The Future Star

There’s been lot of buzz at Manchester City, regarding Edin Dzeko. The Bosnian star has been on the radar of Real Madrid and Juventus for quite some time now. Dzeko scored only 6 Goals in 21 Appearances for City. He made his debut for the club in a 4–3 win over Wolves on 15 January.

Although his first season in the Premier League has fluctuated, Džeko has scored important goals against Notts County F.C. to advance in the FA Cup, Blackburn Rovers to all-but-secure a fourth spot in the league for Manchester City, and finally a goal against Bolton Wanderers that guaranteed City third spot and automatic qualification into the group stage of the UEFA Champion's League.

From being Bundesliga players' German Footballer of the Year for season 2008–09 and Bundesliga Top-Scorer 2009–10 with 22 Goals for Wolfsburg, Dzeko has come a long way. With the likes of Carlos Tevez, Yaya Toure, Craig Bellamy and possible return of Emmanuel Adebayor in the Striker’s Department. Dzeko looks set to go. It would be a real injustice to player of his calibre, not having a chance to prove himself in top flight English Football.

Dzeko has the makings of a genuine European Superstar in years to come, with age on his side he has lot to offer. Not surprised with Real Madrid, Juventus and Milan keen on signing him for 2011-12 season. The 25-year-old has been the subject of much transfer speculation over the past two seasons, with a whole host of European clubs keen on making a move for the 6’ 3” attacker.

Alex Mcleish: Traitor or Saviour???

We talk about The Manchester Derby, The Mersey side Derby or The clash of  North London Giants. But perhaps in the history of English Football, the rivalry between Aston Villa and Birmingham City, also known as ‘The Second City Derby’, has always remained one of the most fiercely fought sporting events. It may have all started with the trashing of City 22-0 dating back to the ages. The two teams have engaged in several hotly contested matches. In the 1925 league game at Villa Park, with the home side 3–0 ahead with eleven minutes to go, Birmingham scored three times in a dramatic final spell to draw the match. The following year, Aston Villa made headlines with the signing of Tom 'Pongo' Waring, and his first appearance was for the reserves against Birmingham City's reserves, which famously drew a crowd of 23,000. Waring scored three times in the match.

Well, the recent appointment of  ‘former’ Birmingham City Manager, Alex Mcleish by rivals Aston Villa, hasn’t gone down with City fans so well. The Scot who has been at St. Andrews for four seasons had been the toast of the blues in his pretty successful managerial career, guiding the Blues to League Cup victory over favourites Arsenal in the 2009-10 season. With the sacking of Gerard Houlier at Villa. The appointment came as a rude shock to both the City fans and the Villans. It not only had the Birmingham Officials furious over his ‘Email Resignation’ and have also considered legal action over Aston Villa, as he was still under their contract.

Birmingham city fans have been at loggerheads with their team, after getting relegated in 2010-11 season and with the Scot’s move to arch rivals has drawn a flak from the devoted blues. It has certainly raised tension with the arch rivals and a possible Second City Derby in the FA cup and/or the League Cup will make the heated contest more exciting this season.