Summer Session A – Z : Part 2

Posted over two installments, the A to Z of this summer’s session highlights the hot topics, loose ends and significant issues to keep an eye out for.

Ferguson's new look money-tinted spectacles

N- as in N’Kono – can the new Cameroon coach and former national hero from Italia 90 ensure the Lions’ qualification for South Africa 2010?

O- as in Owen – with Newcastle‘s drop, will he opt for a Premiership team that will allow him to showcase his skills for a slot on the 2010 roster and will a Premiership team opt for the oft-injured striker?

P- as in Pirlo – following Kaka‘s and Maldini‘s departures, does he assert himself as Milan‘s premier midfielder and overall leader next year?

Q- as in Quaresma – having overstayed his welcome in Milan and London, and having rejected joining Crespo (another former Interista and Blue) at Genoa, where does the Portuguese youngster go next?

R- as in Ribery – will he bolt Bayern for Spain or England ?

S- as in Senor Perez – seriously, how is he coming up with the cash for these gents?

T- as in THE United States – given our most recent performances against North American competition, how will Bradley‘s boys do against the African, South American, and World Champions?

U- as in Uruguay - will the two-time World Champion grind through its qualifiers and return to the World Cup in 2010?

V- as in ‘Viva Italia’- so how will Serie A cope with the loss of its biggest international star and potentially several others and otherwise begin to turn its fortunes (or lack thereof) around?

W- as in Wolfsburg – which players will join/leave the German champions as they prepare to defend their crown in 09-10?

X- as in XI - who will join Kaka and Ronaldo among the Top XI transfers of the summer?

Y- as in Year 1 – can newly-appointed first-time coaches Ciro Ferrara (Juve) or Leonardo (Milan) successfully follow Pep Guardiola‘s model for success in 09-10?

Z- as in Zenith – how else does one describe the point from which Barcelona begins the new season?

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Link to Part 1

We at Footy Factor would like to thank Jerry Russo in NYC for submitting this article for publication.