Matteo Darmian, RvP to Fenerbahçe and other footbally stuff

Hey guys!

The good news first. A while back, I had expressed a grave concern over Manchester United’s silence in the transfer market after capturing Memphis Depay (who I have deliberately refrained from writing an article about), and even more so in that RB position. I have stated time and again that in under no circumstances should United begin the preseason with Valencia as first choice right back. Don’t get me wrong, however. Valencia is a pretty good player, just not as a defender. He’s much more effective putting his blistering pace to use down the flanks.

Anyway, it seems that the administration got wind of that article and did something about it. From what I can tell, Matteo Darmian is coming to Manchester!

I’m not gonna pretend to be an expert and tell you what Darmian can and can’t do because prior to this news surfacing everywhere online, I had only seen him play once, and that was for Italy. Thank God for YouTube though. I managed to watch a couple of his videos and he seems to be a fairly decent capture. I was particularly pleased by his defensive contribution and tackling.  You can watch him in action for Torino here and be the judge:

It will be a huge relief to have him join the squad seeing as to Rafael doesn’t seem to be in the gaffer’s plans. This move obviously leaves Valencia’s future at the club in doubt but then again, LVG is full of surprises. He may as well emerge as the breakout star of next season, just like Young and Fellaini did.

Elsewhere, multiple reports from multiple sources seem to be indicating that RvP is set to join Nani in Turkey. The flying Dutchman is said to have agreed personal terms with Fenerbahçe and is set to have his medical soon. This really hit me hard. I literally laughed the first time I heard these rumors. It was actually via WhatsApp, where a friend of mine sent me this:

Take a look at No.20

Keep in mind that this was before Nani’s deal was confirmed.  Personally, I’m devastated by the fact that he’s leaving now. I would’ve thought that one more season would be ideal before letting him go because even though he doesn’t have the legs that he once had, the skill and technique never goes away. He still would’ve offered a few goals here and there but with the way things are going, it looks unlikely. I can only wish one of the most prolific strikers in the Premier League era the best of luck in his new venture. His hat trick against Olympiacos and that stunning Volley against Villa will always stay with me. His departure obviously means that there may be a potential replacement deal in the works or even more first team chances for Wilson the wonder kid, but that remains to be seen.

In light of this move, I saw that a lot of football pundits and Arsenal fans took to social media to question whether Van Persie made the right choice to move away from The Emirates and I can only laugh at this bitterness being thrown his way. Of course it was the right move! RvP left with an objective in mind; to win the Premier League. An objective he achieved in sensational style, in his debut season. It’s a big ‘What If’ as to whether he would’ve done the same with the Gunners because all they’ve won between then and now is the FA Cup which is…well… the FA Cup.  In my eyes, he did the right thing. Screw you if you think otherwise.

Adios, RvP!

Let’s go to Spain now, where Barcelona completed one of the best deals in the transfer market so far with the capture of prolific midfielder Arda Turan. I don’t even know what to say about that. Barca’s midfield is literally saturated with quality! I’m a big admirer of his style, and I hope he’s able to adapt as well as Suarez has. He doesn’t get to play for his new club until 2016, but it was a smart move to tie him down early, as Chelsea were also in hot pursuit. We’d all be damned if he joined Costa down in London.

Turan in his new colors

Finally, we wrap this entry up with quite possible one of the most hilarious own goals in own goal history. This lad definitely forgot how to football:

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That’s it for today! See you in the next one!