Shrewd Manager

In the BBC today , Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger admits that left-back Ashley Cole could be sold:

"If you want me to guarantee he will be here next season I cannot do it...He has only two years left on his contract. We have not made any movement there and when you have a player in that situation you cannot say much."

Arsene Wenger has proven himself to be the master of developing youth and transfering aging players. What he did last season in selling an aging Patrick Veira, introducing Fabregas and Eboue and coaching Flamini into playing left back--and having it all manifested in a Champions League final--was nothing short of brilliant.

Manager of the year, easily.

I think that he'll sell Ashely. And he'll sell him for some pretty good cash. And Arsenal will be just fine.

I'd just rather that Cole goes to Real instead of Chelsea so that he doesn't make it harder for Arsenal to win the League.

And that might also force Chelsea into the foolish move of acquiring Roberto Carlos...

Chelsea wouldn't make that move would they? Acquiring Carlos would be far from shrewd...