I'll begin this post with a question: who has had the greatest football career of all time?
At first, most people would suggest names such as Diego Maradona, Pelé, Lionel Messi, Ronaldo Nazario, and several others. However, the question was not "who is the greatest player of all time", but "who has had the greatest football career". After the events of the most recent matchday, this question may have been settled once and for all.
In a clash during the penultimate round of La Liga matches, Real Madrid beat Villarreal 2-1 to clinch the league title. Karim Benzema scored both goals in the victory which not only sealed the title for Los Merengues but also added another chapter to the already incredible football career of head coach Zinedine Zidane.
Zidane was arguably among the top 10 players of all time. He spearheaded France to a World Cup title in 1998 and a European Championship title in 2000. Zidane was also part of the Galácticos-era Real Madrid which won the Champions League in 2002. In the final against Bayer Leverkusen, Zidane scored a spectacular volley to earn Real their third Champions League title in five seasons. He was also named World Player of the Year by FIFA in 1998, 2000, and 2003 and was among the top five players in the world for around a decade after consistently excelling for and being in contention for titles with Juventus, Real, and France.
Incredibly, Zidane might very well be on his way to becoming an even better coach than he was a player. After first having become the coach of Real's reserve team, Real Madrid Castilla, in 2014, Zidane took over the reins at the main club in 2016 after replacing Rafael Benítez. The Frenchman's impact at the Santiago Bernabéu was immediate as he went on to etch his name into football history by leading Real Madrid to three consecutive Champions League titles, thus placing that Real team as perhaps the greatest club team of all time. After leaving the club in May 2018 after Real's third straight Champions League triumph, Zidane returned to the helm in March 2019 and has already helped them wrest the La Liga title from Barcelona despite having a vastly inferior squad talent-wise.
Zidane has clearly already had quite the career in football. It might already be the greatest ever when football achievements as a non-player are also taken into consideration. It is true that purely in terms of achievements, Franz Beckenbauer and Michel Platini are both in the discussion. Both were among the greatest players of all time. However, both their legacies have also been tainted by scandals. Ordinarily, this would not impact their standing in this discussion; however, in this case the scandals do have an impact because they were football-related scandals.
Frank Rijkaard might be another name to be considered. As a player, the legendary Dutch midfielder won three European Cups or Champions League and the European Championship in 1988 with the Netherlands. He was also a Ballon d'Or contender in the late 1980s. Rijkaard would subsequently go on to coach Barcelona to a Champions League title in 2006.
However, with all due respect to Rijkaard, as great a player as he was, he never even approached the level attained by Zidane at his peak. Rijkaard also found almost no coaching success outside his stint at Barça and has thus not coached since the end of his ill-fated stint coaching Saudi Arabia's national team in 2013.
Furthermore, Zidane has only been coaching for around five years. Over the next 10 to 20 years, there is no telling what he could achieve based on what he has already done. A fourth Champions League title would almost certainly assure his position as the person with the greatest football career ever. If he chooses to move into a front-office role at some point down the line and is successful in that role as well, it would only burnish his already standout legacy. Based on his career thus far, there is no reason to believe that he would not.
Not every player who becomes a coach or enters a front-office position is able to handle the transition and pressure as well as Zidane has. Ultimately, that may be the main reason why Zidane has had what I believe to be the greatest football career of all time.
Saturday, July 18, 2020
Thursday, July 9, 2020
The Weekly Take, Issue 114: The Path Back to the Top Begins Here
In a rare bright spot amidst a difficult season, AC Milan put the brakes on would-be Serie A champions Juventus' title coronation. Against the odds, Milan beat their arch-rivals from Turin 4-2. This was a victory made even more impressive by the fact that the Rossoneri overcame a 2-0 deficit to do so. Zlatan Ibrahimović, Franck Kessié, Rafael Leão, and Ante Rebić all scored within an 18-minute goalscoring explosion to give Milan the win. Milan also overtook Roma in the chase for an automatic spot in next season's Europa League.
This season has not been an easy one for Milan by any means. Before the season even began, they were disqualified from this season's Europa League due to financial violations which they had committed. This was then followed by an off-season transfer window in which they spent large sums of money; however, in spite of the large transfer fees paid, the team was not significantly improved. Milan also experienced the departures of key pieces such as Tiémoué Bakayoko, Patrick Cutrone, and Riccardo Montolivo, among others.
A slow start to the season followed, resulting in the firing of head coach Marco Giampaolo. He was replaced by Stefano Pioli. However, Milan would remain far adrift of the Champions League spots throughout the season. There was also discord in the front office when chief football officer and former San Siro fan favourite Zvonimir Boban was unceremoniously fired. His dismissal came on the back of scathing remarks made against the club's CEO, Ivan Gazidis.
To top it all off, the club's home province of Lombardy was among the most affected areas in the world during the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic. The most notable name associated with AC Milan to contract the disease was club legend and current technical director Paolo Maldini. His son Daniel, who is currently a Milan player himself, was also a victim.
However, despite all the adverse circumstances which have taken place, this most recent victory can be used by Milan as something of a roadmap for their current team towards regaining their former glory.
When compared to previous matches this season, Milan played with a great deal more vigour and aggression against Juve. Is it possible that part of the reason for this lay in the fact that they were playing against a historic rival? Perhaps, but that doesn't discount the fact that their approach to this match starkly differed from their approach to prior matches. During the second half in particular, Milan throttled the Bianconeri with an avalanche of rapid-fire attacks and a high tempo of play. They also picked up four yellow cards to Juve's one; however, one will easily live with that outcome if the other outcomes are generally positive, as they were in this case. Rebić and Kessié in particular flourished against Juve; this approach might serve Milan well going forward as well.
Another factor which has caused an uptick in Milan's recent level of play has been the arrival of Ibrahimović at the San Siro. In January 2020, the Swedish veteran returned to Milan for a second stint. During his previous time there between 2010 and 2012, Ibrahimović had two of the best seasons of his remarkable career. Ibrahimović scored 42 league goals in 61 appearances and helped Milan win the Serie A title in 2011.
It's true that eight years and one torn ACL later, Ibrahimović is no longer close to the athletic marvel who once struck fear into the hearts of almost all opposing defenders. However, "Ibra"'s veteran presence and experience has helped galvanize this team and elevated its overall performance. Should the 38-year-old Ibrahimović choose to call time on his career at the end of this season, it might even be in Milan's best interest to retain his services, whether in a coaching, advisory, or any other role within the club.
AC Milan can rightly regard themselves as one of the most storied football clubs on the planet. However, this club has become a fallen giant which is currently experiencing its most difficult stretch in many years. Nevertheless, there is clearly a blueprint for them to return to the top. The only question remaining is if it will come to fruition and restore AC Milan to its place as one of the world's leading football clubs.
Saturday, July 4, 2020
The Weekly Take, Issue 113: Just a Blip, or Something More?
Sometimes, there are moments which at first seem insignificant, but in hindsight signalled the beginning of the downfall of a great team. Such a moment might just have taken place.
In a result which nobody could have seen coming, Manchester City registered a remarkable 4-0 victory over Liverpool. The Citizens dominated the Reds right from the opening whistle. Kevin De Bruyne, Raheem Sterling, and Phil Foden scored three of City's goals; the fourth came by way of an Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain own goal.
Certainly, the past three seasons have seen Liverpool enjoy more success than they have in many years. This has been a stretch which has seen the Merseysiders reach two Champions League finals, winning one. They have also won one Premier League title while also finishing second in the league once as well. Not since their glory days of the 1980s have Liverpool had so much success in such a short span of time.
That being said, there are some points of concern which must be addressed. The first of these is if the current Liverpool roster has reached its ceiling and will never again approach the heights of the past few seasons. While this may be a surprising statement, consider the following: every single one of the few greatest club teams of all time had one, and usually more than one, inner-circle all-time greats. Think top 20 or so in the all-time rankings.
Real Madrid 1955-60: Ferenc Puskás, Alfredo Di Stéfano
Bayern Munich 1970-75: Franz Beckenbauer, Gerd Müller
AC Milan 1988-95: Marco van Basten, (arguably) Ruud Gullit, (arguably) Paolo Maldini
Barcelona 2008-15: Lionel Messi, Xavi, Andrés Iniesta, (arguably) Carles Puyol
Real Madrid 2013-18: Cristiano Ronaldo, (arguably) Iker Casillas
Looking at the current Liverpool team, it is highly unlikely that any of the players now on the roster will finish their careers as such a player. Probably the Liverpool player who will eventually have the highest all-time rankings when all is said and done is Virgil van Dijk. However, a final ranking of around the top 75 or maybe even 50 players ever is more realistic. Although more unlikely things have happened, the odds of the Dutchman's eventual reaching of the "pantheon" level are rather long indeed.
Liverpool must also be sure to avoid the temptation of over-emphasizing domestic league play. It is understandable that they might inadvertently do so, given the fact that prior to their most recent league title, they had not won the league in 30 years. However, this is a Liverpool team which is now chasing history. Years from now, the fact that this Liverpool team broke a 30-year league title drought will be but a mere footnote when compared to discussion about their Champions League performance. It is in the Champions League where the legacies of the greatest teams of all time are forged and burnished. Unfortunately for Liverpool, their Champions League title defense this season did not go according to plan. They were stunned in the round of 16 by an Atlético Madrid team which had not been expected to offer Liverpool much resistance.
With this in mind, Liverpool's Champions League campaign in the 2020-21 season could potentially be a legacy-defining one. A second title would elevate them into the realm of the greatest teams to have ever taken to the field. Another early exit, however, and they will likely be regarded as a great team in their own era, but no more than that.
Now, I won't belittle what Liverpool have accomplished since the 2017-18 season. Jürgen Klopp has proven that he is the world's best coach by turning what seemed to be a directionless, meandering team into the best team on the planet and one which is the envy of all. Players such as Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mané, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Alisson, and van Dijk have also turned into genuine superstars at Anfield.
That being said, it is also true that Liverpool have now reached a stage where they are trying to stamp their mark in football history. Time will tell if this loss to Manchester City is a turning point or just a speed bump on the long road to the "Mount Rushmore" of football. Will they get there in the end? It's possible, but they still have far to go.
In a result which nobody could have seen coming, Manchester City registered a remarkable 4-0 victory over Liverpool. The Citizens dominated the Reds right from the opening whistle. Kevin De Bruyne, Raheem Sterling, and Phil Foden scored three of City's goals; the fourth came by way of an Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain own goal.
Certainly, the past three seasons have seen Liverpool enjoy more success than they have in many years. This has been a stretch which has seen the Merseysiders reach two Champions League finals, winning one. They have also won one Premier League title while also finishing second in the league once as well. Not since their glory days of the 1980s have Liverpool had so much success in such a short span of time.
That being said, there are some points of concern which must be addressed. The first of these is if the current Liverpool roster has reached its ceiling and will never again approach the heights of the past few seasons. While this may be a surprising statement, consider the following: every single one of the few greatest club teams of all time had one, and usually more than one, inner-circle all-time greats. Think top 20 or so in the all-time rankings.
Real Madrid 1955-60: Ferenc Puskás, Alfredo Di Stéfano
Bayern Munich 1970-75: Franz Beckenbauer, Gerd Müller
AC Milan 1988-95: Marco van Basten, (arguably) Ruud Gullit, (arguably) Paolo Maldini
Barcelona 2008-15: Lionel Messi, Xavi, Andrés Iniesta, (arguably) Carles Puyol
Real Madrid 2013-18: Cristiano Ronaldo, (arguably) Iker Casillas
Looking at the current Liverpool team, it is highly unlikely that any of the players now on the roster will finish their careers as such a player. Probably the Liverpool player who will eventually have the highest all-time rankings when all is said and done is Virgil van Dijk. However, a final ranking of around the top 75 or maybe even 50 players ever is more realistic. Although more unlikely things have happened, the odds of the Dutchman's eventual reaching of the "pantheon" level are rather long indeed.
Liverpool must also be sure to avoid the temptation of over-emphasizing domestic league play. It is understandable that they might inadvertently do so, given the fact that prior to their most recent league title, they had not won the league in 30 years. However, this is a Liverpool team which is now chasing history. Years from now, the fact that this Liverpool team broke a 30-year league title drought will be but a mere footnote when compared to discussion about their Champions League performance. It is in the Champions League where the legacies of the greatest teams of all time are forged and burnished. Unfortunately for Liverpool, their Champions League title defense this season did not go according to plan. They were stunned in the round of 16 by an Atlético Madrid team which had not been expected to offer Liverpool much resistance.
With this in mind, Liverpool's Champions League campaign in the 2020-21 season could potentially be a legacy-defining one. A second title would elevate them into the realm of the greatest teams to have ever taken to the field. Another early exit, however, and they will likely be regarded as a great team in their own era, but no more than that.
Now, I won't belittle what Liverpool have accomplished since the 2017-18 season. Jürgen Klopp has proven that he is the world's best coach by turning what seemed to be a directionless, meandering team into the best team on the planet and one which is the envy of all. Players such as Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mané, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Alisson, and van Dijk have also turned into genuine superstars at Anfield.
That being said, it is also true that Liverpool have now reached a stage where they are trying to stamp their mark in football history. Time will tell if this loss to Manchester City is a turning point or just a speed bump on the long road to the "Mount Rushmore" of football. Will they get there in the end? It's possible, but they still have far to go.
Wednesday, July 1, 2020
The Weekly Take, Issue 112: They Are Officially Legit
One of last season's most unexpected success stories has proven that their exploits were no fluke.
Getafe continued their pursuit of a Champions League spot by beating Real Sociedad 2-1. The victory not only boosted the club from central Spain's chances of qualifying for Europe's leading club tournament next season; it also all but ensured that their Basque rivals would fail doing so. Jaime Mata scored both of Getafe's goals in the victory which put them just two points adrift of fourth place in La Liga and the final Champions League berth.
Earlier this season, I made a post questioning if Getafe's excellent season in 2018-19 was a one-hit wonder. It now is evident that such is not the case. Getafe have clearly backed up their rapid improvement last season and are more than likely here to stay.
What makes Getafe's sustained success even more impressive is the fact that by almost every conceivable metric, this should not be happening. The club operates on one of the lowest budgets in La Liga. Its stadium, the Coliseum Alfonso Peréz, is also extremely small with a maximum capacity of just over 17,000. The average attendance at each of Getafe's home matches in the league has been around 11,000. They also have a roster which do not have any names which jump off the page. None of their players have been major transfer targets of bigger clubs. None of their younger players are likewise regarded as superstars in the making.
When assigning the credit for Getafe's success over the past two seasons, the bulk of the plaudits must go to head coach José Bordalás. Bordalás has become one of the most underrated coaches in the world. Ever since his appointment to the position, Getafe have only gone from strength to strength. He has proven to be a shrewd tactician and intelligent decision-maker who thoroughly understands his personnel and how to best deploy them. It is interesting that Bordalás' formation of choice is the 4-4-2; this is a formation which had seemingly fallen out of style at the top level of world football. However, the man from Alicante has shown that there is still a place for this throwback tactical approach.
The club's front office has also shown a great deal of acumen in constructing the current Getafe roster. In spite of Getafe's limited budget, the front office has managed to identify players who suit the team's system and tactics. The off-season additions of Allan Nyom and Marc Cucurella have turned out to be astute signings, as both have been important contributors to Getafe's season to date. Other signings such as Jason, Kenedy, and Deyverson have added more depth to the squad. It must also be mentioned that the club spent very little money on transfers; thus, their success in the transfer market is all the more impressive.
Speaking of the players themselves, they have really gelled over the past two seasons and turned into a solid, cohesive unit which is able to cause problems for any team - even Real Madrid and Barcelona. Players such as Mata, Damián Suárez, Mauro Arambarri, Cucurella, and Nemanja Maksimović have outperformed expectations all season long. It might not be long before bigger clubs take notice and consider signing one or more of them during the coming off-season.
Of course, there is still some work to be done. Getafe currently trail Sevilla by two points with six matchdays remaining. Furthermore, Getafe have never qualified for the Champions League before. Thus, the pressure of the situation could end up getting to them and derailing their bid for a debut appearance on the biggest stage in European club football.
That being said, Getafe have never had it so good. Their fifth-place league finish last season was the best in the club's history. If they end up bettering that result this season, they will have created yet more history by qualifying for the Champions League.
Although the odds might be stacked against Getafe achieving such a feat, they have made a habit of defying the odds in recent times. Nevertheless, one thing is certainly true of Getafe now: no club, whether in Spain or beyond, will ever underestimate this plucky bunch again.
Getafe continued their pursuit of a Champions League spot by beating Real Sociedad 2-1. The victory not only boosted the club from central Spain's chances of qualifying for Europe's leading club tournament next season; it also all but ensured that their Basque rivals would fail doing so. Jaime Mata scored both of Getafe's goals in the victory which put them just two points adrift of fourth place in La Liga and the final Champions League berth.
Earlier this season, I made a post questioning if Getafe's excellent season in 2018-19 was a one-hit wonder. It now is evident that such is not the case. Getafe have clearly backed up their rapid improvement last season and are more than likely here to stay.
What makes Getafe's sustained success even more impressive is the fact that by almost every conceivable metric, this should not be happening. The club operates on one of the lowest budgets in La Liga. Its stadium, the Coliseum Alfonso Peréz, is also extremely small with a maximum capacity of just over 17,000. The average attendance at each of Getafe's home matches in the league has been around 11,000. They also have a roster which do not have any names which jump off the page. None of their players have been major transfer targets of bigger clubs. None of their younger players are likewise regarded as superstars in the making.
When assigning the credit for Getafe's success over the past two seasons, the bulk of the plaudits must go to head coach José Bordalás. Bordalás has become one of the most underrated coaches in the world. Ever since his appointment to the position, Getafe have only gone from strength to strength. He has proven to be a shrewd tactician and intelligent decision-maker who thoroughly understands his personnel and how to best deploy them. It is interesting that Bordalás' formation of choice is the 4-4-2; this is a formation which had seemingly fallen out of style at the top level of world football. However, the man from Alicante has shown that there is still a place for this throwback tactical approach.
The club's front office has also shown a great deal of acumen in constructing the current Getafe roster. In spite of Getafe's limited budget, the front office has managed to identify players who suit the team's system and tactics. The off-season additions of Allan Nyom and Marc Cucurella have turned out to be astute signings, as both have been important contributors to Getafe's season to date. Other signings such as Jason, Kenedy, and Deyverson have added more depth to the squad. It must also be mentioned that the club spent very little money on transfers; thus, their success in the transfer market is all the more impressive.
Speaking of the players themselves, they have really gelled over the past two seasons and turned into a solid, cohesive unit which is able to cause problems for any team - even Real Madrid and Barcelona. Players such as Mata, Damián Suárez, Mauro Arambarri, Cucurella, and Nemanja Maksimović have outperformed expectations all season long. It might not be long before bigger clubs take notice and consider signing one or more of them during the coming off-season.
Of course, there is still some work to be done. Getafe currently trail Sevilla by two points with six matchdays remaining. Furthermore, Getafe have never qualified for the Champions League before. Thus, the pressure of the situation could end up getting to them and derailing their bid for a debut appearance on the biggest stage in European club football.
That being said, Getafe have never had it so good. Their fifth-place league finish last season was the best in the club's history. If they end up bettering that result this season, they will have created yet more history by qualifying for the Champions League.
Although the odds might be stacked against Getafe achieving such a feat, they have made a habit of defying the odds in recent times. Nevertheless, one thing is certainly true of Getafe now: no club, whether in Spain or beyond, will ever underestimate this plucky bunch again.
Sunday, June 21, 2020
The Weekly Take, Issue 111: Die Bullen's Loss Is the Blues' Gain
As the Bundesliga season draws to a close, the final league positions have begun to be settled. Bayern Munich have clinched the league title for an eighth consecutive season. Borussia Dortmund, meanwhile, secured second place in the league by beating RB Leipzig 2-0. Erling Håland continued his blistering run of form by scoring both of Dortmund's goals. Leipzig simply had no answer for the young Norwegian whose legend is growing with every match.
During the build-up to this match, much of the focus had been centred on Timo Werner. Leipzig's German centre-forward had just confirmed that he will sign for Chelsea on July 1, 2020. The Blues paid €53 million to land Werner. Given the likely trajectory of Werner's career over the coming years, this could potentially be an absolute bargain for the London club.
Werner's departure and all the talk surrounding it might have been a distraction to Die Bullen. All their players, Werner included, played well below the level at which they are capable of playing. Thus, it was no surprise to see them go down tamely to their opponents.
After four excellent seasons in Saxony, it is no surprise to see the Stuttgart-born player leave the club. Now, it must be mentioned that Leipzig are one of the best-run clubs in the Bundesliga. Their front office and scouting department have done superbly over the past few years. As a result of their efforts, Leipzig is by no means a team devoid of talent; it is one of the most balanced and well-rounded teams in European football today.
Nevertheless, there are several obvious reasons why a rising star like Werner would leave Leipzig for Chelsea. Probably the most important of these is, of course, the money. Owned by Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich, Chelsea can afford to pay Werner a far higher salary than any he could ever have earned in Saxony.
It is also easier for Werner to build his personal brand as a Chelsea player than it would be if he were to remain at Leipzig. Although Leipzig have been on the rise in recent years while Chelsea have been stuck in a rut largely due to Abramovich's incompetence as an owner, the fact remains that Chelsea have much, much more cultural cache than do Leipzig. The two clubs are, quite frankly, not even in the same universe when it comes to public recognition and branding.
By moving to Stamford Bridge, Werner also increases his chances of winning the Champions League. At present, if the current Chelsea and Leipzig squads were to face off in a 10-match series, the German club would probably win seven or eight of them. However, Chelsea are set up beautifully for the future. Werner will form part of a formidable core which will also include fellow young star Christian Pulisic as well as the player who I believe is world's best defensive midfielder: N'Golo Kanté. To make things even more interesting, Werner is still just 24 years old while Pulisic is 21. Even after Kanté ages and declines, Werner and Pulisic will be likely to form one of the most lethal duos in world football, especially once both reach their prime years. They will also be surrounded by other capable supporting pieces of similar ages such as Mason Mount, Fikayo Tomori, and Tammy Abraham.
If (and this is a very big if indeed) Abramovich does not fail to build around his new core the same way he failed to build around former Chelsea superstar Eden Hazard, there is a real possibility that within the next few years, one or perhaps more Champions League titles might be coming Chelsea's way. Having said that, Abramovich's track record in this area has generally been abysmal; thus, the next few years could also easily be barren. In either case, these are exciting times to be a Chelsea fan.
That being said, this also isn't a total loss for Leipzig. The money they received is certainly substantial. They can use it to bolster their Champions League and Bundesliga campaigns next season if they spend it wisely - something which they have often done in recent times. There are several solid centre-forward in the market right now who could be signed to replace Werner.
Regardless, Chelsea will be more pleased with this transfer than will Leipzig. It's not every day that a club gets to sign a potential future Ballon d'Or winner. Chelsea now have two.
During the build-up to this match, much of the focus had been centred on Timo Werner. Leipzig's German centre-forward had just confirmed that he will sign for Chelsea on July 1, 2020. The Blues paid €53 million to land Werner. Given the likely trajectory of Werner's career over the coming years, this could potentially be an absolute bargain for the London club.
Werner's departure and all the talk surrounding it might have been a distraction to Die Bullen. All their players, Werner included, played well below the level at which they are capable of playing. Thus, it was no surprise to see them go down tamely to their opponents.
After four excellent seasons in Saxony, it is no surprise to see the Stuttgart-born player leave the club. Now, it must be mentioned that Leipzig are one of the best-run clubs in the Bundesliga. Their front office and scouting department have done superbly over the past few years. As a result of their efforts, Leipzig is by no means a team devoid of talent; it is one of the most balanced and well-rounded teams in European football today.
Nevertheless, there are several obvious reasons why a rising star like Werner would leave Leipzig for Chelsea. Probably the most important of these is, of course, the money. Owned by Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich, Chelsea can afford to pay Werner a far higher salary than any he could ever have earned in Saxony.
It is also easier for Werner to build his personal brand as a Chelsea player than it would be if he were to remain at Leipzig. Although Leipzig have been on the rise in recent years while Chelsea have been stuck in a rut largely due to Abramovich's incompetence as an owner, the fact remains that Chelsea have much, much more cultural cache than do Leipzig. The two clubs are, quite frankly, not even in the same universe when it comes to public recognition and branding.
By moving to Stamford Bridge, Werner also increases his chances of winning the Champions League. At present, if the current Chelsea and Leipzig squads were to face off in a 10-match series, the German club would probably win seven or eight of them. However, Chelsea are set up beautifully for the future. Werner will form part of a formidable core which will also include fellow young star Christian Pulisic as well as the player who I believe is world's best defensive midfielder: N'Golo Kanté. To make things even more interesting, Werner is still just 24 years old while Pulisic is 21. Even after Kanté ages and declines, Werner and Pulisic will be likely to form one of the most lethal duos in world football, especially once both reach their prime years. They will also be surrounded by other capable supporting pieces of similar ages such as Mason Mount, Fikayo Tomori, and Tammy Abraham.
If (and this is a very big if indeed) Abramovich does not fail to build around his new core the same way he failed to build around former Chelsea superstar Eden Hazard, there is a real possibility that within the next few years, one or perhaps more Champions League titles might be coming Chelsea's way. Having said that, Abramovich's track record in this area has generally been abysmal; thus, the next few years could also easily be barren. In either case, these are exciting times to be a Chelsea fan.
That being said, this also isn't a total loss for Leipzig. The money they received is certainly substantial. They can use it to bolster their Champions League and Bundesliga campaigns next season if they spend it wisely - something which they have often done in recent times. There are several solid centre-forward in the market right now who could be signed to replace Werner.
Regardless, Chelsea will be more pleased with this transfer than will Leipzig. It's not every day that a club gets to sign a potential future Ballon d'Or winner. Chelsea now have two.
Friday, June 12, 2020
The Weekly Take, Issue 110: What a Difference a Year Makes
After a lengthy hiatus, La Liga has become the latest major European football league to resume action. The first match after the break was the Seville derby between Sevilla and Real Betis. To the surprise of absolutely no one, Sevilla barely broke a sweat in their 2-0 victory against their crosstown rivals. Goals scored by Lucas Ocampos and Fernando set up the win for a club which has had a quietly impressive season.
Those of you who have followed my blog for long enough might recall that around a year ago, I wrote that the Andalusian club was one which was in disarray after a turbulent 2018-19 season. However, almost the exact opposite has been the case this season.
As of this post, Sevilla currently lie third in the league, only trailing Barcelona and Real Madrid. A third-place league finish would represent their best league position since the 2008-09 season.
One man who deserves much credit for Sevilla's success this season is undoubtedly head coach Julen Lopetegui. It was inevitable that Lopetegui's predecessor Joaquín Caparrós would be replaced; it was always a matter of finding the most suitable replacement. The selection of Lopetegui has proven to have been a masterstroke. Despite his pedestrian results while in charge of Real Madrid, Sevilla decided to roll the dice on the man from the Basque Country. This has been a risk which has clearly paid dividends. Under Lopetegui, the team has been able to achieve a level of cohesion which had been absent at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán for quite some time.
Sevilla made major changes to their roster during the previous off-season. Many expected them to struggle after losing their two best players from last season: Wissam Ben Yedder and Pablo Sarabia. Both left for Ligue 1 clubs: Ben Yedder joined Monaco, while Sarabia signed with Paris Saint-Germain. They also offloaded several other key contributors from last season such as Simon Kjær, Quincy Promes, and André Silva. Sevilla received a significant amount of money from these player departures. To their credit, they made intelligent use of the money received. Signings such as Ocampos, Luuk de Jong, Fernando, Diego Carlos, and Sergio Reguilón have played important roles throughout Sevilla's campaign. It is clear that Sevilla have outdone the vast majority of clubs across Europe with regard to the transfer acquisitions which have been made.
Following the departures of Ben Yedder and Sarabia, many wondered just who would step up and emerge as the best player on this overhauled Sevilla team. That question has now been answered through Ocampos. Ocampos' improvement upon his arrival in southern Spain from Monaco has come as a pleasant surprise for Sevilla fans. Prior to this season, the Argentine's career had been largely unmemorable. Over five prior seasons in Ligue 1 as well as one in Serie A, Ocampos had never made much of an impression on most. However, Ocampos is currently in the midst of a breakout season. From seemingly out of nowhere, the forward from Buenos Aires has already scored a career-best 11 league goals this season. Goalscoring aside, he has also fit in seamlessly with his new team and has impressed many observers in Spain and beyond. His play this season also earned him his first cap for Argentina; he went on to score his first goal for his country in that same match; an international friendly against Germany.
With 10 league matches remaining, Sevilla are in pole position to claim third place in the league and thus clinch a Champions League berth. While it is true that teams such as Valencia and Atlético Madrid have not lived up to expectations for various reasons, that doesn't discredit anything which Sevilla have done this season. This is an outcome which not many could have expected at the beginning of the season.
Sometimes, all a team needs are a few minor tweaks. Other times, a full-scale overhaul is what is required. Sevilla realized that they were in the latter group and acted accordingly. Today, they are deservedly reaping the rewards of their off-season decisions.
While nothing is quite certain just yet, Sevilla can already take many positives from this season. A top-four finish this season would be a fitting conclusion.
Those of you who have followed my blog for long enough might recall that around a year ago, I wrote that the Andalusian club was one which was in disarray after a turbulent 2018-19 season. However, almost the exact opposite has been the case this season.
As of this post, Sevilla currently lie third in the league, only trailing Barcelona and Real Madrid. A third-place league finish would represent their best league position since the 2008-09 season.
One man who deserves much credit for Sevilla's success this season is undoubtedly head coach Julen Lopetegui. It was inevitable that Lopetegui's predecessor Joaquín Caparrós would be replaced; it was always a matter of finding the most suitable replacement. The selection of Lopetegui has proven to have been a masterstroke. Despite his pedestrian results while in charge of Real Madrid, Sevilla decided to roll the dice on the man from the Basque Country. This has been a risk which has clearly paid dividends. Under Lopetegui, the team has been able to achieve a level of cohesion which had been absent at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán for quite some time.
Sevilla made major changes to their roster during the previous off-season. Many expected them to struggle after losing their two best players from last season: Wissam Ben Yedder and Pablo Sarabia. Both left for Ligue 1 clubs: Ben Yedder joined Monaco, while Sarabia signed with Paris Saint-Germain. They also offloaded several other key contributors from last season such as Simon Kjær, Quincy Promes, and André Silva. Sevilla received a significant amount of money from these player departures. To their credit, they made intelligent use of the money received. Signings such as Ocampos, Luuk de Jong, Fernando, Diego Carlos, and Sergio Reguilón have played important roles throughout Sevilla's campaign. It is clear that Sevilla have outdone the vast majority of clubs across Europe with regard to the transfer acquisitions which have been made.
Following the departures of Ben Yedder and Sarabia, many wondered just who would step up and emerge as the best player on this overhauled Sevilla team. That question has now been answered through Ocampos. Ocampos' improvement upon his arrival in southern Spain from Monaco has come as a pleasant surprise for Sevilla fans. Prior to this season, the Argentine's career had been largely unmemorable. Over five prior seasons in Ligue 1 as well as one in Serie A, Ocampos had never made much of an impression on most. However, Ocampos is currently in the midst of a breakout season. From seemingly out of nowhere, the forward from Buenos Aires has already scored a career-best 11 league goals this season. Goalscoring aside, he has also fit in seamlessly with his new team and has impressed many observers in Spain and beyond. His play this season also earned him his first cap for Argentina; he went on to score his first goal for his country in that same match; an international friendly against Germany.
With 10 league matches remaining, Sevilla are in pole position to claim third place in the league and thus clinch a Champions League berth. While it is true that teams such as Valencia and Atlético Madrid have not lived up to expectations for various reasons, that doesn't discredit anything which Sevilla have done this season. This is an outcome which not many could have expected at the beginning of the season.
Sometimes, all a team needs are a few minor tweaks. Other times, a full-scale overhaul is what is required. Sevilla realized that they were in the latter group and acted accordingly. Today, they are deservedly reaping the rewards of their off-season decisions.
While nothing is quite certain just yet, Sevilla can already take many positives from this season. A top-four finish this season would be a fitting conclusion.
Sunday, June 7, 2020
The Weekly Take, Issue 109: Well Above Expectations
The most recent set of Bundesliga fixtures saw SC Freiburg register an impressive victory over Borussia Mönchengladbach. Nils Petersen scored the only goal of the game to give Freiburg the victory. The win also means that Freiburg maintain their pursuit of the last Europa League spot; they are competing with Wolfsburg, Hoffenheim, Hertha Berlin, and Schalke for it.
Heading into this season, no one could have expected that Freiburg would experience the level of success which they have thus far. The club from southwestern Germany have not featured in continental competition since the 2013-14 Europa League, in which they were eliminated after the group stage. Furthermore, they had finished 15th and 13th during the two preceding league campaigns.
As they are not among the leading clubs in the Bundesliga, Freiburg's season has gone under the radar. Regardless, Freiburg have indeed surpassed all pre-season expectations of them. But just how have they done it?
For one thing, it must be noted that many of their players have significantly improved from last season. Players such as Jonathan Schmid, Christian Günter, Robin Koch, Luca Waldschmidt, and Petersen have all been key contributors to Freiburg's season to date. The impressive play of the latter four players has even earned them consideration for call-ups to the German national team. Although none of them have earned more than three caps at this point, further appearances for Die Mannschaft are likely to come if they are able to maintain their form into next season and beyond. Koch has also been linked with transfers to clubs such as Valencia, Tottenham Hotspur, and Manchester United.
During the last off-season's transfer window, Freiburg also made signings which came at reasonable prices and also suited the needs of the team. Freiburg do not have the financial resources of their direct rivals, which made them prioritize maximizing value for money when signing players. This can be seen in the acquisition of Schmid from Augsburg for €4 million. Freiburg also pulled off a major win by bringing in Vincenzo Grifo from Hoffenheim. In doing so, they managed to land a key player from one of their fellow Europa League contenders for just €7 million. These shrewd signings helped set up some of Freiburg's overachievement this season.
The relative lack of expectations of Freiburg may also have helped them this season. Teams such as Schalke and Frankfurt have underwhelmed relative to what had been expected of them at the beginning of the season. Conversely, there had not been any such expectations placed on Freiburg. This therefore allowed them to be able to play with more freedom, less pressure, and less fear or inhibition. In such an environment, it was possible for the team to thrive and achieve results far beyond what had been predicted.
Nevertheless, Freiburg fans should not get carried away in spite of their success. As has been mentioned, they are not endowed with the resources which their rivals possess. Thus, with just four matchdays remaining, it is possible that this resource gap may make itself evident and see Freiburg's bid for a Europa League spot come off the rails.
Freiburg's lack of experience in this position could also be a factor which works against them. All of the other clubs competing for the last Europa League spot have recently been involved in either the Champions League or Europa League. If the pressure of the situation ends up getting to them, they might end up faltering in their effort to reach their first continental tournament in seven years.
However, regardless of the end result of their season, Freiburg and their fans can be very pleased with how this season has gone. If you had told anyone associated with the club that the club would be in the chase for a Europa League spot with just four more league matches to be played, they would have been delighted to have heard that.
They might not be the favourites to claim that spot; Wolfsburg and Hoffenheim are more likely to do so. Their personnel also lacks the overall quality of those of the clubs around them. However, if they continue showing the grit and heart which have brought them this far while also getting a bit of luck along the way, European football might very well be on its way to the Black Forest.
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