Ljungberg Hammered for the final time?

West Ham have released Swedish midfielder Freddie Ljungberg after an agreement was reached to terminate his contract.

Ljungberg, 31, may now decide to retire from football, according to a statement on the club’s official website.

He was just a single season into a lucrative four-year deal, having joined the Hammers from Arsenal in July 2007 for a fee approaching £3m.

“This is mutually acceptable,” said West Ham chief executive Scott Duxbury.

Ljungberg only managed to start 22 of West Ham’s 38 Premier League matches last season after enduring injuries that included a cracked rib.

In its statement, the club was keen to stress that the player’s fitness was not in question.

Fulham sign West Ham Duo

Fulham have signed striker Bobby Zamora and full-back John Pantsil from West Ham for a joint fee of £6.3m.

Roy Hodgson, a manager I have huge respect for, has taken the multi-million pound gamble on the two players who where unable to command first team places at Upton park.

Hodgson is said to be “very pleased” about the deal and I think it is a gamble that could well pay off as both players are quite versatile. Zamora can hopefully kick start his career, which has somewhat stalled over the past few years at West Ham, managing just one goal last season in 14 appearances.

John Pantsil is the Ghana international who caused much controversy when he waved an Israeli flag in a game against the Czech Republic in 2006. He also caused a raised eyebrow when he complained that West Ham spelt his name wrong on his shirt, even though that is the name on all of his official documentation and passport. West Ham kept the incorrect name on his shirt to avoid  the player being investigated for any illegal documents. It will be interesting to see if Fulham keep the Pantsil name or change it to what he says is his real name Paintsil.

Manchester United and Spurs – £25m for Berbatov

It looks like United will get Berbatov for approximately £25 million.

United have officially started negotiations with Spurs about the Bulgarian striker, although Spurs have apparantly said they will hold out for £28 million.

Ferguson has followed and made enquiries about Berbatov for the past 2 seasons and now appears to be the right time to make an official approach.

I think that Berbatov would be an amazing signing for United, the service he would receive from that team would surely see him hit the 30 goal mark and I see him as the key to deciding whether Ronaldo can go or not.

If they sign Berbatov expect to see Nani start making more appearances as they test the set up for Ronaldo’s departure, and if I am to be totally honest, with Dimitar on the books and Nani maturing into a top player in his own right, I think United can more than survive without Ronaldo.

I think they will have it more their own way this year than they did last year. They got off to a slow start last year, this year I expect to see them come flying out of the blocks and with Chelsea and Arsenal going through quite big changes at the moment I really can’t see Manchester United having much trouble defending their crown as Premier League champions.

And as an Everton supporter that’s not an easy thing to say!!

What do you think about the proposed signing of Berbatov?
Please leave a comment below.

Roberto Donadoni parts company with Italy

News just coming through suggests the Roberto Donadoni has been sacked as Italy coach.

The announcement comes as no surprise following a dismal string of performances in this years Euro 2008 competition.

The reigning world champions looked anything but champion material as they stumbled through the group stages.

Many said they would struggle when Cannavaro pulled out of the squad with an injury before the start of the tournament, but the truth was the Italians made enough chances in each and every game to get something from them. Toni up front alone though scuppered chance after chance and for a big man dived to the gorund whenever he was in the proximity of an opposing player.

Del Piero must have felt frustrated watching games from the sidelines even though the Italians seemed to be a better unti when he came on.

Unfortunately for Donadoni, reputation as a player was not enough to make you a natural national manager and his tactics where wrong game in game out.

So who now for the Italians?
Well I guess Mr Hiddink might prove to be an exciting proposition!