Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher is confident that club captain Steven Gerrard will sign a new contract with the Anfield side.
The 32-year-old has been an ever-present for the Reds this term, turning in a number of impressive displays in the Premier League and Europa League.
But, with his current deal set to expire at the end of next season, there are lingering doubts surrounding his future, especially with the club’s owners keen to slash the wage bill and usher in a new generation of players.
However, Carragher, who has announced recently that he will retire at the end of the campaign, believes that Gerrard will end his playing days with Liverpool by penning a new contract:
“I’m sure Stevie will sign a contract and finish his career at Liverpool the way I’ve done,” he is quoted by Sky Sports.
“There is no doubt about that. I’m sure he’ll sit down and sort it out in the next couple of months.
“Steve will be finishing his career at Liverpool. He is ‘captain fantastic’ every week.”
Gerrard stole the headlines during Sunday’s 2-1 win over Aston Villa by netting the winning goal from the penalty spot.
But, Luis Suarez was once again impressive, linking well with the likes of Philippe Coutinho and Stewart Downing before being felled in the area for Gerrard’s spot-kick.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Carragher believes that his consistent displays should be rewarded with the PFA player of the year award:
“He put in another top performance and shows why he deserves to be PFA player of the year.”
They say you should never go back, but what if the crushing realisation that you’ve made a mistake hits you at the most opportune moment?
Manchester United’s sedated defence were once again picked apart last night and despite overhauling a two-goal deficit to emerge victorious, there is a growing consensus that Sir Alex Ferguson will seek to bolster his backline in January.
Vice-chairman Ed Woodward recently declared that the club ‘will continue to buy established stars’, but few could be surprised if they turned to the familiar face of Ryan Shawcross as they seek to reclaim their Premier League crown. The rumour mill sparked into life when Ferguson revealed his regret at allowing Shawcross to depart Old Trafford back in 2008.
“I was delighted to see him called up for the England squad because he is a quality player I have wished – particularly of late – was still at Old Trafford.” (Guardian)
The Red Devils have been worryingly reliant on Rio Ferdinand and Jonny Evans this season as their current injury crisis continues to hamper team selection. Even midfielder Michael Carrick has been shuffled back to deputise in the absence of others, which has presented visiting teams with the belief and confidence to lay siege upon a weakened defence.
To put United’s defensive woes in perspective, Braga’s opening goal last night means they have now conceded the first goal in eight of their 12 competitive games this season. The championed starlets of Chris Smalling and Phil Jones are still yet to return to first-team action but both have been unconvincing in the heart of United’s defence and their versatility may see them destined for other roles in the side.
Ryan Shawcross fits snugly into the mould of fan favourite Nemanja Vidic, as a tough tackling, no nonsense centre-back that dominates every aerial battle. The Premier League has recently witnessed an influx of ‘defensive enforcers’, especially at Liverpool where Martin Skrtel and Daniel Agger have been hailed as the best pairing in the division. Ferguson may see Shawcross as the perfect partner for his Serbian barricade or perhaps even as his successor, if reports of a move away possess any accuracy.
The Stoke City captain is more likely to be viewed as a replacement for the rapidly declining Rio Ferdinand, who saw his former team-mate effectively take his spot for the recent World Cup qualifiers. Whereas Rio can no longer go toe-to-toe with strikers, Shawcross boasts more speed than people give him credit for, which comes in handy when your defensive partner is nicknamed ‘The Berlin Wall’.
Arsenal fans will point to the tragic incident with Aaron Ramsey back in 2010 as evidence that Shawcross is merely the stereotypical battering ram that defines Stoke City. However, scratch beneath the surface and you are presented with a shy and endearing family man, who Gary Neville recently highlighted as a good role model for the younger generation.
Ferguson identifies his swarm of defensive options at the time for allowing Stoke to pick up Shawcross for a cut-price fee. Credit must go to Tony Pulis for enabling his prized asset to fulfil his potential, especially as fellow United graduates Paul McShane and Craig Cathcart have drifted into obscurity. Shawcross embodies the grit and steely determination of Terry Butcher, which is somewhat of a forgotten entity in modern football.
Popular culture dictates that the best centre-backs are the ones who can play with the ball at their feet, which perhaps highlights why Barcelona would rather convert a central-midfielder than go out and purchase an accomplished defender. Chelsea defender David Luiz certainly boasts formidable dribbling skills but he constantly looks clumsy and a little reckless during his defensive duties. I would much rather my centre-back was the king of the 5-yard, not the 50-yard pass.
Pulis moved quickly to quash any speculation of a move away from the Britannia Stadium while claiming: “We won’t see the best of him for another two or three years.” However, at just 25 years of age with a mere 18 months left to run on his contract, Shawcross would be a fool not to entertain the prospect of a move onwards and upwards.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
His realtively-muted reputation in English football means few teams are likely to pay the inflated fee attached to every home-grown player in this country, meaning it may be case of now or never for Shawcross.
Today I’m tasked with writing a blog on Sheffield Wednesday on the same day that David Cameron stated in the House of Commons, “Today’s report is black and white. The Liverpool fans were not the cause of the (Hillsborough) disaster.”
Cameron then went on to issue a “proper and profound apology on behalf of the government and the country”.
How am I meant to follow this? Lets face it, the biggest news to come out of Sheffield Wednesday of late is that, 23 years after the incident, the club have apologised for what happened that day.
A statement said, “Chairman Milan Mandaric and the current board of directors have adopted a policy of complete compliance with the requests of the Hillsborough Independent Panel and on behalf of the club would like to offer our sincere condolences and an apology to all the families who have suffered as a consequence of the tragic events of 15 April, 1989.”
As for the national news, the full extent of the huge police cover up that ensued after the Hillsborough Disaster is now out in the open. Sickeningly, it is thought that 41 of the 96 fans that died could have survived after the cut-off point of 15.15pm set by the coroner, meanwhile, 116 of the 164 police statements had been altered to fit better what the police wanted people to believe.
In the HoC, Ed Miliband said it best, he said, “It shames us as a country that it has taken 23 years to get to the truth of what happened at Hillsborough.”
I’m sorry, as a Wednesdayite I wanted to do a blog on how we need to use the Brighton game this weekend to bounce back from the Crystal Palace defeat, how the international break may have given us a chance to regroup, and how I want Dave Jones to make sure that the defeat remains as a blip and not the beginning of a bad spell.
However, as a football fan it’s hard. 96 people were lost at a football game, in my home city. I know that the state of football grounds back then was an accident waiting to happen. I know that there are several factors to look at with regards to what happened that day and that several people must take the blame for what transpired. I also know that it shouldn’t have taken place, those people shouldn’t have died, and more importantly, my local police force shouldn’t have tried to cover it up and try to blame the innocent.
I have no doubt there were a handful of drunken Liverpool fans in and around Hillsborough that day, I think you’d be pushed to find a football ground in the country that doesn’t have a few people who are bevvied up in it’s parameters on match day, however, does that mean they can be blamed for what happened? Of course it doesn’t. Does that give the police the right to try and scapegoat them? No it bloody well doesn’t.
I can’t really even fathom what the families of the victims must have been going through all these years. Personally I’m horrified that the police force in my local area would have gone to such extents to exonerate themselves, and secondly, I’m embarrassed that I didn’t do more to help the cause over the years.
I wasn’t even born when all of this went on, all I’ve been able to do is read about it from people who were there, who saw it all. I’m not going to profess to being an expert on the matter, but after today’s revelations what I can do is concur with my team’s statement when they say, “We can only hope that the publication of the Hillsborough Independent Panel report goes some way to providing the closure sought by all those involved.
“The thoughts of everyone at Sheffield Wednesday FC remain with the 96 Liverpool supporters who lost their lives, their families, and the wider Liverpool community who have all been affected so deeply by the disaster of 23 years ago.”
This weekend we take on Brighton, a team level with us on points, but five goals ahead of us with regards to goal difference. A win would put us back on track and help us continue the push towards the Premier League that so many Owls fans are looking for.
It’s going to be a tough week or so for Jones and his boys if they’re looking to start another unbeaten run, after Brighton we’ve got Huddersfield and Bolton to consider, but I’m confident.
I’ve said it before, one defeat isn’t a problem, it’s a stumbling block. It’s all about how you overcome that block that sets the tone for your season. And do you know what? I have complete faith that DJ can help our talented squad overcome this stumble with flying colours. Onwards and upwards boys.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
By the way, it looks like we’re all but certain to get Ross Barkley from Everton on loan. No one can really say how this will work out, but he’s a damn talented boy and should be a good addition to our ranks.
Arsenal are set to expand their scouting network in Germany in an attempt to lure the next crop of talented youngsters to the Emirates.
With the country having produced some of the most skillful and coveted players of recent years not to mention Wenger’s reputation for developing players the club and chief scout Steve Rowley have been spending an increasing amount of time and money in order to further expand the scouting network.
The Daily Mail claim that the plans will be implemented soon, noting that “the Gunners have already found the country a valuable breeding ground for talent,” with Podolski, Mertesacker and youngsters Thomas Eisfeld and Serge Gnabry also at the club. Wenger is a known fan of other German internationals having monitored many of the current German crop including Ozil and Sahin extensively before missing out on their signatures.
With Podolski already making waves in the Premier League, Serge Gnabry is hot on his fellow countryman’s heels with the 17 year old set to make an appearance during the Capitol One Cup match on Tuesday night, with the player himself looking to build on his growing reputation, confiding “I hope I can create some chances of score goals and that will give them more to talk about.”
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
The Gunners will however be without Gervinho, who is set to miss the weekend showdown with Manchester United after being ruled out with an ankle injury sustained in the previous game against QPR with the Mirror reporting that a second string will be fielded in the Capital One Cup with “Oxlade-Chamberlain unlikely to be risked even if he is fit.”
We’re not so lucky in England as the Americans are to have four major sports on offer throughout the year, five if you want to include Nascar. But even then, the fortune of living in a winning market comes with the penalty of inflated ticket prices.
New York is one of the obvious markets, you’re going to pay big to go and see the Knicks, the Rangers or the Yankees. The Toronto Maple Leafs charge the highest prices in the NHL, while season tickets can be bought in Florida for the same price as one ticket to see the Leafs.
In England, it’s football or nothing. I’ve yet to come across a fan who shows as much passion for rugby or cricket as they do for football. And therein lies the problem. Leagues and clubs are not going to waver on prices just because a few don’t fancy paying it. If you’re a student or someone from the local area who struggles to go to at least five games a season, forget it, clubs will look to their foreign audiences and the injection of cash tourists bring. It’s no bother to them if local fans can’t get to games: largely stadiums will fill close to capacity.
I don’t blame Manchester City fans for sending back those tickets for the trip to Arsenal on the weekend. Some might argue that they’re playing with the big boys now and need to pay big prices. Others will argue that London prices warrant the inflated price for going to matches, as Arsene Wenger did in his pre-match press conference. But even then, the Arsenal manager shuffled uncomfortably before answering the question on ticket prices. He eventually did land on the matter that concerts in London are priced higher than those around England and specifically up north. But I’m not totally convinced that argument holds water.
I’ve been to big concerts in London and at arenas like Wembley, the O2 and Earls Court. The price is based on the fact that you pay for what you get, and I’ve rarely been disappointed when going to a big gig in London.
[cat_link cat=”premiership” type=”list”]
But you get the big stadium atmosphere, you get the impressive stage production, the explosions, the fact that it is a big name on the music scene. Is that always the case for football? With Arsenal, you can certainly argue that you’re not getting what you pay for. I’ll also make the same argument for the New York teams and the Maple Leafs. The Leafs are the wealthiest team in the NHL but haven’t lifted the Stanley Cup since the 1960s – they’ve also failed to make the playoffs for the last eight seasons. New York? Well the Yankees are one of the biggest baseball teams in the MLB, but the Knicks are useless in the postseason and the Rangers haven’t wont the cup since 1994.
With clubs like Arsenal, the production is there with the big stadium, but there are no explosions, no performances that leave you breathless and more than willing to shell out the next time they come to town. And that’s another argument: going to see acts like Bruce Springsteen is totally different from going to watch a sports team every other weekend for nine or 10 months of the year.
Football matches have been lumped into the same entertainment category as going to concerts or the theatre, with the obvious case being that you’re going to pay big for the big names. Well that shouldn’t be the case. Football and sports on the whole is not and should not be seen in the same category as the rest of the entertainment industry, quite simply because it isn’t.
Arsenal have not created the tiered ticketing system themselves, however they surely think of themselves as a club who should be placed in category A. But that doesn’t represent the product many are paying to watch, and it hasn’t done for quite a few years. Yet unlike fan groups in America who are trying to persuade supporters to boycott games (especially in the case of the NHL now that the lockout is over) Premier League fans will never turn their back on the only sport they have. For that, clubs will take their time in attempting to lower prices, they’ll try to justify the reasoning as purely for the health and growth of the club financially or the need to pay wages. It’s nothing other than masked exploitation.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
I really can’t look back to days when tickets could be bought on Saturday afternoons and terracing was the norm — I’m too young. But how many of those fans, youngsters especially, grew up believing and knowing they had a club to support, a club which they could readily gain access to? How much of that is the case now?
And people shouldn’t be dismissed as moaning over something which will never change; the point is that ticket prices should never have reached these levels in the first place. Yes there’s inflation and various other factors that would necessitate the rise in ticket prices, but there is absolutely no way a club can justify charging over £100 for 90 minutes of football.
It’s kind to no-one. It can ruin careers. It can make you a laughing stock. Welcome to the cut throat world of the Premier League.
The toughest competition in the world. When men from foreign lands seek to try their luck in the English game, an immediate impact must be made in order to survive.For these unfortunate 15, the Premier League chewed up their careers and were spat back out into a world that they were no longer wanted in, thanks to their inability to adapt to the fast pace and physicality of football in England.
It must be hard to establish yourself in the league, especially given the demands of English fans, the brutality of the English press and the impatience of owners whose hard earned money was spent on you.
These are the exceptions. No excuses should be made for how awful these 15 players were. Some lasted a couple of years, some last 53 minutes. Regardless, most are players who came with expectancy on their shoulder and wholly failed to deliver.
Click on Andriy Shevchenko to reveal the full list of dodgy foreign players in all its glory
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce has praised midfielder Kevin Nolan for his turnaround in form of late, as reported by London 24.
Nolan was sent off twice inside four weeks against Liverpool and Fulham over the festive period, and Allardyce admitted he questioned whether the former Bolton and Newcastle star would remain as captain of the Hammers, let alone get back in the side.
However, the 31-year-old has been in wonderful form since and has scored five goals in five games which has played a major role in West Ham now occupying a top half position.
Nolan’s form for the first half of the season was retched and the Hammers fans made their feelings clear on numerous occasions.
A lot has happened since then, though, and Nolan received a standing ovation when substituted in the second half during yesterday’s win over Southampton, and Allardyce is also appreciating the form of his skipper.
“I can believe the turnaround because I know his qualities,” he said of Nolan.
“What I like about it is that he has gone about his job and made sure he repays everybody at the club for what happened.
“It was the lowest point of his career, I think, because it was not just one sending off but two in a short period of time.
“The contribution now is massive and it is not just the goals, but the pass he made for the first goal – a top quality pass at this level, which split open a very resilient Southampton defence. Long may it continue.”
Morgan Schneiderlin has confessed that he could well be playing for Tottenham or Arsenal now if Southampton hadn’t blocked his wishes for a move.
The France international was expected to be one of the Saints’ high profile evacuees over the summer, with the north London duo having pushed hard to lure him away from the South Coast in what was a busy summer for the Saints.
Adam Lallana, Dejan Lovren, Rickie Lambert, Luke Shaw and Calum Chambers all left St Mary’s Stadium, which led to talk that Schneiderlin would follow them deep into the transfer window.
WANT MORE? >> Arsenal transfer news | Tottenham transfer news
But Southampton held firm to keep their midfield ace by slapping a £27m valuation on him, and despite reported bids from Spurs the 24-year-old is still plying his trade in Hampshire.
Schneiderlin admits that he was disappointed to not have been granted his wish for a move, but that he is fully committed to repaying the faith the club have shown in him since bringing him to England from Strasbourg as a youngster:
“My situation was simple: at the end of the season my goal was to take the next step and join a club playing in the Champions League or the Europa League.” He is quoted by Goal.
“There were offers on the table but Southampton made a clear choice, which was to keep me after the departure of certain players. They look to me for the future.
“I was ‘blocked’ but I must accept that because I have three years remaining on my contract. I could not afford to make a fuss and not play. I owe a lot to Southampton, who enabled me to make the France national team.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
“I could not afford to go and clash with supporters who have always been cool with me. It would not have cool for me to end up in an endless showdown.”
It feels quite difficult not to be blinded be all the razzmatazz that’s surrounding Manchester United at the moment. A Marouane Fellaini induced defeat at Goodison Park last night may have brought supporters back down to earth, but the summer additions of Robin van Persie and Shinji Kagawa have certainly brought a bit of glitz and glamour back to Old Trafford.
The Hollywood high profile feel of these sorts of acquisition always create a nice sense of pre-season belief, but it’s important not to forget the components of an already successful team. Because there is one player in Sir Alex Ferguson’s side who may not necessarily bestow the flair and high profile of some of his colleagues, but he isn’t half crucial to the team’s future prospects. Antonio Valencia is more industry than ingenious; but he must start games for United.
It was a refreshing sight to see that amongst the influx of talent at Manchester United this summer, there was still room for Antonio Valencia in the starting line-up at Everton last night. It did however, soon become very clear that the Ecuadorian was in the team more as emergency cover than essential winger, as his stint at right back suggested. But whilst he suffered a difficult evening at the hands of the marauding Leighton Baines and Steven Pienaar, his first-team prospects may strangely have been handed a boost.
Because for all United’s crisp passing and pretty patterns across the midfield, they failed to really create anything in the way of clear-cut chances. Now, before the sirens come out for media stirring and overreaction, you can’t read too much into the first game of the season; especially against a team as dogged and competitive as David Moyes’ Everton. But they were craving a more direct outlet last night or at least something a little more effective.
And they have the asset to do just that, although emergency right-back probably isn’t the most effective way to deploy him. Antonio Valencia is the quiet man of Old Trafford and his lack of baggage and fuss is perhaps testament to a Premier League profile that is often overshadowed by the likes of Nani and Ashley Young. Valencia gets on with the job and does it effectively. No rubbish, no whining and little theatrics. Just an outstanding work ethic and one of the most wicked deliveries in the league.
It’s always been like that since day one of Valencia’s Old Trafford career. He was brought in amongst a strangely muted atmosphere at Manchester United in 2009, following the £80miilion departure of a certain Cristiano Ronaldo, and expectations for the new season were somewhat mixed. Despite the gifted talent of the man that had just departed, Valencia is of course a completely different package to the Portuguese, but that didn’t necessarily stop him being labeled as a replacement.
But Valencia got his head down and stuck to his game, paying dividends for both Manchester United and Wayne Rooney in particular, during his first term in Manchester. United narrowly lost out to Carlo Ancelotti’s Chelsea for the Premier League title during the 2009-10 term, but Valencia played his part, contributing seven goals and 11 assists in all competitions. The biggest benefactor was Rooney, who owed Valencia more than a few drinks as the winger played a key part in helping the Englishman net 34 goals in all competitions during his real breakthrough season as a goal scorer. Valencia didn’t showcase the sort of showboating or goal scoring talents of his predecessor, but it didn’t matter- his game is about effectiveness and he proved that in abundance.
Even last season, as Sir Alex Ferguson swooped for the services of Ashley Young, some still raised question marks about Valencia’s ability to survive in a squad that boasted both Young and Nani. But the statistics speak for themselves. Valencia knocked up 13 assists in the Premier League last season, second only to David Silva’s tally of 15 for eventual champions, Manchester City. Nani may be more of a match winner, but Valencia is perhaps the more consistent outlet with his almost industrial levels of performance.
He needs to add more goals to his game, but his role is as that of the provider, not the show stealer. His game is built around selflessness- he puts in the sort of tireless shifts defensively that his rivals would baulk at; look no further than Fergie’s decision to start with him in the Champions League final against Barcelona for evidence. But it’s his delivery that is the centerpiece of his game. In a league where we so often talk about the fabled notion of end-product, Valencia has it in abundance and he has produced the goods time and time again. His explosive pace and imposing strength catalyze the wonderful craft of his right foot. No need for step overs and no need for messing around- just a truly scintillating ball into the box.
And this is what Manchester United have to ensure they keep in their starting XI. Sir Alex has a lot of options in midfield now, but he can’t become too seduced by the aesthetically pleasing passing game or creating his own ‘carousel’ as he likes to call it. They need a cutting edge to compliment the craft. Shinji Kagawa is a wonderful prospect but he’s no wide player and his success at Borussia Dortmund came in a far more central role. Balancing the team is an art but there is one man who could prosper more than any from Valencia’s presence in the team.
When you sign a 30-goal-a-season striker, you need to give him the best possible service you have available. Valencia was, as already mentioned, a crucial component in eeking goals out of Wayne Rooney when he started playing higher up the pitch. There’s no reason why he can’t repeat the trick with Van Persie. Young and Nani are both creative outlets and they offer perhaps a more dynamic option to Sir Alex on the flanks. But surely the best bet in terms of getting the best out of Robin van Persie is plumping for the Ecuadorian.
Robin van Persie harnessethe sort of firepower that can see Manchester United back as Premier League champions again. But he’s not going to be able to do it all on his own. But be it Van Persie and Rooney up front together, Rooney just behind, or even Danny Welbeck for that matter, the purest choice of winger to get the most out of your attack must be Antonio Valencia.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Manchester United host Fulham this Saturday at Old Trafford and it’ll be interesting to see if Ferguson will maintain his faith in Valencia. Let’s just hope he’s played a little bit further up the pitch this weekend.
How do you feel about the role Valencia has to play in the United team this season? Guarenteed starter or forever in Nani & Young’s shadow? Let me know how you’d get the best out of Van Persie on Twitter: follow @samuel_antrobus and tweet me your line-up.
We’ve now enjoyed a wonderful 20 years of Premier League football since it’s inception in 1992/93. In that time we’ve seen wonderful foreign players ranging from the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo to Thierry Henry, not to mention the English stalwarts of the division like Steven Gerrard or Wayne Rooney. Manchester United have inevitably dominated during the modern era, overhauling rivals Liverpool’s record of 18 league titles and Arsenal have been their main rivals from an early stage.
However, we’ve seen challenges from certain money rich clubs to the dominance of those two sides, with Blackburn initially spending Jack Walker’s millions to land the title before Roman’s Russian revolution of Chelsea saw them catapult their way into the upper echelons of English football. However, Manchester City have now joined the elite, winning their first Premier League title thanks to their oil rich owners. In two decades, England’s top flights has seen tons of goals, assists, bookings, saves, corners and all the rest and to celebrate 20 years of Premier League football, we bring you the best 20 Premier League stats.
Click on Alan Shearer to unveil the top 20 stats from the Premier League
[divider]
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.