Closing the window on the transfer season

By: Bob | August 31st, 2007

The clock it ticking for teams the world over to make their final transfer moves. The summer transfer window closes at the end of Friday and will not open again until January. We’ve all had enough of the fresh air. If you were expecting huge blockbuster last minute moves than more likely than not you will be disappointed with the day’s activity. If you were looking for your team to add a piece to their puzzle you may or may not be in luck.

For that is the nature of the transfer window, really. For every one blockbuster rumor that is splashed across the newspaper headlines, there are dozens of actual player movements that leave only the fans of the teams involved excited. It is a full time job just trying to keep up to date with it all.

I’ll confess that at the beginning of the transfer period this year I was mildly interested in it. Now I am just thankful it is coming to a close. Reading unbelievable rumors and speculation day after day after day lends credence to the notion that it truly is a silly season.

The silliness isn’t likely to change. The newspapers love it because it sells papers. The football federations love it because it keeps fans interested even during the dull summer months. The players love it because it helps to drive up their salaries. Just about everyone loves it except for frustrated managers.

I’m making a vow that next year I won’t get caught up in it all, but I know that this is a vow that I will inevitably break with the first mention of Ronaldinho going to play for Real Salt Lake or Kaka heading to Carlisle United or the Melbourne Victory making a surprise swoop for David Beckham.

For now, I’ll simply look at the transfers that actually did happen and more importantly follow the action on the pitch.