The curse of consecutive Champions League trophy

Three things are certain in football; Firstly FC Barcelona or Real Madrid will win the La Liga. Secondly, England will always go out of a major competition on penalties. Thirdly, no team will ever retain the UEFA Champions league trophy.On Saturday the 19^th of May 2012, a monster Drogba inspired Chelsea to clinch their first European against Bayern Munchen in Munich after a nerve racking penalty shootout. It was dream come true for Roman Abrahamovic after 7 different managers that included names like Mourinho, Raineri, Ancelotti etc. and over £2 BILLION spent. 9 years after purchasing Chelsea, he ripped his fruit of this labour. Surely, the great one wants to continue his dream. Are Chelsea good enough to retain the title?It has been a busy transfer window for Chelsea so far. They have added Oscar dos Santos Emboaba Junior from Internacional (£25 million). He is a skilful and pacey player that can play out wide on the wings or as a central attacking midfielder. Eden Hazard is another high profile addition to the already impressive Chelsea midfield. Similarly to Oscar, Hazard can play as a winger or as an attacking midfielder. Although, both players are known for their tricky and pace; I believe they might struggle with the pressure of playing for the European champions. Do you think they will be able to lead Chelsea to a 2^nd UEFA Champions League in a row?
Chelsea start to the premier league season has been exceptional. Eden Hazard has been a constant menace to the premier league defenders and has led Chelsea to the summit of the English (albeit only 4 games in). Torres is looking close to his best while Lampard seems to be getting even better with age and John Terry has been simply perfect so far.After their abysmal showing in the European Super Cup doubts have to be raised over their European credentials. Gary Cahill and David Luiz looked like two complete strangers at the heart of the defence (John Terry was missing through suspension). John Mikel looked average to put it nicely while Frank Lampard was a shadow of himself throughout the game. Mata, Hazard, Ramires and Torres looked desperate all through the game and failed to impose themselves on the game as they did in previous matches. It was the worst performance from Chelsea in years but it was only a European preseason tournament, so should we instantly write them off?  The 2012 Champions league will be amongst the toughest Champions League ever. Real Madrid will be looking for “DECIMA” (10^TH Champions League trophy). Other powerhouses of football (FC Barcelona, Manchester United, Manchester City, Juventus and Bayern Munich) will be looking to win the title.
Chelsea lost Didier Drogba in the summer and for that reason alone I do not think they can win the UEFA Champions League. Admittedly, Chelsea are a better side than they were last season but with their new “tiki taka” approach compared to their defensive style of play; Chelsea will suffer against the likes of FC Barcelona and Real Madrid just as they did against Atletico Madrid. However, get Torres scoring and Hazard playing at his optimum and Chelsea has every chance of causing another upset.

Arsenal: The crumbling giants of English football

Remember when it was cool to be an Arsenal fan? Do you remember when Arsenal were setting the bench mark for English football? Gone are those days, now Arsenal has become a stepping stone for players. Everyone seems to think the club cares only about financial profits rather than trophies.

It has been 7 years and 2 months since Patrick Viera’s penalty sealed Arsenal’s tenth FA cup. It was a magnificent victory for Wenger and his boys as they defeated their arch rivals Manchester United; ironically it spelt the end of Arsenal's trophy haul (for now anyway).

FA Cup 2005: Arsenal's last major trophy

Arsenal’s ex captain Patrick Viera led the exodus of players after completing his move to Juventus.  Other stars were to follow suit including Theirry Henry to FC Barcelona, Robert Pires to Villareal, and Ashley Cole to Chelsea. All of these stars have won major trophy since leaving Arsenal. Is the pasture always greener away from the emirates?

Arsenal has simply become a selling club but it’s time this policy changes or it will spell the end of one of England’s biggest club. However, it will be unfair to say Arsenal has not invested in the transfer market but the truth is they have not signed any experienced world class players in the past few years.  Come on; look at Chamakh’s awful record. 12 goals in 63 games is simply not good enough.

They have stuck with Wenger’s policy to purchase talented youngsters and turn them into world class players but as soon as these players become established players, they leave in search for greener pastures. Samir Nasir is the perfect example. He was signed by Arsenal from Marseille for £12 million. He was relatively unknown but evidently talented. He became one of Wenger’s star player and a vital part of the Arsenal set up as a world class midfielder.  He has since left arsenal for £24 million to join Manchester City and has already won a league title in his first season.

According to reports, Arsenal’s captain Robin Van Persie has agreed to sign for Juventus. Nothing has been made official yet, so there is still a possibility that RVP will remain at Arsenal at the start of the season. RVP scored 30 goals in 38 games last season. It is important for Arsenal to keep RVP if they plan to challenge for titles next season especially after the addition of Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud.

Carzola has been added to the midfield and with rumours of a loan move for Sahin surfacing the net, Arsenal are looking stronger than last year. They need to buy another centre back and they will be right up there fighting for various titles next season but mediocre players like Per Mertesacker, Johan Djourou and Abou Diaby  need to move on first.

However if Arsenal go another season without a title, surely it will be time to part company with their greatest manager yet. Perhaps new club owners and a new manager?  I believe Mourinho will be the perfect candidate to replace Arsene Wenger because his enthusiasm for the game and his ability to attract the biggest name in world football will take Arsenal back to the summit of English football and perhaps lead them to their first European title in their history. What do you think? 

How good is Neymar?

Neymar playing for Brazil

Pele scored over 1000 goals in his career, led his national side to numerous titles. Yet, the jury is still out there as to whether he is really is the greatest player of all time (NO!!!). At the peak of his glittering career, he never played in Europe; as a result there is still an endless debate as to who the greatest player truly is (Pele or Maradona or Messi). Feels like Dejavu, doesn’t it?

According to SportsPro Magazine, Neymar is the most marketable athlete with a certain Lionel Messi 3^rd place. The question is what makes Neymar so special? Is he really the next Pele? Will he even be a better player than Pele?

Neymar is one of only four players to have scored 100 goals by the age of 20(including a goal against palmerias on this 20^th birthday to mark his 100^th goal).  He won the FIFA puskas award in 2011 with a magnificent solo goal against Flamengo. 

Other individual award includes:

Best Young Player of Campeonato Paulista (2009), Best Forward of Campeonato Paulista (2010, 2011) Best player of Campeonato Paulista (2010, 2011), Best player of Copa Santander Libertadores (2011), Prêmio Craque do Brasileirão Championship Squad (2010), Arthur Friedenreich Award (2010), Silver Ball (2010) – Best Forward in Brazilian League by magazine Placar, Golden Boot (2010)– Most goals in all competition in Brazil, Copa do Brazil Top scorer (2010), South American Youth Championship Top scorer 2011.

Neymar is reported valued at £60 million (more expensive than Fernando Torres).  Personally, I value Neymar at the same price as Robinho when he joined Real Madrid (£24 million).  No, I am not saying Robinho is as talented as Neymar!

Robinho was handpicked by Pele at the age of 15 in 1999 as the heir to his throne (rightly so). He led Santos to their first domestic title since Pele’s era. His insane footwork and swagger on the ball caught the eyes of the biggest club in the world. Much was expected of him but his time in Europe so far (especially at Manchester City) has been abysmal with the occasional stroke of genius. Who is to say Neymar will fare any better?

Neymar might have the world at his feet but he has never played in Europe competing against the likes of Manchester City, Manchester United, Bayern Munchen, Real Madrid or FC Barcelona. Actually, I remember his invisible performance against Barcelona in the Fifa world club cup final in Japan. He looked like a kid lost in the playground on his first day of secondary school. My point is until Neymar takes European football by storm he will never be mentioned in the same bracket as the Xavis, Iniestas or Zidanes.

I will not take anything away from Neymar. If he leads Brazil to their first Olympics gold medal and Brazil to their 6^th world cup glory on home soil, he will surely be considered as a great regardless of what league he plies his trade in. Only time will tell.