Tuesday 17 December 2013

Trigger happy Premier League chairmen

With less than half of the unpredictable and fantastic 2013-14 Premier League season passed, one quarter of clubs have changed their managers. Four have been sacked while another departed by mutual consent.

As BT Sport battles with BSkyB for rights to televise matches, more and more money becomes invested in football, and thus the importance for clubs of guaranteeing success becomes ever more pronounced.

This season has seen chairmen crack down on their clubs' managers with unprecedented severity. They are no longer allowed a series of losses while the team adjusts to a new style of play. If a new swathe of players is brought in, they are expected to deliver instant results.

Failure to pass this latter test has resulted in, or at least contributed to, Sunderland and Tottenham departing with their bosses.

The media, this season, have too been faster than ever to shine their spotlight on an underachieving manager. Arsene Wenger was 'in crisis' after the opening day loss to Aston Villa. Andre Villas-Boas went from delivering modest success to leading the sack race in one heavy defeat by Manchester City.

In the weeks that followed it was David Moyes, after consecutive home defeats, whose credentials were being examined. Then Villas-Boas's Spurs lost 0-5 to Liverpool and was out of the job the following morning.

In a cooler, less trigger happy climate, any of the departed managers could still be in their jobs. Here's why the five who have gone should have remained:


Paolo Di Canio (Sunderland), sacked after five games
• Took the reins from Martin O'Neill, who left after winning only two points from a possible 24. Di Canio was an immediate hit, recording back-to-back wins against Newcastle and Everton, and eased Sunderland to safety over Wigan Athletic.
• The team was radically overhauled in the summer. Over a full team's worth of new recruits were brought it, and while the fiery Italian's widely maligned political views may have communicated the wrong message about Sunderland's brand, ultimately it was Di Canio's inability to embed them into a winning outfit which cost him.

Ian Holloway (Crystal Palace), resigned after eight games
• Won promotion from an especially competitive year in the Championship.
• Squad appeared to lack Premier League quality, and Holloway felt he wasn't the person to ensure top-flight survival.

Martin Jol (Fulham), sacked after 13 games
• Built a healthy squad of young and old players

Steve Clarke (West Brom), sacked after 16 games
• Led West Brom to their record points tally and an eight-place finish.
• Beat Manchester United away.

Andre Villas-Boas (Tottenham), sacked after 16 games
• Led Spurs to their record points tally (73).
• Sold a player for a world-record fee
• Left Spurs with the highest win percentage of all Spurs managers since 1899.

Monday 16 December 2013

The Premier League's knee-jerk culture is growing out of hand

Andre Villas-Boas became this season's fifth Premier League manager to lose his job on Monday morning. Steve Clarke was the fourth, just two days earlier. The league is not yet at the halfway stage.

There are similarities between the two in the circumstances leading to their dismissals. Neither were abject failures; if anything, the opposite is true. Both led their sides to their clubs' highest ever points tallies in 2012-13. Villas-Boas was a point away from usurping Arsenal for fourth spot, while Clarke masterminded West Brom to a remarkable eighth-placed finish.

Spurs' total of 72 points was the most ever recorded by a team that finished outside the top four. They were edged by their north London rivals and Chelsea, who recorded 75 points. The manager had succeeded yet failed: Spurs chairman Daniel Levy's ambition of turning Spurs into a Champions League side would have to wait another year. Villas-Boas wasn't given the chance to better his total.

Daniel Levy fired AVB after only 16 games of the new season; photo by Doha Stadium Plus

West Brom finished one place below the 'super seven' last term. The points gap of 12 between them and Liverpool, who finished seventh, is so great that it could be said that West Brom under Clarke won a 'league of the rest'. To break the monopoly of those seven would be an achievement of staggering proportions.

The following campaign was destined to be tougher for both clubs as each lost their star player. Gareth Bale and Romelu Lukaku contributed 38 goals last term combined.

West Brom replaced Lukaku, a battering ram of a centre-forward who could finish too, with Victor Anichebe. It was a like-for-like swap in positional terms, yet a severe reduction in quality.

Spurs sold Bale, the league's most devastating attacking force since Cristiano Ronaldo, for a world-record £86m. They spent a large chunk of this on Erik Lamela, but expecting an immediate impact from a 21-year-old who just altered cultures is unrealistic. Meanwhile, Andros Townsend has been less productive than his eye-catching performances would suggest.

Spurs spent the remainder of this money, and £21m more, on six others. They were expected by Levy to go straight into the first team and deliver instant success. But settling so many players into a team takes time. Levy is not a former footballer and clearly does not appreciate this.

A manager should be allowed to finish the season. When the team has been totally overhauled, and is one point better off than at the same stage last season where they went on to record their highest ever points tally, the manager should be afforded until the season's end at least to achieve his goals.

Villas-Boas might have avoided the sack if he applied some damage limitation in matches against Manchester City and Liverpool. Steve Clarke might still be at West Brom if they had beaten Chelsea. These are such small margins. The knee-jerk reactions of Premier League chairmen, giving managers no room for failure, is getting out of hand.

Wednesday 20 November 2013

Ill prepared England set up to fail

England 0-1 Germany

The World Cup is only three matches away and England are still far from sure of their strongest XI. What is needed in this situation is friendlies with teams who will allow the players on trial to showcase - not stifle - their talents.

However, in Chile and Germany, the FA picked too tough practice opponents. So tough, in fact, that England failed to register a shot on target in the second match against Germany. Even more depressingly, this was essentially Germany's reserve team, as Mesut Ozil, Manuel Neuer, captain Philip Lahm and vice-captain Bastian Schweinsteiger, Miroslav Klose and Sami Khedeira were all missing. Germany's final bullet in the chamber, Thomas Muller, was an unused sub.

Against Chile, England faced a lose-lose situation. The danger of their South American opponents was drastically underestimated: Chile are a well-drilled unit, assured of their best team and with a clear focus to the way they play. It was a situation where had England won, they wouldn't have received the credit they deserved, while a loss would see the team slated and put on a downer for the tougher task of Germany.

This invaluable two-game opportunity for the players to gel was wasted. Playing for your country should be the pinnacle in any sport, but the international scene can be daunting. Only Adam Lallana emerged from the match against Chile with credit; his Southampton teammate Jay Rodriguez looked at sea, while Fraser Forster never looked comfortable and was shown-up for the second goal by a world-class forward in Alexis Sanchez.

Before these two games, England were on a ten-game unbeaten streak. They hadn't lost in 2013. In February, Jack Wilshere delivered an electrifying performance that helped England defeat juggernauts Brazil.

Now they end the calendar year after being defeated twice at home, and failing to score in either game. It has seriously darkened the mood ahead of next summer's World Cup. The FA could have guarded against this simply by scheduling matches against more forgiving opponents.

Friday 25 October 2013

Ashes: England win down under in 2010-11

The five Tests, each in 50 words

First Test: 25-29 Nov 2010, Brisbane, the Gabba
Test drawn after play on days 1, 2 and 4 was reduced due to bad light and/ or rain

Records and rain fell. Pete Siddle decimated England from 197/4 to 197/7 with a 26th birthday hat-trick. Australia struggled before Michael Hussey and Brad Haddin hit a Gabba-high 307 run sixth-wicket partnership. Andrew Strauss (110), Alastair Cook (235 not out) and Jonathan Trott (136 not out) topped it.

Second Test: 3-7 Dec 2010, Adelaide, Adelaide Oval
England won by an innings and 71 runs

Australia struggled as Simon Katich was run out before facing a ball, and captain Ricky Ponting went for a first-ball duck. Cook continued his magnificent form and Pietersen hit his Test highscore of 227. England declared on 620/5 and won their 100th Test over Australia with Graham Swann’s tenth five-wicket haul.

Third Test: 16-20 Dec 2010, Perth, WACA Ground
Australia won by 267 runs

England’s only blip. After two Tests of batting excellence, they managed only 187 and 123. Mitchell Johnson was brought in by Australia to stop England, but it was Ryan Harris who cut them down to size with figures of 6/47. Johnson (62) ended up top scoring in the first innings.

Fourth Test: 26-30 Dec 2010, Melbourne, Melbourne Cricket Ground
England won by an innings and 157 runs

England, back on form, retained the Ashes. Australia yielded only 98 in their first innings, their lowest MCG total, and all ten wickets were behind the stumps catches. England responded with 513 – Jonathan Trott hitting 168 not out – despite Peter Siddle taking 6/75. The 415 run deficit was too great.

Fifth Test: 3-7 Jan 2011, Sydney, Sydney Cricket Ground
England won by an innings and 83 runs

Australia’s batting woes were highlighted when Johnson top scored again in the opening innings. England amassed 644 in response, with 189 from Cook, who earned the man-of-the-series award for his 766 runs. James Anderson took 7/127 across Australia’s two innings. It was England’s first Ashes win down under since 1986/87.

Monday 21 October 2013

Arsenal score a unique team goal

Arsenal vs Norwich, Premier League, 19 October 2013

It was like something out of Star Wars. Arsenal sliced through Norwich with a series of Jedi-like outside-of-the-boot flicks. The result was Jack Wilshere scoring one of the most mesmerising goals the Premier League has seen.

It happened so quickly that even the commentators failed to keep pace with it. The Norwich defence had no chance. 'Wilshere to Cazorla to Giroud... Back to Wilshere, Giro..., Wilshereee!' Arsenal were a blur of brilliance.

The move started deep in Arsenal's half, with Wilshere gaily skipping a challenge before spreading the ball to the left. Kieran Gibbs and Santi Cazorla hurried it up and infield where the magic happened.

Cazorla gave it back to Wilshere, who had journeyed from just outside his own box to threatening Norwich's. Wilshere steadied himself before releasing the ball and setting off again.

Giroud wedged it to him and Wilshere, on the run, glanced it back. Giroud then hit an exquisite through ball on the half volley for Wilshere to step in to and side foot past a bamboozled John Ruddy. The duo had eclipsed no less than five Norwich players with beautifully incisive combination play.

This was tiki taka gone mad. An aerial and accelerated version of the one-touch passing that Barcelona have popularised.

Arseblog remarked "I mean, really. I don't think I've ever really seen anything like that.

"It was a once in a lifetimes series of clips, chips and dinks built around devastatingly effective movement."

It truly was. A goal that would neutralise the meaning of hyperbole. That would deserve to win any goal of the week, month, year or beyond competition.

Friday 11 October 2013

La Liga under-23 starlets


Research for FourFourTwo magazine

Marc Bartra, Barcelona centre-back, born 15 January 1992

In a summer in which Barcelona were hurling huge bids in a desperate attempt to sign an established centre-back, Bartra coolly remarked that “perhaps the club doesn’t need to buy another". And when a spot in the side became available due to an injury to Javier Mascherano, the La Masia graduate backed his statement up with some statistically remarkable performances. After his first two league games of the season, Bartra had registered: a goal, 94% passing accuracy, over six tackles and interceptions, and six clearances. He was dominant too: winning 83% of tackles and 70% of aerial duels.

Koke, Atletico Madrid central midfielder, born 8 January 1992

The stocky Jorge Resurreccion (Koke) has played in every Spanish youth team, from the U16s to U23s. After a fine start to the new campaign, Koke has put himself in contention for a starting place with the seniors as they prepare to defend the World Cup. The Atletico todocampista leads the assists chart after eight games with six, and has scored two. He takes free-kicks and corners and is both hard-working and disciplined. Spain are in need of reinvigoration and Koke's do-it-all approach could be the perfect remedy. His name means resurrection, after all.

Léo Baptistão, Atletico Madrid striker, born 26 August 1992

The Brazilian showed enormous potential in an injury-disrupted first season at Rayo Vallecano and was snapped up by Atletico in the summer, whom he scored the winner against in a 2-1 win. Having lived in Spain since 16, he may follow in his teammate Diego Costa’s footsteps and obtain Spanish citizenship, where he will be called up immediately to the U21 side. At club level, however, Baptistao faces a mean task to oust the even meaner Costa as Atleti's leading attacker.

Alberto Moreno, Sevilla left-back, born 5 July 1992

An ever-present in the excellent Euro U21 Championship winning side, Moreno was called up to the seniors for the World Cup 2014 qualifiers against Belarus and Georgia in October, after making only 16 first team appearances with boyhood club Sevilla. On the same day, Sevilla moved quickly to resign Moreno until 2018. The new deal contained a 30m euro buyout clause as the club saw the risk in losing him for cheap, like Valencia with Jordi Alba. Indeed, Moreno is very much a left-back in the mould of Alba: short and fast, eager to join the attack when possible but rarely neglects his defensive duties.

Pablo Sarabia, Getafe midfielder, born 11 May 1992

In a golden age of Spanish attacking midfielders, Sarabia is one of the hottest talents. He is versatile and can play on either flank or in the hole, and possesses excellent long-range shooting and supreme skills. He captained the U19 team to their Euro 2011 Championship win and is a Real Madrid youth product, who have a buyback option on Sarabia after selling him to Getafe in 2011. It is highly likely Real will exercise it should Sarabia turn his raw potential into ability.

Cedric, Real Betis right-winger, born 8 March 1992

Possibly the bargain of the summer – and the player paid the fee himself. Cedric bought out his contract from Liga Adelante side Numancia for a meager 1 euro 20 cent! The 5’6” winger joined Real Betis where he has made an instant impact, shredding Madrid’s back line before setting up Vidal Jorge Molina for a lead at the Bernabeau, and he nearly repeated the trick only moments later. With electric dribbling and composure to pick the right pass, expect big things from the little Congolese.

Antoine Griezmann, Real Sociedad left-winger, born 21 March 1991

One third of a fearsome front-line that fired Real Sociedad to their first top four finish since 2002-13, Griezmann combines rapid acceleration with close dribbling. Check out his overhead kick against Lyon in which Sociedad dismissed the French side 4-0 on aggregate to reach the Champions League group stages for proof of his technical brilliance. Griezmann scored the only goal as Sociedad beat Deportivo on the final day of the season to secure fourth.

Iñigo Martínez, Real Sociedad centre-back, born 17 May 1991

Few players, if any, can claim scoring a better first league goal than Inigo Martinez. In the 61st minute on October 2011, Martinez struck an equaliser from his own half against bitter Basque rivals Athletic Bilbao. Remarkably, the mobile defender repeated the trick a month later, only this time in the 90th minute to secure a 3-2 win at Betis. Had a wonderful 2012-13 season: provided the stability for Real Sociedad’s counter-attacking game that resulted in a fourth-placed finish and formed a formidable partnership with Marc Bartra at the Euro U21 Championship that didn’t concede until the final. Now in the senior squad. 

Richmond Boakye, on-loan Elche striker, born 28 January 1993

The striker is a winner: his goals helped Sassuolo to the 2012-13 Serie B title and promotion to their first season in Serie A in the club’s 91 year history. Boakye has been sent on loan to play for Elche this season and has already scored an equalising goal against Real Madrid. He was promoted to the Ghanian first team after playing just seven games for the U20s. A cool customer in front of goal, he takes his time but always seems to find a corner, and could become prolific.

Thursday 10 October 2013

What's in a badge?


Research for FourFourTwo magazine

Cagliari Calcio

The colours
Drawn from the Stemma (coat of arms) of Cagliari. The red refers to the House of Savoy and in particular Victor Emmanuel II, who ruled Sardinia from 1849-1861 before becoming monarch of Italy for 17 years. The blue is drawn from the sea and the sky, which surround the enormous Castello, the historic centre of Cagliari. Cagliari’s nickname? The rossoblu. Figure that one out.



The heads
Inside the oval is the Flag of Sardinia. It features four blindfolded heads, which symbolise the victory of the Sardinian people over the Moors, who attempted to invade the island. However, when the heads on the flag were turned from left to right and the blindfolds replaced by headbands in 1999, Cagliari decided not to amend their logo. Merciless. 

The cross
The cross is, in fact, a discoloured St George Cross. Spanish legend says that St George appeared at the Battle of Alcoraz with four severed heads of Saracen kings. Calgiari’s badge up to 1970 had a red cross, but the colour was phased out with a later version only having the vertical stripe red, and on today's badge the cross is gold.

The laurel wreath
Wreaths symbolise different things across cultures. In Rome, it is a martial victory and wreaths are used to crown a successful commander’s triumph. The wreath that encircles Cagliari’s badge is a complete one and is unlike ancient wreaths, which have historically been a horseshoe shape. Cagliari FC literally rest on their laurels. 

Friday 21 June 2013

The boom of Latin America's latest megastar

Two games was all it took for the star of Brazilian football to shatter any negative preconceptions held about him.

Neymar began the Confederations Cup under enormous pressure. He was expected by the most expectant of footballing nations to lead the Selecao to a third consecutive triumph at the tournament – of which they are hosts. Their belief in the 21-year old Neymar was grounded in the swapping of shirt numbers with Oscar, which saw the former land the esteemed number ten jersey.

Brazil see Neymar as their messiah, the one to lead them to glory.

Added to that, he had to justify to the rest of the football-watching world the 57m euros that Barcelona recently shelled out to sign him.

Shoots too often, unproven in Europe, doesn't pass enough, a ‘YouTube player’ and forgets he has teammates are some of the charges levelled at Neymar. Many of those who hadn't followed his progress at Santos in the Brasileiro even claimed that the transfer was only founded on the masterful work of his PR team.

These criticisms were answered within three minutes of the tournament beginning. As Siphiwe Tshabalala and Philipp Lahm had done before him, Neymar began a tournament with an iconic opening goal for the host nation, a stunning strike that span up and away from the reach of the Japan goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima.

If a few sceptics remained, Neymar went closer to appeasing every one of them when he scored a second early opener in Brazil’s following match. This one was of equal brilliance, a perfectly-met left-footed volley in the ninth minute against Mexico. But it was in stoppage time when he gave the greatest demonstration in the tournament to date of his remarkable individual quality.

From an unthreatening position on the left side of the pitch, Neymar glided to the edge of the box, only to be met by two defenders who were obstructing his entrance. Then with a swish of his feet so impossibly quick that it is hard to observe what trick he had conjured even in slow motion, he sliced through those in his way and laid on a tap in.

The best players are judged most critically on their performances in major tournaments. A strong display in a World Cup is the only remaining barrier from Lionel Messi claiming the title of greatest of all time. One more rival to Messi’s hopes of achieving this has emerged, as Neymar has certainly proved he is capable.

photo by Jefferson Bernardes
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While Neymar’s star has risen during the Confederations Cup, another South American’s has floundered.

Edinson Cavani has been the subject of speculation linking him with a transfer to Chelsea, Manchester City and Real Madrid. Napoli have turned down bids of 40m euros plus Fernando Torres from Chelsea already, and are waiting resolutely for his release clause of 63m euros to be met in full.

Cavani has yet to score in this year's Confederations Cup and spurned excellent chances from almost identical positions against Spain and Nigeria. Each time a floated free-kick reached the head of the most clinical striker from last season's Serie A, but Cavani failed to direct the ball at goal on either occasion.

He was guilty of another glaring miss in the match against Nigeria. Similar to the one Diego Forlan converted, only this time falling on the striker's preferred right foot, Cavani shanked an ugly shot that rose high and wide.

With only 14 goals in over 50 appearances for his country, Cavani needs to summon his club form if he is to justify on the grand international stage the price tag that his South American counterpart Neymar has done so emphatically. 

Monday 20 May 2013

Never say die United - the embodiment of Ferguson's psyche

On a final day when only one position was left to fight for, Sir Alex Ferguson bowed out from football management with a hand in another record of sorts. For once, it was one of entertainment not achievement: the Premier League's first ever 5-5 draw. The manager who brought 38 trophies in 26 years to a single club could set new landmarks without meaning to.

It was fitting for Ferguson's final season that one of Manchester United's greatest traits under his stewardship – their never-say-die spirit – was evident on so many occasions. The number of late winning goals they scored was startling.

In their third match of the campaign, two Robin van Persie goals at 87 and 90 minutes transformed a loss into a win against Southampton. Two games later, a van Persie penalty at 81 minutes against Liverpool secured another victory. Having struck a lateish winner against Chelsea, Javier Hernandez did it again versus Villa, 87 minutes in. Van Persie's free-kick in stoppage time away to Manchester City opened up a six-point lead over their rivals and Hernandez came off the bench to score in the very last minute against Newcastle on Boxing Day.

And all these came in the first half of the season.

The amount of points United gained from losing positions would have been shattering for their opponents. Leading teams often faced in the latter stages of a match a hungry United gunning for them, hunting them down and displaying a deeply ingrained will to win. Inevitably it would end only one way: with United wrestling the points from their possession at the last gasp. United recovered to win 29 points from losing positions this season, the second highest total in the league's history.

Last year's title winners Manchester City threatened, but failed to find their highest gear. They moved to top of the table on November 17 when they thrashed Aston Villa 5-0, and were unbeaten until their 16th match.

But their loss to United in the dying seconds of the game, inflicted by the player Roberto Mancini craved, was an almighty blow from which City could not recover.

United proved that last season's collapse of form, where they surrendered an eight point lead in April, was an anomaly. Indeed, finishing a campaign strongly has been another characteristic of United under Ferguson. The ability to front-run, combined with a hatred of being behind, made United the ultimate psychologically tough side.

In 2013, Ferguson ensured there would be no repeat of last year's failure, and United marched unflappably to an elusive 20th league title.   

Tuesday 12 February 2013

Brutal Juventus strike as Celtic run out of steam

Champions League last 16, first leg: Celtic 0-3 Juventus

Football can be ruthless. Celtic played with spirit and considerable effort yet were comprehensively beaten by Juventus, whose three away goals render the second leg of their Champions League last 16 tie all but meaningless.

To an outsider it would have looked like daylight robbery, but the truth is that Juventus were merely professional and executed their game plan to perfection. 

A third minute goal from Alessandro Matri meant Celtic were always on the back foot and forced to chase the match, which they attempted commendably. Celtic responded to the early set-back in a positive manner by restricting Juventus's time on the ball with intense pressing and closing down. 

This proved to be a high risk tactic. For much of the game it looked as if Celtic's moment would eventually present itself, but Juventus are an incredibly fit side who rarely fail to end their matches in the ascendancy. 

When Celtic inevitably began to tire at the latter stages of the game, they were picked apart. Juventus had conserved their energy and unleashed it when fatigue was starting to set in for Celtic, who reaped no rewards for all their hard work.

Celtic manager Neil Lennon described the defeat as a "harsh reality" but said "some of the young players will learn a lesson from it". This lesson applies to all of Europe: beware of Juventus, innocuous at times, and deadly at others. 

On Monday evening West Brom pulled off the ultimate snatch and grab when they defeated Liverpool 2-0, despite only taking four shots all game in comparison to Liverpool's 23. Juve may have done the same to Celtic tonight, but make no mistake, it was fully intentional. 

Thursday 7 February 2013

Wilshere's England - a force to be reckoned with

International friendly: England 2-1 Brazil

There's a tendency with England to get carried away following an unlikely win or convincing performance, thinking that they just set themselves on course for world domination. This time, however, there may be genuine reason to get excited.

The side that defeated Brazil on Wednesday evening struck a perfect balance of youth and experience, with the last of England's 'golden generation' showing they are not yet looking to retirement. But most promisingly we saw that the young guns were more than ready for the international challenge.

None more so than Jack Wilshere. The Arsenal midfielder was electrifying every time he got on the ball, and is exactly what England needed at Euro 2012. With the qualities Wilshere brings - guts, determination, passion - it is hard to believe that England would have folded in the way they did against Italy, before exiting with a whimper at the first knockout stage. Wilshere wouldn't have allowed it.

Roy Hodgson described what Wilshere brings as "energy, mobility and enthusiasm". He has so many strings to his bow and the superlatives have already come flooding in. Against Brazil he inspired the nation to victory with relentless eagerness. England have missed a player who shows no fear and is willing to take the game to his opponents.

Wilshere is mature beyond his years and this showed in the way he congratulated Wayne Rooney on his opener. Despite being Rooney's junior in terms of experience, Wilshere patted him on the head almost in the way a captain would. With this small gesture he appeared to demonstrate his pleasure at the team for performing to his standard. It was an interesting moment that revealed his natural leadership qualities.

Every team needs a player they can look to for a moment of inspiration. Someone who will not fold no matter what the pressure, a heartbeat that remains constant. At just 21 and in only his seventh match for his country, Wilshere has shown he can be that player.

Wednesday 30 January 2013

Good riddance to a troublemaker

He has been a two-and-a-half year nightmare for Roberto Mancini, but the game is now up for Mario Balotelli, and the Manchester City manager can say good riddance to the troublesome striker.

Too often Balotelli appeared to behave more as a celebrity than a footballer, and allowed his profession to play second fiddle as fulfilling showbiz duty appeared to be of the utmost importance. During his time at Manchester City, the most talked about incidents involving Balotelli happened off the pitch. The most famous image of Mario may well be of him partying with Paris Hilton in Ibiza.

Having been offered a chance to prove himself again at Milan, Balotelli needs to distance himself from hedonistic indulgences and study how a serious sports person, such as Jessica Ennis, behaves. In a professional sense, Ennis is the anti-Balotelli. When on the Graham Norton Show alongside Ricky Gervais and Daniel Radcliffe, Ennis talked passionately about her training, brought her Olympic heptathlon gold medal to show and share, and left the joke cracking to the others.

Acting foolishly isn't her domain and she made no attempt to pretend it was. Were Balotelli on the show Norton could have quizzed him about the time he set fireworks off in his bathroom and nearly burnt his house down in the process, or when he threw a dart at a youth team player at training, or whether the fake Santa driving around Manchester handing out wads of cash was indeed him. He would hardly be recognisable as a footballer, but it's not a bad way to earn £180,000 a week, eh?

Aside from the outlandish tomfoolery, Balotelli scored 30 goals in 80 games for City and was a certainty from the penalty spot. However, he received four red cards and 23 yellows; that's just three fewer cards than goals scored. He fought Micah Richards, he fought his manager. He made it extremely difficult for any sincere City fan to take to him.

In an unforgettable demonstration of his huge potential Balotelli scored two pivotal goals to fire Italy to the Euro 2012 final, which led many believers to predict that he would start the 2012/13 season in the same devastating form. That never happened. Balotelli has scored one league goal all season; his attitude in training and on the pitch coupled with his antics off it led him to become the club's fourth choice senior striker, and subsequently being sold halfway through their title defence.

When Milan swooped with an offer of around £20m for the talent-wasting striker, Mancini could have hardly believed his luck. It allowed him to end the nightmare of nurturing Balotelli from wild to world beater with minimal transfer fee lost. Balotelli's ability is obvious but his application is sadly lacking.
photo by Piotr Drabik

Friday 11 January 2013

Tennis in 2013: momentum with Murray but can Rafa make a return?

Will Nadal recover from knee tendonitis once again, or will the big four of tennis become a big three?

Men's tennis is experiencing a golden era. At the top of the game are four titans - Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal - who perform so consistently that it's almost the norm for them to occupy all semi-final berths of a tournament. When they do not, eyebrows are raised.

For a perspective on how challenging it is to break the dominance of the game's elite, consider that it took Murray five attempts to win a grand slam final. He wrestled the 2012 US Open away from the clutches of  Djokovic, but only after an epic struggle. Djokovic found a champion's spirit when two sets behind and forced Murray to defy his nerves in a deciding fifth set.

Of the four, Djokovic was third to climb the ladder to tennis greatness. He did so by lifting the 2008 Australian Open title which presented him as a genuine rival to the then top two, Federer and Nadal. But Djokovic only continued to snap at their heels until 2011 when he dominated the calendar year, winning his first 41 matches and three of the four majors.

He has had a career-long rivalry with Andy Murray, who mirrored his progression through junior to senior ranks. However, Murray has had to endure many more painful defeats during his rise; he lost once to Djokovic and three times to Federer in grand slam finals before finally winning one of his own.

It is testament to the supremacy of the top four that some tennis circles contend that any one of them would be world number one in a different era. The performances in last year's Australian Open final from Djokovic and Nadal were seen as superhuman. The top four shared all four grand slams in 2012. Them aside, only Juan Martin Del Potro has won a major since Marat Safin won the Australian Open in 2005.

Things are likely to change in 2013. Age has been a recent threat to the longevity of Federer's career, but his play shows few signs of relenting. He has always found a way to adapt his game - by adding an extra few miles per hour to his serve, for example - and his simple yet slick technique continues to be devastating. Despite this, the gap between Federer's decline and the rise of Djokovic and Murray will inevitably increase.

The season-starting Australian Open is missing a big four name. Rafael Nadal has not played since losing surprisingly in the second round of Wimbledon and his absence leaves a major hole in the tournament. Nadal has suffered with knee tendonitis throughout his career, but for him to face another lay off of this magnitude is very worrying.

It is a chilling absence. Nadal is only 26 and has been faced with career-threatening injuries at the regularity that most players suffer mere niggles. His high-intensity style lends to heavy impacts on his joints and Nadal has paid the price of his successes. At the highest level, tennis is about building up momentum and maintaining steady form throughout a major, and there is a fine line between winner and runner-up. The spectacular 2008 Wimbledon final ended tamely when Federer hit a routine forehand into the net with both players competing at the brink of exhaustion.

Whether Nadal can continually return from an injury as serious as knee tendonitis to the pinnacle of the game is uncertain. It is a recurring problem that he will face throughout his career and while Nadal is getting his knees back to working order, Murray and Djokovic will be fine tuning, tweaking and honing their arsenal. It puts him at an obvious disadvantage.

Murray has proven he is now one of the very best and barring the extraordinary 2013 will see him battle with Djokovic for the game's highest honours. Federer will be there or thereabouts, as there are no indications to say otherwise. The question mark looms over Nadal and whether he is able to recover from his latest bout of injury.