You could be excused for being a bit maddened by the fact that many sides this week, have a
massive amount of key players either injured of doubtful ahead of their respective Week 6 fixtures.
Arsenal and Manchester City are hurting the most, both figuratively and literaly. Here's a quick
look at who is lounging in the physio's office:
Arsenal are missing five players ahead of their test with West Bromwich Albion.
All 20 clubs had to submit a squad of up to 25 players containing no more than 17 players who do
not qualify as homegrown.
Homegrown players are classed as players who "irrespective of his nationality or age, has been
registered with any club affiliated to the Football Association or the Football Association of
Wales for a period, continuous or not, of three entire seasons or 36 months prior to his 21st
birthday".
With the International Break behind us, and the scores of injuries suffered baying before us,
Week 4 of the Premier League could be a bit underwhelming. There aren't any matches that jump off
the page and scream classic this week. Though Manchester United's trip to Goodison
Park to face Everton could be a diamond in the rough.
Transfer deadline day often fails to live up to its billing as the most exciting day of the
summer session. The final day for clubs to roll the dice on new players ahead of the new season
tends to come and go without intrigue.
Yesterday was completely different...
New Birmingham City signing Alexander Hleb has sensationally revealed he turned down Premier League
rivals Liverpool and Tottenham to sign for the Blues.
The 29-year-old playmaker has joined the Premier League club from Barcelona on a season-long loan
deal having spent last season with Bundesliga outfit Stuttgart.
By Chris Wright
'Twas all a bit dull in the end, no? Anyway, in no particular order, here's a round-up of all of
yesterday's movers and shakers...
Premier League:
Robinho [Manchester City - AC Milan] Undisclosed
Asamoah Gyan [Rennes - Sunderland] £13m
Alexander Hleb [Barcelona - Birmingham] Loan
Jean Beausejour [Club America - Birmingham] Undisclosed
Marcus Bent [Birmingham - Wolves] Loan
Paul Konchesky [Fulham - Liverpool] £4m (inc.
Barcelona technical director Andoni Zubizarreta has revealed Javier Mascherano's price tag of
€24 million.
After a lot of chatter over Barca's approach to finances, there has since been some debate about
the high price paid for Liverpool's Mascherano.
However, Zubizarreta said: "We paid Liverpool €20 million plus the €4 million that came from
the player by reducing his salary.
By AVI CREDITOR
At the end of Matchweek 3 in the Barclays Premier League, Theo Walcott was assuming the best
form of his young career, Jermain Defoe looked to have avoided what seemed to be inevitable surgery
and Frank Lampard looked doomed to miss at least one match.
At long last, there's club football to be played. That's a good thing, right?
As I've alluded to time and again, international breaks are quite possibly the bane of my
existence. Maybe not Martin at the Arsenal Offside levels of hatred, but still a healthy amount. I
understand there's a heavy investment that many have in their respective national teams' success,
but for me it was a long two weeks.
Tomorrow's Premier League matches look to be full of surprise. After countless injuries over the
break coaches are scrambling to get pieces in place. You'd think having a week off would mean
having a healthy starting XI. Not the case though as International duty has been costly. Take a
look at this list before you lock in your fantasy lineup.
Birmingham City manager Alex McLeish has revealed that injury-plagued midfielder Alexander Hleb,
who arrived from the recent international break lacking full fitness, could now face Liverpool
after all.
Former Arsenal player Hleb, who represented Belarus in their recent Euro 2012 qualifiers, which
included a famous 1-0 away win against France, just arrived at St.
Birmingham City manager Alex McLeish has revealed that injury-plagued midfielder Alexander Hleb,
who arrived from the recent international break lacking full fitness, could now face Liverpool
after all.
Former Arsenal player Hleb, who represented Belarus in their recent Euro 2012 qualifiers, which
included a famous 1-0 away win against France, just arrived at St.
The League Cup has picked up an air of youth in the past as most Premier League sides
took their cue from Arsene Wenger and Arsenal and used the cup competition as a showcase for
youngsters. Most sides this time around rested key players, but for some big sides, that left the
door open for some shocking scorelines.
Birmingham midfielder Alexander Hleb has called on his teammates to improve. The Belarusian has
played at some of the biggest clubs in world football during his career, including Premier League
giants Arsenal and La Liga champions Barcelona, but he is looking forward to playing regular first
team football with the Blues this season.
Birmingham midfielder Alexander Hleb has called on his teammates to improve. The Belarusian has
played at some of the biggest clubs in world football during his career, including Premier League
giants Arsenal and La Liga champions Barcelona, but he is looking forward to playing regular first
team football with the Blues this season.
