Fernando Torres of Chelsea (Flickr Commons)

According to TalkSport on May 18, 2013, Chelsea star striker Fernando Torres has been linked with a move away from the club this summer.

Despite having done his best to prove himself to Roman Abramovich and the Chelsea fans, Torres has never truly re-captured the blistering form that he had in this Liverpool days.

The massive £50 million price tag that came with his signature at Stamford Bridge looks more and more to have been money ill-spent.

Reports are suggesting that the talented Spanish international could be on the move this summer to not only a new club but a new league all together.

It is rumored that if Italian Serie A side Fiorentina sell their star Montenegrin international striker, Stevan Jovetic this summer, they could use the anticipated £20 million plus for the player to help fund a swoop for Torres.

Jovetic has been a major target of several Premier League clubs in the last several campaigns and could once again be looked at as a future star of the English league should a club splash the cash to bring him across the channel from the European mainland.

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Arsenal forward Theo Walcott (Google Creative Commons)

Arsenal have one last chance to try and guarantee their place in the UEFA Champions League next season, and a final chance to try and force a third-place playoff with Chelsea if they can be level on terms with the Blues thanks to a win at Newcastle United providing the right numbers to be level in all categories.

The Gunners have had rough trips to Tyneside before when you look back two season’s ago and remember their 4-4 draw with the Magpies, but Arsene Wenger’s side has looked as determined as ever to find their spot in the top four in the last two months.

Arsenal have not lost a match since they were defeated by Tottenham in the North London Derby in the first week of March, and their hard work looks to see them oust their rivals from the top four and the Champions League as long as they can get all three points in Newcastle.

Forward Olivier Giroud is ready for action and will be anticipated to lead the line for the club as they seek on last win this campaign.

Projected Starting XI: Szczesny; Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal; Arteta, Ramsey; Walcott, Podolski, Cazorla; Giroud.

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According to the new president of the South American confederation, the referees on the association are not qualified enough to officiate a competition of such magnitude. Figueiredo wants the competition to be more like UEFA Champions League  — “competitive and with profit”.

The president talked about the referees involved in the competition, stating,

“There are 150 games in the Copa Libertadores which means 150 teams of referees. But many of them aren’t qualified. Then we see a bad performance by them. That ruins the game. And there is no time to look for excellence.”

The format of Copa Libertadores, the South American equivalent of the UCL, consists of 38 teams at the beginning, which is followed by a group stage with 32 teams. The knockout stage is just like the Champions League, winding down into a two-team final with home and away legs.

The lack of competitiveness also mentioned by Figueiredo is based on the number of teams representing each country in the tournament. There are countries with five, even six teams in the Copa Libertadores. Brazil is the most represented nation with the title-holders Corinthians, Fluminense, Palmeiras, Atlético Mineiro, São Paulo and Grêmio. All other countries have three participating teams with the exception of Argentina with five.

The idea proposed is to have games between teams of the same countries. The two best teams of each country would advance to a final stage with less teams. This format would make the tournament much more competitive and, like Eugenio Figueiredo said, “only the best referees should officiate Copa Libertadores.”

This would help the competition return to its origins, when the tournament had the two best placed teams from each country as representatives and not an in proportionate number. The idea is excellent,  although the timing to do so isn’t he ideal. This would also make a good impact in the championships of those countries by making them fight for the top spots in order to qualify for the continent’s biggest club tournament.

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Future Manchester United manager David Moyes (Flickr Commons)

On Sunday, Chelsea will host Everton in the final round of fixtures in the 2012-13 Premier League season. An interesting caveat about the match is that both sides will likely be markedly different next season — Everton manager David Moyes has already agreed to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United while Chelsea will part ways with Rafa Benitez at the end of the season.

This match has a lot riding on the line for Chelsea as the side find themselves in third place, two points ahead of London rivals Arsenal. The Gunners will face Newcastle United at St. James’ Park and should the Gunners win the match, which looks to be very likely considering their defensive record, Chelsea will be under immense pressure. In terms of goal difference, the two clubs are separated by just one goal which means that in both matches, we should be in for some forward-thinking football.

Should the Gunners win by more than one goal, Chelsea will need to beat an Everton side that will wish to see off Moyes in the best way possible in order to attain direct Champions League qualification. One of these capital sides will receive direct qualification into the group stage, while the other will have to play in the qualifying rounds, making the stakes very high.

Both teams will be without a couple of players for Sunday’s match. The Blues will be without Eden Hazard and Oriol Romeu due to injury, Ramires due to suspension and John Terry and John Obi Mikel are doubtful for the match. Moyes will have to do without Phil Neville and Leon Osman.

In the past six fixtures, Chelsea have won three and Everton have won three, so anticipate goals. In these six matches, a total of 14 goals have been scored,  whereas 18 yellow cards and three red cards have been accumulated.

In their first encounter this season at Goodison Park, Chelsea beat the Toffees by a scoreline of 2-1. The game was a riveting affair with Everton hitting the woodwork three times and scoring through a Steven Pienaar goal. Frank Lampard, who recently put an end to speculation that he would leave the club after signing a new one-year deal, scored twice. Everton generated a huge part of their attack from the left side and generated a total of 14 attempts as compared to Chelsea’s 17. The possession battle was relatively even, but the aerial battle was very one-sided with Everton winning 65% of their aerial duels.

Everton will need to continue to whip in crosses and would do well to make sure that crosser is Leighton Baines, one of the world’s best left-backs. The Toffees will need to capitalize on set-piece opportunities as not only do they have a very adept free-kick practitioner in the form of Baines, they have arguably the Premier League’s best header of the ball in Marouane Fellaini. Chelsea conceded a number of free kicks around the box in their most recent match and they would do well not to do the same or risk a Baines thunderbolt or a thumping Fellaini header.

Moyes is one of the better tacticians and made a masterstroke pushing Fellaini further up the pitch this season. The Scotsman has been with Everton since 2002, making him one of league’s most tenured managers, and will not wish to end his time at the club with a loss.

Not only will it be Moyes’ last game for the Merseyside club, it could potentially be the last game that the aforementioned Baines and Fellaini will play for the club as well. Ferguson was a long-term admirer of the England international and the managerial switch compounded with the aging of Patrice Evra could be the perfect recipe to see Baines don the red kit of  United next season. Fellaini has been linked with a host of clubs and could opt to leave Europa League bound Everton in search of a club that will be playing in the Champions League next season.

The end of the season will mark a new era for both clubs as they will be in search for new managers. Both coaches will want to go out on top, so expect some fireworks at Stamford Bridge this Sunday.

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Santi Cazorla (Wikimedia Commons)

Santi Cazorla arrived in London over the past summer transfer season to mixed reviews and wonder as to just how well he would fit into the English Premier League after his time in La Liga with Villarreal and Malaga.

However, he proved more than capable to manager Arsene Wenger as he took to leading the club to multiple victories and proved a thorough nuisance to any defense he faced.

In a recent interview, Cazorla’s manager commented on how he felt the midfielder deserved more credit from the media for his strong performances this campaign:

“I think he is a bit of an under-rated player in the Premier League. When you think he was not in the team of the season picked by the players, it’s quite harsh. Personally I would have put him in there.

When you look at his quality, that is of course outstanding, but also his attitude and work rate for the team. He is one of the players who has been absolutely outstanding this season.”

Cazorla has one more match this season to prove his continued worth to the Arsenal fans. He will hope to be instrumental in a victory over Newcastle to ensure that the club continues their long run of campaigns in the UEFA Champions League.

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Arsenal forward Olivier Giroud (Google Creative Commons)

Last season Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud was still plying his trade in the French Ligue 1 Orange with Montpelier. At that time he was preparing for what would be a nerve racking final day of his club’s campaign that saw them lift the French title with a victory over Auxerre on the last day of the 2011-12 season.

Now once again the forward is preparing for an epic encounter on the final day of his campaign, now with Arsenal, that will see the club make or break their goal of maintaining life in the UEFA Champions League.

Giroud has spent the last three matches on the sideline serving a three match ban while his teammates have kept the club on pace for the top four.

According to comments from Giroud ahead of the match on Arsenal’s official website, he is more than ready for the final challenge:

“We are confident. We won the last game 4-1 after the comeback of Wigan at 1-1. We were under pressure with the score. We needed the win. I could feel the pressure on our shoulders and I think the team had a good reaction and we succeeded to score the second goal with Theo. It was a relief for us…

…Now we have to do the job and keep focused on our qualities and our game. Never mind if they are a little bit relieved, they will maybe play without pressure. I’m not sure but I think it’s better for us.”

The French forward is in contention to play against the Magpies, but with the hot streak that Theo Walcott and Lukas Podolski have been riding this past week, he could have a hard time getting into the first team Saturday afternoon.

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This season Arsenal cannot allow their trip to Newcastle to end in that manner. Back in London, Tottenham will host Newcastle’s rivals, Sunderland, at White Hart Lane.

The Gunners sit in fourth place on 70 points with a one point lead over their North London rivals. Nothing less than three points from the match will be enough to ensure that Arsene Wenger continues his run of top four finishes.

However, it will be down to the Tyne-Wear Derby rivals to determine whom of the North London Derby rivals will see their European action consist of the UEFA Champions League or the Europa League.

Arsenal will be hoping that Sunderland does them a favor by defeating Tottenham on the road or at least managing a draw. The Black Cats top flight fate was ensured this past Tuesday when Arsenal defeated a fatigued Wigan Athletic side that were fresh off of their FA Cup Final triumph over Manchester City.

If Sunderland can hold Tottenham at bay then they will have repaid their debt and the slate will be clean of the major thanks they owe to Lukas Podolski, Theo Walcott and Aaron Ramsey for their goals against the Latics.

Tottenham however will be hoping to owe Newcastle a favor after having split their two games this season with wins to one another on home grounds.

Alan Pardew desperately needs a win against Arsenal as a means to help boost the morale of his players and the Tyneside faithful as it has been a disappointing season after last year having been so positive.

Sunderland likewise need a win just as badly to help put their own poor campaign in the past.

Saturday’s final day of English Premier League  action is certain to be exciting and the battle for fourth place is going to be a great one to watch as two of the leagues most famous rivalries will be on the deciding end of the league’s final race to be won.

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With Frank Lampard’s record and new contract squared away, the Blues will be able to focus on their opponents. Everton come into the match looking to disrupt Wednesday night’s Europa League celebrations. Sitting in third going into the weekend, Chelsea could slip to third if Arsenal win and the Blues do lose. If Arsenal win 2-1 at Newcastle and Chelsea draw 0-0 with Everton, an incredible play-off will be forced as both sides fight for third in the table. With the third place team earning an automatic spot in the Champions League for next year, it means less games and less to worry about.

According to ChelseaFC.com, the Blues will be without several star men as they head into Sunday’s final battle. John Terry, Eden Hazard and Ryan Bertrand all miss out as David Moyes will look to mark his final Everton match with a big victory. With Sir Alex Ferguson leaving the managerial post at Manchester United, David Moyes will finish out his own career at Everton and look towards new challenges next season.

Speaking about Moyes and what he’s done for Everton, Chelsea Interim Manager Rafa Benitez said,’David Moyes did a good job. He has for years kept the team in the top eight or six. We were rivals for a while and will be on Sunday but after this game I wish him all the best.”

Chelsea will have to recover from a rather dramatic Europa League Final in Amsterdam and focus all of their attention on this grueling season’s final match.

Benitez, who will leave Chelsea at the end of the season, also spoke of his side’s preparation ahead of Sunday. “Yesterday we had a day off. Today was a more difficult training session because the players were relaxed but hopefully everybody will be focused and concentrated. The players know how important it is and hopefully we will be fine.”

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Set to begin next season, the move was met with shock and confusion by a number of prominent anti-racism figures.

Reading striker, Jason Roberts, a leading voice in the fight against racism on the field, tweeted his frustration, “The last 18 months regarding equality at the FA has seen bad decisions, lack of will, lack of consultation and lack of leadership.”

The new law will include discrimination relating to ethnic origin, race, color, religion, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, ability and disability.

UEFA are currently pushing for new regulations imposing 10-game suspensions for first offences, however the FA chose to only enforce that on repeat offenders.

Roberts went on to say, “Poor decisions on high profile cases, a weak 92-point plan and now five game bans confirms it is left to the players concerned to effect change.”

Piara Powar, Executive director of European anti-racism body Fare, agrees with Roberts in that the FA has failed to build on their promises.

Talking to the BBC, Power alluded to Luis Suarez’s recent ban, saying, “One of the biggest concerns is inconsistency and mixed messages. Why is biting ten games and racism five games?”

Powar believes that the introduction of the minimum ban is a step in the right direction, but not enough. “It’s progress to have a minimum sanction, but sanctions for players appear to be made up on the hoof.”

FA Chairman David Bernstein has stood up in defense of the new legislation, claiming that a 10-game ban would not account for varying levels of offense.

Talking to the BBC, Bernstein praised the work of the FA saying, “I don’t think it’s a coincidence that since the FA has been working on this package there’s been an acceleration of activity in UEFA and FIFA. I think we can take some credit for leading the way.”

However, Bernstein does concedes that the FA will re-evaluate their rules if the vote does go through on the May 23^rd, and UEFA adopts the new 10-game ban.

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Manager Jupp Heynckes of Bayern Munich (Google Creative Commons)

As everyone surely knows by now, FC Bayern manager Jupp Heynckes is planning to retire at the end of the season.  Believe it or not, this was Heyncke’s third stint as head coach at Bayern: he managed the team for four years starting in 1987, and then again for several weeks at the end of the 2009 season (after Jürgen Klinsmann was sacked).  If my hunch is correct, though, it will be this third stretch that Don Jupp will be most remembered for.

The decision to hire Heynckes (again) was first announced in March of 2011.  But his first competitive match as manager (this time) didn’t come for another five months.  Beginning in August of 2011 and through the upcoming end of the season, Heynckes will have managed over a hundred matches; while he’s certainly going out on a high note – hopefully the highest possible – it’s worth noting that there have been some ups and downs during his most recent incumbency.  So let’s go through a month-by-month review of the current Jupp-Heynckes-at-Bayern tenure.

The ground rules: for each calendar month (August, 2011 through now), we’ll go through the matches FC Bayern played and examine their record, their position in the various competitions in which they were involved, and any especially good or bad coaching moments from that month.  Then we’ll assign a numerical rating for the month, with 0 being “awful, can’t believe he didn’t get fired,” 10 being “Jupp Heynckes is a brilliant and unbeatable manager” and 5 being “average, for Bayern.”  Keep in mind that “average, for Bayern” is a high standard, so the very fact that the club won the majority of its games in a given month is not sufficient to earn a good rating.  In order to get a high number (anything above a 6), bare wins aren’t enough.  It will require being at or near the top of the table, demonstratively beating good teams, and making great coaching decisions.  And, at the end, we’ll break out the charts.

Ready?  Climb aboard.

August 2011

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