Cristiano Ronaldo’s year is going from BAD to WORSE

While 2015 couldn’t have got off to a better start for Cristiano Ronaldo when he won his second Ballon d’Or on the trot, it’s fairly safe to say that it is rapidly turning in to his own “annus horribilis.”

If football teaches us anything, it’s that form is temporary and class is permanent. Yet the fact remains that, in terms of good and bad weeks, the last few have been about as bad as you can get for the Portuguese superstar

It’s no secret that since 2012, CR7 and his team have laboured long and hard to create an image befitting one regarded—quite rightly—as one of the greatest players in the history of the game.

The image of a good, solid, loyal and encouraging team-mate; remember his much-publicised welcoming handshake with Gareth Bale when the Welshman first arrived for training; a good family man, one of the boys who believes there’s no “I” in team and an all-round good egg.

But within the space of a few weeks, he has contrived to sling all the hard work down the swanny, leaving many people less than impressed with his general demeanour and behaviour, both on and off the pitch.

Where to begin?

Lets start with the silly scream he launched at the presentation of the Ballon d’Or trophy that had just about everyone squirming in their seats.

It was something that began in a Real Madrid pre-season match in Los Angeles, a scream that is emitted by way of celebrating just about anything that happens on the pitch—be it a save or a shot or a goal or whatever, both in matches and in training.

He later said it was a message to his team-mates to Spanish television station Cuatro (h/t Goal.com). Whoever it was for, the vast majority of those present deemed it inappropriate.

We then got his sending-off against Cordoba—a sending-off, incidentally, that could have happened earlier—and the juvenile pointing to, and brushing down of, the Club World Cup winners badge on his shirt as he strutted off the pitch.

Then, following the humbling by Atletico, he accused a journalist of being unintelligent for having the temerity to ask him a question about his sending-off at Cordoba.

And last, but by no means least, the infamous 30th birthday party he held against the advice and wishes of many at Real Madrid following last weekend’s 4-0 thumping.

Images on social media sites placed there by his “friend,” the singer Kevin Roldan, have done further damage, although those seeking to blame the Colombian entertainer would be better served to look at Cristiano himself for holding a bash that everyone feels should never have taken place.

The implication, of course, is that what Cristiano wants, Cristiano gets and that his wishes are more important than those of the club.

So now it’s damage-limitation time, with Ronaldo’s entourage announcing that he is asking to be forgiven, as reported by Marca, for all his recent transgressions and he is deeply sorry.

Unfortunately, their attitude to Roldan would suggest, however, that what they are really sorry about is not that he has behaved inappropriately but rather the fact that he was caught doing so.

So which is the real Ronaldo? Well, actually I think it’s a bit of both. What you get from Cristiano is that total selfish obsession and compulsive focus that has taken him to the very top of his profession but that comes with that rebellious streak that has always been inside him.

And here’s the rub. He might just have got away with all of it had his performances of late been of the required standard. They haven’t.

From March to July last year, he was either injured or playing while carrying an injury which meant he couldn’t give of his best either at the World Cup or towards the end of the season at Real.

He started well in September, but from December onwards, he has been off-colour.

I believe that his body is giving him problems and, for the first time, imposing limitations on his performances.

His game has changed into one where he is effectively a centre-forward waiting for the play rather than making it, which—while creating a goalscorer—also makes for a player who has less influence on the general pattern of the game.

To add insult to injury, it will not have escaped his attention that in addition to these being his bad times, they have also coincided with the spectacular return to form being enjoyed by one Leo Messi.

Let’s see now what the future holds for him both as a player and a person.

Jack Wilshere has a point to prove after smoking controversy

Should Jack Wilshere return to the Arsenal squad this weekend, he must produce a performance to quieten his critics and ensure the focus remains on his football rather than his lifestyle.

Wilshere returned to full training this week, but a specific comeback date has not been named. Speaking before Arsenal’s match with Leicester City, reported by BBC Sport, Arsene Wenger said: “We have to monitor [Wilshere] daily. I don’t know when he’ll return.”

However, according to Tony Banks of the Express, Wilshere could be in line for an appearance against Middlesbrough in the FA Cup on Sunday.

Perhaps his rehabilitation has been accelerated by the latest injury sustained by Aaron Ramsey. It’s the third hamstring problem of Ramsey’s stop-start season, and with Mikel Arteta still in the early stages of recovery following his ankle operation, Arsenal are light in the middle of the park.

Football moves swiftly. A week ago, it was difficult to envisage how Wilshere could fit back into the Arsenal side. With Ramsey out, his presence becomes essential.

Whenever he eventually takes to the field, Wilshere will find himself with plenty to prove. His latest smoking controversy has been blown a little out of proportion, but those small indiscretions are beginning to mount up. For the first time, doubts are being raised about Wilshere’s attitude and application outside the training pitch.

Those questions would not be asked if his performances were up to scratch, but the simple fact is Wilshere has not yet delivered on his enormous potential; his performances this season have been patchy at best.

There has been some evidence of his ability to influence games from the centre of the park, such as his Man of the Match showing against Manchester City in September. However, he has struggled to reproduce that sort of form on a consistent basis.

There are mitigating circumstances for that, though. As long as Wilshere is subject to such regular injuries, he will struggle to find consistency. His fitness problems have psychological as well as physiological ramifications.

He’s also yet to nail down a position in the Arsenal team. Debate continues to rage as to Wilshere’s ideal role, with suggestions ranging from playing just off the striker to deployment as a deep-lying holding midfielder.

The solution, in the short term at least, is probably to compromise. Ramsey is a box-to-box midfielder, lending support to Francis Coquelin when necessary but with a license to get forward and play off Olivier Giroud. Wilshere is likely to be tasked with replicating that dynamic style in the Welshman’s absence.

This season, neither Ramsey nor Wilshere has fully convinced as the fulcrum of the Arsenal midfield. There is an opportunity now for the Englishman to stake his claim for a regular place in Wenger’s first-choice XI and silence his critics in the process.

Rating Suarez’s performances so far in Barcelona

This is a pretty long read, but if you really care about how Suarez has fared among the stars at Barcelona, you will find this really interesting. The Uruguayan has found himself taking some time to settle in with the Catalan giants, but that’s not take anything away from his industry. This is why we have decided to look at how much impact the former Liverpool striker has had since joining.

There are definite parallels to be drawn with Neymar‘s own start from a year previously. Learning a new way of playing, getting used to new team-mates, different positions etc. was always going to take time.

From his debut at the Santiago Bernabeu to this point, Suarez has been involved in 18 matches for the Blaugrana. Let’s take a look at how he’s fared.

These ratings are based on overall performance and goals scored/assists provided if applicable.

1. Grade B vs. Real Madrid (L 1-3)

The long-awaited debut eventually arrived on the last weekend of October. Fate would decree an El Clasico as Suarez’s openingBlaugrana gambit, and within three minutes, he’d already providedNeymar with an assist for the opening goal.

Thereafter, the Uruguayan toiled without reward, and after fading badly, he was replaced on the hour.

Perhaps not the statement many had expected but a workmanlike performance nonetheless.

 

2. Grade C vs. Celta Vigo (L 0-1)

Just a week later and the Camp Nou faithful would get to see their new signing competitively for the first time.

Despite his best efforts, Suarez either fluffed his lines at the crucial moments or found Celta‘s ‘keeper Sergio in inspired form.

Per an interview with Barca TV, via Dermot Corrigan of ESPN FC, Suarez noted:

When the ball does not want to go in, it does not go in. Their goalkeeper was the man of the match. We created a lot of chances, but we lacked luck.

They created one, they took it, and they won the game.

 

3. Grade B- vs. Ajax (W 2-0)

Suarez’s first Champions League experience for his new club coincidentally came against one of his old employers.

On the night, Lionel Messi would steal his thunder with a brace to bring him equal to Raul’s all-time Champions League scoring record.

As with the match against Real Madrid, Suarez worked hard but couldn’t make the breakthrough.

4. Grade A vs. Almeria (W 2-1)

This match was something of a watershed for Luis Suarez. Still unable to register on the scoresheet, he would at least turn the game on its head after coming on as sub. Two assists saw Barca snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.

The Catalans had gone behind to a surprise Thievy goal on 37 minutes, and they were just 17 minutes from defeat before Suarez set upNeymar in the 73rd minute and Jordi Alba in the 82nd.

After cracking a shot against the crossbar himself, he can consider himself unlucky not to have broken his scoring duck.

5. Grade B+ vs Sevilla (W 5-1)

One of Barca‘s best performances of the season against an opponent who were expected to be hugely difficult to overcome.

A completely professional performance included another Suarez assist and his usual sprinkling of unselfishness and hard work.

6. Grade A- vs. APOEL FC (W 4-0)

Finally, at the sixth time of trying, Luis Suarez scored for Barcelona.

A magnificent piece of control to create the chance and a low shot into the opposite corner was vintage Suarez from his Liverpool days.

Messi‘s hat-trick made the headlines, but Suarez’s strike was arguably just as important for the club.

 

7. Grade B+ vs. Valencia (W 1-0)

Possibly Barca‘s hardest game of the season other than El Clasico,Nuno Santo had Valencia testing every aspect of Barca‘s credentials.

A controversial and incorrect offside decision chalked off a perfectly legitimate Suarez opener, and despite best efforts again, there was to be no fairy-tale ending for Suarez himself.

 

8. Grade B- vs. Espanyol (W 5-1)

Despite registering another assist in this game, Suarez became incredibly frustrated and was eventually substituted.

A goal from his replacement, Pedro Rodriguez, wouldn’t have done anything for the Uruguayan’s confidence.

9. Grade A vs. Paris Saint-Germain (W 3-1)

Fortunately, another Champions League goal was just around the corner on one of those special Camp Nou European nights.

Knowing only a win against the hitherto unbeaten French side would see Barca top their group, the Catalans set about their task in hand with purpose.

It was a night when both Neymar and Messi joined Suarez on thescoresheet for the first time.

Suarez first assisted the Argentinian to cancel out ex-Blaugrana ZlatanIbrahimovic‘s opener and then putting the game beyond the French champions after Neymar had given the home side the lead.

 

10. Grade C vs. Getafe (D 0-0)

The less said about the performance at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez the better. To say that both Suarez and Barca were out of sorts is a huge understatement.

Suarez just never got going, and WhoScored awarded him the lowest mark of any Barcelona player on the pitch. Enough said.

11. Grade A vs. Cordoba (W 5-0)

Fortunately, Suarez got straight back on the horse in his next fixture.

His goal in the 53rd minute of the game eventually opened the floodgates against a stubborn Cordoba side. His all-round display was completely at odds with what he had served up in the previous outing.

 

12. Grade C vs. Real Sociedad (L 0-1)

The first game of the new year and a trip to Anoeta and David Moyes‘Real Sociedad side.

Ill-equipped for such a fast start, Barca were behind after two minutes,Jordi Alba the culprit steering the ball into his own net.

Typical Suarez graft underpinned the fixture but once again he drew a blank.

13. Grade B+ vs. Elche (Copa del Rey round-of-16 first leg W 5-0)

Elche, a team that hadn’t even scored against Barcelona since 1978, per the Mister Chip Twitter account, pitched up at Camp Nou and, you’ve guessed it, didn’t score.

Luis Suarez did score the second of five on the night. His movement and interplay was on point once again, making the decision to keep picking him an easy one for Luis Enrique.

14. Grade A vs. Atletico Madrid (W 3-1)

Arguably Suarez’s best game in a Barca shirt. Atletico Madrid arrived for their league game at the venue where they won La Liga last season.

In the back of everyone’s minds has to have been the poor record that the Catalans had against the Rojiblancos in 2014. Six matches and six failed attempts to get a win.

The gloom partially lifted with Neymar‘s 12th-minute opener, which was assisted by the Uruguayan. Suarez’s fortuitous 35th-minute strike blew the cobwebs well away.

Messi‘s second-half third produced one of the most iconic pictures of the season.

15. Grade B vs. Deportivo La Coruna (W 4-0)

The last time Barca played at the Riazor, back in 2012, Lionel Messiscored a hat-trick. It seemed only right he did so again as the Catalans ran riot in Galicia. Suarez weighed in with another assist in a fine all-round performance.

16. Grade C vs. Atletico Madrid (Copa del Rey quarter-final first leg W 1-0)

Unlike the league game just a few days before, Atleti were well organised and difficult to break down—much like they had been throughout last year, in fact.

Indeed, Diego Simeone’s men couldn’t play as badly as they had.

Unfortunately for Suarez, he had an absolute stinker and a booking merely added to his woes on the night.

Instantly forgettable.

17. Grade A- vs. Atletico Madrid (Copa del Rey quarter-final second leg W 3-2)

Fast forward a week and what a difference.

Despite going behind to a lightning-fast Fernando Torres goal, Barcacame back into the match thanks to some superb skills on the touchline by Messi and an inch-perfect assist from Suarez.

The ball fell kindly for Neymar, who made no mistake.

An eventual win was never in doubt once Atleti started losing their heads.

 

18. Grade B+ Barcelona 3-2 Villarreal

A performance like so many we’ve seen already from Suarez. Hard-working, diligent and, at times, effective.

He should’ve had two goals before half time, and but for a super save and a lick of paint, he would’ve done.

Luis Enrique can have no complaints about Suarez’s application, and a rousing ovation as he left the pitch told you that the crowd appreciate his efforts too.

There was another assist registered in this one. However, goals are Suarez’s currency. He needs to start cashing in soon.

 

Bleacher reports

 

Isn’t it time to question Chelsea’s loan policy?

In Western literature, dragons are often viewed as symbols for greed. They can be found stealing, hoarding and/or guarding large depots of wealth, usually gold, until a hero or oligarch does something to stop them.

While their badge is clearly a lion, Chelsea Football Club could be considered world football’s modern-day dragon. Possessing seemingly unlimited funds—only stymied by UEFA Financial Fair Play regulations—the Blues have acquired ungodly amounts of world-class players since Roman Abramovich bought the club 12 years ago.

Didier Drogba, Arjen Robben and Eden Hazard are easy to highlight as outstanding players—and worthy of being purchased by the fire-breathing west Londoners—but this random trio and others were/are given every opportunity to play first-team football. Each investment was a calculated move to improve the squad with quality, not made for future monetary compensation.

Over the past half decade, however, there has been a sea change. Not only are Chelsea stashing players they wish to star at Stamford Bridge, they have used their clout—garnered over the past decade—to purchase numerous lesser-known commodities, creating an impressive and extensive loan system.

The strategy, to date, has worked flawlessly. Using an adroit scouting network, Chelsea find hopeful gems and play risk vs. reward.

Should an up-and-coming player be available for the right price, buying them can turn out three ways. First, they become members of the Chelsea first team; second they become great, but surplus, and are sold for profit or lastly they remain on loan until finishing their development.

Three examples: Kevin De Bruyne (23), Thibaut Courtois (22) and Patrick Bamford (21) were purchased within eight months of each other for under £13 million collectively.

Before the ink on his Chelsea contract had dried, Courtois was loaned to Atletico Madrid, where he spent three seasons. The goalkeeper played over 150 matches for Atleti and transformed into the world’s best young goalkeeper. Too good to risk losing, the Belgium “No. 1” is now Jose Mourinho’s preferred goalkeeping option at Stamford Bridge.

Bamford was bought from Nottingham Forest for £1 million, played in the Chelsea youth team for almost one year and has been on loan for the past two seasons. Moving from League One to the Championship with positive results, when the England U21 striker finishes his development, his stock will surely have elevated.

De Bruyne is the ominous example.

Bought for £6.7 million from KRC Genk, the Belgian winger’s talent was blatant. A year-long loan spell with Werder Bremen in 2012/13 (scoring 10 goals and assisting nine in 33 Bundesliga matches) both inflated his price tag and warranted a first-team spot at Chelsea.

Starting the first game of the 2013/14 Premier League campaign, De Bruyne looked on course to solidify his place in London, but he was unable to hold it down. Frustrated by a lack of matches, he left the club in the 2014 January transfer window to join VfL Wolfsburg for £18 million. Romelu Lukaku (21), also bought then loaned, was not willing to suffer the same fate on the Chelsea bench as his Belgian compatriot De Bruyne, and he was sold to Everton for £28 million last summer.

The Blues will view the over £21 million profit from both players as successful but repercussions could be more damning.

Players like Courtois, or even Kurt Zouma (20), could give potential stars hope that west London is an environment where they can thrive, however, Chelsea are seemingly running the risk of having talents turn them down—knowing full well their fate in advance.

Abramovich’s trump card would appear wages.

Not many clubs have the capacity to spend on a weekly basis like Chelsea. Though perhaps renowned for their avarice, footballers ultimately want to play football. Andre Schurrle (24), is likely being paid a handsome amount, but he is probable to leave in the next transfer window as his playing time can be improved upon at Wolfsburg.

Taking into account academy players, the Blues currently have 26 players on loan in eight different countries; while choice loanees have broken through, there are many who have been wasted.

Chelsea’s dragon-like policy is simply not sustainable. Unless unwitting heroes are willing to sacrifice themselves to collect cheques, the act will wear thin and prospects will turn elsewhere.

To assume players will stop wanting to play at Stamford Bridge is nonsensical. However, not too far off you might witness youngsters telling reporters: “I want to play for Chelsea eventually. They are a great club, and I am delighted they are interested in me, but if I sign for them now, I’ll just end up at Vitesse.”

 

Bleacher reports

Why February is vital for Manchester United

February is an important month for Manchester United and their hopes of qualifying for next season’s Champions League. Not because they’re playing the other teams competing for a top-four finish. Or because they’re facing the Premier League’s best sides.

It’s because next month they will play four games, all against teams they should be beating. Despite a brief flirtation with a title challenge before Christmas, United aren’t going to win the league this season. Chelsea and Manchester City will fight it out for that particular honour.

Instead, Van Gaal‘s side will battle with Arsenal, Southampton, Liverpool and Tottenham for a place in next season’s Champions League. United had looked almost certain to finish in the top four after a six-game winning run in November and December.

But just two wins from their last six league games have left them in fourth, just a point ahead of Arsenal in fifth. The run-in might be a little more fraught than Van Gaal was hoping.

Fortunately for the Dutchman, United’s destiny is still in their own hands. But it was around this stage of the season when that luxury began to slip away from David Moyes. And after defeat to Everton at Goodison Park in April, a result that made it mathematically impossible for United to finish fourth, he was sacked.

That’s unlikely to happen to Van Gaal even if he does miss out on the Champions League. A good run of form through February would make that a moot point, anyway.

Next month, United play West Ham away, Burnley at home, Swansea away and Sunderland at home. They are games they need to win if they are going to play in Europe’s top club competition next season.

But it’s their results against the so-called lesser teams that have left United in this position in the first place. Defeats away to Manchester City and at home to Southampton were disappointing.

But they’ve also dropped points against Swansea at Old Trafford and away to Sunderland, Burnley, Leicester, West Brom, Aston Villa and Stoke. Forget the results against Chelsea, Manchester City, Southampton and Tottenham.

If United had won those seven games, of which two were defeats and five were draws, they would have an extra 16 points and be sitting top of the table, four points clear of Chelsea.

It is, of course, all hypothetical. But it just goes to show that it’s not necessarily the results against the big teams that are the most important.

United play four games in February and, with players like Angel Di Maria, Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie and Radamel Falcao, they should win them all. It’s vital to their Champions League hopes that they do.

 

Bleacher reports