Morning all.
Bored already with the transfer window? Yep, me too but once Arsenal get moving, I’m sure we’ll have a lot of positive things to talk about. Imagine Edu and Mikel Arteta jad just snapped up a 33 year old for free, the Arsenal blogshere would be going nuts, and not in a positive way.
Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe have been nominated for the 2021/22 Men’s PFA Young Player of the Year award. Rightly so I think but the chance of either of them winning it is in my opinion, slim to none. If Aaron Ramsdale couldn’t get the majority of votes for ‘save of the season’ for his outstanding save against Leicester City, then I don’t think any Arsenal player has a chance of being awarded anything. To make matters worse, Jordan Pickford beat him, not that being England’s number one keeper had anything to do with the voting eh…. If Ramsdale can regain the kind of form he showed in that Leicester City game then it won’t be long before he replaces Pickford. Alex Lacazette and Bernd Leno we’re overlooked in other awards too. Jeez, who votes for these things? Lol
This month is all about international football and the Nations League, a tournament England are involved in. Jude Bellingham has touched on what went on during the country’s Euros 2020 final against Italy.
Talking to CNN Sport he said:
The biggest take away from the whole experience for me was the contrast. I think you look at the run into the final, it felt like the country had united and it felt like we were heading on the same path. We had players, black players in the team, players of all different backgrounds from all different countries in the team. And then as soon as they missed the penalty, they’re not English, they’re just black.
I think certain people choose to forget some of the good these guys do. Black, white, pink, yellow, who really gives a toss if the person is decent. Rashford the footballer I really don’t like but the good he’s done away from the game can only be admired. No player misses a penalty on purpose and imagine how each one of the English boys felt when they missed theirs? I bet they were just as disappointed as the fans. As Bellingham said, the country was together, right behind every single player all the way through the tournament. Did any England fan care about skin colour then?
Anyway, England face Hungary on Saturday in Budapest, a game which was scheduled to be played behind closed doors after UEFA handed the home nation a three match spectator ban for dishing out racist abuse during Euro 2020. However, a loop hole in the rules means 30,000 people will now be at the game. Most will be kids (the loophole) so they should be better behaved. No, I wouldn’t bank on it either.
In other England news, the Under 21 World Cup qualifying fixtures are being shown on the Beeb.
Friday, 3 June (17:00) Czech Republic v England (BBC iPlayer)
Tuesday 7 June (19:45) England v Albania (BBC iPlayer)
Friday, 10 June (19:00) Kosovo v England (BBC iPlayer)
Monday, 13 June (19:45) England v Slovenia (BBC Three and BBC iPlayer)
Emile Smith Rowe and Flo Balogun should be in action and I don’t know about you but if I’m watching any football this month, it’s more likely to be the England under 21 team.
Last night, Ukraine made sure Scotland won’t be anywhere near Qatar when the World Cup takes place later this year which means Kieran Tierney will get a 4 week break. Aaron Hickey too if Arsenal sign him this summer.
The Telegraph report that Mike Riley is battling to save his job. Howard Webb is his suggested replacement. There’s no doubt that the standard of officiating in the Premier League is little short of appalling. There’s no consistency, VAR pick and choose what they review and individuals are applying different rules in different games. Riley and his crew have brought criticism upon themselves in my opinion. I’d be mightily embarrassed if I was one of them after being asked to watch a rerun of a game I’d officiated. This isn’t just because of a number of decisions going against Arsenal as I’m sure nearly every club has suffered at some stage. The PGMOL needs a shake up from the top down, starting with Riley. If he was a football manager, he’d have been sacked years ago!
It’s the start of a four day Bank Holiday weekend here in the UK as the Queen, along with many Brits, will be celebrating 70 years of reign. An incredible achievement, it really is.
Have a great few days all.
Congratulations to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth 2 on the occasion of her Platinum Jubilee. 🔔🔔👑🔔🔔
Good morning Rico, good news that Riley may be on his way out but don’t hold your breath, there are too many “stakeholders”, with vested interests, that have to brought into line. Even if he goes there will still be his team of biased, and incompetent minions at Stockely Park. 😕
Morning Cicero.
I’m more optimistic than you, if Riley goes, I can see a lot following him.
Head of referees for the Premier League Mike Riley is ‘fighting for his job’
Mike Riley, the head of Premier League referees, is reportedly fighting to save his job after several top-flight clubs complained about his competency.
A host of Premier League clubs are pushing for a change of command as they believe too many mistakes were made during the 2021-2022 campaign under the 57-year-old.
According to The Telegraph, the Premier League are looking at bringing Howard Webb – who retired from on-field duties in 2014 – back into the English game in a referees’ management role.
The Premier League are reportedly looking to speak with Webb about a senior position to the Professional Game Match Officials [PGMOL].
They would then offer the top-flight clubs a ‘viable succession plan’ which would see Webb take over seamlessly from Riley.
The decision regarding Riley’s future will be made at next month’s Premier League AGM in Harrogate. They will also discuss refereeing and the application of VAR.
Riley was in charge when the new technology came in at the start of the 2018-2019 season and has helped guide the Premier League through the transition.
However, clubs have not always been happy with the application of the new technology and have called the system out after several Premier League games.
As a result, Riley – PGMOL managing director – is under significant pressure and could be forced out from his job which requires him to oversee officials in the Football League.
Therefore, Webb – who refereed the 2010 World Cup final and worked for PGMOL as a performance director after retiring from on-field duties in 2014 – could step up to the plate.
Additionally, the Premier League is looking to make serval other changes ahead of the 2022-2023 campaign.
They are introducing the Elite Referee Development Plan, which aims to enhance the standards of officiating across the English game.
PGMOL are set to bring in a training supremo, a psychologist and a sports scientist as part of a major plan to improve standards.
In a wide-ranging move likely to cost in excess of £500,000 a year, 12 new roles have been created, amid strong criticism of performance levels across the English men’s and women’s game.
The organisation is also seeking a coaching director, who will lead the training of the 600 officials operating in the Premier League, EFL and women’s game.
The move comes following the retirements of long-standing whistle-blowers Jon Moss and Martin Atkinson, who will take up roles of Select Group 1 (Premier League) Manager & Coach respectively from next season, fulfilling two of the 12 roles.
(Not before time)
Yep, long overdue.
New Zealand, 7 for 3 after 8 overs. Two wickets for Jimmy Anderson, one for Stuart Broad
.
Three catches for Jonny Bairstow.
Such a good idea to drop them last year…
Good afternoon Rico and all
Good post Rico…as always. I read them all even if I dont comment.
Congratulations to the Queen on her jubilee anniversary or whatever it is. Just a gentle reminder that her reign was still in its childhood when the spuds last won the league. Its only Her Majesty who remembers such a pre-historic event. All her children and grand children and great grand children are similar to Harry Kane….they have never experienced a spuddie lifting the league.
I wonder who will be the next monarch who will see a spuddie captain lifting the league.
I feel that the signings that Arteta will make will be……Hickey, Thielemans, Gnabry and Jesus
Now that would be awesome
French Ligue 1 side Rennes are keen on signing Lacazette on a free transfer but are having difficulty on account of his high wages.
As he’s leaving on a “free” it matters not where he goes, as far as I’m concerned.
Nketiah has had second thoughts about refusing to sign a new contract and is expected to put pen to paper shortly.
New Zealand 60 for 7.
Anderson 3 wickets, Broad 1, Potts 3.
Personally I still would buy Hickey, keep Tierney and also Tavarez. For one simple reason……Tierney can play as a left sided CB. So that means that there will be games in which Gabriel is rested, Tierney plays as the LCB while Hickey plays. Tavarez can play in the Europa league grp stages, the early rounds of the Carabeo cup and certain league games while Hickey adapts to the EPL’s toughness. Hickey can also play at RB so he can also deputise for Tommi. You can say that we also have Cedric….but personally between Cedric and Tavarez I prefer the latter as he is younger and can still come good.
Thielemans, Gnabry and Jesus? No thanks.
Thielemans only an average player. Gnabry, never go back. Jesus will want far too much in the way of wages so we will be stuck with him, just another Ozil.
Afternoon Devil, thanks.
Rumour has it Cicero that Nketiah has already signed his new contract. I guess we’ll hear nothing until the transfer window opens, although that hasn’t stopped Dortmund. 6 signings already I read, that’s the way to do it..,
Lacazette is returning to Lyon apparently and he’s taking a pay cut. Funny how players don’t mind a salary drop when it suits them…
There’s no reason why it can’t be officially announced now, Rico it’s not a transfer but a new contract which can be signed at any time.
It’s Arsenal though Cicero, it’s what they do..
Sadly Rico, it’s what we have come to expect.
I suspect that there is a PR element to going public on new signings and contract extensions.
Season ticket renewals are landing on your mat so be prepared for exciting news like Nketiah signing his new contract and maybe one new signing – you know, just to encourage you to use your credit card and renew your ticket.
You’re just an old cynic Kev. Our PR people, if we have any PR people, are probably still working from home. You know sitting in the garden with a pizza and a six pack of Fosters. 😉
Sitting in the garden sounds good to me!
And yes Cicero, the mask has slipped, I am an old cynic…
New post up