With the huge influx of money and the most ordinary players going for sums that a few years ago would have raised questions in the Houses of Parliament, this new shiny, glossy and bundles of cash Premier League season promises to be one of the most fascinating in recent history.

Will Pep get it right at the Etihad and again frustrate Jose who might then think about moving to a place where Pep won’t follow?

Will Arsene Wenger defy all of the odds to stay as manager of Arsenal for another season? The fans have a big part to play there in creating an atmosphere that actually supports the team and not one pumped and primed for a defeat, with banners at the ready and the TalkRadio station number on speed dial for another two minute mini moan.

These are just a few of the questions that will be answered this season; see my short preview which includes predictions. See if you agree or disagree.

ARSENAL

What to say about Arsenal?

The never ending saga of Arsene Wengers’ future should finally come to an end this season one way or another.

Either they progress satisfactorily in the Premier League and progress means truly competing for the title or the Emirates doommongers may finally get their wish.

Prediction: 5th.

MANCHESTER CITY

Pep Guardiola is arguably the manager under most pressure this year, after replacing Joe Hart with Bravo didn’t really pan out he has now put his faith in another keeper untested in the Premier League, the saving grace being the more possession City have the less he will be tested.

The huge outlays on full backs will also be under scrutiny as will Agueros situation – his happiness and Guardiola’s faith in him.

City need to convince consistently and if they can find a settled team to enable rhythm they should be in for a very, very good season (and I make them favorites) and it needs to be as the spotlight is very much on them.

Prediction: 1st

MANCHESTER UNITED

Mourinho is not under pressure as such but will need a good start to banish the overwhelming feeling of dissatisfaction around the club (despite the Europa League trophy).

Mourinho himself will also need to present a much happier facade as last season as the dour, sour touchline presence coupled with the surly post match interviews only added to the general gloomy feeling around United.

They still look like they need a spark in their play and it might be that the consistent playing of Rashford down the middle may be vital to their overall play as even with Lukaku on board Rashford adds a youthful spark that lights up games and could propel United forwards.

Mourinho’s misfortune may be in his nemesis (Guardiola) following him to England.

Could it be like in Spain where, if Guardiola hadn’t produced one of the best teams of all time, then Real Madrid and Mourinho would surely have dominated, could history repeat itself in the home of football?

Prediction: 2nd

EVERTON

A big season for Everton, right manager, good blend of players, the prodigal son back home and a quiet, genuine optimism around Goodison.

The funds from Lukaku need to be used for an absolutely reliable top performing striker who will perform right away and, if they can secure Gylfi Sigurddson, one of the top performers in the Premier League, it will also add to the optimism.

The Barkley situation will be dealt with by Koeman one way or another for the good of the club as Koeman has a hard ruthless side and he can make a decision and just turn away from it and look forward.

I think if Everton can adequately replace Lukaku plus add goals from midfield, it could be an interesting season for the Toffees.

Prediction: 7th

STOKE CITY

This is a vital season for Stoke.

The seem to have, very contradictorily, while securing their status as a genuine Premier League side, lost the hard-to-beat on a Tuesday night ‘Stokeyness’ and this will be something Mark Hughes will be looking to regain while still retaining the flair that players like Shaqiri provides especially with Arnautovic departing, his unpredictability will need to be replaced.

I think this could be a VERY tricky season for Stoke and, if they start poorly could lead to serious trouble for them in terms of Premier League status.

Prediction: 15th

LIVERPOOL

As the Klopp factor calms down a little and things are no longer at a constant, draining fever pitch, this is the season that Klopp needs to achieve something at Anfield.

There still seems to be a missing element at Liverpool that would propel them into real contenders instead of being ‘not quite there.’

Klopp himself will not be happy until they are really challenging and will be looking to strengthen considerably.

Coutinho will be vital to hold on to and although the front three of Coutinho, Mane and Firmino are quicksilver, one still feels that a real focal point is missing at times.

The rotation of the front three can be mesmerizing at times and messy at others and a focal point may help the teams at times when the flexibility is not quite working.

The goalkeeping situation will also need to be addressed to provide confidence for the team and crowd as this has gone on for too long now.

Is Sturridge still there? The sensible call would be to sell the fragile striker to the highest bidder but Klopp may find the temptation to keep him as back up when needed to. He will need all of his much heralded man management to keep him happy with a bit-part role for another season.

Prediction: 6th

SEE MORE: Schedule of Premier League games on US TV and streaming

BOURNEMOUTH

Eddie Howe looks to have established Bournemouth as a Premiership club but knows they still need to exercise caution and they need to really guard against any such complacency.

The signing of Jermain Defoe would seem to guarantee at least 15 goals this season. And if they can be meaner at the back, then this should bode well.

Prediction: 11th

WEST BROMWICH ALBION

Firmly established as a top flight club, the question is which way do they go now?

Are they seeking a potential European spot, or are they looking to evolve a more attacking philosophy to please the demanding Albion crowd?

It’s well known that the fans, although appreciative of what Pulis has done for the club and the security he has provided, are still divided and a little unsure as to whether they see a long term future with him and robust style of play.

Jay Rodriguez can add firepower alongside Rondon if Pulis decides on occasions that they can play with a two man strike force. This may also assist Rondon who, at times, seems far too isolated from the rest of this incredibly well-organized team.

I’m not one of those who believes Pulis style of play to be dull. It’s a common sense approach, addressing all of the issues that need addressing in a football team. And match by match, Albion fans might want to be wary of wishing for change at a time when they have never looked more established.

Prediction: 8th

CHELSEA

It’s been a close season of unrest at Stamford Bridge, which seems strange when you consider they were worthy champions.

Rudiger and Morata are quality additions. And Conte will need to resolve the Costa saga one way or the other if he wants to maintain the peace.

This season will prove a much tougher test with the Manchester clubs looking stronger and ready to really challenge.

A settled team, a calm changing room and as little top down pressure is vital for Chelsea to maintain their success although I foresee a tough campaign ahead for the Blues.

Prediction: 4th

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

Mauricio Pochettino now must be under the internal pressure that top performers put on themselves – to win something.

Spurs have now, for two seasons, earned all the plaudits and rightly so, but now this needs to be translated into something tangible like the title or (at least) the FA Cup.

Each year Spurs fail to really challenge, teams strengthen and things get tougher.

Pochettino needs a major trophy if he is to cement his reputation as a top manager.

Prediction: 3rd

CRYSTAL PALACE

I can’t help but feel that Palace is not the right club for Frank de Boer.

Palace are a club that nobody quite knows where their place in the overall scheme of things is or what they are aiming for and if Sam Allardyce had been there at earlier more Iess trickier stages of his career, I would be very optimistic for the Eagles.

My fear is that the principled de Boer gets caught in between his ideology and the harsh reality of the Premier League’s ruthlessness. And then Palace find themselves in trouble. But, on the flip side, they do have real attacking threats and this should, ultimately, see them safe.

Prediction: 16th

SWANSEA CITY

Paul Clement seems the ideal choice for the Swans, a coach with a certain defined style and a ruthless edge picked up along the way studying and working with master coaches.

A lot will depend on whether Sigurddson stays at the club as he is one of the most effective players in the Premier League.

Home form will be key and if they can start well then they should be okay.

I expect Clement to really stamp his mark on the team this season.

Prediction: 9th

NEWCASTLE UNITED

This will be very interesting with a coach who we all know belongs at a really big club. The big question is what can he do with Newcastle – the ‘big club’ (and they are a truly big club) that never wins anything.

The potential is there and always has been, Benitez is one of the best organizers of a team in the business and will ensure his team offer stiff resistance at all times but will he be able to build a team that can bring joy and a little success to Tyneside?

Prediction: 13th

WEST HAM UNITED

West Ham, in possession of one of the brightest managers in Europe, seem perpetually troubled, be it either stadium troubles, stars leaving the club or a lack of a genuine identity or team spirit.

They need to be very careful as relegation could spell total disaster to one of English football’s great clubs but I fear they will be again involved in a very uncomfortable fight, which is tricky to predict which way it will end.

It might also seem a wise move to unplug the Twitter accounts of those in charge to ease the ‘chatter’ around the club who only adds to pressure that Bilic could do without.

Prediction: 19th

WATFORD

Watford seemed to have established themselves as a Premier League club without having established what they stand for as a club and what kind of team they want to be.

Run very much under the Italian model of hiring managers for short term periods and releasing as much through boredom as any rational decision, we have seen this complacency of Premier League status return to bite other clubs.

I think they’re another one of the teams who need to be careful.

Prediction: 18th

HUDDERSFIELD TOWN

David Wagner is a coach who makes an obvious difference to teams in terms of style and ambition and he’s done a fantastic job.

They have made many signings and it will be interesting to see how he copes with the problems of a bigger squad with bigger potential for unrest.

As a side coming up, you would expect them to struggle. I think they will start well and surprise a few people, then dip and then it will be anybody’s guess how the they handle the run-in but it will be a very tough season after the initial excitement subsides and one I think might prove just too tough.

Prediction: 20th

SEE MORE: Beginner’s guide to the Premier League

BRIGHTON AND HOVE ALBION

Another of England’s best and unappreciated managers has done another fabulous job.

The huge enthusiasm will be needed to carry the Seagulls this season.

I’m a big fan of Murray and Knockaert – two players of Premier League qualify – and if their home form is good this could set them up for a fight to the finish to survive. Although they have a superb manager, I expect them to find it tight going especially away from home.

Prediction: 17th

BURNLEY

Sean Dyche is as good a manager, pound for pound, as any in Europe.

His problem now will be managing the expectation of ‘going to the next level’ whatever that is and the Charlton syndrome of being in the Premier League but wanting more can be a curse for clubs of Burnley’s stature.

He knows the league, has more money to spend and will spend wisely.

I don’t see Burnley being in any trouble at all but do expect this to be possibly Dyche’s last season at the club before moving on to bigger things.

Prediction: 12th

SOUTHAMPTON

On the face of it, sacking Claude Puel would seem a strange move after a decent placing and a cup final appearance in which they really should have won. But if the move is part of a long term strategy (a la Nigel Adkins/Mauricio Pochettino), then we will have to wait and see how that pans out.

With a new very focused and determined manager it may, and probably will, work out. With their model of moderate success and huge profit in player transfers seemingly firmly in place, expect them to easily survive but don’t expect the sparkle of the last few seasons.

Prediction: 14th

LEICESTER CITY

After all the turbulence of the last few seasons, it’s good opportunity for Leicester to return to some kind of normality.

With Craig Shakespeare, a sensible, common sense manager in charge, I expect a very steady and, at other times, what would be classed as a wry successful season with a top ten finish.

The core is still there and they can all settle down again and remember and do what made them the most incredible champions of all time, then it will be good times all round again.

I foresee a cup success along the way for the Foxes.

Prediction: 10th

Leeds United, one of the great football institutions, have been in the news a lot lately – more through off the field need than on.

I was at their game on Saturday against Birmingham City when they brought their usual healthy and loyal following to a 12.15pm kick off.

I’m glad to know that new owner Massimo Cellino would have had to go through the rigorous ‘fit and proper’ test so we can ensure that nobody takes control of our beloved football institutions without its best interests at heart.

Football clubs were only meant to exist as social focal points for the community. Now they have turned into vehicles for out of town ‘businessmen’ whose sole aim is profit, ego and elevated social status.

Time after time it seems owners with no football background, no affinity whatsoever with the club and indeed a shadowy background where smoke swirls between mirrors come in and take over.

Buying a football club can be a long and protracted affair. Or it should be if done correctly.

But ‘luckily’ we have the fit and proper persons test and below, what I have been informed from a very ‘reliable’ source, is a transcript from an interview of a prospective buyer of a British club for the famed ‘fit and proper persons test’:

Transcript:

‘Ah Sir, we see you have put in a bid for ‘Everchester’ United.

Thats great, just a few formalities and the club is yours to do with what you like until you become bored or are indicted in your homeland for offenses against humanity but I’m sure that wont be for a good few years yet.

So we’ll just whizz through this form and then you’ll be able to wash as much money as you like through the club. After all sir, it’s your club.

First thing we need to ask;

Do you have any criminal convictions? It’s a standard question that obviously won’t apply in your case.

You served four years for involvement in a people smuggling ring but were released after two?

Well that’s hardly worth putting down is it? I’m sure the people who were smuggled were very grateful to you for the opportunity.

I’ll just tick ‘No major criminal offenses’, we can hardly call that a major offense can we?!

Next question;

Is the money legally verifiable? By that I mean, and I’m really sorry to ask this but it wasn’t procured through criminal methods?

We have to ask these questions, hope you don’t mind sir.

No.

It wasn’t? Nice and simple. That’s good enough for me, I’ll just put a nice tick in that box.

Now then…

‘Do you consider yourself or the persons you are acting for fit and proper for the running of a football club?

I know that sounds a little official sir but all it really means is do you trust yourself or the people you may be acting for?

Yes.

Yes? You do? I mean, of course you do, why wouldn’t you? You’re hardly likely to say you don’t trust yourself are you!! What a silly question?!!

Ok, little tick there, that’s fine.

Are there any human rights issues we should be aware of?

We know about the people smuggling charge, don’t need to mention that again, it’s not that we’re really bothered, it’s just administration and all these new regulations, I wouldn’t be surprised if most of them come from Brussels and what a mess that is!!!

As far as I’m concerned what you do in your own spare time is up to you. I’ll just tick the NO box to save time and we can get the form sent off.

Right then that’s all sorted oh yes, just one more question on the finances, this is a very direct question so please don’t take offense sir, but you do have the money don’t you?

Yes.

Great.

Now just need to ask about the company structure that will own the club. After all, we can’t have people just registering it in any old place like a small office in an offshore destination to avoid scrutiny can we, sir?

No.

Ok then, So if I am understand it correctly, the Company is registered in a small office above a shoe shop in Larnaca, Cyprus? Nice place Cyprus, been there a couple of times myself.

And this is a subsidiary of a parent company held under the major holding company located in the same office above the shoe shop?

Yes.

Ok.

Next question, sir. Is there a guarantor?

Ok he’s the owner of the shoe shop, well you can’t go wrong with that can you?

Even if the economy is struggling people will always need shoes won’t they.

Yes.

Sounds reasonable enough to me sir. Little tick there.

Well that should be about it. Oh, nearly forgot to ask; I presume the answer is no but you haven’t got any close friends that are brutal dictators have you?

Again like I said before I have no problem if you do. It’s your free time. In fact some of my best friends are brutal dictators. Actually they’re not but if they were it wouldn’t bother me.

No? Good, good, didn’t think so, it’s a stupid question.

We’ll just tick the NO box, soon be done sir, sorry to keep you so long.

Now then, one final question. This is a new section of the fit and proper test, so we can test new owner’s knowledge of the English game. After all we wouldn’t want anybody coming in not knowing anything about it would we?

No.

That would look like they are only here for the money.

So there are several questions on the club your buying – Everchester Utd. Now sir, can you show me where it is on a map of England?

I’ll give you a little clue sir. It’s in the north-west of the country near Manchester and Liverpool.

No sir, that’s London, little further north. No that’s Watford a little further up? No, that’s Luton (between you and me you don’t want to go there).

Actually I’ve just had a thought, I suppose sir, will be commuting by private plane?

Yes?

Ah, that puts a different light on it, I suppose technically it’s not important then as you’ll always be within commuting distance.

I’ll put a little note here ‘displayed sufficient knowledge of area concerned to confirm local knowledge and honorable intentions’.

Does the applicant have any business history or any previous sports club ownership?

‘Sir used to be a member of the local chamber of commerce and was also on the committee of the Larnaca regional squash association for 25 years’?

Yes.

Very impressive Sir, 25 years!!

That must have given you a great insight into the running of a sports organization.

Yes.

Well then that looks like everything is in order. Just one last thing, then we can go for a drink.

With your office being in Cyprus, you wouldn’t be able to sort me out for a nice couple of weeks in the sun would you?

Editor’s note: Mark Burke is an English former footballer who played as a midfielder. A player skilled at retaining the ball, he enjoyed a 15 year professional career in England, the Netherlands, Japan, Romania, and Sweden. He played for clubs including Aston Villa, Rapid Bucharest, Middlesbrough, and Wolves.

Idealism laced with a liberal dose of reality seems to be what Louis van Gaal has injected into the veins of his Dutch players in this World Cup.

There are still the traces of ‘Dutchness’ in the crisp movement of the ball, the patience, the positioning and efficiency but this is laced with the practical knowledge that ideals and emotion don’t always win games or trophies.

We saw last night that playing with your heart can lead you into trouble and cause you to lose your head – the very thing you need to keep in the white hot cauldron of professional football at this level.

Van Gaal is truly one of the masters. His work can be seen in the hands of others like Mourinho and Guardiola, infused with their own philosophies and cultural characteristics but the hand of the master is in there guiding them.

Tonight’s game will see Van Gaal prepare for a thousand possible scenarios using a realism that has crept into his work in the last few years.

I’ve spoken with several top world coaches over the years and they ALL say the same thing – that when they first started, they thought they could change the world but then they realized they couldn’t.

Age and experience does that to a man and Louis van Gaal has, without losing sight of his principles, ensured that his carefully crafted and fiercely defended philosophy on football has been injected with healthy doses of realism and practicality that ensures survival in a world where a football manager can only ‘win’ the arguments if he wins the games.

Editor’s note: Mark Burke is an English former footballer who played as a midfielder. A player skilled at retaining the ball, he enjoyed a 15 year professional career in England, the Netherlands, Japan, Romania, and Sweden. He played for clubs including Aston Villa, Rapid Bucharest, Middlesbrough, and Wolves.

In the 2010 World Cup, Netherlands went with the intention of playing winning football. Tired of the “beautiful defeat,” the squad set out on a mission to do what was necessary to win and ended up within an inch of claiming the ultimate prize.

This time, Louis van Gaal has implemented a new system to much debate (nowhere are systems debated more than in Holland although England is getting there).

How would this work? It’s not our tradition! What if this happens, what if that happens?

The result against Spain showed that if this had happened — David Silva ruthlessly finishes off an attacking move instead of a subtle chip, then Louis van Gaal is lambasted as an eccentric who tried to force a foreign system on a group of players at a major tournament.

If this happens — Robin van Persie scores a goal of such beauty at exactly the right time of the game to give Holland such a mental and physical injection that they blow away one of the all time great football sides and Van Gaal is lauded as a master tactician.

Systems and formations take their place alongside chances and opportunities – they are all thrown into the mix and what comes out is this wonderful game that thrills and mesmerises.

Louis van Gaal is old enough and wise enough to know the fine lines that decide winners and losers.

He knows that when you win, you are still not quite as good as you think you are and when you lose you are probably not quite as bad as you think you are.

The Dutch go into the Round of 16 with a new belief (I fancy them to get to final) but also with a coach who knows that whatever system he chooses will be subject to the one law of football that no system can master – that the ball is round and controlled by humans.

Editor’s note: Mark Burke is an English former footballer who played as a midfielder. A player skilled at retaining the ball, he enjoyed a 15 year professional career in England, the Netherlands, Japan, Romania, and Sweden. He played for clubs including Aston Villa, Rapid Bucharest, Middlesbrough, and Wolves.

Root and Branch? Greg Dykes Commission? St George’s Park? Anything or anybody else you can think of to help the national team?

I feel like I fell asleep 30 years ago and have just woken up.

Inquests, rage, disappointment and resignation. England have under performed again and the nation is having its say.

“Too many foreign players blocking pathways” – Valid point but we didn’t even qualify in 1974, 1978 or 1994 when the league had nearly exclusively British players (mainly English).

“The players are pampered and spoiled” – Valid point but do you honestly think they don’t care about playing for England?

They care alright. These players care.

Society has changed and football with it so I can accept that playing for England doesn’t hold the same magic it used to when a player had to play consistently well at the top level for at least five years to get into a squad. Now, with reduced numbers, a player can have literally five good games and be called up.

“They earn too much money!'”- Valid point although if all this cash comes in to the game then it’s logical that it will go to the people who play the game. Without them, there is nothing.

But yes, they are probably paid too much but is that their fault?

“We don’t have a particular playing style that the players understand and can implement – there are no definite principles they can ‘buy into’ and cling to” – Mmmmm, interesting.

If I asked you ‘How do England play?,” I think you might struggle to really define it.

I’ve often thought that the lack of a definite playing style is the biggest thing holding us back. We do have good players (although our lack of defenders, especially centrally who can begin attacks and keep possession is a problem, a deeper issue which requires another article).

Speaking to a friend of mine about football and philosophies etc, I said to him  that it doesn’t matter what your philosophy is. You just need to have one!

Don’t be like a plastic bag blown about, at the mercy of every gust of wind.

In England we talk about this country, that country, what they do, how they do it, lets copy them (see Germany, France, Spain, Holland, Belgium) instead of saying “this is what we want, this is why and this is how we are going to do it.”

It might take time and not work straight away but if it doesn’t work initially we are going to stick with it, work at it and refine it, not cast it off as soon as it doesn’t work because this is what we believe in.

But it’s difficult to do that to do when you don’t actually know what it is you want.

Editor’s note: Mark Burke is an English former footballer who played as a midfielder. A player skilled at retaining the ball, he enjoyed a 15 year professional career in England, the Netherlands, Japan, Romania, and Sweden. He played for clubs including Aston Villa, Rapid Bucharest, Middlesbrough, and Wolves.

One hundred and eighty minutes is all it takes to send a nation into despair.

Watching England against Uruguay was a confusing experience. Knowing you are watching some very good players but feeling there is something missing, something not quite right.

Just like everybody else, I’ve been enthralled by this World Cup, enthralled by the dynamism, the speed at which the ball is being moved, the devastating counter attacks, the professional abandon that most teams have shown and just ‘gone for it’.

England ‘went for it’ — just not with the same quality.

The interesting point here is the lowering of expectation that has occurred.

Sven was lambasted when we reached the quarter finals. Now that would be seen as a triumph.

The last World Cup showing in 2010 has had a lot to do with shaping the nation’s current mood before this tournament.

We went into the tournament with a squad full of experienced Premier League quality and left it as quite possibly the worst team in the whole tournament.

Fabio Capello came, saw, took and left nothing behind.

Absolutely nothing.

He took £6m per year in wages, for which you would expect a coach to leave behind some kind of soccer ‘legacy’ from his time in charge, something we could say yes we learned from that, we could use that, follow this.

But no. Capello left nothing and worst of all, he left not even one positive memory from that last World Cup.

Being an ex player, you understand the game and how it works, how difficult the game especially at that rarified level can be, but the general lack of pleasure and joy in that particular England team at that World Cup was shocking.

The general feeling after that was that ‘we have had enough’ – everybody had looked forward to the tournament and then to endure that, yes endure – because it was tortuous, made a lot of people shrug their shoulders and lose interest.

Consequently leading up to this World Cup, it has seen an attitude of ‘oh well we won’t get far let’s see what happens.’

The feeling is bad at the moment. We’ve crashed out after two games but at least I feel better than I did last time around as in each of the two games there was something to get excited about.

We ‘went’ for it, maybe not always in the right way (but that’s a debate for another day) but at least we gave the fans watching some excitement and that’s far more than can be said for Capello’s dour, expensive and ultimately unsuccessful (however you define success for England) reign as England coach.

Editor’s note: Mark Burke is an English former footballer who played as a midfielder. A player skilled at retaining the ball, he enjoyed a 15 year professional career in England, the Netherlands, Japan, Romania, and Sweden. He played for clubs including Aston Villa, Rapid Bucharest, Middlesbrough, and Wolves.

Last night’s defeat against Italy leaves England with a must-win next game against Uruguay but there were many positive things to take from this for the next match and for the future.

The “Pirlo question” — a player who causes England so many problems — was still not fully dealt with. This time, his influence was more subtle but deadly — creativity at its most sublime, a weighing of angles and appreciation of space possibly unrivaled at present – the dummy for the first goal was an invisible assist.

Having said that, he was still allowed too much space and freedom. A player as important as this needs to be clamped down in a vice-like grip until his spirit sags and his influence is snuffed out.

This aside, there was though, at last, a sense of adventure from an England team, a determination to take the game to the opposition and force their attacking quality on the game.

It worked, in general. Daniel Sturridge was full of confidence and swagger. Danny Welbeck was positive and energetic. And in particular Sterling set the tone with his readiness to turn and run directly at the Italian defense. He is a player other teams will now fear.

Wayne Rooney showed his undoubted quality with a superb cross for Sturridge’s goal. But again his performance and position will invite heated debate.

Rooney is as honest a player as you will find. This is not a sulking superstar who doesn’t like his position. This is a player who will always do his best but one who needs to be constantly involved and used. And when pinned down to a role that includes a specific defensive task then, as many gifted attacking players do, he can find it difficult.

With a relatively new full back behind him needing support (does Leighton Baines have the ‘authority’ to push and pull Rooney where he needs him to be?), England were ruthlessly exposed by Italy. In soccer, the enemy’s weaknesses are explored and exploited. Italy did this and England suffered.

How do you get the best of your most talented performer? How do you ensure his strengths outweigh his weaknesses, to ensure the team benefits not suffers?

These are all difficult questions as Uruguay and Costa Rica (if that game matters by then) will surely pinpoint the side Rooney plays on in the next game as a potential source of success.

England has your biggest talent bursting to show his worth and the manager looking for the right spot to fit him in. These are the £3.5m-a-year decisions that Roy has to make.

SEE MORE — Read our England World Cup Preview and listen to our England World Cup Preview podcast.

Editor’s note: Mark Burke is an English former footballer who played as a midfielder. A player skilled at retaining the ball, he enjoyed a 15 year professional career in England, the Netherlands, Japan, Romania, and Sweden. He played for clubs including Aston Villa, Rapid Bucharest, Middlesbrough, and Wolves.

Historic. Shocking. Amazing. Unbelievable.

It’s no exaggeration that all of these words are applicable when talking about the Netherlands-Spain game especially because the whole of the Netherlands had virtually written off their chances of even getting out of the group.

Soccer. This wonderful, crazy and inexplicable game turns on moments. Moments of skill. Moments of luck. Had David Silva not tried to be too precise and too beautiful, would things had been the same?

In the first half, Holland were holding on, being pulled and teased. The Spanish were toying with the Dutch and their new, much discussed system although they still looked dangerous – with a golden trio upfront that will always be the case. And Sneijder had the game’s first and best chance but didn’t have the conviction of a player who knew he would score.

But soccer is about moments. And oh what a moment from Robin van Persie. This is a goal that will join the National Dutch Football museum (if they ever have one) and sit proudly alongside Van Basten’s volley, Cruyff’s turn and Bergkamp’s ballet.

ROBIN VAN PERSIE’S GOAL (Netherlands 1-1 Spain)

It was a magnificent, magnificent pass from Daley Blind, a pass of fabulous trajectory, speed and weight. As the ball traveled in the air, Van Persie will have calculated in those milliseconds all of the available options.

After running through the countless options, he decided to take the one that would give the keeper no time to react. His execution of choice would be a diving header precisely measured to evade Casillas and drop into the net.

After Van Persie scores the goal, the mood changes. The Dutch believe again. Doubt seeps into even the most experienced minds.

DALEY BLIND’S PASS TO ARJEN ROBBEN AND HIS TRICKERY (Netherlands 5-1 Spain)

A fresher looking Holland appear in the second half – eager, quick to bite and devastatingly precise and quick on the counter.

Van Persie and Robben – a duo no defense wants to see running at them backed up by a wiser, older Sneijder, still with his impudence but tempered by age. This could be interesting.

A 5-1 score line was perfect, it emphasises the superiority of the Dutch in the second half but doesn’t suggest a freakishly bad Spanish performance that the 6, 7 or even 8-1 could have done and taken the shine off it for the Dutch and been written off a as a fluke, freak result.

5-1 is a clinical hammering, a perfect result to focus minds all round.

From a position of ‘let’s see what happens we’ll be lucky to get out of the group,’ the nation is now starting to dream again – how quickly can soccer change.

Moments change games and Van Persie’s moment may change the course of this World Cup.

Editor’s note: Mark Burke is an English former footballer who played as a midfielder. A player skilled at retaining the ball, he enjoyed a 15 year professional career in England, the Netherlands, Japan, Romania, and Sweden. He played for clubs including Aston Villa, Rapid Bucharest, Middlesbrough, and Wolves.

Editor’s note: This is the first article for EPL Talk written by former professional footballer Mark Burke. Mark played for several clubs in England, most notably Aston Villa and Wolverhampton Wanderers. Plus he played overseas in the Dutch Eredivisie, J2 League and has the distinction of being the first English footballer ever to play in Romania.  

The great thing about football, the thing that makes it so popular, is it’s simplicity. There’s a piece of grass, a few lines to guide you, a ball; now get on with it.

No rules on how you have to play, what style you must adopt, a few little points on etiquette, which we usually ignore anyway, as long as you stay within those few simple rules then you are fine.

Much like a mother who sends her children out to play, as long as they come home safely, they haven’t broke the law or hurt themselves or anybody else then it’s up to them how they play.

Which is why I find the debate that continually rages around Stoke City and the way they play so fascinating and entertaining.

“They are a disgrace,” “They don’t play ‘football’,” etc etc.

I am the biggest football ‘purist’ you could meet. I could talk your ears off about how I think game should be played, why it should be played that way and how to play it that way.

But, I will also say there is NO ‘right’ way to play football.

I will defend anybody’s right to play however they like, even if I question it myself and would not want to play or coach a team to play like that. It’s up to that team, those players and most importantly, their manager, how they interpret the rules they are given.

I don’t agree with what you say but I defend to the death your right to say it.

A football manager has to be honest with one person and one person only – himself.

He is the one who must live with the criticism if things go wrong, so any manager will tell you it’s best to do it your own way, according to your own beliefs and then if it fails to can rest your head at night in peace with the knowledge you did all you can.

Better than trying to live up to somebody elses ideals and expectations and failing, then they can expect sleepless nights visited by the ghosts of games past detailing their failings in lucid nightmarish detail.

He must ask himself what are his football beliefs, what is his vision of the game and then set out a plan to implement to his players and staff as to how they are going to achieve it.

This is what Tony Pulis has done and what a great job he has done. People may say he is doing what he can with the ‘material’ he has but I think he would impart the same vision to a different set of players and why not? It’s totally up to him.

Football clubs were set up to perform a social function, as centres of communities, a place where all could meet and be entertained.

For football fans being entertained usually means winning more than you lose.

Nowhere is this more obvious than at Stoke, a one club town where the feeling is always stronger. Stoke City and those fans are having the time of their lives.

I say long may it continue and to any fans taking the moral football high ground remember football is a question of interpretation and he who interprets, understands and implements his own vision best has a good chance of success.

As Tony Pulis might say “I have nothing to declare but my honesty.”

After a season bordering on perfection, a refreshing thirst for change is in the air around the Camp Nou. It is good to see that Txiki Begiristain and the clubs board have learned from the mistakes made in the latter parts of the Rijkaard era. Instead of holding on to some of the more fragile elements that drove the club to the treble this past year, the right moves have so far been made this summer in anticipation of the upcoming season.

Eric Abidal, although solid, never quite added the amount of attacking flair on the left flank that the club had hoped for when they bought him from Lyon. He slotted in well and gave his all while in a Barca shirt. Yet his failure to add speed to the flank attack, as well as his inability to take players on in one on one situations led the club to seek a replacement.

Maxwell, a man who is no stranger to injuries, is one of the most complete left backs in the world when healthy. After successes in the Netherlands and in Italy, Maxwell is ready to put his injury problems behind in order to settle himself into an automatic first team role to push towards finally winning that first Brazilian cap that has eluded him so far in his career. In addition, his added ability to play as a winger will give Guardiola new options when he is forced to rotate the squad this upcoming season. A great signing for the club.

However, the real act of genius is the sale of Samuel Eto’o. No one can, and should question his commitment to the cause while at the club. 130 goals in 200 games for Barcelona speaks for itself. He has been one of, if not the most consistent top level striker in the world over the past 5 seasons. So why ship him off to Italy, as well as a giant bag of cash to bring in the talented, yet egocentric question mark that is Zlatan Ibrahimovic?

For one thing, the fault of the club to not adequately regenerate themselves after their first Champions League title of the decade in 2006,  helped to show the danger of staying complacement. Teams come and go in cycles, and Frank Rijkaard failed to recognize this, which ultimately led to his demise as Barcelona manager. Lessons seem to have been learned, and a squad regeneration has been put into effect this go around.

With the arrival of Ibrahimovic, it would appear that Barcelona have chosen to add another wrinkle to their attack, as opposed to finding a direct replacement for Eto’o. The goals of Eto’o will be missed, but if anyone can find more goalscoring within their squad, it has to be Barcelona. This past year at Inter was the first season in Ibrahimovic’s career that he has managed to break the 25 goal mark in all competitions. But the man from Sweden offers so much more than just goals. Zlatan’s ability to hold up the ball, take defenders on and to use skill and little tricks to get the ball to teammates will add a whole new dimension to the product on the field at the Camp Nou. It’s this new unknown factor that Barcelona are capable of showing this season that what will strike fear all across Spain and the rest of Europe. Chelsea showed how to beat last years Barcelona over 179 minutes, but this season that game plan will be much tougher to pull off with a player like Ibrahimovic in the side.

Zlatan’s intergration into the squad is far from a sure thing. There is always the chance he will unsettle the balance of the side. His antics off the field, as well as his inflated opinion of himself on it, hold the potential to cause a major disturbance within a seemingly very happy club. But this is a gamble worth taking. If all goes well, a front line of Ibrahimovic, Messi and Henry is one step further into total football transcendence.

Formation: 3-5-2

Lead Valencia to a league and UEFA Cup double as well as winning the Zamora trophy for himself. Was the custodian for a team who managed to combine rock solid defense with a flair for attack. Regarded as one of the premier keepers in world football at the time, this was his best season in a Valencia shirt.

Defender: Dani Alves (2006/2007)

Has been the best right back in La Liga consistently since breaking into the first team at Sevilla 2004. Was a huge threat on the right flank as Sevilla finished in 3rd place, only 5 points off champions Real Madrid. Won the Copa del Rey,as well as a second successive UEFA Cup that year. This was the season that established him as the premier attacking full back anywhere in the world.

Defender: Roberto Ayala (2001/2002)
One of the best defenders of his generation, Ayala showed A.C Milan what they could have enjoyed had they showed some faith in his incredible timing and reading of the game. A tough customer in defense, Ayala demonstrated class and leadership by leading Valencia to their first Liga title in 31 years. Also named Champions League defender of the year as Los Che lost in the final to Bayern Munich.

Defender: Carles Puyol (2005/2006)

Defensive Midfield: Xabi Alonso (2002/2003)

Came within two points of emulating his father by winning a Liga title with Real Sociedad, this was the year Xabi Alonso broke out. Xabi was the complete central midfielder, exhibiting uncanny positional sense, an ability to win the ball in tackles, as well as a knack for great ball distribution and a cannon for a right foot. He helped put Sociedad back on the football map(albeit briefly), and went on to claim the best Spanish player award courtesy of Don Balon. Real Madrid may have won the league this year, but all the success Xabi later enjoyed with Liverpool and with Spain was born here.

Defensive Midfield: Claude Makelele (2002/2003)

Attacking Midfield: Juan Roman Riquelme (2004/2005)

One of the most enigmatic figures in Spanish football ever, when he was on his game no one in the world was better. Consistency has been the main hindrance his entire career, but for two magical years in the then unknown Villareal, he brought a tiny club to the brink of European glory. After a dreadful first European season at Barcelona, coach Manuel Pellegrini had enough faith in the precise passing ability of this temparmental Argentine, and built an entire squad around his abilities.  A 15 goal haul, coupled with a 3rd place finish made this Riquelme’s crowning achievement in Spain. Not too many players can place the title of artist in front of their name, but surely he is one who can.

Attacking midfielder: Ronaldinho(2004/2005)

This was the year Ronaldinho established himself as the best player on the planet. I would call you a liar if you said you weren’t put under his spell, even if it was for a short period of time. He did it all. He brought the Liga title back to Catalunya that year, which helped him earn his second consecutive FIFA Player of the year award as well as his first Ballon D’or. His recent fall from grace and form is made more sad when you consider the heights he reached only a scant few years back. His style and flair were breathtaking, his technique and trickery were out of this world, and his smile and enjoyment of the game was unmatched anywhere. Ronaldinho was one of a kind, and this season is what pushed him into the stratosphere of footballing transcendence, a feat only achieved by a select few before him.

Attacking Midfielder: Zinedine Zidane(2001/2002)

The greatest player of his generation, Zidane finally completed the holy trinity of  football prizes by taking Madrid to a record 9th Champions League title with one of the greatest goals ever scored in a major final. After arriving in Madrid as the most expensive player ever, Zidane didn’t disappoint in this, his first year in Spain. Although Madrid were disappointed to finish third, their concentration on winning the Champions League in their centenary year was no doubt a factor. Zidane justified every one of the 76 million euros spent on him. Although he didn’t enjoy the amount of domestic success he did later on in his Madrid career, the fact that he delivered such a beautiful product on the field in his first year in Spain makes me rank this as his best Liga season. The most elegant man ever to caress a football with his feet.

Forward: Nihat Kahveci (2002/2003)

Forward: Lionel Messi (2008/2009)

The world at his fingertips, Leo Messi did it all this past season leading Barcelona to one of the greatest seasons in the history of club football, period. After making his Barca debut in 2004/2005, it was evident Leo was destined for greatness. There were flashes of brilliance, too many to list, but he was always in the shadow of Ronaldinho, as well as being prone to injury. This past year was when the full brunt of the weight of expectation fell on his slight shoulders, and did he ever deliver. 23 goals, the treble, and all around mind blowing play from a legend in the making. Messi handled the pressure of being the big dog at the Camp Nou amicably, and looks set to follow a hallowed path to greatness traveled only by a select few.

Subs bench:

Goalie: Iker Casillas (2004/2005)

Defender: Amedeo Carboni (2003/2004)

Midfielder: Xavi (2008/2009)

Midfielder: Luis Figo (2000/2001)

Forward: Roy Makaay(2002/2003)

Forward: Raul (2000/2001)

Forward: Samuel Eto’o (2005/2006)

As Florentino Perez continues to degrade an already absurd transfer market into new realms of travesty, changes of a more sensible nature are afoot in Catalunya. The air is still calm outside the Nou Camp as the stardust still settles after the gloss that was last season. Yet across town in Cornella de Llobregat, the air couldn’t be more supercharged with the flutter of parakeet wings as a fresh optimism seems to have sunk into the finishing touches of wet paint adorning the brand new Estadi RCDE.

After escaping relegation last term due to the remarkable turnaround championed by new manager Mauricio Pochettino, Espanyol have to feel pretty good about the prospects of finally having left the dull confines of the Estadi Olimpic on Montjuic in order to start the upcoming season in their state of the art new home, the Estadi RCDE. Following a tally of only 14 points and having burned through two coaches at the halfway point of the season, Espanyol turned to former player Pochettino to keep the club in the Primera.

Having asked for divine intervention(supposedly), and after beating Valencia, Barcelona and fellow relegation strugglers Real Betis along the way, Espanyol managed to put 32 points on the board in the second half of the season to finish a comfortable 10th place. Not as remarkable an escape as the Ferran Corominas goal against Real Sociedad  in the final round in 2006 , but almost as improbable considering how fractured the club looked after the Christmas break.

2009 was no doubt the year of Pep and co. Yet, with the christening of their new ground just 3 weeks away when Liverpool come to town, Espanyol President Daniel Sanchez Llibre has been busy putting the wheels in motion to make the product on the RCDE pitch as close to being as magical on the eyes as it is across town on the grass of the Camp Nou. With the signings of  the crafty Shunsuke Nakamura from Celtic and the unproven, yet dripping with potential Ben Sahar from Chelsea, Espanyol have made the most intriguing signings, yet devoid of galacticoesque glamour of any team in Europe so far.

Also brought in has been cultured Argentinean full back in the “Pochettino” mold Ivan Alexis Pullid from Newell’s Old Boys. With the return from injury and return to confidence of Ireland international Steve Finnan, as well as keeper Carlos Kameni deciding to stay in Barcelona, the prospects for the new season seem promising even to the most pessimistic of Catalonians.

After losing the enigmatic, but breath taking abilities of Juan Arango to the Bundesliga, it didn’t take La Liga long to find a worthy replacement. Under appreciated in Europe ever since his arrival in 2002, Shunsuke Nakamura will have the inadvertent eyes of the football world on him this year as La Liga gets ready to take center stage. And after being granted the chance of feeding the ball to Sahar and Tamudo(or his replacement should he decide to leave), as well as creating more space for a healthy and newly re-signed Ivan De La Pena, Shunsuke will finally show the big clubs of Europe and all the galactico hunters of the world that once one removes ones head from the cloudiness of the football hype machine, bargains are to be had. And when the curtain is raised at the Estadi RCDE on August 2, one would be inclined to believe that some of the Catalan stardust will find its way across town this year.