Back pages Category
Premier League news. Stories from the newspapers and BBC sport – sports news from tabloids Daily Mail, Daily Express, Daily Star, the Guardian, Daily Mirror, the times, daily telegraph
How Chelsea’s Conte and Manchester United’s Mourinho manage failure
Following Chelsea’s home defeat to Liverpool in the Premier League, the BBC says Blues’ manager Antonio Conte “subjected his players to an angry dressing-down”. Conte “accused his players of failing to play as a team.”
The Times says Conte read the “riot act to his players after the Liverpool loss”. He and the team took part in “an animated post-match exchange in the dressing room”.
But Conte is no Jose Mourinho, the former Chelsea coach who explained his Manchester Untied’s 3-1 defeat to Watford by blaming the players publicly. “Some individuals probably feel the pressure and responsibility too much,” said Mourinho. We started the season very well… I was completely aware that we were not perfect, with lots of players who are not end products and can make their own mistakes.”
And after Manchester United lost to Manchester City, Mourinho was pointing the finger:
“I had two or three players in the first half that, if I know what is going to happen, I don’t play them. This is football, though, and sometimes players disappoint managers.”
Compare and contrast to Conte who told the Chelsea FC website:
“I’m guilty because I’m the coach and it means I have to work more. We must feel the danger in every single moment of the game if we want to win and think like a great team. We must pay attention and be focused.”
Is it better to criticise your team in public or in private?
Matthew Syed notes:
“When pilots experience a near-miss with another aircraft, or have been flying at the wrong altitude, they file a report. Providing that it is submitted within 10 days, they enjoy immunity…Openness and learning rather than blaming is the instinctive response – and system safety has been the greatest beneficiary.”
Conte the pilot?
“Contrast that with the healthcare scene, in which mistakes are very threatening to surgeons who have big egos, and the culture is very litigious – preventable medical error is now the third-biggest killer in western countries.”
Mourinho the surgeon?
Syed concludes:
“We love to think of ourselves as smart people, so we find mistakes, failure and sub-optimal outcomes challenging to our egos.”
We love to look around for someone else to blame. But the smart listen to advice, look at the data and learn not to repeat mistakes.
Posted: 19th, September 2016 | In: Back pages, Chelsea, Key Posts, manchester united, Sports | Comment
Transfer balls: Dele Alli signs new Spurs deal as Real Madrid go cold
Daily Express readers will be shocked to learn that Spurs and England player Dele Alli has signed a new deal at the London club. Alli’s new contract keeps him at Spurs until 2022.
This is at odds with the Express‘ reports of May 2016: “Real Madrid: Spanish giants plot summer swoop for Alli.”
One month earlier, the Sun told its readers: “Tottenham news: Dele Alli in sights of Real Madrid as transfer process begins.” The Sun said Madrid “mouthpiece” Marca had created “momentum which results in the club getting their man.”
Madrid never did bid for Alli,
Posted: 19th, September 2016 | In: Back pages, Sports, Spurs, Tabloids | Comment
Transfer balls: Liverpool chase the Manchester United supporting Borussia Dortmund ‘wonderkid’
Transfer balls: the BBC says Liverpool are on course to sign 17-year-old Borussia Dortmund midfielder Christian Pulisic. They’re not.
The Bleacher Report says Liverpool tried and failed to bring Pulisic – the “wonderkid” – to Anfield over the summer with an £11m bid. They are looking to bid again next summer.
The Mirror says the 17-year-old is “one of the most highly-rated prospects in world football”. With such a billing, is £11m a cheeky offer? The Mail says Arsenal, Tottenham and Chelsea have “followed his emergence in recent months”. You can add any number of other clubs to the list.
ESPN FC says Dortmund “are not willing to sell him due to his potential”.
Other clubs had their chance to sign him. 442 reports:
He played for the PA Classics, a U.S. Soccer Development Academy program which has produced several MLS players. And although Pulisic enjoyed training stints at Barcelona, Chelsea, Porto, PSV Eindhoven and Villarreal while playing with the PA Classics, he chose to continue to play close to home – for a while, anyway.
Pulisic is under contract at Dortmund until 2018.
Does he want to leave? His father told Bild in August: “Christian has no interest in leaving the club. He had a good half year last season, and wants to continue to break through.”
How good is he? USA Today says:
Pulisic has a ways to go. He isn’t Lionel Messi, not even close. But he’s young, confident, he’s still growing, and he has an attacking spark and creativity that American players aren’t supposed to have, if you believe the accepted soccer wisdom
And finally know that Pulisic supports Manchester United, “loves” Wayne Rooney and says his favourite player at dortmund was Henrik Mkhitaryan.
Pulisic to United it is, then.
Posted: 16th, September 2016 | In: Back pages, Liverpool, Sports | Comment
Manchester City balls: Sergio Aguero’s Champions’ League ‘vow’
Big news: Sergio Aguero, 28, has signed a one-year contract extension at Manchester City, says the BBC.
The Daily Mirror ups that with more amazing news: “Aguero has vowed to remain at City until they are crowned kings of Europe”.
Very good of him to make a solemn promise. But at 28, would City want, says, a 38-year-old playing up front for them? We know age is just a number (see: Zlatan Ibrahimovich) but would City’s owners not fancy a younger striker in the next decade?
Of course, should City not win the Champions’ League by 2020, when Aguero’s deal ends, they might not want to renew it. But Aguero has made a “vow”. He’ll be there for as long as it takes.
Of course, Aguero is no fool. He made no vow. What he said was:
“I still have four years more here,. I hope to achieve it at some point as it’s really important for any player. Obviously the Champions League is not easy; there are a lot of other fantastic teams. But my idea and club’s idea is the same, to try to win this competition… we are ready to reach a Champions League final. I don’t know if it’s going to be this year, but we will try.”
Vows made: none.
Posted: 16th, September 2016 | In: Back pages, Manchester City, Sports, Tabloids | Comment
Transfer balls: Arsenal want Sanchez, Wilshere stays and Ozil confuses the experts
Transfer Balls: The BBC says Arsenal’s Chile forward Alexis Sanchez, 27, will sign a new deal at the club – if he gets a wage increase.
The Daily Mirror adds that he also wants a new contract to feature a buyout clause. Why? For his ego? Those things are not worth a dime. When Arsenal offered Liverpool £40million plus £1 for Luis Suarez – so triggering his release, as per contract – Liverpool asked the Gunners ‘what they were smoking’ and refused to honour it.
The Daily Mail says Sanchez and German midfielder Mesut Ozil, 27, will extend their stays at Arsenal. But is unsure what next for Jack Wilshere, 24, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, 23, and 26-year-old Kieran Gibbs.
Their stock at Arsenal is boosted by the Premier League’s home-grown rule, which states clubs must include eight home-grown players out of a squad of 25.
A home-grown player will be defined as one who, irrespective of his nationality or age, has been registered with any club affiliated to the Football Association or the Football Association of Wales for a period, continuous or not, of three entire seasons or 36 months prior to his 21st birthday (or the end of the Season during which he turns 21).
Gibbs is no world beater. Oxlade-Chamberlain doesn’t improve. And Wilshere, well, the Bleacher Report said last week: “Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says he wants Bournemouth loanee Jack Wilshere to stay at Arsenal his entire career.”
Which is little odd, given that he now plays for Bournemouth, albeit on loan.
You might wonder if the Mail knows anything? It would appear not:
Such are the facts.
Posted: 15th, September 2016 | In: Arsenal, Back pages, Sports | Comment
Arsenal balls: rubbish Mustafi is the Gunners’ top passer
Arsenal balls: A quick look at reporting on Arsenal’s Champions’ League match again PSG. The focus is on Arsenal’s new boy Shkodran Mustafi. How did he do?
Rubbish!
“…gave the ball away cheaply and put Arsenal’s midfielders under pressure. He does not look like the big-hearted leader Arsenal need at the back. Is he worth £35m? Not on this showing” – Neil Ashton, The Sun.
2/10 – L’Equipe
Confused!
“Cavani had planted his header emphatically into the corner from Aurier’s glorious cross on the charge with Shkodran Mustafi apparently distracted by the presence of a second ball on the pitch, albeit on the distant touchline.” – The Guardian
Pretty good!
“…was solid enough throughout” – Sami Mokbel, Daily Mail
“Mustafi was competitive and strong. Has the makings of a good signing” – John Cross, Daily Mirror.
Awesome!
“Mustafi continues to show he’s a pass master against PSG – Mustafi stood out once again with his passing ability” – Daily Cannon (Arsenal fan blog)
Such are the facts.
Posted: 14th, September 2016 | In: Arsenal, Back pages, Sports | Comment (1)
Transfer balls: Eric Dier’s new contract at Spurs and Bayern Munich’s dossier
Transfer Balls: In June, the Express told readers that Spurs and England player Eric Dier was being watch. “Carlo Ancelotti eyes Tottenham swoop,” thundered the headline. News was that the new Bayern Munich manager wanted Dier. “Bayern will have to mount a fight to prise Dier away from Spurs,” continued the story.
The Indy agreed: “Tottenham Hotspur braced for move for England midfielder this summer.”
The Sunday People said the German champions are putting together a dossier on Dier.
The Sun went further. “BAYERN WANT NEW BECKS,” it declared.
Tottenham midfielder has the nickname Becks and the attention of the German giants after his stunning free-kick
And so to today’s news: “Tottenham midfielder Eric Dier has signed a new five-year contract, which runs until 2021.”
Number of bids made for Dier over the summer: nil.
Such are the facts.
Posted: 13th, September 2016 | In: Back pages, Sports, Spurs | Comment
Media balls: Injured Spurs player named man of the match
Football journalism finds its nadir in the Metro, which when not writing hundreds of clickbait articles every week, is making up its Team of the Week. This week’s team features Tottenham’s Danny Rose.
Spurs tonked Stoke last Saturday. And anyone who saw the match will have spotted Danny Rose… sat in the cheap seats nursing his injured hamstring.
The Metro’s analytical expert appraised his every move:
Tottenham are back! Or so it seems after a convincing 4-0 win over Stoke.
Rose was one of the many Spurs stars to finally hit their straps after a steady start to the campaign, contributing at both ends of the pitch to ensure the north Londoners came away with all three points.
Ben Davies was at left back.
Posted: 13th, September 2016 | In: Back pages, Sports, Spurs | Comment (1)
Is failed manager Gary Neville waiting for the Manchester United job?
Former England and Manchester United defender Gary Neville is moaning. Sacked by the La Liga club Valencia in March after less than four months in charge, Neville also lost his job as England assistant manager after their dismal showing at Euro 2016.
He tells Sky Sports, for whom he works as a pundit:
“The FA invested in me for four years. I’m the most experienced I’ve ever been yet you get chucked overboard. I’m only 41 years of age and you’re regarded as a failure and the reality of it is the investment has to come through defeat and victory.
“I’ve been to eight tournaments as a player, three as a coach, I’m probably the only English coach that’s managed in La Liga at a top four club in the last 15 to 20 years, even if it’s only for four months.”
Of course, Gary, having managed unsuccessfully at Valencia, a club owned by his mate – he left with the worst win percentage of any coach in the club’s La Liga history – and been part of a management team that turned out a poor England side – England 1, Iceland 2 – Neville could step down a league or two and hone his skills at a smaller club with ambition.
Or is he waiting for the United job to restore his credibility?
Posted: 13th, September 2016 | In: Back pages, Sports | Comment
Media balls – Swansea v Chelsea: Diego Costa’s dive, Leroy Fer’s foul and a red card
Talking Balls: a look at media bias in football reporting. Today’s game is Swansea v Chelsea in the Premier League. The game finished 2-2, thanks to a late goal from Diego Costa.
DIEGO COSTA:
Conte’s men were dominant now – tenacious in the tackle, composed in possession and a threat going forward. Leroy Fer and Federico Fernandez were booked for cynical fouls on Diego Costa (also carded before the break for a late tackle), and Cesar Azpilicueta drew a near-post stop from Fabianski after overlapping.
No dive is mentioned.
BBC:
Costa, who might earlier have been sent off, capitalised on poor defending to fire the dominant visitors in front…
It was a small wonder he and Jordi Amat both stayed on the pitch having bickered throughout the game, and Costa was perhaps fortunate to escape a second yellow card for what appeared to be a dive under pressure from Swansea goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski in the second half.
The Times:
If Swansea had real cause for frustration it was that Costa was still on the field to equalise. Already booked for a foul on Leroy Fer, Costa was guilty of clear simulation when contesting a ball with the Swansea goalkeeper, Lukasz Fabianski, who gestured a diving motion at an opponent also assailed by boos.
LEROY FER’S GOAL
Chelsea FC:
“Cahill was unfairly dispossessed by Fer, who raced clear and just about squeezed his shot through Courtois and over the line. In a flash, the Blues were behind.”
BBC:
Fer appeared to foul Cahill as he dispossessed the Chelsea defender, and Swansea’s Netherlands midfielder ran clear before squeezing his shot past Courtois and over the line.
It did look like a foul. But:
Leroy Fer stole possession from a dawdling Gary Cahill and bundled the ball through Thibaut Courtois legs and over the line.
Such are the facts.
Posted: 12th, September 2016 | In: Back pages, Chelsea, Sports | Comment
Chelsea Star calls Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho ‘The Gifted One’
One Watch: a look at Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho’s branding. The Sun calls him ‘The Gifted One’.
THE SPECIAL SCHLONG Jose Mourinho has a big tackle… in his trousers, says Jamie Redknapp on Manchester United manager
Adding that Redknapp heard the news from his cousin Frank Lampard, who player for Mourinho at Chelsea. The Sun then coins a new ‘One’.
United boss is nicknamed The ‘Gifted One’ by his players for being so well-endowed
The Sun then adds:
Jose Mourinho reportedly is the Special One in more ways than one
Add it to the list.
Posted: 11th, September 2016 | In: Back pages, manchester united, Sports | Comment
Transfer balls: Chelsea and Manchester United delight Griezmann’s agent
Transfer balls: how much is Atletico Madrid’s France striker Antoine Griezmann worth? The BBC says Chelsea manager Antonio Conte “wants the club to sanction a world-record bid” for Griezmann.
As negotiating tactics go, telling Atletico they should expect no less than the £89.3m Manchester Untied paid for Paul Pogba – and you are willing to pay it – is not exactly canny.
The Sunday Express says “Conte is ready to go above the £86million release clause in Griezmann’s contract to head off interest from Manchester United.”
Of course, it’s not Conte’s money. And as for release clauses, well, are they rally worth their salt? And there is another factor. On September 8, the BBC reported:
Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid have lost appeals against Fifa bans on signing players in the next two transfer windows. The clubs contested a decision by world football’s governing body to punish them for breaching rules over the transfer of foreign players under 18…
“Both clubs are to serve a transfer ban that prevents them from registering any players at national and international level for the next two complete and consecutive registration periods,” said a Fifa statement.
The Spanish sides will now appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. If that fails, will Atletico sell the France international who signed a new five-year contract with Atletico in June 2016?
These bans have form. In 2014, Barcelona were banned from signing any players in 2015 after their appeal against a transfer ban was dismissed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Barcelona were, like Real and Atletico, found guilty of breaching Fifa’s rules on the transfer of players aged under 18.
Of course, there are ways:
Barca went on a summer spending spree this year while the suspension went on hold during the appeals process, splashing out more than 150m euros (£117.5m) on Suarez, Ivan Rakitic, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Thomas Vermaelen, Claudio Bravo, Jeremy Mathieu and Alen Halilovic.
If you drag any appeal out until the next transfer window opens, look out for Atletico not selling big but buying bigger.
The Manchester Evening News says Chelsea will get no clear run at splurging massive amounts of cash on one player.
M.E.N. Sport understands United have earmarked Atletico Madrid goalscorer Griezmann, 25, as their primary target for the 2017 summer transfer window.
Griezmann’s agent must be delighted.
Posted: 11th, September 2016 | In: Back pages, Chelsea, manchester united, Sports | Comment
Manchester United and Manchester City create an instant Classico
The Manchester Derby was a cracker. Writing in the Sunday Times, Jonathan Northcroft muses: “An instant Clasico? It felt that way… For once, in our overhyped world, an event lived up to its billing.”
There was interest all over the pitch:
Bravo – deemed to be much better than England’s Joe Hart – dropping the ball to give Zlatan Ibrahimovic a well-taken goal.
Bravo taking a poor touch with his fabled feet before flying into Wayne Rooney and getting away with it. It looked a clear penalty.
Marouane Fellaini giving Aleksandar Kolarov a reminder of the day by knocking his tooth out.
Referee Mark Clattenburg having the biggest ego on the pitch.
Kevin de Bruyne playing superbly well.
And then there was the “WAR” between Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola. That never came. The two men high-fived and hugged one another.
After the match, Mourinho was reflective and finger pointing:
“I had two or three players in the first half that, if I know what is going to happen, I don’t play them. This is football, though, and sometimes players disappoint managers. It’s my fault because I’m the manager and it’s always my fault because it’s my choice.”
Adding:
“The two halves were completely different. In the first half we were below the level to play this match. You have to be completely ready in terms of the speed of your thinking and decision-making. The second half was completely different. We were a team that had the courage and honesty and dignity to chase with pride the result which I think we deserved – we deserved a goal in the second half.”
Nothing out of the ordinary there, then. Mourinho did not rant and rave. He thought his team deserved two penalty kicks, neither of which was given. His skill is in galvanising players to want to join him in giving it all for the cause. The “aggressive” approach he takes towards winning gives fans reason to believe.
The Telegraph says Mourinho branded his players “bottlers”.
The Express says Mourinho is “moaning”. It might have said that the referee made a crucial error.
Anyone who enjoys football will look forward to February 25, when these clubs are scheduled to meet again. The media has a few months to whip the match into a war.
Posted: 11th, September 2016 | In: Back pages, Manchester City, manchester united, Sports | Comment
Liverpool were cheated by Leicester: Vardy’s goal gets over-analysed
Liverpool FC tonked Leicester City 4-1 in the Reds’ first home match of the season. Looking on was Howard Webb, one of the platoon of former referees earning money as a pundit. Webb works for BTSport, where he analyses decisions to deadline. He told viewers that Jamie Vardy’s goal should not have stood.
Webb says Leicester’s Shinji Okazaki broke the rules when his pressing panicked Liverpool’s Lucas into a dreadful pass across an empty area that gave Vardy an easy finish. According to the absurdly picky Webb, Okazaki was illegally inside the penalty area before the ball had left it following Mignolet’s goal-kick.
As Law 16 states:
Opponents must be outside the penalty area until the ball is in play…
The ball is in play when it leaves the penalty area..
This is the same Howard Webb who told readers of his Times column:
If all decisions can be reviewed by video, referees on the pitch become nothing more than remote-controlled referees.
And how many of them will go on tot have a media career?
Posted: 11th, September 2016 | In: Back pages, Liverpool, Sports, TV & Radio | Comment
Media balls: Arsenal beat Southampton with a ‘slight tug’ that saw Giroud ‘hauled down’
Talking Balls: a look at media bias in football reporting. Today’s game is Arsenal v Southampton in the Premier League. Arsenal won 2-1, thanks to a very late penalty.
But in injury-time they conceded a penalty after the slightest of tugs on Olivier Giroud’s shirt by Jose Fonte. Fonte, understandably furious as Giroud was giving as good as he got, was booked – and Santi Cazorla sent Fraser Forster the wrong way.
There was definite contact between Fonte and Giroud but the decision incensed Southampton manager Claude Puel and his players, with the situation further complicated by Koscielny lying strewn in the goalmouth having taken a kick to the face moments earlier.
Giroud then tangled with Fonte in the box on 90 minutes – and referee Madely awarded a penalty. And despite a delay as Koscielny was treated for an injury Cazorla then struck the winner to make it 2-1 to The Arsenal.
Only the local Southampton newspaper says Giroud was “giving as good as he got”. No other newspaper – national or otherwise – mentions Giroud fouling.
As for the clubs’ websites:
Olivier Giroud was hauled down by Jose Fonte and Cazorla kept his nerve to beat Fraser Forster.
Arsene Wenger (Arsenal):
“It is a relief, because we missed many chances and they had one or two opportunities having thrown everything forward. Honestly, everyone is telling me it was a penalty, but I’ve not yet seen it again.”
Claude Puel (Southampton):
“It’s very hard for my players, a big disappointment. For me, with the penalty both players went to play the ball – it’s very hard to take.”
Such are the facts.
Posted: 10th, September 2016 | In: Arsenal, Back pages, Sports | Comment
Peace breaks out before Manchester United and Manchester City war
It’s Manchester Untied v Manchester City in the Premier League. It’s WAR! It is. The media has told us as much.
In the Mail Jose Mourinho tells Pep Guardiola “WE’RE READY TO RUMBLE”.
It’s WAR says the Sun:
The Week sums up: “Man Utd vs Man City: Mourinho and Guardiola prepare for war”
Or as the Express puts it:
And Henry winter writes in the Times:
Such was the public love-in of Mourinho and Guardiola yesterday — and the Premier League insists that no missive was launched from London demanding common courtesy — that it would be little surprise to find half-and-half scarves featuring the pair for sale outside Old Trafford.
It’s PEACE before the WAR.
Posted: 10th, September 2016 | In: Back pages, Manchester City, manchester united, Sports | Comment
Transfer Balls: Real Madrid resign four Manchester United players in clickbait frenzy
The BBC says Real Madrid players Cristiano Ronaldo, 31, Gareth Bale, 27, midfielders Toni Kroos, 26, and Luka Modric, 30, are all on course to extend their contracts with Real Madrid.
The Daily Mirror agrees.
That’s the Mirror that just two days ago thundered: “Manchester United have made a staggering wage offer to Real Madrid superstar Gareth Bale in a bid to lure the Welshman away from the Bernabeu.”
The Mirror that reported in the summer of 2015: “Cristiano Ronaldo is ready to return to Manchester United... Sunday Mirror Sport understands that Ronaldo is excited by the prospect of once again wearing United’s red shirt… Madrid know that the world player of the year will seek a new challenge next summer.”
The Mirror that reported in December 2015: “Manchester United on alert as Toni Kroos seeks Real Madrid exit.” Adding in April 2016: “Manchester City set for transfer battle with rivals United for Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos.”
The Mirror that reported in 2013: “Luka Modric still has his heart set on a move to Old Trafford this summer, after he has struggled for first team action at Real Madrid.”
Manchester United never did sign any of them.
Posted: 9th, September 2016 | In: Back pages, manchester united, Sports | Comment
Manchester United v Manchester City: war points to a bore draw
It’s Manchester United v Manchester City. It’s the game between Pep Guardiola v Jose Mourinho, what the Guardian calls a “poisonous rivalry”.
The media is awash with hype and hoopla. The game will be cagey, and very probably not all that thrilling. But to the Sun it is “WAR”.
As Zlatan “swipes” Maroune Fellaini sharpens his elbows. “It will be a war, with a lot of intensity,” says the big Belgian. “I expect it will be a beautiful match in a special atmosphere. I do not dare speak out about who will win. It’s really 50-50.”
Not exactly Churchillian, eh. We will fight them on the beaches and, at the end of the day, it will be 50-50.
The Guardian leads with the handbags:
Paul Hayward writes in the Daily Telegraph.
“The United-City duel arrives without the political intensity of the Clasico, but a league which feeds on personality clashes was never going to pass up the chance to frame Saturday’s protagonists as two warring princes who moved their battleground to England.”
Oliver Kay hones in on the money in The Times.
“In the land where cash is king, prepare for the ultimate demonstration of the Premier League’s wealth and power. For all the inevitable focus on the geniuses in direct conflict in the respective dugouts, the one record that Saturday’s Manchester derby is certain to break is for the two most expensive starting line-ups, which at a total of just under £600m are set to make it the most expensive match in history.”
As for the actual football, Jonathan Wilson has insight:
If both managers go in as they have until now, it will be United’s 4-2-3-1 against 4‑1‑4‑1, two shapes that match up straightforwardly for marking purposes…
It’ll be a thriller, then.
Posted: 9th, September 2016 | In: Back pages, Manchester City, manchester united, Sports | Comment
Transfer balls: AC Milan want Spurs striker Harry Kane but Manchester United pass
Transfer balls: the BBC says Spurs and England striker Harry Kane is to be the subject of a bid from AC Milan. The Beeb says the Italians think Kane is worth 50m euros (£42.4m).
Corriere dello Sport says Napilo made moves for Kane in the summer, viewing Kane as the man to replace Gonzalo Higuain, who left for Juventus. Kane is praised heavily: “Powerful, fast and versatile, Kane is heir to Teddy Sheringham.”
He’s better than Sheringham? The former Millwall, Spurs and Man United striker admitted as much, saying: “He has more in his locker than I had. He can go forward.”
Corriere dello Sport also says Kane reminds AC Milan of a young Marco Van Basten.
Getting the new Marco Van Basten for less than Manchester City paid for Raheem Sterling would be a bargain. AC Milan will have to dig deeper, says the Mirror, which estimates, “The England striker would command a fee greater than the £75m.”
Of course, right now it’s all just chatter. After all, the Indy told us last March:
Manchester United transfer news: Jose Mourinho to make £60m Tottenham striker Harry Kane his top target. EXCLUSIVE: Tottenham striker seen by Portuguese manager as key to his plans – should he get the job at Old Trafford
Mourinho never did bid for Kane.
Posted: 9th, September 2016 | In: Back pages, Sports, Spurs | Comment
Football Association chairman Greg Clarke rejects Greg Dyke’s plan to win the 2022 World Cup
Compare and contrast:
Football Association chairman Greg Clarke, September 2016:
“I’m not going to put pressure on and say we are going to win this tournament or that tournament.”
Football Association chairman Greg Dyke, September 2013:
“The two targets I have for the England team are – one, to at least reach the semi-finals of Euro 2020 and two, win the World Cup in 2022.”
As you were, England fans.
Posted: 8th, September 2016 | In: Back pages, Sports | Comment
Manchester United’s Academy is full of soft lads, says Nicky Butt
Former Manchester United stalwart Nicky Butt is talking to Henry Winter in the Times. Butt is now runs the Manchester United academy. It;s a good read, but the pick is what Butt has to say about today’s youth, schooled by helicopter parents and indoor sports:
“I see players in our academy and they can’t move. Our lads don’t know how to fall, roll, and you should see the amount of injuries we get from popped shoulders or their arms. I probably fell out of a tree 15 times and never hurt myself. I don’t think my son’s ever climbed a tree.
“Body mechanics lose so much when you’re not climbing trees, not playing basketball, cricket, rugby. I played rugby, cricket, football, basketball…
“I’m a softie parent. I don’t let my kids go anywhere. My daughter’s 12, I don’t think she’d be able to cross a road. The whole life now is middle class: all kids have iPads and PlayStations. Social media’s a massive problem. We had a player who put his address on Facebook and gets a knock at the door from people asking why he’s chatting up this girlfriend. We reiterate to them every six weeks about what to do and not do on social media.
“They’re not streetwise. We’re looking for leaders on the pitch, so when you’re down, they fight back, somebody like [Paul] Scholes who was playing football on the streets at 12 and knocking around the park at 15. They get a lot of street knowledge through that.”
Is it because these children see football mainly as a way to riches, not as a sport to play for fun?
Former United youth player Danny Higginbotham:
I learned so much from the responsibilities I had as an apprentice at Manchester United. I made the orange squash for the players and was anxious watching Peter Schmeichel take his first sip in case it was too weak or too strong. I had the privilege of cleaning the boots of Roy Keane and Brian McClair. I was so proud of it that I would tell all my mates. I would be pleased when the pitch was especially muddy because it meant that I could do an even better job. It meant the world to me.
If I had done a good job, the first-team players would be grateful, and we would be given a bit of cash – just £10 or £20 – at Christmas, and at the end of the season. If we had not done a good job we would know about it too.
This mattered, first, because it taught us apprentices – players like Wes Brown and Jonathan Greening – about the importance of responsibility. But it also mattered because it was a shared rite of passage between us and the senior pros…
That does not happen in football any more. That old bond is broken…
The fact is that young players today do not need to do that sort of thing. When I was an apprentice at United I was paid £40 per week. When I played for the A and B teams we got a £4 win bonus and £2 if we drew. That was only 20 years ago.
Teenage players at top clubs can now hope to earn £20,000 per week before they’ve even made themselves noticed in the first team.
That sounds a tad cynical. Academy players are not all on great salaries:
How many new young players does a club like Liverpool or Arsenal sign every season? The answer is very few. The fact is that most trainees will never make the grade.
Trainees released from scholarship schemes are put into a central pool which allows other interested clubs to come in for them. And former Fulham scout Roger Skyrme believes there’s nothing wrong with lowering your standards. “Never lose faith in your ability, but do be prepared to move down a level,” Roger told BBC Sport.
Your parents can take you there and keep you in a cosy bubble, but they cannot make you want it and go for it.
Posted: 8th, September 2016 | In: Back pages, manchester united, Reviews, Sports | Comment
Chelsea balls: Hazard mocks Mourinho and Cahill looks to the future
Chelsea players Eden Hazard and Gary Cahill have “stuck the knife into former manager Jose Mourinho”, says the Express. (It’s a mere flesh wound in the Sun – a “sly dig”). Jose is “UNDER FIRE” as Chelsea players “lash out” at their former coach, the Express continues.
The quotes come. Cahill says Chelsea “lost our way tactically” under Mourinho.
Hazard says: “[Antonio] Conte puts trust in his players. Now we are good after an ugly season last year. I’ve always been the same player. But Conte knows how to treat players having played at the highest level himself.”
Is that a dig at Mourinho’s lack of success as a player? If it is, it echoes Johan Cruyff, who opined, “What I don’t like is that he always puts himself on the first row. He should be on the second row. It’s probably because of his background, where he has never been cheered by 100,000 people, or whistled at by 100,000 people.”
Over in the Mail, Cahill’s quote is given more context. Was he really knifing Jose? No. What he said was:
“We needed organisation. Everyone saw what happened. We went from winning the league, having stayed at the top all year, to the disaster of last season. We lost our way tactically, everyone’s head was in different directions. When I say about pulling together as a team, I felt everyone had different situations going on individually – whether that be if you’re playing or not, the manager, or this or that. Different distractions are never healthy.”
Not all Mourinho’s fault, then. Cahill says everyone at Chelsea played a part in last season’s failures. Although it was Mourinho who got the sack.
Posted: 8th, September 2016 | In: Back pages, Chelsea, Sports | Comment
Arsenal’s Wenger unseats Manchester United’s Mourinho in ‘raging battle’
At a coaching conference in Switzerland, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger and Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho were both in attendance.
Spanish newspaper Marca recalls the following exchange as Sir Alex Ferguson is scheduled to speak.
Mourinho: Can I sit next here?
Wenger: “No, it is not possible.”
And how does the Press reports on that?
Daily Express: “Arsene Wenger owns Jose Mourinho in latest bust-up at coaches conference – ARSENE WENGER and Jose Mourinho have reportedly clashed yet again.”
Mourinho reportedly wanted to sit next to Paris Saint-Germain’s Unai Emery and Real Madrid’s Zinedine Zidane for Sir Alex Ferguson’s opening speech, with Wenger close by.
Metro: “Arsenal’s Arsene Wenger told Jose Mourinho he can’t sit next to him at coaches conference”
Daily Mail: “Arsene Wenger’s feud with Jose Mourinho rages on as ‘Arsenal boss refuses to let Manchester United manager sit next to him at conference”
And in Marca, the root of a story that sounds like it began as a joke: “Wenger wins latest battle against Mourinho”
Next week: It’s WAR as Jose serves Arsene green jelly at his party.
Posted: 7th, September 2016 | In: Arsenal, Back pages, manchester united, Sports | Comment
Arsenal scout Eddie Howe who has ‘no regrets’ about leaving Bournemouth
More news that AFC Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe is gearing up to replace Arsene Wenger at Arsenal.
The Sun declares: “Ed Hunted.”
Adding:
EDDIE HOWE is under serious consideration to become the next Arsenal manager. SunSport can reveal that the highly-regarded Bournemouth chief’s name is being discussed in the corridors of power at the Emirates.
Revealed? Like the Star revealed on July 28: “ARSENAL have earmarked Eddie Howe as a potential successor to Arsene Wenger.” As for the Sun’s story, which contains no quotes, we’re told:
Eddie Howe is being lined up as a replacement for Arsene Wenger as Arsenal boss
News reaches Bournemouth.
The Sun reports:
HOWE ABOUT NO Eddie Howe to Arsenal: Bournemouth chief Jeff Mostyn issues hands-off warning over man tipped to replace Arsene Wenger
He tells TalkSport:
“Eddie is a Bournemouth boy through and through. He has been with the football club since he was ten. There is unfinished business. He wants to ensure that if and when he does move on he will leave a legacy.”
Or as the Sun puts it in its other Eddie to Arsenal story:
Howe inspired Bournemouth and led them to promotion to League One in 2010, only to leave for Championship side Burnley in January 2011.
As Howe told BBC Radio Solent back then:
“I turned down two other clubs this week because I wanted to stay but this was just one I couldn’t turn down. There were no reasons why I should from a personal and professional point of view. It just ticked all the boxes. I found it very difficult from the week’s events to come to that decision but I thought if I didn’t it would be something I would regret for the rest of my life.”
If Arsenal want him, he’ll surely go.
Posted: 7th, September 2016 | In: Arsenal, Back pages, Sports, Tabloids | Comment
Derby balls: Manchester United and Manchester City fight The War Bitchy Comments
Why don’t Manchester City’s Pepe Guardiola and Manchester United’s Jose Mourinho just duke it out. The Mail previews the big United v City match by drooling over the prospect of violence:
“Police fears for Jose v Pep,” screams the headline.
The usually harmonious Manchester derby is causing police to be scared?
“The explosive rivalry between Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola – and the increased tension it may bring to the terraces – are part of the police’s planning for the Manchester derby. Sportsmail understands that officers on duty for Saturday’s clash between the two sides, the first battle between the feuding managers with their new clubs in England, will be told of the pair’s feisty history and the effect that may have on their operation.”
It’s war. We’ve had the War of Jenkin’s Ear, the War of The Stray Dog and The Pastry War. Prepare yourselves for The War of The Bitchy Comments. It’s gonna be bloody (marvellous).
Posted: 7th, September 2016 | In: Back pages, Manchester City, manchester united, Reviews, Sports, Tabloids | Comment
