Chelsea: A State-of-play
Thiago Silva applauds Chelseaโs away support at full-time.
There have been a lot of eventful, depressing and exhilarating results for Chelsea this season that felt perfect to provide a reaction to. A 4-1 loss away at Newcastle ends a run of three games that see to perfectly sum up where Chelsea are as a team right now, both good and bad.
This run began at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. A scintillating first ten minutes from Spurs set the scene for what could be a long night for Chelsea. 5 disallowed goals, 2 red cards, and a Nicolas Jackson hat-trick later, Spurs had unravelled against their blue foes again. Losing 4-1.
Just 6 days later, Chelsea welcomed the defending English and European Champions, treble-winners Manchester City to Stamford Bridge. Another all-time classic that saw Chelsea go toe-to-toe with the worldโs best side, 4-4 it ended.
Finally, a saturday afternoon post-international break visit to St. Jamesโ Park awaited. A first half where Raheem Sterlingโs free-kick pegged Alexander Isakโs opener back, was completely soured by a naive, immature second-half disaster that saw Chelsea leaving on the end of a thrashing.
The main question about this three-game run is how many steps forward did Chelsea take? Of course the answer is subjective, but it more than sums up what is going wrong and right at Stamford Bridge this season.
The main problem is that there is no hiding from scrutiny. Determined to make their mark, Boehly-Clearlake have spent an enormous amount, and made an enormous amount from buying and selling players over the last 18 months. We can get into the endless abyss of whether that money was spent well or not in a few years, but some of the themes of their business are important to take into account.
Chelsea have gone from being one of the oldest teams in the league, to one of the youngest in the space of one summer. They have also reduced their wage bill by ยฃ80 million a year. Whatever you think about the speed and approach to their business, the strategy is clear. Boehly-Clearlake want to build a more sustainable, long-term model that invests in the future rather than the present. And that is the main difference to their predecessors.
Roman Abramovich bought in managers and players to win league titles and Champions Leagues that very moment. However, Chelseaโs lack of competitiveness in the Premier League since their last title in 2017, shows that the previous strategy was not working anymore.
The media pile on that came as a result of Chelseaโs outrageous spending was somewhat lazy in suggesting that it is โscattergunโ. Ignoring the sums paid. Itโs very clear that Chelsea only wanted players under the age of 23, and their priority was to get rid of older, high earning, underperforming players in the process.
Kai Havertz, Jorginho, Christian Pulisic, Matteo Kovacic, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Hakim Ziyech represented lucrative investments for very little return. The new ownership were prepared to move on from them and invest in rebuilding the squad. Chelsea now have a squad filled with high-potential and young talent. A squad that, when coupled with a coach like Mauricio Pochettino, excels in chaos, but becomes disjointed in order.
Their losses to Nottingham Forest, Brentford, Aston Villa and Newcastle were games of order. Chelseaโs underlying metrics, technical level and structure meant they only needed to execute their game plan without error to win. This young squadโs naivety and immaturity saw them lose these games despite holding all the cards in them. They executed their game plan well in the first halves of these games, but fell apart due to individual mistakes, pressure, self doubt and frantic urgency.
Pochettinoโs side had the tools, the gamestate and the structure to get results from these games, but their lack of experience cost them. The lack of experience being a byproduct of their transfer strategy. Pochettino provided many quotes throughout the summer regarding the clubโs strategy and implied that he was looking for Premier League experience. Despite coming from Manchester City, Cole Palmer arrived with little Premier League minutes to his name.
The lack of experience and immaturity is actually a sign that Pochettino is relatively in-tune with the squad dynamic. He demanded that experience be brought in - it wasnโt brought in - the absence of it is losing them games.
The clubโs reported interest in Brentford striker Ivan Toney ahead of the January transfer window is no doubt music to Pochettinoโs ears, but would his introduction be a panic response to a poor start and lack of potency in front of goal? The style he has played at Brentford does not bring much evidence that he would be effective in one of the most ball dominant teams in the Premier League.
Napoliโs Victor Osimhen is without a doubt one of the the most lethal strikers in Europe. It remains to be seen whether he can be one of few strikers to succeed at Stamford Bridge if the move does happen.
The striker debate is more a more in depth discussion for another day. One that will likely evolve with the form of Nicolas Jackson and the impact of Christopher Nkunkuโs return from injury in the coming weeks.
In the meantime, Chelsea need to chalk Saturdayโs disaster in the North East down to a bad day at the office. They got through the first half all square, at a place both Arsenal and City have seen defeat this season, and unravelled as a result of poor set piece defending, and mistakes from Reece James and Thiago Silva. Things that are relatively fixable.
There is nothing like a Chelsea fanbase pile on, X felt that after the game on Saturday. Head-loss would have been compiled watching Kai Havertz score his first open-play goal for Arsenal later that evening to send his new side top of the league.
But itโs important to remember where Chelsea were and where they are now. They have played four of the the traditional big six this season and not lost. The players are clearly buying into Pochettinoโs approach, and everyone at the club seems to be on the same page.
Unfortunately for Chelseaโs hierarchy, they canโt fill the squad with raw, young talent, despite the coach asking for experience, watch that side beat themselves due to their inexperience multiple times and then storm into Pochettinoโs office at the end of the season asking why he didnโt get them in the Champions League. The gaps the coach identifies are costing them, sacking him would not be the answer.
Much of the fanbase looks to compare what Poch has done with what Ange Postecoglu is doing at Spurs. Ironically, Postecoglu lost his star signing James Maddison to injury in the game against Chelsea, (Maddison coming into Spurs with bags of Premier League experience) and has lost every game in his absence.
The โprocessโ drum does not need to banged anymore, we are at the point where you get it or you donโt. Chelsea will likely end up in a European place this season and will be a very successful side in the years to come. The silver bullet Abramovich used to fix your pain does not work these days, Chelsea are actually going to ahem to build something this time.
Should Gareth Southgate stay?
Monday 12th December by Tom Ball
Saturday did not feel fair. Not because of the refereeing or the penalty, but because Englandโs performance throughout this last month warranted more.
The 2018 World Cup saw Englandโs second-place group stage finish give them a run to the World Cup final that required them to beat Colombia, Sweden, and Croatia. Two of those sides did not even qualify for this yearโs tournament and while Croatia find themselves in the last four yet again, England would fancy themselves against them.
There is no doubt most of the country, as well as Gareth Southgate, would have bitten your hand off if you offered to swap that World Cup run with this year's. When the draw happened, many pencilled in that December 10th 7pm slot for England Vs. France. England were not the favourites, but Southgateโs England needed that test to show how capable they were.
That test came and the performance was everything Englandโs boss would have wanted. However, the team with the World Cup in their back pocket and much fewer demons to overcome advanced.
There is no doubt England have come a long way. From being glad they lost their last 2018 group match to Belgium for the easier draw to saying โBring it on' to a clash with the reigning World Champions. This was not out of some underdog delusion, England had the talent and confidence to win that game, and on a different day, they probably could have.
Southgate has not confirmed he will be in charge of England for EURO 2024 in 18 months - openly stating he is yet to decide on his future. For the most part, Southgate won over a few this tournament. Despite it being the earliest they have fallen in a tournament under him, not many will disagree that this is the best version of Southgateโs England. 2018 was an inspiring run deep into the tournament, but 2022 was the first World Cup in decades in which England had genuine capabilities to win, not just an outside shot.
Without trying to compile anyoneโs misery, getting past France would have seen the tournament open up for England, and probably will have catapulted them to favourites, especially with the exits of Portugal and Brazil.
The FA and Southgate now enter an unprecedented situation for the Three Lions. Southgate is, without a doubt, Englandโs best-performing manager since the one and only Sir Alf Ramsey. He also has by far the best tournament record of any England manager ever. Nevertheless, the FA and GS have to decide whether this relationship has run its course.
One reason this is unprecedented is that there is little animosity, and Southgateโs comments suggest it is mainly up to him whether he stays. Capello and Hodgson both resigned, but were essentially ushered out by either the FA themselves or the fans. Yet, despite Southgate having his critics, the popular opinion of him is that he should stay if he wants to.
There were indications that he was considering walking after this World Cup before the tournament, and that was said to be regardless of how far England went.
Another reason that makes this situation unprecedented is that Southgate has muddied the water for what England needs and wants from a coach. We mentioned Fabio Capello, who ended up walking after disagreeing with how the FA treated John Terry in the aftermath of the Former Chelsea captainโs racism scandal with Anton Ferdinand. Capello won eight league titles and the Champions League across his three stints at AC Milan, Real Madrid and Roma.
Capello walked into a very decent continuation from the golden generation after they failed to qualify for EURO 2008 under Steve McLaren. He oversaw Englandโs 2010 World Cup campaign, where they played four games, won just one, scored just three goals and crashed out in the Round of 16 losing 4-1 to Germany.
One of the gameโs greatest managers of the previous twenty years oversaw arguably Englandโs worst performance in a World Cup this century given the easiness of their group, and the talent the squad still possessed.
Therefore, claiming the final step towards glory for this England squad is putting one of the club gameโs most successful managers in charge is something that recent history does not back up. There is a risk involved.
There is a chance that bringing in a more credible tactical mind like Thomas Tuchel or Mauricio Pochettino could be that final step. However, Southgate has created a glue in this England setup that has no guarantee of staying if he were to leave. England by no means wants to hit a reset button. They need to build upon this.
Much of this want for a new manager comes from the fast-moving, fluid nature of club management. Things arenโt quite what you want them to be? Oh just change the manager. Unfortunately, international football doesnโt work like that. People are quite nervous because World Cup donโt have โthereโs always next yearโ, they have โthereโs always 2026โ and โthereโs always 2030โ. However, that mindset can also work against replacing the manager. If England hire a new boss who instantly makes the performance levels and atmosphere around the team worse, you are in a race against time to make that coach or find a new coach that will get everything right.
Hypothetically, the FA hire Thomas Tuchel, perhaps the most high-profile and prolific manager to express interest in managing England. If Tuchel, known for his spiky nature, falls out with a couple of the nationโs favourite players and slightly underachieves at the next World Cup - many will sit there with pie in their faces asking why we let Southgate go.
Further to this, two managers had won trebles at club level heading into this World Cup. Luis Enrique and Hansi Flick both underachieved despite their huge club resumeโs. There are present day proof that dropping successful club coaches into these situations isnโt a sure bet.
So itโs all these unknowns and risks that mean the FA have sensibly landed on giving Southgate the power. Only he knows best whether he has the mental fortitude to take this team further.
There are genuine criticisms of him. The criticism during EURO 2020 was that his approach was too conservative and that his game management in the final is what let Italy drag us to penalties. This World Cup has seen him rid this group of the more conservative approach. Perhaps the maturing of many of Englandโs amazing young talents is what has warranted that increased trust.
Bukayo Saka is finding form in an impressive Arsenal side, and Phil Foden and Mason Mount are becoming more and more important to their clubsโ success. But most impactful is Jude Bellinghamโs climb to captaining Borussia Dortmund and becoming one of the best midfielders in Europe.
Itโs this important progression in many of Englandโs young starsโ careers that are allowing Southgate to slowly alleviate the handbrake.
Despite this improvement in approach, it still seems as if Southgate struggles to foresee issues within games before they arrive. Much of his substitutions and tweaks in the games against Croatia, Italy and France have been reactive rather than proactive.
Something that he has authority over, but is also the job of his assistant Steve Holland and other backroom staff to recognise and analyse how England can swing game states in their favour. Acceptance that the initial approach hasnโt worked was okay to do in the second group game against the USA, but a quarter-final against France needs more bold and smart adjustments.
It is very easy to see these footballing issues and conclude that a great knockout tournament manager in Thomas Tuchel is the answer, but you need to realise what positives you are putting at risk of losing if Southgate does move on.
This is why it would be unsurprising that the FA would consider the aforementioned Steve Holland to succeed Southgate. GS was an internal hire himself, graduating from the Under 21โs position after the Sam Allardyce scandal.
Whatever the future of the England job is, we are unlikely to be waiting long for an answer. EURO 2024 is only 18 months away, if that tournament started today, England would be a huge contender to win that tournament due to the smaller pool of teams and slightly lower stakes in brings than a World Cup. The FA are unlikely to want to jeopardise the chances of that tournament using up time finding a new manager. If a new boss is to come on, 18 months is not a lot of time to progress a team to compete for a EURO title.
The holding back on Southgateโs future is in stark contrast to the almost immediate departures of Luis Enrique, Louis Van Gaal, and Tite from their respective national sides following their World Cup exits. It shows how much the FA value him, and how an emotionally charged or rushed decision is in no way the sensible one.
Gareth Southgate means a lot to the players, and despite the division he creates at times, he means a lot to the country and the fans. The atmosphere and togetherness surrounding the national side is something that seemed utterly impossible just six years ago, it is very hard to describe how much he has turned the England national football team around. Whatever his future, he will go down in history.
Liverpoolโs reluctance is catching up with them
Monday 12th September by Tom Ball
Liverpool's shaky start to the season was compounded on Tuesday night as Napoli cut through the Reds' defence time and time again to beat them 4-1. While Liverpool are used to losing in Naples in recent years, their defeat's manner left their fanbase concerned.
Jurgen Klopp stated that the Reds might need to 'reinvent' themselves to discover a bit of form. Despite Chelsea and Manchester United's inconsistent start, Liverpool is still the most out-of-form side in the big six. Their iconic and electric style of play is no longer working, and a rebuild of their approach may have to be the case to solidify a place in the top four fight. However, their ability to compete for the title is slim due to their stubborn squad replenishment.
One thing Liverpool have is the minerals. They have been far ahead of any other side in the league except Manchester City for four years now. Being light in certain areas may stunt another 60-game, title-challenging season, but it should not stop them from falling too far behind.
There is a trust in Jurgen Klopp and the squad's core that they can turn this around. Liverpool's form is not a club culture issue, and it is not beyond fixing. However, this could be as bad as it has ever been under Klopp if the problems are not addressed.
The lack of activity in the transfer market after the big money move for Darwin Nunez was Liverpool fans' central pillar of frustration. When they lose out on the Premier League title by the solitary point for the second time in four years to big-spending Manchester City, the fans want to see a push to overcome those margins. Despite not securing either the Premier League or the Champions League, last season was exceptional for Liverpool. They achieved the extraordinarily rare fete or playing every game possible in a season; the unwillingness to immediately build upon that has seen them regress quite dramatically.
The Deadline Day signing of Arthur Melo from Juventus strengthened Klopp's fragile and injury-prone midfield options. Melo brings an inferior but similar technical and creative prowess to Thiago, a player who proved essential to Liverpool last season.
It is hard to gauge whether an underwhelming player from Juventus is a victim of Juve's shocking recruitment strategy or just not up to it. There is no hiding that a more proactive and earlier pursuit of a midfielder would have widened Liverpool's options. However, a likely expensive approach for Jude Bellingham next summer perhaps meant that Fenway needed to see issues first-hand to sanction any more incomings.
In July 2021, we included Liverpool in an audit of the title contenders heading into last season. Our section on Liverpool mentioned the departure of midfielder Gini Wijnaldum that summer:
"Many have looked to the return of Virgil Van Dijk as the most significant positive they could take out of this season. On the other hand, many understate the importance his fellow Dutchman had in midfield. Over the last three seasons, Wijnaldum has led all Liverpool midfielders in appearances and by quite a lot. He was outrageously consistent and rarely ever picked up a knock. His energetic runs into the penalty area are something neither Thiago Alcantara nor Jordan Henderson can provide in the same volume,โฆ On the other hand, recent reports of a ยฃ100 million offer made to Juventus for Frederico Chiesa, subverts this idea that they are unwilling to spend. Perhaps it comes from an expectance that either Mohammed Salah or Sadio Mane will be departing Merseyside in a years time."
While Liverpool ended up being their breathtaking selves last season, it seems as if the lack of recruitment in midfield and the ageing careers of James Milner and Jordan Henderson has caught up with them this season. Not mentioned in the piece, Gini Wijnaldum was incredibly press-resistant and was the ablest to assist Fabinho in breaking down opposition counterattacks. While Liverpool's infamous offside trap has been failing this season and Trent Alexander-Arnold seems less motivated to defend than ever before, these issues are exasperated by how easy it is to bypass Klopp's midfield at the moment. Liverpool's most recent league game, the Merseyside Derby, saw Fabio Carvalho and Harvey Elliott play either side of Fabinho. This is a combination of mis-profiling Carvalho and Elliott and the lack of balanced depth the Reds have in that area of the team. Jordan Henderson and James Milner's age seems to be catching up with them, making them less valuable assets, while Naby Keita and Thiago Alcantara cannot stay fit.
A year ago, the back end of our piece also mentioned the possibility of either Sadio Mane or Mohammed Salah leaving. Many have looked to Liverpool's poor start to the season, off the back of losing Sadio Mane to Bayern Munich, and tried to put two and two together. Liverpool are not struggling in attack, they have the most shots, hit the woodwork the most times, have the most crosses, and have the second most passes. Furthermore, Mo Salah has created the most chances of any player in the league this season, four more than second-place Kevin De Bruyne, but Salah only has two assists.
The introduction of striker Darwin Nunez has given Liverpool a new dynamic. The Uruguayan's petulant red card against Crystal Palace kept him out of half of the Reds' games.
The issue is not the departure of Sadio Mane; the reluctance to recruit a central midfielder, perhaps in the hope of landing Jude Bellingham next summer, has seen them begin to feel the effects of losing Gini Wijnaldum. Moreover, their reliance on Thiago Alcantara is not ideal, considering the Spaniard's injury record.
Last season, Liverpool dropped just 9 points in the 26 league games Thiago played. In the 12 games, he did not play; they dropped 13 points.
In Liverpool's title-winning season in 2019/20, they dropped just 5 points in the 31 games Jordan Henderson played. They dropped 7 points in the seven games he did not play in.
Apart from a season in which the entirety of Jurgen Klopp's centre-back depth was injured, Liverpool's rare dips in form have run parallel with the loss of significant personnel in their midfield. Gini Wijanldum's incredible versatility, vast skillset, and an average of almost 3,000 league minutes per season under Klopp gave Liverpool stability and reliability in the middle of the pitch.
Thiago's respectable availability and superior form of Fabinho and Jordan Henderson allowed them to maintain an exceptionally high-level last season. On the other hand, the lack of proactiveness in reinforcing their midfield options has caught up with them, a lack of proactiveness not associated with Liverpool in recent years.
It remains to be seen whether Arthur Melo is a solution for Liverpool. Circumstances surrounding the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II mixed with the imminent international break have heavily disrupted a Premier League season with a small thing called a World Cup in the middle of it.
Players will be travelling further, playing in more climates and playing even more games than ever. With Liverpool coming so close to an unprecedented Quadruple in a 63-game season last season, can their durability and mentality hold out for another run? Their start leaves a lot to be desired.
WHY MANCHESTER UNITED SIGNING CASEMIRO MAY MAKE SENSE
Friday 19th August 2022 by Tom Ball
You can only ever safely judge a transfer before it happens, tentatively, especially when it comes to Manchester United. Even the signings that do make sense never seem to work for them. Nevertheless, acquiring Casemiro is smart, if the signing is being made for certain reasons.
'Signing' and 'smart' rarely go in the same sentence when it comes to Manchester United. Their brief pursuit of Adrien Rabiot left much of the football world baffled, confused, but hardly surprised. However, the recent emergence of a deal to sign the 5-time Champions League-winning defensive midfielder is one that engages whatever optimism any Manchester United fans have left.
Much is being made of the reported fees and wages - details that are very unreliable during preliminary reports. However, for a player of Casemiro's stature, reputation and quality, the money should not be read into too much. Much of Manchester United's wage structure issues come from them giving big contracts to younger players.
However, much like Raheem Sterling being made the highest earner at Chelsea, Casemiro being on significant wages is not something he has not warranted. Who out of that United team deserves more significant wages than him? You can only really make an argument for his two former Real Madrid teammates Cristiano Ronaldo and Raphael Varane. Casemiro will likely see his career tail off during/after his tenure at Manchester United, and the club are likely to have no issue letting him see out his contract.
While United's wage structure and transfer spending do not reflect their performance on the pitch in the slightest, it is essential to note that huge spending almost has to be the case if you compete in the Premier League.
Manchester City's spending is in the same ballpark as their neighbours, and their wage bill is the highest in the league. They do not win four of the last five league titles without that financial outlay.
Nottingham Forest, appearing in England's top flight for the first time in twenty-three years, are reportedly on the verge of signing Morgan Gibbs-White in a deal worth ยฃ44.5 million including add-ons, huge money for a team whose aim is to stay in the division.
Arsenal have been the biggest spenders in the league over the last two summers without Champions League football. This is not bad investment. The Premier League's revenue and footballing needs make it a necessity.
Manchester United spending a lot of money is not an issue. The sheer scale of their commercial revenue makes their footballing expenditure self-sufficient. However, how they have spent their money over the last decade has debilitated the football club on the pitch.
The huge 'name' signings of Angel Di Maria, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Paul Pogba, and Cristiano Ronaldo sums up the lack of footballing thought in what little exists of their recruitment process. Manchester City have famously steered away from 'revenue signings', and Liverpool have turned players much of their fanbase hadn't heard of into club legends.
While Casemiro can be considered a 'name', part of that famous Real Madrid side that locked down the Champions League for three straight seasons, it's almost as if Manchester United need 'names' now.
Gary Neville has touched on a lack of leadership at the football club. Cristiano Ronaldo's petulant attempt to leave this summer has not helped that. Bringing in another developing player just because he suits the profile of manager Erik Ten Hag's philosophy is not going to aid Manchester United in their lack of intangibles. You would not bring a talented, young pool swimmer into open water and ask them to swim a mile in a storm.
If you excuse the lousy analogy, Casemiro is ready for the big games, and the mental battles and has done a hell of a lot of winning. He is also still very close to or at his best. That midfield anchor who already has all the right stuff can prove so crucial in a very dark time for the football club.
Casemiro has cemented himself as one of the top defensive midfielders in Europe. His physical presence, bite, and elite level of play make him ready for the Premier League. Furthermore, he fills the most gaping and impactful hole in Manchester United's team.
Scott McTominay has been a massive issue for Manchester United for a while. The last time the club signed a 'number 6' was Nemanja Matic, five years ago. A player who left the club this summer. While McTominay is not good enough, it is not his fault. The Scotsman's best position was never defensive midfield. He has only had to adapt to that position for a long time due to his excellent form during the first 18 months of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's reign and United's shambolic recruitment.
Casemiro is one of the most effective 'destroyers' in Europe. His ability to put out fires and stunt the progression of his opponents made him the anchor of the now legendary midfield trio he made up with Luka Modric and Toni Kroos. The time of engagement with opposition attackers is perfect. He is also, despite popular belief, brilliant with the ball at his feet - it is hard to look like an elite technician when playing next to the likes of Modric and Kroos.
The Brazilian comes with world-class tackling, blocking and defensive solidity. Despite McTominay's confidence with the ball at his feet, he is also better at that. Nobody exaggerates if they say that Casemiro is better at everything.
Ten Hag's desire to play a possession-based game saw them get torn apart and bullied by a physical Brentford side. The lack of solidity in midfield is something that isolates United's centre-backs. The recent spike in ball-playing defender recruitment requires them to be protected. There is no denying that United have a great selection of progressive centre-backs. However, a centre-back's responsibility means there needs to be a team around them to help their ability to get on the ball. Casemiro does this with how proactive, alert and impressive he is in his defensive third. His addition would make United that little bit harder to play through. A weakness that many a team has exposed over the last year.
By no means does this fix everything. Fred and Casemiro have an excellent record together in the heart of Brazil's midfield. Still, the Premier League is different, and if those two are not to work, they would need an intelligent, deep-lying ball progressor to play alongside Casemiro.
Toni Kroos is one of the greatest ever to do this and it would take a top signing even to come close to the levels the two reached at Real Madrid. Christian Eriksen has some skillset to provide that, but he is not ideal. Signing the ideal would provide the foundations for United's midfield to be a success. Especially in the Premier League.
Everywhere you look in the top six, there are systems/personnel designed to dominate midfield battles: Man City's inverted full backs, Liverpool's high press, Chelsea's wing overloads. Nevertheless, the most worrying issue with United is how supposedly inferior teams play through them so easily, and Casemiro helps significantly with that.
Casemiro being 30 years old is not as short-term of an issue as some may make out, but one does wonder the point of it if United are not going all out in the next two weeks to push themselves well into the fight for Europe this season. One season of a mediocre transition sees the Brazilian approaching 32 already.
However, from a footballing perspective, it dramatically improves their biggest weakness on the pitch. Nobody can deny that the potential of this Manchester United squad is high. However, the club's inability to identify and solve footballing issues through wise recruitment has caused them to hit a new low in the past week.
Many reports from the Netherlands today also suggested that United had an 80 million euro bid rejected by Ajax for Brazilian right-winger Antony. While a great addition, this is another example of Man United muddling their priorities.
Recruiting around complementing the supremely talented Jadon Sancho makes more sense. A direct, overlapping right back, a similar profile to PSG's Achraf Hakimi, is likely to bring more out of Sancho. Hakimi being Sancho's former teammate at Dortmund, the Moroccan is expected to be unavailable himself, but the best example of the profile of a player that would suit Sancho's strengths. A better alternative to outlaying over ยฃ70 million on an attacker with Rashford, Sancho and Martial all still at the club and Bruno Fernandes' best position being behind the striker.
It seems as if that new low has caused the club to react. Many cynics will think that these are blind signings to appease the fans with another organised protest against the ownership looming on Monday night. While that is possible, there was something very different about the Brentford result. There is nothing to indicate that United are better than anyone in this league. The 2-game sample we have of each team sees them sit at the bottom of the table, and rightfully.
No matter the commercial revenues and the Glazers' ability to hide, a season in the bottom half of the table is a disaster for their image and reputation.
Casemiro dramatically improves this area of the pitch and can help stabilise a dressing room lacking in confidence and leadership.
Manchester United's problems will never entirely go away without a club sale - rumours are swirling that process is on the horizon. However, no matter how embarrassing the result against Brentford was, it could prove to be a watershed moment in the club's history.
Southgateโs Darkest Day: What now?
Wednesday 15th June by Tom Ball
England's 4-0 loss to Hungary at Molineaux on Tuesday night compiled the misery of a very uninspiring set of Nations League games.
The Three Lions' worst home defeat since 1928 is an inexcusable result. But, what does this mean for England's manager? And where does the truth lie?
Southgate's time as England manager has been a raving success, for the most part. England fans were sick of the underperformance and abject performances; this story climaxed at EURO 2016. A 2-1 loss to Iceland in the Round-of-16 saw a handwritten resignation from Roy Hodgson read out in the post-match press conference.
Hodgson had been treading on thin ice, as he had failed to take England out of the Group Stages at the World Cup two years prior. Southgate's introduction came after Sam Allardyce's scandal around bending transfer rules saw his position terminated after just one game at the helm.
Southgate came in as a natural graduate from the Under-21s Manager's job in late 2016. Many were uninspired; they did not feel Southgate had the 'edge' to take on the job. Despite that 'edge' failing to breed success with Fabio Capello.
Southgate has now overseen two major tournaments. An extra-time defeat in the 2018 World Cup Semi-Final and defeat in the EURO 2020 Final on penalties. He has taken England the furthest they have been since '66 - this is not something to take for granted, but many still have been.
Southgate's defensive style has frustrated a large group of England fans who feel like he is not doing the country's attacking talent justice. A large group of fans with such a profound rejection of the manager almost seem like they are waiting for this England side to fail.
Of course, this is nothing new; the England team have been dysfunctional underachievers on a footballing level before and faced intense criticism and scrutiny. Much of the country's media have consistently been unable to use their influence to help the national side. Their treatment of payers like Wayne Rooney and Raheem Sterling proves that.
A trouble-seeking group of tabloids easily manipulated a country segmented by the club game's tribalism.
When you have such an intense rivalry amongst many clubs in England's top-flight it is hard to gain any fanatical togetherness. Jack Grealish, a player who was lauded by the entire country last summer, is now booed everywhere he goes because of his move to Manchester City.
Liverpool fans booed the country's national anthem in May at the FA Cup Final. A fanbase so entrenched in England's footballing landscape completely rejects the idea of patriotism due to the Thatcher Government's handling of the Hillsborough disaster. Today, the Johnson Government hangs by a thread, following the divided result in last week's vote of confidence.
All the while, Southgate's England has provided the country with newfound hope, a group of talented, professional, inspiring and diverse young men who have shown they want to play for England and represent this country.
The England team's culture seems to believe in England's chances at European Championships and World Cups. A culture implemented by Gareth Southgate.
And that is what we must not forget, fans of bigger clubs will try and contextualise our runs in these last two tournaments, saying they were 'easy' and similar nonsense. However, Southgate took over this side weeks after losing to Iceland, a game described by Alan Shearer as the worst England performance he had ever seen at that time. He then had to succeed Sam Allardyce, a scandal that made 2016 one of England's worst years in its history. Southgate was the man tasked with turning that around.
If you had told someone that six years on, England had been to a Semi-Final, a Final and made one of the favourites to win the upcoming World Cup, they would have suggested you go and see a doctor.
Despite this, the coming months present perhaps Southgate's biggest challenge yet. This England side is facing proper and deserved scrutiny. Expectations had understandably risen following last summer, and the worst home defeat in almost a century is inexcusable.
Southgate deserves to have the opportunity to turn this around. Many have caught up in how quickly things have turned around in the last six years. His record in major tournaments speaks for itself. There is no doubt belief in him is now at its weakest since his appointment as a result of Tuesday night. However, the amount of the England players have spoken to his brilliance means that he has the man-management skills to help this England side rebound.
Sacking a manager two games out from a World Cup does not make any sense either. While Tuesday night was terrible, the results of Europe's top sides like France and Germany have also been incredibly disappointing. The correlation with UEFA's slightly inhumane decision to shove four Nations League fixtures at the back end of a season that was not only long but saw the schedule heavily disrupted is clear. The players look disinterested and tired across the continent, not just here.
Belgium and Manchester City player Kevin De Bruyne has even suggested that he sees the Nations League as friendly matches and rejects the competitiveness of the UEFA tournament. We have gone through a global pandemic, and had a 2019-20 season that finished in September, yet UEFA are still insisting this tournament had to happen last year and now this year.
Many results from across Europe during this Nations League stint have subverted the odds. Essentially, England is not the only major European side who have struggled these last two weeks.
If there is this persistence in attempting to contextualise both of Southgate's major tournament runs, there should be some contextualisation here.
Southgate should not get a pass for this. Underachievement in Qatar will mean the FA should be showing him the door as there is an increasing indication that this group of players may have been taken as far as they can. Furthermore, their decision to give him a four-year contract before EURO 2020 had even finished last summer was reminiscent of Manchester United's decision to give Ole Gunnar Solskjaer a new contract after losing the Europa League final. We all know how that ended.
But while that may be the case, abusing him, his tactics, and even trying to play down his achievements as England manager is entitled. It was a long time ago that the England national team were as together as they have been in the past four years. And that isn't a coincidence; it is because of Southgate.
The international game is also not the same as the club game, and international football is primarily low scoring and very dependent on defensive solidity. All international success is based upon one-legged knockout football with squads who have about a month together as a team per year.
Hiring replacements like Howe, Potter, or even Wenger does not guarantee success. They might implement a more forward-thinking style of play, but the England jobs require essential non-footballing qualities. Many of Southgate's benefits to this England side likely came from his time with the Under-21s. Squad selection, managing different egos and bringing players together that are rivals for eight months of the year are challenges exclusive to international management. Many who would be tipped to replace Southgate are yet to experience that.
While everyone will want to play on the front foot, England's lack of in-form defensive options and the inability to build up a fluid attacking relationship means there is not much opportunity to implement attacking intent.
England got to the EURO 2020 Final because they conceded one goal on the way there, that one goal being a 30-yard direct free-kick. There is an obvious method to the madness. However, the madness is so jarring for some that the toxicity was lurking, waiting to pounce and pounce it has; it is now up to Southgate and his players to turn it around.
MBAPPE DEAL A TITANIC POWER SHIFT IN EUROPEAN FOOTBALL
Sunday 22nd May by Tom Ball
Friday Twitter murmurings from respected journalists were the first signs of a concrete decision from Kylian Mbappe. Reminiscent of Lebron James' decision in 2010 to 'take his talents to South Beach' - the football world waited for the star with the world at his feet to give news on his future.
His intention to run down his contract and confidence within the media and Madrid itself convinced everyone that the French Forward was Real Madrid's next Galactico. Thirteen years after they signed Cristiano Ronaldo from Manchester United.
The departure of Ronaldo in 2018 presented a new challenge for Club President Florentino Perez and Los Blancos. When and with who does the new era begin? While Karim Benzema's (34) form has led Real to the Champions League final this season, the striker is in the twilight of his career and will need someone to pass the torch.
Luckily for Real Madrid, the game's next biggest star, the boy who was the first teenager to score in a World Cup final since Pele himself - had a contract that was winding down and a dream to follow in the footsteps of his idol, Cristiano Ronaldo.
It seemed meant to be; Paris Saint-Germain's complete dysfunction was something that seemed very easy to run from. Their collapse in the Champions League was all too familiar, and their poorly conducted recruitment never did them any favours in attempts to keep their newly crowned star.
Real Madrid, still managing to get to club football's biggest game, seemed like they could do with Mbappe, and Mbappe could do with them.
The phrase 'you never know, it's football' is usually reserved for stuff on the pitch, but it seems perfect this time. In a historic U-turn - PSG announced Mbappe's extension with the club and the fallout, reported numbers he'll be paid, and the reaction from the rest of football has been nothing short of extraordinary.
Over a year ago, several of Europe's most powerful football clubs, including the Premier League's 'big six', announced the first proposals for a European Super League. Paris Saint-Germain was one of the club's that refused to participate in the competition.
At first many praised them and other excluders Bayern Munich for staying loyal to the wider footballing pyramid. However, PSG's ownership, relations, and interest make you realise the real reasons behind their decision not to join.
PSG's ownership has strong links to the Qatari state. President of the club Nasser Al-Khelaifi is a significant player in Qatari business and Chairman of broadcasting superpower beIN Sports Media.
Qatar is, of course, the host nation of this year's World Cup finals, a FIFA sanctioned event. Joining a European Super League would fracture Qatar's relationship with football's governing bodies and throw a blanket of tension over their hosting of the tournament.
This has led to a strengthened relationship between Qatar, UEFA/FIFA and Paris Saint-Germain.
The news was met with an instant complaint filed by La Liga regarding the deal's finances. PSG have posted 100s of millions in losses over the last several years without any explicit punishment.
We must remember that Qatar's extremely controversial awarding as the host nation of the 2022 FIFA World Cup happened 12 years ago now. This relationship has existed for over a decade, and FIFA has never shown any interest in compromising that relationship, even though modern slavery and worker death scandals surrounding the tournament.
Following on from this, if PSG lost possession of the game's future star in a year when Qatar is going to be hosting the World Cup finals, it would be catastrophic for Qatar's footballing plans in the future.
Therefore, the French club were so financially persistent in keeping Mbappe that other leagues were questioning the financial legitimacy of the deal that they managed to keep hold of their man. The reported terms of the agreement are extraordinary. They will undoubtedly make him the highest-paid footballer in history, even over the reported terms of Lionel Messi's Barcelona contract that included extortionate bonuses.
There is no way UEFA financial regulations are designed to allow for PSG to pay Kylian Mbappe this much money a year and provide him with a reported 9-figure signing-on bonus.
La Liga, to their credit, forced Lionel Messi out of their league due to FC Barcelona's repeated years operating at a loss, primarily due to the astonishing amount of money they were spending on keeping Messi at the club.
This was the first huge casualty in La Liga's financial regulation reform, which meant that clubs had to justify their spending through their revenue. If you did not meet La Liga's criteria, you would have sanctions that would likely affect the wage structure. This led to FC Barcelona having to release Lionel Messi.
It is not within Ligue 1's best interest to exercise similar regulations on PSG themselves. UEFA ranks their league the fifth best in Europe, and La Liga believes in Barcelona and Real Madrid's stature, with or without the jewels in their crown.
La Liga president Javier Tebas believes that the economic stability of football is being attacked. Whatever you think of Kylian Mbappe, the main issue is that he can sign a contract with these terms on it.
Some will point to Mbappe's decision on a personal level, and it will bring back similar criticisms during the exodus of relatively mediocre players leaving for lucrative contracts in China. The Chinese Super League brought in a regulation that prevented this from happening to the extent it was.
However, this is slightly different. Not only is Mbappe arguably the best player in the world, and he is also being offered this contract by one of the biggest and most competitive sides in Europe. Less than two years ago, he reached a Champions League final with them.
This presents a power shift in European football. Qatar's hosting of the World Cup finals, PSG's decision not to join a European Super League, and the questionable financial legality of a deal the size of Mbappe's aren't coincidences. PSG can financially operate in ways that Financial Fair Play is designed to stop.
In step La Liga, likely with some sour grapes involved, to question the legitimacy of this deal. Their argument is about the integrity of the European game; how can anyone keep up if PSG can get away with outlaying these ludicrous financial terms to just one player? It is likely to upset the balance of the entirety of European football's wage structure.
It is not clear how much Florentino Perez, Real Madrid President, has involvement in this official complaint. Perez will understandably have some sour grapes about this, and Real Madrid will likely feel like Mbappe's flirting has blindsided them.
However, Perez is adamant a Super League should still be happening and vows that it will return. Furthermore, Real Madrid has created a 'galactico' club culture that was made of them just buying the best players in the world.
The allure of the Santiago Bernabeu and those bright white shirts seem to be every top player's dream, and no success or loyalty is likely to stand in the way of it. However, PSG's reported terms have broken new ground.
Paris Saint-Germain has broken that allure. The team that managed to poach Ballon D'or and Treble winning Cristiano Ronaldo from Manchester United has now had a once-in-a-lifetime player say 'no' to them. For a club without a European Cup, but one with every reason to compete for one in the future.
Football is a game where most tend to fend for themselves. The game has been rife with financial corruption; Barcelona and Real Madrid have fallen under this umbrella. Unsurprisingly, La Liga decided to be proactive about these things when it has involved the game's next great not coming to their league.
However, PSG's reported willingness to give Mbappe control that runs through the entirety of the football club, including powers in selecting coaching staff and signing off on player transfers, is our first true sign of 'player power' in football.
In 2010, NBA star Lebron James famously 'took his talents to South Beach. His move from his hometown Cleveland Cavaliers, to the Miami Heat to create a 'superteam', was the first sign of an era in basketball that saw a team operate based upon what its star wanted.
Football has never really been like this; the squads are bigger, each player means less to its team's success, and for many leagues, most notably the Premier League, the stars are the coaches. Not for Paris Saint-Germain, they stood back and said 'whatever Kylian wants'.
This comes weeks after the game's other next big star, Erling Haaland, agreed to join Manchester City. The two most prominent examples of new money and state ownership in football have tied down the game's future for themselves.
The La Liga complaint is one of the first tangible signs of Barcelona and Real Madrid's grip on football yielding. The embarrassment of the failed super league, the decline in La Liga revenues and the financial disaster at Barcelona have dimmed the Spanish Giants' star. All while Paris Saint-Germain has made themselves UEFA and FIFA's new favourite.
REAL MADRIDโS HERITAGE LEAVES A HAUNTED CITY STILL TRYING TO ESTABLISH THEIR OWN
Thursday 5th May by Tom Ball
The Champions League ain't bad, ay?
We are running out of superlatives for Pep Guardiola - the football he crafts is incredible, and his genius coached another tie winning performance last night. The problem is, the team he was coaching was Manchester City, and the team they were facing was Real Madrid.
In a season where UEFA are beginning to push Champions League qualification through European heritage, Real Madrid's heritage gave them everything they needed on Wednesday night.
Real Madrid have spent the entire knockout stages being second best; they even lost 2-0 at home to Moldovan Champions FC Sheriff Tiraspol in the group stages. Yet, 11 knockout stage goals for Karim Benzema have helped them to their 5th final in 8 years, and it's Liverpool who stand in their way of winning all of them.
Manchester City played Real Madrid off the park in the first leg at the Etihad; Madrid were lucky to come away just one goal down, yet, this is something they have made a habit out of.
Lionel Messi's missed penalty in the round of 16 and Eduoard Mendy's howler in the Quarter Finals proved invaluable in ties they ended up winning by 1 goal. While those ties saw Los Blancos cutting it close, they hadn't cut it as close as Wednesday night.
Real Madrid needed two goals with 1 minute left plus stoppage time, in steps Rodrygo; the Brazilian substitute brought on for a tired Luka Modric essentially robbing Manchester City of their all but finalised trip to Paris.
The game mirrored that of Real Madrid's tie against PSG. The Parisians were by far the better side, as were City. They both seemed to control the game and led through their own brilliance. However, as Real Madrid got the first goal back, a goal that did not change the outcome of either tie as it stood, the belief of Manchester City seemed to completely disintegrate, as it did with PSG.
Two teams who most suitably represent the new money coming into the game of football. Whose entire purpose is slowly becoming to win the Champions League, just by token of their domestic dominance. Two teams who, all the while, just cannot seem to do it.
PSG's issues are systemic; reports suggest a complete rebuild is on the horizon. However, Manchester City have not stepped a foot wrong in their pursuit of greatness. PSG have never really been a good enough side to win the Champions League; Manchester City have been pretty much since they signed Pep Guardiola. Therefore, despite City's brilliance, they seem the furthest away of anyone - perhaps they're cursed?
The ongoing reference to Pep Guardiola having a curse put on him as a result of his treatment of Yaya Toure is becoming an ever more popular explanation for Cityโs failures - football explanations are becoming harder and harder to construct.
There is no doubt City have built a team capable of winning the competition. But no matter how deserving they are on a football level - the universe, football gods, or whoever has this power always seems to find a way to rip it away.
Without veering to more trivial explanations, various chances in both legs were spurned by City's attackers allowing Real Madrid the ability to get back in these games even with no time left to do so. However, for 89 minutes, the Citizens had done their job.
At the start of the second half, Real Madrid put together an incredibly well-drilled kick-off passage that created a golden opportunity for Vinicius seconds after the restart - this was another example, similar to the PSG game of them catching teams asleep, being opportunistic.
After scoring, they immediately took the game to a mentally weak City. While conceding the first would have been something a team could deal with, dealing with an immediate onslaught directly afterwards slowly drains one's confidence. Real Madrid, no matter their footballing weaknesses, are a side who can always smell blood and always believe in their clutch nature, and City seem quite the opposite in this competition.
Essentially seconds later, Real Madrid had forced extra time, with their first two shots on target of the entire game. There was now an inevitability in the air; if there was a team in the Semi-Finals who would squander an advantageous position, it was Manchester City. And if there was a team that was going to do it to them, it was Real Madrid. That stadium had seen too many nights like this, and Karim Benzema winning a penalty just two minutes into Extra-Time cemented another one of those nights.
As for Guardiola, there was not much he could have done. He reacted to real Madrid's attempt to get joy out of Vinicius Jr. in the first leg, a fit Kyle Walker brought in to defend his pace, much like Thomas Tuchel had done with Reece James at Bernabeu in the previous round. This worked. Kyle Walker was City's most important player; his forced departure due to injury inevitably left a chink in City's armour.
Jack Grealish missing two golden opportunities to put the tie to bed was an all too familiar tale for City from the first leg. Rodrygo's brace closely followed these chances, and the latter of his brace came from the 5'9 attacker winning a header 6 yards out of City's goal in stoppage time of a game City just needed to hang onto.
Last year, Chelsea's triumph in the competition saw them conceding just two goals during the knockout stages. City, the team who have only conceded 21 goals in the Premier League all season, have conceded six in two legs against Real Madrid. Guardiola's system worked defensively this season; he even played his first choice backline. Whether it's bad luck or lapses in concentration, that incredible defence decided to collapse.
Just days after Jurgen Klopp had committed himself to Liverpool for a further two years into 2026, Pep Guardiola has to wait yet another year for the prize that he is feeling the pressure to bring to the Etihad. It's pretty remarkable - he is in pole position to secure his fourth Premier League title in five years, to add to his four league cups and one FA cup he had won in that time, yet each year has seen his exit from the Champions League been labelled a failure.
However, this exit felt slightly different; many would point to his questionable team selection in last year's final, leading to a deserved defeat. This time, his tactics and set-up saw them be best in almost every area against Real Madrid - City spurned many chances to get more goals in the first leg and, in turn, the opportunity to put themselves out of reach of their opponents.
Most football fans are in dismay over the proposal to have two clubs qualify for Europe's most significant competition based on historical performance. A disgrace of a submission considering UEFA's attempt to paint themselves as heroes during the European Super League debacle attempted to remove the jeopardy for Europe's wealthiest clubs. Real Madrid are proving that while having legislation is full proof, that priceless European experience can see you overcome most odds.
It is crazy to think that after seeing all the incredible nights Real Madrid have been a part of in this competition over the last decade, President Florentino Perez is insisting a European Super League needs to happen. A whole year since its original collapse. However, his club's unrivalled pedigree in the tournament has got them to yet another final with the odds stacked against them. A pedigree that, despite their footballing excellence, Manchester City seem like they need right now. You can probably see what has made Perez think his team have a god-given right to be in this tournament every year - it's just that football doesn't and shouldn't work that way.
Writing Off Arsenal is almost a thing of the past
Wednesday 30th March by Tom Ball
โOptimism should be reserved for this result. However, things turn very quickly for Arsenal. They should enjoy this moment but also bottle it up. They were faultless; regardless of Spurs, they did not step a foot wrong. If they continue this until May, they will be further up the table than many expected them to be after they were battered at the Etihad, bottom of the league, with no goals next to their name. They ended the relegation talk in these last three games. Now a push for continental football should be on the agenda.โ
This was a conclusion to a piece written in September, just after Arsenal had torn their North London Rivals apart at the Emirates. The article touched on the vibrant and purposeful football Arsenal played but also how it could be the beginning of a more grim but also familiar tale.
Since that piece, The Gunners have won 15 of their 22 league games, only losing to Liverpool twice, Manchester United and Manchester City.
Arsenal has a history of turning up in bigger games, especially against their biggest rivals, but their form in favourable fixtures would always tell a different story.
The original piece also touched on this being a make or break season for Head Coach Mikel Arteta. Back to back eighth-place finishes in the last two seasons, and no European football for this season meant that there were arguments to say the club was regressing rather than progressing and that there were no excuses this season. No European football has proven an advantage for bigger clubs' league form; Chelsea's 2016/17 Premier League title win came in a season without midweek trips across the continent.
With the run-in well and truly upon us, Arsenal now sits in pole position for the top four, which nobody gave them a chance for this season. With Spurs keeping hold of Harry Kane, hiring Antonio Conte and Manchester United signing Raphael Varane, Jadon Sancho and Cristiano Ronaldo after finishing second last season. Arsenal pipping them to that solitary Champions League place they are all vying for would be an achievement that completely turns around the universal opinion of Mikel Arteta as a manager.
They have done it while seamlessly embedding last summer's signings into the team and letting the man they gave over three-hundred-thousand pounds a week to 18 months ago leave for free.
The exit of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang left some Arsenal fans concerned about the lack of goalscoring in Arsenal's squad. Their first-choice number nine, Alexandre Lacazette, often frustrates fans with his finishing.
However, Arsenal have arguably gotten better and have a clear role for every player in their squad - which is almost entirely rid of the old and expensive Arsene Wenger/Unai Emery leftovers.
We are all wondering where Arteta learnt the ability to cope without a clear goalscoring striker in his squadโฆoh yeah. With Erik Ten Haag on the cusp of a possible appointment at Manchester United and Xavi bringing Barcelona back, we undoubtedly see Pep Guardiola's transcending influence on the modern game before our eyes.
There is still a job to be done without completely falling into the writing-off Arsenal narrative. The Gunners are still yet to play Chelsea away and Spurs away - two games that could completely shift the top-four race. However, there is no doubt what Mikel Arteta has achieved. This is easily the club's best run of form since Arsene Wenger departed, and they have a squad and a group of players that is beautifully balanced and constructed, but the fans love them. That relationship has been very hard to come by in the Emirates over the last few years.
This is a massive moment for Arsenal as a club and its fans. While European away days next season was always the aim, nobody thought those away days could be to the Bernabeu, Allianz or Parc Des Princes.
The summer coming remains essential. You must always keep your foot on the gas, even if you're overachieving. How the club navigates the seasons ahead is crucial in their progression. If that fourth spot is there's coming the summer, then the more complicated task awaits. The gap between the top three in the league and the rest is still huge. Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea have as many losses combined in the league this season as any other club has individually.
Like in September, bottle this up, Arsenal, or whatever is left to bottle up. The job is not yet done, but you have done a pretty good one so far.
WHEN DID OUR BEAUTIFUL GAME BECOME SO UGLY?
Tuesday 15th March by Tom Ball
I was ready to write pieces about Romelu Lukaku, the title race and the managerial changes in the Premier League in recent months. However, much of that is on the back burner. As a Chelsea fan, this week has been terrifying, sad and confusing. Any feeling that is not a good one essentially.
I cannot think of a more grim example of why the โkeep politics out of sportโ nonsense that many in our country and the United States spew could not be further from the truth. Many of those fans who told Marcus Rashford to stop being a politician when taking action to stop child hunger are likely celebrating the turmoil that this recent situation has sent Chelsea into.
Chelsea Football Club is a huge and impactful institution on a footballing and community level. The club offered free hotel rooms to NHS staff during the first lockdown while also supporting as a vaccination centre on numerous occasions. The club has also been a large player in the fight against antisemitism.
Russiaโs invasion of Ukraine has now put Chelsea on the opposite side of these arguments due to the owner of the club Roman Abramovich being an enabler for the Kremlin and Vladimir Putin.
Soon to be former Chelsea FC Owner Roman Abramovich (left) pictured with Russia President Vladimir Putin
Sanctions have taken hold of the club and after some immediate negotiations with the Treasury, the club is still at the time of writing this, not allowed to make any form of revenue outside of prize money. This means an inability to sell tickets, leaving only season ticket holders as ones who can attend Stamford Bridge on a matchday and that includes away support. This is being appealed with support of the FA and Premier League on โsporting integrityโ grounds.
They have a limit on the spending of running matchdays at their home ground and have restrictions on the amount of money they can spend travelling to away games, and for a team with one foot in the Champions League quarter-finals, thatโs worrying.
All this is intended to destabilise Russiaโs war chest and its economy. Putin is said to have many funds hidden with the assets and bank accounts of his oligarchs, Abramovich is one of the most prevalent.
A sale of the club is allowed, the sale is being handled by Raine Group, the buyer must be approved directly by the government and Abramovich cannot financially benefit from the sale.
As a fan of this football club, I sincerely hope that this can contribute to ending what is happening in Ukraine. The geopolitics that this involves is complicated and financial sanctions against Russia and its oligarchs are a cold way of trying to slow down the kremlinโs aggression. My football club is certainly not worth more than war across the continent of Europe.
We must realise that this is footballโs reality. Sportswashing has become rampant in football. Abu Dhabi, Russia and Saudi Arabia have all entered the Premier League directors table in the last two decades and Abramovich has become the first to be kicked off that table.
Reports of a bid from Saudi Media Group to buy Chelsea have been met with the understanding that a deal would be โdifficult to complete'. While this seems like a clash of morality, Saudi Arabiaโs Public Investment Fund were able to purchase Newcastle United from British businessman Mike Ashley last October.
The consortium that completed the takeover of the club in the North East entered St. Jamesโ Park as heroes at their first game and have seen them turn the fortunes of the club on the pitch around since. Reports of a mass execution of 81 men in Saudi Arabia this week lacks little shock, however.
The United Arab Emirates is a country with a bad and improper human rights record, Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Mansour purchased Manchester City in 2008, the clubโs stadium and shirt sponsor now reads the name of Abu Dhabi airline Etihad Airways.
In 2011, Qatar Sports Investment, headed by Qatari Minister and Chairman of beIN Media Group Nasser Al-Khelaifi, bought Paris Saint-Germain, the team that now has the two most expensive players ever on their books Neymar and Kylian Mbappe as well as Lionel Messi.
Al-Khelaifi was charged by Swiss attorneys in 2017 for being involved in the briberies that will take the World Cup Finals to Qatar this year. A World Cup marred in controversy due to the reported death tolls and reports of modern slavery used in the building of the infrastructure that will host this yearโs tournament.
A damning state of affairs, Alisher Usmanov is another oligarch sanctioned by the UK government. The former shareholder in Arsenal, who tried to buy the club from Stan Kroenke in recent years, has sponsorship ties with Everton that have now led to reports of a possible sale by Farhad Moshiri.
All these case studies show the issues that the sport faces. The directors' table for Europeโs elite either contains sport washers obsessed with hiding the atrocities of their state or businessmen like Angelli at Juventus, Laporte at Barcelona, Perez at Real Madrid, Kroenke at Arsenal, Glazer at Manchester United and Henry at Liverpool who spearheaded an attempt to create the European Super League last April. The American investment bankers are notorious for loading debts onto their clubs and leaving them out to dry and turning their back on the football. No back turn angered fans more than the 48 hour European Super League.
Roman Abramovich has become the first to be axed because of these politics. Whoever the next will be is a mystery to many. There is no argument that the league is better off without individuals like Abramovich in it.
I am not scared or saddened because Abramovich has gone. Iโm scared because I donโt know what this means for the future of my football club. Nevertheless, my feelings are not even a millionth of the hardships that the people of Ukraine are going through.
Reports that the funds within the football club will only last them so long and not until the end of the season scares a football fan. I go to as many games at Stamford Bridge as I can, supported this club my entire life. This club is the reason I am closer to my dad than I have ever been. While many fans of other clubs salivate in the turmoil a rival has been put under, many will align with what football can do for people. The people you meet in the concourse, the idea that despite the most crushing defeats you are still thinking of when the next game is.
I have never supported Roman Abramovich, I have supported Chelsea. Many in the Matthew Harding stand on a matchday will tell you that Chelsea existed way before Roman did and will exist after him. Peter Osgoodโs ashes are buried under the Shed End penalty spot, he is also cast in bronze outside the West Stand. All this heritage and history existed before the Russian owner.
For myself and many, the game and your club is an escapism from the hardest parts of your own life. It is a struggle to articulate what this means without being sympathetic to what else is going on in the world. But that is precisely the point. The worldโs atrocities have become financially linked to some of the most dangerous and awful regimes and people the world is home to, these people now own our football clubs, Why did our beautiful game become so ugly?
The gameโs biggest clubs are controlled by ones with blood on their hands, while the people who allowed their grip on football to tighten play hero, it will only ever be the fans who pay, the Super League taught us all that and this is just another worrying example.
QUESTIONS ABOUT RACE CONTROLโS PRIORITIES OVERSHADOW MAIDEN TITLE FOR VERSTAPPEN
Monday 13th December by Tom Ball
A dramatic end to perhaps the most dramatic of F1 seasons. An incredible championship battle that ends with a decider that, unfortunately, will be argued about until the end of time. Max Verstappen, much like his rival, is a deserved winner. However, the flying dutchmanโs first triumph is overshadowed by baffling and contradictory stewardship that raises questionโs about Formula 1โs regulatory bodyโs priorities.
For the most part, the race had not lived up to the drama 2021 had to offer, Lewis Hamilton and Mercedesโ race pace seemed to have wrapped up the title in comfortable and perhaps, anti-climactic fashion. Mercedes had the better car, Lewis got the better start and as we all expected, the championship was to be won on the track.
A late tank-slapper from Nicolas Latifi forced a safety car, bunching up the field, reducing Hamiltonโs 12-second lead and allowing his title rival to stop for a fresh set of soft compound tyres. Red Bull had nothing to lose and the stop was a no brainer.
FIA Race control originally informed the field that the lapped cars, including the five running between Hamilton and Verstappen, would not overtake the safety car to re-order the field but stay in their current on-track order. The second half of the penultimate lap saw that instruction changed, leaving Hamilton in the clutches of his title rival while being much less racy, just a few laps after holding a considerable lead.
Although a one-lap shootout on the final lap of the final race, with the two tied on points, seems like the ultimate winner takes all scenario, Lewis, was to many fans and everyone through the paddock, a sitting duck and was left out to dry by a confusing evening for race control.
Formula 1 is a team sport, Mercedes have dominated the hybrid era through their team own hard work and brilliance, Mercedes had, by all accounts, the better car and judging by the start, the better driver on the day.
Michael Masi and Race Controlโs decision to only allow the cars between the two title rivals to un-lap themselves and no other lapped cars manufactures a brilliant climax to an incredible season but essentially rips a well-earned race win and in turn, championship away from Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes.
There is a lot of money involved in this sport and Michael Masiโs attempt to make the race about him and his team have diverted a lot of financial muscle into different areas by their decision to not align themselves with the rulebook they are employed to enforce.
This raises questions as to why were the rules so selectively enforced in perhaps the highest leverage moment in the history of the sport. The obvious answer is something that has been eluded to before. Race Control did not want the race to end under a safety car.
The safety carโs purpose is to dramatically decrease the speed of the field to clear any on-track hazards. Its service to the competition is to maximise safety in an incredibly dangerous sport. Therefore, saying that you will not let the safety car stop a racing finish to the race sets a dangerous precedent for the priorities of the FIA.
The FIAโs job is to regulate the sport just like they do with the support championships and Formula-E, there should not be any form of compromise between spectacle and competition. This stewardship was conducted to allow the two title rivals to battle on the last lap of the race. Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton had, by their merit, built up a lead and won this race on all fronts.
Many compromises are made throughout sports to increase entertainment while also remaining fair. However, as stated before, this is the highest leverage moment in the sportโs history. It was very obvious to many fans and certainly the FIA that Verstappen gained an advantage, through no merit of his own that ultimately won him the title and lost it for his competitor.
It is not Verstappen or Red Bullโs fault that the safety car happened, nor was it Hamilton or Mercedesโ. On the other hand, this is exactly the issue. The FIAโs regulation of this race has very clearly decided its outcome. However, this isnโt a genuine mistake, Michael Masi and his team have very quickly manufactured the raceโs ending and it has cost a driver and a team a World Championship.
Hamiltonโs radio message after Verstappen completed the move on him described the situation as โmanipulatedโ. With all the back and forth about agenda and biases this season, this is perhaps the most flagrant example of influenced decision making. By no means will anyone make accusations of corruption within the raceโs decision making. However, the financial and commercial interests of the sport have got in the way of its competition.
This raises the debate about professional competition. The United Statesโ interest in creating spectacles for their sportโs fans sacrifices competition and the FIA seemed to have exercised this attitude at perhaps the worst time they could do so.
The introduction of Sprint Raceโs this season was a format change that only benefitted the excitement of the sport. However, the sprint raceโs did not hold the sport back in terms of fair competition.
The success of Netflixโs โFormula 1: Drive To Surviveโ series has somewhat catapulted the popularity. Liberty Mediaโs takeover of the sport has changed many of the commercial decision makings and for the better, the sport is no bigger than it is now and we have had a world title fight to match it.
Nevertheless, it feels like what happened at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was something that would not have happened before the era of Liberty Media.
If the race had ended behind a safety car, many would think of it as a shame but not question its effect on the result. Red Bull Chief, Christian Horner said to Sky Sports during the race that Verstappen would need a โmiracleโ to win. Heโd conceded defeat. If the stewards had red-flagged the race, allowed the two to race off the grid with fresh tyres then not many would have had a problem with that.
However, a โmiracleโ did happen, besides a miracle possibly implying something out of everyoneโs control. The FIA certainly had the opportunity to keep this race under control, it is still up in the air as to why they did not.
They threw out Mercedesโ appeal, unsurprising considering that a confession of mistakes would have further damaged the FIAโs reputation. However, many will not be shocked to hear rumours that Mercedes are not done with this on a legal level.
We are entering a new era for the sport which is meant to tighten the field, increase competition and provide better racing on the track. Regulation changes that are welcomed by the entire Formula 1 world. However, this race was an overreach of this goal. Michael Masi and race control are intelligent enough to have known that making that decision was going to lose one guy a championship and win it for another.
An enraged Toto Wolff asked for a countback of the laps and expressed his anger and despair at the last laps of the race over the FIA radio. Masi replied with โToto, itโs a motor raceโ. A motor race that he had completely disregarded 57 out of 58 laps of. Masi is still yet to appear in front of any media or answer any questions despite his controversial decisions quite literally decided the outcome of the 2021 Formula 1 World Drivers Championship.
Neither Michael Masi nor any of the FIA's race control stewards appeared in front of media or fans to try and provide justification for the baffling conduct they deployed to control this race.
The FIA have to take into account audience enjoyment when decision making but what happened on Yas Island Sunday evening stepped outside the bounds of audience enjoyment. That 1 lap of immense adrenaline nobody has ever felt is followed by a sour taste. By attempting to create the ending they thought everyone wanted they have created an ending many did not want. Not because Verstappen emerged victorious, but that victory comes with a question mark that is yet to answered to the paying fans directly
That sour taste will cause Hamiltonโs hardcore fanbase to try and wrongfully invalidate Verstappenโs title. On the other hand, Lewis has had a world title taken away from him in the most gut-wrenching and numbing circumstances.
A lot of the divide in the sport this season had gotten ugly, beyond that of sporting rivalry, this is only going to pour more fuel on that fire. This, alongside the uncertainty around what race control feel their job is to do, poses a political conundrum for the sport.
This and the inconsistency in the stewardship of this F1 season as a whole has opened Pandoraโs box when it comes to the FIAโs manipulation of a raceโs competitiveness.
To give a personal reaction, for all the magnificent, spellbinding driving Max has done this year, I canโt help but feel like something wasnโt right about the way this season ended. One of the most exhilarating seasons ever has had its final page turned through perhaps its most profound controversy. For all the adrenaline that final lap gave us, it was quickly forgotten and overshadowed by yet another spree of FIA inconsistencies that will surely cause a community inquest into what exactly is race controlโs jurisdictions.
The inconsistencies involving Hamilton and Verstappenโs on-track battles throughout the year are on one level. The handling of the last-race safety car is a whole different kettle of fish that will call into question these jurisdictions.
I did not expect, nor do I feel itโs right, that I have to be glued to the TV until later into the evening to find out the results of post-race appeals after the final race of the season. Ironically, this subverts Masi's clear intention with the safety car debacle. Nevertheless, you cannot blame Mercedes in the slightest for contesting such confusing circumstances, therefore, the fault once again falls at the FIAโs door.
WHILE OLE IS UNDER PRESSURE, SUNDAY SHOULD HAve BEEN THE GLAZERSโ BIGGEST WAKE UP CALL
Friday 29th October by Tom Ball
Liverpool handed United their most embarrassing home defeat since the famous 6-1 at the hands of their โnoisy neighboursโ a decade ago. A defeat that presents an inquest of unprecedented magnitude into Manchester Unitedโs current state of affairs.
Many fans will point to Paul Scholesโ warning on BT Sport and many analysts and pundits will point to the desperately concerning performances over the last few weeks as precursors to a humiliation unlike many have seen in the Premier League since its inception.
Liverpool were not even good, they seemed to be in as much shock as every neutral sat in their living rooms at home when they raced into a 4-0 lead before half-time.
Many images stuck with the football world throughout the day. The tired, damaged expression of Sir Alex Ferguson, the beaming grin of Kenny Dalglish. However, the one most prominent had to have been the stream of supporters leaving Old Trafford and heading down Warwick Road at half-time and beyond.
They had seen enough, losing 4-0 at home to any team, including Liverpool, is a huge blow for Manchester United, so you cannot even begin to imagine what losing 4-0 at half-time could mean.
This is a day that will live long on the legacy of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer forever. His job is fragile and on the ropes. On the other hand, this loss is indicative of an issue. An issue in the attitude and professionalism existing at Old Trafford.
The Red Devils have blown their North-West rivals away in terms of wage and transfer expenditure over the last decade. The money invested in each team that was fielded on Sunday swung very heavily towards Unitedโs side. So how on earth is there such a gaping chasm between both teams technically that completely subverts the purpose of eachโs investment?
Without sounding anti-analytical - Why are Liverpool so much better than Manchester United without even going anywhere near the transfer or wage investment of their rivals? How have Liverpool managed to remain one of the best and most unbeatable sides in Europe for four years while United have been second best in all of their last several games?
Unitedโs problems on Sunday primarily came from their lack of organisation and clear absence of any sort of plan. There are not many things more certain in football than how Liverpool are going to approach any game they are playing. So why was there no plan?
You can probably find numerous analysis videos and pieces on what went wrong for United on the pitch. Nevertheless, this gameโs impact goes beyond the tactics board.
Since Sir Alex Ferguson departed his role as manager, this is the biggest and most alarming wake-up call to the clubโs hierarchy. And the previous eight years have been poisonous at Old Trafford. They have lost games at home, missed out on Champions League qualification and watched their three biggest rivals bring in all but one of the Premier League titles since then. Despite all this, Sunday was the darkest day.
The Glazers (maybe) watched their club capitulate and dismantle at the hands of their great rivals. These rivals happened to be owned by the group that he worked with to get the Super League proposals off the ground just months ago.
What remained of the fans in Old Trafford booing the man they appointed to lead this team. A team that is being pinned down by them and their colleagues own selfishness and incompetence.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has become a shield, all eyes and blame sit on his and his players' door in the fallout from this game. However, you cannot help but admit that much of this result is a byproduct of the Glazersโ ownership.
This isnโt an avoidance of Solskjaerโs shortcomings as a manager. He is not up to the job, especially if they are expecting to win the league any time soon. On the other hand, why are he and much of his backroom staff being given bumper new contracts in the wake of a Europa League final loss to an average Villarreal team? Second in the league looks great on the surface but when Liverpool had an injury crisis and Chelsea win the Champions League it is hard to gain any relevant optimism from it.
This isnโt to say Ole should have lost his job then but the Glazers have tied themselves into a financial commitment that will cost them a lot of money to get out of. Furthermore, it will be followed by a world-class replacement who will likely be one of if not the highest paid in the world and have an army of backroom staff with them.
Adam Crafton of The Athletic raised another important point; Unitedโs footballing mission has been led by coaches โlearning on the jobโ. With Kieran McKenna and Michael Carrick being two of Oleโs most senior allies, two guys who were in their infancy when it came to coaching. Furthermore, Oleโs experience comes in a short and uninspiring spell at Cardiff City which saw him get relegated from the Premier League and many years at Norwegian side Molde.
Ole hardly boasts the managerial resume of his competitors nor those in line to possibly replace him, you have to bolster that coaching youth with world-class experience. Ole has proved a brilliant and promising man-manager, he is essentially everything Jose Mourinho was not for Manchester United and then it was exactly what the club needed. However, United have failed in almost every footballing facet to develop Solskjaer into the all-around package that is required for a team that has had over ยฃ1 billion spent on it over the last 10 years.
It is okay for a club like Manchester United, who had the best manager of all time at the helm for 25 years, to want a long-term project. However, that requires foundations around that coach to develop and foster the winning culture that they crave to get back.
It is known that Sir Alex would not take training sessions himself, leaving his coaching staff while he built winning relationships with Unitedโs players. To surround Ole with coaches at the beginning of their careers stagnates any form of progress.
You begin to find some similarities with Frank Lampardโs situation at Chelsea. A man, with limited world-class experience in his coaching career, tasked with leading one of the biggest clubs in the world. A former player like Ole ran into a poor run of form and Chelsea had already had enough. The question to raise is, what did Chelsea expect? Lampard was never going to compete for a league title within a couple of years, their sacking showed the expectations that would come with an established, world-class manager, not someone โlearning on the jobโ.
While Solskjaer boasts a much longer career in management, he had stepped nowhere near a job like Manchester United. Therefore, hiring inexperienced staff to support him is counterintuitive to what Solskjaer brings to the table, much like Chelseaโs flagrant impatience with Lampard.
Simon Jordan of talkSPORT has described the clubโs board as โunfairโ for keeping Solskjaer in a job that is out of his depth. While that can be seen as slightly passive-aggressive from a critic of the Norwegian like Jordan, it does rightfully shift some blame onto the incompetent board that United fans were happy to suspend a game with Liverpool over earlier this year.
While the result and performance on Sunday were embarrassing and pathetic enough for any manager to lose his job, the biggest positive for United fans would be it being the catalyst for change at the football club. The issues lie beyond Solskjaer.
The Red Devils turn their attention to Tottenham on Saturday. They have had a few days rest as many other teams, including their opponents, have taken part in the Round of 16 Carabao Cup matches. Solskjaer will be in charge of the game in North London and will take on another manager going through his own difficult set of circumstances and pressure in Nuno Espirito Santo.
Sunday felt like a pivotal day in Premier League history, 6-1, 8-2 now 5-0. United lost by 5 goals to Spurs last season, however, Sunday was a lot different, a lot more damning but a win on Sunday, while not fixing things, will scrape back some dignity that was depleted at Old Trafford.
Has the Egyptian King conquered the world?
Tuesday 19th October 2021 by Tom Ball
Mo Salahโs is well and truly on fire. He has scored two goals that will be remembered for a long time in back-to-back games and is once again topping the Premier Leagueโs scoring charts, he also remains early favourite for Player of the Season. However, his mesmerising form has brought forward a debate that seems superfluous and somewhat unfair on the Egyptian.
Is Mo Salah the Best Player in the World? - that question has been commonly supplemented with the term โright nowโ, but that does not seem to fully rid it of its redundancy. This debate is only being had because Lionel Messi has started just four games for Paris-Saint Germain this season. This is not to say that Messi is the only candidate. Robert Lewandowski is doing his job as well as he has ever done it, while Karim Benzema has continued his brilliant form for Real Madrid in the first few games of the season.
These debates are filled with different metrics and assessments that seem to end after time itself but we can more or less scratch the surface.
Admittedly, Mo Salah would have a good chance of winning the Ballon Dโor if it started when he started playing well and ended now. When you give that notion a bit more of a think it sounds a bit stupid doesnโt it?
Applying the same logic to Ilkay Gundoganโs form in December and January of last season, it could have been said he was the best midfielder, or even player in the world then. Of course, many would disagree with me, and rightfully so. But that raises a question of why is this discussion now raised for Mohammed Salah?
Well, it could be because he has been incredible for four seasons now. The guy is rapidly enhancing his Premier League legacy and is already considered a great in his own right. However, to say he is the best based upon the last 3-4 seasons doesnโt hold much weight because Lionel Messi has been in the top 3 of Ballon dโor voting for not just three of the last four seasons but twelve of the last thirteen seasons. While has not appeared once, even at the end of his 44-goal season in 2017-18.
Messi has been in and out of this Paris-Saint Germain side due to injury and the lateness of his move from Barcelona. His team were essentially played off the park by arguably the best team in the world; Manchester City but they managed to win that game because of his magic.
Now, Salah did score an incredible goal against the same team but this was a game littered with exceptional performances from Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva. City went home with a draw due to Kevin De Bruyneโs brilliance to capture that second goal.
De Bruyne has presented Mo Salahโs biggest obstacle in being the undisputed King of the Premier League. Since Eden Hazard departed for Madrid, the two have sat either side of the Best Player in The League debate.
This is where the unfairness in this conversation comes to the fore. The debate is frustrating as it prompts the desire to discredit the Egyptian Kingโs brilliance, and through no fault of his own. However, Salah has not been able to unanimously convince the footballing world that he is the best player in the Premier League over the last four seasons, let alone the world. He has never been seriously considered in World Player of the Year or Ballon Dโor discussions, unlike Messi, Ronaldo and Mbappe. However, he is suddenly meant to be the Best Player in the World, not just because of his last 9 games, but because of his last 4 seasons?
Much of this debate is rooted in his goal tally for the season. This is indicative of the dilution of stat comparisons over recent years. Lionel Messi has sat in the Top 3% in almost all attacking stats over the last year. Salah may lead him in goals and if you pick and choose the competitions perhaps assists in some scenarios. However, the numbers say Messi, is more creative, influential, valuable, clinical and essentially better in almost anything other than purely goals - backing up the eye-tests. However, if we are talking about just this very short eight game season everyone seems to think ends now then Salah does have him.
percentiles rank the player within a certain percentage in comparisons to all other players in the corresponding position
stats are from the last 365 days and are provided by fbref.com
The two main competitors to Salahโs non-existent crown are Robert Lewandowski and Karim Benzema. Itโs very useful that all three have played the same amount of games for their clubs this season as of writing this.
As you can see, Benzema and Lewandowski beat Salah in Goals, Goals per 90, Goals and Assists per 90, Goals minus penalty kicks, and Goals minus penalty kicks per 90.
stats provided by fbref.com
Benzema has 16 direct goal involvements in 8 games. He also beats Salah in both Goals and Assists while having a lower expected goals and matching his expected assists. Which means he is just more efficient and more clinical than Salah is.
Lewandowski is another man who would have undoubtedly beaten Salah to the Ballon Dโor last season and is likely to be ahead of him in voting this season. Just over a year on from securing a treble for Bayern Munich and just months after breaking Gerd Mullerโs Bundesliga scoring record, scoring 41 goals in 29 games in the league. While many will look to the monopoly Bayern have on their domestic game, Lewandowskiโs form carries over into the Champions League.
This begins another debate, Mo Salah plays in the most competitive and highest quality league in the world. Much like the response to the stupidity of using the same argument against Lionel Messi, there is plenty of evidence that Lewandowski and Benzema transfer their form against teams all over Europe.
You could say this is falling into the same relentless comparison of numbers on a screen or sheet of paper that many are exceeding necessity with in the first place. On the other hand, the stats have always backed Salah up. He has never been Eden Hazard or Alexis Sanchez, players who embraced the role as the leagueโs showman while also putting up half decent numbers. Salah is every stat-manโs dream, Liverpool fans and his supporters have joined the stat revolution.
It is just quite remarkable that perhaps the highest opinion the footballing world has ever had of him comes when the stats do not back it up.
This then leads us to a debate on โeye-testโ. His two goals against Watford and Man City brought people to their feet, they were mesmeric. However, the application of an โeye-testโ suggests that stats do not matter. Judging by the goal against Manchester City, Lionel Messi its still at his bewildering best, he has played almost a quarter of the minutes the other three have played, and for a new club.
The reactionary nature of the modern day football dialogue is producing reactionary responses to certain arguments. It has produced a Ballon Dโor for Luka Modric and a UEFA Menโs Player of the Year for Jorginho in recent years.
Falling in love with Lionel Messi as a footballer was you wanting to switch on La Liga and watch him play. It wasnโt because he has an unfathomable amount of goal involvements throughout his career or he looks good on sheet full of numbers. Mo Salah is exceptional and a truly great talisman who will go down as a Premier League great. However, one purple patch of form doesnโt elevate many World Class players above anyone, especially when their rivals are doing the same.
Solskjรฆr has been here before, will this time be different?
Tuesday 12th October by Tom Ball
Manchester United fans would have left Old Trafford without a feeling of frustration, but relief. A 1-1 draw with Everton seemed more like an escape as Rafael Benitezโs side were the better team, Ole Gunnar Solskjaerโs critics reemerged as a result.
A blockbuster transfer window instilled hope and belief that this season would be the season in which they clicked everything into gear and became one-fourth of a trailblazing title race. Their title credentials have been put into doubt as league leaders Chelsea won on Saturday while a thriller at Anfield reminded everyone of the metric tonne of quality that Liverpool and Manchester City possess.
The Red Devils only sit two points off the leaders in West London and remain very much in contention. For many, that is slowly becoming within a mathematical vacuum. City, Liverpool and Chelsea have all played each other already. Those are the only two games Chelsea have not won. Liverpool remain unbeaten, while City have avoided defeat since their opening day loss to Spurs, despite visiting both Anfield and Stamford Bridge.
This analysis of the difficulty of each team's opening fixtures can then be pitched alongside Unitedโs performances. They have been given a game or looked second best in all of their last six matches, winning just two of them. They are now heading into a period where they play Leicester, Liverpool, Spurs, City, Chelsea and Arsenal all before the end of November.
Now, Solskjaer has made a name for his performances in games against the โBig Sixโ, but if these results come but they are once again finishing the season without a trophy and miles off the title, then what is it worth? They beat their noisy neighbours back in March, but that was a City team that were Champions-elect.
Solskjaer is hardly as divisive as his predecessorโs, Jose Mourinho and Louis Van Gaal left a sour taste at the club. Negative football and high expectations post-Sir Alex Ferguson were considerable contributions to their downfall. Ole came in as an interim manager, smashed the job interview and gave the board no choice but to hire him.
However, this United team is screaming out to be taken to the next level. Many are beginning to believe Solskjaer isnโt the man to do that.
Marcus Rashford presents a great example of Manchester Unitedโs current dilemma. After a World Cup in which Rashford spent much of it as Englandโs first-choice substitute, he looked set to step up to the first-team squad.
That World Cup was three years ago, just after Solskjaer was given the United job permanently. Since then Rashford has seen Jack Grealish, Phil Foden, Mason Mount and Bukayo Saka not only come into the squad but displace him in the pecking order, not just for Gareth Southgate, but for many England fans.
The difficulties for Jadon Sancho and Mason Greenwood to get game time for their national side also presents a pattern in scouting opinions of Unitedโs young future outside of Carrington. These three players have all the talent you need to make it to the summit of World Football, however, you cannot help but worry about this development.
The players that displaced Rashford in the squad have all seen a well-constructed development. Many will be talking about Mo Salahโs performance against Man City on Sunday, on the other hand, Phil Foden was that good in a game littered with World Class players, Gary Neville couldnโt bring himself to give all the Man of the Match credits to just one of them.
Phil Foden is that good because of the talent he possesses, the same talent Rashford possesses, except Foden is being mentored and coached by arguably the worldโs best at it. While Rashford has spent 5 years now in an underachieving club, his development stagnating, while many of his peers accelerate past him.
Solskjaerโs sole job isnโt to win Rashford individual awards, yet for a club who have their young English future right in front of them, ready to conquer the league the club did for so many years, you wonder as to whether Solskjaerโs time could be up.
Without sounding patronising, Solskjaer has put a huge metaphorical arm over the football club. The fans arenโt repulsed by him like previous managers, when the team clicks it's electrifying, the players love him and seem happy with the culture around the team, but they cannot afford to keep falling behind. Finishing second last season was good, yet the club was again trophy-less while seeing Chelsea and City battle for the Champions League, and Liverpool navigating their best period in over 30 years, there needs to be some forward thought, for the young talent as well as the clubโs success.
The list of candidates to bring in will be a whoโs who of the management world. United still have that draw and a squad that demands high standards. There is a low chance the club would not go all out with their search for a replacement if it were to commence.
However, we have seen contrasting fortunes in recent years with the choice to axe managers. Chelsea sacked club legend Frank Lampard after some poor form, much to the sadness of their fans. On the other hand, his replacement was lifting the Champions League months later.
Spurs axed Mauricio Pochettino months after making a Champions League final only to see the club trend the wrong way from there.
There is likely to be a feeling of trepidation around sacking a man who has provided so much improvement to the club over the last three years. The Jose Mourinho and Louis Van Goal sackings were never difficult for the fans or the club to take. Their lack of likeable qualities and stubborn defence of their philosophy forced United fans to the opposition.
Solskjaer has done a million and one wonderful things at Old Trafford that he will be thanked and remembered for. However, it is necessary to decipher when the โI Love Ole, butโฆโ attitude becomes too dangerous to the club's development and improvement.
Again, this sounds patronising, but a managerโs relationship and the fansโ opinion of the man behind the manager is of vital importance to the clubโs culture. The Arsenal faithfulโs impatient and shortsighted dismissal and eventual rejection of their beloved Arsene Wenger has left the club in a much worse place than it ever was under the frenchman. The fansโ impatience was proven. Many within Old Trafford are likely unsure whether the slow loss of backing from United fans is a signal of impatience or the contrary.
One thing Ole has made a habit out of is reversing these low points. It never descends to a point of no return and Solskjaer has never seemed to bring his employers to a point of โno choiceโ. Itโs tough fixtures like the ones on the horizon that he usually does this. This, and their Champions League group stage campaign will no doubt be a test for Ole. A test that if he fails will almost certainly cost him his job.
When looking at the context of the entire season. If you look at the three signings they have made, the squad they currently have, this is it, no real excuses can be made, the standards are the highest they have ever been. Take one look at who was sat on the bench at the start of the Everton game and tell me it is not concerning that even after making his three subs, there was no impact, no ruthlessness.
RIGHT, BOTTLE THIS UP NOW, ARSENAL
Monday 27th September by Tom Ball
Arsenal extended Tottenham's losing run to three league games with a 3-1 victory at the Emirates. The Gunners leapfrogged their North London Rivals to tenth in the table and extending their winning run to three games.
Last week Spurs came out the blocks like they smelt Chelsea's blood. That turned out to be their own as they got picked apart in a second-half rampage. However, the difference this week was that the rampage came in the first forty-five. Just after the half-hour mark, Arteta's men had the game wrapped up with a performance Arsene Wenger would be proud of. The free-flowing, ruthless counter-attacks that people came to the Emirates to see in the first half of the last decade were present on Sunday evening.
Emile Smith-Rowe rewarded the Gunners' intensity twelve minutes in slotting home Bukayo Saka's low cross. The reaction inside the Emirates represented a jubilant relief. Back-to-back eighth-place finishes in the last two seasons saw the already divided and vocal fanbase to a place many of them had no experience. However, welcoming their arch-rivals to the Emirates with fans for the first time in two years hardly gave room for any other outcome. The last time Spurs won away at Arsenal was November 2010.
The first goal seemed to kick off what seemed like more of a celebration. Martin Tyler described the Gunners' start as 'busy and purposeful'. Emile Smith-Rowe and Bukayo Saka, two of the countries most likeable young talents, seemed to glide past the Spurs players with inspiration and enjoyment. It seemed more of an emotional ceremony of a game than a cold-hearted battering - Arsenal fans may believe the contrary. Topped off by a mature and talismanic performance by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. After finishing off a scintillating Arsenal counter-attack, the Gabonese striker echoed Thierry Henry's famous knee slide celebration which can be found immortalised in bronze right outside the stadium. The Arsenal great watching from the stands. This is, and always will be, a great moment for their fans, beating Spurs always is. But what does this mean for the Gunners?
This is an Arsenal team brimming with confidence. Many critics would have skimmed over a pair of underwhelming 1-0 wins over Norwich and Burnley. However, the players' reaction, especially at Turf Moor, was a sign of a mentality change. The nature of those performances may not be the driving factor, however, many will tell you that football is a results business.
The positive fallout from Sunday presents a question: Can this mentality continue? Many ex-players will tell you it's easy to get up for the rivalries, the derbies and the titanic clashes of enemies. Playing an average Spurs in front of a full Emirates breeds an expectation for great performances. We have seen the polar opposite Arsenal team against Brentford, Chelsea and Manchester City, scoring no goals and shipping nine. Why does it take this occasion to formulate that ruthlessness?
Arsenal fans will feel agitated at the talk around how bad Spurs were. They may feel it's a deliberate diversion from how great their own team was. However, Arsenal producing in a performance against a rival isn't new - they did the double over the European Champions last season. It's their dramatic inconsistency that drags them back down the table. The best teams maintain a standard, no matter who they are up against. Arsenal couldn't be further from this in recent times. This story has been told many times. They win a big six clash and we all ask: Is this a turning point? The long term answer always ends up being no.
An opening set of fixtures that probably couldn't have been worse are now behind them. Early blips in player fitness and availability seem to be behind them. Arsenal can now begin to get some momentum, in terms of results and on an individual basis.
Whether you agree or not, this is most likely a make or break season for Mikel Arteta. Back-to-back eighth-place finishes, followed by the most expensive transfer window of any Premier League team demands progress. These players are playing a huge role in Arteta's team, Ramsdale seems to already be the first choice, along with Ben White. Martin รdegaard, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Nuno Tavares are all playing considerable minutes. These arrivals were not just investments, they were reinforcements, intended to instantly improve Mikel Arteta's team and in turn, his fortunes.
Optimism should be reserved for this result, however, things turn very quickly for Arsenal. They should enjoy this moment but also bottle it up. They were faultless, regardless of Spurs, they did not step a foot wrong. If they continue this until May, they will be a lot further up the table than many expected them to be after they were battered at the Etihad, bottom of the league, no goals next to their name. They ended the relegation talk in these last three games, now a push for continental football should be on the agenda.
A Transfer Window Retrospective for the Title Challengers
Thursday 2nd September by Tom Ball
With the market slamming shut until January for another season, it is perhaps suitable to label this one as one for the ages. Big moves for maybe the two greatest players to ever grace the game and saga after saga in the Premier League. The calamities at Barcelona that saw Lionel Messi depart his beloved home can only be seen as a prominent subplot to a window like any we have ever experienced. Despite the happenings across Europe, it is time to focus on what the business means for the Premier League title challengers in a follow-up to the piece released before the season starts.
Manchester CityThe citizens have just the lone arrival in the very, very expensive but also very, very good Jack Grealish. The man became the nation's golden boy throughout the summer and not just for his football.
There were always murmurings of the possibility of the local Villa lad leaving to join a team competing in Europe. A few years ago, Villa's relegation from a Premier League almost saw him join Spurs the following summer. However, with the creative output, he provided at Aston Villa last season, rivalling Europe's best and not just England's best, he was going to come at a hefty price tag when you also consider the unofficial but authentic 'English Premium'.
With a departure that sparked some debate about whether he should be expected to show loyalty to Aston Villa, Grealish joined Pep Guardiola in a very efficient swoop that never seemed to be made difficult by any parties involved. Villa's ownership then addressing his departure by protecting Jack's character while also providing surprising transparency to the Villa fans who fell in love with their captain.
What does this move mean for City? It continues Pep's dream of a 'team of midfielders' well and truly intact and brings in a homegrown player coming into his prime while Brexit drags a cloud of uncertainty over a tightening of those rules.
There is no doubt of Grealish's quality and is undoubtedly a tremendous get for the Sky Blue's. However, Grealish's status as a player does not vastly exceed his new teammates, and therefore you can struggle to see a vast improvement on City's existing philosophy.
Man City's most critical flaw was perhaps the striker position. The sale of Sergio Aguero and the stagnating development of Gabriel Jesus in that position left City with a prominent piece of business that needed to be done.
Furthermore, despite great tussles for Harry Kane and Cristiano Ronaldo, that never happened. City was not going to wilt to Daniel Levy's steely resolve to get Kane and may have had Ronaldo stolen from their clutches by their Manchester rivals, Alexis Sanchez style.
Nonetheless, City have been helped by the pair of 5-0 thrashings they handed the somewhat pathetic Norwich and Arsenal, with Ferran Torres perhaps being the default resolution to their issues at Number 9. However, their opening weekend loss to Tottenham Hotspur showed the problems that may arise without that proven goalscorer. Spurning chance after chance only to see the game slowly get away from them. The Champions League final was another example of that lack of impotence.
Man City will remain the favourites to probably the bookies. Pep has won three of the last four titles; he has built a formula that wins the Premier League. However, perhaps the improvement of others presents the largest threat to their status as Champions.
Manchester UnitedWithout sounding too sour mouthed, it's ironic that the protests against the ownership are swiftly followed by a transfer window that sees them bring in Jadon Sancho, Raphael Varane and Cristiano Ronaldo, yes, Cristiano Ronaldo. There is no doubt this window will go down in history for United fans. Mainly as the window, they got their icon back. With baseless rumours swirling almost every summer of Ronaldo possibly returning to Old Trafford, it was never something their fans really ever fell for. It was mainly a dream for them, a dream that has now come to fruition, and insanely quickly at that.
You have to feel for the hearts of United fans over the last week because, funnily enough, this all started with the news of Ronaldo wanting out of his current club Juventus and Manchester City being the frontrunners for his signature. Labelled a 'done deal' by some press members, Ronaldo looked set to join Manchester City in their desperate attempt to find an alternative to Harry Kane.
However, a cryptic tweet from Rio Ferdinand followed by a very telling press conference from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer were the first signals of the tide changing. The next day United announced they had reached an agreement with Juventus, and the dream was realised.
We haven't even gotten to the swoops of Varane and Sancho, but there is no doubt there is reason to be excited if you are attending Old Trafford this season. You completed two signings that fixed the issues on the right side of attack and at centre back, and you have the best player to ever player for your club here to run it around.
Apologies in advance for the second instance of pessimism, however, we are here to look at this in an emotionless vacuum that is a football pitch. The main point is that signing Ronaldo doesn't make much sense tactically; it is actually quite illogical. Ronaldo was never really a centre forward at Juventus, often occupying the left-hand side. He is just outstanding in the penalty box.
Ronaldo's arrival at Juventus prompted a slow fall into what can only be described as 'Give-the-ball-to-Ronaldo-ism'. Portugal's record goalscorer has become a player that requires a system around him to succeed. But, unlike his rival Lionel Messi, Ronaldo doesn't just come in and be the system. Despite him being the closest thing to a superhuman we have in football, he is 36.
This isn't to say he doesn't improve Manchester United; the Europa League final reared ugly heads regarding the club's mentality issues, and who better than Cristiano to come in for that.
However, the last piece mentioned United's issues with progression in deeper midfield areas. The draw to Southampton and the eventual win at Wolves that saw them struggle to control the game highlighted these issues, and they are still yet to be addressed.
A prediction is difficult as Ronaldo will win United games this season, and he is the perfect man to get the team out of a lacklustre performance. His Real Madrid dynasty was a team that seemed to live for moments of adversity. This could be the piece we didn't think was missing, or it could be a purely emotional return that has stumped Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at the tactics board.
LiverpoolThe reds are the only team here to not complete any business since the last piece. Their only signing to come in this summer remains Ibrahima Konate, the french centre-back is still yet to displace Joel Matip after game week 3.
We touched on the departure of Gini Wijnaldum as perhaps something that may go under the radar in terms of its impact. However, this issue still remains inconclusive. Harvey Elliott has been graduate from the first team and has played brilliantly to start the season. However, Wijnaldum's availability is what looks like could be a juxtaposition of Liverpool's Achilles heel this season.
With Roberto Firmino hobbling off against Chelsea with an injury that leaves Jurgen Klopp with a front three of Diogo Jota, Mohammed Salah, Sadio Mane to play essentially every game, Liverpool's lack of depth has caught up with them. While Fenway has done brilliantly financially, they have done poorly in refreshing a squad that, until Chelsea went down to 10 men, looked second best to the Blues at Saturday TeaTime.
Klopp is insistent that the lack of depth is not an issue. Unsurprising, considering the job he has done the last few years and his unrivalled belief in his players. However, with the League Cup and Champions League coming into the fray after the International break, the fixture congestion will test Liverpool, something Jurgen Klopp has had a rocky relationship with before.
ChelseaA transfer window that started with a pursuit of Erling Haaland that a negotiator like Chelsea was reluctant to get embroiled in has ended with the return of Romelu Lukaku. We discussed the differences, and challengers signing either of the two strikers would bring in a previous piece you can check out here.
Chelsea opted to go for familiar blood in Lukaku, who left the Blues in 2011 to join West Brom. Growing up, Lukaku was a Chelsea fan and believed he could not turn down a second chance when it arose.
More analytically, Lukaku provides Chelsea with precisely what they were missing last season. Their impressive organisation saw them manage their way to a Champions League triumph while also wasting many chances to romp their way through the competition.
On paper, Lukaku solves this. Furthermore, his debut against Arsenal saw him bully the Gunners in their own house on his way to the man of the match. His performance against Liverpool was more subdued. The entire second half being played in his own half as they went down to ten men. The first two games have proven him to be the exact reference point Chelsea need.
His ability to bring others into play and attract defenders gave Reece James essentially the freedom of the Emirates in their second game. They created some promising transitional danger against Liverpool.
Lukaku was one of the Premier League's most significant additions this summer. Therefore, it is easy to skip over their deadline day signing of Saul Niguez from Atletico Madrid. The Spanish midfielder arriving on a season-long loan with an obligation to buy next summer.
An aggravated ankle injury to Ngolo Kante against Liverpool forced Chelsea's hand slightly. With the possibility of someone coming in to play the fourth fiddle in the centre of midfield. It was difficult for Chelsea to get someone with a good skillset that exceeds the ability of Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who remains at the club this season. However, Kante's absence has allowed Chelsea to elevate that importance and go for Saul in the final hours of the window.
Lukaku looks like he may complete Tuchel's masterpiece. Chelsea look excellent, and there is no weakness many can point to. This cannot be said about the other three contenders.
ConclusionThe most impactful sequence of the events in the battle for the title was to be the destination of Harry Kane. As the England captain remains with Spurs and not at Manchester City, it keeps many guessing about the destination of the Premier League trophy come May.
Manchester United come into this season with continued uncertainty. They sit level with Chelsea and Liverpool after they drew at Anfield. What Cristiano Ronaldo brings to Manchester United is clearly the most significant factor in deciding their title chances. While Ronaldo brings excitement to Old Trafford and the fanbase, it does not solve the issues discussed before the season starting. It is also not a safe bet to say that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will construct a system that Ronaldo thrives in. His attacking coaching is evidently very hands off to allow the young players freedom to express themselves. It is hard to see this formula fulling clicking with Ronaldo.
Liverpool will win games this season, and if, for the most part, they stay fit, they will be there and there about come the second half of the season. However, Klopp's high-intensity gameplan and another run in every competition mean that the lack of depth could catch up with Liverpool. However, their know-how, experience and individual brilliance will bring them within touching distance of the title.
Manchester City will thrash against lesser teams that sit back but struggle against better teams that sit back. Their inability to penetrate Nuno Espirito Santo's Spurs makes their late September visit to Stamford Bridge very interesting. What is a given is City's credentials; there is no one better when it comes to the Premier League. Their depth and persistent intensity remain their most profound quality during a 38-game season. But, as mentioned before, the improvement of others may be their biggest concern.
Chelsea bested City three times in the back end of last season. They also managed to keep out Liverpool at Anfield for an entire half a man down. Lukaku will finish the almighty amount of chances players like Mount, Havertz, Werner, and Pulisic create and as said before, they don't seem to have a weakness at this point in time. This is all while they now have the squad depth to rival Man City's. Chelsea clearly rules this battles Tale of the Tape. They have every facet covered.
Every season we talk about how 'this season will be one of the great seasons we have ever seen. Unfortunately, recent history contradicts that. However, the level at which these four teams will compete is perhaps the best we have seen in this league for a while. But enough of the emotive drivel. Let's get to a prediction:
1st. Chelsea2nd. Manchester City3rd. Liverpool4th. Manchester UnitedHarry Kane narratives a double standard?
Monday 16th August by Tom Ball
Harry Kane's desire to leave Tottenham Hotspur was perhaps the most significant talking point of the summer. His exploits as England captain weathered the storm slightly, but there was no hesitation in reigniting the rumours after the tournament. Gary Neville, Graeme Souness, and other media members have been at the centre of a dispute on double standards and how comparable this situation is to another involving Paul Pogba.
Micah Richards pointed out to Neville that perhaps the media's dialogue surrounding Kane is too easygoing compared to the same coverage Paul Pogba received when his agent expressed his desire to leave Manchester United. Stating; "Kane's not turned up for training and we call him a saint, Pogba's never said he wanted to leave and he's getting abuse."
Harry Kane's status as a model professional in the country's eyes has been challenged by his reported decision to not turn up for Spurs' preseason training in a push to leave the club and join Manchester City.
This saga was ironically the backdrop for an opening day victory for Spurs over the Citizens. Spurs' supporters belting out "Are you watching Harry Kane?" in the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Many believe that Harry Kane has earned a move away. He is undoubtedly one of the best players in world football and is astonishingly still yet to win any competitive trophy in his career. The flip side laid out by Spurs' supporters was that he signed a 6-year contract three years ago, and, for the most part, that falls at his door.
Kane's desire to leave has become another contentious exercise of player power. The best way to get out of an employment contract is just not to turn up, right? Thibaut Courtois did it to get out of Chelsea and to Real Madrid after the 2018 World Cup. It is an unfortunate truth that this behaviour has a history of working.
Many in Harry Kane's camp will lean on Daniel Levy's history of stubbornness regarding Tottenham Hotspurs' pride assets. He did not even budge on asking price for deals to sell Kyle Walker, Gareth Bale or Luka Modric and is unlikely to waiver this time round.
However, Harry Kane's commitment and professionalism have been subverted by this power play of a move that, arguably, left new manager Nuno Espirito Santo and the rest of the squad out to dry.
The backlash with Spurs' supporters camp prompted a statement from the player essentially confirming his desire to leave but played down questions about his professionalism.
This is where we can begin to draw parallels with the situation that involved Manchester United and midfielder Paul Pogba. After disappointing exits from the Champions League in the last four seasons, Pogba's agent Mino Raiola practised his willingness to ruffle feathers by stating that the player wanted to leave the club. It is important to note that Pogba has done little to play down these sentiments, leading many to believe they were a joint effort.
The country's media have given Pogba a rough time, and many can admit that a lot of it has been unfair and unjust. But, on the other hand, Kane's media stories have done little to challenge the players while Gary Neville has, on multiple occasions, continued to describe the striker as a 'saint'.
It is hardly a good look for someone with the respect Gary Neville has in the industry to describe someone in such regard, considering his behaviour in recent weeks.
Many will state that "you don't know the full story" when it comes to Kane. However, this attitude is absent when discussing the Pogba-Raiola antics. Furthermore, when Pogba feels like public enemy number one to many in the media and Harry Kane gets an easy ride by pretty much anyone who is not a Spurs fan, it's a lot harder for the French international to deal with this dialogue.
Graeme Souness has, quite frankly, taken his distaste for Pogba beyond the point of credibility. Souness said that Mason Greenwood was "the star of the show" in United's thrashing of Leeds on opening weekend. Micah Richards hysterically reminded the former Liverpool man that Pogba had four assists. Souness confusingly stated, "that is what we expect from a ยฃ100 million player".
Football fans across the globe will lean back in astonishment when Pogba picks up the playmaker award at the end of this season after providing over 150 assists across 38 games. At the same time, Souness will not bat an eyelid.
There is no doubt of a media bias. Kane is England's captain, golden boy and never came to the league with an astronomical price tag is thrown on him like Pogba was. Pogba's success with France only incited further frustrations as we crave that level of brilliance in our league.
In a perfect world, this would not be the case. However, this situation has likely exposed an underlying opinion many, including Souness, have about Pogba that they can't help but let influence their footballing views on him.
Gary Neville believes that 'something has happened' for Kane to feel a desire to leave Tottenham. However, this attitude was not reserved for Pogba. There was very little humility or awareness of Pogba's treatment in the press that perhaps pushed the United man to want to depart a country where he feels like an enemy rather than an idol.
While Pogba's agent Raiola is vulgar and disrespectful in how he conducts his client's business, perhaps it is worth noting that Kane's desire to leave was, most likely, 'leaked' by his camp themselves to maintain his image as a role model and professional. In the end, that makes the morality of each not very much different.
Pogba's mistreatment could have incited the opposite reaction of 'I do not owe the media anything'. But, at the same time, Kane's representatives are very aware of his status within the public eye and look to maintain that for business purposes.
Kane's saga will rumble on. His stature is undeniable. A treat of opening day fixtures was led by headlines involving him, and he was not even playing. While pundits like Souness and Neville have brought many fine moments to our screens during Sky's coverage of the Premier League, it is hard to twist their inconsistencies into something justified. Furthermore, we are fortunate to have someone like Micah Richards willing to present a challenge.
Chelsea's summer of the striker: Their hunt for a No. 9 examined
Wednesday 4th August by Tom Ball
Perhaps a fascinating topic going into this summer's transfer window was Chelsea. The European Champions had clear intent and need to improve despite their continental triumph. However, as soon as the window opened, the blues seemed to set their sights on Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland. The saga rumbled on with the theme of the German club's traditional stubborn and complex nature. In recent days, it is becoming evidently more clear that Chelsea have losing interest in the deal and have turned their attention to Inter Milan's Romelu Lukaku, former Chelsea alumni.
Many Chelsea fans will ask what is going on? and why with the UEFA Super Cup just next week, are there no new faces in the door? Especially after the news of a release of funds following Thomas Tuchel's instant success. While nobody can shed light on what exactly is going through Marina Granovskaia and co's minds, it's essential to look at some facts surrounding the stakeholders involved and the transfer market in general.
Chelsea's striker story goes back over a decade. Apart from Didier Drogba and Diego Costa, almost all of the strikers Roman Abramovich has signed have been underwhelming. Costa departed in the summer of 2017, and a flurry of strikers since then have failed to meet Stamford Bridge's high standards. Nevertheless, Alvaro Morata, Gonzalo Higuain and Tammy Abraham brought Chelsea last summer, where the Blues signed highly-rated RB Leipzig forward Timo Werner for ยฃ45 million. A price considered a bargain by even their rivals. The German scored 34 goals in all competitions the season prior and reportedly turned down a move to Premier League Champions Liverpool to join the West London Club.
Werner is essential to this because Chelsea thought they got their goalscorer a year ago. Werner was meant to be that man. A plethora of missed chances and offsides later, and Chelsea are scared. They are scared to rely on someone who was so out of sorts last season he has gone from 'bargain' to 'flop' in the space of 12 months. Werner's contribution to the team has come in other areas.
This left them with some business to be made that was never meant to be in the long term budget. Let's not pretend there was much reluctance to make the funds available. The quite remarkable Champions League win gave Tuchel a lot of money to play with. However, when you are suddenly putting yourself in the market for the best strikers in the world, it is hard to stick to the same financial trajectory.
This moves us on to the money side of things. Both Erling Haaland and Romelu Lukaku are going to cost Chelsea over โฌ100 million each. This is not surprising, considering the brilliance of both players. However, for football, the 100 million mark has quite a morbid history.
There are 8 transfers to break the โฌ100 Million barrier. Only one of those players who transferred has won the Champions League with the club they moved to, that being Gareth Bale, the oldest and least expensive transfer of all of them.
The list includes the infamous transfers of Ousmane Dembele, Antione Griezmann and Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona that have seen none of those players nails down a first-team place.
Paris Saint-Germain's signings of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe top the list with the Parisien club not winning the Champions League like they intended and now facing the real possibility of losing hometown guy Mbappe for absolutely nothing in a year.
The list is completed by the switch that started Paul Pogba's turbulent time at Manchester United. Cristiano Ronaldo's move to Juventus has only seen the Old Lady get worse since. Joao Felix, who once had the world at his feet but is now rotting playing Diego Simeone's uninspiring mess that he calls football and finally Eden Hazard's trip from Chelsea to Real Madrid that doesn't need to be explained.
Except for Bale, the theme to these deals is that none of them reaped the rewards the investment came for. PSG never won the Champions League, and Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and Juventus have all trended the opposite way since.
These transfers have a lousy record. The main argument is, why would the price of something impact its effectiveness? This is a question that cannot definitively be answered. The best angle would be that these transfers either create an imbalance in clubs finances and wage bills that affect investment in other areas while also putting an astronomical amount of pressure on the shoulders of the player involved.
Chelsea and their rivals Manchester City have actively avoided transfer 'sagas' throughout their rise to the top of the English game. Manchester City pulled out of a nailed-on chance to sign Alexis Sanchez in 2018, as the deal would have made him the highest-paid player at the club and initiated a war with Manchester United for his signature. The point is that the success rate of the most expensive deals in the game breeds a level of reluctance especially put alongside the transfer policy of Manchester City.
Erling Haaland presents a challenge that Manchester City wasn't even interested in enquiring about. The disruptive agent, Mino Raiola, stands in the middle of this deal. The super-agent once referred to as a 'sh*tbag' by Sir Alex Ferguson, is infamous for his high agent fee demands and acrimonious towards his clients' employers. If you sign one of Raiola's clients, it is coming at an extra cost, entering a working relationship with Raiola. Something a club that operates in the nature that Chelsea and City do, would rather avoid.
With Haaland content with the certainty that he will have more offers next summer, Raiola's baggage and Dortmund stubbornness, there is no leverage for Chelsea to exploit when making this deal happen. Furthermore, Harry Kane is unlikely to be let out of Tottenham by Daniel Levy despite making it very clear that he does not want to be there in the footballing world. This fact makes the Haaland situation even bleaker.
Chelsea were not scared to accept defeat in this deal. They have swiftly taken the difficulties of making a deal with Dortmund and turned their attention to Lukaku. It has been reported before the Belgian striker believes he has 'unfinished business with the club after his premature exit from West London many years ago and more encouragingly, Inter are a little bit desperate. Antonio Conte left the club due to their need to sell, Chelsea believe they can test their owners' resolve with the right offer. So the leverage is there for this deal to happen.
It wasn't naive for the Blues to go for a property like Haaland. Marina Granovskaia remains one of the best negotiators in the game; her success in luring Kai Havertz to Stamford Bridge attests to that. Furthermore, Lukaku was never going to be made available immediately due to his EURO 2020 exploits.
The feeling has always been Chelsea WILL sign a striker this summer. The Champions League win has ramped up their standards. Standards only four strikers in the world can truly meet. If Chelsea fail in getting Lukaku this summer, it may be best to head into the new season without that star number nine and perhaps provide an ample opportunity to the likes of Tammy Abraham. The former Aston Villa player's future is uncertain, but that is due to the rumours surrounding Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea's striker hunt has frustrated fans for years now, not just this summer. It is essential to understand that there is not much of a feasible market for one this window. With EURO 2020 and the financial turmoil of the pandemic still being felt, patience was always required. There is an ever-increasing feeling that Chelsea will bring back in an old face, though. Many reports breed confidence in a deal for Lukaku happening. If the Belgian returns for his 'unfinished business', it makes Chelsea huge contenders next season. Even in retaining their European crown.
The Premier Leagueโs Four Contenders
Tom Ball
The new Premier League season kicks off at the Brentford Community Stadium on 13th August. With just under three weeks ago, let's look at the four main contenders for the ultimate prize in English top-flight football. You could call it naive to look past these four as historic seasons from Blackburn Rovers and Leicester City say otherwise. However, English currently stands at a level too high to give an outsider much of a chance.
Manchester City
It only fits, to begin with, the reigning champions. Perhaps the quietest club regarding any formal movements in the transfer window, Manchester City seem content with their personnel but are yet even to entertain the position many pointed to when the window opened. Their league and league cup triumph without a recognised striker was a considerable achievement even for Pep Guardiola. Despite their imperious nature last season, many expected City to continue the efficient strengthening they often engage with. Especially with Sergio Aguero saying goodbye to the Etihad. They have been in constant rumours surrounding their interest in divorcing Spurs talisman Harry Kane, yet, those rumours have not come to any advancements with the season just under three weeks away. EURO 2020 has put an understandable delay on any transfer activity moving forward with any urgency. Therefore it is hard to think that the Citizens will not be dipping their toe in the market to try and build on their success. The Premier League Player of the Season, Ruben Dias, signed for Pep's side with 2 games already played last season. Any additions will likely be seen as slight strengthening rather than an overhaul, unless that strengthening includes Harry Kane of course.
So where does this leave City in a bid to win a fourth Premier League title in five years? Barring an unthinkable and, quite frankly, impossible departure of Pep Guardiola, they remain favourites. They were still comfortably the best team in the league last season, and that was even after Pep's worst start to a season in his managerial career. We have seen great strides made by the other contenders. However, there is still a gap that needs to be closed. For all their shortcomings in Europe, they have the manager, the depth, the confidence and the tactical prowess that crushes a Thirty-Eight game season, and none of that will change going into 2021/22. For pure hypothetical's sake, if they were to sign Harry Kane, I don't think much needs to be said about what that would mean for the rest of the league, and this is trying to be as least dismissive as possible.
Manchester United
The red side of Manchester is the talk of the town this window. A very much expected but no-less of a statement signing in Jadon Sancho and an imminent Raphael Varane, United have been the most active in this window so far. Whether it is a genuine investment in the manager that the Glazers have financed as part of an ongoing project to return United to the summit of English football or a disingenuous attempt at appeasing a hostile fanbase rebelling their ownership. There is no doubt of its magnitude. In addition, there have been a good amount of credible reports surrounding the club's interest in french footballing prodigy Eduardo Camavinga. However, this would not fix United existing issues in the middle of the park.
Unlike City, United have been an unfinished article for a little while. They have the handicap of a very questionable recruitment strategy. Varane and Sancho don't fall into this analysis. However, Fred is one of the seven players to have cost United over ยฃ50 million, and he is already the one the fans are crying out to be upgraded upon.
It's easy to be hypercritical of United. They won thirteen of the first twenty Premier League titles and have not won any in the eight years since. These two signings are two of the three many of the fans and critics believed they needed. As an outsider, some are always going to find ways to critique them. However, their fans have high expectations, and they will not want the club to stop here. Tactically, the protection and progression within the deeper midfield areas are where United have lacked most and much like another team; their fate almost certainly rests on how they look to solve that issue in that one area of the pitch. Despite United strengthening off the back of second-place finish, this doesn't secure their place as chief challengers. The two who finished behind them last season are most certainly going to have their say. One finally fully fit, the other entering their first entire season with a transformative coach.
The final word on Manchester United lies at the door of the manager. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has presided over the most stable Manchester United team since the departure of the great Sir Alex Ferguson. On the other hand, that stability comes with a questionable history in in-game tactical adjustments. Many United fans would agree that their three main rivals this upcoming season have stronger and more proven men in their dugouts. Those men being, without a doubt, the most valued assets to their establishments. United looked more reliant on Bruno Fernandes last season rather than Ole. Signings like Jadon Sancho are made to fix that. Another season falling short of a trophy frustrated Old Trafford. However, there seems to be an aura of urgency that the other half of the City lacks, something the red half can be excited about.
Liverpool
Liverpool is the team that some still forget about while others try very hard to not forget about. They had an incredibly turbulent 2020-21. The first half of the season saw them favourites to retain their title; however, a collapse Liverpudlians will not want to be reminded about saw them slip away from not just the title, but almost the Champions League places. A massive injury crisis triggered this downfall, a problem very diligently acted upon in January that has now been rectified through the absence of Virgil Van Dijk from EURO 2020 and the early business done to bring the highly-rated Ibrahima Konate in from RB Leipzig. Liverpool has the minerals to return to their rampant and destructive selves this season. They were terrifying to even Pep's City when they welcomed anyone to Anfield from Late 2018 Through to the end of 2020, and the suffocating atmosphere of their home games will be back this season.
They have lost Gini Wijnaldum to PSG on a free transfer this summer. Many have looked to the return of Virgil Van Dijk as the most significant positive they could take out of this season. On the other hand, many understate the importance his fellow Dutchman had in midfield. Over the last three seasons, Wijnaldum has led all Liverpool midfielders in appearances and by quite a lot. He was outrageously consistent and rarely ever picked up a knock. His energetic runs into the penalty area are something neither Thiago Alcantara nor Jordan Henderson can provide in the same volume, and unfortunately for Klopp, it is a huge ask for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to stay fit, the former Arsenal man offers the most likened play style to Wijnaldum. There have been rumours of the reds swooping in for a more technical alternative in Leicester's Youri Tielemans. However, the Belgian's employers are not going to part ways with him for a price Fenway Sports Group will cough up. On the other hand, recent reports of a ยฃ100 million offer made to Juventus for Frederico Chiesa, subverts this idea that they are unwilling to spend. Perhaps it comes from an expectance that either Mohammed Salah or Sadio Mane will be departing Merseyside in a years time.
We shouldn't get too mixed up with transfer rumours especially when it comes to Fenway. There is a clear consensus that they are not looking to invest much further than what has already been brought onto the table. However, the crown jewel in the masterpiece that one them a Champions League and Premier League title is Jurgen Klopp. Any manager needs the appropriate resources; even the 'do more with less' guy. The centre back crisis crippled their title defence. However, they are coming back stronger this season. Much like their incredible fight with Man City in 2018-19, they are coming in with smaller expectations and a sense that they have to prove themselves once more. A motivated and hungry Liverpool is a dangerous thought.
Chelsea
The final contender in this years title race is the reigning European Champions. Like Liverpool, Chelsea had an eventful 2020/21. The club's greatest ever player was sacked from his position as manager in January after a poor run of form tested the short fuse of the Blues' board. So they brought in Thomas Tuchel, fresh off the sack from Paris Saint-Germain despite bringing them to a Champions League Final last August. Tuchel immediately transformed the side, bringing them back into the Champions League places and winning the Champions League while setting the record for the least goals conceded by a Champions League winner. A turnaround most of the Stamford Bridge faithful still can't quite comprehend, especially when it comes to dismissing such a legend.
Considerable success breeds ample confidence. The Blues have made their interest in Erling Haaland very clear. The man who seemed destined for one of the top three to four teams in the continent is being furiously chased down by Chelsea. There is no denying the club's buying power and European prowess. However, with Haaland sure to pick the bunch next summer, it will be a task for Chelsea to get a deal done. Even if Haaland is keen on Stamford Bridge, the player's employers Borussia Dortmund are historically a very tough nut to crack and tend not to give an inch of leverage to any club looking to snatch one of their players. Especially, the most special of them all.
The Blues' weakness was made evident last season. They lack goals, a lot of them. They scored fifty-eight last season, the least of any of the top seven teams. Chelsea thought the goals they needed were going to come from Timo Werner. However, his swap from the Bundesliga last summer has proven very difficult despite scoring thirty-four goals in all competitions for RB Leipzig the season prior. The excitement for Chelsea not only comes from the possibility of getting Erling Haaland but also the promise Kai Havertz showed towards the back end of last season and at EURO 2020 for Germany. The West London faithful is expecting to see the guy they saw at Bayer Leverkusen for the next season. If they don't get their hands on the Haaland, most of the eyes will be on him. Much like Liverpool with Tielemans, it is expected that Chelsea will look elsewhere, to Inter Milan's Romelu Lukaku, perhaps? Despite many different rumours doing the rounds surrounding Chelsea's activity, their season hinges on a very clear hypothetical; whether they get a striker. If they do, Lukaku or Haaland, their performance against Liverpool and the wins against Manchester City last season are signs that Thomas Tuchel is the man they need to get them challenging for a sixth Premier League title. If they don't, their impressive defensive record can only get them so far.
Verdict
The safe bet for the title is clearly Manchester City, they finished 14 points ahead of everyone else and thatโs after Pepโs worst start to a domestic season in his career. We seem to forget how ruthless the sky blues are throughout an entire season. Liverpool and Chelsea are stable and organised sides with managers that have proven their worth, they just seem a bit short in certain areas to compete with a City squad that seems to out-do any Premier League side in history in terms of depth.
Manchester United provide the most unpredictable outfit for the new season. Their activity in the transfer market shows their intent. However, they are yet to address the biggest problem in their starting eleven. Furthermore, despite all that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has done for the squad at Old Trafford, it is impossible to see him overcoming all three of the managers to win next season. It is very easy to say that they finished second last season. However, Chelsea were ninth when they changed their manager and Liverpool were missing essentially every centre back option Jurgen Klopp had available.
Last season showed that you canโt look at these teams in a perfect world. However, that is all you can do here. Therefore, barring injury or any catastrophe of any kind the prediction goes:
Manchester City, 1st
Liverpool, 2nd
Chelsea, 3rd
Manchester United, 4th
Sterlingrad vs. THe world
Tom Ball
Well, that was okay, wasn't it? Here we are a week and a half after overcoming Germany, in a major final for the first time in 55 years. This is a critical moment. You could tell that the players knew what they had achieved. Beating Germany wasn't it; we cannot put our national team's pride down to victory of a singular nation. The players felt a taste of their inspiration after that match but remained intensely focused on taking an opportunity they had created for themselves rather than enjoying that they just had that opportunity.
Each of these games has seen England break barriers and silence critics with different avenues. Victory over Germany broke a hoodoo over an old foe that never seemed like it was going to die. Ukraine saw this 'too boring',' too pragmatic' manager dismantle an opposition with exceptional merit away in Rome instead of the comfiness of Wembley. Finally, Wednesday night not only broke the semi-final heartache but also presented this squad with their first true sense of adversity. An early free-kick from Christian Eriksen replacement Mikkel Damsgaard stunned Wembley.
I slouched in my seat, saying to the people around that I'd seen this before. Portugal in 2006, Germany in 2010, Italy in 2012, Iceland in 2016 and Croatia in 2018 were coming back to me; the frustration, the disbelief and the dread is something that is all too familiar as an England fan. But was the past still too overbearing for this nation?
Of course, this numbing thought process lasted just a few minutes. Another contribution from the 'Boy from Brent'. His presence in the 6-yard box was rewarded after a beautiful Harry Kane pass played Bukayo Saka in behind the danish defence, Simon Kjaer turned the ball into his own net. A poll has emerged since the game to rename London to 'Sterlingrad'. A beautiful piece in The Players' Tribune and a piece by ITV covered Raheem Sterling's vilification in the early years of his career. A man who is always up against it, a scapegoat, a man who shouldn't have been starting according to many not long ago has won the nation's hearts. All just a stone's throw away from where he was raised. He has spoken about the long bus journeys, the sacrifices his mother and sister made for him. His aim was clearly only ever to repay that; he certainly hasn't forgotten it.
We could speak about the football. However, there was no reason for this game to be lost. England were the better side and had a measured but considerable hold on Denmark. Just like every other game in this tournament. Yet it's the character that sticks out. The players and management staff joined the sixty-seven thousand in attendance in a rendition of Sweet Caroline. There was no hiding what they had achieved this time. Although celebrations suitable of EURO Final qualification, the moment emotionally reflected a unity within the players that had transferred to the entire nation. There is no doubt the last eighteen months have been a rollercoaster, yet, even those not quite attuned to football are revelling at the sight of the entire nation in euphoria.
England Football has taken advantage of social media to provide fans with appropriate accessibility. YouTube videos showing training sessions and life inside St. Georges Park. The videos display the compassion, friendship and togetherness within the camp. The chemistry and dynamics within the squad do not fail in charming. It would make many fans forget about their own club loyalties. Gareth Southgate was privileged but also tasked with handling not just twenty-six players but twenty-six people. However, not one of those players seems unhappy or unsettled. They all trust each other, and that transfers onto the pitch. They now have an unbreakable bond, a bond we fans now feel as well. We will now always love these players, even though we'll be screaming expletives at most of them come August.
Much of this unity and passion is yet to be felt outside of England. Many European publications have shamed our national side for the events of Wednesday night. Charlie Eccleshare of The Athletic wrote about how Italian publication Gazette Dello Sport "made the bizarre claim that the "generous penalty" given to England "confirms the suspicions of a return of a favour" from UEFA to prime minister Boris Johnson for his role in stopping the European Super League from taking off". Without being too witty, It's somewhat hypocritical of the Italian media to comment on England's navigation of the rules considering their own national side's pantomimes, especially in their Quarter-Final against Belgium. It's easy to get sucked into a back and forth around the decisions made in the game. I'm sure the United Kingdom's political behaviour hasn't lent much help to gaining allies in this fight over recent years.
In the Round-of-16, when Thomas Mรผller ran through on goal and dragged his chance at an equaliser wide, Guy Mowbray on commentary proclaimed, "that never used to happen". When we England fans look back at Lampard's disallowed goal, the hand of God, Ronaldo's wink, we feel slightly vindicated if a guilt edge decision goes our way. An unpunished moment of blatant cheating against us in a World Cup is the universal symbol of Diego Maradona's immortality. Yes, it was a long time ago, but many celebrate that moment's iconic nature to this day. It's laughable to suggest that decisions going our way when Wembley is at its loudest proves some sort of history of favouritism. We have been at the brunt end of it for decades.
There is no doubt that the pressure the players were applying on their opposition meant all signs lead to them giving in. Denmark were tired while we were stringing together over fifty straight passes in possession. England clearly outlasted their opponents on Tuesday. It was a masterclass in game management and patience. Even if it may be biased, it is my feeling that if the goal were not to come from a penalty, it was to come from somewhere else. I have seen astronomically more significant injustices on UEFA's watch.
We now turn our attention to Italy. Deserved finalists and a thoughtful expression in inventive and positive football, our most formidable challenge yet. Although Denmark took the lead against us, they were never really a threat. I'm never really here for predictions. The game can go either way. England have another job to complete. This game comes at the right time. The players are ideally tested yet profoundly confident; it feels like our nation's time. Before the Germany game, I spoke about how it would define Southgate. Now, those question marks are all off the table, you know, I know, the nation knows that this game can be won. However, whether it should be is a complex debate. The severe lack of confidence and inspiration many had going into the tournament feels like an eternity ago. A brilliant performance is essentially inevitable; it's whether that performance is enough.
Before we go out for what will, no matter what, be the final game of an unforgettable summer in a year like nothing we have ever experienced, we must all give the sincerest thank you to the 26 players, the management staff and the entire nation in bringing us the joy we had been gasping for. In a year where football players took matters into their own hands on many different issues, it's only fitting they turn around the emotions of a nation driven into the ground by those employed to tackle those issues. So thank you, England, we will never forget it.
THE ENGLAND BOSSโ DEFINING MOMENT
Tom Ball
Perhaps a man who has managed a World Cup Semi-Final would be no stranger to games like the one on Tuesday afternoon. However, England v Germany comes with an added pressure. A type of pressure only Gareth Southgate may have felt before.
Southgate had faced the fierce rivals twice before, two friendlies in 2017, which only produced one Lukas Podolski goal and another goalless stalemate. However, that was before the World Cup and in the infancy of Southgate's reign as boss. Four years on, and Southgate is preparing to face a German side in a major tournament for the first time since his famous penalty miss in a shootout loss in EURO 96 just 25 years ago, an omen, perhaps?
Despite Southgate experiencing the rare moment of a World Cup Semi-Final, Tuesday's match will undoubtedly define him. Despite being an avid defender of the England Boss, it would be naive to say that this game shouldn't be the most critical judgment call. Many believe that the World Cup run fell in his lap with a favourable draw, and we fell when we first faced a truly elite challenge. In the job over 4 years now, Southgate has cultivated a relationship with Captain and Vice-Captain Harry Kane and Jordan Henderson. Furthermore, he has created a buzzing and enlivened environment for these players to operate in. It's time for that work to pay off.
Compared to 2018, the squad is more talented, technical, deeper and more experienced in key areas. We are facing an old foe in Germany that have lost their stardust. Joachim Low has had a tumultuous three years since their dramatic World Cup exit. The axing of three veteran players in Muller, Hummels and Boateng, but then welcoming their reintroduction and a situation involving Mesut Ozil reared some ugly heads. This isn't Germany that we know and fear. It's a vulnerable and nervous Germany.
I would like to proclaim a "no excuses" attitude, but tournament football can throw up anything, as the last few days have taught us. However, Southgate has had the best part of five years to build a team that can and should be at the very top of the international game. His World Cup exploits got the nation dreaming again, yet they were in his job's adolescence. The exit of teams like the Netherlands and France has presented an unrivalled, extraordinary opportunity for Gareth and his men in the last few days. An oppurtunity that can only be taken with a win on Tuesday afternoon.
The FA has been searching for a manager to win England games like this. The Three Lions have a scarred history of falling short when having to rise to a challenger of this magnitude. If the rumours about Southgate already being offered a new contract that will take him beyond the Next World Cup are true, losing this game will raise questions about the FA's thought process. When Mark Bullingham and his team watch the team train and observe the talent their grassroots system has graduated, why should we settle for just 'giving it a go' in these games? The semi-final in 2018 was a game that ended in the country being proud of the coaching staff and players. However, defeat on Tuesday, under the Wembley Arch, with the players' opportunity in front of them, would undoubtedly be a major disappointment.
I am reluctant to feed into the cynicism I have previously scolded over. I have a massive belief that England can and should win on Tuesday, yet I cannot look past the discourse around this game. Southgate is still yet convinced much of the England fanbase. The somewhat less inspiring group stage performances have fed into this. A tournament exit in this context would evermore baffle the England fanbase if it was swiftly followed by a contract extension. It is mere lunacy for the FA to decide on Southgate's future in the lead up to a Round of 16 match against Germany. Whether those decisions are positive or not, Southgate is yet to prove any ability to win games of this magnitude. Croatia was a great team that may have been underestimated, but the weight and importance that comes with a knockout match against Die Mannschaft is a whole different level. Something much of this squad is not used to but Gareth Southgate is.
Therefore, this is the team selection, preparation and execution that will define Gareth Southgate as England boss. The FA certainly believe he is the man to move forward with. Then this game is his to seize. We cannot settle for pride like we did 3 years ago. We must expect victory. It would be counterintuitive to not. However, the question remains, do the FA agree with that sentiment?