Chaotic scenes ensued as Morocco clinched a surprise win over Argentina clouded by VAR controversy, while the cutting up of socks by footballer are causing many a parent despair.
DOES PRE-SEASON MATTER, OR NOT?
Some people pay no attention to pre-season friendlies involving English Premier League sides. I’m the opposite. Especially to see where the “smaller” clubs are at, and Chelsea, of course. In terms of selected results heading into the 2024/25 campaign, I’ve isolated these:
Chelsea 2 Wrexham 2, Bordeaux 2 Southampton 3, Hearts 1 Tottenham 5, Wolves 3 Bristol City 0, Arsenal vs Man United (28th), Sligo Rovers 3 Everton 3. Wimbledon 2 Brentford 5, Man City 4 Celtic 4. It’s when a side isn’t scoring goals going into a season that I worry. And a huge red flag is being waved for me when it comes to Bournemouth. Yes, I know they drew with Arsenal, but they’ll join my list of possible basement material come the end of the season.
Getting set for a positive day ✔️#MUFC || #MUTOUR24 pic.twitter.com/AoAv59ryOY
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) July 25, 2024
COME IN NUMBER NINE, YOUR TIME IS NOW
Rasmus Holjund will sport Man United’s No9 jersey this season after wearing No11 in the last campaign. The last three players to wear that coveted No9 were Anthony Martial, Romelu Lukaku and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Before then it was Radamel Falcao, Dimitar Berbatov and Louis Saha. It could actually be argued that the most successful player in that shirt in the 21st Century was Andy Cole, whose last season was in 2002. The door is open for Holjund. The pressure is on too. Sir Bobby Charlton made that No9 shirt famous.
Garna is a fan! 9️⃣👏#MUFC || @AGarnacho7 pic.twitter.com/JUSkrshVnR
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) July 26, 2024
SAY WHAT?! THAT’S NOT HAALAND’S WAGES?
I often smile when I see a headline and wonder what the “facts” are based on. One related this week to Erling Haaland chopping wood to get stronger for the upcoming season. I believe that part. The full headline was: “Haaland, who earns £865,000 a week at Man City, chopped wood” etc. Now, I can believe that he is pulling somewhere between £300,000 and £400,000 a week, but more than double that? Please, Daily Mail, let’s not do that for clickbait, despite catching me.
CHAOTIC SCENES IN LONGEST EVER OLYMPICS MATCH
There was an upset on the opening day of the Olympics football tournament when Morocco beat Argentina 2-1 in Paris. This happens – the competition is also at the under-23 level. But, that’s not even half the story. Morocco went 2-0 up before Argentina pulled one back and then equalised in the 16th minute of time added on (106th minute).
The crowd went berserk, and police were called to quell the riot. Players were taken off. The stadium emptied. Nearly two hours later the officials decided there were still three minutes to play in added time. When the players came back, VAR got involved, checking the equaliser. They ruled the goal offside. Morocco won 2-1.
I wouldn't have wanted to be on the pitch for this one 😅
— Thomas Hal Robson-Kanu (@RobsonKanu) July 25, 2024
The Olympic Morocco vs Argentina match was shameful - fans storming the pitch, noise bombs being thrown at players & a CRAZY amount of extra time?!
Player & fan safety should come first.
FIFA have a lot to answer for 🤔 pic.twitter.com/rz1eWllVrB
CUT OUT THE CUTTING HOLES IN SOCKS
I really wish players, who are supposedly role models, wouldn’t cut holes in the back of their socks, ostensibly because it “allows their big calves to breathe”. It’s enough for any parent to have to fork out R2000 for a new club jersey every season.
Now, kids (without having the calves of Jack Grealish, Conor Gallagher or Jude Bellingham) are copying their idols. At nearly R500 for a pair of socks at some EPL clubs, that’s quite an outlay for any parent. The players don’t care – they get dozens of pairs of free socks every week.
Dear footballers - just buy bigger socks. pic.twitter.com/8NltcsEaX1
— Simon O'Gorman (@Sighmo2) April 20, 2024
TRANSFER TALK HOTS UP AS SEASON APPROACHES
Speaking of Conor Gallagher, the silly season transfer talk is abuzz with “news” that the Chelsea midfielder is on the verge of joining Atletico Madrid. This could well be, as is often the case, of an agent testing the waters and looking to see what takers there are.
Gallagher is a Chelsea born-and-bred and would probably want to see where he stands in the new manager’s plans before going anywhere. Kevin De Bruyne is also, reportedly, being wooed with a huge salary by Saudi clubs, but that also doesn’t make sense for the 2024/25 season given his EPL club has no shortage of cash and he’ll be integral to their next season campaign. It’s all about seeing how far one can push the bosses.
