Best Laid Plans of Mice & Men!

The title of the post may not exactly reflect my feelings right now, but as the transfer window closed on early thursday morning you could almost feel the haggling of the lawyers up late night to get things done. Well, things got done to say the least as too many surprises awaited an eager football fan Thursday morning. It was like waking up on Christmas morning to find not one but many presents for me. The biggest coup (I am biased) was the transfer between Chelsea and Arsenal of Ashley Cole and William Gallas, with Gallas going to Arsenal with some cash and Chelsea getting Ashley Cole. Although Ashley Cole's intentions weren't hidden from the world to go to Chelsea and the Gallas saga at Chelsea was also quite quagmired since the summer. Both teams found a way to dump their problems onto one another. It is hard to say who will benefit from these transfers, but I think at 12 at night both teams were just trying to lessen their damage from both the players actually staying at the team rather than thinking about what they were getting. Later during the day, though, another saga emerged as news emerged that the transfer to Gallas was done without Jose Murhino's approval. Although the GM and the owner really don't need his "approval" but I at least here agree with Jose. William Gallas was at arms with Murinho, and Murinho was trying to show that Gallas was not going to get the pleasure of going behind Jose's back (although I don't condone this ego boosting narcissistic behavior either, but from his perspective that is just Jose being the "boss"). But ulitmately I think it just came to two things.
1. Damage control
2. Business decision
I think that both teams will at least benefit from these transfers. With Arsenal's defense now void of three of its defensive prdigies Sol Campbell, Ashley Cole and Paul Cygan William Gallas will probable be great with Toure and Sanderos (a great find). While on the other hand Carvalho and Ashley cole will probably be good defensively with Ashley being an attacking defender.

The biggest upset in reality though was pulled by West Ham united. With hammers on the verge of breaking into the top 6 or 8 this year the signing of two Argentinians Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano will not only help achieve those aspirations but will also help West Ham in vying for a long term stay in the Premiership. This may not have been that dramatic of a singing (as both came on to the hammers from Corinthians) had it not been for the fact that both Arsenal as well as Manchester United were also looking to sign at least one of these players. Details have not surfaced yet as to how Hammers managed to snatch these palyers out of the top teams' hands, but in my opinion both players may have wanted to stay togather and being on the same team helps.

We shall see how both players perform in their debut right after the Euro qualifying matches this weekend.