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New Year, New Beginnings?

Comment: 0 January 5th, 2012

As we say goodbye to 2011 and welcome 2012, we also enter the second half of the season.  At this stage we see the top 6 teams slowly separating themselves from the pack as they battle for the title.  At mid-table are the hopeful battling for contention, while at the very bottom are those desperately trying to stay afloat and avoid relegation.

And there are those individuals who have had more than their share of headlines and controversies this season, much to our entertainment. Below are four individuals who have dominated our attention; we also present our predictions on how their fates will unfold during the season’s second half.

Fernando Torres (Chelsea)

When Torres signed for Chelsea last January 2011, great things were expected. He was a prolific goal scorer with 65 goals in 102 appearances for Liverpool. This was the reason why the initial £40 million bid from Chelsea was declined. They believed Torres was worth much more.  Eventually, the striker and Chelsea made history by sealing a deal worth £50 million, making Torres the most expensive signing in British football.

Part of the reason why Torres seemed to be worth every shilling was the success he was able to amass in the international level. He scored the winning (and only) goal in the UEFA Euro 2008 final against Germany, then helped his squad win their first-ever World Cup in 2010. Though he failed to find the net throughout the competition, he remained a constant threat, leaving his partner David Villa available to score goals.

Unfortunately, Torres has not been able to find his form since changing colours and undergoing knee surgery. As of this season, he has appeared in 15 league matches while starting eight. He has found the net only twice, once against Swansea City and the other in their 3-1 defeat against Manchester United.

Aside from being unable to score goals, Torres’ fitness is constantly questioned as he is often found out of position and regularly beaten by the other squad’s defence.

PREDICTION: To say that Torres will get better in the second half of the season is a long shot. He might not be able to get back to the deadly form that bewildered defenders back in his Liverpool days, but with the absence of key forwards in Chelsea he will find himself spending more minutes on the pitch. Hopefully, with all the practice that he gets on the pitch, he will find the net and not end the season as a total disappointment.

Anything outside of that may see him switching teams, again.

Andre Villas-Boas  (Chelsea)

After attaining victory at FC Porto – winning the Portuguese Primera Liga, UEFA Europa League and Portuguese Cup – AVB was given all praises. At such a young age (33 at the time) he has collected the type of success that most managers take an entire career to obtain.

The success made AVB a much sought-after manager, and Chelsea ultimately signed him on June 22, 2011. For a team that won the league cup in the 2009-2010 season and claimed runners-up position in the following campaign, much was expected with the Blues’ new boss and what he can do for the squad.

Much to Chelsea fans’ dismay, the first half of the season saw the club experiencing highs and lows. It is true that they are still a force to be reckoned with, and may still have a shot (a long one) to win the title (currently 11 points behind leaders City), but their inconsistency has been proven to be the cause of their own downfall. They’ve drawn on matches that they were expected to win against the likes of Wigan Athletic and Fulham, and lost to mid-tier competitors like Aston Villa.

The poor results have been attributed to different things, but the heavier reasons point to AVB. His actions against other people have been criticised. He often says and acts in ways that leave people wondering about his credibility as a manager. While others say that he just doesn’t have the experience being a young boss, others claim that he simply lacks the class that is needed to perform at top-flight competition. He blames pundits, alienates players and seems to play favourites. This isn’t what a respectable manager does.

PREDICTION: For the second half of the season, expect AVB to eventually learn his lesson. He will start acting with class after his team showed defiance over the holidays. He might begin to back his players (especially the veterans) and produce better results.

Their championship hopes may be very shady, but with a more consistent showing, people might still see AVB as the Blues’ manager next season.

Luis Suarez (Liverpool) 

Unlike the other names in the list, Liverpool striker Luis Suarez isn’t here because of poor match performances. If anything, he is the brightest light in the season of Liverpool. Initially being overshadowed by £35 million-man Andy Carroll, the Reds would later realise that their £26-million signing of Suarez is more valuable.

In the 2010-2011 season, Suarez appeared in 13 games and scored 4 goals while making 5 assists. He then continued in the first half of the 2011-2012 season by scoring 5 goals in 18 matches. For a team that is known to have difficulty finding the net, they turn to Suarez almost every time they need goals to win.

The controversy behind Liverpool’s number 7 is in the 8-match ban that he is currently serving. Following an incident that showed Suarez verbally abusing Manchester United’s Patrice Evra, and using racial slurs, Liverpool are without their primary weapon. He comes back on February 4 and his first league match upon his return is a February 6 meeting with Tottenham at Anfield.

Questions on how he will be treated upon his return merely point to speculation. So far, he has carried himself with class and seems to take the punishment like a man. Other people think that he will be kept on close watch after this incident while others think that this issue will boil over and all will be forgiven and forgotten. One thing is certain: people know the impact that it will make on Liverpool’s Champions League hopes.

PREDICTION: Once Suarez comes back, he will be ready and eager to notch points for Liverpool. He will brush this whole mess aside and continue doing what he does best: scoring goals. Regardless of how people will treat him on and off the pitch, the Uruguayan seems to be sensible enough for it not to weigh him down. Liverpool might not make it to the top 4, but with the return of a determined Suarez, expect them to fight to the very end.

Carlos Tevez (Manchester City)

With Manchester City sitting on top of the league, (currently) 3 points clear of defending champions Manchester United, they appear to have all the right players in their perfect spots. With all the money that they have in their pockets, it’s unthinkable that a dissident player is giving them difficulties in finding a perfect deal to transfer him. This is what the team has with striker Carlos Tevez.

Tevez is known as a powerful player who can score goals. He started his Premier League career with West Ham United, converting 7 goals in 26 appearances. He was then loaned to Manchester United where he played some of his best football. He appeared 63 times and scored 19 goals. After losing interest with United for not giving him a permanent contract in time, he set his sights elsewhere.

Already being a known name in the league, neighbours City scooped the striker for, then British transfer fee record, £47 million. He appeared in 69 games and found the net 43 times.

On September 27, 2011, Tevez apparently refused to come on as a substitute against Bayern Munich. This angered Roberto Mancini, City’s manager, prompting Tevez’s suspension. Upon review, City management declared Tevez on gardening leave until his contract is up, or when the team agrees to sell him to another club.

City are currently talking with teams like Serie A’s AC Milan to try and strike a deal for the Argentine.

PREDICTION: Tevez will likely be on his way out this January, within the transfer window. AC Milan is still the team that have the best chance to land the striker. Two things are certain: City will not miss his services with the immense talent they have and the team that gets him should be up for a great addition to the squad.

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