The Europa League is a competition providing crucial extra income for teams in lower standard leagues across Europe and for the spainish teams where most of the television rights go to Barcelona and Real Madrid.But it is also a nuisance for established sides who somehow slipped into the" Champions Leagues ugly sister" Nevertheless it is a tournament which will exhibit tremendous goals and skills alongside howlers and jittery goalkeeping (in general not just from David De Gea).I appologise for being harsh on the young Spanish shot stopper, he made a name for himself with some fine displays showing the importance this competition can be for players.
Wayne Rooney entered the European fray with a fine hat-trick against Fernabache.Can he make a similar impact on his Europa League debut.I`m sure he is disappointed since he was only scoring in a Champions League final last May but that`s football and Rooney is mature enough to put in wholehearted performances for the Red Devils.
Lucho Gonzalez raised eyebrows when he traded Champions League football and the sunny shores of France to return to his beloved FC Porto who are not the force they where after AVB and Falcao`s exit last summer.Can the Argentine playmaker defend the Europa League holder`s title?on current form the answer would have to be no.
Fernando Llorente could fire Athlectic Bilbao to the next round .The Basque clubs cup form has been fantastic in the Copa Del Ray and so has Llorente who has averaged a goal a game in the tournament.Under Biesla watchful eye Bilbao could cruise past Lokomotiv Moscow and Llorente needs to force himself into the Spainish squad
Wednesday, 15 February 2012
Monday, 23 January 2012
Future superstars in football
Every young Argentine winger that moves across the continent to Europe and is usually given an unjustified tag of being touted as the "new Maradona or Messi".This happens with most young players who stand out from the crowd in their their region our league.So I going to pull together all my knowledge of young talents in football in order to bring you the future stars of football so you don`t have to.
Mats Hummels has three sublime attributes that makes Hummels so great his anticipation of the game composure and confidence.Showing rare maturity for his age with impressing performances for title holders Dortmund and for Germany.For such an athletic figure he has quick feet useful when playing the ball out from the back.His aerial ability is second to none scoring 5 headed goals last season.He is the perfect description of a modern centre back and he is still only 22.
Exploding on to the world scene Mario Gotze has never looked back 10 caps for Germany yet only 19 years old.His capability of bamboozling opposition with his lightning quick feet and deft first touch it will not be long before he will be credited alongside Europes elite players.According to Opta stats he has created 80 chances in 2011.
Alexis Sanchez has been outstanding for Chile, becoming a key player at the 2010 World Cup and Copa America and already having won 45 caps.Proving his undoubted potential at Udinese including four goals in one game.A transfer to Barcelona will only improve him as a player with his versatility being important during the build up of fixtures at Barcelona.
Neymar is proving to be one of the most skillful players since Ronaldinho in his prime.His Samba flair and electric pace can be mesmerising even to watch.He wears a nose porestrip to aid his breathing and enhance his performances.He has a the attributes to thrive in European football.Will be Brazil`s key player in the run in to the 201 World Cup.
Lucas Moura has been slightly overshadowed by the quick progression and media coverage of Neymar but quality speaks for itself and Lucas has it in abundance,full of pace,skill imaginative,versatile and quite a good finisher.I would like to see him develop at Sao Paulo then maybe be involved in a swap move to Real Madrid with Kaka possibly returning back to his former club.
Barcelona`s new starlet from the famed La Masia academy is named Thiago Alcantra.He shot to fame scoring a free kick from 40 yards in the under 21 finals and received the man of the match award.He will gain crucial expeirence training along side Xavi Ineista and Fabergas.
Phil Jones made his debut marking Didier Drogba and did a fantastic job preventing the Ivorian from scoring.He caught the eye of Sir Alex Ferguson and was bought for 16 million pounds.Injuries to Vidic and Ferdinand early in the season jumped straight into the team.He also showed versatility as he has also played full back and centre midfield.
Mats Hummels has three sublime attributes that makes Hummels so great his anticipation of the game composure and confidence.Showing rare maturity for his age with impressing performances for title holders Dortmund and for Germany.For such an athletic figure he has quick feet useful when playing the ball out from the back.His aerial ability is second to none scoring 5 headed goals last season.He is the perfect description of a modern centre back and he is still only 22.
Exploding on to the world scene Mario Gotze has never looked back 10 caps for Germany yet only 19 years old.His capability of bamboozling opposition with his lightning quick feet and deft first touch it will not be long before he will be credited alongside Europes elite players.According to Opta stats he has created 80 chances in 2011.
Alexis Sanchez has been outstanding for Chile, becoming a key player at the 2010 World Cup and Copa America and already having won 45 caps.Proving his undoubted potential at Udinese including four goals in one game.A transfer to Barcelona will only improve him as a player with his versatility being important during the build up of fixtures at Barcelona.
Neymar is proving to be one of the most skillful players since Ronaldinho in his prime.His Samba flair and electric pace can be mesmerising even to watch.He wears a nose porestrip to aid his breathing and enhance his performances.He has a the attributes to thrive in European football.Will be Brazil`s key player in the run in to the 201 World Cup.
Lucas Moura has been slightly overshadowed by the quick progression and media coverage of Neymar but quality speaks for itself and Lucas has it in abundance,full of pace,skill imaginative,versatile and quite a good finisher.I would like to see him develop at Sao Paulo then maybe be involved in a swap move to Real Madrid with Kaka possibly returning back to his former club.
Barcelona`s new starlet from the famed La Masia academy is named Thiago Alcantra.He shot to fame scoring a free kick from 40 yards in the under 21 finals and received the man of the match award.He will gain crucial expeirence training along side Xavi Ineista and Fabergas.
Phil Jones made his debut marking Didier Drogba and did a fantastic job preventing the Ivorian from scoring.He caught the eye of Sir Alex Ferguson and was bought for 16 million pounds.Injuries to Vidic and Ferdinand early in the season jumped straight into the team.He also showed versatility as he has also played full back and centre midfield.
Saturday, 7 January 2012
The importance of a great captain
A great captain can lead his team to success and recognition and can help moderate a team to make the team more complete.As of September 2009 Manchester City were 100% owned by Sheifk Mansour who has an estimated family wealth of 1 trillion dollars.Almost instantly they broke Premier League transfer records and made outrageous bids for the worlds best players.In the 1st season under new ownership they didn`t challenge for a Champions League spot,40 points behind Man.utd.The following season Tevez moved across town and the gap was cut to three places and 18 points.Last term it was two places and 9 points along with their first trophy since 1976.
Carlos Tevez was captain for two seasons scoring 43 goals, but does that mean he was a great captain?I my opinion he wasn`t.In December 2010 Tevez handed in a written transfer request citing" family reasons" although he withdrew his transfer request and was "absolutely committmed " his actions must have had a devestating effect on the Man City dressing room.Vincent Kompany became club captain for City`s fist encounter this season against Swansea and has proved to be an outstanding force and as a result of a change in leadership City are pearched on top of the table three points ahead of Man.Utd.Meanwhile Tevez is currently placed on gardening leave as a result of the Munich fiasco.
My second reason regarding the importance of a strong leader is shown in the Manchester United defense since Nemanja Vidics injury in Basel.Vidic has a solid character and an almighty presence in the Red Devils backline.I watched the recent fixture at Sports Direct Arena and the Serbs absence was a major cause for concern as it showed the hidden weakness of the 3 times European Cups winners back five.Neither Jones nor Ferdinand decided to mark Demba Ba and could not match his aerial ability.These are both England internationals but both are not worthy to lead Man.Utd out of the tunnel with preformances such as that.
The Reds need belief and leadership as soon as possible and the January is the perfect opportunity to rectify the problem. Daniel De Rossi would be a coup for Man.Utd as he would add quality to the center of midfield,be a leader when the heads of fellow teammates are dropped and would be the deference between defending their title or winning no silverware at all this season.
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