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“It had to do with Garnacho and nothing against Rashy” : Erik ten Hag reveals the reason Marcus Rashford was dropped in the second half against Porto

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“It had to do with Garnacho and nothing against Rashy” : Erik ten Hag reveals the reason Marcus Rashford was dropped in the second half against Porto Another week, another shambolic Manchester United performance, this time in Europe. Facing Liga Portugal heavyweights Porto, the Red Devils went into halftime with a 2-2 draw, although with solid showcases in attack by Rasmus Hojlund and especially Marcus Rashford. The Englishman has undoubtedly been ten Hag’s best player this season, and that is why his absence in the second half left fans confused. The third dagger came quickly at the start of the second half courtesy of Samu Omorodion, as United conceded three goals in the span of around 20 minutes. Add captain Bruno Fernandes’ second straight red card in back-to-back games along with substitute Harry Maguire’s injury time header, and you could say this was just a regular Manchester United game in Europe at this point. But the real surprise already came at the start of the second half when Alejandro Garnacho replaced the English winger at the left side, who was having a fantastic game to himself. Fans and analysts, who initially thought this was due to injury concerns, have been left puzzled with this decision by Erik ten Hag, who revealed what made him switch the 26-year-old so early. “We have to rotate” : Erik ten Hag provides a simple explanation for his peculiar decision In the Dutchman’s post-match press conference, the only reasoning he provided was that the Argentinian winger also had a great game on Sunday and that rotation is necessary. “We have to rotate, Garnacho, we didn’t start him, but he had a great game not only Sunday but the whole season. I think in the season, as I assess it so far, he is bringing us so far the offensive threat by creating chances, assists, also scoring,” said ten Hag. “Garnacho we also have to play as well and we have two very good players over that side.” the Dutchman added. Erik ten Hag also confirmed that Rashford did not pick up any injury, and when asked if his substitution was because of his role leading up to Porto’s first goal, the Dutch manager denied to directly speak anything ill of the Englishman. “As I say, I have to watch it back and I think over the left side definitely we didn’t defend well tonight. Marcus also played a part in this but, as I say, it had to do with Garnacho and nothing against Rashy.” said the 54-year-old. Erik ten Hag has been heavily criticised on his tactics throughout the season, and with many claiming his job is hanging in the balance, the decision to drop Marcus Rashford after two goal contributions in the first half has just added more fuel to the fire. The Red Devils will now travel away to Villa Park to face the in-form Aston Villa in the Premier League, who are coming fresh off a victory against German heavyweights Bayern Munich in the Champions League. In any case, being winless in four straight matches does not really help Erik ten Hag and co. with the added pressure. Also Read: “If someone wants to damage that relationship I cannot control it” : Mikel Arteta issues clarification to Pep Guardiola ‘insider’ statement

Mikel Arteta
Football

“If someone wants to damage that relationship I cannot control it” : Mikel Arteta issues clarification to Pep Guardiola ‘insider’ statement

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“If someone wants to damage that relationship I cannot control it” : Mikel Arteta issues clarification to Pep Guardiola ‘insider’ statement Mikel Arteta and Pep Guardiola have known each other for quite some time now. The former has worked with Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, before he took up the opportunity to become the Arsenal manager. The duo enjoyed great success during their stint together, as Mikel Arteta maintains deep respect and admiration for his Spanish counterpart. However, things have seemed to have gotten a little heated up between the two managers following the clash at the Etihad Stadium last weekend. After an entertaining 2-2 draw between the two title rivals, Mikel Arteta claimed that he possessed inside information about Manchester City. Pep Guardiola was certainly not pleased with the remarks, as he demanded a clarification from Mikel Arteta. The Gunners boss issued a clarification following his side’s win over Leicester City on Saturday. He maintained that he admires Pep Guardiola, and that the press were attempting to tarnish their relationship.  “OK, I can repeat it. I love Pep. I’ve admired him since I was 10 years old. I respect him profoundly. I’m so grateful for everything he does and see him as a friend. When I say I know them it means I know how hard they work. The reason they are there is because they maintain that hunger. I cannot be any more clear than that. If someone wants to damage that relationship I cannot control it. For me sport is about that will to win. They have it even though, they’ve won more than everybody else. Hopefully, that’s clear,” said Arteta, as quoted by the GOAL. Arsenal claim last gasp victory over Leicester City Arsenal claimed a thrilling victory over Leicester City on Saturday, defeating the Foxes by a score line of 4-2. After being ahead 2-0 at the break, James Justin scored two quickfire goals to draw the game level. However, two goals in the added time ensured that the Gunners sealed the crucial three points. With this victory, Arsenal move level on points with Manchester City, as Liverpool take the lead. The Reds defeated Wolves 2-1, as they continue to thrive under Arne Slot. Meanwhile for Manchester City, they suffered another slip up, as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Newcastle United. This means that the reigning champions have drawn each of their last two league games, and three out their last four matches in all competitions. Rodri is expected to be out for the rest of the season, and with a couple of other crucial absentees, this could be a chance for Mikel Arteta and Arsenal to pull forward in the title race. Also Read: “This year Declan has to change that” : Yaya Toure provides key difference between Rodri and Declan Rice

Football

“I’m feeling more positive every day” : Martin Odegaard provides an update on his injury

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“I’m feeling more positive every day” : Martin Odegaard provides an update on his injury Arsenal skipper Martin Odegaard suffered an ankle injury during the UEFA Nations League tournament held during the recent international break. In Norway’s 2-1 win over Austria, the 25-year-old was subbed off sooner than expected due to this. The injury did not look too serious at first, but Norway coach Solbakken revealed that the Norwegian’s condition looked ‘bad’ in the dressing room, as suggested by doctor Ola Sand. The next day, Odegaard was seen in crutches travelling back to London to assess his situation further. The Norwegian has missed plenty of important games throughout the course of this injury, including the fierce North London derby against Spurs and the table top battle against Manchester City. But most recently, via Arsenal’s captain’s notes which are published before every matchday programme, the Gunners’ midfield maestro broke out the silence regarding his injury, while also reflecting on his own views and thoughts of when it occurred and how he finds a way to be involved with his mates in the squad even during injury. “I’m working hard and doing everything I can do to get better” : Martin Odegaard Ahead of the Gunners’ third round EFL Cup tie against League One side Bolton, the Norwegian gave fans an update regarding his unfortunate injury, his talks with the medical team and the importance of the upcoming match for youngsters in the squad. “It was a bad twist to my ankle, and I damaged some ligaments there, but it’s part of football and now I’m just trying to recover as quickly as I can. I’m moving forward, making progress and I’m feeling more positive every day. I’m working hard and my only thought is to get back as soon as possible,” said Odegaard (via Arsenal.com). “I’m at the Sobha Realty Training Centre basically every day now, working hard and doing everything I can do to get better. I have to be careful not to push it too much, but at the same time do what I can to make sure I come back as strongly and quickly as possible. I’m trying to support the team in a different way now, if I can’t be on the pitch. That’s my situation, and I have to make the best out of it,” the Arsenal captain added. The Norwegian also explained that he was lucky enough to avoid major injuries in the past, and although the ankle pain felt ‘different’ this time around, he is simply glad not to have ruptured anything serious. “It’s something I’m not used to. I’ve been quite fortunate, if that’s the word, or have done well to avoid injuries in the past, but this is football and I have to get on with it. I think it was unfortunate to get the injury in the way that I did, but also it could have been worse. It was not a nice twist, and when it happened I felt it could be serious. I’ve injured my ankle before and the pain felt a bit different this time. That’s what scared me, but from what happened it could have been worse, so in that sense I got away with it a bit,” said Odegaard.  Like any player, the first thing I asked the medical team was how long I would be out for, but it’s a bit tricky to say at the moment. In the early stages, it’s crucial to get a proper rest and to make sure everything heals well. After that it’s about getting stronger and building it up again,” the Norwegian added. Like a true captain would, Martin Odegaard also took this opportunity to wish the Gunners best of luck for their match against Bolton, and reflected on how much of an important opportunity this is for young players to showcase their talents and rack up minutes under their belt. Funnily enough, the Norwegian himself is only 25 years old. “I’m looking forward to cheering on the boys against Bolton tonight. It might be a chance for some of the players who need minutes and some of the young players. The main thing is though that it’s another competition to play, another trophy to aim for, and we want to win it. We go into every game wanting to win and it’s a good chance for the squad to show that we are strong enough and ready to fight in every competition,” said Odegaard, who himself debuted for the national team at age 15. Though an official return date is not revealed yet, the Gunners captain’s small yet significant ankle injury will rule him out for a few more weeks. Head coach Mikel Arteta was pressed on whether or not the Norwegian would return before the next international break, to which he admitted would be a ‘surprise’. Going by the average length of a sprained ankle injury and the already accumulated recovery time, we could see Martin Odegaard return to action between late October to early November. Also Read: “This year Declan has to change that” : Yaya Toure provides key difference between Rodri and Declan Rice

Football

“This is just rotation. We have many games to cover” : Erik ten Hag eliminates all rumors regarding dropping Marcus Rashford

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“This is just rotation. We have many games to cover” : Erik ten Hag eliminates all rumors regarding dropping Marcus Rashford In a very frustrating game at both ends, the Red Devils failed to hit the back of the net away at Selhurst Park, drawing 0-0. This was just the fourth goalless draw under Erik ten Hag’s regime in 81 games, as Crystal Palace’s defence managed to keep the visitors quiet. Manchester United’s starting lineup was nothing new, except the exclusion of one name which led many fans and analysts criticise the Dutch manager’s tactics. Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp believed something ‘untoward’ happened which made ten Hag drop Marcus Rashford. “It feels like something has gone untoward, I don’t know the details. But you don’t drop a player that has scored two in midweek and against Southampton. I’d be nervous to say he is back but he is showing signs of the Rashford from two years ago. It feels like something’s happened maybe this week, I don’t know the manager’s frustration. It is unusual for a manager to out players for their lifestyle,” said the Englishman. Alejandro Garnacho could not make the best use of his starting berth and failed to provide any clear-cut chances of scoring, which made the choice of the Argentinian starting over Rashford, who has scored three goals in two games, even more infuriating. “I’m very happy with Marcus, with everything” : Erik ten Hag affirms his faith on the Englishman The Dutch manager, who was already rigid about Redknapp’s comments even before the start of the game, said post-match that Marcus Rashford was not ‘dropped’ in any way, and it was just a matter of rotation as the team possesses more than eleven starting players. “I would almost say that, as a person, you are not okay when you bring such speculation if you don’t know. This is just rotation. We have many games to cover. We have more than a starting 11 of players. If the players perform, we will give them their chances. Finally, we will find out and the players who perform better will play more,” said ten Hag. “This has nothing to do. I’m very happy with Marcus, with everything. With his defending part, offensive, he scores in this moment, he performs very good. So there is nothing to do with it that he was on the bench, just rotation,” the 54-year-old added. The Dutch manager also added that apart from the 26-year-old, Garnacho and Amad Diallo are also playing good football, with the former having regular end product, so they also deserve a chance to be starting. “I have to say Amad is playing very good, Garnacho, in almost all the games so far apart from maybe Liverpool, has had end product. We have to play them as well,” the former Ajax manager explained after being pressed on this topic. The Red Devils currently sit at 10th in the Premier League standings, having won only two games so far. On their way to hosting Spurs on Sunday, they will return to the UEFA Europa League in the midweek playing against FC Twente, and the Dutch manager will have to have a permanent lineup in his mind soon, with the season kicking into the second gear. Also Read: “This year Declan has to change that” : Yaya Toure provides key difference between Rodri and Declan Rice

Football

“Every player should be angry about the way we performed” : BVB sporting director Sebastian Kehl furious after disastrous performance at MHP Arena

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“Every player should be angry about the way we performed” : BVB sporting director Sebastian Kehl furious after disastrous performance at MHP Arena Borussia Dortmund have not had the brightest of starts to their season, but their recent game against VfB Stuttgart have put an early dagger across their hearts, as the game ended 5-1 in the hosts’ favor. BVB coach Nuri Sahin was not the happiest man in the world, as he was taught a rather painful lesson away at home. The Turkish-German was very critical of the team’s performance, and reflected some harsh words on it post-match. “The basics were missing, then something like today happens. It was bad from the first to the last minute. We were sharp before the match. The way we performed, it can’t have anything to do with physical tiredness. You can find a million excuses, but none of them are valid, that was a poor performance. You can’t play like that as Borussia Dortmund. I never want to see a game like that again. We’ll analyse the game rigorously,” said a frustrated Sahin (via DAZN). Last season’s runners-up looked like they were from a different league altogether, as they put on a star show for their home fans. Deniz Undav ran riot in the final third, accumulating a brace along the way, while Ermedin Demirovic, Enzo Millot, and El Bilal Toure all scored important goals as well. Former Stuttgart player Serhou Giurassy also scored for the visitors, but it was too late by then. Apart from Nuri Sahin’s obvious concerns, this all-out 90-minute thrashing did not sit well with the Black and Yellow’s sporting director Sebastian Kehl as well. “I hardly saw anyone who was anywhere near their usual form” : Sebastian Kehl puts all the blame on the players after an embarrassing showcase Sebastian Kehl was not at all sympathetic towards the team’s lacklustre performance, and firmly held this loss’s responsibility to the players itself, who he believed were not at their usual level, while only a handful actually tried to make things happen. “What we delivered, what we did on the pitch for the most part, is inexplicable and must not happen to us,” Kehl said (via Ruhr Nachrichten). “Every player should be angry about the way we performed. Everyone should take a good look at themselves and think about how such a performance can come about. Apart from a small number of players, I hardly saw anyone who was anywhere near their usual form and gave the impression that they wanted to win this game,” the 44-year-old added. When asked about the Black and Yellow fans coming away to support the club but leaving in discontent, the German said that he ‘understood’ the fans’ feelings and would not blame their behaviour in any case. “Understandable, and right. During the game supported us right up until the last moment. But it is completely understandable that they did not move at the end after such a performance and showed what the team what they thought of the performance. There will not be a single player in the dressing room who would in any way blame the fans for their behaviour today,” explained Kehl. This was Dortmund’s fourth defeat in a row against VfB Stuttgart, and are now sitting at eighth in the league table. Arch rivals Bayern Munich have already gone five points clear, as the Bavarians are yet to lose in their season so far. Life in Dortmund for Nuri Sahin and co. has not gone the perfect way so far, and while drastic measures are not required just yet, they would need to make some strict changes in order to compete for the title, or worse, fight for the Champions League spots if things keep on going the same. Also Read: “This year Declan has to change that” : Yaya Toure provides key difference between Rodri and Declan Rice

Pep Guardiola
Football

“Michael Oliver is doing everything he can to make this race for everyone” : Peter Schmeichel criticizes English referee for ‘ruining’ Manchester City vs Arsenal

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“Michael Oliver is doing everything he can to make this race for everyone” : Peter Schmeichel criticizes English referee for ‘ruining’ Manchester City vs Arsenal The biggest match of the Premier League season so far has been played, and the Gunners now find themselves on a decade long streak of not being able to win in the Etihad stadium, after John Stones’ late injury time equalizer.  Starting strong, Arsenal was a goal ahead of the Cityzens courtesy of new signing Riccardo Calafiori’s super strike and the ever reliable Gabriel Magalhaes’s bullet header, but that is where things started going the wrong way for the North London club. In an already difficult game, Leandro Trossard was dismissed eight minutes into the first half’s extra time after kicking the ball away from the free kick spot, resulting in a second yellow. The first yellow was already a rather a ‘soft’ challenge, and this sending off disrupted the whole tempo of the Gunners’ attack, leading to heavy criticism around referee Michael Oliver. Meanwhile, Pep Guardiola’s side took full advantage of this, and had an enormous 88% possession in the second half, including 28 shots. Ultimately, Arsenal was unable to hold on in the deep end, as they conceded in the game’s final play. “Michael Oliver wants himself in the spotlight!” : Manchester United icon furious over Michael Oliver’s decision Arsenal and City surely played one of their better games in their ongoing rivalry, as everyone was expecting a dull draw. The first half was one for the ages, as the Etihad was lit up on both ends. But one controversial decision by referee Michael Oliver turned this match from a classic to downright chaotic. Out of all the big personalities and analysts that have blamed the English referee for the Belgian winger’s sending off, former Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel’s criticism sticks out the most. Schmeichel provided no filter in his words, and directly put the allegation on Oliver that he was trying to sabotage the game. “Michael Oliver is doing everything he can to make this race for everyone. This is the biggest game in the Premier League so far! Soft yellow cards!” said the Danish (via GIVEMESPORT). “Why is Michael Oliver trying to ruin it? It’s a big game, emotions are flying high — understand what you are dealing with here, but no — Michael Oliver wants himself in the spotlight!” the 60-year-old added. The Danish goalkeeper was part of one of the greatest Premier League rivalries, where Sir Alex Ferguson’s Red Devils used to lock horns with Arsene Wenger’s Gunners. Due to this factor, many Arsenal fans were surprised on the 60-year-old siding by them. The Gunners, who were on the brink of reaching the table-top, now find themselves heartbroken on fourth place, just two points behind first place Manchester City. Also Read: “This year Declan has to change that” : Yaya Toure provides key difference between Rodri and Declan Rice

Mikel Arteta
Football

“We’ve been preparing for this since pre-season” : Mikel Arteta ahead of clash against Manchester City

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“We’ve been preparing for this since pre-season” : Mikel Arteta ahead of clash against Manchester City After a narrow escape against bitter rivals Spurs and an eventful draw against the Europa League champions Atlanta, the Gunners are about to finish their rare hectic week of playing three matches this Sunday, as Manchester City play hosts to them in the season’s most important match, up until now. Pep Guardiola’s team has been a major thorn in the North London club’s side for the past two seasons, and the Spainard is showing no signs of stopping as City aims for five Premier League titles in a row. Arsenal were just two points short of the ‘Cityzens’ last season, and many fans are wondering if this may well be the year that the student Mikel Arteta dethrones his mentor. The previous meeting of these two clubs in the Etihad was rather uneventful, leading to a goalless draw. The Gunners’ failure to score ultimately led to Guardiola’s side taking the crown, with many critical of Arteta’s coaching. City’s pivot Rodri, who was arguably the best player in the league last season, also revealed that he felt like the Gunners came to the Etihad to play for a draw. The big question now is, how Mikel Arteta will set things up this time around to provide an early sting in their rivals’ season. “We have to go there and prove that we can compete” : Mikel Arteta is ready for the biggest challenge of the season till now At the press conference this Friday leading up to the matchday, Arsenal’s manager revealed how much they are looking forward to this matchup, as they have been preparing for it since the pre-season. Not really surprising, as the Gunners would have been champions twice-in-a-row if not for the sheer dominance portrayed by Guardiola and co. “We’ve been preparing for this since pre-season. Obviously, we knew the schedule and we know that it’s extremely rare to play in these conditions with three massive away games in six days,” said Arteta. “But it was what it was so we have prepared for that, both physically, mentally and tactically. We’re making sure that everyone is ready for it because we’re going to need them, especially with the injuries that we had from the international break,” the 42-year-old added. The Spainard coach did not forget to laud Manchester City, as he mentioned that they have been the most consistent side in the history of the Premier League. He is correct about this statement, as bar Sir Alex Ferguson’s Red Devils, no other team in history has been able to consistently perform at this level for multiple seasons. “We go to the home of the champions, the team that I think in Premier League history has been the most consistent ever, not only in terms of results but in terms of dominance and consistent top performances. This is the challenge. We have to go there and prove that again we’ve made another step and we can compete.” explained Mikel Arteta, who was the former assistant to Pep Guardiola in Manchester City. Mikel Arteta knows the ins and outs of City, being one of them for several years. Time has passed, and he has established himself as one of the top ranked managers in the world. This season might turn out to be the most important ever for the Spaniard, as the Gunners are expected to finally dethrone the most dominant team in the modern era.  Also Read: “This year Declan has to change that” : Yaya Toure provides key difference between Rodri and Declan Rice

Mikel Arteta
Football

“I didn’t enjoy because I didn’t sleep much” : Mikel Arteta admits to have had sleepless nights prior to Arsenal’s narrow victory over Tottenham Hotspur

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“I didn’t enjoy because I didn’t sleep much” : Mikel Arteta admits to have had sleepless nights prior to Arsenal’s narrow victory over Tottenham Hotspur Club football is finally back after the two-week international break, as matchday four of the Premier League just concluded, with the North London Derby being the highlight of the weekend. The Gunners were narrowly able to beat Spurs 1-0 in a match where key players were missing. Declan Rice was exempted to play after receiving a suspension while Martin Odegaard, Mikel Merino and Riccardo Calafiori were all out after suffering injury blows during and before the international break. Kieran Tierny and Takehiro Tomiyasu were also ruled out. Although Arsenal centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes’ second-half header was enough to seal the victory, it was anything but a pretty matchup. The first-half in itself saw seven yellow cards, as things got heated up between players of the two teams. Ange Postecoglou’s team was the unlucky side, as they failed to convert the many chances they had made in the 18-yard box. What Mikel Arteta had to say about the win over their rivals Even before the match started, the Spainard received issues due to the many injuries occurring in the span of 2-3 weeks in the squad, especially of their captain Martin Odegaard. The Norwegian suffered an ankle injury during the international break and will also be missing Sunday’s mega-clash against Premier League champions Manchester City. The Spainard admitted that he lost sleep preparing days before the derby. “I didn’t enjoy [the preparation] because I didn’t sleep much, I looked ahead to Spurs for four or five days and I had a super clear plan how to do it. I prepared all the meetings, the training sessions and everything. Then I get the news that we’ve lost a player, and then another player and then another player, and I had to completely change it and adapt the plan to the players that we had available. So, it was a great challenge,” the Spaniard said in the post-match press conference. “The second we started to get that news, the team got hungrier and hungrier to play that game. It’s a big compliment to everybody at the club to behave in a certain way. It’s a tough week coming and instead of finding any excuses we did the opposite. We faced the challenge, played with courage and acknowledged the qualities we had to win the game,” the 42-year-old added. Apart from lauding the team’s resilience and performance, the Gunners manager separately acknowledged the efforts put in by his Brazilian defender, and revealed how far he has come about as a person and a player. “The way he has evolved first as a person and then in his role in the club and the team has been phenomenal. It has been great to watch. This is why we are here, this is one of my passions to give players the environment, the support and coaching to grow, to prepare them for life and to get to levels they probably didn’t think [they could reach] before. Gabriel is one of the best examples of that. Why? He loves what he does, he applies himself extremely well and he wants it. When that happens, good things happen to these kinds of people,” said Arteta. The Gunners currently sit second on the table, just two points behind Pep Guardiola’s side, who have remained unbeaten so far. Their next challenge lies in the UEFA Champions League against current Europa League winners Atalanta this Friday, just two days before they have to travel away to the Etihad stadium and face their biggest competition in the Premier League.  Also Read: “This year Declan has to change that” : Yaya Toure provides key difference between Rodri and Declan Rice

Football

Lionel Messi on verge of creating Inter Miami history

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Lionel Messi on verge of creating Inter Miami history When news first broke out last year of Lionel Messi’s shock transfer to MLS and David Beckham’s side Inter Miami, you could say that pretty much everyone knew the little magician will bring about a massive change to the Miami-based team, not just financially but also a big boost in the team’s performances. The Argentinian first showed the western world a glimpse of his greatness at the age of 36, when he carried Inter Miami to win the Leagues Cup title, their first ever trophy. In just seven games, Messi scored 10 goals and provided one assist as he was crowned the tournament’s best player and top scorer. As for the current season, although the 37-year-old has missed quite a few games due to injuries, he has still been able to rack up 24 goal contributions in just 13 games, which just goes to show his insane consistency and being able to naturally perform at his level regardless of how long he was out. Inter Miami currently sit at the top of the table courtesy of Messi and his former Blaugrana teammates, but the Argentinian is soon about to create his own piece of history, yet again. Lionel Messi is on his way to become Inter Miami’s top scorer Inter Miami’s current all-time top scorer is another Argentinian in Gonzalo Higuain, but that will not be the case for too long. ‘El Pipita’ scored 29 goals for the side in 70 games, and if it wasn’t for the arrival of Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, this record could well have been up there for years. The eight-time Ballon d’or winner has currently scored 27 goals in just 30 games for the Miami side, and needs just three more to break the record. But it is really not that surprising to see the Argentinian thriving, especially since it’s the MLS, a league far less competitive than the teams and the competition he has had to face over the prime years of his career. Whether we remember the end-to-end LaLiga games against the two Madrid sides, or Champions League nights against the biggest of the teams, Lionel Messi has found a way to change the game in each and every match, be it him scoring, assisting, dribbling or the creative playmaking. Although, it is still commendable that the little man is able to take charge over games at the age of 37. Coming back two months after a devastating ankle injury in the final of the Copa America, the Argentinian did not lose a step and was able to provide three goal contributions against Philadelphia Union with ease. With six games to go, Inter Miami are comfortably at the top of the Eastern Conference with a 10-point lead, and a returning Messi would be the key for them in the MLS Playoffs. But for now, the Argentinian sets his sight on becoming the all-time top scorer for the Miami side. Also Read: “This year Declan has to change that” : Yaya Toure provides key difference between Rodri and Declan Rice

Football

“This year Declan has to change that” : Yaya Toure provides key difference between Rodri and Declan Rice

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“This year Declan has to change that” : Yaya Toure provides key difference between Rodri and Declan Rice Over the past few seasons, the debate around the best defensive midfielder has sparked up a lot more than it used to. Defensive midfielders or pivots have been sighted as the key difference makers for a team to succeed in the overall season. In the Premier League; Amadou Onana, Casemiro, Thomas Partey, Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez are some of the heavyweights in this category, with Arsenal’s Declan Rice and Manchester City’s Rodri seen as the frontrunners. Declan Rice has been outed as one of the best signings the Gunners have made since a long time, as the Englishman has performed consistently well and has helped the team both offensively and defensively. But the North London club were still unsuccessful in achieving their goal of winning the league title even with the services of the Englishman, due to the dominance that has been portrayed by Pep Guardiola in the recent years. On the other hand, Manchester City’s defensive midfielder Rodri, is currently far and away the best player in the league and possibly even the world. The Spainard is one of the favorites to win this year’s Ballon d’or, and a podium finish is all but guaranteed. Due to this, the Gunners and Mikel Arteta have been facing criticism where fans are wanting the same output from Rice as the Euros MVP has been providing City since the past three seasons. Recently, one of the greatest defensive midfielders and former City player Yaya Toure spoke his mind about this topic. Yaya Toure compares Rice to himself and explains why Rodri has an edge over the Englishman To be fair to Declan Rice, the Spanish midfielder currently has an edge over all players at the moment. The 28-year-old has been performing at a level previously seen only from the great Sergio Busquets, who is widely regarded as the greatest ever in this position. But still, the Manchester City legend gave the Englishman the benefit of the doubt while addressing his situation and what changes need to be made. “Declan Rice reminds me of myself because I think he has the capacity, the ability, the physical ability as well. To do it week in week out is difficult and very demanding but he can do it. He needs to be in a winning team because the team that wins the league has the best players,” said Toure (via Futbin.com). “He’s competing with Rodri. You can’t underestimate Rodri for what he’s done and what he’s achieved with Man City and now with Spain. He’s a good player. He’s a competitor. Those two are there but Rodri has been winning more trophies than Declan. This year Declan has to change that. Winning trophies makes the difference,” the former Barcelona midfielder added. The former Ivory Coast midfielder has a point, as the amount of trophies won by the Spaniard with club and country cannot be fathomed by Declan Rice at the moment. Yaya Toure also explained the difference between the Spanish and English internationals, and says Rice is doing what he himself used to do, while Rodri focuses more on passing, stopping counter attacks and slowing down the game. “When you look at the details of Declan’s game in terms of winning the ball, running with the ball, going forward and dribbling, even assists. Declan is looking like what I was doing before. Trying to assist and dribble. Rodri is more build-up, reading the game very well, stopping counter attacks, passing. That’s the difference between them,” the 41-year-old explained. Although lately, the Spanish midfielder has also contributed in many key goal contributions which has led to important trophies with Manchester City. Rodri also bested the whole of England’s midfield, including Rice, in the first half of the final of this year’s Euros.  It is quite clear that Declan Rice is currently not at the level of the Spaniard. But by making a few changes and being deployed in a different manner, and we could very well see the best of the 25-year-old under Mikel Arteta’s side this season. Also Read: “Imagine what the output of Saka is going to be if he gets a rest here and there” : Rio Ferdinand urges Mikel Arteta to make effective use of Raheem Sterling

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