Ahead of every weekend this season, I will give you my three thoughts on what’s going on in the Premier League. These might not always be the biggest stories, but rather my personal observations as the games approach each Saturday.
Here’s what makes me somewhat intrigued ahead of Matchday 30.
The other side of football
It has been one of those weeks where we have seen the other side of a footballer’s life.
It is easy to tear into the “demi-God” stature of those who kick a ball for a living, expecting them to be more than human simply because they get to do what they do, and get paid astronomically to do it. But as the tragic death of Fiorentina captain Davide Astori demonstrated, the football world is a tight knit group, and for every scandalous figure, there are far more people like Astori – players who go about their jobs just as they do their lives, with respect for all, and humility.
Later in the week, we heard from Liverpool’s Dejan Lovren, a footballer who has been absolutely vilified this season for his poor form, and big-moment mistakes. Turns out his family received death threats, and his house was also targeted by burglars while he was away and his family was home.
Just put yourself in Lovren’s position. How would you have fared at your job with this going on behind the scenes? Where would your head be, playing in front of 40,000 people, not knowing if the people who threatened your family were in the crowd? It is rare for a footballer to suddenly forget how to play, so maybe we need to consider what else might be happening with that player before we lash out.
[snippet id=3518499]
Brighton’s Glen Murray for England
Brighton & Hove Albion forward Glen Murray has made headlines with his goal-scoring form (11 goals this season). He’s also mired in a scandal off the field, as he and his wife were arrested on tax evasion charges in January.
Since their arrest, Murray has scored six goals in six games, leading to some pundits to suggest he might earn a first England cap during the upcoming international window, and who knows, perhaps a seat on the plane to Russia. Despite his off-field problems, Murray is enjoying arguably the best run of his career, and at age of 34, no less. Before you dismiss Murray’s credentials for England, consider that since the start of last season he has been involved in 29 goals in 36 matches.
Will England manager Gareth Southgate take for strikers with him to the World Cup? If so, after Harry Kane, Jamie Vardy and Marcus Rashford (assuming he is seen as a striker) who else walks into the squad? Danny Welbeck? Dominic Calvert-Lewin? There is certainly a case to be made that Murray deserves some consideration.
Too much made of Spurs’ loss to Juve
This week’s low-hanging fruit is Tottenham. After controlling much of the game against Juventus on Wednesday, three minutes of madness cost Spurs a spot in the Champions League quarterfinals. This resulted in the London club being lambasted in some quarters for being weak, and they were also labelled “chokers.”
Now, I do agree Spurs are beginning to forge a reputation for not liking it when the going gets tough, something that dates back to that infamous late-season capitulation to Chelsea that all but handed Leicester City the title in 2015-16.
But on this occasion, Tottenham was arguably the better side for the majority of the two legs. One side simply had to lose the tie, and in this case it was Juventus, who found some magic when it mattered. I wouldn’t be concerned if I was a Spurs fan – so long as this group can stay intact, there will be other big European nights for Tottenham.
[relatedlinks]