Author Archives: Sameer Chopra

As the transfer deadline came and went, Liverpool supporters would have become painfully aware of two things. One was that the club’s owners had basically stabbed their manager in the back. Another was that yet again, instead of strengthening, a transfer … Continue reading →

Ever since the start of the Premier League in the early 1990s, soccer has become a world of haves and have-nots. Clubs with ‘history’ or extremely wealthy owners have leveraged television and Champions League revenues to such an extent that … Continue reading →

Brendan Rodgers was appointed Liverpool manager in June, and has now had some time to get to know his squad. Presumably this means that the manager has decided upon those players that fit well into his system and those that … Continue reading →

It’s been obvious to everybody watching the Premier League over the last few years that Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal have tried to emulate the way Barcelona dominate games with the ball. The acrimonious departure of Cesc Fabregas and some unsavory Champions … Continue reading →

Andre Villas-Boas is a very confident man, and that’s a good thing because he has very ambitious plans. Recently appointed by Tottenham Hotspur, the man who flamed out at Chelsea is already talking about mounting a title challenge, but doing … Continue reading →

Watching Liverpool play last season was a frustrating experience for all concerned. Clearly a team with talent, they were over-reliant on Luis Suarez for creativity while those around the Uruguayan often didn’t take enough responsibility. In fact, it could be … Continue reading →

Chelsea isn’t known as a team that parks the bus. The prevailing images of the London side all involve swagger and aggression, with high energy in midfield and Didier Drogba bullying defenders. Many of the players in this year’s side … Continue reading →

Liverpool fans are often claimed to be some of the most rational and intelligent in the world. They hardly ever turn on a manager (and Hodgson very nearly turned on them first) and they know the difference between a bad … Continue reading →

Normally a European match is noticeable because of the clash of styles involved. Think Inter Milan’s immovable object against Barcelona’s irresistible force. Similarly, Tottenham have stunned Europe by using traditional English wingers and an old-fashioned target man. In the Europa … Continue reading →

You have to feel that Arsène Wenger would like nothing more than to have a team of players molded in Van Persie’s style. Minus the injuries and the inconsistencies that they tend to bring of course. It is obvious that … Continue reading →

What a difference a month makes. In the early weeks of the Premiership it was simply a foregone conclusion that Chelsea would steamroller their way to victory. Ancelotti had taken the discipline instilled in the Mourinho era, and allied it … Continue reading →

When continental football connoisseurs talk about beautiful football, the Premier League is never mentioned. Spain provides passing, technical quality and thrills from teams outside the big two. Italy, while being dour, somehow manages to be elegant at the same time, … Continue reading →

It’s safe to say that this year’s promotion class has been a revelation. Newcastle will of course, always be a top-flight side for whom relegation is an aberration, but both West Brom and Blackpool have been a breath of fresh … Continue reading →

Tottenham went to the San Siro today, and were trounced. The scoreline may read 4-3, but Spurs were never in it, three highly difficult individual goals, and three very difficult finishes against a team that had obviously stopped caring gave … Continue reading →