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 are your thoughts on Newcastle United replacing Steve McClaren with Rafa Benitez?
It might well be a little late, and there is no way Rafa will be coaching in the League Championship next season if Newcastle goes down as there will be a clause in his contract. But overall it’s a superb hire. Benitez is one of the game’s great tacticians, although his teams can be criticized for being somewhat bland. Newcastle would welcome some blandness if it results in wins.
I have no doubt that the Magpies will be tougher to beat down the stretch, but can they score enough goals to climb out of the drop zone? This weekend St. James’ will be rocking for the derby against Sunderland. A win, and Newcastle climb out of the relegation zone. This is the team’s biggest game of the year, and comes at a good time for new manager to stake his claim.
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Arsenal was bounced from the FA Cup last week by Watford, which led to more calls for Arsene Wenger to be replaced at the end of the season. Where do you stand on this?
It is time; something is rotten at Arsenal and it will take some new blood to cut it out. I fully understand Wenger’s ambition to right the ship, he has such faith in this group of players, but enough is enough. Given how this season has gone, this was a great opportunity for Arsenal to win the title, and they still seem to have blown it.
Next year will be even harder when Pep Guardiola will spend millions at Manchester City. Jose Mourinho will likely do the same at Manchester United, and Roman Abramovich will likely pour more money into Chelsea.
Arsenal has money, but Wenger seems philosophically opposed to spending it. The Frenchman is still one of the greats; he will be in bronze one day outside the Emirates. But now is the time he moves upstairs and help the search for his replacement. I believe David Moyes is available.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic cast doubts about his future at PSG earlier this week. Could you see the Swede coming to the Premier League next season?
Absolutely, he would be a perfect fit for the Premier League, and even into his mid-30s he has proven once again that he can still perform at the highest level. Look at his history, he rarely stays at clubs too long, and although PSG could pay him handsomely to stay he is probably getting a little bored in France.
With maybe only a couple of good years left, now is the time if he wants to experience the Premier League, and with the new TV money, some team will afford him. Who? Great question. Usual suspects, but who would I like to see sign him? West Ham. If they can find a way into the Champions League he would be a perfect marquee signing to break in the new (old) stadium. How amazing would Ibra look in the claret and blue?
Watford hosts Stoke City on Saturday. In light of their relative success this season, how hard do you think it will be for Watford to keep the squad together for next season. Are player departures inevitable?
I am sure there will be interest in Odion Ighalo—he has been lights out although he has slowed down a little of late. Perhaps the biggest concern for Watford will be their manager. Quique Flores has done an admirable job at the helm and will be in demand this summer.
Once again the new TV money makes a difference here. Teams such as Watford can now afford to retain players (and managers) when in the past they have had difficulty. Watford has really been a great ‘team’ story this year—aside from Ighalo they haven’t had a particular star player emerge, it has been a sum of their parts story, which might make it a little easier to keep the team together.
It’s the Manchester derby on Sunday! What kind of game do you think we can expect in light of the recent form of both clubs?
Watching the Europa League the past two weeks, what struck me was the lack of emotion. United seemed like a team whose players didn’t really appreciate the significance of such a match. I wonder if Sunday will be the same?
Vincent Kompany is out; he is one player that would bring some hate to proceedings, but it just seems a bit lightweight. City are focused on the Champions League, although that could be a massive mistake as West Ham are sniffing at their heels, not to mention United. It is actually a very big game as far as top four ambitions are concerned, so with some luck we’ll see some drama and some passion, but I’m not confident. Remember October’s 0-0 draw? Ugh!
SPORTSNET.CA’s Soccer Central podcast, hosted by James Sharman, takes an in-depth look at the beautiful game and offers timely and thoughtful analysis on the sport’s biggest issues.
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