Lucas Torreira Update

Some conflicting stories at the weekend about Lucas Torreira over the weekend.

The majority of outlets are still saying the deal is done. That everything is agreed between Arsenal, Sampdoria and Torreira (and his people). That we are all just waiting for Uruguay to be eliminated from the World cup before the deal is announced – Uruguay could go all the way.

But there is a small minority who are insinuating that the deal is not done. That it might not go through.

My take on it is that these people are just saying this to be different. To generate hits and click bait.

The deal is done, and Torreira has impressed in the World Cup so far.

Against Portugal he put on a well disciplined display in the middle of Uruguay’s 3 man midfield. He maintained his positioning throughout the game, defending the space between the centre backs and the midfield.

He pretty much stayed dead central throughout the game. He did not go chasing the ball (like Coquelin did) or over commit.

When the ball left his defensive circle, he retreated back into position, letting other players press. He was never caught out of position.

This coming season out central midfield will have great balance once Torreira joins:

Xhaka Torreira Ramsey

The Uruguayan will allow Granit Xhaka to push higher up the park, press higher, and be more aggressive. That in turn will free up Aaron Ramsey to get into the box at will, knowing that he has 2 men behind him backing him it.

The midfield 3 has tremendous balance to it. We just need one more alongside Mohamed Elneny and Ainsley Maitland-Niles to provide cover. Someone a bit more attacking to provide Ramsey with cover 9I still dream of Max Meyer).

Next season it’ll be a lot harder to get at our defence next season

Its Coming Home

Love the “Its Coming Home” movement.

It is sung at the football, in the pubs, at Liam Gallagher on Friday and at the cricket.

What I love is it is people enjoying themselves, and it is properly annoying the snowflake generation who label all football fans as “thugs”.

It is very much tongue in cheek the chant. We know that it is very unlikely that we will end 52 years of hurt, but we might as well have some fun.

And with the way the draw has opened up, maybe, just maybe, it is actually coming home?

Bitter Liverpool fans

Liverpool fans really need to get over Sergio Ramos and the Champions League final.

I am actually surprised by the behaviour of their fans, they normally do not hold grudges, complain for years about things. Their bitterness over Mohamed Salah hurting his arm in a tangle has been hilarious.

We have had petitions calling for Ramos to be banned, and demands that the final should be replayed.

Now we have Liverpools fans celebrating Spain going out of the World Cup, and calling it “karma” for Sergio Ramos’ part in the tangle.

Let’s get something sorted straight away.

Spain lost to Russia, it was a massive shock. But then Salah’s Egypt went out at the group stages. Finished bottom of their group. Failed to win a game.

As for Ramos being bothered about Liverpool, let’s look at the truth:

Since 2006, Liverpool have won 1 League Cup

Ramos has won:

1 World Cup
2 European Championships
4 Champions Leagues
4 La Liga’s
3 Copa del Rey
3 UEFA Super Cups
3 FIFA World Club Cups
3 Spanish Super Cups

Mo Salah is basically the Egyptian Harry Kane. Loads of made up personnel accolades but no real team success. Just the single Swiss Super League medal won 5 years ago.

To someone like Ramos, Salah and Liverpool are just another victim in his way of an incredible trophy haul

Keenos
Follow @KeenosAFC