With four days completed in the World Cup Finals of 2010 the whole world has been waiting for one team to step up and say ‘right, we are the team to beat’. With two of the favourites England and Argentina playing in the first two days of the tournament the scripts were written for Lionel Messi and Wayne Rooney or head coaches Fabio Capello and Diego Maradona to be the one’s everyone is talking about. But instead it’s 2006 runners up and 3 time champions Germany who have stepped up and really opened up this World Cup from a rather dull start.
It was Werder Bremen’s Mesut Ozil and Bayern Munich duo Thomas Muller and Phillip Lahm who really caught the eye and showed this World Cup is not just between Spain, Argentina and England. Germany was outstanding against Australia who could not get close to them and will be glad Australia’s rugby team beat England the previous day. Free-flowing football from the German’s is not something you come to expect but that is what we got. It was a performance of perfection, a performance that even Barcelona would have been proud of.
Germany were under-rated going into this World Cup with their squad not offering such star names as we are used to. They are missing Michael Ballack though injury who is normally their leader and driving force but could that actually proof to be a blessing in disguise after the influential but aging German has also been released by Chelsea this summer. After that performance the world certainly know the names of the new breed of German stars.
Every major competition the German team get written off and every time they perform; this is a team that have not lost a World Cup group match since 1994 and hold the record alongside Italy of World Cup final appearances including the last World Cup in their home country under the management of Jurgen Klinsmann. Now coached by then assistant manager Jurgen Lowe Germany have continued the same way Klinsmann’s team did, who really went for it and almost delivered their fourth World Cup victory.
So with Brazil, Spain, Holland and Italy all still the play Germany have set the benchmark for the team to beat; but we all know what happens when you peak too early in the Group stages. I wonder just how many bets the book takers have taken on Germany at 14/1, surely that’s worth a cheeky ten pound note or perhaps double with Miroslav Klose being the golden boot winner after scoring his 11th World Cup goal against the ‘Soccerroo’s’.
My Prediction: The Results
Before sharing my views on England’s performance against the USA let’s look at my predictions for England v USA. I predicted a narrow 2-1 England win and I could of quite easily got that right should England of put away their chances. I said an early goal for England would happen and England being of course England, they would become nervous and USA would come back into the game. One thing I don’t think anyone expected to happen was a howler by Robert Green who became a member of an elite club of England goalkeepers who have made big errors in big games, he’s in good company alongside David Seaman, Paul Robinson and most recently Scott Carson. It may be easy to blame Robert Green for his mistake but he is also the reason England did not go behind after a World Class save prevented Jose Altidore adding to England’s blushes with a powerful run and shot that was tipped onto the post by Green.
I predicted Steven Gerrard would play a big role in this England team and a super taken goal after just four minutes gives me one prediction I got right. I still don’t understand how Shaun Wright-Phillips got the nod after 30 minutes when James Milner left the field who had had not trained much all week after a virus, poor selection maybe from Capello? I would much rather see Joe Cole on the left wing and it says a lot when Glen Johnson from right back is creating much crossing opportunities on his left foot than Shaun Wright-Phillips himself. I’m still not a fan of his and I don’t think I ever will be. Dare I say it but will England ever fix the problem of the left sided midfield player?
One out of three is an average performance on the prediction front.
Friday, 18 June 2010
Monday, 14 June 2010
Andrew’s World Cup Predictions:
(written 9th June 2010, before the World Cup started)
Winners: Spain
Biggest Disappointments: France and Portugal
Runners Up: Brazil or Germany
Dark Horses: Germany or Holland
Golden Boot Winner: David Villa
Wonder kid: Eljero Elia of Holland. Club: Hamberg SV
Star of the Group Stage that no-one will mention: Giovani dos Santos of Mexico
Player of the Tournament: Lionel Messi of Argentina or Xavi of Spain
Biggest star name that won’t perform: Frank Ribery of France
Over Achievers: South Korea
A cheeky little bet: Germany to win the World Cup and Klose to win the Golden Boot
Dream Team:
GK: Casillas
DEF: Ramos, Lucio, Puyol, Lahm
MID: Sneijder, Xavi, Gerrard
ATT: Messi, Villa, Klose
Other Contenders: Rooney, Ronaldo, Torres, Mascherano, Robben, van Persie, Malouda, Podolski, Iniesta, Kaka, Robinho, Park Ji Sung
Winners: Spain
Biggest Disappointments: France and Portugal
Runners Up: Brazil or Germany
Dark Horses: Germany or Holland
Golden Boot Winner: David Villa
Wonder kid: Eljero Elia of Holland. Club: Hamberg SV
Star of the Group Stage that no-one will mention: Giovani dos Santos of Mexico
Player of the Tournament: Lionel Messi of Argentina or Xavi of Spain
Biggest star name that won’t perform: Frank Ribery of France
Over Achievers: South Korea
A cheeky little bet: Germany to win the World Cup and Klose to win the Golden Boot
Dream Team:
GK: Casillas
DEF: Ramos, Lucio, Puyol, Lahm
MID: Sneijder, Xavi, Gerrard
ATT: Messi, Villa, Klose
Other Contenders: Rooney, Ronaldo, Torres, Mascherano, Robben, van Persie, Malouda, Podolski, Iniesta, Kaka, Robinho, Park Ji Sung
Friday, 11 June 2010
France will be getting a plane home & it's finally here!
First of all let’s focus quickly on the big day tomorrow, all the hype and anticipation ends for England fans and of course most importantly for the players and the manager. Tomorrow all the talking stops and the nation of England becomes one, with their own opinions and of course it’s the day fan’s become arm chair managers and in the famous words of Al Murray “Every England fan believes they can lead England to World Cup Glory”. Every England fan will have something to say about what players should start, what players shouldn’t, who should be England’s number 1 and who is better out of Lampard and Gerrard.
I am going to give a prediction of a nervy start for England and U.S.A being tight and organised with England eventually growing into the game with Steven Gerrard being England’s key man. An early England goal would be brilliant for the fans but in previous England times nerves can often get the best of everybody, we are England after-all. I think U.S.A will mark Wayne Rooney tightly and the sub’s that Capello makes and the extra added quality in the squad that U.S.A don’t have could be the difference between the two sides.
I’m going to predict a 2-1 England win with either Lampard or a goal from a set-piece opening the scoring. Joe Cole will have a big impact in the 2nd half as I don’t expect him to play from the start.
_____________________________________________________
Now moving onto the opening games from Group A, I have not seen either game so I can’t comment and give any type of opinions but regarding France's performance but the word 'unconvincing' does not surprise me at all! In my World Cup predictions for France I mentioned Florent Malouda would be their driving spark in central midfield and for him not to start and to be left on the bench after an apparent training ground bust up with coach Raymond Domenech then it's not really a surprise France lacked quality. Leaked stories in the press have made out that certain experienced players Florent Malouda especially, believes Thierry Henry should start and it seems Raymond Domenech has told Florent Malouda he's the coach and he picks the team. But the media will obviously not get the full story until after the World Cup is finished and Domenech will be out of a job already being replaced by Laurent Blanc.
With such drama and tension within the ranks of the French squad an early plane home after a disappointing group performance would not surprise me one little bit, I expect changes from France in their next game with the players Domenech wants to play and not the players who are impressing in training or the players in form.
I am going to give a prediction of a nervy start for England and U.S.A being tight and organised with England eventually growing into the game with Steven Gerrard being England’s key man. An early England goal would be brilliant for the fans but in previous England times nerves can often get the best of everybody, we are England after-all. I think U.S.A will mark Wayne Rooney tightly and the sub’s that Capello makes and the extra added quality in the squad that U.S.A don’t have could be the difference between the two sides.
I’m going to predict a 2-1 England win with either Lampard or a goal from a set-piece opening the scoring. Joe Cole will have a big impact in the 2nd half as I don’t expect him to play from the start.
_____________________________________________________
Now moving onto the opening games from Group A, I have not seen either game so I can’t comment and give any type of opinions but regarding France's performance but the word 'unconvincing' does not surprise me at all! In my World Cup predictions for France I mentioned Florent Malouda would be their driving spark in central midfield and for him not to start and to be left on the bench after an apparent training ground bust up with coach Raymond Domenech then it's not really a surprise France lacked quality. Leaked stories in the press have made out that certain experienced players Florent Malouda especially, believes Thierry Henry should start and it seems Raymond Domenech has told Florent Malouda he's the coach and he picks the team. But the media will obviously not get the full story until after the World Cup is finished and Domenech will be out of a job already being replaced by Laurent Blanc.
With such drama and tension within the ranks of the French squad an early plane home after a disappointing group performance would not surprise me one little bit, I expect changes from France in their next game with the players Domenech wants to play and not the players who are impressing in training or the players in form.
Wednesday, 9 June 2010
World Cup Predictions: Part 1 - Groups A-C
World Cup Predictions:
Group A: South Africa, Mexico, France & Uruguay
France:
I think France should be able to overcome this group but I don’t think they will do it easily. They have good strength in depth in pretty much all areas, but it all depends on whether the French squad are a team or a team of individuals. Centre back and central midfield looks a worry although it may be a blessing that Florent Malouda has been outstanding for Chelsea in that area. There is a lot of hype surrounding playmaker Yoann Gourcuff; Gourcuff is highly rated by coach Raymond Domenech and impressed for Bordeaux in the Champions League this season but Franck Ribery is still the key-man for France.
South Africa:
South Africa may struggle to get out of this group, although it is not uncommon for the hosts of the World Cup to do well in their own country and conditions. A lot relies on Everton’s Steven Pienaar if South Africa are to progress and it worries me that they have only three forwards in the squad of 23. A very unpredictable package but with home advantage I would not be surprised to see them surprise one or two.
Mexico:
After watching Mexico play England in a World Cup warm up match I was impressed with their tactical ability, but they seemed to lack a cutting edge. Carlos Vela who Arsenal have very high hopes for alongside veteran striker Cuahtemoc Blanco are their main strikers but I think a lot depends on the creativity of Giovani dos Santos who was not labelled the next Ronaldinho at Barcelona without reason. I think he may be one of the stars of the group stage.
Uruguay:
I think an unknown quality in this World Cup, not many people seemed to have mentioned them. There forward line is very impressive, obviously people know about Diego Forlan and what he can do and if Uruguay is quality of this group then Forlan needs to fire. The player I am most interested in viewing is highly rated Ajax player Luis Suarez, he already has 10 goals in 30 international appearances and scored 48 goals in two seasons since moving to Ajax from fellow Dutch outfit Groningen.
Qualifiers: France and Uruguay (on goal difference)
Group B: Argentina, Nigeria, South Korea and Greece
Argentina:
Argentina is without doubt favourites for Group B and some people’s favourites for the tournament. There forward selection is unbelievably talented FIFA Player of the Year Lionel Messi, son-in-law of Maradona Sergio Aguero, Carlos Tevez, Gabriel Milito and Gonzalo Higuain. I’m sure every nation in the World Cup would like just one player like these in their squad. The two question marks with this team are do they have the balance to allow their attacking options to play? And secondly what on earth is Diego Maradona going to do in this World Cup? Leaving out Zanetti and Cambiasso still does not make any sense to me but hey! He used 75 players in the qualifying stages so I am sure the other 52 players he missed out are disappointed to have missed out; and people say Fabio Capello had problems having a provisional squad of 30. Argentina should walk this group, but should is a big word in football.
Nigeria:
It is a big blow for Nigeria losing no doubt their best player John Obi Mikel to injury so he won’t play any part in this tournament. He is a big player for them and has experience of major club competitions. Obfemi Martins is obviously their most well-known player, Premiership fans will know how much of a treat he offers and Chinedu Obasi is a high-related youngster for German club Hoffenheim. Joseph Yobo is another player with a lot of experience and will be a major influential factor for them in the group stage. Being an African based team may work in their favour.
Greece:
Now don’t ask me to pronounce any of the chosen squad but I do remember striker towering Angelo Chariesteaus from his winning goal in the Euro 2004 final against Portugal. There squad is very experienced with the majority of the squad being 30 or over and this could be beneficial to them. The retirement of legendary keeper Antonis Nikopolidis has left a big gap in this team. They have a chance of progressing but they have a very tough side of the draw, but I can’t write them off at Euro 2004.
South Korea:
Without a doubt the best nation representing Asia in this year’s World Cup. Manchester United’s Park Ji Sung is without a doubt their highest profile name, he is an indispensible member of this team and they will need his work-rate and his creativity to help them progress. Guus Hiddick obviously had a big influence on this team guiding them to the last four of the World Cup in their homeland beating Spain and Italy on their way before losing out to Germany. I doubt they can repeat this year as their squad lacks a finishing product in front of goal.
Qualifiers: Argentina and Greece
Group C: England, USA, Algeria and Slovenia
England:
After the disappointments of failing to quality for Euro 2008 Fabio Capello has brought back discipline, pride and most of all confidence to the England national side. England in major tournaments has played with fear and have lacked a tempo to their play. Wayne Rooney has emerged as the world-class player everyone all knew he would become and for the first time in many years England are not relying on David Beckham and Michael Owen. Balance in midfield is England’s key to success; they must take notes from when they played Spain and control the midfield if they are to have any chance of winning this tournament. With the pace of Aaron Lennon England have a new dimension to their play, this is something Capello likes and looks to take advantage of. The injury to captain Rio Ferdinand is a blow but England have always been blessed with cover at centre back; England need Gareth Barry to be fit to provide the midfield balance and most important of all the partnership between Gerrard and Rooney is vital in the later stages of the tournament.
USA:
With 10 players now playing or to have played in English Premier League you can tell why this nation has come a long way in ‘soccer’. Landon Donovan is their key man and if they are to qualify out of this group as expected then Landon needs to be on form. Clint Dempsey is a good player and has plenty of experience, but their key man in my opinion is goalkeeper Tim Howard. He is one of the most consistent goalkeepers in the Premier League and if USA keeps clean sheets they should have enough quality to edge their way out of the group stage. Don’t forget this team got to the final of the Confederations Cup and were beating Brazil two goals to nil before a Kaka master class denied them victory.
Algeria:
Now I won’t lie on this one, I’m cheating and using a bit of help from the FIFA website. Looking at the squad I can only name two players who I recognise and they have both played for Portsmouth this season and I don’t need to repeat what happened to them this season. FIFA’s profile of Algeria tells me “Algeria’s strength is in midfield, with Captain Yazid Mansouri spreading the ball around and forward-thinkers Karim Ziani and Mourad Meghni the most likely players to spark danger”. So I will trust FIFA (as it’s their World Cup) and agree that they seem to be the players to look out for. If Algeria is to gain any points in Group C they have to beat Slovenia in Game 1, otherwise, it’s zero points for Algeria and possibly quite a demoralising goal-difference against.
Slovenia:
Another team I have very little knowledge on, looking at their 23-man squad the name that sticks out the most is Robert Koren who surprisingly has been released from West Brom this summer. Other than that, I’m relying on the help of FIFA’s profile again. Considering they beat Russia in the qualifiers on their road to South Africa I am predicting they cannot be a bad side. I’m expecting them to be organised, with no real star names they will more of a team rather than relying on individuals. Striker Milivoje Novakovic scored five goals in qualifying so maybe the Cologne striker could be one to watch (thanks FIFA) and in more certain terms he will definitely be a commentator’s nightmare.
Qualifiers: England and USA
Group A: South Africa, Mexico, France & Uruguay
France:
I think France should be able to overcome this group but I don’t think they will do it easily. They have good strength in depth in pretty much all areas, but it all depends on whether the French squad are a team or a team of individuals. Centre back and central midfield looks a worry although it may be a blessing that Florent Malouda has been outstanding for Chelsea in that area. There is a lot of hype surrounding playmaker Yoann Gourcuff; Gourcuff is highly rated by coach Raymond Domenech and impressed for Bordeaux in the Champions League this season but Franck Ribery is still the key-man for France.
South Africa:
South Africa may struggle to get out of this group, although it is not uncommon for the hosts of the World Cup to do well in their own country and conditions. A lot relies on Everton’s Steven Pienaar if South Africa are to progress and it worries me that they have only three forwards in the squad of 23. A very unpredictable package but with home advantage I would not be surprised to see them surprise one or two.
Mexico:
After watching Mexico play England in a World Cup warm up match I was impressed with their tactical ability, but they seemed to lack a cutting edge. Carlos Vela who Arsenal have very high hopes for alongside veteran striker Cuahtemoc Blanco are their main strikers but I think a lot depends on the creativity of Giovani dos Santos who was not labelled the next Ronaldinho at Barcelona without reason. I think he may be one of the stars of the group stage.
Uruguay:
I think an unknown quality in this World Cup, not many people seemed to have mentioned them. There forward line is very impressive, obviously people know about Diego Forlan and what he can do and if Uruguay is quality of this group then Forlan needs to fire. The player I am most interested in viewing is highly rated Ajax player Luis Suarez, he already has 10 goals in 30 international appearances and scored 48 goals in two seasons since moving to Ajax from fellow Dutch outfit Groningen.
Qualifiers: France and Uruguay (on goal difference)
Group B: Argentina, Nigeria, South Korea and Greece
Argentina:
Argentina is without doubt favourites for Group B and some people’s favourites for the tournament. There forward selection is unbelievably talented FIFA Player of the Year Lionel Messi, son-in-law of Maradona Sergio Aguero, Carlos Tevez, Gabriel Milito and Gonzalo Higuain. I’m sure every nation in the World Cup would like just one player like these in their squad. The two question marks with this team are do they have the balance to allow their attacking options to play? And secondly what on earth is Diego Maradona going to do in this World Cup? Leaving out Zanetti and Cambiasso still does not make any sense to me but hey! He used 75 players in the qualifying stages so I am sure the other 52 players he missed out are disappointed to have missed out; and people say Fabio Capello had problems having a provisional squad of 30. Argentina should walk this group, but should is a big word in football.
Nigeria:
It is a big blow for Nigeria losing no doubt their best player John Obi Mikel to injury so he won’t play any part in this tournament. He is a big player for them and has experience of major club competitions. Obfemi Martins is obviously their most well-known player, Premiership fans will know how much of a treat he offers and Chinedu Obasi is a high-related youngster for German club Hoffenheim. Joseph Yobo is another player with a lot of experience and will be a major influential factor for them in the group stage. Being an African based team may work in their favour.
Greece:
Now don’t ask me to pronounce any of the chosen squad but I do remember striker towering Angelo Chariesteaus from his winning goal in the Euro 2004 final against Portugal. There squad is very experienced with the majority of the squad being 30 or over and this could be beneficial to them. The retirement of legendary keeper Antonis Nikopolidis has left a big gap in this team. They have a chance of progressing but they have a very tough side of the draw, but I can’t write them off at Euro 2004.
South Korea:
Without a doubt the best nation representing Asia in this year’s World Cup. Manchester United’s Park Ji Sung is without a doubt their highest profile name, he is an indispensible member of this team and they will need his work-rate and his creativity to help them progress. Guus Hiddick obviously had a big influence on this team guiding them to the last four of the World Cup in their homeland beating Spain and Italy on their way before losing out to Germany. I doubt they can repeat this year as their squad lacks a finishing product in front of goal.
Qualifiers: Argentina and Greece
Group C: England, USA, Algeria and Slovenia
England:
After the disappointments of failing to quality for Euro 2008 Fabio Capello has brought back discipline, pride and most of all confidence to the England national side. England in major tournaments has played with fear and have lacked a tempo to their play. Wayne Rooney has emerged as the world-class player everyone all knew he would become and for the first time in many years England are not relying on David Beckham and Michael Owen. Balance in midfield is England’s key to success; they must take notes from when they played Spain and control the midfield if they are to have any chance of winning this tournament. With the pace of Aaron Lennon England have a new dimension to their play, this is something Capello likes and looks to take advantage of. The injury to captain Rio Ferdinand is a blow but England have always been blessed with cover at centre back; England need Gareth Barry to be fit to provide the midfield balance and most important of all the partnership between Gerrard and Rooney is vital in the later stages of the tournament.
USA:
With 10 players now playing or to have played in English Premier League you can tell why this nation has come a long way in ‘soccer’. Landon Donovan is their key man and if they are to qualify out of this group as expected then Landon needs to be on form. Clint Dempsey is a good player and has plenty of experience, but their key man in my opinion is goalkeeper Tim Howard. He is one of the most consistent goalkeepers in the Premier League and if USA keeps clean sheets they should have enough quality to edge their way out of the group stage. Don’t forget this team got to the final of the Confederations Cup and were beating Brazil two goals to nil before a Kaka master class denied them victory.
Algeria:
Now I won’t lie on this one, I’m cheating and using a bit of help from the FIFA website. Looking at the squad I can only name two players who I recognise and they have both played for Portsmouth this season and I don’t need to repeat what happened to them this season. FIFA’s profile of Algeria tells me “Algeria’s strength is in midfield, with Captain Yazid Mansouri spreading the ball around and forward-thinkers Karim Ziani and Mourad Meghni the most likely players to spark danger”. So I will trust FIFA (as it’s their World Cup) and agree that they seem to be the players to look out for. If Algeria is to gain any points in Group C they have to beat Slovenia in Game 1, otherwise, it’s zero points for Algeria and possibly quite a demoralising goal-difference against.
Slovenia:
Another team I have very little knowledge on, looking at their 23-man squad the name that sticks out the most is Robert Koren who surprisingly has been released from West Brom this summer. Other than that, I’m relying on the help of FIFA’s profile again. Considering they beat Russia in the qualifiers on their road to South Africa I am predicting they cannot be a bad side. I’m expecting them to be organised, with no real star names they will more of a team rather than relying on individuals. Striker Milivoje Novakovic scored five goals in qualifying so maybe the Cologne striker could be one to watch (thanks FIFA) and in more certain terms he will definitely be a commentator’s nightmare.
Qualifiers: England and USA
After the worse season Liverpool can remember, Rafa is the only winner.
After delivering Liverpool’s worst season for many years Rafa Benitez is the biggest winner, £6 million in his bank account and now manager of a treble winning Inter Milan. After going from 2nd place and so close to the title finishing just four points behind winners Manchester United one year ago to finishing in 7th place, crashing out of the UEFA Champions League and only qualifying for the Europa League because Portsmouth failed to register for a European Place after never believing they would get to the FA Cup Final. You could say Rafa Benitez was lucky not to be sacked before Christmas.
The five year contract Rafa Benitez signed in 2009 until 2014 made him virtually un-sackable! The very same contract that promised him such an embarrassment of riches should it is terminated. Now personally I am not a fan of Rata Benitez, and neither am I a fan of Liverpool who make me cringe when watching them due to their boring, slow unattractive football that only ever becomes exciting when Steven Gerrard links with Fernando Torres. But, you have to give credit where credit is due, Rafa Benitez is a winner, he may not be able to answer a simple yes or no question but he is a winner.
There is no secret in which Massimo Moratti’s first choice was to replace Jose Mourinho, he made that pretty public and within days Fabio Capello had met with the FA and had the clause in his contract removed that would of allowed him to leave England after the World Cup. So with this Rafa Benitez saw an opportunity, an opportunity created for him by Moratti, one phone call to the Liverpool chairman to discuss next season’s transfer budget [knowing their wasn’t one] and within that very night he had talked his way out of Anfield and had landed a nice £6 million pay off from his ‘unbreakable’ contract sending a message to Inter Milan chairman Massimo Moratti saying ‘come and get me’.
Inter Milan have gained a smart man that even when he loses, he still wins. Rafa Benitez has gained a dream opportunity. He has inherited a treble winning squad created by the ‘special one’ himself, a league that is actually harder to lose than to win and a transfer budget that he could of only dreamed of having at Liverpool even with new owners and a winning national lottery ticket.
Rafa will be able to play his way in Italy, his trusted 4-2-3-1 formation works in the country made famous for being organised and not conceding goals, and if he has any sense he will try his best to bring Fernando Torres with him.
The five year contract Rafa Benitez signed in 2009 until 2014 made him virtually un-sackable! The very same contract that promised him such an embarrassment of riches should it is terminated. Now personally I am not a fan of Rata Benitez, and neither am I a fan of Liverpool who make me cringe when watching them due to their boring, slow unattractive football that only ever becomes exciting when Steven Gerrard links with Fernando Torres. But, you have to give credit where credit is due, Rafa Benitez is a winner, he may not be able to answer a simple yes or no question but he is a winner.
There is no secret in which Massimo Moratti’s first choice was to replace Jose Mourinho, he made that pretty public and within days Fabio Capello had met with the FA and had the clause in his contract removed that would of allowed him to leave England after the World Cup. So with this Rafa Benitez saw an opportunity, an opportunity created for him by Moratti, one phone call to the Liverpool chairman to discuss next season’s transfer budget [knowing their wasn’t one] and within that very night he had talked his way out of Anfield and had landed a nice £6 million pay off from his ‘unbreakable’ contract sending a message to Inter Milan chairman Massimo Moratti saying ‘come and get me’.
Inter Milan have gained a smart man that even when he loses, he still wins. Rafa Benitez has gained a dream opportunity. He has inherited a treble winning squad created by the ‘special one’ himself, a league that is actually harder to lose than to win and a transfer budget that he could of only dreamed of having at Liverpool even with new owners and a winning national lottery ticket.
Rafa will be able to play his way in Italy, his trusted 4-2-3-1 formation works in the country made famous for being organised and not conceding goals, and if he has any sense he will try his best to bring Fernando Torres with him.
Monday, 7 June 2010
Argentina may have unlimited attacking options but how many of them can play at one time?
It says a lot about a national team when Carlos Tevez, outstanding for Manchester City this season, treble winning hero Diego Milito and wonder kid Sergio Aguero cannot get into the national team. It’s pretty safe to say all of these would walk into the majority of the nations in this year’s World Cup. Of course keeping these fantastic players out is the world’s best player Lionel Messi and Real Madrid’s Gonzalo Higuain. Argentina seem pretty settled on a 4-4-2 formation but other than Javier Mascherano I have no clue who else is going to be in the starting line up against Nigeria on June 12th.
What Maradona must surely be thinking is how to get a balance out of this team and how can he fit in his world class stars! Well I hope this is what he’s thinking, after using 75 players in the qualification games you kind of get the impression other than Messi he does not know his starting line up yet. How this man can overlook and not select Javier Zanetti and Estaben Cambiasso who have been key in Inter Milan’s success in his World Cup squad, managed by a man who knows a few things about football I have no idea. Cambiasso and Zanetti would have added a huge deal of experience, given two outstanding defensive options, provided balance to let the attacking flair players create the magic that the whole competition must fear.
Two holding midfield players would allow Messi to play in his famous attacking wide right position, it would allow Carlos Tevez or Sergio Aguero the licence to play off the main striker; either Higuain or Diego Milito with exciting prospect Angel Di Maria or solid Maxi Rodriguez playing wide left. This would allow Maradona to have four world class attackers instead of two with security at the back and Juan Sebastian Veron would be able to give his old legs a rest.
But who knows there may be actually a method to Maradona’s madness. It could work out to be an advantage for stars like Messi, Tevez and son-in-law Aguero for the attention not to be on them but to be on the manager who if he does not deliver an impressive World Cup is surely out of a job.
What Maradona must surely be thinking is how to get a balance out of this team and how can he fit in his world class stars! Well I hope this is what he’s thinking, after using 75 players in the qualification games you kind of get the impression other than Messi he does not know his starting line up yet. How this man can overlook and not select Javier Zanetti and Estaben Cambiasso who have been key in Inter Milan’s success in his World Cup squad, managed by a man who knows a few things about football I have no idea. Cambiasso and Zanetti would have added a huge deal of experience, given two outstanding defensive options, provided balance to let the attacking flair players create the magic that the whole competition must fear.
Two holding midfield players would allow Messi to play in his famous attacking wide right position, it would allow Carlos Tevez or Sergio Aguero the licence to play off the main striker; either Higuain or Diego Milito with exciting prospect Angel Di Maria or solid Maxi Rodriguez playing wide left. This would allow Maradona to have four world class attackers instead of two with security at the back and Juan Sebastian Veron would be able to give his old legs a rest.
But who knows there may be actually a method to Maradona’s madness. It could work out to be an advantage for stars like Messi, Tevez and son-in-law Aguero for the attention not to be on them but to be on the manager who if he does not deliver an impressive World Cup is surely out of a job.
Why Theo Walcott may not be in form but he still should be in South Africa:
The word potential is a word that often gets over-used too much in football, especially if you’re an Arsenal player. When Theo Walcott burst onto the football map at Southampton people expected him to be a world-beater, linking him to Thierry Henry and even taking his squad number at Arsenal after a £12 million pound move; and this may still be the case. There are no excuses for Theo Walcott not to for fill his potential and become a world-beater one day, but people need to remember he is only 21 years old.
He has a great manager in Arsene Wenger who is looking out for his best interests but there is protecting him in cotton wool in the Premiership so he is full fit and fresh and then there is protecting him from World Cup heartbreak. Sven Goran Eriksson made a huge mistake taking Theo Walcott to the World Cup but in a way it has benefited him making him stronger, given Theo the experience of a major tournament and this definitely showed in the Under 21’s tournament before losing out to Germany in the final. So if those two experiences have allowed Theo to learn things then missing out on the World Cup this time around will surely make him stand up learn from this season, become an Arsenal regular, complete 90 minutes more often than not and most importantly become a man.
Personally, I think he should be in South Africa, yes his final ball lacks quality at times and yes Rooney got very frustrated with him in the two warm-up games and personally I think that is a big factor is why Walcott is not chosen. Capello needs the best service to Rooney if England is going to win the World Cup. But what Theo can offer is lightening pace, he has shown against Croatia that he can deliver and in the two games against Barcelona for Arsenal in the Champions League he absolutely terrified the Barcelona back line scoring one goal and assisting Nicolas Bendtner with another. Personally I think Aaron Lennon can offer a little bit more than Theo Walcott from the start but if Aaron Lennon does have an off day we have the express pace to worry teams later in games and if there is one thing England club team’s can do well, is score late goals at important times.
He has a great manager in Arsene Wenger who is looking out for his best interests but there is protecting him in cotton wool in the Premiership so he is full fit and fresh and then there is protecting him from World Cup heartbreak. Sven Goran Eriksson made a huge mistake taking Theo Walcott to the World Cup but in a way it has benefited him making him stronger, given Theo the experience of a major tournament and this definitely showed in the Under 21’s tournament before losing out to Germany in the final. So if those two experiences have allowed Theo to learn things then missing out on the World Cup this time around will surely make him stand up learn from this season, become an Arsenal regular, complete 90 minutes more often than not and most importantly become a man.
Personally, I think he should be in South Africa, yes his final ball lacks quality at times and yes Rooney got very frustrated with him in the two warm-up games and personally I think that is a big factor is why Walcott is not chosen. Capello needs the best service to Rooney if England is going to win the World Cup. But what Theo can offer is lightening pace, he has shown against Croatia that he can deliver and in the two games against Barcelona for Arsenal in the Champions League he absolutely terrified the Barcelona back line scoring one goal and assisting Nicolas Bendtner with another. Personally I think Aaron Lennon can offer a little bit more than Theo Walcott from the start but if Aaron Lennon does have an off day we have the express pace to worry teams later in games and if there is one thing England club team’s can do well, is score late goals at important times.
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