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.
It looks as though Vincent Kompany picked up another major injury in the UEFA Champions League semifinal this week. Can Manchester City rely on him going forward? Or is it time to cut him loose in light of his history of injury issues?
It is such a tough situation for Kompany and the club. When he’s healthy there are few better defenders and leaders in the sport, and he is exactly what City need. But that is irrelevant if you can’t rely on him in the big games, and although it’s hardly his fault his health let his team down in a big way this season.
Perhaps it is time for the sports science gurus at City to reassess the athlete. Perhaps it is time for Kompany to take some time off to rebuild his body in a different way, to completely change up his training strategy. I am sure this has already been thought of, but I would say it is too soon to throw the player to the curb—he is good enough that any and all alternative regimens need to be considered. What makes this difficult is that Kompany will be playing at Euro, when really what is best for him is to take the summer off for his body retro-fit. I hope he finds the answer, as he’s such a class player.
The FA wants Tottenham midfielder Mousa Dembele banned for more than three matches for an apparent eye-gouge on Chelsea striker Diego Costa. In your mind, is that a fair punishment? Should it be more games? Less?
I would ban him for more than three games. There are few more vile acts than an eye gouge, and there is zero evidence to suggest he was doing anything other than that. Because it was on Diego Costa he has been given a relative free pass in the media, which is wrong. It was a diabolical act and if indeed he gets a three-match ban he can count himself lucky.
It is such a shame as Dembele was brilliant this season, and has been arguably his team’s key player and his work has allowed others to flourish. The eye gouge was one of several ugly incidents that sadly showed that Spurs’ young guns still have a lot to learn.
Leicester City hosts Everton on Saturday. Was there a moment, a turning point in their season, or a key decision that tipped the title race in the Foxes’ favour?
On Jan. 13, Leicester beat Tottenham 1-0 courtesy an 83rd minute Robert Huth header. It ended a run of four games (including an FA Cup draw to Spurs) without a win. The goals had dried up, and Leicester had begun to slip in the table. Most observers assumed this was the inevitable fall where the Foxes would finally come back down to earth and fade away from the top of the table.
They would win three of their next four league games and would against all odds get back on track. The three points against Spurs would also obviously prove crucial in the title race. Looking back that was the big moment for me, although that 3-1 win at Manchester City was the moment that I actually believed Leicester could win the title.
What about the off-season? Assuming they can keep the core of the squad in place, what kind of additions, if any, should Leicester make?
It is all about depth, as competing in Europe is exhausting and most first year clubs learn that the hard way and end up struggling. Claudio Ranieri said on Thursday that he doesn’t want the big name players arriving as they can break up a locker room. I absolutely love this attitude, however it will be fascinating to see ownership’s attitude as Leicester slowly becomes a destination club with the lure of the Champions League.
Bigger name players also mean marketability so the suits in the offices may be seduced. Let’s forget about incoming names, though—aside from general depth, the key questions for me are who will replace N’Golo Kante if he leaves as expected, and can Ranieri rely on old campaigners Wes Morgan and Robert Huth to enjoy career years once again late in their careers?
Arsenal visits Manchester City on Sunday. The Gunners can secure a top-four spot with a win. If they do, can that be considered a success? How should we judge their season?
No, and that is such a defeatist attitude. I am not going to bash Arsene Wenger here—I’ve done that before and it’s getting tiresome. All I will say is that as late as turn of the year Arsenal were in first place; first place in a season where Chelsea, and the two Manchester clubs were poor; a season where in the end Leicester City clinched the title with two games to spare; a season where on the penultimate weekend Arsenal were fighting for their top four lives. Consider that and make your own minds up.
Sportsnet’s Soccer Central podcast (featuring Thomas Dobby, Brendan Dunlop, John Molinaro and James Sharman) takes an in-depth look at the beautiful game and offers timely and thoughtful analysis on the sport’s biggest issues.