By Myles Palmer
Just lately I’ve been pretty bored by the Rio transfer, since I knew about it four months ago.
But I wish Rio well and believe Pini is the wise father figure he needs.
Ive also been bored by the tranfer spec, since most of it has been small-time stuff,reflecting the financial meltdown in football.
But : fewer transfers will mean more coaching.
The transfer windows will mean that chequebook managers will struggle and coaches who can organise a defence, and get a team passing well, will prosper.
That can only be good.
WHAT I HEARD yesterday though, was quite exciting.
It made sense, even though it was a bit different to what’s in today’s papers.
I was told that Arsenal will spend the Richard Wright fee of £3.5 million on GILBERTO SILVA, who will be about £6 million.
Van Bommel is better than Gilberto, but Arsenal cannot afford him at £14 million.
Van Bommel is 24, a leader, can tackle, pass, shoot, and could play well in the Premiership on August 17th.
Arsene could still sign the Dutchman and I hope he does. But the Brazilian looks more likely at this moment.
Great athlete, good tackler, would be a very good acquisition.
What about a goalkeeper?
I heard that RUSTU will come on a free in June 2003. Until then Fabian Carini will come on a loan for a year.
That would be a really smart deal if AFC could pull it off.
CARINI is tall, skinny, springy, brave and has been No.2 to Buffon.
He has great reflexes and was excellent when Juventus reserves beat Arsenal 1-0 in Turin.
He is only 22 but has about 40 caps for Uruguay.
In the World Cup, against Denmark, he had no chance with either of the Tomasson goals in a 2-1 defeat.
Carini played well against France’s ten men, tipping over from Candela, saving Trezeguet’s freekick in a 0-0.
Against Senegal he was very unlucky when Diouf dived over him and got a soft penalty which Fadiga banged in.
He had no chance with either of the Bouba Diop goals which levelled it at 3-3 to put the Uruguayans out.
Golden rule : never judge a player in internationals.
And we do not know how quickly a Spanish-speaking keeper from Italy could settle in at Arsenal.
But, for me, Carini looks a top goalkeeper, much better than Richard Wright.
23rd July 2002.