Do you have a World Cup hangover….I do….where did all the games go! I want to watch more soccer, with the top teams and top players going at it. I was in a groove. Soccer on Saturday and Sunday. Then soccer on Tuesday and Wednesday as we worked thru the Group play and then the Knock Out stages. And then, cold turkey, they take it all away. No weaning or time to adjust. From the best World Cup in decades…to no soccer for weeks. Ugh!
So what do all us soccer geeks do?
Well, let’s reflect a bit on the World Cup and also look forward to another season of the Barclay’s Premier League.
VIVE LA FRANCE, VIVA LA WORLD CUP. A quick look back.
And of course…the Top Goals of the Tournament.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPBjU7B4Biw
FIFA Player of the Year 2018 Finalist. FIFA announced the 10 finalist for the Player of the Year. Can you name them all and the clubs they play for. Are you thinking about it right now. Well, let’s start with the easy ones.
Two Players have dominated World Football the past 6-8 years and their names should surprise no one. Christiano Ronaldo- Real Madrid and Lionel Messi-FC Barcelona. So let’s assume everyone got those two. If not these two, then who. Maybe a player who is on the list for the first time, a player who came out of no where to score the most goals in the Premier League in 2018….Mohamed Salah-Liverpool. Okay, that was an easy one as well if you follow the Premier League. Since Real Madrid won the Champions League, maybe another player from their team? How about two more form their team……..Luka Modric and Raphael Varane. They are so good, they also helped lead their teams to the World Cup finals of Croatia vs. France. We are halfway there. Are you 5 for 5?
Speaking of France, World Cup winners, they must have a few more players we need to consider. Yes, of course. Maybe the youngest member of the group and a savvy veteran. Kylian Mbappe-PSG and only 19 as well as Antoine Griezmann-Athletico Madrid. Getting a bit tougher now. Who else had a high finish in the World Cup and could that be a clue. Well, Belgium finished 3rd. okay, no more clues. Did you pick out the two players from Belgium and the Premier League….Kevin DeBruyne-Manchester City and Eden Hazard-Chelsea. One left. Now it’s really tough. Well, maybe who finished 4th in the World Cup will help you. Is there a dominant player from the England team. Yes of course…Harry Kane-Tottenham Hotspur. Did you get all 10, give yourself a pat on the back if you did. Some great players missing you may have been thinking about: Paul Pogba, Neymar, N’Golo Kante, David DeGea, Marcelo, Thibault Courtois, Tony Kroos to name a few. So…who you got….can someone talk the mantle of Best Player away from Messi and Ronaldo. It’s time!
2018/2019 Barclays Premier League. Match Week 1: Saturday August 11. 17 days and counting! I can’t wait.
Game of the Week: Arsenal v. Manchester City. Can the reigning champs start strong? Will the new look Arsenal with a new coach, Unai Emery, for the first time in 22 years make a statement.
Chelsea. They finally ended the drama and named a new coach to replace Antonio Conte,. Can Sarri-ball become a “thing” and can Maurizio Sarri lead Chelsea back in the Top 4 and a challenge for the title.
Set you alarm clocks, get your DVR cleared out to make room to record the early morning games, get you popcorn ready. It’s back, The best league in Football, the Premier League!!