Every week, Sportsnet.ca will chat with soccer commentator James Sharman about the big stories and issues surrounding the Premier League.
SN: What did you make of Huddersfield Town parting ways with manager David Wagner by mutual consent this past week?
SHARMAN: With nine straight losses, it hardly comes as a surprise, even though the Terriers’ record and imminent relegation is no reflection on Wagner. The German has worked miracles at the club, not only helping them win promotion, but Premier League survival for a campaign was one of the great achievements in recent years.
If you watch Huddersfield this season, they actually look like a decent side. However, once the ball enters the final third, all hope is lost. Goal-scoring has been a major problem. Wagner could have gone the tried and tested promotion route of dire defensive and safe football, but he brought a modern approach to the club, and for this I have so much respect for him.
It does seem that his departure was a mutual decision, and I suspect Wagner will return to management after a rest, and he will find success again.
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Petr Cech announced this week he plans to retire at the end of this season. What did you make of his time with both Chelsea and Arsenal?
Cech is an legend, one of the greatest goalkeepers to ever play in the Premier League. I put him firmly in the same class as David Seaman, Edwin van der Sar and Jens Lehmann, and just a hair shy of the best of them all, Peter Schmeichel.
Obviously, Cech gets most points for his time at Chelsea, where he was one of the key figures that brought championships to the Blues under Jose Mourinho. Don’t forget his career almost ended with that fractured skull in 2006, but he returned with the scrum-cap adorning his magnificent melon. Commanding, vocal, great instincts, and what a safe pair of hands!
Obviously, he was on the decline when he made the move to Arsenal, but remember Cech was the Gunners’ starting goalkeeper to begin this season. The modern game, with its sweeper-keepers, may not have championed his skill set, but at his best, what a player.
Harry Kane is out for two months with an ankle injury. How big of a blow is that to Tottenham’s chances for a top four spot?
All will be well at Spurs, if they can pry Cristiano Ronaldo from Juventus! Okay, in all seriousness, it’s a huge bow. Kane is obviously one of the very best in the world, and is far and away Tottenham’s biggest goal-scoring threat. Add in the fact that South Korean international Son Heung-min is away on international duty, and these are concerning times for Tottenham.
Fortunately for Spurs, fourth-place Chelsea also has striker issues. Which team is now most desperate to spend some money? That will be fascinating to watch. Spurs reportedly have little if any money to spend in January, but does that now change with Kane out?
Spurs meet Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool over the next two months, so there are some major obstacles. History shows us that even when Kane returns from injury, it often takes him some time to get back to his best. My gut tells me Spurs’ top four hopes will be safe, but it’s title hopes are all but over.
Manchester City host Huddersfield Town this weekend. Gabriel Jesus has been in great form as of late, scoring goals at will. Has he supplanted Sergio Aguero as City’s top attacker in your mind?
It certainly looks that way, but my only hesitation is that we are also talking about Sergio Aguero here. Every time Aguero is written off, he returns with a bang. Considering City are still involved in all competitions at the moment, I suspect there is plenty of football for both men.
Pep will go with the hot foot – currently that is Jesus – but will almost certainly swing back in Aguero’s favour at some point. I will say, though, I suspect Pep sees so much potential in Jesus, who is a player he can mould and train – more so than Aguero. I think before long the striker role will be Jesus’s.
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