It's approaching that time of the year again when thoughts begin to turn to recognising the best player in the division. This year see's what may turn out to be a changing of the guard in terms of the standout performers in England. Some seasoned players that tend to be in contention year in year out have not performed to their usual high standards. In particular, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and John Terry cannot seriously be in the running this year, for what seems like the first time in the best part of half a decade. Add Ronaldo's exit from these shores and the line up may well boast some new additions...possibly.
So, the candidates:
Wayne Rooney
Surely the standout contender for the individual awards this year. Wearing the number ten at United, he is now for the first time in his career playing more like a number nine. Spearheading the United attack, he is consistently scoring the type of goals that previously he would have converted only sporadically. Indeed, his two recent goals against AC Milan at Old Trafford are perfect examples of the type of goals he might not have scored a number of years ago - the first a perfectly executed header, the second a delicate finish. The improvement in his heading is well documented, but what also deserves mention is that all his goals this year have been scored inside the box. While van Nistelrooy he is not, this statistic is in stark contrast to seasons past and shows his new found focus to get himself into more orthodox goalscoring positions. There is no doubt he has thrived in Ronaldo's absence. While he was never the mere supplier of chances or an outcast on the wing as often as some would like us to believe, his influence was far more marginal when Ronaldo was around. He is now the go to man when things aren't going smoothly for United.
There have been arguments made that he doesn't score enough against the top teams, that he is a flat track bully. However, 4 goals against Milan, 2 against Arsenal, 2 against City, and now 1 against Liverpool, would suggest that if there was an element of this to his game then he is beginning to eradicate it.
Didier Drogba
Just as Wayne Rooney is spearheading United's title challenge as the goalscoring centre forward in form, so too is Didier Drogba for Chelsea. The man so often ridiculed in his first season or two in English football has matured into the ultimate centre forward. Just like Rooney, he does far more than just finish off moves, and can be found in the role of provider almost as often as finisher. Drogba has the extra burden this year of playing in a team surprisingly bereft of goals from the supporting cast. While one could argue Rooney is without Ronaldo and Tevez, Lampard and Anelka have been particularly quiet considering their goalscoring pedigree. Anelka, for his part, certainly started the season well but his goals have dried up since the turn of the year. This makes Drogba's performance all the more commendable. There is of course the nasty streak to his game that he has never managed to erase fully, recently resurfacing against Inter Milan. But his form and general performances this year deserve to be recognised.
Cesc Fabregas
The absolute heartbeat of his young Arsenal side. He has well and truly stepped up to the plate and grown into the role of club captain. He is at the centre of everything good about Arsenal. A couple of years ago a regular complaint against him used to be a lack of goals. Many people felt that was holding him back somewhat from becoming the ultimate midfield player. That is a complaint that no longer holds any weight. 15 league goals is a stunning return from the position he occupies, a return many forwards would be pleased with come the conclusion of the season. And this has barely affected his assists statistics. This year Arsenal lost Adebayor, have played without van Persie, Bendtner and any number of attacking midfield players, and yet Fabregas has been able to increase his contribution yet again. The great fear for Arsenal fans is that Barcelona seem intent on prising him back to the Nou Camp. The Premier League as whole would suffer almost as much from his absence.
There are more contenders for the prize, such as Richard Dunne, Thomas Vermaelen and Carlos Tevez, and Fernando Torres would be in contention if he had played more games as his goal return is still staggering. However, the aforementioned are without doubt the prime contenders at this stage.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Friday, March 19, 2010
Old Enemies Meet Again
It was a case of deva vu all over again for the two remaining English clubs as both were paired against enemies from the past.
Arsenal have the hardest assignment as they were given the draw that everyone was hoping to avoid - Barcelona and a certain Lionel Messi. Memories of the last time Arsenal encountered Barcelona may still haunt them. That of course was Barcelona's Henrik Larsson inspired 2-1 victory in the 2006 final, a game Arsenal looked like winning for the most part. It has come at the worst time for Arsenal as Barcelona seem to have recovered some of their awesome form that deserted them in the months after Christmas. Unsurprisingly Lionel Messi leads the way as ever in dragging Barca back to their incisive best. Arsenal are on a charge in the league at the moment and have built up something of a head of steam. This confidence they will need to maintain and bring with them into the ties with Barca. In many ways, if Arsenal overcome the daunting challenge, it may well be the makings of their young team - a defining moment in their development.
There are other factors to be taken into account of course. Cesc Fabregas will be playing against the team he left at a young age, and if the non-stop rumours are to be believed, his eventual destination in the not too distant future. Conversely, Thierry Henry will be against his former employers (or sitting on the bench perhaps). Back in 2006 he was heavily linked with a move to Barcelona, and spent the immediate aftermath of that final complaining about the rough treatment he received in the game. He still ended up there - and it has now come full circle.
For Manchester United, the draw brings far better memories - Fergusons first triumph in this competition after years of failed attempts. However, it was a success that United failed to build on in Europe, and Bayern exacted revenge by knocking out United a couple of years later. That was an elimination that signalled an overhaul of United's tactical approach in Europe, with Ferguson bringing in Veron and adopting a more continental five man midfield. It was a system that took years to perfect.
United would have to be viewed as favourites for the tie. While Bayern are decent going forward with Ribery and Robben influential from wide positions, their defence isn't strong and United should expose this - especially with the form they have recently found and their now more destructive use of a five man midfield in the big matches.
In terms of going forward in this competition, if Arsenal do make it to the semi finals they will likely play Inter Milan - who no doubt will be hugely boosted following their efforts at Stamford Bridge. If United get passed Bayern they face the winners of the all French tie.
Whatever the outcomes, we should all sit back and enjoy the quarter finals. On display should be a level of football that will set the purists pulses racing.
Arsenal have the hardest assignment as they were given the draw that everyone was hoping to avoid - Barcelona and a certain Lionel Messi. Memories of the last time Arsenal encountered Barcelona may still haunt them. That of course was Barcelona's Henrik Larsson inspired 2-1 victory in the 2006 final, a game Arsenal looked like winning for the most part. It has come at the worst time for Arsenal as Barcelona seem to have recovered some of their awesome form that deserted them in the months after Christmas. Unsurprisingly Lionel Messi leads the way as ever in dragging Barca back to their incisive best. Arsenal are on a charge in the league at the moment and have built up something of a head of steam. This confidence they will need to maintain and bring with them into the ties with Barca. In many ways, if Arsenal overcome the daunting challenge, it may well be the makings of their young team - a defining moment in their development.
There are other factors to be taken into account of course. Cesc Fabregas will be playing against the team he left at a young age, and if the non-stop rumours are to be believed, his eventual destination in the not too distant future. Conversely, Thierry Henry will be against his former employers (or sitting on the bench perhaps). Back in 2006 he was heavily linked with a move to Barcelona, and spent the immediate aftermath of that final complaining about the rough treatment he received in the game. He still ended up there - and it has now come full circle.
For Manchester United, the draw brings far better memories - Fergusons first triumph in this competition after years of failed attempts. However, it was a success that United failed to build on in Europe, and Bayern exacted revenge by knocking out United a couple of years later. That was an elimination that signalled an overhaul of United's tactical approach in Europe, with Ferguson bringing in Veron and adopting a more continental five man midfield. It was a system that took years to perfect.
United would have to be viewed as favourites for the tie. While Bayern are decent going forward with Ribery and Robben influential from wide positions, their defence isn't strong and United should expose this - especially with the form they have recently found and their now more destructive use of a five man midfield in the big matches.
In terms of going forward in this competition, if Arsenal do make it to the semi finals they will likely play Inter Milan - who no doubt will be hugely boosted following their efforts at Stamford Bridge. If United get passed Bayern they face the winners of the all French tie.
Whatever the outcomes, we should all sit back and enjoy the quarter finals. On display should be a level of football that will set the purists pulses racing.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Time Running Out For Chelsea
With a restrained but triumphant punch in the air, Jose Mourinho celebrated Samuel Eto'os strike and signalled the end of Chelsea's latest attempt to land the one prize that continues to elude Roman Abramovich. The prize he craves the most. How ironic then that it was the man he hastily kicked out the door who this time kicked Chelsea out of the competition.
In truth it was no less than Inter deserved. It was just reward for what was a fabulous performance at a venue that is hardly welcoming to opposing teams. Nullifying Chelsea's attack, they countered brilliantly on the break when the opportunities arose. Indeed, Chelsea were reduced to few real chances of note, and when they did manage to turn the screw they were met by a wall of resistance in Samuel and Lucio (it must be said however that the legality of the defending on show could strongly be called into question on multiple occasions).
While being knocked out is in itself a major disappointment to a Chelsea side so desperate to add 'old big ears' to their trophy collection, there is an added reason why yet another knockout blow in this competition is so devastating - the squad is getting old.
It is well documented that the team is aging. Indeed when it seemed like the club was to be hit with a transfer embargo during the Kakuta row, the big worry was that the team would be badly affected due to the age of the players. That worry hasn't gone away even of the ban has.
Frank Lampard, Ricardo Carvalho, John Terry, Michael Ballack, Didier Drogba, Florent Malouda, Nicolas Anelka. Key players for Chelsea, the spine of their team, all getting old. Too old? Not yet, but that time is fast approaching. Players such as Lampard and Terry cannot go on forever. Injuries apart, when do either get rested? Their form has dropped alarmingly this year and while Terry's can possibly be explained away by his indiscretions off the field, Lampard cannot really point to external factors for this years relative loss of form.
All of which of course means that the Russian in charge will have to get his cheque book out again. This team doesn't need major surgery right now. But pivotal players like Terry, Lampard, and Drogba need to be helped and eventually replaced. Someone would do well to translate the old saying 'a stitch in time saves nine' for the billionaire. Either that, or the trophy he covets most may well continue to be the one that gets away.
In truth it was no less than Inter deserved. It was just reward for what was a fabulous performance at a venue that is hardly welcoming to opposing teams. Nullifying Chelsea's attack, they countered brilliantly on the break when the opportunities arose. Indeed, Chelsea were reduced to few real chances of note, and when they did manage to turn the screw they were met by a wall of resistance in Samuel and Lucio (it must be said however that the legality of the defending on show could strongly be called into question on multiple occasions).
While being knocked out is in itself a major disappointment to a Chelsea side so desperate to add 'old big ears' to their trophy collection, there is an added reason why yet another knockout blow in this competition is so devastating - the squad is getting old.
It is well documented that the team is aging. Indeed when it seemed like the club was to be hit with a transfer embargo during the Kakuta row, the big worry was that the team would be badly affected due to the age of the players. That worry hasn't gone away even of the ban has.
Frank Lampard, Ricardo Carvalho, John Terry, Michael Ballack, Didier Drogba, Florent Malouda, Nicolas Anelka. Key players for Chelsea, the spine of their team, all getting old. Too old? Not yet, but that time is fast approaching. Players such as Lampard and Terry cannot go on forever. Injuries apart, when do either get rested? Their form has dropped alarmingly this year and while Terry's can possibly be explained away by his indiscretions off the field, Lampard cannot really point to external factors for this years relative loss of form.
All of which of course means that the Russian in charge will have to get his cheque book out again. This team doesn't need major surgery right now. But pivotal players like Terry, Lampard, and Drogba need to be helped and eventually replaced. Someone would do well to translate the old saying 'a stitch in time saves nine' for the billionaire. Either that, or the trophy he covets most may well continue to be the one that gets away.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
United Stroll Past Milan
Rooney, Ferdinand, Vidic, Scholes. Ronaldinho, Pirlo, Beckham, Ambrosini. The second leg of this Champions League tie had all the makings of a classic. At least on paper. On the field it was an utterly different story altogether.
True enough, Milan did have some early chances - Ronaldinho was unlunky not to score with a header that came to him quickly, and Huntelaar should have scored but his control let him down at the crucial moment. Then, just as in the first leg, United took their chances after Milan squandered theirs. Rooney settled them with yet another header, this time from a Gary Neville cross. There musy have been an audible gasp when Neville was included in the starting line up, in the knowledge that he would be in direct competition with the former world power that is Ronaldinho. Neville had him in his pocket.
Ronaldinho actually started brightly. That header aside he played some lovely balls in behind the United rearguard. But in his heyday he was all about direct running at the opposition with the ball at feet. Not anymore. In the second half he descended to new depths, jostling with Rafael and generally sulking and complaining when things were not going his way. It was disappointing to see how far the great man has fallen.
Milan played out the first half with the majority of possession, but never really looked like scoring. Rooney killed the tie off in the second half, applying a delicate touch to a tremendous pass from Nani. After that it was a matter of how many United were going to score. It also became the David Beckham show. He received a rousing reception upon entering the field, followed by a chorus of 'There's Only One David Beckham'. It was easy for the United fans to do so considering they were three up.
It's sad to see the steep decline that has engulfed Milan. Aging players have been retained with little youth coming through. Granted they were without the pace and penetration of Pato for this tie, and the exerience of Nesta at the back. But it would be churlish to assume United would not have gone through had both been playing. It will be interesting to see where Milan go from here.
As for the lasting memory of the night - well that may very well belong to Beckham, unsurprisingly, as he wrapped himself in a green and gold scarf leaving the field. Heartfelt or photo opportunity? Only he knows.
True enough, Milan did have some early chances - Ronaldinho was unlunky not to score with a header that came to him quickly, and Huntelaar should have scored but his control let him down at the crucial moment. Then, just as in the first leg, United took their chances after Milan squandered theirs. Rooney settled them with yet another header, this time from a Gary Neville cross. There musy have been an audible gasp when Neville was included in the starting line up, in the knowledge that he would be in direct competition with the former world power that is Ronaldinho. Neville had him in his pocket.
Ronaldinho actually started brightly. That header aside he played some lovely balls in behind the United rearguard. But in his heyday he was all about direct running at the opposition with the ball at feet. Not anymore. In the second half he descended to new depths, jostling with Rafael and generally sulking and complaining when things were not going his way. It was disappointing to see how far the great man has fallen.
Milan played out the first half with the majority of possession, but never really looked like scoring. Rooney killed the tie off in the second half, applying a delicate touch to a tremendous pass from Nani. After that it was a matter of how many United were going to score. It also became the David Beckham show. He received a rousing reception upon entering the field, followed by a chorus of 'There's Only One David Beckham'. It was easy for the United fans to do so considering they were three up.
It's sad to see the steep decline that has engulfed Milan. Aging players have been retained with little youth coming through. Granted they were without the pace and penetration of Pato for this tie, and the exerience of Nesta at the back. But it would be churlish to assume United would not have gone through had both been playing. It will be interesting to see where Milan go from here.
As for the lasting memory of the night - well that may very well belong to Beckham, unsurprisingly, as he wrapped himself in a green and gold scarf leaving the field. Heartfelt or photo opportunity? Only he knows.
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