HELLO my good football people, I trust you’re doing well...
There is some strange behaviour going on these days regarding fans, players and coaches, and the interactions between them!
I mean let’s start with Phil Foden. There is no debate right? He is a proper quality player, in his position, under the right tactical management, with technically gifted players around him.
It’s also no debate after a string of absolutely vacant performances that he is hugely underperforming for England. It’s incredible how “the best player in England” has got fans and pundits asking: “How is he even on the pitch?”
Is Thomas Tuchel sticking with him hoping a bad run of form will end? But with the likes of Jude Bellingham and Cole Palmer filling those Foden “pockets” is it going to change?
Elsewhere, the ongoing story of Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid won’t go away, despite Liverpool denying there is any change to the defender’s situation at Anfield. It does appear pretty certain that he will leave for the Bernabeu at the end of the season, but there is nothing official (yet).
Let’s think about what is going through his head. He is 26, at the peak of his adult career, he has won everything, been a great servant to the club and about to receive another Premier League winner’s medal.
Why wouldn’t he want a new challenge? A new life, country, culture and the chance of even greater success and financial reward. I just can’t understand the absolute hatred aimed at him?
Scousers are out there burning TAA shirts and threatening his family for f**k’s sake. Okay, you might expect some outrage if he did a “Sol Campbell” (left Spurs for north London rivals, Arsenal), but surely if you’ve loved a player, he has done well for you, you can’t begrudge him for (what most players would see as) an elevation of career... Real Madrid is that holy grail in football.
Anyway, whatever Liverpool are saying, I think we all know he is on his way out. I guess the real negative for Arne Slot is that he loses (what I consider) a world-class defender and the club lose out on a transfer fee.
It was bad planning, he should have been tied down to a longer contract and the club should have cashed in. Current value?
Has to be in the £70-80 million range?
There have been rumours that the Merseyside club are sniffing around Netherlands right-back Jeremie Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen. Meanwhile, have you seen all the p**staking on social media at Newcastle fans turning up for the League Cup parade? Much of it from Arsenal fans!
Hahaha talk about runner-up sour grape boys. Not everyone supports a team that wins trophies.
Back in the 1980s and 90s (at Chelsea) we never expected to win anything, but used to go mental getting a result against Liverpool, Manchester United or the Gunners.
These days “plastic” fans (ironically) make fun of a club who arguably have the biggest genuine support in England. Laughing at them for coming out in huge numbers for what was an historic moment, albeit not the most valued of silver.
I was happy for them, they deserve it, unlike the wining, arrogant, entitled Arsenal fans who are winning f**k all again. Mind you, some of them will be winning something as the club has just launched a dating show!
FFS, the modern game… So single Gooners send their details in to the club and random pair ups are chosen. They’ll meet for pre-match drinks and lunch, and cameras will follow the day.
Okay, nothing wrong with it really, but shut the f**k up, because that is as much as you’re getting this season! I’m sure it’ll be a success, no doubt there will be thousands of female fans lining up because everyone knows Arsenal never comes first! Boom, boom.
The Premier League kicks off again on Tuesday, with a full set of fixtures this week. I’m a bit jealous of my son who has been invited to the Emirates on Tuesday (Arsenal v Fulham) and Stamford Bridge on Thursday as Chelsea take on archrivals Spurs (perk of being a Springbok).
Lucky boy, shirt swap with a couple of players and all that… Me? I’m just going to pretend I’m having a drink in the players’ lounge after we beat Tottenham!
After all it is April Fools’ Day!
Chat next week... Bye bye.