The last Brit to win Ballon d'Or was Michael Owen... Where does that leave the Premier League?

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Since Blackpool's Stanley Matthews won the FIFA World Player of the Year in 1956, only five British
players have been given the prestigious prize. The last was Michael Owen in 2001.

British players have been praised in the past, with not less than 21 players in top three over the years, before the FIFA World Player of the Year and Ballon d'Or merged and kept the French name in 2010. Since then,  no British player or any foreign Premier League player have been able to make it into the crucial top.

Given the Premier League is valued as one of the best in the world it is incredible that the players are unable to make it when it comes to Ballon d'Or. It is not like there aren't any players with the potential: Jack Wilshere, Aaron Ramsey, Mesut Ozil, Luis Suarez, Frank Lampard, Robin van Persie etc. However, it seems that one of the criteria for competing for the award is to be able to score goals. A lot of goals.

The last three years Lionel Messi have won the award twice and Ronaldo once. The other positions have been shared between Xavi Hernandez or Andres Iniesta. The last three years, all the players, have been from the Spanish La Liga - Surprise! This year Franck Ribéry is mingling among Ronaldo and Messi to become the world's best footballer. However, chances are that it will be the small Argentinian or the Metrosexual Portuguese that will run with the title.

The difference between the English Premier League and the Spanish La Liga is easy to see. While English football is more tactical (it is beginning to be more attacking), Spanish football is almost all attack - More or less. While the Premier League is more competitive between a number of clubs, the Spanish is almost always a battle between Barcelona and Real Madrid. Funny enough, their two star players are fighting for the Ballon d'Or, as well. Now, with Ribéry in play does that mean that the German league is better than the English?

Well, Bayern Munich and Dortmund were the Champions League finalist last season and many football fans are starting to see the 1. Bundesliga as better than the English Premier League. So in some way, the German league is better than the English. That said, the money in the PL and the prestige is higher than the German, and I think all small boys dream of playing in England. However, it seems as if a player dreams of winning Ballon d'Or he should join every other league than the PL.





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The Thursday Transfer Rumours

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With nine days left of the transfer window, the clubs are making their last bids. Great Dane Football Blog gives you an update on the latest rumours!

Tottenham is preparing a shock loan for Arsenal's Marouane Chamakh (The Mirror) - Probability: Low

Wenger is reported to have agreed a deal with Real Madrid, for midfielder Nuri Sahin (The Mirror) - Probability: High

Real Madrid star Kaka has been offered to Manchester United on a season-long loan (Daily Mail) - Probability: Low

Sunderland has made an £10m offer for Manchester City's Adam Johnson (Daily Mail) - Probability: Medium

Michael Owen is negotiating contract with Everton (Daily Mail) - Probability: Medium

Martin O' Neil is keen on bringing Clint Dempsey to Sunderland (The Mirror) Probability: Low

Tottenham is considering to sign 'The New Viera', Israel midfielder Nir Biton (Daily Mail) - Probability: High

Fulham is chasing the former Arsenal striker Eduardo, offering £7m. The striker has said that he would be keen on returning to the Premier League (The Sun) - Probability: Medium

Both Newcastle and Fulham are reported to have offered £4.5m for Twente defender Douglas (Daily Mail) - Probability: Medium

Tottenham Hotspur is ready to make a move on the Brazilian striker Leandro (The Mirror) - Probability: High

Mark Hughes is reported to be interested in the former Celtic keeper, Arthur Boruc (The Mirror) - Probability: Low

Manchester United is considering a £10m move for Mexican star Hector Herrera (Daily Mail) - Probability: High

Newcastle right-back Danny Simpson is a target for Espanyol (The Sun) - Probability: Low

Dynamo Kiev, Fiorentina, AC Milan and Zenit St Petersburg are chasing Dimitar Berbatov (The Mirror) - Probability: High

Liverpool is hoping to sell Charlie Adam and Jay Spearing to fund a move for Clint Dempsey (The Mirror) - Probability: High

AC Milan and Inter are battling for Nigel De Jong of Manchester City (Goal.com) - Probability: Medium

Arsenal is keeping an eye Jesus Navas from Sevilla, in case Thep Walcott's contract situation is left unresolved (Daily Star) - Probability: Low
   

               
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Special: 10 Judas figures in Premier League

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Robin van Persie's transfer to Manchester City has caused anger from Arsenal fans all over the world. However, van Persie is not the first player to make a 'Judas' change in English football.

10. Michael Owen
     From Newcastle United to Manchester United, 2009

Even though, it had been five years since Owen wore the Liverpool shirt, his transfer from Newcastle to the rivals from Manchester made the fans from Merseyside furios.

In his first match at Anfield Road for Manchester United, he was met by a wall of noise from the home supporters.


 
9. Wayne Rooney
    From Everton to Manchester United, 2004

Rooney's move to Manchester United will never be forgiven by the Everton fans. Mostly because the, back then, young star had declared "Once a blue, always a blue".

Even though, the rivalry between the two clubs is small, Rooney has been met with the cold shoulder from his, earlier, beloved fans.

  8. Jermain Defoe
   From West Ham to Tottenham Hotspur, 2004

West Ham fans saw Jermain Defoe as a Judas after he handed in a transfer request. The Hammers had just been relegated from the Premier League, and Defoe's request was not received well.

The situation did not become better when Defoe signed with Tottenham Hotspur, and ever since the striker has been met with arrogance from the West Ham supporters.



7. Robin van Persie
   From Arsenal to Manchester United, 2012

The tale of Robin van Persie is much alike the Defoe. van Persie's move to Manchester has left the Arsenal fans furios, but it is not so much the transfer that has upset the fans. It is the way it happened.


Many Gooners feel that Arsenal created Robin van Persie, so his request to leave the club has hit hard in the fans hearts. One thing is for sure: The Dutch will get a "warm" welcome at Emirates!

6. Alan Smith
   From Leeds United to Manchester United, 2004

Alan Smith left Leeds United when the club needed him the most. This has and will never be forgotten by the Peacock fans. Smith has earlier declared that he would never move to the rivals from Manchester. However, after Leeds dismal relegation, this proved to be false.

Allan Smith quickly changed from at beloved Leeds player, to a hated Manchester United footballer. 


5. Nick Barmby
   From Everton to Liverpool, 2000

Transfers between Everton and Liverpool is rare, and always hard for the player. Nick Barmby was the first player to move from Goodison Park to Anfield Road, since Dave Hickson in 1959. His move from the Toffee's who was struggling in the lower part of the table has never been forgiven.

When ever Barmby has played on Goodison Park, he has been met by a wall of boos. 



4. Emmanuel Adebayor
   From Arsenal to Manchester City, 2009

When Adebayor left Arsenal for Manchester, the striker blamed the supporters for being the reason. This, as well, as the fact that he ran the from one end of the pitch to the other, to celebrate in front of the Gunners fans has left him as one of the most hated ex-Arsenal players.

It doesn't make it better that he later was on loan in Tottenham. After the terrible attack on the Tongolese national team, Arsenal fans sang "it should have been you".


3. Carlos Tevez
   From Manchester United to Manchester City, 2009


A move between the two Manchester clubs never goes unnoticed. When Tevez joined City, he went from hero to villian for the United fans. Tevez felt that Sir Alex Ferguson has broken his promises and joined the blue part of town.

The hate grew when Manchester City posted a "Welcome to Manchester" poster in the city.



2. Ashley Cole
   From Arsenal to Chelsea FC, 2006

After months of negotiating, Ashley Cole made a controversial move to the rivals from Chelsea FC. Cole had demanded a enormous wage, which Wenger was not ready to deliver, and the defender was seen as greedy by the Arsenal fans.

At the first meeting between the clubs, after the signing, Cole was met by booing and fans waving fake cash. 



1. Sol Campbell 
   From Tottenham Hotspur to Arsenal, 2001

Sol Campbell is the man behind the most controversial transfer in the history of the Premier League. Campbell had promised the Spurs' fans that he would never make the switch. However,  in 2001 Campbell signed with Arsenal on a free transfer, leaving Tottenham with nothing.

The hate against Campbell has resulted in Spurs fans being arrested for their racists chants.
 

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