The changing of the old guard
It would seem that the empire of the Red Devils is all but consigned to the history books. Just a few years ago, Pre- Abramovich era, it was inconceivable that the Red Devils will not make it into the 2nd round of the Champions League. But, now much to the horror of Manchester Utd. fans worldwide, the Red Devils somehow managed to contrive to lose to Benifica and in the process securing their elimination from Europe (they did not even make it into the Uefa Cup). Their performances in this years edition of the Champions League have been shaky. The need for a player to rise up to the occasion stood out like a sore thumb.
However, it would seem that since the epic final victory over Bayern Munchen, they never again quite scaled the heights of that success. I think the demise of the Red Devils is easily pointed onto the shoulders of their once astute manager, Sir Alex Ferguson. Fergie, is probably already a legend at Old Trafford for the countless trophies he has brought to the club. During his tenure, great players such as Eric Cantona, Bryan Robson, Jaap Stam, Roy Keane and perhaps to a lesser extent, a certain David Beckham, had don the red jerseys of the club. However, perhaps the magnitude of his success in attaining the Golden Treble somehow clouded his subsequent judgments. The sale of key players like Beckham and Stam only to be replaced with ‘lesser’ players like Djemba-Djemba, Kleberson and Forlan is probably a huge determining factor to the Red Devils falling off their pedestal. Furthermore, the failure to replace the now departed Keane with an adequate midfield enforcer made the Red Devils overly dependant on their former captain.
Now, the worse nightmare for any Red Devil fan has come true. What next is in store? The exit from Europe will correlate with a massive loss in income. The club’s new owners, the Glazers family, are renowned for being thrifty with the purse. Will Fergie be allowed money to pursue new signings to boost the squad? It would seem that the answer will probably be in the negative. In that case, in my humble opinion, Manchester United fans would probably have to endure a frustrating few years until the squad can recover (maybe with a new man taking the reigns of the Red Devils, perhaps, Le Guen?). Any possible trophy now lies with the domestic cups with the Carling Cup a more reasonable target.
Alas, if the Red Devils is ailing, the Gunners are not exactly doing too well themselves. After another defeat by Bolton, the elegant Gunners seem to be always found wanting against the scrappy opponents, albeit they did top their group in the Champions League. The loss of Viera can be equated with Manchester United’s loss of Keane. However, a redeeming factor for their manager Wenger though, is the fact that they have a superb talent in Cesc Fabregas.
Wenger, since his arrival to the English shores, has been the one to rival Fergie blow for blow. With astute and economical signings, he brought superb players like Patrick Viera, Nicolas Anelka (anyone remember him?), Marc Overmars and of course, Thierry Henry to don the colors of the Gunners.
Mr. Wenger introduced an attacking blend of good attractive football and entertained football fans worldwide. However, his strength seems to also be his weakness. It seems that at times, the Gunners find it too easy to penetrate opposing defences that they over elaborate and lose the chance to finish the game off. Furthermore, the player’s penchant for beautiful football often seems to indicate that they can’t get used to the scrappy approach employed by certain teams. It will seem that Arsenal needs a few players more before they can really challenge once again for titles.
A good centreback like Nesta or Cannavaro, a tall no-nonsense approach striker like Trezeguet and a left winger to replace the aging Pires has to be on the cards. It will seem that this year would be tough on the Gunners to challenge for the major trophies. However, it may not be impossible for them to challenge for the domestic cups, especially if Chelsea and Manchester United fall out on the wayside.
As a result, it can probably be deduced by now, that I have expected that the boys from Stamford Bridge will build a new empire under their boss, Mr. Special Mourinho. They poached Kenyon from Manchester United, Arnesan from Spurs and a clutch of players from teams around the globe to run the Blues bandwagon. Can anyone stop them?
Perhaps the emerging teams like Spurs and the rejuvenated Rafalution at Liverpool may challenge the Blue dominance in a few years. It seems that the changing of the old guards is now set in motion.
However, it would seem that since the epic final victory over Bayern Munchen, they never again quite scaled the heights of that success. I think the demise of the Red Devils is easily pointed onto the shoulders of their once astute manager, Sir Alex Ferguson. Fergie, is probably already a legend at Old Trafford for the countless trophies he has brought to the club. During his tenure, great players such as Eric Cantona, Bryan Robson, Jaap Stam, Roy Keane and perhaps to a lesser extent, a certain David Beckham, had don the red jerseys of the club. However, perhaps the magnitude of his success in attaining the Golden Treble somehow clouded his subsequent judgments. The sale of key players like Beckham and Stam only to be replaced with ‘lesser’ players like Djemba-Djemba, Kleberson and Forlan is probably a huge determining factor to the Red Devils falling off their pedestal. Furthermore, the failure to replace the now departed Keane with an adequate midfield enforcer made the Red Devils overly dependant on their former captain.
Now, the worse nightmare for any Red Devil fan has come true. What next is in store? The exit from Europe will correlate with a massive loss in income. The club’s new owners, the Glazers family, are renowned for being thrifty with the purse. Will Fergie be allowed money to pursue new signings to boost the squad? It would seem that the answer will probably be in the negative. In that case, in my humble opinion, Manchester United fans would probably have to endure a frustrating few years until the squad can recover (maybe with a new man taking the reigns of the Red Devils, perhaps, Le Guen?). Any possible trophy now lies with the domestic cups with the Carling Cup a more reasonable target.
Alas, if the Red Devils is ailing, the Gunners are not exactly doing too well themselves. After another defeat by Bolton, the elegant Gunners seem to be always found wanting against the scrappy opponents, albeit they did top their group in the Champions League. The loss of Viera can be equated with Manchester United’s loss of Keane. However, a redeeming factor for their manager Wenger though, is the fact that they have a superb talent in Cesc Fabregas.
Wenger, since his arrival to the English shores, has been the one to rival Fergie blow for blow. With astute and economical signings, he brought superb players like Patrick Viera, Nicolas Anelka (anyone remember him?), Marc Overmars and of course, Thierry Henry to don the colors of the Gunners.
Mr. Wenger introduced an attacking blend of good attractive football and entertained football fans worldwide. However, his strength seems to also be his weakness. It seems that at times, the Gunners find it too easy to penetrate opposing defences that they over elaborate and lose the chance to finish the game off. Furthermore, the player’s penchant for beautiful football often seems to indicate that they can’t get used to the scrappy approach employed by certain teams. It will seem that Arsenal needs a few players more before they can really challenge once again for titles.
A good centreback like Nesta or Cannavaro, a tall no-nonsense approach striker like Trezeguet and a left winger to replace the aging Pires has to be on the cards. It will seem that this year would be tough on the Gunners to challenge for the major trophies. However, it may not be impossible for them to challenge for the domestic cups, especially if Chelsea and Manchester United fall out on the wayside.
As a result, it can probably be deduced by now, that I have expected that the boys from Stamford Bridge will build a new empire under their boss, Mr. Special Mourinho. They poached Kenyon from Manchester United, Arnesan from Spurs and a clutch of players from teams around the globe to run the Blues bandwagon. Can anyone stop them?
Perhaps the emerging teams like Spurs and the rejuvenated Rafalution at Liverpool may challenge the Blue dominance in a few years. It seems that the changing of the old guards is now set in motion.
posted by Innerflame7 at 9:46 AM
2 Comments:
The Blues won't be able to dominate for long. As Mourinho has just entered the Premiership as a manager, other teams are still studying Chelsea's style of play. Once they get the hang of it, Chelsea won't be where Manchester United truely belong; at the top of the Premiership.
I'm biased. =)
LOL. I'm no Chelsea supporter. But, I think you could be severely biased there! Sadly, Man Utd and Arsenal just don't seem to have the impetus for a sustained challenge on the championship. I reckon both of them face a better chance at the cups. Man Utd should have gotten Essien and Arsenal need a different mindset! Btw, call me if u get tickets to games!
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