Manchester derby: The most expensive United v City match-up ever?

This Saturday's Manchester derby is set to be the most expensive match-up in the history of football.

The Old Trafford showdown will not only pit Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola - the most-decorated managers in Europe - against each other, but also 22 players worth over £670m in transfer fees.

Manchester United lead the way with a predicted starting XI costing £350.55m, including the world's most expensive player, Paul Pogba, who returned to the club this summer for £93.25m from Juventus.

Saturday's predicted line-ups would total £672.4m in transfer fees

The hosts are also likely to field Anthony Martial (£57.6m) and Luke Shaw (£28m), who both broke the record for the world's most expensive teenager when they were signed, as well as Juan Mata (£37.1m), Eric Bailly (£30m) Marouane Fellaini (£27.5m) and captain Wayne Rooney (£27m). 

In contrast to those mega sums, star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic was signed for free in the summer, after the Swede left Paris Saint-Germain at the end of his contract. 

The Manchester City predicted line-up cost the club £321.85m to assemble, with Kevin de Bruyne (£54.5m), John Stones (£50m), Raheem Sterling (£49m) and Leroy Sane (£37m) among their most expensive additions over the past two years.

Sky Sports have searched through the record books and we believe that the previous most-expensive match-up was November 2015's El Clasico, when Barcelona thrashed Real Madrid 4-0 at the Bernaebeu.

The Real Madrid v Barcelona line-ups in November 2015 totalled £562m

On show that day, among others, were Gareth Bale (£85.3m), Cristiano Ronaldo (£80m), Luis Suarez (£75m), James Rodriguez (£63m) and Neymar (£48.6m), with the combined transfer totals coming to £562m.

Real Madrid's team of Galacticos actually came to £370.45m - almost £20m more than the cost of the team United are expected to field this weekend. But, between them, the two Manchester clubs are set to break a record…

By Peter Smith and Edward Higgs

Source :  SkySport.com

One of the Greatest: Andres Iniesta

If there is anything close to human godliness then it has to be Dos Andres Iniesta, arguably the best
Midfielder of his generation and too many could be the greatest midfielder of all time if not the
greatest player. Andres Iniesta is preferably one of the most wonderful footballers, he effortlessly
displays great finesse and is one of the most technically gifted footballers of all time.

With the opening of this piece highly praising Dos Andres, it could be argued that he unfortunately
was born in the wrong era, but how fair is this on Iniesta? how can we continuously rank him
amongst the greatest but yet say he was born in the wrong era. We say this because Messi and
Ronaldo are better goalscorers than him and yet technically he exceeds both players effortlessly. If
there’s any player that can make things happen for either Spain or Barcelona it has to be the
mastermind magician Andres Iniesta, his display in the 2008 knockout stages of the Champions
League against Chelsea was followed by him being included in the squad of Spain which was about
to dominate the world for at least 4 years. From 2008 Euro Spain, the better demonstrators of the
Tiki-Taka, were crowned champions of Europe and that team had Andreas Iniesta and Xavi being the
engine of the team.

His excellence was inevitable in 2009 he went on and won the Champions League with Barcelona
against Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United. His performance that season was once again
sensational. He had become a recognized as also a feared individual in the Barcelona army. He was
clearly the first name on the team sheet.

Well that carried on to the 2010 World Cup where they partnered up once again, Xavi and Iniesta
the masterminds, the engineers of Spain’s midfield as they led Spain to their first World Cup title. It
was a remarkable achievement for the country, but what was more remarkable was how Iniesta
scored the winning goal in final against the Netherlands. Well-taken first touch and followed up with
a composed finished proving his extent of prowess.

The 32-year old midfielder has been an instrumental figure for both club and country for quite some.
In 2011 he was once again instrumental against the Red Devils where at the end of the match,
Wayne Rooney said that in his opinion, Andres Iniesta is the best player in world. It seems like that
had a serious impact on Iniesta, as his performance in the following year/season grew from
magnificent to beyond magnificent.

If 2012 wasn’t enough for Iniesta to win the Ballon D’or then I guess we always question what must
happen for any other player to win the prestigious award besides Messi and Ronaldo, with the
Brazilian Kaka being the only player to do so. We can’t turn a blind eye to Iniesta’s performance that
year. The only thing that he felt short from on the “unknown” criteria to select a winner was
probably the number of goals scored but I feel like if that is included then it’s unfair to players who
play in positions that do not allow them to poach for goals. Fabio Cannavarro was a defender when
he won the award, do think goals were such a huge factor to decide on the winner. The competition
of Messi and Ronaldo has shadowed players like Iniesta, Sneijder and Xavi from winning the Ballon
D’or. 2012 was the year Andres Iniesta was named European Player of the Year, it was well
deserved as he was part of the Spanish team that won the 2012 UEFA EURO Championship.

Ballon D’or obtained?

2015 he was the captain to the team that was blessed with the MSN strike force. They won a treble
which included the UEFA Champions League. And the 2015/16 season saw Iniesta also being a part
of double-winning Barcelona team, the La Liga and Copa Del Rey titles, of which became his 30th and
31st career titles, two more than the legendary Pele. This past season saw Iniesta recording an
impressive 88% pass-completion rate and he was the brains behind the MSN.

2016 EUROs seem like the perfect platform for Iniesta to once again justify we are blessed to be
alive to see him play, after being included in 2008 and 2012 team of the tournament and being
voted player of the tournament in 2012 it seems like he has already prepared to see his name on the
team of the tournament. His performances against the Czech Republic and Turkey last night was
world class once again, looks 50 is actually 32 but players like he is 23 years.

I guess we all see a Ballon D’or winner whenever Iniesta plays. The Spanish Darling is arguably
engraved on the list of one of the greatest footballers.

What a time to be alive, Dos Andres!

Euro 2016 has already kicked off

Euro 2016 has already kicked off and to many expectations were set up.
A fair start to the tournament and it's pretty much going to get more entertaining I tell you.
So far we have seen young players emerging and the usually big players making a statement that they are going to show and mean business.

The opening match was an entertaining match, France is one of the blessed teams when it comes to the squads. Payet in my opinion proved he is ready for the El'Classico. Honestly I don't see any team bossing another easily, but so far Germany has had the most convincing win concerning their score line against Ukraine. Konoplyanka, Pyatov and Yarmolenko were superb against the World Cup Holders last night.

Croatia is another team we cannot turn a blind eye on them. The El'Classico rival stars Ivan Rakitic and Luka Modric dominated the midfield fairly well but the introduction of 18 year old Emre Mor was essential as he was adding value to the teams efforts along with Arda Turan also Özyakup was quite impressive.

Another team which goes unnoticed is Poland,a team with individuals that can prove to be the game changers and fortune holders of the team, Seville's Grzegorz Krychowiak was a marvel to watch as usual hopefully in the following match Piotr Zieliński will be used effectively he could feed Robert Lewandowski quite adequately.

England once again raised concerns if they are actually going to ever win a major tournament. Naive was the word used best to describe Roy's tactics as the match proceeded. How Raheem Sterling finished the match is a serious matter which needs to be attended. Why didn't Vardy feature at all? Why was Sturridge never used or why make changes that do need suggest defending a 1-0 lead or looking out to get a second. Spurs' Rose was sensational on the evening.

Bale and company did themselves a favour by securing a win. A shocking or rather a "blonde" performance by Aaron Ramsey. Jonathan Williams was quite refreshing to watch has a bit of flair to his play.

With 8 matches played and 14 goals played we can expect more from this year's euro.

My list of players to watch
* Rafa Silva (Portugal)
* Piotr Zieliński (Poland)
* Arkadiusz Milik (Poland)
* William Carvahlo (Portugal)
* Grzegorz Krychowiak (Poland)
* Renato Sanches (Portugal)
* André Gomes (Portugal)
* João Mário (Portugal)
* Julian Draxler (Germany)
* Emre Can (Germany)
* Anthony Martial (France)
* Yannick Carrasco (Belgium)
* Emre Mor (Turkey)
* Kingsley Cowman (France)

Lets keep the Debate going.

You can also join the Euro Fantasy League. Its not easy to choosing a team though. Join Euro Fantasy League 

John Comitis has bought Mpumalanga Balck Aces this should be interesting

Former Ajax CT chairman John Comitis confirmed that he has bought MP Black Aces & the PSL has sanctioned the deal

England Euro 2016 Squad

A lot needs to rectifed concerning Hodgson's selcetion
Firstly how earth is Wilshere on that team yes we all know I am fan of Jack but he missed the entire season and now he is selected
Midfielders like: Ward-Prowse, Carrick, Mark Noble and Barry left behind but played throughout the season... how does that make sense.
Moving on to the striking department yes Rashford is talented but is he better than Defoe? Hell no Defoe is more complete and more experienced and 15 goals to the 4 of Rashford and has a better rate of aerial duels.
Andy Carrol has 9 goals and we know the aerial threath he imposes.

Goalkeepers: Joe Hart (Manchester City), Fraser Forster (Southampton), Tom Heaton (Burnley).

Defenders: Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Chris Smalling (Manchester United), John Stones (Everton), Kyle Walker (Tottenham Hotspur), Ryan Bertrand (Southampton), Danny Rose (Tottenham Hotspur), Nathaniel Clyne (Liverpool).

Midfielders: Dele Alli (Tottenham Hotspur), Ross Barkley (Everton), Fabian Delph (Manchester City), Eric Dier (Tottenham Hotspur), Danny Drinkwater (Leicester City), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Adam Lallana (Liverpool), James Milner (Liverpool), Raheem Sterling (Manchester City), Andros Townsend (Newcastle United), Jack Wilshere (Arsenal).

Strikers: Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur), Jamie Vardy (Leicester City), Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United).

LVG Losing Valuable Games for Manchester

Without putting both Manchester United and Liverpool in comparison, as Liverpool had the better performance. Ball possession favoured Liverpool and furthermore. But without putting Liverpool into analysis their performance was top of the drawer.

With everything being questioned when it comes to LVG losing it entirely, it seems like yesterday's starting lineup was one of the talking points tactically. Yesterday's starting lineup consisted of United's  three  promising young sensations. Guillermo Varela, Marcus Rashford along with Anthony Martial who were the young prospects fielded by van Gaal.

After successive and impressive European and Premier League debuts for Marcus Rashford scoring four goals in the process, two in Europe and two in the league against the Gunners of Arsene Wenger. That was enough for Rashford to be adored by the fans. Going forward with absentees such as Rooney evidently it would be expected that Rashford would take up the role of putting the ball behind the net as martial too was out for a short injury spell. His return then so made it complicated for LVG to remain simply tactical minded.
Looking into the performance of the youngsters of Manchester United:

• Guillermo Varela had a rating of 6/10, he was steady despite the presence of those around him who weren't. He has and is still making it seen that he is a suitable first choice right-back.

•  Marcus Rashford he secured a rating of 5/10, placed on the side. He misjudged an early half-chance and spent the rest of the half offering assistance to Varela. He was subbed at the break.

• Anthony Martial, with the same ratings as Rashford, the young number 9 found himself isolated throughout. On a rare occasions he found himself selling the ball, and to that extent Liverpool's defence were present to snuff him out.

LVG's  big tactical mess up was apparent through the set up of Rashford and Martial. The quality and abilities of Martial are undoubtedly questionable. The Frenchman has been a versatile player for Man United, able to be utilized on the wings and upfront. The presence of the emerging goalscoring talent in Rashford was compromised when he was shifted on the side where he had to create and supply for Martial. Disappointingly he created 0 chances, had 1 take-on and only had one shot off target. Effective tactics by LVG? I don't think so.
Anthony Martial on this occasion was shifted to an out-and-out striker role and had a better rate of take-ons: 4,  compared to one of  Rashford and no shot on or off-target for him.
With Rashford scoring 4 goals in a space of 4 days on his debuts was LVG naive of not trying to place a more productive attack against Liverpool?
Patience is emerging short on LVG with the fans and to some who cannot stand it have already called from his head.


By: Vuyolethu Sithatu
@MAVUYOSTAR

Stats: by  http://europa-league.squawka.com/europa-league/10-03-2016/liverpool-vs-man-utd/matches

England Euro Strike force

With not much success in any of the international competitions and also having failed to win anything with the past golden generation of the likes of Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Paul Scholes, John Terry, Ashley Cole and David Beckham just to name a few, England could be blessed and look set to put their hopes and faith upon the country’s latest quality of strikers.

 The likes of Premier League joint leading scorer Jamie Vardy, ever experienced captain of Manchester United and England Wayne Rooney, the young Hotspur striker Harry Kane, injury prone striker of the Merseyside Red Daniel Sturridge and last but not least a striker with 137 EPL goals Jermaine Defoe. Besides Daniel Sturridge who has been on the side-lines for most of this season for Liverpool and as well as Rooney who has had a rather slow start to the season concerning his goalscoring.

 England does boast of three strikers who are consistent in their goal scoring; Vardy(15), Defoe(9) and Kane(12) have scored a number of 36 EPL goals collectively, if you were to put both Rooney and Sturridge in the equation that would tally up a total of more than 40 goals. 

What’s the way forward with such quality strikers for the England coach Roy Hodgson? Without the brilliant ball players in the midfield like Gerrard and Lampard or Scholes it seems like the people of the Queen will look to the likes of Jordan Henderson, Delle Ali, Ox lade Chamberlain, Ross Barkley, Raheem Sterling and Adam Lallana to do the creative work or marshalling the midfield. 

Are these players fit enough to supply strikers…

For coach Hodgson it will fall down to the formation he chooses to go with considering the frontmen he has in line up. With Wayne Rooney as the captain it is guaranteed he will get a place in the starting 11. 

With that being said, a 4-4-2 formation set out as a 4-1-2-1-2 with the likes of Barkley, Sterling, Lallana and Rooney able to play the number 10 role, England could find themselves more than willing to have two men upfront. Splitting the function of the two central midfielders: one can be assigned to a deep role preferably Henderson/Ali and probably and use Rooney as the further placed midfielder in a number 10 role behind preferred strikers Vardy and Kane, with then Ali/Henderson  and Barkley creating the  rest of the diamond-shape midfield.

With much to say about England’s strikers, which pairing would do the 3 lions justice?

Vardy sitting already on 15 goals, Harry Kane on 12 goals they both tally up close to 30 goals.  If this was the duo to lead England then preferably Rooney will be a third striker in the team but from a midfield role.

The inclusion of Defoe would be best compliment by any of the strikers for he has proven to be a quality striker in any partnership. Sturridge on the other hand too is very mobile and athletic, his movement on and off the ball is hard to deal with for defenders and with clinical strikers such as Defoe and Kane their positioning in the opponent’s 18-yard box is excellent and  that’s if the supply is as brilliant as the strikers goal scoring rate.

Not touching on the team’s defence and midfield the main focus is the strike force. Can they do justice at this year’s European Competition?

Jamie Vardy, Harry Kane, Jermaine Defoe, Wayne Rooney and if fit Daniel Sturridge, can these men score England through?

We are yet to find out…