[ad_pod ]

Arsenal and Chelsea both hired new managers in the summer. In north London, Unai Emery arrived at the Emirates Stadium to take over from iconic long-serving boss Arsene Wenger. Meanwhile, ex-Napoli manager Maurizio Sarri usurped Antonio Conte at Stamford Bridge.

In many ways, the situations both clubs found themselves in were comparable. The Blues, like the Gunners, had fallen out of the Champions League, both were looking to their new coaches to implement a new style of play, and both were undergoing something of a shift in identity.

Now, as both bosses come towards the end of their first campaign in charge, it’s time to assess their work so far.

Watch how to cross the road like a boss with freestyler Ben Nuttall in the video below…

For both the Spaniard Emery and the Italian Sarri, this has been a season of many ups and downs, with progress and setbacks both occurring in almost equal measure. Both have come under pressure at times, and also had great triumphs. However, the question of which set of fans ought to be happier with their lot so far remains.

This report card seeks to asses both managers’ impact and influence so far, in order to decide which club made the smartest appointment in the summer. 

Emery – Arsenal

Arguably, Emery came into the bigger job – in terms of the scale of the task ahead of him. The Gunners were replacing a legacy manager, whose power at the club was almost unrivalled and whose ideas and philosophies were ingrained in the very foundations of the Emirates Stadium.

Towards the end of Wenger’s tenure, the club’s fanbase were divided and tensions were running high as the attendances slowly dwindled. Emery’s first task was to restore some positivity, togetherness and goodwill at the ground, which he achieved by virtue of the clean slate that his arrival provided. 

The 47-year-old also had to update and upgrade the team on the pitch in terms of playing style and personnel. His budget was limited, but summer signings Bernd Leno, Sokratis, Lucas Torreira and Matteo Guendouzi all must be considered a success. Tactically, the Gunners have also been far more versatile this season. 

However, several old weaknesses still remain, including the club’s frailties when playing away from home, and a general lack of defensive solidity. There’s also still plenty of deadweight in the squad to shift, with the likes of Shkodran Mustafi, Mohamed Elneny and Carl Jenkinson still on the payroll but offering little in terms of return on investment.

Much of Arsenal and Emery’s season has been overshadowed by the Mesut Ozil saga. The talismanic German playmaker is the club’s highest-paid player, having signed a lucrative new deal mere months before Emery’s appointment. For £350,000-a-week, the 30-year-old No. 10 ought to be leading by example on the pitch. Instead, he’s on the fringes of team.

Rumours of a bust-up between player and coach have been reported, Ozil has been mysteriously absent from the matchday squad on more than one occasion, and he is serially benched for high-profile games. Considering the World Cup winner is such a superstar and on astronomical wages, Emery’s handling of this situation could define his tenure.

Whilst there’s been plenty of progress, and encouraging performances against Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea, there remains a lot of work to do and kinks to iron out. However, the fact that Arsenal are still in the top-four race is positive and offers hope to expectant supporters.

FFC rating: 7/10 Sarri – Chelsea

That Chelsea won the Premier League title in 2017 and were reigning FA Cup champions when Sarri took charge suggests that the west London outfit were already much closer to being a top team this summer than Arsenal. However, that assessment would neglect certain key factors.

The likes of Willian and Pedro are ageing, whilst the lack of a clinical striker – given Alvaro Morata’s woeful form – meant that the Blues were in dire need of a major overhaul. What’s more, the level of funding Roman Abramovich once supplied was no longer available. Chelsea now needed to operate on a budget.

The arrivals of Jorginho, Mateo Kovacic and Kepa Arrizabalaga laid the foundations of Sarri’s new-look side, but the failure to bring in a prolific forward until the January loan arrival of Gonzalo Higuain hampered the Stamford Bridge outfit.

Sarri’s main issue, though, has been successfully integrating his preferred style of play. The 60-year-old is not a versatile coach – which Chelsea would have known when offering him the position. He will not change his ideals to suit the squad, instead, they must bend to his will, meet his demands and execute his instructions.

These tactical shifts have caused some ripples of discontent amongst the fanbase, as Sarri’s side have wrestled to get to grips with the manager’s philosophy. For instance, Jorginho’s deployment at the base of midfield has forced N’Golo Kante – perhaps the world’s best defensive midfielder – into an unfamiliar, advanced role. 

Performances have been inconsistent, and the Blues have been on the end of some embarrassing defeats, including a 4-0 home loss to Bournemouth and a 6-0 defeat at the hands of reigning champions Manchester City.

Perhaps Sarri’s greatest low, though, came on the night that may have provided his greatest high. Chelsea produced a fine performance in the Carabao Cup final against Manchester City – a mere fortnight after their six-goal drubbing – to take the game to extra time. As penalties approached, Sarri attempted to substitute ‘keeper Kepa – who had twice gone down injured – with back-up shot-stopper Willy Caballero.

The £71 million glovesman refused to come off. In an extraordinary, irate exchange, the 24-year-old No. 1 refused to back down until a furious Sarri relented. The game went to a shootout and City prevailed, with Kepa failing to keep out a weak Sergio Aguero effort that he got a hand to. The whole affair overshadowed a fine performance and was an undignified public flouting of Sarri’s authority.

Chelsea’s form has been solid since this incident, but the manager’s situation remains on a knife-edge. However, the Blues are on course to compete down to the wire for a top four spot, have already reached a cup final, and are progressing comfortably in the Europa League. Yet, it all feels very tenuous.

FFC rating: 6/10

With Arsenal and Chelsea both fighting each other on so many of the same fronts this season, the battle between these two coaches could be season-defining. Whilst in the race for the top four and in terms of Europa League progress both clubs are neck and neck But, due to what’s been seen on the pitch in general, Arsenal fans have just a few more reasons to be cheerful.

[ad_pod ]

Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder’s rotation has been in full effect recently and saw Aston Villa loanee Scott Hogan secure his second successive start against Brentford on Tuesday night, but his substitution at half-time surely ensures once and for all that he has no future at Villa Park.

On the chalkboard

Well, the 26-year-old may well have been buoyed by the fact that Dean Smith arrived as Steve Bruce’s successor in 2018, given he enjoyed the best form of his career under the former Bees boss at Griffin Park previously, but it didn’t work out positively.

He had only played 90 minutes for the Blades prior to last weekend following his January loan move, but he doubled that total against Rotherham United before starting again for the visit of Brentford to Bramall Lane on Tuesday.

Being named on the team-sheet ahead of players like Billy Sharp and David McGoldrick was probably a tactic by Wilder to ensure that none of his strikers suffer burnout during the run-in, but it went badly for Hogan.

The 26-year-old was largely anonymous in the first half and despite the hosts going down to 10 men when his strike partner Gary Madine was sent off in the 35th minute, he was still pulled at half-time in place of David McGoldrick, who went on to find the net.

Who has been the Championship’s best player this season? The Pl>ymaker FC squad discuss in the video below…

What next for the striker?

He faces a battle to break back into the starting XI at Sheffield United, let alone at Villa.

The Republic of Ireland international was nowhere near to dislodging Jonathan Kodjia and Tammy Abraham if truth be told, and while the latter could return to Chelsea following the expiry of his own loan spell, it might not make too much difference to Hogan.

It is difficult to see him turning his career with the Midlands outfit given how badly his move has worked out so far, no matter what division they find themselves in next term.

[ad_pod ]

Arsenal fans are delighted at the prospect of welcoming back midfielder Lucas Torreira.

The combative Uruguay international has missed the Gunners’ last three Premier League outings because of suspension after being shown a red card in the 1-1 draw with bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur.

He has subsequently sat out the 2-0 victories over Manchester United and Newcastle United, as well as the 1-0 defeat to Everton at Goodison Park.

However, he is now available for selection once again and can play in Thursday’s Europa League quarter-final tie versus Napoli and may also feature in the Premier League trip to Watford this weekend.

Torreira had been ever-present for Unai Emery’s side in the top-flight before his dismissal against Spurs, playing in every single game.

Discipline, however, has been a problem, picking up six yellow cards in addition to his red.

Nevertheless, Arsenal fans are delighted at the prospect of the 23-year-old returning to action as the Gunners look to qualify for the Champions League.

Take a look at the best of the reaction below!

Pontus Jansson’s injury appears to have come at a fortunate time for Leeds United, given the international break which is set to commence with Euro 2020 qualifiers this week.

Leeds United confirmed on Monday morning that Jansson had to withdraw from the Swedish squad due to a knee injury he suffered against Sheffield United on Saturday and will begin rehab at the club this week. Indeed, the 28-year-old is expected to be sidelined for no more than three weeks, meaning he won’t miss a lot of Championship action given the international break.

Manager Marcelo Bielsa would be a relieved man after Jansson was forced to play both striker and goalkeeper against the Blades on Saturday, while carrying the knee injury. Jansson was unable to be substituted for treatment, because the Whites had used all of their allowed three bench players and he was forced to move to striker due to his inability to move freely.

The former Torino player than had to go in-goal after Kiko Casilla was red carded in stoppage time, certainly making it an eventful day at Elland Road.

Fortunately, Jansson only had to see out the game for a short period of time before the final whistle blew.

The international break now gives the defender – who everyone will agree is beyond crucial on his day – a good period to make a proper recovery before the club’s next match against Millwall at the end of the month.

But, Jansson could still be busy with his rehab that stage and his Argentine coach will be hoping he could be ready for the trip to Birmingham City early in April. The loss against Sheffield United have seen Leeds slip to third on the Championship table and given how good and consistent Jansson has been this season, Bielsa would need him back as soon as possible if Leeds were to secure automatic qualification to the Premier League next season.

Norwich City currently occupy first spot on the league table with a four-point gap over Sheffield and don’t look likely to give their place as leaders away.

Leeds need all the boosts they can get at this point and, strangely, an injury to one of their best players at the right time might actually be a good thing.

Leeds United fans, how likely is it you think you’ll be going up? If not, why not? Join the discussion by commenting below…

أعلن بيتسو موسيماني المدير الفني لفريق الكرة بالأهلي، عن إصابة لاعب جديد خلال مباراة الوداد المغربي مساء أمس في دوري أبطال إفريقيا، بعد مروان محسن.

وحقق الأهلي فوزًا مهمًا على حساب نظيره الوداد، في المباراة التي جمعت بينهما في ذهاب دور نصف النهائي بالبطولة القارية بهدفين دون رد سجلها محمد مجدي أفشة وعلي معلول.

وقال موسيماني في تصريحات للموقع الرسمي للنادي: “سعيد بعودة بعض اللاعبين من الإصابات كما حدث مع أحمد الشيخ ومحمود وحيد، وقريبا محمود كهربا الذي تعرض للإصابة في مباراة بيراميدز”.

طالع | كاف يختار أفضل لاعب في مباراة الأهلي والوداد بدوري أبطال إفريقيا

وأكمل: “لكن علينا التأكيد أيضًا أن مباراة أمس شهدت تعرض محمد مجدي أفشة لكدمة في أحد الضلوع خلال المباراة، إلى جانب مروان محسن الذي تعرض للإجهاد في عضلة السمانة”.

واختتم: “من ثم نسعى لإعداد أوراقنا بشكل جيد لمباراة العودة من أجل تحقيق هدفنا والصعود للمباراة النهائية من البطولة”.

وكانت قناة الأهلي قد كشفت أمس عن إصابة مروان محسن بشد خفيف، وأشارت إلى أنه سيخضع لعمليات استشفاء ليعود للتدريبات في الأيام المقبلة. 

يذكر، أن الأهلي يواجه الوداد المغربي في مباراة إياب نصف نهائي أبطال إفريقيا مساء يوم الجمعة المقبل على استاد القاهرة الدولي.

Liverpool could be without star player Sadio Mane next season as he reveals his lofty future ambitions.

Senegal international Sadio Mane has been absolutely sensational these past few weeks dragging Liverpool back to the top of the table with nine goals and 10 games – and it has not gone without notice.

Of course, it would be oversimplifying the monumental qualities of Mane by simply suggesting that his recent goalscoring exploits are the only attractive facet of Mane’s multi-dimensional game – for there are many – and Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane has reportedly been a long-term admirer.

According to a report from Spanish media outlet El Chiringuito TV a while ago, Real Madrid were in pole position to sign the player last season, after impressing them in the Champions League final, but were foiled at the last when Mane decided to stay in Merseyside. Indeed, some reports from France have gone as far to suggest that the deal was agreed in principle before the plug was pulled (France Football). So it is hardly surprising that rumours about the player’s potential future away from the club is resurfacing.

Zidane returning to Madrid as manager following a brief hiatus from the capital will surely be a turning point in the saga, as will Liverpool’s position at the end of the season.

According to France Football, Mane has spoken about his desire to win football’s most prestigious individual award, the Ballon d’Or, and as far as we are concerned Real Madrid is one of the few clubs in the world that can provide the perfect environment in which is can be won.

Reason to be worried for Liverpool fans.

Liverpool fans, do you fear the potential exit of Sadio Mane? Join the discussion by commenting below… 

West Brom fans are in need of some good news, with their club, seemingly, no closer to appointing a new manager following the dismissal of Darren Moore two weeks ago.

A return to fitness for, Tosin Adarabioyo and Kieran Gibbs — two of the Baggies’ key players — this season could provide them with something positive to talk about for a change.

The pair have played a big role in Albion’s season to date, and the extra week off for the international break has helped minimise the impact of the pair’s injuries.

Fans had hoped to be heralding a new manager during the break, but hearing that defensive duo should be available for their next game, a derby against rivals Birmingham, is a timely boost for them.

Albion’s head of science and medicine, Andy Leaver, told the club’s official website: “Kieran (hip) and Tosin (hamstring) are now back in training. They’ve worked hard over the break.”

Former Arsenal full-back Gibbs, who opted to stay at the Hawthorns following relegation, has played in 31 of the Baggies’ Championship games this season, before missing the last four, and weighing in with three goals and four assists this season, is the perfect fillip for caretaker manager James Shan.

Manchester City loanee, Adarabioyo, has been similarly impressive during his spell at the club, but with Albion managing clean sheets in both games that the 21-year-old has missed, it remains to be seen if Shan will alter things in the heart of his defence.

We think the duo’s return is a massive plus for West Brom’s run-in, but it is Gibbs’ return that is sure to please fans most.

He has been one of Albion’s most consistent players this year, and although his defensive performances have been solid, it is the added attacking threat that will help the Baggies on their likely road to Wembley, through the play-offs.

If the pair find their way back to the starting lineup, and help cement another win or two, the Albion board will almost certainly hand the manager’s job to the current caretaker boss.

Albion fans, is the return of your defensive pair good news for you during this drawn-out period of uncertainty? Let us know your opinion…

Manchester United’s bane this season has been their shambolic defending.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer might’ve slightly improved their defensive strength during the early stages of his previously interim period, yet reality’s hit him hard after being handed the job permanently.

For the second time in as many weeks, the Red Devils fell to a disappointing defeat at Molineux. Granted, Wolves have been their “bogey team”, to whom they drop points to almost regularly, doing so in the midst of a crunch top-four battle was unexpected.

Clearly, the Red Devils started the game with a storm and should’ve scored three goals in the first half-hour. That must be the most frustrating thing for the fans reading this right now, the fact that they’ve looked good enough to win the game, only to have it thrown away.

Under Jose Mourinho, there was no hope to cling onto. Under Solskjaer, it simply slips through their fingers.

Their inability to seal the deal struck them hard, mostly due to individual errors. Wolves sensed their defensive instability and pounced on them, exposing the weakness of the inconsistent Chris Smalling and Ashley Young. If this defeat proved anything, it’s that United need to work on strengthening their defensive quickly.

In the summer, their top-most priority should be bringing in quality defenders. They have some on their radars in Raphael Varane and Kalidou Koulibaly (as per the Independent), along with Aaron Wan-Bissaka (talkSPORT), and unless multiple world-class defenders are brought in, the similar cycle of despair will continue. Smalling and comedy partner in crime Phil Jones are too error-prone and simply not good enough to challenge for a title.

Elsewhere, neither Ashley Young or the departing Antonio Valencia are absolutely not captaincy material.

If Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is to take United back into the promised land, he needs to remove the liabilities constantly letting him down and Ed Woodward needs to replace them with big names. There’s the saying that defenders win titles and it’s one which couldn’t be more apt for the Red Devils in such troublesome times.

United fans, which defenders would you want to sign in the summer? Join the discussion by commenting below. 

[ad_pod ]

Jack Ross could make himself a Sunderland hero in the final months of the season with victory in the Checkatrade Trophy and a successful promotion bid, and he has made it clear that he will need to maximise his resources to see both jobs through.

What’s the word?

Sunderland look set to be boosted by the return of Bryan Oviedo and Chris Maguire during the crucial final weeks of the season.

Of his current injury problems Ross admitted that “Bryan is the one who’s closest”, per Northern Echo, but his broader assessment on the situation suggests that both Oviedo and Maguire will have key roles to play.

“I think they all understand they’re going to get opportunities between now and the end of the season because of the schedule we have.”

Following the EFL Trophy final, Ross will have nine games left to navigate to take the Black Cats back into the second tier. The dynamism from Maguire and the experience of Oviedo could be vital in achieving the club’s primary objective for the season.

Big roles to play for Maguire and Oviedo?

Sunderland’s schedule is looking hectic to say the least, with ten fixtures set to be played in the space of little more than a month.

That run starts at Wembley against Portsmouth in less than a fortnight’s time, and the relentless fixture list strongly suggests that Ross’ resources will be stretched at the end of a long season.

The former Everton man’s return will offer Ross the opportunity to rotate his full-backs, easing the physical burden which his absence would place on Reece James, while Maguire can ensure that Sunderland’s attacking unit remains fresh and unpredictable.

Duncan Watmore has unfortunately been ruled out for the season, but Ross’ latest admission suggests the players who are set to overcome their injury problems will be vital in the promotion race.

Modern football is a disaster, and Tottenham Hotspur are the evil purveyors of all things wrong in our game.

Picture this: the year is 2030 and the final reasonably priced blocks at *insert any Premier League stadium* have been replaced by cheese rooms, cinema screens, hotel suites, theme parks and gyms. Football has ceased to be about watching the sport and has devolved into a corporate playground within which the fans have become secondary to complimentary drinks and gift bags.

An array of all things sanitised have exploded onto the beautiful game stripping away the pure, unadulterated essence of what makes football so great.

Spurs’ new stadium may be a thing of beauty, and believe us, it is, but it has become a flagship for everything disastrously wrong in the modern game.

The “Tottenham Hotspur Stadium” – until it is otherwise named after some sort of deodorant, coffee brand, energy drink or airline company – boasts a number of pointless gimmicks.

Consisting of a cheese room, a “tunnel club” – where fans can gawp at players through a glass pane like a zoo, a microbrewery because, hey, clubs love fans drinking at games, an in-house bakery (?), a sky-lounge, and the feature we all have not been waiting for: USB ports bedded into the seats – ideal for those wanting to document their experience on social media.

Yes, Tottenham’s new project has become a hotbed for modern ploys. The stuff average lifelong fans never asked for but must suffer the consequences of.

According to TalkSport, most matchday tickers at £10 more than they were at Wembley, whilst Category B and C tickets are 30 to 50 per cent more expensive than they were at White Hart Lane. Fans being priced out of the game. Again.

If the aforementioned did not shock you enough, however, brace yourself for Spurs most recent announcement.

The Sun have reported that Tottenham are keen on hosting the Super Bowl and want to be ‘home the first NFL team outside the US’

“From the start we’ve had NFL  in mind,” said the club’s head of business development Aidan Mullally.

“The anchor tenant is Tottenham Hotspur, but this is designed to be a permanent home for the NFL outside the US.”

But why? What benefit will this bring to the lifelong fans of Tottenham? What will the average supporter gain from their increased ticket price? Why are Tottenham so utterly obsessed with satisfying the needs of other fans before their own?

There are so many questions that need answering.

Tottenham fans, what do you make of the NFL news? Join the discussion by commenting below…