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.
Manchester City lost away to Crystal Palace last week, essentially killing off any chance they have of winning the league title. There’s also a good chance they finish fourth this season. Do the Blues have to undergo a major off-season overhaul? Or do they just need a few minor tweaks?
It is time for a revamp at City, as the current core has been there for years. Of course with Financial Fair Play this won’t be easy, and there will need to be sales to finance new signings. Luckily for City there will be enough misguided and desperate managers to accommodate them, and the likes of Yaya Toure and even Samir Nasri will bring in big money, and far more than they are worth.
Gary Neville may be biased as a United legend, but when he questions the character of the team as the main reason why it doesn’t build on its previous success, then I believe him. City needs an injection of youth and hunger. When was last time an academy prospect was given a chance? We keep hearing that Patrick Vieira has assembled a superb group of youth players, but they are just not being given the chance. The age-old recipe of veteran stars mixed in with hungry kids is still a recipe that works in this day and age of sophisticated pallets.
Saturday programming alert: Watch Tottenham vs Aston Villa on the four main Sportsnet channels at 9:30 am ET, West Bromwich Albion vs Leicester City on Sportsnet ONE at 9:30 am ET and West Ham United vs Stoke City on Sportsnet World at 9:30 am ET. || Sportsnet World NOW || Broadcast schedule
What do you make of this Raheem Sterling-contract controversy?
It’s the ugly side of the game, sadly, and both player and club are playing dirty. Sterling’s agent sees this is an opportunity to make an enormous commission, and he has all the leverage long-term. The fact is, Sterling could go to a richer club and make stupid money, he would be snapped up in a second by a Real Madrid or Manchester City. However, as Brendan Rodgers says, playing time is essential for Sterling, and becoming a bench warmer could crush him. Shaun Wright Phillips is a great example—he was at a very similar stage in his career when he was whisked away to Chelsea from Manchester City, and his career shriveled up and died.
Because Sterling still has two and a half years on his contract, Liverpool doesn’t really need to do anything, and they know that too. They are happy to leak information to the media, just as Sterling is happy to jump on the BBC without his club’s consent and make a fool of himself. All in all it’s awful and messy. Best thing for Sterling would be to accept Liverpool’s terms, enjoy a huge payday, watch his game progress, and then if he really wants to leave when he’s still young at 23 or 24, do that.
What’s your view on Francis Coquelin this season? Do you see him as being a key figure for Arsenal in future seasons?
He has been a sensation, and fortunately for Arsenal a sensation in just the position that they need a sensation. Since he returned from loan at Charlton earlier this year he has slotted into that central midfield role seamlessly, and has given the team a tenacity and work ethic that they haven’t had since Alex Song, Mathieu Flamini (part 1) and may I even say Patrick Vieira.
It just shows how the loan system, for all its faults, can also be the making of some players. There are even calls for Coquelin to get a France call-up soon!
Sunday programming alert: Watch Chelsea vs Queens Park Rangers on Sportsnet World at 8:30 am ET. || Sportsnet World NOW || Broadcast schedule
Manchester United takes on Manchester City on Sunday. The Red Devils have won five in a row. Can you see them keeping this momentum going and possibly finishing second in the table?
There is no doubt United are legitimately a top-four team once again; their recent form has been excellent, especially the last three games. Still, City this weekend, then Chelsea, Arsenal in a few weeks and still some tough ones against Everton and Crystal Palace might be too much to finish second.
And that is just fine I’m sure, this was always going to be a transitional year, and overall United have really benefitted from it being overall a weak league this season, and some brilliance from their goalkeeper. Still, they came through it, LVG seems settled with his preferred 11, and that should come as a big kick in the throat to the rest of the league.
Liverpool hosts Newcastle United on Monday. These teams have had some classic matches over the years. Which one stands out the most for you?
Apparently there was an 11-goal thriller 95 years ago, but I’m a tad young to remember that. Instead, in celebration of Robbie Fowler’s 40th birthday this week, let’s head back to 1997 and a 4-3 Liverpool win courtesy of a brace including the winner from the man they called God. The Reds were up 3-0 in this one, only for the Magpies to claw back within 20 minutes or so. Great match; I remember it well.
Monday programming alert: Watch Newcastle United vs Liverpool on Sportsnet World at 2:30 pm ET. || Sportsnet World NOW || Broadcast schedule