A Tale of Two Ronaldos: The Great, and the Gargantuan

He was born to the name Ronaldo Luis Nazario Lima, but to the world, he is simply known as Ronaldo. The prolific goal scorer from Rio de Janeiro officially retired today after a legendary career that saw him play for some of the top teams in the world over 18 years. The likes of PSV Eindhoven, Barcelona, Inter Milan, Real Madrid and AC Milan acquired the Brazilian's services for his goal scoring prowess. Ronaldo saw ultimate team success winning numerous trophies with teams in Brazil, Spain, Holland and Italy, and winning 2 World Cups (1994 & 2002) with the Esquadrão de Ouro.

For all his team success, Ronaldo is one of the greatest talents that soccer has seen since Pele. Often called the greatest player of the last decade, Ronaldo is only one of two men (the other being his former Real Madrid team mate Zinedine Zidane) to win 3 Fifa World Player of the Year awards. The Brazilian still holds the record for most goals scored in World Cup tournament history, with a grand total of 15, and was named the Italian Serie A's Player of the Decade in 2007, for his exploits with Inter Milan during the late 1990s and early 2000s. Ronaldo's career goal scoring statistics are jaw dropping, with the Brazilian scoring 247 goals in 343 games for his clubs and 62 goals in 97 games for his country.

Yet, over time devastating knee injuries and a weight problem slowed down the star striker. His trademark speed, which had made him the most exciting player in the world, was all but gone in his final year with Real Madrid in 2007. But, even then, his immensely skilled feet toyed with some of the world's best defenders.



Ronaldo at Corinthians FC: A shadow of his former self



For all his skill and genius on the soccer field, the 34 year old Brazilian leaves the game, much like his good friend Zidane, with a whimper (albeit for different reasons). Overweight, aged and unrecognizable on the soccer field, Ronaldo now hobbles off the field that he so masterfully controlled as recently as last year with Brazilian team Corinthians. The star striker cited injuries and lack of fitness as his reasons for retirement.

In some people's minds, the final chapter of Ronaldo's career may take away from the amazing career that he had. Yet, for those that saw him in his prime, Ronaldo will always be regarded as one of the greatest strikers that ever played.  

Even in Soccer, Defense Wins Championships

Arsenal can be a joy to watch in most matches. The quick movements and smooth passing plays generated by the likes of Cesc Fabregas, Andrei Arshavin and Jack Wilshere in the midfield, finished off by the immensely talented Robin Van Persie or the clinical Samir Nasri can thoroughly impress even most ardent Manchester United or Tottenham fan. Yet, with all the technical brilliance and flash of Arsenal's offensive players over the past 5 seasons, the team has been unable to win a trophy, let alone the Premier League title. It seems as though the Gunners may finally end their silverware drought this year, with a win in the Carling Cup final as the most likely outcome, but the biggest prizes, the Premier League and Champion's League trophies, will be the toughest to come by for the Gunners.

For most, being 4 points off of the Premier League lead is by no means an insurmountable deficit. But the Gunners will most likely lag farther behind Manchester United because they lack one especially important characteristic of a championship winning team: a strong and confident pairing in the centre of defense. The Gunners has given up a total of 27 goals in 25 matches so far this season, 5 more than the league leaders in that department, Chelsea and Manchester City. But, unlike those two teams and Manchester United, Arsenal lacks a confident defensive partnership at centre back and the depth in defense to address injuries that inevitably occur throughout the season. Chelsea's central defenders provide a blend of young and older talent with John Terry, Alex, Branislav Ivanovic and new addition David Luiz. Manchester City boasts the impressive collection of Kolo Toure, Vincent Kompany, Micah Richards, Jerome Boateng and Joleon Lescott among their defensive stalwarts. While, league leaders Manchester United boasts two of the world's best defenders in Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand, but also have a full stable of solid depth players who can fit into the squad in times of injury or suspension. The Gunners do not have this luxury.

A makeshift pairing of Johann Djourou and Laurent Koscielny has played admirably in the absence of Arsenal's most talented (and injured) central defender, Thomas Vermaelen. Koscielny has made a great transition to the English game in his first year with Arsenal, while Djourou finally seems to be reaching the heights that were expected of him when he arrived at the Emirates Stadium. Individually, both Koscielny and Djourou are a major upgrade from the last year's horror show on grass, the aged and accident prone Mikael Silvestre, but still lack the muscle that Sol Campbell brought to last year's team. While, Sebastian Squillaci, whom Arsene Wenger acquired from Sevilla during the summer, has had a horrendous first 5 and a half months in England. The Frenchman has been caught out of position, out muscled by forwards and has provided panicked service at the back for the Gunners. Not the traits you want out of your third defensive option. For all his eccentricities, the Gunners would have definitely benefited from keeping the services of their skilled (and sometimes crazed!) former captain William Gallas, who is now plying his trade down the road at Tottenham.

The Gunners now find themselves in a more precarious position as Johann Djourou has gone down with a knee injury, which he suffered in Saturday's devastating draw against Newcastle. A pairing of Koscielny and Squillaci will now face the likes of Barcelona's Lionel Messi, David Villa and Xavi, in next week's Champion's League knockout round game. This upcoming match-up against arguably the world's best team has Arsenal fans wishing their manager had invested in some defensive help during the January transfer window. The loss of Vermaelen, who is expected to be on the sidelines for another month, will continue to hurt the Gunners significantly, but even with the Belgian in the line-up, the Gunners have an undersized and under skilled defensive core.

The injured Belgian is sorely missed in Arsenal's defense 

One of the main factors in Arsenal's last Premier League title triumph and the unbeaten season of 2003-04 was undoubtedly a solid defensive core, anchored by Sol Campbell and Kolo Toure. Arsenal's current team lacks this presence. The Gunners will continue to play breathtaking soccer this year, by controlling the possession of the ball and slicing through opposing team's defenses. They always do. Yet, as the recent past has shown, whenever a formidable opposing team, such as Barcelona, or Manchester United takes an equal share of the possession and attacks the heart of Arsenal's defense, the Gunners crumble. Oddly enough, these are the same two teams that Arsenal will have to defeat to achieve their goals of Champions League and Premier League success this season. Without a defense? Better luck next year.

January Transfer Window Winners & Losers

The effectiveness of a January transfer window spending spree is up for debate. This January transfer season saw more action than any in the past, with over half a billion dollars spent in England alone! Some ambitious, and other under pressure managers tossed around silly money, trying to acquire players that they hope will improve their sides.

Some teams may be so far out of a title race that any new additions may not take them any closer to a league title. But, for other teams a key addition or two can act as a catalyst en route to winning the league or fending off relegation. Just ask Manchester United supporters, their club purchased an unknown, lumbering defender named Nemanja Vidic from Spartak Moscow for £7 million in 2006. Since then, the Serb has helped United win 3 Premier League titles, 3 League Cups and a Champion's League trophy, and cemented himself as one of the world's top defenders.

Vidic's arrival in January 2006 coincided with Manchester United's resurgence 

Not every January purchase can be the calibre of a Vidic, but here are this year's best and worst January signings in Europe.

THE GOOD

Fernando Torres - Liverpool FC to Chelsea FC (£ 50 million)
The only lasting memory and evidence that Robinho ever played in the Premier League is now gone. The fee that Chelsea spent to acquire the services of superstar striker Fernando Torres from Liverpool dwarfs the £32.5 million which Manchester City paid Real Madrid for the moody Brazilian in 2008. £50 million may be a lot of money, but there is no doubt that an in-form and healthy Torres is worth every penny. Chelsea now employ two of the world's best strikers in Torres and Didier Drogba, with a very solid third option in Nicolas Anelka coming off the bench. Now, that is what I call depth!

Mahamadou Diarra - Real Madrid to AS Monaco (Undisclosed Fee)
The principality is in the doldrums of the Ligue 1 in France. Once the class of France, Monaco now sit second from the bottom and stare relegation straight in the face. Gone are the days of the great Delio Onnis, Glenn Hoddle and Thierry Henry, the 7-time French league champions are now led by leading scorer Park Chu-Young. The addition of the oft injured and creaky Diarra may not seem like an season altering move, but Diarra brings a veteran poise and leadership that Monaco desperately lacks in the midfield. The Mali international has previously won the La Liga title with Real Madrid twice and reached the summit of the French league with Olympic Lyonnais four times. If Diarra can stay healthy, this move may pay dividends and save the principality club from relegation.

Tuncay Sanli - Stoke City to Wolfsburg (Undisclosed Fee)
Not an earth shattering signing on paper, but Tuncay does bring Wolfsburg a reliable threat at the striker position. The 28 year old Turk now travels to his fourth club, after playing for Fenerbache, Middlesbrough and Stoke City in recent seasons. His skills are much needed in Wolfsburg, where the team will try to fill the void left by star striker Edin Dzeko's departure to Manchester City earlier this month. Tuncay is not likely to lead the Bundesliga in goal scoring, but he is a tenacious forward that works hard on the pitch to create chances for his team mates. Although, a fee for this transfer was not released, it is likely that Wolfsburg didn't have to splash the cash to land the veteran forward. Money well spent.



Luis Suarez: One of Liverpool's new star signings

Luis Suarez - Ajax FC to Liverpool FC (£22.7 million)
This could possibly be the steal of the January transfer window. Suarez impressed at the World Cup for Uruguay (both for his goal scoring and his goal keeping exploits!) and was bound to leave Ajax eventually. But, no one expected one of the world's purest goal scorers to sign for the struggling Reds of Liverpool and cost less than Andy Carroll! The major question with Suarez is whether he can adapt to the English game. The Dutch league lacks the skill and the physicality of its English counterpart, and it will undoubtedly take the Uruguayan some time to get used to. But, the 23 year old Suarez has a nose for the net that few strikers in the world possess and should provide the Anfield faithful with many joyous goal celebrations in the near future.


THE BAD

Darren Bent - Sunderland to Aston Villa (£24 million)
Darren Bent is good player. He has scored a total of 82 goals in the past 6 six seasons with 3 different clubs. But, is he a player that is worth £24 million? Not a chance. If one of world soccer's most dangerous strikers, Luis Suarez is worth £23 million, Darren Bent would be more adequately priced at £12- £13 million .The fee that Aston Villa forked out for Bent speaks to two things; Aston Villa's desperation to avoid relegation and the inflated price of British talent. Traditionally Birmingham's most successful club, Aston Villa has struggled in the Premier League under new coach Gerard Houllier. Houllier will not care how much he spent on his new record signing, if Bent can form a formidable attacking triumvirate with Gabriel Agbonlahor and Ashley Young.  Since Bent's arrival, the club has won three matches in a row, with the new acquisition scoring in a win over the Abu Dhabi fueled Manchester City. Good start, now to see if it lasts!

Andy Carroll: Out to prove the critics wrong

Andy Carroll - Newcastle United to Liverpool (£ 35 million)
Liverpool's purchase of Carroll is another example of how ridiculously inflated the price for British talent can be. If David Villa is worth £ 35 million, how in the world is Andy Carroll worth just about the same?! After plying his trade in the Championship last year, where he scored 17 goals in helping secure Newcastle promotion to the Premier League, and so far scoring another 11 goals this season, Carroll is now stepping into the spotlight at Anfield. Running up and down a pitch while scoring the occasional goal in Newcastle is quite different from being the record signing in red side of Liverpool. The acquisition of Luis Suarez will help the 22 year old Englishman, but the pressure will still be on Carroll, as the replacement for Fernando Torres and the most expensive English player in football history. That even sounds wrong as I type it!