Ronaldo-Leaving-Madrid

After an embarrassing result, rumours of further discontent are going to come out once more.

In the aftermath of Real Madrid’s humiliating home capitulation against arch rivals Barcelona, a distinctly off-colour Cristiano Ronaldo reportedly confronted Los Blancos president Florentino Perez and demanded Rafael Benitez be removed as head coach, or he would walk.

An event of such magnitude is unlikely to have happened, and if anything of the sort did take place, then a swift apology from Ronaldo’s representatives and blame laid firmly at a “heat of the moment thing” will have diffused any hostilities.

However, something is not right in the Spanish capital, and when there is unrest between one of the most powerful figureheads in world football, and arguably the game’s most global superstar, something has to give.

Ronaldo is not one of Perez’s signings, and in the weird and wonderful world of Spanish footballing politics, such a fact still holds resonance despite Ronaldo’s achievements, and makes a summer exit more likely.

Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal has stated his desire to bring Ronaldo back to Old Trafford, and build the next United era around their former talisman, but competition is fierce, despite the astronomical asking price.

Paris Saint-Germain represent a major player in such a move. They have made no secret of their wish to bring Ronaldo to the city of love, and certainly have the funds to facilitate the transfer.

They will outbid anything United are willing to pay, and can make Ronaldo mega-rich, but the affection Ronaldo has for his former employer may sway his decision.

All of this is could be deemed irrelevant, though. At the end of the day, two people will most likely decide where Ronaldo will be plying his trade next season.

Jorge Mendes, who we know from the coverage the Ronaldo film gave him, has Ronaldo’s trust, 100%. He is one of, if not the most powerful figure in world football, and he has the ultimate cunning disposition to be able to persuade Ronaldo to do what he says.

The only man who can stop Mendes is Perez, and as previously stated, the Real president wouldn’t object to bringing in a substantial fee for a man he has never regarded as one of his own.

The exasperation was written all over Ronaldo’s face as he trudged off after being taught a footballing lesson by Barcelona on Saturday night.

Quite frankly, Neymar, Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi are streets ahead of Ronaldo at the moment, and their telepathic relationship is only going to get stronger and more fluid – a frightening thought for any opposition.

If you take away Ronaldo’s five goal haul against Espanyol in September, the Portugal captain has netted just three times in 11 league games – astonishing when you consider his consistency throughout a prolific career.

It is not for want of trying. He averages an incredible 6.7 shots per game in La Liga, almost two more than anyone else, and when you consider he is down the goalscoring charts in fourth, that is a poor conversion rate.

Such profligacy can only be adding to his anxiety. The Bernabeu have remarkably never really warmed to him at the best of times, the reception he is getting now as he strops around the pitch is hostile to say the least.

Both Manchester and Paris give Ronaldo what he wants – to be the main man.  The almost cringeworthy self-adulation in the film was no act – Ronaldo really does have that high opinion of himself, and is that determined to be the best player, rather than a member of the best team.

Time for change. Every king’s reign has to come to an end, and abdication when still at the peak of one’s powers would be the most fitting end.

About the Author – Pete Hall

Freelance football writer working predominantly for Sky Sports. Also regularly write for Bleacher Report, Eurosport, FourFourTwo and numerous others.

Twitter: @PeteHall86

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Adnan-Januzaj

Adnan Januzaj’s loan move from Manchester United to Borussia Dortmund during the summer transfer window was one of the biggest surprises on the transfer market. Manchester United fans in particular felt that Januzaj was ready to contribute to Manchester United’s first team, but United’s manager, the Dutchman Louis van Gaal believed that Januzaj would benefit from gaining valuable first team experience first in the German Bundesliga.

In April 2014 the Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport named Januzaj the best youngster in Europe, and Dortmund’s Neven Suboti? stated that he was surprised that Dortmund was able to land him. Furthermore, after their first game together—a friendly against St. Pauli—Suboti? stated to Germany’s Kicker Magazine that he had never seen a player with a better shot.

Januzaj, despite high expectations and praise from teammates, has failed to gain a position in Borussia Dortmund’s starting line-up. Januzaj has so far only managed 219 minutes in the Europa League, 144 minutes in the Bundesliga, and 28 minutes in the German Cup, overall he managed only two assists—one in the Bundesliga against Darmstadt, and one in the Europa League against Azerbaijan’s Qäbälä—which has led to a mediocre average whoscored.com score of 6.71.

On November 9 the German Internet platform transfermarkt.de reported that Januzaj’s lack of playing time at Dortmund has caused concern at Manchester United’s front office, and that Louis van Gaal may bring the winger back to England during the winter transfer market. Van Gaal has stated several times in the past that he wanted more speed on the wings, and that Januzaj could be a solution to that problem.

Also Januzaj appears to be unhappy with the amount of game time he has received from Dortmund’s manager Thomas Tuchel, likely due to the fact that the winger is also trying to make the Belgium squad for next summer’s European Championship in France.

Dortmund’s sporting director Michael Zorc, however, has since refuted all rumours that Januzaj could leave Dortmund in the winter. Zorc told the Kicker Magazine on Thursday that, “there is no debate on this at the moment”, and according to Zorc, Januzaj has been the victim of the fact that “the other offensive players are doing a fantastic job at the moment.”

The other offensive players would be Pierre-Emerik Aubameyang, Marco Reus, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Shinji Kagawa, and recently Gonzalo Castro. The quintet has been largely responsible for Dortmund’s offensive power in the Bundesliga in which the club has scored 35 goals in 12 matches, resulting in 29 points in the league five points behind league leaders Bayern Munich—Dortmund’s CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke recently suggested that with this production rate Borussia would be the league leader in any of the other top divisions in Europe.

Januzaj has, however, also struggled at Dortmund’s training, as reports from Dortmund suggested that he arrived in Dortmund with fitness levels far below those required by the average Bundesliga player. Januzaj had to get used to the intensive training, and the up-tempo pressing game of the Bundesliga, but Zorc stated on Thursday that Januzaj’s fitness level has made progress.

Still it is remarkable that a player of Januzaj’s calibre would arrive at Dortmund without the necessary fitness to compete at the highest level, despite the fact that he had fully participated at Manchester United’s pre-season preparations. Furthermore, this is the second time that Dortmund has had to deal with a player arriving from Manchester without the necessary fitness to compete in the Bundesliga, as Shinji Kagawa only managed 60 minutes in his first Bundesliga game back from United in the summer of 2014, and had to be substituted after showing signs of exhaustion.

It took Kagawa a full season to compete at the Bundesliga level, but unlike Kagawa, Januzaj is only supposed to stay at Dortmund for the remainder of the season before returning to Manchester. Hence, the Belgium winger will have to put in extra hours both on the pitch and in the gym to compete in a league known for its up-tempo, high pressing style.

About the author – Manuel Veth

Manuel Veth is a freelance journalist and Editor in Chief @FutbolgradLive and writes about the economics and politics of Soviet and post-Soviet football. You can find his work at Futbolgrad.com.

twitter: @homosovieticus

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Lee-Price-July

The term ‘World XI’ and Watford FC might appear to be as dubious a partnership as Roy Evans and Gerard Houllier, but the newly promoted Premier League outfit are notorious for their global range of players.

Loading up their squad list at the start of Soccer Manager 16 reveals an astonishing TWENTY THREE different nationalities.

There are more tongues in the dressing room than a youth disco.

Which prompts the obvious challenge – give the Watford squad a homegrown overhaul, while avoiding relegation.

Without wanting to sound like a questionable UKIP campaign, my mission is to transform the Hornets’s line-up to contain players solely from English, Scottish, Irish, Welsh or Northern Irish backgrounds.

It’s something approaching mission impossible – I’m no Tom Cruise, but I am similarly diminutive, which should qualify me for a starring role.

This is my diary as I play through the challenge.

This is the second installment. To read July’s diary, click here.

 

August

The month begins with just over £5M in the bank, and a 2-1 friendly defeat to West Ham, though Callum McManaman scores for the third fixture in succession.

Shane Long (88) joins to share the goal-scoring burden, and is straight into the line-up for the first competitive game of the season – a visit from fellow newly-promoted outfit Norwich City, with precious Premier League points on offer.

The squad meets my homegrown criteria, though the bench is worryingly feeble. Less hornet, more house fly.

I select a 4-3-3 formation, resisting the urge to partner Long with Troy Deeney (85) up front, with the new signing picked ahead of the club captain to spearhead the attack.

But it’s Norwich’s frontline that dominates the early highlights, with a defensive cock up from new boy Adam Matthews (86) allowing Wes Hoolahan an easy opener.

Somehow, we dominate possession, despite playing a direct passing style, but are unable to find a breakthrough – and second half sub Deeney spurns a double-chance after a one-on-one to rescue a point.

Overall, the performance is OK but the squad’s lack of depth is exposed – my only real option from the bench was the ineffective skipper.

It’s back to the transfer market for me.

 

Ecuadorian winger Juan Paredes (86) is offloaded to West Brom for £2.25M, Hearts splurge £2.79M on Valon Behrami (89) and Fernando Forestieri (83) joins Hamilton for £2.03M.

Some of those funds are promptly reinvested in Kyle Naughton (87), whose versatility will be vital, ahead of a visit to Old Trafford, and the daunting prospect of Manchester United in the second game of the season.

Naughton replaces Matthews in the starting line up, at right back, but the squad otherwise remains the same.

With Paul Robinson (82) in goal, we find ourselves three down at half time, with Marouane Fellaini (91) adding to a Wayne Rooney brace.

Long misses a sitter moments before the break, and is punished by getting the hook, Deeney coming on in his place.

Deeney, though, repeats his team mate’s trick by wasting the first chance of the second half. We cling on for the rest of the match, with some brave defending from Phil Jagielka, in particular, but are well beaten.

 

By the time the team coach pulls off the M25 back into Watford, news of the League Cup second round comes through, with Millwall set to visit Vicarage Road. At least we avoided a rapid return to United.

The £3.2M departure of Odion Ighalo (86) frees up enough funds to capture Joe Allen (88) from Liverpool for £5.5M, an exciting signing for Watford irrespective of self-imposed restrictions.

My continued search for a decent goalkeeper, though, is running out of steam and, even when quickfire sales leave more than £10M in the bank, I’m unable to find a new number one.

So Robinson continues for the visit of Leicester City, a game it is crucial the side take something from.

Allen takes Ben Watson’s place in the starting line-up, and the squad is starting to shape up – though there are notable shortcomings in the centre of defence and between the sticks.

I can’t help but eye my reserve team with envy; the likes of Heurelho Gomes (85), Etienne Capoue (89) and Alessandro Diamanti (88) would be very welcome options.

Said weaknesses are exposed after just nine minutes, as Ritchie De Laet, inexplicably selected as a winger, crosses for Leonardo Ulloa (87) to head home unopposed.

Thankfully, my sulk is short lived, as we equalise straight from kick-off – James McArthur (86) bundling in the rebound from Long’s effort.

It’s not the most spectacular goal, but it’s the first competitive strike in my reign, so I celebrate like I’ve just seen a worldie.

My girlfriend reacts as though she’s just seen someone throw up in the street.

Leicester retake the lead with a carbon copy of their first, but from the opposite flank, with Shinji Okazaki (89) this time free to nod in – but, again, we’re level almost immediately, Anya tucking away instinctively from a corner.

On the hour mark, for the first time in the match – nay, season – we take the lead, when debutant Allen heads a duplicate of Leicester’s goals.

It sets up a dramatic finale, but the Foxes look shorn of options, and Jagielka is again commanding as we hold out for a first Premier League victory.

Even the chairman is impressed, as I receive a note of congratulations and thanks.

Presumably, he’s taken Quique Sanchez off speed dial now.

 

With time running out before the transfer window’s closure, I splash out on a record signing – the £7.71M acquisition of Phil Jones (89) from Manchester United.

Although, ideally, I’d add two wingers and a first choice goalkeeper, at the very least, to my squad, a remaining balance of just £3M, and five big money players still sat in the reserves, means I’m again hamstrung in the market.

Clearly, me and Louis Van Gaal hit it off earlier in the season, as he generously takes two more of my unwanted players off my hands, replenishing my pocket with a further £6M.

With just two days left of the transfer window, the visit of Newcastle is not the most conveniently timed fixture, though Jones is given his debut alongside Jagielka in the centre of defence.

That looks solid, but it’s hard to imagine many defences quivering at the prospect of facing Anya and McManaman (both 85) down the flanks.

With this in mind, I drop the pair to the bench, and switch to a 4-3-1-2 formation, with Watson (86) taking on the trequarista role, behind Deeney, who has been reinstated alongside Long.

It’s an attacking line up, but we’re behind within three minutes, Moussa Sissoko (90) converting from a corner.

Long equalises with a neat finish on the half hour mark, but Yoan Gouffran (88) robs the uncharacteristically ponderous Jagielka to put the visitors back in front.

Our adventure is rewarded with a point, though, when Long is hacked down; the Irishman bravely dispatching from the spot before hobbling off with a foot injury that will keep him out for just over a week.

How very un-footballer like.

It’s an encouraging display, but any thoughts of sticking with the 4-2-3-1 permanently are dashed by Long’s injury – a reminder of what little back up I have in reserve.

Instead, I make two last-ditch signings in the minutes before the window shuts – adding widemen Scott Sinclair (87) and Wayne Routledge (87) for a combined £6.83M. 4-3-3 it is, then.

It leaves me satisfied with my overall squad, with a top level goalkeeper the only box to go unticked – while just three players remain on the transfer list, rotting in the reserves, along with three redundant loanees.

Overall, it feels like a successful window – though I won’t be able to remedy anything for another four months…

 

About the author – Lee Price

Lee Price is a journalist and author with a passion for football, and crucially, virtual football management.

twitter: @Lee_Price

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Premier-League-Clubs-Failing-in-Europe

As the final whistle sounds at the Emirates 10 blue shirts streak across the immaculate pitch to a hoard of fans jumping in sync. Olympiakos have just felled English giants Arsenal on their home turf, a David vs. Goliath triumph. On the same night Chelsea were slayed in the Dragon Stadium by FC Porto and a man who is so good they named him twice. Andre Andre scored both goals for Porto as José Mourinho’s nightmare continued. Huge Premier League clubs are being torn down by their smaller European cousins on a fortnightly basis in the Champions League, as their hugely assembled squads are put to shame.

Imagine the Premier League swaggering into a room; adorned in the best clothes, shoes and the most expensive watch only to be shown up by their Marks and Spencer suit wearing cousin. Arsenal, Chelsea and the rest of the Premier League spent over £1bn this summer on players from across Europe in a bid to bring success to the shores of England. For all their TV money, overseas pre-season tournaments and bit kit launches it seems that English football has forgotten how to build a winning team.

So many of the English teams that were successful in the past were built on solid foundations, the treble winning Manchester United team had the same core for many years – Keane, Stam, Schmeichel. Chelsea’s Champions League winning squad also had fine skeleton of Cech, Terry, Lampard, Drogba. In only three years, English teams have switched away from structure to short-term success. Arsenal are as good a example as any when talking about structure, it is almost as if they are too structured up front, but have none in defence. Despite their insistence on dominating possession, they look tentative when trying to launch an attack – as if they have to follow a set passing pattern. But all the more concerning is their anxiousness. As soon as Olympiakos went one goal ahead it was almost as if Arsenal had a panic attack, trying to force play from unrealistic areas of the pitch with a series of unnecessary mistakes.

One trend that is constant throughout the English teams is their lack of assertiveness in Europe, their drive to score as many as possible. The Premier League is end-to-end, something where the lack of structure in every team does lead to good ‘entertainment’, and most teams are more than capable of posing a threat offensively. However, as soon as a Premier League side enters a European competition their distinct lack of style rears it’s ugly head. Standardised formations lead to English teams playing the same way regardless of squad members, meaning that opposition teams can steam attacks and break down with little effort. The approach is blinkered, out-dated and down right ignorant.

One thing that was incredibly prominent on that night at the Emirates is Arsenal’s inability to get in behind a defence. The ball is shifted from side to side, through the same two players – Cazorla and Ramsey – in the most predictable fashion. There are no risks taken. On the other hand, Olympiakos streamed forward whenever possible using width and pace to get in behind Arsenal’s full-backs.

Up in Manchester, things are starting to change. Especially in the sky blue of Manchester City, who have taken their inept performances in the Champions League and domestic competition to adapt this year. A switch from the traditional 4-4-2 has been replaced by a flexible 4-2-3-1 system, that now means that their creativity can come from the middle. Unsurprisingly, the influence of David Silva has been massive in the infancy of this season and City have been in fine form. Their dynamism outwide is something that football audiences have not seen from England in a long time. Similarly, Manchester United have revamped their squad, but have remained in a 4-3-3 formation with Juan Mata playing the role of advanced playmaker. Their ability to hold possession and stretch teams in with the pace of Memphis, Martial and Young is something that Chelsea and Arsenal in particular are lacking.

Until the Premier League sides learn to adapt to European football and change their ignorant stance that they can be successful purely by spending the most money, then they will continue to fail in Europe. More emphasis needs to be put on team structure, and building of a team that has cohesion from front to back which suits squad members, rather than crow-barring players into unnatural positions.

About the Author – Ben Jarman

Freelance football writer with a penchant for Spanish and European football. Work published by Fulham FC, Italian FA and the Evening Standard.

Twitter: @sonikkicks

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Juan-Mata

This Saturday’s issue of the ‘i’ newspaper had a feature entitled ‘Mata shines in the Van Gaal revolution’ in recognition of the integral part that the Spaniard plays in Manchester. Two years ago Mata became Manchester United’s club record transfer when he flew into Carrington in a helicopter with a £37 million pound tag around his neck. Before that, Mata had transferred from a Valencia team that gained so many plaudits with talents like David Silva and David Villa, to Chelsea as the Premier Leagues infatuation with the ‘Number Ten’ really started to hit the heights of sheer romanticism.

The past decade has seen a massive shift in the way that Premier League teams operate on the pitch, and this has been largely influenced by the continental game. Gone are the days of orthodox 4-4-2 formations that relied largely in athleticism and brute strength – think about the Manchester United team that won the treble in 1999 with Roy Keane at the helm – they have been ousted by the 4-2-3-1. As mentioned the 4-2-3-1’s origins are from the continent and relies on movement, dynamism and precision passing to create overloads and passing triangles across the pitch. But most importantly the formations effectiveness rests largely on the shoulders of the individual who plays behind the striker.

This position is largely known as the ‘Number 10’ and is home to some of the world’s most revered players, those who immediately draw the eye with their intellect on the pitch, fantastic movement and passing range. This individual controls the game from his advanced position and Mata is one of the best at it as this season shows. His ability to control the game fits perfectly with the Van Gaal system of football, one that relies so heavily on possession. Manchester United struggled massively after the departure of Alex Ferguson, they had a squad that was bereft of creative players and midfield that was slow and one-dimensional. The arrival of Mata was meant to steady the sinking ship under David Moyes, but the Scotsman pushed his main creative hub out on to the right hand side and as such the ship eventually sunk for the man who finds himself in San Sebastian.

United’s number 8 is the prime example of how a playmaker should operate; using movement to cycle possession and create gaps. The position can be wholly underrated, and when a playmaker is left out of the team it is almost as if a team lacks any creativity going forward. Mata is the ultimate ‘connector’ providing creative flair to any team he plays in, which invariably makes those teams all the more threatening. After being used out wide he is now at the centre of the pitch, and Mata is much more beneficial to his team as a result. His goal scoring return further demonstrates that he should play a more central role, with 9 goals last term was the best since his 12 for Chelsea during his debut season.

Since then Chelsea themselves has really struggled without a naturalised Number 10, their success has largely come from wider areas of the pitch after the departure of Mata. Whilst Oscar is an extremely talented footballer, the question that is raised is whether he can replicate the delicate, intelligent play that a Number 10 can bring. The same question was posed to Shinji Kagawa who ultimately failed to live up to his sparkling reputation in Dortmund when playing down the middle for Manchester United. The position is an incredibly difficult one to master, hence why the players who play there are held in such high esteem – almost as if they are fantasy characters. When thinking of the likes of Zidane, Riquelme, Ronaldinho the football fan always becomes misty eyed, emotional and a large smile will appear on their faces because they are capable of magic on the football pitch.

There should be no doubt that when Juan Mata retires that he should bring those same emotions to the ordinary football fan because he is capable of the same things. Imagine Mata in a wizards hat casting a spell over the ball as he tricks his way past the opposition midfielder before picking out a wonderful through pass for the striker. Equally as effective floating in from the right hand channel as well, his intelligence is exactly what is needed to succeed at the highest level. In the modern game, every team craves a player who can create something out of nothing and Manchester United fans should feel incredibly happy that one of those players is in one of their shirts.

About the Author – Ben Jarman

Freelance football writer with a penchant for Spanish and European football. Work published by Fulham FC, Italian FA and the Evening Standard.

Twitter: @sonikkicks

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