We were all bored to tears with the drama that was, between Cronaldo, Man United and Real Madrid. Well, little did Madrid know, but they alienated one of their key, creative players in the process, little Robinho. Robinho was offered to Manchester United as part of the CRon deal, to lower the asking price down to 65M Euros. No one from the Madrid camp, of course, bothered to talk to Robinho about the whole situation and Robinho felt unwanted, unsure of his place in the Madrid pantheon, etc. Did Madrid coddle their star? Offer an improved salary and contract? No, nothing, nada.

Along comes Samba, Felipao and Big Bucks Chelsea, with an offer Robinho cannot refuse. They can double his wages as long as Madrid agrees to the transfer. Well Madrid was furious, so Robinho does his best rendition of Cristiano Ronaldo and is doing a fine job of touche while pushing his way out. He's gone to the press, pleaded his case and frankly is playing like crap when he is forced to participate. Madrid's President Calderon has come out now stating if Robinho wants to go, he can buyout his contract. Not the 120M buyout clause but the 45M Euros that Madrid has asked Chelsea to meet.

It's going to happen. Madrid has been out played by their own player. Whodathunk? Just desserts? Did Madrid value and treasure one of it's most precious assets? Or did they spend their time drooling over the merchandise bonanza and possibilities of Cristiano Ronaldo? Well, now they got beat at their own game.

And Robinho is not the only one. Vincent Company was not happy with the way Hamburg treated him at the Olympics, so now he is at Man City. Who knows what is going to happen to Rafinha at Schalke or Diego at Bremen? I say they will be leaving their respective clubs, shortly. And what about Xabi Alonso, put on the market for Garreth Barry, without his knowledge. I am sure Xabi did not appreciate this, especially since he is a damn good player. Better than Barry IMO. I saw the way Xabi played against Middlesboro. He was poor, lacked confidence, until the end when he helped bring about the last two goals. Rafa has broken his spirit, very similar to Madrid with Robinho.

Is this just the latest star player vs club battles that we have seen since the time of Maradona or Garrincha?  Or is this some new player impowerment of late, that has emerged with all the money that has been invested in football?  What do you think?

Fore shame to the Los Angeles Galaxy marketing department. Here they go launching a new kit. A new kit which they knew for at least 5 months was coming. Yet at the launch of the new kit what did they have for us to spend our hard earned money on? Beckham jerseys (which yes I did buy one), Beckham polo's, Beckham shirts and well that's about all they had to offer. Yes they did have a regular polo shirt but wow.

So here I was at the Team LA Store at the Home Depot Center ready to spend my hard earned birthday money on some LA Galaxy shwag. I bought the new LA Galaxy Beckham Away jersey which is very nice. But I wanted more like a lot of people probably came to find out they would be as disappointed as I was and am. I was looking for hats, scarves, t-shirts; key chains all that good stuff (that I don't need, but just want). But alas there was nothing. I mean how hard it is to launch the new logo and kit properly with a whole lot of merchandise that along with the kid or adult buying the Beckham jersey they will pick up too.

You'll never catch Chelsea, Manchester United or Liverpool launching a new kit without all the goodies for the fan to buy along with it.

I want a new scarf. Am I going to have to wait another year for a Galaxy scarf like I did my last? They know what people want to buy yet they don't make it available. And in the same instant loosing my dollars I could be giving them. So a little less complaining about how you don't make enough money on the merchandise. If you had product people wanted to buy then you would but instead you have the same cookie cutter crap you had before. A message to the Galaxy please go to Arsenal.com* and to their club shop and take some hints. They have the best shop in the EPL and I'm not even an Arsenal fan.

On a different note about pricing, don't rip people off at games. Parking all year has been $15. About as much as my ticket and more then some others. Yet now that Beckham is here you raise parking prices to $20. Get a grip. The Home Depot Center isn't in the greatest location either when you think about it. So have some respect for your fans and don't screw us out of our money to park our car. $20 for parking is $5 more than a month ago and still that is a lot.  You should be making it easier for fans to make it to games not harder.

*The Arsenal shop

Hannah for Forza Futbol**