How many false dawns can there be before you begin to believe that the sun won’t rise?
At Arsenal, it’s hard to count. But it seems that yet again reality has failed to align with the future that we’d expected. However, I’m not sure if it’s even expectation anymore. Hope, would be a better word. With Arsenal, we hope that the future will be brighter. We hope that tomorrow will be better than today.
But in the end, that’s all it is: hope. Because the reality is never as good as the future promised at the Emirates. And even the present is starting to look a lot bleaker than the past.
Francis Jeffers, Jermaine Pennant, Jeremie Allidiere, Justin Hoyte, Nicklas Bendtner, Carlos Vela. All were once reasons to believe that tomorrow will be better. When Manchester United were winning tittles. When Chelsea were winning titles. And when the titles were going to Manchester again.
Arsenal’s future remained bright. Perhaps, even brighter than all the others.
‘You just wait until the stadium is built. You just wait until Financial Fairplay comes into force. You just wait until Benik Afobe scores 20 goals a season. You just wait until Sir Alex Ferguson is gone.’
And so we waited. And in darkness we remain.
Today, it’s the turn of Gedion Zalalem and Serge Gnabry to carry the torch for hope. To be that shining beacon. To be the reason to believe. But hope is no longer enough for Arsenal.
‘We’ve had our hope. It’s overrated. Now let’s have some glory.’
Arsenal fans have long satisfied themselves on just the idea of something good alone. But the difference between this idea and reality this season has been so stark as to leave it shattered.
6-3 to Man City. 5-1 to Liverpool. 6-0 to Chelsea. The idea of Serge Gnabry terrorising defences in 3 years time is no longer sufficient. One cannot sustain themselves on hope for the future alone when the present so consistently diverges from it.
After all, it’s the present that counts. The idea of future is just the best guess at how things might turn out. It’s intangible. It doesn’t mean anything. You can’t judge a club on how their future looks. You can only make judgments on the past.
And the past has been a disappointment. In every one of the last 8 years there was reason to believe that the next one would be better. And every year reality has made fools of us.
Cesc Fabregas, Samir Nasri, Robin van Persie – they all left.
Karim Benzema, Gonzalo Higuain, Julian Draxler – they never came.
Reality has been at odds with expectations for so long so to leave us bereft of hope, of expectations, of promise. All except Arsene Wenger.
Wenger believes in his players. It’s part of what has made him such a successful manager. Arsenal have been able to play attractive football because Wenger has given them the confidence to do so. And instilling this belief can go along way to making it self-fulfilling.
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But the players can only believe for so long when reality consistently suggests different. Arsene Wenger talked of nerves being at fault for Arsenal’s heavy away defeats in the Premier League this season. But it’s no surprise the players were nervous. They had been sent out to play in an open style that had already proved itself unsuccessful with nothing more than hope that this time things would be different.
But there was no logical reason to believe that it would be. And it wasn’t.
Arsene Wenger may be the last man at the Emirates to stand by this belief. To be able to convince himself that tomorrow will be better than today. To still be able to hope.
But at Arsenal, the sun never rises quite as brightly tomorrow. And today we are left to wonder whether it will ever rise at all.
Tom Cleverley to Arsenal is one of the oddest transfer rumours of this summer. Then again, you wouldn’t put it past Arsene Wenger moving for the Manchester United midfielder. The Arsenal boss either sees a project or a bargain in Cleverley, though neither will be seen as a good enough excuse from the Arsenal supporters.
Cleverley, beyond his work rate, would offer very little to this Arsenal team, and it shouldn’t be forgotten that Wenger always talks up the importance of finding quality his team don’t already have.
There’s no doubt Wenger needs at least one central midfielder this summer, but the England international is not the option, after failing to develop his game at Old Trafford.
With many fans hoping this rumour has little substance, here are five alternatives for Arsenal to consider as a midfield addition.
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Click on Toni Kroos to reveal
Football – Real Madrid v Bayern Munich – UEFA Champions League Semi Final First Leg – Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain – 13/14 – 23/4/14Real Madrid’s Asier Illarramendi in action against Bayern Munich’s Toni KroosMandatory Credit: Action Images / Carl RecineEDITORIAL USE ONLY.
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Sami Khedira
Football – Germany v Portugal – FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014 – Group G – Arena Fonte Nova, Salvador, Brazil – 16/6/14Germany’s Sami Khedira in action with Portugal’s Raul Meireles (R)Mandatory Credit: Action Images / Paul ChildsLivepicEDITORIAL USE ONLY.
Sami Khedira had a surprisingly good game against Portugal for Germany on Monday evening. The Real Madrid midfielder missed most of last season due to injury but was straight into the German squad this summer, with Joachim Low well aware of Khedira’s importance on and off the pitch.
Arsenal were recently linked with a £16 million move for the midfielder, who’d help to address the need for a defensive player in the middle of the pitch.
As well as his qualities in front of his back four, Khedira showcased his ability to get forward and latch onto passes from Germany’s hugely talented midfield. Khedira at £16 million would be one of the better signings of this summer.
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Clement Grenier
Football – Celtic v Olympique Lyonnais – The Emirates Cup 2010 – Pre Season Friendly Tournament – Emirates Stadium – 31/7/10Clement Grenier – Olympique LyonnaisMandatory Credit: Action Images / Paul Childs
Arsenal are one of a couple of teams in England reportedly chasing Clement Grenier.
Arsene Wenger was said to have bid for the Lyon midfielder last summer before Grenier signed an extension and opted to stay in France, but it wouldn’t be a surprise if Wenger went in again for the 23-year-old. Grenier would make a lot of sense as a midfield addition this summer, with a few of the midfield regulars at Arsenal either the wrong side of 30 or approaching their thirtieth birthday.
Grenier may not convince many who saw Arsenal opt out of re-signing Cesc Fabregas, but above all Arsenal need depth and Grenier would certainly provide that.
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Toni Kroos
Football – Real Madrid v Bayern Munich – UEFA Champions League Semi Final First Leg – Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain – 13/14 – 23/4/14Real Madrid’s Asier Illarramendi in action against Bayern Munich’s Toni KroosMandatory Credit: Action Images / Carl RecineEDITORIAL USE ONLY.
If rumours are to be believed, Toni Kroos will be available for £20 million this summer. Arsenal may have opted against re-signing Cesc Fabregas, but there’s no reason why any world-class midfielder can’t be accommodated in the squad.
Kroos, known for his distribution, is exactly the kind of player Arsenal need in the centre of the pitch, someone who can pick up the ball from the defence and initiate attacks. It would be foolish if Wenger ignored Kroos’ potential availability this summer.
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Morgan Schneiderlin
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Morgan Schneiderlin failed to make it off the bench for France’s win over Honduras, but few are blind to the qualities of the Southampton midfielder.
The 24-year-old looks to be one of the better fits for Arsenal’s midfield needs this summer, and a bid from Wenger should be thought of as out of the question. Southampton are likely to lose a large number of first-choice players this summer, so they’ll look to gain as much from each player’s sale.
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Schneiderlin is still young and has adapted extremely well to the Premier League since winning promotion with his current club. He’d be a fine addition at Arsenal this summer.
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Daley Blind
Football – Holland v Wales – International Friendly – Amsterdam Arena, Holland – 4/6/14Daley Blind – Holland Mandatory Credit: Action Images / Paul ChildsEDITORIAL USE ONLY.
A lot of major clubs around Europe are said to be getting in on the act of chasing down Daley Blind’s signature after his performance against Spain for the Netherlands.
Among the admirers was Arsene Wenger, who is keen on adding a defensive midfielder to his squad this summer. Blind, who played as a left wing-back against Spain, operates equally as well from a central midfield position.
His versatility is likely a key factor in Wenger’s interest. Such is the rumours of a move and the rise of Blind under Frank de Boer at Ajax, it appears that the 24-year-old will move on this summer. Arsenal would be wise to make a move.
It’s almost here! After months of checking release dates, countless play throughs of the demo and anxiously waiting for the postman/shop to open, FIFA 15 lands tomorrow.
You probably don’t need us to tell you who to use, but we’ll offer some gentle guidance and point you in the direction of Manchester United. Unlike in reality, the Red Devils look to be a very good team of choice for your living room, and here are FOUR reasons why…
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CLICK ON FALCAO TO REVEAL THE FOUR REASONS
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It could be worse Nando, you could be one of these guys…
With Radamel Falcao, Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie, Manchester United have three players in the top 25 rated on the game. Rooney is the weakest option, but with a rating of 86 he’ll still be his usual self and could be a real threat in an attacking midfield role.
Angel di Maria
Away from the strikers, Angel di Maria is one to look out for. Rated at 86 with four stars for skill moves, the Argentine will be a real threat from a deeper role, and the sort of player you can use to humiliate opponents with just a touch of the right joystick.
A challenge on career mode
United’s quest to get back into the Champions League can become your aim in career mode. To be fair, it should be a lot easier than Louis van Gaal is actually making it look, with the club’s armoury the envy of many sides across Europe.
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Defence shouldn’t be the issue it actually is
United’s backline in the right hands should be okay on FIFA 15. Get your tactics right and drop Tyler Blackett, and who knows, you may be able to keep a clean sheet at Leicester… Besides, Mats Hummels should be easier to sign in career mode than in real life.
There has been constant publicity surrounding Manchester United this season. After a dreadful 2013/2014 season under the tenure of David Moyes, new instalment Louis Van Gaal didn’t exactly spark Old Trafford alight. After losses against the likes of Swansea City, and League One outfit MK Dons in the Capital One Cup second round, questions were being asked, and the United fans were thinking ‘not again’. However, as the season progresses, the Red Devils look as though they could become a force again, and after two wins on the spin, the Salford side entered into the top four of the Premier League for the first time in a year.
Despite results looking a lot more positive, and Van Gaal attracting big names to club like Falcao, Angel Di Maria and Ander Herrera knowing they won’t be participating in the Champions League, questions are still be asked about the United backline.
Ever since the former Bayern Munich and Ajax chief took the reins at United, he has always stuck with his philosophy of a 3-5-2 formation. He has also stuck with putting faith in the youngsters in order for them to perform and the highest level. One of Sir Alex Ferguson’s greatest quotes was ‘if your good enough, your old enough’, and Van Gaal looks as though he is sticking with that tradition. With an injury hit squad, the likes of Tyler Blackett, Paddy McNair and others on the fringes have had to make the quick step up from the development squad to the first team.
Blackett is the youth product that has made the most impact in the first team in the 2014/2015 season, starting in every game under Van Gaal until he was sent off in the 5-3 loss away at Leicester City. Blackett’s performances in the famous red shirt have been so impressive; the 20 year has even caught the eye of England gaffer Roy Hodgson about a potential call up. Calm, composed and aggressive, the local lad, who had loan spells at Championship sides Blackpool and Birmingham City last season respectively, can become a United great and make Van Gaal think twice about singing a world class centre half that they so desperately need.
Another defender that will hope to persuade Van Gaal to save the cash is Paddy McNair. The injury crisis at United was so bad; the Dutchman was forced to fastrack McNair in the starting line-up in the narrow 2-1 win against West Ham, with Marcos Rojo the only fully fit centre back. Surprisingly, the Northern Ireland under-21 international, who can also play in a defensive midfield role, did not look out of place in the heart of the defence. The similarities between McNair and Blackett are scary. Both composed when under pressure, and they both play the game with fantastic maturity, as if they are seasoned professionals.
Other players like Tom Thorpe and James Wilson, who many feel has a very bright future in Manchester, will look at both Blackett and McNair and be inspired to play against world class players like they are. It’s safe to say that Van Gaal’s persistence of bringing through academy players is promising and will look better for the future.
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Far from the relegation-threatened campaign many envisaged amid Southampton’s infamous summer exodus, seeing five first team players join clubs that finished higher than them in the Premier League table last season, not to mention manager Mauricio Pochettino, some astute acquisitions and the oversight of Ronald Koeman has propelled the South Coast outfit to fifth this term.In fact, they’ve already spend ten matchdays in the top fourÂandÂwere only recently thrust out of it by three consecutive defeats to Manchester City, Arsenal and Manchester United.The Saints will be disappointed with their recent form against the Premier League’s big-boys but Champions League qualification is by no means out of the question. It could take a few smart signings in January to make the difference however, so just in case Koeman is short on a few ideas, here’s FIVE such acquisitions.
YOHAN CABAYE
A transfer target once implausible for Southampton but now a distinct possibility, if the St Mary’s outfit are prepared to splash the cash in January they stand a decent chance of landing former Newcastle star Yohan Cabaye.
The France international’s services are certainly there for the taking in the coming transfer window; he’s growing continually disillusioned at PSG, with manager Laurent Blanc preferring the likes of Javier Pastore, Blaise Matuidi, Thiago Motta, Marco Veratti and youngster Adrien Rabiot.
Resultantly, he’s been linked with some top Premier League clubs:
But that shouldn’t put off the in-form Saints; that £19million valuation is well within their financial grasp after generating a £35million profit during the summer.
There’s no doubting Cabaye’s Premier League credentials either, having amassed 18 goals and 15 assists in 93 appearances during two-and-a-half seasons on Tyneside. The 28 year-old is better famed for his quality at set pieces, as shown in the video below:
//www.youtube.com/embed/ySxnAqozCGE
But he’s industrious and creative in open play too, with a varied passing range and good anticipation. Here’s Cabaye’s vitals from the last few seasons:
That blend of craft and vision – not to mention long-range shooting – could make him the ideal man to sit just in front of Victor Wanyama and Morgan Schneiderlin in central midfield.
But perhaps most importantly of all, Cabaye represents the calibre of signing that would symbolise Southampton’s arrival at the more coveted end of the transfer market. Landing the £19million-rated Frenchman could open up new avenues for the Saints in subsequent transfer windows.
MARKO VEJINOVIC
Another central midfield option comes in the form of Vitesse hotshot Mark Vejinovic.
Eredivisie stars have a knack of struggling in the Premier League – see Alfonzo Alves and Mateja Kezman for historic examples – but Ronald Koeman has already successfully transitioned two to the English top flight in summer signings Graziano Pelle and Dusan Tadic.
And since Koeman left Holland for the south coast, it’s former Netherlands U21 Vejinovic that’s emerged as one of the Eredivisie’s flagship entities. As you can see, Whoscored.com rate him as the top performer in the entire division:
This assist against Dordrecht particularly stood out:
//www.youtube.com/embed/8IIq8HYPcZk
Eight goals and four assists from central midfield is talismanic contribution, but that hardly tells the whole story of the 24 year-old’s impressive form. Here’s his vitals compared to the Eredivise’s other leading centre-mids:
Measuring in at 6 foot 1, dynamic in style and boasting a very complete all-round game, Vejinovic possess the natural requisites to make the step up to the Premier League.
How much Vitesse value their star midfielder in fiscal terms however remains to be seen, whilst their feeder club relationship with Premier League leaders Chelsea could throw up further issues.
DANNY INGS
Few would dispute the influence of top scorer Graziano Pelle this season but it’s been a far less productive campaign for occasional strike-partner Shane Long, with just two goals in 14 Premier League outings.
Another front-man certainly wouldn’t go amiss at St. Mary’s in January and although Burnley forward Danny Ings may not quite be the finished article, he represents a unique opportunity for the Saints to invest in one of England’s more promising home-grown talents at little cost.
Of course, the 22 year-old rose to prominence last season, with his 21 goals firing the Turf Moor outfit to the top flight whilst also earning him the Championship’s Player of the Year award. Here’s a clip of the England U21 in action with strike partner Sam Vokes:
//www.youtube.com/embed/uBlv4siEiL8
He’s still adapting to Premier League level but has shown great promise in recording four goals and one assists in his last seven league outings.
More than simply a goalscorer however, Ings is an intelligent and versatile forward, regularly dropping into the no.10 role to link play and create opportunities for others.
Most appealingly from Southampton’s perspective, the 5 foot 11 striker is yet to extend his current contract at Burnley past the end of the current campaign – suggesting he doesn’t rate their Premier League survival chances too highly.
Manager Sean Dyche has already admitted a January departure is a distinct possibility and Southampton – who once released Ings as a school boy – have been mooted as potential suitors:
But a number of top flight clubs, including Newcastle and Liverpool, have been linked too.
MATIJA NASTASIC
Football – Heart of Midlothian v Manchester City – Pre Season Friendly – Tynecastle – 14/15 – 18/7/14Matija Nastasic – Manchester City Mandatory Credit: Action Images / Craig BroughEDITORIAL USE ONLY.
Matija Nastasic was once the young, promising centre-back partner to Vincent Kompany but he’s now Manchester City’s forgotten man.
Injuries have been a factor but it’s incredibly telling that the 21 year-old’s last start for the Premier League champions was during the summer’s 3-0 Community Shield defeat Arsenal. A few days later, Manuel Pellegrini splashed out £30million on Eliaquim Mangala.
Regardless however, the 16-cap Serbian international boasts enormous potential, with his impressive reading of the game and quality on the ball particularly standing out for a defender so young. Here’s a clip of Nastasic in action:
//www.youtube.com/embed/LxnfKoOWmWE
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And a quick look at his stats over the last few years:
Toby Alderweireld and Jose Fonte have developed a fantastic partnership since the Belgium international’s arrival in the summer, but Southampton’s subsequent depth at centre-back is rather thin. Nastasic would be an astute solution.
A loan move for the remainder of the campaign is certainly conceivable, but recent reports claim the Etihad outfit would be prepared to offload the 6 foot 2 centre-half for just £5million in January:
YEVHEN KONOPLYANKA
Another swoop that would demonstrate Southampton’s advancement in the transfer market, a number of top Premier League clubs are reportedly lining up moves for Dnipro’s Yevhen Konoplyanka in January:
The Ukrainian international, who boasts 32 goals and plenty of assists in 149 league outings for Dnipro, first burst onto the scene with this absolute stunner against England at Wembley back in 2012:
//www.youtube.com/embed/8-WRcQr5TAY
He’s since gone on to win two Ukrainian Premier League Footballer of the Year awards, leading many to rate the 25 year-old as one of the most Europe’s talented outside of its five leading top flights.
Saido Mane and Dusan Tadic have impressed this year, whilst forgotten man Jay Rodriguez is also expected to return to first team action after Christmas.
But Konoplyanka, in addition to being hugely talented, is an out-and-out touchline hugger, offering the Saints squad something a little different. Here’s another look at the 5 foot 9 wideman in action:
Liverpool’s woeful display in their Champions League group saw them slip shamefully in to the Europa League’s unforgiving grasp last week.
And just 24 hours after their public mauling at the hands of rivals Man United at Old Trafford, they’ve been handed a tough draw against Turkish side Besiktas.
The last time they met each other in Europe, Liverpool ran out 8-0 winners. But, give the current circumstances at Anfield, Liverpool’s poor ol’ fans literally don’t know what to make of it this year.
Some reckon it’s an easy. Others appear devastated.
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Make no mistake about it, the English title race is already over. Chelsea’s Premier League opponents may as well begin forming the obligatory guard of honour now – because there’s no way Manchester City are catching them.
That may seem like a rather audacious declaration with 13 Premier League fixtures still to go; we’ve seen mightier margins than the Blues’ current seven points evaporate before – such as Manchester United’s in the 2011/12 campaign – and Chelsea are hardly enjoying top form at the minute, spared from draws against Aston Villa and Everton by a Branislav Ivanovic wonder-strike and a fortuitous Willian goal, deflecting off Steven Naismith in the 89th minute to trickle into Tim Howard’s net, respectively.
But when your right-back is scoring screamers that wouldn’t look out of place on a Cristiano Ronaldo highlight reel to gain three points from an otherwise ordinary performance, you know that element of luck essential in any Premier League title bid is firmly on your side.
Likewise, I’m a strong advocate of the numbers behind the beautiful game – the Moneyball-inspired formulas, the endless supply of OPTA statistics – and when extrapolated until the end of May, the numbers suggest the title will return to Stamford Bridge this term, barring a minor miracle.
For example, Chelsea are currently seven points ahead of the Citizens and boasting 59 points from 25 games, drop, on average, just 0.64 points per match. Should that pattern continue in identical fashion, they’ll miss out on just eight points before the season closes – so the only way Manchester City can leapfrog them in the table is by winning all of their remaining 13 fixtures, giving them 91 points compared to the Blues’ projected 90.
Perhaps not an impossible task, considering the immense quality of the Etihad squad – soon to be further strengthened by Yaya Toure and Wilfried Bony upon their return from the African Cup of Nations. But those 13 fixtures include a visit to Anfield in a fortnight to face Liverpool, the Premier League’s most in-form at the minute team by quite some distance, a local derby against Manchester United at Old Trafford, an away trip to Champions League contenders Tottenham and an Etihad clash with Southampton on the final day of the season.
In between, relegation battlers Burnley and Crystal Palace pose potential banana-skins on their respective home patches, and all of that is without City’s Champions League involvement entering the equation – which will almost certainly take priority at Eastlands if they beat Barcelona in the opening knock-out round.
Furthermore, there are some historical factors to consider – particularly surrounding Jose Mourinho. This is the Portuguese’s slimmest margin after 24 games during a title-winning campaign, but he’s never lost a title race when topping the table at Christmas throughout his spells with the Blues, Porto, Inter Milan and Real Madrid. Squandering such leads just isn’t a Jose Mourinho thing.
Similarly, every second season Mourinho has spent at a club has always proved his most successful, with a virtual guarantee of league titles. He won the domestic league and the Champions League during his second campaign with both Inter Milan and Porto, and the Portuguese’s second season at the Bernabeu was the only time in which he lifted the La Liga trophy – recording his only double over rivals Barcelona in the process. The exception? His second term at Chelsea, where the west Londoners won a consecutive Premier League tile but failed to retain the FA Cup from the year before.
The idea of history repeating itself so accurately, or Chelsea’s points ratio to staying exactly the same until the end of May, might come across a little simplistic; football is one of the most unpredictable sports in the world, and if it were just a matter of formulas, every Premier League dugout would be headed by scientists and data specialists already.
But with history, the numbers, fortune and a seven-point surplus firmly on Chelsea’s side – not to mention the leading goalscorer, Diego Costa and the leading creator, Cesc Fabregas, in the division- losing the Premier League title now would constitute the biggest disappointment of Jose Mourinho’s managerial career thus far – which, quite frankly, just doesn’t sound very Jose Mourinho.
The pressure will unequivocally increase around Stamford Bridge in the coming weeks and Chelsea too, could soon get caught up in the European title race. But much like their manager, the Blues thrive most when their backs are to the wall – handling the pressure and grinding out results at the business end of campaigns is part of their DNA.
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Although a City comeback isn’t outside the realms of possibility just yet, in my opinion, a Chelsea capitulation at this stage of the season certainly is.
Whether you see it as an ingenious bit of deception, or downright cheating, on the same level of carrying the ball under your arm. Diving and nonsensical acting have become part and parcel of the game we all love and at times despise.
So after Watford’s Fernando Forestieri’s Oscar worthy piece of play acting in his sides draw with Wolves at the weekend, here’s is a selection of some of the best (or worst) bits of simulation that have graced the game in recent years…
Sergio Busquets v Inter Milan (2010)
If Jose Mourinho is to be believed, referees have never much cared for any of his teams.
This little scene certainly can be used to back up his case. In a tense Champions League semi-final, the Barcelona midfielder collapsed to the floor after being callously tapped on the cheek. If the red card wasn’t enough to infuriate the watching public, his little glance through his hands probably did the trick.
Steven Taylor v Aston Villa (2005)
This one makes the list on the grounds of its uniqueness and, quite frankly, its hilarity.
After making a save his keeper would be proud of, the defender then proceeded to pretend he had been struck by a canon in the ribs, writhing in agony. Unfortunately the ref was an old cynic and sent Taylor off.
However, real fans of the art will always hold a candle for this Geordie Messiah and his epic performance.
Morten Gamst Pedersen V Arsenal (2009)
Where others wait for slight contact before theatrically falling from grace, Pedersen waited for nothing of the sort, with the nearest defender a postcode or two away he went head first into the plush Emirates turf.
This is particularly impressive due to the sheer gall of diving under no tackle at all. An original, almost surrealist piece of work.
Ashley Young v Real Sociedad (2013)
When it comes to diving, Ashley Young really is the Al Pacino of the football world.
Having churned out classic after classic, his commitment to the art can never be questioned. This one against Sociedad was a particularly skilful piece.
Note the delay and spin on this one. It really is quite something. Stunning.
Rivaldo V Turkey (2002)
This one really is The Godfather of playacting. Never has shame been ignored so freely and to such effect.
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On the biggest footballing stage, Rivaldo, one of the players of not only his, but any generation, added another string to his bow.
Hakan Ansal viciously passed the ball into his legs, causing a shock to go through his body, and his face. Luckily no one was hurt, Ansal was dismissed and Brazil went on to win the World Cup.
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers believes he is the best man for the job at Anfield. Having lead his side to second place last season, Liverpool are now in fifth and are no longer in the FA Cup, preparing for another season in the Europa League.
This has been done despite spending an absolute fortune on new talent last summer. So is he right, or is he utterly delusional?
The Rodgers saga has proved somewhat interesting to watch from an outsider’s perspective this season. He, and Liverpool, have turned into a media fanfare. The ongoing situation with Raheem Sterling has played out massively through media outlets. First, the scenario of supposed ongoing contract talks that spurred on rumours of a potential exit for the youngster began. Sterling has been hailed as one of the players of the season, but can Liverpool really afford to lose another key player?
Losing Luis Suarez at the end of last season was a real blow for Liverpool. And they clearly have not recovered from his departure. Suarez is one of a kind and scored over 30 goals last season, but Rodgers did not even attempt to properly replace him. Signing Rickie Lambert has actually halted his playing career. The last time Lambert started for Liverpool was the beginning of January and he has spent the vast majority of the season on the bench.
The other potential replacement for Luis Suarez was Mario Balotelli. And what a mistake that turned out to be. If anything, the Italian has been a bit of a headache for Rodgers. He’s been in trouble for social media postings, and has not been the prolific goalscorer they had hoped he would be.
They struggled in Europe, they will not be making the top four, and they will not be lifting any silverware this season. How can Rodgers justify spending that much money with such little result? How can he be the right man for the job? Rodgers is somewhat delusional. He needs to be realistic about his future.
Liverpool will only put up with so much for so long. If they got rid of ‘King’ Kenny Daglish, considered a legend at the club, then of course they will let go of Rodgers.
“Look at Tottenham, you spend over £100-odd million you’d expect to be challenging for the league.” Brendan Rodgers has a point. But, he did the exact same thing and is no closer to challenging for the league.
Bit embarrassing, really.
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Sunderland brought in Dick Advocaat to help keep them in the Premier League. The Black Cats were tipped for the drop in the second half of the season, along with their Tyne and Wear rivals Newcastle. Both sides live to play another season in the top flight, but do Sunderland deserve to?
This is not the first time we have seen Sunderland flirting with the relegation battle. They narrowly avoided the drop two seasons ago, and are regular finishers in the bottom half of the table.
So it was no surprise when they were candidates for the drop once again. When your top goal scorers have just five goals to their name, you will not find yourselves in the top half of the table.
Back in March, Sunderland parted ways with their manager Gus Poyet. There is never a good time to sack a manager, and it is risky to do it so late in the season. In his final months in charge, Poyet faced the humiliating 8-0 defeat at Southampton, but the 4-0 loss to Tim Sherwood’s Aston Villa was too much to take and was the nail in his Sunderland coffin.
Poyet was soon replaced by Advocaat, who did just enough to keep Sunderland in the top flight. Yet as soon as the season was wrapped up, Advocaat announced he would no longer manage Sunderland, leaving the club to search for yet another manager in such a short space of time.
Former West Ham manager Sam Allardyce has been linked to the vacancy, as has David Moyes. Both have been reported as saying they are not interested in the job. It’s not a good sign that potential replacements are cooling their interest, but Sunderland need to sort a manager realistically within the next month.
The transfer window opens at the beginning of July, and if they want to have fighting chance in the next campaign, they need a manager in early to assess his side and build on it.
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