A fantasy too improbable even for Hollywood. Unless the creative kid knocked on the door of Casa Bumper Graham up on Laurel Drive.

// ‘);jQuery(elementIdentifier).show()}}};jQuery(document).ready(function(){window.omgBanner=new omgBannerImage;var custPrefs=omgBanner.checkCookie(“cust_prefs”);if(typeof custPrefs==”undefined”||!custPrefs){omgBanner.showBanner(“#omg-banner”,”//i.ppstatic.com/content/landingpages/Scholes-Blog-Image-Join.PNG”,”http://ad.doubleclick.net/ddm/clk/282172547;108966587;x?http://content.paddypower.com/ppc-pages/enhanced-campaign/social/sportsbook/blog/blog-scholes.html”)}}); // ]]>I think it’s quite understandable if people reckon the Jacksonville Cougars or Crew Alexandra have a better chance of winning the Brazil world cup than La Roja do. Understandable if some critics think that at the World Cup the Spanish federation is sending a gentle golden labrador out to do the job of a fit young German Shepherd.

It’s all understandable – just wrong.

First, the hurdles. Unless you see them and plan for them  you can’t jump them.

Spain, and all the European countries, have their major rival as Brazil. Not the team, the country. Only if you’ve researched well, planned well and probably employed a few Brazilian movers and shakers to make things  move and shake for you will any side from this continent stand a chance.

The country is vast, diverse, challenging, hot, humid, rainy and a kind of Club 18-30 for mosquitos. This is where the crazy, 24-hour, tequila-fuelled mossies go to party. And I mean Paaaartaaaayy!

But, here, Spain have a tiny advantage. The Confeds Cup wasn’t a thing of beauty and joy for ever as far as Spain was concerned. Hotel problems, travel problems, humidity problems, social disorder and a spanking from Brazil in the final. But La Roja, these days, are astute learners. They’ve honed down the take-home messages, planned for them and having a ‘set’ base in Curitiba is like catnip to them. European autumnal weather, privacy. It’s the laboratory from which the tournament win will be planned. Last summer they were constantly on the road from game to game. Not this time.

The fact that there are young, hungry, athletic squads in the way of the reigning champions is another jab to the Spanish solar plexus. Holland is one, awaiting in the banana-skin first group game – Brazil another.

However this is where the Spanish talent factory has functioned. Yes, the vets will be vital. Del Bosque needs big tournaments from Iniesta (30) Alonso (32) and Casillas (33) – Xavi we will come back to. Nevertheless the ‘relevo’ is in place.

• Are you on board with the Spanish revolution? Get all the latest odds here at PaddyPower.com: Desktop | Mobile

The relief watch. In England and in Spain you’d find few, only the lame of brain, who denied that two of the players of the season were Cesar Azpilicueta and ‘Koke’. Add Jordi Alba, Diego Costa and Javi Martínez and you get a clutch of 22-25 year old talents, three of whom making their debut in a major tournament, whose talent, energy and ‘major’ experience at club level can make an enormous difference to whether or not Spain retain this trophy.

Which is where the Xavi factor comes in. It’s not a sin that, aged 34, his athleticism has changed. What Del Bosque must manage, brilliantly, is how and when to use him. Go back over the last three tournament wins and the assessment of how brilliant Xavi has been changes with retrospect compared to some of the stuff I heard spouted in real time.

But teams target him, try to pressurise him in possession and count on him NOT tracking back thus leaving opposition teams with 3 v 2 or 4 v 3 situations. Believe me, he will not be alone in putting in a few 55-65 minute matches this tournament. The concept of all the major players in any team, with the possible exception of Brazil, winning a tournament while consistently playing 90 minutes is, I think, anathema to this country’s size, geography and climate.

The key creative men will rack up several ‘impact’ performances – either the first hour or the last thirty minutes. Which is where Spain will miss Jesús Navas more than most people have appreciated. He was Del Bosque’s ‘go-to’ man. On the hour, almost every hour, he’d come on and wreak ‘Road-Runner’ havoc. For the manager this little fella is a gigantic loss. More emphasis, now, on the pace of Pedro and the potential ‘impact’ of players like Cesc Fabregas, Juan Mata and Santi Cazorla.

Then there is Spain’s often ineptly described playing style.

Asking La Roja to play with fizzing, daring brilliance is like letting a mugger put his hands round Adele’s larynx then asking her voice to soar and inspire. Teams routinely try to asphyxiate them, bank after bank of defense and fouls. But IF La Roja keep the ball well and make other teams work/chase in this humidity then the last 15-20 minutes of matches will yield even more Spain goals than normal.

Champions routinely go out in the group stage of the next edition of their tournament – check France in 2002, Greece in 2008, Italy in 2010. Spain have a nasty wee group but if they navigate those choppy waters then they possess a ruthless knockout mentality and …. reach the final.

Someone call Hollywood.

• Can the Spanish write themselves into the history books and retain their World Cup title? Get all the latest odds here at PaddyPower.com: Desktop | Mobile

Spurs

The Londoners started brightly and were ahead after just 12 minutes when Werder Bremen’s Petri Pasanen scored an own goal under pressure from Peter Crouch.

The England international then doubled Spurs’ lead just six minutes later with a headed goal and Redknapp’s men dominated the opening exchanges.

However, Portuguese striker Hugo Almeida managed to reduce the deficit with two minutes of the first half remaining as he headed past Carlo Cudicini after the Spurs defence had switched off.

The German outfit were level moments after the restart when Marko Marin launched a fantastic effort past Cudicini from 20 yards as Spurs relinquished their lead.

Both sides had chances to win the game, with Werder Bremen perhaps enjoying the better opportunities, but neither could find the breakthrough to take all three points.

Redknapp was pleased with his side’s display, despite seeing a two-goal lead slip away, and praised the first-half performance.

“I think that first 42 minutes was as good as you could ever see us play, we were fantastic,” Redknapp told Sky Sports.

“We came out, passed the ball as I’d asked them to do. We kept the ball and opened them up time and time again.

“The second goal – what a great header,” Redknapp added. “It was great play and a fantastic finish by Crouchy, and overall I was delighted with how we played.

“We’d have taken a point before we came but being 2-0 up and in complete control, as we were, obviously it’s disappointing not to have won.”

Inter Milan and Dutch side FC Twente are the other two teams in Spurs’ Group A and the reigning champions could only manage a 2-2 draw with FC Twente in Holland.

FC Twente had managed to take a 2-1 lead over Rafael Benitez’s men – thanks to a 31st minute own goal from Inter’s Diego Milito – but Samuel Eto’o came to the Nerrazurri’s rescue with an equaliser just before half time.

Elsewhere, Spanish duo Barcelona and Valenica were both in fine form.

Barca secured a 3-1 win at the Nou Camp over Panathinaikos and Valenica ran riot with a 4-0 win over Bursaspor in Turkey, while Portuguese side Benfica secured a 2-0 victory over Hapoel Tel-Aviv.

Arsenal take on Portuguese outfit Braga at the Emirates tonight (Arsenal 1/4, draw 9/2, Braga 11/1), while Chelsea travel to Slovakia to face minnows MSK Zilina (Zilina 12/1, draw 5/1, Chelsea 2/9).

Bet on the World Cup and get £200. Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

Chelsea

The Italian tactician allowed Cole to leave after his contract came to an end at Stamford Bridge.  There was a contract offer handed to Cole but he decided to weigh up his options, and Ancelotti did not exactly put a great deal of effort into trying to persuade the England star to stay.

The former AC Milan boss secured the services of Benayoun from Liverpool in a £5.5million deal earlier this summer and Ancelotti thinks the Israeli playmaker will be a better player for his Chelsea side than Cole was in his time with the Blues.

“I think Joe is a quicker player, but I think Yossi tactically is better,” said Ancelotti.

“They are different players. Benayoun is Benayoun, Joe Cole is Joe Cole.”

Many pundits and fans alike have suggested Liverpool got the better deal in this particular scenario.  While the two transfers were not interlinked in terms of the actual deal, the fact the players play in the same position essentially means that Yossi Benayoun is Cole’s replacement at Chelsea, and vice versa.

However, the Chelsea boss believes he has secured a better player to replace Cole and suggested that Cole did not think tactically, or listen to instructions from the manager.

He added:  “People may say Liverpool have the better player but everyone can explain their own opinion. We are happy to have Yossi here.

“Joe Cole had a fantastic career at Chelsea but this year is another story.

“Yossi is very intelligent and tactically he thinks very well – he can play in different positions and will be a good player for us.”

Chelsea are the current favourites to secure the Premier League title after their success last season, and although Ancelotti has been fairly quiet in the transfer market the current squad at his disposal is arguably the strongest in the league.

However, Manchester United will be eager to take the title back to Old Trafford after coming close last season.  United have also been fairly quiet in the transfer market, with just Chris Smalling and Javier Hernanez added to the side who came second last season, but the club’s hierarchy claim there is money available to boss Sir Alex Ferguson if he wishes to splash out on a big name player.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger believes his team have matured enough to challenge for the top domestic prize in the coming season, while the Frenchman has also secured the services of Marouane Chamakh from Bordeaux in the hope the striker scores the goals that bring the title to the Emirates.

Big spending Manchester City have also received backing from pundits who believe this could be the year the established sides stranglehold on the Premier League will be broken, while reports of a takeover at Liverpool could allow boss Roy Hdgson the funds required to turn the Anfield outfit into a side capable of battling it out at the very top of the table (Chelsea 13/8f in the full Premier League 2010/2011 outright market).

Bet on the World Cup and get £200. Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

Manchester United

Hernandez had a good tournament in South Africa as he helped his side reach the second round of the competition. He also scored against both France and Argentina.

The 22-year-old looks like he will make his debut for United when they face the MLS All Stars on the club’s pre-season tour of the United States.

Henandez signed from Mexican side Chivas de Guadalajara before the start of the World Cup which has ultimately saved the club millions due to the attacking player’s impressive performances.

United have been the victims of inflated prices of players after they have had successful international tournaments in the past.

When Rio Ferdinand signed for the Old Trafford club from rivals Leeds United, the West Yorkshire club received a far healthier price for the defender after a successful World Cup in 2002.

Ferguson has hailed his scouting staff and Hernandez’s former club after they managed to secure the player’s services before the World Cup.

He said: “I think our scouting people deserve 10 out of 10 for identifying him before the World Cup  and I think if we had been trying to negotiate after the World Cup it would have been very difficult.

“I think a lot of teams would have been after him and it would probably have cost us two or three times more.

“Our relationship we have built with Chivas has been excellent, they really were very accommodating in everything, the amazing thing was that no-one in the club said a word,” he added.

Hernandez joined his new team-mates on Monday ahead of their next pre-season fixture in America and Ferguson wants to get the player sharp ahead of the upcoming campaign, when United will be looking to win back the Premier League title from their rivals Chelsea.

The match against the All Stars will be played in Houston, Texas which has a large Mexican population and the Red Devils (15/2 to win the Champions League) boss wants to excite the crowd by giving the new striker a run out.

Bet on the World Cup and get £200. Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

Sir Alex Ferguson

Ferguson has bolstered his ranks with Fulham defender Chris Smalling, while Mexican striker Javier Hernandez has been snapped up from Chivas Guadalajara. However, both players are arguably seen as future projects and would not be expected to make an instant impact at Old Trafford.

United continue to be linked with several players ahead of their Premier League opener against Newcastle (Man United 1/5, Newcastle 10/1, draw 9/2 – 90 Minutes Betting) at Old Trafford on August 16.

But Ferguson insists that he will not be opening the club’s wallet, despite neighbours Manchester City again spending big money this summer in a bid to become serious title contenders (City 4/1 Premier League winners) next term.

“I cannot speak about other clubs. We are comfortable with the squad we have got,” Ferguson said. “We bought players at the right time of the season and we are happy with what we have.”

Meanwhile, Ferguson is delighted with his players’ progress on the current tour of North America, despite the fact most training sessions are taking place in hot and humid conditions.

He said: “We are doing double sessions at 9.50am and 5.30pm and that helps us get a little rest after lunchtime.

“The conditions haven’t stopped us – they have been really good. The players have been great. They have shown some good application, good concentration and put in some really good work.

“It is now we are beginning to see the benefits of our training. The tempo is at the level we expect of our players.”

United are set to be boosted by Nani’s return to action following a dislocated collarbone injury, which ruled him out of Portugal’s World Cup campaign.

The winger has joined up with the Reds in Chicago and could feature in Wednesday’s friendly against Philadelphia and against Kansas City Wizards on Sunday.

Bet on the World Cup and get £200. Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.