Chelsea’s latest big game defeats, this time a double whammy delivered by Kenny Dalglish’s Liverpool in the league and League Cup, and a Champions League defeat to Bayer Leverkusen, prove that a complete revamp of the starting XI (and squad) is needed by the start of next season.  For now, the focus for André Villas-Boas’ team is securing a Champions League place, but one eye must be on how he can refresh the aging squad that he has inherited.

]AC Milan, in the years prior to last season’s Scudetto triumph, weren’t able to re-invigorate their squad in a timely fashion.  Instead, Rossoneri fans were forced to endure a stretch in which their thirty-somethings were routinely exposed by an Inter side which was bringing through players such as Mario Balotelli and Diego Milito.  It has been a similar experience for Stamford Bridge faithful in the current Premier League campaign.

While Frank Lampard is playing well at the moment after being dropped by Villas-Boas for the game against Swansea, the same can’t be said for the rest of the veterans.  While the pundits are quick to point out any mistake which David Luiz makes, it is surprising that John Terry isn’t being grilled in like fashion, especially as he is having a very poor season.

Personally, I thought that Luiz handled the very slippery Luis Suarez very well, most notably in the league match two weekends gone.  That Phil Dowd denied his appeals for a penalty in the Cup tie doesn’t take away from his ability to contribute at both ends.  He also denied Maxi Rodriguez superbly on Tuesday evening.

Terry, though, looks slow on and off the ball, is making unusual mistakes and looks to be shell of the player who was named in the FIFAPRO World XI five times in a row.  He was terribly exposed against the Reds, with the attempted slide tackle on Jordan Henderson and his inability to win a 50-50 against Dirk Kuyt summing up his Sunday.

Nor is Ashley Cole looking as solid this year.   He was caught hopelessly out of position numerous times in attempting to deal with Kuyt and Glen Johnson.  On Tuesday, at least, the pressure was coming from the opposite side, where Craig Bellamy delivered an emotionally charged performance in tribute to his friend Gary Speed, who sadly took his leave of this world on the weekend.

While Didier Drogba and Florent Malouda enjoyed improved performances against Liverpool, it is difficult to envision them lining up for the Blues in 2012, especially Drogba.  Like Terry, the Ivorian is a shadow of the player he once was.  It is quite sad to see the decline of two players who have meant so much to Chelsea over the years.

Yet, as well as replacing the old guard with capable younger players, Villas-Boas must also rid his squad of its dead wood.  Sir Alex Ferguson must be thanking Chelsea every day that they saved him from buying John Obi Mikel a couple of years ago.  At one point seen as the replacement for Claude Makelele, Mikel has become a liability whenever he is on the field.  When you are getting outplayed by Charlie Adam — who looks as though he took a wrong turn after punching the time clock, kit and boots over his shoulder, late for his pub league match — there is no way you should be even mentioned in the same breath as Makelele.

Mikel may have once been the most accurate passer in the Premier League two years running, but he is making up for that now.  The holding midfield player for Chelsea needs to dictate the tempo of the game, no matter the opponent, disrupting the opponents attack and creating chances at the opposite end.  Despite being afforded numerous opportunities, the Nigerian has proven inadequate at both.

Solomon Kalou and Jose Bosingwa are two other players who should find themselves leaving the club in the near future.  Although they have had their moments, their careers show every sign of being on the decline.  If Chelsea do indeed get rid of Drogba, Anelka, Malouda, Bosingwa, Mikel, Kalou, and maybe even Alex, then replacements will be needed.

Even though it failed to pay immediate dividends, playing talented youngsters Josh McEachran, Ryan Bertrand, Oriol Romeu and Romelu Lukaku was the right thing for Villas-Boas to do in the rematch against the Anfield crew.  Their lack of experience showed late on, but a bit of post-holiday shopping may augment that.

Signing Gary Cahill and a winger in the January transfer window would be a good start for Villas-Boas. With those two additions, a 4-2-3-1 formation may get the best out of Fernando Torres, but perhaps more importantly it will maximise Juan Mata’s effectiveness.  The latter Spaniard is the only Chelsea player providing stellar outings on a consistent basis.

While the £50 million invested in Torres suggests that he should be the squad’s cornerstone, it has now become apparent that the team should be built around Mata, in his advanced role behind the strikers.  While two players in the winter window may stabilise the current situation, it will likely take further renovations in the summer to complete the project.  The question is, will the embattled Portuguese manager survive long enough to finish what he’s begun?

As Liverpool did not have a match at the weekend, due to the international fixtures, and there is now a steady stream of games which carry well into the new year, this seems as good a time as any to asses the Reds’first team to see who has performed well, and who still has room to improve. Actually, in some cases, it may be a bit of both, but by the end of this so-called analysis I will have selected my preferred line up.

For starters, I think there are four of the starting eleven who are nailed on for a berth for the vast majority of games: Pepe Reina in goal, Jose Enrique at left-back, Lucas Leiva as the holding midfielder, and of course Ballon D’Or nominee Luis Suárez up front.

Reserve keeper Alexander Doni hasn’t even played in the Carling Cup games against lower league opposition, so it’s impossible to make a case for him.

Enrique has been a revelation at left-back, as regular readers are probably tired of me saying, so that has meant very few opportunities for the likes of Fabio Aurelio (gifted but often injured) or Jack Robinson (gifted but, at 17, a little green).

Similarly, Jay Spearing hasn’t had many opportunities to dislodge Lucas from his defensive midfield position; indeed, even when the Brazilian was suspended, little Jay was not selected. I still think there is an important role for him, but more on that later.

In attack, Suárez continues to go from strength to strength, and whilst his finishing could perhaps do with a little work, his four goals in one match against Chile at the weekend will have given his confidence a timely boost, with Chelsea (twice) and Manchester City on the horizon.

So as I said, four starting places are obvious, but what about the rest?

I am becoming more and more convinced that Martin Kelly should be Liverpool’s first choice at right-back ahead of Glen Johnson. Kelly is the better defensively of the two, and Liverpool have been creating chances by the  bucket load anyway, so I don’t think Johnson’s sharper attacking skills would be too dearly missed. Kelly displayed that he’s capable of going forward, too, for England Under 21s recently, contributing a fine goal against Iceland.

Centre-back provides an interesting conundrum for me. All things being equal, Daniel Agger would be the first name I’d put down. However, much like Aurelio, injuries frequently prevent him from putting in a decent run in the team. At the end of last season, though, the team went six hundred twenty-four minutes without conceding whilst Agger was on the pitch, so he’s still a must-pick for me.

The other defensive space is a tricky one too. Up until very recently, I’d have said Jamie Carragher without a blink of an eye. If nothing else, his organizational ability is one reason to have him in your XI. However, he turns thirty-four early next year, and the team have shown they can cope without him in tricky environments (the second half of the away match at Stoke in the Carling Cup being exhibit A for the prosecution). I am therefore awarding my other centre-back place to Martin Skrtel.  The Slovakian played every single minute in the league last season, and whilst he’s not without his flaws, is a better long-term bet than Bootle boy Carragher.

On to the midfield options. Charlie Adam has impressed me in a lot of ways, though only really in an attacking sense. He has two assists already this season from set-plays, which is an area Liverpool have struggled from in recent times, but on the other hand he regularly appears to run out of steam around the hour mark, and he offers so little defensively that Lucas is picking up soft bookings covering for him.

This is where Jay Spearing may pop up again. If Kenny Dalglish is to persist with a two-man central midfield, then in my opinion Spearing needs to take the second berth alongside Lucas to ensure there is balance to the team. That has been the formation in the Carling Cup games, and the quality of opposition notwithstanding, the team has looked better for it.

For left midfield, I would persist with Stewart Downing. I wrote on my blog recently that his statistics are comparable, and indeed mostly better, than last season at Aston Villa when he was their fans’ player of the year, so I think he will come good in due course. He just needs a little luck.

On the right, whilst this might seem a slightly maverick choice, I would pick Maxi Rodriguez. The Argentine is a very clever player on his day, and can often make the difference against a team defending deeply. Whilst Jordan Henderson hasn’t done a huge amount wrong, he has looked better in his cameo appearances in centre midfield, so I would keep him on the bench as an option to play there.

Why not Dirk Kuyt in right midfield? Because I would play him up front in tandem with Suárez. Whilst I have a lot of faith in Andy Carroll, and I’m confident he will become a top striker in the forthcoming years, I can’t escape the fact that the Reds played some scintillating football last season whilst employing the Suárez/Kuyt combination. Liverpool put five goals past the likes of Birmingham and Fulham with that duo up top, so I think they should be given a chance this season.

What, no Steven Gerrard? The captain has few bigger fans than me, but with his poor fitness record I feel he has to be relegated to the bench. That said, nothing would make me happier than to revise this side in a few months and be forced to include Gerrard due to the power of his performances.

At any right, a bench of Doni, Johnson, Carragher, Adam, Henderson, Bellamy and Carroll looks pretty good.  Of course, I’m sure Kenny will pick an entirely different side than me for the forthcoming Chelsea game; he usually does, and Liverpool usually do well.  So, what do I know?

Statistics sourced from EPLIndex. Read more of Andrew Beasley @ basstunedtored.com

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Real football is back and thank goodness for that.  Scheduling international matches this early in the season is ridiculous and takes the sheen off a highly anticipated new season, but that’s a rant for another day…

This week saw the return to training of Liverpool’s talismanic skipper, Steven Gerrard, with a new and improved groin muscle in tow. Gerrard has been missing for over six months, his last competitive display for the Reds occurring in the 3-1 victory over fierce rivals Manchester United. The game is remembered as Luis Suarez warning shot to the rest of the Premier League.

It’s highly doubtful whether Gerrard will ever get back to the levels he showed from 2007-2009, but if he can return to just eighty percent of his peak performance, then Kenny Dalglish will still have a world class player at his disposal.  I’ve been looking forward to seeing a fully fit Stevie G team up with Luis Suarez, all summer, and touting him to become part of the front three in the new line-up.  However, since the start of the season, a few issues have reared their heads, most notably the stellar form of Dirk Kuyt and Stewpot Downing.

The skipper could play in the front line but who makes way? The mercurial Suarez? …not a chance. The hard grafting oft underestimated Dirk Kuyt? …..nope. The direct, pacy Stewart Downing? ….I would hope not. It seems that the new squad has just taken the pitch and there’s no room for Gerrard already, even without mentioning the much maligned Andy Carroll and Craig “I have a point to prove” Bellamy.

So where does Captain Fantastic fit in when he does eventually regain his fitness? Glancing over the LFC team sheets for the start of the Premiership campaign, there’s only one player who hasn’t fully made his case to be first choice game in and game out.   That is the nonetheless improving Jordan Henderson.

One qualm Dalglish might have with taking the young Englishman out of the side is the confidence factor. Personally, I didn’t see much of Henderson at Sunderland, but, during his time thus far at Melwood, he gives the impression of being a player who thrives on confidence. Each solid performance seemingly builds upon the last. On U21 duty, he bettered his first goal of the season at the next chance of asking. Being dropped from the team, even for someone as influential as Gerrard, could deal the Twenty-one year old a knockout of sorts.   Still, a hard choice has to be made and few people can keep a player’s confidence up like Dalglish.

Liverpool may get even more out of Gerrard than before, because they now have the grafters to help him carry the club. The days of Gerrard dragging the Red of Merseyside on his back, all by his lonesome, are coming to an end. The acquisition of willing runners (Downing, Jose Enrique, Suarez, Bellamy, Henderson) to compliment the hard workers already at the club (Lucas, Kuyt, Kelly) means Stevie G no longer has to be ever-present all over the pitch.   He can now conserve his energy, holding that burst of pace in reserve for when it really matters. In bygone days, he was popping up all over the pitch, a whirling dervish feeding energy to the rest of the side.  Now, he may become the calm at the center of the storm, directing the chaos to where it will be most effective.

The international break also saw Stewart Downing couple his impressive start to life on Merseyside, with two outstanding displays for England. The left winger is another of LFC’s recent ‘high-priced’acquisitions. Downing bagged an assist in each of the national side’s two qualifiers, planting a corner onto Rooney’s head for the second goal v Bulgaria and playing a delightful right wing cut back to Ashley Young for the only goal v Wales.

The former Villain’s versatility and movement has made him borderline indispensable at Liverpool and translating the form he’s shown so far to the international stage will help drive that point home in Fabio Capello’s line-ups. Downing can figure in many a plan.  Need a left winger?… sorted; need a right winger?… no problem; bit short in the middle?…  he can do that too.  Ben Foster and Robert Green don’t feel like turning out?… okay, that may be taking it too far.

Let’s say that you want to change style during a game, though.  We’ve all seen how England and LFC have been playing with three interchanging attacking midfielders just behind the main striker.  It’s a style in which the Teesside native flourishes. He can also perform the more traditionally balanced role by sticking to the touch-line, whipping in crosses and providing cover to the fullback.   Because that was how he was employed at Aston Villa, many critics made the mistake of assuming that was the limit of his ability.  Never make assumptions.

The one thing that Downing lacks is goals.  Bars have been hit, saves have been forced but that first goal still eludes the winger.  Only thirty-six in three hundred and twenty-four games doesn’t make for impressive reading, but ,with the licence to roam that has been handed down from the LFC coaching staff, that record could yet be improved.  There is also the motivation of Charlie Adam and Henderson already having opened their respective accounts in the 3-1 domination of Bolton Wanderers.

King Kenny has trimmed the excess in midfield, by loaning out Alberto Aquilani and selling Raul Mereiles, but he now has to incorporate a competent attacking unit from the wide range of options still available, while also keeping everyone happy.  Maybe he’ll take a page from Mitch Hennesy (Samuel L. Jackson).

Stewpot on the left, da-da, da-dum,
Stevie G on the right, da-da, da-dum,
Win the league title?
Who knows, we just might!

Daniel Doran moderates on The Football Net.

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Last week, Daniel Doran voiced the opinion that the Andy Carroll project has cost Liverpool £85 million, so far, adding the costs of Jordan Henderson, Stewart Downing, Charlie Adam and Jose Enrique to that of the Geordie giant himself.

I began to wonder how accurate that figure is and how much the Fenway Sports Group has actually invested in terms of player acquisitions?

Carroll cost £35 million, in a move that was funded by the sale of Fernando Torres — remember him?  In my opinion, Chelsea’s desperation for the Spaniard was brilliantly exploited more so by Newcastle than by Liverpool, as they would have never wrangled such a figure for Carroll from John W Henry, or anyone else, otherwise.

The sale of the under-achieving Ryan Babel — and if you don’t remember Nando… — to Hoffenheim for £6 million and the purchase of Luis Suarez from Ajax for £23 million translated into roughly £2 million in net spending for the Reds during the winter window.

Thus, the strike force was remolded into a younger outfit with greater potential, at minimal expense. The summer business was therefore going to require further investment to add creativity to a fairly static (read slow) midfield. But at what cost?

Downing allegedly cost £20 million.  New left-back — and for what its worth, the player I think has been the best of the summer signings —  Jose Enrique came to Anfield from Newcastle for £7 million — Mike Ashley has certainly made a living from FSG, hasn’t he?  Throw in Adam and Sebastian Coates, also for  £7 million apiece, Henderson for £16 million, plus the free signings of Doni and Craig Bellamy, and the total bill comes to £57 million.

Of course, as fans, we never know the exact cost of players, and LFC has a policy of keeping them under wraps. For example, it amuses me that most people around Anfield say that Sunderland received only £16 million for Henderson, whereas Black Cats supporters and the London-based media claim that it was nearer £20 million.

It may seem unimportant, but when the cost of a player is used by the press as a stick with which to beat a club if said player is not scoring a perfect ten in their Dream Team ratings every week, it can often affect that player’s performance. Just ask £35 million man Carroll, who is on the bench with just three goals in his Liverpool account after a half season.

It’s interesting, too, that other managers recycle the prices they read in the papers.  Commenting on Liverpool’s first goal against Bolton, their manager Owen Coyle told the BBC:

“Tremendous finish from Jordan Henderson, [I] suppose that’s why you pay £20 million — for an exquisite finish like that.”

If neither club disclosed the fee, then where does the Bolton gaffer come up with that number? Now, Owen Coyle is one of the best managers in the English game and I am not leveling a cheap shot at him; I’m just making the point that it’s everyone, not just the fans, who take on faith what they read in the back pages.

Worse, Wayne Bridge believed what reporters told him about Vanessa Perroncel and John Terry, despite the fact that it was all based upon one visit by Terry to his friend’s estranged wife, in broad daylight.  They were not seen acting romantically, holding hands, kissing and giggling publicly or jetting off to some exotic island; it was just Terry popping in to see how Ms. Perroncel was holding up after she and his best friend had split up that an opportunistic hack used to his own benefit.

Yet, the world was all too prepared to believe the worst and it was a year later before even one responsible reporter was willing to examine the facts.  In the meantime, reputations were irreparably damaged and a family was torn apart, as was the England national team.

So what, then, if Liverpool do have a few £20 million players in their ranks these days?  When Statler and Waldorf — aka Hicks and Gillet — were in charge, the tabloids were bemoaning Liverpool’s reluctance to invest; now they’re spending too much?  Give me a break.  Maybe one day, the general public will have the intelligence to be insulted.

As well, teams such as Manchester United and Chelsea have been making dubious investments for years. Liverpool may have a £35m pound striker they haven’t got the best out of yet, but down the East Lancs Road there is a certain £31 million Bulgarian who is lucky to make the bench most weeks.  Hell, you have to go to Turkey, these days, to find United’s £7 million wunderkind, Bebe.

So £57 million went out this summer, but what came back in? Coincidentally, I estimate it to be around about £20 million.  The slightly surprising sale of Raul Meireles for £12 million brought in the bulk of that.   David N’gog (£4 million) and Paul Konchesky (£1.5 million) were the other significant sales. Various younger players, such as Ayala, Bruna and Mavinga, all brought in a few quid each, and, of course, with the impending wave of UEFA’s Financial Fair Play approaching the shore, John W Henry will be as pleased as the fans to see the back of Milan Jovanovic and Joe Cole, with their ‘reported’£210k weekly wages, combined, now on someone else’s books.

Put all that together, and in the last two transfer windows, the FSG net spend comes in at about £40 million.

That’s the cost to replace a sulky Fernando Torres with the electric and irrepressible Luis Suárez; exchange the erratic Babel for the power and potential of Andy Carroll; be shed of the woefully slow Christian Poulsen and add the incisive passing and set-piece ability of Charlie Adam; permanently rest the huffing-and-puffing, seemingly unfit Joe Cole and engage the speedy, tireless wing-play of Stewart Downing; off load the unrealised potential of the overly polite David N’gog and bring on board the proven ability and fiery character of Craig Bellamy; substitute the timid, unsure play of Paul Konchesky for the powerful Bull in the china shop, Jose Enrique; and upgrade the fully developed but average and reluctant twenty-eight year old Portuguese Raul Meireles with the decent but potentially better — and importantly, with regard to the home-grown rule, English — twenty-one year-old Jordan Henderson.

Seems like a bargain-and-a-half to me.  Of course, the transition isn’t complete, as there is still the estimated £20 million purchase of Alberto Aquilani, by the <ahem>  previous regime, weighing down the balance sheet.  So, if anyone ever asks you how much damage Hicks and Gillet really caused during their stay at Anfield Road, £60 million seems a good starting point, doesn’t it?

Read more of Andrew Beasley @ basstunedtored.com

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Next season is the first under UEFA’s new Financial Fair Play system, wherein clubs will not be eligible to compete in continental tournaments if they are losing money.  Of course, the new regulations are to be grandfathered in over several seasons, with losses of approximately €40 million permissible entering 2012-13.  

While it’s admirable that UEFA president Michel Platini wishes to level the playing field by preventing clubs from spending beyond their means, and that, even if these austerity measures don’t achieve that aim, they may at least save many jobs behind the scenes, at irresponsible clubs, the big boys seem to be ignoring the warning and throwing about their cash as wildly as ever, if not more so.  

The major clubs all say, in one form or another, that they welcome the measures wholeheartedly, but actions speak louder than words.  The six clubs below have all spent upwards of €60 million on players in this transfer window alone.  Alright, Anzhi Makhachkala’s transactions are listed at a miserly €41 million, but when you factor in the €20 million in wages guaranteed to a certain player, you’ve shot well over the bar.  One has to wonder, in a poor, conflict ridden region, populated mostly by conservative Muslims, where Anzhi is going to generate the funds to stay out of the red?  

But, I’m getting ahead of myself, as one has to wonder how any of them can do it, regardless of the circumstances, and why?  After all, they are each chasing after championships won by playing a child’s game.  Yes, it’s compelling entertainment, but is it really so important as to lose billions of pounds and euros over?  The sensible answer is no, it isn’t.  

Therefore, one reasons, there must be some ridiculous answers at the heart of the matter, explaining why all that money is frittered away.  And after some intensive research, involving caffeine, pastries and chat with a few friends, here are the top five reasons which I discovered reveal why clubs spend big money in the transfer window…

1.  What else are you going to do when half a billion pounds is just pocket change? — Some people have all the luck.  Any of the lesser clubs in the Premier League’s lower reaches would love to have Roberto Mancini for a coach, as famous as he is for parking the bus in crucial matches.  Instead, he has an owner, in Sheikh Mansour, who is willing to throw ridiculous amounts of money at any and every attacking player that may or may not be available on the market.

Despite having Welsh firebrand Craig Bellamy, Togolese ex-Gunner Emmanuel Adebayor, Paraguayan pin-up model Roque Santa Cruz — ha! you thought that I was going to say Larissa Riquelme, didn’t you? — Italian rebel without a clue Mario Balotelli, Carlos ‘I Wanna Go Home’Tevez, last year’s signings, Edin Dzeko, David Silva, James Milner, Adam Johnson and forgotten souls Alex Nimely, Nedum Onuoha and Vladimir Weiss, all on the payroll, Mancini dipped into the market to the tune of £67 million for Arsenal midfielder Samir Nasri and Atletico Madrid forward Sergio Kun Aguero — with Atletico Madrid immediately turning over their €40 million from the deal to FC Porto for striker Radamel Falcao.

With his two new players inserted into the lineup, Mancini, turned the crank, the bus engine roared to life, and, pedal to the metal, the Citizens ran over Spurs in a 5-1 rout.  On either side of that goalfest, the Italian offloaded Adebayor to Spurs, Santa Cruz to Real Betis, Weiss to Espanyol — all on loan — and Bellamy on a free transfer to Liverpool.  With the players he wants on board, the ones he doesn’t out of sight and mind, and a Premier League title the stated destination, don’t expect Mancini to park again anytime soon, or, with plenty of talent still in reserve, to run out of gas.

2.  Because running up debt isn’t important — all that matters is perfect football! — In 2009, Barcelona’s reported losses were in the €80 million range, but in 2010, that figure was cut down to €13.5 million.  The club, after keeping its overspending under wraps for years, were loud and proud over their significant step in the right direction.

In reality, however, half of the earlier loss could be put down to the Samuel Eto’o-plus- €43.6 million for Zlatan Ibrahimovic deal.  Then, when Ibra didn’t fit into Pep Guardiola’s thinking, he was sold off to AC Milan for €24 million, payable in 2011, which led the club to suggest that they would have shown a profit, had that money been paid up front.  Never mind that the Swede was sold at half price or that Ibrahim Affelay (€3 million) and David Villa (€40 million) were added to the squad in the wake of his departure.

As this summer approached, club president Sandro Rosell announced that the Blaugrana had set aside yet another €40 million war chest to ‘improve’the squad and that, with UEFA’s new financial restrictions on the horizon, they would not exceed it.  One might wonder why a club which has just won their second Champions League in three years, with only two of the preferred starting eleven over thirty years old, would need to spend that amount for the third year running, especially when said club is owned by the supporters, rather than a Qatari billionaire.  However, if one did, then one would obviously be a Real Madrid fan and should mind their own business.

After a lengthy negotiation process, the club landed Alexis Sánchez, from Udinese, for €26 million.  Rosell gushed about what a wonderful player the winger was, but failed to mention how they would recoup their investment, with Lionel Messi, Xavi, Andres Iniesta, David Villa, Pedro, Sergio Busquets, Thiago and Afellay already in the squad.  He did confess, though, that hard bargaining Udinese had extracted such a good price for the Chilean that the club would be unable to fit the much desired Cesc Fabregas into the budget.

Then, the board huddled together and said, “What if we dip into next year’s budget?”  Who needs financial responsibility?  This is Cesc we’re talking about — he’s like a son to us!”  And so, with only €14 million left in their 2011 budget, the club paid Arsenal just over twice that for Fabregas.  So, Barcelona fans, Michel Platini will see you next year.

3a.  Because our players aren’t getting any younger! — Manchester United’s season was the exact opposite of Chelsea’s, in ’10-11.  Sir Alex Ferguson’s side began sluggishly, not losing but, away from home at any rate, not winning, either.  They hit their stride in the middle of the campaign, but then tailed off again at the end of the season.

Still, the aging legs of Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs and the aching back of Rio Ferdinand had enough strength remaining to hold off a hard charging Blues squad, which had roared out of the gate but stumbled in mid season, to deliver the championship which finally put Liverpool in the rearview mirror.  Unfortunately, Gary Neville only lasted half the season, hanging up his boots in January.  Owen Hargreaves, who at the last minute in this window has found a seat at the back of the City bus, lasted just five minutes before heading back to the trainer’s table.  Then, at season’s end, Giggs was caught up in a sex scandal and exposed on the Wembley pitch by Barcelona in the Champions League final.

With that vast wealth of experience either departed or unable to make a consistent contribution in the coming season, the United faithful began calling for Sir Alex to spend all that money that the Glazers had been hoarding from the Cristiano Ronaldo sale to buy a creative midfielder who might put the Red Devils on a par with Barcelona.  The first name on everyone’s list was Dutchman Wesley Sneijder, rumoured to be available for around £35 million.  Also mentioned were Samir Nasri and Luka Modric.

Fergie broke the bank, alright, but he did it with much different targets in mind.  Instead of a midfielder to cancel out Xavi, in one match that may or may not even happen, the Scot picked up David de Gea from Atletico Madrid to replace the also retired Edwin van der Sar; Phil Jones from Blackburn, to join Chris Smalling, Jonny Evans and the Da Silva twins as the future is now defensive corps; and Ashley Young from Aston Villa, to provide some depth on the flanks, with Nani and Antonio Valencia.  Total price:  just under £58 million.

As well, Danny Welbeck was called back on loan to spell the concussed Javier Hernandez.

But what about a midfielder, critics asked?  The manager Cleverley replied by handing the job to an unheralded fellow who answers to Tom.  The youngster has stepped into the starting eleven after learning his trade in the Carrington academy, much as Scholes did.  He has shown confidence, poise and nerve in helping United to a perfect start, after three matches, and first place on goal difference, impeding the progress of the billionaire’s bus from across town.  Although the media and fans remained a bit nervous, Fabio Capello was sufficiently impressed to hand Cleverley a call-up for England’s upcoming Euro qualifiers.

Yet, despite the effort which earned him the respect of his country, the rumours regarding Sneijder did not die down until the window closed and the Inter player was still at San Siro.

Whether Fergie’s new fledglings can maintain their momentum throughout the long campaign, with it well known that young squads — can you say Arsenal? — tend to fade late in the year, remains to be seen.  However, unlike the Gunners, if these kids can carry the team into the spring, there is a strong cadre of experienced veterans ready to take on the load in the final weeks.

3b.  Second verse, same as the first — Coming into the summer, Liverpool FC’s brain trust, consisting of owner John Henry, Technical Director Damien Comolli and manager Kenny Dalglish, freshly unseated as all time English club champions by Manchester United, came to a consensus regarding the areas within the squad which needed strengthening.  The roster was beginning to age, with Steven Gerrard chronically injured, Joe Cole ineffective, Christian Poulsen unwanted and Jamie Carragher slower than a post office line just before Christmas.  The defence needed to be shored up, the central midfield reinvigorated and the flanks upgraded.   In short, an agenda very similar to that of Sir Alex Ferguson and David Gill at United.

It was no surprise, then, that their first two targets in the summer window, Blackburn defender Phil Jones and Aston Villa winger Ashley Young were snatched up by their deep-pocketed Mancunian rivals.   However, John Henry has more than lint in his trouser compartments, as well.  Thus, the club did not go into a snit or push the panic button.  They stuck to their plan and soon landed Sunderland’s Jordan Henderson (£22 million), Blackpool’s Charlie Adam (£8.3 million) and Villa’s Stewart Downing (£22.8 million), restructuring their entire midfield in the process.  To reinforce the defence, they added Newcastle’s Jose Enrique (£8 million) and Uruguayan Sebastian Coates (£7 million), the latter on deadline day.  Also at the last minute, the club added another forward, stunningly scooping up former Red and Man City malcontent Craig Bellamy on a free transfer.

Following the other Manchester club, City’s, example, the Reds then jettisoned their spare parts as the window was closing.  Phillip Degen was released; Joe Cole went to Lille OSC and Alberto Aquilani — actually a few days earlier — to AC Milan, on loan; and David Ngog (Bolton), Christian Poulsen (Evian) and, surprisingly, Raul Mereiles (Chelsea) were sold.

Mereiles departure was something of a shock, as the player did a Torres, handing in a late transfer request.   Yet, for the Portuguese, the writing may have been on the wall.  A similar player to Aquilani, for whom Dalglish apparently had no place, Mereiles faced a season of substitute appearances and, possibly, the odd cup match.  At Chelsea, he will be reunited with André Villas-Boas, and, as the Blues could not land the much desired Luka Modric, even for a rumoured €40 million, Mereiles is almost certain to see more action.

His departure leaves Liverpool without a trequartista in the squad, but like United, that doesn’t seem to be a concern.

4.  Because Paris is for football lovers, too! — One undermanaged top flight club, twelve million people.  You have to wonder why someone hasn’t stepped into this void before the Qatari Investment Authority?  Then again, the oil-rich Arab royals haven’t exactly stepped in, themselves.  Even describing it as jumping in with both feet is short of the mark.  What they’ve done is cannonball into Paris Saint-Germain, making the biggest splash of cash Ligue 1 has ever seen.  Overnight the French top flight has transformed from being a feeding ground for UEFA’s big four to making the world consider that it might now be a big five.

With Leonardo stepping in as Sporting Director, after a near two-year stint managing both Milan clubs, it’s Serie A which has felt the brunt of the QIA’s spending power.  Leonardo charmed AS Roma out of Jeremy Menez for €8 million, took Mohamed Sissoko off Juventus’hands for €7 million and nibbled at Palermo goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu for €3.5 million.  Then came the big bite, snapping off the Rosanero’s star midfielder Javier Pastore for €43 million.

The Brazilian proved that his contacts weren’t limited to Calcio, however, raiding St. Etienne for €10 million man Blaise Matuidi, paying Valenciennes €3.5 million for Milan Bisevac and charming Kevin Gameiro away from Lorient for €11 million.  Then, on deadline day, Leonardo ensured that no one could criticise him for spending half his budget on one player by swooping for veteran Uruguayan defender Diego Lugano, of Fenerbahce, with the €3 million purchase price continuing the exodus of players from the Turkish Super Lig, tainted as it is by allegations of pervasive match fixing.

PSG, still under construction at the time, limped out of the gate, with speculation that the club’s biggest move might actually be to replace outspoken coach Antoine Kombouare with the more mild-mannered but highly accomplished Carlo Ancelotti.  The club, with Gameiro in fine form, has begun to warm to its task, though, winning its last three matches, including a victory over Luxembourg side Differdange 03, which put Les Parisiens through to the Europa League group stages.  The spectre of Ancelotti will likely hang over the less regarded Kombouare all season, but for the moment, the club, and QAI’s €89 million, is his to lose.

5.  Because it’s cold in Russia and football warms the soul! — Eighteen months ago, Dagestan, in the Caucasus region of Russia, was a little known, war ravaged fiefdom of the Russian Federation, overshadowed even in that by Moscow’s recent conflict with neighbouring Chechnya.  Then Anzhi, the local club began to spend money.

Focusing on offering players outlandish wages rather than ridiculous transfer fees to clubs, Anzhi began by signing unhappy Corinthians star Roberto Carlos on a free transfer and pushed up the standings in the Russian Premier League.  With the Brazil and Real Madrid legend acting as a goodwill ambassador, the club then went after the newest Selecao wunderkind, Neymar.  That didn’t work out so well, but Jucilei did move from Corinthians for €10 million and Joao Carlos from Belgian side Genk for €3.5 million.  As well, the Dagestanis followed in the now time-honoured tradition of the new oligarchs, salvaging four players from relegated, debt-ridden and dissolved State operated club FC Saturn Oblast.

The big move came when the club courted Cameroonian forward Samuel Eto’o of Inter.  The Milan side had been rumoured to be desperate to trim its wage bill, and with Anzhi eager to fatten theirs, a bit of Jack Sprat seemed ideal.  Eto’o, sent to Inter, along with €43.6 million in the aforementioned swap with Barcelona for Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who is now back in town with AC Milan, has now netted Nerazzurri chairman Massimo Moratti another €27 million, making it obvious who the winner in that famous trade was.

The talented African is also famous for the quote, “I will run like a black man to live like a white man.”

Well, with Russia still to deal with its endemic racial problems at matches, ahead of the 2018 World Cup, and €20 million in wages, or €3335,000 per week, coming his way, Eto’o will finally get to live his chosen lifestyle in more ways than one.   Good luck to him.

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Liverpool spent Saturday night at the top of the Premier League, following their impressive 3-1 defeat of Bolton Wanderers. It was only temporary, as Manchester’s two giants delivered north London squads a pair of heavy beatings on Sunday.  Still, when the club hasn’t been in first place since May 2009, and were in the relegation zone less than a year ago, it’s a reason to be pleased.

There were shades of the first home game with Sunderland, as Liverpool dominated the first half, only to have just the single goal from Jordan Henderson to show for their work.  Were it not for the superb efforts of Jussi Jaaskelainen seconds earlier, the first tally might have been a goal of the season contender. A wonderful Suárez cross, with the outside of his right foot from the left flank was met first time by Downing in the box, but parried brilliantly by the Finnish goalkeeper. Kuyt then recovered and fed the ball to the Reds’ former Sunderland midfielder who had his first shot blocked but then found the net with a crisp left foot finish.

The role swap between Suárez and Downing, which almost resulted in another goal, as well, illustrated that there is massively more positional freedom in this Liverpool team than there was in Roy Hodgson’s static, plodding under-achievers from a year ago. The two players were effectively in each other’s positions, and combined brilliantly. It’s not quite Total Football, but it’s certainly a positive change from early last season.

Unlike the Sunderland match, wherein the team faded badly after half time, Liverpool flew out of the blocks early in the second half, with two goals in two minutes.

First, Martin Skrtel headed a Charlie Adam corner in the fifty-second minute, to double Liverpool’s advantage, and score the first goal at the Kop end this season. The delivery plainly illustrated the value which Adam is going to bring to Liverpool. As I mentioned in my review of the Sunderland match, Liverpool had only registered seven assists from set plays in the last two seasons in the league.  That equates to one every eleven games or so.  Yet, Adam has already clocked up two in the first three matches of this season.  It was only Skrtel’s fourth goal for Liverpool, and in the three previous matches that he netted, the Reds failed to win.

It only took 85 seconds for Adam to put any thought of that possibility to bed, though. Drilling a right footed finish from just outside the area, the ball went through Zat Knight’s legs and passed Jaaskelainen on its way into the corner of the net. It was very much a Gerrard-esque strike, and the rehabilitating captain surely must have approved.

The only blight on a fine performance, aside from a first half injury to Martin Kelly, occurred during injury time when Bolton scored a consolation goal through Ivan Klasnic.  The replay will not make happy viewing for Jamie Carragher, as his attempted clearance was sliced into the path of Martin Petrov, who left the Reds’captain for dust, despite not being particularly quick himself.   Petrov then squared to Klasnic to slot home. Pepe Reina appeared to be very angry at losing his clean sheet; I can only assume he has himself in his Fantasy Football team, much as I do.  With likely signing and fellow centre-back Sebastian Coates watching from the directors’ box, the last thing Carragher needed was a self-promoted example of his weaknesses, and age is certainly not on his side.

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Daniel Doran is on holiday, this week.  Filling in is Sean O’Brien, a transplanted Irishman living in NYC, but still a huge Reds fan.

Too much of a bad thing…

Bad news sells.  It’s the same everywhere.  In America, people are glued to the Weather Channel, eager to see what havoc Hurricane Irene wreaks on the Carolinas and points north.  And when I say America, I mean all of it, not just the areas threatened by the massive storm.  Those not interested in the weather are outraged that Dominique Strauss-Kahn has ‘gotten away’with sexual harassment, never mind that the accuser has been found to have made up similar stories in the past.  In the UK, the phone hacking scandal and the riots have subsided, and tabloids are searching desperately for the next big headline.

Football is no different.  Thus far this season, every match Liverpool has played (including their Carling Cup trip to Exeter) has been billed as crucially important – almost season-making. In Week One, it was imperative that they start off the season well with three points at home — they didn’t and thus — in Week Two, if they were unable to beat a depleted Arsenal side then the hopes that they would finish in the top four could be dashed forever  – they won convincingly, but still —  if they were to make an early exit in the Carling Cup again, team morale would be absolutely shot and Kenny Dalglish might be sacked.

Now, I don’t necessarily disagree that these three matches were more important than normal, given the trials — both figuratively and literally — that the club has had to endure over the past two years.  In any case, a positive start to the season obviously helps down the road and no one involved with Liverpool wanted to see a repeated early League Cup exit at the hands of another Northampton Town.  Still, the predicted consequences for failure were overstated and it is time for the hype to die down a bit.  Someone cue Arsene Wenger.

Admittedly, the Reds did need an extra week to engage themselves fully in league play, not looking their best in the draw with Sunderland.  Yet, the win over Arsenal was all anyone could ask and the victory over Exeter comprehensive, with the only sour note the injury to Raul Mereiles.

Yet, there are some out there who believe that this weekend’s match against Bolton is another make or break encounter.  Come on now, people.  Enough is enough. Liverpool fans need to step back and take a deep breath. Is failure in any match going to absolutely ruin the season?  They are going to lose at some point, you know, and likely more than once.  As exciting as it is, this squad does not compare to the Invincibles.  One should take every game seriously, yes, but don’t pin your life on it.

The elite clubs know how to handle pressure. They realise that their squad is good enough to take maximum points almost every time against inferior opponents. Rather than worry about winning or losing, they seek to maintain an even keel of professionalism to see them through the long campaign.

While the last two seasons have provided many disappointing moments for Liverpool, there have been massive improvements throughout the organization – all the way from ownership down to the squad. The fans must now sit back and trust that their team is good enough to go out and do their job each time they take the field, especially against inferior opponents.

The Cup game against Exeter has given Kopites reason to believe.  Luis Suarez, Andy Carroll and Maxi Rodriguez all scored in a convincing 3-1 victory. Meireles injured his collarbone and will be out for a few weeks, which opens up playing time for someone else. Unfortunately, that won’t be Alberto Aquilani, but this Liverpool fan subscribes to the advice of Mick Jagger and Keith Richards; you can’t always get what you want.  The thing is, that even without the Italian, LFC has what it needs to win.

Now, to actually preview this weekend’s fixture at Anfield against Bolton…

Owen Coyle has instilled an incredible sense of self-belief in his squad and, despite not being among the elite Premier League sides, his players walk on to the pitch every week with the feeling that they are good enough to get points. A team like that isn’t likely to come to Anfield and park the bus, hoping for a counterattack goal. They have legitimate scoring threats in Tuncay Sanli, Ivan Klasnic and Kevin Davies.   The Trotters also possess a solid midfield, even without American Stuart Holden, which is capable of delivering the ball to those forwards in good places on the pitch.

It is likely that Bolton will look push the ball up field and create chances very early on. This team has high aspirations and thus far they have played up to them. They absolutely trounced QPR in Week One and followed up by giving Manchester City a run for their money at the Reebok. As well, their defence may be strengthened by the arrival, on loan from City, of young Belgian international Dedrick Boyata.  The twenty year old can slot in anywhere along the back four.  Expect the Wanderer’s good play to continue on Saturday.

At this point, you may be wondering what happened to all that business about hyping up weak opponents.  Well, Bolton are not weak opponents.  It will be difficult to beat them, as City learnt last week.   But it is important that Reds fans realize that their squad ought to be good enough to get three points at home against the Trotters without treating it like a Manchester United fixture. Bolton are a quality side that I believe will finish this season in the top half of the table, but Liverpool are simply better or equal to them at every single position on the pitch — with the possible exception of Cahill — and should expect to come away with full points. Will they walk all over Bolton?   Likely not, but a win is certainly to be expected.

How will they do it?  Well, the Wanderers believe in themselves enough to attack and try to win. This will create more space in their end for the Liverpool attack. Gary Cahill and Jussi Jaaskelainen are top-notch, but after that their defense will likely have trouble with Carroll, Suarez and company.

Cahill will likely be marking Carroll and, physically, he matches up pretty well with the Geordie. This may neutralize the crossing threat somewhat. However, Carroll has shown that he has an absolute hammer of a right foot and if left open twenty yards from goal, can absolutely destroy you — Exhibit A:  Liverpool v. Newcastle.  Charlie Adam and Stewart Downing also have the ability to score from distance.

Obviously, Liverpool will try to get Carroll crosses in the area as much as possible, but look for Adam and Downing to pepper Jaaskelainen with shots from outside the box, to make him hesitate before coming out to punch away their service.  As well as Carroll playing back on occasion, look for him to lay off for Suarez, Adam and whoever Kenny puts on the right side, with Steven Gerrard, Mereiles and Aquilani unavailable.

If this game were at Bolton I would be much more worried about it as a Reds fan, but at Anfield, this is a game that a team with Top Four aspirations should win 90% of the time.

What should worry you…

Just as treating every game as all-important is unsustainable, riding Suarez the way Liverpool have been is also tempting fate. The man has been outstanding for the club since January and he also lit the Copa America ablaze this summer.

Had he not put in all those minutes in Argentina, I would be completely fine with playing him in every match, even against Exeter.  However, at some point, he will run out of gas, and, unless he’s rested periodically, it won’t just be for a few weeks. If the club exhausts him, he will burn out and essentially be done for the season. It may not come until January or so, but, with continual use, it will happen.

Having a game in which Andy Carroll takes the spotlight would be ideal. It would remove the pressure to rely on the Uruguayan and likely give Carroll the confidence upon which strikers thrive. That Steven Gerrard is ahead of schedule in his recovery is also good news in this regard.

To date, Carroll hasn’t exactly been prolific.  He’s scored more than Fernando Torres, it’s true, but not sufficiently to justify his price tag, although his tally against Exeter was encouraging.  If he can get off the mark in the Premiership, it would take a £35 million load off everyone’s shoulders and the red half of Merseyside might sleep much easier.

Jordan Henderson also hasn’t played especially well, as yet, and Dalglish surely noticed that Maxi seized another opportunity on Wednesday.  Look for him to be back in the line-up, opposite Downing. Conventional wisdom says Kuyt will start, especially after the Milan rumours, but I believe Maxi is the hot hand, not Suarez, that Kenny should ride.  Also, look for Kuyt and Martin Skrtel to see time off the bench.

Final score:  Liverpool 3-1 Bolton 

That’s right, nervous nellies, one goal better than City!  The Reds are at home, of course, so I’m plumping for Carroll and Adam to pot the first two goals. Bolton will peg one back and make a game of it, but in the last ten to fifteen minutes, Carroll will get his second to kill off the game.

Sean’s writings can be found here on WFC and also on Football Farrago.

Steven Gerrard is at a very interesting crossroads in his career. Having recently turned thirty-one, the Liverpool skipper is seemingly no longer the dynamic powerhouse who has carried the Reds almost single-handedly for the best part of a decade. Currently sidelined by injury, and with no definite date in place for his return, Gerrard is not quite in danger of being permanently sidelined as the Dalglish revival enters its first full season, but it is a close thing.

The immediate issue, however, is how Liverpool’s midfield is going to cope without their talisman for the start of the new season, which begins in earnest with a match against Sunderland at Anfield on Saturday (hopefully).

Without the heartbeat of the team present, there will be a host of new midfielders thrown in together all at once. Will they be able to gel from the off?

The trio of new midfield signings have each played at least a full half of three of the last four friendlies for Liverpool. They all missed the bizarre match against Galatasaray, in Istanbul, which the Reds seemed to use as a shop window for their unwanted players.   Still, they have at least had some time to develop a feel for each other’s style of play.

Although new to Anfield, the players the Reds have recruited this summer are at least familiar with the pace and bite of the English league, so won’t be caught unawares in that respect. You will no doubt recall a match at Bolton early in Rafa Benitez’first  season, wherein the likes of Luis Garcia and Xabi Alonso were unaccustomed to the ale house tactics that the Premier League’s lesser lights love to dish out to the big boys. Happily, such rough treatment won’t be a surprise for the latest influx at Liverpool.

Sunderland certainly won’t be afraid to put the boot in either, not least as they are managed by Kop nemesis and Fergie disciple Steve Bruce, who would love nothing more than to give the tabloid writers an easy headline on the opening weekend of the season.

In Gerrard’s enforced absence, the likes of Charlie Adam, Stewart Downing and Jordan Henderson are all likely to start, and Dalglish will need them to begin justifying their hefty fees, so that he is not forced to rush the skipper back into the team before he is ready.

The hot topic continues to be the team’s formation for the forthcoming campaign. Earlier in the summer I argued that 4-3-3 was the best use of the team’s talent.

However, based on last Saturday’s friendly with Valencia, which was the first to feature something approaching the first choice team, it seems that King Kenny may well opt for a 4-4-1-1 formation.

The midfield foursome that day consisted of the three new boys, plus Jay Spearing. The Liverpudlian’s presence wasn’t a significant omen.  As Lucas Leiva is back from the Copa America, and played 45 minutes against Valencia, I expect him to replace the young Scouser for the start of the league campaign.

If Dalglish decides to persist with the 4-4-1-1 formation on a long-term basis, then I’m sure that the front two will be Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez — once the Uruguayan is also back in the team following his somewhat lengthier exertions in South America.

My personal theory is that Alberto Aquilani will fill the Suárez role, much like he did in the friendly with the Spaniards, until transfer deadline day. He should then be able to leave for Italy, if that is what is to happen, with Suárez fit and ready to resume Anfield duties.

But where would this leave Gerrard? Whilst he combined brilliantly with Fernando Torres in the split striker role under Benitez, I don’t believe he could work anywhere near as well with a target man like Carroll.

The Geordie giant will be looking for crosses from deep positions, not intricate link up play from a partner tucked in just behind him.  Suárez, on the other hand, is likelier to drift out wide from centre, in order to drag opposition defenders out of position to create space for Carroll. This is not Gerrard’s strength, at all.

So straight back into the midfield Gerrard goes.

Or does he?

After all, he only played in five of the eighteen league games that Dalglish presided over last season, and the team managed well without him.

You also have to bear in mind that this was before the club splashed out roughly £44 million on Downing, Adam and Henderson; all midfielders, younger and with better recent injury records than Stevie G. The Reds’captain has only played seventy-one percent of the possible league games over the past two seasons, which doesn’t compare well with Downing’s eighty-three, Henderson’s ninety-two and Adam’s ninety-six.

Gerrard wouldn’t have been too concerned about retaking his place in a midfield containing the likes of Poulsen, Cole and Jovanovic, or indeed any midfield at Anfield over the last ten years or so, but clearly this is a different situation.

You also have to remember that Kenny Dalglish is no soft touch, and won’t give Gerrard an easy ride, for old-time’s sake.  In his very first season in management, and whilst still a player himself, the Scot dispensed with the services of bona-fide Liverpool legends Phil Neal, only the club’s most decorated player, who had played in all five of the club’s European Cup finals up to that point, and Alan Kennedy, who scored the winner in two of the Red’s European Cup triumphs. Make no mistake about it, if KD feels Gerrard is not required, then he will not pander to the man’s ego by playing him.

Of course it would be folly to dispense with Gerrard entirely, but if Liverpool get off to a good start, with their new players contributing healthily, then the previously indispensable captain may find himself on the fringes far sooner than he would have ever imagined. A very important question for both club and support is whether he is prepared to accept such a reduced role?

Interesting times ahead.

Read more of Andrew Beasley @ basstunedtored.com

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It’s probably safe to say that Liverpool fans have yet to see the best of Andy Carroll in a red shirt. Yet, in fairness, the striker has barely been fit since his £35 million move from Newcastle and a return of two goals in just under five matches of game time is hardly disastrous.

But perhaps the biggest question is how does he fit into the pass-and-move football that Liverpool dazzled with at times under Kenny Dalglish last season? The Reds played their best stuff with Luis Suárez buzzing around just behind Dirk Kuyt but whenever Carroll was up front, the team immediately resorted to the long ball, didn’t they?

Well, no, not really.  In the seven league matches that Carroll played, Liverpool, on average, attempted 45.14 long passes (defined as a pass straight from defence to attack), and 45.86 in the seven matches he missed after he signed for the club.   Similarly, accurate long balls increased in number during the games Carroll missed, for an average of 30.14, as opposed to 27.71 when he did play.  Those numbers would suggest that LFC weren’t heading up Route 1 just because Carroll was in the line-up but only that it was more noticeable.

Another interesting statistical quirk is that Liverpool’s record was identical - four wins, one draw, and two defeats - for both the seven games that Carroll did play and those he did not.   One would certainly hope that a larger sampling doesn’t bear out that the club spent so much money on a player who doesn’t make a difference for them.  Then again, one hopes that Carroll doesn’t miss enough games in the future for them to find out!

Although the team scored two more goals in total when Carroll didn’t play, with five goal hauls against Birmingham and Fulham contributing healthily, it’s unfair to say that the offence bogged down because the Geordie was in the lineup.  Carroll featured in a harder run of matches, facing four of the five teams which ultimately finished above Liverpool.  When was the last time that anyone scored five goals against United, Chelsea or Arsenal?

So how best to get the most out of the big man?  Well, one of last season’s joint top goal and assist duos in the Premier League was Joey Barton and Andy Carroll, with five.  It would seem an intelligent choice to attempt to emulate that pairing.

Interestingly, three of the five goals on which they combined were very similar; Barton would float in a free-kick from Newcastle’s left and Carroll would score with a header from six to twelve yards away from goal.  Later, at Anfield, a similar effort was produced with Raul Meireles assisting Carroll’s second goal of the match against Manchester City.  Technically, that effort came in open play, but the Portuguese midfielder was afforded sufficient time to stop and get the ball onto his favoured right foot.  Same difference.

Based solely upon the Toon statistic, the logical transfer target for Liverpool this summer might have been Joey Barton. However, as Damien Comolli said recently on LFC.TV in regards to the club’s transfer policy:

“There is a strategy in terms of profile of players we want to bring in: the mentality, the attitude, the work ethic – and the age is also a factor.”

You don’t need me to remind you about the multiple indiscretions and unfortunate issues which have lowlighted Joey Barton’s career.  As well, Barton will be twenty-nine in September, limiting his potential resale value.

As Daniel Doran mentioned last week, Charlie Adam has recently signed for Liverpool, and I also expect him to play on the left of a midfield three. My assumption is that Dalglish will be hoping his fellow Scot can float crosses in Carroll’s direction at Anfield much as Barton did at St. James Park.

Adam is only 26 in December, so if the Kop turns out to merely be a stop along the way in his career, he may still, unlike Barton, command a lucrative transfer fee in three or four years, possibly even a profit on the reported £7.5m which FSG has shelled out to Blackpool.  Regardless, the stocky Caledonian certainly ticks all of the boxes on Comolli’s punchlist.

If you saw Adam play for the Tangerine last season, then you’ll know that their former captain will also be an asset from set pieces; he scored twice from direct free-kicks last season.  In the aforementioned LFC.tv interview, Comolli also mentions that aspect of Adam’s skill set.

“[Set pieces account for] around 35% of the goals [in the Premier League], so the more we have players who can take set plays, the better. We know Jordan Henderson used to take all the set plays at Sunderland and do it well. Charlie was doing the same for Blackpool.”

Both Adam’s and Henderson’s acquisitions therefore suggests that, although Carroll fulfils the ‘good touch for a big man’ cliché, it’s inevitable that the Reds will be looking to lob service in his direction whenever possible.

In the league last season, Liverpool only completed one of every five crosses attempted. When you look at the success rates for the club’s targets and/or recent signings, it’s probably safe to assume that they were identified with this tactic in mind.

Downing, in particular, has such statistics very much on his side. According to OptaJoe, only Leighton Baines delivered more crosses in open play than Stewart Downing in the 2010-11 Premier League. The Villa and England winger has also completed more crosses (135) in open play than any other player in the Prem over the past three seasons.  He could be a massive to asset to Liverpool, and Carroll in particular, if Aston Villa can be convinced to part with him.

Now, before all the Charlie Adam doubters use my chart to jump on Daniel for touting his signing last week, let me remind you that both Henderson and Downing had the advantage, for a half season each, of seeing Darren Bent at the other end of their service.  As well, Downing was also blessed with Ashley Young, who moved inside for a time with the Villans.  With the Seasiders, Adam was not gifted with such company.

In any case, purchasing these types of players suggests to me that Liverpool will rely on quality crossing from midfield to set up chances for Carroll, rather than relying on long balls from the defence.  Of course, when the back line consists of players like Jamie Carragher, Martin Skrtel and/or Sotirios Kyrgiakos, the occasional hoof is to be expected.  Still, if the likes of Adam, Henderson and (maybe) Downing can continue their form from last season, then I’m confident that Liverpool can overcome the clichéd use of long balls for Carroll, instead utilising him in a similar manner to Newcastle.

If the young giant matches his Geordie record of 11 goals in 19 games for Liverpool, then the punters in the fields of Anfield Road will be more than satisfied.

Statistics sourced from EPLIndex. Read more of Andrew Beasley @ basstunedtored.com

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The summer transfer window is already open for business and some clubs, most notably Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Liverpool, have already accomplished quite a bit of business.  In the cases of Bayern and Real, much of the business was done before the window opened and only needed formalising once it was.

Jose Mourinho went back to the Bundesliga for the second season running, plucking gritty but dangerous attacking midfielder Nuri Saheen from champions Borussia Dortmund and veteran holding midfielder Hamit Altintop from Bayern.  Mourinho is also rumoured to be searching for a high-profile striker but such a move will depend upon whether he decides against making Emmanuel Adebayor’s loan from Manchester City permanent and whether Karim Benzema is sold on.

Bayern spent most of the spring wooing Germany number one Manuel Neuer away from Schalke 04.  Whether the Rekordmeister were a bit overconfident or Schalke merely holding out for every last Deutschmark they could squeeze out of the Munich giants’purse, the deal was announced more than once before it was eventually finalised.  The signing of Energie Cottbus striker Nils Petersen went much smoother, being completed in mid-May, with the twenty-five goal scorer expected to immediately fill the shoes of the departing Miroslav Klose and form a strong partnership with Bundesliga golden boot winner Mario Gomez.

The Bavarians also signed, from Genoa, a former teammate of Neuer, Brazilian midfielder Rafinha.  The twenty-five-year-old left the Gelsenkirchen side after they refused to permit him to play in the 2008 Olympics.  FIFA ruled in the players favour, along with two other footballers on separate teams, but the clubs appealed successfully to the Court for Arbitration in Sport.  Rafinha, though, defied the CAS verdict and played for Brazil in China, winning a bronze medal.  Subsequently, he was fined €750,000 and moved on to the Rossoblu.  Given that the Olympics are limited to professionals under the age of twenty-three, making it a once in a lifetime experience, it’s understandable and perhaps even commendable that Rafinha gave up so much for his opportunity.

Of the three early risers, however, Liverpool are the ones who will likely stay active throughout the summer.  Looking to rebuild after a disastrous end to the Hicks and Gillet era, which saw the Merseysiders fall out of European contention, the side has already begun to add to the winter signings of Luis Suarez and Andrew Carroll.  Moreover, the club is looking, whenever possible, to sign young players of English or UK origin.

The first prize won by Damien Comolli and Kenny Dalglish has been Sunderland attacking mid and England U21 Jordan Henderson.  The club isn’t wholly forsaking internationals, as they are rumoured to be close to signing Catania defender and club captain Matias Silvestre, an Argentine.  As well, they are also rumoured to be negotiating for Roma’s Brazilian number two keeper, Alexander Doni, to back up Pepe Reina.  Yet, they are also in the mix for Ipswich Town striker Conor Wickham and Blackpool captain Charlie Adam.

Liverpool have already faced some stiff competition from rivals Manchester United.  The Red Devils are trying to iron out a deal for Balckburn’s Phil Jones, who was on the Anfield club’s radar and are said to be on the verge of signing Aston Villa’s Ashley Young.

Yet, Neuer, who in turn escaped United’s clutches, has been the only major signing to date in Europe.  Where and when are the truly blockbuster moves going to occur?  Once again, WFC’s cracked staff is here to offer their predictions.

Liverpool will have to raise the ante considerably to convince the African to forego Europe for another year.

Gervinho

As just mentioned, Liverpool intend to be very busy this summer.  Yet, while they are happy to have already landed Henderson and have also begun negotiations for a handful of other targets, the club has painted its biggest bulls-eye on Lille OSC forward Gervinho.  The Ivory Coast International was almost as crucial to his club’s French League and Cup double as young mid-fielder Eden Hazard, with his fourteen goals second best on the Ligue 1 champions, behind Moussa Sow.

Two obstacles stand in Liverpool’s way, however.

First, there are several top sides, especially Arsenal, also tracking the Ivorian, Lille has already lost Yoann Cabaye to Newcastle and Adil Rami to Valencia and Sow is rumoured to be moving on, as well.  If the club hopes to defend its championship, they are going to need to keep some of their squad and will, therefore, not be letting the African leave on the cheap.

Second is their own inability to provide the youngster with the challenge of European football, something that Gervinho can experience simply by staying at Lille.  The player himself has announced that he has decided his future but will not make any announcements until later in the month.  One codicil he has included is his desire to play in the Champions League, “at Lille or elsewhere, it’s no problem.”  Liverpool will certainly have to up the ante significantly to persuade Gervinho that he can wait one more year to tread on Europe’s biggest stage. – Martin Palazzotto

For the pious Kaka, the most challenging aspect of moving to London will be finding a church capable of accommodating the paparazzi.

Kaka

Okay, okay.  So, I just got through saying that Chelsea wouldn’t make a big move until they had completely used up Fernando Torres.  That’s the trouble with reliving your teenage years to make this whole yearbook thing as authentic as possible.  The raging hormones have me hopping all over the place like a kangaroo on ecstasy.  I can’t make up my mind about anything and all I can do is be dragged along by whatever impulse grabs me next.

The entire experience has me completely sympathetic to Giggs, Crouchy and John Terry.  Never in a million years did I think that would happen.

My first impulse on which player is going to be the signing of the summer, though, is the much more wholesome and respectable – read boring – Kaka, who’ll move from Real Madrid to Chelsea for something in the neighbourhood of £25 million.  His mother has already tweeted that he’s going to come to London and he is a mama’s boy, so it’s a done deal, no?

What’s more, Jose Mourinho doesn’t want him; he’s got Mesut Ozil and now Nuri Saheen, plus he wants to add a proper striker and needs the money from somewhere.  From the Chelsea side, even though Carlo Ancelotti is gone, the Brazilian is the one idea he had that Roman Abramovich actually agreed with, hot as the Russian is to turn Chelsea into a fancy football team.  So, whether it’s Guus Hiddink who takes over, or someone else, they can expect, as is Chelsea tradition, to be saddled with a player they never requested.

As such, though, Kaka is definitely an improvement on Nando and Andriy Shevchenko. — Jude Ellery

Carlos Tevez

While he was keeping West Ham in the Premier League for just a little while longer, the tabloids were reporting that Carlos Tevez was unhappy and wished to move to a bigger club.   When he was at Man United, they began to write that he was unhappy that Sir Alex Ferguson didn’t play him sufficiently or value him as highly as believed he deserved.  At Man City, he has been unhappy with his treatment from club executives, Roberto Mancini’s excessive training regimen and the intrusion upon his territory of another high-priced striker.  Throughout his entire time in England, he and his family have also been so unhappy with the weather that his wife bundled up the kids ages ago and headed back for the more friendly climes of their native Argentina.  Simply put Carlos Tevez is unhappy.

It will therefore be no surprise when the City captain moves on at some point this summer.  Given his intolerance for cold weather, desire for trophies and European football and his wage demands, the likely destinations touted have been Madrid, Barcelona and Milan.  Yet, Barcelona already have a more composed and talented Argentine goalscorer, in Lionel Messi, and they seem more interested in Giuseppe Rossi and Alexis Sánchez.  Jose Mourinho already has his own massive ego, and Cristiano Ronaldo’s to deal with.  Three prima donnas would truly be a crowd at the Bernabeu.  Not to mention that Tevez’lack of height would cede one of the few advantages the Meringues enjoy over Barça.  Both Milan sides already have strong attack pairings, with the Rossoneri also likely to be wary of adding another fiery temper to their already volatile mix.  As well, Milan can get a bit nippy in the winter months, something that may cause the now snoodless Tevez to reconsider Northern italy as a potential destination.

This is pure speculation on my part but there is one club that can offer him a legitimate shot at both domestic and European glory, has a strong squad already, reasonable weather conditions, a rich, ambitious chairman and, as an added bonus, an affinity for testy little Argentine goal scorers.  Napoli is struggling to hold onto its triumvirate of attacking options, Edinson Cavani, Marek Hamsik and Ezequiel Lavezzi, in the closed season.  As well, their late collapse suggests they need a galvanising presence in the squad.  When you consider that the club’s last successful stretch was with Diego Maradona leading the line, not to mention how adored El Pibe still is by the Neapolitan faithful, it seems only natural that Aurelio de Laurentiis should make inquiries at Eastlands as to Tevez’availability.

If this one came about, it surely would be a blockbuster deal! – Martin Palazzotto 

Rumours that Vertonghen wants to come to England to gain revenge after Luis Suarez sadistically kneed him in the groin are completely false.

Jan Vertonghen —  Every summer there seems to be a big transfer heading out of Holland.  This year, though, Liverpool beat everyone to the punch by snagging Luis Suarez in the winter window.  One name linked feverishly to a move, however, is that of Jan Vertonghen, the Ajax/Belgian International defender who also acts as vice-captain at the club. His preferred destination is FC Barcelona – whose isn’t? – and Pep Guardiola is apparently a fan.  Still, the Catalans priorities lay elsewhere, making it unlikely they’d move for him this summer.

The Premier League is another potential destination, though not his preferred choice, with Man City and Arsenal seemingly interested.  Coincidentally, two of his Belgian back-line partners, Vincent Kompany and Vertonghen’s close friend, Thomas Vermaelen, are each ready to welcome him should he choose one of the two.

AC Milan have also been mooted  but having promised Frank de Boer that he would remain in Amsterdam for another season, it would take truly serious money, the kind that Sheikh Mansour likes to toss about,  to pry him loose from the Eredivisie champions. – Mohamed Moallim

"Why would I got to Spain? Because no one there is interested in Fernando Torres anymore."

Didier Drogba

Jose,  you remember Didier, don’t you?  Mr. Drogba, here’s your old friend Mourinho.  Madristas meet the solution to your lack of consistency in front of goal.  “The Drog” is big, he’s powerful and, except for every other January, when he’ll be toiling in the African Cup of Nations, he’ll be happy to beat up on Puyol and Pique as often as you like.

Drogba has long been rumoured to be heading out of Stamford Bridge.  Many thought he’d follow Mourinho to Inter.  Others expected him to take the money dangled by Man City.  Now, though, Roman Abramovich has gone and spent £50 million on Fernando “What Is It You Want Me To Do, Again?” Torres.  Add to that the managerial merry-go-round which makes every season just like starting over, and the Ivorian is probably eager to pack his bags.

After once again attempting to secure Fernando Llorente for a few weeks, Madrid will give up and Jose will turn his attention to Drogba.  He’ll cheerfully pay whatever it takes to watch as he and Cristiano Ronaldo win awards for Synchronised Diving. — Andrew Gibney

On Sunday, keep an eye out for the seventh installment in WFC’s 2010-11 UEFA Year Book:  Manager Most Likely To Make An Impact At A New Club.

In the meantime, you can read the previous chapters in the UEFA Yearbook by clicking on the links below.

1. Most Memorable Moments
2. Most Forgettable Moments
3. Player Not Named Messi Or Ronaldo Most Likely To Win Ballon d’Or
4. Club Most Likely to Win the 2012 Champions League
5. Club Most Likely To Spend Big Over The Summer

Enjoy!

So, we all saw the match on Wednesday (or highlights of it). We all know that 2-1 was a flattering scoreline for the English Bambi which was caught in France’s headlights. However, the symptoms of England’s demise run far deeper than a 90-minute French lesson at Wembley.

I’d let Jude Ellery tell you about it but, three days later, he’s still passed out with his head in the pretzel dish on the bar.  So, I’ll try to be objective in covering both sides.

First, though, credit should be given where it’s due. I wrote before the match that France were searching for a post-Domenech identity and a collective personality. This still holds true. For all the quality on display, I can’t help but think that Spain, Brazil or Argentina could still edge them if they faced off now.

French fancies

On Wednesday, however, we got a glimpse of Blanc’s plans for Les Bleus, ones that have been devised over time, with patience and perseverance. In the face of criticism of some of his selections, most notably those of Philippe Mexes and Karim Benzema, he has let performances do his talking for him.

Indeed, the entire spine of this team bears the Blanc stamp. They are best characterised as a big unit made up of little units. The group that stood out, the ‘piece de resistance,’if you will, was the central midfield of Yann M’Vila, Yoann Gourcuff and Samir Nasri. There were echoes of Busquets, Xavi and Iniesta in the way that M’Vila distributed, Gourcuff passed and Nasri flitted. In no way would I claim that they were the equal of a world-champion midfield, but they certainly did a good impression of one against England, and each has the potential to become the next Claude Makelele, Zinedine  Zidane or Robert Pires respectively.

But are France really that good? If we were to make like-for-like comparisons between the two teams, you wouldn’t find too many differences. England had as many caps in their starting 11 (271) as France. So why the gulf in class?

Different methods, different outcomes

Well, the first thing to note is the approaches of both managers. Of course, Blanc took this match more seriously than Capello, but I don’t think anybody thought that this would manifest itself so obviously. One of the key aspects of creating a successful team is the cohesion of the eleven players on the pitch; when done well, the whole becomes better than the sum of its parts. When it doesn’t… The two extremes of this were on full show at Wembley – France, with a core unit that has played together for 4-5 matches, were able to pass the ball around a disjointed England side, who spent half their training sessions introducing themselves to each other.

This isn’t the whole story though. What made (and makes) players like Nasri and Gourcuff, underachievers at club level, so potent on the international stage? To me, the answer is blindingly obvious – despite not setting the world on fire they are at least playing both decently and regularly for their clubs.

Maybe this is more of a difference in leagues. Looking through the French squad, almost all of the players are first choice and key contributors (Benzema, again, is a notable exception). This makes a world of difference at international level. Certain world-class players are able to get away with a lack of club form (think Robinho or Miroslav Klose), but with all due respect, players like Joleon Lescott do not fit this description.

Has Britain Got Talent?

The dearth of English talent in the Premiership is becoming more and more obvious with each dodgy selection, although Fabio Capello seems to be contributing to his own downfall. Why was Joleon Lescott picked ahead of able defenders such as Gary Cahill? Why Kieran Gibbs instead of Leighton Baines? What about Kevin Nolan? Stuart Downing? Scott Parker? Jack Rodwell? Why (and this one irked me most) was Kevin Davies left out of the entire squad, having so recently been given his debut?

Capello claims to pick his squad based on form, but this hasn’t happened for a while now. The players mentioned may never make the first team, but as Blanc’s France squad shows, they can help to improve the starters by competing for their places and pushing them to the limit. Based on recent evidence, Gareth Barry certainly could do with a 101 on defensive midfield play from Scott Parker.

I promised to be objective in the beginning, so I have to offer a little carrot to Capello, before I get back to the stick.   The selection of Jay Bothroyd of Cardiff was both bold and justified. But even this smacks of a move to appease the fans. I’m not trying to be a conspiracy theorist, but I wouldn’t be surprised if I saw the entirety of Bothroyd’s England career on Wednesday night. Despite the clear quality of the player, England seems to hold a special contempt for those who play outside its top division.

As such, many will condemn Bothroyd’s brief cameo as a show that he can’t hack it at this level. To those, I would present you with Cardiff City, a side who (when he was injured) found life visibly more difficult without a striker that not only is their top-scorer, but links the play and gets others involved. The same Bluebirds side that contains Peter Whittingham, Chris Burke, Michael Chopra and -ahem- Craig Bellamy.

In order for England to progress, this silly taboo needs to go, and quickly. The national squad should be made up of the best players in the country, regardless of division. Has anybody seen Chris Smalling put in a performance this season worth a place in the England squad? Didn’t think so.

England – skimming the surface but not plumbing their depths

If anybody wants an example of the ability of the Championship to develop a player of the highest quality, you need only look at Newcastle’s number nine. Before the match, the French media paid particular attention to Andy Carroll, pitted against their own international new-boy, Adil Rami. Now, Rami is known as a physical, uncompromising defender, but Carroll’s Avatar-like physique proved a thorn in the French defence throughout. Having capped a meteoric rise from the Championship to international level, it is hard to believe that the Toon triumph will be cast upon the Capello-Eriksson scrap heap of one-cap wonders.

For other youngsters, this was a mixed experience. It’s fair to say Kieran Gibbs and Jordan Henderson were out of their depth against a dominant French midfield that combined the talents of four established international players going forward, but this was by no means their fault. Ben Foster got the shakes in goal, and further forward, Theo Walcott did not have the best of nights.

Ultimately, Capello picked a side that was too inexperienced. If there is a lesson to be taken, it is that a side needs time to gel and to form the team spirit required for a cohesive unit. The France that took to the field against the Three Lions may have far less individual talent than that on show in South Africa, but as a team, they far outshone Domenech’s disaster of a side. To do all of this, the much-maligned England boss must now find his best players, and field them on a consistent basis.

Does anybody have a drawing board?

The first player who is destined for the top is nineteen year Jordan Henderson. The Sunderland midfielder has already made sixteen appearances these season and looked like he has been part of the first team for years. Henderson is a Sunderland academy product and spent last season on loan at Coventry.

Since being given a baptism of fire against Chelsea the teenager hasn’t looked back. The fact that makes his performances stand out is the fact that he is being played out of position. Steve Bruce has deployed him in central  midfield due to injuries to key players. Henderson’s natural position is right of midfield.

Sunderland first team recognition has been duplicated on the international scene where he has represented England under 19′s.

The teenager is rated very highly and showed his potential in Sunderland’s 4-3 defeat to Manchester City. He not only scored one but a jinking run and cross allowed Kenwnye Jones to score.

With the right coaching and amount of premier league football it seems the sky is the limit for the Wear-side teenager.

The second player is Chris Smalling of Fulham. Chris’  rise has been meteoric. The twenty year old was brought from Maidstone United in June 2008 and went on to represent Fulham’s reserve team throughout the season, before eventually making his first team debut on the final day of the season against Everton.

The Greenwich born central defender has since gone on to represent the first team this season, most notably against Chelsea where he scored an unfortunate own goal.

Smalling actually represented his county while still playing for Maidstone United. He was chosen to represent his county (Kent) where his performance warranted a trial with the English School’s Football Association’s under 18 squad. Smalling went on to appear in the Centenary Shield in 2008.

The Fulham’s international career has grown since his move and has represented England at both under 20 and under 21 level. He is now seen as a first team regular by Stuart Pearce, who chose him for both qualifiers in November 2009.

The whites clearly hold their prized asset in high esteem as Roy Hodgson was quoted saying,

“I thought, if you analysed his performance over the 90 minutes, that he played with a maturity that I’m not entitled to expect from a player so young.”

this quote was after Smalling represented Fulham in the Europa League against CSKA Sofia.

The final player I want to mention is Jack Rodwell. The midfielder  clearly has a boundless talent. He has already broken into the Everton first team and represent England at every youth level (except for under 20) at the age of 18.

It was clear from the start of his Everton career that he was going to be a star. At the tender age of 14 Rodwell made his Everton under 18′s debut. A solitary year later he was making his Everton reserve debut when he came on as a substitute against Sheffield United in October 2006.

Rodwell also broke the record of being the youngest player to play in Europe for Everton when he appeared against AZ Alkmaar in the Europa league. And what was his age you ask, a mere sixteen years and two hundred and eighty four days.

As well as Everton having high hopes for him he clearly has them for himself. He was quoted in a Telegraph interview speaking about his ambition to be in Fabio Capello’s England squad.  He said, “At the moment there are a lot of good centre-halves with England: John Terry, Rio Ferdinand, Joleon Lescott and Phil Jagielka. There are not as many centre mids, which is an area you can work towards with the senior squad.”

As well as having an outrageous talent the teenage sensation clearly has his feet placed firmly on the ground,

“All I’m focusing on is the next game. I’ve got to be ready to start the next game and be in the manager’s thoughts. Obviously anyone would be flattered by interest from other clubs, but I really am happy playing for Everton. I enjoy it there. It’s where I’ve always been and I love it.”

This not only bodes well for the future of Everton but the future of one of the games brightest stars.

Tom Leeder

Tom Leeder is a recent University graduate and an avid Arsenal fan who will spend this summer and, hopefully, a few more fretting over the future of a certain Spanish central midfielder.