Transfer Rumours - Micah Richards

Micah Richards' contract status (and potentially availability) had the papers in a frenzy today as it has been revealed that a new contract with Manchester City has say unsigned by Richards for nearly two months.

As regular readers will know, I think Richards is simply the best defensive prospect I have ever seen. And I have said this for quite some time. Richards was apparently all set to join the Chavs at Chelsea during the winter transfer window but the deteriorating relationship between Jose Mourinho and Roman Abramovich quickly ended that possibility.

Some will be surprised that Richards has not quickly signed up to stay with the newly monied Manchester City but perhaps he understands that his development will be better aided by Champions League football and a mananger like Arsene Wenger. Wishful thinking perhaps, but Richards was a massive Gooner growing up and still lists his style of play as a mix between Patrick Vieira and Sol Campbell. Geez.

As I write this, Micah Richards has moved into the middle of defence alongside John Terry after having a stellar first half against Germany in setting up a goal and causing menace along the entire right flank. The boy is a phenom.

Will we sign him? Unlikely. I simply can't see Wenger spending £15-25m on a defender when he's been able to find the likes of Djourou and Clichy for a fraction of that money. But if there ever was a player for whom Wenger could make an exception of is policy.... it is Micah Richards. This afternoon Richards has responded to the press about his contract but stating that "City is my club. I'm treated like a proper first-teamer and that is enough for me." Hardly convincing. Moreso as the contract remains unsigned.

Cross Bar Challenge

All eyes on tomorrow night as Yappy Jens ( (c) Eoin Heffernan 2007) squares up against an England side he saw fit to belittle in the press as ill equiped to deal with pressure. After a fortnight of school boy errors one would think he would keep those variety of opinions to himself. Alas, he is German. And he's probably correct. Either way, Arsene Wenger will be very keen to keep a close eye on this match and hope for obvious signs of a Lehmann revival.

Of particular interest will be how he fares against Micah Richards on corners and free kicks. The very flappable Lehmann will be tested in the air by superkid Richards a player that I have long, long, long rated. To repeat.... this boy is by far the greatest prospect in defence that I have ever seen. His talent will take him to the very top of football. Unfortunately that will not be with Arsenal as new megarich ownership at Manchester City and a manager (who clearly rates the boy and plays him where he should play) will never sell Richards. They dont have to and they both now how special a talent this kid is.

Alas, in spite of my shouting to the moutain tops that we must secure his transfer, Richards will not be an Arsenal player... in SPITE of being a Gooner. ARGH!

To cheer myself up I have added a little video from French TV which seems to be a piece stolen wholly from Soccer AM's Crossbar Challenge. All you morons who litter the otherwise fantastic Gunnerblog should note just how much the team seem to like Gallas here.

Enjoy.

Transfer - Kyle Bartley (£750 000)

Arsenal have signed another defender. Kyle Bartley has moved from Bolton Wanderers and joined up with the Arsenal U-18s under the watchful eye of Head of Youth Development Liam Brady.

‘We watched him play and moved quickly to get him when he decided he didn't want to sign for Bolton,” said Liam Brady. “He's big and strong, six foot three or thereabouts already and we're looking forward to having him here. I think he will give our Under-18s team something it lacked last season.”

The FA.com describes the 16 year old a physically dominant central defender with great strength, Kyle is an imposing presence at the heart of the defence. His strength and defensive reactions are assured, and he is confident when attacking the ball in the air.

The fee to Bolton is thought to be £750 000 with clauses dependant upon first team appearances on England caps.

Transfer Rumours - Lassana Diarra

This one will not seem to go away. There have been whispers throughout the summer that Diarra wanted to move to Arsenal. However, the fact that Chelsea have the richest patron in world football would quickly suggest that they would not wish to lose face in having another player from their first team seek a move to link up with Arsene Wenger. Right?

According to reports.... wrong.

The apparent Claude Makelele understudy has turned his nose up at several Chelsea contract offers this summer and today has only 11 months left on his contract. Obviously there is now a Bosman risk for the player and with so little time remaining on his contract, Chelsea would have little leverage with which to negotiate terms. Arsene Wenger has held a long interest in the player and would have been very impressed with Diarra's performance in the France engine room alongside Abou Diaby against Austria in March 07. France boss Raymond Domenech sees this tandem as the future for the French midfield and as very pending replacements for the current engine room of Makelele and Patrick Vieira (... and the circle of life continues).

With Chelsea thought to be at the mercy of a £2m for the player, Wenger may well be interested in adding the midfielder to the likes of Song, Denilson, Diaby, Flamini, Gilberto and Cesc with Song likely to quickly move upon Diarra's arrival. When compared to the £17m spent on 26 year old Canadian Owen Hargreaves, £2m is a fantastic bargain for a French International adamantly claim Diarra to be the next Makelele.

With the confirmation that the actual Makelele has agreed terms with Chelsea for another year, it would seem that a Diarra move to Arsenal is an ever increasing possibility. The 22 year old defensive midfielder has appeared in 13 matches for Chelsea since his £3m move from French club Le Havre in 2005. Many of these matches have found the player ably fill in at right back. Arsenal would see his position as a medium term understudy for Gilberto.

Young Gun makes England debut

Theo Walcott made his international debut last night in England's 3-1 victory over Hungary. The 17 year old came on in the 65th minute and impressed with his pace and touch.

The Arsenal reservist who has yet to feature for the Gunners first team broke the record previously held by Wayne Rooney by appearing for England aged 17 years 75 days.

Walcott showed glimpses of brilliance last night and nearly scored from a harsh angle late on. The £12.5m signing from Southampton was brought on with Peter Crouch for Michael Owen and Steven Gerrard in what surely must be an indication of Sven Goran Eriksson's plan to have him feature off the bench in World Cup matches.

Sol Campbell also came off the bench late in the match to join Ashley Cole who played a full 90minutes for the three lions.