Tabla de contenidos para September 2016 en Australian FourFourTwo

Last year’s English Premier League season was certainly one for the books. Now for that tricky follow-up act – what, indeed, can the league produce in 2016-17 to improve upon what Leicester City and company did? As a possible starting point, we can refer to item number one in our “81 Things We Want From the New Season”. For all the playing talent that the EPL’s financial power brings in, it has become even more pronounced on the sideline. The calibre of managers leading the power clubs is truly impressive: Guardiola, Mourinho, Klopp, Conte, Pochettino, Rainieri, Wenger. The daunting thought is that one of these high-powered figures will be staring at the reality of a sixth-place league finish (or worse), and the off-field drama that results will be fascinating in…

1 SENT OFF FOR FARTING Sweden Sodertalje Left-back Adam Ljungkvist found a novel way to earn a red card during an appearance for Pershagens, picking up a second booking for farting. “I was standing a good distance away, but I heard the fart loud and clear – it’s the strangest thing I’ve seen on a pitch,” opponent Kristoffer Linde said. “I had a bad stomach so I simply let go,” Ljungkvist protested. “I asked the referee, ‘What, am I not allowed to break wind a little?’ I don’t get it. Maybe he thought I farted in my hand and threw the fart at him. But I did not.” 2 IS THE BOSS ALWAYS THIS QUIET? Germany Hamburg St Pauli boss Ewald Lienen couldn’t make it to the photocall announcing the…

I knew I’d made it as a player when I signed my first professional contract at Ajax. But I knew I had become a proper player when I started representing my country andplaying at the highest level for my club, which would have been at PSV and playing in the Champions League and UEFA Cup. I was happiest when I knew I’d made my family proud. At the end of the day that’s what it’s all about. You can make yourself happy and satisfied, but when you have pride in what you do, you play your best football. My hero growing up would be Mark Viduka. He was a hero of mine from a young age and I still to this day remember his first game in the NSL. I…

 Hola, Juan. How does a small player such as yourself survive in a division as physical as the Premier League? “I have to think more, playing in England: if you aren’t tall or strong, you must move earlier and try to find spaces” It’s a good question! In England there are many big and strong players, which means that I have to think a bit more, because of the big difference in size between myself and a lot of players. If you’re not tall or strong you have to move earlier and try to find the spaces before your rival. The mental side of the game is really important for the smaller players – if you try to stand toe-to-toe with a bigger man, it’s very difficult to come out…

Slaven Bilic Is there anything he can’t do? Good manager, top TV pundit. We’ll forgive the bogan haircut. Treadmills A US study’s shown that treadmill work boosts memory and increases levels of protein in the blood. Athleisure At last it’s fashionable to don sportswear at work, down the pub and on the bus. Yes! Altitude training masks They’re expensive, look ridiculous and don’t work, especially when you are only using the bench press. Put ’em away. Sports drinks Research has shown that 89 per cent of 12-14 year-old Welsh children are currently guzzling them, but they’re full of sugar. Ripe and ready avocados Yes, they’re healthy. But when they are ready, we’re not, and by the time we are, it’s too late.…

NSR Kanga Cup 2017 Provisional Dates July 2 to 7, 2017 Want to be a part of the NSR Kanga Cup? The 2017 playing of the internationally renowned competition will take place, provisionally, from July 2 to 7 in Canberra. This is your chance to book your place early to make sure you don’t miss out on what is the best week of football in the Southern Hemisphere, the 25th time the tournament will be held in the National Capital. For more information on entering the 2017 NSR Kanga Cup please head to the Kanga Cup website – www.kangacup.com With numbers set to be capped once again, after another record entry list this year, it’s essential you enter early! Don’t miss out on your chance to compete at the NSR…

Mourinho and Klopp will both have Guardiola in their sights “Leicester City enter a period of uncertainty following their great escape.” Every so-called ‘expert’ was forced to eat their words after the Foxes stunned the football world last season, and these were FourFourTwo’s exactly a year ago. And thank goodness. Who wants to be right, when you can be thrilled, shocked and rocked to your very core by the way that Claudio Ranieri’s miracle men won the Premier League title? But even if the Italian is still jigging with delight when the new campaign begins, he won’t be the headline act this time around. Not even close. Because no matter who follows Zlatan Ibrahimovic to the Premier League this summer, there can be little doubt that it’s all about the…

This season will be different to last because... well, it won’t be. As long as the less-than-dynamic duo of Stan Kroenke and Arsene Wenger are at the club, nothing will change. Our most underrated player is Joel Campbell, one of our most hard-working players and unfairly ousted by Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. The player I’d happily drive to another club is Theo Walcott. We celebrated his 10th year at the club – apparently that’s now a rational cause for celebration – by handing him the captain’s armband, and we subsequently lost 1-0 at home. Keep an eye out for Alex Iwobi. We all saw what he is capable of last season. One player I secretly admire is Dele Alli – the way he has burst onto the scene is…

Sean Dyche will need more options on the bench than last time CAN ANDRE GRAY BE THE NEXT JAMIE VARDY? There was a time when any tricky winger was described as the new George Best; every rangy midfielder, the new Patrick Vieira. If you’re skilful and/or Argentine, you’re the new Leo Messi. If you like to chuck microphones in lakes, you’re the new Ronaldo. So, after 2015-16, English football is on the lookout for the new Jamie Vardy in any striker who has played even one game in non-league. If anyone is going to end up with that tag, though, Burnley’s Andre Gray is at the front of the queue. The similarities are hard to ignore. Unable to make it in the Football League as a youngster with Shrewsbury, having…

This season will be different to last because We have Antonio Conte. He is a proven leader with an unrivalled will to win and a proven track record. Our most underrated player is Kurt Zouma. He’s up there with the best centre-backs in the league and was hugely unfortunate to get injured. He’s out for a while longer, but will definitely be one to watch under Conte. The best away fans are Manchester United’s (right) – they always travel everywhere in great numbers and are consistently vocal. The opposition player I secretly admire is Juan Mata, although it’s not the biggest secret! Sergio Aguero is unbelievably good as well. The best away ground is Goodison Park. It’s one of the few grounds with a great home atmosphere. Keep an eye…

This season will be different to last because Steve Bruce guided us back into the Premier League. Who knows what we could achieve if we sorted out the shambles that is our ownership situation? Hull fans should follow@DavidMeyler7. Oh, and ’80s pop star and Hull City fan @sinittaofficial, obviously... Our most underrated player is Sam Clucas. The winger signed for us last year from Chesterfield after stints in non-league football, and he didn’t look a bit out of place in the Championship, despite some fans getting on his back. I hope that he can make the step up once again this season and perform well for us in the Premier League. The opposition player I secretly admire is N’Golo Kante. He’s an unbelievable player, and the main reason Leicester won…

IS KLOPP READY FOR A TITLE CHALLENGE? At $68m, Sadio Mane can’t have a five-month goal drought as he did for Saints last season It’s difficult to know what to make of Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool. At its best, their visceral assault on an opposition’s personal space is a thrilling representation of high-intensity pressing. Three-goal home and away wins against Manchester City, plus a 4-0 derby marmalising of Everton and two cup finals served notice of a side that is increasingly taking to their German coach’s methods. Particularly in those 4-1 and 3-0 wins over City, the scale of Liverpool’s sweeping counter-attacking bordered on breathtaking. The two-touch passing to get from back to front – frequently starting with a surging Emre Can and flowing through Philippe Coutinho, Adam Lallana and…

This season will be different to last because we finally have a top-class manager capable of realising our wildest ambitions and making our squad more than just the sum of its parts. Our most underrated player is Fernandinho. He was our player of the season and is genuinely world-class. Few outside the Etihad seem to have cottoned on to it, though. The opposition player I secretly admire is Anthony Martial, who might actually be the new Thierry Henry. But don’t tell anyone I said that. The best away fans are anyone who doesn’t boo Raheem Sterling for having the audacity to make a positive career move. It’s a very short list. Keep an eye out for Brahim Diaz (above, right), who has just turned 17. He has the potential to…

Changing too much, too soon could disrupt what makes Boro tick CAN KARANKA GET EVERYONE PULLING IN THE SAME DIRECTION? Aitor Karanka is an emotional guy. When Boro went up in May, the boss said he’d like to “go to bed and cry for 24 hours”. After the year he’d had, the Spaniard could be forgiven a little sob. Just two months earlier, the 42-year-old had stormed out of Rockcliffe Park Training Ground in a Friday afternoon huff, having argued with his players about their 1-0 loss to Rotherham in midweek. He yelled that he didn’t want to manage them again; they responded that he was damaging a still-healthy team morale. The next morning, before a coach trip to Charlton, Karanka was sent home by Boro executives for being disruptive,…

This season will be different to last because we’ll have a brand new team yet again, and a proper European campaign to enjoy. Our pantomime villain is Ronald Koeman (right) this season. Our most underrated player is James Ward-Prowse. He is going to be a superstar given the time. The players I’d happily drive to another club were Maarten Stekelenburg and Juanmi, but we’ve binned them now. Saints fans should follow Kent Messenger reporter @IvesonKM for some intelligent Southampton chat. Keep an eye out for young midfielder Harrison Reed – he’s already Premier League quality. The best away ground is Anfield. I love it. The opposition player I secretly admire is N’Golo Kante. He would make any football team on the planet infinitely better. One change I’d make at…

Sunderland concede more shots per game than any other team CAN THEY AVOID THE RELEGATION SCRAP? Every season Sunderland ask: can we escape relegation this season? The question they should instead ask is: can we escape a relegation battle altogether? With Premier League TV deals gaining another zero every year, survival has long been the club’s main goal – perhaps its only goal. When Sam Allardyce was appointed last autumn, he was their fourth ripcord manager in succession. Allardyce, though, has loftier ambitions, even if they’re no longer to manage Real Madrid and “win the double every time”. As FFT goes to press, the 61-year-old is in talks with the FA about managing England – there’s a sentence we never thought we’d say – but if he stays at Sunderland,…

This season will be different to last because we will carry on our promising end-of-season form under Guidolin, I hope. Our most underrated player is Neil Taylor (right). He’s a very good defender and rarely lets you down. The best away ground is Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium. The opposition player I secretly admire is Sergio Aguero. He scores a lot of goals for Manchester City. Keep an eye out for young defender Stephen Kingsley. He did well towards the end of last season and will be looking to get more minutes this term. The player I’d happily drive to another club is Bafetimbi Gomis, if he’s still around after pre-season. Our pantomime villain is Andy Carroll, although he loves the stick he gets from opposition fans. One change I’d make at…

Signing Liverpool’s Jerome Sinclair shows Watford are reverting to signing youngsters POZZONOMICS: DOOMED TO FAIL? Last season, Watford signed 21 players. They came from 10 different leagues, and represented 17 nations. Five left on loan; five more didn’t start a Premier League game. Presenting: Pozzonomics. While Watford are known for doing business with the Pozzo family’s other clubs, Udinese and (until now) Granada, their transfer policy isn’t that tightly focused. A huge scouting network allows their clubs to cherry-pick from across the globe, hence the diversity. It isn’t popular. In 2012-13, Watford’s borrowing of 12 Udinese and Granada players inspired the Football League to restrict loans – so Watford bought them instead. In late 2014, they signed Odion Ighalo for nothing by terminating his loan and waiting a few hours…

The opposition player I secretly admire is Romelu Lukaku. What we’d do to have him up top with Rondon... The best away fans are Leicester’s. Hats off to them for last season. Keep an eye out for Jonathan Leko, who signed his first pro contract after impressing at the end of last term. This season we’ll finish by lifting the FA Cup at Wembley (above) on May 27. We still believe! FFT asks: Tony Pulis gets results, but would you prefer to see more attractive football? Yes. Last season was hard viewing for us Albion fans. We would love to see the attacking, attractive football that this club has been famed for in the past. This season will be different to last because Rondon will become the player…

It’s the day of Grimsby Town’s first pre-season friendly on home soil, and groundsman Mike Phillips is hard at work. The Mariners are back in the Football League for the first time since 2010, so there’s an extra spring in his step as he marks out the Blundell Park pitch for the new League Two campaign. “You get your tape measure out, make sure the lines are precise and put your set square down so everything’s square,” he explains. “I’ve been working here for 36 years. It’s a privilege to look after the pitch at the club I’ve always supported.”…

Leicester vs Man United August 7 The Community Shield at Wembley sees champions Leicester face Jose Mourinho’s mob Real Madrid vs Sevilla August 9 The UEFA Super Cup’s random tour of Europe chuffs into Trondheim (it’s in Norway) Arsenal vs Liverpool August 14 It’s not a bad fixture for the opening weekend of the new Premier League season, is it? Sevilla vs Barcelona August 14 & 17 In the two-legged Supercopa de Espana: Copa del Rey finalists Sevilla and double-winners Barça Olympic gold medal match August 20 The men’s Olympic final is a match that hosts Brazil will be desperate to be in – and win New York City v LA Galaxy August 20 Lamps vs Ashley Cole, Pirlo vs Stevie G and David Villa vs Nigel de Jong: this…

"WHILE I WAS DOING IT, ONLOOKERS BEEPED HORNS, SUNG SONGS – SOME EVEN BROUGHT ME TEA AND SNACKS" Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola may be the most high-profile managers in the Premier League this season, but do they have their faces on the side of a pub? No, they do not. It’s advantage to Burnley boss Sean Dyche then, after the 45-year-old’s feats at Turf Moor were honoured by a huge mural of the manager’s noggin. Dyche has guided the club into the Premier League for a second time, and Burnley’s answer to Banksy knew how to mark it. Influenced by Barack Obama’s famous 2008 ‘Hope’ campaign poster, graffiti artist Paul Jones grabbed his spray paint and took to the streets. “I’d been looking around town for not only a…

The new season means the incredibly popular Fantasy Premier League game is back, attracting around 3-4 million players worldwide. Regardless of whether you are the obsessive or the one-off set-and-forget variety of manager, FourFourTwo has teamed up with Optus to bring you in-depth articles and player profiles which could give you the edge, along with statistical insights from FourFourTwo Stats Zone. Check out our even more detailed tips at fourfourtwo.com.au – and be a boss at being a boss! KNOW THE TOP PICKS, BUT ALSO HOW TO SPOT THE DIFFERENTIAL Most managers will quickly work out who the top performers in the league are likely to be, and it is important to ensure that you have such players. What that means though is that quite a few spots in your…

Reading’s Jaap Stam is one of many managers who could be either brilliant or calamitous Neil Warnock has always called the Championship a “muck and nettles” division, but this season it promises to feature a little more glamour. Remarkably, there will be as many Champions League-winning managers in the second tier as there are in the Premier League with Rafa Benitez taking charge of Newcastle and Roberto Di Matteo joining Aston Villa. Of course, success in club football’s glitziest arena doesn’t necessarily point to promotion from a division that grinds even the hardiest soul into the dust. However, there’s still going to be plenty of attention focused on the Championship throughout 2016-17. Newcastle are the clearest title favourites in years, and while Di Matteo’s Villa might think that consolidation might…

IKER CASILLAS “I could not get past him at Real Madrid, which was understandable because he was the very best goalkeeper in the world at the time, and busy winning the European Championship and World Cup! Even so, Fabio Cannavaro still liked to wind him up and tell him Gianluigi Buffon, his Italy team-mate, was better. He once said loudly in the dressing room: “Iker is a fantastic goalkeeper, but Buffon is from a different galaxy.” CRISTIANO RONALDO “I faced him when he was at Manchester United, so I was delighted when he arrived at Madrid in 2009. I used to love watching him in training and in games. He was the model professional, always trying to get better. Cristiano loved being the main man, the star of the team,…

Instead of going defensive, Howe stuck to his guns and the Cherries climbed the table SECOND SEASON SYNDROME OR THIS YEAR’S LEICESTER? “We want to be part of an amazing era,” said Matt Ritchie after Bournemouth came 16th in their first ever top-flight season. The winger then set sail for Newcastle, but it remains a salient point. The Cherries have no intention of being a flash in the plan, nor even a yo-yo club. But establishing yourselves in the Premier League isn’t easy, particularly given the freakish, transitional nature of last season. “I think it’s going to be much tougher next season,” said manager Eddie Howe (although he would say that, wouldn’t he?). “You only have to look at the calibre of managers coming into the Premier League. We’ll have…

This season will be different to last because we are in the Premier League! Last season teams saw us as a scalp, having just come down; now it’s all about us causing upsets for Jose Mourinho, Pep Guardiola & Co. Clarets fans should follow fan page @NoNayNeverNet or the club’s media manager, Darren Bentley (@IdleandWild). Both of them are always insightful. Our most underrated player is probably Ben Mee – he hasn’t had much recognition from anywhere outside Burnley. He defended exceptionally well last season. There are cases, too, for Tom Heaton, Stephen Ward and Sam Vokes. Our pantomime villain is Diego Costa. His game wouldn’t be the same if he didn’t have the knack of winding up defenders every week. The best away ground is Old Trafford (below…

Andros Townsend arrives to address clear problems that exist in the squad CAN PARDS ARREST THE 2016 DECLINE? Alan Pardew, December 2015: “We are on the fringes of contesting a Champions League place. Our dream isn’t 10th again as we are good enough to finish in the top six.” Alan Pardew, February 2016: “Of course we are [in a relegation battle]. We keep losing. There is no talk of Europe at this football club. We are fully focused on what Crystal Palace need to deliver over the next 10 games.” It’s rather a lot to ask of one of the Premier League’s gobbiest gaffers, but sometimes ‘Pardiola’ just needs to keep his mouth shut. In truth, Palace last season were neither Champions League material nor relegation fodder, so why talk…

This season will be different to last because for the first time in the Premier League we have investment. It’s been long overdue. Keep an eye out for Kieran Dowell: he has great technique and scored some cracking goals for the under-21s. The player I’d happily drive to another club is Oumar Niasse, who makes Arouna Kone look like a top-level striker. What was Martinez thinking?! The best away fans are Bournemouth’s. They give great support and encouragement to their players. The best away ground is the Emirates (above). We never get a result, but it’s the best stadium and a top trip. One change I’d make at our club is to get our own ground move sorted now the investment is in place. Our most underrated player…

Fearlessness will make up for the starting XI’s lack of Champions League nous CAN KING CLAUDIO BALANCE THE LEAGUE AND EUROPE? The downside to being able to pull off one of football’s greatest ever surprise achievements is that it is a pretty tough act to follow. But if Leicester’s jaw-dropping title win wasn’t surreal enough, they now have to hold their own amid a big-club backlash and wised-up opponents, all while those Champions League strings hum in the background. As rewards go, it’s rather special for a club who this time eight years ago were preparing for their first ever season in the third tier. Those days are long gone, however, and Claudio Ranieri’s side have only the biggest fish to fry. Leicester achieved their magnificent success in 2015-16 with…

This season will be different to last because Klopp has had a full pre-season and now has a chance to mould the squad in his own image, plus a lighter schedule should see us improve in the league. Liverpool fans should follow @TheAnfieldWrap, always first on the scene. Their coverage of the Hillsborough verdict was superb. The opposition player I secretly admire is David de Gea. I find myself chuckling in disbelief at some of his saves against us. Our pantomime villain is Jose Mourinho. Chelsea were quite likeable pre-Mourinho; win or lose, he’ll be even worse at Manchester United. The best away ground is Bournemouth’s (above). It’s a top day out all round, and worth the journey. Save the date for Manchester United at home on October 15. Louis…

Rashford’s pace and goal threat makes it likely that Mourinho will give him a chance ARE THE CLUB’S YOUNGSTERS GOOD ENOUGH FOR JOSE? Much like the man himself, the answer is complex. Straightaway, though, Mourinho’s tradition of building sides around a core of players with vast European experience looks all set to continue, with the signing of 34-year-old Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Talent alone isn’t enough to earn the new manager’s trust, which spells danger for at least two of Manchester United’s youngsters. At Chelsea, Romelu Lukaku and Kevin De Bruyne were billed as two of Europe’s hottest prospects, but both were sold before they were able to make an impact, Mourinho questioning the duo’s character after their exits. If the Belgian pair weren’t able to convince him they were worthy of…

The opposition player I secretly admire is Olivier Giroud. He’s a good all-round striker and his goal record is almost one in two, yet he gets a lot of stick. Middlesbrough fans should follow Adam Clayton (@Clayts15), if not for his antics on a pub roof during the promotion celebrations! This season we’ll finish mid-table. We had the joint-best defence in all four divisions last season, and kept a clean sheet at Old Trafford. If we can continue in that vein then we’ll be fine. This season will be different to last because we are in our rightful place: back in the big time! Our most underrated player is Emilio Nsue, who was overlooked in the 2015 play-off final with Dean Whitehead playing at right-back instead, but got his chance…

Shaqiri and Arnautovic are both trying to rebuild their reputations at Stoke IS IT TIME SHAQIRI JUSTIFIED THE HYPE? It’s easy to forget Xherdan Shaqiri is only 24. He has already lived several players’ careers, enjoying three title-winning seasons with Basel, two title-winning but stifling seasons with Bayern, signing a four-and-a-half-year contract with Inter only to leave after the half, and moving to Stoke for a club record fee, all while earning 57 Switzerland caps and appearing in three major tournaments. No wonder some people are beginning to wonder what the fuss is all about. There’s no doubt his star has fallen. Potters supporters were flabbergasted when they were first linked with Shaqiri, then of Bayern Munich, in January 2015. This was one of Europe’s hottest talents. Now he’s seen…

This season will be different to last because after Sam Allardyce’s good work, the feeling around the club and the town is the best it has been for years. Keep an eye out for Jordan Pickford. Tipped by many to be a future England keeper, his distribution is outstanding. Our pantomime villain is Diego Costa (right): his petulance makes him a vastly unpopular figure. One change I’d make at our club is to stop being reliant on loan signings that we have little chance of signing permanently – it just means we have to search for their replacement 12 months down the line. The best away ground is Turf Moor, because we always get a big allocation and it’s a relatively short journey so we generate a great atmosphere down…

Tottenham still have one of the Premier League’s most exciting squads, and it will only improve HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO RECOVER FROM LAST TERM’S LATE COLLAPSE? “You’d have taken that at the start of the season.” Every Spurs fan has heard this over the summer. It’ll have been no consolation. It says a lot about the north Londoners’ fine performances between September and April that their best-ever Premier League finish of third was largely viewed as a disappointment. They started slowly, but in the middle 30 matches, Tottenham won 20 and lost three. It was title-winning form and, for the first time in the Premier League era, Spurs were contenders. With Mauricio Pochettino working wonders, Hugo Lloris (left) consistent in goal, Toby Alderweireld bringing much-needed calm to the…

This season will be different to last because as the first game of last season kicked off, we all thought that we had what it took to survive comfortably, but this year we actually know we can do it. The best away fans are Crystal Palace’s (right) – they always create good noise and a lot of colour. Hornets fans should follow@WatfordTalk. The opposition player I secretly admire is Callum Wilson. It seems unfashionable for Watford fans to say anything positive about Bournemouth, but he’s annoyingly fantastic for them. One change I’d make at our club is to move the team coach from the top of Occupation Road at full-time. It’s a nightmare to get out of the ground after the game. Our most underrated player is Troy Deeney, in…

“I STRUGGLED FOR FOUR OR FIVE MONTHS WHEN I JOINED MANCHESTER UNITED. I COULDN’T STAY ON MY FEET IN TRAINING” CLUBS 2000-04 Red Star Belgrade 2000-01 Spartak Subotica (loan) 2004-06 Spartak Moscow 2006-14 Manchester United 2014-16 Inter Milan “People ask me what I do these days and I tell them I’m a full-time driver,” chuckles Nemanja Vidic as he sits down with FourFourTwo at his favourite Japanese restaurant in Milan’s fashionable bar-lined Via Carlo Ravizza, close to his home and barely a mile from the San Siro. “I drive for my three boys – to school, to football. It takes a lot of time.” The European Cup and five-time Premier League winner retired from football last December after a difficult spell with Inter, but he has…

3 SYDNEY FC (Corey Gameiro, Sasa Ognenovski, Alex Brosque) 2 WESTERN SYDNEY WANDERERS (Mark Bridge, Vedran Janjetovic o.g.) Allianz Stadium on October 18, 2014 in Sydne THE LEAD UP “The Wanderers came in while I was overseas, so I was able to see that rivalry develop over the first few years and obviously for me, coming back to Sydney, I heard so much about it living out west. I had a lot of mates and a lot of family who told me about the atmosphere at those games and how it was something different and something we hadn’t really seen in the country before and they couldn’t wait for me to get back and play in one of those games.” THE MATCH “I’ll never forget walking out for the first…

 You’re only 19 years old, but you’ve already become one of Brazil’s biggest stars. How has it happened? "BRAZIL MIGHT NOT BE IN OUR BEST MOMENT, WE ALL KNOW THAT, BUT I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS NEW STAGE OF THE SELECAO" Yes, things have happened very quickly so far. I’ve been a professional footballer since I was 16 years old, imagine that... I didn’t have so many opportunities in the Santos first team in my first year, but when the chance came I proved myself with good performances. After my first goal for Santos, people started paying more attention to my qualities. I feel confident and happy to be established now. Are you a fan of your ‘Gabigol’ nickname? Of course I like it! It’s not bad for a forward…

The judgement that rained down upon them was Old Testament Biblical in its fury. England had been eliminated from Euro 2016 by Iceland, and the nation’s pundits – expert or otherwise – sharpened their tongues against all of the players involved. Radio rager Danny Baker went bananas about “useless, over-indulged, mollycoddled sh*ts”. Rent-a-gob Julia Hartley-Brewer, who should perhaps invest in a dictionary, fumed about them being “overpaid nonces”. (She later confirmed she meant ‘ponces’.) Of the ex-pros, Chris Waddle bizarrely said the players were “all just headphones”, while Ryan Giggs called them “robots” and Paul Scholes claimed they were “treated like world champions before being successful”. Jamie Carragher then dubbed today’s players “the academy generation”, adding that they are “soft physically and soft mentally”. The former Liverpool defender explained: “With…

Tea Health kick You can’t beat a good old-fashioned cuppa ahead of a game. But tea does more than warm your insides as you take to a muddy pitch in the Sunday morning cold; it helps to keep you in tip-top shape. A Harvard School of Health study revealed the substances called polyphenols that are found in tea can contribute to lowering your risk of developing cardiovascular disease and diabetes. However, if you value your CR7-esque gleaming white smile, drink plenty of water with your Earl Grey. Pigments from dark drinks can become embedded in your tooth enamel, causing discolouration – not what you want when you’re smiling with the man-of-the-match trophy. 1 “White and green tea have health benefits as their anti-oxidants prevent cell damage,” explains elite sports nutritionist…

So: you want to know what’s going to happen this season. Well, over the next 100 pages we’ll give you our best guess, based on detailed consultation with experts, bookmakers, pundits and fans up and down the EPL. But then that’s what we did last season and, like pretty much everyone else, we got it horribly wrong. What’s going to happen? We’re not quite sure. But we do know it’s going to be good. us Get using involved the hashtag . Tweet #FFTPREVIEW FOLLOW THE WORLD GAME WITH FOURFOURTWO fourfourtwo.com.au Stats Zone Twitter.com/ FourFourTwoOz Facebook.com/ FourFourTwoOz AU Editor Kevin Airs Managing editor Huw Davies Art editor Anthony Moore Deputy art editor Tom Chase Designers Lloyd Smith, Mike Wescombe Sub-editors Tim Barnett, Gregg Davies, Ben Walsh Writers…

Arsenal promised so much but imploded yet again, and they have to work out why IS GRANIT XHAKA THE FINAL PIECE OF THE ARSENAL JIGSAW? In short: no. The Swiss midfielder is one part of a puzzle missing multiple pieces. But do not panic, Arsenal fans: that ‘WENGER OUT’ banner can go back under your seat for now because there’s plenty to like about Xhaka. Firstly, he loves close-quarter combat – perhaps a bit too much, judging by his disciplinary record. The 23-year-old has been sent off eight times in his brief career and averages a booking every four games. At least he can look forward to more lenient refereeing in the muck and nettles of the Premier League, and the sight of Xhaka scrapping ferociously for the cause could…

This season will be different to last because it is our second season in the Premier League: we now know what to expect, but so do the opposition and that can often bring second season syndrome. The player I’d happily drive to another club is Tokelo Rantie. He came with all the raw ingredients to be a success, but due to injury and the club’s rapid rise he never fulfilled his potential. Now he just sits on the fringes, unable to impress for the move he needs to kick-start his career. One change I’d make at our club is to make the ground bigger. We could easily sell out a much larger stadium in the Premier League. Even raising the capacity by just a few thousand to 16,000-18,000 would be…

Conte isn’t averse to putting his faith in an ageing defender; look at Andrea Barzagli IS IT GOOD OR BAD THAT JOHN TERRY’S STILL AT CHELSEA? In a word, John Terry staying is good – although from a purely footballing point of view, nobody knows quite what they are going to get any more from the most decorated player in the Blues’ history. Terry began last season with a draw, a loss and a red card, and ended it with defeat to Sunderland and another early bath. In between – like most of his team-mates – he hardly covered himself in glory. So perhaps it wasn’t surprising the club’s hierarchy dragged their heels in giving their captain a new contract. The 35-year-old called their bluff, however. “It’s not going to…

This season will be different to last because Pardew has to prove he can get results consistently over an entire season. Our most underrated player is James McArthur – it was no coincidence that things went pear-shaped when he got injured. One change I’d make at our club is to put stripes back on the home kit! The best away ground is White Hart Lane: that ‘on top of the pitch’ feeling that’s hard to find now. The player I’d happily drive to another club is Zeki Fryers, and I had to check our retained list to see if he’s still here. What a pointless signing he was. Our pantomime villain is Jose Mourinho, now he’s back. Let’s see what he has got up his sleeve. The opposition player I…

Uncertainty over Hull’s ownership led Bruce to quitting the Tigers CAN THE TIGERS PUT INTERNAL STRIFE BEHIND THEM? As far as celebrations go, Hull City’s promotion party was a strange one. When Mo Diame fired home a stunning winner in May’s play-off final at Wembley, it was in front of swathes of empty seats in the Hull end. Minutes after the final whistle, gaffer Steve Bruce was hinting he might resign. Everything went to plan against Sheffield Wednesday, Hull going straight back up, but it was clear that off the field, all was not well. The Tigers’ 27,000 travelling supporters were outnumbered and outsung by a 39,000-strong Wednesday faithful that day. True, Hull had been at Wembley twice two years earlier for an FA Cup semi-final and final, but the…

This season will be different to last because we’ll be defending the Premier League title and playing Champions League football for the first time (below). Keep an eye out for Demarai Gray, 20. He appeared a few times last season and looks like a great piece of business. The best away fans are Manchester United’s – they made lots of noise at the King Power. Our most underrated player is Christian Fuchs. He often goes under the radar, but always gives 100 per cent. The player I’d happily drive to another club is Jeffrey Schlupp. His technique is outrageously poor. Save the date for September 13 or 14, when the Foxes make their Champions League debut. The opposition player I secretly admire is Dimitri Payet – he was a class…

Guardiola will surely make allowances for De Bruyne, as he did with a young Messi FORGET PEP: IS DE BRUYNE THE KEY MAN FOR CITY? The hyperbole surrounding Pep Guardiola’s arrival is understandable. The Catalan is box office globally, and an elite manager who’ll bring tactical nuance to a nation that still primarily prizes physical attributes over intellectual ones. The ex-Barcelona and Bayern boss may be the most important man in this year’s Premier League. He isn’t the most important man at Manchester City, however. Step forward, Kevin De Bruyne. First off, the bare statistics. Seven goals and nine assists from 25 Premier League outings is a solid return after a $120 million transfer from Wolfsburg last season, though some commentators have suggested more is expected following such a substantial…

The player I’d happily drive to another club is Marcos Rojo. Is he a left-back or is he a centre-back? Our pantomime villain is Daniel Sturridge (left), the half-fit, one-footed prima donna. Change that dance! Save the date for September 10: our second home match of the season is the derby, and Mourinho vs Guardiola. This season we’ll finish first. Mourinho and Zlatan arriving is encouraging, so is our spine, and Anthony Martial will improve. Good times are calling. FFT asks: Do you fear for the club’s young stars now Jose Mourinho has arrived? Slightly, but the club’s history and heritage will make sure that he still gives youth enough of a chance. This season will be different to last because the injury list won’t be as long…

It’s hard to see them coming sixth again, but Saints love to prove everyone wrong CAN PUEL MANAGE A THIRD SAINTS REGENERATION? Amid the fanfare surrounding Leicester, it is easy to overlook the smaller but still deeply unlikely feat that’s been performed on the South Coast over the past two years. In the summer of 2014 Southampton were something of a laughing stock after being mercilessly asset-stripped by bullying bigger boys. Even new gaffer Ronald Koeman joined the gallows humour, tweeting a photo of an empty pitch, captioned: “Ready for training!” But despite losing Luke Shaw, Adam Lallana, Rickie Lambert, Calum Chambers, Dejan Lovren and Mauricio Pochettino, Saints confounded gloomy expectations to finish up in seventh, a one-place improvement on what they had achieved under Poch, while serving up helpings…

This season will be different to last because we’ll shake off the injury jinx that blighted last season. The player I’d happily drive to another club is Geoff Cameron. He can play in a number of different positions, but not especially well in any of them. One change I’d make at our club is to change the name of the stadium from the Bet365 back to the Britannia Stadium, or the Stanley Matthews Stadium, or the Kyle Lightbourne Arena, or pretty much anything else. The opposition player I secretly admire is Dele Alli. He has got incredible energy. Keep an eye out for our young left-back, Joel Taylor, who scooped Under-21 Player of the Season. The best away ground is Swansea’s Liberty Stadium – that’s always a great day…

The Swans have signed QPR midfielder Leroy Fer after his recent loan spell CAN GUIDOLIN GET GOOD RESULTS OVER A FULL SEASON? Following the strong conclusion to the Swans’ fifth Premier League campaign, all eyes are on Francesco Guidolin to see if the 60-year-old can maintain that impressive form in the longer term. The Welsh side were one point above the drop zone when Guidolin took charge of his first match. But, starting with a 2-1 win at Everton, he led them to seven wins in his 16 matches and a 12th-placed finish which, while matching the Swans’ lowest final position to date in the Premier League, was more than respectable given where they were sat upon his arrival. The Italian unfussily overcame the departure of Jonjo Shelvey, inclement local…

Our most underrated player is Mousa Dembele. The midfield looks so much more composed when he plays. The player I’d happily drive to another club is midfielder Tom Carroll. He has been given so many high-profile chances to prove his worth, and yet he always shows that he isn’t good enough. The best away ground grub is the hot dogs at West Brom. Save the date for Arsenal at home in April. This season we’ll finish in the top six. Several other new managers getting a full pre-season with their clubs will make such a difference this year. Champions League football at Wembley (above): a good or bad idea? At least it’s in London and not Milton Keynes, which looked the likely alternative. This season will be different to last…

Salomon Rondon cut a lone, if willing, figure in attack for the Baggies last season HOW FAR CAN PRAGMATISM REALLY TAKE THEM? If West Bromwich Albion just want to survive in the Premier League, then Tony Pulis is their man and a restricted approach should be their plan. If they want to emulate Stoke and climb the Premier League table by adding a little more silk to their steel, then... well, Tony Pulis could still be their man. If neither thought fills the Baggies’ faithful with joy, perhaps they should remember who the Welshman managed in between those two teams. Crystal Palace became good to watch during Pulis’ eight months in charge. The man himself, of course, will always refute implications that his Albion team are boring. “That has been…

This season will be different to last because we have a new stadium to move into, European football and, it would appear, heavy investment. Our most underrated player is James Collins. He’s ageing like a fine wine and hasn’t lost an aerial duel since 1997. The best away fans are Leicester’s, for chanting “We are staying up” in April. Keep an eye out for Sam Byram, who had an injury-hit first six months with the club but then showed glimpses of why he has been touted as a future England right-back. The player I’d happily drive to another club is Enner Valencia, the only player who truly underperformed for the club last season. One change I’d make at our club is maybe to change the ground name to the Dimitri…