The English game is arguably the most exciting in terms of talents and the massive global followership, thanks to the country’s vibrant media. Not forgetting the paparazzi, who highlight the oddities of the game. The English game stands out among the European leagues because of its upsets, intrigues, on-and-off field antics and the outlandish actions of the yobos at match venues.
What excites people the most is the capacity filled stadia, even when there are matches in close areas as the Merseyside, London games and also in Manchester. How do these fans get to assemble weekly? The truth is that most of the English clubs are community-based, such that the people see them as theirs, not government.
Indeed, a friend was shocked when I told him that Liverpool broke away from Everton, hence the bitter rivalry. This discussion arose before the Arsenal vs Everton game last Sunday at the Emirates Stadium. My friend, a Gunner, wasn’t comfortable with the fixtures, insinuating that Everton will disturb Arsenal to help Liverpool. I told him that would not be right. Arsenal beat Everton 3-1 and he called to say I was right.
The English game can be ugly, but it is the promptness in which they handle situations arising from such ills that ensure viewership across the country. No sacred lambs. The guilty are not spared. Rules are binding on all, no matter whose ox is gored. Running the game in England, like in other European countries, is a business. But the English have raised the bar to make it their most alluring soccer competition.
Not many can fault the crowd control mechanism associated with the English game. This mechanism ensures that everyone brings his family to watch games when the need arises. The officiating is chiefly responsible for the shocking results, frills and thrills, making the players the one to follow in terms of statistics and other records.
Today, Chelsea is the first team to win the Barclays English Premier League, winning 30 matches. Chelsea is the only team to have played 38 games without a red card flashed at its players. Tottenham’s striker Michael Kane is the highest goal scorer, with 29 goals, despite missing 11 weeks, following injuries. Chelsea’s goalkeeper Courtois kept clean sheets in 16 games, making him the best in the league. Of course, nobody can sneer at the choice of Kante as the best player in the 38-match competition. Kante got a back-to-back gold medal for winning the Barclays English Premier League diadem, first with Leicester FC last year and now, with Chelsea. He was also voted the best by his colleagues. Chelsea’s director of football, Nigeria international Michael Emenalo told the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) that he sent roses to Leicester FC’s management after sealing Kante’s switch to the Blues last season. A worthy buy, if you ask followers of the English game, especially Chelsea’s fans.
The beauty of the English game is that it recognises landmarks. It elaborately celebrateits stars. Could there have been a better way to escort John Terry out of the Stamford Bridge pitch where he played for 22 years than what the 22 players did for him in the 26th minute? Why the 26th minute? Of course, that is Terry’s jersey number and I won’t be shocked if Chelsea doesn’t assign that jersey to anyone next year, at least. It wasn’t happening for the first time. It also wasn’t because Terry was English. On that same pitch, Cote d’Ivoire’s Didier Drogba was celebrated. How could I have forgotten the immaculate medical facilities provided at match venues? The swiftness with which medical attention is taken to distressed players has reduced the number of deaths, which is commendable. Treatment starts right on the pitch. What it shows is that there are mini-hospitals at match venues to handle any eventuality. No lack of oxygen and the doctors stuck in the traffic. No tales of the ambulance driver going to eat or empty tank and no money for fuel. The stadium announcer doesn’t reel out vehicles’ numbers to re-park to allow the ambulance drive out of where it is parked.
The European game will be very competitive next year, following the qualification of five big English sides – Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham and Liverpool. Check out the names of the coaches – Conte, Pep Guardiola, Jose Mourinho, Mauricio Pochettino and Jurgen Klopp. They are not English. This explains why the league is the one used to benchmark others in all its ramifications.
Talking about Chelsea reminds one of Victor Moses and his exploits with the league champions. Moses was brought in from Wigan Athletic because of his burgeoning skills. He couldn’t pass Mourinho’s standards. Mourinho kept loaning the Nigerian to other teams. Pundits thought that Moses’ sterling show with West Ham penultimate season could have convinced Mourinho to keep him. But faith smiled on Moses when Chelsea recruited Antonio Conte as their manager. It didn’t start easily for Moses until Conte opted for the wing-back formation.
But like the typical Nigerian who seizes any opportunity to excel, Moses held on to the right wing-back position for duration of the 38-week competition, missing games only due to injuries. Moses won three Man-of-the-Match awards. He is listed as the 28th best player in the English game this season. Moses is one of the revelations of this season. He is being tipped as the next Nigerian to win the 2016/2017 Glo/CAF Africa Footballer of the Year award this year.
But Moses has Gabon’s Aubameyang to contend with. Aubameyang is the highest goal-scorer in the German Bundesliga with 39 goals, even though Dortmund didn’t win the German title like Chelsea did, with Moses as one of the star actors. It is true that goals make all the difference in matches. However, winning trophies should have higher marks in grading players for the award. Moses is a key player for Nigeria, Aubameyang is a vital for Gabon. But Nigeria looks good to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Today is the English FA Cup final between Arsenal and Chelsea at Wembley. Two Nigerians, Moses and Alex Iwobi, will be featuring. My heart tells me that the game will be decided after 90 minutes. I won’t be shocked if it is also decided through penalty kicks. I’m not being a seer here. I’m just thinking aloud. Moses is sure to start the game. And if tradition is to be sustained, Iwobi will be introduced as a substitute. However, Iwobi’s remarkable performance last weekend could earn him a starting shirt and it would be nice watching Moses tackling Iwobi. Where are the photographers? Brothers at war, many would say. Good for the Nigerian game, if you ask me.
Iwobi distinguished himself with the Gunners but became fatigued, leading to his being sent to the second team. He is back now. And he could be the joker Arsene Wenger may use to retain the English FA Cup, which the Gunners won last year. Super Eagles manager Gernot Rohr must be happy with Iwobi.
Where do I start to judge Kelechi Iheanacho’s showing this season? I would rather say that Iheanacho’s end of season cameo appearances with Manchester City rest with Pep Guardiola’s tactics for every game. Guardiola wants to play his men. But I feel strongly that Iheanacho will blossom next year, especially if Sergio Aguero heads for Real Madrid. Otherwise, a January 2018 transfer will be Iheanacho’s bet option, if he must be in top shape for the Russia 2018 World Cup. Nigeria needs to beat Cameroon in Uyo in August to grab the group’s sole qualification ticket.
When the news broke that Ahmed Musa signed for former champions Leicester City, many looked forward to how he will outpace his markers in the English game. But sacked manager Claudio Ranieri didn’t give Musa an unbroken run of matches to adjust to the new system as he did with some of his wobbling stars, such as Vardy, Mahrez and Drinkwater. Musa struggled through with Ranieri, although matters became worse for the Nigerian when the new man, Shakespeare, took over.
Ndidi turned out to be another Nigerian who distinguished himself in the English Premier League despite joining Leicester in January. Ndidi won many accolades. He enjoyed rave reviews of his performances. He scored some wonderful goals. He certainly was one of the best mid-season buys.
The EPL has an uncanny way of humbling average players. Many have forgotten that Brown Ideye and Odion Ighalo played in there tlast season. They are in China, a league which is a novelty. But who will blame them for moving to China with the mindboggling figures they earn? Ighalo played for Watford FC. Ideye starred for West Bromwich Albion FC, found a new home in Olympiakos in Greece and now plies his trade in China with Mikel Obi. Ighalo and Ideye turned out to be one season stars for their clubs.
How does one rate Isaac Success, given the remarkable marks Ndidi has achieved with Leicester in his debut half season displays? Success has been in-and-out of games for Watford. He has scored one goal, most times as a substitute. Ndidi will be useful to Rohr as a substitute, especially when the Eagles need the goals desperately in the closing stages of matches.
Federations’ elections
So much noise is being made by those contesting into the sports federation elections. Everyone thinks he/she has something to contribute. Rich men/women have collected forms, with many asking those seeking re-election what they did with previous tenures.
Some aspirants are complaining about the use of cash to secure votes. Sports federation elections should not be about money but ideas. Voters ask for money because they know that they are recognised during this campaign period. Once aspirants get into office, they run the place like their estates. This should change.
