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FirstpublishedbyHarperCollinsPublishers2017

FIRSTEDITION

©MichaelCox2017

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SourceISBN:9780008215544EbookEdition©June2017ISBN:9780008215569

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Contents

CoverTitlePageCopyright

Introduction

PartOne–IntheBeginning1AWholeNewBallGame2Cantona&Counters3TheSAS&TheEntertainers

PartTwo–TechnicalProgress

4BetweentheLines5Arsènal6Speed

PartThree–Expansion7EuroProgress&SquadRotation8TheForeignRevolution9BigSam&LongBalls

PartFour–Universality

10OneUpFront11Invincibles&Convincibles12TheMakéléléRole

PartFive–ReactiveStrategy13IberianInfluenceI14IberianInfluenceII15TheMidfieldTrio

PartSix–DirectAttacking

16Roonaldo17AWetandWindyNightatStoke18InvertedWingers

PartSeven–Possession19TheItalianJob20Tiki-Taka21Assisters&FalseNines

PartEight–Post-possession

22Rodgers’Reversal23PressingIssues24Leicester25SecondBalls&BackThrees

PostscriptBibliographyAcknowledgements

Index

AboutthePublisher

Introduction

‘Getitinthemixer!’Thesefivewordsrepresentthesimplesttacticinfootball:launchtheballinto

thepenaltybox,takeadvantageoftheensuingchaos,perhapsfollowingagoalmouthscramble,andhopetopinchascruffygoal.It’sanapproachrightlyridiculedtoday,butasrecentlyasthe1980sitwas

Englishfootball’smostpopulartactic.DuringthisperiodtacticalthinkingwasinfluencedheavilybyCharlesHughes,theFootballAssociation’sdirectorofcoaching,whoclumsilyemployedstatisticstoillustratethevalueoflaunchingtheballquicklydownfield.HeeffectivelyformulatedEnglishfootball’snationalcoachingcurriculum,aswellasworkingalongsideEnglandmanagersBobbyRobson,whowasscepticalaboutHughes’smethods,andGrahamTaylor,whowasaltogethermuchkeener.Hugheswasobsessedwithplayersthumpingtheballintothe‘positionof

maximumopportunity’(POMO)–insidethebox,levelwiththefarpost–asoftenaspossible.Hughesdidhaveother,moresophisticatedideas,buthisobsessionwithPOMOdominated,andharmed,Englishfootballbycreatingpredictable,simplisticteamsandone-dimensional,brain-deadplayers.AtthetimeofthePremierLeague’sformationin1992,therefore,Englishfootballwasconsideredtobeaboutlongballs,aboutrouteone,aboutPOMO,aboutgettingitinthemixer.Butthiswasadarkerperiodformoresignificantreasons,asanoverwhelming

hooliganproblemmeantEnglishfootballwasderidedbothinthenationalmediaandacrossEurope.Thenadircamewiththe1985EuropeanCupFinalattheHeyselStadiuminBelgium,whenLiverpoolsupporterschargedatJuventus

fans,resultingin39peoplebeingkilledbyacollapsingwall.EnglishclubsweresubsequentlybannedfromEuropeancompetitionforfiveyears,andEnglishfootballingculture,traditionallyslowtoembracetacticalinnovationsfromabroad,consequentlybecameevenmoreinsular.Therewereothertragedies.AfortnightbeforetheHeyseldisaster,56people

werekilledatBradfordCity’sValleyParadebyafirethatengulfedanentirestandwithinminutes.Fouryearslater,gravepolicingerrorsatHillsboroughresultedinthedeathsof96people,atragedysubsequentlyblamed,consistentlyandincorrectly,uponsupporters.IntheaftermathoftheBradfordfirealeadingarticleintheSundayTimes

describedfootballas‘aslumsportplayedinslumstadiums,increasinglywatchedbyslumpeople’.Itwasadesperatelydistastefuldescription,butservesasausefullow-watermarkformeasuringEnglishfootball’ssubsequentdevelopment.Slumpeople?Theproblemofhooliganismwaslargelydefeatedintheyearsthatfollowed.Slumstadiums?TheTaylorReportrecommendedall-seatergrounds,andthePremierLeague’sformativeyearsweredominatedbynewordramaticallyrenovatedstadiums.Slumsport?EnglishfootballchangedenormouslyduringthePremierLeagueera,itspopularityrisingdramatically,firstwithinEnglandandthenacrosstheworld.WhilethePremierLeaguewasidenticalinitsbasicsportingstructuretoits

predecessor,theoldFirstDivision,England’stopflightbenefitedfromsomethingofarebrandconsideringtheaforementionedproblems,and1992isn’tanentirelyarbitrarystartdateforfootball’smodernage–asexplainedintheopeningchapter.TheconceptofthePremierLeagueenabledtop-flightclubstogain

independencefromtheFootballAssociationandtheFootballLeague,allowingthemtonegotiatelucrativebroadcastandsponsorshipcontracts.Thebroadcastingaspectprovedmostsignificant;abiddingwarbetweenITVandSkyensued,withthelattersecuringTVrightsinamovethatcompletelytransformeditspreviouslyloss-makingsatellitesubscriptionservice.

Incidentally,ManchesterUnitedmanagerAlexFergusonwasoneofthefiercestcriticsofthePremierLeague,ridiculingtheconceptasa‘pieceofnonsense’thatwould‘sellsupportersdowntheriver’.ButFergusonwoulddefinethedivisionmorethananyone,winning13ofthefirst21titlesbeforehisretirementin2013.Thisbookisn’tanaccountofthePremierLeague’sbusinessdevelopment,but

it’simpossibletoignoretheextraordinarysurgeinTVrevenue.ThePremierLeaguereceived£51mperseasoninbroadcastingrightsbetween1992and1997,thenconsideredastaggeringamount.Thissumincreasedexponentiallyoverthenexttwodecades,reaching£2.75bnperseasonby2016,50timesmorethanin1992.Skywereeffectivelypayingover£11mtoscreeneachlivematch,astaggeringfigurewhenyouconsiderrightstotheentirefinaloldFirstDivisionseasoncostlessthan£15m.Adivisionessentiallycreatedtoprovidetelevisualentertainmenthasprovedsuccessfulbeyondanyone’swildestdreams.It’sworthremembering,too,thatthesefiguresweren’tpluckedoutofthinair.

Broadcasterscouldjustifypayingtheseeye-wateringsumsbecauseofthehugepublicdemand,whichwasfuelledbythePremierLeaguebecomingsuchafantasticspectacle,theworld’smostthrillingleague.Setagainstthedarkdaysofthe1980s,itrepresentsanincredibleturnaround.Howdidthefootball–the‘product’,asthemarketingmenwouldsay–becomequitesogood?Thisbookseekstoexplainhow.Althoughthe25yearsarerepresentedby25

chapters,thisisathematicratherthanaliteralseason-by-seasonaccount.Thefocusisupontherevolutionaries:theinnovativemanagers,thegame-changingplayers,theinspirationalteams,thenewtacticalconcepts,theoff-fielddevelopmentsthatinfluencedplayingstyles.ThestoryisaboutthePremierLeaguebecominguniversal,intwodifferentways.First,itbecameuniversalonatacticallevel.Intheearly1990stherewere

veryspecificdemandsforeveryposition–defenderssimplydefended,attackerssimplyattacked.Butgraduallypositionsbecamemoreall-encompassing,withdefendersexpectedtostartattackingmovesandattackersencouragedtostartdefensivepressure.Playerswereincreasinglyall-roundersratherthanspecialists.

Second,italsobecameuniversalonageographicalbasis,asEnglishclubsbroadenedtheirhorizonsandbecameincreasinglydependentuponforeignplayersandmanagers.Amazingly,onthePremierLeague’sopeningweekendinAugust1992,just11foreignplayersstartedforthe22clubscombined,andtherewerenoforeignmanagers.Byits25thseason,themajorityofPremierLeagueplayersandmanagerswereforeign–andalmosteverymajorfootballingnationonearthwasrepresented.Ofthetop25countriesintheFIFArankings,onlyMexicoandCostaRicadidn’thaveaPremierLeaguerepresentativein2016/17.ThecombinationofthesetwofactorssawPremierLeaguesidesabandonugly,

straightforward,directfootballandembraceamorecultured,continental,technicalstyle.ThisisthestoryofthePremierLeague’sremarkabletacticalevolution–frompietopaella,fromrouteonetofalsenines.

PartOne

IntheBeginning

1

AWholeNewBallGame

‘Theback-passlawisthebestrulechangeever–ithaschangedthegame.’

PeterSchmeichel

Weareconstantlyremindedthat‘footballdidn’tstartin1992’inresponsetoPremierLeague-centrichistoricalrecords,but1992effectivelymarkedthebeginningofmodernfootball.Itwasthebeginningofanew,exciting,moreentertainingeraofthegame,thewatershedmomentthatpromptedsweepingchangestocreateamorefast-paced,technicallyproficientsport.However,ithadabsolutelynothingtodowiththeformationofthePremier

League.Theintroductionoftheback-passlawin1992hadatransformativeeffect

uponfootball.Notsince1925–whentheoffsidelawwasalteredsothatonlytwoopponents,ratherthanthree,neededtobegoalsideofanattacker–hadalawchangebeensoeffectiveatimprovingthespectacleoftheworld’smostpopularsport.TherehavebeenminoralterationstotheLawsoftheGameduringthePremierLeagueera:differentinterpretationsregardingoffside,stricterlawsgoverningtackles,revisionstokick-off.But1992wasliterallyagame-changer.Thelawchangewassimple.Previously,goalkeeperswereallowedtousetheir

handsiftheballwasdeliberatelykickedtothembyateammate.Now,theywerenot.Theycouldstillhandletheballifateammateheaded,chestedorevenkneeditback,andthrow-insbacktothegoalkeepercouldbepickedupuntil1997,butgoalkeeperswereforcedtousetheirfeetmorethaneverbefore,effectivelybecomingpartofpassingmoves.

Therewasanextremelygoodreasonforthelawchange.Hitherto,teamscouldtimewasteinfuriatinglywhenleadingmatches;thegoalkeeperwouldrolltheballout,thedefenderswouldretainpossessionuntilanopponentchallenged,thenreturntheballtothegoalkeeper,whowouldpickitupandrestarttheprocess.Itwasstaggeringlytedious,andinhindsightit’sincrediblethatanyteamevercontrivedtolosealead.TheultimateexamplecameinthedyingsecondsofRangers’EuropeanCupfirstroundtieagainstDynamoKievin1987.WithRangers2–1aheadonaggregateandbuildinganattackingmove,midfielderGraemeSounessreceivedtheballmidwayinsidetheoppositionhalf,immediatelyturnedtowardshisowngoalandthumpeda70-yardbackwardballtohisgoalkeeperChrisWoods.Souness,incidentally,wouldlatersufferfromtheback-passchangemorethanmost.Examplesofnegativeplaybecameparticularlyobviousatthe1990World

Cup,atournamentsodreadfullynegativethatFIFAfeltcompelledtotakeaction.Thenewlawcameintoeffecttwoyearslater,intimefortheinauguralPremierLeaguecampaign.Whilesomemanagers,likeLutonTown’sDavidPleat,spokeinfavourofthe

change,therewasasignificantbacklashfrommosttop-flightmanagers,includingthelasttwotitle-winningbosses.‘Idon’tthinkthisisgoingtoenhancethegameatall,’complainedArsenal’sGeorgeGraham,whileHowardWilkinson,whohadtakenLeedsUnitedtothefinalpre-PremierLeaguetitlein1991/92,suggestedthenewlawswouldsimplyencouragelong-ballfootball.‘Ifthenewruleistheauthorities’ideaofhowtofosterbetterfootball,thentheexperimentwillprovecounter-productive,’hedeclared.‘Thenewrulingwillbemannafromheaventoacoachworkingwithhislong-ballside.’Wilkinsonpredictedteamswouldconcentrateonpumpinglongballsinbehind

theoppositionandusea‘goalie-blocker’,lingeringinanoffsideposition,tointerceptpotentialback-passesfromdefenderstothegoalkeeper’sfeet,forcingthemtohacktheballintotouchinstead.‘FIFAhaveinadvertentlyencouragedmorelong-ballfootball,’hemaintained.‘Thisisn’tamad,scientificnightmare,

thisistherealityasstipulatedbytheoverlordsoftheworldgame.’Wilkinson’sview,thatrouteonefootballwouldbecomedominant,foundsupportfrommanymanagerialcolleagues.Buttheback-passlawserveditsinitialpurpose,andteamswerenolonger

abletotimewastesoblatantly.Wilkinson’spredictionsaboutlong-ballfootballweren’tentirelyinaccurateimmediatelyfollowingthelawchange–Leeds’smatchesinapre-seasonfriendlytournamentagainstStuttgartandSampdoriawerenotablefortheoppositionrepeatedlyplayinghopefulballsinbehindtheLeedsdefence,hopingforerrors–buthefailedtoforeseehowgoalkeepersanddefenderswouldadjustandgraduallybecomecomfortableinpossession,creatingamoretechnicallyadvancedsport.Thereweresignificantknock-oneffects.Teamshadagreaterincentiveto

pressinadvancedpositions,forcingdefendersintomistakes,andmanagerswerelessinclinedtoplaystiflinglyaggressivedefensivelines,becausecoveringthespaceinbehindnowinvolvedplayingoutoftrouble.Asaresultthegamebecamestretched,whichcreatedmoreroominmidfield.Arguablythebiggestchangewasinthespeedofmatches–playershadpreviouslybecomeaccustomedtobreaksinplaywhilegoalkeepersheldontotheball.Suddenlytheactionhadbecomenon-stop.Thesedevelopments,theconsequenceofonesimplelawchange,playedinto

thehandsofthePremierLeague,adivisioncreatedspecificallytoprovidetelevisualentertainment.SkySportsintroducedplentyofinnovations,includingasimpleideathathasbecomeuniversallyestablished:displayingthescoreandclockonthetop-leftofthescreen.OtherSkygimmickswerelesssuccessful:pre-matchfireworkdisplayswerescrappedafterastrayrocketwaslaunchedoutofTheDellandintoanearbypetrolstation,whiletheuseofcheerleaderswasshort-lived,possiblyafterconcernsfromthepresenterovertheirunderstandingoftheoffsiderule.Butnoneofthisartificialrazzmatazzwasascrucialastheback-passlawinmakingthePremierLeagueafantasticshow,andSkywerehugelyfortunatethatworldfootballtookanenormousstepforwardaheadof

1992/93.Withoutthissignificantimprovementinthespectacleofmatches,thePremierLeaguewouldn’thavedevelopedintothemulti-billion-poundproductitistoday.Whilesupportersquicklyrealisedthebenefitoftheback-passchange,many

playersfoundthemselvesexposed.Theimpactwasfirstnoticedinpre-season,whenManchesterCitygoalkeeperAndyDibblesufferedabrokenleginafriendlyagainstaLeagueofIrelandXI,struckbysuddenindecisionasaslowback-passapproached,eventuallyattemptingtotackletheoppositionstriker.‘Iwasn’tsurewhethertokicktheballorpickitup,’Dibblecomplained,describinghimselfas‘thefirstvictim’ofthelaw.However,defendersstruggledmorethankeepers,andthePremierLeague’sopeningday,15August1992,wasacomedyoferrors.FourteenminutesintoLeeds’s2–1victoryoverWimbledon,Donsright-back

RogerJosephpanickedinsidehisownpenaltybox,caughtintwominds–shouldhepassbacktogoalkeeperHansSegersorsimplycleartheball?Eventuallyhedidneither,scuffingtheballbarelytwoyards,allowingLeeds’sLeeChapmantopounce–andpresumablyleavingLeedsmanagerWilkinsonunsurewhetherheshouldcelebrateorruefullyshakehisheadatthe‘realityasstipulatedbytheoverlordsoftheworldgame’.DownatHighbury,Norwichrecoveredfrom2–0downtodefeatArsenal4–2,avictorysecuredwithaclassicexampleofback-passconfusion.Norwichlaunchedahighpassintotheoppositionhalf,forcingArsenalcaptainTonyAdamstodealwithabouncingball.Henervouslyglancedbacktohisgoalkeeper,realisedDavidSeamandidn’twanttheball,soinsteadattemptedasquarepasstocentre-backpartnerSteveBould.ButAdamsmissedtheballcompletelyandstumbled,allowingMarkRobinstostealinandchipSeaman,scoringthegoalthatensuredNorwichwerethePremierLeague’sfirst-everleaders.BothgoalsinChelsea’s1–1drawwithIpswichatStamfordBridgewere

relatedtotheback-passlaw:Ipswichcentre-backIanMarshall,troubledbyhisinabilitytoplaytheballbacktohiskeeper,slippedwhenattemptingtocontrola

longballandallowedMickHarfordtoopenthescoring.ButthenChelseagoalkeeperDaveBeasant,havingreceivedtheballfromadefender,scuffedhiskick,allowingNickHenrytoequalise.Thenewruleswerecausingchaos.Therewasalsoa‘positive’goalscoredfromtheback-passrule,however.

SheffieldUnited’sBrianDeanehadheadedthePremierLeague’sopeninggoalagainstManchesterUnited,thenscoredanotherfromthepenaltyspot.ThissecondarosebecauseBladesmidfielderJohnGannonlookedsettoplayaback-pass,sawanopponentmakingaruntointercepthispotentialpass(althoughhewasn’tquitea‘goalie-blocker’)andsoturnedhiswayoutofdangerbeforeplayingaleft-footedpassintothechannel.StrikerAlanCorkracedontoit,wastrippedbyGaryPallister,andDeaneconvertedthepenalty.TherewerejustsevensecondsfromGannon’sturnuntilthepenaltyaward–withoutthenewlaw,theballwouldstillhavebeeninthegoalkeeper’shandsattheoppositeend.Compilersof‘football’sfunniestgaffes’VHStapesmusthavebeendelighted.

ThemostcomicalerrorcameinearlySeptemberatTottenham,andresultedinthedismissalofSheffieldUnitedgoalkeeperSimonTracey.He’dalreadybeenbookedforhandlingtheballoutsidethebox,andthen,whenpresentedwithaback-passinthesecondhalf,panicked.HewascloseddownquicklybySpurs’PaulAllen,andproceededtodribbletheballsideways,takingitdirectlyoutofplayforaTottenhamthrow.WhenTraceytriedtoretrievetheballfromnexttotheadvertisinghoardingstopreventSpurstakingthethrow,aquick-thinkingballboysnatcheditaway,chuckedittoSpurssubAndyGray,whichpromptedTraceytorugby-tackleGraytothefloor.Hewasdismissed.BladesmanagerDaveBassettwasn’timpressed.‘He’sgotthebrainsofarocking-horse–andItoldhimso.’ThiswasnotsimplyanEnglishphenomenon,ofcourse,andtherewere

similarproblemsacrossEurope.Northoftheborder,RangersopenedthescoringinOctober’sScottishLeagueCupFinalwhenAberdeengoalkeeperTheoSneldersbizarrelychestedawaywardclearancefromateammatestraightintothepathofagratefulStuartMcCall.Itwasn’tanintentionalback-passanyway,

andwouldn’thavebeenpenalised,butSnelderswasclearlyunawareoftheregulationsandwasleftscreamingathisdefenders,‘Ican’tpickitup!’ThebiggestimpactcameinItaly.SerieAwastraditionallyEurope’smostdefensivedivision,andfollowinggoals-per-gameaveragesof2.11,2.24,2.29and2.27inthefourseasonsbefore1992/93itsuddenlyjumpedto2.80,anunprecedentedrise.ThePremierLeaguedidn’twitnesssuchasurge,risingfrom2.52inthefinaloldFirstDivisionseasonto2.65intheopeningPremierLeaguecampaign,buttheback-passlawclearlyaffectedthenatureofthedivision,withcertainteamsparticularlystruggling.ThemostfamousvictimswereLiverpool.Manyhavelinkedtheirinabilityto

winaPremierLeaguetitle,havingdominatedthe1970sand1980s,totheintroductionoftheback-passlaw.InrealitytheyfinishedsixthinboththefinalFirstDivisionseasonandthefirstPremierLeagueseason,butLiverpool’splayersadmititaffectedthembadly.‘Itwasconstantlyinyourmindasadefender–youcan’tplaytheballback,’remembereddefenderNickTanner.‘Previously,Liverpoolwouldjustkillthegameoff.We’dbe1–0up,playtheballbacktoBruceGrobbelaar.He’dbouncetheballabit,PhilNealwoulddropoff,andBrucewouldrollitouttohim.Thatallstopped.’TheirmanagerduringthisperiodwasSouness–themanresponsiblefortheback-passtoendallback-passes.Arsenalalsosuffered.Theywerethebookmakers’titlefavourites,having

scoredthemostgoalsinthetopflightduring1991/92,buttheystruggledtobuildplayfromdeepand,amazingly,scoredthefewestgoalsduring1992/93,underliningtheextentoftheback-passchange.However,theyadaptedwelldefensivelyandremainedanexcellentsideinknockoutcompetitions,winningtheLeagueCupandFACup–both,coincidentally,with2–1victoriesoverSheffieldWednesday.Butthebiggestlosers,significantly,wereaverydirectside–Wilkinson’s

Leeds.Havingtriumphedthepreviousseason,theyslippedbackwardsalarminglyandfinished17thinthePremierLeague’sinauguralcampaign,

failingtowinawayallseason.ConsideringthatWilkinsonpredictedrouteonefootballwouldprosperunderthenewregulations,itwasironicthathisownplayerssufferedpreciselybecausetheycouldnolongerplaythatway.GoalkeeperJohnLukicbecamethefirstPremierLeaguegoalkeepertobepenalisedforhandlingaback-pass,fromcentre-backChrisWhyte–whomWilkinsonhadratedasthedivision’sbestcentre-backinthepreviouscampaignbutwhostruggledconsiderablywithmodernfootball.‘Theback-passlawaffectedusparticularly,’midfielderGarySpeedlateradmitted.‘Thecentre-backsusedtostroketheballbacktothegoalkeeper,andJohnLukicusedtolaunchituptomeandLeeChapman.Suddenlyweweren’tallowedtoplaythatwayanymore.’FellowmidfielderSteveHodgeagreed.‘PreviouslyJohnLukicwouldhold

theballandhe’dlaunchittoushighupthepitch,’heexplained.‘Now,Lukicwouldhavetolaunchitfromthefloorandtheballwasn’tgoingfarenoughdownthepitch.Weweremuchlessofathreatbecausetheballwasn’tlandingorbeingflickedtotheedgeofouropponents’area,itwasbobblingaroundinthemidfield.Also,teamswouldnowreallypushupandmadeLukickickitquickly.’It’snotablehowmuchemphasiswasplaceduponthesimpleconceptofhowfarthegoalkeepercouldkick,indicatingtheacceptedmethodofdistributionatthetime.NottinghamForestalsopaidaheavypriceforthenewregulations,finishing

bottom.LegendarymanagerBrianCloughhadotherproblemsbythisstage,particularlyhisalcoholism,which,ashelateradmitted,cloudedhisjudgementsignificantly.Buthisside’sstyleoffootballdidn’tsuitmodernfootball,asGaryBannisteroutlined.‘Wherewe’vesufferediswhenwe’vehadtheball,we’veplayeditbacktoMarkCrossleyandhehasclearedit,’hesaid.‘Onmostoccasionstheballhascomestraightbackatus,puttingusunderpressure.Markhavingtohumptheballupthefieldhasnothelpedusatall.Lastseason,aback-passwouldhavekeptuspossessionandStuartPearce,BrianLawsorGaryCharleswouldhavepickedtheballupfromthekeepertostartusoffagain.’

Pearce,slightlysurprisinglyforaregularset-piecetaker,lookedparticularlynervouswhenforcedtoplayoutandwasresponsibleforthemostfamousmisplacedback-passofthisera.AftereightsecondsofaNovember1993WorldCupqualifieragainstminnowsSanMarino,heunderhittheballtowardsDavidSeaman,allowingDavideGualtieritogiveSanMarinoashock1–0leadoverEngland,whoneverthelesswon7–1.ThatmatchwasalsothefinalEnglandappearanceforPearce’sex-ForestteammateDesWalker.He’dracedto59capsinthespaceoffiveyearsandwasdescribedas‘theoutfielderEnglandmanagerGrahamTaylorcanleastaffordtolose’intheGuardianayearearlier.ButWalkerdiscoveredhistalentsnolongersuitedthemoderngame,andhisEnglandcareerwasoverattheageof27.AsHarryRedknapplatersaid,‘Whentheydidawaywiththeback-passin1992itmadeahugedentinDes’sgame.Heusedhisspeedtonipinfrontofthestriker,mopuptheballandknockitbackforthegoalkeepertopickup…suddenly,hewasbeingrequiredtoplayhiswayoutoftrouble,andthatwasn’thisstyleatall.’Indeed,oneofthenotablefeaturesoftheearlyPremierLeagueseasons–in

linewithWilkinson’sprediction–wasthefrequentsightofdefenders,whenchasinglongballsbacktowardstheirowngoal,simplyhackingtheballoutofplaytoconcedeathrow-in.‘I’vetoldtheplayers,“Ifyou’reindoubt,kickitout,”’saidCoventrymanagerBobbyGould.‘“StopfannyingaboutandputitinRowZ.”’It’snocoincidencethatthefirstPFAPlayeroftheYearduringthePremierLeagueerawasPaulMcGrath,theAstonVillacentre-backwhoplayedtheballcomfortablywithbothfeet.Nootherdefenderadjustedsoimpressivelytothenewlaw,andtheIrishmanbecamethetemplateforthemoderncentre-back,asmanagersincreasinglyrequiredball-playingdefendersratherthanold-fashionedcloggers.AplayerlikeRioFerdinand,forexample,wouldhavebeenamidfielderratherthanacentre-backwereitnotfortheback-passchange.

Inevitably,theroleofgoalkeeperschangedenormously.Itwasthefirsttimein80yearsthattheyhadbeenforcedtoadjustsincethe1912lawchangethatruled

theycouldhandleonlyinsidethepenaltyboxratherthanintheentiretyoftheirownhalf.Goalkeepers,rightlyfamousformoaning,wereoutraged.‘Thenewruleismakingamockeryofmyprofession,’complainedAlanHodgkinson,theex-Englandshotstopperwhobecamerenownedasthecountry’sfirstspecialistgoalkeepingcoach.‘IknowpeoplewillassumeI’mbiasedbutIcan’tseethevalueofsettingupgoalkeeperssotheylookfoolish.There’snotonewhohasn’tbeencaughtout.Isthatgoodforthegame?Youhavetorememberthatkeepershavespent20yearslearningtocatchtheball.It’ssecondnaturetothem.It’snoteasytoadjust.’Toughluck.Theruleswereheretostay,andgoalkeeperswereforcedtospendlongtrainingsessionspractisinganentirelynewskill–kickingamovingball.Thegoalkeeper,football’smostspecialisedposition,neededtobecomemoreofanall-rounder.OneofHodgkinson’snotableachievementswasrecommendingPeter

SchmeicheltoManchesterUnitedmanagerAlexFerguson,beforeactingastheDane’scoach.Schmeichelwoulddefinegoalkeepingduringthisperiod,andwastheonlyPremierLeagueplayerwhowastheworld’sgreatestinhisposition.Hewasphysicallyimposing,capableoftremendousclose-rangereactionstopsandamasterofthedoublesave,springingupquicklytothwartrebounds.Schmeichel’sapproachwasn’ttextbook,andhispositioningwasn’tasflawlessasArsenal’sSeaman,hisgoalkeepingrivalofthe1990s.TheArsenalshotstopperwashisopposite:quiet,understatedandsolid,whereasSchmeichelwasloud,boldandunpredictable.SchmeichelintroducedEnglishfootballtothe‘starjump’save–wherehewouldspreadarmsandlegswhileleapingtowardsastriker–havingborroweditfromhandball,whichSchmeichelplayedregularlyasateenager.‘Agoalkeeperisnotafootballer,agoalkeeperisahandballplayer,’formerManchesterCitymanagerMalcolmAllisondeclaredinthe1960s.ForSchmeichel,thatwasliterallytrue.Schmeichelhadbenefitedheavilyfromthepre-back-passsituation.Hestarted

thePremierLeagueeraonacompletelyunexpectedhigh,havingwonEuro92withDenmark–whohadn’tevenqualifiedforthetournamentinitially,butwere

handedalatereprievewhencivilwarforcedYugoslaviatowithdraw.Inthelastmajortournamentbeforetheback-passchange,Denmarkdemonstratedwhyreformwasdesperatelyrequired,withcentre-backLarsOlsencontinuallyknockingballsbacktoSchmeicheltopickup,anapproachthatgraduallyspreadtotherestoftheside.Thesecondhalfofthefinal,a2–0victoryoverGermany,featuredparticularlyinfuriatingexamplesoftimewasting.Withfiveminutesremaining,DanishforwardFlemmingPovlsencollectedtheballmidwayinsidehisownhalf,dribbleddeterminedlytowardstheoppositiongoal,butwastrippedonthehalfwayline.Hepickedhimselfup,dustedhimselfdown,thenturnedaroundandfiredtheball50yardsbacktoSchmeichel.‘EverytimewegotintotheGermanhalfandcouldn’tfindsomeonetopassto,playerswouldturnaroundandpasstome,andIwouldpickitup,’Schmeichellaterrecalledsomewhatsheepishly.‘Howcanyouwinfootballmatcheslikethat?!’Thenewlawforcedgoalkeeperstobecomemorecomfortableinpossession,

andSchmeichelwasproactiveinevolving.UponarrivingatManchesterUnitedtheprevioussummer,withback-passreformonthehorizon,Schmeichelinsistedthatthegoalkeepersshouldplayamoreactiveroleintraining.Ratherthanbeingseparatedfromthemaingroup,Schmeichelwantedtotakepartinpassingsessionswiththeoutfielders,animportantchangebothtacticallyandpsychologically.HewouldlaterstunopponentsbychargingupfieldforcornerswhenUnitedwerebehindinthedyingseconds,sometimeswithgreatsuccess.Thishasbecomeacceptedpracticeinmoderntimes,butSchmeichelintroducedtheconcepttoEnglishsupporters,firstshowcasinghisattackingqualitiesonBoxingDay1994,whenUnitedwere1–0downathometoBlackburnRovers.Withthreeminutesremaining,Schmeichelracedforwardintotheoppositionbox,distractingthreestartledopponentsandenablingGaryPallistertofindspace;heheadedtowardsgoal,andPaulIncesmashedintheequaliser.SchmeichelhadalreadyscoredmultipletimesinDenmark,andlaternetteda

consolationgoalforUnitedwithapowerfulheaderina1995UEFACuptieagainstRussiansideRotorVolgograd.Healsohadanoverheadkickagainst

Wimbledondisallowedforoffside–surelythefirst-evergoalkeeperpenalisedforthatoffence–andwould,fittingly,becomethefirstPremierLeaguegoalkeepertoscore,duringhissoleseasonatAstonVilla.Schmeichelwasagenuinerevolutionary,convincingfellowgoalkeepersthattheyweren’tsimplyaboutdefendingtheirowngoalfromoppositionattacksandthattheycouldlaunch–andindeedfinish–attacksoftheirown.ButSchmeichelwasn’tparticularlyreliablewithhisfeetintraditional

goalkeepingareas.InManchesterUnited’ssecond-everPremierLeaguegame,a3–0homedefeattoEverton,thegreatDanemadethefirstpossession-basedgoalkeepingerrorofthepost-back-passerawhenhewastackledbyEverton’sMoJohnston,whocurledtheballhome.ThemajorityofSchmeichel’serrorscamewithhisfeetorwhensweepingoutsidehispenaltybox;hekickedtheballstraighttoWestHam’sMatthewHolmesinFebruary1994,allowingthewingertocrossforaTrevorMorleygoal,thenthreemonthslatergiftedIpswich’sChrisKiwomyaanopengoalwhenair-kickingoutsidehisbox,andhewasdismissedinanFACupquarter-finalagainstCharltonwhenhandling15yardsoutsidehispenaltyarea.Other,lesscelebratedgoalkeepersadjustedwell,likeNorwich’sBryanGunn,

whocontributedtohisside’sexcellentpassingfootball.Seamanalsocopedadmirably,partlybecausehewasaccustomedtoplayingbehindArsenal’sfamouslyaggressiveoffsidetrapandwasencouragedtosweepproactivelybyGeorgeGraham.Evenbeforetheback-passchange,GrahamhadSeamanworkingonkickingtheballwithhisweakerfoot,thenanextremelyrareskillforagoalkeeper,althoughtherulechangedidcausehimproblems.‘Whentherulecamein,firstofall,youwenttothesafetyroute,’headmitted.‘Ifsomeonepasseditbacktoyou,justbootedit,youjustmadesureyougotgoodcontact.Thenyoudevelopthatandgetabitmoreconfidentwiththeball,soyoutrytocontrolit…themoreyoudoit,thebetteryouget–youlearnwhotopassto,wheretofindplayers.’Asgoalkeepersincreasinglypassedtheballratherthanhoofedit,theyactedasaneleventhoutfielder,andteamsstartedplayingout

fromtheback.Schmeichel,meanwhile,oncehadablazingrowwithFergusonoverthe

subjectofhiskicking.ManchesterUnitedwere3–0upatAnfieldinJanuary1994,butcontrivedtoblowtheirleadanddrew3–3.Fergusonwasunderstandablyfurious,butsurprisinglytargetedSchmeichelforcontinuallysendingballsupthemiddleofthepitch,whereNeilRuddockwasheadingthemback,allowingLiverpooltomaintaintheirpressure.Schmeicheldidn’tappreciatethecriticism,andafterFergusonhadthreatenedtothrowacupofteaoverhisgoalkeeper,helaunchedavolleyofabuse.Helaterphonedhisagentdemandingatransfer,althoughFergusoncalledhimintohisofficethenextdayandtoldhimthathewasgoingtobesackedanyway.AftertheDaneapologised,bothtohismanagerandhisteammates,Fergusonreversedhisdecision,andSchmeichelspentfivemoreyearsattheclub,endinghisextraordinaryspellbyliftingtheEuropeanCupascaptainin1999.Schmeichelneverentirelysolvedhiskickingproblems,however,makingtwo

atrociouserrorswithhisfeetbothhomeandawayina1998FACuptieagainstrelegationstrugglersBarnsley,whowonthereplay.ConsideringthenatureofhisinternationalsuccesswithDenmark,andhissubsequentstruggleswithkicking,it’simpressiveSchmeichelputpersonalpreferencesasidetodeclarethat‘theback-passlawisthebestrulechangeever–ithaschangedthegame.’Significantly,however,Schmeichelpopularisedtheconceptofagoalkeeper

actingasaplaymaker–butwithhishandsratherthanhisfeet.Hisincrediblelong-range,overarmthrowshadbarelybeenwitnessedbeforeinEnglishfootball,andbecameafundamentalpartofManchesterUnited’sattackingweaponry.Ferguson’ssidelargelyplayedcounter-attackingfootballatthisstage,basedheavilyaroundwingersRyanGiggsandeitherAndreiKanchelskisorLeeSharpe,whofrequentlyreceivedtheballontherun,becauseSchmeichel’scouldaccuratelyhurltheballhalfthelengthofthepitch.‘WhenIgetholdoftheball,Itrytocreatecounter-attackingopportunities,’Schmeichelexplained.‘It’snotalwayssuccessful,butthetacticforcestheopponentstoturnaroundandheadfor

theirowngoal,whichisbothstrenuousanddemoralising.’Schmeichelevenrecordedassistswithhishands.InFebruary1994,awayatQPR,helaunchedtheballstraightupthecentreforthespeedyKanchelskistodribbleforwardandopenthescoringina3–2win.Twoyearslater,ina5–0thrashingofSunderland–agamebetterrememberedforEricCantona’slegendarychipintothetopcorner–Schmeichelcaughtatameheaderandimmediately,fromthreeyardsoffhisline,chuckedtheballintotheoppositionhalfforOleGunnarSolskjær,whoracedclearofthedefenceandfinishedcalmly.NotuntilPepeReina,whojoinedLiverpoolin2005,didthePremierLeague

witnessagoalkeepersoadeptattheseimmediate,accuratelong-rangethrowstolaunchcounter-attacks.Bythisstagegoalkeepersweregenerallyalsoextremelycomfortablewiththeirfeet,themajoritygrowingupaccustomedtothemodernlaws.‘Iwastenyearsoldwhentheychangedtheback-passrule,’saidReina,whowonthePremierLeagueGoldenGloveawardthreeconsecutivetimes.‘Iwasstillyoungenough,thankfully.Itcaughtmejustintime,asIwasbeginningtodevelopmyskills.’Butevenbythisstage,inthemid-2000s,Reina’skickingreceivedsignificantlylessattentionthanhisthrowing,indicativeofhowSchmeichelhadcreatedthetemplateforthePremierLeaguegoalkeeper.‘Schmeichel’slongthrowsweresopowerfulandallowedhisteam-matestocreatedangerattheotherend…hisapproachwasclearlyaheadofhistime,’saidSerieAveteranSamirHandanović.Nigeria’sVincentEnyeamasummarisedthethoughtsofagenerationofkeepers:‘EventhoughEdwinvanderSarwasmyrolemodel,Schmeichelbroughtinadifferentkindofgoalkeeping.’SchmeichelwasthefirstPremierLeagueplayertoprovideinspirationacrosstheworld.VanderSar,whoexcelledforManchesterUnitedaroundthesametimeas

ReinawasdoingsoforLiverpool,wasfamedforhisqualityinpossession,primarilybecausehegrewupatAjax,wherethevisionaryJohanCruyffhadinisistedthatthegoalkeeperbeaneleventhoutfielderlongbeforetheback-passchange.VanderSarbecametheacceptedgoalkeepingrolemodel,withThibautCourtoisandManuelNeuercitinghimastheirinspirationbecausehewasso

comfortableontheball.Kickinghadbecomeanessentialpartofmoderngoalkeeping,andthosepoorinpossessionfoundthemselvesmarginalised.Schmeichel,meanwhilealsohelpedrevolutionisethePremierLeagueina

differentmannerentirely.Incredibly,ofthe242playerswhostartedaPremierLeaguematchonthePremierLeague’sopeningweekend,just11wereforeign.Byvirtueofsimpleprobability,you’dexpectonlyoneofthe11tobeagoalkeeper.Instead,itwasfour:Schmeichel,plusWimbledon’sDutchmanHansSegers,CanadianinternationalCraigForrestatIpswichandCzechJanStejskalforQPR.Ayearlater,withoverseasoutfieldersstillrare,thereweresixmoreforeignregularsbetweentheposts:AustralianMarkBosnichatAstonVilla,RussianDmitriKharineatChelsea,NorwegianErikThorstvedtatTottenham,Zimbabwe’sBruceGrobbelaar,whohadregainedhisplaceatLiverpool,andtwomoreCzechs,LuděkMikloškoofWestHamandPavelSrníčekofNewcastle.JimBarron,thenthegoalkeepingcoachatAstonVilla,notedhowforeigngoalkeepersweremoreproactivethantheirEnglishcounterparts,commandingtheirboxbetterandpossessingsuperiordistribution.Englandhadalwaysprideditselfonthequalityofitsgoalkeepers,butforeignimportswereevolvingtherole.GoalkeepersinthePremierLeague’sfirstcoupleofseasonsweretherefore

significantfortwoclearreasons.First,thechangetotheback-passlawmeanttheybroadenedtheirskillsetandbecameall-roundersratherthanspecialists,adevelopmentsubsequentlywitnessedineveryotherposition.Second,therewasaconcertedshifttowardsforeignplayersattheexpenseofhomegrowntalent,anotherprocessthatwouldbereplicatedacrossthepitch.Goalkeepersweretraditionallyconsideredoutsiders,butnowtheywereleadingthewayintofootball’smodernage.

2

Cantona&Counters

‘BeingFrench,tome,isfirstandforemostbeingarevolutionary.’

EricCantona

UpontheformationofthePremierLeague,ManchesterUnitedhadn’tliftedtheleaguetrophyinaquarterofacentury,whichmadetheirdominanceofitsearlyyearsevenmoreremarkable.Incredibly,AlexFerguson’ssidetriumphedinfourofthefirstfiveseasons.Thesefiveyearscoincidedwiththehalf-decadereignofEricCantona,and

United’sonlyfailureduringthisperiod,finishingsecondin1994/95,camewhenthefantasticFrenchforwardwassuspendedforhalfthecampaign.HisimpactuponUnitedwasextraordinary,turningthemfromalso-ranstoconsistentchampionsalmostovernight,andhisinfluenceonthePremierLeaguewasunparalleled.Cantona,morethananyoneelse,popularisedtechnicalfootball.Atatimewhenforeignplayerswerestillrare,thiswasaFrenchmanofItalian

andSpanishdescentwhostrolledintoEnglishfootballstadiums,collarupturned,asifheownedthem.CantonawasunlikeanythingEnglandhadpreviouslyencountered:whenlistinghisinspirations,hementionedDiegoMaradonaandJohanCruyff,butalsoPabloPicasso,JimMorrisonandWolfgangAmadeusMozart.Brilliantly,whenhereferencedFrenchpoetRimbaud,journalistsmistakenlybelievedhewastalkingabout1980sactionmoviecharacterRambo.Cantonawasalmostasatiricalcharacter,aFrenchphilosophertrappedinEnglishdressingrooms,wherecuttingupteammates’clotheswasconsideredtheheightofwit–andheclearlyplayedalongwiththeact.Teammatessaidhe

spokeEnglishwell,yetwhenquizzedbytabloidreportershislanguageskillssuddenlydesertedhim,preservinghisstatusasthebaffledoutsider.WhenManchesterUnited’ssquadwentforapost-matchdrink,thestandardroundwas17lagersandoneglassofchampagne.Itwasn’tentirelyaboutCantonabeingfromabroad,however.He’dearneda

similarreputationinFrance,wherehebouncedbetweenvariousLigue1clubswithalarmingregularity,usuallyafterseriousbreachesofdiscipline.Inhisenlighteningbiographyoftheman,PhilippeAuclairnotesthatinthelate1980sCantonahadbecome‘thefirstcelebrityfootballerinhiscountry’shistory’,knownprimarilyforhispeculiarculturalreferencesratherthanhispurefootballingability.He’drisentonationalprominencefollowinghisdisplaysforFrance’sU21side,whofeaturedheavilyinthesportsprogrammingofthenew,innovativesubscriptionTVchannelCanal+.Cantonawastheperfectprotagonistforthetrendychannel’sfocusand,sureenough,hebecametheidealfigureheadforSkyandthePremierLeague,too.Cantona’smostinfamousmomentinEnglishfootballcameinJanuary1995.

JustafterbeingdismissedforkickingoutatCrystalPalacedefenderRichardShaw,hereactedtoabusefromPalacesupporterMatthewSimmonsbylaunchinghimselfoverSelhurstPark’sadvertisinghoardingstoperformanextravagant‘kung-fu’kickonSimmons,anincidentthatbroughtaneight-monthworldwidefootballbanandeffectivelyendedhisinternationalcareer.Whileadisgracefulact,itwasneverthelessamomentousincidentforthePremierLeague;itfeaturedheavilyonnewsbulletinsincountriesasdistantasAustraliaandNewZealand,thefirsttimethatEngland’snewtopflighthadbecomeagenuinelyglobalstory.Itwasprobablyinevitablethedivisionwouldinitiallyreceiveattentionfor

negativereasons,consideringtheproblemsofthe1980s,butasreportsexplainedCantona’sbackground,theyintroducedviewerstothemostintriguingcharacterinEnglishfootball,someonewhoclearlybuckedthestereotype.Britishnewspaperswenttotown:theSunfeaturedtheincidentontheirfrontpagetwo

daysrunning,onthesecondwithapanelreading‘TheShameofCantona:Fullstorypages2,3,4,5,6,22,43,44,45,46,47&48’.ThePremierLeaguewasbignews.AfterCantonasuccessfullyappealedagainstatwo-weekprisonsentenceforhisattack,hereluctantlyattendedapressconference,whereheslowly,thoughtfullytoldtheassembledpress:‘Whentheseagulls…followthetrawler…it’sbecausetheythink…sardines…willbethrownintothesea.Thankyouverymuch.’Hethenstoodup,shookthehandofhislawyerandswiftlydepartedtostunnedlaughter.ThecrucialfactorinCantona’simage,however,wasthathewasn’tsimply

differenttoeveryotherPremierLeagueplayerintermsofpersonality;hewasalsodifferenttoeveryotherPremierLeagueplayerintermsoffootballingstyle.Thereferencestophilosophersandartistsworkedpreciselybecausehewasafootballinggeniuswhoboastedguile,creativityandunpredictability.Hethriveduponspacebetweenthelinesandwasacreatorasmuchasagoalscorer,boastingthePremierLeague’sbest-everassists-per-gamerecord.Helovedchippinggoalkeepers,hecasuallyrolledhomepenalties,andheproducedasuccessionofoutside-of-the-footflicksandelaborate,stabbed,dinkedpassestoteammates.Cantonawasalsoexceptionalinaphysicalsense,readyfortheroughand

tumbleoftheEnglishtopflight.WhenCantonahadfinallyburnthisbridgesinhishomecountry,FranceassistantmanagerGérardHoullier–keentofindCantonaatop-levelclubforthesakeofthenationalside–suggestedEnglandspecificallybecauseCantonapossessedthestrengthandaerialpowertosurvive.Cantonawassixfoottwo,andhismostdistinctivephysicalfeaturewashischest,eternallypuffedout.Hehelduptheballexcellently,shruggedopponentsasidenonchalantly,andasurprisingnumberofhisgoalsandassistscamewithhishead.Hewasalsoquickerthanassumed,ashisspeedyManchesterUnitedteammateRyanGiggsoftenmentioned.

Cantonadidn’tmovestraightfromFrancetoManchester,however,andhisintroductiontoEnglishfootballwassomewhatinauspicious.Sheffield

Wednesdayaccommodatedhimforaweek,althoughtheprecisepurposeofthisexercisewasseeminglylostintranslation;Cantonabelievedhewascomingtosign,journalistsassumeditwasatrial,whilemanagerTrevorFrancisinsistshewassimplydoingafriendafavourbylettinghimtrain.Whateverthetruth,Cantona’sonlyappearanceinaWednesdayshirtwas,utterlybizarrely,inasix-a-sidefriendlyagainstAmericanindoorspecialistsBaltimoreBlast,whichendedinan8–3defeatatSheffieldArena,whereFrancishadenjoyedaSimplyRedconcertearlierintheweek.Cantonaendedup35milesnorth,signingforLeedsUnitedmidwaythrough

their1991/92championship-winningseason.Althoughheonlyscoredthreegoalsin15appearancesthatseason–noneofthemdirectlywinningapoint–hebecamesomethingofacultfigureamongLeedssupporters,whoonceimprovisedaquestionableversionof‘LaMarseillaise’intributetotheirstarcentre-forward.ButLeedsdidn’tsuitCantona;managerHowardWilkinsondistrustedflairplayersandstatedbluntlythatnoforeignforwardhadeversucceededinEnglishfootball,underlininghowCantonawasfightingagainstthetide.‘CanEricadapttolifeinEnglandorcanweadapttoCantona?DoIaskhimtochangeordoIaskLeedstochangetotheFrenchstyle?’ponderedWilkinson,beforedeclaring,‘TherewillbenoFrenchrevolutionbecausethat,inourfootballterms,wouldinevitablysufferadefeat.’CantonawasoftenbypassedasLeedsplayedasuccessionoflongballs,althoughhestarted1992/93intremendousform,hittingtheonlyhat-trickinCharityShieldhistory,thenthefirst-everPremierLeaguehat-trick.Still,hisrelationshipwithWilkinson,andhishistoryofrebellingagainstauthoritarianmanagers,meantthatheneverhadalong-termfutureatEllandRoad.FergusonandManchesterUnitedpounced.ThestoryaboutCantona’stransferisfamous–WilkinsonphonedManchester

Unitedtoenquireabouttheavailabilityoffull-backDenisIrwin,andFergusontooktheopportunitytoaskaboutCantona.Butitwasn’tsimplyafortunateswoop:Fergusonhadalreadybeenseriouslyinterested,andhadspecificallyaskedcentre-backsGaryPallisterandSteveBrucefortheiropinionafterLeeds’s

visittoOldTrafford.Bothsuggestedhewasadifficultopponentbecausehetookupunusualpositions,andCantonahadalsoproducedaspectacularbicyclekick,savedbyPeterSchmeichel,thatdrewanunusualroundofapplausefromacrossOldTraffordforanawayplayer.Crucially,asrevealedinAuclair’sbiography,Fergusonhadrecentlyattended

aRangersvLeedsChampionsLeaguetie,sittingalongsideHoullier,andafterCantonareactedangrilywhensubstituted,Houllierexpressedconcern,wrylyremarkingthathe’dneedtofindCantonaanotherclub.Fergusonwasimmediatelyinterested,butonlypouncedafteryoungsterDionDublin,aconsiderablymorestraightforwardstriker,sufferedabrokenleg.Fergusonsniffedaroundotherplayers:creativeforwardslikeMattLeTissierandPeterBeardsley,butalsomoretypicalstrikerslikeDavidHirstandBrianDeane.Hewasopen-mindedaboutthetypeofforwardherequired,becausefirst-choicestrikerMarkHugheswasaone-in-threeratherthanone-in-twogoalscorer,andmanysuggestedheneededtoplayalongsidearuthlessgoalscorer,promptingFerguson’sinterestinAlanShearerbeforehejoinedBlackburnthatsummer.ButCantonawasforsalewhenothersweren’t,andjoinedUnitedfortheludicrouslysmallfeeof£1.2m–incredibleconsideringFergusonhadunsuccessfullyofferedover£3mforHirst.ThepurchaseofaplayerinCantona’smouldrevolutionisedUnited’stactical

approachovernight.WhileFergusonunquestionablydeservesenormouscreditforUnited’ssuccessduringthisperiod,hissidelackedadefinedstyleuntiltheFrenchman’sarrival.Fergusonencouragedattack-mindedfootballwithwidth,inkeepingwithUnited’straditions–buttherewasarudimentaryapproachinthefinalthird,epitomisedbythetimewingerAndreiKanchelskisstormedoffthetrainingpitchinfrustrationatyetanothercrossingdrill,muttering‘Englishfootballisshit’onhisway–notanunreasonablecommentatthetime.Fergusonwasconsideredaman-managerratherthanafootballingphilosopherorastutetactician.Schmeichel,whowouldbecomeCantona’sroommateonawaytrips,summarisedCantona’sfirsttrainingsessionconcisely.‘Fromthatday,

ManchesterUnited’sstyleofplaychanged,’hesaid.‘ThearrivalofCantonasuddenlymadeitcleartothecoachingstaffexactlyhowtheteamshouldplaytobesuccessful.’CantonawasthecatalystforUnited’srevolution,andtheirsuccesssetthetoneforthetacticaldevelopmentofrivalPremierLeagueclubs,whichwasinitiallyacceleratedbytheinfluenceofinspirationalforeignplayersratherthanmanagerialphilosophies.Cantonawascapableofplayingeitherasatraditionalcentre-forwardorasa

playmaker,havingfilledbothrolesatvariousstagesofhiscareer.ForUnited,hewasgenerallyusedinthenumber10rolebehindatraditionalstriker,effectivelyturningUnited’s4–4–2systemintoa4–4–1–1.ThePremierLeaguehadveryfewdeep-lyingforwardsinthismould;TeddySheringham,whowouldlaterreplaceCantonaatUnited,becamerenownedasanexcellent‘withdrawn’forward,althoughatthisstagewasmoreofatargetman,winningtheinauguralPremierLeagueGoldenBootwith22goals,havingtransferredfromNottinghamForesttoTottenhamthreegamesintothecampaign.Southampton’sMattLeTissierwasinasimilarmouldtoCantona,butwassufferingunderthemanagementofIanBranfoot,whowantedhisdefenderstothumplongballsdownfield.NeitherSheringhamnorLeTissierhadyetbeencappedbyEngland.PeterBeardsley,anotherofFerguson’stargets,wasthemostsimilartypeofforward,althoughoftenfoundhimselfoutoftheEvertonside.Besides,BeardsleylackedCantona’sflamboyanceandwasn’tsuperstarmaterial–hewasamongthequietest,humblestplayersinthetopflight,whereasCantonawassurelythemostarrogant,albeitwithsomejustification.Englishfootballwashistoricallysuspiciousofdeep-lyingforwards,despite

thelikesofFerencPuskásandDiegoMaradonacausingthenationalteamsomuchmiseryovertheyears.Itwasconsideredaforeignrole,andextravaganceinEnglishfootballwasusuallythedomainoftrickywingers,withTomFinney,StanleyMatthewsandGeorgeBestamongthemostreveredplayers.EvenPaulGascoigne,England’smosttalentedplayerofthisera,wasanumber8ratherthananumber10,amidfielderwhoburstforwardfromdeep.Itwasunfortunate

thePremierLeaguedidn’twitnessGascoigneathisbest:hespentitsfirstsixyearswithLazioandthenRangers,onlyreturningtoEnglandwithMiddlesbroughandEvertoninhisthirties.Ferguson,incidentally,saysbeingbeatenbySpurstoGascoigne’ssignaturein1988isoneofhisbiggestregretsinfootball,andGascoignewouldlaterphoneFergusoninthesummerof1995(whenCantonawasservinghiseight-monthbanandintendingtoleaveEngland)beggingforamovetoUnited.Ferguson,however,concentratedonconvincingCantonatostay.FergusonhadacloserelationshipwithCantonathroughouthisfiveyearsat

OldTrafford.WhereasFergusontookaschoolmasterlyapproachtothemajorityofhisplayers,Cantonawasaffordedtherareprivilegeofacupofteawithhismanagerbeforetrainingeveryday,andwhileit’sdifficulttoimagineanyoneentirelyunderstoodCantona,Fergusoncameclosest.Managersoftensuggestthetoughestpartoftheirjobisaffordingstarplayersspecialtreatmentwithoutpromptingdissentfromtherestofthesquad,andFergusonquicklyrealisedheneededtomakeallowancesforCantona,sparinghimfromblastsof‘thehairdryer’,asManchesterUnitedplayerscalledFerguson’stendencytoscreamintheirfacesafterbadperformances.WingerLeeSharpetellsanamusing,revealinganecdoteabouttheUnited

squad’sreceptionatManchesterTownHallshortlyaftertheirfirsttitlevictory.Therestofthesquadworesmartblacksuits,butSharpearrivedinanolive-greensilkoutfitwithagreentie.ThisinevitablypromptedFergusontocomeoverandadmonishhim,atwhichpointCantonastrolledintotheroomwithasuit,notie–andredNiketrainers.Fergusonletoutacryoffrustrationandsimplystormedoff.AsimilarincidentoccurredwhenFergusonwasabouttocriticiseSharpeforgettingaskinheadhaircutonapre-seasontour,onlytosuddenlynoticeCantonahadthesame,forcinghimtobitehistongue.‘ThereweretimeswhenthedifferenttreatmentEricgotwaslaughable,’Sharpecomplained.‘Itwasonesetofrulesforhim,andanotherforthelikesofme.’AfterCantona’sinfamouskung-fukickatSelhurstPark,Ferguson’sfirstinstinct

inthedressingroomafterwardswastocomplainaboutsloppydefendingforCrystalPalace’sequaliser.Ingeneral,footballersacceptastarteammatebeingindulged,andonthepitch

Cantonawaseffectivelyhandedafreerolewithlicencetoroamwhereverhepleased.Hecontributedlittleindefensivesituations,asRoyKeanelaterrecalled.‘Oftenwe’dgivehimabollockingfornottrackingback.Wecertainlydidmorethanourshareofrunningforhim.Then,justwhenexasperationwasbeingfelt,andexpressed,Ericwouldproduceabitofmagictoturnthegameourway.’EnglishfootballwaslearningthatplayersinCantona’smouldwereworthembracing,worthfreeingfromdefensiveresponsibilities,andafootballingculturethatvaluedhardworkandcommitmentaboveeverythingelsewasforcedtoreconsideritsprinciples.United’syouthcoachEricHarrison,uponfirstseeingCantonaintraining,saidhe‘wantedtokidnaphimandspendaweektalkingtohimaboutfootball’.Tactically,opponentssimplyweren’tstructuredforstoppingCantona.

Ordinarily,centre-backswerefightingagainstcentre-forwards,andcentralmidfielderswereinvolvedinrunningbattleswiththeiroppositenumbers.PlayerslikeCantona,whointerpretedthegamedifferentlyanddroppedintothespacebetweenoppositiondefendersandmidfielders,wereabletoenjoyplentyoftimeontheball.‘Eric,nomatterthetempoorthemaelstromofPremierLeaguefootball,’Fergusonsaid,‘hasthatabilitytoputhisfootontheballandtomakehispasses.Thatinitselfisalmostamiracle.’Somuchofthis,however,wassimplyaboutCantona’sinitialpositioning,combinedwithhisabilitytoholdoffdefenderswhentheyapproached.Previously,Unitedhadfocusedonattackingdowntheflanks,orhittinglongerpassestocentre-forwardHughes,whowassuperbatbringingdownhighballsandfeedingteammates.ButCantonaorchestratedUnited’sattackingplaywonderfully,andliketheverybestnumber10s–particularlyMaradona,butalso,inPremierLeagueterms,DennisBergkampandGianfrancoZola–wasaselflessfootballerwhorecognisedthathisindividualfreedomshouldbeusedforthecollectivegood.

InadditiontoCantona’son-fieldcontribution,hewasalsoatremendousexampletohisteammatesintraining.Heinsisteduponsomelevelofautonomy–hisownwarm-uproutinesbeforejoininginwiththeotherplayers’warm-up,forexample–butUnitedteammatesagreeheraisedthestandardoftrainingconsiderably.Hisprofessionalisminspiredtheclub’semergingyoungsters,includingthe‘classof’92’,featuringGiggs,DavidBeckham,NickyButt,PaulScholes,andGaryandPhilNeville,surelythegreatestsetoffootballerseverproducedbyanEnglishyouthacademy.‘DuringmytimeatManchesterUnitedIwasluckyenoughtohavealotof

peoplewhoputincountlessextrahourstogetbetter,’Fergusonwroteinhisautobiography.‘GaryNevilleturnedhimselffromanaveragefootballerintoawonderfulonebecauseofhisworkethic,asdidDavidBeckham.IrememberEric’sfirstday,andafterthetrainingsessionhadfinishedheaskedforagoalkeeper,twoplayersfromthejuniorteamwhowerestillthere,andafewfootballs.Iaskedhimwhatheneededthosefor,andhesaidhewantedtopractise.Whenwordgotbacktotheotherplayers,oneortwomoreturnedupthenextdayforanextrasessionandsothenumbergrew.ThatwasallbecauseofCantona’sworkethicandinfluence.’PhilNevillehasaslightlydifferentinterpretation,whichmakesmoresenseconsideringthereareplentyoftalesabouttheincrediblededicationofhim,hisbrotherandBeckhambeforeCantonajoined.HesaysthatCantonadidn’tinspiretheyoungsterstoworkhard–theydidthatalready–buthemadeit‘acceptable’todoso,ensuringtheyweren’tseenasteacher’spetsbyexperiencedmembersofthesquad.Whereitcounted,onthepitch,Cantonamadeanimmediatedifference.His

stunning,instantimpactisoccasionallyoverlooked:hearrivedatOldTraffordinlateNovember1992withUnitedineighthplace,ninepointsbehindsurpriseleadersNorwichCity,havingscoredapitiful17goalsin16leaguegames.Atitlechallengewasunthinkable.ButwithCantona’sarrivalUnited’sscoringratedoubledand,astonishingly,theyrosetotopofthetableafterthefirstgameinJanuary.

ManchesterUnited’smostfamousvictoryduringthetitlerun-inwasunquestionablytheir2–1victoryoverSheffieldWednesdayatOldTrafford,whenUnitedfoundthemselves1–0downgoingintothefinalfiveminutes,beforetwoheadersfromcentre-backSteveBruceproducedanunlikelyturnaround.Bruce’ssecondarriveddeepintoanunusuallyextendedperiodofstoppagetime–therefereehadbeenreplacedbecauseofinjury–whichwasthestartofManchesterUnited’shabitofscoringcruciallategoalsthroughoutthePremierLeagueera,andgaverisetotheexpression‘Fergietime’.FergusonandhisassistantBrianKiddfamouslyspilledontotheOldTraffordpitchintheirjubilantcelebrationofawinnerthatputManchesterUnitedtopofthetable,astatustheywouldn’trelinquish.However,United’smosttacticallysignificantvictoryoccurredfivedaysearlier,awayatNorwich.Thisdisplaywoulddictatethebig-gameapproachunderFergusonforyearstocome,andisthesinglemostinfluentialteamperformanceinthehistoryofthePremierLeague.Forasignificantperiodof1992/93,Norwichweretitlefavourites.They’d

beenthefirstPremierLeagueleadersafterasurprise4–2victoryoverArsenal,whichappearednothingmorethanafreakopening-dayresult,NorwichhavingonlyescapedrelegationonthefinaldayofthepreviousseasonandbeingwidelytippedforthedrophavingsoldstarstrikerRobertFlecktoChelsea.However,Norwich’skeymanwasactuallyMikeWalker,alikeable,calm,silver-hairedWelshmanandamongthemostpromisingmanagersinthecountry.Inanerawhenrouteoneremaineddominant,Norwich’spassingfootball,theirtendencytoscorespectaculargoalsandtheirunderdogstatusensuredtheybecametheneutral’sfavourite.OtherPremierLeaguemanagerswereman-managersanddisciplinarians,butWalkerloveddiscussingtacticsandofferedaclear,forward-thinkingphilosophy.Amazingly,he’dbeendismissedfromhisonlypreviousmanagerialjob,atColchester,becausehischairmanconsideredWalker’sbrandofpassingfootball‘toosoft’forthelowerleagues–despitethefactColchesterwereonlyonepointfromthetopofDivisionFour.Walkerclaimedhewas

‘happytowineverymatch4–3’,althoughNorwichactuallysufferedseveralheavydefeatsand,peculiarly,finishedinthirdplacedespiteagoaldifferenceof–4.Norwich’sdefaultformationwas4–4–2,butitwasaflexiblesystemmost

notablefortheadvancedpositioningofthetwofull-backs,MarkBowenandIanCulverhouse.Right-wingerRuelFoxwasamongthequickestwingersintheleague,centralmidfielderIanCrookboastedafinepassingrangeandMarkRobinsbangedinthegoalsupfront.TheywerethePremierLeague’sfirstgoodfootballingside,andwhentheydefeatedWimbledon2–1inDecember,theirleadatthetopwasanincredibleeightpointsafter18games.ButthenNorwichsomehowfailedtoscoreintheirnextfivegames,almost

provingtheold-fashionedBritishdogmathatcontinentalfootballwasn’tsuitablewhenwinterarrivedandpitchesbecameboggy.Norwichrecoveredtoplayasignificantpartinthetitlefight,andstartedApriltopofthePremierLeagueonceagain,withAstonVillaandManchesterUnitedapointbehind.TheCanaries’nextfixturewasahomematchagainstFerguson’sside,andwhileVillacouldn’tbeignored,thisfeltlikeatitledecider.Unitedappearedtobewobbling;winlessinfourmatches,andwithoutsuspendedcentre-forwardHughes.ItwaswidelyanticipatedthatFergusonwouldintroduceveteranBryanRobsonincentralmidfield,withBrianMcClairreturningtothestrikingrolehe’dplayedbeforeCantona’sarrival.Instead,McClairstayedinmidfieldalongsidePaulInce,andFerguson

deployedthreenaturalwingersatCarrowRoad,withAndreiKanchelskisinthesameteamasSharpeandGiggs,whoessentiallyplayedasacentre-forwardinadvanceofCantona.Theoutcomewasaquiteastonishingspellofcounter-attackingfootball,withNorwichdominatingpossessionbutUnitedscoringonthebreakthreetimesinthefirst21minutes.Thegoalswereincrediblydirect.Fortheopener,Schmeicheltypicallyhurled

theball40yardstoSharpe,ontheleft,whoproddedtheballwiththeoutsideofhisleftfoottoCantona,waitingbetweenthelines.TheFrenchmancontrolledthe

ball,pausedbrieflyashewaitedformidfieldrunners,thenplayedathrough-ballthatfoundnofewerthanthreeUnitedplayers–Sharpe,InceandGiggs–beatingNorwich’soffsidetrapsimultaneously.Giggscollectedtheball,roundedgoalkeeperBryanGunn,couldhavepassed,butrolledtheballhomehimself.Frompenaltyboxtogoalin12secondsandeighttouches.Thesecondfeaturedevenbetterinterplay.Schmeichelmovedtocollecta

looseballinsidethepenaltyarea,butSteveBrucethumpedittotheright–straighttoKanchelskis,whovolleyedtheballintothecentrecircleforInce,whovolleyeditbackouttoGiggs,whoknockedtheballbackwardsforMcClair,whosefirst-timepassfoundKanchelskisrunningthroughongoal.TheRussianwingerhadCantonainsupport,butdribbledpastGunnandconverted.Frompenaltyboxtogoalagainin14secondsandninetouches.Justaminutelater,Ince–themansupposedlyanchoringthemidfieldbehind

fiveattackers–collectedalooseballincentralmidfieldandimmediatelystormedpastone,two,threechallenges,boredownonGunnandthenflickedtheballrightforCantona,whofiredintoanemptynet.Thistime,themovehadonlystartedfrommidwayinsideUnited’shalf,butittookninesecondsandsixtouchesfortheballtoendupinthenet.Thecounter-attackinglookedsosimple;UnitedsimplywaitedforNorwichto

pushforward,thenattackedintospacewithfrighteningspeed.Eachtimetheybrokeinbehindwithmultipleplayers,eachtimetheytookGunnoutofthegamebeforeconvertingintoanopengoal.‘Wewereagoodcounter-attackingside,butourperformanceexceededevenourownexpectations,’ravedBruce.‘Thespeedandincisivenessofourmovement,thequalityofthepassing,itwasrightoutofthetopdrawerandNorwichcouldn’tlivewithit.’Fergusoncouldbarelycontainhisexcitement,saying,‘Someofourfootball

wasbreathtaking,unbelievablestuff,’whileCantonalaterprovidedthebestsummary.‘Thatwastheturningpoint,’hesaid.‘Weplayedaperfectgame.Weplayedperfectfootball.’Unitedwentontowinthetitle,andthatperformancepointedthewaytoPremierLeagueglory.HadNorwichdefeatedUnitedand

goneontowinthetitlethemselves,theirincredibleunderdogsuccessmighthavepopularisedpossessionfootball.Instead,inspirationcamefromUnited’sspeed.ManchesterUnited’sfirstPremierLeaguetitlewasachievedwhenthingsfell

intoplacealmostaccidentally,butthefollowingseason,1993/94,sawthemreachadifferentlevelentirely.Playersoftenremarkuponthedifficultyofdefendingatitle–there’slessmotivationtosucceed,andopponentsuptheirgameagainstthechampions–butFerguson,whohadretainedtheScottishtitlewithAberdeeninthemid-1980s,astutelyensuredhisplayersmaintainedtheirdesire.BeforethestartofthecampaignheannouncedtoUnited’ssquadthathehadasealedenvelopeinhisofficedrawer,containingapieceofpaperwithalistofplayershebelievedlackedthehungertowinasecondtitle.Thetrickprovedhighlyeffective,withhisplayersdeterminedtoprovehimwrong.Ferguson,typicallyforthisperiod,canvassedtheviewsofhisplayersabout

potentialnewrecruits,andaftertheyunanimouslyagreedthatNottinghamForest’sRoyKeanewasatop-classmidfielder,FergusonbroketheBritishtransferrecordtomakeoneofhismostimportantsignings.ThischangedthebalanceofUnited–withMcClairrelegatedtothebench,Keaneformedabrilliantlyaggressive,combativecentralmidfieldpartnershipwithInce.Cantona’sinfluencewasnaturallygreaterbecausehewaspresentfromtheoutset,whileGiggsbecameagreatergoalthreatfromtheleftandKanchelskis,peripheralinthepreviouscampaign,wasoutstandingdowntheright.Suchwastheemphasisuponbattlingcentralmidfieldersandelectricwingers,somejournalistsdepictedUnited’sformationas4–2–4,althoughinrealityitwasa4–4–1–1,andnotdissimilartothe4–2–3–1thatonlybecamearecognisedPremierLeaguesystemadecadelater.Unitedwereutterlydominantthroughout1993/94.Withintheopening

fortnightthey’dwonawayattheirtwotitlerivalsfromthepreviouscampaign,NorwichandAstonVilla,andtoppedthetablefromtheendofAugustonwards.TheyonlylosttwiceuntiltheendofMarch,bothagainstChelsea–although

Uniteddefeatedthem4–0intheFACupFinal,whichclinchedtheclub’sfirst-everdouble.Ferguson’sfirst-choiceXIplayedtogether13times,andwon13times.SubsequentUnitedteamswouldbecomemorecultured,particularlywhen

PaulScholesandDavidBeckhamemergedtoprovidepassingqualityfrommidfield,whichhelpedUnitedprogressinEurope.ButinPremierLeagueterms,Ferguson’s1993/94first-choiceXIwasperfectlysuitedtotheweek-in,week-outchallengesofadivisionstillbasedaroundphysicalfootball,withtoughtackles,poorpitchesand42games–fourmorethanfrom1995/96onwards,whenthedivisionwasreducedfrom22to20teams.Theywere‘realtoughbastards’inFerguson’swords,andhelatersuggestedthathis1993/94sidewereasgoodasthetreblewinnersoffiveyearslater.ManchesterUnited’s4–4–1–1,withcombativecentralmidfieldersand

speedstersoutwide,wouldessentiallybecomethestandardtacticaltemplatethroughoutthePremierLeague’sfirstdecade.Thedifficultpartforteamshopingtofollowintheirfootsteps,however,wasobvious:findingtheirCantona.

3

TheSAS&TheEntertainers

‘I’lltellyou,honestly,Iwillloveitifwebeatthem.Loveit.’

KevinKeegan

SirAlexFergusonfamouslydescribedhisgreatestchallengeatManchesterUnitedas‘knockingLiverpoolrightofftheirfuckingperch’.HehadturnedUnitedintoEnglishfootball’sdominantside,andtheywouldeventuallyovertakeLiverpoolintermsofleaguetitles.Duringthemid-90s,however,United’sgreatesttitlefightswerenotagainstLiverpool,butagainstclubsmanagedbytwoex-Liverpoolforwards:KennyDalglish’sBlackburnRoversin1994/95andKevinKeegan’sNewcastleUnitedin1995/96.Underthesemanagers,BlackburnandNewcastledideverythingayearapart.

Dalglishhadtakenchargeofsecond-tierBlackburnin1991andachievedpromotionin1992.Keegantookchargeofsecond-tierNewcastlein1992andwonpromotionin1993.Amazingly,Blackburnhadn’twonthechampionshipsince1928,Newcastlenotsince1927.ThereweresimilaritiesbetweenKeeganandDalglish,too;theywerebornwithinamonthofoneanotherin1951,andwhenKeeganleftLiverpoolforHamburgin1977,hisreplacementupfrontwasDalglish.Tactically,bothsidesplayed4–4–2,concentratinguponwidth,crossesanda

toweringnumber9,andtherewasalsoacommonlinkindefensivemidfielderDavidBatty,whocameintothesidetowardstheendofbothBlackburn’s1994/95triumphandNewcastle’s1995/96campaign.Bothclubs,meanwhile,sufferedasignificantlate-seasonslumpduringtheirtitlechallenge.Thatmight

soundpeculiar,consideringBlackburntriumphedin1994/95andNewcastlearerememberedas‘bottlers’forblowinga12-pointleadthefollowingseason,butBlackburn’scollapsehadbeenequallydramatic.Theycontrivedtolosethreeoftheirfinalfivegamesduringtheirtitle-winningseason,includingadramaticfinal-daydefeatatAnfield,whereevenLiverpoolsupporterswantedBlackburntowin,todenyrivalsManchesterUnitedanothertitleandtowitnessDalglish,anAnfieldlegend,liftthetrophy.Left-backGraemeLeSauxlateroutlinedtheextentofBlackburn’snervesin

thefinalweeks,admittingthattheplayersbecameobsessedwithManchesterUnitedandclaimingthatDalglishdidn’tknowhowtocontrolthesituation.Athalf-timeonthatfinaldayatAnfield,wingerStuartRipleysatdowninthedressingroomanddeclaredhewassonervoushecouldn’tgethislegstoworkproperly.BlackburnweresavedbyManchesterUnited’sfailuretowinawayatWestHam.Inthe‘bottlingit’stakes,therefore,therewasminimaldifferencebetweenBlackburnin1994/95andNewcastlein1995/96–asidefromthefactthatDalglishconvincedtheoutsideworldhehadthingsundercontrol,whileKeeganhadameltdownliveonTVwithhisfamous‘Iwillloveitifwebeatthem’rant.DalglishandKeeganwereprimarilyman-managersandmotivatorsratherthan

tacticiansortraining-groundcoaches;theyattractedplayersthroughtheirreputationaslegendaryplayersandbroadlyleftthemtotheirowndevices.Themostsignificantdifferencewasthenatureoftheirassistants.Dalglish’sonlypreviousmanagerialpostwasatLiverpool,wherehemaintainedthepass-and-movefootballhispredecessorshadintroduced.AtBlackburn,however,hewasstartingfromscratch,andwithmorelimitedplayers,sohisapproachwasmuchsimpler.Dalglishdecidedhewouldn’ttakechargeofBlackburnwithoutRayHarford,widelyconsideredoneofthemostintelligent,inventiveEnglishcoachesofhisgeneration.Harfordboastedmanagerialexperience,havingbeenpromotedfromassistant

tomanageratFulham,Luton(wherehewontheLeagueCup)andWimbledon.

HewouldlatersucceedDalglishatBlackburn,too.HisLutonandWimbledonsideswererenownedfortheirdirectfootball,andheprovidedthecoachingexpertisethatDalglishlackedforcreatingastraightforwardbuteffectivecrossingside.Dalglishsaidhis‘coaching,organisation,hisdeepknowledgeoffootball’madehimtheperfectassistant,andHarfordtookalmosteveryBlackburntrainingsession,concentratingheavilyupon‘patternofplay’sessionsthatimprovedBlackburn’spassingandmovement.Keegan,ontheotherhand,appointedhisoldLiverpoolteammateTerry

McDermott.NotonlydidMcDermott,likeKeegan,boastabsolutelynopreviouscoachingexperience,healsohadnocoachingbadges,hadnointentionofbecomingacoachandhadrecentlybeenspottedmanningaburgervanataracecourse.‘He’snothereinanycapacityotherthantohelptheatmosphereoftheclub,’saidKeegan,whopersonallypaidforMcDermott’semploymentfromhisownsalary.McDermottconcentratedontakingplayersasideaftertrainingandimprovingaspecificpartoftheirtechnique.Blackburnhadanassistantmanagerwhotookeverytrainingsessionandfocuseduponthecollective,whileNewcastle’sassistantmanagerdidn’ttakeanysessionsandfocuseduponindividuals.Ultimately,thatwasaperfectmicrocosmofthesides’approaches.

Blackburnwerenewkidsontheblock.BeforethePremierLeagueeratheyhadn’tfeaturedinthetopflightsincebeforeEnglandwontheWorldCup,evendroppingintothethirdtierduringthe1970s.TheirsuddenriseowedmuchtothewealthofJackWalker,aBlackburn-bornmillionairewhohadinheritedWalkersteel,ascrap-metalbusiness,fromhisfatherandturneditintothelargeststeelstockholderinBritain.Hismunificenceexplainshowsecond-tierBlackburnmanagedtoattractDalglish,alreadyamultipletitlewinnerasbothplayerandmanagerwithLiverpool,andhow,havingwonpromotionintimeforthePremierLeague’sinauguralcampaign,theypromptlyfinishedfourth,secondandthenfirst.DalglishinsistsBlackburn’stitlewasn’tsolelyaboutWalker’smillions,withsomejustification–althoughthesigningsofcentre-forwardsAlan

ShearerandChrisSuttonbothbroketherecordforthehighesttransferfeepaidbyaBritishclub.Bothwereold-fashionednumber9swhothrivedoncrosses,inkeepingwithBlackburn’ssimplefootballingapproach,andtheyquicklybecamenicknamed‘theSAS’becauseoftheirruthlessnessinfrontofgoal.Theycontributed49goalsduringBlackburn’stitle-winningcampaignandremainarguablythePremierLeague’smostfamousstrikepartnership.Theiroff-fieldrelationship,however,waslesssuccessful.WhenShearersignedforBlackburnin1992hewasbefriendedbynewstrike

partnerMikeNewellonapre-seasontourofScotland,andashewaitedforhiswifetomovetoLancashirehespentplentyoftimeatNewell’shouse.Itwasaclassicfootballingfriendship;theyplayedgolftogether,theytravelledtotrainingtogether,theywereroommatesonawaytripsandtheirgreatrelationshipcontinuedonthepitch.Newellhadpreviouslybeenanout-and-outstriker,butafterBlackburnrecruitedthecountry’shottestyounggoalscorer,Newelladjustedandplayedadeeper,supportingrole.‘Hewasanidealstrikingpartner,sounselfishandwillingtocovereverybladeofgrass,’Shearersaid.‘Sometimeshegavetheimpressionhewouldratherlayongoalsformethanscorehimself…withhimjustbehindtheattack,oppositionteamswouldpushadefenderouttomarkhimandthatwouldgivememoreroominwhichtooperate.Hewasabigreasonformysuccess.’ShearerwontheGoldenBootinthreeofthefirstfivePremierLeagueseasons,andfinishedonarecord260PremierLeaguegoals.ThearrivalofSutton,whohadonlyrecentlybecomeapermanentcentre-

forwardatNorwichhavingoftenplayedindefence,changedthingsintwoways.Mostobviously,NewellwasthemajorvictimandstartedjusttwiceinBlackburn’stitle-winningseason.Meanwhile,SuttonstoleShearer’sthunder,takinghisstatusasBritain’smostexpensiveplayer.HebrieflybecameBlackburn’shighest-paidplayer,too,althoughBlackburnimmediatelyhandedShearerarisetoreflecthisseniority.‘Suddenly,Alanwasbeingaskedtoplaywithaguywhowantedtoscoreasmanygoalsashim,’saidLeSaux.‘ThatwaswhenIsawasideofAlanthatIwasn’tkeenon…Alanknewhisrelationship

withMikerevolvedaroundhimself,andneitherhenorMikereactedwellwhenChrisbrokeuptheirpartnership.’Sutton,afearsomestrikerbutasensitivecharacterwhooccasionallylacked

confidence,laterrecalledthe‘lackofwarmth’fromShearer,blaminghisfriendshipwithNewell.WhenSuttonhitahat-trickina4–0victoryoverCoventryinBlackburn’sthirdgameoftheseason,hewasupsetwhenShearerdidn’tcelebratewithhim.Publically,Dalglishinsistedtherewerenoproblemsbetweenhistwostarstrikers,butwithBlackburn’sattackingplaynolongerbasedentirelyaroundhim,Shearerwasn’tbestpleased.Itwasneverthelessastunninglyeffectivestrikepartnership.Blackburn’s

openinggoaloftheirtitle-winningseason,awayatSouthampton,setthescene.CaptainTimSherwoodloftedalongpassintothebox,Suttonnoddedtheballdown,andShearersmashedtheballhome.Simple,buteffective.Blackburnnowhadtwostrikersinthepenaltyboxwheneverpossible,andwithoutNewellplayingthelinkrole,focusedheavilyongettingtheballwideandsendinginastreamofcrosses.AsmuchastheSAS,Blackburn’sfootballwasdefinedbytheirtwowingers.

Right-sidedStuartRipleyandleft-sidedJasonWilcoxwereclassic,touchline-huggingdribblerswhosprintedtothebylineandhungcrossesintothebox.AsDalglishputit,theywere‘properwingers,notwidemidfielders’.NorweretheygoalscorerslikeManchesterUnited’spairingofRyanGiggsandAndreiKanchelskis,whowerecapableofreachingdoublefiguresinaseason,butratherfacilitators,assistersand,unlikemanywingers,extremelyhardworkerswithouttheball.Blackburn’scentralmidfielders,SherwoodandMarkAtkins(whoplayedthemajorityoftheseasonbeforebeingreplacedbyBatty,whoreturnedfrominjuryforthefinalfivegames),pushedforwardinturn,theotherprotectingthedefence.Sherwoodwasbetterinpossession,Atkinscoolinfrontofgoal–thebestfinisherattheclub,accordingtoDalglish–buttheyseldomplayedthrough-ballsandinsteadpassedcalmlyoutwide.Itwasasystem‘designedforacentre-forwardtoscoregoals’,asShearersaid.

CriticsclaimedBlackburn’sapproachplaywastoopredictable,butopponentsfounditdifficulttostop,partlybecauseofthecohesiveinterplaystemmingfromthetrainingsessionsdirectedbyHarford,whosefavouritephrasewassimply‘Ifitain’tbroke,don’tfitit.’Blackburn’strainingground,incidentally,wasastonishinglybasic:apatchoflandcoveredindogmess,withnochangingfacilities.TheplayersdrovetoEwoodPark,gotchanged,thendrovetotraining.Mostproblematically,thetraininggroundwasadjacenttoacemetery,sosessionswerefrequentlyinterruptedoutofrespectwhenahearseslowlycreptupthedriveway.Harford’s‘patternofplay’sessionsinvolvedBlackburnliningupintheir4–4–2formationonthetrainingpitch,andpractisingtheirbuild-upplay.TheirpassingandmovementwasverystructuredandalwaysendedwithBlackburnworkingtheballintocrossingpositions.Therewerethreemajorapproaches.Ideally,Blackburnfoundawingerina

positiontodribbleforward,theirmostobviousroutetogoal.Ifnot,thewingerswereinstructedtocomeshort,bringingtheoppositionfull-backupthepitchandallowingShearerorSuttontodriftwideintospace.ShearerimploredSuttontodothemajorityoftherunningsohecouldremaininthepenaltybox,butactuallybecameanexcellentcrosserhimself,endingthecampaignasBlackburn’smostprolificassisteraswellastheirtopscorer.Finally,DalglishandHarfordrecognisedthatfull-backsweretheplayerswiththemosttimeontheballwhen4–4–2played4–4–2,invariablythebattleofformationsduringthisperiod.Right-backHenningBergwasmoreofaconvertedcentre-back,sotherewasahugeemphasisonleft-backLeSauxtopushforward,andhehadafinerelationshipwithWilcoxandShearer,supplyingmanykeyassists,mostnotablyhangingacrossupforShearertonodhomeinBlackburn’spenultimatematchofthecampaign,a1–0victoryoverNewcastle.Crucially,Harforddemandedthatcrosseswereplayedfromwhathetermed

‘themagicbox’,thespaceinthefinal18yards,asifthepenaltyareaextendedacrosstheentirewidthofthepitch.Shearerdisagreedwiththisconceptandwasconfidenthecouldconvertcrossesplayedfromdeeper–thetypeofballDavid

Beckhamwouldlatersupplyhimwithatinternationallevel–butHarfordbelievedcrossesfromadvancedpositionscreatedbetterchances,andWilcoxandRipleydependedupongettingintothis‘magicbox’toastaggeringextent.Midwaythroughthetitle-winningseason,DalglishcalledRipleyasideintrainingandattemptedtodeviseaplanB.Eventually,hereasoned,oppositionfull-backswouldworkoutBlackburn’splanandusherRipleyandWilcoxinside.Inthatsituation,40yardsfromgoal,inanarrowerpositionandforcedontohisweakerfoot,DalglishaskedwhereRipleywantedthestrikerstopositionthemselvestobeatargetforcrosses.Ripleylookedathimblankly.‘Areyoutakingthepiss?’heasked.No,insistedDalglish.Ripleythoughtaboutitsomemore.‘Idon’tknow,’headmitted.Thethoughthadneveroccurredtohim;Blackburn’swingersliterallyonlyknewhowtoplayoneway.Blackburn’stacticalnaivetywashighlightedwhentheyencountered

continentalopposition.IntheopeningroundoftheUEFACup,theclub’sfirst-evergameinEuropeancompetition,theyweredrawnagainstSwedishpart-timersTrelleborg.ThenatureofTrelleborgreadlikeastereotypical‘Europeanminnow’checklist;theyboastedjustonefull-timeprofessionalfootballer,alongsideacarpenter,ashopkeeperandaninsurancesalesman.They’drecentlylostadomesticcuptietothird-divisionopposition,andhadprogressedthroughtheUEFACupqualifyingroundwithanunspectacularvictoryoverthechampionsoftheFaroeIslands.TheyarrivedatEwoodParktodiscovertheirkitclashedwithBlackburn’s,sowereforcedtoborrowRovers’redawayshorts.JournalistshadresearchedBlackburn’srecordvictory,suspectingitcouldbesurpassed,whiletheSwedeslaterclaimedtheywouldhaveconsidereda2–0defeatadecentresult.Instead,Trelleborg’sFrederikSandelllatchedontostrikepartnerJoachimKarlsson’sflick-ontoscorethegame’sonlygoal.TrelleborgdefendeddeeperthananyoneBlackburnfacedinthePremierLeagueandfocusedondoublingupagainstBlackburn’swingers.‘Ifyouwereorganisedyoucouldstopthem,’saidcaptainJonasBrorsson.‘Therewaspotentiallyabitofnaivetyinthewayweplayed,’Ripleylater

recalled.‘WeweresteamrolleringteamsinEnglandandIthinkwetriedtodothesame,buttheycamewithadefensiveformationandnickedthewin.’LeSaux,meanwhile,admittedBlackburn’sstyledidn’tsuitEuropeancompetition.Thesecondlegfinished2–2–theSASbothscoredclose-rangeeffortsintheaftermathofset-pieces–andten-manTrelleborgprogressed3–2onaggregate.TheearlyexitemphasisedEnglishclubs’tacticalinadequacy,butallowedBlackburntoconcentrateondomesticfootball.TherewerenodefiningvictoriesduringBlackburn’stitlecampaign–theylost

homeandawaytotheirclosestchallengers,ManchesterUnited,andstutteredbadlyduringtherun-in,buttheirsimpleapproachprovedenoughtoconsistentlydefeatrun-of-the-millPremierLeaguesides.Blackburnweren’tdoinganythingdifferent,theyweresimplydoingitinanextremelycohesivemanner,withexcellentplayers.SixoftheirstartingXI(goalkeeperTimFlowers,commandingcentre-backColinHendryplusLeSaux,Sherwood,SuttonandShearer)featuredinthePFATeamoftheYear,whichwasannouncedbeforeBlackburnsealedtheirtitle.ManchesterUnitedhadclinchedthefirsttwoPremierLeaguetitles

anticlimacticallywhenrivalsslippedup,but14May1995wastrulymemorable,asthePremierLeague’sfirstfinal-daydecider.Blackburnwent1–0upatLiverpoolwhenShearertypicallyconvertedRipley’sright-wingcross,andhadRoversmaintainedthatscoreline,theywerechampionsregardlessofUnited’sresult.ButLiverpoolproducedanunlikelyturnaround,withJamieRedknapp’ssuperblatefree-kickconfirminga2–1homevictory.DalglishspentmuchofthesecondhalfwatchingaTVclosetothedugouts,showingtheactionfromManchesterUnited’sgameatUptonPark:SirAlexFerguson’sdecisiontoplayalonestrikerbackfired,andWestHam’sLudĕkMikloškoprovidedoneofthePremierLeague’sall-timegreatgoalkeepingdisplays.Unitedcouldonlydraw1–1,whichmeantBlackburn’sdefeatwasirrelevant–theywerechampions.DalglishwascongratulatedbyoldfriendsfromLiverpool’sbackroomstaff,ShearerandSuttonwarmlyembraced,Sherwoodliftedthetrophy.

Forallthisincredibledrama,Blackburn’spreviousvisittoMerseysidewasmoresignificantstylistically.OnAprilFools’Day,Blackburnstormedintoanearly2–0leadatEverton;thefirstgoalcameinside13seconds,thenthequickesttodateinthePremierLeague,whenBerg’slongballwasheadedonbySutton,thenbyShearer,andSuttonfiredhome.Thesecondcameafterafree-kickfoundSutton,whostumbledandallowedShearertofirehome.ItwastextbookBlackburn.Butthen,afterGrahamStuartgotEvertonbackintothegamewithastupendouschip,Blackburnembarkeduponaremarkablyblatantdisplayofcynicalfootball,concentratinguponbreakingupplayandtimewasting.Itwasanincrediblyfierce,franticcontest,withthehighlightanincrediblegoalmouthscrambleinfrontofTimFlowers,whichfeaturednofewerthan14playersinsideBlackburn’ssix-yardbox.TheclimaxsawShearerthumpingaclearancesofarthathenearlysenttheballoutofGoodisonParkentirely.Atfull-time,Everton’sfansbooedBlackburnoff.Dalglishcouldn’tcarelessaboutwhetheroppositionsupportersappreciatedhisside’sstyleofplay.Tohimitwasthreepoints,andjobdone.

Instarkcontrast,whenKevinKeeganwasaskedforhisfavouritememoryfromNewcastle’s‘nearly’campaignof1995/96,herecalledhisplayersbeingapplaudedontothepitchbyoppositionfansduringthefinalfewdaysoftheseason,awayatLeedsandNottinghamForest.DalglishcalledhisBlackburnsidethe‘people’schampions’,playingontheirunderdogstatus,butNewcastlewerethetrueneutral’sfavourite,ateamwhoplayedenthralling,attack-mindedfootball.Keegan’simpactduringthisperiodwasincredible;hetooktheclubfromthebottom-halfofthesecondtiertothetopofthePremierLeague,galvanisingawholecity.Newcastle’sshirtsdisplayedthebluestaroftheNewcastleBrownAlelogo,theirgoalkeeper’sshirtduring1995/96depictedthecity’sskyline,whileKeeganspokeabouttheclub’sculturalimportancetothecityinamannerthatrecalledBarcelona.Attimestheirfootballwascomparabletoo,andNewcastlewerereferredtoas,simply,TheEntertainers.

Newcastleearnedthatnicknameacoupleofseasonsearlier,witha4–2victoryoverSheffieldWednesday,but1995/96tookthingstoanewlevel,andNewcastle’stitlechallengewassomehowbefittingofBritishpopcultureatthetime.1996wastheyearofEnglandhosting,andthreateningtowin,Euro96,soundtrackedbyBaddielandSkinner’s‘ThreeLions’.1996waswhenBritpopstillreignedsupreme.1996sawthelaunchofChrisEvans’sTFIFriday,aprogrammebasedlargelyaroundwackiness,andthedebutoftheloud,extrovertedSpiceGirls.1996wastheyearofTrainspotting,afilmaboutagroupofheroinaddictsthatmanagedtobecomeafeelgoodstory.Somehow1997feltverydifferent,amelancholyyeardominatedbythefilmTitanic,Radiohead’sOKComputerandthedeathofPrincessDiana.1996wasaboutmad-for-itextravagance,andherewereKeegan’sNewcastle,TheEntertainers,playingall-out-attackfootballwithnoregardfortheconsequences.Newcastlestartedtheseason,likeBlackburnthepreviousyear,withtactics

basedaroundcrossing.Left-wingerDavidGinolawassignedfromParisSaint-Germainandbamboozledoppositionright-backswithhispaceandambidexterity,abletoreceivetheballwithhisbacktogoal,beforespinningeitherway,cuttinginsideorgoingdownthetouchline.HewonPlayeroftheMonthimmediately.OntheoppositeflankKeithGillespiewasatypicalwingerofthatperiod,alwaysreachingthebyline.Keegan’sinstructionstohiswingersweresimple:newsigningLesFerdinandwasthebesttargetmaninthebusiness,andhewastobesuppliedwithconstantcrosses.‘Thewaythesidewasplaying,withGinolaontheleftandGillespieontheright,wasidealforastrikerlikeme,’Ferdinandrecalled.‘BothDavidandKeithwererainingballsintothepenaltyareafromallovertheplace.’Amazinglyforsuchanaerialthreat,Ferdinandwasonlyfivefoot11,butwas

blessedwithaprodigiousleap.Hehit21leaguegoalsbymid-February,whileKeeganencouragedhimtodevelophisgameandbringteammatesintoplay,havingbecomefrustratedwithhispredecessorAndyCole’ssingle-mindedness.WhereasBlackburnusedtwotargetmenupfront,KeeganplayedPeter

Beardsleyinadeep-lyingforwardrole,linkingattacks.WithRobLeeburstingforwardfromcentralmidfield,thiswasthemostcompleteattackingforcethePremierLeaguehadwitnessed.Newcastlestartedatanincrediblepace,attemptingtowinmatcheswithintheopeninghalfhour,andweren’tinvolvedinasinglegoallessdrawallseason.‘TheEntertainers’tag,however,alsounderlinedNewcastle’sdefensivefrailties.Keeganhadopenlypreacheda‘youscoretwo,we’llscorethree’philosophy,althoughthedefininggameinNewcastle’sseason–andthemostmemorableinthePremierLeagueera–wasthedefeatatLiverpoolinApril,whichwas‘we’llscorethree,youscorefour’.ManyattributedNewcastle’stitlefailuretotheirleakydefence,althoughthetruthismorecomplex.Keeganmadenoattempttohidehisattackingapproach.Hewasdeterminedto

satisfytheGeordies’thirstforpositivefootball,andconsideredhimselfpartofawidermovementtomakefootballmoreexciting,atatimewhenmanagersfrequentlyhighlightedthefacttheirteamhad‘putonashow’whenmatcheswereliveonSky.‘Alotofforwardsarecomingintomanagement,’hesaidatthetime.‘YoulookatBrianLittle,GlennHoddle,myself.Weareallforwardswhowouldn’treallyknowenoughaboutdefendingtocoachit.’Itwasaselectiveargument,though.ArsenalbossGeorgeGrahamhadbeenaforward,thenlateranattackingmidfieldersolanguidhewasnicknamed‘Stroller’,buthehadassembledthemostdisciplineddefenceinEnglishfootball.Keegan’sdefenderswere,originally,midfieldersandattackers.It’scommon

forplayerstobeshiftedintoadifferentpositionastheydevelop,butNewcastle’ssituationwasquiteremarkable,particularlywiththeirthreemaincentre-backs.DarrenPeacockhadbeenacentre-forwardintheBristolRoversyouthteam.SteveHoweyhadrisenthroughNewcastle’sranksasanattackingmidfielder,occasionallyusedindefenceduringtraining–butwhenKeeganarrived,hetoldHoweyhewaseitheracentre-backorhewasleaving.BelgianPhilippeAlbert,meanwhile,startedhiscareerasamidfielderandwasrecruitedonthestrengthofhisdisplaysatthe1994WorldCup,wherehecontinuallybroughttheball

forwardfromtheback.Keegan,workingasaTVpunditforthetournament,witnessedhimscoreagainstboththeNetherlandsandGermany,andsnappedhimup.First-choicefull-backsWarrenBartonandJohnBeresfordwereencouragedto

pushforwardsimultaneouslyand,bytheendofthecampaign,werereplacedbyhometownladsSteveWatsonandRobbieElliott,bothforwardswhenrisingthroughtheranksatNewcastle.AnotherGeordie,holdingmidfielderLeeClark,hadplayedanattackingmidfieldrolethepreviousseason,hencehisnumber10shirt.Itwas,moreorless,ateamofforwards,asKeeganacknowledgesinanadmirablyhonestpassagefromhisautobiography.‘Weremyfull-backstooadventurous?Yes!Weremycentre-backstooskilful,bettergoingforwardthangoingback?Yes!Butthatiswhatwebuilt.’Thatwasthat,andKeeganwasn’tgoingtochange.Towardstheendofthecampaign,hisbackfour–Watson,Howey,PeacockandBeresford–approachedhim,suggestingtheywerebeingoverrunandNewcastleshouldplaymorecautiously.Keegan’sresponsetothecritiquewassimple–‘DoyouwannaplayonSaturday?’Heignoreddefendingtoaremarkableextent.Newcastlehadararedefensive

trainingsessionaheadofthelongtripdowntoSouthamptoninSeptember,lost1–0,andKeeganneverbotheredwithdefensivedrillsagain.Later,afterNewcastlefailedtowinthePremierLeague,KeeganappointedformerLiverpooldefenderandBBCpunditMarkLawrensonasadefensivecoach.Lawrenson,however,spenthistimemerelyobservingtraininganddidn’ttakeasinglecoachingsessionunderKeegan,atonepointconfessingtohimthathewasn’tsurewhathewasbeingpaidfor.HisappointmentwasKeegan’sattempttofightthecriticismratherthanagenuineattempttofixtheproblem.But,amazingly,Newcastle’sdefensiverecordin1995/96wasactually

reasonablygood,andthatfamous4–3defeatatAnfieldhasexaggeratedtheirweaknessattheback.Theyconceded37goalsin38matches,onlytwomorethanManchesterUnited,andconsideringthesubsequentfourtitlewinnersconceded44,33,37and45goals,Newcastle’sdefensiverecordwasn’tabarrier

tosuccess.Instead,theirproblemwasthattheydidn’tscoreenough,managingonly66goals–lowerthaneverysinglePremierLeaguetitlewinner.The‘Entertainers’tagwasn’tentirelytrue,andforalltheirindividualbrilliance,Newcastlelackedcohesion.Itwasn’tsimplythattheyignoreddefensiveworkintraining,morethattheydidn’tdoanytacticalworkwhatsoever.Noworkonshape,noworkonbuild-upplay,noworkonset-pieces.Nothingthatmakesagroupofplayersintoateam.Trainingwasremarkablysimple,andtheplayerslovedit–asdidthe

supporters.NewcastleusedthefacilitiesatDurhamUniversity,whichmeanttrainingwasessentiallypublicandoftenwatchedbythousandsofpeopleduringthetitlerun-in.Theplayerswouldarriveearlyandplayheadtennis,withKeeganandMcDermottamongthemostfeareddoublespartnerships.They’dthenplayhigh-intensity,match-speed,small-sidedgames,theteamsoftendeterminedbyplayground-style‘pickteams’.Theywouldendwithskillsandshootingdrills,andsomeplayerswouldstaybehindtoworkonindividualtechnicalaspects.ButNewcastleneverdiscussedteamshape.Keeganhadasimilarlyrelaxedattitudetowardsopponents.AlexFerguson

wasincreasinglyadjustingsmalldetailstocounteranopponent’sstrengthsandprovidedspecificinformationontheirweaknesses.ButKeeganwouldn’tmentionNewcastle’supcomingopponentsintrainingandwouldsimplyreadouttheopposition’steamsheetinthedressingroomshortlybeforethewarm-up.He’daddacoupleofwordstorubbishhisopponents–‘wouldn’thaveanyofthem’,or,ifhe’drecentlysignedoneoftheirplayers,‘I’vegottheoneIwanted.’Itwasallaboutindividuals.Ignoringtheoppositionprovedparticularlyproblematicinawaymatches,whereNewcastlewereliterallyonlyhalfasgoodasatStJames’Park–theywon52pointsathome,just26away.Keegan’steamtalksrarelyincludedspecificinstructionsforcopingwiththe

opposition,althoughtherewasonenotableexception.Aheadofamid-AprilmeetingwithAstonVilla,KeeganrealisedBrianLittlewasusingthreecentre-forwards–DwightYorke,SavoMiloševićandTommyJohnson–andtherefore

instructedleft-backBeresfordtodefendnarrower,helpingNewcastle’stwocentraldefenders.Beresford,however,complainedthatKeeganwasignoringtheknock-oneffect;Villa’sright-back,GaryCharles,wouldoverlapintohisleft-backzonebecauseGinolawouldn’ttrackback.Keeganwasn’tinterested.Whentheinevitablerepeatedlyhappened–Charlesfoundspaceontheright–KeeganshoutedinstructionstoBeresfordratherthanGinola.ThisinfuriatedBeresford,andthetwohadablazingrowbytheStJames’Parktouchline,whichendedwhenBeresfordtoldKeeganto‘fuckoff’,promptinghisimmediatesubstitution.‘Youcan’thaveplayerssayingwhathesaidtome,’saidKeeganafterwards.Beresfordhadstarted32ofthe34gamesuntilthatpoint,butwasdroppedentirelyforthefinalfourgames.ThecauseofNewcastle’sdecline,however,wasrelatedtotheadditionoftwo

signingsintheNewYear.UnpredictableColombianforwardFaustinoAsprillawassignedonasnowyFridayinFebruary,thedaybeforeNewcastlemadetheshorttriptoMiddlesbrough.OnmatchdayKeeganassuredAsprillahewouldn’tbeplaying,andatlunchtimepouredhimaglassofwine.Butincredibly,theColombianwasintroducedasasecond-halfsubstitutejusthourslaterandcreatedtheequaliserforWatsonalmostimmediately,bamboozlingoppositioncentre-backSteveVickerswithawonderfulCruyffturnbeforecrossing.WatsonpointedtoAsprillaincelebration,andhisteammatesinstinctivelycongratulatedtheassisterratherthanthegoalscorer.AsprillahadprovidedNewcastlewithaspark.WhilehissigningissometimesblamedforNewcastle’scollapse,inthesecond

halfoftheseasonAsprillawasNewcastle’sbestplayer.Hewasfantasticintheunfortunate,andfatal,defeattoManchesterUnited,whenthecombinationofPeterSchmeichel’ssavesandEricCantona’sfinishresultedinabarelydeserved1–0winfortheeventualchampions.Hewaspivotalinthe3–0victoryoverWestHamandwasNewcastle’sbestplayerinthat4–3defeattoLiverpool,grabbingagoalandanassist.Theproblem,though,wasthathisarrivalchangedNewcastle’sshapeentirely–andKeegandidn’texplainhowhewantedhis

playerstoadjust.AsprillawasverydifferenttoBeardsley,whoswitchedtoanunfamiliarright-sidedmidfieldrole,andFerdinandwasleftperplexedbythechange,especiallyasAsprillawasimmediatelythemainman.‘Ihaven’tboughtAsprillatoplaywithyou,I’veboughthimforyoutoplaywithhim,’KeegansomewhatbluntlytoldFerdinand.Therewerenoattemptstogetthemonthesamewavelengthintraining,andKeeganlatertoldFerdinandhesimplyneededto‘expecttheunexpected’fromAsprilla–areasonablesummaryofhisstyle,buthardlyusefuladvice.Ferdinand,havingbeenscoringatroughlyagoalpergamebeforehand,nowscoredoneinthree.TheColombian’sfulldebutcoincidedwithKeegan’ssurprisedecisionto

switchfromNewcastle’susual4–4–2toamoreflexiblesystemoftenappearinglikea3–5–2fora2–0defeattoWestHamandahugelyentertaining3–3drawatManchesterCity.ThebiggestbeneficiarywasAlbert,asthemoustachioedBelgiancentre-backwasdeployedasasweeperwithlicencetoburstforward.AgainstCityhescoredtwiceandcreatedtheotherforAsprilla,allfromopenplay,aperfectdemonstrationofhowhewasafootballingcentre-backaheadofhistime.AsprillawasNewcastle’smostdangerousattackingweaponinbothgames,butgotawaylightlywithaone-matchbanforelbowingandheadbuttingCitycentre-backKeithCurle.‘He’sfromLatinAmerica,that’sthewaytheyare,’offeredKeegan.Thatdominatedtheheadlines,butthegreaterissuewasthatNewcastle’slackofshapehadneverbeenmoreobvious.Newcastlewon43percentofmatcheswithAsprilla,comparedwith75percentwithouthim.Forthenextgame,a1–0defeattoManchesterUnited,Newcastlereturnedto

4–4–2butboastedanothernewsigning:DavidBatty,thecircumstancesofwhosearrivalwerepeculiar.SirJohnHall,Newcastle’schairman,wantedtosignacentre-backtoimproveNewcastle’sdefence.Keeganwashavingnoneofthat,however,sotheycompromisedandboughtadefensivemidfielder,whichdoesn’tseemaparticularlylogicalapproachtorecruitment.EvenBattywassurprised.‘TheywereflyingatthetopofthetableandIcouldn’timaginewhythey’dwanttochangethings,’headmitted.Batty,apuredefensivemidfielder,replacedthe

forward-thinkingClark,andonceagain,Newcastleattemptedtoplaysimilarfootballwithanentirelydifferentplayerinakeyposition–theproblem,ofcourse,wasthesystemratherthanindividuals.BattyslowedNewcastle’spassinganddidn’tperformhisdefensivemidfieldroleperfectlyeither–inthelate-season1–1drawwithNottinghamForest,forexample,IanWoandribbledpasthimeasilybeforesmashingintothetopcornerfrom25yards.KeeganconsideredBattyanexcellentsigning–although,typically,believedhislong-termfuturewasasaforward-thinkingcentre-back,bringingtheballforwardfromdeep.Keegan’slogicwasthatthiswouldallowhimtoplayyetanotherattackingplayerinmidfield.Hesimplycouldn’tgetenough.Newcastle’sgung-hoapproachwasepitomisedbythat4–3defeattoLiverpool

atAnfieldinearlyApril1996,agamewidelyconsideredthePremierLeague’sgreatest.Itwasanaction-packed,end-to-endthriller,thegoalsstartinginthe2ndminuteandnotendinguntilthe92nd.Newcastleledforthemajorityofthecontest,both2–1and3–2,butsomehowconcededalate-minutewinnertoStanCollymore,toleaveKeeganslumpedovertheadvertisinghoardings.Newcastleenteredthegameindisastrousform,havingcollectedjustseven

pointsfromtheirprevioussixmatches.Keeganmadeonechange,withWatsonreplacingBartonatright-back,probablylinkedtothefactWatsonhadalreadyscoredtwowinnersthatseasonagainstLiverpool,inthereverseleaguefixtureandtheLeagueCup.Theludicrouslyopennatureofthecontestwassummarisedbythepositioning

ofGinola.Newcastleplayeda4–4–2systemwhileRoyEvans’Liverpoolplayed3–5–2,whichmeantaninevitablequestionaboutwhetherornotGinolawouldtrackLiverpool’sright-wingbackJasonMcAteer.Theanswerwassimple–hedidn’t.Thishadbothpositiveandnegativeconsequences;afterRobbieFowlerhadopenedthescoringandLesFerdinandequalised,Ginola’sadvancedpositioningbehindMcAteermeanthestreakedawayonacounter-attack.Liverpool’scentre-backsplayedverynarrow,andGinolahadtheentireleftflanktohimself,finishingcoolly.

Inthesecondhalf,however,LiverpoolexploitedthespacebehindGinola,inparticularwithSteveMcManaman’sconstantdriftstothatflank.HecrossedforFowlertoequaliseandhadanotherdangerouscrossslicedjustwideofthefarpostbySteveHowey.NewcastleraceddowntheotherendandscoredagainthroughAsprilla,inpartbecauseLiverpoolcentre-backJohnScaleshaddroppedverydeeptocopewithGinola’sadvancedpositioning,playingtheColombianonside.Liverpoolsoonequalisedagainwitharight-wingcross–thistimeabeautifulcurledballbyMcAteer,withGinolanowheretobeseen.3–3,andarguablytwogoalsateitherendcamefromGinola’spositioning.Thefinalfiveminuteswereevenmoreopen,afterEvansboldlyintroducedveteranstrikerIanRushforleft-wing-backRobJones,withCollymoremovingleft.AfterinterplaybetweenRushandJohnBarnesinthecentre,theballwasswitchedwidetoCollymore,whosmashedhomethewinner.LiverpoolhadwonthegamewiththetypeofattackinggamblethatKeegangreatlyadmired.Keeganlovedcontributingtosuchalegendary,attack-mindedgame.‘AfterthematchIturnedtoTerryMacandsaid,“IknowIshouldbedisappointed,butI’melated,”’helaterrecalled.Newcastle’splayersgavevarioustacticalexplanationsfortheirdecline.

FerdinandwasfrustratedtheattackwasnowbuiltaroundAsprilla.GillespiebelievedhisomissionmeantNewcastleweren’tstretchingtheplayproperly,somethingLeeagreedwith,asBeardsleywasn’tathomeontheright.GoalkeeperPavelSrníčeksuggestedBattyupsettherhythmoftheside,andalsoacceptedthatNewcastleweresimplyfoundoutbybettersidesinthesecondhalfofthecampaign.TheexperimentwithAlbertasasweeperinarough3–5–2,meanwhile,lastedtwogames,costNewcastlefivepointsandwasimmediatelyabandoned.Ginola’sdeclineinthesecondhalfoftheseasonwasalsonotable;hisdefensivesluggishnesswascriticised,butitwouldn’thavebeenproblematichadhecontributedtheattackingefficiencyofearlierintheseason.Morethananythingelse,however,Newcastle’sproblemwastheiroveralllack

ofcohesion,surelyduetoomittinganycollectiveworkonthetrainingground.

Keegan’sthrewtogethertalentedindividualsandletthemrunfree,whichlargelyworkedwithasimple,old-fashioned4–4–2thateveryoneknewhowtoplay.Butthislaissez-fairestyleprovedproblematicwhenKeegansuddenlyswitchedshape,whenhesignedadifferenttypeofcentre-forwardandadifferenttypeofdeepmidfielder.Newcastlesimplydidn’thaveanytactics;theirapproachwasaconsequenceofthe11playersKeeganassembledonanyparticularday.ButwhileNewcastleultimatelyfellshortofwinningthePremierLeague,it

wasunquestionablyagloriousfailure;theplayersremainheroesinthecity,theteamstilladmiredacrossthecountry.Keegan’sachievementintakingNewcastlefromthesecondtiertothebrinkofthetitleshouldn’tbeunderestimated,andwhilenaivetymayhavecostNewcastlethetitle,themostpertinentstoryisthattheycamesoclosewithsuchbasictactics,highlightingtheprimitiveapproachofmostPremierLeaguesidesatthispoint.Thetitlewaspresentedinthenorth-east–butatMiddlesbrough,where

ManchesterUnitedendedtheseasonwitha3–0victory.Keeganwasmagnanimousindefeat,immediatelycongratulatingManchesterUnitedandpredictingtheywouldbe‘fantasticrepresentativesofthePremierLeagueintheChampionsLeague’thefollowingseason.Itrecalledthewayhe’dreferredtoAsprilla,upontheColombian’sarrival,as‘arealassettothePremierLeague–andNewcastleUnited,Ihope’.Perhapsitwasjustsemantics,butit’sdifficulttoimagineFerguson,whocultivatedan‘usagainsttheworld’approach,caringaboutthebenefitstotheleagueasawhole.Newcastlerespondedtotheirfailureindramaticfashion,breakingtheworld

transferrecordtosignhometownboyShearerfromBlackburn.Keeganlastedjusthalfofthefollowingcampaignbeforesuddenlyresigning,tobereplacedby,inevitably,Dalglish.WithBatty,ShearerandDalglish,itwasclearNewcastleweretryingtobeBlackburn–buttactically,thePremierLeaguewasalreadymovinginadifferentdirection.

PartTwo

TechnicalProgress

4

BetweentheLines

‘Cantona’ssupporterslovedhim,andsodidthemedia.Hewasthisforeignfella,different.Everyonewantedonelikehim,butitdidn’tmeanplayerslikethatgrew

ontrees.’

RoyEvans

AsEricCantona’sinfluenceensuredManchesterUnitedbecamethePremierLeague’sdominantforce,otherclubsdesperatelysearchedfortheirCantonaequivalent.Awaveoftalented,mercurialbutofteninconsistentnumber10sjoinedthePremierLeagueduringthemid-1990s,withmixedsuccess.Englandwasn’tproducingplayersinthatmould,soclubslookedabroad–oftentorelativelyobscurefootballingnations.Supportersofunglamorous,mid-tablePremierLeaguesidescouldnowgetexcitedbyexotic,mysteriousforeigndeep-lyingforwardswhosepresencewasmeanttoinspiremoreaestheticallypleasingfootball.IpswichTown,forexample,hadBulgarianBonchoGenchev,whoopenedhis

goalscoringaccountwithawonderfulbicyclekickagainstBlackburn.Hepositionedhimselfbetweenthelinestoencouragepassingfootball,butstruggledtoexertaconsistentimpactuponPremierLeaguegames.Afterabriefspellbackhome,heendedhiscareerwithacoupleofspellsatnon-leagueHendon,takingabreakinbetweentorunashort-livedBulgariancaféinKensingtoncalled‘Strikers’.Genchevhimselfwasn’tactuallyastriker,ofcourse,althoughhewaspresumablycomfortableintheservingrole.Southamptonfoundthediminutive,extraordinarilygiftedIsraeliEyal

Berkovic,whofeatureddecisivelyintheSaints’famous6–3victoryoverManchesterUnitedin1996,hissecondleaguestart.BerkovicenjoyedasuccessfulPremierLeaguecareer,althoughheisprobablymostfamousforbeingbootedintheheadduringaWestHamtrainingsessionbyteammateJohnHartson.DerbyCountysignedAljošaAsanović,awonderfulleft-footedcreatorwho

playedasignificantpartinCroatia’sjourneytotheEuro96quarter-finalsandthe1998WorldCupsemi-finals,andwhoisquitepossiblythemostunderratedPremierLeagueplayer.Unsurprisingly,heinsistedontakingthenumber10shirt.CoventryCitysignedMoroccanMustaphaHadji,adirectdribblerwithafinepassingrange,andhealsotooknumber10.AtWestHam,HarryRedknappsignedthePremierLeague’sfirsttwoPortugueseplayers–firstDani,thenPauloFutre.ToFutre’sdisgust,hewasn’thandedthenumber10shirt.AheadofhisfirstgameagainstArsenal,WestHam’skitmanEddieGillam

handedFutrethenumber16shirt,andpromptlyhaditthrownbackinhisface.NotunderstandingthatthePremierLeaguehadswitchedtopermanentsquadnumbersthatwereconsistentthroughouttheseasonandthatnumber10hadalreadybeenallocatedtoJohnMoncur,FutreshoutedatRedknapp,‘Futre10,not16!Eusebio10!Maradona10!Pelé10!Futre10!Notfucking16!’RedknapptoldFutretoeitherwearthenumber16shirtorgohome.SoFutrewenthome.Helaterinsistedthenumber10shirtwaswrittenintohiscontract,andwhenRedknapppretendedWestHam’sclubshophadshiftedsomanyshirtswithFutre’snameand‘16’onthebackthattheycouldn’tchangeit,Futreofferedtorefundanydisappointedsupportersuptoatotalcostof£100,000.EventuallyWestHamsoughtpermissionfromthePremierLeagueforMoncurtochangenumbers,allowingFutretowear10;hethankedMoncurbyallowinghimafortnight’sstayinhisholidayvillaontheAlgarve.It’ssurprisingsomethingsimilardidn’thappenatSheffieldWednesdayacoupleofyearslater–twobrilliantItalians,BenitoCarboneandPaoloDiCanio,hadseriousclaimstothenumber10shirt,butwereforcedtowear8and11respectively,withtheir

favourednumbertakenbythesomewhatlessspectacularAndyBooth.Duringthisperiod,arelativelylimitednumberofgameswerebroadcastlive

onTV,whileMatchoftheDayshowedextendedhighlightsfromonlyacoupleofbigmatches,screeningjustgoalsandmajorincidentsfromothers.Theseplayers’subtle,constantinfluenceuponmatcheswasthereforenotoverwhelminglyobvioustothemajorityofsupporters,sotheyneededtoprovideconcisesummariesoftheirqualitywithoutstandingindividualmoments.BetweenNovember1996andAugust1997theBBC’sGoaloftheMonth

competitionwaswonbyDennisBergkamp,EricCantona,TrevorSinclair,GianfrancoZola,Juninho,Zolaagain,Juninhoagain,thenBergkampagain–who,ludicrously,finished1st,2ndand3rdthatmonth.Sinclair’sfamousbicyclekickaside,thePremierLeague’sgreatestmomentswerebeingprovidedalmostexclusivelybyfourmagicalforeignplaymakers:Cantona,Bergkamp,ZolaandJuninho.Theseplayersfundamentallychangedtheirclubs’footballingstyle,butrequiredtheirsidestobebuiltentirelyaroundthem.Thisprovedproblematic.DependinguponanewcomertoEnglishfootballwasrisky,especiallywhenforeignimportswerestillarelativelyrecentphenomenonandclubsdidextremelylittletohelpthemsettle.IfCantonawasthetrailblazer,BergkampandZolafollowedcloselybehindin

hisslipstream.Theyweren’t,however,joiningtitlechallengers;amazingly,ArsenalhadfinishedinthebottomhalfofthePremierLeagueimmediatelybeforesigningBergkampinthesummerof1995,ashadChelseajustbeforetheirpurchaseofZolathefollowingyear.LikeCantona,bothplayershadanimmediatelypositiveeffectontheirteams,andthefactthatManchesterUnited,ArsenalandChelseahavebeenthethreemostsuccessfulclubsinthePremierLeagueeracan,inpart,betracedbacktothearrivalofthesethreebrilliantdeep-lyingforwards.BergkampandZolawereunquestionablytop-classfootballers.Bergkamphad

finishedsecondinthe1993Ballond’Or,oneplaceaheadofCantonaandbehindonlyRobertoBaggio,thegreatestnumber10ofthisgeneration.Meanwhile,

Zolafinishedsixthin1995.TheywerereveredacrossEuropebecauseoftheircreativity,theirselflessnessandthespatialawarenessthatallowedthemtothrivebetweenthelines.BotharrivedfromSerieA,withBergkamp–whoseinfluenceuponArsenalwouldbecomeclearlateron–outliningwhyhediscoveredthePremierLeaguesuitedhim.‘Englishdefencesalwaysplayedabackfour,withoneline,whichmeanttheyhadtodefendthespacebehind.InItalytheyhadthelibero[asweeperwhowouldcoverbehindhisfellowdefenders],buttheEnglishhadtwocentraldefendersagainsttwostrikers,sotheycouldn’treallycovereachother.AsanattackerIlikedthatbecauseitmeantyoucouldplayinbetweenthelines.Theycouldn’tcomeofftheirline.SoIusedthat.’Zoladiscoveredsomethingsimilar.‘Atthebeginning,theopenEnglish

footballreallyhelpedme,asIwascomingfromtightermarkinginSerieA,’heexplained.ZolaonlyarrivedinEnglandbecausehisformerclub,Parma,hadaninflexiblecoachwhowasunwillingtodeviatefrom4–4–2.Amazingly,thiswasCarloAncelotti,whowouldlaterbecomethego-tomanagerforcontinentalgiantsawashwithsuperstars–includingChelsea–preciselybecausehewasflexibleenoughtobuildteamsaroundstarindividuals.Backthen,however,Ancelotti–whohadbeenItaly’sassistantcoachunderlegendarymanagerArrigoSacchi,themanwhopopularisedapressing4–4–2system–simplywouldn’taccommodateanumber10,turningdownBaggioforsimilarreasons,andattemptedtoplayZolaoutwide.‘IwillbeabletoplaymyproperroleinEngland,’ZoladeclareduponhisarrivalinLondon.ZolahadservedhisapprenticeshipatNapoliunderthebestpossiblementor.‘I

learnedeverythingfromDiegoMaradona,’headmitted.Whilefamousforhisego,MaradonawasalsorenownedforbeingextremelygenerouswithhispraiseofhisNapoliteammates,andhelovedZolasomuchthat,aheadofaCoppaItaliatieagainstPisa,hehandedtheSardinianhisfamousnumber10shirt,andworenumber9instead.Zolawasforcedtosettlefor25atChelsea,withMarkHughesinhisfavoured10shirt,butitbecameaniconicnumber.AlthoughnotofficiallyretiredbyChelsea,noonehasdaredtowearZola’snumber25since

hisdeparturein2003.Zola’stechnicalabilitywasoutstanding.Hisfirstgoalwasamagnificentfree-

kickina2–2drawwithEverton,andonlyDavidBeckhamhasscoredmorePremierLeaguefree-kicks.ZolaconfirmedhisstatusasChelsea’sdead-ballspecialistafteratraining-groundcompetitionwithDennisWise.Asockwastiedtothecrossbar–bothwerefivefootsix,sothispresumablyinvolvedonesittingontheother’sshoulders–andtheystoodoutsidetheboxandattemptedtocurltheballagainstthesock.Zolawon10–1,andthematterwassettled.DismayedbythelackofequipmentatChelsea’soldtraininggroundnearHeathrowAirport,Zolapurchasedhisownmockdefensivewallandspenthourspractising.WhileCantonawastallandphysicallycommanding,Zolawassmall,slight

andworesize5boots.Hewasstrongforhissize,however,andusedhisbodyexcellently.ChelseateammateGraemeLeSauxconsideredhimthejointbestforwardhe’deverseen,alongwithKennyDalglish,attheartofshieldingtheballfromdefenders.Butmorethananyoneelseofthisera,Zolathriveduponspace,aclassicexamplebeinghiswinnerinthe1997FACupsemi-finalagainstWimbledonatHighbury.Initiallypositionedhighupagainsttheoppositiondefence,ZolawatchedteammateRobertoDiMatteomovingbetweenthelines,draggingWimbledon’sright-sidedcentre-backChrisPerryupthepitch.ZolathensprintedintothespacePerryhadvacated,pullingWimbledon’sleft-sidedcentre-backDeanBlackwellacrosstocover.DiMatteoplayedtheballintoZola’sfeet,andChelsea’snumber25immediatelybackheeleditintothezoneBlackwellhadvacated,changeddirection,collectedtheballandfiredhome.Inafewseconds,he’dseenspace,exploitedit,createdmorespace,exploitedthat,andscored.Foraplayerinhismould,itwastheperfectgoal.Crucially,Zolawasalloweda‘freerole’behindthemainstriker,inaChelsea

sideformattedspecificallytobringouthisqualities.Centre-backSteveClarkeremembersateamtalkinwhichthemessagewassimply‘gettheballtoZola’,whileWisereferredtoZolaasa‘showhorse’andlabelledhimselfa‘donkey’.Thedonkey’sjob,hesaid,wassimplytodothehardworkandpasstothe

showhorse.‘Historically[Englishsides]havebeensetupwithtwostrongstrikers,twosittingmidfieldersandtwowingers,’Zolasaidafterhisretirement.‘Youneverusedtoplaytheballthroughthemiddle.Whatyouusedtodowasplaytheballdownthesidesandcrosstheballtothetallplayer.’Zola,likeCantonaandBergkamp,helpedtochangethat.‘He’sacleverlittlebugger…abetterplayerthanIthoughthewas,’Alex

Fergusonhadconcededtwomonthsearlier,afterZolascoredafinesecond-minutegoalagainstManchesterUnited,dribblinginsidefromtherightbeforefinishingwithhisleftfoot.‘Ithoughtwecouldpushmyfull-backsforward,buthewassmartenoughtogoandplaywide.Hehasgotagoodheadonhim.’Later,RyanGiggsclaimedthatsuchwasZola’sabilitytofindspacethathewastheonlyPremierLeagueplayerUnitedman-marked,althoughthisoftenprovedunsuccessful.ForChelsea’s5–0thrashingofUnitedinOctober1999,FergusonwaswithoutGiggsandplayedPhilNevilleinhisplace,butinstructedhimtoplaycentrally,man-markingZola.UnitedlargelynullifiedtheItalianbutleftagapingholeontheirleft,whichmeantChelsea’sAlbertFerrerandDanPetrescu,tworight-backsintandem,assistedtheopeningtwogoalswithdeepcrosses.

WhilePremierLeagueobserversmarvelledatthesemajestic,game-changingforeignnumber10s,therewasneverthelessanacknowledgementthatmanyarrivedinBritainbecausetheyhadlimitedoptionselsewhere.CantonahadeffectivelybeenrunoutofFrance,BergkampstruggledinItalywithInterMilan,whileZolahadrecentlyturned30,thenconsideredthecut-offforforwards’peakyears,andadmittedheonlyexpectedtoplayforacouplemoreseasons.TherewasasensethatthePremierLeaguewasgainingtop-classplayerswhentheywereonthewaydown.Therefore,inonerespectthemostsignificantarrivalduringthisperiodwasanotherforeignnumber10:Juninho.NewlypromotedMiddlesbrough’spurchaseofthediminutiveBrazilianin1995wasatrulyremarkabletransfercoup,becausehewasunquestionablyonthewayup.JuninhohadimpressedonEnglishsoilthatsummer,whenworldchampions

BrazilcompetedalongsideEngland,SwedenandJapanintheUmbroCup,atournamentheldaspreparationforthefollowingsummer’sEuropeanChampionships.JuninhoworeBrazil’snumber10,themosticonicshirtinworldfootball,playedina4–3–1–2systembasedaroundhimandwasinspirationalinthe3–1victoryoverEngland.HeopenedthescoringwithaclassicBrazilian‘folhaseca’(dryleaf)free-kick,playedwithtopspin,whichsurprisedgoalkeeperTimFlowerswithitssuddendip.Simplybeingallowedtotakefree-kicksaheadofRobertoCarloswasanachievementinitself.Brazil’ssecondgoal,meanwhile,showcasedJuninho’splaymakingskillsperfectly;hereceivedtheballbetweenthelines,glancedupandsidefootedathrough-ballintothepathofanotherpromisingyoungster,Brazil’snumber9,whofinishedconfidentlybyroundingFlowersandconvertingintoanemptynet.ItwasthefirstofRonaldo’s62internationalgoals,andyeteveryonewastalkingaboutJuninho.InthehomedugoutatWembleythatsunnyafternoonwasBryanRobson,then

actingasassistanttoEnglandmanagerTerryVenablesinadditiontohisroleasplayer-managerofMiddlesbrough.Mesmerisedbytheoppositionnumber10’sperformance,RobsonconvincedMiddlesbrough’sboardtosignJuninho,beatingthelikesofArsenal,InterandPortototheBrazilian’ssignature.MiddlesbroughchiefexecutiveKeithLambreferredtohisnewrecruitas‘themostsought-afterplayerintheworld’.Hyperbole,certainly,andsomewhatunderminedbythefactthatJuninhocostlessthanMiddlesbrough’sothermajorarrivalthatsummer,NickyBarmby,butthiswasalandmarkpurchase,arisingplayerjoiningarisingteaminarisingleague.HisunveilingwasahugeeventinMiddlesbrough.Fansgreetedhimatthe

airportwithBrazilianflags,morecheeredashearrivedatthenewRiversideStadiuminscenesreminiscentofapapalvisit,then6,000movedinsidetowatchhimplaykeepy-uppieswithRobson.Hisfirstpressconferencedidn’tpasswithoutoneinevitablequestion.‘DoesheknowhowcolditgetsinMiddlesbroughinJanuary?’askedonejournalist.Juninho,throughatranslator,insisteditwouldn’tbethatbad,althoughhewasoftencriticisedbypunditsfor

playingingloves,andduringhisfirstwinterstuffednewspaperinsidehisbootsinanattempttokeephisfeetwarm.RobsonrespondedbydescribingJuninhoasa‘toughcharacter’–andmosttop-classBrazilianattackersare.TheclichéaboutBrazilsuggestsit’snon-stopsambafootball,playedbytechnicalplayerswholearntheirtradeplayingontheCopacabana.Realistically,theBraziliantopflightisextremelyaggressive:it’snotsimplythatdefenderskickattackersferociously,it’sthatrefereesallowit,andsoJuninho’stransitionfromBraziliantoEnglishfootballwasn’tastoughasmanyanticipated.ImmediatelyaffordedafreerolebyRobson,Juninhousedthatlicencefullyon

hisdebutagainstLeeds,startingontherightflankbeforequicklydriftingacrosstotheleft.Heplayedtwokillerthrough-ballsinsidethefirsthalf,settingupJanÅgeFjørtoftfortheopener.Inevitably,Leeds’sresponsewastokickhim,andbothCarltonPalmerandJohnPembertonwerebookedforfoulingtheBrazilian.TheIndependent’smatchreportremarkeduponhis‘surprisingcourage’andendedwithanacknowledgementthat‘perhapsheistougherthananyonethought.’Indeed,hisfinalsignificantcontributionbeforebeingsubstitutedwasathunderingtackleonlegendarycrossbar-bothererTonyYeboah,oneofthePremierLeague’smostpowerfulplayers,whichearnedabooking.Thatwentdownwell,asfanswantedproofhewouldgetstuckin.Afresh-faced,slendercreatorwhosenamemeant‘LittleJunior’–sosmall

theynamedhimtwice–theBrazilianwasn’texpectedtothriveinEnglishconditions,butJuninholovedthenorth-eastandlovedEnglishfootball.TheclubfoundhimahouseinInglebyBarwick,alargehousingestate,andhemovedinwithhisentirefamily,whichhelpedhimsettle.Juninho’shousebecamesomethingofalocallandmark,withchildrenqueuingoutsideforhisautograph.Hismummadethemcookies,andJuninhowasn’taversetotheoccasionalkickaboutinthestreet.Juninhowastrickybutdirectinpossession,efficientwiththeballratherthana

showboater.Hewasaninstanthit,andunquestionablyintheclassoftheaforementionednumber10s,laterplayingasignificantroleinBrazil’s2002

WorldCuptriumph.InJuninho’ssecondseason,AlexFergusondescribedhimasthePremierLeague’sbestplayerandlaterconsideredsigninghim.HisfinestmomentinEnglishfootballarrivedduringthatcampaign,a1–0homevictoryoverChelseainMarch.HeoutshoneZolaandcreatedasuccessionofchances,wastedbyCraigHignettandMikkelBeck.Eventually,hesettledthingshimself.Receivingtheballwideontheleft,heslalomedbetweenWiseandDiMatteoandevadedadesperatelungefromChelsea’sthirdcentralmidfielder,CraigBurley,beforeslippingtheballintotheleft-handchannelforBeck.TheDanishstrikerpaused,andthenchippedtheballintotheboxforaperfectdivingheaderfrom–ofallpeople–five-foot-sixJuninho.TheBrazilianmagicianwasn’tsimplyperformingthedutiesexpectedofaBraziliannumber10,outwittingtheentireoppositionmidfield,butalsothedutiesofanEnglishnumber9,beatingChelsea’scentre-backstoscoreaheader.‘Idon’tknowwhatJuninho’srunningonatthemoment,’Robsonsaidafterwards.‘Heisn’tlookingtired,he’skeepingpacewiththegame–andhe’stacklingback!’MakethatthequalitiesofanEnglishnumber4,too.InhissecondseasonJuninhowashandedMiddlesbrough’snumber10shirt,

havingworn25inhisdebutcampaign,andwasalsonamedthePremierLeague’sPlayeroftheSeason.AdmittedlynotasprestigiousanawardasthePFAorFWAPlayeroftheYear,itwasneverthelessanacknowledgementofhisgreatinfluence.Andyet,staggeringlyforoneoftheleague’smostreveredplayers,JuninhoendedthecampaignsobbingonthepitchasMiddlesbroughwererelegated.BasingthesidearoundJuninhodidn’tpaydividends.WhenJuninhomadehis

debutforMiddlesbroughinNovember1995,theTeesidersweresixth,havinglosttoonlythetwotitlechallengers,ManchesterUnitedandNewcastle.DespiteJuninho’simpact,theirformnosediveddramatically.Theywereatrociousinthesecondhalfoftheseason,winningjusttwoof19matches.Theyfinished12th,butinpointsterms,wereclosertorelegationthan11th.The1996/97relegationcampaignwasalsostrangeforMiddlesbrough.They

reachedboththeLeagueCupandFACupfinals,losingtoLeicesterCityandChelsearespectively–adevastatingdoubleblowforaclubthathadneverwonamajorhonour(althoughJuninhowouldlaterhelpthemtoLeagueCupsuccesssevenyearslater,thenintohisthirdspellonTeeside–hesimplycouldn’tstayaway).Granted,Middlesbrough’srelegationwaspartlybecausetheyweredeductedthreepointsforwithdrawingfromaDecemberfixtureatBlackburnwhenhalftheirsquadhadbeenwipedoutbyflu,butyoucan’tignorethefactthattheyhadthedivision’sworstdefensiverecord.Therewerealsomajorproblemsinthedressingroom,particularlyinvolvingstarstrikerFabrizioRavanelli,adivisiveinfluence.HeonceinterruptedateammeetingwithalengthyrantinItalianaboutwantingtoleave,andhadafightwithNeilCoxbeforetheFACupFinalaftertheright-backsuggestedRavanelliwasn’tfitenoughtostart.‘Halfthesquadhatedhimandtheotherhalflovedhim,’saidHignett.‘HewasoneofthebestfinishersI’veseen,butherubbedpeopleupthewrongway.Hewasselfishineverythinghedid.’MeanwhileJuninho,whileindividuallybrilliantandverypopularwith

teammates,causedMiddlesbroughproblems.LikeCantona,BergkampandZola,hethrivedinspacebetweenthelines,butwasadifferenttypeoffootballer.Anadvancedmidfielderratherthanawithdrawnforward,heventuredintodeeperpositionstocollectpossession.Hethereforewasn’tsuitedtoadeep-lyingforwardroleina4–4–1–1liketheaforementionedplayers,andRobsonconstantlychangedhisshapeinanattempttobasethesidearoundbothJuninhoandBarmby,deploying4–3–2–1or3–4–2–1inhisfirstseason.Itdidn’tquiteworkdefensively,andgettingthebestfromtwoplayersbetweenthelineswasdifficult.BothJuninhoandBarmbyhadabetterrelationshipwiththeunderratedHignett,andBarmbydepartedafter18monthsforEverton,leavingJuninhoasthesolecreator.Hisformimproved,anda6–1thrashingofDerbydemonstratedMiddlesbrough’spotential.‘IamnowplayingaswellasIeverdidinBrazil,butIthinkthatisbecauseIhavefoundmybestposition,’Juninhosaid.Inotherwords,thesystemwasbasedaroundhim.

InthatsecondseasonJuninhosufferedfromfatigue,nothelpedbyMiddlesbrough’sdoublecuprun–orbyinternationaltripstoSouthAmerica,thenanunprecedentedproblemforPremierLeagueclubs.Hisbiggestproblem,though,wasman-marking–Middlesbroughdidn’thaveaPlanBwhenJuninhowasnullified.Themostfamousexamplecameduringthe1998LeagueCupFinaldefeattoLeicester.Twoweeksbeforehandintheleague,JuninhohadtornaparttheFoxesina3–1victory,soforthetriptoWembley,LeicesterbossMartinO’NeilldeployedPontusKåmarktofollowtheBrazilianeverywhereacrossthepitch.Ina2011interviewdiscussingnearly25yearsinmanagement,O’Neillsaidhe’dneversenthisteamsouttobeanythingotherthanpositive–apartfromthatfinal,whenheknewheneededtoconcentrateonstoppingJuninho.‘IfyouhadseenhimafortnightbeforerunningriotatFilbertStreet,onlyafoolwouldhavechosennottoman-markhim,’hesaid.Manyothermanagersthoughtthesame;stopJuninho,andyoustoppedMiddlesbrough.Ultimately,itendedwiththeirrelegation.

Thisbecameafamiliarpatternamongbottom-halfclubs–brilliantindividualswhoweren’tnecessarilyconducivetoPremierLeaguesuccess.Boltonspentaclubrecord£1.5monYugoslavplaymakerSašaĆurčić,whoscoredoneofthegoalsof1995/96againstChelsea,ghostingpastfivechallengesandplayingaone-twowithAlanThompsonbeforefiringhome.Boltonfinishedbottomthatseason.‘Iwasacrowdpleaser,everywherethefanslovedme,’Ćurčićrecalled.‘ButIwasn’tverygoodfortheteambecauseIwasn’tateamplayer.’Anotherinventiveplaymakerwhoscoredamemorablesologoalthatseason

wasManchesterCity’sGeorgiKinkladze–theepitomeofafrustratinggenius–whodemonstratedthedangersofbuildingyoursidearoundanumber10.LikeJuninho,KinkladzewasrecruitedafterasensationalperformanceagainstBritishopposition,atatimewhenPremierLeaguescoutsrarelylookedabroadfornewplayers.KinkladzewasinspirationalinGeorgia’s5–0thrashingofWalesinNovember1994,aseismicresult;justthreeyearsafterGeorgiahadgained

independence,itwastheirfirst-evercompetitivevictory.DeployedbehindTemuriKetsbaiaandShotaArveladzeina4–3–1–2,Kinkladzeranthegameandgrabbedhisfirstinternationalgoal.‘Theymurderedus,’WalesgoalkeeperNevilleSouthalllaterrecalled.‘Kinkladzewasdifferentclassandthebestplayeronthepitchbyamile.’Inthereturnfixturethefollowingsummer–fourdaysbeforeJuninho’sperformanceatWembleycapturedMiddlesbrough’sattention–Kinkladzeagaindominated.Thistimehescoredthegame’sonlygoal,anincredible25-yard,left-footedchipoverSouthall.TheGeorgianwastrackedbyotherclubs,andhadunsuccessfultrialsatboth

RealandAtléticoMadrid–and,intriguingly,amonth-longloanatBocaJuniors,whoreverethenumber10rolemorethananyclubinworldfootball,whereKinakladzemethisidolMaradona.NoneofthemsignedKinkladzepermanently,however,andinsteadhejoinedManchesterCityasAlanBall’sfirstsigning.BallandKinkladze’sCityexperiencestarteddisastrously.Citycollectedtwopointsfromtheirfirst11games,scoringjustthreegoals,whileKinkladzestruggled;homesick,unabletospeakEnglishandlivinginaManchesterhotelonhisownforthreemonths.JuninhowashappyinMiddlesbroughpartlybecausehe’demigratedwithhisparents,andKinkladze’simprovementcoincidedwiththearrivaloftwoGeorgianfriendsandhismother,Khatuna,whobroughtsomehomecomforts:Georgiancognacandwalnuts,andspicestomakeKinkladzehisfavouritedishes.KinkladzescoredhisfirstgoalinNovember,alatewinnerinthe1–0victory

overAstonVillaatMaineRoad.‘Hewasbewilderedtostartwith,’Ballsaidafterwards.‘HespokeverylittleEnglishanditwasforeigntohimtotackleandscrapandfightlikeyoudoinEngland.Buttheboy’sgotanimmensetalent.’HisPremierLeaguespellisbestrememberedforacoupleoftrulymagnificentgoals.ThefirstopenedthescoringagainstMiddlesbroughinDecember1995,whenhecollectedtheballontherightanddribbledintoaninside-leftposition,beforesuddenlycuttingbackinsidePhilStampandsidefootingtheballfirmlyintothefarcorner.Middlesbrougheventuallywon4–1,however,withJuninho

completingthescoring.Kinkladze’sothersuperbstrike,latervotedMarch’sgoalofthemonth,came

atSouthampton.Havingalreadyscoredthefirstwithaclose-rangetap-in,andhitthecrossbarfromoutsidethebox,Kinkladzecollectedtheballontheright,dribbleddirectlytowardsgoalwhileevadingfourincreasinglydesperatechallenges,dummiedtoputgoalkeeperDaveBeasantontheground,thenliftedtheballoverBeasant’sheadandintothenet.‘ItwastheclosestthingIhaveseentoMaradona’sgoalagainstEngland!’Ballraved,beforesomewhatunnecessarilyclarifying:‘Nottheonewithhishand,theonewherehedideveryoneandputitaway.Peopleaskwhywearebringingthistypeofplayertothiscountry.Ifthatwasn’ttheanswertoday,nothingis.’CitysupporterswerealreadytiredofUnited’sdominanceandCantona’scult-

likestatus,andtheyabsolutelyworshippedKinkladze–thebestGeorgiinManchestersinceBest.Thelovewasreciprocated;afterhisinitialalienationinManchester,KinkladzegrewtolovethecityandmarriedaMancunian.‘Ifhe’dbeenplayingwithasuccessfulteam,’saidstrikerNiallQuinnatthetime,‘thenhewouldhavewonPlayer’sPlayeroftheYearbecauseit’squitebreathtakingwhathe’sdoneinEnglishfootball.He’salovelyguyaswell–Ithink,becausehedoesn’tspeakawordofEnglish–butheseemsnice.’ThiswasattheheightofBritpop,andKinkladzewasrewardedforhisfine

formwithachanttothetuneofOasis’s‘Wonderwall’.‘AlltherunsthatKinkymakesareblinding,’itran,beforeendingwithabrilliant:‘Andafterall…we’vegotAlanBall.’Thecomposeroftheoriginalsong,CityfanNoelGallagher,alsoofferedawonderfulKinkladzesummary.Describinghimas‘eitherthemostfrighteningthingI’veeverseenorthebestthingI’veeverseen’,GallagherpredictedKinkladzewouldeitherleadCitytotheEuropeanCup,ortakethemdowntotheFourthDivision.Hewasnearlyright;whenKinkladzeleftCityin1998,theywereinthethirdtier.CitywererelegatedbecauseBallbuilttheentireteamaroundKinkladze,as

wingerNickySummerbeeoutlined.‘Ballylovedhim.Georgicoulddonowrong

–Igotonverywellwithhimandweweren’tjealousbecausewecouldallseehowtalentedhewas,butsomehatedAlanBallfordoingthat–exceptGeorgi,becausehelovedallthepraise…theproblemwithGeorgiwasthatyoucouldn’tplay4–4–2becausetogetthebestoutofhimyouwouldn’twanthimplayingaconventionalrunningmidfieldgame,andiftherearetwomenwide,thatleavesonlyoneinmidfield.Ballchangedformationallthetime,asuresignhedidn’tknowwhathewasdoing.’KeithCurle,thenCity’scaptain,laterrecalledtheextentofthefreeroleBall

affordedKinkladze.‘IrememberlosingawaytoArsenalthatseasonandoneofthegoalsweconcededcamebecauseGeorgihadn’ttrackedarunner.Theladswerenothappyandsomesaidasmuchtothemanagerafterthegame.Inreply,hetoldthemthatiftheywereastalentedasGeorgi,theywouldn’thavetotrackbackeither.’AfterCity’srelegation,Balllastedjustthreegamesbeforehewasreplacedby

FrankClark,whotriedasimilarapproach.‘IwantedtobuildtheteamaroundKinkladzebecausethat’stheidealwaytogetthebestoutofhim.He’sanincredibletalent…[but]hecertainlydidn’tlikerunningifhedidn’thavetheballathisfeetandIthoughttherewasacertainamountofresentmenttowardshimfromsomeofthesquad.’LikeBall,ClarkendedupchangingformationtochangeKinkladze’srole.Heinitiallyplayeda4–4–2withtheGeorgianasadeep-lyingforward,thenswitchedto4–3–1–2,fieldinghimbehindastrikeduo.‘WetiedourselvesupinknotstryingtoaccommodateKinkladze,’Clarkcontinued.‘The[4–3–1–2]systemsuitedKinkladzeperfectlybecauseitgavehimgreatfreedom,butitdidn’tsuittheotherplayersanditdidn’twork.’Incidentally,Kinkladzeswitchedtonumber10afterCity’srelegation,havingpreviouslywornnumber7.ClarkewasreplacedbyJoeRoyle,lessofafootballingromantic,whosefirst

wordstotheboardaboutfootballingmattersweresimple:‘WehavetosellKinkladze.’Hewouldnolongerbeindulged.‘Kinkladzewasnotateamplayer,andhadadisturbinghabitofdisappearingforlongperiodsduringgames,’Royle

said.‘Tothesupportershewastheonlypositiveinallthattime.Tomehewasabignegative.’TheGeorgianwassoldtoEuropeangiantsAjax,aclubwholovetechnicalplayersbutplay4–3–3,somanagerJanWoutershadnospaceforanumber10.‘IcouldhavebeenMaradonaandhewouldn’thavechangedthesystemtoaccommodateme,’hecomplained.Bythispoint,managershadtiredofbasingthesidearoundKinkladze,whoneededamanagerlikeBall.

Chieflyrememberedforhishigh-pitchedvoice,hisredhair,hisflatcapandforbeingthestandoutplayerinthe1966WorldCupFinal,BallwasalsothefirstfootballerinEnglandtowearwhiteboots–theultimatesignofaflairplayer–andclearlywantedlike-mindedfootballersinhissides.BeforeKinkladze,BallhadalsoadoredEngland’struestnumber10duringthisperiod,Southampton’sMattLeTissier.Avoidingthehatredthatcomeswithplayingforatitlechallenger,LeTissier

wasthemostpopularplayerinthecountryandaregularwinnerofGoaloftheMonthcompetitions.Hescoredawidevarietyofincrediblestrikes:therewasachip-up-and-volleyfromafree-kickagainstWimbledonandalegendarystrikeagainstNewcastlethatinvolvedbackheelingtheballoverhisownhead,beforeflickingtheballovertwodefendersinarowandvolleyingin.HelobbedBlackburn’sTimFlowersfrom35yardsandchippedManchesterUnited’sPeterSchmeichelfrom25.HehadenoughnaturalabilitytobeanEnglandregularbut,fittinglyforamanborninGuernsey,wasdistinctlyun-English.Hisnameaddedtotheforeignfeel,andinhisyoungerdayshisfatherwascontactedbyFranceassistantmanagerGérardHoullier,akeenfanofplayersinCantona’smould,whounsuccessfullyenquiredwhetherLeTissierhadanyFrenchrelatives.BalldeclaredhisloveforLeTissierimmediatelyuponarrivalatSouthampton,

withthesouth-coastclublanguishingintherelegationzone.IntheirfirsttrainingsessionBallandassistantmanagerLawrieMcMenemypulledtenplayersontothetrainingpitchandassembledtheminadefensiveshape,leavingLeTissierwonderingifhe’dbeomitted,ashadoftenhappenedunderpreviouscoachIan

Branfoot.Instead,BallthendraggedLeTissierintothecentreofthegroupandannouncedtotheothertenplayers,‘Thisisthebestplayeryou’vegotonyourteam.Gettheballtohimasoftenasyoucan,andhe’llwingamesforyou.’LeTissier,ahumbleman,feltslightlyuncomfortablebeingelevatedtothisstatus,butitprovidedanenormousconfidenceboostandhescoredsixgoalsinhisfirstfourappearancesunderBall.JustasFergusonmadeallowancesoffthepitchforCantona,LeTissier’sfree

roleextendedtosocialising.Onarestdaymidwaythroughapre-seasontriptoNorthernIreland,Southampton’ssquadhadplannedaroundofgolf,butBallsuggestedtheywenttoalocalpubinstead.Thiswasabadmove.AfterBallretiredtothehotelitturnedintoanall-daydrinkingsession,cappedbytheplayersventuringouttoanightclub.Theyarrivedbackat2am,blinddrunk,withtrainingthefollowingmorning.Ballwasfurious,screamingatBeasant,IainDowieandJimMagiltonbeforesendingthemtobed.HethentookLeTissierasideandtoldhim,‘Look,ourseniorplayersaresettingabadexample…butthewayyou’replaying,youcandowhatyoulike!’LeTissier,incidentally,wasroutinelymockedbyteammatesforhisdrinkinghabits.Hedidn’tdrinkbeer,preferringMalibuandCoke,althoughthiswasn’tbecauseofarevolutionary,forward-thinkingdiet–headmitsconsumingsausageandeggMcMuffinsaheadoftrainingsessions,andfishandchipstheeveningbeforeagame.LeTissierwasn’tthefittestorthehardest-working,andrecallsanincidentlaterinhiscareerwhenthen-SouthamptonmanagerGordonStrachanshoutedfromthetechnicalareatoaparticularlylanguidLeTissier,walkingbackfromanattackingmove,‘Matt!Getyourselfwarmedup,I’mbringingyouoff!’‘Those18monthsBallwastherewerethebestofmycareer,’LeTissier

recalled.‘Ballbuilttheteamaroundme,insteadoftryingtofitmeintotheteam.’Despiteplayingasanattackingmidfielderratherthanaforward,LeTissierhit45goalsin64gamesinallcompetitionsunderBall,manyofthemspectacular.SouthamptonavoidedrelegationattheendofBall’sfirstseason,andfinishedinthetophalfinhissecond.

Unfortunately,Englandmanagersdidn’tshareBall’senthusiasmforLeTissier.Therewasstillasuspicionofnumber10sinhismould,evenamongmanagerslikeTerryVenablesandGlennHoddle,whoappreciatedflairplayers.Englishfootballnowadoredforeignnumber10sbutdidn’ttrustitsown,andLeTissiermadethefamiliarcomplaintofthe1990snumber10:‘IthinkmaybeEnglandmanagersweren’tbraveenoughtochangetheirformationtoaccommodateme.’Thatsaid,Hoddle–whowasLeTissier’sboyhoodhero–usedbothhimandLiverpool’sSteveMcManamanbehindAlanShearerinafluid3–4–2–1shapefora1–0defeattoItalyin1997,England’sfirst-everWorldCupqualifyingdefeatatWembley.Itwasaperformancethatencapsulatedsuchanenigmaticfootballer;LeTissierwasconstantlysecondtolooseballs,concededpossessionregularly,andhislackofenergywasjuxtaposedbytheconstantrunningofthewonderfulZola,whoplayedthesameroleforItalyandfiredintheonlygoalwhensprintinginadvanceofhisstrikepartner.Nevertheless,LeTissiercameclosesttoscoringforEngland.‘Itisnotagamble[toplayLeTissier]whenyoufeelthegameisgoingtobe

tightandthedoormightneedtobeunlocked,’saidHoddleafterwards.‘LeTissier,withhistalent,coulddothat.’Nevertheless,helostfaithinhismostcreativetalent–presumablyhisfaith-healerEileenDreweryhadn’tbeenabletohelp–andfailedtoincludeLeTissierinhis30-manprovisional1998WorldCupsquad,ablowLeTissieradmitsheneverrecoveredfrom.Theultimate1990sPremierLeagueplayerdiscoveredthedevastatingnewsinabrilliantly1990sway:byreadingTeletext.Englishfootballhadlearnedtoappreciatethequalityprovidedbynumber10s,

butwasstilllargelyfixatedonvariationson4–4–2.Therefore,whiletheentiredefinitionofanumber10isthathe’sneitheraforwardnoramidfielderandinsteadissomewhereinbetween,realisticallyalmosteverynumber10isoneortheother.AndwhilewithdrawnforwardslikeCantona,BergkampandZolathrivedbydroppingdeepandturningtheirsideintoa4–4–1–1,attackingmidfielderslikeJuninho,KinkladzeandLeTissiercausedproblems,because

theygenerallyneededmoreunusualformationsthattheirEnglishteammatessimplyweren’taccustomedto.ThePremierLeaguewasevolvingintermsofpersonnel,butnotyetintermsoftactics.

5

Arsènal

‘Wengerdoesn’tknowanythingaboutEnglishfootball.He’satabigclub–well,Arsenalusedtobeabigclub–he’sanoviceandshouldkeephisopinionsto

Japanesefootball.’

AlexFerguson

ThesheerscaleofrevolutionduringthePremierLeague’sformativeyearsisbestsummarisedbyArsenal.Whenthedivisionwasformed,Arsenalwerethemosttraditional,conservativeclubinEnglishfootball;thechairmanwasanOldEtonianfromafamilyofcricketers,whilethebeautifuloldmarblehallsatHighburyunderlinedtheold-fashioned,ifunquestionablygrand,natureoftheclub.Infootballingterms,Arsenal’splayerswereold-schoolandBritish,theteammostfamousforitsoffsidetrapandforwinning1–0.‘Boring,boringArsenal’wasthestandardjeerfromoppositionfans.AfterjustsixyearsofthePremierLeague,however,Arsenalhadbecomethe

modelforfuturisticfootball.Theywerethedivision’smostattractiveside,themostforward-thinkingclubintermsofphysiology,theyrecruitedfootballersfromuntappedmarketsacrossEuropeandwerethefirstteaminEnglishtop-flighthistorytowintheleaguewithaforeignmanager.Therevolution,however,wasnotsolelyaboutArsèneWenger.ArsenalhadenjoyedtremendoussuccessintheireightseasonsunderGeorge

Graham,whowonsixmajorhonours,includingtwoleaguetitlesandtheEuropeanCupWinners’Cup.WhenGrahamwassuddenlysackedmidwaythrough1994/95afteracceptinganillegalpaymentfromanagent,Arsenalvice-

chairmanDavidDeinwantedtoappointformerMonacomanagerWenger,whohe’dencounteredbychanceatHighburysixyearsearlier.Deinrealisedtheneedforrevolution;whereasmostdirectorsofEnglishclubssurroundedthemselveswithlike-mindedfiguresandlivedinarathersmallworld,DeinalsohadaprominentroleattheFootballAssociation,whichmeanthewasfrequentlytravellingabroad,movingininternationalcirclesanddiscoveringhowantiquatedEnglishfootballhadbecome.Themovedidn’thappenthistime.WengerwenttoJapan–atthisstageacompletefootballingbackwater,havingneverqualifiedfortheWorldCup–tocoachNagoyaGrampusEight.Japanhadrecentlylaunchedanextraordinary100-yearfootballplanwiththeintentionofwinningtheWorldCupby2092,thetypeoflong-termthinkingWengerwouldbecomecloselyassociatedwith.Instead,ArsenalappointedBruceRioch.Hewasaconsiderablysaferchoice,

andsomewhatreminiscentofGraham,bothbeingex-Scottishinternationalmidfieldersandstrictdisciplinarians.Rioch’sreignwastroubled,asheostracisedseniorplayers,butduringhissoleseasonincharge,1995/96,herecordedarespectablefifth-placefinish–andmorecruciallysetthewheelsinmotionfortheWengerrevolution,introducingapassinggamethatwasdistinctlydifferentfromthedirectstyleGrahamhadfavouredtowardstheendofhisreign.Hehadtwomajorobjectives:encouragingArsenaltoplayoutfromthebackandensuringtherewaslessdependenceuponIanWrightintermsofgoalscoring.‘Bruceencouragedustopasstheballthroughmidfieldmore,’goalkeeperDavidSeamansaid.‘Hadhestayedlonger,Iamsurehewouldhavegraduallychangedthewholewayweplayed–aswastohappenlaterwithArsèneWenger.’EnglandcaptainDavidPlatt,whoarrivedatArsenalshortlyafterBergkamp,

hadbeenplayinginSerieAunderreveredcoacheslikeGiovanniTrapattoniandSven-GöranEriksson,yetsaidthatRioch‘deeplyimpressedmewithhisvisionofhowthegameshouldbeplayed’.MartinKeownunderlinedthedifferencebetweenGrahamandRioch:‘UnderGeorgetheemphasiswastowintheballback,pressasateam,denytheoppositionspaceandhavelotsofoffsides…

Brucebeganbyintroducingthepassinggame.Wewouldworkonkeepingtheball,whereaswithGeorgeweworkedonwinningitback.’Riochwasahugeadmirerofflairplayers,andtheboardprovidedhimwiththetransformativefootballerArsenaldesperatelyneeded:DennisBergkamp.IntermsofstylisticimpactuponthePremierLeague,Bergkampissecond

onlytoEricCantona.Theycould,inslightlydifferentcircumstances,haveendedupatoneanother’sclubs;AlexFergusonhadexploredthepossibilityofrecruitingBergkampbeforeeventuallysigningCantona,who,uponleavingLeeds,supposedlywantedtojoinoneofManchesterUnited,LiverpoolorArsenal.WhenCantonafinishedthirdinthe1993Ballond’Or,hemadeaparticularpointofpayingtributetoAjax’sBergkamp,whohadfinishedsecondbehindRobertoBaggio.Herecognisedakindredspirit.WhenBergkampleftAjaxforInterMilanthatyear,hewassignedspecifically

becauseInterweredesperatetoevolvefromadefensive,unattractivesidetoamoreaestheticallypleasingoutfit.TheyweretiredoftheplauditsshowereduponcityrivalsACMilan,whohadbecomeEurope’smostcelebratedsidecourtesyofArrigoSacchi’srevolutionarycoachingandtheeffortsofthreebrilliantDutchmen:MarcovanBasten,FrankRijkaardandRuudGullit.InterhadchallengedthemwithateamfeaturingthreeGermans:JürgenKlinsmann,AndreasBrehmeandLotharMatthäus.ButatthisstagetherewasahugedifferenceintheperceptionsofDutchfootballers(intelligent,creative,dynamic)andGermanfootballers(efficient,ruthless,boring)andInterattemptedtobecomingmorestylishbysigningtwoDutchmenoftheirown,BergkampandhisAjaxteammateWimJonk.ButInter’srevolutionneveroccurred.Afterpoorinitialresults,theybecame

moredefensiveandsackedtheirmanager,leavingBergkampplayinginamoredirectsideandunabletolinkattackingmoves.Hemanagedjust11goalsintwoSerieAcampaignscombined.It’sfascinating,therefore,thatBergkampputthatfrustratingexperienceasideandmadeasecondtransfertoaclubwhorequiredacatalystfortechnicalfootball.Afterretirement,Bergkampoutlinedhis

determinationtobearevolutionary:‘LikewhenIchoseInterinsteadofMilanorBarcelona,Ithought:“I’mthesortofplayeryoudon’tseeatArsenal,somaybeIcanshowpeoplethisismywayofplaying.”’Arsenal,whohadgenerallybeenreluctanttopaylargefeesandtherefore

missedoutontoptalentduringthePremierLeague’sfirstthreeseasons,broketheirclubrecordfeethreetimesovertosignBergkampandimmediatelyreallocatedPaulMerson’snumber10shirttotheirnewtechnicalleader.TheIndependent’sheadlineread,‘RiochsignsBergkamptosignalnewera’.Thatwouldproveparticularlyprescient,butthereweresceptics–Englandleft-backStuartPearcesaiditwasa‘massivegamble’,punditsquestionedhisvaluewhenhetooksevengamestoscore,whileTottenhamchairmanAlanSugarsaidhisarrivalamountedto‘cosmeticsurgery’.Instead,itwasmorelikeabraintransplant.‘Hewastheonethatchangedourwholeattitudetowardstraining,’saidRayParlour.‘Justwatchingthewayhehandledhimselffromdayonewasaneye-opener.Itmadeyouthink:holdonasecond,Ineedtoupmyefforthere.’Rioch,inparticular,offeredtremendoussupport,defendinghimstaunchly

fromtheearlycriticismandencouragingBergkamp’steammatestosupplyhimfrequentlybetweenthelines,althoughArsenalweresometimescrowdedinthatzone,withBergkamp,DavidPlattandPaulMersonbroadlyplayingsimilarroles.Itwasanotableshift,however,fromArsenal’spreviousapproachofincessantlyknockinglongballsoverthetopforWright.Bergkamp’sfirstcampaignwaspatchy–andheenduredmorequietseasonsatHighburythanhisreputationmightsuggest–buthewasunquestionablyArsenal’sgame-changer,someonewhobroughtthebestoutofothers.BergkampsayshisrolechangeduponarrivinginthePremierLeague,becominganassistermorethanagoalscorer,asshownbythefactthathecollected93PremierLeagueassistscomparedwith87goals.Tellingly,theonlyotherplayerstohavescored50+PremierLeaguegoalsbutbeenmoreprolificassistersareallmidfielders:RyanGiggs,DavidBeckham,DamienDuff,GarethBarryandDannyMurphy.ThereweremanysimilaritiestoCantona;Bergkampwasalsoaperfectionist

whoworkeduponhisgametirelesslyaftertraining,practisingseeminglysimplepassesrepeatedly,settingthestandardintermsoftechniqueandprofessionalism.Supportersinstantlyrecognisedhisability,butteammatesravedaboutthethingsyoucan’tfullyappreciatefromthestands:theweightofhispasses,thespinontheball.SimilartoCantona,hispacewasoftenoverlooked–beforethe2003/04season,whenBergkampwas33,herecordedthethird-fastest60msprinttimeatArsenal,behindThierryHenryandJermainePennant,butaheadofAshleyCole,RobertPirès,GaëlClichyandSylvainWiltord.AndaswithbothCantonaandZola,opponentsoftenremarkeduponhissurprisingstrengthforaprimarilycreativeplayer,enablinghimtocompetewithaggressivecentre-backs.‘Peopledon’tthinkthatDennishadsuchstrength,’saidSolCampbell,afutureteammate,‘butbelieveme,hewasoneofthestrongestIplayedwithoragainst.’Earlyin1997/98,hescoredabrilliantlong-rangestrikehavingshovedasideSouthamptonleft-backFrancisBenali,consideredthedirtiestdefenderinthePremierLeague.Forallhistechnicalquality,Bergkampalsohadapetulantstreak.HewasdismissedfourtimesthroughouthisArsenalcareer,allstraightredcards:anelbow,apushandtwowildtackles,so‘theIceman’alwaysseemedapeculiarlyinappropriatemoniker.Besides,asnicknamesgo,consideringBergkamp’sfamousrefusaltoboardanaeroplane,‘theNon-FlyingDutchman’wasdifficulttobeat.Bergkampwas,aesthetically,amongthePremierLeague’sgreatestplayers

andscoredsomewonderfulgoalsduringhis11yearsatArsenal.Hisclassicstrikewasreceivingtheballjustoutsidetheboxinaninside-leftposition,beforeopeninguphisbodyandcurlingtheballintothefarcorner,agoalhescoredfourtimesinthespaceof18months,againstSunderland,LeicesterandbothhomeandawayagainstBarnsleyin1997/98.BergkampalsonettedtwoofthePremierLeague’smostfamousgoals.ThefirstwasagainstLeicesterin1997,wherehebrilliantlybroughtdownalongball,turnedinsideandfinishedcoolly–agoalwhichforeshadowedhissimilarWorldCupwinneragainstArgentinathefollowingsummer–andtherewasalsotheastonishing,extravagantopener

againstNewcastlein2002,whereheflickedtheballonewayaroundNikosDabizaswiththeinsideofhisleftfoot,thenspunintheoppositedirectionbeforecollectingtheballandconvertingwithhisright.Itpromptedyearsofdebateaboutwhetheritwasintentional,andwhenArsenalcommissionedastatueofBergkampoutsidetheirEmiratesStadium,thesculptorcomplainedthatgoalwassimplyimpossibletodepict.Bergkamponlyplayedforayearunderthemanagerwhobroughthimto

Arsenal,andthecircumstancesofRioch’sdeparturewerepeculiar.Hewasdismissedshortlybeforethestartof1996/97,afortnightaftersigninganewcontract.Thistimearound,DeingothiswishandWengerwasappointed.ButasArsenalchairmanPeterHill-Woodadmitted,bothheandDeinhadalreadybeeninregulardialoguewithWenger,wholateraccidentallyrevealedthathe’dbeenconsultedaboutBergkamp’sarrival.ItseemsRiochwasunwittinglyacaretakermanager,ashort-termstopgapbetweentwoverydifferenterasofArsenal,butheneverthelessdeservesgreatcreditforstartingtherevolution.

Backin1996hiringaforeigncoachwasconsideredextremelydangerous.TherewasoneotherinthePremierLeague,asRuudGullithadrecentlybeenappointedChelseaplayer-manager,buttheDutchmanwasaworld-renownedfootballerwhohadalreadyplayedinthePremierLeague.WengerwasunderstandablyunheardofinEngland,atatimewhentherewasminimalcoverageofforeignfootballasidefromChannel4’sFootballItalia,andbeforetheinternetwaswidespread.SixyearsearlierAstonVillahadappointedthefirst-everoverseasmanagerofatop-flightside:themysteriousDrJozefVengloš.Itwasadisastrousexperiment.Villahadfinishedsecondthepreviouscampaign,butundertheSlovakian(hewasthenconsideredCzechoslovakian)theyfinishedtwoplacesaboverelegation.HeappearedincompatiblewiththeEnglishapproach,butthemanwithadoctorateinphysicaleducationwasessentiallyaforerunnerofWenger,andnotsimplybecausehewasforeign–heattemptedtoprofessionaliseEnglishfootball.‘NeverhadIimagineditwaspossibleforhumanbeingsto

drinksomuchbeer,’hegaspedshortlyafterhisarrival.Yearslaterhetookamoreconsideredview.‘AfewthingsinthosedayswereabitdifferenttowhatwehadbeendoingincentralEurope–themethodologyoftraining,theanalysingofnutrition,andtherecuperation,regenerationandphysiologicalapproachtothegame.’ThePremierLeaguedesperatelyneededaforeigncoachlikeWengertosuccessfullyimplementmodernmethods.AsDeinsaid,‘ThecombinationofArsèneandDennischangedthecultureofArsenal.’WengerwascompletelydifferentfromanyoneelseinthePremierLeague,

frequentlydescribedaslookingmorelikeateacherthanafootballmanager;hespokefivelanguages,hadadegreeineconomicsandhadbrieflystudiedmedicine.Morethananything,heappearedextraordinarilycalm,aqualityhe’soccasionallylostinrecentyears.Footballmanagersweresupposedtoberanters,ravers,eternallyangrypeople;AlexFergusonfamouslydishedoutthe‘hairdryertreatment’.AyearbeforeWenger’sappointment,LeytonOrientmanagerJohnSittonhadbeenthesubjectofaChannel4documentarythatrecordedhimthreateningtofighthisownplayersinafamouslybizarredressing-roomoutburst.‘WhenItellyoutodosomething,doit,andifyoucomebackatme,we’llhaveafuckingrightsort-outinhere,’heroaredattwoplayers.‘Allright?Andyoucanpairupifyoulike,andyoucanfuckingpicksomeoneelsetohelpyou,andyoucanbringyourfuckingdinner,’cozbythetimeI’vefinishedwithyou,you’llfuckingneedit.’Thatwasthe1990sfootballmanager.Wengerwastheopposite,stunninghisplayersbydemandingaperiodofcompletesilenceathalf-time.Moretothepoint,hecertainlywasn’taskingplayerstobringtheirdinner.Wenger’smajorimpactuponEnglishfootballwasrevolutionisinghisplayers’

diet.BeforetheFrenchman’sarrival,Arsenal’ssquad–incommonwiththemajorityofPremierLeagueteams–hadtheculinarypreferencesofapubteam.They’denjoyafullEnglishbreakfastbeforetraining,andtheirpre-matchmenuincludedfishandchips,steak,scrambledeggsandbeansontoast.Post-match,thingsbecameevenworse.OnthelongcoachjourneybackfromNewcastle,for

example,someplayersheldaneatingcompetition,withnoonecapableofmatchingtheimpressiveninedinnersconsumedbycentre-backSteveBould.WhenTonyAdamsandRayParlourweregivenapolicecautionforsprayingafireextinguisheratabusiveTottenhamsupporters,theincrediblethingwasn’tthattheincidenthadtakenplaceataPizzaHut,butthatwhenthepolicepulledupoutsideAdams’shouselaterthatnight,thepairhadrecentlytakendeliveryofaChinesetakeaway,too.Wenger,meanwhile,hadbeenimpressedbythehealthinessofJapanese

cuisine,noticingthelowlevelofobesitythroughoutthecountry.HequicklyoverhauledthedietaryoptionsatArsenal’strainingground,banningsweets,chocolateandCoca-Cola,andencouraginghisplayerstoeatsteamedfish,boiledchicken,pastaandplentyofvegetables.WheneverArsenalstayedinahotelbeforeanawaymatch,Wengerbannedroomserviceandinsistedthatthemini-barswereemptiedbeforetheteam’sarrival.Crucially,heintroduceddieticianswhoeducatedtheplayersaboutgoodnutrition,andconcentratedheavilyuponthebenefitofchewingslowlytodigestfoodproperly.Wengerknewtherewouldbeabacklash,andintelligentlyensuredthatmealswereparticularlyblandandflavourlessintheopeningweeks.Then,whentheplayerscomplained,Wengermadeconcessions–allowingthemtomatoketchup,forexample–sothenewarrangementappearedacompromise.Wengersettheexample,alwayseatingexactlythesamemealsashisplayers.ThepreviousinnovatorinthisrespectwasAustralianCraigJohnston,who

playedforLiverpoolinthe1980sandwasoneoffootball’smostintelligent,innovativecharacters,designingtheAdidasPredatorbootafterhisretirement.HewasinspiredbyabookcalledEattoWinbyRobertHaas,andeschewedLiverpool’ssteaksinfavourofrice,soybaconandegg,initiallypromptingmockeryfromteammates.Butwhentheynoticedhistremendousstamina,theygraduallyswitchedtohisdiet.Intriguingly,AdamssaysheandacoupleofArsenalteammatesreadthebookin1987,nearlyadecadebeforeWenger’sarrival,butifitprovokedthemtoeatsomehealthyfoodtheywereclearly

cancellingoutanybenefitsbyalsoconsumingpizzasandChinesetakeaways.Itwasn’tallaboutfood,however.Wengeralsoencouragedhisplayerstotake

supplements,anunorthodoxconceptatthisstage.Vitamintabletswereplacedontablesaheadoftraining,andmanyplayersstartedtakingCreatinetobuildmuscleandimprovestamina.Again,everythingwasexplainedbyexperts,andwhileanimproveddietwasmandatory,thesupplementswereoptional.Bergkampwasscepticalanddidn’ttakeanything,whilegoalkeeperDavidSeamanstartedoffwithoutthem,thennoticedhowhisteammateswereimprovingphysically,sochangedhismind.RayParlouradmittedhesimplytookwhateverwasgiventohimwithoutasecondthought.Arsenal’sphysicalimprovementwasobvious,andoninternationalduty,EnglandteammatesaskedtheGunnerscontingentwhatthey’dbeentaking,andquicklycopied,whichannoyedWenger,whowasunderstandablydeterminedtomaintainArsenal’scompetitiveadvantage.Unintentionally,theFrenchmanwasrevolutionisingthewholeofthePremierLeague,notsimplyhisownclub.ThearrivalofWenger,whohadgrownupinhisparents’pubnearStrasbourg,

alsocoincidedwiththeendofthedrinkingcultureatArsenal.RegularboozingwasawidespreadpracticeatPremierLeagueclubs,butappearedparticularlyprevalentatArsenal,withcaptainAdamstheringleaderofthefamous‘Tuesdayclub’,whenagroupofplayerswouldfollowaheavytrainingsessionwithaheavydrinkingsession,safeintheknowledgethatWednesdaywasarestday.Eventhen,however,drinkingthenightbeforetrainingwascommon,andturninguphungoverwasn’tfrowneduponbyteammatesiftheplayergotthroughtrainingproperly.OnBergkamp’sfirstpre-seasontourofSweden,hewasdismayedwhen,midwaythroughaneveningstrollwithhiswife,hespottedtherestoftheteamdrinkingatalocalpub.ButeverythingchangedafortnightbeforeWenger’sarrival,whenAdams

shockedhisteammatesbyannouncinghewasanalcoholic.Twoofhisteammatesimmediatelywondered,ifAdamswasanalcoholic,whethertheyhadadrinkingproblemtoo.ThisworkedoutperfectlyforWenger,whowouldhave

encounteredseriousproblemsoverhaulingthedrinkingculturehimself.WhenFergusonhadattemptedtosolvethisproblematManchesterUnited,hewasforcedtosellthetwochiefculprits,PaulMcGrathandNormanWhiteside,whowereamongUnited’sstarplayersandfanfavourites,andheinitiallystruggled.Wenger,luckily,foundhiscaptaindidthejobforhim,andParlouradmittedAdamsquittingdrinkingwasthebestthingthatcouldhavehappenedforhisownfootballcareer,nevermindAdams’s.Similarly,WengerwasfortunatethatArsenalhadsignedPlatttheprevious

summer,shortlyafterBergkamp’sarrival.ThemidfielderhadspentthepreviousfourseasonsinItalyandintroducednewpracticestotheArsenaldressingroom:theuseofamasseur,forexample.Again,theintroductionofforeignconceptswasmorelikelytobeacceptedcomingfromPlatt,whohadcaptainedEngland19times,ratherthanfromanunknownFrenchmanwhohadbeenworkinginJapan.Bergkamp’sprofessionalism,Adams’snewlifestyleandPlatt’sItalianinnovationswereaseriesofhappycoincidencesthatpreparedArsenalforWenger’snewregime.EvenPlatt,however,hatedoneofWenger’sideas:stretchingsessions.AheadofWenger’sfirstgame,awayatBlackburn,Wengercalledanearly-morningmeetinginthehotelballroomandinstructedhisplayerstogothroughamixtureofyogaandPilatesroutines.Eventually,stretchingbecameanaccepted,regularpartoftraining–albeitnotonmatchdays–andArsenal’sveterandefenderscreditthispracticeforextendingtheircareers.Allthesephysiologicalinnovationswerecrucialtactically,becausewhile

Wenger’sArsenalwouldlaterbecomerenownedfortheirtechnicalfootball,his1997/98doublewinnersweremorecelebratedfortheirphysicalpower,especiallyinthecentreofthepitch.WhilethedefenceandstrikepartnershipsfromRioch’sreignremainedinplace,Wengeroverhauledthemidfieldalmostcompletely,recruitingFrenchdefensivemidfieldersEmmanuelPetitandPatrickVieira,plusleft-wingerMarcOvermarsfromAjax,whileParlourimprovedandplayedontheright.ThisquartetepitomisedWenger’sArsenalatthisstage;whileboastingtechnicalquality,therewasnooutrightplaymaker–thatwas

Bergkamp’srole.VieiraandPetitwererenownedfortheirtenacity,Overmarsforhisacceleration,Parlourforhisenergy.Strength,speedandstamina.Vieira,whoarrivedatArsenaluponWenger’srequestwhileservinghisnotice

inJapan,lateroutlinedthedifference.‘Itwasn’tbasedontechniqueoronanattackingstrategy,’hesaysofthe1998titlewinners.‘ThequalitycamefromindividualplayerssuchasBergkamporsometimesOvermars.’Instarkcontrast,hedescribestheArsenal’s2001/02championsbysaying,‘Thewayinwhichwewonthisseconddoublehadbeenverydifferentfromthewaywehaddoneitin1998…gonewasthelong-ballgame,incamequick,accuratepassingtoplayers’feet.’Vieiraisexaggeratingthedifference–the1997/98sidewerenoticeablykeentokeeptheballonthegroundcomparedwithothersidesofthatera–butArsenaltooktimetobecomerenownedasatrulybeautifulside.Notably,Wenger’sArsenalwereheavilycriticisedintheearlydaysbecauseof

theiratrociousdisciplinaryrecord,withVieiraandPetitfrequentlyintroublewithreferees.Onlythreeclubsreceivedmorebookingsduring1997/98,andArsenal’sredcardtallyunderWengerbecamearunningfeatureinnewspapers.Indeed,Arsenal’sshiftfromprimarilyphysicalfootballtoprimarilytechnicalfootballisbestsummarisedbyWenger’sattitudetowardsreferees–initiallyhecomplainedtheyweretoostrict,laterhe’dcomplaintheyweretoolenient.Manyex-players,likeArsenal’sParlourandLeeDixon,plusregularopponentsGaryNevilleandRyanGiggsofManchesterUnited,insistthe1997/98sidewasthebestincarnationofWenger’sArsenalbecausetheywerephysicallypowerfulandrefusedtobebullied.

Wengerhasneverbeenaparticularlykeentactician,rarelyattemptingtochangematchesbymakingasurpriseselectiondecisionorswitchingformationregularly.Inhisearlydayshepreferreda4–4–2,however,andangeredArsenal’splayersbyinterferingwithteamshapebeforehe’dofficiallytakencharge.ForaUEFACuptieatBorussiaMonchengladbach,Wengertravelledwiththeteambutwassupposedtobemerelyobservingbeforeofficiallystartingthefollowing

week.However,withthehalf-timescoreat1–1,WengerdecidedtotakechargeinthedressingroomandorderedArsenaltoswitchfromthe3–5–2systemthey’dplayedforthelastyearto4–4–2.Itbackfiredbadly–Arsenallost3–2,andAdamswasfuriouswiththesuddenintervention.HepersuadedWengerthatArsenalwerecomfortablewithabackthree,andtheyremainedinthatshapeforthemajorityof1996/97.AlthoughitwasunusualtoseeArsenalplayingwithathree-mandefence,

theyweresuitedtothatsystembecausetheyhadthreetop-classcentre-backs,withAdamsalongsideBouldandMartinKeown.Indeed,the3–5–2enjoyedasuddenwaveofpopularityduringthemid-1990s,withthelikesofLiverpool,Newcastle,Tottenham,AstonVilla,LeicesterandCoventryallusingthesystemregularly,withvaryinglevelsofsuccess.Asageneralrule,utilisinga3–5–2workedeffectivelyagainstopponentsplaying4–4–2,whichremainedthedominantsystem,asitofferedasparemanindefenceagainsttwocentre-forwards,andanextramidfieldertooverloadthecentre.Thewing-backswereforcedtocoverahugeamountofground,providingattackingwidthyetretreatingtoformafive-mandefence.Althoughthatallowedtheoppositionfull-backsfreedom,thiswasn’tasignificantproblemduringthemid-90s,beforemostfull-backshadbecomespeedyattackingweapons.Contestsbetweentwosidesplaying3–5–2wereoftenhopelesslydull,

however–bothteamshadasparemanattheback,whilethemidfieldwascongestedandthewing-backssimplychasedoneanotherupanddownthetouchlines.Arsenal’sconsecutivegoallessdrawsinFebruary1997againstLeedsandTottenham,forexample,werebothmatchesbetweentwo3–5–2s.‘It’squiteironic,’saidWenger,‘thatwhiletherestofEuropearemovingtotheflatbackfour,moreandmoresidesinEnglandareadoptingtheoldcontinentalapproachusingsweepersandwing-backs.’Englandwas,asever,outofsteptactically,andArsenal’sevolutionintotitlewinnerscameafterWengerswitchedto4–4–2for1997/98.Hestartedtheseasonaskinghisplayerstopressinadvancedpositions,which

wasn’tparticularlyeffective,andit’sinterestingthatthecrucialtacticalchangecameattherequestoftheplayersratherthanthemanager.InthefirsthalfoftheseasonArsenaldefendedpoorlybytheirexceptionallyhighstandards,andaftera1–0homedefeatbyLiverpoolateammeetingwascalled.Wengersuggestedthattheproblemwasalackofdesire,withplayersnotworkinghardenough.ButAdams,BouldandPlattintervenedwithamorespecificsuggestion,sayingthatPetitandVieiraneededtopositionthemselvesdeeperinordertoshieldthedefenceproperly.Itdidn’tworkimmediately–therewastobea3–1defeatathometoBlackburn,whichconvincedWengerthatAdamsrequiredsixweeks’resttorecoverfromanankleinjury–butArsenal’sdefencewassuperbinthesecondhalfofthecampaign,atonestagegoing13hourswithoutconceding,whichincludedarunof1–0,0–0,1–0,1–0,1–0,1–0.‘1–0totheArsenal’stillapplied,althoughtheyhit12goalsinthenextthreegames,promptingArsenalfanstoironicallyadoptoppositionfans’‘boring,boringArsenal’.TheybecamethefirstPremierLeaguesidetowintenconsecutivematches.VieiraandPetitwereoutstandinginthesecondhalfofthe1997/98title-

winningcampaignasatightpartnershipthatconcentratedonball-winning,althoughVieirasurgedforwardsporadicallyandPetitofferedawonderfulpassingrangewithhisleftfoot.WithBergkampandWrightofteninjuredinthesecondhalfofthecampaign,ArsenalwoulddependuponcrucialcontributionsfromyoungreservestrikersChristopherWrehandNicolasAnelka,thelatterbecomingasignificantplayerinthePremierLeague’stacticalevolution.Butthecrucialattackerthroughoutthetitlerun-inwasOvermars.AlthoughArsenal’sformationwas4–4–2,Overmarswasallowedfreedomtopushforwarddowntheleft,whileParlourplayedanarrower,shuttlingroleontheright.Inlaterdaysitwouldbetermeda4–2–3–1,althoughatthetimeitwasconsideredalopsided4–3–3intheattackingphase,withPetitshiftingacrossslightlytocoverandParlourtuckinginside.Overmarswashappyoneitherfootbutprimarilyright-footed,agoal-scoringthreatmorethanacreator.Overmars’sattack-mindedpositioninghelpedhimprovideatrulymagnificent

performanceinthe1–0victoryoverManchesterUnitedinmid-MarchthatswungthetitleraceinArsenal’sfavour.AlmostallArsenal’sattackingplaywentthroughtheDutchman,whohandedyoungUnitedright-backJohnCurtis,thenapromisingprospect,anafternoonsodifficultthathiscareerneverreallyrecovered.IntheearlystagesOvermarscollectedathrough-ballfromBergkamp,roundedPeterSchmeichelandfirednarrowlywidefromadifficultangle.Shortlyafterwardshemadeanotherruninbehind,andwasastonishednottobeawardedapenaltyafterCurtisclearlytrippedhim.NexthestabbedtheballintothesidenettinghavingevadedCurtisandGaryNeville,whostartedasaright-sidedcentre-back.Finally,Overmarsprovidedthedecisivemomenttenminutesfromtime,whenbothBergkampandAnelkaflickedonalongball,allowingthewingertoracethroughandsliptheballbetweenSchmeichel’slegs.ConsideringthiswasthedecisivegameofArsenal’stitle-winningcampaign,

Overmars’sone-manshowisamongthegreatestindividualperformancesthatthePremierLeaguehasseen.Hefollowedthisbyscoringtwobrilliantsologoalsinthetitle-clinching4–0victoryoverEvertonatHighbury,thenopenedthescoringinthe2–0FACupFinalwinoverNewcastle,asArsenalclinchedthedoubleinWenger’sfirstfullcampaign.ThatvictoryatWembleyalsoshowedhowWengerwasnotremotelyareactivemanager–hedidn’tmentiontheoppositiononcebeforethegame,anapproachhemaintainedthroughoutthemajorityofthePremierLeagueera.SuchtacticalnaivetywouldcostArsenalinEuropeancompetitionoverthe

followingseasons–theydidn’tqualifyfromthegroupstageduringtheirfirsttwoChampionsLeagueattempts,andWenger’ssidewouldlaterstruggleinthePremierLeagueagainstmoretacticallyastuteopposition.LikesomanyotherrevolutionariesinthePremierLeague,theFrenchmanwassomethingofavictimofhisownsuccess.Othermanagerssoonreplicatedhisapproach,particularlyinthethreeareaswherehesignificantlychangedEnglishfootball:improvedphysicalconditioning,recruitingplayersfromabroadandgreateremphasisupontechnicalfootball.GraduallyWenger’suniquenesswasdiminished,buthisinitial

impactwashugelyinfluential,andhesummariseditbesthimself.‘IfeltlikeIwasopeningthedoortotherestoftheworld,’hesaid.ThiswasthestartofthePremierLeaguebecomingtheworld’smostinternationaldivision.

6

Speed

‘Owenwasdoingthingsthatmademethink,“Hangon,ifso-and-sowasinthatposition,wouldhehavedonethat?”Andtheanswerwas,“No,hewouldn’thave

hadthepace.”’

GlennHoddle

Number9sduringthePremierLeague’sformativeyearswerestereotypicallytall,strongtargetmenwhostationedthemselvesinsidethepenaltyboxandthrivedoncrosses.DionDublin,DuncanFergusonandChrisSuttonweretheclassicexamples;theycouldout-muscleandout-jumpoppositioncentre-backs,butrarelythreatenedtooutrunthem.ThePremierLeague’snewfoundloveoftechnicalfootball,anditsnewbreed

ofdeep-lying,creativeforwards,necessitatedadifferentmouldofstriker.Increasingly,managerswantedstrikerswhocouldsprintinbehindtheoppositiondefencetoreachcleverthrough-ballsbetweenopponents.Gradually,speedreplacedaerialpowerasthemostreveredattributeupfront.TwoofthemostmemorablePremierLeaguegoalsin1997weresolorunsby

quickstrikersdribblingthroughtheManchesterUniteddefence:DerbyCounty’sPauloWanchopeinAprilandCoventry’sDarrenHuckerbyinDecember,bothinsurprise3–2winsfortheunderdogsoverthePremierLeaguechampions.Thesegoalsepitomisedthechangeinthenatureofcentre-forwards,butthemostrevolutionaryindividualsweretwoteenageprodigies:Arsenal’sNicolasAnelkaandLiverpool’sMichaelOwen.ThesimilaritiesbetweenAnelkaandOwenarestriking.Bothwerebornin

1979,madetheirdebutsinthesecondhalfof1996/97,beforemakingaseriousimpactin1997/98.ThatseasonAnelkaliftedthetitlewithArsenal,whileOwenwonthePremierLeagueGoldenBootandthePFAYoungPlayeroftheYear.ThefollowingseasonOwenretainedtheGoldenBoot,whileAnelkafinishedjustonegoalbehindandsucceededOwenastheYoungPlayerwinner–althoughhecourtedcontroversybygoingnightclubbingratherthanattendingtheawardsceremony.WhenbothstrikersleftthePremierLeagueitwasforRealMadrid;Anelkain

1999,Owenfiveyearslater,althoughbothlastedjustaseasonintheSpanishcapitalandplayedthemajorityoftheircareerinEngland.Anelkaeventuallyhit125PremierLeaguegoals,Owen150.Bothwereratherdistant,aloofcharacters,anddespitealltheirachievements,neitherarerememberedasalegendatanyoneparticularclub.Themainsimilarity,though,issimple:theywereastonishinglyquick.Pacehadalwaysbeenadangerousweaponinastriker’sarmoury.ThelikesofAndyColeandIanWright–187and113PremierLeaguegoalsrespectively–wereprolificinthePremierLeague’sfirsthalf-decade,andclearlyweren’ttraditionaltargetmen.However,theywereprimarilyfinisherswhohappenedtoboastaturnofspeed.AnelkaandOwenwereessentiallysprintersalsocapableofscoring,andinanerawherecentre-backswerebuiltforbattlesintheair,scoredeasygoalsbyexploitingtheirsluggishnessontheground.

Anelkawasawonderfultalent,boastingasensationalmixofspeed,trickeryandcoolnesswhenone-on-onewiththegoalkeeper.InPremierLeaguetermstheFrenchmanwasaforerunnerofcompatriotThierryHenry,amorecelebratedplayerwhobecameaninspirationforthelikesofTheoWalcott,DanielSturridge,DannyWelbeckandAnthonyMartial.Thatmouldofathletic,lightning-quickstrikercanessentiallybetracedbacktoAnelka’sinitialimpactforArsenal.Anelkastartedhisfirstfullseason,1997/98,behindWrightinArsène

Wenger’speckingorder,buthadacrucialimpactinArsenal’sdouble-winningcampaign.HisfirstArsenalgoalwastheopeneragainsttitlerivalsManchesterUnitedinNovember1997,acrucial3–2victory,andheendedtheseasonbyscoringthesecondinthe2–0FACupFinaltriumphoverNewcastle.Hismosttypicalgoalcameina4–1victoryawayatBlackburnRoversonEasterMonday,whenhecollectedalongchipfromNigelWinterburn,streakedawayfromtheoppositiondefence,thendummiedashottoputgoalkeeperAlanFettisontheground,tooktheballaroundhimandlifteditpastthedespairinglungeofadefenderintothenet.Thatmadeit4–0beforehalf-time,atypicalexampleofArsenal’sabilitytoblitzopponentsthroughspeedintheopeningstages,andproducedaroundofapplausefrommesmerisedBlackburnsupporters.Signedforjust£500,000fromParisSaint-GermainwhenWengerexploiteda

loopholeinFrance’ssystemofcontractingyoungsters,Anelkaimpressedonthepitchbutstruggledtomakefriends.Despitehissensationalspeedhepossessedacuriousrunningstyleinhisearlyyears:headdown,shouldersslumpedawkwardly,barelyawareofanythingaroundhim.Itreflectedhisintrovertednatureandhisinabilitytocommunicatewithteammates,whostruggledtounderstandhim.Hewasn’tanentertainerandsuggestedhe’dhappilyplaymatchesindesertedstadiums.‘I’mboredinLondon–Idon’tknowanyonehereandIdon’twantto,’heoncesaid.Anelkaneversmiled,evenafterscoringorwhenliftingatrophy,andlastedjusttwocompleteseasonswithArsenalbeforeleavingfor£23m,asensationalreturnonWenger’sinvestmenttwoyearsearlier.ArsenaleffectivelyspenttheproceedsofAnelka’ssaleonHenry–andanew

trainingground.Anelka’stransferwastheculminationofasummer-longstorythatarguablysetthetoneforlong-runningtransfersagasoflateryears,withAnelkapledgingallegiancetoLazio,JuventusandRealMadridatvariouspoints.Someaspectswereludicrous;oneofhisbrothers,alsoactingashisagent,onceclaimedthatAnelkahadsettledonLaziobecausetheirshirtcolourwasaperfectblendofthewhiteofRealMadrid,hisidealdestination,andtheblueofFrance.HeeventuallyendedupatRealanyway,withSven-GöranEriksson’s

LaziounsuccessfullyswitchingtheirattentionstoOwen,showinghowthetwoteenagesensationswereviewedalmostinterchangeably.Meanwhile,Anelka’sbrothersbecamepantomimevillainsfortheir

determinationtomovehimaroundEuroperegularly,collectingsigning-onfeesintheprocess.Anelkaeventuallymade12transfers,hisglobetrottingcareertakinginFrance,Spain,Italy,Turkey,ChinaandIndia.DespitehisinitialdislikeofEngland,however,Anelkaalwaysreturned,subsequentlyrepresentingLiverpool,ManchesterCity,Bolton,ChelseaandWestBromwichAlbion.HisfinalPremierLeaguegoalwasscored16yearsafterhisfirst,andwashismostinfamous–hecelebratedwiththe‘quenelle’gesture,describedbyexpertsasan‘invertedNazisalute’.TheFAbannedhimforfivegames,AnelkapromptlydeclaringthathewasleavingWestBrom,whoannouncedtheyweresackinghimanyway.ItwasafittingendtoanincrediblystrangePremierLeaguecareer.Inhisearlydays,oneofAnelka’smostimpressivedisplayscameforFrancein

a2–0victoryoverEnglandatWembleyinFebruary1999.Hescoredbothgoals,andhadanothershothitthebarandcrossthegoalline,notspottedbythelinesman.Bizarrely,AnelkaworegoalkeeperglovesthroughoutthatgameonabitterlycoldFebruaryeveninginLondon,andthrivedonplayingaheadofWorldPlayeroftheYearZinedineZidane,runninginbehindtoreachhisthrough-balls.ItwasalsosignificantthatAnelkaoutplayedanEnglanddefencefeaturingLeeDixon,TonyAdamsandMartinKeownaheadofDavidSeaman,withChelsea’sGraemeLeSauxtheonlymanbreakinguptheArsenalconnectionattheback.Evenwhenhisopponentsknewhisgameperfectly,theysimplycouldn’tstophim.‘We’vefoundourRonaldo,’saidFrancecaptainDidierDeschamps–asignificantremark.FrancehadwontheWorldCupthepreviousyeardespitetheirlackofaclinicalstriker,whiletherestoftheworlddespairedatRonaldo’spre-finalbreakdown,whichevidentlyaffectedhisBrazilianteammates.Anelkawassogoodthathehadimprovedtheworldchampions.Atclublevel,AnelkaprovedtheidealpartnerforDennisBergkamp.Although

theDutchmanformedfinerelationshipswithbothWrightandHenryeitherside

ofAnelka,heconsideredtheyoungFrenchmanidealforhisstyle.‘Asastrikepartner,NicolaswasprobablythebestI’vehadatHighburyintermsofunderstanding,’Bergkamponcesaid,evenwhenplayingupfrontalongsideHenry.‘ThewayNicolasplayedsuitedmeperfectlybecausehewasalwayslookingtorunforwardongoal.Thatmadeiteasyformetopredictwhathewantedandtoknowinstinctivelywherehewouldbeonthepitch.Thatdirectnesswasjustright.Thierrytendstowanttheballtocometohimortodrifttowardstheflanksmore.Nicolaswasfocusedonheadingforgoalandscoring.Helovedhavingtheballplayedforhimtorunontoandgoingone-on-onewiththekeeper.’Thebestexampleoftheircombinationplaycameina5–0victoryover

LeicesterCityinFebruary1999,whichfeaturedanAnelkahat-trickbeforehalf-time.Leicester’sdefence,andinparticulartowering,old-schoolcentre-backMattElliott,werecompletelyunabletocopewithhisspeed.MartinO’Neill’schangesattheintervalinvolvedswitchingElliotttoacentre-forwardrole,underliningbothhisstrugglesatthebackandthefactthatmanyPremierLeaguesidesstillbasedattackingplayaroundatall,strongaerialthreat.Bergkamp,amazingly,collectedfourassistsatHighburythatday:twoforAnelka,andtwofortheonrushingRayParlour.Anelka’sopenerdemonstratedhoweasilyBergkampandAnelkalinkedbystretchingthedefenceindifferentdirections.Bergkampcollectedabouncingball15yardsinsidehisownhalf,glancedoverhisshouldertocheckAnelkawasmakingarunintotheinside-rightchannelbeforecasuallylobbinga40-yardpassintheFrenchman’sgeneraldirection.AnelkaroaredpasttheLeicesterdefence,chestedtheballontohisrightfootandfinishedintothefarcorner.Itlookedsosimple.Atthisstagemanydefencesstillconcentratedonpushing

upthepitchtokeepstrikersawayfromgoal,alogicalapproachwhendealingwithaerialthreats.Inlateryearstheywouldlearntodefenddeeperagainstquickstrikers,whilegoalkeeperswouldsweepupproactivelytointerceptpassesinbehindwhenthedefencetookamoreaggressivestartingposition.Onthatday,

however,ArsenalsimplyhadsomuchbehindLeicester’sbackline,whichwasidealforAnelka.Hissecondwassimilar,albeitfromaneater,toe-pokedBergkampthrough-ball.AnelkainstinctivelycelebratedbythrowinghisarmouttopointatBergkamp,acknowledgingtheassist,althoughtherewouldbenosuchcelebrationwhenMarcOvermarsteedhimupforhishat-trickgoal.Therewaslittleacknowledgementbetweenthem,andonlyahalf-heartedgrouphugbetweenthetwoandBergkamp,whowasfittinglyplayingthelinkroleinthecelebration.OvermarsandAnelkaweren’tongoodterms.Earlierintheseason,Anelkahadcomplainedhisteammatesweren’tpassing

tohim,believingOvermarsexclusivelylookedforhisfellowDutchmanBergkamp.‘I’mnotgettingenoughoftheball,’hemutteredtotheFrenchpress.‘I’mgoingtoseethemanagersoonbecauseOvermarsistooselfish.’Wengerresolvedthedisputeinafantasticallycunningmanner,callingbothplayersintohisofficeforshowdowntalks.Thecomplication,however,wasthatAnelkabarelyspokeEnglishandOvermarsdidn’tunderstandFrench,soWengerwasnotonlymoderatorbutalsointerpreter,andplayedthesituationbeautifully.Heaskedthetwoplayerstospellouttheirissues;AnelkarepeatedhiscomplainttoWengerintheirnativetongue,whileinEnglish,OvermarsclaimedhealwayslookedoutforAnelka’srunsanddidn’tunderstandhisproblem.Ratherthantranslatingtheircommentsaccurately,WengersimplytoldOvermarsthatAnelkahadsaidhenolongerhadaproblem,thentoldAnelkathatOvermarswaspromisingtopassmore.Bothwerelies,butittemporarilyresolvedthesituation.ButAnelkahadanothermajorissuewithArsenal’ssystem,whichwasn’t

apparentatthetime–hedidn’tactuallylikeplayingupfront.‘Iplayedasacentre-forwardatArsenalandscoredlotsofgoals,sopeoplethinkthat’smybestposition,butIdon’t,’hecomplainedlaterinhiscareer.‘Ifeelmorecomfortableplayingadeeperrole,likeBergkamp.’HedescribedFrancemanagerRaymondDomenech’sdecisiontoplayhimasanout-and-outstriker‘acastingmistake’,whileonanotheroccasionheoutlinedhisthoughtsinblunterterms–‘Mymainaimistoplaywell,whichiswhereIdifferfromrealstrikers.’Anelka’s

understandingofa‘realstriker’,presumably,wasaplayerwhoconcentratedsolelyuponscoringgoals–thelikesofColeandWright.

JustasAnelkadidn’tconsiderhimselfa‘realstriker’,Owenwasoncedescribedbythen-EnglandmanagerHoddleas‘notanaturalgoalscorer’,aremarkthatwasgreetedwithastonishmentacrossthecountry.Hoddle,intypicallyclumsyfashion,hadactuallybeenattemptingtocomplimentOwen.HephonedOwenandclarifiedhiscomment,explainingthattohim,a‘naturalgoalscorer’wassomeonewhosimplystandsintheboxandwaitsfortheball.Owen,however,couldpouncefromdeeperpositions,usuallybyrunninginbehindtheoppositiondefenceontothrough-balls.Itwastrue.Hewasasprinterfirst,afinishersecond.TherewasanairofrevolutionaroundBritaininearlyMay1997,asTony

BlairenteredNumber10forthefirsttime.Threedayslater,Englishfootballsupporterswatchedtheirfuturenumber10forthefirsttime,asOwenmadehisprofessionaldebut,nettingtheconsolationinLiverpool’s2–1defeatatWimbledon.ThegoalwastypicalOwen.StigIngeBjørnebyeplayedathrough-ballinto

theinside-leftchannel,Owenracedontoit,openeduphisbodythenfinishedintothefarcorner.Itwasarun–andafinish–wewouldwitnessrepeatedlyovercomingseasons.‘Hestartedmakingdecentrunsoffpeople,gettinginbehindthem,’saidLiverpoolmanagerRoyEvans,whohadbegunthematchusingPatrikBergerbehindStanCollymore,withFowlersuspended.Astonishingly,just18monthsafterhisprofessionaldebut,OwenwouldfinishfourthintheWorldPlayeroftheYearvote,behindZinedineZidane,DavorŠukerandRonaldo,largelybecauseofhisfamousgoalagainstArgentinaatthe1998WorldCup,whenhesprintedpasttwoflat-footeddefendersbeforeliftingtheballintothefarcorner.Atthisstage,withTVcoverageofforeignfootballrelativelyrareacrosstheworld,onemassivemomentatamajortournamentcouldelevateyourreputationsignificantly.TherewasayouthfulexuberanceaboutOwen’searlyLiverpoolperformances

becauseheessentiallyplayedPremierLeaguematchesliketheywereU11sgames.Herecalledthat,duringhisschoolboydays,‘allmygoalsatthattimewerevirtuallyidentical:aballoverthetop,followedbyasprintandafinish.Iwasquickerthaneveryoneelseatthattime,soitwasalwaysaone-on-onewithafinishtotheside.Youdon’tgetmanycrossesordivingheadersinUnder-11football,you’realwaysrunningontothrough-balls.’LittlehadchangedbythetimeOwenreachedLiverpool’sfirstteam.Thebestexampleofhisterrifyingpacewastheequaliserina1–1drawawayatOldTraffordin1997/98,whenhelatchedontoahopefulflick-ontopoketheballpastPeterSchmeichel.Atonestageheappearedthirdfavouritetoreachthelooseball,behindSchmeichelandcentre-backGaryPallister(whomAlexFergusononcesurprisinglynamedthequickestplayerhe’deverworkedwithatManchesterUnited),butOwen’spacewaselectric.Shortlyafterwards,however,hewasdismissedforaterribletackleonRonnyJohnsen,andit’softenforgottenthatOwen’sill-disciplinewasconsideredaseriousprobleminhisearlydays.He’dalreadybeensentoffforEnglandU18safterheadbuttingaYugoslaviandefender.Inthatfirstcompleteseason,1997/98,Owenconvertedapenaltyonthe

openingdayandeventuallywonthePremierLeague’sGoldenBootjointlywithDionDublinandChrisSutton,on18goals.Owencouldn’thavebeenamoredifferentplayer;DublinandSuttonstartedtheircareersascentre-backs–bothwithNorwich,coincidentally–beforebecomingcentre-forwards,andtheycouldplayeitherrolebecauseoftheiraerialpower.ButOwenwasallaboutspeed,and50percentofhis1997/98non-penaltygoalscamefromhimdartinginbehindtheoppositiondefence.AtthispointOwenwas,understandablyfora17-year-old,somewhatsimpleinatechnicalsense.Inhisautobiography,inapassageaboutManchesterUnited’srivalrywithLiverpool,SirAlexFergusonobservesthatbeingforcedtoplaysomanymatchessoearlydidn’tsimplyharmOwen’sphysicalconditionbutalsohistechnicaldevelopment.‘Therewasnoopportunitytotakehimasideandworkonhimfromatechnicalpointofview,’Fergusonclaims.

In1997/98Owenscoredonlyoncewithhisleftfoot,slidinginatthefarposttoconvertintoanemptynetagainstCoventry,andonlyoncewithhishead,areboundfromtwoyardsoutagainstSouthampton.16ofthe18werescoredwithhisright.Noticeably,Owengenerallyattemptedtoworktheballontohisfavouredside,evenifitmeantmakingthegoalscoringopportunitymoredifficult,andwhenforcedtogoleft,wouldstillshootwithhisright.Hisfirsthat-trick,onValentine’sDay1998awayatSheffieldWednesday,featuredtwogoalsstabbedunconventionallywiththeoutsideofhisrightfoot.Gradually,defendersdeducedhislimitations–ManchesterUnited’sJaapStamopenlyadmittedhisprimaryapproachwastoforcehimontohisleft–soOwenwasforcedtoimprovehisall-roundgame.Overthenextcoupleofyears,Owenspenthoursconcentratingonimproving

hisfinishingwithhisleftfootandhishead.Theimprovementwasdrastic.By2000/01,Owenwasanall-roundfinisheranddeterminedtoleteveryoneknowitwhencelebratinggoals.Hescoredtwoleft-footedgoalsina3–3drawatSouthamptoninAugust,andfollowingthesecond,ranawaywithtwofingersshowingononehand,theotherpointingathisleftfoot.AmonthlateragainstSunderland,Owenbeatsix-foot-fourNiallQuinntoChristianZiege’swhippedleft-footedfree-kickandpoweredhomeabulletheader.Thistime,heslappedhisheadincelebration.Healmostsingle-handedlywontheFACupwithtwolategoalsafterLiverpoolhadbeenoutplayedbyArsenal,thewinnerafantasticdemonstrationofhisastonishingpace,beforeyetanotherleft-footedfinishintothefarcorner.LiverpoolalsowontheLeagueCupandUEFACupthatseason,thenliftedthe

CharityShieldandEuropeanSuperCupatthestartof2001/02.Thesesuccesses,andOwen’shat-trickinEngland’sfamous5–1victoryoverGermanythatautumn,helpedhimwintheBallond’Orin2001,oneofonlytwoPremierLeague-basedrecipientsoftheaward,alongsideCristianoRonaldoin2008.Owen,however,sayshehadplayedbetterinthecoupleofyearsbefore2001.It’speculiarthatOwenworethenumber10shirtthroughouthisLiverpooland

Englandcareerwhenhewasreallyanumber9,althoughit’sobviouswhywhenoneconsiderswhohisstrikepartnerswere.HebrokeintotheLiverpoolsidewhenFowlerdominated;whenOwenwasrisingthroughtheranksFowlerhadbeenhisidol,buttheyweretoosimilartofunctiontogetherproperly.OwenlaterofferedanAnelka-esquecomplaintthatSteveMcManaman,Liverpool’schiefcreator,alwayslookedtopasstohisbestmateFowler.Atinternationallevel,AlanShearerwasthecaptain,themainmanandthenumber9.AsSuttonhaddiscoveredatBlackburnRovers,Shearerdidn’tlikeplayingalongsideafellowgoalscorer,andpreferredworkingaheadofalinkman.Shearer’srelationshipwithTeddySheringhamwasexcellent,whichispartlywhyHoddleinitiallyignoredOweninfavourofatried-and-testedcombinationatthe1998WorldCup.Hoddle’ssuccessor,KevinKeegan,wasalsoahugeShearerfan,having

brokentheworldtransferrecordtotakehimtoNewcastle,andaskedOwentoplayadeeperrolewhileShearerremainedontheshoulderofthelastdefender.Itdidn’tsuithim,andOwenlatersaidthattheKeeganera‘mademequestionmyfootballingabilityforthefirsttime’.OwenbecamemoreconsistentforEnglandafter2000,whenShearerretiredfrominternationalfootballandKeeganresigned,replacedbySven-GöranEriksson.ThatyearLiverpoolsignedEmileHeskey,whobecameOwen’smostfamous

strikepartner,aclassiclittle-and-largerelationship.‘Whenhe’sfiring,he’sspecial,andwhenwefiredtogetheritwasareallypowerfulpartnership,’Owenoncesaid.‘ButEmile’sformtendedtobeinpeaksandtroughs,andIhadtheoddinjury,soIwouldn’tcalloursamassivelysuccessfulorconsistentcombination.’Intriguingly,though,Owensayshepreferredplayingalongsideaproperstriker,ratherthanwithawithdrawn,deep-lyingforward.That’sasurprisingrevelation,becausewhatOwensurelylackedatLiverpool,comparedwithAnelkaatArsenal,wastheluxuryofplayingaheadofageniusdeep-lyingforwardinthemouldofBergkamp.Indeed,hisLiverpoolteammatesfoundtheabsenceofanumber10asourceoffrustration.

Fowler,Owen’sforerunneratLiverpool,complainedthatheneverplayedalongsideacreativeforwardandspeaksofhisdisappointmentthatLiverpooldidn’tpushforthesigningofSheringhaminthelate1990sorofferAjax’sJariLitmanenbettertermsatthatstage,whichmeantthatthewonderfulFinnishforwardjoinedBarcelonainstead,despitegrowingupasaLiverpoolfan.TheFinneventuallyjoinedLiverpoolin2001.‘Jariwasthetypeofplayerwe’dbeencryingoutfor,slottinginbehindamoreadvancedstriker,’saidLiverpooldefenderJamieCarragher.‘Allthegreatestsideshavesuchplayers.UnitedbegantowintitleswhentheyboughtEricCantona,ArsenalhadDennisBergkamp.EverysummerIhopedLiverpoolweregoingtobeinthemarketforasimilarforward.’Bythisstage,however,injuryproblemsmeantLitmanenwasn’tablereplicatetheirimpact.HadhejoinedLiverpoolfouryearsearlier,thingsmighthavebeenverydifferent.Owen’sbestrelationshipwaswithStevenGerrard,whowascapableof

playingpinpointthrough-balls.Owen’slastgoalforLiverpool,ina1–1drawagainstNewcastleonthefinaldayof2003/04,wasassistedbyabrilliantcurledGerrardpass,acknowledgedimmediatelybyOweninhiscelebration.ButatthispointGerrardplayedrelativelydeepinmidfieldandwasunabletoformadirectpartnershipwithOwen,andwouldn’tbepushedupthepitchbehindthestrikerforacoupleofyears.IfOwenhadstuckaroundatLiverpoolorhadGerrardmovedforwardearlier,theymighthaveformedtheperfectcombination.OwenbrieflylinkedeffectivelywithWayneRooneyforEngland,albeitinthedayswhenRooney’sdirectnessmadehimthegreatergoalthreat.ButOwen’smostintriguingstrikepartnerforLiverpoolwastheforwardyou

wouldleastexpect–Anelka.Althoughthetwoemergedsimultaneouslyandseeminglyplayedthesamerole,Anelka’saforementioneddislikeofplayingupfrontmeantthathewashappierinawithdrawnpositionduringabrief,half-seasonloanspellwithLiverpoolin2001/02.‘IplayedmybestfootballatLiverpool,becauseIplayedinmybestpositionthere,’saidAnelka.‘Owenwasthemainscorerandyouknewhewasgoingtoscorenomatterwhat.Heallowed

metoplaymybest.’OwenremembersAnelkafondly,too.‘Hedidn’tscorealotofgoalsforus…

butyoucouldseehewasaclassactwithgreatability;intrainingheshowedthathehadalovelytouch,hecoulddropdeepandlinkplay,andhadpaceaswell.’AnelkawouldbeparticularlydelightedthatOwenmentionedhislinkplaybeforehispace.TheFrenchmanwasn’tsignedpermanently,however,andGérardHoullierreplacedhimwithEl-HadjiDiouf,aplayerwithallAnelka’sbadhabitsandfewofhisqualities.YoucouldsaythesameaboutOwen’sreplacementatLiverpoolin2004,DjibrilCissé,whowasthepurestspeedsterofall.BythetimehemovedtoRealMadrid,Owenhadalreadypeaked.Hespent

muchofhiscareeronthesidelines,withfitnessproblemsdatingbacktoaserioushamstringinjurysustainedinApril1999atjust19–typically,whensprintinginbehindtheLeedsdefenceontoathrough-ball.Hereturnedtooquickly,partlythroughHoullier’sinsistence,againstthewishesofLiverpoolphysioMarkLeather.WhenOwenannouncedhisretirementin2013,hisstatementfeltparticularlysad.‘Anemotionthatliveswithmeisasenseof“whatmighthavebeen”hadinjuriesnotrobbedmeofmymostlethalweapon–speed.ManyofmyhighlightswereearlyoninmycareerandIcanonlywonderwhatmoreIwouldhaveachievedhadmybodybeenabletowithstandthedemandsthatIwasmakingofit.Iwasalmosttooquick.MyhamstringgavewayatLeedsattheageof19andfromthatmomentonmycareerasaprofessionalfootballerwascompromised…Ihavenodoubtthat,hadInotsufferedthose“pace-depriving”injuries,Iwouldbesatherenowwithasackfullofawardsandalonglistofrecords.’Later,Owenadjustedtohisdiminishedmobilitybyplayingawithdrawnrole,

andimpressedduringaspellbehindMarkVidukaandObafemiMartinsforNewcastlein2007/08,managedbythereturningKeegan–who,asweknow,wasneverafraidtoplayforwardsindeeperroles.Owenwasalwaysunabletoreplicatethoseearlyheights,however.UponleavingNewcastleonafreetransfer

hismanagementcompanysenta34-pagebrochureoutliningOwen’svirtuestopotentiallyinterestedclubs,usingstatisticstodenyhewasinjury-proneanddedicatingasectiontodebunktabloidmyths.Mostincrediblewasapageentitled‘brandvalues’,whichlisted21descriptivewordsincluding‘cool’,‘aspirational’,‘charismatic’and‘clean&fresh’.Whoknowswhetherthebrochurehelped,butheeventuallyearnedamovetochampionsManchesterUnited,replacingCristianoRonaldointhefamousnumber7shirt.Hefinallywonaleaguetitlein2010/11,althoughhedescribedthefeelingas‘abithollow’becauseofhisminimalcontribution.HesubsequentlyspentasingleseasonatStokeCity,wherehedidn’tstartorwinaleaguegameallseason,scoringjustonce,a91st-minuteheadedconsolationina3–1defeatatSwansea.It’stoughtoimaginealessfittingfinalgoal.Itwasn’tsimplythatOwenwasnowslower,itwasthatopponents–

particularlysmallerteamsfightingrelegation–defendeddeep.Duringthe1990sdefenceswereaccustomedtopushinguptokeepaeriallydominantstrikersawayfromthebox.Increasingly,strikers’keyweaponwaspace,andatthestartofthecenturyitwasn’tunusualtoseetopteamsplayingtwospeedstersupfront:HenryalongsideSylvainWiltordatArsenal,OwenalongsideDioufatLiverpool.Thatwouldhavebeenveryunusualearlier,whenaerialpowerwaskey,orlater,whendefendersretreatedtowardstheirowngoal.Thedefenderswhocontinuedtoplayinahighdefensiveline,meanwhile,becameincreasinglyfast,whichwasdisastrousforOwen.‘Speedisthekeytomybattleswiththegame’sbestdefenders,’hesaid.‘Thetoughoneswerethequickones.Sizedoesn’tbotherme,becausemymainweaponispace,it’sthefastoneswhonegatesomeofmynaturalswiftness.’ButdefendershadbecomefasterpreciselybecauseofplayerslikeOwen,as

ArsèneWengeroutlinedmuchlater.‘Footballalwaysprogresses.Theattackcreatesanewproblem,thedefenceresponds.Whathashappenedinthelasttenyearsisthatthestrikershavebecomequickerandquicker.What’shappened?Thedefencehaverespondedbycreatingquickerandquickerdefenders.’Inthat

respect,Owenwasanothervictimofhisownsuccess.

PartThree

Expansion

7

EuroProgress&SquadRotation

‘Hispre-matchteamtalkseemstogetlongerandlongerastheseasonsgoby.HealwaysdigsintohisdossierforourEuropeangames.’

AndyCole

ManchesterUnited’s1998/99campaignremainsthegreatestseasoninthehistoryofEnglishfootball.Noonebeforeorsincehasachievedthetreble:UnitedsealedthePremierLeague,theFACupandtheChampionsLeagueinthreeconsecutivematches,ensuringtheirplaceinhistory.Lessthanamonthlater,AlexFergusonbecameSirAlexFerguson.Unitedtriumphedinastonishing,oftenunthinkablecircumstances.Theycame

frombehindonthefinaldayoftheleaguecampaignagainstTottenham.Theywonanall-timeclassicFACupsemi-final(whichfeltmorelikethefinalitself)againstArsenalwithtenmen,courtesyofalegendaryRyanGiggsgoal.Mostmemorably,intheChampionsLeagueFinaltheyproducedoneofthemostincredibleturnaroundsinfootballhistorywhentrailingBayernMunich1–0goingintostoppagetimebysnatchingtwolast-gaspgoalstoleavetheiropponentsstunned.PunditsrightlylaudedUnited’snever-say-diespirit,butFergusonhadevolvedtacticallytobecomeconsiderablymoresophisticatedthanhisPremierLeaguerivals.TheChampionsLeaguesuccesswasparticularlysignificant,markingthe

arrivalofthePremierLeagueasaseriousEuropeanforce.ManyEuropeanperformancesbytopEnglishclubsduringthe1990swereembarrassing;UnitedwereonceeliminatedbyRotorVolgograd,BlackburnbyTrelleborg,Arsenalby

PAOKSalonika.Butin1998/99UnitedbattledpastBayernMunich,Barcelona,InterMilan,JuventusandthenBayernagaintoliftthetrophy.‘Europehadbecomeapersonalcrusade,’Fergusonlatersaid.‘IknewIwouldneverbejudgedagreatmanageruntilIwontheEuropeanCup.’Hisadventuresthroughoutthe1990swereessentiallyalong,graduallearningcurve.IntermsofUnited’sdefaultsystem,relativelylittlehadchanged.Ferguson

continuedtousea4–4–2–andarguablymoreofaclassic4–4–2thanthesystemdominatedbyEricCantona,whohadmadeitmore4–4–1–1.Cantonahadretiredin1997,andafterTeddySheringhaminitiallyprovedanunderwhelmingreplacement,UnitedsignedDwightYorkeatthestartoftheTreblecampaign.AlongsideSheringham,AndyColeandOleGunnarSolskjær,Unitednowhadfourgenuinelytop-classstrikers,withpunditsleftponderinghowFergusonwouldsatisfythemall.SolskjærhadfinishedasUnited’stopgoalscorerin1996/97,Coletookthathonourin1997/98,whileSheringhamhadbeenTottenham’stopgoalscorerfourtimesandYorkewasAstonVilla’stopscorerthreetimes.Theseweren’tplayersaccustomedtobeingback-ups.AlthoughYorkedroppeddeepintopositionsbetweenthelines,hewasmore

ofaconventionalstrikerthanCantonaand,crucially,struckupabrilliantpartnershipwithAndyCole.Thiswasasurprise,asmanypredictedColewouldsufferfromYorke’sarrival,andhewasheavilylinkedwithamovetoYorke’sformerclubAstonVilla.FergusonadmittedhehadnoparticularpartnershipinmindwhensigningYorke,andhisfirstgamealongsideCole,a0–0drawatWestHaminthesecondgameoftheseason,wasfruitless.ButColeandYorkebecamegreatfriends,withColeinvitingUnited’sclubrecordsigningtohishousefordinnerandhelpinghimadjusttolifeinManchester.Theybecameinseparable,evenbuyingidenticalpurpleMercedeswithnear-matchingnumberplates.‘Irememberedmyownisolation,thelifeofthehermit,’saidCole.‘Ididn’twantanyoneelsetosufferinthesameway;IrealisedIcouldhelphimsettlein.’Strikersdon’tnecessarilyneedtobefriendstostrikeupagreaton-pitch

relationship,asAlanShearerandChrisSuttonhaddemonstrated,whileColeperformedreasonablywellwithSheringham,despitethemdespisingoneanother,refusingtospeakforyears.ButYorke’sfriendshipwithColemirroredUnited’stacticaldevelopment;Colehadpreviouslybeenconsideredadifficultcharacter–moody,quiet,somethingofaloner–whichtalliedwithconcernsabouthislimitationsasastriker.KevinKeeganhadsoldColebecausehebelievedhewasameregoalscorerandunabletobringothersintoplay,butjustasthecheerfulYorkeconnectedwithhimasafriend,helinkedplaybrilliantlyandensuredUnited’ssysteminvolvedColeregularly.YorkeandColeinsisttheyneverspecificallyworkedontheirinterplay,butsomeofitwastelepathic.Mostnotably,therewasCole’slegendarygoalattheCampNouwhenYorkecameshort,dummiedtheballtoensureitranontoCole,whoimmediatelyplayedaquickone-twowithYorke,bamboozlingBarcelona’sdefendersbeforeheconvertedsmartly.It’sdifficulttorecallabetterexampleofabrilliantstrikerelationship,andtheirunderstandingwastypicalofUnitedin1998/99.The4–4–2isallaboutpartnerships,andUnitedboastedfivebalanced,reliabledoubleactsaheadofPeterSchmeichel.AtthebacktherewasJaapStamandRonnyJohnsen.AfterStaminitially

encountereddifficultieswiththepaceofEnglishfootball,theyformedasuperbcentre-backduo–sometimesinterruptedbyJohnsen’sinjuryproblems–withStamthehardmanandJohnsenthecooler,calmer,moreintelligentoperator.Bothwereveryquick,withFergusondeterminedtousedefenderscomfortabledefendingone-against-one.DavidBeckhamandGaryNevilleweregoodfriends–Nevillewasbestman

atBeckham’swedding–andalsolinkedbrilliantlydowntheright.BeckhamwasawidemidfielderratherthanaspeedywingerlikepredecessorAndreiKanchelskis;hisdeeperpositioningmeantheshieldedNevilleexcellently,hisnarrowerpositionmeantNevillecouldoverlapintocrossingpositions.ButBeckhamwasthestar;nootherPremierLeagueplayerhasdependedsomuchuponcrossing,andheclaimedmoreassiststhananyotherplayerin1998/99,the

campaignimmediatelyafterhe’dbeencastasEngland’svillainforhisWorldCupdismissalagainstArgentina.OntheoppositeflanktherewasRyanGiggsandDenisIrwin,along-standing

relationshipthatworkedexcellently.GiggsdribbledconsiderablymorethanBeckham,soIrwinoverlappedlessregularlythanNeville,wasright-footedanywaysolessinclinedtogodowntheoutside,andwasnow33andhappytoplayamorereservedrole.Finally,inmidfieldtherewasRoyKeaneandPaulScholes.Theformernow

occupiedadeeper,moredefensive-mindedrolethatgaveScholeslicencetopushforward,sprayingpassestoGiggsandBeckhambeforebombingintotheboxtobecomeagoalscoringthreat.Infact,morethanamidfieldpartnership,thisshouldbeassessedasabrilliantlybalancedquartet:Beckham,Keane,Scholes,Giggs.Acrosser,atackler,apasser,adribbler.WhileKeaneandGiggshadbothfeaturedheavilyinFerguson’sfirstgreat

Unitedsideof1993/94,BeckhamandScholeshadyettobecomeregulars.Theyweredifferenttotheusualtemplateforplayersinafour-manmidfield,offeringmoreguile;Scholeswasacreatorratherthanaball-winner(tacklingwashismajorshortcoming),whileBeckhamwasaball-playerratherthanaspeedster.ThisprovedcrucialinEuropeanfootball,whereretainingpossessionwasmoreimportantthaninthePremierLeague,simplybecause,asFergusonregularlyexplainedinthemid-1990s,onceyoulosetheballinEurope,youdon’tgetitbackquickly.Indeed,whileUnited’s‘classof’92’hadbeeninspiredbyCantona’sprofessionalism,itwasScholesandBeckhamwhobenefitedmostfromhisretirement.Scholesemergedasadeep-lyingforward‘intheCantonamould’,touseFerguson’swords,andUnited’smanagerexplicitlysaidhe’dlongearmarkedScholesforaregularroleoncetheFrenchmanleftUnited.Beckham,meanwhile,tookCantona’sfamousnumber7shirt,becameUnited’schiefassisterand–albeitinaverydifferentmannertoCantona–wastheindividualwhocommandedthemostattention.Besides,CantonahadoftenstruggledtoinfluenceChampionsLeaguegames,inpartbecauseEuropeanoppositionwere

moreaccustomedtodealingwithdeep-lyingforwards.‘Ican’trecalloneimportantEuropeangamethatheturnedforus,’Keanebluntlystated.TherewasalsoasignificantchangemidwaythroughUnited’streble-winning

campaign,withFerguson’sassistantmanagerBrianKiddleavingtotakechargeofBlackburn.HisreplacementwasSteveMcClaren,whohadearnedareputationasEngland’smostpromisingyoungcoachatDerbyCounty.McClaren,likeKidd,tookthemajorityofUnited’strainingsessionsandtheplayerswerehugelyimpressedbyhisinnovativemethodsandengagingsessions.Hebroughtinalaptop–thensomethingbarelyseeninadressingroom–touseProZone,downloadingfootageofmatchesandpersonallyeditingclipsofspecificsituations.Keane,BeckhamandGiggsallsaidexactlythesamethingaboutMcClaren:hewasaninnovator,andalwayskeentotrynewthings.HehelpedbringUnitedintothemoderneraintermsofpre-matchpreparation.

Tactically,UnitedwerebecomingmoreintelligentthananyotherPremierLeagueside,primarilybecauseFergusonwaslearninglessonsfromhisEuropeanexperiences.Evenwiththeinfluxofforeignplayingtalent,EnglishfootballremainedisolatedfromtherestofEuropeduringthisperiod–therewaslittleTVcoverageofoverseasfootball,fewforeigncoachesandrelativelyfewEuropeanruns.BythetimeUnitedliftedtheEuropeanCupin1999,itwastheirfifthChampionsLeaguecampaign;nootherPremierLeaguesidehadenjoyedmorethanone.Top-flightEuropeansideswere,tactically,onacompletelydifferentleveltoPremierLeaguesides,allowingFergusonasignificantadvantageoverhisrivals.‘I’vebeenfascinatedbylookingatallthesystems,’FergusonsaidofhisEuropeanexperiencesduringthemid-1990s,marvellingatAjax’suseofasweeper,Milan’scompactnessandBarcelona’spossessionplay.Heregularlytravelledabroadtoscoutupcomingopponents.Fergusonhadbeennicknamed‘Tinkerbell’bysomeManchesterUnitedfans

intheearlytomid-1990sbecauseofhistendencytomakeapparentlyunnecessarychangestohisstartingXIatkeymoments–hisdecisiontousea4–

5–1forthefatalfinal-daydrawatWestHamin1994/95wasaparticularsourceoffrustration–butthemeddlingbecamemorenecessaryagainstsuperiorsides,andmoreadvancedtactics,intheChampionsLeague.FergusonwasalwayslearninglessonsfromEurope.Afterthe4–0thrashingbyBarcelonaattheNouCampin1994,herealisedUnitedneededtocatchup.‘Youholdyourhandsupwhenyouarebeatentactically,’hesaid.‘Theproblemisthatwedon’thaveatacticalgameinEngland…atUnited,alotoftheplayershavetheirownprofileandwanttoplaytheirownway.Itdoesn’tworkinEurope,aswe’vediscovered.Therehastobeabettertacticaldiscipline…theycan’tjustplaytheirowngame.’This,then,wasthestartofEnglishfootball‘getting’tacticsinthePremier

Leagueera,discoveringthatadjustingyourstyleforthespecificchallengeoftheoppositionwascrucial.TheBarcelonadefeatcamejustfourdaysafterUnitedhaddefeatedNewcastle,whomFergusonconsideredUnited’smaintitlerivals,2–0atOldTrafford.ItwasasuperbUnitedperformance,butthecontrastinperformancesbetweenthosegameshighlightedthedifferencebetweenEnglishandEuropeanfootball.TheNewcastlegamewasextremelyopen,aclassicend-to-endmatch.ButFergusonwasstruckbyhowUnitedconcededpossessionreadilyagainstBarca,thencouldn’tregainitbecausetheiropponentskepttheballsoeffectively.Fromthenon,Unitedconcentratedonimprovingtheirpossessionplay.‘InEuropetheypasstoeachotherinmidfield,’Fergusonsaid,makinga

simpleconceptlikeseemlikearevelation.‘Theyplayinlittletrianglesandkeepitthere,theyplayone-twosagainstyouinmidfield,whereasourmidfieldersservicethewideplayers,thefull-backsandthefrontmen.’Thissoundssimplebutitwasacrucialpoint.ThenextcoupleofdecadesofEuropeanfootballwouldbedominatedbythebattleformidfieldpossession,whereasinthePremierLeaguethemidfieldwasawarzone,allabouttacklinghardtogettheball,thenquicklydistributingitelsewhere.Theconceptofmidfieldcreativitywas,atthispoint,almostforeigntoEnglishfootball.

Fergusonalsorecognisedthevalueofdefensiveversatility,admiringtheuseofasparemanacrossEurope.In1996/97hesometimesusedPremierLeaguegamesaspreparationforChampionsLeaguefixtures,takingtheraredecisiontodeployathree-mandefenceagainstDerbyCountybecauseheintendedtoplaythatsystemagainstJuventus.Uniteddidn’tperformwellinthe1–1drawattheBaseballGround,however,andFergusonturnedagainstthatidea.Still,itshowedhowFergusonwasexperimenting,andafterUnitedlost1–0atJuvewithabackfour,withFergusonagainconcentratingonthestrategicsideofthings,hecomplainedthat‘theplayersneedtobeawareofthetacticalimplications’.ButUnitedcontinuedtoimprove.Fergusonbecameconvincedoftheneedtoman-markoppositionnumber10s,atacticessentiallyreservedforGianfrancoZola,JuninhoandSteveMcManamaninthePremierLeague.ButalmosteveryChampionsLeagueopponenthadaplayerinthatmould,anditwasnotablethat,in1996/97,KeanedidafinejobonRapidViennanumber10DietmarKühbauer,whileRonnyJohnsenwasdeployedinmidfieldandtaskedwithstoppingFenerbahçe’sJay-JayOkocha.TobeefupthemidfieldFergusonstartedusingonlyonestriker,withmixed

success.Theuseofathree-mandefence,meanwhile,rarelyworkedwellforUnited,apoorperformance(albeitina2–1win)atTottenhamHotspurinJanuary1997againdissuadingFergusonfromthatsysteminEurope.Mostpleasingwasthe4–0thrashingofPortointhefirstlegofthequarter-finaltwomonthslater,arareoccasionwhenFergusonusedadiamondmidfield,withRyanGiggstuckinginsidetoproduce,inhiswords,thebestperformanceofhiscareer.Unitedwerenowtacticallyflexible,andwhiletheylost2–0onaggregatetoeventualwinnersBorussiaDortmundinthesemi-final,theydominatedbothlegsandcreatedmorechances.United’s1997/98Europeancampaignendedtamelywithquarter-final

eliminationatthehandsofMonaco,buttheyhadperformedimpressivelyinthegroupstagewitha3–2victoryoverItalianchampionsJuventus.Thiswasanextremelysignificantresult;havingfailedtobeatBarcelona,JuveandDortmund

inpreviouscampaigns,itwasthefirsttimeFerguson’sUnitedhadtriumphedoveragenuineEuropeangiant.OfalltheEuropeansides,itwasMarcelloLippi’ssidewhomUnitedheldinhighestesteemandwouldcometoresemblemostclosely;Juventuscouldn’tboasttheromanceorstyleofAjax,MilanorBarca,buttheywereextremelyefficient,professionalandtacticallyadaptable.‘Duringthemid-1990swhenweweregrowingasateamandlearningallabouthowtosucceedintheChampionsLeague,Juventuswerethebenchmark,’recalledGaryNeville.‘TheyhadeverythingthatIwouldlovetohaveinmyteam.’Fergusonwasthesame.‘IhavedevelopedanimmenserespectforJuventus,aclassactfromtoptobottom,’hepurred.‘Lippiisoneimpressiveman.’JuventuswerethemosttacticallyimpressivesideinEuropeanfootballatthis

stage,inpartbecausetheycouldalwayscalluponagroupofversatile,disciplinedandtacticallyintelligentworkhorsestoperformaparticularrole.Their1997/98squadcontainedfourplayers–MorenoTorricelli,AngeloDiLivio,GianlucaPessottoandAlessandroBirindelli–whocouldplayoneitherflank,indefenceormidfield,whilefutureChelseamanagerAntonioContewasanotherhighlyadaptableplayer;yousawthenamesontheteamsheet,buthadnoideawherethey’dbedeployed.‘ItwasnotjusttherealqualityplayerslikeZidaneorDelPierothatcapturedeveryone’simagination,’Keanelatersaid.‘Buttough,wilydefenders,guysnobody’severheardof,whoclosedspacedown,timedtheirtacklestoperfection,wereinstinctivelyintherightcoverpositionsandreadthegamesuperbly.’Theywereentirelyfunctionalplayers,limitedtechnicallybutperfectwhenLippiwantedaplayerto‘doajob’inacertaingame.AndthatexpressionisparticularlypertinentwhenlookingatItalianfootballersduringthisperiod.IntheaptlynamedTheItalianJob,hisexcellentbookaboutthedifferencesbetweenItalianandEnglishfootball,oneofGianlucaVialli’smainconclusionsis,‘TotheItalianfootballer,footballisajob:totheEnglishfootballer,it’sagame.’FergusonwasclearlyinaweoftheItaliansduringthisperiod,remarkingontheir‘biggerrespectfortheprofession’

(‘profession’ratherthan‘game’indicatinghisstance).TocatchupwithJuventus,Fergusonneededmoreofhisplayerstoperformdisciplined,somewhatjoylesstacticalrolesinmajorgames.That3–2victoryoverJuventusin1997wasaperfectexample.Fergusonused

Johnsen,anaturaldefenderwhowasalsocapableofplayingaholdingmidfieldrole,andheperformedawonderfulman-markingjobonEurope’smostreveredplaymaker,ZinedineZidane.Johnsen’stacticaldisciplineepitomisedManchesterUnitedduringthisperiod,andFergusonincreasinglyembracedthefunctionalplayer–thatversatile,disciplined,hard-workingandtacticallyawaresquadmemberwhocouldbetrustedto‘doajob’.WhenUnitedlostkeygamesduringtheCantonaera,FergusonoftenregrettednotusingBrianMcClair,theunderstatedandadaptable‘brainyplayer’,inFerguson’swords,whocouldplayanywhereinmidfieldorattack.Forexample,inaPremierLeaguematchagainstLiverpoolearlyin1994/95,FergusonwaveredoverwhethertoselectMarkHughesorMcClair,whocouldplayamoredisciplinedroletostopJohnBarnes,Liverpool’sdangerman.FergusoneventuallychoseHughes,butUnitedlosttheirshape,BarneswasfreetorunthegameandUnitedwereonthebackfoot.WhenFergusonsummonedMcClairearlyinthesecondhalfat0–0,hehelpedtostopBarnesandalsomadedangerousforwardrunsagainsttheimmobileJanMolby,whichforcedLiverpoolmanagerRoyEvanstoreplacetheDane.Unitedeventuallywon2–0,withMcClairfittinglyscoringthesecond.Tactically,hehadsimultaneouslyhelpedtonullifyanopponent’sstrengthandexposedaweakness.FergusonneededtacticallyintelligentplayerslikeMcClair.Later,FergusonbecameinfuriatedwithPaulInce’sinabilitytofollowtactical

instructionsandwasevenangierwhenGaryPallisterandPaulParkerignoredhisrequestforParkertoman-markBarcelona’sRomario,withthedefendersinsteadusingtheirusualzonalsystem.ButFergusonlovedKeaneduringtheIrishman’syoungeryearsbecausehecoulddeployhiminvarioustacticalroles.‘Hecandoanythingyouaskhimtobecausehehassuchadisciplinedmind.Yousaytohim,“Goandman-markX,”andhe’lldoit.“Playcentre-half,”no

problem.“Playright-back,”noproblem.’ButKeanebecametoovaluableintheengineroomtoshiftaroundregularly,andby1999Fergusonhadotherswhocould‘doajob’.PhilNevillecouldplayineitherthefull-backroleorinmidfield;Johnsencouldplayinthecentreofdefenceormidfield;NickyButtcouldbeintroducedasamidfield‘spoiler’,whileJesperBlomqvistandJordiCruyffcouldplaymidfieldrolesthatdidn’tadhereto4–4–2principles.A2–2drawatTottenhaminDecemberwasparticularlyinteresting.United

racedintoa2–0leadwithtwoearlySolskjærstrikes,butshortlybeforehalf-timeGaryNevillewasdismissedfortuggingbackSpurs’left-wingerDavidGinola,whowouldlaterbevotedPFAPlayeroftheYear,theonlynon-Unitedplayeronthesix-manshortlist.TheFrenchmanwasclearlyexaggeratingfoulstodrawthereferee’sattention,andUnitedendedupbeingshownnofewerthaneightyellowcards,includingthetwoforNeville.Therefore,topreventUnitedgoingdowntoninemen,FergusonrotatedthemandeployedtomarkGinola,usingKeane,Johnson,BergandfinallyPhilNevilleagainsthim.UnitedhadusedfivemarkersagainsttheFrenchmaninthespaceof90minutes–whichotherclubcouldhavefoundsomanydisciplinedtacticalplayersintheirside?Ginolawaslargelyshepherdedintonon-threateningareas,althoughtwoSolCampbellgoalsmeantUniteddroppedtwopoints.Nevertheless,thiswasthemajordifferencebetweenArsenalandManchesterUnitedthroughouttheperiodoftheirfiercerivalry.ArsenalcouldusuallyoffercomparableplayerstoUnited’ssuperstars:DennisBergkampforCantona,DavidSeamanforSchmeichel,PatrickVieiraforKeane,TonyAdamsforStam,MarcOvermarsforGiggs.ButUnitedboastedareliablegroupofreserveswhocouldbetrustedtowingamestactically,whereasArsenalconcentratedonaPlanAandtheirback-upswerestylisticallysimilartothefirst-choices.Theyhadnoonetodoajob.

OnthewaytotheirChampionsLeaguesuccessFergusondemonstratedhistacticalacumen,inparticular,withthetwo-leggedvictoriesoverInterandJuventus.MirceaLucescu’sInterarrivedatOldTraffordina3–4–2–1shape,

withRobertoBaggioandYouriDjorkaefffloatingbehindIvánZamorano.That’satoughsystemfora4–4–2tocopewith:twoplayersbetweenthelinesandoftenanoverloadincentralpositions.Fergusongavehisplayersacomplex,hybridtask.‘Wehadtodefendthecentreofmidfieldandatthesametimegetourcrossesin,’heexplained.‘WehadwatchedthemseveraltimesandIfeltsurewecouldscorefromcentres.’Fergusonadjustedadmirably.Hisfull-backs,NevilleandIrwin,playedextremelynarrowtocontainInter’stwonumber10s,whileUnitedexploitedthespaceontheoutsideofInter’sbackthreeruthlessly,withBeckhampushingintothespacebetweenleft-wing-backAronWinterandleft-sidedcentre-backFrancescoColonnese.Ferguson’sdeterminationtoattackInterwithcrossesprovedcrucial;YorketwiceheadedinBeckham’sdeliveriesina2–0victoryandshouldhavescoredanotherfromthesamesupplyline.ForthereturnlegLucescuunsurprisinglychangedbothhisleft-sided

defensiveplayersandselectedafit-againRonaldoupfront.AlthoughInter’sshapewassimilar,FergusonapproachedthetaskdifferentlybecausehewantedUnitedtofocusondefenceratherthanattack.HethereforeomittedScholesandmovedJohnsenintomidfieldalongsideKeane,bringinginHenningBergtopartnerStam.ThecombinationofJohnsenandKeaneconcentratedonstoppingInter’snumber10s,whichleftthefull-backs–narrowinthefirstleg–abletopushwide.‘Thekeytactically,’Fergusonwouldlatersay,‘wastogettheballtoourfull-backs;thatwayGaryNevilleandDenisIrwincouldcontrolthegame.’TheyenjoyedplentyoftimeontheballasInter’sforwardsshowedlittleinterestindefending,andthewing-backswerefrightenedtopushforwardandleavetheirnaturalzonesunoccupiedafterwhathappenedatOldTrafford.UnitedfrustratedInter,thegamefinishing1–1withScholesoffthebenchtoscoretheequaliser.UnitedhadcontrolledthetempoexcellentlyandFergusonconsideredthattwo-leggedvictory‘thebiggeststepforwardundermymanagement’.Forthefirstlegofthesemi-finalagainstJuventus,Unitedwerebadlyexposed

inmidfield.BeckhamandGiggspushedforwarddowntheflanks,whichleftKeaneandScholesoverrunagainstaJuvediamondfeaturingDidierDeschamps

deep,ConteandEdgarDavidsshuttlingfromwiderpositions,andZidaneasthenumber10.ZidaneinevitablypulledKeaneandScholesaroundtocreatespacefortheshuttlerstoexploit,andDavidsteedupContefortheopener.ButFergusonreshuffledatthebreak,tellingBeckhamtomoveinsideandeffectivelybecomeathirdcentralmidfielder,withNevillepushingforwardtoprovideright-sidedwidth.Unitedgotagripofthegame,builtpressure,andGiggs–whohadbeenexcellentafterhalf-timeinamoreadvancedrole–smashedinacruciallateequaliser.Therewasminimalcelebration,however;Giggssimplypointedtowardstheballandgesturedforhisteammatestogetbackintotheirownhalfandgoforthevictory.ThatattitudewouldproveparticularlycruciallaterintheirChampionsLeaguerun.Unitedattemptedtostartcautiouslyintheawayleg,withBeckhamand

Blomqvist,infortheinjuredGiggs,remainingnarrow.Theyactuallydominatedpossessionfromtheoutsetbutfoundthemselves2–0downthankstotwotypicalPippoInzaghistrikes:oneapoacher’seffortfromtwoyards,theotheraludicrouslyfortunatedeflectedgoal.Fromthenon,Unitedwerefantastic,effectivelyrevertingtotheirPremierLeaguestyleandproducing,inFerguson’swords,‘thebest-everperformancefromateamundermymanagement’.KeanedroveUnitedforwardmarvellouslydespitebeingbooked,whichruledhimoutofthefinal.HisheadergotUnitedbackontrack,andhewashelpedbythefactthatFergusonhadagainomittedScholes,usingthemoredisciplinedButt,whichallowedtheIrishmantoplayanall-actionrole.Yorkeheadedtheequaliser,Coletappedinthewinner.ThistimeitfeltlikeUnitedhadimposedtheirgameplanontheopposition.Intruth,UnitedwerebatteredbyBayerninthefinal.Ferguson’stacticswere

questionable;withoutScholesandKeane,heusedBeckhamcentrally,whereheperformedwellintermsofdictatingthetempoofthegame,butUniteddesperatelymissedhiscrossingquality.BayernhadbeenparticularlyscaredofUnited’swidth,persuadingUEFAtoreducethewidthofthelargeCampNoupitchbyfouryards.ButGiggswasfieldedontherightwherehestruggled

againstBayern’sMichaelTarnat,whileBlomqvistcouldn’tinfluencethegameontheleft.Bayernwentquickly1–0up,hitthewoodworktwiceandshouldhavehadthegamewrappeduplongbeforeUnited’sextraordinarylatecomeback.UnitedmadeinroadswhenBeckhamreturnedtotheright,hiscombinationswithNevillepushingthemupthepitch.Butitwassomehowfittingthatthegoalscamefromtwosubstitutes:Sheringham,turninghomeGiggs’sscuffedshot,andSolskjær,convertingSheringham’sflick-onfromBeckham’sin-swingingcorner.Ferguson’srevolutionaryapproachofassemblingfourgenuinelytop-classcentre-forwardshadpaidoff,andthiswasclassicManchesterUnited1998/99,thosedeemednotgoodenoughforthefirst-choiceXIprovidingthecrucialcontributions.Solskjærhadbecomerenownedasasupersubratherthanastarter,andearlier

thatseasonhad,amazingly,scoredfourgoalsinasinglegameasasubstituteagainstNottinghamForest.Solskjæractuallydislikedhissupersubreputationbut,asanintelligent,studiousplayer,analysedtheoppositionfromthesidelinesbeforeexploitingweaknessesinthesecondhalf.Infact,almostallofUnited’scrucialvictoriesthatseasoninvolvedtheintroductionofasupersuborrotation.Inthefamous2–1FACupsemi-finalreplayvictoryoverArsenal,FergusonmadetheshockdecisiontorestYorkeandCole,fieldingSheringhamandSolskjærupfrontinstead.Giggswasalsoleftout,beforebeingintroducedasasubstitutewhenFergusonsawArsenal’sageingdefencewasfatiguing.Hisextraenergyprovedcrucialandhescoredthebestgoalofhiscareer.InthefinalPremierLeaguevictoryoverTottenham,Fergusonused

Sheringhamfromtheoutset,butthenintroducedColeathalf-time,askinghimtotargetJohnScales,recentlyreturnedafterinjuryandnotmovingcomfortably,withhisspeed.Unitedwent1–0down,butafterBeckhamwhippedinabrilliantequaliser,Colescoredthewinner.IntheFACupFinal,United’splanstookanearlyblowwhenKeanedeparted

throughinjury.Surprisingly,FergusonoptedtointroduceTeddySheringhaminhisplace,buthislogicwassound.HeknewbothKeaneandScholeswere

suspendedfromtheChampionsLeagueFinalfourdayslater,sodidn’twanttouseButt–nowacertainstarteragainstBayern–foranextendedperiodatWembley.InsteadheintroducedSheringham,withSolskaerdroppingbackfromhiscentre-forwardpositiontotherightofmidfieldandBeckhamtuckinginside.Sheringhamscoredwithhisfirsttouch,thencreatedthesecondforScholes.Anotherkeysubstitution.Incredibly,FergusonalsorestedStamandYorke–hisbestdefenderandbest

attacker–atWembleyinpreparationfortheChampionsLeagueFinal,merelygivingthemaquicksecond-halfrunouttostaysharp.‘Someofthedirectorshavegivenuptryingtounderstandsomeofmyselections,’Fergusonadmitted.‘It’swrittenontheirfaces–“Whatonearthishedoingnow?”’Theideathatamanagercouldresttwokeyplayersforthemostimportantmatchofthedomesticfootballcalendarwasincredible,butthenFergusonwasalwaysonestepahead.AfewyearsearlierhewasthefirstmanagertoconsidertheLeagueCupasanopportunitytorestkeyplayersandbloodyoungsters,whichwouldlaterbecomeestablishedpracticeforbigsides.SquadrotationwasgenerallylinkedtoforeignmanagerslikeChelsea’s

ClaudioRanieriandlaterRafaelBenítezatLiverpool.ThereremainedabeliefwithinEnglishfootballthatmanagersshould‘keepasettledside’and,inparticular,‘neverchangeawinningside’–AstonVillafamouslywonthetitlein1980/81byusingonly14players,includingsevenever-presents.Butin1998/99FergusonwastheonlyPremierLeaguemanagerwhodidn’tnameanunchangedsideallseason,eternallyfresheningupthingstoallowfirst-teamersabreatherandtokeepreservesinvolved.Whileothertitlechallengersoftenfadedinthelastmonthoftheseason,United’s1998/99sidekeptongoing.Thiswaslargelyattributedto‘bottle’,typicallythemostreveredattributeinEnglishfootball,butitwasalsosimplyaboutfitness.United’splayerssharedtheworkload,andFergusonpossessedsubstitutesofcomparableabilitytohisfirst-choices.‘Youcan’texpectthesameplayerstoplayinsomanygames,’saidFerguson.‘Atleast,youcan’tifyouwantthemtokeepwinning.’

TheemphasisuponrotationrepresentedanenormoustransformationfromUnited’sfirstPremierLeaguetitlesixyearsearlier.In1992/93eightplayersstartedatleast40ofUnited’s42PremierLeaguegames.By1998/99,ina38-gameseason,noonestartedmorethan34.Ferguson’suseofthesquadwasfantastic:PhilNeville,ButtandBlomqvistweren’tconsideredregulars,butallthreestartedmorethanhalfofUnited’sPremierLeaguematches.Centre-backDavidMay,whomadejustsevenstartsallseason,isoftenmockedfortakinganunreasonablyprominentroleintheChampionsLeaguecelebrations.ButthatwasUnited’streble-winningsquadallover,theback-upsalwaysheavilyinvolved.Slowly,othertopPremierLeagueclubsstartedtoembracerotation.Itwas

particularlyevidentupfront,withtitlerivalslookingtoemulateUnited’sfour-manstrikeoptions.Whenwinningthedoublein1997/98,Arsenal’sback-upsweretherelativelyunknownNicolasAnelkaandChristopherWreh,butimmediatelyafterUnited’streblesuccesstheyfoundthemselveswithexperiencedinternationalsNwankwoKanuandDavorŠukerinreservetoThierryHenryandDennisBergkamp.Thenexttimetheywontheleague,atOldTraffordin2001/02,Wengerstartedhistwoback-upstrikers,two-timeAfricanFootballeroftheYearKanuplayingalongsideEuro2000finalgoalscorerSylvainWiltord,whonettedthewinner.Bigclubsstartedtostockpiletop-classplayers,whichincreasedthegapbetweenthemandthealso-rans.Establishedfirst-teamers,however,generallydidn’tlikerotation–Bergkampdescribedtheconceptas‘bullshit’.Crucially,Fergusonwasn’tsimplyrotatingforthesakeofit;thiswasn’ta

revolvingdoorpolicy,ascriticalpunditsoftenimplied.Hewasoftenintroducingspecificplayersforspecificrolesagainstspecificopponents,andUnited’sstrategicimprovementandEuropeanprogressconvincedhisplayers.ThefactFergusonsuccessfullyintroducedrotationwas,inpart,becausehehadsuccessfullyembracedtactics.

8

TheForeignRevolution

‘Ninety-ninepercentoftheinnovationsyouseeinthePremierLeaguecomefromabroad.’

MichaelOwen

OnthePremierLeague’sfirst-everweekend,15August1992,only11foreignplayersstartedintheentiredivision.Justoversevenyearslater,onBoxingDay1999,11foreignplayersstartedforasingleteam.WithChrisSuttonandDennisWisebothinjured,Chelsea’sstartingXIfor

their2–1victoryoverSouthamptonconsistedofEddeGoey(Netherlands),AlbertFerrer(Spain),FrankLeboeuf(France),EmersonThome(Brazil),CelestineBabayaro(Nigeria),DanPetrescu(Romania),DidierDeschamps(France),RobertoDiMatteo(Italy),GabrieleAmbrosetti(Italy),GusPoyet(Uruguay)andToreAndréFlo(Norway),whoscoredbothgoals.Chelsea’smanager,meanwhile,wasItalianGianlucaVialli–therehadbeennoforeignmanagersbackin1992/93.ToVialliandhisplayers,itfeltentirelynatural.Noneofthemhadnoticed

anythingunusualabouttheteamselection,butwhentheyemergedfromthedressingroomtobeconfrontedwithanunusualnumberofphotographers,thestorybecameobvious.‘Ineverthoughtaboutit,’saidVialliafterwards.‘Itmakesnodifferenceaslongaswetalkthesamelanguageonthepitch.Wehadafewplayersout–andunfortunatelyafewofthemwereEnglish–butnationalityisnotimportant.’FortheBritishpress,though,itwasamomentousoccasion,andthestorywas

deemedsignificantenoughtograduatefromthesportspagestothemainsectionsofnewspapers.TheGuardianpublishedaleaderarticlediscussingtheculturalsignificanceofthisdevelopment,inevitablyattemptingtofindawidermeaning.‘ItisnotverymanyyearssinceChelseawasoneofthemostxenophobicoffootballclubs,withsupportersbooingforeignplayerswhentheycameontothefield–evenonoccasiontheirownplayers,’itread.‘ItiscurioushowBritain,soreluctanttoshareasinglecurrencywiththerestofEurope,haswelcomedcontinentalandnon-Europeanplayerstoitsbosom.’WhenChelseaagainfieldednoBritishplayersfora2–1defeattoLaziothree

monthslater,theIndependentdescribedaphotoofthestartingXIas‘apicturethathumiliatesEnglishfootball’.Ifthatsoundsextreme,it’sworthrememberingthatjustafewyearsearlier,fieldingjustfourforeignplayerswouldn’tsimplyhavebeenfrownedupon–itwouldhavebeenagainsttherules.Englishfootball’sdeep-rootedsuspicionofforeignfootballtacticsis

notorious,althoughtheextentitignoredforeignersthemselvesthroughoutthe20thcenturyisoftenoverlooked.AfterHerbertChapman’sArsenalsignedDutchgoalkeeperGerritKeizerin1930,theFootballAssociationreactedbyintroducingatwo-year‘residencyrule’onforeignplayers,effectivelypreventingEnglishclubsfromsigningfootballersfromabroad.Thisrule,amazingly,remainedinplaceuntilthe1970s,whenBritain’sentryintotheEuropeanEconomicCommunitymeantsuchabanwasimpossible.ThiswasacceptedbytheFAin1976,althoughtheFootballLeagueattemptedtostanditsground–‘Icannotstopamanagersigninganoverseasplayer,butIcanstophimplayinginourcompetition,’saidleaguesecretaryAlanHardaker.TheEuropeanEconomicCommunityspecificallyruledontheissuetwoyearslater,clarifyingthatdiscriminationagainsttheemploymentofotherEECcitizenswasinbreachoftheTreatyofRome,althoughleaguesweresurprisinglyabletomaintainrestrictionsonthenumberofplayersfieldedinastartingXI,asituationthatlastedthebestpartoftwodecades.FortheopeningyearsofthePremierLeague,teamscouldemployasmanyforeignersastheyliked,butcouldonlyfieldthree

togetheratanytime.Therewasafurthercomplication,however,owingtoEnglandandBritain’s

somewhatcomplexpoliticalandfootballingstatus.InthePremierLeague,Welsh,ScottishandNorthernIrishplayerswerenotconsideredforeignbytheFA,becausetheywereallBritishcitizens,whileIreland’slong-standingagreementwithBritainconcerningfreedomofmovementmeanttheywerenotconsideredforeigneither(whichiswhy,inaBritishfootballingcontext,‘foreign’generallyreferredtoplayersfromoutsidetheUKandIreland,eventhoughtheRepublicofIrelandisaseparatecountry).UEFA’srulesweredifferent.Intheireyes,Englandwasaseparatecountryto

Wales,Scotland,NorthernIrelandandIrelandbecausetheycompetedseparatelyatinternationallevelandhadseparateleaguesthatallprovidedteamsforUEFAcompetitions.InEurope,therefore,clubswereonlyallowedtonamethree‘foreign’playersplustwo‘assimilated’players(whohadearnedresidencyinacountry)intheirmatchdaysquad,whichcausedManchesterUnitedparticularproblemsduringtheirformativeChampionsLeagueadventures.PeterSchmeichelwasonceomittedfroma1994triptoBarcelonabecauseAlexFergusonfeltheneededtousehisforeignquotaonWelshandIrishoutfielders,andreservegoalkeeperGaryWalshconcededfourgoals.Surprisingly,atthisstagetheFAweregivingseriousconsiderationtofalling

inlinewithUEFAbymaintainingEnglishfootball’sthree-foreignerrule,butclassifyinganyoneotherthanEnglishmenasforeigners,asFAchiefexecutiveGrahamKellyconfirmed.‘WebelievethereisaneedtoexaminecurrentregulationstodetermineifitwouldbeadvantageoustotheEnglishgame,andtheproductionandprogressofourownplayers,toapplyasimilarclassificationtoEurope,’hesaid.Ferguson,predictably,wasfuming.‘Itwouldeffectivelyclosethedoortosomegreattalents.WherewouldthegamehavebeenwithoutpeoplelikeGeorgeBest,DannyBlanchflowerandDenisLaw?’Hedidn’tneedtoworry,however,becauserestrictionsuponforeignplayersin

bothdomesticandEuropeancompetitionwerescrappedin1995,whena

journeymanBelgianplayernamedJean-MarcBosmanblewthesystemwideopen.BosmanwasamidfielderforRFCLiègeintheBelgianFirstDivision,andupontheexpiryofhiscontractin1990,hewantedtomovetoFrenchsideDunkerque.Butatthisstage,playersdidn’thavefreedomofmovementattheendoftheircontract.DunkerquerefusedtopaytheinflatedtransferfeeLiègedemanded,soLiègerefusedtolethimgo.RulesdifferedacrossEuropeatthisstage,andhadBosmanbeenattemptingtotransferbetweentwoEnglishclubs,forexample,hewouldhavemoved,withthefeebeingdecidedbyatribunal.ButBelgianclubscouldpreventtheirplayersmovingabroadifafeewasn’tagreed,soBosmanwasessentiallytrappedandhiswagesatLiegereducedbecausehewasnolongerafirst-teamer.Unsurprisingly,theEuropeanCourtofJusticeruledthatthiswasagainstthe

freemovementofworkersacrossEuropeanUnioncountries.Itwasalandmarkcaseandhadtwomajorimpacts.First,playerscouldmoveonafreetransferwhentheircontractexpired.Second,leagueswerenolongerabletoenforceanyquotasonforeignplayersfromotherEUcountries(althoughtheycouldmaintainquotasfornon-EUplayers).Englishfootball’stopbrasswerenotimpressed,andtalkinevitablyturnedtothepossibilityofwhatChelseaeventuallydidfouryearslater.‘Whetherthedaywillcomewherewesee11non-Britishplayersinasingleteam,we’llhavetowaitandsee,’saidaruefulKelly.Bosman’slegalteam,incidentally,haddownplayedsuggestionsthiscouldeverhappen,claimingteamswouldneedtofieldlocalplayerstoretainsupporters’affections.Howwrongtheywere.Inhindsightit’sastonishingittooksolongbeforesuchanobviouslyunfair

systemwasoverhauled;footballassociationswereclaimingtobeabovethelaw,butcouldn’texplainpreciselywhy.Thechangestofootballwereprofoundandtheentiretransfermarketwasseeminglyatrisk.Headlinesuniformlydescribedfootballasbeing‘plungedintocrisis’,andtherewereparticularconcernsaboutlower-leagueclubs’abilitytosurvive,astheydependeduponsellingkeyplayershigheruptheleagues.Wouldplayersevertransferbeforetheendoftheir

contract,orsimplylettheirdealsrundownandmoveforfree,intheknowledgetheirnewclubwouldsavemoneyontransferfees,andhavemoretospendonwages?Thepowerhadshifteddramaticallyfromclubstoplayers.Thegreatestimpact,though,wasn’toncontractsbutonfreedomofmovement

–teamscouldnowfieldanunlimitednumberofforeigners.TheECJrulingwasmadeinDecemberandtookeffectimmediately,whichmeantleagueswereforcedtochangetheirrulesmidwaythroughtheseason,inevitablycausingcontroversy.InGermanyBundesligaclubsformulatedagentleman’sagreementnottoexceedthepreviousthree-foreignerlimitfortherestofthecampaign,butinEnglandthingschangedimmediately.LessthanafortnightaftertherulingManchesterCitybecamethefirstEnglish

sidetofieldfourforeignersinthesameteam,usingmidfieldersGeorgiKinkladzeandRonnieEkelundfromGeorgiaandDenmarkrespectively,plustwoGermans–goalkeeperEikeImmelandstrikerUweRösler–ina2–0defeatatchampionsBlackburnRoverson26December.Indeed,BoxingDayprovedasignificantdayinthehistoryofforeignplayersinthePremierLeague,asitwasexactlyfouryearsbetweenthefirsttimeaPremierLeagueteamfieldedfourforeigners,in1995,andthefirsttimeaPremierLeagueteamfielded11foreigners,in1999,asifBritishplayers’tendencytooverloadonturkeyandstuffingmeanttheyweremorelikelytomissthefollowingday’saction.Noteveryonefullyadjusted.FormerNottinghamForestmanagerFrankClark

recallsasceneaheadofaUEFACuptieagainstLyon,whencaptainStuartPearcewasdeliveringapre-matchrallyingcry.Psychowasinevitablypunchingtheairwhileroaringathisteammates,‘We’regoingtowin,becausewe’reEnglish!’‘Thefactualinaccuracyofthestatementdidn’tseemtooccurtoStuart,’Clarksaid.‘I’mnotsureifitoccurredtohisNorwegian,Dutch,Italian,Scottish,WelshandIrishteammates,butifitdid,noneofthemseemedinmuchofahurrytopointouthismistake.’

Thesuddenintroductionofforeignplayers,morethananyothersinglefactor,

changedEnglishfootball.TheintroductionofItalian,FrenchandDutchplayers,inparticular,throughoutthe1990senabledEnglishfootballtoembracedifferentroles,positionsandstyles,encouragingmanagerstothinkoutsideboxy4–4–2formations.Theintroductionofcontinentalnumber10shadprovidedmoreattackingflair,butnowteamswereevolvingstylisticallyalloverthepitch.Certaincountriessimplyproducedanentirelydifferenttypeofplayerin

particularpositions.Brazil,forexample,wasrenownedforitsattack-mindedfull-backs,andtherewasadramaticchangewhenthetough-tackling,old-schoolArsenalleft-backNigelWinterburnwasreplacedbythedynamic,overlappingSilvinho,whowasbrieflyfantasticandvotedintothePFATeamoftheYearbeforedepartingunderacloudfollowingspeculationaboutanillegitimatepassport.HeprovedhisqualityinSpain,however,enjoyingasuccessfulspellwithBarcelona.Thebestexamplesofelegantcentre-backsinthe1990s,too,wereforeign.

TherewasBelgianPhilippeAlbert,whostarredinNewcastle’s1995/96titlechallengeandfamouslyroundedoffthe5–0victoryoverManchesterUnitedin1996withastupendouschipoverSchmeichel.TherewasalsoGheorghePopescu,whoenjoyedasoleseasonatTottenham.Hewasacentre-backbutalsocapableofplayinginmidfield,andstormedforwardintoattackwhenrequired,scoringthewinnerinanorthLondonderbyagainstArsenalwhenpoppingupasacentre-forward.HealsoscoredafinegoalagainstNewcastle,showingtremendouscomposureinpossession,shufflingpastachallengeandplayingaone-twobeforefiringhome.HespentonlyayearinEngland,butwasanotherwholeftforBarcelona.Oneofthefirstgenuinedeep-lyingplaymakerswasEmerson,theBrazilian

whoplayedforMiddlesbroughatthesametimeasJuninho.Emersonwashugelytalented,boastinggreatauthorityinpossession,andwascapableofspreadingplaytotheflankswithlongdiagonalballs.HehadatroubledtimeinEngland,mainlybecausehiswifeflewbacktoBrazilandrefusedtoreturntothenorth-east,whichledtoabizarrestand-offwhenEmersonremainedinRiode

Janeiromid-season,sayinghewouldhappilyquitfootballtoremainwithhiswife.HeeventuallyreturnedandwasyetanotherwhointerestedBarcelona–theircoach,BobbyRobson,hadworkedwithhimatPorto–althoughhewentontojoinTenerifeandthenLaLigachampionsDeportivoLaCoruña.Heplayedjust41timesandofferedlittlelastinglegacy,buthispassingrangewasunlikeanythingelseinEnglishfootballatthetime.Butthebestexampleofaforeignimportofferingsomethingcompletelynew

wastheDutchmanRuudGullit.Unquestionablyoneofthegreatestplayersofhisgeneration,havingwontheBallond’Orin1987andcaptainedtheNetherlandstoEuropeanChampionshipsglorythefollowingyear,GullitwasonlythesecondfullyformedsuperstartojointhePremierLeaguewhenhesignedforChelseain1995,afterJürgenKlinsmann’syear-longspellatTottenhamthepreviousseason.Gullitwasanincrediblyversatileplayer,comfortableoperatingindefence,midfieldorattack.Whilethat’snotentirelyunusualforaDutchman,consideringtheNetherlands’loveoftotalfootballthatredefinedtacticalresponsibilities,fewweretrulymastersofeverypositionlikeGullit.DuringhisearlyteenageyearsGullitwasfieldedindefenceforDWS,asmall

clubinthewestofAmsterdam.Hewasrenownedforhisunusualapproachtoplayingasasweeper,receivingtheballatthebackandchargingforwardonsolorunstoturndefenceintoattackswiftly,whichcontradictedtheshort-passingprinciplesthatdominatedyouthfootballacrossAmsterdamthankstoAjax’sdominance.Indeed,Gullitwasalwayssomethingofanoutsider,notmerelybecausehewasanAmsterdamerwhoneverrepresentedAjax.Atall,dreadlockedfigureofSurinamesedescent,heenduredracismthroughouthiscareer,anduponacceptinghisBallond’OrtrophydedicatedtheawardtotheimprisonedNelsonMandela.HeturnedprofessionalatHaarlemin1979andinitiallyplayedcentre-back

beforemovingupfrontinhissecondseason,thenmovedtoFeyenoordin1982,wherehewasgenerallyfieldedontherightwing.Herehewasbrieflyinthe

sameteamasthevisionaryJohanCruyff,whowasnotofficiallymanagerbuteffectivelydecidedthetacticsandcoachedhisteammates.OnoneawaytripGullitandCruyffstartedtalkingaboutfootballintheliftuptotheirhotelrooms,thencontinuedthediscussionlongintothenight.Cruyff–whosenieceGullitlatermarried–advisedhispupilthatwhenheinevitablyleftFeyenoordandmovedtoabiggerclubheneededtodominatetheside,ensuringthatitwasbuiltaroundhiminordertosuithisincredible,uniquetalents.‘Hegavemeanewinsightintotacticsthroughhiscoachingandhiswayoftalkingaboutfootball,’Gullitsaid.UponjoiningPSVin1985,GullitthereforebecamesomethingofaCruyff

figure.Hepersonallypersuadedtheclubtochangetheirkit,sayingtheirredshirtslookeduninspiringalongsideblackshortsandredsocks,insistinguponwhiteshortsandwhitesocksinstead.Whenherealisedright-backEricGeretsandright-wingerRenévanderGijphadnorelationship,hepersonallyconcentrateduponimprovingtheircombinationplay,awayfromthemanager.Butmorethananything,Gullitfelthisbestpositionwasasarampaging,attack-mindedsweeper,withexperiencedmidfielderWillyvandeKerkhofdroppingbacktocover.‘AsacentraldefenderIcouldmoveintomidfieldandwoulddashfromthereintoanattackingposition,’heexplained.PSVwontheleagueinbothseasonsthatGullitwasattheclub,andwhilehesometimesswitchedtoamoreattack-mindedposition,46leaguegoalsintwoseasonsisanextraordinarytallyforaplayergenerallydeployedattheback.Gullitspenthispeakyears,between25and33,playinginSerieA,chiefly

withACMilan,wherehewonthreeleaguetitlesandtwoEuropeanCups.ArrigoSacchihadcreatedthegreatestfour-mandefenceofall-time:MauroTassotti,FrancoBaresi,AlessandroCostacurtaandPaoloMaldini,sotherewasnoplaceindefenceforGullit,whoinsteadbecameaworld-renownedattackingmidfielderorforward,playingthesameroleintheDutchnationalside.ButGullitalwayswantedtoreturntohisoldsweeperposition.In1995GlennHoddlecamecalling.HoddlehadbeenChelsea’splayer-

managerforthepasttwoseasons,oftendeployinghimselfasasweeper,butrealisedhisplayingcareerwasoverandwantedtofocusonmanagement.HoddlewasaprogressivemanagerwholookedoutsideEnglandforinnovationsand,recallingGullit’sperformancesatthebackforPSVearlierinhiscareer,convincedtheDutchmantojointhePremierLeaguetoreprisehisoldrole.ToGullititwasthatprospect,asmuchasanythingelse,thatconvincedhimtojoinChelsea.‘Myskillscomeoutbetterasasweeper,’Gullitsaidathisunveiling,whichstunnedEnglishjournalists,whohadwitnessedGullitdominatingEuropeanfootballfromanattackingmidfieldposition,andwereaccustomedtocentre-backsbeinglimited,straightforwarddestroyers.IntheofficialPremierLeaguestickeralbumthatseason,everyotherplayerinthedivisionwaslistedas‘goalkeeper’,‘defender’,‘midfielder’or‘forward’.Gullit,however,wasclassifiedasa‘libero’.Hewasconsideredunique.GullitstartedhisChelseacareerinthatsweeperrole,buthistechnicallyand

tacticallylimitedteammatesstruggledtocomprehendhisattackinginstincts.Herememberschallengingforanaerialballinsidehisownbox,bringingitdownonhischest,thenlayingitsidewaystoMichaelDuberry.Heheardtwonoises:firstagaspofastonishmentfromtheChelseafans,andthenDuberryscreaming‘Whatthefuckareyoudoing?’ashethumpedtheballintothestands.InamongallthatmayhemGullitwasarevelation–headandshouldersaboveanyotherPremierLeaguecentre-backinpossession,asoneoftheworld’soutstandingtechniciansplayinginarolepreviouslyplayedprimarilybycloggers.Gullitwouldreceivetheballattheback,bringitforward,playaone-twowithamidfielderandthenfindhimselfbetweenthelines,actingasanumber10.‘Itwaslikewatchingan18-year-oldplayamong12-year-olds,’Hoddlemarvelled.Opponentssimplyweren’taccustomedtotheideaoftreatingoppositiondefendersasattackingthreats,andGullitalwayshadsuchtimeontheball,withoneofChelsea’smidfielders,oftenNigelSpackman,playingthe‘VandeKerkhofrole’anddroppingback.MatchreportsfromGullit’sdebut,a0–0homedrawwithEverton,

demonstratetheextenttowhichhewasarevelation.‘RuudGullitbroughtskillstakenforgrantedinHollandandItalytothePremiership,wheretheradar-controlledpasshasyettoseeoffthelongbow,’saidDavidLacey’senthusiasticGuardianreport.‘ThereweremomentswhenGullitlaidtheballoffatangleshisnewteammatesdidn’trealiseexisted…hehascometoEnglishfootballasasweeper,butthisisplainlynotwhatheisabout.’FrankMcGhee’sObserverreportexploredGullit’spositionalittlefurther.‘He

scotchedforeverthepublic’simageofasweeper’sjob,’itread.‘ToooftenintheEnglishgame,anyseasoneddefenderwhocantackleabitandwhacktheballhardgetsthejob.Gullitproveditdemandsthemostaccomplishedplayerinateam.’Intruth,1995/96wasn’tparticularlysuccessfulforChelsea.Theyfinishedin

11thplace,althoughtheyreachedtheFACupsemi-finals.Gullitwasrestrictedto21appearancesinallcompetitionsbecauseofinjury,andafterthreemonthswasusuallyoperatinginamidfieldrole,partlybecausehisteammatessimplycouldn’tunderstandhisgame.‘Iwouldtakeadifficultball,controlit,makespaceandplayagoodballinfrontoftherightback,’Gullitlaterrecalled.‘Exceptthathedidn’twantthatpass.EventuallyGlennsaidtome,“Ruud,itwouldbebetterifyoudothesethingsinmidfield.”’

HoddleleftStamfordBridgetotaketheEnglandjobafterEuro96,andchairmanKenBatesdecidedhisreplacementshouldbeGullit,whobecamethePremierLeague’sonlyforeignmanagerforacoupleofmonthsuntilArsèneWengerarrived,andfollowedinHoddle’sfootstepsbyactingasplayer-manager.OneofGullit’sfirstsigningswasskilledFrenchdefenderFrankLeboeuf,whohadrecentlybeencrownedLaGazzettadelloSport’s‘LiberooftheYear’–amarvellouslynicheandbrilliantlyItalianaward–tocontinuetheemphasisuponbuildingfromtheback.DuringGullit’s18-monthspellinchargeheledChelseatotheFACupin1997,becomingthefirstforeignmanagerandthefirstblackmanagertowinamajortrophyinEngland.SomeofGullit’stacticalacumen

duringthatFACuprunwashighlyimpressive–inthefourthround,againstLiverpool,Chelseafoundthemselves2–0downatthebreak.ButGullitintroducedstrikerMarkHughesforleft-backScottMintoathalf-time,switchedformationtoaradical3–3–1–3,andChelseawon4–2.Theirtacticsinthesemi-finalagainstWimbledonwerealsoimpressive,withanextremelyaggressiveoffsidetrapdisruptingWimbledon’slong-ballapproach.GullitwasdismissedthefollowingFebruaryinsomewhatconfusing

circumstances,supposedlyduetoapersonalityclashwithBatesratherthanforon-fieldfailings;Chelseaweresecondintheleague,andmakingprogressintheLeagueCupandCupWinners’Cup.TheywouldeventuallywinbothunderGullit’ssuccessorasplayer-manager–Vialli,themanwholaternamedthatfirstall-foreignstartingXI.VialliwasoneofthreecrucialItaliansigningsbyGullit,whoinevitablyboastedtremendousknowledgeofSerieA.TheothertwowereGianfrancoZola,themostimportantplayerinChelsea’sdevelopmentintoatechnicalside,andRobertoDiMatteo,whonotonlynettedintheFACupFinalvictoriesof1997and2000,butlikeVialliwouldlatermanageChelsea,leadingthemtowintheFACupandtheChampionsLeaguein2012.AsamanagerGullitreactedmorequicklythananyonetotheliftingofquotas

onforeignimports.JusttwoofGullit’s14ChelseasigningswereBritish,andinasubsequentunhappystintinchargeofNewcastlejustfiveofhis23signingswereBritish.Hewasstronglycriticisedinsomequartersforhisdependenceuponforeignersbuthetackledthecriticshead-on,almostintroducinganewdefinitionfortheterm.‘IseethatEnglandisstillnotthinkinginaEuropeanway,’hecomplained.‘BecausesomeonefromFranceisnotaforeigneranymore.Youhavetogetusedtothatonthisisland.’Itwasabravestatement.Indeed,itwasGullit,asmuchasVialli,whocontributedtoChelseaplayingthatall-foreignXI.Gullitrecruitedsixofthe11players,whilePetrescuwasasurvivorfromtheHoddleera.OnlyfourwereViallisignings.ButamidthegrowinginternationalismatChelsea,Gullit–muchlikeWenger

–wasanAnglophile.HelovedthevarietyinthePremierLeague,preachingthe

importanceofpassingfootballwhilealsomarvellingatWimbledon’seffectivelong-ballgame,whichheconsideredtypicallyEnglish.‘WhattheEnglishmustnotdoisplaytheEuropeanway,’hesaid.‘ButIcanfeelsomethingischangingatChelseaandinthewholeEnglishgame.’GullitparticularlyadmiredcaptainDennisWise,thethrowbacktotheolddays

who,afteraperiodofuncertainty,embracedGullit’sregimewhileemphasisingtheneedforan‘English’mentality.Wisehandedabookofcockneyrhymingslangtothenewrecruitsupontheirarrival.‘TherewasstillverymuchanEnglishfeelinginthedressingroomandthatwasmainlydowntoDennis,whowasasEnglishasyoucanget,’DiMatteolatersaid.‘HewasverymuchtheleaderoftheteamandhelettheothersknowwhatitmeanttoplayinthePremierLeague.’ButduringthisperiodthedressingroomsatChelsea’straininggroundwerepeculiar:separaterooms,bigenoughforsixplayerseach.TherewasanEnglishdressingroom,anItaliandressingroom,aFrenchdressingroomanda‘restoftheworld’dressingroom–theplayerslateragreeditwasterribleforteamspirit.It’sinterestingthatbothGullitandWenger–thefirsttwoforeignmanagersto

winsilverwareinEngland,andthemanagerswhodidthemosttointroduceforeignplayerstothePremierLeague–laterbecamemorescepticalabouttheincreasinginternationalism.‘Onlythereallymajorplayerswereevertransferredtoforeigncountries[pre-Bosman],’Gullitsaid.‘Sincethen,anyonecangoanywhere,witharealover-abundanceofaverageplayersasaresult…butyoucan’trollbacktheBosmancase–andevenifyoucould,youwouldhavetototallyrewriteEuropeanlegislation.’Wenger–who,shortlybeforejoiningin1996,hadaskedArsenal’sboard

whetherthesupporterswouldaccepttwoforeignersinthesameside–feltsimilarly.In2001hesurprisinglysignedEvertonstrikerFrancisJeffersandIpswichgoalkeeperRichardWrightalongsidetheearth-shatteringcaptureofSolCampbellfromTottenham.WhileCampbellwasamongEurope’sbestcentre-backs,neitherJeffersnorWrighthaddemonstratedtherequisitequality,and

startedjust16Arsenalleaguegamesbetweenthem.WhydidthemasterofunearthingtalentedyoungstersfromobscureEuropeanleaguestargetsubstandardplayers?InWenger’swords,itwasto‘re-Anglicise’Arsenal,‘sothatEnglishwouldremainthefirst,andonly,languagespokeninthedressingroom’.EvenforeignmanagersworriedthePremierLeaguewaslosingitsEnglishidentity.

9

BigSam&LongBalls

‘IrememberedwatchingWimbledonontelevisionduringthe1980s,soIcan’tsayIwassurprisedbythisstyleoffootball.Iknewtherewouldbealotoflong

ballsinEngland.’

RafaelBenítez

InthedecadeimmediatelyprecedingthePremierLeague,Englishfootballspecialisedindirectfootball.Whilethemostsuccessfulsideofthe1980s,Liverpool,developedapassinggameadmiredacrossEurope,Englishfootballgraduallyeschewedthisphilosophyandconcentratedonrouteonefootball.Goalkeepersanddefenderswouldthumptheballdownfieldtowardsabigcentre-forwardwhospecialisedinaerialbattles,whilehisstrikepartnerandthemidfielderswouldhuntforscraps,attemptingtowinthe‘secondball’.Patientbuild-upplaywasconsideredawasteoftime.England’sloveofdirectfootballwassummarisedbythebeliefsofCharles

Hughes,theFA’sdirectorofcoachingformuchofthe1980s.HughesalsoworkedwithCharlesReep,aformerRAFwingcommanderwhowasfamouslyamongfootball’sfirststatisticalanalysts.Reepattemptedtoprove–withfiguresthatweregenerallymisleading,sometimesillogicalandoccasionallyentirelyselective–thattheoptimumattackingapproachwasaboutdirectplayandhittinglongballs.Hughes’smostfamouscoachingmanual,TheWinningFormula,wasdismissiveofpossessionfootball,statingthat85percentofgoalswerescoredfrommovesoffiveorfewerpasses,andheadvocatedlaunchingtheballintothe‘positionsofmaximumopportunity’(POMO)immediately.

FewmanagersassociatethemselveswithHughesandmanymorearedeterminedtodistancethemselvesfromhim.Butthroughoutthe1980slong-ballfootballwascommonacrossEnglandandvariousunderdogsenjoyedincrediblesuccesswithdirectplay.WimbledonandWatfordbothrosefromthefourthtiertothetopflightinthespaceoffiveseasons,withWimbledonwinningtheFACupandWatfordfinishingasrunners-upinbothleagueandFACup.Bothwererenownedasstraightforward,uncompromisinglong-ballsides.Watford’smanager,GrahamTaylor,wouldlaterbeappointedEnglandmanagerandwasinchargeattheformationofthePremierLeague.ThePremierLeague’searlyyears,however,witnessedanotabledeclineinthe

popularityofrouteonefootball.Rulechangesmadepassingfootballmoreviable–theback-passrevisionwasanobviousfactor,whilerulesgoverningtacklingbecamemuchstricter,withthechallengefrombehindnowcompletelyoutlawed,ensuringforwardscouldreceivepassesintofeetwithoutbeinginstantlyclattered.Asignificantimprovementinthequalityofpitchesshouldn’tbeunderestimated,either;it’sdifficulttopasstheballacrossamudbath,mucheasieronabowlinggreen.Therouteoneposterboysduringthe1990swerestillWimbledon.The‘Crazy

Gang’,renownedfortheirmachobehaviourandsomewhatamateurishapproach,punchedabovetheirweightundertheno-nonsenseJoeKinnear,courtesyofincessantlongballs.TheycontinuedthatphilosophybyappointingEgilOlsen,whohadtakenNorwaytosecondintheFIFAWorldRankingswithaparticularlydirectstyleoffootball.OlsenhadalsobecomeclosefriendswithReep,whoofferedtoactasOlsen’sstatisticalanalystatWimbledondespitebeing95yearsold–thiswasnotmodern,progressivefootball.Wimbledon’srelegationin2001–coincidentallythesameyearasWatford’s,duringTaylor’ssecondspellattheclub–seeminglymarkedthedeathofdirectfootballatthehighestlevel.ButthenalongcameSamAllardyce’sBoltonWanderers.UpontheirarrivalinthePremierLeagueBoltonwerealmostignored.They’d

beenpromotedalongsidetworathermoreexcitingclubs:formerPremierLeague

championsBlackburn,whoreturnedaftertwoseasonsaway,andtheintriguingpropositionofFulham,whosechairmanMohamedAl-Fayedwasinvestingbigmoneyandpromisingtobuild‘theManchesterUnitedofthesouth’.Bolton,meanwhile,hadsufferedimmediaterelegationfromtheirprevioustwoPremierLeagueexperiencesandwerefavouritestofinishbottom.Butthistriowouldcreatehistory,thefirsttimeinthePremierLeagueerathatallthreepromotedteamsavoidedrelegation,withBoltonmakingthegreatestimmediateimpact.Bolton’sfirstgameof2001/02wasatriptoLeicesterCity,wheretheystarted

sensationallyandracedintoa4–0leadbyhalf-time,eventuallywinning5–0.Theyfollowedthatshockvictorywithtwomorewins,againstMiddlesbroughandLiverpool,andthreegamesintotheseasonfoundthemselvestopofthetopflightforthefirsttimesince1891.Theywereunsurprisinglyunabletosustainsuchoutstandingform,butoverthenextsixseasonsBoltonwouldestablishthemselvesasthePremierLeague’smostimpressivesmallclub,challengingfortheChampionsLeagueplaces,routinelyupsettingbiggersidesanddemonstratingthatdirectfootballcouldstillsucceedinthePremierLeague.

AmongtheincreasinglystudiousforeignmanagersinthePremierLeague,Allardycewasadistinctlyold-schoolcharacter.Asaplayerhe’drisenthroughtheranksatBolton,spendingnineyearsattheclubasaphysical,one-footedcentre-back.Playinguntiltheageof39,Allardycefeaturedinallfourdivisionsandwasrenownedforhisaerialdominance.Hiscontinualheadingoftheballfortwodecadesmeanthewastakingtwopre-matchaspirinsduringhistwilightyears,andhehassufferedfromneckproblemssincehisretirement.Hisleadershipqualitieswereobviousfromanearlyage.Hewas,amazingly,

offeredtheMillwallmanager’sjobasa28-year-oldplayer,refusingtheofferbecausehefelthewastooyoung.GeorgeGrahamwasappointedinsteadand,whilethetwoquicklyfellout,AllardycelearnedfromtheScot’sdefensivedrills.Intriguingly,earlyinhiscoachingcareeratPrestonAllardycealsoworkedunderJohnBeck,probablythemostblatantfollowerofHughes’smethods–herewasa

manwhobroughtinstatisticianstoeducateplayersonhowfewpasseswereneededtoscoregoalsandwhoorderedhisgroundsmantokeepthegrassunmownnearthecornerflagssothatlongballsintowideareaswouldstayinplay.Playersresentedhisincrediblystrictinstructionsaboutknockingtheballintocertainzones,butBeckhadenjoyedgreatsuccesswithCambridge,takingthemfromthefourthtiertotheplay-offsofthesecondtierinunderthreeseasons,nearlyfollowingWatfordandWimbledon’srise.HewaslesssuccessfulatPreston,however,andAllardycehatedworkingwithhim,rebukinghis‘brain-dead’football.ButwhileAllardyce’sstylewasmorerefined,hewasconsideredthemodern,PremierLeagueequivalentofBeck.FromtheoutsetAllardycecasthimselfasanoutsiderinthePremierLeague,

refusingtofollowthetemplatesetbycontinentalrivals.‘IhaveneverseenmyselfbeingofferedajobbyatopPremiershipclubforthesimplereasonthatI’mnothigh-profileenoughandIdon’tspeakwithaforeignaccent,’hecomplainedasearlyas2000,ayearbeforeBolton’spromotion.Thiswouldbecomeafamiliartheme,althoughitfeltsomewhatprematureconsideringthatonlyfourPremierLeaguesides–admittedlyincludingthreeofthetopfive–employedaforeignmanageratthisstage.Hewounduphigh-profilemanagersdeliberately,almostasapantomimevillain,butAllardycewasclearlyfrustratedbyhisdepiction.‘Alotofthejobtodayisabouthowyouholdandportrayyourself,abouthowpeopleperceiveyoutobe,nothowyouare,’hewouldlatercomplain.‘UnfortunatelyIcannothelpthewayIwerebornandthewayIlook.’Allardycesuffersbadlyfromdyslexia,admittinghestrugglestowrite,andhe’sanextremelyslowreader,butbelieveshecompensateswithexcellentlisteningskills,rememberingauralinformationinstantly.Beyondthebrashpersona,Allardycewasagenuinelyinnovativemanager;

onlyArsèneWengerdidmoretoevolvethePremierLeaguebehindthescenesduringthePremierLeague’sfirstdecade.Wengerwassoprogressivebecausehe’dspenttimeinJapan,whichwasbehindthetimesinafootballingsensebutaheadofthegameintermsofphysicalpreparation.Similarly,Allardyce’s

forward-thinkingapproachcamefromanunlikelysource:Americanfootball.Duringthesummerof1983AllardyceenjoyedabriefspellintheNorth

AmericanSoccerLeague,playing11gamesfortheTampaBayRowdies.Althoughthefootballitselfwasofarelativelylowstandard,theside’sphysicalpreparationwaslightyearsaheadofanythingwitnessedinEngland,becausetheRowdiessharedfacilitiesandbackroomstaffwiththeTampaBayBuccaneers.ThesoccerplayersstayedinacomplexalongsidetheNFLplayers,usedtheirtraininggroundandhomestadium,andwerecompletelyattunedtothedemandsandproceduresofaphysiologicallyadvancedsport.‘Thewaytheypreparedduringtheweekopenedmyeyesandwasoneofthoselife-changingexperiences,’Allardycesaid.‘IlearnedtherewassomuchmoretoconditioningthanwhatwedidinEngland;theirattentiontodetailforeveryplayerwasstaggering.’Allardycewasamazedbythemobilescannerstocheckimmediatelyfor

injuries,thepresenceofmasseurs,nutritionistsandpsychiatrists,aswellasthegreatemphasisuponstatisticiansandanalysts.ThiswasallcompletelyalientoEnglishfootball,andwhileitwouldbesomeyearsbeforeAllardycebecameamanager,hisAmericanexperiencewascrucial–wheninchargeofNottsCountyinthelate1990sheregardedhismostimportantsigningasanewphysio.Morethananything,itbroadenedhishorizons,encouraginghimtofollowdevelopmentsinothersportstosearchforinnovations.AtBolton,AllardyceemployedDaveAlred,thecoachwhohadturnedJonnyWilkinsonintorugbyunion’soutstandingkicker,withthefly-halfalmostsingle-handedly(orperhapsthatshouldbedouble-footedly,consideringthatAlred’smethodsmadeWilkinsonambidextrous,anextremelyrarequalityinthatsport)winningtheRugbyWorldCupforEnglandin2003.AllardycelatermetbothBillyBeane,whorevolutionisedbaseballwithhis‘moneyball’statisticalapproach,andDaveBrailsford,whotransformedBritishcyclingthroughhisphilosophyof‘marginalgains’.AtBolton,whereAllardycewashandedaten-yearcontracttoencouragelong-

termthinking,heexpandedhisbackroomteamtothepointwherethereweremorecoachingstaffthanplayers,whichwasextremelyunusualatthisstage,especiallyforaclubofBolton’smodeststature.WhenawardedanhonorarydoctoratebytheUniversityofBolton,asatisfyingmomentforakeenlearnerwhostruggledacademicallybecauseofhisdyslexia,Allardyceremarkeduponhisprideat‘whatweachievedatBolton,andtheworkIdidtobringina“teambehindtheteam”’.Therewerealsodevelopmentsintermsofdietandphysiology:theincreased

useofenergydrinksandelectrolytes,ofdieticiansandphysiologists.Heparticularlycaredaboutstatisticsinvolvingrecoverytime.OnBoxingDay2003BoltontravelledtoLiverpool,going2–0downafter47minutes.Allardycereactedbyimmediatelywithdrawinghisbestthreeplayers:YouriDjorkaeff,Jay-JayOkochaandIvánCampo,intheknowledgethatBoltonhadagametwodayslateragainstLeicester.Heknewtwofullmatchesinsuchashortspaceoftimewasimpossibleforplayersoftheirage,soeffectivelygaveuponthematchatAnfieldandconcentratedonthewinnablegame–althoughBoltonwouldonlydraw2–2againsttheFoxes.ButwhileWengerwasthetruerevolutionaryintermsofintroducingscientific

methodsintotheEnglishgame,Allardycebroughtinmorespecificfootballinginnovations.Allardycewas,quiteliterally,seeingthegamefromadifferentperspective;ratherthanstandinginthetechnicalareaandbellowinginstructions,theacceptedpractice,Allardycesathighinthestandstoaffordhimselfthebestpossibleviewofthetacticalbattle,andanychangeswerecommunicatedviaradiotohisassistantsinthedugout.It’speculiarthatmoremanagershaven’tcopiedthispractice,althoughAllardycehassincerevertedtosittinginthedugout,feelinghispresenceonthetouchline–andintheearofthefourthofficial–isvaluable.WhenSirAlexFergusonvisitedAllardyce’sofficeattheReebokStadiumfor

thecustomarypost-matchglassofwinehewasstunnedtodiscoverhowmany‘boffins’weresittingbehindcomputers,pouringoverstatistics.Numberswerea

crucialpartofAllardyce’sapproach;heprovidedhisplayerswithpre-seasontargetsintermsofcleansheetsandgoalsfromeachdepartmentoftheside,andwasanearlyadopterofProZone,advancedstatisticalsoftwarethatallowedhimtoanalyseplayersandmatchesindepth.Inthedressingroomathalf-time,Allardycewouldscreenvideoclipsfromtheopening45minutestoillustratehisinstructions.Hisanalyticsstaffcreatedstatisticalprofilesforindividualpositionsin

Bolton’sside,discoveringpreciselywhatwouldberequiredfrom,forexample,aright-back.Allardycethenusedthisinformationtoconvertplayersintodifferentroles,intheknowledgetheywerecapableoftheappropriatestatisticaloutput.Thisbecamesomethingofaspecialism;heconvertedstrikersHenrikPedersenandKevinDaviestoleft-backandright-midfieldrespectively,shiftedRicardoGardnerfromleft-wingtoleft-back,andplayedtraditionalcentre-backsIvánCampoandFernandoHierroasball-playingmidfielders.Allardyceexaminedstatisticsconcerningdead-ballsituations,workingoutpreciselywherehisplayersshouldpositionthemselves.Itwasanewspinonthatoldclichéof‘percentagefootball’.SometimesAllardycewentagainstthestatistics;thepurchaseofCampowas

unpopularamonghisanalyticsteambutprovedasuccess,whiletowardstheendof2003/04hisimprovisedpolicyofallowingthesquadfourdaysoffaftereveryvictoryenragedhissports-scienceteambuthelpedBoltonwinfiveconsecutivegames.Hestudiedthestatsbutwasn’taslavetothem.ThemostfascinatingpartofAllardyce’sstatisticalobsessionwasbuildingthe

‘WarRoom’atBolton’strainingground.Inside,Allardyceandhisconfidantswouldsurroundthemselveswithplasmascreensdisplayingchartsonplayers’fitnesslevelsandstatisticsonpasscompletion,distancecovered,numberofsprints,tacklesandinterceptions.Itprovedvitalforbothtacticalpreparationandphysicalconditioning,withAllardyceexcellentatrestingplayersbeforetheysufferedseriousinjury.AndwhileotherPremierLeagueclubswereemployingsimilarmethods,AllardycebelievedthatBolton’swasthemostadvancedset-up

inEurope.MuchofthecreditgoestoMikeForde,Allardyce’sperformancedirectorattheclub,whobecamesoreveredhewaspoachedbyChelsea,andthenworkedasaconsultantincycling,theNBAand,mostsignificantly,theNFL.AllardycehadtakeninspirationfromtheNFL–now,anNFLteamwastakinginspirationfromhisoldperformancedirector.However,thesewereallbehind-the-scenesfeatures.Supportersdidn’tseethe

WarRoomorAllardyce’sstatisticalmodels,theysimplyobservedwhathappenedonthepitch,andwhileAllardycewasunquestionablyaninnovatorinsomerespects,heprescribedastyleoffootballthatwasdistinctlyold-fashioned.TheconceptofplayingoutfromthebackwasalientoBolton,withgoalkeeperJussiJääskeläinenbootinghugeballsdowntowardsthestrikersandeveryfree-kickbeinglaunchedintotheoppositionpenaltybox.Longthrow-inswerefrequentlyused,AllardycehavingsetBolton’spitchsizetotheminimumallowedundertheregulations,whichmadethethrowsmoredangerousandhamperedtheopposition’sabilitytoplaypassingfootball.TheplayerwhomostepitomisedBoltonduringthisperiodwasKevinNolan,

initiallyanaveragecentre-backinBolton’sacademywhomAllardycewasn’tconvincedwouldmakeitasaprofessionalbecausehe‘couldn’theadortackle’.Nolanwasredeployedasamidfielderandbecameausefulgoalscoringweapon,purelyonaccountofhisincredibleabilitytoreachthe‘secondball’,latchingontoflick-onsandknock-downstoconvertfromcloserange.AndthatwaswhatBolton’sgamewasallabout–fortheirfirstcoupleofseasonsinthePremierLeaguetheywerebrilliantatthesimple,Sundayleagueconceptofsecondballs.AftertheirflyingstartinthePremierLeague,Boltonstruggledintheirdebut

campaign,flirtingwithrelegationandonlysurvivingthankstoasuddenupturninformduringthespring.Thesigningsoftwointernationalattackersprovedcrucial;GermanstrikerFrediBobicarrivedonloanandscoredahat-trickagainstIpswichinApril,butmoreimportantwasthemanAllardyceconsidershisall-timebestsigning:YouriDjorkaeff,thebrilliantcreativeforwardwhocontributedheavilytoFrance’sWorldCupandEuropeanChampionships

successes.AllardyceignoredhisdisciplinaryproblemsatformerclubKaiserslautern.‘I’mnotworriedaboutYouri’scharacterandthereputationhehasfromhistimeinGermany,’hesaiduponhissigning.‘IhavealwaysenjoyedsigningplayerswhohavehadabadreputationorhavebeendisruptiveelsewherebecauseIfindthemachallenge.I’magoodjudgeofcharacter.’Thiswouldprovetobethefirstinasuccessionofsimilarsignings–foreign,technical,experienced,risky.Allardyceofferedanintriguingexplanationforfavouringexperiencedplayers,

outliningthathecouldexamineyears’worthofProZonedatasoheknewexactlywhatplayerswoulddowhenheplayedthem.Experienceisoftenconsideredinrelationtoaplayer’sknowledge,butAllardyceconsidereditinrelationtohisknowledgeofaplayer.HejokinglyreferredtoDjorkaeffastheclub’s‘worldwideambassador’becausehisarrivalputBoltononthemap,andtheTrotterswerelaterblessedwiththetrickeryofOkocha,themostgiftedAfricanplaymakerofhisgenerationandanentertainingshowboater,aswellastheguileofHierroandCampo,whoprovidedSpanishpassingqualitysomeyearsbeforeitbecamesorevered.AllardycetookachanceonspeedywideforwardEl-HadjiDiouf,whohadprovedincrediblyunpopularatLiverpool,andwasrewardedwithsomefineperformances.Hisman-managementskillswereexcellent;DioufreferredtoAllardyceas‘Dad’forthetrusthe’dplacedinhim,andAllardycelaterrescuedthesimilarlydifficultNicolasAnelkafromTurkey,rejuvenatingtheFrenchman’scareeranddoublinghismoneywhensellinghimontoChelsea,wherehewontheGoldenBoot.Thereweresomeflops,however.MárioJardel,astonishinglyprolificin

Portugal,couldn’tgethimselfinshapeandwasmovedon,whileHidetoshiNakata,thefirstbig-nameJapanesefootballer,wasmorestylethansubstanceandretiredfromfootballat29afteraquietseasonattheReebok.Buttheseplayersweregenerallysignedforfreeonshort-termcontracts,andthesuccessesoutweighedtheflops.Allardyce’smainpolicywhensigningaplayerwassimplyconcentratingonhisstrengthsandensuringheconstantlyfoundhimselfin

situationstodemonstratethem,whichmightsoundsimple,butinaperiodwhenprogressivemanagerswereencouragingtheirdefenderstostarttheattacking–andtheirattackerstostartthedefending–Allardyce’sback-to-basicsapproachprovedpopularwithveteranswhohadbecomefrustratedbybeinghandedunfamiliardutiesatbiggerclubs.Finishesof16thand17thinBolton’sfirsttwoPremierLeagueseasons

satisfiedtheirnaturaltarget,survival,buttheysubsequentlycame8th,6th,8thand7th,theonlyclubasidefromthe‘BigFour’ofArsenal,Chelsea,LiverpoolandManchesterUnitedtofinishinthetophalfinallfourseasons,aconsiderableachievement.In2004/05Boltonfinishedlevelonpointswiththatseason’sChampionsLeaguewinners,Liverpool,qualifyingforEuropeforthefirsttimeintheirhistory.Twoyearslater,in2006/07,theywerethirdattheturnoftheyearandappearedsettochallengefortheChampionsLeagueplaces.Boltonimprovednotonlybyincreasingtheirnumberoftechnicalplayersbut

alsobyperfectingtheirdirect-approachplay.Thiswaspartlyinspiredbyaswitchtoa4–5–1formation,previouslyusedbyAllardyceasanoccasionalalternativetohis4–4–2butwhichbecamehisfirst-choicesystematthestartof2003/04.Hewouldoftencrowbarinasecondstrikerbydeployinghimoutwide,atrademarkoftheaforementionedrouteoneideologuesTaylorandOlsen.ThisgaveBoltontwoaerialtargetsaswellasanumericaladvantageincentralmidfield,atatimewhenfewsideshadswitchedtoaone-strikerformation.It’speculiarthatBolton,asideunashamedlyuninterestedinthemidfieldpossessionbattle,wereanearlyadopterof4–5–1.Despitehisrouteoneapproach,Allardycehadn’tbeenabletocountupona

propertargetmaninthosefirsttwoseasonsspentbattlingrelegation.MichaelRicketts,whomadeatremendousimpactinhisfirsthalf-season,possessedtherequisitephysiquebutpreferredtoruninbehind.HefrustratedAllardycewithhislackofprofessionalism,whileHenrikPedersenworkedhardbutwasn’tparticularlyeffectiveatwinningaerialballs.So,in2003,AllardycepickedupKevinDaviesonafreetransfer,andifNolanhadpreviouslybeenBolton’s

definingplayerbecauseofhisabilitytowinsecondballs,Daviesbecametheirmainmanbecauseofhisabilitytowinfirstballs.HewasaclassicAllardycesigning–atalentedforwardwhohadoncecostBlackburnaclubrecordfeebutwhoseeminglyfoundhimselfonthescrapheapafteracoupleofpoorcampaigns,startingonlyonceinhisfinalseasonatSouthampton.DaviesarrivedatBolton’spre-seasontrainingcampastoneoverweightand

wasimmediatelyputonastrictfitnessregimethatincludedtheAtkinsdiet.AsDavieslaterrecalled,aconcernedAllardycecalledDaviesintohishotelroomoneevening,tellingthestrikerhehadareputationfornotlookingafterhimselfandthathewasnicknamed‘theBudweiserKing’,eventhoughAllardyce,whileimploringthestrikertochangehisways,wassittingonhisbedinadressinggown,smokingacigaranddrinkingredwine.HereferredtoDaviesandotherunfitplayersas‘theFatClub’,sendingthemon70kmmorningbikeridesinthemountains,butupontheirreturnthey’dfindhimtuckingintoafullEnglishbreakfast.ThecontrastwithWenger,whofollowedthesamedietashisplayerstosetanexample,sumsupAllardyce’scontradictorycharacter.Thefitnessregimeclearlyworked,however.InhisfirstseasonatBolton

Daviesstartedall38leaguematches–sometimesupfront,sometimeswide-right–andeventuallyspentadecadeattheclub.Hewasneverprolific,averagingeightgoalsaseason,butwasexcellentatbattlingforaerialballsdespitebeingonlysixfoottall,relativelyshortforaPremierLeaguetargetman.DavieswouldregularlyendcampaignsasthePremierLeagueplayerwhohadbothsuffered–andcommitted–themostfouls,withalmostalltheoffencescommittedwhenbattlingforhighballs.Heessentiallyturnedmatchesintoastop-startscrapbasedarounddead-ballsituations,whichsuitedBoltonperfectly.Allardycewasn’tremotelyconcernedwithballpossession,muchmorewithballposition.TheinitialrouteintoDavieswasrudimentary,buthewasnoddingtheballdowntowardssomeofthePremierLeague’smostexcitingfootballers,initiallythelikesofDjorkaeffandOkocha,thenlaterDioufandAnelka.WithveteranGarySpeedadependablemidfieldoperatorandEuro2004winnerStelios

Giannakopoulosexcellentatarrivingingoal-scoringpositionsunmarked,BoltonhadtheperfectblendoftechnicalplayerstoprovidemomentsofmagicandstraightforwardfootballerswhohelpedBoltonplaydirectandoccasionallyupsetthebigboys.

Allardycewasalwaystryingtogainanadvantageoveropponents.In2003/04,aftertheoffsidelawhadbeentweakedslightlyso‘inactive’playersinanoffsidepositioncouldplayanactivepartinanattackingmoveafterthey’dretreatedintoanonsideposition,Boltonchangedtheirfree-kickstrategy.Allardyceorderedtwoplayerstostandinoffsidepositions,notattemptingtowinthefirstball,butdroppingbackintothegoalmouthscrambletolatchontothesecondball.Allardyce’sreasoningwasthattheirrunsoriginatedfromapositionwheredefenderswouldn’tbeabletomarkthem.ItwasatacticmostnotablydeployedatLeicester;Nolan,inevitablyoneofthe‘passiveoffside’players,hitthepostfromasecondball,thenBoltonequalisedwhenFoxesgoalkeeperIanWalkerwasdistractedbytheoffsideNolan,fumblingaDaviesattemptoverhisowngoalline.Allardyce,however,vehementlyopposedthenewinterpretation.‘Ithinktheyhavegotitwrong.ThereisnothingIcandoaboutitapartfromtryuseittomyadvantage,’hesaid.‘Idon’tlikeit,Idon’tthinkitaddsanythingtothegamewhatsoever…itcausedsomeconfusionandgaveussomegoodopportunities.’LeicestermanagerMickyAdamswassimilarlydismissive.‘Howcananyonesayplayersarenotinterferingwithplaywhentheyarerunningacrossthekeeper’seyeline?’Allardycetookitfurther.Onceherealisedtherewasnothingtostopthese

‘passiveoffside’playersdeliberatelyblockingtheviewofoppositiongoalkeepersatfree-kicks,hestarted2005/06withanevenbolderapproach.InBolton’sfirsthomegame,a1–0defeattoEverton,AllardyceplacedNolaninfrontofoppositiongoalkeeperNigelMartyn,standingfacetofacewithhim.Whenthegoalkeepermovedtogetabetterview,Nolanshiftedwithhim.Allardyce’sreactionwasfamiliar.‘Idon’tlikewhatI’vedone,’headmitted.‘I

don’tthinkit’sagoodregulation,IthinktheinterpretationiswrongandbydoingwhatIdid,I’veshownituptobewrong,eventhoughwe’vetriedtotakefulladvantageofit.Butwhiletheregulationsarethere,wewilltrytousethemtoourbenefit.’ThatwasAllardyce,alwaystryingtostealamarchonhisrivals–andhehad

plentyofthem.Along-runningspatwithLiverpoolmanagerRafaelBenítezwasparticularlynotable.‘Ithinkitisamodelforallthemanagersaroundtheworld,theirstyleoffootballandhisbehaviour,’Benítezsarcasticallyoncesaid.‘ItistheperfectmodelforallthekidsandI’msureallparentswillenjoythismodelandencouragetheirkidstobethesame.Thestyleoffootball,Ithink,Barcelonaarethinkingofcopying.’Mostfamously,Bolton’supsetswereagainstArsenal,thePremierLeague’s

symboloftechnicallyproficientfootball.WhilethereweresimilaritiesbetweenAllardyceandWengerintermsofphysiologicalinnovations,theirfootballcouldn’thavebeenmoredifferent,andthesehead-to-headmeetingsensuredBoltonbecamerenownedasthemostdirectsideinthedivision.TheystartedinApril2003,whenArsenalwere2–0upattheReebokStadiumbutcollapsedinthefinal20minutes,unabletocopewithOkocha’sskillorBolton’saerialbombardment,theperfectillustrationoftheirhybridthreat.WithDjorkaeffgettingagoalbackandArsenalstrugglingtodefendcrosses,MartinKeownnoddedintohisownnettosealadrawforBolton,whicheffectivelyendedArsenal’stitlehopes.Later,betweenJanuary2005andNovember2006–aperiodduringwhich

ArsenalwontheFACupandreachedtheChampionsLeagueFinal–BoltonplayedtheGunnersfourtimesattheReebokStadiumandwonallfourgames,witheveryopeneraheader.ThefirstoccasionsawArsenalgoalkeeperManuelAlmuniasubjectedtoarelentlessaerialbombardmentheappearedcompletelyunpreparedfor,withWengeruncharacteristicallycriticisinghisgoalkeeper’sdecision-makingafterwards.Bolton’sgoalarrivedwhenJääskeläinenkickedlong,BoltonwonthesecondballandDioufcrossedforGiannakopoulostohead

in.Butinadditiontotheirattackingthreat,Boltonwerealsosecureattheback.‘Wesussedtheirformation,weforcedthemintomakingbasicerrors,’boastedAllardyce.WhileWengerwouldcomplainaboutBolton’sphysicalityaftersubsequent

meetings,onthisoccasionheadmittedhisplayersweretacticallyoutwitted.‘WeallowedBoltontoplaythegamethatsuitsthem;wegavethemtheiridealconditionsandletthemplay,’hesaid.‘Theysuckedusinandplayedthelongball,butthat’sthewayBoltonplay.’ItseemedArsenalwerecompletelyflummoxedbyasideusingold-schooltactics.Bolton’s2–0victoryinDecember2005,whenAllardycetargetedthe

unconvincingPascalCyganinanunfamiliarleft-backrole,againleftWengeracknowledgingArsenalweren’tsuitedtoBolton’sapproach.‘Itwasatentativeandfrailperformancefromus.Thewaytheyplayedbeatus;thatiscredittoBoltonanditisdowntoourweakness…theyshowedthetypeofgameyouneedtobeatus,’Wengeradmitted,alongsidecomplaintsaboutBolton’sphysicality.‘Theykickedusasmuchaswekickedthem,’respondedBoltonmidfielderNolan.‘Butiftheywanttocomplainaboutthat,theneverybodyknowshowtobeatArsenalnow,don’tthey?’Theydid,butfewknewbetterthanBolton.A1–0FACupvictoryamonth

latersawBoltonagaintargetacentre-backoutofpositionatleft-back,thistimePhilippeSenderos,withGiannakopoulosheadingthewinnerfromwithinthedefender’szone.The3–1wininNovember2006wasslightlymorefortunate,withArsenalhittingthewoodworkthreetimes.ButattheReebokitwasfourdefeatsinarowforArsenal,andtheirphysicalweakness,notpreviouslyconsideredaparticularproblem,wasruthlesslyexposedbyAllardyce.‘WengerseemedtowantarulewhereArsenalshouldbeallowedtodowhat

theywantedwiththeball,withoutusbeingallowedtotacklethem,’Allardycesaid.‘Therewasnocredit[fromthemedia]forthefactwe’dspentallweekstudyinghowtonullifytheirskilfulplayersandnotletthemhaveasecondontheball.Itwasaskillfindingtheirweaknessandhowtoexploitthem.’Thisis

thecrucialthingaboutAllardyce’sgameplan;he’sastudiousmanagerwhoscoutstheoppositionindepthbeforeformulatinghisstrategy,makinghimamongthemostreactivetacticiansthePremierLeaguehasseen.Heparticularlylovesplayingagainstmanagerswithadefined,inflexiblephilosophy–itsimplymakeshistacticaltaskeasier,asheoutlinedina2014interview.‘Therearetwotypesofcoaches.There’scoacheslikemewhoweighupthe

oppositionandasktheteamtoadjust.Fergiewassimilar.José[Mourinho]issimilar.Thenthere’sArsène,whowon’tadjust.There’sBrendan[Rodgers],wholookslikehewon’tadjust.There’sManuelPellegrini,wholookslikehewon’tadjust…theirphilosophyisdifferenttoours.Oursismoreaboutwhoareweplayingagainst.Theirphilosophyismore,“Wealwaysplaythisway,”andtheywon’tchange,theycarryondoingthesamething.That’swhyyoucanbeatthem.’Allardycewasamasteroffindingbalance–betweenphysicalityandflair,

betweenhisold-schoolpersonaandhisinnovativemethods,betweenaconsistentapproachandtacticsthattookaccountoftheopposition.FewneutralsadmiredhisBoltonsidefromanaestheticperspective,butAllardyce’steamsalwayscontainedexcitingplayers;healsoprovidedtacticalvariety,challengingthebigsideswithacompletelydifferentthreat.Alwaystheoutsider,AllardycereintroducedtraditionalEnglishfootballintoanincreasinglycontinentalPremierLeague.

PartFour

Universality

10

OneUpFront

‘YouseeThierry,andit’sbeautiful.Youseeme,andit’snotclassic.’

RuudvanNistelrooy

FormationchangesduringthePremierLeague’searlyyearswereprimarilyplayer-basedevolutions,usuallymodificationsto4–4–2inresponsetoaforeignimport’sunorthodoxcharacteristicsandpositioning.Thestartofthe21stcentury,however,wasdominatedbytheshiftfromtwo-strikersystemstoone-strikersystems,andit’ssignificantthatSirAlexFerguson,thismovement’strendsetter,decidedtochangeformationfirst,thenidentifiedplayerswhowouldfitintothenewsystem.Hisswitchfromaplayer-firsttoasystem-firstmentalityhighlightedtheincreasedemphasisupontactics.InkeepingwithFerguson’sever-improvingtacticalacumenthroughoutthe

1990s,hisinspirationcamefromEuropeancompetition.United’s3–2defeattoRealMadridintheEuropeanCupquarter-finalof2000issometimescitedasthematchwhenFergusondecidedtoshiftawayfrom4–4–2,butUnitedhadperformedimpressively,creatingchancesbutconstantlybeingfoiledbyyoungRealgoalkeeperIkerCasillas.Besides,therewasnoshameinbeingdefeatedbytheeventualEuropeanchampions.Twolossesinthefollowingseason’scompetition,toPSVandAnderlecht,provedmorecrucialinchangingFerguson’smentality.TheDutchsideovercameUnited3–1withaconservativeversionoftheclassicDutch4–3–3formation,whiletheBelgianchampionsutilisedaflexiblediamondsystemina2–1win.InbothmatchesUnitedstruggledtokeeppossessionforlongperiods,were

exposedonthecounter-attackandonlyscoredfromthepenaltyspot.‘Wewerebattered,’Fergusonlaterrecalledofthosetwodefeats.‘WeplayedthetraditionalUnitedway,4–4–2,andwerethumped.Itoldtheplayersandstaffthatifwe

couldnotkeeptheballbetterandstaysolidinmidfieldweweregoingtosuffermorethatway,becauseopponentshadsussedusout.Soweswitchedtoplayingthreeinthecentreofthepark.’Withawingeroneitherflank,thatinevitablymeantroomforonlyonecentre-forward.Fergusonexperimentedwitha4–5–1midwaythrough2000/01,primarilybecauseofinjuries,butatthestartofthefollowingcampaignithadbecomehisdefaultsystem.Thiswasaverydeliberatemove,withFergusonsacrificingattacking

resourcestoensureUnitedhadtheupperhandinmidfield,helpingthemtodominatematches.ThisprovedcontroversialamongManchesterUnitedfans,manyofwhomconsidered4–4–2partoftheclub’stradition.Thecomfortabletitlevictoriesof1999/2000and2000/01wereachievedwiththatformation,stillwithasquad-rotationsystemincorporatingtreble-winnersDwightYorke,AndyCole,TeddySheringhamandOleGunnarSolskjær.Bythisstage,thestarmanwasSheringham,whotop-scoredforUnitedfrom

hiswithdrawnforwardrolein2000/01andwasvotedbothPFAandFWAPlayeroftheYear.Surprisingly,FergusonallowedSheringhamtorejoinformerclubTottenhamimmediatelyafterwards.OfficiallythiswasbecauseUnitedwereonlyofferingSheringhamaone-yeardealwhenthe35-year-oldwantedtwo,butitseemedstrangeUnitedlostthePremierLeague’sbestplayerpurelyovercontractlength,especiallywhenSheringhamwastheclassictypeofplayerwhohadneverdependedonpace,socouldeasilyplayintohislate30s.ThefactFergusonintendedtomovetoa4–5–1,asystemthatwouldn’tsuitasecondstrikerlikeSheringham,surelycontributedtohisdeparture.The4–5–1requireddifferenttypesofplayersto4–4–2,andFerguson

thereforemadetwosignificantpurchases.HebroketheBritishtransferrecordbysigningcentre-forwardRuudvanNistelrooyfromPSV,thensmashedthatrecordshortlyafterwardswiththepurchaseofLazio’sArgentinemidfielderJuanSebastiánVerón.‘IneverthoughtI’dspendthismuchmoneyonaplayer,’Fergusonsaidaboutthelatter.‘ButthisissomethingUnitedhadtodo.’Hisintentionswereobvious;VanNistelrooywasastrikercapableofplayingupfront

alone,whileVerónwasathirdtop-classcentralmidfieldertoplayalongsideRoyKeaneandPaulScholes.Ferguson,incidentally,hadannouncedhisintentiontoretireinayear’stime,attheendof2001/02.Notably,thatseason’sChampionsLeagueFinalwastobeplayedinFerguson’shomecityofGlasgow–he’didentifiedsuccessatHampdenParkastheidealfarewell,and4–5–1thebestsystemforwinningasecondChampionsLeague.United’sexperiencewiththe4–5–1,however,didn’tstartwell.Therewere

variousfactors;JaapStam’sshockdepartureafterfallingoutwithFergusonandhisreplacementLaurentBlancstrugglingwasn’thelpful,whileFergusonlateradmittedthatpre-announcinghisretirementwasahugemistake,ashisplayersswitchedoff.Butthesysteminevitablyattractedplentyofcriticism,withUnited’sbuild-upplaybeingnoticeablyslower.ThescapegoatwasVerón,whichwasslightlyunfairconsideringthathewasadaptingtoadifferentleague.Besides,thechangeofsystemhadpromptedadeclineinperformancefromteammatesboastingconsiderablymorePremierLeagueexperience.TherewasalwaysconfusionaboutVerón’soptimumrole,however;hewas

neitheraclassicArgentinenumber10,noradeep-lyingplaymaker,whilehewastoolanguidtobeconsideredabox-to-boxplayer.‘Iplayedwithhim,andIcouldn’ttellyouhisbestposition,’admittedRyanGiggs.Veróndriftedaroundprovidingoccasionalbrilliantlong-rangepassesbutwasrarelydecisive.Histeammatesspokeabouthisqualityintraining–andFergusoncalledhim‘afuckinggreatplayer’andlambastedcriticaljournalistsas‘fuckingidiots’fornotappreciatinghistalentinapress-conferencerant–butVerónwasultimatelyunderwhelmingconsideringhewasthemostexpensive–andthehighest-paid–PremierLeagueplayeratthatpoint.It’sarguablethatVerónarrivedacoupleofyearsaheadofhistime,whenEnglishfootballhadn’tyetembracedsilkymidfieldersandthree-manmidfields,butthenotherforeigntalents,suchasEricCantona,foughtagainstthetideandeffectivelyre-educatedsupporters.VerónwasunabletoreplicatethatinfluenceandwashappierwiththeslowerpaceoffootballinItalyandArgentina.

HavingfoundthemselvesaslowasninthinearlyDecember2001,Unitedimproveddramaticallyandwon14oftheirnext16games,takingthemtothetopoftheleague,bywhichtimeFergusonhadreversedhisdecisiontoretire.Notably,whileFergusoncontinuedwith4–5–1inEurope,herevertedto4–4–2inthePremierLeague,whichsuitedUnited’snaturalstyleandpromptedtheirsuddenimprovement.InMarch,however,theyweresurprisinglydefeated1–0athomebyMiddlesbrough,nowcoachedbytheirformerassistantSteveMcClaren,courtesyofanAlenBokšićgoalthatstemmedfromVerónlosingtheballunnecessarilyinfrontofthedefence.UnitedwereleapfroggedbyArsenalthatweekend,andtheGunnersneverconcededfirstpositionontheirwaytothetitle.MorepertinentthanVerón’sperformances,however,werethedisplaysofVan

Nistelrooy,asthePremierLeagueattemptedtoworkoutpreciselywhatwasrequiredfromalonecentre-forward.Previously,playingwithoneupfrontwasconsideredadefensivemove,usuallyutilisedbysmallerclubsawayfromhome.Now,itwasaviableattackingstrategy.VanNistelrooyhad,slightlysurprisingly,risenthroughtheranksatDutch

seconddivisionsideDenBoschasanattackingmidfielder,beforebeingconvertedtoacentre-forwardroleintheEredivisiebyHeerenveencoachFoppedeHaan.AfterhismovetoManchesterUnited,DeHaanrecalledthatayoungVanNistelrooy‘wasn’tarealteamplayer,andhadnosenseofwhatitmeanstoplayinatechnicalway–hewantedtohaveeachball,andhewasverygoodontheball,buthewasplayingforhimself’.DeHaanrecognisedVanNistelrooy’slimitations,pushinghimupfrontwhileinstructinghimtochasetheballlessandwaitforitmore.HetherebycreatedthepurestgoalpoacherthePremierLeaguehaswitnessed.FergusonnearlysignedVanNistelrooyinthesummerof2000,butthestriker

failedamedicalwhenUniteddetectedaproblemwithhiscruciateligament.PSVinsistedanyinjurywasminorandVanNistelrooyreturnedtoEindhoventotrain,withtheclubfilminghimtoprovideevidenceofhisfitness.ButmidwaythroughthattrainingsessionVanNistelrooysuddenlycollapsedscreaming,

holdinghiskneeinagony.He’drupturedtheligament,justifyingUnited’sconcern.Fergusonvisitedthestrikertoassurehimthetransferwouldgothroughnextsummerifherecoveredproperly,andhekepttohisword.Ferguson’sfaithwasjustified,asvanNistelrooyprovedaninstanthit.He

nettedtwiceonhishomedebutagainstFulham,andendedon23goalsfromhisfirstPremierLeaguecampaign,beingvotedPFAPlayeroftheYear.Throughouthisfive-yearspellinEnglishfootballVanNistelrooyscoredprolifically–andindiscriminately;ofhis95PremierLeaguegoals,48werescoredathomeand47away.Forty-eightwerescoredinthefirsthalfand47inthesecondhalf.Moststrikersscoremoreathomewhentheirsideisdominant,andmoreinthesecondhalf,whengamesbecomestretched;butVanNistelrooybangedingoalswhenever,wherever,invariablyaccompaniedbytheboomingsoundofUnitedfansbellowing‘Ruuuud’.AnotherstatisticunderlinesVanNistelrooy’sroleatManchesterUnited–of

his95PremierLeaguegoals,onlyonewasscoredfromoutsidethepenaltyarea.Infact,extendthesampletoVanNistelrooy’s150Unitedgoalsinallcompetitionsandthefigureisstillonlyone,awayatCharltoninhisfinalcampaign.EvenforanunashamedgoalhangerlikeVanNistelrooy,it’saremarkablestatisticconsideringpuretargetmensuchasEmileHeskey(11ofhis111PremierLeaguegoals),ChrisSutton(9of83)orKevinDavies(7of83)scoredmanymorefromoutsidethebox.WhenWayneRooneymadehisdebutforManchesterUnitedinaChampions

LeaguetieagainstFenerbahçein2004,hescoredahat-trickcomprisingthreegoalsfromoutsidethebox.Threein54minutes;VanNistelrooymanagedjustoneinfiveseasons.ButtheDutchmanwasafantasticpoacher,thrivingoncrosses,predictingwherereboundswouldfall,sensingwhenthegoalkeeperwasadvancingandroundinghim.Whilehisgoalswereuniformlyfromcloserange,someofthemwerespectacular,particularlywhenhereceivedtheballatanawkwardheight.Thenhe’dshowanincredibleabilitytocushiontheballintoashootingpositionbeforepivotingswiftlyandcrashingtheballhome.The

ultimatepurposeoffootballisputtingtheballinthenet,andofthethousandsoffootballerswhohaveplayedinthePremierLeaguenoonehasbeenbetteratthatsimpletaskthanVanNistelrooy.

ButVanNistelrooyalsoprovedproblematic.BeforehisarrivalManchesterUnitedwonthreeconsecutivePremierLeaguetitles.DuringhisperiodatOldTraffordtheytriumphedjustonceinfiveseasons.Whenhedepartedin2006theyimmediatelywonthreeconsecutivetitlesagain.VanNistelrooyisn’tsolelytoblame–Chelsea’ssuddenwealth,Arsenal’simprovementandsomequestionableFergusonsigningsareequallyresponsible–butVanNistelrooywasimpressiveindividuallyratherthanagreatteamplayer.WhileVanNistelrooy’steammatesroutinelydescribedhimasthebestfinisher

they’dplayedalongside,hisone-dimensionalnaturewasobvious.‘Ifwe’dwon3–0andhe’dmissedadecentchance,afterwardshe’dsitinthecornerofthedressingroomlookingmiserable,’saidRyanGiggs.Herecallsanincidentfroma4–0winawayatBoltoninVanNistelrooy’sfirstseasonwhenSolskjærhadupstagedhimbybaggingahat-trickandputtingthegametobed.Withacoupleofminutesremainingandthegamealreadywon,GiggsteedupVanNistelrooyforasimpletap-inandwastakenabackwhenVanNistelrooyrantowardshimshouting‘Thankyou,thankyou!’becausehewassodelightednottofinishthegamewithoutagoal.HispartnershipwithSolskjærwasproductive,butoverallVanNistelrooy

wasn’tadeptatlinkingwithothers,andfellowstrikersfoundhimparticularlyfrustrating.AtinternationallevelheandPatrickKluivertdislikedoneanotherpersonallyandrarelycombinedeffectively,andforUnitedhisdominancepartlyexplainswhyfutureEuropeanGoldenBootwinnerDiegoForlánfounditsodifficultatUnited,going27games–albeitmanyasasubstitute–beforefindingthenet.‘Diegojustdidn’tregisteronRuud’sradar,’admittedFerguson.Themostpertinentcriticism,however,camefromLouisSaha,whojoined

Unitedin2004andwasaskedaboutthedifferencesbetweenVanNistelrooyand

hisinternationalteammateThierryHenry.Sahaclearlypreferredplayingalongsidehiscompatriot.‘Ruudneverscoresfromoutsidethe18-yardareaandnevertakesfree-kicks,’Sahasaid,beforemoredamninglyadding,‘Ruuddoesn’ttakemuchofapartintheteam’scollectiveplay.Hisgameisallaboutfinishing.’Later,SahawoulddescribeplayingalongsideHenryas‘likegettingsweptalongbytheyellowjersey’,abeautifulanalogythatcouldonlybeutteredbyoneFrenchmanaboutanother.Henry,morethananythingelse,wasVanNistelrooy’sproblem.Inthe1990s

theDutchman’srelativelackofall-roundfootballingskillwouldn’thavebeenmentioned,butVanNistelrooywasinevitablybeingcomparedtothePremierLeague’sothertop-classgoalscorer,whowastakingcentre-forwardplayinadifferentdirection.Theirapparentrivalrydominateddiscussionduringthisperiod,almostlikeaPremierLeagueversionoftheCristianoRonaldovLionelMessidebateafewyearslater.HenryoutscoredVanNistelrooy,butwasalsocapableofdoingsomuchmore.HenrywastheMessifigure,VanNistelrooywastheRonaldo–andit’sfitting,therefore,thatbothwouldlaterplayalongsidetheirequivalents.PaulScholesconfirmsthatVanNistelrooywasoverlyconcernedbyhis

rivalrywithHenry.‘Ifhedidn’tscore,he’dsitonthebackofthebusandsulk,evenifwe’dwonthegame,’hesaid.‘Thenifhe’dlookattheotherresultsandif,say,HenryhadscoredthenRuudwouldbefumingevenmore.HeperceivedHenryasapersonalrivalandRuudwasadamantthathewasgoingtogetthemostgoals.’DuringVanNistelrooy’sfive-yearPremierLeaguecareerheandHenrywon

theGoldenBooteveryyear,butitwas4–1toHenry:24–23,24–25,30–20,25–6,27–21.2002/03wastheonlyseasonwhenVanNistelrooyprevailed,theonlyseasonheliftedthetitle–andyetHenrysomehowstillmanagedtoovershadowhim,winningthePFAandFWAPlayeroftheYearawards.Onthefinalday,withUnitedalreadyconfirmedaschampions,focusturnedto

HenryandVanNistelrooy’sbattlefortheGoldenBoot.Henryscoredafterseven

minutesofArsenal’sgameatSunderlandtodrawlevelon24goals,thenVanNistelrooynettedalatepenaltyatEvertontomoveonto25,admittinghewasthinkingsolelyabouttheGoldenBootwhilewaitingtotakethespot-kick.Notably,however,Henryshowedlittleinterestinboostinghisowntally,andinthesecondhalfatSunderlandcreatednofewerthanthreegoals,allforFreddieLjungberg–oneofonlythreeassister-goalscorerPremierLeaguehat-tricks.Henrywasaproviderasmuchasagoalscorer,endingtheseasonwith20assists,aPremierLeaguerecordthatstandstoday.‘Withouttheworkofthelastpasseroftheball,thegoalscorerisnothing,’Henryoncesaid.‘Besides,Iamnotoneofthoseplayerswhosufferswhenhedoesn’tscore.’Oneexampleofthattypeofplayerwasobvious,anditwasnotablethatwhile

VanNistelrooyusedtocelebratesimpletap-inswithtremendousferocity,Henryreactedtogoalswithanonchalantexpressionborrowedfromoneofhisheroes,basketballlegendMichaelJordan.HeevensuggestedthatgoalshescoredinmatchesArsenallostshouldn’tcounttowardshistally–thosestrikes,tohim,wereworthless.Hewasatrueteamplayer;whenteammatesoverhitpassesintendedforhimhewaskeentoapplaudtheidea.TherewasaperiodaroundthetimeoftheInvinciblesseasonof2003/4where,afterraremomentswhenhelostpossession,hewoulddeterminedlychargeaftertheball,closingdowntwoorthreeopponentssolo.Itwasaspectacular,unusualsight;thePremierLeague’smostathleticplayertearingacrossthepitchtostartthedefensivepressure,settingtheexampleforhisteammates–ifHenrycanworkhard,whyshouldn’tthey?Henrydidn’tsimplydominatethegoalscoringchartsduringthisperiod,he

cametodefinetheentireeraofEnglishfootball.Heboastedararemixtureofartistryandathleticism,andunlikeVanNistelrooywasalsoanentertainer,acrowdpleaser,‘ashowman’,inthewordsofthelateGeorgeBest.His‘greatestgoal’highlightsreelisremarkableforthesheervarietyofstrikes–thelong-rangethunderbolts,themazyruns,thefinishingtouchestoArsenal’steamplay.Henrywascheeky;hescoredfrombackheels,hescoredPanenkapenalties,he

scoredquicklytakenfree-kickswhenthegoalkeeperwasstillassemblinghiswall.NoonehasrisentoapositionofsuchwidespreadacclaiminthePremier

League–in2004ArsenalplayedanFACuptieawayatPortsmouth,producingascintillatingdisplayoffootballtowin5–1.TheatmosphereatFrattonParkwaswonderful,arelentlesswallofnoisedespitePompey’sheavydefeat,andthehomesupportersgenerouslyapplaudedArsenal’sattackingplay.‘I’veneverseenthatinmywholelife,’Henrysaid,whileArsèneWengerwasdelighted.‘Theresultiswonderful,’hesaid.‘Butitisevenmoreenjoyabletohearoppositionfanscheeringourteam.’WhenArsenalreturnedlaterthatseasoninthePremierLeague,havingalreadyconfirmedtheirtitle,PortsmouthfansspentmuchofthesecondhalfsingingHenry’sname.HeswappedshirtswithanopponentandconductedaminilapofhonourinaPortsmouthshirt,applaudingthePortsmouthfansashelefttheFrattonParkpitch.ItfeltlikeHenrybelongedtothePremierLeagueasawhole,notsimplytoArsenal.IfVanNistelrooywasthepureststrikerimaginable,Henrywasn’treallya

strikeratall.MuchhasbeenmadeofWenger’sdecisiontoconvertHenryfromawideplayertoanoutrightcentre-forward,althoughrealistically,withWengerstillverymuchcommittedtoa4–4–2system,itwastheobviousapproach–andHenryhadplayedasaforwardthroughouthisyouth-teamdays.Theconfusionstems,inevitably,fromEnglishobserversnotappreciatingthenuancesofsystemsthatweren’t4–4–2.WhileWengerhandedHenryhisprofessionaldebutatMonacoinAugust

1994,hewasdismissedfromhispostthefollowingmonth,andHenrybecameaccustomedtoplayingwideina4–3–3.HenryplayedthatroleduringFrance’svictorious1998WorldCupcampaignonhomesoil;itwasanaturalfitforaplayerblessedwithtremendousspeedbutwhodidn’tthriveoncrosses.Hisbrief,half-seasonspellwithJuventuswaspeculiar–Juvedidn’tplaywithwideforwardsandsometimesuseda3–5–2system.Henryhadchancesupfrontbutwasalsoforcedtofulfilawing-backroleonoccasion,effectivelybecominga

full-backwhenhisteamweren’tinpossession.Thiswasclearlyacompletewasteofhistalents,althoughHenrybristlesatsuggestionsthathisperiodinSerieAwasafailure–insisting,withsomejustification,thatheplayedperfectlywellandsimplyrecognisedthatamovetoArsenalwasbestforhiscareer.InArsenal’s4–4–2Henryhadtwopotentialroles:left-midfieldorupfront,

andit’softenforgottenthatheinitiallyplayedtheformermorethanthelatter.Inthefirst15leaguegamesof1999/2000hewasdeployedontheleftflankfivetimes,upfrontonlythreetimesandwasomittedfromthestartingXIonsevenoccasions.InfacthewasWenger’sfourth-choicecentre-forwardduringthisperiod,withDennisBergkampstarting12timesupfront,NwankwoKanutentimesandDavorŠukerfivetimes.Henrywasforcedtobidehistime,andwhilethere’slittledoubtthatWengerhadhighexpectations,Henry’sconversionintoacentre-forwardwasn’tafaitaccompli.WhenMarcOvermarsreturnedtofullfitnessandre-tookhisleft-wingslot,thingsfellintoplacewithHenrymovingupfront,andhe,crucially,creditsWengerfor‘givingmethebeliefthatIcouldplaywhereIalwaysplayedbefore’,ratherthanformovinghimtoanentirelynewposition.HenryopenedhisPremierLeagueaccountinSeptember1999withtheonly

goalasasubstituteagainstSouthampton,butitwasn’tuntillateNovember,whenhestrucktwiceagainstDerby(toturna0–1intoa2–1,withbothgoalsassistedbyOvermars),thatheshowedthegoalscoringpotentialthatwouldeventuallymakehimArsenal’sall-timetopgoalscorer.Fromthenonheexploded;afterasolitarygoalinhisfirsteightleagueappearances,Henrythenhit16inhissubsequent19–onlyoncestartingonthewingduringthatspell,andeventhenremainingthereforonly45minutesbeforeshiftingupfront.Henrywasnowaforward.Hewas,however,anunorthodoxforward.Hishistoryasawide-leftplayer

wasobviousthroughouthisArsenalcareerbecauseheconsistentlytookuppositionsontheoutsideofoppositionright-backsbeforecuttinginsideandbendingtheballintothefarcornerwithhisrightfoot.ThisbecameHenry’s

trademarkandowedmuchtoconstantworkonthetraininggroundasateenager,repeatingthesameexerciseagainandagain:receivingtheballnearthetouchline,cuttinginsidepastamannequinthenshootinginsidethefarpost.Whenhenettedatrademarkstrikeina2006WorldCupqualifierawayatIreland,hededicatedthegoaltohisyouth-teamcoachatMonaco,ClaudePuel–whowouldlatertakechargeofSouthampton–becausePuelhadencouragedhimtoworkonthatfinisheverydayaftertraining.‘Iwasn’tbornwithagiftforgoals,’Henrysaidinhislateryears.‘Iwasquick.Ihadtohavetenchancestoconvertoneintoagoal–butatthesametime,Ikeptcreatingthesechances.ThenItoldmyself:“Youwon’thavethesechancesallthetime.Youmuststickthemintothenet.”’Henry’spositioningmadelifedifficultforopponents.Fergusonadmittedthat

whenUnitedfacedArsenal,heinstructedhisright-back–usuallyGaryNeville–toremaininpositionatalltimes.Henrytookinspirationfromthreeplayers:initiallyGeorgeWeah,whohadalsoworkedwithWengeratMonaco,butalsoRomarioandRonaldo.Thesethree,saidHenry,‘reinventedthecentre-forwardposition,theywerethefirsttodropfromtheboxtopickuptheballinmidfield,switchtotheflanks,attractanddisorientatethecentraldefenderswiththeirruns,theiraccelerations,theirdribbling’.ButHenryarguablytookthingsfurther;thattriowerehighlymobilebut

fundamentallywerenumber9s.Henrydidn’tfeellikeastrikeratall,andwithBergkampdroppingintohisusualpositionsbetweenthelines,oppositioncentre-backsfoundthemselveswithoutanyonetomark.Playingwithafalseninebecamefashionableafewyearslater,butArsenalwereeffectivelyplayingastrikerlessformationatthisstage,fieldingonlyanumber10andaleft-sidedattacker.Therefore,whileFergusonhadmadeaverydeliberateshifttoaone-strikersystemfromabasic4–4–2,Arsenalhadsubtlyshiftedtoano-strikersystemwithinabasic4–4–2.

EventhoughHenrywasabletooutscoreVanNistelrooy,Arsenal’sgoalsarrived

fromavarietyofsources.FreddieLjungberghit12goalsfromjust25appearancesinArsenal’stitle-winningcampaignof2001/02,whileontheoppositeflankRobertPirès–whowontheFWAPlayeroftheYearthatseasondespitemissingthelastcoupleofmonthswithaseriouskneeinjury–recoveredtohitexactly14goalsinthreeconsecutiveseasonsfrom2002/03to2004/05,asensationalreturnfromawidemidfielder.Therewasoftenarolereversal:theforwardswerecreative,thewidemidfieldersweregoalscorers.WhileBergkampandHenry’spartnershipisrememberedfondly–andthey

wereunquestionablytwobrilliantforwardsonthesamewavelength–Arsenal’speculiarsystemmeantHenry’sbestrelationshipwaswithPirès,playinglightning-quickone-twostoescapedefendersdowntheleft,whileBergkampcombinedbestwithLjungberg,whosedartingrunsmettheDutchman’sthrough-balls.‘Themostbeautifulthingismakingthepasswhenyouareinapositiontoscoreyourself,’Henrysaid.‘Youknowyou’regoodenoughtoscorebutyougivetheball.Youshare.Andyouseethatjoyintheeyesoftheotherguy.Youknow,heknows,everyoneknows.’Thiscouldn’thavebeenfurtherfromtheoutlookofVanNistelrooy–Scholesonceconvertedatap-infrominsidethesix-yardboxagainstAstonVillaandthenfeltcompelledtoapologisetotheDutchman,whohadbeenwaitingjustbehind,readytopounce.WhenWengercelebratedhis20thanniversaryatArsenalin2016,Henry

conductedaTVinterviewwithhisoldmanager,quizzinghimaboutthesystem.‘Weplayed4–4–2withDennisBergkamp,whowasastriker,butwhenheplayedwithyouitbecamealittlebitofa4–2–3–1,’saidWenger.‘Aswell,atthetimewehadplayerslikeFreddieLjungberg,whocouldmakerunsfromdeep,soonoccasionsitwaslikeplayingwithtwoorthreestrikers.’Theshiftawayfromtwo-strikerformationsdidn’tmeanthelonestrikershoulddominategoalscoring;itmeantgoalshadtocomefromavarietyofsources.FergusonbecameincreasinglyawareUnitedcameupshortinthisdepartment,

andatthestartofVanNistelrooy’ssecondcampaignwassurprisinglycriticaloftheDutchmaninpublic.‘SometimesIthinkRuud’sabittooselfish,’Ferguson

toldthemedia.‘Obviouslyhewouldn’thavescored36goalslastseasonifhehasn’tbeenaweebitselfish,buttherearetimeswhenhecouldreleasetheballbetterandI’vetoldhimthat.Ruudthinksthatifheisnotscoringthenheisnotcontributing,andIhavespokentohimaboutthat.Andwhenhedoesn’tscorehecomesoffangrywithhimselfandhegetshimselfdown.Ruud’sstillonlyyoung,andifhecanaddthesethingstohisgamethenitwillturnhimintoatrulygreatplayer.’ThatcampaignsawVanNistelrooywinboththetitleandtheGoldenBoot

playingupfrontaloneaheadofScholes,whoembracedhismoreadvancedpositionandenjoyedhisbest-evergoalscoringreturn,althoughVanNistelrooysawhimasa‘provider’whoenabledhimtoconcentrateonbanginginthegoals.ItwasdifficulttoarguewithVanNistelrooy’sperformancesthatseason,althoughheneverstoppedworryingabouthislackofall-roundability.‘IfIlookat[formerGermanystriker]GerdMüller,hewasonlyagoalscorer–Ididn’tlikethat,althoughhescoredsomanygoals,’VanNistelrooysaidinlate2003.‘I’vealwaystriedtobemorecomplete.Myambitionistocombinethebestofnumber9andnumber10,asastrikerwhoisalsoateamplayerandcreator.’Butasidefromhisliteralshirtnumbertherewerefewsignsofanumber10in

VanNistelrooy’sgame.HeaveragedfewerthanthreeleagueassistsaseasonduringhisfiveyearsinEnglishfootball,whereasHenryaveragedoverten.ItincreasinglyappearedthatUnitedweresimplytoopredictablewiththeDutchmanupfront,whichwasthecompleteoppositeofFerguson’sintentionwhenswitchingtoa4–5–1,andhelateradmittedthat‘atfirstIbelievedRuud’srangeofattributeswaswiderthanitturnedouttobe.’VanNistelrooywasmorelikea1990sstrikerinthemannerofRobbieFowlerorAndyCole–apurepoacher–whereasinthenewmillenniummanagersdemandedabroaderrangeofattributes.It’sworthremembering,however,thatwhileHenry’slegacyhascertainly

stoodthetestoftime,manypunditsduringthisperiodthoughtVanNistelrooythebetterstriker.Centre-forwardswerestillconsideredintraditionalterms,and

VanNistelrooy’ssuperiorabilityintheairwasoftencitedastheattributethatmadehimthemorepotentgoalthreat.AlanSmith,theformerArsenalstrikerturnedTelegraphjournalist,wrotethat‘intermsofall-roundability,theDutchmanmightnarrowlypipit,’whichseemscrazyinhindsight,inaworldwherepassingabilityhasbecomesorevered.ButHenry’slackofheadedgoalswasthoughttobeamajorflaw,anditwasconsideredoutrageousthatheregularlytookcornersratherthanwaitinginthemiddletoconvertthem,aswellasallowingteammatestotakepenalties,particularlywhenhe’dbeentheplayerfouled.VanNistelrooy,havinggrownaccustomedtobeingthemainmanat

ManchesterUnited,becamefrustratedwhenFergusonsignedattackerswhochallengedhisstatus.In2003FergusonsoldDavidBeckham,thewidemidfielderwhoprovidedthetypeofcrossVanNistelrooydemanded,andreplacedhimwithCristianoRonaldo,anindividualistwhofrustratedtheDutchmanwithhisreluctancetocross.AyearlaterWayneRooneyjoined–andUnitedstartedtolookbetterwithoutVanNistelrooy.Hestarted2004/05slowly,scoringjustoncefromopenplayinninematches,inadditiontothreepenalties.Then,whentheDutchmanwasoutinjuredfromtheendofNovemberuntilmid-February,Unitedproducedtheirbestrunofthecampaign,winning32pointsfromapossible36,includingimpressiveawaywinsatLiverpoolandArsenal.TheywerenowbasedaroundRooneyandRonaldo.ClasheswiththesetwoproveddecisiveinVanNistelrooy’sdownfallat

United.HeneverworkedparticularlywellwithRooney,whowasnotablycriticalofVanNistelrooyafterhisdeparture.‘Ithinkheknowsthestyleoffootballwe’replayingisn’tsuitedtohim,’Rooneysaid.‘He’sstillanamazinggoalscorer,buttheplayersthatthemanagerhasbroughtinlikeRonaldo,Louis[Saha]andmyselfaremoregearedtoplayingquick,counter-attackingfootball.Weplaywithpace,Ruudlikestoslowtheplaydown…I’vehadthefeelingthathe’sbeenunhappysincetheminuteIsignedforUnited…IgetonwithRuud,butIdon’tthinkheandRonniearethebestofpals.There’sbeenoneortwo

argumentsonthetraininggroundandRuud’sbecomedeadannoyedwhenRonniehasn’treleasedtheballasquicklyashe’dlike.’Thisbecameacommoncomplaint,withVanNistelrooyopenlyprotestingthathecouldn’tplaywithRonaldobecausethewingerheldontotheballfortoolongandnevercrossed–which,infairness,wasalegitimatecomplaintatthatstage.Butthebust-upbecameserious.VanNistelrooyconstantlycomplainedabout

RonaldotoUnited’sPortugueseassistantmanagerCarlosQueiroz,complaintsthatfellondeafearsbecause,inpart,Queirozwasalwayslikelytoprotecthisyoungcompatriot.ThisfrustratedVanNistelrooyevenmore,andresultedinanregrettabletraining-groundincidentafterVanNistelrooyfouledRonaldo.Whenthewingertypicallymadethemostofthechallenge,VanNistelrooyshoutedathim,‘Whatareyougoingtodo,complaintoyourdaddy?’HewassarcasticallyreferringtoQueiroz,butRonaldo’sactualfatherhadrecentlydiedafteralongstrugglewithalcoholism.Hewasunderstandablyupset.ThisincidentwasunfortunateforVanNistelrooy,whocontinuallystruggledto

developgoodrelationshipswithotherattackers,onandoffthepitch.HespoketoFergusonandannouncedhisdesiretoleavetheclubin2005,sayinghedidn’twanttowaitforRonaldoandRooneytomatureintoChampionsLeague-winningplayers,whichstunnedhismanager,whosuggestedVanNistelrooyshouldbeactingastheirleader.Thingsgotworsethefollowingseason.Unitedagainlookedbetterwithout

VanNistelrooy,andwhenherealisedhewasn’tgoingtogetoffthebenchinthe2006LeagueCupFinal,aneasy4–0victoryoverWigan,hecalledFergusonaswearwordthatappearedinvariouspublications,mysteriously,asboth‘****’and‘******’.AheadofUnited’slastgameofthe2005/06season–againstCharlton–VanNistelrooybootedRonaldointraining,whichpromptedRioFerdinandtogetrevengebykickingVanNistelrooy,whorespondedbyswingingatFerdinand,narrowlymissing.Suchincidentsaren’tuncommonintraining,butthiswasthefinalstraw.UponhisarrivalfortheCharltongameFergusontoldhiminnouncertaintermstogohome,andhedepartedforRealMadridthat

summer.VanNistelrooymighthavebeentryingtoforceamovetoSpain–the

DutchmanhaddemandedaclauseinhiscontractspecificallymentioningReal–butitwasanincrediblyundignifiedendingforoneofthePremierLeague’smostprolificgoalscorers.HelinkedupeffectivelywithhisoldpalBeckhaminMadrid,althoughwhenRonaldofollowedhimtherein2009itwasnotablethatVanNistelrooyonlyplayedonefurthergame,evenifthetwopatcheduptheirdifferences.VanNistelrooylaterwholeheartedlypraisedRonaldo’sincredibleimprovement,andphonedFergusontoapologiseforhisbehaviourduringthatfinalcampaignwithUnited.ButFergusonwasrighttosellhim.AfterVanNistelrooy’sdeparturein2006

UnitedbecamethePremierLeague’sdominantforceagain,winningthreestraighttitlesandtheChampionsLeague.Rooneyinheritedthenumber10shirt,whileRonaldoexplodedandbecameUnited’smaingoalscorer.Mostpertinently,Fergusondidn’tevenseekareplacementforVanNistelrooy,notsigninganothercentre-forwardfortwoyears,ashehadlearnedacruciallessonaboutstrikers:scoringgoalswas,initself,nolongerenough.

11

Invincibles&Convincibles

‘Whenyoustartoff,everyonewantstobeacentre-forward–butsomeofusenduphavingtodefend.’

MartinKeown

Arsenal’sInvincibles,whoachievedthehistoricfeatofgoingtheentire2003/04leaguecampaignundefeated,arethemostcelebratedsideofthePremierLeagueera.Thatseason,however,wassimplythefinalmoveinathree-cardtrick.TwoyearsbeforehandArsenalwonthePremierLeagueinsimilarly

impressivefashion,settingtwoextraordinaryrecordsintheprocess.First,theyforeshadowedtheInvinciblescampaignbybecomingthefirsttop-flightsideinoveracenturytogotheentirecampaignundefeatedawayfromhome.Atthisstagetheyappearedmorefearsomeontheirtravels;theirhomegroundHighburyhadthesmallestpitchintheleague,soArsenalfoundmorespaceawayfromhome,wheretheoppositionfelttheonustoattackandleftgapsthatArsenalcouldexploitincounter-attacks.Second,andevenmoreimpressively,theybecamethefirstsideintop-flighthistorytoscoreineveryleaguegame,arecordthat’sbeenunfairly–ifunderstandably–overshadowedbytheInvinciblescampaign.Ifanything,ittypifiedArsenalbetter,underliningtheconsistencyoftheirattackingthreat.Aheadofthefollowingcampaign,2002/03,ArsèneWengermadean

incredibleforecast.‘Nobodywillfinishaboveusintheleague,’hetoldreporters.‘Anditwouldn’tsurprisemeifweweretogounbeatenforthewholeoftheseason.’ThereactionwasamixtureofscepticismandastonishmentatWenger’sarrogance.Buthewentbackformore.‘Iamstillhopefulwecangothroughtheseasonunbeaten,’herepeatedaftera4–1thrashingofLeedsinearlySeptember2002.Itwasaveryspecificobjective,whichhadnoprecedentsincethePreston

NorthEndsideof1888/89.WengerwasleftembarrassedthefollowingmonthatEvertonwhenArsenal’s30-gameunbeatenrunwasendedbyWayneRooney’sdebutPremierLeaguegoal,a90th-minute,25-yardstrikeinoffthecrossbar.‘He’ssupposedtobe16,’Wengersighedafterwards,devastatedthathisdreamofanunbeatencampaignwasover.ThepsychologicalblowclearlyaffectedArsenal,astheycontrivedtolose

fourconsecutivematches,theirworstrunsince1983.ByApril,withManchesterUnitedfavouritesforthetitle,Wenger’s‘unbeaten’predictionwaswidelymocked.‘I’msuretheywouldlovetoturntheclockbacksixmonths,’SirAlexFergusonsaid.‘Itmightcomebacktohauntthem.’ArsenaleventuallylimpedhomeinsecondplacebehindFerguson’sside,theirfatesealedbyashock3–2homedefeattoLeeds,whosimultaneouslyconfirmedtheirPremierLeaguesurvivalanddeniedArsenalthetitle.MartinKeown,theveterancentre-back,blamedWengerforthefailure,sayinghispre-seasonforecasthadpiledpressureupontheplayers.But,incredibly,thatLeedssetbackwasArsenal’sfinalleaguelossbefore

anotherstaggeringunbeatenrun,thistimeof49games,whichincludedtheentiretyofthat2003/04campaign.Wenger’sseeminglyludicrouspredictioncametrue–simplyayearlaterthanhe’danticipated.Arsenal’s2001/02and2003/04title-winningsideswereextremelysimilarin

termsofpersonnel.TherewereonlytwochangestoWenger’sfirstXI:GilbertoSilvaplayedalongsidePatrickVieirainmidfield,withRayParlourandEdudemotedtodeputies,whileKoloTouréhaddisplacedMartinKeownatcentre-back.Infactthe2003/04sidewasstructurallysimilartoWenger’sfirsttitle-winningArsenalsideof1997/98–stillessentially4–4–2,featuringtwoholdingmidfieldersandadeep-lyingforward,inashapethatwouldeventuallybeconsidered4–2–3–1.Vieiraremainedinmidfield,DennisBergkampwasstillthenumber10.Upfront,ThierryHenrywasarefinedversionofIanWrightorNicolasAnelka,RobertPirèswasagoalscoringleft-midfielderinthemouldofMarcOvermars,andFreddieLjungbergahard-working,onrushingright-sided

midfielderinplaceofParlour.GilbertowastheEmmanuelPetitfigure–bothsolid,WorldCup-winningdefensivemidfielderswhoallowedVieiratochargeforward.Inmidfieldandattack,theInvincibleswerenotrevolutionarythemselves,simplyacontinuationofWenger’sinitialrevolution.Defensively,however,everythinghadchanged.For1997/98Wengerhad

stuckwiththeoldbackfourdevelopedbyGeorgeGraham:LeeDixon,KeownorSteveBould,TonyAdamsandNigelWinterburn.Theywereproper,old-schooldefenders:tacklers,tightmarkersandafamouslycohesiveunit,particularlyintermsofcatchingopponentsoffside.Theycouldplay,too,asArsenal’slegendarytitle-clinchinggoalin1997/98proved,withBouldchippingtheballovertheoppositiondefenceforAdams,whoburstforwardfromcentre-backbeforesmashingtheballhomewithhisweakerleftfoot.Withhisfirsttitle-winners,Wengerencouragedhisdefenderstoattack.TheInvinciblesbackline,however,werenaturalattackerswhomWengerhadconvincedtoplayindefence.AsJamieCarragheroncesaid,allfull-backscanbebrokendownintotwo

types:failedcentre-backsandfailedwingers.Butthelatterarearelativelymodernphenomenon,andthedevelopmentofattackingfull-backswasamongthemostnoticeabletacticalshiftsatthestartofthe21stcentury.Atthispoint,with4–4–2thedominantformation,itwasoftenthefull-backswhohadmostspaceaheadofthem,astheopposition’swideplayersdroppedbackalongsidetheirmidfieldcolleagues.Thefull-backs,therefore,couldpushforwardtobecomevitalattackingweapons.AshleyColewasaperfectexample.ApromisingforwardinArsenal’syouth

team,Coleswitchedtoadefensivepositioninhislateteenageyears.Hewoulddevelopintotheworld’soutstandingleft-back,buthisfirstcoupleofseasonswerecharacterisedbyfrequentpositionalerrors.Wenger,however,lovedhisacceleration,staminaandqualityinpossession,andcorrectlybelievedthatColehadtherightattitudetoimprovehisdefensiveattributes.‘Ididn’treallywanttobeadefender;Ineverreallylikeddefendersordefending,’ColeadmittedafterEuro2004,thetournamentinwhichheconfirmedhisstatusasoneofthe

world’sbestfull-backs.‘Ialwayslikedscoringgoalsandattacking,andwhenIwasaskedtogotoleft-backfortheArsenalyouthteamIhadtojusttakeit.IknownowIwouldn’thavemadeitasastrikerandI’mnotdisappointedthatI’maleft-back,butinitiallyIsupposeIwas.Ialwayswantedthegloryofgoingupfrontscoringgoalsfortheteam.’Arsenalright-backLaurenwasn’tanaturalfull-backeitherandwasinitially

scepticalaboutthepositionalswitch.‘WhenIfirstcameIwasplayingasaright-winger.WengerthoughtIwascapableofplayingasaright-back,butatfirstIdidn’tknowit.Itwassomethingprogressive;atthebeginningitwasabitdifficult…Arsènegaveyoutheconfidenceinyourselftorealiseyoucouldplayinanewposition.’Mostremarkable,however,isthefactWengerincludedathirdunnaturaldefenderinhisregularbackline.Centre-backKoloTouréjoinedArsenalasanenergetic,slightlyclumsyall-rounderwhodeputisedeffectivelyinmidfieldbutlookeduncomfortablewhengivenopportunitiesatfull-back,beingdismissedbeforehalf-timeinagoallessChampionsLeaguegameagainstPSVinlate2002.Hehadneverplayedcentre-backuntilpre-season2003/04,whenWengerpairedhimwithSolCampbellfora1–0friendlyvictoryoverBeşiktaşinAustria.OppositionmanagerMirceaLucescupraisedthepowerofArsenal’scentre-backcombination,convincingWengerthatTourécouldplaytherepermanently.EvenCampbell,unquestionablythemostsolidofArsenal’sfourdefenders,

hadplayedhigherupthepitchduringhisformativeyears.AsateenagerattheFA’sSchoolofExcellenceatLilleshallhewasoftenfieldedontherightofmidfield,andwhenbreakingthroughatTottenhamwasconsideredapotentialcentre-forward.Heeventuallybecameasettleddefender,admittinghewasforcedtoovercomeinitialproblemswithhisheadingability,whichisincrediblewhenyouconsiderhisaerialdominancebythetimehecontroversiallycrossedthenorthLondondividein2001.Arsenal’sbackfouralldevelopedwithanemphasisuponattacking.‘Ichangedeveryplayerintoamoretechnicalplayer,’Wengerlatersaidofhis

defence.‘Firstbyimprovingexistingplayers.After,whentheyhadtobereplaced,byaplayerwhocouldcontributemoretooffensivequality,tobuildupthegamefromtheback,likeKoloTouré,Lauren,AshleyCole.’WengerhaddonethesameatMonaco,convertingyoungsterLillianThuramfromaright-wingertoaright-back,inwhichpositionhewouldlaterbeconsideredEurope’sbest.Maybeitwasapersonalmission–Wengerwasamidfielderhimself,thenmovedtodefencetowardstheendofhismodestplayingcareer.Buthewasn’tadefensivedrillerinthemouldofGraham,andplentyofcoachingcamefromtheexperienceddefenders;ColethrivedthankstoAdams’sinstructions,TouréimprovedbecauseKeowntookhimunderhiswing,LaurenhadDixonasarolemodel.ThiswasthecrucialdifferencebetweenWenger’sArsenaldefencefullofattackersandKevinKeegan’sNewcastlerearguard;theArsenalbrigadewereactuallytaughthowtodefend.‘PeoplealwaysspeakofthedefenceIinheritedwhenIarrivedhere,andit

wasanexceptionaldefence,’saidWengerin2013.‘Butpeopleforgetalotaboutthedefencethatwasunbeaten.Theyneverspeakaboutthatandit’sunbelievablethatthatdefencenevergetsanycredit.ItwasLauren,KoloTouré,SolCampbellandAshleyCole,andtheywereabsolutelyexceptional.Theydidn’tloseagameandyetnoonespeaksaboutthem…KoloandSolwerebothverypaceyplayerswithunbelievablephysicalpower.Whenastrikerwentbeyondanyofthemyouknewtheywouldcomebackandcatchthemup,theywerelesscalculatingbutmuchmorephysical.Ontheflankswehadtwomorefootballingplayers,becauseLaurenwasamidfielderandColehasmadeafantasticcareer.’Theideathatdefenderscouldbasetheirgamearoundpaceand‘catchingup’

withforwards,ratherthannullifyingtheirthreatproactively,wouldhaveinfuriatedtheoldArsenalbackfour–butthentheywouldhavelovedtohavepossessedenoughspeedtocatchupwithMichaelOwen,whosepacewonLiverpoolthe2001FACupFinalagainstArsenal.AsWengeracknowledged,increasinglyquickstrikersnecessitatedincreasinglyquickdefenders.Otherdefensiveimportsaroundtheturnofthemillennium,likeFrenchmenMikaël

SilvestreatManchesterUnitedandChelsea’sWilliamGallas,weren’timposingaerially,sixfootandfivefoot11respectively,butwereastonishinglyfast.Both,incidentally,wouldlaterbesignedbyWenger.Meanwhile,theircompatriotLaurentBlancstruggledatManchesterUnited

becausehedesperatelylackedspeed.TheWorldCup-winningcentre-back,whostartedasanattackingmidfielderandoncescored18goalsinaseasonforMontpellier,washugelyintelligentandatalentedtechnician,butbythetimehereachedUnitedattheageof35hislackofmobilitywasrepeatedlyexposedandheprovedadisastrousreplacementforJaapStam.Unitedsufferedamini-crisisatthestartof2001/02,slippingintomid-tableshortlybeforeChristmas,andthefirstletterofthefiveclubswhohaddefeatedthemhighlightedUnited’sproblem:Bolton,Liverpool,Arsenal,Newcastle,Chelsea.Ferguson’ssolution,thefollowingsummer,wasdramatic–breakingtheBritishtransferrecordtosignLeeds’sRioFerdinand.

Ferdinandwasconsideredapotentialworld-classperformerfromhisdaysinWestHam’sacademy,playingalongsideFrankLampardinmidfield.TheytookWestHamtothe1996FAYouthCupFinal,wheretheylosttoaLiverpoolsidefeaturingMichaelOwenandJamieCarragher,butFerdinandwasneverthelessnamedmanofthematch.Thatsummer,aselectgroupofpromisingyoungsterswasaskedtotrainwiththefullEnglandsideaheadofEuro96,wheremanagerTerryVenables,withgreatforesight,identifiedFerdinandandLampardasthetwoplayerswiththebrightestfutures.ThatformerWestHammidfieldpartnershipwouldeventuallywinacombined247EnglandcapsandninePremierLeaguetitles,andbothwouldlifttheEuropeanCupascaptain.Ferdinandwasrenownedforhisadventurousdribblingandtendencytotake

risksinpossession,havingfalleninlovewithfootballwatchingDiegoMaradonaatthe1986WorldCup.HefirstdroppedbacktodefencewhenaWestHamteammatedidn’tturnupforagame.Heimpressedinthatrole,andhiscoachesgraduallyconvincedhimitshouldbehislong-termposition.‘Isuppose

defendingcamenaturallytomebutitcertainlywasn’tapleasure,’hesaidlater.‘Ihadastrangelyunfulfilledfeelingaftergames,evenifwewon.Ithought,“Yeah,butIdidn’tdoanything”…AdmittedlyIdidenjoyracingagainstaforwardandbeatinghimforspeed,buttheartofdefendingjustleftmecold.EvenplayingforEnglandIstillwasn’tactuallyenjoyingdefending.’Aswithotherplayersatthetime,Ferdinandwaspushedintothechangeofpositionbecauseofhisspeedandball-playingabilitiesratherthantraditionaldefensiveattributes.DroppingbackfrommidfieldbecameathemeamongEngland’semerging

centre-backs.LedleyKing,whomadehisdebutforTottenhamin1999andlaterbecameclubcaptain,wassimilarinstyletoFerdinand.‘Ineverenjoyedcallingmyselfadefender,’Kingsaid,recallinghisteenageyears.‘Ihatedbeingpinnedattheback;IfeltIhadtoomuchtooffer.IfeltIcouldaffectthegamemorefromthemidfield…Ididn’tstudyorwatchdefenderseither,Ilovedattackingplayers,flairplayers.’KingplayedinthesameeastLondonyouthside,SenrabFC,asayoungJohnTerry.Sureenough,thefutureChelseacentre-backwasyetanotherwhostartedinamoreadvancedposition.‘Heplayedinmidfieldbackthenandwasquiteshort,buthehadaleaponhimandwasgreatintheair,’Kingsaid.‘Hemadeabigdifferenceasamidfieldgeneral.’WhilenotconsideredasculturedasKingorFerdinand,Terry’sexcellentpassingskillshavealwaysbeenoverlooked,althoughhelackedthespeedofFerdinandorKingandpreferredplayinginadeeperdefensiveline.Ferdinandwasparticularlyfast,capableofrunningthe100min12seconds,

makinghimperfectforthenewgenerationofdefendershappyto‘catchup’withopponents.Ferdinandwasalwayshighlightedasaspecialcase,eternallydescribedasbeing‘pronetolapsesinconcentration’,somethingofaproblemforacentre-back.HewasthefirstcentraldefenderinEnglishfootballwhosemajorweaknesswasdefending,whichlaterwasn’tanentirelyunusualproblem;JohnStones,forexample,isasimilarcaseandconsidersFerdinandhisrolemodel.Widelyconsideredaball-playingcentre-back,Ferdinandwasactuallymoreofa

ball-carryingcentre-backwholoveddribblingforward.‘Whenyoucreateanextrabodyinmidfieldtheoppositionlookasiftosay,“Where’shecomefrom?”,andifotherplayersarebeingmarkedthere’susuallynotaspareplayertomarkyou,’hesaid.Buthisactualpassingabilitywasn’tparticularlyoutstanding;itwasabouthiscalmnessinpossession,ratherthanhisincision.Ferdinandhasalwaysproudlyspokenofhisroots,buthehadunusualinterests

foraPeckhamcouncilestateboyandattributeshisgracefulplayingstyletotakingballetclassesfourtimesaweek,improvinghis‘flexibility,movement,coordinationandbalance’.Healsoloveddrama,at13starringinhisschool’sproductionofBugsyMalone,playingFizzy,themanwhosweptthefloorofaspeakeasy.Asitturnedout,asweeperrolewaspeculiarlyprescient.Inthemid-tolate1990sEnglishfootballwasdesperatetodiscovera

homegrowncentre-backboastingguile,intelligenceandball-playingabilitytomakea3–5–2system–thenconsideredthenaturalalternativeto4–4–2–workproperly,withthesparemansteppingforwardfromdefence.ThemasterfulMatthiasSammer’sperformancesastheGermansweeper–hewasnamedplayerofthetournamentonEnglishsoilatEuro96–underlinedthevalueofthistypeoffootballer.InthoseearlydaysFerdinandwasconsideredalmostpurelyintermsofthe3–5–2system,giventheuncertaintyaboutwhetherhepossessedthetoughnessandnaturaldefensivequalitiestoplayasaman-markingcentre-backina4–4–2.EnglandmanagerGlennHoddlerepeatedlyfloatedtheideaofusingJamie

Redknappatsweeper,apositiontheLiverpoolmidfielderneverplayedbefore.Aswe’veseen,HoddlehadtriedsomethingsimilaratChelsea,brieflyusingRuudGullitthere,andrepeatedlyspokeofhisdetermination‘toplayarealsweeper,someonewhocancomeoutwiththeballlikeGermany’sSammer’,sotheemergenceofFerdinandwashugelyexciting.‘Hecanhititrighttoleft60yards,butI’mnotsurehecangolefttoright,’saidHoddle.Hisdefensiveattributeswerelessofaconsideration,HoddlethinkinginstinctivelyaboutFerdinand’sabilityinpossession.

AroundthistimeTerryVenables,Hoddle’spredecessor,highlightedbothFerdinandandSolCampbellasthoroughlymoderncentre-backs.‘IlookatRioandSolandseeanewtypeofEnglishdefender,’hesaid.‘Theyaregoodexamplesofthewayourattitudetowardsbringinginyoungdefendersischangingforthebetter.Fortoolongwefailedtotrainplayersfromayoungagetobringtheballoutofdefence…bothRioandSolwereforwardsatonetimeandthatisarealhelp.’ButHoddle’ssuccessor,Keegan,wassurprisinglynotafan,omittingFerdinandfromhisEuro2000squadandtellinghimhe’dprobablywinmorecapsifhewereFrench,BrazilianorDutch.ThecontinualthemethroughoutFerdinand’scareerwashimappearingentirelyun-English,whichiscuriousconsideringheexclusivelyplayedunderBritishmanagersatclublevel.AfewmonthslaterFerdinandmovedtoLeedsforastaggering£18m,

becomingboththemostexpensivedefenderintheworldandBritain’smostexpensiveplayer,astatususuallyreservedformidfieldersorattackers.AthisunveilingevenLeedsmanagerDavidO’Learyappearedstunnedbythesizeofthefee,havingexpectedtopay£12mto£15m.Hebizarrelyvolunteeredthefactthathiswifeconsideredthefigure‘obscene’,anunusuallinefromamanagerwelcomingaclub-recordsigning.ItwasaparticularlyboldmovefromLeeds,giventhattheEuropeanUnionwasatthispointthreateningtorulefootball’sentiretransfersystemillegal,consideringitarestrictionoftrade,whichwouldhavebeenevenmorerevolutionarythantheBosmanruling.Therewasaseriouspossibilitythatthesystemwouldbeoverhauled,playerswouldbeallowedtomoveclubsfornofeeandeveryfootballer’stransfervaluewouldbewipedoutovernight.Leeds,however,werewillingtotakeafinancialgamble,whichrathersummeduptheirapproachthroughoutthisera.

AtthisstageLeedswereaseriouscontenderforthePremierLeaguetitle,havingfinishedthirdinthepreviouscampaign,andinFerdinand’sfirstseasontheyreachedthesemi-finalsoftheChampionsLeague.Theywerereapingtherewardsoftheirexcellentyouthsystem,partlythankstoHowardWilkinson’s

groundworkintheearly1990s,whichdevelopedplayerssuchasHarryKewell,JonathanWoodgate,IanHarte,AlanSmithandPaulRobinson.O’Learysomewhatirritatinglyreferredtohisplayersas‘mybabies’,althoughifeverateamdeservedthatnicknameitwashisLeeds;in1999/2000theaverageageoftheirstartingXIwas24yearsand162days,theyoungestinthePremierLeagueera.Intheearly1960sDonReviefamouslychangedLeeds’shomekitfrom

yellowandbluetoall-whiteinordertoimitateRealMadrid,andintheearly2000stheyoftenappearedtobereplicatingReal’s‘galácticos’policy,albeitonasmallerscale.Theirriseowedmuchtocopiousoverspendingonsuperfluousindividuals,eventuallyleavingtheclubfacingfinancialruin;atonepoint,O’LearycouldchoosefromMarkViduka,RobbieFowler,RobbieKeane,MichaelBridges,AlanSmithandHarryKewellasattackingoptions.ButwhereasRealstockpiledattackersandignoreddefensiveproblems,Leeds’sriseandfallwasmarkedbytherecruitmentandsaleoftheircentre-backs.TheirpurchaseofFerdinandwasn’tstrictlynecessary,buttheywereguarding

againsttheriskoflosingstarcentre-backWoodgate–anothermidfielderinhisyouth-teamdays–forasignificantperiodoftime,asheandteammateLeeBowyerwereontrialovertheviciousattackonastudentinalate-nightstreetfightinLeedscitycentre.Bothwerechargedwithcausinggrievousbodilyharmwithintentandaffray;BowyerwasclearedonbothcountsbutWoodgateconvictedonthelattercharge.Anothercentre-back,MichaelDuberry,alsobecameentangledinthecaseandwaslaterfoundnotguiltyofpervertingthecauseofjustice.Bowyerplayedthebestfootballofhiscareerduringthisperiod,butWoodgate’sformwasbadlyaffected,convincingLeedstosignanothercentre-back.FerdinandwasregisteredtoolatetoplayinLeeds’shomematchagainst

Arsenal,andafterbeingpresentedtotheEllandRoadcrowdhewatchedWoodgateandcaptainLucasRadebeperformmagnificentlyinanimpressive1–0victory.HemadehisdebutawayatLeicester,andinkeepingwiththefeeling

thatFerdinandnecessitatedabackthree,O’Learyditchedhis4–4–2andfielded3–5–2forthefirsttime,withFerdinandslottinginbetweenWoodgateandRadebe.Itbackfiredspectacularly;Leedsconcededthreeheadedgoalsinthefirsthalf-hour,Woodgatewassacrificedbeforehalf-timeasLeedsrevertedto4–4–2,thenRadebewassentoff.Leedslost3–1.Fortheirnextgame,aChampionsLeaguetriptoLazio,Ferdinandwasineligible,andWoodgateandRadebewereagainoutstandingtogetherinanother1–0victory.SowheredidFerdinandfitin?O’LearycouldhardlyleaveoutLeeds’srecordsigning,andFerdinand

establishedhimselfasfirst-choicecentre-back,playingalongsideoneofRadebe,WoodgateandDominicMatteo.HispositionalsenseimprovedimmeasurablyunderO’Leary,whowasanoutstandingcentre-backduringhisplayingdaysandhadworkedasassistantunderGeorgeGraham,thebestdefensivecoacharound.HemadeFerdinandworkhardonhisheadingability,whileFerdinandcreditssportspsychologistKeithPowerforimprovinghisconcentrationskills,encouraginghimtovisualisehisdefensivetasksbeforeagame.Ferdinandbecamethecompletedefenderand,afterbeingexplicitlyinstructednottodribbleforwardinpossessionbynewEnglandmanagerSven-GöranEriksson,therewaslittlesignofhisattack-mindedpastatthe2002WorldCup,wherehewasmagnificent.That’swhenManchesterUnitedpouncedfor£30m,anotherBritishrecord,andanotherworldrecordforadefenderafterJuventus’sLillianThuramhadbrieflyearnedthatstatus.Ferdinand’sdeparturewasthebeginningoftheendforLeeds,evenifhewas

oneoffewplayerstheymadeaprofiton.AsMatteo,hisreplacementasskipper,said,‘Hisdeparturewasamassivemoment,notbecausewedidn’thavethecapabilityinthesquadtoreplaceRio,butbecauseitsentoutamessagetoalltheothertopplayersattheclubthatLeedswereonthewane.’Leedswerenowasellingclub.Inthemidstofthelong-runningnegotiationsO’LearyrowedwithLeedschairmanPeterRidsdaleaboutFerdinand’simminentdepartureandwassacked,replacedbyTerryVenables.RidsdaleclaimedthatFerdinand’sdeparturewasn’tahugeblowandthathe

hadsimplybeenatemporaryreplacementforWoodgate,whomLeedsconsideredthesuperiordefender.WoodgatewasnowLeeds’sgreathope,buthelastedonlysixmonthsbeforeLeedssoldhimtoNewcastleinafurtherefforttoraisefunds.HewasthelastplayerLeedshadwantedtosell,withRidsdaleevenapproachingLiverpoolinadesperateattempttooffloadHarryKewellinstead,thenconsideredtobeLeeds’soutstandingfootballer.Liverpoolneededtowaituntilthesummer,however,soWoodgatedeparted.Venables,whohadbeenassuredthatWoodgatewouldn’tleave,threatenedto

quitbutwasconvincedtostayforanothercoupleofmonthsbeforehisinevitabledeparture.AtthepressconferenceconfirmingWoodgate’ssale,VenableslookedfuriousalongsideRidsdale,whofamouslydeclared,‘Shouldwehavespentsoheavilyinthepast?Probablynot.Butwelivedthedream.’Thatmoment,comingafterthedepartureofLeeds’smostvaluedplayer–acentre-back–feltlikeanobituary.LeedslastedjustonemoreseasoninthePremierLeague,andhaveneverreturned.Thesubtexttotheirdecline,however,wasthatcentre-backswerenowaprizedcommodity.

AtManchesterUnitedFerdinanddevelopedintooneofEurope’sbestfootballers.Therewasnolongeranysuggestionthatherequireda3–5–2tothrive,althoughhealwaysexcelledwhenplayingalongsideanold-schoolstopper:CampbellandJohnTerryatinternationallevel,andparticularlyNemanjaVidićatUnited,thetwoformingtheoutstandingcentre-backduoofthePremierLeagueera.Hewasespeciallynotableforthecool,calmmannerheregainedpossession,neverjumpingintotacklesandrarelyprovokingtroublewithreferees.Towardstheendofhiscareerhisdisciplinaryrecordwasexemplary,andheoncewent28leaguegameswithoutconcedingafoul,nevermindcollectingayellowcard.WhenaskedforthetwotoughestdefendersinthePremierLeague,JimmyFloydHasselbainknamedMartinKeownandFerdinand,butwhereasKeownlefthimcoveredinbruises,Ferdinand‘youalmostdon’tnotice.’

WhatwasnotableaboutthefinalyearsofFerdinand’scareer,however,wasthathestruggledtocopewithhislossofpace,asurprisingproblemforsuchanintelligentperformer.InManchesterUnited’sthrilling4–3victoryoverManchesterCityinSeptember2009,FerdinandallowedCitybackintothegamewithacarelesserror,playinganunnecessaryscoopedpassonthehalfwaylinestraighttoCraigBellamy,whobreezedpasthimwitheaseandscored.InfairnessalmosteveryotherPremierLeaguecentre-backwouldhavebeenunabletokeeppacewithBellamy,butitwasunusualtoseeFerdinandstruggling.‘Sincehehasbeenwithus,he’shasbeenfantasticallyconsistent,top-class,’saidSirAlexFergusonin2011.‘Heisstilloneofthebestfootballersinthecountryintermsofusingtheball,hecanstilltackle,hecanstillheadandhestillhasagreatpresence.ButwhathaschangedforRioisthathehaslostthatelectricyardofpacethathehadafewyearsagoandsoheneedstorearrangehisgamealittlebit.Heisalmost33,andwhenyouarriveinyour30syouhavetotailoryourgameinadifferentway.Wehaveallfacedthatdecisivemomentwhenyousuddenlyrealiseyoucannolongerdoeverythingyouusedtobeableto,andyouhavetochangeyourgame.IhadtodoitmyselfwhenIlostmysharpness,otherplayersatthisclubhavehadtoadaptandRiowillhavetodothesame.’FergusonwasfrustratedbyFerdinandandVidić’sinsistenceonsittingback

andprotectingthespaceinbehind,ratherthanmovingupthepitchtoclosedownLionelMessiinthatyear’s3–1ChampionsLeagueFinaldefeattoBarcelona.TherewasclearlynoobvioussolutiontostoppingPepGuardiola’sside,butFergusonbecameconvincedthatthelackofpaceinhisbacklinewasaseriousproblem.AcoupleofmonthslaterFerdinandwasworryinglypoorina3–0defeatawayatNewcastle,oftenendingupmilesbehindtherestofthedefensivelineinanattempttohidehislackofspeed.HewasstrugglingbadlyagainstquickattackersandonlywononefurtherEnglandcap;thiswassomewhatunfair,asheseemedtobedeliberatelyoverlookedafterJohnTerrywasaccused–andthenbannedandfinedbytheFA,havingbeenclearedinacourtoflaw–ofraciallyabusingFerdinand’syoungerbrotherAnton.Ferdinand

recoveredtoplayexcellentlyin2012/13,althoughhewasgenerallyfieldedalongsideayounger,quickercentre-backpartnerlikeJonnyEvansorChrisSmalling,ratherthanVidić.BynowFerdinand’sabilityinpossessionwasnothingparticularlynoteworthy.

‘I’veheardforadecadehowRioFerdinandisanelegantpasseroftheballwhostartsattacksfromtheback,’JamieCarragheroncecomplained.‘Hemusthavehita60-yardpasswhenhewas17becauseIhaven’tseenmuchevidencesince.’Butthatunderlinesthehugetransformationincentre-backstylesoverthecourseofhiscareer,withFerdinandthemostinfluentialdefenderinEnglishfootballduringthisperiod.Now,theworld’smostexpensivedefendersareJohnStonesandDavidLuiz,centre-backsinitiallyconsideredtobeweakdefensively.Ferdinandhadchangedperceptionsofwhattop-classcentre-backsneededtobe:all-rounderswhocouldbemouldedintodefenders.AfterleavingManchesterUnitedin2014Ferdinandconsideredretiringbut

wasconvincedtoplayonefinalseasonatQPR,wherehehadtrainedasaten-year-old.HewasmanagedbyHarryRedknapp,Ferdinand’sfirstWestHammanager,whorecruitedHoddle,Ferdinand’sfirstEnglandmanager,totaketrainingsessions.TocompletethefeelingFerdinand’scareerhadcomefullcircle,QPRstartedtheircampaignplaying3–5–2toaccommodateFerdinandatsweeper.ThatQPRcampaignendedinrelegation,althoughFerdinandplayedaminimalpart,hismindunderstandablyelsewhereashiswife,Rebecca,diedtowardstheendoftheseason.Ferdinandquietlyconfirmedhisretirementthefollowingmonth–therewaslittlefanfareamidhispersonalloss,andhiscareerneverreceivedtheplauditsitdeserved.Butitshouldn’tbeforgottenthatFerdinandchangedperceptionsofcentre-

backsinEngland:theyweren’tnecessarilyunglamorous,functionalfootballerswhosimplytackledandheaded.Theycouldbefast,intelligent,comfortableinpossessionandthemostvaluableplayersinthecountry.Inadivisiondefinedbyforeignimports,FerdinandisthemostinfluentialEnglishmanofthePremierLeagueera.

12

TheMakéléléRole

‘Ididn’tinventanything…Iamsimplyamorecompletefootballer.’

ClaudeMakélélé

Aseven-yearPremierLeagueperiodincorporatingtheturnofthecenturywasdominatedbytwoclubs:ArsenalandManchesterUnited.ItremainsthePremierLeague’smostenduringrivalry–thetitlefightwasusuallyatwo-horseracewithouttheleaguebecomingacompleteduopoly,andtherivalryitselfwastheperfectmixture:mostlyanimosity,withahintofbegrudgingrespect.Then,in2003,thingschangedwithRomanAbramovich’stakeoverof

Chelsea.HiswealthandrelentlessacquisitionofnewsigningsmeantChelseabecameseriouscontendersalmostovernight,havingspentthepreviousfewyearsonthefringesofthetitlerace.ArsenalandManchesterUnitedhaveneversincefinishedasthePremierLeague’stoptwo,andthissignificantshiftfromredtobluedominancewasmirroredbytheperiod’smostrevereddefensivemidfielders.ArsenalandManchesterUnited’srivalrywaspersonifiedbytheclashes

betweenPatrickVieiraandRoyKeane,twophysical,combativecaptains.TherehasneverbeenamoresignificantpersonalbattleinthePremierLeagueera;theirscrapswerelegendaryandplayedahugeroleindictatingtheoutcomeoftop-of-the-tableclashes.Bothrelishedtheirbattles.‘Theymademeabetterplayer,’saidKeane,whileVieiradescribedtheIrishmanashis‘favouriteenemy’.Then,howeveradifferenttypeofdefensivemidfielderemerged,withChelsea’sClaudeMakélélé,signedfromRealMadrid,becomingthePremierLeague’smostcelebratedplayerinthatmould.Itsymbolisedthechangingoftheguard.VieiraandKeane’smostfamousencounterdidn’teventakeplaceonthepitch,

occurringintheHighburytunnelshortlybeforeManchesterUnited’s4–2victory

overArsenalinFebruary2005.Itmadefortremendousviewing–anditwas,effectively,aTV-onlyeventawayfromthespectators,whoremainedoblivious.VieirahadconfrontedGaryNevilleshortlybeforehand,whowentandtoldKeane.United’scaptainwasseeminglyfuriousVieirahadpickedonNevilleratherthanhimselfandchargeddownthenarrowHighburytunneltoconfronthim,bizarrelycomplainingthatVieirawasn’tthe‘niceguy’everyonemadeout.Theirinsultswereoftenlaughablychildish,KeaneannoyingVieirabyaskinghimwhyhebangedonabouthishomecountryofSenegalwhenhechosetoplayforFranceinstead,VieirarespondingbymentioningKeane’s2002WorldCupwalkout.‘Itwasgrownmen,bitching,’asKeaneadmitted.Butbythisstagetheirrivalryhadeffectivelyjumpedtheshark.Themedia

wereportrayingArsenalvManchesterUnitedaspurelyVieiravKeane,totheextentmanybelieveKeane’sintimidationofVieirainthetunnelwasacrucialfactorinUnited’svictorythatday.Thisisacuriousreadingofevents,consideringVieiraopenedthescoringasArsenaldominatedthefirsthalf,leading2–1atthebreak.If‘intimidation’wasreallyafactor,ittookanhourtokickin.Thelessdramatictruth,ofcourse,wasthatUnitedsimplyoutperformedArsenaltechnicallyandtactically.VieiraandKeanewerenowpasttheirbest,andthiswouldbetheirlast

PremierLeaguemeeting:ArsenalsoldVieirainthesummer,UnitedreleasedKeaneafewmonthslater.Thereasonsfortheirdemiseweresimilar:althoughbothwereconsidereddefensivemidfielderswhentheywereactuallysomewherebetweendefensivemidfieldersandbox-to-boxplayersattheirpeak,andpreferredplayingalongsidemorecautiouspartnerswhoallowedthemfreedomtoattack.VieiraplayedhisbestfootballnexttoEmmanuelPetitfrom1997to2000thenGilbertoSilvafrom2002to2005,andduringthetwo-yearintermissionperformedbetternexttothefunctional,limitedGillesGrimandiratherthanEduorRayParlour,whopushedforward.Similarly,KeanenamedPaulInceashisfavouritemidfieldcolleagueatManchesterUnited,andafterInceleft,someofKeane’soutstandingindividualperformances–inthe3–2

victoryatJuventusin1999,forexample–camewhenSirAlexFergusonplayedthedefensiveNickyButtinsteadofthemorecreativePaulScholes.Bothplayers’physicalattributeshaddeclined,butneitherwerecapableof

switchingtoapureholdingrole.ArsèneWengerdecidedtosellVieiratoJuventusin2005followingtheemergenceofacreativemidfielderwhoneededlicencetoattack.‘IplayedCescFàbregasina4–4–2withPatrickVieiraandIsawitdidnotwork,’Wengersaid.‘ThenIhadthedecisiontomakeaboutlettingPatrickgo,becauseGilbertoandVieiraworked,GilbertoandFàbregasworked,butIcouldnotplayFàbregasandVieira.’Fàbregas,Arsenal’sfuture,neededacoveringmidfielder,andVieirasimplywasn’tthatman.Similarly,FergusonbelieveshisfalloutwithKeanestemmedfromaskingthe

Irishmantoplayamorerestrictedrole.‘Actingonaconvictionthatsomeofhisstrengthshadbeenstolenfromhimbyinjuryandage,wetriedtochangehisjobdescription…wealteredhisrolebydiscouraginghimfromchargingalloverthepitchandmakingforwardruns,’saidFerguson.‘Oursolutionwastotellhimtostayinthatsameareaofcentralmidfield.Hecouldcontrolthegamefromthere.Deepdown,Ibelieve,heknewthatbetterthananyone,buthesimplycouldnotbringhimselftoabandonhisoldtalismanicrole.’Keaneinsistshewas‘relieved’tobedoinglessrunning,butFerguson’scommentaboutthedifferencebetweenKeane’struethoughtsandhisactualperformancesmakessense.Thedeepestmidfieldrolehadchanged,particularlyasmanagersincreasingly

usedthreecentralmidfieldersinanattempttodominatethatzone,leavingonlyoneplayerupfront.Itmeantresponsibilitiesweredifferent,andmanagerswantedaholdingmidfielderwhoneveradvancedfrominfrontofthedefence.‘IwouldneverhavebeentheclassicsittingmidfielderlikeClaudeMakélélé–hewouldn’tbudge,’Keanewroteinhisautobiography,whileVieirasaidhisteammateGilbertowas‘aholdingmidfielderlikeMakélélé…thatenabledmepushforwardmore’.NeitherVieiranorKeanewasquiteasdefensiveasMakélélé.Infactthesimpleterm‘defensivemidfielder’didn’tdoMakélélé’srole

justice;hewasdescribedasa‘holdingmidfielder’,a‘sittingmidfielder’,a‘screeningplayer’,allofwhichimpliedhisrolewasbasedaroundpositioningandprotectingratherthansimplytackling.Andthen,eventually,itjustbecamethe‘Makélélérole’–apositioninitself–anextremelyrarehonour.ThesurprisingaspectofMakélélé’sposition,however,isthathestartedplayingtheMakélélérole–thesoleholdingmidfielderatthebaseofatriooradiamond–verylateinhiscareer.Farfromitbeinghisnaturalposition,Makéléléessentiallydroppeddeeperandsacrificedhimselffortheteamintheautumnofhiscareer,preciselywhatVieiraandKeanewereunabletodo.

MakéléléstartedatNantes,winningLigue1in1995.Hewasawingernotableforregularlyslalomingpastoppositionchallenges,andlaterbecomeanindustriousmidfielderontherightofadiamond,somewhatreminiscentoffutureChelseamidfielderRamires,beingaboutenergyratherthanpositionaldiscipline.Althoughnotprolific,registeringninegoalsin169games,thosestrikeswereoftenexcellent,slammingtheballhomefromtightangles.However,futureWorldCup-winningwingerChristianKarembeuplayedatright-backandpushedforwardregularly,soMakéléléwoulddropbackandcover.AfterasoleseasonwithMarseille,whereheplayedasimilarrole,Makélélé

movedtoSpanishsideCeltaVigoin1998.HerehewasdeployedinacentralrolealongsidedisciplinedBrazilianWorldCupwinnerMazinho.HissolidpositioningmeantMakélélécouldbreakforwardmore,buthealsotrainedtheFrenchmanintheartoftheholdingmidfieldposition.‘It’sMazinhowhoopenedupthespiritofthisnewrole,’Makélélérecalled.‘IspenthoursworkingwithMazinho,himexplainingthecorrectpositionstotakeup,whentoplayonetouchandtwotouches.’TheBrazilianwasonhislastlegs,however,andinMakélélé’ssecondseasonhegenerallyplayedalongsideAlbertCelades.CeltaproducedsomeincredibleperformancesintheUEFACupthatyear,recordingastaggering7–0winoverBenficaandthrashingJuventus4–0,particularlyimpressiveconsideringbothvictorieswereagainstEuropeanCup-winningmanagers,Jupp

HeynckesandMarcelloLippi.Makéléléscoredinboth,includingafterjust27secondsagainstJuve;hewasclearlynotyetapureholdingmidfielder.In2000RealMadridsurprisinglysoldFernandoRedondo,theoutstanding

defensivemidfielderofhisera,toACMilanandreplacedhimwithCelta’smidfieldpartnership–bothMakéléléandCelades–plusDeportivo’sdefensivemidfielderFlávioConceição.DuringhisthreeyearsatRealMakéléléwouldbecomerenownedastheclub’smostimportantplayer;behindReal’sexpensivelyassembledgalácticos–ZinedineZidane,LuísFigo,Ronaldo,Raúl–Makéléléwastheresponsiblemidfielderwhosatdeep.Real’smanagerVicentedelBosquetoldMakéléléhehadtheperfectskillsettobeboththe‘firstdefenderandthefirstattackingmidfielder’,aneatsummaryofhisdualrole.Contrarytopopularbelief,however,Makéléléwasn’tonhisown.Afalse

picturehasdevelopedofRealattackingwithsevenplayers,leavingMakélélétoprotectthecentre-backsbyhimself.Realistically,thatwasn’tremotelytrue.InMakélélé’s95leaguestartsforRealMadrid,on76occasionshewasdeployedalongsideanotherdisciplineddefensivemidfielder–IvanHelguera(36times),Conceição(19),EstebanCambiasso(12),Celades(7)orFernandoHierro(2).Only17timeswasMakélélétheonlydefensivemidfielder,andeventhenitwasofteninhomematchesagainstinferioroppositionwhereitwasnaturaltoplayamorecreativemidfielder,suchasGutiorSteveMcManaman,alongsidehim.It’ssignificantthatMakélélélaternamedHelguera,suchadefensive-minded

midfielderthathewassometimesdeployedatcentre-back,ashisfavouriteteammate.‘HeknewwhereI’dmoveonthepitch,I’dknowwhenhewasgoingtopushupandtrytoscore,’Makélélésaid.‘Wedidn’tevenneedtotalk,justalookwasenoughtoknowwhattheotherwasgoingtodo.’Makéléléappreciatedplayingalongsideasimilarlymindedpartner,butwasgraduallydeployedmoreonhisowninfrontofthedefence.SometimeshewaspairedwithSantiSolari,naturallyaleft-sidedplayerwhowoulddriftwidetocoverforRobertoCarlos’sforwardruns,leavingMakéléléaloneinthecentre.ButMakéléléhadnotyetdefinedhiseponymousrole.

His2003transfertoChelseawasthepointatwhichReal’sobsessionwithsuperstarsspiralledoutofcontrol.Makélélécomplainedhewaspaidconsiderablylessthanhismoreillustriousteammates,butPresidentFlorentinoPérezhadlittleinterestinkeepinghimattheclub,andupontheFrenchman’sdeparture,memorablytoldthepress,‘WewillnotmissMakélélé.Histechniqueisaverage;helacksthespeedandskilltotaketheballpastopponents,andninetypercentofhisdistributioneithergoesbackwardsorsideways.Hewasn’taheaderoftheballandherarelypassedtheballmorethanthreemetres.’Unknowingly,PérezwasdescribingtheMakélélérole,ratherthanhisskillset–thosewhorecalledhisNantesdaysrememberedhisall-roundability.HisformerteammateswerebemusedathisdepartureandthearrivalofDavidBeckham.‘WhyputanotherlayerofgoldpaintontheBentley,’Zidaneasked,‘whenyouarelosingtheentireengine?’RealhadwonLaLigainMakélélé’sfinalcampaign,butslumpedtofourth

withouthim.Theirproblem,asmuchashisdepartureinitself,wasthattheclubessentiallywentfromplayingtwoholdingmidfielders,MakéléléalongsideFlavioConceiçãoorCambiassoin2002/03,tofrequentlyfieldingnonein2003/04,withBeckhamdeployedalongsidethecreativeGuti.Itwouldn’thavebeensoproblematichadRealrealisedCambiasso’squalities,andit’sinterestingthatReallatertriedtosignbothVieirain2004andKeanein2005.Realclearlywantedacombativebutenergeticmidfielderinthatmould,andlater,bizarrely,endedupsigningEverton’sThomasGravesen.Thiswaspeculiarfortworeasons:first,GravesenwaswellbelowthestandardrequiredforRealMadridand,second,hewasn’taholdingmidfieldereither,beingaccustomedtoamoreadvancedrole.‘ItistotallydifferenttomyEvertonrole,’GravesenadmittedafterjoiningRealandbeingplayedinthedeepestmidfieldposition.‘LeeCarsleywasplayingwhereIdohere.’ItseemedRealhadmixeduptheirbaldEvertoncentralmidfielders.Real’slosswasChelsea’sgain,butit’sworthreiteratingthatbythisstage

Makéléléwasalready30andhadplayed11fullseasonsoftop-levelfootball,

oftenasanenergeticmidfielderforcedtogetthroughlotsofrunning.Hewasnowreadytoplayamoredefined,solid,defensivemidfieldrole,whichworkedparticularlywellconsideringthenatureofChelsea’ssquad.InhisfirstsummerAbramovichhadalreadysignedattackingmidfieldersDamienDuff,JoeColeandJuanSebastianVerón,plusstrikersAdrianMutuandHernánCrespo.Thereweresomemorefunctional,defensiveplayerstoo:GlenJohnson,GeremiandWayneBridge,butnoproperholdingmidfielder.BrianCloughsummarisedthesituationneatly.‘I’dlovetoknowwho’sgoingtodoallthefetchingandcarryingforalltheseglamorous,over-pricedinternationalswholovetobombforwardyetcan’ttackletheirdinner,nevermindaball,’hesaid.‘Verón,ColeandDuffwon’tgettheirhandsdirtydoingthedonkeywork.’That,ofcourse,wasbeforethearrivalofMakélélé,whoeffectivelysolvedthe

problemovernight.‘IhaveafantasticwatchandClaudeismybattery,’saidhisnewmanagerClaudioRanieri,before,significantly,referringtohimas‘oneofthebest,ifnotthebest,playmakersintheworld’.Ranierineverconsideredhimapurelydefensiveplayer.MakélélémadehisfirstPremierLeaguestartina5–0awayvictoryatWolves,

playingina4–4–2systemalongsideFrankLampard,withJesperGrønkjærandDamienDuffoutwide.Hisdefensive-mindedpositioninginthissystemwasobvious,totheextentthat,afterChelsea’snarrow2–1victoryoverMiddlesbroughwiththesamemidfieldquartet,onenewspaperdescribeditasa4–1–1–2–2formation:MakélélésittinginfrontofthedefenceandallowingLampardtobreakforward.ButthisleftLampardoverrun,andMakéléléwasn’tsuitedtoplayinginaflatfour-manmidfield.TheFrenchmanlookedmorecomfortablewhenRanieriplayedadiamond,whichallowedhimtoremaininfrontofthedefencebutalsoaffordedLampardapropermidfieldpartner.WhencombativecentralmidfielderScottParkerarrivedfromCharltoninJanuary2004,hewasoftendeployedontherightofanotionalfour-manmidfield,buttuckedinsidetocreateamidfieldtriowithMakéléléandLampard,leavingtherightflankbare.Thislopsidedsystemworkedmuchbetter,asMakéléléwas

allowedtositdeep.WhenJoséMourinhoreplacedRanieriinthesummer,heinterrupted

Makélélé’sholidaybyphoninghimtoemphasisehisimportancetohisChelseaside.Mourinhousedthetwosystemshe’ddevelopedatPorto:amidfielddiamondanda4–3–3,whichbothnecessitatedastrictholdingmidfielderinMakélélé’smould.OppositionmidfieldersstruggledtocopewithMakélélé’spositioning–theycouldn’tclosehimdownwithoutleavingamoreadvancedChelseamidfielderfree–anditwasthepositioningratherthanMakélélé’sindividualbrilliancethatprovedcrucial.Makélélémanagedjusttwogoalsin144PremierLeaguegames–onea

reboundfromhisownsavedpenalty–andonlyfourassists.ButheunquestionablyplayedacrucialroleinstartingChelsea’sattacks.WhilehisRealMadridrolewaspurelydefensive–allaboutcoveringformidfieldrunsandprotectingthedefence–thatwaslessobviousatChelsea,adefensivesidewhogotnumbersbehindtheballquicklyandremainedcompact.Insteadhewascrucialinpossession,whichisstrangebecausehewasanentirelyunfussy,reserveddistributor–therewerenosuddendribblesintoattack,andfewdiagonalballsorkillerpasses.Hesimplyheldhisposition,moppedupandthenpassedtheballsideways.Butthiswasvital,asMourinhooutlined.‘Look,ifIhaveatriangleinmidfield–ClaudeMakélélébehindandtwo

othersjustinfront–Iwillalwayshaveanadvantageagainstapure4–4–2wherethecentralmidfieldersaresidebyside,’heexplained.‘That’sbecauseIwillalwayshaveanextraman.ItstartswithMakélélé,whoisbetweenthelines.Ifnobodycomestohimhecanseethewholepitchandhastime.Ifhegetscloseddownitmeansoneofthetwoothercentralmidfieldersisopen.Iftheyarecloseddownandtheotherteam’swingerscomeinsidetohelp,itmeansthereisspacenowforusontheflank,eitherforourownwingersorforourfull-backs.Thereisnothingapure4–4–2candotostopthings.’Itwasassimpleasthat,andliterallyabouttheMakélélérole,ratherthanMakéléléhimself.Makélélé,though,insistshistechnicalskillsetandhistoryasanattacking

midfielderensuredhewasadifferenttypeofdeep-lyingmidfielder.‘AsaformerwingerIknowhowtomakeattackersfeelconfident,’hesaid,andhealsobelievedthemajordifferencebetweenhimandpreviousholdingmidfielderswassimplythathewasbetterinpossession.‘Peoplespokeofthe“Makélélérole”todescribethemodern,ball-recoveringmidfielder.Butinfact,Ididn’tinventanything.Iamperhapsbettertechnicallyandtacticallythantheolddefensivemidfieldersofthe80sand90s,likeLuisFernández,FranckSauzéeorDidierDeschamps,butIdon’tdoanythingradicallydifferenttowhattheydid,Iamsimplyamorecompletefootballer,’Makéléléinsisted.‘Ithinkratherthatthegamehaschangedandthat,tobeatop-levelplayerinanyposition,younowhavetoknowhowtokeeptheball,giveprecisepassesandcontributetoeachphaseofamove.Itisnolongerenoughtobegoodintheairortoughinthetackletocarveoutaplaceforyourselfasamidfielder.Youhavetobeamultifacetedfootballer.’Thisisafascinatinganalysis,becausemanywouldclaimMakéléléwas,in

fact,thecompleteantithesisofauniversalplayer.LegendaryMilancoachArrigoSacchi,forexample,thegreatchampionofuniversality,specificallyhighlightedMakéléléasananti-universalplayer.‘Inmyfootball,theplaymakeriswhoeverhadtheball,’hesaid.‘ButifyouhaveMakélélé,hecan’tdothat.Hedoesn’thavetheideastodoit,althoughofcoursehe’sgreatatwinningtheball.It’sbecomeallaboutspecialists.’Thatunderestimatedhisrole.AlthoughMakéléléwasn’tlaunchingpinpointdiagonalpasseslikeAndreaPirloorXabiAlonso,heplayedbetweentheoppositionlinesofmidfieldandattack,foundspacetopullthestringsanddeliveredcrisp,effectivepassesintoattackingplayers.BecauseMakéléléwasessentiallyplayingbetweentheoppositionlinesthere’s

asimilaritytothewayhiscompatriotEricCantonaredefinedcentre-forwardplay–eveniftheirlevelofartistryissignificantlydifferent–andteamsneededtocopewithMakéléléinasimilarmanner.Conventionalwisdomsuggestedthenaturalorderofthingswassimple–thedefensivemidfieldermarkedtheopposition’sattackingmidfielder.ButMakélélébecamesoinfluentialthata

literalrolereversaloccurred,andmanagersrealisedtheyneededtheirattackingmidfieldertoman-markChelsea’sdefensivemidfielder.ThebestexamplecameinMarch2006,whenFulhammanagerChrisColemanmastermindeda1–0victoryoverChelseabydeployingplaymakerSteedMalbranqueatthetopofadiamondtostopMakélélé.‘EverytimeweplayagainstChelseaandeverytimewe’vewatchedthemplay,everythinggoesthroughMakéléléandhestartstheattacks,’Colemansaid.‘Malbranquelovesplayinginthatposition.Wetoldhimtogowherehelikedwhenhehadtheballbut,assoonashedidn’thaveit,Makéléléwashisman.WewantedPetrČechtokickitratherthanpassitout,anditworkedverywell.’FulhamwentaheadearlythroughLuísBoaMorte,andtheirdominancewas

socompletethatMourinhomadetwosubstitutions,purelyfortacticalreasons,afterjust25minutes–thePremierLeague’searliest-everdoublechange.WingersJoeColeandShaunWright-PhillipsweresacrificedinfavourofDamienDuffandDidierDrogbaasChelseamatchedFulham’ssystem.‘Joséstartedwith4–3–3andchangedveryearly,’Colemancontinued.‘HegaveCrespoabitofsupportwithDrogba,broughtDuffonandmatchedusupinmidfield,whichwasacompliment.Itwasgoingwellforussowedidn’tneedtochange.’Chelseasubsequentlyuseda3–5–2systeminthesecondhalfinanattempttolaunchafightback–soitwastwodramaticchangesofsystem,almostexclusivelybecauseFulhamhadsuccessfullystoppedMakélélé.Post-matchdiscussionfocusedonuglyscenesatCravenCottage,withrivalsupportersfightingonthepitchafterfull-time,butFulham’sfirstwinagainsttheirlocalrivalssince1979washugelysignificant.Becauseitowedsomuchtoanaturallyattackingplayerperformingsuchastrictdefensiverole,itemphasisedtheneedforfootballerstoincreasinglybecomeall-rounders.

JustasCantonahadpromptedawaveofcopycats,othertop-levelPremierLeagueteamsstartedsearchingfortheirMakélélé.Butitwasnotablethat,havingrealisedhowmuchtimeinpossessiontheFrenchmanenjoyed,they

turnedtonaturallymoreattack-mindedmidfielders.Acuriousphenomenoninthemid-2000swastheso-calledBigFourallbuyingpromisingyoungattackingmidfielders,butconvertingthemintodefensivemidfielders.TheclassicexamplewasLiverpool’spurchaseofLucasLeiva.TheBrazilian

wassignedfromGrêmioin2007andwasrenownedasanexcitingall-roundmidfielderwithaneyeforgoal.Hewastheyoungest-everwinneroftheBoladeOuro,forthebestplayerintheBrazilianchampionship,andhelpedBraziltogloryattheSouthAmericanU20Championshipsthatyear,scoringfourgoalsinnineappearances.‘Hecanplayasaholdingmidfielderbuthecanalsogetfromboxtobox,’saidLiverpoolmanagerRafaelBenítezuponhisarrival.‘SoIamlookingforwardtoseeinghimscoregoalsforLiverpoolinthefuture.’Onegoalinover200PremierLeaguegamesunderlinesthefacthewasdeployedexclusivelyinadefensiverole.SouthAmericanfootballisplayedataslowpace,anditwasfeltthatLucas

lackedtherequisitespeedtothriveasanattackingmidfielderinthePremierLeague.‘Thischoicetoplaymoredefensivelywasawayformetofeelmorecomfortable,’heexplained.‘ItsuitsmycharacteristicsandalsothoseofthePremierLeague.Ofcourse,it’scoolertoplayclosertotheattack,butinadefensiveroleIbelieveIcanoffermoretotheteam.’Lucaswasheavilycriticisedforhislackofambitioninpossession,however,andwhiletherewasevidenceofhisexperienceasamoreattackingplayerinthewayheworkedtirelesslyfindingspacetoreceivetheball,histransformationintoaholdingmidfielderrobbedhimofhiscreativity.ArsenalandManchesterUnitedexperiencedsomethingextremelysimilarwith

themidfieldpairingwhotookBraziltoSouthAmericanU17Championshipsgloryin2005andreachedtheWorldU17ChampionshipsFinallaterthatyear.Arsenalsignedthecaptain,Denilson,whowasconsidered‘somewherebetweenGilbertoandTomášRosický’byArsèneWengeruponhisarrival.Yetafterbeingintroducedtothesideinanall-roundmidfieldrole,DenilsonwaseventuallyplayedinapuredefensivemidfieldpositionbyWenger,againfrustrating

supporterswithhisunambitiousdistributionbutalsoreceivingcriticismforhislackofdefensiveskills.ManchesterUnited,meanwhile,latersignedhisoldmidfieldpartnerAnderson

–aswaggering,powerfulplaymakerwhomadedrivingrunsfrommidfield.FIFA’sreportfromthatWorldU17tournamentdescribedhimas‘aplaymakerwithaseeminglyinexhaustibleboxoftricks’,andtheirTechnicalStudyGroupidentifiedhimas‘anoutstandingindividualplayer,whowasfast,couldtakechargeofgame,skilfullylinkedupwithteammatesandveryeffectiveoncounter-attacks’.ButhewasanotherconvertedtoadeeperpositioninEngland,‘arolethatnocoachinhisnativelandwouldhaveconsideredforananosecond,’astheBBC’sSouthAmericanfootballcorrespondentTimVickerywroteatthetime.‘CoulditbethatinthisnewroleAndersonisforcedtosacrificeabittoomuchofwhatheisnaturallygoodat?’ButthemostobviousexamplewasMakélélé’ssuccessoratChelsea,JohnObi

Mikel.There’saveryfamiliarstoryhere;Mikelwasagloriouslytalentedattackingmidfielderinhisyoungerdays,leadingNigeriatotheU20WorldCupFinalin2005,wherehissidewerebeatenbyArgentina,andMikelwasvotedthetournament’ssecond-bestplayer,behindayoungArgentineattackernamedLionelMessi.Therewasanextraordinarytug-of-warbetweenManchesterUnitedandChelseaforhisservices,Mikelsigningacontractwiththeformerwhilethelatterclaimedthey’dalreadyarrangedhistransfer.Unitedeventuallyreceivedafeeof£12mfromChelsea,despitethefacthe’dneverofficiallyjoinedthem.MikelwasalmostinstantlycastasthenewMakélélé,playingtheholdingrole

whentheFrenchmanwasrested,andeventuallysucceedinghimpermanentlywhenMakéléléreturnedtoFrancein2008.But,onceagain,Mikelwastransformedintoascrappy,aggressivedefensivemidfielder,constantlyintroublewithrefereesforpoortacklesandcriticisedbysupportersforhissquarepasses.Hisgoalscoringrecord,meanwhile,wasasbadasLucas’s–onein249PremierLeaguegames.‘Mikelhaslostthecreativitythatcatapultedhimonto

theworldstage,’complainedSamsonSiasia,whomanagedhimatU20levelandlaterforthefullNigerianside.‘ChelseadestroyedtheplayerMikeloncewas.’Mikelacknowledgedthathimself.‘IhavealwayssaidinmytimeatChelseathatIamateamplayer,’hesaid,asheapproachedtheendofhisdecadeattheclub.‘I’vegoneoutofmywaytodothingstolimitmygameforthegoodoftheteam.’PremierLeaguemanagersrealisedthepotentialvalueofplayingacreative

playerintheMakélélérole,butbyconcentratinguponimprovingsuchplayers’defensivequalities,theyeffectivelyturnedpotentiallyexcitingplaymakersintopurescrappers.Muchlater,LesFerdinand–thenacoachatTottenham–wasscathingabout

Makélélé’simpactupontheEnglishgame.‘IwassayingtoWilliamGallaswhenhewashere,theworstthingthathappenedinthisleaguewasClaudeMakélélé,’hesaidin2014.‘Whenhecameintothiscountry,hewasn’taholdingmidfieldplayer.Hewasaplayerwhohadtheintelligencetosay:“Frank[Lampard],youcanscoremoregoalsthanmesoI’mgoingtotuckinhereforyouandI’llhold.Youkeepgoingforward.”Theneveryonewent,“Right,we’vegottohaveaholdingmidfieldplayer,”andwhatwe’vedoneisproduceacropofplayerswhodon’twanttogooverthehalfwayline,whodon’twanttopassoverthehalfwaylineandarehappytojustsitinfrontofthebackfour.’Ferdinandwaswidelycriticisedforhiscomments,butthere’sanelementof

truthinhisassessmentofMakélélé’slegacy.TheFrenchmanhimselfwasaperfectlyeffectivefootballerandwasn’ttheproblem.ButhistremendousimpactinEnglishfootballwaslargelybecauseofhisroleina4–3–3,which,asMourinhooutlined,meantheplayedabasicpassingroleinasystemthatoutmanoeuvreda4–4–2.Onceotherteamsreactedandmovedawayfromthe4–4–2towards4–3–3and4–2–3–1,Makélélécloneswerenowsimplyplayingabasicpassingroleinasystemthatwasn’toutmanoeuvringtheopposition,merelyretainingtheballindeeppositionswithoutofferingpenetration.TheimpactofthePremierLeague’smostinfluentialdefensivemidfielderwas,unsurprisingly,

entirelydefensive–atatimewhenthedivisionwasbecomingmorecautiousthanever.

PartFive

ReactiveStrategy

13

IberianInfluenceI

‘IfyouhaveaFerrariandIhaveasmallcar,tobeatyouinaraceIhavetobreakyourwheel,orputsugarinyourtank.’

JoséMourinho

Identifyingsignificantmomentsandhistoricturningpointsissimpleinhindsight,butevenatthetime,2004feltlikeawatershedyearinfootball.Thefirstfouryearsofthe21stcenturywerelargelyaboutattackingfootball.

Euro2000wasacelebrationofcreative,technicalplay,whilethe2002WorldCupwaswonbyBrazil’sterrifyingtrioofattackers:Ronaldo,RonaldinhoandRivaldo.ArsenalhadbecomeManchesterUnited’sregulartitlerivalsbyplayingattackingfootball,RealMadridwontheEuropeanCupin2000and2002withtheirgalácticos,andSerieA–traditionallyconsideredEurope’smostdefensiveleague–wasonthedecline.Attackingfootballdominated.Thencame2004,whichfeaturedhistoricshocksatbothclubandinternational

level.First,inabrilliantChampionsLeaguecompetitiondominatedbywell-drilledunderdogs,JoséMourinho’sPortorecordedasensationalvictory,defeatingMonaco3–0inthefinal.Thirty-ninedayslater,therewasanequallyimprobabletriumphatEuro2004,when80/1outsidersGreeceshockedEuropebyliftingthetrophy.BothPortoandGreece,whilethoroughlyimpressive,wereunquestionablydefensive.Porto’soutstandingqualitiesweretheirdefensiveshapeandtheirincrediblyeffectiveoffsidetrap.Mourinhohaddeliberatelymadeadefensiveshift–inthePortugueseleague,wherePortowerechampions,Portobothscoredandconcededtheirfewestnumberofgoalsinnineseasons,asherealisedamorecautiousoutlookwasrequiredtosucceedinEurope.Greece,meanwhile,usedman-markingattheback,atacticrarelywitnessedintop-levelmodernfootball,combinedwithareactiveformationandaheavyrelianceupon

set-piecesforgoals.Theywontheirknockoutgames1–0,1–0,1–0againsttheholders(France),thebestattackingteam(CzechRepublic)andthehosts(Portugal),eachtimewithaheadedgoal.Suddenly,itfeltlikePortoandGreecehadshownthewaytosucceed,particularlyforunderdogs–playdefensively.TheUEFACupalsoprovedsignificant.ItwaswonbyValencia,whoalso

triumphedinLaLiga,andtheywereanothersidewhofocusedupondefensivestructureratherthanattackingfirepower.Theircoach,RafaelBenítez,wasfamedforhisexcellentorganisationalskills,andwhilehis2003/04sidewereperfectlyattractive,he’ddevelopedareputationfordefensivefootball,ashis2001/02titlewinnersscoredjust51goalsin38games,anastonishinglylowtallyforchampions.IneachofBenítez’sthreecampaignsatValencia,theteamconcededthefewestgoalsinLaLiga.WhenbothChelseaandLiverpoolfoundthemselveswithmanagerial

vacanciesthatsummer,theyturnedtoMourinhoandBenítezrespectively.Bothcouldhaveendedupineitherjob;ayoungMourinhowasahugeadmirerofLiverpool,andhisagentapproachedtheRedsinMarch,whenGerardHoullierwasstillincharge,tryingtobrokeradealforthefollowingseason.LiverpoolwerereluctanttogobehindHoullier’sback,butChelseahadfewerreservations,andeventheirmanagerClaudioRanieriwasawareofthesituation–whenCharltonfanssang‘You’regettingsackedinthesummer’totheItalian,heshowedtypicallygoodgracebyturningaroundandresponding,‘No,IwillbesackedinMay!’Hispredictionwascorrect–heheadedtoValenciaasBenítez’sreplacement,andwouldn’treappearinthePremierLeaguefor11years.HadLiverpoolbeenbolderandpouncedforMourinho,it’slikelythatChelsea

wouldhaveturnedtoBenítez–hewouldjoinmanyyearslater,winningtheEuropaLeaguein2013.Butregardlessoftheirspecificdestinationin2004,MourinhoandBenítez’sjointarrivalwasasignificantmoment;twomanagerswhohadtriumphedincontinentalcompetitionthroughdefensivefootballwereabouttotransformEnglishthegame.ItmadethePremierLeaguemoretacticallyintelligent,moresuitedtoEuropeanfootball–and,almostimmediately,more

cautious.Thegoals-per-gameratedroppedfrom2.66to2.57for2004/05,beforefallingfurtherto2.48in2005/06andthen2.45in2006/07,thelowestrateinthePremierLeagueera.It’salsotheonlytimethatfigurehasdeclinedinthreeconsecutivecampaigns–thethreeyearsMourinhoandBenítezweretogetherintheleague.Theirimpactisdifficulttoignore.

Themoreeye-catchingappointmentwasMourinho.Englishfootballhadbeenintroducedtothe41-year-oldwhenhesprinteddowntheOldTraffordtouchlinetocelebratewithhisplayersafterCostinhanettedalateequaliseragainstManchesterUnited,sendingPortointotheChampionsLeaguequarter-finals.HewasunlikeanythingthePremierLeaguehadwitnessedbefore:young,handsome,highlyconfrontationalbutalsosomewhatcharming.Athisunveilinghepronouncedhimself‘aspecialone’–notthespecialone,asisoftenreported–aquotethatwoulddominateheadlinesforyears.Mourinho,fromtheoutset,providedtremendousexcitementinpressconferences,butratherlessentertainmentonthepitch.Hiscoachingbackgroundinitiallyappearedsimple–abriefspellwith

Benfica,thenhalfacampaignwithUniãodeLeiriabeforehissuccessatPorto–buthisexperiencesbeforehandprovedmostfascinating.MourinhostudiedforhiscoachingbadgesandworkedwithvarioussmallPortugueseclubs,butthenreceivedhisbigbreakinanunusualfashion,whenformerEnglandmanagerBobbyRobsonwasappointedatSportingLisbonandrequiredaninterpreter.Mourinhogotthejob,andhesubsequentlyfollowedRobsontoPortoin1994andBarcelonain1996.InitiallyMourinhowasliterallyamereinterpreter,translatingRobson’sinstructionstothesquad,butRobsongraduallyrecognisedMourinho’sfootballingintelligenceandhisrolesteadilyincreased,tothepointwhereheservedasanassistanttobothRobsonandhisreplacementatBarcelona,LouisvanGaal.UnderRobson,Mourinhowashandedthetaskofplanningtrainingsessions,

focusingupontheareasRobsontendedtoignore–defensiveissues.‘Ifwewere

todividethematchintothreeparts,we’dseethatBobbyRobson’sworkconcentratesmainlyonthefinalpart,finishingandscoring,’Mourinholaterexplained.‘Itriedtotakeastepback–thatis,whilemaintainingtheprimacyofattackingfootball,Itriedtoorganiseitbetter,andthisorganisationstemsdirectlyfromthedefence.’Morethananything,however,MourinhoimpressedbothRobsonandVan

Gaalwhenscoutingupcomingopponents.‘He’dcomebackandhandmeadossierthatwasabsolutelyfirstclass,’saidRobson.‘Imeanfirstclass,asgoodasanythingI’deverreceived.Herehewas,inhisearlythirties,neverbeenaplayer,neverbeenacoachtospeakofeither,givingmereportsasgoodasanythingIevergotfromthetopprofessionalpeopleI’dbroughtintoscoutformeatWorldCups…Therewouldbethewaytheteamsplayedinthematchhe’dbeensentto–bothteams–withdefenceandattackcoveredverywell,patternsofplay,nicelysetoutwithdiagramsandadifferentcolourforeachteam,allclearasabell.Iremembertellinghim,“Welldone,son.”’MourinhothrivedatBarcelona,whereheworkedwithaconsiderablyhigher

standardofplayersthaninPortugal.AlthoughsomeofBarcelona’sattackingsuperstarspaidlittleattentiontohim,Mourinhodevelopedparticularlygoodrelationshipswithtwoplayers,LaurentBlancandPepGuardiola.Both,notably,wouldlaterbecometop-levelcoachesthemselves,thelatterbecominghismajorrival.RobsonwasshiftedupstairsafteraseasontoaccommodateVanGaal,andconvincedtheDutchmantoretainMourinho’sservices.VanGaaltellsafamiliartale.‘Hewaskepton,initiallyforayear.Tostartwithhewasjustatranslator,butgraduallyhebecameasvaluedasmyotherassistants–hecouldreadthegameandheanalysedtheoppositionsowellthat,aftermyfirstyear,whenwewontheSpanishchampionshipandCup,Iwashappyforhimtostayforthreemoreyears.’Again,anexperiencedmanagerwaswonoverbyMourinho’sabilitytoassesstheopposition.ThisemphasisupontheoppositionbecameMourinho’sdefiningfeatureasa

coach.HerewasnofootballingphilosopherinthemannerofArsèneWenger,

whoemphasisedtheimportanceofbeautifulfootballandaconsistentstrategy,butinsteadatruetactician,someonewhowouldvaryhisapproacheveryweekandconcentrateheavilyuponstoppingtheopposition.AheadofMourinho’sfirstmatchinchargeofBenficain2000/01herequestedascoutingreportontheopposition,eventualchampionsBoavista.ButMourinhowasappalledattheamateurishnatureofthereportfromthescoutingdepartment,whichincludedatacticaldiagramfeaturingonlytenplayers,omittingBoavista’sinspirationalmidfielderErwinSánchez.Hedidn’trequestanotherreport,andinsteadhiredanolduniversitycolleagueathisownexpensetoscouttheopposition.Mourinhocontinuedtoplacegreatemphasisupontheopposition.Later,when

atPortoandpreparingforacrucialgameagainsthisformersideBenfica,MourinhosentaspytoobserveBenfica’strainingsessionsbecausehewasunsurewhethertheywoulduseatallcentre-forward,EdgarasJankauskas(whomMourinholatersigned),orthespeedierMantorras–hischoiceofcentre-backswouldchangeaccordingtowhichonehisteamwerefacing.Mourinho’soppositionscoutswentaboveandbeyondthecallofduty.BythetimePortohadqualifiedfortheChampionsLeagueFinalagainstMonacoin2004,theoppositionscoutingwasevenmorethorough.Mourinho’sstaffcreatedapersonalDVDforeachindividualplayer,showingclipsoftheirdirectopponent.Then,aftertheplayershadwatchedtheDVDs,MourinhoassembledthesquadandchairedadiscussionaboutMonaco’scharacteristics,effectivelytransformingoppositionscoutingintoagroupactivity.It’slittlesurprisethatwhenhearrivedatChelseaafewweekslater,captainJohnTerrydeclaredthatMourinho‘preparesfortheoppositionmorethoroughlythananythingIhaveeverknown.’AtatimewhenWengerseldommentionedtheoppositiontohisplayersand

SirAlexFergusondidsoprimarilyformajorgamesagainsttoughopponents,Mourinhowasentirelydifferent.AcoupleofdaysbeforeeachgameChelsea’splayerswouldreturntothedressingroomaftertrainingtofindadossier,usuallysixorsevenpageslong,nexttotheirpeg.Itwasentirelydevotedtothe

opposition,explainingtheirteamshapeandset-pieces,andfeaturedaparagraphoneachplayer.Itcontainedspecificinformationanddiagramsforkeydangermen–therunstheymadeatcorners,thetypeofpassesplaymakersattempted.Tellingly,Mourinhohandedthejobofoppositionscouttothemosttalentedmemberofhiscoachingstaff–ayoungAndréVillas-Boas,whowouldlaterwintheEuropaLeaguewithPortobeforetakingchargeofChelseaandTottenham.LikeMourinho,hebecamerenownedforthequalityofhisdossiers.ThisapproachcontinuedinChelsea’strainingsessions.Pre-season,whichhad

beenheavilydominatedbyfitnessworkunderRanieri,wasnowallaboutdefensiveorganisationandteamshape,andoncetheseasonwasunderwaytherewasaspecificfocusupontheopposition.Ranierihadintroducedthispractice,althoughmanyChelseaplayersfelthesimplyhighlightedtheopposition’sstrengths,whichtheyfounddemoralising–‘AfterthreeyearsatRealMadrid,wherewewereneveraskedtheslightestquestionaboutouropponents,itwasbizarretome,’complainedClaudeMakélélé.Mourinhowaskeenertosuggesthowweaknessescouldbeexploited.Likemanyotherclubsduringthisperiod,ChelseaincreasinglyusedProZone

tostatisticallyanalysetheirperformance.But,asTerrysaid,‘Wegetthesameinformationabouttheotherteam,andthat’swhatwetendtofocusonmore.’Chelseahadateammeetingthedaybeforeamatch,whenMourinhowouldtalkthroughvideoclipsoftheopposition,andthenthefinaltrainingsessionwouldbespecificallygearedtowardsthatweekend’stask.‘Youbelieveyouareplayingyouropponentsinthatfinaltrainingsession,’saidTerry.‘Everythingyouaredoingiswiththeminmind.Yourwholeweekhasbeenbuildinguptothispoint–you’vereadthedossierthemanagerhasprepared,you’velistenedtowhathehashadtosayattheteammeetingandbyFridayafternoonyoufeelready.’Whileoppositionscoutingwashardlyanewinnovation,thisleveloffocuswasgenerallyconsideredthepreserveofunderdogs.Chelseawerenounderdog–inMourinho’sfirstseasontheywontheleaguewith95points,thePremierLeague’shighesttally.

Thiswasadefensiveside.Chelseasatdeep,withTerrypartneredbytheexcellentRicardoCarvalho,whoboastedagreatrelationshipwithright-backPauloFerreira,bothplayershavingfollowedMourinhofromPorto.Mourinhochoppedandchangedatleft-back,butthemostcommonstarterwasWilliamGallas,aright-footedcentre-backwhoinevitablyplayedmoredefensivelythananaturalleft-back.Makélélé,ofcourse,satsolidlyinfrontofthedefence.Themidfielderswereunderstrictinstructionstotrackrunners,andthecentre-forwardwasexpectedtostartthedefensivework.OneofMourinho’sfavouritetrainingexercisesinvolvedChelseaplayingpossessionfootball,butalwayskeepingatleastfivemenbehindtheball.NootherPremierLeagueteamhasrecordedsuchincredibledefensive

statistics.Only15goalsconcededinanentirecampaignisremarkable,andsomehow25cleansheetsin38PremierLeaguegamessoundsevenbetter.Betweenmid-DecemberandearlyMarchChelseadidn’tconcedeasingleleaguegoal;for1,025minutesandtencompletegamesČechremainedunbeatenuntilLeonMcKenzie–wholaterquitfootballtobecomeaprofessionalboxer–headedhomeforNorwich.McKenzie’sheaderwasarguablythefirsttimeallseasonChelseaconcededa‘preventable’goalfromopenplay.Fiveoftheeightpreviousstrikeswereunstoppablelong-rangeeffortsfromSouthampton’sJamesBeattie,WestBrom’sZoltánGera,Fulham’sPapaBoubaDiopandtwofromArsenal’sThierryHenry,includingaquicklytakenfree-kick.TherewasalsoaNicolasAnelkapenaltyinChelsea’sfirstandonlydefeatoftheseason–atManchesterCity–whiletwoconcessionsagainstBoltoncame,inevitably,fromfree-kicksaimedtowardstheheadofKevinDavies,onehenoddedinhimself,theotherheknockeddownforRahdiJaïditosmashhome.Clearly,Mourinhowouldhavebeenannoyedtolosegoalsfromset-pieces.ButasfarasChelsea’sshapeinopenplaywasconcerned,ittookuntilMarchforthemtobebreachedproperly.Thislargelystemmedfromtheirincredibleattentiontodetailintermsofstoppingtheopposition.TherealstoryofChelsea’sseason–andMourinho’soverallapproach–was

aboutthewingers.That’sslightlysurprising,becauseforthefirstfewgamesofthecampaign,Mourinhodidn’tusewingersatall,preferringadiamondmidfield.HisdebutPremierLeaguegamewasa1–0homevictoryoverManchesterUnited,whichforeshadowedChelsea’sperformancethroughouttheseason–concedingpossessiontotheopposition,scoringacounter-attackinggoalandkeepingacleansheet.Chelsea’sdiamondwasoverwhelminglydefensive:MakéléléflankedbyGeremiandAlexeySmertin,twohard-workingrunners,withFrankLampardhigherup.Later,theculturedPortuguesepasserTiagowouldbringmoretechnicalquality,andJoeColewassometimesaccommodated,butChelseawerehugelyuninspiringinthatdiamondsystem.ThecomparisonwithtitlerivalsArsenal,stillcontinuingtheirunbeatenrunfromthatInvinciblesseason,didn’tflatterChelsea.BythetimeMourinho’ssidesufferedthedefeatatManchesterCity,theirninegameshadfeaturedjusttengoals:scoredeight,concededtwo.Arsenal,duringthatsameperiod,hadscored29.Butthenextweekendprovedsignificant,astwomajoreventsoccurred.First,

Arsenal’sunbeatenspellfinallyendedoneshortof50gamesatOldTrafford,thankstogoalsfromtwooldfoes:RuudvanNistelrooy,whosepenaltymissthepreviousyearwastheclosestArsenalhadcometolosingtheirunbeatenseason,andWayneRooney,whosedebutPremierLeaguestrikehadendedtheirpreviousundefeatedrun.Second,MourinhohandedaPremierLeaguedebuttoDutchwingerArjenRobben.ManyofthePremierLeague’sgreatestforeignimportstooktimetosettle,butRobbenwasarevelationfromtheoutset.Mourinhohadpartlyusedthediamondshapeduetotheabsencesofboth

RobbenandDamienDuff,histwostarwingers.HetriedDuffandColeinhisdiamondmidfield,buttherewasneverachanceRobbencouldfollowsuit;hewasaclassicDutchwingerintheMarcOvermarsmouldwhocouldplayoneitherflank,a4–3–3ratherthana4–4–2player.Chelseahadpreviouslydependedheavilyuponset-piecesforgoals,includingaspellduringwhicheightoftheirtengoalswerefromcorners,free-kicksorpenalties.Suddenlythey

offeredagreaterthreatfromopenplay.Robben’sdebutagainstBlackburncoincidedwiththefirstbigwinofMourinho’stenure,4–0,andalthoughheonlyplayedhalfanhourasasubstitutehemadeanimmediateimpact.ItneatlysymbolisedthestartofadifferenttypeofChelsea;fromeightgoalsintheirfirstninegames,Chelseathenhit30intheirsubsequentnine.RobbenwonPlayeroftheMonth,andhisincredibleabilityconvincedMourinhotoregardthediamondsystemasanalternativeandfocusonthe4–3–3instead.Robben’ssecondleagueappearance,thistimeasahalf-timesubstitute,

transformedChelseaina4–1winawayatWestBrom.Chelseawentaheadonthestrokeofhalf-timewithGallas’sgoalfromaset-piece,butMourinhowasfuriouswithhisteam’sdisplay,introducingCarvalhoforBridgeand,moresignificantly,RobbenforCole.Chelseawererampantinthesecondhalf,withRobbenthestar.‘Theyweretwocompletelydifferenthalvesandthefirstwastoobadtobetrue,’saidMourinho.‘ThefirsthalfwastheworstperiodsinceI’vebeenmanager,butthesecondwasoneofthebest–itwasbeautiful.IwasreallydisappointedwiththeperformanceoftheteamandIcouldhavechangedfiveorsixplayers,butRobbenwasfantastic.Heisbringingsomethingspecialtous.’ThreedayslaterRobbenmadehisfirststart,awayatCSKAMoscowinthe

ChampionsLeague,scoringthewinnerina1–0victory.ThisinvolvedalongballbeingflickedonbyGudjohnsen,whichRobbenracedontodowntheright.HeplayedtheballintoDuff,thencontinuedhisrun,collectedthereturnpassandfiredhomewithhisleftfoot.Itwasasimple,long-ballgoalanddemonstratedtheroleofChelsea’scentre-forward,toplayasatargetman,andthejobofthewingers,tosprintinbehind.NextcameEverton–Robben’sfirstleaguestartandhisfirstleaguegoal,againina1–0victory.ThistimeGudjohnsendroppeddeepandloftedaballoverthetopforRobbentorunontodowntheright.TheDutchmandeclinedtheoptionofsquaringtoDuff,andconvertedimpressivelyhimself.Again,Gudjohnsenwasthelinkman,withRobbenandDuffracingthrough.InRobben’snextgame,againstFulham,hescoredaremarkablegoal,histrickydribblingleavingthreedefendersonthe

groundbeforehefiredhome,puttingChelseaaheadinaneventual4–1win.Intotal,Robbencontributedsevengoalsandnineassistsinjust14startsandfoursubstituteappearancesthroughout2004/05.Chelseabecamedefinedbythespeed,dribblingabilityanddirectnessof

RobbenandDuff,withColefeaturingprimarilyduringRobben’sinjurylay-offs.AlthoughthePremierLeaguehadpreviouslyseenplentyofspeedstersoutwide,thefactthatRobbenandDuffwereplayingina4–3–3ratherthana4–4–2or4–4–1–1changedeverything.Theywereproperwingers,takingupmoreadvancedpositionswhenChelseahadpossession,playinghighupagainsttheoppositiondefenceandstretchingtheplayonbothflanks.Theabsenceofadeep-lyingforward,meanwhile,meantthewingersdidn’tplaymanypassingcombinations.Theyhad–literally–amorestraightforwardjob:collecttheballindeeppositionsandsprinttowardsgoal.

Atthispointcounter-attackingstartedtobecomeviewedinanegativesense.FortheearlyManchesterUnitedandArsenalsidesitwasatermusedinacomplimentarymanner,referringtotheirsudden,enthrallingabilitytobreakatspeedfromdeep.Chelseaofferedthattoo,butwereconsiderablymoreblatantinthemannertheydisregardedpossessiontocreatethosecounter-attackingchances,whichinevitablymeantlongperiodsdefending.Itdidn’thelp,either,thatChelsea’skeycounter-attackingplayerswereconstantlyevaluatedinaprimarilydefensivesensebytheirmanager.The‘transition’nowstartedtobecomeamajorconcept.Itwasthemomenta

teamwentfrombeinginpossessiontooutofpossession,orvice-versa.MourinhoplacedmoreemphasisuponthetransitionthananypreviousPremierLeaguecoach,orderinghisplayerstosprintforwardsuddenlywhentheballwaswonandretreatimmediatelywhenitwaslost.‘Mourinhowasbigontransitions,’saidDuff,rememberingMourinho’sinitialimpactuponEnglishfootball.‘ItwasprobablythefirsttimeIheardit.Ifyoulosetheballitistransitionfromattacktodefence,runningbackquickly,recoveryrunsorsprints

–ontheotherhand,ifyouwintheballit’stransitionfromdefence,explodingforwardquickly…that’swhenteamsaremostvulnerablebecausethey’renotinadefensiveshape,andboom,you’regone.WesteamrolledteamsthatyearbyhavingthatdowntoaT;Icouldgothrough,offthetopofmyhead,30or40goalswhenitwas:wintheballbackandgo,withinfourorfiveseconds.’ToMourinho,defensivetransitionswereequallyimportantasattacking

transitions.Atatimewhenfull-backswerebecomingattackingweaponsandneededtobetracked,Mourinhowantedhiswingerstoworkharddefensively.Afterthe1–0BoxingDayvictoryoverAstonVilla,whenRobbensetupDuffforthewinner,Mourinhomarvelled:‘Theycanplayleftandright,insideandoutside,theycanshootandcross,theyhaveallthesethingsintheirpocket,theyaredoingthatfantastically–butalsotheirdefensivecontributionisfantastic.ItookDamienoffbecauseIknow15minutesforDamienmeansabouttwomiles.’Mourinholovedhisworkrate.Cole,meanwhile,experiencedthemostdramaticrevolution.Aprecocious

attackingtalentwhohadstruggledtochannelhisincredibleskillintoefficiencyanddidn’tknowhisbestposition,MourinhoturnedColefromaboxoftricksintoastreamlined,purposefulwidemidfielder.Again,thefocuswasondefence.WhenChelseadefeatedBenítez’sLiverpool1–0inadourgameatStamfordBridgeinOctober,Colecameoffthebenchtoprovidethedifference,volleyinginthewinner.JournalistscelebratedEnglishfootball’snextbigthingshowcasinghisstarquality,butMourinhowasunhappy.‘Afterhescored,thegamefinishedforJoe,’hecomplained.‘IneedelevenplayersfordefensiveorganisationandIhadjustten.’Thatunderlinedtheemphasisupondefendingasateam,althoughCole’s

defensiveworkratequicklyimproved.Afteraroutine3–1victoryoverScunthorpeintheFACupthirdround,MourinhosaidCole‘wasfantastic.Nowhethinksnotasanindividualbutasoneof11players.Heunderstandswhattheteamneeds,andwhathehastodowhenwedon’thavetheball.He’simprovingalot,acompletelydifferentplayer.’SomedespairedatCole’stransformation

fromaplaymakertoadefensive-mindedworkhorse,butheretainedanabilitytodazzleopponents,andthefollowingseasonhewouldsealChelsea’ssecondtitlewithabrilliantgoalina3–0victoryoverManchesterUnited–meaningChelsea’stwotitlesinMourinho’sfirstspellwerebookendedbywinsoverSirAlexFerguson’sside.Chelsea’splayerssharedthegoalscoringburden,withDidierDrogbaenduring

adisappointingfirstcampaigninEnglishfootball–hisformwassopatchythathewasn’taregular,startingonlyhalfthePremierLeaguegames.Hedidn’tlikeplayingupfrontaloneinthe4–3–3system,wascriticisedforgoingtogroundtooeasilyandmanagedonlytengoals.However,heledthelinewellphysicallyandhisdefensiveeffortwascommendable,whichinevitablypleasedMourinho.Chelsea’stopgoalscorerwasLampard,arevelationinhisleft-of-centremidfieldroleandaplayerwhowouldhelpdefinemidfieldplayduringthisera.Hisgoalscoringreturnwassensational,usuallyfinishingpowerfullyafterreceivingcut-backsontheedgeofthebox,andhefittinglyscoredbothgoalsinthetitle-clinching2–0victoryatBoltoninApril2005.WhileMourinhousuallyusedafunctionalmidfieldertocompletethetrio

alongsideMakéléléandLampard,towardstheendoftheseasonhebecamebraverandusednaturalforwardEidurGudjohnsen–whohadpreviouslypartneredDrogbainthediamondsystemorplayedupfrontalone–intheright-of-centremidfieldrole.TheIcelander’sabilitytoplaytheredemonstratedhisincrediblefootballingintelligence,butthiswasneverthelessasurprisinglyadventuroussystemforMourinho.HewassoconfidentthedefenceandMakéléléwouldremainsolid,andthemidfielderswouldgetthroughtheirdefensivework,thathewashappytoplayCole,Lampard,GudjohsenandDuffbehindDrogbaduringthespring,inRobben’sabsence,includinginaclashagainstreigningchampionsArsenal.Thereweresporadicglimpsesofgenuineall-out-attackfootballwhenChelsea

werechasingmatches,andMourinhowasquicktochangeformationdramaticallyifrequired.InanFACuptieatNewcastle,withChelsea1–0down

atthebreak,Mourinhomadeahalf-timetriplechange,bringingonGudjohnsen,LampardandDuffforGeremi,ColeandTiago,agamblethatbackfiredspectacularlywhenWayneBridgedepartedwithabrokenleg,meaningChelseaplayedalmosttheentiresecondhalfwithtenmen.Therewerenofurthergoals.Butthegamblesoftenworked.IntheLeagueCupFinalagainstBenítez’sLiverpoolChelseawere1–0down,soMourinhobroughtonforwardGudjohnsenformidfielderJiříJarošík,thenanotherforward–MatejaKežman–forleft-backGallas,movingtosomethinglikea3–1–4–2.Chelseawon3–2afterextra-time.Whendrawing1–1withFulhamathalf-timeinAprilheintroducedamidfielderforadefenderandmovedDufftoleft-back,asChelseawentinsearchofthewin.Theytriumphed3–1.WhileMourinho’smid-gameswitchesweredramatic,Chelseaneverlacked

cohesion.Theyknewexactlyhowtorearrangethemselves,becauseMourinhohadspecificallyworkedondifferentshapesintraining,explainingwhattheapproachwouldbeifChelseawereshuttingdownthegame,whattheplanwouldbeiftheywerechasingit.Whenhethrewonmultiplestrikers,theynevercrowdedeachother,aswasoftenthecasewithotherteams–they’dspreadacrossthepitchandplaydifferentroles.Ofcourse,amanagercan’tplanforeveryeventuality,anditwasnotablethatMourinhooftenwroteinstructionsonsmallpiecesofpaperandtoldsubstitutestopassthenoteontoaspecificteammate,becauseherealisedsomefootballersfoundvisualinstructionsmorememorablethanauralinstructions.Thesenotesrangedfromdetailsaboutformationchangestoset-pieceresponsibilities,althoughonacoupleofoccasionstherelevantplayerunfoldedthenotetorevealawrittenmessagesimplysaying‘Win!’Mourinhohadtakentacticalplanningtoanentirelynewlevel,althoughhis

greatestlegacywassimplypopularisingthe4–3–3system.Moreteamsstartedplayingtheirownversionoftheformation,althoughitoftenbecamemorelike4–5–1;AstonVilla’sMartinO’NeillbrieflyplayedGarethBarryontheleftflankinthatsystem,andthere’snowayBarrycanbeconsideredenoughofawinger

tomaketheformationa4–3–3.Unfortunately,fewsidesboastedpropergoalscoringwingerslikeRobbenandDuff.‘Most4–5–1schemesinEngland,withafewexceptions,consistoflittlemorethantakingoffastrikerandinsertingathirdcentralball-winnerinmidfield,’saidformerChelseabossGianlucaVialliin2006.Andthereforewhilethe4–3–3/4–5–1systemdoesnothavetobedefensive,inEnglandduringthemid-2000sitgenerallywas.Remarkably,Chelseafoundtheirrecord-breakingachievementsinJosé

Mourinho’sdebutcampaignovershadowedbyRafaelBenítez’sLiverpool.ChelseamayhavebeenchampionsofEngland,butLiverpoolbecamechampionsofEurope.LiverpoolandChelseaplayedfivetimesinMourinhoandBenítez’sdebut

campaign,withChelseatwiceprevailing1–0intheleague,boththankstoJoeColegoals,andwinningtheLeagueCupFinal3–2afterextra-time,followinga1–1drawin90minutes.Then,mostsignificantly,cameLiverpool’saggregatevictoryoverChelseaintheChampionsLeaguesemi-final,atypicallytight,tactical,two-leggedtiethatproducedjustonegoalin180minutes–andthatgoalmightnotevenhavecrossedthelineanyway.ItwasthetypeofcontestMourinhoandBenítez’stacticshadencouraged.Justoneinstalmentofthisfive-partMourinho–Benítezbattlewasneededfor

ittobecomeobviousthatEnglishfootballhadbecomeconsiderablymorecautious.AfterthefirstofChelsea’s1–0PremierLeaguevictories,inOctober2004,whenmanyhadalreadyremarkeduponthedefensivenatureofthePremierLeague,theGuardian’sKevinMcCarrawasmovedtosuggestthatthedrearymatch‘mighthaveyoubroodingoverthecoordinatedarrivalontheseshoresofJoséMourinhoandRafaelBenítez,nottomentionTottenhamHotspur’sJacquesSantini.HavetheycometocarryoutacontinentalplottodrivedownthevalueofthePremierLeague’sworldwideTVrights?’McCarra’scommentsweretongueincheek,certainly,butthePremierLeaguewasfacingitsfirstcrisisofconfidence;thiswasadivisioncreatedforTVentertainment,whichboastedofbeingthemostexcitingintheworld,butwasnowproducing

extremelydefensivematches.Santini,incidentally,wasanotherhigh-profilemanagerialimport,havingleft

theFrancejobtotakechargeofSpurs.Helastedjustthreemonthsandthereforehadlittleimpact,buthewascertainlycontributingtothedefensivemindset–his11gamesinchargeproducedresultsof1–1,1–0,1–1,1–0,0–0,0–0,0–1,1–0,0–1,1–2and0–2.OneofthesematcheswasawayatMourinho’sChelseaandisamongthemostsignificantgoallessdrawsinthePremierLeague,asitpromptedMourinhotointroduceanewphraseintotheEnglishfootballinglexicon.‘AswesayinPortugal,theybroughtthebusandtheyleftthebusinfrontofthegoal,’hecomplained.Thisbecame‘parkingthebus’,andit’sironicthatwhileMourinhowasusingtheexpressiontocriticisetheopposition,hewasalsoheavilyassociatedwiththatapproach.Mourinho,Benítez,Santini–youwaitagesforabus,thenthreeturnupatonce.SantiniwasreplacedbyhisassistantMartinJol,whoimmediatelypresided

overdefeatsof3–2toCharltonand5–4toArsenal.Itwasquiteacontrastintermsofentertainmentvalue–from14goalsin11gamesunderSantinito14goalsintwogamesunderJol.The5–4northLondonderbydefeat,theonlyPremierLeaguegametofeatureninedifferentgoalscorers,wasprobablythemostenthrallinggameofthatPremierLeaguecampaign,althoughonemanwasunsurprisinglyunimpressed.‘5–4isahockeyscore,notafootballscore,’Mourinhoweighedin.‘Inathree-

against-threetrainingmatch,ifthescorereaches5–4Isendtheplayersbacktothedressingroomsastheyarenotdefendingproperly,sotogetaresultlikethatinagameof11against11isdisgraceful.’ThiswasthenewworldorderintheMourinhoandBenítezera;high-scoringmatcheswerenottobecelebrated,butridiculed.

14

IberianInfluenceII

‘Wehavepreparedeverythingperfectly,poringoverDVDfootage,practisingset-pieceroutines,analysingtheopponents,passingourknowledgeontothe

players.Eachgameissimplytheculminationofaprocesslastingdays,basedonresearchgoingbackdecades.’

RafaelBenítez

RafaelBenítez’sarrivalwaslessheraldedthanMourinho’s;hewasn’tsuchanengagingpersonalityandwasmorereservedwiththemedia.ButhewasasimilarlystudiouscoachwhohelpedtotransformEnglishfootballwithhistacticalacumenandmadeasignificantcontributiontoEnglishclubs’massiveprogressintheChampionsLeagueduringthemid-2000s.By2008thePremierLeaguewasrankedasthebestleagueinEuropebyUEFA,asuddenrisethatowedmuchtoMourinhoandBenítez’scontinentalexpertise.Benítez’sappointmentpromptedimmediateexcitementamongLiverpool

supporters,whorememberedthewayhisValenciasidehaddestroyedthemattheMestallatwoyearsearlierinadominantperformancethatdeservedmorethantheeventual2–0victory.ParticularlymemorablewasabrilliantpassingmovefeaturingthemidfieldpairingofRubénBarajaandDavidAlbelda,andfinishedsmartlybythediminutiveArgentinenumber10PabloAimar–oneoftheChampionsLeague’sbest-everteamgoals.Thiswaspass-and-movefootballthatwouldgodownverynicelyontheKop.‘Ican’trememberaEuropeantiewhenwe’vebeensomuchonthebackfoot,’admittedGérardHoullier,Liverpool’smanageratthetime.Liverpool’splayers,meanwhile,remarkeduponValencia’stremendousorganisation,aconsequenceofBenítez’scoachingstyle.Althoughhespokeaboutwantingtowin‘therightway’athisLiverpoolunveiling,Benítezdidn’tplacegreatemphasisuponentertainmentnordidhe

particularlyappreciateflairplayers.Insteadhewasapurestrategist.FromhisearlyteenageyearsBenítezwasagreatloverofchessandclearly

viewedfootballinaverysimilarway.‘Infootball,likechess,youhavetothinkandanalysewhat’sgoingtohappen,tohaveaplanA,planBandevenaplanC,’hesaid.‘Youhavetocalmlyevaluateactionbeforeyouputitintopractice,andbeprepared,foreseeingthedifferentoptionsoftheopponent.’Thatcouldbeananalysisofanysport,butBenítez’soutlookonchessandfootballwasmorespecific.‘Youhavetocontrolthemiddleofthepark,towaitfortherightmomentstoattack,’hesaidofchess.‘Somepeopleareveryaggressive,veryoffensive,butinchessit’ssometimesdangerousbecauseiftheotherisgoodatdefending,theycanplaycounter-attack.’That’saperfectsummaryofBenítez’sapproachwithLiverpool,andparticularlythegamesagainstMourinho’sChelsea;hisopponentswereexcellentatattackingtransitions,soLiverpoolwerecautious,refusingtoplayintotheirhands.AccountsfromhisformerplayerssuggestBenítezviewedthemratherlikechesspieces–functionalobjectswhoservedapurpose,ratherthanpeoplewithpersonalitieswhooccasionallyneededsupportandencouragement.‘Iamnotsureheisthatinterestedinplayersaspeople,’suggestedcaptainStevenGerrard.AfterBenítez’splayingcareerwascompromisedwhenhepickedupaknee

injurywhilerepresentingSpainintheWorldUniversityGames–anaptsummaryofhisacademicpedigree–herosethroughthecoachingranksatRealMadrid,enjoyingabriefspellasassistantmanagertofutureChampionsLeagueandWorldCup-winningmanagerVicentedelBosque.WhenDelBosquedepartedin1994andwasreplacedbyJorgeValdano,afootballingromantic,BenítezwasdemotedtoB-teamcoach.ValdanoandBenítezfellout,particularlyoverayoungmidfieldernamedSandro,adiminutive,creative,typicallySpanishplaymakerwhomValdanobelieveddeservedafreeroleinBenítez’sB-team.ButBenítezcomplainedaboutSandro’slackoftacticalawarenessandoftenomittedhimfromtheside.ThatwasBenítez–tacticsovertalent.Benítez,whoasaplayerfilmedhisownmatchesforself-analysis,was

obsessedwithcreatingafootballingvideolibrary.Atonestage,beforehecouldcountuponananalysisteam,heownedaTVconnectedtotwovideorecorders–onetotapethewholematch,theotherfocusingonspecificsituations.Hislibrarygrewextensively,andBenítezintroducedregularvideosessionsforhissquadaheadofmatches,anewpracticetomany.AtValladolidhesufferedaminorcaraccident,anduponhisreturntothedressingroomwasgreetedbyoneofhisattackersmockinghimwith,‘We’regladyou’realright–wewereworriedthevideoplayerwouldmissyou.’Benítezwasclearlymorecomfortablestudyingthetapesandcompilinganalysisthanengagingwithhisplayers.HewasanearlyadopteroftheZXSpectrumandAtaritostoreinformation,andlaterdubbedhimself–somewhatsadly–as‘alonerwithalaptop’,whichatleastproveshistechnologyevolved.HisofficeatLiverpool’straininggroundwasdominatedbyahugewallofDVDs,someofwhichhelenttodefenderJamieCarragher,includinganexampleofhowhisValenciasidedefendedandhowlegendarycentre-backFrancoBaresicommandedACMilan’sbackline.ThatMilanside,coachedbytherevolutionaryArrigoSacchi,wasBenítez’s

maininspiration–theyoffered‘quality,disciplineandintensity’,inhiswords.Althougharelentlessattackingforce,Sacchi’sMilanbecamerenownedfortheiraggressiveoffsidetrapandtremendousdefensiveorganisationina4–4–2system,boastingincrediblecompactnessfromfronttoback,denyingtheoppositionspacebetweenthelines.‘Ifweplayedwith25metresbetweenthelastdefenderandthecentre-forward,givenourability,noonecouldbeatus,’saidSacchi.‘Andthus,theteamhadtomoveasaunit,upanddownthepitch,andalsofromlefttoright.’ThiswasthekeycharacteristicofBenítez’sLiverpool.Hewasfortunateto

inherittheteamfromGérardHoullier,whobelievedheavilyinlateralcompactnesstotheextentthatheoftenfieldedadefencefeaturingfournaturalcentre-backs,andjettisonedproperwingerstoplaycentralmidfieldersinwidepositions.Benítez,however,focusedonverticalcompactnessfromfronttoback.He’doftenstandnervouslyontheedgeofthetechnicalarea,encouragingthe

defensive,midfieldandattackinglinestosqueezeclosertogetherwithahandgesturethatlookedlikehewasmimingplayingtheaccordion.‘Teamshatedplayingagainstus,’Carraghersaidlater.‘Thegameswouldbehorriblefortheoppositionbecausewewouldnotgivethemanyspacetobreathe.IfyouaskedmetosaytheonewordIheardmostduringtrainingandgames,itwouldbehimshouting“Compact!”AfterthefirstyearofworkingwithRafa,wewerelikerobots,weknewexactlywhathewantedustodo.Thiscameaboutthroughrepetitiononthetrainingground,thedrillsbeingdoneoverandoveragainuntilhewassatisfied.’Benítez,oroneofhiscoaches,wouldsetupLiverpool’sXIonthetraining

pitchandwalkintodifferentzoneswiththeball,commandingthenearestplayertopressurehim,whileeveryoneelseshiftedpositionsaccordingly,alwaysremainingcompactanddenyingspacebetweenthelines.ItwasamethodborrowedfromSacchi,whosetrainingsessionsBenítezhadobservedtwiceinthe1990sduringhisspellswithMilanandtheItaliannationalside.ItwillhaveparticularlypleasedBenítezthatSacchilaterdescribedhisLiverpoolsideas‘exemplaryintwoways:theirspiritandtacticalorganisation.Benítezknowswhatheisdoing.Histeamlackstalent,buttheyareatrueteam,compactandmodern.’Attheirbest,Liverpoolweretacticallyflexibleenoughtoplayadeepdefensivelineoraveryaggressiveoffsidetrap–buttheyalwaysremainedhighlycompact,whichincludedthegoalkeeper.JerzyDudekwassurprisedwhenBenítezimmediatelyplacedsuchemphasisuponhimremainingclosetothebackfour.‘Ittookmostoftheseasontoadapt,’headmitted.Meanwhile,BenítezwasalreadyliningupPepeReina,amorecomfortablesweeper-keeper.Liverpool’splayerswereshockedbythefrequencyoftacticalsessionsduring

Benítez’sfirstpre-season,whileBenítezwassimilarlytakenabackbyhisplayers’limitedtacticalunderstanding.HebelievedLiverpoolplayedtoointuitivelyanddemandedtheyperformedinamoremethodicalmanner,tellingStevenGerrardheranaroundtoomuch.Hewasalsosurprisedbythelimitationsoftheforwards,whoplayedlittlepartinbuild-upplay.Benítezfashioneda

considerablymoreorganised,structuredLiverpoolside.Benítezconsideredtheoppositionasmuchashisownteam,sometimes

compiling30-pagedossiersbeforecondensingthatinformationintoa15-or20-minutetalkforhisplayers.HewasobsessedwithkeepinghisgameplansecretandonlyannouncedhisstartingXItohissquadshortlybeforematches.Thisirritatedsomeplayers,astheyfounditdifficulttopreparementally,butBenítezwasdeterminedtoguardagainstleakstotheopposition.Again,thiswasveryBenítez,concernedmorewithhowtheoppositionmightadjustratherthanhisownplayers’mentality.InhisfirstgameatAnfield,a2–1victoryoverManchesterCity,Benítez

claimshewasdismayedbythecloseproximitybetweenthetwobenchesandwasworriedthattheoppositionmanagercouldoverhearhisinstructions.HethereforedecidedtostartshoutinginhisnativelanguagetoJosemi,tellingtheSpaniardtotranslatethemessageforhisteammatessotheoppositionmanagerwouldn’tunderstand.Ironically,theoppositionmanagerwasKevinKeegan,who,unlesshismentalityhadchangeddrasticallysincehisNewcastledays,paidnoattentiontotheopposition’stacticsanyway.TheplayersinitiallyprotestedatBenítez’suseofzonalmarkingwhen

defendingset-pieces,whichinvolvedeachplayeroccupyingaspecificarearatherthanconcentratingupontherunsofopponents,asystemthatwaswidelymockedwhenLiverpoolstruggledintheearlydays,andlaterlentitsnametoafootball-tacticswebsite.‘Azonehasneverscoredagoal’becamethestandardrebukefrompundits.Thecriticismcontinuedbutsoonbecameacademic;inBenítez’sfirstseasonLiverpoolconceded12set-piecegoals,thefourth-bestrecordinthePremierLeague.Then,inboth2005/06and2006/07theyconcededonlysixgoalsfromdead-ballsituations,thebestrecordinthedivision.Liverpool’splayerswereinitiallydeterminedtoreverttoman-to-man,butBenítezinsistedazonalsystemwouldworkinthelongrun–andhewasright.‘OverallIbelieveweconcededfewersinceRafaintroducedzonalmarking,’

saidCarragher.‘Itmayseemlikemoreonlybecauseifyouloseagoalwith

zonalmarking,thesystemalwaysgetstheblame–ifyoudoitwithman-to-man,anindividualgetstheblame.’Itwaspeculiarthatitwasalwaysconsidereda‘foreign’idea,however–GeorgeGraham’sArsenalside,themostrevereddefenceofthe1990s,alsoorganisedthemselveszonallyatset-pieces.Whatitdemonstrated,though,wasthatBenítezhadtremendousbeliefinhisprinciplesandwouldn’twaversimplybecauseplayersexpresseddoubts.Eventhenatureofzonalmarkingitselfreflectedhisapproach,beingaboutteamworkandstructureratherthanindividuals.Benítezwasalsocriticisedforfavouringsquadrotation,receivinganunreasonableshareoftheblameforaconceptthatmosttop-levelcoacheshadalreadyembraced.Benítez’sdebutleaguecampaignwasdisappointing,withtheclubslippingto

fifthplace,andittookuntiltheChampionsLeagueknockoutstagebeforeLiverpoolreallyimpressed.ThiswasBenítezinhiselement,approachingtwo-leggedmatcheswhenLiverpool’smaintaskwasstoppingsuperioropponents.Infact,Liverpool’sChampionsLeaguetriumphwasremarkablysimilartoManchesterUnited’sin1999;theyshowedtremendoustacticalmaturitythroughouttheknockoutstage,untilthefinal,whentheywerecompletelyoutclassedbeforelaunchinganunthinkablecomeback.

Liverpool’sknockoutstageeffectivelystartedintheirfinalgroupgame,athometoOlympiakos.Havingcollectedjustsevenpointsfromtheirpreviousfivematches,LiverpoolrequiredavictorytomoveontotenpointsalongsidetheGreeksideandstandachanceofqualification.They’dlost1–0awayinAthens,andbecauseteamslevelonpointswereseparatedbytheirhead-to-headrecord,ifLiverpoolconcededanawaygoalthey’dneedtoscorethree.SowhenRivaldocurledinafree-kick,Liverpoolrequiredamiracle.Athalf-timeBenítezwentforbroke.Heswitchedtoathree-mandefenceby

takingoffleft-backDjimiTraoréandintroducingFrenchforwardFlorentSinamaPongolle,whotookjusttwominutestoequalise.On78minutesBenítezreplacedMilanBarošwithyoungsterNeilMellor–andhealsotookjusttwo

minutestoscore,meaningLiverpoolrequiredonemoretoprogress.Thehero,inevitably,wasGerrard,latchingontoMellor’sintelligentknock-downjustoutsidetheboxandthumpingastunninghalf-volleyintothefarcorner.ItwasalegendaryindividualmomentfromLiverpool’sskipper,butbehindthatwassomethingmoresignificant:adecisivehalf-timechangeofsystem,whichallowedLiverpooltoscorethethreesecond-halfgoalstheyrequired–notforthelasttime.InthesecondroundLiverpoolfacedBayerLeverkusen.Althougharelatively

simpledrawonpaper,thisoppositionprovidedpainfulmemories.Twoyearsearlier,whenHoullierwasincharge,Liverpooltooka1–0first-legleadtoLeverkusenatthequarter-finalstage.AfteranhourinGermanythescorewas1–1andLiverpoolwereoncoursetoprogress.ButthenHoulliermadeacuriouschange,removingGermanholdingmidfielderDietmarHamannandintroducingthemoreattack-mindedVladimirŠmicer.Thingsfellapartdramatically,withLiverpoolconcedingthreegoalsinhalfanhourandlosing4–2.Theywereeliminated,andHoulliercalledanimpromptumeetingatLiverpool’shotelthatnight,whereheexplicitlytoldhisplayersthattheywerebannedfromdiscussinghissubstitutionswiththemedia.Herealisedhe’dmadeanerror,andthatwasarguablythebeginningoftheendforHoullier.In2005,HamannwasoneofLiverpool’skeyplayersagainstLeverkusen

homeandaway,Liverpoolwinning3–1inbothgames,withthetwoLeverkusengoalsmerelateconsolations.Liverpoolwerenarrowandcompact,theirforwardspressedtodisruptLeverkusen’sbuild-upplay,andHamannprotectedthebackfourexcellentlyalongsideIgorBišćanintheabsenceofXabiAlonso.Funnilyenough,BenítezactuallymadethesamesubstitutionasHoullierafteranhour:ŠmicerforHamann.Bythispoint,however,Leverkusenrequiredsixgoals,thetiewasoverandBenítezwassimplyrestingHamann.NextupwereJuventus.AthomeBenítezselecteda4–4–2formation,with

youngFrenchmanAnthonyLeTallecplayinghisbestgamefortheLiverpoolupfrontalongsideBaroš.Liverpoolwentaheadthroughaset-pieceroutinefromthe

trainingground,scoredbySamiHyypiäandassistedbyLuisGarcía,whopromptlysmashedinastunningsecond.Liverpoolagainplayednarrow,crowdingoutJuve’sbrilliantplaymakerPavelNedvĕd,andwhileFabioCannavaronoddedinalategoal,Liverpoolwereincontrol.AwayinTurin,LiverpoolproducedaclassicBenítezperformance;theydidn’t

manageasingleshotontargetbutachievedthegoallessdrawrequired.Crucially,Benítezdemonstratedhisdeterminationtokeeptheoppositionguessing.InresponsetoJuventus’snarrowsystemandtwo-manstrikeforce,hedeployedanunusual3–5–1–1formationforthefirsttime,andLiverpoolinevitablyspentallweekpractisingthesystemintraining.ButwhenDudekwassummonedtoaUEFApressconferenceontheeveofthegame,BeníteztoldhisgoalkeepertokeeprepeatingthatLiverpoolwouldplay4–4–2,trickingJuventuscoachFabioCapello.Sureenough,atkick-off,Liverpoollinedupinthat4–4–2shapebutwereunderinstructionstosubtlyshiftto3–5–1–1insidethefirstcoupleofminutes,outfoxingJuve.Capello’ssidetriedtoplaythroughthecentreintothefeetofNedvĕd,AlessandroDelPieroandZlatanIbrahimović,butLiverpool’sthreecentre-backsandthreecentralmidfieldersdominatedthatzone.ThencamethatfamousEuropeansemi-final:Mourinho’sChelseaagainst

Benítez’sLiverpool,themomentwhenitfeltlikePremierLeagueclubshadfinallycrackedtheChampionsLeague,thankslargelytothetwoforeignmanagerswhohadsucceededinEuropethepreviousseason.ThiswasprobablythemosttacticaltieevercontestedbytwoEnglishclubs,withMourinhoandBenítezconcentratingalmostsolelyuponstoppingeachother.Itwashypedlikeafinal,butonpaperwasacompletemismatch;Liverpoolwouldfinishanastonishing37pointsbehindChelseainthePremierLeaguethatseason,meaningtheywereconsiderablyclosertobottom-placedSouthamptoninpoints’termsthantothechampions.‘Theonlywaywecouldmakeupforthedifferenceinqualitywastofocus,’Benítezsaidlater.‘Wenamedaline-upwhoseemphasiswasverymuchonsolidity…itwouldbeaneveningforresilienceratherthanbeauty.’Atonestageinthebuild-uptothegame,Benítezworkedfor22hours,

non-stop,onhisresearchandgameplan.Thefirstlegwasatrulyturgid0–0,withbothsidesconcentratingon

preventingtheothercounter-attacking,ablatantexampleofthedefensivefootballprosperingunderthetwomanagers.‘Thegamewasabitofananti-climax,really,itneversparkedintolife;webothplayedcageyfootball,’saidJohnTerry.‘Theywerecautiousandweweretoo…itfeltasifthetiehadn’treallystarted.’ButLiverpoolweredelightedwiththegoallessdraw.‘Itwasalldowntotheworkwehaddonetheweekbefore,’saidBenítez’sassistantPakoAyestarán.‘WespentagreatdealoftimeanalysingChelsea,usingalotoftapedmaterial–farbeyondthenormalextent…itwasn’tabeautifulgame,butitwasoneofthosethatyou’llgobacktowatchagainandagainbecauseitinvolvedperfectplanningandexecution.’ThekeyincidentsawAlonso,thetie’smostinventivemidfielder,ruledoutof

thesecondlegwhenEidurGudjohnsentheatricallycollapsedafternocontactwhatsoeverfromtheSpaniard.SomenewspapersreportedthatGudjohnsenlatertoldAlonsohedeliberatelydivedbecausehewasawareofhisprecariousdisciplinarysituation.Thatfeltgrimlyappropriateforthistie–anotherwisewonderfulfootballergiveninformationaboutanopponentandexploitingitcynically,focusinguponnullifyingtheopposition’sstrengthsratherthanplayingtohisown.IntheStamfordBridgedressingroomafterwards,Alonsowasintears.InthesecondlegatAnfieldLiverpooltriumphed1–0.Infrontofaraucous

crowd,itwasanothertight,tense,tacticalgame,withHamanntheoutstandingperformer–‘Heplayedablinder,’saidTerry.TheGerman’sdominanceofmidfieldpromptedChelseatoplaysimplelong-ballfootball,withMourinhorememberinghowChelseahaddonesimilarintheLeagueCupFinalagainstLiverpool,forcingGerrardintoaheadedowngoal.Centre-backRobertHuth,aconsiderableaerialforce,wasintroducedupfrontasChelseawentrouteone.ThecontroversialwinnerwasscoredearlybyLuisGarcía,agoalthatmight

notevenhavebeenlegitimate,withWilliamGallashookingtheballoutfromon

–orpossiblyjustbehind–thegoalline.Mourinhocomplainedforyearsaboutthegoal,althoughheignoredthefactthat,haditnotbeenawarded,therefereewouldprobablyhavegivenLiverpoolapenaltyanddismissedPetrČechforalast-manfoulonBarošsecondsearlier.ItfeltfittingthatGarcíawasthematchwinner;inastructured,organised,attritionalgameoffootball,thediminutiveSpaniardwastheonlyplayerprovidingunpredictablemovement,attemptingtrickeryintightsituationsandlaunchingambitiouseffortsatgoal.Healwaysseemedapeculiarlyun-Benítezplayer;hedriftedawayfromhispositionandwasinfuriatinglyinconsistent,butwasawelcomesourceofrandombrillianceinanotherwisefrustratinglysystemisedtie.ThiswinneragainstChelseawashisfifthgoalinsixknockoutgames;muchlikeLiverpool,hecamealiveonEuropeannights.ThefinalagainstACMilanfeaturedatrulylegendarycomeback.Liverpool

were3–0downathalf-time,havingbeendestroyedonthecounter-attack,butafterachangeofsystemandtheintroductionofHamann,Liverpoolrecoveredto3–3within15minutes.Insimpletermsitwasthemosteffective,decisivehalf-timetacticalswitchinfootballhistory.Therealityisconsiderablymorecomplex.Benítez’sinitialdecisiontoomitHamannwashugelysurprising.Although

he’dsometimesusedatwo-mancentralmidfieldofAlonsoandGerrardinthePremierLeague,Liverpool’sEuropeanprogressdependeduponfieldingaholdingplayer.Bišćan,theCroatiandefensivemidfielder,hadstartedallsixknockoutmatches,threetimespairedwithHamanntoprovideaverydefensiveshield.Besides,Benítezwasobsessedwithreactingtotheopposition,andCarloAncelotti’sMilanfeaturedthreeoutrightplaymakers:AndreaPirlo,ClarenceSeedorfandKakáinamidfielddiamondalongsideworkhorseGennaroGattuso.InfactAncelottihadsometimesgoneevenfurtherbyincludingRuiCostainplaceofastrikerandswitchingto4–3–2–1.MilanboastedmoremidfieldcreativitythananysideinEurope.AlthoughBenítez,asalways,didn’ttellhisplayersthestartingXIuntil

shortlybeforekick-off,he’dalreadyconfidedtoGerrardthatheintendedto

deploya4–4–2,withHarryKewelljustbehindBaroš,leavingGerrardandAlonsotogetherinmidfield.WhenGerrardinformedCarragher,thecentre-backcouldn’tbelieveit.‘TherewasnoquestioninmymindDidiwasthemantonullifyKaká’sthreat.Ithadneveroccurredtome,orhim,thathewouldn’tstartthefinal…Iwasn’tsupposedtoknowtheteamuntilshortlybeforekick-off,butpartofmewantedtospeakoutandtellthebosshe’dgotitwrong.’Hamannwassimilarlyshocked,andwhenBenítezannouncedtheXIinthedressingroomandnamedGerrardasadeepmidfielder,Hamanndidn’tinitiallygraspthereality–hisfirstthoughtwas‘Ican’tbelievehe’snotplayingXabi.’Benítezhadn’toverlookedthethreatofKaká–inevitablyhe’dwatched

dozensofMilan’smatches,andhispre-matchtacticalvideoconcentratedupontheBrazilian’smovement.ButAlonsoandGerrardsimplycouldn’tcope.‘NeverinmycareerhadIencounteredanyoneasfastwiththeballattheirfeet,’Gerrardgasped.‘Kakáwaslightning.’MilanwentaheadthroughanearlyPaoloMaldiniset-piecegoal,andalthoughLiverpoolenjoyedspellsofpossession,Milanwerebrilliantonthebreak.KakáburstintothespacecreatedbytherunsofAndreiShevchenkoandHernánCrespo,whodraggedCarragherandHyypiäintowideareas.Cresposcoredthenexttwogoals,withhissecondparticularlymagnificent–KakáreceivedapassandturnedGerrardbeautifullybeforecurlingaperfectballinbehind,whichallowedCrespotostabintothefarcorner,first-time,withtheoutsideofhisrightfoot.3–0,andgoodnight.Athalf-timeCarragherwasimploringhisteammatestoavoidamassacre.Thencamethechanges.Benítezwantedtoswitchtoathree-mandefence,so

immediatelytoldDjimiTraorétotakeashowerbecausehewascomingoff,andsummonedHamann,explainedhisroleonthechalkboard–stopKaká–thentoldhimtogooutearlytowarmup.Benítezhadplannedtomakeanothersubstitution,bringingonDjibrilCissé,untilacolleagueremindedhimhe’dalreadyintroducedŠmicerfortheinjuredKewellmidwaythroughthefirsthalf,anditwouldbedangeroustouseallthreesubstitutesbyhalf-time.Suddenly,Liverpool’sphysioannounced–muchtotheplayer’sfury–thatright-back

SteveFinnanmightnotlast90minutesandsoshouldbesubstituted.ThisforcedBeníteztosummonTraorébackfromtheshower,withthedefenderfranticallytryingtofindhisdiscardedsocksasBenítezexplainedthenewsystem.Thechalkboardwasnowacompletemess;acoupleofplayersrecallitbriefly

depictingLiverpoolwith12playersfortheirsecond-halfshape,althoughBenítezremembersitasten,havingremovedLuisGarcíafromtherightbutforgottentoplacehiminhisnewcentralposition.AsLiverpoolfiledoutontothepitch,whereHamannwaswaiting,hewasstunnedtoseeTraoré–whomhe’dpreviouslyseenhalf-nakedonthewaytotheshowers–reprisinghisdefensiverole.AmidthischaosvariousplayerssuggestBenítezsuddenlyprojectedanairof

confidenceandcalmness.Mostimportantly,heswitchedtotheobvioussystemtobluntMilan,a3–4–2–1.Thisofferedasparemanattheback,whichmeantShevchenkoandCrespo’srunswouldcausefewerproblems;fouragainstfourincentralmidfield,whereLiverpoolhadbeenoverrun;andeventhecorrectwing-backbalance,withanaturaldefender,JohnArneRiise,ontheleftagainsttheattack-mindedCafu,whileŠmicercouldplayamoreadvancedroleagainstMaldini.ConsideringLiverpoolhadplayedasimilarsystemawayatJuventus,itwassurelysomethingBenítezhadconsideredbeforehand.ThenewsystemwaseffectiveatbluntingMilan’sattackingplay,butgetting

thethreegoalswasallaboutGerrard.WithHamannbehindhim,Gerrardpushedupandembarkedupononeofhisclassicone-manmidfielddisplays,drivingLiverpoolforwardinsearchofanunlikelyfightback.Heheadedthefirstgoal,brieflytookuparight-wingpositionthatallowedŠmicerinsidetoscorealong-rangesecond,andthenburstintothebox,wasfouledbyGattuso,andAlonsoscoredthereboundhavingseenhisinitialpenaltysaved.Itdefiedlogic;LiverpoolhadscoredthreetimesinsevenminutesagainstaMilandefencecomprisingCafu,JaapStam,AlessandroNestaandMaldini,possiblythemostfearsomedefencetheChampionsLeaguehasseen.Theremaininghour,includingextra-time,wastensebutlesseventful,the

crucialchangeinvolvingAncelotti’sintroductionofspeedyleft-wingerSerginhoinplaceofSeedorf.Gerrardwasthereforeswitchedtoright-wing-back,althoughhewasunderstandablyexhausted,andSerginhobecamethegame’smostdangerousplayer,sendinginastreamofcrosses,includingonethatresultedinDudek’sextraordinarydoublesavefromShevchenko.ThePolishgoalkeeperwasalsotheherointheshoot-out,makingsavesfrombothPirloandShevchenko.Liverpoolwere,almostinexplicably,Europeanchampions.ThatIstanbulcomebackwaspeculiarlysimilartoLiverpool’sothertrophy

successunderBenítez,inthefollowingyear’sFACupFinal.Theyagainperformedpoorly,trailing2–0andthen3–2toanaverageWestHamside,beforeGerrardscoredaquiteincrediblestoppage-timeequaliserfrom35yards,hissecondofthegame.Liverpoolwononpenalties.There’ssomethinginappropriateaboutBenítez,themasterofresearch,preparationandcontrol,winninghistwoLiverpooltrophiesinsuchdramatic,improbableandmaniccircumstances.NeilMellor,theyouthproductwhoprovidedsomecrucialgoalsduring2004/05,summariseditbest.‘ForallRafa’stactics–whichwereimportant–someofhisbestresultswereachievedinchaos.’

ThroughoutBenítez’ssix-yearperiodatLiverpoolhisteamswerealwaysextremelysolidincentralpositions,buthistacticaldemandsmadeitdifficultforwideplayerstothrive;hisfull-backswereexpectedtotuckinside,whichmeantLiverpoollackedtheattackingthrustrequiredtobreakdowninferioropponents,whilehiswidemidfielderswereallowedlittlepositionalfreedomandweretaskedwithjoylesslyshuttlingupanddownthetouchlines.DuringhisfirstthreemonthsatLiverpoolhedeployedoneofthepreviousseason’sfull-backs–FinnanorRiise–inawidemidfieldroletoprovidebalanceandshape.Althoughhegraduallyplayedmoreattack-mindedwingers,thatunderlinedwhatBenítezwanted.ThestoryofDirkKuytwastypical.Signedin2006fromFeyenoordasan

excitingstriker,havingsmashedin91goalsinfourseasonsintheadmittedly

unreliablebarometerthatistheEredivisie,BenítezconvertedtheDutchmanintoafunctional,hard-workingwidemidfielderrenownedfortrackingoppositionfull-backsdiligently.BenítezandMourinhosharedanobsessionwithwidemidfieldersworkingharddefensively,adirectresponsetotheriseofattackingfull-backs.Tellingly,BenítezoncewantedtosignDanielAlves–whowouldbecometheworld’sbestright-backatBarcelona–toplayontherightofmidfield.ThelikesofAlbertRiera,JermainePennantandMarkGonzález,all

considerablybelowthestandardrequiredtowintitles,wererecruitedbecausetheyfittedthetemplateofaBenítezwidemidfielder:up-and-downplayerswhoretainedtheteam’sshape.Rierarecallshismanager’sinstructionsfora1–0victoryatRealMadridin2009–BenítezhadconcludedthatifReal’sright-wingerArjenRobbenwasn’tregularlyinvolved,Liverpoolwouldprobablykeepacleansheet.SoRiera’sprimaryjobwastoremainsolidlyinfrontofLiverpoolleft-backFábioAurélio,denyingpassesfromRealright-backSergioRamosintoRobben.Rierathereforewasn’tallowedtoleavehiswide-leftpositionatall,effectivelybeingbannedfromdriftinginside.ItworkedacharmwiththatmemorablevictoryatBenítez’sboyhoodclub–andfewwouldquestionhisEuropeanrecord–butdenyinghiswideplayersanyspontaneityharmedLiverpoolwhentryingtobreakdownweakeropponents.RyanBabel,aspeedywideforwardconsidered‘thenextThierryHenry’upon

hisarrivalin2007,infuriatedBenítezbecauseheeternallycutinside,butthatwasnaturalforaright-footedplayerdeployedontheleft.Benítezdevisedaseriesofone-on-onetrainingexerciseswiththeDutchman,atonepointformulatingadrillwhereBabelhadtocutinsideorgodownthelinedependinguponwhichfootheinitiallycontrolledtheballwith,essentiallymeaningBabelhadnofreedomtodirecthisdribblesinresponsetothepositioningofopponents.CraigBellamy,capableofplayingwideorupfront,experiencedsomething

similar.‘Rafa’stacticalworkwasvery,verygood.Ilearnedalotfromhiminthatarea.Buthecouldn’tcometotermswiththeideathatsomeplayersneedan

elementoffreedomandthatweexpressourselvesindifferentways,’hesaid.‘Defensively,Rafawasexceptional.Hewasverygoodontheoppositionandhowtonullifytheirthreatandstifletheirforwardplayers.Hewouldusevideoanalysistogothroughtheopposition’sstrengthsandweaknesses,nothingwaslefttochance…buttherewasnoscopeforspontaneity.None.OfallthemanagersIhaveworkedwith,hetrustedhisplayerstheleast.’Confusingly,however,despitealltheseinstructionsitwasdifficulttofindagenuineidentityinLiverpool’sattackingapproach.Theywerewelldefinedwithoutpossession,organisedandcompact,buttherewasnooverwhelmingphilosophywiththeball.Benítezcameclosesttowinningthetitleinhisfifthseason,2008/09,when

LiverpoolfinishedsecondbehindManchesterUnited.Thespine–Reinaingoal,CarragherandoneofDanielAgger,MartinŠkrtelandSamiHyypiäatcentre-back,amidfieldtrioofJavierMascherano,AlonsoandGerrard,withFernandoTorresupfront–wasarguablythestrongestthePremierLeaguehaseverseen.Liverpooltookall12pointsfromthefourmatchesagainstchampionsManchesterUnitedandthird-placedChelsea.Therewasn’tquiteenoughattackingvarietytowinthetitle,however,andalthoughLiverpoolfinishedasthedivision’stopgoalscorers,theyrecordedfivegoallessdraws:athometoStoke,FulhamandWestHam,plusawayatAstonVillaandStokeagain,allcomparativelypoorsides.Breakdownthatseason’sPremierLeaguetableandthesituationbecomes

clear–againstfellowtopsevensides,LiverpoolwereunbeatenandcollectedtenmorepointsthanchampionsManchesterUnited.Butagainstsideswhofinished8thandbelow,Unitedwon14extrapoints.Benítez’scautiousandreactiveapproachwasperfectagainststrongopposition,butthePremierLeagueisequallyaboutoverpoweringminnows,whereLiverpoolwerefoundwanting.‘We’vealwaysdonewellagainstthebiggerteams,’StevenGerrardsaidmanyyearslater.‘Butwe’vealwaysstruggledagainstaFulhamathomeoraWestBromathome,whentheyparkthebusandwehaven’tgotthatbitofmagictoopenthemup.’

Indeed,passagesofBenítez’sautobiographywouldsuggesthefocusedtoomuchuponbigmatches–consider,forexample,hisapproachtoset-pieces.‘Ifyouseefromthereportsoftheoppositionthattheyareweakatthenearpostfromcorners,thenmaybeintheprecedingtwogames,youplayallyourcornerstothefarpost,ordeepintothebox.Anywherebuttothenearpost.’There’sclearlysomelogicinthisapproach,andit’seasytoidentifyLiverpoolworkingcleverset-pieceroutinesinbigmatches,oftenwithsurprisescorers–AggeragainstChelseain2007,YossiBenayounagainstRealMadridin2009.Buttheemphasisuponsurprisingmajoropponentssurelyharmedtheminthoseprecedingmatchesagainstsmallerteams,whopresumablyfoundLiverpool’sroutinessomewhatpredictable.Interestingly,uponhisarrivalin2004Benítezhadbeengivenathree-year

‘rebuilding’windowbytheboard,reflectingtheenormityofthechangerequiredatAnfield.Onceover,Liverpoolwouldbeexpectedtocompete.ButBenítez’sthreemajorachievementscameincupcompetitionsduringthosefirstthreeseasons:theChampionsLeagueandFACupsuccessesin2005and2006,thenreachingtheChampionsLeagueFinalagainstMilanagainin2007,whenLiverpoolperformedconsiderablybetterthanin2005andwereunfortunatetolosetotwoPippoInzaghigoals.Duringthisreactiveera–thethreeseasonsMourinhoandBenítezwere

togetherinthePremierLeague–theybattleditoutnofewerthan15times,fiveeachseason.Nineofthesematchesproducednogoalsoronegoal.AstheyregularlymetinEuropeancompetition,foreignobserversnoticedthesignificantshifttowardsdefensive,physical,heavilysystemisedfootball,epitomisedbybothteams.TheaforementionedValdano–theArgentineWorldCupwinnerwhocoachedRealMadrid,wherehefelloutwithBenítez–hadbecomearespectedfootballwriterinSpainanddeliveredanastonishinglystrong,almostunprecedentedrebukeafterthe15thmeetingbetweenMourinho’sChelseaandBenítez’sLiverpool–theRedscameoutontopthatnight,althoughMourinhogotthebetterofBenítez7–5overall.

‘Putashithangingfromastickinthemiddleofthispassionate,crazystadium[Anfield]andtherearepeoplewhowilltellyouit’saworkofart.It’snot:it’sashithangingfromastick,’Valdanoblasted.‘ChelseaandLiverpoolaretheclearest,mostexaggeratedexampleofthewayfootballisgoing:veryintense,verycollective,verytactical,veryphysical,andverydirect.But,ashortpass?Noooo.Afeint?Noooo.Achangeofpace?Noooo.Aone-two?Anutmeg?Abackheel?Don’tberidiculous.Noneofthat.Theextremecontrolandseriousnesswithwhichbothteamsplayedthesemi-finalneutralisedanycreativelicence,anymomentsofexquisiteskill.‘IfDidierDrogbawasthebestplayeritwaspurelybecausehewastheone

whoranthefastest,jumpedthehighestandcrashedintopeoplethehardest.Suchextremeintensitywipesawaytalent,evenleavingaplayerofJoeCole’sclassdisoriented.IffootballisgoingthewayChelseaandLiverpoolaretakingit,wehadbetterbereadytowavegoodbyetoanyexpressionoftheclevernessandtalentwehaveenjoyedforacentury.‘[MourinhoandBenítez]havetwothingsincommon:apreviouslydenied,

hithertounsatisfiedhungerforglory,andadesiretohaveeverythingundercontrol.Bothofthesethingsstemfromonekeyfactor:neitherMourinhonorBenítezmadeitasaplayer.Thathasmadethemchannelalltheirvanityintocoaching.Thosewhodidnothavethetalenttomakeitasplayersdonotbelieveinthetalentofplayers,theydonotbelieveintheabilitytoimproviseinordertowinfootballmatches.Inshort,MourinhoandBenítezareexactlythekindofcoachesthatMourinhoandBenítezwouldhaveneededtohavemadeitasplayers.’It’saparticularlystrongrant,butValdano’sfinalconclusionisgenuinely

intriguing:MourinhoandBenítezappearedentirelydistrustfulofflair,spontaneityandindividualbrilliance.Interestingly,ValdanolaterbecameaRealMadriddirectorbutwasdismissedin2011afterfallingoutbadlywiththeclub’smanager–Mourinho.‘He’safigurewhoisperfectlysuitedtothesebombastic,shallowtimes,’Valdanocomplained.‘I’veneverheardhimsayasinglething

aboutfootballworthremembering,whetherinpublicorinprivate.’NeitherofthetwokeycoachesinthePremierLeague’sreactiveerasatisfiedthedemandsofthisfootballingromantic.ButtomerelyblameMourinhoandBenítezformakingthePremierLeague

morecautiouswouldbeignoringtheirroleinthedivision’sgreatesttacticalleapforward.Thisduostudiedtheoppositioningreaterdepth,theyemphasiseddefensiveshape–totheextenttheirteamsweredefinedbytheirappearancewithoutpossession–andtheyattemptedtodominatethecentreofmidfieldwith4–3–3and4–2–3–1systemsthatoftenoutwittedtheEnglish4–4–2.Theyshowedtheimportanceofbeingbothcompactandquickattransitions.Morethananythingitfeltliketheirsides’shapewas‘top-down’ratherthan

‘bottom-up’.WhereasthesuccessfulManchesterUnitedandArsenalsystemsofthe1990swerelargelydictatedbytheparticularcharacteristicsofindividuals,ChelseaandLiverpoolthroughoutthemid-2000swereessentiallyareflectionoftheirmanager’sstrategicvision.Forthefirsttime,managerialphilosophyhadbecomemoreimportantthanthestyleofplayers.

15

TheMidfieldTrio

‘GerrardandLampardwerebothintelligentfootballers.Ifoneplayerwentforward,theotherhadtostayback.Itwasnotmoredifficultthanthat.’

Sven-GöranEriksson

Themostsignificanttacticalchangeduringthefirstfewyearsofthe21stcenturywastheshifttowardsone-strikerformations,essentiallystartedbySirAlexFerguson’sdecisiontoswitchfrom4–4–2to4–5–1in2001.Althoughtheinitialfocuswasonthestriker,suddenlyforcedtocopealoneagainsttwocentre-backs,themidfieldzoneexperiencedanequallysignificantrevolution.Afterall,thereasonforthisshiftwastobeefupmidfieldwithanextraman.

AsEnglishclubsincreasinglyrealisedtheimportanceofkeepingpossessioninthecentre–or,lookingatitfromamorereactiveperspective,notbeingoverruninthatzone–managersincreasinglyneededthreecentralmidfielders.It’sworthrememberingSirAlexFerguson’sassessmentofthiszoneinthe1990s.‘InEuropetheypasstoeachotherinmidfield,’hesaid.‘Theyplayinlittletrianglesandkeepitthere,theyplayone-twosagainstyouinmidfield,whereasourmidfieldersservicethewideplayers,thefull-backsandthefrontmen.’Inthe1990stheprimaryinstinctwastogettheballoutofthemidfieldzone.Inthe2000sitwasallaboutkeepingitthere.EnglishfootballessentiallyembracedtheEuropeanmodel,thankstoavariety

offactors,includingmoreforeignplayers,stricterlawsabouttackling–whichbenefitedtechnicaltalents–and,crucially,adramaticimprovementinthequalityofpitches.Aslateasthe1990swintermatcheswereoftenplayedonhorrendousmudbaths,whichmadegoodfootballalmostimpossible.Now,withslickbowlinggreensupanddownthecountry,teamscouldtrustthepitchandpasstheball.

Inthedaysoftwo-mancentralmidfieldstherewerebasicallythreetypesofcombination.Youcouldhavetwobox-to-boxmidfielders,likeayoungRoyKeaneandPaulInceatManchesterUnited,youcouldhaveoneplayersittinginfrontofthedefenceandtheotherscamperingforwardintoattack,likeLeeClarkandRobertLeeatNewcastle,oryoucouldhavetwodefensivemidfielders,likePatrickVieiraandEmmanuelPetitatArsenal.Thethree-manmidfieldmadeeverythingconsiderablymorecomplex.Fora

start,thepositioningofthemidfielderstooktwodifferentforms:alwaysatriangle,butarrangedincompletelyoppositeways.The4–3–3,aspopularisedbyJoséMourinho,featuredoneholdingplayerwiththetwoothersbroadlyplayingbox-to-boxroles,whereasthe4–2–3–1favouredbyRafaelBenítezmeanttwoplayerssharingdefensivemidfieldresponsibilities,oftenwithsomefreedomtoadvance,andapropernumber10.That’sjustthepositioningoftheplayers,too;theiractualstylescouldvarywildly.Thedeepestmidfieldercouldbeapureball-winnerlikeJavierMascheranooradeep-lyingcreatorlikeMichaelCarrick,the‘second’midfieldercouldbeapurepasserlikeXabiAlonsooranenegeticall-rounderlikeMichaelEssien,andthemostattackingmidfieldercouldbeadriving,powerfulplayerlikeStevenGerrardoraplaymakerlikeTomášRosický.Formingacohesivemidfieldbecamemoredifficult,andtraditionalmidfieldroleswerecruciallyaltered.DuringthisperiodEnglishfootballobserversdidn’toftenappreciatethe

variationinthedifferentmidfieldroles,inpartbecauseEnglishfootballvocabularyissomewhatlackingintacticalterms.AnItalian,forexample,caninstantlypinpointthedifferencebetweenaregistalikeAndreaPirlo,adeep-lyingmidfielder,andatrequartistalikeFrancescoTotti,whoplaysbehindtheforwards.ButinEnglandtheywereall‘midfielders’,andtheadditionof‘defensive’and‘attacking’asprefixesdidn’tdifferentiatebetweenrolesina4–4–2,a4–3–3ora4–2–3–1.Thesetermsalsofailedtoappreciatethat,asfootballbecamemoreuniversal,deep-lyingmidfielderscouldplaycreativerolesandadvancedmidfielderscouldplaydefensiveroles.

SuchchangesarebestexplainedbythetacticaldevelopmentofthreeoutstandingEnglishmidfieldersduringthisperiod:ManchesterUnited’sPaulScholes,Chelsea’sFrankLampardandLiverpool’sStevenGerrard.Thistriowereamongthemostreveredplayersoftheirgenerationandrepresentedthethreemostdominantsidesduringthemid-2000s.But,moresignificantly,theylearnedtheirtradein4–4–2systemsbeforethrivinginthree-manmidfields,andallplayedmultiplerolesthroughouttheircareer,becauseofpersonaldevelopmentandthechangingnatureofthePremierLeague.Ofcourse,theyalsoplayedtogetheratinternationallevel,whichposedatrickytacticalconundrumneverentirelysolved,andEngland’stacticalinadequacythroughoutthe2000swasparticularlyobviouswhenjuxtaposedwithincreasinglysophisticatedPremierLeaguestrategies.

ThefirsttoemergewasScholes,whoisconsideredpartoftwo‘goldengenerations’,butwasactuallyslightlyseparatedfromboth.Atinternationallevelhe’softenrememberedalongsideLampardandGerrard,butwasnearlyfouryearsolderthantheformerandsixolderthanthelatter.Atclublevelhebelongedtothe‘classof’92’,butit’ssignificantthatwhileNickyButt,DavidBeckham,GaryNevilleandRyanGiggsallplayedregularlythroughoutUnited’sfamousYouthCupvictorythatyear,Scholesdidn’tplayasingleminute,andalsomadehisfirst-teambreakthroughlater.Althoughaprodigiouslytalentedyoungster,thereweremajorconcernsabout

Scholes’slackofphysicality.HeplayedalongsidefutureteammatesButtandNevilleevenbeforejoiningManchesterUnited,intheall-conqueringBoundaryParkyouthside.‘Hemighthavestoodouttothetrainedeyeforhislovelyskills,butasa15-year-oldmyfirstthoughtwasthathewastoosmall,’rememberedNeville.MikeWalsh,BoundaryPark’smanageratthetime,describedScholesas‘likeababy’intermsofstature,andtriedtoprotecthimagainstphysicalopposition,whichincludedplayinghimontherightflank,althoughScholeswas‘alwaysdriftingintothemiddlebecausehewantedtoplaycentre-forward’.

UponjoiningManchesterUnited,Scholessufferedfromkneeproblemsandbronchitis,whileyouthcoachEricHarrison,responsiblefordevelopingtheclassof’92,admittedScholeshad‘norealpace,nostrength’andneededtoconvincehimthatthiswasn’tabarriertosuccess.FergusonwasalsounconvincedbyScholes’sphysicalcapabilities.OnedayintrainingheturnedtohisassistantJimRyanandsaidofScholes,‘He’sgotnochance,he’samidget.’ButthemorehewatchedScholes,themoreheappreciatedhistechnicalquality.Whenbreakingthrough,Scholeswasadeep-lyingforwardratherthana

midfielder.HarrisonsaidheremindedhimofKennyDalglish,whileFergusonexpressedconcernsaboutplayinghiminthesamesideasCantonabecausetheyweretoosimilar.‘WhenEricgoes,that’swhenhewillreallyemergeasareallykeyplayer,’Fergusonsaid.‘Theyplayinsimilarpositions,andIhavehimmarkeddownasEric’ssuccessor.’Scholesmadehisdebutupfrontina2–0LeagueCupvictoryoverPortValein1994,wearingthenumber10shirtandscoringbothgoals,acalmdinkoverthegoalkeeper,thenapowerfulnear-postheader.Butphysicalconcernsremainedaproblem.‘TherewasnogettingawayfromthefactthatPaulwassmallforacentre-forward,’Fergusonlaterrecalled,‘Anditwasalsoclearthathedidn’thavetherequisitepaceforthatrole.’Afterinitiallyplayinghiminvariouspositions,moreinmidfieldthanattack,

FergusonstucktohiswordafterCantona’sretirementin1997andusedScholesintheFrenchman’srole.Hewasaclassicnumber10,andhisfirstsixstartsof1997/98sawhimplayingjustbehindTeddySheringhamorAndyCole,withButtandRoyKeanethetwocentralmidfielders.However,Keane’sseason-endingkneeinjuryinSeptembermeantUnitedsuddenlylackedoptionsinmidfield,soScholesretreatedtoapositionalongsideButt,withBeckhamandGiggseitherside.Thatbecamehisdefaultrole–atleastatclublevel.ScholesmadehisEnglanddebutthatsummeragainstSouthAfrica,introduced

inplaceofSheringhamtoplayoffIanWright.HeassistedEngland’swinnerwithintenminutes,aclassicstrikepartnershipgoal,withScholes’sflickedheaderfindingWright,whofinishedfirst-time.England’smanageratthetime,

GlennHoddle,wasperfectforacultured,un-EnglishfootballerlikeScholes,whowasallabouttechnicalskillsratherthanphysicality,andhealsostarredintheTournoideFrance,aWorldCupwarm-upevent,againcombiningbrilliantlywithWrightastheyassistedoneanotherinEngland’s2–0winoverItaly.Hequicklybecameafirst-teamregular,partlybecauseofPaulGascoigne’ssuddendecline,andbythe1998WorldCup,onlyayearafterhisdebut,washandedthenumber10rolebehindAlanShearerandMichaelOwenina3–4–1–2systemlargelybasedaroundhim.Hescoredsevengoalsinhisfirst16games,includingahat-trickina3–1victoryoverPolandin1999,KevinKeegan’sfirstgameincharge,thenhittwointhecrucialEuro2000play-offawayatScotland.Beforethattwo-leggedplay-off,Scholeswasrestedforafriendlyagainst

Belgium.ThemanwhotookhisplacewasdebutantFrankLampard,andthisiswheretherivalryforEngland’sattackingmidfieldslotbegan.LampardwasaverydifferentplayertoScholes.He’denjoyedtheperfect

footballingupbringing;hisdad,alsonamedFrank,wasaWestHamlegend,playing660gamesatleft-back,andwastwicecappedbyEngland.Bythemid-1990sFrankSnrwasWestHam’sassistantmanagerunderHarryRedknapp,whowasalsohisbrother-in-law–that,ofcourse,meantRedknappwasLampardJr’suncle,andEnglandinternationalJamieRedknappwashiscousin.LampardalsoremembersBobbyMooredroppingaroundforcupsofteaandchatsaboutWestHam–hewasimmersedinfootballfromanearlyage.LampardlackedthenaturalabilityofaplayerlikeScholes,however,

admittingthatotherWestHamyouthproductssuchasJoeCole,RioFerdinandandMichaelCarrickhadmoretechnicalquality,andhisdefiningfeaturewashisincrediblededicationandcommitment.Morethananything,thiswasaboutimprovinghisphysicalqualities.Oftenmockedforbeingchubbyinhisyoungerdays,Lampardspenthourssprintingthelengthofhisbackgardeninrunningspikes,andstayedbehindatWestHam’straininggroundforsoloshuttleruns,chargingrepeatedlyfromboxtobox.Atonepointateammatecaughthimperformingadrillonawetpitchthatinvolvedrunningashortdistancebetween

twocones,thenslidingacrossthegroundattheend,simulatingaslidetackle,thengettingupanddoingthesameintheoppositedirection.Therewasnoball,noopponent;Lampardwaspurelyconcernedwiththephysicalaspectoftheskill.HeunexpectedlymadehisfirststartforWestHaminlate1996,foraLeagueCupgameagainstStockportwhenJohnMoncurcamedownwithflu.Typically,whenhereceivedthecallfromhisdadinforminghimoftheselection,Lampardwasattheparkdoingsprintexercises.LampardfacedconstantaccusationsofnepotismfromWestHamsupporters

duringhisearlyyears,andretainsgenuineantipathytowardstheirfanbase.Ata1996fans’forum,whichfeaturedapanelincludingHarryRedknapp,LampardJnrandothermembersofthecoachingandplayingstaff,asupporterimpliedthatRedknapphadgivenspecialtreatmenttohisnephew,releasing‘better’midfielderslikeMattHolland,whoenjoyedafinePremierLeaguecareer,andScottCanham,whospenthiscareerinthelowerleagues.‘Hewillgorighttotheverytop,’Redknapphitback.‘He’sgoteverythingthat’sneededtobecomeatop-classmidfieldplayer;hisattitudeisfirst-class,he’sgotstrength,hecanplay,hecanpassitandhecanscoregoals.’Lampardwasalwaysabox-to-boxmidfielderwhopridedhimselfonmaking

constantrunsandgettingintogoalscoringpositions,hittingahat-trickinaLeagueCuptieagainstWalsallin1997/98,hisfirstseasonasaregular.HewasannoyedwhenEnglandU21managerPeterTaylortookhimasideandsuggestedhislong-termfuturewasasaholdingplayer,butalsorejectedtheideathathewasameregoalscorer.‘Ididn’twanttobeagoalscoringmidfielderinthemouldofRobertPirèsorGusPoyet,’hesaid.‘Iwantedtobeamidfielderwhoscoredgoals–someonewhowasinvolvedinallaspectsoftheplay,fromdefendingtomakingthefinalpass,aswellashittingthebackofthenetregularly.’Lampard’sEnglanddebutinlate1999–whenhestartedalongsidehiscousin,

JamieRedknapp–probablycamealittleearly.HissecondappearancewasinSven-GöranEriksson’sfirstgameincharge,18monthslater,hisnextstartwastwoandahalfyearslater,andhisfirstinternationalgoalnearlyfouryearslater,

inAugust2003.Hewasn’tinvolvedatEuro2000orthe2002WorldCup,bywhichtimehe’dmovedtoChelsea.InthemeantimesomeoneelsehadestablishedhimselfasScholes’smidfieldpartnerinEriksson’s4–4–2system:StevenGerrard.BornandraisedinLiverpool,Gerrardjoinedtheclub’sacademywhenhewas

nineandplayedinyouthteamsalongsideMichaelOwenfromtheageof11.Therewas,however,somethinguniqueaboutGerrard’syoungfootballexperience.HiscousinJon-PaulGilhooley–acoupleofyearsolderandahugeLiverpoolfan–wastheyoungestpersonkilledattheHillsboroughdisasterin1989.TheyregularlyplayedfootballtogetherinthestreetoutsideGerrard’shouseinHuyton,andGerrardspokeabouttheimpactJon-Paul’sdeathhadonhisfootballcareer.‘WheneverIsawhisparentsduringmytraineedays,itgavemeanextradeterminationtosucceed.’Gerrardwasanexcellentpasserfromayoungage,althoughhisfootballcareer

wasnearlyoverattheageoftenbecauseofafreakaccident.Whenplayingfootballnearhishousetheballbouncedintoapatchofnettles.InanattempttoretrieveitGerrardlaunchedabigkickattheundergrowth,onlytoploughhisfootstraightintoanupturnedgardenfork,whichbecameembeddedinhisbigtoe.Atthehospitaltherewasserioustalkofhavingtoamputatethetoe,whichpromptedGerrard’sfathertophoneSteveHeighway,Liverpool’sacademydirector,whorushedtothehospitaltoconvincethedoctorsnotto.Whetherhisimpactmadeanydifferenceisquestionable,butthetoesurvived.LikeLampard,GerrardwasrejectedbytheFA’sCentreofExcellenceinhis

teenageyearsandthereforecontinuedatLiverpool,andlikeScholes,therewasconcernabouthislackofphysicality.In1998hemadehisfirst-teamdebutattheageof18asasubstituteright-back,whilehisfirststartwasasaright-wing-backagainstTottenham,markingDavidGinola.ButGerrardwasclearlyacentralmidfielder,andhisfirstgameinthatposition,againstaCeltaVigoteamfeaturingClaudeMakélélé,sawhimnamedmanofthematch.OpportunitieswerelimitedforthenextcoupleofyearsandGerrardwasoften

forcedtoplayontheright,buthebecamearegularinearly2000alongsidethedefensive-mindedDidiHamann.GerrardplayedarolecomparabletoPatrickVieiraatthattime;althoughhehadlicencetostormforwardintoattackandscoredsomefinelong-rangegoals,hewasessentiallyadefensivemidfielderchargedwithbreakinguptheopposition’splay.DuringhisearlyyearsthemostdistinctivefeatureofGerrard’sgamewashisaggressivetackling,somethingthatpromptedconcerns.AtonestageHeighwaycalledGerrard’sfathertoaskifhishomelifewasalrightbecauseheshowedsuchaggressionintraining,andat16Gerrardwassenttoasportspsychologist,BillBeswick,inanattempttostophimlungingintotackles.HewastwicedismissedinMerseysidederbiesforawfultacklesonKevinCampbellandGaryNaysmith,onceleftArsèneWengerfumingafterachallengeonVieirainaCommunityShieldgame,andwasdismissedforatackleonAstonVilla’sGeorgeBoatengthatwassobadhefeltcompelledtophonetheDutchmanandapologise.‘ThephysicalnatureofthePremiershipsuitsmystyle,’hesaid.‘Tackleandbetackled,getupandgetonwithit.’Gerrardwasfast-trackedintotheEnglandsquad,wherehewasblownaway

byScholes’sabilityintraining.‘Hewasjustsosharp,soclever,’heremembered.‘Hewasbanginggoalsinfromeverywhere–crossing,finishing,volleys,thepoweronhisshots,thedipandthemovement.’HisdebutcameinMay2000,a2–0victoryoverUkraineplayingholdingmidfieldina3–5–2behindScholesandSteveMcManaman,andwassoimpressivethathewasincludedinthesquadforEuro2000asanunderstudyforPaulInce,playinghalfanhourinEngland’s1–0winoverGermany.ThatperformancewasnotableforatrademarkcrunchingtackleonHamann,hisclubteammate.‘Idon’tthinkhedeservedthattackle,’saidGerrard,aheadofanothermeetingbetweenthecountrieslaterthatyear.‘Butheshouldn’thavesquealedlikeagirl,shouldhe?’InceretiredfrominternationalsafterEuro2000,andwithlimitedcompetition

forthedefensive-mindedmidfieldslot–centre-backsGarethSouthgateandJamieCarragheroccasionallybeingusedthere–Gerrardbecamearegularunder

Eriksson.Hewasoutstandingonhissixthappearance,scoringthegoalthatputEnglandaheadinthefamous5–1victoryawayatGermany.However,thisiswhereEngland’scompromiseinthecentreofmidfield

started.‘Myjobwastobreakeverythingup,smashtheGermansbeforetheygotgoing.I’dprefertobemoreattack-minded,butthiswasstillgood,bangingintoGermans,’recalledGerrard,whogenerallyworethenumber4shirtforEnglandbuttook8atLiverpool,underliningthedifferenceinroles.Itwasnotable,too,thatheremembersScholes‘playingmoredefensivethannormal’againstGermany,partlybecauseofthetacticalperformancerequired,butalsobecauseGerrardwaslessdisciplinedthanScholes’susualmidfieldpartners,thelikesofInce,NickyButtandDavidBatty.SowhileEnglandrecordedasignificantvictory,generallybycounter-

attackingthroughMichaelOwenandEmileHeskeyratherthanoutpassingGermany,they’dsubtlystarteddeployingneithercentralmidfielderintheiroptimumposition.Bothwereplayingmoredefensivelythantheyliked.TherewaslittlesignofErikssonditchingthe4–4–2systemforanalternativeshape–indeed,forallthecontroversyaboutEnglandappointingtheirfirst-everforeignboss,Erikssonwasmuchmoreofan‘English’4–4–2manthanTerryVenables,HoddleorKeegan,inpartbecausetwoEnglishmen,BobHoughtonandRoyHodgson,hadintroducedthe4–4–2systemtoEriksson’snativeSwedeninthe1970s.Aroundthispoint,Scholes’sperformancesforEnglanddipped.His

goalscoringratesloweddramatically,partlybecauseofthischangeinrole;fromsevengoalsinhisfirst16internationals,heonlymanagedsevenmoreinhissubsequent50.Hewasn’tofferingparticularlyauthoritativepassingdisplays,either;hewasparticularlypoorinthefamous2–2drawagainstGreece,whenDavidBeckham’slast-gaspfree-kicksealedqualificationtothe2002WorldCup,thenwasoutperformedbyManchesterUnitedcolleagueButtatthetournamentitself,withGerrardabsentthroughinjury.GerrardandScholesbecameEngland’sfirst-choicemidfieldpartnership

throughoutqualificationforEuro2004,althoughScholes’slackofgoalshadbecomeamajortalkingpoint.Atclublevelhe’dbeenpushedforwardtoanattackingmidfieldpositionina4–4–1–1formationbehindRuudvanNistelrooy,scoringacareer-high14leaguegoalsin2002/03.ButgoingintoEuro2004Scholeshadn’tscoredforEnglandinthreeyears.‘I’mintheteamtoscoregoals,andifI’mnotdoingthat,Iknowthere’sachanceIwon’tbepicked,’headmitted.‘Iamexpectedtoscore.Ifthat’snothappening,I’mnotcontributingasmuchasIshouldbetotheteam.It’snotjustaboutme,either.WhenthereareplayerslikeFrankLampardhavingagreatseason,theyprobablydeservetobegivenaplaceinthestartingline-up.Ifthemanagerweretopickhiminsteadofme,I’dwishhimallthebestbecauseIknowIhaven’tdonewhatIshouldhavebeendoing.’LampardwasthrivingatChelsea,partlythankstoRomanAbramovich’s

wealthturningthemintotitlecontenders,andpartlybecauseClaudioRanierichangedLampard’sgame,orderinghimtobecomemoreconservativewithhisrunningina4–4–2system.UponsigningLampard,RanierisaidhisgameatWestHamhadbeen70:30intermsofattackinganddefending,whereasatChelseahewantedittobe50:50.‘Hewantedtobalancemyplaybycoachingmetobemoreawareofwhentomakerunsforward,howtotimethembetter,’Lampardsaid.Untilthenhehadbeensodeterminedtoshowcasehisstaminabyoutrunningopponentsthatheturnedupinsidetheboxandwaitedforservice,almostasabonusstriker.Ranieriwouldconstantlyshout‘Stay!’toLampardintrainingmatches,wantinghimtoadvanceasattacksweredeveloping,delayinghisrunstotheedgeofthebox.‘Ilearnedhowtoreacttoplayinindividualsituations,tosensewhenImighthavethebestchanceofagoal,’hesaid.Hebecamemoretacticallyresponsible.ThencameEuro2004,whichisunfairlyrememberedasthetournamentwhen

EnglandunderlinedtheirdistrustofcreativitybydeployingScholesontheleftflank.Therealitywasverydifferent.Erikssonfoundhimselfwithfouroutstandingcentralmidfielders:Beckham,Lampard,GerrardandScholes.

BeckhamwascaptainandoftenEngland’ssaviour,Lampardhadenjoyedthemostimpressiveclubseasonofthequartet,whileGerrardprovidedall-roundmidfieldqualitiesandwasundroppable.ButScholes,forallhisincredibletalent,simplywasn’tplayingwellforEngland.Allfourwerenaturallycreative,attack-mindedmidfielders,andErikssonshouldprobablyhaveintroducedamorefunctionalholdingplayertoprovidesomebalance–ButtandOwenHargreaveswerealsointhesquad.Ifso,Scholeswouldhavebeenthenaturalplayertodropout.Eriksson’sdecisiontokeephimintheside,potentiallycompromisingEngland’sshape,underlinedhisfaithinScholes’stalent.Indeed,farfrombanishinghimtothefringes,Erikssontriedtoplaya

diamondmidfieldwithScholes,whomhelaterdescribedas‘England’sbestplayer’,atthetop,thesideeffectivelybuiltaroundhim.Thediamondmadesense.GaryNevilleandAshleyColewouldoverlaptoprovidethewidth,allowingthefourmidfielderstoplaycentrally.It’ssignificantthatinthisdiamondsystemLampardwasdeployedinfrontofthedefence,underliningtheextenttowhichhewasconsideredEngland’smostdisciplinedplayer,evenifhedislikedthatdeeprole.Gerrard,meanwhile,wasfrustratedplayingontheleftofadiamond.HeandLampardwantedtheadvancedrole,butErikssonentrustedthistoScholes.AtEuro2004Englandtriedthediamondsysteminatrainingsessionwith

disastrousconsequences,thefirstXIfindingthemselves3–0downtoasecond-stringside.Erikssonsubsequentlygatheredthemidfielderstogetherandaskedthemwhichsystemtheylikedbest.Scholespreferredthediamond,buttheotherthreefavouredthefour-manmidfield,soErikssonrevertedto4–4–2.Scholeswasdisappointed,butitwouldhavebeenludicroustoignorethemajoritytoplacatetheonemidfielderwho,byhisownadmission,simplywasn’tplayingwellenough.Furthermore,Scholeswasn’tlikelytolastthedurationofmatches.ErikssonsaysthatwhenEnglandpractisedpenaltiesintrainingduringthattournament,Scholesdidn’tbother.WhentheSwedeaskedwhy,Scholesrepliedthathe’ddowelltomakeitpast60minutes,letalone120.

PlayingScholescentrallyinaflat,attack-mindedmidfieldwouldhavebeenunwise.Atthispoint,screeningthedefencewasstillwidelyconsideredtoinvolveplentyoftackling,andthiswasunquestionablyScholes’sweakness;eachofhisfourmanagers–Ferguson,Hoddle,KeeganandEriksson–highlightedtacklingasasignificantshortcominginanotherwiseflawlessskillset.Scholessimplycouldn’tmastertheartofdispossessingopponents,wildlymistimingchallengesandbeingpunishedparticularlyseverelybycontinentalreferees;heisthemostbookedplayerinChampionsLeaguehistory.Erikssonsimplycouldn’triskapoortacklerwholackedstaminainatwo-mancentralmidfield.Meanwhile,Gerrardwasstillrenownedasapredominantlydefensive

midfielder,withBeckhamspecificallysayingEnglandwere‘somuchbetterbalancedwithhimintheside’,whileLampardhadbecomemoredisciplinedatChelseathankstoRanieri’stutelage.Thosetwo,atthisstage,madethemostsenseasacentralmidfieldpartnership,andScholes’sleft-sidedpositioningdidn’tpreventhimfromcominginside,especiallywithColeoverlapping.Indeed,Erikssondeployingacreatordriftinginsidefromtheleftwasasignificantimprovementupontheprevioussituation,whenEnglandhadworriedforyearsabouttheir‘left-sidedproblem’solelybecausetherewasadearthoftalentedleft-footersaround.It’snotablethatthethreesubsequentWorldCupwinners,Italy,SpainandGermany,featurednaturalcentralmidfieldersplayingfromtheleft:SimonePerrotta,AndrésIniestaandMesutÖzil.There’snoreasonScholescouldn’thaveplayedtheresuccessfully.EnglandbroadlyplayedwellatEuro2004,courtesyofagung-hoapproach

thatdependedupontheprecociousWayneRooney.Histournament-endinginjuryatthequarter-finalstage,ratherthanEriksson’ssystem,wasEngland’smajorproblem.Scholesretiredfrominternationalfootballafterwards,andrepeatedlysaidhispositioningwasn’tthereasonforhisdecision.‘AlotofpeopleblamedSvenformequittingEngland,butthetruthisIplayedonthewingforManUnitedtooandscoredalotofgoals,’hesaid.Itjustwasn’t

workingoutwithEngland,andScholesadmitshesimplydidn’tenjoyinternationalduty,particularlybeingawayfromhisfamilyforextendedperiods.However,muchlaterhecriticisedEnglandplayersforbeingtooselfish.‘Wehavesomeofthebestplayers,’hesaid,‘butmaybesomeofthemareoutthereforpersonalglory.’Scholes’smostsignificantcontributiontothetacticaldevelopmentofEnglishfootballwouldactuallyoccurmuchlater,inaconsiderablydeeperrole,whichhasseeminglyconvincedmanyhe’dalwaysplayedthatposition.

AfterEuro2004thingschangeddramaticallyinEngland’smidfieldzone.First,therewasnomoreScholes.Second,JoséMourinhotookchargeofChelseaanddeployedLampardintheleft-centrepositionofa4–3–3,givinghimthemostattackingroleinChelsea’smidfieldtriangle.Third,RafaelBenítezarrivedatLiverpool,andwhileheinitiallyusedGerrardinthecentreortherightofa4–4–2,itbecameapparentthatGerrard’soptimumpositionwasatthetopofmidfieldina4–2–3–1,withtwoholdingmidfieldersbehindhim.It’sworthunderlininghowbrilliantLampardandGerrardwereatthisstage–inthe2005Ballond’Ortheyfinishedsecondandthirdrespectively,behindBrazilianforwardRonaldinho.EnglandthereforeofficiallyhadEurope’sbesttwofootballers–andtheworld’sbesttwomidfielders–attheirdisposal.Lampardwasfundamentallyabasicfootballer.Hehadthreeprimary

strengths:hewasexcellentphysically,timedhisrunstotheedgeoftheboxperfectlyandwassuperbatfiringhomefromaround25yards.Asayoungsterhisdad’sfavouritemottowas‘Simplicityisgenius,’andLampardprovedthisperfectly–fewplayersreachhislevel,theworld’ssecond-bestplayer,withsuchastraightforwardgame.Lampard’sfrequentlyscoredfromlong-range,hittingthemostPremierLeaguegoalsfromoutsidethebox,butgenuinethunderboltswererelativelyrare.Instead,hepossessedanuncannyknackofscoringslightlyscuffyeffortsfromthatrange,oftencatchingafavourabledeflectionorbenefitingfromagoalkeepingfumble.Interestingly,hesaysthatthisstemmed

fromadeliberatechange.‘Theincreaseingoalswasinpartduetochangingmytechniqueinhittingtheball,’heexplained.‘Iusedtostrikeitmuchmoretrue,whichisfineifyoucandirecttheballintothecorneratpower.Themodernfootballislighter,though,andifyouhitacrossityoucanmakeitmovearoundinflight,whichmakesitmuchharderforakeepertosave.EvenPetrČechendsuppalmingashotthatiscomingstraightathimintothenetifyoucatchitrightanditsuddenlychangesdirection.’ThatsummarisesLampard,efficientratherthanbeautiful.Incidentally,thechangeinfootballsthemselvesisoftenunderestimatedasa

factorinthedevelopmentofthegame.Surprisingly,ittookthePremierLeagueuntilthelate1990stoinsistuponastandardfootball–untilthatpoint,teamsoftenhadtheirownpreferences.WhiletheMitrefootballdominated,ChelseausedanUmbroballthatgoalkeepersconsideredunpredictable,whileLiverpool’sAdidasballwasfasterthroughtheair.Itprovidedanextradimensiontotheconceptofhomeadvantage.Gerrard’stacticalhistory,meanwhile,wasmorecomplex.AlthoughBenítez

oftenplayed4–2–3–1,withGerrardbehindthemainstrikerinbiggames,theSpaniardspentmuchof2005/06and2006/07convincingthemedia–andGerrardhimself–thathecouldplayeffectivelyontherightofa4–4–2,pointingtohisincreasedgoalscoringreturn.However,Gerrardthrivedwhenswitchedtoapermanentpositionatthetopofa4–2–3–1,drivingforwardandbecomingaregulargoalthreat.HecreditsXabiAlonsoforhisabilitytoplaythatrole.‘Ididn’tthinkIcouldplayasanumber10,’Gerrardadmitted.‘ButIcould,becauseoftheamountoftimeXabigavemeontheballwithhisspeedofthought.’Histacticaldeploymentcouldhavebeenverydifferent,however,because

GerrardcameextremelyclosetoleavingLiverpooltojoinLampardatChelsea.Therewereinitialrumoursabouttheswitchin2004,butayearlater,shortlyafterGerrardledLiverpooltotheChampionsLeague,hehandedinatransferrequestwhenLiverpoolrejectedaBritishrecordfeefromChelsea.Gerrardlater

insistedheneverwantedtoleave,blamingLiverpool’spoorhandlingofcontractnegotiations,buthadthetransfermaterialised–asbrieflyseemedinevitable–GerrardandLampardwouldhaveplayedtogetherweekin,weekout,inMourinho’s4–3–3,andErikssonwouldhavefeltcompelledtoreplicatethattemplate.Instead,thetransfernevermaterialised,GerrardwithdrewhistransferrequestandChelseaturnedtoMichaelEssieninstead.Theopeninggameofthe2006WorldCupqualifiers,awayatAustria,setthe

toneforwhatfollowed.WithoutScholestoworryabout,ErikssonprovidedsomemidfieldbalancebyusingWayneBridgeontheleftflank.Beckhamwasstillontheright,andLampardandGerrardagainstartedcentrally.LampardandGerrardbothunderlinedtheirattackingcapabilitiesbyscoringtoputEngland2–0ahead,butthenbothshoweddefensivelapsestoallowAustriatosnatchapoint.First,Lampardconcededafree-kickthatwasfiredhomebyRolandKollmann,thenGerrardgotcaughtaheadofplayanddesperatelytriedtorecoverandblockAndreasIvanschitz’sshot,onlymanagingadeflectionthathelpedtheballsquirmunderDavidJames.Thiswasthestartofadebatethatdominatedmuchoftheensuingdecade:couldGerrardandLampardplaytogether?Really,ofcourse,thequestionwaswhethertheycouldplaytogetherinthe

centreofa4–4–2.Althoughtheobviousmovewasswitchingtoa4–3–3togetthebestfromboth,Erikssonwasdissuadedbecausethreeotherkeyplayerswereallmoresuitedtoa4–4–2:Beckham,aright-sidedcrossingmidfielder;Rooney,asecondstriker;andMichaelOwen,aquickgoalpoacherwhoneededapartner.Erikssoncontinuedtoshiftbetweenthediamond,whichEnglandneverlookedcomfortablein,and4–4–2,withGerrardandLampardtogetherinmidfield,asystemthatworkedagainstminnowsinqualifiersbutseemedunworkableagainstmajoropposition.Therewasabriefexperimentwith4–3–3awayatNorthernIreland,whenDavidBeckhamplayedtheholdingrolebehindGerrardandLampard,withShaunWright-PhillipsandRooneyeithersideofOwen.Thatfailedmiserablyina1–0defeat,asBeckham,inEriksson’swords,‘kepthitting

longpassesthatseldomfoundtheirtarget’.Itwasinteresting,though,thatErikssonbelievedthatOwencouldplayupfrontandRooneycouldplayontheleftofa4–3–3,butdidn’tthinkthatBeckhamwassuitedtotherightinthatsystem.Beckham,therefore,wasthebarriertoplaying4–3–3,especiallyafterunderperforminginthedeeprole.Bythe2006WorldCup,Eriksson’sfinaltournament,thesituationhad

becomeentirelyconfused.Forapre-tournamentfriendlyagainstHungary,Gerrardwasstunnedwhenhandedthenumber9shirtandinstructedtoplayjustbehindlonestrikerMichaelOwen.Itwasa4–1–3–1–1system,withCarragherintheholdingroleandBeckham,LampardandJoeColeacrossmidfield.ThisseeminglysuitedeveryonenicelyandEnglandwon3–1,butthenErikssonused4–4–2withGerrardandLampardtogetherforaninevitablethrashingofJamaica,andstuckwiththatsystemthroughoutthegroupstage.Peculiarly,though,Gerrardwasaskedtoplaythemoredefensiveofthetwocentralmidfieldroles;inonesystemhewasdeployedsignificantlyinadvanceofLampard,intheotherhewasslightlydeeper.It’snowondertheyneverdevelopedanyunderstanding.OwensustainedaseriouskneeinjuryinthefinalgroupgameagainstSweden,

andfortheknockoutstagesEnglandswitchedtoa4–1–4–1system:Rooneywasupfrontalone,andErikssonintroducedaholdingmidfielder,allowingGerrardandLampardfreedomtoattack.Inthesecond-roundwinoverEcuador,MichaelCarrickplayedtheholdingroleandwasabsolutelyoutstanding,controllingthetempoandplayingpenetrativepasses.Hewasharshlydroppedforthequarter-finalagainstPortugal,withHargreavesswitchingfromright-backtotheholdingrole.ThePortugalgame,whereEnglandwereeliminatedonpenalties,waswheneveryonerealisedtheimportanceofaholdingmidfielder.Hargreaveshadbeenthesubjectofsustained,unreasonablecriticismgoing

intothetournament,primarilybecausehewasarareEnglandplayerwhohadnever,atthatstage,playedhisfootballinEngland.FewinEnglishfootballwatchedtheBundesliga,althoughitwasobviousHargreavesofferedquality,

purelyfromthefactthathe’dwonfourBundesligatitlesandtheChampionsLeagueasaregularinBayernMunich’smidfield.Still,largesectionsoftheEnglishpresswereoblivioustoHargreaves’squalitybeforethetournament,totheextentthatonejournalistaskedLampardatapressconference:‘WhatisthepointofOwenHargreaves?’AmonthlaterHargreaveswaswidelyacknowledgedtohavebeenEngland’sbestperformerinthequarter-final,andwassubsequentlyvotedEnglandfans’playeroftheyear.GerrardandLampardremainedEngland’sbestmidfielders,butitwasobvioustheyrequiredaholdingplayerbehindthem.CombinedwithtwoseasonsofMakélélé-inspiredChelseasuccessinthePremierLeague,theholdingplayerhadneverbeensopopular.ThiswasevidentthroughoutEngland’sultimatelydisastrousEuro2008

qualifyingcampaignunderSteveMcClaren,whoatleastunderstoodtherequirementforaholdingplayer,fieldingatleastoneofHargreaves,CarrickorGarethBarryin11ofthe12matches.ThepartnershipbetweenBarryandGerrardworkedwell,partlybecausethey’dbecomeclosefriendsastheyoungestsquadmembersatEuro2000.Englandwerelargelyverydisciplined,keepingacleansheetinnineofthe12qualificationgames,andtherealproblemwasattack,asEnglandsufferedtwogoallessdrawsagainstMacedoniaandIsrael.ThencamethatinfamoushomedefeatagainstCroatia.Animprobableseries

ofeventsmeantEnglandonlyrequiredadrawatWembleyagainstateamwhohadalreadyqualifiedandthereforehadnothingtoplayfor.Barry,LampardandGerrardwerethemidfieldtrioina4–3–3,butEnglandstartednervously,epitomisedbytheawfulperformanceofgoalkeeperScottCarson,makinghiscompetitivedebut.Englandfoundthemselves2–0downathalf-time.McClarensacrificedBarryandswitchedto4–4–2,Englandwentall-out-attackandrecoveredto2–2.Theywereoncourseforqualification.Butthen,crucially,McClarendidn’tseekcontrolbyintroducinganextraholdingmidfielder;Hargreavesremainedonthebench,andGerrardandLampardwereoverrun.Itwouldbeunfairtosuggestaholdingmidfielderwouldhaveentirelysolvedtheproblem–EnglandhadconcededtwicewithBarryonthepitch–butitwasthe

obviousapproachwhenEnglandsimplyneededtoseeout25minuteswithoutconceding.England,despitenotneedingathirdgoal,seeminglyfelttheirnatural

attackinggamewasworkingbetterandkeptonpushingforward,butthenatureoftheirconcessionfeltinevitable.MladenPetrićcollectedtheballjustoutsidetheboxinspace,exactlywhereaholdingmidfielderwouldhavebeenpositioned–LampardhadbeendraggedtowardstheflankandGerrardwasslowtoclosedown–andtheCroatianforwardfiredhome.Englandwereeliminated,andevenGerrardrealisedEngland’stacticalnaivety.‘Whenyouare2–0downyouhavetotakerisks,andtherewasabigimprovementinthesecondhalf.Wegotbackintothegame,’hesaid.‘Weshouldhaveshutupshopthen.Whenyougetbackintoit,you’vegottoseeitoutandtakeadraw.Butwetookrisksandgotdoneonthecounter-attack.’2008wastheyearinwhichthePremierLeaguebecameUEFA’stop-ranked

leagueforthefirsttime.ButitwasalsotheyearinwhichEnglandfailedtoqualifyfortheEuropeanChampionships.EnglandboastedthebestleagueinEuropebutweren’tamongitsbest16internationalsides.Thedifference,morethananythingelse,wasabouttacticalintelligence,underliningthePremierLeague’srelianceonforeigninfluencesforstrategicnous.

PartSix

DirectAttacking

16

Roonaldo

‘AllthepremeditatedtacticaltheoriesIhadlearnedaboutgettingandstayinginyourshapeandtrackingbackwithyourrunner,allthethingsthathadbeen

drummedintome,werethrownoutovertwoyearsbecausewehadaplayerwhocouldmakeuphisownruleswiththeblessingofhisteam-mates.Ronaldohas

helpedtoredefinethegame.’

GaryNeville

Despitethewoesofthenationalside,by2008thePremierLeaguewasofficiallyEurope’sbestaccordingtoUEFA’ssomewhatcomplexcoefficientsystem.Youdidn’tneedafullunderstandingoftheirmethodology,however,torealisethesuperiorityoftheEnglishtopflight.Forthreeconsecutiveseasons,2006/07,2007/08and2008/09,thePremier

LeagueprovidedthreeofthefourChampionsLeaguesemi-finalists,anunprecedentedlevelofdominance.Intruth,thiswasn’tconvertedintoenoughoutrightsuccess,andit’snotablethatinfourconsecutiveyears–Arsenalin2006,Liverpoolin2007,Chelseain2008andManchesterUnitedin2009–eachmemberoftheBigFourwasadefeatedfinalist.Ittookanall-PremierLeaguefinal,in2008,foranEnglishclubtotastesuccessduringtheseyears,whenManchesterUniteddefeatedChelseaafteradramaticpenaltyshoot-out.ManchesterUnitedwereunquestionablythePremierLeague’sbestside;in

thisthree-yearperiodtheywonthetitleeveryseasonasSirAlexFergusoncreatedhisgreatestteam.ThedefensivequartetofGaryNeville,RioFerdinand,NemanjaVidićandPatriceEvrawassocohesivethatallfourwerevotedintothePFATeamoftheYearfor2006/07,theonlytimethishashappenedinthePremierLeague,whileEdwinvanderSarwasUnited’sbestgoalkeepersincePeterSchmeichel,keepinganincredible,record-breaking14consecutiveclean

sheetsmidwaythrough2008/09.ThemidfieldwasboostedbytheadditionofMichaelCarrickandOwenHargreaves,whilePaulScholesplayedanincreasinglywithdrawnroleandbecameanoutstandingdeep-lyingplaymaker.Morethananything,however,thissidewasdefinedbyitsattackingflairand

versatility.TheinterchangingofpositionsbetweenWayneRooney,CarlosTevezandCristianoRonaldowasspectacularattimes,withthelatterproducingarguablythebest-everindividualPremierLeaguecampaignin2007/08with31goalsin31starts,realisinghisambitionofbecomingtheworld’sbestbywinningthatyear’sBallond’Or.HerepresentedanentirelynewtypeofManchesterUnitedteam,becauseFerguson–andassistantCarlosQueiroz–createdEurope’smostcompletesidebyplayingwithoutagenuinestriker.NotsinceBlackburn’sRayHarfordhadanassistantexertedsuchinfluence

uponthetacticalapproachofthetitlewinners.ThiswasQueiroz’ssecondstintatUnited–hewasFerguson’sassistantin2002/03butlefttobecomeRealMadrid’smanager,beforebeingdismissedafterayearandreturningtohisoldjobatOldTrafford.ThefactthatUnited’sassistantwasconsideredtalentedenoughtomanageReal–oneofthefewclubsinEuropedeemedbiggerthanUnitedandaclubwhoregularlypoachedUnited’sstars–spokevolumesabouthisreputation.Hisfour-yearspellfrom2004to2008helpedUnitedrevolutioniseattackingfootball.FergusondescribedQueirozas‘brilliant,justbrilliant–outstanding,an

intelligent,meticulousman’anddeferredtohimintermsoftactics.Whiletheprocessofmovingfrom4–4–2to4–5–1hadstarteduponRuudvanNistelrooy’sarrivalin2001,withmixedresults,thiswasstillacontroversialformationforUnited’ssupporters.ThereputationofJoséMourinho’sChelseameantone-strikersystemswereconsideredasure-firesignofdefensivefootball,andQueirozbecameatargetforsomefans,whoblamedhimfortheshiftawayfromUnited’s‘traditional’wayofplaying,evenchanting‘four–four–two!’inprotestatthenewsystem.Queirozhitback,somewhatunwisely,midwaythrough2005/06.‘Peoplehavebeencryingoutforustousea4–4–2formationbutinthe

Blackburngamewetriedthesystemandwelost,’hecomplained.‘That’swhyfootballisagameinwhichimaginationand,onmanyoccasions,stupidityhasnolimits.’HeremainedconvincedthatUnitedneededtomoveawayfromimmobilecentralstrikers.AscoachofPortugal’s‘goldengeneration’atbothyouthandfullinternationallevelintheearly1990shecreatedthestyleoffootballthatcountrybecamerenownedfor:asoliddefence,plentyofpossession,brilliantlytrickywingers,creativeplaymakers–andacentre-forwardbasedaroundmovementratherthangoals.United’seraofsuccess,notably,startedimmediatelyafterthedepartureof

RuudvanNistelrooyin2006.ForalltheDutchman’sgoals,hesimplywasn’tappropriateforthetypeofsideFergusonandQueirozwanted.VanNistelrooy,aswe’veestablished,wasnothingmorethanapenalty-boxpoacher,whereasthisnewUnitedteamwasbasedaroundmovement,selflessness,cohesionandcounter-attacking.AfterUnitedwonthetitlein2006/07,Fergusonwasaskedwhetherhe’dmadetwobigdecisionsthepreviousyear,sanctioningthedeparturesofVanNistelrooyandRoyKeane.‘Well…Roywas,certainly,becausehewassuchaninfluenceontheclub,’Fergusonreplied.‘ButI’mnotsureaboutVanNistelrooybeingabigdecisionatall.’Thatspokevolumes.NowitwasallaboutRonaldoandRooney–althoughFerguson’sintentionofbuildingtheteamaroundthemnearlyprovedfatalafteranincidentatthe2006WorldCup.MidwaythroughEnglandandPortugal’squarter-final–whichEnglandwent

ontoloseonpenalties–RooneybattledRicardoCarvalhofortheball.Bothfelltothegroundand,upongettingtohisfeet,RooneysteppedbackwardsandstampedonCarvalho.RonaldoimmediatelyracedovertorefereeHoracioElizondo,gesturingwildlytowardstheprostrateCarvalhotodrawattentiontoRooney’smisdemeanor.RooneyreactedbygrabbingRonaldoandpushinghimaway.ElizondoshowedRooneytheredcardforhisstamp,andEnglandneverrecovered.Worsewastofollow.TVfootagecaughtRonaldowinking,seeminglytowardsthePortugaldugout,intheaftermathoftheincident,whileapre-match

clipshowedRonaldoapproachingRooneyfrombehind,stickinghisheadintoRooney’s,whisperingsomethingandthengentlyheadbuttinghim.ThesethreeclipscreatedanarrativethatRonaldohadgotRooneydismissed,whichsomewhatignoredthefactthatRooneyhadstampedonanopponent’sgroinentirelythroughhisownvolition.TherecentlyretiredAlanShearer,nowapunditfortheBBC,ledthefury.‘Ithinkthere’severychanceRooneycouldgobacktotheManchesterUnitedtraininggroundandstickoneonRonaldo,’hesaid.ThiswasdisastrousforUnited–theirtwostarplayerswereseeminglyatwar.Ultimately,therewaslittleresentment.‘IbearnoillfeelingtoCristianobutI

amdisappointedhechosetogetinvolved,’Rooneysaidafterwards.Handily,theybumpedintooneanotherafterthematchandagreedtoputtheincidentbehindthem,andRooneytextedRonaldotofurthercleartheair.‘ThethingsthathavebeensaidregardingmeandmyteammateandfriendRooneyareincredible,’saidRonaldo.‘HewishedmethebestofluckintheWorldCup.Hewasn’tangryandtoldmetocompletelyignorewhattheEnglishpresshassaid,thatalltheywantedwastocreateconfusion,butwearealreadyusedtothat.’RooneywasevenintelligentenoughtorealiseRonaldo’santicsworkedinhisfavour.‘IwashappyIdidn’tgetthestickBecksgot[in1998]andevenPhilNevilledidafterEuro2000,’headmitted.‘Ididn’treallygetanystick–RonaldotookalotofitandI’mpleasedwiththat.’UponRonaldoandRooney’sreturntotraining,Fergusonsatthemdown

togetherforapeptalkbutbothagreedtherewasnoneed–they’dsortedthingsoutthemselves.Therewas,disappointingly,nocallfortheboxingglovesateammatehadbroughtintotraining.Itwouldhavebeenagoodfight;whatRooneygaveawayinheightandreachhemadeupinexperience,havingtrainedinhisuncle’sboxinggymthroughouthisearlyteenageyears.NowonderRonaldospenthissummerbulkingupandimprovinghisupperbody,arrivingbackinManchesteracompletelydifferentbeast.Crucially,FergusonflewtoPortugalintheaftermathoftheWorldCupto

dissuadeRonaldofromhisrumouredswitchtoRealMadrid,assuringhimUnited’spost-VanNistelrooysidewouldbebasedprimarilyaroundhim.Althoughthisseemsanobviousmoveinhindsight,withRonaldo’sludicrousgoalscoringfiguresandmultipleBallonsd’Or,it’sworthrememberingthathewasbrieflyconsideredsomethingofalaughingstockinEnglishfootball.AlthoughsensationalonamemorabledebutagainstBoltonWanderersin2003,Ronaldostruggledbadlyatpointsduringhisfirstcoupleofseasons,andhistendencytomakemultiplestepoverspromptedconsiderablederision.Onmorethanoneoccasionopponentsgotsickofhisshowboatingandsimplykickedhimoffthepark–althoughhegraduallybecomeaccustomedtothistreatment,assomethingsimilarhappenedintraining.‘Weallsawthehugepotentialhehad,’saidRioFerdinand.‘Whenhecameoverhere,hisfirstthoughtwastoentertain.Wewantedtowin.Weknewthatifwehadanendproduct,wehadafarbetterchanceofbeingsuccessful.Forwantofabetterword,wewerekickingitoutofhim,theentertainmentfactor,togetgoalsandassists.’Ronaldobecameadifferenttypeofplayer,aboutefficiencyanddirectnessratherthanskills,andUnited’sotherattackers–includingRooney–playedabackseatrole.Uniteddidn’tsufferfromRonaldoandRooney’ssquabble.Intheiropening

gameof2006/07,theywere4–0upagainstFulhamwithin19minuteswhenRooneycrossedforafineRonaldohalf-volley.Unitedeventuallywon5–1.‘WithRuudgone,themanagerwantsustoworkonastyleoffootballthatwillbloweveryoneaway,’outlinedRooney.‘Hesetsuptheteamtohavebagsofpacewithmyself,RonaldoandLouisSahaupfront.We’rebeingtoldtocounter-attackatspeed.Hereckonsteamswillfinditimpossibletoplayagainstus.’Twogamesinearlyautumnawayatnorth-westrivalsshowedUnited’s

quality.First,theybatteredBolton4–0withaquitewonderfuldisplay,featuringaRooneyhat-trickandoneforRonaldo,assistedbyaselflesssquarepassfromSaha.Therewasmovement,interplayandunpredictability.‘Thebestwehaveplayedforyears,’marvelledFerguson.AtBlackburntheyonlywon1–0,butitwasanotherhugelyimpressiveattackingperformance,withRonaldosobrilliant

thatalthoughtheBlackburnRoversfansstartedthematchbybooinghimforhisWorldCuptransgression,theyendedthenightgivinghimastandingovationwhenhewassubstitutedinthe90thminute.ThehighlightcamewhenhewasflattenedbyanawfultacklefromBlackburnwingerSergioPeter–whereasoncehewouldhaverolledaroundforages,Ronaldosimplygotupandcarriedon.He,Rooney,GiggsandSahabuzzedaroundalmostuncontrollably.‘It’sasgoodasI’veseenUnitedforagoodfewseasons,’saidBlackburnmanagerMarkHughes,wholikenedthemtotheUnitedtitle-winnersof1992/93,whenheplayedupfront.‘Theanglesoftheirpassing,theirrotationofmovement,theinterchanging,theyjustpickyouoff…Thisside,withoutVanNistelrooy,ismoredynamic.’Unitedweretopafter37ofthePremierLeague’s38matchdays,ontheirwaytotheirfirsttitleinfouryears.

ManchesterUnitedwerenotquitestrikerlessyet,however.VanNistelrooyhaddeparted,butSaha,OleGunnarSolskjærandAlanSmithremained.Allthreefoundthemselvescompromisedbyinjurybutplayedimportantrolesin2006/07,whileUnitedalsobenefitedfromHenrikLarsson’sbriefmid-seasonloanspell.Inthevastmajorityofmatches,therefore,Unitedusedaconventionalstriker–butallfourcontributedheavilytointerplay:Saha’smovementwassensational,Solskjæralwayslinkedwell,Smithhelduptheballeffectively,whileLarssonwasanintelligentall-roundforward.Nevertheless,United’sjoint-topgoalscorersthatseasonwereRonaldoandRooney,bothmanaging23inallcompetitions.Unitedgenerallyusedaproperstriker,buthewasn’tthemajorgoalthreat.United’smostsignificantencounterthatseasonwasatwo-leggedChampions

LeaguetieagainstRoma.Thesecondleg,anoutstanding7–1victoryFergusondescribedasUnited’sgreatestEuropeanperformanceduringhistenure,wasnotableforbrilliantperformancesfromCarrickinhisdeep-lyingplaymakingroleandSmithasanold-fashionedbatteringramupfront.Butthefirstleg,a2–1defeatinRome,wassurprisinglymoresignificant.FergusonalwayslearnedhisgreatestlessonsfromEuropeancompetition,andRomabossLucianoSpalletti

defeatedUnitedwithanunusualsystemoftendescribedas4–6–0.TheirmostadvancedplayerwaslegendarycaptainFrancescoTotti,considerablymoreofanumber10thananumber9.Hedroppeddeep,peelingoffintomidfieldandcreatingspaceforteammatestoexploit.WhileFergusonhadditchedthepuregoalpoacher,Spallettihadditchedstrikersentirely.Ferguson,asalways,wouldadjusthissidetokeeppacewithtacticalinnovations.ThatsummerSolskjærretiredandSmithmovedtoNewcastle,whileSaha’s

injuryproblemsrestrictedhimtojustsixleaguestartsin2007/08.Meanwhile,FergusonsignedCarlosTevez,asurprisingmoveconsideringtheArgentinewas,likeRooney,consideredasecondstrikerratherthanapuregoalscorer.ButtheScothadaplan.‘I’vereadalltheseopinionsaboutthetwoofthembeingidentical,’hesaid.‘Idon’tthinktheyareatall.Whatyoucansayistheybothhaveasimilarphysique,theyarebothtwo-footed,theyarebothquick-ish,theycanbothbeataman.Idon’tthinkit’sabadthingintermsofthesimilarities.Whentheygetplayingwitheachothertheywillhopefullygetanunderstandingaboutwheretheyareplaying.’It’sanintriguingquote.Fergusondidn’tsuggestonewouldpermanentlyplaybehindtheother,orthatonewouldbeshiftedwide.Heinsteadenvisagedthemworkingoutpositionalresponsibilitiesnaturally,graduallydevelopingtheunderstandingtodovetailandrotate.That’spreciselywhathappened.Initiallythingsweren’tpromising.Unitedstumbledtoagoallessdrawathome

toReadingontheopeningweekend;thelackofapenalty-boxthreatwassoobviousthatFergusondeployedsubstituteJohnO’Sheaasanemergencycentre-forward.TheIrishmanwasrenownedforhisversatility,butastrikingrolewassomewhatoutofhiscomfortzone.Aftera1–1drawatPortsmouthanda1–0defeatatManchesterCitytherewereseriousquestionsaboutUnited’sapproach,withjusttwopointsfromthreematches.ButinjuriesandsuspensionsmeantUnitedhadn’tyetfieldedtheirthreeattackersintandem,andwhenRooney,RonaldoandTevezstartedtogetherforthefirsttime,againstChelsea,Unitedwon2–0.This,incidentally,wasChelsea’sfirstgameafterMourinho’ssudden

departure,anditfeltpoeticthatthedebutofUnited’srevolutionarynewsystemcameimmediatelyafterthePremierLeague’spreviousinnovatorhadleft.Itwasthestartofsomethingspecial,andUnited’srewardwouldeventuallycomeeightmonthslater,afteranothermeetingwithAvramGrant’sChelsea.During2007/08itwasimpossibletodefineManchesterUnited’ssystem.The

rotationbetweentheattackers–generallyincludingRonaldo,RooneyandTevezbutsometimesoneofNani,ParkJi-sungandRyanGiggstoo–wasexceptional.AttimesUnited’sbasicshapelookedlikea4–3–3,onotheroccasionsitwas4–4–2,butultimatelyitwasfluid,flexibleandfantastictowatch.Insomematches,particularlyathometoweakersides,theattackershadnosetpositionsandsimplyhadresponsibilitytocoverthewideareasbetweenthemwhenpossessionwaslost.TevezandRooneystruckupafinerelationship,helpedbythefactthatRooneydrovetheArgentineintotrainingmostmornings,despiteadmittingthattheyrarelytalkedbecauseTevezspokesuchlittleEnglish.TheysacrificedtheirownabilitiestogetthebestfromRonaldo,andwhiletheywereamongthePremierLeague’smosttalentedfootballers,theyreceivedmostpraisefortheirenergyandworkrate.AtthisstagesuchattackingfluiditywasextremelyrareinthePremierLeague,

withthedivisionstillbasedaroundthestructuredsystemsthatbecamepopularwhenMourinhoandRafaelBenítezjoinedtheleaguein2004.ChelseastillplayedaMourinho-esquesystemunderGrant,whochangedlittle.Benítezstillaskedhiswideplayerstoplaylinearroles,notallowinghisattackersanyfreedomofmovement.EvenArsèneWenger’sArsenalwereattheirmoststructuredduringthisperiod;fortheirtwoawayChampionsLeagueknockoutmatchesatACMilanandLiverpoolin2007/08,Wengerusedanamazinglydefensive-mindedwidemidfieldcombination:box-to-boxmidfielderAbouDiabyandnaturalright-backEmmanuelEboué.That–consideringWengerhadusedRobertPirèsandFreddieLjungbergacoupleofseasonsearlier–wasquiteremarkable.Ofcourse,Ferguson’scontinueduseofParkwasalmostexclusivelybecausetheKoreanwashard-workingdefensivelyandnullifiedoppositionfull-

backs,butUnited’slevelofattackingrotationwasneverthelesscompletelydifferenttoanythingelseinthePremierLeagueandeffectivelymarkedthereturnofexciting,free-flowingattackingplayafteraperiodofdefensive,cautiousfootball.It’sworthrememberingtheageofUnited’sattackers,too;atthestartof2007/08RooneyandRonaldowere22,Tevez23.Thisfeltlikesomethinggenuinelynew.Ronaldothrivedwiththisfreedom.He’dplayontheright,theleftandthrough

themiddleatdifferentpointsinthesamematch,withthelikesofRooney,TevezandParkexpectedtofillinwherevernecessary.Ronaldowasabsolutelyruthless,simplypositioninghimselfintheappropriatepositiontogetgoals.‘Hesniffsblood,hewillfindtheweaknessinthebackfour,’GaryNevillerecalledafewyearslater.‘Ifhe’snotgettingtheleft-backinthefirst15minutes,he’llswitchtotheright-back.Ifhe’snotgettingtheright-back,he’llswitchtotheleft-centre-back.He’llfindsomeoneinyourbackfourwhoisweakanddoesn’tlikedefendingoneonone,andagainstpaceandpower.’Ronaldoenjoyedaperfectcombination:Ferguson’strust,Queiroz’stactics

andindividualtrainingsessionswithRenéMeulensteen.ThehighlyratedDutchmanworkedwithRonaldoforhours,turninghimintoaruthlessgoalscoringmachinebygettinghimtofinishinanefficientratherthanaspectacularmanner.Itwasaholisticprocess,involvingdrawingdiagrams,visualisinggoalscoringsituations,splittingthefinalthirdintozonestohelphisdecision-making,andassigningdifferentcolourstothefourcornersofthegoal.MeulensteenencouragedRonaldotobemorelikeAlanShearer,GaryLineker,Solskjær–andVanNistelrooy–wheninfrontofgoal.Itprovedtransformative,andRonaldobecameonlythefifthplayer(afterShearer,AndyCole,KevinPhillipsandThierryHenry)tohit30goalsinaPremierLeagueseason.Butwhereasthreeofthoseweretraditionalnumber9s,andHenryarovingattacker,Ronaldowasn’tastrikeratall.Orwashe?FergusonusedUnited’sattackingversatilityinamoreclinical

mannerforbigmatches,particularlyinEurope.Hisattackersstucktopositions

withgreaterdisciplinewithingames–butnotalwaysthesamepositionsfromgametogame.Forexample,inUnited’s2–0victoryawayagainstoldfoesRomaintheChampionsLeaguequarter-finalfirstleg,Ronaldowasdeployedupfront,withParkandRooneyplayingfunctional,hard-workingrolesontheflanksina4–3–3thatbecame4–5–1forlongperiods.FergusonwantedRonaldotousehissearingpaceinbehind,andheshowedtraditionalcentre-forwardqualitiestoo,withatoweringheadertoputUnitedahead.ButRonaldospentlongperiodsdriftingtotheflanksandleavingtheRomacentre-backswithoutanyonetomark;themostsignificantaspectofhisheaderwasthathestartedhisrun-upfromextremelydeep–hewasonlyUnited’ssixthmost-advancedplayerastheattackdeveloped.Formostofthegameheplayedasafalsenine,themostadvancedplayersbeingParkorRooney.Unitedwerestrikerless,yethadatoweringaerialthreatandthePremierLeague’stopgoalscorerastheirmostadvancedattacker.Inthereturnleg,withRonaldounavailableandRooneyonlyonthebench,

Fergusonusedamoredefensive-minded4–5–1;Tevezwasupfront,continuallydroppingdeepwithsporadicsupportfromParkandGiggsoutwide.‘They’reevenmoreItalianthanweare,’grumbledafrustratedRomabossSpallettiafterwards.HewaspresumablycommentingonUnited’sdefence-firstapproach,butprobablyknewthatUnited’sinspirationhadcomefromhisownteam.Inthe1–0aggregatevictoryoverBarcelonainthesemi-finals,Ronaldowas

againdeployedupfront,butthistimeFergusonusedTevezinthenumber10role,givingUnitedtwopointsofattackina4–4–1–1bothhomeandaway.ParkandeitherRooneyorNaniweredeployedwide.UnitedwonthecontestinthesecondlegthankstoaPaulScholeslong-rangedrive–hisfirstgoalforeightmonths,demonstratinghisincreasinglydeeprole.Thekey,though,wasUnited’sbrilliantorganisationwithouttheball,whichowedmuchtoQueiroz’stacticalwork.OneafternoonhelaidoutmatsonthefloorinUnited’sgymprescribingtheexactshapehewanted,surprisingUnited’splayersbyplacingScholesandCarrick’smatsalmosttogether.Thekey,heinsisted,wasensuringBarcelona

didn’tplaypenetrativepassesbetweenthem.TheCatalansbarelycreatedachance.

ThencamethefinalinMoscow,whichfeltlikethePremierLeague’shigh-watermark–England’stwobestteamscompetingfortherighttobeconsideredthebestinEurope.Itwasahistoricoccasionforboth.ForUniteditwasthe50thanniversaryoftheMunichairdisasterandthe40thanniversaryoftheirfirstEuropeanCupvictory,whileChelseaweredeterminedtoliftclubfootball’sgreatestprizeinthehomecountryofownerRomanAbramovich.Itwasalsoaslightlysurrealmatch;thetimedifferencebetweenRussiaandWesternEuropemeantthatthegamekickedoffat10.45pmlocaltimeanddidn’tfinishuntil1.30am,bywhichtimeabiblicaldownpourmeantthegamewasplayedinhorrendousconditions.ForthisgameUnited’ssystemwasmore4–4–2.RooneyandTevezwereup

fronttogether,andRonaldowasswitchedtotheleftspecificallybecauseFergusonwantedhimupagainstMichaelEssien,amidfielderoutofpositionatright-back.Sureenough,RonaldotoweredoverEssientomeetWesBrown’sright-wingcrossandnodUnitedintothelead.AlthoughUnitedfailedtodefeatChelseain120minutes,theywerethebettersideforthemajorityofthegame,Ferguson’stwomajortacticaldecisionsgivingthemtheupperhand.ThedecisiontouseRonaldowide-leftwasvindicatedbyhisopener,whileTevezandRooneybothdroppeddeepfromtheircentre-forwardroles,helpingUnitedtodominatepossessionandcreatethebetterchances.FrankLampardequalisedwithafortunategoalonthestrokeofhalf-time,andatthestartofthesecondperiodChelsearallied.ButthenFergusonchangedsystem,switchingfrom4–4–2to4–5–1byputtingRooneyontherightandaskingOwenHargreavestotuckinsideandbecomeathirdcentralmidfielderalongsideCarrickandScholes.Unitedreassertedtheirdominance.Iteventuallyallcamedowntopenaltykicks.Andwhileadecadeorsoearlier

itwascustomarytorefertothisasthe‘lotteryofapenaltyshoot-out’,research

andoppositionscoutinghadimprovedconsiderably,tothepointthatitwasnolongeralotteryandmoreaboutcomplexgametheory.Inatacticalsensetheshoot-outwasarguablymoreintriguingthantheprevious120minutes.AsrevealedinSimonKuperandStefanSzymanski’sSoccernomics,Chelsea’s

penaltystrategyappearstohavebeeninfluencedbytheworkofIgnacioPalacios-Huerta,aBasqueeconomistwhohadbeenrecordingpenaltypatternsfor13years.AnacademiccolleagueofhishappenedtobefriendswithChelseamanagerGrant,andheputthemintouch.Palacios-HuertathensentGrantareportaboutUnited’spenaltyhabits.Alongwiththerevelationthattheteamtakingthefirstpenaltyinashoot-out

triumphs60percentofthetime,thereweretwocrucialpointsconcerningUnited.First,goalkeeperEdwinvanderSaranticipatedpenaltytakerswouldshootacrosstheirbody–heusuallydivedtohisrightagainstright-footedtakersandtohisleftagainstleft-footedtakers.Shootingtheotherway,therefore,madesense.Second,CristianoRonaldotendedtopauseinhisrun-up,hopingthegoalkeeperwoulddiveearly,andafterhispausehekickedleft85percentofthetime.Thisinformationnearlyworkedatreat.Unitedwonbothtossesbeforetheshoot-out.Itmeantthatthepenaltiestook

placeinfrontoftheirownsupportersandthatRioFerdinand,ascaptain,hadthechoiceofwhethertokickfirstorsecond.Ferdinand,however,wasunsureaboutwhattodoandturnedtowardsUnited’scoachingstaff,takingsometimetomakehisdecision.AtthispointChelseacaptainJohnTerrygrabbedFerdinand’sshirtandthenpulledathisarm,offeringtoshootfirst.Ferdinandignoredhimand,havingtakeninstructions,correctlychosetokickfirst.TheoddswerealreadyinUnited’sfavour.ChelseagoalkeeperPetrČech,whosepoorpenalty-savingrecordishisonly

weakness,madeonlyonesaveintheshoot-out–fromRonaldo.Sureenough,asheapproachedthepenalty,Ronaldosuddenlyfroze.Čechfrozetoo.Therewasamomentarystand-offbeforeRonaldo,aspredicted,wentleft–andČechdivedcorrectly,beatingawaytheshot.

Morefascinating,however,wasthedirectionofChelsea’skicks.Fouroftheinitialfivepenaltytakers–MichaelBallack,JulianoBelletti,FrankLampardandJohnTerry–wereright-footersandseeminglyfollowedPalacios-Huerta’sadvice,goingrightratherthanshootingacrosstheirbody.Theonlyplayerwhodidshootacrosshisbodywasalsotheonlyleft-footer,AshleyCole.That’swhatVanderSarexpectedandhenearlysavedtheshot,thewetballsquirmingunderhisbody.ItmeantallfiveofChelsea’spenaltieswerekickedtothesamecorner.Oneofthesepenalties,however,wasoff-target.AfterRonaldo’sfailure,

ChelseawouldhavetriumphedhadTerryconvertedChelsea’sfifthpenalty.Heapproachedthekickconfidentlyandchosethecorrectside,asVanderSaranticipatedhimshootingacrosshisbodyanddivedthewrongway.ButTerry’sstandingfootslipped,hetoppledtothefloorandhiskickbouncedbackoffthepost.Thiswasconsiderednothingmorethananunfortunatemoment,butthetruthwasentirelydifferent–Terryhadafataltendencytoslip.Twoyearsbeforethispenaltyshoot-out,FrankLampardwrotean

autobiography,TotallyFrank.LampardrecalledEngland’spenaltyshoot-outdefeattoPortugalatEuro2004,whichfeaturedbothLampardandTerryscoring.ButTerry’spenalty,accordingtoLampard,didn’tgosmoothly.‘Hedidn’tseemtoobotheredasherantowardstheballandthenheslipped,andforasplit-seconditseemedourchanceofwinninghadgone,butitwasagoal.AtChelsea,Johnwilloccasionallyre-enactthatkick,completewiththeslidingfoot–sometimesitgoesin,sometimesnot.’Thisisacrucialrevelation.Interestingly,videofootageofthatpenaltyagainst

Portugaldoesn’tshowTerryslipping.It’sacurioustechnique,certainly–hisstandingfootwasclosetotheball,hisbodymoreangledthanatextbookwouldadvise–butnoone,withoutLampard’spassageabove,wouldnoticethatTerryhadslightlyslipped.Lampard’srecollectionisprobablybaseduponTerry’sownaccount,buteitherway,thefactthatTerry‘re-enactsthatkick,completewiththeslidingfoot’iscrucial.Yoususpectthispassagewouldn’thavebeenincludedhadLampard’sautobiographybeenreleasedpost-Moscow;itrevealsthatTerry

wasn’tunlucky,hesimplyhadatechnicalweaknesswhentakingpenalties.Terry’smissforcedtheshoot-outintosuddendeath.AndersonandRyan

GiggsscoredforManchesterUnited,asdidChelsea’sSalomonKalou,whofollowedinstructionsandkickedright.ThismeantallsixofChelsea’spenaltieswerestruckintothesamecorner–fivebyright-footersfollowingtheplan,onebytheleft-footedColedisobeyinginstructionsandonlyjustsqueezingtheballhome.NextcameNicolasAnelka,anotherright-footer.Bythisstage,Manchester

Unitedthoughtthey’ddeducedChelsea’sapproach–kickingrighteverytime.Thatwasn’tquitecorrect,butCole’sdecisiontogoagainsttheplangavethatimpression.Onthehalfwayline,captainFerdinandwasfranticallypointingandscreamingforVanderSartodivethatway.TheDutchman,meanwhile,seemedtohavededucedthepatterntoo,andasAnelkawaitedforthewhistle,VanderSarmadeacrucialgesture.Fortheprevioussixkickshe’dspreadbotharmshighandwide,asifhewasabouttostartthe‘YMCA’dance,butthistimehepointedtowardsthecornerwhereChelseahadsenttheirprevioussixkicks,thedirectionAnelkawasmeanttobechoosing.DidthiscauseAnelkatochangehismind,suspectingVanderSarhadworkedouthisintentions?HeunconvincinglyshotacrosshisbodyandVanderSardivedthatway,makinghisfirstsaveoftheshoot-out.UnitedwereEuropeanchampions.Anelka,inevitably,wasmadethevillainofthepiece,butblameshouldbe

shared.Terry’smisswasabouttechniqueratherthanmisfortune.ColegoingagainstthesupposedplanmayhaveunwittinglycausedUnitedtosuspectapattern,evenifnotquitecorrectly,enablingVanderSartopsychoutAnelka.Meanwhile,DidierDrogba’sdismissalfiveminutesfromtheendofextra-timeforslappingVidićmeantChelseawerewithoutakeypenaltytaker.HadheremainedonthepitchthenTerrywouldhavebeensparedfromtakingoneofthefirstfivepenalties.Indeed,fouryearslaterDrogbatookthefifth,triumphantkickwhenChelseafinallywontheChampionsLeagueonpenaltiesagainstBayernMunich.SomehoweverythingaboutthisMoscowshoot-out

encapsulatedfootballtactics:research,planning,devisingastrategy,playersnotquitestickingtothestrategy,abitoftechnique,abitofluck,abitofpsychology.Chelsea’stacticswerefascinatingandentirelylogical,yettheystilllost.ManchesterUnited’sdramatictriumphwasslightlyinappropriate.Thattypeof

winwasmorethe1999-eraUnited–alwaysfindingaway–butduringthisperiodManchesterUnitedwerehugelydominant,andFergusonmustregretthefactheneverwonaEuropeanCupbyabsolutelyplayingtheoppositionoffthepark.ThisUnitedwerethemosttacticallyflexiblesideofthePremierLeagueera,capableofplayingpuredefensivefootball,possessionfootballorthrillingcounter-attackingfootball.Thislaststylewasmostobviousinbiggamesandprovidedsomeoftheirmostmemorablemomentswithbrilliantgoalsonthebreak,generallyfinishedbyRonaldoorRooney.EvenafterRonaldoandTevez’sdeparturein2009,ManchesterUnitedplayed

inasimilarway,withNaniandParkplayingmoreimportantrolesandRooneybecomingtheRonaldoequivalentinbiggames–thenumber9whowassometimesveryfalse,andsometimesverytrue.AntonioValenciaandDimitarBerbatovalsoplayedimportantrolesatpoints,butNani,ParkandRooneywereUnited’smostthrillingfronttrio.Indeed,thefinestcounter-attackinggoalofthePremierLeagueerawasscoredtheseasonafterRonaldo’sdeparture,withallthreeinvolved.Unitedhadstruckabrilliantcounter-attackinggoalattheEmiratesinthe

ChampionsLeaguesemi-finalof2009,whenPark,RooneyandRonaldocombinedmajesticallytofinishoffArsenal.Butagoalthefollowingseasonina3–1PremierLeaguevictoryatthesamegroundwasevenbetter.Itstarted,amazingly,withUnitedhavingnineoutfieldersintheirownpenaltybox,crowdingoutArsenal’spassingmoves.TheballfelltoParkinsidehisownbox–and,inasituationwheremanyplayerswouldhavesimplyclearedtheirlines,Parkrealisedthepossibilityforanattackingtransition,lookedupandchippedtheballintothepathofRooney,comingshortfromhisnumber9position.RooneywasUnited’smostadvancedattacker,butwasmidwayinsidehisown

half;hismovementopenedupspaceforotherstobreakinto.Nani,ontheright,wasalreadyonhisbike,whileParktoredowntheleft.Rooneycontrolledtheball,movedshortandfiredapassintoNani,whocontrolledtheballperfectlyandsprintedtowardsgoal.Evenbetterthanthatinitialburst,however,wasthefactthatNanislightlyslowedhisdribbleasheapproachedthebox,waitingforRooneytocatchupandstormintoagoalscoringposition.ButthebestpartofthemovewasthatPark,lastseeninhisownpenaltybox,hasdarted80yardsdowntheleft,adecoyrunthatdistractedArsenalcentre-backThomasVermaelenandcreatedspaceforRooneytoburstinto.ItwasclassicPark–clever,hard-working,selfless.Nani’spasswasperfect,andRooneysweptinthefinishfirst-time.ItwasatrulyoutstandinggoalthatbrilliantlyepitomisedUnited’sbig-gameapproachinthisera–exceptforthefactRonaldowasnowinMadrid.TherewasalsoanobvioussimilaritywithUnited’sgoalsinthe3–1victoryoverNorwich17yearsearlier,inthePremierLeague’sinauguralseason:afalsestriker,midfieldrunnersandaquickcounter.Inthatsense,thisflexibleanddirectUnitedsideweresimultaneouslyretroandrevolutionary.

17

AWetandWindyNightatStoke

‘It’saman’sgame.’

TonyPulis

Ifthe2007/08ChampionsLeaguecampaignillustratedthestrengthofEngland’stopclubs,the2007/08PremierLeaguecampaignunderlinedsomethingentirelydifferent.AhaplessDerbyCountysidewererelegatedbeforetheendofMarch,collectingjustonevictoryand11pointsallseason,theworst-everPremierLeaguecampaign.WiththeBigFourdominanceensuringthesamesidesgobbleduptheChampionsLeaguerevenueeveryseason,thegapbetweenrichandpoorwasgrowingconsiderably,anditappearedno-hopersmightbecomearegularfeatureofthedivision.Aheadofthefollowingseason’scampaign,alongcameanotherobvious

candidateforthatstatus.TonyPulis’sStokeCityweresurprisinglypromotedwithatechnicallyunimpressivesideandwerewidelytippedtofinishbottom.Manypredictedthattheywould‘doaDerby’–orrepeattheirprevioustop-flightcampaign,1984/85,whentheycollectedjustthreevictoriesfrom42matchesandfinishedastaggering33pointsfromsafety.Stoke’smanager,TonyPulis,hadneverexperiencedthetopflightaseithera

playeroramanagerandseemedentirelyunsuitedtothedemandsofmodernfootball.Anold-schoolmanagerwhoinsistedonwearingatracksuitandabaseballcap,hewasrenownedforsigningphysical,old-fashionedBritishfootballers.InfactPulisthemanagerplayedthetypeoffootballPulistheplayerwouldhaveappreciated–hisoldbosseswererarelycharitableabouthisskillset.JohnRudgesaidPulis‘wasn’tquitewhatyouwouldcallatechnicalplayer’,HarryRedknappdescribedhimas‘thetoughesttacklerIhaveeverseen’butadmitted‘hecouldn’tactuallyplay,hecouldn’tpassitmorethanfiveyards,’

whileBobbyGouldcalledhim‘theslowestrunnerIeversaw–agoodtackler,mind,andafantasticfootballbrain’.Thefinalpartofthatassessmentisthemostsignificant;behindthehardmantherewasastudiouscoach,andPulisearnedhisUEFAAcoachingbadgeat21,amongtheyoungesttocompletethecourseatthetime.Puliswasrenownedforcreatingdreadfullydefensive,douranddirectteams.

HeonceachievedpromotionfromthefourthtierwithGillinghamdespiteagoals-scoredtallyofjust49in46games,largelybecausetheirdefensiverecordof20goalsconcededwasnearlytwiceasgoodasanyoneelse.Thatsetthetoneforhismanagerialcareer.Inthelastyearofaninitialthree-yearspellatStokehepresidedoverwhatsupportersrefertoas‘thebinaryseason’.InlateOctoberStokedrew1–1awayatLeicester–themostgoalsStokefanswitnessedinaleaguecontestforfourmonths.Subsequentresultswere1–0,0–1,0–1,1–0,0–0,0–1,1–0,1–0,1–0,0–0,0–1,0–1,0–1,0–1,0–1,1–0and1–0,beforethisstaggeringsequencewasbrokenwhentheyfacedLeicesteragain,andrecordedabarelybelievable3–2victory.Puliswasdismissedattheendofthatcampaign,spentayearatPlymouth,butreturnedtoStokefor2006/07aftertheclub’sacquisitionbytheCoatesfamily,whosubsequentlyinvestedvastsumsofmoney.WhenPlymouthvisitedinAugust,theawayfansgleefullychanted‘We’renotboringanymore’totheStokesupporters.SuchwastheunhappinessatPulis’sreturnthat,twomonthsintotheseason,a

StokefannamedRichardGrisdale–aformercopywriterforSaatchi&Saatchi–spent£200printing10,000‘redcards’andplannedtohandthemouttosupportersatanupcominggame,envisagingaprotestthatwouldpersuadetheboardtosackPulis.Thecardswereprintedwithhorrendouspuns:‘GivePulisHisCards’ononesideand‘TimetoGetRolling,Tone’ontheother.However,theprotestwaspostponedaftertheloansigningofAstonVilla’sLeeHendrie,whichwasdeemedthemostexcitingeventtohavehappenedunderPulis.Hendriewasasuccess,andStoke’ssubsequentimprovementensuredtheredcardsremainedunusedinGrisdale’sattic.In2008,afterStoke’spromotion,he

triedtosellthemtoraisemoneyforcharity.‘I’msickoftrippingoverthem,’hecomplained.‘Icertainlydon’tmindwhatpeopledowiththem.Theycanburnthemiftheywant.’‘Pulisball’,ashisapproachbecameknown,essentiallyhadtwodistinct

components.Withoutpossession,Stokeremainedinadeep,narrowshapethankstounusuallylongtrainingsessionsbasedarounddefensivepositioning.Pulistreatedthemidfieldquartetlikeasecondarydefence,referringtohistwobanksoffouras‘thebackeight’.Oneofhisfavouredtrainingdrillsinvolvedthemidfieldshufflinglaterallyacrossthepitch,denyinganypenetrativepassesbetweenthemandfunnellingoppositionattacksoutwide.Fromthere,iftheoppositioncrossed,Pulishadstrong,aeriallycommandingcentre-backs.Withtheball,meanwhile,itwasrouteone;Pulisfavouredtallcentre-forwardswhowererarelyprolificbutwonlongballsandprovidedknock-downstoteammates.Hesometimesaccommodatedanextrastrikeroutwide,simplygettingmoreheightintotheteam,andStokewerealwaysexcellentatset-pieces.Itwasessentiallyalower-leaguestrategybasedaroundphysicalityanddead

balls–themostblatantold-schooltacticssinceSamAllardyce’sBoltonWanderers–soitwasironicthattheiropeningdaydefeatcameatBolton,nowcoachedbyGaryMegson.Theyfoundthemselves3–0downbyhalf-time,eventuallybeingdefeated3–1;twoofBolton’sthreegoalswereheaders,theotheranover-hitcrossthatdriftedstraightin.ItfeltlikeStokecouldn’tevencopewiththetypeofcontesttheywanted,andafterthatopening-daydefeatonebookmaker,amazingly,paidoutonStoketoberelegatedimmediately.Itwasablatantpublicitystunt,althoughfewdisagreedwiththesentiment.Butthen,amidspeculationaboutwhenandhowStokecouldpossiblycollect

points,theywontheirfirsthomePremierLeaguefixture3–2againstAstonVilla.Theyplayedsomedecentfootball,andstrikerRicardoFullerscoredasensationalBergkamp-esquestrikewithaflickandturnpastMartinLaursenandafinelowfinish.Stoke’sinjury-timewinner,however,camefromamorebasicsource;RoryDelaptookalongthrow-infromtheleft,launchedtheballintothe

six-yardbox,andMamadySidibénoddedin.Stokewereupandrunning.ThisgoaldefinedStoke’sapproach,andDelapbecamethePremierLeague’s

mostuniquetacticalweaponwithhissensationallongthrow.ThePremierLeaguehadwitnessedlongthrowsmanytimesbefore–infactitsfirst-evergoalwasscoredbyBrianDeaneforSheffieldUnitedfromalongthrowandaflick-on–buttherehadbeennothingquitelikeDelap.Ahigh-schooljavelinchampionblessedwithnaturalupper-bodystrength,Delap’sthrow-inexpertiseonlybecamesignificantlateinhiscareer.BythetimeofStoke’spromotionin2008,Delapwas32andhadalreadymadeover200PremierLeagueappearancesforDerby,SouthamptonandSunderland.He’dmadehisRepublicofIrelanddebutadecadepreviously.YettherewaslittlesignDelappossessedthisextraordinary,game-changingquality;he’dbeenrenownedasatalented,efficientandhard-workingmidfieldercapableoftheoddspectaculargoal,histraditionalfootballingqualitiesquitesufficienttomakehimSouthampton’sclubrecordsigning,astatusheretainedfor11years.Hehadoccasionallytakenthrowselsewhere,butwithStokehewouldregularlyendmatcheshavingtakenmorethrowsthanheplayedpasses;hewasathrowerfirst,afootballersecond.Stoke’sapproachwassimple–stickitinthemixer.DelapinitiallyjoinedStokeonloanintheChampionshipinOctober2006,

althoughafteronlyaweekhesufferedabrokenlegagainstSunderland,hisparentclub.Hewasruledoutfortherestoftheseason,butPulisstuckbyhimandsignedhimpermanentlyintheJanuarytransferwindow,realisinghehadauniquetalentonhishands.Delap’sthrow-inabilityjustifiedhisfaith.‘AtDerby,theemphasiswasmoreontryingtothrowtheballinbehinddefendersforPauloWanchopetorunonto,andatotherclubsitwouldjustbeinthelastfewminutesifweweretryingtosalvagesomethingfromagame,’Delapexplained.‘ButwhenIjoinedStoke,themanagermadenobonesaboutitandmadeitclearheknewallaboutmythrow-insandthatheintendedtomakefulluseofthem…it’sonethingbeingabletothrowtheballintotheheartofthearea,butyouneedplayerswhoaregoodenoughandbraveenoughforittowork.Theyhavetotime

theirrunsjustright,butwehardlydoanypractice.MaybeoneortwogoesatitonaFriday,whenwearegoingthroughset-plays,butthat’saboutit.’Pulishadassembledanextremelytallside,packinghisteamwithsix-footersandsendingtwoorthreedefendersupintothepenaltyboxsimultaneouslywhenStokewonathrowinadangerousposition.ThedistanceonDelap’sthrowswasincredible–hecouldlaunchtheballupto

40yards,meaninghecouldoftenlandtheballbetweenthewidthofthegoalposts.Stokestartedbasingtheirentiregamearoundhisthrows,sendinglongballsintothechannels,hopingtheoppositionwouldcleartheballintotouch.Interestingly,histhrowsprovedmuchmoreeffectiveinthePremierLeague.WhereasChampionshipdefenderswereaccustomedtoconstantdefendingagainstcrossesanddeadballs,top-flightcentre-backswereincreasinglyselectedfortheirspeedandtechnicalquality.TherewasalsoasignificantchangeinDelap’sdeliveriesatthestartofStoke’sPremierLeaguecampaign.Previouslyhearceddeliveriesintothebox,butPulisrequestedflatterthrowsthatdefenderssimplycouldn’tread.Inafunctionalsidefullofhard-workingbutlimitedplayers,Delapbecame

Stoke’sstarattraction,andhisuniquetalentmeanthewasforcedtoperformsomecuriouspublicitystunts.StokebeinginthePotteriesensuredthattheseofteninvolvedthrowingballsatplatesandjugs,althoughDelapobjectedwhenaskedtochuckaChristmaspuddingoveradouble-deckerbus,whichsoundslikeachallengesetbyFinchyfromTheOffice.Buthewasalikeablecharacterwhoenjoyedagreatcareer,takinghimfromthefourthtiertothePremierLeagueandbackdowntothefourthtieragain.‘I’dliketothinkI’vedoneahalf-decentjobwiththeballatmyfeetdowntheyears,’hesaid.‘Butifpeoplewanttoremembermeformylongthrow,that’sfine.It’sbetterthannotbeingrememberedatall.’IntheirdebutPremierLeaguecampaignStokewereseeminglyonly

dangerousattheBritanniaStadium.Onlysixsidesinthedivisioncollectedmorepointsathome,butonlytwo–thebottomtwo–collectedfewerpointsontheir

travels.TherewassomethingparticularlyintimidatingabouttheBritannia,andPulisusedafewoldtrickstogivehissideanextraadvantage.HesetStoke’spitchtotheminimumpossibledimensionsundertheregulations,suitingDelap’sthrowsandhamperingthepassinggameoftechnicalvisitors.Thegrasswasnoticeablylongerthanatmostgrounds,disruptingthepossessionplayofpassingsidesbutbarelyaffectingStoke’srouteonefootball.Pulissometimeswentevenfurtheragainsttopteams,holdingtrainingattheBritanniathedaybeforematchesandplayingashort-sidedgameinthemidfieldzonebetweenthepenaltyboxes.Thisscuffedupthemidfieldbutdidn’taffectthewingsorpenaltyboxes,theareasStoke’sdirectplayconcentratedupon.Theatmosphereplayedapart,too.TheBritanniawasanewground,builtin

1997,butretainedanold-schoolfeel,completewithadvertisinghoardingsdisplayingthelogosoflocalbuildingandplumbingfirmsratherthaninvestmentbanksorinsurancecompanies.DuringStoke’sfirstcoupleofPremierLeagueseasonsthecornersofthegroundwereopen,meaningsomesupporterscouldstandoutsideonanearbyhillandwatchtheactionforfree.Perhapsthatopennesscontributedtothesheerwindinessinsidethestadium.AthometoSpurs,DannyHigginbothamsteppeduptotakeapenalty,eventuallysmashingithome,butwasforcedtoplacetheballonthespotthreeseparatetimesbecauseitkeptblowingaway.Thentherewasthecrowd–atatimewhenPremierLeaguegroundswerebecomingnoticeablyquieter,Stokefanswereloud.TheycontributedtotheaurasurroundingDelap’sthrowsbygesticulatingwildlywithathrow-ingesturewheneverappropriate,thenprovidingmenacingsoundeffectsashecommencedhisrun-up.TheywerebaffledwhyWestBromwichAlbion,whohadbeatenthemtotheChampionshiptitlethepreviousseason,receivedplauditsfortheirslick,possession-basedfootball,consideringtheywereoncourseforimmediaterelegationandeventuallyfinishedbottom.Stokedidthedoubleoverthemthatseason,Pottersfanscelebratingwitharenditionof‘Longball!Youshouldhaveplayedlongball…’AfterAstonVilla,thenextvisitorstotheBritanniawereEverton,who

concededtwosecond-halfgoalsfromDelap’sthrows,withaparticularlystrongwindaddingacoupleofextrayardstohisdeliveries.Thefirstarrivedwhenhisthrowfromtheleft-wingwaspunchedawaybyTimHoward,theballfallingtoSeyiOlofinjanaloiteringontheedgeoftheboxandthemidfieldersmashingithome.Next,Delap’sright-wingthrowskimmedofftheheadofEvertondefenderPhilJagielkaandflewstraightpastHoward.Evertonwon3–2,butthey’dbeengivenaserioustestattheback.‘He’slikeahumansling,’saidEvertonbossDavidMoyesofDelap.‘Itwasstrangetoday;wehadnewplayers,acoupledon’tspeakEnglish,andexplainingwhatgamethey’llhaveagainstStokewasn’teasy.’NextupathomewasChelsea,whosemanagerLuizFelipeScolarisounded

genuinelyexcitedbytheprospectoffacingDelap.‘Ithinkheputstheballinbetterwithhishandsthanhisfoot–it’sfantastic,’hesaid.‘Maybeit’snotbeautifulfootballbutit’seffective…theyputthetouchlineinsidebecausetheyareintelligent.Ilikethiscoach,Ilikethisbecauseit’sdifferent.’ThiswasaWorldCup-winningmanagermarvellingatStoke’sbasicapproach.Asithappened,Delapmissedthatgamethroughinjury–hehad,unsurprisingly,pickedupashoulderproblem.HereturnedforthetriptoPortsmouth,wherehisthrowbroughtanother

headedgoalforFullerviaaDaveKitsonflick-on.Thentherewasa1–0homewinoverSunderland;Delapthrow,Fullerheader.Thenexthomegamebroughta2–1winoverArsenal,withDelap’sthrowscreatinggoalsforbothFullerandOlofinjana.Bymid-NovembermorethanhalfofStoke’sgoalshadbeenscoredfromthrows,andtheycontinuedtoscoreintheirclassicmannerthroughouttheseason.‘AwetandwindynightatStoke’becameshorthandforquestioningwhetheraforeignplayerpossessedtherequisitetoughnessforthePremierLeague,andwasalreadyafrequentlymockedclichébythetimeSkySportscommentatorAndyGrayponderedwhethertwo-timeBallond’OrwinnerLionelMessiwouldbecapableofperformingintheseconditions.Thedeliveriesthemselveswereproblematicenough,butStokealsobenefited

fromtheknock-oneffects.Forexample,atthrow-instheoffsidelawdoesn’tapply.Whereasteamscandefendwidefree-kickswithanaggressivedefensivelineandpushopponentsawayfromgoal,thatapproachwasn’tpossiblewithDelap’sthrows.Evenifthethrowwas30yardsfromthecornerflag,Stokecouldcrowdthegoalkeeperandcreatemayheminsidethebox.Furthermore,ifStokehadathrowmidwayinsidetheirownhalf,Delapcouldturntheoppositionbylaunchingtheballinbehind,whichwasperfectforamanagerlikePulis,concernedwithterritoryratherthanpossession.Thethreatalsomeantoppositiondefendersdesperatelyattemptedtoplayoutoftroubleintightsituationsratherthanconcedingthrows,whichinevitablyresultedinerrorsandStokewinningtheballclosetotheoppositiongoal.Itwasfascinatingtoobserveopponents’tacticswhendefendingthesethrows.

Someweredesperatenottocrowdtheirowngoalkeeper,sobrokethenumberoneruleofdefensiveplayandletStoke’splayersmovegoalside.Acoupleofsidesdroppedontothegoalline,almostlikeahockeysidedefendingashortcorner,whileotherspushedthreemenforward,tryingtoforceStoketoleaveplayersback.Partoftheproblem,ofcourse,wasthatitwassimplyimpossibletopractisedefendingagainstDelap’sthrowsintraining;MiddlesbroughmanagerGarethSouthgateworkedondefendingthrowsaheadofhisside’striptoStokebutwasforcedtobringhisthrowerinfromthetouchlinetotheedgeofthepenaltyareatoreplicatethedistanceDelapcouldachieve.Eventhenitservedaspoorpreparation.MiddlesbroughsupportersspentmuchofthegamechantingthatStoke’sfanswere‘onlyhereforthethrow-ins’,andsureenough,RyanShawcrosspoweredhomethewinnerfromDelap’sdelivery.AgainstWigan,Delapmanagedtothrowtheballwithsuchforcethatitsailedstraightintothetopcorner–thegoal,ofcourse,didn’tstand.WhiletherewasacomedyelementtoStoke’sapproach,itforcedopposition

managersandplayerstothinkaboutthegame,reconsideringsacrosanctconcepts.Stoke’smeetingagainstHull,afellownewlypromotedsidewhohadpreviouslyfacedDelap’sthrows,wasremarkablefortwouniqueincidents.First,

HullgoalkeeperBoazMyhillfoundhimselfsweepingoutofhisgoalintheleft-backzone,butratherthanknockingtheballoutforathrow,promptlyturnedaroundandbooteditoutforaStokecornerinstead.Noonehadeverpreviouslyconsideredtheideaathrow-incouldbemoredangerousthanacorner,butDelapchangedthesituationentirely.Second,andevenmorebizarrely,HullmanagerPhilBrownwassoworriedby

Delap’sdeliveriesthatwhenStokewonathrow-inmidwayinsideHull’shalf,heinstructedsubstituteDeanWindasstotrotalongthetouchlineandwarm-updirectlyinfrontofDelapashepreparedhisrun-up.It’sremarkablethatBrownthoughtthatthiswasalegitimatetactic,andtheveteranstrikerwasinevitablybookedforhisblocking.Butthiswassurelyanotherfirst–thepositioningofasubstituterelevanttotheaction,thetacticalbattleincludinga12thplayer.InthereturnmeetingHulltriedanotherunderhandtactic,bringinginthepitchsideadvertisinghoardingstodisruptDelap’srun-up,forcinghimtobendhisrunlikeahigh-jumper.Thatwasn’taproblemattheBritanniaStadium,ofcourse,thankstothesmallpitch.ItwassurprisingthatthePremierLeaguedidn’thaveregulationsaboutthese

situations,andDelappromptedfurtherquestionsaboutthesubtletiesofthelaws.ShouldtheconsiderableperiodsDelapspentjoggingacrosstothetouchlinescounttowardsstoppagetime?ShouldDelapbeallowedtousepitch-sidetowelsprovidedbyStoke’sballboys–whomysteriouslyvanishedwhentheoppositionhadthrowsoftheirown–todrytheball?Thesetowelsweren’tavailableawayfromhome,whichforcedDelaptowearapeculiarball-dryingbibunderhisshirt,promptingspeculationaboutitsmaterial.Itwasactuallynothingmorethanasimplevestwiththebackcutoutforreasonsofcomfort,asDelapworeitevenwhentheweatherwasunsuitedtoanextralayer.ItfeltinevitablethatArsèneWenger’sArsenalwouldbecomethemost

consistentvictimsofthefabled‘wetandwindynightatStoke’–muchastheybecamethefallguysagainstAllardyce’sBolton–andStokeversusArsenalbecameamajorPremierLeaguerivalry.Infactthestylisticcontrastgoesback

muchfurther.In1980/81StokemanagerAlanDurban,ano-nonsenseWelshmanlikePulis,playedanalmostunheard-of4–5–1formationina2–0defeatawayatArsenal,andwhencriticisedforthelackofentertainmentvalue,famouslyreplied,‘Ifyouwantentertainment,goandwatchabunchofclowns.’Pulishadasimilarphilosophy.InsixleagueandcupvisitstoPulis’sStoke,Arsenallostthreetimes,drewtwiceandwononlyonce–andeventhatwasovershadowedbythebrokenlegsufferedbyAaronRamsey.Instarkcontrast,ArsenalwonallfivecontestsattheEmirates.ItreallywasthetriptoStoke’sground,ratherthanStokethemselves,thatintimidatedArsenal.WengeroncecriticisedthewaythatStokecrowdedgoalkeepersatset-pieces,

complaining,‘Youcannotsayanymoreitisfootball;itisrugbyonthegoalkeepers.’Stokesupportersreacted,totheirimmensecredit,bybellowingout‘SwingLow,SweetChariot’throughoutArsenal’snextvisit.Thisstoryeffectivelycamefullcirclemanyyearslater,when,inabizarretwist,EnglandrugbycoachEddieJonesdistancedhiscoachingphilosophyfromPulisball.‘IfyouwanttoplayliketheoldStokeCity,thenthatisthesafestwaytoplay,’heexplained.‘Juststicktheballintheair,chasehardandgeteveryonetoclap…Rugbyisexactlythesame;everytimeyourunwiththeball,youtakeagreaterriskthanifyoukick.Wedon’twanttobereckless,butwedon’twanttobelikeStokeCityofoldeither.’StokecaptainRyanShawcrosshitbackbysuggestingJones‘shouldsticktotalkingaboutthesporthe’spaidtoworkin,ratherthandippinghistoeinfootball’.Hehadapoint–lookatSirCliveWoodward.ThroughoutPulis’sfivetop-flightseasonswithStokehisapproachwasn’t

alwaysaboutthrow-ins–Delap’sdelivieriesbecamelessofanovelty,andopponentsstartedtocopebetter–butitwaslargelyaboutrouteone,withonlysubtleupgradesintermsoftechnicalquality.Pulis’schoiceofcentre-forwardwasalwaysbasedmorearoundheightthangoalscoringreturn,andhestruggledtoaccommodateflairplayers.HesignedthetalentedTurkishforwardTuncayŞanlıafterhe’dplayedexcellentlyagainstStokeforMiddlesbrough,butheusedhimsparingly.TherewasanextraordinaryincidentawayatHull,whenTuncay

wasintroducedasan81st-minutesubstituteinplaceofthemisfiringKitson.FiveminuteslaterStokemidfielderAmdyFayewassentoff,whichpromptedPulistodesperatelysearchforheightonhisbenchtocompensate.DefenderAndyWilkinsonwasquicklysummonedinplaceofTuncay,whostormedstraightdownthetunnelafterhisfive-minutecameo.ThatunderlinedhowmuchPulisprioritisedheight,althoughitdidn’tpreventHullscoringastoppage-timewinner.ThissomewhatcontradictedPulis’srepeatedassertions,amidcriticismofhisapproach,thatStokewouldplaybetterfootballifhehadbetterplayers–andEidurGudjohnsenenduredasimilarlyfrustratingexperience.PulispresentedStokeasunderdogs–onceliterally,whenhemarvellously

referredtohissquadasbeing‘fromBatterseaDogsHomeratherthanCruft’s’–andemphasisedthewealthofbiggerclubs.Afteranarrow1–0defeatawayatoldfoesArsenalin2013,Pulisdirectlymentionedthedifferenceinspendingpower.‘YouhavealookatArsenal’sresources,whatthey’vegot,whatthey’vespent,theplayersthey’vegot…Theyspent,wasit£12m?Onaleft-back[NachoMonreal]?We’renotintheirleagueinalotofrespects.’Atfacevalue–lookingatStoke’sside–youwouldn’thavequestionedthatassertion.But,astonishingly,overthepreviousfiveyearsStokehadthethird-highest‘netspend’figureinthePremierLeaguebehindtheexpectedduo,ManchesterCityandChelsea.Pulishadsimplypurchasedrun-of-the-millplayerswhoplayedbasicfootball,theoddtechnicaltalentwhowasunderusedandastreamoftargetmenwhofurtheredPulis’sobsessionwithrouteone.Therewereclearlimitationstohisapproach,andhewassackedlaterthatyear.Hisfinishesof12th,11th,13th,14thand13th–plusreachingtheFACupFinalin2011,wheretheylost1–0toManchesterCity–shouldbecommended,consideringhowStokewereinitiallywrittenoff.Pulis’sapproachatStokewasbacktobasicsratherthanprogressive,butfew

othermanagershaveforcedtheiroppositenumberstoreconsiderfundamentalprinciplessoextensively.Scolari’ssimpleassessmentofStoke’splay–‘Ilikeitbecauseit’sdifferent’–isparticularlyappropriate.Whenitcomestostrategy,

heterogeneityiscrucial,andPulis,morethananyoneelse,ensuredthattherewasunrivalledtacticalvarietyinthePremierLeague.The‘wetandwindynight’linewasprobablyoverplayed,althoughPulisoncesaidhe’domittedHondurasinternationalWilsonPalaciosfromhisstartingXIbecause‘itwastoowindy’.Noonewasentirelysureifhewasjoking.

18

InvertedWingers

‘Balecancross,hisleftfootisgreatontherun,hecanshoot,dribble,headit–he’sgoteverything.’

HarryRedknapp

By2010,thedominanceoftheBigFourhadbecomesuffocating.ThePremierLeaguemighthavebeenEurope’sbestdivisionaccordingtoUEFAcoefficients,butitwasalsoamongitsleastcompetitive.Inthefourseasonsfrom2005/06to2008/09thesamesidesalwaysfinishedin

thetopfour;ManchesterUnited,Chelsea,LiverpoolandArsenalseeminglyboastedanunbreakablestrangleholdontheChampionsLeagueplaces.Infact,youcanbackdatethissequenceevenfurther.WhileEvertonfinishedinfourth–andthereforeaheadofcityrivalsLiverpool–in2004/05,theToffeesfailedtoprogressthroughtheChampionsLeagueplay-offround.MeanwhileLiverpoolliftedtheEuropeanCupand,afteralateinterventionbyUEFA,whoserulesatthisstagehadn’tstipulatedthattheholderswouldre-qualifyiftheyfinishedoutsidetheirdomesticqualifyingpositions,wereallowedbackintothecompetition.ItwasthereforethesamefoursidesearningChampionsLeaguerevenuefrom2003/04to2009/10,strengtheningtheirsquadsandtherebymaintainingtheiradvantageoverthePremierLeague’salso-rans.ThiswastheantithesisofhowthePremierLeaguemarketeditself,asadivisionwhereanyonecouldbeatanyone.Foramajorleaguethisquadopolywasunprecedented.Fourclubshadnever

monopolisedthetopplacesforfourconsecutivecampaignsinEngland,France,Germany,Holland,ItalyorSpain,althoughithadoccurredinlessrespectedleaguessuchasPortugal,ScotlandandTurkey.Itbecameimpossibletoimagineanyonebreakingthrough,asKevinKeegansuggestedin2008duringabrief

spellbackatNewcastleUnited,havingjustmadethenaturaltransitionfromhispreviousjob,fundinga‘soccercircus’inScotland.‘Thisleagueisindangerofbecomingoneofthemostboringbutgreatleaguesintheworld,’hecomplained.‘Thetopfournextyearwillbethesametopfourasthisyear.Ithought,“WhatcanIdonextyeartogetnearthem?”–andthetruthisthere’snothingIcandoatall.WhatIcansaytotheNewcastlefansisthatwewillbetryingtogetfifthandwewillbetryingtowinthe“otherleague”that’sgoingonwithinthePremierLeague.’Itwastroublingtohearthedividedescribedinsuchastarkmanner,especiallybyamanagerwhohad,inhispreviousspell,takenNewcastlefromthebottomofthesecondtiertosecondplaceinthePremierLeague.EarlyMay2010,however,provedtransformativeforEnglishfootball,which

fittedthemoodofthecountry.On5May2010Tottenham’s1–0victoryatManchesterCityconfirmedSpurs’ChampionsLeaguequalification,effectivelyendingtheBigFourera.Thefollowingday’selectionresultedinahungparliament,andpromptedtheformationofthefirstcoalitiongovernmentinBritainsincetheSecondWorldWar.Thiswasabravenewworld–thingshadopenedup,andeverythingwassuddenlymorecomplex.ThedeclineoftheBigFourwasprimarilyaboutLiverpool’ssuddendecline.

They’dslumpedfromrunners-upin2008/09toseventhin2009/10,resultinginRafaelBenítez’sdismissal,andsothelastChampionsLeagueplacewasafightbetweenTottenhamandManchesterCity.They’doriginallybeenscheduledtomeetinearlyMarch,butthefixturewaspostponedbecauseofSpurs’FACupcommitmentsandhandilyrearrangedforthepenultimategameoftheseason,effectivelyturningthecontestintoastraightplay-offforfourthplace.WithCityboostedbyasignificantinfluxofmoneyfromthedeputyprimeministeroftheUnitedArabEmirates–theextraordinarilywealthySheikhMansour–andsettochallengeforthetitlelong-term,theywereconsideredtheobviouscontenderstotakeLiverpool’splace,whichmighthavesimplycreatedanewBigFour.HarryRedknapp’sTottenham,however,hadotherideas.Redknapphadbeenappointedearlyin2008/09,replacingJuandeRamos.The

Spaniardwasahigh-profileappointment,havingwonconsecutiveUEFACupswithSevilla,andhetookSpurstotheLeagueCupin2008,buthisstarttothefollowingcampaignwasdisastrous,collectingjusttwopointsfromeightmatches–ashissuccessorconstantlyremindedeveryone.Redknappwasasurprisechoice,buthe’drecentlywontheFACupwithPortsmouthandhisback-to-basicsapproachprovedeffective.AfterhaulingSpursawayfromtherelegationzoneandintothetophalf,heturnedtheclubintotopfourchallengersinhisfirstfullseason.2009/10wasaneventfulcampaignforTottenham.Theyweretopafterfour

matches,andinOctoberbecameonlythesecondPremierLeaguesidetoscoreninetimesinamatch,thrashingWigan9–1.Theystartedthenewyearpoorly,anddroppedtoseventhaftera1–0defeatatWolvesinFebruary.Then,however,theywonnineoftheirfollowing11matches,culminatinginthatdecisive1–0victoryatCity.Itwastheirhighest-everPremierLeaguefinish,andowedmuchtothesuddenimpactofemergingleft-wingerGarethBale.TheWelshman’scontributionwasentirelyunexpected,becausehe’d

previouslybeenconsideredafigureoffun.BalewasahighlyratedteenageratSouthampton,whereheroomedwithTheoWalcott,beforejoiningTottenhamin2007.Butamidinjuryproblemsandbadluck,Baledidn’twinanyofhisfirst24PremierLeaguematches,thelongestwinlessstartbyaplayerinthecompetition’shistory.Histechnicalandphysicalqualitieswereundeniablebutsomeconsideredhimajinx,anditwasn’tuntil26September2009thathefinallytastedvictory.Eventhenheonlyappearedforthefinalfiveminutesofa5–0victoryoverBurnley,withRedknappintroducinghimspecificallytodisprovethenotionofacurse.IttookanotherfourmonthsbeforeBalestartedinaPremierLeaguevictory.Baleworenumber3becausehewasinitiallyaleft-back,inkeepingwiththe

tendencytoconvertyoung,dynamiccrossersintooverlappingfull-backs.ButBenoîtAssou-Ekottowasimpressinginthatposition,andNikoKranjčar,aRedknappfavourite,wasprovidingcreativityfromtheleftofmidfield.Infirst

20matchesof2009/10Baledidn’tmakeasinglestartandonlymadefivesubstituteappearances,ofwhichthreesawhimintroducedafterthe85thminute.Redknapp,determinedtoaffordtheWelshmansomeplayingtime,seriouslyconsideredloaninghimoutinJanuary.Butthen,withthreeminutesremainingofSpurs’2–0winoverWestHam,theirfinalgameof2009,Assou-Ekottocollectedagroinstrainthatsidelinedhimfortwomonths.Balestartedthenextgame,andthendidn’tmissasingleminuteofPremierLeagueactionin2010.Thiswasthedefinitionofabreakthroughyear.Bale’sinitialeightstartswereatleft-back,wherehewasparticularly

impressiveina2–0victoryoverFulham,andhescamperedforwardtocreatetheopenerforJermainDefoeina3–0winatWigan.WhenAssou-Ekottoreturned,BalepushedforwardandbecameSpurs’regularleft-sidedmidfielder,andfromthatadvancedpositionhewassensational,collectingtheman-of-the-matchawardin2–1victoriesoverbothArsenalandChelseawithinthespaceoffourdaysinApril,thenpickingupPlayeroftheMonthtoo.Almostovernight,Balehadgonefromabad-luckcharmtothePremierLeague’smostdangerouswinger.Atthisstage,4–4–2wasconsideredalmostdeadatthehighestlevel,withthe

BigFourallplayingeither4–2–3–1or4–3–3inbigmatches.ButTottenham’svictoriesoverArsenalandChelseademonstratedthatthesystemwasperfectlyviablewhenusedcorrectly–theydidn’tengagetheiropponentsinapossessionbattle,andinsteadplayedonthecounter-attack.Theirdefending,meanwhile,wasimpressivelyflexible:againstArsenaltheyplayeddeepandnarrowtopreventtheirnorthLondonrivalsplayingthrough-balls,whileagainstChelseatheyplayedhigherupthepitchtoforceDidierDrogbaawayfromgoal.TheycompensatedfortheirnumericaldisadvantageinmidfieldwithstrikersJermainDefoeandRomanPavlyuchenkodroppingontotheopposition’sholdingplayer.Goingforward,itwasclassic4–4–2:attackdirectly,gettheballwide,cross.ThatapproachwasparticularlyobviousinthevictoryoverArsenal,wholived

uptotheclichéof‘tryingtowalktheballintothenet’,theirwideplayersSamir

NasriandTomášRosickýunabletothreadtheballbetweendefenders.DebutantDannyRose’sstunningvolleyedopenermeantArsenalhadtotakethegametoSpurs,andBaleprovedaconstantcounter-attackingthreat,addingthecrucialsecondgoal.HewasevenbetteragainstChelsea,withTottenhamconstantlyfindinghimontherunandalsosendinggoal-kickstowardshimtotakeadvantageofhisaerialpower.AfterDefoeopenedthescoringfromthespot,BalesurprisedChelsearight-backPauloFerreirabycuttinginsidebeforefiringhomewithhisrightfoottoputSpurs2–0ahead.FerreirahadanightmareafternoonandwasreplacedbyBranislavIvanovićathalf-time.Balecontinuedtothreaten,however,andJohnTerrywaslaterdismissedforscythingdowntheWelshman.AfewweekslaterTottenham’smemorablevictoryatManchesterCitysecured

fourthplace,inwhatwasessentiallya4–4–2versus4–4–2battle.RobertoManciniusedCarlosTevezdroppingoffEmmanuelAdebayor,whileRedknappusedaclassiclittle-and-largepartnershipofDefoeandPeterCrouch.ButwhereasMancini’swingersdriftedin-fieldwithright-footedCraigBellamyontheleftandleft-footedAdamJohnsonontheright,SpursstretchedtheplaywithBaleandAaronLennonhuggingthetouchlines.‘That’soneofmydefiningmatchesasamanager,becauseofthewayweplayed,’Redknapprecalled.‘Idecidedthatitdidn’tmatterthatweweretheawayteam.ThiswasaCupFinal,one-off,andweweregoingtogoforit.’BaleandLennonwerebothoutstanding–theywerebetterthanCity’swide

pairingatprotectingtheirfull-backsandalsomoredangerousinpossession.Assou-EkottoandBalewererampantdowntheleft,andtwicetheircombinationplayshouldhaveputSpursahead;firstBalereleasedAssou-EkottoontheoverlapandtheCamerooniandeliveredateasingballacrossthesix-yardboxthatDefoeandCrouchcouldn’tquitereach,beforeBalecrossedfromasimilarpositionandCrouchheadedstraightatthegoalkeeper.EventuallyCrouchheadedthewinner,afteradeflectedcrossfrommakeshiftright-backYounèsKaboul.Butthemajordifferencewasthenatureofthewingers.BothAdebayor

andCrouchweretargetmenwhothrivedoncrosses,butonlySpurs’pairingprovidedthem.‘Asastriker,it’sadreamtohaveBaleontheleftandLennonontheright,’Crouchsaid.‘Youjusthavetogetyourselfintheboxandyouknow,ninetimesoutoften,theywillgettherightcrossinforyou.’ItwasreminiscentofLesFerdinandtalkingaboutDavidGinolaandKeithGillespie–TottenhamwerethenewEntertainers.

2009/10provedaparticularlysuccessfulseasonforLondonclubs.Chelsea,ArsenalandTottenhamallfinishedinthetopfour,whilemostimpressively,RoyHodgson’sFulhamdefiedexpectationsbyreachingtheEuropaLeagueFinal.Theyweredefeated2–1inextra-timebyAtléticoMadrid,buttheirachievementsinprogressingpastholdersShakhtarDonetsk,ItaliangiantsJuventusandGermanchampionsWolfsburgshouldn’tbeunderestimated.WhenHodgsontookchangeofFulhaminDecember2007theCottagerswere

intherelegationzone,havingwonjusttwiceallseason.IttookawhileforhimtotransformFulham’sfortunes–atonepoint,when2–0downatManchesterCity,theyweresetforrelegation,butafantasticlatecomebackmeanttheywon3–2,andtheyconfirmedtheirsurvivalwitha1–0victoryoverPortsmouthonthefinalday.2008/09wasahugesuccess–theirfinishof7thwasthehighestintheclub’shistoryandmeanttheyqualifiedfortheEuropaLeague.LikeRedknapp,Hodgsonwas4–4–2man,althoughthetwowereoppositesin

almosteveryotherrespect.RedknapphadnevermanagedoutsidethesouthofEngland,whileHodgsonhadworkedinSweden,Finland,Norway,Denmark,Italy,SwitzerlandandtheUAE.Redknappdelegatedtrainingtohisassistants,Hodgsonwasatracksuitcoach.Redknappoftendismissedtheimportanceoftactics,Hodgsonwasallaboutshapeandstructure.ItwasnotablethattheFootballAssociationwereeffectivelychoosingbetweenthemforthevacantEnglandmanager’sjobtwoyearslater,withHodgsonpreferred.Hodgsonwasastudiousandintelligentmanwhoemphasisedtheimportance

ofcollectiveorganisation,andhissuccessatFulhamowedmuchtoconstantly

drillinghissideinasolidshapeonthetrainingground.Whenaskedhowhepreparedplayersforagame,Hodgsonrespondedsimply:‘Youdoitintheday-to-daytrainingwork.Youdon’tdoitwithaChurchilliantalk15minutesbeforeagame…theteamtalkshouldbenothingmorethanflaggingupthemostimportantthingsyou’vebeenworkingonallweek.’Histrainingregimehadadefinedpattern–Mondaywasrecoverywork,Tuesdaywasdefending,Wednesdaywasoff,ThursdaywasattackingandFridaywasbasedaroundtheopposition.Thedrillswere11v11,11v8or11v6,andalwaysfocusedonshapeandstructure.Thetrainingsessionswere,mostplayersagreed,incrediblyboring–aboutrepetitionandfollowingpre-determinedinstructions.It’sfunnythatHodgsonlaterprovedsuchanunpopularreplacementforRafaelBenítezatLiverpool,becausethereweremanysimilaritiesintheirwayofoperating.‘Everydayintrainingisgearedtowardsteamshapeinthematchcomingup,’

explainedmidfielderSimonDavies.‘Everydayisaboutteamshape,anditshows.Wehavealaughaboutitnowandagain,butwhenhecameinwewerefightingrelegationandnowwe’reintheEuropaLeague,soyoutakeit.Idon’twanttogiveanysecretsaway,buthegetsthe11thathewantsonamatchdayandhedrillseverythinginthathewants.Therearenodiagrams.It’sallonthepitchwiththeball,nothingunopposed.’Hodgsondidn’tappreciateplayerswhostruggledtoplaywithinasystem–he

washappytosellamavericklikeJimmyBullard–butmorefunctionalplayerswerefulsomeintheirpraise.‘IhavealottothankRoyHodgsonfor,becausehehelpedmealot,’saidholdingmidfielderDicksonEtuhu.‘Healmostcoachedmefromthebeginningagain,andIunderstandfootballbetternowbecauseofhim.’ThemostimpressiveaspectofFulham’ssystem,however,wasHodgson

fittingfourcreativeplayersintoanotherwisehighlystructuredteam.WithEtuhutheholdingmidfielderandBobbyZamoraatraditionaltargetman,HodgsonusedZoltánGerajustoffthefront,DannyMurphyasthedeep-lyingcreator,plusDaviesandDamienDuffoutwide.ButamajordifferencebetweenRedknapp’sSpursandHodgson’sFulhamwasthenatureofthewingers.WhereasBaleand

Lennonwerefieldedontheirnaturalsidesandhuggedthetouchlines,Hodgsonusedinvertedwingers.Daviesstartedontheleftandcutinsideontohispreferredrightfoot,whileDuffstartedontherightandcutinsideontohisleft,althoughtheIrishmanbecameawell-rounded,two-footedwingerwhenmovedtothatflank.‘Iprobablyleftittoolate.IwishI’dstartedwhenIwas15:justrightfoot,

rightfoot,rightfoot,andnowIpreferkickingtheballwithmyrightratherthanmyleft,’Duffsaid.That’sasurprisingrevelation,althoughpractisingyourweakersidesometimesmeansyou‘unlearn’usingyourstrongerfoot–it’snotablethatBlackburnwingerMortenGamstPedersenandGaëlClichyofArsenalandManchesterCitywereright-footedasyoungsters,buttheirfathersencouragedthemtoexclusivelyusetheirweakerfootintrainingandtheybecameleft-footed.‘WhenIhit30Icouldplayontherightandcutin,butIwashappygettingdownthewingandcrossingaswell,whichIcouldn’thavedonetenyearsbeforewhenIwasatChelseaandBlackburn,’Duffcontinued.‘Ididn’tlookback.Ibecamearight-winger,whichisamazingafter15or20yearsasaleft-winger.’Thiswas,ofcourse,furtherevidencethatattackerswerebecomingall-rounders.Invertedwingerswerebecomingincreasinglycommon,andinthesemi-final

againstHamburgandinthefinalagainstAtlético,Fulhamfacedopponentswhoalsodeployedwideplayerscuttinginside.Acontestbetweentraditionalwingersandinvertedwingersoftenprovedfascinating,astheaforementionedManchesterCityversusSpursmatchunderlined.Butgamesbetweentwosidesplaying4–4–2(or4–4–1–1)withallfourwingersdeterminedtocutinsideweregenerallyfrustrating;thecentrebecamecongested,andifthefull-backswerelimitedinpossessiontherewaslittleexcitementoutwide.Fulham’sgoallessdrawawayinHamburgwasaparticularlypoorgame.Nevertheless,Fulhamwereentirelyhappytoshepherddangerouswingersinto

thecrowdedmidfieldzone,andinthefinal,Atletico’sright-footedleft-wingerSimãoSabrosaandleft-footedright-wingerJoséAntonioReyeswerethefirst

twoplayerssubstitutedbyfutureWatfordmanagerQuiqueSánchezFlores.Ina2–1victorysealedtwominutesfromtheendofextra-time,Atletico’sgoalswerebothassistedbySergioAgüeroandscoredbyDiegoForlán,anindicationofthequalityFulhamwereupagainst.DavieshadequalisedforHodgson’sside,buttheywerebadlyaffectedbyZamora’sobviouslackofmatchfitnessandinabilitytoplayhistarget-manroleproperly.Hisreplacement,ClintDempsey,waslesscomfortablebattlingforaerialballs,andFulham’sattackinggameplansimplydidn’twork.Itwasnotablethatthe2010ChampionsLeagueFinal,liketheEuropaLeague

Final,alsofeaturedtwoteamsplayinginvertedwingers.JoséMourinho’sInterMilan,withright-footedSamuelEto’oontheleftandleft-footedGoranPandevontheright(granted,bothwereconvertedforwardsratherthanproperwingers),triumphed2–0againstBayernMunich,whousedleft-footedArjenRobbenontherightandright-footedFranckRibéryontheleft.Ofcourse,therehavebeenmanywingersfieldedonthe‘wrong’flankbefore,butthisgenerallyhappenedwhenamanagerhadtwostarwingerswhopreferredthesamefoot,meaningthatonewasinevitablyfieldedoutofposition.Famously,inthe1950sEnglandusedTomFinneyontheleftbecauseStanleyMatthewswasontheright,whileinthePremierLeagueeraMourinho’sChelseahadtwoleft-footers,DuffandRobben.Theuseofbothwingersontheirunnaturalflank,however,wasadeliberateployandasignificanttacticaldevelopment,markingthedeclineofthetraditionalwinger.Thisarosebecauseoftwofactors.First,itwaseffectivelyaresponsetothe

riseoftheattackingfull-back.Thetraditionalwinger’sjobwasstretchingtheplayandcrossing,butasthoseresponsibilitieswereincreasinglycoveredbythefull-backs,wingersneededtoprovidesomethingdifferent.Besides,attackingfull-backsneededspacetooverlapinto,andawideplayerdriftinginandpullingtheoppositionfull-backinsideproveduseful.Second,topteamsnowplayedintricatefootballbasedaroundpassing

combinations.Withfewertraditionaltargetmen–andmorecentre-forwardswho

thrivedonthrough-balls–therewaslessreasonforplayingwingerswhowouldnaturallygowide.Invertedwingersofferedmore;theycoulddriftinsideandoverloadthemidfieldzone,theycouldplaythrough-ballswiththeirstrongerfootand–mostobviously–theycouldshoot.Thiswasparticularlycrucial.Sincestrikerswereexpectedtodomorethansimplyscoregoals,thatburdenneededtobesharedaround,andwingershadabigresponsibilitytogetontothescoresheet.Thedebatewasessentially‘crossingversusthrough-ballsandshooting’,andthelatterroleswereconsideredmoreimportantinthemoderngame.TheIntervBayernChampionsLeagueFinaldemonstratedthattopclubshadgenerallymovedawayfromtraditionalwingersbythisstage,whileright-footedCristianoRonaldoandleft-footedLionelMessihadbecometheworld’smostreveredplayersbycuttinginsideontotheirstrongestfoot,beforetheArgentineswitchedtoacentralposition.MosttopPremierLeaguesidesweren’tsetuparoundcrossing,andtherefore

wingers–eithertraditionalorinverted–weren’talwaysused.Arsenalfieldednaturalnumber10slikeNasri,RosickýandAndreyArshavindriftinginfieldtocreate,whileChelseaboastedpowerfulgoalscorerslikeFlorentMaloudaandNicolasAnelka.ManchesterUnitedwereaslightexception,withAntonioValenciaanold-fashionedwingerwhoregularlycrossedforWayneRooney,butitwasnotablethatSirAlexFergusonomittedhimfromtheChampionsLeaguequarter-finaltriptoBayernMunichinMarch2010,explainingthatheselectedNaniandParkJi-sungbecausetheyhadtheversatilitytoplayoneitherflankandcouldbeswitchedmid-gametogivehimtacticaloptions.Thiswasanotherbodyblowforthetraditional,one-dimensionalwinger.ThesecondtierofPremierLeaguesides,however,werestillverymuchbased

aroundwingplay.AswellasTottenhamandFulham,bothEvertonandAstonVilla–regularchallengersforEuropaLeagueplaces–dependedheavilyupontheirwideplayersforchances.DavidMoyes’sEverton,forexample,boastedthePremierLeague’sbestleft-

sidedpartnership,withSouthAfricanStevenPienaardriftinginsidetoallow

LeightonBaines,probablythemostdangerouscrosserinthedivision,forwardontheoverlap.Theyhadatelepathicunderstanding,andBainesalsostruckupagoodrelationshipwithAustralianmidfielderTimCahill,whowastechnicallylimitedbutamongthemosteffectivepenalty-boxpoachersaround,andfantasticintheairdespitebeingonlyfivefootten.Indeed,Everton’sdependenceuponwidthandcrossingisreflectedbythefactthatMoyesfieldedbothCahillandMarouaneFellaini,twounusualmidfielderswhosestrengthwasn’tsilkypassingbutgettingontheendofcrosses.Moyes’strainingsessionswereoftenbasedaroundcreatingoverloadsinwide

positions,formingtwo-against-oneorthree-against-twosituationstooutnumbertheopposition,andheparticularlylikedasmall-sideddrillthatinvolvedteamsattackingintothreemini-goalsplacedacrossthewidthofthepitch.Thisencouragedplayerstoattacktowardsamini-goaldownoneflank,findopponentsblockingthepathandthenswitchplaysuddenlytotheoppositewing.ThatwasEverton’sgameplan:switchesofplayandusingtheflanks.AstonVilla,meanwhile,weremanagedbyMartinO’Neill,whohadenjoyed

successatbothLeicesterandCelticwithacrossing-basedapproach,oftenina3–5–2.AtVillaheplayed4–4–2or4–5–1,usuallywithtwogoodcrossersinStewartDowningandAshleyYoung.Althoughinitiallydeployedontheirtraditionalflanks,bothbecamemoredangerousasinvertedwingers.Right-footedYoungbecameatop-classperformerfromtheleft,wherehehadapeculiartendencytocutinsideontohisrightfoot,trickthedefenderbyshapingtogooutsideonhisleft,beforecuttinginsideontohisrightforasecondtime.Downing,meanwhile,excelledwhenmovedtotherightbyO’Neill’sreplacementGérardHoullier,whofamouslydislikedtraditionalwingersatLiverpool.In2011YoungandDowningearnedmajortransferstoManchesterUnitedandLiverpoolrespectively,butfoundtheircrossingabilitieslessvaluedatbiggerclubs.

Thisnewfoundemphasisuponinvertedwingersmeantitwasunusualtoseea

speedy,dangerousleft-footerlikeBaleontheflankin2010/11.‘Ibelieveinputtingthebestplayersinthepositionwheretheyfeelmostcomfortable,andBaleisalightning-quick,left-footedplayer,soIusedhimontheleftthroughoutthatseason,’Redknapprecalled.‘Thefashionwasforright-footedplayersontheleftatthetime,likeAshleyYoung,sotheycouldcutinsideandgettogoal–butIsawGarethneededtobuildconfidence,andhefeltbestplayinginhisnaturalposition.’BalehadbecomeaPremierLeaguestarinthesecondhalfof2009/10,then

turnedintoaChampionsLeaguestarinthefirsthalfof2010/11,withtwostaggeringperformancesagainstEuropeanchampionsInterinhisleft-wingrole.Thefirstdisplaycameinpeculiarcircumstances,Spursfindingthemselvesdowntotenmenand4–0downbyhalf-timeintheSanSiro.Baleproceededtolaunchaone-manfightbackwithtwostunninggoalsontherun,thensealedhishat-tricktoprovethatwingersremainedamajorgoalthreatwhendeployedontheirtraditionalflank.Allthreegoalswerearrowedintothefarcornerwithhisleftfoot,andeachcelebratedbynothingmorethanagestureforteammatestoretrievetheballandrestartthegamequickly.BaleterrorisedMaicon,thenconsideredtheworld’sbestright-back,wholaterinsistedhewassufferingfroma24-hourbug,renderinghimunabletocopewithBale’sspeed.Hedid,atleast,keepapologisingwheneverhefouledtheWelshman.Itmusthavebeenatwo-weekbug,however,becausewhenthesides

reconvenedatWhiteHartLaneMaiconwasagaindestroyedbyBale.Redknapphadhappilyoutlinedhisstrategybeforethegame.‘Theirtwowidemendonotreallydefend,’hesaidatapressconference.‘InterattackwiththreeforwardsandWesleySneijderbehind,andtheyhavetwoholdingmidfielders.Thekeywillberippingintothemontheflanks–weneedBaletogetthebetterofMaiconagain.’That’sexactlywhathappened,asBaleproducedaperformancethattoppedhishat-trickofthepreviousfortnight.NewInterbossRafaelBenítez’stacticsappearedsomewhatnaive,asneitherright-sidedattackerJonathanBiabianynorright-centreholdingmidfielderJavierZanettioffered

Maiconanyassistance.Baledidn’tgetonthescoresheet,butmotoredforwardandcrossedfortwotap-insforCrouchandhisreplacement,Pavlyuchenko.‘Interdidn’treallyoperatewithawide-rightmidfielderofferingprotection,’saidanamazedRedknapp.‘Maiconwashungouttodry.’ItwasacuriousoversightfromBenítez,consideringthatBalehadbeenquiet

sincetheSanSiro–preciselybecausedomesticopponentshaddoubledupagainsthim.‘HowtostopBale’becamethePremierLeague’smajortacticalquestion.Moyes’sEvertonheldTottenhamtoa1–1drawatWhiteHartLane,withBaleinefffectiveasMoyesusedtworight-backs,withSeamusColemanjustaheadofPhilNeville.‘Itwasn’tonlyNevillethatmadeithardforme;hehadtwoorthreeplayershelpinghim,’Baleobserved.‘Theright-wingerwasrightonmytoesallthetimesoIcouldn’tgettheball.’RedknappeventuallyinstructedBaletoswitchflanks,andheplayedfromtherightforthefirsttime.Thepatterncontinued.Ina2–0defeatatManchesterUnited,Ferguson

instructedDarrenFletchertosprintacrosstosupportright-backRafaeldaSilvawheneverBalereceivedpossessionontheleft.Next,Sunderland’stough-tacklingcentralmidfielderLeeCattermoleeffectivelyreplicatedFletcher’sroletoassistNedumOnuoha,whileBolton’sright-wingerLeeChung-yongdroppeddeeptoprotectGrétarSteinsson–althoughtheIcelandicright-backseemedentirelynonplussedabouttheWelshman’sthreat.‘I’veneverreceivedsomanytextsbeforeagame’saidSteinsson.‘Baleisafantasticplayer,butfacinghimwasjustthesameasfacinganyoneelse.FridaywasBonfireNight,andIjustrelaxedandhadareallygoodchickenkorma.’Spursnowhadaproblem.InfourPremierLeaguematchessinceBale’s

incredibleSanSirohat-trickallfouropponentsusedtwoplayersagainsthim,andtheresultswereclear–Balehadnospacetoworkinandhadnoassistsorgoals,withSpurscollectingjusttwopoints.‘It’swhatyougetinfrontofyouthathelpsyou,’explainedex-Tottenhamright-backStephenCarr,nowcaptainingBirmingham,whoalsonullifiedBale.‘IthoughtIdidOK,butIhadalotofhelpfrominfront.’

However,Baleprovidedafineperformanceina4–2winoverBlackburn,notablebecausehetwiceturnedhomeright-wingcrosses,thefirstanear-postheader,thesecondascruffypoacher’seffort.TherewasalsoaclassicdribbleandcrossforPavlyuchenko’stoweringfar-postheader,butBalehaddemonstratedadifferentsidetohisgame.‘Ithasbeendifficultformerecentlywhenteamshavehadtwoplayersmarkingme,’hesaid.‘I’vegottofindanotherwaytogetpastthem.IdidthatagainstBlackburnandIwasdelighted.’Evenso,thisperformancewastheexceptiontotherulein2010/11–thatcrossforPavlyuchenkoprovedBale’sonlyassistintheentireleaguecampaign.HescoredninegoalsbutwasratherflatteredbyhisPFAPlayeroftheYearaward,inaseasonwithoutanystandoutcandidates.Nevertheless,Balemaniawasunderway,largelyfuelledbythosetwoperformancesagainstInter.ButbothBaleandRedknapprecognisedthatheneededtoevolvetoexerta

consistentinfluenceuponmatches,andsoin2011/12Baleincreasinglywanderedinsidefromtheleft,withmixedresults.He’dpreviouslyonlyeverplayedwide,andhadbeenaregularforjust18months–atthatstagemostplayersareattemptingtoimproveintheirprimaryposition,nevermindlearninganentirelynewrolebecausethey’rebeingdouble-marked.Playingcentrallyrequiredadifferentskillset,andBalestruggledtoreceive

theballindangerouszones,withthecorrectbodypositiontotaketheballinhisstride.Whenitworked,however,theresultsweresometimesspectacular.Hescoredbothgoalsina2–0victoryatNorwichjustafterChristmasfromafreerole,thesecondafteranextraordinarydribblefromhisownhalfthroughthecentreofthepitch.AtthestartofthenewyearSpursappearedsetforagenuinetitlechallenge,buttheirform–andBale’s–dippeddramatically,andhisfinalPremierLeaguegoalofthecampaigncameinJanuary.Moreelaboratepositionalexperimentsdidn’twork.AwayatEverton,RedknapprealisedthatMoyeshadagainfieldedColemanandNevilletogethertostopBale,soswitchedhimtotheright.Hewashugelyunderwhelming,however,andthetravellingTottenhamfanschanted‘GarethBale,heplaysontheleft’infrustrationathispositioning.

Spurseventuallyslippedtofourth,andweredeniedaChampionsLeagueplacewhensixth-placeChelseadefeatedBayernMunichintheChampionsLeagueFinal,takingthefinalslot–UEFA’squalificationruleshavingbeenrevisedaftertheLiverpooldebaclesevenyearsbeforehand.Redknappwasharshlydismissed.Redknapp’sreplacement,AndréVillas-Boas,outlinedhisintentiontobuild

thesidearoundBale,andtheWelshman’sfinalcampaignatSpurswasintriguinginatacticalsense.Nowwearingthenumber11shirtinrecognitionofhisadvancedpositioning,hestartedtheseasonontheleftwithlicencetodriftinside.Buthewasmosteffectiveinthesecondhalfofthecampaign,whenfieldedasthenumber10ina4–2–3–1.Again,hewasallowedtoroamwiththelikesofLewisHoltbyandGylfiSigurdssonmakingreverserunstoensureBale’sdriftsdidn’tundermineSpurs’shape.Hescored21leaguegoalsthatseason–noneofthempenalties–thesamenumberhe’dmanagedinhispreviousfivecampaignscombined.Whenhefoundthecentrecrowded,henaturallydriftedwide–butrarelytohisformerhomeontheleft,andinsteadtotheright.Fromthere,heregularlycutinside,andscoredstunninggoalsagainstbothWestBromandSouthampton.Then,inhisfinalgameforSpurs,againstSunderland,Balespenttheentiresecondhalfontherightflank,eternallytryingtocutinsideandshoot.WithaminuteofhisSpurscareerremaining,hefinallymanagedit,collectingtheballinaninside-rightposition,stoppingdead,thenshiftingtheballinsideyoungsubstituteAdamMitchell(whoplayedjustthreeminutesinhisPremierLeaguecareerandfoundhimselfthefall-guyinaBaleblockbuster)andfiringintothetopcorner.Itwasafittingfinale.Bale’sexpertiseincuttinginsidefromtherightconvincedRealMadridto

makehimtheworld’smostexpensivefootballerthatsummer,beatingtheirownrecordfromfouryearsbeforehandwhenthey’dsignedCristianoRonaldo.Therewasanobvioussimilaritybetweenthem;positionally,theybothstartedasatraditionalwinger,increasinglydriftedintocentralzonesandeventuallybecameaninvertedwinger.Superstarwingerswerenowaboutshootingratherthancrossing,andthereforehadbecomeevenmoredirect.

PartSeven

Possession

19

TheItalianJob

‘Tofindaclearidentityfortheteam–thisiswhatIwastoldshouldbemygoal.’

CarloAncelotti

InfiveofSirAlexFerguson’sfinalsevenseasonsbeforehisretirementin2013,ManchesterUnitedclaimedthePremierLeaguetitle.Theexceptionscamein2009/10and2011/12,whenChelseaandManchesterCitytriumphedrespectively.Therewereobvioussimilaritiesbetweenthetwo.BothsideshadbeatenManchesterUnitedhomeandaway,bothsidesclinchedthetitleonthefinalday,andbothsidesweremanagedbyItalians,CarloAncelottiandRobertoMancini.Italianmanagerstypicallyvaluedtheimportanceofcontrollingmatches,traditionallywithcagey,defensivefootball–butincreasinglybydominatingpossession.WhileSerieAwasnolongerEurope’sbestleague,Italianmanagerswerestill

consideredthemostastutetacticians–thoughtful,flexiblestrategistswhoviewedfootballmatcheslikeagameofchess,methodicallymovingtheirpiecestonullifytheopposition’sstrengths.TherehadbeenpreciouslittleItalianinfluenceuponthePremierLeague,however.GianlucaVialliliftedtheFACupwithChelseain2000,butwashardlyofferingSerieAexpertisehavingbeensuddenlybeenpromotedfromplayertoplayer-manager,andhereliedheavilyuponassistantGrahamRix.Hissuccessor,ClaudioRanieri,wasmoretypicallyItalian,beingnicknamed‘theTinkerman’forhisregulartacticalchanges,buthavingcoachedNapoliandFiorentinaratherthangenuinetitle-challengershewasn’tconsideredaworld-classmanager.Ranieriwouldlaterprovehimselfinthemostunexpectedmannerimaginable,butthearrivalofAncelottiandManciniin2009wasthefirsttimethatreveredItaliancoacheshadtoucheddowninEngland.AncelottihadwontheChampionsLeaguetwiceasmanagerat

ACMilanandMancinihadwonSerieAthreeyearsrunningatInter.Withfour-timeSerieAwinnerFabioCapellonowinchargeoftheEnglandside,EnglishfootballsuddenlyexperiencedanItalianinvasion.Ancelottiwasahugelyrespectedcoach,andChelseaownerRoman

Abramovichappointedhimfortwoprimaryreasons.First,theRussianremaineddesperateforEuropeansuccess,andAncelottihadanenviableChampionsLeaguerecord.Second,andmoreintriguingly,AbramovichwasdeterminedforChelseatoembraceagranderfootballingphilosophy,andrealisedAncelotti’sMilanwereconsideredtheclassiestfootballingsideinEurope–untilBarcelonaappointedPepGuardiolain2008–byaccommodatingthreeorfourplaymakersintheirstartingXI.‘Iwanttofindamanagerthatgivesmyteamanidentity,’AncelottirecallsAbramovichexplaining.‘WhenIseeBarcelonaorManchesterUnited,Ifindanidentityintheteam,butwhenIwatchChelsea,Icannot.’ThatwasunsurprisingconsideringChelseahadworkedtheirwaythroughfour

coaches–JoséMourinho,AvramGrant,LuizFelipeScolariandGuusHiddink–duringtheprevioustwoseasons,andwereawatered-down,individualisticversionofMourinho’sdefensive-mindedside.Ancelottipromisedhewouldembraceapossession-basedapproach,andwasdesperatetosignanoldfavourite,Milan’sAndreaPirlo–themostartisticdeep-lyingplaymakerinEurope.ButAbramovichmisunderstoodAncelotti.Ofallthetop-classmanagersofhis

generation,Ancelottiwasthemostplayer-centriccoach,mouldingaformationandstylearoundhisbestfootballers.That’saperfectlyreasonableapproach,butinanerawherecoachingideologiesareconsideredparamount,Ancelotti’spersonalphilosophyisdifficulttodefine.Morethananythinghe’sanoutstandingman-manager,embracingandencouragingstarplayers,witheventempestuoustalentslikeZlatanIbrahimovićandCristianoRonaldodeclaringhimtheirfavouritecoach.Buthisplaymaker-dependent,possession-basedMilansidewasn’treallyaboutAncelotti’svision,simplyanaturalconsequenceofasquadoverloadedwithnumber10s.‘Iwasstrugglingtofitthemallintotheteam

andkeepthemhappy,’Ancelottiadmits,‘butthenwestumbleduponabeautifulaccident,theChristmastreeformation.’Ancelottioftenfavouredthat4–3–2–1formation,despitethe4–3–1–2producingbetterresults,becauseitplacatedmoreofMilan’sstarplayers.HisChelseadressingroomboastedexperiencedleaders,includingPetrČech,

JohnTerry,FrankLampardandDidierDrogba.Intypicallyflexiblefashion,Ancelotticonsultedthemabouttrainingpatternsandconsequentlycompletelychangedhiscoachingstyle.Previouslyhehadseparatedtechnical,physicalandtacticalsessions,buthediscoveredthatChelsea’splayerspreferredcombinedsessions–technicaldrillsthatwerealsophysicallydemanding.Intermsoftactics,Ancelottiattemptedtointroducetheseelementstwodaysbeforematches,butChelsea’splayersexpressedtheirdissatisfaction,soagainAncelottiadjustedandeffectivelyalignedhimselfwiththeapproachintroducedbyMourinho,lookingattacticsthedaybeforeamatch.Ancelotti’sChelseastarted2009/10inastonishingform,winning12oftheir

first14matches.Ancelottiusedadiamondmidfield:DrogbaandNicolasAnelkaupfronttogether,Lampardpushedforwardtothetopofthediamond,FlorentMaloudainaroaming,left-of-centrerole,withMichaelEssienusedineithertheright-sidedordefensivemidfieldrole,andholdingmidfielderJohnObiMikelorthemoreforward-thinkingMichaelBallackusedaccordingly.Meanwhile,AshleyColeandJoséBosingwaprovidedwidthfromfull-back.ThestarperformerswereMalouda,whoembracedhisunusualroleandproducedhismostdecisiveperformancesinaChelseashirt,andDrogba,whocrashedin13goalsinhisfirst15matches.Lampard,however,wasnevercomfortableatthetopofthediamond,andAnelkaappearedmarginalised.ThereweresurprisedefeatsagainstAstonVillaandWigan,butAncelotti’suseofanunusualsystem–atleastinPremierLeagueterms–wasjustified.Thatis,untilNovember’shomemeetingwithManchesterUnited,agameChelseaactuallywon.Bythispoint,akneeinjuryhadruledoutBosingwafortheremainderofthe

season,andwhilehewastheleastcelebratedmemberofChelsea’sstartingXI,

hewascrucialforprovidingright-sidedwidth.InhisabsenceAncelottideployedBranislavIvanović,whowouldlaterbecomecomfortableatright-backbutatthispointwasanawkwardconvertedcentre-backwhocontributedlittleinpossession.AtStamfordBridge,Ferguson’stacticsexposedthisweakness;right-wingerAntonioValenciapinnedbackCole,butleft-sidedRyanGiggsdriftedinsidetobecomeafourthcentralmidfielder,matchingChelsea’sdiamondintheengineroom.Chelsea’squartetofmidfielderscontinuallycameextremelydeeptocollectpossession,discoveredtherewerelimitedforwardpassingoptions,soreluctantlyknockedout-ballstothehaplessIvanović,promptingaudiblemoansfromaroundStamfordBridge.United,ontheotherhand,attackeddangerouslybypushingtheirfull-backsforwardtooverloadtheiroppositenumbers.Ferguson’ssidedominatedpossession–whichshouldn’tbeconsideredavictoryinitself,butwassignificantconsideringAncelotti’spromiseaboutidentity–andled12–8intermsofshotsand7–0oncorners.Unitedcouldn’tfindthebreakthrough,however,andagainsttherunofplayTerrynoddedhometheonlygoalfromacontroversiallyawardedfree-kick.Chelseawontheseason’sfirsttitleshowdown–butdespitetheirsystem,ratherthanbecauseofit.Ferguson’sapproachsetthetemplateforplayingagainstAncelotti’sdiamond,

becauseChelseastruggledbadlywhenteamsexposedtheirlackofwidththroughoutDecember.TheylosttoManchesterCityanddroppedpointstoEverton,WestHamandBirmingham,onlyrecordingunconvincing2–1victoriesoverPortsmouthandFulham.January,meanwhile,offeredanentirelydifferentchallenge,becauseChelseawerewithoutDrogba,awayattheAfricaCupofNations.However,asAncelottihadacknowledgedabouthisMilansystemoverloadedwithplaymakers,‘thebestideasoftencomefromconstraints.’WithoutDrogba,Chelseaplayedtheirbestfootball.Chelsea’sfirstgameof2010–andtheirfirstwithoutDrogba–wasan

astonishing7–2thrashingofSunderland.Theywere4–0upafter35minutesandsocomfortablethatAncelottisubstitutedbothTerryandAshleyColeathalf-time.Ancelottihad,typically,changedhisformationandcreatedsomething

entirelynewtoreflecttheindividualsathisdisposal,playingAnelkaupfrontalone,andaskingMaloudaandJoeColetodriftinsidefromtheflanks,inahybridbetween4–3–3and4–3–2–1.Anelka–whopreferredlinkingplayratherthansprintinginbehind–cameshortandcreatedspace,exploitednotsimplybyMaloudaandCole,butalsobyBallackandLampard,whobothscoredheadedgoalsfollowingtrademarklaterunsofthesortthey’drarelymadeinthediamondsystemwithtwostrikersinthebox.Lampardhadbeenparticularlybelow-parinthefirsthalfofthecampaign,managingonlyonegoalfromopenplay.Here,hemanagedtwoinonematch.Chelseawereslick,cohesiveandruthless.AncelotticontinuedwiththisformationforChelsea’snexttwofixtures,

defeatingBirminghamandBurnley.ButthenDrogbareturned,andAncelottioptedforanawkwardcompromisebetweenoldandnewsystems,withAnelkashiftedintoCole’sright-sidedroamingrole.Drogbawasindividuallymagnificent,scoringtengoalsinaneight-gamespell,butChelsea’sattackingplaywaspredictableandtheycollectedjust13pointsfromthosematches,shortoftitle-winningform.Next,therewasasignificantincidentaheadofthehomefixtureagainstAston

VillatowardstheendofMarch–Drogbawasleftonthebench,whichwasinitiallyblameduponagroinstrain.Sixyearslater,however,AncelottirevealeditwasactuallybecauseDrogbahadturneduplateforateammeeting.‘Drogbaarrived30minuteslate,soforthisreasonhedidn’tplay,’theItalianexplained.‘NotbecauseIwasupset,butbecauseheneededtobepresentatthemeeting,asIhadpresentedthetacticalplanforthegame,explainingitalltotheplayers,andIcouldn’tallowDrogbaspecialconsideration.’DrogbawasthereforenotsimplymakingChelsea’sapproachlesscohesive,but–unwittinglyorotherwise–notinvolvinghimselfinAncelotti’stacticalplans.Incredibly,forthesecondtimein2010–andforthesecondtimewithoutDrogba–Chelseasmashedinsevengoals.Lampardscoredfourtimes,Maloudamanagedtwo,andAnelkawasagainmagnificentastheelusivelonestriker.‘Anelkadidn’tscore,butheplayeda

fantasticgame,hekilledAstonVillawithmovement,’ravedAncelotti.Again,ChelsealookedbetterwithoutDrogba.That7–1victorycamejustaweekbeforeChelsea’scrucialtriptoOld

TraffordinApril,whichwasinevitablybilledasatitledeciderwithChelseajustonepointbehindUnited.Ancelottihadamajordecisiontomake:wouldheomitthePremierLeague’stopgoalscorerDrogba,inthebeliefhisattackingmidfielderswereperformingbetterwithAnelkaupfrontalone?Theanswerwasyes,withDrogbaleftonthebench.‘Thistimeitwasn’tbecausehewaslate,butbecauseAnelkaplayedsobrilliantlyagainstAstonVilla,’Ancelottirecalled.WhileChelseahadbeenoutpassedbyUnitedatStamfordBridge,atOld

Traffordtheyweremagnificent,withAnelkacomingshorttolinkplayandallowingMaloudaandJoeColeforward.ThatduocombinedfortheopenerwhenMaloudadrovetothebylineandcrossedintothesix-yardbox,promptingCole’smarvellousbackheeledfinish.Fergusontriedtoreplicatethelopsidedsystemhe’dsuccessfullyusedinthereversefixture,butChelsea’s4–3–2–1approachprovedsuperior;MaloudaandColedraggedtheUnitedfull-backsoutofposition,whileitwascrucialthatAncelottiusedPauloFerreira,anaturalattackingright-back,ratherthanIvanović.Now,ChelseacouldexploitGiggs’snarrowness,andFerreirawasoutstanding,nearlyputtingChelsea2–0aheadwhenrunninginbehind.ItwassignificantthatFergusoneventuallyswitchedGiggswithParkJi-sung,whospecialisedinnullifyingdangerousattackingfull-backs.Drogba’scontributionshouldnotbeoverlooked,however.WhenUnited

ralliedinthesecondhalf,AncelottiintroducedhiminplaceofthetiredAnelka,andtheIvorianscoredthecrucialsecondgoal,albeitfromanoffsideposition.Nevertheless,itwassignificantthatinChelsea’sbiggestgameoftheseason,DrogbawasonlyaPlanB,despitebeingthedivision’stopgoalscorer,becauseAncelottihadstumbleduponamorecohesivesystemwithouthim.Indeed,otherChelseamanagersoftenfoundthemselvesbuildingwithoutDrogba.HeonlystartedhalfthematchesinMourinho’s2004/05campaignbecauseEidur

Gudjohnsenlinkedplaybetter,whileScolariprimarilyusedhimasasubstitute,andlaterAndréVillas-BoasbuiltaroundFernandoTorres.TheIvorianisarguablythegreatest‘biggame’playerinEnglishfootballhistory,scoringfourtimesinFACupfinals,fourtimesinLeagueCupfinalsand,mostcrucially,thelateequaliserforChelseainthe2012ChampionsLeagueFinal.ButinpurePremierLeagueterms,hewaseithersensationalorfrustrating–hewontwoGoldenBootswith20goalsin2006/07and29inthis2009/10campaign,buttalliesof10,12,8,5,11and5inhisothersixcampaignsillustratehisinconsistency.Drogbaregainedhisplacefortherun-in.Whilehislink-upplaywas

noticeablypoor,hemadecrucialcontributionstoChelsea’sfinalthreevictories,includingahugelydominant7–0winagainstStoke,anervy2–0winatAnfieldandthenthetitlecelebration,therelentless8–0thrashingofWigan,thejointsecond-biggestPremierLeaguevictory.Inaverypeculiarmatch,however,Chelseaspenttheopeningperiodchasingshadows,overrunbyWigan’sunusual3–3–1–3formation,andonlydominatedaftertheiropponentswentdowntotenmen.Chelseacompletedthedoublethefollowingweekend,witha1–0victoryover

Portsmouth,whohadfinishedbottomofthePremierLeague.ThisgamewasmostsignificantforAncelotti’slaissez-fairetacticalapproach;heallowedhisplayerscompleteresponsibilityfordevisingChelsea’sstrategy,withassistantmanagerPaulClementstandingatthefrontofateammeetingandwritingtheirsuggestionsonthewhiteboard.Thisstreamofcontributionsservedastheteamtalk,andwastheperfectillustrationofAncelotti’smanagerialapproach.ThepostscripttoChelsea’s2009/10campaigninvolvestheaftermathoftheir

openingmatchof2010/11,whenAncelottiwassummonedtoAbramovich’shouse,givenadressing-downandaskedtoexplainhisside’spoorperformance.Theextraordinaryaspectofthistale,however,isthatChelseahadjustdefeatedRobertoDiMatteo’sWestBromwichAlbion6–0.Clearly,Abramovichwasbeingentirelyunreasonable.Thatsaid,thedisplay

hadn’tbeenparticularlyimpressive–theBBC’smatchreport,forexample,describeditas‘farfromacompleteperformancebyChelsea,whoattimesseemedtobegoingthroughthemotionsbeforesuddenlyraisingthetempo’,whichneatlysummarisesacoupleofheavyvictoriestowardstheendofthetitle-winningseason,particularlytheWigangameonthefinalday.It’sremarkablethatpoorperformancesoftenproducedsuchdominantvictories,butAbramovichwasstillconcernedabouttheteam’sstyle:Chelsea,particularlywhenDrogbaplayed,werestillapredominantlyphysicalsidebasedaroundindividualpowerratherthancollectiveinterplay.Ancelottihadn’tgivenChelseatheidentityAbramovichdesperatelywanted,whichprobablyexplainswhyhewassackedthefollowingsummer,despiteaperfectlyrespectablesecond-placefinish.

SixmonthsafterAncelotti’sappointmentatChelsea,ManchesterCityappointedRobertoMancini.ThetwohadplayedtogetherforItalyandregularlyfacedoneanotherascoachesintheMilanderby;theirrelationshipwaswarmandcordial,buttheywereverydifferentmanagers.Ancelottiwasthemasterman-managerandpermanentlyrelaxed,whereasManciniwasaspikeycharacter,withhisCitytenuredefinedbyfalloutswithtwostarstrikers,CarlosTevezandMarioBalotelli.MancinidearlylovedEnglishfootball.Evenpriortohisappointmentshortly

beforeChristmas2009hespokewarmlyabouthisfascinationwiththeEnglishgame,thebirthplaceoffootball,explainingwhyhe’dsurprisinglyelectedtocomeoutofretirementat37toplayfourmatchesforPeterTaylor’sLeicesterin2001.AfterhisdismissalfromInterin2008,Mancinispenta‘gapyear’learningEnglishandwatchingPremierLeaguefootball,andwaslinkedwitheveryhalf-decentjobthatemerged–including,almostinevitably,Chelsea.ButAbramovichchoseAncelotti,andthereforeMancinineededtowaitforMarkHughes’sdismissalatManchesterCitybeforerealisinghisdreamofmanaginginthePremierLeague.Cityhadundergonetwohigh-profiletakeoversintheprecedingyears,bought

firstbyThaksinShinawatra,thenbySheikhMansour;bothhadinvestedsignificantsumsofmoney,althoughthelatterhadthegreaterlong-termambitions.UponMancini’sarrival,Citywereessentiallyahalfwayhousebetweenmid-tablealso-ransandtitlechallengers.Hisfirstgameincharge,onBoxingDay2009,featuredRobinhoandCarlosTevezupfront,butthelikesofStephenIrelandandMartinPetrovinmidfield.Heneededtime–andfurthersignings–toturnCityintoseriouscontenders.WhereasAncelottipromisedpossessionplayatChelsea,Mancini

unashamedlyfocuseduponthedefence.Inadditiontoplentyofworkonthetraininggroundwithhisbackfour,heoftenprotectedthemwithnofewerthanthreedefensivemidfielders.HesignedPatrickVieirafromhisoldclubInter,andoftenfieldedthenow-immobileFrenchmanalongsidetwootherholdingmidfielders,thetough-tacklingNigeldeJongandtheultra-reliableGarethBarry.Unsurprisingly,Cityhadaninfuriatinghabitofplayingoutgoallessdrawsinbigmatches.InMancini’sfirsthalf-seasontherewere0–0sathometoLiverpoolandawayatArsenal,andbythetimehe’dbeeninchargeforjustoverayear,therehadbeenfourmore,againstTottenham,ManchesterUnited,BirminghamandArsenal,withCityrecordingnoshotsintargetinaparticularlynegativedisplayattheEmirates.Itwasn’tsimplythatCityrecordedplentyof0–0s,morethatMancinioftenseemedabsolutelydelightedwiththem.InthatgoallessdrawathometoBirmingham,hestunnedsupportersbymakingabizarresubstitutionwithtenminutesremaining–BarryreplacedTevez,aholdingmidfielderforaforward.Manciniseemedcontentwithahomegoallessdrawagainstasidewhowereeventuallyrelegated.ItfeltlikeaparodyofanItalianmanager.Thingsimprovedaheadof2010/11–DavidSilvawasrecruitedtocreatefrom

betweenthelines,Balotelliprovidedunpredictabilityupfront,whileYayaTouréwassignedfromBarcelona.However,atthispointtheIvorianwasconsideredadefensivemidfielder,andMancini’suseofhimatthetopofmidfieldwasconsideredanothersignofhisdefensiveness.Cityboastedthejoint-bestdefensiverecordalongsideChelseaandcontrolledmatchesthroughpossession,

withSilvadriftinginfieldandTevezdroppingdeep,butofferedlittlepenetration.Nevertheless,theyachievedalandmarkFACupsemi-finalvictoryoverManchesterUnitedatWembley,courtesyofanaggressive,physicalandhigh-tempoapproach,withBalotelliandTouréastheattackingpartnership.Touréscoredtheonlygoal,whichfelttypicalofthetacticalbattle–heinterceptedawaywardsidewayspassfromMichaelCarrickintendedforPaulScholes,roaredforwardandcrashedtheballhome.Itwaspoweroverprecision.Touréalsonettedthewinnerinthe1–0finalvictoryagainstStokeCity,whenCity’spressingdisruptedStoke’slong-balltactics–althoughthissuccesswasovershadowedbyManchesterUnitedclinchingtheleaguetitleonthesameday,theirfiercerivalssomehowalwaysmanagingtoupstagethem.By2011/12Mancinihadnoexcusesfornotattacking.EdinDžekohadarrived

thepreviousJanuaryand,afterhalfaseasonadjustingtothepaceofthePremierLeague,startedCity’stitle-winningcampaigningreatform,whileSamirNasriwassignedfromArsenaltoprovideball-retentionskills.Mostcrucially,SergioAgüeroarrivedfromAtléticoMadridtoplayupfront.WithTevezandBalotelliinreserve,TourédevelopinghisattackinggameandJamesMilnerprovidingbalanceoutwide,CityhadthemostimpressiveoffensiveoptionsinthePremierLeague.Mancini’ssystemwaspeculiar.Agüeropreferredplayingjustbehindaclassic

number9likeDžekoorBalotelli,butcontinuallysprintedinbehindratherthandriftingbetweenthelines.ThismeantthatCity’ssystemoftenlookedlike4–4–2,butwithSilvaandNasrimovinginsidetherewasplentyofcreativity.TourébrokeforwardfromhispartnershipwithBarry,althoughinbigmatchesManciniwouldbeefuphismidfield,introducingDeJongandmovingTouréhigher.ThereweresimilaritieswithAncelotti’sChelsea:asoliddefence,dominanceofthecentrethankstothewideplayerscominginside–Italiancoachesrarelytrustnaturalwingers–butanuncertaintyaboutthebestattackingcombination.ItwassurprisingMancinididn’tinstallDžekoandAgüeroashispermanentcentre-forwardduo;theyboastedafinerelationship,andDžekohitsixgoalsinthefirst

threegamesof2011/12,includingfourina5–1victoryatTottenham.Onthesameday,ManchesterUniteddemolishedArsenal8–2.Clearly,thetwoManchesterclubsweregoingheadtoheadforthetitle.Džekowasinandoutoftheside,however.Mancinihandedplentyof

opportunitiestothevolatileBalotelli,whowashighlyinconsistent,andTevez,whovanishedforthemajorityoftheseason.TheArgentinehadablazingrowwithManciniduringa2–0ChampionsLeaguedefeatatBayernMunich,whenTevezrefusedtowarmup.MancinisupposedlytoldTevezto‘gobacktoArgentina’;hisstrikerfollowedthoseorders,seeminglyspentafewmonthsplayinggolf,anddidn’treappearforseveralmonths.Džekowasfitfortheentirecampaignbutstartedonly16times,becomingregardedasaPlanB.AttimesMancini’stremendousfaithinBalotelli,whomhehadbrought

throughatInter,wasjustified–mostobviouslyinthehistoric6–1victoryoverManchesterUnitedatOldTraffordinOctober,althoughBalotellipreparedforthisgameintypicallyunprofessionalfashion.IntheearlyhoursofSaturdaymorninghewasforcedtoescapefroma‘substantialfire’inhishouseafterheandhisfriendshadtriedtoletofffireworksfrominsidethehousethroughthebathroomwindow,withpredictableconsequences.YettheItalianreportedfortrainingasnormal,andstartedthefollowingday’sManchesterderby.HeopenedthescoringwithaprecisefinishfromMilner’slowcross,beforebrilliantlyturningtotheTVcameraandrevealingaT-shirtthatsimplyread:‘Whyalwaysme?’Afterthatmorning’sheadlines,itwasanothergenuinelylaugh-out-loudmomentfromaplayerwhohadpreviouslyrefusedtocelebrategoals.Balotelli’sspeedsubsequentlygotUnitedcentre-backJonnyEvansdismissed

shortlyafterhalf-time,beforetheItaliandoubledCity’sleadfromanotherMilnerassist.Tactically,CityreliedonthemovementofSilvaandMilner,whodriftedtowardstheoppositeflankinturn,creatingoverloadsandplayingone-twosbeforelookingforcut-backs.InaCitysideotherwiselackingdependablepartnerships,MilnerandSilvawerealwaysonthesamewavelength.AgüeroputCity3–0ahead,beforeDarrenFletcherscoredamagnificentgoal

withtenminutesremaining,promptingUnitedtopileforwardindesperatesearchofanotherfamouscomeback.Indoingsotheyleftthemselvesunderstaffedattheback,andCitycounter-attackedtoextendthescoringthroughDžekointhe89thminuteandSilvainthe91st,beforeSilva’soutrageousvolleyedassistallowedDžekotoslamhomethesixth.‘It’sthebiggestdefeatofmycareer,’saidashockedFergusonafterwards.6–1wasanexaggeratedreflectionofthecontest,butCityhadunquestionablybeensuperior.They’dtacticallyoutclassedUnited,recordedahistoricvictory,andwentfivepointsclearatthetop.Shortlyafterwards,Balotellibecameanambassadorforfireworksafetyahead

ofBonfireNight.‘Theycanbeverydangerousiftheyarenotusedintherightway,’heconfirmed.‘Peopleshouldfollowthefireworkcode.’BalotelliprovedoneofEnglishfootball’smostcompellingcharacters,alsoreceivingattentionforhisinabilitytoputonatrainingbib,forbeingsubstitutedafterattemptingabackheeledfinishwhenthroughoneononeinafriendly,andforbeingarrestedbackinItalyforbreakingintoawomen’sprisontohavealookaround.Foralltheviralmoments,however,Balotelliwassometimesdevastatinglyeffectiveonthepitch–nevermoresothaninthatfamous6–1.Cityweretopforthemajorityofthecampaign,butappearedtohaveblown

theirtitlechanceswitharunofonevictoryfromfivematchesinspring.ButthenUnitedslippedupwithashock1–0lossatWigan,followedbyanextraordinary4–4drawwithEverton,whenthey’dled4–2withsevenminutesremaining.Withthreegamesleft,CitywerethreepointsbehindUnitedbuthadasuperiorgoaldifference–andthenextgamewastheManchesterderbyattheEtihad.ACityvictorywouldmakethemtitlefavourites,whileUnitedcouldplayforadraw.Itshowed.IntheclosestthingthePremierLeaguehaswitnessedtoagenuine

titledecider,Unitedwereastonishinglynegative.ParkJi-sungwasfieldedcentrallytonullifyTourébutperformedpoorlyandkeptlosinghisbalance,whileNasriandSilvadriftedinbehindCarrickandScholestoensureCity

dominatedthecentrealongwithAgüeroandTevez–whohadsuddenlyreappearedafterburyingthehatchetwithMancini.RyanGiggs’snarrownessonUnited’sleftopenedupspaceforCityright-backPabloZabaletatoforcespellsofpressure,andfromNasri’scornerfromthatflank,captainVincentKompanypoweredhomethecrucialwinner.Itfinished1–0,aslendervictory,butUnitedperformedconsiderablyworsethaninthe6–1.City’spenultimatevictorywasa2–0winatNewcastle,sealedafterMancini

surprisinglyintroducedDeJongforNasri,freeingTourétopushforwardandscorebothgoals.ThencamethePremierLeague’smostdramaticday.CityandUnitedwerelevelon86points,butCityboastedaconsiderablybettergoaldifference,andwereathometorelegation-threatenedQPR.Cityhadthebesthomerecordinthedivision,QPRtheworstawayrecord.Aneasyhomewinseemedinevitable.AtSunderlandWayneRooneyheadedUnitedintoanearlylead,soUnitedhad

donetheirpartandwererelyinguponQPR.City’sdisplaywasextremelynervyandtheytooknearly45minutestogoaheadthroughZabaleta.ButshortlyintothesecondhalfDjibrilCisséequalisedforQPR,whowerestilldesperatelyfightingforsurvival.Theirprospectsofbeatingthedroptookasignificanthit,however,whentheircaptainJoeyBartongothimselfdismissedforelbowingTevez,andreactedwithtypicallygoodgracebykickingAgüeroandheadbuttingKompanyonhiswayoffthepitch.QPRweresurelydoomed,with35minutesremaining,anumericaldeficitandknowingasingleconcessioncouldcondemnthemtorelegation.But,remarkably,tenminuteslatertheycounter-attackedthroughShaunWright-Phillips,whocrossedforJamieMackie’spreciseheadedgoal.QPRwere2–1ahead,andsuddenlyCityrequiredtwogoalsin25minutes.Bythisstage,thehomesidewerepanicking,butManciniintroducedDžekoin

placeofBarry,andthenBalotelli–whohadrecentlybeendismissedagainstArsenal,withMancinipromisinghe’dneverplayforCityagain–inplaceofTevez.Thesechangesprovedcrucial.Astheclockedtickedpast90minutes,ManchesterCitystilltrailed2–1.

ManchesterUnitedhadwon1–0andwerereadytocelebrateontheSunderlandpitch.ButequallycrucialwaswhathadhappenedattheBritannia,whereStoke’sJonWaltersscoredhissecondgoalofthegametoequaliseagainstformerclubBoltonWanderers.Thisisahugelyunderratedgoalintermsofitsprobablebearinguponwhatfollowed;itmeantBolton,whoneededtowintostayup,wererelegated.Onhearingthatresult,amemberofQPR’scoachingstaffshoutedacrosstohisplayers,‘We’resafe!We’resafe!’Whileit’simpossibletobecertainofthesignificanceofthatcall,itsurelyaffectedQPR’sconcentration.Still,Citystillneededtwogoalsandattackedwithincredibleforce.Theirtally

of44shotsagainstQPRisthemostinPremierLeaguehistory,and,brilliantly,theyscoredwiththeir43rdand44thattempts.First,supersubDžekopoweredhomeSilva’scorner,andthenalmostimmediatelyCityattackedonceagain.TheballfounditswaytoBalotelli,whorecordedhisfirstandonlyPremierLeagueassistbyfindingthecomposuretoslipinAgüero.TheArgentinetookatouch,steadiedhimselfandthencrashedhomethewinninggoaltosendtheentireEtihadwild.AnditwasliterallytheentireEtihad–QPRsupporters,nowassuredoftheirteam’ssurvival,decidedtocelebratethegoalforthesheerlunacyofitall.Citywerechampionsbecausetheirgoaldifferencewas12betterthanUnited’s–and,with6–1and1–0victoriesovertheircityrivals,thatexactgoaldifferencehadcomefromthosetwoManchesterderbies.InthedyingsecondsofthePremierLeague’s20thseason,thedivisionnowhadanundisputablegreatest-evermoment.YetjustlikeAncelotti,Manciniwasfiredafterasecond-placefinishthe

followingseason.WashisproblemthesameasAncelotti’s,alackofaclearidentity?Quitepossibly.Inaconfusingstatementconfirminghissacking,CitysaidMancinihadfailedtomeettargetsand,notably,‘combinedwithanidentifiedneedtodevelopaholisticapproachtoallaspectsoffootballattheclub,hasmeantthatthedecisionhasbeentakentofindanewmanager’.ThatimpliedthatCitywantedanoverarchingideology,whichMancininevertrulyprovided.

TherewasalsoanotherItaliansuccessthatseason,onealmostasdramaticasMancini’s.InMarchAbramovichdecidedtosackAncelotti’sreplacement,AndréVillas-Boas,ayoungcoachwhoseapproachtofootballcertainlypossessedaveryclearidentity–itjustdidn’tsuitChelsea’splayers.HewasreplacedonacaretakerbasisbyhisassistantRobertoDiMatteo,theformerChelseamidfielderwhohadtakenWestBromwichAlbiontothePremierLeaguebeforebeingdismissedbecauseofhisteam’sdefensiveshortcomings.Somehow,heturnedChelseaintoanextraordinarilysoliddefensivesidethatproducedanastonishinglyunlikelyChampionsLeaguevictory.Afterturningaroundatwo-goaldeficittoNapoliandeasingpastBenfica,

therecameanextraordinarytwo-leggedsemi-finalagainstPepGuardiola’sall-conqueringBarcelonaside,whowereEuropeanchampionsandoverwhelmingfavourites.PepGuardiola’sBarcaplayedsomeastonishingfootballinthefirstlegatStamfordBridge,butChelseaproducedaclassiccounter-attackingperformanceandscoredonthestrokeofhalf-time.FrankLampardplayedalong,diagonalballtotheenergeticRamires,whocrossedforDidierDrogbatoconvert.Somehow,andthankspartlytoexcellentmidfieldpositioningfromLampard,JonObiMikelandRaulMeireles,Chelseasawoutthegame1–0.Theawaylegwasevencrazier.Barcelonawentintoa2–0leadthankstogoals

fromSergioBusquetsandAndrésIniesta,whileChelseahadcaptainJohnTerrydismissedforneedlesslykneeingAlexisSánchez.Butthen,againonthestrokeofhalf-time,Chelseascoredanothercrucialgoal.AgainitinvolvedalongdiagonalfromLampardintoRamires,whothistimedidn’tlookforDrogbaandinsteadproducedawonderful,entirelyuncharacteristicchiptoputChelseaaheadonawaygoals.Itwasstillanuphillstruggle.WithTerrydismissedandGaryCahilloffinjured,ChelseawereforcedtoplayBranislavIvanovićandJoséBosingwaastheircentre-backpairing,withRamiresatright-back,whileDrogbaspentmostofthegameontheleftwing.Chelseaplayedextremelydeepandextremelynarrow,defendedbrilliantlyandwerefortunateLionelMessimisseda

penalty.Somehow,Chelseaactuallyendedupwinningthetiethankstoabreakawaygoalfromthecomicallyout-of-sortsFernandoTorres.Mostmiraculously,ChelsearepeatedthatperformanceagainstBayerninthe

final–whichwaseffectivelyanawaygame,atMunich’sAllianzArena.Thiswasanotherbacks-to-the-walldefensiveeffort,withBayernbatteringChelseathroughoutandgoingaheadlatethroughThomasMüller.Butthentheultimatebig-gameplayer,Drogba,producedathumpingnear-postheadertoequalisewithChelsea’sfirstshotontargetinthe88thminute.Extra-timewasevenmoreone-sided,andagaintheopposition’sstarplayerwastedapenalty,withex-ChelseawingerArjenRobben’seffortfoiledbyPetrČech.Itcamedowntoashootout,somethingChelseahadbadmemoriesof.But,foronce,theGermansdidn’twinonpenalties–andDrogbaconvertedthefinalspot-kicktosealabarelybelievablevictory.JustlikeManchesterUnited’striumphin1999andLiverpool’sin2005,this

wasanentirelybonkersChampionsLeaguesuccessforanEnglishside–Chelseahadbeencompletelydominated,35shotsto9,andrequiredanimprobablecomebacktowin.ThesethreevictoriessupportedtheoldclichéaboutEnglishsides:lackingintechnicalandtacticalquality,butfullofhunger,determinationandnever-say-diespirit.Chelsea,likeLiverpoolin2005,hadactuallyslippedoutsidethePremierLeague’squalifyingspotsforthefollowingseason’scompetition,althoughtheysealedtheirrequalificationasholders.YetlikeAncelottiandMancini,DiMatteodidn’tlastlong.Despitethis

ChampionsLeaguesuccess–andalsoguidingChelseatotheFACupjustbeforehand–DiMatteowasdismissedsixmonthslaterfollowingaChampionsLeaguedefeattoJuventus,whichleftChelseaonthebrinkofanearlyexit.‘Theteam’srecentperformancesandresultshavenotbeengoodenoughandtheownerandboardfeltachangewasnecessarytokeeptheclubmovingintherightdirection,’readaChelseastatement.DiMatteohadembracedmorepositivefootballforthenewseason,incorporatingrecentsigningsEdenHazardandOscarinthesamesideasJuanMata,creatingthemosttechnicallyimpressive

ChelseateamoftheAbramovichera.IntheleaguetheywerejustfourpointsbehindleadersManchesterCity,whotheywerehostingthatweekend.Itwas,amongstiffcompetition,Abramovich’sharshestsackingconsideringDiMatteo’stremendoussuccessinsuchashortperiod.2012alsosawthedepartureofanotherItalianmanager.EnglandbossFabio

Capello,whohadachievedimpressivequalifyingresultsbutwhosetacticsprovedunsuccessfulatthe2010WorldCup,resignedinFebruary.IthappenedinquiteextraordinarycircumstancesandwaslinkedtothefalloutfromJohnTerrybeingchargedwithraciallyabusingQPR’sAntonFerdinand.TerrywasstrippedoftheEnglandcaptaincypendinghistrialinthesummer,adecisionCapellodisagreedwith,andtheItalianresignedinprotest.‘IcannotpermitinterferencefromtheFAinmywork,’heexplained.Thatwasaperfectlyhonourablestance,althoughtheFA’sdecisionwassurelymorejustifiablethanCapello’sowndecisiontostripTerryofthecaptain’sarmbandtwoyearsearlieroverallegationshe’dhadanaffairwiththeex-partnerofformerChelseateammateWayneBridge.WhatevertherightsandwrongsofthetiresomedebateaboutwhetherTerry

shouldwearanarmband,CapellohadlittleimpactuponEnglishfootball.Playersdislikedhissterndisciplinarianmanner,butmorecruciallyfoundhistacticsalarminglysimple.Englandusuallyplayedaflat,boxy4–4–2,whileCapellocontinuedwithimmobiletargetmanEmileHeskeyupfrontattheWorldCup,despitetheAstonVillastrikerhittingjustthreegoalsintheprecedingPremierLeaguecampaign.It’snotablethatEngland’stwoforeigncoaches,ErikssonandCapello,havebothbeenweddedto4–4–2andtraditionalEnglishcentre-forwardsmorethananyhomegrownEnglandmanagersduringthePremierLeagueera.Meanwhileitwasdifficulttopinpointanyparticularlegacyfromthereignsof

Ancelotti,ManciniandDiMatteo–despitethefactthat,between2010and2012theywontwoleaguetitles,theChampionsLeagueandallthreeFACups.TheimpactofFrenchcoachesArsèneWengerandGérardHoullierinthelate1990s

wasclear,aswasthetransformativeeffectofIberianmanagersJoséMourinhoandRafaelBenítezinthemid-2000s.Theearly2010s,then,shouldhavebeenaboutItaliansre-educatingtheEnglishabouttactics–butteamswantedapositiveidentity,andItaliancoachesweren’tfamedforthat.Topteamsnowelsewherefortacticalinspiration:Spain.

20

Tiki-Taka

‘Ifyouarebetterthantheopponentwiththeball,youhavea79percentchanceofwinningthegame.’

BrendanRodgers

TheoverwhelmingmajorityofthePremierLeague’ssignificanttacticalinfluenceshavebeenforeign,butthere’sbeenashiftthroughthreecompletelydifferentformsofforeignrevolutionaries.Inthedivision’sformativeyearsitwaslargelyaboutthearrivalofforeign

players,withthelikesofEricCantona,DennisBergkampandGianfrancoZolaparticularlypivotal.Then,itbecameaboutforeignmanagers,withArsèneWenger,JoséMourinhoandRafaelBenítezofferingnotablelegacies:betterphysicalconditioning,newformations,moreattentionpaidtooppositiontactics.Later,however,itbecameaboutforeignteams.AsEnglishfootballbroadeneditshorizons,actuallyparticipatinginthePremierLeaguewasnolongeraprequisititeforbecomingamajorinfluenceonit.Aroundtheturnofthedecade,worldfootball’sdominantclubsideandits

dominantinternationalsidewereeffectivelythesamething.BarcelonawontheChampionsLeagueinboth2009and2011withaground-breakingsystemfeaturingLionelMessiasafalsenineandaremarkablecommitmenttothedominanceofpossession.Barcelona’splayers,albeitwithoutMessi,alsocomprisedthemajorityofSpain’sstartingXIduringthisperiod,andthenationalsideachievedthehistoricfeatofwinningthreeconsecutivemajorinternationaltournaments:Euro2008,the2010WorldCupandEuro2012.Thatfour-yearperiod,alsothefouryearswhenBarcelonawerecoachedbyPepGuardiola,sawpossessionfootballpopularisedlikeneverbefore.Thiswasahugelysignificantdevelopment.Asaplayer,Guardiolawasa

gifteddeepplaymakerwhoheldhispositionandspreadpossessionreliablyfromflanktoflank,thesymbolofBarcelona’sideals.Buthistop-levelcareerwaseffectivelyoverattheageofjust32,andhemovedtoQatarandMexicobecausenomajorEuropeanclubswantedhim.Guardiola,entirelyreasonably,blamedtheshiftingdemandsuponcentralmidfielders.‘Ihaven’tchanged…myskillshaven’tdeclined,’heclaimedina2004interviewpublishedinTheTimes.‘It’sjustthatfootballnowisdifferent,it’splayedatahigherpaceandit’salotmorephysical.Thetacticsaredifferentnow,youhavetobeaball-winner,atackler,likePatrickVieiraorEdgarDavids.Ifyoucanpasstoo,well,that’sabonus.Buttheemphasis,asfarascentralmidfieldersareconcerned,isallondefensivework…playerslikemehavebecomeextinct.’AlookacrossthePremierLeaguedemonstratedthatnicely,astherewerevery

fewgenuinedeep-lyingplaymakers.ThelikesofVieira,ClaudeMakélélé,DidiHamannandRoyKeanedominated,althoughin2004LiverpoolsignedXabiAlonso,acreativeratherthandestructivedeepmidfielder.Otherexceptionscouldbefoundatmid-tableclubs:ManchesterCity’sAmericandeep-lyingplaymakerClaudioReynawashugelyunderrated,whileBlackburn’sTugayKerimoğlualsodeservedtoplayforabiggerside.‘He’saone-off,he’screativeandadifferenttypeofplayertotheholdingplayermostteamsemploy,’saidhismanagerMarkHughes.Thatwasaprescientcomment–theresimplyweren’tmanydeep-lyingplaymakersaround.‘Peoplesaytome,“Don’tyouwishhewas10yearsyounger?”Myansweris“No,”becauseifhewas,hewouldbeatBarcelona.’Duringtheirjointspellofsuccess,BarcelonaandSpainbothfeatured,at

variouspoints,thelikesofCarlesPuyol,GerardPiqué,JordiAlba,CescFàbregas,PedroRodríguezandDavidVilla.ButthemostimportantlinkwasthewonderfulmidfieldtrioofSergioBusquets,XaviHernándezandAndrésIniesta.AllthreegrewupinBarcelona’sLaMasiaacademy,wheretheywereschooledintheimportanceofpossessionfootballthankstothelegacyofTotalFootballarchitectsRinusMichelsandJohanCruyff,andtoldtolearnfromthe

playmakingskillsofGuardiola.InBarcelona’smidfieldtrio,Busquetssatdeepandprotectedthedefence,Xaviplayedtotheright,orchestratingplay,whileIniestaslalomedforwardintoattack.Spainwereevenmoredependentuponmidfieldpassers;theirmidfieldandattackweresimilartoBarcelona’s,buttheycouldn’tcountuponMessiandthereforeutilisedanotherdeep-lyingplaymaker,XabiAlonso,withIniestamovingintotheforwardtrioalongsideVillaandPedro.BarcelonaandSpain’sgreatestlegacywasn’ttheirastonishingrunoftrophies,

butinconvincingtherestofEuropetoplaypossessionfootball.Nooneelse,however,coulddependuponanoverarchingphilosophythathadbeeninplacefordecades,andonlyBarcelonahadthefive-foot-seventriowhowere,accordingtothe2010Ballond’Orresults,theworld’sthreegreatestfootballers:Messi,IniestaandXavi.ThetwoSpanishmidfielderswereparticularlymilitantabouttheirfootballingprinciples.Iniestarecalledhisfootballingeducationwiththesimplephrase:‘Receive,pass,offer.Receive,pass,offer.’That’swhathedid,againandagainandagain,whileXavioutlinedsomethingsimilar.‘Igettheball,Ipasstheball.Igettheball,Ipasstheball.Igettheball,Ipasstheball.’Therepetitionshouldbeinfuriating,butitperfectlyreplicatedthefeelingofwatchingtheirendlesspassingmoves.Thisoverwhelmingfocusuponshortpassingbecamewidelyreferredtoas

‘tiki-taka’.ThephrasewasintendedasatermofderisionwhencoinedbyJavierClemente,whowontwoleaguetitleswithAthleticBilbao–traditionallySpanishfootball’smostdirectmajorside–inthe1980s,andwholatercoachedSpain.ClementewaseffectivelyaSpanishTonyPulis,renownedforfavouringdirectandphysicalfootball,andit’snotablehowsimilar‘tiki-taka’istothedismissiveEnglishphraseforunnecessaryshortpassing.WhenPulistookchargeofWestBromhevowednottocopypreviousmanagerswhohad‘playedtippy-tappyfootball,andnotwinningfootball’.Tiki-taka,tippy-tappy–itcametodominatefootball.Still,it’snotablethat

Spain’sWorldCup-winningmanagerVicentedelBosquereferredtotiki-takaas

‘asimplification’whileGuardiolawasevenmoredismissive.‘Iloatheallthatpassingforthesakeofit,allthattiki-taka.It’ssomuchrubbish,’hesaid.‘Ihatetiki-taka.Tiki-takameanspassingtheballforthesakeofit,withnoclearintention,andit’spointless.Don’tbelievewhatpeoplesay,Barçadidn’tdotiki-taka!’Thisfeltlikeamusicianunsuccessfullyclaimingtheiroutputdidn’tconformtoanyparticulargenre,andthetermstuck.Barcelonaplayed,bycommonconsent,tiki-taka.MessiwasunquestionablyBarcelona’sbestplayer,buthewasaclassic

superstar,anattackerwhocoulddribblepastopponentsrepeatedlyandscorerelentlessly.Xavi,however,wasdoingsomethingentirelydifferent–playingshort,safe,sidewaysballs,butdominatingbigmatchesandensuringhisteamwerealwaysincontrol.Footballhistoryislitteredwithsolid,reliablemidfielderswhoallowedtalentedattackerstoshine,butXaviwasalwaysbuildingplaysubtlyandmethodically,slowlycarvingopponentsapart.Predictably,however,hisstylewasn’tinitiallyappreciatedinEngland.When

XaviappearedinaphotoalongsideMessi,Kaká,FernandoTorresandCristianoRonaldoataceremonytocrownRonaldo2008FIFAWorldPlayeroftheYear,theDailyMail’spitifulheadlinewas:‘Thebestplayersintheworld(andXavi)’.OverthenextcoupleofyearsXavicompletelydominatedalmosteverybigmatchheparticipatedin,andtheMailwasforcedintoagrovellingapology.‘Inapreviousedition,wemayhavegiventheimpressionthatXaviwasn’tuptoit,’itread.‘NowheisKingXavi,passmasterofBarcelona…forprovinguswrong,wesaluteyou.’WeweresuddenlyalllivinginaXaviworld.NewcastlemidfielderYohanCabaye,whoconsideredXavithegreatestplayer

around,onceheardhimsayhewanted100touchesoftheballpergame.Cabayeadoptedthatapproach,seekingouthispassingnumberaftereverymatch–justonesmallexampleofXavi’shugeinfluenceuponEuropeanfootball.Simplykeepingtheball,ratherthanattemptingtodoanythingspectacular,wasconsideredmoreimportantthanever,andXaviwasthemostinfluentialplayerofhisgeneration.He,likeMessiandIniesta,wasnoticeablydiminutive–somuch

forGuardiola’spreviousdeclarationthatfootballhadbecomeallaboutphysicality.Xavichangedfootball.‘Hehelpedustobuild,ortosee,anewplayerprofilethatendeduprunningthroughalllevelsofthenationalteam,’saidfutureSpainmanagerJulenLopetegui.‘Hekilledoffthemythofphysicalitybeingaboveallelseandopenedpeople’seyestothequalitiesofsmall,technicalplayers,provingthatyoucanattackandalsodefendwiththeball.’EnglandmercifullyavoidedSpainatinternationaltournamentsduringthis

period,butBarcelonaregularlydefeatedEnglishoppositionintheChampionsLeague,eliminatingChelseain2009andArsenalinboth2010and2011.Mostnotable,however,weretheirtwovictoriesinthe2009and2011finalsofthiscompetitionagainstManchesterUnited.ThefirstsuccesscameafterGuardiolasurprisedSirAlexFergusonwithhis

useofMessi,previouslyconsideredaright-winger,inafalseninerole.Barcawentaheadagainsttherunofplay,butwhenUnitedchasedthegameandendedupina4–2–4shapewithWayneRooney,CristianoRonaldo,CarlosTevezandDimitarBerbatovacrossthefrontline,theywerecompletelyoverwhelmedinmidfieldandwellbeaten2–0.Twoyearslater,withMessiestablishedasafalsenine,RooneynotmarkingBusquetsproperlyandUnitedusingtheimmobilecentralmidfieldduoofMichaelCarrickandRyanGiggs,theywereagainoverruninmidfield.3–1didn’taccuratelyreflectBarça’sdominance.Incredibly,Barcelona’smostfrequentpassingcombinationwasXavipassingtoIniesta33times,whileUnited’swasNemanjaVidićpassingsidewaystocentre-backpartnerRioFerdinand10times.ThethreeBarçamidfielders,Busquets,XaviandIniesta,allclaimedanassist.Thethreeforwards,Messi,PedroandVilla,allscored.Guardiolahadcreatedabeautifullybalancedsidethattookpossessionfootballtonewlevels.Inthatsecondfinaldefeat,United’sattemptedtoengageBarcelonatoohigh

upthepitch,withVidićandFerdinandinstructedtoholdarelativelyhighdefensiveline.Neitherwerehappywiththatapproach,withthelatterinfuriatingFergusonbyopenlyquestioninghistactics.Butaheadofa2013meetingwith

RealMadrid,Ferguson’slastEuropeantie,headmittedtohisplayersthathistacticsagainstBarcelonainthesefinalshadbeenwrong.Asimplepassagefromhisautobiographyspeaksvolumes.DiscussingthewayUniteddefendedextremelydeepinthe2008semi-finalvictoryoverBarça,Fergusonsayssimply:‘Wemighthavedonethatagaininthe2009and2011finals,hadInotbeendeterminedtowinthosegamesourway.’Fergusonlethisheartrulehisheadand,havingclinchedtheChampionsLeagueinsomewhatfortunatecircumstancesinboth1999and2008,wasdeterminedtotriumphinamannerthataccuratelyreflectedUnited’sfootballingprinciples.

Barcelona’s2011victorywasalsonotableforPaulScholesgettinga13-minuterun-outwhenthecontestwaseffectivelydead.Atfull-timeheswappedshirtswithIniesta,paradedaroundtheWembleypitchinaBarcelonashirtandlaterannouncedhisretirementfromprofessionalfootball.Therewasagushingstreamoftributesforhispossessionplay,ledbytheBarcelonaplayerswhohadjustdefeatedhim.‘Ifhe’dbeenSpanish,’saidXavi,‘hemighthavebeenratedmorehighly.’ButScholeswasonlyconsideredatrueworld-classperformeronceXaviandhisfellowSpaniardshadpopularisedthetypeofpossessionfootballheepitomisedduringhisfinalfewseasons.Scholeswasawonderfullytalentedfootballer,buttheincredibleexplosionin

hisreputationuponretirementdemonstratesthisentirelynewperceptionofmidfielders.HewasnowcastasamidfielderreveredacrossEuropebutcruellyunappreciatedinhishomeland,resultinginacompletelyrevisionistaccountofhisleft-sidedpositioningatEuro2004,asoutlinedinChapter15.ForalltheglowingtributesofferedbythelikesofXavi,IniestaandZinedineZidane,Ballond’OrvotingfiguressuggestScholeswasneverconsideredatrulyeliteplayerthroughouthissupposedpeakyears.Whilenominatedforthe50-manshortlistin2000,2001,2003,2004and2007,heneverreceivedavote–notasinglevotefromanymemberofthejudgingpanelinanyyear–whichputshimbehindsomewhatforgettablePremierLeagueplayerslikeAdrianMutu,Karel

PoborskýandPapaBoubaDiopintheall-timeBallond’Orvotingstakes.Themodest,shymidfielderwasn’tthetypetoworryaboutawardsandhe

acceptedhislackofindividualhonourswithgoodgrace.Afterhisretirement,whenaskedwhetherhewasdisappointednevertohavewontheBallond’Or,hewastypicallydroll.‘Iwasn’teventhebestplayerinthedressingroomatManchesterUnited,’headmitted.‘Soitwouldhavebeenpushingittomakeaclaimtobethebestfootballerintheworld.’Ofcourse,theveryfactthatScholeswasaskedaboutnotwinningtheaward–whenheneverevenreceivedasinglevote–saysmuchabouthowhisstatussoared.WhileScholesenjoyedseveralfineseasons–1998/99,2002/03and2006/07

wereparticularlyimpressive–hisbestManchesterUnitedformwasarguablyaround2010,bywhichtimehe’dretreatedintoawithdrawnroledirectlyinfrontofthedefence.HewonPlayeroftheMonthinAugust2010followingsomeoutstandingdisplayspackedwithbrilliantdiagonalballs,promptingbizarrediscussion–becauseitwassevenmonthsearly–aboutwhetherheshouldwinFootballeroftheYear,underlininghowhislackofindividualawardssuddenlybecomeanissue.Possessionfootballwasinvogue,itsuitedScholes’sfootballingintelligencewonderfully,andduringthefirstfewweeksof2010/11heexertedaninfluencegreaterthananydeep-lyingplaymakerinPremierLeaguehistory,withthearguableexceptionofXabiAlonsoatLiverpool.ThiswaswronglyinferredtohavebeenScholes’sstylethroughouthiscareer,

however.Beforehandhecouldn’tplaysodeepbecausethatrolewasconsideredtobeabouttackling,andacoupleofyearslatertheriseofheavypressingwouldhaveaffectedhisabilitytodominatematches.Butaround2010cametheperfectstormofScholesathismostexperiencedandfootballatitsmostpossession-based.‘Peopleassociatemewithwithstartingattacksbyknockinglongballs,’Scholessaid.‘ItbecamesomethingofatrademarkoverthelastfewyearswhenIwasn’tscoringsomanygoals.’It’sworthremembering,ofcourse,thatheinitiallyplayedinsuchanadvancedpositionthatUnitedfanssang‘PaulScholes,hescoresgoals’.BythetimeScholesbecameuniversallycelebrated

towardstheendofhiscareerhedidn’tscoregoalsatall–althoughadmittedly‘heassistsgoals’orthemoreaccurate‘heplaystheinitialdiagonalpassesoutwide,allowingthewingerstopushforwardandcreategoals’don’tscanparticularlywell.AfterinitiallyquittingfootballaftertheChampionsLeagueFinal,showered

withpraisebyworld-renownedopponents,Scholeswasonlyawayforhalfaseasonbeforereturningforanother18-monthstintwithUnited.Whilereversingaretirementdecisioniscommoninothersports,it’sdifficulttothinkofanothertop-levelfootballerinthemodernerawhohasmadesuchacomeback.Scholesshockreturnwassurelybecauseherealisedhistalentsweremoreindemandthanever,despitethefactthathewasnow37.ConsideringGuardiolawasinchargeofBarcelonabythatage,afterhistop-levelplayingcareerendedat31,therehadbeenaquiteextraordinarychangeoverthecourseofadecade,ashifttotechnicalratherthanphysicalqualities.Scholesexcelledthroughout2012beforeretiringforasecondtimeattheendof2012/13,againasaleaguechampion.ThiscoincidedwithFerguson’sretirement–andEnglishfootball’smostsuccessfulmanagerusedhisretirementspeechtopayparticulartributetoScholes.CompareScholes’sdeparturetothemannerother‘goldengeneration’players

leftEnglishfootball,andthere’sanenormouscontrast.DavidBeckhamwassoldhavingbeendroppedbyFerguson,StevenGerrardwasawkwardlyshiftedasideamidtalkofhisfamousslipagainstChelsea,FrankLampardhadanill-advised,controversialloanspellatManchesterCity,AshleyColefoundhimselfonChelsea’sbench,MichaelOwenbarelygotagameforStoke,RioFerdinandwasrelegatedwithQPR,GaryNevilleretiredafterapoorperformanceatWestBromhavingrealisedhecouldnolongercompeteatthetop,SolCampbellwascompletelyunfitthroughoutashortspellatNewcastle,OwenHargreavesspententireseasonsonthetreatmenttableandJoeColeendedupatthird-tierCoventryCity.Thesewereonceworld-classplayers,buttheysufferedentirelyundignifiedendingstotheircareer.ByvirtueofScholestwicebowingoutona

high,atatimewhenEnglishfootballhadlearnedtoappreciateplayersinhismould,hislegacywasn’tsimplypreserved,butactuallyenhanced.Scholeswasalwaysafineplayer,butonlyinatiki-taka,Xavifiedworldwasheconsideredatruegreat.Asimilar,iflessspectacular,late-careerrenaissancewasenjoyedbyMikel

Arteta.TheSpanishcentralmidfielder,achildhoodfriendofXabiAlonsoinSanSebastián,waseducatedatBarcelonabetweentheagesof15and20andwasanotherwhobasedhisgamearoundpassing,idolisingGuardiola.AfterspellsinScotlandandFrancehejoinedEverton,wherehewasconsideredaforward-thinkingmidfielderandsometimesfieldedontherightflank.HismovetoArsenalin2011,inthewakeofCescFàbregasdecampingtoGuardiola’sBarcelona,meantArtetabecameappreciatedlikeneverbefore.Hewasn’taworld-classplayerandwasnevercappedbySpain,buthisimpactuponArsenalshouldn’tbeunderestimated.HesignedshortlyaftertheirlowestpointinthePremierLeagueera,theirastonishing8–2losstoManchesterUnitedinAugust2011,whentheywereashamblesandhugeoutsidersforaChampionsLeagueplace.ButArteta’sfootballingintelligence,hispassingqualityandmethodical,patient,Xavi-esqueuseoftheballmeantArsenalbecamesolid,steadilyimprovedandeventuallyconfirmedtheirtop-fourplaceattheexpenseofTottenham.ArsenalhadavertedtheirfirstgenuinecrisisunderArsèneWenger,largelythankstothefootballingintelligenceofaSpanishpassingmidfielder.LikeScholes,Artetainitiallyplayedalongsideasturdierholdingplayer,beforeeventuallybecominghisside’sdeepestmidfielder.HebecameArsenal’sclubcaptain,beforeannouncinghisretirementin2016afterreceivingacoachingofferhecouldn’tturndown–fittingly,fromGuardiola.Thisperiodofpossessionplaywasn’tallaboutmidfieldersbecomingball-

hoarders,however–itwasaboutentireteamsholdingontotheballforlongerperiodsandattackinginaconsiderablymorepatientmanner.Thisshiftmustbeconsideredalongsidetheincreasingdependenceuponclubanalysts,whoreveredBarça’sdominanceandendedupfocusingtoomuchuponpassingfigures.‘Itis

importantnottogettoocarriedawaywiththenumbers.Theyareatool–theyshouldn’tbecomeanobsession,’warnedCarloAncelotti.‘Atonetimeitwasallaboutpossession,withalltheanalystsconcentratinguponthat.Why?Becauseitwassomethingtheycouldmeasure.ButasAlbertEinsteinsaid,“Noteverythingthatcanbecountedcounts,andnoteverythingthatcountscanbecounted.”Possessionalonedoesn’twinthegame.’Thatmightsoundobvious,butduringthisperioditbecamecommonfor

managerstocitepassingstatisticsandpossessionpercentages.ManagerofWestBromwichAlbionRobertoDiMatteoonceravedaboutthenumberofpassesBarçahadplayedinarecentmatch,beforepromisinghisteamwasworkingtowardsimprovingtheirtally.Beforethispossessionerasuchnumberswouldhavebeenconsideredirrelevant;whoknewhowmanypassespergameBarcelona–oranyone–played?Now,everyPremierLeaguemanagerdid.WhenDavidMoyesreplacedFergusonatManchesterUnitedhespecificallyfocuseduponpassingfigures,asRioFerdinandrecalledwithsomebemusement.‘He’dsay,“TodayIwantustohave600passesinthegame.Lastweekitwasonly400.”Whocares?I’dratherscorefivegoalsfrom10passes.’Whilepassingstatisticsconcerningindividualteamsprovedproblematic,

passingstatisticsforthePremierLeagueoverallemphasisedthesignificantshifttowardsapossession-basedstyle.From2003/04to2013/14thepass-completionrateinthePremierLeagueimprovedfrom70percentto81percent,ahugeriseinadecade.Thatobviouslytranslatestoaround1percenteachyear,butafurtherbreakdownrevealsaparticularperiodofprogression.Inthethreeyearsfrom2003/04to2006/07itrosejust1percentintotal,whereasinthetwoyearsfrom2009/10to2011/12itjumped6percent.WhilethePremierLeague’stacticaldevelopmentisusuallyaboutthetop

clubs,that6percentjumpowedmuchtothedivision’slesserlights.In2009/10,eightsides–Stoke,Bolton,Blackburn,Sunderland,Hull,Birmingham,WolvesandBurnley–recordedapasscompletionrateoflessthan70percent.By2011/12onlyonewasunderthatfigure–Stoke–andevenPulis’ssidehad

improvedtheirfigurebyanabove-average7percent.Thiswasaleague-widestrategicshifttowardstheSpanishmodel,andinthosetwoseasonsofrapidpasscompletionprogress,twoPremierLeaguenewcomersprovedparticularlyfascinating.

ThefirstexamplewasIanHolloway’sBlackpool,whosurprisinglyachievedpromotionthroughtheplay-offsin2010andstartedtheirinauguralPremierLeaguecampaignasfavouritesforrelegation.‘AfterwatchingtheWorldCup,I’verealisedthatweneedtogetmorelikeSpain,’Hollowaydeclaredbefore2010/11.‘Iwouldn’tliketotryandgettheballoffthem,andwewanttobemorelikethat…youhavetocaresstheball,youhavetoloveitandyoumustnotgiveittoanyoneelse.’Thecharismatic,slightlybonkersHollowaywantedBlackpooltodominatepossession,andhisreferencestoSpanishfootballbecameacommontheme.Afteranimpressive2–0victoryatNewcastleinearlySeptemberhereturnedtothesubject.‘You’vegottolookattiki-taka,you’vegottolookatSpain,howtheypasstheball,howtheykeeptheball,’hesaid.‘Theyarelittleguyswhorunaroundpassingandtheyarequitebrilliant.What’swrongwithus,whycan’twedoit?IwantmyteamtobemorelikeSpain!’Hollowayalwaysusedthreecentralmidfielders,eitherina4–3–3ora4–2–3–

1formation,andstretchedtheplayonbothflanks.Hiswideforwardswerelocatedbythelaser-sharp,long-rangediagonalballsofCharlieAdam,Blackpool’sstarman.TheScottishmidfielderwasacuriousplayer;heboastedanabsolutelywonderfulleftfootandanextensivepassingrange,butlackedathleticismandstruggledtogetaroundthepitch.Holloway,therefore,constructedasystemthatallowedhimtoexhibithisstrengthswithoutexposinghisweaknesses.WhenAdamcollectedtheballfromdeep,hismidfieldcolleagueswouldpushforwardintoattack.Whenhefoundhimselfinanadvancedposition,theothertwowouldprovidedefensivebalance.Hehadfreereintomovewhereverheliked,intheknowledgethattwoteammateswouldactasthecounterweight.

Constructingasideunashamedlyaroundoneplayerseemsalarminglysimple,butinthefirsthalfof2010/11thisworkedbrilliantlyforBlackpool.Attheturnoftheyeartheywereseventh,ahugelyimpressivepositionforsuchasmallclub–whohad,forexample,atotalofonefull-timescoutonthelookoutfornewplayers.Adamwasbrieflyamongthemostreveredplayersintheleague,launchingasuccessionofdiagonalpassestowardsBlackpool’swidemenandprovidingagreatset-piecethreat.OnawindyJanuaryeveningatBloomfieldRoadBlackpoolledeventualchampionsManchesterUnited2–0athalf-time,withAdampingingbrilliantdiagonalballstowardsthetouchlinesandfizzinginset-pieces.Unitedrecoveredtowin3–2,butFergusonwastakenabackbyAdam’squality.‘Thefirsthalfwewerebattered,andwecouldn’thandleCharlieAdam,’hesaid,beforemischievouslyadding,amidreportsthatBlackpoolhadturneddownanofferfromLiverpool,‘Hiscornerkicksareworth£10malone’.AdameventuallymovedtoLiverpoolthatsummer,somewhatoptimisticallybilledasabelatedreplacementforXabiAlonso.InthesecondhalfofthatcampaignatBlackpool,however,Adamand

Blackpool’sformdippedalarmingly.Adam’sconcentrationwasclearlyaffectedbyrumoursofhisdeparture,andhebecamecarriedawaywithhisprivilegedroleinBlackpoolside’s.Weirdly,hestartedtoregularlyshootfromthehalfwayline.HecertainlyhadtherangefortheseBeckham-esqueattempts,andnettedforStokeCityinpreciselythatmannerawayatChelseafouryearslater,butatBlackpoolhewastryingiteveryotherweek.Intermsofhispassing,opponentsgotwisetoBlackpool’sdependenceupononeman,concentrateduponnullifyinghim,andafterChristmasHolloway’ssidewonjustthreegames.Theirdefensiveshortcomingswereimpossibletoignore–theyconceded,onaverage,morethantwogoalspergameandwereeventuallyrelegatedafterafinal-daydefeatatOldTrafford.‘ThefatladyhasfinishedsingingandunfortunatelyIdon’tlikehertune,’Hollowaymused.‘That’sitinfootball–you’refamousfortwosecondsandthenyou’regone.’ThiswasparticularlytrueinthecaseofBlackpool,whofoundthemselvesinthefourthtierby2016/17afterdespicablefinancial

managementbytheirowners.Anothernorth-westclubwhoreceivedravereviewsfortheirpossessionplay

in2010/11wereOwenCoyle’sBoltonWanderers–largelyonthebasisofoneexcellentteamgoalagainstBlackpool,roundedoffbymidfielderMarkDavies.Coylewaslargelycreditedwithoverhaulingthelong-balllegacyofSamAllardyce,brieflybeingspokenaboutasapotentialsuccessortoArsèneWenger.Butstatisticssuggestedthissupposedrevolutionwasamirage;Boltonhadthefourth-lowestpossessionshareandthethird-lowestpasscompletionrateinthedivision.Theyplayedthethird-fewestnumberofshortpasses,butthefourth-highestnumberoflongballs.Theywerestillbasedaroundphysicalfootball–theymadethemosttackles,committedthemostfoulsandhadthejoint-bestaerialsuccessrate.ItwasessentiallystillAllardyce-esquefootball,andCoylewasunhappywhenpresentedwiththesefacts,simultaneouslyquestioningthevalidityofstatisticswhileclaiminghisstatisticsshowedsomethingentirelydifferent.ButBoltonevidentlyhadn’tembracedapossession-basedmodel,thisspellofpraisewasshort-livedandtheywererelegatedthefollowingseason.2011/12,however,featuredanexcellentpassingsidewithagenuinely

promising,upwardlymobileyoungmanager.SucceedingBlackpoolasChampionshipplay-offwinnerswereSwanseaCity,whohadrisenthroughthedivisionsimpressively,havingnarrowlyavoidedrelegationfromtheentireFootballLeaguewithafinal-dayvictoryoverHullCityin2002/03.NineseasonslatertheywereinthePremierLeague.Theirdefiningfeaturethroughoutthisrisewasanunwaveringcommitmenttotechnical,positivepossessionfootball,whichbeganwithKennyJackettbetween2004and2007,beforehewasreplacedbyRobertoMartínez,whohadspentthreeseasonsplayingcentralmidfieldfortheclub.SwanseawasMartínez’sfirstmanagerialrole,andtheCatalanwasappointedbecauseheperfectlyunderstoodthefootballingcultureSwanseaweretryingtocreate.MartínezleftforWiganin2009,bringinghisopen,attack-mindedfootballtothePremierLeague.Meanwhile,hissuccessorBrendanRodgerstookSwansea’semphasisonpossessiontoanentirelynew

level.Stylistically,Rodgersisthemost‘foreign’BritishmanagerthePremier

Leaguehasseen.Hisprofessionalplayingcareerendedat20becauseofacongenitalkneecondition,butRodgerswasdeterminedtomakeaseriousimpactonBritishfootball.‘Myideologywas,“OK,I’mnotgoingtohaveaninfluenceonthegameasaplayer,technicallyortactically.CanIdoitasacoach?”MyobjectivewastoshowthatBritishplayerscouldplayfootball.’RodgersparticularlyadmiredtheSpanishmodel,longbeforetheirdominanceatinternationallevel,andspentextendedperiodsinthatcountryfurtheringhiscoachingeducation.HisidealweekendinvolvedflyingintoBarcelonaonaSaturdayevening,spendingtheSundaywatchingBarça’syouthmatches,headingtotheNouCamptoobservethefirstteam,thenflyinghome.HevisitedthetraininggroundsofValencia,SevillaandBetis,alwayspinpointingclubswhoemphasisedalong-term,possession-based,collectivefootballstyleandregularlypromotedyouthproducts–inotherwords,hedidn’tbotherwithRealMadrid.HetookSpanishlessonsforsevenyears,consciousthatamovetoSpainmightsuithiscoachingcareer,andhealsopaidcloseattentiontothelikesofAjaxandFCTwenteintheNetherlands.Rodgers’bigbreak,however,camewhenJoséMourinhorecruitedhimas

Chelsea’syouthteamcoachin2004.Althoughpossessingverydifferentfootballingphilosophies,RodgerswasparticularlydelightedtobeworkingunderamanwholearnttheropesfromLouisvanGaalatBarça.‘Barcelonahasbeenmyinspiration,Ineverrunawayfromthat,’hesays.‘Ispentmanyyearstravellingthere,learningaboutthemodelofLouisvanGaalandJohanCruyff.’Rodgers,therefore,wastheperfectPremierLeaguemanageratapointwhentheBarcelonamodelwasoverwhelminglycelebrated–andhe,likeHolloway,usedthephrase‘tiki-taka’torefertohisfootballingapproach.Youdidn’tneedtoknowaboutRodgers’loveofSpain,however,tograspSwansea’scommitmenttopossession.TheseasonbeforeSwansea’spromotion,2010/11,therewasastrong

correlationbetweenpossessionstatisticsandleagueposition.Thetopsix–ManchesterUnited,Chelsea,ManchesterCity,Arsenal,TottenhamandLiverpool–werealsothesixteamswhoenjoyedthelongestperiodsontheball.ButSwanseacompletelysmashedthislink;intheirdebutcampaign,2011/12,theirpossessionaverageof56percentwasthethird-highestintheleague,behindArsenalandManchesterCity–andtheybothoutpassed,andoutscored,thosetwosidesattheLibertyStadium,winning3–2and1–0respectively.Swanseaofferedlittlephysicalthreat–theywonthefewestaerialduelsinthePremierLeagueandcommittedthefewestfouls.Itwasallaboutpassing,andSwanseastampedtheirauthorityuponmatchesinremarkablefashion.Theyfinishedtheseasonin11thplace,aconsiderablyimpressiveachievementforasmallclubboastinglittletop-flightexperienceandsomewhatmodestresources.Swanseadidn’tevenhavetheirowntrainingground,sharingthefacilitiesofGlamorganHealthandRacquetsClub.LikeBlackpool,Swanseaplayed4–3–3or4–2–3–1,alwayspackingthree

technicalmidfieldersintothecentreofthepitch,whileNathanDyerandScottSinclairstayedwide,stretchingtheplayratherrunninginbehind.Theirpassingstartedfromtheback.DutchmanMichelVormwasshorterthanmostPremierLeaguegoalkeepers–justsixfoot–butwasrecruitedbecausehewasextremelycomfortableinpossession.Centre-backAshleyWilliamsusuallyplayedthemostpasses,butoneoftheirkeypasserswas,surprisingly,right-backÀngelRangel.TheSpaniardwasathoughtful,intelligentdistributoroftheball,oftenholdinghispositionanddictatingplayratherthancontinuallyoverlapping.Buttherewereinevitablymistakesattheback,withRangelguiltyofthemostglaringexamplewhenSwansealost1–0toManchesterUnitedinNovember.JavierHernández’swinnercamedirectlyfromamistakebytheright-back,whoplayedaweakpassinadangerousposition,allowingRyanGiggstointercept.Rodgersrefusedtocriticisehim.‘ÀngelRangelwasterrific,there’snoblameattachedtohimforgivingtheballawaybecauseIaskmyplayerstoplayfootball,’hedeclared.‘Ifthereisanyblame,itistome.Iaskmyplayerstoplayandpassthe

balloutratherthankickitupthefield.’Rodgersacceptedtheoddmistake,believingSwansea’soverallcontrolofmatchesmadetheriskworthwhile.WhileBlackpool’sstarplayer,Adam,wasallaboutsprayingambitious

diagonalballstowardstheflanks,Swansea’skeymanwasLeonBritton,thedivision’sshortestplayerandthesafestpasseraround.Hispasscompletionrateof93.4percentwasthehighestinthePremierLeague,andafurtherbreakdownofhiscontributionsrevealspreciselyhowcommittedhewastokeepingpassingmovesflowing.Heplayed2,258passesin2011/12,butonlyonesuccessfulthrough-ball,andonlytenofthosepassesresultedintherecipientattemptingashot.Brittonendedtheseasonwithoutanassist,andalsofailedtoscore,whichwasunsurprisingconsideringheonlyshotfourtimesin36games.Hehadonejob:short,sidewayspassing.Swansea’sstylewasmisunderstood,however,astheywerefrequentlypraised

fortheir‘attackingfootball’.Technicalfootball?Yes.Possessionfootball?Yes.Butattackingfootball?Farfromit.FurtherstatisticsrevealedSwansea’scompletelackofattacking;despitesuchimpressivefiguresintermsofballretention,theyhadthefifth-fewestshots(andshotsontarget)inthePremierLeague,andnosidescoredinfewermatches–Swanseafailedtonetin15oftheir38games.Instead,Swansea’sfootballwasbetterasadefensivetool,asonlythreesideskeptmorecleansheets.‘Ourwayofdefendingistohavetheball,’explainedRodgers.Swanseawould

keeptheballforextraordinarilylongperiodsindeeppositions,simplypassingbetweentheirdefendersandmidfielderswithoutseekingtopenetratetheopposition.‘Mytemplateforeverythingisorganisation,’Rodgerscontinued.‘Withtheballyouhavetoknowthemovementpatterns,therotation,thefluidityandpositioningoftheteam.Thenthere’sourdefensiveorganisation,soifitisnotgoingwellwehaveadefaultmechanismwhichmakesushardtobeatandwecanpassourwayintothegameagain.’Theconceptofusingpossessionfordefensivepurposeswasn’tarevelation–holdingontotheballtopreservealeadwasanestablishedtactic–butbystartingmatcheswithsuchaconservative

approachinpossession,SwanseawereverydifferentfromanythingthePremierLeaguehadpreviouslywitnessed,andtheclosestthingtoSpain.ShortlyafterSwansea’sdebutcampaignSpainwontheirthirdstraight

internationaltournamentatEuro2012,courtesyofevenmorecautiouspossessionplay.ThisbroughtcriticalremarksfromArsèneWenger,themanusuallysoenthusiasticaboutpossession.‘Theyhavebetrayedtheirphilosophyandturneditintosomethingmorenegative,’hecomplained.‘Originallytheywantedpossessioninordertoattackandwinthegame;nowitseemstobefirstandforemostawaynottolose.Theyhavebecomemoreconservative,andtheydon’twanttogivetheballupbecausetheydon’twanttogiveyouachancetoscore.’That’salsoaperfectdescriptionofSwansea’sapproachunderRodgers,whovisitedSpain’sEuro2012trainingsessions,keentolearnmoreideasfromhisfavouritefootballingnation.Swansea’scaution,however,onlybecameobviouswhenwitnessingthem

repeatedlyorbycomparingtheirstatisticswithPremierLeaguerivals,andoppositionsupporterswererathertakenwithSwansea’sphilosophy.Aftera3–0victoryatCravenCottage,forexample,theirplayerswereenthusiasticallyapplaudedoffthepitchbyFulhamfans,whichhadbecomesucharegularoccurrencethatRodgersoccasionallygotcarriedaway.‘ItisgreatforthepublichereatSunderlandtoseeus,’hebeamedafteratriptotheStadiumofLight.‘Theymusthavebeenwonderingwhatthisteameveryoneistalkingaboutareallabout–andnowtheyhaveseen.Wewerewonderful.’Histeamhadjustlost2–0.ToRodgersitwasabouttheprocessasmuchastheoutcome.Hewasan

ambitiousyoungmanagerwhoarrivedinthePremierLeagueattheperfecttime,whenpossessionwasreveredlikeneverbeforeaestheticallyandwasconsideredcrucialforwinningmatches.OneofthegroundsthatSwanseawereapplaudedoffwasAnfield.‘Thatwasreallytouching,’saidRodgers,‘becausethatissuchanhistoricground.’Thatovationwouldproveparticularlyprescient.

21

Assisters&FalseNines

‘Iprefertocallmyselfa“9andahalf”.’

RobinvanPersie

Theincreasedemphasisuponpassingqualitywasparticularlyobviousduringthispossession-basedperiod,butitwasalsoalong,gradualprocessthatoccurredoverthecourseofthePremierLeagueera.Assessingthisdevelopmentinapositionalsensesuggestsitoriginatedattheback,beforeslowlyworkingitswayforward.ThePremierLeague’sfirsttacticaldevelopmentcamefromtheback-passrule

forcinggoalkeeperstoparticipateinpassingmoves,whiletheknock-oneffectofdefendersbecomingball-playersquicklybecameobvious.Later,centralmidfielderswereincreasinglyconsideredinball-playingtermsratherthantheold-fashionedEnglishidealsofgettingaroundthepitchandbattlinghard.Itwasinevitable,therefore,thattherewasalsoashifttowardsreliablepassersamongattackingmidfieldersandcentre-forwards.TheevolutionofattackingmidfieldersduringthisperiodofSpanish

dominancewasepitomisedbythearrival,inthreeconsecutivesummersbetween2010and2012,ofthreetrulyoutstandingSpanishplaymakers:DavidSilvajoinedManchesterCity,JuanMatamovedtoChelsea,whileArsenalsignedSantiCazorla.Allthreeparticipatedintheirnationalteam’striumphs:Silvaplayedapartinthreestraightsuccesses,Cazorlamissedthe2010WorldCupthroughinjurybutwontheEuropeanChampionshipsin2008and2012,whileMatawasinvolvedinboth2010and2012.NoneofthetriowasamongSpain’smostreveredmidfielders,andonlySilvawasaregular,buttheywereneverthelesshugelytalentedcreatorsandneattechnicianswhofoundpocketsofspaceintelligentlyandslippedthrough-ballsbetweendefenders.Thiswasthe

PremierLeague’ssecond‘betweenthelines’revolution.Thefirst,ofcourse,hadtakenplacearound15yearsbeforehandwiththe

arrivalofEricCantona,DennisBergkampandGianfrancoZola.Therewerediscernibledifferences,however;thosethreeweredeep-lyingforwardswhofoundthemselvesmarginalisedinothercountriesandtookrefugeinEngland,andwhowereallsurprisinglyphysical.DefendersremarkeduponCantona’sheight,uponBergkamp’ssurprisingstrength,uponZola’sunrivalledabilitytoshieldtheball.Silva,MataandCazorlawereverydifferent.Theywereunquestionablymidfieldersratherthanforwards,theyconsideredamovetothePremierLeagueanaturalstepupfromtheirpreviousclubsandtheywerediminutivefootballersliabletobeingoutmuscled.Thesethreeweren’tidentical.Silvawasthemosteffectiveatplayingthrough-

balls,MataamoreprolificgoalscorerandCazorlasuperioratcontrollingthegamefromdeeperpositions.Buttherewereobvioussimilarities.AllhademergedfromaSpanishfootballingculturethatwas–despiteBarcelona’sinsistenceupon4–3–3–largelybasedaroundthe4–2–3–1.AlthoughthathadbecomeanestablishedformationinEnglishfootball,inpartthankstoRafaelBenítez,itwasoftensimplyaglorified4–4–1–1,withwidemidfieldersshuttlingupanddownthepitchasthey’dalwaysdone.InSpaintheattackingbandofthreeoperatedwithmorefreedomandinterchangedpositionsfluidlyastheirteamheldontopossessionforlongerperiods.Indeed,SilvaandMataplayedtogetheratValenciainaperfectexampleoftheSpanish4–2–3–1,withthosetwoandPabloHernández–wholaterendedupatSwansea,afittingdestination–alloccupyingright,leftandcentralpositionswithinthesamematch.DavidVillaremainedthecentralstriker,butthethreeattackingmidfielderssimplydefendedtheirnearestzonewhenlongpassingmovesbrokedown.CazorlaplayedasimilarroleatMálagaalongsidethewonderfulIscoandhaddonesomethingsimilaratVillarreal,whereheandCanibothdriftedinsidetoturna4–4–2intoa4–2–2–2,almostpermanentlyplayingbetweenthecentralmidfieldersandthestrikers.

Silva,MataandCazorla’sversatilityensureditwasdifficulttodeterminetheirbestrole.Instinctively,itfeltasifsuchtalentedplayersbelongedinthecentre,althoughallthreegenerallyfoundthemselvesdeployedfromwidepositions.Thismadesense,consideringopponentsincreasinglyplayedtwodeep-lyingmidfieldersandprotectedthespacebetweenthelineskeenly–theseplaymakersthereforecouldpopupunannouncedindangerouszones,ratherthanremainingtherepermanentlyandfindingthemselvescloselymarked.‘ItoffersmethechancetocomeinsideandthatwayIhaveabroaderfieldofvision,’Mataexplainedofhiswiderole.Besides,theideaofthemhavingafavouredpositionwasamootpoint.

Attackingmidfieldersbasedaroundcrossingpreferplayingontheirnaturalside,andthosebasedaroundshootingprefertheoppositeflank,becausetheirpositioningdictateshowtheycanusetheirstrongerfootmosteffectively.ButSilva,MataandCazorlawerebasedaroundshortpassing,clevermovementandpinpointthrough-balls,soitdidn’treallymatterwheretheyweredeployed,astheyalwaysplayedthesamerole.Thiswas,ofcourse,anotherexampleofuniversality–playersacrossthepitchbecomingsimilarlaterally,fromlefttoright,notsimplyfrombacktofront.Englishfootballnowtakesthismouldofplaymakerforgranted,butuntil

recentlyinthePremierLeaguetherewererelativelyfewplayerslikethesethree:attackingmidfielderswhocouldplayright,leftorcentrallywithminimaldifferencetotheirgame.Arsenalweretheexception,withAliaksandrHlebandTomášRosickýinthatmould,althoughSamirNasri,wholaterplayedalongsideSilvaatManchesterCity,spokeabouthowplayingontherightmeanthewasmorelikelytosprintinbehindwhereasfromthelefthedriftedinsidemore.JoeColewasanotherwhocouldplayinallthreeroles,althoughhenevertrulyexcelledinthenumber10position,havingbeenconvertedtoahard-workingwidemidfielderbyJoséMourinho.Silva,MataandCazorlawere,however,broadlyanewbreed.Englishfootball

didn’tquitehaveanappropriatetermtodescribethem–theycertainlyweren’t

wingersorevenwidemidfielders,while‘playmaker’istoovagueanddoesn’tdescribetheirpositioning.Perhapsthesimpleterm‘assisters’explainsitbest.Theseweren’tpropermidfieldersbutcertainlynotforwards;theyweren’thugelyconcernedwithshootingordribblingandtheyweren’tcrossers.Theirjobwassimplytoprovideassists.TheassistisnowanestablishedconceptinEnglishfootball,butitselfisvery

mucha‘PremierLeagueera’term.Opta,themostestablishedfootballstatisticsprovider,recruitedformerArsenalmanagerDonHowein1996toestablishaprecisedefinitionfortheconcept,arrivingat‘thefinalpassorpass-cum-shotwhichdirectlyleadstoagoalscoredbyrecipientoftheball’.Opta’sdefinitionisnowlargelyaccepted,andisdisplayedalongsideeachplayer’sprofileandgoalsrecordontheofficialPremierLeaguewebsite,butitwasonlyaround2010whenreliableassistfiguresbecamewidelyavailable.ThierryHenry’srecord20assistsinaseason,forexample,camein2002/03butwasbarelymentionedatthetime.Thepresenceofthesetalentedassisterscoincidedwiththegreateremphasisuponthesefigures;equally,theybecameparticularlyreveredbecausetheircontributionhadbecomemorequantifiable.SilvawasthefirstoftheconquistadorassisterstoreachEngland.Althoughhe

arrivedafterSpain’sWorldCupsuccessin2010,ithadbeenadifficulttournamentforSilva.VicentedelBosque’ssidelosttheiropeningmatch1–0toSwitzerland,whentheyappearedaone-dimensional,extremelynarrowandpredictableside.Playingtwoplaymakersoutwidewasn’tworking.DelBosquerequiredaplayerwhoofferedmorerunninginbehind–FernandoTorres,JesúsNavasorPedroRodríguezatvariouspoints–andSilva,anothershortpasserinateamalreadyoverloadedwiththem,wasthefallguy,substitutedafteranhouroftheopeningmatchandneverreappearing.‘Ifeelluckytobepartofthisgreatsquad,butIalsogetthefeelingthatthecoachdoesn’treallyneedme,’Silvacomplainedthefollowingyear.‘WhenwelostagainstSwitzerlandattheWorldCup,Iwastheonlyonewhofelttheconsequences.’DelBosque,amanagerwhoconcentrateduponsquadharmonyasmuchastactics,wasnoticeablykeento

accommodateSilvaoverthenextcoupleofyears,andheplayedakeyroleintheEuro2012victory,headingintheopenerinthe4–0finalvictoryoverItaly.SilvahadthereforesomethingtoproveuponhisarrivalinEngland.Before

Christmasinhisdebutcampaignhewasquiet,managingonlyonegoal–alovelycurledeffortfollowingajinkingrunagainstBlackpool–andjustthreeassists.ButCity’ssystem,whichlackedrunnersinbehindtheopposition,didn’tsuitSilva’stendencytoplaythrough-balls.HealsoseemedsurprisedbythephysicalityofEnglishfootball,althoughhegottogripswiththingsinthesecondhalfofthecampaign,whenheimprovedsignificantly.BythetimeCitystartedtheirtitle-winning2011/12campaignSilvawasona

differentleveltoanyoneelseinEnglishfootball.Oppositiondefenderssimplycouldn’tcopewithhiselusivedriftsinsidefromwidepositions,andwhenheplayedagainstanold-schoolEnglishfull-backitoftenmadeforhilariousviewing.Ina3–2victoryoverBoltoninCity’ssecondgameoftheseasonSilvaopenedthescoringandcompletelybamboozledTrottersleft-backPaulRobinson,whohadabsolutelynoideahowfarinsideheshouldbetrackinghim.Heheldhispositionfortoolong,onlyclosingdownSilvawhenhereceivedpossession,invitingtheSpaniardtopoketheballpasthimforanonrushingteammate.Eventually,Silva’spositioningprovedsoelusivethathereceivedtheultimate

complimentfromoppositionmanagers–beingman-marked.Thiswasn’talwayssuccessful,however.Notably,inatriptoCity,EvertonmanagerDavidMoyesinstructedJackRodwelltofollowhimacrossthepitch,butthemidfielderwasbookedafterjust20minutesforfoulingthemazySilva.MoyesimmediatelyhandedthatroletoPhilNevilleinstead,wholastedjustfiveminutesbeforebeingbookedhimself,whichforcedMoyestoturntoRodwellagain.SilvastillrantheshowandteedupJamesMilnerforCity’ssecondina2–0victory.SilvawasvotedPlayeroftheMonthforSeptember,enjoyedarunofthreegoalsand12assistsin16starts,andproducedoneofthegreatestindividualhalf-seasonsthePremierLeaguehaswitnessed.Withaspateofnigglinginjuries,however,he

onlymanagedonegoalandtwoassistsinhisfinal14games,asCityjustaboutliftedthetitle.BythispointSilvahadbeenjoinedinthePremierLeaguebyhisoldValencia

teammateMata.WhereasSilvainitiallystruggledwithEnglishlife,Mataadjustedinstantly.HissisterwaslivinginBrightonandhepickedupthelanguagequickly,charminghissocialmediafollowerswithtouristyphotosofLondon,hisnewhomecity.‘IfyouwanttobeanonymousyoucangotoSohoorCamdenandit’snotaproblem,’heexplained.‘TherearealotofSpanishpeople.IfyougotoPiccadillyorOxfordCircusyouhearlotsofSpanishvoicesbutI’mnotrecognisedmuch.IlikeHydeParkandRegent’sParkwhereyoucantakegoodpictures,andIhavefoundgoodtapasintheKing’sRoad.’Moreimportantly,hestartedhisChelseacareerwithagoalondebutagainst

Norwich,and,atpreciselythesameperiodasSilvawasinhishotstreak,Matamanagedtwogoalsandsixassistsinaneight-gamespell.Eventually,SilvaandMatafinished2011/12asthetwoplayerswhocreatedthemostchancesinthePremierLeague,andwerealsofirstandjoint-secondintheassiststable.MatawasseeminglythesymbolofthenewChelsea,ledbyAndréVillas-Boas–althoughthateralastedlessthanhalfthecampaign.Nevertheless,MataprovedhugelysuccessfulunderVillas-Boas,RobertoDiMatteoandRafaelBenítez,threeverydifferentmanagerswithverydifferentsystems.HewasoftenplayedontheleftunderVillas-Boas,ontherightbyDiMatteo

inbiggames,andcentrallyunderBenítez.Butitsimplydidn’tmattertoMata–‘Icanplayinanyofthethree,’hesaid.Hecontinuedtoassistwithalarmingregularity,especiallyatbigmoments.HecreatedRamires’sopenerinthe2–1FACupvictoryoverLiverpoolin2011,andthenDidierDrogba’scrucialheadedequaliseragainstBayernintheChampionsLeagueFinal.ThefollowingseasonheprovidedtheassistsforFernandoTorresandBranislavIvanović’sgoalsinthe2–1EuropaLeagueFinalwinoverBenfica.HewonChelsea’sPlayeroftheYearawardinbothofhistwocompleteseasonsattheclub,althoughhefoundhimselfmarginalisedandthensoldtoManchesterUnitedafterthereturnofJosé

Mourinho.Arsenal,meanwhile,signedCazorlafromMálagain2012.Althoughhewould

laterbecomerenownedinadeepermidfieldrole,initiallyhewasfielded,likeSilvaandMata,asanassisterdriftinginsidefromwideina4–2–3–1,orplayingasthenumber10.Cazorladescribedhisroleas‘playingbetweenthelines,betweenadefenceandthemidfielders,andtakingupapositionwhereyoucandodamagetotheoppositiondefence…playingabitbehindtheforwardandgivingassists’.TheeternallycheerfulCazorlawasastockyfigurewholackedspeedoverlongdistances,butwastremendouslyquickatslalomingawayfromoppositionchallengesintightzones.HewassuperbinhisthirdPremierLeaguematch,Arsenal’scontrolled2–0victoryoverLiverpoolatAnfield,creatingtheopenerforLukasPodolskiandthenslamminginthesecondhimself.Itwasasuperbfirstindividualcampaign,andinMayhemanagedtheextremelyrarefeatofassistingfourgoalsinthesamegame,inArsenal’s4–1thrashingofWigan.OnlyoneplayerachievedmoreassiststhanCazorlathatseason–Mata.Meanwhile,ifyoudiscountEverton’sset-piecespecialistLeightonBaines,itwasSilva,MataandCazorlawhocreatedthemostchancesin2012/13.Withinthenextcoupleofseasons,meanwhile,Englishfootballwasblessed

withthearrivalofseveralmorecomparableassisters.Theplayerswhocreatedthemostgoalsin2015/16,forexample,wereMesutÖzil,ChristianEriksen,DimitriPayetandDušanTadić,allinthismould.Therewasanoticeableshifttowardstechnicalplaymakers,andthehugelyimpressivedisplaysofSilva,MataandCazorlahelpedtochangewhatPremierLeagueteamsrequiredfromattackingmidfielders,popularisingtheconceptoftheassister.

Amoresignificantstorythanattackingmidfieldersbecomingmorebasedaroundballretention,however,wasasimilardevelopmentforcentre-forwards.Theuseoftheterm‘falsenine’–anunconventionalcentre-forwardbeingdeployedashisside’smostadvancedattackerbutdroppingdeepintomidfield–wouldhavebaffledfootballfansasrecentlyas2008.Acoupleofyearslateritwasan

acceptedtactic.ThepopularityofthefalseninewasanotherofBarcelona’slegacies.Lionel

Messi’srisetobecomethebestplayerofhisgeneration–andarguablythebestofalltime–owesmuchtohisrepositioningatthecentreofBarcelona’sattackingtrio.Hewasnaturallyanumber10ratherthananumber9,andattimesplayedextraordinarilydeeptoensureBarçadominatedmidfield,whilealsoachievingrecord-breakinggoalscoringfigures.Theterm‘falsenine’hasoftenbeenmisusedinEnglishfootball,however.

Whileitcertainlyreferstoaplayernotgenerallyconsideredanout-and-outstriker,it’sabouttheroleratherthantheindividual.Forexample,atonepointaninjurycrisismeantLiverpoolwereforcedtodeploymidfielderJonjoShelveyupfrontforanawaytriptoWestHam.ButShelveydidn’tdropdeepandlinkplayinmidfield;hesimplyplayedasamakeshiftcentre-forward.Thiswasn’tafalsenine.Spain’sEuro2012,success,meanwhile,sawVicentedelBosquestrugglingtofindanappropriatecentre-forward.HesurprisinglyplayedCescFàbregasfortheopeningmatch,andhenaturallydroppedintohiscustomarymidfieldrole,whichmeantSpainwereplayingafalsenine.Butthen,afteraspellonthebench,Fàbregasreturnedtothesideforthe4–0finalvictoryoverItaly.Ostensiblyhewasplayinginthesamerole,butratherthancomingshortheplayedontheshoulderofthelastdefender,makingrunsinbehind.Inthefirstmatchhewasafalsenine,inthesecondhewassimplyamakeshiftstriker.Thefalsenineinitsstrictestsensehasnotbecomeaparticularlyestablished

roleinEnglishfootball.Nevertheless,theconcepthasunquestionablychangedwhatmanagershavecometoexpectfromcentre-forwards.Theold-fashionedPremierLeaguethesisaboutaclassiccentre-forwardwasatall,strongnumber9whoremainedinthepenaltyboxandthrivedoncrosses.Thefalsenine,then,wasverymuchtheantithesis.Thesynthesisbetweenthetwomodelswasthetypeofcentre-forwardwho

dominatedbetween2011and2016.PremierLeagueGoldenBootwinnersCarlosTevez,RobinvanPersie,LuisSuárezandSergioAgüerobecameprolific

goalscorersastheirclub’smostadvancedforward,despiteallarrivinginEnglishfootballassecondstrikerswhoplayedbehindateammate.Thefactthattheybecametop-classnumber9sratherthannumber10sdemonstratedtheshiftingrequirementsforcentre-forwards.Ofcourse,thiswasn’tthefirsttimePremierLeaguesideshadplayedwithoutconventionalstrikers–Arsenal’sThierryHenryandManchesterUnited’sCristianoRonaldohaddonesimilarthings–buttheirpositioningwasprimarilyaboutallowingthemselvesmorespacetobreakinto.Now,itwasallaboutlink-upplay.WayneRooneywas,ifnotafalsenine,certainlyadubiousnine.Manchester

United’srecordgoalscorerarguablyneverdiscoveredhisoptimumposition,havingoftenbeenshiftedwideduringtheRonaldoera,thenalternatingbetweenanumber9andnumber10positioninsubsequentyears,andlaterbeingdeployedinmidfield.In2009/10,however,Rooneyproducedhisfirstgenuinelysensationalspellofgoalscoringformandwasoftenfieldedupfrontaloneina4–3–3.Whileimprovinghisabilitytoscoreclassiccentre-forwardgoals,nettingmanywithhishead,Rooneysometimesplayedmuchdeeper,withoutastrikepartnerrunninginbehind.Thecounter-attackinggoalheroundedoffina3–1victoryoverArsenalin2010wastheclassicfalseninegoal;hecameshorttodragtheoppositioncentre-backsupthepitchandreceivedapassfromParkJi-sungmidwayinsidehisownhalf.Then,afterlayingtheballrighttoNani,whodribbledforward50yardsinpossession,andfindingspacebecausePark’sdecoyrundistractedArsenal’sdefenders,Rooneypoweredintotheboxtosweephomethereturnpass.Itwas,tacticallyspeaking,oneofthePremierLeague’sall-timefinestgoals,aperfectdemonstrationofhowcentre-forwardswereexpectedtobothlinkplayandscore.NicolasAnelka,whilealwaysconsideredanumber9–muchtohisdisgust–

providedthemostimportantfalseninePremierLeagueperformanceinChelsea’saforementioned2–1victoryoverManchesterUnitedin2010,buthewasrarelyfieldedinthatrolebecauseofDidierDrogba.Therefore,themostimportantfalsenineinEnglishfootballisTevez.Aspreviouslyoutlined,hissigningfor

ManchesterUnitedpromptedspeculationaboutwhetherheandWayneRooneycouldplaytogetherbecausebothwereconsideredthesamesortofplayer:number10s.TheyplayedbackseatrolesinManchesterUnited’ssometimes-strikerlessChampionsLeague-winningside,butTevez’scontroversialtransfertoManchesterCityensuredhefinallybecamehisside’smainman.InitiallyhewasdeployedbehindEmmanuelAdebayor,atraditionaltarget

man,butduring2010/11–theseasonwhenMessiparticularlyunderlinedthevalueofafalseninebytakingBarcelonatothetreble–TevezspentlongperiodsisolatedasManchesterCity’slonestriker,andconstantlydroppeddeepintomidfieldrolesandlinkedplay.Ofcourse,TevezwasfundamentallycomparabletoMessi,andthereweremanydebatesinArgentinaaboutwhethertheycouldco-existforthenationalside.WhilenotquiteinMessi’sclass,Tevezlargelyreplicatedhiscompatriot’sroleforManchesterCitythatseason,linkingplaysmartlywhilealsofinishingasthePremierLeague’sjoint-topgoalscoreralongsidehisex-teammate,ManchesterUnited’sDimitarBerbatov.Berbatov’sexperiencewasalsosignificant.AfterRonaldoandTevezhad

departedin2009,BerbatovwasgenerallydeployedasUnited’smainstriker,justaheadofRooney–butlateroccasionallyplayedmoreofawithdrawnrole,withRooneyhigherupagainsttheoppositiondefence.Bothwerecomfortableineitherrole,underlininghowtop-classcentre-forwardswerenowsomewherebetweenanumber9andanumber10.ThemostfascinatingaspectofBerbatov’s2010/11campaignwasn’thimfinishingasjoint-topPremierLeaguescorer,however,butthefactthatthisstatusdidn’tevenearnhimaplaceinSirAlexFerguson’s18-manChampionsLeagueFinalsquad,withRooneystartingbehindJavierHernándezandMichaelOwenpreferredonthebench.Thiscameasastarkreminderthatscoringgoalswasn’tenough.AfterTevezandBerbatovsharedthehonourin2010/11,thePremierLeague’s

GoldenBootwinnerforthenexttwocampaignswasDutchmanRobinvanPersie,whoproducedamagnificentindividualcampaignin2011/12todragastrugglingArsenalsideintothetopfour,beforehemovedtoManchesterUnited

andfiredthemtothetitle.VanPersiewas,likeTevez,consideredanumber10uponhisarrivalinEnglishfootballin2004andcoincidentallyalsoplayedjustbehindAdebayor.TheTogostriker’stransfertoManchesterCityin2009meantArsèneWenger,typically,adjustedtheroleofanexistingplayerratherthanrecruitingadirectreplacement,withVanPersienowleadingtheline.Hewassensationalatthestartof2009/10,offeringaperfectbalanceofcreativityandfinishing–sevenassistsandsevengoalsin12matches.Butaseriousankleligamentinjuryruledhimoutforfivemonths.DuringVanPersie’sabsenceWengergenerallyfieldedRussianAndrey

Arshavinashismostadvancedforward.Arshavinwasaconfusingplayer;naturallyatalentedplaymaker,hewasdeployedontheleftofArsenal’sattackandofferedsporadicbrilliance,beforebadlylosinghiswayandsufferingasignificantlossofconfidence.Hewaspurelycreativeandtechnical,providinglittleintermsofworkrateorphysicality,andwasneveraprolificgoalscorer.Hewasthefalsestoffalseninesduringthisperiod,buthispoorperformancesrarelypromotedtherole.ArsenaldesperatelymissedVanPersie.Afterhislonginjurylay-off,theDutchmanwastransformedfromatalented

butinjury-pronesecondstrikerwhoscoredgreatgoalsintoaruthlesscentre-forwardwhowasagreatgoalscorer.Generallyfieldedupfrontaloneina4–3–3,hewasanintelligent,eloquentfootballerwhoappreciatedhowhisrolehadchanged.‘Idon’treallyseeitasamainstrikerposition,’heexplained.‘InHollandwecallpositionsbytheirnumbers–number9isthemainstrikerandnumber10istheonejustbehind.Iprefertocallmyself“9andahalf”–Iliketodropoffsometimesandbepartofthegame.I’mstillabitofabehind-the-strikerplayerwhenpossible…Thebosstoldme,‘“Don’tfocusonscoringgoals,becausetheywillcome,andplayyourgameasyoualwaysusedtoplay.Don’ttrytochangeyourgameandthinkofyourselfasastrikeronly.Youaremorethanthat.”’Thatsummariseditneatly;justbecauseVanPersiewasplayingupfront,hewasn’tsupposedtolosehiscreativeedge,andheprovidedplentyofgoalsforTheoWalcott,whobalancedVanPersie’smovementtowardstheball

withsprintsinbehind.AtManchesterUnitedVanPersieformedaprolificstrikepartnershipwith

Rooney,whoplayedthewithdrawnroleina4–4–1–1,andtheDutchmanincreasinglybecameapurenumber9,althoughhereturnedtoafamiliarthemewhendescribingRooneyandhimas‘both9andahalves’.Theyboastedafinerelationship,andFerguson’sfinaltitlewassealedaftera3–0victoryoverAstonVilla,withVanPersiescoringahat-trickincludingatrademarkvolleyfromRooney’sfloatedballoverthetop.ThatUnitedteamweresomewhatshambolicattimes,particularlyinmidfield,butbothRooneyandVanPersiewereoutstanding.AfterVanPersiehadwontwoGoldenBoots–presumablybothleftboots–

thewinnerin2013/14wasLiverpool’sLuisSuárez.Thiscampaignwillbeanalysedingreaterdepthlater,buttheUruguayan’slevelofperformancewastrulyoutstanding,with31goalsin33matchesatarateof0.94goalspergame,thebestinPremierLeaguehistory.Again,there’safamiliarpatternhere;Suárezwasn’tconsideredapurestrikeruponhisarrivalinEnglishfootballinJanuary2011,havingstarredforAjaxontheright.ThiswasunderlinedbythefactthatwhenLiverpooldidbrilliantlytoget£50mfromChelseaforthemisfiringFernandoTorresthesameday,theyinsisteduponimmediatelyspending70percentofthefeeonNewcastle’sunproventargetmanAndyCarroll,suchwastheirdesperationforapropernumber9.Thefactthey’dalreadysignedtheperfectTorresreplacementtwohoursearlierwentunnoticed.Indeed,amajorfeatureofSuárez’searlyLiverpooldayswashisrelativelack

ofgoals,despitehisabilitytodominategamesandwreakhavocwithhisspeed,movementandbustlingpastdefenders.Hemanagedjustninegoalsinhisfirstyear,partlybecausehispositionwasfrequentlychangedandhewasoftenforcedtoflitaroundbehindCarroll.Butwhenfieldedregularlyinapropercentre-forwardrolehedevelopedintothePremierLeague’smostprolificstriker,andcontinuedtoassisttoo.ThenexttwoGoldenBootwinners,SergioAgüeroandHarryKane,areboth

generallyconsideredpurestrikers.Onceagain,thiswasn’tentirelythecasefromtheoutset.AgüerospentthemajorityofhisfirstthreecampaignsinEnglishfootballinhisfavouredpositionalongsideamoretraditionalcentre-forward.‘FormostofmycareerI’veplayedbehindastriker,butcloseenoughtoformapartnershipwiththem,’heoutlined.‘That’swhereIthinkIplaybest.’ButAgüerowaseventuallypushedforwardtoleadtheline,andregisteredthetwobestgoalscoringcampaignsofhiscareer.Kane,meanwhile,tookawhiletoconvinceobserversofhistruequality.He

wasaslightlyawkward,clumsyplayerwhoboastedthatold-schoolknackofbeingintherightplaceattherighttime.ButtherewasmoretoKane’sgamethangoalscoring,andwhenhesufferedagoaldroughtthevalueofhislinkplaybecamemoreobvious.Notably,likeAgüero,hetookthenumber10shirtratherthanthenumber9,anditwasnotablethatKanewascomparedtotwoformerEnglandstrikers,AlanShearerandTeddySheringham,whowereentirelyoppositeinnature–whichispreciselywhytheyformedsuchafinestrikingpartnership.KanehadthegoalscoringabilityofShearerandthelinkplayofSheringham.Hewas,asVanPersiewouldsay,theclassic9.5.‘Iplayedindifferentpositionsasakidandithelpedmelearndifferentpartsofthegame,’Kaneexplained.‘Playingaloneupfrontmeansyouhavetobegoodatsomuchmorethantakingchances.Iknow,inagame,Iamgoingtoreceivetheballwithmybacktogoal,andthattheteamwillneedmetolinkupandbringothersintoplay.’Theultimateexampleoftheacceptanceofthisunorthodoxforwardcame

later,whenJürgenKlopptookchargeofLiverpool.ThemajorpartofKlopp’sgameplanwashishigh-tempocounter-pressing,whichdemandedenergyanddynamismfromhiscentre-forward,aswellastheabilitytoplayquick,neatinterchangeswithonrushingmidfielders.KloppdiscardedChristianBenteke,whowonaerialduelsandscoredgoalsbutdidlittleelse,andalsofrequentlyleftouttraditionalstrikersDanielSturridgeandDivockOrigiinordertofieldRobertoFirmino–yetanotherconvertednumber10–ashismostadvanced

foward.Playingwithoutastrikerwouldhavebeenconsideredlunacyafewyearsearlier,yettherewasminimaldissentfollowingKlopp’sdecision.InfactitwaswidelyagreedthatFirminosuitedthesystemmuchbetter.‘Thereisawidespectrumoftypesofstrikers,’Kloppexplained.‘Robertoisa

veryoffensiveplayer,soheisastriker.Everyoneaskedme,“WhataboutFirmino,weneedarealtargetstriker!”Robertoisastriker.Alotofstrikersare1.6metres;LionelMessi,whatishe?Firminocanplayandscoregoalsandheisflexibleandatthemomentinbrilliantshape.Hegetsintheboxandthensomethinghappens.’ThatwasarelativelyrarenodtothedirectinfluenceofMessi–fewmanagerswantedtoinvitethatcomparison.Why,then,didalltheseplayerstaketimetobecomeproperstrikers?The

usualcomment,invariousformsfromtheplayersthemselves,isthattheybelievethere’s‘moretotheirgame’thansimplyscoringgoals–VanPersieandKane,inparticular,arekeentomentiontheirlinkplay.But,ofcourse,footballhadbecomeuniversal–everyplayerhasmoretotheirgamethantheirbasicjobdescription,andinthepossessionera,itwasaboutlinkingmovesasmuchasfinishingthem.

PartEight

Post-possession

22

Rodgers’Reversal

‘Whenyoulookatthestatsofthemoderngame,I’mbigoncontrollingdominationoftheball.ButagainstEvertonwewereabletodominatewithout

theball.’

BrendanRodgers

TwiceduringthePremierLeagueeratherunners-uphaveprovedconsiderablymorefascinatingthanthechampions.ThefirstinstancewasNewcastle’sinabilitytowinthetitlein1995/96,largely

becauseoftheirtacticalnaivety–andthereweremanysimilaritieswithLiverpool’sdramaticfailurein2013/14.Theseweretwomassiveclubsfrommajorfootballingcitiesinthenorth,bothdesperatefortheirfirsttop-flightleaguechampionshipindecades.Bothwererelentlesslyattacking,individualisticsideswhooftenoverlookedtheimportanceofdefending.Addayoungmanager,avolatileSouthAmericanstrikerandalegendarylate-seasonAnfieldthriller,andit’sclearthatLiverpoolwerethenew‘Entertainers’.AfterfirstRoyHodgsonandthenKennyDalglishhadbeendismissed,

LiverpoolwerenowmanagedbyBrendanRodgers.TheunusualsightofhisSwanseasidebeingapplaudedofftheAnfieldpitchstuckinthemindsofLiverpool’srelativelynewowners,FenwaySportsGroup,whohadtransformedtheBostonRedSoxwithaprogressivestatisticalapproachfrequentlyreferredtoas‘moneyball’.FSGwerefresh,ambitiousownerswhowantedaprogressivemanager,and

Rodgers,withhisloveofpossessionfigures,seemedanaturalfitforbothFSG’snumber-basedapproachandLiverpool’shistoricemphasisuponattractivefootball.Rodgersproudlyspokeofhisbeliefinpassingtheball,andwantedtoreplicatethepossessionstatisticshe’dachievedatSwansea.‘Whenyou’vegot

theball,65to70percentofthetimeit’safootballdeathfortheotherteam,’heexplainedafterafewweeks.‘We’renotatthatstageyet,butthat’swhatwewillgetto.It’sdeathbyfootball.’Thiswastheunashamedtarget:completepossessiondominance.Hisfirsttransferwindowlackedtransformativearrivals,buthisintentions

wereobvious;outwentAndyCarroll,theclassictargetmanwhorequiredregularcrosses,andCharlieAdam,themidfielderwhothumpedambitiousballsdownfield.IncameJoeAllen,oneofRodgers’dependableSwanseamidfielderswhomheoptimisticallyreferredtoas‘theWelshXavi’,andFabioBorini,whomhe’dcoachedforChelsea’syouthsideandwhohadplayedunderPepGuardiola’slong-termsuccessorLuisEnriqueatRoma.BothalreadyunderstoodRodgers’possession-basedapproach.RodgersalsostartedhisLiverpooltenurestarringinasix-partfly-on-the-wall

TVseriesentitledBeing:Liverpool–ifthecuriouspunctuationimpliedotherclubswouldagreetosimilartreatment,thecontentdidlittletopersuadethem.FilmedthroughoutRodgers’firstpre-season,withnocompetitivematchesandfewmeaningfulstorylines,itrelieduponRodgers’monologuesforcontent.ItwasallslightlytooTheOfficeforcomfort,thankstoacombinationofunremarkablebehind-the-scenesshots,‘Brendan’beingdisturbinglycloseto‘Brent’,andhistendencytosaythingslike‘I’vealwayssaidthatyoucanlivewithoutwaterformanydays,butyoucan’tliveforasecondwithouthope.’Hebecameafigureoffun,mockedforhisbuzzwordsand,unfairly,forastuntwhereheheldupthreesealedenvelopestohissquad,supposedlycontainingthenamesofthethreeplayershebelievedwouldn’tpushthemselvesthroughouttheseason.Thiswasconsideredlunacy–butitwasamoveborroweddirectlyfromSirAlexFergusonaheadofhis1993/94title-winningseasonwithManchesterUnited.Rodgers’subsequentdebutseasonwasunderwhelming.Liverpoolfailedto

winintheirfirstfivegames,thenimprovedsteadilyandwereboostedbythearrivalofDanielSturridgeandCoutinhoinJanuary.However,theyfinished

seventh,justaone-placeimprovementfromthepreviouscampaign,andwithoutacupruntocompensate–DalglishhadwontheLeagueCupandreachedtheFACupFinalinhisonlyfullseasonduringhissecondspellasmanager.TheendofRodgers’firstcampaignwasdominated,meanwhile,byLuisSuárez.WhiletheUruguayanforward–whomRodgershadoncegreetedwith‘You’re

afantasticplayer,congratulations’inSpanishduringhisSwanseadays–provedhighlypopularatLiverpool,hehadanunfortunatetendencytogethimselfintotrouble.Mostnotoriously,therewasanincidentbetweenhimandManchesterUnitedleft-backPatriceEvra,whichresultedintheFAfindingSuárezguiltyofusing‘insultingwordsincludingareferencetoEvra’scolour’andhandinghimaneight-matchban.DalglishbackedSuáreztothehilt,whichinvolvedLiverpool’splayerswarmingupforasubsequentgameinT-shirtsshowingsupportforSuárez,anill-judgedcampaignthatwaswidelyridiculedandwhich,somesuggested,mighthavecontributedtoDalglish’sdismissal.Suárez’sfirstgamebackfollowingthebanwasinevitablyatOldTrafford,wherehestartedbyrefusingtoshakeEvra’shandandendedbyscoring.ThatwasSuárez:shamelessandsuperbwithinthesamematch.TowardstheendofRodgers’firstcampaign,meanwhile,Suárezearnedan

evenlongerban–thistimetenmatches–whenhereactedtoaroutinechasefortheballwithChelsea’sBranislavIvanovićbybitingtheSerbiandefenderonthearm.ThePremierLeaguewasaccustomedtoforeignattackersintroducingnewpracticesintoEnglishfootball,butthiswassomethingentirelyunexpected,aninnovativetakeonviolentconduct.Mostbizarrely,itwasneitherthefirstnorthelasttimeSuárezwasbannedforbiting,alsosinkinghisteethintoopponentswithAjaxandUruguay.EvenPrimeMinisterDavidCamerongotinvolved,sayingSuárezwas‘settingthemostappallingexample’.Inthesummerof2013,andmidwaythroughhissuspension,Suárezdecided

hewassickofEnglishfootball.He’dbeeninterestedinamovetoJuventustheprevioussummer,andcametoagentleman’sagreementwithLiverpoolthatiftheydidn’tachieveChampionsLeaguequalificationhecouldleave.Therewere

twoproblems,however:theclubwentbackontheiragreementandfewforeignclubsshowedseriousinterest.Arsenal,however,wereextremelykeen,andafterdiscoveringthatSuárez’scontractcontainedareleaseclauseforoffersinadvanceof£40m,tookthisliterallybycheekilyoffering£40,000,001.Whatfollowedwascurious;Liverpoolseeminglyfibbedaboutthenatureof

thereleaseclause,claimingthattheonlythingArsenal’sbidactivatedwasanobligationforthemtoinformSuárezoftheLondonclub’sinterest.Thatwouldhavebeenalargelypointlessclause,andasLiverpoolownerHenrylateradmitted,wasacompletefabrication.‘Whatwe’vefoundisthatcontractsdon’tseemtomeanalotinEngland,actually,inworldfootball,’HenryproudlytoldtheMITSloanSportsAnalyticsConference.‘Itdoesn’tmatterhowlongaplayer’scontractis,hecandecidehe’sleaving–wesoldaplayer,FernandoTorres,for£50m,thatwedidn’twanttosell.Wewereforcedto.Sinceapparentlythesecontractsdon’tseemtohold,wetookthepositionthatwe’rejustnotselling.’SuáreznowheldtwocompletelydifferentgrudgesagainstLiverpool,ashe

outlinedinanexplosiveGuardianinterview.First,thegentleman’sagreement:‘LastyearIhadtheopportunitytomovetoabigEuropeanclubandIstayedontheunderstandingthatifwefailedtoqualifyfortheChampionsLeaguethefollowingseasonI’dbeallowedtogo,’hesaid.‘Igaveabsolutelyeverythinglastseasonbutitwasnotenoughtogiveusatop-fourfinish–nowallIwantisforLiverpooltohonourouragreement.’Second,theArsenalbid:‘Ihavetheclub’swordandwehavethewrittencontract,andwearehappytotakethistothePremierLeagueforthemtodecidebutIdonotwantittocometothat.’Suárezwasessentiallybannedfromfirst-teamtrainingandtoldhewouldn’tbereintegrateduntilheapologised.It’sremarkablethatSuárezremainedatLiverpoolatall,letaloneproduced

amongthemostimpressiveindividualcampaignsofthePremierLeagueera.Amajorfactorinhiscontinuedpresencein2013/14wastheinterventionofStevenGerrard,whohadlongbeenclubcaptainbutwhowasmoreimportantthanever

followingtheretirementofJamieCarragher,amorenaturalleader.GerrardwassurprisinglycrucialinLiverpool’stransferactivitiesthatsummer.InbetweensendingtextstoShakhtarDonetsk’sWillian,attemptingtoconvincehimofamovetoAnfield–theBrazilianeventuallyturneddownLiverpoolandTottenhamandjoinedChelseaforChampionsLeaguefootball–GerrardpersuadedSuárezthatfightingLiverpoolovera‘sideways’switchtoArsenalwasn’tworthwhile,andheshouldfocusonplayinganothergreatcampaignwiththeclubtosecureamovetoRealMadridorBarcelona.ThisconvincedSuárez–who,afterall,hadbeenprimarilydeterminedto

leavethePremierLeagueentirely,ratherthancommittoalong-termcontractelsewhereinEngland.GerrardmetSuárezforamorningchatatMelwood,Liverpool’strainingground,essentiallydisobeyingordersbecausetheUruguayanwasbanneduntilthefirstteamhadgonehomeatlunchtime,andthenarrangedameetingbetweenSuárezandRodgers.Suárezwouldn’tattendunlessGerrardjoinedhim.Everythingwassmoothedover;Suárezdidn’twanttogotoArsenal,andhestayedatLiverpool.Therewas,ofcourse,simplythesmallmatterofhimbeingbannedforthefirstfivegamesoftheseason.ButthiswasneverthelessahugevictoryforLiverpool,whohadmanagedtoretaintheirstarplayeragainstallodds.Gerrard,inparticular,deservedgreatcreditforthefactthatLiverpoolmountedaSuárez-ledtitlechallengein2013/14,acampaignthatwaslargelyaboutthecontributionsofthesetwoplayers.

InadditiontoactingasLiverpool’sunofficialtransfernegotiator,GerrardalsohadhistestimonialthatAugust.He’dlongsincepassedtheten-yearmarkthatentitlesaplayertothehonour,andthedecisiontoholditin2013feltlikerecognitionthatGerrardwasnearingtheend.Notably,hestillhadn’twonaleaguetitle,andhadseeminglyabandonedallhope(clearlynothavinglistenedtoRodgers’aforementionedproverb).‘ItwillbeamiracleifInowrealisemydreamofwinningthetitlewithLiverpool,’Gerrardwroteinhisautobiography,publishedthepreviousyear.‘Isaythatbecauseofmyageandwherewefinished

intheleaguethepastcoupleofyears,andalsothesituationwe’reinwithourrivals.’Liverpoolstarted2013/14at33/1forthetitle–fifth-favourites–andthereforeoutsidersforaChampionsLeagueplace.ButManchesterUnited,ManchesterCityandChelseahadallbeendestabilisedbymanagerialchanges.TheappointmentofDavidMoyesandManuelPellegrini–andthesecondcomingofJoséMourinho–meantthatallthreeteamswereunpredictablegoingintothenewseason.Arsenal,meanwhile,completednomajorsigninguntilthearrivalofMesutÖzilwiththeseasonalreadyunderway.TherewasachanceforLiverpooltotaketheleaguebystorm.Theystartedinimpressivefashion.InSuárez’sabsence,DanielSturridge

playedaloneupfrontina4–2–3–1andscoredthewinnerinLiverpool’sfirstthreematchesoftheseasonagainstStoke,AstonVillaandManchesterUnited:1–0,1–0,1–0.ThisprovedinappropriatepreparationforLiverpool’seventualall-out-attackphilosophy,however,andtheydidn’twin1–0againallseason.Theysubsequentlydrew2–2atSwanseaandlost1–0atSouthampton,before

atriptoSunderland.Thiswouldn’tnormallyhavebeenaparticularlysignificantgame,butitmarkedthereturnofSuárezafterhisten-matchban.Surprisingly,Rodgerscompletelyabandonedhisprevioussystem,deployinga3–4–1–2simplytogetSuárezandSturridgeintheirfavouredcentre-forwardroles,withoutresortingtoasimple4–4–2thatwouldn’tofferathree-mancentralmidfield.Otherplayersweresquarepegsinroundholes:VictorMoseswasn’tanumber10,JordanHendersonwasn’taright-wingback.ButinLiverpool’snextfourmatchestheyscored12goals,withonlythreescorers:Suárezwithsix,Sturridgewithfour(oneineachmatch)andtwopenaltiesfromGerrard.Liverpool,muchliketheManchesterUnitedsidewhotriumphedthepreviousseason,wereallabouttheircentre-forwards,whowerenicknamed–withanodtoBlackburn’spartnershipofAlanShearerandChrisSuttonin1994/95–theSAS.MuchlikethatSAS,however,SturridgeandSuárezweren’tparticularlyclose

forasimilarreason:bothwantedtobethemainman.Thefirsttimetheyspoke

atLiverpool’strainingground,SturridgeapproachedSuárezandimmediatelysaid:‘Together,youandIcandosomethingbighere.’Littlesignoftension,youmightthink,butit’stellingthatSuárez’sself-confessedreactionwas,‘It’snotnormalforanewplayertobeasboldasDanielwasthatday,andIdidmomentarilythink,“What’sthatguysayingthattomefor?”’Suárezinsists,however,thattheygotalongperfectlywell.Gerrard’sinterpretationismoreenlightening.‘SASwasnotapartnershipin

themouldofJohnToshackandKevinKeegan,’hesaid.‘SuárezandSturridgeinsteadworkedastwogiftedindividuals.Brendanoftenspokeaboutthefactthattheywereliketwosoloistsvyingwitheachotherratherthanplayingtogetherasaharmoniousduo.Theyneversaidmuchtoeachotherintraining…itnevergotnastybuttherewasanedgebetweenthem.TherewereprobablysomegameswhenLuiswasabitheavyonDaniel.’Thishardlyaffectedtheirindividualscoringrates;Suárezhit31goals,Sturridge21,thefirsttimeoneclubhadthePremierLeague’stoptwogoalscorers.Theyweren’t,however,aproperpartnership.Still,playingthemupfrontmeantLiverpoolcouldattacktwoagainsttwo

whentheywonpossession,andina2–0defeattoArsenalinearlyNovemberitwasnotablehowoftenLiverpoolattemptedlongballsintothechannels,tryingtoexploitthespacevacatedbytheopposition’sattackingfull-backs.ButArsenal’sLaurentKoscielnywasoutstanding,consistentlydispossessingboth.OnarareoccasionwhenSuárezescapedtheFrenchman’sattention,heambitiouslyshotatgoalratherthanpassingtoanunmarkedSturridge,whothrewhisarmsintotheairindisgust.Athalf-timeRodgersrevertedto4–2–3–1,permanentlyabandoningthebackthree.Sturridge’sabsencethroughinjuryduringDecembermeantSuárezwas

unquestionablythemainman,andheproducedascintillatingsuccessionofperformances,includingtengoalsandthreeassistsinasensationalfour-gamespell.Heseeminglyconsideredeveryplayeronthepitchtobemerelyapparatusforhelpinghimtoscore,regularlybouncingtheballoffopponentstocontinue

hisdribblesanddependinguponone-twosmorethanaweddingDJtestinghismicrophone.Attimeshewassimplyunstoppable,withhisfour-goalhaulagainstNorwichmadeupentirelyofabsolutelybrilliantstrikes.ItbecameclearthatSuárezwasenjoyingamongthebest-everindividual

PremierLeaguecampaigns,uptherewithDennisBergkampin1997/98,ThierryHenryin2003/04andCristianoRonaldoin2007/08.Therewereonlytwonegatives:himmissingthefirstfivegamesoftheseasonthroughsuspension,whenLiverpooldroppedfivepointstoaverageopposition,andthefactthathedidn’tscoreinsixmatchesagainstothertopfoursides,matchesthatcountedforfourofLiverpool’sfivedefeats.Bydefinitionit’shardertoscoreagainststrongersides,andit’sworthrememberingthatLiverpool’stitlechallengeof2008/09failedbecausetheyweren’tswattingasidePremierLeagueminnowsregularlyenough,whichwasn’taproblemwhentheruthlessSuárezwasavailable.Nevertheless,1.1goalspergameagainstthePremierLeague’s‘other’16sidescontrastssharplywithhis0.0againstthetopfour.Themostsignificanttacticaldevelopmentaswinterapproached,however,

involvedGerrard,whohadbecomedesperatelyunhappywithhisperformancesinanattack-mindedmidfieldrole.Unusually,heapproachedRodgersandaskedhimtowatchvideosofhisrecentperformancestoassesshisall-roundgame,andwantedLiverpool’sanalyticsdepartmenttoprovidestatisticalanalysisofhisrecentperformances.Thiswasaquiteunprecedentedstepforsuchanestablishedplayer,letalonesomeonewhohadn’tobviouslybeenplayingpoorly.Rodgersstayeduplatethateveningwatchingthetapes,andtheyreconvenedthefollowingafternoon.ThestatisticsinvolvingGerrard’sphysicaloutputweresatisfactory,but

Rodgersidentifiedaproblemwiththewayhiscaptainwasreceivingpossession.‘Itwasplaintoseethatmyheadmovementwasn’tthere,’Gerrardremembered.‘Thatmovementissoimportantbecauseitfeelsasifyou’vegottohaveeyesinthebackofyourheadtoplayasamidfielderinthePremierLeague.It’ssomuchmoresignificantnowthanwhenIstarted,becauseit’ssocongestedinthe

midfieldandyouhavesomuchlesstimeontheball.’TheydiscussedGerrardplayingaconsiderablydeepermidfieldrolewherehe’dfindmorespace,takinginspirationfromthewonderfulItaliandeepplaymakerAndreaPirlo,whohaddominatedproceedingsagainstEnglandatEuro2012.ThenGerrardcollectedahamstringinjuryandwasunavailableforamonth

anyway.Hisreplacementascaptain,surprisingly,wasSuárez–justfourmonthsafterhe’dbeenbannedfromtrainingwithhisteammates.WithoutGerrard,Liverpoolrecordedacomprehensive5–0victoryatTottenham,whichRodgersdescribedas‘awatershedmoment’inhisside’sdevelopment,butalsolost2–1atChelseaandManchesterCitybetweenChristmasandNewYear,withtheclubsomewhatunfortunatethattheirtwotrickiestfixturesofthecampaign,awayatbothoftheireventualtitlerivals,camebacktobackinthemiddleofthebusiestpartoftheseason.Liverpool’sfirstmatchafterthefestiveperiodwasatriptoStoke,andsawa

significanttacticalinnovation–GerrarddeployedinthePirlorole,ahugelysurprisingmove.Gerrard’smajorweaknesswashispositionalindiscipline,andhe’dthereforeneverpreviouslyplayedthatpositionasthesoleholdingmidfielderforLiverpool.LucasLeiva,accustomedtodefensivemidfield,nowplayedabox-to-boxrolealongsideHenderson,withtheirenergycreatingapocketofspaceforGerrard,wholaunchedlongdiagonalpassesdownfield.Thematchfinished5–3andwouldforeshadowtherestoftheircampaign;withGerrardusedinthatdeeperrole,Liverpoolweresensationalgoingforwardbuttheirdefensivestructurewasratherrisky.Liverpool’soutstandingperformancecameinFebruary,asensational5–1

homewinoverArsenal–particularlyremarkableconsideringtheGunnersweretopofthePremierLeague.Rodgers’sidewereabsolutelyrampant,withMartinŠkrtelscoringthefirsttwofromset-pieces,thenLiverpoolproducingamasterfulcounter-attackingperformanceagainstasideeternallyvulnerabletothatapproach.GoalsfromfirstRaheemSterling,aspeedyyoungwingerperfectforthisapproach,andthenSturridgeputLiverpool4–0upafterjust20minutes,

Sterlingcompletedthescoringinthesecondhalf,whileSuárezproducedanastonishingall-rounddisplayandhitthewoodworkfrom35yards,butsomehowfinishedgoalless.ArsenalpulledonebackwhenGerrardtrippedAlexOxlade-Chamberlain,MikelArtetaconvertingtheresultingpenalty.Thatincident,withGerrard’sdefensiveskillsfoundwanting,wasthesolenegativeinanotherwisefantasticall-rounddisplay,whichwasconsistentwithLiverpool’sprevioushomematch,asimilarlyimpressive4–0thrashingofEverton.Then,GerrardwasleftisolatedaheadofthedefenceandtooeasilyattractedtoEverton’swideplayersdriftinginside,andRossBarkley,Everton’snumber10,foundspace.Nevertheless,Liverpoolwerescoringplentyofgoals,withGerrardstartingtheattacksfromdeep.Despitethesetwothumpingwins,Liverpoolwereverymuchoutsidersfortheside–stillinfourthplace.Crucially,Liverpoolnowplayedanentirelydifferentbrandoffootballfrom

Rodgers’initialintentions.Thoselongspellsofpossessionhadn’tmaterialised,andnowLiverpoolweremostimpressivewhenplayingextremelydirectcounter-attackingfootball,whichdependeduponthespeedofSuárez,SturridgeandSterling–theSASAS?–tobreakpasttheoppositionquickly.ThatwasmostobviousagainstArsenal,andwascombinedwithanaggressivemidfieldpressthattwicecaughtoutMesutÖzil,stunnedbythespeedofthemidfieldbattle,directlyleadingtobreakawaygoals.Thisapproachwasperfectforbox-to-boxmidfielderHenderson,whoprovidedbothenergeticpressingandstormingforwardruns.Liverpool’saveragepossessionsharewasthefifth-highestintheleague,and

theycommandedmatchesagainstweakopposition.Butintheireightmatchesagainsttheothertopfivesides–ManchesterCity,Chelsea,ArsenalandEverton–theydominatedpossessiononlyonce.Morecrucially,Liverpoollostfourofthoseeightgames.IntheArsenalmatch,andmostothersduringthisperiod,Rodgersplayeda4–

3–3system–whichmeanteitherSturridgeorSuárezwasfieldedwide.ThiswasatrickybalancingactforRodgers.Ononehandhedeterminedthepositioningof

SuárezandSturridgetactically,usuallybydeployingSturridge’spaceagainsttheopposition’sslowestdefender.Ontheotherhand,however,itwassimplyaboutmanagingSuárezandSturridge’smood.‘Icanplaytwoorthreegamesonthewingforyou,butbythefourthgameI’llbeannoyed,’admittedSuárez.‘BrendanlookedforaformulatoplaymeandDanielinawaythatmeantwewerebothcomfortable–attimesdecisionsaremadetokeepgoodplayershappyasmuchastheyaretocreateaparticulartacticalstructure.’Inthatsense,therewasasimilaritytoCarloAncelotti’sChelsea,anemphasisuponplacatingseniorplayersasmuchasbuildingacohesivestartingXI.NeitherSuáreznorSturridgewereexpectedtotracktheoppositionfull-backwhenusedwide,andwereinstructedtoremaininthechannelandofferadirectpassingoptionsoLiverpoolcouldpounceimmediatelyattransitions.Meanwhile,withBarcelonabeingtoppledbyacounter-attackingAtlético

MadridinbothLaLigaandtheChampionsLeague,andPepGuardiola’spossession-basedBayernMunichsidebeingutterlydestroyed5–0onaggregatebyahighlydirectRealMadrid,tiki-taka’spopularityhadwaned.NothingsymbolisedthissuddenshiftasmuchasRodgersditchingpossessionfootballforthismorestraightforwardstyle.Possessionstatisticswerenowconsideredlessimportant,andin2013/14Liverpoolledthewayintwocompletelydifferentareas:theymadethemosttacklesandscoredthemostcounter-attackinggoals.ItwasthecompleteoppositeofwhatRodgershadintendedtocreate.Thiswaspost-possessionfootball.Rodgersalsobecamesignificantlymorereactive–andastute–withhis

tactics.LiverpoolhadthesignificantadvantageofnoEuropeanfootballandjustfivecupmatchesthatseason,soRodgersusedthisfreedomtotailortrainingsessionsthroughouttheweekwithLiverpool’supcomingopponentsinmind.Playersdon’tlikethinkingspecificallyabouttheoppositiontooearly,butfromtheTuesdayRodgerswoulddevisedrillsthatconditionedtheplayersfortheirweekendtask.Hewouldn’timmediatelyexplaintheprecisereasonsfortheexercises,butwould,forexample,spendacoupleofdaysworkingonthrough-

ballsandgettingmidfieldrunnersbeyondtheforwards.OnlyonThursdayandFridaywouldheofferspecificinstructions–theoppositionmidfieldersdon’ttrackrunsproperlyandtheirdefenceplaystoohighupthepitch,sothat’swhatLiverpoolshouldexploit.Itwasanintelligentapproachandwouldn’thavebeenpossiblehadLiverpool

beenjugglingregularmidweekfootball.Liverpoolalsousedtheirextratimeonthetraininggroundtoworkhardonset-pieces,andit’snotablethattheyregularlyopenedthescoringthroughthisroute,whichthenforcedtheoppositiontoattack,leavingspaceintowhichLiverpoolcouldcounter-attack.Gerrard’sfinedeliverieshelpedLiverpoolscoreastaggering26goalsfromdead-ballsituations,themostintheleagueandmorethandoubletheaverage.Thatlandmark5–1thrashingofArsenalwasthestartofanastonishing11-

gamewinningrunthattookLiverpoolfromfourthpositionintofirst.ThecombinationofRodgers’astutetactics,Gerrardcreatingfromdeep,anaggressivemidfieldpress,attackingdynamismandtheleague’sbesttwogoalscorerscreatedaseeminglyunstoppableforce.LiverpoolwereactuallymoreNewcastle1995/96thanKeegan’steamwerethemselves–whereasNewcastle’sgoals-forandgoals-againsttallieswerebothsurprisinglylow,this11-gameLiverpoolrunincludedwinsof4–3,6–3andtwo3–2s.Innineofthose11gamestheyscoredthreeormoregoals.Theywereabsolutelybatteringopponentswithrelentlesswavesofattack.Thepenultimategameofthissequencewasa3–2victoryoverManchester

CityinearlyApril,seeminglyatitledecider.ThisisalsoarguablythegreatestgameinPremierLeaguehistory,anotherhonourthey’dbewrestlingawayfromNewcastle1995/96,withtheirfamous4–3defeattoLiverpoolwidelyconsideredthePremierLeague’sbest.Butthis3–2wasequallyenthralling,wasplayedatanincredibleintensityandfeaturedactionfrombeginningtoend.Notably,itwasbookendedbytremendousdramatoo.Beforehand,AnfieldobservedtheanniversaryoftheHillsboroughdisaster.

Thisisalwaysasolemnoccasion,but2014provedparticularlyemotional.Itwas

the25thanniversaryandcamelessthanafortnightafterthestartofaninquestintothedisaster–afterdecadesofcampaigningbyfamiliesofthevictims–whicheventuallyfoundthatthe96hadbeenunlawfullykilled.Matchesthatweekendstartedat3:06–thetimethesemi-finalin1989hadbeenstopped.And,whilefootballitselfinevitablytakesabackseatinthiscontext,itwasimpossibletoignoreLiverpool’stitlecharge.AttheHillsboroughMemorialService,Liverpoolfansended‘You’llNeverWalkAlone’andweresoonsingingtheirprimarychantforthatseason:‘Andnowyou’regonnabelieveus/We’regonnawintheleague!’Liverpoolsupportersclearlybelieved,regularlyturningthearrivaloftheteambusatAnfieldintoacolourful,raucousparade.Thegameitselfwasextraordinary,withRodgersdeployingadiamond

midfieldwithSterlingatitstip.He’dbeentoldtoexploitthespacebySuárezandSturridge’srunsintothechannels,anditworkedperfectlyasheracedthroughfortheopenerwithinsixminutes.Škrtelscoredanotherheaderfromaset-piecetomakeit2–0,whileCity’sYayaTouréwentoffinjured.TheSASweresurprisinglyquiet,however,withCity’sfull-backsrefusingtopushforwardforfearofleavingspaceinthechannels.BothLiverpoolstrikersplayedtotheright,attemptingtoexploitleft-sidedcentre-backMartinDemichelis’slackofspeed,largelywithoutsuccess.Infact,right-sidedKompany,wellshortofmatchfitness,wastheweaklink,findinghimselfunabletotrackSterling’srunforthefirstgoalandlosingŠkrtelforthesecond.Athalf-time,however,ManuelPellegriniintroducedJamesMilner,who

offeredthrustdowntheright,whileDavidSilvaprovidedasensationalspellofdominance,runningthegamesingle-handedly.HewasupagainstGerrard,whosimplycouldn’tgetclosetohimandreceivedlittleassistancefromhismidfieldcolleagues.Thiswasnotentirelysurprising–Gerrardwasunfamiliarwiththedeeprole,Hendersonwasabox-to-boxplayer,Coutinhoanumber10andSterlinganaturalwinger.Itwashardlyunexpectedthatsuchanattack-mindedmidfieldquartetfailedtocopewiththemagicalSilva’sdrifts,burstsandcleverpassesbetweenthelines.Gerrard’sdefensiveshortcomingshadbeenanagging

concernforweeks–nowtheywereamajorissue.HavingputCityincharge,SIlvawasresponsibleforboththeirgoals,poking

homefromMilner’scut-back,beforeplayingacut-backhimselfthatdeflectedoffGlenJohnsonandbouncedintothenet.2–2,andCitywerelookingforanother.Silvanearlysnatchedthewinner,buthisfive-foot-sevenframewasn’tenoughtoproperlyconnectwithSergioAgüero’slowcross.Then,entirelyagainsttherunofplay,CitycaptainKompanycompletedamiserableafternoonbyslicingasimpleclearancestraighttoCoutinho,whocurledhomegloriously.3–2.Itwasasensationalgame,asensationalvictory,andLiverpoolwereoncourseforthetitle.Atfull-time,Gerrardimmediatelybrokedownintears,beforebeing

surroundedbyLiverpoolteammatesinanimpromptuhuddle.Gerrardthen,overcomebyemotion,foundthecomposuretodeliverarallyingcry:‘Hey!Thisdoesnotfuckingslipnow!Listen!Thisdoesnotfuckingslip.Listen,listen,thisisgone,wegoatNorwichexactlythesame!’heroared,hammeringhisfistintohisotherhand.‘Wegoagain!’

ThetriptoNorwichwasn’tdissimilar,withLiverpoolracingoutofthetrapsandleading2–0withintenminutesthroughSterlingandSuárez,beforebeingpeggedbackto3–2andenduringanervylast15minutes.WithSturridgeinjuredandHendersonsuspendedfollowingalatedismissalinthevictoryoverCity,Rodgersusedanunusualformation.Hewantedtostickwithhisdiamond,butwasawareNorwichcoachNeilAdamsplannedtoplaythesamesystem.RecallingastrategyaSouthAmericancoachhadusedagainsthisChelseayouthteamnearlyadecadeearlier,RodgersthereforeplacedCoutinhoinbetweenthediamondofGerrard,Lucas,AllenandSterling,creatingafive-against-foursituationanddominatingmidfieldwiththishighlyunusual4–1–3–1–1shape.Then,however,cameLiverpool’sfatefulhomematchagainstChelsea.With

threegamesremaining,LiverpoolwerefivepointsclearofMourinho’sChelsea,whohadeffectivelyabandonedtheirtitlechargeandwereconcentratingupon

theirChampionsLeaguesemi-finalagainstAtléticoMadridthreedayslater.LiverpoolwerealsosixpointsclearofManchesterCity,whohadagameinhand,and,crucially,asuperiorgoaldifference.AdrawwouldhavesuitedLiverpoolasitwouldkeepChelseafivepointsbehindandensurethetitleremainedintheirownhands,withjusttwowinsagainstCrystalPalaceandNewcastlerequiredtowintheirfirstPremierLeaguecrown.Mourinho,amazingly,restedmostofhisfirst-choiceXI:JohnTerry,Gary

Cahill,DavidLuiz,Ramires,Willian,EdenHazardandFernandoTorreswereallomittedbecausetheywerestartingagainstAtléticoinmidweek.OnlyMarkSchwarzer,CésarAzpilicueta,BranislavIvanovićandAshleyColestartedbothgames.Itwaseffectivelyasecond-stringXIsenttospoilLiverpool’sparty,includingCzechcentre-backTomášKalas,whohadn’tplayedasingleminuteintheleagueallseason.‘Iamaplayerfortrainingsessions,’he’djokedtoCzechTVafortnightbeforehand.‘Iftheyneedacone,theyputmethereinstead.’Suddenly,hewasthrustintooneofthePremierLeague’smostdecisivematches.Chelsea’sperformancewasunashamedlynegative.Rodgerslatercomplained

they’d‘parkedtwobuses’infrontofthegoal–Mourinhoyetagainbeingthevictimofthephrasehe’dintroducedtoEnglishfootball–whichmadeitimpossibleforLiverpooltofindtheirattackersrunninginbehind.Butagain,thisshouldn’thavebeenproblematic.AdrawwouldhavesuitedLiverpool,buttheysimplyweren’tasidewhocouldplayforapoint–theywerealwaysgung-ho,allgunsblazing,startingmatchesat100mph.ThisconcernedGerrard.‘IwasworriedabouthowwewereplanningtoplayagainstChelsea,’headmittedinhisautobiography.‘I’veneverbeenabletosaythisinpublicbefore,butIwasseriouslyconcernedthatwethoughtwecouldblowChelseaaway.IsensedanoverconfidenceinBrendan’steamtalk.HethoughtwecouldgooutandattackChelsea,justaswehaddoneagainstManchesterCityandNorwich.WeplayedintoMourinho’shands.Ifeareditthen,andIknowitnow.’HendersonwasstillsuspendedandSturridgeonlyfitenoughforthebench,so

Rodgersuseda4–3–3/4–3–2–1,withSterlingandCoutinhodriftinginsidefrom

theflanksintothecrowdedcentre.Liverpoolofferedlittlewidth,becausefull-backsJohnsonandyoungsterJonFlanaganplayedconsiderablymoreconservativelythanusual,perhapsasignthatRodgersknewLiverpoolshouldplaymoredefensively.AsaresulttheyneverstretchedChelsea.Attheendofanentirelyuneventfulfirsthalf,thekeymomenttookplaceon

thestrokeofhalf-time,involvingGerrard–whocameclosetomissingthisgame,sidelinedthroughouttheweekwithagonisingbackpainandonlyplayingfollowingaseriesofpainkillingtabletsandinjections,thestrongestpermissible.Liverpool’scentre-backshadspreadwide,soGerrarddroppeddeeptotemporarilybecomethemaindefender.Ashereceivedasimplesidewayspassfromleft-sidedcentre-backMamadouSakho,heslipped.That’snotthefullstory,however.Whatactuallyhappenedwasmorecomplex

–Gerrard’sslipwastheseconderror.Thefirstcameasplit-secondearlier,whenhemomentarilytookhiseyeofftheballandletitrunbeneathhisfoot.Beforetheballarrived,Gerrardhadalreadyglanceduptwice,checkinghispassingoptionsandthepositioningofChelseastrikerDembaBa.Thelibertyoftakingathirdlook,however,killedhim.‘MyconcentrationwasmoreonBathantheball,’headmitted.Thiscausedthemiscontrol,andinGerrard’sdesperationtorecoverthesituation,hepanicked,losthisfooting,andBadribbledforwardtoscore.It’sbecomeaniconicmomentlacedwithcruelironyfortworeasons.First,

there’stheprosaic:GerrardhadendedtheapparenttitledecideragainstCityroaring‘Thisdoesnotslip!,’thenhisslipproveddisastrous.Itwouldfeelludicrouslycontrivedinafilmscript,butitprovedoneofthePremierLeague’smostsignificantmoments.Thesecondironywasmoresignificant–Gerrardwasonlyplayingthisdeeperrolebecausehe’ddiscoveredhisheadmovementhadn’tbeengoodenoughfurtherforward.Now,hisheadmovementresultedinthePremierLeague’scostliestmiscontrol.Rodgersmentionedthemistakeinhishalf-timeteam-talk,remindinghis

playersthatGerrardhadrescuedLiverpoolcountlesstimesbeforeandnowthey

neededtorepayhim.ButLiverpoolhadgrownaccustomedtobreakingintospaceandlookedperplexedabouthowtopenetrateadeepdefence.Theirsecond-halfperformanceisprimarilyrememberedforGerrard’sdesperateattemptstoatoneforhisownmistake,aboutwhichhewastypicallyself-critical–‘Iwasrunningforwardtoomuch,tryingshotsfromimpossibleangles.’Indeed,heattemptedeightshotsafterthebreak,generallyfromlongrange.ButLiverpoolhadfewotherpromisingroutesofattack.SturridgeandSuárezcouldn’treceivepossessionindangerouspositions,withthelatterunderliningLiverpool’stacticalnaivetybyaskingaChelseadefenderwhytheywereplayingsodefensively.Sterlinghadnoroomtodribble,Liverpool’spassingcombinationssimplyweren’tworking,andcrossesplayedintoChelsea’shands.Againstateamplayingsoextraordinarilydeep,shootingfromrangewasaperfectlylegitimatetactic,althoughGerrard’sattemptsgraduallychangedfrom‘leadingbyexample’topersonifyingthatoldcriticism–‘tryingtodoeverythinghimself’.InstoppagetimeChelseadoubledtheirlead,whenanawfulcornerfrom

LiverpoolsubstituteIagoAspascreatedacounter-attackingchance.FormerLiverpoolheroTorresbrokeforward,thenlaidtheballsideways,assistingWillianforanopengoal.Willian,themanGerrardhadbeenimploringtojoinLiverpooltheprevioussummer,hadconfirmedLiverpool’smostcrushingdefeat.‘CongratulationstoChelseaforthewin,’Rodgerssaidafterwards.‘Theyprobablycameforadraw;wewerethesidetryingtowin.’Butthatdesperatelymissedthepoint,ofcourse–ifChelseahadcomeforthedraw,Liverpoolshouldhavetakenthedraw.ManchesterCitywonlaterthatday,2–0atCrystalPalace,andalsothe

followingweekendagainstEverton,3–2.Itmeant,withtwogamesremainingapiece,ManchesterCityandLiverpoolbothhad80points.City,however,hadagoaldifferenceadvantageofnine.OnthefinalMondaynightofthecampaignLiverpooltravelledtoCrystal

Palace.GerrardadmitsfeelingdepressedinthewakeofhisChelseamistake,and

hadflowntoMonacoforacoupleofdays–adestinationhechose,tellingly,becausehe’dvisitedoncebeforeandremembereditbeingcompletelyempty.ButhisperformanceagainstPalaceshowedlittlesignofhissorrow.Heassistedtheopenerfromacorner,Allennoddingin,thencreatedthesecondforSturridgewithatypicallongdiagonalpassfromhisnewdeeprole.After55minutes,Suárezplayedaclassicone-twowithSterlingandpokedhome.3–0.‘Weweremurderingthem–Ihonestlythoughtweweregoingtowin6–0,’Gerrardsaidafterwards.Suárez,tellingly,racedtocollecttheballfromthenet,takingitquicklybacktothehalfwayline.Liverpoolbelievedtheycouldmakeupthatnine-goaldeficittoManchesterCityinjusttwogames,.‘Somehow,thatideaofchasingdownManchesterCity’ssuperiorgoaldifferenceseemedpossible,’Suárezlaterrecalled.‘Thatwastheonlythinginourheads:goals,goals,goals…wethoughtwecouldactuallydoit.’Thisisn’tasludicrousasitseems.Liverpoolhadwon11oftheirprevious12

games,puttingsixgoalspastCardiff,fivepastArsenal,andfouragainstbothTottenhamandSwansea.Theirfinal-dayfixturewasatAnfieldagainstAlanPardew’sNewcastle,whohadcompletelycollapsedinthesecondhalfofthecampaign,losing11oftheir14previousmatches,10ofthemwithoutscoring.Duringthatsequencethey’dbeenthrashed4–0byTottenham,SouthamptonandManchesterUnited,and3–0bySunderland,Chelsea,EvertonandArsenal.Theywereutterlyhopeless.AvictoryofthemarginLiverpoolwouldrequire–quitepossiblydoublefigures–hadneveroccurredbeforeinthePremierLeague.Butthen,nosidehadeverbeenincentivisedtoscoretengoals.Usually,at4–0or5–0up,ateamswitchesoffandconservesenergy,butthiswouldhavebeentheperfectrecipeforthebiggest-everPremierLeaguevictory:arampantattackingforce,boastingthedivision’stoptwogoalscorers,requiringasmanyashumanlypossiblein90minutesagainstateamwhohadcompletelydownedtools.IfLiverpoolcouldscorefourin20minutesagainstleagueleadersArsenal,howmanycouldtheymanagein90minutesagainstatrulyshambolicNewcastleside?Liverpoolevidentlybelievedtheycouldwinbig,anditwouldhavemade

forfascinatingviewing.Weneverfoundout.InSuárezandLiverpool’sdesperationtohammermore

goalspastPalacetheyleftthebackdooropen,concedingthreetimesinthefinaltenminutesandfallingtoadisastrous3–3draw.Suárezwasinconsolableatfull-time,despiteGerrard’sbestefforts,sobbingwithhisshirtoverhishead,makingtheexceedinglylongwalktoSelhurstPark’sinconvenientlyplacedcornertunnelwithhisfacehiddenfromcameras.Liverpool’schancehadgone,andCitywontheirremainingtwomatchestoliftthePremierLeaguetitleforthesecondtime.Whileafinal-dayshootoutwouldhavebeenbrilliant,Liverpoolshouldhave

realisedthatsimplyensuringavictoryagainstCrystalPalacewastheirprimarytask.ThiswouldhaveputManchesterCityundersignificantpressure,andwhileCity’sremainingfixtureswerehardlytricky,athometoAstonVillaandWestHam–theDavidCamerondouble-header–they’dearnedareputationasbottlers.They’dnearlyblowntheirsimplefinal-daymatchagainstQPRtwoyearsearlier,andhadlostthepreviousyear’sFACupFinaltoarelegatedWiganside.Liverpoolhadletthemoffthehook.Liverpool’snaivetywasn’taboutspecifictacticsbutabouttheirwider

objectives.Theydidn’tneedtodefeatChelsea,butdesperatelyattemptedto.Theydidn’tneedtohammermoregoalspastPalace,butdesperatelyattemptedto.Liverpoolhadbecomesucharelentless,all-out-attackingsidethattheycouldn’treverttothestyleRodgersinitiallywanted–thepossessionfootballthatofferedcontrolratherthangoals.Ultimately,thatcostthemthetitle.

23

PressingIssues

‘Ourstyleistowinbacktheballassoonaspossible–wemoveourlinesforwardandplayupfield.Itmayseemlikewearerunningmore,butreallywe

arejustrunninginamoreorganisedway.’

MauricioPochettino

Foracoupleofyearspossessionfootballreignedsupreme–almosteveryoneattemptedtoretaintheballforlongperiods,andtheoppositionsatbackandwaitedfortheiropportunitytoplayinthesamemanner.Eventually,however,therewasasignificantresponse:theriseofpressing.Ratherthansittingbackandadmiringtheopposition’sprettypassing,teamsincreasinglypushedupandattemptedtodisruptit.Pressingwasn’tanewtactic.IthadbeenamajorfeatureofAjaxandthe

Netherlands’TotalFootballinthe1970s,andwasparticularlypopularisedbyArrigoSacchi’sbrilliantACMilansideofthelate1980s.TherewasasignificanthistoryofpressinginEngland,too.WhileformerEnglandmanagerGrahamTaylorwascloselyassociatedwithlong-ballfootball,hissuccessfulWatfordsidealsopressedextremelyeffectively.‘Ourstylewasbasedonpressingtheballwhereveritwas,’Taylorsaid.‘Soeveniftheoppositionright-backhadtheballdeepinhisownhalf,westillpressedhim.Weplayedextremelyhigh-tempofootball,whichmeantwehadtobeextremelyfit.’Taylor’smethodswereunfairlymocked,butatthetimeofhisdeathin

January2017PremierLeaguefootballwasfocuseduponpressinglikeneverbefore,albeitinamoreintenseandcollectivemanner–asoutlinedbyformerArsenalmanagerGeorgeGraham,famousforhisinsistenceonahighdefensivelineinthelate1980sandearly1990s.‘Alotofteamsarebuyingintoapressinggameasthemodernwaytoplay,’hesaid.‘Weusedtopressyearsago,believe

me,butnotcollectivelytotheextenttheydoitnow.’Indeed,pressinglentitselfnaturallytothePremierLeague.Inafootballing

culturefixatedonhardwork,energyandtackling,gettingtighttoopponentswasadominantfeatureofSundayLeaguefootball,nevermindPremierLeaguefootball,whilethecoolertemperaturemadeiteasiertorunconstantlyinEnglandthanincountrieswithaMediterraneanclimate.YetpressingwasrarelydiscussedinthefirsttwodecadesofthePremier

Leagueera.Teamswereoftenpraisedfortheirworkrate,andenergeticforwardswerecreditedforshuttingdowndefenders,butit’sdifficulttoremembermanyteamsbetween1992and2012beinggenuinelycelebratedfortheircollectivepressureuponopponents.Inthesubsequentfiveyears,however,thetacticbecamefootball’smostdiscussedconcept.PressingwasanotherqualityrepopularisedbyPepGuardiola’sBarcelona,

particularlyduringtheir2010/11ChampionsLeague-winningcampaign.ThedifferencebetweentheirperformancesinthetwofinalvictoriesoverManchesterUnitedisextraordinary;in2009Barça’sforwardsretreatedtothehalfwayline,in2011theysprintedforwardtopressrelentlessly,preventingUnitedfromdevelopinganypassingmoves.‘Weplayintheotherteam’shalfasmuchaspossible,’explainedGuardiola.‘We’reahorribleteamwithouttheball,soIwantustogetitbackassoonaspossible.’Englishfootball’ssuddenembraceofpressingcanbetracedbacktoone

specifichalfoffootballinApril2010,whenGuardiola’sBarcelonatravelledtotheEmiratesforaChampionsLeaguequarter-finalfirstlegagainstArsèneWenger’sArsenal.Pre-matchdiscussionconcentratedonthemeetingoftwopossession-basedsides;butwhereasArsenalweresimplyaboutretainingpossession,Barcelonawereequallyconcernedwithdisruptingtheopposition’spossession,andtheirfirst-halfperformancewasasensational,terrifyingexampleofpressing.ArsenalwereabsolutelystunnedbytheferocityandintensityofBarcelona’sperformance,withright-backDanielAlvespushingupsohighthat,atonestage,hewasshuttingdownArsenalleft-backGaëlClichynexttothe

cornerflag.Arsenalhadnoobvioussolution;theywereuncomfortablepassingthroughthepress,andwereunaccustomedtobypassingitbyplayinglong.Theycontinuallyplayedintotrouble,whileBarcelonaregainedtheballclosetotheArsenalgoalandcouldhavebeen5–0upbyhalf-time.OnlyararegoalkeepingmasterclassfromManuelAlmuniakeptthegamegoallessatthebreak.Wengerevidentlyspenthishalf-timeteamtalkencouragingArsenalto

replicateBarcelona’spress,butthisprovedunsuccessful.Pressingisaboutorganisationratherthanmerelyenergy,andArsenalattemptedtoclosedownBarcelona’sdefenceinonesandtwosratherthanasacollectiveunit.Barcelonaplayedthroughthishalf-heartedpresseasily,andwithArsenal’sdefencenowplayinghigher,theyknockedtwolongballsinbehindforZlatanIbrahimovićtoscoretwoalmostidenticalgoals.Arsenalrecovered,however.Barcelonawereexhaustedfromtheirearly

exertions,andtheintroductionofthespeedyTheoWalcottallowedWenger’ssidetoexploitspacebehindthedefence.Walcottgotagoalback,beforeArsenalcaptainCescFàbregaswonandthenscoredapenaltyagainsthisboyhoodclubfiveminutesfromtime.Incidentally,FàbregascrackedhisrightfibulawhenbeingfouledbyCarlesPuyolforthepenaltyandconsequentlymissedtherestofArsenal’scampaign–butadrenalinegothimthroughthenextminute,andhesmashedhomethespot-kickwith,effectively,afracturedleg.Itfinished2–2,butabettersummaryofBarcelona’sdominanceistheamazing14–2‘shotsontarget’figure.‘Lastseasonwewonmanytrophies,butneverplayedawayintheChampionsLeaguelikewedidhere,’Guardiolamarvelledafterwards.‘Wetooktheballandneverallowedthemtoplay.Itwasthebest45minutessinceIbecameacoach…we’vegivenagoodimageofhowfootballshouldbeplayed.’ItwastellingthatGuardiolafocusedon‘neverallowingArsenaltoplay’.OnecoachparticularlyinspiredbyGuardiola’spressingwasAndréVillas-

Boas.ThePortuguesecoachbecameinvolvedinfootballinbrilliantlypoeticfashion–asa16-year-oldPortofanhewasfrustratedthathisfavouriteplayer,DomingosPaciência,hadbeendroppedbymanagerBobbyRobson.Villas-Boas

happenedtoliveinthesameapartmentblockasRobson,soputaletterinhismailboxoutlininghisobjectionstoPorto’stactics.Robson,intypicallywelcomingfashion,invitedVillas-Boasaroundforacupoftea,andthenchallengedhimtoprovideanalysisofPorto’snextgametoillustratehispoint.RobsonwassoimpressedbyVillas-Boas’sfootballbrain,ashehadbeenbyJoséMourinho’s,thatheappointedhimasatraineecoach.Villas-BoaswasstillatPortowhenMourinhobecamemanagerin2002,becominghisoppositionanalystandfollowinghimtoChelsea,wherehebecamerenownedforthedossiersthatdefinedMourinho’sfirstPremierLeaguestint.By2009Villas-Boaswasamanagerinhisownright,atPortuguesesideAcadémica,thenhebecamePortomanagerin2010.Inhisfirstseasonheguidedthemtoanunbeatenleaguecampaign,andhewentontowintheEuropaLeaguewitha1–0victoryoverBraga,whowere,fatefully,managedbyDomingosPaciência,themanwhohadunwittinglylaunchedVillas-Boas’scoachingcareer.ImmediatelyafterthatEuropaLeaguevictoryVillas-Boaspaidtributetoboth

RobsonandMourinho,butsurprisinglyalsotoGuardiola,whomhe’dnevermet.‘Heisalwaysaninspirationformebecausehismethodologygetshisteamplayingfantasticfootball,’Villas-Boasexplained.‘Hisqualityandphilosophyareatemplateformeeveryday.’PerhapsthisalertedRomanAbramovich,whohadrecentlysackedCarloAncelottiandstillyearnedforaChelseasidewithapositiveidentity.Villas-BoasbecameChelseamanagerattheageofjust34.Thiswasaboldchoice,andVillas-Boasdidn’tproveparticularlypopularinEnglishfootball,oftenreferredtoasa‘laptopmanager’moreinterestedinstatisticsthanman-management.Villas-BoasimmediatelyattemptedtotransferhisPortotemplateonto

Chelsea,withdisappointingresults.Thekeyingredientswerea4–3–3systemandanaggressivedefensiveline,andwhileChelseawereaccustomedtotheformer,theystruggledsignificantlywiththelatter.Theteam’sdefensivelinebecamethemajortalkingpointwhenanalysingVillas-Boas’ssystem,becauseitwassoradicallydifferentfromthewaytheyhadplayedsinceMourinho’s

appointmentin2004.Indeed,whileVillas-Boaswasinevitablyreferredtoas‘thenewMourinho’,nootherChelseamanagerhadintroducedsucharadicallydifferentapproachfromtheMourinhoera.ThisaggressivedefensivelineformedpartofVillas-Boas’s‘highblock’,a

termpreviouslyrarelyusedinEnglishfootball,whichreferredtotheoutfieldersallpushingupandpressuringtheopponentsinadvancedpositions.Thiswasasignificantdevelopment;Villas-BoaswasthefirstPremierLeaguemanagersinceGeorgeGrahamwhosetacticsweredefinedbywhattheplayersdidwithoutpossessionratherthanwithit.EventhoughMourinho’sapproachwasconsiderablymoredefensive,hisapproachwasreferredtoascounter-attackingfootball,whichimplicitlyacknowledgesperiodsspentwithouttheballbutliterallyreferstohisside’sattackingapproach.Now,punditsfocusedonChelsea’sapproachwhentheoppositionhadtheball,althoughVillas-Boasoftenemphasisedthathisteamplayed‘vertical’passes–gettingtheballforwardquickly.AlthoughChelseacompressedtheoppositionforlongperiods,theirhighline

wasoftenbreached.Whilethiswasforgivableagainstquickplayers,itwasnotablethattheyalsostruggledagainstNorwichstrikerGrantHolt,aratherrotund,old-fashionedcentre-forwardwhowasexperiencinghisfirstPremierLeagueseasonhavingspenthiscareerinthelowerleagues.InsomematchesChelsea’sapproachlackedcohesion;ina3–1defeatatOldTrafford,forexample,thedefenceplayedhighupthepitchbutthemidfielddidn’tpressproperly,whichinvitedthrough-ballsandrunnersinbehind.Themostblatantexampleoftheproblemwasa5–3homedefeattoArsenal.RobinvanPersiewasthehero,grabbingahat-trick,whilethespeedofwideforwardsTheoWalcottandGervinhorepeatedlyexploitedthespacebehindChelsea’sdefence.ForVanPersie’ssecondgoal,aslightlywaywardJonObiMikelpasstowardsJohnTerryforcedChelsea’scaptaintoturnandsprintback.TheDutchmaneasilyoutpacedhim,andTerrystumbledhelplesslytothefloorasVanPersieroundedPetrČech.ThatbecamethedefiningimageofVillas-Boas’shighblock.

Villas-Boasgraduallyrealisedthatthisapproachwasn’tsuitedtoChelsea,andinDecemberusedanextremelylowblockforapivotalfinalChampionsLeaguegroupmatchagainstValencia,whenhefearedadefeatwouldcosthimhisjob.ChelseaallowedValenciacompletedominanceofmidfield,enjoyingjust31percentofpossession,butranout3–0winners.Itwasold-schoolChelsea.FromthatpointtherewereinevitablymajorquestionsaboutthevalidityofVillas-Boas’shighblock,andafteranarrow2–1victoryoverManchesterCityVillas-Boaswasaskedwhatpositionhisdefenceweresupposedtobetaking.‘Inthebeginningofthegameweweretryingtofindthebestpositionfortheblock,’heexplained.‘Wesetouttodayinamediumblock.Theywerefeelingtoomuchattractiontopresstheirshortbuild-up,andinthefirsttenminuteswesufferedalot.Ithinkweadjustedthat,Ithinktheplayersfelttheyhadtoadjust,sotheyloweredthelinesalittlebit,feltcomfortablewithit,andthentheygainedtheconfidence.’Thissoundedsuspiciouslyliketheplayersoverrulinghistacticsandplaying

deeperthanheintended.ButVillas-Boasgenerallyreturnedtothehighblock,probablywithAbramovich’sdemandsforapositiveidentityonhismind,andsometimestheconsequenceswereextraordinary.Ina3–1defeattoNapoliintheChampionsLeaguesecondround,forexample,theNeapolitansrepeatedlycreatedclearchanceswhenhittingdirectpassesforspeedyleft-wingerEzequielLavezzi,whoexploitedthehugespacebehindChelsearight-backBranislavIvanović.Ultimately,Villas-BoaslastedonlyeightmonthsatChelsea.RobertoDi

Matteo,hisformerassistant,tookChelseatotheChampionsLeaguetitlethatseason–withaMourinho-esquedeepblock.Lessthanfivemonthsafterhisdismissal,Villas-BoaswasbackinthePremier

LeaguewithTottenhamHotspur,asareplacementforHarryRedknapp–who,coincidentally,hadtakenSpurstofourthposition,whichwouldhavebeenenoughforaChampionsLeagueplacewereitnotforDiMatteo’simprobabletriumph.Again,Villas-Boas’semphasisuponpressingwasimmediatelyobvious.

InTottenham’sopeningmatchof2012/13,a2–1defeatatNewcastle,Villas-BoaswantedSpurstopresseveryopponentexceptthecentre-backs,sotheMagpies’defensiveduoofStevenTaylorandJamesPerchfinishedwithpasscompletionratesof100percentand98percentrespectively,whiletherestofNewcastle’ssideaveragedjust77percent.ThissuggestedVillas-Boashadadjustedratherthanabandonedhishighblock.Generally,though,Spurspushedupveryaggressively.Anotablefeaturewas

theextraordinarilyhighstartingpositionofgoalkeeperHugoLloris,whotookthesweeper-keeperroleveryliterallyandregularlyracedoutsidehisboxtoproducespectacularheadedclearances.OccasionallySpursweretremendousunderVillas-Boas,firedbythesensationalGarethBale.Theyrecordedtheirfirst-everPremierLeaguevictoryatOldTraffordinSeptember2012,winning3–2,havingstartedbyaggressivelypressingPaulScholesandMichaelCarrickwiththemoremobileduoofMoussaDembéléandClintDempsey–althoughtheyeventuallyretreatedintoanextremelydeepdefensiveblockandenjoyedjust26percentofpossession.Toooften,however,Spurspressedtoointenselyandofferedlittlecontrol.

Aftera4–2defeatbyVillas-Boas’sformerclubChelsea,nowwithMourinhobackincharge,Villas-Boasadmitted‘thecharacteristicofthegamewasthepaceofthegame.Itwasfrenetic,manyballswerelostbybothteams…theintensitywasaproblem,wewantedtocalmthegamedown.’Butina2–1victoryoverArsenal,apeculiargamecompletelydefinedbybothsidespressingaggressively,usinghighdefensivelinesandcompressingthegameintoaverysmallstrip20yardseithersideofthehalfwayline,Spursweremorecohesiveandsuperioratplayingthrough-balls–goalsfromBaleandAaronLennon,dartinginbehindfromwide,sealedthevictory.Bale’sdeparturewasthemajorcauseofSpurs’suddendeclinethefollowing

season–butthesecondaryproblemwastheirhighdefensiveline.Ina1–0defeattoArsenaltheirbacklinewasrepeatedlypenetratedbytherunsofTheoWalcott,butalsotheconsiderablyslowerOlivierGiroud,whileina1–1draw

withChelseathebadlyout-of-formFernandoTorresproducedhisfirstdecentperformanceformonthsbecausehewasgivensomuchspacetosprintinto,althoughhewasdismissedlateonforatanglewithJanVertonghen.ButwhenVillas-Boas’ssystemfailed,itfailedspectacularly.Therewasan

absolutelyshambolicdefeatatManchesterCity,whenJesúsNavasexploitedSpurs’highlineandopenedthescoringwithin15seconds.Theimmobilecentre-backpartnershipofMichaelDawsonandYounèsKaboulwereabsolutelytornapartbythespeedofSergioAgüero,andwithSpurs3–0downathalf-timeVillas-Boasexacerbatedtheproblembychasingalostcause,switchingfrom4–2–3–1to4–4–2andallowingCitytherunofmidfield.Itfinished6–0.LessthanamonthlaterTottenhamwerethrashedinasimilarmanner,this

timeathomebyLiverpool.WithmidfielderÉtienneCapouedeployedasamakeshiftcentre-backalongsideDawson,Spursagaindefendedextremelyhighupthepitchbutputverylittlepressureontheopponentinpossession.Sureenough,LuisSuárezrepeatedlyracedinbehindandLiverpoolwon5–0.ThiswasmadnessfromVillas-Boas:doingthesamethingagainandagain,andexpectingdifferentresults.Hewassackedthenextday.Bothofhisdismissals,fromChelseaandTottenham,owedmuchtohisobsessionwithahighdefensivelineaspartofapressingstrategy.

Bythisstage,however,Villas-BoaswasnolongertheposterboyforPremierLeaguepressing.ThebatonhadbeenpassedtoMauricioPochettino,whobecameSouthamptonmanagerinJanuary2013.Thiswasasomewhatcontroversialappointment.AfteradifficultstarttoSouthampton’sfirstseasonbackinthePremierLeagueforeightyearsNigelAdkinshadachievedsomeimpressiveresults,anditseemedstrangetodisturbSouthampton’srhythmmidwaythroughthecampaign.Pochettino’sonlypreviouscoachingjobwithEspanyolhadproducedsomeexcitingmatches,particularlywhentheywenttoe-to-toewithcityrivalsBarcelonabypressingthemintensely,butultimatelyhe’dbeendismissedwithEspanyolbottomoftheleague.

Nevertheless,Pochettinowasahighlypromisingyoungmanagerwhoplacedpressingattheforefrontofhiscoachingphilosophy.HisprimaryinspirationwasoneofGuardiola’sidols,MarceloBielsa,althoughPochettinohadastrongerlinktohiscompatriot.BielsahadbeenPochettino’syouthcoachduringthelate1980satArgentinesideNewell’sOldBoys,andwhenpromotedtobecometheclub’smanagerheimmediatelyhandedfirst-teamopportunitiestoPochettino,whowontheArgentineleaguetitleatjust19.Bielsa’ssideswererenownedfortheirhigh-tempo,energeticpressingstyle,whichrubbedoffonPochettino,andtheycrossedpathsagainwiththeArgentinenationalside,andbrieflyatEspanyol.BythetimeofPochettino’sarrivalinEngland,incidentally,Bielsawas

coachingAthleticBilbao,takingthemtoahugelyimpressive5–3aggregateEuropaLeaguevictoryoverManchesterUnited,whentheirintensepressingandrapidone-twoscompletelyoverwhelmedSirAlexFerguson’sside.BeforethatgameBielsaoutlinedhisphilosophy.‘Oursimpleethosistowintheballbackasquicklyaspossible,asfarupthefieldaswecan–andbythatImeaneveryoneisinvolvedinwinningtheball,backfromtheforwards,’heexplained.‘Oncewehavegotit,wetrytofindawayofgettingforwardasquicklyaspossible,inakindofverticaldirection.’Whenitworked,Bielsa’ssidewerethrilling,andPochettinotriedtoreplicatethatstyleatSouthampton–who,coincidentally,hadprovidedAthleticBilbaowiththeirfamousred-and-white-stripedshirtsinthe19thcentury,thankstoshipworkerstravellingbetweenthetwoports.Pochettino’svisionwasobviousfromtheoutset.Inhisopeninggameagainst

Evertonhisattackersstartedthepressure,themidfielderspushedforwardontotheiroppositenumbersandthedefenceheldahighline.InthefirsthalfSouthamptonwonpossessionquicklyandcreatedclearchances,buttheycouldn’tquitetranslatetheirdominanceintogoals.Thepressingmeanttheytiredinthesecondhalfandthegamefinishedgoalless,butoverallPochettinowasdelighted.‘Itwasaverygoodexamplebecauseweputinaverygoodeffort,’hesaid.‘Wewerefocusingonthehighpressure,whichisoneofourmaingoals,so

we’veestablishedthebasicfoundationsofhowwewanttocarryon.’Pochettino’sapproachprovedparticularlyeffectiveagainststrongopposition,

whenSouthamptoncoulddisruptteamswhowantedtoplayoutfromtheback.HisfirstthreePremierLeaguevictories,significantly,wereagainstManchesterCity,LiverpoolandChelsea,butduringthisperiodSouthamptonfailedtobeatWigan,NorwichandQueensParkRangers.InPochettino’sonlyfullcampaignatStMary’s,2013/14,Southampton’sstyle

wasbestsummedupbythecontrastintwostatistics.First,theyachievedthehighestaveragepossessionshareinthePremierLeague.Second,theyachievedjusttheninth-highestpass-completionrateinthePremierLeague.That’saremarkableimbalance,consideringaside’slevelofpossessionisgenerallyconsideredtobeabouthoweffectivelytheyretaintheball.HowdidSouthamptonmanagetodominatepossessionsoregularlywhentheirballretentionwassoaverage?Simple–becausepossessionshareisalsodeterminedbyhowquicklytheballisregained.Southamptonpressedrelentlesslyfromthefront,backedupbythepowerfulduoofMorganSchneiderlinandVictorWanyamapatrollingmidfield.Atturnoverstheyattemptedambitious,verticalpassesthatoftenwentawry.Butifpossessionwasconceded,Southamptonwouldsimplypressagainandrestarttheprocess.TheywerethepurestpressingsidethePremierLeaguehaswitnessed.SchneiderlinofferedanexcellentsummaryofPochettino’sstyle:‘WhenI

press,Ialwaysconcentrateonleavingtheopponentswiththeworstpossiblepass,andPochettinoasksusnottoleavetheopponentwithseveraloptions.Thismeansanenormouscollectiveeffort,butaftersixorsevenmonthsworkingaccordingtohisideas,it’spossibletoharassandcompletelydestabiliseteams.Wecouldn’tdothisimmediately,becauseit’sahugejobintraining.Hewantstogettheballbackashighaspossible,soit’snormallyanattackerwhotriggersthepressingandwemustallfollow.’Pochettino’sapproachworkedwellatSouthampton,whosetremendous

successwithbringingintelligentfootballersthroughtheiracademymeanthe

couldcalluponayoung,energeticsquadwillingtolearnnewmethods.Itprovedusefulforthenationalteam,too;AdamLallana,RickieLambert,JayRodriguez,NathanielClyneandLukeShawallreceivedEnglandcall-ups.ShortlyafteronesquadannouncementSouthamptonfansspentthefirsthalfofthe4–1victoryoverHullinNovember2013singing,‘ComeonEngland!’and‘It’sjustlikewatchingEngland!’incelebrationoftheircontributiontoRoyHodgson’ssquad.Pochettinotransformedhisteamintoagenuinetop-halfsidewithoccasionally

enthrallingfootball,butheneverdeniedhisambition,consideringtheSaintsaspringboardtobiggerclubs.ThispotentiallyexplainswhyhispressingstylewassoextremewithSouthampton–itwas,fromhisperspective,aboutattractingtheattentionofotherclubs.Theyfinishedeighthin2013/14,arespectablefinish,butitwasSouthampton’sstyleratherthantheirresultsthatencouragedTottenhamtoappointPochettinothatsummer.ThiswasessentiallyanattempttocontinueVillas-Boas’sphilosophy;here

weretwomanagersfixatedonpressingandahighdefensiveline.Betweenthesetwospells,SpursweremanagedbyTimSherwood,BlackburnRovers’title-winningcaptainfrom1994/95.Hewasaback-to-basicsthrowbackofamanagerwhoseeminglyoverlookedeverytacticaldevelopmentthathadbeenmadeduringthePremierLeagueera.Sherwoodplayed4–4–2,saidthat‘playersonlycallthemselvesnumber10sbecausetheycan’tscoregoals’andclaimedthathedidn’tunderstandthepointofdefensivemidfielders.Bafflingly,heachievedthehighestwinpercentageofanyTottenhammanagerinthePremierLeagueera,asheconstantlyremindedthemedia.ButwhileSherwoodprovedausefulshort-termmanager,helackedthevisiontooverseeanewera.Pochettino’sTottenhamdidn’tpressasaggressivelyashisSouthamptonside,

buttheystillfocusedonpushingforwardandshuttingdownopponentsquickly.Theywerealsomoreintelligentinthemannertheypressedlaterally,withthewidemidfieldersmovingintocentralpositionswhenopponentshadtheballontheoppositeflank,boxinginopponentstowardsthetouchlines.TheArgentine’sfirstcampaignwithTottenham,2014/15,producedmixedresults;sometimes

Tottenhampressedexcellentlytoforceturnoversandlaunchedquickattacks,exemplifiedbytheiropenerinSeptember’snorthLondonderby.MathieuFlaminiwastentativeinpossessiondeepinsidehisownhalf,ChristianEriksenchargedtowardshim,stoletheballandslippedittoErikLamela,whoplayedinNacerChadlitofinishsmartly.ThatwaspreciselywhatPochettinowanted–anaggressivepressinanadvancedposition,andaquick,directattack.ButonotheroccasionsSpurs’pressinglefttheirdefenceexposed,theyouthfulmidfieldcombinationofRyanMasonandNabilBentaleblackingtherequisitepositionaldiscipline.Thingsimprovedsignificantlyduring2015/16,whenSpursbrieflylauncheda

serioustitlecharge.AsSchneiderlinhadoutlinedatSouthampton,ittakestimeonthetraininggroundtoperfectapressingapproach,andTottenhamweremorefluentinPochettino’sphilosophy.Animprovementinthecalibreofindividualsalsoprovedsignificant;theathleticandskilfulcentralmidfielderDembéléregainedhisplaceasaregular,thephysicaldefenderEricDierwasredeployedasacentralmidfielderwithgreatsuccess,theboundlessenergyofnewsigningDeleAlliprovedcrucial,whiletheoutstandingcentre-backTobyAlderweireldarrivedfollowingasuccessfulseasonatPochettino’sformerclubSouthampton,whowerealsopressingeffectivelyunderhissuccessorRonaldKoeman.Alderweireldformedaformidablecentre-backpartnershipwithfellowBelgianJanVertonghen,bothhavingbeenraisedintheAjaxyouthacademy,whichputsgreatemphasisuponpressing.‘Wetrainprettytactically,’saidAlderweireld.‘Weplaypressingfootball,whereeveryoneworksforeachother,fromthestrikertothegoalkeeper.Weareahungryteam,withoutrealsuperstars;IhaveneverworkedsohardinmylifeasunderPochettino.’Fitnesslevels,too,wereclearlysuperiorinthesecondseason,partlythanksto

Pochettino’sextremelyintensetrainingsessions.‘There’snotbeenagoodmomentinpre-season,ifI’mhonest,’sighedstrikerHarryKane,themajorbeneficiaryofPochettino’sregime.‘Thereweredoublesessions,timeswhenyouwerepushingyourselftothelimit.’TheimprovementofSpurs’twoattacking

full-backs,DannyRoseandKyleWalker,wasremarkable,andtheircontinualrunningdefinedSpurs’shape.TottenhamregularlycoveredgreaterdistancesthananyothersideinthePremierLeague,andweresometimesamazinglydominant,recordinga4–1victoryoverManchesterCityanda3–0winagainstManchesterUnited.SomesuggestedTottenhamdependedtoomuchuponpressing,buttheapproachprovedeffectiveinbothanattackingandadefensivesense.InPochettino’ssecondcampaignSpursrecordedthemostshotsontarget(6.6pergame,somewayclearofthenext-best-placedside,Arsenal,whomanaged5.6)andalsoconcededthefewestgoals.Intermsofpressing,Tottenham’smostnotablematchin2015/16wastheir

goallessdrawathometoLiverpoolinmid-October.Thematchitselfwasuneventful,buttheoccasionwassignificant,becauseitwasLiverpool’sfirstgameundertheregimeofJürgenKlopp.Klopphadestablishedhimselfasatop-classmanageratBorussiaDortmund,

wherehewonconsecutiveBundesligatitlesin2011and2012,andreachedtheChampionsLeagueFinalthefollowingseason,beingdefeatedbyBayernMunichatWembley–acompleteGermantakeoverofEngland’snationalstadium.Dortmund,meanwhile,hadbecomeextremelypopularinEngland,atonepointattractingover1,000Englishfanspermatch.TheWestfalenstadionofferedaraucousatmosphere,cheaptickets,plusstandinganddrinkingontheterraces–everythingthePremierLeaguehadseeminglylost.TherewasalsoDortmund’sexhilarating,high-tempofootballfeaturingspeedytransitionsanddirectrunning.Morethananything,however,Klopp’sgamewasbasedaroundpressing.Tobemorespecific,Klopp’ssystemwasbasedaroundgegenpressing,a

Germanwordthateffectivelytranslatesas‘counter-pressing’.ThiswasdifferentfromthepressingfavouredbyVillas-BoasandPochettino,whichwasaboutconstantlyharassingtheopponentsinadvancedzones.Klopp’sDortmundsometimesplayedinthatmanner,buttheirpresswaslargelyaboutthetimingratherthanthepositioning;counter-pressinginvolvespressuringimmediately

afterpossessionwaslost.Counter-pressingattemptedtoredefinetheacceptednatureofthesimple,

cyclicalfour-partflowchartusedincoachingmanualstoexplain‘phasesofplay’.Traditionally,ateamiseitherinpossessionoroutofpossession.Tomovebetweenthesetwophasesthere’sthetransition–theconceptMourinhopopularisedduringhisfirststintatChelsea.Sotheflowissimple:inpossession,defensivetransition,outofpossession,attackingtransition.Andrepeat.You’realwaysinoneofthesefourstages.ButKlopp’scounter-pressingchangedthat–asuccessfulcounter-pressreplacedthe‘defensivetransition’andallowedthesidetoimmediatelyreturnto‘inpossession’.ThisprovedextremelyeffectiveintheBundesliga,adivisionbasedheavily

aroundtransitions.Klopp’sDortmundsidewouldoftencounter-pressandregainpossessionwhentheoppositionwerelaunchingtheirattackingtransitionandpushingtheirfull-backsforward,makingiteasytopenetratethedefenceandcreategoalscoringchances.‘Thinkaboutthepassesyouhavetomaketogetanumber10inapositionwherehecanplaythegeniuspass,’Kloppexplained.‘Counter-pressingletsyouwinbacktheballnearertothegoal,andit’sonlyonepassawayfromareallygoodopportunity.Noplaymakerintheworldcanbeasgoodasagoodcounter-pressingsituation.’MuchlikeGuardiolaatBarcelona,Klopp’sDortmundmethodsprovedso

effectivethathisphilosophywaspartlypopularisedinthePremierLeaguebeforehe’darrivedhimself.ButKlopp’sappointment,asBrendanRodgers’replacement,neverthelesssparkedLiverpoolintolifeafteradisappointing18monthsfollowingtheirnarrowtitlefailurein2013/14.‘Ibelieveinaplayingphilosophythatisveryemotional,veryfastandverystrong,’Kloppoutlinedathisfirstpressconference.‘Myteamsmustplayatfullthrottleandtakeittothelimiteverysinglegame–tactical,ofcourse,buttacticalwithabigheart.’FromthatfirstmatchatTottenham,despiteKlopponlyhavingacoupleof

daysonthetraininggroundwithLiverpool’sfullsquad,theeffectswereclear.Liverpoolplayeda4–3–2–1thatdominatedthecentre,andtheycounter-pressed

immediatelywhenpossessionwaslost–whichwasoften,consideringTottenham’sownaggressivepress.Thiscreatedanextremelyfast-paced,scrappymatchallaboutdisruptingtheoppositionandshuttingdownpassingoptionsquickly,andthegoallessdrawwasn’tsurprising,asbothsideswerespoilingtheother’sapproachplay.KloppwaspleasedwithLiverpool’sworkrate–andtheybecamethefirstteamtooutrunPochettino’sTottenham–buttheGermanexplainedthat‘theproblemwaswhenwehadtheball–weweren’tgoodenough,wedidn’tuseourskills,weweretoohectic,wedidn’tseetherightoption.’ThiswasreminiscentofVillas-Boas’scomplaints.WhileLiverpool’spossessionplaywouldimproveconsiderably,matchesbetweentwopressingsidesoftenbecamedisjointed.Later,Kloppfrequentlypraisedhissidewhentheywerefranticwithoutpossession,butcalminpossession.ThatwasalsoverymuchthecasewithManchesterUnitedatthispoint,under

thereignofLouisvanGaal.Theydidn’tpressasintenselyasLiverpoolorTottenham,andinitiallyusedasurprisinglysimplepressthatinvolvedmidfieldersman-markingtheiroppositenumbersandinevitablybeingdraggedoutshape.Buttheirmediumblockwaseventuallycompactandcohesive,andVanGaaldidn’treceiveenoughcreditforUnited’sorganisationduringthisperiod–noPremierLeaguesideconcededfewergoalsduringhistwo-yearPremierLeaguespell.Unitedwererathertoocalminpossession,however,whichdidn’tpleaseafanbaseaccustomedtomorepurposefulfootball.ItwasPochettinoandKlopp,though,whowereeffectivelyleadingthe

pressingrevolutioninEnglishfootball,withtheformerkeentopointoutthedifferencesintheirapproaches.‘Ithinkit’sadifferentpressing,’Pochettinoexplained.‘IfyouanalyseDortmund,it’snotsimilartohowweplayedatSouthamptonbecauseourpressingwashighuptotheopponent’sgoalkeeper,butDortmundplayedamediumblock.It’sverystrangetocomparethosetwostyles,Klopp’sstyletomine.’Klopp’sLiverpool,however,increasinglycombinedcounter-pressingwithstandardpressinginadvancedpositions.A4–1thrashingofManchesterCityattheEtihad,afterKlopphadbeeninchargefor

justamonth,showedthepossibilitiesofhishigh-energysystem,withthecounter-pressingandpressingcombinedwithslickinterplayfromRobertoFirmino,CoutinhoandAdamLallanaproducingatrulydominantvictory.LiverpoolreachedtheLeagueCupandEuropaLeaguefinalsinhisfirstseason,althoughtheywerebeatenonbothoccasions.KloppgenerallyoverlookedtraditionalstrikersanddeployedFirmino,an

attackingmidfielder,ashismostadvancedattacker.Whilethiswasinkeepingwiththeincreasedemphasisonforwardslinkingplay,itwasprimarilybecausetheenergeticBrazilianwasexcellentatstartingLiverpool’spress.InKlopp’ssystem,Firmino’sjobwasto‘split’thepitchinhalf,forcingtheoppositiontoplaytheballtowardseitherfull-back,thentopressurethepassinglanebetweenthatfull-backandthenearestcentre-back,whilehisteammateswouldpushupandgettighttoothernearbypassingoptions.MuchlikePochettino’sSouthampton,Liverpoolperformedbetteragainstbigsidesbecausetheydependeduponteamspassingoutfromthebackfortheirpresstobeactivatedandtheirgameplantowork.InthatsenseLiverpoolreturnedtotheirproblemsoftheRafaelBenítezyears,whentheyconsistentlywonbiggamesbutstruggledagainstsmallerteams.Theimpactofthesepressing-focusedmanagerswassignificant–afterafew

yearsofcalm,thoughtfulmatchesinthepossessionera,nowteamswerefierce,franticunitsobsessedwithbreakingupplayandcoveringplentyofground.NoPremierLeagueteamcombinedtop-classpossessionplaywithtop-classpressing,andthereforenonecameclosetothelevelofGuardiola’sBarcelona.Muchofthepressingwastakenforgranted,butthetendencyforteamstopushupandpreventtheoppositiontakinggoal-kicksshort,forexample,isarelativelynewdevelopment.Ofcourse,adecadebeforehandgoalkeeperssimplythumpedtheballdownfield,meaninganypressingwouldhavebeenpointless–sothisisaneatmicrocosmofhowpressingaroseasadirectresponsetopossession.‘There’salotofhigh-intensity,reallyquickpressing,’saidSwansea’sLeon

Britton,whohadepitomisedthepossessionerabutfoundhimselflessvaluedin

thepressingera.‘Thenewgenerationofmanagerisproducingtrainingsessionstoreflectthatgame;theyarepressingquicker,gettingplayerstorecoverquicker.It’san11-mangamenow.’ThatsummarisestheexpansionofthePremierLeague’sdefensiveunits.Most

ofthePremierLeague’sgreatestattackingtalents,fromEricCantonatoCristianoRonaldo,hadthrivedwhenfreedfromdefensiveresponsibilities.Withtheriseofpressing,however,thefreerolewasathingofthepast.

24

Leicester

‘Inanerawhenmoneycountsforeverything,Ithinkwegivehopetoeverybody.’

ClaudioRanieri

ThereissimplynoprecedentforLeicesterCity’sastonishingtitletriumphin2015/16.Noachievementinsportinghistoryhaseverbeensoimprobable;nothingcomesclosetomatchingthepre-seasonoddsof5000/1,whichbecameamajordiscussionpointasClaudioRanieri’ssideedgedclosertothetitle.Previously,all23PremierLeaguetitle-winningsideshadoneofthefivehighestwagebillsinthedivision.Leicester’s,however,wasamongthebottomfive.Despitebeingwidelyconsideredarelegationcandidate,Leicesterstarted

encouragingly,stayedwithintouchingdistanceoftheleadersforlongerthananyoneexpected–andthen,withtheusualsuspectsenduringawfulcampaignsandotherchallengersgraduallydroppingaway,simplykeptongoing.Theirswasatrulywonderfulunderdogvictory,thetypethatsimplydidn’tappearpossibleconsideringthehugefinancialinequalitiesinthePremierLeague–Leicester’swagebillwasaroundone-quarterofChelsea’s.Oppositionplayers,rivalmanagersandfansacrossthecountryunitedinsupportofRanieri’sside,willingthemoverthefinishingline.InPremierLeaguetermsitwasauniqueeventunlikelytoberepeated.Therewas,however,atemplateforRanieriandLeicesterCity.English

footballhadincreasinglybeeninfluencedbysuccessfulEuropeansides,asthesuddenobsessionswithPepGuardiola’sBarcelonaandJürgenKlopp’sDortmunddemonstrated.Foratrueunderdogvictory,meanwhile,therewasthetaleofAtléticoMadrid’simprobable2013/14LaLigasuccess.Thiswaspreviouslyconsideredthebiggestupsetofmodernfootballtimes,asDiegoSimeone’steamendedBarcelonaandRealMadrid’sdecade-longduopolyby

clinchingthetitleatCampNou–serenadedbyBarçasupporterswhocouldn’thelpbutadmirethem.Thiswasn’tquiteaLeicestertale–Atléticowere100/1ratherthan5000/1–butlikethePremierLeague,LaLigahadpreviouslybeendominatedbyanevenmoreuntouchable,evenmoreexclusiveelite.Atléticosmashedthatceiling,andpointedthewayforotherstoupsetthetraditionalbigboys.Simeone’sAtléticooverachievedthroughacombinationofsuperb

organisation,terrifyingintensityandlightning-quicktransitions.Pre-matchteamsheetsdepictedAtléticoinasimple,old-school4–4–2system,althoughtherealitywasmoresophisticated;thetwoforwards,DiegoCostaandDavidVilla,playedextraordinarilydeepwhenAtléticodidn’thavepossession,almostassupplementarymidfielders.Thisallowedthemidfieldquartettositbackandprotectthedefencekeenly,keepingAtléticoincrediblycompactanddifficulttoplaythrough.Theyshepherdedtheoppositionintowideareas,thenpressedintensely,forcingturnoversandcounteringruthlessly.Morethananything,Atléticoweredefinedbytheirlackofinterestinpossession,averaginglessthan50percentthroughouttheirtitlecampaign,whichcameasaseriousshockinSpain,anationthathaddominatedworldfootballwithtiki-taka.Statistically,Atléticoledthewayintermsoftackling,anattributeSpainmidfielderXabiAlonsohadrubbishedas‘alastresort…itisn’taqualitytoaspireto.’LaLiga’swidespreademphasisuponpossessionplayedintothehandsofthealternative:counter-attackingAtlético.BythetimeLeicesterbecametitlefavouritesinthespringof2016,the

similaritywithAtléticowasobvious:acompact4–4–2,deepdefending,feistytacklersincentralmidfield,brilliantcounter-attackingandthemaximisingofset-pieceopportunities.Theirshareofpossessionwasthethird-lowestinthedivisionwithonlyWestBromandSunderland–managedbyTonyPulisandSamAllardycerespectively,thePremierLeague’smostnotoriousrouteonemerchants–seeinglessoftheball.However,likeAtléticoin2013/14,Leicesterrecordedthehighestnumberoftacklesinthedivisionandthehighestnumberof

interceptions.ThefascinatingstorybehindLeicester’sfairy-taleseasonistheirgradualevolutionintothattypeofside.Inthepreviousseason,2014/15,LeicesterwereplayinginthePremierLeague

forthefirsttimeinoveradecade.Itinitiallyappearedafleetingreturn,astheFoxeswereintherelegationzoneforoverhalfthecampaignandbottomfor17consecutivematches.Butalate-seasonsurge,inpartbecausemanagerNigelPearsonswitchedtoathree-mandefence,provedcrucial.Havingwonjustfouroftheirfirst29matches,Leicesterwonsevenoftheirlastnine,withthatwinningstreakonlybrokenbyadefeattoeventualchampionsChelsea,andagoallessdrawatSunderlandwhenLeicesterknewapointwouldsealsurvival.Pearson,havingachievedthishugelyimprobablegreatescape,was

surprisinglysackedinthesummer.Alocalnewspaperpollfoundthat70percentofsupportersdisagreedwiththedecision.Pearson’sconductinpressconferencesandininteractionswithsupportershadoccasionallybeenentirelyunprofessional,whilehisson,areserveteamplayer,wassackedhavingbeenfilmedusingracistlanguagewhileonapost-seasontriptoThailand–particularlyembarrassinggiventhatLeicesterwereownedbyThaibillionaireVichaiSrivaddhanaprabha.LeicesterthenstunnedthefootballingworldbyappointingRanieri.He’dmostrecentlybeenseenspectacularlyfailingwiththeGreeknationalside,whosufferedanembarrassingdefeattotheFaroeIslands.AtLeicesterhelastedonly20months,andwasdismissedwiththeclubhoveringjustabovetherelegationzone.Inthatperiod,though,herecordedthemostsensationaltitlevictoryinEnglishfootballhistory.

‘Theywerestrong,veryfighting,’RanierisaidofLeicester’s2014/15campaign,athisfirstLeicesterpressconference,‘butIthinktheyneedalittlemoretactics.’ThroughouthisstintatChelseaRanieriwasnicknamed‘theTinkerman’forhistendencytorotate,changeformationandmakesurprisesubstitutions.ButuponarrivalatLeicesterhewasnoticeablykeennottoreinventthewheel.AtChelseaRanieridiscoveredthatthereweremembersofhisownbackroomstaffwho

wereextremelyunpopularwiththeplayers,sowithLeicesterheretainedtheservicesofPearson’shighlyratedandpopularassistantsSteveWalshandCraigShakespeare.Ranierispentthepre-seasontriptoAustriaobservingtrainingsessionsrather

thaninterfering.‘I’msureIdon’twanttochangetoomanythings–I’mgoingtochangeveryslowly,sothateveryoneunderstandsme,’heannounced.Notably,throughoutLeicester’spre-seasonfriendlieshealwaysstartedwithPearson’sformation,althoughheroutinelyswitchedtoafour-mandefence.‘I’dstartwithabackthreeandswitchtoabackfourathalf-time,’heexplained.‘Anditwasreallysimple–wejustplayedbetterwithafour.’ForLeicester’sfirstleaguegame–againstSunderland–hethereforesettledonafour-mandefencebutnamedonlyonenewsigning,energeticJapanesestrikerShinjiOkazaki,inhisstartingXI.Otherrecruits,suchasmidfielddestroyerN’GoloKantéandleft-backChristianFuchs,neededtobepatient.WhileRanieriwouldeventuallynamethesamestartingXIalmosteveryweek,atthestartofthecampaignonlysevenofthoseplayerswereinhisside.Initially,Leicesterwerenothinglikethesolid,defensive-mindedoutfitthat

wouldlatergrindoutnarrowvictoriesduringtherun-in.Infact,theirjourneywastheoppositeofLiverpool’sin2013/14,whostartedoffwinningmatches1–0,thenbecameinvolvedincountlessgoalfests–Leicesterstartedtheseasonwithend-to-endthrillers,thenlearnedhowtowininacontrolledmanner,eventuallybecomingrenownedasasuperbcounter-attackingoutfit.Thisapproachwasimpossibleintheopeningweeks,becauseitdependsupontheoppositioncomingontoyou.Leicester,however,frequentlyconcededthefirstgoalandwerethereforeforcedtodominatematchesinsearchofacomeback.InfouroftheiropeningsixmatchestheFoxeswent1–0behind,meaningtheoppositionsatdeeperanddeniedRanieri’ssidespacetobreakinto.Theyprovedexcellentatclawingthemselvesbackintogames,andsomewhatsurprisinglymaintainedtheleague’slongestunbeatenrun.Afterfivematchestheywereinsecondplace.

ButRanieriwasn’thappy,andherealisedthatasignificantdefensiveimprovementwasrequiredsimplytokeepLeicesterinthePremierLeague.Aheadofthesixthgameoftheseason,awayatStoke,Ranieriannouncedhe’dbribedhisplayerstounderlinetheimportanceofshuttingouttheopposition.‘Whenwemakeacleansheet,Iwillbuyeverybodyapizza!’hedeclared.‘Iwanttobuypizza,butmyplayersdon’twantpizza–maybetheydon’tlovepizza?’Theproblem,however,wasmoreaboutLeicester’stacticalapproachthantheplayers’culinarypreferences;theywereextremelyopen,andtheirdefencewasconstantlypenetratedbythrough-ballsbetweencentre-backandfull-back.Theydidn’tkeepacleansheetatStoke–indeed,captainWesMorgan’swaywardback-passforJonWalters’goalwastheworstdefensivemistakeofLeicester’scampaign–andthePotterswere2–0upatthebreak.ButwhenRanierireshapedathalf-time,hestumbleduponthemidfieldquartetthatwouldtakeLeicestertothetitle.Crucially,thisfeaturedKantédeployedasacentralmidfielderforthefirsttime,thecombativeFrenchmanbeingoneofthreekeyplayerswhowoulddefineLeicester’scampaign.Kanté,signedfromCaenthatsummer,wasn’tactuallythemaintarget

identifiedbyLeicester’srecruitmentdepartment.Theirfirst-choicewasJordanVeretout,andtheyweredisappointedwhentheplaymakerchosetojoinAstonVilla–which,consideringVillafinishedbottom,provedanunimaginablyawfuldecision.Kantéwasadifferenttypeofplayer,whohadimpressedLeicester’sanalyticsteamwithhisball-recoverystatistics,winningmoretacklesthananyotherLigue1player.Initially,heandfellownewcomerGökhanİnler,amoreexcitingpurchasebecauseheboastedChampionsLeagueexperienceandcaptainedSwitzerland,wereomitted,withthepreviousseason’scombinationofDannyDrinkwaterandAndyKingpreferred.WhenhandedopportunitiesİnlerwashugelydisappointingandstruggledwiththepaceofthePremierLeague,butKantéplayedatahighertempothananyone,buzzingaroundthepitchandconstantlydispossessingopponents.Indeed,hewassoenergeticthatRanieriwasinitiallyreluctanttodeployhimasadefensivemidfielder,feelingherequired

playerswhoofferedmorepositionaldiscipline.AsaresultKanté’sinitialopportunitiescameeitherontheleft,orinOkazaki’spositionbetweenmidfieldandVardy–theFrenchmanwastheonlyplayerwhocouldmatchOkazaki’sincredibleworkrate.Despitebeingfieldedinrelativelyattackingroles,Kanté’sball-winning

statisticsprovedimpossibletoignore.FromhisadvancedmidfieldpositionhewontentacklesagainstBournemouth,sixmorethananyoneelseonthepitch,andfromtheleftagainstStokehemadethemostballrecoveries.Hewasevidentlyanoutstandingball-winner,andRanierigraduallyrealisedthatheshouldbeanchoringLeicester’smidfield.Athalf-timeagainstStokeheremovedthecumbersomeİnlerandintroducedMarcAlbrighton,whohadbeenharshlydropped,havingrecordedthreeassistsinfivegames.Kantéshiftedinsideintohispreferredcentralrole,andLeicesterimproveddramatically–moreball-winningpotentialinthemiddle,morecrossingthreatfromAlbrighton.Theyproducedyetanothersecond-halfcomeback,drawing2–2,andKantéwouldneverbemovedfromthatcentralrole.HeevokedmemoriesofformerChelseadefensivemidfielderClaudeMakélélé,makingboththemosttacklesandthemostinterceptionsofanyplayerinthePremierLeaguethatseason.‘Weplaythreeinmidfield,’jokedassistantSteveWalsh.‘WeplayDanny

DrinkwaterinthemiddleandKantéeitherside.’Itwasapertinentjoke,althoughit’sworthconsideringthatLeicester’struethirdcentralmidfielderwasactuallyOkazaki,whodroppedintoextremelydeeppositionsandshutdowntheopposition’sholdingmidfielderquickly.Hewasastrikerbynature–butfivegoalsandnoassistsunderlinesthefactheofferedlittlethreatinthepenaltybox.Instead,hewasmoreusefulforstartingthedefensivepressure.Kanté’scentralpositioningwasonlythefirststepinLeicester’sevolution,and

itdidn’treapinstantrewards.Thetitle-winningmidfieldquartetofMahrez,Drinkwater,KantéandAlbrightonstartedtogetherforthefirsttimethefollowingweekend,butLeicester’sunbeatenrecordwasendedwitha5–2thrashingatthehandsofArsenal,whosequickattackersAlexisSánchezand

TheoWalcottfoundplentyofspaceinthechannels,theChileangrabbingahat-trick.AtthispointLeicesterwereathrillingall-out-attackside;they’djointlyscoredthemostgoalsinthePremierLeaguealongsideWestHam,butonlySunderlandhadconcededmore.Theydroppedtoeighthposition,surelyregressingtowardstheirrightfulplace,andRanieristillhadn’tboughtpizza.Hiscentre-backs,MorganandRobertHuth,lackedmobilityandwereforcedtocoverahugeamountofspacewiththeirteammatesbombingforwardregularly.Revertingtothepreviousseason’sthree-mandefenceseemedanobvioustacticalswitch,butRanieripersistedwiththebackfourandconcentrateduponminimisingspaceinthechannels.Aheadofthenextgame,againstNorwich,hemadeasignificantdecision.IntheopeningweeksRanieri’sleft-backwasJeffreySchlupp,aflyingwing-

backinPearson’ssystem,whosefrequentpowerfulrunshadearnedhimLeicester’sPlayers’PlayeroftheYearaward.Buthisattack-mindedmentalitydidn’tworkatleft-back,andRanieriknewhisforwardrunningwasexposingthecentre-backs.Instead,hefieldedFuchs,wholackedSchlupp’sattackingdynamismbutwassixfootone,solid,andcouldtuckinsidetoprotectMorganandHuth.Ontheoppositeflank,RitchieDeLaethadmadetoomanydefensivemistakes,soDannySimpsonreplacedhimandplayedmoreconservatively.Theyweregivenspecificinstructions:youcanonlyoverlapwhenLeicesterarelosing.Thechangewasdramatic.Leicesterdroppeddeeper,playednarrowerand

concededspaceontheoutsideof,ratherthanbetween,thefourdefenders.ThestrongduoofMorganandHuthwerehappierremainingontheedgeoftheirownboxandheadingawaycrossesratherthanplayinghigherupandchasingquickeropponentsintothechannels.‘JeffandRitchiegoingforwardarelightning,’explainedgoalkeeperKasperSchmeichel.‘Butitlefthuge,hugespacestobeexposedinbehind…weneededtochangesomething.Nowwehavefourdefendersinthere.’It’saclichétoinsistItalianmanagerslovedefensivefootball,butRanieri

continuallyemphasisedhis‘Italiantactics’,andhedeliberatelytookafurther

stepbackwardstoconcentrateonkeepingacleansheet.Astonishingly,hedroppedMahrez,theright-wingerwhohadrecordedfivegoalsandthreeassistsinhisfirstsevengames,andwouldeventuallybevotedPFAPlayeroftheYear.Fortwogames,withRanierisodeterminedtoimproveLeicester’sdefensivestructure,Mahrezwasomitted.Notinjured,notrested,notrotated,simplyexcludedfromthestartingXIfortacticalreasons.Schluppplayedontheleftofmidfield,Albrightonstartedontheright.Thecleansheetstilldidn’tcome,butLeicesterlookedbetterdefensivelyagainstNorwichandSouthampton.Then,tenmatchesintothecampaign,theybaggedtheirfirstcleansheet,

againstCrystalPalace.RanierirecalledMahrez,butnotinapositionwherehehaddefensiveresponsibility,insteadusingtheAlgerianbehindVardy–thetwocombinedfortheonlygoalofthegame.‘ItwasmoreofanItalianmatchthananEnglishone,’grinnedRanieri.ThatItalianmatchwascelebrated,ofcourse,withpizza,althoughRanierididn’tsimplybuydinner.HetooktheentiresquadtoPeterPizzeriainthecentreofLeicester,wheretheplayershadtomaketheirownpizzas.Thisservedasagreatteam-bondingexerciseandatremendousPRstunt,anewspinonPremierLeaguefootballerswithloadsofdough.Behindthefunandgames,however,thiswasagenuinelysignificantmoment.

Fromthispointon,Leicesterkeptcleansheetsinexactlyhalfoftheirremainingmatches,includinganincrediblespellof12in17gamesastheyevolvedfromsurprisecontenderstotitlefavouritesinthenewyear.Defensively,Leicesterwerewellorganisedinopenplayandsomewhatphysicalatset-pieces,withHuthadmittingheoftenstrayedbeyondwhatisconsideredlegal.Thefollowingseason,whenrefereeswereinstructedtopunishshirt-pullingatcornerkicksmorekeenly,Leicesterstruggledandright-backSimpsonclaimedthisrefereeingchangeaffectedthembadly.Theshifttoadeeper,morecompactdefensiveblockalsosuitedVardy,

Leicester’ssecondkeyplayer,whobecamethefirstfootballertoscorein11consecutivePremierLeaguematches,anunthinkableachievementconsideringhe’dmanagedjustfivegoalsinthewholeofthepreviousseason.Hedominated

headlineswhenLeicester’sformseemedanoveltyratherthanmakingthemserioustitlechallengers;whileeveryonewasfocusinguponhisunprecedentedscoringstreak,Leicesterwenttopwitha3–0winatNewcastleinNovember,andwouldholdthatpositionfor20ofthenext23matchdays.Vardy’srisewastrulyremarkable.He’dbeenreleasedbySheffield

Wednesdayasateenagerandcompletelyquitfootballforsevenmonths,beforestormingupthefootballingpyramidinamannerrarelywitnessed,startingateighth-tierStocksbridgeParkSteels,wherehiswagewas£30aweek.Followingaconvictionforassault,heplayedforsixmonthswithanelectronictagaroundhisankleandwasforcedtoobserveahomecurfewfrom6pmeveryevening,whichmeantbeingsubstitutedmidwaythroughthesecondhalfatawaymatchesanddrivinghomequickly.Thencameamovetoseventh-tierHalifaxTownfor£15,000,whileheworkedfull-timeatafactorymakingcarbon-fibresplints.Twenty-ninegoalsin41gamesearnedhimatransfertoFleetwoodTown,inthefifthtierofEnglishfootball.Hespentjustaseasonthere,because34goalsin42matchesmeantLeicesterwerepreparedtospend£1mtosecurehisservices–arecordforanon-leagueplayer.InitiallyVardyseemedtoorawforthePremierLeague,butasignificant

improvementtohisfirsttouchandfinishingabilityturnedhimfromanenergeticworkhorseintotheleague’sdeadlieststriker.Havingspentmuchofhiscareeroutwide,Vardy’sgamewasallaboutexploitingspaceontheoutsideofcentre-backs,receivingtheballontherunandfinishingsmartly.Therewasalsoasignificantshiftinhisdutiesoncehisgoalscoringformbecameapparent;atthestartoftheseasonVardyretreatedalongsideOkazakitoensureLeicesterremainedcompactanddifficulttoplaythrough.AlthoughRanieripersistedwithroughlythesamesystem,Vardywasaffordedlicencetostayhigher,ontheshoulderofthelastdefenderandconsiderablyinadvanceofOkazaki,enablingLeicestertofindhimrunningthroughongoalimmediatelyafterpossessionwaswon.Itwas4–4–1–1ratherthan4–4–2.Vardy’smemorabledippingstrikeagainstLiverpoolina2–0homevictorywasanotableexampleofhowLeicester

providedhimwithservice–Mahrezcollectedalooseballdeepinsidehisownhalf,broughtitundercontrolandthenimmediatelyfiredtheballintothechannelforVardy,whothumpedithomefirst-time.Youcouldn’tfindamoredirectattack;thiswasaone-passmove.‘JamieVardy’shavingaparty’becameLeicesterfans’mainchant.VardydevelopedaparticularlygoodrelationshipwithDrinkwater,whose

searchingdiagonalballsworkedperfectlywiththestriker’sacceleration.‘Youcanhita50–50ballandhechangestheoddswithhispaceandhunger,’ravedDrinkwater.‘Hemakesbadpasseslookbrilliant.’GoalkeeperSchmeichelsaidsomethingsimilar.‘Whenyouhaveaplayerlikethat,he’sadreamtoplaywith.Youhitballsandclearancesandhemakessomethingofthem,heturnsthemintogoodballsbecausehechaseseverythingdownandnevergivesup.’Schmeichel’slong-rangethrowswerecrucialtoLeicester’scounter-attacking,reminiscentofthewayhisfatherhadrevolutionisedgoalkeeperdistributioninthePremierLeague’sformativeyears.AsiftounderlineLeicester’slackofinterestinpossessionfigures,SchmeichelrecordedthelowestpasscompletionrateofanyPremierLeagueplayer–buthisdistributionskillswerevital,ashecreatedmorechancesthananyothergoalkeeper.Leicester’sunderdogstatuswasalsocrucialtotheirfootballingstyle.

Traditionallybigclubscan’tsolelydependuponcounter-attacking,especiallyathome,becauseopponentstendtodefenddeep.ButLeicesterwereallowedtoplaythatwaybecauseopponentsalwaysunderestimatedthem,playingintheirdefaultstyleratherthanadjustingtheirapproachtodenyLeicesterspace.AclassicexamplewasLeicester’s3–0victoryoverSwansea,whocontinuallypushedtheirfull-backsforward,whichcreatedspaceforVardyandMahrez,whohitaperfecthat-trick(rightfoot,leftfoot,header).Mahrez,Leicester’sthirdkeyplayer,provedextremelyimportantduringthis

stageoftheseason.Althoughhewasabrilliantcounter-attacker,hewasn’tsimplyaspaceinvaderlikeVardy,andhecoulddribblepastopponentswithtrickery,whichwasessentialnowthatopponentswereparkingmenbehindthe

ball.Adribbler,anassisterandagoalscorerinone,MahrezwasLeicester’sbestall-roundfootballer,andhissensationalcontributionsjustifiedthefactthatheplayedaconsiderablymoreadvancedrolethanAlbrightonontheoppositeflank.LikeCristianoRonaldoandLuisSuárez,thecontributionfromhiscounter-attacksexcusedhisnottrackingtheoppositionfull-back.HewasdeservedlyvotedPlayeroftheYearbyhisfellowprofessionals.EvenwhenopponentsstartedtoguardagainstLeicester’scounter-attacks,

however,theFoxesstillfoundawaythrough.ShortlybeforeChristmas,VardyandMahrezwerethetwogoalscorersinLeicester’sfamous2–1winoverreigningchampionsChelsea,whowerebadlystrugglinginthebottomhalfofthetable.JoséMourinhowasfurious;hecomplainedthathis‘workwasbetrayed’,havinghighlightedthatduo’sthreatbeforehand.Butneithergoalwasscoredonthebreak.ThefirstcamefromMahrezcrossingtoVardy,thesecondwasallaboutMahrez’strickeryoutfoxingCésarAzpilicueta,arguablythePremierLeague’sbestfull-back.Thatgame,incidentally,finishedoffMourinho’ssecondspellatChelsea,a

poeticmomentconsideringthePortuguesecoachhadreplacedRanieriatChelseain2004andfrequentlyattackedhiminsubsequentyears.Atonepoint,hesaidRanieri‘hadthementalityofsomeonewhodoesn’tneedtowin…heisalmost70yearsofage,hehaswonaSupercupandanothersmalltrophy,andheistoooldtochangehismentality.’Butthatmentalityprovedperfectforplayingdownexpectationsandcopingwithpressure.RaniericontinuallyinsistedLeicester’stargetwastoavoidrelegation,thentoqualifyforEurope,thentoqualifyfortheChampionsLeague.Gradually,though,itbecameclearLeicesterweregenuinetitlechallengers.Leicester,likeLiverpooltwoyearsearlier,alsohadtheadvantageofno

Europeanfootballandthereforemuchbetterpreparationforweekendmatchescomparedwiththeirtitlerivals.Thisnotonlyhadtacticalbenefits;italsogavetheteamphysicaladvantages,asRanieriexplained.‘InEnglandthefootballisalwaysofahighintensityandwipespeopleout.Theyhavemoreneedto

recover.WeplaySaturday,thenSundayisadayoffforeveryone.OnMondayweresumewithlighttraining,thewaytheydoinItaly.Tuesdayishardtraining,Wednesdayabsoluterest.OnThursdayanotherhardsession,Fridaypreparationforthematch,Saturdayanothergame.’AteamplayingonaWednesdaywouldn’thavethosetwohardtrainingsessions.Leicesterwererunningharder,betterandfasterthananyothersideinthePremierLeague.

OverChristmasLeicesterfailedtofindthenetinthreeconsecutivegames,suggestingtheirbubblehadburst,althoughthiswouldbetheironlythreeblanksallseason.Opponentsstartedadjustingtotheirthreat,andwhileVardyscoredexcellentcounter-attackinggoalsagainstLiverpool,SunderlandandWestHaminthesecondhalfofthecampaign,therewerefeweropportunitiesforLeicestertogethimrunninginbehind.Atonepointhemanagedjustfourgoalsin16games,oneofthemapenalty,adroughtthatforcedLeicestertodiversifyandfindgoalsfromelsewhere.Penalties,incidentally,provedaveryusefulsourceofgoalsfortheclub–theywereawarded13,themostofanyPremierLeagueteamsince2001/02.DefenderswerefrequentlyisolatedagainstthespeedofVardyorMahrez,andendedupbringingthemdown.Vardy’sdryspellmeantcleansheetsbecamemoreimportant,asLeicester

neededtoensurethatscoringonegoal,ratherthantwoorthree,wouldbeenough.Theyrecordedsix1–0winsduringthetitlerun-in,includingaspelloffiveinsixgames.‘Those1–0sarereallyimportantbecauseitpointsoutthattheyareaunit,they’renotgoingtolose,’saidanimpressedSirAlexFerguson,givingararepost-retirementinterview.Significantly,noneofthesewinnerswerescoredbyVardy,orfromcounter-attacks.Tactically,thiswasthemostimpressivepartofLeicester’sincredibletitletriumph;althoughtheyhadperfectedcounter-attackingfootball,theyrealisedthedangersofrelyingonthatapproachandbecameaconsiderablymorecompleteside.Theyachievedthisinthreecrucialways.First,Leicester’sevolutionintoacompleteattackingforceinvolvedtheir

potencyfromset-pieces.AsLiverpoolhaddemonstratedwhenalmostwinningthetitletwoyearsbeforehand,strikingearlyfromdead-ballsituationsisextremelyusefulforcounter-attackingsideswhostruggletopenetratedeepdefences–becauseitforcesdefensive-mindedopponentstocomeoutandchasethegame,leavingspacetobreakinto.Centre-backduoHuthandMorgan,whohadn’tregisteredinthefirsthalfofthecampaign,contributedfiveimportantgoalsafterChristmas;HuthnoddedinthewinnerinthecrucialJanuaryvictoryoverTottenham,whoemergedasLeicester’smaintitlerivals,thenscoredtwomore,includingtheearlyopener,atManchesterCityinFebruary.Morgan,meanwhile,scoredawinneragainstSouthamptonandtheequaliserina1–1drawatOldTraffordinApril–when,forthefirsttimeallseason,Leicesterlookedextremelynervous.Second,Ranieri’stinkermantacticsprovedinvaluable.Althoughheretaineda

settledstartingXIafterChristmas,heusedhisbenchextremelyeffectively.Againstdeeperdefences,back-upstrikerLeonardoUlloabecametheperfectplanB,asheofferedconsiderablymoreheightthanVardyandOkazaki,andthrivedoncrosses.InFebruary,withtenminutesremaininginahomematchagainstNorwich,Ranierirealisedthematchwassetforagoallessdraw.Hemadeacourageousdecision,introducingbonuscentre-backUlloainplaceofright-backDanielAmartey,whohadstartedinplaceofthesuspendedSimpson.Sureenough,Ulloapoppedupinthe89thminutewithacrucialwinner.Later,whenVardyservedatwo-gamesuspension,Ulloakepthiscomposuretonetastoppage-timepenaltyina2–2drawwithWestHam,thenhittwomoregoalsagainstSwansea.Hiscontributionwasminimalintermsofplayingtimebuthighlysignificantintermsofpoints.Thefourthgoalinthatcrushing4–0victoryoverSwanseawastelling,featuringacombinationbetweenthreesubstitutes–King,AlbrightonandJanuaryarrivalDemaraiGray.Thematchwasalreadywon,butitunderlinedhowRanierikepttheentiresquadinvolved,despiterarelymakingchangestohisfirstXI.ThethirdelementinLeicester’sevolutionwasthemostcrucial,andreceived

surprisinglylittleattention;farfromrelyingoncounter-attacking,theteamnowplayedmoreproactively,particularlyintheopeningstagesofmatches.Itwasn’taboutpossessionplaybutinsteadaboutregainingtheballinadvancedpositionsbypressingaggressively.Thiswasparticularlynotableinthe3–0victoryversusStokeinJanuary,andabsolutelycrucialintheseason-defining3–1victoryagainstManchesterCityattheEtihadthefollowingmonth.Fromkick-offattheEtihad,Drinkwaterthumpedalongdiagonalballinto

City’sright-backzone,sendingtheballstraightoutofplayforaCitythrow–andLeicesterpushedforwardtoboxtheiropponentsin.PerhapsDrinkwatersimplyoverhithispass,butLeicesterseemedtobedeliberatelygivingawaytheball,underliningtheirlackofinterestinpossession.Itmeant,however,thattheycouldquicklypresshigh,andKantéimmediatelywona50–50tacklewithYayaTouré.Thegamewasn’taminuteold,andLeicesterwerealreadydemonstratingtheirball-winningqualities.UponregainingpossessionLeicesterimmediatelyswitchedplaytoMahrezon

theright.BythisstageoftheseasontheAlgerian’sdeterminationtocutinsideontohisleftfootwaswell-established,soCitybossManuelPellegrinifieldedFabianDelphasanarrowleft-sidedmidfielder,specificallytopreventMahrezmovinginside.Heandleft-backAleksandarKolarovwereclearlysupposedtoshowMahrezdowntheline.ButtotheirsurpriseMahrezwasentirelyhappytogothere–hedartedtowardsthebyline,catchingoutKolarov,whoclumsilyfouledhim.Fromtheensuingfree-kickMahrezcrossedforHuthtoscore.ThenatureoftheseopeningtwominutesdemonstratedLeicester’sevolution.

TheyrealisedCitywouldattempttopreventthemcounter-attacking,sotheychangedtheirgameplanandpressedhigh.Mahrezrealisedhewouldstruggletofindspacewhenhedriftedinside,sohewentoutside.Thisiswhatgreatchampionsdo;whentheiropponentscanproactivelynullifytheirstrengthstheydiversify,notsimplyexcellingattheirfavouredmovesbutalsoatthealternatives.Ofcourse,thebeautyofgoing1–0aheadwasthatLeicestercouldplayonthebreakafterall,withMahrez’soutstandingsecondgoalaperfect

example.Onceagainhesurprisedanoppositiondefender,thistimeMartinDemichelis,bycheckingtohisright,andthensmashedtheballpastJoeHartwithhisweakerfoot.Huthscoredanothergoaltomakeit3–0,andwhileSergioAgüeropulledone

backasManchesterCityrallied,Leicesterwon3–1andweregenerouslyapplaudedoffthepitchbytheoppositionsupporters.Thiswasamomentousday–Leicesterwentfivepointsclearatthetop,becamethebookmakers’favourites,andasRanierilateradmitted,thiswasthefirsttimehetrulybelievedhisteamcouldwinthetitle.EvenCitygoalkeeperHartseemedtorealisewhatwashappening,tellinghisex-teammateSchmeichelonthepitchafterwards:‘Allright,comeon,ifyou’reevergoingtowinit,it’snow.Getitdone.’Alate2–1defeattoArsenalfollowed–withvariousLeicesterplayerssayingArsenal’spost-matchcelebratorydressing-roomphotosprovedanunlikelysourceofmotivation.Fromthatpointforwards,Leicesterwereunstoppable.Theirsuccessionoflate-season1–0victorieswashighlyimpressive,butthere

wereinevitablytimeswhentheywereslightlyfortunate.TheyretreatedextraordinarilydeepatCrystalPalaceinMarch,andafterMahrezgavethemthelead,theyplayedterriblyandinvitedtoomuchpressure,withPalacecentre-backDamienDelaneyhittingthebarinstoppagetime.ButitwasmomentslikethisthatconvincedLeicesterfansthattheunthinkablewasgoingtohappen.Twentyminutesafterfull-timeatSelhurstPark,theawaysectionremainedpacked,asLeicestersupportersstayedbehindtochant,‘Nowyou’regonnabelieveus–we’regonnawintheleague.’Itwasquiteasight.SomePalacefansapplaudedthemastheyshuffledtowardstheexits,othersstoppedandsimplywatchedthembeltingoutthesamesongagainandagainandagainwithalookofbemusementasiftosay:thisishappening.Leicesterwereactuallygoingtowintheleague.Therehavebeen‘neutrals’favourites’inthePremierLeaguebefore,but

nothinglikeLeicester.GaryLineker,Leicester’smostfamousex-playerandnowtheirmostfamoussupporter,wasunashamedlycheeringthemonwhilepresentingMatchoftheDayeveryweekend–andnoonecomplained.

Oppositionmanagerswerefallingoverthemselvestosupportthem.‘ItwouldbeabsolutelyfantasticforeveryoneinfootballifLeicestercoulddoit,’saidWestBrommanagerTonyPulis.‘IamsupportingLeicesterCitybetweennowandtheendoftheseason.’Southampton’sRonaldKoemanjoinedin–‘Theydeservetowinthetitle,Ihopetheydowinit’–andSwanseabossFrancescoGuidolinrepeatedthemessage.Peculiarly,Leicesterweren’tevenbattlingthepre-seasonPremierLeaguefavourites.ChampionsChelseaspentmostoftheseasoninthebottomhalf,ManchesterCitycollapsedafterPellegriniannouncedhewasleavinginFebruary,whileManchesterUnitedweresomediocrethatevenliftingtheFACupcouldn’tsaveLouisvanGaal’sjob.LeicesterendedupcompetingagainstArsenal,whohadn’twontheleaguein12seasons,andTottenham,whohadn’ttriumphedforoverhalfacentury.YetLeicesterwerestilloverwhelminglytheneutrals’favourites.Thisextendedtooppositionplayers,too.Goingintothefinalfortnightofthe

campaign,Leicesterwereonthebrinkofsecuringthetitle.TheFoxesneededonemorevictoryagainstEvertonorChelsea–butifTottenhamslippedupawayatStamfordBridge,Leicester’stitlewouldbeconfirmedearly.Spursracedtoa2–0leadatStamfordBridge,butthensomethingclickedforthehomeside.Beforehand,Chelsea’splayershadbeenunanimousintheirsupportforLeicester.‘Idon’twantSpurstowinit,tobehonest,’admittedmidfielderCescFàbregas.‘Forwhatthey’vedonethroughtheseasonI’dloveLeicestertowinthePremierLeague.’WingerEdenHazard,whohadwonthe2014/15PFAPlayeroftheYearawardwhenChelseatriumphed,butspentmuchof2015/16off-formandcompletelydisinterested,echoedthesentiment.‘We–thefans,theclub,theplayers–don’twantTottenhamtowinthePremierLeague,’headmitted.‘WehopeforLeicesterbecausetheydeservetobechampions.’Afterhalf-timeChelsearallied,gotagoalback,andthenHazarddrove

throughtheSpursdefence,playedaone-two,andthenbenttheballmajesticallyintothetopcorner.2–2.Leicesterwerechampions.Chelsea’splayerscelebrated,Leicester’splayersdidtoo–JamieVardywasliterallyhavingaparty–andso

didmostofBritain.Leicester,astonishingly,hadclinchedthePremierLeaguewithtwogamestospare,andwouldeventuallytriumphbytenclearpoints.Thecelebrationswerememorable.Leicestercollectedthetrophyaftera3–1

victoryoverEverton–agamewheremanycharitableEvertonfansgaveuptheirticketstodesperateLeicesterfans,whileoverathousandItaliansmadethepilgrimagetoLeicestersimplytobeinthecityandobservethecelebrationsforRanieri,withnohopeofgettingaticket.InsidetheKingPowerbeforethetrophypresentation,AndreaBocellitookthestageinaLeicestershirt,stoodalongsideRanieriandbeltedout‘Nessundorma’.Thismoment,whileutterlysurreal,somehowfeltfitting.Football’shugely

increasedpopularityinEnglandhadstartedbeforetheformationofthePremierLeague,withEngland’sruntothe1990WorldCupsemi-finalinItaly.‘Itwasaseminalmomentintermsoffootballinthiscountry,’recalledLineker,England’sstarstrikeratthetournament.‘Lotsofdifferentkindsofpeoplegotinterestedinfootball,alldifferentclassesofpeople,andIthinkithadasignificanteffectonthegrowthoffootball.’TheBBCfamouslysoundtrackedthetournamentwithLucianoPavarotti’sversionof‘Nessundorma’;thispieceofmusicsubsequentlyheldaspecialplaceintheheartsofEnglishfootballfans,immediatelyconjuringupthattournament–andthattournamentalone.Using‘Nessundorma’inanotherfootballingcontextwasunthinkable.But

thenagain,sowasLeicesterCitywinningthePremierLeague.

25

SecondBalls&BackThrees

‘Soonerorlater,acoachhastoprovehimselfinthePremierLeague.’

PepGuardiola

BythetimethePremierLeaguecelebratedits25thseasonitwasunquestionablyhometoEuropeanfootball’sgreatesttalents.Not,however,intermsoffootballers.OnlytwoPremierLeagueplayers

finishedinthetoptenforthe2016Ballond’Orvoting–andtheywereLeicesterduoJamieVardyandRiyadMahrez,whowerebothenduringhugelydisappointingpost-titleseasonsastheFoxesfoundthemselvesbattlingagainstrelegation.ThreeotherPremierLeagueplayersreceivedahandfulofvotes:ManchesterUnited’snewduoofZlatanIbrahimovićandPaulPogba,bothbeingrecognisedforperformancesforothersides,whileWestHam’sDimitriPayetreceivedasinglevotebutwasonthevergeofreturningtoFrance.Thetopsixplayersintheworld,accordingtothisvote,wereallbasedinSpain,andthreeofthem–CristianoRonaldo,LuisSuárezandGarethBale–hadalldepartedforLaLiga,havingeffectivelyoutgrownthePremierLeague.Inmanagerialterms,however,thePremierLeagueofferedupEurope’sfinest.

ArsèneWengerandMauricioPochettinowerestillinplaceatArsenalandTottenhamrespectively,JürgenKloppwasstartinghisfirstfullseasonasLiverpoolmanager,whileJoséMourinhohadrecoveredfromhissetbackatChelseatobeappointedatManchesterUnitedandRonaldKoemanhadjumpedshipfromSouthamptontoEverton.Mostexcitingly,ManchesterCityhadappointedPepGuardiola,thecoachwhohaddonesomuchtoinfluencePremierLeaguetacticsbeforehe’devenarrivedontheseshores,whileChelseaappointedAntonioConte,whohadtransformedJuventusbeforeimpressingasmanageroftheItaliannationalside.

ThesevenfavouritesforthePremierLeague,therefore,wereledbymanagersfromsevendifferentcountries:France,Spain,Portugal,Holland,Germany,ItalyandArgentina.Betweenthemthey’dliftednofewerthan26majorEuropeanleaguetitles,withonlytheup-and-comingPochettinonotcontributingtothisfigure.Ofcourse,thisstellargroupdidn’teventakeaccountofthePremierLeague’sreigningchampion,ClaudioRanieri.ThePremierLeague’smanagerialline-upthereforeboasteditsmostexciting

combinationever,aleveloftalentanddiversityneverpreviouslywitnessed.FollowingafewseasonsduringwhichPremierLeaguesidesstruggledwiththeirorganisation,strategyandtactics–reflectedintheirmediocreChampionsLeagueperformances–suddenlyEnglandwastheplacetogofortop-classcoaching.Amazingly,eventhesecondtierwashometotwoChampionsLeague-winningmanagers:Newcastle’sRafaelBenítezandAstonVilla’sRobertoDiMatteo.Winningclubfootball’sgreatestprizewasnoguaranteeofatopjob.

ThejewelinthecrownwasGuardiola.UpontakingchargeofBarcelonain2009he’dwonthreeLaLigatitlesinfourseasons,thenenjoyedaseason-longsabbaticalbeforemovingtoBayernMunichandtriumphingforthreesuccessiveBundesligaseasons.AppointingGuardiolawasseeminglyaguaranteeofsuccess,andyetheofferedsomuchmorethansimplyresults,particularlytheclearfootballingidentitythathadseeminglybecomethePremierLeague’smostprizedquality.ManchesterUnitedandChelseawerebothkeenonGuardiolatoo,andhewouldsurelyhavebeenaperfectpost-WengerreplacementatArsenal.ButManchesterCitywontheracetolandthemostreveredcoachofhisgeneration,inpartbecausethey’dappointedGuardiola’sfriendandformerteammateTxikiBegiristainasdirectoroffootball.‘Txikiwasso,soimportantinmylife,’Guardiolasaiduponhisarrival.‘WhenIwasabsolutelynobodyandnothing,hetrustedmetohandleBarcelona,anamazingclubwithamazingplayers.Isaidtohimonce,IwillgotoEnglandand,ifyouarewithaclubIwillgotoyou.ItwassoimportanttomethatTxikiwashere.’

GuardiolaannouncedhisarrivalinboldfashionbyimmediatelydeclaringhisintentiontosellJoeHart,ManchesterCityandEngland’slong-timefirst-choicegoalkeeper.HarthadenduredsomedifficultspellsoverthepreviouscoupleofseasonsandhadmadeacrucialfumbleinEngland’sshock2–1Euro2016defeattoIceland,butGuardiolawasmoretroubledbyHart’spoordistributionskills.‘Whenwefirsthadaconversationhesaidhehadhisreservationsaboutme,’Hartexplained.‘Ishookhishand,Isaiditwasprofessionallyhonest,butnotwhatIwantedtohear.’HartfoundhimselfwithoutanyobviousPremierLeagueescaperouteandsurprisinglymovedonloantoTorino,agrandoldclub,butonewhohadjustfinished12thinSerieA.ItwasadramaticcomedownforoneofEngland’sfewundroppableplayers.Hart’sreplacementwasClaudioBravo,whohadenjoyedadecentcoupleof

yearswithBarcelonabutwasn’ttrulyregardedasatop-classgoalkeeper.Hewasmostfamedforhissweeper-keeperability,havingimpressedbehindahighdefensivelineintheChileannationalteam,andhadbeenrecruitedbyBarcelonaprimarilybecauseofhisexcellentdistribution,whichmadehimanidealgoalkeeperforGuardiola’sCity.Itwasnotable,however,thatBravowasthePremierLeague’sjoint-shortestgoalkeeper,standingatjustsixfoot,agoodindicationofGuardiola’semphasis:techniqueoverphysicality.Bravomadehisdebutonthemosttestingstageimaginable:aManchester

derbyatOldTrafford,whereheprovidedaperfectsummaryofhisprogressivegoalkeepingstyle.Notably,hepositionedhimselfsignificantlyoutsidehispenaltyboxwhenCitywerebuildingpassingmoves,almostasathirdcentre-back,andimpressedwithhiscalmnessinpossession,startingthepassingmovethatledtoKevinDeBruyne’sopener.However,healsomadeasignificanterrorthatunderlinedhislackofphysicality–BravocameouttoclaimaloftedWayneRooneyfree-kickbutdroppedtheballtoIbrahimović,whoconvertedintypicallyacrobaticfashion.Later,BravorecklesslychargedoffhislinetoclosedownJesseLingard,who

easilypassedaroundBravotoIbrahimović.TheSwedetheoreticallyhadanopen

netbutwasoff-balanceandcouldonlyweaklysteerashotgoalwardthatwaseasilyclearedbytherecoveringJohnStones.Next,Bravoreceivedaback-passfromStonesandattemptedtodribblepastAnderHerrera,butoverplayedtheballandlungedtwo-footedintoRooney,atrulyterribletacklethatsurelywouldhavebeenpunishedwithapenaltyhadBravobeenanoutfielder.Rooneylatergotrevengewithapoorchallengeofhisown,anunnecessarilylatetackleafterBravohadplayedasidewayspasstoKolarov.Bravo’sperformancefeltlikeaparodyofasweeper-keeper:someimpressive

momentsinpossession,butatendencytofindhimselfcaughtoutofgoal,tomakeerrorswiththeballathisfeetandtobefoundwantingintraditionalgoalkeepingrespects.ButCitywon2–1andGuardiolawasdelightedwithhisgoalkeeper.‘WhatClaudiodidtodaywasoneofthebestperformancesI’veeverseen,’theCitybosssurprisinglysaid.‘Ilikethekeeperstoplay,andafterthegoalhecontinuedplaying–andthatmeansalotforme.’Guardiola’semphasisuponpossessionplaystartedfromthegoalkeeper.This,

ofcourse,wasnow24yearsonfromthetransformativeback-passchange,andyetthestressplacedongoalkeepersbeingcomfortableinpossessionwasstillreachingnewlevels–andGuardiola,asever,wasparticularlyprogressive.ButwhileBravowasconfidentwithhisfeet,heoftenappearedentirelyincompetentasapropergoalkeeper.Atonestage,inJanuary,heconcededsixgoalsfromsixconsecutiveshotsontarget.Hesimplydidn’tsaveoftenenoughtobeconsideredatop-classgoalkeeper,althoughGuardiolaseeminglydidn’tconsiderthisamajorproblem.InhisopeningweeksGuardiola’sCitysystemwasquiteextraordinary.In

additiontoplayingagoalkeeperwhoseeminglycouldn’tsaveshots,GuardiolarecruitedStones,adefenderclearlybrilliantinpossessionbutwhooftenmadedefensiveerrors.Evenmoreextraordinarily,atcentre-backhealsooftenfieldedKolarov,whowassuchanattack-mindedleft-backthatheinsistedonwearingthenumber11shirt.Bravo,StonesandKolarovwereatriobasedentirelyaroundpassingqualityratherthantraditionaldefensiveattributes,andCityfrequently

foundthemselvesvulnerabletocrosses.Furthermore,Guardiolaaskedhisfull-backstomakeextremelyunusual

movementswhenCityhadpossession.Ratherthanmakingoverlappingruns,ashadbecomecustomary,Guardiolainsteadwantedthemtodriftinsideandbecomesupplementarycentralmidfielders,whichwasparticularlyevidentintheopening-day2–1victoryoverSunderland,withBacarySagnaandGaëlClichymovinginsidetoformamidfieldtriowithFernandinho.GuardiolahadoftendonesomethingsimilaratBayern,wherehecouldcountuponDavidAlabaandPhilippLahm,whowerenaturallyfull-backsbutalsounusuallyhadexperienceofplayingincentralmidfield.InEnglishfootballtheideaofafull-backmovinginsidetobecomeacentralmidfielderwasunheardof,providingextremelyunfamiliarrolesforbothSagnaandClichy,whohadneverplayedinmidfield.Inturn,thesemovementsallowedCity’stwoadvancedcentralmidfielders,

KevinDeBruyneandDavidSilva,topushforward.Thiswascrucial,asbothplayerswereattack-mindedmidfieldersathomeroamingbetweenthelinesina4–2–3–1ratherthantuckedintoa4–3–3.Theywerenumber10s,notnumber8s.Butwiththefull-backspushinginside,DeBruyneandSilvahadfreedomtopushforwardintotheirnaturalpositions,oftenexchangingpassesastheyattackeddirectly.MeanwhileCity’swingers–usuallytwoofRaheemSterling,Nolitoand

LeroySané–stayedextremelywide.Ratherthanmakingrunsinbehindtobecomeextrastrikers,asGuardiolademandedofhiswideforwardsatBarcelona,theyconcentratedonhuggingthetouchlinesandstretchingtheplay,creatinggapsbetweenoppositiondefenders.BecauseofthedriftinsideoftheCityfull-backs,thesewingerscouldalsofindplentyofspacewhenretreatingintodeeperpositions,thenpickupspeedbeforeracingpastoppositionfull-backs.ItoftenfeltlikeCitywereattackingwithafrontfive,allpositionedinthespacesbetweentheopposition’sfourdefenders,withasolidbaseoftwodefendersandthreemidfielders–orviceversa,accordingtothepositioningofthehugelyversatileFernandinho.Itwasn’ttoofarawayfromtheoldpyramid

formationwidelyusedacenturyearlier.Morethananythingelse,thisapproachwasdesignedtoguardagainst

oppositioncounter-attacks.Thepreviousseason,Leicester’ssuccesshadlargelybeenaboutattackingintothechannelsbetweentheoppositioncentre-backsandfull-backswhilekeepingtheirowncentre-backsandfull-backsclosetogether.Managersnowseemedparticularlyfocusedonexploitingthatspaceinthechannels.ButGuardiola,amanagerdeterminedtoplaypossessionfootball,couldn’tset

hissideoutintheLeicestermanner.Instead,hecreatedastructurethatallowedhisplayerstomaintainthebasicqualitiesofanatural4–3–3:inpossession,Citystillstretchedtheplay(simplywithwingersremainingwide,ratherthanfull-backsoverlapping),supportedthecentralstrikerwithattackingmidfielders(withthemadvancingfromdeeppositionsratherthandriftinginfromwide)andofferedthreeplayersinmidfield(withfull-backsdriftinginsideratherthanwithcentralmidfielders).Atdefensivetransitions,City’sfull-backshadlessdistancetoruntoregaintheirtraditionaldefensivepositions.Nevertheless,thatcrucialfull-backrolewasverydifficulttomaster,primarilybecauseitwassounusual.Besides,City’sfourfull-backswereallthewrongsideof30–it’sdifficulttoteacholddogsnewtricks.Indeed,theinabilityofthefull-backstoproperlygrasptheirnewroles,

combinedwiththeirrelativelackofqualityinpossession,meantGuardiolaabandonedthissystemrelativelyquicklyandstartedplayingthe4–1–4–1systeminamoreorthodoxmanner.Cityshowedflashesofbrilliancebutwerealsoentirelyunconvincingattimes,fallingto1–1homedrawsagainstEverton,SouthamptonandMiddlesbrough.Theirmostdamningresults,however,cameinDecemberawayatLeicesterCity,whentheylost4–2havingbeen4–0down,andina4–0thrashingatEvertoninJanuary.Inbothmatchestheysimplyappearedtooweakinkeydefensivepositions,withStonesmakingcrucialmistakesandBravoseeminglyincapableofrescuinghisteammates.ItfeltlikethosewhowereconvincedGuardiola’spurelytechnicalfootballwouldprove

unsuitedtothePremierLeaguewereright,aseffectivelyconfirmedbyDeBruyne.‘WherePepismostsurprisedisthattherearestillalotofteamsplayingwith

longballs,’DeBruynesaid.‘Sometimeshethinkstheteamswilltrytoplayfootball,becausetheydothatagainstotherteams,butifitisagainstustheychangetheirwayofplaying.Ithinkthatsometimeshemustbeannoyedbyit.Heputssomuchtimeandenergyinlookingforthings,wherespacesmightbe,butthenhetellsusthattheopponentwillsurelyusethelongball.’ButthiswasinevitablewhenGuardiolahadbecomesofocusedupontechnical

qualityandpassingdominancethathefieldedStonesandKolarovtogetherattheback,neitherofwhomofferedtraditionaldefensivequalities,plusagoalkeeperinBravoalsomoreconcernedwithpassingthanrepellingoppositionattacks.Guardiolawasclearlyaninnovative,sometimesrevolutionary,manager,buthisprogressivefootballwasencouragingteamstoplayRouteOneagainstCity.ItwasalsonotablethatGuardiolaemphasisedhowhe’dbeenforcedtoadapt

andcopewiththeimportanceofwinning‘secondballs’–thesimple,SundayLeagueconceptofbeingfirsttothelooseballafteraninitialchallenge.‘WehavetocutoutsomeofourmistakesbutthemainthinginEnglish

footballiscontrollingthesecondball.Withoutthatyoucannotsurvive,’GuardiolaexplainedinDecember.‘ThesecondgoalatLeicestercamefromathrow-in,thesecondballwasagoal.Herethefootballismoreunpredictablebecausetheballisintheairmorethanonthefloor.IonlyneededtoseeonegametounderstandEnglishfootball,Swansea5–4againstCrystalPalace.Ninegoals,eightfromsetpieces.ThatisEnglishfootballandIhavetoadapt…allthestrikers,liketheonesatWatfordforexample,aregoodatthiskindofthing.Theywintheduels,andatthatmomenttheirstrikersarebetterthanourdefenders.’ThiswasGuardiola,themanagermoreconcernedthananyotherwithpossessionfootball,talkingabouttheimportanceofhisdefenderswinningaerialbattlesandhisplayersgettingstuckin.‘Manytimestheballismoreintheairthanthegrass,andIhavetoadapt,’the

Citybosssaidinanotherinterview,withThierryHenrybeforeManchesterCity’s2–1winoverArsenal.BeforethatcontestGuardiolahadhissquadpractising‘secondballs’onthetraininggroundfortwohourseveryday.‘IwasinMunichandspokewithXabiAlonso,andhesaid,“Youhavetoadapt–it’sthesecondball,thesecondball!”Butreally,youhavetoadapttothesecondball,andthethirdballandthefourth.Ineverbeforewasfocusedonthat,becauseinBarcelonaorinSpain,moreorlesstheplayerstrytoplayfortheculture…hereitisalltheteams,exceptmaybeChelseabecauseAntonioisplayingreallywellandhavingthembuildup,buttheotherteamsaretaller,stronger,physical–andyouhavetoadaptandbuildfromthat.’Thiswasaslightexaggeration–therewereplentyofotherteamswhobuilt

fromdeep–butitwasnotablethathecomplimentedthenatureofChelsea’splayunderConte.

Whilethemedia’sinitialfocuswasonGuardiola,itwasContewhoprovedtobethePremierLeague’smostinspirationalcoachin2016/17.AlthoughtheItalianhadwonthreestraightScudettoswithJuventusandhisItalysidehadbeenhugelyimpressiveatEuro2016,particularlywiththeirextraordinarilydominant2–0winoverSpaininthesecondround,Conte’sappointmentatChelseafeltlikesomethingofabackgrounddevelopmentamidtheobsessionaboutGuardiolaandMourinhorekindlingtheirElClásicorivalryinManchester.Thatclashwasrelativelylow-key,withfewmediaspatsandsurprisinglylittletalkof‘mindgames’.InpartthatcanbeattributedtothewayConteavoidedpettysquabbles,gotonwithbusinessandtookChelseatoacommandingleadatthetopofthePremierLeaguetable.Contestartedplayinga4–3–3/4–1–4–1systemthatrecalledtheoldChelsea

underMourinho,completewithN’GoloKanté,signedfromchampionsLeicester,effectivelydeployedintheMakélélérolesittinginfrontofthedefence.Contehadmadehismidfieldintentionsclearinpre-season,explainingthathissystemhadnoplaceforCescFàbregas,whowasamongthemost

prolificassistersinthePremierLeaguebutlackedtacticalintelligence,oftenplayingan‘anarchic’rolethatcompromisedhisside’sshape.Fàbregaswasomitted,withKantédeep,thesturdyNemanjaMatićtotheleftandthecreativebutdisciplinedOscartotheright.InChelsea’svictoryoverWestHamontheopeningweekenditwasnotable

thatthefull-backs,BranislavIvanovićandCésarAzpilicueta,wereencouragedtopushforwardextremelyaggressivelywhentheirteamhadpossession.ThiswasanunusualtacticforChelsea,whohadlargelybeenresistanttotheshifttowardsattackingfull-backsoverthepast15years.Indeed,thefactthatbothplayerswereregularsinthosepositionswaslargelyfordefensivereasons:right-sidedIvanovićwasaconvertedcentre-backwhonaturallytuckedinsideandminimisedspaceinthechannel,whileleft-sidedAzpilicuetawasaconvertedright-back,whichmeantheprotectedspaceontheinsideandrarelyoverlapped.Thefirsttimethey’dbeeninstructedtoattacksimultaneouslyonlycameduringConte’sreign.Inmidfield,MatićandOscarrarelyadvancedandinsteadmovedtoslightly

widerpositions,protectingthespacethefull-backswouldgenerallydefend,whileKantésometimesdroppeddeepbetweenthetwocentre-backs.Atthestartoftheseason,therefore,Conte’ssystemwaspeculiarlylikeGuardiola’sinpossession:effectivelyafrontfive,supportedbytwoplayersinunusual,wide-ishmidfieldroles,aholdingplayershuttlingbetweendefenceandmidfield,andtwocentre-backsspreadingwide.ConteandGuardiolaweretryingtoformthesamesystem,a2–3–5/3–2–5,intwoentirelydifferentways.Chelseastarted2016/17slowly,however,withunconvincingvictoriesover

WestHam,WatfordandBurnley,adrawatSwanseaandthendefeatsintheirfirstmajortestsagainstLiverpoolandArsenal,whentheywerecompletelyoutplayed.AgainstLiverpooltheysatextraordinarilydeepwithoutpossession,anotherclassicChelseatactic,andthefollowingweekendattheEmiratesConteattemptedtouseamoreadvanceddefensiveline,buthiscentre-backsandKantéwerecompletelydestroyedbythecounter-attackingspeedofAlexisSánchezand

MesutÖzil,withChelsea3–0downbyhalf-time.Tenminutesintosecondhalf,withthegamealreadylost,Contedecidedto

experiment.HesubstitutedFàbregas,makinghisfirstleaguestartofthecampaignafterafinemidweekperformanceintheLeagueCup,andintroduceddebutantMarcosAlonso,asurprisingsigningconsideringhe’dpreviouslyperformedatleft-backinthePremierLeaguewithlittledistinctionforBoltonandSunderland.ButAlonsohadplayedleft-wing-backforFiorentinaandwassignedpreciselyforthatpurposebyChelsea.ThissubstitutionmeantConte’ssideswitchedfrom4–3–3to3–4–3.ItwasdifficulttodecidewhetherChelseaperformedbetteraftertheswitch,

withArsenaloutofsightandconcentratingonkillingthegame,butthatsubstitutionprovedthemostcrucialmomentinChelsea’sseason.FromthatpointonChelseaplayed3–4–3,withthemostconsistentstartingXIinthePremierLeague,andembarkedonatrulyextraordinaryrunofresults.Itseemedthatthebestrecipeforatitlechallengewasanearly-seasonthree-goaldefeattoArsenal:a5–2lossforLeicesteron26September2015hadencouragedClaudioRanieritochangesystem,andnowChelsea’s3–0defeatatArsenalon24September2016forcedContetodoexactlythesame.Itwasn’tentirelysurprisingthatConteturnedtoathree-mandefence,ashe’d

previouslybeenassociatedwiththatsystematJuventusandwiththeItaliannationalteam.AlthoughhestartedhisspellatJuveplayinga4–4–2–withsuchattack-mindedwingersthatItaliansoftenconsideredita4–2–4–thefactthathecoulddependuponthreetop-classcentre-backsinGiorgioChiellini,LeonardoBonucciandAndreaBarzaglimeantthatheswitchedto3–5–2;whenhetooktheItalyjobafterthreeyearsinTurinhewascountinguponthesamedefensivetrio,andsoheusedthesamesystem.It’salsoworthconsidering,meanwhile,thatConteadoptedhisthree-man

defenceinSerieAhavingwitnessedoutsidersUdineseandNapolibreakingintotheChampionsLeagueplaceswithextremelyimpressivethree-mandefences.Thoseclubs’managersduringthatperiod–FrancescoGuidolinandWalter

Mazzarri–alsotookchargeofPremierLeagueclubsin2016,GuidolinatSwanseaandMazzarriatWatford.Guidolinseldomplayedathree-mandefence,butMazzarriusuallydid.‘Westartedtheseasonwithanothersystem,butInoticedinsome

circumstanceswedidn’thavetherightbalance,’Contesaid.‘Forthisreasonweswitchedtothenewsystemof3–4–3,andIthinkthisisagoodfitforoursquadbecausewehavetheforwardsadaptedforthissystem.Ithoughtitwouldimproveusoffensivelyaswellasdefensively…Ialwaysknewthesquadcouldplaywiththis3–4–3system.Inmymindtherewasalwaysthispossibility;IknewthecharacteristicoftheplayersandforthisreasonwhenIspoketotheclubandweplannedtheseason,thissystemwasanalternative.’Chelseawontheirnext13gamesusingthe3–4–3system–thefirstsix

withoutconceding–narrowlyfailingtobreakArsenal’s2002recordof14consecutivewinsinthePremierLeague.Chelseawereexcellentlydrilledintheirnewsystemthankstounusuallylongperiodsintrainingworkingonteamshape.Indeed,Contehadtheadvantage,likeBrendanRodgers’Liverpoolin2013/14andClaudioRanieri’sLeicesterin2015/16(andContehimselfinhisdebutseasonatthehelmatJuventusin2011/12),ofhavingnoEuropeanfootballtocontendwith,whichmeantmorecoachingtimeonthetrainingground.‘Defensivelyweallworkasaunitintraining,’saidright-wing-backVictorMoses.‘Everydayintraining,themanagerisontopofustomakesurewearesolidattheback.’ThenewsystemsuitedConte’splayersmuchbetter.Therewerecrucial

changesinpersonnel:DavidLuiz,surprisinglyre-signedfromParisSaint-Germain,playedthefreeroleattheheartofthedefenceimpeccably,transformingfromlaughingstocktoamongthedivision’smostimpressivecentre-backsandChelsea’sdefensiveleader.‘Thecentraldefendermustbemoretactical,reflectmore,findtherightpositionandcallthedefensivelineupanddown,’explainedConte.TheBraziliandidthatexcellently,andwasperfectlysuitedtothethree-mandefence.

Ontheright,MosesfinallybecameaChelsearegular,havingspentthepreviousthreeseasonsoutonloan.Headaptedimpressivelytothewing-backrole,whichmeantAzpilicuetadroppeddeepertobecomeoneofthethreedefenders.ItwasnotablethatthetwomajorvictimswereChelsea’stwomostimmobiledefenders,JohnTerryandBransilavIvanović,asthisnewshapedependedheavilyuponcoveringgroundquickly.OscaralsofoundhimselfjettisonedanddepartedforChina,whileFàbregashadevenlesschanceofbreakingintothetwo-manmidfield.Kantéincreasinglyshowcasedhisincredibleenergy,butheandMatićrarelyadvancedintoattack.Thefunnythingaboutthechangeinsystem,however,wasthatinpossession

itwasn’tentirelydifferenttoChelsea’spreviousshape.Therewasstillthefrontfive,withAlonsoandMosespushingforwardeithersideofEdenHazard,DiegoCostaandPedroRodríguez,withtwosolidmidfielders,twocentre-backsandanotherplayer,DavidLuiz,playinginbetweendefenceandmidfield.ButChelseaachievedthatshapemorenaturally,werelessvulnerabletocounter-attacksandhadplayerswithmuchgreatermobilityindefensivepositions.Hazard,Chelsea’skeyattacker,wasallowedalmostcompletefreedomfromdefensiveresponsibilities,andhavinganaturallyoverlappingplayerinAlonsograntedhimlicencetodriftinsideintohisfavouredcentralpositions.Pedro,meanwhile,playedhigherupthepitchandraninbehindtheoppositionmorefrequently,ashedidsomenacinglyinhisBarcelonadays.Costawastheonlyplayerwhofoundhisroleunchanged.ItwasalsonotablethatContefoundtherightbalanceinthe‘in-between’

positionsthatEnglishteamsstruggledwithwhenswitchingfromafour-mandefencetoathree-mandefence.Shouldthewidedefendersbenaturalcentre-backsornaturalfull-backs?InCahillandAzpilicueta,Contehadoneofeach.Shouldthewing-backsbenaturalfull-backsornaturalwingers?Again,inAlonsoandMoses,hehadoneofeach.InthatsenseChelsea’ssystemwasslightlyunbalancedintermsofstyle,butthestructureofthesidewasimpeccable.

OpponentsstruggledtocopewithChelsea’ssystem,particularlywhentheyformedafrontfive.ItwasnotablehowfrequentlyeitherofChelsea’swing-backswouldfindthemselvesentirelyunmarkedatthefarpostwhentheoppositionfull-backhadbeensuckedinside–thefive-against-foursituationwasconstantlyobvious,andAlonsoandMosescontributedasurprisingnumberofopen-playgoals.Toguardagainstthatfive-against-foursituation,manymanagersstarted

matchingChelsea’ssystem.InearlyNovemberEvertonmanagerRonaldKoemanwasthefirsttoattemptit,althoughitbackfireddramaticallyasChelsea’swideforwardscounter-attackedinbehindEverton’swing-backs.Koemanwasforcedtoreverttoabackfourbeforehalf-time,andChelseaeventuallyranout5–0winners.Chelsea’smostmemorablevictoryoftheseasonwasthecrucial3–1victoryat

ManchesterCityinearlyDecember.ThiswasperhapsthemostcomplextacticalbattlethePremierLeaguehaseverwitnessed,withGuardioladeployingabizarre3–2–4–1systemtodominatemidfieldandpressChelsea’swing-backs,butleavinghisthreedefendersexposedtoChelsea’sfrontthree.Intruth,Chelseacouldhaveeasilylostthisgame.GaryCahillclumsily

divertedJesúsNavas’sright-wingcrossintohisownnet,andtheoutstandingKevinDeBruyneshouldhavedoubledCity’sleadagainsthisformerclub,somehowhittingthebarwhenpresentedwithanopengoal.ButChelseastormedbackandscoredthreegoalsthattookadvantageofCity’slackofdefensivenumbers.Costabroughtdownalongball,outmuscledNicolasOtamendiandsmashedhome,andshortlyafterwardsturnedOtamendiandplayedintheonrushingWillianforgoalnumbertwo.InstoppagetimeHazardstreakedawayfromAleksandarKolarovandfinishedcoolly.OneachoccasionChelseaneededonlyoneattackertobeathisdirectopponenttogetinongoal,whichwaswhymatchingChelsea’sbackthreewassuchagamble.Nevertheless,Cityshouldhavewonthatcontest,andthefirstteamto

overcomeChelsea’s3–4–3–indeed,thefirsttoavoiddefeat–wereMauricio

Pochettino’sTottenhaminJanuary.Spursalsoplayed3–4–3,andexcellentlyexploitedtheweaknessesinChelsea’sthree-mandefencewithtwoidenticalgoals.ChristianEriksentookadvantageofCahill’slackofmobilitytofindapocketofspacejustoutsidehim(CahillhadpreviouslybeenbookedforfoulingtheDaneandwasreluctanttocomeoutfromhisdefensiveposition),andtwicecrossedtothefarpostwhereDeleAllitookadvantageofhisheightadvantageoverAzpilicuetatoheadhomebothgoals.3–4–3seemedthebestwaytocontainChelsea’s3–4–3,andthemorethat

teamsthatswitchedto3–4–3,themoretheiropponentsfeltcompelledtorespond.Ontheweekendof14–15January,nofewerthaneightsidesplayedathree-mandefence.Chelsea,Tottenham,Hull,WestHamandEvertonallwon,WatfordandMiddlesbroughdrewwitheachother,whileonlyLeicester,upagainstConte’srampantChelsea,lost.ConsideringthatfiveyearsearlieronlyonesideinthePremierLeague–

RobertoMartinez’sWigan–regularlyplayedathree-mandefence,thiswasadramaticturnaround.IntheinterveningperiodBrendanRodgers,LouisvanGaalandMauricioPochettino,amongothers,hadallexperimentedwithabackthree,butnoonemadeitworkaseffectivelyasConte.Ofcourse,therehadbeenabriefcrazeof3–5–2systemsinthemid-1990s,butnotsinceHarryCatterick’sEvertonin1952/53hadateamwontheEnglishtopflightwithathree-mandefence.Therefore,Conteendedhalfacenturyofflat-back-fourdominance.‘IthinkinEnglandsomethingischangingbecausetherearedifferentcoaches

fromdifferentcountriesandtheyarebringingnew,differentideas,andnewmethodsandnewphilosophiesoffootball,’saidConte.Thishadbeenthecaseforaquarterofacentury,however.FromCantonatoConte,thePremierLeague’sevolutionhasdependedalmostentirelyuponforeigninfluence.

Postscript

ThePremierLeague’s25thseasontookplacealongsidethemostsignificantpoliticaleventinBritainfordecades.InJune2016theBritishelectoratesurprisinglyvotedtoleavetheEuropean

Union.Thiswasmorethansimplyabackgrounddevelopment,anditthreatenedseriousramificationsforEnglishfootball.Theexplosioninthenumberofforeignplayersinthelate1990swaspromptedbytheBosmancase,whichruledthatfootball’srestrictionswereinbreachofEUlawsandforcedimmediateandsignificantchange.OnceBritainwasoutsidetheEU,however,Englishfootballcouldreintroducequotas.IttookonlythreemonthsforLabourMPAndyBurnhamtoraisetheissue.

‘CouldBrexitmeanthatEnglishfootballtakesastepawayfromtheEuropeandirectiveswithrelationtofreemovementinsport?’heasked.‘Couldwelookatintroducingaquotaforourhomegrownplayers,sothatthePremierLeaguedoesn’tbecomeaplaygroundfortheworld’sbesttalentbut,actually,wemakesurethatwebringthroughmoreEnglishandhomegrownplayersinourdomesticleague?Ithinkthat’sadebatethatisworthhaving…thequestionis:canyouhaveboth,canyouhavethebestleagueintheworldandthemostsuccessfulinternationalteam?’ImplicitinBurnham’squestionwastheacknowledgementthatthepresenceof

somanyforeignimportshadimprovedthePremierLeague.‘Aplaygroundfortheworld’sbesttalent’wasusedinanegativesense,butisexactlythetypeofphrasethatcouldfeatureinapre-seasonSkyadvertisement,completewitha‘backtoschool’theme.OfthevariousfigureschartedthroughoutthisstoryofthePremierLeague’s

tacticalevolution,perhapsthereareonlytwogenuineBritishrevolutionaries:RioFerdinandandBrendanRodgers.Ferdinandchangedcentre-backplayandRodgerschampionedpossessionfootballatSwansea.YetFerdinandwastoldbyKevinKeeganhe’dhaveabetterchanceofinternationalcaps‘ifhewasFrench,BrazilianorDutch’,andRodgersconsistentlyunderlinedhisloveforSpanishandDutchfootball.ThePremierLeague’sevolutionhasalmostsolelybeenaboutforeigninfluence.Theothersignificanteventofsummer2016waspurelyfootballing:the

EuropeanChampionships.Thistournament,heldinFrance,waswidelyconsideredunderwhelming,withfewintriguingmatchesandbarelyanymemorablemoments.Thelackoftacticalvarietywasparticularlyproblematic,andit’ssignificantthatthetournament’stwooverachieverswerearguablytheonlysideswhoplayedunusualsystems–winnersPortugaldeployedamidfielddiamondandnotruecentre-forward,whilesemi-finalistsWalesuseda3–4–2–1.Otherwiseitwasdisappointinglyhomogeneous.Inapost-tournamentsurveyofitsreadersbyWhenSaturdayComesmagazine,two-thirdsofrespondentsagreedthat‘manygamesweresamey.’Thisisadamningindictmentofaninternationaltournamentintendedtobeamulticulturaljamboreeofcontrastingfootballstyles.It’ssupposedtobeaboutthetechniqueofSpain,thedisciplineofItaly,theefficiencyofGermany,thetacticalinadequacyofEngland.Instead,everyoneplayedinroughlythesameway.Butthe2016/17editionofthePremierLeaguewasitsmoststylistically

diversecampaignever.Atonestage,inearlyFebruary,thetopnineinthePremierLeaguewere,incredibly,ledbymanagersfromninedifferentnations:Italy,Argentina,Spain,France,Germany,Portugal,Holland,WalesandCroatia.Tovaryingextents,thesemanagersrepresentedtheircountry’straditionalplayingstyles.ThePremierLeaguewasasstylisticallydiverseas,orperhapsevenmorethan,theEuropeanChampionships.Theobviousabsencefromthatlist,ofcourse,wasEngland.ButthePremierLeagueretainsadistinctEnglishidentity.PepGuardiolawas

shockedbytheemphasisupon‘secondballs’inthePremierLeague.ThisisadistinctlyEnglishphenomenon,butwithsofewEnglishplayersandmanagers,whyhasitremained?Theplayersdon’tnaturallyplayinthatstyle,themanagersdon’tencourageit.It’sabouttheenvironment,ratherthanthefootballingpersonnel.We’re

approaching10,000PremierLeaguematches,andallhavebeenplayedinEnglandorWales.Thisissignificant,becauseBritainprovidescertaincrucialcharacteristicsthatinfluencefootball.Mostobviously,there’stheclimate–thisisdecidedlycolderthaninthemajorityofothertop-classEuropeancountries,whichallowsforafasterstyleofplay.Andalthoughthere’sbeenagreatimprovementoverthelastcoupleofdecades,EnglandandWales’swetterweatheralsomeanspitchesareboggier,whichencouragesmoreballstobeplayedintheair.EnglishofficialsaremorelenientthananyinEurope–totheextentthat,in

Italy,arefereewhoallowsstrongtackleswithoutpunishmentisliterallyreferredtoasa‘veryEnglish’referee.This,ofcourse,meansthatflairplayersfinditmoredifficulttoworktheirmagicinEngland,andrudimentarydefenderscanintimidatethroughphysicality.Mostimportantlytherearethesupporters,whocontinuetorepresentEnglish

footballidentitybycelebratingthingstheirEuropeancounterpartsdon’t.NooneelsecheersthewinningofacornerlikeEnglishfans,becauseit’sanopportunitytolaunchtheballintothepenaltybox.There’saloadroarforathunderingtackleandanenthusiasticroundofapplausewheneverateamswitchesplayfromoneflanktotheother.Youneverhearthatforastraight,penetrativepass–despitethefacttheyare,inthemodernage,muchmorevaluable.There’sstillagoodhelpingof‘traditional’Englishgrounds,whichforeignimportsoftenremarkuponasbeingintimidatingandcreatingaparticularlyfieryatmosphere.Butmanyofthesefactorsmaybecomelessrelevant,becauseatsomepointin

itssecond25years,thePremierLeaguewillsurelyplaymatchesabroad.Since1992thedivisionhasevolvedfrombattlingagainstothersportsforaBritish

sportingaudience,tobattlingotherfootballleaguesforaglobalfootballaudience,tobattlingagainstothersportsforaglobalsportingaudience.Theworld’stwomajorsportsleaguesarenowthePremierLeagueandtheNFL,withbothexperiencingarecentsurgeofpopularityfromthe‘wrong’sideoftheAtlantic.WhiletheNFLhasplayedasuccessionofmatchesinLondon,mainlyat

Wembley,thePremierLeaguehasn’tyetventuredabroad,butsportsbarsinNewYorkandothermajorcitiesarepackedwithfanswatching‘EPL’action.There’sahugemarketintheUS–andacrosstheworld–forthePremierLeaguetotakeadvantageof.Theideafora‘game39’–anextraPremierLeaguefixtureforeveryside,playedabroad–entirelyunderminesthesimplestructureofplayingeachleagueopponenttwice.Everyclubplayingone‘home’gameabroad,however,seemsinevitable,andcouldincreasedramaticallyovertime.PlayingmatchesabroadwouldcompromisemanyofthePremierLeague’s‘English’ingredients.Theclimatewouldinevitablybevariable.Thestadiumswouldbedifferent,probablywithfansfurtherfromthepitch.Thelevelofsupportwouldbehugelyimpressiveinnumbers,butalmostcertainlynotascohesiveandvocalastraditionalhomematches.ButthiswouldsimplybethenextstepinaprocessthathasbeenthePremier

League’sdefiningfeature–itsinternationalism–andthePremierLeague’sroleinpromotingBritainitselfshouldnotbeunderestimated.A2015Populuspollofcitizensfromsevencountriesandoneterritoryacrosstheworld–Nigeria,Qatar,India,China,Thailand,Indonesia,theUSAandHongKong–revealedthatthePremierLeaguewasBritain’smostpopular‘brand’,aheadofsuchthingsastheBBC,Britishuniversities,themonarchyandBritishmusic.‘Eighty-fourpercentofthosepolledacrossallthemarketssaythatthePremierLeaguemakesthemfeelmorepositivetowardstheUK,’itread.‘Furthermore,youdon’thavetoliketheUKtolikethePremierLeague:thePremierLeague’shighIndexscoreisnotdependentonpeople’sgeneralviewsabouttheUKasacountry…ourresearchshowsthatofthemanyeffectiveadvertisementstheUKhasforwhatitwantsto

sayaboutitself–modern,successful,exciting,open,inclusive–thePremierLeagueisthestrongest.’That’ssignificantinlightoftheproposalfromBurnham–whocampaigned

forBritaintoremainintheEU–thatEnglishfootballshouldconsiderreintroducingforeignquotas.ConsiderthefactthatBritainissettobecomemoreisolatedandthatthePremierLeagueiseffectivelyBritain’sbestadvertisementforitself.Thereintroductionofforeignquotaswouldbeanextremelysignificantdecisionthatwouldhaveramificationsfarbeyondfootball.TheEnglishproductofthePremierLeagueisbarelyEnglishatall–itsimply

takesplaceinEngland.InmuchthesamewayEnglishhighstreetsfeaturerestaurantsservingfoodfromvariousworldcuisines–meaningblandEnglishfareisnowlargelythepreserveofthetraditionalpub–old-schoolEnglishfootballhasbeenrelegatedtothelowerleagues.TheEnglishtopflighttakesexoticingredientsfromvariousforeigncountries,

andservesthemostdiverse,excitingandunpredictablefootballingfeastintheworld.ThePremierLeagueis,ofcourse,themixer.

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Acknowledgements

HugethankstomyagentChrisWellbelove,whoapproachedmeaboutwritingabookin2012.FouryearslaterIdecideditwastimetogetstarted.Hispatienceismuchappreciated,andhisinputthroughouthasbeeninvaluable.IamgratefultomyeditorJackFoggforhisinitialinterest,forextremelyhelpfulpointersthroughouttheprocessandforindulgingmebypublishingabook50percentlongerthanplanned.OurmostimportantmeetingtookplaceinapubonaFridaynight,whichsumsuphowpleasanttheprocesshasbeen.ThanksalsotoOrlandoMowbrayforhisenthusiasmfromanearlystage.

MarkBollandmadecrucialrevisionsatthecopyeditingstage,andSimeonGreenawaydesignedafantasticcover.ThankstoeveryoneelseatHarperCollinsforvitalbehind-the-sceneswork.ThankstoCarloAncelottifortakingtimetoexplainhisChelseasystemtome.

IamindebtedtoDuncanAlexanderforregularlydiggingintoOpta’sarchivetohelpwithstatisticalrequests.MercitoJackLangfortranslationassistance.ThankstoNickAmes,NeilBaker,RupertCane,JamieCutteridge,AndyExley,DuncanHamilton,MarkHolmes,TaimourLay,BenLyttleton,JamesMaw,AlexMocchi,MattPhillipsandOwenWhoeverforhelpinsomeform.InspirationforthestructurecamefromtheBBC’sSevenAgesofRockseries;inspirationforeverythingelsecamefromClaireBoucher.CheerstoAmyRose-McMullenforBosman-relatedresearchandadvice,

whichfinallyjustifiedherdecadeoflegalstudyandimmediatelydisprovedherpromisethatshewasn’tgoingtoreadanyofthisbook.ThankstoTomRossforfeedback,especiallyasweweremidwaythroughathree-weektriparoundColombiaandthereforehewaspresumablyalreadysickofmyviewson

football.ThankstothehundredsofpeoplewhosewritingIhaveborrowedfrom,andthosewhorecorded1990sfootballfootageonVHSandlateruploadedthevideosontotheinternet.Hellotofriendswhowantedamentioninthisacknowledgmentsection;Iwon’tembarrassyoubymentioningyournames.CheerstoPhilippeAuclairandJonathanWilsonforinvitingmeoutforadrink

backin2010,andthankstoSeanIngle,JamesMartin,GaryParkinsonandOliPrzybylskiforemployingmedespitemycompletelackofjournalismexperienceorqualifications.I’mstillworkingfortheGuardian,ESPN,FourFourTwoandBetfairsevenyearson,sothankstotheircolleaguesandsuccessorstoo.Thisallstemmedfrompeoplevisitingmywebsite,ZonalMarking,so

enormousthankstoeveryonewhohasvisitedZMoverthepastsevenyears,particularlyduringitsformativeperiod.Ihugelyappreciatethesupportandamstillpleasantlysurprisedsomanypeopleareinterestedinthiskindoffootballcoverage.Massivethanksfromthebottomofmyheart,therelegationzone,toStephanie,whowatchedfootballmatchesontheprescientconditionthatIwrotedownthestartingXIsincorrectformationorderandexplainedwhatwasgoingon,thenwastheonlypersontobelievethatstartingZMwasagoodidea.Ihaven’tforgottenyoubeingemployedtositinabookshopwindowandreadabook;canyoudothesameforthisone?Mostimportantly,eternalthankstomymumanddad,whoinitiallyhad

absolutelynointerestinfootballwhatsoever,yetspentcountlesscoldweekendmorningsonthetouchlineofplayingfieldsacrosssouth-westLondon,putupwithmetransformingthegardenintoamuddygoalmouthandarrangedholidaystocoincidewithSerieAgames.ThefactMumrecentlyreferredtomyoldbedroomas‘Dad’sfootball-watchingroom’suggestsmymissioniscomplete.Andfinally,ifyouenjoyedreadingthisbook,youmightenjoythe

accompanyingeight-partTheMixerpodcastseries.It’savailablethroughiTunes,SoundCloudandtheotherusualchannels.

Index

Thepagenumbersinthisindexrelatetotheprintedversionofthisbook;theydonotmatchthepagesofyourebook.Youcanuseyourebookreader’ssearchtooltofindaspecificwordorpassage.

Aberdeen,32,seealsoRangersACMilan79,136,199,233,234,241–2,243,247,282,324,325,327,331,402,seealsoArsenal,Liverpool

Adam,Charlie355–6,359,382Adams,Micky155Adams,Neil396Adams,Tony7,85,86–7,89,90,97,122,181,184Adebayor,Emmanuel309,372,373Adkins,Nigel411Agger,Daniel246,247Agüero,Sergio313,333,334,335,336,337,338,371,375,376,395,410,436Aimar,Pablo231Ajax17,72,79,80,88,104,116,119,135,358,375,384,402,415Alaba,David445Alba,Jordi345Albelda,David231Albert,Phillipe47,51,53,134Albrighton,Marc427,429,432,435Alderweireld,Toby415Allardyce,Sam144–58,294,301,356,423Allen,Joe382,396,400Allen,Paul8Alli,Dele415,454Allison,Malcolm13Almunia,Manuel156,404Alonso,Marcus450,452453Alonso,Xabi205,237,239,241,243,246,251,265,344,345,350,352,355,423,448,450,452,453

Alves,Daniel245,404Amartey,Daniel435Ambrosetti,Gabriele128Ancelotti,Carlo60–1,241,243,323–32,334,338–9,341,342,353,392,406Anderlecht,seeManchesterUtdAnderson207,287Anelka,Nicolas91,92,94–9,103,104,105,127,151,154,181,220,288,314,326,327,328–9,372Argentina82,114,208,372Arsenal5,9,15,60,64,77–92,95,104,107,121–2,127,152,164,167,169–74,179–84,185,195,207,213,221,224,226,236,249,273,281–2,301,302,304,310,314,333,352,358,363,365,369,371,373–4,384–6,392,403,415,438,441,451,seealsoArsèneWengerdrinkingcultureat86–7players’diet84–5vACMilan282vBarcelona347,404–5vBlackburn90,95vBorussiaMonchengladbach89vDerby171vEverton92,180vLeeds90,180,190vLeicester97,427,437,450vLiverpool90,102,184,282,369,388,390–1,392,393,400,401vNewcastle92,95,400vNorwich7,29vPortsmouth170vPSV183vSheffieldWeds9vSouthampton171vSunderland169vWigan369seealsoChelsea,ManchesterCity,ManchesterUtd,Swansea,TottenhamArshavin,Andrey314,373Arteta,Mikel352,391Arveladze,Shota69Asanović,Aljoša58Aspas,Iago399Asprilla,Faustino50–1,53,54Assou-Ekotto,Benoît307,309AstonVilla14,30,33,49,83,89,113,126,174,227,246,258,315,342,401,426,441,seealsoChelsea,Liverpool,ManchesterCity,ManchesterUtd,StokeCity

Atkins,Mark40AthleticBilbaovManchesterUtd411AtléticoMadrid69,333,396,397,422–3,seealsoBarcelona,FulhamAurélio,Fábio245Austria,seeEnglandAzpilicueta,César397,432,449,452,453,454

Ba,Demba398Babayaro,Celestine128Babel,Ryan245Baggio,Roberto60,61,79,122Baines,Leighton315,369Bale,Gareth304,306–9,312,316–20,409,440Ball,Alan70,71,72,73,73–4Ballack,Michael286,326,327Balotelli,Mario331,333–6,337,338Bannister,Gary10Baraja,Rubén231Barcelona45,80,104,112,116,118,119,134,216–17,245,324,333,343–9,352–3,363,370,372,385,403,417,419,422,442,443,445vAtléticoMadrid392seealsoArsenal,Chelsea,ManchesterUtdBaresi,Franco136,233Barkley,Ross391Barmby,Nicky64,68Barnes,John120Barnsley82,seealsoManchesterUtdBaroš,Milan236,238,240,242Barron,Jim18Barry,Gareth81,227,268–9,332,333,334,337Barton,Joey337Barton,Warren47,52Barzagli,Andrea451Bassett,Dave8Batty,David36,40,51–2,53,54,259BayerLeverkusen,seeLiverpoolBayernMunich112,268,442,445vBorussiaDortmund416vRealMadrid392seealsoChelsea,InterMilan,ManchesterUtd

Beardsley,Peter23–4,25,46,50,53Beasant,Dave7,70,74Beattie,James220Beck,John145Beck,Mikkel66Beckham,David33,41,61,81,114–15,122–5,176,178,201,253,254,260,261,263,266–7,277,351,356AlexFergusonon28Begiristain,Txiki442Belgium255Bellamy,Craig192,245–6,309Belletti,Juliano286Benali,Francis82Benayoun,Yossi247Benfica216,217,seealsoCeltaVigo,ChelseaBenítez,Rafael126,142,155,206,214,215,225,226,228,229,230–47,248,249,251,264,265,281,306,311,317,342,343,363,368,419,441andzonalmarking235–6footballaschess231Bentaleb,Nabil414Benteke,Christian376Berbatov,Dimitar289,348,372–3Beresford,John47,49Berg,Henning41,44,121,122Berger,Patrik100Bergkamp,Dennis27,59,60,62,63,67,76,86,87,88,91–2,97–9,104,121,127,171,173–4,181,294,343,363,389impactonArsenal/PremierLeague79,80–3Berkovic,Eyal58Best,George25Biabiany,Jonathan317Bielsa,Marcelo411Birindelli,Alessandro119BirminghamCity318,354,seealsoChelsea,ManchesterCityBišćan,Igor237,241Bjørnebye,StigInge100BlackburnRovers35–44,111,115,144,153,312,354,413vCoventry39vEverton44vLiverpool36,43

vManchesterUtd14,43vNewcastle41vSouthampton40vTrelleborg42seealsoArsenal,Chelsea,ManchesterCity,TottenhamBlackpool354–6,359vManchesterUtd355vNewcastle354seealsoBolton,ManchesterCityBlackwell,Dean62Blanc,Laurent163,184–5,217Blomqvist,Jesper121,123,124,127BoaMorte,Luís205Boateng,George258Bobic,Fredi150–1BocaJuniors69Bokšić,Alen164Bolton69,96,144–58,185,277,294,301,338,354,356–7,450vArsenal156–7vBlackpool356vChelsea69,220vEverton155vIpswich151vLeicester144,148,155vLiverpool144,148vMiddlesbrough144seealsoStokeCityBonucci,Leonardo45Borini,Fabio382BorussiaDortmund118,416,418,422,seealsoBayernMunich,ManchesterUtdBorussiaMonchengladbach,seeArsenalBosingwa,José326,340Bosman,Jean-Marc131Bosnich,Mark18Bould,Steve7,85,89,90,181Bournemouth426Bowen,Mark30Bowyer,Lee189–90BradfordCityviiiBraga,seePorto

Branfoot,Ian25,73Bravo,Claudio443,446,447Brazil63,134,213vEngland64Brehme,Andreas80Bridge,Wayne202,226,341Bridges,Michael189Britton,Leon359–60,420Brorsson,Jonas42Brown,Phil300Bruce,Steve23,29,31,32Bullard,Jimmy311Burley,Craig66Burnley,seeChelsea,TottenhamBusquets,Sergio339,345,348Butt,Nicky28,121,124,125,126,197,253,254,259,260,261

Cabaye,Yohan347Cafu243Cahill,Gary340,397,453,454Cahill,Tim315Cambiasso,Esteban200,201CambridgeUtd145Campbell,Kevin258Campbell,Sol82,121,141,183,184,188,192,351Campo,Iván148,149,151Canham,Scott256Cani364Canio,PaoloDi59Cannavaro,Fabio238Cantona,Eric16,50,57,61,62,63,67,71,73,74,76,79,81,104,112,115,120,122,164,205,206,254,343,363,420,455careerinEngland19–24influenceatManUtd24–9,31–4,59–60‘kung-fu’kick20–1relationshipwithFerguson26Capello,Fabio238,324,341–2Capoue,Étienne410Carbone,Benito59Cardiff,seeLiverpool

Carlos,Roberto64,200Carr,Stephen318Carragher,Jamie104,182,185,193,233,235,241,242,246,259,267,385Carrick,Michael251,255,267,268,274,279,284,285,333,336,348,409Carroll,Andy375,382Carsley,Lee201Carson,Scott269Carvalho,Ricardo220,222,276Casillas,Iker162Catterick,Harry455Cattermole,Lee318Cazorla,Santi363,364,365,369Čech,Petr205,220,240,265,286,325,340,407Celades,Albert199,200CeltaVigo199,258vBenfica199vJuventus199Celtic315Chadli,Nacer414Chapman,Herbert129Chapman,Lee7,10Charles,Gary10,49Charlton166,202,seealsoManchesterUtd,TottenhamChelsea29,33,60,61,96,128–9,132,135,152,167,185,195,200,201,208,214–15,219–28,231,246,248–9,257,261,263,264,265–6,274,281,303,304,310,312,323–31,332,333,334,339–42,358,363,368,375,385,386,392,405,410,416,424,438,441,442,448–55,seealsoCarloAncelotti,AntonioConte,RuudGullit,JoséMourinhotacticstouseagainst454vArsenal407,450vAstonVilla224,326,328vBarcelona339–40,347vBayernMunich288,319,340,368vBenfica339,368vBirmingham327,328vBlackburn222vBolton220,226vBurnley328,450vCSKAMoscow222vEverton61,138,223,327,453vFulham205,223,227,327

vIpswich7vJuventus341vLazio129vLiverpool139,225,226,228,238–40,246,248,330,368,390,396–9,401,450vManchesterCity220,221,327,408,454vNapoli339,408vNewcastle226,400vNorwich220,368vPortsmouth327,330vScunthorpe225vSouthampton128,412vSunderland327vSwansea450vValencia407vWatford450vWestBromwichAlbion222,331vWestHam327,449,450vWigan326,330,331vWimbledon62,139vWolves202seealsoLeicester,ManchesterUtd,Middlesbrough,StokeCity,TottenhamChiellini,Giorgio451Chung-yong,Lee318Cissé,Djibril105,242,337Clark,Frank72,133Clark,Lee47,51,251Clarke,Steve62Clemente,Javier346Clichy,Gaël81,312,404,444,445Clough,Brian10,202Clyne,Nathaniel413Colchester30Cole,Andy46,94,112–13,124,125,162,175,283Cole,Ashley81,182,183,184,286,288,326,327,351,397Cole,Joe202,205,221,222,223,225,226,228,248,255,327,328,329,351,365Coleman,Chris205Coleman,Seamus317,319Collymore,Stan52,53,100Colonnese,Francesco122Conceição,Flávio199,200,201

Conte,Antonio119,123,441,448–53,455tactics450–3Cork,Alan7Costa,Diego422,452,453,454Costa,Rui241Costacurta,Alessandro136Costinha215Courtois,Thibaut17Coutinho383,395,396,397,419CoventryCity58,89vManchesterUtd94seealsoBlackburn,LiverpoolCox,Neil67Coyle,Owen356Crespo,Hernán202,205,242,243Croatia58,seealsoEnglandCrook,Ian30Crossley,Mark10Crouch,Peter309,317Cruyff,Johan17,20,136,345,358Cruyff,Jordi121CrystalPalace396,seealsoLeicester,Liverpool,ManchesterCity,SwanseaCSKAMoscow,seeChelseaCulverhouse,Ian30Ćurčić,Saša69Curle,Keith51,72Curtis,John91–2Cygan,Pascal157CzechRepublic,seeGreece

DaSilva,Rafael318Dabizas,Nikos82Dalglish,Kenny35–8,39–40,41–2,43,44,54,62,253,381,383Dani58Davids,Edgar123,344Davies,Kevin149,153–4,155,166,220Davies,Mark356Davies,Simon311,312,313Dawson,Michael410DeBruyne,Kevin443,445,447,454

deGoey,Ed128deJong,Nigel332,334,337DeLaet,Ritchie428Deane,Brian7,24,294Defoe,Jermain307,308,309delBosque,Vicente200,232,346,366,370DelPiero,Alessandro119,238Delaney,Damien437Delap,Rory294–302Delph,Fabian436Dembélé,Moussa409,415Demichelis,Martin395,436Dempsey,Clint313,409Denilson207DenmarkvGermany13DeportivoLaCoruña135,199DerbyCounty58,291,294,295vManchesterUtd94,117–18seealsoArsenal,MiddlesbroughDeschamps,Didier97,123,128,204DiLivio,Angelo119DiMatteo,Roberto62,66,128,139,140,331,339,341,342,353,368,408,441Diaby,Abou282Dibble,Andy6Dier,Eric415Diop,PapaBouba220,349Diouf,El-Hadj105,107,151,154,156Dixon,Lee89,97,181,184Djorkaeff,Youri122,148,151,154,156Domenech,Raymond99Dowie,Iain74Downing,Stewart316Drinkwater,Danny426,427,431,435,436Drogba,Didier205,225–6,248,288,308,325–30,331,339–40,368,372Duberry,Michael137,190Dublin,Dion23,93,101Dudek,Jerzy234,238,243,464Duff,Damien81,202,205,222,223,224,226,227,311,312DurbanAlan301Dyer,Nathan359

DynamoKiev,seeRangersDžeko,Edin333,334,335,337,338

Eboué,Emmanuel282Edu181,197Ekelund,Ronnie133Elliott,Matt98Elliott,Robbie47Emerson134–5England255,257,258,260,261–4,266–70,313,341vAustria266vCroatia269vGermany102,259vGreece260vHungary267vIceland442vIsrael268vItaly75vJamaica267vMacedonia268vN.Ireland267vPoland255vPortugal276,287vSanMarino11vScotland255vSouthAfrica254vUkraine259seealsoBrazil,FranceEnrique,Luis382Enyeama,Vincent17Eriksen,Christian369,414,454Eriksson,Sven-Göran79,96,103,190,250,257,259,260,261–3,266–7,342Essien,Michael251,266,285,326Eto’o,Samuel313Etuhu,Dickson311Evans,Jonny193,335Evans,Roy52,53,57,100,120Everton25,68,201,304,315,352,392,441,455,seealsoArsenal,Blackburn,Bolton,Chelsea,Liverpool,ManchesterCity,ManchesterUtd,Newcastle,Southampton,StokeCity,Tottenham

Evra,Patrice274,383

Fàbregas,Cesc197,345,352,370,405,438,449,450,452FaroeIslands,seeGreeceFaye,Amdy302Fellaini,Marouane315Fenerbahçe118,seealsoManchesterUtdFerdinand,Anton193,341Ferdinand,Les45–6,50,52,53,309Ferdinand,Rio11,177,185–8,190–4,208,209,255,274,278,286,288,348,351,353,458AlexFergusonon192–3Ferguson,Duncan93Ferguson,Alex12,19,24,30,32–4,43,49,54,79,84,87,101,111,112,114,115,119,131,148,157,172,185,193,197,225,250,254,262,274,275,277,278,279–80,282,283–4,285,289,314,323,327,329,335,348–9,351,353,355,373,383,411,434andEricCantona23–4,26,27,28,74andPaulGascoigne25–6andRoyKeane197–8comparedwithJoséMourinho218criticisesPremierLeagueixonDavidBeckham28onRioFerdinand192–3onJuninho66onLiverpool35onGaryNeville28onVanNistelrooy174onMichaelOwen101onArsèneWenger77onGianfrancoZola62rowwithPeterSchmeichel15squadrotation126–7tactics116–27,161–3,172,175,279–80,283–4Fernández,Luis204Fernandinho445Ferreira,Paulo220,308,329Ferrer,Albert63,128Fettis,Alan95Feyenoord135,136,244Figo,Luís200Finnan,Steve242,244Finney,Tom25,313Fiorentina324,450

Firmino,Roberto376–7,419Fjørtoft,JanÅge65Flamini,Mathieu414Flanagan,Jon397Fleck,Robert29Fletcher,Darren318,335Flo,ToreAndré128Flores,QuiqueSánchez313Flowers,Tim43,44,64,73Forlán,Diego167,313Forrest,Craig17Fowler,Robbie52,100,103,104,175,189Fox,Ruel30France171vEngland96vIreland171seealsoGreeceFuchs,Christian425,428Fulham37,144,246,247,311–13,315,seealsoRoyHodgsonvAtléticoMadrid310,312–13vHamburg312vPortsmouth310vManchesterCity310seealsoChelsea,ManchesterUtd,TottenhamFuller,Ricardo294,298Futre,Paulo58–9

Gallas,William184,209,220,222,227,240Gannon,John7–8García,Luis238,240,242Gardner,Ricardo149Gascoigne,Paul25–6,255Gattuso,Gennaro241,243Genchev,Boncho57–8GeorgiavWales69Gera,Zoltán220,311Geremi202,221,226Germany263,seealsoDenmark,EnglandGerrard,Steven104,105,232,234,237,240,241,242,243–4,246,247,250,252,253,257–60,261,262,263,264–9,351,385–6,387,388,389–91,393,395–6,397,398,399–40,401

Gervinho407Giannakopoulos,Stelios154,156,157Giggs,Ryan16,22,28,31,33,40,63,81,89,111,114,115,118,122,123,124,125,164,167,253,254,279,281,283,287,326,329,336,348,359

Gillespie,Keith45–6,53,309Gillingham292Ginola,David45–6,49,52–3,121,258,309Giroud,Olivier410GlasgowRangersseeRangersGonzález,Mark245Gould,Bobby11,292Graham,George5,15,46–7,78,79,145,181,183,190,236,403,406–7Grant,Avram281,285,324Gravesen,Thomas201Gray,Andy8Gray,Demarai435Greece214vCzechRepublic214vFaroeIslands424vFrance214vPortugal214seealsoEnglandGrêmio206Grimandi,Gilles197Grobbelaar,Bruce9,18Grønkjær,Jesper202Gualtieri,Davide11Guardiola,Pep193,217,324,339,344,345,346,347,348,351,352,382,392,403–4,405,406,411,417,419,422,440,441,442–8,449,450,454,459

Gudjohnsen,Eidur222–3,226,239,302,330Guidolin,Francesco437,451Gullit,Ruud80,83,135–41,187Gunn,Bryan14,31,32Guti200,201

Hadji,Mustapha58Hamann,Dietmar(Didi)237,240–2,243,258,259,344Hamburg,seeFulhamHandanović,Samir17Harford,Mick7

Harford,Ray37,40,41Hargreaves,Owen261,268–9,274,285,351Harrison,Eric27Hart,Joe436,437,442,443Harte,Ian189Hartson,John58Hasselbaink,JimmyFloyd192Hazard,Eden341,397,438,452–3,454Heighway,Steve257,258Helguera,Ivan200Henderson,Jordan387,390,391,395,396,397Hendon58Hendrie,Lee293Hendry,Colin43Henry,Nick7Henry,Thierry81,95,96,97,107,127,167–74,175,181,220,245,283,366,371,389,448Hernández,Javier373Hernández,Pablo364Hernández,Xavi345,346–7,348,349,352,382Herrera,Ander443Heskey,Emile103,166,259,342Heynckes,Jupp199Hiddink,Guus324Hierro,Fernando149,151,200Higginbotham,Danny297Hignett,Craig66,67,68Hirst,David24Hleb,Aliaksandr365Hoddle,Glenn46,75,93,99–100,103,137,138–9,140,187–88,194,254,260,262Hodge,Steve10Hodgkinson,Alan12Hodgson,Roy260,310–13,381,413Holland,Matt256Holloway,Ian354–5,356,358Holmes,Matthew14Holt,Grant407Holtby,Lewis320Houghton,Bob260Houllier,Gérard22,23,73,105,214–15,231,233,237,316,342Howard,Tim298

Howe,Don365Howey,Steve47,52Huckerby,Darren94Hughes,Charlesvii,142–3Hughes,Mark24,27,30,61,120,139,142–3,145,279,332,345HullCity354,455,seealsoSouthampton,StokeCity,SwanseaHungary,seeEnglandHuth,Robert240,428,429,434,436Hyppiä,Sami238,242,246

Ibrahimović,Zlatan238,325,404,440,443Iceland,seeEnglandImmel,Eike133Ince,Paul14,31,33,120,197,251,259Iniesta,Andrés263,339,345,347,348,349İnler,Gökhan426,427InterMilan63,64,79,80,112,116,119,122,204,313,324,331,334vBayernMunich313,314seealsoManchesterUtd,TottenhamInzaghi,Pippo124,247IpswichvBlackburn57seealsoBolton,Chelsea,ManchesterUtdIreland,seeFranceIreland,Stephen332Irwin,Denis23,114,122,123Isco364Israel,seeEnglandItaly263,seealsoEngland,SpainIvanović,Branislav308,326,327,329,340,368,384,397,408,449,452Ivanschitz,Andreas266

Jääskeläinen,Jussi150,156Jackett,Kenny357Jagielka,Phil298Jaïdi,Rahdi220Jamaica,seeEnglandJames,David266Jankauskas,Edgaras218Jardel,Mario152Jarošík,Jiří226

Jeffers,Francis141Johnsen,Ronny101,114,118,120,121,122–3Johnson,Adam309Johnson,Glen202,395,397Johnson,Tommy49Johnston,Craig85Johnston,Mo14Jol,Martin229Jones,Rob53Jonk,Wim80Josemi235Joseph,Roger6Juninho59,63–8,69,70,76,118,134Juventusviii,96,112,119,171,191,243,310,384,441,448,451,452,seealsoCeltaVigo,Chelsea,Liverpool,ManchesterUtd

Kaboul,Younès309,410Kaká241,242,347Kalas,Tomáš397Kalou,Salomon287Kåmark,Pontus68Kanchelskis,Andrei16,24,31,33,40,114Kane,Harry375–6,377,415Kanté,N’Golo425,426,427,436,449,450,452Kanu,Nwankwo127,171Karembeu,Christian199Karlsson,Joachim42Keane,Robbie189Keane,Roy27,33,114–15,118,119,121–4,125,163,195–8,201,251,254,276,344andAlexFerguson197–8clashwithPatrickVieira196Keegan,Kevin35–6,37,44–54,103,106,113,184,188,235,255,260,262,305,388,394,458Keizer,Gerrit129Keown,Martin79,89,97,156,179,180–1,184,192Kerimoğlu,Tugay344–5Ketsbaia,Temuri69Kewell,Harry189,191,241,242Kežman,Mateja227Kharine,Dmitri18Kidd,Brian29,115

King,Andy426,435King,Ledley186Kinkladze,Georgi69–73,76,133Kinnear,Joe144Kitson,Dave302Kiwomya,Chris14Klinsmann,Jürgen80,135Klopp,Jürgen376,416–19,422,441Kluivert,Patrick167Koeman,Ronald415,438,441,453Kolarov,Aleksandar436,443,444,447,454Kollmann,Roland266Kompany,Vincent336,337,395Koscielny,Laurent388Kranjčar,Niko307Kühbauer,Dietmar118Kuyt,Dirk244

Lahm,Philipp445Lallana,Adam413,419Lambert,Rickie413Lamela,Erik414Lampard,Frank(Jnr)185,202–3,209,221,226,250,252,253,255–7,258,260–2,263,264–5,266–9,285,286–7,325–6,328,329,351

Lampard,Frank(Snr)255Larsson,Henrik279Lauren182,184Laursen,Martin294Lavezzi,Ezequiel408Lawrenson,Mark48Laws,Brian10Lazio25,96,163,seealsoChelsea,LeedsLeSaux,Graeme36,39,41,43,62,97LeTallec,Anthony238LeTissier,Matt23,25,73–6Leboeuf,Frank128,139LeagueofIrelandXI6Lee,Robert46,53,251LeedsUtd5,9–10,22–3,79,188–92vLazio190

vLeicester190vWimbledon6–7,100seealsoArsenal,MiddlesbroughLeicesterCity82,89,315,332,421–39,452vChelsea423,432vCrystalPalace429,437vEverton439vLiverpool431,433vManchesterCity434,435–7,446vManchesterUtd434vNewcastle430vNorwich429,435vSouthampton429,434vSunderland423,433vSwansea432,435vTottenham434vWestHam433,435seealsoArsenal,Bolton,Leeds,Middlesbrough,StokeLeiva,Lucas206–7,390,396Lennon,Aaron309,312,409LeytonOrient84Lineker,Gary283,437,439Lingard,Jesse443Lippi,Marcello119,199Litmanen,Jari104Little,Brian46,49Liverpool9,15,16,17,35,37,38,79,85,89,96,100–5,107,142,152,185,191,206,214–15,228,230–47,248–9,258,259,264,265,273,304,305,311,316,340,355,358,376,381–401,417–19,433,434,441,452,seealsoGérardHoullierandHeyselviiivACMilan240–4vAstonVilla387vBayerLeverkusen237vCardiff400vCoventry102vCrystalPalace400,401vEverton391vJuventus238vManchesterCity235,332,390,394–5,397,418vNorwich396,397

vOlympiakos236vQPR401vSouthampton102,387,412vStoke387,390vSunderland102,387vSwansea387,400vTottenham390,400,410,416,417vWestHam244,370vWigan401vWimbledon100seealsoArsenal,Blackburn,Bolton,Chelsea,Leicester,ManchesterUtd,NewcastleLjungberg,Freddie169,173,174,181,282Lloris,Hugo409Lopetegui,Julen347Lucescu,Mircea122,183Luiz,David194,397,452,452–3Lukic,John9–10LutonTown37Lyon,seeNottinghamForest

Macedonia,seeEnglandMackie,Jamie337Magilton,Jim74Mahrez427,429,431,432,434,436,437,440Maicon317Makélélé,Claude195,196,198,199–206,208–9,219,220,221,226,258,268,344,427,449Málaga364,369Malbranque,Steed205Maldini,Paolo136,242,243Malouda,Florent314,326,327,328,329ManchesterCity6,13,69,70–3,96,133,303,306,323,331–9,341,351,358,363,365,366–7,372,373,386,392,396,400,401,438,441,442,seealsoPepGuardiolavArsenal72,332,448vAstonVilla70vBirmingham332–3vBlackburn133vBlackpool366vCrystalPalace399vEverton399,446vMiddlesbrough70,446

vQPR337–9vSouthampton70,412,446vStoke303,333vSunderland444seealsoChelsea,Fulham,Leicester,Liverpool,ManchesterUtd,Newcastle,Swansea,TottenhamManchesterUtd13,14,15–16,19,24,29–34,35,36,43,48,54,60,67,79,104,106,111–27,152,161–8,174–78,180,184–5,192–3,194,195,207,208,213,224,236,246,249,253–4,274–6,277–90,304,314,316,323,324,333,336,340,358,368,371,372,373,374,386,418,438,440,441,442–8,seealsoAlexFergusonvAnderlecht162vArsenal91,95,111,125,176,196,289–90,334,352,371–2vAstonVilla374vBarcelona113,116,130–1,193,284,348–9,403vBarnsley16vBayernMunich111,124,314vBlackburnRovers14,43,275,278vBolton167vBorussiaDortmund118vCharlton14,177vChelsea33,63,225,274,281,284–9,326–7,329,372,407vEverton14,169,336vFenerbahçe166vFulham278vInterMilan122–3vIpswich14vJuventus118,120,122,123–4,197vLiverpool15,101,120,176,246,387vManchesterCity192,280,332,333,335,336,338,443vMiddlesbrough54,164vMonaco118vNorwich29–32vNottinghamForest125vPortVale254vPorto118,215vPortsmouth280vPSV162vQPR16vReading280vRealMadrid161vRoma279,283

vRotorVolgograd14vSheffieldWeds29vSunderland16,337vTottenham118,121,125,318,409,415vWestHam14,36,43,113,116vWigan177,336vWimbledon14seealsoAthleticBilbao,Blackpool,Coventry,Leicester,Newcastle,SheffieldUtd,Southampton,Swansea

Mancini,Roberto309,323,324,331–4,336–9,341,342Mantorras218Maradona,Diego20,25,27,61,69,70,72,185Marseilles199Marshall,Ian7Martial,Anthony95Martínez,Roberto357,455Martins,Obafemi106Martyn,Nigel155Mascherano,Javier246,251Mason,Ryan414Mata,Juan341,363–5,367–9Matić,Nemanja449,452Matteo,Dominic190,191Matthäus,Lothar80Matthews,Stanley25,313May,David127Mazinho199Mazzarri,Walter451McAteer,Jason52McCall,Stuart8McClair,Brian31,33,120McClaren,Steve115–16,164,268,269McDermott,Terry37–8,48,53McGrath,Paul11,87McKenzie,Leon220McManaman,Steve52,75,103,118,200,259McMenemy,Lawrie73Meireles,Raul339Mellor,Neil237,244Merson,Paul80,81

Messi,Lionel168,193,208,298,314,340,344,345,346,347,348,370,372,377Michels,Rinus345Middlesbrough25,63,64–8,134,299,302vChelsea66,67,202vDerby68vLeeds65vLeicesterCity67,68seealsoBolton,ManchesterCity,ManchesterUtdMikel,JohnObi208,326,339,407Mikloško,Luděk18,43Milner,James334,335,367,395Milošević,Savo49Minto,Scott139Mitchell,Adam320Molby,Jan120Monaco170,172,183,218,seealsoManchesterUtd,PortoMoncur,John58,59,256Monreal,Nacho302Montpellier185Moore,Bobby255MorganWes426,428,434Morley,Trevor14Moses,Victor387,452,453Mourinho,José157–8,203–4,205,209,213–22,224–9,230,231,238,240,245,247–9,251,264,266,275,281,313,324–5,326,330,342,343,358,365,368,386,396–7,405–7,408,409,416,432,441,448,449and4–3–3system227and‘parkingthebus’229coachingbackground216–18comparedwithArsèneWengerandAlexFerguson217,218teampreparation217–19‘transitions’224Moyes,David298,315,317,319,353,367,386Müller,Gerd175Müller,Thomas340Murphy,Danny81,311Mutu,Adrian202,349Myhill,Boaz300

NagoyaGrampusEight78

Nakata,Hidetoshi152Nani281,284,289–90,314,371Nantes199Napoli61,324,451,seealsoChelseaNasri,Samir308,314,333,334,336–7,365Navas,Jesús366,410,454Naysmith,Gary258Neal,Phil9Nedvĕd,Pavel238Nesta,Alessandro243Neuer,Manuel17Neville,Gary89,92,114,119,121,122,123,124,172,196,253,262,273,274,282,351AlexFergusonon28Neville,Phil28,63,121,126,277,317,319,367NewcastleUtd35–6,44–54,67,82,89,106,134,140,184,185,191,305,351,375,381,394,396,441vEverton400vLiverpool46,48,50,52–3,101,394,400–1vManchesterCity51,337vManchesterUtd50,51,117,134,193,400vNottinghamForrest51vSheffieldWeds45vSouthampton48,400vSunderland400vWestHam50,51seealsoArsenal,Blackpool,Chelsea,Blackburn,Leicester,TottenhamNewell,Mike38–9Nigeria208Nolan,Kevin150,153,155,157Nolito445NorthernIreland267Norwich29–32,33,101,389vWimbledon30seealsoArsenal,Chelsea,Leicester,Liverpool,ManchesterUtd,Southampton,TottenhamNottinghamForest10vLyon133seealsoNewcastle

Okazaki,Shinji425,426,427,431,435Okocha,Jay-Jay118,148,151,154,156O’Leary,David188,189,190,191

Olofinjana,Seyi298Olsen,Egil144,152Olsen,Lars13Olympiakos,seeLiverpoolO’Neill,Martin68,98,227,315,316Origi,Divock376Oscar341,449,452O’Shea,John280Otamendi,Nicolas454Overmars,Marc88,91–2,98–9,122,171,181,222Owen,Michael93,94,96,99–107,128,184,185,255,257,259,261,266–7,351,373AlexFergusonon101Oxlade-Chamberlain,Alex391Özil,Mesut263,369,387,391,450

Paciência,Domingos405,406Palacios,Wilson303Pallister,Gary7,14,23,101,120Palmer,Carlton65Pandev,Goran313Pardew,Alan400ParisSaint-Germain95,452Park,Ji-sung281,282,283,289–90,314,329,336,371Parker,Paul120Parker,Scott202Parlour,Ray81,85,86,87,88,89,91,98,181,197Parma60Pavlyuchenko,Roman308,317,319Payet,Dimitri369,440Peacock,Darren47Pearce,Stuart10–11,80,133Pearson,Nigel423,428Pedersen,Henrik149,153Pedersen,MortenGamst312Pellegrini,Manuel158,386,395,436,438Pemberton,John65Pennant,Jermaine81,245Perch,James409Perrotta,Simone263Perry,Chris62

Pessotto,Gianluca119Peter,Sergio278Petit,Emmanuel88,90–1,181,197,251Petrescu,Dan63,128,140Petrić,Mladen269Petrov,Martin332Phillips,Kevin283Pienaar,Steven315Piqué,Gerard345Pirès,Robert81,173,181,256,282Pirlo,Andrea205,241,243,252,325,390Platt,David79,81,87,90Pleat,David4Plymouth292–3Poborský,Karel349Pochettino,Mauricio402,410–15,416,418,419,441,454,455Podolski,Lukas369Pogba,Paul440Poland,seeEnglandPopescu,Gheorghe134PortVale,seeManchesterUtdPorto64,135,203,213–14,215,216,218,219,220,405–6vBraga406vMonaco214seealsoManchesterUtdPortsmouth306,seealsoArsenal,Chelsea,Fulham,ManchesterUtd,StokeCityPortugal268,458,seealsoEngland,GreecePovslen,Flemming13Poyet,Gus128,256Preston145,180PSVEindhoven136,137,163,165,seealsoArsenal,ManchesterUtdPuel,Claude172Pulis,Tony291–3,295–7,299,301–3,346,354,423,438Puskás,Ferenc25Puyol,Carles345,405

QPR194,361,seealsoLiverpool,ManchesterCity,ManchesterUtd,SouthamptonQueiroz,Carlos177,274–5,282,284Quinn,Niall71,102

Radebe,Lucas190Ramires199,339,340,368,397Ramos,Juande306Ramos,Sergio245Ramsay,Aaron301Ranieri,Claudio126,202–3,215,219,261,263,324,421,422,424–9,431,432–3,435,437,439,441,450,452

Rangel,Àngel359Rangers23,25vAberdeen8vDynamoKiev4RapidVienna118Raúl200Ravanelli,Fabrizio67Reading,seeManchesterUtdRealMadrid69,94,96,105,177,178,189,196,199,200,201,203,213,219,232,245,247,248,249,274–5,277,290,320,348,358,385,422seealsoBayernMunich,ManchesterUtdRedknapp,Harry11,58–9,194,255,256,292,306–7,309,310,311,316–17,319–20,408Redknapp,Jamie43,187,255Redondo,Fernando199Reina,Pepe16–17,234,246Revie,Don189Reyes,JoséAntonio313Reyna,Claudio344Ribéry,Franck313Ricketts,Michael153Riera,Albert245Riise,JohnArne243,244Rijkaard,Frank80Rioch,Bruce78–9,80–1,83,88Ripley,Stuart36,40,41,42,43Rivaldo213Robben,Arjen221–3,224,226,227,245,313,340Robinho332Robins,Mark7,30Robinson,Paul189Robson,Bobbyvii,134,216–17,405,406Robson,Bryan30,64–5,66,67Rodgers,Brendan158,343,357–61,381–4,386,387,388,389,390,391,392–3,394,396,397–8,399,

401,417,452,455,458Rodriguez,Jay413Rodríguez,Pedro345,366,452,453Rodwell,Jack367Roma,seeManchesterUtdRomario121,172Ronaldinho213,264Ronaldo64,97,100,122,168,172,200,213Ronaldo,Cristiano103,106,168,176,178,273,274,276–9,281–7,289,290,314,320,325,347,348,371,372,389,420,432,440bust-upwithVanNistelrooy177Rooney,Wayne105,166,176,177,178,180,221,263,266–7,274,276–80,281–5,289–90,314,337,348,371–4,443

Rose,Danny308,415Rosický,Tomáš207,252,308,314,365Rösler,Uwe133RotorVolgograd,seeManchesterUtdRoyle,Joe72Ruddock,Neil15Rudge,John292Rush,Ian53

Sabrosa,Simão313Sacchi,Arrigo61,79,136,204,233,234,402Sagna,Bacary444,445Saha,Louis167–8,176,278–80Sakho,Mamadou398Sammer,Matthias187,188Sampdoria5SanMarino,seeEnglandSánchez,Alexis339,427,450Sandell,Frederik42Sandro232Sané,Leroy445Şanlı,Tuncay302Santini,Jacques228–9Sauzée,Franck204Scales,John53,125Schlupp,Jeffrey428,429Schmeichel,Kasper428,431,437

Schmeichel,Peter3,12–14,15–16,17,23,24,31,50,73,91–2,101,113,122,130,134,274rowwithAlexFerguson15Schneiderlin,Morgan412–13,414Schwarzer,Mark397Scholes,Paul28,33,114–15,123–4,125,163,168,174,197,252–5,257,258–64,266,274,284,285,333,336,349–52,409

Scolari,LuizFelipe298,303,324,330Scotland,seeEnglandScunthorpe,seeChelseaSeaman,David7,11,12,15,79,86,97,122Seedorf,Clarence241,243Segers,Hans7,17Senderos,Phillipe157Serginho243Sevilla306ShakhtarDonetsk310Sharpe,Lee16,26,31Shaw,Luke413Shaw,Richard20Shawcross,Ryan299,302Shearer,Alan24,38–41,43–4,54,75,103,113,255,276,283,376,387SheffieldUtd294vManchesterUtd7vTottenham8SheffieldWeds22,59,102,430,seealsoArsenal,ManchesterUtdShelvey,Jonjo370Sheringham,Teddy25,103,104,112,113,124–5,162–3,254,376Sherwood,Tim40,43,44,413–14Shevchenko,Andrei242,243,244Siasia,Samson208Sidibé,Mamady294Sigurdsson,Gylfi320Silva,David333,334,335,336,338,363–9,395,445Silva,Gilberto181,197,207Silvestre,Mikaël184Silvinho134Simeone,Diego422Simpson,Danny428,429,435SinamaPongolle,Florent236Sinclair,Scott359

Sinclair,Trevor59Sitton,John84Škrtel,Martin246,391,395Smalling,Chris193Smertin,Alexey221Šmicer,Vladimir237,242,243Smith,Alan175,189,279Sneijder,Wesley317Snelders,Theo8Solskjær,OleGunnar16,112,121,124–5,162,167,279,280,283Souness,Graeme4,9SouthAfrica,seeEnglandSouthall,Neville69Southampton58,82,239,294,295,307,320,410–13,418,419,441vEverton412vHull413vManchesterUtd58vNorwich412vQPR412vWigan412seealsoArsenal,Blackburn,Chelsea,Leicester,Liverpool,ManchesterCity,NewcastleSouthgate,Gareth259,299Spackman,Nigel138Spain263,345,363,370vItaly370vSwitzerland366Spalletti,Luciano279Speed,Gary10,154SportingLisbon216Srníček,Pavel18,53Stam,Jaap102,114,122,123,125,163,185,243Stamp,Phil70Steinsson,Grétar318Stejskal,Jan17–18Sterling,Raheem391,394–5,396,397,399,400,445StockportCounty,seeWestHamStokeCity106,246,291–303,354,361,426,seealsoTonyPulisvArsenal298,301,302vAstonVilla294,297vBolton294,338

vChelsea298,330,356vEverton297vHull300,302vLeicester292,425,436vPortsmouth298vSunderland298vTottenham297seealsoLiverpool,ManchesterCityStones,John186–7,194,443,444,446,447Strachan,Gordon74Stuart,Graham44Sturridge,Daniel95,376,383,387–9,391–2,394,396,397,399,400Stuttgart5Suárez,Luis371,375,383–6,387–9,390,391–2,394,396,399,400,401,410,432,440Šuker,Davor100,127,171Summerbee,Nicky71Sunderland82,294,295,320,354,423,428,450,seealsoArsenal,Chelsea,Leicester,Liverpool,ManchesterCity,ManchesterUtd,Newcastle,StokeCity,Swansea

Sutton,Chris38,39–40,41,43,44,93,101,103,113,128,166,387Swansea106,357,358–61,364,381,382,383,387,400,420,432,435,438,447,450,451,458vArsenal450vCrystalPalace447vFulham361vHull357vManchesterCity358vManchesterUtd359vSunderland361seealsoChelsea,Leicester,LiverpoolSweden267Switzerland,seeSpain

Tadić,Dušan369Tanner,Nick9Tarnat,Michael124Tassotti,Mauro136Taylor,Grahamvii,11,143,144,152,402–3Taylor,Peter256,331Taylor,Steven409Tenerife135Terry,John186,192,193,218,219–20,239,240,286–8,309,325,327,339,340,341–2,397,407,452

Tevez,Carlos274,280,281–2,283–5,289,309,331–4,336,337,348,371–3Thome,Emerson128Thompson,Alan69Thorstvedt,Erik18Thuram,Lillian183,191Tiago221,226Torino442Torres,Fernando246,330,340,347,366,368,375,384,397,399,410Torricelli,Moreno119Toshack,John388TottenhamHotspur89,111,134,162,219,229,256,306–9,310,311,314,316–20,352,358,385,408–10,438,441,455vArsenal134,229,308,409,414vBlackburn318vBurnley307vCharlton228vChelsea90,308,409,410,438,454vEverton319vFulham307vInterMilan316–17vManchesterCity305,306,309,312,332,334,410,415vNewcastle134,400,408vNorwich319vSunderland320vWestHam307vWigan306,307vWolves306seealsoLeicester,Liverpool,ManchesterUtd,SheffieldUtd,StokeCityTotti,Francesco252,280Touré,Kolo181,183,184Touré,Yaya333,334,336,337,395,436Tracey,Simon8Traoré,Djimi236,242Trapattoni,Giovanni79Trelleborg,seeBlackburn

Udinese451Ukraine,seeEnglandUlloa,Leonardo435

Valdano,Jorge232,248–9Valencia214,215,233,326vLiverpool230seealsoChelseaValencia,Antonio289,314,364vanBasten,Marco80vandeKerkhof,Willy136vanderSar,Edwin17,274,286–7,288vanGaal,Louis216,217,358,418,438,455vanNistelrooy,Ruud161,163,165–9,170,173–8,221,260,275–6,277,279,283AlexFergusonon174vanPersie,Robin362,371,373–5,376,377,407Vardy,Jamie426,429,430–2,433–4,435,439,440Venables,Terry64,75,185,188,191,260Vengloš,DrJozef83Veretout,Jordan426Vermaelen,Thomas290Verón,JuanSebastián163–4,202Vertonghen,Jan410,415Vialli,Gianluca119,128–9,139–40,228,324Vidić,Nemanja192,193,274,288,348Viduka,Mark106,189Vieira,Patrick88,90,91,122,181,195–8,201,251,258,332,344clashwithRoyKeane196Villa,David345,348,364,422Villas-Boas,André219,320,330,339,368,405–10,413,416,418Villareal364Vorm,Michel359

Walcott,Theo95,307,374,404–5,407,410,427Wales458,seealsoGeorgiaWalker,Des11Walker,Ian155Walker,Kyle415Walker,Mike29–30Walsall,seeWestHamWalsh,Gary131Walters,Jon426Wanchope,Paulo94,295Wanyama,Victor412

Watford143,144,145,402,447,451,seealsoChelseaWatson,Steve47,52Weah,George172Welbeck,Danny95Wenger,Arsène77,78,83,84–92,95,107,139,140,141,146,148,153,156,157,158,170,171,182,197,258,281–2,301,342,343,352,356,361,373,404,441andDenilson207changesArsenal’sdiet85–6comparedwithJoséMourinho217,218AlexFergusonon77improvesplayers183initialimpact92onArsenal’sdefence184predictions180–1solvestheAnelka–Overmarsdispute99tactician89–91,174,181,197usesdefendersascoaches183–4WestBromwichAlbion96,247,297,320,339,353,423,seealsoChelseaWestHam58–9,185,246,255–6,401,428,440,455vWalsall256vStockport256seealsoChelsea,Liverpool,ManchesterUtd,Newcastle,TottenhamWhiteside,Norman87Whyte,Chris9–10Wigan299,357,455,seealsoArsenal,Chelsea,Liverpool,ManchesterUtd,Southampton,TottenhamWilcox,Jason40,41,42Wilkinson,Andy302Wilkinson,Howard5,6,9–10,11,22–3,189Williams,Ashley359Willian385,397,399,454Wiltord,Sylvain81,107Wimbledon37,140,143–4,seealsoChelsea,Leeds,Liverpool,Norwich,ManchesterUtdWindass,Dean300Winter,Aron122Winterburn,Nigel95,134,181Wise,Dennis61,62,66,128,140Woan,Ian51Wolfsburg310Wolves354,seealsoChelsea,TottenhamWoodgate,Jonathan189–90,191

Woods,Chris4Wouters,Jan72Wreh,Christopher91,127Wright,Ian79,81,91,94,95,97,99,181,254Wright,Richard141Wright-Phillips,Shaun205,267,337

Yeboah,Tony65Yorke,Dwight49,112,113,122,124,125,162Young,Ashley316Yugoslavia13

Zabaleta,Pablo336,337Zamora,Bobby311,313Zamorano,Iván122Zanetti,Javier317Zidane,Zinedine97,100,119,120,123,200,201,349Ziege,Christian102Zola,Gianfranco27,59,60–3,66,67,75,76,81,118,139,343,363AlexFergusonon62

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