WARNING: Embargoed for publication until 00:00:01 on 22/09/2020 – Programme Name: Freddie Flintoff: Living with Bulimia – TX: 28/09/2020 – Episode: Freddie Flintoff: Living with Bulimia (No. n/a) – Picture Shows: Freddie at the Lancashire Cricket home ground, Emirates Old Trafford Freddie Flintoff – (C) South Shore – Photographer: n/a
Former England cricketer and TV personality, Andrew Flintoff new documentary was incredibly honest and really eye-opening, as he tells his story about a life of living with bulimia.
After watching Freddie talk about how his life has been consumed by this, now, extremely common eating disorder, it becomes a real tear-jerker. From how he kept the secret for so long to him realising just how serious and also common it is, it’s so difficult to watch and not want to help in any way that you can.
He first began binging and purging as a young player, admitting that he was insecure about his looks, his weight and how he was perceived by others. He tells a story about a news story being released when he was still just a few years in to senior cricket where he was called a ‘fat boy’, and this title has stayed with him throughout his struggles.
From watching Freddie on Top Gear to Sky’s ‘A League of Their Own’, it’s breathtaking knowing that this former cricketer, someone who makes people laugh on the tele, is going through something as overwhelming and as disheartening as this. It’s truly breathtaking.
Photographer: Charlie Melville
He says that ‘eating is one of the few things I can control’, and states that he couldn’t stop himself, particularly at the start. Flintoff deserves huge credit for opening up and speaking about his eating disorder in this way. A way that shows to others just how serious a condition it is and also encourages anybody else who else faces a similar struggle, to also talk to someone and get the help that they need.
One of the most emotional moments in the documentary came when the 42-year-old spoke with a fellow northern man about his struggles with the same condition – bulimia. The two discuss how it has affected them both in their own ways and you can see how both of them are shocked hearing someone other than themselves speak about it so openly. It’s incredibly powerful.
At one point, a caption stating that 60% of men affected, do not seek help and stay silent. This stat alone, was clearly enough for Flintoff to agree to speak about this as openly and as honestly as he did.
We see a number of clips of him exercising, working and just getting on with his life as normal. From an outside perspective, the man seems like he is doing great, and that is why I would recommend this documentary to anyone and everyone. It’s message is so powerful and it opens your eyes to things you have not witnessed or may not understand.
I wasn’t sure what to do with myself after it ended. I needed some time to myself. It really hit me and I felt a lot of emotions rushing through me.
If you have an eating disorder and are too afraid to speak, I urge you to speak and get the help that you deserve. No one should feel too afraid to speak up.
Getting ready for the return of the Premier League next week and wondering what changes need to be made to your fantasy teams? Here are 4 players you should look at offloading and 4 players you should look to bring in.
OUT
Danny Ings: The forward has had one of his best scoring campaigns for Southampton this year, netting 15 goals in 29 appearances. Although this is an impressive record, I wouldn’t bet on Ings picking up where he left off. Southampton still have a number of big games against Arsenal, Manchester City and Manchester United so will we see the Ings we saw before the Coronavirus pandemic halted the season? I don’t think so.
IN
Marcus Rashford: Injured before the season was stopped so perhaps a surprise to suggest the Englishman should be added to your teams, however, on 14 goals in the league this year and beginning to truly show that the hype that existed towards the beginning of his career, is real, I’d expect to see Rashford add to his goal tally in the remaining games he and Manchested United have to play. Especially considering United only have 1 of the ‘top 6’ left to play.
OUT
Tammy Abraham: Another forward. Abraham has been terrific under Frank Lampard this season, making up for his side not being able to recruit any big-money forwards at the start of the season. 13 goals in the league and has shown that you don’t always need money to do well in the Premier League. Despite this, Chelsea have some big fixtures left to play, with the likes of Manchester City and Liverpool still in their way. Chelsea will continue to push to stay in a Champions League spot come the end of the season, but I don’t see Abraham adding too many more to his tally.
IN
Rui Patricio: The Wolves goalkeeper has been impressive in between the posts this season, collecting 8 clean sheets in total. The Portuguese is an ideal replacement for any fantasy side. Wolves’ remaining fixtures aren’t as challenging as some of the other teams pushing for a place in Europe this season, so expect his clean sheets record to go up.
OUT
John Lundstram: One of the surprise players this season, with over 100 points on fantasy football this year, he’s been a great little edition to anyone looking for a cheap player who brings in points. Arguably his sides’ player of the season. However, I don’t see him bringing in the same number of points as he previously was, I’d like to be proven wrong with this one, given just how well he and his side have played this season but, right now, I don’t see it.
IN
Harry Kane: Perhaps not scored as many as he usually has by this time in the season, with just 11 in the league this year, but there’s still games to be played. Suffered some injury setbacks before the season was halted but he’ll be rearing to get back to his scoring ways. Spurs still have a North London Derby to look forward to and we all know Kane loves a goal against the Gunners. Bring him in.
OUT
Jordan Henderson: I wouldn’t have predicted the Liverpool skipper to be one, if not the, top performer in the league this year. He’s truly shown why he and his side deserve to lift the Premier League trophy for the first time this year. I don’t see Liverpool taking it easy against any side that they have left to play, even if they do clinch the title with games remaining, but, I think it’s unlikely Henderson is gonna be someone who gets you lots of points in the remaining games. Currently on 99 points and coming back from an injury, I think it’s time to swap him out.
IN
Todd Cantwell: Bit different for the last one. The young Englishman has been another, like Lundstram, who despite only being a cheap 4.7 on fantasy football, has been one the best performers. A solid 100 points for someone playing for, bottom of the table, Norwich City, is not too shabby. I’d be surprised if he isn’t picked up by another Premier League club if and when his side get relegated. Norwich still have some challenging games to play but that didn’t stop him before the season was stopped. Bring him in as one of the cheap players who will get a consistent number of points each game.
If Phil Foden was playing at any other club that is not Manchester City, then he would be starting for England by now. Foden has been described by his manager, Pep Guardiola, as the most “talented” player he has ever seen. But, because of the quality and depth already in City’s squad, Foden isn’t being given the chances that he would be elsewhere. It’s time for him to start games on a regular basis.
You would think that someone who has been described as the most talented player he has ever seen, by Guardiola, someone who has managed over the likes of Messi, Iniesta and Xavi, would be starting every game for their club. Unfortunately for Foden, he is playing in a team which includes the likes of; De Bruyne, David Silva, Bernardo Silva, Rodri and Ilkay Gundogan. So, playing week in and week out has proved to be Foden’s problem.
Foden joined Man City at the age of 8 and has been a player there ever since. He’s not once been sent out on loan and made his senior debut at the age of 17 in a Champions League game against Feyenoord, becoming the youngest City player ever to play in a European game. Since then, he’s played over 60 games for his side but with only started 5 league games.
He has proved on several occasions why he is good enough to be playing, potentially even starting for England, by now. Most recently in a man of the match performance against Aston Villa in the League Cup final. He has 10 senior goals for his club to go alongside his 10 assists also. However, there is no doubt that if this young man was playing for anyone other than Manchester City, his numbers would double.
It was revealed at the start of the season that this would be David Silva’s last in English football. Many would argue that it is all but impossible to replace a player who has achieved so much with the club but Guardiola, himself, has stated that Phil Foden is that man. Therefore, if Foden still isn’t starting far more regularly next season and City decide to try and bring in a replacement for the Spaniard, then Foden seriously must consider whether staying at the club is the right move for his career.
If he wants to be playing for England, competing in World Cups and European Championships, and showing everyone that he is as talented as Guardiola has proclaimed him, he needs game time. Serious game time. And if he isn’t going to get that at City, he needs to start looking elsewhere.
Gareth Southgate’s England Team are under 6 months away from their opening game of the 2020 European Championships and therefore, we’re getting to the point where he and his coaching staff will need to decide who comes with them and who will be left behind. Here’s who I would take and who I believe, won’t have a seat on the plane.
Firstly, when I say plane, I mean that metaphorically because, as we know, each of England’s group stage matches will be played at Wembley Stadium, as well as both semi-finals and the final itself. So, England have home advantage during the group stage and depending on how far they get, the semis and the final.
Southgate certainly has plenty of players who have a good enough reason to go and that, therefore, means that some players who, some may say, deserve to go, will not be included. There are also players who, at the start of the season, you may have said definitely should be going, or definitely shouldn’t go but as the season has gone on they have shown enough quality and passion to get their names on the squad list.
Firstly, the goalkeepers. Straight away, I’d put, England regular, Jordan Pickford in. Whether he starts I’m not sure yet but, for me, he’s been in the fold for England for some time now and he makes it in. The other keepers that could be included are: Tom Heaton, Nick Pope, Dean Henderson and Jack Butland.
Immeditately, I’m going to eliminate Butland, I believe he can be a good keeper but I think his time in the England squad may be over. That means that one of the other three mentioned will not be included. All of which play in the Premier League and all have had a decent start to the season. However, Heaton’s recent injury which has ruled him out for almost the whole of the remaining season, makes it an easy decision. So my keepers are; Pickford, Pope and Henderson.
On to our defenders. I’d first like to discuss the right-back situation as, it seems as if England possess almost all of the world’s best right-backs currently. There’s Alexander-Arnold, Walker, Wan-Bissaka, James and Trippier. All of which are good enough to get in to most teams but if we are only taking two, I believe that Southgate should take Trent and Walker.
Trent needs no explanation as to why he should be going but perhaps Walker does. Walker is very reliable and is still one of the best fullbacks in the world, in my opinion, but the reason I think he gets in over Wan-Bissaka, Reece James and Trippier, who have all had good seasons, thus far, is because he’s the most experienced and that’s something that the current England squad are perhaps limited on. The other three would feel disappointed not to be picked.
As for the other defenders I would bring, Harry Maguire, John Stones, Michael Keane, Tyrone Mings, Joe Gomez and Ben Chilwell. All of which have been in the squad before and I don’t think it would be a surprise to anyone of all of these players would picked. Arguably, Danny Rose and Fikayo Tomori should be in the squad but it’s just about whether they should get in over those I’ve included. If I were to swap anyone though, it may possibly for Tomori for Stones.
This is where it gets far more difficult. The midfield options. England aren’t short of midfielders, so who are some of our options. There’s: Henderson, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Barkley, Mount, Maddison, Rice, Winks, Foden, Lingard, Grealish, Loftus-Cheek, Alli and I could go on. I’m going to get rid of Foden, who just hasn’t played enough, Lingard, who is clearly under performing, Grealish, who I simply don’t think makes the England squad just yet, but could be starting by the time of the 2022 World Cup and Loftus-Cheek, who, again, hasn’t played enough recently.
Therefore, that means that I would take, Henderson, Alli, Maddison, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Mount and Winks. I have left out both Rice and Barkley, both of whom, might make many other people’s Euro squads, but for me, the others are slightly ahead of them in the pecking order. I believe James Maddison could be on of England’s stars at the Euros and I’m looking forward to seeing him get more international minutes.
Finally, we’ll asses our forwards. It’s recently been announced that captain, Harry Kane, is most likely going to miss the rest of the season and perhaps even the European Championships, which would be a massive blow for England but for the purposes of this, I will be going, with the assumption that he will be fit enough to travel.
At the start of the season you may not have thought that some players would be in the limelight to potentially make the Euro squad, such as; Tammy Abraham, Danny Ings and Callum Hudson-Odoi. Players like: Kane, Sterling, Sancho and Rashford will certainly be making my squad.
This means that there is two spots left in our 23-man squad. I’m going to give the first to Tammy Abraham, who has been Chelsea’s top scorer this campaign and if Kane was not to get into the squad, could be a suitable replacement. The final person that makes my England squad is actually going to be Callum Wilson. It was between him, Ings and Calvert-Lewin.
Ings, who already has 14 goals in the league this year, one more than Abraham, could’ve been a great option but I just don’t see him getting in to that final squad, even if Kane is injured. I believe that Calvert-Lewin is actually more likely to be included. There were also rumours that Jamie Vardy could be included, but that’s now looking unlikely.
I have also left out 19-year-old Callum Hudson-Odoi who has made more than one appearance for England’s senior team already and although he is beginning to pick up minutes in the Chelsea team, under Frank Lampard, he hasn’t done enough to get in over, Rashford, Sancho and Sterling.
There we have it, our 23 man squad looks like this:
Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford (Everton), Nick Pope (Burnley), Dean Henderson (Sheffield United).
Defenders: Harry Maguire (Manchester United), Michael Keane (Everton), John Stones and Kyle Walker (Manchester City), Tyrone Mings (Aston Villa), Ben Chilwell (Leicester), Trent Alexander-Arnold and Joe Gomez (Liverpool).
Midfielders: Mason Mount (Chelsea), Jordan Henderson and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Liverpool), James Maddison (Leicester), Dele Alli and Harry Winks (Tottenham).
Forwards: Jadon Sancho (Dortmund), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Raheem Sterling (Manchester City), Harry Kane (Tottenham), Tammy Abraham (Chelsea), Callum Wilson (Bournemouth).
The Premier League champions were only one trophy off winning the unspoken quadruple last season, having won the league, the FA Cup and the League Cup. Pep Guardiola has turned this team into one of the most feared in all of Europe. So why are Liverpool currently 16 points clear at the top?
Guardiola has managed City for coming up on four years and in that time has won: two Premier League titles, two League Cups and one FA Cup. As well as this, he has achieved the highest points tally in Premier League history, two Manager of the Year awards and has shown, in his time at the club, why many consider him the best manager in the world.
In a season where Liverpool won the Champions League and got 97 league points, Manchester City still managed to finish top of the league and although they were still not able to get to the final of the Champions League, they still showed just how incredible they can be.
Coming into this new season, you’d have thought that Guardiola would like to go for a third league title in a row and, despite it being some task, build upon their previous year. However, despite still remaining in the League Cup, the FA Cup and the Champions League, they currently sit 16 points behind Liverpool. They’ve lost five games already this year, two of which to Wolves, the others against Norwich, United and the league leaders Liverpool.
It’s been a frustrating start to the season for Manchester City fans, although, that’s not to say City have not continued to give us some spectacular performances. An 8-0 win against Watford in September, a top placed finish in the group stage of the Champions League and have currently scored more goals than Liverpool with 62.
Sergio Aguero and Raheem Sterling have continued to score piles of goals, following on from last season and Kevin De Bruyne is undoubtedly showing why he is the best midfielder in the league, if not the world. Already 14 assists to his name and numerous displays of brilliance this season. After missing a lot of the previous year, he’s back to his best.
In the summer, Guardiola had to look at his squad and think, what changes do I have to make? A difficult question given how well they performed last year, but people will suggest that the age of a number of the City first team is starting to creep up, with both David Silva and Fernandinho still consistently making the squad. Silva has revealed he will be moving on from the club he has established himself as one of the great Premier League midfielders and Fernandinho’s future is also unclear. Guardiola chose to bring in exciting, young, defensive midfielder Rodri from Atletico and promising Portuguese full-back Joao Concelo from Juventus. Both of whom are beginning to find more minutes in the team, despite some difficult competition for places.
Looking at this, City are currently 16 points behind Liverpool and fans may ask whether or not the club will look to bring anyone in during this January transfer window. The team is still incredibly impressive but defensive issues haven’t helped and so perhaps a defender may be the only position that could do with a little strengthening this window. City have been linked with Nathan Ake and Caglar Soyuncu. Of course, because of the money the club possess, they have also been linked with other players such as; Jack Grealish, Adama Traore, Houssem Aouar and Todd Cantwell. It looks unlikely and perhaps even unnecessary for them to spend big this window and so I believe they should wait for the summer if there’s any changes that may need to be made.
For moments this season there has also been doubt over how long manager, Pep Guardiola would remain at the club. It’s not a secret that the trophy that the club desire above all is the Champions League and winning the trophy is perhaps even the reason the owners brought Guardiola in, in the first place. They will play record-winners Real Madrid in the round of 16, in late February. It will by no means by an easy task but this could be the year. Plenty of top quality teams and players stand in there way but we all know that City, on their day, are unplayable.
It would also be unsurprising to see City win both domestic cups once again too. They already have a 3-1 lead over neighbours Manchester United in the League Cup semi final and if hang on to win the second leg fixture, will meet either Aston Villa or Leicester in the final. It’s looking virtually impossible to catch up with Liverpool in the league at the moment so their main aim this season will most definitely be, the Champions League.
City possess some of the world’s best stars and can win any game they want on their day, they have a long way to go to turn this season into another successful one but it is very possible. Most football fans will say that City are only where they are and only have the players they do because of the vasts amounts of money pumped into the club, but it’s one thing having the best players, they still have to play well together and in this team, they certainly do. I’m very interested what silverware they possess at the end of season.
MANCHESTER CITY’S BEST STARTING 11: Ederson, Walker, Fernandinho, Laporte, Mendy, D. Silva, B. Silva, De Bruyne, Sterling, Sane, Aguero.
There’s no arguing that Manchester United are one of the biggest clubs in the world and over the years have won numerous trophies and titles. They’ve had some of history’s greatest players put on their shirt and have won the Premier League title, a record 13 times. So why is it that, since the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson, they have struggled?
United come into this season finishing just 6th the year before. With former player, Ole Gunar Solskjaer managing the side, United have a win percentage of 49%. For a team of their history many would expect that be higher. United have won every trophy there is to win but have shown that the quality in their side has decreased significantly since the departure of Sir Alex.
They had a disappointing previous campaign, not winning any trophies and not even progressing past the quarter-finals in any of their cup competitions. This season, Solskjaer and his squad hoped to right their wrongs and have a far more successful season.
Currently, Manchester United sit 5th in table with 31 points after 21 games, 7 points less than this point last year but still a place above where they were. They have 8 wins, 7 draws and 6 losses. Marcus Rashford is their top scorer this season with 17 goals and is already having one of his best goal scoring seasons for Man U, just past the halfway mark.
In August 2019, they signed Harry Maguire for £80 million, making him the most expensive defender in history. As well as him, they signed young prospects Aaron Wan-Bissaka for £45 million and Daniel James for £15 million. Maguire has kept just 3 clean sheets in 21 appearances and Wan-Bissaka keeping 2 in 18 appearances in the league. Despite this underwhelming stat, the two have shown that they can be great servants for the club and they do require time. James has scored 3 goals and managed to get 6 assists, also in the league. He’s shown just how fast he is and I believe, he can only get better. These were three big signings and at the moment, their stats suggest their not quite hitting the levels they were expected to but I believe each of them has shown real potential.
The Red Devil’s finished top of their group in the Europa League and will meet Club Bruges in the round of 32 at the end of February. Domestically, at this moment in time, they remain in both the FA Cup and the League Cup. Although, they will meet Wolves in an FA Cup replay after a 0-0 draw away and are 3-1 down on aggregate in the League Cup semi-final against their rivals Manchester City.
Since the start of the current Premier League campaign, they have failed to beat a number of the lower placed teams such as; West Ham, Bournemouth and Newcastle but have managed to get big wins against Manchester City, Tottenham and Chelsea. Even managing to get a point against unbeaten Liverpool. Few would have guessed that United would need to pick up their form against the teams outside the top 6 rather than those within.
Their team have disappointed at times this season and now that the transfer window is open, I’m sure Solskjaer will look to offload some of his players and if not this window then in the summer. Players like: Ashley Young, who is currently linked with a surprising move to Inter Milan, Marcos Rojo, Juan Mata, Nemanja Matic and, of course, star man Paul Pogba.
Despite it looking like Pogba would be leaving in the summer, he stayed and this season has spent a lot of his time watching from the stands. Injuries have forced him out of a lot of games and there are still signs that clubs such as Barcelona, Real Madrid and Juventus are looking to bring Pogba in. Whether he will still be there next season does seem unlikely.
One player who has seemed to have broken into the team is 18 year old Mason Greenwood. With 8 goals and 2 assists this season, Greenwood has shown he could be one for the future. Solskjaer himself has stated that, his finishing is one of the best he has even seen. Big praise from a man who has played with the likes of Cantona, Beckham and Rooney.
Back to the transfer window, the club have made it clear they are looking to recruit during this window and have been linked with a big number of players, as they are every window. There’s Kalidou Koulibaly, who’s looked as if he would be leaving Napoli for some time now. There’s also, Emre Can, Edinson Cavani, James Maddison, Samuel Umtiti, Arturo Vidal and Donny van de Beek. As well, as more being mentioned all the time. All of these players could improve the United team but I believe the one position they need strengthening is their striker. Despite Rashford and Martial contributing with 28 goals between them this season, I don’t personally see them as out and out strikers and would therefore be looking to someone such as, Edinson Cavani, who has made it clear he’s looking to move on from PSG. He’s a constant goal threat and is PSG’s current top goalscorer, I believe he’d be perfect for Man United.
It will be difficult to come back from a 3-1 defeat against Man City in the League Cup, but with a win against Wolves in their FA Cup replay and some decent results in Europe, there’s no reason they can’t win a trophy this year, but it will not be easy. I don’t see them getting a Champions League spot either, I may be wrong but unless they do some really good business this window, I just feel as if their team lacks enough quality. You never know with United, they could shock us all, as they have done in the past.
I feel it is also worth briefly mentioning the board. Ed Woodward has been blamed for their form by a number of fans this season, his decision to appoint the inexperienced Solskjaer and his use of transfer funds.
To finish, there’s been talk all season about how long Solskjaer would remain as manager after some terrible performances this season and unless he can win a trophy this year or at least get a top four spot, I don’t see him being there next season. I’d like to see Mauricio Pochetino manage the team in the near future…
MANCHESTER UNITED’S BEST STARTING 11: De Gea, Wan-Bissaka, Maguire, Lindelof, Shaw, McTominay, Pogba, Perreira, James, Rashford, Martial.
In the 2018/19 Premier League season, Liverpool finished on 97 points, the third highest points achieved in the league’s history but still managed to finish second behind Manchester City. Jurgen Klopp’s turnaround at Liverpool in the nearly four years he’s been their manager has been remarkable.
The champions of Europe came into this season, off the back of their sixth Champions League, knowing they needed to make a statement this year by winning the trophy that has alluded them for so long. Liverpool started their season by winning the UEFA Super Cup, beating Chelsea and setting themselves up for another successful campaign.
After their superb performances last season, the fans expect no less than the Premier League title, as they hope to prevent Manchester City winning the trophy for the third successive year. There’s no doubt that at the start of the season that Liverpool had one of the best teams in the world so there was no concern for the quality of player at the club. No, the concern at the start of the season came due to the sheer number of games that Liverpool would be playing this year.
As well as the domestic competitions that they would be playing in, there was also the added fixtures that came with, the UEFA Super Cup and also, the Club World Cup and, of course, another Champions League campaign. This is far more games than most other Premier League sides and it seemed as if this could’ve been an issue.
However, despite this worry, Liverpool currently reside at the top of the Premier League table, 13 points clear of Leicester City in second place. A remarkable start to the season with the term currently unbeaten. Klopp’s side has already shown their ambition having won the Club World Cup, making them world champions and now they aim for more trophy’s.
Their notorious front three of Salah, Mane and Firmino have picked up from where they left off last season, between them scoring 35 league goals already. The defence that helped them win the Champions League last season has also continued to get them results, conceding just 14 goals and keeping 7 clean sheets.
They will feel confident that they can continue their winning ways and finally win the Premier League trophy, the one competition they have craved above the rest. Now that the January transfer window is open, the team may feel as if they can add a little more depth to their ranks. The club have already bought Takumi Minamino from RB Salzburg who adds cover for their pacey forwards.
The odd few players such as, Dejan Lovren and Nathaniel Clyne may look for moves away with this window but other than that, it’s clear that Jugen Klopp is happy with his side. Liverpool have been linked to some high profile players this window, whether they will manage to bring them in during this window is unclear but names such as Jadon Sancho and Kylian Mbappe are being thrown about. Also, others such as Leon Bailey and Allan have been mentioned. There’s no doubt that Liverpool can attract the big names but it’s whether they will in the current transfer window.
I feel confident that from this point on that Liverpool can get the job done and win the Premier League. There’s no reason why they can’t also go on to win other trophies also. They still remain in the FA Cup after their recent Merseyside derby win and also have Atletico Madrid to play in the round of 16 in the Champions League. I can foresee more than one trophy at the end of their current campaign.
Who knows how far this Liverpool side can go…
LIVERPOOL’S BEST STARTING 11: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson, Fabinho, Henderson, Wijnaldum, Salah, Firmino, Mane.
Sitting 10th in the table, a brand new manager and a transfer window allowing him to improve his squad and help them get back to the Arsenal we all remember.
Arsenal’s season up until this point hasn’t been pretty. They started the season with Spanish manager Unai Emery, who in his previous season, had gotten them to the Europa League final. However, he would not even make it till Christmas as Arsenal manager in the current season. With just 8 wins in 20 games, Emery’s time was up. The fans had turned against him and a change had to be made.
Whilst the board began their search for a new manager, former player, Freddie Ljungberg took over as their interim manager. He was in charge for six games, winning just one of them! Clearly he wouldn’t be the man to take over as permanent manager and so the search went on. A few names were thrown about such as; Massimiliano Allegri, Nuno Santo, Mauricio Pochetino, but the man they were targeting was former player and Pep Guaridola’s assistant at Man City, Mikel Arteta.
Arsenal secured their man on the 20th December and he promised to change the way that the team play. He explained this would not be an easy job and it would not be an overnight change but acknowledged the talent his new squad possess and believes that he is the man for the job.
In his first two games in charge Arteta drew to Bournemouth and lost to Chelsea, conceding two late goals. Not a terrific start, however, since then, they have beaten Manchester United 2-0 and despite a rocky performance, beat Leeds 1-0 in the FA Cup. Arsenal are still 10th in the league and so Arteta does have a big job to do in the second half of the season.
Arsenal’s best player this season so far has got to be their top scorer, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. In a team currently under achieving, Aubamyeang is still their player they can depend on. With 15 goals currently, in all competitions, he still remains their main man.
The transfer window is currently open and this is what I think, new boss, Mikel Arteta should do with his current Arsenal squad to get them back on track. Firstly, there are a few players who just need to be sold, they aren’t helping the team and just need to move on, there’s, Granit Xhaka, at one point this season was their club captain but since then has really gone down hill and is currently linked with a move away to Hertha Berlin. Next, Shkodran Mustafi, has never really fit into the squad and I think the club simply need to thank him for his service and ask him to look for a new club. Also, I’m not too sure about Arsenal’s current two centre backs, David Luiz and Sokratis. I’d keep a hold of them for the time being but they should be looking for suitable replacements for them I believe.
Who should Arsenal bring in? It’s clear their defence has been one of their main issues so far this season and so I’d be looking at players such as, Dayot Upamecano, Daniele Rugani, Jerome Boateng and Lewis Dunk. Rumours suggest that Arsenal have made contact with Boateng about a possible signing, as well as, strong interest in Upamecano.
Their midfield also needs some changes if they really want to start moving up the table. Mesut Ozil’s performances since Arteta has taken over have suggested he could be getting his form back. Therefore, players such as, Arturo Vidal and Sami Khedira could do a decent job at playing that defensive midfield role, a position the club should be looking to strengthen. The full return of Dani Ceballos could also improve their midfield but I do think that Arsenal do need to sign one decent holding midfielder to really improve the squad.
Although I believe Arsenal’s attack isn’t their main issue, with players such as; Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette, Nicholas Pepe and the young of Gabriel Martinelli and Reiss Nelson. However, players like, Edinson Cavani, Hakim Ziyech and Thomas Lemar are looking for new clubs so there could be an opportunity for Arsenal to swoop in and bring in a talented attacker under the radar.
Just to finish, now that Arteta is manager and he has a transfer window to try and booster his squad for the remainder of the season, I think that Arsenal can push up the table. It’s very unlikely that they will get a top four spot but finishing in a Europa League spot could show serious improvement. I’d guess that they’ll finish in sixth, one spot down from where they finished last season but once Arteta has a full summer transfer window to really change his squad, as well as having had half a season to work with the players currently in the squad, I see no reason why next season can’t be a huge turning point for Arsenal Football Club.
Waiting till next season may not be what the fans want to hear but giving Arteta time is going to be the main point I’d like to end on. Give him time to show off what he has learnt, working with Pep Guardiola for three years. This transfer window will determine where Arsenal finish this season.
A huge 24 hours for the Premier League. It was officially announced yesterday that Mikel Arteta would become the new Arsenal Manager and it has also just been announced that, three time Champions League winner, Carlo Ancelotti has become the new Everton manager. Where to start?
When Unai Emery got the sack, a big list of candidates to replace him began to surface, with former player, Freddie Ljungberg taking over as interim manager during the hunt for a new long term appointment was made. In this time, Ljungberg, lost two, drew two and won just one of his games in charge. He was previously a candidate to become manager on a permanent basis but his results whilst in charge kind of put him to one side.
Other options for manager were, Patrick Viera, former Arsenal player with some managerial experience in the MLS and Ligue 1, Carlo Ancelotti, now Everton manager was also linked, Massimiliano Allegri, former Juventus manager who is currently a free agent, Mauricio Pochetino, former Spurs manager and Pep Guardiola’s assistant at Manchester City, Mikel Arteta.
The club made it fairly clear from the start that Arteta was to be their main target. He knows the club well having been at the club in his playing career, he’s been working with arguably the best manager in the world for three years and he has been praised by former manager Arsene Wenger as always had the ability to be a top manager and has shown that over the years he worked with him.
Despite this being Arteta’s first permanent managers role, it is being seen as a strong appointment by Arsenal, he has been watching and working with Guardiola for three years now, winning two Premier Leagues with City and therefore has the potential to be something special.
He has a big task ahead of him however, with Arsenal sitting tenth in the table just before Christmas, the players have been slacking in recent games but we’d like to think that they will want to impress their new manager. One thing I would say is, Arsenal need to give Arteta time, I believe they need to give him at least two years to get used to managing Arsenal, it’s a big job and it is ultimately his first job.
This could also be a turning point for out-of-favour midfielder Mesut Ozil. Ozil has been used as a scapegoat at Arsenal for the last couple seasons given the price the club signed him for and his poor form, we know he is a world class player but only when he wants to be and it’s clear that over the last couple years he hasn’t been truly committed to Arsenal Football Club. Having played with Arteta as a player, perhaps this will allow the new manager to get the best out of his former teammate and show him how good he can be with a bit of confidence and backing from the manger.
The January transfer window is approaching an I’m sure Arteta will make a few changes, the first we think of is most likely, getting rid of Granit Xhaka who has fallen out with the Arsenal fans. Arsenal do still need a new defender or two to try and strengthen their back line as well as perhaps another midfielder, but I’m sure these are things Arteta is already thinking about. Guardiola has also come out and said that he is very disappointed that Arteta is leaving him but backs him to do well and become a great manager.
In his first press conference, yesterday afternoon, Arteta vowed to change the energy at the club and says his new club need to make an immediate impact if they want to finish this season strong. Arteta also said that he would bring a new style to the club, this is something that should excite Arsenal fans. He takes over as manager on Sunday after Saturday’s game against Everton, which Ljungberg will manage.
Other breaking news has just come out today that three-time Champions League winner, Carlo Ancelotti has just become the new Everton manager. This is a huge appointment for the Toffees who are struggling in the league this year, sitting sixteenth in the table.
Everton decided to sack manager Marco Silva at the start of the month and from the get go, made it clear they would target a big name to replace him. During their time searching for a new manager, former player, Duncan Ferguson took charge as interim manager. In that time he has beaten Chelsea, got a draw against Manchester United and got knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Leicester on penalties, which isn’t too bad but Everton we’re searching for a manger with a reputation, someone like, Carlo Ancelotti.
Ancelotti has been out of work for just over a week, after he was sacked by Napoli after their poor start to the Serie A season. Ancelotti has managed some of the biggest clubs in the world, including, AC Milan, PSG, Real Madrid, Chelsea and Bayern Munich. He’s a manager with a terrific CV. He has experience in the Premier League after his two year run as Chelsea manager, in which he won the Premier League and the FA Cup.
Everton fans will be licking their lips at tho appointment as he has the potential to really turn the team around and get them out of the slump they are currently experiencing. It’s difficult to say what Ancelotti’s aims will be for this season given where they currently sit in the table but I’m sure a top ten finish would suffice the owners of the club but given that he is given time and money to really work with the club then perhaps the club could be pushing for at least a top six finish in the near future.
These two appointments are huge for both clubs concerned and I know I speak for fans of Arsenal, Everton and generally football when I say, I’m excited to see what they do at their new clubs. I’d like to Arteta completely change Arsenal’s vision and be the next Pep Guardiola in his first managerial position and I’d also like to see Ancelotti get the best out of his players and get Everton back to a position which shows their worth.
Ben Evans Portfolio 