A hush is descending around Premier League grounds. Why has it come to this? Any explanation would have to start with money …The Premier League returns this weekend and with it the question of which adjective describes the competition most accurately. Is it the “best” league in the world, the “most competitive” or simply the “richest”? One description often applied, perhaps because it’s suitably non-specific, is the most exciting league in the world. Step into a ground on match day, however, and you may be forgiven for doubting this was the case.Television montages remain full of crazy crowds and foreign pros continue to talk up the atmosphere at Premier League grounds but fans know this does not match up with...
Three Chelsea players and a full-back deemed not good enough for the Championship feature in our selection – and we have also chosen an XI who desperately need to pull up their socksLast season, after returning from a loan stint at Preston, the young goalkeeper had to continue learning his trade by sitting on a bench and contemplating how he might displace Vito Mannone. On-field action was restricted to three appearances during which he conceded nine goals and although those goals were not his fault, he began this season still an understudy to the Italian. Mannone’s injury, however, has given the 22-year-old a steady run in the first team and he has grasped his opportunity as convincingly as he claims crosses. Despite committing...
Sporting giants are on the front line of setting the cultural tone and they should be praised when they raise their heads above the parapetGregg Popovich began with an apology. “I don’t think my voice is that important,” replied the San Antonio Spurs coach when asked his views on the US election. But then, over the course of six impassioned minutes, one of the greatest coaches in the NBA history sank the verbal equivalent of multiple three-pointers from mid-court. “I’m sick to my stomach,” he sighed, his voice now quivering with anger and a deepening anguish. “Not because the Republicans won but the disgusting tenor and tone and all of the comments that have been xenophobic, homophobic, racist and misogynistic.”The...
False No9s are in; free roles, with the exception of Mesut Özil, are out; back threes are making a comeback; and pressing is en vogueA few years ago possession was the most discussed concept in football. Since then there has been a shift from a possession-based approach and more attention paid to pressing. Mauricio Pochettino’s Southampton and Tottenham sides pressed in advanced positions to win the ball quickly, Klopp popularised counter-pressing, winning the ball immediately after it has been lost, and Guardiola also emphasises the importance of closing down in advanced positions. Related: Tammy Abraham, Pontus Jansson and the Championship’s most eye-catching players | Nick Miller Continue reading...
The year saw Arsène Wenger’s arrival, Manchester United chasing down Newcastle in the Premier League and developments still talked about todayIt is England v Scotland on Friday night in this, the 20th anniversary year of one of the more joyous occasions at Wembley, so nostalgia is perfectly permissible for Euro 96, when the hosts’ brand of uninhibited football was bettered only by some even less inhibited goal celebrations. Related: From the Vault: Paul Gascoigne's wondergoal against Scotland at Euro 96 Related: Twenty years of Wenger: where are the Arsenal manager’s rivals from 1996 now? Related: On Second Thoughts: Rob Smyth says Euro 96 wasn't how it is usually remembered Continue reading...