This article is part of Football FanCast’s The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…
Reports from The Sun have stated that Sheffield Wednesday manager Steve Bruce will be approached for the Newcastle United job after Rafa Benitez left the club.
The former Manchester United player is currently in charge of the Owls, and his departure could ruin their hopes for the upcoming campaign.
Bruce’s start
To understand how Bruce’s departure could derail the Steel City outfit’s season, you must first look at the impact the 58-year-old had when he arrived at Hillsborough.
The former Villa boss took charge of his first game with Owls in February and the results Wednesday picked up from his appointment to the end of the season had them in sixth place in the form table.
Ultimately, the Yorkshire club fell 10 points short of a play-off spot, but there were signs that they were ready to challenge for promotion under him.
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If he goes
It’s a very real possibility that Wednesday will be managerless in the coming days as Bruce looks increasingly likely to become the next Newcastle manager, with Sky Sports’ Keith Downie suggesting on Twitter that he is the Toon’s number one target.
Of course, the club’s first task if they lose their boss would be to replace him. Ideally, they would be able to get somebody better, but at this level, there may be no such manager.
Nobody has overseen more promotions to the Premier League than the 58-year-old, and he would be incredibly hard to replace.
Find out which stadiums fans have nominated for the worst atmosphere in football in the video below…
Wednesday’s squad isn’t good enough to flourish without the right man in charge as shown by their unremarkable league performances under Jos Luhukay previously.
Indeed, their squad is full of experienced Championship players such as Steven Fletcher and Barry Bannan and they are probably too good to go down, but if Bruce leaves they will more than likely be in for another season of mid-table mediocrity rather than a top six challenge.
This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…
When you’re down and out, sometimes all you need is a bit of a kick-start to help get things going again. Since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson from Old Trafford, Manchester United have been in a bit of a slumber.
The Red Devils are well and truly the sleeping giants of the Premier League and have had to sit and watch their two greatest rivals, Manchester City and Liverpool, win the two biggest titles on offer last season.
After an underwhelming end to the campaign, United’s struggles have seemingly continued into the transfer window. Aside from deals for Daniel James and Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side remain distant from completing another significant signing, whilst the futures of Paul Pogba and Romelu Lukaku remain uncertain.
Check out the below above to see football played as you’ve never seen it before… in a maze!
Indeed, the off-the-pitch problems with wanting the Glazer family out is certainly symbolic of the entire mood surrounding the club.
But, with reports suggesting United’s main target at centre-back, Harry Maguire, will cost a world-record fee for a defender, there may be a silver lining to it all. Whether the England international is adjudged to be worth the £80m to £90m being quoted for him is rather irrelevant; more important would be the statement behind United getting a gargantuan deal done for the 6 foot 4 defender.
The club are in dire need of a blockbuster move that can help propel them back into the debate surrounding the biggest and best clubs. Being able to parade a world-record fee for a defender could have the sort of galvanising effect that they desperately desire; it would reinforce the mentality of United being one of the elite sides, a fact that has arguably slipped the mind of most during their recent struggles.
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Aside from the potential transformational effect Maguire could have on the side on the pitch, United would feel like a powerhouse once more off it. It may be a cliche, but sometimes looking good on the outside is the key to feeling good on the inside.
Paying a world-record amount for a new signing would generate headlines and bring Solskjaer’s side back to the centre of attention once more. It would reinvigorate the fans, the players and the club as a whole. And boy do United need it.
Lots of Manchester United fans on Twitter have revealed that they think Aaron Wan-Bissaka is a complete and utter bargain after his excellent display against Inter Milan.
The right-back signed in a £50m deal from Crystal Palace this summer, which seemed to be a lot of money to pay for an uncapped defender with just one full professional season under his belt.
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However, the England Under-21 star has taken to life at United like a duck to water in pre-season, which has led to lots of United fans taking the time to state just how much of a bargain he now appears to be.
In the current market, where Harry Maguire is valued at £90m, it is hard to get value for money.
In signing the 21-year-old Wan-Bissaka, however, the Red Devils supporters are right to feel like they got a good deal judging by how much time the Eagles academy graduate has on his side.
Let’s see what lots of United fans on Twitter have been saying about the right-back’s price tag…
[ad_pod ]This article is part of Football FanCast’s Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news…West Ham United may not be able to afford Isaac Hayden this summer, per Ex-West Ham United Employee.
What’s the word?
The Hammers were linked with a move for the Newcastle United midfielder at the beginning of the summer transfer window.
Since then, the club have signed attacking midfielder Pablo Fornals and striker Sebastian Haller.
And the Irons insider, responding to a question from a fan, doubts that the club will be able to meet the Magpies’ asking price unless they sell players first.
He said: “Budget is very dependent on players out at (the) moment so I’m not sure we will be able to afford him.â€
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Two steps back
West Ham have spent over £60m already this summer but this is one step forward, two steps back.
The club need to sign a midfielder, particularly with Pedro Obiang reportedly nearing a move to Serie A.
If they cannot afford a move for Hayden, who has actually confirmed his desire to leave the Magpies and move south to be nearer his family, then serious questions should be asked.
They have strengthened the squad on the surface but depth is needed, too.
A move for Hayden should be relatively inexpensive in this transfer window but the Hammers appear to have already spent all of their budget.
That is not a good thing, particularly with holes still needing to be filled at the London Stadium.
West Bromwich Albion supporters are against their team moving for Aston Villa forward Scott Hogan before this summer’s transfer window slams shut.
According to Football Insider, West Brom are keen to land the Republic of Ireland international ahead of Wednesday’s deadline.
However, the club’s fans are simply not interested in a swoop for the 27-year-old.
The report also claims that Stoke City and Bristol City are keen to land the attacker.
And it seems that the West Brom supporters would be pleased if either of those two clubs signed Hogan at their expense.
The former Rochdale youngster ended the 2018/19 campaign on loan at Sheffield United having struggled for action at Villa in the first half of the season.
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Football Insider claim that Villa would be prepared to sell Hogan if another striker arrives before the transfer deadline but it remains to be seen if that is the case.
A selection of the Twitter reaction can be seen below:
Wolves opened their Premier League 2019/20 account with a 0-0 bore draw as they endured a short trip across the Midlands to the King Power Stadium.
The game wasn’t without its controversy as the video assistant referee ruled out Leander Dendoncker’s close-range strike after the review showed it had hit the arm of teammate Willy Boly just before the Belgian slammed home from eight yards out.
Under new laws of the game, any goal scored or created with the use of the hand or the arm will be disallowed even if it is accidental.
Despite Boly potentially costing Wolves all three points, fans took to social media to share their thoughts on the 28-year-old’s ‘MOTM’ performance.
One supporter claimed the Frenchman was the best defender to ever grace the Molineux pitch whilst another labelled him a ‘Rolls-Royce’ player, also stating that he must be the best defender outside of the Premier League’s top six teams.
Others said Boly was ‘underrated’ whilst many questioned how much he would be worth in the current transfer climate, drawing comparisons to Harry Maguire’s £80m move to Manchester United.
A further fan said that he would command £120m or £150m with some claiming he is a better player than Maguire.
When you think of Real Madrid, your mind probably immediately goes to some of the biggest names of the footballing stage. The likes of Alfredo Di Stefano, Ferenc Puskas, Ronaldo, Zinedine Zidane and Cristiano Ronaldo.
And as fate would have it, these absolute fan favourites are often strikers, attacking players who bring joy and excitement to the fans. Not often do you hear people chanting goalkeepers’ names. But one such mythical person did exist in Los Blancos’ ranks for many years, a player presented at the turn of the century.
Of course, that someone is none other than Iker Casillas, a legend sprung out of Real Madrid’s academy and a loyal servant of the club. And Casillas truly was a name revered among the fans and within the club for a very long period of time.
Until, that is, he wasn’t.
And while this is definitely not something entirely new and uncommon in the world football, it was quite a shocking revelation. Players come and go; one day you’re the hero and the next a villain. This is especially true for players who swap shirts, and even more true for those who decide to don the colours of both rival clubs. Luis Figo and a certain pig’s head can certainly attest to that.
Real Madrid’s Portuguese star Luis Figo celebrates after scoring a penalty against Anderlecht’s during his Champions League group D soccer match at Santiago Bernabeu stadium December 5, 2000.
SP
But sometimes, this change of heart happens without a great incentive. Let’s stay with Casillas’ example for a bit longer.
The now 38-year-old joined the senior Real Madrid squad in 1999 and stood in between the sticks until 2015 when he made the move to Porto. But not before being banished from the club like he was a nobody. A legend left alone to cry in a press-conference, with a couple of journalists offering him a handkerchief to wipe the tears from his face.
With a shivering voice, he said his final goodbye and then he was gone, never to look back again. And you’d think that the emotion from that scene would teach Real a thing or two but the very same scenario just might be unfolding with their current goalkeeper and a faithful servant of the club, Keylor Navas.
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Navas’ journey is, however, nowhere near as impressive as Casillas’ and the two hardly fit in the same sentence as far as their careers or maybe even abilities are concerned. The Costa Rican arrived in 2014 from Levante and has since been on a rollercoaster ride with the Galacticos.
He has gone from substitute to number one and then back to the bench.
But there was one constant throughout his five-year spell in the capital and that was his commitment. Maybe he was never the flashiest of choices, maybe he was often overlooked and underappreciated, but he was always there. Ready and on standby. And when he was called upon, he acted and most of the time he delivered.
That’s what describes him best. Rarely will anyone talk about his saves that made sure Real made it past this or that opponent, but they will be quick to point out his blunders along the way. But that comes with the territory.
Casillas knew it and Navas probably knows it too. And he still remains undeniably underappreciated.
Even now Thibaut Courtois has been signed and already dubbed a flop, so who will step up and face the challenge once again? Navas, that’s who. And despite that and Zinedine Zidane’s affection towards his faithful goalie, Madrid are still looking to find a way out of this rotting relationship.
Once again a player who’s given the club the benefit of the doubt, who’s given them his faith and his commitment, could possibly be thrown out the door with the first real chance they get.
We cannot say for certain that it will happen but if it’s happened to people bigger than him then it’s sure bound to happen again.
Gareth Bale is living through that same drama as well. A player with a multitude of crucial goals and triumphs under his belt is being forced out quite disgracefully. For all their pedigree and fame, the Spanish giants certainly lack that human touch and respect for their own heroes; Cristiano Ronaldo was also booed and condemned the first chance they got to do so.
Once the players become dispensable, they’re replaced in a heartbeat, no matter their value. For that reason, it’s not a stretch assuming the same thing will eventually happen to someone of Navas’ stature in the club.
He is far from perfect but he’s been their saviour since 2014, stepping up and patching them up when they needed it the most. With Casillas gone, he jumped into the fray. He played a big part in Zidane’s extremely successful Champions League run and now that Courtois is underperforming he’s ready to take the team on his back once again and adapt, as he has done ever since his arrival.
Why do we always hear rumours and stories about Real wanting to throw him out, then? It’s a question that continues to persist without answer.
But judging by Navas’ character and mentality, when the time finally comes he’ll be ready to, in typical Navas fashion, take another one for the team.
Pre-season looked extremely shaky for Real Madrid, to say the least. But the Galacticos rose to the occasion on their opening day of La Liga and made a statement. So here are three things we learned from that clash.
Down but not out
Real Madrid may be down based on their pre-season form but they are certainly not out. Zidane hasn’t miraculously solved all of their issues in one game, of course, but there is life in this squad and when everything is said and done, they are still a formidable side in Spain.
And now that their biggest rivals, Barcelona, have stumbled on their first steps, leaving the top of the table for Real instead, maybe we’re still in for a thrilling title race. But nonetheless, the challenge has only begun and while the first step is often a very important one, Zidane still has a long way ahead of him.
Check out an epic rant about Real Madrid fans that we can all relate to below…
Bale might have a role to play
Even though earlier this summer we were definitely under the impression that Gareth Bale is going through the exit door sooner rather than later, it appears that may well not be the case. Bale started the game against Celta Vigo on the weekend and helped his team cruise to a 3-1 victory with an important assist to his name.
Zidane also spoke highly of his player, saying he’s an important piece of the team and practically confirming he’s staying at the capital. It seems that either the two have solved their differences or the Frenchman has simply realised he’s going to need all hands on deck if he’s going to pull another trick out of his sleeve and lead Real Madrid to glory once again. Bale just might be a part of that trick after all.
If it ain’t broke
Real Madrid played well in Vigo at the weekend but one thing that may have caught the attention of the more observant ones is the lineup itself. Zidane, maybe a bit unsurprisingly, decided to put his faith into the old guard and reverted back to the tactics that brought him three Champions League titles in a row.
Nine out of 11 players fielded on the opening day were all amongst Real Madrid’s regulars last season. The only exceptions were Vinicius Junior and Alvaro Odriozola. Of course, that is also (mostly) the same squad Zidane used back when he was in charge. He had Cristiano Ronaldo in the team back then but the core of the squad remained unchanged and it brought a good result back home.
It still remains to be seen if Zidane is going to stay faithful to that lineup or if changes are on the horizon for the Galacticos despite a good start to the campaign.
Sturridge posted three pictures of him training for the first time with his new team, captioning the above photo: “First session with the boys.”
It’s not a great feeling knowing that injuries have halted Sturridge’s progression to the point where he had to move away from the Premier League to a far inferior level of competition.
The striker had every chance of becoming a key man for Liverpool and England for years, and after his 2013/14 campaign, when he scored 21 league goals, it looked as if he would be that man.
Unfortunately, he’s not been able to stay fit, and if you’re a Liverpool fan or even just a football fan then it’s certainly somewhat sad to see such a talented player withering away his final years in the game at UEFA’s 137th-ranked club.