Football silly season(s) and stupid transfer exclusives and what not

I love my football, but I also despise some of the rubbish that goes with it. Non-stop press "EXCLUSIVES" and the occasional outburst of utter drivel, probably as this article is.

David Bentley is a quality player. He is also a prat and the opinion he gives is that he thinks more of himself than he should do. The ability to kick a ball about for a salary of somewhere between £40,000 and £140,000 a week (yes, a week!) is a nice job if you have the talent to play in the Premier League. Although, the unfortunate side effect of so much money being earned by people who do not know how to handle it, is that they become somewhat lacking in their attachment to the real world, who wouldn't be?

Bentley was considered the replacement for Beckham. The phone-in shows were full of it. "Beckham is finished", "He's too old", "He can't run", "What has Beckham ever done for England?". OK, the last one is really stupid, as anyone with a brain will realise - but I tell you, I have not only heard phone-in shows spouting such trash, but have also heard first-hand from people with that belief. What? Well, quite.

Anyway, back to Bentley.... no doubt that he moulded himself on Beckham. He can play a beautiful ball, with some (not too dissimilar) style. But, he also refused to play for the England under 21's. He took a pay rise for joining Spurs and when Ramos was in charge, didn't look like he could be assed to play for them.

So, from the BBC, comes today's "gossip" column, with this little beauty being reported by the Daily Star...

New Real Madrid boss Juande Ramos will return to his former club Tottenham to try to sign wingers David Bentley and Aaron Lennon in January. (Daily Star)

Sorry. Am I really thick or something? Bentley couldn't be bothered to play for Ramos at Spurs. Why would he now want to sign him at Madrid? He doesn't, does he. End of silly season for this rumour. Things have picked up for Spurs under Harry Redknapp, and in no small way that is simply down to the players doing a bit more of what they are paid for.

It's also fair to mention that before Bentley was the "Replacement for Beckham", the previous candidate was Aaron Lennon, and before that (everyone forgotten already?) was Shaun Wright-Phillips. All good players, I prefer Shaun myself because I think he works for his place, but really, Becks is still going. Did anyone tell you he's joining Milan next month? Sure, it's for money, and to keep an option for his England place, and Milan are doing it for the same reasons probably. I will say though, nobody and I repeat nobody has ever played in an England shirt who could 'bend it like Beckham', and I think everybody knows that now and will miss him like hell when he is finally is gone.