With the season still a few weeks away, what is feedings the fans' appetite for action is the transfer coming in and out of their favourite club.
Indeed, there are some big signings which will make the coming season one of the most interesting in the history of the Premier League.
Let us take a look at some of the biggest transfer so far and we will only be covering new additions from abroad.
Granit Xhaka - Arsenal
After an impressive Euro 2016, Arsenal looks as if they have gotten a gem. Hard tackler with an eye for a pass, Xhaka will add much needed steel to a midfield brimming with good technical players.
Michy Batshuayi - Chelsea
Another of Belgium's impressive strikers. With 21 goals* and 9 assists*, Chelsea will be hoping they have found the new Didier Drogba.
Ilkay Gundogan - Manchester City
One of the best midfielders in Europe before injuries pampered his progress. If he can stay injury free and rediscover his form, Gundogan will be a firm crowd favourite.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic - Manchester United
Without doubt, the biggest signing thus far, Ibrahimovic brings with him goals and experience. Age might be catching up, but if he replicate his 47 goals* haul last season, the Red Devils have plenty to look forward to.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan - Manchester United
A front-line of Rooney, Ibrahimovic and Mkhitaryan will be handful for even the stingiest of defence. With 19 goals* and 11 assists*, the Armenian is worth every cents that the Red Devils has dished out.
Vincent Janssen - Tottenham
With 31 goals* for AZ Almaar, the Dutch international will help Kane share some of the goal scoring responsibilities. After coming so close last season, the white lilywhites that the new addition will be final puzzle to finally end their league title drought.
All statistics from WhoScored.com.
Monday, 25 July 2016
Wednesday, 13 July 2016
All hail Portugal
As EURO 2016 comes to an end, the soccer fans will go into hibernation mode until the season reopens in about a month's time.
Before that, let us take a look back at EURO 2016.
Due to the expanded format, we got smaller nations like Northern Ireland, Wales and Iceland taking part in a major tournament.
Credits to them, they performed admirably, especially Wales which went all the way to the semi-finals.
For the traditional powerhouses, they faced-off each other during the knock out stage.
Spain vs Italy, Italy vs Germany, Germany vs France, all "final worthy" match.
European champions had a few surprise winners in the past, most notably Denmark in 1992 and Greece in 2004. We can now add Portugal into the list.
After drawing all their group stage games, no one actually fancy the Portuguese. In fact, they have only won once, against Wales, over the course of 90mins.
But their defensive work put in an excellent shift which resulted in their first major senior silverware.
Therefore it is not surprising to see their best performing players being Raphael Guerreiro (7.45*), Pepe (7.38*) and Cedric Soares (7.34*).
Some might argue that this is anti-soccer, but defense is just as important as attack.
There are also some who said, Portugal is lucky to have gotten "weaker" opponents like Croatia, Poland and Wales enrouted to the final. But hey, you have to make your own luck.
They can say whatever they want, but at the end of the day, Portugal is the King of Europe.
* All statistics from WhoScored.com
Before that, let us take a look back at EURO 2016.
Due to the expanded format, we got smaller nations like Northern Ireland, Wales and Iceland taking part in a major tournament.
Credits to them, they performed admirably, especially Wales which went all the way to the semi-finals.
For the traditional powerhouses, they faced-off each other during the knock out stage.
Spain vs Italy, Italy vs Germany, Germany vs France, all "final worthy" match.
European champions had a few surprise winners in the past, most notably Denmark in 1992 and Greece in 2004. We can now add Portugal into the list.
After drawing all their group stage games, no one actually fancy the Portuguese. In fact, they have only won once, against Wales, over the course of 90mins.
But their defensive work put in an excellent shift which resulted in their first major senior silverware.
Therefore it is not surprising to see their best performing players being Raphael Guerreiro (7.45*), Pepe (7.38*) and Cedric Soares (7.34*).
Some might argue that this is anti-soccer, but defense is just as important as attack.
There are also some who said, Portugal is lucky to have gotten "weaker" opponents like Croatia, Poland and Wales enrouted to the final. But hey, you have to make your own luck.
They can say whatever they want, but at the end of the day, Portugal is the King of Europe.
* All statistics from WhoScored.com
Sunday, 10 July 2016
The country vs club enigmas
When it comes to selection for the national teams in a major tournament, there are usually two criteria. One, the form of the players in the season before the tournament and the other the big name players.
However, there are times whereby the club form cannot be translated into country form and vice-versa.
Let us take a look at 5 players who club form differs vastly when donning the national colours.
* All ratings provided by WhoScored.com
Aaron Ramsey
It will not be far-fetched if we are to say that Ramsey was Wales' most influential player in their march to the semi-finals. With four assists, one goal and a rating of 7.7, the midfielder is in WhoScored.com team of the tournament. In contrast, Ramsey managed only a rating of 7.21 for his club.
Olivier Giroud
Like his Arsenal team-mate, Giroud is one player the Gunners' fans will not be too upset to see leaving the club. The striker's form coincide with Arsenal mid-season slump and not many would have predicted his impact for France. With a club rating of 7.07 versus 7.60 for his country, he certainly made his selection justifiable.
Eden Hazard
Hazard and his Chelsea team had a torrid season which resulted a personal rating of 7.11 for the recently concluded season. But his rating of 7.92 shows that his form picked up during the course of Euro 2016.
Thibaut Courtois
Like team and country mate Hazard, Courtois had a poor season with a rating of 6.66. His improved performance for Belgium culminated in him being named in WhoScored.com team. His rating of 7.1 ranked him as the best performing goalkeeper.
Cristiano Ronaldo
The biggest name in Euro 2016, the Portuguese was expected to take the tournament by storm. After a quiet start, Ronaldo started to chip in some goals. But his tournament rating of 7.37 paled to his club form of 7.99.
Do you think of any players who should be in the list? Let us know by leaving your comments below.
Wednesday, 6 July 2016
Gathering of the master tacticians
While the best players like Messi and Ronaldo is plying their trade in the La Liga, the coming Premier League season will see some of the best tacticians fighting it out.
Pep Guardiola and Antonio Conte will take charge of Manchester City and Chelsea respectively while Jose Mourinho has return to the English game, this time, in charge of Manchester United.
The new season will also be Jurgen Klopp's first after he took over Liverpool in midway in the recently concluded season.
Add these names to the likes of Arsene Wenger, Claudio Ranieri and Mauricio Pochettino, we are looking at almost the whose who in the game.
How will they fare and who were come up on top? Statistics provided by WhoScored.com
Pep Guardiola - Bayern Munich (last season average rating: 7.13)
From Barcelona to Bayern Munich, it has been silverwares wherever Pep choose to be.
Backed by the richest club owner in the world, Pep and his Manchester City side will take some stopping.
Do not be surprise if they take a step further in the Champions League.
Antonio Conte - Italy
Italy has done reasonably well in Euro 2016 despite going out against World champions Germany, via a penalty shootout.
Much of the credit should go to Conte who got his tactics right and played to Italy's strength.
If there is one person who can get Chelsea clicking again, it will be the Italian.
Jose Mourinho - Manchester United
Chelsea's failure to defend their title won in 2015 was down to the dressing room unrest between Mourinho and the players. This resulted in the Portuguese getting the sacked.
A winner almost everywhere he goes, the Red Devils' fan will be expecting nothing less than the silverware.
The rebuilding has began and from the purchases made thus far, it does seems like Manchester United has what it takes to return to their glory days.
Jurgen Klopp - Liverpool (last season average rating: 6.91)
This will be the German first full season in charge of Liverpool. He have added some new additions and no doubt will be looking to impose his high pressing game.
If he can do it successfully and with another few quality signings, the team will be a real threat. But till then, top four should be their target.
Arsene Wenger - Arsenal (last season average rating: 7.08)
In a season that promise so much, the Gunners got hit with an ever-so familiar spring collapse that derailed their title charge.
Beside being rather one-dimensional in their play, Wenger has failed to address the weakness of his squad. Very much will depends on what Wenger does in the transfer market.
It seems unlikely that the trend will change and the wait for the title will stretch on.
Claudio Ranieri - Leicester City (last season average rating: 7.06)
The Italian did the impossible last season when he led Leicester to glory. Deploying a counter-attack strategy, the Foxes sweep aside all opponents enroute to the Premier League title.
However, with the extra commitments in the form of the Champions League, there is fear that the team might not have the resources compete in both fronts.
They created a fairy tale and the tale will end in the new season.
Mauricio Pochettino - Tottenham (last season average rating: 7.01)
Tottenham pushed Leicester City hard for the title last season only to suffer their usual end of the season collapse.
While the Lilywhites provided some great entertainment, expecting them to close the gap will be asking too much.
Pep Guardiola and Antonio Conte will take charge of Manchester City and Chelsea respectively while Jose Mourinho has return to the English game, this time, in charge of Manchester United.
The new season will also be Jurgen Klopp's first after he took over Liverpool in midway in the recently concluded season.
Add these names to the likes of Arsene Wenger, Claudio Ranieri and Mauricio Pochettino, we are looking at almost the whose who in the game.
How will they fare and who were come up on top? Statistics provided by WhoScored.com
Pep Guardiola - Bayern Munich (last season average rating: 7.13)
From Barcelona to Bayern Munich, it has been silverwares wherever Pep choose to be.
Backed by the richest club owner in the world, Pep and his Manchester City side will take some stopping.
Do not be surprise if they take a step further in the Champions League.
Antonio Conte - Italy
Italy has done reasonably well in Euro 2016 despite going out against World champions Germany, via a penalty shootout.
Much of the credit should go to Conte who got his tactics right and played to Italy's strength.
If there is one person who can get Chelsea clicking again, it will be the Italian.
Jose Mourinho - Manchester United
Chelsea's failure to defend their title won in 2015 was down to the dressing room unrest between Mourinho and the players. This resulted in the Portuguese getting the sacked.
A winner almost everywhere he goes, the Red Devils' fan will be expecting nothing less than the silverware.
The rebuilding has began and from the purchases made thus far, it does seems like Manchester United has what it takes to return to their glory days.
Jurgen Klopp - Liverpool (last season average rating: 6.91)
This will be the German first full season in charge of Liverpool. He have added some new additions and no doubt will be looking to impose his high pressing game.
If he can do it successfully and with another few quality signings, the team will be a real threat. But till then, top four should be their target.
Arsene Wenger - Arsenal (last season average rating: 7.08)
In a season that promise so much, the Gunners got hit with an ever-so familiar spring collapse that derailed their title charge.
Beside being rather one-dimensional in their play, Wenger has failed to address the weakness of his squad. Very much will depends on what Wenger does in the transfer market.
It seems unlikely that the trend will change and the wait for the title will stretch on.
Claudio Ranieri - Leicester City (last season average rating: 7.06)
The Italian did the impossible last season when he led Leicester to glory. Deploying a counter-attack strategy, the Foxes sweep aside all opponents enroute to the Premier League title.
However, with the extra commitments in the form of the Champions League, there is fear that the team might not have the resources compete in both fronts.
They created a fairy tale and the tale will end in the new season.
Mauricio Pochettino - Tottenham (last season average rating: 7.01)
Tottenham pushed Leicester City hard for the title last season only to suffer their usual end of the season collapse.
While the Lilywhites provided some great entertainment, expecting them to close the gap will be asking too much.
Tuesday, 5 July 2016
Is the Premier League players setting Euro 2016 alight?
While England has been knocked out of Euro 2016, the Premier League is still very much represented in the semi-finals of the tournament.
Except for Germany, the rest of the nations does not have a fantastic league. So it is not surprising to see most of the players from Portugal, France and Wales plying their trade in a foreign league.
But what is surprising is the team with the most number of players still in Euro 2016, aside from Bayern Munich (8), is Crystal Palace.
The London club has 5 players. Mandanda and Yohan Cabaye for France, and Wayne Hennessey, Joe Ledley and Jonathan Williams for Wales.
Looking at the rest of the Premier League clubs, we have
Arsenal (4)
Olivier Giroud (France), Laurent Koscielny (France), Aaron Ramsey (Wales) and Mesut Ozil (Germany)
Liverpool (3)
Joe Allen (Wales), Danny Ward (Wales) Emre Can (Germany)
Manchester United (3)
Bastian Schweinsteiger (Germany), Anthony Martial (France) and Morgan Schneiderlin (France)
Manchester City (2)
Ellaquim Mangala (France), Barcary Sagna (France)
Southampton (2)
Cedric (Portugal), Jose Fonte (Portugal)
West Ham (2)
Dimitri Payet (France), James Collins (Wales)
Leicester (2)
N'Golo Kante (France), Andy King (Wales)
Tottenham (2)
Hugo Lloris (France), Ben Davis (Wales)
West Brom (1)
James Chester (Wales)
Swansea (2)
Neil Taylor (Wales), Ashley Williams (Wales)
While this is quite a number of players, how many of them are playing regularly and making a mark in the tournament?
Since soccer is all about goals, we will take a look first in that department (all statistics provided by WhoScored.,com).
With three goals each, Olivier Giroud and Dimitri Payet are the only two players in the top 10 goal scorers.
Next up is assist and in this department, Aaron Ramsey (4) and Dimitri Payet (2) ranks among the top 5 high "assister".
In terms of overall performance, only Payet, with an average rating of 8.37, rank in the top 5.
So, quantity over quality in this sense? Let us know by commenting below.
Except for Germany, the rest of the nations does not have a fantastic league. So it is not surprising to see most of the players from Portugal, France and Wales plying their trade in a foreign league.
But what is surprising is the team with the most number of players still in Euro 2016, aside from Bayern Munich (8), is Crystal Palace.
The London club has 5 players. Mandanda and Yohan Cabaye for France, and Wayne Hennessey, Joe Ledley and Jonathan Williams for Wales.
Looking at the rest of the Premier League clubs, we have
Arsenal (4)
Olivier Giroud (France), Laurent Koscielny (France), Aaron Ramsey (Wales) and Mesut Ozil (Germany)
Liverpool (3)
Joe Allen (Wales), Danny Ward (Wales) Emre Can (Germany)
Manchester United (3)
Bastian Schweinsteiger (Germany), Anthony Martial (France) and Morgan Schneiderlin (France)
Manchester City (2)
Ellaquim Mangala (France), Barcary Sagna (France)
Southampton (2)
Cedric (Portugal), Jose Fonte (Portugal)
West Ham (2)
Dimitri Payet (France), James Collins (Wales)
Leicester (2)
N'Golo Kante (France), Andy King (Wales)
Tottenham (2)
Hugo Lloris (France), Ben Davis (Wales)
West Brom (1)
James Chester (Wales)
Swansea (2)
Neil Taylor (Wales), Ashley Williams (Wales)
While this is quite a number of players, how many of them are playing regularly and making a mark in the tournament?
Since soccer is all about goals, we will take a look first in that department (all statistics provided by WhoScored.,com).
With three goals each, Olivier Giroud and Dimitri Payet are the only two players in the top 10 goal scorers.
Next up is assist and in this department, Aaron Ramsey (4) and Dimitri Payet (2) ranks among the top 5 high "assister".
In terms of overall performance, only Payet, with an average rating of 8.37, rank in the top 5.
So, quantity over quality in this sense? Let us know by commenting below.
Thursday, 18 February 2016
LVG facing the sack
The pressure is mounting on Louis Van Gaal after Manchester United suffered back-to-back defeat, first at relegation-threatened Sunderland followed by FC Midtjylland.
The question now on everyone's lip is, if Van Gaal is an upgrade of David Moyes. Let us take a look at the results under both managers.
Louis Van Gaal
Played 51 Win 28 Draw 12 Lose 11 Win %: 54.90
David Moyes
Played 51 Win 27 Draw 9 Lose 15 Win %: 52.94
Van Gaal's win percentage of 54.90% is just slightly better than Moyes' 52.94. But the amount of investments made by the former is almost 4 times as much, £249.6m compared to £67.7m.
With such heavy spendings, the fans have every right to demand better performances from their team.
Are they really that bad?
Based on WhoScored.com, the Red Devils garnered an average rating of 6.83, 56% of possession, 10.2 shots conceded per game and 11.6 shots per game for themselves.
Hardly vintage Manchester United at her peak.
They are now six points away from Manchester City who occupied the fourth position. The prospect of missing out on the Champions
League position is real.
When this becomes a reality, one would expect Van Gaal to be shown the door.
In fact, there are rumours going around that the Dutchman will be sack soon and replace by Jose Mourinho. The appointment could happen as early as before Arsenal trip to Old Trafford.
The question now on everyone's lip is, if Van Gaal is an upgrade of David Moyes. Let us take a look at the results under both managers.
Louis Van Gaal
Played 51 Win 28 Draw 12 Lose 11 Win %: 54.90
David Moyes
Played 51 Win 27 Draw 9 Lose 15 Win %: 52.94
Van Gaal's win percentage of 54.90% is just slightly better than Moyes' 52.94. But the amount of investments made by the former is almost 4 times as much, £249.6m compared to £67.7m.
With such heavy spendings, the fans have every right to demand better performances from their team.
Are they really that bad?
Based on WhoScored.com, the Red Devils garnered an average rating of 6.83, 56% of possession, 10.2 shots conceded per game and 11.6 shots per game for themselves.
Hardly vintage Manchester United at her peak.
They are now six points away from Manchester City who occupied the fourth position. The prospect of missing out on the Champions
League position is real.
When this becomes a reality, one would expect Van Gaal to be shown the door.
In fact, there are rumours going around that the Dutchman will be sack soon and replace by Jose Mourinho. The appointment could happen as early as before Arsenal trip to Old Trafford.
Tuesday, 16 February 2016
Heroics return for double strikers
Heroics return for double strikers
Wahbi Khazri put relegation threatened side, Sunderland, ahead only for Anthony Martial to level the score for Manchester United. But a late own goal by David De Gea condemned the Red Devils to another defeat.
Giannelli Imbula Wanga, Ibrahim Afellay and Joselu gave Stoke City a 3-0 lead at Dean Court while Matt Ritchie scored a consolation goal for Bournemouth.
Troy Deeney scored from the penalty spot to put Watford ahead but Emmanuel Adebayor equalised for Crystal Palace on the stroke of half time. Troy Deeney then scored his second of the match and Palace's hopes for rescuing a point were dashed when Pape Ndiaye Souare got himself sent off.
Jose Salomon Rondon scored the only goal of the game to give West Brom a 1-0 away victory over Everton.
Robert Brady and Wesley Hoolahan gave Norwich a 2-0 lead over West Ham, but Dimitri Payet pulled a goal back. The comeback was completed three minutes later when Mark Noble made it 2-2.
A second-half goal from Shane Long was enough for Southampton as they left the Liberty Stadium with all three points.
Gus Hiddink unbeaten run as Chelsea's manager continues as the Blues defeated Newcastle 5-1. Diego Costa opened the scoring and Pedro added a second. Willian then made it 3-0 before Pedro scored his second. Bertrand Traore completed the rout with the fifth and Andros Townsend scored a consolation goal for away side.
Jamie Vardy scored a debatable penalty on the stroke of half time. Theo Walcott equalised for Arsenal after Leicester's Danny Simpson got himself sent-off for two yellow cards offences. Danny Welback, on his first game back after a 10 months laid off, headed home the winner with virtually the last kick of the game.
Liverpool got their biggest win of the season at cellar club Aston Villa. Daniel Sturridge, in his first start in two months, opened the floodgate and James Milner added the second. Further goals from Emre Can, Divock Origi, Nathaniel Clyne and Kolo Toure complete a miserable day for the Villans.
In another top of the table clash, Tottenham took the lead through a Harry Kane's controversial penalty. Kelechi Iheanacho levelled the score for Manchester City but Christian Eriksen scored the winning goal after a delightful pass from Lamela.
Top five performing team *
Arsenal: 7.07
Leicester: 7.04
Tottenham: 7.02
Man City: 6.99
Everton: 6.96
Top five performing players *
Riyad Mahrez (Leicester): 7.90
Mesut Ozil (Arsenal): 7.79
Dimitri Payet (West Ham): 7.67
Mousa Dembele (Tottenham): 7.66
Virgil van Dijk (Southampton): 7.62
* all statistics provided by WhoScored.com
Wahbi Khazri put relegation threatened side, Sunderland, ahead only for Anthony Martial to level the score for Manchester United. But a late own goal by David De Gea condemned the Red Devils to another defeat.
Giannelli Imbula Wanga, Ibrahim Afellay and Joselu gave Stoke City a 3-0 lead at Dean Court while Matt Ritchie scored a consolation goal for Bournemouth.
Troy Deeney scored from the penalty spot to put Watford ahead but Emmanuel Adebayor equalised for Crystal Palace on the stroke of half time. Troy Deeney then scored his second of the match and Palace's hopes for rescuing a point were dashed when Pape Ndiaye Souare got himself sent off.
Jose Salomon Rondon scored the only goal of the game to give West Brom a 1-0 away victory over Everton.
Robert Brady and Wesley Hoolahan gave Norwich a 2-0 lead over West Ham, but Dimitri Payet pulled a goal back. The comeback was completed three minutes later when Mark Noble made it 2-2.
A second-half goal from Shane Long was enough for Southampton as they left the Liberty Stadium with all three points.
Gus Hiddink unbeaten run as Chelsea's manager continues as the Blues defeated Newcastle 5-1. Diego Costa opened the scoring and Pedro added a second. Willian then made it 3-0 before Pedro scored his second. Bertrand Traore completed the rout with the fifth and Andros Townsend scored a consolation goal for away side.
Jamie Vardy scored a debatable penalty on the stroke of half time. Theo Walcott equalised for Arsenal after Leicester's Danny Simpson got himself sent-off for two yellow cards offences. Danny Welback, on his first game back after a 10 months laid off, headed home the winner with virtually the last kick of the game.
Liverpool got their biggest win of the season at cellar club Aston Villa. Daniel Sturridge, in his first start in two months, opened the floodgate and James Milner added the second. Further goals from Emre Can, Divock Origi, Nathaniel Clyne and Kolo Toure complete a miserable day for the Villans.
In another top of the table clash, Tottenham took the lead through a Harry Kane's controversial penalty. Kelechi Iheanacho levelled the score for Manchester City but Christian Eriksen scored the winning goal after a delightful pass from Lamela.
Top five performing team *
Arsenal: 7.07
Leicester: 7.04
Tottenham: 7.02
Man City: 6.99
Everton: 6.96
Top five performing players *
Riyad Mahrez (Leicester): 7.90
Mesut Ozil (Arsenal): 7.79
Dimitri Payet (West Ham): 7.67
Mousa Dembele (Tottenham): 7.66
Virgil van Dijk (Southampton): 7.62
* all statistics provided by WhoScored.com
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