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Euro 2016: 3 Frenchmen we need to see in the Premier League

With France making the final of Euro 2016 in their home country, I thought I'd take a look of 3 of their most valuable players who don't play in the Premier League at the moment that we would love to see. The French team is of course full of talent so we will be taking a look at some of those who would fair well in the Premier League.

1. Antoinne Griezmann.
Star of the show with regards to goals so far, he looks certain to win the golden boot of Euro 2016, and is in inspired form. His goal scoring has hugely helped France get to the stage they are at in the competition. His pace and work rate are his best attributes and it certainly looks like he would be able to adapt his talents to the Premier League. I think he'd suit Arsenal best out of the Premier League clubs, maybe Tottenham if they were looking. No matter what side he goes to he is certainly a player who needs to at some point be playing in the Premier League, just so we can all see what he is capable of. He would be a fantastic addition as he would be immediately competing to be one of the best players in the League, which would improve the performances of other contenders as they put their heart and soul into being the best.

2.Paul Pogba
A move which may well be happening. Paul Pogba's move from Juventus to the Premier League has been long awaited and this summer could finally be on the cards. A fantastic young talented midfielder with many skills under his belt. He is linked with Manchester United and would certainly liven up their particularly dull midfield. His ability to pick out a pass as well as having an incredible shot is something he can adapt to the Premier League to meet the fast pace. Although he hasn't really hit his full potential yet and with the Premier League being highly competitive, he may not be as good as everyone thinks he would be. There is no doubt however that he has talent and a move to the Premier League could be the best way to adapt that talent and build on his potential.

3 Blaise Matuidi.
Another incredible midfielder who would be marvellous in the Premier League, is PSG's Matuidi. The defensive midfielder is particularly strong with his high work rate making him one of the most energetic midfielders in the France side. The reason he needs to come to the Premier League is to build on this and be breaking down some of the best players in the world who are playing in the Premier League. With the potential exit of Nemanja Matic at Chelsea I feel Matuidi would be the perfect replacement and would fit in well at Chelsea. His ability to breakdown play and find key passes would be essential next to a more creative Cesc Fabregas and the pairing could be a great one.

France look favourites to win this years European Championships, but looking on from that it would be great to see some of their squad gracing the Premier League next season or in seasons to come. Hopefully some moves go through which improve the Premier League, as it needs a return to former glory, and some of the players coming in could aid towards that.

Review on exit: Gareth Bale

Last night we saw Wales leave Euro 2016 in the Semi final stage, after a magnificent performance from them. One of their stand out performers has been Real Madrid winger Gareth Bale who impressed from the start with 3 goals in his first 3 group games, but just how good was his tournament ?

Bale came out with intent from the off getting a goal from a free kick against Slovakia. It was from then that we knew Wales weren't just coming to make up the numbers, Gareth had helped his side to being top of the group after one game after England's draw with Russia. This boosted Welsh confidence massively as it proved that the Welsh could do it. They went on to finish top of the group with Bale getting another 2 huge goals for his side, and his presence on the pitch was giving hope to the players and fans alike. It almost seemed like seeing him on their side made the Wales players want to play better.

His tournament wasn't a complete success however, at some times he struggled, not really through fault of his own but sometimes he went unnoticed because of the ability that the Welsh team had. Every player was passionate and up for the challenge and Chris Colemans tactics were spot on throughout the tournament ! This took away from Bale as an individual as the nation began to comment on the strength and passion of their team,

There is no questioning Bales desire, he is as is evident incredibly proud to be Welsh and he puts his heart and soul into it. It's fair to say he had a fantastic tournament and him and his team probably deserved to go all the way to the final, they were stopped however by w strong Semi final performance from Portugal and no criticism should be made of their display, they had a fantastic unexpected run and it really helps the nation, things are looking bright now for the future of Wales FC.

Euro 2016: Wales V Portugal preview: The verge of something Special.

We've made it this far. The semi finals of Euro 2016 are to kick off tonight with Wales in action against Portugal, after nearly a month of football we are nearly reaching the end. I'm going to be taking a look at both teams chances of winning, before the big game tonight.

1.Wales
We all know their story, and what a fantastic one it is too. They're coming in to uncharted territory now having made this Semi Final and will be looking to progress even further against a weakened Portugal side. They go into the game without Aaron Ramsey which could be a huge blow for their chances and I guess tonight we shall see just how vital he is for them. They must rely on Gareth Bale to light up the pitch tonight as they could struggle if he is having an off day. As has been proven however, Wales are far from a 2 man team, they have strength all over the pitch and everyone will be looking to perform to send their country through to the final. They have arguably one of the most passionate sides ever seen by a home nation, and have really set new boundaries for any of the home nations for tournaments to come.

So, How can they win it?
For me Wales must simply keep doing what they have been doing if they are going to win, and that's sticking to the game plan. Coleman has managed his tactics tremendously so far this tournament and his players trust him. So tonight they will be looking to play good football in at their feet when they need it, defending as a defensive and midfield unit, and looking for Bale as an outlet to begin to create chances for a Wales side capable of doing damage.

2.Portugal
Surprisingly, not being outright favourites for this game, I feel Portugal have nothing to fear tonight. They have done extremely well to be in the position they are after an unconvincing tournament, but all it could take is one strong performance tonight and they've made it to the final. I think we are all expecting something big off Christiano Ronaldo and for me if he wants to show he is the best, he must perform on the biggest stage. Winning this tournament would mean a lot to him as he is an incredibly passionate player. Portugal do not however just rely on him, they have an incredibly strong midfield and a defence capable of stopping Wales in their tracks, before this tournament began they would be out and out favourites to win this game, but as Wales have shown their strength, and Portugal haven't been playing their best football, things are different.

How can Portugal win?
One important thing which could help Portugal is if they Started Quaresma, he hasn't had the most play time in this tournament but when he has featured he has looked sharp and dangerous, and has come out with real intent to cause problems. I think this is Portugal's chance. I think that tonight they will come out and finally arrive at this tournament with a great footballing display, if not, serious questions have to be asked of their managerial staff. If you can't perform at this level you don't deserve to get to this level, especially for some of the World class players Portugal have.

Overall I do not think this game is out of Wales reach, both teams could win and it should be an exciting fixture. Portugal will be looking to silence critics and a good performance for them is vital, its what everyone wants to see, because to many at the moment it doesn't look like they deserve to be where they are. Good luck to Wales and good luck to Portugal, lets hope for plenty of goals.

Manchester United: Why it won't be plain sailing for the Special One.

The arrival of Mourinho has led to many people speculating big things for Manchester United, some fans hinting at challenging for the title. It won't be easy for United however, they have really struggled since the departure of Alex Ferguson and haven't really filled that gap yet with someone capable of what he spent so long building up. Mourinho will find it hard, and here's why.

1. The Premier League is changing
If there is one thing we have seen from Transfers so far this season it is that The Premier League is having an overhaul. I think this is going to be the biggest window yet for Premier League clubs, with huge amounts of money already being spent on top players. Manchester United have began to build and spend too but even clubs like Crystal Palace are throwing huge bids on high profile players, which you usually wouldn't see because of the big TV deal coming into place for this campaign. It should make for an incredibly exciting season with many teams with much higher quality, meaning there could possibly be another surprise winner come next May. All of this means Mourinho may not be used to such competitive games every fixture, and he could struggle with this, like he did in his short time at Chelsea last season.

2. Plenty of Special Ones this season
Another thing for Mourinho to consider and Manchester United fans to think about is some of the names which will be managing in the Premier League next season. There's Guardiola in charge of a very strong City side, Conte buidling a Chelsea outfit to challenge for the title, Klopp's first full season at Liverpool, and the ever present ever Stubborn Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger. 4 top managers who will be putting their all into securing Champions League football and competing for the title itself. That is without thinking about last years Champions Leicester and a young Tottenham side who are capable of great things. Mourinho needs to be careful with what he promises because the strength in depth in the Premier League this coming season is going to be incredible, and no team will be taking it lightly.

3. His squad
Another thing for Mourinho to consider is his team, which obviously he will be on top of. It isn't looking particularly strong at the moment even with new additions who may struggle to adapt to the fat pace of the Premier League. If you ask me, this is going to be Ibrahimovic's toughest test, and i don' think hes up to it personally. Time will tell. United really do need to sort out a jumbled team with a variety of players playing out of position. They need a structure and a game plan which they haven't clearly had for a few seasons now. Hopefully Mourinho has one, and can restore United to their former glory, but it wont be easy.

Overall I really would like to see Manchester United restored and go on to win the Premier League, but I think they are a long way from that at the moment and have a lot of work to do. If they could possibly do that within a season it would be fantastic, but unfortunately I cant see them doing so! only time will tell and we can see just how good Mourinho really is with probably his toughest challenge yet.

BPL transfers so far, a big season?

We have been treated to some huge signings already this transfer window as many clubs are looking to be doing business early, but just who of the big names stand out so far ? And who is going to be contender for player of the season come next May ? Let's take a look at what's been going on.

1.Henrikh Mkhitaryan
Manchester United have been notably busy already this window making two signings, the one I've chosen to focus is Mkhitaryan, who United signed from Borussia Dortmund. The wide player could be of incredible importance to Mourinho's plans next season as he is the sort of player Jose would like. In ways he is similar to Edin Hazard and ex Chelsea star Arjen Robben, as he is the sort of winger who runs at defenders at great pace and like to come inside and shoot, most known for his great dribbling he can threaten any defence and I'm sure will do so. I do struggle however to see how he's going to adapt to this United team, obviously Mourinho will make more changes but at the moment I feel we're still looking at a confused Van Gaal style side, where wingers haven't been the best performers and there has been more emphasis on how good De Gea is in goal. I think Mkhitaryan may struggle to adapt to the Premier League early on but has the potential to be a special player for the special one, let's hope he settles quickly and can show us all his talent.

2.Ilkay Gundogan
Another Dortmund player moving to Manchester, but this time to the blue side. Gundogan was Pep Guardiola's first signing as the new City boss, and with the potential departure of YaYa Toure you can see why they may have wanted to sign him. He is a strong midfielder with a great engine and the ability to work hard in midfield. He has a good eye to pick out a pass and should fit Well into a very strong City midfield dominated with big names. He is a player who I can see fitting into the City squad very easily and for a player of his midfield ability he should adapt to life in the Premier League very quickly and I think he will hit the ground running.

3. Michy Batshuayi
Chelsea only yesterday secured the signing of Marseille Striker Batshuayi, and  costing just over 30 million I feel he could be a great addition to a Chelsea attack who looked stuck at times during last season. There is now some huge competition for Spanish striker Diego Costa which has been needed as his form has dipped. This could be a huge season for the pair. The thing I like about Batshuayi is he is strong but he doesn't struggle to get around the pitch, he is also only incredibly young and could be a huge asset to Chelsea in the up and coming seasons. Around his team mates at Chelsea I can see him settling in well as some of the talent they have they will be able to assist him and this combined with his ability means he shouldn't struggle finding the net.

Overall I think with all of the money coming into the Premier League this season we should be in for one huge campaign. Every club involved is going to be spending big money to compete with each other, and we should expect many more big names coming to the Premier League before this window is out. Let's look forward to all who come in, and hope next years Premier League season is the best yet.

Germany through, why is German football thriving at the moment?

With Germany through to the Semi Finals of Euro 2016, I'm going to be taking a look at one of the main reasons that their side thrives, their youth system. I'm going to be taking a look deeper into how their youth system works and what we can learn from it. Germany have some of the forests young talents in the world and they appear to keep on producing, let's see how they do it.

The DFB
The DFB is the German football association, and they have helped tremendously in providing young stars for the German national side. Their changes all began after a poor performance in Euro 2000 which saw Germany finish bottom of their group. They therefore decided to go back and develop their youth system in an attempt to better the quality of younger players breaking into their side. The way the DFB did this is by introducing a talent development program in 2003 which was set up in 366 areas of Germany and was ran by nearly 1000 volunteers, and it was aimed to improve the skill and technical ability of 8-14 year olds showing potential to be some of the worlds next best players. Since this time the talent development program has worked with over half of the German national side, showing the positive impact of this work at a young age. They do not help anyone whoever and it must be the elite who are scouted. Every volunteer of the 1000 for example must be a trained uefa B level coach, and must scout the players as well as train them to become Germany's next stars.

The number of high level coaches Germany has is phenomenal in comparison to the likes of England and is worth comparing, Germany have around 30,000 uefa B level coaches compared to England 5000 and have around 1500 coaches with a pro license compared to England's 150, so obviously there is a larger number of young players getting much better coaching. The system is also completely contrasting to England's as England let clubs scout and sign and train players to pick for the national side, whereas Germany train their players nationally and then let clubs scout from that stage of their development, meaning the players are much more aware and dedicated to their national team as its a mean of them being successful , rather than English players who may know they have a good club to fall back on if their international career doesn't flourish.

The other important thing to consider is money, bringing though your own talented players is much cheaper than spending huge amounts of money on overseas stars, which is what Premier League clubs tend to do, in the bundesliga around 50% of players are homegrown and this isn't the most in Europe with the Netherlands Eredivisie on 68.5 % but still it is better than England who sit lowest out of the 6 major European leagues with 36.5% of players playing at clubs being homegrown. This stat alone shows that it is no wonder England are so commonly underperforming on the international stage.

Overall Germany's improvements to youth football have incredibly improved results ! And England should certainly slowly move towards making these huge changes to their footballing system ! Germany are on course to win another Euros title ! And fair play to them, the turn around they have made since 2000 is phenomenal.

What can England learn from Wales?

Yesterday we saw Wales progress into the semi-final of Euro 2016. They shocked us all in beating Belgium 3-1 and showed us all how dedicated and committed they are to this tournament. Playing every match with an energy fuelled on passion and love for their country. Something English players need to learn, lets take a look at what Wales can teach England and English football.

1. It's not about stars or money
Yes obviously Wales have Gareth Bale, one of the best players in the world right now, but he is only one player in a squad which isn't packed with world class talent. Neither is England's but the difference comes when players in the Wales squad are picked for their ability and form rather than their name or how they can possibly play if they had a good day. For example Ashley Williams. He has been playing well in a struggling team all season. Swansea had a rough ride this season and Williams if English would be nowhere near the England set up if he were English. Coleman however, knew he was strong and gave him a chance. Look at players like Danny Drinkwater and Mark Noble, all season they've put in the work, shown their passion and desire for football and are picked ahead of Jack Wilshere who I do like but has only played 141 minutes of football all season, and hasn't done anything notable in those minutes anyway. Players like Daniel Sturridge who okay has been scoring goals but had a large amount of the season out through injury. Wales seem to pick players who have shown they want to play for their country and they deserve to, rather than anyone available.

2. Tactics
What I mean by this is, Wales had a game plan. Every player knows what each others role is and are used to playing in the position they are placed in. England kept experimenting and it wasn't working. Poor tactics introduced by Hodgson including a leading poacher style goal scorer being put on corners, and this was just the beginning. Wales know they're strengths and they play to them, England use a policy of 'try this and hope' and 'if that doesn't work bring all the strikers on' Which isn't the way to approach things. The new England manager needs a system, a plan, the best plan which he should see from watching his players at club level and during training sessions.

3. Don't hold back
Look at Wales, when they beat Belgium yesterday they didn't sit on a one goal cushion, they came out and secured the win with another goal. This is another thing England are incapable of doing. After going 1-0 up against an incapable Russia side, everyone sat back and invited pressure, we even bought on Milner because 'we were in control' at 1-0. Everyone has been saying it but it is just ridiculous how at 1-0 you can be in control of a football match. Wales played football, and tried to score as many as they could, which is what England needed to do, not sit on any 1 goal lead.

Overall its frustrating for England fans as nothing can be changed now, and it's also frustrating to sit and watch Wales do so well. Fair play to them they are really proving what a good passionate team can do and they could cause an upset. If they do it will be incredible! Credit to everyone involved at With Wales. As for England, things need to change and be sorted out and fast, not just in the national squad, but the fact English players are twice the price of overseas players is also ridiculous. These issues need to be addressed, and soon, before English football becomes worse than a 2-1 defeat to Iceland.

Euro 2016: review on exit, Luka Modric

After Croatia miss out on a position in the last 8 of Euro 2016, we take a look at how Luka Modric performed for his country throughout the tournament, and what influence his play had on Croatia getting as far as they did.

At this tournament, Modric has played a strong part in a particularly strong side in Croatia. There midfield has been the most exciting element of their squad and Modric has been at the heart of that alongside Ivan Rakitic, the pair have looked strong, and have shown their great strength and ability holding Croatia together.

Modric had an immediate impact on the Croatian team as soon as the tournament began.Scoring their first goal which turned out to be the winning goal in a 1-0 victory over Turkey. His commitment to the team within this first game was unquestionable. He was always looking to make things happen, controlling the game as the Engine in the Croatian midfield.

Another aspect of Modric's game which he demonstrated during the Euro's is his passion for his country. He showed this when he got particularly upset when Croatia were knocked out of the tournament. He looked gutted. This clearly shows that a big part of his game is helped by his desire and passion to play.

Overall unfortunately, Modric couldn't prevent Croatia's exit from Euro 2016, but he is still a huge player with bags of ability, who should be proud of what he produced this tournament.

Euro 2016: English football improving?

With England crashing out of Euro 2016, I thought I'd take a look at the state of English football at this current moment in time, is it good? Is it bad? Or is it laughable! Let's take a look.

1.leagues more competitive than ever.
One thing which is surely a positive for English football is how competitive all professional English leagues are becoming. In my opinion it looks like the championship is in for its most competitive season ever next season, with some huge teams down there like Newcastle and Aston Villa, as well as many of the big clubs already stuck in England's 2 level of football. This is hugely advantageous as it attracts better games, better atmosphere and better player development at a competitive level ! This will hugely help out players as they develop through their careers as they will have a higher workfare to put in a strong performance, after some incredibly competitive lower league performances.

2.dont underestimate in the cup
Another important thing for bigger clubs to consider, which is fantastic for smaller clubs, is how in a cup game levels of football sometimes aren't that far apart, and more often we are seeing smaller clubs upsetting bigger ones. This is hugely beneficial for the English game as it shows development of lower league clubs and how they can compete at a high level. Not so great for the bigger team but ah well!

3. The players performances
As for English players, performances have been rather good in recent times. We had an English top two in the premier league goals coring table this season which is brilliant for the national side. Another benefit to this of course being it allows for competitive nature between English players to show them that they can do it and they can be top BPL goal scorer if they work hard enough.

Another benefit to the current set up of English players is many showing great potential are particularly young, players like John Stones and Marcus Rashford. Who are showing such great potential for their age. In my opinion we are still very far from other great national teams, but keep producing young talent who can only get better and we may begin to catch up with some of Europe's powerhouse teams. With such great players playing in the Premier League, English players absolutely thrive, and they need to be oven the opportunity to do so, so we should definitely encouraged bringing more through in the future.

Overall I think England's football scene will need to pick itself up after a poor performance in Euro 2016, much needs to change to the national set up to make it much stronger. However,things are slowly looking up for English football. The new tv deal will have its benefits and drawbacks but I'm sure with another season vast approaching we will be looking forward to it all !! Let me know what you think about the state of English football at the moment down below ! Thanks .

Video replay in the EPL?

The Premier League, one of if not the biggest league in the world, still consistent mistakes. Consistent mistakes in how in game decisions are made in within seconds of an incident happening, with only one view of the incident and nothing else. Should video replaying be allowed in the Premier League to be used as a review system for big decisions ? I think so, here's why.

One problem with refereeing at the moment, and this is no fault of the referees themselves, but, what one referee may consider to be a red card in one game may not be perceived to be a red card for another ref in another game. Its clear to see that this is unfair, surely there should be an even playing field around all referees decisions and there shouldn't be different perceptions. Video replaying would allow for this, a group of referees could review the decision and come to a fairer judgement. At the moment teams are having players suspended for some things when some players and being suspended more incidents twice as bad, and that isn't fair at all.

Another reason why video analysis should be introduced into the game situation is because it's already there, every weekend we as fans sit back and watch replays of incidents and highlights and zoomed in different angle shots on every tackle or decision , surely a ref seeing all of these angles will allow him to make a much better judgement. Why not let a team access this information and pass it on to him. It is essentially already in the game just the referee, the one ultimately who makes the decisions, is the last one too see it, surely this is wrong.

Overall the decision to bring in video technology is probably a much needed one and soon ! Before more incidents take place and wrong decisions or unfair decisions are being made. As I said before though no fault of the referee, I feel they should be given as much support as possible, in order to make the right decision.

Helen Ward: Becoming Welsh.

Becoming Welsh

I often get asked, and even more so in the last few weeks, who I support – England or Wales? My answer is, simply, Wales. This is usually followed by; “but you’re English?!”

Well, yes, I was born and raised in England, indeed I still live in England as I always have done and until the age of 22, I saw myself as English.

I know, you can’t just change your nationality in the same way that you would change your washing powder, but when the chance came to represent Wales in international women’s football in September 2008, my outlook on my nationality suddenly changed.

My mother’s parents were both born in Wales and they also had the opportunity to represent the country in sport before the war broke out, and it is through them that my Welsh heritage stems.

I made my debut in the red of Wales against Luxembourg andwith the dragon on my chest, as soon as THAT anthem began, the hairs on the back of my neck stood on end and I knew I was in the right place. There’s just something about it, Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau, that stirs the emotions and pulls everyone that is singing it together.

I am fast approaching my 70th cap for Wales and when you’ve stood side by side with your team and sang THAT anthem on so many proud occasions, it is impossible not to feel like you were meant to be Welsh from the start. I have worn that badge and represented those around me for the best part of 8 years, there is no way I could support anyone else. I made sure I quickly learnt the words, well, at least I tried to learn the sounds (it’s quite tricky!), as I knew how important it was to be able to join in with some of the most passionate and patriotic people I have had the pleasure to meet once the music began.

The way the Welsh handle themselves, the pride and the passion they show in everything they do, you just can’t ignore it.

Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t just flick a switch overnight and become non-English. I didn’t suddenly want them to lose every time they played, I still like to see them do well. After all, my husband is a very proud Englishman! I just don’t see them as my team or my country when it comes to sport. I’m too involved and I’m too proud of my team and the countrywe play for.

Each and every time I pull on that red jersey is an honour and I can only thank the staff, players and fans who have accepted me as one of their own.

So when Wales were drawn against England in the group stages of Euro 2016, my heart laid with only one team, the boys from the Valleys.

Chris Coleman’s troops have lifted the nation and made everyone sit up and take notice. When a team comes together as they have, and 7, 8 even 9 of the players on the pitch are giving you an 8 or 9 out of ten in terms of performance, you have got a chance of making a mark.

Bale, of course, steals the headlines and rightly so. He can change the course of a game in an instant such is the quality he possesses. But the other 22 players – and all of the staff - have played their part, no doubts about it. The likes of Joe Allen, Aaron Ramsey, James Chester, Ben Davies and Joe Ledley have all been outstanding throughout. Chris Gunter, Wayne Hennessey, Ashley Williams and Neil Taylor – consistently solid. Then there’s Dave Edwards, Sam Vokes, Hal Robson-Kanu and little Joniesta (Jonny Williams) who have all made a huge impact when called upon either from the start or off of the bench. Those who haven’t enjoyed the game time they would have hoped for have, I’m sure, played a key role in the background making sure those on the pitch are at the top of their game whilst being ready, if and when they are needed.

Their motto says it all – Together Stronger – and that is what they truly are. They have made history and they are making a nation proud. Whatever happens, they will return as heroes.

CYMRU AM BYTH!

Helen Ward

@helenwardie10

can Wales do it? their story

Wales have shocked everyone this tournament and have announced themselves as one of the biggest success stories of Euro 2016. For such a tiny nation nobody even expected them to qualify never mind to be going into the Quarter final of the tournament after a 1-0 win over Northern Ireland. I'm going to be taking a look at what they have done well so far this tournament and ultimately judging to see if they can go all the way.

1. Team effort
Wales so far this tournament have been the perfect example that if a team works hard enough they can achieve great things. People are looking towards this current set of players as some of the most passionate to put on the shirt. Every player knows how well they have done for their country and they're looking to do the best they can to make their country proud. There efforts are showing as they now find themselves in the quarter finals.

2. Star men.
2 players have done incredibly well so far this tournament for Wales, Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsay. Both are the stars of Welsh football and have done their country proud. Most recognised has been Ramsey's work rate, as well as his ability to spot that killer past, which we have been used to seeing in the Premier League. As for Bale for me he has been one of the best players at this tournament so far, scoring 3 goals during the group stages to help Wales progress.

3. So can they do it
If Wales are to get far in this competition they need players like Ramsey and Bale to find real form. These are two players who can win matches for Wales and they need to switch on. If Bale can keep up his good form he can guide Wales to victory, as he did so many times during qualification for this tournament. It's a tall order but Wales are going the right way about it. It will interesting to see how the next game goes. Good luck to all you Wales fans out there!

Euro 2016: review on exit, Granit Xhaka

Yesterday we all saw Switzerland exit Euro 2016 after a defeat to Poland. This saw the end to what has been a particularly frustrating tournament for Switzerland. They struggled to really get off the mark and have an impact on Euro 2016. One positive however did come from the Swiss side and that is now Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka. Arsenal fans were excited to see what Granit was all about and many weren't disappointed with what they saw. Here's my opinion on How he played.

Firstly lets clear up people slating him for missing the penalty which saw his side sent home. The vast majority of players at some point will miss a penalty, should they therefore be held accountable for the loss, no not at all. It could've been anyone who missed and missing doesn't make it that one players fault, there were plenty more things that could've been done by Switzerland prior to penalties which could've helped them win the game.

One thing that was incredibly good by Xhaka was his ability to pick out a pass. He came out of Euro 2016 having 89% passing accuracy overall, making the most passes out of any player, with one of the highest success rates. He managed to create 10 chances in the 4 games he played in which is a great effort from a young player who is only 23 years old.

Another positive for Arsenal fans is his defensive mind set. Xhaka likes to sit very deep and conduct the game from a defensive midfield position, but unlike many defensive midfielders, he isn't only concerned to win the ball. He also often shows signs of creativity, and can combine every defensive midfield aspect by being able to shoot, tackle and create, making him a very strong well rounded player.

Admittedly, he didn't have the perfect tournament, but age is on his size. He has time now to work hard at Arsenal to get a place in their squad to prove what he can do, and to improve on what he isn't so good at. Meaning by the time the Premier League season comes around he is already comfortable and working hard in what could be a very strong Arsenal set up.

Overall in my opinion Xhaka is showing the potential to be a very strong player, and if he irons out some inconsistencies I'm sure he can go far. He will be looking to get into a strong Arsenal side next season to prove what he can do, he is more than capable of performing in the Premier League. As with many players however, it is vital he adapts fast, and hits the ground running come the new campaign.

Euro 2016: England V Iceland preview

England managed to get through the group stages with relative ease in the end. After 1 important win against Wales and 2 Drawers against Russia and Slovakia. We move on to play underdogs Iceland, who have amazed everyone including their own commentary team with how far they have come. They will still be a tough test for England, they will be putting every ounce of effort into every thing they do. Let's take a look at how England can look to beat them.


Roy's boys haven't fully been put under pressure yet, particularly with regards to the defence. Iceland are going to be looking to exploit England's weaknesses but they will struggle to do so, due to some of the strength in England's midfield.

I think England should set up the way they did in the 2nd half against Wales. They showed real intent. The midfield as I previously mentioned is crucial to England getting a victory in today's game. I think we should stick to the same midfield as we did in the first and second group games. Wayne Rooney has had 2 incredibly strong performances within this position and when on the ball he has looked the most calm and composed player, and he will be looking to build on this. Another midfielder who has stood out for me this tournament is Tottenham's Eric Dier, his holding role has been so solid and secure, and I think anything other than keeping him in this position would hugely hinder England's chances.

To exploit Iceland we should look to control the midfield as well as trying to create a good amount of chances for our more attacking player. We know that on their day, England's attack can beat any defence, and the Iceland one isn't particularly strong. So we should look to overpower them in attack, get amongst their defence early and try to create real problems which could lead to great chances.

We shouldn't underestimate Iceland however, they have proved that they deserve to be where they are with the performances that they have put it. They've shown great strength and character as well as passion and will be looking to pick weaknesses in English play.

I feel they are going to try and beat England with counter attacking football. We could see Iceland at times having every man behind the ball attempting to defend the goal,and will look to form an opening through catching England on the break. They could however come out all guns blazing and attempt to get an early goal to weaken English spirits,. Either way England have to be wary as any errors could lead to exit from the tournament.

Overall I think that England can win this game and progress into the quarter final. I don't think its going to be easy however, and some great football and strong performances will be needed. Let's hope for a good game! Leave your score predictions in thecomment section below!

Euro 2016: How will sunday's big clubs fair.

3 Favourite's this seasons Euro 2016 tournament play today, and after yesterday looking at how the slightly lower ranked teams may be able to beat the higher ranked, it's now time to see how the favourite's can stop this from happening, and how each individually can win they're fixtures today.

1. France
The home nation for this tournament go up against Ireland in today's 2pm kick off, they will be looking to put in a good performance in order to progress to the next stage of the tournament. One of their strongest assets is Dimitri Payet, he has impressed in the Premier League this season and is also showing his strength so far this tournament for France. He is going to have to play well against an Ireland side who will be looking to mark him and stop him finding space, Payet thrives off of space and freedom, He is the key to France unlocking Ireland later on today. They also show great strength with regards to the depths in their squad. Their defence midfield and attack are all incredibly capable and filled with world class players. They also boast incredible youth players, such as Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba, who has been performing well both domestically and for his country. If they utilise his Strengths, as well as Payet's ability to attack, they should, with the quality they have, easily overpower Ireland.

2.Germany
As I have said before in posts, I back Germany to win this summer's tournament. They have the best squad depth in my opinion and if they utilise this like they did in the World Cup in 2014, there is no reason why they can't win again. With possession being one of Germany's main footballing tactics, the strength in their squad means Germany have the ability to out pass opposition, not allowing them any time on the ball by keeping it for themselves and dominating the pace of the game. They also have the back up of one of the best defences and goalkeepers in the world at this current moment in time. Combining the two they become an incredible force, one so difficult to be taken advantage of. If they get chances they can get goals, with many attacking players in their squad capable of causing problems. If they can get hold of the ball and dominate, its going to be difficult for even the best teams to beat them.

3.Belgium
For me, Belgium are one of the most exciting teams at this summer's tournament. Some of their players are on another level of good. A personal favourite for me within the Belgium squad is creative midfielder Kevin De Bruyne. Belgium got off to a particularly slow start with a group stage defeat against Italy, but since then have shown what they are capable of and why they aren't here just to make up numbers. I think De Bruyne's creativity is going to be key for Belgium if they are going to a beat a surprising Hungary side. Another factor which they need to utilise is the strength in their defence. They have very capable defenders who have performed consistently throughout this last Premier league season in Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweirald. If these two can perform well together again I think they will be very difficult for Hungary to break down, which could limit the oppositions chances.

Overall I see no reason why these sides can't all win today. They have the stronger squads in comparison to their opposition, but this is what makes them favourites. They will still all have to prove their quality on the pitch in Today's fixtures in order to come out victorious. I have every faith in them.

Euro 2016, big upsets?

Getting into this stage of the tournament some big teams remain, and also some surprises. This post is to tell you all about why we shouldn't just expect the favourites to win every game and why we could see a few upsets during this round of 16.

1. They got this far.
For perhaps smaller Nations like Wales and Iceland as well as both Northern and the Republic of Ireland it is incredible that they have got this far in the tournament. This puts them at a huge advantage because it allows them to play without fear as they are already over exceeding expectation. They can go out and focus on the football. This differs to many bigger Nations like Spain and Germany because they have the added pressure put upon them that they are expected to win. They are expected to over power teams and are heavily criticised every time they don't do this. As well as this the prospect of getting further in the competition and making history for their nation will lead to a much more passionate performance from the smaller nations. They will be fighting for every ball and meaning every pass and shot more than some teams who may be taking the smaller side for granted, leading to opportunities and unexpected results.

2. Every team has talent
Another factor which could contribute to some big upsets is that every team has big names capable of changing matches. For example most notably Wales who have Gareth Bale, joint top goal scorer so far at the tournament and he will be looking to add to this in every game which he gets an opportunity. Even teams like Iceland and the Republic of Ireland have players who feature week in week out in the Premier League who are strong enough to compete against bigger teams. All it take is for one player to score early against a favourite side and the whole game and maybe tournament can turn on it's head. Teams like Germany will have to play under pressure where they have to get goals and they may struggle to do this.

3. The fans believe
Obviously not a direct link to success, but the difference in having 20,000 fans behind you in a stadium can make a huge difference. It can motivate players to work harder and give their all because they know how much it mean to their fans. For example look how passionate the Iceland fans were. We've all seen the video of their commentator going crazy, and in my opinion fans getting behind a team is certainly a factor which an help smaller teams beat bigger ones.

Obviously not every favourite is going to lose, but potentially they could, and above are a few reasons why. We are at a stage in the tournament where better sides can be knocked out simply because they don't perform on the day, and smaller sides can be victorious. It's always much more entertaining when the small teams do well ,so in a way I hope they do all win, as I'm sure there fans will want them too as well.

Euro 2016: Croatia V Portugal preview

We are now getting further into knockout stages of this summers Euro 2016 tournament, with today being the beginning of the Round of 16. Every game is now vital to every team, as a loss means removal from the tournament. In one of today's 3 fixtures, outsiders Croatia take on a rather reluctant Portugal side in what should be an even battle, which could see one great moment or one controversial one deciding the outcome. Who will come out on top? Here are a low down on each sides chances in today's later kick off.

1. Croatia
Croatia have been outstanding so far this tournament. In getting to this stage they have proven their class beating the likes of Spain and Turkey to prove that they aren't here to be walked all over. They welcome back Luka Modric and Mario Mandzukic in tonight's fixture after missing them in the Spain win. This will help their chances incredibly. Luka Modric has the class and consistency to win at any level, he is therefore a huge asset to the Croatia team and could be influential in the side getting the victory to progress tonight.

Modric isn't the only class act within this Croatia side however, another player to be on the look out for in tonight's game is Inter Milan winger Ivan Perisic. He has worked tirelessly so far this tournament, working hard and scoring 2 goals for Croatia during the group stage. If he is to continue this scoring form he could be in contention for the golden boot, which he will be wary of. So he will be looking to perform well once again for his nation tonight.

Overall Croatia look to have a very strong line up, and are going to take some beating. They aren't short on confidence and have a team including Champions League winners who are capable of great things. The key for Portugal I think is to try and break up Croatia's midfield and not allow them time on the ball, which I'm sure they'll be looking to do.

2.Portugal
As for Portugal I'm sure they'll be looking to improve on an unconvincing group stage. They struggled at times despite the strength in their side. This in turn will make them the underdogs for that fixture, but with a squad of this depth that shouldn't be the case. If they play control possession and chances like we know they can, they could quickly and easily put Croatia under pressure.

All eyes will be on Ballon D'or winner Christiano Ronaldo. The Real Madrid front man hasn't got up to full speed yet but this won't be a problem. He is a top performer, who can change games in an instant. Portugal will need him to be at his best tonight. They'll be looking for a strong performance from Ronaldo if they are to win.

Portugal do have the talent elsewhere however to carry them across the line against Croatia. They need to utilise the wings, particularly with their top goalscorer of the tournament Nani, who will, like Perisic, be looking to improve his goal tally. Portugal as I said have the depth to go on to great things, they have a strong midfield capable of stopping Croatia. They also have some exciting younger players progressing through the squad at this tournament including 18 Year old Midfielder Renato Sanches, who looks to be showing great potential. As well as Valencia Midfielder Andre Gomes, who at 22 years old can also control Portugal's midfield and if allowed to the game.

Overall, both teams have huge chance of winning tonight's game, and it doesn't appear to be a one sided fixture on paper. Both teams match up evenly which should make for a strong competitive fixture. Going on form, I feel if Croatia can control the game in midfield, they will be putting themselves in a great position to win the match, but if chances come to Portugal and particularly Ronaldo, I cant see him missing them.

Euro 2016: potential top goal scorers

Now that the group stages are over its time to look towards potential golden boot winners. The group stage is a great chance for players to get off to a flying start with regards to netting goals. From now on however the further you get in the tournament will help, I'm going to be taking a look at a few players capable of winning the golden boot, and why they might be worth backing.

1. Gareth Bale
The wales front man scored 7 in qualifying and now has 3 goals after 3 games within the tournament. This makes him joint top goal scorer. His goal scoring tally relies heavily upon how long Wales can last from now on in. It works both ways however, as his goal scoring could be vital to keeping them in. He has a good supply from Arsenal midfielder, and if the pair can continue to link up, the goals will come for the in form Gareth. Bale also boasts the ability to score set pieces, this will of course also help his chances of coming out with the golden boot at the end of the tournament.

2.Alvaro Morata
After starting slowly Morata is now joint top with Bale. Having scored 3 goals. He has the advantage over Bale because Spain have a stronger depth in their squad and therefore a greater number of players who can provide for Morata. They also have a higher chance of staying in longer than Wales because of their stronger squad, giving Morata more play time to get goals. He often needs to be supplied well for his goals which could be his downfall, as Bale is very good at creating his own chances.

3.Outside chance Romelu Lukaku
Once again Lukaku could potentially get the golden boot, as long as Belgium keep performing. Belgium slipped up in their first game and any more performances like this will hinder Romelu's chances. He currently has 2 goals and heads into his name game with a strong Belgium squad behind him, and after a successful season I'd bag him to get more goals if given the opportunities. He's a very strong forward who is good at hold  up play but can also create chances for himself, giving him a great chance at getting lots more goals.

4. Others in contention
There are a few players who have began scoring well, but just may fall short of  the golden boot prize. These players are...

1. Dimitri Payet- Payet has 2 goals so far this tournament, he is at an advantage in that he is brilliant with free kicks, but he may struggle as the chances may not always come his way, being a midfielder. Although in the inspiring form he is in he could keep finding the net, so I wouldn't count him out completely

2. Nani
Another play where this is also the case is Nani, being a wider play he may not always get the chances but so far he has taken the ones he has got and finds him self on two goals. He needs to hope Portugal keep providing for him because they aren't having the best of tournaments, but Nani is working hard and I'm sure will continue to do so.

3.Bogdan Stancu
The Romanian man has scored 2 goals so far this tournament and boasts a shot on target percentage of 80%. This man is an example that its not always the huge named teams who have the highest goal scorers. However, Romania may struggle to progress due to some of the huge talents still left in the competition, and this will hugely limit Stancu.

Overall there are many players still in contention to win the golden boot. This is due to the competitive nature of the tournament so far, in another week or so we may have a better idea of who could win the golden boot, but for now its just best to sit back and enjoy the goals.

Euro 2016: my prediction of the winner.

We are now in the last 16 of Euro 2016, she stage is set for the knockout phase of the tournament to begin. I've decided now is the time that I want to cast my opinion on who is going to win it and why. I don't know if this is going to happen obviously but from my eyes. this country has the biggest chance.

My winners are Germany. They look an incredible force and despite Spanish dominance with regards to European football like the Champions League and Europa League, I think this Germany team is better combined than the Spanish team. Here's why.

1. Squad of stars
One Reason why I think Germany will win Euro 2016 is because of the strength in their squad. Every member bar a couple play at the highest level. Many of them have one the World cup together. Many win the Bundesliga every season together at Bayern Munich and a select few have one the Champions League. These players are used to winning, and rightfully so as they have performed incredibly well to do so.

2.Workrate
If you thought the individuals were good, the way they work as a team is even better. Players like Toni Kroos, not known for his speed or work rate, out ran every play on the pitch in Germany's first game, he was in inspired form. Every player in the squad wants the ball at their feet and works hard when they've got it, making them incredibly difficult to intercept or break down. The Germany   defence is also incredibly experienced and very strong, as well as having Manuel Neuer in goal making it very difficult for teams to score.

3. Confidence
Germany have no reason to fear losing, this is also another huge factor, they've won the World Cup and since then German players have dominated domestic football. Why should they feel they are going to lose? they have no reason to play with fear and no reason to feel fear against opponents.

I think Germany will win this years tournament, however I'd love to be proven wrong, other teams winning would be magnificent for them! Obviously there are so many teams still in contention and I'd like to see someone else win, but Germany has such a strong squad, I can easily see them winning. Let me know in the comments below who you think will win and who you want to win!

BPL Predicitions: Tottenham's chance?

After a strong season under Pochettino, finding themselves in Champions League football next season, Tottenham have exceeded all expectation. So taking a look into the 2016/17 campaign, do Tottenham have a chance of winning the Premier League? I'm going to be taking a look at a few reasons why they may or may not have chance in the next campaign.

1.Young stars
One Reason why they may be able to win the Premier League next season is due to some of the younger players in their squad who are playing incredibly well. Combined with some more experienced players who could be purchased in the transfer market, as well as players like Moussa Dembele and Jan Vertonghen, the younger players can thrive and learn from these players, making them stronger and better to compete with the top teams. Not only that but Pochettino likes to play these younger players week in week out. This in itself would give them a great boost of confidence as every week they are gaining Premier League experience, and doing it all together could lead to the youth of Tottenham becoming a very dangerous force.

2. Sign Big
I think one of the most important things which Tottenham have to do is to sign big players whilst they are in the position to do so. Strike whilst the iron is hot as they say. Signing big now will only improve the squad adding to the depth that they already have to create a real strong challenger for the Premier League title. As evident from the end of the 2015/16 campaign, when some key players are missing, results can go missing also, so big players must be signed to fill these rolls for when injury and suspension come in throughout the course of the season.

3. Too much competition
one factor which could prevent Tottenham from winning the league is the huge competition for the title this year. With new big managers at Chelsea, Man City and Man United, it could bevery dificult for Tottenham to compete for the top prize. Nevertheless the players and manager will be up for the challenge and its difficult to tell yet just how influential the new managers will be, so don't count Tottenham out yet.

Overall I think after huge progression last year Tottenham obviously are in with a shot at the title. They must remain strong and build however if they would like to compete, build strength on strength and become a powerful side which teams are going to fear. Look out for any of my predictions for other teams coming soon, and let me know in the comments which team you'd next like to see this on.

EFL fixture release: 3 reasons to get excited for the Championship

The Championship in England is often a league of drama, intense battles and high scoring games. As teams compete for a place in England's top flight of football. The championship this season is lining up to be particularly tasty, here's why.

1. The most competitive ever
After last season's Premier League, 3 big clubs were relegated. In all this has led to the Championship having one of its strongest line ups ever seen before. With around 12 of it's 20 teams previously playing at Premier League level. This shall lead to some huge games for all clubs involved, and there should be some great matches. Also there are two Champions League winning manager's in the Championship now in Roberto Di Mateo and Rafael Benitez, adding to the pot another factor of why some teams may fair better than others.

2. The TV
The new TV deal will also hugely benefit Championship clubs, for example the teams who were relegated from the Premier League received 80 million pounds for doing so. This money as well as increased money for bigger clubs in the championship allows for a higher quality of players to be purchased. Many people don't agree with the TV deal but it obviously has it's benefits as well as it's drawbacks.

3. Most of all, the talent.
The main attraction of the Championship and football league in general for me is some of the young English talent we see come through sides every year. Most notably last season players like Leeds United's Lewis Cook. Players with real intent on helping their side. Also due to many Championship sides perhaps being older clubs, the fans are incredibly passionate about their team, following them up and down the country in their thousands and some of the photos and videos you see are incredible. This makes the Championship an incredible League to follow, the football is good and so are the fans, nothing more you could want.

So to summarise. The Championship is certainly a great and passionate league full of great supporters and clubs all looking to make the break to top flight football. As the season unfolds we will see new stars and performers and just who can break off into the Premier League for the season after.

Germany to win Euro 2016?- what are their chances

This young talented Germany side burst on the scene in 2014 winning the World Cup in Brazil. Since then they have been the instigators for change in other national set ups offering further opportunities for young players. There is no doubt that they have an incredibly talented squad but is it a team capable of taking the title. I shall be looking at if they can do it or if they will struggle.

1. Easy
When Germany get in control of a game they make it look easy. They are a very strong passing side who once in possession are hard to stop. It takes an incredibly formidable opponent to knock them from their stride and lead them to playing a different style of football. The passing game is the A plan and it takes a strong performance to knock them from this. Whilst keeping to this plan they also create chances and score, seeking out defensive mistakes or any lack of concentration by players and they look to exploit that. This factor would suggest they could win the tournament because the strength in their squad means mistakes are few and far between.

2. depth
As I previously mentioned, Germany have an incredibly strong line up, not only do they have a strong starting 11 but subs and reserves are also incredibly strong. This allows for a great amount of rotation to meet the requirements of any opposition they face. It does however make the team selection incredibly difficult as so many players stand out, but as any manager will tell you this isn't a bad thing. When you have 3 or 4 players who can all offer the same thing in most positions on the field you can easily rotate allowing for fresher legs and to work out exactly how you want play without the worry of a weak link

3. What may stop them
The 2014 world cup winners could be stopped by what stopped England from winning last night. Teams who turn up to defend and only counter attack to release pressure and hope they can grab a goal. Poland prevented Germany from scoring well in their 0-0 draw and any one chance to come their way could've led to them taking all 3 points. Germany must be aware of this, they do boast one of the strongest defences in the tournament however so it will take a lot to beat.

My opinion
There is no doubting that Germany are capable of winning. Part of me can see them winning it easily be another part doesn't want them too. I want their to be a shock in who wins this year, a rising talent. Although Germany have more talent than some nations behind so they could take it. As long as they do so in exciting fashion I can't wait to see the drama unfold.

Euro2016 : Englands top 3 players of the group stage.

Some England players put incredible shifts in within the group stage, most notably players performed best in the Wales game but strong performances throughout have led to the 3 lions qualifying in second place in group B. Just who were the 3 main stand out players? I'm going to be taking a look and giving my opinion on why.

1. Wayne Rooney
Captain, England's controlling midfield man. I think what made Wayne so good throughout the group stage was everyone's previous doubts over his ability. Many didn't believe he deserved a place in the team after a poor Premier League run of form. In the first two games more specifically he proved any doubters wrong. He was inspiring in central midfield controlling the play and has been praised for this. His ability to pick a pass helped England spread the play and his work rate allowed him to win the ball back from players who would otherwise be looking to attack. He struggled coming on as a sub against Slovakia but overall Wayne should be proud of his efforts, as he really did prove why he's worthy of the captaincy.

2. Kyle Walker
Despite only featuring in two fixture in the group stage, Walker was incredible asset down the right hand side. With players like Rooney picking him out more often than not, he had license to attack in both of the matches he featured in and particularly against Wales, where he had the beating of his man every time the ball was played out to him. His pace certainly helped him but he also showed good dribbling abilities to beat his man on countless occasions against Wales, he was certainly an unexpected stand out performer in this one.

3. Eric Dier
England's holding midfield man. Scored a wonderful goal in the first group game and looked steady in every game he played in. He just adds the extra support to the defence which meant throughout the entirety of the group stage they were never really put under significant pressure for long periods of time, as Dier was cutting the ball out. For a young player Dier shows great maturity with his ability to make the right decision under pressure with regards to passing, which some young players may struggle to do and make mistakes. Dier has a very level head and remains composed, and his consistency is what has earnt him a place in my top 3 performers for England.

We go on now looking towards our next opponent. We need more players to put in strong performances if we are going to progress. Hard work from attackers and chance creating from defenders are two things which stick out for me, we've got to get goals. This is because some teams will soak up all of our pressure then go down the other end and score, and there's nothing we can do about that. We need to remain confident and remain attacking, and then the chances and goals should come.

Euro 2016: England V Slovakia, post match review

So England have managed to qualify for the next stage of Euro 2016, we once again didn't make it easy for ourselves but we have got through and that's the most important thing. I'm going to looking at how the Slovakia game went and what England need to do to improve for the next stage of the competition.

Slovakia, a rather dissapointing match in the end, we got a result we needed but despite dominating possession, failed to create any real openings or chances against a Slovakia side who showed no real intent. Martin skrtel could've defended English attacks by himself, in fact he near enough did. Hodgson sometimes need to concede before he makes correct substitutions as once again his substitutions were poor. Starting your captain on the bench is poor, then bringing him on in a position he is yet to play in in this tournament is wrong, testing new things in the middle of a major tournament is poor, we need the players to perform for Roy this tournament now to protect the England manager due to some of his poor decisions.

However, we did show in this game the ability to control a game, we maintained a certain element of control throughout which is good and it introduced a few players who are yet to feature in this tournament to the level of football needed to compete, incase they are needed later down the line. Which is good, although their was a real lack of urgency and desire tonight, England should be aiming to kill off every opponent and they didn't look to do so tonight.

looking ahead
Its vital we go forward now and as fans and players put our frustrations aside and concentrate on the next opponent, we are getting towards the business end of the tournament now where teams will begin to punish us for not taking chances. For me in the next fixture we must set up how we did in the second half against Wales, we need to try and create chances, playing too much football just inside the opposition half makes it very hard to create.

The problem we face is that opposition from now on aren't going to be sitting back on England letting us attack because they need to score to go through just as much as England do, so we need to create and take chances better so we don't get punished. This is rather advantageous however because it allows for a much more open game so more chances will be available if we play the right team to create them.

Overall England's performance against Slovakia  was particularly frustrating for fans as we were certainly the better team and should've produced more to win the game, but we did make it through. We must look forward now to the next game and go on and be positive to try and win that, be confident and create. Let's hope we can get through it to the next stage! Come on England !

Euro 2016: Top performers so far

The Euro 2016 group stages are coming to an end this week and so far in the tournament their have been some outstanding performances. I'm going to now take a look at the top 3 performances of the tournament so far.

Dimitri Payet V Romania

First game of the tournament, the whole of Europe watching. France struggling against a resistant Romanian side, Until Payet inflicts his damage sending a shot flying into the top corner. Not only a fantastic goal, but a fantastic performance from a player who has had a fantastic season. Within the game Payet not only scored but got the first assist of the Euro 2016 championships. He also in total made 8 passes which created chances, and showed elements of skill in the right areas to help build French attacks. Deschamps described him as the "only player capable of opening Romania up." Payet was substituted and went of with tears in his eyes and with a standing ovation, starting off his Euro 2016 campaign in fine fashion.

Kevin De Bruyne V Ireland

De Bruyne and Belgium struggled in their first game but came through in the second, beating Ireland comfortably 3-0. The stand out performer in this game was Kevin De Bruyne. The headlines were taken away from him by Romelu Lukaku's man of the match performance but with one assist and involvement in each goal, De Bruyne was also a star. He looked calm and fearless on the ball and was given the room to work his magic. He now has involvement in 10 Belgium goals in his last 10 matches, with 5 goals and 5 assists, and his showing his capabilities at a top level.

Toni Kroos V Ukraine

Here is evidence of another dominating midfield display. Kroos absolutely controlled the game against Ukraine. acting as a holding midfielder, central midfielder and occasionally attacking midfield in game where he really showed off his strengths. His ability to pick out a pass has always been second to none, but I was surprised at just how high his work rate was. He dominated the midfield making interceptions and making challenges to put German back in possession and back in charge of this fixture. His football brain is incredible and he see's things before they even happen, and he is doing a vital job in midfield in a strong German side, his game against Ukraine was dominating.

Overall these 3 players are just certain examples of good performances, not necessarily the top 3 but the 3 which caught my eye. Let me know in the comments or on twitter who would make your top 3, and we can also see how these players progress as the tournament continues.

England V Slovakia, Match Preview.

England sit nicely at the top of Group B with  one game to go against a challenging Slovakia side, but as we know from the last game for Wales, one bad result can change everything. I'm going to be taking a look at what England can do in order to win on Monday, against Slovakia.

1. The team
After a fine performance in the second half V Wales, I think the team selection will be changed, and there will be more attacking emphasis. Unfortunately I think Harry Kane may be dropped for the tie. He hasn't been performing when he has needed to and has been limited with opportunities. So I don't think he will feature, particularly not in the first half. I think that either Sturridge or Vardy should  start up front in place of Kane, I'd maybe look more towards Sturridge, although he can be particularly greedy. Also, I would give young Marcus Rashford an opportunity to start against Slovakia, he showed great composure against Wales when he came on and showed some really strong qualities which he should look to build on in the coming games. For me the player who would make way for Rashford is Raheem Sterling, and I'd keep the Lallana on the other side of the new striker. They are the only squad changes I think that should be made. Leave the rest of the team as it is because the whole squad have been performing particularly well.

2. The Midfield Battle
For England to really control the fixture, the midfield need to work incredibly hard. Slovakia's danger comes from attacking midfielder Marek Hamsik, who will have to be stopped, and managed well by England defensive midfielder Eric Dier. Dier has proven his quality in the last couple
 of games for England, scoring a fantastic free kick against Russia and breaking down the Welsh midfield in Last Thursday's fixture, he again will be pivotal to the success of Hodgson's side. Another successful player to play in the last two fixtures in Midfield is Wayne Rooney, in both fixtures he has shown his maturity and class by controlling the midfield and working hard, being a great link between Dier and the slightly more attacking Dele Alli. Wayne is going to have to do exactly the same in order to cause a problem against Slovakia, they cant build an attack if Wayne is controlling the ball, and if his play is dictating the tempo of the game, Slovakian attacks may be sloppy.

3. Slovakian Threat
Slovakia have been surprising in this group, they have shown their attacking strength in their 2-1 win over Russia, where one strong performance by Marek Hamsik won them the game. This is what England must be wary of, if Hamsik catches England off guard early on we could be in trouble. It is therefore vital that we get our defensive midfield and central defenders on the ball early, keep them alert and let them play their way into the game to be ready for counter attacks, because Slovakia will try to  soak up all England pressure, before releasing an attack to try and catch Roy's men out.

Overall once again it should be an exciting fixture, another one. If England play to the best of their ability they can easily overpower the Slovakia side and finish the group in first position. If the players aren't up for it however, we could find ourselves in a fighting battle, either way it should be a great spectacle. Come on England!

Euro 2016:Belgium arrive, post match thoughts

Belgium opened their Euro 2016 campaign with a disappointing defeat to Italy. Yesterday they played Ireland, and there was a complete turn around. They won comfortably in the end leaving Ireland in a sticky situation, but can Belgium go on to win Euro 2016 from here and if so, what is going to help them.

1. Kevin De Bruyne
The Manchester City midfielder played incredibly well against Ireland. In my opinion for Belgium to be successful at this summers tournament they must rely on him to be a link up midfielder between the deeper midfielders and attackers. He has fantastic vision to play a pass and works hard for his team. For such a young player he shows such a maturity in knowing when to pick the correct pass through to the striker. He plays with such confidence that he doesn't mind trying to make risky passes, which often have great consequences, yet when they don't the Belgium midfield can work hard to get the ball back.

2.Strength in Depth
This brings me onto the next thing. Look at the strength in depth in the Belgium squad. Within their bench they have a £20 million plus rated striker in Marseilles Michy Batshuayi, Christian Benteke who Liverpool bought for over 30 million, as well as two huge Serie A players in Radja Nainggolan and Dries Mertens. Each of these names are players capable of coming onto the pitch and making an impact, as well as the strong first 11, it is no wonder that the team is so highly ranked. This allows the manager do greatly vary his tactics, with such a good squad being able to adapt to various positions, enabling them to change to meet the accordance of any opponent.

3. Fan Base
Obviously with the tournament being hosted in Neighbouring France. Belgium fans are in an ideal situation to make the trip to cheer their team on, and many have done so. This not only increases the passion of the players because they want to perform for their home nation and the fans who have made the journey, but knowing all of your supporters are there boosts morale between the players, as with every goal celebration, the players bond with the fans. They see how happy the fans are in them and this spurs them on

Overall it is evident that Belgium have a remarkably strong squad, capable if they keep putting in strong performances of winning this summers tournament. They must build upon their victory and take that momentum into the last group game if they wish to qualify, they will be wanting to win this won. I imagine their price of winning the tournament has now changed after a bumpy start, but if they work hard at it they could certainly win this tournament.

Manchester City FC, who should the blues sign this summer.

With the arrival of  Pep Guardiola this summer it is undeniable that changes to the Man City squad will be made, and with the clubs money, there will probably be some big signings coming to the Etihad this summer. I'm going to take a look at where the new manager should look to strengthen if he wants to build on the already great squad that City have.

1. Improving the defence.
Man City have tried hard to fill the gap next to Vincent Kompany with a similarly capable player and shave struggled to do so. With his injury as well in the last BPL campaign they have struggled defensively. They need to fill this role with class, maybe Guardiola will look to do that.

So who would be suitable. If we are looking at a potentially huge signing, I would definitely like to see a return to Manchester City for Jerome Boateng. I think he would be a great addition to the Man City defence. He would be a great servant alongside Vincent Kompany. Although obviously it would take a tremendous offer to take the German away from Bayern Munich, but that could be the sort of signing Guardiola is looking to make, he is certainly capable of making this sort of signing.


2. A wide defender. or two.
To really be successful, every position has to be filled by a strong player. Manchester City at the moment are lacking in a class left and right back, Zabaleta is strong but getting older, and two solid full backs could provide real security for the two defenders in the middle.

Looking at the left back position I think taking another Bundesliga player in Wolfsburg's Ricardo Rodriguez could be a perfectly strong addition to the squad. He's currently showing us his capabilities in Euro 2016 for Switzerland and is impressing, and I think would definitely be open to a Premier League move this summer, to better his career particularly at Man City. He could bring security in defence as well as attacking options, which City like to do in getting their full backs forward.


As for the right back spot, one player capable of filling that spot in Guardiola's back for is Real Madrid's Dani Carvajal.  The Madrid star could possibly be moved away from the Bernabau by Guardiola, and would certainly be a great asset for the City side with experience at such a high level, winning the Champions League this season. He is younger and more technically aware, and his age means he can adapt his ability to the Premier League, and could be a terrific signing for Champions League bound City.


3. Finally, a winger.
a strong outlet winger is something that the midfield dominated Man City are looking out for. I think the perfect man for this job is Borrusia Dortmund Premier League target Henrikh Mkhitaryan. The winger impressed last season, his pace and good dribbling made him difficult to stop for opposition like Liverpool in the Europa League. He has been heavily linked back with a move to the Premier League, and in my opinion Man City is the place he would fit in the best. He is versatile and culd play a more central role if needed, but if out on the wing he is a great outlet for City, for them to set him off on a run whilst they all move forward to build an attack, something which City haven't had is a really strong wide man and Mkhitaryan could be the perfect solution.



Overall, it would obviously be highly unlikely to sign all of these players, but they have the money. They have the option to do so and even signing a couple of these players would make their side much stronger and more exciting. With many capable managers arriving in the Premier League this season, City need to spend well to have a title winning chance, and I think, signing a few players with the ability of the ones named above, they'll be off to a great start, let me know what you think in the comments.

Euro 2016: The Three outsiders

Obviously, a few of Europe's giants like Spain and Germany will be up there as the favourites to win this years Euro 2016 tournament. There are however, some rank outsiders who have shown great ability in the early stages of the tournament, who could not only upset some of the bigger Nations, but also have the capability to win the tournament. Here are my 3 outsiders with a chance of winning Euro 2016, and here is why they may win.

1. Croatia
Croatia have a very strong midfield. In fact they have a very strong team, they overpowered Turkey in their opening game of the tournament, after they got the goal they looked defensively strong and held out the 1-0 lead. They also looked comfortable in their second match of the group stage, in fact their fans may have prevented them getting all 3 points after crowd trouble had the game stopped, leading to Czech Republic coming back into the game after the restart. They have 2 incredibly influential players in midfield in Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic, both of these players have performed incredibly well so far and are solid assets to the Croatian side, they bond the midfield together. As well as this, wide man Ivan Perisic is a great outlet down the wing, enabling the spread of play to a wider position to create threat from a different angle. As long as the defence remains strong i think Croatia are really in with a chance of taking this tournament away from one of the favourites. They still have to work hard in their next game however against holders Spain, so we shall see just how good they after that game.

2. Italy
Strangely, Italy haven't been spoken about much this summer. It is believed that they have their weakest ever squad, but still they have began their Euro 2016 campaign with 2 wins, against the highest ranked side in the tournament Belgium, and Sweden. Two tough opponents. Once again part of their success is their midfield, but it is not my any means the strongest of Midfield's an Italy side has ever had, but still they show their capability leading to two wins. A fantastic goal by Eder showed that playing two upfront was helpful, with Italy being one of the only sides at the tournament to set out that way, and they could indeed cause upset. Their defence is remarkably strong as well as their goalkeeper. With all of them starring for Italian giants Juventus this season, they are totally used to playing just like they do for their club, without the difficulty of them having to get used to each other. They have a great chance because not only do they have ability, but after two wins they have confidence. Could this be their year?

3. Poland
Poland believe it or not actually boast a rather strong team. Talisman Robert Lewandowski no doubt helps, but after catching my eye in a draw against Germany, I wouldn't be too surprised if they went far this summer, maybe if not winning, stopping teams capable of doing so. They have a lot of strength in their decide, many of their players play at a top level of club football, and this has certainly helped develop the Polish team. They have the right to be optimistic being on 4 points in a tough group. They do need to now try and see out the group with a big performance in their last group game, but with the surprising depth they have, it wouldn't surprise me to see them frustrate opposition and go far in this tournament.

Obviously most teams are still in contention to progress past the group stages, but are any team really showing the ability to go on and win it? let me know leave a comment below! or tweet me! Good luck to all teams.

After Spain win again, BPL Vs La Liga

After Spain comfortably beat struggling Turkey 3-0, I am going to be taking a look at just how the La Liga is such a stand out league, and whether the Premier League can be compared to it, and how it's affecting the National teams for both sides.

1. Money
Unfortunately, as with many things in football nowadays, money is a key factor in determining the success of some clubs, both in England and Spain. Real Madrid boast being currently the richest club in the world, and Barcelona aren't far off them. Not only does this help the sides recruit the top players, but also build their home grown talent to a scale unseen in the Premier League. The Premier League still has an incredible amount of money amongst its ranks, but where we are struggling, is failing to produce world class home grown talent, England have began to import their talent, with it being cheaper, which often has an impact on the national team. Despite some players in England becoming very good at what they do, there isn't one stand out player for England where you would identify them as being world class. In comparison, Spain has a handful of players who are definitely world class, players like Sergio Ramos, Iniesta, Pique players who have won at every level, and that's certainly lacking in England at the moment.

2. the competition
Despite some opposition to this statement, generally the Premier League is a much more competitive league than La Liga, particularly within the last 4 seasons. Which is evident from 4 different sides winning the league in 4 seasons. Something which hasn't happened in any other major European country. Which has both its positive and negative effects. Positiviely it allows for English players to develop at the highest level, striving their ability to work hard and compete in order to win.The downside of this however is often English players are overlooked for foreign stars who can come in and do the job better, so have more success than English players.Players like Edin Hazard and before that Christiano Ronaldo. This is different in comparison to Spain because instead of being overlooked, the biggest Spanish names go to the biggest Spanish club, because there isn't such a desire for huge talent, only by a few large clubs who can then train the players and put them in the Champions League to improve, making their national side very strong as players are already used to performing on such a big stage, that experience goes a long way.

3.The chemistry
The final thing which dramatically helps for Spain is that the majority of their players play for the same clubs, week in week out. This is similar to Germany,also a very strong national side. many English players are dotted all over the Premier League, granted their are quite a few spurs players in this England set up but that's the only club who seem to be believing fully in their English players. The chemistry between players makes their game better, they know exactly what each other are capable of and where they are going to be.

Overall both leagues have their strengths, the BPL is such a highly viewed league it would suggest it's better than La Liga, but La Liga sides won both European trophies this season, meaning they've won both European trophies for three years in a row now, so they must be doing something better than Premier League sides, but for me, the bpl is the best league in the world. Let me know what you in think in the comments or on Twitter !

Euro 2016, Potential Premier League signings, who to look out for.

Some players at this years tournament are either signing for Premier League clubs this summer or at the moment are heavily linked, so I thought I'd take a look at some of these players, and see how they are performing at the tournament, and see just where they can fit in to the Premier League side they're linked with or signing for.

1. Granit Xhaka
Swiss midefielder Xhaka will be signing for Arsenal when the summer window opens. He has impressed in his first two games at the Euros, picking up man of the match in both games. He is a strong holding midfielder, who sits rather deep picking out importance passes. He ha already played an important part in a surprisingly strong Switzerland side, could he be the player to stabilise the Arsenal midfield? could he be the signing to guide them to a Premier League title?

2. Alvaro Morata
The Spanish striker is only merely linked with Chelsea and Arsenal, but with Italian Giants Juventus saying they wont be renewing their loan or signing the forward if given the chance by Real, it suggests the forward is up for sale. Morata has a habit of scoring important goals in important games, helping Juventus into the Champions League final most notably in the 2014-15 campaign. He hasn't particularly impressed at the Euros so far, he has much to improve upon, but the advantage of signing such a player is at the age he is, being only 23, he has much to learn as he matures into his centre forward role.

3.Milan Badelj
Some what unknown, the Croatian midfielder has been part of a strong squad in Euro 2016, and Croatia have been impressive so far, leading them to being outsiders to winning the tournament. Badelj however hasn't been a name that rings any particular bells for me with regards to his performances so far in this usmmers tournament, but with interest from Tottenham, with the player rated at £12 million, he could be a player to look out for.

4. Antoine Griezmann
With interest shown from Arsenal and more recently Chelsea, the young forward has risen at Atletico Madrid and will be looking to impress in the upcoming games for France within this tournament. An incredibly hard working and particularly prolific striker, he could fit in at both clubs, although maybe with his slight lack of strength, could struggle to adapt to the Premiere League. He would be a great asset for any PL club however and is certainly one to look out for, could he be gracing the Premier League next season?

Overall there are obviously many players on display at Euro 2016 looking to secure a move to a bigger club. Playing well is key to any teams successes at tournaments like this, and as we saw with star James Rodriguez at the 2014 World Cup, can lead to a player dramatically improving his career. Many players playing in the tournament I'm sure will move to the Premier League, but the 4 I've picked out are just some players to watch over the next month, to get excited about next season.

England V Wales. What we learnt

Yesterday's group B game between England and Wales was one of drama, passion, tears and celebration for England fans. Gareth Bale struck for Wales shortly before half time, scoring a well hit free kick which Joe Hart could've done better to save. The goal momentarily silenced the 20,000 strong England crowd and everyone feared the worst, but after a superb second half performance where this time England did dominate,the 3 lions managed to turn the game around and win 2-1 with a late goal from Daniel Sturridge. The game was a tense one, a must win for England,and they did. What did we learn from England's performance yesterday? and where should we go from here looking forward to our last group game.

1. Roy the reactionary
One thing we learned from yesterdays game is that Roy Hodgson does see what the fans see, and he did understand the importance of getting 3 points from the fixture. He was criticised after the Russia game for only using one striker, and letting that one striker take set pieces. After this didn't particularly work he made and immediate change leading to Wayne Rooney stepping up to take corners. Also with some reluctancy, he did eventually bring on more strikers, 3 in fact, and this was the action which brought change into the way the squad was set up. Although we had to go 0-1 down before he made these changes, the changes he did make turned the game on it's head, and credit to Roy for changing things.

2. Rashford was a worthy choice
Now, I know he wasn't on the pitch that long, but what he did in the time that he was on was impressive. He looked so calm and composed when he got the ball, which for someone of his age, I know I wouldn't even be able to walk on the pitch in a game of that atmosphere and magnitude, so it's remarkable how composed and calm he is when in possession, he makes things look easy, and i definitely think he should have some involvement in England's next game, just to give him more experience at a different level.

3. Rooney needs to stay in midfield
For the second game running Wayne Rooney controlled the midfield, his work rate is incredible and he works so hard for the team. He always looked to be calm on the ball, playing good passes into wider positions in an attempt to push and stretch the Wales back 3, and he did this all game long and never looked to be stopping. I don't think that he could compete as well upfront now that he has matured, but he still could do a job further up the pitch, but why should he now he's performed well for two consecutive games at keeping England midfield together.

Looking forward
Yesterday after England scored a late winner, we saw just what it really meant to the squad and coaching staff. We saw true passion and desire which can go a long way in boosting the fans confidence in the team. It also gives a great amount of confidence to the players, as they go into the last group game top of the group. Be warned though, Slovakia have proved tricky opponents and aren't completely out of it themselves, so they will be looking to upset England. So England should look to stay sharp, play with intent and with the same desire as we did Vs Wales and Roy's side should come out on top. I think after such strong performances by second half attackers Harry Kane will struggle to get back into the team. So it will be interesting to see what Hodgson goes with for the next game, but lets hope we can win it. Stay tuned for a preview of the Slovakia game coming out soon.