Top Transfer Rumors!

Cristiano Ronaldo to Chelsea. Estimated fee: $150,000,000+

The summer has started and the rumors have started to go around. With new managers and newly promoted teams looking to survive, there have been a lot of realistic and unrealistic rumors. One of the biggest rumors is Cristiano Ronaldo moving to Chelsea. Since Murinho signed for them today, a contract worth around $60 million. Some rumors seem to suggest that Ronaldo might follow Murinho to Chelsea. This might be unlikely considering his only club in England would be Manchester United. Then again, he might be tempted by the money. Another reason for this speculation is because earlier this season he said he was "sad" and he said it was for personal reason and not to do with Real Madrid. He has also been linked to a move back Manchester United.

Gareth Bale to Real Madrid. Estimated fee: $90,000,000+

The double player of the year winner, Gareth Bale has been linked to a move to Spanish giants Real Madrid. The president of Real Madrid is a big fan of Bale. Real are becoming more desperate now that Neymar has agreed to join rivals Barcelona. Bale might be tempted to move because of Champions League football. Spurs finished 5th only qualifying them for the Europa League. Villas-Boas has expressed his desire to keep bale at the club and so has the president. Spurs are to offer Bale a bumper $130,000 a week to keep him a the club. Real Madrid are reported to have set a deadline to sign Bale. The deadline being June 15th. He also targeted by Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United

Christian Benteke. Estimated fee: $26,000,000

Athletico Madrid are looking to replace Radamel Falcao who is set to complete his move to Monaco for $75,000,000. He was said to have passed medical assessments with the french club on Monday, June 27th. They need a new replacement and Benteke seems the perfect player. The 23 goal Aston Villa man might be tempted to go to Champions League clubs. Aston Villa manager, Paul Lambert, wants to keep the Belgian and are trying to persuade him to stay for one more season. He was the key player in Lambert's team last season and helped them survive relegation. He has also been linked to Manchester City, Chelsea and PSG.

More Updates to follow.    .  

Benitez bags another job!

Former Chelsea manager, Rafael Benitez has been appointed the coach of Italian side SSC Napoli. He replaces former coach Walter Mazzari who lead Napoli to a second place finish, qualifying for next years Champions League. Benitez joined Chelsea replacing the popular Roberto Di Matteo. He was named interim manager. Benitez came to fame when he won the La Liga twice with Valencia CF. He then joined Liverpool where he won the Champions League and League Cups etc. He then moved to an unsuccessful spell at Inter Milan where he only won the Club World Cup. He was unemployed for 2 years. And then Chelsea's owner, Roman Abramovich, contacted him about the Chelsea job. He won the Europa League with Chelsea by beating Benfica in the final. He missed out on the F.A Cup and Capital One Cup being defeated in the semi-finals. He then missed out on the Club World Cup being defeated by Brazilian Champions, Corinthians, in the final.

    He is now the coach of Napoli. "I am very happy and very satisfied for having committed to a great club with an illustrious heritage like Napoli," said Benitez.

"I understand the history of the city and how the club forms a fundamental part of the culture and traditions of Naples.

"I must confess that I am extremely excited because I can share my passion for football with the fans of Napoli; it is proven that they are very, very special.

"I look forward to experiencing each and every one of the fans of Napoli and their strong support for this project that we will begin."

Benitez faces the tough job of keeping Edison Cavani who is being courted by Monaco, Manchester City and Chelsea. He also has to try to keep Hamsik. Both these players are the star player of Napoli and are interested in playing for bigger clubs. There also might be the possibility of Napoli and Chelsea meeting in the Champions League. It was rumored that Benitez was interested in bringing Chelsea striker, Fernando Torres, with whom he worked with at Liverpool, to Napoli. This might be hard considering the fact that the club would have to play his hefty wages and he has recently admitted the he will stay at Chelsea until his contract expires and fight for his place at the club. 

Reunion?

 Anyway, Good Luck to Rafa Benitez!

Bayern Munich vs. Borussia Dortmund Review

Bayern Munich finally achieved what they have been trying to for the past 4 years; win the Champions League. They were in the final in the 09/10 season, 11/12 season and now in the 12/13 season. Back in 09/10, Bayern lost to Murinho's Inter. 2 seasons later, probably the most painful defeat of all, they lost Chelsea on penalties in their own stadium, Allianz Arena. This final Jupp Heynckes's Bayern beat rivals Borussia Dortmund. Summer signing Mario Mandzukic open the scoring with a tap-in. Robben dribbled past 2 Dortmund players and crossed it to Mandzukic who the easy job of finishing. 7 minutes later Dante fouled Marco Reus in the area and awarded Dortmund a penalty. Ilkay Gundogan stepped up and, like Drogba, put it past Neuer. The game was decided when Robben picked up the ball at the edge of the area and with one touch beat 2 Dortmund players and slotted home past Roman Weidenfeller. Robben scored in the dying moments which made sure Bayern won the Champions League.

Bor. Dortmund dominated the game for the first half but couldn't capitalize. Neuer had to save 5 shots in the first 20 minutes with Bayern not even having a shot or attempting a dribble. Neuer saved shots from Kuba, Lewandowski, Bender and Reus. Bayern also had their chances when Mandzukic headed the ball and Weidenfeller touched it onto the post. With the absence of Gotze for Dortmund, Reus shouldered Lewandowski and Grobskreutz filled in on the left. Grobskreutz was fairly quite in the game but did make one key pass. Overall Dortmund's whole left flank was quiet. Marcel Schmelzer only completed 21 passes in the whole game while opposite left back, Davide Alaba, completed 63 passes, Almost 3 times more than Schmelzer. Bayern also played in their new 13/14 season home kit. Lewandowski did score but it didn't count because he handled the ball when he controlled the ball. If his goal was counted, then it would have been best goal in Champions League final because he had volleyed the ball from around 40 yards and the ball had entered the net.

 Overall, it was Bayern who made most of their chances. Mario Gotze watched from the crowd and celebrated when Dortmund scored although he would be in Bayern next year. This was Jupp Heynckes's last Champions League game fro Bayern because he announced his retirement months ago. Now he has the chance to win the treble if his side beat Stuttgart in the Final of the German cup. This win means the fans have high expectations for Guardiola when he arrive this summer. But in the end it was deserved win for Bayern . Congratulations to Bayern fans.

Bayern celebrations:

If you missed the game, here are the highlights.

Europa League Final: Chelsea v Benfica

Rafael Benitez's Chelsea won the Europa League in a thrilling match. Branislav Ivanovic scored in the 93rd minute to secure Chelsea's second European title. Torres opened the scoring with a great goal which showed us his true strength. Cech cleared the ball down the field and Mata flicked the ball for Torres who dribbled past one defender and used his strength to beat Lusiao and ran past the keeper to score from a very tight angle. The lead only lasted for 8 minutes when Cardozo scored from the spot. The penalty was given when Azpilicueta blocked a shot with his hand in the penalty area. Then in the dying moments, just like in Munich, Mata crossed in from a corner and Ivanovic scored a very difficult header which left the keeper stunned. Chelsea legend, Lampard, made 2 amazing shots from midfield. One shot almost went but hit the bar. The other shot was saved by Artur, Benfica Keeper. This is the first piece of silverware for Chelsea under Benitez. Now Chelsea have won back to back European titles. A great win for Rafa's squad. Hopefully next year they can win the Europa League. Benfica dominated most of the game and had a lot of chances but couldn't finish. Chelsea on the other hand had fewer chances but finished theirs. Terry and Lampard lifted the trophy although Terry didn't play because of injury. A great win for Chelsea and for Benitez. This also means more jobs for Benitez.