Of all of the matches I covered during this summer’s International Champions Cup, AS Roma against Juventus from Gillette Stadium was perhaps the most unique. Neither club has the star power and recognizable branding of a team like Barcelona or Manchester United. Instead, this matchup drew fans with a strong connection to their team. While the strictly Serie A fixture from Gillette Stadium hosted the second lowest amount of fans of any match I covered during the tournament, this one felt as if there was more to play for.

Ahead of kickoff, I walked through the parking lots, visiting tailgates and asking for match predictions. I was treated to a plethora of food — mostly sweet Italian sausage — of which I’d say I had my fill for the year. Interestingly enough, I saw very few random jerseys (I usually see at least 10 Messi Barcelona jerseys no matter who is playing). Children were bedecked in full Juventus and AS Roma kits, and small-sided games were being played on any free stretch of lot. Walking to the stadium, supporters of both sides were in fine voice, singing and chanting time-honored words that have come to define each club and their fandom.

Both managers started strong teams, and the tempo of the match was high from the opening kickoff. As the tournament ends so close to the start of the season, it’s normal that both sides should be playing what will eventually be their starting XI. As with El Clásico in Miami the night before, both Roma and Juventus seemed to have placed a good amount of stock in this match. Yes, it’s a meaningless preseason friendly, but tell that to Mandzukic and Chiellini, who exchanged words and a elbow or two during the game.

I spent most of the game watching from behind either goal amongst the fans. The press box at Gillette Stadium is nice but it feels like one is too far away from the field and, thus, the spectacle loses a bit of its edge. Standing shoulder to shoulder with passionate supporters is a feeling that will never get old. The energy is infectious, the emotion is raw. It’s hard to accurately describe the palpable tension before kickoff or the rollercoaster of emotions fans go through before and after a near miss. Being a neutral at such an event is always fun.

The match failed to disappoint, providing the 33,039 in attendance with an end-to-end exciting battle. A disallowed goal, an uncalled penalty and some near misses only added to the intrigue of this fixture and when it finally came time for it to be decided by penalty kicks, it felt almost like an injustice.

How wrong I was — the penalties were like having a separate competition added on. As is the ICC format, if a match is tied after going the full 90 minutes, it goes directly to penalty kicks to be decided. Normally, I feel that it’s a cruel way to end any game, especially one that has clearly been a close enough contest to remain tied. The decision to go directly to a penalty shootout, coming at the end of an exciting preseason friendly, was well-received by fans of both clubs who cheered loudly after it was announced around the stadium. In the end, Juventus won on a well-placed kick from new signing Douglas Costa.

SEE MORE: Schedule of Serie A games on US TV and streaming

Both managers seemed pleased to end their stateside preseason tours on a positive note, satisfied with the work they had done to prepare for the long season ahead. AS Roma manager Eusebio Di Francesco seemed happy with what he’d seen over the past two weeks. “As far as our players’ performances are concerned, I’m happy about their improvement since our previous game. Key players, like [Maxime] Gonalons, [Daniele] De Rossi and [Edin] Dzeko, are finding their way.” Di Francesco’s counterpart Massimiliano Allegri, echoing his comments following Juventus’ loss to Barcelona at MetLife Stadium, stressing that despite a positive performance from his side, there was plenty of work to be done.

As much as preseason friendlies like the International Champions Cup are a chance for clubs to promote their brands globally, the true focus of these teams is to prepare for the upcoming season. Despite their price of admission, the matches are basically glorified training sessions for managers to watch and take note of any deficiencies or to try something new knowing the price of failure is zero. They may not have won the competition, but earning new fans and satisfying old ones seems a more important goal.

For Juventus and AS Roma, this tournament has surely been a success.

Photo credit: Harry Crosland (World Soccer Talk)

A total of 80,162 fans descended on FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland to witness Barcelona take on Manchester United in the International Champions Cup. As expected, both teams had thousands of supporters show up to cheer them on, and the lineups at kickoff did not disappoint. Ernesto Valverde deployed Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez and Neymar in their familiar trident, while José Mourinho opted to start Romelu Lukaku, Jesse Lingard and Marcus Rashford in an unconventional 4–4–2.

Unsurprisingly, much of the chatter around in the parking lot tailgates ahead of kickoff were centered around transfer speculation. Neymar’s ‘imminent’ move to Paris Saint-Germain was eagerly discussed, while United fans assured me they’d have ‘at least one or two’ more signings arriving before August 31. There was also an extremely committed Liverpool fan who proudly carried a sign warning Barcelona that, “Coutinho was not for sale,” as “Liverpool are not a selling club.”

With the exception of the Liverpool fan, more than 80,000 supporters definitely got their money’s worth during the first 45 minutes alone. Paul Pogba came close to breaking the deadlock for United, while Neymar and Messi linked up early and often with the latter hitting the base of the post after a sweeping move. Suárez was next to test De Gea, who had to be at the ready to stop the Uruguayan’s inventive overhead kick.

It was Neymar who broke the deadlock, capitalizing on United’s defensive blunder to side-foot home for the decisive goal of the game. As has become typical, the Barcelona press contingent cheered loudly, clapping and patting each other on the back as if trying to emulate the Blaugrana fans who were thoroughly enjoying themselves. Not to be outdone, the Manchester supporters were soon cheering in full voice, willing their side to equalize.

The immense support was not lost on José Mourinho, who hit the nail on the head when describing the ultimate objective of the International Champions Cup. “For the crowd, the performance was good. I think in preseason it’s important also to play for that. When you come to the United States and you have a stadium with thousands of very enthusiastic fans, this is what they want. They want Messi, they want Neymar, they want Pogba — for the best players to show what they are — and I think it happened.”

Valverde’s assessment of the match was a bit different, and it seemed his mind was on other matters, namely El Clasico Miami this coming weekend, where his side will face Zinedine Zidane’s Real Madrid. “It’s normal in these games to have a lot of substitutions. Things need to be regulated and we don’t want to have any injuries. But against Real Madrid it’s possible that some players will get more game time [than others].”

For Mourinho and United, the International Champions Cup has offered them a great opportunity to judge their level heading into the season. Despite winning two cups in 2016–17, they finished outside of the Champions League places during what could be considered a rebuilding year for the team. “For us to play against both Real Madrid and Barcelona without any kind of pressure, without worrying about a result, to play the best we can, was very good for us. Both of them played us with their best team. It’s very good for us to measure ourselves against them,” the Portuguese tactician asserted.

SEE MORE: Schedule of International Champions Cup games on US TV and streaming

Valverde went so far as to suggest that, based on what he’d seen, the Red Devils are primed for a successful season. “I see United as a really difficult team. [Last season] wasn’t their best, but they won the Europa League and they’ll be a really hard team to beat [in Champions League]. For me, they’re a contender to win the Champions League and I would imagine they will challenge for the Premier League title.”

Walking out of FedEx Field, it was apparent that the mission of the International Champions Cup had been accomplished as both Manchester United and Barcelona fans left the venue with smiles on their faces. It’s not often that one calls a 1–0 result a fantastic advertisement for the competition in which it’s played, but for Wednesday night’s match we can surely make an exception.

Walking into Red Bull Arena, I was surprised to see how many random soccer jerseys were being worn. I’d come to watch Tottenham Hotspur play AS Roma after all, but if you’d told someone with no knowledge of the fixture to come, they’d have had a hard time telling you exactly who was playing whom. Everton, Chelsea and Manchester United — I even saw an RSL kit — were just a few of the clubs whose colors were on display as I made my way from the parking lot to the press entrance.

Unlike Barcelona vs Juventus — which I’d covered just a few days earlier at MetLife Stadium — this match had a much more casual feel to it, despite both contests being billed as friendlies. Outside of the Arena, Tottenham had set up a tailgate equipped with a mini turf field, the popular beanbag tossing game Cornhole, a merchandise stand and similar offerings. Celebrity and proud Spurs fan Adam Richman was present meeting fans.

AS Roma, on the other hand, were without a team kiosk or much of any real presence outside of the Arena before the game. It almost felt like the Serie A club were here for the match and the match alone. Any major advertisement for the club would come thanks to the quality (or lack thereof) of the team out on the field. Perhaps that’s a statement in and of itself: We’re here to perform and we’re focused on doing so.

Manager Eusebio Di Francesco, who only joined the Roma outfit last month, seemed keen to make the most of this opportunity to assess his team. Engaging in a competitive, exciting match with last season’s Premier League runners-up provided him with a good test of his side’s abilities while also exposing their deficiencies.

Roma were ahead by a goal going into the halftime break, and looked in control of any and all Spurs efforts to claw their way back into the match. Mass substitutions after halftime, as are typical in any friendly, killed the momentum for both sides and completely changed the dynamic of the game making for a very exciting second half for neutrals.

A five goal affair (in front of a crowd of 26,192) that goes down to the wire is exactly the sort of advertisement for the International Champions Cup that Relevent Sports would want. But that didn’t seem to matter much to Di Francesco, who felt there were areas in which his team could have done better.

“I was not happy with the end of the game, how we gave the ball away too much — we took too many risks. What I saw was a team who can improve a lot.”

The Italian manager was, however, realistic about the tournament and his opposition.

“We cant expect to dominate for 90 minutes, but we played a good game. The final stages prove that football matches are never over until they are over. Fortunately, we were able to kill off the game with the last play.”

His counterpart Mauricio Pochettino seemed to be far less concerned with the result.

“I’m calm, I’m happy, the team is doing well. The result is not important. What is important is that we get fit.” Still, it didn’t take long for the question on every journalists’ mind to be asked: What was the reason behind Spurs’ inactivity in the transfer market? Surely the team needed reinforcements to challenge for the title and compete in the Champions League??

Pochettino, who has steadily guided Tottenham closer to the Premier League title than ever over the past few years, seemed genuinely unbothered about any transfer speculations. “After analyzing Tottenham for three years, it’s clear that [not spending big] is the best way [for us] to achieve success. That’s the strategy that you have seen.”

SEE MORE: Schedule of International Champions Cup games on US TV and streaming

I pressed the Spurs manager on whether or not he agreed with José Mourinho’s recent comments, echoed by Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy, that Premier League spending is ‘unsustainable’ and if that is why the club were being so uncompetitive in the market. “I respect every philosophy, every way that another manager or club are doing things. But we are Tottenham and we create our own philosophy and our own way.” Pochettino also seemed completely unaware of Levy’s statement from that morning, “I did not hear or know of Levy’s comments. I don’t know. It’s better if you ask him, or maybe I will ask him tomorrow, if I have the possibility to see him, if it’s true or not.”

Pochettino has championed bringing youth players into the first team rather than buying expensive players and for the last three season it’s paid off. Still, it’s not always that simple. Acquiring players for minimal fees who will surely have a chance to break into the first team seems a sound strategy, but if it were easy every club would do it.

Di Francesco’s Roma have recently signed Gregoire Defrel, Aleksandar Kolarov and Cengiz Ünder and may still have a fresh face or two in training ahead of the start of the season. In his press conference, Di Francesco was critical of his team’s deficiencies while lauding the new signings who had recently joined the team. He also asserted that spending was how he felt he could best ameliorate the side.

The managers’ opposing philosophies on transfers are interesting, and they helps shed some light on the means by which a club chooses to compete. While these days Di Francesco’s model is the more conventional of the two, Pochettino’s success may drive other managers to reassess the way in which they acquire players. If Premier League spending really is unsustainable, Levy and Pochettino just might be ahead of the curve.

In front of a record-breaking 82,104 fans — the most ever for a soccer game in New Jersey, Barcelona saw off Juventus 2–1 in an exciting International Champions Cup match at MetLife Stadium Saturday night featuring two quality first-half goals from Neymar.

Veteran defender Giorgio Chiellini scored a towering header to halve the lead for Juventus but Barcelona’s Brazilian superstar stole the show. Neymar was electrifying and, considering he’s been at the center of the media storm surrounding the Catalan club, it was fitting that he should remain so after an impressive 45 minutes.

It’s funny how transfer news — recently dubbed ‘the original fake news’ by the New York Times — can create a whirlwind of controversy for fans and players alike. Ever since the story broke that PSG were strongly considering activating Neymar’s release clause from Barcelona and that the Brazilian forward was ‘open’ to the idea of a move to Paris, the soccer world has been alight with the news of what would be the world’s most expensive transfer to date.

It seemed like every group of Barcelona and Juventus fans were discussing the rumors in earnest while waiting outside of MetLife Stadium so I decided to get their opinions on the subject. While some fans insisted he was ‘100% staying,’ many more assured me ‘he was going, it was just a matter of time.’ It’s interesting how transfer rumors, rather than factual news stories about a player or club, are often more earnestly discussed among fans of the beautiful game.

Whether or not the reports are true, the news surrounding the young Barcelona playmaker has made headlines from Pittsburgh to Paris. Unsurprisingly, speculation about Neymar’s future dominated the press’ inquiries the day before Barcelona took on Juventus at MetLife Stadium, despite the fact that Ernesto Valverde wanted nothing to do with it. “I know you are eager to talk about the Neymar topic, but there is nothing to say until something happens,” said the new Blaugrana manager in his pre-match press conference.

It’s hard to blame the press for salivating at such a juicy prospect. Neymar’s departure for PSG would be an exciting story that any and all journalists would jump on. Plus, preseason friendlies are hardly the spectacle they aim to be, despite the International Champions Cup’s pomp and circumstance. They draw large crowds at matches with big stars, but the level of play is that of, well, a team in preseason.

Sure, managers can get an idea of what their players have to offer ahead of a long and arduous season, but very few definitive assessments can be made during a game with so many substitutions and such limited flow.

According to Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri, the friendly was simply a way of getting better acquainted with his squad. “We didn’t even have a full practice together as a team yet, so it was a very important match to launch us into our preparations for the season.” For a side who are still looking to find their feet ahead of the start of the season, the Champions League runners up looked in fine form. A one-goal preseason loss in which many from the starting XI were only introduced at halftime, among them crowd-favorites Paulo Dybala, Alex Sandro and Gonzalo Higuain, clearly doesn’t bother Allegri much. For him, this was a learning experience.

There’s an interesting juxtaposition of expectations when it comes to a preseason tournament like the International Champions Cup. Its marquee matchups draw huge crowds, and the showdown at MetLife more than lived up to the hype with an attendance of 82,104.

However, for the European clubs making the trek stateside for training and fixtures ahead of the season, it’s never really that serious. Naturally, it takes players time to reach peak fitness after making the return to training. And yet, for fans paying the hefty price to come support their favorite clubs, it’s a bit difficult to understand that their team’s best players will only feature for half of the time.

Perhaps that’s why certain fans took the risk of literally leaving the stands and rushing onto the field during Barcelona’s training session on Friday evening at Red Bull Arena. As many as five fans attempted to break through security to reach Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suárez as the team concluded its practice. One made it as far as Neymar and hugged the Brazilian before stadium staff finally reached him and removed him from the grounds.

After asking Valverde how it felt to get the kind of support Barcelona have received during their US tour and whether or not such incidences worried him, I was surprised by his matter-of-fact response. “We understand that those fans [who rushed the field] did that for their love of the players and the club. [In the end], it was only four or five people who managed it and it’s nothing to be alarmed about. We know that they want to see these players and this is exactly why we are here: for them.”

Ultimately, that’s what these matches are all about — providing a way for international fans of European clubs to see their favorite team without having to leave the country to do so. The success of the tournament depends on these supporters being willing to pay premium prices for preseason friendlies. But if they’re all as exciting as Saturday’s match, fans will get their money’s worth.

SEE MORE: Schedule of International Champions Cup games on US TV and streaming

In one of the most highly billed matches of the fourth annual International Champions Cup, Real Madrid defeated Bayern Munich in the final ten minutes of an exciting affair Wednesday night. Despite several second half substitutions by both sides, the game was engaging and well appreciated by the 82,012 fans who packed MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

It’s easy to write off preseason matches as meaningless endeavors meant to promote the team in a foreign market – especially one as profitable as that of the United States. But the game between Bayern and Real had more to it than a typical preseason friendly. The Bundesliga champions, coached by Carlo Ancelotti, were without the services of Robert Lewandowski and Thomas Müller up top, so the Italian turned to Julian Green to lead the line.

A day before the match at MetLife Stadium, Ancelotti offered his thoughts on the young American and his role in the team while speaking at the team hotel in Hoboken, New Jersey. Speaking to the Washington Post, Ancelotti said “I think [Julian] is better through the middle because he is quick and has good timing. Of course, he can play out wide, but I think he is more efficient at center forward.”

Photo credit: Amadi Tidiane

Green scored in Ancelotti’s first match in charge of the German outfit, and it’s clear he values the youngster’s potential.

The Bayern striker notched a first half hat trick against Inter Milan, taking his tally in the tournament to four goals, and he could have added a fifth or sixth against Zinedine Zidane’s Real Madrid. Green found space between Raphael Varane and Sergio Ramos on several occasions. One can understand why Ancelotti was so impressed with his movement through the middle.

Speaking to World Soccer Talk after the match, Green admitted that he was very happy with his and the team’s performance, and stressed that it was important to him to be involved with the first team. “I thought I could have scored one goal, but the first half was better than the second [for me]. Despite today’s result, I think we can be very happy with the tour, and now we’re going back to focus on the start of the season. For me, it’s always great to come back here, to the States – even more with Bayern. Every game with the first team is very important. I played 90 minutes in most of the games, and it’s great to get back in the flow with these guys.”

Green’s development could be crucial under Ancelotti, with whom he said he’s had several positive conversations. Unlike Guardiola, who suggested Green join a team on loan while relegating him to the reserves, Ancelotti feels the American deserves to stay with the team. “He [Green] will be with us. There is a lot of competition in the squad; it won’t be easy for him to play – but this preseason he is doing well.”

If the young striker is able to consistently offer the type of quality he’s been displaying in preseason, Ancelotti will be glad to have him at his disposal in the upcoming season if and when his first choice strikers sustain an injury or fail to perform.

Photo credit: USA Today Sports Images.

Even before the droves of Argentina and Venezuela fans descended upon Foxborough, Massachusetts Saturday night for the Copa America Centenario quarter-final, many people were expecting a comfortable victory for Argentina. So, when Gonzalo Higuain scored the game’s opening goal after just eight minutes, things seemed to be going according to plan.

The Napoli frontman doubled Argentina’s lead a mere twenty minutes later after a lapse of judgment in the Venezuela defense allowed him to intercept an errant back pass and finish into the empty net. It seemed like business as usual for La Albiceleste, until Sergio Romero took out Venezuela’s Josef Martinez for an obvious penalty.

The call was indisputable, as even Romero himself threw up his hands to beg forgiveness from the fans and his teammates. However, Luis Seijas bailed him out with an absolutely dreadful Panenka penalty that he chipped into the waiting arms of the incredulous Argentina shot-stopper.

Going into the halftime break a goal down and with momentum on their side would have been ideal for La Vinotinto, but Seijas was unable to take advantage of the opportunity; something manager Rafael Dudamel lamented in his post-game press conference. “When you play against an adversary like this, any mistake you make becomes a sin. It’s something they do not forgive, they know how to take advantage and then they kill you.”

SEE MORE: Watch USA vs. Argentina on Tuesday night with a free trial to fuboTV

And so they did. Lionel Messi was at his mesmerizing best, assisting Higuain’s first goal with an outrageous ball and getting on the scoresheet for Argentina’s third after a one-two with Nicolas Gaitan allowed him to dispatch Venezuela’s Dani Hernandez with a simple tap-in through the hapless keeper’s legs.

Messi then assisted the fourth and final goal to substitute Erik Lamela, who put the icing on a result that was never in doubt. His manager Tata Martino made no secret about how he has planned the team’s tactics around the Argentina talisman. “We were able to avoid leaking passes and I thought we found [Lionel] every time we recovered a ball. He is able to start attacks with great speed.”

The Albiceleste’s speed of attack had Venezuelan defenders backpedaling straight from the opening whistle, and it’s understandable that Dudamel has such high respect for last night’s adversary. “We had a tactical approach for when you play against a team like this, but they have that stroke of genius that changes all of your schemes. We were facing the best team in the tournament and we never hid.”

Despite the loss, the Venezuela manager feels that his side’s experience in the tournament was still extremely valuable and he went on to praise the atmosphere of the Copa America citing it as a major reason for his team’s successes. “All this good work we’ve done in this tournament will open up a lot of doors for our national team. I want to congratulate the organizers of this tournament because we have been treated very well. Everything has been impeccable from every point of view. The best proof is the crowd. 50,000 60,000 per game – this has allowed us to enjoy a great level of play.”

Tata Martino, whose side next face off against tournament hosts the United States in the semi-final, insists his side are wary of every opponent who makes it this far in a challenging competition. “As I always say, any team that gets to this stage in the tournament, like the US, they get there because of their own merit. They have three players who won’t be able to play because of yellow cards, but the fact that this team has gotten this far and the fact that they are a home team means that they are a rival we need to be very careful with.”

Surely Martino’s side are the favorites, but he’s not taking any opponent for granted. Still, Argentina are the world’s #1 team and few can see them stumbling on the way to winning the 2016 Copa America.

Before Brazil faced Peru at Gillette Stadium in the final match of the group stage during the 2016 Copa America Centenario, many considered Dunga’s men reaching the quarter-finals a foregone conclusion. And while their failure to reach the knockout rounds was one of the major shocks of the tournament so far, the writing was on the wall.

After the South American powerhouse blew out Haiti 7-1 in their previous match, pundits and fans were raving about their quality and how they’d likely make a deep run in the competition. The glaring reality, following last night’s loss in Foxboro, is that Brazil failed to score in two of their group matches and didn’t play well enough to reach the quarter-final round.

Peru’s surprising victory has been mired in controversy, as Raul Ruidiaz’s handball finish was the difference maker for Ricardo Gareca’s men. Still, it was hard for Brazil’s manager, Dunga, to argue that the Seleção merited anything more from Sunday night’s match. Instead, he pragmatically suggested that the Peruvians waited for their chance and executed it properly. “We knew Peru would go for the counter-attack. We tried to neutralize them. They waited for the correct moment and we were in the wrong position. The goal was scored with the hand but he was there [to score].”

Gareca praised the mentality of his players, and felt the win was well-earned in light of the strategy he employed to defeat who he considers a quality opponent. “In the first half they had more control. Brazil has great mobility, great players. But our team defended very well. Generally speaking, we thought [the match] would go like this. As I see it, the team made a great tactical sacrifice.”

When asked about the handball, the Peruvian manager suggested his side’s play was worthy of a goal, no matter how it came. “Was it a hand or not? I can’t say right now, but I thought that we deserved to move on to the next round. Nobody gave us anything. It is a 90 minute game. It isn’t just about dominating but being able to defend.”

Perhaps the last comment was a slight dig at Dunga’s team, who suffered a brief lapse on defense which allowed Ruidiaz to sneak in behind. To be fair to Peru, he scored when about two yards from goal at the end of a well-worked counter attack, but there was no reason it should have been allowed to stand. This put the focus on a rather dismal performance from the match officials who, beyond allowing several bookable offenses to go unpunished, completely botched the most pivotal call of the game.

Bewildered fans and players alike waited impatiently for a final decision, knowing full well that the ball had been pushed across the line illegally. Yet, at the end of their conference, the referees came to the same conclusion and the goal stood. It begs the questions: What were they conferring about for over three minutes after the goal was handled in? How did they miss something that was so obvious to everyone else in the stadium?

The reaction in the press box was unsurprising, as almost everyone exclaimed, “Handball!” in their preferred language. Still, it was not to be, as Dunga’s Brazil were dumped out of Copa America in rather unceremonious fashion, to the dismay of the 20,000 Brazil fans who had come to show their support.

Gareca wasn’t to let it spoil his evening, however, as he beamed with pride for his team and rejoiced in the confidence this win has given them. “When we play as a team, even when we face this kind of rival, we can win. I want to congratulate my players. Substitutes included. We want to share this win with the people of Peru and those who came to watch us tonight.”

The Peruvian manager will hope his team can take his words to heart, as they will face Colombia on Friday in their quarter-final match. After the win in Foxboro last night, they’ll surely believe that anything is possible.

Photo credit: USA Today Sports Images.

Against Paraguay, when Jürgen Klinsmann announced the same lineup for the third consecutive match, many people were bewildered. It was the first time in his history as US manager that he’d done so, and the starting XI from the previous two games had produced mixed results. Sure, they’d blown out Costa Rica, but there were times they looked vulnerable, particularly in defense and transition.

After their loss to Colombia in the opening match of the tournament, Klinsmann defiantly suggested that the only thing missing from the US’s performance was goals. As confusing as that had seemed at the time, the next two matches have all but proven him right.

Against Colombia, the US’s offense was static. Clint Dempsey and Bobby Wood failed to combine, the result of runs made too late or too early, and the attack was understandably disjointed. Against Costa Rica, the forward play finally clicked. The transitions from defense to attack were seamless. Granted, Colombia are a far better team than minnows Costa Rica, but the difference in quality from Klinsmann’s men was visible.

Saturday night, the United States maintained the momentum they had going in their previous match, starting well from the opening whistle and submitted a gritty performance against Paraguay after going a man down early in the second half.

So what made the difference? Klinsmann thinks it’s in part due to the fact that his team can play their game even when facing a difficult opponent. “What I’d love to see is that we’re more confident and courageous to take the game to a team. We aren’t interested in only playing counter-attack. The old story [of this team] is the underdog story, and I cannot hear that story anymore.”

Clearly, Klinsmann is no fan of the reputation the USMNT have earned as being a reactive side. Getting results against quality teams in a tournament like Copa America could be hugely important for the team’s psyche, especially with the World Cup just two years away.

It’s no secret how Jürgen felt after Saturday night’s victory, and what he thinks it can do for the team’s reputation. “I’m thrilled for the team. They really deserved that. We held them, while a man down, and even could have scored. This is a real statement to South American teams.”

Next up, the United States travel to Seattle to face Brazil, Peru or Ecuador in the quarter-finals, but he insists that his side aren’t scared of any one team. “If it’s Brazil, it’s Brazil. If it’s Ecuador, it’s Ecuador. We have nothing to lose. Why not go out there and be courageous, put pressure on them and give them a game? Every team has weaknesses.”

SEE MORE: How to watch Copa America on Sling TV: A step-by-step guide

Still, if the US plans to get a result against either team, they’ll have to do it without starting right back DeAndre Yedlin who, in a rush of blood to the head, received his marching orders after two rash yellow cards in just one minute against Paraguay.

Klinsmann was quite matter of fact about Yedlin’s forced absence in what will be a must-win. “[DeAndre] has to have those experiences. He needs to make mistakes. He just lost his head for a second. This happens when you’re young. There’s no growth without failure, so he grew.”

Hopefully, Michael Orozco, who came on for Dempsey when Yedlin received his marching orders, will be up to the challenge, as he struggled a bit last night. Still, the US manager is confident in those players who don’t start, insisting that “whoever comes off the bench can do the job.”

Perhaps the most obvious difference between the opening loss to Colombia and the victory Saturday night over Paraguay was that the US players seemed 100% committed to each other and to the victory. Jürgen noticed it too: “As a coach you want to see your team really enjoy their play. Right now, they’re enjoying it.”

Despite the loss of Yedlin, if the USMNT can maintain the consistency they’ve enjoyed of late when they face off against Ecuador, Peru or Brazil in the quarter-finals, they’ll have a good chance of advancing.

Photo credit: AFP.

Kurt Zouma suffered an unsettling injury during Chelsea’s Premier League match against Manchester United in last week’s fixture at Stamford Bridge.  His fall was so awkward and his pain so obvious that United’s Juan Mata immediately called for a stoppage of play, frantically signaling to the bench that his opponent needed treatment.

Following the match, the young Frenchman left the stadium headed for an MRI scan and a complete examination by the Chelsea FC medical team.  Their diagnosis wasn’t positive.  Zouma sustained serious damage to the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee and required surgery as soon as possible.  The injury will see him sidelined until at least August and will surely throw a wrench in Guus Hiddink’s plans for team selection.

Zouma has been a mainstay in the center of the Blues’ defense where he has most often partnered John Terry.  Under Mourinho, he was preferred to Cahill on more than one occasion and an ankle injury to the Englishman further cemented Zouma’s place in the starting eleven.  Even since his return to fitness, Cahill has struggled to regain his place among the starters, but now he’ll be Hiddink’s first choice.

This couldn’t come at a worse time for Chelsea FC, as they head into the business end of the season.  Still, the mood among Hiddink’s men is that the FA Cup and Champions League (which resumes again in a week) are competitions which they can and should try to win.  Hiddink has more than once stated his desire to challenge for both trophies.

He has even dubbed the Blues’ 5th Round FA Cup tie, which comes just five days after next Tuesday’s trip to Paris in the Champions League Round of 16, as the most important match of the tournament.  Said Hiddink, “Manchester City [is] already a final.  City is a huge game and we start the final in the next round.”  But how will he cope without a player who has become a linchpin of the club’s undefeated run since his return to management?

In the January window, Chelsea signed a rising American star from Major League Soccer, New York Red Bulls’ Matt Miazga. The American, Hiddink has asserted, is not a direct replacement for Zouma.  So, who will Chelsea rely upon if Cahill sustains an injury?

Jake Clarke-Salter, the Blues’ center back academy product, has been brought in to fill the void left by the injured Zouma. However, if Miazga is not a direct replacement for the Frenchman, it’s even less likely that Golden Guus has plans to incorporate the young Englishman into his starting team.

Chelsea currently have 34 players loaned out to different clubs around Europe.  Their loan system has been touted by many as a successful means of balancing wage books while developing talented players who otherwise would not be able to feature.  Understandably, some of these players never will step foot on the Stamford Bridge pitch in Chelsea colors.

Just ask Daniel Sturridge or Romelu Lukaku how hard it can be to break into the Blues’ first-team.  Both joined Chelsea with the hopes of becoming iconic forwards for the West Londoners.  Sturridge was purchased from Manchester City in 2009, and spent several seasons on loan at Bolton Wanders before returning to Chelsea to fight for a place in the team. Lukaku was signed in 2011 from Anderlecht and had similar loan spells in the Premier League, impressing at West Bromwich Albion in particular, before returning to Chelsea to see if he could earn a starting spot.  With the specters of Fernando Torres and Didier Drogba still looming over them, however, both left Chelsea for teams in which they could thrive.  Now, when fit, Sturridge and Lukaku start for their respective clubs.

For Lukaku and Sturridge (and Chelsea, for that matter), this was a win.  Each is now their club’s marquee striker, and both have earned the first team minutes they desperately craved but couldn’t find at Chelsea.  

In return, Chelsea received hefty payouts.

Theirs is a story to which players can refer when considering their future at a big club.  It should be especially interesting to young Chelsea players Clarke-Salter and Andreas Christensen.

While Clarke-Salter is no doubt excited to be joining the ranks, albeit as a replacement, he has no guarantees of playing time.  One could argue that he would be better off continuing to feature for Chelsea’s youth teams (which he can do) where he will at least see consistent minutes.

Christensen has been on loan at Borussia Monchengladbach since the start of the season.  Surprisingly, his contract is for a two-year loan with no possibility of recall.  According to Monchengladbach’s sporting director Max Eberl, the Bundesliga side will look to sign Christensen permanently in the summer.

Thorgan Hazard, brother of Chelsea star Eden, made a similar move last February.  Thorgan penned a permanent deal with Monchengladbach while Chelsea are guaranteed the option to buy him back if that’s something they’re interested in doing.

If they were so inclined, Chelsea could make a similar offer to Gladbach.  That way, if Christensen ever became a player they’d consider starting in the first team, he could easily be brought back to West London.  The Blues were heavily criticized for not putting a buy-back clause in Nemanja Matic’s contract in January 2011 before allowing him to sign for Benfica as a makeweight for David Luiz going in the other direction and would be unlikely to repeat such a mistake.

John Terry, who has recently made public that Chelsea have yet to open talks with him about extending his deal, is easily the Blues’ best center back, one from whom Miazga, Christensen, Clarke-Salter or any other central defender they sign, could learn.  It is perplexing, then, that Terry has not been offered an extension.  With Zouma guaranteed to be unavailable until August, it stands to reason that Chelsea want to keep Terry around as long as possible.

It’s no secret that the Blues’ have been closely monitoring Everton’s John Stones, but the Merseysiders have twice refused a deal, going so far as to reject a $47 million offer.  It’s reasonable to assume that Chelsea will once again test Roberto Martinez’s resolve in the summer, but if they don’t get their man, will they be forced into another panic buy, as they were with Papy Djilobodji in the 2015 summer window?  The Senegalese center back recently made a loan move to Werder Bremen until the end of the season after failing to play more than few seconds in Chelsea colors since August.

Many Chelsea fans, myself included, would prefer to promote from within rather than make similar reckless purchases in the market.  Christensen is a player whose name is often on the tongues of the Blues faithful and one who some describe as a future defensive icon.  He may never get a chance to impress if Chelsea decide to seriously pursue players like Raphael Varane, Marquinhos, John Stones, or any other promising young defender.

If Chelsea refuse to offer Terry a contract extension while allowing players like Christensen to leave, they will squander more than world-class talent – they’ll create a hole in defense which they may find impossible to fill.

The season, so far

To say that Chelsea have had a lackluster start to their season would be generous. The Premier League champions are 16th in the league, have been knocked out of the League Cup, have lost a staggering seven matches and have looked an altogether different team than the one which took the league by storm in 2014-2015.  A month ago it was said as a joke, but more and more people have legitimately asked the question about the West Londoners: Will they be relegated?

Though their form has perplexed fans and pundits alike, Chelsea are the same team (with almost all of the same players) which won the double in May. There’s a frustration building in Blues fans, and rightly so.  They’ve been witness to a slew of uncharacteristic performances marked by a lack of cohesion and intensity.  Commitment, 100% effort for 90 minutes, a belief in the team’s quality, confidence – each is normally a staple of a José Mourinho team.  But his Blues have been utterly devoid of these essential qualities, so far, this season.

SEE MORE: Chelsea’s best starting XI of all time.

Still, all is not lost for Roman Abramovich’s side.  They’ve shown signs of a revival, putting in solid performances against Stoke City in the League Cup and Premier League (despite losing both), and managing to earn an important victory in the Champions League against Dynamo Kiev. However, they’ve lost their last three Premier League matches and haven’t kept a clean sheet in any competition since Oct. 20.

Often, the international break can disrupt a club’s good run of form. Chelsea will be hoping that, after the hiatus, they’ll be able to discover theirs.

The road ahead

Chelsea’s goals should now be to advance as far as possible in this year’s (and to qualify for next year’s) Champions League competition, to make a good run in the FA Cup, and to determine which players can help the team to improve and which cannot.

Already, rumors have circulated claiming that José Mourinho is planning a major overhaul of his current squad come the January transfer window.  A leaky defense has seen Chelsea concede a whopping 25 goals – tied for third worst in the league, and it’s not yet December.  The Blues’ impotent attack is also up for major changes.  Diego Costa has scored just three goals in all competitions, and his on-field antics are quickly getting old, even for his own supporters.  Loïc Remy has scored two goals, Falcao, just one.

Chelsea have an important stretch of games to come before the new year: several fixtures they would normally be expected to win, but considering their dismal form of late, they will likely be difficult nail-biters.  Of the nine matches to come before the turn of the year, Chelsea play five at home.  These should be must-wins.  Nothing builds confidence like victories. and playing in front of the home fans is usually highly motivating.

Between the dates that Chelsea host Norwich City and Porto, they need to turn a corner, start earning more positive results, and redevelop the resilient mentality they exhibited for most of last season. The midweek Champions League fixtures will force Mourinho to use more fringe players in his squad, and I’d argue that that is a good thing.

Ahead of this season, the Portuguese lamented that his title-winning side had lost steam towards the end of last year’s campaign. Fitness, he claimed, was going to be a worry for the first four matches this year.  It appears he was right.  Hazard, Costa and Matic all have admitted to returning to preseason training out of shape, and each has struggled for form.

It’s reasonable to assume that Chelsea will be able to get positive results against Norwich City and Maccabi Tel Aviv, and winning both would surely be a step in the right direction.  Still, it’s the match against Tottenham at White Hart Lane which will really test their mettle.  Spurs demolished the Blues 5-3 in the same fixture last season, and the Chelsea players will likely not have forgotten one of few hiccups on their way to the title.  Unlike Chelsea, Spurs have been in top form since that match, currently placed fifth, and boasting just the one loss they suffered on the opening day of this season.

SEE MORE: What Chelsea must do to finish fourth in the Premier League.

Sandwiched between home matches against Bournemouth, Sunderland and Watford is the Champions League fixture with Porto and a trip to Leicester City.  If Chelsea manage to beat Maccabi, they will worry less about the result against the Portuguese visitors and can perhaps focus more on the Premier League clash with Claudio Ranieri’s squad.  Finally, Chelsea go into the New Year with a match against Manchester United at Old Trafford.  This will be the ultimate test for Mourinho’s men, and a victory there could be absolutely crucial.

As bad as they’ve been, this season isn’t necessarily beyond repair.  Chelsea can find themselves in the Champions League places come the end of the season, but there need to be major changes if that is to happen.

Come January

If Chelsea haven’t markedly improved their standing in the league and their quality of play on the field, expect major changes at Stamford Bridge.  No, I don’t mean José Mourinho, as I fully expect him to see out this season as Chelsea manager; however, several high-profile stars could see their time in London cut short.

Diego Costa may have worn out his welcome in the blue of Chelsea.  An immediate fan favorite last season, Costa has failed to emulate the form he produced last year, getting off to a flying start and menacing defenders in all competitions.  It didn’t matter that his antics saw him banned for several matches as his scoring rate was so high.  While last season his behavior endeared him to many Chelsea fans, this season it has frustrated and bewildered most.  It has allegedly also motivated Mourinho to go into the market for another proven goalscorer come January.  Atletico Madrid’s Antoine Griezmann, Napoli’s Gonzalo Higuain, and Lyon’s Alexandre Lacazette have all been highlighted as possible targets for the Premier League champions.

Eden Hazard, whose name is consistently attached to speculation and rumors of a transfer, may finally be lured to Real Madrid in the summer.  Even if he isn’t convinced, Chelsea would be silly to turn down a legitimate offer for the Belgian if it came.  Oscar is also someone whose future at Chelsea may be coming to an end.  Juventus has long been said to have an interest in the diminutive Brazilian midfielder, and Chelsea may look to fund the purchase of other players with his sale.

MORE FORECASTS: Arsenal | Everton | Liverpool | Manchester United | Norwich | Spurs.

Papy Djilobodji, a last minute purchase this summer to shore up the defense, is rumored to be on his way to Besiktas, having played just one minute in a 4-0 League Cup defeat of Walsall.  This could motivate the acquisition of another central defender as Chelsea’s defense has been poor this season.

Chelsea will most likely target players in many positions, as a forward, central midfielder and central defender are crucial.  There may also be loan moves secured for players like Ruben Loftus Cheek, who has failed to see the first team time many thought he deserved.

It’s rarely been noted, but Chelsea have been severely hampered by the injury spells of Thibaut Courtois and, more recently, Branislav Ivanovic.  Both have were crucial players in Mourinho’s title-winning side of last season, and their return to fitness could reinvigorate the team.

Chelsea have an important run of fixtures between now and Jan. 1.  They can make marked improvements to their league position, cement their place in the Champions League Round of 16 and, most importantly, begin to rebuild the confidence and belief necessary for this team to finish in the top four come season’s end.

José Mourinho is a fantastic coach. His record speaks for itself. He’s a winner. He’s won all over Europe, in many competitions, with several different teams. Everywhere he’s gone, titles and trophies have followed.

His time managing in the Premier League has been no different. In his first spell as Chelsea manager, he won back-to-back titles (the only manager besides Sir Alex Ferguson to do so) and went on to win several domestic cup trophies. Reaching the semifinal of the Champions League became an expectation. What Mourinho did for Chelsea is undeniable: replacing seasons of hope and doubt with those of expectation and confidence.

His 2007 departure was followed by several years of uncertainty and, despite winning trophies, the several stand-in managers Roman Abramovich hired and subsequently sacked were never long-term replacements. The feeling of relief Chelsea fans enjoyed when the club announced Mourinho’s return was palpable. The glory days had returned. Chelsea were destined for a decade of greatness. Or so they thought.

MORE MOU: Club support | Will leave if players lose faith | Punishment predicted

In his first spell at the Bridge, the Portuguese had a team not only packed with world-class stars but brimming with team leaders. In fact, in Michael Ballack, John Terry, Petr Cech, Didier Drogba, John Obi Mikel and Michael Essien – each captain of their respective national teams during his first tour at Chelsea – he had players who could handle the pressure of being expected to perform consistently. Not only could they handle the pressure, they could maintain the fundamentals of his coaching style in the locker room while exhibiting an unwavering belief in themselves and the manager’s philosophy. These players set the tone for the rest of the team, making themselves examples to follow for younger and newer players at the club.

As Mourinho has admitted, in this current Chelsea team, there are few leaders. The departures of Frank Lampard ahead of last season as well as Petr Cech and Didier Drogba during the summer window has seen John Terry and Branislav Ivanovic become the final vestiges of the Blues’ old guard. Last season, Mourinho could rely not only on their leadership but also their fine play. Drogba scored in each match he was given a start, most notably at Old Trafford. Despite no longer being the starter, when called upon, Cech performed impressively. Terry and Ivanovic were top class. The former played every single minute of the Blues’ 38 Premier League matches and the latter scored several crucial goals and showed a dependable consistency in defense.

LOOKING FORWARD: 7 potential Mourinho landing spots.

This season, Ivanovic has struggled and Terry has rarely seen the field, but not simply because Mourinho has relegated him to the bench. His red card challenge against West Bromwich Albion, undisputed by the Chelsea manager, guaranteed he would miss the next match (the 2-1 loss to Crystal Palace) and forced Mourinho to experiment with his already fragile backline. Worst of all, it highlighted Terry’s most commonly noted flaw: he’s no speedster, especially on the turn. In both the red card incident at the Hawthorns and for Sadio Mané’s goal and Southampton’s second this past weekend, he was out of position and off-balance.

Now, José desperately needs a leader. For so long, that person has been Terry. ‘Captain, Leader, Legend’ as he’s so affectionately been dubbed by the Chelsea faithful, his time at the club could soon be up.

Despite Ivanovic’s poor showings at right back, he hasn’t been dropped. Chelsea fans were bewildered to see him not only starting but captaining the side during Terry’s absence. The Blues aren’t exactly short of options in defense, and Mourinho knows it. Against Macabbi Tel Aviv in the Champions League, the Chelsea boss started César Azpilicueta in his favored position, right back, and gave new signing Baba Rahman the nod at left back as the Blues cruised to a 4-0 victory. However, the Serb was returned to his starting spot in the side in the following match, a 2-0 victory against Arsenal. Through his persistence in starting Ivanovic, it’s been made clear that Mourinho sees the veteran defender as a team leader, charged with maintaining the club’s mentality and acting as a voice for Mourinho on the field and in the dressing room.

Here’s the thing: Mourinho doesn’t necessarily know how to handle this current situation. He’s been embroiled in controversy before – pitting himself against the FA, Arsène Wenger and his own medical staff, among others – but there’s something new happening. He’s losing, and he’s losing often. He can’t rely on the results to get him out of these messes, because results are not coming.

His comments following Chelsea’s 3-1 loss to Southampton were some of the most honest the Portuguese has spoken in his managerial career. Mourinho cemented his belief that not only were Chelsea going to return to their best but that he was not going to resign, by any means. He implored the club and the fans to stick together, recalling the Premier League and Capital One Cup trophies won just months ago. Lashing out at league referees, he reestablished the siege mentality. Acknowledging his massive ego, he asserted his pedigree stating that, should they sack him, Chelsea would be parting ways with the best possible manager for the job.

ALTERNATE VIEW: Why Chelsea must sack Mourinho now.

This was vulnerable José Mourinho. Gone was the arrogant, confident, wry smile he normally wears, replaced by a defiant candor. His comments about the referees will surely see him banned but, at this point, he doesn’t care. He took a gamble and it paid off. Rewarding him for his outspokenness, or perhaps sending a veiled warning, Chelsea released a statement on Monday stating that the club hierarchy is firmly behind the embattled manager and urging that the supporters do the same.

I feel it’s time for José to step up for the club he so professes to love. Sacking him would be silly (if not downright stupid), and suggesting it would be a naïve, knee-jerk reaction, the likes of which have seen seven managers come and go since 2008. That same trigger-happy mentality has been responsible for years of uncertainty at Chelsea and only reinforces the spend-heavy fickleness which had some supporters booing after the loss to Southampton.

The Blues need to stick with the Portuguese. As he said, Mourinho is the man for the job – the only man for the job. The patience he demands is warranted, but he needs to do several things in order to right the ship in West London.

He needs to motivate the players on the training ground. He needs to make bold changes. He needs to give younger players a chance to prove themselves. He needs to improve his pitch-side manner to convey the confidence players need to see in their coach. He needs to have the courage to drop those players who are underperforming.

Above all, he needs to be the essential presence currently absent in his side. Chelsea need a leader. It’s time that leader was José Mourinho.

To say that Chelsea have started slowly this season would be a rather generous understatement.  The reality is their first month has been poor, especially when held to the standard of the previous season’s impressive performances.

Last year, Chelsea hit the ground running, winning all four opening matches and doing so with a dominant form that had pundits dubbing them this generation’s ‘Invincibles.’  More importantly, the Blues exhibited a cohesiveness which was the result of a short holiday, early moves in the transfer market, and a collective belief shared by all at the organization.

Coupled with the early start to this year’s season — two weeks earlier than 2014-2015 — and Mourinho’s decision to give his title-winning team a longer vacation than last, Chelsea have shown a frailty and a toothlessness absent from the previous season and rarely seen in a team managed by the Portuguese.  Since the start of the season, Chelsea have scored just six goals.  By this point in last season, they’d scored more than double that tally.  Similarly, the Blues have conceded nine goals after the first four fixtures, and had only given up six at this point in their title-charge.

MORE PROGRESS REPORTS: Everton deeper, slightly improved

So what’s going on? Many have pointed out the fact that it’s Mourinho’s third season at the helm and that, typically, at this point in his tenure, he struggles to get the most out of his team.  Whether it’s due to complacency or a leveling of the playing field as other title contenders have improved, it’s clear that Chelsea have been poor so far this season.  And despite José insisting that his team’s failings may be a product of his inability to motivate certain players, the finger also needs to be pointed at those who are underperforming on the pitch.  Several of Chelsea’s most important players in the 2014-2015 championship season — among them Cesc Fàbregas, Nemanja Matic, Eden Hazard, Branislav Ivanovic and John Terry — have looked sluggish.

Best starting XI:  Mourinho rarely changes his starting XI, putting faith in consistency and team mentality.  And perhaps, if things continue the way they are going, it might be time for drastic and daring changes.  However, in my opinion, Chelsea’s best XI (when all are fit), is still quite similar to the one the Portuguese tactician has been known to select (with a few exceptions): Courtois; Rahman, Terry, Zouma, Azpilicueta; Matic, Fàbregas; Hazard, Oscar, Pedro; Diego Costa.

Best performer:  Chelsea’s best performer through the first four fixtures has been Azpilicueta.  Despite Mourinho subbing him off in place of newly arrived Brazilian Kenedy in the loss to Crystal Palace, the Spaniard has been consistent on defense.  However, in the first few matches of the season, he’s taken on a more advanced role, overlapping Hazard and driving into the box in order to put opposition defenses under pressure.  It was from one such run that he scored a crucial goal in Chelsea’s defeat of West Brom – their only victory so far this season.

Most improved player:  For me, the most improved Chelsea player is Eden Hazard.  Despite Chelsea’s early season issues, his improvement since arriving at Chelsea in June of 2012 has been remarkable.  No doubting his quality in his first two seasons, but last year he showed how crucial he can be in influencing the outcome of a match.  Scoring a crucial goal against Manchester United at home epitomized how important a player he was for the Blues last season.  We saw flashes of his brilliance against West Brom, but Chelsea will need him to reach yet another gear if they’re to be successful this season.

Injury news:  The absence of Oscar has been one of the major reasons for Chelsea’s recent stagnation. Offensively and defensively, the diminutive Brazilian’s contributions are crucial, as he usually takes up a position in front of Matic and Fàbregas, and operates behind Diego Costa.  The latter, who hasn’t enjoyed as nearly a prolific start to this season, benefited greatly last year from his understanding with Oscar.

Business completed in transfer window:

In: Michael Hector, Nathan, Falcao, Asmir Begovic, Danilo Pantic, Baba Rahman, Pedro, Kenedy, Papy Djilobodji. With the exceptions of Michael Hector, Danilo Pantic and Nathan, all of Chelsea’s signings will be instrumental to this year’s first team.  Mourinho has lamented his fragilities in defense, highlighted by the 3-0 hammering at the Etihad Stadium, and their inability to contain Crystal Palace at home, so one can expect Rahman and Djilobodji to feature relatively soon.

Out: Chelsea have loaned out 33 players this season, most notably Premier League flop Juan Cuadrado (Juventus), Victor Moses (West Ham United), Mohamed Salah (AS Roma), Marco Van Ginkel (Stoke City), Nathan Ake (Watford) and Patrick Bamford (Crystal Palace).  Roman Abramovich, who has allegedly been frustrated with the lack of youth players being given their chance to impress in the first team, may have influenced the Blues’ numerous loan dealings.

Rating the manager:  José Mourinho is, without a doubt, one of the best managers the Premier League has ever seen.  His record speaks for itself.  However, he tends to draw the ire of the media through his antics, and this season has already seen him embroiled in controversy after he publicly denounced members of his medical team and made changes to the staff permitted to sit on the team bench.

Weaknesses:  Chelsea’s defending has been woeful at times, and there’s a reason for that. Fàbregas and Matic, who last year provided such an effective screen for Terry and Cahill, have been sub-par, exposing their defenders and forcing them to compensate.

Equally poor has been Ivanovic. Far from the marauding attacking right back he’s shown he was capable of being, the Serb has been dismal this season.  Opposition attackers are lining up to have a go at him, and with good reason.

SEE MORE: Mourinho demands more from under-achievers.

Forecast for remainder of season:  The Blues are not out of the title race by any means, considering the eight-point gap they conceded last season before eventually distancing themselves from other contenders, and Mourinho will likely highlight this very fact in order to motivate his side.  Only one win separates the 13th place West Londoners and a Champions League spot. However, if the poor results continue and the form of several key players doesn’t improve, I’d expect wholesale changes.

Overall rating: 3 out of 5

There are losses and, then, there are losses.  Some hurt more than others.  Some happen in preseason and come with a certain luxury of avoidance and denial.  Others happen during the season and can demoralize or inspire fans.  As a Chelsea fan, I know that watching them lose to a major rival like Manchester City earlier at the Etihad Stadium was by far one of the worst feelings I’ll experience all season.

Last week, Chelsea surrendered two leads to Swansea City in their season opening match at Stamford Bridge. The Blues haven’t begun a season without a win in their first two matches since 1998 and, before Sunday, Chelsea hadn’t lost a match in the Premier League in the month of August since 2006 (winning 23 and drawing 5).  All last week, controversy has surrounded Chelsea manager José Mourinho as the Portuguese’s actions toward the end of the Swansea match, when he lambasted members of his medical staff, have been the center of a media storm.  Add a 3-0 loss to one of your major rivals, and Chelsea have found themselves a crisis.

Or have they?  Despite all that may happen off of the field, I try to focus on the soccer.  And while this result isn’t meaningless, it’s important to remain grounded in one’s analysis of the match and what Chelsea may need to do in order to improve.

Let’s face facts: Against Manchester City, Chelsea looked sluggish from the start.  Their defense appeared weak and uncoordinated and their counter-attacks were slow and disjointed.  Much like they did in pre-season, Chelsea seemed slow and reactive and looked a shade of the team that won the 2014-2015 Premier League.

Beyond the poor play they exhibited during much of Sunday’s match, there was a sense of defeat in the players’ demeanor epitomized by John Terry’s substitution at halftime.  It was almost as if Mourinho said, ‘Eh, why not?’ His tactical approach had failed, City were looking confident and Chelsea were lucky to have escaped after the first 45 without conceding again.

Despite Oscar’s absence due to an injury suffered in training, I expected a typical Mourinho lineup – strength and power in defense, speed and guile in attack.  So it was a surprise to see that Chelsea didn’t line up with Zouma and Matic holding in midfield, as was the case in several of the Blues’ important matches last season.  No slight on Ramires, who started on the right wing against City, but when Willian moves infield, it drastically reduces the Blues’ effectiveness on the counter.  Mourinho’s other possible options in that position were Juan Cuadrado, who replaced Ramires after a little more than an hour, or maybe Loïc Remy, who has featured for Chelsea on the wing in the past.

After the loss to Manchester City, many Chelsea fans on social media were calling for big-name signings. Several pundits have suggested that, as the other title contenders have spent heavily, Chelsea also needs to bolster their squad and expand their depth.  It may be true – the Blues may need to spend –  but let’s assess the legitimate possibilities to amend their struggles, first.

Minutes after the final whistle, Chelsea announced the signing of Baba Rahman from the Bundesliga’s FC Augsburg.  The young Ghanaian left back was purchased as a replacement for the departed Filipe Luis, and his arrival provides cover for César Azpilicueta.  Another defender being hotly pursued by the reigning Premier League champions is Everton’s 21-year old John Stones.  Clearly, Mourinho feels the need to shore up an aging defense, but what of the midfield and attack?

SEE MORE: Read Chelsea’s 2015/16 season preview.

Falcao’s loan deal was met with mixed responses from the Blues’ faithful, with many highlighting his poor spell at Manchester United last season.  Still, if he can make a meaningful impact in Chelsea colors, he’ll make Mourinho look a mastermind.  But is he enough?  Do the Blues need another player?

Chelsea fans have called for another major signing, preferably a marauding midfield player the likes of Blaise Matuidi or Paul Pogba.  After facing PSG in successive Champions League seasons, in Matuidi many Chelsea supporters see the player they wish Ramires was.  Juventus’ Pogba, a young star coveted by all the top European clubs, would surely be a welcome addition, but whose acquisition would likely be made impossible by FFP regulations barring the sale or inclusion of a quality Chelsea player.

José Mourinho has a penchant for inflammatory quotes and mind games, but in a recent interview with the Chelsea club website, he divulged something quite interesting about the team’s approach to this season and the last.

“We made a decision which was to give the players a proper holiday. At that moment we knew the start was not going to be the same kind of start we had last year. Last year we started early, we worked in different periods of pre-season, we played a lot of matches before the start of the season, and we had a fantastic start, but I think we paid for that quick start at the end of the season. The team was tired, but we managed to control our destiny in the Premier League with the advantage we had in our pocket, which was not normal in this league. This season we tried to go in another direction. We went for a slower start, with a short pre-season. We know what we are doing, but clearly some didn’t react as well as we expected… At the end of the fourth match in the Premier League we are going to be in a good situation.”

This season, the Portuguese is prepared for a more difficult challenge.  Still, he maintains a confidence in Chelsea’s approach to training and his belief in his side is clearly unwavering.  However, it doesn’t mean he isn’t seeking to improve it.  Ahead of the loss to Manchester City, Mourinho spoke about the possibility of signings in an effort to make the Blues a better team.

“You sell [Gaël] Kakuta to Sevilla for a few million, you sell [Oriol] Romeu to Southampton for some more millions. You sell another player to another club for £5m. Even then you are not speaking about David Luiz, Felipe Luís. If one day Chelsea wants to make a very important buy Chelsea has economical conditions for that and also moral conditions for that. If we have one new player or a couple of new players, [it’s] welcome. Yes, it’s a possibility. The market is open and you know that a defender we are going to do for sure.”

With the signing of Baba wrapped up earlier, Mourinho’s words could very well mean another player is headed to west London before the end of the transfer window.  It would show the type of intent to retain the trophy that both placates fans and puts rivals on alert.  Most importantly, it would shore up a squad that looks just a step too slow or perhaps a week too long on holiday.

In what was to be the final International Champions Cup (ICC) match I covered, I traveled to Washington D.C. to watch Chelsea play against Barcelona.  Having spent the majority of my time covering the ICC in the New York/New Jersey area, I made the trek south a day early in order to reduce travel stress and to use the opportunity to check out the nation’s capital.

Thankfully, my brother is a local resident and he offered to accommodate me (I threatened to call mom and rat him out) so I graciously accepted.  We used our time together well – in the only way two upstanding young gentlemen could – by playing FIFA and speculating about how the game was going to go.  An ardent Chelsea supporter, my brother was convinced the London club would take the victory home.  Walking around his neighborhood, I wasn’t surprised to see an abundance of Barcelona jerseys being worn.  Not that I’m aware of any particular Barcelona fanbase in the area, but you can’t really go many places where the Champions League and La Liga winners aren’t well-supported.

The match was being played at FedEx Field, home of the Washington NFL team, which was a quick 30-minute drive from his apartment – or so I thought.  To say I hit traffic wouldn’t really do the experience justice.  I sat in the most painstakingly slow-moving, pull-your-hair-out, bumper-to-bumper, never-ending, stop-and-go, creep-and-crawl – well you get it.  It was awful traffic and I was miserable.

The thing about FedEx Field is, despite being a great venue for a sporting event, it’s nearly impossible to get to in a timely fashion unless you show up a few hours early.  (Note: I probably should have showed up a few hours early).  The main access road, an eight-lane cluster of hurried drivers and anxious fans, fills up like a parking lot.  The lot for media and staff was poorly marked and my parking there required a four lane switch at the last minute and several profuse apologies.  After a 20-minute walk in the 97º heat and 96% humidity, I arrived at the media entrance completely soaked.

After picking up my media credentials and attempting to dry myself off, event staff pointed me towards the press box and I made my way there.  Upon arriving, I set my things down and immediately walked to the bathroom to cool down.  Having made it there just a little bit before the pre-match warmups, I was impressed with the amount of fans who had already entered the stadium.

Interestingly, there was no differentiating between sections of Barcelona or Chelsea fans, as everyone was intermingled.  Fans of the Blues stood next to those sporting Neymar and Messi jerseys.  After the match, Mourinho said what most people were thinking about the makeup of the crowd: “I first thought when I got out on the pitch was the amazing color of the game.  The crowd was beautiful.  Lots of blue guys mixing with Barcelona people.”  Until Mourinho’s comments, I hadn’t realized how odd it must seem to teams who usually see away fans segregated from home fans – in some arenas they’re literally fenced in.  It spoke volumes about the culture of soccer in America and how certain ‘norms’ from across the pond haven’t necessarily gained similar traction stateside.

Despite Mourinho insisting the match was to be “a training session,” the fans had come to see the best team in England play against the best team in Spain, and currently, all of Europe.  For the players, regaining fitness and touch while learning or improving an understanding of the manager’s preferred system was the focus.  However, I doubt the players found it hard to be motivated for this game.  In an exciting but close contest which saw four goals, Luis Suarez and Eden Hazard both scored impressively and there was no shortage of quality action.  With the score tied at full-time, the match went directly to penalties, and the 78,914 fans in attendance (including those who paid upwards of $95 for standing room tickets), probably got their money’s worth.

Despite the obnoxious yammering and celebrations of the Barcelona media contingent sitting behind me (seriously, they yelled the entire match and celebrated goals as if they were on the pitch), Chelsea won the day, winning the penalty shootout 4-2.  The lack of team celebration of the victory was sobering, but it didn’t keep the Chelsea fans from celebrating.  A group of Blues supporters who made the trek down from Toronto waved an enormous flag while the “Chelsea, Chelsea, Chelsea!” chants rang out across FedEx Field.

In the press conference, Luis Enrique and Mourinho thanked one another for the “quality training session” they had each been given, playing down the importance (or lack thereof) of the result.  I asked Mourinho if he was approaching the Community Shield against Arsenal, which is just days away, with the same sort of mentality.  “It is a title. It’s the least important one, but it’s a London derby against a top team and also a rival.  For the fans, it’s nice.  It’s a big day at Wembley, but it’s still a preparation match,” he said. Cryptic as ever, but the Chelsea manager refused to rule out the fact that he’d probably love to beat Wenger and also secure a piece of silverware.

What interested me the most was Mourinho’s comments about American soccer in his press conference, since Enrique took maybe one question that wasn’t from a Spanish or Catalan journalist.  Mourinho said, “I know our sport in the U.S. is not the king. There are other sports in front of us. But bringing the best teams, the best players, I think feeds the passion.  I’ve been coming to the U.S. in pre-season since 2004 and I can see the difference.  I can feel the difference.  Not just in the stadiums, but in the street and hotels.  In the way people look at soccer teams and soccer players.  I think the evolution is clear.”  Refreshing words for fans of the beautiful game in America.

Similar to Laurent Blanc’s words following PSG’s victory over Fiorentina at Red Bull Arena last week, Mourinho asserted that there was nowhere to go but up for professional soccer in the United States.  “You are getting superstars, superstars in the last part of their careers, but people like Drogba, Raul, Gerrard and Lampard.  So many of them are coming.  I think their contribution is fantastic.  The next step is to be able to bring them younger, not just the last couple years of their career, ” he said.  American soccer development is at the heart of tournaments like the ICC, geared towards providing supporters with quality competition the likes of which they’d have to travel internationally to see.  Converting young fans and nurturing seasoned ones is essential for the growth of the global game.  The folks at the ICC seem to understand that quite well.

Leaving the stadium was considerably easier than arriving, as most fans had exited the lots during the journalists’ time spent at the press conference.  While some fans remained to wait for the departure of the team buses, I made my way back to my car.  On the way, I finally understood the benefit of parking in the media and staff lot. From there, leaving the FedEx Field parking complex is simple as there is virtually no wait or traffic.  As I trekked back to New Jersey, I passed multiple cars laden with Barcelona and Chelsea fans.  Stopping at a rest stop somewhere in Delaware, I ran into even more.  It struck me then, how right Mourinho is – soccer may not yet be king in America, but its evolution was happening right before my eyes. 

Harrison, New Jersey played host to yet another International Champions Cup match last night, as New York Red Bulls took on SL Benfica at Red Bull Arena.  I’d seen Red Bulls defeat Chelsea 4-2 in the most recent match there, and watched Benfica lose to ACF Fiorentina on penalty kicks in East Hartford Friday night.  East Hartford’s Rentschler Field was packed to capacity with Benfica fans of all ages, but I was completely unprepared for the support displayed Sunday.

Immediately upon entering Newark Ironbound, a section of the city partitioned from the Greater Newark area by train rails, I was taken aback by the amount of Portuguese establishments there were.  Quite conveniently, the Ironbound district is the closest neighborhood to Harrison, and it’s fitting that there be a thriving soccer culture.  In the mid-20th century, many Portuguese immigrants settled in Newark Ironbound looking for work in the then-budding industrial city that was Newark.

These days, many businesses are owned and operated by descendants of Portuguese immigrants who settled in the area.  On more than one street, terra-cotta style roofs are the norm.  Portuguese flags hang in almost every bar window and the names of the establishments are typically Iberian.  Walking the streets, one encounters several family-owned groceries, bakeries and restaurants, all providing their own unique and authentic taste of Portugal.

As usual, arriving at Red Bull Arena was quick and easy, as three separate streets filter into the stadium complex.  After greeting the parking staff who recognized me from the previous two matches, I parked and made my way toward the stadium.  As familiar as the route to the Arena had become, I was surprised to notice how many more tailgate tents were set up.  Contrary to the fans who had shown up in great number to the Chelsea vs Red Bulls and Fiorentina vs Paris Saint-Germain matches, these fans were local.  I decided to walk through the tailgate area in the hopes of getting a brief interview or, at least, a few score predictions.

The first tailgate I passed was packed with fans young and old, grilling, drinking and singing.  With the Portuguese flag proudly on display, it wasn’t hard to imagine who these fans had come to support.  The next group of fans I passed invited me to stop in and join them, so I did.  As one put a fresh Portuguese roll overflowing with meat, peppers and onions in my hand, another explained their family’s history of supporting Benfica.  It soon became apparent that I had encountered die-hard fans. These weren’t your run-of-the-mill supporters.  A love of club had clearly been passed down to the youngest generation, who played short-sided matches bedecked in jerseys bearing their favorite players’ names.

After eating a healthy amount of Portuguese food and pastry, I decided it was probably time to head toward the stadium entrance.  On the way, I passed a couple, each wearing a United States and Portuguese flag respectively, and asked for their predictions.  As had been the consensus at the previous tailgate, they informed me that Benfica would win the day quite comfortably.  Having heard similar predictions ahead of Chelsea vs Red Bulls, which the latter won 4-2, I wasn’t surprised.

Arriving at my seat in the box, I was pleased to find that I’d been placed behind the Benfica benches and would have every opportunity to hear Rui Vitória’s animated complaints.  In the match against Fiorentina in Hartford, he gesticulated wildly more than once and I was eager to see whether that was simply a response to the amount of fouls committed or if that was just his way.  It was the latter.  Not five minutes into the match, Vitória had already begun waving his arms as if he was working for air-traffic control.

Vitória had only become the manager of Benfica on June 15th, and thus, had only been in charge of the club for a short while.  Days before their loss to Fiorentina, the Benfica manager said that his team were still evolving, and that these preseason matches are instrumental in his picking a starting eleven and knowing how best to set up his side.  Following a 2-1 loss to Red Bulls, he again reiterated that the team is still being tweaked in order to find his best players and formation, and that grand conclusions shouldn’t be drawn from the loss.

Jesse Marsch, Red Bulls manager, was far more upbeat in his press conference, citing the progress of his youth players in the two victories against European opposition.  Said Marsch, “We’re very pleased with our young guys, who have stepped up and done the job Tuesday (against Chelsea) and tonight.  These sort of matches can be crucial in their development.”  On the back of finishing the International Champions Cup (ICC) undefeated, spirits among the youth players in the Red Bulls camp are surely high.

I asked Marsch about the possible signing of Shaun Wright-Phillips, who would join brother Bradley at Red Bulls, and his response was all but an affirmation.  “We are planning an announcement for tomorrow, and I doubt it will be to say he’s not coming (to the team).”  With a new addition such as Wright-Phillips, one that wouldn’t occupy a Designated Player spot, Red Bulls are looking to improve their squad for the remainder of the season.

Mike Grella, who scored the winning goal with a rather sumptuous chip in the second half, is one player whose spot may be threatened by the former Chelsea and Manchester City player.  Lloyd Sam, who did not feature in yesterday’s match, may also be worrying about his position in the team, but Marsch is undoubtedly happy to have a competition for starting spots.

Despite the loss, the Benfica fans were loud for the full 90 minutes, cheering on their favorite stars and enjoying the spectacle.  With attendance at a healthy 18,096, Red Bull Arena once again proved to be an ideal venue for such a competition.  When the final whistle sounded, many fans gave a standing ovation, while those closest to the field jockeyed for position should they be lucky enough to get an autograph or a match jersey.

The drive home was easy, as it always is for those who live close by in New Jersey or New York City, as Red Bull Arena is ideally positioned for post-match transiting.  Gathering my thoughts from the match, I kept thinking of Jesse Marsch’s comments about his youngsters during this brief tournament.  He marveled at their fearlessness and their belief in their ability.  If he, as their coach, was that impressed with their performance in so difficult a test, there is surely a bright future for the team and the league.  

After covering the International Champions Cup matches at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey, I made the three hour trek north to Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Connecticut. Not usually a fan of driving on Friday afternoons, especially from a major transit area like New York and New Jersey, I was unsurprised to find that my GPS showed a good amount of traffic between me and my destination.

Luckily, I’d given myself plenty of time so my thoughts shifted to the evening’s matchup. Benfica was to take on Fiorentina in the second match for each side in the ICC. Both sides had lost to Paris Saint-Germain in their previous matches. I’d watched Fiorentina lose at Red Bull Arena on July 21, while Benfica had fallen to the French champions in Toronto three days earlier.

Arriving in the greater Hartford area, I was taken aback by the amount of Benfica apparel in the area. Several bars had flags bearing the crest of the Portuguese powerhouse, while a few establishments had made signs inked with the names of their favorite players or memorable seasons.

Although quite easy to get to, Rentschler Field is a bit isolated in East Hartford, a thirty minute drive from the University of Connecticut’s main campus (it serves as the home stadium for their soccer and football teams). Surrounded by four large parking lots, the arena itself is open-air (except for the press box, which towers over the field like it’s trying to provide shade). Built on only one side of the stadium, the press box is vaguely reminiscent of that of a public high school in a small town, only bigger. Much bigger.

The stadium itself seats 40,000, but for the ICC match they only offered tickets for the bottom tier which seats 16,000. It turned out to be a smart decision, as the bottom tier ended up being packed with fans, the majority of whom wore the easily distinguishable red of Benfica. Of the 15,791 who attended, there had to be 15,000 who were supporting the Portuguese League winners.

Hartford, as the unofficial dividing line between Boston and New York, is quite a melting pot. As one of Connecticut’s many cities with a vibrant Portuguese population, it wasn’t surprising that East Hartford would be packed with Benfica fans. Hartford is also home to thousands of young people, either attending universities in the city or recent graduates living and working in the surrounding area. Support for soccer in America is undoubtedly growing, and mostly among the youth, so it stands to reason that a high-profile match between two well-known European clubs would draw a crowd.

Sitting in the press box, I was overwhelmed by the lack of English I was hearing. To my right were several Portuguese journalists, and on my left was the bulk of the Italian media. To be honest, it was quite refreshing. For a moment, I imagined I was abroad, sitting with the visiting team at Éstadio da Luz, or perhaps in the away stand at the Stadio Artemio Franchi, taking in an intriguing European Cup match.

Despite the mass-substitutions mid-match and the apparent nonchalance of the players during their warmup, there was no lack of effort given during the game – both sides wanted to win this one. As if to prove their commitment, tackles flew in thick and fast. Come the end of the first half, there had been five yellow cards given. Come the end of the match there were nine. Luisao, Benfica captain and club talisman in defense, was given his marching orders thanks to a rather soft second yellow card in the 66th minute. The referee was rather poor but unbiased in his officiating, which simply meant both teams were unfairly penalized about the same number of times.

Fiorentina’s Senad Lucic was easily man of the match in my opinion. His movement was essential for the Viola’s few successful attacks and he slammed the crossbar with a well-taken effort in the 55th. Other than that, there wasn’t much to speak of. Testing the fan’s commitment, rain began to drizzle and then pour in the final minutes of the match. Nobody moved, all well aware that this match was headed directly to penalties unless someone could break the deadlock.

The spot-kicks were, as ever, a tense affair, mostly because of how openly invested the Portuguese and Italian journalists were in the outcome. Each kick was greeted with a cheer or a groan, depending on who was involved. But someone had to lose. In the end, Luca Lezzerini was the Fiorentina hero, saving Medhi Carcela-Gonzalez’s penalty to the delight of his teammates and the dismay of the heavily pro-Benfica crowd.

Following the match, Lezzerini spoke to press in the mixed zone while his teammates heckled him from where they waited to get on the bus. Clearly unused to the spotlight, he blushed and grinned while giving his interview to ViolaChannel, the official Fiorentina club media. Lezzerini was promoted through the Fiorentina youth system, so this appearance likely meant far more to him than to the more seasoned players on the squad.

Giuseppe Rossi, who had only played 27 minutes in the loss, spoke to press for quite some time in the mixed zone. Speaking to ESPN, he admitted that he could “one day” be featuring in MLS, but for the time being he was simply focused on winning things with Fiorentina. He went on to say that he wants to secure silverware, and from there would welcome whatever changes may come. Positive words for MLS fans, and those who wish they could see Rossi showing his quality stateside.

As the team buses left, plenty of fans still lingered, cementing the once in a lifetime opportunity that the ICC offers in those regions in which the tournament is held. For some, this is simply a friendly match that they could watch on television. For those fans who came to East Hartford and braved the rain and traffic to see their favorite clubs, it was much more than that.

As any soccer fan will tell you, while watching your favorite club on television is pretty great, seeing their favorite club live, in the flesh, is a luxury.

As I watched the thousands of eager fans stream into Red Bull Arena for the 2015 International Champions Cup (ICC) matches earlier this week, I was once again reminded of how amazing of an opportunity this tournament is for the overseas fan. No disrespect to the Major League Soccer’s LA Galaxy, San Jose Earthquakes and New York Red Bulls, who play host to several European clubs during the tournament, but most fans in those regions are coming to see their favorite foreign stars.

Four of the six European clubs in the North American ICC are league winners, and each finished in the top four of their respective leagues. The clubs and their stars are brand names not only domestically, but worldwide. And that’s essentially the goal of the ICC: to bring the spectacle, intrigue and quality competition offered by clubs from the top European leagues to fans on other continents. Currently hosting tournaments in the United States and Australia, and with kickoff in the Chinese tournament just days away, the ICC provides a unique showcase of foreign talent.

For the European clubs involved, these preseason fixtures are a way to ease back into the rigors of the coming season and, for some players, a moment to prove themselves to their managers. I fear that stateside fans forget to take this into account when they see a marquis players put in a 45 minute shift, or, oftentimes, don’t play at all.

Speaking to the press following a 4-2 loss to New York Red Bulls in their opening match, José Mourinho said, “Preseason is fake, for good or for bad. If you’re very bad, it’s fake, and if you’re too good, it’s fake.”

He also went on to say that the match against Paris Saint-Germain on Saturday July 25 is for preparation only, and that playing against them means nothing to him. Master of mind games or not, I’ve got to admit that José has a point. On one hand, managers of European clubs are tinkering with formations, testing out certain players and generally assessing their squads to see what needs improvement. On the other, the transfer window is open for over another month and, especially if you listen to the rumors, some of these players won’t be with their current teams come the season opener.

For a club like Chelsea, with an massive global outreach, these tournaments are a great way to satisfy current fans and to earn new ones. It’s no secret that the US market is one which European clubs covet. Beyond securing lucrative deals for sponsorship and broadcasting rights, many teams are looking to establish a long-lasting presence stateside.

Chelsea’s Here to Play, Here to Stay program is one such initiative. Since 2013, the Chelsea Football Club Foundation has been collaborating with FC Harlem developing community initiatives for young people in New York City. The Here to Play Here to Stay programs are geared toward offering opportunities to young people around the world, providing enriching activities and focusing on the development of social and leadership skills.

This past Tuesday, Chelsea and Adidas hosted the 2v2 Take New York tournament at the brand new FC Harlem training ground, providing a unique experience for youth players. The tournament also served as the venue for the Chelsea away kit unveiling and an announcement of plans to construct an indoor facility for youth soccer players in Harlem.

The event itself was a great success. As an appetizer for the arrival of several Chelsea players, the 2v2 tournament took place on an all-blue turf pitch Adidas had designed for the event. The Premier League and Capital One Cup trophies were proudly on display, and event staff were ushering fans in to take photos with the silverware.

The youth players involved were judged by famous English freestyle soccer duo, the F2 Freestylers and well-known American street soccer pair Jayinho and Flo. Competing in five-minute 2v2 matches, the players were tasked with showing off their best tricks and fakes in order to earn points from the judges. The best scores advanced to the next rounds and there was no shortage of quality. What most impressed me was the level of skill of the youth players. Some were better than others, but all were confident, talented and eager to seize the opportunity to impress.

The final was judged by Gary Cahill, Diego Costa, César Azpilicueta and Oscar. And, following the match, the finalists were presented with Adidas gear by the Chelsea stars. For the youth players involved, it was the experience of a lifetime. For Chelsea, it was a re-establishment of an important foothold in the local market and a opportunity to continue growing their global brand.

Just before it ended, World Soccer Talk’s Bo McMillan and I hurried out of the Chelsea event and immediately crossed the river, headed for Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey to cover the PSG vs Fiorentina match.

Harrison is quite ideal for a stadium, considering its proximity to major highways and the NJ Path light rail transit system. But time was of the essence, and we had little of it. In the Uber, we stared bleakly at the tail end of rush hour traffic, charging our phones and hoping that we’d have time to speak with a few fans, take some photos and still catch the majority of the pre-match warmups. The scheduling of the Chelsea event had changed that day, and getting to both was a stretch. Relevent Sports, who are in charge of the ICC, are likely not to blame, as the Chelsea players had a delayed landing and then a mid-rush hour drive across New York City. As anyone from the area can attest, that’s not too easily done.

Thankfully, the driver understood that our need was dire and he managed to get us there safely and in excellent time. Upon arriving, I was taken aback by how impressive a venue Red Bull Arena is. It’s really quite a fantastic space for soccer. Its capacity of 25,189 is perfectly compatible with the Red Bull fan base, while also providing an intimate atmosphere for friendly matches like this one. Entering the Arena, I was able to ask several groups of fans for their match predictions and the resounding response was that PSG would win. No surprises there, as PSG is a far more recognizable club for fans in the New York/New Jersey area with more brand-name stars. Zlatan Ibrahimovic was the name on most of the tongues as I entered the arena and the “Ici C’est Paris” chants rang out from before the match until the final whistle.

While Ibra was the focus for most of the fans in the arena, local boy Giuseppe Rossi had his own dedicated section of support. A Jersey boy myself, I recall playing against Rossi when he lived in Clifton. Our youth team was quite good, if I do say so myself, but Giuseppe would run circles around us, scoring at least two goals a game. While reminiscing, I realized that Rossi must be idolized by youth players in his old neighborhood, and maybe in all of New Jersey. Few players can appreciate more what the ICC represents for young fans and it seems he knows it. After scoring a well-taken penalty, Rossi pointed up to a section full of of Viola fans bedecked in purple, many of whom were kids. For one, or even all of them, that moment could be life-changing.

Despite impressive showings from Mario Gomez and Joaquin, who scored an absolute peach of a goal, PSG stole the show. Matuidi, the man of the match in my opinion, was an absolute machine, scoring a goal and assisting another. Jean-Kevin Augustin put in an admirable shift, scoring two goals. An Ibrahimovic goal provided the cherry on top to the delight of the majority of the fans in the arena.

Still, like Mourinho, PSG manager Laurent Blanc was quick to downplay the significance of the match, pointing out that the fitness of the players was more important than the victory: “In my opinion, the most important thing is that the players all ended the game without any injuries. Overall, if you look at it, that was a great night.”

PSG happen to be training at my high school alma mater, The Pingry School, in Martinsville, New Jersey, so I asked Blanc what he thought of the facilities and his thoughts on the progress of soccer in America. Surprisingly, he complained about the grass being too long, and insisted that the heat from the field, coupled with the hotel air conditioning had given Marco Verratti a sore throat. I chuckled. He did not.

On the topic of American soccer, Blanc seemed rather well-versed. Highlighting the progress of MLS clubs and the expansions of all North American leagues in the past few years, he insisted that soccer in this region was a budding force, ready to expand. For those of us who grew up in the early days of MLS, this is an undeniable truth. The allure of soccer is growing, especially in the youth of America, and tournaments like the ICC are essential for its growth.

The following evening only affirmed my convictions about the widespread fandom of European clubs in America. Red Bulls fans, who habitually fill the stadium in Harrison, were intermingling with Chelsea fans from near and far. Interviewing fans ahead of kickoff, many told me they expected a Chelsea victory – even those in Red Bulls colors. To their credit, Red Bulls had played in the US Open Cup the night before, and had gone to penalties, eventually losing to Philadelphia Union. The fans I spoke to definitely weren’t the only ones expecting a resounding win for the visiting Blues.

In the end, Red Bulls II, comprised mostly of USL-Pro players, ended up stealing the show. Led by Franklin Castellanos, who scored one and assisted another, the Red Bulls youngsters put in a fearless performance, scoring four second half goals in just 35 minutes.

Speaking to Castellanos after the match, I asked him how it felt to compete against players he likely venerated his entire career: “We didn’t even think of winning the game, to be honest. Before the game, we thought about it more, but we just enjoyed the opportunity.” Quite humble, and poignantly candid, considering how big this opportunity really is.

For players like Castellanos, plying their trade in a lower league in North America, exposure can be the best possible thing. If Laurent Blanc is to be believed, the commitment to develop players like Castellanos is not only intelligent, but necessary.

After the final whistle, the Chelsea and Red Bulls players mingled in the hallway, taking photos and signing autographs. Unsurprisingly, some Red Bulls were lining up to swap jerseys with Chelsea players, while others were posing for pictures and exchanging information. Outside the locker rooms, Thierry Henry, former Red Bulls player and Arsenal legend, spent a good twenty minutes chatting with Cesc Fàbregas, while Raúl and Mourinho had a laugh. It was refreshing to see such humanity from people we most commonly see mid-match or during a press conference.

Leaving Red Bull Arena, I felt drained but perked up when I remembered how easy it was to leave the parking lot. Harrison is quite ideal for post-game traffic, considering its proximity to major highways and the NJ Path light rail transit system. Driving home, I thought about how applicable Castellanos’ words really were. He, like the thousands of fans who came to Red Bull Arena, was simply grateful for the opportunity to experience this prestigious tournament – and so am I.

Editor’s note: Amadi will continue his International Champions Cup travelogue in the coming days. Next up on his itinerary is the Benfica vs. Fiorentina game (July 24, East Hartford, CT) followed by Red Bulls vs. Benfica (Sunday, Harrison, NJ) and Chelsea vs. Barcelona (July 28, Landover, MD).

In a rebirth of the rivalry which defined the 1970s of North American professional soccer, the New York Cosmos played host to the Tampa Bay Rowdies in their NASL Spring Season home opener on Saturday night. Reintroduced to the league in 2013, the Cosmos are currently top of the NASL table, winning two of their opening three matches and drawing the other. Following a difficult away draw with Indy Eleven, the Cosmos were eager to make the right start at home in front of its modern era record crowd of 12,550. And they did just that.

Despite the crowd being dominated by those sporting the unmistakable Green and White of the host side, plenty of fans were bedecked in Real Madrid and Spain jerseys bearing the name of the man they came to see: Raúl. So it came as no surprise that, when the Cosmos came out for warmups, a roar erupted from all in attendance.

However, even Raúl’s reception was a mere shout compare to the raucous cheers and screams from delighted fans when Pelé made his entrance – on a golf cart flanked by security and accompanied by his entourage. Fans young and old bunched together to get a glimpse of the legendary player who helped make the New York Cosmos a global brand.

Dubbed by New York Cosmos Coach Giovanni Savarese as “definitely one of the greatest days of the new era,” the home opener kicked off on a beautiful Spring evening in Uniondale, NY. While the stadium wasn’t quite full at kickoff, it soon became difficult to find an empty seat. Behind one goal, New York Cosmos’ loyal fan group, La Banda del Cosmos, were in fine voice, providing percussion and organized chants for the Cosmos faithful.

While much of the focus was on Raúl, Marcos Senna quickly showed why he’s been so indispensable to this squad. Always calm in possession, Senna helped link attacking players like Long Island native Leo Fernandes with hard-working defenders like Rovérsio. His ability to quickly transition from defense to attack was one of the Cosmos’ most dangerous assets as time and again he would spread the play out wide to Fernandes or Restrepo who terrorized Rowdies defenders throughout the match.

It was Senna who scored Cosmos’ first goal, converting from a penalty kick just eleven minutes into the match after Raúl and Restrepo linked up well down the sideline. From the resulting cross and header, Rowdies’ Darnell King handled and the referee correctly pointed to the spot. Senna’s calmness was clearly on display as he sent Contofalsky the wrong way and finished for the first goal of the night.

Despite complaining of a slight hamstring injury sustained in the week ahead of the match, Raul was definitely up for this one, pulling out the nutmegs and party tricks throughout the first half. Rowdies forward Georgi Hristov and midfielder Verneri Välimaa were happy to see the back of the Spaniard when he was removed late in the match. Although he didn’t get on the scoresheet, Raúl repeatedly humbled opponents with the trickery and guile the likes of which have been hallmarks of his career. As the fulcrum of the offensive thrust, he helped connect numerous counter-attacks and frequently frustrated the Rowdies midfielders who failed to prevent him from making an impact.

The second half began much like the first ended with the Cosmos firmly in control. Just minutes after the restart, local boy Leo Fernandes stretched the home side’s lead to two, finishing off an incisive move that left the Rowdies completely exposed. Instrumental yet again, Senna played an inch-perfect pass out wide to Restrepo who found a relatively unmarked Fernandes to slot home. Marcos Senna deservedly won Man of the Match honors as he was easily the Cosmos most influential player on both sides of the ball.

Cosmos captain Carlos Mendes put in an admirable shift in defense. The Rowdies were kept to just two shots on goal, and much of that was due to the commitment of the home side’s defenders. Home side goalkeeper Jimmy Maurer was relatively untroubled, marshaling his side from the back and earning his clean sheet.

Speaking to fans ahead of the match, many admitted that they were eager to see how Cosmos defenders handled the daunting Maicon Santos, and were surely pleased that he was essentially neutralized over the full 90 minutes.

Minutes from the final whistle, Raúl was subbed off to a standing ovation from the proud home support whose cheers illustrated their firm confidence in their new talisman.

Following the final whistle, the Cosmos did a lap of honor, clapping the fans and accepting the deserved praises from the Cosmos faithful. As Raúl joined his teammates, Rowdies forward Darwin Espinal approached him for an autograph, cementing, if only for a second, his unwavering celebrity status among fans and players of the beautiful game.

Chelsea began the 2014-2015 season at a blistering pace, outscoring opponents and winning matches with the type of confidence and flair that screamed ‘League Champions’ and had pundits dusting off the Invincibles tag from Arsenal’s memorable 2004 title charge.

Not one to declare the job done too far ahead of time, Chelsea manager José Mourinho frequently talked down the fact that the title has been Chelsea’s to lose all season – even though it has.  On paper, the Blues are the club with the best chance of securing the Premier League title, and everyone knows it.  But are they currently their own worst enemy?  A rather shaky 2015 – marked by losses to Spurs in the Premier League, Bradford City in the FA Cup and PSG in the Champions League (on aggregate) – has generated scrutiny and fueled speculation as to whether or not the Blues have what it takes to guarantee silverware come May.

Having let an eight point lead atop the league slip towards the end of 2014, the Blues know all too well how quickly the table can change. Despite stalwart efforts, soccer is a cruel beast and the league-leaders have endured their fair share of misfortune.  Chelsea has been at the center of controversy, claiming a perceived bias by officials and the FA often this season, the legitimacy of which has been argued by many.  Always outspoken when it comes to the integrity of his players or his club, Mourinho insisted:

“The number of penalties each team have in favor or against is another stat [to consider].  It’s been working against us since the beginning of the season.  That won’t change.  The numbers always tell the truth.  It’s just pure numbers.  No agenda, no intention.  Just numbers.”

The Portuguese may have a point, but poor referee decisions haven’t been the only reason for Chelsea’s rather questionable form in 2015.  So what’s the real issue?  More scrutiny should be on the Blues’ attacking form since the turn of the year.  In the second half of the Premier League season so far [11 matches], they’ve scored 22 goals.  While this form is by no means poor, there are areas in which the West Londoners could definitely improve.

Conceding goals on the road seems to be a recurring theme, as Chelsea have outscored Premier League opponents 33-6 at Stamford Bridge over the entirety of the season thus far.  Despite having the second-stingiest defense in the league, the league leaders have been allowing opponents to score at an alarming rate in away matches in the second half of the season.  Furthermore, they’ve dropped points from winning positions far too often since January.  This form has spilled over into other competitions, as well.  SB Nation’s Lead Soccer Editor Graham MacAree pointed out this questionable form during Chelsea’s recent Premier League match against Hull City:

In said match, Chelsea dug out a rather difficult 3-2 victory against a resilient Hull City side, let back into a game which seemed all but over in the 11th minute.  Glaring defensive errors marked the Tigers’ comeback, and, after they scored a deserved first, the equalizer had an unsettling feeling of inevitability about it.

In similar situations, many fans have singled out Branislav Ivanovic as the player at fault for much of Chelsea’s defensive frailty this season.  To be fair, his responsibilities have changed since last season and he is expected to contribute far more offensively than in previous years – and he does.  Still, much debate has been made over whether his offensive contributions outweigh his defensive inconsistencies.  Another player who has been the subject of much fan frustration is Gary Cahill.  Much maligned for his lack of decisive action when defending, Cahill has seen his place offered to Zouma on more than one occasion.

But is their defending really that bad?  Chelsea enjoy the second lowest goals against tally in the league, and have often held opponents to one or no goals.  The same was true of last season, except the Blues’ offensive production was severely lacking and may have been responsible for their unfavorable third place finish.  A major source of frustration for Mourinho, the offensive side of the game was something he was adamant to improve and it motivated the summer acquisitions of Costa and Fàbregas.

As a result, for much of the season Chelsea’s forward play has been stellar.  Fàbregas and Costa are league leaders in assists and goals, respectively.  Hazard has been scoring goals and creating chances, setting the bar for Mourinho’s other attacking midfielders.  But that’s where their offensive contributions begin to taper off.  Chelsea’s victory over Hull City was only the second time they’ve scored two or more goals in a Premier League away match since the mid-January 5-0 demolition of Swansea City.

Let’s take a look at the reverse fixtures from the Premier League matches Chelsea has played so far in the second half the season.  In matches against Everton and Aston Villa in the first half the season, Chelsea were victorious by a margin of three goals.  In the corresponding matches in the second half of the season, Chelsea won each by just one goal.  In matches against Burnley and West Ham United in the first half of the season, Chelsea were victorious by a margin of two goals.  In the corresponding matches in the second half of the season, Chelsea won each by just one goal.  Same goes for the matches against Hull City and Stoke City.  In the first half of the season, both fixtures were two-goal shutouts.  In the second half of the season, both have been hard-fought, one-goal wins that have gone down to the final whistle.

Yes, there are other factors that help to decide a match.  Expulsions, poor refereeing and the advantages of playing at home are just a few examples.  But a team challenging for the Premier League title has to expect to encounter their fair share of misfortune.  That’s what makes champions: playing through adversity and still reaching the intended goal – well that, and having players you can rely on to do their job week in and week out.  Despite having the league’s leading scorer in Diego Costa, the Blues are in need of other players to provide goals as they make their title push.  The Spanish striker, whose injury-prone hamstrings have been a cause for concern since he put pen to paper in Blues colors, has finally succumbed to what appears to be a serious injury, ruling him out of at least the next four weeks of action.  So who will step up in his absence?

Thirteen players have been responsible for Chelsea’s 63 league goals this season, with Costa [19] and Hazard [12] providing almost half that tally.  Defenders Branislav Ivanovic [4] and John Terry [3] have each scored as many league goals – or more, respectively – than Chelsea strikers Loïc Remy [1] and Didier Drogba [3].  It doesn’t help that former winger André Schürrle, whose three goal tally matches that of Drogba’s, was sold to Wolfsburg in the January transfer window.

Going down the list of Chelsea goal scorers, the closest attack-minded player to Hazard’s sum is Oscar, who has scored half the amount of the Blues’ tricky Belgian.  It’s clear that Chelsea need more goal-scoring contributions and this is likely the reason that players the likes of Mauro Icardi, Paulo Dybala and Douglas Costa have been consistently linked with the Blues.

With just seven remaining matches in their Premier League season – plus a game in hand and a seven point lead on their closest rivals – one would assume that Chelsea have what it takes to win the league before the final days of the season.  However, based on recent fixtures, they’ll need to produce more offensively to guarantee the necessary cushion.

FIFA has disclosed that the 2022 FIFA World Cup will be held in Winter, with the Final coming on December 18, which is also Qatar National Day.

The reasoning for such an unprecedented move from the traditional Summer schedule to a Winter one is essentially focused on the climate in Qatar.  A Summer competition would have seen fans and players enduring temperatures between 100º – 122º Fahrenheit, while the Winter tournament should offer temperatures between 55º and 75º, providing a far more favorable environment for both attendees and competitors.

Another novelty about this particular World Cup will be its location. This is the first World Cup to ever be held in the Middle East and both FIFA and Qatari officials have stated how much of a priority this is to them.  Qatar 2022 Local Organising Committee CEO Hassan Al Thawadi said this of the tournament in February:

“…This World Cup is not simply a concept for a tournament that will be held in the distant future. It is evidence that we are working every single day to deliver a unique tournament that will bring people in the Middle East together and build bridges between East and West.”

Clearly, FIFA and Qatar’s commitment to making this a memorable tournament is unwavering.  Regardless, the alleged decision to hold the Final on December 18 will likely be met with much disdain.  Despite being a competition that normally spans 32 matches, the 2022 World Cup will only feature 28, perhaps in an attempt to placate European leagues who fought hard against the Winter World Cup as it will severely affect domestic clubs whose seasons run from August to May.

There are also concerns with the ways in which Qatar is preparing to house and transport the millions of people who will likely flock to the country for the World Cup.  Controversy has surrounded the atrocious working conditions and scarily high death rate of migrant workers who are tasked with building infrastructure in the 2022 World Cup host cities.  Human Rights Watch estimated the amount of workers dying on construction sites in Doha to be one per every two days during 2014.  The International Trade Union Confederation estimates that 1,200 have died as of the turn of the year and that number is expected to rise to 4,000 by the start of the tournament. When multinational law firm DLA Piper recommended that Qatar conduct an investigation into the living and working conditions of the migrant workers, Qatar officials flatly refused.  When questioned about it, FIFA President Sepp Blatter asserted that the welfare of the migrant workers building Qatari facilities in preparation for World Cup 2022 was Qatar’s responsibility, not FIFA’s.

The inevitability of FIFA’s decision to hold the World Cup in Winter despite the public complaints of fans, former players, managers and FA chairmen – and amid allegations of human rights abuse – leaves a sour taste in the mouth of many soccer fans.  While the date of the final will not likely be well-received globally, this is a victory for soccer fans in the Middle East.  Everyone deserves to enjoy the magic of the beautiful game and the location of World Cup 2022 will likely offer an unprecedented opportunity for fans in the region to finally see their favorite players.

European soccer has a distasteful history of racism from inappropriate comments by high-profile officials, to public displays by fans, to on-field altercations between players.  Perhaps more glaring than the incidents themselves is how they no longer seem shocking.  A front page featuring prejudiced quotes and incidents of discriminatory behavior seem an inevitability every season.

The most recent allegations of racism making headlines across Europe have been directed at former Italian national team manager Arrigo Sacchi, who was quoted as saying that there are too many black players at the youth level of Italian soccer.  He went on to suggest that, because of the amount of foreign born or first-generation players, Italian soccer is losing its dignity and pride. His full quote, from Gazzetta Dello Sport is as follows:

“I’m certainly not racist and my history as a coach demonstrates that … But look at the Viareggia [youth cup] tournament I would say that there are too many black players. Italy has no dignity, no pride. It should not be possible that our teams should have 15 foreign players in the squad.”

Yes, he decided to go with the “I’m not racist but…” before making an inarguably racist remark about how the inclusion of Italian players of color render youth teams undignified.  He even went on make the feeble “I have a black friend” argument, pointing out that well-known Dutchman Frank Rijkaard was signed by and played for him at AC Milan.  Still, for Sacchi you will never be truly Italian unless you look like he does.  Players of African origin, therefore, obviously don’t fit the bill.

Despite the public denouncement of and outrage at the former Italy and AC Milan manager’s comments, some have come forward to defend them.  Fabio Capello, former England and current Russia national team manager, dismissed any allegations of racism, stressing that Sacchi’s words were not racist, but rather nationalistic and unelaborated.  Capello willingly explained – or rather, reiterated – what Sacchi was getting at with his apparently misunderstood comments:

“What he said is not racism.  We just need to have more Italian players in our youth academies, [players] with an Italian identity.  We also have black players who are Italian but he was referring to the youth teams that have eight or nine foreign players in them.”

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’re aware that Liverpool striker and Italian national team forward Mario Balotelli is black and is Italian and has been featuring for the Azzurri for years.  Let’s not forget Angelo Obganna and Stefano Okaka, both of whom also featured for the Italian national team.  Surely Capello doesn’t doubt Super Mario’s Italian identity?  Or.. perhaps he does.  The legitimacy of such an argument seems to rather thinly veil the fact that both Sacchi and Capello, while using the rhetoric of pureblood nationalism, are expressing sentiments that appear to most as quite obviously racist.  To make matters worse, Capello has himself come under fire for allegedly making homophobic comments in the same interview he gave backing Sacchi.

It’s not without reason to assume that both Sacchi and Capello are legitimately motivated by nationalist sentiment.  It’s equally within reason to assume that said sentiment is blinding them to the reality of the prejudice behind their comments.  But do ultra-nationalist sentiment and racism not often go hand in hand?  One is arguably a product of the other.  Ultra-nationalism can give way to xenophobia, and such a state of mind has been the call to arms for many violent supporters groups across Europe.

In Russia, for example, xenophobic violence has been a staple over the past two decades, culminating in December 2010 when thousands of soccer fans and other demonstrators fought with police outside of the Kremlin.  The violent demonstrations were fueled by anti-immigrant nationalists yelling “Russia for Russians!”, donning scarves and waving flags.  Russia is also well known for incidents of fan violence and discrimination in its soccer leagues, which only adds to the theory of rabid nationalist fervor correlating to racism in European football.

In Serbia, soccer riots and violence have long been commonplace and are most often motivated by nationalist and anti-minority and anti-immigrant sentiment.  In October 2010, hooligans stopped a EURO 2012 qualifier between Italy and Serbia in Genoa with violent displays of ultra-nationalism and general barbarity.  A day later, many of those same ultras participated in violent demonstrations and riots in Belgrade, motivated primarily by an angry response to a Gay Pride parade and bitter, anti-immigrant, nationalist sentiment.  The connection between hooliganism by soccer supporters and violent ultra-nationalist demonstrations was so bad that the Serbian sports minister and justice ministry officials were working together to combat it.  In December 2012, racist demonstrations and fan abuse during Serbia and England U-21s’ match saw England’s Danny Rose respond to monkey chants from Serbian fans by kicking a ball into the stands.  He was sent off.  UEFA’s response was to uphold Rose’s ban, to ban two members of the Serbian U-21 coaching staff for two years, to hand out suspensions to two Serbian players, impose a stadium ban on Serbian fans and to hand out a £65,000 fine to the Serbian FA.  Not necessarily the most convincing stance against one of the most persistent and widespread issues in the world’s game.

In Italy, racism and far-right leaning supporters groups have gone hand in hand for far too long.  As World Soccer Talk columnist Simon Evans rightly points out, Italian soccer has been on the decline for some time.  A major reason is that the image of the league – long renowned for sophistication and the quality of play – has more recently been one of wanton displays of intolerance.  Both Mario Balotelli and his younger brother (who plays his soccer for Brescia) have been racially abused.  Kevin Prince Boateng, when playing for AC Milan, walked off the field in protest of racist taunts by opposition fans.  Balotelli, Obganna and Okaka were unable to feature for their country of birth until their 18th birthdays because, until that date, they were denied full citizenship as Italians.  These uncomfortable realities point to deep-seated cultural beliefs.  Sadly, soccer is all too often the arena in which social intolerance seems to spill over in the form of violent demonstration and unsavory public discrimination.

This week in France, Chelsea supporters were filmed racially abusing a black Parisian and refusing to let him enter the train car they were in.  The English fans were filmed singing “We’re racist and we like it,” while preventing the man from entering, eliminating the possibility of this being motivated by a simple sports rivalry.  Sadly, it would be naive to assume that this is an isolated incident.  In February of 2012, a Manchester United fan was fined and banned for shouting racist abuse at Stoke City’s Kenwyne Jones.  A month later, an Arsenal fan was arrested over racist abuse of Newcastle midfielder Cheick Tiote.  In September of 2014, police were investigating the racial abuse on Twitter of Mario Balotelli.

Fortunately, domestic soccer associations exist to oversee all soccer leagues in respective European countries and are tasked with monitoring and eradicating such disgraceful displays.  Unfortunately, many of these associations seem powerless to combat the ultra-nationalism and racism plaguing so many leagues in Europe.  Some of them staff and employ people, in high-ranking positions, with the same pernicious beliefs.  In Italy, in August 2014, while campaigning to be the head of the Italian Football Association, Carlo Tavecchio made racist remarks about a fictional African player who he named ‘Opti Poba:’

“In England, they identify the players coming in and, if they are professional, they are allowed to play. Here instead we get ‘Opti Poba,’ who previously ate bananas and then suddenly becomes a first-team player with Lazio.”

Outrageously enough – or typically, depending on your stance – the Italian FA cleared Tavecchio of all charges of racism.  Tavecchio also won the election earning 63% of a possible 274 votes.  There may not be a better indication of the harsh realities of ingrained racism in Italian soccer.  FIFA, soccer’s world governing body, decided to ban Tavecchio from any involvement with Italian soccer for six months.  A whopping six months.

Despite FIFA’s strict stance on discrimination, their punishments have rarely been adequate.  As per FIFA’s website on anti-racism and social responsibility:

“The FIFA Disciplinary Code, which describes the sanctions incurred as a result of violations of the FIFA Statutes, applies to every match and competition organized by FIFA. Furthermore, the Disciplinary Code must be obeyed by all the associations and their respective members, including clubs, officials, players, match officials as well as any other persons FIFA admits to a match or competition, including spectators.”

The sanctions accompanying the penalty for breaking FIFA’s substantive law vary from fines, to bans for individual players, to bans of team representatives or to bans on playing in certain stadiums – and the list goes on.  Fines are not to be in excess of $1,000,000 but you’d have to search pretty hard to find an instance in which a high-ranking public official has been handed a lengthy or permanent ban, or faced the penalty of a substantial fine.  All too often, FIFA drops the ball when they could be making an appropriately strong statement by punishing severely those who perpetuate and endorse these cancerous prejudices.

UEFA has also come under fire on several occasions for failing to impose the necessary sanctions to properly stamp out and curtail such behavior.  In the case of the Serbian and English U-21 match, both former FA chief David Bernstein and Piara Powar, the director of UEFA’s anti-racism partner (Fare) stated their disappointment in UEFA’s lack of “totality.”  Said Powar:

“The original offenses warranted a more severe collective punishment than a ban on spectators for one match. This is a moment in which leadership to challenge discrimination is needed from all authorities. This sanction falls short of that objective.”

Until UEFA and, more importantly, FIFA, hold offenders to a more strict standard, it is unlikely that perpetuators of racist, prejudiced, discriminatory behavior will cease to mar the beautiful game with their antics.  Furthermore, there are perhaps more historic and strong-rooted cultural beliefs at work which demand attention by those in power politically to really make the necessary changes.  This week Champions and Europa League soccer tournaments took center stage, with millions around the world tuning in to watch.  Recognizing how powerful an influence soccer in Europe can have worldwide, FIFA and UEFA have a social responsibility to defend the integrity of the sport for all who play it.  With a Russian World Cup a mere three years away, let’s hope this is something they decide to take very seriously.

In response to The FA retrospectively charging Diego Costa for violent conduct from the Chelsea-Liverpool League Cup semi-final on Tuesday, Costa has decided to contest the decision with the full backing of Chelsea Football Club. The charge is a result of the perceived intentional stamp by Costa on Liverpool’s Emre Can.

Now, the ball is in The FA’s court. The Football Association will want to make a decision before Friday night so that Costa’s fate is determined before the match against Manchester City on Saturday. Either way, the final outcome will be derided.

Whether or not the appeal is met favorably, Chelsea’s willingness to challenge the decision is bold, and makes a statement of intent to not take the FA decision lying down.

If Costa is banned for the next three matches, it’s clear why Chelsea fans will be disappointed, but for the integrity of English football, it’s more useful and far more important that we consider the Football Association’s decision to charge Costa and compare said decision to similar situations deemed unworthy of punishment.

If you’ve been keeping an eye on Premier League clubs over the first seven months of the season, you’ve undoubtedly seen a few incidents which were missed by the man in the middle and left you scratching your head.  ‘How did he get away with that??  Surely he’ll be sent off??‘ was probably your most likely reaction, and for good reason.  The referees can’t always catch every incident, even if those watching from multiple camera angles with the luxury of replay can.

But that’s why we have the FA, right?  They always punish fairly, aren’t motivated or influenced by press, clubs or managers and have the backing of all players and fans of English football alike. More than once this season, the FA has been the focus of many a joke (or rant, depending on the audience), as they have repeatedly failed to be the impartial, progressive and prestigious entity they should be.

If match officials during a game miss an incident, then The FA has the power to retrospectively review the incident and charge the player, which is what they did in this week’s Costa case.

However, The FA has been inconsistent in its decisionmaking. For example, Manchester City’s Yaya Toure escaped retrospective punishment last season for his stamp on Norwich’s Ricky van Wolfswinkel. The 3-person FA panel reviewed it but couldn’t agree that the stamp was intentional. Thus, no action was taken against Toure.

Regarding Costa’s apparent stamp on Emre Can, it could be argued that Costa was clumsy. Plus, as Gary Lineker points out, Costa wasn’t looking in the direction of Can, and it would be impossible to know if the stamp was intentional unless Costa admitted it.

Coupled with that, you have perceived agendas by members of the media who are perpetuating an anti-Chelsea bias and putting pressure on The FA to punish Costa. So much so that Jose Mourinho discussed it this week during a news conference where he discussed Jamie Redknapp’s “Diego Costa crimes” mantra.

Managers like former Crystal Palace boss Neil Warnock, who expressed his frustrations at being afraid to speak about a missed call after a loss, for fear of being fined, to the famously outspoken Chelsea boss José Mourinho, who spoke of a campaign against Chelsea and then was fined, quite clearly illustrate the respect the FA feels it deserves.  If English Football’s governing body feels it deserves respect, it needs to act impartially and confidently thus instilling the trust of the managers, players and, above all, fans.

In Diego Costa’s case, his reputation tends to precede him.  Amid the myriad of articles about his on-field indiscretions, one has to wonder whether this has no bearing on the minds of those who would be scrutinizing his case.  Is it safe to assume that the media has an influence on the FA?  I would not hesitate to say yes.  Still, Costas’s ban was for a stamp on Emre Can which, at the time, appeared unintentional and has received arguably less scrutiny from the media than a similar infraction on Skrtel.

For the integrity of the game to remain, the FA needs to be held accountable.  There needs to be a legitimate sense among fans of the sport and those who make it their profession, that the governing body of their beloved game is unbiased and, most importantly, operating with their best interest in mind.

Based on the performances in the 10 matches played during the weekend of Gameweek 17 of the Premier League, as well as utilizing stats from WhoScored, Squawka and TransferMarkt, here’s my team of the weekend:

Goalkeeper

Pantilimon – [Sunderland] – Costel Pantilimon, who signed for Sunderland from Manchester City on a free transfer, endeared himself forever to the fans of the Black Cats. Performing admirably in the Tyne-Wear derby, Pantilimon made a lasting impression in the minds of Sunderland fans, likely for years to come. His seven saves, including the crucial one to deny Ayoze Perez a certain equalizer, was a pivotal moment. At 6’8″, Pantilimon is an imposing keeper, and the Romanian used his size to his advantage well claiming four crosses to deny Newcastle scoring opportunities. Sunderland currently sit 14th in the Premier League table, and will expect Pantilimon to continue performing admirably if they wish to retain their place in the league.

Left-back

Cresswell – [West Ham] – Aaron Cresswell, West Ham’s impressive left-back formerly of Ipswich Town, has been rather good in the past weeks, if not the entirety of the season. Involved on both sides of the ball, Cresswell has exhibited an understanding of when to go forward and when to defend. Scoring last week, Cresswell almost turned provider at the weekend, completing two take-ons in dangerous positions. Equally important, the young defender won all of his tackles [3] and all but one of his aerial duels. If he continues producing efforts like this one against Leicester City, he may be an attractive commodity to bigger teams come the end of the season.

Right-back

Zabaleta – [Manchester City] – Pablo Zabaleta was quite possibly Manchester City’s most successful attacking threat during the first 45 minutes against Crystal Palace. In typical fashion, Zabaleta was racing forward down the right flank, constantly putting Palace defenders under pressure whether on the overlap or through his incisive passes. Completing two take-ons and winning all of his tackles, Zabaleta lead by example and it helped motivate his teammates to succeed. In fact, his assist to David Silva was the key pass which helped break the deadlock. After that, City never looked back.

Centre-back

Fonte – [Southampton] – Jose Fonte has proven himself to be a very dependable defender, capable of marshalling the troops in front of him and making the necessary challenges to deny scoring chances. Against Everton at the weekend, Fonte managed seven tackles, two of which were while he was the last man protecting the goalkeeper. Making just one foul, the Portuguese controlled the dangerous frontmen from Everton and never looked out of his comfort zone. Expect Fonte to continue to dictate Southampton’s stingy defense as the season continues.

Centre-back

Okore – [Aston Villa] – Jores Okore, who missed much of last season due to injury, has made a noticeable impact on Villa’s defense in recent matches. Against Manchester United at the weekend, Okore was integral in Aston Villa’s five-man back line and his presence on Villa counters proved essential for Paul Lambert’s men. Villa went ahead following Benteke’s fantastic finish but Okore’s quick transition from tackle to immediately helping to spark the counter-attack was just as crucial for the Villains. Hopefully, Okore can remain healthy for the entirety of the season.

Center Midfield

Touré – [Manchester City] – Yaya Touré, believe it or not, was being written off by some pundits earlier in the season, who labelled him slow, uncommitted and unfit. Those people are probably eating their words as the Ivorian has come on strong in recent weeks, proving an integral part of the Citizens moving within three points of leaders Chelsea. In City’s victory over Crystal Palace, Touré put in a Man of the Match performance, scoring once from five shots, winning plenty of tackles in midfield and completed both of his take-ons to put City in dangerous forward positions. Manuel Pellegrini, who suggested that Touré’s early season form was but a blip, is probably feeling quite justified after sticking with the marauding midfielder.

Left Miidfield

Hazard – [Chelsea] – Eden Hazard is in scintillating form for the Blues. In Chelsea’s 2-0 victory over Stoke, Hazard terrorized Stoke’s defenders time and again prior to contributing an assist to Fàbregas to seal the win. Completing five take-ons, the young Belgian was also fouled numerous times, twice spending considerable time down injured after reckless challenges from Stoke City’s defenders Ryan Shawcross and Phil Bardsley. To the delight of his manager, Hazard wasn’t only concerned with the offensive side of play. Working hard to get back and defend, he also made three key tackles to deny Stoke any joy in attack. Chelsea fans will hope he can remain healthy  for the remainder of the season as his involvement is crucial in their forays forward.

Right Midfield

Lamela – [Tottenham] – Erik Lamela, until recently, hadn’t fully justified his £30m transfer fee after making the move from Rome to London. Perhaps he’d been trying to adjust to the Premier League, or perhaps it was the new system of play to which he needed to grow accustomed. Whatever it was, opposing teams should be aware that Lamela has found his feet at Tottenham Hotspur. His confidence has clearly grown (that rabona in the Europa League was a perfect example), and he has taken on more of a responsibility for Tottenham. Scoring the winning goal against Burnley was a clear indication of his ability to take on the task of winning matches and Mauricio Pochettino will continue to look to him.

Center Midfield

Silva – [Manchester City] – David Silva has been a major part of Manchester City’s success over past seasons, and this year has been no different. His ingenuity on the ball and intelligent interplays with City’s creative players have made him stand out in a team full of talent. In City’s match against Palace, Silva scored twice from four total shots, providing two necessary goals for a team with three injured strikers. Silva also has a knack for possessing the ball under pressure. Not known for his abilities in the air, the diminutive Spaniard also won two of his aerial duels, showing just how committed he is. Pellegrini will look to his most dependable players as the season wears on, and Silva is without a doubt on of them.

Right Forward

Austin – [QPR] – Charlie Austin is experiencing an amazing run of form. Already having notched 11 goals, Austin looks set to challenge the likes of Diego Costa and Sergio Aguero for the Golden Boot. Crucially for QPR, Austin scored a hat-trick in a comeback victory against West Bromwich Albion, helping the Londoners climb away from the relegation zone. If QPR continue to struggle, Austin may end up being tempted by clubs who are no doubt monitoring his progress. If he keeps his form up, it’s doubtful he’ll still be wearing the hoops come the end of season, and maybe even in January.

Left Forward

Benteke – [Aston Villa] – Christian Benteke may have been a forgotten man to some, but certainly not the Villa fans. A series of injuries has curtailed his impact and what made him of the most sought-after strikers in the league last season.  However, it looks like he’s slowing finding form again and he put on a show against Manchester United at the weekend. His strike to beat David de Gea was as skillful as it was imaginative, as he curled it around several players into the helpless United keeper’s top corner. It was an illustration of the Belgian’s confidence and faith in his own ability and will surely be heartening for Paul Lambert and his 12th place side.

Based on the performances in the 10 matches played during the weekend of gameweek 16 of the Premier League, as well as utilizing stats from WhoScored, Squawka and TransferMarkt, here’s my team of the weekend:

Goalkeeper

De Gea – [Manchester United] – David De Gea put in a memorable performance in Manchester United’s match against Liverpool at the weekend.  When a winning team scores three goals yet the majority of the praise goes to their goalkeeper, it is safe to assume that the man between the sticks had an impressive 90 minutes.  This match was no exception as the United shot-stopper recorded 8 saves, five of which were from shots within the box and two of which were in the final 10 minutes of the contest.  Louis Van Gaal’s United are now third in the table and just eight points behind league leader’s Chelsea.  If they wish to continue their winning ways, they will need more impressive performances from De Gea.

Left-back

Luis – [Chelsea] – Filipe Luis has had a difficult time breaking into the Chelsea first team this season, at least in the Barclay’s Premier League.  Not that he isn’t an immensely talented defender, which he is.  It’s been difficult for the Brazilian to usurp his Spanish teammate, César Azpilicueta, who, despite being a right-back, has been used by José Mourinho on the left since last season.  However, in recent matches, Luis has been preferred by his manager, and has repaid his faith with consistent strong performances.  In Chelsea’s home victory against Hull City, Luis won the penalty before the first goal and his advanced role and quality interchanges with Hazard freed up space for the Belgian on numerous occasions.  As his confidence grows, and as Chelsea’s fixtures pile up, we may end up seeing more of the Brazilian at left-back in the matches to come.

Right-back

Bellerin – [Arsenal] – Hector Bellerin had a standout performance for the Gunners this weekend at the Emirates.  Whether flying down the right side taking on Newcastle defenders or protecting his goal with defensive clearances, the young defender seemed to be everywhere.  Rarely called upon to start this season, he surely made a lasting impression on his manager Arsène Wenger, who is in dire need of reliable defenders at the moment.  Preventing crosses from Newcastle’s wing players seemed his speciality – he blocked five attempts at service – and his nine clearances (four with his head) showed his commitment.  Despite his impressive defensive stats, Bellerin was most effective going forward and completed five successful take-ons in the opposition’s final third and his assist for Olivier Giroud’s second goal epitomized his forays into the Toon’s defensive third.  Overall, his positive play was a catalyst for much of Arsenal’s early success against Newcastle and it may just have made hims a more important asset for the club.

Centre-back

Keane – [Burnley] – Michael Keane, on loan from Manchester United, has been a major part of Burnley’s recent run of form.  At just 21, the young defender showed a maturity beyond his years against Southampton, and set an example for his teammates.  His 10 clearances were a team high, and he marshaled his team from the back, making six crucial interceptions and three blocks to keep Southampton at bay.  Burnley are beginning to show a consistency at the back.  Keane has started the past four matches, and, in that time, Burnley have only conceded four goals.  It will not be easy, but Burnley’s success in the Premier League depends on the ability to remain consistent.  In Michael Keane they have found a reliable cog in the defensive machine.

Center-back

Debuchy – [Arsenal] – Mathieu Debuchy suffered an unfortunate injury months ago from which he has only recently recovered.  His natural position is at right back, and has proven himself a very capable defender.  However, against Newcastle, Debuchy was called upon to play centre-back, as Arsenal’s injury list has piled up to include some crucial players, especially in defense.  Debuchy performed admirably, making six clearances and winning all of his attempted tackles.  His positioning was most impressive.  Alongside Mertesacker, in a role he had yet to play, Debuchy looked comfortable, and his performance was vital for Arsenal’s victory.

Center Midfield

Lampard – [Manchester City] – Frank Lampard just doesn’t want to leave the Premier League – at least, not yet.  And if he continues putting in a shift like the one at the weekend, his manager Manuel Pellegrini won’t want him to, either.  The 36 year-old scored a trademark goal in Manchester City’s victory at Leicester City’s King Power Stadium, and it proved vital as City ran out 1-0 winners.  It is not the first time that Lampard has scored a crucial goal for his new club, and it may be enough to convince Pellegrini not to allow him to leave the club for New York City FC.  Relatively quiet throughout the match, Lampard seemed to ghost into the box and scored from six yards out, showing that he can still do the business, no matter the age.

Center Midfield

Cazorla – [Arsenal] – Santi Cazorla had a standout performance against Newcastle at the weekend.  Perhaps it was because it was his birthday, perhaps it was that Arsenal were playing at home, or perhaps it was because he hadn’t scored in 29 matches.  Either way, the small Spaniard was full of trickery and guile, terrorizing Newcastle defenders and providing many an option for his teammates.  His connection with Alexis Sanchez was by far the move of the match.  Cazorla laid the ball off to the Chilean and made a darting run into the box, looking to get a return pass.  The pass came and he had the awareness and class to delicately chip the ball into his stride over the outstretched leg of Collocini, and, as if to make things more difficult, finished off the move with a confident chip over Alnwick into the side netting at the far post.  It was a fantastic move, and summed up his impressive performance on the day.  He finished off the match with a Panenka penalty, bringing his tally to two.  Wenger will be thanking his lucky stars if he can keep Santi in this form.

Center Midfield

Barkley – [Everton] – Ross Barkley has often been dubbed as the future of the English midfield, yet many say he is inconsistent and not yet mature enough.  Today he silenced his naysayers with an impressive performance in a position not normally his own.  In for the injured Gareth Barry, Barkley partnered Besic in a holding midfield role, pulling strings for the Everton offense from a deeper position, and to good effect.  Winning all four of his take-ons, Barkley dominated the QPR midfielders, and marauded past two of them on the way to scoring a goal.  His goal was the best way to illustrate a commanding performance and one which will not have gone unnoticed by manager Roberto Martinez. Perhaps the future is now for Ross Barkley.

Right Wing

Eriksen – [Tottenham Hotspur] – Christian Eriksen is yet another Spurs player who is becoming ever more reliable as the season wears on.  Eriksen’s match-winning goal and first-half assist to Harry Kane were the difference-makers for the North Londoners, as they left South Wales with a hard-fought 2-1 victory.  The Dane has a certain style to his play, and his eye for a cutting pass help keep him consistently in manager Mauricio Pochettino’s team sheet.  He has also developed a good understanding with Harry Kane, who he will undoubtedly continue to assist as the young striker’s finishing has been spot on.  Despite being played out of position on the wing in recent matches, Eriksen has nonetheless shown his class and ability to positively affect matches.  Both are vital qualities in an attacking midfielder; he has them in abundance.

Left Wing

Hazard – [Chelsea] – Eden Hazard has been making waves in the Premier League.  Ever since last seasons, Hazard has consistently been the most fouled player in all of Europe’s top leagues and has completed the most successful take-ons in all of Europe’s top leagues this season.  He is without a doubt one of the most prolific attacking players in the Premier League, and the world.  This season, his performances have been vital for Chelsea.  Against Hull City at the weekend, and for the second time in the last three fixtures, Hazard added a goal and an assist to his season’s tally, having his way with Hull defenders time and again as he looked to create an opening or find a final pass.  In this form, he is nearly impossible to defend, and Chelsea will continue to rely on his attacking prowess as they make their title charge.

Striker

Giroud – [Arsenal] – Olivier Giroud has missed much of Arsenal’s season due to injury, and started his first match just over two weeks ago.  It could be expected that he may need time to ease back into the pace of the season, but it seems he has found his feet.  Scoring twice in Arsenal’s convincing home defeat of Newcastle, Giroud looked to be enjoying his football.  His first goal was a towering header, for which he bested Collocini and left Alnwick with no chance.  The second goal was something special – the slightest of flicks from a fizzed in cross by Bellerin was all the Frenchman needed to direct the ball on goal and past the helpless keeper.  Giroud needed a goal to get his confidence back up, but two surely couldn’t have hurt.  He will be looking to improve upon this weekend’s performance in the fixtures to come.

Based on the performances in the 10 matches played during the weekend Gameweek 15 of the Premier League, as well as utilizing stats from WhoScored, Squawka and TransferMarkt, here’s my team of the weekend:

Goalkeeper

Alnwick – [Newcastle United] – Jak Alnwick, Newcastle’s 21 year-old backup keeper, probably never imagined he’d be making his league debut against Chelsea at the weekend.  But, when he was called upon, he performed admirably, more than rising to the occasion.  His five saves were crucial to Newcastle’s 2-1 defeat of the league leaders, and his denial of Costa’s fizzed left-footed effort epitomized his desire to help the team win.

Left-back

Jenkinson – [West Ham United] – Carl Jenkinson, who is on loan from Arsenal this season, played a key role in the Hammers’ defeat of visitors Swansea City, who are known for their attacking prowess.  Jenkinson managed to keep Jefferson Montero relatively quiet (no small feat), and was confident and dependable on set-pieces despite sometimes matching up with Swansea’s Wilfried Bony.  As Arsenal’s injury worries increase, and if he continues to impress with West Ham, Wenger will likely be keeping a spot open on his first team squad once Jenkinson’s loan spell is over.

Right-back

Janmaat – [Newcastle United] – Daryl Janmaat is no stranger to the Team of the Week honors and, clearly, after his efforts to deny Eden Hazard any joy during Chelsea’s loss at St. James’ Park, he is once again a deserved member of the elite XI.  Bought as a replacement to Mathieu Debuchy, who left Newcastle for Arsenal, it could be argued that Newcastle were lucky to acquire the Dutchman.  To frustrate Eden Hazard for part of a match is commendable – to have done so over the majority of the 90 minutes is downright impressive.  It is a testament to Janmaat’s excellent defense that Hazard’s best chance was had when he had switched to the right.

Center-back

Coloccini – [Newcastle United] – Fabricio Coloccini, like his teammate Janmaat, played out of his skin against Chelsea and was a major reason for the upset at St. James’ Park.  Defending as if he would not tired, Coloccini marshaled his defense against the Blues’ bombardments, somehow managing a block or deflection on almost every through ball or shot.  Diego Costa knows just how frustrating the Argentina defender can be, as he blocked two of Costa’s goal-bound efforts, and beat him in the air numerous times.  A late knock he picked up would be the only negative part about his match at the weekend and he deserves his place in the best XI.

Center-back

Clark – [Aston Villa] – Ciaran Clark has had to really step up in the center of defense for Aston Villa.  With Nathan Baker out for two months, and Ron Vlaar slowly returning from his calf injury from the most recent international break, Clark had to fill some rather large shoes in the Villa back line.  And so he did.  His tracking of Leicester City’s Leonardo Ulloa was top class, but he did not only have an impact on the defensive end.  Clark also scored a vital goal in Villa’s 2-1 win and manager Paul Lambert will be thanking his lucky stars that he’s found someone to depend on in the absence of two integral members of the Villain’s back line.

Center Midfield

Colback – [Newcastle United] – Jack Colback was probably excited to learn that Chelsea’s Nemanja Matic was not in the side for the Blues’ trip to Tyneside.  Not necessarily known for his advanced runs in to the opponent’s box, Colback made frequent inroads against league leaders, forcing a fine save from Courtois and penetrating a back line and central midfield that has not faced such decisive attacking play often this season. Colback’s through ball was the deciding assist to Sissoko and it was the perfect illustration of his effectiveness in midfield at the weekend.

Center Midfield

Nzonzi – [Stoke City] – Steven Nzonzi, a member of a Stoke side long known for physical play, break-up fouls to slow other teams’ run of play and the like.  However, against Arsenal, his passing and technical ability rose to the fore, proving that he has far more quality in his locker than most give him credit for.  It was a bit telling, days before the match, that Nzonzi told the Telegraph he would like to beat the visiting Gunners with good football and not physical play.  Clearly he feels that his side are up for that sort of battle, as well.

Right Midfield

Sissoko – [Newcastle United] – Moussa Sissoko has been playing quite well this season.  As an attacking midfielder, he is powerful, technically sound and has an eye for the assist, as Chelsea found out in their visit to St. James’ Park.  On the other side of his game, he is strong in the challenge, fit to run the full 90 and clearly dedicated to the Toon.  His effort alone was worth mention against the Blues and John Obi Mikel will no doubt remember it.  Newcastle are the only side to beat the current league leaders and they did so convincingly.  Sissoko was a major part of that win.

Left Midfield

Bolasie – [Crystal Palace] – Yannick Bolasie is enjoying his football these days.  Having confidence is crucial to the success of any footballer, no matter their position.  But when it comes to an attack-minded wing player like Bolasie, having confidence means the willingness to try things in matches that most wouldn’t.  His outrageous drag and flick to get around Christian Eriksen was one such move normally reserved for the training ground.  However, the form he is in has lead him to have such immense belief in himself, and for good reason.  Not two weeks ago, he produced an outrageous control and flick to get around Liverpool’s Lovren.  If he keeps it up, this won’t be his last Team of the Week nomination.

Forward

Carroll – [West Ham United] – Andy Carroll has had his ups and downs in the Premier League.  Out for a lengthy time period in efforts to return from injury, Carroll repaid manager Sam Allardyce’s faith in spades.  Scoring a brace typical of his style of play, Carroll banged in two towering headers, and created the third with a classy flick-on.  Allardyce has had success without the big target man, and he must be overjoyed to now have another means of attack, and one who is quite different to his other forward options.  If West Ham wish to remain in the top four, they will need Carroll to have matches like this more often.

Forward

Cissé – [Newcastle United] – Papiss Cissé, who scored two goals in Newcastle’s defeat of Chelsea at the weekend, is no stranger to scoring big goals against the Blues.  Who could forget his outrageous outside of the boot winner at Stamford Bridge years ago?  Once again, Cissé was deadly in front of net, scoring two past against a Chelsea side with a particularly stingy defense.  Executing a counter attack is difficult, and it shows a real belief in one’s teammates for a player to sprint downfield expecting to receive the ball.  Cissé embodied that belief, getting on the end of a late Sissoko cross to finish of the visitors.

Based on the performances in the 10 matches played during Gameweek 12 of the Premier League, as well as utilizing stats from WhoScored, Squawka and TransferMarkt, here’s my team of the weekend:

Goalkeeper

Fabianski – [Swansea City] – Lukasz Fabianski has been in great form for Swansea City this season.  As the Swans number one, Fabianski has conceded the third lowest goals [13] of any Premier League keeper.  His performance against Manchester City, despite the club’s 2-1 loss, saw him make 8 saves and 3 claims on dangerous set pieces.  He averages an impressive 3.09 saves per match and has five clean sheets to his name.  Swansea will hope he can continue his excellent form, as they are sitting rather comfortably in 7th place which is in no small part thanks to his efforts.

Left-back

Ward – [Burnley] – Stephen Ward, who signed on a three-year deal by Burnley from Wolves prior to the start of the season, was then quoted as saying he couldn’t wait to return to the Premier League.  Having spent eight seasons with Wolverhampton, Ward was no stranger to the Prem and he proved that at the weekend.  Facing a difficult Stoke City side at the Britannia is no easy task for any club.  For Burnley, who won just their first match of the season in the fixture prior, it was to be a mountainous challenge.  Stephen Ward met that challenge head on.  Making two successful tackles when Stoke were looking to break out, and winning all four of his aerial duels, Ward kept a usually dangerous Peter Bardsley rather quiet.  Manager Sean Dyche will be hoping Ward can replicate his form over the next few matches as Burnley do their best to inch out of the relegation zone.

Right-back

Kelly – [Crystal Palace] – Martin Kelly, after some promising showings at Liverpool last season, failed to impress Brendan Rodgers enough to earn a spot in the Liverpool side, and left for Crystal Palace in search of playing time.  Ironically, the defender was quoted as saying one of the main reasons he left Merseyside for London was because of Palace’s memorable come from behind draw at Selhurst Park last season.  At the weekend, Kelly and his new club did the same against Liverpool, coming back from a one-goal deficit and scoring three unanswered goals to win the match.  Kelly was instrumental in thwarting Liverpool’s forays forward, as his solid no-panic defending served to relax his teammates and helped put the pressure squarely on the visitors.  Rodgers, who is desperately in need of better defending, may wish he never let Kelly go.

Center-back

Dummett – [Newcastle United] – Paul Dummett has probably received a ton of praise from his manager Alan Pardew over the last month.  The Toon have now won their sixth match in a row, and are sitting comfortably in fifth place.  Four of those wins have come with a clean sheet.  Dummett has been instrumental in helping thwart opposition attackers, and his four aerial duels were crucial in denying Zamora goal-scoring opportunities.  Even more commendable is the fact that Dummett is not a natural center-back, but has done an admirable job there.  Injured captain Fabricio Collocini, and manager Alan Pardew as well, should be pleased to see that there’s a player who can do the necessary defensive work for the team.

Center-back
Shackell – [Burnley] – Jason Shackell probably isn’t a name most fans of the Premier League are used to hearing.  After his performances in the last two weeks, that may be about to change.  Shackell was at the heart of the Burnley defense, repelling Stoke City’s attacks and marshaling his defenders throughout.  His six aerial duels won were a match high and his discipline in defense made it very difficult for Stoke to carve a way through.  He made two key tackles late on to deny the fans at the Britannia any consolation as Burnley ran out 2-1 winners.  Shackell’s consistency will be key for a Burnley team who are just now getting off the bottom of the table.  If they mean to fight relegation, he will need to contribute similar performances in the fixtures to come.

Center Midfield

Jedinak – [Crystal Palace] – Mile Jedinak has quietly become one of the Premier League’s best defensive midfielders.  For the first eight fixtures of the season, Jedinak made the most tackles and had recorded the second highest passes completed of any player in the league.  Neil Warnock, whose side have faced a difficult past few weeks, can take heart in the performance of his midfield general who scored a sensational free kick and broke up Liverpool attacks all over the middle of the park.  Especially notable is the fact that the Australian neutralized Liverpool’s Joe Allen and Steven Gerrard, keeping them quiet for the majority of the match.  He has grown in stature this season, and the future looks bright for Jedinak.  Palace fans will surely hope he can remain as consistent for the remainder of the season.

Left Midfield

Bolasie – [Crystal Palace] – Yannick Bolasie’s names has been on the lips of many an admiring pundit for much of the season.  His fearlessness in taking on defenders has set him apart from many attack-minded midfielders and for good reason.  Few players have so direct an approach in their attack.  Also, his innovative style and willingness to work hard for his teammates makes him rather indispensable.  For Liverpool’s defenders at the weekend, Bolasie was a nightmare to defend, appearing on the left and right sides, overlapping with enthusiasm and generally providing 150% effort.  Dejan Lovren found out just how tricky the Congolese can be, after his cheeky Chapeau made the Croatian slip and fall prior to assisting Joe Ledley for Palace’s second.  Neil Warnock will hope he can hold onto the midfield playmaker as he has undoubtedly drawn some interest from elsewhere this season.

Right Midfield

Touré – [Manchester City] – Yaya Touré, for much of last season, was simply unplayable for opposition defenders.  Popping up all over the pitch, providing assists, scoring classy free kicks and generally terrorizing back fours, Touré was in scintillating form.  This season, he has started somewhat more slowly, failing to emulate the form which many have said was his best.  The Ivorian has likely heard his critics and decided to show them he can still perform at his best.  In City’s match against Swansea at the weekend, Yaya was once again back to his normal self.  Tormenting the Swans back line, his trademark run and finish capped off a fine performance for the Noisy Neighbors, and had many tongues wagging.  Whether he can produce this form on a weekly basis is yet to be seen, but manager Manuel Pellegrini will surely hope he is starting to hit his stride.

Forward

Hazard – [Chelsea] – Eden Hazard has been showing a confidence and deadliness to his game long wanted by Chelsea fans and long feared by fans of their opponents.  That Hazard is consistently the most fouled, yet completes the most take-ons, of any player in Europe speaks volumes about his form.  Teams often defend against him with two or three players, but to no avail.  José Mourinho, who believes Hazard can be even better, spoke about wanting him to have more of a killer instinct for Chelsea, suggesting that he needs to score more goals.  It seems Hazard has been listening.  In Chelsea’s match against West Brom, Hazard’s goal in the 25th was more of a result of The Albion’s horrendous defending than anything else.  Still, being in scoring positions and converting is easier said than done.  Hazard’s run of form so far this season has been nothing short of impressive, if not excellent.  Mourinho and the Chelsea faithful will hope he can maintain it.

Forward

Rooney – [Manchester United] – Wayne Rooney arrived at the Emirates for United’s match against Arsenal as a man on a mission.  Pre-match, as the cameras focused on the United captain, Arsenal fans could be heard yelling, “Rooney, you’re rubbish!”  They would eat their words.  Rooney, who captained a resilient United side to a 2-1 victory at the Gunners’ home ground, embodied the phrase ‘lead by example.’  His classic counter-attack goal and commitment to defending the lead until the very last, are just the things to endear a club to its captain.  Rooney, who many have said hasn’t been at his best since signing a new contract with United, silenced the doubters and naysayers with a masterful performance.  United, who had a dismal start to the season, now sit in 4th place, and should continue to look to Rooney to lead them even further up the table.

Striker

Ings – [Burnley] – Danny Ings scores goals.  It’s a major reason for Burnley’s even being in the top flight of English football this season.  Now in the Premiership, Burnley have largely struggled in the start to their season, winning their first and second matches in the last two fixtures.  Danny Ings has been a huge part of their recent successes.  In his last five starts for club and country, Ings has scored five times, and his two strikes in two minutes against Stoke were typical of his hunger for goals.  Burnley manager Sean Dyche will need to keep the young frontman scoring, especially if he wishes to improve on the club’s recent form.

Based on the performances in the 10 matches played during Matchweek 11 of the Premier League, as well as utilizing stats from WhoScored, Squawka and TransferMarkt, here’s my team of the weekend:

Goalkeeper

Guzan – [Aston Villa] – Brad Guzan is continuing a rich history of American goalkeepers who excel in the Barclay’s Premier League. With Aston Villa, Guzan has well and truly cemented himself among the league’s top keepers. With Tim Howard announcing his retirement this year, American soccer lovers will be pleased to see that he has a worthy replacement. In Villa’s match at the weekend against 4th place West Ham, Guzan made five saves and none more important than a late save to deny Andy Carroll. Villa currently sit in 16th, but are one win from being level on points with Everton [10th], Liverpool [11th] and Tottenham [12th] who all currently have 14. If Villa expect to climb out of the bottom half, they’ll need to rely on Guzan’s strong performances in goal.

Left-back

Azpilicueta – [Chelsea] – César Azpilicueta has been in a very impressive run of form for Chelsea for pretty much as long as anyone can remember. The Spanish natural right-back has been excelling on the left, despite being played out of position. Recently, Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher labeled the Spaniard as the best defender in the Premier League, and it’s almost impossible to argue. For Chelsea this weekend, Azpilicueta was his usual self, denying any and all advances down Liverpool’s right side, getting forward, linking play and even providing the game-winning assist. Mourinho was quoted last season as saying that if he had “a team full of Azpilicuetas” he would never lose a match. Based on his recent form, I’d certainly have to agree.

Right-back

Janmaat – [Newcastle United] – Daryl Janmaat’s Man of the Match performance at the weekend personifies Newcastle’s fighting spirit these days. Since losing to Stoke [1-0] on the 29th of September, Newcastle haven’t lost a match, winning their last four in a row. Among those teams they defeated are Liverpool and Tottenham, who currently sit two points and at least three places behind them. In the Toon’s most recent match, Janmaat assisted both goals, one to Ayoze Perez and the other to Fabricio Collocini, to lift them over West Bromwich Albion. His defending was also top class as he made five key tackles and intercepted three key passes.

Centre-back

Collocini – [Newcastle United] – Fabricio Collocini had a stellar game against West Bromwich Albion at the weekend. Like Janmaat, he handled his defensive duties with relative ease, but where he really made the difference was on the offensive end. Scoring one of Janmaat’s two assists, and generally terrorizing West Brom defenders on set-pieces, the Argentine captain marshaled his troops and helped lead by example. His consistency has been a major reason for the Toon’s recent resurgence and if they hope to remain competitive, he will be expected to lead from the back in the matches to come.

Centre-back

Collins – [West Ham United] – James Collins has been a revelation at West Ham this season. The Hammers currently sit in 4th place, and a big reason for their only having conceded 14 times this season is down to Collins’ performances. At the weekend, he made four crucial tackles to deny Villa counters, won all eight of his aerial duels and was an absolute rock in defense. At 31, few anticipated the tall defender to have as good a season as he currently is, but West Ham surely won’t be complaining. He will certainly be called upon to continue performing admirably, especially if West Ham hope to continue their impressive run.

Centre Midfield

Matic – [Chelsea] – If he keeps up his form, Nemanja Matic may end up redefining the holding midfield position. Few players in that position have settled in as well as he has since returning from Benfica. He plays his position with a calm and assurance that is required at the top level, but rarely seen consistently. In Chelsea’s victory over Liverpool at the weekend, Matic won Man of the Match honors for essentially going about his business as usual – breaking up Liverpool attacks, denying service on set-pieces, winning headers and generally disrupting all things LFC. Creative players have a tendency to avoid his area of the field, as was seen with Raheem Sterling, who ended up drifting out wide for the majority of the match. José Mourinho hasn’t said it, but he will be heavily relying on his midfield enforcer to drive his success in the Premier League.

Centre Midfield

Wanyama – [Southampton] – Victor Wanyama’s quality in midfield is one of the reasons for Southampton’s scintillating form in the Premier League. Currently sitting in second behind leaders Chelsea, the Saints have found in Wanyama a consistent performer and a team leader. Scoring the winning goal in last week’s fixture, Wanyama put in a Man of the Match shift against Leicester City. His seven tackles were a game high, and his presence from box to box denied any fluidity from Leicester. Indeed, his putting in an impressive 90 minutes during which he basically rendered anonymous the legendary Esteban Cambiasso should be enough for him to earn a place in this week’s team.

Centre Midfield

Sigurdsson – [Swansea City] – Gylfi Sigurdsson has been enjoying life away from White Hart Lane. If those at Spurs could have anticipated the season he is currently having, they would probably have done everything possible to retain his services. His seven assists, accounting for almost half of Swans’ total goals [15], have been nothing short of excellent and the understanding he is developing with his teammates show that he is a top-class player. Analysts of the game often say that a great player makes other players great, and what Sigurdsson is doing at Swansea is the perfect illustration of that. His man of the match performance at the weekend helped Swans top Arsenal, and his stunning free-kick was nothing short of stellar.

Right Midfield

Sanchez – [Arsenal] – It would not be a stretch to say that Alexis Sanchez has been Arsenal’s best player this season. His contributions have been more than important, they have been crucial. Without his goals, Arsenal would have tied and lost far more this season. Against Swansea City this past weekend, his goal had Arsenal on top, but they eventually lost the match thanks to Sigurdsson’s free-kick and Gomis’ header. Sanchez must surely be getting frustrated as he pulls his weight (and sometimes the whole team’s) week in week out, but his performances have been consistent. Few players across Europe have been able to positively affect matches – in all competitions – the way the Chilean has for the Gunners.

Left Midfield

Montero – [Swansea City] – Jefferson Montero had a field day against Arsenal at the weekend. Bursting down the left as if he wasn’t facing any defenders, the Ecuadorian tormented the Gunners’ defense, particularly Calum Chambers. In fact, I doubt that Chambers will relish watching match footage from this fixture, as Montero exposed him again and again. The winning goal was a result of Montero’s positive attacking play, as he left Chambers in the dust and set up Gomis with a ball that only he could reach. If Swansea are to continue winning matches, especially against opponents of Arsenal’s quality, they will need Montero to be consistent when called upon. Wayne Routledge and Kieran Dyer are normally picked ahead of the Ecuadorian, but Garry Monk may end up shuffling his starting XI based on performances like the one Montero put in at the weekend.

Center Forward

Aguero – [Manchester City] – Sergio Aguero is having his way with Premier League defenses. When speaking of goal-scorers, much of the praise is consistently heaped on Diego Costa and there is good reason for that. However, Manchester City’s impressive frontman has seemingly been scoring for fun. His outrageous first touch prior to his solo effort (his first of two) in City’s match at QPR epitomized his confidence and his calm finish was the icing on the cake. Few strikers are as deadly when scoring tap-ins – Aguero makes goals out of nothing and his determination to get on the end of balls and finish off plays which appeared hopeless may be his greatest asset. Manuel Pellegrini will hope he can continue to pull rabbits out of hats for his side, as much of the negative scrutiny surrounding City’s recent form has been centered squarely on his shoulders. Thankfully, he has Aguero to lighten the load.

Based on the performances in the 10 matches played during Gameweek 10 of the Premier League, as well as utilizing stats from WhoScored, Squawka and TransferMarkt, here’s my team of the weekend:

Goalkeeper

Fabianski – [Swansea City] – Lukasz Fabianksi put in another impressive performance to keep a clean sheet against Everton this weekend.  The Swans keeper has been a big part of the Welsh side’s successes this season, as they currently sit in 6th.  His key saves frequently bail out his defenders, and it is largely because of him that they’ve conceded the joint second-least amount of goals in the league (10).  If his performances so far this season are any indication, Swansea City will be relying on him until May to keep them in the top half of the table.

Left-back

Clichy – [Manchester City] – Gael Clichy wasn’t supposed to start the Manchester Derby, and until Kolarov’s injury pre-match, he probably didn’t expect to be.  However, he put in an admirable shift, denying Angel Di Maria any joy when United attacked, and was rather deadly on his own forays forward.  His was the crucial assist for Sergio Aguero’s match-winning goal, and it was a fitting way to put a cap on an impressive outing.

Right-back

Clyne – [Southampton] – Nathaniel Clyne has become quite a player in the last 18 months.  Since leaving Crystal Palace for Southampton, the young man’s transformation into a dependable and consistent defender has come in leaps and bounds.  An integral part of the stingy Southampton defense, Clyne’s performances – on both sides of the ball – have been nothing short of excellent.  A member of a back line who have conceded just five goals all season, Clyne appears to relish one-on-one battles and has knack for knowing when to pressure the ball.  The Saints’ future successes could very well rely on their good defending, and Clyne’s consistency will only become more important as the season rolls on.

Centre-back

Vergini – [Sunderland] – Santiago Vergini, on loan from Argentine club Estudiantes, is slowly making a name for himself in the Barclay’s Premier League.  Having played 90 minutes in all but one match this season, Vergini is clearly a vital cog in Gus Poyet’s Sunderland machine.  At the weekend, Vergini stifled Frazier Campbell and Marouane Chamakh, marshaling his defense around his solid performance.  His strong play ensured the Black Cats got a vital three points, moving them out of the relegation zone – for the moment.

Centre-back

Jagielka – [Everton] – Phil Jagielka has been absolutely immense for the Toffees so far this season.  Scoring a 91st minute wonder-goal in the Merseyside Derby and having been clocked as the “fastest player in the BPL” one would say the English defender is having a standout season.  In Everton’s match against Swansea this weekend, Jagielka was an essential reason for the Toffees clean sheet.  He won all of his aerial duels, made a key interception late on to deny a Swansea counter, and made five clearances at crucial times.  Roberto Martinez praised him for his play following the draw, and will surely appreciate his defensive stability.

Center Midfield

Wanyama – [Southampton] – Victor Wanyama’s 40-yard strike at the weekend was voted for countless goal of the week competitions, and surely deserves the praise it is getting, but the Kenyan isn’t necessarily known for his goal-scoring.  What he provides at Southampton is a stability and a calmness in transition which allows the Saints’ more creative attacking players the freedom to exploit defenses.  Much like Matic for Chelsea, Wanyama breaks up opposition attacks, providing cover and an outlet from pressure for his back four.  His reliability and consistently stellar positioning has been a major part of Southampton’s stingy defensive record, and he will be expected to keep it up if the second-place Saints wish to remain competitive.

Center Midfield

Sissoko – [Newcastle United] – Moussa Sissoko, although he made a slow start after joining Newcastle in last season’s January window, has become a standout player for the Toon.  His presence in midfield has made the difference in Newcastle’s recent run of form, and his manager Alan Pardew seems to have realized it.  He can play in a variety of roles, having featured at both right and left midfield, on the wing and as a defensive midfielder.  In Newcastle’s victory over Liverpool at the weekend, he appeared to be everywhere, making tackles all over the field.  Expect him to be more and more influential for the Toon as the season progresses.

Left Midfield

[Stoke City] – Victor Moses, on loan at Stoke from Chelsea, hasn’t been as impressive as manager Mark Hughes would have liked this season.  That isn’t to say that he has been poor, but he hasn’t been as consistently effective over each 90 minutes as a player of his calibre should.  This weekend, he showed the kind of form which sees him terrorize defenders, pick up assists and get into scoring positions.  Scoring once and putting in a Man of the Match performance against West Ham, Moses will hope to replicate his play in the upcoming weeks.  Stoke City currently sit in 13th position, but numerically are one win from 6th – they’ll need the Nigerian to keep putting in impressive shifts if they wish to get there.

Right Midfield

Downing – [West Ham United] – Stewart Downing has been nothing short of excellent this season.  Playing in the coveted no.10 role, out on either wing, and generally linking or creating attacks, Stewart Downing has been in fine form.  Sam Allardyce’s squad, who have been slated for boring tactics and long-ball style attacks have surely proven they can play attractive football.  As West Ham’s impressive new look has been, Downing has been at the center of it.  His confidence is deservedly high, and his consistent play has been a major reason for the Hammers’ 5th place position.  Big Sam will hope he can continue to get the best out of the former Liverpool man, as he has been a revelation so far this season.

Forward

Sanchez – [Arsenal] – Alexis Sanchez has been worth every single penny Arsenal paid to Barcelona for his services.  The Chilean has scored in almost every competition he has featured in for the Gunners, and his infectious play has clearly raised the level of those around him.  In matches like the one against Burnley at the weekend, he consistently sets an example for his teammates, inspiring the entire squad to perform.  His penchant for scoring is only matched by his hunger to get on the ball.  If Arsenal were without him, it would be difficult to see where the spark he provides would come from.  His influence on the team is nothing short of essential and Arsène Wenger must be praying he can keep him fit.

Forward

Fletcher – [Sunderland] – Steven Fletcher put in an admirable performance for Sunderland in their victory over Crystal Palace at the weekend.  His two goals were all the difference for the Black Cats who, with that win, moved away from the relegation zone and within three points of Liverpool and Tottenham who currently sit in 7th and 8th.  Fletcher’s double came from just three shots, and his header was so impressive it rooted Speroni to the ground.  If he can keep scoring, Gus Poyet’s Sunderland may surprise some teams and will surely be able to avoid the drop.

Based on the performances in the 10 matches played during Gameweek 9 of the Premier League, as well as utilizing stats from WhoScored, Squawka and TransferMarkt, here’s my team of the weekend:

Goalkeeper:

Adrian – [West Ham United] – Adrian has been a major reason for West Ham’s positive displays this season.  Currently sitting in fourth place, just one point behind Manchester City, the Hammers have been in fantastic form having won their last three matches.  The third, the match during which Adrian cemented his place in the Team of the Week, was against City.  Making several key saves, particularly those to deny Toure and Jovetic, Adrian safeguarded his side’s lead in admirable fashion.  Despite letting in a David Silva wondergoal, the Hammers’ shot-stopper definitely deserves his place in this week’s team.

Left-back:

Baines – [Everton FC] – Leighton Baines has been receiving plenty of positive scrutiny over the last 18 months.  Featuring in the England national team and for his club Everton, Baines has regularly put in world-class performances for the Merseysiders.  This past week was no exception.  Playing against Burnley, Baines was heavily influential in the Toffees’ attack, providing an assist for Samuel Eto’o’s first goal.  He also made a crucial block to deny Burnley a goal-scoring opportunity.  His efforts were a major catalyst for Everton’s successes on the day.

Right-back:

Isla – [Queens Park Rangers] – Mauricio Isla, since transferring to QPR on a season-long loan from Juventus, has struggled to find the form which found him make this week’s Team of the Week.  However, Harry Redknapp will surely enjoy seeing him reach his potential as QPR have been struggling at the bottom of the table.  In Monday’s victory at home, however, Isla made an immediate impact, quieting Agbonlahoro and stifling Cissokho’s runs forward from defense.  He was also present on the offensive side of the ball, providing quality interchanges with Leroy Fer and linking up well with Vargas. Isla completed 5 take ons against against Villa. Consistency is something Redknapp’s QPR have lacked this season. This week, Isla showed he could be the man to provide it.

Center-back:

Hangeland – [Crystal Palace] – Brede Hangeland, since making his transfer to Palace from relegated Fulham, was never expected to be a difference-maker, as he really struggled at the London club before they were sent down a division.  Under new manager Neil Warnock, however, Hangeland has shown he still has plenty left to provide.  Scoring a first-half goal for Palace and generally being a rock in defense (despite his team conceding twice late-on), the huge Norwegian ensured Palace would at least take a point from a match they almost ended up losing.

Centre-back:

Collins – [West Ham United] – As integral as Adrian was in West Ham’s defeat of Manchester City, Collins may have been even more so.  Making two huge blocks in the area to deny City scorers, Collins was a one-man wall in defense marshaling an incredibly stingy back four.  Collins also did his best to deny a very in-form Sergio Aguero (who scored four in his last match), and his presence in defense managed to keep the Argentine from getting onto the scoresheet.  An immense performance in an important match helps him earn this week’s honors.

Center Midfield:

Matic – [Chelsea FC] – Nemanja Matic may have invented a new position for central and defensive-minded midfielders.  Few at Chelsea, or in the BPL in general, have witnessed a transfer emerge as such a dominant force.  Bossing many a midfield battleground, Matic has quickly become a favorite of José Mourinho, and the Portuguese tactician would be smart to put his faith in the Serb.  Almost appearing casual in his dispossessing and marking of opposition players, Matic provides an assurance in Chelsea’s midfield which allows the more creative players, like Fabregas and Oscar, space and time to flourish.  His performances in big matches is what sets him apart, performing extremely well in Chelsea’s recent draw in Manchester.  His sheer size is a major factor on set pieces – both on defense and offense – and it makes him incredibly versatile.

Center Midfield:

Song – [West Ham United] – When Alex Song’s loan transfer from Barcelona to West Ham was announced, many scratched their heads.  No disrespect, but the clubs are on two rather different levels of talent and prestige, at least in recent seasons.  Still, I, and many others, should eat any words which doubted his ability to make a difference for the Hammers.  His performance against Yaya Toure’s Manchester City this past weekend was nothing less than stellar.  From the first whistle, he was all over the Ivorian, pressing high and also tracking back to disrupt the flow of the City offense.  If his efforts from the weekend are consistent, Big Sam will be sure to rely on the Cameroonian as the season progresses.

Right Midfield:

Sanchez – [Arsenal FC] – That Alexis Sanchez would have success in the BPL was no surprise, as his transfer was greeted with glee from Gunners fans and dread from opposition fans.  He has been in scintillating form, as well, scoring in almost all of the matches he has featured in for the Arsenal.  This weekend was no exception, as he scored both in Arsenal’s 2-0 victory over Sunderland.  He may have been gifted both goals, as Wes Brown and Vito Mannone had a forgettable 90 minutes, but he still needed to finish them off.  Keeping a cool head, Sanchez raced in on goal after Brown’s mistake, calmly scooping over Mannone to score.  Late in the match, an awful Mannone first touch saw the ball trickle into Alexis’ stride, which he cooly dispatched past the scrambling Mannone.  His awareness and hunger for goals will likely see him win more matches for the Gunners.

Left Midfield:

Silva – [Manchester City FC] – David Silva has been in rare form this season.  In a City team which has looked less than Champions-calibre this season, Silva has been a consistently bright spark.  His tireless effort to get on the ball often results in Manchester City’s best play.  Even when City aren’t firing on all cylinders, the Spaniard does his best to provide for the team, and such was the case at the weekend.  Facing five West Ham players, Silva managed to cut his way through with a scything run, showed some magnificent close control with his left foot to leave opposition defenders in the dust and scored a delicious curler from just inside the box.  It wasn’t enough to get his team back into the match, but there is no denying Silva’s quality and his deserved place in this week’s team.

Forward:

Bony – [Swansea City FC] – Wilfried Bony has made a relatively slow start to the season, but it appears he is starting to find his feet.  Scoring two against Leicester City at the weekend, Bony produced a commanding peformance, and one which resembled the majority of his play last season.  Garry Monk will be pleased, as the Ivorian striker helped him earn his first win in six matches.  The Swans have struggled for goals so far this season, and they’ll be looking to Bony to continue his contributions.  If he plays like he did against Leicester, Swans can expect him to improve upon his tally and continue to lead from the front.

Forward:

Eto’o – [Everton FC] – Samuel Eto’o has had an interesting time while playing in the BPL.  Featuring for Chelsea last season, the Cameroonian former Barcelona man was impressive at home, yet failed to emulate the same form on the road.  For Everton, he may have settled in better than for the Londoners, as he has seemed sprightly and confident since joining the Toffees.  Scoring two goals in Everton’s 3-1 road defeat of Burnley, Eto’o seemed to have rolled back the years.  Both goals were impressive, and showed a desire and hunger that managers love.  Roberto Martinez will also take heart in having a match-winning forward, as Everton have struggled for results so far this season.  If he continues his form from the weekend, Eto’o may end up being a vital part of Everton’s successes.

Agree or disagree with the players picked? Let us know in the comments section below.

Instagram is one of the hottest social mediums for soccer, whether you’re a footballer, brand or supporter.

If you’re a soccer fan, here are our top 10 Instagram accounts to follow:

1). Soccer Bible [@soccerbible]: Featuring all the “latest in football products, players and culture,” SoccerBible has amassed a following of 1.1M, and for good reason.  Staying true to their online site, SB specializes in providing the latest in footy design and brand marketing.  Posting interesting photos detailing cleats, kits, and even your favorite stars, this is definitely an account worth following.

2). Rob Gun Illustration [@robgunillustration]: One of the few artist accounts I follow, Robin Gundersen III, a Norwegian illustrator and graphic designer, is definitely one worth checking out.  His interpretation of famous footballers like Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Cristiano Ronaldo, Luis Suarez and Mario Balotelli are top quality.  If you appreciate interesting designs focused on the beautiful game, I’d suggest getting over to his account and pressing the follow button.

3). Todo Sobre Camisetas [@todosobrecamisetas]: I began following Todo Sobre Camisetas a little over a year and a half ago, and they’re one of few reliable sources for kits and other kinds of apparel.  If you see if posted on Todo, it’s most likely coming to stores in the near future.

4). Emmanuel Frimpong [@frimponged10]: Emmanuel Frimpong, a Ghanaian footballer formerly of Arsenal and Barnsley, currently plies his trade in the Russian Premier League for FC Ufa.  Initially hailed as a having a bright future at Arsenal and Ghana, a knee injury and a failure to impress found him released by both Arsenal and Barnsley before ending up in Russia.  What he does have going for him, however, is his hilarious Instagram account.  No stranger to snark and clearly unafraid of mocking anyone, Frimpong regularly posts comedic videos about himself, his friends and many famous footballers.  Following the Mourinho vs Wenger sideline scuffle this past weekend, he posted a particularly funny meme of Arsène Wenger that has been paraded around social mediums.  He is, without a doubt, a must-follow.

5). Squawka [@squawkafootball]:  If you don’t know about Squawka – a leading match stats, analysis and graphics outlet based in London – you absolutely need to.  Powered by stats from Opta, the Squawka team provide live statistics during matches, insightful analysis and excellent player comparisons among a host of other graphics made to better understand the beautiful game.  On their Instagram account, they provide graphics, pre-match lineup videos, player tributes, match photos and much more.  Definitely an ideal follow for a footy fan.

6). Official Soccer Memes [@soccermemes]:  Everyone likes a bit of humor.  When it can be combined with football, so much the better.  Soccer Memes provides hilarious photos and videos geared to bring a smile to the lips of any football fan.  With a seemingly inexhaustible amount of media from which to pick, they never fail to provide a good laugh.  Be sure to pop on over to their account and check out their work.

7). Futbol Sport [@futbolsport]:  Another account with an immense following, Futbol Sport provides photos showcasing individual players and videos with amazing highlights.  Always unique and engaging, the photos are subtly filtered providing an artistic yet authentic feel.  Videos are usually showboat skills or impressive finishing, set to music.  If you haven’t followed them yet, you should.

8). Nike Football (soccer) [@nikefootball]:  Nike football (soccer) is a great source for freshly marketed Nike boots and apparel of all kinds.  Featuring sponsored athletes like Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney, this account provides high quality shots of new products and exclusive photos of the world’s favorite athletes in Nike gear.  They’re often posting new releases to their Instagram account and if you’re a fan of Nike Soccer products, this is the account for you.

9). Puma Football [@pumafootball]:  Despite arriving a bit late to the Instagram game, Puma Football is your one-stop account for all things Puma-related.  Showcasing international stars like Marco Reus, Sergio Aguero and Mario Balotelli, Puma Football provides a unique look at their product line from cleats to kits.  Surely a smart follow for the Puma product enthusiast.

10). Adidas Football (soccer) [@adidasfootball]:  Adidas football is yet another of the giant football product manufacturers who have amassed a massive following on Instagram.  As with Puma Football and Nike Football, Adidas Football provides a look at new products – from balls, to boots, to kits – promotes featured athletes – like James Rodriguez and Mesut Özil – and is a great place to discover new Adidas gear.  If you dream about soccer all day, this could be the ideal account for you to follow.

Bonus: World Soccer Talk [@worldsoccertalk]: World Soccer Talk’s very own Instagram account features regularly updated photos from across the beautiful game including behind-the-scenes photographs from games played across the United States, remarkable stats, new shirt photos and pics (now and again) of the team of people responsible for World Soccer Talk.

US soccer fans may be in for an unprecedented treat. According to reports in the Daily Mail newspaper tonight, Premier League matches and pre-season UEFA competitions could soon be headed to the United States as officials look to expand the sport globally and increase revenues.

The Premier League is contemplating the feasibility of playing league games in the United States based on the recent successes of the NFL games in London. The number of NFL games being played in England has increased over the years ever since the NFL began playing games at Wembley in 2007. Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore raised the possibility of playing a “39th game” overseas several years ago, which was quickly knocked down, but the financial allure of selling out huge venues cannot be ignored especially given the record attendances that the Guinness International Champions Cup has set.

For the past two years, many of the world’s best teams from Europe have traveled to the United States to compete in the preseason tournament. August’s marquee match between Real Madrid and Manchester United at “The Big House,” Michigan University’s fabled football stadium, was a fantastic illustration of the dedicated American supporters of those two clubs where a crowd of 109,318 set a record for the most-attended soccer game in US history. Likewise, Liverpool against Manchester City at Yankee Stadium was one of the highlights of the tournament. The final, which featured Manchester United vs Liverpool in Miami, was also a huge success with more than 50,000 people in attendance.

With the support of the Premier League clubs, Scudamore seems to believe that the decision to play games overseas is inevitable. According to the article in the Daily Mail, Scudamore reasserted his desire to make matches played on foreign soil a reality: “The clubs wanted it then [in 2008] and they would all probably want it now. It will happen at some point. Whether it’s on my watch, who knows?” He would be correct in assuming most clubs would want this sort of exposure, especially now that the game has attained such international appeal and the financial benefits are an undeniable incentive. There is talk of rescheduling November and December Premier League matches, so that they could be staged in the United States which would essentially require a revamping of the league schedule and possibly even the restructure of the FA or League Cups, eliminating replays to free up time in the calendar.

In a similar move to increase global exposure, the Daily Mail reports that UEFA is considering organizing high-profile friendlies, UEFA Champions League and/or Europa League qualifying matches in venues outside of Europe. As with the Premier League, one of the key markets would be the United States. However, Asian and Middle Eastern venues are also likely to be considered considering the appeal of Europe’s most celebrated clubs. In a plan which was first discussed two years ago, UEFA officials began speculating about the viability of playing Champions League and Europa League qualifiers in a knock-out style tournament. Increasing global revenue is clearly the goal of such a venture, which would likely require a rescheduling of UEFA fixtures throughout the summer pre-season in order to be sure they wouldn’t coincide with league and international fixtures.

As of now, nothing has been finalized, but the fact that such ventures are being discussed by both UEFA and Premier League officials suggests that it could soon become a reality. For fans of the beautiful game in the United States, this would surely be a welcome addition.

In a battle of the top two Premier League sides, and the only two to not yet lose a match this season, Swansea City travel to West London to take on Chelsea. Both clubs have looked impressive in their early season fixtures, and each will be looking to take maximum points from this encounter at Stamford Bridge.

Swansea manager Garry Monk, recently awarded Manager of the Month for August, took over as caretaker manager following the sacking of Michael Laudrup in February of this year. After a relatively successful end to the season which saw Swansea finish 12th, Monk has signed a three-year contract in May making him permanent manager. Swansea City have won all three opening matches, beating Manchester United 2-1 at Old Trafford on opening day, Burnley 1-0 and West Brom 3-0 both at home in the Liberty Stadium. Some might say that none of these teams is in particularly good form at the moment, and they would be right. United sit at 14th, West Brom 18th, and Burnley in dead last conceded 12 goals between them and all still yet to record a victory. However, it would be unfair to Swansea, and the intelligent tactics of Garry Monk, to not recognize how well they’ve begun their season.

Against West Brom, Monk had his men lined up in a familiar 4-2-3-1, attacking straight from the whistle and Swans controlled the key areas of the pitch without much difficulty. Icelandic Offseason acquisition Gylfi Sigurdsson, bought from Tottenham Hotspur in July to the tune of €10m, has made an immediate impact scoring once and providing four assists in his first three appearances. Another essential cog in Monk’s midfield is formerly on-loan player Ki Sung-yueng. The South Korean spent last season with Sunderland and what a part of the Black Cats’ squad which put an end to José Mourinho’s impressive home record at Stamford Bridge. Rounding out the central midfield is former Liverpool man Jonjo Shelvey, who has impressed many since his move to Wales.

Wingers Wayne Routledge and Nathan Dyer have shown a deadliness going forward that was rather lacking in last season’s campaign, notching several goals themselves while also providing quality service to frontman Wilfried Bony. In fact, Gary Monk named them among those he felt deserved to be called up by England manager Roy Hodgson. Still, I’m sure he won’t be too bothered, as both should be match fit for tomorrow’s clash in West London. Ivorian Wilfried Bony was linked with many a club, Premier League and otherwise, this offseason but has yet to get off the mark so far this year. He will definitely be looking to do so when his side travels to Stamford Bridge, this Saturday.

Swansea have quality players to come off the bench, as well. Former Lyon Striker Bafatembi Gomis, acquired on a free transfer this summer, leads the list of players likely to make an impact from the bench along with winger Jefferson Montero and on-loan central midfielder Tom Carroll. Where Swansea could be susceptible is in defense, particularly down the right side – one which will be occupied by Chelsea’s Eden Hazard. If Swansea wish to keep their winning form alive, defending well will be paramount.

For Mourinho’s men, consistency will be the business of the day. So far this season, Chelsea have defeated Burnley 3-1 away, Leicester City 2-0 at home, and Everton 6-3 away. Each has been an impressive showing, culminating in a very strong performance at Goodison Park prior to the international break. Last season, following a narrow 1-0 win against the Swans in December, Mourinho told PremierLeague.com: “We could not kill the game again. When you do not kill the game, you are always feeling the pressure.” This time around, José will hope to not have the same worries. This new-look Chelsea team will be hard-pressed to show they can handle such a test. Having done the work on the road in their last fixture, the Blues will be hoping to impress in front of their home fans.

Chelsea’s now familiar line-up will likely feature again, as new faces Diego Costa and Cesc Fàbregas are both expected to start, despite the former being bothered by a slight hamstring injury.* The two spaniards have settled well following their respective moves from Atlético Madrid and Barcelona – Costa notching four goals, Fàbregas four assists – and José will be relying on them to produce once again. Following an international break during which many of his players were active, Mourinho could make minor changes if there are any fitness worries. However, as of now, no announcement has been made concerning players who will not feature. Expect to see Nemanja Matic and Eden Hazard to make the starting XI, while Willian could start for André Schürrle on the right wing. That position will have plenty of competition, as former Basel man Mohamed Salah will also be looking to get minutes this season. Ramires, who started at Everton, will likely be moved back to the bench in favor of Oscar, who was rested against the Toffees.

In defense, Mourinho may go with the same back four he has come to trust over the past 12 months. Filipe Luis and César Azpilicueta were both called up by their respective national squads, but Azpilicueta has made the left back position his own since moving from Marseille in August of 2012 and it is doubtful that Luis would replace him if not for an injury scare. On the other side of defense, Branislav Ivanovic will start at right back after a most impressive first few weeks, notching two goals and an assist and cementing his place in the squad. The ever-present and consistent pairing of John Terry and Gary Cahill rounds out a miserly defense.

Chelsea’s schedule will soon begin to get more hectic as the fixtures pile up to include midweek matches, as well. Both the Capital One Cup and Champions League group stage are looming on the horizon, and this could very well be Mourinho’s chance to give a run out to players who haven’t seen much first-team time this year. *Löic Remy, who signed on the final day of the window and is itching to get a chance to impress at Stamford Bridge, may have the perfect occasion to make his debut. With Costa’s injury scare reported to have worsened while on international duty, it may be prudent for the Blues to rest their first-choice frontman and allow Remy and Drogba to have a go.

Swansea City and Chelsea played two tense, closely-contested matches last season, but the Blues won each fixture 1-0. Both teams have improved their squads, but Chelsea’s is notably more dynamic, especially in those players whom they can bring off the bench. One thing is likely: there will only be one undefeated team in the Premiership come Sunday. My prediction: Chelsea 3-1 Swansea.

Chelsea finished third last season behind runners-up Liverpool and Champions Manchester City, in a season during which the Blues often seemed less than capable of beating opponents they should have. Chelsea manager José Mourinho dubbed the squad “a little horse” last season, implying that they were underdogs in the race for the title. It came as no surprise, then, when halfway through last season the transfer rumor mill had already began suggesting players the London giants would or would not sign. Coming up short in the Premier league and in the Champions League, losing to eventual runners-up Atletico Madrid, certainly got the wheels in motion in the Chelsea boardroom. Here’s the rundown on the Blues’ busy summer transfer window.

Transfers In

Arguably Chelsea’s best arena of business this summer has been in signing key players to fill positions vacated. Chelsea’s midfield and attack have been notably bolstered with new faces Diego Costa, Loic Remy, Didier Drogba and Cesc Fabregas, while their defense has been shored up with new signing Filipe Luis.

Diego Costa – 38 million Euros, from Atletico Madrid

Cesc Fabregas – 33 million Euros, from Barcelona

Filipe Luis – 20 million Euros, from Atletico Madrid

Mario Pasalic – 2.5 million Euros, from Hadjuk Split

Loic Remy – 13.2 million Euros, from QPR

Didier Drogba – Free Transfer

Transfers Out

Equally as impressive as the transfers they have brought in, is how the Blues were able to afford doing so. The sales of David Luiz and Romelu Lukaku provided the capital used to purchase Costa, Fabregas and Luis keeping the Londoners on a relatively even keel of spending.

David Luiz – 49.5 million Euros

Romelu Lukaku – 35.36 million Euros

Demba Ba – 6 million Euros

Patrick Van Aanholt – 2 million Euros

George Saville – 1.25 million Euros

Loans

Each season, Chelsea send out numerous players on loan. Having somewhat of an embarrassment of riches in attack and midfield, the Blues often loan out such players in order for them to get the necessary experience to challenge for a position in the first team. Most notable of such transfers is that of Fernando Torres, the £50 million pound flop and record signing from Liverpool, who is finally on his way out of Chelsea to join Italian side AC Milan.

Fernando Torres – two-year loan, AC Milan

Marco Van Ginkel – season-long loan, AC Milan

Christian Atsu – season-long loan, Everton

Patrick Bamford – loan until January 1, Middlesbrough

Ryan Bertrand – season-long loan, Southampton

Gael Kakuta – season-long loan, Rayo Vallecano

Thorgan Hazard – season-long loan, Borussia Monchengladbach

Thomas Kalas – season-long loan, Cologne

Victor Moses – season-long loan, Stoke City

Marko Marin – season-long loan, Fiorentina

Kenneth Omeruo – season-long loan, Middlesbrough

Mario Pasalic – season-long loan, Elche

Josh McEachran – season-long loan, Vitesse Arnhem

Stipe Perica – season-long loan, NAC Breda

John Swift – season-long loan, Rotherham United

Oriol Romeu – season-long loan, Stuttgart

Wallace – season-long loan, Vitesse Arnhem

Nathaniel Chalobah – loan until January 2, Burnley

Bertrand Traore – season-long loan, Vitesse Arnhem

Islam Feruz – season-long loan, OFI Crete

Matej Delac – season-long loan, Arles-Avignon

Ulises Davila – season-long loan, Tenerife

Jhoao Rodriguez – season-long loan, Bastia

Total Earnings: 97.01 million Euros
Total Expenditure: 106.7 million Euros

José Mourinho’s Chelsea travel to Merseyside to face Roberto Martinez’s Everton in Saturday’s English Premier League marquee matchup.  Everton finished the 2013-14 season in fifth place, just two places behind Chelsea.  Sharing the points from these fixtures last season, the Toffees defeated Chelsea at home, yet lost to the Blues when they travelled to Stamford Bridge.  Both fixtures ended 1-0 featuring some cagey, end-to-end action and we can expect tomorrow’s contest to be quite similar.

Despite strengthening their respective sides in the offseason, Chelsea have arguably done the better business by signing Spaniards Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas, among others.  Everton have signed former Chelsea loanee Romelu Lukaku and former Chelsea striker Samuel Eto’o to bolster their strikeforce, and this could end up being a reunion of sorts for the frontmen.  Fernando Torres has sealed a loan move to AC Milan on a two-year deal, which sees the underperforming striker finally making his way out of London.  As such, Chelsea are rumoured to be chasing the signature of AS Roma’s Mattia Destro and QPR’s Loic Remy.  Still, no new striker will be joining the Blues between now and kickoff, so Mourinho will have to settle for Diego Costa and Didier Drogba.

Having never actually earned his place at Chelsea, Romelu Lukaku will be playing with a point to prove.  The big Belgian spent the last two seasons on loan from Chelsea at West Bromwich Albion and Everton, respectively, yet still couldn’t manage to convince Mourinho he deserved a spot in the Blues’ squad.  However, as Everton’s record signing and new No. 10, it appears that has certainly proven his worth to his new manager and the Everton faithful.  Unfortunately, the Belgian suffered a toe injury in the match against Arsenal, and it is not certain that he will be in Martinez’s first team.

Eto’o, who last season was jokingly dubbed as an “old man” by Mourinho, will likely want to feature if he can be fit in time for team selections.  The Cameroonian scored nine league goals for Chelsea, all at Stamford Bridge.  Even if he does not feature, Martinez has other forwards upon whom he can rely.  Steven Naismith performed admirably against Arsenal in the Toffees’ 2-2 draw with the Gunners last week, and will probably be picked ahead of Eto’o.  Everton lined up in a 4-2-3-1 last week when they faced Arsenal, and it would not be surprising if the same team and formation are fielded again.  Unfortunately for Martinez, he will not be able to call upon Christian Atsu, the Ghanaian winger who joined Everton on loan from Chelsea just two weeks ago.

Everton’s worries lie with injuries to key players, as Steven Pienaar, Bryan Oviedo and starlet Ross Barkley are all unable to feature for the Toffees.  Aiden McGeady will most likely be filling in for the injured Steven Pienaar, who came off after just 10 minutes in the Toffees’ clash with Arsenal.  Arouna Kone and Darren Gibson are both still struggling to regain match fitness after lengthy spells away from first-team action.  Lukaku’s toe injury will be assessed pre-match and the decision to play him or not will likely come not long before kickoff.

Chelsea’s injury woes center around new signing Diego Costa, who was said to have injured a hamstring in training this week. André Schürrle also picked up a knock in his last match, so it’s possible Willian will make his first start of the season.  Reports from Friday afternoon have reassured Blues fans, as Costa’s injury was deemed minor and it is likely he will feature, regardless.

Chelsea will be looking to maintain their perfect start to the season, while Everton will be looking to earn their first victory.  In recent seasons, Everton and Chelsea have shared the victories in this fixture, and despite many an analyst tipping Chelsea to be one of the favorites for the title this year, Everton’s performance against Arsenal has proven that they are not to be taken lightly.  However, with so many key injuries, and facing Chelsea’s strength in depth, it will be difficult for the Toffees to pull off a home win against the Blues.

EVERTON

CHELSEA

Fresh rumors of Liverpool’s interest in signing Mario Balotelli heightened tonight after credible reports emerged from the UK and Italy.

Ever since the departure of Luis Suarez, Liverpool’s transfer dealings have been numerous and varied. Early dealings in the window saw former Southampton stars Adam Lallana, Rickie Lambert and Dejan Lovren head to Merseyside for fees totaling around £50million. However, Brendan Rodgers has specified that he is still looking to fill key roles in the squad.

After a deal for QPR striker Loic Remy fell through during Liverpool’s North American tour, it was rumored that Rodgers would be looking to orchestrate the capture of yet another forward. On Wednesday evening, reporter Tony Barrett of The Times reported news of Liverpool’s interest in Mario Balotelli. The Italian striker, who last featured in the Premier League in 2013 for Manchester City (scoring 30 goals in 80 appearances), has since been plying his trade in Italy for AC Milan.

Balotelli’s agent, Mino Raiola, has apparently been pushing for Liverpool to purchase the headline-grabbing Italian, but it is rumored that Liverpool only want to bring him to Merseyside on loan. Despite being under contract until 2017, it is believed that Liverpool can sign the striker for £28m.

Balotelli, who is only 24, has often been described as a liability, but his talent and quality in front of goal is without question. While with the Rossoneri, Super Mario has tallied 30 goals in 56 appearances. AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani has told the media that, at this time, Liverpool have yet to submit a bid.

In a match of David against Goliath, newly promoted Burnley kick off their Premier League campaign against last year’s third place finishers, Chelsea. The heavy match and title betting favourites Blues travel to Turf Moor, and will be expected to get a result. José Mourinho will surely have seen how the rest of the clubs have fared over the weekend, especially those who finished above Chelsea last season – Liverpool and Manchester City.

Many pundits have tipped Chelsea to win the Premier League this season, after an impressive transfer window brought Cesc Fabregas, Diego Costa and Filipe Luis. Adding to the list of summer acquisitions is fan favorite and longtime club talisman, Didier Drogba, who returns to Chelsea after two years. The Ivorian’s fitness may be in question after he picked up a knock in a preseason match against Ferencvaros. Still, Mourinho has yet to make it clear whether or not he will feature Monday evening against Burnley.

The Portuguese can take heart in the fact that new frontman Diego Costa seems to be firing on all cylinders. The former Atletico man has had an impressive preseason, netting four goals and providing an attacking threat the likes of which haven’t been seen at Stamford Bridge for several seasons. Chelsea are anchored in defense by longtime team captain John Terry, and we will likely see newly transferred Filipe Luis getting a start, as well. Other key players for Chelsea are former Barcelona playmaker Cesc Fabregas who will no doubt be a threat on the ball. Also, look for Eden Hazard to terrorize the Burnley defense. If Chelsea are to live up to expectations, they should make short work of newly promoted Burnley.

Burnley, who won promotion to the Premier League after securing second place in the Championship last season, will be looking to prove they belong. Chelsea, however, may be an unfair first test. Still, the Clarets will have nothing to lose when they take on the visiting Blues and will surely pose a threat. Manager Sean Dyche has been impressive in his two years in charge of the club and likes to play attractive attacking football. Setting his team up in a 4-4-1-1 formation, Dyche prefers active wing-backs and stern defending. He will also depend on Danny Ings, as the young English forward netted 21 goals in 40 appearances last season. New transfers Lukas Jutkiewicz, a striker acquired from Middlesborough, and Matt Gilks, a goalkeeper formerly of Blackpool, will be heavily relied upon to orchestrate the attacks and prevent Chelsea from scoring, respectively. It may be a tough ask.

It is no question that Chelsea will be expected to leave Turf Moor with all three points, but Burnley will no doubt give them a difficult test. Still, the Blues talent in attack and experience in defense should prove crucial. My prediction: Burnley 0-3 Chelsea.

Here are the predicted line-ups:

Chelsea

Burnley

Tottenham Hotspur has signed DeAndre Yedlin from MLS club Seattle Sounders in a deal that’s reportedly worth $4 million.

The United States men’s national team and Seattle Sounders right winger, who can also play right back, completed his move to Tottenham Hotspur today. The US World Cup star has been the subject of many rumors surrounding both clubs. The completion of this deal will see Yedlin remain on loan to the Sounders until the end of 2014 before moving to Spurs in 2015.

Yedlin, brought through the ranks in Seattle’s academy, was made their first homegrown signing ever in 2013. Selected to the MLS All-Star team in both his first and second seasons, Yedlin had been tipped to be a long-term star for the Sounders until Spurs came calling.

The young defender/winger impressed during the World Cup with confident displays and many began speculating about his future not long into the tournament. It seems Tottenham were the first and most motivated suitors, but Lyon was also interested as well as AS Roma.

Yedlin, in an interview with Spurs TV, said:

“I’m excited to get into the #BPL and challenge myself against some of the best players in the world.

“I know with the new coach coming in that it’s a style that fits the way I play. It’s a big reason for my decision.

“Jürgen supported this move and it was a big part of my decision. He’s given me the confidence to perform at a high level.”

Meanwhile, Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino complained this week that the club has too many players (watch video below), saying that he wishes to reduce the number of players under his command to just 25.

Didier Drogba, who made his debut for the Ivory Coast national team 12 years ago, has today announced his retirement from international soccer. The 36-year old Chelsea striker featured in three World Cups, and has captained his national side for the last eight years. Drogba also lead “Les Elephants” to two runners-up finishes in the African Cup of Nations in 2006 and in 2012. Over the past decade, the talismanic striker has emerged as one of the world’s best in his position, often being the benchmark for the comparison of many up and coming forwards.

In an interview with Canal+, Drogba’s mind seemed made up that the time was right for him to retire:

“It’s the right time. It’s the right time to stop, to leave my place for the younger [players] and to start to build a team for the future. It’s a difficult decision, because I know what I am capable of, but when I feel that people no longer have the same faith in me as before, I feel it is a sage decision. I am available to the country, but not to play. You have to know when to stop.”

The Ivorian also posted a statement to his Twitter account which read:

“It is with much sadness that I have decided to retire from international football. These past 12 years in the national team have been full of emotions. From my first call up to my last match I have always tried to give my best for my country. I am very proud to have been captain of this team for 8 years and to have contributed to placing my country on the world stage of football taking part in 3 World Cups and 2 African Cup of Nations finals. I cannot convey enough thanks to the fans for all the love and support during these years. All my goals, all my caps, all our victories are for you – I love you. I also owe much gratitude to my teammates – the players with whom I have shared all these emotions and I wish you all much success for the future and a very warm welcome to the new manager.”

Didier Drogba will begin the new EPL season with Chelsea FC, with whom he signed a one-year contract in late July.

I knew I was an addict when I was 14 years old.

It was 1998. I had just returned to the United States from a month-long invitational soccer camp in St. Jean de Luz, France, run by former French national team manager Jean-Michel Larqué. Two days earlier, Zinedine Zidane’s France had beaten Ronaldo’s Brazil to win the World Cup – on their home soil. In the aftermath following the final whistle, the entire country went crazy.

Businesses that should have been open were closed, throngs of people filled the streets bedecked with French flags, air horns and similar fanfare. Highways were backed up with traffic as people who were listening to the match on the radio literally left their cars to celebrate with their countrymen. Cafés, restaurants, bars – or any venue with a television – were showing the Final, and when the French won there was an audible roar that swept through every big city and small town. Crowds of people, young and old, spilled into the streets joining thousands of others. Strangers before, perhaps, but no longer. The scenes of pure, unbridled joy were in a word: breathtaking.

For a while, I thought I would never know that feeling. To be honest, at that age I had not yet developed a fervent support for any soccer team, national or club. Sure, I’d been to a few Metrostars matches (when they still played in Giants Stadium at the Meadowlands), but I simply had not invested myself emotionally in the success or failure of any club enough to be living and dying with every win or loss. Now, I wanted to and needed to so immediately upon arriving back in America, I set about doing exactly that.

Despite Major League Soccer garnering relatively favorable support in the first two years of its existence, many fans of the game (myself included) had turned their attention to the professional leagues in Europe. Renowned for their talented players, many of whom had just featured in the 1998 World Cup, some teams had been in existence for almost 100 years – maybe even longer. More impressive still was each country’s particular hierarchy of leagues. Over time, separate leagues had been developed to accommodate the amount of clubs and each club’s respective level of talent. Operating in a promotion or relegation system, teams could be elevated or demoted based on their overall performance from the season’s beginning until its end. The same system exists today and while this is a very cursory explanation of how European soccer leagues are structured, it was rather intriguing as a 14-year old who had just been introduced to the concept.

Now back to my addiction. It wasn’t exactly how you might imagine it. First of all, it was difficult to even be able to watch soccer matches on a regular basis. In fact, seeing 60 minutes of a match was a struggle. By scouring the TV Guide, I would either get lucky enough to catch 90 minutes of Mexican Primera with Spanish commentary (which I learned to absolutely love), or I was blessed with replays of the prior week’s English Premier League matches on MSG. Sometimes – and this was rare – I would be flipping through channels and RAI would be showing a worthwhile Serie A match.

Here’s the thing: I had never been exposed to any of these leagues or their teams, and I was a newbie. I had no soccer knowledge, and I freely admitted it. My father, a first-generation immigrant from Senegal who has been extremely passionate about the world’s game for as long as I can remember, encouraged me to support just one team. “Pick a team and support them 100%. Do your homework – research their history. Learn about their players. Remember, they don’t have to be the best right now, and maybe it’s better not to pick everyone else’s favorite.”

So that’s what I did. I began my support of Chelsea Football Club, despite the fact that the majority of EPL matches that were ever shown were ones in which Manchester United were featured. I was a huge fan of Gianfranco Zola, Gianluca Vialli, and Marcel Desailly, who had recently played a key part in France’s World Cup victorie had just joined the club.

When the 1998-99 season began, I was a 14 year-old about to take on the daunting halls and social awkwardness of high school. Very few of my friends were interested in soccer – let alone a particular team in a particular league in England. I was probably considered odd for not being excited by the upcoming American football season or for being unable to name major teams or players (I didn’t become interested in the NFL until 2007 and I am now a proud Jets fan). Instead, I was scouring public libraries for VHS tapes. Yes, VHS tapes – keep in mind it was 1998 and there were no YouTube, MatchHighlight, or 101GreatGoals websites. I was lucky enough to rent several Premier League full season highlight compilations from my municipal library, and they quickly became the only “homework” I was interested in doing. I spent hours – days, really – memorizing the names of players, coaches, clubs and even referees. I acquainted myself with the terminology: woodwork for post, kit for jersey, boots for cleats, manager for coach, etc.

Over the next few years I became an addict. No, I didn’t wake up in a cold sweat, shaking from withdrawal, shivering and sweating at the same time, all while plotting what lengths I’d be willing to go to in order to get my fix. I did, however, find ways to feed my addiction. I skipped classes, called out sick from work, shunned my girlfriend and purposefully failed to show up to various social events.

Basically I abandoned all other distractions because what else, if anything, is “being a fan”? I mean a real fan and not one who jumps on the bandwagon of the best team during their most successful moments, or one who refuses to take time out of their schedule to support their club. Fandom is supporting the team no matter what position they hold in the league. It’s supporting the team despite the fact that they are losing. It’s also an absolute investment in the belief that your individual support means something to the club; that it makes a difference.

These days, my addiction has resulted in a need to watch soccer – whenever I can get my eyes on it. In short, I’ve become a junkie of the beautiful game and my support, like my drug of choice, has expanded to include the New York Red Bulls and the United States Men’s National Team. The former play in my state of birth. The latter represent my country. Whenever they play, I live and die with these teams, their losses become my losses and equally their wins are my wins.

So why the confession? Why the brief history of my addiction to the beautiful game?

This is in invitation – a challenge even, to all who have yet to support a club team (and even those who already do). In just over two weeks, 20 clubs will begin their 10-month Barclays Premier League season. If you have not yet picked a team to support, do so. World Soccer Talk has made this quite easy, providing a beginners guide to the English Premier League (EPL), along with a TV/Internet schedule listing NBC’s quality coverage of every match – whether on television or via their streaming platform.

In short – pick a team. Follow their progress, study their roster, and research their history because there is something uniquely engaging about the sport. Especially one so loved worldwide, and few would deny its ability to unite (or divide). Allow this season to prove it to you. Sign up. Buy the ticket. Take the ride.

Become an addict – like me.