700 goals in a spectacular career is the legacy of Cristiano Ronaldo. However United coach Erik Ten Hag still views him as his third pick striker. Both Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial rate more highly in his opinion and Cristiano will start mainly from the bench and a January exit is ever more likely.
Wayne Rooney and David Beckham have both told Ronaldo that the American MLS would give him a chance to play on until he reaches 40 years-of age. Justifying Ronaldo not starting matches, Ten Hag points out that Marcus Rashford has five goals this season and Anthony Martial three in four games whereas Cristiano has only two in twelve matches.
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Ten Hag views Ronaldo as an impact player off the bench and a player who is useful in the Europa League on Thursday evenings. No wonder one of the greatest all-time players feels frustrated.
*Did you notice Cristiano’s goal celebration last weekend where he stood and closed his eyes with his hands across his chest. He was in fact making fun of himself. The reason is that when he sleeps on the team coach it is the position he always chooses, much to the amusement of other players.
Liverpool vs Manchester City
Despite the interruption of travelling to Scotland for a Champions League match against Rangers, Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp split his team into three during training this week. Regrettably Trent Alexander-Arnold could not join in because he took a knock in the game against Arsenal. Klopp said, “Trent never, in seven years, went off if he could have played on. He was in too much pain, it started swelling immediately, so we will have to see.” He is however Klopp’s first priority because Trent is facing a crisis of confidence after fans and the media have criticised his recent performances. Working on defence Klopp was joined by Virgil Van Dijk, Ibrahim Konate, Andrew Robertson and Joe Gomez. However, it was Trent the coach wanted to concentrate on. He is a superb attacking full-back, arguably the best in the Premier League but when opposing forwards run at him he doesn’t have the strength and resilience of a Kyle Walker or Reece James. Both Klopp and Van Dijk are trying to give him that extra strength. Liverpool have recently let him remain upfield, more in the opposition’s half but that means he is vulnerable to balls played into space behind him. Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola has recognised this and had already given Kevin De Bruyne instructions to use that area to launch attacks on Liverpool’s goal whenever Trent plays. Trent is unlikely to play against City because of that knock last weekend. Klopp’s injury list has grown disarmingly. Six senior players are now out injured and 19 players have missed at least one game through fitness problems. Joel Matip is out with a calf injury likely to last two or three games, Naby Keita is probably out until November and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain definitely won’t return until November. Klopp’s other main problem is Mo Salah who has scored only six league goals from open play since returning from the African Cup of Nations. Before the ACN Salah averaged 3.9 shots per game but recently this has dropped to 2.9. Klopp recognises that Salah is not getting into the box as much as last season and has lacked support from midfield. Salah’s hat-trick midweek against Rangers was against an inferior team and their ability is nothing like the potential of Manchester City. The coach has a headache with the right side of the field, his forward line and central back of midfield. They are now 14 points behind Arsenal at the top. Virgil Van Dijk said this week, “Every human being, whatever job, whatever the situation, needs confidence to perform at the highest level. If you are not winning, then confidence creeps away. That is our current problem.” Thiago Alcantara is a brilliant player but Klopp hasn’t provided enough support to allow him to get up field and create chances. Guardiola recognises that Liverpool’s pressing game is not working and it is easier to play through their middle. I am reliably informed that Luis Diaz will be out until Christmas with strained medial ligaments in his knee. Klopp’s midfield needs strengthening and his failure to sign either Jude Bellingham or French international Aurelien Tchouameni during the summer window is now looking like a serious mistake. Darwin Nunez is not yet the best replacement for Sadio Mane and is struggling but Klopp is confident he can improve. Van Dijk has never lost a game at Anfield but this weekend Pep Guardiola sees this as his big chance to beat the Reds. With Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk, Salah and Jota all lacking form and confidence, it is easy to see what a tough challenge Klopp has on his hands and he admitted this week that Liverpool are not going to be challenging for the title this season. Haaland against Van Dijk is not a fair match at the moment and I can see the Norwegian building on his incredible scoring rate again this weekend. City are the perfect team at the moment
Conte looks to strengthen wing backs
Antonio Conte is already making noises regarding bringing in new talent to White Hart Lane in January. Wing backs are his greatest concern at the moment and the way he lines up his attacks from the back, this position is vital to his strategy. Perisic, who Conte trusts, still looks like he is adjusting to the pace of the Premier League and on the right Emerson Royal is erratic but he keeps his place because Conte does not believe in Matt Doherty and young Djed Spence is not yet ready to take on the top flight of football. Ryan Sessegnon has taken advantage of his step up into the first team but despite some impressive moves going forward Conte feels he still remains vulnerable defensively.
Chelsea could lose Kante
Chelsea fear they might lose N’Golo Kante if new owner Todd Boehly doesn’t carefully handle negotiations with the Frenchman. Kante is out of contract at the end of this season and he and Chelsea do not see eye to eye on how long his new contract should be. New manager Graham Potter is not getting involved but said yesterday that any team would suffer if it lost a player of Kante’s ability. Kante is free to talk to other clubs in January and Paris Saint-Germain are known to be interested in the 31-year-old. He came fifth in the 2021 prestigious Ballon d’Or award for Player of the Year. Chelsea have no perfect replacement for his midfield qualities and Potter is relieved he is back in training after a hamstring problem.
Kane stalking Haaland’s goal record
Harry Kane has the belief that he can catch Erling Haaland’s phenomenal scoring start to the season. Harry has eight goals from nine games which is his joint-best start to a Premier League season. Harry said, “Look, the Golden Boot is something you can talk about in April time or around that time but it’s a long season. I’m feeling good and there is a long way to go yet.”
Lingard failing to reach West Ham heights for Forest
Jesse Lingard highlights what is wrong with relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest. The Manchester United attacking forward has not scored a goal all season or made an assist. Compare that with the excellent contribution he made when on loan to West Ham and it is easy to see that he has gone backwards since joining Forest. Lingard maintains it is not his huge salary that is distracting him and he joined Forest because he thought they were capable of doing well this season. Lingard says it is all about confidence and once he makes the goal break-through he will go on a goal spree.
