And the winner goes to.....

- 2007/2008 Ballon D'Or -
Most often referred to as the "European Footballer of the Year Award"

The annual association football award is presented every year by French Football magazine – France Football. The award usually is awarded to the player considered to have performed best over the previous year. December 1st 2008, Cristiano Ronaldo became the first Portuguese winner of the Ballon D’Or. Coming in second place was AC Milan’s – Kaka, Barcelona FC – Messi and Liverpool FC – Fernando Torres.

"It is one of the most beautiful days of my life, something I dreamed of as a child," said the 23-year-old winger. "Great emotion fills me but I cannot really describe it," Ronaldo continued.

"This (trophy) is one that I want to win again because it is so good. Therefore, I will wake and I will say to myself 'I want to be even better'." http://cristianoronaldo7.com/

2008 Ballon d'Or voting
1 - Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester Utd) 446 points
2 - Lionel Messi (Barcelona) 281 pts
3 - Fernando Torres (Liverpool) 179 pts
4 - Iker Casillas (Real Madrid) 133 pts
5 - Xavi Hernandez (Barcelona) 97 pts

Was Ronaldo the rightful recipient for this prestigious award? Who really is the BEST FOOTBALLER IN THE WORLD?? As for now the votes don’t lie, and the debate for the title of BEST in the WORLD, anyone’s name other than Cristiano Ronaldo seems like just bloody ballox to me!!!

For more information dealing with Premiership Football visit - http://msn.foxsports.com/foxsoccer - FOX Soccer Channel

"Week 14's a Standstill"

"At a Standstill"

Week 14 remained successful for some clubs, but a standstill for the top 3 teams – Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United. With points up for grabs the top 3 teams concluded in a 0-0 draw only grabbing one point on the weekend. Manchester City upset a deteriorating Arsenal 3-0 while Aston Villa slipped through a nil nil (0-0) entertaining draw with a much improved Manchester United. Its weeks like these that allow mediocre teams to slowly catch those at the top. Chelsea and Liverpool failed to grab points versus a dreadful Newcastle and Fulham team.

I had the luxury of watching the Red Devils take on Aston Villa in an entertaining 0-0 draw. Both teams surely had their chances. In my opinion it was a blessing Aston Villa slipped away with a draw. Manchester just couldn’t put the ball in the old onion bag today. It was a hard fought match that led to both teams ending the day with just one point in the standings. Arsenal continues to struggle 2 week in a row with defeats. Arsenal conceded to Manchester City this weekend 3-0 and 2-0 last weekend versus Aston Villa. Arsene Wengners club continues to back themselves into a corner week after week. With all the talent the old skipper must find a way to improve his team’s moral.

Let’s not forget, it’s a long season with plenty of opportunity left to grab points. It remains an interesting race and I look forward to watching the league unfold. At this point in time, who has the best opportunity to climb the latter to the top of the premiership? And what team has surprised you the most? Manchester United, Aston Villa and Arsenal stand within one point of each other fighting for a spot at the top where Chelsea remains with 33 points – 8, 9 and 10 points away from United, Villa and Arsenal.

The Cream Always Rises to the Top!

Wrapping up week 13 in the Barclay’s Premiership leaves this weeks fixtures at a very peculiar point in the standings. Tied for first place are Chelsea FC and Liverpool FC each with 12 games played and 29 points. In third place Arsenal stands alone with 23 points and trailing right behind are the defending champs – Manchester United with 21 points but only 11 games played compared to everyone else’s 12. Arsene Wenger has to be pleased with his club – Arsenal as they were triumphant victors over Manchester United 2-1 Saturday.

1. Chelsea - 29pts
2. Liverpool - 29pts
3. Arsenal - 23pts
4. Man Utd. - 21pts
5. Aston Villa - 20pts
6. Hall City - 20pts
7. Everton - 18pts
8. Middlesbrough - 17pts
9. Portsmouth - 17pts
10. Fulham - 14pts

Each year many of the critics nitpick over the Premiership not being exciting enough, mainly because at the end of the year the standings look very much how they do now only 13 weeks into the season. I feel that the Premiership gets a lot of criticism for something so insignificant. These top 4 teams arguably the best 4 teams in England always seem to rise to the top by the end of the season year in and year out. What separates them from the rest of the league which consists of 16 other teams? Is it because most of the teams can’t afford to bring in the big name players because they don’t have access to the high end dollars? Are the top 4 coaches simply outcoaching the rest? What gives?

I think the Barclay’s Premiership consists of a league of some of the world’s greatest players and coaches and sequentially gets a bad name because the same 4 teams fight for a place at the top each season. What sets the Premiership apart from the rest of Europe’s so-called football leagues?

BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE last minute transfers?

The Premiership as some would say is off to a slow start. Just two weeks in and were beginning to see some lackluster performances as top teams are settling with 1-1 draws such as Manchester United in week 1 to Newcastle and Chelsea week 2 vs. Tottenham. Big clubs regret to put the ball in the back of the net to help secure wins for their teams. Many blame this on a series of injuries that have cursed many of the top clubs - C. Ronaldo who is soon expected back at the end of September and the newly added young stud Ferdinand Torres. With top club scores like these out leaves room for those not in the lime light to step up or even backs top clubs into corners for their last minute sprint for the transfer window.

The Premiership deadline day - last minute transfer window has officially closed - which club do you feel benefited the best from their last efforts to improve their club and why? Do you also feel a player of this caliber will benefit or hurt their new club?

- Dimitar Berbatov (Man Utd.)
- Robinho (Man Cty)
- Roman Pavlyuchenko (Spurs)
- Louis Saha (Everton)
- Albert Riera (Liverpool)