CG CHAT
JANUARY TRANSFER WINDOW CHAT
Emile Heskey (Host): Hello and welcome to the first ever episode of CG Chat, where we will talk about the events of the Chairman Game with several different people who may be chairmen, managers, players or just random people off the street! I'm your host, Emile Heskey, and today I am joined by Stoke City chairman Anthony Henderson and Aston Villa chairman Asda God. First up, we will be speaking to chairman of Stoke City, Anthony Henderson! Come on, join us, Anthony!
Anthony Henderson (Stoke chairman): Hello, Emile.
Emile Heskey (Host): Hello Anthony. Can you reveal to CG Chat the signings you have made this January transfer window - if any?
Anthony Henderson (Stoke chairman): We have only made one signing and that was Lucas Romero who we have signed from Benfica.
Emile Heskey (Host): What impact do you hope Lucas Romero will make on the first team for Stoke?
Anthony Henderson (Stoke chairman): A big one! I think he will gel into our squad well, working in the CM role with Xavi and hopefully he will be worth the money.
Emile Heskey (Host): Are you happy with how Stoke are doing this season? They're currently sitting in 13th place ahead of the likes of Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United.
Anthony Henderson (Stoke chairman): Well I think in my mind the club should be doing better, but for now I'm happy where we are.
Emile Heskey (Host): Obviously, it is getting closer and closer to the end of the season, and the fight for relegation is hotting up. Who are your tips to go down?
Anthony Henderson (Stoke chairman): West Brom are a certainty for the drop that's for sure. But it's a close battle between the rest, I'm going for Reading and Cardiff for the other two to go down.
Emile Heskey (Host): And final question. Who is your tip to win the league?
Anthony Henderson (Stoke chairman): Mmmmm.... I would have to say Sunderland. Their team just seems to good not to win it.
Emile Heskey (Host): Thank you for coming, Anthony. I wish Stoke luck for the rest of the season.
Anthony Henderson (Stoke chairman): Thank you, and it was my pleasure.
Emile Heskey (Host): It's now time for our next guest. He got off to a great start with Aston Villa in the first season, topping the league after four games - but this season, the club have taken a step down and are currently sitting in 15th place. Please welcome Asda God!
Asda God (Aston Villa chairman): Hello, Emile. It's good to see you.
Emile Heskey (Host): Likewise. Now, Asda, can you reveal to me your January signings - if you have made any?
Asda God (Aston Villa chairman): The only signing I have made this transfer window was the signing of Hatem Ben Arfa from Liverpool for £15 million.
Emile Heskey (Host): That sounds like a good deal! Now, is this statement true or false? You tried to sign Christian Benteke back from Bayern Munich although he was at Manchester United.
Asda God (Aston Villa chairman): Uhh... that's true. I blame that stupid excuse of a manager Villas Boas anyway - he shouldn't have sold Benteke for such a stupid price! It's his fault we're in fifteenth!
Emile Heskey (Host): Well, that brings me to my next question. Why did you hire Martin Jol as his successor, above all others?
Asda God (Aston Villa chairman): Because he had experience with Tottenham Hotspur and Fulham, he knows what he's doing. We've been doing better since he's joined, anyway.
Emile Heskey (Host): Next question - who do you think will go down this season?
Asda God (Aston Villa chairman): West Brom - definitely. It's hard to tell then between Nottingham Forest, Reading, Cardiff, Newcastle and Tottenham. Tottenham shouldn't go down, but they shouldn't be in 14th either. I'd say West Brom, Nottingham Forest and Cardiff. But I wouldn't rule out Reading, Newcastle or Tottenham going down. We'll stay up, I'm confident in that.
Emile Heskey (Host): And finally, who do you think will win the league this season?
Asda God (Aston Villa chairman): Hmm... another tough one. The obvious choice is Sunderland - their squad has been completely turned around within these two seasons. But then there's Man United, Swansea and Liverpool to consider. I'd say Sunderland would win, but I wouldn't rule out Man United, Swansea or Liverpool. And my dark horse pick is Hull. Do not get complacent against Hull.
Emile Heskey (Host): Thank you, Asda, good luck for the rest of the season.
Asda God (Aston Villa chairman): Thank you, Emile.
Emile Heskey (Host): Well that's it for this show, but stay tuned for another episode before the final day of the season - where we'll be speaking to many different chairmen of many different clubs, and we'll be speaking to pundits who predict how the final games will go! Until then, goodbye!
