Three Things We Learned This Weekend

Modric's Head Has Not Been Turned By Chelsea


The will he won't he move to Chelsea saga had us all bored this summer as nobody truly believed Daniel Levy when he said that Modric was not for sale.  But contrary to reports, Modric really was 'not for sale' as Spurs proved to the Premier League that they were serious 4th place contenders and not a 'selling club'.

Many of us wondered what this meant for Modric's career at Tottenham this season, as his determination to move to Chelsea was clear for all to see.  Harry Redknapp claimed that he had no worries, calling Modric a model professional, and after his performance against Liverpool on Sunday old 'Arry was vindicated.

It wasn't just the way he took his goal that was impressive.  Modric, alongside Parker, tore Liverpool's midfield to shreds as Lucas and Adam chased shadows for most of the afternoon (well until Adam was sent off that is, then it was Jordan Henderson who became the headless chicken).  They played triangles around Liverpool's middle two and dictated the game from the first minute until the end.  His touch, vision and all round game was world class and it is no wonder why Chelsea and Abrahamovic were so keen to recruit him this summer.

Whether Modric moves to Chelsea at the end of the season or not it is clear that, for the meantime at least, his heart is at White Hart Lane.

Three Things We Learned This Weekend

Liverpool Have A Problem. A £35 Million Problem


Despite starting the season on a high, Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish must not be able to sleep well at night. I know I wouldn't when confronted with the problem of having a striker on your books that costs £35 million but that does not fit into your team or style of play.  When selling Fernando Torres to Chelsea and replacing him with Andy Carroll, many Liverpool fans were confident that the free scoring Geordie would continue his exploits for the Reds.  This, however, has not been the case.  


Andy Carroll now has only two premier league goals to his name for Liverpool, both of these coming in the same game, but this is not the main reason why he should fear for his Liverpool future.  The fact is that Liverpool play better, so much better, without Carroll on the pitch.  Two of their best performances under Dalglish, against Fulham last season and Bolton over the weekend, came about when Carroll was not in the line up and the industrious Dirk Kuyt was preferred up front.  The team play a much more fluid, free flowing game that manages to get the best out of the world class talent that is Luis Suarez and enables the team to string five passes together without feeling the urge to hoof the ball in the air to Carroll.  


It has been said that Dalglish had bought Stewart Downing, Jordan Henderson and Charlie Adam to accommodate Carroll's talents. It may well be the case that Liverpool are better off without the big man in the first place.   


Arsenal Don't Just Need New Players, They Need Leaders