Welcome to the "Frog," my little piece of cyberspace to talk about my passion - le foot (or soccer for my North American friends) especially anything around French football. Of course I will have some guest contributors that might want to discuss other aspects of footy!
I support Les Bleus, Arsenal and PSG but really just love watching, analyzing and following the beautiful game.
"You have to trust your teammates, always. If not we are lost."
After what appeared to be a season ending knee injury, Clint Dempsey escapes the surgeon's knife and will not need his knee operated on. Clearly good news for the US National team, and if he can get back on the pitch sooner rather than later good news for the cottagers. Dempsey is one of the key elements for the US National team next summer. The other key will be the play of Tim Howard in goal. But Deuce is the most influential outfield player for the US. This injury, in a strange way, might be blessing for the US team assuming he can recover fully by South Africa. It gives him some time off, allows him to rest. If he can come back the last month of the Premiership he will get back into game playing shape for the World Cup. Again that may sound strange, but in the long run for the US it is better news than what was feared.
Injuries such as these make all of us cringe as we get closer to the World Cup. Look at what happened to Les Bleus in 2002...okay they still had more talent than a team who crashes out of the group stages with 1 point and zero goals scored....but Zidane gets injured and more importantly Pires tears a knee for Arsenal - a season where he was absolutely on top of his game. Without Zizou and Pires, France were without their 2 true playmakers. Granted Micoud should have been the one given the baton, but we will never know why Lemerre did not go down that path.
Not to dive into revisionism...but I will...you could have lined up a side like this (based on the players Lemerre took to Asia with him...not necessarily those I would have selected) -
Vieira was a beast that season so he could easily push higher up the pitch to support the attack. Makelele would be the engine. Petit still had something left in the tank, but with 2 other holding midfielders would have had less asked of him so would have not have been exposed as much.
Micoud could just sit infront of these 3 and feed deadly passes to Henry and Trezeguet. I guarantee you that team would have fared better than what was sent out versus Senegal, Uruguay and Denmark!
Arsenal are on top of the table based on their 4-2 victory over Bolton. As I stated in the beginning of the season I thought Arsenal would finish second to Chelsea. I thought that Manchester United had lost too much in Ronaldo and Tevez, that Liverpool was not going to amount to much thanks to Rafa...but Arsenal had the talent to make a run. However does not have the depth to get past Chelsea. I think that might still be the achilles heel for the Gunners.
What is encouraging is that Arsenal is winning or getting a point from matches in recent campaigns they would lose. Heading to Bolton and finding a way to come home with 3 points after being "Boltoned" all over the pitch...aka goon lined. Being down 2-0 this Wednesday and coming back to win 4-2. These are matches that in the past few seasons Arsenal would roll over and drop the full 3 points. What is especially sweet is that Arsenal did this against Bolton who they have had a history of bad blood - primarily due to the divergent styles of play: Arsenal the beautiful, offensive and free flowing football while Bolton was more of the mucking, kick you in the shins and win ugly style. The Gunners always had problems with Bolton...midseason when pitches are heavy and the muckers can find ways to beat the English Samba Boys. This week was an example of Arsenal gaining some toughness and winning a game against a mucker team like Bolton. What epitomized the win was how Arsenal secured the equalizer yesterday - a hard tackle from Gallas wins the ball back, Arsenal fight the ball into the Bolton 18 yard box and find a way to get the equalizer.
To me the foul was a hard tackle, Gallas did come in from the front so it was not a two footed tackle from behind...did he clip Davies hard...yes. Is that football in England...absolutely. Hats off to the Gunners. Let us hope they can keep the momentum going.
The upcoming weeks will be very telling on how far the Gunners can go - Villa, ManU, Chelsea and Liverpool before starting up Champions League play again. If the Gunners can come out of those 4 games with 7 points or more I think they stand a good chance at the title - 2 victories and a draw...difficult but not impossible.
What is frustrating is that I think Wenger should and needs to buy some established players and he would bring Arsenal that much closer to another title - another striker and midfielder would be nice...and I don't think a teenager from Brazil is what we are thinking of.
Arguably the most important outfield player for the US National team and a key member at Fulham, Clint Dempsey, went out on Sunday with what appears as a knee injury. Not good. With Dempsey playing one of his best seasons in England, Fulham was having a very solid season, sitting 9th in the table. The American has proven to be a spark for the London side and has scored some impressive goals during the campaign.
I do not believe that Fulham believed they could challenge for a Champions League spot, however no reason for them not to believe they could not creep closer to a top 6 spot, however without Dempsey this will be very difficult. He and Duff are really the creative midfielder/wingers that Fulham can count on for a spark of genius. With Zamora out most likely until March, Fulham will be hard pressed to find the offense to sustain themselves. Maybe Al Fayed will open the purse strings to bring in some talent during the transfer period.
What is more concerning is how this will impact the US National team. With out Charlie Davies for the World Cup, and potentially without Dempsey...where will the offense come for the US. Landycakes??? Maybe, and potentially his willingness to play in Europe prior to the World Cup will finally allow him to carry that load. However I think without Deuce, the US could struggle in South Africa. At least Bradley has almost 6 months to figure it out.
Let us hope it is a PCL and not ACL for Dempsey, Fulham and Bradley's sake.
So Rafa and his band of merry-men from Liverpool slide further away from the top of the league table, now 14 points behind league leaders Chelsea and 4 points out of a top 4 spot, after a 1-1 draw against powerhouse Stoke City. Add to the situation the midweek loss to Championship side Reading in the FA Cup and Liverpool having to play in the Europa League having crashed out of the Champions League. Of course Rafa had a classic post game interview blaming everything but himself for the situation Liverpool finds itself in...
The rumors are swirling that the Hicks and Gillett are seriously thinking about sacking their gaffer, not that the two owners do much chatting these days. Now with others such as Souness calling for the Spaniard to stand down on his own, can the ax be far away? I have never made any secret about my dislike for Rafa, I think that he is overrated as a domestic league manager - knock out tournaments are another story. I also think his time at Anfield needs to draw to a close. Liverpool has not won a domestic title in what seems like a lifetime (20 years to be exact)!! That is unacceptable for a side such as the Reds. However I do no think he should be sacked immediately. First, the transfer window has been very quiet and I am not sure a new manager will have the time or money to greatly change the side. Second a new manager will not be able to change the fundamental problem with Liverpool - over reliance on Gerrard and Torres. Third, Liverpool might be able to make a run for the Champions League spot next year...which in a strange way would be perfect for Rafa - he can manage in a knock out tournament manner - not worrying about player development nor multiple cups - Liverpool is out of the FA Cup, Carling Cup and Champions League. Finally, why not wait until the summer and even after the World Cup where you think there will be a deluge of managers on the market. Allow the new gaffer a full transfer period to reshape his club.
I am sure the names of Hiddink and Blanc will be tossed around, but what about "The Special One?" Hmmmm, Mourinho has never made any secret about his desire to return to England. Rumors are swirling that he would return to replace SAF at Manchester United. But why would Mourinho seek that challenge? To replace a legend...short of going undefeated for a season or winning the Champions League without giving up goal, what can the Special One do at Manchester United that SAF has not already done. However, if he goes to Liverpool...he can be the manager that finally gets the Reds a Premiership title. He can be the one that finally brings Liverpool back to the level the fans so desire. I think it is a perfect fit. Mourinho's ego is large enough to want such a challenge. He would get a chance to face off against Wenger, SAF and the rest. He would get a chance to take on his old employer at Chelsea. Finally he would get a chance to cement his legacy if he can find a way to steer Liverpool back to the top of the Premiership mountain.
So the great American soccer hope is heading off to play for Aris Thessalonik FC ... um who? This is the third loan he is off on after signing with Benefica - after Monaco and Belenenses - getting 13 games at both sides scoring zero goals. Not exactly the track record you would expect from the player that was touted as the greatest since Pele and Maradona, a player that was going to elevate the US soccer team into the atmosphere of the Brazils, Italys, Germanys, Argentinas of the world. Was Adu over hyped? Yes, no doubt. I know when my college friends are talking to me about a footie player that he has become over-hyped...my college buddies could not tell you how many years are between World Cups or for what nation Maradona played for...
Can Adu live up to the enormous expectations? Doubtful. Can he become a solid footballer at the club and international level? Sure. He still had tremendous talent and needs to find himself. I will give him credit for realizing that he will need to play in Europe and not the MLS to improve his career. He really needs stability at the club level to continue to develop and try to live up to a fraction of his supposed potential. However if you look at the players that are his peers - between 20 and 22 - he is behind. Higuain at Real Madrid with 11 goals already, Benzema same club, Michael Bradley playing in the Bundesliga, Walcott already playing a key role in qualifiers for England, Obertan (who is that you ask) a France U21 player at Manchester United...let us not forget that Manchester United gave Adu a look and said no thank you. Or even Pjanic who at 19 is becoming a vital cog for Lyon. None of these players had ads with Pele when they were teenagers, but all are far ahead of the Ghanian born player at this point of their careers.
Adu is a poster child for the US hype machine over playing their hand with a player.
The African Cup of Nations kicked off today...and in spectacular fashion with host Angola leading Mali 4-0 with 15 minutes to go, only to see Kanoute and his colleagues come storming back to earn a draw. However the tournament will be overshadowed by the tragedy that the Togolese national team suffered. A brutal terrorist attack on the Togolese team bus as they entered Angola to prepare for their opening match resulted in many injured and 3 fatalities. The team has since returned to Togo, however may return to play their matches...something I believe would be the correct response. This brutal attack reminds us that major sporting events provide tempting opportunities for those who would use violence to promote their views. We all know what happened in Munich in 1972 or remember the bombing that occurred at the Atlanta Olympics in 1996.
These sporting events were conceived to promote peace and competition, but the global interest they attract also make them a prime target for terrorists. Our heart and thoughts need to be with the families of the victims as well as nation of Togo. I hope that they decide to return to play their matches to demonstrate that terrorism will not emerge victorious. Togo might not win a match, but just by returning to the tournament will be the a greater victory than any simple football match.
Pat Vieira is heading back to England...with the Citizens. Surprise surprise. The rumors of Pat leaving Inter have been rampant for the past 2 seasons, he clearly was not in the Special Ones' long term plans. Then again at 33, Vieira is a far cry from the #4 that ran rampant for Arsenal. He has been plagued by injuries for the past few seasons and can no longer be expected to play 90 minutes on a regular basis. He is also coming back to a league that is faster than the one he has been in for the past 3 seasons. So will he make an impact? I think so, as long as the expectations are grounded in realism.
He is still one of the toughest tacklers in the business. He remains a strong leader on the pitch and in the dressing room. If Vieira accepts, and he should not really have a choice, to be part of a rotation with Barry and De Jong in the holding/defensive midfielder role then Manchester City will have some great depth at that position. This is something a team such as Manchester City will need to achieve their high goals.
It will be good to see Vieira back in England. I have faith he will have something to say when it comes to Manchester City's fortunes. I wonder if Onuoha will give up his #4 ...
So Escalettes has announced that the successor for Domenech. Too bad it is for after the World Cup instead of immediately...so who are the candidates? Blanc, Deschamps, Boghossian and Tigana. No surprises in the list. In addition Guy Roux and Arsene Wenger were included - both are long shots. Roux had been approached after the 1998 World Cup to run the team but declined. Wenger has always stated he rather stay at the club level and work with players daily - plus he could not go out and buy all the best talent from clubs' academies! What about the other 4 candidates... Laurent Blanc - the head man for Bordeaux is clearly the darling manager of French football. With rumors of Manchester United in his future as well as the idea of him taking over the French national team on a part time basis (this rumor made the rounds after Domenech was pressured to leave post Ireland match) he being placed on the list is no surprise. Blanc is also part of the 98ers and carries a large amount of cache with the French public and footballing community. He has the credentials for the role, but might not have the length of services as some of the other candidates - having only managed since 2007. However I still think it is his job to lose. Odds - 2 to 1. My favorite Laurent Blanc moment -
Didier Deschamps - he used to be the darling of manager of French football, having managed Monaco to a Champions League final. His personal trophy case is nothing short of amazing - World Cup and European Cup champion, captained both winners, youngest captain to lift the Champions League with Marseilles (he won it again with Juventus), he won domestic titles in France and Italy as well as domestic cups. As a manager he led Monaco to a Champions League finals, won a domestic cup with Monaco and managed Juventus to a Serie B title. He has been managing since 2001 so more experience than his teammate Blanc. The fact he has managed in France and Italy should make him someone worth giving serious consideration, in addition he was the France skipper demonstrating the respect he commands. I think he might be the best candidate for the role - he has expressed strong interest, has the pedigree and the experience. 4 years ago he would be the clear favorite. Odds - 5 to 1
Alain Boghossian - the current assistant national team manager, many thought he was brought in to satisfy the 98ers...oh yeah he too has a World Cup winner's medal from 1998. He was a bit of a surprise when he was tapped to be an assistant manager since he had no previous experience as a manager - somewhat of a safe move for the FFF - bring in a member of the 1998 squad but one that never expressed ambition to manage the national side. It is hard to assess his impact on the squad or his ability as a coach. I think he has been mentioned on the short list...because he has to be...but I think he is the long shot of the 4. Odds - 20 to 1.
Jean Tigana - one of my favorite all time players, he was part of the "Carre Magique" from the 1980s with Platini, Giresse and Fernandez. He has a good managing career having guided Monaco, Lyon, Fulham and currently Besiktas (leading them to a league title in his first season). He has not always made the best talent decisions - Steve Marlet for 11.5m pounds??? Tigana remains a strong option, but with the strong candidates from the 1998 side he will be a distant 3rd in the pecking order. My favorite Tigana moment from the 1984 European Cup 1/2 finals, remember this was in the 120th minute of one of the most competitive and nail biting match -
Wenger would be great, but maybe what France should do is keep him on a retainer for scouting young talent and getting them to Clairefontaine, he could remain the manager for Arsenal but help Les Bleus find up and coming youth. He already turned down the offer, but has kept the door open. Roux would have been a great option 10 years ago, but I think he has lost his "fast ball" based on his showing managing Lens for a brief spell. Some outside options - Giresse who currently manages Gabon, Luis Fernandez who is a fiery manager or Paul Le Guen who manages Cameroon...these are all long long long shots....what about Hiddink? Hmmmm.
I think that in the end Deschamps will be the next manager. Why? I think Blanc will turn down the role. The fact he is strongly considered for the Manchester United job will give him much pause before taking over Les Bleus. Club jobs such as Manchester United come by very rarely in one's career - and coincides with your own rising fortune is the perfect storm. What if Blanc takes over Les Bleus and France do not qualify for the Euros? As quickly as one's stature is elevated so it can be knocked down. I think Blanc would want to be able to potentially take on a role like Manchester United while he can, such a chance might not be seen again for 10 years. As we all know, being a national team manager is not a long term role so Blanc would most likely get a chance to manage Les Bleus down the road. Where as Deschamps has been openly lobbying for the role for a long time...I think he would be a great manager for Les Bleus. He walks in with immediate respect having captained the side to World Cup and European Cup glory. Having managed in France and Italy gives him good insight into different elements of European footie. With the most likely retirement of Henry after the World Cup, France will be without an on field member of the 1998 class. Having the captain of that side manage the side would allow the success from those glory years to be infused in the next generation.
Too bad Deschamps cannot take over in January 2010 rather than August...
without their 2 true playmakers. Granted Micoud should have been the one given the baton, but we will never know why Lemerre did not go down that path.
