Does Money Make the Club?

        With the Champions League final done and dusted the 2014-15 season begins to become an after thought. Those fans lucky enough to have celebrated a title start to wind down their celebrations as they realize the team that won them that trophy probably won't be the same as the sun burns brightly through the summer transfer window. As we all know this time of year is particularly dreadful as rumors break faster than Gareth 'Ferrari' Bale down the wing and none of our favorite players are safe from the rumor mill. 

        Some of us have it easier than others though. Even with Financial Fair Play big name clubs have the advantage of being able to open up their pocket books and wave around money like it like it has no value. Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester United, Chelsea, PSG, Manchester City all never shy of opening up their checkbooks to have the best players, but does having the most expensive players really make the squad a winning team?

       The top of the European tables surely makes it seem that way as the richest clubs continue to be the top dogs year after year. Which is why year after year Gooners around the world are demanding Arsenal starts dishing out the big bids to strengthen their side, but Spanish football does a good job to prove otherwise. Two Spanish teams are a leading example of good leadership making a good team and not necessarily the bigger wallet. Andalusian side Sevilla finished 5th in the league which most people wouldn't consider as a successful run, as it wouldn't normally get them even in a qualifying position to the Champions League, but their back to back Europa League titles say otherwise. In the summer of 2013 Sevilla traded nine players to English clubs, including their two biggest stars Jesús Navas and Álvaro Negredo, which left fans thinking the club was sure to be battling in the bottom half of the table. Instead they finished 5th and won their first Europa league title and their third over all. The following summer they lost their captain Ivan Rakitić , who played a large role in securing that Europa League trophy, to FC Barcelona and other key players elsewhere such as Alberto Moreno (current Liverpool). Despite losing out on key players once again, the 2014-15 season was no different for them and they once again secured the 5th place spot in the league while defending the Europa League title; Becoming the first ever team to win two back to back European titles and became the first team to earn the right to a Champions League promotion from winning the Europa League. Despite constant changes in the squad Sevilla have found a consistency that keeps them winning when it counts the most.

      Another Spanish side that deserves recognition for their success despite their constant changing of squad members and even managers is Valencia. Though their Cinderella tale hasn't left them with a title to prove their success their statistics rightfully do so. In his first season as manager Nuno Santo and Valencia were also faced with the challenge of having to replace star players with equally, if not more, talented players that came with a smaller price tag. To do so Valencia looked to their neighboring country and brought in a few young Portuguese stars from Benfica, including a player who had a big impact André Gomes (who I have previously mentioned as a player every club would love to have), and further abroad bringing in five Argentinian players including key defender Nicolás Otamendi. Valencia finished their season in 4th place with 77 points, one point shy of previous league winners Atlético Madrid, securing the final Champions League spot. Having only lost five games in the season Valencia were able to steal points away from every Spanish side except current league winners Barcelona. This includes the crucial draw with Real Madrid, which seemingly sealed the title for Barcelona. And being a young squad it means Valencia will only be able to build on their success and continue to put pressure on the top clubs in Spain.


      So having big money signings must be nice and probably helps to bring kit sales to new heights, it seems squads are proving you don't need to toss out hundreds of millions of euros to play like you're worth that much. While there is no promise that the smaller teams will be able to keep their successful squads with the top dogs looking to steal their talent away, their fans should be able to rest soundly knowing their club will find away around it. As for fans of the top money clubs you should also sleep soundly this summer because while some say money can't buy happiness it sure can buy your new favorite player. Most off all best of luck to all fans out there trying to survive the dreadful transfer period.

-Til next time, this is the Final Whistle.

The players every team wants, They just don't know it yet.

         This weekend the Premier League paused once again for FA Cup show down, and while I could spend a lifetime talking about how exciting Cup upsets are I would like to take the time to instead divert my attention to the transfer window. He's leaving. He's staying.The manager wants him out. The president wants the manager gone.While rumors can be fun, when they spark hope for your squad, but mostly they are just classless ways to draw up some attention. So as the title suggest this is an inverted version of transfer rumors. I would like to talk about some of my favorite young talent or as I like to consider them; The players every team wants, they just don't know it yet. All these youngsters, all 23 or under, would be a fantastic long term investment for any team.

• José Gayà- This 19 year old left back has deservingly earned himself a spot on Spanish side Valencia's XI having come up from the youth system. The young defender has had 20 appearances this season and always has an instant impact on the game. Defensively, he is spot on. Whenever he commits a tackle he always makes sure he gets a piece of the ball and makes sure not to commit the foul. He has only been shown 5 yellows. The left back is also an attacking threat; having the pace to fend off opposing defenders. Gayà also has an eye for goal, already netting two this season. 
• Álvaro Vadillo- Vadillo has been one of my favorite youngsters for a few years now and it baffles me how he has yet to be snatched away from Real Betis. Google him and Im sure the only thing you will get is the 2011 incident in which involved Sergio Ramos and having to be stretchered off (did you miss the part where I said it involved Sergio Ramos?), which really is a shame because the kid is a fantastic winger. Operable on both wings, treat in aerial duels and when he dribbles the ball I swear you see the Manchester United Cristiano Ronaldo. He has the strength and quality  any team would admire. His only weakness is that he likes to keep the ball at his feet but I recall Cristiano having that similar mentality.  
• Ricardo Horta- Plays on the right flank. Horta is good on the ball and likes to cut inside and take on defenders one on one. He also has one of the most admirable quality in an attacking player for he doesn't dive into tackles. Horta has a quality long ball and is very accurate on his crosses. Horta netted 7 goals alone in the 2013/14 season for his previous team Vitória Setúbal.
• André Gomes- Gomes is one of my favorite and in my opinion most complete midfielders. He can play central, defending, attacking, or either side of the wing. He is spot on in passing. If you were to take accuracy of Xabi Alonso the skill of Pilro the creativity of João Moutinho and mix them all together you would have the basis of Gomes. Sticking with Portuguese  nature he is very strong off the ball and will fight to win it back in the middle of the pitch. Andre has an eye for goal whether it's creating the opportunity  for someone else or taking the chance himself. The promising youngster has already made it to being a regular call up for his national team.
• Antoine Griezmann- This player you should have heard of by now. If you haven't what is wrong with you? Griezmann had an extraordinary run with France during the 2014 World Cup but before that he was Real Sociedad's key play maker. Griezmann had 179 apps for Sociedad from 2009–2014 scoring 46 goals before making the move to Atlético Madrid where he has already made 1/4th of that amount of goals in less than half a season. As much as I want to say "the best thing about Griezmann is" I simply cant because there is no "best" thing. Every fact about the player just makes him better and better. He is the current leader of headed goals in La Liga though only being 1.76 m . He provides as many goals as he scores. He falls back to the midfield to both defend and win the ball.  If he cant beat his defender with his pace he will beat them with his skill. And he's only 23! There is so much more to see from him.

Now for everything not mentioned on the blog, TFW has a home on twitter. TFW would love it if you could follow and show you support. @FinalWhistleUS

-Til next time, This is The Final Whistle.