CONMEBOLONEY?
The transfer window in January is often seen as a time for speculation and daydreaming. We imagine what it would be like if Player X joined Club Y, considering their expected goals and pressing statistics, as well as their ability to control transitions and play with verticality. However, let’s be truthful – the January window in 2024 hasn’t generated much excitement or creativity yet.
Is Jadon Sancho returning to Dortmund? That seems likely. The main question surrounding Ian Maatsen potentially joining Jadon on loan at Signal Iduna Park from Chelsea is: how common is the name Ian among 21-year-olds? Did the Maatsen family side with the Beales in the long-standing feud on Albert Square? Are names like “Phil” and “Grant” popular in Vlaardingen, Maatsen’s hometown in the south of the Netherlands? Moving on, is it realistic for Arsenal to pay £100m for Ivan Toney? Probably not. Perhaps giving Bukayo Saka a proper break would be a more economical option.
Wild speculation is the food from the gods for those asked to scratch together football-based daily tea-time emails. And José Mourinho has forever been a hero in these parts for his ability to turn the spotlight on himself, creating a feeding frenzy among fantasists. The latest rumours from the Mourinho extended universe is that he is being lined up to manage the Brazilian national team.
OK, Portuguese language: check. Expressive, carefree football embodying the free spiritedness of a football culture that values artistry over achievement? Well, not quite. Mind, Luiz Felipe Scolari – Big Phil if you will – hardly employed the freeform tactics of 1970: Clodoaldo skating out from defence, Pelé being celebrated more for his inventive misses than actual goals, and all that. And Big Phil was the last properly successful Brazil coach. As in: he won the World Cup. The current Brazil caretaker coach is Fernando Diniz, who you may recall from Fluminense’s Club World Cup appearance and his “relationism” football. That involved his team doing Clodoaldo things before getting robbed in their own box for Manchester City to score.
If Brazil is searching for a potential victor, Mourinho may be the right choice. He previously held this title, but has not been as successful since his focus shifted to defeating Pep Guardiola in Spain while at Internazionale and Real Madrid. While Pep has solidified his reputation as the top and most influential coach, José has lost some of his skill.
However, he continues to hold a god-like status in Rome, despite concerns that his large salary may cause issues for Roma, who are currently seventh in Serie A. While rumors of a potential move to Saudi Arabia have been dismissed, it seems that Brazil is a more appealing option for him. “I am unsure if the rumors about Brazil are true, as I have not been directly approached,” José evaded the topic, reminiscent of Neymar’s avoidance tactics.
Picture this: Mourinho, confined like Lowry in a skyscraper in São Paulo, claiming that he can’t find enough players in Brazil. He praises Luke Littler’s exceptional talent before bringing back Fred, who was a star player in 2014, to help launch the team. This is what we need in 2024.
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“The quote for today is:”
Mindaugas Nikolicius, a jubilant Hajduk Split representative, declares the comeback of former Croatian player Nikola Kalinic to the team with a salary of €1 (86p), with the single goal of aiding Hajduk in winning the title after a 19-year drought.
FOOTBALL DAILY LETTERS
When you see ‘Kuddly Ken’, think of ‘Cousin Kevin’ instead. Your photo of Ken Bates with the Subbuteo cake (posted on Memory Lane yesterday) reminded me that I, along with others of a similar age, cannot help but think of the famous Undertones song whenever we hear or see the word ‘Subbuteo’. I wouldn’t be surprised if Ken also owns a sheepskin jacket with fur lining. – Allastair McGillivray.
“I, like Jürgen Klopp, also lost my wedding ring accidentally 19 years ago. After returning from my honeymoon, I carefully went to discard some waste paper in a street bin in Amsterdam, not realizing that I had also unintentionally deposited my new wedding ring. Despite the Amsterdam municipality’s efforts to locate the ring among the piles of paper, it was not found. Unlike Klopp, I had to purchase a new ring as I could not afford to continue searching.” – Gerry Rickard.
Please email your correspondence to [email protected]. The recipient of our prizeless “Letter of the Day” is Allastair McGillivray.
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Source: theguardian.com
