Yes I know...I have not been here a long time...I am not going to bother to explain, but the World Cup is drawing closer and things are really heating up. The Spanish League looks like a foregone conclusion with Barcelona ready to take the title, the Serie A? Well The Serie A will be well...the dreary Serie A...it has been a dull season in Italy, accept for AC Milan the rest of the Italian league seem to be in black and white (no pun intended to Juventus) but Milan add colour to the league in-terms of their play and most importantly they are in the Champions League Semis.
The Spanish League looks to be won by Barcelona, the brilliant Ronaldinho and co are just steamrolling ahead, but they would want the Champions League, to them the most prized asset.
The English League? While I think it is still not the best league I must say that if Arsenal do win the Champions League that mantle will be true; the EPL is the best. The Premier League is far from over with Manchester United making a chase against Chelsea, whatever happens it does not matter because the fact is, for the first time in years the League is not signed, sealed and delivered. We can expect a photo finish. Liverpool and Arsenal meanwhile are left to their own devices of booking a Champions League spot, winning the FA Cup and the Champions League respectively. Having said that Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool have in their ranks replacement killers some have been there longer (but not so long) others drifted and resurrected.
It is nice to see that Cesc Fabregas is now known as the new midfield anchorman but let us not stretch it. Viera proved his worth season after season in the Gunners shirt and to be compared to him is great injustice for both players. Cesc is more of an attacking player than a ball winner, Viera was more balanced and this is obvious because he is more experienced, Cesc on the other hand needs to improve his defensive play, which I am sure he will under the guidance of Wenger.
The surprise was that Cesc took Viera's role brilliantly, but let us not heap praises yet, the wine still needs some maturing and just like that Cesc still needs time.
Nothing much has changed with Chelsea...they still play the "automation football" a bunch of factory workers in blue uniforms schooled in quality control methods....but Drogba even if he is guilty of cheating still gets the job done...but it might not be to Chelsea's liking in terms of consistency...Crespo too needs to change his style and improve his scoring rate, they still need that creative spark and Maniche just does not cut it. He proved this point when he was sent off when he stabbed his foot at a West Ham player. Make no mistake maniche is a great player but his role would be suited for Arsenal as he is the "viera" type of player, Chelsea need a more of a "Kaka" type of player or god forbid (I think he did!) Ronaldinho.
Liverpool meanwhile have got a man who is laughing always because he is back where he belongs, it is nice to see that there are somethings money can't buy (and for other things there is Roman's cheque book)Fowler just seems at home again and that goal against Bolton last week said it all,just about two weeks before signing for Liverpool he played for Manchester City aginst Manchester United and when he scored in that game he showed his five fingers to the United fans signalling the five Champions League trophies Liverpool won, this showed that he was still a Red.
The main man who takes the cake though is Wayne Rooney,he has been consistent all the way, this time I think it is not a hype, he can go all the way and become a great and let us not compare him with Gazza for obvious reasons, but I also think he is a much better player than Gazza because Rooney can defend well.
I mean... this kid is simply super and I can't see him getting things wrong at the World Cup, what makes him unique is not just his attacking play but his defensive play,distribution and strength. I have never seen a player who is such an all rounder. I remember Euro 2004 in Portugal when England played France, I saw how he shrugged off Zidane with a very physical challenge even Zidane was shocked,Rooney's mental make-up is just fantastic....and Ferguson is the right person for that.
When it comes to nurturing and handling young replacement killers Ferguson and Wenger have the advantage over Benitez and Mourinho simply because they so far proved themselves in longterm projects and in the end a house with a strong foundation lasts longer, I think Benitez knows this but does Mourinho have the patience for that? Well It remains to be seen.
The Spanish League looks to be won by Barcelona, the brilliant Ronaldinho and co are just steamrolling ahead, but they would want the Champions League, to them the most prized asset.
The English League? While I think it is still not the best league I must say that if Arsenal do win the Champions League that mantle will be true; the EPL is the best. The Premier League is far from over with Manchester United making a chase against Chelsea, whatever happens it does not matter because the fact is, for the first time in years the League is not signed, sealed and delivered. We can expect a photo finish. Liverpool and Arsenal meanwhile are left to their own devices of booking a Champions League spot, winning the FA Cup and the Champions League respectively. Having said that Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool have in their ranks replacement killers some have been there longer (but not so long) others drifted and resurrected.
It is nice to see that Cesc Fabregas is now known as the new midfield anchorman but let us not stretch it. Viera proved his worth season after season in the Gunners shirt and to be compared to him is great injustice for both players. Cesc is more of an attacking player than a ball winner, Viera was more balanced and this is obvious because he is more experienced, Cesc on the other hand needs to improve his defensive play, which I am sure he will under the guidance of Wenger.
The surprise was that Cesc took Viera's role brilliantly, but let us not heap praises yet, the wine still needs some maturing and just like that Cesc still needs time.
Nothing much has changed with Chelsea...they still play the "automation football" a bunch of factory workers in blue uniforms schooled in quality control methods....but Drogba even if he is guilty of cheating still gets the job done...but it might not be to Chelsea's liking in terms of consistency...Crespo too needs to change his style and improve his scoring rate, they still need that creative spark and Maniche just does not cut it. He proved this point when he was sent off when he stabbed his foot at a West Ham player. Make no mistake maniche is a great player but his role would be suited for Arsenal as he is the "viera" type of player, Chelsea need a more of a "Kaka" type of player or god forbid (I think he did!) Ronaldinho.
Liverpool meanwhile have got a man who is laughing always because he is back where he belongs, it is nice to see that there are somethings money can't buy (and for other things there is Roman's cheque book)Fowler just seems at home again and that goal against Bolton last week said it all,just about two weeks before signing for Liverpool he played for Manchester City aginst Manchester United and when he scored in that game he showed his five fingers to the United fans signalling the five Champions League trophies Liverpool won, this showed that he was still a Red.
The main man who takes the cake though is Wayne Rooney,he has been consistent all the way, this time I think it is not a hype, he can go all the way and become a great and let us not compare him with Gazza for obvious reasons, but I also think he is a much better player than Gazza because Rooney can defend well.
I mean... this kid is simply super and I can't see him getting things wrong at the World Cup, what makes him unique is not just his attacking play but his defensive play,distribution and strength. I have never seen a player who is such an all rounder. I remember Euro 2004 in Portugal when England played France, I saw how he shrugged off Zidane with a very physical challenge even Zidane was shocked,Rooney's mental make-up is just fantastic....and Ferguson is the right person for that.
When it comes to nurturing and handling young replacement killers Ferguson and Wenger have the advantage over Benitez and Mourinho simply because they so far proved themselves in longterm projects and in the end a house with a strong foundation lasts longer, I think Benitez knows this but does Mourinho have the patience for that? Well It remains to be seen.
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