1st Signing...

Rafa first signing....Glen Johnson for 17.5M pound.. A Chelsea's reject a season ago, but a sensation for Pompey last season confirmed his deal to become the latest Reds. Not really a big name that we expect, but Rafa always believed he only sign the one fit the team rather than the big name.

Many seem hard to accept the fact we had signed an Englishmen for such a hefty fee.. but did anyone ever question the fee Fergie pay for Carrick or Hughes pay for Barry? Hardly right?

There are few reasons why Rafa signed Johnson. Of course the 1st reason is he is an Englishmen! Rafa is preparing his team for Champion League requirement... 2nd, he is a natural right back compare to Aberloa (though he did well for the last 2 seasons)..he is fast in defence & attack, especially the final 3rd (& he can score too..). Thirdly, since he took over Anfield, Rafa failed with his signing on Kromkamp & Degen, so with Johnson proven ability in the EPL, Rafa feel he had his man to do the job for the team. Finally, Johnson had indeed progress to becomes the class of it's own.. he progress from West Ham to Chelsea & last season to Portsmouth, & become the authomatic selection for Capello.

Though the signing of Johnson won't guarantee success, I do hope it's work. His experiences definitely will helps & with World Cup around the corners, I believed he only can improve to seal his place in England shirt. Many Rafa's signing had failed, such as Nunez, Gonzales, Kromkamp, etc.. but he also brought some unknown to us... players like Skrtel, Lucas, Ngog etc.

Based on the team performances last season, Rafa had built relatively a good team.. with few quality addition, I believed our waits for the 19th title will be soon over...

In Rafa, we believe!

The Transfers....

While most clubs have money to spend, it's seem like Rafa had to sell before he could have additional in his team... the time when with additional of 3-5 quality players will allow us to challange for the EPL title for real, seem to go to the drain due to the debts incurred by the Americans. Now the likes of David Villa, David Silva, Tevez etc had swifted elsewhere...

While we already have the core team, which is strong enough & will mature for next season challange, we face posiblity of loosing Xabi Alonso & Mascherano as they had attract suitors from other team to pry them away.

Real Madrid under Perez second coming seem serious to assemble his Galaticos II... like for like.. Kaka for Ronaldo, C.Ronaldo for Figo & possible Ribery for Zidane. Though money spent do not always guarantee return, Perez seem excited with his collection. It's exciting to see how they fair with Barcelona next season in La Liga & Champion League alike.

As for MU, which suddenly got a huge fortune by dislodged the problem boy, C.Ronaldo seem to have plenty of money...with Valencia of Wigan seem almost certain deal, the possiblity of getting Ribery & David Villa also seem achievable with the kind of money they have.

I expect more active transfers for the next two weeks especially after the Confederation Cups... & I had my fingers cross for Rafa to have good addition without sacrifying Alonso & Mascherano.

Till then in Rafa, I believe....