What the 2014 Fifa World Cup tells the world - Tiki Taka, Samba are dead and buried.

The 2014 Brazil Fifa World Cup came and went. Germany vanquished all and sundry and made history by becoming the first European country to do in South America. Amongst many firsts and surprises you already know, there was a question of the death of Samba football. Many think it never existed. The claim is that Brazil ever thrived on one many talents (once in a while two or three). The truth of that could be the hosts’ failure to perform without Neymar. The famous 7-1 loss is the tip of that iceberg.  That was supported by Argentina’s lack of sting if Messi got eliminated tactically. In truth, that Argentinian team was below par given an array of talent within the squad. All Germany did, was to eradicate his influence and then pounced and snatched the 2014 World Cup title from under their nose. Enough of the South American disaster.

In this exceptional extravaganza, Tiki Taka football proved dead and buried. When Barcelona failed in the UEFA Champions League and flunked in the L Liga race, alarm bells rang and the flashing lights beaconed. It never made headlines for sentimental reasons, until Spain came and proved the fact. The converted, the believers in the philosophy still think there is life, that it can still be taken to the intensive care unit and be resuscitated. One can be hopeful and claim that Spain were just ‘victory fatigued’.

Barcelona won too much in the last few years, so did Spain. Basically, the two (Barca and Spain) are more or less the same thing. Vicente Del a Bosque lacked motivation. After the 2-10 South Africa Fifa World Cup victory, he should have resigned. The new coach would have inspired the old warhorses. For the glory and employment reasons, he must have stayed, a noble idea. In that case, he should have overhauled that team. Having the World Cup medal, European championship medal, the UEFA Champions League and Club World Cup medal, I would never break a sweat, let alone a leg. Only the foolish would expect that anyway, that is why Spain left early for home.

Italy always present themselves as tough customers in any situation. After the horrible 2010 Fifa World Cup in South Africa were they were eliminated on the first round, few would bet against their resurgence. They have the quality of Andre Pirlo and Mario Balotelli to name just two. The former champions became the centre of attraction with their football and the discipline and defensive behaviour and pressing of their football godfather, Arrigo Sacchi. The 3-1 loss to Costa Rica embarrassed them, ushering the Azzuri through the shameful exit door for the second World Cup on the trot. It could have been they dwelt much on that, forgot to mould forward movements associated with modern football.

One could argue that Pirlo’s age had adverse effects, but he stood between the Italians and bad defeats many times. One thing best left alone, is the racist Italian football community. Balotelli never got the support of the ball supply needed to make an impact. This is not to say that his blackness had anything to do with it, but with a single quality pass, fortunes could have been changed. One must note that a record equalling 171 goals were scored in Brazil, proving the offensive modern game. Pressing remains the single most important tactic as proven by the champions, Germany.   

English football organisation and preparation proved insufficient. Talent and experience in imbalanced proportions became their downfall. The English Premier League quality came under the microscope. Given the touting as the best league, the team never measured up, neither did any team with a good measure of players plying their trade there. Belgium were one example of a team littered with talent gracing the Backlays English Premier League. They flattered to deceive. Few teams would relish the prospects of facing the team with Daniel Sturridge, Raheem Sterling, Buckley, Lallana, Bailey and the like. Friendly matches do not demand the best of the teams.

Based on that fact alone, misjudging the capabilities of performance is the biggest setback. That team needed to go through the mill and face adversaries and adversities to mature. Until then, with all the razz mataz of the most watched league in the world, England will remain the laughing stock of the World Cups. Roy Hodgson started an excellent project which I think some else need to take to the next level, and now. One of the best qualities of the Englsih Football Association, is their poor choice of managers. From where I am sitting, they will let Hodgson stick it out, fatally blowing their chances away. As good as he is, he may not have the energy to transmit to the young Three Lions.

African talent counts for nought as maladministration reigns. The worst part of it is that the continent is proud of it. The way the football associations compete to display their folly is mind-boggling. As if that, the duels to portray the incompetence at top level had top prize money, the single mindedness and total focus on self-destruction, generation after generation, cannot be compared with anything in hell or earth. The continent boasts of top athletes in top leagues. These players trade with the best, they compete against the best. To leave their home leagues, they prove to be a cut over the rest. They get exposed to top training methods by the greatest managers of the game. Time and time again, they provide evidence that they can never be intimidated or under-estimated.

All the organisations do, is to prove to them that their overseas statuses mean nothing, that in Africa it is dog eat dog, and if one does not like the heat, they should leave the kitchen. No one is greater than a village donkey and the team listens to one army general, usually the receptionist at the national offices of the association. The lack of understanding that these players need huge insurances in case their careers are compromised, that they need a back-up system to enable them to afford medical treatment and surgery if need be, cause the unnecessary squabbles and in-fighting. The experienced players begin to bully the inexperienced and they pull their weight around. In retaliatory fashion, the young players begin to be selfish for the benefit of their future contracts. The tug-of-war, World Cup after World Cup, leads to one thing and one thing only – embarrassment.

How Fifa does not intervene, I do not know. I guess they do not care as long as Africans skin each other. What should happen, is the sanctions against teams behaving in that manner, for bringing the beautiful game into disrepute. In other words, ban the associations, the leadership and the countries from participating in the next two or three World Cups. By the same token, the ill-disciplined players holding the countries at ransom, should never have their big team contracts sanctioned. Such moves would be serious food for thought, if they affected big brothers in Europe and less so in South America. Probably you could be asking where they would get money and insurance to pay the mega stars. If one leads an organisation and they have no plan, they should leave their jobs. What does it profit an organisation to have a blind tour guide?

Many should have shared the revered blueprint of Germany success. The youth policy whose philosophy leads to national team football, is actually inverse. The national team philosophy is played throughout Bundesliga 6-9 (amateurs) as, of course from Bundesliga 1-5 (professionals). The schools follow the same. Actually, all football is played to produce the cup won on the 13^th of July 2014 in Rio de Janeiro’s Maracana Stadium. Many countries try to do that, but the quantity of perfection is the difference. Few elements add up and the end product is there to see.

We wish to hear your thoughts and we next check on the football trends observed in Brazil.

Uruguay beat Italy by 1-0 in 2014 Fifa World Cup.

 

Diego Godin scored a late winner after ‘heading’ in a Gaston Ramirez corner kick. After a failed penalty claim, Uruguay won a corner kick conceded by Italy’s Sciglio. Ramirez sent the corner kick from the right side, and the Azzuri were in sixes and sevens as Godin rose and with his body half-turned, scored with his left shoulder, sending Italy to join Spain and England on that early flight home.

 

The match was littered with fouls, lacked flair and did not have true attacking football. There was a Marchisio red card in the second half when he went over the ball with studs showing and caught his opponent on the shin with a career ending action. Luis Suarez got his fangs to work on Chiellini moments before the corner kick that led to the solitary goal.

A characteristic Italia defensive display dominated the ugly match in which Cavani and Suarez were starved of the ball. Italy interrupted all the Uruguay build-ups contracting the pitch size by reducing all possible spaces and blocking pass paths.

Uruguay played with Suarez in a deeper position on the left as he sought refuge as the Italians barricaded the defending third by placing a blue wall at the edge of the penalty area. They could not break down that resolute Italian defence until that vital moment.

For the second time in a row, the three-time world champions were sent home packing early. As for Luis Suarez’s actions, he should be banned from the rest of the tournament and probably from the next Fifa World Cup qualifiers.  

Costa Rica beat Italy 1-0 in 2014 Fifa World Cup

England should be wondering how on earth they got beat by Italy. So shambolic was their performance that their entry into the final can be counted in one hand against the minnows. They looked set to control the match as they dictated play in the early first half. Pirlo dominated the midfield and set up Mario Balottelli a few times. Balottelli had hoped for a kiss on the cheek from the Queen of England, but he kicked that chance away twice in the first half.

Italy became nervous and jittery as they failed to deal with Joe Campbell’s runs. Costa Rica remained composed and never gave much away. They penetrated systematically without giving the former Fifa World Cup champions any respect. They won the midfield bouts and played the ball through the middle to Campbell who beat three Italians and was felled in the penalty area, but the referee ignored the incident.

Justice was done minutes later as they did not need that call. They played the ball in midfield and pushed it left. There was no Italian pressure to press the ball in the middle of the park. The winger had ample time to control and cross without anyone closing down on the ball. Bryan Ruiz timed his perfect run being monitored by two defenders and met the cross at the far post to head past Buffon.

Italy came from the break showing further signs of decay in midfield. They lacked compactness and exposed their defence, which became stretched and played too far apart. That crack in defence became more exposed as Costa Rica played the long ball consistently at the same point, almost ripping it open with each launch.

Pirlo played too defensively without affecting much of the attack. This made the Europeans too slow in attack and fail to deliver any final pass for the isolated Balottelli. The midfield carried the ball too much and could not penetrate the South Americans defence. They were too careless, lost possession easily, and gave away easy free kicks in a very amateurish manner.

To the credit of Costa Rica, they did not make special arrangements for Pirlo who played very far away from the dance floor, and Balottelli. They had their game plan that boarded around their own strengths and stuck to it. They counter-attacked very well playing directly with the long ball through the centre. They remained compact at the back and stayed composed without diving into tackles or unnecessarily rushing their attacks.

It became one deserved win for Costa Rica as they put a perfect all-round show. For Italy, they did not come to the party and everything that could go wrong went wrong. England should have been watching with awe, how they lost to the Italians. The result sadly sends England home early while Italy and Uruguay will decide who stays between them.

Italy beat England 2-1 in the 2014 Brazil Fifa 2014

England started like a house on fire, taking the game to the Italians as they sought to take control of the game in the opening minutes. Attempts by the Three Lions to take shooting opportunities early on was enough message about the intentions of the English. Italy did well to cool things down. Raheem Sterling, Henderson and Daniel Sturridge could have scored in the opening few minutes with chances that worked well for their confidence.

After that strong opening spell, the English became too slow in attack and very casual in their midfield play. They managed to keep many bodies behind the ball. Pirlo began to enjoy too much respect as he was afforded plenty of room to spray passes which increased the confidence of the Azzuri attacks.

A well-worked short corner-kick routine caught England without a man on the outside of the 18 area, giving an option to Italy to play two versus one. That short corner was rather played onwards to a rushing Pirlo who sold a dummy to Sturridge. Marchissio was not closed down as he thumped a first-time grass mower past Joe Hart who was obstructed by a forest of feet in front of him.

The response was rapid as the English midfield won the ball and quickly set up Sterling who spotted Wayne Rooney’s run on the left. Rooney complimented the perfect pass by a perfect cross which Sturridge half-volleyed home. The timing of the run of Liverpool’s striker was amazing, as was the composure to finish that excellent move with a first time shot while running at that pace.

The second half started well for England but quickly gave away the initiative to Italians who took that with both hands. The ‘offline’ mode in midfield saw Candrieva exploit the space on the right wing and then turn his man inside out and crossing a pinpoint ball for Mario Bolatelli who rose majestically to head down past the diving Hart.

England should have suffocated paly in midfield and have a man stop that run on the wing. The need to stop the cross cannot be over-emphasised. Super Mario also needed a tight leash all the time. He rose with little challenge and Joe Hart could have plucked that ball off the air or communicated with his defenders to watch for Mario as the cross was being manufactured.  

Roy Hodgson’s troops raised their game once more, Rooney fluffing the best of that renaissance after a neat move that ended with him hurriedly dragging his shot past the near post from 10 yards out. To raise their game, Italy employed a very strong passing game, imposing their authority in all departments. In response, England did not let the sleeping dogs lay as they probed more, sometimes too desperately.

England had five players in the box for each corner-kick, all attacking the near post and the balls fell behind everybody on each occasion. It was the same with crosses as they fell to the blind-side without any attention from the wide men. There was enough reason for them to be hopeful in the next fixture against Uruguay who seemed disintegrated and demotivated by the loss to Costa Rica. There was however, too much respect to Pirlo who was left to belt out his thing in midfield.  

Brazil beats Mexico but there is louder message in Italy blasting Japan

Neymar is pure class and very much immature. He has a lot to learn and some distance to cover to the levels of Lionel Messi. That is as far as the over game is concerned but his technique is exquisite. Tactically he will surely mature and be a better player, hopefully. He reminds one of the young 'Iron' Mike Tyson, Raw and Uncut.

It is sometimes too early for these youngsters to get then hype and then they live under the shadow of expectation under-delivering yet being idolised like Wayne Rooney, whose roof was never reached and he stagnated in growth but we keep singing praises for his glimpses of a what might have been.

Brazil beat Mexico despite a spirited performance of one of my favourite players in the world today (well since 2009), Giovanni Dos Santos. It was that pure class of the 21 year old Neymar that was hugely the difference. Dani Alves received a pass after some fancy footwork on the right, delivered a cross that was deflected high.
Now, this is the coaching point part.

Neymar had to orient himself to locate the goal, and his bearing changed every second as his target had a barrier, the goalkeeper. There was men attending to him and hungering for the same ball. The Brazilian had to make his run, simultaneously keeping his eyes on the ball whose trajectory was not completely defined. Despite physical contact that could put him off, he gained his balance, arms wide, making a good selection of the controlling surface, shepherding the ball into space with his chest, planting the non-kicking football slightly behind the possible dropping point of the ball, curling his body over to lean forward and hitting that ball hard midway through its centre at the top half. His angle and power had to be right and the rest is history.

That goal can be crudely mirror-imaged with the first of the tournament, where that came from his left, but was chested by a team-mate onto his path. He cannoned the ball, then with his right foot. The technique of striking the ball was wholly similar. Hi move to Barcelona has made people start talking about his combination with Messi but bot because of the goals.

Neymar received the ball on the left and quickly left a defender by his first positive touch, sweeping past the other two by his acceleration before his sudden change of pace and direction in the box left two more defenders for dead. He laid the ball across for Jo to finish. That was class. That was the match in brief. It is the speed and finish that is frightening and with Messi, that will be more than a job and a half to contain an attack.     

Many people did not see Japan beating Italy. That changed with the first penalty of the match converted by Honda and the spectacular Kagawa special. Frankly, it was not the goals that swayed the votes, but the gusty performance that was full of self belief and zeal to win. The Italians were themselves more than surprised. They were afraid, very afraid. With half-time approaching, anyone stopping Pirlo and Mario Balotelli could be excused for celebrating but that was a little too much too early.

Pirlo sent in a corner kick that was converted by the head. From there on, thing were never going to be the same for the Asians. Some players thought they could do it while others thought, maybe not. Even from the same positive players, the doubts start to fly in the head and that is exactly what the Europeans thrive on.
The penalty converted by Balotelli and the own goal wrote the beginning of the end of a Cinderella story in the making. That winner was always coming after that and it was more than a win but a statement to say Italy mean business. For many, they were dead and burried, and maybe so, but if they can rise to see another day be very afraid.

It was value for money to see so many goals but the Neymar strike, priceless!

Euro 2012; Enter Mario, Exit Torres.

It's official. Enter Italy and exit Spain. Spain can beat Italy in the final if they want, but they are said to be boring by mainstream international media. This information is actually 18 months in arrears. They should have realised Barcelona were faded when we said it. Barcelona is Spain. What we did not see coming was Andreas Pirlo. By the same window, exit Xavi Hernandez.

The Euro 2012 finals get to fold on Sunday after England surpassed many people's expectations and drew criticism from within of Roy Hodgson's tactics, as if Harry Redknapp could have done better. The English were undone by the ever overrated pair of Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard. They could have done better without the duo.

It must be said that the Spain versus Portugal semi-final resembled a Barca against Real Madrid El Classico clash given the predictable tension and void tactics. The embarrasing amateur mistake by the Portuguese coach of leaving the best for last stole the show.

How noble it would have been for Cristiano Ronaldo to score the final and winning penalty. As he never lived to see the moment, all were reminded of always putting one's best foot forward. The least he could have done, was to let the showman take the 3^rd one.

Generally, the tourney put paid my fears I wrote about in one of my last articles; that international football is becoming extinct. Save for the few matches of smaller football nations and the Italy versus Germany semi-final, the Euro 2012 was a cold siesta.

For starters, how does any teams in the universe, boasting of Wesley Sneider, Robin van Pierse, Rafael van der Vaart, van Bommel and Nigel de Jong, to name but a few, fail to win or draw a single match?

National team football needs young and upcoming players of great ambitions. The overpaid experienced professional will keep wasting a lot of our time and money. One can only hope that Spain have seen their last victory in the tournament. As much I am not an Italian fan, it is a choice between a right-handed and left-handed devil.

EXTRA-TIME with Vusumuzi Mourinho Ndlovu - THE ANDREA PIRLO ROLE

With two exceptional talents vying for a single spot on the team sheet, Ancelotti was bound to have selection problems on his arrival at AC Milan. At that time Rui Costa was arguably the world’s best ball passer. He had established himself at Fiorentina and the case that he was the most expensive player signed by Milan added to the fact that he was not going to be relegated to the bench easily. Rui Costa had to contend with a young Italian rough diamond which had just joined from arch-rivals Inter Milan. Ancelotti did the unthinkable, he chose both.

Playing with two playmakers in an era when catenaccio was much revered in Italian football was never going to be easy. Ancelotti gave Rui Costa the playmaker’s role and fielded Pirlo deeper alongside Gattuso, the anchorman. Ancelotti gradually transformed Pirlo into a world class player that went on to fire AC Milan and Italy to glory.

With much freedom, Pirlo’s dynamism, creativity, and vision enabled him to dictate the pace which ensured Milan was back in European football sooner. Blessed with a great first touch, his ability to spread play with his cross-field passes to wingers is second to none. He uses his deeper role to play long balls which exploits openings and creates opportunities to build up play.

Pirlo was instrumental in the Rossoneri’s resurrection as Milan went on to dominate Europe again as they went on to win two UEFA Champions League trophies. His inspiration knew no boundaries, as national team coach Marcelo Lippi built his World Cup winning team around the AC Milan pair of Gattuso and Pirlo. ‘The architect’ scooped the bronze ball at the Azzuri’s last World Cup triumph after he had scored Italy’s opening goal. He further had four assists including the all important one in the final where he was voted man of the match. Prior to that, he had captained the Olympic team to bronze medal in 2004 where he became the third best player.

During Ancelotti’s era at the San Siro, Milan were said to be the custodians of the 1-4-4-2 narrow diamond formation until the departure of Andriy Shevchenko to Chelsea. After winning the UEFA Champions League in 2003, Ancelotti kept the formation and the team setup intact until the sale of Shevchenko. However, if you closely look at AC Milan lineups in 2003 and 2005 UEFA Champions League finals you will observe why I have always thought that Milan’s formation was more of an advanced centralised ‘magic rectangle’.

In those three Champions League finals that Milan reached under Ancelotti, Milan had four defenders, two centre backs and two wingbacks. He didn’t change Gattuso and Pirlo in defensive midfield. Kaka replaced Rui Costa to partner Seerdorf in central midfield in 2005 with Shevchenko and Inzaghi being returned upfront. Pirlo wasn’t going to be called a deep lying playmaker if he was a central midfielder like Seerdorf or a plymaker like Rui Costa. I emphasise that Milan’s formation was more of a1- 4-2-2-2 instead of a 1-4-1-2-1-2 a narrow diamond. Though both formations use wingbacks for width, the diamond uses a single player at the base and at the tip.

Above all, Milan continued to use Pirlo as a deep lying playmaker even after switching Kaka to a second striker role in a 4-4-1-1, he never ceased to inspire. Pirlo’s displays best define the deep lying playmaker’s role.

Euro 12 Results: France Good But Sweat.

 

Niko Kranjcar scored twice for Croatia as they a 2-1 win over Israel in Tel Aviv topping Group F in Euro 2012 qualifying. Kranjcar scored from the penalty spot in the 36th minute before netting the second 4 minutes before half-time with an excellent low shot. Etay Shechter was on target as Israel pulled a goal back in the 81st minute giving them hope for a late equaliser that never came.

France had to dig very deep to pull off a fantastic victory when substitutes Loic Remy and Yoann Gourcuff  came in and turned a match on its head. France collected three points against very stubborn Romanian side that threatened to steal the glamour at the Stade de France. Nasri was in good form and Laurent Blanc was a happy man as side topped Euro 2012 qualifying Group D. Romania had the post crushing their hopes before France hit the cross-bar.

Northern Ireland were involved in a strong contest with Italy. They were left dejected at failing to beat 2006 world champions Italy who were up for the taking in a match at Windsor Park. A full house witnessed as the big bulls fired blanks for a 0-0 draw.

Scotland  defended badly and allowed Roman Hubnik's header to give Czech Republic a 1-0 win over their Grou I match at Prague. Reports of a 'ultra-defensive 4-2-2-2 formation with no recognised striker' were given as an excuse. It is not necessary to dwell on that 'formation' as it is just figures. It is normal for anyone to confuse people who do not know by fancy language that means nothing.

Euro 12 Results: France Good But Sweat.

 

Niko Kranjcar scored twice for Croatia as they a 2-1 win over Israel in Tel Aviv topping Group F in Euro 2012 qualifying. Kranjcar scored from the penalty spot in the 36th minute before netting the second 4 minutes before half-time with an excellent low shot. Etay Shechter was on target as Israel pulled a goal back in the 81st minute giving them hope for a late equaliser that never came.

France had to dig very deep to pull off a fantastic victory when substitutes Loic Remy and Yoann Gourcuff  came in and turned a match on its head. France collected three points against very stubborn Romanian side that threatened to steal the glamour at the Stade de France. Nasri was in good form and Laurent Blanc was a happy man as side topped Euro 2012 qualifying Group D. Romania had the post crushing their hopes before France hit the cross-bar.

Northern Ireland were involved in a strong contest with Italy. They were left dejected at failing to beat 2006 world champions Italy who were up for the taking in a match at Windsor Park. A full house witnessed as the big bulls fired blanks for a 0-0 draw.

Scotland  defended badly and allowed Roman Hubnik's header to give Czech Republic a 1-0 win over their Grou I match at Prague. Reports of a 'ultra-defensive 4-2-2-2 formation with no recognised striker' were given as an excuse. It is not necessary to dwell on that 'formation' as it is just figures. It is normal for anyone to confuse people who do not know by fancy language that means nothing.

Euro 12 Results: France Good But Sweat.

 

Niko Kranjcar scored twice for Croatia as they a 2-1 win over Israel in Tel Aviv topping Group F in Euro 2012 qualifying. Kranjcar scored from the penalty spot in the 36th minute before netting the second 4 minutes before half-time with an excellent low shot. Etay Shechter was on target as Israel pulled a goal back in the 81st minute giving them hope for a late equaliser that never came.

France had to dig very deep to pull off a fantastic victory when substitutes Loic Remy and Yoann Gourcuff  came in and turned a match on its head. France collected three points against very stubborn Romanian side that threatened to steal the glamour at the Stade de France. Nasri was in good form and Laurent Blanc was a happy man as side topped Euro 2012 qualifying Group D. Romania had the post crushing their hopes before France hit the cross-bar.

Northern Ireland were involved in a strong contest with Italy. They were left dejected at failing to beat 2006 world champions Italy who were up for the taking in a match at Windsor Park. A full house witnessed as the big bulls fired blanks for a 0-0 draw.

Scotland  defended badly and allowed Roman Hubnik's header to give Czech Republic a 1-0 win over their Grou I match at Prague. Reports of a 'ultra-defensive 4-2-2-2 formation with no recognised striker' were given as an excuse. It is not necessary to dwell on that 'formation' as it is just figures. It is normal for anyone to confuse people who do not know by fancy language that means nothing.

Euro 12 Results: France Good But Sweat.

 

Niko Kranjcar scored twice for Croatia as they a 2-1 win over Israel in Tel Aviv topping Group F in Euro 2012 qualifying. Kranjcar scored from the penalty spot in the 36th minute before netting the second 4 minutes before half-time with an excellent low shot. Etay Shechter was on target as Israel pulled a goal back in the 81st minute giving them hope for a late equaliser that never came.

France had to dig very deep to pull off a fantastic victory when substitutes Loic Remy and Yoann Gourcuff  came in and turned a match on its head. France collected three points against very stubborn Romanian side that threatened to steal the glamour at the Stade de France. Nasri was in good form and Laurent Blanc was a happy man as side topped Euro 2012 qualifying Group D. Romania had the post crushing their hopes before France hit the cross-bar.

Northern Ireland were involved in a strong contest with Italy. They were left dejected at failing to beat 2006 world champions Italy who were up for the taking in a match at Windsor Park. A full house witnessed as the big bulls fired blanks for a 0-0 draw.

Scotland  defended badly and allowed Roman Hubnik's header to give Czech Republic a 1-0 win over their Grou I match at Prague. Reports of a 'ultra-defensive 4-2-2-2 formation with no recognised striker' were given as an excuse. It is not necessary to dwell on that 'formation' as it is just figures. It is normal for anyone to confuse people who do not know by fancy language that means nothing.

Why Did Arsenal Not Signing Robinho?

One player Arsenal would have done with, is Brazilian Manchester City and Santos player, Robinho. Silvio Berlusconi snapped Brazil star after AC Milan also signed Zlatan Ibrahimovic. They have Pato, Ronaldinho and Filippo Inzaghi. He hinted Marco Borriello has to leave, and may he may head Juventas. Robinho must decide where he has to be and stay put. This may be the beginning of his end. It will be such a shame for him not to realise his full potential. To me, he has shown us half of his abilities.  

Klaas Huntelaar has singed for German side Schalke 04 from AC Milan and was rumoured to have been heading to the English Premiership, while Liverpool Javier Mascherano made his worst career choice when he joined Barcelona. While The Reds showed a gap in his absence, he was better off with Benitez at Inter instead. With the talent at Barcelona, people still of Pep Guardiola as a good coach. That may be right, but sometimes that becomes over-rated, especially when you start counting the victories and honours the club wins. Back to Mascherano, he has to uproot Xavi or Busquets for a twin anchor role, a tall order indeed.

Barcelona seem to be taking off from where they left last season, winning 3-0, with new boy David Villa scoring. The FIFA World Cup is over, as you may realise after Messi's hat-trick last week in the Spanish Super Cup. Real Madrid fired blanks to the disgust of the Special One, who would have liked to enter La Liga in style. As if that wasn't enough, Portuguese Ronaldo got what looks like a long-term injury. This will give Jose Mourinho reason to dig deeper into his tactics bag to pull it away from perennial top achievers, Barca. 

Of course, it is fair to salute a Super Cup win by Athletico Madrid over Italian giants Inter Milan. Athletico took the Cup courtesy of a 2-0 victory. They went on t open a league account with a 4-0 drubbing of Sorting Gijon, in a match the FIFA World Cup hero shined. Diego Forlan was priceless scoring twice in Madrid.

Despite the obvious technical downside at Anfield, manager Roy Hodgson seems more interested in a striker. This is a little confusing, given that Ryan Babel is a firebrand striker always coming off the bench to produce the goods. He may be an ideal impact player, but manager after manager give him a cold shoulder, only throwing him with 2 or 3 minutes of play remaining.

David Ngog is one player ready to be thrown at the deep end, but somehow is invisible to the coach. I think managers must make players, especially those with potential. Anyway, Hodgson will be signing Konchesky from Fulham soon.

There has been the interesting form of Theo Walcott. This is very notable regardless of the 2 match window since Robin van Persie seems to be nursing an injury that may take him several weeks to heal. The downside is that Theo would draw all the attention for van Persie to score goals to the potential he has always shown. I think he still has a long way to go to convince me he belongs where Arsenal fans place him. 

Mikel Silvestre is turning into a nomadic player, moving to Werder Bremen after spending just over a season at Arsenal when he moved from Manchester United. He had been clubless for a while. It is not clear what he lacks, having spent such a long time at a club of Man U stature, he should have been a hot cake too good to spend a season without kicking a ball.

Meanwhile, you will remember that Tottenham Hotspurs were bidding for Brazilian Luis Fabiano. The 'hand ball-tapping' forceful striker was Redknapp's heart's desire for his Champions' League assault. Sevilla have since put an electric fence around 29-year-old Fabiano, extending his contract after refusing some $30 million offers.

West Brom Albion scored with the signing of Paul Scharner, given he was a free agent and his versatility. He is gifted to play effectively in various position at the back and middle.

Aston Villa deny claim that Spurs are hunting Ashley Young. Harry Redknapp likes artists of Young's calibre, given he has Aaron Lennon, who plays the same role. The pair would be a handful for any defence with each on either wing and the centre being operated by either Peter Crouch or Jermaine Defoe or both. Wow. I still think that Spurs is the only team that will decide where the championship ends up this season. Have your say.

Why Did Arsenal Not Signing Robinho?

One player Arsenal would have done with, is Brazilian Manchester City and Santos player, Robinho. Silvio Berlusconi snapped Brazil star after AC Milan also signed Zlatan Ibrahimovic. They have Pato, Ronaldinho and Filippo Inzaghi. He hinted Marco Borriello has to leave, and may he may head Juventas. Robinho must decide where he has to be and stay put. This may be the beginning of his end. It will be such a shame for him not to realise his full potential. To me, he has shown us half of his abilities.  

Klaas Huntelaar has singed for German side Schalke 04 from AC Milan and was rumoured to have been heading to the English Premiership, while Liverpool Javier Mascherano made his worst career choice when he joined Barcelona. While The Reds showed a gap in his absence, he was better off with Benitez at Inter instead. With the talent at Barcelona, people still of Pep Guardiola as a good coach. That may be right, but sometimes that becomes over-rated, especially when you start counting the victories and honours the club wins. Back to Mascherano, he has to uproot Xavi or Busquets for a twin anchor role, a tall order indeed.

Barcelona seem to be taking off from where they left last season, winning 3-0, with new boy David Villa scoring. The FIFA World Cup is over, as you may realise after Messi's hat-trick last week in the Spanish Super Cup. Real Madrid fired blanks to the disgust of the Special One, who would have liked to enter La Liga in style. As if that wasn't enough, Portuguese Ronaldo got what looks like a long-term injury. This will give Jose Mourinho reason to dig deeper into his tactics bag to pull it away from perennial top achievers, Barca. 

Of course, it is fair to salute a Super Cup win by Athletico Madrid over Italian giants Inter Milan. Athletico took the Cup courtesy of a 2-0 victory. They went on t open a league account with a 4-0 drubbing of Sorting Gijon, in a match the FIFA World Cup hero shined. Diego Forlan was priceless scoring twice in Madrid.

Despite the obvious technical downside at Anfield, manager Roy Hodgson seems more interested in a striker. This is a little confusing, given that Ryan Babel is a firebrand striker always coming off the bench to produce the goods. He may be an ideal impact player, but manager after manager give him a cold shoulder, only throwing him with 2 or 3 minutes of play remaining.

David Ngog is one player ready to be thrown at the deep end, but somehow is invisible to the coach. I think managers must make players, especially those with potential. Anyway, Hodgson will be signing Konchesky from Fulham soon.

There has been the interesting form of Theo Walcott. This is very notable regardless of the 2 match window since Robin van Persie seems to be nursing an injury that may take him several weeks to heal. The downside is that Theo would draw all the attention for van Persie to score goals to the potential he has always shown. I think he still has a long way to go to convince me he belongs where Arsenal fans place him. 

Mikel Silvestre is turning into a nomadic player, moving to Werder Bremen after spending just over a season at Arsenal when he moved from Manchester United. He had been clubless for a while. It is not clear what he lacks, having spent such a long time at a club of Man U stature, he should have been a hot cake too good to spend a season without kicking a ball.

Meanwhile, you will remember that Tottenham Hotspurs were bidding for Brazilian Luis Fabiano. The 'hand ball-tapping' forceful striker was Redknapp's heart's desire for his Champions' League assault. Sevilla have since put an electric fence around 29-year-old Fabiano, extending his contract after refusing some $30 million offers.

West Brom Albion scored with the signing of Paul Scharner, given he was a free agent and his versatility. He is gifted to play effectively in various position at the back and middle.

Aston Villa deny claim that Spurs are hunting Ashley Young. Harry Redknapp likes artists of Young's calibre, given he has Aaron Lennon, who plays the same role. The pair would be a handful for any defence with each on either wing and the centre being operated by either Peter Crouch or Jermaine Defoe or both. Wow. I still think that Spurs is the only team that will decide where the championship ends up this season. Have your say.

Why Did Arsenal Not Signing Robinho?

One player Arsenal would have done with, is Brazilian Manchester City and Santos player, Robinho. Silvio Berlusconi snapped Brazil star after AC Milan also signed Zlatan Ibrahimovic. They have Pato, Ronaldinho and Filippo Inzaghi. He hinted Marco Borriello has to leave, and may he may head Juventas. Robinho must decide where he has to be and stay put. This may be the beginning of his end. It will be such a shame for him not to realise his full potential. To me, he has shown us half of his abilities.  

Klaas Huntelaar has singed for German side Schalke 04 from AC Milan and was rumoured to have been heading to the English Premiership, while Liverpool Javier Mascherano made his worst career choice when he joined Barcelona. While The Reds showed a gap in his absence, he was better off with Benitez at Inter instead. With the talent at Barcelona, people still of Pep Guardiola as a good coach. That may be right, but sometimes that becomes over-rated, especially when you start counting the victories and honours the club wins. Back to Mascherano, he has to uproot Xavi or Busquets for a twin anchor role, a tall order indeed.

Barcelona seem to be taking off from where they left last season, winning 3-0, with new boy David Villa scoring. The FIFA World Cup is over, as you may realise after Messi's hat-trick last week in the Spanish Super Cup. Real Madrid fired blanks to the disgust of the Special One, who would have liked to enter La Liga in style. As if that wasn't enough, Portuguese Ronaldo got what looks like a long-term injury. This will give Jose Mourinho reason to dig deeper into his tactics bag to pull it away from perennial top achievers, Barca. 

Of course, it is fair to salute a Super Cup win by Athletico Madrid over Italian giants Inter Milan. Athletico took the Cup courtesy of a 2-0 victory. They went on t open a league account with a 4-0 drubbing of Sorting Gijon, in a match the FIFA World Cup hero shined. Diego Forlan was priceless scoring twice in Madrid.

Despite the obvious technical downside at Anfield, manager Roy Hodgson seems more interested in a striker. This is a little confusing, given that Ryan Babel is a firebrand striker always coming off the bench to produce the goods. He may be an ideal impact player, but manager after manager give him a cold shoulder, only throwing him with 2 or 3 minutes of play remaining.

David Ngog is one player ready to be thrown at the deep end, but somehow is invisible to the coach. I think managers must make players, especially those with potential. Anyway, Hodgson will be signing Konchesky from Fulham soon.

There has been the interesting form of Theo Walcott. This is very notable regardless of the 2 match window since Robin van Persie seems to be nursing an injury that may take him several weeks to heal. The downside is that Theo would draw all the attention for van Persie to score goals to the potential he has always shown. I think he still has a long way to go to convince me he belongs where Arsenal fans place him. 

Mikel Silvestre is turning into a nomadic player, moving to Werder Bremen after spending just over a season at Arsenal when he moved from Manchester United. He had been clubless for a while. It is not clear what he lacks, having spent such a long time at a club of Man U stature, he should have been a hot cake too good to spend a season without kicking a ball.

Meanwhile, you will remember that Tottenham Hotspurs were bidding for Brazilian Luis Fabiano. The 'hand ball-tapping' forceful striker was Redknapp's heart's desire for his Champions' League assault. Sevilla have since put an electric fence around 29-year-old Fabiano, extending his contract after refusing some $30 million offers.

West Brom Albion scored with the signing of Paul Scharner, given he was a free agent and his versatility. He is gifted to play effectively in various position at the back and middle.

Aston Villa deny claim that Spurs are hunting Ashley Young. Harry Redknapp likes artists of Young's calibre, given he has Aaron Lennon, who plays the same role. The pair would be a handful for any defence with each on either wing and the centre being operated by either Peter Crouch or Jermaine Defoe or both. Wow. I still think that Spurs is the only team that will decide where the championship ends up this season. Have your say.