How did Arsenal fall so far and what can they do to rebuild?

Arsenal fans show their support during Arsenal FC open training ahead of the match between Arsenal and Singapore during the 2015 Barclays Asia Trophy Tournament at the Sports Hub National Stadium on July 14, 2015 in Singapore. (July 13, 2015 - Source: Stanley Chou/Getty Images AsiaPac)

8-2

Chew gum, check. Glasses, check. Dark and heavy coat keeping the cold on lock and hiding the prestigious red tie, check! You know the rest. With Fergie on the touchline, his red troopers were fashionably running riot. They were subduing the other red, making a show of what used to be a formidable opponent. Nani, Rooney, Ashely Young, and even the soon to become a Gooner in Danny Welbeck had all gotten in on the act, embarrassing his future employers. I bet it felt like a Germany blitzkrieg for the visitors as Manchester United finished 8-2 winners on the day. That is 59 years after Arsenal had done the same to the Red Devils.

It all just started as another Premier League weekend, in need of a scoreline and 3 points up for grabs but the 8-2 loss to Manchester United wasn’t just a stain on a season record; but a scar forever etched in the hearts of the entire Arsenal community, both present, and future. It still remains until this very day.

But that’s not where it all started, all hell had broken loose a little earlier than that.

49-0

It actually didn’t start here either, but why not revisit some of the greatest footballing stories ever written. Before they were “the Inevitables”, Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal were once upon a time, “the Invincibles.” During the 2003/04 Premier League season, the Gunners finished an entire 38-games season unbeaten to clinch the coveted English title, even extending that record to 49 games until, as luck would have it, Manchester United ended that run in 2004. It was the perfect story, a young foreign manager in Arsene had been unpopularly handed the reins in 1996 at one of the most prestigious clubs in the country.

Ringing some changes around the whole managerial landscape that included diet, he took his time to really come through but eventually assembled an incredible force that literally no one could stop. Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp, Lauren, Robert Pires, Freddie Ljungberg only to mention but a few were just a few of his headliners in an all-star line-up that tore up defences for fun. In a space of 9 years, the Frenchman amassed a total of 7 titles. Rain typically follows a drought, but not quite in the Arsenal world, they had it backwards. Here is where things started going south.

The cost of ambition

Thierry Henry and Robin van Persie celebrate after Arsenal won 7-1 during the Barclays Premier League match between Arsenal and Blackburn Rovers at Emirates Stadium on February 4, 2012 in London, England.

(Feb. 3, 2012 - Source: Paul Gilham/Getty Images Europe)

A dream that does not cost you, is seldom worth pursuing. Even that bit is also true for Arsenal. As more trophies clang in and ticket sales made the till ring, Arsenal’s famous hunting ground became smaller. The leadership, board, players and even fans perhaps felt it too. They were now envisioning the conquest of Europe and more world-wide influence. Replacing Highbury with a shiner and bigger Emirates seemed the right accessory to the vision. It was obviously going to cost money, but that was not all.

a. The great exodus

Without going so much into the construction project itself, the bottom line is that it demanded so much that Arsene Wenger’s player grooming skills came in handy. As the former Gunners manager once recalled, they had to sell their best players to make it work.

“People do not take a step back to look at what has happened.

"For me, the environment changed between 2006 and 2015, because we were under financial restrictions (the construction of the Emirates), at a time when a lot of money was injected into English football.

“We had less money, we had to sell our best players, whilst other teams were strengthening… sometimes with our players. But the expectations were exactly the same.

"To be completely honest, I have never worked more than during this period, between 2006 and 2015. I had signed a five-year contract because the banks required it whilst we were building a new stadium.

“We had absolutely no guarantees and I went to the end of my contract because I wanted to respect this challenge. But it was difficult. I am proud of what I have done.” – Arsene Wenger

Samir Nasri of Arsenal (L) is congratulated by manager Arsene Wenger as he scores their second goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Arsenal and Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium on November 8, 2008 in London, England.

(Nov. 8, 2008 - Source: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images Europe)

It would have been easier if it was a typical business transaction of exchanging money for a product or service. Core players left the club for other pastures, not just any pastures but that of their bitter rivals. It was subtracting themselves and adding to a foe, or even better, selling their soul.

During this period, legendary club captains such as Thierry Henry and Robin van Persie left for Barcelona and Manchester United. The young boy who had grown to become a man and a legend at the club in Cesc Fabregas also followed Henry to the Spanish giants. In a dagger to the heart move, Togolese international in Emmanuel Adebayor switched allegiances to cross-town rivals Tottenham and even came back once to humiliate them by the most savage goal celebration of the decade. All of Samir Nasri, Gael Clichy and Bakary Sagna joined the blue-half of Manchester. Time will not permit us to mention the likes of Alexis Sanchez, Aaron Ramsey and Alex Oxlade Chamberlain who departed the club for almost nothing to already strong rivals, amongst many others.

Some of these players’ contracts were left to run out and the sanctioning of their sales to rivals did little in showing the club hierarchy understood and respected the culture of the club.

b. Lots of misses and few hits

(L-R) Santi Cazorla, Mikel Arteta and Alexis Sanchez of Arsenal pose with the trophy after the FA Community Shield match between Manchester City and Arsenal at Wembley Stadium on August 10, 2014 in London, England.

(Aug. 9, 2014 - Source: Clive Mason/Getty Images Europe)

To make matters worse, even when the Emirates Stadium was finally furnished, the club made some questionable acquisitions of new players. Ones which never really popped but became mere shadows of legends who had left. We are talking of the likes of Olivier Giroud who eventually reached a century of goals for the club, but his shortcomings made fans miss captain van Persie even more. Yaya Sanogo, Takuma Asano, Kim Kallstrom, Mohamed Elneny, Emmanuel Frimpong, Nicklas Bendtner, Lucas Perez are some of the names either bought in or came through the academy that never really made an impact but rather became scapegoats and constant reminders of the despicable state of the club. One of the brighter lights of that generation became Santi Cazorla, the little magician who danced through opponents and dazzled fans, not forgetting Hector Bellerin who stormed out of Hale End Academy into the first team. The latter remains an integral part of the fabric of the club to this day.

c. The ugly sisters

As the Gunners were trying to sort out their bedroom issues from around 2006-15, their rivals in the Premier League were not folding their hands. Chelsea through billionaire Roman Abramovich had begun reaching deeper into their pockets, bringing world-class managers such as Jose Mourinho, Carlo Ancelotti and Rafa Benitez to the club. They were also signing world-class players such as Fernando Torres and Drogba for hefty fees, all resulting in trophies. The law of replacement was in effect. The same applied for Manchester United who were still stable under Sir Alex Fergusson at least until 2013, Manchester City, Tottenham, and Liverpool who emerged as some of the big winners of the decade.

Just to put things into perspective, the mighty Gunners who had registered at least a 4th place finish and secured Champions League football for 19 consecutive seasons between 1998/99 to 2016/17, finished the decade having not achieved the same feat in the last 2 seasons of the 2010s.

d. The fighting parents

Stan Kroenke, Arsenal shareholder (R) and Chips Keswick, Arsenal chairman (L) are seen in the stands during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Burnley at Emirates Stadium on May 6, 2018 in London, England.

(May 5, 2018 - Source: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images Europe)

Perhaps the sticking point to all their struggles could be argued as the lack of a steady vision from the club hierarchy which failed to steer the club off mediocrity. Some of the images that come to mind remind us of the non-alignment of two majority shareholders in Stan Kroenke and Alisher Usmanov. The latter was believed to be more ambitious and endowed with loose pockets. Usmanov wanted to buy out Kroenke but eventually sold his stock to the former after several attempts, further charging the environment surrounding the Emirates.

e. Glass half-full or half-empty

By the book, most of Arsenal’s troubles were supposed to disappear after the construction of the shiny stadium that costed much more than money. Well, not quite. As Arsene Wenger once lamented in one of his reflections after leaving the club, “they had built a new stadium but left their soul at the old one.”

Performances oscillated over the years as the Frenchman tried to initiate a major rebuilt. During that period from the late 2000s, going into the 2010s, Arsenal endured a drought of 9 years without major silverware. That brand new shiny stadium almost seemed like an imposing figure of a curse until when they won the English FA Cup in the 2013/14 season, and then two more times after that.

“However, in a late twist of fortunes, Emery’s Red Army capitulated towards the end of the 2018/19 season. They secured just 4 points out of a possible 15 in their last 5 games and lost an elusive top 4 spot that was literally theirs to lose.”

— Dennis Takaendesa, FirstTouch Africa

A new genesis

As things charged up around the Emirates, an explosion was obviously inevitable. Stagnation became the general feeling amongst most of the Arsenal faithful. The fans had grown fairly used to more prestigious titles and codenames such as “the Invincibles,” chasing top 4 finishes and cowing under the whip of the likes of Bayern Munich, Manchester City, Chelsea and Manchester United with humungous scorelines such as 5-1, 6-2, 6-1 and 8-2 could not just cut it. The big dog had shelved off a few titles and pounds of pride to become the underdog. Change was inevitable.

With 21-years of service under his belt and having overseen it all, to many, the leadership of Arsene Wenger and Chief Executive Ivan Gazidis had become the symbol of failure. The two eventually left the club after initiating some changes that would form the bedrock of a hopeful future.

A fan bows to Nicolas Pepe of Arsenal after running onto the pitch the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and AFC Bournemouth at Emirates Stadium on October 06, 2019 in London, United Kingdom.

(Oct. 5, 2019 - Source: Getty Images Europe)

22-0

After going through a series of candidates with a commanding fear of repeating Manchester United’s failures in replacing a long-serving manager swirling their minds, Gazidis and the Arsenal board eventually settled on Unai Emery after months of phone calls and interviews. It was actually hard to argue with the decision given the limited resources Arsenal had, to bring in more famous names. The Spaniard had worked water into wine stuff at Valencia, seeing the La Liga club through some of its darkest periods and bankruptcy. He had also won the UEFA Europa League three-consecutive times with Sevilla and earned himself a ticket into the cash-laden French Ligue 1’s Paris St Germain.

Emery preached change, intensity, and restoration of the club’s bond with its fans. All the right things. He even became a fan favorite in his early days for tactical tweaks that saw the Gunners go through a 22 match unbeaten run. In particular, the traveling fans chanted, “we’ve got our Arsenal back,” in their all entertaining 5-1 win at Fulham in October 2018.

However, in a late twist of fortunes, Emery’s Red Army capitulated towards the end of the 2018/19 season. They secured just 4 points out of a possible 15 in their last 5 games and lost an elusive top 4 spot that was literally theirs to lose. Not only that, but they also forfeited a return to Europe’s elite club competition by fashionably capitulating in the UEFA Europa League final to lose 4-1 to Chelsea. A debut season under new management with so much promise became a typical Arsenal season in a flash.

Going into the new season, they never recovered. Poorer results eventually led to the dismissal of the Spaniard just one and a half years after his appointment. It was time to go back to the drawing board.

Positive signings

Putting aside the Emery appointment that didn’t quite work out, there are a lot of positives that fans took and can take from his spell in charge. Firstly, the new management structure which now included a Head of Recruitment, Head of Football, Head Coach, Club Lawyer, and the Chief Executive has already done major surgeries that could reap huge benefits in the future. In past times, it was typically Arsene Wenger and Ivan Gazidis who ran everything, the club manager and Chief Executive.

Unlike the periods of the likes of the aforementioned Sanogo, Asano and Lucas Perez; Arsenal’s new hierarchy has already brought in gems of footballing talent in the likes of Matteo Guendouzi and Gabriel Martinelli. Even the Hale End Academy seems rejuvenated with talented youth players such as Bukayo Saka, Eddie Nketiah, Joe Willock, Emile Smith Rowe and Reiss Nelson knocking on the door of a starting berth. Most impressively and rare to the Arsenal that everybody had grown used to, they arm strangled the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool, Napoli and Chelsea to bring in record transfers of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Nicolas Pepe. The former is already the new captain of the club and one of the most prolific strikers in the division.

Potential, something that was arguably present in the Gunners former times of stadium construction and the exodus of players, is very much palpable right now. It also seems like they’ve found the right person to organize the squad and craft a new pathway.

Sergio Busquets of Barcelona evades .Bukayo Saka of Arsenal during the Joan Gamper Trophy pre-season friendly match between FC Barcelona and Arsenal at Nou Camp on August 04, 2019 in Barcelona, Spain.

(Aug. 3, 2019 - Source: Getty Images Europe)

Mikel Arteta, the “reincarnation” of Arsene the managerial prodigy

Just like the appointment of Wenger back in 1996, Mikel Arteta’s return to the club as the Head Coach drew several skeptics but is slowly starting to feel like the correct one. At just 37-years of age with no experience managing any club, Arteta made the switch to the Emirates from being Pep Guardiola’s Assistant and Manchester City. Just 3 years after he had hung up his boots.

Blind faith, that what it was called and looked like. Especially given the fact that proven and highly experienced gaffers such as Carlo Ancelotti were available at the time of his appointment.

Well, it’s still too early to say that the Spaniard has already changed the direction of the club. What’s more certain is that he has brought the feel-good factor back to the squad, stamped his authority and communicated his vision of a playing style. Arteta is also working on repairing the bond between the club, fans and has already worked wonders in giving new opportunities to players such as Shkodran Mustafi and Granit Xhaka whose exits were imminent, often abused and scapegoated by fans. The kind of things that a rebuilding job will take at any club.

Results were still to improve at the time of the writing of this piece but there were enough reasons for the Arsenal faithful to start believing again.

Towards the promised land

Poetic justice says that anyone associated with Arsenal football club deserves a breather. A period of growth, better results, fun, challenging for the most important titles amongst others. But as we all know, this is not a perfect world nor some script in a book, 2020-30 might and might not still be their decade.

Only time will tell, but all hope is not lost.

League of Future Stars: Seven former French Ligue 1 players thriving in the Premier League

French Ligue 1 has been the name of the top division in French football league since 2002, before that it was called Division 1. The league in its original form was inaugurated in 1932, two years after professionalism in French football became legal. The first season featured 20 teams, the same number of teams that are included in Ligue 1 today. Ligue 1 is the top tier of the French football league system, one level above the current Ligue 2, and apparently it has been dominated by one team called PSG for many years.

There are a quite number of stars who left the French Ligue and went on to become living legends and some are still playing to build the legacy. In this article we are delighted to cover the stars that left the French Ligue 1 and are still building their careers as living legends, making an impact and leaving a mark that cannot be erased.

Per Mertesacker of Arsenal is challenged by Fabinho Tavares of Monaco during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg match between AS Monaco and Arsenal at Stade Louis II on March 17, 2015 in Monaco, Monaco.

(March 16, 2015 - Source: Michael Steele/Getty Images Europe)

1. Fabinho

Full name: Fabio Henrique Tavares

Nation: Brazil

Club Team: Liverpool FC

Position: Defensive Midfielder

Year of Birth: 1993

Bought from: Monaco

Fabinho, full name Fabio Henrique Tavares, is a patrolling defensive midfielder who agreed a deal to join Liverpool from AS Monaco on May 28, 2018. The midfielder officially became a Red on July 1 and took the No.3 shirt for the team's first pre-season friendly of the summer against Chester FC. Jürgen Klopp preached patience when it came to the Brazilian's adaptation to English football after five seasons in Ligue 1. He would make his debut for the club on September 18, 2018, when he appeared as an injury-time substitute in a 3-2 victory over Paris Saint-Germain at Anfield in the Champions League. The win over Paris Saint- German was one that will be talked for ages in Liverpool’s football history and it is imperative to note that Fabinho contributed immensely to that memorable win.

Fabinho was born in Sao Paulo in 1993, but his first professional club was Rio side Fluminese. He left there for Rio Ave Portugal in June 2012 without making a first team appearance. However, after just a month in northern Portugal he was loaned to Real Madrid's reserve side Castilla for the 2012-13 season and made his debut towards the end of the season.

He was handed his first start in Liverpool colors against Chelsea in the third round of the League Cup where the Reds were beaten by 2-1. It was towards the end of October, though, where Fabinho began to find his feet in Klopp's side. Man of the Match performances against Red Star Belgrade and Manchester United quickly followed, providing a boost to disappointed fans. A defensive midfielder who can play in either full-back position, Fabinho's versatility was a factor in Jurgen Klopp's decision to sign him with Emre Can's contract expiring in June 2018. Despite not being an attacking player, he scored an impressive 23 goals in 167 Ligue 1 appearances for Monaco over five years. Still coming to terms with Jurgen Klopp's intense fitness and training methods, Fabinho has had to be patient. Notable achievements for Fabinho include but not limited to winning the French Super Cup with AS Monaco in 2017, and the UEFA Champions League and Supercup in the year 2019 as a Liverpool player.

Anthony Martial of Monaco in action during the Emirates Cup match between Valencia and AS Monaco at the Emirates Stadium on August 2, 2014 in London, England.

(Aug. 1, 2014 - Source: Michael Regan/Getty Images Europe)

2. Anthony Martial

Full name: Anthony Jordan Martial

Nation: France

Club Team: Manchester United FC

Position: Forward

Year of Birth: 1995

Bought from: AS Monaco

Playing youth football for Les Ulis, Martial began his professional career at Lyon, and then transferred to AS Monaco in 2013 for a fee of €6 million. He was a member of Monaco's squad for two seasons, and signed for Manchester United in 2015 for an initial fee of £36 million which could potentially rise to £57.6 million. This was the highest fee paid for a teenager in football history even before the potential increase. He scored in his first match for the Red Devils and was named the Premier League Player of the Month in his first month in English football.

A youth international for France from under-16 to under-21 level, Martial made his senior debut in 2015. He was named in their squad for UEFA Euro 2016.

On 30 June 2013, AS Monaco announced they had signed Martial to a three-year contract for a fee of €5 million-plus bonuses. On 24 November, he made his first league appearance for the club at the age of 17, replacing Radamel Falcao after 63 minutes and playing a part in Mounir Obbadi's goal which gave victory away to FC Nantes. He scored his first goal for the renowned club on his first start, a 2–0 win over Rennes at the Stade Louis II six days later. His campaign was disrupted by a sprained ankle against Valenciennes in December. On 27 January 2014, he extended his contract until June 2018.

In his second season at Monaco, Martial scored nine goals in 36 Ligue 1 games, starting on 5 October 2014 when he came on as a substitute for Lucas Ocampos, he gained a 1–1 draw at reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain with a last-minute strike from close range. He scored twice against a 10-man Bastia on 13 March 2015 in a 3–0 home victory. On 26 June, he further extended his link with the team until 2019.

On 4 August 2015, Martial scored his first goal in European competition, in a 4–0 home win over BSC Young Boys in the third qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League; Monaco advanced 7–1 on aggregate.

Anthony then joined the Red Devils on transfer deadline day during the summer of 2015 and made his mark by scoring an excellent debut goal as a substitute against Liverpool, which immediately won the love and respect of the fans. That famous strike later won the club’s Goal of the Season award during the annual prize-giving night at Old Trafford, beating off competition from Marcus Rashford.

Martial finished the 2015/16 season as United’s top scorer with 17 goals from 49 appearances and that included a dramatic added-time winner during the FA Cup semi-final victory over Everton, which led to earning a winners’ medal following the 2-1 extra-time win over Crystal Palace in the final. That wrapped up a superb maiden season in which the Reds forward emphasised his massive potential.

The 2016/17 campaign, his first under the management of Jose Mourinho, yielded eight goals from 42 appearances, plus three trophies in the form of the FA Community Shield, EFL Cup and UEFA Europa League. The 2017/18 season, saw the no.11 shift up a gear once more, his explosive pace and instinctive eye for goal making him a key part of United's attacking armory. Either sharing attacking duties with Rashford or being unleashed as part of a front three with Marcus and Lukaku, Martial surpassed his goals total from the previous season. Five goals in United's opening eight games, plus a run of form in January meant that the Frenchman ended the season with 11 goals in all competitions.

Anthony enjoyed a good first half of the 2018/19 season and was voted Player of the Month for October by fans after a series of impressive performances. On 31 January 2019, Martial signed a new contract, keeping him at the club until June 2024, with the option to extend for a further year. Following Romelu Lukaku's move to Inter Milan, he switched back to United's no.9 jersey and quickly got off the mark for 2019/20 season with the second goal in the 4-0 rout of Chelsea at Old Trafford, giving an early indication that he will thrive on the responsibility of playing down the middle and compensating for the lack of the Belgian's goals.

Benjamin Mendy of Monaco in action during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 first leg match between Manchester City FC and AS Monaco at Etihad Stadium on February 21, 2017 in Manchester, United Kingdom.

(Feb. 20, 2017 - Source: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images Europe)

3. Benjamin Mendy

Full name: Benjamin Mendy

Nation: France

Club Team: Manchester City FC

Position: Left-back

Year of Birth: 1994

Bought from: AS Monaco

Benjamin Mendy arrived at City from Monaco, signing a five-year deal in July 2017. In the two seasons since, the Frenchman has suffered a number of injury set-backs, but evidenced his quality in 23 appearances in which his high energy, attacking approach to the full-back position thrived.

Mendy began his career with Le Havre, where he played more than 50 league games, before joining Marseille in 2013. He impressed at the Stade Velodrome, making 101 appearances in three seasons and gained a reputation as one of the best full-backs in the French top flight.

His performances earned him a move to Monaco, where he was a key component of Leanardo Jardim’s side’s improvement. His surging runs down the left flank were central to the Red and Whites’ success in the 2016/17 season, claiming the Ligue 1 title and reaching the semi-finals of the Champions League.

It was in Europe where Mendy and Monaco particularly impressed, with notable scalps against City and Borussia Dortmund in the knockout stages, whilst domestically, he was named in the Ligue 1 Team of the Year. He enjoyed a strong start to his City career, winning his first five games and keeping four clean sheets in the process, but his debut season was ruined by a knee injury which kept him out until April 2018.

His return saw him selected for France’s 2018 World Cup squad, where Les Bleus were victorious, but his 2018/19 campaign was again hampered by injuries. He made 16 appearances in total and registered five assists as City lifted the Premier League, FA Cup, Carabao Cup and Community shield. Mendy is a World Cup winner, two-time English title winner, English FA Cup winner, English League Cup winner and French Cup winner.

“The 2017/18 season, saw the no.11 shift up a gear once more, his explosive pace and instinctive eye for goal making him a key part of United’s attacking armory. Either sharing attacking duties with Rashford or being unleashed as part of a front three with Marcus and Lukaku..”

— Farai Maringa, FirstTouch Africa

Bernardo Silva of AS Monaco runs with the ball during the UEFA Champions League match between Tottenham Hotspur FC and AS Monaco FC at Wembley Stadium on September 14, 2016 in London, England.

(Sept. 13, 2016 - Source: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images Europe)

4. Bernardo Silva

Full name: Bernardo Mota Veiga de Carvalho e Silva

Nation: Portugal

Club Team: Manchester City FC

Position: Midfielder

Year of Birth: 1994

Bought from: AS Monaco

Born in Lisbon, Silva came through Benfica's youth academy. He began playing for Benfica B in 2013 and was promoted to the first-team in 2014, playing a few minutes with the latter. He was on loan at the Ligue 1 side Monaco during the 2014–15 season, with Les Monégasques making the move permanent in winter 2015. After winning the national championship with them in 2017, he was signed by English club Manchester City for a reported fee of £43.5 million. He subsequently won the Premier League and EFL Cup in his first season in England, following this up with a domestic treble the following season. He had a significant role in City becoming the first men's team in England to win a domestic treble, also being named Manchester City's Player of the Year in 2019.

Silva made his senior debut for Portugal in 2015 after previously being capped by Portugal youth teams at under-21 and under-19 levels. He was selected in Portugal's squads for the 2017 Confederations Cup, 2018 World Cup and 2019 UEFA Nations League Finals on home soil, winning the latter tournament as its best player.

In the 2018 World Cup, Bernardo played in all four games as Portugal reached the last 16. His second season in Manchester proved even better on both a personal and team level. City swept all the four trophies domestically and the 24-year-old was sensational throughout. He recorded 13 goals and 14 assists in 51 appearances, winning Man of the Match in the Carabao Cup final win over Chelsea and ending the campaign as the Club’s Player of the Season. Early in 2019 he signed a contract extension which keeps him at City until 2025.

Alexandre Lacazette of Olympique Lyonnais in action during the UEFA Europa League Round of 16 second leg match between AS Roma and Olympique Lyonnais at Stadio Olimpico on March 16, 2017 in Rome, Italy.

(March 15, 2017 - Source: Paolo Bruno/Getty Images Europe)

5. Alexandre Lacazette

Full name: Alexandre Lacazette

Nation: France

Club Team: Arsenal

Position: Forward

Year of Birth: 1991

Bought from: Olympique Lyonnais

Born in Lyon, Lacazette began his senior career at the city's largest club Olympique Lyonnais at age 19, after impressing as a member of the team's youth setup. He initially played as a winger, but was converted into a striker. This success led him to start for the side regularly by 2012, where at age 21, he helped the club win a Coupe de France and a Trophée des Champions title.

During his time at the club, Lacazette developed into a regular goalscorer, becoming renowned for his prowess in front of goal, as well as his team-first mentality, gaining comparisons to Ian Wright by Gérard Houllier. Lacazette also helped the club make a return to the UEFA Champions League, and contributed heavily to Lyon's runner up finishes in Ligue 1 in the 2014–15 and 2015–16 seasons. Lacazette recorded league-high 27 goals, and won the Ligue 1 Player of the Year award for his performances. Despite this, the club failed to win any additional trophies, and Lacazette began voicing his desire to leave.

After being honored in three Ligue 1 Team of the Year designations, as well as in a UEFA Europa League Squad of the season, Lacazette was the subject of, at the time, a club-record transfer to English team Arsenal in 2017, when he moved from Lyon in a deal worth £46.5 million. In England, Lacazette captured a FA Community Shield title in his debut season. In his second season, he was named the club's Player of the season, and gained praise for his strike partnership with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, as he helped Arsenal reach the UEFA Europa League final.

Lacazette made his debut for the senior side of the France national team in 2013, after he represented his nation across all youth levels. The 28-year-old was a key contributor in France's victory in the 2010 UEFA European Under-19 Championship, where he scored the match-winning goal in the final against Spain. The Arsenal striker continues to add value to the Arsenal team as they continue pursuing to become part of the premier league top 4.

Tiemoue Bakayoko of Monaco in action during the UEFA Champions League Semi Final second leg match between Juventus and AS Monaco at Juventus Stadium on May 9, 2017 in Turin, Italy.

(May 8, 2017 - Source: Stuart Franklin/Getty Images Europe)

6. Tiemoue Bakayoko

Full name: Tiémoué Bakayoko

Nation: France

Club Team: Monaco (On loan from Chelsea)

Position: Defensive Midfielder

Year of Birth:1994

Bought from: AS Monaco

Due to his ability to break up play, the defensive midfielder is considered to have all-round ability, as well as possessing physical power and athleticism, with France national team manager Didier Deschamps describing him as “a complete midfielder.”

Bakayoko joined the academy at Rennes at the age of 13. At 14, he was turned down by the Clairfontaine academy. His senior career began at Rennes where he made 24 appearances before moving to Monaco in 2014 for £7 million. In his first two seasons at the club, Bakayoko made 31 Ligue 1 appearances, but was a regular starter in the 2016–17 season, contributing to Monaco's Ligue 1 title win as well as being named in the 2016–17 UEFA Champions League squad of the season. In 2017, he joined Chelsea for £40 million. Bakayoko made his first senior international appearance for the France national team in March 2017. This man has so much potential and he is growing to become a living legend if continues to work hard and push himself to the limits.

7. David Luiz

Full name: David Luiz

David Luiz of Paris Saint Germain in action during the pre-season friendly match between SSC Napoli and Paris Saint-Germain FC at Stadio San Paolo on August 11, 2014 in Naples, Italy.

(Aug. 10, 2014 - Source: Giuseppe Bellini/Getty Images Europe

Nation: Brazil

Club Team: Arsenal

Position: Centre Back

Year of Birth: 1987

Bought from: PSG

After starting out at Vitória, David Luiz moved to Benfica, remaining with the club for five seasons. He joined Chelsea in January 2011, winning the UEFA Champions League during the 2011–12 season. In the following season, he won the UEFA Europa League. In June 2014, he transferred to Paris Saint-Germain for a fee of £50 million, a world-record transfer for a defender, and won all four domestic competitions over his two seasons in French football. His resume is absolutely out of this world and he is one of the best defenders of all time despite some mistakes he has made over the years of his career. He returned to Chelsea in August 2016 in a £30 million transfer deal.

David Luiz made his full international debut for Brazil in 2010 and has since earned over 50 caps for his country. He was a member of the Brazilian teams which won the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup and reached the semi-finals of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, and has also represented his nation in two editions of the Copa América. David Luiz continues his career at Arsenal where he is working hard in developing a strong and undisputed defense system for Arsenal football club.

Parting note

All the mentioned players moved to French Ligue 1 and made a remarkable impact, which attracted the interest of other leagues particularly the English Premier League teams and that is where all of them are playing now. They continue building their careers as living legends and hopefully will create unforgettable moments in the English Premier League that will catapult them to even greater clubs, greater history positions and greater sponsorship deals.

Is Manchester City’s success just a reflection of their bank account?

Manchester City has been reported to be the most valuable club in the English Premier League. Pep

Guardiola’s current squad cost £702 million to assemble; the highest of any other club in Europe. City are current EPL Champions and favorites to compete for the title this season, currently sitting in second place behind Liverpool. In the five years between 2015- 2019, the only clubs that spent more than City are Juventus and Barcelona. Guardiola’s men won the domestic treble last season further cementing their position among Europe’s elite but their financial endowment has worked hand in glove with Guardiola’s visionary leadership.

Pep Guardiola looks on during the Pro Am for the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth on May 23, 2018 in Virginia Water, England.

(May 22, 2018 - Source: Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images Europe)

 Josep Guardiola, the manager who lacks nothing

Guardiola’s prolific career spans over three of Europe's best leagues and major successes in each one of those leagues earned him recognition among the most accomplished managers in history. He won the La Liga four times with Barcelona and the treble. In Germany, he had similar success winning Bundesliga for three consecutive years. Barcelona, Bayern, and Man City are all large clubs with big budgets to sign players. Throughout this managerial career, Guardiola has had a huge financial backing to construct the best teams that the leagues have seen. Pep Guardiola’s impact at Manchester City has surpassed previous managers in both achievements and expenditure.

Manchester does not spare the cost to buy players and this led to their Premier League rival, Jurgen Klopp claiming that Manchester City lived in a “fantasy land”. Klopp himself has spent much less than Guardiola since taking over as a manager at Anfield. Arguably, when a manager has access to all the financial resources they need, there is more room for success without having to make it work with less talented players. Guardiola has spent more at Manchester City than at Barcelona and Bayern Munich combined. The reason behind this being the need to rejuvenate the squad after coming to a team of 11 players over the age of 30 according to the Spaniard. Most of their players have each costed the team between €50 and 100 million showing that they do not have to be conservative when they want a player. The Cityzens have not made nearly as much selling players as they spent buying. They spent around £500 million net in the last five years whereas Liverpool made profits of selling the likes of Phillippe Coutinho. Money is just not an issue for Manchester City which justifies their freedom to recruit talented players at a premium. Many of the Man City signings have succeeded at the Etihad and have been part and parcel of the outstanding overall success of the club in the past few years.

“Sheikh Mansour’s investments into the club have exceeded £1.4 billion which has essentially contributed to turn Manchester City into a European powerhouse that spares no cost in buying the top-rated players.”

— Margaret Mandeya, FirstTouch Africa

Bernardo Silva of Manchester City celebrates with teammates after scoring his team's third goal during the Group F match of the UEFA Champions League between FC Shakhtar Donetsk and Manchester City at Metalist Stadium on October 23, 2018 in Kharkov, Ukraine.

(Oct. 22, 2018 - Source: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images Europe)

 Most Expensive Manchester City signings

 Let’s just quickly look at some of their high profile signings.

 #10 - Eliaquim Mangala, £42 million

The French center-back joined City in 2014 but failed to have an impact in defence. He has spent most of his time at City on loan to Everton and Valencia. The 28-year old was signed by Manuel Pellegrini and did not make it to Pep Guardiola’s first team.

 #9 - Bernardo Silva, £43 million

City signed Bernardo Silva in July 2017 from Ligue 1 powerhouse Monaco, after he had helped the French team secure a league title and a semi-finals spot in the Champions League. The Portuguese playmaker won Man City’s player of the season in his second season at the Etihad.

 #8 - Raheem Sterling, £44 million

Then 20-year old Sterling made his high profile move from Liverpool in 2015. Since his arrival at Etihad, he’s been progressively becoming better each season for City with his best campaign in 2017/2018 season where he netted 23 goals and created 17 assists in 46 games.

 #7 - Kyle Walker, £45 million

Kyle Walker made his move to Manchester City from Spurs in 2017 on a five-year contract. The former Tottenham player has been touted to be on the way out after Pep Guardiola signed João Cancelo from Juventus this year.

 #6 - John Stones, £47.5 million

Stones joined City from Everton to Manchester City in 2016. The English defender was signed for a wholesome £47.5 million price tag. The 25-year old is the first choice center-back for the English national team and has turned out to be a good investment for Manchester City.

Sergio Aguero of Manchester City celebrates with the Community Shield trophy following his side's victory during the FA Community Shield between Manchester City and Chelsea at Wembley Stadium on August 5, 2018 in London, England.

(Aug. 4, 2018 - Source: Clive Mason/Getty Images Europe)

#5 - Benjamin Mendy, £52 million

Mendy was signed from Monaco on a five-year contract in 2017, breaking the record at the time for the most expensive full-back. One of the most expensive defenders in the League, Mendy has had a series of injuries that have kept him from playing much at Manchester City.

 #4 - Kevin De Bruyne £54 million

The Belgian has been at the club since 2015. Since signing a 6-year contract to switch from Wolfsburg to Manchester City, De Bruyne is now a key figure on the pitch as City’s playmaker. The 28-year-old midfielder currently stands at 50 assists for the Blues.

 #3 - Aymeric Laporte £57 million

The French defender has been crucial to the Manchester City defence since his arrival in 2018 from Atletico Bilbao. Laporte’s exploits in the EPL has resulted in him being regarded as the second-best center-back in the league behind, 2019 UEFA Men’s Player of the Year in Virgil Van Dijk.

 #2 - Riyad Mahrez £60 million

Leicester City’s former talisman became a City player for £60 million, a price tag that made him the first player to break the £60 million mark for the club in 2018. He has been one of the best players for Manchester City this season, taking advantage of Leroy Sane’s injury to prove his worth.

 #1 - Rodri £62 million

Coming from Atletico Madrid, the midfielder is expected to take the place of 34-year old Fernaninho as a key figure in City’s midfield. The rated player came at a premium because of his reputation and instinct with the ball. Rodri’s contribution to the team is most critical when Fernandinho retires.

 Manchester City’s humble beginnings

City have not always had the enormous financial resources they have today and was an outsider to the elite clubs of Europe. The club’s fortunes turned when the current Manchester City owner, billionaire businessman and member of the Abu Dhabi royal family, Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan bought the club in 2008. City won three league titles and made record profits since its change of ownership into the Abu Dhabi billionaires’ hands.

Before coming into the picture, Manchester City was far from being a championship team constantly finishing mid-table. His investment has largely been responsible for taking City from mid-table regulars to league title winners. The investment has gone into extensions to the Etihad Stadium state of the art facilities. Sheikh Mansour’s investments into the club have exceeded £1.4 billion which has essentially contributed to turn Manchester City into a European powerhouse that spares no cost in buying the top-rated players. In the 11 years since buying the club, City has won 9 trophies and 3 league titles. City’s success gained the English team, fans across the globe and catapulted them to the position of the most valuable club in the Premier League. The money has also been coming in for City with an annual turnover of £581 million earning, £9 million behind top earners and rivals Manchester United who bagged £590 million in the most recent year.

Bernardo Silva of Manchester City controls the ball under pressure from Georginio Wijnaldum of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Manchester City at Anfield on October 7, 2018 in Liverpool, United Kingdom.

(Oct. 6, 2018 - Source: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images Europe)

 Manchester City and Liverpool Rivalry

Jurgen Klopp and Guardiola have to battle it out this season for the league title. Liverpool has been on a near-perfect run which has cemented their chances of taking the title from rivals City. Manchester’s luck has fallen through, falling behind Liverpool by 8 points. The biggest challenge that the club is facing happens to be a shaky defence that has made critical mistakes, costing the champions six points against Wolverhampton Wanderers and Norwich. Aymeric Laporte’s injury has been a major setback as the first choice center-back who will need more time on the sidelines, recovering from a meniscus injury picked up early on in the season.

 Guardiola has had to find a temporary suitable combination, which has meant that his defence needed to adjust, pairing up with players they had not been used to playing with. John Stones and Kyle Walker have taken the baton alongside the ageing duo of Nicholas Otamendi. Joao Cancelo, City’s record signing full-back has not played a major role this season as Guardiola’s first-choice. The current defence lacks depth which could cost City the title, as Liverpool charge on, eight points ahead of the champions. Fernandinho moved into the defensive position this season, making a way in the midfield for new signing Rodri. The switch has been far from stable at times, the Brazilian proving that his natural position is in midfield.

Sergio Aguero and Nicolas Otamendi with the Premier league trophy after the Premier League match between Manchester City and Huddersfield Town at Etihad Stadium on May 6, 2018 in Manchester, England.

(May 5, 2018 - Source: Michael Regan/Getty Images Europe)

 Conclusion

The biggest clubs in the world are usually well endowed with the financial capacity to buy players without sparing the cost. The elite clubs have the cash to continue buying the players that the manager needs and at Manchester City, Pep Guardiola has been no different. It’s true that the Spaniard, has been fortunate to have financial access for most of his managerial career and has used this privilege to create some of the best teams, the football world has ever seen including the current Manchester City squad.

 To respond to the question, “Is Manchester City’s success just a reflection of their bank account?’’ The short answer is yes. They have been transformed by their access to financial resources via the Arab world. A big part of why the Cityzens have been able to succeed is a reflection of their bank account but Guardiola’s touch has also contributed immensely. Let’s face it, you also need to know which players to buy and how to organize them.

EPL: Who is to blame for Manchester United’s current state?

Sir Alex Ferguson speaks to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Manager of Manchester United on the pitch prior to the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final second leg match between FC Barcelona and Manchester United at Camp Nou on April 16, 2019 in Barcelona, Spain.

(April 15, 2019 - Source: Michael Regan/Getty Images Europe)

Manchester United have managed to collect nine points this season from seven fixtures, their worst start in 30 years. United have struggled in recent years and the 2019/20 season has started off with no signs of an improving situation at Old Trafford. The Red Devils have failed to win away from home since February 2019 and have been beaten by Cardiff and Crystal Palace at Old Trafford, with a recent loss to West Ham intensifying skepticism of any quick revival. Recent string of poor results have cemented the fact that the club is in a poor state of affairs and even club legend, Ole Gunnar Solskjær who’s at the helm, seems to also be struggling to get the club in order.

Finding a manager to fill the shoes of Sir Alex Ferguson

Manchester United was once the exact opposite of what it is now, cup titles and English Premier League dominance were the norm. The Red Devils are a shadow of their former selves with big spending on players and no clear direction. No manager has been able to replicate the astronomic success of Alex Ferguson who retired having won 13 Premier League titles, five FA Cups, and two UEFA Champions League titles. Alex Ferguson’s record with Manchester United surpasses any other manager in the history of the English Premier League. Since his retirement, four managers have attempted to take the mantle and six years on, the struggle to find a manager to take the Reds to their former glory is ongoing. The different managers after Fergie, have fallen way short in of his legacy.

“Ole Gunner Solskjaer has managed to get rid of players like Smalling who were perceived surplus to requirements but the move to get rid of Lukaku without a replacement, left a big gap in the attacking third that Rashford alone cannot fill and Daniel James although a highly talented player, he too is not on the level of the likes of Sergio Aguero and De Bruyne, a calibre of players that United need, to yet again compete with the best there is. ”

— Margaret Mandeya, FirstTouch Africa

Louis van Gaal manager of Manchester United celebrates with winning goalscorer Anthony Martial of Manchester United after victory in The Emirates FA Cup semi final match between Everton and Manchester United at Wembley Stadium on April 23, 2016 in London, England.

(April 22, 2016 - Source: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images Europe)

Moyes, Van Gaal and Mourinho; Who messed up less?

Manchester United with David Moyes at the helm were a disaster. They finished seventh in the league after having won it the previous year. The former Everton manager, had huge shoes to fill at Old Trafford coming in straight after Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure. The general feeling was that he was just not the right fit for the team and unsurprisingly he swiftly exited Old Trafford. Louis Van Gaal’s services were quickly enlisted to replace Moyes after an impressive World Cup with the Netherlands in 2014. The Dutch initiated a rebuilding stage by bringing in new players to the squad. The biggest fee he paid for a single player was £44 million on Anthony Martial and more players who did not live up to the hype when they were signed included Memphis Depay, Angel Di Maria and Marcos Rojo. LVG’s biggest achievement was winning the FA Cup with the club but finished outside the top four in fifth. His unpopularity with players for his managerial style and tactics made it impossible for him to stay longer at United.

Then in came Jose Mourinho. The Portuguese’s stint in Manchester was a period of hope for. He brought vision and star power and players to the club, including United most expensive player of all time, Paul Pogba. The “Special One” spent two years at Manchester United and led the club best post-Ferguson, when they finished in the top two for the first time in four seasons in the 2017/18 season. During the summer transfer window, he spent £140.9 million on Eric Bailly, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Romelu Lukaku, Paul Pogba as well as a free transfer of the majestic Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

During his time at Old Trafford, Mourinho won quite a number of trophies. The Community Shield, Europa League and the FA Cup. However, in the 2018/2019 season, they trailed 24 points behind champions City and struggled defensively. The tension between Paul Pogba and Mourinho soured and it had become clear that Mourinho was on his way out of Old Trafford.

Ed Woodard’s misplaced priorities

Ed Woodard is the executive vice president of the club and the key decision maker at Manchester United, the man who hires and fires managers. He has been blamed for making decisions that have set the club back years. When Mourinho wanted to find a centre back to replace Chris Smalling he needed the backing of Ed Woodard. If he had followed the instincts of Mourinho, someone whom he had hired and trusted to lead the team it could have been a different story for Manchester United under Mourinho in his second season with the club. Ed Woodard has spared no expense in rebuilding the team, investing large sums despite the unsuccessful campaigns and losing out on big payments by missing out on the UEFA Champions League. Salaries of Manchester United players like Paul Pogba and Alexis Sanchez who left to join Inter Milan on loan were the highest in the league. The downside of the exorbitant salaries is that some players like Sanchez who didn’t perform to the level that was expected, become more costly than they are actually worth. As the club continues to invest heavily into signing new players, a remedy that the club needs to finally bounce back, Ed Woodard has been in the process of attempting to overhaul the recruitment process and structure at the club. A top priority at the moment for the role of Sporting Director is Edwin van der Sar, who is the current CEO of Ajax. The Dutch club has been impressive in the past seasons and its leadership, the strategy is what Ed would like to see at Manchester United.

Jose Mourinho manager of Manchester United appeals as assistant coach Michael Carrick looks on during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on October 20, 2018 in London, United Kingdom.

(Oct. 19, 2018 - Source: Catherine Ivill/Getty Images Europe)

Hits and misses with signings

Man United have bought 29 players since Sir Alex Ferguson left. Some have been big assets to the club and the majority have failed to live up to their potential. One case is that of Alexis Sanchez who was signed by Mourinho, for a position that Anthony Martial had been excelling at. It was generally a bad idea that ended up costing the team a season without an effective left-wing player which Mourinho later realised and brought the Frenchman back into the picture.

If we look at players like Memphis Depay, he was not a good fit at Manchester United but has now become a star player in the French Ligue 1 with Lyon. Di Maria was also no good fit at the Red Devils and therefore lasted one year. Now at PSG, it is a different story. It is also understandable to blame van Gaal for failing to extract the potential from some of these players.

 The first player signed when Mourinho came in was Eric Bailly, a defender who has been inconsistent from the onset. He is a player that is prone to injuries and on the field, is prone to risky last ditch tackles that gift opponents, penalties. Zlatan Ibrahimovic is about the most exciting player United has had in the last four seasons and he was a free transfer to the team. What Ibrahimovic brought to Man United with his sharp and fast thinking on the ball as well as efficiency in front of the goal. Fred, who had a massive £60 million price tag, on the other hand has failed to impress at Old Trafford. The Brazilian has made only 29 appearances in 15 months.

Ole Gunner Solskjaer has managed to get rid of players like Smalling who were perceived surplus to requirements but the move to get rid of Lukaku without a replacement, left a big gap in the attacking third that Rashford alone cannot fill and Daniel James although a highly talented player, he too is not on the level of the likes of Sergio Aguero and De Bruyne, a calibre of players that United need, to yet again compete with the best there is. Troubles with Paul Pogba who wanted to move to Real Madrid this summer have caused some uncertainty for Man United with the Frenchman ultimately saying wants out of Old Trafford. Pogba is a big part of Man United and the most valuable player on the pitch. The question of him staying or going seems to be a question of his star power and value he brings to the club but his desire to leave might lead to more headaches for Man United going forward.

Manchester United manager David Moyes talks with Steve Round and Phil Neville during the Rio Ferdinand Testimonial Match between Manchester United and Sevilla at Old Trafford on August 9, 2013 in Manchester, England.

(Aug. 8, 2013 - Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Europe)

The verdict

Who really is to blame for the current state that Manchester find themselves in? The last six years have been a period characterized by an unclear strategy for the club, and players that have not flourished despite the impressive talents they brought to the club. The bulk of the blame must go to Ed Woodard for failing to support Jose Mourinho who had made steady progress to reviving the club’s title hopes. Mourinho despite his bad choices also made many good ones that brought the club some glory for winning a few titles. Some of the blame will also go on the different managers that bought in players that were too expensive for what they actually brought to the table.

It is commendable that OGS has also invested in young players that can help to actually rebuild the team with their talent and potential for a subsequent amount of time. Solskjaer has made some of the best acquisitions this season, signing Aaron Wan-Bissaka from Crystal Place, Harry Maguire and Daniel James. It is yet to be seen if the £80 million investment on the English centre-back was worth it or it is just another one of the wasted investments as we have seen so many times in the past. It’s still to be seen whether Ole could turn around the fortunes of Manchester in a way that is similar to what Jurgen Klopp did at Liverpool a few seasons ago and has now recently steered them to a UEFA Champions League title and are also currently favorites alongside Manchester City to win the league.

 Let us know what position you think Man United will finish this season?

Which of the newly promoted clubs from the Championship have the best chance of staying up?

ROBERT MUGABE’S PASSION

This week marks the passing and mourning of one of the most popular figures on the face of the earth. A Pan-African hero in the eyes of some and stubborn villain to others, rightfully polarizing opinions because of his reign as Zimbabwe’s President and audience arresting remarks. Pleasantly or unpleasantly. One bit of Mugabe’s less polarizing characteristics was his passion for the game of football. He once shared about his allegiance to Barcelona and Chelsea, also citing that whenever his team scores, he would also be scoring at home; kicking everything much to the disgruntlement of his surviving wife. In the same spirit of polarizing opinions, let’s look at a matter which will always be a subject of contrasting opinions but a joy to unpack and rediscover.

Of the English Premier League’s three promoted teams; Aston Villa, Norwich City and Sheffield United, who will likely survive the relegation chop and retain their place amongst the top 20 football clubs in the country?

Teemu Pukki of Norwich City is blocked by Trevoh Chalobah and Gwion Edwards of Ipswich Town during the Sky Bet Championship match between Ipswich Town and Norwich City at Portman Road on September 2, 2018 in Ipswich, England.

(Sept. 1, 2018 - Source: Stephen Pond/Getty Images Europe)

HOW THEY MADE IT

Surprisingly for some, the Claret and Blue Army were the side that wasn’t guaranteed automatic qualification from the Sky Bet Championship amongst all three. Villa finished 5th in the 2018/19 Championship season, marginally making the top 6 and gaining a guaranteed play-off spot. They had to take the longer route to secure qualification, beating West Brom over a two legged semi-final before confirming their return to the Premier League for the first time since 2015, with a 2-1 win over then Frank Lampard’s Derby County.

It wasn’t any easier for Norwich and United who were persistently consistent throughout the whole campaign to secure first and second place finishes respectively, ahead of a pack of other 23 Championship clubs who are as competitive as they come. All gunning for those promotion places. Norwich were crowned champions after a remarkable run that saw them finish 5 points ahead of second-place Sheffield United and their Finnish star-man, Teemu Pukki who terrorised defenders, walking away with the top goal scorer award for his 29 goals.

Why don’t we look at each of these sides in depth to understand how they play, what exploits are being hinted at by their 2019 summer transfer window business and getting to know the players on their rosters that we should keep tabs with.

“ Most importantly, the sides who will still be able to grind out results when the momentum and cheers of attaining Premier League promotion fades, because it will, are the very same teams who will avoid the chop.”

— Dennis Takaendesa, FirstTouch Africa

Dean Smith manager of Aston Villa during a press conference at Villa Park Stadium on October 15, 2018 in Birmingham, England.

(Oct. 14, 2018 - Source: Catherine Ivill/Getty Images Europe)

ASTON VILLA

By any standard, Villa have been the most outspoken side of the three, majorly for their rich history and summer spending spree. With a resume of a top Premier League side adorning their history records that includes 7 top flight titles, 7 FA Cups, a European Cup now famously known as the Champions League amongst many others; it becomes difficult to understand why the Villa Park residents got the chop in the first place. For a sense of scale, they have won 5 more top flight titles than Tottenham, amassed over their rich 144-year history. But that’s a story for another day, a Mugabe refresher has surely been an enough history lesson for the day. Let’s look at their tactics and play fortune teller at their overall chances in the 2019/20 Premier League season.

Dean Smith was appointed Villa Manager in October2018 and went on to win them promotion in the same season for the first time in 4 years. Smith is the man they have retained for the English job to ensure survival in the top flight, at least this year. Their opening match against Tottenham gave an idea of what they are trying to do; stay humble, defend as unit, keep the big guys at bay and try to hit them on the counter. An age old tactic which works, well sometimes. Another key component of their style of play is their 12th man, the Villa fans who are relishing a return to the Premier League. They quite honestly almost turned the Tottenham Hotspur stadium into Villa Park. As a result, a superb grit for the day with heart on sleeves, Villa opened the scoring through McGinn and looked poised to get something from the game before individual mistakes costed them late on to inspire a Spurs 3-1 comeback victory. For a significant spell in the match, Smith’s boys had the 2018 UEFA Champions League finalists on the ropes. They’ve obviously picked up a few more points since then, staying humble against “superior” opposition and taking the game to mid-table sides such as what they did at Selhurst Park against Crystal Palace. Their expensively assembled squad is yet to fully sync but early signs signal they had a plan in almost curling out all the players that earned them promotion and bringing in over 11 more in the summer. Let’s explore how they did it.

Transfer business

The new owners who took over in 2018 really outdid themselves and put it out for all to see that they mean business. Villa were the 2nd biggest EPL spenders in the summer, splashing a total of over £144.5m for over 12 players. Only the two Manchester Clubs spent more, albeit for a less number of players. Their observable style of play suggests that they are not really trying to outplay everyone, but just having enough quality in the right areas to hit the big boys on the counter, enough experience and character to stay on the grind for the extremely demanding 38 match Premier League season. They brought in players from all around Europe with top flight experience that include Egyptian Trezeguet, Zimbabwean Marvelous Nakamba, Douglas Luiz from Manchester City, former England goalkeeper Tom Heaton from Burnley, Tyron Mings from Bournemouth amongst many others. Villa also retained the sought offer services of budding English talent, Jack Grealish who’s been tasked to captain the side in the new season. It remains to be seen whether overhauling almost the entire team was the wisest thing to do given the example of Fulham who did virtually the same thing, spending almost as much money but still guaranteed a chop, ahead of all others. It takes time to build proper team chemistry or else a side will always look less than the sum of its parts. Fulham learned that the hard way in the 2018/19 season and Villa fans would be hoping that won’t befall them.

Verdict: Before they were relegated in 2015, Villa had stayed in the Premier League for 24 years. The club and the fans probably feel they belong there. Despite their summer spree, at best, I see Villa doing just enough to stay in the top flight. Their recently assembled squad need a significant amount of time to vibe and play as a proper unit.

Norwich City Head Coach Daniel Farke celebrates victory after the Sky Bet Championship match between Norwich City and Leeds United at Carrow Road on April 28, 2018 in Norwich, England.

(April 27, 2018 - Source: Stephen Pond/Getty Images Europe)

NORWICH CITY

They were deserving 2018/19 champions in the Sky Bet Championship. A total points tally of 94 is no joke and one that was achieved through sheer determination and team spirit. Premier League history hasn’t however been very kind to the Canaries, always coming in and almost immediately booted out every time in recent years. Above many other things, their survival hopes will mainly be a test of their mentality and maturity to compete at the highest level. They clearly have the quality and experience in all the right places to do well, evidenced by a 1st position finish in the Championship were they outcompeted teams such as Villa, Middlesborough, Leeds, West Bromwich Albion, Sheffield United amongst many others. They will need to live beyond their previous relegation chop demons but up to that mantra they chose for themselves upon winning the Championship, “we are Premier League.” In their opening EPL match, they hardly couldn’t have had a more intimidating opponent than the European champions, Liverpool. The Canaries showed a little bit of naivety by trying to match Jurgen Klopp’s men play for play and found themselves 4-0 down by the stroke of half-time. Whatever Daniel Farke said to them during the break worked. A more disciplined and collected approach saw them frustrate the Reds, and pulled one goal back through Teemu Pukki to ensure the match finished 4-1.

Norwich can match anyone on their day as we saw in their nail biting and narrow 3-2 loss to Chelsea at Carrow Road. We have also seen them blow away NewCastle by a 3-1 scoreline, showing great dynamism going forward and putting it on plain tables that they mean business.

Transfer business

The Canaries actually spent the least amount of money amongst all the 20 Premier League teams in the window. A total expenditure of just £1.1m saw them bring in Sam Byram, Daniel Adshead and Josip Drmic permanently while Ibrahim Amadou, Ralf Fahrmann and Patrick Roberts signed on loan. It doesn’t look like that kind of budget would be enough to help them to stay up. However, their strength remains the team chemistry and fighting spirit that was a major ingredient in gaining promotion. Farke’s men managed to more or less retain that crop of players and provided they are not harboured by injuries on some of their key players, they still have enough quality to cause anyone problems and stay put in the English top flight. One player they will surely be hoping will be fit throughout the whole campaign is the Finnish forward Teemu Pukki, who just cannot stop scoring at the moment. He shook-off the Premier League feeling and brought forward his golden boot winning form to the top flight. The 29-year-old has now scored 5 goals in 4 matches and pretty much amongst the league’s top marksmen.

Daniel Farke’s boys probably have Wolves as a great inspiration to what they are trying to achieve. Nuno’s men attained promotion in the 2017/18 in the same circumstance as Norwich after winning the Championship, remained a bit conservative in the transfer market and pushed themselves to secure a 7th place finish, earning passage to some elusive continental football in only their first season. That doesn’t obviously happen all the time but Norwich could surely be asking the why not questions.

Verdict: They will also do just enough to stay alive in the Premier League. History has taught us that the ability to score goals could be slightly more important than just avoiding to concede in the race to EPL survival. The Canaries have shown early enough that they have goals in them, if they can keep it tighter at the back, they will be more than fine.

Chris Wilder manager of Sheffield United looks on during the Sky Bet Championship match between Sheffield United and Sheffield Wednesday at Bramall Lane on January 12, 2018 in Sheffield, England.

(Jan. 11, 2018 - Source: Nathan Stirk/Getty Images Europe)

SHEFFIELD UNITED

Despite a long and considerably wealthy history worth telling to even more generations to come, the Blades had stayed out of the Premier League the longest amongst the three. They last played in the top flight in the 2006/07. It is the same club that gave African players such as the Zimbabwean Peter Ndlovu, the chance to make their names bigger at the grandest stage. They quite fairly have been the least spoken of amongst the three promoted teams. Firstly, because a Championship title win obviously granted Norwich a greater audience and so did Villa’s play-offs matches. Early signs from their opening Premier League matches suggest that they are all about that old-school shoulder to the wheel grind. The Blades seem not to be trying to outplay or out manoeuvre anyone but just doing the basic things of defending, staying compact and scoring very well. Their patience was rewarded with an opening day point won at Bournemouth after they scored late-on to brings the scores to a 1-1 stalemate. Chris Wilder’s boys picked up their first 3 points at home to Palace in a similar conservative way of playing, using their fans’ passionate support as a clutch to be more composed going forward and neatly tucking away their chances.

Transfer business

Dejection for players of Sheffield United during the npower League One, playoff final between Huddersfield Town and Sheffield United at Wembley Stadium on May 26, 2012 in London, England.

(May 25, 2012 - Source: Jamie McDonald/Getty Images Europe)

It was quite decent for a side that just gained promotion. A bit more reasonable than the lavish way of Villa nor the extremely stringent Norwich way. The Blades splashed a total of £43m to bring in players such as the former Bournemouth forward, Lys Mousset, Phil Jagielka from Everton and Oliver McBurnie from Swansea They also held to quite a number of their Championship players which virtually make them fall in the category of Norwich as far as squad depth and team chemistry is concerned.

Verdict: They seem the least likely to stay up amongst the three for me. I am not entirely convinced they have enough goals in them even though their defensive work is quite commendable.

WHEN THE NOISE FADES

Key to the trio’s survival hopes is the ability to turn up week-in and out with a mentality worthy of the Premier League, not just trying to survive. Most importantly, the sides who will still be able to grind out results when the momentum and cheers of attaining Premier League promotion fades, because it will, are the very same teams who will avoid the chop.

Who do you think will most likely stay up?

How did Salah take the "next step"?

“ In one infamous incident that occurred in Egypt, Salah reportedly helped a thief who had robbed his family’s home. ”

— Dennis Takaendesa, FirstTouch Africa

Ruthless, ferocious, vicious, prolific amongst many other vetted and approved superlatives, go a long way in describing the “Egyptian king’s” attitude in front of goal. As novel as it may sound, you just have to come to grips with the reality of it therefore. Mohamed Salah Hamed Mahrous Ghaly is the most prolific player ever in a single season, as far as the history of the English Premier League is concerned. The diminutive Egyptian’s record breaking 2017/18 season that saw him run down the wing, winging it and bagging 32 goals in 38 EPL fixtures ensured he surpassed the previous record of most goals scored in a single English top flight campaign by a single player. The record in question was once held by Alan Shearer, arguably the most famous Portuguese and Uruguayan on the planet, Cristiano Ronaldo and Luis Suarez. Not a bad company to keep, or even more accurately, to leapfrog. But the soon to be 27-year-old wasn’t always a subject of discussion when it came to goal scoring, let alone be one of the most incredible human beings alive as recognised by the infamous Time Magazine. He is an Egyptian “miracle” whose story will echo in the corridors of history for an eternity, even as we relish it now.

Mohamed Salah of Chelsea reacts after a missed chance on goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Swansea City and Chelsea at Liberty Stadium on April 13, 2014 in Swansea, Wales.

(April 12, 2014 - Source: Chris Brunskill/Getty Images Europe)

Amongst the greatest comebacks in sports entertainment

In early April, 2019, Tiger Woods’ remarkable career sent chills down most people’s spine as he went on to win the 15th Masters title in the sport affectionately known as golf. This was after he had last won his major title in 2005. In that time period, Woods had gone through several highs and lows, on and off the pitch which included a divorce with his wife, admitted infidelity and even getting locked up for suspicion of driving under the influence in 2017. In light of all this and witnessing the 43 year-old rise like a phoenix from the ashes, the world could not help but come to a standstill; politicians, entertainers and sportspeople alike.

One notable reflection was by 23-time Grand Slam tennis champion, Serena Williams, who can relate in more ways than one. She tweeted:

“I am literally in tears watching Tiger Woods, this is Greatness like no other. Knowing all you have been through physically to come back and do what you just did? Wow. Congrats a million times! I am so inspired.”

Even the 45th President of the US, Barack Obama had words for Tiger. But of course, as enticing as it may be to explore Tiger Woods’ career, this piece is not about him. Looking at Mo Salah’s career under a more microscopic lense, we would learn that the North-African defied odds to reach the levels he now soars in. With a senior career that began in the Egyptian Premier League in the books of El Mokwaloon, transiting to EPL’s Chelsea via Swiss club Basel, a few loan spells in the Italian Serie A before returning to the Premier League in the colors of Liverpool, he has had to do it the hard way.

Chasing and beating the clock

When a footballer is bound to become one of the world’s best, it is usually easy to tell by the time they reach the age of 18. Most of them would have already made inroads into the dressing rooms of some of the biggest clubs in the world. The references are not too far off, the great Brazilian Pele won a FIFA World Cup title as a teenager and so did the highly rated Frenchman, Kylian Mbappe who just turned 20 but has been on everyone’s lips for as long as we can remember. The same applies for the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo who started terrorising defences at the tender age of 18 in Manchester United colors and so did his foe, Lionel Messi. The Argentine magician was scouted by Barcelona when he was just 13 and made his debut for Barcelona at age 16. Salah does not fall into that category; he was definitely a late bloomer who had to chase the clock in the primitive years of his career. The potential was palpable, but the Liverpool forward was still playing in the Egyptian Premier League as late as the age of 20, quite a bit obscured from the rest of the world. At that time, his partners and age-mates in the infamous Liverpool trident forward, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino were already at French Ligue 1’s Metz and Bundesliga’s Hoffenheim respectively. He first made contact with European football in 2012 after Swiss club, Basel FC, organised a friendly match with the Egyptian U-23 team for the purposes of getting a closer look at the young Mohamed. This was of course during the time when the Egyptian Premier League was suspended following the Port Said Stadium riot. In his two years with Basel, Mo Salah scored 9 goals in 47 appearances being deployed mainly as a winger and henceforth attracted interest from the London club, Chelsea, who won his signature for £11 million in January 2014. He was now 22, becoming the first Egyptian to represent the London Blues. It looked like he had finally made it, playing for a side that was strong enough to compete for the coveted English Premier League title.

However, the Chelsea episode became one that Mohamed Salah had to learn to forget quickly. He only managed a total of 13 appearances between 2014-16, being way down the Chelsea pecking order that was then headed by the likes of Eden Hazard and Oscar. In fact, the diminutive Egyptian looked like a kid when compared to age-mates like Hazard. The then Chelsea boss who snubbed him, even remarked that he wasn’t ready to play at the highest level:

“It was with me in charge that Salah came to Chelsea. But he came as a young kid, physically he was not ready, mentally he was not ready, socially and culturally he was lost and everything was tough for him.”

— Jose Mourinho, former Chelsea & Man United Manager

After it looked like stardom belonged to one of Egypt’s Pharaohs, at the prime football age of 24, the forward was let out of the Chelsea door and left licking his wounds. For the second time in his career, he had to chase the clock. Italy became his home and what happened next couldn’t have been in any script.

Mohamed Salah of AS Roma kicks the ball during the Serie A match between AS Roma and Atalanta BC at Stadio Olimpico on April 15, 2017 in Rome, Italy.

(April 14, 2017 - Source: Paolo Bruno/Getty Images Europe)

“Need for Speed Most Wanted”

If he was ever going to escape the less successful route of fellow Africans such as compatriot, Essam El Hadary, who had a brief stint in Europe before returning home to Africa, Salah needed speed, on and off the pitch. And speed is he what he got. He quickly became the most popular African in the whole of Italy as the European nation bowed down to the Egyptian King. He initially left Chelsea on loan to Fiorentina in the winter transfer window of 2015 where he went on to score 6 goals in 16 matches. The Italian Serie A club became keen on making the 18-month loan move permanent but the King had other plans, he was looking at a certain crown only he could see, and consequently marched on to Rome. It was at AS Roma where Salah established himself as a hot footballing prospect in the whole of Europe and eventually becoming a subject of transfer speculation. In his two seasons with the Italian giant, the winger bagged 14 goals in 34 matches before reaching a 15 goal feat in other 31 matches, in the 2016/17 season when he had made his Roma loan permanent. An AS Roma Player of the Season award in the 2015/16 campaign had warranted a permanent grab by the Italian club. It quickly became apparent that the Egyptian’s time in Europe was far from over. He won the 2016 Globe Soccer Best Arab Player of the Year to add to his boyhood accolades that included the 2012 CAF Most Promising Talent of the Year, 2012 UAFA Golden Boy and the 2013 SAFP Golden Player. It was at Roma where Salah kind of figured and started flourishing in what has become his best position. Under Luciano Spalleti, he established himself more as left-footed right winger, with a crispy first touch, slick dribbles and able to cut inside either to score or play-in his teammates. That period will forever go down in a history as a proper audition for the King’s global dominance and acquired ruthlessness in front of goal. Acquired because it was more than apparent that Salah didn’t have such a huge talent as Neymar Jnr or Messi. His first class work ethic and relentlessness were the ingredients that eventually took him to the very top.

 Records come tumbling down in record times

Fatefully, Jürgen Klopp and Liverpool acquired the African in a then record fee for the club, £36.9 million and needed only one year to turn Chelsea’s prodigal son into football’s most priceless treasure. The simple instruction by the German gaffer, Jürgen Klopp, for Mo to occupy a more advanced central opposition from the right wing, ahead of Roberto Firmino and Senegalese Sadio Mane, opened a whole new world. In 365 days, Mo Salah silenced critics, gained new ones and won the favor of the entire world by running down a wing. Records set in summer, winter and all other seasons and times that have names, had no choice but to bow in the presence of the Egyptian King. His 32 goals ensured he eclipsed the record for most goals scored in single Premier League season, winning the 2017/18 Golden Boot in the process. He also became the fourth fastest player to reach 50 goals milestone in Premier League history, in only 72 games behind Andy Cole, Alan Shearer and Ruud Van Nistelrooy.

In fact, let’s just list down all his most important records lest they become obscured in these paragraphs:

Mohamed Salah of Liverpool celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Cardiff City at Anfield on October 27, 2018 in Liverpool, United Kingdom.

(Oct. 26, 2018 - Source: Jan Kruger/Getty Images Europe)

England

• Most goals in a 38-game Premier League season: 32 goals in 2017–18

• Most goals by an African player in a Premier League season: 32 goals in 2017–18

• Most Premier League Player of the Month awards in a single season: 3 (November 2017, February 2018 and March 2018)

• First player to outscore three Premier League teams in a single Premier League season: West Brom (31), Swansea City (28) and Huddersfield Town (28) in 2017–18

• Highest-scoring Egyptian in Premier League history: 50 goals in 72 games

Europe

• Most goals by an African player in a UEFA Champions League season: 11 goals in 2017–18

Mohamed Salah of Liverpool wins the trophy for the FIFA Puskas Award 2018 during the The Best FIFA Football Awards Show at Royal Festival Hall on September 24, 2018 in London, England.

(Sept. 23, 2018 - Source: Dan Istitene/Getty Images Europe)

Liverpool

• Most goals in a debut season: 44 goals in 2017–18

• Most goals in a season by a Liverpool player in the Premier League era: 44 goals in 2017–18

• Most top-flight goals in a season by a Liverpool player: 32 goals in Premier League 2017–18 (shared with Ian Rush)

• Most Liverpool Player of the Month awards in a season: 7 months in 2017–18

• Fastest player to Score 50 Goals for Liverpool: 65 games in 2018–19

• Fastest Liverpool player to Score 50 Premier League Goals: 69 games in 2018–19

Egypt

• Egypt's all-time highest scorer in FIFA World Cup history: 2 Goals in FIFA World Cup 2018 (shared with Abdulrahman Fawzi, 2 Goals in FIFA World Cup 1934)

• Egypt's all-time highest scorer in CAF Africa Cup of Nations qualification: 14 goals

• Egypt's third all-time top scorers: 39 goals (behind Hossam Hassan 69 goals, and Hassan El-Shazly 42 goals)

Italy

• Highest-scoring Egyptian in Serie A history: 35 goals in 81 games

Mohamed Salah of Liverpool celebrates scoring his sides first goal during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Chelsea at Anfield on November 25, 2017 in Liverpool, England.

(Nov. 24, 2017 - Source: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images Europe)

 Made in Egypt, flourished in Merseyside

 A befitting summary to coin Mo Salah’s career is one of an individual made in Egypt where he first tasted professional football but eventually flourished in the Liverpool part of Merseyside. One year, one club, one manager and one Red Liverpool inarguably handed him the biggest boost of his career so far. He entered the elite class of footballers on the backdrop of being sold by Chelsea. By the end of the 2017/18 season, he had earned a spot amongst the world’s best three best footballers as selected by FIFA, at the expense of five time Balon d’Or winner, Lionel Messi. The first time an African had been included in such a list since the days of Liberian President, George Weah. Mo Salah eventually finished 3rd behind Luka Modric and Cristiano Ronaldo. He became a world favorite. The online community was outraged at Salah missing out on the FIFA Best Player of the Year Award as well as the FIFPro World XI to the extent that he was compensated with a FIFA Puskas Award for the best goal, which looked like he hardly deserved given the goals he contented with. The King earned new territories as England, especially Merseyside pledged allegiance. Songs such as “Mo Salah running down the winger” were composed in his adoration and he has never walked alone, since he wore the Liverpool Red.

“A better human being than he is a footballer”

Not least to his outstanding on-the-pitch achievements, Salah has been just as greater if not better off the field of play. The recent recognition by the Times Magazine as one of the 100 most influential human beings alive, even earning a place amongst the six cover stars of the magazine, crowns his exploits. He has been applauded for calling out the importance of raising the bar on women equality in his culture.

Mohamed Salah of Egypt during the International Friendly match between Jamacia and Egypt at The Matchroom Stadium on June 04, 2014 in London, England.

(June 3, 2014 - Source: Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images Europe)

British Comedian and Liverpool fan, John Oliver who “absolutely” loves the footballer labelled him “a better human being than he is a footballer.” Even adding that “he’s one of the best football players in the world.”

The Times Magazine recognition comes after Mo Salah has grabbed many other headlines for humanitarian or advocacy work. In one infamous incident that occurred in Egypt, Salah reportedly helped a thief who had robbed his family’s home. He convinced his father to drop the charges, financially assisted the said thief and tried getting him a job. He has donated money to build a school and hospital as part of the regeneration projects in Nagrig, his hometown where 65% of the people live in poverty. It is reported that he has assisted more than 450 families to date by giving them monthly allowances and also chipped in to help the Egyptian government foot some bills in desperate times.

Still fresh to most memories, Salah went to “war” with the Egyptian FA for using his image as political capital and advocating for the dissolution of irregularities, some of which are believed to have indirectly contributed to their early 2018 FIFA World cup exit.

One of the most amusing incidents of all was when the close to 100 million North African nation went to the polls in 2018. A sizeable spoilt ballot papers which read “Mo Salah for President” were quite a joy to behold for all humorous souls. Even Vodafone Egypt once ran a promotion to add more caller minutes to their subscribers whenever the king scored.

Time won’t permit us to rediscover and celebrate graffiti of the Liverpool forward in the Egyptian capital of Cairo. All his remarkable achievements and influence becomes even more amplified in the knowledge that he is devout Muslim, almost to a level unprecedented in sports entertainment. He has slowly become a figure of inclusivity.

The King to welcome the rest of Africa

After being the main man in Egypt’s historic 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification, the first ever since 1990, by being the Pharaohs’ top scorer in the qualifiers, Salah returns for international duty in June 2019. He is expected to inspire the host nation to a record eighth Africa Cup of Nations title. After missing out on the 2015 and 2017 AFCON glory, the continent’s best player for the years 2017 & 2018 will be all out to capture a title that has deluded his illustrious career. There is no better motivation than to do it in his own backyard. With Liverpool in touching distance of the 2018/19 English Premier League and UEFA Champions League title, it could be yet another magnificent for the king. But rest assured, the African oppositions has never been intimidated by greatness, with them exuding such as well. The likes of teammate Sadio Mane, Wilfried Zaha, Ahmed Musa and Percy Tau will be worthy opponents on the road to glory.

In the opening 2019 AFCON finals match, Egypt will face the challenge of a tricky Zimbabwean Warriors before squaring off with DR Congo and Uganda.

“We need to change the way we treat women in our culture. I support the woman more than I did before, because I feel like she deserves more than what they give her now, at the moment. That has to be, it’s not optional. ”

— Mohamed Salah, Liverpool & Egyptian forward

UCL Review: Why Liverpool got blanked in Spain and Barcelona battered in England

WHY LIVERPOOL GOT BLANKED IN SPAIN

Lionel Messi of Barcelona scores his sides third goal from a free kick during the UEFA Champions League Semi Final first leg match between Barcelona and Liverpool at the Nou Camp on May 01, 2019 in Barcelona, Spain.

(April 30, 2019 - Source: Michael Regan/Getty Images Europe)

Dejavu

Thirty-yards out, Alisson stood sure between the sticks as if daring the Blaugrana talisman to do the unthinkable. The Red wall in grey clothing, shoulders high, hearts unsure – with some palms, cup shaped and firmly fixed to protect the valuables; presentable a seemingly impenetrable force to the king. As per usual, Leo Messi was unmoved, fixing his eyes to a target that covered a twentieth of the entire goal mouth and with a stern face as that of Game of Thrones’ Night King, preparing to dissolve the wall and its commander. Two steps backwards and then forward, he whipped the ball, traversing in a direction that was inconceivable according to the understood laws of physics, it deserted everything and everyone else until it found its way into that top 5% of Liverpool’s goal mouth. A goal for the king and a third for Barcelona on the night, wrapping up a 3-0 score line in the first leg of the 2018/19 UEFA Champions League semi-finals. We weren’t fooled, that rare moment wasn’t new at all. Quite characteristic of perhaps the greatest footballer that has walked the surface of the earth. Dejavu is the word, that is all it was!

At end of the ninety, Barcelona were already one foot into the final and the reality of Liverpool turning that score line in the second leg was nothing but a fleeting fantasy. Jurgen Klopp’s Red Army had played considerably well on the night but were left licking their wounds, mostly because of one reason, one word, one man and five letters. Messi! Things really got Messi!

Lionel Messi of Barcelona celebrates after he scores his sides third goal during the UEFA Champions League Semi Final first leg match between Barcelona and Liverpool at the Nou Camp on May 01, 2019 in Barcelona, Spain.

(April 30, 2019 - Source: Getty Images Europe)

Before things got Messi

Liverpool had been sailing in unfamiliar waters prior to this match in Spain. With a Premier League record that had them losing only once in over 30 matches, and unbeaten in 20, in all competitions to be precise, they had become the closest thing to perfection since sliced bread. En route to Catalonia, they had made light work of the Bavarians, dismissing them by 3-1 in Munich and dispatched Malian Mousa Marega’s impressive Porto by an aggregate score-line of 6-1, a side that had lost only once from the UCL group stages to the quarter-finals. Mount Virgil Van Dijk still seemed unsurmountable and prior to the Barca clash, the Dutch captain had been awarded the PFA Player of the Season, succeeding Mohamed Salah, in a thorough EPL campaign that propelled them to go toe to toe with Man City for the title. Senegalese Sadio Mane and the Egyptian king in Salah, were still firing across all cylinders and the African duo, simply flexing African talent on show by going head to head for the Premier League Golden Boot, scoring over 20 goals each. Only the Gabonese forward, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Sergio Aguero were in the same scoring bracket. A total of 20 Premier League clean sheets, 87 goals scored, a point within table topping City and only a single game lost, the Merseysiders were soaring, it only would have taken something of a magician to put a stop in their tracks. And it did.

When things got Messi

Of course it was the Big Luis Suarez 9 who showed enduring class to put the La Liga champions ahead in the first forty-five, after intercepting Jordi Alba’s perfectly timed cross with a first time finish, under the noses of Virgil Van Dijk and Cameroonian Joel Matip. Yes, you heard right, Mount Van Djik was left for dead. That was actually the Uruguayan’s first champions league goal of the season, biting the hand that once fed him but not typically. At least this time it was all legal and metaphorical. Since then, it was all Liverpool, with Sadio Mane and Mo Salah causing all sorts of problems for the Barca defence, doing it all, except scoring. The close to 100 000 stadium capacity filled the faithful, they were forced to watch their heroes humbled off the ball in their own temple, but it was that humble approach that paid dividends.

“As per usual, Leo Messi was unpertubed, fixing his eyes to a target that covered a twentieth of the entire goal mouth and with a stern face as that of Game of Thrones’ Night King, preparing to dissolve the wall and its commander.”

— Dennis Takaendesa, FirstTouch Africa

Lionel Messi of Barcelona celebrates with his team mates after he scores his sides third goal during the UEFA Champions League Semi Final first leg match between Barcelona and Liverpool at the Nou Camp on May 01, 2019 in Barcelona, Spain.

(April 30, 2019 - Source: Getty Images Europe)

Warrior Arturo Vidal was back to his best, thwarting almost every sensible threat and flying up and down in the middle of the park. Except for a few moments of lapse in concentration, Pique and Lenglet marshalled the Barcelona backline with class and experience, whereas Marc Andre Ter Stegen was available to superman anything that had deluded the rest of the team. It was almost as though, the Blaugrana was happy to soak in the pressure and hit Liverpool on the counter. Which is exactly what they did on the second goal. Possession was won in the middle of the park and Messi was available to oversee proceedings, sending Suarez through on the left wing, before the ball reakeshared off Sergi Roberto to the Uruguayan. Suarez instinctively hit the ball with his knee, only finding the upright before the ball returned into the box, where Leo Messi reacted quickest to chest and slot it home, again under the nose of the mountainous and tipped Balon d’Or candidate, Virgil Van Dijk. We all know what happened on the third goal. Liverpool were blanked by Barca’s humble approach camouflaged in Leo Messi’s superhero suit. The latter took his goal tally to 26 against English opposition, over 20% of his 112 champions league goals. His favorite customer is actually Chelsea, with 10 to his name. Even the second most expensive goalkeeper in the world, Alisson Becker, infuriated, hit the goal post as if to suggest it was the one dancing to the tune of the Argentine magician, made in Spain.

Liverpool had given their all, above and beyond. In addition to Barca’s humble approach, firing blanks in front of goal after 15 shots with 4 of them on target compared to Barca’s 12 whereas 5 were on target, was another important reason as to why they got blanked.

However, the story doesn’t end there. What happened in the second leg, couldn’t have been in any script whatsoever.

WHY BARCELONA GOT BATTERED IN ENGLAND

Fans of Liverpool enjoy the pre match atmosphere with flares prior to the UEFA Champions League Semi Final second leg match between Liverpool and Barcelona at Anfield on May 07, 2019 in Liverpool, England.

(May 6, 2019 - Source: Getty Images Europe)

The setting

The 3-0 first leg win by Barcelona ensured Liverpool needed to score at least four goals to advance to the 2019 UEFA Champions League final in Madrid. That is four goals without conceding to a Barcelona side which is hardly shy of goals given the presence of those who need no introduction. To make matters worse, after missing Mane and Salah’s hinge, Roberto Firmino in the first leg, the Egyptian king was also going to join the Brazilian to the sidelines after suffering a concussion in a Premier League encounter against Newcastle. So was the Guinean dynamic midfielder, Naby Keita, who limped off in the early stages of the two legged tie in Camp Nou. In fact, he is reported to be at risk of even missing out on the June 2019 AFCON finals in Egypt. To say the least, they who never walk alone were facing an uphill task, only convicted to give their best shot in front of the faithful Anfield choir. Only memories of the 2005 Champions League final in Istanbul, which they won after coming back from a 3-0 down at the end of the first half against AC Milan, offered glimpses of hope.

But even their gaffer, Jurgen Klopp remained pragmatic of the task at hand:

“Two of the world’s best strikers are not available tomorrow night and we have to score four goals against Barcelona to go through after 90 minutes. It doesn’t make life easier but as long as we have 11 players on the pitch then we will try and everybody knows that.”

Jordan Henderson of Liverpool celebrates as Divock Origi (R) scores his team's first goal during the UEFA Champions League Semi Final second leg match between Liverpool and Barcelona at Anfield on May 07, 2019 in Liverpool, England.

(May 6, 2019 - Source: Getty Images Europe)

Rapid red fire

It was all about the start by Liverpool. They were on the clear of the task at hand and wasted no time in going at Barcelona to push for the impossible. The Swiss attacker, Xherdan Shaqiri and Divock Origi who were in for the absent Salah and Firmino were no strangers to the cause. Their usual press was more amplified, deliberate, energetic and did not look like them who would get tired. The soldiers in the Red Army quickly forced Barcelona into committing mistakes, most of all their former frontman, Philippe Coutinho. They got their first goal of the night as early as the seventh minute through Origi after some quick interplay between Senegalese Mane and Henderson off a Jordi Alba mistake. It was a much need breakthrough, that even lifted the roof and atmosphere to even more electrifying levels, making Anfield a total nightmare for the visitors.

It was not only the Liverpool front line doing the job by forcing mistakes and testing Ter Stegen. Prospective Balon d’Or candidate in Virgil Van Dijk was in charge at the back. Him and Matip were uninterested in any Barcelona threats, shoving aside all that came to Alisson’s goal. They however had to wait for the second forty-five to complete the comeback.

Schoolboy defending

A blessing in disguise came through Liverpool’s way as Gini Wijnaldum made way for injured Andy Robertson. A midfielder for a defender, definitely the right attitude by the manager and his team who now had nothing to lose. Within a few minutes of coming on, the Dutch attacker bagged two goals in succession to put the tie level. Initially, he pulled off a Suarez to latch onto Trent Alexander Arnold cross, goalwards under the supervision of the ever fighting Vidal, Pique and Clement Lenglet. The second really shouldn’t have gone in, Gini was the only who rose to head an incoming cross from the left wing into the net as all of the Barca defence watched on. As if that was not enough, the fourth goal capped Barca’s horror showing.

Liverpool’s young full-back, Alexander Arnold once again had his fingerprints on the crime scene. TAA pulled off some quick thinking as he took a Liverpool corner, capitalising on the napping Pique who was playing Divock Origi onside as he tied his shoes close to the goalkeeper. The full back quickly sliced the ball onto the unmarked Origi’s path who had the simple task of powerfully putting the ball past Ter Stegen as everyone else watched on. The Red part of Anfield was elevated to ecstasy as the traveling Barca fans were forced into despair. The unthinkable happened, twice in the same tie. Firstly, the Messi free-kick and now Liverpool’s comeback. Mohamed Salah’s hoodie shared the message that had perhaps inspired the rest of the squad, “Never Give Up,” it read, as the Egyptian marched onto the pitch to join his teammates in celebrating the miracle.

Liverpool were rampant, rapid and clinical on the night but Barca were also just simply horrible. Suarez coined it perfectly, “we defended like children.” After an impressive and more disciplined approach in the first leg, they surprisingly looked off and uninterested from the start. Perhaps they got to comfortable and paid for it.

“Even Lionel Messi’s magic never really popped, Gini’s “gini” reigned supreme instead. Fabinho, Henderson and company took every chance to swarm and annihilate the Argentine’s efforts in the middle of the park.”

— Dennis Takaendesa, FirstTouch Africa

Haunted by the 2018 AS Roma Ghost

What is also true is that once the goals started coming in, the ghosts of the 2018 quarter-final in Rome perhaps started resurrecting in the La Liga champions’ minds. They had led 4-1 in the first leg at Camp Nou only to lose 3-0 and got knocked out the 2017/18 UCL competition on away goals rule under some miraculous circumstances. In the Liverpool tie, Blaugrana employed the same tactics and substitutions as in the first leg but looked a different opposition entirely. Even Lionel Messi’s magic never really popped, Gini’s “gini” reigned supreme instead. Fabinho, Henderson and company took every chance to swarm and annihilate the Argentine’s efforts in the middle of the park.

At the end of the day, it was Liverpool marching on to the 2019 Madrid final, their second successive UEFA Champions League final after as many years. It leaves many questions unresolved for Barca’s boss, Ernesto Valvedre, and his approach towards the UCL competition, after being knocked out twice under unfamiliar circumstances.

Jurgen Klopp, Manager of Liverpool and Mohamed Salah of Liverpool and team mates celebrate after the UEFA Champions League Semi Final second leg match between Liverpool and Barcelona at Anfield on May 07, 2019 in Liverpool, England.

(May 6, 2019 - Source: Getty Images Europe)

 After all is said and done

Defending champions Real Madrid’s four UCL titles in the past five years ensured the fading of the reign of two El Clasico rivals (with Barcelona) who dominated Europe in the last decade. Outside the two, only Chelsea, Inter Milan and Bayern Munich had managed to win the Champions League in the same period. After being on the side lines for a long time, with their last major trophy coming in 2006, Liverpool have gradually returned to the big stage and staking a claim amongst Europe’s best. Two consecutive UCL finals is no children’s bread. After losing the 2018 final to Real Madrid, Liverpool however need to win the forthcoming June final against English rivals, Tottenham if they are to formally reign as one of Europe’s highly revered teams. If not, they risk writing another Juventus story. Completely dominant in the Italian Serie, coming close on two occasions by reaching the final in 2015 and 2017 but with no success on the biggest stage.

With regards to Liverpool’s remarkable turnaround that also inspired Spurs to follow suit against Ajax, one reason stands out to explain the event, they believed they could and they did.

With two all English finals in the UEFA Champions and Europa League, the first time four teams from the same country have achieved such a feat, 2019 is an English year as far as football is concerned.

Champions League Final (1st June 2019) Europa League Final (29 May 2019)

Tottenham Hotspur vs Liverpool Chelsea vs Arsenal

Even without a Top 4 finish, Emery deserves some accolades

Au revoir Arsene

Fans hold up signs celebrating Arsene Wenger after the Premier League match between Huddersfield Town and Arsenal at John Smith's Stadium on May 13, 2018 in Huddersfield, England.

(May 12, 2018 - Source: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images Europe)

That was the beginning, the conclusion of Arsenal’s match-made in heaven relationship with Arsene Wenger ushered in the new. The French manager had been on the touchline of the North London club for 22 years and even made the not so informed feel that the club was named after the gaffer’s first name. He had made and unleashed legends such as Thierry Henry, arguably the best play ever in the history of the Premier League who is still the leading scorer in the club’s history at 228 in all competitions; assembled the infamous 2003/04 Gunners squad that became immortal after earning the cloak of invincibility by finishing the entire 38 matches season unbeaten. Even more, the record extended to a remarkable 49 Premier League matches without a loss. What else? His efforts in the training ground and astuteness, compounded with the class of grooming young players ensured the club fetched high on the transfer market. Eventually raising enough funds to aid the construction of that London structure they now call, Emirates Stadium. His closing CV with club reads 3 Premier League titles, 7 FA Cups (the highest ever) and 7 Community Shields. A remarkable record but yet he was more famously known across the world for adorably and controversially staying at the club for a long time as well as being the personification of gentleman character. Remarks and send-off gifts received from some of football’s greatest players and managers as he left the Arsenal role said it all. We actually don’t have enough time and space on this piece to lay it all down but perhaps his own reaction to the praises summarises everything:

“I had a feeling a little bit to assist (life) at my own funeral. People speaking about you, how you were. That’s interesting, so I don’t need to die anymore. I know what is coming. Apart from the sense of humor I would like to thank everybody for being so nice to me. It has been difficult but as well as fantastic”

— Arsene Wenger, Former Arsenal Manager

The bottom line is that the 69 year-old left some pretty big shoes to fill for any kind of manager on the face of earth. It was obviously a rocket science project to find his successor who would build on his successes but more importantly address the challenges of the club that had become less competitive. Two Europa League appearances in Arsene’s final two years was one agreed upon standard that the club was on a downward spiral, especially after qualifying in nineteen successive UEFA Champions League seasons between 1998 and 2016/17, a record only surpassed by Real Madrid in Europe. Names of possible replacements were thrown in the hat and let us remind ourselves who they all were.

Many were called but one was chosen

Arsenal manager Unai Emery greets Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri during the Pre-season friendly International Champions Cup game between Arsenal and Chelsea at Aviva stadium on August 1, 2018 in Dublin, Ireland.

(July 31, 2018 - Source: Charles McQuillan/Getty Images Europe)

We won’t go through them all, but here is a refresher course of Arsenal’s process of appointing their new manager who would now be the head coach and take the club to the next chapter. The earliest reports suggested names like Ralf Rangnick, the current manager Bundesliga’s RB Leipzig who supposedly influenced Liverpool’s Jürgen Klopp and PSG’s Thomas Tuchel’s high pressing football philosophy. Then there was the real shortlist of Juventus’ Massimiliano Allegri, Luis Enrique who won the treble with Barcelona in the 2014/15 season and former Bayern Munich and Real Madrid manager, Carlo Ancelotti. Many commentators asserted that to be an ambitious list by former Chief Executive, Ivan Gazidis and his budget conscious Arsenal. True to form, they couldn’t get these for one reason or another. For instance, Luis Enrique reportedly required a yearly salary of £15m, which would have made him the second highest paid Premier League manager behind, Pep Guardiola. A more realistic list comprised of former Arsenal captains, Mikel Arteta, Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira who are all pretty much at the infancy stage of their managerial careers. Even names like Jurgen Klopp’s assistant in Zeljko Buvac came into the conversation which left the more ambitious Arsenal fans disgruntled and cheated. Did I also mention Maurizio Sarri, the current Chelsea boss who had gone toe to toe with Juve in the race for the 2017/18 Italian Serie A title, doing more than just threaten to break their Scudetto winning streak since the 2011/12 season. In summary, it was a long list and process that lasted close to two months of phone calls, interviews and board meetings. They were looking for a value driven gaffer who would accept a dialled down salary from Arsenal Wenger’s, with keen interest of developing the current players, comfortable with a £50m starting transfer budget and most importantly maintain or improve Arsenal’s attacking style of play that became synonymous with the former manager. Quite a big ask for a club desperately seeking and going through change. Even more, the task of replacing a manager that had been at the helm of a club for over two decades has never been easier. The example of bitter rivals Manchester United who parted ways with the legendary Sir Alex Fergusson is available for all to see. All the attempted successors in David Moyes, Louis Van Gaal and the special one, Jose Mourinho – spending over £500m in transfers were fiascos. Arsenal needed to get it right even with a tighter budget.

“Quite a bold statement of intent and purpose by the gaffer who barely knew the language as amazed onlookers by completing the entire press conference in the new language, though stammering his way through. The message was clear on plain tables, he was ready and not really short of the gentleman that Arsene Wenger is. ”

— Dennis Takaendesa, FirstTouch Africa

Now, when it all looked set that there were about to announce Mikel Arteta as their new Head Coach, the 37 year-old who was Pep Guardiola’s understudy and yet to lead any form of club in his short managerial career – the unexpected happened, much to the delight of Arsenal fans. The former PSG, Sevilla and Valencia coach popularly known for winning three consecutive Europa League titles with Sevilla, Unai Emery, was announced as the new Arsenal Head Coach. Looking at his pedigree of successfully doing a lot with few resources such as was the case in helping Valencia stay afloat in the La Liga during a period when the club couldn’t even foot their wage bill and obviously his silverware record with both Sevilla and PSG – Emery looked a great appointment. In fact, he had won 4 titles with PSG in just two years. The 47-year-old coach’s resume and display of character by picking the Arsenal job which many acclaimed gaffers had sidelined, spoke volumes. However, the task at hand was not at all sunshine and rainbows. To start with, the Spaniard had to start on his English before anything else.

“Good afternoon” world

Unai Emery manager of Arsenal looks on pre match press conference ahead of the International Champions Cup 2018 match between Arsenal v Paris Saint Germain on July 27, 2018 in Singapore.

(July 26, 2018 - Source: Thananuwat Srirasant/Getty Images AsiaPac)

Arsene Wenger had become popular with reporters for usually saying, “look here,” when responding to their journalistic requests. On the day of Emery’s first press conference as the Gunners boss, after being formally introduced by the then Chief Executive, Ivan Gazidis, he uttered the precious words, “Good afternoon,” in a strong Spanish accent. Quite a bold statement of intent and purpose by the gaffer who barely knew the language as amazed onlookers by completing the entire press conference in the new language, though stammering his way through. The message was clear on plain tables, he was ready and not really short of the gentleman that Arsene Wenger is. Even until now, Emery is known for firstly passing on the greeting before responding to questions, “Good morning”, “Good afternoon” or “Good evening” depending on the time of the day. He vowed to speak to each and every single Arsenal player individually as part of his settling plan, even waiting on those who had been on international duty at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

Memories from his first training sessions with the Arsenal squad had the words intensity and demanding written all over them. He was reported to have banned fruit juice and even relaxed some of Arsene Wenger’s norms by allowing players to use mobile phones. He held double training sessions, made some big calls by allowing loyal servants of the club such as Jack Wilshere to leave for West Ham even as he worked on his English. It really was all good vibes as far as the training pitch was concerned but their rivals were never going to make it easy for Emery and his new look Gunners to attain their targets. Emery and Arsenal’s goals for the 2018/19 season were widely communicated, “make the club competitive once again” clearly by avoiding some of Arsene’s humiliating losses and more importantly bring back champions league football to the club by finishing in the top four of the English top flight league.

Minnows amongst the top six

Raheem Sterling of Manchester City celebrates after scoring his side's first goal with team mates during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Manchester City at Emirates Stadium on August 12, 2018 in London, United Kingdom.

(Aug. 11, 2018 - Source: Michael Regan/Getty Images Europe)

Manchester City, Tottenham, Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal are the ugly sisters of English football as of now. They are the so-called big six amongst the 20 Premier League teams that compete in the top flight who go at each for the title and only 4 UEFA Champions League qualification spots every season. At the onset of Emery’s Arsenal career, they were highly considered to be underdogs amongst the six, given they had finished 6th in the 2017/18 season and also the state of affairs at the club. Champions, Manchester City were in no doubt favourites to return the Premier League title with their obsessive manager Pep Guardiola and expensively assembled squad. Liverpool were tipped to be Rocky Balboa to City’s cause, who would be Ivan Drago considering their impressive recording breaking 2017/18 campaign where they bagged a 100 points. That was Liverpool coach, Jurgen Klopp’s analogy with regard to his club’s title chances. The Merseyside club was of course boosted by the acquisitions of £66.8 million goalkeeper in Alisson Becker from Roma, Virgil Van Dijk for £75 million (record fee for a defender) and the highly rated Naby Keita for £52.75 million from RB Leipzig. In fact, Naby Keita’s transfer fee was almost the equivalent of Arsenal’s entire transfer budget. Ultimately, with these two, it was a no contest for Arsenal.

Bitter North London rivals, Tottenham, did not make any summer signings as they budgeted on completing their £1 billion stadium but still looked a stronger side than the Gunners. Pochettino’s squad was fairly balanced from the defensive point safeguarded by the likes of Toby Alderweireld (a Manchester United target) and Jan Vertonghen as well as in the middle going up top with the likes of Christian Eriksen, Delle Alli and Harry Kane. Furthermore, the successes of Poch in bringing back champions league football back to Spurs was all the confidence Tottenham Hotspur needed whereas Arsenal has to adjust to a new manager for the first time in 22 years, with a defenceless squad that had become famous for shipping in goals such as was the case in their 10-2 aggregate loss to Bayern Munich in the champions league. Obviously Chelsea were dealing with a new managerial appointment of their own in Sarri but were tipped to adjust quicker given the nature of the club’s serial appointments. They were also boosted with acquisitions of a £57 million midfielder in Jorginho and the most expensive goalkeeper in world football, £71.6 million Kepa Arrizabalaga – virtually making them favorites to secure a top four spot ahead of Arsenal. Finally, it was clear that all was unwell in the Manchester United squad with Jose Mourinho’s mourning for a centre-back even after getting Fred for £52 million and wing back Diogo Dalot for £19.3 million. In truth, no one expected United to finish outside the top four especially after rivalling City for the title in the previous season with a similar squad and the same special Mourinho.

In summary, Emery and the Gunners were simply minnows in that top four race, few gave them a chance but the continuation of the story outlines a different proposition.

“This was not the end of it. The celebrated scouting genius, Sven Mislintat, who had masterminded the recruitment of Lucas Torreira, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Matteo Guendouzi, left his role, just less than two years into the Arsenal job.”

— Dennis Takaendesa, FirstTouch Africa

Changes and even more changes

Arsene Wenger manager of Arsenal (R) and Ivan Gazidis, CEO of Arsenal (L) look on prior to the UEFA Champions League Group F match between Arsenal and Olympiacos at the Emirates Stadium on September 28, 2011 in London, England.

(Sept. 27, 2011 - Source: Clive Rose/Getty Images Europe)

As if their managerial change and ill-preparedness to compete with the rest of the top six as far as transfers are concerned, Unai Emery and Arsenal still had to deal with a few more roadblocks in their pursuit of champions league football.

Over 50% of the backroom staff including medical doctors followed Wenger out of the Arsenal door and more surprisingly, the Chief Executive who led the hiring of Emery. Ivan Gazidis who had been in charge of Arsenal for most of Wenger’s reign, left his own party for AC Milan and so did the adored billionaire Russian, Alisher Usmanov. Many Arsenal faithfuls had hoped that Mr. Usmanov would eventually assume majority ownership of the club from American Sports Entrepreneur, Stan Kroenke, whom they believe is less eager to spend on the club. Instead, the Russian surrendered his stake into the hands of the less adored Kroenke completing yet another set of roadblock in Arsenal and Unai Emery’s highway to the desired change.

This was not the end of it. The celebrated scouting genius, Sven Mislintat, who had masterminded the recruitment of Lucas Torreira, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Matteo Guendouzi, left his role, just less than two years into the Arsenal job. All this just gives even more context as to the seemingly impossible task on Emery’s plate to smooth sail the ship of change. How did he do though? Let’s find out.

The unbeaten run & players’ modern day Zorro

Unai Emery manager of Arsenal actions during training ahead of the International Champions Cup 2018 match between Arsenal v Paris Saint Germain on July 27, 2018 in Singapore.

(July 26, 2018 - Source: Thananuwat Srirasant/Getty Images AsiaPac)

An impressive pre-season, decorated by the outstanding performance of midfield prodigy, Matteo Guendouzi and the tantalizing prospect of the combination of Lacazette, Mkhitaryan, Aubameyang and Ozil (LMAO), preached hope. Two matches into the Premier League season, two losses to both Manchester City and Chelsea became a reality check. But what happened next couldn’t have been in the script. Unai led his charges to a 22-match unbeaten run in all competitions. The 22-year-old Nigerian, Alex Iwobi, international who had a mixed start to his career under Wenger suddenly earned the nickname, The Nigerian Messi. The new midfield acquisitions in Torreira and Guendouzi proved to be huge bargains as they strengthened the Arsenal spine which had been questioned since the departure of Alex Song. The two even started to bring the best out of the Swiss international, Granit Xhaka, whose fingerprints featured on most crime scenes that involved Arsenal conceding goals of their own accord. The 26-year-old has is slowly becoming a force to reckon with in the Arsenal setup though he still does have a few off days, here and there. Emery continued with his demanding attitude and even became a point of discussion in the January transfer window as he resorted to dropping the German artist and world cup winner, Mesut Ozil. The Arsenal head coach was undone, he appeared to have had a midas touch on all of the Gunners’ current crop of players even the long-forgotten Carl Jenkinson who has been on the fringes got some minutes under his belt. Time won’t permit me to mention the likes of Hector Bellerin and Rob Holding who had lost their heads during Wenger’s last few years, perhaps as a result of self-esteem issues but bounced back to become regulars in Emery’s team. Lacazette and the Gabonese international, Aubameyang are still soaring as perhaps the deadliest striking duo in the Premier League, even when they do not play together. The latter already has 18 goals to his name in his first full EPL season and very much on the toes of top scorers, Egypt’s Salah and Sergio Aguero who are both on 19 goals.

He’s like the Latin comic hero, Zorro, saving the day and redeeming North London again to yield to Arsenal’s causes.

The possible fairy-tale ending on the horizon

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal celbrates with Matteo Guendouzi of Arsenal after he scores his sides third goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Leicester City at Emirates Stadium on October 22, 2018 in London, United Kingdom.

(Oct. 21, 2018 - Source: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images Europe)

Adding some few numbers to Emery’s case for a great job so far, we learn that Arsenal is the third most prolific team in the Premier League with a total of 66 goals in 33 outings, just behind title chasers, Manchester and Liverpool who are head and shoulders above the rest. He is clearly succeeding in retaining the attractive style of play he was hired to. Arsenal already have 66 points with 5 more matches to play, that is 3 more points than their total tally for the whole of last season. There are on course to reach the Europa League semi-finals, if they preserve their 2-0 advantage heading into the second leg against Napoli – a route that also presents an opportunity to get champions league football if they go ahead to win it. They are currently 4th on the Premier League table and considering their run—in of games, still to play Leicester, Wolves, Burnley, Crystal Palace, and Brighton, they have a better chance at landing the 3rd spot as opposed to 3 other top six rivals who still have to face teams above them on the log. The only statistic that will matter is Arsenal’s final position after match-day 38. Should that position be 3rd, taking into account all the circumstances that confounded Arsenal’ season, the Spaniard definitely deserves some accolades. The Gunners could slowly creep back into title conversations in the next few years with the right backing of its board in the transfer market.

What are your thoughts?

ABSA Premiership: Four horse title race goes down to the wire

“ The nation’s soccer lovers will need to fasten their seat belts and brace themselves for an emotional roller coaster. We are set for an exciting close of the season. In the top six‚ Pirates have 40 points from 23 games‚ Mamelodi Sundowns have 40 from 22‚ Cape Town City 39 from 23‚ Bidvest Wits 38 from 22. ”

— Siphosethu Thwala, FirstTouch Africa

Premier League football around the globe is hitting its penultimate moment characterized by competitiveness for the title. In South Africa’s ABSA premiership, it is no different. The Absa Premiership campaign is heading towards an exciting climax with several teams having a mathematical chance of winning the league title.

Going into Gameweek 23, Soweto giants, Orlando Pirates are currently top the table alongside rivals Mamelodi Sundowns as both sides sit on 40 points with seven and eight games to play respectively. Next is Cape Town City who are third with 39 points while Bidvest Wits’ recent form has seen them slip from top spot to fourth, on 38 points from 22 matches. Several of the Absa Premiership’s top sides still have to play each other over the course of what will be an exhilarating few weeks in the South African top-flight, with the Buccaneers and Brazilians set to battle it out in what could potentially be a title-deciding fixture at the end of April. Below we look at the run-in and assesses each team’s prospects of winning the coveted prize.

Orlando Pirates

One may be quick to think that the log leaders have it easy going into the last stretch of the remaining season. That is however not the case. Looking at their title run in, the Bucs still have to play all three of their title rivals in the next two months, starting with a matchup against Bidvest Wits, then a crunch fixture against Sundowns on May 5 before playing Cape Town City a week later. They face the toughest title run-in compared to the rest of the teams. Mind you, Pirates are still part of the CAF Champions league tournament as well, something that may hamper their domestic run-in. Juggling their Premiership assignments with continental duties still on their minds could be massively taxing. Perhaps the biggest motivation for Pirates is the pain of not having any silverware for the past five seasons, and as such, they may want to put a stop to that by going all the way. Do they have the capacity and depth to win it? I say yes.

Mamelodi Sundowns

Orlando Pirates celebrate winning the Absa Premiership Final match against Golden Arrows at Orlando Stadium on May 21, 2011 in Soweto, South Africa.

(May 20, 2011 - Source: Gallo Images/Getty Images Europe)

Abafana Ba style, as they are fondly known, are now used to such circumstances, having won the league twice in the past three seasons. They certainly know what it takes to deliver at the most critical time. They are no doubt the favourites to land the title for various reasons. These include the fact that Sundowns have played a game less than Pirates, and if they were to win that game, it would give them a three-point cushion going into the remaining seven fixtures. Moreover, it is an open secret that Sundowns has the most depth compared to the rest of the teams in the league, and that on its own gives them options to rotate their squad in the coming busy period. However, the Brazilians also somewhat face a similar predicament as Orlando Pirates. They too are still competing in the CAF Champions League and that might disrupt their title charge. Either way, Pitso Mosimane’s side will be hoping they replicate their heroics where they won both the ABSA Premier League and the CAF Champions League in the same season. Looking at their remaining fixtures, Downs do not have it easy. Amongst others, they are still to face cross-town rivals SuperSport United before the potential title decider against Pirates in their penultimate match of the season.

Cape Town City FC

If anyone had ruled Cape Town City out of this season’s Absa Premiership title race, then their win against Mamelodi Sundowns last night would no doubt have changed their minds. Their 2-1 resounding victory over fellow title rivals Mamelodi Sundowns blew the race wide open. The Citizens came from a goal down to register a memorable 2-1 victory over the defending champions, thanks to brilliant goals from Kermit Erasmus and new signing Chris David. The victory came barely a week after Sundowns had beaten Cape Town City 3-2 in the reverse fixture.

Pitso Mosimane of Mamelodi Sundowns reacts during the Absa Premiership match between Mamelodi Sundowns and Maritzburg United at Loftus Stadium on December 20, 2013 in Pretoria, South Africa.

(Dec. 19, 2013 - Source: Gallo Images/Getty Images Europe)

It is no doubt that Coach Benni McCarthy used the January transfer window wisely, signing Kermit Erasmus and Thato Mokeke, two players who are already making a big impact in the side. Erasmus has bagged three goals in as many matches, while Mokeke is doing an immense job in midfield. New man Chris David, who was signed last week, showed the quality he possesses with a brilliant goal against Sundowns and much more will be expected from him in the final few months of the campaign.

Other than hosting Pirates in their penultimate league match of the season‚ City appear to have the best run-in of all the teams in the title race‚ at least on paper. Nonetheless, judging by the fluidity of the results this season‚ nothing is certain and there will be more twists in this race. Still, the scales seem to be tipped in City’s favour if one considers the fact that unlike title rivals Pirates and Sundowns‚ they (City) don’t have to worry about the Champions League. Nonetheless, City still have some tricky fixtures against the likes of Polokwane City and Bloemfontein Celtic that may prove daunting.

Bidvest Wits

Another team that is not to be ruled out of the title contention is Bidvest Wits, the 2017 champions, who sit on fourth place and just two points behind Pirates. Interestingly, Wits had been top of the league for a period dating back to the time before Christmas until the end of February when they were dethroned by Sundowns. Worse, Wits’ loss against Cape Town City also dented the club’s title hopes as it set them back two points adrift the log leaders and will therefore be banking on their remaining league games to have a shot to claim another title. That said, the Students as they are popularly known, will be banking on their remaining league games to have a go at the prospect of winning the league again. However, Wits also face a tough title run-in encompassed by tough fixtures including matches against Pirates and Supersport United.

Bidvest Wits coach Gavin Hunt has described the Absa Premiership title race as “crazy”, due to the inconsistency of clubs currently battling it out for the biggest prize in local football. Wits dropped points yet again over the weekend, squandering the two-goal lead they had at half-time to lose 3-2 to fellow title challengers Cape Town City at Bidvest Stadium on Saturday.

Conclusion

Title run-ins surely don’t get any better than this. The nation's soccer lovers will need to fasten their seat belts and brace themselves for an emotional roller coaster. We are set for an exciting close of the season. In the top six‚ Pirates have 40 points from 23 games‚ Mamelodi Sundowns have 40 from 22‚ Cape Town City 39 from 23‚ Bidvest Wits 38 from 22. Which fixtures are you most looking forward to in the Absa Premiership title run-in?

Time for Gueye to depart consistently average Everton?

Oumar Niasse of Everton celebrates scoring his side's second goal with Idrissa Gueye and Gylfi Sigurdsson during the Premier League match between Everton and Crystal Palace at Goodison Park on February 10, 2018 in Liverpool, England.

(Feb. 9, 2018 - Source: Mark Robinson/Getty Images Europe)

Everton football club has recently been such a club seeking to go up the ranks in the ever competitive English Premier League. It’s been a journey that seems to be going in circular motion. What is it that they haven’t tried? Splashing big money on players, hiring and firing managers, but their last top 4 finish dates back to the 2004-05 season. As to what direction the club who currently sits in 11th position takes next, only time will time. One thing is for sure though, one of their most prized assets, Idrissa Gueye, has seemingly given a lot for the club and gotten not so much in return.

It’s worth noting that the 29-year-old Senegalese tough tackling midfielder has consistently been the best defensive midfielder in the EPL ever since signing for the Merseyside club in 2016. Gueye has registered the highest number of tackles by a single player, twice in the four seasons and finished second in the other two. He has matched and beaten the likes of N’golo Kante and Nemanja Matic, stat to stat and yet remains without any silverware, very much on top of the list of many other unsung heroes in global football. In fact, on all occasions that Matic and Kante have been on the list, they won the league title with their teams, Matic in 2014/15 season with Chelsea and Kante with Leicester and Chelsea in the 2015/16 and 2016/17 season respectively. The midfield tackling role is central to a team’s success and has proven to be the backbone of any side but Gueye hasn’t had his efforts complimented with similar input by his Everton teammates. His record doesn’t only make him England’s finest but puts him in the bracket of the best defensive midfielders in the world if not the best because if he fits in the Kante category, who else comes before them? After all, Gueye may perhaps get a bigger stage for more wins and trophies in his so far impressive career.

“Gueye has registered the highest number of tackles by a single player, twice in the four seasons and finished second in the other two. He has matched and beaten the likes of N’golo Kante and Nemanja Matic, stat to stat and yet remains without any silverware, very much on top of the list of many other unsung heroes in global football. ”

— Dennis Takaendesa, FirstTouch Africa

French Ligue 1 side, PSG reportedly came close to acquiring the Senegalese in a £30 million deal in the 2019 January transfer window. The table topping Parisians who are on a quest to win their first ever UEFA Champions League trophy will unlikely rest until they get their man and the deal could be on this summer. PSG have few super talented and expensive players in their squad that includes Mbappe, Neymar and quite a handful of youngsters to complement them. Gueye could be one of the experienced talents to come in and work with the likes of Marco Verrati in the midfield as the French club continues to builds itself up to be one of Europe’s most dominant forces.

City may be on the rise, but Mahrez's yet to find his place in Pep's side

Blessed are they living in the days of Pep Guardiola. To say the Spaniard is one of best football managers in our time is simply an understatement. They are so many sides of the 48-year-old that has made it so difficult to describe him nor his football philosophy in words. He wowed the universe at Barcelona, overseeing a tiki-taka style of play that seemed impossible to contend with at Barcelona, implemented a totally different style at Bayern Munich and now changes formations, players and approaches almost every other match at City. A few things remain constant, his sides dominate possession, they fight and play like possessed men always wanting more despite the scoreline and they win. Dominantly overcoming Arsenal 3-1, Everton 2-0 and Chelsea 6-0 in a space of 7 days is beyond remarkable. But this piece is not about Pep and his masterclass, there is enough about that already.

“Even more, his style of play of running down the wing, cutting inside and shooting at goal is yet to fully come alive at the Etihad. He has never been that tough tackling player who tracks down opponents or rushes for the press, attributes that have become consistent in all of Pep’s most favored players and overall philosophy. Does he have to adapt or will Pep adapt to the Algerian’s default attributes?”

— Dennis Takaendesa, FirstTouch Africa

Not quite there

Algerian playmaker, Riyad Mahrez, arrived at the blue side of Manchester last summer, in a record £60 million deal for the club. After a failed attempt to get the 27-year-old in January of 2018, Pep Guardiola finally got his man a few months after and indeed a welcome move for Mahrez and all the neutrals. Many had seen him chop and nutmeg premier league professionals, more so in Leicester City’s record breaking season and began to wonder how much more he could produce if surrounded by players of the calibre of David Silva, Kevin De Bruyne, Sergio Aguero and Leroy Sane. Even though Mahrez has 5 premier league goals and 2 assists to his name in only 10 appearances, on top of 4 assists and a goal in 3 champions league matches, he is still far from his best. It’s difficult not to recognise his discomfort and grind to cement his place in Guardiola’ setup, one that a record signing is expected to.

Riyad Mahrez of Manchester City looks dejected after the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Manchester City at Anfield on October 7, 2018 in Liverpool, United Kingdom.

(Oct. 6, 2018 - Source: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images Europe)

Really?

It’s no surprise that the winger has been less pronounced in conversations featuring Africa’s current best batch. Names such as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Sadio Mane and Mo Salah have been thrown in that hat and serve as a testament that one needs to be scoring goals and getting regular game time for whatever club they play for inorder to fit the description. It’s true that Pep switches up his players quite a lot, but equally rewards the most outstanding performers with regular minutes as well. Riyad came on as a substitute in City’s 6-0 thrashing of Chelsea and half-completed passes, lost possession and tame shots at goal revealed the forward’s confidence levels and current status. Even more, his style of play of running down the wing, cutting inside and shooting at goal is yet to fully come alive at the Etihad. He has never been that tough tackling player who tracks down opponents or rushes for the press, attributes that have become consistent in all of Pep’s most favored players and overall philosophy. Does he have to adapt or will Pep adapt to the Algerian’s default attributes?

More than a glimmer of hope

It seems as though Pep has the touch of the ancient Greek king, Midas. Whatever he touches turns into gold. It’s difficult to find a player especially recruited by the Spaniard who hasn’t improved over time. When he has no plans with one, he makes that abundantly clear and ships them out as he did with Ivorian legend, Yaya Toure. The fact that he signed Riyad for so much money means he knows when and how the playmaker will aid the team’s progress. Looking at Bernardo Silva for example, the 24-year-old looked a misfit for the better part of the 2017/18 season but is now almost an indispensable member of the team, with the gaffer remarking that his team is made up of Bernardo and ten other players.

The start to life at City hasn’t been great for Riyad but it will most certainly get only better from here.

Auba has been clutch, but can his goals bring CL football back to the Emirates?

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal scores his team's fifth goal during the Premier League match between Fulham FC and Arsenal FC at Craven Cottage on October 7, 2018 in London, United Kingdom.

(Oct. 6, 2018 - Source: Catherine Ivill/Getty Images Europe)

The Gabonese captain was once again in on the act at the Emirates as Arsenal exited the FA Cup fourth round at the hands of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Manchester United. The Arsenal started off brightly, taking the game to the visitors but injuries on centre back pair, Sokratis and Koscielny proved detrimental to their winning efforts as Lukaku grew wings on the left-hand side of the United front three. The latter setting up two goals for Sanchez and Lingard in just two minutes. Arsenal’s top scorer, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang pulled one back before half time after Nigerian international, Alex Iwobi and Aaron Ramsey combined beautifully on the left-flank to set up, yet another tap in for the marksman. The game eventually ended 3-1 in favor of the Red Devils but a familiar feeling at the Emirates stadium bracketed the night. Even with one of the world’s inform strikers in Aubameyang, a meticulous Head Coach in Unai Emery with a proven track record of winning trophies and notable top quality players in their squad, its difficult to separate the “new Arsenal” with that which was presided over by Arsene Wenger over the past 22 years.

The player(s) they have always needed

Since Robin Van Persie, the London club had always been in search of a top quality striker to provide the goals and names such as Olivier Giroud, Yaya Sanogo, Nicklas Bendtner and Danny Welbeck auditioned for the role with little success. The arrival of Alexandre Lacazette in the summer of 201, further cemented by that of the African star, Aubameyang, completely obliterated the striker issue. In fact, the latter became an instant hit breaking some notable records for the club such as being on course to become the fastest player to reach 25 Premier League goals for the club, even ahead of legends such as Thierry Henry and Ian Wright. The 2015 African Player Of The Year also became the first Arsenal player to score on every day of the week coupled by his notable habit of scoring on competition debuts as he did against United in the Emirates FA Cup. Arsenal have in fact seldom struggled with scoring goals this campaign as they currently have the sixth most goals scored in Europe’s top five leagues, even ahead of the likes of high flying Dortmund, Liverpool or Bayern Munich. The club’s website actually labelled the Gabonese a man for all seasons (and days) as the club continues to falter between the lines of rejuvenation and stagnation. Seemingly, even the pair of  Premier League’s second top goal scorer and the Uruguayan international, Lucas Torreira (“the defensive midfielder they have always needed”), are just not enough for the Gunners.

“Even with one of the world’s inform strikers in Aubameyang, a meticulous Head Coach in Unai Emery with a proven track record of winning trophies and notable top quality players in their squad, its difficult to separate the “new Arsenal” with that which was presided over by Arsene Wenger over the past 22 years.”

— Dennis Takaendesa, FirstTouch Africa

Unai Emery, Manager of Arsenal gives his team instructions during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Leicester City at Emirates Stadium on October 22, 2018 in London, United Kingdom.

(Oct. 21, 2018 - Source: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images Europe)

The “perfect” manager

As Arsene Wenger’s time drew to a close at Arsenal, there was an increasingly growing unrest with the bulk of the fan base criticising the French man for being too laid back, non-adventurous and stingy to spend on transfers. In Emery, Arsenal got a “perfect” replacement for the resigned Wenger. The guy who won three consecutive Europa League trophies with Sevilla, five cups with PSG in two years and oversaw the development of players such as David Silva, David Villa and Ever Banega. Emery became that demanding Coach who pacies the touchline for the whole ninety, shouting instructions and unafraid to drop big names such as Mesut Ozil from the matchday squad. It’s undeniable that there has been some progress since the arrival of the Spaniard but the new Arsenal still has resemblances of the old, marked by frequent defensive catastrophes that saw them ship in 5 goals at Liverpool, painfully hit on the counter as with United on Friday or huffing and puffing at goal as was the case in their 1-0 loss to West Ham United. After being knocked out of the Emirates FA Cup, Carabao Cup, playing in the Europa League and lying 5th on the Premier League table, almost the same position and points they had last campaign after 20 matches with Arsene Wenger - you would understand one who confuses Emery’s Arsenal with that of Wenger.

What’s really the issue then?

It’s almost unrealistic to cover all that is going on at Arsenal in this piece but a few events that we have noticed in recent times do give hints and leave everything to one’s own judgment. The highly rated head of recruitment, Sven Mislintat who worked with Dortmund and helped bring in Aubameyang, Matteo Guendouzi, Torreira and Mkhitaryan left the club, just a little over a year after joining it, leaving more questions than answers into the Arsenal situation. Former Chief Executive, Ivan Gazidis who presided over the Wenger regime also left the club after ushering in “a new era” for the club when he brought in Unai Emery in the May of 2018 and so did co-owner Alisher Usmanov who sold his stake to the sole ownership of unpopular multiple sports business tycoon, Stan Kroenke. The general feeling amongst the Arsenal fans worldwide is that Kroenke is taking them for a ride by investing less than required into the development of the club. Just recently, we learnt that Arsenal were not going to buy any players in the January transfer window but would seek loans which may be difficult to understand when done by the ninth richest football club in the world as of 2019.

What do you think it’s going to take for the Gunners to start shooting again, unhindered?

Egypt's talented Ramadan Sobhi faces an uphill task back to the limelight

Contrary to popular assumption, Mohamed Salah is not the only Egyptian that knows how to run up and down the wing. The 22-year-old Ramadan Sobhi is a top prospect for the North African nation as well as current and future clubs, lucky enough to borrow his services. However, just like Salah, his growth journey has been by no means smooth and is still very much on his way to the very top. The 2018 African Player Of The Year, Salah, had to grow through Egypt’s El Mokawloon, FC Basel, Chelsea, Fiorentina and AS Roma, before he became a global phenomenon at Liverpool. It’s not clear how long it will take for Sobhi, that is if he manages to go the distance, what’s however clear is he will have to fight tooth and nail for it.

Ramadan Sobhi of Huddersfield Town looks on during a pre-season friendly match between Huddersfield Town and Olympique Lyonnais at John Smith's Stadium on July 25, 2018 in Huddersfield, England.

(July 24, 2018 - Source: Nathan Stirk/Getty Images Europe)

The beginning

Sobhi started off his football career in the youth setup of Africa’s most successful club football, with a record 8 CAF Champions League titles, Cairo based Al Ahly. At only,17 years of age in the 2013/14 season, Sobhi made his professional debut in the Egyptian Premier League, helping the Red Devils win the league title in that campaign and the subsequent one. He instantly cemented his place in Mohamed Youssef’s starting XI and became a crowd favorite, showboating at will with the confidence of a seasoned professional. At the time, top European clubs such as Atletico Madrid, Arsenal, Roma, RB Leipzig, Sampdoria and Udinese stopped at nothing to learn about the Egyptian sensation who then debuted for his country at 17, the second youngest player to do so after the infamous Mido. At home, he became popular for sparking controversy after standing on the ball twice, against rivals Zamalek in a showboating move that enraged those of the opposite side. Such was the boldness of the youngster. Upon leaving Ah Ahly, Ramadan Sobhi had won 2 Egyptian Premier League titles, 2 Egyptian Super Cups and the CAF Confederation Cup in just two years, scoring 11 times in 55 appearances. It was at Stoke City that he would then first taste European football.

Bright false start

Mark Hughes handed the Egyptian teenager an English Premier League debut in the August of 2016 against Manchester City after securing his services for a fee of £5 million from Al Ahly. Even becoming the first teenager to start a league game for Stoke City in nine years. Sobhi’s talent became impossible not to notice as he gave opponents all sorts of problems running at them from either wings.Upon returning from the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations, Sobhi became a regular in Mark Hughes’ side as he then appeared a total of 19 times for the club as they finished 13th in the 2016/17 Premier League season. The following season would then be a bitter pill for Sobhi and the Potters who were relegated to the EFL Championship. The Egyptian international had appeared a total 41 times for the club over 2 years and scored 2 goals, not a bad record for Premier League strugglers who became good at shipping in goals than they were scoring them. Fellow Premier League side, Huddersfield Town wouldn’t let Sobhi go the Championship with Stoke, and acquired him in June of 2018 for a fee believed to be £5.7 million.

“At home, he became popular for sparking controversy after standing on the ball twice, against rivals Zamalek in a showboating move that enraged those of the opposite side. Such was the boldness of the youngster. Upon leaving Ah Ahly, Ramadan Sobhi had won 2 Egyptian Premier League titles, 2 Egyptian Super Cups and the CAF Confederation Cup in just two years, scoring 11 times in 55 appearances. ”

— Dennis Takaendesa, FirstTouch Africa

Restart

Now, the Terriers spell has been quite not as expected for Sobhi. The 22-year-old has already managed a total of 4 appearances since joining the club in the summer, extremely painful for a growing player used to getting regular game time throughout his professional career. In December of 2018, Huddersfield actually made the decision to loan Sobhi to his former club, Ah Ahly, until June of 2019. The versatile attacker, dubbed to be the reincarnation of Egyptian legend, Mohamed Aboutrika, seems fallen from grace only that at 22 years of age, he has loads of time to turn it all around. It will take a whole lot more of his eagle like vision for goal, slick feet and pace to reach higher levels. More so now that his parent club, Huddersfield Town is in real danger of facing the chop that axed Stoke City from the Premier League, otherwise known as the axe that chucks teams away from relevance.

He definitely has the talent, and the right inspiration in Mohamed Salah to go all the way. The question is, will he?

Did Seri cut himself short by joining Premier League strugglers, Fulham?

You know someone is a big a deal when the likes of Barcelona, Chelsea and Arsenal are repeatedly reported to be casting in their bids in hope of landing the player’s signature. Such was the predicament of Jean Michel Seri, who was once upon a time tipped to be “Xavi’s replacement” at Barcelona, or fill the shoes of Santi Cazorla at Arsenal. The Ivorian international was honestly spoiled for choice and a choice he did make, but an unpopular one.

“...But the dynamic Seri we were used to, the one who ran at players, created something out of nothing and meandered through the midfield players like the first rain on desert rocks, may slowly be reaching extinction. ”

— Dennis Takaendesa, FirstTouch Africa

In the summer of 2018, Fulham FC who had just been promoted to the English top flight announced the signing of the box to box midfielder for a record club fee believed to be in the region of £25 million. The ingenious midfielder whom we came to know as Jean Michel Seri had already made a name for himself, growing up in the streets of Abidjan, Ivory Coast. They all nicknamed him, “Galla” after Marcelo Gallardo, the former Monaco and PSG midfielder he looked up to. What really made him a real prospect were the OGC Nice years. Playing with the likes of Mario Balotelli upfront, Seri lighted up the French Ligue 1. Over three years, he recorded a remarkable 21 assists and scored 12 goals from a deep-lying midfield position, not an attacking one. During that time when Naby Keita was running the show at RB Leipzig, Seri was doing the same if not better at Nice. He won the Marc Vivien Foe Award for the best African Player in the Ligue 1 for the year 2017, became the 2017 OGC Nice Player of the Year and was included in the UNFP Ligue 1 Team of the Year in that remarkable 2017 for the Ivorian. He looked ready and sure first XI player for any of Europe’s big clubs but chose the promoted Fulham instead. Speaking to the media on the strange move, Seri highlighted that Fulham were the most serious side in their pursuit for his signature henceforth settling for the Craven Cottagers. His move was largely labelled as a “steal” for Fulham by many of the top football analysts, players and media houses. In other terms, he really seemed too good for the Whites.

Andre Schurrle and Jean Michael Seri of Fulham during the Premier League match between Fulham FC and Arsenal FC at Craven Cottage on October 7, 2018 in London, United Kingdom.

(Oct. 6, 2018 - Source: Catherine Ivill/Getty Images Europe)

And now, Fulham is one of the sides fighting a tough relegation battle, currently seated at the second bottom position on the Premier League standings. The 27-year-old Seri has only managed a solitary goal and 2 assists in 19 premier league matches. Most of his playing time at the club is now devoted to stopping opponents’ fires instead of creating one for the opposition. He has had to learn to sit back and defend more at Fulham than at any point of his career. Of course he has had one or two special moments that include winning the Premier League Goal of the Month for August 2018, but the dynamic Seri we were used to, the one who ran at players, created something out of nothing and meandered through the midfield players like the first rain on desert rocks, may slowly be reaching extinction. Even at the prime age of his career where according to many, he should be winning all the major trophies and building a concrete legacy like those of compatriots such as Didier Drogba and Yaya Toure.

This leaves one to question on whether or not Seri short-changed himself by signing for a relegation threatened side when he had the choice of playing UEFA Champions League football. However, career choices usually implicate more than the perceived and it’s up to the owner of the career anywhere.

One fact still stands, whether he has the chance to manifest it or not, Seri remains one special footballer, a joy to behold when he finds himself in his element.

Christmas Cheer for Africans in the Premier League

Alexandre Lacazette of Arsenal (9) celebrates with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as he scores his team's third goal during the Premier League match between Cardiff City and Arsenal FC at Cardiff City Stadium on September 2, 2018 in Cardiff, United Kingdom.

(Sept. 1, 2018 - Source: Catherine Ivill/Getty Images Europe)

Matchday 18 of the English Premier League, the final round of matches before Christmas, was headlined by African stars – a befitting festive gift for the continent and the world. We captured a few of the moments we wouldn’t want anyone to miss.

Double Christmas gift from Santa Aubameyang

Arsenal’s inform striker, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang added to his tally by netting a brace that handed the Gunners a 3-1 win over Burnely at the Emirates. He opened the scoring with a sliced out foot shot as the end of a flowing Arsenal move, engineered by Mesut Ozil. The Gabonese international then doubled the advantage in the second period, blasting the net from the near post after his strike partner, Alexandre Lacazette had ushered the ball into his path. Auba is still top of the premier league scoring charts on 12 strikes followed by Mo Salah and Harry Kane who are both on 11.

One season wonder?

Mohamed Salah of Liverpool celebrates after scoring his team's third goal during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Southampton FC at Anfield on September 22, 2018 in Liverpool, United Kingdom.

(Sept. 21, 2018 - Source: Alex Livesey/Getty Images Europe)

Magical Mohamed Salah remains the talisman for top of the table Liverpool with his latest showing being a sublime performance at Wolves. The Egyptian drew first blood by beating Rui Patricio with the deftness of touch struck with his shoelaces as he finished Fabinho’s cross which was something a little over half a chance. He then setup Virgil Van Dijk for his first premier league goal for Liverpool with perfectly timed cross into the box. The matched ended 2-0 to the Reds and the only questions asked after the game were of those who had labelled the 26-year-old a one season wonder. Apparently, they are nowhere to be found.

Schlupp helps Palace engineer the biggest of upsets

The biggest piece of news from the weekend was that of Manchester City’s surprise 3-2 defeat by Crystal Palace at home. The champions opened the scoring through IIkay Gundogan’s perfect header but it was the Ghanaian, Jeffrey Schlupp who levelled matters from an unlikely scenario, dribbling past two defenders before slotting the ball past Ederson. Townsend, Milivojevic then got in on the act, wrapping up the points for Roy Hodgson’s men before De Bruyne scored a consolation goal in the closing moments of the game.

Sadio Mane Explained

As a fan or otherwise, 26-year-old Sadio Mane is a player that at times makes you want to hug him even via the television screen and equally as many times, requires some degree of self-control to refrain from chucking your remote at it.

“ In a beautiful show of athleticism, the Senegalese was the quickest to make contact with Fabinho’s perfectly timed chip into the box, eye balls out, his chest elevated to direct the ball to his feet assigned to expertly lunge it past David De Gea. The ever so enraptured Anfield choir’s interlude approved and the whole world confirmed, we were in the presence of greatness.”

— Dennis Takaendesa, FirstTouch Africa

Sadio Mane of Liverpool in action during the Group C match of the UEFA Champions League between Liverpool and FK Crvena Zvezda at Anfield on October 24, 2018 in Liverpool, United Kingdom.

(Oct. 23, 2018 - Source: Michael Regan/Getty Images Europe)

A few nights after missing countless chances in Liverpool’s 1-0 win over Napoli in the champions league, he came out on top in their 3-1 over Manchester Red, sending Liverpool Red to the top of the premier league standings. In a beautiful show of athleticism, the Senegalese was the quickest to make contact with Fabinho’s perfectly timed chip into the box, eyeballs out, his chest elevated to direct the ball to his feet assigned to expertly lunge it past David De Gea. The ever so enraptured Anfield choir’s interlude approved and the whole world confirmed, we were in the presence of greatness. He was undone, deep into the second half, with the scores tied, Mane was at it again. This time, nobody can explain what he did to Matic but in a fraction of a second, he was out of sight in a perfect position to tee up Shaqiri for Liverpool’s second with the aid of some deflection. But that is just one side of him, the side we all wish to see week in and out. There is however an explanation as to why he is almost always one of the first names on Jurgen Klopp’s team sheet even ahead of the weekend’s two goal hero, Xherdan Shaqiri.

It’s quite simple, yes he misses some clear cut goal chances but remains one of Liverpool’s most hardworking players. In a foot race, lightning quick Salah can hardly beat him but would surely outpace anyone in a marathon. Mane runs the entire 90 minutes, puts in the tackles, floors defenders with slick dribbles and holds his own against some of the strongest of defenders. He hardly goes missing in any game because of the superior physical and technical attributes. Mane is a hybrid forward, who can adjust to whatever shape the game takes.

He’s a man that’s not afraid of the moment. He proved that in the 2018 Champions League Final against Real Madrid, when a certain King Salah, who has scored 33% of Liverpool’s goals in all competitions to this point, went down with an infamous and still controversial shoulder injury in the 30th minute. Almost seamlessly, the Liverpool offense ran through Mane for the rest of the match, with the Senegalese playmaker pulling The Reds level in the 55th after a Karim Benzema goal that came 4 minutes prior.

We just have to accept that you will not find him scoring as much Messi, Ronaldo, Salah or Aubameyang – but offers his own unique skillset to the game.

UCL Matchday 5: Lyon's African cast set to slow Man City's momentum

“All of Burkina Faso’s Bertrand Traore, Mousa Dembele of Malian descent, Fekir of Algerian descent, Ndombele of Congolese heritage, Ivory Coast’s Maxwell Cornet and the inform Dutch forward in Memphis Depay will all be options available to take the game to City.”

— Dennis Takaendesa, FirstTouch Africa

Manchester City’s first and only defeat in the 2018/19 football season came against Olympique Lyonnais back in September at the Etihad. It was an opening group match of the UEFA Champions League campaign where Nabil Fekir, Ivory Coast’s Maxwell Cornet and Memphis Depay were at the centre of proceedings as the Ligue 1 outfit registered an impressive unlikely victory. It’s on again, Pep Guardiola’s City have a chance to exact some revenge or to be humbled once more as they take flight to France on Tuesday.

Maxwell Cornet of Lyon celebrates after scoring his team's first goal with his team mates during the Group F match of the UEFA Champions League between Manchester City and Olympique Lyonnais at Etihad Stadium on September 19, 2018 in Manchester, United Kingdom.

(Sept. 18, 2018 - Source: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images Europe)

The notion of Manchester City assuming the status of Europe’s most deadly team is not so far fetched now. After a record breaking title winning premier league season last year, they look to be continuing from where they left from. It’s difficult to find any other club in Europe’s top leagues that has been equally as impressive. Of course Lyon’s league mates in PSG are still spotless but then you would have to consider the context. It is matches like the loss against Lyon or the one against Liverpool in the UCL quarter-finals last season that cast some doubts on Manchester City as a whole and their standing amongst Europe’s elite clubs. If there are matches that are more important to Manchester City and their continued successes, it’s such a continental match against Lyon that they have proven to easily lose in recent times. They will be heading into this one fully aware of the need to tighten their grip on so called lesser teams.

On the other hand, second placed Lyon, both in the champions league group F and on the French Ligue 1 standings will be a tough opposition. They may be far off the pace from PSG in the domestic league but are still yet to lose a game in the UCL this campaign. They are three points off City and face convincing opposition from Hoffenheim who also look keen on the champions league knockout spots. Of major interest, will be Lyon’s African blended attacking setup that proved to be a difficult presentation for City in the last time out. All of Burkina Faso’s Bertrand Traore, Mousa Dembele of Malian descent, Fekir of Algerian descent, Ndombele of Congolese heritage, Ivory Coast’s Maxwell Cornet and the inform Dutch forward in Memphis Depay will all be options available to take the game to City.

It’s a must watch, loads of fun on show and ofcourse, we will be closely following it.

Romelu Lukaku - "The Belgian of Congolese descent"

Romelu Lukaku of Manchester United applauds the travelling fans after the Premier League match between Burnley FC and Manchester United at Turf Moor on September 2, 2018 in Burnley, United Kingdom.

(Sept. 1, 2018 - Source: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images Europe)

Some call him the Belgian Beast and at a local watch party during the 2018 FIFA World Cup semi-final against Brazil, an ecstatic Manchester United fan from the crowd shouted, “Cristiano” Lukaku! The 25-year-old Manchester United forward had outpaced Paulinho and dribbled past Fernandinho to assist Kevin De Bruyne for Belgium’s second goal as they stormed into the semi-finals after beating the Samba boys 2-1 in a thoroughly entertaining match-up. This was a few days after Romelu Lukaku had pulled off a world class dummy to allow Nacer Chadli to steal a third goal for the Red Devils as they remarkably came back from 2 goals down against Japan to get passage into the quarter-finals. The year 2018 became one of the highlights for the forward’s outstanding career, but what other juicy details are there to it?

Football with a purpose

Speaking to the Players’ Tribune, Romelu reminisced of his tough childhood , highlighting that he had made up his mind a schoolboy to lift his mother and family out of poverty by kicking the ball as hard as he could. The 25-year-old was born in Antwerp, Belgium to a Congolese mother and a father who played football and represented Zaire (present day DR Congo) at international level

“I kept my promise to myself for a while. But then some days I’d come home from school and find my mum crying. So I finally told her one day, “Mum, it’s gonna change. You’ll see. I’m going to play football for Anderlecht, and it’s going to happen soon. We’ll be good. You won’t have to worry anymore.” I was six.”

— Romelu Lukaku, Manchester United & Belgium Forward

He grew up a more than determined kid, playing the game he loved for with a purpose most dearest to him. That was, giving his mother a better life. Fast forward a few years, it all went out as Rom had envisioned. He weathered all there was to brave, even recalling the tough times where criticisms flew in left, right and center during dry periods that are common to most football players. Even racially inspired critics would also say their piece:

“When things were going well, I was reading newspapers articles and they were calling me Romelu Lukaku, the Belgian striker. When things weren’t going well, they were calling me Romelu Lukaku, the Belgian striker of Congolese descent.”

— Romelu Lukaku - Belgium's Record Goal Scorer

With the kind of scrutiny that Mourinho and Manchester United are currently experiencing, Lukaku is one such player who would probably not flinch in all these times.

Giorgio Chiellini of Italy (L) and Lukaku of Belgium compete for the ball during the intermational friendly match between Belgium and Italy at King Baudouin Stadium on November 13, 2015 in Brussels, Belgium.

(Nov. 12, 2015 - Source: Claudio Villa/Getty Images Europe)

Pure grit

I remember not being Lukaku’s biggest fan when he signed for Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United for a fee reported to be £75 million, plus £15 million in add-ons. I have always thought that his services were overpriced and perhaps they are. One thing is for sure though, you cannot take anything away from the forward’s strong mental fortitude, physicality and grit. He may not be the most talented footballer but gets what he sets out to, on the field of play. On his way to become a professional footballer, he always mashed up the goals and putting on record, some weird numbers. From 2004-06, Romelu scored 121 goals in 68 matches for Belgian Pro League club called Lierse before banging 131 goals in 93 matches for Anderlecht’s youth academy. He also became the fifth youngest player to reach 100 English Premier League goals and also one of only five players to have scored 50 premier league goals before their 23rd birthday.

An evolving footballer

Belgium players celebrate after Fernandinho of Brazil scores an own goal for their sides first goal during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Quarter Final match between Brazil and Belgium at Kazan Arena on July 6, 2018 in Kazan, Russia.

(July 5, 2018 - Source: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images Europe)

The Belgian forward is one such a player we have seen add new dimensions to his game from time to time. Popularly known for having a bad first touch by fans who don’t like him the most, displays such as the ones narrated above of dummies and dribbling past players have recently become more established in Lukaku’s game. His physical strength that is often likened to that of an ox, pace and power together with bits of finishing “tools” learnt from Thierry Henry during his tenure as Belgium’s striker coach could surely, slowly lead him to emulate his boyhood hero,the Brazilian Ronaldo. The former “marksman” that Lukaku often watches on YouTube.

Belgian Legend

The Belgian striker of Congolese descent has become the Belgian legend at only 25 years of age. He has since surpassed the previously held record of all time record goals by a single player for the Red Devils which was 31. Lukaku has 45 record international goals to his name and still counting. He has represented his country at the 2014 world cup, Euro 2016 and the 2018 FIFA world cup in Russia. Even money has since started following the forward, becoming the first English Premier League player to sign for Jay-Z’s management sports agency called Roc Nation Sports and also signed a record sponsorship deal with Puma, the largest endorsement deal the Germany company has over offered.

Mama, Romelu Menama Lukaku Bolingoli, made it!