The month of June is when domestic football in the UK starts to wind down. Players, chief execs, managers and the rest all disappear to Las Vegas, the Caribbean and other exotic locations, leaving behind them a press pack with copy to fill and no-one to confirm or deny their stories. Which pretty much gives them carte blanche to print what they want, for which they need no second invitation.
The Sun
A quick reminder from last week’s edition for those who missed it. Cristiano Ronaldo signs for Manchester United on 8th August, so feel free to juggle your diary accordingly. Credit to the paper for calling Dejan Lovren to Southampton correctly last week, although this time around they resort to a wonderful lesson in stating the bleeding obvious. Carlos Tevez being linked to AC Milan and Juventus, and Luis Suarez with Real Madrid or Barcelona are hardly the ground-breaking scoops we have come to expect. The news that a homesick Alex Buttner was tempted to leave Old Trafford concerns no-one in particular. Neither does the news that Torres wishes to stay at Chelsea. Some additional tittle tattle involves Allan McGregor signing for Hull, Yohan Cabaye staying at Newcastle and Villa and Fulham needing a ‘ridiculous amount of money’ for Dwight Gayle…or so says Barry Fry. And it’s not like relegated Peterborough will be hard up for cash will they Baz? Oh no siree…
Dejan Lovren tackles Celtic’s James Forrest in a pre-season friendly for old club Lyon in July 2010. Courtesy of Ronnie Macdonald
The People
For once, a non transfer story stands out this week. The news that Manchester City’s hi-tech scouting database has been hacked causes great consternation at the paper. Indeed, they have chosen to illustrate the sordid affair, complete with a man in a balaclava sat in front of a monitor covered by the City badge. This apparent security breach is apparently the reason why the transfers of Jesus Navas and Fernandinho were rushed through before the dastardly hackers got wind of City’s interest and hijacked the moves themselves – no doubt whilst wearing aforementioned balaclavas. The common sense counter argument that City want to complete their business early this time around after last year’s fiasco is conveniently ignored. True reporting quality by the heavy hitters of tabloid journalism. Even the hyperbole of the famed ‘Hotline’ pales into significance to this genius and as such does not deserved to be mentioned in the same breath as the ‘ballied up’ cyber terrorists…
The Sunday Mirror
Regular readers (Hi Mum!) will know of my disappointment of the Mirror’s offering thus far. This week, although they take some finding, there is a definite improvement in the offering provided. Scott Parker is a target for Sunderland, who in turn are ready to sell Simon Mignolet to Liverpool. Where that leaves Jose Reina, no-one deems fit to mention. Tottenham appear to be busy, keeping tabs on Aubameyang, David Villa, Paulinho and Bernard, whilst gently nudging Jermain Defoe in the direction of Fulham. It will surprise no-one that Man City intend to be active this summer, with the likes of Stephan El Shaarawy, Jovetic, Cavani and Isco all mentioned as possible signings to replace the outgoing Tevez, Barry and Lescott. A significant improvement this week from The Mirror. The next aim must be to not hide the stories pages deep in between minority sports such as egg chasing and golf.
Stephan El Shaarawy sleepwalks away from Robinho on his way to Manchester…maybe. Courtesy of goatling
The Daily Star on Sunday
Strangely, The Star appear to believe that either no-one remembers what they printed last week, or no-one actually cares, as they manage to replicate their two lead transfer stories. The back page splash that Arsene Wenger wants to sign Marouane Fellaini was actually featured in last week’s edition. As was the other back page story linking Marco van Ginkel to Chelsea, although Man United are conveniently shoehorned into this week’s version to give it a twist. The news that Dr.Emmett Brown is now seemingly writing for the paper is not celebrated anywhere near as much as it should be in my humble opinion. Further throwing of the transfer mud sees Nani, Melgarejo, Ahmedov and Gilbert Imbula off to Arsenal, Ibrahim Afellay to Spurs, Victor Moses to Everton and Nicklas Bendtner to half of Europe. Many of which we should expect to see repeated next week as well, unless the Libyans get to “Dr.Brown” first.
A relatively quiet week this week noteworthy mainly for the return to some type of form for The Mirror and a slight decline of the other three. Let us not forget though that computer hackers wear balaclavas when going about their business. Elite tabloid journalism – The People style!!
