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Something to prove – Manchester City Women WSL 2020/21 season preview

Manchester City players line up before the Women's FA Community Shield
Manchester City players line up before the Women’s FA Community Shield

Manchester City will be hoping to win the WSL title for the first time since 2016 after being cruelly denied last time out.

When the last Women’s Super League match was played this season, Manchester City were top of the table. When the campaign was brought to an end, City found themselves bumped down a spot thanks to the points-per-game system calculations that left them second, behind newly-crowned champions Chelsea.

That suggests they’ll certainly feel they have something to prove this year under freshly-installed head coach Gareth Taylor.

“We’ve known Gareth, he’s been the coach of the Under-18s [boys] for a number of years and I watched his coaching sessions, I’ve seen how his teams have played, and I had the utmost respect for him before he was announced as our manager, so it’s been an exciting few weeks,” says captain Steph Houghton.

“I feel like this has been the longest pre-season ever,” attacker Georgia Stanway admits. “It’s the longest time I’ve ever spent with my family and I’ve had enough of them now and I’m ready to get the season going.”

It was a disappointing curtain-raiser to 2020/21, though, losing 2-0 to Chelsea in the Community Shield, and having the experienced midfielder Jill Scott sent off for an indisputable pair of yellow cards.

They will need to recover quickly – they open their WSL season against newcomers Aston Villa on Saturday (September 5).

New signings

A pair of USA World Cup winners arrive at the last gasp of pre-season on loan to bolster the squad – Sam Mewis and Rose Lavelle. Rather more under the radar, City have also welcomed the young English talent Chloe Kelly, an attacker who shone for Everton after her move from Arsenal.

Key player

Keira Walsh anchors the midfield and grows in confidence as she gains senior and international experience. She is an integral part of the England squad and at the age of 23 she will be the lynchpin of City’s side for years to come.

Sam Mewis is one of City's new recruits this summer.
Sam Mewis is one of City’s new recruits this summer.

Strengths

With a squad including Mewis, Lavelle and Kelly, plus Lioness Ellen White, Scotland’s Caroline Weir, and Canada’s Janine Beckie, City will never be short of creativity, attacking impetus or goals.

Weaknesses

Though the City forward line looks strong, reinforcements in defence could still be needed in case of injury, and because of the imminent fixture congestion when the Champions League starts up again. Alex Greenwood and Lucy Bronze have both been linked with a return from Lyon – but there has been no confirmation of that yet.

And even if they do come back, with so many additions to the squad, there have to be questions around how well the squad will gel, particularly with the number of players who have missed so much of pre-season.

Prediction

Certainly a Champions League spot has to be the aim for City, and they will be hoping for some silverware now their squad has expanded.

“I’m really looking forward to this season – I think we’re building a squad that’s going to be able to challenge for every trophy and for us, hopefully, our quality shines through,” says Houghton.

Reports: Barcelona identify Gabriel Jesus as Luis Suarez replacement

Luis Suarez of FC Barcelona
Luis Suarez of FC Barcelona

Barcelona striker Luis Suarez seems likely to leave the club during the current transfer window.

Manchester City’s Gabriel Jesus has been identified as his replacement by Barcelona.

Barcelona have identified Manchester City’s Gabriel Jesus as the replacement for Luis Suarez, according to the Manchester Evening News. Newly appointed Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman has reportedly informed Suarez that he is surplus to requirements at the Camp Nou.

The 33-year-old notched up 16 goals and eight assists in just 22 starts in the La Liga last season. The marksman has been linked with a move to former club Ajax and Italian champions Juventus.

Gabriel Jesus to replace Luis Suarez at Barcelona

Brazil international Gabriel Jesus has been an important member of Pep Guardiola’s side during their successful Premier League campaigns in 2017-18 and 2018-19. The 23-year-old scored 23 goals and contributed ten assists for Manchester City in all competitions last season.

However, the striker has had to live in the shadows of the prolific Sergio Aguero during his time in England. With Barcelona looking to start a new era at the club under a new manager, a move could be tempting for the Brazilian.

Gabriel Jesus of Manchester City celebrates after scoring
Gabriel Jesus of Manchester City celebrates after scoring

Ronald Koeman is also likely to give striker Antoine Griezmann an opportunity in the centre-forward role. The World Cup winner was primarily played as a winger last season, which led to just nine goals in 35 appearances in La Liga.

Manchester City are unlikely to let Jesus leave for cheap, but a potential deal will depend on the situation of Lionel Messi. The Barcelona captain is reportedly intent on moving to the Etihad Stadium to reunite with his former coach Pep Guardiola.

It remains unclear whether a fee would be involved in a deal between the two clubs, with La Liga confirming that Messi’s release clause with Barca is still active. The Argentine number 10 has so far refused to participate in pre-season preparations for the Blaugrana.

Pep Guardiola is an admirer of the 23-year-old striker and has been impressed by his progress since moving to Manchester.

“He’s a young player but the way he defends and fights. Of course he has to improve, he knows it, and we have spoken together about what he has to do, but I think every day he is better and better.””What he has shown so far in the period he’s been here, he’s had ups and downs, but with his age and the injuries he’s had, he was excellent.”
Jesus could move to Barcelona summer and it remains to be seen if the Catalan giants test the waters with a bid in the coming weeks.

Joachim Low picks Ballon d’Or winner had award not been scrapped

Joachim Low has lavished praise on his countryman for his stellar performances in the 2019-20 season
Joachim Low has lavished praise on his countryman for his stellar performances in the 2019-20 season

Joachim Low has revealed that he’d have tipped Manuel Neuer for the 2020 Ballon d’Or.
The award was scrapped earlier this year due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Germany coach Joachim Low has revealed that he’d have voted for captain Manuel Neuer for the 2020 Ballon d’Or, had the award not been cancelled due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

Neuer enjoyed a stunning season with Bayern Munich, as he played a pivotal role in their historic treble-winning season. The veteran goalkeeper rolled back the years and produced a string of outstanding displays in the Champions League knockout stages, as the Bavarian giants got their hands on the prize for the sixth time in their history.

Speaking to Kicker, Low lavished praise on Neuer, while he also admitted that Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski is a world-class striker who could have been in contention for the award.

“Manu was in great shape throughout the 2019-20 season. Manu is in a class of his own. Crazy, unbelievable.””I have nothing against Robert Lewandowski, he is a world-class goalscorer, but for me, the best player in the world this year would be Manuel Neuer. What he did in the Final 8 in Lisbon! He kept the shop shut!””Manuel was on hand in difficult situations against Lyon and Paris Saint-Germain, otherwise it might be 0-1 or 1-1. You had the feeling that he was omnipresent.

“Low lavishes praise on “unbelievable” Manuel Neuer

Manuel Neuer captained Bayern Munich to the treble in the 2019-20 season
Manuel Neuer captained Bayern Munich to the treble in the 2019-20 season

Neuer is widely regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time, as he showed his class again in the final against Paris Saint-Germain. While Kingsley Coman stole the show with the matchwinning goal, Neuer’s contribution cannot be overstated, as he made a series of high-profile saves to win the game for his team.

The 34-year-old became the third goalkeeper since Peter Schmeichel and Iker Casillas to captain a Champions League-winning side, as he got his hands on club football’s biggest prize for the second time in his career.

Low’s comments add value to the claims that Neuer is the greatest goalkeeper of the modern era, with the German shot-stopper cementing his status as an icon in recent seasons.

Real Sociedad’s new signing David Silva tests positive for COVID-19

David Silva in action for Spain
David Silva in action for Spain

Real Sociedad say former Manchester City star David Silva is self-isolating after testing positive for COVID-19.

Real Sociedad’s new signing David Silva has tested positive for COVID-19.

The 34-year-old, who joined the LaLiga side this month after leaving Manchester City, is asymptomatic and has already begun a period of self-isolation.

News the midfielder has contracted coronavirus came just hours after he was presented to the media at Sociedad’s Reale Arena on Monday.

The club tweeted: “Sociedad informs that @21LVA has tested positive for COVID-19 in the test carried out at Policlínica Gipuzkoa.

“The player is asymptomatic and is self-isolating.”

Sociedad’s LaLiga campaign kicks off with a trip to Real Valladolid on September 13.

Youri Djorkaeff – I was the precursor of 9.5

Youri Djorkaeff
Youri Djorkaeff

Nine years after hanging up his boots in the New York side, Major League Soccer, Youri Djorkaeff back on his rich career in an interview with the website SoFoot. A long interview in which the former French international (46), world champion in 1998 with the Blues, particularly evokes his debut in the first division, Monaco in 1990, and his relationship with Arsene Wenger, who led the ASM that time.

“With Wenger, it was great, he recalls. I was 21, I had some kind of game, automation. Wenger wanted people on the side, in the middle … I, you let me five minutes on the side! Or you told me to stay in the middle and I was right, left. It has taken the lead with Arsene, but we had a good exchange. I also learned the trade it. There are some requirements to get on the field, I learned them with him. ” “Journalists did not know where to hide”

Also passed by the PSG, Inter Milan and Bayer Leverkusen, the “Snake” has always had a special position in the field. Both offensive and attacking areas. “At one point, the journalists did not know where to hide, he said. At the time, we went out of the Platini era. It was a relief, a new number 10. I certainly do not want to have a label and be someone’s successor. I was the precursor of 9.5. ”

A role that allowed him to record 28 goals in 82 appearances for the tricolor jersey. “One day, I was asked what position I played I said.” Hein 9.5 what “.”? What is it? “It pissed me off because he had to explain. There is no need to explain, he adds. When you’re attacking, your job is to score. I saw full of young players arrive in the France team who told me that my behavior on the pitch and off it had inspired. “

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