Harry Dunnett 6/10/21 Harry Dunnett 6/10/21

Euro 2020 Group Stage Predictions - Which Nations will Progress?

Samuel Slaney 6/2/21 Samuel Slaney 6/2/21

Has Harry Kane confirmed his next club?

Has Harry Kane hinted at his next move?

This is a hot take…

But hear me out.

Harry Kane may have dropped a couple of hints as to which club he will be plying his trade at, come next season.

The 27-year-old has just completed one of his best seasons ever, in regards to personal accolades at least.

Whilst it proved to be a lacklustre season for Spurs, as they ended the campaign manager-less - having just scraped a 7th place finish to secure qualification to the new Europa Conference tournament - it was a much better campaign for Kane.

The England-striker finished as top scorer, with 23 goals, having just pipped Mo Salah to the award who racked up an impressive 22 goals.

Whilst finishing top scorer in any league is an immediate success, this was just one half of what proved to be an impeccable double accolade season for the Tottenham man.

Kane finished with the most goals and assists, earning him the biggest individual prizes that the Premier League has to offer - The Golden Boot for finishing as top scorer & The Playmaker Award for finishing the season with the most assists.

With Spurs still seemingly miles away from a trophy, at the age of 27, Harry Kane may be forced to ply his trade elsewhere.

Which is where the potential clues come in.

Clue #1 - Harry’s New Boots

There are two potential hints that we can conclude from Harry’s new boots.

Firstly, although the boots pay homage to England, amidst the commencement of their upcoming Euro’s campaign, the colour scheme points in a different direction.

Just a few days after Harry posted a picture of his new boots, Real Madrid released their new home kit for the 2021/22 season.

The colour schemes are almost exact, but just in case this is a coincidence, there is another potential hint.

On Kane’s new boots, he’s added his Top Scorer accolades, which are visible on the side of his customised Nike Phantom GT Elite boots.

Reading into this further, Real Madrid have not had a top scorer in La Liga since the 2014/15 season, in which Cristiano Ronaldo achieved an unbelievable 48 goals.

Is this a potential shout to the Spanish Giants?

Not convinced? Here’s another potential clue…

Clue #2 - Did Harry Kane fly to Spain?

Well, he’s definitely not in England, I can tell you that much.

Again posting to his social media, Harry Kane entered the caption “Took the little ones on their first holiday.”

Whilst it’s entirely viable that Harry was just enjoying a brief recovery abroad, after a hectic Premier League season, it’s also very possible that he opened talks with Real Madrid.

With Real Madrid thought to be initiating a clear-out this summer, it’s possible that Harry Kane, who is still looking for his first trophy, could be persuaded to join the Spanish Giants.

What makes for another element of possibility is the recent return of Carlo Ancelotti - the former Everton manager who has just witnessed Kane’s special season in England’s top flight.

Whilst Spurs’ potential appointment of Antonio Conte as manager could potentially equate to Harry Kane staying at the club, you would think at the age of 27 and approaching the peak of his powers, Kane would now want guaranteed success, in the form of silverware.

Add in the fact that Kane has admitted he wants to challenge himself to “try to get on the level of Ronaldo and Messi” and this hot-take gains a bit more momentum.

“I’m not afraid to say, ‘I want to be the best’. I want to try and get on the level Ronaldo and Messi got to. That’s my ultimate goal - to be winning trophies season in, season out, scoring 50, 60, 70 goals season in, season out.”

— Harry Kane via Gary Neville's 'The Overlap'

Samuel Slaney 4/23/21 Samuel Slaney 4/23/21

ESL: How should clubs be punished?

What a manic week for the footballing community…

What a manic week for the footballing community…

As fans we’ve felt lied to and deceived to the highest level.

If there’s anything we’ve learnt during this past week, it’s just how out of touch football owners are with their club’s fans.

The agreement that the six premier league clubs signed would have changed European competition as we know it, and not for the better.

The overall idea and execution of the plan was emphatically poor and with Real Madrid’s Florentino Perez at the helm blurting out ridiculous quotes, seemed quite frankly delusional.

Perez has caused up raw with his comments this past week (Image via Today24)

The fans win for now, but what next?

There's been incredible effort shown by fans over the last week to win our game back and it looks like it could happen in the future.

English football fans have put up with a lot over the years and this seems to have been the last straw.

It’s thought that English clubs will look to replicate the ownership model that German clubs use; the 50+1 rule.

With the government involved, it’s a change to the English game that would not only be welcomed, but is also very achievable.

It would mean that fans would become the majority shareholders and therefore have the final say on the big decisions that the club makes.

In short, it would mean that a secret super league would theoretically never happen again.

Should the ‘Big Six’ be punished?

Probably, yes.

But UEFA have decided not to.

So, over to you, Premier League…

In all seriousness, the reactions that I have seen from English fans have been justifiable.

The majority of opinions have been shared across respective fanbases and it's fair to say that the majority of fans believe the six clubs should be punished.

Whilst some believe the clubs should be relegated for their actions, others would settle for a points deduction for the start of next season.

Personally, I disagree with both suggestions.

If you punish the clubs in this way, you’re punishing the players, staff and fans. In fact, they would be worse off.

Instead, I believe the answer is simple.

Punish the owners who were prepared to put their clubs in this situation, not the club itself.

Besides, relegation for any of the six teams involved would directly affect the remaining clubs involved in the Premier League and potentially affect England’s National Team development.

Fine the delusional and callous owners, they have the biggest part to play in this.

Vibudh Dixit 4/7/21 Vibudh Dixit 4/7/21

Six Questions: Marlee Francois of Bristol City

Here, Marlee talks about signing his first professional contract and his short-term goals for the year ahead, among other things.

Six Questions with Marlee Francois of Bristol City FC…

Marlee Francois is a skilful winger who is a part of the Bristol City academy setup.

He signed his first professional contract with the club last month after impressing for the youth team and is the younger brother of Fulham U23 midfielder Tyrese Francois.

Here, Marlee talks about signing his first professional contract and his short-term goals for the year ahead, among other things.

What has been the role of your brother Tyrese in your development as a player so far, growing up, do you have any football-related memories together that you would like to recall?

My brother Tyrese has helped me a lot throughout my life not just on the pitch but also off the pitch to become a professional player.

There are so many memories of us going to the park and training together and also having the competitive element against each other in a positive way.

My family as a whole have played a massive role in my growth both as a player and as a person.

You recently signed your first professional contract with Bristol City, how did that feel?

Signing my first professional contract was a moment I will never forget as it is something I’ve worked towards my whole career and I’m honoured that it was for such a great club like Bristol City.

Your agent Joel Grey and the team under him at Grey Sports Group have been looking after you and your brother ever since you arrived in the UK, how important has his contribution been in helping you reach where you are today?

Joel Grey and the sports agency have done a great job managing my career and making decisions that’s right for me. I will always remember everything Joel has done for me.

I can imagine that in your position as a winger, you would have come up against talented defenders already, are there any opponents that you can recall who gave you a hard time?

Being a winger in a high division and professional environment means I come up against many good opponents and defenders, so it would be difficult to name a particular opponent.

Are there any short-term goals that you have set for yourself for 2021?

I have made many short-term goals for 2021, my main target is to make my debut for Bristol City first-team and to make an international appearance for Australia.

With your eyes firmly set on the Australian National Team call-ups for the upcoming Olympics, how would it feel to play for the national team one day?

It has always been a dream of mine to play for the Australian national team, but I know if I keep working hard then I will make an appearance for them soon.

Samuel Slaney 3/26/21 Samuel Slaney 3/26/21

What next for Gareth Bale?

What. Next. For. Bale? In that order…

Oh, Gareth…

You have to appreciate the transparency from Bale, which is so refreshing in itself - especially in the modern game.

But it’s not helped his cause in any way, shape or form.

Ahead of the international break, Bale said this:

“OBVIOUSLY, I CAME TO SPURS THIS YEAR BECAUSE I WANTED TO PLAY FOOTBALL FIRST AND FOREMOST BUT GOING INTO THE EUROS I WANTED TO BE MATCH FIT.”

— - Gareth Bale

Essentially, Bale admitted his prime intention for joining Spurs on-loan.

He came back to Spurs to gain regular game-time in order to get fit again for the upcoming Euro’s.

Whilst this is understandable to one side of the Spurs fanbase, it has caused quite a stir among the other half.

This side of the fanbase are questioning his intentions as they feel their club has been used and, like many, cannot contemplate why Bale is so desperate to return to Real Madrid - the club who stagnated his career in the first place.

They’re right in doing so too.

What has changed since Bale left Real Madrid? Yes he’s shown he can still kick it with the best in terms of the stats he’s accumulated in such little game-time, but his heart doesn’t seem to be in it - not as much as it was.

Of course, this could be down to the success he’s achieved.

Winning the Champions League a whopping four times with Madrid is an emphatic feat - 3 of which in a row.

Bale has proven himself as a superstar and may feel that he’s completed what he set out to achieve.

Ambition

In terms of ambition, at club level at least, this doesn’t bode well.

When Zidane decided that Bale did not fit into his plans and cast him aside, he drastically struggled for game-time. So too did a certain Jesse Lingard, who found himself in a similar situation at Manchester United.

The reason I bring this up is due to the similarity in situation, yet such different approach.

Essentially, Jesse demonstrated his desire to get back to his best by keeping his fitness up and maintaining sharpness, so that he was instantly available for selection at West Ham.

Gareth Bale unfortunately did the opposite and arrived at Spurs lacking match fitness.

As such, it took a few weeks before we even got to see Bale don the more modernised Spurs shirt to begin his second stint with the North London side.

Has he delivered in expectations since returning to Spurs? Relatively speaking, yes - certainly at times.

Could he have applied himself even more during this career-revival at Spurs? Possibly - most definitely according to Jose Mourinho.

What we cannot say is that Gareth Bale has been a flop, like some Spurs fans are insinuating.

Ultimately, he has contributed with 13 attacking returns in 25 games, which for the game-time he’s had to work with, isn’t bad for a 31-year-old returning to an even tougher Premier League competition.

So What Next?

So what next for Gareth Bale?

Well, as he claimed earlier this week, he plans to see out the campaign with Spurs and return to Real Madrid after the Euro’s finish to see out his final year at the club.

I cannot imagine he will get much game-time at the club who gave up on him, so I believe this decision is completely down to monetary gain.

He’s on a big-bolster deal at Madrid that see’s him take home around £600,000 a week, so the game-time issue may be out-weighed by this.

Ultimately, with how Real Madrid fans have treated Bale and attempted to erase his legacy there, Bale will see this as an opportunity to punish them and the club for treating him so badly.

It may also serve as his last big payout at a major club, as his next club will not be looking to make that same mistake - especially in the COVID-stricken market.

Of course, Bale will be a free agent when he sees our his final year at Madrid, so naturally, there is an array of clubs that he could make the move to.

The Welshman will be 32-years-old at that time, and judging by their recent policy of signing experienced players, it wouldn’t surprise me if an ambitious side like Inter Milan made a move for him.

They already have a ready-made case study in Alexis Sanchez, who has been able to show glimpses of his former self in short bursts at least.

I could also envision a club like Besiktas making a move for Bale, due to the goal threat he possesses.

It’s also worth mentioning the MLS as a potential destination, allowing him to wind down the final years of his career in class, luxury and elegance - especially if he signed for one of the LA sides.

I guess we’ll just have to wait and see what the future holds, I just hope that Bale still has the ambition and love for the game to keep playing.

In my opinion, it would be a travesty if he was to retire after his contract at Madrid expires.

Samuel Slaney 3/19/21 Samuel Slaney 3/19/21

"An English team will win" Reaction to the UCL Quarter-Final Draw

The highly anticipated UCL Finals are set and they boast some mouth-watering ties.

The UCL Finals are set…

On Friday morning, the highly anticipated UEFA Champions League quarter-finals and semi-finals were drawn at the UEFA Headquarters.

Whilst Ranieri’s look-a-like, Giorgio Marchetti, conducted the draw, there was a special guest in Hamit Altintop who was tasked with picking the balls of the eight teams that are left.

Rather impressively, three of the eight teams that remain are representatives of the Premier League, with the likes of Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea heading deep into the competition.

Surprisingly, Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City side were the first out of the bowl, being drawn against a somewhat youthful and ambitious Bundesliga side in Borussia Dortmund - a draw that could excite tactically. It’s also a draw that will see the return of a certain Jadon Sancho, along with his colleague and future Ballon d’Or winner-elect; Erling Haaland - an apparent transfer target for The Cityzens.

Meanwhile, Chelsea find themselves up against a stubborn FC Porto outfit who gave everything they had against Juventus to reach this stage of the tournament. Out of the teams left, it’s undoubtably the easiest draw but by no means will Thomas Tuchel underestimate the overachieving Sergio Conceicao.

The final representatives of the Premier League, Liverpool, have been drawn into a fixture that will see a direct repeat of the 2018 Champions League final.

In a season that has been difficult to digest domestically, The 2019 Champions League Winners have the perfect opportunity to seek vengeance, against a Madrid side that are by no means as convincing in comparison to previous years.

Dialing in with a splash more of Deja Vu is the quarter-final fixture that sees World Champions Bayern Munich take on an inspired PSG side, in what is yet again a direct repeat of a previous final - last year’s final in fact.

Although it will be a very tough ask, it’s a chance for PSG to get their own back on Bayern Munich and in doing so it would serve them with an unprecedented amount of confidence as they continue to hunt down the ultimate club football prize.

“UCL QUARTER-FINAL AND SEMI-FINAL DRAW IN FULL”

Quarter-Final Draw

First legs to be played on April 6th/7th and second legs on April 13th/14th.

Manchester City vs Borussia Dortmund

FC Porto vs Chelsea FC

FC Bayern Munich vs Paris Saint-Germain

Real Madrid vs Liverpool

Semi-Final Draw

First legs to be played on April 27th/28th and second legs on May 4th/5th.

FC Bayern Munich or Paris Saint-Germain vs Manchester City or Borussia Dortmund.

Real Madrid or Liverpool vs FC Porto or Chelsea FC

Samuel Slaney 3/11/21 Samuel Slaney 3/11/21

Where would Rangers finish in the Premier League?

If Glaswegian heavyweights, Celtic and Rangers were involved in the Premier League - where would they rank?

It’s been talked about for years…

If Glaswegian heavyweights, Celtic and Rangers, were involved in the Premier League - where would they rank?

Many SPL fans back the quality of their sides and claim that they would instantly challenge for European Football, whilst the majority of Premier League fans would expect the Scottish sides to be involved in a relegation battle.

Of course, both of these opinions are loose and are filled with accidental bias respective to their Country’s top domestic division.

But, when Middlesborough’s English manager and notorious figure of the game, Neil Warnock, chips in with his unforetold opinion on the matter, you can only listen with admiration.

For context, Warnock has only ever played and managed in England and as far as I know, has no affirmative links to Scotland in any capacity.

So, when he suggests that Celtic and Rangers would be among the Top Six Premier League clubs, he means it with no bias.

The 72-year-old told BBC’s Scottish Football Podcast:

“If you put Celtic and Rangers down in England, you’re talking about the top six.”

— Neil Warnock via BBC Scottish Football Podcast

He went on to say:

“If they got the money that English clubs have coming in, they would spend it.”

— Neil Warnock via BBC Scottish Football Podcast

Perhaps the biggest statement he has made on this topic is the following:

“With the money that the Premier League [clubs] get, it wouldn’t take long for Celtic and Rangers to compete - within 18 months, two years.”

— Neil Warnock via BBC Scottish Football Podcast

Recently, Rangers sealed one of the greatest redemption stories in sport - by defying all odds to climb back from the bottom tier of Scottish football and win the Scottish Premier League title for the 55th time in the club’s history, under the tenure of Steven Gerrard, who also won his first league trophy of his footballing career.

At the time of writing, The Gers have have conceded an unbelievably solid 9 goals, conceding just 2 goals at home.

They have one more league game to go; against Celtic, where they will collect their trophy at the home of their biggest rivals.

Meanwhile, Celtic have endured a torrid season - particularly by their standards.

The Hoops were looking for their 10th SPL title in a row and with one more game to go, have absolutely nothing to play for.

Whilst this is a concept that has been spoken about for years, due to the allowance of Welsh teams like Cardiff City and Swansea City, no formal or concrete plans have veer been put into place - which makes this scenario doubtful.

Of course though, nothing is beyond the realms of possibility.

We’ve seen examples similar to this come to fruition, with the likes of Cardiff City, Swansea City and Newport County proving as solid additions - whilst the MLS has also made way for the Canadian sides in Toronto FC, CF Montreal and Vancouver Whitecaps.

If this scenario ever occurred, it would cause a stir amongst fans of domestic football. Would the Scottish teams be afforded a place in League Two and have to work their way up? Would the Premier League expand the number of teams to 22 or 24?

Perhaps this is why we have yet to see Scottish Teams make their way into English Football in the way that the Welsh sides have.

So with that, I ask this same question to you:

How would this title-winning Rangers side fair in the Premier League?

Harry Dunnett 2/25/21 Harry Dunnett 2/25/21

‘Mbappe vs Haaland’ why can’t it just be Mbappe and Haaland - a future we can get behind

As the Messi and Ronaldo book moves towards its final chapters, a new story is beginning to emerge and this one could be a bestseller…

A future we can get behind…

As the Messi and Ronaldo book moves towards its final chapters, a new story is beginning to emerge and this one could be a bestseller.

The Messi vs Ronaldo debate feels old and boring at this point, it has been going on for over a decade and still nobody can really agree on the answer.

It has taken a while but there finally seems to be two young talents in Mbappe and Haaland who could threaten the reign of these two greats.

A lot of this talk about Mbappe and Haaland resurfaced after both players took the European stage by storm last week.

Firstly, Mbappe scored the perfect hat-trick as PSG dismantled Messi’s Barcelona with class and ease.

Mbappe was at his best from early on and his final goal was a great example of counter-attacking football at it’s best and the net almost broke from the venom his put on his shot.

That goal put the game and tie to bed, it was PSG’s 4th away goal and if it wasn’t for Messi’s early penalty, it would have been a complete thrashing.

Haaland admitted on social media after Dortmund’s win that he took motivation from Mbappe’s hat-trick the night before.

Evidence then that they are already motivating each other to get one over their rival, in the same way Messi and Ronaldo have done for so long.

We’ve so often seen Ronaldo do something ridiculous one night and then the following night Messi will respond with something even more extraordinary or vice versa.

Haaland did respond, scoring twice in a 3-2 away victory against last season’s Europa League winners Sevilla.

Ronaldo was also on the losing team last week in Europe and like Messi, he was unable to inspire Juventus the way Mbappe and Haaland did.

“The Main Stage”

Haaland and Mbappe showcased that they are ready to take over from Messi and Ronaldo after over a decade of dominance at the top.

Messi and Ronaldo will hope to close their story off by ending the debate once and for all, surely by winning the World Cup next year.

However, once their arcs have been completed, Haaland and Mbappe will take to centre stage and they would appear to boast the biggest hopes of replicating something similar to the numbers Messi and Ronaldo have delivered year after year.

Yet there is already a debate starting on which of them is better or who has the greater potential.

I think this is the wrong attitude to take because yes Haaland’s numbers are currently superior but Mbappe is the more complete player and has achieved much more already in his career but playing for a better club and country.

So why not just enjoy these two very different players, playing for two nations and clubs with varying levels of quality and just enjoy it.

Let’s sit back and see how this book unfolds and appreciate the brilliance of both, instead of repeating what we did with Ronaldo and Messi.

Let’s not go into our separate camps like we belong to some cult but instead watch both of these exceptionally good talents take to the biggest stages and achieve great things.

That’s what I’ve done with Messi and Ronaldo as I’ve been fortunate enough to have grown up watching them go to war.

So many memorable battles between the two in Ronaldo’s La Liga days.

I remember at the height of Barcelona’s spell as the best team in Europe, Messi was untouchable.

He was majestic in his movement off and on the ball, there was nothing he couldn’t do in that Barcelona team. I haven’t seen a team as complete and fascinating to watch since, perhaps the current Manchester City side is closest thing to it.

As for Ronaldo at Real Madrid, well they may not have been as great of an all round team but nobody in the modern game comes close to them in terms of success on the European stage.

Three straight Champions League victories in a row with Ronaldo at the heartbeat of everything.

It’s not an overstatement to say they wouldn’t have achieved the greatness they did without him. It proved evident as soon as he left, the club has struggled for consistency ever since and even with Zidane back, they are a far cry from the side Ronaldo left behind.

These two players have helped to shape the modern game by creating so much history, they both had their time in the spotlight playing in teams that dominated domestically and on the European stage.

Now it’s time for Mbappe and Haaland, (both who could be on the move in the summer) to shape their own history and I for one am fastened in tightly as it promises to be one hell of a ride.

Samuel Slaney 2/22/21 Samuel Slaney 2/22/21

Barcelona are in turmoil - is Messi to blame?

Are Barcelona the most backwards super-club in World Football?

Barcelona’s glory days are firmly behind them…

It’s a sad but true statement that was echoed by the Blaugrana’s humbling in the 4-1 Champions League defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.

The lack of effort by Messi and Co brought back memories of their 8-2 drubbing to Bayern Munich towards the latter end of last year.

The decline of Barcelona is not something that has spontaneously occurred overnight though, it’s been a gradual issue that is now beginning to surface and define this weak and deprived Barcelona side.

The question I ask to you, the reader, is this; Are Barcelona the most backwards super-club in World Football?

We can begin to answer that by analysing and acknowledging the four main factors that have lead Barcelona into the steep decline that, if they’re not careful, could define them in the coming years.

If you’ve got this far and would prefer to watch/listen to the rest, consider watching our video on this topic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DenBcAUKii8

“The Ever-Ageing Squad”

It was an apparent problem last season and was highlighted majorly on the world stage in the 8-2 defeat to Bayern Munich.

The shock result arose questions from fans and industry-backed professionals alike - with the inevitable conclusion resulting in the fact that the core of that Barcelona team were past their sell-by dates and needed to be replaced within the coming seasons.

When Barcelona suffered that heavy defeat, they had an average squad age of 30 years.

Now, whilst they have managed to reduce that number to an average of 27.5 years, the fact still remains that eight of those players are still in and around the first team squad that recently lost to Paris Saint-Germain.

The core of this Barcelona team are stagnant and as a result, the club is in desperate need of world-class reinforcements.

“The Awful Transfer Policy”

If Barcelona had not been so reckless with their player departures, the rebuild that they are in desperate need of would be a more feasible option, even in today’s COVID-stricken market.

Sadly, their lack of business-nouse has contributed to some horrific debts that they now face - but we’ll get onto that later.

For a Barcelona side that are in money trouble, some of the money they have lost in player departures is truly astonishing for a club of that size.

Case Study 1: Rafinha Alcantara

In June 2018, the Brazilian had a market value of £25m after a successful loan spell at Italian giants Inter Milan.

For a player who did not feature often for the Spanish club, his value was impressive and as a result, Barca should have looked to sell him there and then. This point is validated even more so with the lack of playing time that Rafinha received when he arrived back in Spain after his loan spell expired.

The brother of Thiago went on to make just 11 appearances in the last 3 years of his contract and eventually left Barcelona for PSG, joining on a free transfer.

Barcelona missed their chance to cash in on Rafinha by allowing his contract to run down - this is just one of many monetary errors.

Case Study 2: Luis Suarez

One of the worst mistakes in recent times from the Spanish club.

Not only was Suarez a key member of the squad, but he was (and still is) a best friend to Lionel Messi.

Whilst his departure has certainly helped to diminish the average age of the squad, it’s also left a gaping hole in terms of goal contributions for the side.

During Suarez’s final season for Barcelona, he chipped in with 33 attacking returns in just 36 appearances. Especially at his then-age of 33, those are some world-beater stats; 21 goals and 12 assists in 36 games.

To make matters worse, Suarez’s stats were almost incomparable with star player Antoine Griezmann, who could only help his side with a total of 19 attacking contributions in 48 appearances.

Whilst 29 year-old Griezmann had a market value of around £86m, at the same time, 33-year-old Suarez had a market value of £31.5m.

Barcelona should arguably have looked to depart with Griezmann, due to the security of what would have been close to a £100m fee when all was said and done - especially before the COVID-stricken market.

Inevitably, it was Suarez who they let go, and even though they had the opportunity to recoup some type of monetary value for the Uruguayan superstar, they instead allowed his contract to run down.

Thats right, you guessed it - he left on a free transfer.

At the time of writing this, Suarez is sat at the summit of La Liga with Atletico Madrid, eight points ahead of Barcelona.

He’s also tied with Lionel Messi as the Spanish League’s top scorer, with 16 goals from just 20 games.

A stat that scrutinises Barcelona’s rash decision even more.

Case Study 3: Ivan Rakitic

Arguably one of the worst deals in the history of football in terms of monetary value that was lost.

In June 2018, after a successful World Cup campaign with Croatia, Ivan Rakitic had bolstered his market value to around £63m.

Whilst this is a huge figure, especially in comparison with the £16m that Barcelona paid Sevilla for him, it’s nothing in comparison to the £90m bid that PSG made for him.

Of course, Barcelona rejected this, which in one way is understandable - due to then manager Ernesto Valverde valuing him as a star player and guaranteeing the Croat regular game time.

On the other hand though, when a 30-year-old is subject to an offer of £90m after a successful World Cup campaign that has significantly bolstered his price tag - it’s almost too good to turn down.

Barcelona should have let him go there an then.

Instead, he stuck around at Barcelona and had a somewhat lacklustre season which resulted in him falling down the pecking order.

As a result, just 2 years later, he was allowed to leave for a cut price fee of £1.3m.

That’s right, you read that correctly - £1.3m!

Unbelievably shocking business from Barcelona.

Case Study 4: Pjanic/Arthur Swap Deal

It doesn’t get any better within this case study either.

Essentially, Barcelona swapped a 23-year-old Brazilian midfielder with potential for a steadily declining 30-year-old Bosnian midfielder who is past his best.

Whilst they received £66m for Arthur, they forked out a whopping £55m for Pjanic - with Juventus effectively laughing all the way to the bank whilst looking at their new coup with high esteem.

It’s fair to say that both players haven’t set their new respective leagues alight, but Pjanic has taken that statement a step further.

At the time of writing this, in 16 appearances, the Bosnian has not got a single attacking return - meaning 0 goals and 0 assists.

Understandably, his market value is steadily declining as he approaches his 31st birthday and his performances have certainly not helped his cause.

Yet another shocking piece of business.

More Lost Money

Whilst I could certainly proceed with more examples of Barcelona’s lack of philosophy in the transfer market, it’s worth noting that the problem has seeped through to youth football’s most famous academy; La Masia.

Below are just some examples of youth players who were allowed to leave too soon, along with their current price-tags in the market:

ANDRE ONANA - £32M
MAURO ICARDI - £50M
ADAMA TRAORE - £36M
ALEJANDRO GRIMALDO - £25M
HECTOR BELLERIN - £25M
LUCAS DIGNE - £30M

Recognise any of those names?

I thought so.

“No Squad Depth”

The lack of squad depth is yet another issue that continues to plague Barcelona.

Whilst it’s made more apparent due to the majority of the first team squad well into their 30’s, it’s a problem that could have been rectified if they had been more astute with their transfer business.

The lack of squad depth was on full display during their 4-1 defeat to PSG in the Champions League.

The bench consisted of two goalkeepers in order to make up the numbers, whilst Gerard Pique was rushed back from injury and shoved straight back into the first team, clearly suffering from a lack of match sharpness against a raring to go Kylian Mbappe.

Yet again, it’s an issue that is unacceptable for a club of this size.

When comparing Barcelona to a well-run super-club like Manchester City, I think it’s fair to conclude that the majority of their bench would walk into their first team…

“No Money for a Rebuild”

The final point in this unfortunate, necessary and eye-opening decimation of FC Barcelona is the obvious; Barcelona are in desperate need of a rebuild.

It’s all well and good stating this, but in order to pull off such a feat, especially in this day and age, you have to have sufficient funds.

Unfortunately, due to some terrible business in the transfer market, along with paying players ridiculous wages that they cannot afford long-term - Barcelona do not have any money for a rebuild.

In fact, they’re actually over £1 billion in debt at the time of writing this.

A large part of why this is the case is down to one man and arguably the greatest player of all time; Lionel Messi.

Over the last 4 years, Barcelona have foolishly paid him around £500m!

Go back another 4 years and they’ve made the exact same error.

Essentially, Barcelona have made Lionel Messi bigger than the club and as a result are now paying the price, quite literally!

The severe lack of funds means that they cannot afford to play their most expensive signing; Phillipe Coutinho, due to the fear of having to pay an appearance bonus to Liverpool.

Whilst on that subject, it’s worth nothing that they still haven’t paid the ridiculous £130m fee, which they should never have agreed to.

At this moment in time, Barcelona are looking like a lost cause and with continued links to an ageing and somewhat injury-prone Sergio Aguero, it appears as though the same mistakes could be made.

The Blaugrana have lost their way over the last 5 years and at this rate, their 3 years without a trophy could easily extend to 10 if they do not act promptly.

So having listed these points, I ask again;

Are Barcelona the most backwards super-club in World Football?

Watch our video about it here!

FCB #Barcelona #MessiAfter a midweek thrashing from PSG in the Champions League, followed by a disappointing draw against Cadiz, it's time to register that ...

Samuel Slaney 2/3/21 Samuel Slaney 2/3/21

How COVID-19 humbled football transfer fees

There’s no reason to think we’ll be back to pre-Covid transfer fees in a couple of years.

It’s been an exceptionally quiet transfer window…

With the state of the pandemic and Brexit-stricken economy, it was to be expected.

Even wealthy Premier League clubs have taken precaution with their spending and it’s definitely showed.

Whilst we all presume that this lack of movement in the transfer window is a temporary measure, it might be time to think again.

The below graph demonstrates Premier League clubs’ estimated January spends from the year of 2012 up to 2021.

Since 2012, we have witnessed a somewhat steady increase in transfer fees forked out by Premier League clubs.

Reverse those last two numbers though and you’ll see that 2021 displays an eerily low drop-off in money spent during the January window.

It’s not just the spending that has seen a drop-off in numbers either.

For most clubs in world football, lost revenues such as gate receipts, sponsorship, advertisements and corporate fees have been the primary factors in a loss of remuneration.

This has been the atypical case for British clubs.

However, other leagues such as France’s Ligue 1 have taken bigger hits.

The collapse of Mediapro’s £760m deal has rendered Ligue 1 clubs’ financial status as touch-and-go, with no new TV deal on the horizon.

Of course, this has resulted in a significant decrease for British clubs looking to offload players, with most clubs around Europe not in the financial position to fork out.

“Is this the new norm?”

One agent told Sky Sports News: “In the summer we had dozens of transfers over £25m. From now on, they will become the exception, rather than the norm.”

“There’s no reason to think that this is a temporary spending blip. There’s no reason to think we’ll be back to pre-Covid transfer fees in a couple of years. We won’t.” (As per SkySports)

Personally, I believe the recruitment side of football is an aspect that brings an unrivalled value of entertainment to the game.

It’s a facet that allows tacticians of the game to recruit players who fit a specific system that will help to bolster their squad.

As we’ve seen in Manchester United’s acquisition of Bruno Fernandes, in some cases, a player can completely change the mentality and dynamic of the team.

Whilst I am majorly entertained by the happenings of the transfer window, I do also concede the fact that some fees have been ridiculously astronomical.

Some fans across the game will no doubt believe that this humbling is the best thing to happen to the game, due to the excessive fees that have been paid out recently.

If anything, this may help to level out the playing field - at least for the next few years, as the world’s economy attempts to get back on its feet.

Is this what football needed? Were transfer fees becoming too drastic?

Harry Dunnett 1/28/21 Harry Dunnett 1/28/21

Frank Lampard being sacked by Chelsea this week wasn’t a surprise, but it was unfair - here’s why

Chelsea FC, as we all know all too well by now, have a very definitive and business-like way of doing things…

Lampard out, Tuchel in…

Chelsea FC as we know all too well by now, have a very definitive and business-like way of doing things. Big managers come in and leave two years later in a constant uncertain and ruthless cycle.

The biggest mistake as a manager of Chelsea is to ever think your job is completely safe or get settled in your new home or often new country.

It would be naïve to take on the job thinking that there is any security.

So, I guess the question is; why do managers take the Chelsea job with all this in mind?

I think the answer is because there are several managers who have had short term success and even though it has predictably ended sour, often the manager doesn’t get all the blame for that from the press.

That’s because everyone knows how ruthless Roman Abramovich is and so often managers have actually enhanced their reputation after a spell with Chelsea.

Look at Conte for example who was able to land a job straight away with Inter Milan.

Jose soon went into the United job and Ancelotti is still recognised as one of the best managers in Europe and is excelling at Everton.

The point is, managing Chelsea is often a great chance of silverware and it’s one of the greatest achievements for any manager to win the Premier League.

It was different for Lampard though, as whilst I’m sure he dreamed of winning more trophies as manager with his boyhood club, he knew it was going to be a longer-term project.

He, I’m sure, would have wanted to have a Ferguson like reign at the club too but with Chelsea being the club they are, that was never going to become reality.

However, whilst I’m not saying Chelsea’s board should completely change their approach as it has largely been successful, I do think they made a mistake with this decision.

Lampard in my opinion worked wonders for Chelsea last season.

They were up against it from the start, losing their best player in Eden Hazard to Real Madrid and a transfer ban meaning they couldn’t spend the money from his transfer fee to replace him.

Whilst the free signing of Pulisic was a type of replacement and he had a good first season, the squad needed more reinforcements.

So, to then accept the situation and give opportunities to inexperienced youngsters was brave and admirable.

He found a way to integrate players like Tomori, James, Mount and Abraham into the first team picture and on the whole, it paid off. Mount and James were the standout youngsters, both playing a big part and showing they have great futures at the club.

So, was there as much need after a successful season with young players at the heart of it, to have a squad overhaul with 5 big name summer signings? There’s no doubt Thiago Silva, Chilwell and Mendy have been a success and improved Chelsea’s biggest weakness from last season which was their defence and keeper.

However, adding two attacking players in Havertz and Werner as well as a new look backline was perhaps too much all at once.

I’m sure they will all turn into important players for Chelsea, Havertz and Werner have too much talent to be complete flops. Although, the boards expectations for it to all click in place straight away and for Chelsea to be challenging for the title was unrealistic.

Abramovich for perhaps the first time, is being seriously questioned for his approach. Often his decision making in the past has been business like and smart but this time it feels just business like.

Lampard needed more time and the unanimous backing from the players and the board could have been all it took to turn this recent slump in form around.

We will never know how successful Lampard could have been at Chelsea, so I can’t judge his reign one way or the other.

“That’s modern-day football for you”

‘That’s modern-day football for you’ is the response you usually get for making this argument, but I question why is it?

What is wrong with giving managers some time to build their philosophy at the club, particularly when it’s a club they know so well and care about its success as much as anyone.

Thomas Tuchel will come in, there will be an inevitable bounce back in form, I’m sure he’ll get Werner and Havertz performing over time and go on to win some trophies.

There will come a time though, not so far down the line when the form dries up and as soon as it does, he’ll be out the door like all those who came before him.

That is why Chelsea are back to square one, they had a chance to change the culture of the football club and they blew it.

This isn’t what football should be about but it’s in line with the world we live in, one where everything has to be instant.

Harry Dunnett 1/26/21 Harry Dunnett 1/26/21

Manchester United aren’t far off greatness and don’t need to make many more signings

Manchester United are a side high in confidence after putting themselves firmly in the title race and knocking arch-rivals Liverpool out of the FA Cup.

Manchester United are a side high in confidence…

Manchester United are a side high in confidence after putting themselves firmly in the title race and knocking arch-rivals Liverpool out of the FA Cup.

However, there is still a suggestion amongst some fans and pundits that Manchester United still have a project on their hands. I would urge those people to consider what has been the most successful about Manchester United in the past and present.

What Fergie did which Ole is now following suit in, is having the perfect balance between experience and youth.

Ferguson found a way to bring together superstar quality and talented but still raw youngsters.

That is the direction Manchester United need to keep going in, they need to stop buying players they don’t necessarily need, offering players exponentially high wages and paying ridiculously overpriced fees for players simply not worth blowing the whole budget on.

It’s time to think smart, seeing that youth academy players like Rashford and Greenwood have cost them nothing and have already given far more to the club than flops like Di Maria, Falcao and Sanchez did, players that all cost way too much.

Instead, if a signing is to be made then it should be of the Bruno Fernandes mould, for a modest fee and with the strong belief that they are going to have a big impact on the quality of the starting 11.

Otherwise, it’s simply not worth it and can even stunt the development of some extremely exciting talents emerging at Old Trafford.

Do Manchester United really need to spend £100 million on Jadon Sancho in the summer when they already have a very similar player in Amad Diallo for over half that price?

They also have an exciting talent in Facundo Pellistri who has already impressed in the U23s, as well as 16-year old Shola Shortire who is the newest emerging talent through the academy.

Yes, they need a centre-back and a defensive midfielder in the summer but only if it’s the right player.

If not, then they have very promising academy options.

Di’Shon Bernard has been very impressive in his loan spell at Salford City, making himself a regular starter, bringing defensive stability and being nominated for the Sky Bet League Two player of the month.

Then there is the highly rated centre back Teden Mengi who has been very impressive for the U23s and some fans even expected he would get brought into the first team picture this season.

That’s just the players who are longer-term prospects and may not quite be ready for first team football at one of the biggest clubs in the world. Yet there is Tuanzebe who also has come through Manchester United’s academy and in his odd appearance this season, has excited fans with some of his performances.

The one which sticks to mind was when Ole decided to bring him in for a Champions League game away to PSG and he notoriously kept Mbappe in his pocket and showed off all of his abilities in the best 90 minutes of his career to date.

He showed pace, composure, athleticism, strength and ability in the air, in what was an all-round brilliant performance.

His performances since haven’t reached that height but they have largely still been encouraging and he could still prove to be the ideal pacey centre-half to best compliment Maguire.

This is of course assuming that Bailly will continue his horrendous injury record and be back on the side-lines for a lengthy period. Because at the moment, he is one of the most inform centre-backs in the league, not just within Manchester United’s squad.

Solskjaer, for reasons beyond me, still doesn’t trust Bailly in the big games but his performances in the Premier League in recent weeks have been exemplary.

Manchester United can play with a much higher line with him in the team due to his pace and his greater composure on the ball to Lindelof.

This has allowed Manchester United’s attacking players to have more freedom and control of games, which can be evidenced in the lower scoring games in recent weeks.

This defensive platform that is currently stable and not leaking goals has meant that even against defensive minded teams like Burnley and Fulham, United have only had to break them down once in the game.

If Bailly can keep his current form up, then he could finally reach the potential that was expected of him and prove to be Manchester United’s answer to their centre-half conundrum.

However, if it doesn’t work out for Bailly then there are plenty of other exciting academy prospects waiting in line.

Whilst I do believe Manchester United need to prioritise the signing of Wilfred Ndidi in the summer, if Leicester ask for astronomical money, then there are alternative options.

They could sign talented and exciting holding midfielder Denis Zakaria from Borussia Monchengladbach as a cheaper alternative. Or there is the option of the academy, James Garner has fared well on loan at Watford this season and could be the ideal, free candidate.

Elsewhere, there is Ethan Galbraith who is highly touted too by U23 Head Coach Neil Wood and could be called up to the first team picture for competition with Fred (who has been brilliant this season) and McTominay.

The reason why I still see this as a priority position is because whilst I like Fred with his tenacity and work rate, his carelessness in possession and lack of strength mean that he can’t play as a lone holding midfielder and that is a problem. United need someone who can hold the fort in midfield on their own to allow players like Pogba, Fernandes and Van De Beek to express themselves and support the attack.

Manchester United have a great academy with some seriously exciting talents emerging and if they are going to become a great side once again, they need to continue down this path that made Ferguson so successful.

It’s a combination of leadership and youth which is sustainable in the long term and will bring success in the short-term, it’s United’s new chance at greatness.

Harry Dunnett 1/11/21 Harry Dunnett 1/11/21

The Most Open Title Race in Premier League History - Here's Why

Is this the most open title race in the history of Premier League football? Here’s what the stats say…

Is this the most open title race in Premier League history?

Premier League football may have been back since July but ‘normal service resumes’ would not be the right phrase; it has been far from normal. Some might ask what has that got to do with the title race being so unpredictable and uncertain?

Hopefully this piece will answer that question and explore who the most likely team is to win this up for grabs trophy.

The first part of the question, why is this season is so different to others that have come before it, is actually a very simple answer.

There are lots more reasons and good excuses that clubs have for being so inconsistent this campaign, as there have been so many more setbacks for all Premier League clubs compared to normal.

Despite some clubs having 2000 fans for a couple of months, the large proportion of this season has been played behind closed doors.

Inevitably that has removed the home advantage, which for anyone doubting its existence, is a very real thing.

According to myfootballfacts.com there has been a higher percentage of away victories than home wins in the Premier League so far this season.

Whilst last season (despite being affected by COVID-19 and no fans at the end of the season) there was a 45% home wins and just 30% away wins.

This emphasises the fact that a ‘home advantage’ has become redundant.

However, whilst there are no guarantees in these uncertain times, there is some hope that fans will return in closer to full capacity in the back end of this campaign.

That is due to the rollout of the vaccine, which if the government’s plan is achievable, would mean that all of those at most risk of the virus would have been vaccinated by the end of February.

What this means is that the current exponential rise in cases should be on the downward turn as the year progresses.

So perhaps between the end of March and early April we could expect fans back and that could be the catalyst for a more predictable end to the season.

It would certainly be a much-needed boost for each club still in the title race and for the clubs like Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United who have full stadiums without fail and passionate supporters, it could make all the difference.

A full Anfield would surely make Liverpool the favourites again as it is a fortress for them and is an incredibly intimidating place for the opposition teams to come.

Old Trafford used to be like that too and it was starting to become a stronghold for United once again last season (when fans were in attendance) having lost just twice at home in the Premier League before the league was suspended in March.

That run had some standout games in it too, drawing 1-1 with Liverpool, the first team to take points off them last season and a 2-1 victory against former boss Jose just weeks after his arrival at Spurs.

So, could it be the current leaders and bitter rivals Manchester United and Liverpool, who will battle it out for the title with the support of their home fans in the closing months of the season?

This is where we come onto who I think will win the league based on their form so far this season and factoring in a potential return of fans.

I think if fans don’t return for whatever reason, then Manchester City would have to be deemed the favourites.

They look to be back to their dazzling best and their undeniable improvement at centre-back is what stands them out from the City of last season.

They look to be a complete team suddenly since the astonishing re-emergence of John Stones, who looks both revitalised and improved.

We are finally seeing consistent performances from him, playing the way he did when he first burst onto the scene at Everton.

His partnership with Dias has very quickly become the best and most reliable partnership in the Premier League, much to the envy of both Liverpool and Manchester United.

How much stronger would both of those sides be with a consistent centre-half partnership?

Manchester United claim to have a steady partnership in Maguire and Lindelof but it’s been evident for a while that they don’t work well together and since Bailly has returned, he has looked a much better partner for Maguire.

Whilst Liverpool would do anything to have a centre-back partnership that play alongside each other every week, something that they haven’t had in too long.

In a season where so many goals have been leaked, it would make sense for both Liverpool and Manchester United to steady the ship and bring in a centre-back, whilst the January transfer window is still open. Because come February, the door shuts and another injury to Bailly or Matip respectively could be fatal in both sides’ title credentials.

The final side that I think has an outside chance of winning the league is Spurs - under Jose they have become a hard team to beat.

I think the players who could make the difference if they can stay in the team are Ndombele who looks a different player this season and Reguilon who from what I’ve seen of, gives Spurs an extra attacking threat from full-back, a threat that Davies simply doesn’t give.

Ndombele gives them a Pogba like weapon.

In recent weeks we’ve seen all his qualities as he’s shown he’s capable of long-range goals, perfect threaded passes and powerful driving runs through midfield.

Ultimately though, Manchester City will come out triumphant in this erratic yet compelling season, as with or without fans, they are clicking into one at just the right time and in Dias they have a Van Dijk-like-wall and we all know what difference that can make.

Rizwan Ahmed 1/3/21 Rizwan Ahmed 1/3/21

Declan Rice to Chelsea

With the January transfer window open, West Ham’s Declan Rice is once again linked with a move to London rivals Chelsea…

With the January transfer window open, West Ham’s Declan Rice is once again linked with a move to London rivals Chelsea…

It’s a transfer rumour that pops up every window to the point it gets comical when it doesn’t happen, similarly to Wesley Sneijder to Manchester United and Julian Draxler to Arsenal.

This article will detail some of the reasons as to why Chelsea should capitalise on this rumour and sign the 21-year-old wonderkid.

Firstly, it is important to note that Rice has been reportedly been offered a new deal at West Ham.

The Hammers fans see him as the next Mark Noble, the future captain of the club who will bleed claret and blue for the rest of his career.

But whilst preliminary talks regarding a new contract have begun, it is unclear on whether or not Rice will commit his future to the club which is why Chelsea should act in the upcoming transfer window.

Whilst Rice does represent West Ham with great passion and pride, let’s not forget he was a Chelsea fan as a child and was even played for the club at academy level.

This may potentially make negotiations slightly easier for Chelsea should they try to lure the midfielder back to his boyhood club.

Secondly, the transfer makes sense for Frank Lampard’s squad as he has built a youthful British core since becoming head coach of Chelsea.

Players such as Reece James, Tammy Abraham, and Ben Chilwell have played important roles at the club.

Perhaps more significantly is Mason Mount, Rice’s lifelong friend, which could make the transition from West Ham to Chelsea easier should he make the move.

Playing with his international teammates could also help solidify his spot in Gareth Southgate’s upcoming England squad as we get closer to a EURO tournament.

Declan Rice to Chelsea also makes sense for tactical reasons.

A major part of the criticism Lampard faces is the fact that there are question marks over Chelsea’s defensive capabilities.

Whilst new signing Edouard Mendy has kept six clean sheets at the time of writing, it is fair to assess that the defence could still do with improvements.

When looking at Chelsea’s line-ups this season, there seems to be a rotation in the defensive midfield area.

Jorginho and N’golo Kante play in rotation, but it is fair to say that neither player has made the position their own so far under Lampard this season.

On the other hand, Rice has played every minute so far for West Ham in the Premier League this season.

Similarly, he played every minute of the 2019/20 campaign, thirty-four appearances in the 2018-19 season, and an impressive fifteen appearances in his debut season.

A clean bill of health on his injury record, Rice could be a consistent player for Chelsea for many years.

His reliability doesn’t end there.

Rice has never been sent off in the league and has only picked up twelve yellow cards in 117 appearances.

He has also won twenty-seven tackles this season, ranking him at sixth in the leaderboard for successful tackles.

Last season he won eighty-nine which was the most in the league.

Standing at 185cm (6ft 1in), he makes use of his long legs and upper body to displace attackers with ease.

He is also taller than both Kante and Jorginho, which may be beneficial for defending and attacking set-pieces.

With better players around him and a team that can retain possession better compared to West Ham, it is fair to predict that Rice could take Chelsea’s defence to the next level.

It must be mentioned that his overall abilities as a player are underrated.

Starting his career as a centre-back, an important part of Rice’s game is to sit back and drop into the position when Angelo Ogbonna, Issa Diop, or Fabian Balbuena push forward.

With Kurt Zouma popping up with four goals from centre-back for Chelsea this season, tactically it may be something Lampard will want to experiment with in the future.

He also has great shooting abilities that have gone under the radar. Often taking shots from long-range, working under Lampard, who achieved 177 goals from midfield during his playing career, could see him take his shooting to the next level and really begin to stand out.

His goal against Watford last season to help The Hammers during their relegation battle stands out when talking about his technique.

Furthermore, his first-ever goal for West Ham which came against Arsenal is also reminiscent of Lampard whose late runs into the penalty box often resulted in goals throughout his career.

His passing range for his role has also gone unnoticed.

With a long pass (passes over thirty yards) completion of 78%, his range is better than both Kante’s and Jorginho’s so far this season.

This is impressive as West Ham have an average possession of 43.1% which means his long passes are risky in terms of retaining the ball for his team but have an impressive return rate in comparison.

To summarise, there are many reasons as to why Declan Rice could be the final piece of the puzzle for Frank Lampard, who is building a youthful side that is expected to develop into a great squad in the near future.

The stats and the on-the-eye performances show he is ready to step into the first team, but will Chelsea pay the inevitable large transfer fee?

*Stats are correct as of 29/12/2020

Harry Dunnett 12/24/20 Harry Dunnett 12/24/20

Three Talking Points from Gameweek 14 in the EPL

Here are three talking points that we can take from the Premier League’s Gameweek 14.

THE ROSES RIVALRY RETURNED IN STYLE AS MANCHESTER UNITED HIT SIX PAST LEEDS IN A THRILLING CONTEST

One of the great Premier League rivalries returned on Sunday afternoon, 10 years since the sides last played in the FA Cup and 16 years since they last battled each other in the Premier League.

February 2004 was the last time the two sides met in the Premier League; the game ended 1-1 that day as Leeds came from behind to snatch a point which lost United ground in the title race.

Leeds had the last laugh again in the FA Cup in 2010 when Jermaine Beckford scored that infamous goal to shock Manchester United who were two divisions above at the time and progress.

So, winning on Sunday by such a convincing margin would have been even sweeter for Manchester United who knew going into the game that they had some unfinished business.

It was Paul Scholes that was Manchester United’s star player in 2004 as he scored and was a vital part of the team and it was Scott McTominay who put in a Paul Scholes like performance on Sunday, scoring twice and getting an assist.

He finally showcased his potential which has been seen on the occasion but not to the level we saw of him against Leeds. He was all over the pitch making selfless runs, doing a good defensive job and showing a different side to his game as he displayed great attacking positivity throughout.

There were question marks before the game on Ole’s team selection as it appeared to be unnecessarily negative against such an attacking and open team like Leeds, but the reality was far different. Ole told both Fred and McTominay to drive forward and support the attack.

Furthermore, the decision to start James turned out to be a masterclass, hitting Leeds’ vulnerable and open defence with raw energy and pace.

James did his own reputation a lot of good too, as he was a threat throughout the game and scored a well taken goal. Bruno was brilliant as usual, controlling the tempo of the play, scoring twice and getting an assist.

It was a classic Manchester United vs Leeds encounter that will be remembered for a long time, both sides going at it, leaving nothing behind.

Bielsa has refused to change his style for anyone and whilst it might prevent Leeds from picking up some valuable points, it is a breath of fresh air and makes for box office entertainment.

Leeds may lose games badly but when they get it right, they are hard to stop and that is why I think they will have enough to stay up this season.

The new era of the Roses Rivalry is here and if this game is anything to go by, it promises to be as exciting as it ever was.

ARSENAL WON’T GET RELEGATED, BUT THEY DO NEED TO START CREATING MORE CHANCES IF THEY WANT TO START WINNING GAMES

Arsenal’s horror show continued at the weekend as they lost to Everton 2-1 on Saturday, making some people seriously question if they are in a relegation scrap.

I personally don’t think they are despite their horrific form which has been relegation worthy.

They still have far too much quality in that side, and they have a January transfer window to try and solve their biggest issue, creativity.

The biggest mistake the club made in the summer was not bringing in Aouar from Lyon, they have been desperately missing an attacking midfielder with an eye for a pass all season.

They have someone in Ozil who has those qualities but due to off the pitch controversies, he wasn’t even named in the clubs Premier League squad.

Despite the poor season they have had, defensively they still look more secure than they have done for quite a while, which is a building block for Arteta.

They also dominate possession a lot of the time and have rarely been beaten convincingly.

However, their biggest problem has been in attack, Willian has been a big disappointment and to me always looked like a risky signing for a club that should have learnt its lesson regarding signing older players on expensive contracts.

The positive signings of Gabriel and Partey who are both young and have looked very promising, are counteracted by signings like Willian this summer and David Luiz the summer before.

Arsenal need to get their transfer strategy sorted and clear if things are going to improve because at the moment, for every good signing, there is a bad one.

They haven’t been helped in an attacking sense by Aubameyang who ever since signing his big new contract has looked a shadow of his usual self and Lacazette has been equally as average.

However, they haven’t been helped by a midfield who has provided them with scraps all season, which further enforces the idea they desperately need a number 10.

As for Everton, it was another impressive performance under Ancelotti, who like Arteta at Arsenal, has been at Everton for a year, but the different directions the clubs have gone in this season is striking to see.

LIVERPOOL FINALLY START PULLING AWAY AGAIN AS THEY HIT SEVEN PAST HELPLESS CRYSTAL PALACE

Last season may have been an unpredictable season in lots of ways but one thing that always looked certain was Liverpool finishing top of the Premier League.

An injury crisis in the first half of this season has prevented them doing the same early and the unbeaten record that lasted for so long last campaign has already ended.

However, they weathered the storm quite well despite all the injuries to first team regulars and now they look back to their ruthlessly efficient and devastating best.

Liverpool made light work of a Crystal Palace side who had been in decent form and scored some outrageously good team and individual goals.

The most pleasing thing for Klopp will be to have his captain Henderson being back playing again and he was at the heart of everything Liverpool did well on Saturday.

They have missed his energy and calmness in midfield at the start of this season as well as his leadership like qualities.

He also scored a very well taken goal to cap off his impressive display.

The return to form of Firmino will bring a smile to Klopp’s face too, he was exceptional against Crystal Palace and reminded everyone what made him such an important part of Liverpool’s front three in the first place.

Liverpool now have a clear lead at the top (although United could narrow that gap if they win their game in hand) and once again look to be the runaway favourites for the title.

Vibudh Dixit 12/16/20 Vibudh Dixit 12/16/20

Six Questions: Tyrese Francois of Fulham FC

Here, Tyrese talks about making his professional debut for Fulham and his time at the club so far, among other things.

Six Questions with Tyrese Francois of Fulham FC…

Tyrese Francois is one of the most exciting young talents coming up from the Fulham academy at the moment.

The 20-year-old versatile midfielder has already made his senior debut for the club and has been a key player for the youth teams over the last few years.

Tyrese is technically superb and is a very skillful player on the pitch, with blistering pace to go with it.

Here, Tyrese talks about making his professional debut for Fulham and his time at the club so far, among other things.

I can imagine that in your position as a midfielder you would have come up against some difficult opponents already, are there any particular opponents you can recall who gave you a hard time?

Over the years I have come up against some very talented midfielders. It’ll be hard to just pick one.

You made your professional debut for Fulham last season in a Carabao Cup tie against Southampton, how would you describe the experience?

My professional debut was a dream come true. I have worked very hard to be in and around the first team so to finally get some minutes was really surreal but a proud moment for myself and my family.

Are there any particular coaches who have played a vital role in your career so far that you would like to thank?

I have had some unbelievable coaches throughout the years that have really helped me in different ways.

A coach that I must thank is one of my coaches back in Sydney called Andrea Icardi. He helped me develop technically and gave me my first taste of European football.

Last year in August, you were named Fulham Supporters’ Trust Academy Player of the Year, becoming the first recipient of the trophy, how did that feel?

Receiving that trophy was a proud moment for me. It was nice to be acknowledged by the fans and staff for the hard work that I have put in.

You moved to England with your family six years ago and signed for Fulham in 2017, looking back at that, how would you say Fulham have helped you reach where you are today?

Over the past 6 years Fulham have helped me in many ways. They have supported my family and I off the field hugely. On the football side of things, they have given me an opportunity to grow and flourish into the player I am today and for that I’ll be forever grateful.

You have started the current season really well with 2 goals and an assist to your name in two PL2 appearances already and have also featured for the first-team in the Carabao Cup, are there any short-term goals that you have set for yourself for the current season?

This season I have set myself many goals to strive for. My main short-term goal is to get some more minutes in the Fulham first team and to keep performing well on a consistent basis.

Rizwan Ahmed 12/12/20 Rizwan Ahmed 12/12/20

Olivier Giroud: Club Football’s Unsung Hero

With the World Cup winner recently making Champions League history, it seems like a good time to reflect on his underrated career in club football.

One of football’s unsung heroes…

Olivier Giroud has recently found himself in the mouths of fans and pundits after his recent form, suggesting he should start upfront in the star-studded Chelsea team.

With the World Cup winner recently making Champions League history, it seems like a good time to reflect on his underrated career in club football.

Image via Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC & Getty Images

The striker’s professional career began in 2005, when he signed for Ligue 2 side Grenoble at the age of twenty-one.

A late start in comparison to most players, Giroud’s qualities in the reserve squad were noticed by then manager Thierry Goudet who handed him a sporadic role in the first team.

Despite a slow start to his career, Giroud found success in the 2007-2008 season as he went on loan to Istres who were in the third level of French football at the time.

The step down in level was great for Giroud as he hit fourteen goals in thirty-three matches.

Unfortunately, he was hit with a setback as he returned to Grenoble.

Mehmed Bazdarevic had taken over as manager of the club whilst Giroud was loaned out and deemed him surplus to requirements.

Tours FC saw otherwise and decided to take a gamble on Giroud, which paid off as he was vital in their promotion push in the 2008-09 season.

With nine goals in twenty-three league games, it can be argued that the club would’ve been promoted had he not been injured.

What did become clear was that Giroud was ready to lead the line and become the main striker.

The following season saw him become the league’s top scorer as he found the net twenty-one times in the 2009-10 league campaign.

His performances won him the ‘Union Nationale des Footballeurs Professionnels’ player of the year award.

Top division club Montpellier noticed Giroud’s eye for a goal as they bought him in the January transfer window that season, letting him officially join the club for the 2010-11 season.

Montpellier’s early business seemed to be smart as Giroud instantly demonstrated why he’s ready for the big show.

A goal on his club debut in the Europa League against Hungarian side Gyori foreshadowed a promising season.

His debut season resulted in him finishing as top scorer for the club and helping Montpellier to a runners-up place in the Coupe de France. His goal against PSG in the semi-finals of the tournament meant that the club had reached a major final for the first time since 1994.

The following season was even more impressive as Giroud claimed the Golden Boot for the 2011-12 Ligue 1 season, as well as driving Montpellier to their first-ever league title.

His inspirational season was catching the attention of top clubs around Europe, but it was Arsenal who won the race for his signing.

It would be fair to say a large amount of Arsenal fans may not have the greatest affection for their former striker.

Giroud’s name is synonymous with the supporters for the club’s failure to win the 2015/16 league title as well as Mesut Ozil not securing the assist record for a single Premier League season in the same campaign.

However, for a fee around £10million, it can be argued that Giroud had paid back the fee with his contributions to the club.

His debut season for Arsenal in the 2012-13 campaign saw him end with seventeen goals and eleven assists in all competitions.

The following season would be even better as he scored twenty-two goals but, more importantly, he helped Arsenal break their nine-year trophy drought by winning the 2013-14 FA Cup - a trophy that he would help the team retain the following season in 2014-15.

Despite a disappointing 2015-16 for Arsenal, the following season saw Giroud help the team to another FA Cup win.

In spite of not featuring heavily in the season, Giroud came off the bench late in the final against Chelsea to assist Aaron Ramsey to win the trophy.

But the real moment for Giroud that season came when he scored with an unbelievable ‘scorpion kick’ against Crystal Palace that earned him the FIFA Puskas Goal of the Year award.

The goal was a result of incredible improvisation, one of his best attributes, and solidified him in Premier League history as it remains in highlight reels for years to come.

Giroud hit the hundred-goal landmark for Arsenal at the start of the 2017-18 season in a Europa League match against Bate Borisov. However, he did not find himself as the main striker in the squad as Alexander Lacazette was signed to play ahead of him.

The January transfer window saw Piere-Emerick Aubameyang join Arsenal on deadline and so Giroud found a move to rivals Chelsea on the same day.

A moment that proved Giroud was worth the transfer can be found that season in the FA Cup semi-final match against Southampton.

After beating two players with excellent close dribbling, the Frenchman scored the opening goal to break the deadlock to inspire Chelsea to a 2-0 win and help his eventually win the final.

Whilst he may be struggling for minutes for now and in recent years, Giroud always pops up with moments that spark an argument for him to be a starter.

In the 2018-19 season, he made use of his Europa League appearances as he finished as the tournament’s top scorer as well as helping Chelsea lift the trophy.

A favourite personal moment for him may have been scoring against former team Arsenal in the final and screaming “Thank You, Arsenal!” in the post-match celebrations.

After helping Chelsea qualify for the Champions League in the COVID-19 hit 2019-20 season with a goal on the last day against Wolves, he finds himself once again having fans question his game time as he continues to write himself into history books.

After scoring four goals against Sevilla in the Champions League last week, he became the oldest player to score a hat-trick in the tournament since Real Madrid’s Ferenc Puskas in 1965.

Samuel Slaney 12/3/20 Samuel Slaney 12/3/20

How Manchester City can replace Sergio Aguero

Here are some like-for-like replacements that Manchester City could look to replace him with.

Manchester City need to score more goals…

Trust me, that is a statement that I never imagined I would make - not with Pep Guardiola at the helm.

But you cannot avoid the facts.

Whilst they currently sit 6 points off Tottenham and Liverpool in a measly 11th place, it’s clear that their biggest problem is within the goalscoring department.

To put things into perspective, Manchester City (15) have scored just 4 goals more than Fulham (11), who find themselves teetering above the relegation zone in 17th - though it is worth pointing out that The Citizens have a game in hand.

It is also worth bearing in mind that this statistic could be rendered irrelevant should Manchester City thrash Fulham, which the majority of fans are expecting.

Nevertheless, at the same stage last season with 9 games played, Manchester City had already racked up a league leading 29 goals.

It was a similar performance during the 2018/19 season where they underlined their attacking threat with 26 goals at the end of matchweek 9.

So what’s changed?

Well, a couple of things.

Firstly, they no longer have the creative genius that is David Silva in their side - after he ended his 10 year stay with the Citizens and returned to La Liga - now plying his trade for an ambitious and overachieving Real Sociedad side that currently find themselves at the top of the division.

Whilst the loss of a creative presence such as Silva would be a valid excuse for most sides, it isn’t the case for a club like City, who have quality depth within their ranks.

Ironically, chance creation isn't actually the issue at hand here, either.

It’s putting those chances away that has been the major problem in this City side this season.

What about Gabriel Jesus and Ferran Torres?

Whilst an injury ridden spell at the beginning of the season hindered his chances to make up for the absence of Aguero, Jesus made a goalscoring Premier League return against fellow title challengers; Liverpool - after scoring in the Champions League just 5 days earlier.

With 3 attacking returns in 4 league appearances, he’s proved he’s a solid option.

But he is not the clinical, consistent and aggressive striker that Sergio Aguero is - in fairness there’s not many who are.

As for Ferran Torres, whilst he was brought in originally as a winger, he has proved to be a threat as a centre-forward.

His Champions League form echoes this statement, with 2 of his 3 goals occurring when he was deployed centrally.

Whilst he offers threat as a centre-forward, he is a traditional winger and his mesmerising hat-trick as a right-winger against Germany in the Nations League emphasised this further.

Pep obviously feels the same and has only deployed him as a centre-forward just once out of his 7 appearances.

So who can fill Aguero’s shoes?

With Aguero struggling to stay fit this season and now into his thirties, here are some like-for-like options that Manchester City could look to replace him with.

The replacements range from higher budget options, all the way to lower budget picks.

We’ll start with some high budget picks and work down from there.

Lautaro Martinez | 23 | Inter Milan

Market Value: £63m (As per TransferMarkt)

Whilst his teammate Romelu Lukaku has stolen the show this season, it’s still been a good start for Lautaro - who is on track to better his 14 Serie A goals from 35 appearances, which he achieved last season.

Lautaro has proved himself as an out-and-out centre forward since he burst onto the scene with Argentinian outfit Racing Club in 2016, contributing 10 attacking returns in 23 appearances.

At 23-years-old, Martinez has no ceiling and under the tutelage of an attacking football advocate like Pep Guardiola, Martinez could be the answer to City’s goalscoring troubles.

Notable Option(s):

Harry Kane | 27 | Tottenham Hotspur |

Luka Jovic | 22 | Real Madrid |

Danny Ings | 28 | Southampton

Market Value: £18m (As per TransferMarkt)

Just a few seasons ago, many wrote off Danny Ings and rightly so after 3 lacklustre years at Liverpool.

Fast-forward to 2020 though and he has demonstrated that he could well be an elite striker.

A superb showing for an ever-improving Southampton side during the 19/20 season helped his case, as he fired in 22 goals in 38 appearances to give Jamie Vardy and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang some fierce competition for the Golden Boot.

The 28-year-old has just recovered from a knee injury that kept him out for the last few games, so his already impressive start to the season, with 5 goals and 2 assists in 7 games, could be even better had he not been out.

He has a similar style to Aguero in the fact that he is an out-and-out striker who combines an aggressive, and instinctive style with flair and technical ability in abundance.

The 28-year-old has developed nicely during his time at Southampton and has proved he can operate in a more pressing and tactical set-up under an astute manager like Hasenhuttl.

In my opinion, now in his prime years, Danny Ings would fit perfectly into the Citizens’ set up and his aggressive style would make the transition from Aguero almost seamless.

Notable Option: Giovanni Simeone | 25 | Cagliari |

Chimy Avila | 26 | Osasuna

Market Value: £9m (As per TransferMarkt)

Although he has recently revealed he was close to a move to Barcelona, he is perhaps one of the lesser known suggestions in this list.

Chimy Avila is like-for-like in terms of Aguero’s physical play-style.

Whilst his goalscoring history is not as prominent as the aforementioned options, by no means should he be discarded as Aguero’s potential successor.

In the past three seasons, the 26-year-old Argentinian - who is capable of striking the ball with both feet - has amassed a consistent number of attacking returns.

Avila, who can operate anywhere across the front-line, had already shown glimpses of quality during the 2017/18 and 2018/19 season, amassing around 10-12 attacking returns each season.

However, it’s his astonishing form whilst playing for Osasuna that has firmly put him on the radar.

The Argentinian totalled 12 attacking returns in 20 appearances in the 2019/20 La Liga campaign, chipping in with an impressive 9 goals and 3 assists.

Here is the rather large caveat though.

Chimy Avila hasn’t played a single game for Osasuna this season due to a cruciate ligament rupture that also hindered him the season before.

Whilst he isn’t due back until March 2021, he’s a player that can offer a lot going forward and if kept fit, could do some serious damage in the Premier League.

With all due respect to his current and previous clubs, Avila has not had the opportunity to ply his trade alongside the so-called superstars of the game.

With the amount of chances that City create, Pep and Co. could unlock the unspent potential in Chimy Avila and give him the spotlight to evolve into a goalscoring machine.

His current market value is around £9m, so if he can get over his cruciate ligament struggles, he could be a super low risk option to potentially fill the boots of fellow countryman, Sergio Aguero.

Notable Option: Josef Martinez | 27 | Atlanta United |

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Vibudh Dixit 11/24/20 Vibudh Dixit 11/24/20

Six Questions: Jack Wakely of Chelsea FC

Here, Jack talks about his favourite memories from last season and some of the toughest opponents he has come up against so far.

Jack Wakely of Chelsea FC…

Wakely was a key part of the Chelsea team that won the PL2 title last season, going unbeaten in the process.

The young defender, who has been with the club since his Under-9 days is a tall and dominant centre-back who is brilliant aerially and a good passer of the ball. Jack is a leader at the back and has also captained Chelsea at U18 level in the past.

Here, Jack talks about, amongst other things, his favourite memories from last season and some of the toughest opponents he has come up against so far.

Growing up, who were your role models in the footballing world?

Prior to joining Chelsea when I was 9, I played for my local village team, as well as Wycombe Wanderers and Tottenham.
When I was younger, I played in midfield as I could dominate games from there, but shortly after joining Chelsea I started playing at centre back due to my tall physique.
As a result, someone I’ve always been a massive fan of and a huge role model for me is John Terry.
I always watched him closely when going to Stamford Bridge to watch games and later on at Chelsea I’ve had the chance to work with him in training sessions too.
He’s capable using both feet which is something I have worked on and is now an asset of mine, meaning I can play either side at CB with an effective range of passing off my left and right.
He also leads from the back and has a great desire to defend and put his body on the line which I have tried to add to my game.

I can imagine that in your position as a defender you would have come up against some difficult opponents already, are there any particular opponents that you can recall who gave you a hard time?

At a club like Chelsea, it’s great for my development as I have come up against top players in training every day for years.
I’ve grown up playing with Callum Hudson-Odoi and often against him in training games which was tough as he’s great at dribbling at pace at defenders with the ball.
Another at Chelsea would be Tammy Abraham as he’s a big guy who can hold the ball up against you well and he has lots of energy too.
Away from Chelsea, I remember playing against Mason Greenwood which I found tricky as he can go both ways and use both feet as well as being good at dribbling and getting shots off with only half a yard of space.
That enabled me to highlight this and it’s something I have worked on with movement coaches like Hailu Theodros at Chelsea.

You spent the second half of the 2018-19 season on loan at Basingstoke Town, how would you describe your time there?

I was 18 when I went to Basingstoke and played 16 games for them - I enjoyed it and learnt a huge amount.
The manager, the team and the supporters were really welcoming.
I went to get experience of the adult game, and I learnt a lot! I was always the youngest player on the pitch by years but I did not let that phase me.
It was often a far more physical game than I had been used to at the Academy which was good for me as I learned little tricks to combat it. I was not sure how I would feel before I went, but I loved my time there.

Are there any particular coaches who have played a vital role in your development as a player?

I have had the privilege of working under lots of excellent coaches at Chelsea, many of which were top players themselves so their advice and coaching has always been appreciated.
I’m currently working under Andy Myers and Jon Harley who made me captain at U18 level giving me the confidence to shoot from 30 yards out and score goal of the season and we won the PL2 league last season.
I would also mention Ed Brand and Jody Morris at U18 level as we won the quadruple of titles in one season under them.
I remember back when I first joined the club at 9, my coach Brian was a massive help in settling me in, filling me with confidence and making me feel welcome.
Between then and now, a few coaches who have also massively helped with my development are Cyril Davies, Frank O’Brien and Tore Andre Flo.

This just keeps rising into the top corner! 🚀

What a screamer from Under-18s captain, Jack Wakely on Saturday! 👏 pic.twitter.com/b3KuRmUSFf
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) November 6, 2018

You were a part of the Chelsea side that won the PL2 title last season, what was your favourite memory from the season?

Last season was an odd season as it was shortened at the end by COVID and there were other challenges to face such as competition for a place in the team with Antonio Rudiger coming down to get minutes returning from injury.
However, I am very proud that in a season where we won the PL2 title for the first time since 2013/14, I made 18 appearances and we conceded the fewest goals in the league.
Two of my favourite memories of the season, however, are that, as a team, we were unbeaten in the league which is a massive feat anywhere in football and personally, starting at Stamford Bridge and winning in front of my family.

Are there any short-term goals that you have set for yourself for the ongoing season?

My short-term goals for the rest of the season are to achieve a loan to a league side domestically or a good level abroad to continue to develop my football.
I’d like to play as many games as possible to show people what I can do and add some goals to my game offensively.

Harry Dunnett 11/20/20 Harry Dunnett 11/20/20

Youssoufa Moukoko: Bundesliga's Youngest Ever Debutant?

Borussia Dortmund’s next footballing prodigy is frighteningly good…

Remember the name…

Youssoufa Moukoko.

Borussia Dortmund have long known about an emerging young talent who could soon send shockwaves across Europe.

Youssoffa Moukoko has just turned 16 and whilst usually that would mean having to wait another half a year before being able to play senior football in Germany, that rule was changed for the young prodigy.

That is how frighteningly good Moukoko is.

His record at youth level is astronomical and he could be about to embark on a strike partnership (with Erling Haaland) to put fear into the hearts of the rest of the Bundesliga.

He has scored 141 goals in just 88 youth appearances, averaging a goal every 40 minutes.

The stats are off the charts and unrivalled at youth level, so no wonder there is so much hype surrounding Moukoko.

He has consistently played in age groups a few years older than him and that has been taken to the next level now as he has spent the last few months training with the first team.

That is how highly Dortmund regard him, getting him prepared for senior football months before he’s even allowed to play for the first team.

His junior days are behind him and he now looks set to start making a name for himself on the main stage.

It could come as early as this evening as Dortmund face Hertha Berlin in the Bundesliga, the day after his 16th birthday.

Could it be the start of something special for both player and club as Moukoko becomes the next young talent to come through the ranks at Dortmund?

He will play in a team full of youngsters, with Sancho, Haaland, Reyna and Bellingham already establishing themselves as first team regulars.

It could be Haaland who Moukoko is competing with for a place if manager Lucien Favre sticks to his usual 4-2-3-1 formation. However, it was Haaland himself who said that Moukoko is better than he was at the same age.

It could be a case that Favre finds a way to start both prolific young strikers but if that’s not in his plans, then it will be a fascinating battle between the two to see who becomes Dortmund’s starting striker.

You would have to say if it becomes Moukoko, then Haaland won’t stick around long, he has too much ambition and talent to be wasted on the bench.

20th November 2004, remember the date because in 5 year’s time when Moukoko has just scored the winning goal in a Champions League final or won the Ballon d’Or, you’ll be able to refer back to the day it all began, the day a goal machine was born.

Samuel Slaney 11/16/20 Samuel Slaney 11/16/20

Murderball: Why Bielsa's Leeds United are the fittest side in the Premier League

If you don’t know what Bielsa’s Murderball is, you’ll be able to gather that it isn't particularly pretty.

The dreaded Murderball…

I’d like to start by stating that typically there are no positive connotations to come out of the lexeme ‘murder.’

So if you don’t already know what Bielsa’s Murderball is, you’ll be able to gather that it isn't particularly pretty.

When Marcelo Bielsa was appointed as Leeds United manager back in 2018, everything changed.

A completely new system was implemented into the Leeds United camp, which included the most dreaded test of fitness in the game; Marcelo Bielsa’s Murderball.

A key feat of Marcelo Bielsa’s success as a manager comes from his side’s ability to maintain a consistent high press.

Of course, in order to maintain such an intense method of play-style, Bielsa’s players require an extremely high level of fitness.

That’s where Murderball comes in.

“You honestly have to see it to believe it”

— Liam Cooper

“Even if the ball goes out, there’s a member of staff waiting with another ball to put it in. You can’t stop.”

— Mateusz Klich

“Five minutes, you rest for a minute and then go again. That’s where we get our fitness from. Hell for leather, run into each other, no fouls, no offsides.”

— Luke Ayling

So what is Murderball?

To put it simply, Murderball is essentially football with no rules or stoppages of any kind.

The session consists of two teams made up of 11 players in a non stop, high intensity game in which heavy tackles and shirt pulling are legal acts.

When the ball goes out of play, Bielsa’s coaching staff ensure another is instantly available so that there is no chance for the players to recover.

Leeds’ captain, Liam Cooper, described Bielsa’s Murderball as “organised chaos,” whilst Polish midfielder, Mateusz Klich concurred with his teammate.

He said:

“The intensity of the Wednesday games is higher than the match.
It’s 11 v 11 non-stop, constantly running around, sprinting, you have coaches on the pitch screaming at you, you can’t stop running
You have to just play football, you could be five or six minutes one time or one time 20 minutes”

Whilst it’s clearly a tough drill, Klich believes it’s the weeks most pivotal activity.

By building fitness through a method as demanding as this, it allows the players to build on physical qualities such as stamina and strength whilst also promoting mental developments such as tenacity and team play.

The stats reflect this notion and speak for themselves;

Leeds’ Mateusz Klich has made the most pressures this season with 185.
Luke Ayling (1882) ranks second in the progressive ball carrying statistics, just behind Jack Grealish (1968).
Whilst Leeds centre-back, Robin Koch (1486), ranks 7th in the progressive ball carrying statistics, just behind Kyle Walker (1529).
Leeds United as a team rank 3rd in the number of loose balls recovered this season, just behind Liverpool and Southampton.

Whilst Mateusz Klich is currently the most pressing player in the league, defenders Luke Ayling and Robin Koch are in the top 10 players this season for the most amount of ground covered with the ball.

What’s more, the team as a collective are among the top 3 teams in the league for best recovery numbers - a true testament to Bielsa’s tactics and his player’s physical and mental strengths.

Not only do these stats reflect how Leeds play, but they also suggest that their players are a cut above the rest in terms of fitness - allowing them to operate between a hybrid of gegenpressing and an overloading ball side press.

This allows Bielsa’s men to win the ball back as quickly as possible and strike on the counter with immense pace and directness.

Whilst the work that they put in helps them to dominate in aspects such as ball recovery and ground covered, the system does take a lot out of the players and can lead to niggling injuries.

It remains to be seen as to whether Bielsa will look to dilute his extreme methods during a hectic fixture overload.

It’s something to watch out for, but it’s definitely worked for them so far as they’ve taken the Premier League by storm since their promotion.

Samuel Slaney 11/13/20 Samuel Slaney 11/13/20

Why Leicester City are outside favourites to win the Premier League

Harry Dunnett 11/10/20 Harry Dunnett 11/10/20

Three Talking Points from Gameweek 8 in the EPL

Here are three talking points that we can take from the Premier League’s Gameweek 8.

Aston Villa and Southampton continue to surprise people

After an impressive victory 2-0 on Friday night at home to Newcastle, Southampton moved to the top of the Premier League table for the first time since the Premier League came into existence.

It was also a win that put into perspective how far the come has come since losing 9-0 to Leicester City last season.

Ralph Hasenhuttl has done a brilliant job at picking his players back up after such a humiliating defeat, he’s done so well that Southampton are now playing the best football they’ve played in their Premier League era.

That isn’t even taking into considering the time in which Pochettino was the manager which really is high praise.

Pochettino helped make Southampton a top half of the Premier League side which was a tremendous achievement.

It didn’t instantly click with Ralph as the club appeared to be moving in the wrong direction but from the evidence so far this season, they seem to be stronger than ever before.

Now it’s still early days and lots can still change but the signs are promising, and Southampton could be dark horses for finishing in one of the Europa League spots.

As for Aston Villa, they look a changed team this season, their recruitment in the summer was so much more intelligent than the previous summer and it has set them up to have a successful campaign.

The worry for fans at the start of the season would have been another season battling relegation and that this time they might not have enough to stay up.

However, the contrast to that so far has been stark, even if they haven’t been perfect.

For me the best piece of business was keeping hold of talisman Jack Grealish and his quality has shined through in massive wins against Liverpool and then Arsenal last weekend.

The summer signings of Martinez, Barkley and Watkins have all so far been fantastic, particularly Watkins who has hit the ground running in the Premier League.

He scored another two goals against Arsenal yesterday to add to a hat-trick against the Premier League champions, it’s the stuff of dreams.

Whilst Southampton are now 4th after Spurs, Leicester and Liverpool leapfrogged them, Aston Villa are 6th but with a game in hand, if they win that game in hand, they will go joint top of the Premier League themselves.

It’s quite remarkable how well these sides have started the Premier League season but in a campaign with so much uncertainty, a top four finish isn’t out of the question.

Guardiola and Klopp deserve credit for the quality of football on show as Manchester City and Liverpool drew 1-1 in an edge of your seat encounter

Klopp through in a surprise from the start as he mixed up his trusted formation in a bold attacking 4-2-4 which included both Jota and Firmino.

It was the kind of bold move that only great managers make in the big games, but it threw City off and stopped them from beating Liverpool at the Etihad for the third consecutive Premier League season.

The first half was packed full of high-quality attacking football and drama.

Liverpool fairly won the first penalty after Walker clumsily tripped Mane up and Salah converted with his usual ruthlessness.

However, Manchester City responded brilliantly as De Bruyne slipped in Jesus who turned exquisitely and toe poked home the equaliser.

Then Manchester City had the chance to take the lead after a controversial VAR decision awarded De Bruyne a penalty.

He missed.

Yes, that’s right De Bruyne missed a penalty, to the amazement of Alisson who had dived the wrong way and everyone watching at home who thought it was a full gone conclusion.

However, that was the end of the drama in a match which turned out to be a tail of two penalties and it will seem like a missed opportunity for Manchester City as they failed to close the gap on their biggest rivals for the title.

Chelsea win again and are starting to look the part

It’s been a slow start to the new campaign for Chelsea who were struggling for form and with integrating all their new signings together.

However, the big summer spending to make up for their transfer ban seems to be coming together as they have gone 6 games unbeaten in the league and have started conceding less goals.

Scoring hasn’t really been a problem this season but before Mendy came in for the unreliable Kepa, they were conceding goals far too frequently.

However, in their last 8 games in all competitions, Chelsea have kept 6 clean sheets and conceded just 4 goals.

Thiago Silva’s improved form has also been a big factor as another one of Chelsea’s summer signings who has helped to improve the side in a defensive sense.

Going forward they look more effective too, Ziyech has been majestic since he came back from injury, Werner is scoring goals and Chilwell gives Chelsea another dimension with his attacking runs from full-back and goals too.

Chelsea also have Havertz and Pulisic to come back into a side that looks very capable of mounting a title challenge.

Harry Dunnett 11/4/20 Harry Dunnett 11/4/20

Three Talking Points from Gameweek 7 in the EPL

Here are three talking points that we can take from the Premier League’s Gameweek 7.

Solskjaer goes from hero to zero as Manchester United’s awful home form continues

In the space of just four days, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer went from the manager who tactically outfought Julian Nagelsmann as Manchester United defeated Leipzig 5-0, to the man who got outwitted by Arteta in a desperately poor performance at Old Trafford.

That defeat meant Manchester United have failed to win any of their opening 4 home matches of the 2020/21 Premier League season as they remained in 15th place in the Premier League.

It’s close to rock bottom for a big club like United and considering they ended last season in third place, it’s a rapid drop in form and confidence which can be seen throughout the squad.

De Gea is the only player who doesn’t deserve criticism of some kind from the opening 6 games of the Premier League season, as even talisman Bruno Fernandes has had a mixed start to the new campaign.

The most glaring problem in my opinion is inconsistency in the system and team selection from Ole.

He has chopped and changed personal so much that fans have no clue who he thinks is the clubs best eleven.

The decision in recent weeks to start both McTominay and Fred is a strange one to me because it feels like they are two players doing the job of one player, like what we saw Partey do so well for Arsenal.

Matic in recent times has filled that role effectively, just marshalling in front of the back four and giving them the cover they need.

I think what is being lost in simply trying to solidify things defensively is the Manchester United identity, which is all about being on the front foot and being relentless in an attacking sense.

For me starting Matic at the base of the diamond (which worked so well against Leipzig) would have made more sense, then you could have had Van De Beek or Pogba alongside Fred in central midfield and then Fernandes in the free role behind the two strikers.

What was also evident on Sunday was how wide and separated Rashford and Greenwood were throughout the game and for me that was a waste.

One of the biggest strengths of the diamond is that you get a traditional front two partnership and both Greenwood and Rashford are intelligent enough footballers to make a partnership work but instead they spent most of the game out wide and isolated.

The other weakness of that formation is with Dalot on loan and Telles currently out with COVID, Wan-Bissaka and Shaw are defensive minded full-backs playing in a system that demands the full-backs to provide the width and crosses into the strikers.

This is a problem Ole needs to solve, he has poor options on the wing but with Martial back from his suspension, the option of playing Rashford on the left and Greenwood on the right is back.

Therefore, going back to his trusted 4-3-3 could, for the time being, be the most sensible option as questions over his future and the potential arrival of Pochettino continue to loom over him.

Leicester and Spurs can mount title challenge in unpredictable season

I said a few weeks ago that I didn’t think Leicester were serious title challengers and whilst I still find it highly unlikely, they have shown some evidence in the last two results that they can take advantage of the chance that is there for a number of teams this season.

Likewise, Spurs under Mourinho have had an impressive start.

Their two draws were both games they were very unlucky to not win and their opening day defeat to Everton was simply the team still getting going after a short pre-season.

Both sides, in a normal season with fans present, would be competing for top four places but all the evidence is there to suggest that no fans has brought upon inconsistent results from every team in the Premier League.

Manchester City are now finding their feet, but they had a poor start to the campaign and although Liverpool are top of the league, they have dropped points in games they would have found a way to win in last season.

Rodgers’ tactics worked a treat once again against Leeds on Monday night, hitting them on the counterattack with ruthless efficiency to complete a great week for the club.

It started with a hard-fought win against a much-improved Arsenal team last weekend which was backed up with another Europa League win midweek and ended with a 4-1 thrashing of Bielsa’s Leeds, which is no mean feat.

As for Spurs, they are third just one place and one point behind Leicester and continued their promising start with a 2-1 win at home to Brighton, with Gareth Bale scoring his first goal on his return to the club to win them the game.

The impact Bale has already had and the evidence from his time at Real Madrid that he has grown into a world class player, will excite Spurs fans.

Their front three (if Bale can stay fit) of Son, Kane and Bale is frightening and could see Spurs mount a serious title challenge to Liverpool, Leicester and Manchester City who are the three other likely candidates.

Jota can become a regular starter for Liverpool

Diogo Jota came off the bench once again to save Liverpool’s blushes on Saturday, he is proving to be a steal and another great piece of business by Liverpool.

Liverpool were drawing 1-1 with West Ham who, as they have on several occasions already this season, were making life difficult for their opposition, defending in numbers and with great organisation.

Jurgen Klopp knew something had to change to alter the course of a game that seemed to be closing in on an underwhelming draw.

Jota was his answer and once again he didn’t disappoint.

He started the game last week against Sheffield United and the game had the exact same scenario as this one against West Ham, the score 1-1 and very much in the balance.

He found the winner in the 64th minute against Sheffield United, it was the 85th minute against West Ham and it came after he had a goal disallowed for a foul in the build-up.

This just highlights how confident and sharp he is and how hungry he appears to be to score goals and help Liverpool win valuable Premier League games.

The form of Firmino is a stark contrast to Jota’s and I think the time has come to shake up Klopp’s trusted front three, even if it’s just temporarily as Firmino tries to rediscover his form that frankly has been missing for a while.

It takes some of the pressure off Firmino but it also gives Jota a chance at centre stage to get a regular place in the team.

Clue #1 - Harry’s New Boots

Clue #2 - Did Harry Kane fly to Spain?

The fans win for now, but what next?

Should the ‘Big Six’ be punished?

Ambition

So What Next?

Watch our video about it here!

What about Gabriel Jesus and Ferran Torres?

So who can fill Aguero’s shoes?

Lautaro Martinez | 23 | Inter Milan

Danny Ings | 28 | Southampton

Chimy Avila | 26 | Osasuna

“THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF FOOTBALL IS THE FANS”

Growing up, who were your role models in the footballing world?

I can imagine that in your position as a defender you would have come up against some difficult opponents already, are there any particular opponents that you can recall who gave you a hard time?

You spent the second half of the 2018-19 season on loan at Basingstoke Town, how would you describe your time there?

Are there any particular coaches who have played a vital role in your development as a player?

You were a part of the Chelsea side that won the PL2 title last season, what was your favourite memory from the season?

Are there any short-term goals that you have set for yourself for the ongoing season?

So what is Murderball?

What the stats say…

Aston Villa and Southampton continue to surprise people

Guardiola and Klopp deserve credit for the quality of football on show as Manchester City and Liverpool drew 1-1 in an edge of your seat encounter

Chelsea win again and are starting to look the part

Solskjaer goes from hero to zero as Manchester United’s awful home form continues

Leicester and Spurs can mount title challenge in unpredictable season

Jota can become a regular starter for Liverpool