'The Exhibition of Champions' at Wembley

Only 21 different clubs may have been privileged enough to lift the incredibly prestigious trophy, with pride, honour, passion, and the overwhelming feeling of greatness, but the European Cup and it's 56 dramatic and outstandingly entertaining finals, have created some amazing memories which will never, and can never be forgotten.

England has a proud tradition of Champions League finals, and while Liverpool,  Manchester United, Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa are the only English clubs to have won the competition, London's Wembley Stadium has hosted an impressive 6 finals, the most recent of which Manchester United were defeated by four-time winners, Barcelona.

Now, to remember countless incredible memories that football fans from all eras may have experienced of the competition, Wembley Stadium is hosting an "Exhibition of Champions" which celebrates the 56 years of glorious European Football history. A stunning total of over 700 artefacts will be on display at Wembley - items belonging to legends of the game -  players considered as the greatest of their generation, including:

· The match balls from the last five finals
· Denis Law’s jersey from 1968
· The original Intercontinental Cup – valued at approximately £225,000
· Johan Cruyff’s jersey from 1972
· David Villa’s signed shirt from 2011
· Celtic signed frame from their 1967 victory
· Di Stefano’s 1959 jersey
· Van Basten’s jersey from 1990
· McGovern’s shirt from 1979
· Eusebio‘s shirt from 1963
· Zidane’s boots from 2002

It will also feature prize exhibits including inspirational Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard’s 2005 captain’s armband, David Beckham’s jersey from Manchester United’s nail biting victory in 1999 and Graeme Souness’ three winners’ medals from ’78, ’81 and ’84.

It is indeed a stunning collection of items, littered with some of the great names never mind from just European football, but names known all around the world. The astonishing reach that the competition has is emphasised by the television viewing figures; 300 million people worldwide tuned in to watch Barcelona take on Manchester United at Wembley in May 2011 - a record breaking amount of enthused football fans witnessing history.

The Wembley Stadium Tour has welcomed millions of sports fans since it first opened in 1978 and now from Monday visitors will be able to enjoy the   ‘Exhibition of Champions’ as well as the England changing rooms, players tunnel, trophy winner’s steps, press conference rooms and Wembley’s famous Royal Box.

To book a place on the Wembley Tour and see the ‘Exhibition of Champions’ visit www.wembleystadium.com/tours or call 0844 800 2755.

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Would Hargreaves Have Made a Difference v Barca?

As Manchester United stood on that Wembley pitch at the end of a long, tiresome, punishing 90 minutes, their knees would have been quivering and their teeth gritted at the sight of Barcelona once again lifting the Champions League trophy at their expense. Of course, United accept that the Spanish Champions deserved it and were better on the night, but they would have been wondering as they stood there with bitten lips and exhausted bodies, what exactly they could have done differently.

The battle, the pundits said, would be in the middle, in the midfield. Whoever wins that battle would win the game. On paper there was only one winner, and in practice that proved to be too true. Michael Carrick and Ryan Giggs are very good footballers in their own right, but if Manchester United wanted to prevent Messi from weaving his magic as well as Xavi, Iniesta, Busquets and Pedro all wreaking havoc, they needed some players, or at least one player with the capability of breaking it up before the last line of defence.

It was just unfortunate that possibly the only man in the Manchester United team who could have done this job effectively and to a high standard had not played 90 minuted in the United kit all season and had recently been confirmed as released by the club because of his fitness. Yes, that man is Owen Hargreaves, and yes, I believe that if he was fully fit and deployed in his defensive midfield position behind Carrick and Giggs, the game would have panned out differently, and possibly better for Manchester United.

The fact of the matter is, Lionel Messi had too much time and space to unleash the shot for his goal and Barcelona's second and effectively, their winner. It killed off an already weary United side who had been chasing all game. Imagine if Hargreaves was playing, and imagine, would Messi have been allowed that time - the time he needed to pull his magic little foot back and pull the trigger? The shot was a pretty average one, and one that the retiring van der Sar will be slightly disappointed about not saving, but the answer to the question is no. Hargreaves would not have allowed Messi that time to shoot.

Think then, about David Villa's absolutely beautiful goal to seal the victory. There was nothing the goalkeeper could have done about this one, unless he had stood next to his post as if somehow possessing the ability to see into the future to see where the shot was going. That goal was placed with finesse that sums Barcelona up well, but what sums Owen Hargreaves up is his gritty, hard-working, tireless attitude, and the definite ability to stop Villa from having that space to shoot.

With a more compact midfield, including that defensive midfielder, which could have perhaps been played by the ever energetic young Anderson or maybe only in the second half due to illness, Darren Fletcher, Manchester United may have fared better than a few small bursts forward.

United have excellent capabilities when attacking themselves, but after pressing, pushing and chasing for pretty much the whole game, the tired legs and tired minds against the energy of the greatly unchallenged defence and covering midfield, of Barcelona, only a very well worked goal could be managed.

The endless chasing meant that when they had the ball, the only player left already up field was Hernandez, and so only a hopeful long pass was managed to him which got lost on the bounce or lost in the forest of Barcelona defenders. When United got the ball on the floor to pass it, Barcelona, who had not been pressing to the extent of United, could easily take the ball and press further down the pitch. With an insurance policy in the guard in front of the United back four, Sir Alex would have seen his side win the ball back faster and keep the ball more to allow for a better attacking and defensive option.

What I am saying is, there were two very avoidable goals conceded by Manchester United, and if there were a defensive midfielder deployed in place of a largely ineffective Javier Hernandez, United would have fared better. The argument is based on "ifs" and "buts", however, "if" Sir Alex wants to come back next year and win the Champions League like he undoubtedly does, then he needs to find or nurture a player in that position.

Barcelona were the better side, and overall deserved to win the prestigious trophy for the fourth time in their history, but they are by no means unbeatable. United and other top teams will come back fighting next year as Barca seek to defend their crown, and though it will take some doing, it will be done.

Follow Me on Twitter @DBSFootball 

Juan Mata Transfer Update

Football is today fuelled by money, with clubs spending hundreds of millions of pounds every year to fund facilities and players to make their club better and a force to be reckoned with in the footballing world. However, with big money comes big debt, and most clubs are burdened with some sort of debt - Valencia F.C. are one of those clubs, but their situation is quite severe.

Valencia's debt is reported to be around €500 million, and they have already been forced to sell two of their biggest stars in David Villa and David Silva to Barcelona and Manchester City respectively to go some way to clear that debt that been a weary load on their backs for a while. Now clubs are circling like vultures, watching another of Valencia's stars, Juan Mata, who has a buy out clause of €60 million in the hope of a possible transfer deal being struck.


The clubs that have certainly contacted Valencia over a move for Mata are Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool. That inside knowledge is thanks to the Spanish journalist Guillem Balague, who stated on his website:

"Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool have contacted Mata`s representative (his father) and the trio have all expressed varying degrees of interest in the player`s situation. Mata`s new contract contains a buy out clause of €60 million, but that will always be negotiable if both the player and the club are willing to listen to offers."

Mata's agent and father confirmed the interest from Premier League clubs:

"I still get calls from many agents in England but we are calm. If we get an offer in writing then we will take it to Valencia and let them decide." 

Liverpool it seems have been the most active in the pursuit of the 23 year-old, as reports have emerged that the players representative has recently been to Liverpool to hold a meeting with the Liverpool Director of Football who has offered £17 million for the player.

Manchester City however have the power in their hands, as they have the money in their hands too - a bottomless pit of it, and one that Valencia so desperately need. City have the spending power to outbid Liverpool at any price, and despite Liverpool's new owners and need for a quality winger such as Mata, could only possibly go to a certain amount, and no more.

Other reports state that Manchester City have offered £25 million for Mata, whilst Chelsea and Manchester United less involved in a move. Sir Alex Ferguson has however stated his desire to bring three new players into the Manchester United squad: "I am looking at maybe three signings which would boost our overall quality in our team." Whether or not Mata is one of those hopeful signing we will have to wait and see when the transfer window opens. 


If United did really want to bring Mata to Old Trafford, they could perhaps use Ryan Giggs as a make-weight - Mata is a very big fan of the United legend and would no doubt pounce at the chance of working and even playing with him in the United side. Mata once said: "I've liked him a lot since I was little. I think he's one of the best wingers I have ever seen."


Mata is a very good winger himself, justifying the wide interest in his signature with eight goals and 12 assists in this seasons La Liga. It is really down to Valencia though - do they let go of one of their best players, and for how much will they - if they are willing - command as a fee for his services?

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Fabregas: Wilshere was Scared to ask Messi to Swap Shirts

Despite being probably the best player on the pitch, which held the likes of Iniesta, Xavi, Messi, Fabregas, Nasri and David Villa, Jack Wilshere was apparently too scared to ask Lionel Messi for his shirt after the game between Arsenal and Barcelona. 

The Arsenal captain, Cesc Fabregas, tweeted Wilshere saying:

"can't believe i had to go to get Messi's shirt for u. U were so scared. You were MOTM [Man of the match] so next time please ask urself!"

In the end, Wilshere walked away with both Messi's and Xavi's shirts, and tweeted a picture of him [Right] and his dad holding the precious items which hold such significance to the young man early in his career.
He said:

"Morning tweeps. You will like this one. Me and my dad with Messi and Xavi's shirt after the game."

Wilshere was praised by his manager Arsene Wenger as outstanding after the Champions League clash, saying that the young midfielder was unfazed by the quality that surrounded him. After all, he will be - if not already - as good, if not better than the players he was up against. Wilshere is an outstanding and rare English talent and Arsenal are lucky to have such a down to earth, footballing man, who plays football so well - the heartbeat of the Arsenal midfield at times.

After the game, Wilshere was ecstatic:

"It's been a great couple of weeks - the best of my life.

Carroll to Liverpool Confirmed, Adam on His Way

Liverpool announced on their website that the club have agreed a fee for Newcastle and England striker Andy Carroll. The deal is apparently worth in excess of £35 million, which is absolute madness when you consider Torres was bought for £20 million in 2007, while David Villa, World Cup winner and proven goalscorer was bought by Barcelona for £34 million.

 There is a whole host of players that can be named who were bought for better value in the market, and considering Carroll has only spent 6 months in the Premier League with a newly promoted side, it is certainly a big gamble for Liverpool as they throw over half the expected transfer money from the Torres sale at Newcastle's gaping mouth and impossibly wide eyes probably filled with pound signs.

I suspect the hefty price is to do with the fact that Carroll is English, which always raises the price of players; Darren Bent and James Milner for example. Not to mention the fact that Liverpool are desperate to find a Torres replacement before the window closes, and will evidently do all they can to find one.

Charlie Adam of Blackpool is on his way to Liverpool in a car sent by Liverpool to sign for Liverpool. The car is an Audi, if that is of any importance. Oh yes, and the deal is reportedly worth £14 million. Madness.

But let us remember, that it is goals that win games, not massive transfer fees, so the players that are bought, although massively overpriced with inflated figures of stunning magnitude, must have time to prove their worth with the thing that counts the most - match winning goals.

Scotland 2-3 Spain | Villa Goal

This was the first goal in a game that Spain won 2 - 3 againt Scotland. Spain went two goals ahead, but a Scotland fightback in the second half meant that the European and World Champions had to grab the winner to avoid an embarrassment.

Fernando Llorente's late winner broke Scottish hearts, and hopes for a historical win to give Spain a 3 - 2 wining their Euro 2012 qualifier at Hampden Park.
The Scottish goalkeeper Allan McGregor was the man of the match with a string of fine saves to deny Spain an easy win, but goals from Villa, Iniesta and Llorente cancelled out goals for Scotland from Steven Naismith and an own goal from Gerard Pique.

A thrilling game in which Spain came out on top, sadly for the heart-broken Scots.

For every goal watch the game on YouTube Here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXkdGh0sock