With the new Premier League season just around the corner, in fact even closer than that - just 4 days away - pundits and fans alike have been commenting on the upcoming footballing marathon and trying to predict results based on the summer transfer window's deals.
The biggest transfer of the summer was Luis Suarez's £75m move from Liverpool to Barcelona in the wake of his third biting scandal. Liverpool's successful 2013/14 season led to Champions League qualification for the first time since 2009, mainly thanks to Suarez's scintillating form and goal tally of 31.
Liverpool have dipped, or rather plunged, into the market over the past few months, buying a number of players in an attempt to counteract Suarez's departure and manager Brendan Rogers has signalled his intent to attract a few more names before the transfer window closes.
How will they cope with extra midweek games without their star performer and with an ageing captain who clearly won't play every match? Only time will tell, but the pressure will be on the likes of Daniel Sturridge and Raheem Stirling to up their game, and the need for the newbies to fit in quickly is evident.
Tottenham had a similar situation with Gareth Bale at the start of last season. 7 new big names couldn't help Tottenham last season, as they scored fewer goals than Bale did in 2012/13. Liverpool must get it right where Spurs got it wrong or the recent success might be undone all thanks to one massive transfer.
On a separate note, Barcelona's strike force of Messi, Neymar and Suarez looks unmatchable. With the big names at Real Madrid too, the Premier League's recent domination of European football and its tag as the most exciting league in the world might well be lost to the Spanish upsurge.
Source: http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/28421516
What We Learnt Today
Showing posts with label champions league. Show all posts
Showing posts with label champions league. Show all posts
Tuesday, 12 August 2014
Wednesday, 25 June 2014
Suarez - dentally unstable!
Can football forgive Luis Suarez for the third time?
In case you missed it, the mischievous Uruguayan striker took a bite out of Giorgio Chiellini's shoulder. And he has history: once for Ajax in November 2010, again in April 2013 when playing for Liverpool and then once more today.
Let me state that I am a Liverpool fan and a huge admirer of Suarez. I think, like many others, that he is a hugely talented player, one of the best in the world, and who is capable of propelling a side to Champions League qualification and almost to winning the Premier League.
Many footballers have issues, and often the best ones are the most scrutinised which certainly doesn't help. Take, for example, Paul Gascoigne, John Terry, Joey Barton. The list could go on. The footballing world is shocked by their behaviour both on and off the field, yet they have all had differing misdemeanours pardoned.
Suarez's problem is the simple fact that he hasn't learnt from his mistakes and has repeated his offense.
So where does he go from here?
Well, to start with a huge ban will be facing him. Some have called for him never to play international football again but this seems exaggerated. And Fifa couldn't impose a ban that would affect his club career - that would unjustly punish Liverpool who have had no hand in this. A large fine won't solve much considering he earns a six-figure salary each week! A rehabilitation programme might. Potential moves to Barcelona or Real Madrid may now have been scuppered, with these top sides not wanting their brands tarnished by his murky past.
What will be harder to put right is the inevitable lack of respect for him that will ensue. No longer will on-field actions suffice to earn fans' and other players' appreciation and reverence.
After his 10 match ban which spanned the 2012-13 and 2013-14 seasons, Suarez won the PFA Player's Player of the Year award. Even if he nets 40 goals and Liverpool win the title, I can't see that being repeated after this evening's incident.
Maybe he should have his teeth taken out, and get a sturdy set of dentures for use only off the pitch!
In case you missed it, the mischievous Uruguayan striker took a bite out of Giorgio Chiellini's shoulder. And he has history: once for Ajax in November 2010, again in April 2013 when playing for Liverpool and then once more today.
Let me state that I am a Liverpool fan and a huge admirer of Suarez. I think, like many others, that he is a hugely talented player, one of the best in the world, and who is capable of propelling a side to Champions League qualification and almost to winning the Premier League.
Many footballers have issues, and often the best ones are the most scrutinised which certainly doesn't help. Take, for example, Paul Gascoigne, John Terry, Joey Barton. The list could go on. The footballing world is shocked by their behaviour both on and off the field, yet they have all had differing misdemeanours pardoned.
Suarez's problem is the simple fact that he hasn't learnt from his mistakes and has repeated his offense.
So where does he go from here?
Well, to start with a huge ban will be facing him. Some have called for him never to play international football again but this seems exaggerated. And Fifa couldn't impose a ban that would affect his club career - that would unjustly punish Liverpool who have had no hand in this. A large fine won't solve much considering he earns a six-figure salary each week! A rehabilitation programme might. Potential moves to Barcelona or Real Madrid may now have been scuppered, with these top sides not wanting their brands tarnished by his murky past.
What will be harder to put right is the inevitable lack of respect for him that will ensue. No longer will on-field actions suffice to earn fans' and other players' appreciation and reverence.
After his 10 match ban which spanned the 2012-13 and 2013-14 seasons, Suarez won the PFA Player's Player of the Year award. Even if he nets 40 goals and Liverpool win the title, I can't see that being repeated after this evening's incident.
Maybe he should have his teeth taken out, and get a sturdy set of dentures for use only off the pitch!
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