Oriol Romeu Completes Move to Chelsea

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(Bleacher Report)Barcelona B squad midfielder Oriol Romeu is the latest member of the Nou Camp to move to England as the 19-year old player will move to London after agree to terms on a four-year contract. His starting fee is 5 million, but his contract has additional options that Barcelona may exercise in time.

The additional terms are primarily a €10 million buy back clause after the first season, and then will raise to €15 million after the second season. He has been compared to Sergio Busquets as the next defensive midfielder in the Barca system.

This inclusion suggests that the Blaugrana still value the player more than could be believed, and had the club not been in the middle of trying to raise the money for the purchase of Cesc Fabregas currently, the player might have only moved on loan.

Experience is was the Nou Camp club need their younger players to receive, but right now they are in the hunt for cash more than anything as they attempt to reduce their debt, and purchase another midfield.

Youngster Romeu however, like another former Barca midfielder, has dreams of one day returning home to Catalonia.

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Gabriel Milito Takes His Leave to Return to Argentina

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(Bleacher Report)Argentine defender Gabriel Milito joined Barcelona in 2007 from Real Zaragoza, but since that time a series of chronic injuries have limited him to only 75 first team appearances for the club as Gerard Pique rose to prominence as Carlos Puyol's primary partner at the back.

After four seasons at the Nou Camp, he has made his return to Argentina after Barca allowed him to leave a season before his contract was due to expire.

The player had been linked to several others club with both AS Roma and Bayern Munich supposedly having looked into the player as well.

His return to Argentina will see him rejoin Independiente where he started his career. The move appears to be one of great enthusiasm for the player as he made the following comments as quoted by Goal.com:

"I had a great desire to return to my country and home, and I felt the need to go back to Independiente. We were able to meet and talk about that possibility, and thank God it went through," the Argentina international told reporters.

"It is a very special day, I always dreamed of returning and enjoying this moment. It is a dream come true, and I hope this new spell will be as good as the first."

his move will most likely see youngsters such as Marc Muniesa have a few first team appearances in the coming seasons.


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English Premier League Predictions: The FA Community Shield Manchester Derby

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(Bleacher Report)It is truly almost that time. This weekend sees the Barclay's Premier League fans get a glimpse at two of the most talked about teams for next season. With Manchester United out to defend their record 19th English Championship, their cross town rivals Manchester City hope to knock the mighty Red Devils off their perch.

Last season saw all the money that has been pumped into City finally pay off as they defeated Stoke City at Wembley to claim the 2011 FA Cup. It was their first piece of Silverware in 35 years as they last lifted the League Cup in 1976 over Newcastle United.

The season also saw the Citizens break into the UEFA Champions League by securing a third place finish in the table. It is the closest they have come to a top flight Championship since they last finished second in 1976-77.

Manchester United are fresh off a record breaking League season, while suffering another European failure thanks to Barcelona. Sir Alex Ferguson led the Red Devils to their 13th League title under his tenure, and it is their third in the last five seasons.

No longer do they share the top spot with Liverpool for the most English Domestic League titles, and it has them ready to continue broadening the gap.

However, they will have to face off against a tough and determined Manchester City squad, that has much left to prove. City was last involved in a Community Shield competition in 1973 when they lost to Burnley at Main Road.

United have had much more recent success in the early season fixture as they have won four in the last ten years. Their most recent was last years 2010 edition when they took down 2009-10 League winners Chelsea in a 3-1 victory in front of a packed Wembley Stadium.

This year the game will be an excellent competition as City will want to start their season off with a win by showing they are genuine title contenders, and this will probably be the make or break season for Roberto Mancini at the helm of the money rich club.

His most recent addition, Sergio Aguero will probably not be on display at the start, but his selection process will be difficult none the less as he now has a plethora of front men to choose from even more than before.

Sir Alex Ferguson will approach the match as he always does, with the intent of winning outright, and he has some new faces that will be seeing their first action with the Red Devils while their is a piece of Silverware on the Line.

I truly believe Mario Balotelli will be one to watch for City if the mouthy striker plays. Carlos Tevez could also be a thorn in the side if he makes a cameo, as he is always out to stick it to his former employers. Wayne Rooney has a lot to prove after being highly criticized last season for his believed dip in form, although his bicycle goal against City in the last match where these two faced off is one to remember.

Predicted Line-Ups

Manchester City Starting XI: Joe Hart; Micah Richards, Vincent Kompany, Stefan Savic, Gael Clichy; Nigel De Jong, Gareth Barry; David Silva, Yaya Toure, James Milner; Mario Balotelli.

Manchester United Starting XI: David De Gea; Rafael Da Silva, Nemanja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand, Patrice Evra; Ashley Young, Antonio Valencia, Ryan Giggs, Park Ji-Sung; Wayne Rooney, Michael Owen.

Match Prediction: Manchester United 3 - 1 Manchester City.


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World Football Special: The 14 Most Embarrassing Dives Ever

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(Bleacher Report)While some of these may not have been as embarrassing at first, in the time since they have become much more laughable as in most cases the replay footage does not lie.

The truth comes out when you get put into slow motion, and with so many to choose from it is hard to even stop at 14. However, at some point you have to just let it ride.

Diving is a pet peeve of pretty much any football fan, as it takes so much away from the game. Many fouls are genuine and no one has a problem with seeing a deserved penalty or card handed out.

However, it is the theatrical nonsense that results from players not being true to the game that causes the most frustration to any and all of us fans.

That being said, let's get on with the show as I present to you 14 of the most embarrassing dives ever......Click Here to Start the Slideshow.

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Liverpool FC: The Reds' Future Starting 11 All Academy Squad

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(Bleacher Report)After watching Liverpool's youngsters come in and prove their quality last season, it is on the minds of many Reds supporters, just how far their academy starlets can go.

It has been interesting to dig deeper into the academy players, and some of those that are already starting to push their reputation in the first team.

As the years continue to tick up for veteran Reds like Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher and Dirk Kuyt with all of them age 30 or older. It is interesting to speculate whom will rise up through the ranks to eventually fill the voids left by their previous icons.

With that in mind, here is a look at a future starting eleven for the Reds if all the current academy stars were to rise up and take over the first team. Unfortunately not all of these guys may make it, but I certainly am hopeful of all of them showing their class in Red......Click Here to Start the Slideshow.

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Mario Balotelli and 7 of the Biggest Headcases in World Football History

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(Bleacher Report) The world of football has seen its fair share of crazies over the years. Currently one of the biggest headcases of the current generation is Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli, whom will be discussed later.

In the spirit of one of the newest leading members of the headcases, it seems necessary to take a look back at some of those who have come before him.

Several of them are well known for their antics, while others have either faded from the spotlight or disappeared in most cases all together in the attempt to resurrect their reputation.

So let's get his party started with a little German madness......Click Here to Start the Slideshow.

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