Eriksson to Benfica? Or is it Smoke-and-Mirrors?

The Sven Goran Eriksson smoke-and-mirrors show took an interesting twist yesterday when Portuguese television cameras spotted the Manchester City boss existing a Manchester hotel with Benfica president LuÍs Filipe Viera, soon-to-be club official Rui Costa and Pablo Gonçalves, the club's attorney, supposedly the early stages of a deal that would return Eriksson to the Benfica bench.

Benfica is about to wrap up a miserable season this weekend that has them in fourth place after spending considerable time in second which would have wrapped up a Champions League spot. The team was also eliminated in the Portuguese Cup semifinals by archrivals Sporting after blowing a 3-1 second-half lead and losing 5-3.

Former player Chalana took over for Jose Antonio Camacho, who bolted earlier this season from the manager's chair. Chalana has done little to keep the job and Portugal's top club is apparently pursuing the former England manager.

Eriksson is all but done at Manchester City. It's despot owner Thaksin Shinawatra has already offered the job to Portugal manager Luis Filipe Scolari, but wants Scolari to commit prior to Euro. Scolari says he won't make up his mind until after the tournament. Portugal, a 2006 World Cup semifinalist, is among the Euro favorites.

The real question here is: Why Benfica?

OK, Eriksson coached there in the 1980s and 90s and won championships and took the team to the UEFA Cup finals. But at 4 million euros a year, he's hardly a bargain, and way out of Benfica's price range. But is something creative going on in the background? Eriksson is essentially playing with house money right now. He was bought out of his England contract (three years) and will have to be bought out of his City deal (two years). Could Benfica work that to its advantage? Could it offer Eriksson a piece of the club in exchange for lesser salary, for example? Interesting, and possible.

Or is the more likely answer that Eriksson is using Benfica as a bargaining chip for a bigger deal? Don't foget, Jose Mourinho casts a big shadow among available coaches. But with Barcelona, AC Milan and possibly the Liverpool job opening up, there are plenty of scenarios for a coach with Eriksson's resume.

At first blush, this was a courtesy meeting with Benfica. With the regular season winding down, Eriksson is being proactive about his next move, whether he'll end up in Lisbon is another question altogether.

Euro 2008 Preview: Group A -- Cristiano Coronation

EURO 2008

Group A

Czech Republic
Portugal
Switzerland
Turkey

Cristiano Ronaldo has spent nine months establishing himself as the best player in the world. Euro 2008 could be his coronation.

Can the Portugal star, full of flair, bravado and immense talent, be contained? Unlikely in this group. The 2004 finalists are ripe to win this group and have to be considered a favorite to win the tournament. And Ronaldo is the key. The Manchester United star could be coming into the continental championships fresh off a Champions League title should United overtake Chelsea in Moscow on the 21st. It's a rough calendar for Ronaldo, but it could work in his favor; there will be no downtick in intensity, and if they kid has any sense of history and his place in the game's lore, he could be salivating to win Portugal's first major title once the tournament starts June 7.

This is truly Portugal’s golden generation, more so than the Figo, Joao Pinto era--or was it error? Ronaldo (40 goals, Premier League title, Champions League finalist), Quaresma, Nani, Joao Moutinho and Miguel Veloso are the new princes of Portugal (yes they’re all Sporting Lisbon products). They’re also the perfect combination of youth and skill to complement the veteran guile of Maniche, Deco, Simao, Ricardo Carvalho, Paolo Ferreira, Postiga and Nuno Gomes.

It’s hard not to like this team to win the whole thing. What’s working against Portugal? Well, there’s the potential distraction of Luis Filipe Scolari possibly moving to Manchester City, and whether Jose Mourinho is ready to step in (unlikely). There’s also the depth of this competition, arguably much more difficult than the World Cup.

The group can be had, but can Portugal avenge its 2004 disappointment?

The Czechs are the natural choice for second in this group, but injuries are clouding their chances. Arsenal’s Tomas Rosicky has been on the shelf for some time, and that certainly puts a dent in the team’s chances. If Rosicky is out, the Czechs could turn to veteran Pavel Nedved to run their midfield. The key match in this group may be the Czech-Turkey encounter.

The Turks are old--Hakan Sukur is still on this roster! That’s a bit unfair of me, but it’s worth noting. Turkey boasts Galatasaray star Mehmet Topal, and has the depth and experience to challenge the Czechs for third.

The Swiss, meanwhile, are here because they’re gracious hosts. Can Switzerland muster a point in this group? Doubtful, unless it pulls off a major surprise; any result is an upset.

PREDICTION

1. Portugal 7 points
   
2. Czech Republic 5
3. Turkey 2
4. Switzerland 1

Real Madrid Closes on La Liga championship, David Villa

Real Madrid isn't just chasing the LaLiga title today, it's in hot pursuit of Valencia stud David Villa. Real Madrid Talk reports that Ramon Calderon is offering 35 million pounds for the Spain striker.

Villa is coveted on many fronts, including Champions League finalists Manchester United and Chelsea. TotalClubFootball reports that Real began its pursuit by offering cash and a combination of players including Julio Baptista, Esteban Granero and Ruben de la Red for Villa, who has already turned down an offer from Tottenham.

Villa is 26, and has made 30 appearances for Spain, scoring 13 times. He scored three times in the 2006 World Cup and displaced Raul. In 96 LaLiga matches, he's potted 52 goals.

It's tough to get a read on whether Villa is intent on staying in Spain, or taking a similar route as fellow Spain striker Fernando Torres and heading for the Premier League. Torres was immense for Liverpool and clearly the best acquisition of the offseason. Liverpool led the Premier League for the first quarter of the season before dipping to its customary fourth place. Also customary was Liverpool's deep run into the Champions League, losing in last week's epic semifinal to Chelsea.

Torres scored 23 Premier League goals, third best in the league, 32 in all competitions. Liverpool broke the bank to get him, ponying up 26.5 million pounds. Villa apparently will command more, and the expectations on him will be at least similar to those heaped upon Torres.

Real Madrid, meanwhile, hosts Barcelona today (4 p.m. ET live on GOL TV) and can wrap up its second straight domestic championship. The Classico doesn't have the shine it should given Barca's poor form of late; will the Catalans find some pride and play for a result today? It's been a rough go of late. Frank Rijkaard is all but out at Barcelona. Reuters is reporting that Pep Guardiola is in the wings to take over for Rijkaard, who won two championships and a Champions League trophy during his tenure at Barca.

Real has been in cruise control for a while in LaLiga. It leads by 10 points over Villareal, while Barca is 14 points back in third. Read has won five of its last six, tying once. Its last defeat came March 23, ironically enough, to Villa's Valencia team, 3-2. Raul is the team's leading scorer with 17 goals; Ruud VanNistelrooy has 12 and Robinho 10.

Barca, meanwhile, beat up on Valencia last weekend 6-0, but that was its first win in five games, and its first in LaLiga since March 23.

All the pegs are in place for a glorious week for Real Madrid; a second straight championship and David Villa--not bad for a week's work.

Pain in the Arsene: First Flamini, Now Hleb

The hits keep on coming for Arsenal; first Mathieu Flamini latches on with AC Milan and now it appears Alexander Hleb is headed for Inter Milan. The Times of London reports he has leaked word to teammates that he's gone, agreeing to a four-year deal, same term as Flamini's in the same city. Nice they can keep each other company. The rub is that Hleb has two years left on his Arsenal deal and manager Arsene Wenger is ready to grieve to FIFA.

Arsenal's firm stance on contract extensions is prohibitive. The club offers only one-year extensions to footballers closing in on the big 3-0. Flamini said thanks, but no thanks to the shackles the London club places on its players and stands to make 50,000 pounds a week at his new club--and he's only 24. Hleb is 27, and sees the writing on the wall.

The cynic says well, "what have they won with these guys anyway, let them go." The optimist counters "what have they won with these guys anyway, here's a chance to get new blood." Problem is, what strain of new blood would want to play at Arsenal under those constraints? And if Arsenal abolishes those constraints now to accommodate new players, why not keep Flamini--and Hleb for that matter--one of its brightest stars. And what of Cesc? He'll be a ripe ol' 24 before you know it. Will Arsenal squeeze Fabregas too?

This has been a most discouraging season for Arsenal. The club was in front, it looked, to stay in the Premiership. And its style, flair and dominant results in the Champions League looked like it was destined for a precious double. All of that quickly vanished as Arsenal's form diminished. The team couldn't close out quality opponents, Wenger started playing with his starting eleven, sacrificed the FA Cup and league cup, and in the end will end up with zero silverware.

With Flamini and Hleb gone, Arsenal has suddenly become the team to watch this summer once the transfers begin. Wenger has huge holes to fill, and a less-than-inviting pay structure to offer topnotch players. Will Arsenal shift its business model to accommodate the on-field product? Or is the debt incurred with the redevelopment of Highbury and the construction of the Emirates Stadium too demanding?

To quote the unforgettable Hyman Roth:

"This is the business we have chosen."

Manchester United, Chelsea: To the Wire

Chelsea gets goals from Michael Ballack and Malouda to turn back Newcastle 2-0 and take the Premiership to the final weekend. Man. U. needs to win at Wigan, while Chelsea's only hope is to beat Bolton and pray for help from Wigan. Man. U. has an insurmountable goal differential in its favor and needs only to match Chelsea's result to win its second straight title.

Television remote controls will be on overtime Saturday with both matches starting at the same time. Let the hype begin with entries from:

ManU the Offside
John Terry.net
Teletext's Man. U. page
Caught Offside

BTW, take my poll. Countdown: 16 days to Moscow--and counting...

Starting Eleven Football Blog Roundup

A juicy collection of stuff from the football blogosphere today, including comings and goings at Arsenal, MLS news and previews of Chelsea's must-win game against Newcastle today.

Top of the 18 reports that Flamini's rumored departure from Arsenal has legs, and those legs have landed in Milan. The Telegraph, meanwhile, expects Flamini to sign a four-year deal today. After four years with the Gunners, it appears Cesc Fabregas will be a bit lonely in the Arsenal midfield next year. Arsenal, meanwhile, has lost only twice with Flamini in the lineup, three times without him. More from Arsespeak Gunners Live and Football Unleashed on Flamini's departure.

MySoccerBlog has two interesting notes. Clint Dempsey is staying put at Fulham, relegation or not; and Eric Wynalda is heading back to competitive football? Hmmm.

More from MLS: It isn't quite a rumor, but MLS Rumors has an interesting entry on the seeds of hooliganism being planted in Toronto. Shame if it's true; Toronto seems to be one of the few communities truly behind its MLS franchise.

No doubt, still-in-mourning Oh You Beauty recaps Liverpool's 1-0 win over Manchester City. There's always next year...

Benfica, meanwhile, is resigned to fourth place in Portugal after a 0-0 draw with Amadora. Sporting, meanwhile, climbs to second with its road win at Pacos and Guimaraes' draw. Read more at Talking to the Doll. BTW, lots of Freddy Adu questions after this one; and who will coach at Benfica next year?

One of the best reads of the day comes from The Soccer Weblog. They're tossing some cold water on the conspiracy theorists' claims that West Ham tossed in the towel against United, heaping a bit of pressure on Chelsea today at Newcastle. Chelsea needs to win to keep pace with United with a week to go in the Premier League's title race. Read more on the Alan Curbishly-Avram Grant drama.

Here's more on today's Chelsea-Newcastle showdown from The Chelsea Blog.

Avram Grant: Chelsea's Ultimate Winner?

Having just returned from Texas, I've been amiss in not tossing in two cents on the marvelous Chelsea-Liverpool second leg Champions League semifinal.

It's not the final I expected or wanted, but I have to say the lasting image for me aside from Frank Lampard's emotional tugging at his black armband is Avram Grant dropping to his knees upon the final whistle.

Grant has taken so many punches from the fans and media that he' s been begging for a kick. Ironically, it may be Grant who gets in the last boot should he manage to get Chelsea to lift the Champions League cup and the premiership championship. The latter will be most difficult given Manchester United's edge in goal differential. But how ironic would a Chelsea double be (treble if you count the Carling Cup)?

Whomever followed Jose Mourinho at Chelsea was doomed to fail, no doubt. Few could live up to that charisma and back-to-back Premiership titles are impressive enough. Perhaps that's why Roman Abramovich ultimately went with the familiar Grant, a low-profile man whose top-line resume achievement was guiding the Israel national team. He's been slammed for his player selection and in-game management, but it's difficult to argue with the results. Grant has gone where not even Mourinho could with Chelsea and he's 90 minutes away from securing Abramovich's ultimate goal.

Is it enough to keep his job? Doesn't truly matter at this point, John Terry's support not withstanding. This just might be Chelsea's last great stand, especially with the impending departure of Didier Drogba. And what of Terry, Wayne Bridge and a host of others? Might it be enough inspiration to unify this team for one last run at a major trophy? Grant might be the lasting figure.

Stay tuned, May 21 is around the corner.