1- Semedo Better Than Roberto:
Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde has ninety percent of his First Eleven sorted out.
It’s largely the same line up as last season, except summer recruits Clement Lenglet and Artur Melo have taken over from Samuel Umtiti and Paulinho respectively.
Valverde’s one dilemma is who to choose in the right back slot. The pressure to choose home boy Sergio Roberto is immense but the naked truth is that Nelson Semedo gives Blagruana more. He’s faster, stronger and better going forward.
2- Allow Solskjaer Time To Shape United:
Football bandwagonists are up in arms over Manchester United’s poor form.
Six losses in the last eight games has club aficionados questioning the wisdom of appointing a relative rookie, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, to the Old Trafford managerial hot seat.
While it’s correct his appointment was made of a crest of excitement (Mauricio Pochettino had more compelling CV), it cannot be reversed. No point in crying over spilt milk! United’s board and fans must rally behind the affable Norwegian to allow him build the team in his image.
3- Barcelona Champions League favourites:
Barcelona’s nine-point cushion atop Liga Santander gives them an advantage over UEFA Champions League semifinals rivals Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and Ajax Amsterdam.
Blagruana manager Ernesto afford to give players seven days rest ahead of matches unlike the aforementioned trio who must negotiate a tough run in.
Ajax Amsterdam only lead PSV Eindhoven on goal difference whereas Liverpool are locked in a make or break contest for the Premier League title with Manchester City. Spurs are meanwhile embroiled in an energy-sapping fight for a Top Four place in England.
4- McNeil, Redmond, Zaha Top Six Material:
Burnley winger Dwight McNeil, Southampton wide man Nathan Redmond and Crystal Palace front pedalist Wilfred Zaha are players equipped with the skills set to improve English Premier League Top Six sides.
Zaha has improved beyond recognition since his brief, uninspired spell at Manchester United whereas Redmond has come into his element since Ralph Hassenhutl took over at Southampton. Clarets teenage winger Dwight McNeil is the least exposed but the best gamble as he is only going to improve. If Chelsea were forced to sell Callum Hudson Odoi in the summer, McNeil would be an ample replacement.
5- Benzema Out Of Ronaldo Shadow:
Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema is just about the only player at the Santiago Bernabeu who has improved since Cristiano Ronaldo moved to Juventus.
Teammates Marcelo, Casemiro, Luka Modric, Isco, Marco Asensio and club record signing Gareth Bale have all frozen from the responsibility of filling Ronaldo’s oversized shoes.
Only Benzema has responded by putting up his best numbers in the famous all-white stripe. In truth, Benzema spent a whole decade playing for Cristiano. He is finally playing for himself and Los Blancos.
