Liverpool came off the Merseyside derby with a 2-0 victory, their third successive league wins at Goodison, but there was little to be proud of. In terms of entertainment value, the game was about as bleak as the rainy weather.
For David Moyes, his club remains mired in a relegation battle but they can hold their heads up high. It is hard to connect, based on this performance, Everton’s rough patch of two league wins out 16 as they edged out Liverpool in every aspects except finishing. Moyes rightly declared that “I don’t feel we’ve come off the pitch losers.”
In the first half, the Reds struggle to hold their defense together and were flirting with calamity. If not for the composure of goalkeeper Pepe Reina, the mood in the Reds dressing room will have been vastly different. Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez will again have to fend off barbed questions on his management during the post match interview.
Besides Reina’s superb form, Lady Luck has also conspired against David Moyes to render hard work and enterprise irrelevant. In the 12th minute, Javier Mascherano fired a shot which took a firm deflection of Joseph Yobo’s left foot to put Liverpool ahead.
It was a gift from heaven but Liverpool’s second goal was a gift from the Everton’s backline. Yobo was the vilian again when he he failed to intercept a crucial pass Dirk Kuyt lobbed in Gerrard’s direction. That allowed Gerrard to set up the shot for Albert Riera which Tim Howard palmed out and Kuyt immediately pounced upon for the second goal.
Not surprisingly, David Moyes was left fuming at such elementary errors. He said, “In any games but especially big games, you hope you don’t get into situations with those mistakes.” Moyes substituted Yobo with Lucas Neill but the damage was done already.
If Everton’s defense was a shambles, Benitez has little to gloat in this department too. Fortunately, Reina was magnificent between the posts. He saved a Jo’s effort from point-blank range in the first half and Tim Cahill’s free header on 71 minutes. The double save, which came with Liverpool 1-0 up, essentially sealed Everton’s fate.
Everton had their chances to draw level as they found the net twice but Jo was judged to be offside. Jo is not a clinical poacher and that pretty much sums up the attacking options David Moyes has at his disposal. Even purchasing Peter Crouch or having Louis Saha back from injury will improve Everton’s finishing.
Overall, this is a performance which should give David Moyes and the fans some encouragement. I am impressed by Steven Pienaar’s creativity. Moyes made a shrewd move by switching him to the right flank instead of the usual left. If not for a niggling knee injury, he may have wrought greater damage on Liverpool’s defense.
Diniyar Bilyaletdinov, in Pienaar’s usual berth, was also up to the task but he spurned two gilt-edged chances, including one chance which skewed off his left shin after an elegant flick of Tim Cahill’s head.
Everton’s position remain precarious, sixth bottom and three points off the relegation zone. There are also stiff challenges looming – Tottenham at home and Chelsea away. However, I believe if they continue to get their fundamentals right, like in this derby, get some defenders during the January transfer window (either through loans or transfers), they should be climbing up the league table very soon.
As for Liverpool, they did little to convince their critics that the worst is over. There was little fluency and possession in their game. Steven Gerrard may have united the troops with a rallying call but he has not led by example on the pitch. Gone was his crisp passes and marauding form up front, even though he contributed with a match-winning effort.
Liverpool fans can heave a sigh of relief that their captain can still turn a match around in a moment of brilliance. However, the inability to dominate proceedings is worrying and he needs to improve on his match fitness. A half fit Steven Gerrard is still an useful asset to Benitez but with a flurry of matches coming up, there is a risk that he may get injured again.
I believe this victory has given Rafael Benitez a repreive. He came into this game with his future highly uncertain , a similar predicament to David Moyes. Liverpool has crashed out of the Champions League as the top seed in the group, with a game still left to play in the group phase. That is arguably Liverpool’s worst performance in recent years.
While Liverpool did enough to beat Debrecen, fate was not in their hands as Lyon failed to score an equalizer. The fact that Liverpool won but have to depend on the benevolence of others to qualify means, in the words of Steven Gerrard, “they only got what they deserved.”
Besides the absence of Champions League football, Liverpool fans have to contend with a lack of money and quality players, squabbling owners, long injury list, new stadium plan shelved, and an inability to rack up victories consistently in the previous 10 games.
Not all factors are within Rafael Benitez’s control but as the manager, he cannot shirk his responsibility that the players who started regularly are not good enough, out of form or lose their focus. Liverpool can’t defend set pieces and have an unhealthy dependence on Gerrard and Torres.
For how long can the Reds base their foundation for success on the performance of so few individuals? Extraordinary talents they may be, but they are not robots and will fall short eventually.
The acquisition of Alberto Aquilani is also baffling. It is too early to pass judgment as the player has hardly seen any action, but for a relatively thin squad, there is little sense to sign a player who would miss the opening three months of the campaign.
To be sure, stepping out of the shadows of Xabi Alonso is no easy task as the Spaniard has five years of stellar service. Rafael Benitez may have assumed that Lucas is ready for the big stage, or at least stand-in until Aquilani was ready, but that faith was misplaced as Liverpool often cede possession in midfield.
That’s not entirely Lucas’s fault as he did put up some commendable efforts. The problem with Lucas is that he was never cut out to be a playmaker of Alonso’s calibre. Mascherano is a holding midfielder and can’t do that either, which is why Liverpool looked short on creativity and penetration this season.
Alonso not only linked up play in the final third of the pitch with his vision and accurate passes but he was also able to bring out the best in his team mates. Hopefully, Aquilani will have that effect and can last the pace of an arduous season.
Rafael Benitez is not in a hurry to rush Aquilani into action, which could be a wise move as the player will have more time to integrate into the team and prevent aggravating his injury. Only time will tell if Aquilani can repay the faith, patience and money lavished on him.
With the influx of foreign players, managers and owners, the Premier League is getting more competitive by the year. Outlier clubs like Manchester City, Tottenham and Aston Villa are now breathing down Liverpool’s neck, trying to squeeze into the top four. Instead of keeping up with their rivals, Liverpool have, however, gone backwards, after the events of this summer.
Xabi Alonso was sold and replaced with someone who is injury prone and has not started a game yet. Glen Johnson was recruited and while that wasn’t a bad deal, there are no further funds for Benitez to bolster his squad, after improved contracts for key players and Benitez. That left Liverpool with a weaker squad and more vulnerable to injuries.
It’s time for Rafael Benitez to take an honest hard look at the reality and stop splurging money on players who have to be sold off later or languish on the bench because they fail to perform. Financially, Liverpool are on a knife edge and losing their football powerhouse status is not an option.
The consequences of not finishing in the top four of the EPL, and missing out on a shot at Champions League glory are disastrous. Just think of the demise of Leeds United.
Rafael Benitez is coping with the pressure so far, and has insisted that he will see out the five-year contract he signed earlier this year. If he does not want to be sacked prematurely, there are a few departments which needs tweaking right now.
The defense is running low on confidence – Skrtel is having a terrible run of form and Agger is injury prone so Liverpool will definitely benefit from the arrival of quality defenders. The club will also need to strengthen its attacking department. N’Gog is trying his best but he’s not ready to act as a back-up to Torres.
The rumor mill has placed Ruud van Nistelrooy as a candidate to arrive at Liverpool. This may not the best option because of his age but being cash-strapped, van Nistelrooy will be value for money. He is an experienced striker (certainly no slouch in the Premier League) and should be able to deliver the goods. In fact, if Ruud van Nistelrooy is not beset by injuries, he will still be among the top scorers in the La Liga.
In order to raise cash for recruitment purposes, Benitez will do well to offload some of the deadwood in his current team. Babel, Degen, Voronin, Plessis and Dossena are a massive drain on the wage bill and don’t pull their weight adequately. I believe Liverpool fans will not miss them if they were to be offloaded tomorrow. Some of the players who have moved on like Sissoko, Crouch, Hyypia, Alonso and Riise are more effective than the current bunch of laggards.
There are some promising lads in Liverpool reserve squad including Pacheco, Spearing, Kelly, Eccleston and Amoo. None of them have the same finesse as Steven Gerrard, Michael Owen or Robbie Fowler and are likely to become utility players, if Rafael Benitez gives them opportunities to break into the first team. Thanks to budget constraint and injuries, we may just see more of these youngsters soon.
Will Liverpool ever win the Premier League? This is a question which a lot of people are asking. Unfortunately, as is so often in the past, just when the dream appears within grasp, it slipped away. Last season, Liverpool secured 86 points. At one stage, the Reds were free and clear of United and looks likely to clinch the Premier League title, with a comfortable cushion to boot.
A capitulation resulted in Manchester United winning their third league title in a row, but Liverpool humiliated the Red Devils with an impressive win, proving that the champion may not be the better team.
Regardless of what Alex Ferguson insinuated that second spot is already Liverpool’s best position, the fans are sold on the idea that Liverpool have made good progress and the club would win it next year. All they need is to go that extra mile.
Yet four months later, this “progress” has been destroyed. Liverpool are out of contention for the Premier League title and have to make do with the Europa League. Silverware may once again be missing in Liverpool’s cabinet.
Nevertheless all is not lost and I am loathe to dismiss all of Benitez’s efforts during his tenure. The fans have to remember that it wasn’t smooth sailing last season too. Benitez was in the middle of negotiating a contract extension, the owners tried unsuccessfully to sell the club, Liverpool were bogged down by wretched draws at home, etc.
It was only in the later part of the season that things settled down and Liverpool went on a fantastic run. If Rafa remains committed to the Liverpool cause and is willing to work with what he has, the rewards for having a stable team will eventually come.
The team is happy again as the winning feeling is back. There is a renewed team spirit in the squad with many of Liverpool’s best players backing Benitez after pressure mounted on him to resign. Skipper Steven Gerrard has called for unity, while Fernando Torres and Jose Reina have said Benitez is the right man to lead Liverpool back to the top of Europe.
Rafael Benitez reflected on his first away clean sheet of the season and the momentum that successive wins can bring. “Winning a derby is very difficult and also very important but we are higher in the table now, everybody is happier and hopefully we will keep winning some games,” he said.
Liverpool may well win the Europa Cup, FA Cup and finish in the top four come the end of the season. The fans would then hail the campaign as a great success and forget about the shortcomings in the squad. The season may get even sweeter if Manchester United stumble in their title campaign and fail to achieve a record 19th league title.
Liverpool are now back to fifth in the Premier League table and just two points behind fourth place Arsenal. This bodes well for their customary late Premier League charge. Don’t write off Liverpool just yet as Rafael Benitez thrives on a siege mentality and the Reds are at their most dangerous when the chips are down.
Alex Ferguson is no stranger to infusing his squad with new blood and wielding the axe on senior players. Over the years, his risk taking on team selection had resulted in handsome rewards and some spectacular failures.
While the jury is still out for his latest bet on Michael Owen, nobody will debate the success he yielded in the ’90s when he threw his lot behind the fledglings comprising Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Gary Neville, David Beckham and Nicky Butt.
However, the stakes have gotten higher and Ferguson is not given to wholesale changes to his squad anymore. Competition in the Premier League has increased tremendously with the influx of foreign money and it is no longer a walk in the park or a two horse race between Manchester United and Arsenal. By embarking on spending binges, Chelsea, deprived of success for 50 years have become a Premier League powerhouse.
Manchester City are also building a team based on this formula and garnered initial success by demolishing Arsenal and going right down to the wire in the Manchester derby. While Arsenal continue to have a say in the title race, there are also lurking threats posed by the likes of Liverpool, Everton and Aston Villa which have benefited from capable and consistent management.
In addition, the debt obligations of Manchester United, thanks to the Glazers’ leveraged buy-out, also mean failure is not an option. Catastrophic financial implications await Manchester United if their title chances and entertainment value decline.
Hence, it is not surprising that Alex Ferguson has developed an “unhealthy” dependence on Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes. Both have been the bedrocks of many brilliant Manchester United teams but age is no longer on their side.
Ferguson is reluctant to see Paul Scholes end his stellar service but the latter has indicated that this season could be his last. Scholes has been enjoying a renaissance the last few years after a successful comeback from illness and injuries. Impulsive tackles aside, he has established himself as one of the best midfielders to grace the Premier Leauge.
Paul Scholes is most impressive with the ball at his feet. He exudes an assuredness; even with opponents breathing down his neck, he is rarely forced into making stray passes. His passes may appear gloriously simple, yet the range and unerring accuracy are the envy of many footballers.
Indeed, the statistics speak for themselves. Against Birmingham, Scholes made 100 passes, 97 of them successful, while against Wigan, he made 41 passes, with 40 of them successful. Against Stoke City on Saturday, his record stood at 70 passes, 67 of them finding their targets.
The other indispensable veteran is Ryan Giggs whose recent displays has Alex Ferguson waxing lyrical on his longevity. Ferguson said: “I don’t know what else there is to say about Ryan. It’s not a matter of him defying his age, it’s that there’s no discernible deterioration in his game.”
“He is an absolutely marvellous player who has thoroughly deserved all the superlatives and praise he has had down the years.”
“The amazing thing about him is the youthfulness he continues to show. It’s as if he is just starting out his career. The other great thing about him is you can praise him to the heavens and he won’t be affected by a single word of it.”
To put Giggs’s longevity in context, it is not difficult to play football till 35-36 years old when languishing in the bottom divisions, but to play an influential role at the highest level for a club like Manchester United where there is always intense pressure to win is awe-inspiring.
Comapred to United’s right wing where many have come and gone, including Andrei Kanchelskis, David Beckham, Karel Poborsky, Cristiano Ronaldo, Jordi Cruyff, and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, nobody has really toppled Giggs from his rooster except for Alex Ferguson’s decision to move him into central midfield.
Some fans had called Ryan Giggs the Benjamin Button of the Premier League and it is an apt description for the extraordinary way in which he rolls back the years. The youthfulness in Giggs’s play has coincided with his superb match fitness, lack of injuries and confidence.
Giggs turns 36 in November, but his form has been excellent so far. He created eight of United’s goals in his last three appearances. Micah Ricards, who has a tough job of shackling Ryan Giggs in the 4-3 Manchester derby loss, is not alone in feeling embarrassed that he cannot outrun nor outlast a player many years his senior.
Days later, it came down to the Welsh wizard to provide two magical moments for Manchester United to break down a stubborn Stoke’s defense through Berbatov and O’Shea. Wolfsburg were then given a reminder of Giggs’s evergreen status when they fell prey to his deflected free kick and a superb laid-off for Michael Carrick.
I believe Ryan Giggs is a better player than he was four or five years ago when Manchester United went three seasons without a league title and Giggs was singled out by the fans for his peripheral impact.
Appeasing the fans’ dissatisfaction by finding a scapegoat will have been an easy route for a manager to take. Fortunately, Alex Ferguson refused to bench the player and maintained his unwavering support during those dark moments.
It is impossible to speak about the legend Ryan Giggs without mentioning the crucial role Ferguson played as his mentor. From the day Giggs burst on the scene and displaced Lee Sharpe at the tender age of 17, Alex Ferguson was there to shield him from the impressionable media who drew comparisons to George Best.
Ferguson realizes that such attention could be a curse and destroy the budding talent if expectations fall short. Amid all the hype, he ensured his prodigy has his feet firmly planted on the ground, behaves in a professional manner and is kept away from bad influences in football.
Giggs has repaid his faith and today he is one of the seniors who passes on the proud Manchester United tradition to the youngsters and provides a calming influence, experience, motivation and close bonding on the pitch.
Looking at the accomplishments of Ryan Giggs, it makes me wonder if there will be another player who can accumulate as much awards during his lifetime in this era of “modern” football. As Manchester United’s most decorated player, Giggs has won 11 Premier League titles, two European Cups, four FA Cups and three League Cups, as well as the PFA Player of the Year award last season. Yet, success has not bred any complacency in him. In fact, he remains as hungry for success as ever.
Giggs scored his 150th goal in all competitions during the Champions League victory over Wolfsburg, becoming the ninth player to reach that landmark. He is also on track to breach the century goals in the Premier League, having scored in each season of the Premier League since its inception in 1992.
The goal scoring records are impressive given that Giggs’s importance has never been measured by the number of times he finds the net but rather the chances he created.
While past achievements are no indication of the future, Ryan Giggs has no intention of getting by with sub-standard performances. To stay at the top at his age means Giggs has to be more disciplined than his peers in preparing his body for the rigors of Premier League and Champions League football.
Brazilians Ronaldo and Ronaldinho may have excelled in their prime but once they put on the extra pounds, they become liabilities to their teams. Fortunately, flab is not a word you associate with Ryan Giggs.
Ryan Giggs’s temperament, experience and thirst to improve also sets him apart. Aware that blistering pace and dazzling footwork are no longer his forte, he has cultivated other areas of his game, like accuracy in dead ball situations and passing.
While Giggs is still skillful enough to stay close to the touchline and pull opponents wide, his conversion into a central midfielder means he has to play a more intelligent game and reads the game well to distribute passes. As a winger, he just needs to focus on getting past defenders and then cross the ball into the six yard box. His ability to refine skills to suit Ferguson’s strategic needs speaks volume of his versatility.
Manchester United’s Dilemma
On the surface, it is still a smooth ride for Manchester United. Apart from an early stumble at Burnley, the Red Devils have racked up victories against Arsenal, Stoke City, Manchester City, Besiktas and Wolfsburg.
Arsenal had outplayed United and so did Manchester City which eventually resulted in a debacle about added time. Wolfsburg gave United a mighty fright at Old Trafford and, with a little fortune, they could have won with their lead in the second half and other gilt edged opportunities.
Manchester United’s struggle against weak teams has been trying but their capacity for rallies ensure they stay in the title race. However, luck finally caught up with them when Sunderland forced them into a 2-2 draw on Saturday. Ferguson did not place Ryan Giggs on the bench which deprived the team of a vital inspiration.
Two precious points are lost but considering that there are more tough matches coming up, Ferguson has to use Giggs sparingly. Herein lies the problem. Though the Red Devils have a penchant for staging late comebacks, Ryan Giggs is a key part of the revival and if he suffers a dip in form or is sidelined due to injuries, the title campaign could be derailed.
The expectations heaped on Ryan Giggs may also be counterproductive. The season is only 10 games old, nothing has been won yet but Ryan Giggs has already been feted by a multitude of eulogies. Some Manchester United fans are even clamoring to have him knighted.
I am not saying that Giggs is not deserving of a knighthood. His professionalism is a shining beacon to all sportsmen who endeavor to excel beyond the “normal” age limit.
However, football fans are capricious and their adulation can turn on a dime with the subject being hung out to dry after a string of lousy performances. And I will rather not see that happen to Giggs.
Where Is Alex Ferguson’s Future Team?
Despite Manchester United’s shaky start, there is no need to press the panic button as they do not usually gather momentum until after Christmas.
Nevertheless, Mark Hughes was not entirely wrong to say that United are not the same after selling Cristiano Ronaldo. Manchester United can still dominate possession but there are times when they appeared lost and didn’t know what to do with the ball as they press forward.
There are only two players now (Scholes and Giggs) who still possess ability to unlock defenses and deliver quality passes in the final third. Barring which, Rooney often has to drop deeper to create chances. The lighting pace at which United launch counter attacks when Ronaldo was around has also been blunted.
Currently, Manchester United’s vaunted attacking prowess are being hampered by a lack of quality wingers. If the players entrusted with the task of succeeding Giggs and Scholes, Alex Ferguson will have a pleasant headache and the fans can rest easy that the future team is ready.
Some of United’s critics are wondering what happened to Fergie’s team building? How can the title campaign of a world class club hinge so heavily on a man turning 36 years old? After all, this is an age where one can be forgiven for panting after climbing a few flight of stairs, not to mention being in the thick of action of a high tempo football match.
Has Alex Ferguson adequately prepared Manchester United for the day when the two icons hang up their boots? If not, for all his stellar achievements, Ferguson will have failed United miserably when the old guards call it a day.
Antonio Valencia is trying hard to fill the massive void left by Cristiano Ronaldo and so far, I believe he is more of utility player than a game changing maestro. Valencia is strong and pacy, but in terms of ball control, first touch and accuracy, he leaves much to be desired.
He had an open chance to score against Stoke City after beating the defense and leaving Sorensen stranded, but he can only fire the ball wide. Valencia committed the same mistake again when Wolfsburg granted him an open look at goal.
As for Nani, this is already his third season at Manchester United after a 17 million pounds transfer from Sporting Lisbon but his technical abilities have not improved much. He failed to make simple passes and doesn’t have the deftness to get pass defenders.
It could be a lack of confidence as the fans love to compare Nani to Cristiano Ronaldo. I believe If Nani cannot replicate Ronaldo’s mesmerizing skills, he should at least do away with the flamboyance.
Too often Nani overindulged at the expense of the team, gifting the ball easily when he runs at defenders or shooting on sight, when a team-mate was better placed. The spurned chances have left Wayne Rooney a frustrated and isolated player.
Nani’s impotent display at Britannia Stadium did not escape Alex Ferguson who brought on Ryan Giggs and the transformation in Manchester United’s play was immediate.
With two stunning assists, Giggs showed Nani that effective contributions on a football pitch do not have to be complicated. Dazzling ball skills may be candy to the eyes but it is the simple, efficient passes which can win you the game.
No doubt Giggs remains in a class of his own, and when he does eventually retires, his loss will be more keenly felt by Manchester United than any other player during Fergie’s illustrious reign.
But for the continuity of United’s success, this should be the last season that Giggs hogs the limelight in this manner. While I don’t expect to see Alex Ferguson breaking up the team, it is certainly time for the youngsters to step up to the plate or Alex Ferguson should impose a break-up of the team.
Next season may pose a greater challenge to United’s dominance if Alex Ferguson fail to find able substitutes to replace the legendary Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes.
What appears to be the end may really be a new beginning. In its opening game of the 2009 Premier League season, Arsenal demolished Everton 6-1 in a scintillating display of attacking football. This was supposed to be a stiff challenge, after all Everton had the discipline and consistency to finish fifth for the past two seasons and was a FA Cup finalist last year. But it turned out to be a total mismatch.
The victory is especially meaningful given that many critics had written off Arsenal’s title ambitions during the pre-season. Adebayor and Kolo Toure, were offloaded to Man City for a total of £41m and the only player recruited was Thomas Vermaelen frrom Ajax.
Arsene Wenger stood by his principle of not signing star players to bolster his depleted squad. He defended his philosophy of cultivating raw talents, saying: “Other clubs have more money. At Arsenal we try to go a different way that, for me, is respectable. When you buy all the time, it becomes a trap. The team we have now gets there, and by that I mean it wins the championship.”
You can include some of Wenger’s own players as disbelievers of that statement. Few people can understand why Wenger refuses to spend even as there is surplus cash in the transfer budget. They have a right to be worried about how the “lightweight” Arsenal can challenge the mighty European champions Barcelona and the ambitious Real Madrid? Manchester City’s aggressive buying spree has also intensified the battle for a top four position in the Premier League and Champions League qualification.
Alex Ferguson even wrote off Arsenal’s chances, preferring to single out Chelsea as the main threat to their Premier League title. He has also ridiculed Manchester City’s spending spree and remarked that Liverpool have had their best season in twenty years and will be hard to improve. Mind games will come in handy, maybe in Christmas, but for now, Ferguson’s gambit in unsettling opponents has misfired.
With Manchester United floundering against Birmingham City and Burnley, Alex Ferguson will do well to stay focused on getting a positive response from his team rather than being a football pundit and expound on the strength and weakness of his competitors. If Manchester United continue with their insipid performances, they could lose not only the Premier League title but struggle with relegation.
Instead of talking up their chances like Manchester United, Arsenal kept a low profile during pre-season and pefer to let their feet do the talking. They have also kept their feet firmly on the ground despite some remarkable results – hammering Everton 6-1 (their orst home defeat since 1958) and being the first English team in 26 years to defeat Celtic at their home ground.
Indeed, many critics had waited for Arsenal to fall flat on their face against Celtic. Emmanuel Adebayor clearly has little love lost for his former club when he piled on the pressure by highlighting that Cesc Fabregas and some of the senior players will leave if Arsenal fail to qualify for the Champions League.
Still, Arsenal were too much of a class act for Celtic. The Gunners started the match with their usual fluid and intricate passing and had the best chances while Celtic can only lay claim to ruggedness and fighting spirit, egged on by the vociferous home fans.
Last season, Arsenal may have been outmuscled but this time, the physical game failed to stem the tide of attacks. To be sure, there was an element of luck to Arsenal’s 2-0 victory. After all, it is not often that a goal is scored via a deflection off the back of a player but William Gallas did just that.
Celtic survived an early scare when an unmarked Andrei Arshavin swept the ball into the net but the assistant referee has raised his flag for offside. While Arshavin is still a joy to watch with his sublime runs and beautiful touches, his impact thus far has not been as eye-catching as his debut season. Arshavin’s match fitness is also suspect as his contributions faded off substantially in the second half.
Arsene Wenger was right to replace Arshavin with Abou Diaby who lend a sharper impetus to the front line. But it is too early to lambast Arshavin. He has the knack of turning the game on its head in a moment of brilliance. Maybe a goal will boost his confidence and he will regain his pivotal playmaker role.
Arsenal had to wait till three minutes from half time before breaking the duck and it was a fluke shot. Van Persie tapped a free kick to Fabregas who aimed a screamer at Boruc but somehow the ball struck Gallas on the back and swerved to the other corner, leaving Boruc stranded.
After the break, Celtic did not improve on their potshots and stray passes but they certainly stepped up on their physical game. Arsenal’s defense and midfield held up well under the harsh treatment and the front line continue to camp in Celtic’s half, edging closer to goal with successive efforts.
The introduction of Diaby was a shrewd move as the lad integrated quickly into the team and he made an important contribution by releasing Clichy to cross which Gary Caldwell inadvertently directed into his own goal.
Arsenal showed a collective resolve. Arsenal for their part looked better when playing the short passing game we have come to expect, long passes typically overhit. When the Gunners lost possession, they breathed down the neck of their opponent and afforded them little space and time on the ball.
Celtic were forced to surrender possession cheaply with stray passes. But the high tempo game was not the only killer, Celtic’s own lack of creativity meant they could not strike back after falling behind. Almunia had an easy night, he could have kept his gloves clean, had he not intervened in the only threat – a swerving shot from a corner which William Gallas had blocked.
The only saving grace for Celtic was their determination to put up a fight. “It was a fierce battle,” said Wenger. “There were some bad fouls and the referee took some time to intervene. We got some harsh treatment.”
Wenger also had particular praise for former captain Gallas, who he said was playing his best football for two years. The good form of new signing Thomas Vermaelen has also pleasantly surprised Wenger and he believes that the left-footed Belgian has added balance to the team.
Overall, it was a credible team performance with lots of hard work and one-touch passing. The understanding, focus and camaraderie bodes well for the success of an arduous season which is interspersed with the distractions of World Cup qualifying rounds.
Van Persie and Bendtner were well-marked yet both still caused problems for the defenders, putting them under constant pressure. Denilson and Song were also brilliant with the latter impressing with his creativity and industry which have adequately compensated for the loss of Mathieu Flamini.
Cesc Fabregas, The Midfield Engine
However, there is no mistaking the engine driving this Arsenal team -Cesc Fabregas. He has always created chances with his pinpoint passes and astute reading of the game. This season, Arsene Wenger has an added responsibility for Fabregas which is to bang in the goals.
If Cristiano Ronaldo, Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard are scoring goals from midfield, there is no reason why Fabregas should be deprived of this license to go forward. He is now 22 years old, the right age to develop into a scoring machine, according to Arsene Wenger.
Fabregas has already shown what he can do by running 50 yards and unleashing a blitzer from outside the box to score against Everton. If Fabregras choose to be more selfish by firing long range missiles, taking free-kicks and penalties, or going on solo runs instead of passing the ball, he will certainly get twenty goals a season and give Arsenal’s title campaign a boost. But this will have to come at the expense of the strikers and the way the team operates.
With main strikers Robin van Persie and Arshavin not hitting the groove and scoring goals, Fabregas’s influence on the game is timely for Arsene Wenger. However, as the season progresses, Arsene Wenger will have to manage carefully the discontent from strikers, team structure as well as an over-reliance on Cesc Fabregas since he now has a dual responsibility to pull the strings in midfield and to score goals.
The downfall of Arsenal in previous campaigns had often coincided with the burnout or injuries of Cesc Fabregas. It is unclear if the Spainard has peaked too early and will be reduced to underwhelming performances by March. The more influence Fabregas has on a game, the more roughing up he can expect. To emulate Cristiano Ronaldo’s role for Manchester United is not just about sharpening finishing prowess and accuracy but also to improve on fitness.
Frank Lampard and Cristiano Ronaldo can feature in virtually every game because of their extraordinary fitness and ability to sustain hard knocks. In terms of technical ability, Fabregas is a shoo-in for personal accolades like Footballer of The Year awards but he cannot achieve his full potential if he cannot withstand the ordeals of a gruelling season.
Arsene Wenger also need to fend off the temptations from aboard which have prised away proteges like Patrick Viera and Thierry Henry. Barcelona is interested in Fabregas and the rumor mill is in overdrive that Arsenal’s captain will arrive next summer in a £30m deal.
Arsenal have furiously denied any such agreement has been struck or that they have even had any contact with the Spanish giants, but given that the presidency of Barcelona Football Club is up for grabs next year, the deal may just happen.
Arsene Wenger has reminded his players that integrity is defined by a person’s commitment to a contract and Fabregas, who is midway through a seven year contract, owes his loyalty to the club who polished his skills and gave him a platform to shine.
Fabregas is non-committal about his future but he has admitted that he wants to go back to his native Spain one day. I believe Arsenal’s flying start matters little to the Spainard as he may be intent on leaving in 1 or 2 years time. If Arsenal clinch titles, Fabregas will want to seek fresh challenges and if Arsenal fails, he will be convinced that Arsenal are just not ambitious or capable enough.
Thomas Vermaelen Stabilizes Shaky Defense
Thomas Vermaelen has proven to be another shrewd acquisition by Arsene Wenger. How did such a talent slip under the radar of top clubs and emerged on Arsenal’s shopping list with a price tag of only £10m?
To be sure, even this £10m was spent carefully. Arsene Wenger’s scouting team watched Vermaelen play for Ajax and Belgium on more than 30 occasions. So far, the research has paid off as Wenger is suitably impressed by the assurance of Vermaelen’s performances. Vermaelen has also found his way into the hearts of Arsenal fans but more importantly, he earned the respect of his peers in just two competitive matches.
Usually, the debut season is the hardest, because of the expectations and the need to adapt quickly to a different management, culture, egos, and playing style. However, Thomas Vermaelen had transitioned into English football so seamlessly, it put some of the seniors to shame.
“Thomas looks like he’s been at the club for more than a few months,” said the goalkeeper Manuel Almunia after the play-off first-leg victory at Celtic. “He’s a very calm player, very relaxed, and that makes the defenders around relaxed as well, not only William [Gallas] but me, Gaël and Bacary. We have confidence about this player.”
You can count on Almunia’s words because the defensive wall in front of him is extremely important to his livelihood. The central pairing of Vermaelen and Gallas cover each other well and were rarely caught out of position. In fact, the stability has prompted Arsene Wenger to comment that William Gallas is enjoying his best form in the last 2 years.
Clichy and Sagna constitute the other components of the bulwark and it is nice to see all of them functioning as a unit without any discords or engaging in blame games (at least not yet).
Vermaelen’s characteristics of a typical British centre-half – toughness and fearlessness have probably made his transition easier. He is strong in the air and has a great left foot but it is his attacking instincts which have surprised me. Vermaelen likes to surge out of defense with the ball at his feet or to join the attack in dead ball situations but he is no slacker in tracking back to cover the gaping defensive hole when the opponent counter-attacked.
That is a taxing act to follow but being young and eager, Vermaelen edged out his predecessor Kolo Toure as a more useful asset. The test for Vermaelen will come if he puts a foot wrong and Gallas starts criticizing him. Will he react positively or his confidence will be affected badly? Vermaelen also needs to prove his versatility if Wenger rotates Gallas with an inexperienced Djourou or a much slower Silvestre.
Arsenal’s New Found Team Spirit
Much has been said about the character of Arsenal’s young squad, even in previous seasons. Granted they had the self belief and fighting spirit but young players bring with them a high degree of unpredictability, immaturity and silly conflicts. It is difficult to select a leader from this class who can win everybody’s respect and motivate the team in its darkest hours, much like what Patrick Viera did.
Have they finally put their differences aside and incorporated Wenger’s mantras about mental strength? I believe there is a good chance of seeing a more united Arsenal after Adebayor and Toure moved on. Sometimes, clearing dead wood is essential for a manager. Pep Guardiola was vindicated in his decision to sell Deco and Ronaldinho and then leading Barcelona to an unprecedented Spanish treble.
Arsenal showed their confidence and desire to win when they refused to relax even as Everton wilted under the pressure from all the passing and goals conceded. Against Celtic, they did not back down from the physical challenges and their fans’ incessant vitriol.
Besides the obvious quality of the youngsters, there is a desire to contribute and win. Everybody in Arsenal squad likes to go forward which can be a nightmare for opponents. This is exemplified by Denilson and Song who are not only roaming comfortably in midfield but also aiming to get on the score sheet.
Nicklas Bendtner has played and with more confidence now that Adebayor has departed. Robin van Persie who was unsettled previously has recently exhorted the new found team spirit: “I think we showed in both that we really want to fight for each other and if we can produce that every three or four days, we can make a big step forward.”
However, team spirit is easy to play up when times are good. Last season, Arsenal had a 21 game unbeaten run but they lost the plot after a petulant act by captain William Gallas who sat on the ground at St Andrews in protest. As events unfolded, it soon became obvious that the team spirit in Arsenal squad is broken with players splitting into different camps. The conflicts – who should wear the armband and which players should be in the first XI – eroded Arsenal’s competitiveness.
It is only in adversity that we get the measure of a man. When staring at a string of defeats, will the blame be pushed around or the squad close ranks and shoulder the collective responsibility of turning draws and losses into wins?
William Gallas’s behavior will be under intense scrutiny, especially at Old Trafford where the Red Devils are sure to put the fight of their life against their old nemesis. Defensively, it will be more challenging as few teams can counter the attacking verve of the current Premier League champion, when their engine is lubricated fully.
I am not sure if the fragmented pieces in Arsenal have finally gelled together but so far, I like the new camaraderie in Arsenal squad. The Gunners are supportive of William Gallas and if he doesn’t self-destruct and alienate himself again, then Arsenal stand a good chance of ending their trophy drought.
Injury List And Misfiring Strikers
The 2009 season has just started only but Arsenal’s injury list is already a troubling issue. The good news is that after two games, the list has not got any longer.
Theo Walcott still hasn’t recovered from a back injury, but Wenger said it was a matter of days not weeks. Nasri, Djourou, Rosicky, and Fabianski are all still out, while Eduardo has recovered from a tight hammy that kept him out of the Celtic match.
If all the players are fit for selection throughout the nine month quest, Arsenal is a sure bet for trophies but a full squad is a tough ask, given that harsh treatments will escalate in the coming weeks as every team wants a shot at tripping up the league leader.
Arsene Wenger should also look into why Bendtner, van Persie,and Arshavin who have started up front in a 4-3-3 formation against Everton and Celtic left their scoring boots at home. Even though goals are in abundance currently, it is not healthy to depend on defenders and midfielders to score goals. They should be supplying the assists and not gunning for glory, else van Persie may have to find another job elsewhere.
Time To Deliver The Goods
The objective is to win the Premier League title and possibly land the Champions League but I believe the fans will still accept a top four finish and allow Arsene Wenger more time to build his team. But even the professor feels that there should be no more excuses and goods must be delivered soon.
Wenger said: “At 22 or 23 I think a team is mature enough to deliver, and this is a massively important year for our club. To talk of winning the league is an audacious statement, but I built this team, and I want to deliver with this team.”
I believe the Gunners are already very hungry for success and they are due some luck too. Arsenal hasn’t won a trophy since the FA Cup in 2005 and they last won the league in 2004. The Gunners finished fourth in the Premier League last season, spending several weeks in fifth place and nearly lost out on Champions League qualification, if not for Aston Villa suffering a near cataclysmic collapse.
Arsenal have started off brightly before, only to end up with their hopes in tatters but this time, they may just defy the odds as the underdog. The squad is a year older and wiser and hungrier, and when you put your egos, feuds and differences aside, miraculous things can happen.
Barcelona achieved unprecedented honor with virtually the same squad before Pep Guardiola stepped into his debut managerial appointment. There is little technical skills he can teach the players which they do not know already so his job is not to impart knowledge but to get the players to function as a unit, the way he wants it.
Man-management skills take precedence and the fact that he has been a player in a successful Barcelona team helps. Guardiola knows what the players want and can channel their desires for silverware to selfless and hard work in training and competitive matches.
I believe Arsene Wenger can coax this team to rise to the occasion and punch above their weight. If Arsenal pass the tests at Manchester United and Manchester City with flying colors and continue to stay cautious, focused and motivated, they could very well end their five year trophy drought.
Who would have thought Michael Owen will be training at Old Trafford? Even though it has been a week since the official transfer was announced, the debate on his suitability rages on, at times emotionally charged with disbelief, vitriol and ridicule.
After trading in the “world’s best player” and then signing an over-the-hill striker whose panache has been eroded by a stint at Newcastle and long term injuries, is Alex Ferguson running out of options already? Maybe Ferguson is not desperate but rather, the 32 page glossy brochure depicting Owen as a charismatic, cool, good-looking, articulate, clean, fresh, fit and healthy player have worked its wonders on him.
We will never know but from a financial perspective, this roll of the dice by Alex Ferguson presents mutual benefits and little risks. Manchester United secured Michael Owen’s service on a free transfer and will pay him a low basic salary of about £20,000 a week, with massive performance-related bonuses which could take him close to £110,000 a week. Compared to previous costly errors in the transfer market, this is a shrewd investment by a long mile.
For the player, he gets a taste of Champions League football (instead of fighting relegation battles with Hull and Stoke) and a chance to add Premier League titles to his career highlights. The top-notch training facilities, medical team and lower expectations from Manchester United fans will also provide a conducive environment to resurrect his flagging career, just in time for the World Cup next year.
David Beckham has shown that money is secondary, provided he can fulfill his dreams of playing for a prestigious European club and representing England in the World Cup again. He willingly accepted pay cuts in AC Milan and virtually paid out of pocket to settle terms with LA Galaxy. Fabio Capello was rightfully impressed with his determination and there is no reason why he should not give Owen a fair chance if the latter rediscovers his lethal scoring instincts.
Currently, shirt sales attributed to Michael Owen are stagnant, which means that Manchester United fans have yet to warm up to this former stalwart of arch rival, Liverpool. It will take several match-winning performances for Michael Owen to prove his mettle, win over the skepticism of the fans and vindicate Alex Ferguson’s judgment.
However, even if the club has to contend with a non-performing Owen, the financial losses can be written off easily. Of paramount concern is the dearth of quality reinforcements which could hinder their title campaign next season. With Manchester United’s massive debts, not winning trophies and being forsaken by football fans is a recipe for financial disaster.
In Europe, challenging the likes of Barcelona which handily defeated them in the Champions League and the awe-inspiring Galaticos II of Real Madrid is becoming an uphill battle. On the domestic front, Liverpool and Chelsea breathed down Manchester United’s neck in the closing stages and if not for their inconsistencies which proved insurmountable, the Premier League race could have a different outcome.
Indeed, Manchester United should be beefing up or at least retaining its core assets but they were forced to sell Cristiano Ronaldo, their most reliable source of goals, to Real Madrid. Carlos Tevez is also set for a move to Manchester City or Chelsea, further reducing United’s front line options.
In fairness, Ronaldo has been clamoring for an exit for some time and Alex Ferguson has done his best to extract much value from the Portuguese. Keeping him for another season will only result in a disgruntled player with diminishing returns on the pitch and lower market value as well as disruption to team spirit.
Unlike Arsene Wenger who confessed that his transfer budget is not as generous as reported and Liverpool’s financial quagmire as highlighted by KPMG, Manchester United are flush with cash (from Ronaldo’s sale) and they still maintain a winning touch as domestic champions and consistently deliver in Europe, yet world class talents are reluctant to bite the bait.
Karim Benzema, one of the fans’ favorites, was clear about his career path and never wavered from his ambition to join Real Madrid. As for Franck Ribery, he is understood to show a firm interest in playing for Liverpool. David Villa will only contemplate the overtures of Barcelona or Real Madrid, rather than the gloomy weather in Manchester.
Manchester United’s next target is Aguero but he lacks pace, height and clinical finishing, yet is outrageously expensive. The deal will also require Berbatov to move in the opposite direction, and is a poor exchange even if the Bulgarian’s laziness and inability to convert crucial penalties earned the ire of United’s fans. Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, a key member of the current Dutch side, is unappreciated in Real Madrid but Manchester United have yet to table an attractive bid.
But before we jump to the conclusion that Manchester United board has not tried hard enough or are using the money to pay off financial obligations, we have to understand that Spanish clubs traditionally enjoy an upper hand in the transfer market. Florentino Perez’s re-appointment as Real Madrid’s President further strengthened their appeal.
Manchester United always come a distant second when competing on equal terms for established Latin players since the days of Gabriel Batistuta, Marcelo Salas, Patrick Kluivert, Ronaldo, and Ronaldinho. The arrival of Carlos Tevez is more of a fluke due to the intricacies of his contract, West Ham’s troubles, and the absence of major clubs’ interest.
Under such circumstances, perhaps the fans should be thankful for the arrival of Antonio Valencia (a virtual unknown poorly rated), Michael Owen, and another French youth winger Gabriel Obertan who offers lot of promise, but don’t expect any of the three to make major contributions immediately.
We can draw parallels for this dry period of talents to the 2006/07 season – when United sold Ruud van Nistelrooy to Real Madrid and only signed Michael Carrick from Tottenham Hotspur. Fortunately, Carrick managed to bolster a weakened midfield and has since matured into a player capable of holding the fort for the Red Devils.
Of the three recent signings, I place greater faith in Michael Owen to measure up to expectations. Home grown finishers in the Premier League don’t come any better than Michael Owen. In May 1997, at the tender age of 17, he burst onto the scene and began an illustrious career of breaking goal scoring records.
His electrifying pace, poacher’s instinct and goody two-shoes nature made him a hot football property, exactly the type of player who will sit well with Alex Ferguson. England also placed high hopes on Owen that they can finally terrorize opponents into submission.
At Liverpool, Michael Owen forged a fearsome partnership with Robbie Fowler and in fact, hastened the departure of the moniker of God. Owen became Liverpool’s top scorer every season since 1998 until he left the club and had scored more than 150 goals. Despite England’s early exit from the World Cup, Owen was named the 1998 BBC Sports Personality of the Year.
In 2001, Michael Owen’s late brace in the FA Cup final against Arsenal took the trophy to Anfield and he completed a treble of honors by winning the UEFA Cup Final against Deportivo Alaves. At the end of the year, Owen became the first English player in twenty years to win the European Footballer of the Year award.
Unfortunately, Michael Owen’s bout of injury in 2003-2004 resulted in a bleak season for Liverpool. Gerard Houllier became the first victim, followed by Owen whose sale to Real Madrid for £8 million was approved by incoming manager Rafael Benitez. Despite being confined to the bench, Owen still ended the La Liga season with thirteen goals, and achieved the highest ratio of goals scored to number of minutes played.
The downfall started when Newcastle United held out an olive branch to Michael Owen who wanted more match time to be in top form for World Cup 2006. The deal was sealed but Owen ended up spending more time in the treatment room than playing for the Magpies. It is fair to say that his injury stems from mismanagement and bad luck.
The broken metatarsal in 2005, tearing of the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee in a short-lived World Cup 2006 that kept him out for a year and the hernia operation in 2007 effectively destroyed the aura surrounding Michael Owen. In all, he suffered injury or illnesses 16 times during his time at Newcastle and made only 58 Premier League starts.
At Manchester United, I believe Michael Owen will receive better care to shake off his rustiness and get back to full fitness. Under the watchful eyes of Alex Ferguson, the signs from pre-season training are good that the player still retain his scoring touch, is working hard and enjoying his time at Old Trafford. After all, Owen has many friends in the United squad, thus integrating into the team is not a problem.
I believe Alex Ferguson yearns for the return of a conventional striker. Last season, Manchester United have incredible firepower in Ronaldo, Berbatov, Tevez and Rooney, but they fail to outscore their closest competitors. Instead, United’s success was largely based on sound defending as they won games by the odd goal and embarked on a record breaking run of not conceding goal for 1212 minutes. Ferguson will certainly want the defensive discipline to continue but having another clinical striker to put away chances increases their title hopes.
But from so many strikers, why did Alex Ferguson gamble on an injured player? For one thing, he appreciates the fact that rewards, if materialized, greatly outweigh the risks. A case in point is the purchase of Ruud van Nistelrooy. The deal was nearly axed when the Dutchman ruptured his cruciate knee ligaments during a training session. Nevertheless, Manchester United persevered and completed the transfer in 2001 by paying PSV an additional £500,000 for the player’s services.
It turned out to be an excellent transaction as van Nistelrooy repaid the faith and money during his five years stint with 150 goals in 220 appearances as well as becoming the club’s all-time European scoring record with 38 goals.
While Michael Owen may have lost the blistering pace in his youth, he is still among the most clinical strikers in England. If Owen can thrive during Houllier’s era which saw a Liverpool side engaging in a patient game of short passing and counter attack, then he should love the fluid, entertaining play by the Red Devils.
Owen will certainly benefit from the dominant possession and chances created by Manchester United compared to the dis-spirited and incompetent players at Newcastle. Sometimes, the quality of service is so good, a striker need only be there physically to stick the ball into the net.
Manchester United’s attacking style also reduces the need to depend on pace since most opponents are pinned back and have to defend in numbers. Thus, timing and positioning are more crucial factors to capitalize on crosses from the flanks as well as link up play from midfield. Eric Cantona, Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer were among the influential strikers during Ferguson’s reign but each did not make their mark based on speed.
In terms of commercial success, Michael Owen isn’t a glamor signing like David Beckham who sells merchandise by the truckloads. Fortunately, Alex Ferguson’s transfers stand in contrast to Real Madrid’s vision. He prefers hatchet men to deliver, and the United brand will take care of itself. Thus, he is more than happy to have Real Madrid take David Beckham off his hands, even in the face of huge commercial losses.
Since Michael Owen is not going to start often, his value lies in being a veteran who has played at the highest level and rise often to the occasion. Owen can strengthen the bench for the big games, in the absence of Carlos Tevez.
The Argentine may win hands down in terms of pace and technical skills like passing, dribbling and ball control, but Manchester United have saved themselves £22 million. In addition, Tevez’s impact is not as significant as Cristiano Ronaldo and can be rendered redundant by Rooney.
Owen compensates for his one-dimensional game with a high conversion rate which stands proudly above Tevez, Torres, Berbataov and Rooney. Thus, little separates both players as they are expected to net 10-15 goals a season when coming off the bench.
Michael Owen also serves another purpose of acting as a model to improve the prodigious talents of Danny Wellbeck and Federico Macheda. In recent years, Ferguson has shown a propensity for signing vintage players. Laurent Blanc, Teddy Sheringham and Henrik Larsson were regarded as past their best but their purpose was to impart experience and skills to the youngsters.
Alex Ferguson has certainly come a long way from the impulsive ’90s when he wiped out old guards in one fell stroke and immediately blooding the youth team. However, competition has intensified tremendously and a team of hot-blooded youngsters may be a risky formula for success.
Just look at Arsenal. Beautiful football is dished out by a bunch of youngsters who are not short on skills, stamina and eagerness but their inability to capitalize on chances and hold their ground when the going gets tough is a major stumbling block.
Welbeck and Macheda will eventually step up but not after they have gained consistency and experience. Speaking of experience, some fans may prefer Samuel Eto’o or Thierry Henry. I agree they will be more beneficial for the youngsters but the price will not be cheap either. Since Alex Ferguson has been a long-time admirer of Owen and regards age as an asset rather than liability, this is a good time to pick up a distressed asset for pennies on the dollar.
Overall, Michael Owen makes an ideal replacement for Ruud Van Nistelrooy, an out-and-out striker who put goals away at close quarters. Ferguson can toy with different options by either fielding Berbatov in the hole while pairing Owen and Rooney up front. Or Rooney can play in a withdrawn position, leaving Owen and Berbatov to lead the front line.
But for every transfer success, there are also failures for Alex Ferguson. The United’s medical team cannot always perform miracles. Louis Saha and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer were laid out for long spells and could not last the rigors of a full season. Eventually, they moved on.
I cannot say if Owen will be another Louis Saha or Ruud van Nistelrooy but since any player will need a few games to settle down in a new environment, and for someone who is low on confidence and fitness due to a myriad of injuries, it is fair to give Owen a longer time to hit top gear before judging him.
However, assuming Owen rediscovers his form, there are flaws to his game that make Cristiano Ronaldo appear indispensable. Owen may be a natural finisher (with one foot) but he lacks creativity, nor is he capable of holding the ball up on his own or getting past defenders with trickery. He has to feed off other players and his limited game outside the box means you have to build the team around Owen.
Despite these flaws in his game, I am more worried about Owen’s attitude and desire to win. Detractors of Cristiano Ronaldo may denigrate him as a flamboyant peacock and dirty diver, but nobody can deny that he demands an exacting standard of himself and possesses a burning desire to be the best footballer.
Cristiano Ronaldo trains hard – polishing existing skills and experimenting with new tricks to become a more complete player. Alex Ferguson has revealed the secret to the magic which Ronaldo weaves on the pitch and the answer is alarmingly simple: tireless hours of practice.
Does Michael Owen desire to win titles and improve himself? Or does he believe that an old dog cannot learn new tricks? Is he content to warm the bench or just go on the pitch and put in 90 minutes of insipid performance and then collect his wages at the end of the day? If he has this kind of attitude, no football club or manager can help him.
During the final matches of survival for Newcastle, I was disappointed by the Geordies’ lack of heart and character and their nonchalance towards relegation. Great hopes and responsibilities were thrust on Michael Owen but he did not respond in a positive manner. Thus, it remains to be seen if Owen works hard all the way at Manchester United or only impress in the first few matches.
As for Liverpool, they may be indignant but there is hardly any betrayal here. Michael Owen wanted to move back to Anfield on two occasions, giving them first priority and agreeing to take massive pay cuts but to no avail, probably because of injury concerns, transfer fees and more importantly, Benitez’s hesitation.
By the way, Owen is not the first player to ply his trade for both clubs, thus the animosity should not get out of hand. Previously, there were Phil Chisnall and Paul Ince who was appointed Liverpool’s captain. Sir Matt Busby also played for Liverpool before going on to manage Manchester United, making them the first English club to win the European Cup.
Nevertheless, Owen’s arrival at Old Trafford will deepen the rivalry which runs through both clubs from fans to boardroom. Such moves are frowned upon as can seen by Alex Ferguson’s refusal to allow Gabriel Heinze and Carlos Tevez to cross over to the enemy and similarly Steven Gerrard “just would not come.”
Relations between United and Liverpool reached new lows last season with Benitez’s infamous rant about Ferguson. This transfer certainly adds spice to the rivalry and it will be fascinating to see Owen visit Anfield with United in the Premier League on October 24.
Considering Michael Owen’s contributions for Liverpool, the fans should wish him all the best, even if he plays a significant part in a fourth consecutive Premier League title for Manchester United and their record 19th title. I hope the treatment will not be as belligerent as what we saw from the Catalans when Luis Figo switched from Barcelona to Real Madrid.
Will Manchester United get over the loss of Cristiano Ronaldo? There are no shortage of punters backing Owen to be the top Premiership scorer next season and also making the World Cup squad next summer. We shall see, in a few months’ time. Stay tuned for updates.
Regardless of how football pundits dissect Alex Ferguson’s managerial achievements as compared to the likes of Matt Busby or Bill Shankly, there is a begrudging admiration for the manner in which he fulfilled his promise to knock Liverpool “right off their fucking perch.”
That was an ambitious gauntlet thrown by a budding manager who had just taken over the reins at Manchester United while Liverpool were dominant and had established a stranglehold on the titles. But apparently, Alex Ferguson is not given to frivolous claims.
Today, he is a point away from matching Liverpool’s 18 titles and savoring the prospect of winning even more trophies. Alex Ferguson has a perfect opportunity to accomplish the record equaling feat in style by lifting the Premier League title at Old Trafford and dealing another blow to Arsenal’s pride in the process.
Manchester United have to guard against complacency though as the Gunners are expected to unleash a violent backlash. Arsene Wenger will not tolerate three defeats in a row and with only one point needed, I believe Alex Ferguson will shun an open game of attacking football. Instead, he will rely on counter-attacks and disruptions to Arsenal’s beautiful passing game.
To be sure, Alex Ferguson has built a solid foundation to obliterate Liverpool’s triumphs but success can change overnight. As it is, the current squad is up for some shake-up.
Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Gary Neville, having spent most of their career at Old Trafford, exemplified the spirit of Manchester United and are the guiding beacons for aspiring youngsters. But the trio could be retiring soon and I am hard pressed to name other role models who share the same passion, work ethics and off-pitch discipline.
Youngsters like Danny Welbeck, Rafael da Silva and Federico Macheda are able and banging hard at the doors of the senior squad but their experience at the big stage is threadbare.
Cristiano Ronaldo, a potential Golden Boot winner for two consecutive seasons, could be on the transfer market at the right price. Manchester United are debt laden to their eyeballs and cannot refuse an attractive offer for a player who has already repaid his dues and is constantly flirting with Real Madrid in the off-season.
Coupled with the imminent departure of Carlos Tevez, the current all-conquering Manchester United squad could be severely crippled. While Alex Ferguson will stand in the way of any transfer for Cristiano Ronaldo, Carlos Tevez enjoys no such privilege at Old Trafford.
In fact, the Argentinian could be the first player from this golden generation of Fergie’s babes to depart. Carlos Tevez gave a controversial interview weeks ago during which he said he no longer felt wanted at United. Frustrated by a lack of playing time in major games, he said: “It’s goodbye. I’m leaving and I do so with my head held high.”
Indeed, he can hold his head high as he played with the same professionalism and hunger. Carlos Tevez enthralled the fans by burying City with the second goal of the Manchester derby and equalizing with a brilliantly cheeky backheel against Wigan Athletic.
These recent performances have underscored his value to Alex Ferguson’s plans and strengthened the case for an end to months of feet-dragging in making his contract permanent. I believe Tevez’s outpouring of emotions with a hands-behind-the-ears gesture in front of the United chief executive, David Gill, was heart-felt.
I don’t see Carlos Tevez’s gesture as a challenge as it is understandable that his patience and affinity for Manchester United have been tested to the limits. Not to forget, it is the World Cup Finals next year and the Argentinian needs to play regularly to ensure his position in the competitive starting XI of his country.
However, David Gill does not hold the key to Tevez’s future as the CEO will ultimately bow to Alex Ferguson’s wishes on players’ matters. Ferguson may not be convinced that the exorbitant fee, increase in wages and possible conflict over money within the squad, represent a worthwhile investment.
The fans are shouting “sign him up, sign him up,” in every match to pressure Manchester United to reach a quick resolution but Alex Ferguson’s non-committal response was, “The fans love a trier. That’s the great thing about football. A lad who tries a lot can be forgiven for a lot of things.”
The “things which have been forgiven” are not elaborated but Carlos Tevez must have grown weary of Ferguson’s indifferent attitude. He confided in Argentina head coach Diego Maradona, “That old man doesn’t like me. He’s not playing me and he’s lowering my value.”
I believe such revelations have done Carlos Tevez more harm than good as Alex Ferguson never likes his players to wash dirty linen in public. To be fair, Alex Ferguson is not blind to Carlos Tevez’s talents, else he will not have gone to great lengths in bringing him to Old Trafford.
On his day, Carlos Tevez can rip defenses apart with his power, pace, ball control and agility. More importantly, he has a winner’s mentality to go with his exceptional gifts, a crucial ingredient for delivering results when the chips are down.
Tevez has also shown admirable restraint and magnanimity in his relegation to the third striker by training hard and fighting for the team during his limited displays. Not surprisingly, Manchester United fans are grateful and love him deeply for his tireless work rate, a sharp contrast to Berbatov’s languid style.
If one reviews the history of Carlos Tevez’s career, it is no coincidence that he has been appreciated by the fans in every club he has gone to, winning trophies along the way when he has opportunities to perform to his full potential.
Carlos Tevez’s precocious talents were spotted as early as 8 years old where he played football on the streets. Boca Juniors gained first mover’s advantage by recruiting him into their youth squad when he was 13 years old. The lad improved quickly and before long, staked his place in the senior squad.
In 2003, Boca Juniors enjoyed an extremely successful year by clinching the Argentine Championship and the Copa Libertadores (South American Champions League). Boca Juniors then beat AC Milan in the Intercontinental Cup to put the icing on the cake.
In December 2004, Carlos Tevez transferred to Corinthians which exceeded $20 million, following the Brazilian club’s deal with Media Sports Investment (MSI). This was a transfer record in South American football and immediately caused intense debate in the Brazilian football community.
How absurd to have an Argentinian make waves in the land of samba football? You can just imagine the resentment and cultural clash in the dressing room by having an Argentinian come to a predominantly Brazilian squad and smashing their wage structure.
Well, Carlos Tevez defied traditions by captaining Corinthians to the 2005 Campeonato Brasileiro, and he was named the league’s best player by the Brazilian Football Confederation, becoming the first non-Brazilian player to win the award since 1976.
Notwithstanding footballing skills and success, Carlos Tevez has a difficult streak which can be hard to rein in. His fight with Brazilian team mate Marquinos was shown in a public video. On August 2006, Sky Sports reported that Tevez was refusing to play for Corinthians.
It was announced soon after that both Tevez and Mascherano were signing for West Ham United on permanent deals for £12 million each. Not the kind of exemplary behavior or loyalty expected of a fan’s favorite.
At West Ham, he criticized Alan Pardew’s strategies and threw a mini tantrum by leaving the ground early after being substituted against Sheffield United. His season was salvaged when Alan Curbishley came on board and in a late season rally, Tevez rescued West Ham from the brink of relegation by scoring crucial goals.
Despite his penchant for attracting controversies, there is no doubt any club which recruit Carlos Tevez will benefit immensely. Manchester United have paid about £10m during his two year “loan” at Old Trafford, and they have to make up the rest of his £32m valuation to conclude the deal. So why don’t United pay Joorabchian £22m and be done with it? Why is Alex Ferguson behaving indecisively?
After all, if Manchester United sold off Carlos Tevez and purchase another superstar like Frank Ribery or Karim Benzema, the deals will not come cheaply. It make more cents and sense to secure the services of an established star. However, the biggest obstacle remains the onerous terms of the contract which leave football clubs at a huge disadvantage while benefiting MSI. Such contracts are unfortunately common in impoverished South America.
Tevez’s agent Kia Joorabchian, owns the player’s economic rights exclusively and absolutely through MSI of which he is both founder and President. Under the terms, Tevez is not allowed to agree to anything without their consent and only MSI possess unilateral right to terminate the contract.
While Tevez saved West Ham from demotion, the Hammers are now paying a heavy price for the brief fling with talents that they could never attract or afford under normal circumstances. If a deal is too good to be true, it often is.
West Ham paid a £5.5m fine for the unprecedented irregularities within the contract whereby the players’ economic rights belonged to MSI while the club held the players’ registration. Sheffield United made a successful case that West Ham should have points deducted instead of being fined.
This would lead to West Ham being relegated instead Sheffield United. In an out of court settlement, West Ham agree to foot £20m compensation to Sheffield United for their demise. Didn’t the players or MSI have any responsibilities in this debacle? Unfortunately, they got away scot-free, leaving West Ham to rue their misfortune.
You can understand why Alex Ferguson does not want Manchester United to be in a position where their competitors can question the achievements of the club in the same manner like West Ham, if Carlos Tevez were to play a pivotal role as a permanent player.
When Manchester United tabled the loan deal for Carlos Tevez, the Premier League originally objected by insisting that “any deal for Carlos Tevez has to be done directly with West Ham”. Kia Joorabchian then issued West Ham with a High Court writ “…to compel West Ham to release the registration of Carlos Tevez in accordance with contracts entered into between the parties.”
An agreement was finally reached between West Ham and MSI, with the approval of the Premier League, whereby MSI would pay a paltry £2 million to West Ham, who would then release Tevez from his registration with them.
Alex Ferguson is all too familiar with the wiles of Joorabchian and the agent may pull the same tricks over Manchester United when he wants Carlos Tevez to move on to another rich club. Carlos Tevez can simply “stop playing” again to force United to accept a nominal fee.
Before Tevez and Mascherano arrived at West Ham United, reports surfaced that many clubs had turned down the offers. They were wary of the third party ownership of Tevez and reluctant to make a move. Thus, Manchester United have the luxury of time to work out a suitable contract in this case.
Also, with the exception of Barcelona, Manchester United are currently the most exciting team in Europe. For any ambitious footballer in terms of winning domestic honors and possibly more European trophies, they will not be in a hurry to leave.
Conversely, Real Madrid which declare itself the most prestigious football club look helpless in their recent 6-2 humiliation by Barcelona. Other suitors like Manchester City may be good on the money but are not serious title contenders. As for Liverpool, Tevez can reunite with Mascherano but I doubt if Tevez will enjoy Liverpool’s playing style.
While Tevez’s situation at Old Trafford has changed for the better in recent days with Alex Ferguson’s insistence that United would like the striker to remain at the club and they have held cordial discussions, Tevez’s representatives were quick to stress that no offer was placed on the table.
In the latest twist to Carlos Tevez’s contract saga, the Argentinian forward have rejected Real Madrid’s $40 million overture. Kia Joorabchian insists that his client’s decision to reject a move to Real is proof that money is no incentive when it involves his career.
“Carlos will decide on his future,” Joorabchian said. “Carlos Tevez will decide where Carlos Tevez will play. This is not about money it’s about where Carlos wants to play and his family.”
Now, if Carlos Tevez is really eager to play for Manchester United, there are get out clauses available to him. Only he can decide what is best for his career, much like how David Beckham sacrificed money (literally) to play at AC Milan.
Carlos Tevez can challenge his owners based on European Law. East Midlands MEP Chris Heaton-Harris said: “Under European law he [Tevez] has the right to break this contract. If he went to the European Commission and said he wanted out he would get support. You can’t keep a person to a contract that he doesn’t want to continue in.”
Manchester United are also said to have been investigating how the Bosman rule might be applied to Tevez’s case in the belief that the contract he has with his owners could violate European labor rules.
Under the Bosman ruling, any third party (ie a club) which governs the movement of a player between jobs is a restraint on trade. MSI may be a company, but they are also a third party, and therefore his freedom under the Treaty of Rome is being violated if he is not allowed to move on to where he pleases.
The legal sticking point is likely to be the fact MSI signed their contract with Tevez in South America (ie outside of EU jurisdiction), but since he wants to play in Europe, his contract is arguably open to challenge within the EU.
Manchester United have made it clear they are not interested in paying the full £32m, which suggest a landmark legal case to challenge the third party ownership. There can be little question that any further transfers would not entail the agent continuing to retain “ownership” of the player.
I believe Alex Ferguson will made the right decision for Manchester United. In any case, he has successfully reduced Carlos Tevez’s impact on Manchester United’s dominance and they will be none the worse in terms of challenging for titles even if Tevez depart.
Thus if Alex Ferguson finally arrives at the conclusion that Carlos Tevez’s contract is just too much of a trouble which will compromise the club’s interest, the fans should accept the decision and move on.
Chelsea and Arsenal, two distinguished clubs in FA Cup history, went head to head in a hugely anticipated semi-final encounter on Saturday. With both teams peaking and no clear advantage to either team, it was always going to be a battle of wits which goes right to the wire.
As further testimony to Chelsea manager Guss Hiddink’s positive vibes, the Blues prevailed in a 2-1 victory and kept on track for the Treble. Arsenal were no pushovers though. The Gunners started the match brightly and their movement and passing were eye candy to football fans.
In the 18th minute, Theo Walcott put the Gunners ahead. Emmanuel Adebayor started the move on the left and passed to Kieran Gibbs who crossed for an unmarked Walcott at the far post. The latter hit a soft volley which took a deflection off Ashley Cole and left Petr Cech stranded.
However, Arsenal’s happiness was short-lived as Florent Malouda drew level in the 32nd minute. Frank Lampard delivered a superb pass to Malouda who trapped the ball nicely and fired accurately into the net. Arsenal had narrowly escaped earlier when Malouda blasted a shot that skimmed under goalkeeper Lukazs Fabianski before flashing across goal.
Having equalized, Chelsea grew in confidence. Nicolas Anelka struck the far post with a fine left-footed shot. Abou Diaby was to blame for the slack defending when he gave the ball away on the edge of the box and could only appeal vainly for a foul.
Arsenal’s front line was not pulling their weight either. Robin van Persie, one of the crown jewels in Wenger’s ensemble, failed to turn up any magic. He wasted a crucial opportunity when an acrobatic clearance by Alex denied Walcott, but the ball fell nicely for him… only to be blasted disappointingly into no man’s land.
Though Arsenal outplayed Chelsea with a more fluid game in midfield, they presented little threat in the opponent’s goal box due to the tight marking and poor link-up to Adebayor, who holds the key in Wenger’s 4-2-3-1 formation. While Chelsea’s backline was at least functioning, Arsenal’s incompetent defense made Chelsea appear menacing and likely to score whenever they pressed forward.
Indeed, Fabianski was kept extremely busy by the relentless Chelsea bombardment. Anelka missed a header narrowly, before Lampard volleyed an excellent chance wide from Drogba’s cross. Drogba then screamed for a penalty when Mikaël Silvestre held him and handled the ball. It is a wonder the scoreline was kept respectable for so long.
With the match drawing to a close, the epic battle was still locked in a stalemate. However, Didier Drogba changed the script single-handedly in the final six minutes. Frank Lampard lobbed the ball from deep in his own half and Drogba latched on quickly by shrugging off Mikael Silvestre. The Ivorian exemplified exquisite balance and control by skipping past the on-rushing Fabianski before steering the ball into the empty net.
Arsene Wenger factored in a sub-standard Wembley pitch for a defeat which destroyed their most realistic hope of a trophy. “Building a stadium with that kind of money and having no pitch is laughable,” he said. But that is no excuse as the pitch affect both teams equally.
And Arsenal had no reason for feeling jaded as Chelsea had eliminated Liverpool 4-4 in a gruelling Champions League quarter-finals (7-5 agg) while the Gunners cruised past Villarreal in a 3-0 victory (4-1 agg).
Keeper Fabianski did not have a memorable birthday as nobody were in the mood for celebrations after he gift-wrapped presents for his opponents. He was a constant bundle of nerves, yet he shows a propensity for charging out of the box when the danger should normally be cleared by defenders. While I don’t think he is engaged in showboating, I am still perplexed by his heroics.
If Fabianski wants to take on the striker, he has to win the ball in a strong and decisive manner, instead of attempting half-hearted challenges, else it will be a safer bet to just defend his line. To be fair to the shaken Fabianski, Manuel Almunia did not perform any better in dealing with Didier Drogba, though the Spaniard has shown better judgment and composure in big games.
Fabianski was unable to settle down even when Arsenal went ahead. I don’t blame him as the defense often left him exposed. The main culprits were Emmanuel Eboue and Michel Sivestre who felt like strangers and and were too slow to react.
Due to injuries to William Gallas and Johan Djourou, Wenger took a risk by placing Silvestre in the center of defence but it didn’t pay off as Silvestre’s best days are clearly behind him. The lack of first choice full backs will persist for a while and Wenger has to solve this porous defense soon, else there will be more “cheap goals” to come.
Mindful of the defensive malaise, Wenger said: “It was a game where any mistake in the end could be costly. It is disappointing because we had a good start and after we dropped off. The game looked as through it would finish as a draw – I felt we gave two cheap goals away.”
Arsene Wenger have also tweaked the side which demolished Villlarreal, dropping Alex Song and Samir Nasri to the bench and playing Denilson and Abou Diaby alongside Casc Fabregas in the centre of midfield, with Robin van Persie moving out to the left flank.
It may be wise to field fresh legs in the face of a hectic schedule but one cannot afford to take chances against a rejuventated Drogba and the best team must play. I believe Wenger erred by leaving Arshavin out of the starting XI. By the time Arshavin came on for van Persie, he could not influence the outcome, though his late effort which was deflected to safety by Alex was commendable.
This FA Cup defeat may have far-reaching implications for Arsenal in terms of filling the cabinet with silverware this season. Arsenal’s winning streak has ended and it usually takes time for Wenger to nurse the team’s fragile confidence and steer the ship back on course.
This disruption in momentum could be a boon for Manchester United in the Champions League. Already, wresting the Premier League title is highly unlikely unless all three top teams collapse in unison, and given Arsenal’s dismal track record in the European competition, the Gunners have lost their most realistic chance of a trophy.
The bright spark for Arsenal was Theo Walcott. He was the live-wire in this match and Arsenal looked dangerous whenever he charged down the flanks with the ball. The England winger has been excellent since his return from his latest injury and enjoyed a compelling duel with Cole all game. His goal was well deserved.
As for Guss Hiddink, it is no surprise he is a happy and contented man these days. He said: “It’s very nice to work with these guys. They always deliver.” Hiddink has repeatedly stressed that he is in charge until the end of the season, after which he remains as full-time coach of Russia’s national team.
Nevertheless, if he achieves the Treble, I believe Abramovich will impose his will and sign him on a long term contract. It will be a great folly to release a manger who can win trophies and more importantly, galvanize the players into a solid team which respond and execute his strategies.
Player politics is a major distraction in Chelsea’s dressing room and if Didier Drogba, who has repeatedly expressed a desire to leave Chelsea, is now rallying the troops forward, you know the manager has ironed out major differences, injected faith and gained mutual respect with his footballing philosophy.
In this match, I will say Frank Lampard was not at his dominant best in midfield. But once again, he proved his worth by supplying two crucial long range passes which led to the goals. I prefer to rate Droga and Essien highly for Chelsea’s revival.
Much has been made about the battle of midfield between Essien and Fabregas. Both are midfield inspirations and have returned from long injuries but they possess different characteristics. Essien is more physical and powerful than Fabregas but the latter has greater technique, wider range of passes and is tactically better.
Fabregas only come into the Arsenal side on April 4 after three and a half months out. But his match fitness was not compromised – setting up a string of goals for his resurgent side. Similarly, Essien has been Chelsea’s driving force since returning from a cruciate injury.
However, with Cesc Fabregas failing to stamp his class, it was Essien whose effervescent energy and brutal power shone brightest. Fabregas can seek solace that Steven Gerrard also lost the midfield battle to Essien. That is the danger of teams which rely heavily on a single playmaker, who no matter how talented, can be a burden to the team when their creative spark fizzles out.
Up front, there is also a determined hunter in Didier Drogba who steps up a gear whenever he is pitted against the Gunners. Drogba loves to score against Arsenal and his brace in the bad-tempered Carling Cup 2007 final must still be fresh in Arsenal fans’ memories.
Before the match, Wenger highlighted that the key to stopping Chelsea was preventing Drogba getting up a full head of steam. He is right on the money by pinpointing Arsenal’s Achilles heel as the powerful Ivorian is on song since Guus Hiddink’s arrival. For the record, Drogba has now racked up his eighth goal in nine games against Arsenal.
Already a nightmare for the first choice Arsenal defence, the makeshift defense clearly has no chance against Drogba’s potent strength and pace. Wenger said: “We made it a little bit too easy for him at times, and that was true of the winning goal.”
Chelsea are on a roll after eliminating Liverpool and Arsenal. Hiddink has applied the right strategy in a physical and intimidating play – Branislav Ivanovic and Michael Ballack were both cautioned for aggressive tackles, the first on Van Persie, the second on Fabregas. Arsenal were lulled into complacency with uninterrupted quick passes while the Blues search, destroy and strike where it matters.
I believe Hiddink will continue with the midfield triumvirate of Lampard-Essien-Ballack which has been in slumber at times but effective when given a jolt in the dressing room. His biggest worry must be Petr Cech. Having conceded seven goals in its last two games, Cech’s blunders have contributed to the team’s struggle to beat Bolton 4-3 and the pulsating 4-4 draw with Liverpool.
Without fail, Petr Cech conceded yet another goal, though in dubious circumstances. Deflections are always tricky and Ashely Cole could have done a better job of shackling Walcott and preventing the shot. The Cech of three years ago might have coped adequately, but when confidence is low, schoolboy errors start to crop up.
Chelsea are looking stable in a 4-3-3 formation but in the Champions League, they may find Barcelona to be a different proposition. Theo Walcott has pace and but not much creativity, yet Ashley Cole struggled to contain the youngster. The intelligent and technically gifted Lionel Messi who has been terrorizing defenses in La Liga for fun will relish giving Ashley Cole a few more footballing lessons.
Chelsea are now into the final, where they will meet either Manchester United or Everton on May 30. This may turn out to be a grand showdown for the Treble which features two of the most successful Premier League teams in recent years. Stay tuned.
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