Monday 31 December 2012

Does Money Guarantee Success In Football?

After Manchester City rose to fame by being taken over by Arab Billionaires and won the league last season with an entirely different squad to that of 10 years ago, it begs the question - Does money guarantee success?

I have compiled a table which details each club that is currently in the Premier League and it's net spend. For the less economically knowledgeable, this is basically how much a club has spent - how much a club has received. (Both of these are in terms of transfers). This table has taken into account the last 20 years and goes back all the way to the 1992/1993 season. I have filled in the clubs who have make a loss in red and those who have ended up making a profit in green. I have also ranked each club in terms of their net spend so the club with the highest net spend and the biggest loss is rank 20 (Chelsea) and the club with the biggest profit and lowest net spend is rank 1 (Norwich).

The first thing that stands out is that both Norwich and Reading have ended up receiving more money for selling players than they have spent to buy them. In this day and age I think this it quite an achievement. A special mention to Swansea who narrowly missed out and have a net spend of £0.6m.

The main focus of this article was to analyse whether by a club spending huge amounts of money on players they would be guaranteed to enjoy success.

Friday 28 December 2012

Liverpool - What's Going On?

When Liverpool sacked club legend Kenny Dalglish and replaced him with Brendan Rodgers, many had high hopes for the Merseyside club. However, since then, success has been few and far between with Liverpool sitting in a 10th position full of mediocrity and averageness. One of the most inconsistent teams in the league have been loitering around mid-table all season - so - What is going on?

December has summed Liverpool up perfectly really, with 2 impressive wins followed by extremely disappointing defeats by both Aston Villa and Stoke. They went to East London and somewhat fortuitously came away with 3 points in a strange game that included 2 own goals. Following this they returned to Merseyside full of confidence only to be outclassed by a weak Aston Villa team who were destroyed by Chelsea a week later in an 8-0 thrashing. Liverpool never looked good in their 3-1 defeat to Villa and they weren't, baffling considering they had just got an away victory against an impressive newly promoted side the week before. 

Sunday 23 December 2012

Is The Premier League Already a 2 Horse Race?

With the 2 Manchester clubs already sitting pretty at the top of the league over Christmas and at the time of writing, the closest teams being 9 points behind, it begs the question - Is it already set up to be a two horse race between the Manchester clubs for the title this year?


In terms of quality of squad then it doesn't get much better than the stars of the Etihad. Their team is full of world class players week in week out, they're rarely affected by injuries as they have such incredible strength in depth. Players like James Milner, Javi Garcia and Scott Sinclair often find themselves left of that long Manchester City bench and this is a testament to how much quality Man City have to choose from. In my opinion, this is their biggest asset by far and they owe it to their billionaire owners. 

Monday 5 November 2012

Mark Noble For England?

West Ham's Mark Noble was brilliant last season for the Hammers and has continued that into this Premier League campaign. After an array of excellent performances he is beginning to attract some attention, some are calling for him to get an England call up, the question is - does he deserve one?

After again starring for the Hammers in their home draw against Manchester City recently in the presence of England manager Roy Hodgson, many tipped Noble for a call up. His battling performances have been a main feature in most of West Ham's games for the last year now. Since the departure of former talisman Scott Parker, Noble has really come along. He is the first name on the teamsheet and you can see why. 



Mark Hughes - The Most Deluded Man in Football?

A quick glance at Tony Fernandes’s twitter bio sees the internationally renowned entrepreneur and Queens Park Rangers chairman describe himself as a dreamer.  Scroll a little further down and you will find him once again urging QPR supporters for patience; the message: “keep calm, we will come good.”  It will seem all too familiar to fans, who, with more than a quarter of the season played and still no wins, are left wondering when Fernandes will wake up and bring the nightmare reign of Mark Hughes to an end.

The problem with the influx of wealthy outsiders into the game’s highest positions is that they are not footballing men, they do not have the knowledge and understanding of the sport that past owners had, and rely heavily on advisers whose motives do not always match up with their own or those of the fans.

Despite spending the summer assembling a team of mercenaries akin to the latest Expendables blockbuster, Fernandes finds his team 7 league positions worse off than at this stage last season, and must be scratching his head as to where he has gone wrong.
Fernandes is just the latest in a line of foreign owners to be disappointed by Hughes, and it is hard not to feel a tinge of sympathy towards him (as much sympathy as one can have for a multimillionaire).

Saturday 3 November 2012

Chelsea - Can They Win The League?

Chelsea have started the season very well and at the time of writing sit at the top of the Premier League with 22 points from 9 games, just 1 ahead of the Manchester clubs. They spent big in the Summer, investing just over £75m in players that they hope will bring success to West London. They look very strong at the top right now but are known to have a poor run around in the Winter, the question is - can they avoid it this season and go on to win the league?

Chelsea began their campaign with 3 wins from 3 after beating Wigan, Reading and most impressively Newcastle. This showed that it hadn't taken long for Roberto Di Matteo to continue where he had left off from last season. They then had a slight blip at QPR where they were rather lacklustre and limped to a 0-0 draw in a game that was overshadowed by the off the pitch affairs. After this they struggled to a 1-0 win against Stoke thanks to a late winner, again they were unimpressive. Since then they have been very impressive however with a 6-0 demolishing of Wolves in the League Cup and a great 2-1 win at the Emirates. These results were followed  by a 4-1 win over Norwich and then a spirited 4-2 win at White Hart Lane.

Thursday 1 November 2012

Neymar - Will He Make It In Europe?

You'd be forgiven for thinking Neymar had been around for ages having recently made his 200th appearance for Brazilian side Santos however the pacy forward is just 20. He is currently a one club man and insists his loyalty remains with Santos for the near future as he isn't ready to leave Brazil yet. Tipped to be one of the hottest prospects around, Barcelona and Real Madrid are said to be fighting over his signature however having only played in one league it begs the question - will he make it on the big stage?

Neymar joined Santos in 2003 but when he was just 14 he travelled to Spain to trial with Real Madrid, he succeeded however it is said that Santos were so desperate to keep him they paid him 1m Reals which is the equivalent to around £300,000. He took this offer and remained at the Brazilian outfit until he signed a professional contract at the age of 17. His talents were obvious even at a young age and he rose through the ranks to make his debut as a 17 year old. It didn't take him long to fit in as the week following his debut he scored his first professional goal for the club. By the end of his first season he had managed 14 goals.

Tuesday 30 October 2012

The Ballon D'or Award

Only announced yesterday was the shortlist for the 2012 Ballon D'or Award, widely regarded as the highest personal accolade for any individual to acquire. Last year Lionel Messi of Barcelona and Argentina took the award for a 3rd time in 3 years, an astonishing feat. Although he is arguably the favourite for the crown he does have quite a lot of competition this year. Here is the official shortlist:

Sergio Agüero (Argentina & Manchester City)
Mario Balotelli (Italy & Manchester City)
Karim Benzema (France & Real Madrid)
Gianluigi Buffon (Italy & Juventus)
Sergio Busquets (Spain & Barcelona)
Iker Casillas (Spain & Real Madrid)
Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast, Chelsea & Shanghai Shenhua)
Radamel Falcao (Colombia & Atlético Madrid)
Zlatan Ibrahimović (Sweden, AC Milan & Paris St Germain)
Andrés Iniesta (Spain & Barcelona)
Lionel Messi (Argentina & Barcelona)
Manuel Neuer (Germany & Bayern Munich)
Neymar (Brazil & Santos)
Mesut Özil (Germany, Real Madrid)
Gerard Piqué (Spain & Barcelona)
Andrea Pirlo (Italy & Juventus)
Sergio Ramos (Spain & Real Madrid)
Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal & Real Madrid)
Wayne Rooney (England & Manchester United)
Yaya Toure (Ivory Coast & Manchester City)
Robin van Persie (Holland, Arsenal & Manchester United)
Xabi Alonso (Spain & Real Madrid)
Xavi Hernández (Spain & Barcelona)

Friday 14 September 2012

Youth Players in Scotland - What's the point?



Scotland is a small country that somehow manages to produce great football players that go on to play in Europe's finest leagues and become legends in their own right at their respective clubs. However, there's a concern in Scotland in modern times due to the sheer uselessness of the national team. One could be forgiven for arguing that Scotland has nothing to worry about as it has produced some fine players in recent times such as Charlie Adam,
Darren Fletcher and Steven Fletcher and that this will continue.

Monday 3 September 2012

Paolo Di Canio - Managerial Genius Or Nutter?

As a player, Paolo Di Canio scored over 100 league goals but when he joined Swindon to manage them not play for them in 2011, no one predicted what was going to happen to the club.


Di Canio started well with a 3-0 win over Crewe Alexandra, who also went on to be promoted last season. He immediately made the headlines not long into his reign when he was involved in a pitch-side altercation with his own player Leon Clarke, who was later exiled from the club. This sent out a message, Di Canio wasn't going to take any rubbish from anyone, he would do things his own way. 



Sunday 2 September 2012

Moussa Dembele - Potential Flop or Superstar?

Moussa Dembele moved from Fulham to Tottenham in the transfer window this Summer. Spurs triggered the release clause in his Fulham contract by bidding £15m for the Belgian but the question is, will he be a flop or a superstar?

In 2005 Dembele signed for the youth section of Willem II, however this was after Ajax had reportedly shown some interest, he had already caught some eyes with his footballing ability t seems. After progressing well there he went on to earn a move to Dutch side AZ Alkmaar and they almost won the Eredivisie title but they were pipped in the end by PSV Eindhoven. From here the team went downhill and finished 12th, it was however the 2008-2009 season that was Dembele's breakthrough one. Although injured for a sizeable proportion of the season, he was recognised as one of the best players in the league, impressing many. This earnt him a £5m move to Fulham in 2010.

Wednesday 29 August 2012

Premier League Kits Of 2012/2013


Here are all the new kits for each Premier League team for the 2012/2013 season, I have rated each one out of 10




Arsenal Home: 8

Arsenal Away: 9



Aston Villa Home: 6

Aston Villa Away: 4
Chelsea Home: 7

Chelsea Away: 8







Who Is The Best Central Midfielder In The Premier League?

The Premier League has talent in abundance these days with players all over the world being attracted to play in the best league in the world but we ask - Who is the best central midfielder in the Premier League?

First is Liverpool's Steven Gerrard. Although getting a bit old now, he definitely hasn't lost it, as he showed at the Euro's, being one of England's best players throughout. It doesn't matter if he is out of form or not, you can still see that deep down he is a quality player. His long range shooting is excellent and consistent. He is an all round midfielder who can tackle, challenge in the air, pass and shoot. He is let down by the amount of injuries nowadays but when he returns from the injuries he always shows his worth. A great leader and role model.




Sunday 26 August 2012

Transfer Sagas - Summer 2012

It seems these days that it takes an age for player to move to new clubs, rumours go on for ages about a transfer but it doesn't actually happen for quite some time. One thing I have noticed is that this Summer there has been more 'transfer sagas' than any other and they are becoming increasingly common.

One that has been going on for what seems like forever is the Luka Modric saga, last Summer he was heavily linked with a move to Chelsea but he wasn't allowed to leave, this year he has been linked with Man Utd and Real Madrid heavily. Spurs have said they will let him leave this year but only if they get the right fee for him. It is said that Real Madrid is his dream club but the move is yet to be completed. On the 25th August the Telegraph reported that the deal is done for £33.3m. 

DO I THINK IT WILL HAPPEN?: YES 

Wednesday 8 August 2012

Who Is The Best Striker In The Premier League?

Strikers often grab the glory on matchdays, especially in the Premier League so we ask the question - Who is the best striker in the Premier League? In this article we will take a number of factors into consideration not just how many goals they score.

So we begin with none other than Van the Man, Robin Van Persie. The flying Dutchman had a phenomenal season bagging the golden boot with 30 goals in the league. His sweet left foot was the downfall of many teams as he fired in goal after goal throughout the campaign. He doesn't just score goals, he joins in with the play often dropping in to receive the ball before spraying it wide and darting into the box for a chance. Robin doesn't always have the best work rate and isn't keen on helping out at all in winning the ball back. Anyone who can score that many goals in a season has to be considered as one of the best around which he definitely is..

Thursday 2 August 2012

10 Of The Most Under-Rated Players Around

We all love the prolific striker who grabs 20 goals a season but we often forget the more unsung heroes of the game who do the hard work and have to sacrifice glory for others or just haven't been noticed yet.

First up is Wolves Winger, Matt Jarvis. The speedy Englishman can often be seen hitting in a cross for someone to poke in. Jarvis also chips in with the occasional goal for his side and although part of a relegated team last season he proved himself to be one of their best players perhaps hinting that he has earned himself a move back to the Premier League. Only capped once for England after coming on against Ghana at Wembley earlier this year many haven't heard of him or noticed his talents. 

Saturday 21 July 2012

Newcastle - Fluke or Improvement?

After surprising absolutely everyone last season with a 5th placed finish, it begs the question - was it all just a fluke or have they really just got better?

When they kicked off their campaign against Arsenal last season with a 0-0 draw, no one expected that they would end up finishing 5th and narrowly miss out on Champions League football. With Alan Pardrew at the helm they have bought in plenty of new names, who at the time were relatively unknown but what an appoint Pardrew was, guiding Newcastle to their highest finish in a while.

Sunday 15 July 2012

Andy Carroll To West Ham - Yes or No?

With rumours flying around here there and everywhere about Liverpool Striker Andy Carroll's future and strong links with a move to Upton Park we looked at whether this would be a good deal for all parties involved.

Liverpool's £35m big man Andy Carroll has been all over the headlines recently linked with moves away from Anfield. It is said that Newcastle want him back either on a loan or for a cheap fee, also that Fulham are after him in a deal involving Clint Dempsey going the other way, however perhaps the most surprising rumour is the one linking him with a move to newly promoted West Ham United. Newspaper have claimed that he wants to stay at Liverpool at work his way back into the team however they're also saying that Brendan Rodgers wants none of it as Carroll wouldn't suit his style of player (understandable considering the flowing football that his Swansea team wowed everyone with last year). In this article we take particular interest in a possible move to West Ham.

Saturday 14 July 2012

Which League Is The Best League In The World?

For a few years now the Premier League has been widely known as the best league in the world but is it really?

You can buy all the big name players you want but when it comes to drama you simply cannot, it is priceless. Last season we all witnessed one of the most dramatic finishes to a season, EVER. You couldn't have made it up, if you were a Man City fan then what a great day for you, 2 goals in injury time to win the league against your biggest rivals, it doesn't get much better than that! Sometimes the Prem is criticised as being the reason for the England National Team's demise in recent times due to the fact that it has so many foreign players in it, however this is not uncommon in other leagues where their national team is successful. 

The Prem has an enormous amount of talent in it nowadays with many clubs spending big in the transfer market to attract the big names. Even in a 0-0 draw there is still excitement and often controversy, nearly every match is exciting and with such great talent on show it's difficult not for it to be. I think what helps the excitement is the tempo of the football, it is fast. If you watch other international teams play the pace is a lot slower and attacks tend to build up gradually. Tight pitches help this too but you won't see more counter attacks in any other league due to the fast tempo of the games. 

Sunday 8 July 2012

Who Does Your Team Need This Transfer Window?

As we pass through the period of transition from one season to another, players come and go but who does your club need? We go through every Prem team outlining their ideal targets for this Summer.

Arsenal:


Arsenal moved quickly to bring in players, perhaps as they thought Van Persie was going to leave and if Giroud and Podolski can fill his huge boots then Arsenal are set for a good season in my opinion. They have a good core of their team. Positions where they could improve are down the left side. André Santos isn't good enough in my opinion and neither is Kieron Gibbs yet so I feel they need to sign a left back. Possible suitors for the position include Federico Balzeretti and Leighton Baines. Balzeretti impressed me hugely in the Euro's and I think he would be a good signing. I also believe Arsenal should try and sign Baines, who is a brilliant full-back and could get even better playing for a good team. 

Aston Villa:

Aston Villa have a decent squad and it surprised me that they struggled last season. I feel that the area where they're lacking is in midfield. They have good forwards in Bent and Agbonglahor and good centre backs in Dunne and Collins. Although Petrov has been absent Ireland has never really settled. An ideal addition would be Aaron Ramsey, the Welshman has been slightly out of favour recently and I think Aston Villa could possibly grab him on loan. This would be good for him as he would develop and add to their midfield and he may choose to stay on. Another one they should try for is Yossi Benayoun, he is still a good player and would definitely be a hit at Villa Park.

Saturday 7 July 2012

Euro 2012 - Team Of The Tournament

With almost 2.5 goals per game, Euro 2012 was not to be missed. It was a mesmerising tournament with even the least likely matches serving up great games of football. At LatestFooty we have decided to name the 11 best players at the tournament in our opinion.

Goal keeper:

At the ripe old age of 31, 'Saint Iker' as he is known is Spain takes the goalie spot in our team. A man with experience in abundance after representing his country 137 times again showed his class this tournament. He was particularly impressive in the final, getting a touch to most crosses that were bound for an Italian player to nod home. With his cat-like reflexes the Spaniard is arguably the best keeper in the world and his performances at Euro 2012 emphasised this.

Right-Back:

At right-back we have quite a surprising pick. Czech Republic's Gebre Selassie, the first black player to represent Czech Republic had the spotlight on him at the tournament but he shone, easily one of their best players he defended diligently and got forward without the need of an invitation. An impressive tournament was capped off by being rewarded with a transfer to German club Werder Bremen.  


Wednesday 4 July 2012

Life After Robin Van Persie

So today it was announced that Robin Van Persie wouldn't be extending his contract at Arsenal due to a desire to win trophies and having differing views about the club's future. Arsenal's best player by a mile last season - Can they live without him?


RVP has been an integral part of the Arsenal team over the recent seasons, it is only this season that he has really excelled but nonetheless he is still a big player for them. With 37 goals in all competitions last season he will be dearly missed. Here's a stat for you - without RVP's goals Arsenal would have finished 16th in the league! This emphasises just how important he is to the club.

Arsene worked quickly to bring in new talent, the question is - was that to replace RVP or to convince him to stay by bringing in quality players? Who knows. In Lukas Podolski Arsenal have a proven forward who has just enjoyed a rather prolific season with FC Koln. The German has represented his nation on no fewer than 101 times, experience at that level is very valuable and this is one of the reasons why Arsene has 'splashed' out on him. He was recently joined by Montpellier's Olivier Giroud. The 6ft 3 Frenchman is, in my opinion, a gamble. Although quite successful in the French Ligue 1 last season that was only really his breakthrough season and he has nothing like the experience on the big stage that Podolski and RVP possess as he has only appeared 9 times for his country. Known for his physical style of play and heading ability Arsene has taken a gamble with him, which is rather unlike him but maybe he realises after 8 seasons without a trophy that it's time for a change.



Tuesday 3 July 2012

Premier League 2011/2012 Team of the Season

After one of the most eventful campaigns in Premier League history, we have picked our 'Team of the Season' of the best 11 players in the league.

Goalkeeper:

In goal we have chosen Swansea's Michel Vorm. The swans' stopper has been crucial in their successful campaign and one of their most consistent performers. Not very well known until know he has proven himself to be among the best in the league with his fine form this season. Not just good at stopping shots, the Dutchman also had excellent distribution often starting off the flowing moves that Swansea have become so well known for.




Right Back:

At right back we have chosen Branislav Ivanovic. The big Serbian was one of Chelsea's standout performers last season often being the one who dragged them through tough games. The no nonsense centre-back was frequently used at right back last season showing his versatility and ability to adapt. He popped up to score a few times last season too, and when it mattered, as he scored 5 goals, his second best tally while at the club. The 28 year old was difficult to get past and dominant in the air, a great season for him in my opinion. Chelsea should do all the can to keep him as he showed last season he was a vital member of their team on a number of occassions.




Monday 2 July 2012

10 Of The Best Young Prospects Around

In an era where players seem to be emerging on the scene at a younger age every year, we take a look at 10 of the most exciting youngsters around at the moment who are under 24.

1. We kick off with none other than Neymar. The speedy forward plays in the Brazilian League with Santos and he terrifies other defenses with his electrifying pace and sublime skill. At the age of just 20 there is no doubt that big things are sure to happen for him in the future especially when he has the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid fighting for his signature. He has already broken into the Brazilian National team with 9 goals in 18 games for them, which is impressive considering his age. Pélé described him as an 'excellent player' and he is proving him right as he continues to hit the back of the net with 41 goals in 86 games for Santos. He even won the FIFA Puskás award for the best goal in 2011. As he continues to progress and teams prepare to try and lure him the only question is can he do it in a better league? Only time will tell!

2. Next is a player who has only recently secured a transfer to Chelsea from Lille, Eden Hazard. The 21 year old joined the London club for a fee rumoured to be around £32m and caught headlines by leaving the drama until late. He didn't reveal who he would be joining until May when he tweeted "I'm signing for the champion's league winner". He is an attacking midfielder also used on the wings, with immense speed and quick feet. He possesses great technical ability and is an exciting player to watch. We all look forward to seeing what he can do in the Premier League.

Could Andre Villas Boas Be The Man For Tottenham?

For a while now, Andre Villas Boas, former manager of both Chelsea and Porto has been linked with the Spurs job. The 34 year old divides opinion, is he the right man for the Spurs job who can take them forward?

His talent as a manager is undoubtedly prominent however success at Stamford Bridge was few and far between last season. He began his managerial career as José Mourinho's, more widely known as 'the special one', assistant. Wherever Mourinho went, Villas Boas followed whether it be Chelsea or Inter Milan. His own career only really started in 2009 when he became the manager of Portuguese side Academica. He got off to a flying start as when he joined the side were bottom of the league but with his guidance they reached a safe 11th place finish. They also reached the Portuguese League Cup semi-finals only going out to FC Porto. Villas Boas, or AVB as he has been christened in England had an immediate impact in Portugal, people weren't just impressed with the results he had obtained, he had added a new style to the club and this attractive football was ultimately what led to him being linked with the FC Porto job in Summer 2010.

Sunday 1 July 2012

West Ham - Olympic Stadium?

A popular topic of debate among West Ham fans is undoubtedly the Olympic Stadium - Yes or No?

David Gold recently announced that a decision on the move has been delayed until around September time. It had looked as though West Ham had secured a move there but since early this year there has been many obstructions to the proposal from the likes of Tottenham and Leyton Orient. It is beginning to turn into a saga the longer it drags on and the longer it does the less chance there is of West Ham being awarded it, in my opinion. 

Most West Ham fans you speak to will be against the move however David Gold and Karen Brady are constantly insisting this is not the case in polls conducted. The move has both its advantages and disadvantages as most things do. Firstly, it will be easier for most to get to with it being situated very close to Stratford station and with a large number of fans attending from areas near the same line. Obviously its capacity is a good thing, 60,000, most fans will know that these days getting tickets to a game is far from easy and even in the Championship there were a number of sell out games with the lowest attendance being just 25,680 at a midweek game against Middlesbrough where they bought hardly any. West Ham is an unbelievably well supported club and tickets for the play-off final were in huge demand and I feel that we could nearly have filled Wembley ourselves. If we do well in the Premiership then we could easy fill 45,000 each week and probably sell it out some weeks so the increased capacity from the Boleyn is a positive. As much as most people love Upton Park, the facilities at the shiny new Olympic Stadium will inevitably be better and the whole stadium will be more modern and this is another good thing. A final benefit of a move to the stadium will be that, in my opinion, it will attract players. Being able to play in the Olympic Stadium in England is no doubt an achievement and having it as the home ground will no doubt attract players to West Ham, this could help us reach a new era where we are a force in the Premier League whilst challenging for trophies too.

Latest Football News Officially Launched


It is here! After setting up the twitter page, I have now made a blog! On here I will be posting articles on anything football for you all to read. I'll be asking for suggestions on what to post articles on so if you have any ideas then send them to me on twitter (@Latest_Footy) or put them in the comments. If you have any views you wish to share then feel free to comment them aswell. I hope to have a few articles on here soon so spread the word and get everyone on here! Thanks!