Tottenham maintained their push for Champions League football on Sunday with a 3-1 win at home to champions Manchester City. Goals from Dempsey, Defoe and Bale helped Spurs come from a goal down with just 15 minutes to play, to win at White Hart Lane.
After winning one of their toughest fixtures remaining, the club will be in high spirits ahead of their final push for the top 4 spaces. With an expected financial boost of £25million if the club can qualify for the competition, Andre Villas-Boas will be looking to strengthen the depth of his squad in preparation for playing Europe’s finest. One player linked with the club is former Arsenal midfielder Alex Song. The Daily Mail have reported that Spurs will bid for the Barcelona midfielder, if the club can qualify for the Champions League. It would also see Scott Parker, Jake Livermore and Tom Huddlestone all being sold by the London club.
Song has struggled to make an impact at Barcelona after his £15million switch from the Emirates. Making just 16 league appearances this season, Song is yet to be credited with an assist in his La Liga matches, and was voted alongside Luka Modric as the flops of the transfer window by Spanish paper Marca. Failing to impress the fans or media at the Catalan club, the midfielder could be prepared to cut his losses short and leave Spain.
A controversial move to Tottenham could be possible. His red roots wont deter Villas-Boas, and neither will Song’s season at Barcelona. Despite struggling at the Spanish giants, his impressive displays in his last few years in England will be enough to tempt the Portuguese manager into signing Song or not. The midfielder enjoyed a fantastic relationship with Robin van Persie at Arsenal, linking up to score some memorable goals, notably against both Liverpool and Everton. Song assisted 14 goals last season, 11 of which were in the Premier League. Villas-Boas will look at Song’s quality at Arsenal, not at Barcelona.
But Song will also face a fight against the fans. A few impressive displays will make the supporters forget about his Arsenal origins. But the Cameroon international will come to replace three popular players at White Hart Lane. Tom Huddlestone, who has been at the club since 2005, is set to make way for Song. As is Jake Livermore, who at just 23-years-old, has started to impress in his first team football with the club, making 11 appearances for the London side. Finally, Scott Parker looks set to move aside for the Barcelona man, despite being popular with the fans for his energetic style and passion for the club. Song will know he will have to do well to win over some supporters, who will be sad to see the trio leave in his place.
The 25-year-old midfielder could repay the fans instantly though, if he can find the same form he left the Emirates with. His ability to pass a ball precisely, coupled with his happiness to sit back and hold the midfield, could push Spurs to a new level. With a more accurate attack, and an extra body protecting the defence, allowing wing-backs Assou-Ekotto and Kyle Walker to get forward, Tottenham could become a difficult ship to sink in the Premier League. With the club set on signing a new striker in the summer, Spurs could be just two signings away from a team capable of reaching the quarter-finals of Europe’s elite competition, a feat the club achieved two years ago in their first and only spell in the Champions League limelight.
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With the pace of Bale and Lennon able to latch on to Song’s through balls, and the Cameroon international’s ability to pass the ball to the exact requirements of a striker, Song could become a popular man at White Hart Lane. He will face a battle with Sandro, Dembele and Holtby for a regular starting place, but his solidity in midfield and eagerness to turn defence into attack with one pass could turn Tottenham Hotspur into a regular top 4 team, leapfrogging rivals and Song’s former club, Arsenal.
It seems almost as if an age has passed since Paolo Di Canio was appointed as the new Sunderland manager to steer the club away from relegation, with Martin O’Neill quickly becoming a forgotten man due to the Italian securing two victories out of his first four games.
He was initially criticised for his political beliefs and self declaration of being a fascist, but with vital wins over Newcastle and Everton, a consensus has emerged that Di Canio’s energy and vibrancy has rubbed off on the players enough to give the Black Cats a good chance at maintaining their Premier League status.
It may well provide the feel-good factor and instantaneous honey-moon period that often accompanies a new manager, but seeing as the Sunderland board granted the former West Ham man a two and half year contract, it begs the question as to whether the decision was made amid a knee-jerk reaction, or if the long-term implications of such a controversial and hasty appointment were truly considered.
So far, you’d argue that Di Canio’s incredibly short tenure has gone rather well, despite their recent 6-1 drubbing at the hands of Aston Villa. Sunderland have netted six times during the 44-year-old’s four games in charge, a stark improvement on their previous ratio of less than a goal per game, and similarly, taking six points out of a possible twelve is the level of progress required from them at this point in the season, in comparison to the Wear-side club picking up just seven victories prior to Di Canio taking over at the Stadium of Light.
Should the former player successfully lead his new club away from relegation, he of course deserves the right to continue his tenure next season, with the privilege of the transfer window to mould the squad within his own vision of how to take Sunderland forward. Yet, I have a lingering concern that the Italian, no matter how well the team perform on the pitch, is a ticking time-bomb with complete catastrophe only around the corner.
The fact is, his managerial credentials are sufficiently limited in the grand scheme of things. Di Canio’s only experience as a head coach prior to becoming Sunderland boss is his incredibly successful two years at Swindon Town, where he lead the club out of League Two, and furthermore, until his controversial resignation earlier this year, had The Robins in line for a potential consecutive promotion into the Championship.
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But in comparison to his predecessor, Martin O’Neill, or the other managers in the dog fight at the foot of the Premier League table, the Italian’s achievements are minimal, and thus I have my doubts as to whether Sunderland’s recent rise in form is due to any particular capability on Di Canio’s part or simply the typical effect of players desperate to impress a new manager.
Furthermore, the Italian was offered the job predominantly out of his self-created availability, having resigned as Swindon boss after falling out with the chairman over the club’s financial problems and the threat of administration. At the time, alternatives were few and far between, with Nigel Adkins opting to join up with Reading and others deterred by Sunderland’s controversial timing of relieving O’Neill from his duties.
Di Canio’s managerial ability however is not my only concern. Although I will always defend the Black Cats gaffer’s right to his own political preferences, as indeed prejudicing against them in the form that many critics suggested of barring him from the English top flight is in itself a fascist notion due to its forbidding of a man’s political freedoms, you get the feeling it will not be long before the issue re-emerges. The difference between racism and fascism has not been fairly documented and debated in the media in regards to Di Canio’s views, and we are no doubt one authoritarian statement or murmuring of a discipline over-kill at Sunderland’s training ground away from the former Lazio forward’s beliefs once again becoming back page news.
Most worrying however, is Di Canio’s personality, and whether it is suited to the Premier League. He appears to have dropped the passionately rash and dramatic displays of literally kicking his players up the backside and subbing off his goalkeeper after just 21 minutes that were in heavy supply during his days at Swindon, yet his addiction to the limelight remains.
He’s desperate to make it into the photo opportunities – rushing to his players to celebrate upon almost every goal scored by the Black Cats and walking around with his arms aloft after every victory as if to funnel the supporters’ adoration into his soul – and doggedly determined in every press interview to come across well-informed and surprisingly educated, in a bid to assert that there is some logic to the madness.
While you might argue that it is simply the man’s passion for the game, an admirable attribute indeed, and furthermore, there are plenty Premier League prima-donnas, too concerned with their trendy haircuts and evidence of a healthy tan rather than focusing on their trade, that deserve a kick up the bum to keep them in check, there is a dangerous flipside that is exactly why Di Canio’s style of management makes him such a rare breed.
The glory hunting, the desire to be the centre of attention, and the moments of controversy and drama, all add up to taking the attention away from the team. Although in some instances, this can be incredibly beneficial, and a tactic often used by Jose Mourinho, utilising his reputation, charisma and enigmatic personality to deflect the media circus away from his players, the negative effect can be a trend of the manager taking full responsibility for the team’s successes, but at the same time, holding the players to account for failure and distancing himself from defeats, already shown by his apparent blasting of the Sunderland squad following their 6-1 loss on Monday night, according to Alfred N’Diaye and Sky Sports News.
Perhaps I am judging Di Canio too soon, I am charging him with incompetence, arrogance and controversy, without actually having committed a crime. But the warning signs are already there that his occupancy as Sunderland boss will end in tears, and the Italian, due to his passion, personality, style of leadership and political views, is very much an accident waiting to happen.
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But my criticism is not of him, it is rather the Sunderland board. They are yet again a shining example of another club jumping the gun, and believing hiring and firing without long-term consideration will bring success, despite it being a naturally short-term solution to a long-existing problem.
The desperation is embarrassing, the lack of respect in regards to Martin O’Neill by disallowing him the opportunity to prove himself – a right he surely deserves based upon his credentials, reputation and prior successes – is shocking, and the hastiness of Di Canio’s appointment, with little consideration for next season, or the year after, is truly worrying.
When the Italian’s tenure ends in even speedier and more outlandish circumstances than its incarnation, do not be surprised.
Despite only having agreed a permanent deal for Sascha Riether just over a month ago, Fulham are now facing a fight to keep him at Craven Cottage, with Schalke interested, according to reports from the Daily Star.
The German giants are keen to lure the defender back to his homeland, as they step up their transfer plans after securing Champions League football for next season.
Riether enjoyed a successful loan stint in London last term, convincing Cottagers chief Martin Jol to agree a permanent deal for his signature with Koln.
However, this has not deterred Schalke, who have made the right-back on of the transfer priorities.
Fulham only paid £1.3m to push through the move recently, but the Bundesliga side are thought to be willing to offer a significantly higher figure to steal him away.
Although he has openly said that he is happy with his current employers, Riether may be tempted to return to Germany in a bid to force his way into the national team ahead of the 2014 World Cup.
The lure of top level European football may also be another tempting factor, and something Fulham are highly unlikely to be able to promise him in the future.
Could Sascha Riether really turn his back on Fulham so quickly?
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Saido Berahino may not be a name you’re overly familiar with. The 20 year old has come from nowhere in starting the season in highly impressive form.
The West Brom striker has spent time on loan at Northampton, Brentford and Peterborough as he looked for his career to take off. Well, it seems it has. Berahino’s first England under 21s goal came just a week after he hit a hat-trick in the Capital One Cup against Newport County for Baggies.
There is more than what meets the eye with this young man though. Born in Burundi, he came to the UK in 2003 after fleeing a civil war in the country of his birth which claimed the life of his father. Settling in Birmingham, he quickly used football as a way to integrate himself into an unfamiliar country with unfamiliar surroundings. A truly great story that Berahino has gone on to represent England at this level.
A great finish too. Expect to see more of Berahino in the Premier League this season as West Brom look for man to fill the boots of Romelu Lukaku. Berahino could just be that man, if he keeps up this form, it won’t be long until he bags his first Premier League goal…
The video does eventually show the goal…we promise…
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Aaron Phillips’ late volley cancelled out Leigh Griffiths’ goal and gave Coventry a point in a damp, drab game at the Molineux.
The international break can either be a help or hindrance to teams, for the Molineux men it is probably a bit annoying. Doyle, Doherty, Evans, Griffiths, Ricketts and Forde all in action at their respective levels, it has meant that Wolves have not been able to fulfil certain fixtures due to the sheer amount of internationals in the team. Yet another sign of how far Wolves have fallen over the past two years.
With Wolves winning their last three matches 1-0, 2-0 and 3-0, the international break came as a bit of a hindrance, as it sucked all the momentum out of the team. They would have to motivate themselves for the visit of the Sky Blues. With Peterborough and Leyton Orient setting a new standard in League One, Wolves are going to have to win home games, despite Coventry’s false League position.
The first half was a non-event, with neither team being able to exert any sort of dominance or create any clear cut chances, this being bore out with the ‘shots on target’ stat, both sides mustering just two shots on target all game. Despite this, the game began with a high tempo Wolves started with purpose, power and hunger, new signing James Henry feeding Leigh Griffiths who squandered an excellent opportunity to give Wolves an early lead.
Some short, snappy passes down the Wolves right hand side put Doherty clear to deliver a low ball into the Coventry ‘mixer’, unfortunately, the Irish under-21 international’s cross was cleared with consummate ease. Soon after, Sako, who was reinstated into the first team after ‘Sako gate’, tried to stamp his mark onto the team by cutting inside and driving at the Coventry defence, 15 yards out side the penalty area, looking right, he picked out Leigh Griffiths, played a beautiful pass to Leigh Griffiths who was one-on-one with Murphy, despite Griffiths’ calm finish, it counted for nothing as that pesky offside flag was raised.
The team news saw just one change for the home team, Richard Stearman was once again dropped and replaced with Bakary Sako, reintroduced after last week’s controversy with Nottingham Forest and their attempt to sign him. This meant Scott Golbourne was dropped back into a more generic left back position. Kevin Doyle and Leigh Griffiths continued their prolific partnership up front, Jack Price and Kevin McDonald completed the midfield two. Doherty, Ricketts, Batth and Golbourne started at the back, a back four which has just conceded just 6 goals all season. Sako and Henry were to be the wingmen.
Steven Pressley named unchanged team after they saw off Sheffield United last week, 3-2. Clarke and Wilson continued their prolific strike partnership up front which has seen them notch up 18 goals between them. ‘Keeper Murphy’s back four Willis, Webster, Clarke and Adams, in front of them were Baker, Thomas, Fleck and Moussa.
After Wolves’ initial good work the game soon died down, neither team looking they wanted it and both were lacking that final pass or that final clear-cut chance. Henry, looking effective down the right hand side produced a cross, despite being surrounded by Coventry players, his lovely looping cross was claimed, fans were getting more and more frustrated at the lack of clear chances.
Jackett was forced into a change just after the half hour mark, Jack Price was replaced by David Davis, it was unclear why, the general consensus being that he had suffered an eye injury and could not continue. It was unfortunate for the academy starlet, who has looked adept at this level along side Kevin McDonald and looked to be forming a strong partnership in the middle.
The best chance came at the end of the first half, Henry whipped a brilliant ball into the Coventry box, and Doyle met his cross, unmarked but flashed his header wide. Fans around me could not help but feel that he could have/should have done better, a striker of that quality and experience should have buried that header.
Half time came around and the dark clouds began to gather over the Molineux, an utterly strange and dull first half. With the only highlight being the strange injury to Jack Price, both teams failed to lack guile or purpose, despite the quality on show. A front six of Price, McDonald, Henry, Doyle, Sako and Griffiths should really be scoring goals, the communication was not there, it was frustrating. With a dozen or so games gone you would think that team would have gelled a bit more and would be clicking into place, reflecting Jackett’s wants from a team.
The second half began, as did the rain. James Henry’s turn and shot in the box stung the Coventry keeper’s gloves, after Doherty did well to cut inside and supply the on loan winger. Wolves looked to be slowly improving and grew into the game, a succession of corners saw Leigh Griffiths connect with a James Henry cross, the Scot hung in the air and nodded just wide, again, he should be doing better than that.
James Henry soon skied a volley after the cross-missed its intended target, Leigh Griffiths. Henry missed the opportunity to score a great goal, he did not get his head over the ball and was leaning back way too much and smashed the volley into row Z.
Coventry hit Wolves on the break Clarke dropped a shoulder, just outside the penalty area, he was lining up his shot and looked ready to smash Coventry into the lead until from nowhere, Danny Batth executed a magnificent sliding tackle to deny the hot shot striker, who looked utterly bewildered. Coventry persisted to pepper the Wolves goal, the pint-sized John Fleck hit a low shot that went just wide.
The atmosphere was red hot as both teams applied pressure to each other, the 22, 939 supporters making their presence felt. It was a great place to be, as a neutral, it was getting very entertaining. The game was on a knife-edge, it could have gone either way, all it needed was one bit of quality and either team could go in front.
Fortunately, it was Wolves who got this opportunity. Sako had a free kick on the Wolves right hand side, he delivered it in his usual juggernaut style, low and hard, hoping to nick a deflection off a player, the ball was cleared to the opposite flank and Scott Golbourne delivered a whipped cross in, the clearing header by Coventry was far from convincing, the ball remained in the air. When it eventually returned Danny Batth out muscled Clarke, his flick on found Leigh Griffiths who, from two yards out was not going to miss. The Molineux was ballistic, a thoroughly deserved goal after an hour of hard graft, trying to break down a stern Coventry defence. The 20,000 or so home fans cheered and applauded a real poachers finish, pure instinct, Griffiths did not even have to think about it, a clear sign of a top class striker who bagged his eighth in the League this year.
Five minutes later, the goal scorer was substituted, to a standing ovation from the South Bank and co. It is clear that Griffiths is turning into a mature striker, with ice in his veins. One who may not do much throughout the game, but give him a chance in and around the penalty area and he will put it away and give you the lead.
His replacement, Sigurdarson, was to be used as a lightening rod, bringing everything down and brought in for his power and industry. With ten minutes to go Pressley made a change, Moussa was replaced by Manset. In addition, Willis came off for the teenager Aaron Phillips.
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Henry had a great chance to put the game to bed, his excellent low cross was delivered into the six-yard box, ‘the corridor of uncertainty’ for you football cliché fans. Frustratingly, neither Doyle nor Sigurdarson could get a foot onto it, which would have surely seen Wolves take and unassailable 2-0 lead.
With four minutes of normal time left, Coventry were not giving up, piling on the pressure, John Fleck played an incisive ball into Wilson, who turned well, his dinked ball evaded everyone, bounced once and there was the substitute, Aaron Phillips, to screw a first time volley into the bottom corner or Ikeme’s goal. Yet again, Wolves have dropped points from a winning position, no matter what manager Wolves have had, losing or drawing in the final minutes is something that still haunts the team. Frustrating as it was, Coventry probably deserved the point, the away fans went wild, full credit to the sold out away crowd, the most seen at the Molineux this season. Despite all their troubles off the pitch this season, it is heartening to see so many Coventry fans turning out to support their team.
The game ended eight minutes later after no real, last gasp chances. Four shots on target in the whole game from both teams, it was not the best game Wolves have, or will watch this season, but it was another solid defensive performance from a back four that have not been given the credit they deserve for such stern defensive performance. It is only a matter of time before the midfield and the forwards click, once this has happened, Wolves will be looking to catch up on Orient and Peterborough, promotions, titles and cups are won on a strong defensive foundation, without that, teams will drop away no matter how many goals they score.
It is hard to get too disappointed at a loss and too overjoyed when Wolves win, a quarter of the season has gone, there is still a lot of games left to play and fans need to know this. Football is a long-term thing that does not happen every weekend and in the grand scheme of this season, and next season, a point at home against a team who are effectively 5th (if you add the ten points they were deducted they would be up there) is not an awful result.
Oldham on Tuesday at home is another great opportunity for Wolves to get all three points once again. Four points from those two games will be an acceptable level of return, especially with winnable games against Stevenage and Carlisle. If Wolves keep plugging away, soon enough, The O’s and The Posh will be looking over the shoulder to see a Wanderers side nipping at their coat tails.
Although the Capital One Cup Semi-Finals are an all-Premier League affair, there are still plenty of interesting stories in the mix.
Both West Ham and Sunderland are two names that have been associated with the very pinnacle of English football for some time, but neither has won the League Cup in their history. It may be a slight shock to hear this, but it’s true. However, one team could break that duck in the Capital One Cup this season.
Sunderland are certainly in the stronger position of the two, with the Black Cats having registered an impressive home win against Manchester United in the first leg. Fabio Borini’s second-half penalty at the Stadium of Light has really put the tie in the balance heading to Old Trafford, with Gus Poyet’s men in with a genuine chance of making it to Wembley.
The North East side will be aware that David Moyes’ Red Devils are far from the force that claimed the Premier League title last season, with many outfits having already travelled to the Theatre of Dreams this term before leaving with a win. And despite their struggles, Sunderland are in good shape to steal a result, with a number of their layers having put early season bad form behind them to help secure a number of more positive results.
The aforementioned Borini looks rejuvenated under Poyet, while goalkeeper Vito Mannone has proved himself to be a talented glovesman in recent weeks. As well as youth and flair, the Black Cats also have experience, with John O’Shea possessing a medal collection that many top, top players would envy and also a detailed knowledge of United after enjoying, arguably, the best spell of career at the club.
West Ham are certainly not in a desirable position as they prepare to host Manchester City. The Hammers were mauled at the Etihad Stadium 6-0, and it will take a truly Herculean task to overhaul such a scoreline, but anything is possible in football. With Andy Carroll returning to full fitness the Irons finally have the striker to suit their playing style, and in Ravel Morrison an unpredictable talent is also in the ranks. Having trounced Tottenham at White Hart Lane earlier this season they have shown that the potential for goals and success against the big boys is possible, which could give Big Sam’s side a sense of optimism.
However, Sunderland are the more likely of the sides to make it to Wembley, and they should not be put off by the prospect of facing City. Although Manuel Pellegrini’s side are favourites to claim the league title this term, form and ability can often be levelled out in a showpiece Final. Last season the Citizens took on Wigan in the FA Cup – who were relegated to the Championship – and were defeated by them at Wembley. Gus Poyet will surely do his homework, and will be aware that City can be beaten on the biggest stage, which will fill his team with a real sense of belief.
The odds are firmly against Sunderland and West Ham, but nothing in football is ever settled until the final whistle pierces the roar of the crowd, and this year a new name could be engraved on that Capital One Cup trophy.
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Well at least they delayed the traditional February collapse until March this time.
Knocked out of the Champions League by the imperious Bayern Munich once again, Arsenal’s title bid has begun to seriously unravel in recent weeks. Humiliation at Stamford Bridge was followed by home draws to Swansea and Manchester City. The Gunners currently find themselves seven points adrift at the time of writing.
With City’s games in hand, Arsenal’s challenge for the title is fading fast. Although there is still time for this situation to change, most punters would not bet on the Gunners to make up this difference.
The more pressing concern could be the club’s place in the top four. Following the Gunners’ recent indifferent form, Roberto Martinez’s Everton side have closed the gap significantly and are now breathing down the necks of Arsene Wenger’s side. The upcoming clash between the two at Goodison Park could be pivotal in determining the identity of the final qualifier for the Champions League.
Despite all this talk of doom and gloom however, Arsenal’s season still has the capacity to be considered a success.
Obviously, the minimum that is expected is Champions League qualification. Having led the league for so much of the season, it would be a backward step for the Gunners to end the season out of the top four. But with Wenger’s impressive record over the last decade, one wouldn’t bet against Arsenal repeating this feat once again.
With this minimum requirement in the league, lifting the FA Cup would ultimately define this as a successful campaign for the Gunners. Although its a trophy that may have lost its appeal in recent times, it would end a dreadful barren spell for the club that extends back to 2005. This trophy-less run is a burden that has increased over time and needs to be ended sooner rather than later.
The semi-final line up for the competition shows Arsenal to be clear favourites. As long as a potential banana skin with Wigan Athletic is successfully negotiated, the Gunners should fancy their chances in the showpiece final against either Hull City or Sheffield United.
Obviously, it goes without saying that complacency needs to be avoided at all costs. Arsenal cannot really afford another embarrassment similar to that devastating Carling Cup final defeat to Birmingham City. But if the Gunners perform in a professional manner and to their potential, their fans should be fairly confident that the club’s barren run will come to an end.
It is difficult to accurately predict just how big of an impact a trophy could have on Arsenal’s immediate future. The club has become the punchline to too many jokes. An FA Cup triumph would lift an unbearable weight that has been choking the manager and players for years.
While the competition may be considered small fry in comparison to the riches of the Champions League and Premier League, who knows what greater success it could lead to? Manchester City’s triumph in the competition in 2011 proved to be a springboard for the Citizens to claim the title just a year later, for the first time in forty four years. Their victory over Manchester United in the semi final en route to lifting the trophy provided the club with the confidence to usurp their dominant rivals to the crown.
This isn’t to say that FA Cup success this year will naturally lead to a Premier League triumph next year. But it is a good example of how a club that hasn’t won a trophy for some time can use success in the competition as a springboard for bigger and better things.
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Combined with the fact that Arsenal now seem willing and able to spend big, the future could be brighter than many would believe right now.
The record signing of Mesut Ozil coupled with the early season promise means that there is currently an inevitable sense of disappointment surrounding the club following the recent results. The Champions League and Premier League crowns continue to elude them, but Arsenal fans shouldn’t be so despondent just yet.
The FA Cup could still make their season a success and who knows what impact that could have in the long term.
Just as we were turning our focus back onto the World Cup, with two knockout stage matches being settled by penalty shootouts, Luis Suarez got his name back onto the sport pages of the English newspapers with his apology.
The striker released a statement on his personal website, apparently with the Uruguayan FA or Liverpool unaware of this act, saying he was sorry for biting Giorgio Chiellini. Some cynical football fans are convinced that he’s been told to make a public apology to help his move to either Barcelona or Real Madrid, but what should we make of the fact that since the incident, the emphasis on Liverpool has mainly been that they are the victims of this?
The club are not only left embarrassed and disgraced from Suarez’s actions, they are also left in the difficult position of working out what to do with the troubled forward. Do they sell him, or do they hold onto a man who has been far and away their best player since his arrival at Anfield? Are they really just the innocent sufferers from the incident, or are they to blame for the striker’s third animalistic attack on another player?
In the 14 months that have passed since Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic was bitten by Suarez, the club have been working hard to create a ‘New Luis’ image around Anfield. Rodgers has repeatedly stood by the Uruguayan, praising him for how he acts at the club, and the respect he shows to all members of staff around Melwood, as well as his attitude during training (something he won’t be able to do for the next four months.) The fans have been quickly encouraged to forgive Suarez for demanding to leave the club for Arsenal over the summer, with the whole talk of a switch to the Gunners now swept under the carpet and forgotten about.
In order to keep Suarez happy, the club have publicly built him up to be their number 1 player. Their star. While Rodgers will always say it’s a team effort and about the 11 players on the pitch, the marketing department have done their bit to build Suarez’s ego. Visit Anfield, and just a short distance from the famous Bill Shankly statue is a giant image of Suarez and Gerrard advertising the new Liverpool kit, overlooking the great manager. But while he’s level with the skipper in the ad, he’s even bigger when it comes to the pitch.
Kopites will know that when Peter McDowell announces the players’ names, the Uruguayan is the last man to be revealed to the crowd, and is given extra emphasis by both McDowell and the supporters. It doesn’t matter that their skipper has been at the club through thick and thin since making his debut back in 1998. It doesn’t matter that Gerrard has rescued them from the brink on countless occasions. Luis Suarez is still given a better reception. McDowell echoes and elongates his name, and the Kop responds as if they had just seen a goal, singing and chanting his name until Roberto Martinez can hear across Stanley Park.
But treating Suarez like a hero has just built up the Uruguayan’s ego. And the club heave reaped the benefits of that for the season, as he scored 31 goals to help the club push for the league title. It seemed that as the size of Suarez’s head increased, so did his ability. He left for Brazil being tipped as a potential Golden Boot winner. And when injury threatened his tournament altogether, the whole of Uruguay panicked, boosting Suarez’s self-confidence more as he was aware just how much his country were relying on him. Sitting on the bench as his country was beaten by Costa Rica, Suarez was ready to show the world he was fit and healthy against England, whose FA had banned him for a total of 17 matches during his short time in their country.
Roy Hodgson didn’t help much either, claiming Suarez needed to prove himself on the World Cup to be known as a great, he challenged the striker to hurt England. And the 27-year-old did just that. The hero that defeated the English, his two World Cup goals made him a god. Uruguay lose to the minnows without him, but then beat the enemy when he plays. It was going to be Suarez’s tournament.
But the ‘incredible’, ‘unstoppable’ Suarez couldn’t make an impact against Italy during their must win match to reach the knockout stage. With his summer just a handful of minutes away from ending, the 27-year-old lashed out in frustration. Debate between yourselves whether he regressed to a childlike state or something more sinister, what we do know is that King Luis couldn’t accept failure.
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Liverpool built up this hero status, this ego, this incredible figure that is Luis Suarez. Rodgers valued him at £100million, which would be more than what Gareth Bale cost just 12 months ago. And despite having Sports Psychiatrist Dr. Steve Peters at the club working with the players one day a week, the Reds failed to correct the Uruguayan’s terrible habit that we must now call it.
Suarez learnt that with Liverpool he would always be forgiven for his misdemeanours. Be it racial abuse or biting an opponent, he would forever be welcomed back by Kopites. Many fans did call for Suarez to be sold after the Ivanovic bite. Plenty of supporters said it was an outrage and that he shouldn’t wear the club badge again. But where are they now? There are no banners calling for Suarez to be sold, nor complaints that he starts each match. The striker was forgiven, as he was for abusing Evra, (who has been booed by some Liverpool fans during matches against Manchester United). When the king was punished, he was welcomed back with open arms, as fans anticipated a flurry of goals. Instead of having to work hard to make it up to the Kop, learn that it wasn’t acceptable and slowly build his way back to being a welcomed squad member, Suarez returned a hero, and never properly learnt about how damaging his actions are.
It could only happen to Arsenal. On the eve of the closure of the transfer window, the team’s first-choice (and only senior) centre-forward Olivier Giroud has been ruled out with injury for up to three months following a fairly innocuous phase of play on the weekend against Everton.
It leaves Arsenal well short of options for the first half of the season, with Yaya Sango and Alexis Sanchez the only obvious choices for Arsene Wenger, and Lukas Podolski on the brink of a move away, though Giroud’s injury status may force a rethink of the sale of the German international.
Arsenal have the funds – and everyone knows it – but are the options out there? It terms of world-class centre-forwards, it seems unlikely.
But with less than a week left of the summer window, he’s a rundown of five centre-forward options for Arsene Wenger.
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Football – Netherlands v Mexico – FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014 – Second Round – Estadio Castelao, Fortaleza, Brazil – 29/6/14Klaas Jan Huntelaar celebrates after scoring the second goal for Holland from the penalty spotMandatory Credit: Action Images / Andrew CouldridgeLivepicEDITORIAL USE ONLY.
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Carlos Bacca
Football – Sevilla v Valencia – UEFA Europa League Semi Final First Leg – Sanchez Pizjuan, Sevilla, Spain – 24/4/14Carlos Bacca celebrates after he scores Sevilla’s second goalMandatory Credit: Action Images / Carl RecineLivepicEDITORIAL USE ONLY.
Carlos Bacca has thus far remained at Sevilla despite a belief that he’d be off this summer after the season he had last term.
The Colombian was surprisingly overlooked as a starter for his national team at the World Cup, but then other high-profile names like Jackson Martinez also saw much of the tournament in Brazil from the bench.
Bacca nevertheless has many qualities that would see him do well at Arsenal. He’s strong, quick, good in the air, and able to play the lone striker role. The move from Belgian football to Sevilla would have set him up nicely for a move to one of Europe’s biggest clubs.
Klaas-Jan Huntelaar
Football – Netherlands v Mexico – FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014 – Second Round – Estadio Castelao, Fortaleza, Brazil – 29/6/14Klaas Jan Huntelaar celebrates after scoring the second goal for Holland from the penalty spotMandatory Credit: Action Images / Andrew CouldridgeLivepicEDITORIAL USE ONLY.
There’s an opportunity now for Arsene Wenger to revisit the topic of Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, who Arsenal were heavily linked with a few seasons back.
The Dutch international’ rigid style of play may not be to the Wenger’s liking and the system employed at the Emirates, but there’s no doubting Huntelaar’s record in front of goal.
He’s 30 now and won’t have many years left at the top of the game. But as a short-term option, natural goal scorers don’t come much better than the Schalke forward.
Wilfried Bony
Interest in Wilfried Bony has gone cold of late, but the Swansea striker is very much an option for Arsene Wenger. The Arsenal manager can take comfort in that Bony’s transition from Dutch football to the Premier League has been smooth, while his mould as a powerful striker would see him as a perfect replacement for the injured Olivier Giroud.
Bony is far from the star name fans would have wanted this summer, but he’s a Premier League experienced forward who should only cost around £15 million. A good option if there is little else at this stage of the summer.
Loic Remy
It would have been thought that Loic Remy’s move to Liverpool would have finally ended the links to Arsenal, but his failed medical at Anfield has continued those rumours, and now with Olivier Giroud out injured, Remy is one of a handful of names linked to address the centre-forward problem at Arsenal.
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It would prove to be a move that sees Arsenal go full circle, having initially reportedly been interest in the French striker at the start of the summer, but opting against his signing and leaving a clear path for Liverpool.
But Remy is still reportedly available for a knockdown fee, and as the week progresses, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him end up at the Emirates.
Danny Welbeck
Danny Welbeck would be a supremely underwhelming signing on Arsenal’s part, as it’s very difficult to see what the forward can provide beyond just hard work.
Welbeck has been linked with a move away from Manchester United this summer in a bid to secure regular football, and while that may be on offer at the Emirates (largely due to the injury record at the club), he won’t offer much that isn’t already available to Arsene Wenger.
Versatile and in tune with the demands of the Premier League are his redeeming qualities. It would be more than understandable if Arsenal fans are hoping Manchester United refuse a sale following the episode with Thomas Vermaelen.
Despite a slow start for new manager Louis Van Gaal at Manchester United, things are gradually improving for the Red Devils, as they entered the top four of the Premier League for the first time in a year after their 2-1 win against Everton. However, there are still questions to be answered in terms of Van Gaal’s defence. With big money signings such as Angel Di Maria, Radamel Falcao and Ander Herrera having come in for astronomical fees and impressed, fellow newbies Marcos Rojo and Luke Shaw have recently had a torrid time alongside the likes of Jonny Evans, Phil Jones and Chris Smalling.
This resulted in former Bayern Munich and Barcelona chief Van Gaal sticking to his well-publicised philosophy of bringing through youngsters. The likes of Tyler Blackett and Paddy McNair have been fast tracked into the first team set up in order to steady the ship for United at the back. A world class centre half is exactly what United are missing at the moment. However, one player that has been ever reliable at the back is goalkeeper David De Gea. Had it not been for the Spaniard, the 20 times Premier League champions would not be sitting in fourth place in the table. This was very much evident in the game against the Toffees, where he pulled off save after save on numerous occasions and was the first goalkeeper to stop a Leighton Baines penalty in the Premier League.
After signing from Spanish side Atletico Madrid in 2011, the 23 year old endured a difficult beginning to life in England and the Premier League on and off the pitch. His small stature meant De Gea couldn’t handle the physicality of English football for the first six months – especially from corners and set pieces, where De Gea would often lose his bearings. However, in his first season in Manchester, De Gea, who is known for his shot stopping, had the best save success rate in the league with 78%, more than Manchester City and England goalkeeper Joe Hart.
Off the pitch, his lifestyle had to be changed. Because of his weight issues, putting on muscle was essential for De Gea. The stopper himself said “I do not think people appreciate just how hard it was for me coming to a new country at that age and a different type of football.”
Now, whenever the Manchester United back four are exposed, there is less worry about conceding with De Gea between the sticks. Despite conceding five against newly promoted Leicester City and four against League One outfit MK Dons, there was nothing United’s number one could be blamed for, as it was simply sloppy errors from the defenders which cost the club. It is safe to say that David De Gea is now regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the world, and United can now say they pulled off some superb business when they brought him in for £16m. De Gea has firmly justified his price tag.
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