Romelu Lukaku vs Christian Benteke

In our latest article we compare the two Belgians who have taken the Premier League by storm this season in Christian Benteke and Romelu Lukaku.

Christian Benteke began his senior career at Belgian side Genk before switching to Standard Liege. His time at Liege was dominated by loan spells although he did pick up a Belgian League winners medal in the 2008/2009 season. In 2011, Benteke returned to former club Genk where he caught the eye, notching 19 times in 37 games. This earnt him a move to Aston Villa in a deal thought to be worth around £7m. Since arriving at Villa Park, Benteke has grabbed 19 goals in 36 games in all competitions, a great return from such a young player in his first season in the Premier League.

Lukaku signed for Anderlecht in 2009 at the age of just 16 and within days was thrown into the first team. In the 2009/2010 and 2010/2011 seasons, Lukaku bagged 19 and 20 goals respectively and after being dubbed 'The New Drogba', things looked bright for the young Belgian. In the 2011 Summer transfer window, Lukaku joined Chelsea for a fee of around £17m , seemingly a big risk on such a young player. After failing to feature much for the Blues, Lukaku went on loan to midlands side, West Bromwich Albion. This wasn't a very high profile deal but it has ended up paying dividends for Albion as the big Belgian has hit 13 goals in the league this season. 

Here's how the two have performed in the Premier League this season 
(As of 26/04/13): 

These are some very interesting stats; what I think is most interesting is the difference in minutes played. Although Benteke has only had 1 more appearance than Lukaku, he's played not far off a thousand more minutes than him. Steve Clarke doesn't always opt to start with Lukaku due to the availability of other attacking options such as Shane Long.

With 15 goals to Lukaku's 13, Benteke comes out on top narrowly in terms of scoring this season. The stat that sets the two apart the most is the chances created. Lukaku has created 26 chances but Benteke has created a staggering 44. Benteke easily takes that one. Lukaku pulls it back with shot accuracy, comfortably topping Benteke in that respect. However, Benteke does come out on top in aerial duels won, very easily. Lukaku has a slightly better pass accuracy but in the end Benteke wins 3-2, although the stats should be taken with a huge pinch of salt due to the fewer minutes that Lukaku has played. One thing you can't deny is that both have some very impressive stats there!


Looking at both players tactically, Benteke can be desribed as a complete forward in my opinion. Not brilliant at hold-up player but he has a great jump on him and gets his head to a lot.  On the floor Benteke is quick and crafty, he has that killer instinct for goal and is always looking to score. Benteke's pretty quick too and attacks the ball with pace. Lukaku is slightly different, much better at holding the ball up but perhaps not quite as lethal. Both are incredibly powerful players but I think Lukaku can boast marginally better strength. Lukaku has a thumping shot on him and an excellent work rate, he is also an intelligent footballer who's decision making is very impressive for someone of such a young age. 

Overall, it is a very close one. There is absolutely no doubt that I'd have both players in my team but I think right now I'd just about favour Benteke. My reasoning for this is partially down to age but also reliant on the team around him. Benteke is 22 and whilst you couldn't call that experienced, he does have 3 years on Lukaku and this means he is closer to his peak and is probably a more mature player. Having said this, I do feel that Lukaku has more potential than Benteke. Also, Benteke, playing at Villa has been at a struggling team that have been shipping in goals all over the place but he has always stood out and grabbed vital goals, whereas Lukaku has been in an excellent West Brom side who've surprised everyone and been in the top 10 for most of the season. I'd argue that Benteke has managed to do it with a worse team around him, making his feats this season even more impressive. This is an incredibly close battle but I'll stick by saying that Benteke just just shades it! One thing's for sure, Belgium have one heck of a strikeforce on their hands!

Who do you think's better?

Thanks for reading, I hope you enjoyed it!

The Hottest Prospects in Football (Part 4)

With young talent being so sought after in the modern game, we take a look at some of the hottest young prospects in football at the moment. I've put together a number of different reports from a variety of different sources to give you a wide range of writing. Make sure you check out some of the writers as this is only a flavour of their work! I'm not claiming this is a fully comprehensive list of all young talent, simply a selection! I've also included an edited picture of each player, hope you like them!

Mario Gotze (20)


Mario Gotze seems to have been around for a while now but when watching him play, it is often very easy to forget he is only 20-years-old. Couple this with the fact that at this age he already has a staggering 22 caps for the national side and you can see how much potential Gotze possesses. 

Gotze is most known for his ability on the ball and his creativity. Normally employed as an attacking midfielder, he can also play out wide if he needs to. After working his way through the Dortmun youth system he has now become a regular in the side and forged a formidable partnership with fellow German, Marco Reus. Together the two of them have been a thorn in many a side this season, building an impressive understanding of each other.With his phenomenal vision and excellent vision, Gotze is quite a player. One of his main assets is his composure on the ball, something rare in players his age. Not afraid to take people on, he glides through players, making sure he holds on to the ball before playing the killer through ball. 


It has recently been reported that Manchester City are interested in the young German and I'm sure other clubs will be chasing his signature come the Summer, however, whether he stays at Dortmund or not, there is no doubt he has the potential to be up there with the very best, a big future lies ahead.

Written By: Me! (@Latest_Footy)

Isco (20)

Spain has consistently upheld a justified reputation for producing exceptional talents, and none so in recent years have emerged more spectacularly than Isco. The Andalusian born playmaker is a product of the Valencia academy, but after his decision to depart for the shores of the Costa Del Sol due to his dissatisfaction with the amount of first team football, he hasn’t looked back. While the whispers of his remarkable talent were partly demonstrated last season, he’s arguably been the star of the Málaga side throughout this campaign.

His glorious ability in the final third, vision, link-up play and tendency to dazzle with his dribbling capability has understandably earned him plaudits in abundance, with his frequent involvement in the build-up play, final ball and finish in Málaga’s goals being a major factor behind their outstanding campaign. Despite being aged just 20, he’s already earned comparisons to the great Iniesta – the hallmarks of Andrés’ style certainly appear to echo in Isco’s play. His recently understandably gained the title of ‘The Tuttosport Golden Boy’ (effectively most promising young player in the world) in 2012, which certainly hasn’t helped ease interest – Barcelona, Real Madrid, Bayern, Manchester United/City, Chelsea and almost every elite club on the face of the planet appears to be chasing his signature. His new contract bumped his release clause up to roughly £30 million, so he’ll be far from cheap, but at his rate of progression, he has the potential to prove more than worth it. 

A recent call-up to the Spanish national squad highlights just how highly rated he has become in his own nation, and his scintillating performances have boosted his reputation beyond all imagination. Provided no major injury strikes, there’s one thing for sure – Isco has the potential to be a star of colossal proportions within world football.

Written By: (@Fo0tbalista)
                      thestracqsgrin.wordpress.com

Viktor Fischer (18)

The name of Viktor Fischer is likely to be the next to join those of van Basten, Davids, Kluivert and Bergkamp as successful products of the Ajax youth system. He has pace, technical ability and vision, but most significantly, he scores goals.

Fischer chose Ajax as the club at which to develop his ability. However, even Chelsea, Inter Milan and Manchester City were interested and scouting the youngster while he was at FC Midtjylland, but the prospect of being groomed by a club with such an emphasis and reputation on young talent was too good to turn down.

Fischer plays either as a central striker or on the left hand side of a three-pronged attack. His technical ability means that he has the potential to play as a number 10, but Ajax are well aware that his greatest talent lies on the receiving end of a playmaker’s work.

Currently stepping up to become a regular first-teamer for Ajax now, Fischer plays alongside Eriksen generally and the two Dane’s have formed a rather formidable partnership, helping Ajax currently top the Eredivisie. Over the last two weeks, Fischer has been touted as the next Bergkamp, due to a sensational ‘dinked’ chip he scored a week or two ago. Much like Bergkamp, he is a versatile player with a genuine ability of close control and astounding balance on the ball, that not many players develop at such a young age.

No doubt Fischer will become more emphatic in the eyes of fans and players alike. Brewing within a sparking generation of young, eager and aspiring players at Ajax, typically, there is a high limit in which he can follow on to like many others of Ajax foundations have before him.

Written By: (@ManToManMarking)

                      man2manmarking.wordpress.com
Julian Draxler (19)

Julian Draxler is one of the most well-known young talents in world football; plying his trade with Bundesliga side Schalke, even as a young player, he has become a regular in the side at the Veltins Arena. His impressive performances for Schalke undoubtedly justify why he has appeared quite often of late. There are many exciting young German stars around at the moment and you can certainly put Draxler on that last; he has magnificent technique, a flawless touch and formidable vision, meaning he is on course to become a regular member in the Germany squad for years to come.

This season, Draxler has really come into his own, having had limited game-time when Lewis Holtby was still at Schalke, he know finds himself as one of the key players at the Bundesliga outfit. While Holtby was still at the German side, Draxler was mainly used as a left-midfielder; a position which he was not entirely comfortable with. But since Holtby’s move to Spurs, Draxler has been shifted into a more central position, where he is able to both create and score goals. Despite being only 19, Draxler has made over 100 appearances for Schalke; for a player of his age to play so many games just goes to show how well he is regarded at Schalke.

 There is no doubt that he will excel on both the domestic and international scene, so make sure you remember the name Julian Draxler.

Written By: (@BackOf_TheNet)

                      backofthenetfootball.wordpress.comThanks to all the writers who got involved. If you liked any writer in particular then be sure to leave a comment or follow them on twitter! I do requests on photo edits of players so if you liked the pictures then get in touch on twitter (@Latest_Footy)

Thanks for reading, I hope you enjoyed it!

The Hottest Prospects in Football (Part 3)

With young talent being so sought after in the modern game, we take a look at some of the hottest young prospects in football at the moment. I've put together a number of different reports from a variety of different sources to give you a wide range of writing. Make sure you check out some of the writers as this is only a flavour of their work! I'm not claiming this is a fully comprehensive list of all young talent, simply a selection! I've also included an edited picture of each player, hope you like them!

Thiago Alacantara (21)

Thiago Alcântara is perhaps one of the best Spanish young players around who, in game time terms, under the radar. He plays for Barcelona, so it is understandable as to why he struggles for first-team games – not because he doesn’t have that ability (he most certainly does) but because of the midfielders ahead of him.

Born in Italy, fathered by Brazilian legend Mazinho and growing up in Spain, Thiago hasn’t had the easy life. First he was at Flamengo until he was 5 when he moved to Spain to play for lower-league Spanish sides whilst his father played for Elche. He returned home to Flamengo before finding his way to La Masia aged 14.

But from this, he’s grown into an incredible player. A young, sensational, ambitious player who possess such great passing ability, fabulous first touch and the knowledge and insight which he’s learned from the great La Masia. His ability is well known as is his potential, and at just 21 he’s already achieved 3 caps for the Spanish national team.

Regarded as the undisputed replacement to Andrés Iniesta, until Isco arrived on the scene, he will surely, but slowly play a key part in Barcelona’s future as well as Spain’s future. Many believe he’s developing into the ‘Xavi role’ but one thing we should all know is that he is the future of Barcelona – he’s the player which optimises and represents Barcelona’s vision, philosophy and beliefs.

Written By: (@lastgaspgoal)

                      lastgaspgoal.wordpress.com

Lucas Moura (20)

Along with Neymar and Oscar, Brazil also have another young and upcoming attacking prodigy in the form of Lucas Moura. At just the mere age of 20, He has played for Brazil 23 times and was bought by mega-rich PSG for $45 million, the clubs most expensive signing ever. 

Moura who joined PSG in January has really added something to the already star studded line-up. In the 8 appearances he has made for Les Parisians, Moura has created 15 key chances, which averages to nearly 2 a game, for a 20 year old, his talent is out of this world. Most defenders must tremble in terror when they hear Moura's name. 

The Brazilian primarily operates as a winger but can also play as an attacking midfielder. Like most Brazilians, Moura seems to love the joy of taking the ball past an opponent in an eccentric way, combined with his pace he can be a real pain for defenders. Moura is just the latest in a string of hot prospects for Brazil, and with his help, it could see Brazil return to their normal world-cup winning ways. All Moura can do now is improve and improve, Lucas Rodrigues Moura da Silva, remember the name.

Written By: (@Guardiology)

                      quickonetwo.wordpress.com

Raphael Varane (19)

Of all the talented youngsters in the world, it is Raphael Varane; centre-half for Real Madrid who is earning rave reviews after producing some outstanding defensive performances for Los Blancos. Varane has received a great deal of game-time recently; cementing his place at the heart of the Real defence alongside Sergio Ramos.

Varane is what some would consider to be the perfect defender, seen as though he is equipped with all the correct attributes to become one of the best defenders of our generation. He is a strong, quick and powerful centre-back who is flawless at bringing the ball out from the back, he is incredibly comfortable on the ball and his decision-making is first-class. The Frenchman is also an exceptional reader of the game, often timing tackles and interceptions to perfection, as well as being the victor when locked in a battle with an opposition striker.

His most impressive trait is his aerial threat; he is extremely powerful and dominant in the air and can generate an enormous amount of power in his headers, something which can be successful at both ends of the pitch. The Former RC Lens youth product has the perfect physique for a defender; being tall and stocky, he is able to easily out-muscle strikers and the way he plays is incredibly reminiscent of former France defender Lillian Thuram. It would appear that he has the perfect package for a defender and if he is able to continue to mature and develop over the next few years, you wouldn't put it past him becoming one of the best defenders in the world.

Written By: (@BackOf_TheNet)
                     backofthenetfootball.wordpress.com

Romelu Lukaku (19)

Whilst Lukaku hasn't reached the dizzying European heights that some have in this article, he cannot be underestimated. The powerhouse has been a revelation for West Brom this season and has been a catalyst to their new found success. With 13 goals in all competitions this season, Lukaku has become a thorn in many's side.

The Belgian is actually on loan from Chelsea and this has led to him being dubbed 'the new Drogba'. In my opinion, this is actually rather accurate as they both share impressive physical attributes that are a huge part of their game. Lukaku is a powerful striker and the big Belgian can hold up the ball to great effect, using his strength to his advantage. For a big man, he is also deceitfully quick and combined with his power, it is a lethal combination, you definitely wouldn't want to go into a 50/50 with him!

Lukaku also comes across as an intelligent footballer to me, this is evident in his hold up play which is very patient. This is further emphasised in his determination to improve as Baggies manager Steve Clarke claimed the striker has stayed behind to practice shooting. All in all, Lukaku present a massive prospect for the future, indicated by his success this campaign, if he is this deadly at the age of 19 then imagine what he'll be like, fully developed in a few years. A thought I'm sure many defenders dread!

Written By: Me! (@Latest_Footy)

Thanks to all the writers who got involved. If you liked any writer in particular then be sure to leave a comment or follow them on twitter! I do requests on photo edits of players so if you liked the pictures then get in touch on twitter (@Latest_Footy)

Thanks for reading, I hope you enjoyed it!

The Hottest Prospects in Football (Part 2)

With young talent being so sought after in the modern game, we take a look at some of the hottest young prospects in football at the moment. I've put together a number of different reports from a variety of different sources to give you a wide range of writing. Make sure you check out some of the writers as this is only a flavour of their work! I'm not claiming this is a fully comprehensive list of all young talent, simply a selection! I've also included an edited picture of each player, hope you like them!

Erik Lamela (21)


Erik Lamela is one of the most promising young talents in the world; at the age of 21 we have already seen many moments of brilliance from this technically gifted Argentine. Lamela began his footballing journey at River Plate; one of the most popular clubs in Argentina and has since moved on to Serie A outfit Roma, where he has well and truly excelled. Argentina have been host to some wonderful footballers, namely Lionel Messi, Gabriel Batistuta and Diego Maradona, and it would be right to say that this highly-rated playmaker could be their next big thing.

Lamela is known for his tremendous dribbling and close control; he has impeccable technique and a magnificent touch; this one of the many reasons why he is considered to be one of the hottest prospects around. Along with his outstanding ability on the ball, Lamela also possesses a wand of a left-foot; a left-foot which has largely contributed to the 13 goals he has scored this season. He creates space very easily and has good vision; something which will enable him to slot into the vast majority of top European Sides.

You can see the potential he has, he has shown much more than flashes of what he is capable of and he would appear to have a massive future ahead of him. It is likely he’ll leave Roma in the next few years to fulfil his potential and if he manages to do so, then there’s no doubt he’ll go on to have a long and successful career, with both club and country.

Written By: (@BackOf_TheNet)
                     backofthenetfootball.wordpress.com

Matija Nastasic (20)

Matija Nastasic is undoubtedly one of the best young defenders in the world of football. At the tender age of 20 and already playing regular-ish football for Man City and a real regular for Serbia accompanying the other Serbian centre-half in Manchester (Nemanja Vidić) Matija Nastasic is already feared in any match he plays in with his no man no prisoner attitude. 

Nastasic is always willing to put in a tackle even against some of the best attackers in the world. He is a fantastic aerial player and uses his height and physique to an advantage. With over half of his aerial battles won in the ‘best league in the world’ it’s a great stat to have to your name at the age of 20. Nastasic has also shown he is not particularly prone to errors, only conceding 1 defensive error in his 18 appearances for the blue moon. He has also shown he is a great long passer of the ball with an average of 21 metres and average pass accuracy of 86%. 

Hailed by many as one of the best young defenders, he has astonishing pace, and this is extremely valuable for a centre-back. This ability of has been to his own advantage allowing him to make last ditch tackles and save his team a point or three. Matija Nastasic is eagerly one of the best young defensive prospects in football so keep your eye out for him in the future!

Written By: (@Wengerology)

Kevin De Bruyne (21)

Kevin De Bruyne is arguably not as high profile as some of the other youngsters on the list but still provides huge potential, just one in a string of Belgian talent coming through at the moment.  De Bruyne has a great touch and good vision. He is very versatile and comfortable with both feet, not afraid to take on his man and shoot at goal, something which is great for a young player to have and to develop.

His record shows that he is more of a playmaker than a goal scoring midfielder, but he is not afraid to shoot at goal. One of his best attributes, is his ability to run at his man, and most importantly, be successful with his attempts, something that is key for any team who need a ball carrier and someone who takes people on. This is shown by the fact that in terms of stats, he is the 5th most successful at dribbling with the ball in the whole of the Bundesliga, with an impressive 60% success rate. That's 83 in 139. Just let that sink in. 

De Bruyne has recently announced that he is in the dark over his future, whilst Bremen has expressed a desire to keep him at the club. It would be a shame if Chelsea let him go, many clubs are reportedly interested and Chelsea would be stupid to let a player of his calibre and potential out of there grasp. 

Written By: (@DannySFootball)

                      dannysfootball.blogspot.co.uk

Oscar (21)

Regularly overlooked due to his midfield partners at Chelsea, Oscar is a crafty player. Playing in a midfield alongside Eden Hazard (Aiden Azar as the commentators love to call him!) and Juan Mata, he can be forgiven to not reaching their heights just yet. Nonetheless, he is still a huge talent and although he cost Chelsea a rather hefty amount, he has shown what he has to offer.

Many didn't expect him to feature as regularly as he has this season but he's more than held his own in such a creative midfield. Most will remember his performance against Juventus in the Champions League which included a stunning curling strike but he's also had quite an impact in other games. He offers an option whenever possible and doesn't mind picking the ball up in tight situations. At times, Chelsea can lack penetration and he has shown that he can be the solution to this as he frequently picks up the ball on the edge of the box and uses his quick feet to craft his way in there. This is extremely useful for any team as more often than not it creates a chance. 

Whilst Oscar hasn't been all over the headlines for brilliant performances, he has definitely fitted in well and this is an achievement in itself due to the sheer quality of the Chelsea squad. A young man who has lots to improve upon but at the same time bags of potential.

Written By: Me! (@Latest_Footy)

Thanks to all the writers who got involved. If you liked any writer in particular then be sure to leave a comment or follow them on twitter! I do requests on photo edits of players so if you liked the pictures then get in touch on twitter (@Latest_Footy)

Thanks for reading, I hope you enjoyed it!

The Hottest Prospects in Football (Part 1)

With young talent being so sought after in the modern game, we take a look at some of the hottest young prospects in football at the moment. I've put together a number of different reports from a variety of different sources to give you a wide range of writing. Make sure you check out some of the writers as this is only a flavour of their work! I've also included an edited picture of each player, hope you like them!

Stephan El-Shaarawy (20)

El-Shaarawy likes to play from the left into the centre, quick on his feet and spontaneous, he can be stubborn on when and where he wants the ball. Defence-wise he is fairly weak but he blends well with team mates on counter attacks and has a good execution rate with his deadly finishes, he only needs one chance to convert. He is a forward who likes to terrorise his opponents.

One criticism of him is that he can get carried away at times and become slightly cocky when his team is winning. It has been his breakthrough season at AC Milan this campaign and he has shown himself to be a skilful player with an eye for goal .For such a young player, Shaarawy has come of age and in recent games, put in some very mature performances, whilst building a formidable club and country partnership with his eccentric compatriot Mario Balotelli. With 19 goals in all competitions El-Shaarawy has established himself as one of Milan's main men this season and he presents an unwelcome challenge for most defenders. 

Written By: @OmarMangeli

Christian Eriksen (21)

Dutch icon and connoisseur of 'total football', Johan Cruyff when asked about the 21-year-old Danish playmaker once said: "He's a player I really like with all my heart" "You can compare him with Brian and Michael Laudrup." and when watching the Ajax number 8, it's difficult to disagree. 

Standing at 5'9", Eriksen isn't an imposing figure on the pitch. But as soon as he gets that ball at is feet, everyone takes immediate notice. With mercurial vision, inch perfect passing, balance and ambidextrous ability, Eriksen is the perfect number 10. Despite being bought from Danish outfit Odense, his composure on the ball and decision making in the final third oozes that of Ajax, and comparison to fellow Ajax academy gradates Rafael Van Der Vaart and Wesley Sneijder have been common. 

In terms of stats, the Dane has 20 goals in 103 appearances for Ajax, with 7 in 27 already this season. With Eriksen's range of passing and the role he most commonly features in (Centre attacking midfielder) assists are his real game. He currently has 10 league assists this season which sees him 3rd overall and last season he finished with an impressive 20 league assists which saw him finish 2nd overall only to Heerenveen winger Luciano Narsingh. He was also only 2nd to Zlatan Ibrahimovic in assists in this seasons Champions League group stages with 4. Not bad for a 21-year-old. 

With 2 Eredivise and 1 KNVB cup under his belt at Ajax, Eriksen knows what it takes to win. His individual accolades also stand him in good stead with a Danish player of the year (2011), Danish talent of the year (2010), Dutch talent of the year (2011) and Ajax talent of the year (2011) to name but a few. With numerous murmurings of a transfer away from the Amsterdam Arena already beginning, it won't be too long before we see young Eriksen up there with Europe's elite. 

Written By: Oisin Mcqueirns (@Ois_19)

Thibaut Courtois (20)


Having graduated from the prestigious Genk academy – alongside fellow Chelsea team-mate Kevin De Bruyne and Aston Villa’s Christian Benteke – it seems Thibaut Courtois was always going to be a big part of Belgium’s ‘Golden Generation’, after becoming a key figure in the title-winning Genk team when he was just eighteen years of age.

Now, at twenty, he’s added a Europa League and UEFA Super Cup medal to his Belgian title, after becoming a pivotal part of the Atletico team whilst on loan – and has become Belgium’s #1 ‘keeper in the process. Thibaut Courtois is one of the best young talents in the world, and is arguably the best under twenty-one ‘keeper in the world, contesting the ‘title’ with Gladbach’s Marc-Andre Ter Stegen.

Courtois, however, seems to have no outstanding weakness. He’s a terrific shot-stopper with great reflexes, whilst also being able to control his area well, towering over attackers with his lanky 6’6” frame. His distribution may not be as good as his Atleti predecessor David De Gea, but it is still more than adequate. He’s incredibly well-rounded and should go on to have more success at club level, and possibly even international level if this Belgium squad can live up to their potential. However, it seems another loan to Atletico may be best for his short-term future and progress, as it’s unlikely he’ll take the #1 shirt off Petr Cech just yet, but it won’t be too long before he does, he truly is one of the most exciting prospects in football, at the moment.


Written By: @PlayedOfThePark

Wilfried Zaha (20)

Recently snapped up by Manchester United, Zaha has been the subject of much attention in the last year or two. The speedy Palace winger has earned himself a reputation as a quick and skilful player. The deal involved Zaha being loaned back to Palace for the remainder of the season and although at first he gained critics upon his return, they have now died out as he has hit form once more.

Zaha is technically very astute and loves a skill or two. As most players similar to him do, he often lacks discipline and proceeds to showboat or sometimes do too much. However, as again is the case with many top players the rewards make up for the failures. The Palace man has very quick feet and often leaves defenders standing as he dances his way past. Another of his main assets is his pace and when combined with such skill, it can be a deadly combination. So far this season, Zaha has 8 assists but with 6 goals too he has shown that he's got an eye for goal as well. 

Zaha is a player who uses his body very well, like Eden Hazard does and this works massively in his favour, making it hard for the defender to dispossess him. As a young and growing player there is still a long way to go for Zaha and he needs to work on maintaining performances for the whole game as sometimes he has a tendency to drift in and out of games. However the years are on his side so in the future I'm sure he will only improve. 

Written By: Me! (@Latest_Footy)

Thanks to all the writers who got involved. If you liked any writer in particular then be sure to leave a comment or follow them on twitter! I do requests on photo edits of players so if you liked the pictures then get in touch on twitter (@Latest_Footy)

Thanks for reading, I hope you enjoyed it!

Mario's Milan Adventure

Mario “Barwuah” Balotelli. I only have to say his name and I bet you’re imagining the mischief he caused at Manchester City. His camouflage car, the famous ‘bib incident’, and of course the firework he let off in his own house. The list goes on and on and on, (and even more on). However, the controversial striker recently made a $20 million move to the Rossoneri and has somewhat been outstanding for them. Have Manchester City just lost out on a potential world class player? Or have Milan been handed a bad case of Balotelli?

Manchester City bought Balotelli for around $22 million in August 2010. This was mainly down to Mancini, who had been whisked away from Inter to manage Man City and reuniting the two at the Etihad. When Balotelli signed, Mancini had this to say about him,

“His style of play will suit the Premier League, and because he is still so young there is a big chance for him to improve. He is a strong and exciting player, and City fans will enjoy watching him.”

He enjoyed a 3 year stay in Manchester making 54 appearances and scoring 20 goals for the ‘Sky Blues’ – but Balotelli was more known for his actions off the pitch than on it. Nearing the final stages of his Man City career, he got in a tussle with Mancini at City’s training ground but Mancini later insisted that it was just a ‘game’ and there was no tension between the pair. 26 days later, Balotelli was sold to AC Milan. This is what Balotelli had to say about Mancini after: 

“I spoke with Roberto before I went to speak to the players. We spoke for some time about lots of things. He was sad, and I was too. But it was a good conversation. I love Roberto, he has been very important for my career, and I will always thank him for having trust and faith in me”

Heatmap of Balotelli in his last game against Palermo, showing his
increased desire to win games and score goals.

So with that over, we move on to Milan – the club he supported as a boy. When Balotelli signed for Milan, they were sat in 4th place with 40 points, 3 away from third, 9 away from 2nd. Now Milan are in 3rd place and just 2 points off 2nd place Napoli. Balotelli got off to the best possible start with Milan, scoring 2 goals in a crucial match against Udinese. From then on Balotelli has gone on to make 5 more appearances and score 5 goals. Since the move to Milan, Balotelli has thrown away his ‘badboy’ lifestyle and swapped it for football. At Milan, Balotelli seems to have a desire to play, a desire to win which he lacked at Man City. The added desire makes him more determined to do well for his club, he’s not just that lazy boy that stands up the pitch and waits for the ball, he has the hunger to get it either for himself or for his teammates.

If he carries on like this he will no doubt improve and improve. He will become vital for both AC Milan and Italy. Balotelli has also struck up a goal-scoring partnership with Italian compatriot, Stephan El Shaarawy. When the two are having a good day, they both work in complete harmony with one another. A potential world class strikeforce? We’ll just have to wait and see.

As a keen user of social networking, I asked the world of Twitter to give their opinion on Balotelli. I would just like to personally thank everyone who tweeted their opinion on Balotelli, much appreciated.

@SupremeFootball

At Milan he is allowed to play how he wants.

 @Backof_thenet

It was a mixed spell at City for Balo, he showed glimpses of his ability but he was far too inconsistent. He will always be regarded highly by City fans for his crazy antics and for the assist for that Aguero goal against QPR. He never really fully found his feet in the PL and so going back to Serie A was probably the best option.

@SamCalcio

Balotelli has proven that the human element of a player’s form is one that despite being underrated, is vital. He was always talented, but being at home with his child in a situation he appreciates has allowed him to focus on football.

@40yardScreamer_

I think Mancini did want Balotelli to stay, but all his antics off the field meant his career with Man City was over. I feel that if he had a good attitude, he could’ve been a star. The Balo that we see at Milan, shows how good he can be if his mind is on football.

@Tnc_Rhys

He’s amazed me. I expected to see a player that’s been rejuvenated but he has stunned me. He’s finally uncovered his true talent that we all knew he had. He is a very complete player. Passing, shooting, set pieces, everything He will only get better and will continue to become one of Milan’s and Italy’s prime assets..

@InchesWide

He is the new Cantona Calm on the ball, cocky and yet has an always bubbling temper and will to win. Massive fan of his

@Calcio_Zone

Moving to Milan was ideal, he has so much more determination and has added discipline to his game.

Stats from Whoscored and Squakwa.

Follow me on twitter – @Guardiology.
My site: quickonetwo.wordpress.com

Thanks for reading, I hope you enjoyed it!

Why It Could Be a Crazy Summer Transfer Window

After reading the title you might be thinking - where has he got all this from? Well, here I was sitting on twitter reading all the latest rumours and gossip and I began to consider what could happen this Summer in the transfer window. It then dawned on me that it could easily be one of the most exciting we've ever had. Not just in terms of the amount spent but also the amount of deals, it's all set up beautifully to be an enticing Summer and a well needed replacement for the weekly fixtures!

Well, where to begin? Where better than arguably the best league of them all, the English Premier League. I think the Premier League will be the hub of activity and the catalyst for the madness that might ensue. Why do I think this I hear you cry! My answer? The way this season has panned out so far. With Manchester United rampant at the top of league as I write, I think there will be a massive response from their neighbours, City. They have been outclassed in every way possible this season by United and have come out an easy second best to their arch rivals. With billionaire owners on board you've got to expect them to spend and spend big. They won't be happy with the season and will be looking for a way of fixing it for the next one. City will undoubtedly want to blow United out the water and regain their crown next season and I think they'll do this by throwing their money around. Don't be surprised if they attempt to break the world transfer record! 

Of course United won't spend as much as City, however I still expect them to dip into the market at some point. Although Giggs and Scholes have astoundingly managed to look as good as they ever were, it isn't physically possible for them to continue to play such a prominent role. As influential as they are, they can't last as long or play as much as they used to. This could lead to United looking for some midfield cover. Ferdinand has also been linked with a move away from Old Trafford as he hits his mid 30's and Vidic isn't exactly young at the age of 31 either. Although both are still solid defenders, I don't think either of them are anywhere near the player they used to be and one of them could be on their way out leading to a replacement coming in. However the biggest news that I'm sure United fans will be glued to their TV's for is that involving the homecoming of a certain Cristiano Ronaldo. After speaking of his love for the club before the Champions League ties and being heavily linked with a move back, it definitely could happen.

That leads me nicely on to the situation of Real Madrid, who similarly to City, have been completely outclassed by their rivals Barcelona in the league this season. Rumours have been flying around that Mourinho is on his way out and obviously the Spanish giants would look to bring a big name replacement if he were to leave. This could spark a managerial merry-go-round as Chelsea will be looking for a new man to lead them next season. Rafa Benitez might look to go straight back into management at a new club, Mancini's job might not be safe if City were to go trophyless, Wenger hasn't exactly pleased many Arsenal fans this season and David Moyes may look for a step up from Everton after impressing many this season. 

Carrying on from the theme of Real Madrid, if Ronaldo were to leave then that would leave a huge hole in their side, after all he is their main man. However, his departure would also leave Madrid with a huge budget on top of the healthy financial backing they already have which could mean they spend big to replace him. They will want to come back strong next year after a rather feeble attempt at overcoming Barca this season. Another Spanish club who could be looking for a big replacement following the departure of their main man are Atletico Madrid. At present they have, in many people's opinions, the best striker in the world and this has attracted interest from clubs such as Chelsea and even Real Madrid themselves. If Falcao were to leave it would be for big money and another huge deal in the window. One route he could possibly take would be to Stamford Bridge in a deal that could turn out fascinating if one Fernando Torres were to be offered in a 'player plus cash deal'. We all know Abramovich isn't afraid to spend and I'm sure he'll be thinking about signing the big Colombian come the end of the season. If you're staying on the trend of teams replacing their best player then you have to consider Spurs and Gareth Bale. The in-form Welshman has grabbed all the headlines this season and many clubs have taken note. If Bale were to leave then similarly to Falcao, it would be for big bucks and Spurs would have a lot of money to play with.

A team who aren't well known for splashing the cash are North Londoners, Arsenal. Wenger has always been very tight with his money and has rarely spent big in the market. However, I think that could all change this Summer. With the increasing pressure that is mounting on him after a so far disappointing season, I think he will have no choice but to enter the market. Even if Arsenal do make the top 4, many are still unhappy with the Frenchman, most famously, Piers Morgan. Another London team who could do some good business in the Summer are West Ham United. After being awarded the Olympic Stadium recently, the club and it's owners  have stated their intentions to progress and co-owner David Sullivan has stated that in time they will be able to afford world-class players. He suggested that soon West Ham will be breaking their current transfer record and many others have said that this new record won't last for long either. Perhaps a busy Summer for the Hammers too?

Harry Redknapp and his team look destined for the drop at the time of writing and this could have huge effects on how the Summer turns out. If QPR go down, we might see their owners dip into their notoriously large pockets to fire them straight back up. Also, if they were to go down, I assume lots of their players will have a relegation clause in their contract that allows them to leave for a cut-price fee. This could see some real bargains flying around and I'm sure the Premier League scavengers will be eagerly waiting. Alternatively, if QPR stay up, they could spend even more than last Summer to avoid a repeat of this season happening again. 

The final piece of the jigsaw comes from across the channel in Paris. Nouveau-riche club PSG might flex their financial muscles again in order to become the European giants that they aspire to be. Carlo Ancelotti may attempt to lure some of the the most recognised names over to France and join the project.


So there are all the possible scenarios that might just happen in the Summer. Some of you may find Summer boring with the off-season only providing dull friendlies however I'm sure if just a small part of what I've suggested happens, Jim White will be there to spout some of his lovely cliches just as "The clock is ticking" until "The window slams shut". 

Thanks for reading I hope you enjoyed it!