The manager has Barcelona in the blood but, as he prepares to meet them in the Champions League, the club’s rich history informs his plans for City“It’s not what we wanted,” Txiki Begiristain admitted. Manchester City’s director of football was in Zurich for the Champions League draw, where he could not get a reception on his phone. There was no way of telling his manager the news: “Pep, we’re going back.” But by the time he realised, Guardiola was surely already aware and he probably always suspected as much anyway. On the morning of the draw back in Catalonia some of those closest to him had already predicted this; it was, they had said, inevitable.This is nothing new, for Begiristain...
With the top-flight back in action this weekend, we take a look at the top seven’s strengths, weaknesses, squad depth and key players before asking whether they have got what it takes to win the leagueThe Premier League is back after the international break and, following a breathless start to the season, we assess the top seven sides in the league in search for clues as to which side will lift the trophy come May. Manchester City are the early pacesetters but their defeat at Tottenham Hotspur have given the rest of the clubs hope. It is also worth remembering that seven games into last season, Louis van Gaal’s Manchester United were top, West Ham United third and eventual winners...
From Danny Blanchflower to Brendan Rodgers, via some more successful bows, six managers and their noteworthy first games in chargeIf ever a man seemed destined for management, it was Danny Blanchflower. He was an inspiration on the pitch for Tottenham Hotspur from the moment he replaced Alf Ramsey as captain, running the game from midfield with exceptional intelligence and leading them to the double in 1961. Spurs’ manager, Bill Nicholson, happily admitted that Blanchflower was free to orchestrate play as he saw fit, and Blanchflower’s vision was beautiful – “the game is about glory”, after all. Continue reading...
Cesc Fàbregas may get his chance for Chelsea, Everton’s attackers can trouble Manchester City and Monday night’s big match at Anfield is too close to callEverything about Arsenal’s performance at Burnley screamed late Wenger era. Manchester City’s defeat at Tottenham gave them the opportunity to make a statement and as such the pressure was on; the game was tricky but hardly impossible. They delivered a performance devoid of intensity, purpose and conviction. Only Alexis Sánchez appeared not to deem the indignity of effort beneath him. Then, in the final seconds, everything changed, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Laurent Koscielny contriving the most glorious finish imaginable. Continue reading...
Tottenham went man-for-man in midfield, denying Manchester City passing options from the start, and the visitors never appeared tempted to go longThe concept of pressing has never been so revered in English football and this meeting between the Premier League’s top two teams was largely about compressing space and winning possession quickly. Related: Dele Alli leads vibrant Tottenham to inflict first loss on Manchester City Continue reading...