Arsenal announced their first summer signing last weekend, unveiling Belgian defender Thomas Vermaelen (23) as heir apparent to, well, probably Sol Campbell.

He is the first Belgian to play for Arsenal (I think) which I interpret as more evidence in support of one of my more bizarre beliefs; Belgium could become one of the best teams around within the next 5-10 years. Don’t laugh, let me explain.

Liverpool fans have suffered from nineteen years of heartbreak without winning the league and this season the reds fans believe this drought will come to an end.

They’ve seen their fierce rivals Man Utd creep up and equal their record of being the champions of England and they will do anything they can to stop them overtaking them and that means securing the league this upcoming season.

As many of you will know, the UEFA cup has undergone a transition this year and it’s not just the name that has changed. An incredible 193 teams will enter the 2009/2010 Europa League, with the initiative to play highly esteemed clubs such as Valencia, Ajax, Benfica, Zenit St Petersburg and Werder Bremen; just some of the teams entering the competition. From the glamour of the Champions League, you’d be forgiven in thinking that these once great teams have fallen a little short this season, as the Europa League is often a non-profitable, tiring endurance of competitions for the participating club, only really being worth the inevitable exhausting haul for the two finalists.

The week’s Ultimate 11’s is another potential all Mustard line up. Dave Hunter gives us his Real Madrid 11, it’s a pretty decent team but we do feel there’s a few players missing, we won’t mention any names we’ll leave that to you!

All the way from across the pond this week’s lovely young lady is Jessica. Originally from Michigan, Jess is proud to represent the American teams on UKFF she waves a big “Hello” to all her English friends! She looks froward to the days when she is making her living from modelling and is working hard [...]

How do. A 5-minute mouth off today, a sort of two-parter. Lucky buggers

Psycho Stu Pearce steps up to the plate tonight with the young lions against the impressive host nation Sweden in the semis of the UEFA U21’s. After starting out as 3rd favourites, we have eased into the latter stages after an edgy start against Finland when goalscorer Micheal Mancienne netted 1st and then lost the plot bringing down the Fin Striker. He conceded a penalty and took an early bath, They leveled and we were under the cosh, not an ideal start. Pearce rallied his troops and we found the self-belief to overcome with a Micah Richards header putting us back in the driving seat.

Times they are a changing in the Premier League

Six weeks ago the English press were running around like little school girls gushing over the brilliance of our national league. Three teams representing the Premiership had reached the last four of the European Cup two years on the bounce. The English champions were the world champions and they had nurtured and cultivated the world’s player of the year. All eyes across the planet were focused on these shores and the allure of the league had never been stronger.

It is the responsibility of the Great British Press to hype up England’s chances before any major tournament. Expectation must be raised beyond anything remotely reasonable. The country must be gripped with fervor and an unswerving certainty that the trophy will be come back to where it belongs.

Better than Brazil?

Spain set a world record of 15 consecutive wins after beating South Africa 2-0 to reach the Confederations Cup semis.

Their latest victory means Spain have equalled Brazils all time record of 35 matches without defeat, (1993 and 1996). But are they better than that Brazilian team? How good are they? How good could they be? World Cup winners? Even better than Brazil 1970?

The week’s Ultimate 11’s is total Mustard! It’s our first all Mustard line up. Matt Quinn gives us his beloved Barcelona 11, and what a team. Just look at that bench!