What the World Cup can do for your career

By David Lee Wheatley @davewh1980 @fluent_football

The 2014 World Cup in Brazil was without doubt one of the most entertaining in the tournament's history, as several wonderfully attack-minded matches left interested onlookers breathless, along with a significant helping of surprise results for fans to feast upon throughout the competition. Meanwhile, certain individuals played their way into big moves they could only have dreamt about prior to the start of proceedings in South America. Here are the top six transfers of the summer that probably wouldn't have happened without their fine performances in Brazil...

6. Gary Medel (Chile) - Cardiff City to Inter - Reported Fee: £10m

Medel was utilised as a defensive central midfielder during his one and only campaign in South Wales to little effect with relegated Cardiff City, but performed outstandingly in a central defensive role for his country at the World Cup when helping Chile reach the last-16 stage. They beat Australia and reigning champions Spain comfortably, before losing to Holland in a final group match which mattered little. They were back at their best against hosts Brazil in the first knockout round when losing out agonisingly on penalties. Medel remained rock solid throughout and his form earned a massive move to Serie A with Milanese giants Internazionale.

5. Daryl Janmaat (Holland) - Feyenoord to Newcastle United - Reported fee: £5m

Dutchman Daryl Janmaat wasn't named in connection with any Premier League sides prior to the World Cup, but his impressive showings as a right wing-back under Louis van Gaal at the World Cup convinced Newcastle United to pounce for his signature. Janmaat was one of three first-team defenders to leave Feyenoord after the tournament, along with Bruno Martins Indi and Stefan de Vrij, all of whom assisted the Netherlands to a highly creditable third place in Brazil. At just £5million, the 25-year-old will undoubtedly prove to be a bargain signing as the season wears on.

4. Guillermo Ochoa (Mexico) - Ajaccio to Malaga - Fee: Free transfer

Ochoa was a surprise first-choice goalkeeper for Mexico at the World Cup after three years playing in the French league, while he also had worries over his future to contend with after Corsican side Ajaccio failed to renew his contract before the competition began. Despite great uncertainty, the 29-year-old was outstanding between the sticks as the Mexicans made their way into the round of 16 and his imperious showing didn't go unnoticed. Arsenal took a look before opting for Colombian David Ospina instead, but La Liga outfit Malaga finally took the plunge and handed Ochoa a three-year deal. It completed a remarkable turnaround considering the curly-haired star was unsure he'd even have a club for the 2014/15 campaign.

3. Enner Valencia (Ecuador) - Pachuca to West Ham United - Reported fee: £15m

The lesser-known of two players named 'Valencia' in the Ecuador squad (after Manchester United's Antonio), Enner Valencia made a big splash at the World Cup, out-shining his more illustrious namesake with three goals from as many games. The centre-forward had once been a winger, but was converted to a striker at Pachuca where he subsequently hit 18 goals in 23 games in the Mexican league. That prolific scoring form, coupled with his impressive displays in Brazil for his national team, led to a string of clubs bring linked to his services. It was therefore quite a shock when the Hammers managed to nab him from under the noses of several bigger names across Europe and he could turn out to be a very interesting purchase for Sam Allardyce.

2. Marcos Rojo (Argentina) - Sporting Lisbon to Manchester United - Reported fee: £16m

Rojo was largely unknown outside of Argentina and Portugal before the World Cup began, but made a big name for himself thanks to his physical defensive style and added ability to cause havoc in the opponents' box from set-pieces. Strong, good in the air and versatile, Rojo helped Argentina to reach the final in Brazil and played his way into the 'Team of the Tournament'. A protracted switch to Manchester United from Sporting ensued due to third-party ownership issues and the Portuguese side's reluctance to sell, but eventually went through to make the La Plata-born defender's dream come true.

1. James Rodriguez (Colombia) - Monaco to Real Madrid - Reported fee: £65m

23-year-old attacking midfielder Rodriguez had already been involved in a big-money move a year previous to the World Cup when leaving Porto for Monaco in a deal worth around £35m. Incredibly, his superb performances at the summer tournament for Colombia led to an almost doubling of that fee when transferring from the glamourous surroundings of Monte Carlo to the world's most famous club Real Madrid. Rodriguez was top scorer at the World Cup, while he unjustly - and inexplicably - missed out on the 'Player of the Tournament' accolade to Lionel Messi. Most expected the young superstar to turn out in Monaco colours again this season prior to his summer exploits, but there was little chance of that once he'd propelled his country to the quarter-finals against the odds. Now, he just has to compete with Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale for a spot in the team at the Bernabeu!

The six named above weren't the only ones to benefit from a productive summer; others to cap off the competition with lucrative transfers included Carlos Sanchez, Bruno Martins Indi, Stefan de Vrij, Jefferson Montero and Federico Fernandez.

Special mention, too, must go to Mexico and ex-Barcelona defender Rafael Marquez, who confounded the critics who said he was too old by enjoying an excellent World Cup and earning himself another crack at European club football with Verona at the age of 35.

It all just goes to prove that, despite all of the worldwide scouting tools available to clubs these days, there's still opportunities for footballers to earn a dream move which simply wasn't on the cards before the start of a World Cup tournament.

Xavi: The International Years

By David Lee Wheatley

Xavi, the master craftsman of the Barcelona midfield, announced earlier this week that his time had arrived to bow out at international level. Having won everything available with both club and country, I take a look back at the huge impact made by one of the finest footballers of his time on the astounding successes achieved by the Spanish national team within his 14 years of loyal national duty.

Making his senior international debut for Spain in 2000, the same year he helped the under-23 side win Olympic silver in Sydney, Xavi went on to amass an incredible 133 caps up to and including the 2014 World Cup. Though he and his team-mates suffered terribly in Brazil when being dumped out of the tournament at the group stage, it certainly cannot be allowed to tarnish the immense legacy left by the Barca star on his nation's footballing history.

Having featured at the ultimately disappointing 2002 and 2006 editions of the World Cup finals, as well as Euro 2004, Xavi and his peers were under great pressure to deliver thanks to the feverish clamour from the Spanish public to see an end to their agonising wait for major honours. The closest they'd come to global glory was placing fourth at the 1950 World Cup, despite possessing a plethora of top-class players over the course of many years since. Meanwhile, they'd last claimed victory in continental competition when hosting the 1964 championships.

In 2008, eternally optimistic Spain fans believed they finally had a crop of outstanding individuals capable of evolving into winning team. Their faith wasn't misplaced for once, with a vibrant squad led by hugely experienced coach Luis Aragones sweeping all before them on their march towards the final.

A slightly weak group comprising of Russia, Sweden and Greece were no match for the Spaniards, while a tight quarter-final clash saw La Roja advance on penalties against fierce rivals Italy.

Surprisingly, Russia made it all the way to the last four and in doing so booked a return match with Spain in the semi-finals. Yet again, Aragones' men proved too strong for their Eastern European opponents when trouncing them 3-0. Xavi was instrumental in the downfall of a Guus Hiddink-inspired Russian side, including grabbing the opening goal of the game after 50 minutes.

The final in Vienna was another close encounter against Germany and it was won by a solitary strike from Fernando Torres just beyond the half-hour mark. Spain were 'Kings of Europe' for the second time and deservedly so; cool, calm and collected midfield lynchpin Xavi taking away the 'Player of the Tournament' award in recognition of his sublime performances.

Everyone already knew about Xavi's supreme passing accuracy, vision, movement and unerring ability to locate space which mere mortals simply wouldn't spot. Post-Euro 2008 though, the La Masia academy graduate was being hailed by many observers as the greatest midfielder on the planet. His instinctive understanding of the possession game practised by both FC Barcelona and Spain allowed him to dictate the pattern of play to such an extreme level that nobody on the opposition team could even hope to put a halt on whatever Xavi intended to happen. He literally never gave the ball away and every single pass seemed choreographed due to the Barcelona star being one step ahead mentally at all times.

Spain entered the 2010 World Cup as firm favourites for the title, even if such an outcome required a European team to lift the trophy away from their own continent for the first-ever occasion in tournament history. South Africa was the venue, but there was a growing sense of Spain's entitlement to the Holy Grail of a World Cup triumph, albeit on foreign soil.

Again, Xavi played a pivotal role in Spain's continued prosperity with new man Vicente Del Bosque now at the helm. Overcoming a shock 0-1 reverse at the hands of Switzerland in the first group game, the Spanish banished all doubts about their overall superiority in the 32-team competition by beating Honduras and Chile in order to safely make the round of 16.

Portugal provided a tough, hard-fought encounter for Spain in the knock-out phase and pushed the European champions to the very limit. Despite seeing a large majority of the ball, it took until the 63rd minute for David Villa to latch on to a Xavi backheel before making the breakthrough and deflating Portuguese hopes in the process.

Villa was on the scoresheet once more to settle another one-sided affair against Paraguay at the quarter-final stage, with the South Americans holding out until seven minutes from the end. Del Bosque's men wore them down with their relentless possession play until they finally caved into the inevitability of the situation.

In a repeat of the Euro 2008 final, the German powerhouse clashed with Spanish artistry in Durban. Xavi turned out to be key to the result when sending over a fine cross for club-mate Puyol to head home the winner.

The final through up a meeting in Johannesburg with Holland, which was expected to provide a feast for viewers relating to the traditional footballing styles of both nations. Unfortunately, the Dutch threw the usual play-book out of the window when deciding to kick and foul their way through the game, thus creating a terrible spectacle for those watching on. Eventually, the persistence of the Spanish told late into extra-time when Iniesta fired home to seal victory in spite of the roughhouse tactics employed by Bert van Marwijk.

To most, it was a triumph for beautiful football due to the strange tactical plan put in place by the Netherlands. Spain, the disciples of 'Tiki-Taka', had managed to withstand a furious physical assault from the Oranje, thus enhancing their own reputation while being intimately linked to the day when the often classy Dutch temporarily forgot all about their long-held 'Total Football' principles.

With an overall passing accuracy of 91%, the tremendous Xavi proved his worth once again when driving the side towards their ambitious goal of world domination from the middle of the park. Additionally, the wonderful inter-play and innate understanding between the Barcelona-based trio Xavi, Iniesta and David Villa had been central to each and every victory along the way.

So, it was on to Euro 2012 and a chance to defend a major trophy in an event co-hosted by Poland and Ukraine. Spain stuttered to a 1-1 draw with old foes Italy in their opening fixture, but soon slipped into top gear when dismissing the Republic of Ireland 4-0 and Croatia by the only goal of the game. Amazingly, the combined passes made by Xavi and Iniesta totalled more than the entire Irish XI when taking them apart in the second group match.

The holders saw off France with ease to reach the semi-finals, where they were drawn with Portugal. It took a penalty shoot-out to settle matters, which went in the favour of Spain by 4-2 following a dour 0-0 draw after extra-time had been played. Over in the other semi, Italy knocked Germany out to recreate the billing for the Group C opening match featured at the beginning of the European Championships which ended all-square.

This time, however, Spain were a different animal altogether and two assists from Xavi helped the team to record a resounding 4-0 win to defend the trophy in great style. With that result, Xavi inked his name in Spanish football folklore as the most successful player in the history of the national side and therefore cemented his status as one of the very best players to pull on the famous red jersey.

True, the World Cup earlier this summer saw a waning Xavi claim only one more cap to make his final tally up to 133, second only to Real Madrid 'keeper Iker Casillas who sits on a highly commendable 156 caps for his country. Spain lost to a rejuvenated Holland and exciting Chile side, before regaining a modicum of respectability by putting Australia to the sword. However, it was too late by the time they tasted victory in Brazil and they returned home without the golden trophy they travelled across the seas to defend.

It came as no great shock to hear of 34-year-old Xavi's decision to step down from national team duty, while many either have or will follow his lead in announcing their retirement from the international stage. The fantastic generation that brought immense joy and happiness to millions of Spanish supporters have all-but ran out of steam; now they're ready to stand aside and allow the next wave of talent to emerge.

As for Xavi, he will continue running the show at Camp Nou for at least another season under the tutelage of new head coach Luis Enrique, safe in the knowledge that his lasting impact on the sport shall never be forgotten.

Twitter: @davewh1980

Transition time for European heavyweights

 

 

By David Lee Wheatley

 

 

Three of the biggest names in European football must go back to the drawing board following a massively disappointing showing at the World Cup from the trio of Spain, Italy and England, but what procedures can they install in an attempt to avoid a repeat of this summer’s failures at the next major international tournament taking place in 2016?

Spain’s stumbles in Brazil created the strongest reverberations around the world when the defending champions crashed spectacularly at the hands of Holland in their opening group game. That 5-1 loss effectively signalled the end of an era for a side that had dominated international football since 2008 and conjured serious doubts around the Mediterranean nation’s ability to regain their place at the top of the pile again in the foreseeable future.

Departing greats such as David Villa, Xavi and Iker Casillas all appeared to be way past their best, while long-term inspirational leader Carles Puyol didn’t even make the squad due to injury and will retire from all football this summer. The error-strewn displays of Real Madrid goalkeeping legend Casillas were particularly shocking and contributed heavily to the downfall of Vicente Del Bosque’s men.

Italy, meanwhile, started brightly with an impressive 2-1 victory over England in their first fixture, but faded badly afterwards when losing to both Costa Rica and Uruguay without recording a goal. Their third-place finish in Group D caused the emotional resignation of head coach Cesare Prandelli and indeed the mourning of a nation at the death of their World Cup dreams.

Again, older stars within the Azzurri ranks looked jaded and could not inspire their younger colleagues to glory. Gianluigi Buffon, so long a talisman for the Italians between the sticks, missed the win over England in the opening game due to injury, but returned in place of Salvatore Sirigu to preside over two defeats to teams they were initially expected to beat in order to progress.

The usually outstanding Andrea Pirlo was peerless in Manaus against the English, yet largely struggled to replicate that form thereafter. He may have signed another contract at Juventus, but the ‘Player of the Tournament’ at Euro 2012 didn’t cope well with the conditions over in South America and it seems unlikely that it’ll be possible to rely on the talented playmaker two years from now.

Another whose status at the highest level must be cast into doubt is rehabilitated ‘enfant terrible’ Antonio Cassano, who looked out of his depth when utilised by Prandelli at the World Cup. Italy were toothless going forward when in opposition to the rough-house tactics of Uruguay and the well organised counter-attacking style of surprise package Costa Rica, so will need to find a reliable goalscorer to take the burden off the mercurial Mario Balotelli. Furthermore, highly-rated holding midfielder Daniele De Rossi also failed to convince and must up his game considerably if he wishes to stake a claim for a spot at Euro 2016.

Roy Hodgson gave way to public pressure when choosing a youthful and vibrant squad seemingly full of promise, but which ultimately failed to deliver. A large proportion of England’s problems differ to both Spain and Italy in that they’ve already embarked upon the process of renewing an ageing team, which is a task that still looms large for the other two nations.

Wise old head coach Hodgson must hope several of his newest charges blossom into top-level operators, with at least one or two developing world-class pedigrees. The only footballers within the 23-man World Cup outfit selected by Hodgson who were performing at that exalted level previously were Wayne Rooney, Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard; the first one careered backwards hugely since his international zenith at Euro 2004 and the other two now at an age when their best days are truly behind them. That so-called ‘golden generation’ whom travelled to the World Cup of 2002 didn’t come close to realising the lofty expectations placed upon them and have since broken up to leave behind a relatively naïve bunch of players who need to learn quickly.

The English require an identity; Italy always look to field a tight, organised defence and use their penchant for counter-attacking to take a lead which they can then defend, Spain their possession play, pressing and two-touch passing. Hodgson must forge ahead with his favoured strategy and select players who fit nicely into that framework.

England’s displays against Uruguay and especially Italy were generally well received by fans and the media alike, but individual mistakes proved costly in both ties and saw them bow out of proceedings meekly after a meagre two matches. It was a chastening experience for the squad, but one which will hopefully toughen them up for the significant challenges ahead.

Spain probably have the greatest chance of bouncing back swiftly on the face of it, given they have all the necessary processes in place which helped them to already achieve so much from that breakthrough triumph at Euro 2008 onwards. Their academies regularly produce footballers of the highest quality and undoubtedly will continue to do so.

It is the start of a turbulent transitional phase for the Spanish and the time is right for a change of leadership, so elder statesman Del Bosque must step aside to allow another man to take the team forward. However, the basic principles of his reign must be carried through in terms of style and tactics and then built upon for the overall set-up to flourish over the next few years. Pep Guardiola would be the ideal solution, but he remains committed to Bayern Munich and therefore La Roja’s search for a fresh custodian will go on for sometime yet.

Cesare Prandelli’s decision to leave his post and seek pastures new in Turkey with Galatasaray causes a void that will be difficult to fill with an adequate replacement. The man who left Istanbul to create the vacancy at Gala, Roberto Mancini, is the bookies’ favourite and certainly possesses the silverware in his locker to suggest he’s ready for the call having won both the English Premier League and Serie A titles during his time in club management. However, he is a divisive figure who doesn’t always see eye-to-eye with his players, including a certain Signor Balotelli during their time together at Manchester City.

Alternative candidates Francesco Guidolin and Massimiliano Allegri don’t exactly inspire great excitement, as the former is mainly used to guiding unfashionable clubs to higher heights than expected - but still not winning anything of note - and the latter was unceremoniously sacked by Milan last winter with the San Siro giants struggling in lower mid-table.

A bold choice of manager by the Italian FA would be advisable, whilst the over-reliance on master craftsman Pirlo must cease in order for the team to improve sufficiently. The likes of Balotelli, Verratti, Immobile and Insigne have the opportunity to take on the mantle from more established stars and thus drag the Azzurri back to the pinnacle of world football once again. That crop of talent hold the tools to become successful and now they have to use them effectively; whether there are more like them waiting in the wings to beef up Italy’s options remains to be seen.

Back with England, the consensus appears to be to allow Hodgson a chance to continue the work he began in rejuvenating the side, while looking towards Euro 2016 in France as the potential tournament when that spadework will begin reaping rewards.

There is a fair degree of uncertainty surrounding the Three Lions’ future simply because nobody can accurately predict how well this group of emerging players will develop, both individually and collectively. However, Hodgson has put his faith in those youngsters to bring smiles to English faces and he must stick wholeheartedly by that philosophy; two vital ingredients that would assist markedly would be the unearthing of a commanding central defender and also a striker who doesn’t require five clear-cut chances to score a goal.

 

Should they seek out and locate players of that ilk, while further enhancing the skills of those already harnessed within the squad, then England could confidently believe that a happier period lies just ahead of them.

 



Twitter: @davewh1980

Classic clash: Italy v England October 1997

By David Lee Wheatley

England travelled to Rome for the final match of the 1998 World Cup qualifying campaign requiring a solitary point at the Stadio Olimpico to guarantee their spot at the tournament proper. Italy famously triumphed over the English in the reverse fixture when the diminutive Gianfranco Zola beat goalkeeper Ian Walker at his near post to secure only their second-ever victory at Wembley.

 

Manager Glenn Hoddle knew it would be a tough assignment for his squad, but fully believed in their ability to confound the critics and make it through to France '98 ahead of their fierce rivals. At least a draw in the Eternal City and the Three Lions would be roaring all the way to the finals, while consigning the mighty Italians to the dreaded play-offs.

 

The former Tottenham maestro was known for his love of cultured football, but felt it necessary to instruct his charges to sit back and hit the Azzurri on the counter-attack whenever possible. He was aware that the hosts would strive to put England under constant pressure and deemed it too risky to attempt a reciprocation of those tactics. Therefore, the team were well-drilled in advance over the rigid nature of their defensive duties in order to stifle the opposition threat.

 

Hoddle selected an experienced line-up including captain for the evening Paul Ince, Tony Adams, Paul Gascoigne, David Seaman and Ian Wright. Meanwhile, the Italian starting eleven was brimming with global superstars such as Maldini, Albertini, Vieri, Zola and Pippo Inzaghi to name but a few, thus providing a rather daunting prospect when the visitors faced up to the unenviable task in front of them.

 

An incredible 81,000 fans packed into the Olimpico to witness the contest and set about the creation of a wonderfully partisan atmosphere reminiscent of the infamous Colosseum itself. The tension was palpable due to the sheer magnitude of the occasion and yet the English appeared completely focused as the sides lined up prior to kick-off.

 

As predicted, Italy reserved the lion's share of territory, as England allowed them to play with relative freedom until approaching the final third of the field. Then they would press, pursue and chase down every ball with boundless energy, heroically blocking everything which came into their path. Ince and Gascoigne were particularly impressive in central midfield, working doggedly to win back possession and proceeding to retain it with great poise. The pair spent almost the entire game relentlessly stalking every blade of grass on the pitch in true lung-busting fashion, while bidding to stop the Italian artisans from making a crucial breakthrough.

 

Home hopes blew up spectacularly late on, as the away team successfully frustrated their illustrious foes until Italy's discipline eventually deserted them altogether when in utter desperation to claim three points. Locally-born wide midfielder Angelo Di Livio lost his head completely after 76 minutes, resulting in a sending-off that made England's job that much easier thanks to the departure of the tigerish Juventus man.

 

Battered and bruised, courageous captain Ince epitomised the battling spirit within the camp throughout England's rearguard action against the well-fancied Azzurri. Just like Terry Butcher years before him, the inspirational leader stood up to the rigours of the heated clash while sporting a makeshift bandage around his head following a stray Demetrio Albertini elbow, along with a white jersey heavily stained with bright red blood. He should have received several stitches in the wound, but having been informed of the 30 minutes needed to administer the patch-up work, Ince refused the offer and continued to play on which allowed the visitors to remain at full strength throughout. It showed superb comradeship by the former Inter dynamo and proved just how much the result meant to him and his compatriots.

 

In a manic last few moments, Ian Wright hit the post when most believed he was certain to score, while colossal striker Christian Vieri missed a header in the dying seconds at the other end to effectively seal that precious 0-0 scoreline the underdogs so desired. Once the full-time whistle sounded, England's exhausted heroes fell to the ground in sheer tiredness and relief.They'd produced one of the finest English performances on foreign soil in living memory, defying the odds to conquer Rome and advance to the World Cup finals after an agonising eight-year wait since Italia '90.

 

Let's hope this latest generation of footballers who are currently entrusted with the country's fortunes at the 2014 World Cup can replicate the same level of pride in the shirt so readily displayed by those on that glorious night in the Italian capital - we might just stand half a chance!

Twitter: @davewh1980

Brazil are the team to beat

By David Lee Wheatley

As hosts of the 2014 World Cup, Brazil hold a distinct advantage in the fact that almost a third of the 19 tournaments which have taken place from the inaugural edition in 1930 onwards have been won by those welcoming the world.

Six national sides have triumphed on home soil in the past, with firstly Uruguay and then Italy claiming the opening two titles. England were next to lift the trophy in front of 96,000 fervent supporters at Wembley Stadium in 1966, the Three Lions’ one and only World Cup final victory. West Germany in ’74 were followed hot on their heels by Argentina in ’78, prior to a 20-year wait before the last occurrence at France ’98.

Additionally, thirteen World Cup-winning teams have prevailed on their own continental patch, with a further two won by South American sides in the familiar surroundings of the Central American sub-continent. Meanwhile, A Seleção beat all-comers during USA ’94, which isn’t completely alien territory for those born and bred in Latin America.

In stark contrast, a solitary squad has managed to buck the trend of failing away from their European continentin the shape of the extraordinary Spaniards in 2010. That recent anomaly offers scant hope to those travelling to Brazil, as it simply confirms the journey to a World Cup final many miles from your own backyard is a mighty difficult road to negotiate.

It’s eminently true that Brazil’s class of 2014 aren’t quite up to the same standard as previous versions and huge expectation has been placed upon former Santos starlet Neymar Jr. to produce the magic required to assist Scolari’s side in their quest for an unprecedented sixth World Cup. However, they possess several talented individuals to supplement the much-heralded Barcelona forward’s significant contribution to the team, so much so that seasoned campaigners Kaka and Robinho weren’t even included on the standby list.

Their projected starting line-up is undoubtedly strong enough to win the tournament, assuming they avoid injuries and suspensions. Goalkeeper Julio Cesar is an experienced performer, while a defence made up of Dani Alves, Thiago Silva, David Luiz and Marcelo excites in an attacking sense, but remains slightly vulnerable when under the cosh.

Ramires and Fernandinho could take up the two defensive midfield positions, screening and covering when David Luiz or the marauding wing-backs surge forwards. Ahead of them should be Willian on the right, Paulinho in the centre and Neymar wide-left, who will be encouraged to link-up with the main striker leading the line in the form of Zenit hit-man Hulk.

Group A won’t hold any fears for the green-and-yellows, with Croatia, Mexico and Cameroon all operating at an inferior level compared to the highly-fancied hosts andsurely fighting it out for second place.

Brazil have the pedigree, talent, historical statistics and a vast nation firmly behind them and it’s hard to argue against their tag of favourites as the start of thecompetition rapidly approaches.

Twitter: @davewh1980

Diego Costa: Chelsea find the perfect striking solution

 

 

By David Lee Wheatley

 

 

Atletico Madrid star Diego Costa passed a medical yesterday in preparation for an imminent transfer to Chelsea in a mega-money deal which is expected to reach the £32million buy-out clause stipulated in the Brazilian-born forward’s contract.

The west London club were alerted to the talents of 25-year-old Costa following an outstanding return of 36 goals from 52 games during the course of Atletico’s hugely successful campaign and promptly pounced ahead of a long line of other potential suitors in order to nab the bustling striker’s prized signature before the start of the World Cup due to take place in his homeland. While Costa readies himself to represent adopted nation Spain in the country of his birth at this summer’s tournament, those in control within the corridors of Stamford Bridge can rest easy in the knowledge that they’ve secured the signing of a natural goalscorer who is absolutely ready-made for them and the Premier League in general.

Blues boss Jose Mourinho publicly bemoaned the dearth of firepower at his disposal last term, with the misfiring Fernando Torres, Demba Ba and Samuel Eto’o struggling to find the net on a regular basis. That inconsistency from his forwards led to calls for the club to bring in a proven striker who could handle the rough-and-tumble world of English football and in the shape of Diego Costa they have snared a top performer who is feisty, tough and extremely strong, thus causing abundant nightmares for opposition defenders. Whatever his marker tries to mete out during the heat of battle, they will get it back two-fold due to the highly physical approach that Costa prefers. Defenders will not get a moment’s peace from the significant attacking threat posed by the Spanish international and will find it incredibly difficult to keep the 6ft 2in powerhouse quiet.

Costa began his professional career with Portuguese side Braga after leaving Brazil at the age of 18, as he set out on a European adventure encompassing seven different teams across Spain and Portugal, thanks to numerous loan spells away from his parent clubs. He took in stints with Penafiel, Atletico Madrid (once before his latest stay at the Vicente Calderon), back to Braga, Celta Vigo, Albacete, Real Valladolid, Atletico again and then another short-term loan across to Rayo Vallecano. At no point from the start of his journey had the forward managed to showcase his true promise until that loan switch in January 2012 to Rayo, the relatively poor relations of football-mad Madrid. A serious knee injury in pre-season had limited Costa’s ability to cement a place in the starting line-up during his second coming at Atleti, so he was farmed to their lesser neighbours in the hope of finding form with a club that could offer him a platform to regain full fitness by featuring week-in, week-out at La Liga level. Indeed, that opportunity to play allowed the rangy centre-forward to hit the goal trail immediately when plundering an impressive ten goals in just 16 appearances during the five months spent in Vallecas.

He returned to Atletico brimming with renewed confidence and saw his name on the team-sheet more often than not under inspirational manager Diego Simeone. Costa grabbed 20 in all competitions amid a startling run which culminated in the claiming of the Copa del Rey crown – he’d finally arrived on the big stage. The 2013 summer transfer window saw furious speculation surrounding the then-Brazilian national squad member’s future, with Liverpool mooted to be ready with an attractive offer in the region of £21million. However, Los Rojiblancos held firm and refused to buckle under the immense pressure placed upon them to sell a player who had swiftly become a key cog in Simeone’s well-oiled machine.

Sticking with the Spanish giants proved to be a superb decision when considering his considerable contribution to a wildly successful 2013-14 campaign at the Calderon, as Atleti took La Liga by storm in winning their first title since 1996. Not only that, but they shocked the entire continent by advancing all the way to a Champions’ League final date with local rivals Real Madrid in Lisbon, a unique occurrence in that two sides from the same city had come face-to-face in a European final on the only occasion in history to date. Alas, the fairytale stopped there, with Diego Costa limping off injured after only nine minutes at the Estadio da Luz and Atletico eventually surrendering a 1-0 lead with seconds left at the end of proceedings to force an extra 30 minutes of action. Real followed up their cruel equaliser right at the death by firing a further three goals home in extra-time to rubber-stamp their feted tenth Champions’ Cup success. Despite the utter deflation of defeat, Atletico could look back proudly on an astonishing season full of great highs and fantastic memories, with Costa an integral protagonist of their first championship-winning season for 18 years.

Now, having controversially switched allegiance following two friendly-match caps for Brazil, Costa hopes to play an important part in the upcoming World Cup for holders Spain in spite of the thigh problem which has been troubling him for some time. The imposing front-man is back in training and raring to go for his opening attempt at excelling in an international competition of this magnitude and he can go into the group games without external worries now that his situation at club level is settled, having done all he could for the Atletico Madrid cause prior to moving on to pastures new.

Chelsea can be assured they are set to welcome the ideal footballer to robustly lead the line at Stamford Bridge next season. They spent the whole year desperately seeking a solution to their distinct lack of attacking prowess without any luck; the ruthless and ultra-aggressive Atletico marksman represents precisely what Mourinho’s men were crying out for all season-long.          

Twitter: @davewh1980



Gazza Mania! - #BlogToLisbon campaign by www.camporetro.com

My entry for the #BlogToLisbon campaign by www.camporetro.com

 

By David Lee Wheatley

It was a balmy late-August evening when north London club Tottenham Hotspur visited for the opening home fixture of Sunderland's 1990-91 Division One campaign and it was sure to be a huge test of the Rokerites' ability to cope in the top-flight following an incredibly fortunate promotion.

Swindon Town triumphed over Sunderland at Wembley in the May play-off final thanks to a Gary Bennett own goal, which apparantly condemned the north-east club to another year battling to reach the promised land. However, The Robins were found to have made illegal payments to players over a four-year period, which breached several Football League regulations along the way. The alloted punishment was to have their advancement to the First Division annulled in favour of losing finalists Sunderland taking their spot instead.

Denis Smith's men were suddenly on an incredible high due to their unexpected reprieve following the awful setback they'd suffered at Wembley. The team were determined to make the most of their good fortune and they couldn't have chosen a better way to welcome top-flight football back to Roker Park than to take on glamorous foes Spurs, complete with two superstars fresh from competing in a World Cup that had England fans everywhere dreaming of lifting the golden trophy for the first time since 1966.

I was stood in the Roker End that day as an excited ten-year-old, just to the right of the goal in a corner compartment that was filling up to maximum capacity in anticipation of kick-off. The floodlights shone down on an immaculate playing surface and the atmosphere inside was absolutely electric. My cousin and I were taken to the match by my father and we always got there early before most supporters had arrived; that decision positioned us right at the front behind large yellow metal fencing, which I could barely see over!

As kick-off approached, it became apparent our part of the ground was becoming dangerously full with no sign of any let-up in the increasing amount of fans making their way into that corner. I actually heard at one stage to my utter horror a steward exclaiming, "we can get another thousand in here!". At that point, I was being pushed into the fence by a large group of grown men who'd made their way into the area surrounding us and it was quickly developing into a terribly worrying situation!

Remember, this was before all-seater stadia had been introduced and a young lad of my age at the time didn't stand a chance of keeping his footing when getting crushed against the metal fencing. Eventually, the side of my face was jammed up against the yellow bars ahead of me and a split-second decision by some of the stewards in attendance meant that all of the children at the front were lifted out to safety and led away from the scene. Unbelievably for us, we were all lined up immediately behind the advertising hoardings in a prime location extremely close to the pitch just in time to witness the two sets of players making their way on to the field.

Rapturous applause rang out around a packed Roker Park to herald the arrival of the teams with Spurs resplendent in their yellow and black away strip, as the likes of Gary Lineker and Paul Gascoigne ran around doing warm-up stretches in preparation for the start of the game. Indeed, during one particular stretch down to touch his toes, the Geordie joker purposefully pointed his backside in the direction of the Main Stand when reacting to the dog's abuse being hurled in his direction from the terraces! Gazza's countrywide popularity had reached fever pitch due to his wonderful performances at Italia '90 and, of course, those infamous tears he shed in the semi-final against West Germany. He'd literally become the most adored footballer on the planet almost overnight, yet the Sunderland fans still hadn't forgotten his allegiance to Newcastle United!

His slightly chubby appearance was unmercifically prayed upon by the red-and-white army when a shower of Mars Bars hailed down on the Gateshead-born midfielder. In true Gazza style, he picked up the nearest chocolate bar, took a big bite and threw it behind the goal where our group were sat. The boy to my right, whom I wasn't familiar with, quickly snatched the half-eaten Mars Bar before wrapping it up and putting it in his pocket for safe-keeping. What a souvenir to take home; completely congealed most likely by the time he got back in the house from the warmth of the coat pocket on a sticky summer's night!

The anxious rush to grab that sought-after item of Mars memorabilia serves to perfectly illustrate the hysteria surrounding Gascoigne during that era; everybody wanted a piece of him, even his left-over food! He'd been the stand-out performer at the World Cup and his fame had peaked at the sort of level usually reserved for movie or rock stars. Nobody had captured the imagination of the English public in quite the same way as Gazza had achieved and to have both he and Lineker in direct competition with our hometown club - when we initially believed just a few months prior that we'd be watching Division Two football all over again - was an awesome sight to behold.

Even though the match ended in a 0-0 draw, it was a fabulous experience to be sat practically on the byline watching proceedings unfold and to witness those two international heroes in action. The 30,000 crowd were treated to a decent contest, but with very few goalscoring opportunities to speak of. I do, however, recall a Gary Lineker strike from about 20 yards flying towards my little face at a rate of knots before I took swift evasive action in order to avoid getting a burst nose or black eye to round off my eventful evening!

That early mark within the infancy of a brand new season held boundless hopes and dreams for both clubs and their dedicated followers, but it all ended in great disappointment league-wise. Terry Venables' side were third in the league after 17 matches, but fell away alarmingly to finish tenth while local arch-rivals Arsenal claimed the title. However, they tempered that feeling of failure by claiming the FA Cup when defeating Nottingham Forest in the final, albeit with the devastating loss of Gascoigne to serious injury. Meanwhile, Sunderland's Division One odyssey lasted only a solitary term, as they were relegated in 19th place alongside bottom club Derby County.

Despite the profound sadness related to relegation, I shall always fondly remember the day World Cup wonders Gazza and Gary Lineker came to town!

Follow me on Twitter: @davewh1980

 

In conjunction with @camporetro for their #BlogToLisbon competition

World Cup watch: Carroll v Lambert

By David Lee Wheatley

Southampton striker Rickie Lambert this week stated his direct rival for an England squad place is West Ham United's Andy Carroll, as the race for a World Cup spot heats up to boiling point. There are many similarities between the pair with both fabulous in the air and physically imposing, thus Roy Hodgson has a difficult decision to make when choosing which target man to take with him.

Where the clearest difference lies is Lambert's ability on the deck, which supersedes Carroll's skill on the ball. The Southampton man also possesses a dangerous direct free-kick, but he would have to overcome the seniority of one or two others for the ball when in an England shirt. However, Carroll is without doubt the finest header of a football in the Premier League, which is his greatest strength and sets him apart from most English strikers of his generation.

It used to be the norm to see tall, strapping centre-forwards strutting their stuff in almost all English club sides, but the modern trend has favoured smaller, pacy strikers over recent years meaning that an old-fashioned number nine has become something of a rarity. Hence why only one of either Lambert or Carroll can realistically expect to make the plane to Rio alongside vastly different types of strikers such as Rooney, Welbeck, Defoe and Sturridge; none of whom fit the same profile as Lambert or Carroll.

The stats so far this season suggest Lambert is the better bet, but Andy Carroll only returned to action after long-term injury in January and therefore managed just 13 appearances including this weekend's clash with Crystal Palace. Just two goals have come from Carroll in that period, but the lack of a prolific strike-rate could be attributed to those injury worries which plagued the former Newcastle United man throughout the first half of the campaign.

Meanwhile, Lambert has again been a talisman for a highly talented Southampton squad this season and he's assisted in the south coast side's encampment within the Premier League top ten for the majority of this term. The Kirkby-born battler has worked his way through every single division of league football and his 11 goals, plus 10 assists, from 34 league appearances keeps up his excellent 1-in-3 scoring ratio, while illustrating his importance to the team's passing style and build-up play.

Neither star managed to hit the mark today, as both spurned some decent chances in their respective fixtures. The Saints could only take a point away to Villa in a 0-0 draw, while the Hammers lost 0-1 in front of their own fans against Palace. Still, Carroll's injury issues in tandem with Southampton's sterling season may have handed Hodgson more opportunities to see Lambert in action and could put the amiable Scouser above his Geordie compatriot in the eyes of the national team manager.

In summary, if Hodgson wants a player who will come on the field of play to put himself about and apply pressure upon the opposition defence in the air allied to a more direct approach to the game, then Andy Carroll would be the most suitable option. Should the England boss prefer a powerful player who can set up and score goals, slot into a more progressive style of play and contribute inside and outside of the box, it has to be 32-year-old Lambert.

Either way the squad announcement eventually goes, both men in question would likely begin the World Cup looking on from the bench with Rooney and Sturridge apparantly ahead of them in the pecking order as we approach the tournament. Their potential impact from a substitute role will be extremely important in the final reckoning and should deem which player gets the nod for the biggest test of their careers.

Twitter: @davewh1980

Hiddink signs deal to lead Dutch national side once again

 

 

 

By David Lee Wheatley

 

 

Master tactician Guus Hiddink is to become head coach of the Netherlands national team following the completion of this summer’s World Cup finals, it was confirmed today. The former Chelsea boss has signed a two-year pre-contract agreement with the KNVB to take over the reins from current incumbent Louis van Gaal, once he relinquishes control in order to make a return to club management.

Hiddink managed the side between 1995 and 1998 having also led the senior international teams of South Korea, Australia, Russia and Turkey in a hugely successful globe-trotting coaching career thus far. Now 67, it appears the final challenge of an ongoing 32-year journey since first taking his place in the dug-out as De Graafschap assistant coach.

Having made clear his intention to aim for a top Premier League job, the Dutch FA were well aware of van Gaal’s decision to move on ahead of time and they’ve been busy putting plans in place to adequately replace him with an equally revered elder statesman. Hiddink will lead the Dutch to Euro 2016 in the hope of claiming silverware before handing his duties over to Ajax legend Danny Blind, who will assist him for the next two years alongside Ruud van Nistelrooy.

Several big clubs have been linked to former Ajax, Bayern and Barcelona boss van Gaal, while he's been openly angling for a lucrative switch to the English Premier League. Heavyweights such as Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United are said to be monitoring the situation closely and it seems Spurs would be his most likely destination at this stage.  

Meanwhile, Hiddink will be desperate to avoid a repeat of the in-fighting and public spats which characterised his last spell at the Oranje helm after he inherited a set of fractious individuals severely lacking in team spirit. Edgar Davids was sensationally sent home from Euro ’96 when Hiddink decided to get tough in taking the Dutch to the quarter-finals. His initially troublesome period as manager gave way to a more relaxed atmosphere at the World Cup two years later and Holland made the semi-finals prior to an unlucky penalty shoot-out loss to Brazil.

If he can foster a similar environment within the national side from 2014 onwards to that which he left behind in 1998, then it would be eminently conceivable for the Netherlands to be crowned Champions of Europe for the first time since Euro ’88.

 

Twitter: @davewh1980



Young Guns: Alen Halilovic

 

 

By David Lee Wheatley

 

 

17-year-old attacking midfielder Alen Halilovic is the youngest-ever player to represent his nation in a full international and also the Croatian first division's youngest goalscorer in history. With a plethora of European heavyweights scouting him from all across the continent for months, it is FC Barcelona who have finally won the day for his signature in a 2.2million euros transfer.

 

 

Born in Dubrovnik, Halilovic quickly ascended through the youth ranks at Dinamo Zagreb to make his first-team debut in September 2012 as a late substitute within the hostile atmosphere of a clash with rivals Hadjuk Split. A UEFA Champions' League bow followed against Paris Saint-Germain, thus gaining further invaluable experience at the highest level.

 

 

Even better was to come, though, for the diminutive left-footer when breaking into the senior national squad, having represented his homeland at all youth stages up to under-17. Portugal were the opposition on June 10, 2013, as Halilovic broke yet another record due to his tender years.

 

 

Many observers have been swift in comparing the wonder-kid to Real Madrid superstar Luka Modric, but his club have been careful to keep their prize asset from getting too carried away with such high praise. Dinamo bled the youngster slowly but surely into action, with the starlet appearing on 19 occasions and scoring 3 goals this season. However, only eight of those were starts in order to allow the developing midfielder the rest he requires to avoid burn-out issues.

 

 

His current side hold an 11-point lead this campaign domestically, while Halilovic has been further subjected to European competition in both the Champions' League qualifiers and Europa League group stage. He will stay with the 15-time Croatian first division champions until the season's end, at which point the Catalan giants will begin to phase him in gently - after what he hopes will be an adventure at the World Cup in Brazil - with a stint playing for their 'B' team initially.

 

 

Hopes are high that Halilovic will mature and prosper under the expert guidance of one of the greatest training academies in the world, while helping him to fulfil his undoubted potential later on during a projected minimum stay of five years. There is no specific timeframe for his promotion to the big leagues and Barca will surely caress his career with great understanding.

 

 

If he performs as well as hoped, his succession of Blaugrana great Xavi won't be too far into the future and the meagre fee of 2.2million euros will increase substantially with myriad add-ons attached to the deal.

 

 

Twitter: @davewh1980

Legend Rivaldo retires

By David Lee Wheatley

Former Brazil international forward Rivaldo announced his retirement yesterday at the ripe old age of 41.

Now president of Brazilian Serie C side Mogi Mirim, with whom he played his final match, Rivaldo pulled down the curtain on a fine career having featured alongside his 18-year-old son in a 1-1 draw with XV de Piracicaba.

He leaves the game having won the World Cup in 2002 as a crucial part of triumvirate Ronaldo, Ronaldinho and himself, while he also helped his country to the final four years prior. A Ballon d'Or winner in 1999, the Paulista native scored 34 times during 74 caps for his country despite rarely playing as an out-and-out striker.

Having moved to Europe when signing with Spaniards Deportivo La Coruña from Palmeiras in 1996, the young South American quickly found his feet in La Liga. His 21 league strikes caught the attention of the biggest clubs across the continent and he was off to Barcelona only a year into his time in Spanish football.

A glittering five-year stay at Camp Nou saw the club lift the Copa del Rey and UEFA Super Cup once each, while Rivaldo's considerable influence assisted the team in claiming the domestic league title twice consecutively in 1998 and 1999.

Of course, Rivaldo will also be remembered for the incident at the 2002 World Cup when a ball was kicked towards his thigh by a Turkish opponent before he inexplicably slumped to the ground while holding his face in apparent agony. It was one of the most blatant examples of play-acting ever to take place on a football field.

Thankfully, Rivaldo's talent as a footballer far outweighed such shenanigans and he followed up his World Cup winners' medal with a splendid UEFA Champions' League victory at new club Milan in 2003. The Coppa Italia and UEFA Super Cup also came the Italian giants' way that same year, but Rivaldo failed to make a single league appearance in the second season of his stint at the San Siro, thus leading him to a brief homecoming with Cruzeiro on loan.

Olympiakos was his next permanent destination after the end of a short loan spell back in Brazil and he got into the groove straight away when scoring many sublime goals for the Greek side. After three years there, AEK Athens took him on for one campaign previous to an unusual move on to Uzbek side Bunyodkor, accompanied by a mega-money contract. This started a worldwide farewell tour of sorts for Rivaldo, as he also went on to play for São Paulo and then unknown Angolans Kabuscorp before returning to his home country for good with São Caetano and finally back to his very first club Mogi Mirim.

It's been an incredible journey from his early days in the game, with a best period undoubtedly enjoyed in the famous colours of Barcelona. Not only is his longevity a mighty impressive statistic to behold, but also his silky skills on the ball, ability to find a killer pass and an unerring accuracy in front of goal were attributes which blended together to make him one of the finest and most versatile footballers of his generation.

Twitter: @davewh1980

Match preview: England v Montenegro

By David Lee Wheatley

England take on Montenegro this evening knowing only a win will do in their quest to reach the World Cup finals next year.

A decisive double-header awaits Roy Hodgson’s men against tricky opposition in the shape of the Montenegrins and Tuesday’s foes Poland, with maximum points required in order to make it mathematically impossible to be caught by closest rivals Ukraine in Group H.

Hodgson will be thankful that he can count on a clean bill of health going into tonight’s clash, having lost Ashley Cole to a rib injury before squad training began. Everton’s in-form left-back Leighton Baines is likely to take his place in the starting line-up, with Kieran Gibbs acting as back-up.

Aside from that, the predatory Daniel Sturridge regains his squad place after missing out on the last round of qualification matches with a thigh strain. The Liverpool star’s return hands the manager a dilemma as to how much attacking intent he wishes his side to portray at Wembley; does he plump for three out-and-out strikers, a tandem up-top or play his cards more conservatively?

The good news – if it’s to be believed – surrounds stylish forward Mirko Vucinic’s inability to feature through a knock picked up on Champions League duty for Juventus, which would be a huge boost for the home side but a bitter blow for the visitors. Others expected to be unavailable to Montenegro coach Branko Brnovic include goalkeeper Mladen Bozovic, defender Marko Basa and midfield player Miodrag Pekovic.

Lying one point clear of Ukraine and Montenegro, the English can seal their spot in Brazil with successive victories over the coming days. However, Montenegro held up well against England in past meetings and Poland are no pushovers. It’d be a massive disappointment should the Three Lions end up in a play-off or worse, making it imperative the men tasked with gaining the results Hodgson desperately seeks perform when it really matters.

Let’s hope England avoid any more astonishing embarrassments such as their demoralising failures in the run up to the USA World Cup of 1994 and Euro 2008. Crunch time is upon the nation and the finest footballers in the land must deliver the goods, despite the weight of expectation on their shoulders.

Twitter: @davewh1980