Target On: Silly Season Success

Italy: Juventus coach Antonio Conte has had the bomb dropped on him with not a three or four month suspension but a 10 month suspension, essentially the entire year. In that regard the ever controversial Zdnek Zeman who has a varied history with his vocal jobes at Juventus, the mannerin which they won their titles, corruption, and such, has chimed in stating that the ban should preclude Conte from training the bianconeri during the week. Director General of Juventus Beppe Marotta has responded with a harsh dressing down of the Roma coach. "As a football man and the general manager of Juventus, I feel Zeman's comments are inappropriate. He was referring to Conte even though he didn't mention him specifically. It was either a joke, and therefore a worthless comment, or an intentional jibe. He admitted that he hadn't read the documentation himself and that he couldn't explain this first-instance ruling given to a fellow coach from the same association, who has been sentenced for failure to report rather than for any violation. I find these latest remarks by Zeman out of place. He had his say on Juventus' titles just two weeks ago and now he is speaking out against a fellow manager, which I think is even more serious. I hope the president of the coaches' association takes a stance on this matter because situations such as these only create more tension in what is already a delicate time for Italian football." I said it would be an interesting year with Zeman back in charge of Roma. The season hasn't even begun yet and it is already getting interesting.

Spain: the brain drain continues out of Spain. Santi Cazorla has made his move to North London permanent and Fernando Llorente has declared that he won't be resigning with Athletic Bilbao. The leones are historically hard-bargainers and rarely come off their valuations but there is movement afoot. Juventus have come in with an offer, but Tottenham are about to become flush with the Modric money and might intervene. Juve's second option is Alvaro Negredo of Sevilla. Llorente's teammate Javi Martinez looks on his way to Bayern Munich as well. The question is where does this leave Athletic? Losing the versatile Llorente will be a blow. He is not just what he appears to be, a static classic English-style center-forward, he can play in space with his front to goal but he is less effective playing that way. Marcelo Bielsa's system however requires a bit more mobility there and might be better served to have less of a fox-in-the-box to lead in attack. With the spectre of losing Llorente they have bought Aritz Aduritz as a stop-gap. Losing Martinez might not have even that much effect. Bielsa was using the Gerrard-esque midfielder as a central-defender and the player might be better served in a more offensive role for the Bavarian giants.

England: Robin Van Persie has left Arsenal and the Gooner faithful are livid. It is one thing to lose your best player and your captain, but it is another thing to lose him to your longest and most bitter rival. It's a gamble you risk by not selling to PSG early, but it highlights the fact that no matter what stance you project as a club, if a player wants to leave they usually get their wish and most times to the club they want in the first place. Remember though that despite Van Persie's fabulous year in the Premier League last year, the Dutchman has a history of injury and has just turned 29. There is no replacing him, but Podolski is two years younger and Giroud is four years younger, and in the long-run might find themselves in a better situation with those two and a productive Cazorla in attack. Then again, this is United you have sold him to. They look ready to make their move on City. It may be a very long time before trophies come flooding back to the Emirates.