The Beautiful Game

Imagine Cristiano Ronaldo playing for Brighton & Hove Albion. He'd just get in the way. 
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September 4, 2009

Why has Platini got it in for the English Premier League?


We all know that there is previous between England and France. It started a long time ago and still seems to rumble on. With Michel Platini's surge to power at UEFA it seems as though each season there is something new to talk about that demonstrates his passion against the success of the Barclays Premier League.

Right now it is the amazing decision against Chelsea that will stop them buying any new players till 2011. The punishment was dealt out by FIFA after the club was found guilty of getting a young winger, Gael Kakuta to break his contract with Lens in 2007.

Since achieving UEFA Presidency in 2007 Platini has tried to launch, and shared an official opinion on a number of new ideas and innovations to the game. However, to me it seems that often these are born out of Platini trying to fight the dominance of the English game in Europe.

The vast TV Rights money, huge transfer fees, foreign ownership and clubs mounting debts has created an aura of negativity across Europe against the Barclays Premier League, and the Chelsea ruling seems to be the latest battle. I am sure that this kind of thing has gone on in football for decades and all the top teams from all the top leagues must be guilty of it. I am not saying that I agree with it, and think it is very harsh to punish the young player as well as the club, it is just that it always seems that English teams suffer most.

I grew up watching Italian, Spanish and English football and Eduardo's 8.0 against Celtic looked like a cruncher compared to other examples I have seen throughout European football. Yet it is Arsenal who suffer the ban. It would not surprise me if the paper talk is proved right and Manchester United are the next team to suffer the same kind of ruling as Chelsea, then probably Manchester City. With these two incidents the authorities have set the precedent, and they now have to enforce them each time - I can't wait to see what happens the next time there is a dodgy penalty award against Arsenal.

Platini has recently backed the 6+5 idea (six home international players and five foreign players) to be introduced in top flight team in Europe. Platini has also backed caps on wages and transfer spending - and all foreign ownership of clubs. He has stated that he wants to cut the number of Italian, Spanish and English teams in the UEFA Champions League to a maximum of three instead of four and has also talked about banning clubs from European competition based on the debts of the clubs. All are valid ideas, but it seems that English clubs will get hit the hardest.

Too much money, not enough home-grown talent, clubs built on debt and foreign ownership, money taking over the game, players running clubs. These are Platini's view of the English game and he seems set to try and disrupt it.

I love the Barclay's Premier League, and it is so great because of the big business it has become and I have enjoyed English clubs having success in Europe (and the benefits this seems to be having on the national side) and hope that an English team can lift the UEFA Champions League trophy in Madrid in May and see Platini grit his teeth and applaud.

Sod it, I even wouldn't mind if it's Chelsea.

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Filed under  //   Chelsea   Debt   Eduardo   FIFA   Football   Manchester City   Manchester United   Platini   Premier League   Soccer   Transfers   UEFA  

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September 1, 2009

The underrated players of the Barclays Premier League

 

The Barclays Premier league has some of the most recognised and superstar names of the modern game. Rooney, Torres, Robinho, Drogba, Terry to name but a few.

It is often these players that get the adoration of the press, often lifted up on high after a match winning performance or a goal out of nothing.

The thing that I always found as a amateur player was a brilliant performance can often go unrecognised if it was just a case of performing your role perfectly. The guy who broke up play to create the chance is forgotton for the man who tucked it away from the edge of the box. This pattern is true throughout the game with most of the big teams having players who are crucial to their team, but who often miss out on the adoration of the media and most fans.

I am not saying forget the guy who scores the goal, but just to take a step back when thinking about your favourite players.

Here are a few names I think don't get the credit they deserve;

Darren Fletcher, Manchester United

An excellent footballer who is now in pole position to be the leader of United's midfield. He was the player they missed most in the UEFA Champions League final to break up Barcelona and turn defence into attack. He is an intelligent player who takes up some great positions, he runs all day, can pick a pass and is also cabable of big goals. I expect him to grow into a permanent fixture for United over the next couple of years and hopefully step more into people's attention.


Jussi Jääskeläinen, Bolton wanderers

A goalkeeper always left out of the 'best in the league' debate. A consistent performer (he has been at Bolton for 12 years), great shot-stopper and a player that if it were not for the team he plays for would be right up there and considered one of the greats. A goalkeeper is a harsh position - all glory or despair - but for his consistency over such a long period of time should be commended.

Gareth Barry, Manchester City

A strange choice maybe considering he is an established England international and has recently made a multi-million pound move to Manchester City. However, the fact that Barry moved for the same price as Michael Turner from Hull City is a joke. He would have added to any of the top four teams and provides great balance to a side, especially one looking to attack. Reliable, able to set the pace of a game and comfortable with the ball at his feet - and a great penalty taker. I think Rafa might end up regretting this one.


Phil Neville, Everton

Okay, so I am shooting myself in the foot here (think Romania in UEFA Euro 2000),  but it should be acknowledged that Phil Neville made his debut for Manchester United 15 years ago, has 59 England caps and is still captain of a top Barclays Premier League team. Disciplined, professional and a great leader for the Toffees.


Bobby Zamora, Fulham FC

This is not a pure sign of loyalty to Brighton & Hove Albion (Zamora scored 76 goals in 126 appearances) but Zamora is a player in my opinion. Okay, he does not bang the goals in but his strength and hold up play can make the difference. At West Ham United he showed glimpses of his ability (playoffs 2004/2005 season;) and Fulham could really benefit from sticking by him this summer. He is strong, and when confident a brilliant finisher, I expect more people to be talking about him come the end of the season

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Filed under  //   Bobby Zamora   Bolton Wanderers   Darren Fletcher   Football   Fulham   Hull City   Manchester United   Phil Neville   Rafa   Rooney   Soccer   Terry   Torres  

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August 25, 2009

Premier League: The reign of the Big Four coming to an end?



So Liverpool are out of the title race. Spurs are going to win the league and Everton are going to get relegated.

Well that is the story of the Barclays Premier League table if you look at it today. The first three matches have been played and there have been more than a few shocks. Manchester City look a tight unit, Burnley are world beaters and Michael Owen has forgotten where the goal is.

However, that is the classic knee-jerk reaction that some Fantasy Football managers would adopt when they pick Abou Diaby from Arsenal because he scored two against Portsmouth at the weekend (he only scored 4 goals in 36 matches in 2008/2009). The football season throws up numerous shocks at the start, players gaining fitness and learning to play new systems and with new team-mates. Just think about Hull last season in the Barclays Premier League.

What I think is the interesting thing this year is that the difference between the top teams and the rest of the division is becoming less, and the competitiveness of the 'mid-table' Barclays Premier League teams is growing each season. The TV cash and sponsorship is still growing the game at the elite level and will continue to do so as brands invest more in players and passions (of which football is one of the greatest) and broadcasters pin more and more of their strategy on top tier live rights.

But for me the big change has come with the power shift to Spain's La Liga as Manchester United and Liverpool have lost two key players to that league and although Chelsea are still strong (and I believe will be Champions) they have not been able to strengthen as more and more players choose La Liga over the Barclays Premier League. Meanwhile, Manchester City have eaten away at the Arsenal Squad with the signings of Adebayor and Toure.


With the Big Four not being able to strengthen as much as they would like, and emerging teams like Spurs, Sunderland, Aston Villa and Manchester City all spending big I expect more of the Big Four to lose games.

I still believe that the usual suspects will be there or thereabouts come May, with maybe Manchester City crashing the party, but I can see the required points total for the champions being lower than recent seasons and more teams taking points off the Big Four, I think the United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool will each lose 4-5 games. I might even be so bold as to say within a couple of seasons it will be more a Super Seven...  

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Filed under  //   Abou Diaby   Adebayor   Arsenal   Aston Villa   Burnley   Champions   Everton   Football   La Liga   Liverpool   Manchester City   Manchester United   Premier League   Soccer   Spurs   Toure  

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July 3, 2009

Michael Owen: Has Fergie lost his marbles?


Manchester United are on the verge of signing Michael Owen on a free transfer from  Newcastle United.



Just weeks after announcing that they would only sign young talent, Sir Alex seems set to take a gamble on Owen. Has he lost his marbles?

Yes this is the player who has a record of 40 goals from 89 England caps - but he is also the player who was dropped last season by manager Alan Shearer (and even by caretaker boss Chris Hughton) when his team were desperate for goals. He has only managed about 30 odd appearances a season across the last two years and was even rumoured to be looking at retirement.

His career seemed to be set for  bit of a nose-dive, his advisors sent out a glossy brochure of his talents and marketing appeal but only a potential offer of a 'dream' move  to Hull City or Stoke materialised - hardly what Michael is used to from his days with Liverpool and Madrid.

Yet out of nowhere come the reports that he is to undergo a medical at Manchester United. Now Fergie is obviously confident in Owen's mentality and believes that if he can get the boy fit then he will guarantee goals. But it is very unlike Ferguson to sign injury prone players. Only once before has he taken such a gamble with the signing of Owen Hargreaves......who is currently out for 24 months undergoing a leg replacement operation.

It seems like a huge risk, and is one that not even Blackburn Rovers are willing to take.

However, I can see the logic. When you look at what Ferguson has lost from Ronaldo - Pace, width and goals - he needs to reshape his squad. Ideally he wanted Ribery and Benzema but it seems that no French players are allowed to sign for anybody other than Real Madrid since Zidane was appointed chief scout. That has meant that Fergie needs to get creative in the market.

The recent signing of Valencia will provide the pace and the width on the right flank, but the Equadorian is unlikely to reach double figures on the scoresheet. The massive hole for United to try and fill comes from the goals Ronaldo brought to the team. Okay, Wayne Rooney is an unbelievable talent but he is not a goalscorer. Not of the type that United's success has been built on. He is not a Cole, Yorke, Van Nistelrooy or Ronaldo. United need goals, and Ferguson obviously sees Owen as the answer.

If Owen stays fit for the season he will easily score goals at United. He will have two great incentives, one will be the obvious clause related contract he will be on, and the other will be the FIFA World Cup. If he plays well for United, scores goals and builds an effective partnership with Rooney then Capello will not ignore him, and maybe he can repeat his epic performance from 1998.

Only time will tell if Fergie has lost his marbles, but I have a feeling he likes the odds of this bet..

 

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Filed under  //   Benzema   Blackburn Rovers   England   Fabio Capello   FIFA World Cup   Football   Manchester United   Michael Owen   Newcastle United   Premier League   Ribery   Rooney   Sir Alex Ferguson   Soccer   Transfers  

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June 24, 2009

Resting Players? Good, bad or ugly..


Each season, more and more players are involved in more and more fixtures. There has been a big debate around Theo Walcott and his involvement in the seniors prior to the UEFA U-21 European Championships , and that he will end up without any rest before getting stuck back in to pre-season training.

However, that has now gone away (although bound to resurface if he gets any injuries next season), and the fact that Gerrard plays 65 games in a season does not surprise anyone anymore. It is always going to happen as the game continues to grow and be the global power that it is. What is interesting to me in these days of huge squads (and teams with a number of star players) is whether resting players actually helps the team.



You hope by resting players they will be fresh, focused and up for it when the big matches come along. There is a crucial game for England's U-21 team on Friday where hopefully this will be the case.

It is the semi-finals of the UEFA U-21 European Championships and England go into their match against Sweden having rested players fully (England rested 10 players in their last Group Match). Now Stuart Pearce believes this will give his team an edge as he has a rested squad to pick from. Their opponents are co-hosts Sweden, and they had to play a  tough and intense last Group Match to get to this stage. If they lost they were out. They had to win to qualify, and win they did. Sweden now have momentum, England do not.

I wonder if Sir Alex Ferguson looks back on the end of last season's campaign with regret at resting his stars against Hull in the last game of the Barclays Premier League season. In the UEFA Champions League Final his side looked leggy and tired, and struggled to chase down and win the ball back from FC Barcelona. Perhaps United would of been better to of play the Hull game with the same intensity to carry into the final against FC Barcelona. We will never know.

Maybe Managers should be avoiding rotation and resting players as it interrupts the rhythm of the team and could even cause players to lose their focus. Look at Liverpool - last season was Benetiz's first where he played regular line ups and formation, and were it not for the injury to Torres I believe they would of ended up walking off with the title in May.

I think over the course of a season it makes sense to rest players when they are tired, but in big tournaments and just before big matches I would always rather my team approached the game with the same mentality and the same line up to maintain that momentum and energy into the final matches.

I just hope that Stuart Pearce does not look back and rue the decision to rest his players after they had already qualified. We will find out on Friday.

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Filed under  //   David Beckham   England   FC Barcelona   Football   Gerrard   Hull   Manchester United   Semi-Finals   Sir Alex Ferguson   Stuart Pearce   Sweden   Theo Walcott   UEFA  

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