Thierry Henry returns

The Premier League will of course be a better place for having the legendary Thierry Henry back for two months He will certainly bring charisma, publicity. 

However,  I would question whether Arsenal should be re-signing one of their greatest players. It is generally accepted that they have financial means to sign a class player - e.g.  Andrei  and Reyes during previous January transfer windows.

However, the signing shows in my view a lack of future tactical footballing planning. It has been obvious throughout the season that Arsenal needed a forward who can be a physical presence around the penalty box focal point for the attack so that Van Persie who has been outstanding, and others can vary the attacking options.

Henry, to my view and memory likes to join in the footballing build-up rather than act as the focal point. It should also be remembered that since he last played here the game has got quicker and more physical; therefore asking the question can he still succeed. Look, if the deal goes through and it very much looks like it, for Arsenal's sake I hope it is a tremendous success.

However, Arsenal may be suited in bringing in a more long-term forward solution such as Lucas Poldolski which would give a real long-term boost to the fans. Such a move would show a more footballing ambition around getting new more experienced and quality players for the club that cost a lot more than they would normally buy; a regularly criticism by supporters.

For all the glitz and the glamour Thierry Henry could bring back to the Premier League , he must do a lot to banish memories of "that" incident against the Republic of Island. 

Its time Sir Alex

Mario Götze is his talent as a footballer. He makes intelligent runs, both through the middle or from out wide, has superb control and is an accomplished finisher as well. Anyone who watched Dortmund’s opening game with Hamburg this season, or Germany 3-2 friendly win over Brazil in opre-season, would have recognised that he’s a player good enough to build a team around, and definitely one good enough to play in Manchester United’s team. 

He would have undoubtedly brought a lot of quality (and quantity) to the midfield. As obvious as his natural talent is, his schooling as a footballer has in large part helped to make him the player he is today. Dortmund’s academy, rather like Barcelona’s La Masia complex, has the luxury of state-of-the-art facilities, while young players actually live in dormitories at the academy complex – the effectively ‘live’ football.

Players are coached with an emphasis on technique rather than strength, fluidity rather than rigidity. Watch Götze in a Dortmund game (or, for example, Germany’s defeat of England in Bloemfontaine last summer), and you can notice the type of football that young German players are taught to play. Dortmund also play a brand of football which is attractive, pacey, and in which Götze has been fundamental for over a season now. It’s not difficult to imagine him playing in that Germany side which humiliated England at the World Cup last year. 

What we also shouldn’t forget about Mario Götze is that, despite being just 19 years of age, he has amassed a decent amount of experience  for his age. He’s only made 42 Bundesliga appearances for Dortmund, but the majority of those were as a starter, and this season he’s been a guaranteed regular. 

I hear you cry "is he suited to the Premier League?". "He's too small, he'll get bullied off the ball". Well if you look across to the blue side of Manchester, David Silva plies his trade in the most scintillating fashion. A small dimunitive figure playing the most wonderful football, he came from a different league and has fitted into the Premier League like a glove.

Sir Alex Ferguson said he wants to give youth a chance, buying players would halt their development. However are the likes of Darron Gibson really going to make an impact ? Tom Cleverley and Mario Gotze would form a formidable centre pairing. With Paul Pogba (if he stays).  If SIr Alex Ferguson want to promote young players, he should buy a 19 year old born in Memmingen Germany. Its time Sir Alex and you know it !

The North RIses Once Again

 Manchester and Liverpool was the centre of England's trade. Prosperity was on the rise and trade was booming. Everything seemed well until England moved away from manufacturing, more towards the financial sector.

The financial situation as a result worsened. However large groups of dedicated passionate fans still followed their football club through thick and thin.  The financial clout of the north had been depleted however trophies still made their way up north. 

Liverpool dominated the 80's while Manchester United heroically trounced any team that came across their way in the 90's, achieving a superb treble in 1999. 

Fast forward to the millennium. Chelsea FC purchased by oil rich Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich . When assembling his team , money was no object, he splashed the cash to obtain the best players around. As a result back to back Premier League trophies were won as well as an FA Cup. 

Manchester City have outspent Chelsea, treating money as if grows on trees. However the magnanimous amounts of money being spent by Sheikh Mansour seems to be reaping rewards as Manchester City last year won the FA Cup, their first major trophy in the thirty five years. 

Not to be outdone however Manchester United won their 19th and record breaking Premier League title.  Reaching three Champions League finals in four years is a marvellous achievement.  Consecutive Premier League titles and a youthful, exuberant squad, Sir Alex Ferguson has built from what it seems a collection of players to take the mantle from the superb "kids" , Gary Neville, Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes. 

Manchester United sparkled in their 8-2 win over Arsenal, City destroyed Tottenham 5-1 away at White Hart Lane.  The average age of Manchester United's squad was 23 exactly the same as Arsene Wenger's Arsenal who has been famed for bringing in young, talented stars. Manchester 2-0 London. 

West Ham relegated, Arsenal in a dire situation , Tottenham in chaos after the Luka Modric saga and Chelsea with an ageing squad. Who can stop the new powerhouse of English football; Manchester ?

Rio Ferdinand must be feeling the heat

He's 6f 2, nineteen years old and a “future England captain”. He goes by the name of Phil Jones. The commanding centre back has recently joined Premier League Champions Manchester United.

Phil Jones wasn’t expected to have many first team opportunities this season, one would naturally find it difficult to break into the first team with Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic in front of him, however due to injuries, Vidic and Ferdinand, the later who turns 33 this year, Jones has grabbed his opportunities with both hands and foot !

He had a tough, energy zapping debut in the searing heat of Chicago. His second match was against fiercest rivals Manchester City. He came on as a second half substitute for Rio Ferdinand, United fans were worrying 2-0 down at half time but Jones came on and added an extra solidity to ensure United had a firm base to start their attacks from.

Magnificent performances from Phil Jones question the languid Rio Ferdinand’s place in team. Ferdinand is a marvellous player, beautifully playing out from the back but he has always had that error in concentration once in a while.  Injuries have also plague the former West Ham and Leeds man who United’s career may be coming to an end.

Another contributing factor to the question mark over Rio Ferdinand’s place in the team, is Chris Smalling. From Maidstone to Manchester United, Non League football to one of Europe’s finest clubs, from an unknown centre back to a prospective Rio Ferdinand replacement at the Premier League Champions. What a transition for the young man who has dealt with the change admirably. Recently he has been filling in a right back, a position he has only been playing since the USA pre season tour. His power is a standout factor on the right hand side which has been a revelation as United do not have the strongest side compared to the likes of Manchester City and Chelsea.  Smalling’s rise and signing of Phil Jones has placed added pressure on Ferdinand, who not only has to worry the pair but Johnny Evans as well.  Three promising centre backs vying for first team places. Rio Ferdinand must surly be feeling the heat.

Mes que un Club- More than a club ?

"Mes que un Club"- More than a club. Cesc Fabregas has joined Barcelona for £30million plus £5million add ons. His "dream has come true",delighted Barcelona fans greeted him in a "Galatico" manner at a packed Camp Nou.

FC  Barcelona's fierce rivalry with Real Madrid stemmed back to the time Genreral Franco was dictating Spain. At time several Barcelona players had been enlisted in the general's ranks. However they had become unhappy at the way the regime was implemented. To add futher haterd towards General Franco,Barcelona's president at the time Josep Sunyol was murdered by General's army. As a protest a group of fans rebelled against the government and General Franco. This group is now known as the people of Catalonia.  Barcelona football club was formed.
The stage was set for an intense rivalry, Barcelona vs Real Madrid. Tensions regulary flair between the two sided in the "El Classico's. After all this is "more than a football match" .

Real Madrid have always been brash,bold and attention seeking. Everything they do seem's to have a publicity aspect involved. The astronomical amounts of money spent on players, the whole "Galatico" policy.  Plucking all the worlds best starts and forming a team together. Barcelona on the other hand, have always relied heavily on its youth academy, promoting youngster from the local area training them at La Masia . Giving back to the community in essence.

However; Barcelona are starting to embody the Real Madrid policy, parading their latest signing inventing their own "Galiticos". The amount of publicity and news coming out of the  management at Barcelona is at an all time high. It seems like every manager/player has their own opinion on what's best for the club. A recent example is when Pep Guardiola talked about the stresses on managing the Barcelona team. His constant battle to appease the directors of the club. Many reports have highlighted his "strained relationship" with the president Sandro Rosell.
Barcelona FC, previously had no sponsership, they then had a charity; Unicef across the front of their shirts fitting in with their family attitude; now its splashed across with Unicef and Qatari Foundation receving £30million per year for five years. Maybe Barcelona's marketing think tank accquired Unicef as a ploy to fit in with their "Mes que un Club" philosophy . At the time  the Barcelona president Joan Laporta said

"It will not be the brand name of a corporation. It will not be a commercial to promote some kind of business. It will be the logo of Unicef. Through Unicef, we, the people of FC Barcelona, the people of Barça, are very proud to donate our shirt to the children of the world who are our present, but especially are our future."

Barcelona's debt has been mentioned at £369.5 million. £65milion was spent in one season with the purchase of Zlatan Ibrahimovic .Barcelona could no longer continue to ignore such a lucrative revenue stream, especially with Uefa introducing the Financial Fair Play legislation that will require clubs competing in Europe to break even.
Fans and samaritans had protested at the commercialism, over times they faded. Barcelona FC have been left with a large profit. They are more than  club. They are "Un negocio" - a business.

The Premier League is underway !

Its back ! You haven't missed it have you ?  Long nails ready to be bitten ? Check. Refreshments ? Check. Excuses ready for the wife and friends ? Check. This must mean one thing of course, the Premier League is underway. 


The  Liverpool were held by a dogged Sunderland, Arsenal drew to Newcastle,Manchester United overcame a resilient West Brom side.


All "top four" sides were expected to easily overcome their opposition, however this was far from the case. Chelsea were by far the better team against Stoke, however as we have come to know, its one thing being on top, if you do not score t does not mean anything. Stoke made many last ditch tackles and a few superb saves from Begovic, the kept Stoke in the game for long periods. Stoke did however have their fair share of chances. Kenwyne Jones was a vital cog in the Stoke City machine, deftly controlling the long punts upfield from the defence.  


Chelsea could of had three penalties, at least two. They were unfortunate, however John Terry berrating the referee made a mockery of the FA's respect campaign. A positive for Villas Boas's side was that Fernando Torres, their star £50 million striker seemed to spark into life, and showed why he's worth the astonishing amount of money paid by Roman Abramovich.  Ramerias also looked lively, the small wiry figure made some bursting runs in the Stoke.


Arsenal played the nice attractive football they've become renowned for however the missing spark from Fabregas and Nasri were evident.  Gervinho was sent off on his Gunners debut and they were unable to break down a stubborn Newcastle side. The absence of Jack Wilshere through injury, left the Gunners with an arguably second-string midfield trio of Tomas Rosicky, Andrey Arshavin and Aaron Ramsey alongside Alex Song, and they quickly ran out of ideas.

A whipped free-kick by Van Persie was the closest Arsenal got to breaking the deadlock, and their hopes of an opening-day victory were all but ended when Gervinho was dismissed.

To leave the north-east with a point is by no means a disaster but the performance and outcome was hardly the shot in the arm Wenger's men needed ahead of a pivotal week.

Manchester United left it late, the Red Devil's much talked about team spirit saw them through a tricky opening away match.  The first twenty minutes was dazzling a performance from the attacking Manchester United team. Tom Cleverly was thrown once again into the deep end, after inspiring an inspiring performance against the blue half of Manchester, City.

David de Gea endured a nightmare  Premier League debut. Manchester United lost both their centre-halves. Yet somehow the champions still managed to start their Premier League title defence with a win.

emanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand will need to be assessed for the calf and hamstring problems that heralded their second-half departures.


Ferguson will need to find some confidence for De Gea, in addition to a crash course in dealing with crosses, the Spaniard's inexplicable error in gifting Shane Long an equaliser to Wayne Rooney's 12th-minute opener, setting the seal on what turned his Premier League debut into a personal disaster.

One must not forget however that Peter Schmeichel was given a horrid time by the crazy "gang" at Wimbledon AFC in his first match, he then conceded a howler at Fulham in his next match. He didn't turn out to be a too bad goalkeeper did he ?

Ashley Young's deflected effort 10 minutes from time ensured United opened the new season with a win under their belts.

United were luck to an extent with the deflections however their never say die attitude can only be praised upon. Rooney placed in a glorious goal in the 13th minute. Shifting one way before turning back on to his left foot before placing the ball in the bottom corner of the net. Ex United keeper, Ben Foster had no chance. 

West Brom settled afterwards, attacking down United's left hand side with the powerful Tchoyi. He gave Smalling a real test  in his new position at left back. 

Paul Scharner drew a fine save from De Gea that should have given the Spaniard confidence yet two minutes later the 20 year old was shaking his head and throwing his arms in despair.

If the jury was not out on De Gea before, it well and truly is out now. The spotlight will shine brightly on him, however he should be given time, he's 20, living in a different country away from friends and family. Sir Alex Ferguson clearly see's something in the young man, who dares to question the wily old fox.  

Scouting vs Superstars- "You'll never win anything with kids"

The transfer window is interesting for all stakeholders of football clubs. Managers and chairmen are busy sorting out transfer dealings. Players are in constant communication with their clubs or on holiday.

Many clubs have conflictiing transer policies. But the question is which is the right one ?

Real Madrid have their "Galatico" strategy bringing and showcasing the creme de la creme of footballing talent on one stage. Under the regime Zidene Zidane was a world record £44 million signing at one stage in the football world,Papa Ronaldo for £26 million,Luiz Figo £38.7 million were bought for large fees.These signing's however only achieved only two league title's and one Champions League title.

Manchester City are spending from what it seems an abundant amount of money, attempting to attract top tier players. Purchases of Robinho for a British record fee of £32.5 million, David Silva for £30 million. These players have greatly improved the squad, this results in City being serious title contenders, a foreign thought for a fan of Manchester City 3 years ago. The closest they were to premierleague glory was across the city in the red half of Manchester.

Chelsea are in the hands of Roman Abramovich, who spent a large amount of money on player transfer when he first purchased the club, however in recent times he has reduced that spending, latest signings point to the possible change in policy, trying to purchase young players with potential. Josh Mchearean is widely tipped as a future Frank Lampard, Daniel Sturridge who spent last season on loan at Bolton

On the other end of the spectrum is Arsenal and to a lesser extent Manchester United. Both these clubs are steeped in tradition and history of scouting youngsters from across the globe. Arsenal rigid wage structure keeps the business model lucrative, whereas Sir Alex Ferguson has implemented a barrier to the amount of money spent on over 26 years old. Of course there are exceptions, Dimartar Berbatov 28 years old at the time was bought for £30.5 million. Sir Alex Ferguson brought Neville brothers,David Beckham,Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes through United's youth system,immediately plunging them into the first team. Sir Alex identified the mercurous talent early whereas others such as ex Liverpool FC player Alan Hansen were unconvinced prompting this opinion from him. "You'll never win anything with kids" How wrong he was to be as United went on to win the treble of the Premier League, FA Cup and European Champions League. 

Other clubs such as Everton ,Aston Villa,Southampton and the formidable Barcelona rely heavily on their youth system. The effort that goes into training these individuals from a young age and the difficulties that are attached to it provide a heavy weight to carry along with the development of a player. Much alike United are finding out with the supremely talented Ravel Morrison. 

 Now we come back to the initial question. Which setup is better ?  From City's billions, to Arsenal youth policy and Manchester United mix of embedding young blood and a few big name signings. The answer is neither, both, if implemented in the right way can be successful.