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.
While most other top European leagues take a break for Christmas, the Premier League rolls on. In fact, teams will play three times in a seven-day period, and then play in the FA Cup in the first week of January. Is this asking too much of the players? Should the Premier League take a Christmas break?
This is such a difficult question, as often tradition blinds us to the realities of the modern athlete. I have always loved the festive schedule for completely selfish reasons. Watching a ton of footy over the holidays is amazing, and we often see so many great matches and drama, not to mention the chaos it can cause in the table. However, as time goes on it has become pretty clear that something needs to happen.
With so many games these days, there is no doubt that those leagues that acknowledge a winter break are re-energized for the second half of the season, and perhaps this is a reason (aside from just talent) that English teams—not to mention THE England team—haven’t fared too well of late. They are simply knackered. Perhaps we don’t need a month long break like in Germany, but perhaps a couple of weeks? If that means cutting back over Christmas, then so be it. Perhaps you maintain the Christmas rush, but then calm down in the New Year? Perhaps you do away with the League Cup, and bring in the FA Cup earlier in the season? Ideas, lots of ideas, but the bottom line is these guys need some time off.
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Guus Hiddink will take over Chelsea for the remainder of the season. What does he have to do differently from Jose Mourinho to turn this team around?
Guus Hiddink is the polar opposite of Mourinho in that he is a laid back, take it easy, Harley-riding renegade. Like Mourinho, his players do genuinely love him. It seems that Hiddink has fallen into his preferred role: cleaning up after others. He admits that full time club management isn’t really for him anymore, as he actually enjoys his life outside of the game. Still, he has something to prove given his recent dreadful stint replacing Louis Van Gaal as manager of the Netherlands.
Chelsea will play a more expansive game under the Dutchman than we saw under Mourinho. In Hiddink’s last stint at Chelsea he joined the club late, but only lost once, he won the FA Cup and he made it to the semis of the Champions League. The old guard at Chelsea begged him to stay, but there aren’t many of them left, with perhaps only John Terry having a central role. Seems Chelsea still have talent, they just need to be coddled and made happy. If Hiddink can do that, Chelsea will be one to watch in the second half.
Could Louis Van Gaal be the next manager to be fired in the Premier League? Manchester United is slumping. Do you see the Red Devils making a managerial change any time soon?
The word on Van Gaal is that you don’t appreciate what he’s done until after he has left. That was a common refrain from both Barcelona and Bayern Munich, and I am sure it has merit. No doubt he is building a foundation at United that from a defensive standpoint the next manager will likely benefit. However, Manchester United needs to win now; it has spent massive amounts under Van Gaal and his predecessor.
Normally, it would probably be worth sticking with him given that despite the style of football on display and recent results, United are still within touch of the top. If Pep Guardiola was not leaving Bayern, and if Jose Mourinho was not available then, indeed, stick with him, but if you are able to grab Mourinho right now, you just have to do it. Not that his style of football will be any more pleasing to the eye, but he will bring results. The opportunity is there, strike now!
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Pep Guardiola is being linked with Manchester City. Is this fair to Manuel Pellegrini? And should the Blues part ways with the Chilean, considering what he’s achieved at the club?
Pellegrini has done a decent job and he is definitely a good manager, but there is an opportunity, and if Pep Guardiola can be procured, then it has to happen. You are upgrading from a very good manager, to arguably the best manager in world football. Get it done, before someone else does, and with United and Chelsea perhaps in the market for his services, time is off the essence.
Southampton hosts Arsenal on Boxing Day. The Gunners are in second place—just two points behind leaders Leicester City—and are coming off a 2-1 home win over Manchester City. Do you like the way Arsene Wenger’s men are playing these days? Are they a serious title threat?
Absolutely, they are title contenders. Some very smart men (me) predicted just that. The one concern was the injury situation, and as predicted also it has been typical. Yet, the Gunners are showing resolve and are getting the points anyway. In addition, their usual rivals are all slipping this season so it really is a fantastic chance for them to win it all.
Olivier Giroud is looking like a world class striker at the moment, and Mesut Ozil is reminding us all of what we thought he was when he signed with the Gunners. A couple of additions in January, and watch out for Arsenal. I should also add, the Gunners should be doing anything that is possible to land Guardiola—he would be the perfect fit to replace Wenger.