As the count-down to August's great kick-off in Europe gets under way, after South Africa's FIFA 2010 World Cup, who is going where, and for how much? Does the factor of financial crisis come into play in Soccer, the great Communicator? It seems not....read on.

Amir Farha, from Sao Paulo, writes in his column in Brazil's  IG website, that "In times of financial crisis, in most leagues, few clubs have the financial conditions to make big buys, however a small and powerful group can, these being mainly English clubs along with the Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona". Outside this clique, only Italian astro-clubs like AC Milan, Inter Milan and Juventus can get a look-in. Have money, can buy.