Sabotage Times, We can't Concentrate so Why Should You?

It’s the dream tie that many had been hoping for, but for Guardiola, the semi final two legged Champions League affair between Bayern and Barca will undoubtedly pull on the heartstrings of the Spaniard.

Ajax star Christian Eriksen has been heavily linked with a move to Liverpool this summer. This kind of speculation and talk of big money moves will often turn the head of players in Holland, but it’s vital for their development that they listen to their managers and stay at their clubs until they’re physically and mentally ready to leave.

With Balotelli on his way to AC Milan, many have talked up the need for Roberto Mancini to bring in another striker before the close of the transfer window, somewhat unnecessarily considering he has the ‘New Ibrahimovic’ at his disposal.

Strong, athletic, quick – the man nicknamed ‘The Bouncer’ is the first of the ‘New Breed’ of Eredivisie midfielders to make the move across Europe and his attributes will see him succeed at Everton.

With a five point gap separating Holland’s top teams, the title is there for the taking by the Erdivisie’s top quintet. With the winter break over and the business end of the campaign set to begin, it’s one race that looks all but set to go to the wire.

With Guardiola headed to Bayern, I feel it’s worth putting his Barcelona achievements in perspective before calling him a great manager…

Los Boquerones continue to raise eyebrows across Europe, be it through the Champions League and the impressive La Liga performances to receiving a ban from UEFA and ongoing financial woes. It’s fair to say Malaga are the team that keep on giving.

At Barcelona Pep Guardiola experienced success at a club he loved, owned by the fans, with a brilliant squad and academy. The circumstances couldn’t be more different at Chelsea – who’s to say he would succeed?

With Wenger currently stalling over contract negotiations, the question about his successor becomes increasingly relevant. Here’s a look at the future candidates…

Arsenal talisman Robin Van Persie is heavily linked with oil-rich Premier League champions Manchester City this summer, but would the Dutch striker be worth the huge financial outlay…

Short passes, patient build up and prized possession: the values that define Rodgers’ philosophy. But are they compatible with Steven Gerrard’s all-action style?

Now the dust has settled on England’s Euro 2012 exit, here’s a look at the future for the national side and if the Three Lions will ever scale the heights of 1966 again…

Don’t give up on Holland’s Oranje just yet. The Netherlands is still a hotbed of young football talent such as Liverpool target Luuk de Jong and these other 22 youngsters.

England have topped a difficult group and remain undefeated at Euro 2012. Yet some misguided phone-in lunatics are still banging on about playing like Spain. Will they ever learn…

England take on France this evening and start as underdogs. Yet amongst the moaning about tactics and personnel by the media, there is a feeling that a bright future is taking shape…

Chelsea won the Champions League this season despite heavy accusations of ‘anti-football’, and Denmark overcame Holland at Euro 2012 using similar tactics. But is it time for winning ugly to gain more respect?

The European Championships are just days away and scouts are readying their binoculars. Here’s a side of lesser known Euro 2012 stars that could earn a move to the Premier League with an impressive showing at the tournament.

Oh the childhood memories stirred up by the new Euro 2012 stickers…

A season that started horrifically looks to be ending on the up. Financially stable, a new assistant to reinvigorate the training ground and an international striker already in the bag. Now just for that pesky silverware…

The Daily Mail’s baiting of the hugely experienced Roy Hodgson is hugely disappointing. If he is to leave West Bromwich Albion and be our next England manager, he needs our support and our respect.

Chelsea’s tactical sabotage of Barcelona the other night should be celebrated, criticism of it is anti-football in itself…

In the wake of John Terry being stripped of the England captaincy for a second time, we answer the question of who should replace him with a simple ‘Who Cares?’

As the woes continue for the Chelsea striker, thoughts turn to how much of his success at Liverpool was owed to Rafa Benitez…

He can’t stop scoring for South Korea so isn’t it about time Wenger let Park prove himself in the Premier League before other strikers head off to the African Cup of Nations…

The name may currently be unfamiliar to most but the stylish composure of this young Dutchman may soon be reminding a watching continent of a certain Barcelona centre-back.

How Oasis’ debut album transports one family man back to youthful days of warm lager, and teenage swagger…

With a worrying defeat at the hands of resurgent Arsenal, and certain corners of the media beginning to sharpen their knives, it may be time to provide some perspective to André Villas-Boas’ time spent at Chelsea…

Far from a knee-jerk reaction to his Carling Cup brace against Leeds, the bare facts show that Michael Owen is still in the top four English strikers, and his tournament experience and finishing ability make him a must pick next summer…

By dropping the misfiring Spaniard Villas-Boas has shown that he is prepared to do things his own way at Chelsea, but is this part of a long-term plan to bring out the best in Torres?

Filippo Inzaghi is a Champions League legend. An arch-poacher who cares about little else but scoring goals. Lots of them. His omission from AC Milan’s European squad this term represents a sad end of an era.

Ok, so the signing of South Korea’s skipper isn’t in the same league as John Lennon’s anti-war classic. But if Arsenal fans can ignore the negative sub-text, the technically gifted striker could prove a shrewd addition…

Working wonders on a non-existent budget, getting the best out of journeyman and Champions League glory with an unfancied team. Meet Pavel Vrba the Czech version of Old Big ‘Ead.

With the granite-faced grump Fabio Capello due to step down after next year’s Euros the search is on for his successor. He’ll have to shrug off the suffocating weight of expectation and remain realistic.

As Arsenal’s woes continue and with a pivotal clash with old rivals Manchester United looming on the horizon we take a look at the potential mindset of the man in charge, Arsene Wenger.

A ball-winning midfielder with personality, presence and steel is surely an absolute must for Wenger – if Arsenal are ever to realise their undoubted potential again under his management.

On one side you’ve got the Joey Barton furore, on the other you’ve got the efforts on behalf of Jack Marshall…

Their billionaire Arab owners have allowed Malaga CF to snap up a raft of European talent. Can they now emulate Manchester City’s success and put the willies up Barcelona and Real Madrid?

He may be the class clown, but Arsenal need players with medals to guide those without without any…

Robbie Fowler, Alan Shearer and Andy Cole all had their best season before the age of 27. Can Chelsea’s Fernando Torres go against the grain?