couple of thoughts

If you want a bandwagon to jump on, I'll say it again: has to be Manchester City. The speculation continues about Mourinho and if Inter fail to win the Champions League he will likely go to City. Also, I read an article today indicating that City are going to develop property around Eastlands, in some of the poorer areas of Manchester. Not only will this generate more profit...eventually, but it will help make City a more desirable place for players to go and turn it into more of a sports complex and entertainment center. Development will also provide Manchester City with some cachet to try to keep up with their cross-town rivals.

Wayne Rooney is killing it right now. He has 36 goals in all competitions this year. He is turning into one of those "beast mode" players that seems to be able to do whatever he wants whenever he wants. (a short list of other recent beast mode players include Kaka (2007), C. Ronaldo (2006 - present), Ronaldinho (2004-2007), Messi (2006 - present), Drogba (whenever he actually feels like competing), Henry (Arsenal days). I am by no means a Manchester United fan, but this guy is ridiculous to watch. It will be interesting to see if his club form will carry over in the World Cup. If it does, and this feels weird even typing this, Wayne Rooney is hands down world player of the year (whether it is the Fifa award or the Ballon D'or) and yes I know the Ballon D'or is for a European based player, but it is regarded as one of if not the most prestigious individual awards to win. List of recent Ballon D'or winners: Messi, C. Ronaldo, Kaka, Cannavaro, Ronaldinho, Shevchenko, Nedved, Ronaldo, Michael Owen, Figo, Rivaldo. So, after looking at that list, Rooney could be in rare air and become only the third English player to win the award since 1978 (Kevin Keegan, Michael Owen).

I have to touch on Real Madrid. I am not surprised at all that they crashed out of the Champions League. Real's line-up at the first leg in Lyon was laughable and Pellegrini has been rightly criticized for it. They need stability at the manager spot, and they need roster stability. I don't think they should freak out and try to overhaul their roster or try to bring in another individualistic creative playmaker - they already have too many of those. Manager-wise, I don't think Pellegrini is the "man" for the job. I think Juande Ramos was a better choice to manage this roster (he was Real's care-taker manager last year after they fired Bernd Schuster mid season, Ramos had managed Sevilla before crashing and burning at Tottenham). Ideally, Jose Mourinho is the right guy for this job. His focus is defensive and that is and will continue to be this team's problem.