This summer, there is no shortage of the beautiful game to keep thirsts quenched; Major League Soccer, the Olympic Football Tournament, and when the Premiership, Seria A et al. shut down for the season, Euro 2008 took off. However, from mid-August on the Premiership, Bundesliga, Italian Serie A, Spain’s La Liga, to name a few, kick off their 2008-09 seasons. Now that didn’t seem like too long of a wait did it?

Premiership rumblings have loyal fans on their toes. Is Man U wunderstiker Cristiano Ronaldo staying or going? What the hell is Chelsea thinking? Fulham’s blessings are being counted? And how did Tottenham Hotspur get so lucky?

Ronaldo’s decision whether to stay or go to Real Madrid took over football news very early on. Of course, it would be a big blow to Man U if he left but possibly more so to Ronaldo. Many successful players’ careers flounder when they depart the Premiership and head to Europe – David Beckham is a prime example, even Michael Owen. Some things are better left alone. It’s a different game across the Channel, one Ronaldo is extremely familiar with. However, a player can’t just pick up where they left off with a new club, especially if they’re a superstar. Change doesn’t always go their way, be it adjusting to the new manager or sharing the pitch, or bench, with too many heavyweights – something Thierry Henry discovered pretty quickly when he left the mighty Gunners at the height of his career to head to Barcelona. More than dissatisfied with his stint in Spain, rumour has it he could be heading to the MLS.

Cleaning house is an understatement over at Stamford Bridge. A complete restructuring is in effect. It’s no secret that Chelsea was in disarray last year, management woes trickled down, impacting player momentum, but not performance. Chelsea being Chelsea motored on regardless, landing themselves a healthy spot in the standings and in the finals of the Champions League. Fresh from coaching Portugal at this year’s Euro Cup, the infamous Luiz Felipe Scolari has taken over as manager of the club and this powerhouse of a side is undergoing some major transfers and signings. Of the 11 players on the way out Hernan Crespo is one, as well as Claude Makelele to PSG and Ben Sahar on loan to Portsmouth. Looks like Scolari has made loads of room for the $16.2 million signing of FC Porto’s José Bosingwa and FC Barcelona’s Deco, whose purchase price has yet to be disclosed.

From one extreme to the other – Fulham FC teetered on the edge of relegation yet hung on by the skin of their teeth by last season’s end. Fulham has a history of getting so close to going under then redeeming themselves by a goal or two. Perhaps it was manager Roy Hodgson that ultimately saved the club from joining the ranks of the first division. But I suspect it was the sheer will of their loyal supporters. The latest transfer news at the Cottage is Philippe Christanval, Dejan Stefanovic and Nathan Ashton are leaving and a few subtle yet clever newcomers will be joining the club. Coming over from West Ham for a combined transfer fee of $6.3 million is John Paintsil and Bobby Zamora, from Rosenborg BK Fredrik Stoor, BSC Young Boys’ Toni Kallio and from West Bromwich Albion Zoltan Gera, to name a few.

But the most interesting news thus far is that Tottenham has picked up the young Mexico international from Barcelona, striker Gio Dos Santos. Now, this could be a great example of how players who may not have been utilized properly by their European clubs can take off in the Premiership. A taste of things to come.

Alexandra Leggat is an author and journalist. She wanted to follow in the footsteps of her dad, former Scottish international soccer player and broadcaster Graham Leggat, but succumbed to writing instead. She keeps a sports blog at www.alexandraleggat.blogspot.com and supports Fulham FC by proxy.