One Man’s View: The Excess at the Etihad

If you missed Part 1 of this two-part series, you can read it here.

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Manchester City look poised to do the business in the Premier League and Europe this time round. There is palpable excitement that Guardiola will finally get the blue carousel up and operational.  Our focus however, must now turn towards how City have managed to burn through £217million without breaking a sweat. The expansive (pun intended) use of the deep Etihad coffers has blown transfer valuations out of the water, and carries real downstream implications for the Premier League.

While spending across English clubs has increased with the influx of TV money, City has consistently gone above and beyond that. Their transformation from perennial strugglers to the top tier of European football was funded by Abu Dhabi’s seemingly infinite petro-dollars. Money may be no object, but there is a decadence that cannot be sustained for any football club.

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This summer offered a good case in point when City sought new personnel to man the flanks. Pablo Zabaleta, Bacary Sagna, Aleksandr Kolarov and Gael Clichy were swiftly shown the door. Upgrades were needed, but it was bold to dispense with all four without having signed any replacements. It probably made it easier for opposing negotiators to jack up transfer fees. City, after all, had no leg to stand on during negotiations.

In a manner as shocking as Donald Trump’s Twitter feed, City then dropped £130million on Kyle Walker, Danilo and Benjamin Mendy. It was an act akin to fishing with dynamite. Spending northwards of £50million each on Walker and Mendy was exorbitant. The fact that Walker is now the most expensive English defender in history is somewhat humorous, if this were only a dark comedy and City were paying in monopoly money. Kolarov, on the other hand, departed to Roma for a lowly sum of £4.5million.

[caption id="attachment_6755" align="alignnone" width="1000"] Image: Manchester City Facebook[/caption]

Patience will be given to goalkeeper Ederson, who has great potential as a future No. 1. At £35million however, he is not cheap. Everton may have paid £30million for Jordan Pickford, but he will be first choice. Ederson, on the other hand, may not be the undisputed No. 1 ahead of Claudio Bravo. Arguably, City could have shelved out more, quite expectedly, for a more experienced keeper. As a comparison, Wojnech Szczesny, a first-choice at Roma on loan from Arsenal, went to Juventus for only £10million.

Bernardo Silva’s case is a little different, since City forked out heavily in an area that arguably did not require strengthening. One does not simply pay £43million for a player that may not start. We will have to wait and see how City fit him into an attacking front four of Raheem Sterling, David Silva, Kevin De Bruyne and Leroy Sane. Sterling has been deemed the most expendable, but he has one attribute that Bernardo does not, the type of searing pace to complement the existing passers in the team.

[caption id="attachment_6756" align="alignnone" width="1000"] Image: Manchester City Facebook[/caption]

Having seen City spend serious cash in previous windows, there will be some concern that they continue to buy high and sell low. It is too early to predict whether the latest purchases will decide the title race, but many of the lavish buys in recent years have a mixed track record. City could also do with more experience and know how in defence and midfield. Nicholas Otamendi and John Stones may have cost over £80million together, but have been unconvincing. Both may yet perform better, but it is glaring that City may enter the season with only three centre-backs, provided Vincent Kompany stays fit. It is madness that forgotten 42 million man Eliaquim Mangala will likely fill in as Mendy’s deputy at left-back.  In midfield, City could do with an anchoring presence for their attack to flourish. Neither Yaya Touré or Fernandinho quite fit the Guardiola mould, with Fernando also expected to depart.

With two weeks to go till the season begins, it is staggering to realise that City may still need to spend more than £217million to complete their squad before the curtains open for the season. The owners at the Etihad have consistently shown their willingness to throw the financial kitchen sink at recruitment, but this surely cannot be sustainable in the long run. If City somehow fails to meet their objectives this year, it will create more pressure to rebuild or strengthen significantly in the next window. It is downright scary to think that this is a slippery slope that there is no coming back from.

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One Man’s View interprets the happenings in football from an alternative angle. Alternative, not alternative facts. 

If you like what you’ve read, check out Hadrian’s website at 

One Man’s View: A City of Two Halves

The summer transfer window keeps on giving. This week, we do a double feature on Manchester City, who have been incredibly busy in rebuilding their squad for next season. The owners over at the Etihad are clearly committed to Pep Guardiola’s vision, and are willing to spend lavishly to make their mark. Our focus is first on how these new additions may improve the team and their chances for silverware. Our second part will assess how City’s transfer spending may have serious ramifications and shape spending patterns in the Big Six, and the Premier League, for years to come.

City’s objectives

It was always clear that City was going to strengthen during the summer. After all, their shortcomings were seriously exposed last year. The anticipated Guardiola revolution did not quite come to fruition last season. While City’s pass and move football bewildered teams across the division, they were often undone by a fragile defence that was susceptible on the counter.  With money no object, City have thrown themselves wholeheartedly into paying big fees for players suited to Guardiola’s high press style. In summary, faster players in defensive positions would be able to recover the ball quicker. In attack, interchangeability and fluidity across the forward line would put most defences on the back foot.

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Blue Moon Rising

One would say that the recruitment at the Etihad has been promising, and rather bold, in equal measure.  The purchases of Kyle Walker, Danilo and Benjamin Mendy offers plenty of potential with serious pace and incision in the wing back positions. Goalkeeper Ederson is a case of investing in the future, a No. 1 for years to come. Bernardo Silva is perhaps their most exciting acquisition, given his ability to create chances and drift across the forward line.

[caption id="attachment_6695" align="alignnone" width="1000"] Image: Manchester City Facebook[/caption]

With one season with Guardiola under their belts, you would expect City to improve upon last year. The class of David Silva, Kevin De Bruyne’s form should carry over, while Gabriel Jesus and Ilkay Gundogan will look to build on promising first seasons, which were both cut short prematurely by injury. Exciting prospects such as Brahim Diaz, Phil Foden and Patrick Roberts offer interesting options off the bench, and a level of squad depth beyond many other teams in the Big Six, and the division. Encouraging wins against Real Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur could be a sign of things to come.  There is a real optimism at City, with a team capable of dismantling the reigning European champions always a good sign, even if this is still pre-season. We also cannot discount the possibility that City will add to the squad in the next month.

[caption id="attachment_6696" align="alignnone" width="1000"] Image: Manchester City Facebook[/caption]

Predicting City’s chances at home and abroad

Predictions have a tendency to bite commentators in the ass. Regardless, by Guardiola’s standards, last season was a blip as City finished a distant third. City never really came out of the blocks, and they must win a trophy under Pep this year. City are title favourites, and it would not be unusual to see a Manchester stand-off at the very top. The Manchester derbies should take on more significance this year, with both teams looking for more than a Champions League place.  In Europe, progress in the Champions League knock-out stages will be dependent on a mixture of luck, form and injuries – a lottery no less – but City should still expect a run to the semi-finals at the very minimum.

[caption id="attachment_6694" align="alignnone" width="1000"] Image: Manchester City Facebook[/caption]

Look out for Part Two on Thursday, August 3.

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One Man’s View interprets the happenings in football from an alternative angle. Alternative, not alternative facts. 

If you like what you’ve read, check out Hadrian’s website at 

Premier League Champions Chelsea FC Showcase Their Skills in Singapore

During their stay in Singapore for the International Champions Cup, Chelsea superstars Alvaro Morata, Cesar Azpilicueta, Thibaut Courtois and Lewis Baker showcased their skills, both physically and in the virtual world.

The players were invited by Ericsson, the club’s new Official Connected Venue Partner, to showcase the innovative technologies that will be implemented at Stamford Bridge.

The session was broken up into two parts, the first involved Chelsea players and Ericsson engineers sharing notes on their individual expertise.

After showing off their tricks and skills on the ball, the players were then challenged by the engineers at a game of FIFA 17 – run over a cellular network operated by Ericsson

As connected partner for Chelsea, Ericsson has been tasked to provide free Wi-Fi coverage at Stamford Bridge via its Small Cell as a Service model. With that, Chelsea fans at the London stadium will be able to stay connected and interact digitally with the club on matchdays.

One Man’s View: Chelsea unpredictable, but don’t write them off yet

Pre-season has barely begun, but the British press would have you believe that the Champions were in crisis. Antonio Conte’s decision to dump Diego Costa by text was not the wisest move, but the situation at Stamford Bridge only escalated into a ‘crisis’ of sorts as the club stalls on signing attacking reinforcements. The opening of the transfer window has an ability to bring about mass hysteria, often generated by the power of hearsay and social media. The failure to sign Romelu Lukaku ahead of Man United quickly became a PR exercise which they are still trying to rectify.

[caption id="attachment_6222" align="alignnone" width="1000"] Image: CFC Facebook Page[/caption]

In Chelsea’s defence, the team has a decent base to build with, and there is no need for major surgery. Conte’s men were deserved champions and played like it too. The counter-attacking 3-4-3 system drew copycats across the league, but no team did it better than Chelsea. No one could outmanoeuvre the effervescent N’Golo Kanté across the pitch, nor prevent an inspired Eden Hazard from running riot. Winning the league at a canter should bode well for the new season, where expectations will firmly be on a better title defence than last time out. There should be optimism that their league form can translate to results in the UEFA Champions League.

That said, decisive additions in the transfer window could define next season. Chelsea could well struggle to cope on multiple fronts without reinforcements, as successful rotation requires strength in depth across a deeper squad. In previous years, a good run in Europe rarely correlated with success in the Premier League. Chelsea were out of European competition last year and it showed.  Can Conte’s high energy style last a season without a bigger and deeper squad? Conte’s record at Juventus is rather relevant in this regard – The Old Lady were unbeatable in Serie A, but were unable to get past the quarter-final stage in the Champions League. While his Juve teams were often able to outplay opponents, they struggled to kill teams off in Europe. In Chelsea’s case, the FA Cup defeat against Arsenal was a reminder that Chelsea lacked real options off the bench.

[caption id="attachment_6219" align="alignnone" width="1000"] Image: CFC Facebook Page[/caption]

While players like Michy Batshuayi deserve more time to prove themselves, Chelsea has serious work to do this window. While John Terry’s departure was expected, the departure of their young players like Dominic Solanke, Nathan Ake, Nathaniel Chalobah and Ruben Lotus-Cheek was somewhat disappointing. There are only 17 first team squad members currently available for selection, even if the clear out gives the club an opportunity to tailor the squad to Conte’s liking. Anthony Rüdiger from Roma is good business, and the return of Andreas Christensen from Borussia Möchengladbach offer decent options at centre-half. The addition of Tiemoué Bakayoko, an imposing midfield destroyer, should provide more steel alongside Kanté. That said, Bakayoko will be unavailable until September. It is puzzling that Chelsea are ready to let Nemanja Matić leave so easily, before lining up another defensive midfield option.

[caption id="attachment_6220" align="alignnone" width="1000"] Image: CFC Facebook Page[/caption]

There were rumours circling that the next order of business was to complete a mega move for Juventus left-back Alex Sandro. Given how well Marcos Alonso performed last year for the Blues, there are more immediate priorities further forward. Break the bank for Alexis Sanchez or Sergio Agüero, if you will. The links to Alvaro Morata and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang are encouraging, as both are decent forwards that could strengthen any team. Torino’s Andrea Belotti also remains a possibility, and fits the mould for a target man No. 9, even if he would be even less proven than Morata and Aubameyang. It is hard to gauge the likelihood of Chelsea signing any of these forwards. As none of them have featured in the Premier League, there is also the matter of whether they can adapt quickly enough to fire Chelsea to title contention at home and abroad.

[caption id="attachment_6221" align="alignnone" width="1000"] Image: CFC Facebook Page[/caption]

Chelsea’s summer, and quite possibly season will be defined by whether they can replace Diego Costa. Chelsea may have some of the best wingers in the division – Hazard, Willian, Pedro – but replacing Costa’s goals and presence upfront will be key. There is a reason why Man United forked out 75 million for Lukaku – elite goalscorers are a rare commodity. Chelsea may have to do the same before the summer is up. One big signing could change the entire conversation about their prospects next season.

One Man’s View interprets the happenings in football from an alternative angle. Alternative, not alternative facts. 

If you like what you’ve read, check out Hadrian’s website at 

One Man’s View: Spurs must move decisively this summer

Summer may offer a welcome respite from the rough and tumble of the Premier League, but the off-season can have a crucial impact on fortunes next term. The summer transfer window, which opened on 1 July and will shut again late on 31 August, is filled to the brim of rich promise – meeting the expectations of respective club managers and fans is another matter entirely! Our question this week – can Tottenham win the league next year if they buy right? Is that even possible in an inflated market, where English teams fork out exorbitant sums at home, or in Europe?

My conversation with Spurs fans often came with a sense of cautious optimism. There was general agreement that Spurs Chairman Daniel Levy is a tough negotiator, and deals will likely be confirmed right at the end of the window. A bigger underlying issue, however, may come in terms of club finances. The redevelopment of White Hart Lane may constraint resources the same way it did for Arsene Wenger post-Highbury. Historically, Spurs are not traditional competitors to the other Big Six clubs. Club Chairman Daniel Levy has kept a stringent wage structure, ensuring that the club does not overspend. Sound financial management has meshed well with manager Mauricio Pochettino, who has looked to bring through a stable of talented young players while not paying over the odds for prospective talents.

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It may not have quite worked out with Moussa Sissoko, but such is the difficulty of finding a dynamic midfielder that can offer consistent performances week-in week-out. Spare a thought for the fact that N’Golo Kanté only cost 2 million pounds more on paper – a relative snip of last summer’s window at 32 mil. The jury is still out on Vincent Janssen, but like Son Heung-Min before him, he deserves another season to settle.

Notwithstanding past failures, Spurs’ ambitions for next season must shed the natural tendency to be conservative in the transfer market. Spurs need pace, penetration and power. Any combination of two, let alone three, would command a premium price in the EPL. The focus should be on players that can immediately challenge for a first-team place and can offer a viable plan B off the bench if necessary – a sprinkle of stardust on top of a talented squad. That being said, Tottenham have been very quiet this window so far. Is there more to come perhaps?

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It is a surprise to not see Spurs go after players like Douglas Costa, who may offer more unpredictability and thrust than Erik Lamela. While Juventus would likely sign Costa even if Spurs were to make an 11th hour intervention, this would better signal their intentions. A flying winger would give Spurs an added dimension to the attacking axis of Kane-Alli-Eriksen. With Kyle Walker’s departure looking imminent, there is a need to inject more pace into the team, where possible. Kieran Trippier may have a better delivery than Walker, but the latter’s energy and speed will be sorely missed in its ability to cover gaps at the back, as well as to break quickly further up the pitch.

It is Spurs’ current predicament that does not particularly explain the pursuit of Everton’s Ross Barkley, given his preference for a central attacking berth. Would it even be possible to play a Eriksen-Allison-Barkley combination behind Kane? Unless Barkley is converted to a deeper-lying midfield replacement for Moussa Dembele or Eric Dier, it is unclear if Barkley offers the substance to really strengthen Spurs. If anything, the recent links to Real Madrid’s Mateo Kovacic should indicate that there are better options if one was looking at the deeper midfield roles.

[caption id="attachment_6019" align="alignnone" width="1000"] Image: Tottenham Hotspur Facebook[/caption]

We should expect more players to be linked with Tottenham as the summer progresses. While it is still early days – there really is quite a while to go until 31 August – Spurs cannot afford to rest on their laurels. They have to move big this summer to keep up with the rest of the Big Six, who will all look to strengthen significantly over the next two months. That said, with Chairman Levy’s deep aversion towards concluding any deals before end-August, we can probably expect a premium rush at the end of the window, with little inclination of how Spurs will fare at home or on the road next term.

One Man’s View interprets the happenings in football from an alternative angle. Alternative, not alternative facts. 

If you like what you’ve read, check out Hadrian’s website at 

One Man’s View: Gunners in a perennial catch-22

Catch-22:  a dilemma or difficult circumstance from which there is no escape because of mutually conflicting or dependent conditions.

It’s fair to say that most Arsenal fans would have expected their team to perform better this season. Back-to-back wins against Southampton and Man United may have reignited Gunners’ hopes in the race for fourth, but do little to dispel a build-up of negativity around the club. With three Premier League games left, the focus must remain on the possibility of overhauling Liverpool in fourth, and securing Champions League football. Looking at the bigger picture however, Arsenal fans have every right to question if a change of manager may make the team more competitive.

[caption id="attachment_4734" align="alignnone" width="2048"] Image via Flickr // Ronnie Macdonald[/caption]

In March, Gunners legend Charlie Nicholas remarked that “Arsenal are caught in a catch-22 with the Wenger situation”. He suggested that selling five to six players, with a couple of big statement signings may freshen up a squad that has often looked a little short of ideas. Nicholas’ views are not surprising. Support for Wenger has only dropped with each passing season. The Gunners have not won the title since the halcyon days of the Invincibles in 2003-4. In this light, it is astonishing that the manager has affirmed, on an annual basis for the last decade that Arsenal are just a couple of players short of a title tilt.

The whole situation came to a head last year when Leicester City became improbable league champions. With the traditional big four so far off the pace, Arsenal were expected to pick up the slack. The less said about Tottenham coming closest the better. Any excitement towards the looming FA Cup Final against Chelsea is negated by the sense of consistent under-achievement at home and abroad.  Arsenal are a big club – this is why Mesut Özil and Alexis Sanchez joined in the first place – but is fourth place, along with the FA Cup every couple of years, the limit of their ambitions?

[caption id="attachment_4732" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Image via Flickr // Joshjdss[/caption]

With the increasing number of fan protests at the Emirates, which is never a good sign for any manager, could Wenger foreseeably leave at the end of the season?  After all, a change may be positive, if only to freshen things up. Arsenal need an injection of unpredictability to prevent the team being ‘found out’ halfway through each season. It is ridiculous that the club’s form falls off at the same point year after year. To paraphrase Albert Einstein, insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, and expecting different results.

If the Arsenal board were to consider a change, a new manager would have to guarantee success. Being famous for their frugality, the definition of success would have to be fairly ironclad before sizeable funds were released for an overhaul of the management and playing staff. Given that City and United brought in Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho, and neither had the impact initially expected, is success without Wenger guaranteed?  But surely these questions are hypothetical at best. Arsenal would never force Wenger to leave. Wenger is a club legend and he has a job for life. Loyalty to Wenger will stand in stark contrast to how Leicester City sacked the affable Claudio Ranieri. Without standing by their greatest ever manager, Arsenal would just be like any other club. Similarly, Man United would not have fired Sir Alex Ferguson.

[caption id="attachment_4733" align="alignnone" width="723"] Image via Flickr // Joshjdss[/caption]

Here lies the catch-22. The board believes that pulling the plug on Wenger is too risky. No one wants to take the responsibility if it backfires, particularly if the club’s standing in the table and in public fail to improve. But the opposite is also true. It is unlikely that things at Arsenal will change drastically by sticking with Wenger. His bloody-minded stubbornness is best reflected by his piecemeal transfer strategy – always falling short of expectations and never having enough options when the team is struck down by the customary annual injury curse. And why is there the same heavy spate of injuries every season? The way he rubbished the idea of having a Director of Football above him only reaffirms the fact that it will always be his way or the highway.

The current impasse leaves no one particularly happy. If anything, a failure to qualify for the Champions League may yet force Wenger’s hand. If he then decides to leave, no one can be accused of looking disloyal, and the club can move on. A new season should bring fresh hope and optimism, but with the last decade as supporting evidence, it would suggest that we should only expect more of the same – Wenger to remain in charge and a newly established trophy for finishing fourth.

One Man’s View interprets the happenings in football from an alternative angle. Alternative, not alternative facts.

Coutinho Signs New Deal Making Him Liverpool’s Highest Paid Player

Liverpool midfielder Philippe Coutinho signed a fresh contract that will keep him at Anfield until 2022.

Despite an existing contract up to 2020, Liverpool have made it clear that their star man is here to stay for the long term, bumping up his weekly salary from £75,000 a week to £150,000.

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That figure now makes him the highest earner in a Liverpool shirt, surpassing vice captain James Milner and Daniel Sturridge.

Additionally, the new contract does not include a release clause, giving Liverpool an edge when suitors do eventually come knocking for the midfielder.

According to reports, Coutinho is happy at the club and is fully on board with Jurgen Klopp’s plan in rebuilding the club to its former glory.

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“I signed this new contract to stay here for a few more years because it’s a great honour for me,” said the Brazilian.

“It gives me great happiness because I was welcomed here with open arms by everyone at the club and the supporters right from my first day. I am very thankful to this football club for everything.”

Prior to the January transfer window, a lot has been said in the media about possible moves to the La Liga with Barcelona in favour of Coutinho’s services. It’s safe to say those rumours won’t be surfacing anytime soon.

In the Red Corner: United & Liverpool Get the Result They Deserve, Not the One They Need

In the Red Corner is a weekly column on Manchester United. 

It is rarely the most decisive Derby when determining the destination of the Premier League title, but the fans’ thirst for victory is at its most intense when Manchester United play Liverpool. Before kickoff, few fans would have accepted a draw but after the dust settled, most would take it as a fair result as Liverpudlian industry cancelled out Mancunian intent.

1. Liverpool good value for draw

Manchester United’s recent run of victories have come against teams content to sit deep, forcing United to unlock a packed defence. While undoubtedly a challenge for a team still working out the kinks in its hugely talented attack, they’ve proven themselves up to the task in recent matches. Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool, on the other hand, don’t know how to sit back. They hassle, working in packs to put pressure on defenders and win the ball back in dangerous areas. Phil Jones’ ball-playing limitations were repeatedly exposed by an aggressive press, and a lesser goalkeeper than David De Gea would have struggled with the footwork required to deal with the frequent forced backpasses.

From the start, Liverpool refused to roll over in the face of a full-strength United and a raucous Old Trafford crowd. Indeed, it was through their trademark gegenpressing that Liverpool won the corner that would lead to Pogba’s handball, Milner’s penalty and a 1-0 lead for the away side. Throughout the match, the Merseyside outfit frequently won the ball in dangerous areas and attempted neat, quick passing triangles to gain an edge on a United defence for whom Marcos Rojo again shone. The draw was well-earned as Liverpool played out Klopp’s tactics to near perfection, but ultimately failed to measure up to United in terms of individual quality, a problem compounded by beginning the match shorn of arguably their 3 most important players – Sadio Mane, Joel Matip and Philippe Coutinho.

There are, however, three worries for Liverpool going forward. The first comes down to fitness. Jurgen Klopp’s “heavy metal football” places physical demands on players that are unrivalled in the league. Will Liverpool have enough in the tank to reach the finishing line firing on all cylinders? Without European distractions, perhaps, but I reckon they’re still a season away from having the stamina to see a title challenge to its brutal, bloody end. Liverpool were my pre-season pick as dark horse for top-4, and I think that’s where they’ll end the season.

How Liverpool cope without Sadio Mane is the second worry. Coutinho and Mane add stardust and incision to Liverpool’s attack, transforming it from merely industrious to truly devastating. With both players fit and firing, Liverpool are one of the most exciting teams in Europe but they have not won since losing Mane to the African Cup of Nations. Klopp is not known for his tactical versatility so it remains to be seen whether Liverpool can play the Klopp way without their the mercurial Senegalese winger. The return of Coutinho will go some way to mitigating the loss but the maverick Brazilian lacks Mane’s consistency.

The final worry for Liverpool is a subtle one, but I feel it may prove to be a glass ceiling in the long-run. Liverpool aren’t ruthless. They’re exciting and are at their best when their backs are against the wall, channeling the emotion of their fans into an electrifying performance. But they aren’t ruthless and it’s a reflection of their emotional manager. Jurgen Klopp is a manager for the fans, as he runs the gamut of emotions more visibly than most supporters. Bear hugs, touchline sprints and frantic gesticulations are par for the Klopp. This dovetails nicely for a club with some of the most emotionally charged fans in the world.

But think back to the Europa League final, when they led at halftime against Sevilla, but capitulated in the second half. And think about this match, where Liverpool led at halftime but couldn’t hang on when faced with sustained pressure. There are arguments against this view, such as the 1-0 victory against Manchester City, but I think Klopp lacks the ruthlessness that managers such as Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte have shown at various times with various clubs. The bundle of emotional energy that is Jurgen Klopp lacks the cold, clinical ruthlessness to see out 1-0 wins; instead he mirrors the nervousness of fans, and that bleeds into his players. Perhaps there is less energy to channel when trying to close out a 1-0, but to consistently conquer the summit, you must be ruthless and Klopp does not have a track record of strangling the life out of a 1-0. Until he masters that art, Liverpool will be exciting without being a consistently dominant force.

2. United disappoint but preserve unbeaten streak

United and Liverpool ended the match as they began it – with the two longest unbeaten runs in the league. The satisfaction of a late equaliser will overshadow the sentiment many United fans had going into this match: that Liverpool were there for the taking. Liverpool were winless since the turn of the year and without their 3 best players, while United were in a rich vein of form and with a chance to truly announce their top-4 credentials. Instead, the Red Devils were treated to a performance rich in purpose but lacking in product.

Too often, Ander Herrera’s passes were askew. Paul Pogba turned in a performance of the lowest quality, his concession of the penalty compounded by his being frequently outmuscled while in possession. Attacking moves broke down and killer passes were either a fraction too heavy or slightly underhit. Chance were created, and duly passed up, by most of the cast of United’s attacking unit before Ibrahimovic’s late equaliser. The big Swede reminded United fans why he is never substituted by being utterly anonymous for 83 minutes, then immediately decisive. The draw means United lose the chance to pull level on points with bitter rivals Manchester City and throw serious weight behind their top-4 aspirations. On the whole, it was a disappointing performance from United, in light of recent form.

But there are positives to take from the result. It would have been a far different draw if United had been the ones giving up the 84th minute equaliser. That would have been morale sapping, and would resurrect questions about United’s fortitude and focus. Instead, snatching a draw from the jaws of defeat produces a mildly galvanising effect. The unbeaten run is intact, while the ageless Ibrahimovic makes it 13 goals in 13 appearances.

Given their style of play, Liverpool will always be a tough test and United showed themselves capable of answering the question without really playing well. United pariah Marouane Fellaini also answered critics. Fans were bemused when the big Belgian was signed to a contract extension but an important goal against Hull in the EFL Cup was followed by this encouraging cameo, where he was preferred to Marcus Rashford as final substitute. Mourinho likely triggered Fellaini’s contract extension as show of faith in the midfielder, one that was meant to be seen by the United faithful. It has put an end to the boos that Fellaini has had to endure from pockets of Old Trafford, and the midfielder has responded with better football. He will never be Old Trafford’s favourite son but has a role at the club, and at least he is no longer subject to confidence-crippling boos now fans recognise he is here to stay.

Another benefit from United’s failure to win is that it means premature questions of title ambitions are postponed. United need to focus on seizing a place in the top-4, and chatter about the title will lead to more hysteria should should their form stumble. It is becoming a more attainable goal.

3. A glance ahead

United now have a run of winnable fixtures (Stoke (A), Hull (H), Leicester (A), Watford (H)) until they travel to Pep Guardiola’s City on February 26. City were on the receiving end of an immensely satisfying Merseyside walloping early in the day, and if United rack up the victories between now and their meeting, the Manchester Derby will be a tantalising fixture. Looking at the fixtures between now and Gameweek 26, lots of United’s top 4 rivals play each other. Liverpool play both Tottenham and Chelsea, while Spurs also face City and Chelsea host Arsenal. There are lots of points to be dropped and if United return to winning ways at Stoke, they could capitalise in a huge way. Looking at the fixtures list on a meta level though, can any league hold a candle to the Premier League any more? Not in my book.

David Menon is a Premier League contributor with a weekly column on Manchester United.

Premier League: 5 Observations From The New Year’s Fixtures

There is simply no time for Premier League teams to rest on their laurels as the games continue to come thick and fast at the turn of the year.  Here are 5 quick observations from Matchdays 19 and 20 in the first week of January 2017.

The Leicester miracle still defies belief

It was funny to think of the Middlesbrough-Leicester City as a battle between a newly promoted side and last year’s title winners.  The stalemate played out exactly like a scrap between two teams ranked 15th and 16th respectively in the table.

Middlesbrough are a decent passing team, who are positive in possession.  They are compact without the ball, and have the best defensive record of any team outside the top six.  However, their inability to score goals is a major issue.  The lack of wins explains their position in the table.  They proved a good test for a Leicester side that are a pale imitation of last year’s title winners.

While the Foxes were able to grind out a win against West Ham United two days prior, they looked off the pace against Middlesbrough.  They lacked sharpness going forward, especially with Jamie Vardy out and Riyadh Mahrez in fits and starts.  Summer signings Ahmed Musa and Nampalys Mendy are yet to settle, and the N’Golo Kante sized hole in midfield is ever present.

Even when off-form, Mahrez remains their chief creator, and they will miss him when he heads off to the African Cup of Nations with Algeria.  A title defence may have been out of question long ago, but it will be an uphill battle from here to finish anywhere near the top ten.

Have to rave about Dele

Dele Alli’s stock continues to rise after two outstanding performances against Watford and Chelsea. Alli linked up play seamlessly throughout, and proved the difference as he bagged two goals in each game. He is exciting and inventive on the ball, with the pace and physicality off the ball to trouble seasoned defenders.

There’s also a bit of character and fight about him, which complements his ability to grab games by the scruff of the neck.  We should not forget that Alli is just 20 years old.  His key stats after 50 top flight matches is pretty impressive reading, when compared with three of the best English midfielders in the Premier League era is pretty impressive:

  • Dele Alli: 16 goals, 10 assists
  • Paul Scholes: 16 goals, 3 assists
  • Steven Gerrard: 2 goals, 3 assists
  • Frank Lampard: 5 goals, 2 assists

Undoubtedly, Alli’s career still has a long way to go, but it would seem that he has overtaken Everton’s Ross Barkley as England’s most promising attacking midfielder.  Surely it is just a matter of time from here that Alli replaces Wayne Rooney at No. 10 for England.

Can Liverpool top 2nd this year?

In traditional Liverpool fashion, they have managed to excite and frustrate fans in a span of less than 48 hours. Having picked up from where they left off at 2016, Jurgen Klopp’s men blend hard graft with real craft against Manchester City, exemplified by Adam Lallana’s excellent form this year.The two-footed Lallana has popped up all over the park, contributing to a number of strong wins by scoring important goals and laying off assists for his teammates.

But while Liverpool’s win against Man City was a clear statement of intent, the draw against Sunderland was an unfortunate stutter.  That being said, it’s too early to write off Liverpool at this stage.  Liverpool may not have the deepest of squads, but they are also not in Europe this season.  Being able to focus on the Premier League may aid their title charge, even if they will have to do without Sadio Mane this month.  He will be at the African Cup of Nations with Senegal.  Daniel Sturridge may be the most obvious replacement, in the currency of goals, if he is able to stay fit.  January momentum will be key if Liverpool are to have a real shot at a first Premier League title.

Manchester United’s Many Blessings

Manchester United have been unfortunate a few times this season, as their wasteful finishing was punished with a series of draws that have left them playing catch-up in the table.  Against Middlesbrough on Matchday 19, the woodwork again denied them twice.  It looked as if it would be another one of those days, but two late goals by Anthony Martial and Paul Pogba turned the match on its head, and United made it 5 consecutive league wins.  In a twisted form of karmic justice, it seemed as if Lady Luck was going to dole out all her blessings in their game against West Ham United.

With West Ham starting the game brightly, they looked to give United a run for their money.  United were a little slower to the ball, and seemed a little exhausted from their exertions against Middlesbrough.  However, the whole complexion of match changed 15 minutes in, when Sofiane Feghouli sent off after 15 minutes in a 50-50 challenge with Phil Jones.  Thereafter, 10 men West Ham were able to get a number of sharp stops out of United goalkeeper David De Gea, but could not be expected to contain even a lackluster United for 75 minutes.

The introductions of Juan Mata and Marcus Rashford proved instrumental in stretching the Hammers.  Mata managed to put United in front from a smart Rashford cutback, but Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s rifled finish for the second was clearly offside.  Fortuitous as it may have been, United have now won 6 on the trot, and will hope that the rest of the top four start dropping more points.

Arsenal confound and frustrate in equal measure

Arsenal’s start to 2017 has yielded mixed results. Olivier’s Giroud’s stunning backheel finish in the 2-0 win over Crystal Palace was a perfect way to ring in the New Year.  Giroud’s goal may have been underpinned by a large slice of luck, but also exemplified the attractive attacking football that the Gunners could deliver at their best.  Fortune favoured the bold in this instance, and our highlights reels are a lot richer for it.

However, Arsenal fans will attest to the fact that supporting their team is a lesson in managing expectations.  Renewed optimism is often accompanied by setbacks, and the 3-3 draw with Bournemouth a familiar feeling of déjà vu.  Having found themselves 3-0 down after 60 minutes, Arsenal showed character to draw level at the death.  Admirable as this may be, one cannot help but feel that this was another wasted opportunity to gain ground on the rest of the title contenders.  Why could the Gunners not start the game as they finished it?  Simply put, Arsenal should have made it 6 points from these two games, and anything less is not the stuff of which champions are made.

Transfer Rumours: Potential Moves for Premier League Sides This January 2017

Greetings from 2017!  A new year may be upon us, but this is merely brief respite for the Premier League.  January can be a defining period in the top flight.  Not least, the opening of the transfer window is an opportunity for teams to strengthen: for some to challenge for honours, others to consolidate their position, and a number to stave off the threat of relegation.  To get the ball rolling, it is time to address some of the rumoured ins and outs that have cropped up with the opening of the transfer window. 

Blue is the colour

Antonio Conte’s Chelsea have now won 13 games in a row, but the restless Italian manager is plotting long-term domination beyond this season.  The Premier League leaders have been linked with a new box-to-box midfielder to supplement their ranks.  Roma’s Belgian midfielder Radja Nainggolan has been linked since last summer, and he would offer energy and bite in midfield.  Nainggolan has stated before that he is happy at Roma, but it is anybody’s guess if that is simply code for “raise your bid and we will consider, every player has a price”.

Another potential target is Ivorian Franck Kessie, who plays for Atalanta, and will be proudly displaying his wares at the African Cup of Nations this month.  Kessie could be well suited to Conte’s 3-4-3 system, as he plays a similar role as one of two centre midfielders in Atalanta’s system.  Interest has grown, with Kessie being linked with Man City, Liverpool and Arsenal.  It is hard to say if Kessie will move in this window.  The hype train moves pretty quickly, and disentangling this from a club’s transfer strategy is not a straightforward business.

Will They Walk Alone?

Liverpool have been linked with a couple of departures in this window, with Philippe Coutinho and Mahamadou Sakho apparently heading for the exit.  There is no chance that Coutinho will leave in January, even if Barcelona comes calling.  Liverpool are title contenders, and manager Jurgen Klopp will not let a key player depart halfway through the season.  Sakho, on the other hand, may be saying his farewells.  After falling out with Klopp, Sakho was linked with a loan switch to Stoke last summer, but refused to leave.  Even if he is one of the Kop’s favourite characters, Sakho’s time at Anfield may very much be over.

The Reds have also been linked with wingers and attackers lately to fill up the absence of Sadio Mane who will be representing his country at the African Cup of Nations. Recent names include Swedish winger Emil Forsberg who has had an impressive season so far for Bundesliga side RB Leipzig.

Liverpool could also be in the market for a goalkeeper following a rough spell for summer signing Loris Karius. Notable names include Joe Hart although any move for England’s No 1 may have to wait till the summer while he sees off his loan spell at Torino.

Gunning for Glory

As Arsenal looks a rejuvenated side this season by placing Alexis Sanchez up front, there may be slightly worried looks coming from the Emirates as reports indicate Juventus has placed the Chilean attacker as top priority. Though unlikely to take place in January, the potential summer move might force Wenger’s move this window.

The Gunners have also entered the race to sign Sevilla defensive midfielder Steven N’Zonzi, but may have to compete with Juventus, Chelsea and Manchester City for his signature. The Frenchman has indicated his desire to move this month and the club will mostly likely listen to offers north of £25million.

Louis van Gaal’s leftovers

Change remains afoot at Man United, with the remnants of Louis van Gaal’s tenure still peppered across the squad.  Many of LVG’s second season signings were originally heralded as game changers, capable of bringing United back to the glory days of Sir Alex Ferguson.  Instead, Memphis Depay, Morgan Schneiderlin and Bastian Schweinsteiger all spent far too much time on the sidelines.  Depay may move to Everton, who may may give him the platform to reignite his career.  Schneiderlin is also in need of game time, and a move to Everton and West Bromwich Albion may be attractive.  Schweinsteiger does not feature in Jose Mourinho’s first eleven, and it is surely a matter of time before he leaves.

A surprising addition here is Anthony Martial, who enjoyed a strong debut season, but has not featured as regularly under Mourinho.  Martial was apparently looking at a loan move to Sevilla to play regularly.  Notwithstanding this, Mourinho has publicly stated that he will not sanction any loan departures from his first-team squad, but accepts that some of them will look to play regularly elsewhere.  Martial should stay, given United’s lack of forward options beyond Zlatan Ibrahimovic.  Depay and Schneiderlin may very well depart, even if a little unfortunate that United fans never got to see them at their best.

In terms of signings, the club has been linked with Atletico Madrid superstar Antoine Griezmann with recent reports suggesting that Griezmann’s colleague Saul Niguez might join him at United for a combine fee of £145m.

Portuguese Touting

Before we move onto other clubs, Manchester United have also been heavily linked to Benfica’s defenders Victor Lindelof and Nelson Semedo.  With Mourinho encouraged by Phil Jones’ and Marcos Rojo’s partnership as United’s central defensive axis, and Chris Smalling and Daley Blind in reserve (Eric Bailly will be off to the African Cup of Nations this month), a move for Lindelof in January looks out of the question.  United need greater competition for Antonio Valencia at right back, which lends credence to the Semedo rumours, but this may something to return to in the summer.

Mourinho has been instructed to trim his first team, before he is allowed to make any new purchases.  To address the amount of speculation over both transfers, there is a suspicion that Portuguese teams have a tendency to link their players with clubs like United in an attempt to raise their transfer value.  This explains why players like Nicolas Gaitan and William Carvalho of Sporting Lisbon would often be linked with a switch to England, with little materialising.  Of course, Gaitan eventually moved last summer from Benfica to Atletico Madrid last summer, having frequently been linked with United over the past two seasons.

Saints Yard Sale

Moving to the South Coast, departures from Southampton are not uncommon, and happen with fairly regular occurrence.  José Fonte and Virgil van Dijk have cropped up as potential departures since the start of the season.  At 33 years old, Fonte’s age may be prohibitive to a move, particularly if Southampton have no intention of selling their captain.  The same cannot be said for van Dijk, who has been steadily linked with a whole raft of clubs, with Chelsea and Man City the main contenders.  With a serious lack of top quality centre halves across the league; a van Dijk move may simply be a matter of time.  The question is whether the rumoured £50-60 million pound price tag will scare clubs off from making a move during this transfer window.  They may see this as a premium for signing mid-season, and elect to wait until the summer.

Irons in the fire

West Ham United’s underwhelming first half of the season has led to talk about potential reinforcements.  A move for Sunderland striker and former West Ham youth product Jermaine Defoe has been widely speculated, but both Sunderland manager David Moyes and Defoe have denied that this as a possibility.  It is highly unlikely that Defoe will leave the Stadium of Light.  Defoe is a bang on certainty for goals and is absolutely vital to Sunderland’s hopes of staying in the division.  West Ham is unlikely to pay a king’s ransom for Defoe, who, at 34, is unlikely to be first choice ahead of a fit Andy Carroll.

The Hammers may also move for old Manchester United favourite Patrice Evra, with the veteran’s pathway to the first team now blocked by Alex Sandro.  This move too looks unlikely.  West Ham’s first choice left back Aaron Cresswell is highly rated by the club, and has only recently returned from injury.  Evra will not join the Hammers to play second fiddle to Cresswell, even if West Ham’s alternative left back Arthur Masuaku has looked rather out of his depth so far.

Chinese Invasion

On a final note, the draw of the Chinese Super League (CSL) cannot be understated during this window.  There is every possibility that Oscar’s departure to Shanghai SIPG for £60 million is a sign of things to come.  An unknown Chinese club apparently offered Aston Villa £25 million for French left-back Jordan Amavi.  Since Amavi does not feature in the Premier League, and Villa were relegated to the Championship last season, the CSL seems willing to drop serious money to put themselves on the map, no matter the cost.  The Chinese are here to stay, and it would not be surprising at all to see them flex their financial muscle to attract Premier League calibre during this window.