Mark Hughes Back to Mid-Table Management

London Bound, Hughes due to take over at Fulham

As many of you may know Mark Hughes confirmed this week that he is returning to mid-table management, with Europa Cup runners-up Fulham. 

Hughes who has previously enjoyed stints as Wales, Blackburn and most recently Man City, is alledgedly all ready planning how best to spend the £15 million transfer kitty he has reportedly been promised by Fulham owner; Muhammed Al Fayed. 

While, during his time at Man City, opinion over Hughes was largely split, with many believing his side should have been performing better in the league with their newly bought squad. Here, at the Awkward Challenge we were always rather fond of Mark, reminding us of a helpless puppy dog floundering in the water just a little too far out of his depth, it's good to know he's finally found his way back to the shallow end. Just one thing Mark.... Don't expect Robinho to join you.



In other news, here's a video of Manchester United youngster Thomas Cleverly scoring a rather a special goal in a pre-season last night. Check it out here: 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHo4aHUQois&feature=player_embedded


And, to wrap it all up, another piece of city news. It has been revealed Robinho will return to play at Manchester City next season after all (probably against his will). He is expected to return once his loan contract at Santos runs out in a few days and will continue to pick up his £160,000 a week wages having done so.. it's a tough life for a footballer isn't it.. 

Whole World Goes Mad Over 'fish' Celebration.....

Icelandic football team Stjarnan FC have found fame outside their homeland due to an elaborate goal celebration they performed in a live match. The celebration captured on film, hit YouTube this week and has been a huge success. See what all the fuss is about here.

New 25 Man squad limit... the good, the bad and the ugly

On their way out?? Squad ruling could see a major shake up

Perhaps, the biggest change to this upcoming season compared with the last is the introduction of the FA's 25 Man Squad Rule, now for those of you who have been living under a rock for the last week I've provided a link. And for those who don't know what a link is either, I'm going to talk you through the new rules anyway.

The basic gist of the ruling is that from now on every Premier League team may only register 25 players to play in league games. Of those 25 players only 17 may be foreign, the remaining 8 must be home grown. In order to qualify as home grown, you must either be born in England or have been contracted at an English club for at least 3 years before the age of 21. 

However, players currently under 21 (from the club's academies) may play for the club without being included in the 25 man squad. 

So what does this mean for English clubs? Well, for starters many of the bigger clubs in the league currently have squads much larger than 25 players. This new ruling will mean they will have to cut these squads down to size or run the risk of paying players who are ineligible to play. A good example of such a side is Manchester City, who may under the ruling be forced not to include top class players such as Steven Ireland, De Jong and Bellamy simply because there isn't room to accommodate them in their 25 man squad. 

However, the homegrown rule means English players are protected and not at risk of being offloaded in order to accommodate their international team mates. While some worry the ruling will only encourage big clubs to buy foreign talent at a younger age, it is widely considered as a well thought out compromise that should work well for all parties. In particular, many believe it will save the English national side, as it is hoped that the new ruling will force clubs to further invest in their academy set ups.

More Transfer Babble...

England bound?

19 year old Inter Milan striker Mario Balotelli has alledgedly signed for Machester City for £25 million. Although his agent has now denied the rumours.

Chelsea are keen to sign Brazillian midfielder Ramires with a reported £20 million offer on the table.

Manchester City are prepared to break the British transfer fee record with an audacious £70 million for Fernando Torres.

Djemba-Djemba could make a surprise return to the Premier League with West Brom interested in the fomer Manchester United player.

Ashley Cole's speculated move to Real Madrid, is looking increasingly likely. With the England and Chelsea left-back alledgedly Madrid coach Mourinho's number one summer target.

Tottenham will offload striker Robbie Keane to Aston Villa, in order to  fund a move for Manchester City player Craig Bellamy.

Finally, Manchester City will initiate a huge summer clear out in the next few days in order to trim there sqaud to match the FA's new 25 man squad regulations. Players expected to leave include; Bellamy, De Jong, Ireland and Santa Cruz.

Torres Had Enough?

On the way out?

Perhaps, the biggest transfer rumour of this summer has been the speculated departure of Fernando Torres from Liverpool to another European Club.
However, after Torres sustained a thigh injury in the World Cup Final many suggested any possible suitors would be deterred. Unwilling to buy a player who would be injured for the beginning of the season.
Yet it seems much to Liverpool fans dismay, new scouse manager Roy Hodgson has revealled it looks likely Torres will leave anyway. "Unfortunately, I cannot do much more," Hodgson said. "His beef is with the club and not me. "

"Fernando's situation has nothing to do with me, he made that perfectly clear over the phone during the World Cup and when I met him face-to-face. He knows what I would like to do with the club. He knows how much I value him. But his issues are with what has gone on in the past rather than the future. "

However, it seems as though while Torres is sure to leave Liverpool, he is content to continue plying his trade in the Premier League. Roman Abramovich , that's your que. For while the supposed £50million required to land him is a  major stumbling block for most clubs, for Chelsea FC it seems a mere informality the only question is whether Ancelotti thinks he really worth it. Personally, while the Awkward Challenge has never been a huge fan of Chelsea under Abramovich, seeing the club as largely responsible for sparking the inflated market currently causing so many clubs to struggle, I hope Torres does move to Chelsea. Why? Not because he might just ensure Chelsea have one of the best squads ever to grace English soil, not because it might finally bring the Champions League back to London, but simply because if he goes to Man City (the only club truly capable of paying £50m) I might just cry.