Tactical puzzles of the Champions League final and the earliest of transfer plans |
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Man City's only decision is for the boss to make no decision |
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As Manchester City approach a moment of landmark domination, that will provoke some serious discussions around sport, the mood has naturally been quite light around the training ground. There have even been jokes going around about the coaching staff telling Pep Guardiola not to change the team for the club’s second Champions League final. The Catalan is of course entirely his own man in that sense, but even he realises he pretty much has his team defined. There have been no signs he is about to do anything as drastic as in the 2021 final, when he left out Rodri and Fernandinho and played no defensive midfielders. Then again, there were no signs then either. The Chelsea squad were shocked when they found out on the bus. Back then, however, Guardiola was obsessed with trying to out-think Thomas Tuchel since the German had beaten him in two successive games. There are no such reasons for doubt this time, nothing to play on Guardiola’s mind in the same way - other than his history in the competition. He knows the team just works behind Erling Haaland.
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Inter encouragement unlikely to change defence |
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The word on Friday morning was that Milan Skriniar was winning his battle to be fit for Internazionale, although that does not necessarily mean he will win his place back against Manchester City. Simone Inzaghi has his central defensive three quite settled, and it is crucial to his plan for the final. Given the acceptance that City will dominate possession and territory, with the ball constantly around 30 metres from Andre Onana’s goal - himself with his own story for the final - the aim will be congestion and distraction. Inter are going to try and keep Haaland occupied with physical duels.
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Rice that bit closer to Arsenal, after touching glory |
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The greatest moment in West Ham’s modern history has invigorated the club, and also offered some clarity for the future. David Sullivan has confirmed that David Moyes will stay for a year, although that had been the mood for some time. It will disappoint a few managers who felt they had a chance at the West Ham United job, and see it as one of the more promising in football given it is an upwardly mobile Premier League job in London. Moyes will have to do it without Declan Rice, though. While the manner of the last week really played on the midfielder’s emotions, he knows he should leave for the benefit of his career, but the question is where. There has been progress with Arsenal, although they are still some way apart from West Ham United as regards how the purchase is made. A fee is almost agreed, but West Ham want the payment to only be over two instalments.
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Kane may get move and it may not be a Spurs doomsday |
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Real Madrid genuinely feel they have a chance at Harry Kane, in a way that marks a real shift from virtually every club that has ever gone for him before. Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy is more amenable to sell to the Spanish club than anyone else, and the logical reasons to allow it this summer are adding up. Spurs could prevent him going to an English rival for free next summer, and there is even a possibility that he could come back in two years’ time to try and break the Premier league record with the club. Madrid are meanwhile insistent on Kane. A meeting of the club hierarchy brought unanimous agreement that he is the best buyable striker who does not represent a downgrade on Karim Benzema. Madrid are also aware that Levy will listen to them more than anyone else. It could strangely be one that is almost a win-win for Spurs, even in a summer that had started with such negativity. If Kane stays, it means Ange Postecoglou immediately has the benefit of a striker who will guarantee so many goals. If he doesn’t, there is the chance at a genuine refresh. The effect of that can’t be discounted. Kane is obviously brilliant, and has surpassed himself this season, but that has also brought a collective psychological dependency on one player that can be damaging for both team and individual over time. A sale would allow an ideological coach like Postecoglou to work with a truly blank canvas.
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Ten Hag realises need for more changes |
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Spurs are meanwhile one of a few clubs considering Harry Maguire, but initially only on loan. Such prospects could complicate Erik ten Hag’s summer further, as he now wants to get rid of a lot of the key Ole Gunnar Solskjaer-era players. That will be difficult since many are on big contracts. If Maguire does go, Ten Hag will seek a move for Bayer Leverkusen’s Jeremie Frimpong. The Dutch coach would like to sign a defender but - illustrating the scale of work he feels he now has to do after the FA Cup final defeat to Manchester City - that is way behind a striker, midfielder, goalkeeper and winger (in that order) in terms of priority. Meanwhile, talk over the club sale continues.
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We write to you from Istanbul, a venue that finally gets to host the Champions League final after two previous postponements. There is a buzz around the city but weighing over much is what happened last season, especially given the Ataturk’s previous staging of the fixture in 2005 brought such issues. That involved people attending the game walking for miles to get there, which is all the worse given how far out of the centre the stadium is. There is now a metro to the Ataturk that we will be trying around the time this newsletter lands but there remains confusion over how late that will run after the game.
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"You want to score a last-minute winner and to do it in front of these fans. I thought I was going to cry. I'm just happy. I can't put it into words" |
West Ham hero Jarrod Bowen on a dream coming true
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Since 1992, five players have appeared for both an English club and a foreign club in a Champions League final - but never lifted the trophy. Name the five. Note: they must have actually played in the final.
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