FLYING FOXES

PREMIER

LEAGUE "IF HE MAINTAINS

THIS FORM, BAMFORD MAY GO ON TO ESTABLISH HIMSELF AS ONE OF THE PREMIER

LEAGUE’S MOST PROLIFIC

STRIKERS"

BIG TIME BY: STEPHEN DONOVAN BAMFORD

THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY

THE GOOD

When Leeds United secured their long-awaited return to the Premier League last summer, much of the footballing public was quick to write off striker Patrick Bamford as someone who was unable to cut it at the highest level and score the goals required to guide his team to safety. But fast forward to the final weeks of the season and the Chelsea academy product has thrived, proving all the doubters wrong by ranking among the division’s leading marksmen. Despite having a strong record in the Championship and finishing as top scorer with 16 in their 2019-20 promotion success, the assumptions around Bamford were based on his previous record in the top-flight. He’d failed to make a senior appearance for Chelsea, while spells in the Premier League with four other clubs – Crystal Palace, Norwich City, Burnley, and Middlesbrough – produced a solitary goal. A closer look at the statistics suggests the consensus on Bamford coming into the season was harsh, as he’d barely started a Premier League with any of those sides and so hadn’t been given enough of a chance to show that

he could make the step up. All the same, it’s been a surprise to see the extent to which he has flourished, often providing the clinical touch to a team that creates no shortage of opportunities courtesy of coach Marcelo Bielsa’s expansive, high-energy philosophy. It’s led to moments such as his stylish finish in Leeds’ brilliant victory at Leicester City and a late winner against rivals Sheffield United, but undoubtedly the highlight of his season was scoring a memorable hat-trick at Aston Villa. If he maintains this form, Bamford may go on to establish himself as one of the Premier League’s most prolific strikers, and even sneak into England’s squad for the European Championships.

THE BAD

Until January, there was arguably no stadium in world football that was more difficult to visit than Anfield, where Liverpool had embarked on an incredible 68-match unbeaten run in the Premier League stretching all the way back to April 2017. The atmosphere generated by the supporters and to a larger extent the truly relentless football presided over by Jurgen Klopp had made it a place that held a genuine fear factor, but all of that has evaporated in double quick time along with their hopes of retaining the title. The Reds were leading the way heading into 2021, but all of a sudden a run of catastrophic results left them in a serious battle to even make it into the top four. After Burnley became the side to finally end their Anfield invincibility, nobody could possibly have imagined that one club record would immediately be followed by another – six successive home defeats; the longest such sequence in Liverpool’s history. These included conceding four at the hands of champions-elect Manchester City, a first home loss to Merseyside rivals Everton since 1999 and failures against struggling duo Brighton and Fulham. But most astonishing of all was the manner of their performances: limp, toothless and totally devoid of inspiration. This is a Liverpool side we became used to seeing attack opponents from all angles, playing with an extraordinarily high intensity from the first minute to the last. After the turn of the year they were the polar opposite, looking collectively short of confidence and with no spark whatsoever, scoring only once in that six-game period. Injuries in defense have hindered Klopp’s men this term, but the problems were at the other end of the pitch. The ship steadied somewhat as winter turned to spring, but it’s a concern for Liverpool ahead of next season. Klopp burned out at Borussia Dortmund. Is the same going to happen here?

TOP (OPPOSITE PAGE): Leeds’ Patrick Bamford (L) celebrates after scoring the 0-1 lead during the English Premier League soccer match between Fulham FC and Leeds United

BOTTOM LEFT (OPPOSITE PAGE): Leeds celebrating a goal

BOTTOM RIGHT (OPPOSITE PAGE): Liverpool's manager Jurgen Klopp prior to the UEFA Champions League round of 16, second leg, soccer match between Liverpool FC and RB Leipzig.

ABOVE RIGHT: Arsenal's manager Mikel Arteta

ABOVE LEFT: Aubameyang for Arsenal

BELOW: A scene from the Tottenham vs Arsenal Premier League game.

TOP RIGHT: John Stones of England react

BOTTOM RIGHT: Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl during the English Premier League match between Burnley and Southampton

THE UGLY

Ever since being given his first chance as a manager by Arsenal in December 2019, Mikel Arteta has shown he sets very high standards and that any player who falls below them will face the consequences. This was underlined by the removal of captain and main man PierreEmerick Aubameyang from the team for the North London derby with Tottenham on March 14 for arriving late ahead of the match. The Gabon striker watched on and wasn’t used from the bench as Arsenal impressively overcame a one-goal deficit to deservedly win. It’d appeared as though they would miss his quality and ruthless finishing as several chances came and went, but his teammates ultimately came out on top despite his absence. All the same, his omission did slightly overshadow the result. Speaking after the game, Arteta explained that Aubameyang had been left out in order to ‘sustain the club’s long-term foundation’ – in other words to ensure that standards are maintained. It was a brave decision to make especially for a game of that magnitude, but in doing so Arteta has made it clear that he’s prepared to put the club’s values ahead of any individual player, regardless of their reputation and importance to the side. The matter was quickly closed, with Aubameyang back in action for the next Premier League fixture, at West Ham. While this may have been just a one-off incident as far as Aubameyang is concerned, it’s a reminder that Arteta very much runs the rule over his squad. Other players have already been cast aside, with Mateo Guendouzi jettisoned after his attitude was called into question, and Mesut Ozil leaving for Fenerbahce in January having been left out due to ongoing issues behind the scenes. These tough decisions may prove necessary in restoring Arsenal to their former glory. Luke Shaw and John Stones were once heralded as two of England’s brightest rising stars, but it seemed for various reasons as though they were losing their way. However, both have managed to turn around their fortunes this season, delivering outstanding performances to move back into contention for the European Championships.

GOING DOWN

Southampton looked set to challenge for a European place in the first half of the season and even topped the table at one stage. But that now seems like a distant memory as 2021 brought about an almighty slump in form which made simply staying in the Premier League the main priority.