Martin Ødegaard.

Remember that name?

Back in 2014, aged 15 years-old, he was hailed as one of the brightest young prospects and described as a player of world class potential. At such a tender age, he had become the youngest player to both feature and score in the Norwegian top-flight.

Blessed with a blend of rich skill sets and technical abilities. It was his extroadinary talents that set him apart from the rest in the Stromsgodset side and gave him the dream opportunities to train with clubs such as Manchester United, Manchester City, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid. With all of them potential suitors for his signature, it was Real Madrid who snapped him up once he turned 16 – a fee which could potentially rise to just £7.5million. The Norwegian wonderkid described the move as a dream come true for both himself and his family, and would go on to make his first team debut coming on as a second-half substitute for Cristiano Ronaldo in a thrilling 7-3 victory over Getafe.

However, it hasn’t been all roses since then for the youngster. Ødegaard has yet to make another appearance for Real Madrid. Since then, he has largely been a forgotten man at the Santiago Bernabeu, being farmed out to dutch outfit SC Heerenveen in 2017, then on loan to Vitesse in which, however, he enjoyed two very fruitful loan spells.

Though, it has been enough for him to break into the Real Madrid team. The expectations at the club was that the player would just become another one of those unfortunate Real Madrid flops. Carlo Ancelotti, who was manager at the time of Ødegaard’s arrival, compounded the idea that the player could become another Real Madrid failed statistic:

When [Real Madrid President] Florentino [Perez] buys a Norwegian footballer, you simply have to accept it,”

“Furthermore, he decided that he would play three games with the first team as a public relations exercise. He could be the best player in the world, but I don’t care because he was not a player who I asked for. That signing was to do with PR.”

Not how you would want to be remembered as a Real Madrid player.

However, those comments haven’t affected Ødegaard at all and it his determination and fight to force his name on everyone’s lips once again. The Norwegian has refused to just become another PR excuse and Ancelotti may just be eating his words right now.

After an impressive loan spell at Vitesse, in the Dutch top-flight – scoring 11 goals and laying on 12 assists in 39 games – Ødegaard is now lighting up La Liga and has become Real Madrid’s best player this season… and he hasn’t even kicked a ball for the European champions yet. The Norwegian maestro is gracing his talents at Real Sociedad who have become, so far this season, one of the most exciting outfits in European football so far this season.

Ødegaard has been at the centre of Sociedad’s rise up the La Liga table.

Ødegaard still holds dreams of one day playing for one of the greatest clubs in history:

‘My goal is still to play for Real Madrid. That’s why I signed for them, because I want to play there some day. I feel like I’ve improved a lot in the last two years. I think I’m a better player and I’m more mature, older and a little stronger physically. I feel better now than when I first came to Spain.”

The way the Norwegian has started the season at Sociedad, he may be gracing the Santiago Bernabeu sooner than expected. Ødegaard has been scintilating to watch, and is the main reason for Sociedad’s stylish displays under former player and current coach Imanol Alguacil. The Basque country based club currently find themselves second in La Liga trailing Ødegaard’s parent club Real Madrid by a single point after 6 games. 

Playing on the right of a midfield three for Alguacil, the Norwegian has been deployed as something of a roaming playmaker. A component which is described as a teams main creative threat in midfield, blessed with incredible skill, technical brilliance, vision, passing, movement and also carries the whole side when weaving through the lines between the oppositions defence and midfield and also when on the counter-attack. If you need any evidence of his brilliance then check out his assist for Mikel Oyarzabal’s first goal against Alaves during the week. It was simply outstanding. 

PLEASE, CLICK THE ABOVE LINK..

It was as if Ødegaard held a protractor, seamlessly trying to dissect which angle he would so unerringly caress a through pass for Oyarzabal to get on the end of. Like something out of Kevin De Bruyne’s magic book. Not only was the pass so precise but it was the piece of skill that came before it, the young maestro didn’t even sweat as he so easily nutmegged his marker to create space.

It was absolutely majestic.

The contrast between the youngster who joined from Stromsgodset and was later farmed out to Heerenveen and Vitesse could not be more stark. At 16 he looked every bit a ‘YouTube footballer’ as you would call it, a skillful number 10 with an impressive repoitre of tricks and flicks, someone who could capture the imagination of his contemporaries on the internet.

Now, Ødegaard looks the complete midfielder. Much has been made of Real Madrid’s pursuit of Paul Pogba from Manchester United, a dream galactico signing constantly being pondered on by Zidane who is believed to be a huge fan of the French superstar. The question is, why go and spend 200-odd million on Pogba when you’ve got a remarkably gifted talent waiting in the wings, lighting up La Liga at present.

What’s also impressive of the Norwegian wonderkid is his relentless energy and work-ethic which has been expertly harnessed so far in Sociedad’s pressing intensity. As soon as they loose the ball, they hustle and harry to win it back as quickly as possible and Ødegaard has mastered those traits to devastating effect. Ødegaard is massively intelligent and is a player who can only get better, which is scary. It seems as though the player has been around for a while, and indeed he has. Yet, he’s only 20 years of age.

Ødegaard has a two-year loan deal at Real Sociedad and has shown incredible commitment to the clubs cause, which is evident in his purchase of a house in the region of Sociedad. That sort of commitment has made him increasingly popular with his team-mates and the club fans but its his displays that have got the whole club believing they could make an unprecedented return into the Champions League in the near future. The player must take huge credit for his attitude, not allowing the early experiences to unsettle his career, nor allowing himself to get lost in the loan flux that he has been plagued with. Though, those loans have proved a blessing in disguise and his experiences in Holland have served to toughen him up.

Being back in La Liga has given Ødegaard an extra incentive to impress his parent club. Nothing he does this season will be hidden away from Real Madrid who will surely be keeping an eye on his development. Like the pass he made against Alaves – an assist that you can play over and over again – every bit of magic Ødegaard conjures up this season will be made viral in Spain where he is still desperate to be a success at Real Madrid.

If he continues to play like he is currently, then it will be impossible for Florentino Perez and Zinedine Zidane to ignore his array of talents. Whether the Norwegian can prove both of them he is good enough to become a leader of the Real Madrid pack, will be up to him.

For now, this is a player currently deemed as the best in the league so far. With a whole host of talents around him, that is some high praise.

Martin Ødegaard surely is no longer the forgotten man.

In what is expected to be another exciting and intriguing weekend of Premier League action, we turn our attentions to the fixtures on Sunday with games such as West Ham vs Manchester United & Chelsea vs Liverpool that is sure to grab the headlines come the end of the weekend. All four teams are in need of victories, so how could Sundays games – including Arsenal vs Aston Villa and Crystal Palace vs Wolves – shape up?

Here are my previews and predictions:

Crystal Palace vs Wolves, (14:00pm) 

Your mind may be telling you that Wolves are guaranteed to pick up the three points, but we’re at the point where we can’t make an honest prediction of this one. Both teams are coming off the back of defeats. Wolves were blown away by Chelsea last weekend, which was uncharacteristic of Nuno Santo’s men who are always astute and rugged at the back. Whether its down to fatigue from Europa League qualification or bad form, this isn’t the exciting Wolves that we have come to enjoy as of late. Nuno Santo’s men will need to reassure the the fans that this is just a temporary blip.

Crystal Palace on the other hand, just can’t seem to find the net in front of their fans at the moment. with only just the one goal scored in the two games at Selhurst Park. What’s also a bit worrying for Roy Hodgson is that we haven’t seen the best of Wilfried Zaha yet. Certainly, his failed move away from the club may be the cause of his recent slump but now Zaha has got to show professionalism and give his current employers his best or else he won’t be fielding any calls for his services come the end of the season – or even in January. As always is the case, much of Palace’s success this season will hinge on the Ivorian’s form.

I’m gonna go with my mind here; Wolves to snatch it, only just.

Prediction: Crystal Palace 1-2 Wolverhampton Wanderers 

 

West Ham vs Manchester United, (14:00pm)

West Ham always turn on the style when they meet Manchester United on their own turf and who’s to say they can’t do the same again on Sunday? Manuel Pellegrini’s side have enjoyed quite a fruitful start to the season and have removed the pain of their opening day battering by Manchester City out of their minds. Can Pellegrini improve on last seasons 10th place finish? The additions made over the summer certainly mean that West Ham must make some improvements on last seasons disappointing finish. Sebastien Haller and Pablo Fornals are such quality additions and hold the ability to improve any side, can they become the ingredients Pellegrini needs to maybe take the club to the next level? We shall see.

Manchester United picked up three key points against Leicester City last weekend after Brendan Rodger’s side dominated the whole game. Last season, United would have certainly caved in under that sort of pressure, dropping two vital points, but this season, United’s defence are a different animal. Aaron Wan Bissaka and Harry Maguire have been brilliant since their summer moves and will provide United with much needed solidity and stability at in defence. With David De Gea and Lindelof’s long-term futures secured, the uncertainty at the back has been addressed. However, its in the middle where United will struggle and without Pogba who may be missing for Sunday’s game, it will be difficult for Solskjaer’s men to dominate games, hence the emphasis on counter-attacking football. Will it be enough for a top four finish? Maybe not. There is still a lot of work that needs to be done but you can certainly see what Solskjaer’s trying to build at Old Trafford. The question is whether Woodward and the United faithful have the patience to ride the storm.

West Ham to win here.

 

 

Arsenal vs Aston Villa, (16:30pm)

Naive. Arrogant. Complacent. These are just three words to describe Arsenal’s performance against Watford last weekend, a performance which should have warranted a defeat had Watford been clinical enough in the final stages. Those three words aren’t even enough to describe how Emery’s men capitulated from such a comfortable position. It’s the same old story with Arsenal, and one that Emery is struggling to correct. Time and time again, you could bet your mortgage that Arsenal won’t hold on to a lead, and the game against Watford showed. Yes, David Luiz was brought in to aid those issues, but he and Sokratis – both international and experienced footballers – were the root of the problem. Have Arsenal progressed under the former Paris Saint-Germain coach? It’s debatable. You cannot defend and perform like that if you wanna reclaim a Champions League position come the seasons climax. If Arsenal carry on these sort of performances, they can kiss those ambitions goodbye.

Aston Villa, despite their rocky results so far this season, have really impressed in their performances, and you just feel – like Norwich – they have the required ingredients to somehow avoid relegation this season. Jack Grealish, Wesley, John McGinn and Tyrone Mings are the type of players Dean Smith will be heavily reliant on throughout the season, and they should provide Villa with the experience and ability to finish as high as possible. Villa will alright this season. Dean Smith is building something good at Villa Park, its exciting and refreshing to see.

Arsenal to win this one, though.

Prediction: Arsenal 3-1 Aston Villa

 

Chelsea vs Liverpool, (4:30pm)

This weekend’s big one.

After both teams midweek Champions League defeats, Frank Lampard and Jurgen Klopp will be busting their guts to come out triumphant at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. On current form, you’d almost be forgiven in rooting for a Liverpool victory and why not? Chelsea’s defence are in a state right now, and that could play well into Liverpool’s hands with Mo Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino once again at their fluent best. Chelsea are yet to keep a clean sheet so far this season, and you can expect that run to carry on come Sunday evening.

Tammy Abraham is in the form of his life currently, and he will cause Liverpool some problems who are also quite shaky at the back themselves. Just how Lampard will aim to approach this game will be the main talking point, Chelsea have shown glimpses of some wonderful free-flowing football so far but can they manage to keep it tight at the back? It’s an issue Lampard will need to address if Chelsea hold any ambitions of finishing in the top four

It could really be a thrilling spectacle at Stamford Bridge though I expect Liverpool to continue their 100% record.

Prediction Chelsea 2-3 Liverpool

It was certainly a game that Norwich City fans will be talking about for years to come.

In one of the most astonishing shocks in Premier League history, Norwich City triumphed over reigning champions Manchester City in an enthralling and exciting encounter. It may not be the result as a whole but the manner in which Daniel Farke’s side took apart Manchester City’s vulnerable defence was a lesson and provided a blueprint on how to unsettle this wondrous Pep Guardiola team.

It was a victory all so typical of Farke’s intense, front-foot, attacking style. A style he instantly implemented when he stepped through the doors at Carrow Road in May 2017 – one that served him remarkably as they enjoyed a scintilating campaign in the Championship last season as they won an unprecedented title. Ever since then, the German coach has wowed the Norwich faithful, bringing a joyous aura around the whole club as a result of his energetic approach.

Could his brave attacking philosophy work in the Premier League? Despite, Norwich frailties at the back, it seems as though Farke will be looking to stick to his guns, and his stubbornness seems to be paying dividends. Against Liverpool on the opening night of the season, Norwich put on a real show, giving Klopp’s side a footballing lesson with their relentless pressing, movement and attacking approach. However, much of their impressive phases of play failed to reap any rewards as they were thumped 4-1.

Farke constantly dismissed the notion that he would implement a defensive style after that defeat, with early observations suggesting that his side will be found wanting when faced off against sides of greater quality as they found out against Liverpool and in the 3-2 home defeat to Chelsea. The former Borussia Dortmund coach has not taken the club this far to forsake his principles and the win over Manchester City was an advert on how to dominate the best sides especially Guardiola’s team.

There’s no doubt about it, this is a club that will experience some pain and hurt as the season progresses but they will surely enjoy the rollercoaster ride. Norwich are an exciting side that will not be left wondering as they are clearly determined to continue their frantic and energetic attacking style. Farke clearly has the players at his disposal to do it, a pretty young and exciting one too. Ben Godfrey, Max Aarons, Jamal Lewis, Kenny McClean and Todd Cantwell have provided Farke’s side with a spine that will key to any hopes Norwich have of staying in the division beyond this season. We’ve also already seen the qualities of predatory Teemu Pukki, six goals and two assists in his first five games is no mean feat and if the Finnish international carries on this sort of form in only his first real taste at the English top flight, you really cannot back against Farke pulling off the remarkable and keeping the club in the big time.

Though, one man who is quietly going about his business in such stylish and thrilling fashion, a man whose talents will be difficult to ignore this season, the Argentine sensation, Emiliano Buendia. An unknown quantity to some, but to his contemporaries, this is a player of real class. The attacking midfielder has already provided 4 assists so far this season and has revelled at becoming Daniel Farke’s main creative spark ever since his arrival. He only joined Norwich in August 2018 in a £1.5million move from Getafe – a deal that is already looking a real coup. Coming off the back of a remarkable season on loan at Cultural Leonesa in the Spanish Segunda Division, where he contributed 6 goals and 11 assists in total.

Standing at 5 feet 8 inches, the young prospect transitioned almost seamlessly to the faster, more physical style of football offered by the Championship. Buendia chalked up 8 goals from midfield, in addition to 12 assists – the second highest assist total in the English second division. These are impressive statistics at face value, but it is also important to appreciate his role in Farke’s system, and how he helps teammates around him without necessarily getting his name on the scoresheet.

Buendia currently operates on the right side of Farke’s attacking trio – in behind Teemu Pukki – along with highly-rated Todd Cantwell and the evergreen Marco Steipermann, a trio that offers such a blend of experience and youthful exuberance all in one. It is also an attacking trio that has served Farke well, especially in last years Championship triumph. He may be small in stature, but he is certainly a performer well worth his weight in gold. He is more than your average right sided inside forward, who can beat his marker and put in a cross. No, that’s all basic. Buendia’s talents transcend all that.

The Argentine operates more centrally than his position suggests. He is Farke’s main orchestrator. While Steipermann may operate directly behind Pukki, he is seen as more of a second striker rather than the teams main creative outlet. That role is fulfilled by Buendia’s artistry. Norwich’s width is provided by their full-backs Max Aarons and Jamal Lewis which allows Todd Cantwell and Buendia to operate more centrally. While Aarons marauds down the right when Norwich are in possession, it enables Buendia to drift in the central areas or the half-spaces, like the positions Kevin De Bruyne takes up for Manchester City – between the full-back and the centre-back – where they can make the most of their excellent composure, close-control and vision in such tight spaces. Take Norwich’s goal against Liverpool for example, it is Buendia’s excellent understanding of his role in from the right to roam from his designated position and execute such a telling pass totally dissecting Liverpool’s back line to put Pukki through on goal. It was like something out of the parting of the Red Sea. Simply sublime.

Not only does Buendia have an understanding of his own role but his close connection and knowledge of the nature of runs that Pukki makes – an attacking trait that will certainly cause a lot of sides problems this season. Norwich will score a lot of goals this season, Buendia is sure to be at the centre of everything good about Farke’s attacking setup.

What’s all the more impressive of Buendia is his understanding not only with Pukki but with everyone else around him. When he is on-song, his teammates are also. He has the sort of impact that is similar to a player that we have all enjoyed watching within the last decade, Manchester City’s David Silva. Although, it was the Argentinian that had the last laugh as Norwich superbly ran away with the three points, and in some style. Although, Buendia tends to withdraw from long defence-splitting passes, it his knack for quickly spotting and threading short passes into spaces to his teammates that sets him apart. His quick interchanges with Todd Cantwell and Pukki are a real sight to behold, and was truly evident as Cantwell notched against Newcastle in Norwich’s first win of the season. A goal you could watch over and over again.

He may not have found himself on the score sheet as of yet, but the Argentine does possess a real keen eye for goal. All of his 8 goals last season in the Championship surprisingly all came from inside the box. As well as being brilliant when in possession, Buendia also impressively is a predator in an around the penalty box.

Against City, Buendia was at his sparkling best. As well as Norwich’s main creative threat, he was a real thorn in Manchester City’s side. His constant pressing, hassling and harrying as Norwich tried to unsettle City’s fluency was stark. The Argentine was cut above the rest.

Norwich’s third goal came from his relentless pressing, dispossessing Otamendi who was found doodling on the ball at the edge of his own box, Buendia quickly nicked the ball off him and instead of trying to find the net himself, he unselfishly squared the ball onto Pukki who comfortably scored as Norwich went 3-1 up. Buendia was everywhere, when he needed to track-back, he consummately did so. When right-back Sam Byram was caught up field, he was the one helping out to halt City’s attacks down their left. It was the complete performance.

The craft, guile and skill of Emiliano Buendia is certainly there for all to see. There’s no doubt about it, Chelsea and Manchester City won’t be the only ones falling victim to the Argentine’s individual brilliance this season. Everyone loves the Kevin De Bruynes, David Silvas and Paul Pogbas of this world but Emiliano Buendia is a player certainly cut from the same cloth. He is a player whose individual talents cannot afford to go unnoticed. A real delight to watch.

Emiliano Buendia…Remember the name.

5-0, 5-1, 4-0 and 5-3. There is much to be excited about with this current England squad. Certainly, we have heard it all before, and it all does give a little hint of Groundhog day for the England faithful but there is no doubting the impact and steady progress that this youthful and talented squad is making.

England’s Euro 2020 qualifying group certainly does not provide Southgate with a true test, a team capable of dominating England, games we have solemnly become accustomed to in the past, game such as Belgium and the semi-final against Croatia in last years rollercoaster World Cup campaign. Czech Republic, Montenegro, Bulgaria and Kosovo certainly aren’t teams that can thrill and mount a serious challenge in toppling Gareth Southgate’s men once the group comes to its conclusion. However, you have to beat what’s in front of you and Southgate’s men have succeeded so far.

Hope does kill. England have experienced false hope on many occasions over the last 25 years. Fans have experienced the lot: excitement, intrigue, disappointment, heartbreak, and anguish. The latter three – emotions that have been the hallmark of an England team competing major tournaments. Last years World Cup campaign provided much of the former two along with much optimism, one that spring forth into a unprecedented major international trophy if fairytales still cease to exist.

England are masters of European qualification, if you need any indication just check out our record when it comes to the qualifying stages. They have now gone 42 games unbeaten in both World Cup and European qualifying campaign, winning 33 of them and drawing nine – their last defeat coming against Ukraine in 2009. The notion of England being unable to qualify is something of an overstatement. This is without its arrogance but a simple statement of fact. It is totally clear that any starting line-up Gareth Southgate assembles from his talented squad should be good enough to ensure their place at Euro 2020 without a minimum of fuss.

The make-up of another ‘easy’ group shall we say, allows Gareth Southgate the freedom to wholly experiment on his squad and ponder on which individuals he can truly rely on once the tournament kicks off next summer. Harry Kane, Raheem Sterling, Harry Maguire, Kieran Trippier and Jordan Pickford – providing there are no hiccups in terms of injuries – are guaranteed starters if Southgate’s latest squads are anything to go by. It’s the other areas on the pitch that are still to be decided. With the exciting pool of players at Southgate’s disposal, he could have a real selection headache on his hands. Jadon Sancho, Declan Rice, Mason Mount, Michael Keane, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Aaron Wan Bissaka and James Maddison are players who are all worthy of a place in Southgate’s fold.

However, despite the quality on show, there are still a few lingering questions Southgate will need to address as he ponders on his squad for the future. One of those questions will be regarding James Maddison. The past three fixtures has seen Southgate rely upon Chelsea’s Ross Barkley which is arguable to say the least, although he has performed resolutely whenever called upon, there is still much of a case for James Maddison’s involvement. It is now three games straight, that Southgate has called up Maddison to the squad without allowing him some much needed international experience.

Questionable? Without a doubt.

The Leicester City’s midfielder was one of the best midfielders around in the Premier League last season. If not for the brilliance of Eden Hazard, Maddison efforts last season will not have been swept under the rug as easily as it has been. He has also started the current season in the same impressive vein of form, which cannot be said for Ross Barkley who has so far, been overshadowed by the form of Frank Lampard’s trusted lieutenant Mason Mount – another player deserving of the high praise he has received as of late.

It’s vital to note that Barkley has yet to register a goal or an assist so far this season, while Mason Mount has registered two goals and James Maddison has registered two assists. It seems as though Southgate is sticking to his guns which is admirable, though you’d be forgiven for arguing a case for Maddison’s inclusion instead of Barkley.

Two players England futures could be up in air as a result of Maddison, Mount and Barkley’s possible inclusions though are Jesse Lingard and Dele Alli who could find their places in jeopardy if they do not improve this season. Both players are suffering from a lack of form, and the nature in which Mount, Barkley and Maddison are currently expressing themselves, Lingard and Alli could potentially find themselves out of the England reckoning.

Certainly, if England aren’t losing, there is arguably no need to change a team that is consistently winning. The nature of the group England find themselves in, allows the freedom to rotate and players such as Maddison deserve a chance to express.

Another lingering and quite a major issue is in defence. Can we predict the back-four which Southgate can call upon next summer? Apart from Harry Maguire and maybe, Kieran Trippier, there are still uncertainties surrounding the two remaining spots. Can Danny Rose still be trusted to be England’s no.1 left-back? Ben Chilwell has been excellent for Leicester, and deserves to be in Southgate’s thinking for the Euros. Though, questions still remain over Manchester United’s Luke Shaw and his fitness. Despite an impressive start to the season, he once again finds himself on the treatment table. Can he rediscover his form and fitness once he returns? Can he last the whole season to impress Southgate for a spot on the plane? These are questions which we are unable to find answers for, and its a case of Luke Shaw proving his case to be included.

Centre-back is a key area which needs addressing also. Who will partner Harry Maguire? Michael Keane? John Stones? Joe Gomez? Tyrone Mings? It is a position which is still a problem for England. As Southgate will have marvelled and drooled at England’s attacking masterclass against Bulgaria and Kosovo, there are still mistakes which need to be eradicated, and against better opposition, England could find themselves wanting once again.

The attacking trident of Raheem Sterling – a yet another world class performance from a player who could be gracing the Ballon D’or next year if he carries this sort of form – Jadon Sancho and Harry Kane tormented Kosovo but it was in defence that England suffered and will have surely worried Southgate, especially against the calibre of opponent. All three of Kosovo’s goals came through England’s naivety and complacency. It was Michael Keane who presented them with the first goal, passing unerringly to set Valon Berisha with a clear run at goalkeeper Jordan Pickford who finished expertly. Their second goal was also questionable, Declan Rice’s misplaced pass and Henderson’s mistake led to their second and Harry Maguire’s lapse in concentration allowed them an opportunity from the penalty spot.

A partnership of Harry Maguire and Michael Keane is has a lot of its reservations. Does the Everton defenders have what it takes to become Southgate’s trusted centre-back? His club form so far this season still leaves a lot to be desired. What about Joe Gomez? Personally, he seems the more sure bet to partner Harry Maguire. What Maguire lacks in mobility, Gomes makes up for in speed and ball recovery and could provide Southgate with a excellent balance at centre-back. However, its debatable whether he would be given the much needed game time to develop himself. Tyrone Mings has been called up for the first but was an unused substitute for both games, and would need to be monitored throughout the season. Though, his leadership and communication skills are two components which Southgate will be impressed by as he tries to weigh out his defensive options.

The bottom line is this – England have little or no chance of beating quality international sides if they defend as carelessly as they have done and if they continue to give possession away as cheaply as they did against Kosovo. Declan Rice’s poor pass which led to Kosovo’s second is something Southgate will not have been happy with. The West Ham midfielder has enjoyed a rapid rise and has rightfully deserved his place in Pellegrini’s side but he still has a lot to learn if he is to be the defensive midfield anchor Southgate is looking for. Harry Winks and Eric Dier are the more able and – arguably – better alternatives, players dictate England’s flow of possession when needed. The way Winks has asserted himself in Pochettino’s midfield so far this has got to be looked at, if Southgate is to stick to his passing out from the back style then Harry Winks is the most capable of executing such bold tactics.

Southgate himself considerably pointed out the errors which occured against Kosovo, a team ranked 120th in the world, and if England can show such naivety and sluggishness against such opposition then they have no chance of toppling the major nations when it comes to it. It’s the basic mistakes of not tracking back that also exposed England.

This was hardly a night of unbridled joy for Southgate. Nations such as Spain, Germany, France and Belgium will have been licking their lips at the sight of England’s sloppiness. It would be better to not imagine such a sight. For all the class and potency of England’s attack, their current defensive condition suggests they will need their attacking options to be bang of form to have any chance of progressing with a victory, because at this moment England’s defending means they will concede goals.

England may be fallible in defence – but they are irresistible in attack on the other hand.

Harry Kane and co. have now notched 14 goals in their three home games, more than any other nation in Euro qualifying so far. And at the heart of it all is the impeccable Raheem Sterling, who produced a 45-minute masterclass against Kosovo that was simply world class. As stated previously, if Sterling can maintain this kind of form all throughout the season for both club and country then he will have to be a shoe-in contender for the Ballon D’or and even – providing Southgate manages to solve his defensive issues – fire England one step closer, to Euro glory next summer.

The Manchester City winger ended a 27-game barren run stretching back three years when he scored twice in England’s impressive 3-2 victory over Spain a year ago – now he is an unstoppable and irreplaceable force for both club and country, a talent truly reaching his full maturity. Since that game against Spain, Sterling has now played seven games, scoring six goals and producing 5 assists for his country. His partnership with Harry Kane is now reaching an almost telepathic nature as he also set up the captain’s 26th goal in 41 appearances which now levels the Tottenham hitman with Bryan Robson and one behind David Platt in the England goal-scoring records.

It’s not only Kane and Sterling that will have had Gareth Southgate at the edge of his seat. Jadon Sancho got off the mark against Kosovo and his new found partnership with Raheem Sterling could also be frightening. With also Marcus Rashford, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Callum Wilson, James Maddison and Mason Mount waiting in the wings, Gareth Southgate could have a devastating attack to utilise come next summer.

There is certainly much to be excited about with this current crop of England players, certainly with the likes of Raheem Sterling, Harry Kane and Jadon Sancho in full fettle, and with the current pool of talented youngsters at in the squad, the future certainly looks bright for England. However, there is a danger of resting on our laurels and becoming complacent, as England have done on numerous occasions. There will certainly be no room for smugness. If England are to challenge amongst the best next summer, those persistent issues will need to be addressed quickly.

Still a lot of puzzles in the squad for Southgate to unravel.

Matteo Guendouzi is a player rapidly coming of age. If there is one thing we learned from a breathless and frantic spectacle in the North London Derby draw is that the young Frenchman will be a key figure for Unai Emery this season, a player who holds all the tools to become Arsenal’s most important component in the middle.

Ahead of the North London showpiece, many were licking their lips at the prospect of experiencing the potentially frightening trio of Nicholas Pepe, Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang running riot against Tottenham, the perfect platform to fully strut their destructive attacking play. In fact, Emery’s setup in midfield was indeed questionable, deploying a triumvirate of Granit Xhaka, Lucas Torreira and Matteo Guendouzi. Whether it was to bully Tottenham when out of possession or to completely halt their attempts to break at pace, neither of them worked as Harry Kane and co ran riot in the first-half.

With the absence of creative outlets such as Dani Ceballos and Mesut Ozil both on the bench, Arsenal needed an injection of guile from somewhere. Step forward, 20-year-old Matteo Guendouzi, a player who has truly taken in the rigours of the Premier League like a duck to water, since his move from French outfit Lorient in July 2018, the French youngster has become a regular player for Emery. Guendouzi was something of an unknown quantity when he joined the club, but it was Unai Emery’s knowledge and understanding of the player throughout his time at Paris Saint-Germain that drew his attention. It seems as though Emery’s trust in the player is already paying off.

Guendouzi was simply outstanding against Tottenham, the standout performer, the controlling force. Lucas Torreira is a brilliant player in his own right, but he did not provide Emery with the cutting edge when in and around the penalty area, hence Arsenal’s struggles to conjure up clear cut chances in the first-half. It was the introduction of Dani Ceballos that released the shackles in Arsenal’s play even despite Guendouzi’s brilliance in midfield. It was the young Frenchman’s understanding with the Spanish playmaker that proved the difference maker as it swung the tempo and pressure in Arsenal’s favour.

It wasn’t a perfect performance by any stretch of the imagination. There was too much chaos and tension within the middle of the park to allow the perfect performance. However, Guendouzi’s maturity, assured pieces of play, and his robust defensive efforts when Arsenal needed it most that was the most impressive. It’s not only against Tottenham that Guendouzi has shown his individual qualities, it’s been evident ever since he first put on the Arsenal shirt. His fuzzy and exuberant hairstyle is one element of his character and personality that has forced Arsenal fans to stand up and take notice. It’s his form through this season so far that has duly rewarded him with his first call-up to the French national team in place of Manchester United’s injured Paul Pogba, and it is a reward that is well deserved for a player that is showing much promise and maturity to his game, even at the tender age of 20.

In a frantic and open game. A game that saw poor mistakes and decision making from Sokratis and David Luiz for the Tottenham’s opening goal along with some miserable goalkeeping from Bernd Leno and a rashness from Granit Xhaka that provided Mauricio Pochettino’s men with the gift of picking up a two-lead inside 40 minutes. It was the mistakes of experienced international players who you’d never thought would be victims of such naivety when defending, players who are supposed to be exerting some control and the oft-discussed leadership and character that Arsenal have lacked for a number of years. These are the games that require more than the machismo, tactical understanding and the mere experience. It is a game that requires substance and maturity when faced with certain scenarios during different phases of play and Matteo Guendouzi provided just that. Granit Xhaka may have been the designated captain for the game, but it was the youngest player on the field in Guendouzi that led by example all throughout. It was Xhaka’s incompetence that left Arsenal with a mountain to climb, but that mountain was made easier by the influence of Guendouzi.

Guendouzi won more tackles than any one on the pitch, he regained possession more times than anyone and even covered more ground – 11.2 kilometres in total. Guendouzi was everywhere Emery needed him to be. It was his telling and imaginative pass that led to Aubameyang’s deft equaliser. It was like Guendouzi held a protractor trying to pick the angle in which to perfectly execute and dissect Tottenham’s back-line to pieces. It was a pass that even Mesut Ozil who sat out the game on the bench would have been most proud of. It was Guendouzi’s first ever Premier League assist, and he would have registered his first ever Arsenal goal had it not been for Hugo Lloris’s remarkable last ditch save.

It’s these kind of performances that makes you wonder how Matteo Guendouzi is only 20-years of age, it was a performance of a player that had been plying his trade in the Premier League for a number of years. In a game of such magnitude, a fixture that has provided the most excitement, goals and frenetic action throughout the history of English football. A game where it looked like Arsenal would once again falter, it was the young and impressive Guendouzi who stepped up and provided this famous club the inspiration needed to gain a much needed point.

Unai Emery has recently expressed his joy at Guendouzi and is encouraged by the Frenchman’s rapid progression since his move to the club:

“He’s very young but he is progressing. Last year was amazing for him. This year he is giving us one step more. Tactically with the ball he gives us a lot of control, he’s one of the keys for that. He works to give us balance defensively.”

‘Balance’, that’s the key word Unai Emery uses to describe Guendouzi and is one that is clearly evident through the youngster’s game. Guendouzi has the ability, and the tactical nous to successfully carry out his duty within central midfield. He can pass, tackle, intercept, control and dictate possession, and already has a good level of understanding in his defensive positioning. The Tottenham game was probably his best ever in an Arsenal shirt and it certainly won’t be his last. It is a huge season for Arsenal this year, as they carry out a strong pursuit to break into the top 4, failing to do last season. Certainly all eyes, will be on the tantalising prospects of the front three in Lacazette, Aubameyang and Nicolas Pepe and the creative fluidity of Dani Ceballos, but it is Matteo Guendouzi who could hold all the cards to Arsenal’s success this season. This should be his breakout year.

There is certainly no doubt that Matteo Guendouzi possesses all the tools to become the complete midfield package for Arsenal this season and for years to come.

Jadon Sancho, Marco Reus, Axel Witsel and Paco Alcacer all combined brilliantly put Bayern Munich to the sword in the German Supercup in a rampant 2-0 victory. After the Yellow Wall pressed Munich all the way to the last game of the season last campaign only to lose the title at the last, could Dortmund’s Supercup performance over their rivals ultimately be a sign of things to come? As the new Bundesliga season gets underway this weekend, can Lucien Favre’s exciting bunch of superstars finally dethrone the German Champions?

“They won the double last year so we tried to make a point.”

Said Sancho after Dortmund had done just that in the German Supercup triumph, kicking off the 2019/20 campaign on a hugely positive note. Sancho then went on to proclaim that this maybe Dortmund’s year, and rightly so.

After such a rampant performance put in by Sancho and co, players and fans will always have reason for optimism and hope heading into the new campaign but there is a justifiable cause and its more than the fact that Dortmund pushed Bayern very close last season.

As is always the case with the Dortmund hierarchy especially sporting director Michael Zorc who has moved very astutely with the signings of Mats Hummels – returning from Bayern Munich – Thorgan Hazard, Julian Brandt and Nico Schulz. These are players who have all imparted their own personal imprint on the Bundesliga. What’s most vital for Favre is that all of these signings provide him with the added quality needed and is a total upgrade on what they already have.

If Dortmund are to be firing on all cylinders next season, then such signings can become much of the benchmark for Favre’s success this coming season. Mats Hummels, a player who finds himself back on home territory will provide Favre’s defence with the steel, experience and the the defensive know-how transforming Dortmund into a solid unit once again. With promising central defensive players such as Michael Akanji, Dan-Axel Zagadou and young prodigy Leonardo Balerdi, they all would jump at the chance to work with a high-calibre superstar such as Mats Hummels. You could argue that Dortmund’s struggles in the Bundesliga last season was closing out games that you’d have bet your mortgage on them win, its those small margins that cost Dortmund the German title. Now it looks as though Lucien Favre has learnt from those failures and the re-signing of Mats Hummels will surely put an end to lingering defensive issues.

How about the quality additions of Thorgan Hazard and Julian Brandt? Along with Jadon Sancho, Marco Reus and Mario Gotze, Borussia Dortmund now hold 5 of the best attacking talents in probably the whole of Europe let alone Germany. Certainly, it will provide Favre with a selection headache, but its a pretty healthy one. Whoever Favre deploys, it will be a frightening attack for an oppositions defences. Thorgan Hazard – brother of Eden Hazard – has established himself as one of the brightest and most feared attacking midfielders of the past few seasons in Germany while plying his trade for former club Borussia Mönchengladbach. Capable of playing anywhere across the attacking three positions behind the striker, Hazard is blessed with great skill sets, trickery, set-piece quality and a real for a pass which makes him such a well-rounded attacking midfielder and a player who can truly take Dortmund to the next level both domestically and on the European stage.

Though, if you think Thorgan Hazard is good – which he really is – then fellow new signing Julian Brandt can be just as good as Hazard or become even better. The former Bayer Leverkusen wonderkid may only just be 23 but he has been around a long while becoming an experienced member of Joachim Low’s Germany team and also becoming one of the most complete young midfielders in the whole of Europe. Constantly linked with big moves over the past few seasons with the likes of Bayern Munich and Liverpool, Brandt found himself at the fulcrum of Bayer Leverkusen’s attack alongside fellow German prodigy Kai Havertz, Leon Bailey and Kevin Volland.

Brandt is a player of extraordinary abilities, well versed in the art of creativity and also defending from the front. Capable of playing also in the attacking three positions behind the striker, the German wonderkid can also play as a rampaging no.8 or even a calm and an assertive orchestrating no.6, hid versatility was at times the calling card for Bayer Leverkusen’s attacking philosophy. Rather than being on the end of passes, he was the one providing the defence splitting passes that severed many rigged oppositions to pieces. What’s also brilliant about Julian Brandt is his effectiveness and intelligence in counter-attacks, he is ever-so capable of picking the right passes at the right moments that made Leverkusen so destructive when breaking into the final third. 8 goals and 11 assists last season are stats truly reflecting of his brilliance in the final third.

If you couple Brandt’s statistics of last season with Thorgan Hazard’s own of 13 goals and 11 assists then you can only come to the conclusion that Borussia Dortmund may have no troubles toppling Bayern Munich in the forthcoming season. With Bayern Munich struggling with injuries to key attacking players such as Serge Gnabry and Kingsley Coman on the eve of the start of the Bundesliga season, things may not be looking rosy as expected in Munich.

While Borussia Dortmund have all their summer business all but completed, Bayern Munich have failed to secure their top targets such as Manchester City’s Leroy Sane who’s long-term completely rules him out of a move to the Allianz Arena, instead Bayern Munich have gone for Inter Milan and Croatian international winger Ivan Perisic, a player who is more than capable of replacing the likes of Frank Ribery and Arjen Robben through his hard-working, dogged and ruthless style, but is it enough for Niko Kovac? For Dortmund though, Lucien Favre can truly sit-back and ponder on how Dortmund can finally topple their Bundesliga counterparts once again.

Judging by Jadon Sancho’s earlier comments – whether it may be his last in the black and yellow colours of Dortmund – this could be the year he gets his hands on a first ever major trophy. The England international campaign last year was one that was truly warranting of a major honour only for his team to fall at the last hurdle but with Dortmund’s major squad improvements this summer and with additions that will truly complement his electric and exciting style. His 13 goals and 14 assists of last season was truly remarkable but this coming campaign, we could surely see Sancho take his fledgling abilities to the next level. His start to the 2019/20 has already got off to a flyer with his contribution in game against Bayern Munich. A goal and an assist for the wonderkid, picking up where he left off last season.

His rampaging and dazzling runs down the right hand side are a real sight to behold. What’s so unique about Sancho as well as his knack getting bums off seats is that at such a young age, his decision-making and knowing when to make a telling run, pass or even shoot is so pleasing to see. It’s frightening to think that at the age of just 19, his game and all-round abilities has matured to the point where it would be criminal not build a side around his flawless talents. It’s what Favre is doing at Dortmund and its what Gareth Southgate is trying to achieve for England. It’s clear to see that Jadon Sancho is enjoying his football in Germany, his decision to depart Manchester City when he did is a true reflection of the belief he has in his own abilities and now its in full effect under the lights of the Signal Iduna Park.

One player who will also be hoping to make an impression next season in front of goal is former Barcelona and Valencia striker Paco Alcacer. We could now be seeing a player that really feels at home, and after a promising season last season scoring 20 goals, can Alcacer also take his game to the next level? There is no reason why the Spanish hotshot and with added creativity behind him with Julian Brandt and Thorgan Hazard, he certainly won’t be short of goals this coming season. They always say that a team capable of winning the league needs a striker capable of scoring 25+ goals and Alcacer may well place himself in that bracket finally. A real poacher in an around the penalty and his finish against Bayern Munich at the weekend just goes to show his predatory instincts. Last season was a stop-start one for Alcacer, constantly being in and out of the first XI, and its not because of him but that Favre chose to tinker with Mario Gotze as a false-nine to allow Dortmund more fluidity in the attacking department and that is certainly how Favre could line-up once again next season with the added qualities of Hazard and Brandt:

So much quality.

Paco Alcacer is sure to be Favre’s favoured option up-front but whether he can be the man that Favre can rely constantly even on the big occasions still remains to be seen. What’s for certain, is that, despite Alcacer’s predatory qualities he will still need to convince his teammates and manager that he is truly capable of becoming the striking force that Dortmund would need to topple Bayern Munich. Can he match the goal-scoring exploits of Robert Lewandowski? This coming season may just provide us with the answers.

Nonetheless, while Axel Witsel screens in front of his defence, that will allow Julian Brandt the license and freedom to move up and become effective in the attacking third. With either of Achraf Hakimi and Raphael Guerreiro providing an extra body in attack, Dortmund will still have the nous, experience and tactical awareness to block out a potential counter attack against them. Though, Favre may opt for this line-up against weaker opposition, one that will try and sit deep and frustrate the attack but with the abundance of creativity in Favre’s arsenal, they will have no excuses if they are unable to break down such defences.

Whether its a 4-2-3-1, 4-3-3 or even a compact 4-1-4-1 setup, Favre knows the options he has both in midfield and in attack are all capable of executing a major assault on rivals Bayern Munich. While most will look to Axel Witsel and Mario Gotze, Dortmund still have quality and assurance in players such as promising German midfielders Mahmoud Dahoud and Julian Weigl and also efficient Danish midfielder Thomas Delaney. Also in defence, Dortmund are well stocked. Mats Hummels, Omar Toprak, Dan-Axel Zagadou and Michael Akanji provide Favre with experience, defensive awareness and intelligence, power, strength, speed and an added blend of youthful exuberance. This Dortmund team surely is exciting.

Not only will Dortmund need to navigate towards Bayern Munich in search of the Bundesliga title but also they will need to try and overcome potential bumps in the road in teams such as Bayer Leverkusen, RB Leipzig who is under new management in Julian Nagelsmann, who himself will hoping to cause a few stirs on the road to the Bundesliga title. Schalke 04, Hoffenheim and Mochengladbach all have the potential to hamper Dortmund’s ambitions this coming season. However, with the experience and talent of Favre’s squad, can they successfully overcome those hurdles and show – as well as their style and brilliance – can they show the grit, determination and championship know-how that Bayern have exerted on several occasions to finally become the best team in Germany?

As Sancho optimistically predicted, this may be the year Dortmund finally topple their Bundesliga rivals Bayern Munich. All good things must come to an end as they say and Bayern’s SEVEN year dominance in the Bundesliga may just be weighing heavily on their shoulders as things stand. Borussia Dortmund’s new and improved squad may just finally reign supreme.

 

 

With the curtains raising on yet another highly anticipated, exciting and action-packed Premier League, there are already questions being asked on who can challenge the likes of Liverpool and Manchester City to the Premier League title? Who will finish in the Top 4 this season? Who could be the surprise packages to gate-crash the so called ‘Top Six’? And How will the top clubs fare and line-up this season?

Here goes my own view and predictions…

 

1. Manchester City

Manchester City have bought smartly and stylishly once again with the additions of Rodri and Joao Cancelo from Atletico Madrid and Juventus respectively. A further indication as to how Pep Guardiola has steadily moulded this supreme Manchester City team into his own image and also how his recruitment highlights replicates himself as a coach and the philosophy that we – whether City fans or not – come to really admire. Whatever, you may think of Rodri and Cancelo, these are two additions that fully add depth, quality and refinement to positions that Guardiola really wanted to strengthen. This is a Manchester City team so beautifully moulded and could slowly become one of the best teams to ever grace Europe, and it all comes down to that man once again, Pep Guardiola.

How Could City Line-Up?

Leroy Sane’s injury will be a huge hit for Pep Guardiola and his City team with the German’s skill-set, pace and trickery sure to be a massive miss but there are still quality options with Riyad Mahrez and Bernardo Silva all so capable of being deployed on the wings. Gabriel Jesus, Ilkay Gundogan, Phil Foden, Kyle Walker, Nicolas Otamendi and Oleksandr Zincheko may not be shown in the above line-up but it is another indcation to the kind of depth and quality that Guardiola will call upon when needed. You can see why Manchester City have been and will continue to be the dominant force in English football.

A third straight league title on the cards? You’d probably bet your mortgage.

 

2. Liverpool

How Liverpool build on last seasons excellence both in Europe and domestically will be incredibly difficult. Not only because of Manchester City’s supremacy but because now Mauricio Pochettino’s Tottenham will be hot on their tails after the summer they’ve had. However, if last weekend’s Community Shield showpiece is anything to go by, then you really can’t back against Liverpool causing City more and more issues heading into the new campaign. You can clearly see the identity in Klopp’s side, like Manchester City and Guardiola, this is a Liverpool team consumately built in the image of Klopp. The front-three alone is so destructive and a huge representation of the kind of man Jurgen Klopp is. His rampant, vibrant and fiery nature and personality is shown through his sides style of play. One things for sure, it may not be another two-horse race for the Premier League this season and how Jurgen Klopp deals with the pressure of Mauricio Pochettino on his tail will be exciting to watch.

Just how far will the German go to not only bettering last seasons amazing points tally, but toppling Guardiola’s fascinating City side?

How Could Liverpool Line-Up? 

The returns to fitness of both Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Naby Keita and Adam Lallana will provide Liverpool with the creativity that they so sorely missed in the middle last season and may have just been the reason why they failed to match Manchester City’s brilliance last campaign. No wonder Klopp placed so much emphasis on his wing-back set-up, he missed that creative presence in middle so made up for it with the attacking emphasis on both the full-backs; Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson who both shared the creative burden to such aplomb with 12 and 11 assists respectively. A league high for full-backs. But now Klopp holds such imagination in both his full-backs and in midfield coupled with the destructive force of Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Mo Salah up-front.

Liverpool may just have enough to seriously threaten Manchester City once again.

 

3. Tottenham

After reaching the Champions League final, there is an appetite for silverware at Tottenham being driven by their ambitious and astute manager. Can Mauricio Pochettino finally end Spurs’ trophy duck this season?

What a summer Tottenham have had. The signings of Tanguy Ndombele, Giovanni Lo-Celso and Ryan Sessegnon can now provide Pochettino with the depth and quality to now drive the club to the next step in their ambitions. This is a club firmly built in the foundations of a man who is gradually maturing to be one of the top coaches ever to grace the European game. The feats that Tottenham achieved last season will have surprised even the most hardcore fans. Pochettino’s side went into the campaign as the first club not to make a summer signing since the introduction of the transfer window 16 years ago but with the prospect of playing in front of more than 62,000 fans at their brand new spanking stadium. You would have though the club would head into this summers market in the same predicament of not having the funds to compete but their additions have smacked those doubts out of the water. Tanguy Ndombele and Giovanni Lo-Celso finally give Pochettino the depth in his midfield after having to deal with injuries and the departure of Moussa Dembele to China that their creative talents in Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen have had to abandon their duties in the final third to help out lack of steel in the middle.

With Christian Eriksen’s future at the club still up in the air, Pochettino will have no worries or regrets letting him seek pastures new as the qualities of both Lo-Celso and Tanguy Ndombele is more than capable of replacing the play-making Dane, not only that but with the added steel, composure and energy of Moussa Sissoko, Harry Winks and Dele Alli and even Eric Dier if needed, Tottenham now have a fine blend of youth and experience in the middle. Lucas Moura, Son Heung-Min as shown all throughout last season, are both more than capable of sharing the attacking load if Harry Kane is injured.

Can Tottenham go once step closer to glory this season? And can they fully challenge the likes of Liverpool and Manchester City in the Premier League title race? Brace yourselves for another bumpy ride at the summit.

 

4. Arsenal 

The time for excuses at the Emirates must surely be over now. Unai Emery must now claim a major assualt on the top 4 and with the talent and experience at his disposal, he must face a backlash if Arsenal fail to deliver once again.

No doubt about it, Arsenal have had an excellent summer of business. Unai Emery has managed to address the areas of need. Dani Ceballos replaces Aaron Ramsey even if it is for the season The signing of Nicolas Pepe sees Arsenal finally possess a player capable of wowing the fans on the wings, and a talent sure to take them to the level. David Luiz – as surprising as it is – gives Emery the experience, know-how and professionalism needed in defences certainly after the departure of former club-captain Laurent Koscielny. Kieran Tierney is certainly a left-back that Arsenal will utilise for many years to come and finally provides the club with a full-back blessed with carrying out both his attacking and defending duties with aplomb. It may be another season without Champions League football for Arsenal, but now is the time that these hugely talented crop of footballers catapults the club back to its roots and a return to the Champions League is one thing that Emery must deliver come May. Whether they can beat off the challenges of Manchester United and Chelsea is one we’d certainly have to keep close tabs on throughout the season.

Though, Arsenal’s consummate business this season – though its too early to predict – should help them get over the line.

How Could Arsenal Line-Up?

Looking at the line-up, this is a Arsenal side that can potentially win the league… if Manchester City and Liverpool weren’t as good as they are now, but surely Emery will have no excuses if his team is unable to deliver when its needed most. Arsenal fans have had enough disappointment to last for a lifetime. However, this is a first 11 that will hopefully provide the fanbase something to shout about. Gone are those days when Arsenal had fighters all over the pitch but you can argue that club have been soft for all of 15 or so years but this current side provides goals, skill, pace, trickery, creativity, grit and experience.

Finally, Arsenal may just have the full package needed to fulfil their ambitions.

 

5. Manchester United

In the six previous summer transfer markets since Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure, United have been stuck in groundhog day of disappointing and overpaid recruitment that have relatively led to much underwhelming campaigns. Especially in comparison to their ‘noisy neighbours’, United’s business in the transfer market has been nothing short of sub-standard and embarrassing. Whether its to do with lack of planning, policies or even a lack of structure upstairs, United have been clutching at straws when it comes to signings.

In summer window no.7 though, it has been the turn of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to break that cycle. The Norwegian’s challenge was to succeed where predecessors David Moyes, Louis Van Gaal and Jose Mourinho have failed in trying to rebuild a club suffering from the lack of structure, philosophy and ambitions that so much as blessed the club in many ways. Solskjaer has addressed a pressing need during this window, in recruiting players that will help sure up his defence, one that conceded the most goals out of any side in the top 6 last season. The additions of Harry Maguire and Aaron Wan-Bissaka are very smart and future-driven signings but you still feel – at the end of the window – that United are still missing a cutting edge, especially in the middle. With a mountain of rumours surfacing around players such as Bruno Fernandes and Sergei Milinkovic-Savic possibly joining the club, but to no avail, you now feel that Solskjaer’s men are a Pogba-injury away from tumbling down the table even further.

The irony is that Pogba is precisely the quality of talent Solskjær needs to add more of, not lose. Yet to retain him by default is a gauge of the dysfunction at the club. Romelu Lukaku can be included in a similar class. The Belgian may not be an elite No 9 but he was, again, United’s top scorer – with 15 goals to Marcus Rashford’s 14. And to lose him may leave a gaping hole in United’s options up front. Despite Pogba’s wish to go he could end up staying but, again, only because no deal has been possible with Real Madrid. How United’s season shapes up from here remains to be seen.

It could be another season without Champions League football for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and his men.

How Could United Line-Up This Season?

 

6. Chelsea

Frank Lampard may be a popular choice with fans, and an appointment that may bring steady progression for the club as a whole. But if the past is anything to go by, is that Chelsea’s hierarchy lack patience and the question remains heading into the new season, whether Lampard will be provided with the time and tools needed to bring a lasting success to Stamford Bridge. The pressure may be off considering the fact that Chelsea have been banned from the transfer market this summer, but whether their current squad is good enough to maintain their position as the third best team in England based off of last seasons standings is something Frank Lampard will feel a huge weight on his shoulders.

Lampard did impress at Derby as they narrowly missed out on a play-off promotion to the Premier League but the Chelsea legend will surely know that the step up to management in and amongst the big boys will be a massive one. One positive tonic for Lampard if there is one, is that at his disposal, there are a number of quality young players that will be itching to thrive under his tutelage. Maybe, they can be considered his new signings in a way. Mason Mount, Tammy Abraham, Reece James, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Fikayo Tomori have long been considered the future of Chelsea football club and this season provides them with the platform to impress and stake their claim for a starting berth in Lampard’s plans. Chelsea do have a lot of experience and know-how in their squad, even with the departure of David Luiz, but the departure of the supreme Eden Hazard will hurt, and how Lampard copes with qualities such as the Belgians will be an interesting story line to delve into once their campaign kicks off.

How Could Chelsea Line-Up This Season?

 

Chelsea’s squad is certainly stacked with quality, and maybe there wasn’t a need to delve into the transfer market without a ban anyway. One things for certain, is that Lampard will have a number of options to choose from once he finds a first 11 capable of challenging for the champions league.

The race for the Top 4 this season could just be the best yet.

 

WHO ARE THE SIDES CAPABLE OF BREAKING THE BIG-SIX PARTY?

 

Leicester City

 

 

Everton

 

 

Wolves

 

 

West Ham

 

 

Arsenal have completed the signing of Real Madrid and Spain attacking midfielder Dani Ceballos on a season long-loan. 

Arsenal boss Unai Emery sees the Spanish playmaker as a key part of his plans for the new season. Emery has also completed a deal for young Saint-Etienne defender William Saliba, two contrasting additions that highlight the different needs within Emery’s squad for next season. After also securing the signing of Gabriel Martinelli from Brazilian outfit Ituano FC, Emery certainly has the future of the club in his hands. Continuing a trend Arsene Wenger so significantly revelled in as he aimed to nourish and nurture foreign talent.

While Saliba’s arrival at the Emirates will be deferred to 2020, addressing a need to revamp an ageing defence whilst also looking to the future, the season-long loan of Real Madrid wonderkid Dani Ceballos can immediately strengthen Arsenal’s push for Champions League qualification; a player that can win points on his own. Dani Ceballos is that good. If you need any evidence of his brilliance, check out his sumptuous finish against Italy in the European Under-21 Championship last month. A goal fully highlighting how the brilliant the playmaker can be. Ceballos wowed the whole tournament with his dominating performances, controlling games with his impressive vision, technical skills and an eye for a wonderful pass.

It still remains to be seen whether Emery will be the coach to enjoy the fruits of Saliba and Martinelli’s development in the future – but Ceballos will be a player who will certainly assist his ambitions at Arsenal presently. Dani Ceballos’ arrival addresses a certain need in Arsenal’s squad.

The departure of Aaron Ramsey to Juventus which was confirmed earlier on in the year, will have been a huge blow for both Emery and the club as a whole. Ceballos may only be a short-term option, but he will certainly allow Emery with the time and tools to adequately search for more long-term option next summer. Aaron Ramsey held such unique qualities that are not so easy to find anywhere around Europe. The Welshman offered dynamism, off the ball movement, tactical intelligence and also the ability to arrive in the box at just the right moment to finish off an attacking move. When tasked with a more defensive role – even if it was against his own wishes – he was still capable of carrying his defensive duties to considerable effect whilst also making a massive contribution in Arsenal’s build-up play. Ramsey’s all round game was so unique to Wenger, that the former Arsenal boss found it difficult to leave him out of the first 11.

Under Unai Emery last season, Ramsey was the key ingredient within Arsenal’s midfield, other than Mesut Ozil who went missing for most of the season, Ramsey was the only one capable of providing Emery’s side with a nicely balanced creative edge. Lucas Torreira, Matteo Guendouzi and Granit Xhaka are all fine midfielders in their own right but none of them can offer the same bite as Ramsey when transitioning into the final third. The Welshman provided that creative link between defensive midfield areas and the attacking two of Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. It’s so telling that Arsenal’s drop in form coincided with Ramsey’s injury towards the end of the season.

Despite his importance to the team, Ramsey is in fact a difficult player to accommodate – especially in a role where he fills he operates best. Emery’s reluctance to deploy the Welshman in the middle of an attacking trio behind the main front man suggests so. As stated previously, Arsene Wenger had the same issues, playing Ramsey strangely, on the right side of that three man attacking trio – much to the dismay of the Arsenal supporters – but you could hardly blame Wenger, such was the brilliance of Mesut Ozil that it was almost impossible to find an adequate space for Ramsey when Ozil fulfilled the role to near perfection when the German is in full fettle.

In Xhaka, Torreira and Guendouzi, Arsenal are well stocked in the defensive midfield department but at the same time Emery lacks a player who can complement both the deeper areas in midfield and the attacking areas also. Arsenal once held those type of players in abundance. Santi Cazorla, Jack Wilshere and Oxlade-Chamberlain to name a few. These were the sort of players who were more than capable operating in tight spaces and dribbling their way out of trouble allow Arsenal freedom to open up tight defences with some hallmark one-touch passing and movement.

Emery needs that creative spark and that’s where Dani Ceballos steps in.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qShV2n6YZmo

 

If you’ve ever watched and analysed Dani Ceballos over the past few years, you’d know how quality a performer he is, one capable of becoming the world class talent he is has been touted to be.

Bought by Real Madrid from Real Betis in 2017 for a fee of around £14million, the Spanish midfielder was expected to follow in a long line of promising young Spanish midfielders who will go onto become the backbone of the national team in the near future. Players such as Saul Niguez, Rodri, Isco and Marco Asensio. Though, he is still held in such regard even if he hasn’t been provided with the platform to express himself at the Santiago Bernabeu as of yet. Ceballos has had an unfortunate time of it at the club going in and out of the team albeit in a disappointing period for the club following the departures of Zinedine Zidane and Cristiano Ronaldo. Strangely enough, despite his undeniable qualities he was forced to rot in the B-side, a team he was just too good for, accumulating more than 3,000 minutes across all competitions last season including 23 appearances in La Liga. Just 13 of those were starts, however, which really didn’t aid his development.

Now, Ceballos will feel it is the time for him to present his full capabilities and there is probably no better place to fully find himself and make his mark than under the guidance of Unai Emery. The addition of Dani Ceballos provides the former Sevilla coach the opportunity to make full use of his squad as well as shaping his attack in his own image.

The former Real Betis man will be arriving at the Emirates off the back of an impressive campaign in Spain’s Under-21 European Championship triumph this summer. Ceballos showed the whole of Europe his full repertoire with some long-range stunners, sublime assists, outrageous moments of skill and close control as well as dominating the opposition on many occasions. Yes, team-mate Fabian Ruiz may have won Player of the Tournament but you’d have been forgiven for trying to argue that Dani Ceballos deserved the award. The 22-year-old captained La Rojita to the trophy, providing the whole of the Real Madrid camp and Zinedine Zidane a timely reminder of what he can do, the creative spark and magic that he can conjure up in any given game. The fact that Real Madrid are unwilling to let him go permanently is a further indication at just how much he is rated at the Santiago Bernabeu. Ceballos does believe he has the tools to succeed Lula Madrid in the Real Madrid and his unwillingness to leave permanently reciprocated his desire to get to the top.

You can almost argue that Real Madrid are wrong for letting him go. Certainly, the addition of Eden Hazard can offer the club so much more in the attacking department, but with James Rodriguez on his way out of the club, Marco Asensio now ruled out for six months with a ruptured ACL injury, Luka Modric on the wane and Gareth Bale being forced out of the Santiago Bernabeu, the added option of Ceballos in the creative department would have been a considerable option for Zidane.

Though, Real Madrid’s loss is Arsenal’s gain.

Dani Ceballos can fill a variety of roles, such is his versatility in the middle. The wonderkid holds the ability and nous to play as a no.10, a roaming no.8 or even a steady and assured no.6. Though, if Arsenal fans think the midfielder will offer them plenty of goals then they maybe become disappointed in that department. However, he may not get you 10-15 goals in a season, but what is unique to Ceballos is his eye for the spectacular. Whether its a mazy run from deep, a spectacular skill to get out of a tight spot, an eye of the needle pass to unlock defences or an unerring shot from 25-30yrds.

There is so much more to Ceballos than just goals and that is the pure reason why Emery is hell-bent on securing his signature. It is Ceballos’ ball progression from deep that Emery will want the midfielder to reproduce and his dribbling statistics make for some telling reading averaging 3.4 dribbles per 90minutes. Music to Arsenal’s ears. Not only that, but as well as his two goals and two assists for Spain this summer, he created more chances and completed more dribbles than any other player at the tournament. A stat which means Arsenal won’t be starved of any creativity next season especially if both Ozil and Ceballos are in the same side. What’s even more impressive is that Ceballos made the most passes out of anyone else in the Under-21 tournament this summer, attempting a mighty 375 with a mind-blowing 93 per-cent accuracy rate throughout Spain’s run to the trophy. Ceballos has already garnered six caps for the senior side so do not be surprised to see him gain some more in and become a permanent fixture in the team in the near future.

One question Emery will have to answer though, is whether he can fit both Ozil and Ceballos in the same starting XI or does he prefer Ceballos. Ceballos’ arrival may spell the end for Ozil in terms of his starting spot but the Spanish midfielder can also play a much deeper role as a roaming no.8 too. It is there, in the heart of the midfield, that Arsenal’s needs are perhaps more urgent and Ceballos is more than capable to fulfil those needs. Not since Santi Cazorla or even Jack Wilshere, have Arsenal possessed a midfield performer capable of breaking opposition lines both through telling passes or mazy dribbling – a problem Arsenal faced for much of last season well before Ramsey’s departure. Struggling to break down defences or even competently play through an opponents high-press. Ceballos is a talent well worthy of carrying out both of those duties to full effect.

With Emery also hoping to add the pace and trickery of Wilfried Zaha to his winger options and Celtic left-back Kieran Tierney, Arsenal could potentially have a team filled with much creativity, movement, pace and technically adept players. Providing Emery signs the players he needs, could this be how he lines his side up once the season starts?

Unai Emery has already stated that he sees Dani Ceballos as a no.8 or no. 10 in his side for next season so the Spanish playmaker will of course be a multi-functional tool in Emery’s system. We could assume – and it is only an assumption – that Emery could line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Ceballos could be used as either one of the two central midfielders and or the advanced role behind Alexandre Lacazette or Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. The latter role could be at Mesut Ozil’s expense but if Emery is to fully utilise Ceballos’ dribbling and ball progression abilities then using him as the no. 8 could be the way to go like Wenger did when he paired Santi Cazorla and Francis Coquelin to devastating effect in 2015. Or even how Emery utilised Ever Banega for Sevilla – nominally operating as a no.10 but operating in a fluid three-man midfield. Against lesser opposition, Ceballos could be used in the role as shown above but against similar or better opposition then adding an extra steel in midfield such as Xhaka or Guendouzi could be the solution:

You can’t rule out the possibility of a three man midfield in a 4-3-3 setup without Ozil in the starting 11. Here, Arsenal can – as well as adding more steel to their midfield – also have the players to exert control and composure when in possession of the ball as all of Emery’s midfield options are very competent when on the ball. Though, in order for this setup to work, Arsenal would need pace out wide and that’s where the potential signing of Wilfried Zaha from Crystal Palace could be a massive bonus for Emery and his team. One major concern for Arsenal last season, was their lack of movement off the ball especially when Ramsey got injured and the introduction of either Zaha or even a safe option in Reiss Nelson – ready to make a step-up – could allow Arsenal much fluidity and unpredictability in the final third.

Also, Emery’s side could be devastating on the counter-attack, when pressed in their own half by a bigger rival like a Manchester City or a Liverpool, you could almost picture Ceballos breaking through a high press and making a telling run before laying on the ball to either Zaha or Aubameyang to either finish off a move or providing for one. Movement, pace, precision and incisiveness. Traits you’d desire in a counter-attacking team.

On a negative note, the issues were clear for Arsenal to see – especially in the numbers – last season, Arsenal ranked 12th in the league for chances created and 12th for dribbles. An alarming statistic and one that is truly represented in the decline Arsenal have experienced especially when it matters most in the big matches. However, in Dani Ceballos, Arsenal will finally hold a very unique instrument, one that will provide the team with the spark, magic, energy and the quality needed to take Emery’s project to the next level. Yes, the deal to bring him to the Emirates is only for the short-term, but for too long Arsenal have been building for the future and fans are running out of patience. Dani Ceballos is for the here and now.

The Spanish wonderkid is certainly one to watch next season.

 

 

 

So Antoine Griezmann finally completed his dream move to Barcelona from Atletico Madrid after the Spanish champions paid his release clause of a protracted and controversial fee of around £110million – a clause which came to fore on July 1 – much to Atletico’s dismay, who claim that the French forward agreed a deal with Barcelona two months ago. President Josep Bartomeu has since rejected Atletico’s claims.

A year on since his comical La Decision video stating his desire to stay at the Wanda Metropolitano, Griezmann announced his desire to seek pastures new in May despite having signed a five-year contract extension last year. There had been much speculation regarding the fact that many of the Barcelona camp would not be happy with the idea of Griezmann joining the club. However, on the evidence of a few Preseason training sessions, Griezmann seems to be settling in nicely:

Placing all the controversy and the uncertainty of the deal to one side for a moment, the signing of Antoine Griezmann is a pretty smart piece of business. Certainly in the modern world, Griezmann’s rejection last summer meant Barcelona wouldn’t dare approach him again, but right now the club had to put their pride aside. Signing a player who has arguably been one of the three best players in La Liga over the past few years was a must, and certainly after the failures in Europe last season.

On a personal level, this may be the right move for the Frenchman. When he signed on that dotted line last season for his former club, it was like stepping into a much better and brighter future for Simeone’s side. It was supposed to be the year Atletico Madrid put in a major assualt on the La Liga title and built on their Europa League success the previous year. It just wasn’t to be despite their late push domestically – proving all to late – and a disappointing second leg capitulation at the hands of Juventus after they led 2-0 from the first. It was maybe at that point, Griezmann knew his fruitful time in Madrid was coming to an end. What’s surprising though, is that Antoine Griezmann has never lifted the La Liga trophy, and he’s only one three major trophies during his time there. For a player of his pedigree, and a player who is harbouring ambitions of becoming a Ballon D’or winner, those honours just aren’t enough. A move to Barcelona may just be what Griezmann needs, his final chance to win La Liga and even the chance to help the Blaugrana finally lift the Champions League trophy – one that has eluded Messi and co since their 2015 victory over Juventus.

Whether the signing of Griezmann is a sign of desperation as a result of their failures in Europe, it may well seem to be a very smart addition. But it still leaves a lot of questions for Ernesto Valverde heading into the new season. Now that they have their man, will they still go in for Neymar? The Brazilian has made his intentions clear that he wants leave the Parc des Princes this summer. According to Sky Sources, Barcelona have made their first move to sign him back offering a fee of around £90million + any of the likes of Samuel Umtiti, Ivan Rakitic, Ousmane Dembele or Philippe Coutinho as part of any potential deal.

If the deal does go ahead then Barcelona could find themselves with a formidable front line next season which could consist of Antoine Griezmann, Neymar, Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez.

However, there could be long-term problems surrounding the kind of direction the club may be heading towards. Signing players such as Frenkie De Jong as early as January, represented a shift in strategy for the club, a strategy truly focused and driven towards the future of the club and a direction that clearly leads back to its ‘Total Football’ roots.

The signing of Neymar, as well as Antoine Griezmann, as appealing and attractive as it is, may not be the way to go. Firstly, the massive egos within the dressing room may just become too overwhelming for Valverde, a manager who has dealt with it successfully so far but the addition of Neymar who’s commitment and dedication has been questioned numerously over the years will not look good for the powers that be. Secondly, how would the fans feel? The way in which the player left the club two years ago still leaves a bitter taste in the mouths of some of the Barcelona faithful, will they be so forgiving in taking him back? Thirdly, Neymar’s addition may just bring plans to improving and re-structuring their La Masia academy to a halt, gone are the days of Barcelona successfully ingraining youth products into the first team like they once did with the likes of Pique, Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Pedro – who is now at Chelsea – and of course Lionel Messi. Though, Carlos Alena is the only latest player to be given a run of games in the first team over the past couple of years. There are a few bright prospects within the academy right now, but their path into the first team may become even more difficult with the club using their failures in Europe as a means of signing stars for the here and now rather than bedding in a few prospects within the academy and the recapturing of Neymar could be a further representation of that idea.

Focusing on the problem at hand though, just how Valverde plans to implement Griezmann into his plan may be key to Barcelona’s success next season, especially in Europe. The club would not want another Galactico signing failure, they really can’t afford another one. After the struggles of both Philippe Coutinho and Ousmane Dembele, the club will be praying that Griezmann does turn out to be a success even in his first season, this is a league he has played in his whole career so the Frenchman will have no excuses if he doesn’t get off to the quickest of starts. However, Valverde will need to quickly solve the issue of trying to accommodate both Antoine Griezmann and Lionel Messi in his rigid system. Both players hold the ability to have an impact in the middle – whether as a false-nine or a second striker role. If not worked on properly, Valverde may find that Barcelona’s star studded attack may just become congested and lacking in fluidity.

Not only will Valverde be tasked in complementing both Griezmann and Lionel Messi but what does the future hold for Luis Suarez? Will we continue seeing him the first 11 or as Antoine Griezmann come in to become Barcelona’s first choice striker. The Uruguayan is clearly in rapid decline but there is no doubting the kind of sheer commitment and contribution Luis Suarez has brought to the cause. Becoming the perfect foil for Lionel Messi and also continuing his renowned abilities of becoming such a phenomenal force in front of goal. The problem is, for Suarez, is that he will not be as mobile and efficient as he once was either it be pressing from the front and also drifting out wide to create space, and Griezmann is the perfect man to do that, as well as becoming a real goal-scoring force up-front.

Though, there is a way of incorporating all three with Luis Suarez maintaining his position as the main attacking force with Lionel Messi and Antoine Griezmann doing all the creative and final third work behind him. Suarez could become the perfect poacher rather than the complete forward he has been throughout his time at the Camp Nou:

If Barcelona manage to keep Philippe Coutinho providing him with another opportunity to right his wrongs at the Nou Camp then that may just spell the end of Suarez’ reign as Barcelona’s trusted number 9. That role may be handed to Antoine Griezmann with Lionel Messi and Coutinho either side of the French superstar:

You’d like to think that this may be Valverde’s go to line up, as it adds creativity, speed, control and a fine balance in both defence and attack. There is no doubting Antoine Griezmann’s immense versatility. The Frenchman could even line up as a false nine as shown above, constantly interchanging with Lionel Messi – a potential nightmare for opposing defenders – or even lining up on the left of a rigid 4-4-2 set up. A trusted formation that Valverde used regularly last season. Though that does mean that he would have to sacrifice one of his technically gifted options in midfield in Sergio Busquets, Frenkie De Jong or Arthur.

Finally Barcelona hold two brilliant technically crafted midfielders capable of dragging the club back to its ‘Tiki-Taka’ traditions. Frenkie De Jong and Arthur are incredibly fine players and will offer a much needed control in possession and a wonderfully balanced link between defence and attack. A counter-attacking system has been Valverde’s tried and trusted system throughout his time at the club – against most fans wishes. Barcelona is a club that has blessed the footballing world with its ‘Total Football’ philosophy hell-bent of its passing, pressing, movement, operating in half-spaces, marauding full-backs and a striker more than capable in playing as a withdrawn striker, something both Antoine Griezmann and Lionel Messi can do in abundance.

Antoine Griezmann makes sense for just about any top team in the world. On the face of it, we’re talking about a player of immense qualities not just in the attacking third but also when helping in defence. His work-rate, defensive contributions, pressing and the incredible hunger to hustle and harry opponents even when they are drawing towards his own goal is something to be admired in the Frenchman. What Barcelona will be getting is a player that will give 100% in whatever he has been tasked to do. When in need of holding a narrow lead, Griezmann will fight until the very end to achieve those vital three points. It’s all well and good grabbing superstars but will those superstars not only fight for their own gain but will they fight for the shirt and Antoine Griezmann will do just that. With Real Madrid strengthening and rapidly improving their squad it was imperative Barcelona signed a player capable of helping them maintain their two-year dominance domestically and there was no better player helping them achieve those ambitions than in Griezmann.

Certainly, the signing of Antoine Griezmann may not answer all of Barcelona’s issues both within the squad and the club as a whole. The futures of Malcolm, Ousmane Dembele and even Philippe Coutinho still need to be decided before the season starts but two of those will be moved on to create space. It’s more than likely that both Ousmane Dembele and Malcolm will be moved on, two players who on their day could have mightily impressed the Barcelona faithful but it wasn’t to be. Whether Dembele is used as part of the deal to fund Neymar we will have to wait and see.

What’s most important though, is that Barcelona after a year of controversy and uncertainty finally have their man. A player well versed in helping the club finally achieve and unprecedented Champions League trophy. There’s still a lot of refinement to be done within the Barcelona camp.