Can England Finally Achieve?

England have been regarded as the biggest underachievers on the world stage for some time now. However, their recent good form and change in management, along with the draw they’ve been handed for the 2010 World Cup, means the next competition could be their best chance yet of securing silverware.

England have been given a generous group stage draw, with their first game against the USA, a team who – despite recently beating Spain – are relatively weak, especially defensively. England will also face Slovenia, who they comprehensively beat recently, and should therefore have no problem repeating the feat, and Algeria, who are newcomers to the World Cup, and bring little firepower to the table. It must be said, if England fail to qualify from the said group, then it would probably be remembered as the biggest World Cup upset in history.

The squad this time around is by far the strongest for many years – yes Wayne Rooney, Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard have played in previous World Cups, but as the latter two especially are now at their peak footballing age, the team now have added experience and ability. The defence is another key area for England – in previous campaigns, the likes of Danny Mills, Wes Brown, and Phil Neville have played roles in this half of the pitch, but this year, a seasoned back four of Glen Johnson, John Terry, Rio Ferdinand, and Ashley Cole (although his recent injury could prove a problem), should deal with even the most dangerous of attacking forces. Domestic bookmakers seem to be relatively optimistic about England’s chances this year, with many having the team down as second favourites to Spain.

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Who can win the 2010 World Cup?

In just over 6 months… 32 teams from around the globe will compete in the greatest sporting tournament in the world. In the summer of 2010, South Africa will come to life as it hosts the World Cup.

On December 4th the draw was made for the group stages of the tournament and it gave us a little bit of a clearer idea as to who might progress and lift the Jules Rimet trophy. Many of you will no doubt be have a bet on who will win the World Cup, so we have looked at the key teams and players to help you decide where you should be putting your money (all betting odds supplied by bwin.com – the online betting specialists).

Argentina – 10/1

With the world’s great footballer, Lionel Messi, at their disposal Argentina can not be overlooked as contenders for the World Cup. However there are so many factors against them this time around. A poor perform during qualifying for the FIFA World Cup saw them rely on winning their last fixture to qualify. Add to that the fact that they have not figured beyond the quarter-final stage of the tournament since 1986, when Maradonna’s infamous hand-ball against England, and you can just about safely rule out Argentina as a major threat.

Germany – 10/1

Germany were unbeaten in qualifying as group winners and stumbled to draws only twice. This along with their World Cup record has to keep them in mind when betting on the World Cup. Germany have won the World Cup three times and finished runner’s up on four occasions making them one of the most successful international footballing sides. While their side of today may not have the greatest strength in depth, it still possess some of the world’s greatest players in Michael Ballack and Lukas Podolski, with the latter having one of the best goal scoring records in all of international football (a strike rate of 0.7 per game).

England – 7/1

On paper England have one of the strongest 11 line-ups in the world. With world-class players gracing every part of the pitch there is nothing to suggest England can’t go all the way in 2010. With a group that includes Algeria and Slovenia you would certainly expect England to go on to win their group but beyond that is where the trouble lies. Since 1966 England has always played the supporting role and in all likely-hood will find themselves stumbling at the final hurdle once more. With a second round fixture against either Germany or Australia on the cards, England will be stretched as soon as they hit in the knock-out stages and at odds of 7/1 should be avoided.

Brazil – 6/1

As the 2nd highest ranked side in the world according to FIFA, it should come as no surprise that Brazil are 2nd favourites to lift the World Cup in 2010. Indeed, until the draw was made for the group stages Brazil were in fact joint favourites along with Spain. However, a tough group phase against Portugal and Ivory Coast lies ahead… in addition to a tricky tie against North Korea. But with the likes of Robinho and Kaka Brazil should certainly have sufficient flair to cruise through to the knock-out stages.

Spain – Favourites – 5/1

Spain aim to follow up their Euro 2008 victory with a World Cup success in South Africa. When it comes to the World Cup, however, Spain are always stumbling… and it’s usually at the first hurdle. Spain haven’t gone past the Quarter Finals since 1950 (the only year they ever reached the Semi-Finals) and failed to get past the 2nd knock-out phase in 2006. But their squad still boasts almost all of  the stars from the side which won the Euro’s the summer before last which makes them not only favourites with the betting sites, but also favourites with us.

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Man City: To buy or not to buy

Two years ago, a season such as this would have been a success for Manchester City. Being in the top half of the table and still in the UEFA Cup may have even persuaded the mayor to give them the keys to the city; as long as he didn’t walk past the trophy cabinet at Old Trafford on the way. One England manager, one English manager, one corrupt Thai Prime Minister and one Arab billionaire later, the world’s richest club now sees it as an abject failure. Supporters that pleaded with us to give Darius Vassell a fair go now feel Robinho isn’t justifying his inclusion in the side. New personnel must be recruited, preferably in private jets powered by caviar. There are murmurings that a new manager could be on the horizon. A quintuple winning one would be ideal but in these tough economic times, I suppose one that’s pulled off the treble will have to do. Below is a wishlist of players City will go for given their current recruiting philosophy along with players they actually should go for if they remove the blinkers and wisen up.

1. City WILL target: Samuel Eto

There is already talk that City are lining up a £20m for the Cameroon hitman, small change when compared with what was bandied about during the Kaka circus. Eto is quick, physically strong and a clinical finisher. He is one of the best strikers in the world which is why City want him and why they won’t get him. Interest by other clubs (Liverpool are said to be in the mix) will only serve to escalate valuations into the £100m+ levels, with City more likely to experience a dent in their reputation than their chequebook. If Eto wanted to trade sun, beaches and women for wind, rain and hooligans he’d rather do it with a club competing for domestic and European honours on a consistent basis. The notion of players relishing the challenge of being part of a club’s journey from mediocre to world beating is a bit like the character played by Robin Williams in Dead Poets Society; romantic but unrealistic.

City SHOULD target: Jo

It seems like such a long time ago that Jo was the Brazilian misfit in a City shirt that couldn’t find the back of the net if he slept in it. Rejuvenated under David Moyes at Everton, he now looks every bit like an accomplished center forward. And, in what will be music to Moyes and American Idol to Hughes, Jo has stated a desire to stay on Merseyside beyond his loan to the end of the season. Forget multi-million pound deals and headline grabbing pay packets. City have an existing rough diamond on their books that could slip through their fingers. Wheels need to be put in motion to ensure the loan arrangement with Everton remains just that. How ironic that City’s most important transfer dealing of the summer could be the one that involves no fee at all.

2. City WILL target: David Villa

The Spanish dynamo is one of the hottest properties in La Liga at the moment. The fact that he outshone Premier League golden boy Fernando Torres at the European Championships is a bit like having Warren Buffet say you’re a good money manager; as ringing an endorsement as you could hope to have. Problem is Villa has been cutting his teeth at Valencia, a previously successful club wracked by turmoil at both the boardroom and managerial level. Manchester City hardly presents a model of stability for a player seeking the less volatile pastures that his ability merits. If Villa walked into a meeting with City executives and demanded an iron-clad guarantee that City would have the same manager by the end of next season and would be fighting for a Champions League position, he would be left disappointed. City would claim their latest shake-up is a sign of big things to come but after what he’s been going through at Valencia, its unlikely Villa will be willing to move to another club in the middle of a risky transition.

City SHOULD target: Michael Owen

It is perhaps more a sign of how Owen’s star has fallen than anything else that he could be touted as a value for money steal for a mid-table club. Unfortunately, injuries and an England snub have put the source of Roberto Ayala’s nightmares into this position. One thing Owen has proven in his ever diminishing appearances is he can score goals with the consistency that Gordon Ramsay hands out reprimands. With Newcastle on the brink of relegation, it is certain he will be available in the summer for a nominal fee. None of the big clubs have voiced any interest and if fit, his instinctive poaching capabilities would be ideal to satisfy City’s need for a proven goalscorer. City has the type of squad that requires simply an injection of class in a few areas and Owen represents the kind of shrewd business that a club with genuine lofty ambitions would gravitate towards.

3. City WILL target: John Terry

Where does one start in explaining why a marquee player from a top club would resist the advances from Eastlands? With that very statement perhaps. Terry is the heart and soul of Chelsea. The adulation he receives from fans sees him destined for immortality at Stamford Bridge. He’s surrounded by quality players, is at the peak of his game and was a coat of varnish away from adding a Champions League winners medal to his domestic trophy laden cabinet. Chelsea may not be the first suburb you’d think of moving to during an economic crisis but I’m sure Terry’s Russian bankrolled wage packet takes care of any mortgage related worries he may have. Before I choke on my praise, let me just spit it out: City have as much chance of snaring John Terry as Shane Warne has of being a one woman man.

City SHOULD target: Johan Djourou

Djourou is a talented defender who, through bad luck with injuries, hasn’t really been able to cement a place in the Arsenal backline. Mind you, displacing players of the calibre of Gallas and Toure is no easy feat. The fact that Djourou hasn’t been able to do so should not be seen as a reflection of limited ability. Rather it is an opportunity for a club like Manchester City to acquire a young, quality center back with experience at the top level of domestic and European football. Djourou possesses pace, the steely physical presence common to many African players and won’t command an inflated price. Yes he may not generate the headlines that City seem to crave but his performances on the park will be enough to see them in the news for all the right reasons.

4. City WILL target: Lionel Messi

What Messi lacks in looks he just about makes up for with his peerless footballing ability. In my opinion he is the best player in the world and the only reason Ronaldo can get more plaudits at times is due to the global popularity of the Premier League. Messi is also one of the few players who seems to be as effective and influential for his country as he is for his club. That City would declare their intentions to go after him is inevitable given their brash, in your face attitude towards player transfers. Unfortunately, I see the outcome of this to be the mirror image of the Kaka saga we all had to endure only a few months ago. First of all the player has no intention to leave and has reiterated time and again his passion and loyalty to Barcelona. Admittedly footballers are a fickle bunch and a kiss of the badge normally holds as much weight as a pledge by Djibril Cisse to keep the same haircut for more than two weeks. But Messi does appear to be genuinely in his comfort zone at the Nou Camp and well on his way to being a marquee player like Terry, Steven Gerrard or Kaka. There are no financial or sporting reasons for him to take a step into the unknown with City, particularly with him being in a far better position to accomplish his immediate targets with Barcelona. Blood, sweat and tears will be shed in this pursuit but there will be no celebratory cigar at the end of it for the board at Eastlands.

City SHOULD target: Diego

A gifted attacking midfielder, Diego’s talents appear to be wasted at Werder Bremen who currently languish in mid-table in the Bundesliga with little chance of Champions League football next season. He brings creativity, class and some of that Brazilian flair without any of the hang-ups or attitude that can accompany some of his peers. An innocuous season like this one will increase his desire to further his career in a more competitive league. For Diego, Manchester City would represent a fresh start at an ambitious club in the best league in the world and an opportunity to reignite his career. For City, Diego could be the engine room on the pitch or the player around whom the team is built. Acquiring playmakers of his quality on the cheap is not often possible. City need to recognise this and pounce with the predatory poaching abilities that have long been prevalent at their more illustrious rivals down the road.

5. City WILL target: Jose Mourinho

No concrete news of this but if their track record is anything to go by, who’s to say they won’t? Mourinho for his part has been busy telling anyone who cares to listen that he’s focused on blooding youth at the San Siro and being a part of the creation of the next dynasty of Inter Milan superstars. Of course, that’s when he’s not speculating about Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement and his desire to fill the gaping void it will leave at Old Trafford. The special one probably realises that day is still a couple of years off and he best sound as sincere as he can about Inter in the meantime to avoid a tumultuous relationship with the Nerrazurri. In fact, talk about putting faith in the youth system could be a strategic ploy to align himself with the ethos of Ferguson, thereby further strengthening his credentials for the United top job. The fact of the matter is that Mourinho has his heart set on a return to England and United appears to be his first option. What Jose wants, Jose usually gets. For this reason, taking up a post at Manchester City would be like asking Avram Grant to become a model; career suicide of the highest order. Joining city with a view to getting the top job at United; now that’s a bridge too far even for the special one.

City SHOULD target: Harry Redknapp

In my opinion, Mark Hughes deserves another year at the helm to truly mould City into the team he envisions. Unfortunately, given the rumblings of discontent over their consistency this season, I wouldn’t be surprised if he was shown the door. In that event, who better to answer the port of call than football’s journeyman, Harry Redknapp. The man loves a challenge and appears to have an uncanny ability to deal with conflicting personalities and cultures in a side in a way that extracts the best out of everyone involved. City and its ambitious owners present an evident challenge and the problems between Hughes and Robinho, the only global star currently on their books, show that people skills are likely to be the biggest performance driver, particularly if the international cocktail is going to be incremented in the summer. The only criticism would be that Redknapp has never managed a side with the genuine goal of breaking into the top 4 of the EPL and his experience at meeting those expectations can be questioned. The counter to this of course is that he’s never had the opportunity to do so before and until he does, how can judgement ever be passed?

10 Superhero Soccer Players

Portugal and the Champions League’s newest footballing sensation is Porto’s Givanildo Vieira de Souza.  Never heard of him?  Perhaps you may know him better as his footballing nickname of Hulk.  Naturally, he’s not the only super-hero to have played professional football.  Let’s take a look at some other super-powered soccer stars: Read more

Sacking in Scotland – Who’s Next?

It’s getting to the squeaky bum stage of the SPL. Trigger fingers on the sacking gun are getting itchy as the battle for Title, European and Relegation places are cemented but just who is safe and who is not. Kilmarnock are plummeting, Inverness seemingly rising (before a hammering away to Falkirk), Rangers struggling and Celtic unable to take advantage.  Unusually, the Scottish Premier League has a system of playing two-thirds of the season before a top six/bottom six split, resulting in the best six teams in the country fighting for European places, whilst the bottom six are pitted against each other in a battle against the dreaded drop.  Let’s have a look at the clubs: Read more

Top Seven Fights with Fergie – Sir Alex’s Best Spats

Sir Alex Ferguson is a master of football psychology.  On the eve of an important game or at a crucial stage in the season, up will pop Fergie with an off-the-cuff comment here or there.  A question or two just to cause a few doubts in the opposing ranks.  It’s not uncommon for certain other individuals to attempt to match Sir Alex at mind manipulation but how many times do they match the master manager?  Here, we look at some of Fergie’s great rivalries and assess who came out on top. Read more

Football Forecast 6 March 2009

This weekend will prove to be an exiting one with a mix of Premier League and F.A cup games to keep us entertained and firmly fixed to our armchairs shouting obscene comments at player who’s names you cannot pronounce. This week’s F.A Cup is set to be a mouth watering round with one or two upsets a must , after all it is cup football. With all the cup action the Premier League only plays host to one match in the form of Sunderland v Tottenham at the Stadium of Light. Firstly we’ll have brief insight into the tantalizing F.A cup matches set to take the Nation by a storm over the coming days.

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10 English Players Who Should Move Abroad

David Beckham aside, the most high profile English players currently plying their trade in foreign countries are Matt Derbyshire on a six month loan/holiday at Olympiakos and Tyrone Mears, also on loan, at Olympique Marseille. Both deserve credit for having the courage to try a different league and culture, but those two aside something about the current mentality of the typical English player seems to inhibit them when it comes to testing themselves in foreign leagues. Read more

Adams and Scolari: Victims of Modern Football

Tony Adams and Luiz Felipe Scolari were both relieved of their jobs on Monday after a run of poor performances. Adams and Scolari were both dismissed by the owners of their respective clubs, neither of whom were football experts, but merely rich, rich men who had bought football clubs so that they had something to do of a Saturday afternoon. Read more

10 Reasons Robbie Keane Should Have Stayed at Liverpool

The deadline day transfer of Robbie Keane from Liverpool to Tottenham was probably the biggest news of an uninspiring January transfer window. Amidst claims that he was a pawn in a power struggle between Benitez and the club’s American owners, Keane was forced to pack his bags and return to Spurs with his tail between his legs in many respects. Below are the top 10 reasons Keane should have put his foot down and stayed on the red half of Merseyside. Read more

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