20demayo Chapter 410
Chapter 410
Of course, in addition to Chelsea and Leeds United, which announced the progress of signings in real time, other Premier League teams were not idle.
With the help of Li Shiguang, Liverpool, which solved the problems of the striker and saved millions, strengthened its defense.
Although Benítez and Moores had some friction this season, their starting point was for the team after all.
So at Benítez's request, Moores agreed to his request and sent away Mohammed Sissoko, who wanted to go to Juventus to join his mentor Ranieri because he could not play as a starter, and then collected 6.5 million pounds to introduce Slovak defender Martin Skrtel from Zenit St. Petersburg.
Manchester United's actions were not big. Ferguson, who had sufficient personnel, only introduced Angolan striker Manucho at the end of December, and then loaned out several young players in the team to level up, and completed the transfer operation in the winter window early.
As for Arsenal, which had not made any moves in the winter window, it also lived up to expectations.
Wenger just spent a little money to satisfy his blind box hobby, introduced a 15-year-old teenager Freeman, and then sent midfielder Diarra to Portsmouth, and then stopped.
In contrast, the media's focus is not on Arsenal's own signings.
They pay more attention to the rumors that Barcelona wants to take away Arsenal's midfield core, Fabregas, which have been circulating since I don't know when.
Several giants have their own actions.
Nearly ten teams ranked in the middle of the Premier League standings also have their reinforcement goals.
The most eye-catching among them are Tottenham Hotspur and Portsmouth, who have been spending money crazily as soon as the winter window opened.
Tottenham set their sights on their weak defense in the winter transfer. After losing 38 goals in 21 league games, Ramos was determined to make changes to the defense. He signed center back Woodgate and right back Hutton with huge sums of money. However, the Brazilian international and left back Gilberto, who was originally wanted to be introduced from Hertha Berlin, was unfortunately not introduced successfully at the end of the transfer because the player had problems in the routine physical examination.
As for Portsmouth, Redknapp first received the depressed Diarra from Arsenal, and then added Czech Baros to the front line. After the African Cup is over, the team's African Legion returns, plus the added fresh blood, I believe that Portsmouth's strength will also increase greatly in the second half of the season!
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On January 12, after a week of rest, the Premier League war was rekindled.
Li Shiguang took Leeds United to Derby County to face Derby County away.
The duel between the league leader and the second-in-command seemed to be a foregone conclusion.
But it must be said that Derby County was very tenacious in the 90-minute game.
Although Leeds United took the initiative after the opening, the bus Derby County put up prevented them from scoring.
It was not until the 57th minute of the second half that Derby County defender Davis fouled in defense and was sent off with two yellow cards and one red card, which allowed Leeds United to start looking for some opportunities.
In the 81st minute, Kaka made a single breakthrough in the middle, crossed the middle after breaking into the penalty area, and Adriano followed up with a shot, finally helping Leeds United take the lead.
Leeds United also took away three points away from home with Adriano's goal.
However, although the game was ugly.
But the final outcome was good.
Shortly after the Leeds United match, good news came from another venue. Arsenal, playing at home, encountered a tougher Birmingham and was eventually tied 1:1 by Birmingham, earning only one point.
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After defeating Derby County, which was an unexpected tough bone, Leeds United defeated Everton and Middlesbrough in the next half month, and continued to lead the standings with 58 points.
Manchester United, who ranked second, did not fall behind, and successively defeated Reading and Portsmouth, keeping pressure on Leeds United with 57 points.
Arsenal also adjusted quickly. After being tied by Birmingham, they defeated Fulham and Newcastle United 3:0 in the next two games, ranking third in the standings with 54 points.
With the end of these two rounds of the league, it also announced that Leeds United will usher in its second strong opponent since 2008, Chelsea.
In the last round of the FA Cup, Chelsea beat Queens Park Rangers by one goal and successfully met Leeds United in the next round.
Li Shiguang still attaches great importance to this game.
In the past two months, Chelsea has been in good shape. Including the game against Queens Park Rangers, they have won six consecutive victories in the league and cup.However, due to the big hole left by Mourinho in the first half of the season, although they regained the fourth place in the league, they still had a gap of eight points from Leeds United, which ranked first.
Grant knew very well that judging from the status of the three teams ahead of Chelsea, it was undoubtedly a luxury for Chelsea to win the league championship this season. Fortunately, Abramovich, who had already won two Premier League championship trophies, was no longer interested in the league championship. Now in the mind of the Russian oligarch, the big-eared cup was what he wanted most.
Grant, who had been the head coach of Chelsea for some time, knew his boss's thoughts better than anyone else.
The league championship seemed to be hopeless, and as for the Champions League, Grant was even more uncertain, so naturally, Grant put his focus on the FA Cup and the League Cup, thinking that even if he returned empty-handed in the league and the Champions League, he would not end up with nothing and a season without any trophies.
In the League Cup, after defeating Leeds United, Chelsea has been unimpeded all the way and has now reached the final, facing Tottenham Hotspur, which is also in London.
As for facing Leeds United again in the FA Cup, Grant is also full of confidence.
In his opinion, Leeds United is fighting on three fronts after all. Compared with the league and the Champions League, the importance of the FA Cup must be ranked last! Maybe Li Shiguang will give up the FA Cup just like he gave up the League Cup!