Senegal’s unexpected elimination from the African Cup of Nations will serve as a boost to Newcastle, as strikers Demba Ba and Papiss Cisse are set to return to club action sooner than anticipated.
One of the early tournament favourites, Senegal suffered back-to-back defeats against Zambia and Equatorial Guinea to see their chances of glory dissipate.
Despite the obvious individual disappointment for the attacking duo, Alan Pardew is eager to have them at his disposal, and has revealed that there is an outside chance that the African pair could feature against Blackburn on Wednesday.
“We have to understand the federation of Senegal’s wishes, and also our own,” the trainer said at a press conference, covered by The Daily Mail.
“Lee Charnley, our secretary here, will call them and have a conversation as to when and where we can get them back.
“Blackburn on Wednesday? That’s probably tight, but we might try to get them back for that.
“I am guessing they are not too pleased about how it’s gone, so that’s something we will have to focus on when they return.
“On the other hand, obviously they are coming back early, so that part of it, I am pleased about.
“They are two great players and you want your best players in and around your team,” he concluded.
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Newcastle take on Brighton in the FA Cup fourth round this weekend.
Movies. Movies are great aren’t they? A wise man once said; “Men like films where lots of people die very quickly and women like films where one person dies very slowly”. Failing this of course, sports films can often do the trick for men in lieu of a decent body count per minute ratio. Except that is, if they’re football films. Football films are almost all universally rubbish. If they’re actually about football.
American sports fans can get stuck in to a wide variety of over dramatic cheesy waffle. Their homegrown sports are ready made for it. Ostensibly, a lot of American sports are geared more towards entertainment than sport anyway. Cheerleaders, hot dogs, silly mascots. All things football has tried to appropriate with varying degrees of cringe worthy success, and all aimed at making it more of a “day out”. Even the multi point scoring “something must be happening at all times or else our bums’ll fall off” logistics are cater made for the all action brainless blockbuster treatment. In fact almost all sports are so inherently dramatic and possessive of rich narratives that it’d be hard to find one you couldn’t make into a suitable movie of the week starring Ted Danson’s hair and Sean Maguire.
Of course, most sports dramas don’t depend largely on the sports themselves. In football films, the good ones don’t at all. Fever Pitch or Looking For Eric for example are both great films, that succeed entirely by virtue of at no point having any of the main characters be footballers.
When they are, the main bulk is usually taken up by the heart warming life story of some dashingly hansom yet brooding individual and their struggle to find time for their passion whilst working 3 jobs as a single parent and looking after their crippled black lesbian transsexual brother on life support …or something. The sports action usually comes as a climax and will almost always involve someone scoring something in the last seconds of play, often from a daringly maverick tactic of some sort that’s “never been done before” or has, but with disastrous consequences.
My point, if I have one, is that these clichés seem to work in almost all sports films, but football/soccer ones. The jaded football fan will yawn at such dramatics on the silver screen. Not because it’s so implausible that the young renegade with a heart of gold can come on with 5 minutes to go and score a hat-trick against the club that killed his parents, but because the drama can never be as potent or emotive as it is in real time.
Invictus, Clint Eastwood’s film about South Africa’s stirring 1995 Rugby World Cup victory staring Matt Damon as François Pienaar and Morgan Freeman as Morgan Freeman in a hat, is a good example of it working for another sport. The political and social backdrop was the main focus, with the Rugby itself being ramped up dramatically with slow motion, music, and all sorts of other manipulative jiggery pokery that works because Rugby can be made more emotional with the use of such tactics. Take for example England’s 2006 World Cup win. Johnny Wilkinson won it with the last kick of the game. It couldn’t possibly have gotten any more dramatic than that, and yet if you watch a replay of that moment, you can see a plethora of England fans behind the sticks, joyfully standing up with their arms raised aloft, already in mid “Swing Low Sweet Chariot” in a sort of “Yes! My 8 year old son has just won the 100 meters at his school sports day” type celebration. The level of euphoria differed from person to person of course, but that kind of fist pumping is the general reaction you get from the climatic moments in most sports.
Now imagine, if you will, that Wilkinson had been Beckham, and old golden balls had converted a last minute free kick in the football World Cup final to send England to glory. Finding just one person in the crowd even able to stand up with their arms aloft amidst the melee of flying legs, arms, cups, wallets, phones and teeth would be a monumental achievement. The reaction would be seismic.
Because football makes us wait for it’s scores, the emotional out pouring that results from a particularly dramatic late goal trumps anything in any other sport on the planet. Even most players themselves say the sensation can’t ever be topped in life itself, so it’s hardly going to be achieved by a slow motion hero shot of Shia LaBoeuf.
You could make quite passably adequate films of both Manchester United and Liverpool’s ‘99 and ‘05 European Cup final wins. Both would seem ludicrously over the top to someone without knowledge of the games themselves but those with that knowledge, would never be able to top the feeling of actually watching it. United’s almost identical 5 goal comebacks against Spurs in 2001 and 2009 would seem appallingly Disney on the big screen, as would Kiko Macheda’s debut winner for the reds, or Deportivo’s four goal comeback against Milan in 2004. I could reel off hundreds of these, because football’s scripts are weirder, odder and more unbelievable than any hack writer could possibly come up with.
And this is why football can never be made into a good film, as long as the narrative focuses on the action. Because football is too good for film. But it won’t stop them trying. Here are some of the more notable efforts.
Goal: The Dream Begins – A young Mexican immigrant gardener is spotted having a kick about by a kind hearted gruff Scottish football scout and rescued from his harsh, dangerous life in lush, affluent, sunny Los Angeles and taken to the hallowed heavenly promise land of Newcastle upon Tyne to fulfill his destiny of becoming the 345th Messiah at St James Park. Complete with bizarre wistful hero shots of Kieron Dyer and Titus Bramble, the film also treats us to an awkward cameo from Becks, and a bar scene to match anything written by Tarantino as Raul and Zidane impart their guru like wisdom to our young hero, by telling him “hey, you look good, keep it up”…or something equally inspiring. The most interesting thing about this terrible film is that the actors were constantly positioned in full kit along the touchline at Newcastle games, and instructed to run on the field to celebrate any actual Toon Army goals in order to achieve the quite commendably realistic action sequences. This is all rendered useless however, as Anna Friel failed to get her kit off.
When Saturday Comes – Sean Bean lives out his own personal fantasy by playing a tough, maverick Sunday league player inexplicably scouted and signed by his boyhood love Sheffield United. After drinking, swearing, shagging, fighting and occasionally doing a passable impersonation of someone who can just about play football, Bean is brought on to face the evil Manchester United who, in contrast to the efforts of the Goal team, are portrayed here by fat, balding middle aged extra’s in ill fitting kits. Inspired by Sean’s natural skill and mullet, the Blades come back from 2-1 down to triumph 3-2, thanks to two goals from our hero, one from the penalty spot, which I do sort of have a problem with realism wise. No one would let a trainee on their debut take a penalty would they?
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Escape to Victory – Pele, Bobby Moore, Ossie Ardiles and Sylvester Stallone fight the Nazi’s with the help of Michael Caine and Ipswich Town. This is quite possibly the most fantastical football film ever made and is so ludicrous that it’s actually quite good. The highlight being Sly Stallone’s slow motion penalty save at the climax, which is the most pointlessly over the top save seen since Bruce Grobbelaar hung up his tash. The ball is basically hit straight at him, as he’s so small anywhere near the corners would’ve been too much of an ask, but the very fact he actually catches it, in a completely non goalkeeper-like way and a bit like he’s handling a hot egg, makes it’s surrealism all the better. The only football film with any football in it that deserves the status classic.
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You can follow Oscar on Twitter here; http://twitter.com/oscarpyejeary, where you can remind him of some other, equally appalling attempts to make films about football.
Wesley Sneijder has revealed the only club he would play for in England is Manchester United.
The Netherlands World Cup star was linked with a move from current club Internazionale to Old Trafford during the summer transfer window.
The 26-year-old former Real Madrid and Ajax playmaker stayed with the Italian and European champions but has suggested that a move to the Premier League and the Red Devils remains an appealing proposition.
''If somebody asks me if I will ever play for Manchester United, it's impossible for me to say no" he told the Daily Star Sunday.
"How can you say that if the chance came you would not play for one of the biggest clubs in the world.
''I don't think there is any player in the world who could publicly rule out ever playing for Manchester United and if they did I would doubt they were telling the truth."
Meanwhile, Sneijder has suggested his career will not be complete until he has played in England.
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He added: ''The Premier League, in terms of top clubs, is the strongest in the world, and it would be nice to finish my career saying I have played at the very top in Spain, Italy, and England.
''There is not many who can say they have done that, and if that does happen for me I would only want it to be with Manchester United.''Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
As Stoke played out an impressive victory against title contenders Tottenham at the weekend those watching the game listened with amusement to the home fans singing ‘Swing Low Sweet Chariot’, a rugby song, with a sense of conscious irony. The reputation they have built for themselves over the years under Tony Pulis as a no-nonsense physical side that takes no prisoners has certainly been warranted. However, whilst at first the furor that surrounded their style of play was evident throughout post match interviews around the country the attention paid to that side to their game seems to have calmed recently. This begs the question: have Stoke tempered their aggressive attitude or have we, and the referees, simply become accustomed to it?
In the 2010/11 season Stoke came 18th in the Premier League Fair Play table racking up a total of 68 yellow cards (fourth highest in the league) and two reds. They also have the tallest average starting eleven in the league and the second heaviest starting eleven. All this spells one thing for opposition teams; they’re in for a tough time. With 27 yellow cards so far this season too Stoke are on course to match last season’s tally for yellow cards as well. That is despite Stoke manager Tony Pulis’ claims that they have one of the best disciplinary records in the league.
The reason the Stoke manager likes to say this is because when it comes to fouls conceded last season they came twelfth in the table, behind teams like Arsenal. The problem with this is that it doesn’t tell the whole story. To have conceded less fouls than the majority of teams in the league yet received almost the highest number of cards shows that, in comparison to other teams, only the most dangerous fouls are being penalised. The fact is that fans and referees have become so used to watching Stoke kicking opposition players off the park that what is considered a foul in most grounds isn’t at the Britannia. For Younes Kaboul to be sent off on Sunday yet Stoke to get away with numerous similar challenges and twice handball in the box without being penalised seems somewhat farcical.
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I’m not trying to be subjective in my approach, I don’t support Tottenham and I don’t dislike Stoke, and I can understand the argument that Pulis puts forward suggesting that they are now being unfairly treated because of their reputation; but to be honest I’m just not buying it. Just because a Stoke player hasn’t threatened anyone’s career recently with an over-zealous tackle it doesn’t mean that they have changed their style of play. The introduction of Wilson Palacios (persistent fouler), and two giants in Peter Crouch and Cameron Jerome over the summer prove this, even if the chanting of famous rugby songs by the crowd doesn’t.
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Obviously any debate such as this is hard to prove whichever side you may be arguing but what is evident is that we all watch Stoke games and personally I haven’t particularly noticed a change in their style of play over the last few years but I have definitely noticed that less is done about it. Without wishing to criticise Pulis’ team too much it appears that there is one rule for Stoke in terms of on field aggression and one rule for everyone else in the Premier League. I’m not saying that this is necessarily Stoke’s fault but when the initial problems with Stoke’s style of play were raised instead of a solution being found Pulis’ side have used the commotion to simply establish that that is the way they play and nothing can be done about it. I appreciate everything that Pulis has done for Stoke; he is a good manager and the ascent Stoke have been on since his arrival as manager is truly remarkable. However instead of simply accepting that Stoke ‘are just like that’ shouldn’t there be some effort towards rectifying the situation. When Ryan Shawcross almost ended the career of the young Welsh captain Aaron Ramsey it should have been a wake up call for the Stoke team. Yes physicality is an important side to the game, but so is football and frankly what kind of football team are Stoke if they never allow any other team to play. There is a fine line between pressing hard for the ball with enthusiasm for the task and unnecessary aggression in your style of play. Are we sure Stoke are on the right side of this?
For more news and debate follow me on Twitter @H_Mackay
Everton manager David Moyes is disappointed with the way his club’s season has gone.Their respectable seventh place in the table masks a poor start to the season where it took them eight games to register their first league victory.
But Everton have won two of their last three away matches and are looking to finish the season strongly with another win when they travel to Wigan Athletic on Saturday.
“We were disappointed with the first six months or so of the season but the players have picked up and we are in a position where more people would have thought we might be,” Moyes said.
“I’ve said from the start of the season I think we have a really good squad of players.”
“But I definitely hoped we would have done a little better.”
“I have given some young lads a game and that has given the team something extra.”
“We have tried not to complain too much about injuries and get on with it.”
“To be fair to the lads they have knuckled down and got the results.”
Wigan are struggling at the wrong end of the table and will be battling for their lives with just four games left to drag themselves out of the Premier League relegation zone.
But Everton have faced other struggling clubs Blackburn Rovers and Wolves recently so Moyes is confident his players will be able to cope.
“They are quite similar to Wolves who we played a few weeks ago.”
“Roberto Martinez has them playing a good style of football and we will have to deal with that.”
“He is doing a brilliant job with the resources available.”
“Roberto wants to play good football and all managers want to win so I am sure he would take not playing that well and still winning.”
“We all would take that but if you can do it by playing well too then that is even better.”
“We have played a lot of teams in their situation recently.”
Defender Johnny Heitinga (hamstring) is a doubt. Forwards Louis Saha (ankle) and Marouane Fellaini (ankle) will be missing.
A flash of brilliance, a moment of madness or a sensational impact, a player’s career can be defined in many different ways. After much deliberation I have listed my personal top 15 career defining moments below. Amazingly two of them happened at Selhurst Park. Enjoy.
15. Bruce Grobbelaar’s ‘spaghetti legs’, 1984
Liverpool won their fourth European Cup following a night of high tension at the Stadio Olimpico in 1984 courtesy of a penalty shoot-out victory over Roma. Full-back Phil Neal fired The Reds into an early lead before striker Roberto Pruzzo levelled with a header just before half-time.
With neither side able to break the deadlock, the match had to be decided by penalties. Step forward Zimbabwean goalkeeper Bruce Grobbelaar whose finest moment comes acting like a clown and doing his best to put off the Italians with some antics on the goal-line. Grobbelaar pulled out his now famed ‘spaghetti legs’ routine which resulted in Francesco Graziani blazing his spot-kick over the bar. Polish stopper Jerzy Dudek recreated the routine 21 years later against AC Milan as the club added another European Cup to their collection.
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14. Eric Cantona’s kung-fu kick, 1995
In some cases players will be remembered for a moment of madness as well as their genius on the football pitch. After being sent off for Manchester United at Crystal Palace on 25 January 1995, French maverick Eric Cantona delivered a kung-fu kick to an away fan in the stands who had used threatening language towards him.
Cantona’s outrageous behaviour only seemed to add the player’s allure as ‘a flawed genius’ over the years and Cantona is considered a legend at Old Trafford after four league titles in five years at the club. In 2007 he said:
“I have a lot of good moments, but the one I prefer is when I kicked the hooligan.”
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13. Roberto Carlos’ outrageous free-kick, 1997
Brazilian left-back Roberto Carlos defied the laws of physics with his sensational free-kick against France at Le Tournoi in 1997.
Despite making over 350 appearances for Real Madrid, Carlos is primarily remembered for his audacious free-kick, 40-yards away from Fabian Barthez’s goal. Seemingly heading for the corner-flag, Carlos’ shot suddenly swerved at the last minute and into the corner of the net, much to Barthez’s bemusement. The Brazilian allegedly practised the free-kick all the time in training and a recent study showed that Carlos’ shot was certainly no fluke.
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12. Robbie Fowler’s four-minute hat-trick, 1994
Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler was just 19-years-old when he scored the fastest hat-trick in Premier league history.
The natural finisher bagged himself three goals in four minutes and 33 seconds against George Graham’s Arsenal in Liverpool’s first home match of the 1994/95 season. The Reds won the game 3-0 and Fowler went onto to score 25 goals in 42 games for the club that season.
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11. Roy Keane’s bittersweet night in Turin, 1999
Despite picking up a yellow card which ruled him out of a potential Champions League final, Irishman Roy Keane inspired Manchester United to come back from the dead at 2-0 down against Juventus to snatch a 3-2 away win.
Keane headered a goal on 24 minutes to drag his side back into the tie before receiving the booking which ended his final hopes. The midfielder then went on to deliver an exhibition in passing football as he dominated both Edgar Davids and Zinedine Zidane in the centre of the park. Dwight Yorke levelled the score on the night before his partner Andy Cole scored the winner which sent The Red Devils through to THAT final at the Nou Camp against Bayern Munich.
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Continued on Page TWO
10. Gordon Banks’ miraculous save, 1970
England goalkeeper Gordon Banks pulled of what is widely regarded as one of the greatest saves of all time in a group game against Brazil at the 1970 World Cup.
With legendary Brazil forward Pele already shouting ‘goal’ after directing the ball into the corner post with a powerful header, Banks managed to scamper across the goal in time, throwing himself to the ground, and tip the ball over the crossbar. Pele later described it as ‘an impossible play’.
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9. Gigg’s sensational FA Cup run, 1999
With Manchester United chasing an unprecedented Treble they had to overcome Arsenal in an FA Cup Semi-Final replay at Villa Park. With Roy Keane sent off it looked as though United’s hopes would be dashed as The Gunners piled on the pressure with the scores level.
Welsh wing wizard Ryan Giggs had other ideas though after picking up a loose pass from French midfielder Patrick Vieira inside his own half before waltzing through the entire Arsenal defence and rifling an unstoppable shot past David Seaman. His celebration was less elegant however, whipping off his shirt to reveal the hairiest chest ever seen in football.
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8. Beckham’s 50-yard lob, 1996
Despite having already made over 30 appearances for Manchester United, David Beckham became an instant household name with his sensational goal from the halfway line against Wimbledon on the opening day of the 1996-97 Premier League season.
Beckham spotted keeper Neil Sullivan just off his line and launched a spectacular effort which sailed in from 50 yards. Within two weeks Beckham would make his debut for England. Other notable Beckham mentions are his red card at the 1998 World Cup against Argentina and his free-kick against Greece which booked England a place at the 2002 World Cup.
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7. Rooney’s introduction against Arsenal, 2002
Five days before his 17th birthday, a relatively unknown young striker from Croxteth called Wayne Rooney announced himself to the rest of the world with a match-winning goal against reigning champions Arsenal to end their 30-match unbeaten run.
In the last minute of the game, substitute Rooney unleashed an unstoppable thunderous shot from 30-yards past David Seaman. In doing so, Rooney became the youngest scorer in Premier League history and prompted the commentator to declare:
“Remember the name, Wayne Rooney”
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6. Owen’s run at the World Cup in France, 1998
After scoring 23 goals in 44 matches as a fresh-faced 18-year-old in the 1997/98 season, Liverpool’s Michael Owen was picked by Glen Hoddle for the 1998 World Cup in France. Despite his goal-scoring feats, Owen was left on the bench for England’s opening two games, before impressing as a substitute against Romania.
Hoddle threw him in from the start against old enemies Argentina in the second round knock out stage and Owen delivered with a sensational solo effort which finished with him scoring from just inside the penalty area.
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Continued on Page THREE
5. Zidane’s volley in Scotland, 2002
One moment in French maestro Zinedine Zidane’s career perfectly sums up his technical brilliance and just why he is regarded as one of the greatest player’s of his generation.
Zidane chose the 2002 Champions League final between Real Madrid and Bayern Leverkusen to deliver one of the most outstanding goals of all-time. The French master delivered an exquisite volley of perfect timing and technique past the hapless Hans Jorg-Butt, one which fittingly secured another European Cup for Los Blancos.
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4. Solskjaer’s late impact against Bayern, 1999
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As far as late impacts go, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s in 1999 was one of the most dramatic. With Manchester United losing 1-0 to German side Bayern Munich after 90 minutes had elapsed, the Red Devils went onto score two injury-time goals to complete their unprecedented Treble.
Substitute Teddy Sheringham got the first, before baby-faced assassin Solskjaer bagged the winner, striking his partner Sheringham’s downwards header into the roof of the net. Ironically the Norwegian forward damaged his medial ligaments in the frantic celebration which followed, considered by many as the trigger for his knee problems which would eventually finish his career.
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3. Van Basten’s impossible goal, 1988
As one of the greatest goalscorers of his generation Holland international Marco van Basten chose the 1988 European Championship Final to deliver the greatest goal of his career.
A clip which has over half-a-million views on Youtube, Van Basten struck a looping volley from an impossible angle to ensure The Flying Dutchmen victory over the Soviet Union. It remains the only tournament Holland have ever won.
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2. Maradona’s self-titled Hand of God, 1986
Argentine Diego Maradona, regarded as one of the finest player’s of all-time, is equally remembered for his infamous “Hand of God” goal in a World Cup quarter-final against England in 1986.
A failed clearance from midfielder Steve Hodge looped back into the path of 5ft 5” Maradona who punched the ball into the net past goalkeeper Peter Shilton with his left fist. Four minutes later Maradona waltzed through the whole England side from inside his own half to score what is now known as ‘The Goal of the Century’. Maradona later described his controversial goal as, “a little with the head of Maradona and a little with the hand of God.”
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1. Hurst’s hat-trick, 1966
Sir Geoff Hurst remains the only player in history to score a hat-trick at a World Cup final. Hurst was only playing because of an injury to Jimmy Greaves, and the West Ham striker wrote his name into the history books with a stunning display in England’s 4-2 victory over West Germany to lift the Jules Rimet trophy.
As supporters streamed onto the pitch, Hurst fired in his final goal leaving commentator Kenneth Wolstenholme to utter those immortal words.
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Do you agree with this list? If you don’t, feel free to slate me in the comments section below. Alternatively you can read more of my blogs HERE or follow me on Twitter.
After being the centre of attention after another match, and for all the wrong reasons, Chris Foy’s performance in the Spurs v Stoke game has prompted Spurs manager Harry Redknapp to not only use a few choice words about Foy, but also to make a radical suggestion of having two referees in each game.
The first and most obvious question about this would be where would the referees be allowed to go and who should have precedent should a decision need to be made and a disagreement ensue. Assumingly, one referee would go in each half, and be able to solely focus on one half, theoretically improving their performance with less to focus on and draw away their attention.
The issue of a disagreement is still one that prevails, and what about if the ball or foul is in the middle of the park? Not only this, but the issue of human error will still exist, and two referees could still make a mistake just the same as one alone can.
Whilst the idea itself may initially produce ridicule, Redknapp is at least trying to offer suggestions to a problem that seems to be in the media and the game constantly, every weekend without fail. In Europe there have been the introduction of extra officials on the touchline and this has seemingly produced some improvements, yet the idea of having two referees still seems to be a radical one – but perhaps a radical change is what is needed.
It is arguable how much difference this would actually make, as human error can still be committed, and there would not be two referees in each half, just one – therefore still leaving one official alone to make the decision they would probably have made irrespective of the other referee at the other end of the field.
The real solution here is one that has been suggested time and time again, and the only thing that can really improve standards and eradicate human error is that of technology.
At the very least goal line technology has to be introduced, yet the reluctance from governing bodies to introduce this begs the question of how long mistakes from referees can be allowed to go on, not to mention the pressure on them when there is a solution that could help solve both of these problems.
Yes, even with technology some decisions would still be open to interpretation and may promote disagreements, but it would surely reduce the pressure on officials and with the game now played at such a quick and intricate pace, give them a second look and time to rethink a decision?
Two referees would not allow this to happen, and it is arguable how much of a difference they would actually make, yet the suggestion from Redknapp shows just how desperate and fed up managers are getting with officials costing them games and vital points time and time again, when there is a readymade solution out there already – the only question is why will FIFA not introduce it?
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An 80th-minute equalising penalty sent Monterrey through to the CONCACAF Champions League final at the expense of Cruz Azul on Wednesday.For much of the game, however, the result did not appear to be heading the 2010 Mexican Apertura champion’s way.
Fellow Mexican outfit Cruz Azul had scored a crucial away goal in a 2-1 loss in the first leg of the tie on March 16, and looked favourite to make the final after midfielder Cesar Villaluz scored in the 23rd minute of the second leg.
But the away side was awarded a penalty in the 80th minute after Chile defender Walter Ponce committed a foul.
Ironically, it was Ponce’s international team-mate Humberto Suazo who duly converted, sending Monterrey 3-2 up and into the final, where their opponents will be Major League Soccer club Real Salt Lake.
Real Salt Lake are the first side from the US to reach the final of CONCACAF continental competition since 2000, when LA Galaxy won the Champions’ Cup.
The new Premier League legislation enforcing all clubs to register 25 players, with eight home grown players, has been developed over years and will come into play this season. The rules are supposed to encourage clubs to give young British players the opportunity to play that may not have previously existed, when injuries begin to pile up the hope is that it will be these young players that managers turn to. To put clubs minds at ease, ‘home grown players’ don’t need to be British, but to have been playing in England or Wales for at least three seasons before the year they turned 21, and it is this rule that will ultimately cause more problems than answers.
Clubs are already investing heavily in scouting networks across the globe to pick up the best young talent, and if they feel that they can get better quality abroad then this rule will only heighten that process. At Chelsea, their quota of eight will be made up with academy players such as Gael Kakuta (French), Fabio Borini (Italian) and Jeffrey Bruma (Dutch) who have been at the club for enough time to qualify under the new legislation. Chelsea believe that of their crop of players around this age group, these are better than any English players and thus they will get the opportunity should it arise. And this is the point – they are better players. It doesn’t matter where these players come from, clubs will simply play whoever is best.
What the rule will also create is an inflated value in these players. Any player that qualifies for the rule, born in Britain or not, becomes more valuable than before. British clubs already complain of having to buy from abroad because British players are too expensive, and now there value is even greater. Players who may not have made the grade before now might be rushed into games prematurely because they qualify to play, whereas a better player does not.
Clubs outside the top seven or eight in the country, who may not be able to afford big transfers, have benefitted from taking young players on loan: last season Jack Wilshere was at Bolton, Michael Mancienne spent the year at Wolves and Tom Cleverley impressed at Watford. If the parent clubs now feel the need to hold on to these players in case injuries pile up, then they become more reluctant to loan them out, thus harming the development of the young players due to the lack of games. It doesn’t suit the players, or the clubs who could have used them, and ultimately the league suffers due to the stockpiling of talent – the exact opposite of what the rules are trying to achieve. And what of players over 21? Suddenly there is the real possibility that they will get frozen out because clubs have already filled their quota; if you don’t make your club’s 25 then that means zero games until the next transfer window.
The legislation is perhaps designed to ease clubs in, maybe over the next five years the rules will be altered to allow more chances for British players. The legislation has good intentions, but it is almost coming too late in the development of players. If British players are struggling to compete to get places against foreign imports when they are 16, 17 and 18, then that process will continue later in their career. The development should be happening when the players are younger. The continent is producing better young players, and that is what the FA should be investigating. The new Premier League rules simply allow clubs to continue poaching from a different, more technically gifted, pool of talent. As a result of the rules, clubs are worried that their British youngsters aren’t good enough, and the drive to find players of the same age, but of better quality from abroad, is in danger of accelerating.
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After an exciting return to league action last weekend, the 13th Matchday of the Premier League has much to live up to. To spice things up further, there’s Fantasy Football to think about. Who will be the stars of this weekend? It’s time to find out.
The Captaincy Debate
Stoke somewhat unexpectedly find themselves flirting with the relegation zone at the moment. There’s one man amongst Pulis ranks though who is maintaining some Fantasy form and that’s Jonathan Walters. A guaranteed starter, having not missed a minute of Premier League action thus far, he has four goals and two assists season and what’s more he’s listed as a midfielder. With Rovers shaky defence, it looks like an opportunity that should not to be missed.
However, maybe Carrow Road catches your eye for Fantasy action. At the start of the season, one player who you wouldn’t have tipped to be leading QPR’s charge up the table is Heidar Helguson. Nevertheless, the nomadic Icelandic striker, in his fourth spell with a Premier League club has been an unlikely hero for Rangers so far this season. Helguson could well continue his good run of form this weekend against the Canaries.
Then again, you might see Manchester United’s Javier Hernandez as a more reliable outlet. Since the 6-1 drubbing at the hands of rivals Manchester City, the Red Devils have not been as expansive in their play meaning goals have been in short supply. However, when they have come, the man they call Chicharito has been the one to nab the goal. He scored the winner in narrow 1-0 victories over Swansea and Everton. Now Newcastle visit Old Trafford and with another tight encounter expected, the little Mexican could well be the player to get that all important winner.
To be honest though, all of this pales into insignificance when you bring one player into the argument. Describing Robin van Persie as a player at the moment doesn’t really do his superhuman efforts justice. Somewhat singlehandedly, RVP is mercilessly dragging Arsenal into the race for the Top Four.
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Captain: Robin Van Persie – It goes without saying at the moment but just for the record, it’s 12 goals in eight games in all competitions.
Vice Captain: Heidar Helguson – The QPR Striker is on a terrific run of form and although Norwich are doing well so far this season, Helguson will be on hand to exploit any defensive weaknesses. His cheap price makes him worth considering for a berth in your side in the long term.
Time To Shift?
Fantasy Football is sometimes about knowing when to move on certain players. Perhaps it’s time to transfer Wayne Rooney out of your side. Very prominent at the beginning of the season, he has since been dropped back into midfield where his opportunities in front of goal have been understandably limited. What’s more United haven’t looked as dangerous going forward as they did at the beginning of the season. With no league goals for Rooney since September, it might be time to shift the England forward on.
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