08/05/2023–14/05/2023
PART 2: Player’s who have moved me most
As Paris Saint Germain end another season in disrepute with every starting player they have being linked with a departure, the one that has most captured my attention is of course Neymar Da Silva Santos Junior. He’s once again been linked to Premier League clubs and the chances of this happening are still so slim, but one can’t help but dream.
I don’t think I need to explain this further.
The most exciting Brazilian footballer to watch since Ronaldinho and he did it for longer. I first came to know about Neymar in 2010 when I read a magazine about Brazil possibly picking a teenage for their World Cup squad because he was that good. Even then they thought he was better than any of his peers. Thinking back now on how it panned all out I’m pretty sure Brazil would have been better served taking Neymar given he was already better than Robinho was, or any player in that side bar maybe Kaka. the idea that he was that good that young is ridiculous.
Referred to as a “YouTube baller” by Joey Barton or just a show pony or any of the other terms people have used to dismiss him, Neymar for me is what makes the idea of professional football so alluring, that they’re all capable of such ludicrous things and we watch games waiting for these random moments that define games, we have Neymar who looks for those moments all the time. It feels like he’s playing to show what else he could try and do, like he’s fully aware he’s on camera and he has to try something more outrageous, yet it all looks so natural, like he isn’t even trying that hard to do what he does.
His move to PSG has drawn so much negative attention but it’s one of my favourite things about him, Ligue 1 hadn’t received as much attention as it has since his move in years, the emergence of Kylian Mbappe in the same period of time of course helped this incredibly but it can’t go ignored that Neymar was the best player in the league for years before his injury issues ultimately meant that it was Mbappe who took the reins as PSG’s flagship player.
I don’t think there’s a team that Neymar fits into seamlessly, it’s not a practical signing, he has his injury record, he’s on a ludicrous contract, and he’s not a young player who will be playing his best footballer in the next four years. It’s a risk, a massive one.
That being said, even with all the risk that comes with it, you can count the players who are better than Neymar in his position on one hand.
Nobody plays like Neymar, there is no next Neymar, not stylistically, there are other dribblers, there are other pacy wingers, but nobody has his blend of skills and traits, he truly feels like a unicorn, he stands out in such a way that even in his bad games you remember all he did, he’s someone who is always trying, always moving. Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior, what a footballer.
Weekly Recap !
Birmingham City have two points deducted..
- Remember when we wrote about how the Owners and Directors test was looking to get a lot stricter across the English Football Leagues.. well Birmingham City Football Club has faced a recent setback as the English Football League (EFL) found them in breach of the Owners and Directors’ Test. This occurred due to the club allowing certain individuals to gain control of the team without prior approval from the EFL. Despite the disappointment, the club has taken full responsibility and has agreed to a suspended two-point deduction until the end of the 2023/24 season, as well as bearing the investigation costs.
- Meanwhile, the club’s owner, Vong Pech, has also acknowledged the breach of EFL Regulations and has received a gentle warning and reprimand. However, the EFL has recognized the club’s efforts to avoid any potential violations during the takeover and commends the club for its full cooperation throughout the investigation. Although it is a difficult time for Birmingham City Football Club, they remain committed to achieving a positive outcome in the future.
Some good news at last — As Chelsea season ticket prices remain frozen.
- Chelsea FC has announced that they will be continuing their impressive 12-year streak of freezing general admission season ticket prices for the 2023/24 season. Despite spending a staggering £600 million on players over the past two transfer windows, the club has found themselves struggling in the lower half of the Premier League standings.
- Co-owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali are still coming to terms with the rigors of the Premier League, but their commitment to their fans is evident with this latest move. The decision to freeze ticket prices is a welcome gesture of goodwill to the supporters, who have been unwavering in their support of the team this season despite being 11th on the Premier League table.
- In a statement, the club acknowledged that the current season has not gone as planned, but their sights are set on returning to the pinnacle of English football. The club’s Board recognizes the challenges faced by fans in the current economic climate, and they remain committed to providing affordable and accessible opportunities for fans to witness the action live at Stamford Bridge.
- In the cutthroat world of professional football, where profits and bottom lines reign supreme, it’s important to see a club putting their fans first(Glazers take note). Chelsea’s decision to freeze ticket prices for the upcoming season demonstrates their commitment to their supporters and their recognition of the challenges that fans face in today’s economic climate. Which is a decision that many clubs have failed to do.
Arsenal Women to play for WSL games at the Emirates
- The Emirates Stadium are going to be experiencing the Arsenal Women side even more as they take to the pitch for five WSL games next season. The Gunners have already broken WSL attendance records this year, drawing in a 53,000 fans for a historic match against Tottenham in September. But that was just the beginning. The UEFA Women’s Champions League semi-final against Wolfsburg saw over 60,000 fans pack into the stadium, which for me is the beginning of the women’s game reaching new levels.
- And it doesn’t stop there. Arsenal has confirmed that all matches from the group stage onwards of the 2023/24 UWCL will also take place at the Emirates Stadium. That means even more opportunities for fans to be part of the incredible atmosphere.
- The CEO of Arsenal, Vinai Venkatesham, seems to be very excited about the decision to bring even more women’s football to the iconic stadium. He said, “It’s wonderful to see the support for the team at Emirates Stadium, Meadow Park and on the road week in, week out. This latest announcement ensures that as many supporters as possible can enjoy the matchday experience with us, as we continue to support the sustainable growth of women’s football.”
