Now that October has hit us in the face like a cold, unrelenting shovel we can finally put to bed any hopes of an ‘Indian summer’ and instead reflect on an intriguing past few months in the football calendar.
The transfer window perhaps lacked the glamour and unforeseen bombshells of its previous incarnations but there were still plenty of deals to admire. The ever-increasing financial restrictions of a climate ravaged by recession and Michel Platini mean premium transfers were at a minimum (if you ignore PSG) and instead an onus was placed on securing influential talent on a tight budget.
Now that those summer arrivals have had time to settle into their new surroundings, it’s perhaps an appropriate time to highlight those who deserve a special mention.
Click on Moussa Dembele to reveal the top ten summer transfer coups
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The problem with Arsene Wenger is that he never gambles. He never abandons that voice in his head that tells him to hold fire on something that could go either way, ignoring the tremendous upside that could be had on his team and Arsenal as a whole.
Mesut Ozil wasn’t a gamble or a stroke of transfer genius, of which Wenger has been known for especially in his first 10 years in north London. Even though the numbers were against him in the chase for Ozil’s signature – Tottenham doing their part to halt the move by delaying Gareth Bale’s transfer to Real Madrid – the capture of the German was primarily to make up for yet another lacklustre transfer window and disastrous start to the season. Forget that Ozil is the perfect Arsenal player; that’s not what the club were thinking at the time.
At some point in the next four or five months, we’ll be able to tell whether Julian Draxler is another name consigned to that list of current or former superstars who could have been Arsenal players. Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Didier Drogba, Cristiano Ronaldo, Yaya Toure, among many others.
The January transfer window played out as most Arsenal fans expected. There was a name linked. A player, like every other window, who would have been a boost to the squad’s morale and given them the impetus to go out and secure what was needed, whether it be Champions League qualification or the capture of silverware.
The reservations held by Wenger came to the fore yet again. And while the monetary issue is the bat which fans and pundits will beat the Arsenal manager over the head with, there are likely other factors at play.
Bayern Munich have explained that they have no designs on Schalke’s midfielder. The suggestion was that Draxler would be a replacement should Toni Kroos depart for Manchester United, but Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has ruled out a move for the youngster.
It leaves a clear path for Arsenal to move ahead and bring Draxler to the Emirates. Not only would the German represent another step to where Arsenal’s financial might and infrastructure should place them, but it would be as if the club were offering a thank you gift to the supporters for hanging on in times of difficulty and enormous frustration on the transfer front. After all, what better way to move on from the heartbreak and disappointment of losing names like Cesc Fabregas and Robin van Persie by rebuilding with players who are genuinely capable of replacing them?
Wenger will need to put his degree in economics to one side. If for the purpose of making Arsenal a better team Draxler is deemed the perfect target, then allow the club’s negotiators to get the deal done.
Wenger will need to put aside his reliance – not so much faith – on what he currently has and completely desert the notion that players like Draxler will hinder the development of others in the team.
Wenger is accountable for the way Arsenal move, on the pitch and off, and where the club ultimately emerges. There is an almost unanimous consensus on Julian Draxler and where he will end up soon in his career: as one of Europe’s leading stars. Arsenal do have the financial means to get him. They must take this opportunity and make the most of the resources they have fought to gain.
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Draxler’s signing will lift Arsenal enormously, but it will also tell the supporters that Wenger is capable of doing what needs to be done to shake the tag of ‘also-rans.’ Arsenal may finish this season with the FA Cup, but it is likely to count for very little and keep the club cemented in stagnation if it isn’t used as a springboard to join the elite of European football.
It isn’t just about Draxler the player; it’s what he as a star name represents. Wenger must shake the reservations he has which are currently holding Arsenal back and make a bold move in the market. With a superpower like Bayern out of the picture, there can be no excuse for Arsenal choosing not to make strides with the signing of Draxler.
It was always inevitable that Liverpool would miss the talismanic services of Luis Suarez this season. A return of 31 goals in 33 appearances during his ultimate campaign at Anfield, in addition to leaving the Premier League with the PFA and FWA Player of the Year awards, speaks for itself in regards to the now-Barcelona star’s world-class quality.
Yet, his absence thus far has been considerably more debasing than initially anticipated – without the 27 year-old, Liverpool have lost three of their opening five Premier League fixtures. And amid the Mersey outfit’s recent plight, it makes you wonder; what do Liverpool miss most about Luis Suarez?
Is it his goals and his creativity? The Reds should have that covered with Daniel Sturridge, Raheem Sterling, Adam Lallana, Mario Balotelli and Lazar Markovic to name a few. Or perhaps his industriousness? Well, the whole team worked hard last season. Perhaps his ability to completely appal the English public on a seemingly annual basis? Surely not. I would argue the quality Liverpool miss most regarding their £65million departee is in fact his leadership.
That may seem counter-intuitive. After all, we’re talking about a player that’s embroiled himself in no less than three biting scandals – the most recent being at the 2014 World Cup – in the space of four years.
But Suarez came to epitomise much about Liverpool last season; their incredible fluidity and potency going forward, their tenacity and work ethic off the ball, their determination to defend from the front, their immense energy throughout the starting XI, their sensational team spirit. Many of those characteristics still remain at Anfield, yet a human effigy who encapsulates them in the same way, combining them with world-class quality, is absent.
Take Mario Balotelli for example, a striker who echoes Suarez’ quality in goal-scoring terms. Although he has the potential to become equally talismanic for the Reds, he’s lazy, self-centred and egotistical. He doesn’t define Liverpool in the same manner; he doesn’t serve Liverpool’s identity with a paralleled magnitude. He doesn’t provide that unique level of intensity.
The Uruguayan’s competitiveness was, and always will be, a double-edged sword. It lead to suspensions and world-wide controversy, but it also made Suarez an important leader on the pitch for Liverpool. The striker took huge individual responsibility in attack last season, not only in terms of output but all-round productivity on the ball, whilst that tenacious edge became infectious to those around him.
Local-born legend Steven Gerrard may be the connection between the players and the community, the continuity between Liverpool’s present and it’s past, but it was Suarez, not the Anfield skipper, who tacitly demanded higher performances from the rest of the squad last season – through the immense quality and consistency of his own.
It certainly feels like Liverpool are lacking a figure like that within their starting Xi this season, especially in attack. The Reds enjoyed 78% possession against Aston Villa but only produced one shot on target, eventually succumbing to a 1-0 defeat at Anfield. It was a similar case amid West Ham’s 3-1 victory at Upton Park; 62% possession, but only five accurate attempts and one goal. Clearly the right opportunities have come Liverpool’s way, but with the exception of Raheem Sterling, few of their forward players appear determined to take them.
Of course, Daniel Sturridge’s absence exacerbates the situation and sloppy defending has played it’s part too; the Reds have recorded just a solitary clean sheet in the Premier League this term, haemorrhaging eight goals in just five games. Only four clubs currently have worse defensive records.
That may seem unlinked but there is a recurring theme, namely, a hesitance from Liverpool players to take games by the scruff of the neck in the same way. And it wasn’t just Suarez doing that last season; talismanic entities appeared all over the pitch in different fixtures, ranging from Martin Skrtel in defence to Jordan Henderson in midfield, from Simon Mignolet between the sticks to Raheem Sterling in attack. Indeed, there was a fantastic group ethic at Anfield last year, a real all-for-one mentality. In my opinion, inspired most predominantly by the South American.
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Suarez, one of the top strikers in world football, boasts many qualities as a player. Yet, often underrated are his qualities as a leader; that intensity infectious, that determination inspiring. Liverpool always had the money to replace Suarez’ quality. The £65million his departure provided alone is more than enough for that, and in regards to summer recruitment, Brendan Rodgers’ is difficult to criticise.
Yet, the irreplaceable element, the one part of Suarez Liverpool – regardless of fortunes – will always fail to replicate in quite the same way, is the Uruguayan’s ability to galvanise his team-mates to a higher level. Suarez was a leader for the Reds, and be it in the transfer market or already within the squad, they now need to find a new one.
It could be worse Nando, you could be one of these guys…
Na cidade de João Pessoa, o Botafogo-PB chegou ao resultado que lhe permitiu chegar a liderança do Grupo B na Copa do Nordeste ao vencer por 2 a 0 o Altos no estádio Almeidão, gols de Fábio Alves e Marcos Vinicius. Da mesma forma que, agora, os piauienses estão na sétima posição com duas unidades, três atrás do CRB que é o quarto na chave A.
COMEÇO INTENSO
Nos 20 minutos iniciais houve tempo para que o Altos tivesse as primeiras chegadas, com direito a uma defesa providencial de Saulo quando Raphael Freitas teve todo o espaço para concluir ao mesmo tempo que o Belo melhorou no confronto ao ponto de se tornar superior e abrir a contagem no Almeidão.
Em cobrança de falta, o lateral Fábio Alves bateu falta que desviou na barreira e deixou Fernando Henrique totalmente fora do lance.
DOMÍNIO PARAIBANO
No restante da etapa inicial, o Boafogo-PB ganhou bastante em volume de jogo e foi dominante nas ações do ataque, quase que forçando a equipe piauiense a se colocar em postura bastante defensiva.
Entretanto, a única finalização mais aguda com essa melhora de postura acabou sendo quase que “sem intenção” no momento que Marcos Aurélio cruzou e Fernando Henrique acompanhou a bola indo em direção ao gol e mandou pra escanteio.
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RECOMPENSA DA CONCENTRAÇÃO
O retorno do Belo para o jogo demonstrou uma equipe tão concentrada e atenta aos detalhes como foram nos 45 minutos iniciais, algo que trouxe um ótimo benefício aos 13 minutos com Marcos Vinícius. Em rápida retomada de bola já na meia-lua do ataque, o meio-campista já estava próximo da meta de Fernando Henrique onde, ao receber de Marcos Aurélio, bateu de primeira e fez o segundo do time de João Pessoa.
PASSOU A ADMINISTRAR
Com vantagem confortável, o time paraibano não teve receio em deixar o Altos mais com a bola e passar a cuidar apenas de encontrar espaços para o contragolpe. De força reduzida, o time visitante pouco ofereceu de perigo e o placar não mais foi alterado.
Passa, desloca, organiza, gira, se aproxima, cria, conclui… É com essa dinâmica que Bruno Guimarães tem se destacado com a camisa do Athlético desde o ano passado. Com grandes atuações na Libertadores 2019, o volante tem chamado ainda mais a atenção.
Se foi Marco Rúben, com três gols, quem decretou a goleada paranaense sobre o Boca Juniors, nesta terça-feira, foi o talento e a cadência do seu camisa 16 que a equipe envolveu e construiu o triunfo. O meia não só deu o seu segundo passe para gol na competição, se tornando o líder do fundamento ao lado de outros cinco jogadores, como passou a ser também o primeiro em assistências para finalização, com 11, segundo dados do Footstats. Números bastante expressivos para um atleta que atua mais recuado.
Além da capacidade ofensiva, o jovem de apenas 21 anos tem mostrado também qualidade na organização e distribuição de jogo. Bruno é o 7º maior passador da Libertadores, com 141 toques concluídos – errou apenas oito -, e o líder em inversões de jogo, com quatro – nenhum erro. Habilidoso, é ainda o 7º em dribles certos, com três – também não errou nenhum.
A precisão e a qualidade de Bruno Guimarães ajudam a colocar o Athlético, atual campeão da Sul-Americana, em boas condições na briga por novos títulos em 2019. E o garoto, como potencial destaque da temporada.
BRUNO GUIMARÃES NA LIBERTADORES 2019 – Dados do Footstats
3 jogos 1 gol 2 passes para gol (líder) 11 assistências para finalização (líder) 141 passes certos (7º) 8 passes errados 4 viradas de jogo certas (líder) 3 dribles certos (7º) 6 desarmes certos (30º)
A partida diante do Madureira – vitória por 2 a 0 nesta terça-, no Maracanã -, foi especial pelo retorno de Juan, ídolo rubro-negro que voltou a atuar após recuperar-se de cirurgia e lesão no tornozelo direito em setembro de 2018.
O camisa 4 entrou nos minutos finais e Rodrigo Caio, atual titular do time de Abel Braga, celebrou o fato de poder atuar ao lado da referência e destacou a importância de contar com Juan, uma referência para quem joga na posição.
-É um prazer imenso. Juan é um cara que eu sempre admirei muito, sempre deixei claro isso e ele sabe disso. Representa muito para nós, zagueiros, e ficamos felizes. Será muito importante contar com ele por sua experiência, sua liderança, sua qualidade, então ficamos muito felizes pelo retorno dele – disse.
Aos 40 anos, Juan está vivendo os últimos momentos como jogador de futebol e, como ele mesmo falou no Maracanã, “quer curtir este período”. O contrato do zagueiro é válido até o dia 31 de abril, logo após o término do Estadual.
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England took the lead in the women’s Ashes series with an expertly paced run chase at Hove. Needing 204 in 36 overs after the match was reduced due to a wet outfield they eased home with 16 balls to spare
ESPNcricinfo staff25-Aug-2013 ScorecardHeather Knight helped form a record second-wicket stand•Getty Images
England took the lead in the women’s Ashes series, and secured the one-day prize, with an expertly paced run chase at Hove. Needing 204 in 36 overs, in a match reduced due to a wet outfield, they eased home with 16 balls to spare after a second-wicket stand of 126 in 18 overs between Heather Knight and Sarah Taylor broke the back of the target.Taylor, who struck 64 off 59 balls, enjoyed a fabulous all-round match having earlier pulled off a stunning piece of glovework to remove Jodie Fields who played a reverse sweep which was caught by Taylor as she anticipated the shot and dived full-length to her right.Taylor said: “I couldn’t believe that ball stuck in my glove, I saw it coming and just dived to stop it and get something on it and it just stuck, I think that’s got to be the best catch of my career so far.”Charlotte Edwards fell early in the chase, driving to short cover, but Knight and Taylor were soon up with the required rate. The pair used swift footwork against the spinners and weren’t afraid to hit the ball over the top. Their stand was a record second-wicket effort for England against Australia.The pursuit wobbled briefly as three wickets fell for 29 but Lydia Greenway and Natalie Sciver added 33 to take England to the brink of victory and two more points.”We spoke about being positive from ball one and with targets like that you’ve got to put the ball away if it’s in your area,” Taylor said. “It was brilliant to bat out there with Heather and to contribute to the win.”Australia’s innings had initially been anchored by Meg Lanning’s 69-ball 64 but at 126 for 4 was threatening to lose its way. Ellyse Perry and Alex Blackwell added 77 in 10 overs for the fifth wicket to lift them over 200, but it still did not prove enough.The Ashes series, played across all three formats, now moves into the final phase with three Twenty20s.
Chelsea are a team in transition, and there’s a real need for Maurizio Sarri to conduct a restructuring job at Stamford Bridge. The core at the club is fantastic, with the likes of Kepa, Cesar Azpilicueta, Antonio Rudiger, N’Golo Kante and Eden Hazard all impressing, but there are also a ton of players that have underperformed as of late.
One such example is Willian. Significantly, he’s now been linked, via Sky Sports, with a move to PSG, and if the French team make a move, it’s something that Chelsea should really consider.
Losing a player of his importance under Maurizio Sarri would be a risk for Chelsea, but if an opportunity presents itself for enough money, this isn’t a sale that Chelsea can afford to let pass them by.
After all, it’s important to recognise Willian’s recent form. A good game against Sheffield Wednesday isn’t enough to rectify two years of poor form, and the Brazilian has continually failed to deliver under Maurizio Sarri this season in particular.
Furthermore, at 30-years-old, he’s not a player that has much hope of improving. In fact, he’s closer to retirement at this stage than he is to is peak, and so as a result, perhaps it’s time for Chelsea to move on and usher in a new era in their attack.
Of course, his departure would also open up the door for Callum Hudson-Odoi to get a regular chance in the first team at Stamford Bridge. He’s been a regular in Europe and in cup competitions this season, but the Blues need to play him regularly to have a chance of keeping him going forward – and the sale of Willian would serve to give him a real chance in the first team. This would also help ease the transition that Christian Pulisic will have in the summer.
If this opportunity presents itself, Chelsea must take it. It’s time to move on and prepare for the future – even if the short-term may be more difficult as a result.
Overnight rain ruined the outfield at Nehru stadium in Kochi forcing the fourth day of the Duleep Trophy final between North Zone and South Zone to be abandoned without a ball being bowled
ESPNcricinfo staff20-Oct-2013 ScorecardFile photo: Unmukt Chand is the second North Zone player after Gautam Gambhir to leave the team due to illness•ACC/Mithilesh Mishra
Persistent rain over the last few days made the outfield unfit for play at Nehru stadium in Kochi forcing the fourth day of the Duleep Trophy final between North Zone and South Zone to be abandoned without a ball being bowled. This was the second successive day and third in the match to be lost without any play because of rain.North Zone sustained further damage as opener Unmukt Chand journeyed back to Delhi after contracting dengue fever. Chand is the second batsman from the side to fall ill after Gautam Gambhir complained of fever on the second day and left for Delhi just before the start of play.Play is scheduled to begin 15 minutes early on the fifth day, but prospects look dim with 50% chance of rain predicted. The match could be extended into the reserve day and if no side can secure a victory or a first innings lead by then, the trophy will be shared.Only 10 overs were possible, on the second day, during the course of the entire match and South Zone were in the process of building a foundation, but their efforts were hampered when they lost the openers, KL Rahul and captain Abhinav Mukund, in the space of three overs. On the stroke of Mukund’s wicket at 33 for 2, play was called off due to bad light.