Corner Flag Talk

Ronald Koeman: The hero of FC Barcelona in their first ever European Cup win in 1992. An Icon of football.   With notable managerial positions at Ajax, PSV, Southampton, Everton and most recently, the Dutch National Team, Ronald Koeman has returned to Spain’s top division to coach none other than FC Barcelona, where he has earned the status of Legend.   A dream return to a club that has been suffering internally and seemed to have fallen from grace. Koeman was chosen to bring about change to a club that has recently been filled with European nightmares and hit the absolute rock bottom.   Many changes were expected following his signature to become the new Barcelona manager. So how has he fared thus far?   Changes within the Squad : In the 2019/2020 La Liga season, Barcelona were ranked 6 th from the bottom in offering minutes to players under the age of 23, (2,197 minutes) while offering the third most minutes to players aged over 30 (16,943). Staggering numbers co...

In September’s big episode of the TTFA vs FIFA saga, football’s governing body indefinitely suspended the TTFA from all international competitions, which means that Trinidad & Tobago’s national teams and club teams will be missing in action on the pitch until the TTFA “fully complies with its obligations as a member of FIFA”. FIFA gave the TTFA two deadlines to withdraw the case (to battle FIFA in [Trinidad’s] High Court) - on September 16th and then September 23 rd (at 3:00pm). On September 23 rd , TTFA President, William Wallace, confirmed that they withdrew the case. However, the withdrawal was not submitted until 3:02pm, while the application to discontinue the case was not processed until 8:00pm. By then, the High Court Civil Registry was closed, and FIFA did not get official confirmation of the withdrawal by the time (FIFA) president, Gianni Infantino, commenced his meeting with the FIFA Council. This suspension means the Trinidad and Tobago will, most likely, be absent from...

  With the premier league title race seemingly open for the first time in a number of years, for various reasons this articles attempts to highlight key things that Frank Lampard’s team must figure out to be considered a serious contender right now and throughout this already wildly unpredictable season. Chelsea have been gifting goals for fun between the start of last season and now and even though they have addressed their defensive concerns during the summer transfer window only little progress has been seen. Albeit it is only a few weeks into the new season, Chelsea has already committed 5 errors that have led to opposition goals, defenders on the team need to cut out mental and individual errors and stop switching off on defence if this number is to not get much worse than this. Finding the right defensive shape, balance, organization and personnel is crucial for this team if they are to cut out their habit of giving away needless goals.   Going on from the point above, t...

It’s been a lacklustre start to Manchester United’s Premier League season, with them yet to find their footing and show their true potential; albeit a 4-1 win over Newcastle in the last game week. In this game and their Champions League tie against PSG, it was glaring that certain players are more impactful than others and deserve starts instead of coming off the bench. Let’s highlight a few key areas and players that be the differentials Manchester United need to become a threat for the Premier League.   Donny Van De Beek The new kid on the Manchester United roster has been an immense signing. Although many were questioning his readiness for the big stage upon his move from Ajax, he has silenced his doubters. His season has started on the bench, with the Dutchman yet to receive a start with the Manchester side. However, when substituted on the pitch, the difference is undeniable. In last game week’s Newcastle win, the match stood at one a piece until his substitution. He and Bruno...

  UEFA Champions League Prediction 20/21 Season As we get ready to kick off yet another Champions League campaign, it is time make some predictions for what is to come this season in the Champion’s League. GROUP STAGE   Beginning with the group stage first. As we know there are eight groups with four teams and after six games, the top two teams advance with the third placed team going into the Europa League and the bottom placed team gets eliminated.   So, let’s get right into it starting at the top with Group A. Headlining this group is the reigning and defending champions Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid with RB Salzburg and Lokomotiv Moscow rounding out the group. After the group games, Bayern Munich should easily storm to the first-place finish with Atletico finishing second with RB Salzburg third and Lokomotiv Moscow finishing last. Group B is a rather interesting one and has ‘group of death’ potential with two heavy hitters in Real Madrid and Inter Milan and two go...

  10) Timothy Castage – Leicester’s summer signing from Atlanta has been a revelation at right back in the absence of Ricardo Pereira at the start of the season. The Belgian international has managed 3 goal involvements from the first 3 games of the season (1 goal and 2 assist) which has been a welcome surprise for The Foxes. On the defensive side of the ball, he has managed to contribute 1.5 tackles and interceptions per game to accompany his 1 clearance per game. His inclusion in this list was sealed after Leicester’s surprising trashing of Manchester City in GW3 where he contributed an assist. 9) Wilfred Zaha – The Ivorian forward has benefitted from playing in a front 2 at the start of the campaign. He now has less creative responsibilities and is afforded more opportunities to run directly at the opposition’s centre backs in Roy Hodgson’s counterattacking Crystal Palace team. They did this to detrimental effect vs both Southampton and Manchester United with him amassing 3 goal...

  Covid-19 may have placed local football on pause but this is not the case for   Trinidadians who have been plying their trade abroad via professional contract or scholarship.   With regards to the foreign school football , most tournaments have been put on hold but players have been engaged in pre season training with hopes of returning to the field come January 2021. The majority of our local players who have attained scholarships abroad have been granted exemptions and have returned to their foreign based colleges to be part of the pre season training regime.           Drifting away from the college ball , many players have been actively blowing up the scenes for their respective clubs as international football tournaments have resumed across the world . Hot on the scene, Levi Garcia who recently signed to prominent Greek club Aek Athens   has stamped his name with the club scoring in his Greek Super League debut in the 14 th minute agai...