued to find the back of the net. Mattocks' talent could not be hidden for long and he soon found himself being invited to training camps for the national team at both the junior and senior level.  Mattocks' Journey  took him to Akron University where he scored 39 goals in 47 matches. A second pick  at the MLS Superdraft by the Vancouver Whitecaps was next in line for the speedy attacker from Portmore, Jamaica.
Fast forward to July 11,2012 and I have just watched Darren Mattocks score two beautiful goals against Toronto FC in the American Major League (MLS).  The young striker has now scored six(6) goals in nine games this season, three of which were substitute appearances. Mattocks has shown that he is not a player that is actively involved throughout the games he plays, but he pops up when it is most important.

Darren Mattocks - Now

 Now with a Jamaica national team on their World Cup Qualifying Campaign and lacking creativity, one wonders how long it will be before Darren Mattocks is given an opportunity. Not saying that Mattocks should go ahead and start, but he would definitely be a suitable substitution. With Marlon King dropped from the squad and the absence of a creative midfielder, the occasion is now right for a young, speedy,talented striker who creates his own opportunities and is familiar with South and Central American players.  While the call for Darren Mattocks might seem a bit premature, after a goal less draw with a lackluster Antiguan team, the Reggae Boyz  needs any help they can get. Another valid point is that  Darren Mattocks could be another Caribbean Star, maybe the next Dwight York.  Like all other  countries, Jamaica needs to have faith in the younger players and help them flourish. England  tried with a  very young Walcott, America marketed Freddy Adu, Brazil with Pele, Italy with Balotelli, why not Jamaica with Mattocks?

By Ian Williams

EURO 2012 Dream Team

EURO2012 Best XI Players

GK: Iker Casillas (Spain)
After conceding just one goal in six games and making a total of 15 saves, the Spaniard was arguably the best keeper of the tournament. The Real Madrid man completed a total of five shut outs which also included a priceless save in the semi finals penalty shootout against Portugal.

RB: Glen Johnson (England)
In a tournament that saw England missing a number of key players, the Liverpool defender stepped up to provide the English defence with much needed help. Johnson was more than just a defender at the Euro2012 tournament, as he was very influential in the build up to English attacks.

CB: Sergio Ramos (Spain)
With the influential Carlos Puyol out, Sergio Ramos played as if a key player was never missing from the team.  Conceding only one goal all tournament, the Real Madrid defender kept everything under control at the back. While also being the most attacking central defender at the tournament with seven shots, Ramos played a pivotal role in keeping players like Cristiano Ronaldo and Balotelli quiet in their games against them.

CB: Leonardo Bonucci (Italy)
The experienced and rugged Giorgio Chiellini struggled throughout the competition with an injury, but Leonardo Bonucci stepped up to fill his boots. While the Juventus man could not stop the demolition job by the Spanish in the finals, he was very pivotal in Italy, keeping clean-sheets against Ireland, England and also in their progress to the tournament finals.

LB: Jordi Alba (Spain)
The eye catching fullback was one of the breakthrough players of the tournament.  Entering the championships with a steady reputation, the Spanish left sided player surpassed his expectations.  Alba not only caught the eyes of spectators, but also the Barcelona scouts, who quickly snapped him up form Valencia before the tournament was over.




Mid: Andres Iniesta (Spain)
Magical, creative, incisive, superb are just some of the superlatives that could be used to describe Iniesta at the just concluded Euro2012. Voted as the player of the tournament by EUFA, Iniesta, without a doubt, outclassed his opponents as Spain walked away with their third consecutive major title.


Mid: Andrea Pirlo (Italy)
If you watched the games Italy played against England, Germany, Ireland or Craotia, then  you don't need any explanation for the Italian's inclusion. However, if you did not, then there is only one word to describe Pirlo and that is CLASS!

 Mid: Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)
A great player for club, Cristiano was yet to prove his wits for his country at a big tournament, until Euro 2012.  Joint leading goal scorer for the tournament, Ronaldo showed why he was one of the best to ever play the game. While his efforts were only enough to take his team to the semi-finals, Cristiano Ronaldo proved his worth at this tournament.




Mid: Steven Gerrard (England)
Like all captains should, Steven Gerrard led by example. A total of three assist in four games , the Liverpudlian was the main reason England advanced from the group stage.


Forward: Mario Balotelli (Italy)
Hats off to Mario Balotelli for a fairly incident free tournament. On the football side of things, Mario was super.  A quiet first couple of games then he exploded! He came off the bench to score a beautiful goal against Ireland then he unloaded a brace in the semi-finals to sink the German ship.

Forward: Fernando Torres (Spain)
El Nino! While he played a mere 189 minutes throughout the tournament, Torres was still able to score three goals and an assist while helping his team to the title. Torres, who was hampered by Spain's abundance of midfielders, was clinical in his role as a substitute as he came on, to finish off games for the Spaniards.