All posts by h79snht.top

[long_read]

Ok, so there’s no Premier League, La Liga or Champions League right now. The football season, however, is still far from finished.

From the Women’s World Cup to the Gold Cup, this summer sees a handful of tournaments taking place to ease the pain of fans around the world who can’t stop crying about the lack of club football going on. And that includes the Copa America, which will see South America’s biggest and best go head-to-head from next week to see who is the king of the continent.

The oldest international football tournament is set to be one of the most entertaining in decades this year, and it could be a competition that brings in to light players who fans around the world are yet to hear of, which is why we have come up with the Copa America Alternative XI, where only one player per nation is represented in the side.

With 12 teams competing in the competition, one nation had to miss out, and that country was Qatar. With all the formalities out of the way, here is the Copa America Alternative XI.

[snack_break title=”Goalkeeper”]

Wuilker Farinez

South America has been a hotbed for goalkeeping talent since football arrived on the continent over a hundred years ago, and Wuilker Farinez could be the next great star.

The Venezuelan and Millonarios number one has been part of the national setup since the age of 19 when Farinez starred in the U-20 World Cup that saw the South American side make it all the way to the final before losing out to England 1-0. This summer the keeper will certainly be one of the young names to keep an eye on.

[snack_break title=”Defenders”]

Antonio Valencia

Arguably the most famous Ecuadorian player of all-time, Antonio Valencia’s shift from the wing to full-back has been more beneficial for country than it has been for club, as it has allowed a new generation of attacking talent to take up their natural positions in the XI.

Valencia’s pace and experience will be vital for an Ecuador side that will be keen on making an upset as they seek to win their first ever Copa America with the veteran defender leading them out in Brazil.

Gary Medel

Yes, that is former Cardiff City player Gary Medel, and yes, he’s still as nuts as ever. The former Bluebird has continued to hack down everyone who stands in his path, this time in the name of Besiktas, and for Chile, the 31-year-old is as important as ever.

Although Medel is more a defensive midfielder at club level, the Chilean has been a rock in the backline for the South American nation, and heading into the Copa America the former Inter Milan hard-man will be hoping to retain the continental championship and add a third to his trophy cabinet.

Fabian Balbuena

Fabian Balbuena was an interesting signing for West Ham last summer, but after an adjustment period the Paraguayan defender more than paid back the fee Manuel Pellegrini shelled out for the former Corinthians defender, and on an international level, the centre-back has started to make an impact.

The defender has only made nine appearances for Paraguay, and this year’s Copa America could be the time Balbuena establishes himself as a vital player for Los Guaranies, who head to Brazil as the tournament’s underdogs.

Luis Advincula

Peru quickly became a neutral’s favourite during last year’s World Cup, and this time around in the Copa America Luis Advincula will be hoping to see more success on the pitch than off it.

The Tigres defender, who has been on loan at Rayo Vallecano this season, is one of the more experienced players in this Peru side, but his lightning pace has also made him one of the most feared attacking full-backs on the continent.

[snack_break title=”Midfielders”]

Philippe Coutinho

After the disappointment of Russia last year, Brazil will be eager of a return to the top with a big performance in their home country, and supporters will be praying that Coutinho is back to best.

The Barcelona star has been lacklustre since his blockbuster move to the La Liga giants, but with Neymar out of the tournament, the pressure of success has been shifted onto Coutinho’s shoulders, who many will be expecting to perform.

Lucas Torreira

After an impressive World Cup and a stellar debut season with Arsenal, Lucas Torreira has quickly established himself as one of the most promising midfielders in the Premier League, and he will be essential to Uruguay this summer.

The 23-year-old rottweiler of a midfielder has been ever-present for his nation since Russia, and this summer could see the Arsenal man be the difference between a first Copa America title since 2011 or another competition where Uruguay could have done better.

Alejandro Chumacero

You know the name from your FIFA career mode when you were searching in the free agents pool, but in real life, Bolivia’s hopes will be pinned on Alejandro Chumacero, who is one of the few members of the squad that plays outside of the country.

The midfielder has been a mainstay for Mexican side Puebla since 2018 and is regarded as Bolivia’s best player heading into the Copa America, and at 27-years-old, Chumacero will have no better time in his career to show the world what he’s got.

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[snack_break title=”Forwards”]

Lionel Messi

Was there any doubt who was going to represent Argentina in this XI? Lionel Messi might be one of the greatest players to ever play the beautiful game, but on the international stage, the Barcelona superstar has had his difficult moments.

The forward has carried Argentina to World Cup and Copa America finals, and this summer could be Messi’s last big chance to claim international glory and further cement his status as arguably the best of all time.

Duvan Zapata

The Atalanta striker fired the Bergamo-based club to the Champions League for the first time in their history with a 28-goal haul season, and for Colombia, Zapata now has some big shoes to fill with Radamel Falcao’s goalscoring abilities slowly dwindling.

Shoya Nakajima

With the years of Keisuke Honda and Shinji Kagawa fading away into the history books, a new era of Japanese football could be about to emerge, and in Shoya Nakajima, Japan could have their latest hero.

The most expensive Japanese player in history following the winger’s move to Qatar’s Al-Duhail last February according to the Japan Times, Nakajima made a name for himself in Portugal after a string of impressive performances for Portimonense, and the attacker’s contributions could lead to Japan surprising a few this summer in Brazil.

[/long_read]

Ange Postecoglou has dropped a promising injury update on Celtic centre-forward Giorgos Giakoumakis.

What’s the latest?

In comments made after the Bhoys’ 2-0 win over St Mirren on Wednesday night, the 56-year-old revealed that, after missing the Hoops’ last two fixtures due to illness, the Greece international will be available for selection for the trip to Livingston this weekend.

Speaking about the current condition of the 27-year-old, Postecoglou said: “We’ve got Giakoumakis back for the weekend as well, which I think will give us some more quality in depth.”

Postecoglou will be buzzing

With both Kyogo Furuhashi and Albian Ajeti remaining sidelined due to injury, and with goalscoring having been something of an issue for Celtic in recent weeks, the news that Giakoumakis is set to return to action this weekend is sure to have left Postecoglou buzzing.

Indeed, over the Bhoys’ last three outings in all competitions, they have hit the back of the net just twice, with Celtic’s only available centre-forward Daizen Maeda having drawn a blank in all three fixtures.

Meanwhile, Giakoumakis had been in fantastic goalscoring form prior to his layoff, bagging four goals in his last four appearances, including a match-winning hat-trick in an uninspiring 3-2 win over Dundee.

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As such, the return of the £1.8m-rated hitman ahead of what is sure to be a challenging fixture against fourth-placed Livingston on Sunday will undoubtedly come as a huge boost to Celtic’s chances of leaving the Tony Macaroni Arena with all three points. Victory is all but essential should the Hoops wish to keep their Premiership title push on track.

In other news: £3.8k-p/w dynamo drops teasing transfer hint which will surely frustrate Celtic fans

Wolverhampton Wanderers made it back-to-back wins in the Premier League with a 1-0 victory at strugglers Everton on Sunday afternoon.

Former Liverpool academy player and fan Conor Coady scored the decisive goal at Goodison Park early in the second half before Toffees full-back Jonjoe Kenny was sent off to further heap misery on Frank Lampard’s side.

The win saw Wolves climb up to seventh with their hopes of securing European football very much alive still, however, despite another solid team performance, the contribution of right-wing-back Jonny Otto was underwhelming, with the Spaniard playing opposite to his preferred side.

According to SofaScore, the 28-year-old wing-back contributed little in both halves of the pitch. From an offensive point of view, Jonny failed to complete a single cross or long ball as well as completing a dribble whilst also seeing his sole shot go off-target.

Defensively, despite his side’s 11th league clean sheet of the season, the Spaniard was lacklustre. Throughout the entire 90 minutes, the wing-back failed to make a single tackle, clearance or block and made just one interception whilst also winning just 20% of his duels and losing possession 16 times.

In fairness to Jonny, he did enjoy an impressive 91% passing accuracy with 43/47 passes completed whilst also making 75 touches.

However, Wolves boss Bruno Lage certainly won’t be encouraged by the wing-back’s performance, with the Portuguese having to fill round holes with square pegs following the injuries to right-wing-backs Nelson Semedo and Ki-Jana Hoever.

Semedo could be out until late April with a hamstring injury whilst the status of Hoever is still unknown after the 20-year-old suffered a similar-looking issue to that of his Portuguese teammate in last weekend’s 2-0 defeat to Crystal Palace.

Therefore, Lage has had to deploy Jonny, usually a left-sided full-back, on the right with the 28-year-old only recently returning from a lengthy injury spell.

Two knee injuries have meant that since the start of the 2020/21 season, the Spaniard has played just 12 times and is clearly readjusting to playing regular, top-flight football.

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However, it’s an opportunity that will have to be taken with both hands given the impressive performances of both Rayan Ait Nouri and Fernando Marcal at left-wing-back this season.

The vacancy on the right-hand side is currently Jonny’s only way into playing regularly at Wolves and therefore the 28-year-old will have to adapt in order to keep his place whilst Semedo is sidelined.

In other news: Fosun must surely regret huge Wolves howler over £67.5m-rated title-winning “rock”

Liverpool are reportedly the current front-runners to sign dominant Torino centre-back Gleison Bremer in the summer transfer window.

The Lowdown: Bremer’s monstrous season

The 24-year-old has been an impressive performer for Torino this season, making 25 starts in Serie A and helping his side sit 11th in the table.

Bremer has averaged 3.9 aerial duel wins per game, highlighting his prowess in that area of his game, and he has also enjoyed 3.5 clearances and interceptions apiece per match. To put that into perspective, all three of those numbers would rank in first place amongst the current Reds squad.

Liverpool have been linked with a move for the Brazilian in the past and an exciting rumour has now emerged.

The Latest: Liverpool favourites to sign defender

According to Tuttosport [via Sport Witness], ‘in first place is Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool’ when it comes to the race to acquire Bremer’s signature.

Jurgen Klopp himself is believed to have ‘great interest’ in snapping up the Torino man, whose current contract expires in the summer of 2024.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-liverpool-transfer-news-23/” title=”Latest Liverpool transfer news!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

The Verdict: Goodbye, Joe Gomez?

Should this rumour be true, you have to wonder if it could spell the end of Joe Gomez’s time at the club, with the Englishman linked with a move away from Anfield earlier this week.

He is already fourth in the centre-back pecking order behind Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip and Ibrahima Konate, and Bremer surely wouldn’t be coming in as fifth choice.

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The defender would be an exciting addition to Klopp’s squad, given his age and his aforementioned statistics this season, but whether or not he is happy to play a squad role remains to be seen.

In other news, Liverpool would reportedly jump at the chance to sign one player. Find out who it is here.

Everton are now set for a big change in the summer with regards to transfer plans after an agreement was reached in talks with the Premier League.

The Lowdown: Delayed accounts

The Goodison Park faithful have delayed the publishing of their 2020/21 accounts, as they are having on-going talks over what allowances to the spending rules are permitted in transfer windows, because of the financial impact of the global pandemic.

Their next accounts, which are due this month, are set to project over £300m worth of losses for the Merseyside club in the current three-year cycle, while the top flight only permit clubs to record losses of up to £105m.

That said, discounts for spending on infrastructure and lost income due to the pandemic are set to keep the them within the agreed limits for now.

The Latest: Premier League agreement

As per The Daily Mail, the Toffees have now reached an agreement with the Premier League which will allow them to consult over player signings and new contracts, in order to avoid breaching spending rules.

Of course, this could change how they now approach the summer transfer window, given that last summer they were reduced to spending a mere £1.7m.

The Verdict: Sensible

Given the financial predicament that they find themselves in, the Blues are being sensible with the agreement they have reached with the top flight.

They simply cannot afford to breach spending rules, especially if they find themselves relegated to the Championship, and thus in need of a big rebuild potentially with key players jumping ship.

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The consultation may allow them to be more flexible in the market, and thus be able to buy and sell the players that they need in order to kickstart the new season under Frank Lampard.

In other news, find out which ‘world-class’ Lampard favourite could now be replaced here!

Aston Villa are monitoring Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba ahead of a possible free transfer, according to The Sun.

The Lowdown: Pogba’s situation

Pogba’s days at Old Trafford appear to be numbered, with his current contract set to expire at the end of June.

It seems as if there is a real chance that United could lose their most expensive signing ever for nothing over the coming months.

The 29-year-old has contributed to 10 goals in 16 Premier League games this season, missing 13 top-flight matches through suspension and injury.

The Latest: Villa monitoring developments

The Sun dropped an update regarding the central midfielder on Thursday morning, claiming that Villa and Newcastle are monitoring his situation.

Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid are thought to be favourites to secure his services and can do so right now in a pre-contract agreement, whereas the English sides in the race will have to wait until the summer.

The Verdict: Pogba and Phillips?

NSWE look like they are willing to back Steven Gerrard ahead of his first full season in charge at Villa Park, with the club allegedly readying a £60m swoop for Leeds United’s Kalvin Phillips.

It now seems like they want Pogba to partner Phillips in midfield, with Gerrard having just six midfield options at this moment in time, two of which are youngsters Jacob Ramsey and Carney Chukwuemeka.

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A move for Pogba, on £290,000-a-week, could prove to be out of their reach, but it’s good to see that Villa at the very least see themselves as a possible destination for a player labelled as ‘world-class’ by Gary Neville.

In other news: Worrying international break news emerges on ‘fantastic’ Villa gem as he pulls out of squad. 

Leeds United continue to be linked with a summer swoop for Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who is becoming extremely likely to move on from Rubin Kazan.

The 21-year-old winger is currently playing in his home country for Dinamo Batumi, thanks to FIFA’s ruling to allow players to leave Russia or Ukraine outside of a transfer window if they wished.

He has since seen his contract terminated by the Red-Greens.

According to Italian outlet Il Mattino, the Yorkshire outfit are among the leading candidates to secure him during the off-season, where he will be looking for a new club.

Serie A outfit Napoli and Premier League rivals West Ham United are also mooted with interest by the report.

Whilst Raphinha may be on his way out at Elland Road, the potential arrival of Kvaratskhelia could spell trouble for Dan James as his struggles following a club-record £30m move from Manchester United continue.

If the Brazil international does depart, the Welshman is in line for more game time in his natural right-wing position but given his form and the interest in the Georgia international, he could well be axed by manager Jesse Marsch going forward.

Once described as being “headless” with his decision-making in the final third by Darren Bent, the £16.2m-rated dynamo has only delivered four goals and four assists across 30 appearances but only one of those goal contributions have come in their last seven outings, via Transfermarkt.

Kvaratskhelia is an exciting young talent and one that had been one of the most dangerous attackers in the Russian Premier League this campaign – on top of two goals and five assists from only 17 starts, the Georgian leads the division for successful dribbles per 90 (3.14).

That ability has seen him earn quite the praise indeed, with former Russia U18 coach Denis Bushuev likening him to two greats in his position.

“Naturally. He is from the same galaxy of players as Ribery or Robben. He could play in the top five clubs in the Bundesliga – he has crazy technique.”

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By comparison, James only manages 0.9 successful dribbles per 90 in the Premier League and whilst the quality of the two leagues is like chalk and cheese, he ranks as low as 13th in the current Leeds squad, even behind the likes of Tyler Roberts, Junior Firpo and all three of his positional peers.

As such, Marsch and co should look to sign the £14.4m-rated Kvaratskhelia for an absolute bargain price this summer. There’s little point in persisting with James just because he’s a club-record signing when a player like this is available.

AND in other news, Forget Raphinha: Marsch heading for Leeds nightmare over “explosive” £13.5m-rated gem…

It hasn’t been the prettiest campaign for Tottenham Hotspur, and Thomas Frank has work to do if he is to convince the Lilywhite supporters of his capacity to lead this team through a sustained period of success.

The conquering of the Europa League last season might have been used as a springboard, but Tottenham have reverted to type, 11th in the Premier League and lacking the attacking sparkle fans expect. This was painfully clear last weekend, during the 3-0 loss to Nottingham Forest.

To Dare Is To Do, but Spurs are not being brave enough, and their instability is becoming a big problem. It will be Frank’s undoing if he fails to mount a convincing assault against the Premier League’s elite, challenging in the Champions League and FA Cup too.

Defensively, issues linger from the Ange Postecoglou era. Tottenham have been blunted in attack too. But it’s perhaps the midfield which is epicentral to the lack of control and creativity and craftsmanship.

Spurs' plans to fix their midfield

Tottenham’s midfield ranks have left plenty to be desired this season. Frank will feel hard done by given James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski have been absent since the summer due to injury, but the decision to persist with Rodrigo Bentancur and Joao Palhinha isn’t providing the desired results.

Palhinha, a loan arrival from Bayern Munich, has added some punch to the centre of the park, but he’s not exactly a progressive midfielder on the ball. Bentancur, beside him, struggles to serve as a neat counterpoint, with the Uruguayan’s struggles in recent years even leading analyst Raj Chohan to describe him as a “candidate for worst centre-midfielder at a big six club”.

Clearly, Spurs need an upgrade, and they could find one in Leon Goetzka, who fancies trying his hand at something new after a lifetime of football in his German homeland.

That’s according to Spanish sources, who claim that Goretzka is seeking a fresh start after being consigned to a reduced part in Vincent Kompany’s project.

Tottenham are understood to be among the best-placed teams to complete a deal, with Premier League rivals like Nottingham Forest and West Ham United also ready to submit formal offers this winter.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

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Last summer, Manchester United’s interest led to Bayern relatiation, placing a £34m on the 30-year-old. ENIC Group will hope that figure has since diminished.

Why Leron Goretzka would be perfect for Spurs' midfield

Goretzka has enjoyed a glittering career with Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena, winning the Champions League and so many Bundesliga titles since joining on a free transfer in 2018 after his contract with Schalke expired.

A powerful and commanding centre-midfielder, Goretzka’s prospective success down N17 in the Premier League would come at either Palhinha or Bentancur’s expense.

Looking at how he contrasts with ex-teammate Palhinha for example, underscores the kind of upgrade Johan Lange and Fabio Paratici would strike.

Goretzka vs Palhinha (past 12 months)

Stats (per 90)

Goretzka

Palhinha

Goals scored

0.11

0.16

Assists

0.04

0.16

Touches

83.66

60.63

Pass completion (%)

90.8

84.9

Progressive passes

7.69

3.02

Progressive carries

2.18

0.49

Shot-creating actions

2.21

1.29

Successful take-ons

0.41

0.43

Ball recoveries

4.73

3.77

Tackles + interceptions

2.74

5.87

Aerial duels won

1.95

1.72

Data via FBref

He is a midfield powerhouse, and his energy and ferocity have seen him said to be “like a madman” on the field by former teammate Sami Khedira, who then hailed his countryman as a “machine” of a player.

Subscribe to the newsletter for expert Spurs transfer insight Craving in-depth Spurs transfer and midfield coverage? Subscribe to the newsletter for expert scouting, tactical breakdowns and stat-led analysis that put moves like a Goretzka pursuit in context and explain how they fit the squad. Subscribe Subscribe to the newsletter for expert Spurs transfer insight Craving in-depth Spurs transfer and midfield coverage? Subscribe to the newsletter for expert scouting, tactical breakdowns and stat-led analysis that put moves like a Goretzka pursuit in context and explain how they fit the squad.

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He doesn’t churn out the same calibre of defensive actions as someone like Palhinha – who does? – but Goretzka is a more complete and balanced player. He would raise the level of Spurs’ wider system, trumping Bentancur in that regard.

Indeed, across 11 Bundesliga starts this season, the experienced midfielder has won 57% of his ground duels. He could actually partner Palhinha in the Spurs centre, striking a much-needed defend-attack balance. Control. It’s very important in the Premier League, and Goretzka would instil it.

With an intense work rate and a tenacity that cannot be taught, Goretzka would be a credit to Tottenham’s midfield. He would certainly work his way into the starting line-up at the expense of strugglers like Palhinha and Bentancur.

Tottenham need more dynamism in midfield, and Goretzka has the experience and the technical skillset to create a central system that could see Frank’s vision realised over the second half of the season and indeed the next few years.

Related Spurs have signed a "hidden gem" who could end Richarlison's stay

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Posts ByAngus Sinclair

It seems like Manchester United will look to add to Ruben Amorim’s squad in the January transfer window. An attacker is on the shopping list, but the Red Devils boss also seems keen to add to his squad in midfield, too.

Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro have been the first-choice pivot this season, and the Portuguese manager has seemed reluctant to stray too far away from that.

Kobbie Mainoo has yet to start a Premier League game this season despite his obvious talent, and it appears Manuel Ugarte has fallen firmly down the pecking order, too.

The Red Devils could look to sign a midfielder in January, and a new option has seemingly emerged.

Man Utd offered chance to sign ex-Premier League star

It appears that there are a few options for the Manuncian side this winter, should they sign a midfielder.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

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One of the names who continuously crops up is Nottingham Forest and England star Elliot Anderson. Outside of the Premier League, Stuttgart man Angelo Stiller is also a reported target.

Elsewhere, a new report has emerged from The Times which suggests United have been offered the chance to sign Al-Hilal star Ruben Neves.

The former Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder is out of contract at the end of the season and wants to return to the Premier League.

That move could come as soon as this winter, with United one of the clubs that could have the chance to sign him. As for the fee, it would be a cut-price move due to his contract situation.

Neves – who earns a reported £290k-per-week, as per Capology – may cost the Red Devils just £18m if they were to sign him in the coming weeks.

Why Neves could be Man Utd's new Scholes

Over the last few years, Neves has been plying his trade in Saudi Arabia for Al-Hilal. He’s been successful, too, helping his side to win four trophies, having only just reached a century of appearances, 106 to be exact.

If United were to bring the Portuguese star to the club this winter, they’d be signing a player ready-made for the Premier League. He has, of course, played 253 times for Wolves, scoring 30 times and assisting a further 13.

A true controller in midfield, the 63-cap Portugal star is synonymous with dictating play. He was constantly among the Premier League’s best when it came to progressive passes.

Neves pass stats vs. PL midfielders per season (per 90 mins)

Season

Progressive passes

Passes into final third

2018/19

6.17 (top 22%)

5.75 (top 13%)

2019/20

6.36 (top 25%)

5.71 (top 14%)

2020/21

7.13 (top 11%)

7.2 (top 6%)

2021/22

6.83 (top 16%)

6.76 (top 9%)

2022/23

6.5 (top 20%)

6.02 (top 12%)

Stats from FBref

His best year for that metric was 2020/21, when he averaged 7.13 per 90 minutes. It is easy to see why Statman Dave called him a “midfield general.”

It is easy to imagine that sort of quality in a midfield at Old Trafford. The 28-year-old, who has won the Nations League twice with Portugal, would add an air of composure and class to the middle of the park, with passes like this a key feature of his game.

Neves was once compared to United legend Paul Scholes by another ex-Red Devils midfielder, Owen Hargreaves.

Subscribe for expert transfer insight on United links Curious how Ruben Neves or other midfield targets would reshape United’s engine? Subscribe to the newsletter for detailed transfer analysis, tactical context, and scouting insight focused on Manchester United signings. Subscribe Subscribe for expert transfer insight on United links Curious how Ruben Neves or other midfield targets would reshape United’s engine? Subscribe to the newsletter for detailed transfer analysis, tactical context, and scouting insight focused on Manchester United signings.

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​​​​​​​He said he “reminds” him of the Class of ‘92 star because of “the way he hits the ball so cleanly.”

Scholes is, of course, one of the best midfielders in Premier League history. He lifted the title 11 times and made 716 appearances in total for the Red Devils.

Like Neves, he was a controller in the middle of the park, especially as his career went on, really making things tick for United.

It is easy to see how the Al-Hilal man is similar to Scholes. He is someone who can dictate the tempo of the game in the centre of midfield, just as the former United number 18 did, bringing an air of technical brilliance to his side, too, alongside producing something spectacular from range.

£18m is a bargain in the current transfer market. This could be an ideal move for Amorim to help add to the depth in midfield.

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Posts ByEthan Lamb

After Wolverhampton Wanderers defeated the Hungarian side Honved, containing the great Puskas, in 1954 the British press eulogised the hard fought, battling win. It characterised the tenets of English football that were so conservatively and obstinately clung to: spirit, pride, and directness. But the truth is Wolves cleverly used home advantage to restrict the Hungarians by heavily watering the Molineux pitch (in December mind you, when it had been raining incessantly for four days anyway) and it soon became a quagmire, not allowing any kind of possession passing play, favouring the direct long balls into the front men. Even then, it took a late winner from Roy Swinbourne to send Wolves to a thrilling 3-2 victory.

The victory is an example of two variables that have greatly influenced the unusually slow progression of English football. The first is a cultural conservatism to anything new – in this case, an advancement of tactics in the game. England had been badly beaten by the Hungarian national team (7-1 in Budapest and 6-3 at Wembley) and the defeats highlighted the need to progress from the W-M formation that was almost uniformly employed through all levels of English football (much like the 4-4-2 until recent years in the domestic top flight). Many publications sadly reflected on the decline of the national game and understood a change was needed yet not a great deal actually changed and the Wolves victory, counterproductively, added steam to the argument that spirit, speed and long balls were still all that was needed to contend with the best sides.

The second variable is inextricably linked to the first. It came in the form of a press more willing to adhere to past successes than feel the need to evolve. Though there was an understanding that the W-M was largely at fault, it was nonetheless implicitly defended by many commentators, ‘Hungary’s ball jugglers can be checked by firm tackling,’ wrote Frank Coles of the Daily Telegraph. Hungary right back, Jeno Buzansky, acknowledged that although they had at their disposal some truly great players (Puskas, Hidegkuti, Czibor and Kocsis) it was primarily a tactical evolvement and superiority that led them to their crushing victories:

“It was because of tactics that Hungary won. The match showed the clash of two formations and, as often happens, the newer, more developed formation prevailed.”

As standalone examples these aren’t enough to justify why pragmatism was still preferred to innovation. If we take Tottenham Hotspur as an example of radicalism in the 40s, before the humiliating defeats to Hungary, Arthur Rowe had brought back to English shores an extended understanding of the fruits of the passing game. Rowe had been working with the Hungarians and complimented Tottenham’s history of preferring a close-passing game when he was appointed manager in 1949. They won the title in the 50-51 season yet even their success was regarded by many with scepticism and did not cause a mass progression in the English game.

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A further stigma to evolving ideals on the football pitch came in the form of Charles Reep (and later Charles Hughes’ FA coaching policy) and his pedagogical analysis of statistics in the English game. Reep posited that direct long balls provided far more success and led to more goal scoring opportunities – 91.5% of all moves consisted of three or fewer passes and 80% of all goals scored resulted from moves of three or fewer passes. What’s shocking is how quickly these stilted statistics were perpetuated and misinterpreted by those responsible for the future security of the game. Why didn’t anyone counter Reep by saying that if only 8.5% of all moves had more than three complete passes yet led to 20% of all goals scored, logic would tell us that the long ball is less effective. We seemed to have misunderstood the common play as the best play. Even more myopic was Reep and his followers discounting conditions and the dynamics of a real life football match (hotter climates would mean possession is more important, the stats ignored possession play leading to dead ball goals, or chances that were forced by tiring an opponent and inducing error).

This has all led to a strict distaste for innovation and set an early precedent for speed and athleticism taking priority over technique and tactical flexibility in the English game. If we look at the England team that just faced Mexico – even throughout qualification – I found it frustrating and boring to watch a modified 4-4-2 being employed when it has seemed, for a while now, that something more like a 4-3-3 would suit a forward trio of Gerrard (he’s played as an auxiliary forward for more than two seasons now at Liverpool), Rooney (proved he can be spectacular when leading the line alone) and a right sided winger (most likely Lennon). Two holding midfielders – since without Hargreaves we don’t seem to actually have one player who’s a destructive, genuine ball winner – would also allow Lampard the freedom of position he’s thrived in at Chelsea for more than five seasons. I concede that this example isn’t so much the players’ fault but in 2004, prior to the European Championships, I remember the team requesting a change from Eriksson to a flatter 4-4-2 that they were most comfortable playing in. This is a sure sign of tactical inflexibility and it’s something that is the product of generations’ worth of staunch, sometimes blind, adherence to past successes.

Pragmatism is a word ascribed to the English method far too easily and it ameliorates the stubborn lack of innovation that has dogged our leagues, from non-league to the top flight. Managers such as Mourinho and Benitez have facilitated a much more tactically astute approach to the past ten years in the Premier League. Though their teams are by no means aesthetic they have proven successful and it has certainly aided a development in the top teams. But the rigidity of Reep and Hughes can still be found outside the Premier League. A problem, as I commented in an earlier article debating the progression since the uniformly adopted 4-4-2, is that it is difficult to find the cause of: do we play rigid football because we do not have the skill to expand? Or do we not have the skill to expand because we play rigid football?

It’s certainly clear that a passing oriented game requires technical mastery and at lower leagues, where this is lacking, the attempt to play possession football inevitably leads to more errors and opportunities for the opposition. With the onus being on winning instead of innovation/progression it is tough to see an evolution of football at grassroots level because we’re still perpetuating the inflexibility characteristic of the English way. I maintain it is wrong for our youth players not to understand the need for depth in tactical knowledge and broader insights into the game need to be introduced if we are to break the cycle of rigid conservatism.

“I can’t believe that in England they don’t teach young players to be multi-functional,” Mourinho said whilst at Chelsea, “To them it’s just about knowing one position and playing one position…a striker is just a striker and that’s it. For me, a striker is not just a striker. He is somebody who has to move, who has to cross, and who has to do this in a 4-4-2 or in a 4-3-3 or in a 3-5-2, each of which is different….Because what happens if later he has a manager who likes to play 4-5-1 or a 3-5-2? What happens to him then?”

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Sources:

Inverting the Pyramid, Jonathan Wilson

The Italian Job, Gianluca Vialli & Gabriele Marcotti

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