BECKHAM IN PARISHOW WILL THE MLS SURVIVE?

GUARDIOLA IN MUNICH CAN HE REPLICATE HIS

BARCA SUCCESS?

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CONTENTS6 - BECKHAM IN PARIS

11- SERIE A

14 - LAMPARD

18- PREMIER LEAGUE

20 - BUNDESLIGA

22 - MESSI OR RONALDO?

26 - GUARDIOLA IN MUNICH

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BECKHAM IN PARIS:How will the MLS survive now their face of their

franchise has now left for Paris.

David Beckham joined Los Angeles Galaxy in a multi-million dollar move in July 2007 after leaving Real Madrid a La Liga champion. The move shocked the world, why would a still relatively fresh Beckham want to move to LA and the supposed retirement home of the MLS? Beckham looked at the move with an idea to promote American “Soccer” to the same level as that of the other sports that dominate US sports coverage. While on the other hand, expanding his own brand on the American stage with his wife and ex-Spice Girl; Victoria.Beckham went to the MLS when the crowds were low, and the American people were not interested in a game that could end in a draw. In 2007, the MLS had just expanded to Canada with Toronto FC joining the league and Beckham arriving in the summer. This move to expand at the time Beckham was arriving was a masterstroke. Ticket sales went crazy, as everyone in the States

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and Canada couldn’t wait to see Becks strut his stuff in the MLS.However, the match wasn’t made in heaven. The relationship between Galaxy captain; Landon Donovan and Da-vid Beckham

was allegedly stormy with the US striker not happy with Beckham coming in to Galaxy with his reputation and ruling over him. He was criticised by Donovan and then the LA fans, when he had two loan spells at AC Milan in 2008, and 2009 respectively.

Beckham’s influence on the MLS has been unbelievable despite two loan spells away. Superstars of European football have now swapped the retirement homes of their countries to play in the MLS. All be it with a fantastic pay package. The signing of David Beckham allowed other clubs in the MLS to now have the right to buy a player as their “designated player” whose pay package would be out with the club’s salary cap. Such players that have arrived in the MLS are Robbie Keane, Thierry Henry, Freddie Ljungberg, Torsten Frings, Tim Cahill and many more. Would this have happened if Beckham didn’t go to the MLS? Doubtful.

Beckham decided in late 2012 after winning the MLS Cup in October that he would be leaving Galaxy with many rumours flying as to where his next move would be. Australia’s A-League, Japan’s J-League, Serie A, Bundesliga,

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La Liga, Paris St Germain and a chance to play for his home town club; West Ham, were all linked moves. However in January 2013, Beckham moved onto Paris St Germain. He donated his full 6 month contract salary to a children’s charity. There are many suggestions now; the MLS will not survive without Beckham. Beckham was the face of the MLS, the draw and the main reason the league has been broadcast in many countries abroad since 2007. Without Beckham what is there? Well the fans have now came to “Soccer specific” stadiums built for the clubs with the MLS expanding as far as Vancouver in Canada and bringing back the old franchise; San Jose Earthquakes. A number of European stars are still in the States playing football. However with the threat of money from countries such as China, Qatar and Turkey, how many stars will want to make the move to the US now Beckham has left?The move of Didier Drogba to China after winning the Champions League with Chelsea in 2012, was a great example of this. He joined former team-mate Nicholas Anelka in China. The move was short lived as Drogba moved to Galatasary in Turkey in January 2013. However this type of pull may sway players from going to play “soccer” in the

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or back to La Liga.

Beckham however, has been a great servant to the MLS, expanding its franchise as well as his own. He became world famous in the US and seen his arrival been likened to something of a king. The MLS is now one of the most interesting football leagues in the world with a lot of talent growing out of it. Will it stay that way? It’s yet to be seen.

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JUVENTUS LOOK FOR ANOTHER TITLE

The old lady of Turin, is back at the top of Serie A. All be at not with the same dominance as the previous year however none the less it seems the dark days at Juventus are long gone. After match fixing scandal which saw Juventus drop to the second division there were fears a few years back Juventus wouldn’t return to the place they once were.With two league titles in a row seemingly in the bag, it looks like Juventus have well and truly returned to the top dog position in Italy, and once again making an impression on the European stage with an impressive performance at home to Chelsea and away to Celtic.Juve have been in terrific form starting the season the way they ended it, undefeated. It was an away loss to AC Milan that ended the streak, a 1-0 loss in the San Siro.Milan have seemingly returned to better days as they look to capitalise on the arrival of the enigmatic striker; Mario Balotelli in the January transfer window. Balotelli, a former Inter player, has seen his arrival looked at as quite controversial with bouts of racism from the Inter fans. However, what can be said about the striker is one his day, the Italian is ruthless. One only has to look at the Euro 2012 campaign to understand why they may call him Super Mario. Balotelli will be the focal point of any attacking plan for Milan to bring back the glory days, one thing he didn’t have at Manchester City or Inter Milan. A big risk, it is to bring Balotelli back to Italy however, if Milan can get him playing then the future might be bright.Internazionale have once again struggled in the Serie A to compete with the top dogs, such as city rivals Milan and league leaders Juventus. Even the rise of Napoli or most notably Edinson Cavani, has seen Inter fall to fifth in the league. Many would expect Inter to do better, but since the departure of Jose Mourinho, Inter has struggled to replicate the dominance they had only a few years back. The rise of Napoli may be a one season wonder, the little distraction of European football has seen the former side of Diego Maradona hit 2nd place in the table. The departure of Ezequiel Lavezzi to Paris St Germain was deemed a damaging prospect for Napoli’s season, however with Edinson Cavani and Marek Hamsik has seen Napoli just stay in touch with the Champions elect; Juventus. Next season will be as interesting to see what teams turn up in Serie A. Many disappoint while always there is some drama.

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FRANK LAMPARD: CHELSEA’S GREATEST?

WHAT NEXT FOR LAMPS?

Frank Lampard is nearing a milestone achievement for his current club Chelsea FC. Currently lodged on 200 goals for the blues, Lampard is looking to overtake Bobby Tambling; the club’s all-time top scorer on 202 goals, to become Chelsea’s greatest all time goal-scorer. Lampard has had a very distinguished career, moving from West Ham in 2001, Lampard has become one of the greatest players to wear the blue of Chelsea and the white of England.However, with the 2012-13 season coming to a close, and current interim manager; Rafa Benitez sticking to a rotation policy within the squad, there is currently an anx-iety within Lampard to achieve this record.

In March 2013, Lampard scored his 200th goal against the club he moved from in 2001, in an £11million move. The headed goal against West Ham, put Lampard within two goals of the coveted achievement he desperately wants. However, with over 60 games being played this season by Chelsea, Benitez has rotated the squad to keep the team fresh in a bid to leave the club in May with a UEFA Europa League trophy, 12 months after previous manager; Roberto Di Matteo guided the club to a UEFA Champions League win in 2012. Lampard is an extremely popular player at Stamford Bridge, with many describing the English midfielder as a legend. His contract with the club is up at the end of the 2012-13 season, and this being the case has gave Lampard the drive to become the club’s top all time goal scorer. The club’s refusal to talk to Lampard about a new contract has baffled many, however at the age of 34, Chelsea may believe that youth in their midfield is the new policy.

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In his 12 years at Stamford Bridge, Lampard has won 12 major honours; 3 Premier League titles and 1 UEFA Champions League in amongst. Arguably his greatest season was the 2009-10 season, when Lampard hit over 25 goals from midfield to help guide Chelsea to their first ever league and cup double under boss Carlo Ancelotti. He had previously been a major part of Jose Mourinho’s title winning sides in 2005 and 2006. So much so a few years later, Mourinho tried to tempt Lampard with a move to his club Inter at the time.

There is no doubting the class Lampard has, deadly from the penalty spot, free kick specialist, box-to-box midfielder, supply man and goal machine. Only comparable to him in recent years has been Steven Gerrard at Liverpool. Only god will know how the two players couldn’t play side by side prolifically for England.Cracks between the relationship of Chelsea and Lampard have been showing since the arrival of boss Andre Villas Boas in 2011. Lampard along with the holy trinity of Didier Drogba and John Terry, had been dropped from the team as AVB looked to youth. Villas Boas was sacked after a Champions League loss to Napoli which saw all three players left out the starting eleven. Di Matteo brought back the three and Chelsea went on to win the Champions League. The arrival of interim boss Benitez has seen Lampard’s role with the club becoming far more limited.What next for Lampard? It is hard to say. Will he be at Chelsea next season? Only the hierarchy at Stamford Bridge can know for sure. At the moment; Lampard’s deal is up at the end of the season, which could see him out of a club in the summer. A long-time admirer of Frank Lampard; Manchester Utd boss Sir Alex Ferguson; has made a point of always praising Lampard. This has led to rumours that the 35 year old could be wearing red next season at Old Trafford as Paul Scholes retires. However, would he leave his beloved Chelsea for rivals Man Utd, it’s difficult to see. What can be said about Lampard is he has been a fantastic player for club and country. A testament to the West Ham youth development of the mid 1990s; Lampard is truly a legend of English football. Whether he is at Chelsea next season, to become their top goal scorer of all time; at Manchester Utd or even an unlikely return to West Ham, he will be very much remembered.

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20 TIME CHAMPIONS: MANCHESTER UNITED WIN ANOTHER TITLE

Manchester United sealed their 20th league title on the 22nd April, leaving rivals Manchester City saddened at a stuttering season. All excitement now looks to the UEFA Champions League places and the battle for survival.

Manchester Utd are champions once again. The record breaking red-devils have sealed yet another title to further their place as the Premier League’s premier team. Thirteen titles in twenty-one seasons. The 2012-13 season in England, has firmly belonged to the red side of Manchester after that heart-breaking end to last season.Sir Alex Ferguson’s side ended their season as champions at the Stadium of Light, however with the Manchester City game still playing their title was snatched from their hands as City scored a late and famous winner against QPR with Sergio Aguero ending 44 years of pain for City fans.

The season started in a contrast to where we are now. City had started the season in good form while Man Utd stuttered at Goodison Park in an opening day loss to Everton. However, it was the purchase of Robin Van Persie from Arsenal. The controversial move has been the signing of the season as at this point (April 2013) Van Persie stands as top goal-scorer with closest rival; Liverpool forward Luis Suarez one goal behind. The move had shaken the English game as Van Persie instantly made an impact at Old Trafford as the season went on. City had seen their form dip after a poor run in the UEFA Champions League. Utd even went on to win in injury time at the Eithad Stadium in December.The title looked heading back to Old Trafford after City suffered defeats at Everton, Tottenham and draws at home to Liverpool. The 20 league titles, fittingly sealed by a hat-trick from Manchester Utd’s no.20; Robin Van Persie against Aston Villa on the 22nd April saw Manchester Utd extend their record as the club having won the most Premier division titles.It seems a long time before Liverpool could even bring back their own dominance after such an up and down season. The season will have frustrated new boss; Brendan Rodgers. After a very turbulent spell under previous bosses; Roy Hodgson and Kenny Dalglish, Liverpool looked for stability. That they have got. However, poor results against the poorer teams in the league has faltered their Champions League place bid. Liverpool will look to next season as to whether they can challenge again. However, they will be start-ing the season without the suspended Luis Suarez, whose madness bite on

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on Branislav Ivanovic has seen him suffer a 10 match suspension. Liverpool shall need to strengthen in most places to challenge Spurs, Arsenal, Chelsea and Everton for they places.Chelsea however, will feel they wish to not be in theChampions League places competition but challenging for the league title. Instability has once again over taken the Stamford Bridge club, with a new manager in the summer to replace interim boss; Rafa Benitez. Too many managers has seem to be the theme in the last ten years at Chelsea as many want the “Spe-cial One” back. Will Mourinho

A contrast in seasons between Spurs and Arsenal has been very noticeable. Arsenal started the season in strong defensive form, however this start did not maintain as Arsenal once again weakened at the back and faltered up front. The club struggled to replace Van Persie with the sometimes brilliant but inconsistent Olivier Giroud. Where-as their rivals Tottenham, were placing all their eggs in one basket called; Gareth Bale. Bale has been somewhat unplayable this season, gaining 18 goals from the wing. This has led to many comparisons of him to Messi and Ronaldo.

At the other side of the table, QPR has been yet again part of the relegation battle as they were the previous season. The reign of Mark Hughes came to an end and Harry Redknapp took over. This move was seemed to be the saving grace but it has went from worse to worse. QPR beckon on relegation with Reading right behind them. Truly both managers, Redknapp and Adkins will be looking to the Championship next season as both teams are almost certainly down.The battle firmly is between; Aston Villa, Wigan, Newcastle Utd, Stoke and Sunderland. Sunderland look to be saving themselves with new manager Paolo Di Canio being the motivation they need to survive. Di Canio’s Black Cats destroyed bitter rivals Newcastle Utd at St. James’ Park to spark delirious celebrations among the Sunderland support and Paolo Di Canio himself. Di Canio has only been in charge for a short time, but the fiery Italian will be looking to next season in the Premier League. Their rivals; Newcastle United have suffered terribly this season with injury and back luck. Losing Demba Ba to Chelsea, the injury of Hatem Ben Arfa and Fabricio Collocini has seen the Magpies struggle to emulate their fifth place finish the previous season. The belief is Newcastle, Sunderland and Stoke City will survive. This leaves the battle between Aston Villa and Wigan. Wigan have been there and done it. Season after season they defy the odds and claim their place in the following season’s Barclay’s Premier League. Roberto Martinez, a long time target of Aston Villa, does unbelievably to keep his team up when even the brightest bookie would put them down. But, it is this drive for survival which will put a fear in the Birmingham club that their long time tenure in the Premier division could be coming to an end. The appointment of Paul Lambert has been a difficult one for the club; at times the youthful club look promising but at other times they look inexperienced. Only time will tell come May who will be down.

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BAYERN CHAMPIONS: BUNDESLIGABAYERN ROMP THE LEAGUE, GERMAN

FOOTBALL ON THE RISE

“FC Hollywood” as the rest of Germany call them have romped to a title win in record time of the leagues history. Romping at home and in Europe, it is hard to look beyond Bayern Munich at the moment.It is hard to look at Bayern Munich without looking at the hurt the fans have had to endure in previous seasons. Losing cup finals and leagues to Borussia Dortmund and losing Champions League finals to Chelsea (in their own back yard) and Inter Milan.Bayern have almost destroyed every team they have come up against this season, winning 18 out of 19 games since the winter break. The team of Muller, Robben, Ribery, Kroos, Martinez and Schweinsteiger has seen their attack spear headed by Croatian Mario Mandzukic, who himself has blasted 15 goals in the German top division.The form of Mandzukic has seen prolific goal poacher; Mario Gomez drop out the side which has led to reports the big German striker may be leaving at the end of the season upon the imminent arrival of new manager; Pep Guardiola. The supply men of Ribery and Robben have yet again been ever so reliable for Bayern. Tame the ego’s everything takes care of itself.Times have changed for Bayern, questions have been asked if this is their greatest ever time since the time of Franz Beckenbauer. Only a return of the European Cup to the city of Munich for the team in red will be the answer to that.Borussia Dortmund, have been somewhat disappointing in the league this year. Their exploits on the UEFA Champions League front; defeating Manchester City, Real Madrid and Ajax all at home, reaching the semi-final of the Champions League. Robert Lewandowski has yet again been in prolific for Dortmund. The purchase from Borussia Monchengladbach; Marcos Reus has been a fantastic move for Dortmund, linking up Lewnadowski, Gotze, Błaszczykowski and Reus himself in a prolific front line. Goals have been of many for Dortmund, but getting close to the unstoppable Bayern Munich has been the challenge for many in the Bundesliga.

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MESSIOR

RONALDO?WHO IS THE GREATEST OF OuR GENERATION?

Cristiano Ronaldo, moved to Real Madrid in the summer of 2009; for a record breaking £80million from Manchester Utd. His entire time at the Santiago Bernabeu has been characterised by the ongoing battle to be the best between himself and the Barcelona no.10 Lionel Messi.Both have had very contrasting rises to the top of their game. Ronaldo starting off in Sporting Lisbon as a youngster, noticed by Sir Alex Ferguson in a pre-season friendly which led to Utd paying £12million for Ronaldo’s services. At the age of 18, he took the no.7 jersey previously occupied by Old Trafford legend; David Beckham, who himself had just moved to Real Madrid in the summer of 2003.Ronaldo’s rise to the top was a fantastic one to watch. Always the trickster but very rare end product was typical of his early days at Old Trafford, however in the 2007-08 season, Ronaldo blasted 42 goals for Man Utd, winning the UEFA Champions League and Ballon D’or award.

In May 2009, the very first Ronaldo vs Messi happened in the Stadio Olimpico, Rome as Manchester Utd were beaten 2-0 by Messi’s Barcelona in the final of UEFA Cham-pions League. Messi stole the show that night, something he would typically over the next four years.

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Lionel Messi left Argentina at the age of thirteen, to become a Barcelona prodigy. At the early age in his footballing education, Barcelona paid for a hormonal treatment which could’ve stunted Leo’s growth. After this however, the rest is history. Blasting on to the scene at the age of 18, Lionel Messi has been compared to the greatest in the world, the likes of Maradona, Pele and Zidane

have been mentioned, Messi possibly being the better of all of them. Messi has been heralded as the greatest and with becoming Barcelona’s all-time top goal scorer by the age of 24, and with four FIFA Ballon D’or awards, it is hard to argue against it.Every El Clasico game has now got the headline billing “Messi Vs Ronaldo”; who will have the better game? It is almost like who is the greatest at that particular time. To look at their individual skills would be something of interest to any football fan. Messi is deemed more the natural, the ball seems to be glued to his left foot as he glides past players and finishes in what can be said to look extremely easy. Arsenal manager; Arsene Wenger described him as “someone controlling him with a Playstation Controller

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This quote is typical of what it is like to watch Messi play. Ronaldo on the other hand could only be described as a footballing android. He can literally do anything with a ball at ease. Head, score, sprint, and dribble the list goes on. His physique also dominated, well over 6ft tall and built with complete muscle. People will arguably say though Messi may be the better footballer, Ronaldo is the better athlete.However, many have started to feel the novelty of watching these two square off is wearing off. This may seem ridiculous but it is true. When the two play against each other in El Clasico matches, one will seem to have a poor game while the other is in usual excellent form.Many also feel that it is time to glorify Cristiano Ronaldo for his works at Real Madrid. Many in the game believe Ronaldo has somewhat been a sideshow to the brilliance of Leo Messi at the Nou Camp. Ronaldo has been nothing but a record breaker since going to the Bernabeu in 2009, in another time he would have easily been heralded as the world’s greatest player. In 2014; the 2013 winner of the FIFA Ballon D’or will be announced. Many within the game believe after Lionel Messi winning the award 4 years on the bounce, it is time to give Ronaldo the award. Is this out of pity or admiration for his work? It is hard to say.Ronaldo and Messi are the two greatest in the world at what they do at the moment. To ask anyone; “Who would you rather have in your team?” I firmly believe many would say Lionel Messi. The fact he is a natural and makes the game look terrifically easy at times makes him a wonder to watch. However, imagine it was possible to have both player’s in your team? Suppose as football fans we can only dream of what that would be like.

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GuARDIOLA IN MuNICH

CAN HE REPLICATE HIS bARCA SuCCESS?

Pep Guardiola arrives in Munich in the summer, following the retirement of the three time manager Jupp Heynckes. Heynckes has romped the Bundesliga in record time, as well as making the semi-finals of the Champions League setting up a clash with Guardiola’s ex-employers Barcelona. The manager has destroyed the youthful but exciting Borussia Dortmund managed by the animated Jurgen Klopp. Taking the reins at the Allianz Arena will be an extremely difficult task for Guardiola many believe, while others believe he will walk the Bundesliga and Champions League next season with his skills.However, this Bayern Munich team is no walk in the park. Egos are the centre of this team. Many questions will be raised about the ability of Guardiola’s man-management skills when he comes face to face with Munich’s excitable but temperamental no.10; Arjen Robben. Robben is undoubtedly one of the world’s greatest players at themoment but Robben likes to get his own way. Will Guardiola accept this?

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Guardiola has been criticised for his man-management skills in the past, when joining Barcelona, he chased Ronaldinho, previously the world’s greatest player out of the Nou Camp in favour of a young but maturing Lionel Messi. This move has now been seen as a masterstroke as Messi has been heralded the world’s greatest ever player but how much of that can really be down to Guardiola? Guardiola assembled a team that had already been assembled in the La Masia academy on the suburbs of the Nou Camp, players such as Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta, Pedro, Sergio Busquets and the purchase of Gerard Pique and Cesc Fabregas back to the club. With these players aligned with long term servants such as Xavi Hernandez and Carles Puyol, the club was made for success. With the front trifecta of Lionel Messi, Samuel Eto’o and Thierry Henry, Guardiola guided Barcelona to an unprecedented Treble in his first season in charge. However, in the summer of that year Guardiola would bid £60 million + Samuel Eto’o for the services of enigmatic striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The signing has been seen as Guardiola’s biggest mistake in management as the striker did not settle in Catalonia and did not like playing second fiddle to Lionel Messi. This type of transfer has made Guardiola’s move to Munich in the summer seem very much a difficult prospect for Pep. He will go into an ageing team with many players looking to move on. He has been rumoured to be looking at acquiring the services of Luis Suarez from Liverpool and Falcao from Atletico Madrid in a bid to combine two prolif-ic strikers. However his man-management skills will again be put to the test with Suarez being one of the most controversial players in the English Premier League with incidents of racism and now biting.

What can be said about Guardiola is his success on the park. He got Barcelona playing his beloved Tiki-Taka type of football that almost had every team in Europe scratching their head how to beat Barcelona. Even the Manchester Utd manager; Sir Alex Ferguson, was left totally dumbfounded after his team were utterly outplayed in the 2011 Champions League final at Wembley Stadium. However, one big opposition to the new Guardiola revolution will be the young and exciting team playing in Dortmund. Jurgen Klopp’s team; Bundesliga champions 2011 and 2012 have been a big threat to the Bayern dominance in Germany. However, this season Dortmund haven’t hit the high notes in the Bundesliga but are performing well on the European stage; also making the semi-finals of the Champions League to meet again with Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid.

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Klopp will be dead set to win back the Bundesliga from Bayern in the next season; however this will be threatened with the sale of Mario Gotze to rivals Bayern Munich for £32million.

What can be said is there is undoubted excitement for Bayern Munich’s new superstar manager to take charge and bring back a first UEFA Champions League since 2001. That being said, Jupp Heynckes can bow out a European Champion if he slays Barcelona and goes onto glory at Wembley on the 25th May. Now wouldn’t that be a tough act to follow?

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