Here’s How You Can Watch The FIFA World Cup 2018 in Singapore

Every four years, die-hard football fans and casual by-standers unite for a month to celebrate the global festival that is the FIFA World Cup.

Whether you prefer to watch it at home or out at a bar, there are plenty of options to make sure you never miss an action this June and July.

What makes this year’s tournament all the more enticing is its favourable match timings for Singapore audiences, with the earliest matches taking place at 8pm and the latest at 3am.

TV Subscription

The first option of catching the tournament is to subscribe to the broadcast. Unlike previous years, this year’s subscription prices have remained the same from 2014.

Instead of competing for the sole rights, Singapore’s three main broadcasters Singtel, StarHub and Mediacorp are collaborating for the first time to bring the action here.

That means subscribers can choose to purchase the packages from either of the three broadcasters for the exact same price – S$94.16 from now until May 22, and S$112.35 thereafter.

Moreover, the three broadcasters are offering on-the-go streaming options from their own mobile apps – Singtel TV GO, StarHub Go and Toggle. Singtel and StarHub mobile users will be able to stream matches without any data charge on their respective apps.

Singtel TV subscribers who sign up or renew their Trio, Variety or Value Pack packages for 24 months will also be able to watch the World Cup for FREE.

Do note that your subscription will only allow you to watch the matches on the platform which you subscribed to.

Sign up: Discover SG.

Virgil Abloh Reveals Custom Off-White x Nike Goalkeeper Gloves for Hart and Pickford

Virgil Abloh is a busy man, juggling between his new reign at Louis Vuitton and his running his Off-White label.

Yet, Abloh has found time to present England’s goalkeepers Jordan Pickford and Joe Hart with new custom gloves in lead-up to the upcoming 2018 World Cup in Russia this June.

The gloves were spotted on Abloh’s Instagram Stories, which is an updated take on the new Nike Mercurial Touch model and the first pair of goalkeeper gloves to be involved in a collaboration between the two brands.

The gloves are simple in design, with the palm side featuring Off-White’s arrow logo and the back featuring Nike’s branding alongside the “LOGO” text.

To further personalise the pair of gloves, written text were added including the keepers’ names “PICKFORD” and “HART” on the index finger of the right-sided glove.

Take a closer look below.

[caption id="attachment_13046" align="alignnone" width="621"] Image: Virgil Abloh / Instagram[/caption] [caption id="attachment_13045" align="alignnone" width="624"] Image: Virgil Abloh / Instagram[/caption]

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.

[caption id="attachment_6754" align="alignnone" width="1000"] Image: Manchester City Facebook[/caption]

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.

[caption id="attachment_6693" align="alignnone" width="1000"] Image: Manchester City Facebook[/caption]

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: 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.

[caption id="attachment_6023" align="alignnone" width="1000"] Image: Tottenham Hotspur Facebook[/caption]

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?

[caption id="attachment_6021" align="alignnone" width="960"] Image: Tottenham Hotspur Facebook[/caption]

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 

Transfer Roundup: Ronaldo Staying Put, Lewandowski To Chelsea?

Silly season is well on its way, but we’re just getting started. Here are the main headlines from June 21, 2017.

Lewandowski to Chelsea

Bayern Munich’s star striker Robert Lewandowski has been linked with a move to Chelsea, following an outburst a couple of weeks ago against his teammates and coach for failing to finish last season as the Bundesliga top scorer.

According to The Guardian, Lewandowski’s disappointment in his team is still very much apparent, with agent Maik Barthel explaining that the striker is bravely trying to develop a “coping mechanism” to recover.

Despite signing a new contract in December, reports from slightly less reputable sources have placed Chelsea as the frontrunner to secure the services of the Polish forward, suggesting that the Blues have already made an enquiry.

With Diego Costa possibly making a return to Atletico Madrid, albeit once the latter’s transfer ban has been lifted, the idea of Lewandowski at Stamford Bridge seems a rather fitting one. Of course, while Chelsea has seen a string a strikers go from good to great in the form of Costa, Didier Drogba and Zola, it has an equally troubling record of dampening the careers others – look up Fernando Torres and Andriy Shevchenko.

Likelihood: 2 out of 5

Ronaldo might be staying after all

Cristiano Ronaldo appears to be having second thoughts about leaving Real Madrid. The 32-year-old made shockwaves last week when he announced his “irreversible” decision to leave the club, after being accused for tax fraud by Spanish authorities.

The news sent Manchester United fans into a frenzy, with the rhetoric of a Prodigal Son returning shining brighter as ever.

However, after Real Madrid president Florentino Perez’s statement about Ronaldo’s future, the football superstar appears to have made a U-turn on that irreversible decision.

In addition, Mourinho has publicly rejected the idea of Ronaldo returning to Old Trafford and has instead focused his attention to the latter’s teammate Alvaro Morata.

Likelihood: 4.5 out of 5

Liverpool’s No. 9, Salalalalalalah

[caption id="attachment_5562" align="alignnone" width="1000"] Fiorentina, Foto Filippo Alfero/Insidefoto[/caption]

It’s been nearly 6 years since Liverpool painfully lost its famous No. 9 in Fernando Torres, with a memorable chant to match, heard loudly and clearly at every game, whether at home or away. Although the shirt has been worn by decent players that followed, none had made an impact to the team as did Torres.

Hopefully for Liverpool fans, the wait might have ended. According to Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images[/caption]

With the abrupt departure of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, United has clearly identified a need to bolster its front line. While Morata was seemingly the frontrunner for the job prior to the prospect of Ronaldo returning, it appears that United are also in the chase Lukaku.

Reports suggests that the Belgian has already agreed a deal with Chelsea, but with the clubs yet to reach an agreement, United may be in the running to swoop in. The Mirror suggests however that the fee could reach up to £90 million. Silly season indeed.

Likelihood: 2.5 out of 5

Aubemayang to Man City

[caption id="attachment_5566" align="alignnone" width="1000"] Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Bongarts/Getty Images[/caption]

Following the falling through of Aubemayang’s move to PSG, Manchester City was one of the few teams back in the running for the Dortmund striker.

A report by the BBC however has quelled rumours of an Aubemayang in baby blue, stating that Man City are simply not interested, with Pep Guardiola preferring Alexis Sanchez instead.

Liverpool to swoop in?

Likelihood: 0.5 out of 5

Swansea to bolster experience with veterans

Take this one with a pinch of salt, but it appears that Martin Skrtel and John Terry might very well be headed to Wales.

After escaping relegation by the skin of their teeth, Swansea have approached Skrtel’s current club Fenerbache regarding the defender’s availability. This comes after holding talks with free agent John Terry, who played his final game as a Chelsea player in May.

The Turkish club paid £5million to Liverpool for the 32-year-old and is unlikely to go any lower if Swansea keep knocking.

One Man’s View: Liverpool must back Klopp heavily this summer

Liverpool’s emphatic 4-0 win for away at West Ham ensures that they remain in the driving seat for fourth place, with qualification for next season’s Champions League firmly within reach. Arsenal may have the game in hand, but are four points behind. They must hope that Jurgen Klopp’s men somehow slips up at home against relegated Middlesbrough in the final game of the season.

The game against Middlesbrough constitutes a fitting end to Liverpool’s season. While there have been moments where Liverpool vrenok capable of beating any team in the division, they have also struggled at home against many of the Premier League’s lesser lights. Anfield has been the site of many a struggle against teams that park men behind the ball. Against teams that seek to play deep and hit Liverpool on the counter, Liverpool have sometimes left both the ideas and personnel for a plan B. Options off the bench seem to be to make up the numbers, rather than to affect a game that is slipping from grasp. Liverpool seem to play better away, when the majority of home teams, including West Ham last week feel obliged to attack them, and the team is able to punish the resulting gaps on the counter.

[caption id="attachment_4843" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Image: Liverpool FC // Facebook[/caption]

There may be shortcomings, but this is a team in progress. There is much to admire about Liverpool under Klopp.  There is a positive attacking style, with a focus on using the ball efficiently and decisively in attacking areas. There is no longer a reliance on a Steven Gerrard or Luis Suarez to make things happen, even if Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino have filled the void as match-winners. The key has been improving existing players, with Divock Origi, Emre Can and Dejan Lovren all performing better under Klopp’s leadership than Brendan Rodgers.

Admiration however, can also be used as a condescending term to describe a team that is not a major threat to a rival fan’s team. Arsenal play pretty passing football, and there is much to admire, aside from the failure to seriously challenge for major honours. There is the argument to be made that true admiration for a team should only be in hindsight, with their accomplishments as a tangible sign of their greatness.

[caption id="attachment_4844" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Image: Liverpool FC // Facebook[/caption]

If a team are real rivals, the sense of serious competition should engender some feelings of downright hatred, and these matches take on a more visceral do or die mentality. The best example in the modern Premier League era may be Man United and Arsenal in the early Noughties. It was box office viewing when both teams went toe-to-toe. Both teams left everything on the pitch when they faced each other, and the characters on show, led by a snarling Roy Keane and an equally intense Patrick Vieira, more often than not justified the pre-match hype.

Liverpool are not quite there yet, but there is every potential to get better under Klopp, if he is given sufficient backing in the transfer market. Man City, Man United and Arsenal must improve next season. Chelsea will consolidate under Antonio Conte, and the return of European football to Stamford Bridge will necessitate more signings. Tottenham are coming of age – expect improvements to squad depth, and an attempt to add stardust to a talented squad. With the possible number of big moves in the market, Liverpool must spend big this summer. They must stay with the pack or risk falling behind.

[caption id="attachment_4841" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Image: Liverpool FC // Facebook[/caption]

It would be very surprising if Liverpool somehow failed to beat Middlesbrough, and consign the Kop to the ignominy of Europa League football. That said, the club is in a strong enough position to deal with any scenario, and one must feel that things can continue to get better under Klopp. If his record at Mainz and Dortmund are anything to go by, he will recruit smartly, even if Premier League clubs do pay a premium for more decent players. Liverpool are not that far off from seriously challenging for honours. The key now is for Fenway Sports Group to take that risk and back the manager to the hilt this summer.

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.

One Man’s View: A Zlatan return to the Premier League still possible

Zlatan IBRAHIMOVIC’s anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear dealt a heavy blow to Manchester United’s aspirations in the Premier League and Europa League.  It is obvious that United will miss him with a hectic run-in that still involves away games versus Arsenal and Tottenham, as well as the Europa League semi-final double header against Celta Vigo.

ACL injuries have sadly scythed down some top footballers at their peak, with Michael Essien and Radamel Falcao prime examples of players that never returned to their peak physical condition.  A case could be made that mobile forwards, such as Michael Owen, Roberto Baggio and Alessandro Del Piero, could also have achieved more in their careers, if not for the dreaded ACL curse.  Given that mild knocks and injuries often take longer to recover with age, an ACL tear for most footballers in their thirties is essentially a curtain-closer.

Zlatan’s untimely injury may rob him of his chance to move to Major League Soccer, with the North American season already in full swing.  Since Zlatan will likely be unavailable until 2018, club teams are unlikely to sign him for a full 6 months on wages when he does not play.  There is also the distinct possibility that Zlatan may not be the same player.  Age and decline are inevitable factors for any player.

Then again, Zlatan is not like any other player.  Often mentioned as an ultimate professional by peers, Zlatan believes in supreme fitness and dedication to his craft.  He is a taekwondo black-belt who broke United’s ‘power’ records during medical tests.  If he had remained fit, Zlatan would not have been short of offers this summer.  With injury curtailing a quick transfer away, this may still work in Man United’s and the Premier League’s favour.  United will extend their offer to help Zlatan with his recuperation, even if he does not extend his 1-year contract at Old Trafford.

Being able to closely monitor Zlatan’s preparations for a comeback will afford United the chance to possibly re-sign him on a short-term deal, hopefully for the second half of the season.  Even if he gets fit, questions will linger about whether he can return to his best.  In comparative terms, Radamel Falcao took 2 years to get back his goalscoring form at Monaco, but he is no longer the explosive player Columbian fans nicknamed ‘El Tigre’ (The Tiger).  Ghanian midfielder Michael Essien, who looked as if he could power the Chelsea midfield single-handedly, another example of how being unable to return to their physical best compromised the very best footballers.  The difference may that Zlatan’s style of football has already evolved.  At 35, he no longer affects the game as much, but has developed into a player that relies on affecting pivotal moments.

A maverick forward with the ability for the spectacular, Zlatan’s playing style in its most present guise is far different from his earlier years in Holland or Italy.  He may have become less involved in games, but more decisive with the ball.  This is a similar trait with an older Cristiano Ronaldo, who may play more centrally now, but also sees the ball less. It is telling that Zlatan once mentioned that as long as he made decisions on the ball quicker, he would not be so reliant on speed to get him out of tough situations.  Zlatan’s trajectory at the tail end of his career has confirmed that class is permanent, even if the fancy dribbles and the remarkable backheel goals are gone.  While age and injuries do bring a downturn, one would still expect an impact from Zlatan, even if he only plays 10 games towards the run-in.  This means that he could still have an impact in any prospective title race.

This could lead to an opportunity to keep Zlatan involved at Man United, even if this is behind the scenes.  It may rub off well on Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial, who are said to relish working with an elite player who often helps out young players.  With Wayne Rooney likely to depart in the summer, retaining a talismanic figure like Zlatan in some capacity may pay off on and off the pitch.  If there was a player who could come back from the brink, one would probably put their money on Zlatan.  It would be fitting to see Zlatan a final time in the Premier League, with his team still in the title race.  And with that, this is one man’s view of what could be next for Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

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