All posts by h79snht.top

There has been a gradual progression of Premier League football away from all the games kicking off at the same time. It used to be a traditional three o’ clock on a Saturday afternoon, no exceptions. Super Sunday then became a seemingly immovable fixture in our footballing calendars every week. Is Monday football though the point where we say enough is enough?

It has been a long time since the TV companies paid any regard for the fans travelling and watching the games. The 30 day rule of notice where a game can be changed for TV stops any sort of monetary saving for the matches and the real world doesn’t stop for football. The trip to Fulham, there and back, for Newcastle fans, this Monday, shows how painfully out of touch the footballing powers are with the supporters.

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Those who are working would realistically have to at minimum take half a day off Monday off and possibly some of Tuesday off work to accommodate the travel to London and then home to Newcastle after the game. If they are relying on public transport then this can be increasingly fraught with danger. The trains are particularly unforgiving if you are 1 minute late, it departs and has no remorse for the football fan who has shown dedication to watch their side lose 2-1 in the bitter cold. There is also that heavily patronizing automated speaker which apologises incredibly for the delay to your service which means that an away trip could continue long into the early hours of the next morning.

The moving of games from a Saturday to a Sunday you can almost accept in a sense. For the teams in the Europa League it gives them an extra day’s window of rest. It can also be used to separate and appreciate those special fixtures the fans look forward to every season.  The switch isn’t necessarily welcomed, because of all the strange times it throws up, such as the 12.45 or 1.30 kick offs. I am sure the Swansea fans are hardly delighted at having to ensure they arrive at White Hart Lane in time for 1.30. I suspect that most would have to take the hit of driving down with the logistics of public transport to such a game being difficult. I am sure the Swansea fans will feel far from super at the ludicrous time some will have to wake up on Sunday morning to play their part in the proceedings at Tottenham. This said, at least they know that when the game is finished they can be home in plenty of time for work on Monday morning.

Another factor completely disregarded is the disruption to a working week. The sense of realism has escaped those at Sky who seem to have forgotten the logistics of working. If one of their employees with less than 30 days’ notice asked for an accumulated day off work to follow their football team, I can imagine the muted reception that would receive. Also days you can book off with annual leave are so few and far between, which makes them so precious, the usual figure being around 20 days a year. These are usually used these for emergencies, or a holiday in the summer with the family when the football takes a short break. It shows a lack of any sensitivity from the TV money men.

I am sure employers won’t be delighted to see their employee desperately tired so early on in the week after going to the football on the Monday. This means that a lot of fans have to make the logical decision to avoid these games. The experience of watching and going to live football is never adequately replaced by the analysis of Gary Neville and Ed Chamberlain. This sort of behaviour just encourages armchair support and the isolation of the real football fans that represent everything that is great about this game. It forces football fans to have to ignore games they may desperately want to go to. The Manchester derby being placed on a Monday night last season was pure lunacy. This game was so pivotal in the title campaign and for those unable to compensate for football during their working week, it must have been a blow miss such a game. If it is a European game then it can be justified as a one off experience and an opportunity to watch a different style of football. Even this is so expensive that it can only be done by most once a season, for the lucky few that can afford it.

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The domestic football we have on offer will always be the same every day of the week and the only addition Monday’s provide is price. Those at Sky and other TV Companies does not deserve to be awarded this luxury of being able to monopolise Monday night’s and pick teams to play it’s games when it so chooses. The Christmas calendar throws up all sorts of midweek games which are gruelling for all teams, and Monday night football is a headache we could do without.

Liverpool may well have lost Steven Gerrard and Raheem Sterling this summer, but the Merseyside club’s swift actions in the transfer market suggest that they are not ready to give up the fight for a top-four place just yet.

It is in attack where the Anfield outfit are set to undertake the biggest sea-change, with a number of new faces arriving at the club to offset Sterling’s exit.

With Christian Benteke’s impending move from Aston Villa on the verge of being completed, Liverpool have added a centre forward with strength, speed and purpose to their existing options.

The Belgium international’s arrival will also lessen the dependence on injury prone Daniel Sturridge to fulfil the number nine role and give Brendan Rodgers’ more options.

It will be interesting to see what formation the club use next season, what with a partnership between Sturridge and Benteke having the Kop salivating.

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Danny Ings has also been added this summer, while Divock Origi returns from a loan stint at Lille to make it four centre forwards at the Northern Irishman’s disposal – without considering Rickie Lambert, Mario Balotelli or Fabio Borini.

However, if Rodgers continues with his bespoke 3-4-3 from last term, this suggests the use of one of the central strikers with two attacking midfielders behind him.

In these roles, although Sterling is no longer an option, Rodgers has plenty of players to pick from.

Last season’s star performer Philippe Coutinho appears to be undroppable and guaranteed one of the spots, with the temptation to partner him with compatriot and exciting signing Roberto Firmino evident.

The pair played together in Brazil’s ill-fated Copa America campaign this summer, but Firmino was used as a central striker rather than in his preferred role as a supporting striker.

Having the two Brazilian playmakers behind a central striker will be a daunting proposition for Premier League defenders to deal with next season and could well be Rodgers’ first choice.

However, others will be in consideration for an attacking midfield berth too.

Jordon Ibe could well be one in with a shout given that Nathaniel Clyne will fill the right wing-back role, while Lazar Markovic was signed last summer at great expense to play in this position.

However, the Liverpool star that could well find first-team opportunities most difficult to come by next season is Adam Lallana.

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The England international showed glimpses of his stellar ability in his first campaign on Merseyside but was prevented from gathering momentum due to debilitating injuries.

The former Southampton man has been vocal recently in his desire to show the Kop just what he can do – but there is absolutely no guarantee that he will be in Rodgers’ starting XI come the first day of the season.

Although Sterling’s star appeal is no longer available to Liverpool, Rodgers has plenty of options and as such Lallana could well be the man to miss out in the Reds’ attacking line-up.

It’s never too early to be optimistic. After all, a big-money transfer can win you the league title 10-months early, and a relatively inexperienced manager can get you relegated even before a ball is kicked. But what can we expect from Arsenal this season after four league games? Importantly, how much of the club’s final outcome will be dictated by the dreaded injury plague that hits the team every season?

The big season for Arsenal since the move into the Emirates Stadium was 2007/08. After the departure of Thierry Henry, it was predicted that Arsene Wenger’s side would fail to land a top four spot and struggle throughout the campaign. All very familiar stuff. But that team, built around a fantastic midfield quartet of Cesc Fabregas, Tomas Rosicky, Alex Hleb, and Mathieu Flamini, stormed through the first half of the season and only picked up their first away loss in December during an away trip to Middlesbrough. It was a side that were getting points off the big teams, convincingly dispatching problematic smaller clubs (barring the early home defeat to West Ham), while also making an incredible impression in European competition. The result at the San Siro against AC Milan really sent shockwaves across Europe, not only because of the final score, but due to the manner in which Arsenal outplayed a hugely experienced Milan side.

Naturally, it all came to an end because of injuries to key players. Two new signings in Bacary Sagna and Eduardo had their seasons cut short, while Robin van Persie picked up his annual season-ending injury after what seemed like only a handful of games. Mathieu Flamini was lost before the season’s end, as was Rosicky. The team’s final league position of finishing only four points behind champions Manchester United should have been a good indication of just how much that team could have achieved had they all stayed fit.

This year for Arsenal, however, is slightly different. All of those notable names have long since departed, while the team now has to find another identity with a host a exciting new arrivals. But is the threat of serious injury the only thing holding Arsenal back from title glory?

Arsene Wenger has never had a weaker side than what he put forward last season. Was that entirely accurate, or was it because all the focus was placed at the foot of van Persie? Mikel Arteta has proven to be an exceptional buy for the club, and the defence currently looks stronger than in any previous season while at Ashburton Grove.

The problem is, football sometimes isn’t as black and white as simply blaming injuries for poor results. The club as a whole have had all sense of winning stripped away, a procedure that started with the loss of Patrick Vieira in 2005 and continued each year until there was nothing left of the former title-winning side. Arsenal have bought former champions and winners at international level, but how much does that help to reshape the mentality of a club who have been disappointed for the best part of a decade?

Winning will breed further success, and what better way to begin than by starting small and working your way up. The Carling Cup should have been the start for this Arsenal team under Wenger, but that injury bug hit once more. Cesc Fabregas was ruled out of the final in 2011 following an injury in the previous game at home to Stoke, and naturally van Persie was substituted out of the final through an injury of his own. Would Arsenal have won that tie with their best players fully fit for the entire game?

This year, a lot of hope has been put on players like Abou Diaby and Mikel Arteta. Without Alex Song or any obvious replacement, there is a great deal of emphasis on those two midfielders to perform and help carry the team forward. Diaby was outstanding at Anfield, but was it something more than just a bright spot in another dark and disappointing season for the player? Both Diaby and Arteta have their injury concerns, but their staying fit for the majority of the season could be the difference between another throwaway season and a great step forward.

Arsenal fans will be dreading any major knock to players like Santi Cazorla, Lukas Podolski and, of course, the key figures in the defensive line. Supporters have seen where the club goes when the injury bug hits, but for once it would be great to see how much potential is in this Arsenal squad if they all stay healthy for the full season.

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Maybe Wenger’s training methods need to be questioned, and the club’s medial team might also need a looking at. Concentration among the squad while on the pitch looks to be addressed, or at the very least it’s moving in the right direction through the introduction of Steve Bould. But many have said it before, this Arsenal team has the ability to beat any team in the Premier League. Unfortunately, they also have the potential to lose to any team in the Premier League. It may only have been Southampton, but a fully fit Arsenal side were devastating in their 6-1 win at the Emirates. For any other team, that would be described as the form of champions.

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The admiration for Diego Simeone is understandable. The Argentine has experienced a meteoric rise since arriving in Europe as manager of Atletico Madrid, a club who he long tried to convince he was the right man for the job.

The 14-year wait Atletico fans had to endure to see their side beat local rivals Real Madrid would have been worth it when it eventually came in the final of the Copa Del Rey. Imagine the euphoria if Gabi, club captain, lifts one of either the league title or the European Cup next month.

The Simeone effect has been remarkable, reshaping the top of La Liga’s table to include a previously unheard of third in the title race. Against Valencia at the Mestalla on Sunday afternoon, Atletico fans were in good voice in the away section – also practically unheard of at this stage of the season. Simeone did what he could to convince fans that the trip was worth it, indirectly hinting that their continued support was vital to the cause.

The noise inside the Vicente Calderon following their win against Barcelona in the quarter-finals of the Champions League was astounding. The colour and vibrancy spilled over into their home semi-final tie against Chelsea last week.

Simeone is breaking the trend of what is considered the norm in Spanish football on multiple levels. It’s no surprise, then, that clubs in England are adding him to the shortlist of candidates to step in as next manager.

Manchester United’s search may be done and dusted, with Louis van Gaal reportedly preparing for life at Old Trafford. But Arsenal, eventually, will also be on the hunt for a new manager.

Word coming out of the club is that Arsene Wenger will pen a new deal and extend his stay into next season at least. It gives the club some short-term stability and importantly time to map out the immediate aftermath of Wenger’s departure.

But is Simeone the right man for the job?

The Argentine’s combative nature is infectious. He’s a winner. If Arsenal fail to land a league title under Wenger in what is sure to be a two-year spell, Simeone will more than likely break that trend, like so many others, in time.

On a smaller scale, the Atletico coach has been responsible for the rise of some of Europe’s best and most in-demand players. Diego Costa’s story is well known by now, with the striker’s reputation set to earn him a move away from the club this season.

Alongside him has been the emergence of Koke as one of Spain’s most gifted young midfielders. The 22-year-old looks a sure bet to feature in Spain’s World Cup squad, and has been talked up as one of the successors to the ageing midfield featuring Xabi Alonso and Xavi.

As well as those two names, Atletico’s back four have developed into the best in Spain, featuring hugely underrated players in Miranda and Filipe Luis.

Simeone not alien to the need to develop in-house players. The club’s spending power is dwarfed by their competitors in La Liga and the Champions League, and yet this is a team who have been drilled and brought up to challenge the best in Europe. What has been crucial is the belief in the Atletico players that they can indeed lift a major piece of silverware and add to Simeone’s trophies won with the club.

The drawback for a club like Arsenal is Simeone’s playing style. As of now, he hasn’t shown himself to be an advocate of expansive, attacking football. His team is disciplined, hard working and relies strongly on the defensive qualities of the back line and goalkeeper.

Under Arsene Wenger, Arsenal have been taught at the opposite end of the spectrum. At Arsenal’s best, their game threw caution to the wind and attacked with flair and zest. As good as Simeone has proven to be and as likeable as he is a coach, he isn’t the ideal candidate for every team searching for a new manager.

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That may yet change. A move for the Argentine away from the Calderon won’t happen this summer, regardless of the availability of coaching jobs in England (or Italy, where he’s also confessed to hold an interest).

Atletico’s re-signing of Diego Ribas on loan this past January shows Simeone is conscious of injecting flair into his side, but the refrain from making sweeping changes is understandable due to what’s at stake this season. With yet another major change at centre-forward this summer, next season may see Simeone build adventure on top of his defensive base.

But like the current marriage of Jurgen Klopp and Dortmund, some bonds are incapable of being replicated elsewhere. Like Klopp and Dortmund, Simeone and Atletico are made for one another.

Simeone is an incredible manager, shown not only through his bond with the players but with the supporters as well. He’s a manager who, for now, comes with a very specific mindset. And while it’s justified to throw his name in with young managerial stars like Klopp and Frank de Boer, they’re not all equal in what they offer as a product on the pitch.

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One of the most intriguing transformations in football has been the evolution of the modern full-back. Nowadays, they are ever present in the final third of the pitch, surging forward into the penalty area and increasingly ending up on the scoresheet. However, as more and more young starlets flock forward in search of the headlines, do they risk neglecting their essential defensive duties?

In the not too distant past I can recall full-backs essentially playing arm in arm with their centre-back brethren, moving up and down the pitch as one cohesive unit. Over the years however, an increasing number of managers have realised the attacking potential of such players and urged them to push forward. One of the key advantages to adopting this mentality is that full-backs will always have space in front of them, making it easier to be lured up the pitch to offer support.

This transition has been aided by the fact that the 4-4-2 formation is effectively extinct in the Premier League, having been replaced by fluid, intricate set-ups where players are rarely in a fixed position. There are very few traditional, touchline-hugging wingers and so the responsibility to provide the main source of width lies solely with the full-back. The time honoured belief that ‘attack is the best form of the defence’ is perhaps more evident than ever before.

Over the past 12 months, the likes of Barcelona and Manchester City have attempted to give their wide men more freedom by experimenting with the use of wing-backs. The 3-5-2 set-up has had a varying degree of success, largely because it relies heavily on possessing three impenetrable centre-backs that neither side currently has in their ranks. It does however seem logical that full-backs in the Premier League could one day take the shape of James Milner, Dirk Kuyt or Park Ji Sung, as managers look to marry an unrelenting work-rate with a touch of creative flair.

The current batch of promising full-backs need no encouragement to set-up camp in the oppositions half. Tottenham’s Kyle Walker has pace to burn and seems perfectly comfortable spending 90-minute periods performing shuttle runs up and down the right flank. The speed and athleticism of both Walker and Gareth Bale make Spurs an incredibly dangerous counter-attacking side, which strikes fear in the opposition’s full-backs, trapping them in their own half.

In Manchester, Rafael seems eager to embrace the stereotypical nature of the Brazilian full-back. His expertly taken goal against Liverpool highlights the positives of having such a technically gifted player high up the pitch but he is a constant cause for concern in defence, lunging in recklessly to leave his team-mates woefully exposed. Across the city Micah Richards appears to be paying the price for possessing an inferior ability to get forward. His imposing physique is effective when trying to regain possession but he rarely puts it too good use further up the pitch. Richards sadly doesn’t possess the composure or consistency needed to become an effective centre-half and therefore finds himself in a state of limbo, not quite good enough for either role.

In spite of Arsenal’s 2-1 defeat to Chelsea at the weekend, the performances of Carl Jenkinson and Kieron Gibbs were incredibly promising. Both players found the perfect balance between their attacking and defensive duties, pushing up only when the Gunners looked comfortable in possession. They also produced a number of well-timed tackles, helping to nullify Chelsea’s world-class wide men. This is perhaps the result of working tirelessly with new assistant manager Steve Bould and should serve as the perfect example for youngsters across the country.

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The key then is finding the right blend between defence and attack, providing support at the opportune moment so not to leave your team susceptible to the counter-attack. Many fans will point to Marauone Fellaini or the return of Steve Pienaar as the reason for Everton’s resurgence this year but i think they dominant preceedings on the flanks as a means of forcing teams into the middle of the park. The defensive duo of Leighton Baines and Seamus Coleman have both benefited from linking up with the tenacious, like-minded individuals that form the Toffee’s midfield and they now find themselves with a strong influence at both ends of the pitch.

Join me on Twitter @theunusedsub where I will always consider Jimmy Bullard to be brilliant both on and off the pitch.

Name: Saido Berahino

Age: 21

Position: Striker

Nationality: (caps): England U-21 (13)

Club: West Bromwich Albion

Value: £23million

The West Bromwich Albion frontman has matured this season, with the 21-year-old already bettering last season’s goal tally of five – in 20 appearances in England’s top flight this campaign (16 starts) the England U-21 international has notched eight goals.

What’s the story?

The young striker fuelled speculation that he is open to leaving the Hawthorns in this transfer window after refusing to celebrate any of his FOUR goals against Gateshead in the FA Cup on Saturday. However, Berahino has today moved to clear those rumours and insisted he was merely being “professional”.

Is he worth it? 

When was the last time an English talent was genuinely ‘worth it’? Adam Lallana moved for a similar fee to the one being touted for Berahino when he joined Liverpool from Southampton in the summer. Following loan spells at Northampton Town, Brentford and Peterborough –  a total of 12 goals across all three spells from 32 appearances – Berahino made his breakthrough in the Premier League last season. 13 goals from over 40 appearances doesn’t suggest that Berahino would be the answer to either of Liverpool or Tottenham’s problems – at least not straight away – and when you’re spending that sort of money, you’d expect instant results.

Although, with that being said, some of these finishes against Gateshead suggest he’d be worth every penny: //www.youtube.com/embed/6r8N7Wk9Iw4

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Who would Berahino replace?

After finally proving to Mauricio Pochettino that he can cut it in the Premier League, Harry Kane has become something of a talisman for Spurs with his importance epitomised in Tottenham’s surprise 5-3 victory of Chelsea. However, the reliance on Kane to lead the line is too heavy with no one knowing the whereabouts of Emmanuel Adebayor and Roberto Soldado failing to adapt to Premier League life. 

Liverpool have failed to adapt to life after Luis Suarez, with Mario Balotelli and Rickie Lambert not even coming close to replacing Suarez’s 31 Premier League goals from last season.  In recent weeks, Rodgers has even opted for Raheem Sterling up top instead of the duo showing that there’s certainly room for Berahino at Liverpool – well, until Daniel Sturridge returns, that is.

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2012 has been an incredible year for sport.

We’ve triumphed as both hosts and participants at the Olympic and Paralympic games. We’ve sat perplexed in the early hours of the morning as a miracle occurred at Medinah and we’ve been stunned by a man winning the Tour De France, despite being weighed down by impressive facial hair.

Football may have bathed in the murky waters of controversy far too often, but there were still plenty of moments that produced the James May ‘fizzing’ sensation. The Premier League enjoyed its most entertaining season to date, which ended in fitting fashion with a thrilling last-minute winner to gift Manchester City their first title in 44 years.

Lionel Messi’s individual brilliance may have stolen the show during this past calendar year, but there are a number of players worthy of equal praise and applause.

Click on David Silva to reveal the Premier League XI of 2012

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Disagree with any of my selections? Have your say on Twitter @theunusedsub 

Amid the long-term absence of Nathaniel Clyne due to injury, Joe Gomez and Trent Alexander-Arnold have been battling it out for the England international’s right-back slot at Liverpool this season.

The former has proved the preferred option on the most part, but the latter – a Liverpool academy product – has shown real promise when brought into the starting XI, especially going forward.

So with a huge game against Manchester City on the cards this Sunday, we asked Liverpool fans earlier this week whether Gomez or Alexander-Arnold should start at No.2 against Pep Guardiola’s side.

And our poll revealed opinions amongst Liverpool fans are incredibly divided at the moment – with only 10% splitting the two youngsters and Gomez coming out on top. That’s most likely because he’s the more natural defender, whereas Alexander-Arnold looks to contribute offensively as well, which could be of huge significance against City.

So, Liverpool fans, how would you line up Jurgen Klopp’s side this weekend? Let us know by commenting below…

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UEFA’s reaction to the shameful scenes of October 16th, 2012 in Krusevac, Serbia has once again brought the body’s ability to govern football into question. The sight of England’s Premier League youngsters, who should have been having the time of their lives representing their country, being subjected to vile taunting from a minority of opposition fans, not to mention aggression and incitement from opposition players and coaching staff, led to outrage and calls for all sorts of severe punishments for the Serbian FA.

Despite the severity of the events, UEFA’s initial reprimands consisted of a mere £65,000 fine, and an order for the Serbian Under-21 team to play one match behind closed doors. While the Serbian FA undoubtedly lacks the financial clout of say the English FA, a £65,000 fine in the world of football is pathetic. It’s not even a week’s wage for a lot of top players around the world and is less than Nicklas Bendtner was fined for flashing his branded underwear at Euro 2012.

However, the financial element of the punishment ultimately pales into insignificance, to make a resounding statement UEFA needed to ban Serbia, or at least the Serbian U21 side from their next major tournament.

One would hope a punishment as severe as that would convince the small contingent of racist Serbia fans (and other racist football fans around the world) that behaviour such as that seen on October 16th will no longer be tolerated and will be to their detriment in one way or another.

However, the problem of racism in Serbia isn’t confined to football. While in England if you were caught on film making monkey noises and gestures you would be prosecuted by the national law, in Serbia there are very few laws protecting minorities. Certain factions within the country are years behind the likes of Britain in their social development and clearly some are yet to grasp the concept of tolerance.

So how does UEFA (a football governing body) attempt to enforce laws that contradict national laws? It must be made clear to football fans that once you enter the stadium, you are under UEFA laws. This would of course require the agreement of national federations but is a path that must be explored.

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As things stand that minority of Serbian fans guilty of racial abuse see no significantly negative consequences to their actions. One Under-21 match being played behind closed doors and a fine, which they personally will not be paying, is unlikely to deter them in the future.  UEFA appear to have now realised this – only it was also UEFA who determined the sanctions, which has created the farce of UEFA appealing one of their own rulings.

Not only has UEFA’s independent ‘Control and Disciplinary’ panel shown itself to be incapable of determining an appropriate punishment, but the body’s structure has also been exposed. Some might argue it displays transparency that UEFA can appeal its own decisions, but others will ask why those in charge of making such decisions are so woefully out of touch.

The issue of racism in the European game was thrust back into the spotlight recently as Kevin-Prince Boateng of AC Milan was racially abused in a friendly match against Italian lower division club Pro Patria. Boateng was repeatedly taunted by a section of fans until he and his teammates took matters into their own hands and left the pitch, effectively abandoning the game themselves.

Milan’s act of defiance has for the most part been congratulated. It should be remembered that there was little at stake for Milan with it being a friendly fixture, and whether Boateng’s colleagues would be so quick to follow him off the field in a Champions League knock-out tie remains to be seen, while UEFA’s reaction to such an event would be equally intriguing.

Boateng has since said he would walk off again, regardless of the occasion. UEFA could perhaps learn something from the zero-tolerance policy he displayed in a Rossoneri shirt. However, Milan’s Dutch legend, Clarence Seedorf suggested leaving the pitch isn’t wise, as it is in fact empowering the racist minority.

There are bound to be contrasting opinions, yet there should be no doubt that these professionals, like any employed person in any job, should not have to suffer racial abuse and must receive adequate protection from those who govern the game.

Taking Draconian measures with Serbia would have sent a message around Europe that racism will not be tolerated. However a balance must be struck between punishment and enlightenment, after all, ignorant fans need to be educated – some do not know any better. It is unlikely UEFA or anyone else will be able to completely transform the views of one generation of fans, but the next generation must learn, which leads us to one of the most disturbing elements of the whole episode.

The lack of sympathy shown to the English players by the Serbian playing and coaching staff was appalling. The majority of their players and coaching staff, unlike some of their supporters, would have travelled around Europe and most likely played or worked alongside black players. Whether intentional or not, their actions undoubtedly incited the crowd and this should be given serious consideration when UEFA get around to considering their appeal.

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To this point, this episode has highlighted UEFA’s continual refusal to confront racism with the drastic measures it merits. It is likely the appeal will result in a greater punishment, but whether it is a punishment that satisfies football’s anti-racism campaigners is far less certain.

More specifically UEFA’s Control and Disciplinary panel has shown its inability to deal with an issue as sensitive as racism and perhaps the creation of a new specialist panel for cases concerning prejudice of any sort would exhibit their acknowledgement of its failure on this occasion.

As long as racism is an issue in the world, it will continue to be a problem in football. From now on, UEFA must ensure those guilty of racism within a game that should be breaking down barriers, are treated with a similar lack of tolerance to that they display themselves.

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Just a few years ago Radamel Falcao was one of the best centre-forwards in the world. Even Lionel Messi had high praise for him. It was at Atletico Madrid where the Colombian, who spent two incredible years at the club, made a name for himself winning the Copa del Rey, Europa League and UEFA’s Super Cup.

In each of those two seasons Falcao scored over 30 goals and was awarded numerous individual accolades. A move to wealthy AS Monaco followed, but started what has become a period of decline for the striker who only made 22 appearances in two years and scored just 13 goals in that time. His £6million, season-long loan deal with Manchester United was the chance for Falcao to get his career back on track, but problems have persisted.

It has been revealed Colombian will not receive a permanent deal with the Red Devils, but here are five reasons why United perhaps should’ve taken up the opportunity to keep him at Old Trafford this summer…

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Still recovering from injury

Falcao suffered a serious knee injury at the start of 2014. He ended up missing the rest of Monaco’s season and unfortunately for the player he was also ruled out of last summer’s World Cup in Brazil.

Some have questioned if this lengthy injury is partly behind why Falcao is so unrecognisable from the man that used to blaze a trail for Atletico. If that is the case then allowing more recovery time could fix the problem and get him back to his best.

Always a team player

If you overlook the wild shots and shortage of actual goals then you will see a player who works hard for his team.

There are lazy strikers out there whose time on the pitch consists of waiting for the right pass to take advantage of, but Falcao is not like that. The 29-year-old is always looking for space, making runs and fighting to win possession so that even if he’s not scoring he’s still putting a shift in.

Keep him from rivals

Despite a really poor season there are daily rumours about United’s rivals putting in a bid for Falcao, with the two names mostly thrown around being Chelsea and Liverpool.

Liverpool, like United, are in a great period of transition and are in desperate need of a prolific striker. Daniel Sturridge and Mario Balotelli were unable to fire the club into the top four due to lengthy injuries and loss of form and the Italian may even be moved on this summer.

To get the signature of Falcao, of course at a good price, and to get him back to his best would be a kick in the teeth for fierce rivals Man United which I’m sure sounds very tempting for the Reds.

Past the notoriously tough first season

Falcao hasn’t been the only forward to find it difficult to make a positive impact in his maiden season. The most obvious comparison would be against Liverpool’s Balotelli who himself has struggled in front of goal this year.

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From 16 league appearances the Italian has scored just the once with no assists while Falcao has both four goals and made four assists though he has played 346 more minutes. If Liverpool are willing to give their underachieving striker another chance to prove himself then maybe Falcao deserves one too.

Possibility of a cut-price deal

Apparently AS Monaco are willing to send Falcao back out on loan in an attempt to get him permanently off their books.

His fee would have to dramatically fall but maybe United could arrange another loan deal. The club has proven to have more money than sense at times so why not throw some more cash Monaco’s way if they are still in two minds over whether Falcao is worth a long-term contract or not.

Another year and they’ll know for sure.