Top 10 Long Shot Bets For 2011: World's First £100 Million Player, Lionel Messi To Move To England Plus Many More
Some post Christmas crackers to savour for the New Year...
Dec 30, 2010 5:00:00 PM
By Patrick Reilly
10) Arsene Wenger to leave Arsenal in 2011 @ 6.50Gunners fans may be quietly suggesting Wenger's goose is cooked after five long years without a trophy. Arsenal should win the Carling Cup in their sleep and are still in with a shot of the Premier League. Even if no silverware comes to north London don't bank on the board relieving Wenger of his duties. The Frenchman balances the books, bloods the youngsters and guarantees Champions League football.
9) Sepp Blatter to leave his position as President of FIFA @ 7.0 President Blatter has sewn up his legacy by awarding the World Cup in 2018 to Russia and 2022 to that well-known footballing nation - Qatar. Now on the campaign trail seeking a fourth four year term of office he was elected unopposed in 2007. There is a better chance of goal line technology being introduced than Mr Blatter vacating his position in Zurich even if the odds don't reflect that.
8) Goal line technology to be introduced in Premier League @ 11.0 Speaking of balls up the likelihood of goal line technology being introduced is up for grabs with Hills at 11.0. World Cup final referee Howard Webb is in favour and no doubt Frank Lampard is too.
7) English FA to withdraw from FIFA @ 51.0 Still hurt about not getting World Cup 2018 there have been rumours about the Three Lions pulling out of FIFA altogether. That would destroy any chance England have of winning a major tournament. Mind you they've been doing a good job of that within FIFA since 1966.
6) Steven Gerrard to leave Liverpool @ 4.33Often regarded as the best player never to win a league title Gerrard is now approaching 31. His best days are behind him and if he's going to move 2011 is the time to do it. Liverpool enduring another wretched season makes it quite possible he'll be saying goodbye to Anfield at 4.33.
5) A player to transfer between Arsenal and Tottenham @ 4.50Sol Campbell famously crossed the bitter north London divide and has lived to tell the tale. Harry Redknapp swooped for William Gallas last summer, and don't rule out some more summer shopping at the Emirates for the Spurs boss. Arsenal fans would love to see Gareth Bale switch over.
4) Roman Abramovich to no longer own Chelsea @ 13.0Red Roman is no longer splashing the cash as in the halcyon day of 2003-06 when Chelsea spent big and won plenty. Giving Ray Wilkins the boot as assistant manager doesn't augur well for 2011 and if the Blues fail to deliver Roman's holy grail of the Champions League he may throw in the towel.
3) David Beckham to play for England @ 8.0Love him or hate him there is no doubting David Beckham's desire to play for his country. Fabio Capello appeared to rule out that ever happening again after Becks missed the World Cup through injury but has since backtracked after indicating Beckham was too old. Has the master of comebacks got one last cap up his sleeve?
2) Lionel Messi to play in the Premier League @ 21.0Perhaps the only club who could afford Barcelona's superstar is Manchester City. If Messi does ever leave La Liga it's likely his destination would be the riches of the English Premier League and Eastlands in particular. Pundit Andy Gray reckons Messi wouldn't cut it in England. Yeah right. Might be worth a sly tenner.
1) A transfer of £100m for one player to take place @ 11.0Recession. What recession? Football may have tightened its belt a tad but with the likes of Manchester City around with more money than sense the £100 million mark could well be smashed in 2011. If Real Madrid have another poor season they could go mad in the summer transfer market again. Messi to Madrid anyone?
Sign up with William Hill for a free £25 bet
Inside Goal.Com
-
Germany must drop their gutless Bayern stars
The Bavarians appeared to buckle under the pressure of Saturday's match against Chelsea. Now Goal.com investigates whether several in their ranks remain worthy to start for country
-
Del Piero's farewell Serie A's Moment of the Season
The legendary No.10 waved goodbye to Juventus after 19 years, scoring a goal and making a mid-game lap of honour against Atalanta in May
-
The cost of Villarreal's dramatic fall from grace
The Yellow Submarine have fallen through La Liga's trap door, and their financial prudence will be pushed to the limit as they aim to restructure for life in the Segunda
-
Why Liverpool must consider bringing Benitez home
The Spaniard endured a disastrous spell at Inter following his dismissal by the Reds but could be the man to turn things around at Anfield following Kenny Dalglish's sacking
-
All the players available for free in Spain
With the exception of Real Madrid and Barcelona, all of the clubs in the Primera Division will be releasing first-team footballers imminently. Goal.com takes a closer look
