The off-field actions in July

The weather in July Britain this year is not quite what the British was looking for, yet the transfer window at this time of the year is never disappointing but always eventful and entertaining.

Long breaks from training allow managers to address shortfalls of their teams and explore solutions in the market. Trailing clubs fight to climb up the ladder, while the leading teams strive to retain their crowns.

Lucrative deals are always eye-catching, but it is Robin Van Persie who has stolen all the headlines this summer with his refusal to commit to Arsenal. No matter how much he appreciates Arsene Wenger’s patience towards his development, the Dutch star knows it might be his last chance in his career to win something. Cashing in their star striker is the only way Arsenal can avoid a lose-lose situation.

Although Van Persie did not force a move away from the Emirates Stadium like Luka Modric does next door, his decision to leave at this moment, in which the Gunners are beginning to harvest from restructuring, could reasonably be construed as abandoning the club that has helped him become what he is today. Ledley King, recently retired, however, expressed his profound admiration to the club and felt honoured to be a “one-club man”. Despite enjoying less glory than other one-club men such as Paul Scholes and Steven Gerrard, interests from bigger teams could not lure him away from Spurs. The trend in which trophies and/or money override loyalty and commitment is growing swiftly.

Now they team up in Paris

Thiago Silva actually did want be a loyal servant, although the cruel reality ends his dream to become another Paolo Maldini in Milan. Zlatan Ibrahimovic, on the other hand, is never afraid of plying trades in different clubs, as long as the contract fulfils his market value which is set by himself. A luxurious contract seems sufficient to compensate his sentiments and emotions with his clubs, while Paris St German is more than happy to pay the cheque for this trophy-magnet.

AC Milan has shown their awareness in sustainable development of a football club. While they have declared their interest in Leandro Damiao, his Brazilian fellow Oscar has already agreed to stay in London after the Olympics, joining Eden Hazard and Marco Marin at Stamford Bridge. Manchester United also kept pace with their rival by bringing in Japanese star Kagawa and is actively enquiring about another Brazilian wonderkid Lucas Moura. Together with Neymar and Ganso, the young South Americans are starting another wave of invasion into European football.

The values of the youths are rising, but the veterans do not back down in extending their careers. Didier Drogba and Seydou Keita secure their last big bucket of gold in China after tasting all the success in Europe. Dirk Kuyt, Niko Kranjcar and Vedran Corluka all have escaped to Eastern Europe for regular playing time – when the former two have failed to cement a place in their countries starting lineup in Euro 2012 – while Dimitar Berbatov is hoping some team could play him as their first-choice striker.

Oscar has overtaken Ganso (left) and Neymar (center) in embracing the European challenge

Elsewhere, Ji Sung Park rejected the Red Devil’s deal and joined QPR after deciding that playing time is more important than glory and wages at his stage of career; Danny Murphy ends his 14-year spell at the top tier league and joins Nuno Gomes at Blackburn Rovers in the Championship. Jonathan Woodgate snubbed Stoke’s offer and returns to his hometown team Middlesborough to give a hand in their battle for promotion and former Red Devils Tomas Kusczak and Alan Smith, both in their 30s, will strive to rescue their football career in Brighton and Yeovil Town respectively.

There are still refreshing news that tell us modern football is not solely about making big money. Let’s offer a big salute to those who, amidst the temptation of cash, can still keep their focus on football and continue to play with their passion.

The transfer window is never short of excitement. With a handful of big names remain unsettled and batches of youth talents coming in the spotlight, let’s expect more surprises and drama with a month to go.

Yids, give Andre Villas-Boas a chance!

Was Andre Villas-Boas' (a.k.a. AVB) first season in England a complete failure? Chelsea was fifth in the league, and trailing 1-3 to Napoli in Champions League when he left. Roberto Di Matteo earned Roman Abramovich his dream trophy but Chelsea still finished fifth in Premier League, only to qualify for next season Champions League through the defending champion rule.

The root of AVB's failure in Chelsea was that he could not read the Russian millionaire's mind. The three year "project" is to slowly phase out the older generation, like Nicholas Anelka, Didier Drogba, Frank Lampard, but delivering titles are as always the top priorities. AVB could have been thinking about rebuilding a new Chelsea era within three years.

The young, energetic and motivated AVB

Not all the Tottenham fans are behind the appointment of AVB, given his disastrous season with their fellow London rivalry. However, there are couple of reasons which would give them a more positive reaction towards their new Portuguese manager.

First of all, Tottenham has already proved they have the assets to become one of the Big4 in the Premier League. The loss of Modric will be a big blow, but Tottenham has always been regarded as having one of the strongest benches in Premier League. The addition of Sigurdsson, Vertonghen, Adebayor and maybe followed by Lloris and Moutinho, demonstrates that they are addressing correctly their weaknesses in the squad.

Although Harry Redknapp has brought competitiveness and success to Tottenham, there is something missing in his philosophy to transform Tottenham into a title challenger --- tactics. His inability to maintain the squad fitness and make game-changing substitutions was widely criticised. Although AVB's talents in tactics are yet to be revealed in England, expectation would be high given his assistant coach career under Jose Mourinho, a masterclass football tactician.

More importantly, the target for Tottenham in 2012-13 is as clear as ever, Champions League football. The flirt about title challenge last season might have overwhelmed and disillusioned the players, which could be evident in the 2-5 loss in Emirates Stadium. Now they are focused and strongly determined to regain what they have gifted away last season.

Kyle Walker is one of those who publicly speaks of his support to his new manager

Andre Villa Boas' ability has already been proved in Porto. He is nothing short of motivation after his frustrating and forgettable year in Stamford Bridge, but this was also a year that matures the 35 year-old manager, who had come under intensive spotlight for the first time in his career.

Chelsea has a core group of very strong characters. In contrast, Ledley King, Michael Dawson, Gareth Bale and Scott Parker are those who would rather do the talking on the pitch than in the dressing room. A less chaotic dressing room could help AVB regain his focus in football. Together with the support from a chairman like Daniel Levy, do not write off Tottenham's chance to be the leading club in London again after a 17 years spell.

Prandelli A Move Away From Azzurri Glory

It is always tricky to face the same opponent for the second time in a major tournament. It gets even trickier when you have been rotating between two different formations in the tournament. Unfortunate for Prandelli, he may have gambled on the wrong side this time.

After starting Euro 2012 with a 3-5-2 formation, dropping De Rossi to centreback, to get two draws against Spain and Croatia, Prandelli switched back to the diamond 4-4-2 and never looked back. The success of the formation was highlighted by Pirlo’s orchestration of the midfield.

Instrumental until the Final

Heading to the final, Prandelli decided to bank on the confidence of the squad to demolish Spain’s hope of making history. He chose to go for glory rather than passively giving away grounds to his opponent.

This is an understandable decision, well justified when Montolivo linked up with Balotelli no less than twice in the first half, and Di Natale got the best chance of the night early in second half. When Italy pushed for goals, they showed they have the ability.

However tactical the Italian manager is, he may have missed out two important facts.

One is that Spain had not conceded a goal in the knockout rounds of major tournaments for a long time; the other is Spain has a different mentality than Germany, because they have been here before. Italy has got an upper hand in head-to-head statistics, but for certain it means little against the Spanish than the Germans.

Lightning did not strike for the third time. Italy struggled again to steady themselves in the first 20 minutes this time, although it might be the best first 20 minutes they had played compared to the previous two matches. Since, however, Spain never looked back.

When Thiago Motta came on for Montolivo, it was a move to revitalize the squad rather than a tactical move.

Rather than starting Montolivo, perhaps Prandelli should have gone with Motta or Nocerino in the first place. It was expected that Spain would be crowding the midfield again, uncomforting Pirlo with limited space to operate. Italy should turn to work rate and energy instead of creativity in midfield.

Besides, by starting a more defensive midfielder, Italy has the flexibility to switch between the diamond 4-4-2 and 3-5-2 they had once tasted success against Spain. When Abate and Chiellini roamed forward, De Rossi can drop back to form a three men backline, but Pirlo will still have protection from Marchisio and Motta (or Nocerino). This could also minimise the impact of being outnumbered in central midfield.

Italian players often outnumbered by the now-Champions

Italy had still played remarkably in the first half, but Spain was able to beat Italy with a higher tempo of attack. Unfortunate injuries showed that luck was not with the Azzurri, but would the momentum of the game be changed if Italy focused on what they are best at? The question mark will live forever with this statement.