This Sunday the theatre of dreams will stage the most eagerly awaited Manchester derby fixture the city has ever witnessed. Local bragging rights are up for grabs, and a place at the summit of English football’s premier league for that team that is victorious.
One of the most contentious and pressing issues in English football is how to make the next generation of English footballers as good technically as their Spanish, German or Dutch counterparts.
Chelsea and Inter Milan have entered the race to sign Lille’s £40m-rated winger Eden Hazard. Arsenal are interested in the 20-year-old, while Liverpool and Manchester City are also watching him.
Who can remember the 2007/08 season? Well done to those of you who are nodding, holding their hands up or saying of ‘course I bloody do.’ That season of course Manchester United won the Premier League and Champions League. But I suspect you already knew that didn’t you?
Whilst unbeaten at the Liberty Stadium, Swansea haven’t exactly lit up the league on their away travels having lost all four of their games away from home with the most recent defeat coming at Carrow Road last week against fellow Premier League new boys Norwich.
Last season, Tottenham’s main problem was the distinct lack of a striker that could hit the back of the net on a regular basis. Granted, Rafael Van der Vaart helped the club through a dry spell, finishing with 13 league goals that helped Spurs to a 5th placed finish. But, it could easily have been higher had the man leading the front-line been more prolific.
When armed with the task of putting together an article on former Gunner Philippe Senderos, it bewildered me as how despite spending 7 years in North London, ‘Swiss Tony’ doesn’t appear to have a great deal to show for it. This is by no means a criticism of Philippe, however, as it should be stated that while he only made 64 appearances, when called upon the Swiss defender always did his job quietly and professionally.
Manchester United of course play Manchester City at Old Trafford on Sunday, so with that in mind it’s worth taking a look at these three players who we should be wary of going into the game: