The Guardiola Sweepstakes

Pep Guardiola is undoubtedly one of the best managers in modern football. Halfway through his sabbatical  there are several teams looking to have Pep take over at there club. The top 2 are Chelsea and Manchester City. Of course, I would love for him to head up to Manchester so that City might finally win in the Champions League, and because Mancini continues to try to implement his three at the back defense which just doesn't work. However, all three are viable options.

Chelsea are a young team with incredible talent. Hazard, Mata, and Oscar are all under the age of 25 and are arguably the best midfield in the Premier League. Mata has played for the Spanish national team on multiple occasions, which would certainly help him fit into the Tiki Taka style Pep likes to play. Hazard and Oscar however are perhaps young enough for them to still be able to learn it and for it to become second nature to them as it has Xavi and Iniesta. Finally, Guardiola may be just the spark which could finally light the Torres at Chelsea fire.

The second option is Manchester City and it definitely looks like they are doing their best to set up for him to be able to step right in whenever he becomes available. Two ex-Barcelona front office men is clearly a strategic re-calibration of the executive part of the club. Another reason Guardiola may be tempted by Man City is that one of his former players, Yaya Toure is the main man in the center of the park for the Citizens. As well, David Silva, a more experience international player than Mata, thrived this summer in the short passing possession style of Del Bosque which translates well into Guardiola's system. Even more appealing than those too is  the prospect that Busquets leaves the Camp Nou and joins City. Although this rumor has died down recently it did seem like a possibility after Busquets made his dislike of the Alex Song move known. Even if this didn't materialize it seems more and more likely each day that Malaga super-prospect Isco will be moving to Manchester in January or at the latest in June. With the potential for this young Spanish talent to be moving to Eastlands it would appear that we could see Guardiola at the Etihad sooner rather than later.

Platini says UEFA might scrap Europa League

Earlier this morning, Michel Platini was asked about the potential that UEFA may get rid of the Europa League all together, in favor of a larger Champions League tournament. Platini has been stingy when it comes to changing football, so to hear him offer this up without any evocation is quite surprising. Especially, on a matter that has had little to no controversy in years past. Controversy is usually brought forth when the fans aren't happy with something, but nobody seems to hate the Europa League or think it a waste of space so it is rather peculiar that Platini has this on his mind. Although no one has complained about it, is doing away with Europa League really that bad of an idea?

The matter certainly has its positives and negatives. A few favorable aspects to this plan are that the viewing of the Champions League would increase. It's simple, more squads in more matches means more viewers and subsequently, more money. It may also raise the prestige of the competition. While it may seem a bit ridiculous to raise the standards of the already honorable Champions League, an extra 8 teams would certainly make winning the Champions League no fluke. What happened with Chelsea last spring was incredible, but were they the best team? I do not think so. Adding these extra teams would make the competition even that much more difficult to succeed in. Perhaps maybe the second or third best team might have a decent shot at the title as well, but surely, with more competition the better teams would be pit against each other more and more.

A huge downfall to the addition of more clubs to the competition is that a "Group of Death" would be less likely and the fierceness of the group play might decrease a bit. Even though I have had to suffer through elimination at the "Group of Death" the past two years with Manchester City, I would be disappointed to see matches with the intensity of those groups be forgotten. It would also be sad to see the fight to be in the top 4 of the Premier League drop down to the sixth spot, for example. While even claiming that spot is no simple task, I think it is too easy for it to get that club an invitation to the Champions League. 

I think it will be very interesting to see how the situation plays out and if there are any further developments in the coming weeks. Regardless of how the conversation shifts, I think that if we do see a change it will not be implemented until at least the World Cup has passed. But who knows? Leave a comment saying what you think!

What does it take to win in the Premier League?

Winning the Premier League is certainly a mighty accomplishment, and each manager has his own approach, but if I were the top dog at a first division club this is how I would go about it.

First of all, the formation. 3 or 4 at the back? Maybe a 4-3-3 like Rodgers at Liverpool, or perhaps a more traditional 4-4-2 like the one United plays. Or even the rejuvenated 4-2-3-1. Personally, I believe that a more traditional 4-4-2 is the most prosperous formation for a team in league play. Two wingers on either side and both a defensive-minded and attack-minded midfielder in the center would be the preferred style in this case. The 4-4-2 allows for good transition from defense to attack, especially if the outside backs have some pace and can push up the field. It also presents the attackers with plenty of passing options with two forwards interchanging their runs. I believe the 4-4-2 utilized by Ferguson at United is the strongest first step  towards winning ways. However, things change game to game and a hotly contested match is no time to be stuck up. Often times it is important to relax your principles and play in a way that be most effective at getting three points. You will have lots of time in your life to be proud but when everything is on the line, that is not the right time. It is instead the time to be effective and competitive.

Secondly, in order to make a run at the title, that team has to be consistent. As a manager you can get consistency from your players in two ways. The first is having a backbone, one which you can always rely on, no matter what the situation. Last year, Mancini could always rely on Hart, Kompany, Toure, and Aguero to lead the way. Each game they played outstanding, but if they did slip up then they made up for it within minutes. This is why City were so successful last year. A backbone is essential to playing competitive football in England. So, as a manger, the first thing I would do is find a sure goalkeeper, a reliable center half, a hardworking central midfielder, and a clinical striker. Once you've acquired the backbone the next step is sticking to it. The other 7 players on the pitch might be your flashiest or most creative players or the ones who get all the glory, but in the grand scheme they are just pieces of the puzzle. But like a puzzle, not every piece will fit in a certain spot. You must find which piece best fits in a spot and trust that it will serve you later. I'll turn back to City for an example... of how not to do this. Currently, Mancini has his backbone set, but nothing else. Kompany is the only consistent starter in the back four. Toure in the midfield. Aguero up front. Around them, everything changes. A key to improving your play as a side is familiarity. Mancini must make up his mind for his starting defense and midfield if they are to challenge this year at all. City have many quality players, probably enough to field two mid-table teams, but it is imperative that Roberto decides who are the best players. Having one or two spots play on a rotation is fine, but to have seven spots be up for grab each week, that is a disaster waiting to happen.

Finally, to win in the Premier League you have to score goals. If last year isn't evidence to this then you are not worthy of your opinion. However, most people seem to believe that the key to scoring goals is having the best striker around. While this is undoubtedly very important, it is not the most crucial aspect to scoring. Even with a striker who converts 100% of his chances, he will score no goals if he is not provided with opportunities. The creation of chances is the most eluding aspect of goal scoring. This is where the pieces around the backbone come in. David Silva, Eden Hazard, Juan Mata, Nani, Santi Cazorla, Marouane Fellani. All of these players demonstrate fantastic creativity. Creativity which puts them in good areas with good opportunities to score themselves or to set up a goal for their striker. Players like these are the masterminds behind the world's most competitive league and for good reason. Each of them has a unique skill set which has been great for all of their clubs. These are the players who win and lose the Premier League.

Obviously, this is all much more easily said than done, but if I were given the opportunity to manage a top drawer side, this would be my baseline strategy: smart, consistent, and creative.