Guardiola still searching for answers

There was no real concern regarding four of Manchester City’s previous defeats but a hammering by Tottenham 4-1 and 2-0 at Anfield has raised serious questions regarding Pep Guardola’s team. Those two results were a definite wake-up call but the light blues responded with a good 3-0 win against Nottingham Forest in midweek. In previous […]

There was no real concern regarding four of Manchester City’s previous defeats but a hammering by Tottenham 4-1 and 2-0 at Anfield has raised serious questions regarding Pep Guardola’s team. Those two results were a definite wake-up call but the light blues responded with a good 3-0 win against Nottingham Forest in midweek.

In previous years, Kevin De Bruyne and David Silva were technical wizards who could turn a game and with the likes of Ilkay Gundogan to push the team on, they were often unbeatable and light years ahead of the opposition. How things have changed as the best managers have at last worked out how to combat the Guardiola way. We all knew that Rodri would be sorely missed but the whole team often seems to be lacking drive, energy, commitment and focus. It is not that they don’t care but they recognise that opposing teams are no longer frightened of them and don’t play for a draw. Take for instance Cody Gakpo’s goal from a superb Mo Salah centre. Kyle Walker and Gakpo advanced towards goal but Walker took his eye off the Liverpool striker, stopped and Gakpo had been watching him and ran past to score. Walker looked shocked but it was his own fault and that was never the Kyle Walker of old. Guardiola has been searching for answers and changes his defence regularly. Rico Lewis has suddenly become a central midfielder but he is struggling. Erling Haaland accounts for half of City’s goals but he has gone off the boil recently. Kevin De Bruyne was Man of the Match against Forest and he is back up to speed and things will likely improve but he cannot do it on his own and Rodri is unlikely to be back this season. Now is a crucial time for City. They are known for a strong run in the second half of the season but unless they can continue with a strong performance this weekend at Crystal Palace, after the Forest win, they could let Liverpool get so far ahead even Usain Bolt couldn’t catch them.

 

Ipswich plunge into deeper relegation trouble

As Ruud Van Nistlerooy encouraged his Leicester team to win his first game in charge, Ipswich Town plunged deeper into relegation trouble. Despite a group of players who are willing to run until they drop, a coach who has obvious Premier League qualities and supported by a passionate crowd of supporters, this Ipswich side is clearly not good enough to survive in the elite division. Their defence is weak, Irish international Dara O’Shea and Jacob Greaves are not strong enough to prevent the best strikers from getting through on goal, Kieran McKenna cannot rely forever on the ageing 33 year-old midfield captain Sam Morsy to constantly get Town out of trouble.

 

The unsung hero

After Chelsea training last week I was asked who I thought is currently the best left back in the league. Immediately to mind one thinks of Andy Robertson, Nathan Ake, Gabriel Martinez and Riccardo Calafiori? After a brief conversation, I could see quite clearly who my contact was referring to. Marc Cucurella has emerged as one of the first names on the Blue’s coach Enzo Maresca’s team sheet on a Saturday morning. It was almost by chance that after scoring an own goal against Aston Villa a few months ago that Mauricio Pochettino gave the Spanish defender a wider role and told him to move inside and forward giving Chelsea an extra midfield option. Enzo Maresca has also given him a marauding role up and down the wings so Marc now has several choices about where to play when he has possession and he is a clever player who can read the play. Maresca wants his midfield to be calm and composed but also to fight for the ball and Cucurella does all that with energy and aggression, like a tiger.

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Van Nistelrooy wasn’t first choice for Leicester coach

Leicester Club chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha said he was excited to welcome Van Nistelrooy as first team coach at the club and said, “It is my pleasure to welcome Ruud to Leicester City. He joins a Club with a rich history, passionate supporters, a talented squad and we are all excited to see the impact he can have as we embark on this new chapter together. Ruud’s experience, knowledge, and winning mentality will undoubtedly bring great value to us and we look forward to supporting him in achieving success for our fans and our Club.”

Ruud van Nistelrooy says he consulted Chelsea boss and former Leicester coach Enzo Maresca before agreeing to take the job. He will be tasked with avoiding the threat of relegation after replacing Steve Cooper who was sacked after just 12 games in charge. I can reveal that Van Nistelrooy was not Leicester’s first choice for coach and both ex-Chelsea man Graham Potter and West Ham coach David Moyes turned down an offer.

**I have been told that Chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha personally went into the Leicester dressing room after Steve Cooper was sacked and accused the players of failing their coach and causing his downfall.  

 

Lopetegui deaf to criticism

Under pressure West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui says he does not lose sleep because his job is under constant review. A surprise 2-0 away win at Eddie Howe’s Newcastle gave him some breathing space and the West Ham board are known to support their coaches until the situation becomes necessary to change the man in charge. A thumping 5-2 loss at Arsenal last weekend brought back a sense of reality and the knives are out for Lopetegui once again. A lower end of the table midweek loss to Leicester 3-1 has not helped his cause. The former Spain, Real Madrid and Wolves boss says pressure is just part of the job and he does not let it worry him. He said, “Our life is to live under pressure. Our work is like this and that is why we choose this kind of work…I believe the players have a big commitment to work hard and I am sure we are going to achieve our levels…my focus is to work in the team and to be able to understand what things can help us be a better team. The rest is not under our control.”

 

Could Sancho return to Man United?

On loan Jadon Sancho is proving his class at high-flying Chelsea and he scored as the Blues demolished Southampton midweek. He was important in the Blues beating both Leicester and Aston Villa despite deputising for Noni Madueke late in both matches. Jadon is still appreciated by the Manchester fans but his falling out with previous coach Erik Ten Hag seriously hurt his career. With good contributions being made on loan to Chelsea some of the United staff have suggested that he might return to the club at the end of the season although a £25million fee has been agreed for a possible permanent move next June. The player himself says he is happy at Chelsea but would always be interested in discussing a move back up north to United.