Click and buy: How scouting embraced the 21st century - Transfers, Football - The Independent: "Manchester United completed one of the best deals of recent years with the capture of Mexican striker Javier Hernandez for £7m from Guadalajara a year ago. 'Chicharito' was scouted the traditional way – he was first flagged up by United's scouts in 2005 playing for the Mexican Under-17s and only signed after chief scout Jim Lawlor had spent three weeks in Mexico carrying out an in-depth assessment.
Every club craves unearthing such a precious gem as Hernandez, who scored 20 goals in a memorable debut season at Old Trafford. However not every club can afford the kind of scouting network, both formal employees and informal contacts, assembled over decades by the likes of Manchester United.
More and more, clubs are turning to technology to fill the void, and cut the cost of expensive trips to watch promising youngsters. In the past year, the leading football data companies have turned their focus to player recruitment and are pushing their products hard, believing it is an area of immense potential growth over the next decade. The next Hernandez is just as likely to have been spotted by a nerd at a computer screen as a scout on a football pitch."
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Examining the State of Manchester United’s Midfield | EPL Talk
Examining the State of Manchester United’s Midfield | EPL Talk: "When looking at Anderson at his best, there is a lot to be excited about. He’s become an excellent passer in terms of short and long balls which will remind many of Scholes. He has shown his talent in driving up the field during attacks while at the same time staying committed on defense. His competitive flair spurs on those around him and after his noted struggles in terms of scoring, 2010 was his best year yet with four goals after only one in three prior years.
Would I like it if United signed a world class talent like Sneijder or Nasri? Of course I would. However, the Red Devils shouldn’t be seen as desperate to buy a new midfielder. With Anderson and Cleverly blooming at the right time, Red Devil supporters should feel comfortable with what they have already. At the end of the day, there is no such thing as the “new Paul Scholes” whether it’s Sneijder, Nasri, Anderson or Cleverly. There can only be the new player ready to fill Scholes shoes and right now, Anderson looks like the most realistic option."
Would I like it if United signed a world class talent like Sneijder or Nasri? Of course I would. However, the Red Devils shouldn’t be seen as desperate to buy a new midfielder. With Anderson and Cleverly blooming at the right time, Red Devil supporters should feel comfortable with what they have already. At the end of the day, there is no such thing as the “new Paul Scholes” whether it’s Sneijder, Nasri, Anderson or Cleverly. There can only be the new player ready to fill Scholes shoes and right now, Anderson looks like the most realistic option."
Friday, July 22, 2011
Manchester United hit jackpot as United States tour reaches fever pitch both on and off the field
Manchester United hit jackpot as United States tour reaches fever pitch both on and off the field - Telegraph: "More than 67,000 spectators turned out to see the 7-0 victory against Seattle Sounders last Wednesday, while next Saturday’s Champions League final rematch against Barcelona at FedEx Field, the home of the Washington Redskins, is expected to test the stadium’s 82,000 capacity.
The financial benefit to United of their five-game tour has not been divulged by the club or the tour organisers, but a flat fee in excess of £3 million, plus commercial and attendance-related spin-offs, is understood to be close to the figure the club can expect to generate.
Their presence in the States also helps promote the brand to the world’s leading companies. In a survey commissioned by the club, United have 333 million fans worldwide, with 6.5 million apparently based in the US. Those numbers explain why the likes of DHL, Audi, Epson and Singha are determined to pay handsomely for association with United."
The financial benefit to United of their five-game tour has not been divulged by the club or the tour organisers, but a flat fee in excess of £3 million, plus commercial and attendance-related spin-offs, is understood to be close to the figure the club can expect to generate.
Their presence in the States also helps promote the brand to the world’s leading companies. In a survey commissioned by the club, United have 333 million fans worldwide, with 6.5 million apparently based in the US. Those numbers explain why the likes of DHL, Audi, Epson and Singha are determined to pay handsomely for association with United."
Lionel Messi vs. Cristiano Ronaldo: Analyzing Who's Better in 20 Categories
Lionel Messi vs. Cristiano Ronaldo: Analyzing Who's Better in 20 Categories | Bleacher Report: "Lionel or Cristiano? Ronaldo or Messi?
The eternal question remains: who's better? This article will try to approach this question by analysing 10 technical and physical categories and deciding a winner in each one.
By tackling this topic (yet again), I expect both Messi and Ronaldo fans to disagree with me.
But I will try my best to remain objective and to declare a winner for the attributes I have decided to compare them on—both physical and technical attributes (shooting, acceleration, strength...) and 'intangible' ones (mentality, marketability, ego...).
The winner will be determined by points on each category they win.
Want to know who'll win in speed?
Or in free-kick ability?
What about sportsmanship?
Will it be Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo?
Start the slideshow and find out!"
The eternal question remains: who's better? This article will try to approach this question by analysing 10 technical and physical categories and deciding a winner in each one.
By tackling this topic (yet again), I expect both Messi and Ronaldo fans to disagree with me.
But I will try my best to remain objective and to declare a winner for the attributes I have decided to compare them on—both physical and technical attributes (shooting, acceleration, strength...) and 'intangible' ones (mentality, marketability, ego...).
The winner will be determined by points on each category they win.
Want to know who'll win in speed?
Or in free-kick ability?
What about sportsmanship?
Will it be Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo?
Start the slideshow and find out!"
RONALDO TAKES TOP SPOT AHEAD OF GIGGS, GERRARD, LAMPARD AND VIEIRA
RONALDO TAKES TOP SPOT AHEAD OF GIGGS, GERRARD, LAMPARD AND VIEIRA | Give Me Football: "1. CRISTIANO RONALDO – SPORTING LISBON, MANCHESTER UNITED AND REAL MADRID
Cristiano Ronaldo is arguably the best player to have ever graced the Barclays Premier League. A goalscoring winger with exceptional pace, balance and skill for a big man, the Portuguese international became the first man since Andy Gray to win the PFA Players’ Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year awards in the same year (2007). He then won the Players’ award for a second time 12 months later and also the FIFA World Player of the Year award after scoring 31 league goals – a remarkable return for a winger."
Cristiano Ronaldo is arguably the best player to have ever graced the Barclays Premier League. A goalscoring winger with exceptional pace, balance and skill for a big man, the Portuguese international became the first man since Andy Gray to win the PFA Players’ Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year awards in the same year (2007). He then won the Players’ award for a second time 12 months later and also the FIFA World Player of the Year award after scoring 31 league goals – a remarkable return for a winger."
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Wayne Rooney says he won’t be happy until he is as good as Lionel Messi
Wayne Rooney says he won’t be happy until he is as good as Lionel Messi | The Sun |Sport|Football: "Manchester United star Rooney faced Messi in May's Champions League final and, while they both scored, it was Barcelona's Argentine master who ran the show in a 3-1 victory.
Now Roo aims to reach a standard where he too can be crowned World Player of the Year and once again bring the Champions League title back to Old Trafford.
He said: 'Messi is a great player and rightly World Player of the Year.
'For every footballer out there, not just me, that's the target you want to try to get to and, hopefully, I can."
Now Roo aims to reach a standard where he too can be crowned World Player of the Year and once again bring the Champions League title back to Old Trafford.
He said: 'Messi is a great player and rightly World Player of the Year.
'For every footballer out there, not just me, that's the target you want to try to get to and, hopefully, I can."
Thursday, June 23, 2011
U.S. star midfielder Landon Donovan hails Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez as the hottest striker in the world - Goal.com
An excerpt:
U.S. star midfielder Landon Donovan hails Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez as the hottest striker in the world - Goal.com
Donovan believes that Hernandez’s game isn’t based on trying to do anything out of the ordinary but he excels as a predatory striker relying on instinct.
"He’s a special player," said Donovan. "He's not a guy that’s going to wow you with any moves or tricks but every time that he gets a chance he makes the most of it. He’s a guy who can change the game."
U.S. star midfielder Landon Donovan hails Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez as the hottest striker in the world - Goal.com
Saturday, June 18, 2011
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