Liverpool’s Luis Suarez has stated that he knows he harbours a sizeable bulk of the side’s goalscoring responsibilities in 2011/12, but that he will try to remain calm amid heightened expectations.
The former Ajax forward was signed along with Andy Carroll to replace outgoing Fernando Torres in January, and made a good start to his career on Merseyside with impressive performances and four goals in 2010/11. Despite this, the weight of his £22.8million transfer has not gone unnoticed.
“There are so many people watching you. You feel the pressure of what the club has paid for you, but I tried to live as calmly as I could, not to think about the people watching me,” the 24-year-old told Don Balon.
He also revealed his predecessor gave him some words of wisdom before moving to Chelsea for £50 million.
“He told me to be the same player I always was, not to try to change, that Liverpool were a great team and that they would help me to grow a lot. The truth is that his advice was a great help and he was not wrong, he was exactly right,” the Uruguayan continued.
Suarez is represented by Pere Guardiola, brother of Barcelona coach Pep, and he stated an admiration for the current European champions.
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“Before knowing Pere, I had that dream of having the chance to play for Barcelona. Obviously he is connected to Barcelona through his brother, but these are work issues, totally different to personal ones. If [Pep] Guardiola wants me, he will want me totally independently of who represents me,” he concluded.
The Liverpool frontman is currently in Argentina on international for Uruguay in the Copa America.
Albeit slightly premature, I think it’s fair to say Rafael van der Vaart has been the signing of the season. His performances for Tottenham since his deadline-day arrival have helped transfer the North London side into a real force in the Premier League. But whilst Harry Redknapp can congratulate himself on a job well done by signing the Dutchman, are the rest of the top clubs bosses bemoaning a missed opportunity?
The deal which brought van der Vaart from Real Madrid to Spurs was surrounded by conspiracy theories. But whatever the case may be, for £8 million, Redknapp pulled off a major coup. Although his record speaks for itself, credit is due to the Spurs manager for bringing in a player who represented something of a risk. His career has been consistently interrupted with unfortunate injuries and the player himself stated he was beginning to fall out of love with football after becoming bored with Jose Mourinho’s regime at Madrid.
But now Tottenham’s new ‘Messiah’ has rediscovered the form which gave him his name as one of the worlds brightest talents, the likes of Carlo Ancelotti and Sir Alex Ferguson must be wishing they had taken a chance on him.
Despite being second only on goal difference, Manchester United haven’t yet managed to set the Premier League alight this season, and at times, they have desperately missed that creative spark someone like van der Vaart could provide. At the moment, they are doing more than enough to compensate; unbeaten this season proves that, but when Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs do finally decide it’s time to hang up the boots, there is going to be a huge void left in United’s midfield. A void that a certain Dutchman would fill quite nicely.
Chelsea have missed the injured Frank Lampard and despite bringing in the likes of James Milner, Adam Johnson and Mario Balotelli, Manchester City have lacked any kind of attacking prowess so far, apart from last weekend of course.
Arsene Wenger argued that he decided against bidding for the Spurs man because he didn’t need another midfielder. Insisting his squad was the best he’d had in years, the Arsenal manager reeled off a list of names to back up his point. Admittedly, Wenger has acquired an impressive attacking line-up, but on this form I question which side wouldn’t be improved by Rafael van der Vaart?
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Even if the rest of the Premier Leagues big guns did now decide that the Dutchman should be plying his trade at their respective club, it’s hard to see the attacking midfielder being prepared to leave White Hart Lane. Harry Redknapp has given him a platform at Tottenham to express himself and play the way he enjoys; eight goals in 13 games would suggest the player is happier at Spurs than he has been in a while.
If van der Vaart’s form continues, Tottenham can continue to improve and upset the odds. The win at the Emirates was a huge sign of what Redknapp is trying to build at Spurs and whilst other managers may look longingly on at the Dutchman, Harry will carry on building a team around one of Europe’s best.
Alan Hansen was infamously ridiculed for his declaration that “you’ll never win anything with kids”. The immortal phrase was uttered on August 19, 1995 after a baby-faced Manchester United had lost their opening day fixture. We all know what happened next with the likes of David Beckham, Paul Scholes and to a lesser extent the Neville brothers helping to inspire the Red Devils to a league and cup double. Hansen found himself with the contents of an omelette on his face but would he endure the same mockery if he repeated the phrase today?
In recent years we’ve seen Arsenal’s stars of the future fail to reach their projected heights whilst United’s success is epitomised by their continued reliance on the experience of Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes. The prospect of another ‘golden generation’ seems increasingly unlikely, with only a few standout players across the league ever really breaking through into the first-team, after life in the academy. Is it fair to say that despite pumping millions of pounds into academy football, it’s getting more and more difficult for players to establish themselves in the senior squad?
At present, the only real taste of professional football a young starlet is likely to enjoy (at a Premier League club) is through participation in the Carling Cup. The competition is bit like first-team football with training wheels on, there’s a certain degree of intensity and atmosphere but it’s still perceived as a distraction from the league campaign.
Without any disrespect to the lower league clubs, an away tie against the likes of Barnet isn’t going to be too dissimilar from the standard of their usual fixture in the reserves. The sad fact is that even if a team manages to progress to a stage where winning the trophy becomes a real possibility then these youngsters will always make way for their senior team-mates.
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To put things in perspective, in the 1990 FA Cup final the average age of the Manchester United and Crystal Palace starting line-ups was around 26. Two decades later when Portsmouth played Chelsea the two starting line-ups featured 11 players over 30, with the average age rising to well over 29.
Speaking of Chelsea, their turbulent twelve-month period is unlikely to encourage any other clubs to disregard their aging squad members and promote their younger counterparts. Andre Villas-Boas tried to install a drastic overhaul during his brief spell as manager but met fierce opposition from the stands and their idolised senior squad members. Sunday’s convincing FA Cup semi-final victory over rivals Tottenham was exemplified by the performances of Terry, Drogba and Lampard, which will undoubtedly leave promising talents Romelu Lukaku and Oriol Romeu even further adrift of a regular position in the starting line-up.
During his time at the Bridge, Villas-Boas suggested that the Premier League should be allowed to field reserve sides in the Championship, akin to the set-up in Spain. However, League chief Andy Williamson perfectly sums up why this could never happen;
“Our clubs are constituted as sovereign entities which represent their town or city with pride, rather than being a subsidiary of another club in another part of the country,
“These are senior professional football matches that matter – they are not just platforms for developing other clubs’ players.” (BBC)
The simple fact of the matter is that the reserve leagues aren’t competitive enough to help continue the development of young players. The demands for success from fans, the media and even the chairman will mean managers are increasingly reluctant to test these individuals in the first-team. Perhaps the advent of the Elite Player Performance Plan will help spark a transformation and as the country’s best young talent gradually migrate to the top-flight, we may find ourselves with reserve football that is the equivalent of the U21’s at international level.
All is not lost for our current crop of young stars, as loan moves across the divisions have proven an effective way to gain experience of the physical demands of professional football. However, unless such players continue to shine week in week out – Wilshere at Bolton or Welbeck at Sunderland – then they’re unlikely to find any further opportunities at their doorstep once they return to their parent club.
It’s certainly easier to break through at Championship level with an increased number of games and significantly less competition for places. The exceptional players will attract the attention of the Premier League elite and will often find themselves at the heart of a high profile move. In spite of the recent success story of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, many find themselves struggling to adapt (see: Connor Wickham, Marvin Sordell and Carl Jenkinson).
As the financial implications for failure become ever more apparent, a reliance on success in the here and now will always stunt the development of the future of tomorrow. Competitions like the Carling Cup will allow for brief cameos on the centre stage but when teams are criticised and even fined for fielding ‘weaker’ teams in the Premier League, it’s difficult to see many youngsters being handed a starring role.
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Come find me on Twitter @theunusedsub where I’m currently watching that 1990 FA Cup final, wondering what could have been…
Robin van Persie has taken aim at some of his English team-mates and believes their lifestyle could limit the length of their careers.The Arsenal striker told The Sun he felt a party and drinking culture was more widely embraced by English professionals, and was part of the reason their careers did not last as long as those of their counterparts from the continent.
The Dutchman said footballers must be clear about their priorities in order to succeed at the top level.
“The really top players aren’t fooled by riches or fame because they are fully focused with their football,” the 27-year-old said.
“For me, it’s very important to be having breakfast every morning with my two children and that wouldn’t be possible if you were hanging about in a discotheque all night.”
“When I see some of my English colleagues who are out til three in the morning, then I can only conclude that they are invariably finished at 33.”
“I have made another choice and that’s to be doing what I love the most, playing football.”
Van Persie said Arsenal would need to inject some new faces into the current squad as they bid to end a run of six seasons without silverware at the Emirates Stadium.
“Every year it always goes wrong in an identical way and that is frustrating,” he said.
“When you look at results in the last years, then Arsenal shouldn’t be talking about winning the league because too many times things have gone wrong.”
“Sometimes you have to eat the truth and be realistic. But I do believe, with the signing of a number of players, then next season we should be in there competing for prizes.”
With the FA Cup third round draw to be made this weekend, who better to talk to about what the FA Cup means to people than Tottenham legend, Ricky Villa. It is coming up to 30 years on since that Wembley goal – one of the most iconic FA Cup moments. The Argentine is in England promoting his new book ‘And Still Ricky Villa’ and Football FanCast was lucky enough to meet with Villa to discuss all things football, including that 1981 FA Cup run.
Ricky Villa has a love for the FA Cup – which is common with many foreign footballers playing in England. Look at the record of Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger. The FA Cup has a magic about it – where a minor club can host a major club. Maybe it has something to do other nations not having the same love for their cup competitions, but the FA Cup still holds great memories for Ricky Villa – even over playing and winning the World Cup in 1978.
‘The World Cup in 1978 was special, but the highlight of my career has to be 1981. Keith Burkinshaw had the confidence to give me another chance in the replay. It symbolises me as a footballer. When one game I am brilliant and the next week I am not.’
It is this passion for the FA Cup that has kept it alive, even in its most difficult years when Manchester United pulled out of the competition. Due to goals like Villa’s in the 1981 FA Cup semi -final and final, the competition has a spark. Even a player who has played at the World Cup remembers these moments as the highlight of his career.
‘It wasn’t the greatest goal I ever scored in my career, but it was the most important.’
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This further goes to illustrate how much the FA Cup means to one the greatest players of an era. Just imagine what it means to a football who plays for a minor team – but because of the FA Cup, has a chance to showcase his skills at one of England’s top clubs. It is what dreams are made of. The FA Cup exists because of these iconic moments – and how many more will we have this season? Ricky Villa has given us two, and now it is up to the new generation, with the draw for the 3rd round this weekend, to give their fans a few more to cherish.
As well as the FA Cup ‘And Still Ricky Villa’ goes into great detail of Villa’s love for Tottenham as well as England in general. Villa describes his affection for a country, who on the whole treated him very well, and a club that have given him legendary status.
‘I couldn’t move to another English club as Tottenham is in my heart. The English people are great and they looked after me and treat me brilliant.’
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Maybe we can all learn a lesson from Tottenham. If we treat players well and give them a chance to shine, the results can be as successful as Ricky Villa. Maybe its too much of a political point, in terms of football we do things we right. Generally we pay our players well and we look after the ones that have left their homelands. With austerity measures hitting The United Kingdom next year, maybe some magical FA Cup moments, like those from Ricky Villa will go some way to cheer us all up come Saturday evenings.
Ricky Villa’s new book ‘And Still Ricky Villa’ is on sale now.
Tottenham Hotspur will look to bounce back from their disappointing midweek exit from the Champions League when they face Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium on Sunday, and Spurs fans are disputing whether Erik Lamela or £23m January signing Lucas Moura should start.
The north London outfit suffered a 4-3 aggregate loss against Juventus at Wembley on Wednesday night, with focus now turning too trying to qualify for Europe’s elite club competition again next term.
Mauricio Pochettino’s men currenty lie in fourth, two points ahead of fifth-place Chelsea and two adrift of third-place Liverpool, and the Argentine boss may consider freshening things up for the trip to the south coast, with Lamela, who received praise from fans on his birthday last week, and Lucas two of those in contention to come into the starting XI.
Tottenham supporters have been discussing the South American duo via social media, and while one said “Lucas over Lamela every time”, another said “Lamela over Lucas, I trust Poch when he says he’s not ready yet”.
As Man United finally drag themselves to their feet after being knocked for six by the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson, one of his most controversial legacies has had its secret revealed.
‘Fergie Time’ was the well known phrase used when it was believed extra added time was given to Fergie’s United side when they were losing – and more often than not it gave United the perfect chance to get themselves back in the game right at the death.
But Sir Alex has revealed it was all just one big trick. It was his way of tricking to get in to the minds of the opposition and the officials.
He told BT Sport: “That’s why I used to go to my watch. I never looked at my watch, I didn’t know how many minutes.
“It gets across to the opponents and the referee, which is a little trick.”
And the reason he did it? It wasn’t just to give his side a chance to get a late goal, it was also to give his players a confidence a boost and the fans something to cheer about.
“The thing about the last 10/15minutes of a game, particularly at Old Trafford, you’ve got 65k people there. At half time I always stress don’t panic, be patient, wait.
“In the last 15minutes you can do what you like. I’m a gambler, shove bodies up front, take the gamble, it didn’t always work but a lot of times it did.
“If you’re in that dressing room after the game and we’ve scored in the last minute the electricity is unbelievable, they’re jumping on top of each other, hand clapping, it’s a fantastic place to be.
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“Most important thing is that those fans are walking out of the stadium desperate to get down to the pub to talk about, desperate to get home to tell their wife and their kids what happened at Old Trafford in the last minute of the game. And that’s my job, to get them home happy.”
And it worked time and time again. Louis Van Gaal may want to take note…
With further insinuations that Tottenham’s Gareth Bale could soon be set for a move to Real Madrid, for a huge £56million fee, it raises an interesting question that no doubt many a fan have had on football manager – is it time to cash in?
The first question that needs answering is whether the Welsh winger is actually worth such a large transfer fee. Well, I guess you’re worth whatever someone is willing to pay for you, but from an analytical perspective, does Bale rightly warrant his apparent price-tag?
In my opinion, he probably does. It’s no secret the rapid progression Bale has made since arriving at White Hart Lane from Southampton back in 2007. Originally considered a defender who can take free-kicks, the 23 year old has developed into one of the most fearsome attacking-minded players in the Premier League, having adapted his exceptional technique from dead-ball situations into his all round play, not to mention his sudden and dramatic increase in pace a few seasons ago which added a whole new dimension to his game.
Not only has he been racking up the goals from out wide, with his record improving year-upon-year, but the fact Bale is the complete package makes him a more valuable prospect than some of his counter-parts that are vastly limited in comparison when it comes to defending. The underlying characteristic to his game however, which underpins all of the Welshman’s other abilities, is his incredible engine. Bale constantly moves with play up and down the left flank, and is Tottenham’s most profitable outlet when counter-attacking. Furthermore, at full speed the left winger appears almost impossible to dispossess without fouling – apart from luring him into a theatrical dive.
But, if £56million is a fair valuation for player already considered the best left-sided attacker in the Premier League despite the fact he is still a few years short of entering into his peak capability as a footballer, should Tottenham sell, hold out for more, or do whatever they can to hang onto him?
Considering some of the more recent transfers, and the Premier League’s lusting addiction to money, Spurs should really be bleeding Real Madrid dry on this deal. The La Liga champions have only recently pinched the club’s most talented player in Luka Modric, and although Spurs have spent the most part of the money wisely, a team challenging for a top four place will always miss the presence of such a high-quality footballer.
Furthermore, consider some of the recent transfer deals. In the past, £20million plus fees were privy to the world’s elite, with a few big-money signings that turned out be stinkers. But with the influx of foreign owners and the continuing growth in wealth of World Football, rank and file squad members can still dictate a fee of £20million or more. Joleon Lescott is a classic example. Similarly, youngsters that have done nothing to prove themselves apart from a string of half decent performances, such as Adam Johnson, Jordan Henderson and Andy Carroll (anyone else notice that they’re all English?), have cost their new clubs an arm and a leg.
Therefore, considering the nature of the English transfer market, as well as the fact Bale has already proven his capability, having played in the Premier League for six years and has also featured in the Champions League where he ran riot against Maicon –an experienced World Cup winner and regarded as one of the best full-backs of his generation – the Spurs board should be looking for more than £56million for a player who will undoubtedly be successful at the Bernebeu, with little risk of failure.
Then again, £56million would be a more than useful transfer kitty for Andre Villas-Boas, and could be enough to finally allow Tottenham to make a serious bid towards challenging for the title, although they still have a long way to go before they will become consistently competitive for league positions with Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United. AVB has installed a new philosophy on his Spurs team, but bringing Jaoa Moutinho to the club would finally give him an on-pitch general to marshall those around him into performing in the style AVB is attempting to bring to White Hart Lane.
Similarly, the sale of Modric allowed for the arrival of Moussa Dembele and Hugo Lloris, who will undoubtedly be a big part of the club’s future, in which they hope to move forward and up the table. Future arrivals acquired by the Bale fund could also solidify the team’s weaker areas for years to come.
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However, Gareth Bale’s departure would leave a huge hole in the team and a big share of his transfer fee would surely go towards replacing him, which would be no easy feat considering his performances and tactical importance to the first team. And furthermore, Tottenham aren’t in dire need of cash. Daniel Levy is rumoured to be providing AVB £20million in January to bring in some new recruits, with the most likely targets being reportedly being Willian or Moutinho. So perhaps, if Spurs can push on this season and get into the top four, adding some higher quality players to their squad, the pull from the Bernebeu would be somewhat blunted.
Then again, it is hard to believe Gareth Bale would be willing to spend his entire career at White Hart Lane. At some point, he will outgrow the club unless they rapidly progress in terms of resources and getting into the Champions League. Maybe this summer will be the perfect opportunity to say goodbye. It would be a transfer hugely unpopular with the fans, but the long-term benefits give Spurs more of a chance of becoming a title-challengers than simply keeping their winger as the driving force behind their team. In a few years, Bale may appear to be worth a lot more than £56million, but whether the club will manage to keep him for that long remains to be seen.
Leeds United will look to bounce back from their disappointing 3-0 defeat against Championship leaders Wolverhampton Wanderers at Elland Road in midweek, and keep their faint play-off hopes alive, when they face strugglers Reading at the Madejski Stadium on Saturday.
The Yorkshire outfit knew they could close the gap to the top six to just six points if they could beat Wolves on Wednesday night, but instead they suffered a comprehensive defeat against the runaway leaders with a number of players putting in below-par performances.
The loss left the Whites nine points adrift of the play-offs with just 10 league games remaining, but considering they have suffered successive 3-0 reverses and have only won one of their last 12 Championship matches, they need a big upturn in form to save their season.
Paul Heckingbottom has only taken five points from a possible 18 since he succeeded Thomas Christiansen last month, and he will also be desperate to pick up some wins before the pressure begins to increase on him from the passionate Leeds supporters.
Meanwhile, the Royals lie just five points above the relegation zone having reached the play-off final last season, and while they should be fighting for their lives Heckingbottom will certainly take some solace from the fact that they have only won three of their 18 matches at the Madejski this term.
The 40-year-old boss made three changes from the side that was beaten 3-0 by Middlesbrough for the game against Wolves last time out, and he will be considering making some more following another disappointing display.
Here is how Leeds must line up against Reading on Saturday…
Defence
Bailey Peacock-Farrell started between the sticks for Leeds against Wolves following another disappointing display by Felix Wiedwald at the Riverside Stadium, and the 21-year-old did well and made a number of good saves – even if he perhaps should have done better with the third Wolves goal.
He should start again at the Madejski Stadium in order to keep his confidence high, and with Liam Cooper absent because of injury, something the fans aren’t too disappointed about, Matthew Pennington should come in to partner Pontus Jansson at the heart of the defence.
Gaetano Berardi must again start at right-back but Heckingbottom must consider making a big change at left-back, and with Vurnon Anita and Laurens De Bock both struggling for form the Whites boss should look to give youngster Tom Davies an opportunity.
Midfield
Heckingbottom started with Adam Forshaw and Kalvin Phillips in the middle of the park against Wolves after Eunan O’Kane had a night to forget against Middlesbrough, but while January addition Forshaw did ok, Phillips was once again disappointing and was widely criticised by Leeds supporters for his display.
With neither him nor O’Kane in good form, the Whites boss should look to start Ronaldo Vieira alongside Forshaw even though he himself hasn’t been producing the good performances he has done previously this season.
He deserves an opportunity like Phillips and O’Kane have had in recent times though, and the 19-year-old could bring some much-needed energy and aggression in the middle of the park at the Madejski.
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Attack
Heckingbottom dropped Ezgjan Alioski to the substitutes’ bench and brought Hadi Sacko into the starting line-up against Wolves, but the latter looks unlikely to keep his place in the XI in Berkshire given he was replaced at half-time against the Championship leaders and with some fans not wanting him to start for them again.
Pablo Hernandez replaced the Frenchman on the left-hand side and should start there against Reading too, with Alioski returning in place of Stuart Dallas on the opposite flank and Samu Saiz starting in the centre as Leeds look to go on the attack to get the win they so desperately need.
Pierre-Michel Lasogga should keep his place up top, and he will be confident of getting on the score-sheet against a fragile Royals defence – as long as he gets the right service.
Mario Balotelli and Dejan Lovren got important goals for themselves last night, while a number of infrequent starters got a chance to impress in the dramatic last gasp Capital One Cup win over Swansea. Plenty to be cheerful about then, right? Yes, it may not be the most glamorous trophy, but English football’s third biggest pot of silver is one that Liverpool should really be looking to take advantage of this term, and here are FIVE reason why it really matters for them…
Last season was, arguably, Liverpool’s finest in recent memory. The Reds took the title battle to the final day of the season, and had it not been for an unfortunate loss at home to Chelsea they could well be playing with the gold crest on their arm this term. After a tricky start to the new campaign another shot at the big prize looks to be off the agenda, while Champions League glory is a pipedream nowadays for clubs outside of the very elite the continent has to offer.
So, with Brendan Rodgers eager to get his first trophy at Anfield the League Cup is one that really matters. With their name in the pot for the last eight, the Merseysiders have a better shot than most and can realistically aim for the trophy.
Trip to Wembley
Football – England v Norway – International Friendly – Wembley Stadium, London, England – 3/9/14General view outside the stadium before the matchMandatory Credit: Action Images / Carl RecineLivepicEDITORIAL USE ONLY.
The fabled trip to Wembley to watch their side in cup action is a little cliché, but fans still love travelling to the national stadium for the biggest games. Since its rebuild, Liverpool have rarely made journeys to the capital’s ‘home of football’ with the League Cup success of 2012 and the semi-final / final appearance in the FA Cup a matter of months later during the Kenny Dalglish era the only trips to speak of.
For a side of Liverpool’s stature, more regular showings at Wembley are a must.
Gives youngsters a chance
Some hate the League Cup for a perceived lack of importance, with younger players often given a chance to get on the pitch as their elders are rested for ‘more meaningful’ league and European games. Yet this season has given Liverpool fans reason to get on board with the competition, with youngsters such as Jordan Rossiter having been blooded. The starlet – dubbed the ‘new Steven Gerrard’ – scored in the clash with Middlesbrough and it would appear that this taste of senior action may well be a building block for a successful career.
Suso and Jordan Williams also got a run out on the same fame, with the former scoring a late goal. Should the run continue, then the new generation may get more minutes.
Gives fringe players a chance
Much like youngsters, those dipping in and out of the team have also benefitted at Liverpool this term. Although Mario Balotelli grabbed the headlines last night for his long-awaited goal, Fabio Borini produced one of his few notable performances in the red shirt. The little Italian played well from a wide role – usually occupied by Adam Lallana or Raheem Sterling – and swung in the cross for his aforementioned compatriot to net.
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Lucas also got a run out whilst Lazar Markovic was afforded more time to find his feet – which he desperately needs after a difficult opening to his Anfield career.
Guaranteed route into Europe…
Although Champions League action is the aim and the Europa League is very much the competition’s ‘runt sibling’, continental action is still a positive and something Liverpool cannot really afford to pass on. In reality the Reds should have enough about them to gain entry to the tournament through their league position if the desire to stay at the big table ends in disappointment, but in a worst-case scenario the likes of Manchester United, Everton and even Spurs could finish ahead of them also. It may not be the big one, but it’s still worth some money and can help to attract players.