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With Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea all at home this weekend, many Fantasy managers will be licking their lips in anticipation of potential points. It shouldn’t be forgotten though that Chelsea are facing Manchester City at Stamford Bridge but this weekend is pivotal ahead of a very busy festive schedule.

The Captaincy Debate

Let’s start with Liverpool though who will be looking to get back on track after their defeat at Craven Cottage on Monday night. One man who’s  been on a goal drought of late is Luis Suarez. The Uruguayan forward had a goal disallowed against Fulham but it’s surely only a matter of time before he nets again. Saturday’s encounter against QPR presents the perfect opportunity for Suarez to get back on track as he faces the 5th worst defence in the Premier League.

However, perhaps you want to plump for a more in form option such as Blackburn’s Yakubu. The man known as the Yak netted four in Rovers crucial victory over Swansea last weekend. His record this season is deadly in the Premier League with nine goals in as many games. Even though Martin O’Neill’s Sunderland are likely to improve on last week’s showing at Wolves, it wouldn’t be surprising if the Nigerian forward netted this weekend for Rovers. After all, Blackburn are second in the goal per game stakes, only behind league leaders Manchester City.

Wigan’s form on the road though is shaky at best which means it’s worth considering Shane Long amongst your captaincy possibilities. The former Reading striker has two goals in his last three games and is gradually adapting to the pace of the Premier League. The Latics defence can be generous at times and Long has been quick to pounce on defensive errors this season.

Then again, it is impossible to count out Robin van Persie. Still in a rich vein of form, he added to his tally for the season at the DW Stadium last weekend along with a pair of assists. Everton visit the in-form Gunners on Saturday and David Moyes’ side will have quite a job on their hands trying to keep the Dutchman quiet.

Captain: Robin van Persie – The Arsenal striker has proved to be a reliable option for goals and assists of late.

Vice Captain: Luis Suarez – He may be out of form now but Suarez will surely find his scoring touch again soon. It might just be this weekend against QPR.

Long Term Look

At the moment, he’s still priced reasonably. Should he continue to perform though, Gareth Bale’s price will escalate. The Welshman has four goals and five assists in his last five outings. Compare this to just a solitary goal in his first nine games and it demonstrates how much Bale’s form has picked up.

His pace is a constant menace to opposition defences. The power and accuracy he is able to generate from his left foot is tremendous. As a result, Bale has been to quick punish any shoddy marking by defenders. Spurs recent form should convince you that the Welsh international is worth a place in your team over the Christmas period.

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When people talk about left backs in the Premier League, they normally mention Patrice Evra and Ashley Cole. This year, Leighton Baines and Jose Enrique have also been praised because they have had impressive seasons. But, as of yet, I have heard very little praise for the Tottenham left back, Benoit Assou-Ekotto.

Assou-Ekotto has caused a stir in the past because of his views on football. He said last May, “Why did I come to England? For a job”. He has confessed openly that football is not his passion and that he plays the game for the money he can earn from it. He has also been reported to not know which team the next game is against.

I think for this reason, when he makes a mistake people think it is because he is clueless about football. But I think this is unfair. He does make the odd error, he would hardly be a Tottenham player if he didn’t, but this season he has been up there with the best in England.

As the statistics below show, he has been very impressive in the Premier League this season, both offensively and defensively.

Left Backs

Tackles Won

% Tackles Won

Completed Passes

% Completed Passes

Key Passes

Clichy

77

80

1094

79

12

Assou-Ekotto

50

72

918

70

17

Evra

50

76

890

82

24

Baines

49

72

826

74

50

Cole

47

67

1072

87

26

Enrique

39

65

977

75

22

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The Tottenham left back is not out of his depth in terms tackling, passing or creativity. Surely he deserves some credit for this alone?

Now I understand, that these statistics do not tell the whole picture. They do not account for fouls given away in silly positions, or times that a mistake has led to a goal. These are two things that Assou-Ekotto’s critics will highlight. But I think, in general the Cameroonian has had a solid season, and that kind of solidity is exactly what Tottenham have needed at left back. In fact he has been one of Tottenham’s most consistent performers this year.

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In truth, the game has changed. There is so much money in football now, I doubt many top players play for the love of it alone. But, Assou-Ekotto admits that he plays it for money. That does not mean that he is does not care about winning, doing the best for his club or becoming the best footballer he can be. It just means that he has perspective on the importance of his career.

I think Assou-Ekotto is misunderstood, he has made a massive improvement to his game over the last year, and that is the result of hard work. It is a testament to that fact that he is a true professional and works hard at his game. Not that many players can honestly say that they put their love of football before their wallet, Tevez? Rooney? I don’t think so.

In interview Assou-Ekotto seems to be one of the most grounded and intelligent players I have seen. He is eloquent given English is his second language, he is environmentally conscious (he drives an electric car), and down-to-earth enough to travel by tube. This is hugely rare these days. In fact, Assou-Ekotto shows a refreshing honesty in the modern game. He is not so bothered about his image that says want people want to hear.

Last year he boldly criticised Wayne Rooney for being a “prostitute sha**er” and he expressed his sympathy for Coleen. As a spectator of the game I could not agree with him more and wish people would stop defending Rooney for his off the field shenanigans, deliberate fouls, and wage demands. It seems Assou-Ekotto is brave enough to tell it how it is.

So, if you asked me which footballer I would most like to go for a pint with, I would most probably say Gomes (he is a hero of mine), but Benoit Assou-Ekotto would be a close second.

If you share an appreciation for BAE, you can contact me directly on twitter @joeaustin8

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Left BacksTackles Won% Tackles WonCompleted Passes% Completed PassesKey PassesClichy778010947912Assou-Ekotto50729187017Evra50768908224Baines49728267450Cole476710728726Enrique39659777522

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has admitted pre-season training is 'make or break' time for Jonathan Woodgate.

Woodgate, 30, made just three appearances last season after picking up a campaign-ending groin injury in November which required surgery.

The England defender's career has been plagued by serious injury and Redknapp believes the next few months with a vital for the former Leeds United, Real Madrid and Newcastle centre-half.

Woodgate will miss Spurs' pre-season tour of the United States in a bid to ensure he is fit for the start of the new season.

"It's make or break for Jonathan now," said Redknapp, who has Michael Dawson, Ledley King, Sebastien Bassong and Younes Kaboul already vying for two starting places in the centre of defence.

"He has got to come back and play. If he is not ready for the start of the season it will be difficult for him. When he gets his boots on and starts playing hopefully he will be all right.

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"He is a fantastic player – one of the best centre-halves around. We just take it day by day with him and see how he progresses."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

Cast your mind back a little less than two years, when Roberto Mancini was unveiled as the new Manchester City manager in December 2009. With the remit of guiding City first into the Champions League, then towards the league title, Mancini had a tough job ahead with the team sat in 6th place. Nevertheless, with the players and funds available to Mancini the goals were certainly achievable.

The appointment seemed shrewd, with the Italian having clear pedigree following his successes at Inter Milan and Lazio. However, with expectations high, City would go on to miss out on the final Champions League spot to Spurs in the 2009/10 season.

A rethink was in order, and Mancini strengthened his squad with the summer signings of David Silva, Yaya Toure, James Milner, Mario Balotelli and Aleksandar Kolarov. While Edin Dzeko would go on to join the club in the January transfer window.

12 games into the season City sat 4th, and following a dour 0-0 draw with rivals Manchester United criticism of Mancini mounted. For a side that had went on such a lavish spending spree, as a team City seemed to distinctly lack in terms of attacking ambition. Although it seems hard to contemplate now, there were even some who argued Mancini could be sacked.

Yet, all the while Mancini remained calm, arguing that his side were consistently improving. Indeed, the 2010/11 season would become a historic one for the Manchester club. In the league Mancini guided the team to a 3rd place finish and the consequential Champions League qualification.

Perhaps even more significantly Mancini lead the club past rivals United in the FA Cup semi finals and to cup final success against Stoke City at Wembley, finally ending the clubs 36 year trophy wait.

The bandwagon for Mancini was well and truly rolling by now, and with the supreme talents of Sergio Aguero and Samir Nasri just two of the summer additions, the club was suddenly being talked about as serious title challengers.

Now, in late October, Manchester City sit five points clear at the top of the table following their stunning 6-1 victory over fierce rivals Manchester United. Some will argue that Mancini has thus far achieved the very least that could be expected of any manager in the job given City’s vast resources. On the other hand, many have praised Mancini, the soave Italian coach has moulded City into a free flowing attacking unit that remains defensively responsible.

The player’s commitment to the cause in recent games has been significant. Indeed, it is clear following the Carlos Tevez debacle that Mancini has created a sense that the club is more important than any one player.

City still have a lot to prove, the winter months when the games come thick and fast have proved a stumbling block for countless Premier League contenders. Yet, Mancini, with his famous blue and white club scarf, will be confident the clubs squad depth will be able to see them through.

They may go on to win the title, they may not, either way Mancini should be applauded for the job he has done so far, even if it is far from complete.

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For now, Roberto Mancini should enjoy the praise he is receiving, after all it was a little over a year ago that the future was not so bright.

Comment below and follow me on Twitter @CamHumphries for cutting edge debate regarding all things sport. 

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Commercial revenue is made up from sponsorship links with companies, deals with shirt makers (Liverpool with Adidas) and shirt sponsors (Manchester United with AON). This is a very good representation of a club’s ‘size’ as a commercial deal is reflective of a club’s historical achievements and present day success.

For example, Liverpool who may have not achieved great domestic success in the last ten years, received more money in commercial deals in 2010 than Chelsea. This is because Liverpool has a history of such greatness attached to it, that a company would rather be associated with Liverpool than Chelsea, who have won 3 Premier League titles in the last ten years.

Of the 20 richest clubs in Europe in 2005, their revenue through commercial deals was as follows. In 2005, Manchester United were ahead of Barcelona. However, looking at the same side’s commercial revenue from 2010, you see that is no longer the case.

Commercial Revenue 2005 (£m)

Commercial Revenue 2010 (£m)

R. Madrid

83.7

Bayern

141.6

Bayern

79.3

R. Madrid

123.5

Juventus

55.5

Barcelona

100

Man United

48.7

Man United

81.4

Barcelona

42.4

Schalke

64.7

AC Milan

39.1

Liverpool

62.1

Schalke

38.9

Chelsea

56.3

Liverpool

38.3

AC Milan

51.9

Chelsea

37.2

Man City

46.7

Arsenal

29.7

Juventus

45.5

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In 2005, Barcelona earned less than Manchester United (England’s richest club). By 2010 they earn £20m more. However, unlike with broadcasting deals (where Spanish clubs organise private TV deals), and match-day revenue (where some clubs have old stadiums), the reason for the gap between the best English clubs and their Spanish counter parts is not obvious.

One answer may be the following. Looking at Barcelona as a brand, they are very individual and marketable. The style of football they play is synonymous with the football club. And it is attractive football. They have also seen more on-field success than Manchester United in the last 5 years.

Furthermore, Barcelona’s side is made up of almost the entire World Cup and European Championship winning Spanish team. For these reasons, the club draws in supporters from all over the world. The amount of support of Barcelona is reflected in their commercial deals.

Real Madrid, the other Spanish giant, have secured lucrative sponsorship deals as well as extremely high shirt sales. The earned £60m more than Manchester United through commercial deals in 2010. One contributing reason for this is because of their signing the best players in the world, or ‘galacticos’. In the last two seasons Real Madrid have spent more than €300m on players. Firstly, they bought Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka, Xabi Alonso and Benzema at the start of the 2009/10 season, and then Khedira, Ozil and Di Maria, who had all starred in the World Cup, in 2010.

To some extent, the margin between Manchester United and the Spanish giants could be down to the weakness of the pound compared to the Euro. If the pound was still as strong, the gap would not be as severe. But you could also argue that it is down to the extra TV money they receive.

The increased revenue from television allows Spanish clubs to spend more money on their players and therefore they become more marketable, thus they generate more money through commercial deals. The more the Spanish clubs spend, the more marketable they become.

Continue to the NEXT PAGE…

This fact, that that spending can increase commercial revenue, is highlighted most glaringly looking at Arsenal and Manchester City. When comparing the data from 2005 and 2010, you will notice that Arsenal slip off the list and Manchester City creep on to it.

Commercial Revenue 2005 (£m)

Commercial Revenue 2010 (£m)

Arsenal

29.7

Man City

46.7

Man City

19.7

Arsenal

44

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Arsenal have not spent anywhere near the money on players in the last two years as Manchester City. While Arsenal, like Barcelona, play a famously attractive style of football, they have not had the same on-field success to rival Barcelona’s marketability. The attraction of Arsenal may be recognised by supporters but companies are not as willing to sponsor them.

On the other hand, the commercial revenue of Manchester City has more than doubled in the last year. Firstly, since their take-over, Manchester City have established many new links with businesses in the Middle East. But secondly, like Real Madrid, their profile has also been increased by some serious spending on players. What this shows is that, although Man City may be currently spending much more than they make, their revenue is increasing as a result of their increased spending.

This growth in revenue is not restricted to commercial deals alone. Manchester City’s match-day revenue has also flourished in the last year. The average home attendance in 2010 was 6% larger than it was in 2009. This is no doubt, in part, due to big name signings. Emmanuel Adebayor, Yaya Toure, James Milner, David Silva, Carlos Tevez, Joleon Lescott, Mario Ballotelli and Edin Dzeko have all played for Manchester city in 2010, and cost over £20m .

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The point is that while they may be reliant on their chairman for their growth, in time their revenue will grow and could potentially match their spending. The question for Manchester City is if they can grow their revenue to be big enough by the time the financial fair play rules come into action.

The biggest worry for a club like Manchester City (or Chelsea) will be that the Fifa rules will require a club to become ‘self-sufficient’. This will mean that Manchester City will either have to dramatically increase their current revenue or reduce their current costs. Given the fact that Manchester City’s ‘pre-sugar daddy revenue’ was 30m short of Chelsea’s, and their spending is now equal to Chelsea’s, this might look like an impossible task.

But, Manchester City have increased their revenue by 50% in the last year, despite playing in the second tiered European competition. Champions League football would see Manchester City increase their revenue on match-days (there would be more home games and more sell-out games) as well as give them a huge boost in broadcasting rights and commercial deals.

Furthermore, in Eastlands, they have a more recently developed Stadium than Stamford Bridge. As I have already discussed, this could be the difference between a club like Manchester City attaining self-sufficiency and a club like Chelsea.

It is a large, but not impossible task for Manchester City to achieve self-sufficiency within the next 5 years. This may hinge, most importantly, on Champions League qualification.

Ray Wilkins is confident that Chelsea duo Michael Essien and John Obi Mikel will have recovered from injuries in time for the start of the new season in mid-August.

The Blues' assistant coach Ray Wilkins is pleased with the way the duo's rehabilitation work is going after they were both forced to miss the World Cup finals in South Africa.

Ghana star Essien and Nigerian Mikel missed the tournament because of knee injuries, but an upbeat Wilkins said:"There should be no problem whatsoever.

"Mikel is slightly in advance of Michael Essien but they're both working very well indeed. They've been working double sessions for the last week and we'll get them really firing before the season starts.

"Normally, after a World Cup, you find with those players who come back from the tournament, they hit a wall at about December time.

"It's very important we manage them in the correct manner and we get them to a level where they won't be as fit as we want them to be but, as they creep into the new year, their fitness will come back.

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"We also have to get the players we've got here training now into the right fitness condition so that they're prepared to play, because we might not be able to use the guys coming back from the World Cup for the first couple of games. So these young men have to be primed and ready to perform."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

Leciester City have confirmed that they have parted company with Sven Goran Eriksson, with the Scandinavian leaving by mutual consent.

The former England head coach was appointed as The Foxes’ manager back in October 2010, and was given funding to sign a raft of new players over the summer.

With the King Power Stadium outfit’s ambitions of reaching the Premier League this term, the current position of 13th was deemed unsatisfactory and they will now look for a new man to lead the team going forward.

City have only won five of their 13 games so far this campaign, and are eight points behind division leaders Southampton; A 3-0 home defeat to Millwall last weekend was the final nail in the Swede’s coffin.

“Leicester City football club has confirmed today that, by mutual agreement, Sven Goran Eriksson has ceased to be the first-team manager, with immediate effect,” a statement on the club’s official website read.

“The process of recruiting a new permanent manager will begin in the coming days. There will be no further comments from the club or any comment on the recruitment process until an appointment is made,” it concluded.

Frontrunners for the position are former Leicester boss Martin O’Neill, Mark Hughes and Alan Shearer.

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By Gareth McKnight

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Eredivisie leaders PSV Eindhoven survived a late scare to defeat lowly Excelsior 3-2 on Saturday, while Twente kept up their pursuit.PSV looked to have sealed up another three points as they entered injury time leading 2-1, only for Edwin de Graaf to draw the hosts level with a late penalty.But there was another twist in the tale as the league leaders were awarded their own penalty before time expired, and Hungarian midfielder Balazs Dzsudzsak was on hand to slot the spot-kick past Excelsior goalkeeper Nico Pellatz.Guyon Fernandez gave Excelsior a surprise lead in the 22nd minute with his seventh goal of the season, but their joy was tempered after the break as Jeremain Lens (50) and Atiba Hutchinson (52) scored in quick succession.The hosts very nearly stole a point when De Graaf coolly converted past Andreas Isaksson as the game entered injury time, but PSV had time enough to restore their lead and maintain their three-point gap over Twente.Twente, meanwhile, ran out 2-0 winners over visiting NAC Breda as Luuk de Jong and Nacer Chadli got themselves on the scoresheet in the second half.De Jong put the Dutch champions ahead in the 61st minute, meeting Breda goalkeeper Jelle ten Rouwelaar’s punched clearance at distance with a terrific volley for his 10th strike of the season.Belgian midfielder Chadli sealed the win in injury time, finishing off substitute Ola John’s good work down the right with a simple tap past the Breda number one.Elsewhere, ADO Den Haag thumped 10-man NEC Nijmegen 5-1 to leap to fourth on the table provisionally.Lex Immers, Dmitri Bulykin, Wesley Verhoek, Jens Toornstra and Jordy Brouwer all put goals past NEC, who lost Danish midfielder Niki Zimling three minutes from injury time with a straight red card.Finally, Marco van Ginkel scored and Ferry de Regt added an own goal in injury time as Vitesse Arnhem defeated second-bottom VVV Venlo 2-0.

Uruguay forward Luis Suarez has been catching the eye of many during his side’s World Cup campaign in South Africa and Chelsea are just one of the club’s linked with the Ajax man, could he be the perfect foil for Didier Drogba?

Manchester United has previously had the strongest interest in Suarez, but many feel that at £30+ million the Red Devils have been priced out of the market for him.

Suarez joined the list of top scorers in South Africa after his brace against South Korea in the second round took him to a total of three. It is not just his goal scoring that has impressed, but his relationship with fellow Uruguayan forwards Diego Forlan and Edinson Cavani.

It would seem as though Suarez’s performances have caught the eye of Carlo Ancelotti according to reports. Ancelotti thinks that the 23-year-old Ajax forward could be a long term successor for Blues’ hitman Drogba, but there’s no reason to suggest he couldn’t be the perfect foil for the Ivorian considering he isn’t always the main man for his country and performs well with the likes of Forlan.

At Ajax Suarez had been used in a more supporting role for both Klass-Jan Huntelaar and Marko Pantelic, it is only since the arrival of Martin Jol he was made captain and became the focal point of the Dutch club’s attack.

So, he can play a supporting role, but he is also pretty prolific as well scoring an incredible 49 goals in 48 games as well as his three World Cup goals.

However, the Eredivisie can often flatter to deceive and if there is any truth in the links then the Stamford Bridge faithful will be hoping that Suarez is more of an Arjen Robben (a player many Chelsea fans feel they still have not successfully replaced) and less of a Mateja Kezman, who came to west London with an impressive goal record in Holland but failed to make an impact in the Premier League (not for the want of trying though).

[youtube WgUn4RrL9Ic]

It is thought that Ancelotti believes that Suarez has what it takes to achieve on a bigger stage, rather than just the fairly average Dutch league and that he could operate in either 451 or the former AC Milan chief’s preferred diamond formation. Also, Chelsea will have to start thinking about successors for the likes of Drogba and Nicolas Anelka, who are 32 and 31 respectively.

It is not the first time that Suarez has been linked with Ancelotti’s side as there were many rumours circulating ahead of the January transfer window. Many quarters in the Dutch press had suggested that the Uruguayan had signed a pre-contract agreement with Chelsea in December 2009 and was due to move there during the winter transfer window, but the deal never came to pass.

Chelsea may face some competition if they wish to sign the young forward as Manchester United remain in the frame despite financial worries and also Barcelona, who are willing to buy players out of spite if you believe the stories in the press.

Do the Chelsea fans think that Luis Suarez could blend in well with their Premier League and FA Cup winning side?

Can Suarez be the ideal foil for Didier Drogba?

**

Follow me on Twitter: ajwilliams1987

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**

Click on image below to see the Argentinean babes at the World Cup

It was around this time last year that a man masquerading as Wayne Rooney was putting in awful performances for Manchester United.

It was assumed that injuries as well as fatigue were robbing us of the Wayne Rooney that had scored 34 goals the previous season. He had been rushed back from the ankle injury that effectively ended his season and our title hopes too soon. Coupling that with the fact he went to South Africa with England for the World Cup meant we had been given back a weary and unfit striker.

But at the start of October rumours of the strikers infidelity were smeared across the front pages of newspapers worldwide. Everybody had an opinion on it and subsequently Wayne Rooney made his intentions of leaving Old Trafford clear.

We all know how that saga panned out and it is merely an aside in a season that saw us win league title number 19 as well as reach the Champions League final for the 3rd time in 4 years as Rooney came good and his poor start was put down to off field problems amongst other things.

With that said I don’t suppose I’m the only person with a feeling of Deja Vu here?

News today that Rio Ferdinand has lost a court case to prevent papers revealing cases of extra marital activities make this a very familiar scenario to the one we faced last season.

Last season as he returned against Chelsea in the Champions League we sang his praises, welcoming the returning hero but this season, with the rise of Chris Smalling and the signing of burgeoning talent Phil Jones, it appears Ferdinand is becoming a whipping boy.

Injured in the first league game against West Brom, this season has been a stop start one for Rio Ferdinand and when he has played he hasn’t looked his assured comfortable self and the game against Basel highlighted this.

It wasn’t just the sloppy manner in which we gave away goals with a defence supposedly being marshalled by the former captain, it was silly things that we don’t expect from the usually class Ferdinand, things like his slip that felled Frei, an indiscretion that a harsher ref may have deemed a foul and sent him off for as the last man.

Injuries haven’t been kind to Ferdinand in recent years and it seems this season is no different, at his age they will definitely start taking a toll so having to worry about personal problem won’t help his case.

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Whilst Ferdinand’s form hasn’t been as drastically bad as Rooney’s was it has still been bad enough for people to highlight but like I said in Rooney’s case, players don’t just turn ‘shit’ overnight so I expect that his off field problems will be taken into account when people start writing him off.

Article courtesy of Chudi from The Busby Way

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