Kevin LustigA question for the readers . . .
June 2nd 2008 02:57
With the most recent Champions League season behind us, some time yet before the whole FC Porto scenario gets any clearer and a long while before the draw for CL 08/09, I'm working hard to gather interesting tidbits on the Champions League for all those who read this blog. Coming up are a review of the ways in which UEFA has tweaked the Champions League rules for the upcoming season and a general overview of what the Champions League is and how teams are chosen for it, for those who aren't as familiar with this terrific football competition. Of course, I'll keep you all updated on FC Porto's Champions League drama and any moves that will affect the play next season, such as major player transfers and managerial changes. If it matters in the Champions League, you'll read about it here.
My issue, then, is this: one thing that seems to keep football journalists excited all year round (and more than a few of them in a job) is transfer gossip. Most recently, Cristiano Ronaldo's flirtatious relationship with Real Madrid has made football rags just giddy. From my perspective, it's all fairly silly and, frankly, immature. A player is rumored to be going somewhere, then their club denies it, then their agent chimes in, then the other club responds, then they bicker and accuse and everyone gets very upset; in the end, it's really anyone's guess as to what's really going on and what will end up happening. I'm all for reporting on what actually happens, but sometimes I feel like if I have to jump every time Sir Alex Ferguson gets all steamed up because some other club winked at one of his players, I could just do without following football news altogether.
So, what do you want to read about? Would you like another place to hear the latest transfer rumors? Or would you prefer I stick to the facts? I got into gossip a bit earlier on - check out the posts on Frank Rijkaard and Cristiano Ronaldo for examples - but I tend to feel that this blog could do without. Of course, if Champions League Watch were all about what I want to read, I wouldn't bother writing it out there for everyone else to see. I'm happy to provide those that do read this with the information they really want. It's going to be a long off-season, and I want to make this blog the place you fill the Champions League-shaped hole in your life.
Should CLW be a rumor-free zone or should I bring on the transfer gossip? Leave a comment and let me know.
My issue, then, is this: one thing that seems to keep football journalists excited all year round (and more than a few of them in a job) is transfer gossip. Most recently, Cristiano Ronaldo's flirtatious relationship with Real Madrid has made football rags just giddy. From my perspective, it's all fairly silly and, frankly, immature. A player is rumored to be going somewhere, then their club denies it, then their agent chimes in, then the other club responds, then they bicker and accuse and everyone gets very upset; in the end, it's really anyone's guess as to what's really going on and what will end up happening. I'm all for reporting on what actually happens, but sometimes I feel like if I have to jump every time Sir Alex Ferguson gets all steamed up because some other club winked at one of his players, I could just do without following football news altogether.
So, what do you want to read about? Would you like another place to hear the latest transfer rumors? Or would you prefer I stick to the facts? I got into gossip a bit earlier on - check out the posts on Frank Rijkaard and Cristiano Ronaldo for examples - but I tend to feel that this blog could do without. Of course, if Champions League Watch were all about what I want to read, I wouldn't bother writing it out there for everyone else to see. I'm happy to provide those that do read this with the information they really want. It's going to be a long off-season, and I want to make this blog the place you fill the Champions League-shaped hole in your life.
Should CLW be a rumor-free zone or should I bring on the transfer gossip? Leave a comment and let me know.
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Comment by Anonymous
It is interesting at times to read about some of the recent stuff though, like Mourinho at Inter, and Chelsea struggling to re-sign Lampard.
Comment by Linkaiwen
You make a good point. The rumors do turn out to be true sometimes, and even when they're not, it's good to have your ear to the ground, so to speak.
I'm cooking up some kind of a weekly update on the transfer market, since summer (or winter for those down under) is a busy time and I'll be jumping through hoops to try to keep things up to the minute if I cover every rumor and transfer. Major moves would still get their own post (if Ronaldo really does end up at Madrid, for example,) and the rest of the goings on, gossip and all, would be in a sort of round-up each week.
That is, of course, unless someone out there wants to be a transfer market contributor to this blog . . .