Window of Opportunity

By Matthew Mohan
Sports Editor

MONEY TALKS FOR STERLING: The England midfielder could not resist a big move.
PHOTO: Internet

We kick off at Villa Park, where fans are still seething over the departure of former captain Fabian “Judas” Delph.

In a betrayal of biblical proportions, Delph was spotted slithering into the Etihad to complete his move to Manchester City — a mere week after kissing the badge, thumping his chest and pledging unwavering loyalty.

Despite the pleasing sight of Delph being stretchered off on his debut in a pre-season clash against Real Madrid last month, Villa fans have promised a warm reception for the midfielder should he appear in the Midlands within the next decade.

After all, once a Villan, always a villain.

Meanwhile, former long ball connoisseurs Stoke City have continued their unrelenting quest to sign as many Barcelona players as they possibly can.

Stokecelona now boasts the likes of youngster Moha El Ouriachi and winger Ibrahim Afellay, who will join Bojan and Marc Muniesa at the Britannia.

Word has it Mark Hughes will eventually look to lure Lionel Messi with the promise of bitterly cold nights and the chance to line up alongside Peter Crouch, in the world’s ultimate little and large strikeforce.

One player who couldn’t resist Hughes’s charms was Inter Milan winger Xherdan Shaqiri, whose move to the Potters has made headlines.

While delighted Stoke fans are licking their lips at the prospect of Shaqiri lining up alongside Glenn Whelan, footballing neutrals have also gotten involved, taking to social media and welcoming pop star Shakira to the club.

Rumours that Gerard Pique was to be part of the package were later found to be untrue.

Another move that seemed too good to be true was that of midfielder Yohan Cabaye to Crystal Palace. Cabaye, or Kebab as otherwise known, ultimately completed his £12.8m (S$27.5m) switch from giants Paris Saint-Germain, and will prove a delicious addition to Alan Pardew’s team.

Pardew’s former team Newcastle United have also undergone a renaissance of sorts, having ditched the “best coach in the Premier League” for one dubbed as the Wally with the Brolly.

Steve McClaren is proving to be very much the rainmaker, and has already snapped up three new signings, the most noteworthy of whom is Aleksandar Mitrovic.

Described as the Serbian Mario Balotelli, Mitrovic wears the same number as Liverpool’s petulant Italian, and his favourite goal celebration involves a delightful gesture of how he snips off his critics’ tongues.

The striker will bring the fireworks to St James’ Park, which will be fine as long as he doesn’t set them off in his bathroom.

While we refrain from discussing the inevitable cliché that is Balotelli, his want-away teammate Raheem Sterling finally scored a big money move to Manchester City.

After several visits to the doctor and a stroppy boycott of Liverpool’s pre-season tour of Southeast Asia, Sterling’s medical certificate eventually proved a good investment when the Citizens swooped for his signature.

Ironically, the warm climes of Malaysia could have been the perfect antidote for poor Sterling’s maladies.

Or money. Maybe money. Probably money.

Speaking of money, Sterling’s former manager Brendan Rodgers now has bucket loads after the teenager’s departure. The Welshman wasted no time with the capture of highly-rated Roberto Firmino, striker Christian Benteke and full-back Nathaniel Clyne.

Following the success of former Southampton teammates Rickie Lambert and Dejan Lovren, Clyne probably needed little convincing.

Rodgers has also tried to keep pace with title rivals.

While Arsenal had to settle with signing Chelsea’s Petr Cech, the Liverpool manager signed Bolton Wanderers goalkeeper Adam Bogdan, who helped his team to the dizzying heights of 18th in the Championship last year.

But Rodgers’ biggest coup has been finding a player to fill the famous number seven shirt left vacant since the departure of Luis Suarez. Worn previously by the likes of Kevin Keegan and Kenny Dalglish, it was only fitting that a player with the calibre of James Milner be handed the responsibility.

But if all else fails and Milner doesn’t bring the flair back to Anfield, it will hardly matter — as long as he shows great character.