Every week, Sportsnet.ca will chat with Sportsnet soccer commentator James Sharman about the big stories and issues in the Premier League, and preview the weekend’s games.
What’s your take on Manchester United considering playing overseas friendlies to fill the midweek void left by the absence of European football this season?
I remember last season Liverpool were rumoured to be considering this. In the end they didn’t; instead they used the six days for hard training and meticulous preparation for their next match free from distraction, and they were able to put together a brilliant second place finish. Sure they lost out on some nice juicy revenues from glitzy overseas matches, but that little injection of Champions League cash more than made up for it. Enough said, Manchester United.
Sunday programming alert: Watch Chelsea vs Arsenal on all four main Sportsnet channels and on Sportsnet World at 8:30 am ET. || Sportsnet World NOW || TV schedule
Liverpool are reportedly looking at making a move for Victor Valdes. Is he a better option that Simon Mignolet?
Mignolet has come under the microscope this season as people look for a scapegoat to blame for an indifferent start to the season. No doubt he has not been on top form, and his command of his penalty area is without doubt a legitimate cause for concern. However I think it is a little early to write him off.
That being said, as we’ve seen recently, top goalkeeper competition is en vogue, and with all due respect to Brad Jones, he is not pushing his teammate for the number one shirt. Victor Valdes is a proven ‘keeper, very much underrated at brilliant Barcelona, and fits the mould of a ball playing stopper that Brendan Rodgers covets. I don’t know if he is a better option than Mignolet, but having that 1-2 punch is a definite step up from the current situation.
West Brom’s Saido Berahino is the leading English goalscorer in the Premier League. Time for an England call up? Or is he just a flash in the pan?
I am very happy with the way Berahino is being managed. For once he is being kept under the radar, and is not being called up well before he is ready. Roy Hodgson is putting a lot of stock in the U-21s—just ask Luke Shaw and Calum Chambers who have been selected for that team rather than the senior side. Berahino is being allowed to cut his team at youth level, while playing week in and week out for West Brom. Ask any Baggies fan what they think and they’ll tell you he’s slam dunk for a full international call-up one day, but right now he is learning his trade, making his mistakes but not being over analyzed. Nice to see.
Saturday programming alert: Watch Liverpool vs West Bromwich Albion on all four main Sportsnet channels at 9:30 am ET, Swansea City vs Newcastle United on Sportsnet ONE at 9:30 am ET, and Aston Villa vs Manchester City on all four main Sportsnet channels at noon ET || Also watch Hull City vs Crystal Palace at 9:30 am ET online exclusively at Sportsnet World NOW || TV schedule
Manchester City visits Aston Villa on Saturday. Frank Lampard has goals in each of his last two league appearances for the Blues. Is he headed off to MLS too soon?
Probably, but on a personal level what an opportunity for a star player to star for a brand new team in the Big Apple. Lampard is fully aware that he could have stayed in the Premier League, but he made his decision and will happily live with it. Lampard is a smart guy, and he will probably take full advantage of any loan options he has every January back in the Premier League, perhaps even next year with City. So yes, basically Lampard from a footballing stand point is off too early, but from a personal stand point? No way!
Chelsea hosts Arsenal on Sunday. The Gunners are dealing with a rash of injuries, while the Blues are riding sky high. How do you see this playing out? Do you see a repeat of last season’s 6-0 demolition job by Mourinho’s men?
It is the type if game Mourinho salivates over, and I don’t see it ending well for Arsenal. The Gunners were very good in the Champions League against Galatasaray, but they were allowed to do what they wanted with the ball at their feet. That won’t be the case on Sunday. To handle Chelsea you have to go nose to nose with them in the trenches, and Arsenal even when fully fit don’t have the players to do that. I don’t see a 6-0 smashing this time, but an emphatic win looks to be in the cards. It would be great to see a classic of course, but when do we ever see classic Chelsea matches? We see classic performances, but when up against a rival Jose goes all pragmatic on us, even at home, and he does what needs to be done. And that is what they’ll be crowned champions in May.
