Football
During this time of year one topic is dominating the news: The Summer Transfer Window. As a West Ham fan I have often viewed the Transfer window with a sense of dread, wondering which promising youngster we'd be losing this time, but as a fan I love the excitement as managers scramble to build a squad they think is an improvement on the last years model. This year the two biggest names on the move (or not) are Fabregas and Tevez. Tevez has said that he doesn't want to return to 'small and wet' Manchester, so his future at City looks very much in doubt. Fabregas, if you believe the media, also wants to leave Britain to return to his first club Barcelona. The two stories have a completely different feel to them however. I can't remember a summer where Fabregas wasn't linked to Barcelona, whereas Tevez simply made up his mind that he didn't want to be back at his club. Tevez's reason for wanting to leave is his family, and obviously that's an honourable reason. However, he signed a contract and unless the club receives an offer that they feel is acceptable, I hope he has the integrity to carry on playing, unlike Adebayour. Fabregas has been asking to leave for a while, and Arsenal need to start building a squad that's going to be good now, not in a few seasons time. So if I was Wenger, I'd take the £37m and rebuild the squad, although I wouldn't want to tell a manager as great as him in the transfer market who to buy. Man City do not have to worry about balancing books, as long as they can continue to manipulate any rules regarding the balancing of funds, and will continue to buy anyone and everyone that looks mildly promising/talented.
In terms of other teams in the Premiership, I think Man Utd have really done the business they needed to in the transfer market, signing some new players to a squad people thought was looking tired and overused, without paying as much as some for the talent they have acquired. Liverpool, on the other hand, have paid over the odds to buy some untried players, and I think £20m for Stuart Downing was way over the market value, but well done Villa for waiting for that kind of money.
Cycling
The biggest event on the cycling calender, the Tour de France is in its final week. As a first time follower of the Tour, I have been sucked into the competition, and already have my favourite teams and riders to support. The rules may seem challenging but you do not need to know them back to front to appreciate the sheer athleticism involved. These men cycle hundreds of kilometers a day, seemingly with ease, and the speed at which they travel seems ridiculous considering the mountains they climb. My pick for the Yellow Jersey is one of the Schlecks, Andy having just taken the Jersey with the time trial stage to come, so he's in a very strong position. I think the Green Jersey is all but decided, and I think Cavendish will take it with a well deserved win after a fantastic tour.
Tennis
After the rush of two grand slams in a month, tennis fans have had to face a long wait for any tennis, with only the Davis cup offering any action to speak of. However, for GB fans, even that has been a bit lacklustre, with Murray dropping only 15 points in the second singles rubber, showing the real standard of the group Great Britain finds itself in. As the US Open draws nearer, I'll profile the 5 players I think have a chance of winning the final Grand Slam, plus my dark horse picks.
Formula One
This weekend is my favourite kind of weekend, a formula one weekend. The sport really brings something that I feel other sports lack, and can liven a slow weekend, especially since there isn't any football. Could this be the weekend that Ferrari catch McLaren or even Red Bull? Or maybe Lotus can move even closer to the main group. For me, Formula one is one of the most watchable sports around as even if you cant be bothered to understand all the technical jargon that goes on, the sheer speed, action and competitiveness of everything that happens makes the spectacle of the entire weekend beyond anything any sport can offer. If you've never watched a weekend, just give it a chance; pick a driver or a team and enjoy the spectacle. Having seen the first two practices I think this could be the weekend Webber picks up his first win of the season, although it wouldn't be hard to imagine Vettel running away with it again to pick up his first home GP win. However I don't think McLaren are going to be overly competitive unless they were hiding something today.
Cricket
The 2000th Test match begins tomorrow as England look to become the top ranked Test side for the first time ever by beating India in their 5 match series. If England win the 1st match, I think England will have overcome the biggest hurdle and will be well on their way to becoming world No1, as an England test side with the wind behind them are seemingly unstoppable. Graeme Swann and Jimmy Anderson, easily the best spin and swing bowlers of the current time, could run riot if not stood up to early on, and Cook has been in imperious for ever since the first Ashes test last year. England to win the series 3-1. After most of the first day gone, Pietersen looks like hes found a bit of form again, and India are now without their main strike bowler but unsure as to how long for. If England can make a big score this innings and their bowlers live up to their reputation, India shouldn't have a chance.
Check back later in the week for updates on the other sports mentioned at the start, including golf and the countdown to the Olympics.
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