Modern Football Mavericks: Thomas Muller

Modern Football Mavericks: Thomas Muller

 

 

What is a Maverick?

A Maverick is an unorthodox or independent-minded person. In regards to Football, these individuals has gone against the rules set by clubs, organisations (e.g. F.A) and even those that fans expect any other player to follow. Some are loved and some are hated, and in this mini-series of posts, I will be looking at how they have become a Maverick and what this means for them on and off the pitch.

Name: Thomas Muller

D.O.B: 13th September 1989

Club: Bayern Munich

Career Information: Bayern Munich (2008 - Present).

Honours:
Club
Bayern Munich

Bundesliga 2009-10, 2012-13, 2013-14, 2014-15
DFB-Pokal 2009-10, 2012-13, 2013-14
DFL-SuperCup 2010, 2012
UEFA Champions League 2012-13
UEFA Super Cup 2013
FIFA Club World Cup 2013


Country (Germany)

FIFA World Cup 2014
FIFA World Cup 2010 Third Place
UEFA European Football Championship Semi-Finalist 2012

Individual
FIFA World Cup 2010 Man of the Match vs England, vs Uruguay
FIFA World Cup 2014 Man of the Match vs Portugal, vs United States
FIFA World Cup Golden Boot: 2010
FIFA World Cup Best Young Player 2010
FIFA World Cup 2010 Most Assists (3, shared with Mesut Ozil, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Kaka & Dirk Kuyt)
Bayerischer Sportpreis 2010
Silbernes Lorbeerblatt 2010, 2014
World Soccer Younger Player of the Year 2010
Bravo Award 2010
FIFA Ballon d'Or: 15th Place 2010, 13th Place 2011, 17th Place 2013, 5th Place 2014
ESM Team of the Year 2012-13
UEFA Best Player in Europe Award 2013 (6th Place)
UEFA Best Player in Europe Award 2014 (4th Place)
FIFA World Cup Silver Ball 2014
FIFA World Cup Silver Boot 2014
FIFA World Cup All-Star Team 2014
FIFA World Cup Dream Team 2014
Most FIFA World Cups with at least five goals (2010-2014); shared with Teofilo Cubillas (1970, 1978) and Miroslav Klose (2002, 2006)


The most unorthodox Maverick ever?
Thomas Muller definitely isn't a name that you'd associate with Mavericks in Football but this post isn't going to be full of off-the-pitch incidents and wild statements in the Media. No, this post will be focused on the footballing nature of one of the World's most clinical players. Sometimes being a Maverick isn't all about making unnecessary headlines.

Being a one-man club in his career, so far, Muller is an extremely committed player who has been at Bayern since they have emerged into a huge European Giant. In February 2009, Muller signed his first professional contract and was prepared to be loaned out to other clubs but put into the first team by current Manchester United manager, Louis Van Gaal. in the second part of the season, he was played as a regular in the starting XI and as a striker with Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben, which isn't a bad attacking trio. He played all 34 Bundesliga games (starting 29) in the 2009/10, scoring 13 goals and having 11 assists. Unfortunately Bayern couldn't achieve the treble as they lost to a Diego Milto double and the 'Special Ones' Inter Milan side (sidenote: what a player he was). Muller was then awarded best newcomer and voted into the Bundesliga Team of the Year. Van Gaal and Muller developed a great relationship and Muller's transformation into the Bayern starting XI can be highlighted through LVG's quote when asked about Muller's importance to the team ("With me, Muller will always play").

During the winter break of the next season, Muller reflected on what he called an "unbelievable year as a pro", which is fair to say even though he single-handily demolished England at the World Cup in South Africa which really annoyed me. Muller had a good season, obviously, but Bayern didn't live up to their usual standards and therefore meant that Van Gaal was fired and replaced by Jupp Heynckes.

The following season, Bayern only managed to win the DFB Pokal against VFB Stuttgart. in the Champions League final, which was basically a home game for Bayern as it took place in the Allianz Arena, Muller scored the first goal for Bayern but they lost on penalties due to an amazing performance by Chelsea legend Drogba. Muller stated that he was disappointed in being benched so much but would stay at Bayern Munich. In December 2012, Muller dedicated himself to Bayern when saying "There is no club to step up to when you leave Bayern... there almost is no better club." He did finish the season poorly though, with only 11 goals in 53 games.

As Bayern won the Bundesliga and DFB Pokal Cup the following season, Muller scored 27 goals in 53 games, including 13 league goals. The following season, Muller signed a new deal that keeps him at Bayern until 2019 and rejected a contract from Manchester United, after an accepted £60 million bid. on 11th March 2015, Muller scored two goals in Bayern's 7-0 win against Shakhtar Donetsk, drawing himself level with ex-Bayern player Mario Gomez as the top-scoring German in UEFA ChAMPIONS League History and subsequently became the leader in Bayern's 6-1 win over Porto in April 2015.

Muller is regarded as one of the most clinical players in the modern game, with other top finishers like Lewandoski and Suarez. What makes him different from other finsihers is that he doesn't always play upfront due to Bayern's vast amount of flexible players across the pitch. Therefore, Muller could be playing centre-mid, centre-attacking midfield, centre-forward, right-wing, left-wing or striker. One thing is inevitable: he will continue to get goals wherever he plays.   



Modern Football Mavericks: Joey Barton

 

Modern Football Mavericks: Joey Barton

 

 

 

What is a Maverick?

A Maverick is an unorthodox or independent-minded person. In regards to Football, these individuals has gone against the rules set by clubs, organisations (e.g. F.A) and even those that fans expect any other player to follow. Some are loved and some are hated, and in this mini-series of posts, I will be looking at how they have become a Maverick and what this means for them on and off the pitch.

Name: Joseph Antony Barton

D.O.B: 2nd September 1982

Club: Burnley

Career Information: Manchester City (2002 - 2007), Newcastle United (2007 - 2011) Queens Park Rangers (2011 - 2015), Marseille (2012 - 2013), Burnley (2015 - Present).

Honours:
Club
Newcastle United

Football League Championship 2009-10


Queens Park Rangers

Football League Championship Play-Offs 2013-14


The Worst Football Maverick?
Joey Barton is a name that is usually associated with fights, red cards and below-par Football. Many have said that he's the Worst player that has ever been categorised in as 'Maverick'. As well as detailing his infamous Maverick moments, I will be overviewing one of the most Hated Footballers in Modern Football, Joey Barton.

Barton was in Everton's academy but did play for Liverpool at 14 (just going to ignore my personal opinion about that). He was rejected a lot from a lot of clubs, such as Nottingham Forest, for being too small (well isn't that ironic). Barton actually held himself back from debuting against Middlesbrough in November 2002 because he lost his shirt after leaving it on the bench at half-time. He got his first red card (the start of many in his career) against Spurs in an FA Cup game. He then left Manchester City's Stadium after not being named in the Starting XI against Southampton. A ten man brawl sparked against Doncaster in July 2004, definitely 'not' started by Barton. City considered sacking Barton later in the year for stubbing a youth player with a cigarette.

Side note: If you didn't know already, Barton is mad. Just so you know...

Anyway, he apologised and fined £60,000. In May 2005, Barton broke a 35 year-old pedestrian's leg after driving through Liverpool at 2am (classic Footballer). He was sent home in summer 2005 from City's pre-season tour in Thailand for assaulting a 15 year-old Everton fan. Barton later started a programme that helps troubled Sportsmen and women (didn't that work...). Barton then handed in a transfer request in January 2006, had it rejected and signed a new four deal (classic Footballer). On 30th September 2006, Barton showed his backside to the Everton home fans in response to abuse (again, going to ignore my personal opinion) and had to pay £2,000 for the incident to the FA.

Barton was arrested in March 2007 on suspicion of assaulting a taxi driver in Liverpool but later cleared in May 2008. This is the first time in this series that a serious incident has been noted and I will say that unfortunately these events that do actually further a Maverick's 'unique' character. Barton was fined in £100,000 and suspended after assaulting team-mate Dabo. He was later arrested and questioned by Greater Manchester Police and was later bailed.

After a huge breakdown with Stuart Pearce at City, Barton signed for Newcastle United in June 2007 for £5.8 million. In a game against Sunderland, Barton raised his foot into Dickson Etuhu, sparking huge media attention for him to be banned but no action was taken. In December 2007, Barton was AGAIN arrested for assaulting a man. CCTV footage emerged of Barton punching a man twenty figures and knocking him unconsciousness. He was then sent to prison for six months but served 77 days, being released in 28th July 2008. He then returned for Newcastle against Arsenal on 30th August 2008.

He was then banned for six games for his assault on Dabo. Barton then later commented saying "I want to transform into a role model."

Oh, wow.

There was also rumours of Barton racially abusing Agbonlahor, although nothing happened. He then got into a war of words with Alan Shearer about his suspension for the end of the season in which Newcastle were in trouble of getting relegated. After Newcastle got relegated, Barton played extremely average and the club wanted him gone (which I'd most certainly do).

In August 2011, Barton signed with QPR (Queens Park Rangers) on a one-year contract. Barton was then involved in the most dramatic day in Premier League History on the 13th May 2012, as he single handily threw away QPR's chance of denying old club Manchester City their first Premier League title after he elbowed Carlos Tevez, kneed Sergio Aguero in the back and attempted to hand-butt Vincent Kompany. When walking to the tunnel, he tried to get onto the City bench in order to square off with Mario Ballotelli (another loose cannon for this series). Barton was stripped of the captaincy and later fined £75,000 and given a twelve match-ban at an FA hearing. A month later, Barton was signed £500,000 by QPR (six months wages).

Barton was then loaned to Marseille and his twelve match-ban was upheld in French Football. Barton told ESPN that he would join QPR after his loan and that he had gone to France in order to provide money for the child that his partner and him were having. Barton was then banned for two games after he labelled PSG centre-back Thiago Silva a 'overweight ladyboy' and he only escaped a longer suspension only because he had appeared in the BBC's Homophobia in Football documentary. Barton then returned and was released in May 2015. He signed for Burnley on 27th August.

Looking back at this post, I can't help but notice that I've mostly wrote about the on-field incidents instead of the actual Football highlights of Barton's career. Well, there haven't been any. Barton seems to be more famous for his tweets, whether it be on Neymar or the philosophical nature of ISIS. Barton is definitely the worst (Football ability wise) Maverick I have written about and will ever write about.

  






 



Is WWE in decline?

 

Is WWE in decline?

 

In recent years, WWE has been in a state of debate as to weather or not it's popularity has dropped off dramatically since end of the last decade. I myself don't watch WWE no way near as much I used to, like must 17-year lads, but to hear nothing exciting coming from the 'Promised Land' of Professional Wrestling is surprising. In this article, I will discuss all the short and long-term reasons for and against people thinking WWE is or isn't in decline.  

 

 

 

 

In decline in the short-term?

 

NO

 

NXT is made up of all Young Wrestlers
Launched in 2012, NXT is the developmental system for the WWE, which shows how Vince and co have added insurance to the short-term future of the company. Replacing ECW, the extreme format formerly run by Brock Lesnar's manager, Paul Heyman, NXT was sparked into life when the Nexus group, headed by Wade Barrett, invaded the main roster and entered a storyline with John Cena until the end of 2010. The group disbanded after new leader, CM Punk, lost at Wrestlemania 27 to Randy Orton (in a pointless storyline that ended with the best RKO of Orton's career) and the most successful member of the group (Daniel Bryan) became the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at Wrestlemania 30. Another success from NXT are Kevin Owens, the current Intercontinental Champion, who was in the fatal four-way for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship number one contendership. It is clear that there are going to be more amazing talents to come onto the main roster soon (I don't count Tyler Breeze as one) and therefore shows how the WWE is planning for the immediate building of the main roster's card.

 

 

 

Autumn is a low-viewing period for WWE

It sounds like a lame exercise but it makes sense when you look at the format of the year in Pay-per-views. The 'Big Four', (Royal Rumble, Wrestlemania, Summerslam and Survivor Series), have been established since the 80's and have been the only PPV's to never been shutdown by the company. The upcoming PPV's are Survivor Series and TLC (Tables, Ladders and Chairs) and although Survivor Series will feature one of my favourite formats in WWE, Survivor Series Elimination tag team, I am not a fan of the TLC PPV due to the sheer fact that the majority of Superstars aren't experienced in the use of these weapons. I know that you need to give the Superstars an opportunity to craft their styles to balance the use of these weapons and the rest of their moves to format a creditable match on PPV but I personally think that the PPV should be scrapped and replaced with a standard filler PPV, much like Armageddon was until 2008 (which actually saw Jeff Hardy win the WWE Championship in the main event vs Edge and Triple H). Hell in a Cell PPV was saved by a final match between Lesnar and the Undertaker and can be currently viewed as a filler PPV to end certain feuds and furthers the point that the WWE run a slow program until the first RAW after TLC, commencing the Royal Rumble. 

 

YES

 

The Authority storyline is boring

At Summerslam 2013, after Daniel Bryan won the WWE World Heavyweight Championship against John Cena, Triple H pedigreed Bryan in order for Randy Orton to cash in on Bryan. The Authority was born and the phrase 'That's what good for business' would slowly die a horrible death due to the reference about the new champion, Randy Orton. Subsequently, this lead to a storyline with Bryan which ended in Bryan winning the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at Wrestlemania 30 (an amazing moment for the former NXT star. An Evolution reunion against the Shield was the next feud for Triple H, leading to a stupid and short return to WWE for Batista. The Authority went out of power due to Team Cena winning at Survivor Series 2014 against Triple H's team, definitely not due to Sting's never expected entrance in a WWE building. They returned after a month away and Triple H then entered a storyline with WCW legend Sting, for his interference in the Survivor Series main event, and it lead to a match at Wrestlemania 31. Unfortunately for fans, Triple H won due to DX shenanigans but did shake hands with Sting. Ever since Seth Rollins cashed in on Brock Lesnar vs Roman Reigns in the main event of Wrestlemania 31, The Authority have been sheltering the so-called 'next Shawn Michaels' and slowly but surely fans have started to great very bored with the below-standard style of heel management by Tripe H and Stephanie McMahon. I would hope that when John Cena returns on 19th December that he turns heel (I know, by some miracle WWE booking!) and the Authority disband, as there would be a new form of heel in Cena, and Triple H could decide whether to turn to the ring or hang up his boots for good.      

 

Not as many Big Name Stars

These days, it is very rare to hear a massive name in WWE and even if it quite a big PPV. There are rumours of The Rock and Triple H facing off at Wrestlemania 32 in a mixed gender tag team match with Stephanie McMahon and UFC fighter, Ronald Rousey. Its a great attempt at WWE to sell out its biggest event of the year. However, away from next year's wrestling showcase, big names are few and far between at the moment for the main roster. Randy Orton is out with a shoulder injury, Cena has taken a break until 19th December, Lesnar only wrestles every few PPV's and Kane and the Undertaker have been 'consumed' by the Wyatt family and will most likely return to face the Wyatts at Survivor Series in a handicap match (or potential traditional Survivor Series match). It is slightly worrying for WWE as it seems that the only real 'big-name' Superstars are Dean Ambrose and Roman Reigns. Due to Seth Rollins ACL injury, I think that WWE should have Lesnar (just pay him, Vince!) vs Reigns in the final of the tournament to decide the winner of the vacant WWE World Heavyweight Championship, with Lesnar winning due to interference from Ambrose and therefore creating a main event heel.

 

 

Lack of Hispanic talent

This is an issue that can directly explain the recent decline in WWE TV viewership. It was something that was highlighted by ex-WWE wrestler Rey Mysterio in a recent interview with WhatCulture WWE and I agree that unfortunately from a business perspective WWE have failed to address the problem of the slow but quite notable decrease in Hispanic wrestlers (or of Hispanic origin). Although there are some Hispanic wrestlers in WWE, the Lucha Dragons duo and the returning Alberto Del Rio, who surprisingly won the U.S. title cleanly from John Cena at Hell in a Cell, but there was more Hispanic wrestlers so long ago and they were also booked for the mid card to the main event standard (such as the much-loved Eddie Guerrero did in 2004). I think that WWE should include more wrestlers of Hispanic origin in NXT and one way to do this is to approach the best independent propsects from around the World.

 

 

In decline in the long-term?

 

 

 

NO

 

People consuming product in different forms of Media

It seems like a lame excuse, even if it doesn't come from a WWE spokesman, but new technology means that WWE viewership isn't just subject to USA Network and Sky Sports in the United Kingdom. The WWE YouTube channel was the most viewed channel for August and another example for changing convergence and consuming of different forms of media is streaming all RAW, SMACKDOWN and NXT shows on the WWE Network or simply known as WWE.com. It seems that people are watching around the World but not in the same way they did in the Attitude Era of WWE in the late 90's.  

 

 

Some Big Names occasionally feature in the Main Event

It rings true, even if some fans don't want to agree with it. The list of names that only seem to wrestle on PPV, mostly due to their part-time, extremely flexible contracts, is crammed with Superstars. The Rock, Brock Lesnar, The Undertaker and the 'boss' Triple H. With main roster regulars Cena and Orton out injured but to come back soon (Cena back 19th December), the main event Superstar category is strengthened when talking about PPV's.

 

Established core roster and format that follows PG rating

There is a strange split among fans about PG TV. Some say that it is just corporate routine in order to generate even more money for the multi-million dollar company. Others say that it is better than having TV 14, which finished after the 2008 Great American Bash PPV in order to follow with the Linda McMahon U.S. Senate campaign (didn't that go well...). Both viewpoints make very good sense and I do think that WWE has become quite a childish programme as everyone, especially Michael Cole, loses their mind when they hear a swear word like 'Bitch'. However, if TV 14 returned it would become boring after a month and everyone would be concerned with the non-stop sight of blood at PPV. Sometimes it might be very exciting, like Lesnar vs Undertaker at Hell in a Cell, but like everything in Professional Wrestling it will become over-the-top and totally unrealistic. The format of the WWE at the moment is 'Sports Entertainment' instead of it being Professional Wrestling. What the WWE should be doing is focusing on better booking and exploring other storyline options.  

 

 

 

 

YES

 

 

No distinctive characters in division

It relates to the storyline errors, especially with the lame Divas Revolution in which all the 'Divas' are fighting for a god-damn Butterfly. During the Attitude Era, stars such as The Rock, Stone Cold Steve Austin and many others were closely documented into the main events of WWE with very distinctive characteristics. This lead to fans becoming closely associated with their favourite heel or babyface, especially in the epic Austin vs Rock build-ups. Fast forward to present day, stars may not have the history of their gimmick fully explored by the creative team but the gimmicks aren't at all interesting or appealing to wrestling fans. You could say that some stars like Dean Ambrose make their own character through technical wrestling and pranks on his nemesis Seth Rollins but others like Roman Reigns seems like another copy of 'The Animal' Batista. WWE need to look about on their character development and hire people who know what fans except from main event talent and their promos.

 

 

 

No split roster between RAW & SMACKDOWN & Only One World Title

Back in the day, and yes I just said that, RAW and SMACKDOWN were completely separate shows were Superstars were assigned to and drafted once a year. They completed in Survivor Series Elimination Tag Team Matches and most notably had a World Title for each show (WWE title on RAW and World Heavyweight on SMACKDOWN, unless they crossed over in the WWE Draft). This made the Royal Rumble and Money In the Bank cash-ins very unpredictable as the Superstar could win either championship. Unfortunately today, the main roster is so small and lacking in depth that the Superstars have to be on both shows. This seems fine but in the past you got to see a completely different set of stars on Monday and Friday and also have them mixed in on PPV's. WWE should recruit more wrestlers, especially cruiserweights and high-flyers so that there is more of a mix on the roster than just the standard heavyweight wrestler like Lesnar. This would bring back some of the much needed viewership of fans who watch independent promotions in America or the rest of the World.  

 

 

 

Realistic storylines are rare and unexplored

In 2011, CM Punk's contract with WWE was running out and they made a storyline leading up to Money In the Bank PPV in which CM Punk won hours before his contract expired (although it was revealed later that Punk actually signed with WWE halfway through the PPV). This lead WWE on its best and most unorthodox storyline since the Attitude Era and it all started with one epic promo from CM Punk. On 27th July 2011, after costing John Cena a tables match on RAW, Punk then sat down on the ramp and did what the creative team told him to do, which was to go out and 'speak his mind'. Phil Brooks (Punk) ripped into WWE and announced himself as a main event talent. Some of the best quotes from the promo were "There's one thing that you're better at than I am and that's kissing Vince McMahon's ass", "I am the Best Wrestler in the World, I've been the best ever since day one when I walked into this company and Paul Heyman saw something in me that no-else saw" and my personal favourite "Do I have everybody's attention now?".

That is proper booking and storyline element. WWE took a frustrated wrestler who never headlined Wrestlemania (what a joke that this!) and gave him the chance to voice his opinions on the company. These days, they wouldn't even dream of it due to the family feelings and 'cool and professional' settings of professional Wrestling. Its a shame and a wrestler like Punk wouldn't come to the WWE in the current state because of the lack of change towards the main storyline.

In conclusion, I think that WWE is definitely in decline due to the fact that their creative team is lacking in creativity across the card and the depth in Superstars seems ridiculous especially in the culture of the supposed Promised Land of Wrestling. The only way to solve these problems is create good PG Wrestling, like on NXT, re-think all storylines and finally allow some of the main event Wrestlers to occasionally involve backstage rumours and jokes into promos.

 

Is WWE in decline?

 

 



Modern Football Mavericks: Dani Alves

Modern Football Mavericks: Dani Alves

What is a Maverick?

A Maverick is an unorthodox or independent-minded person. In regards to Football, these individuals has gone against the rules set by clubs, organisations (e.g. F.A) and even those that fans expect any other player to follow. Some are loved and some are hated, and in this mini-series of posts, I will be looking at how they have become a Maverick and what this means for them on and off the pitch.

Name: Daniel Alves da Silva

D.O.B: 6th May 1983

Club: Barcelona

Career Information: Bahia (2001-02), Sevilla (2002-08), Barcelona (2008- Present).

Honours:
Club
Bahia
Campeonato Baiano 2001
Campeonato do Nordeste 2001, 2002

Sevilla

Copa del Rey 2006-07
Supercopa de Espana 2007
UEFA Cup 2005-06, 2006-07
UEFA Super Cup 2006

Barcelona
La Liga 2008-09, 2009-10, 2010-11, 2012-13, 2014-15

Copa del Rey 2008-09, 2011-12, 2014-15
Supercopa de Espana 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013
Champions League 2008-09, 2010-11, 2014-15
UEFA Super Cup 2009, 2011, 2015
FIFA Club World Cup 2009, 2011

Country (Brazil)
Copa America 2007
FIFA Confederations Cup 2009, 2013
FIFA World Youth Championship 2003

Individual
La Liga's Best Defenders 2009
UEFA Cup Most Valuable Player 2006
UEFA Super Cup Man of the Match 2006
UEFA Team of the Year 2007, 2009, 2011
FIFA FIFPro World XI 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013
European Sports Magazine Team of the Year 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012
FIFA Confederations Cup Team of the Tournament 2013
La Liga Team of the Season 2014-15

The Dark Horse of Barca?
Born in Juazeiro, Brazil, Alves started out as a winger for his Father's organised Football team. Due to a lack of goals, Alves was switched to the right-back position, where he would make his name. He made his professional debut for Esporte Clube Bahia (simply known as Bahia) in 2001 and impressed so much that he landed himself a transfer (a loan deal for the first season) to Sevilla. Even before he was officially transferred as a Sevilla player, Alves commanded the right wing of the pitch and revolutionised the full-back's job by adding attacking elements to a position that is considered very defensive. This is something that a Maverick does, redefines their position to display their quality and this is what Alves has done. Surprisingly, in June 2006, Sevilla were going to sell Alves to Liverpool but the English side didn't match the £8 million fee set by Sevilla. After this, Alves signed a contract that extended his contract till 2012 (which we know didn't happen) and gained Spanish citizenship shortly after this. In August 2007, Alves wanted to go to Chelsea but Sevilla rejected three bids and stated that they were 'way below what was expected'. After a public debate with club president, Jose Maria del Nido, Alves decided to stay at the club.

On 2nd July 2008, Alves signed for Barcelona for an initial £23 million, plus £7 million performance-related add-ons, making him the most expensive defender at the time (with a buyout clause of €90 million). Becoming the expensive defender in the World adds Alves to a Maverick standard, as a lot of unique players move for big transfer fees. What is odd about Alves, and actually makes him one of the only players to do this, it that he has only moved twice (so far) in his career and has found a club where he has excelled and won everything he can. For the 2013-14 season, Alves wore the number 22 shirt, formerly owned by former team-mate Eric Abidal, who had offered to donate part of his liver to in order to treat Abidal's liver cancer, further adding him into the Maverick category due to his ability to care about others to the same extent as himself. On 6th June 2015, when Barcelona beat Juventus 3-1 in the Champions League Final at the Olympiastadion, Alves (along with Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta, Xavi Hernandez, Gerard Pique, Pedro Rodriguez & Sergio Busquets) became the only players to be a part of both Barcelona teams that won the treble (La Liga, Copa del Rey and the Champions League). Three days later, Alves signed a two-year contract with Barca, with an option of another year.

Alves, like a few Mavericks, has suffered racism but has dealt with it as best as he can without getting angry. In April 2014, Alves had a banana thrown at him from the Villarreal home section. He picked it up, ate it and commented after saying "We suffered this in Spain for sometime. You have to take it with a dose of humour. We aren't going to change things easily. If you don't give it importance, they don't achieve their objective". Team-mate Neymar then posted on social media a photo of him eating a banana and various other Footballers, including Samuel Eto'o (one of my favourite players) did the same thing in order to attract global awareness of the ugly issue of racism of Football. Alves said the person who threw it at him should be publicly ashamed and three days after the incident, a man was arrested in connection with the incident (Villarreal were then fined €12,000). Alves' desire to make the best of the situation shows his awareness of issues on and off the pitch is fantastic and it is brilliant that he uses his own experience to find the best solution for ugly situations.

When I started to write up the achievements for this post on Dani Alves, I wondered if Alves could even be considered for this niche group of Footballers. True, he doesn't have any high profile antics that have caught the media's eye (except from his numerous public agreements with Barcelona President, Josep Bartomeu, about leaving the club when his contract runs out) but he, in my opinion, is the dark horse of the current European champions, Barcelona, due to his lighting personality and sometimes over-the-top aggression towards important matches. He is a great leader among some of the best Superstars in Football and deserves to be credited as a Maverick, even if he isn't the first one to spring to mind.

 

What next for Warrington Wolves?

What next for Warrington Wolves?

Last season's performance

After quite an underwhelming season, Warrington Wolves really have to access their rebuilding process. The 2012 and 2013 Grand Finalists have been in a strange consistency of failing to end the season with silverware, as well as dramatically dipping in form in the latter stages of the season. Last season, Warrington finished 6th in the regular season, winning 12 and losing 11. In Round One of the Super 8 Play-offs, they lost away to the eventual Grand Final winners, Leeds, 49-10. The key stat from this game was Leeds' 13 breaks compared to Warrington three, which indicates that Warrington didn't cope with the speed of Leeds when it mattered in tightly contested off-loads. In Round Two, Warrington narrowly lost away to Castleford by one point (17-16). Liam Finn scored the last minute drop goal to put daylight from the Yorkshire outfit and the rest of the Super 8 teams. The Wire then lost 28-0 at home to arch-rivals Wigan and was the first time that they had been nilled at home that season. Frustration showed for the Wolves as prop forward Ashton Sims was put on report for stamping on Wigan front rower Lee Mossop. Warrington then registered their first Super 8 win at home to Hull FC, winning 46-16. Winger Kevin Penny scored a hat-trick of tries, with his third coming in the 49th minute after brilliantly holding off the tackling duo of Shaul and Norton to reach the line and score.

 

However, that win wasn't followed by another, as Wire then lost away to Huddersfield 48-10. Wire were outclassed on almost every stat of the game but turned it around at home to Catalan in Round 6, winning 48-6. It was an emotional day for the Warrington faithful as Joel Monaghan, Roy Asotasi, Catalan-bound Richie Myler, and many others, were playing their last home game. Wire's last game of the season was an away victory to Saint Helens (16-32). Disappointingly for travelling fans, this game was probably the only glimpse of the Wire's potential during the Super 8 play-offs. The season overall was quite average and in my opinion, Tony Smith has a made or break season ahead of him.  

 

 

In's and Out's 2016

In
Kurt Gidley - Signed from Newcastle Knights (1 year contract).
Tom Lineham - Signed from Hull FC (2 year contract).
Chris Sandow - Signed from Parramatta Eels (2 year contract).
Jack Hughes - Signed from Wigan Warriors (2 year contract).
Mitchell Dodds - Signed from Brisbane Broncos (1 year contract).
Benjamin Jullien - Signed from SO Avignon (1 year contract).
Joe Westerman - Signed from Hull FC (3 year contract).

Out
Chris Bridge - Sold to Widnes Vikings (2 year contract).
Richie Myler - Sold to Catalan Dragons (2 year contract).
Roy Asotasi - Retired.
Simon Grix - Warrington Wolves coaching staff.
Gareth O'Brien - Released.
Joel Monaghan - Castleford Tigers (2 year contract).


2015/16 Expectations and Predictions
My expectations for the 2015/16 season for Warrington is to reach the Semi-finals of the Challenge Cup, finish fifth in the regular season and reach the Grand Final. These expectations may seem unrealistic to some fans but I think Tony Smith has had more than enough time to still call Warrington's inability to get the job done a 'transitional' period. Despite the debating players, some of which I am surprised to see leaving (Monaghan and Myler), there are some much needed positives from the season. Kevin Penny scored 16 tries in an impressive season (his best being described above) and Ben Currie was always a threat at second row, portraying the form that break him into the Warrington squad in 2012. Lineham and Westerman add competition for the Winger spots, which is good from Smith as it shows awareness to keep certain players continuously performing for their place in the team.

However, the question is where do I realistically see Warrington finishing next season. Honestly, I think that we will reach the Quarter-Finals in the Challenge Cup, finish sixth in the regular season and not reach the Grand Final. Why do I think this happen. It is simply because Tony Smith hasn't found quality replacements for legends Lee Briers & Adrian Morley. You could say Ben Currie has time on his side in order to transform into a world-class second rower but unfortunately for fans, Warrington have lacked that high-level creative edge that Briers offered for so many years. I don't think Warrington will have a bad season (almost anything is an improvement on the final stage of this season just gone) but I think they won't reach the expectations of journalists and fans alike.  

Warrington Wolves' Team of 2014/15. 

 

Modern Football Mavericks: Dimitar Berbatov

Modern Football Mavericks: Dimitar Berbatov

What is a Maverick?

A Maverick is an unorthodox or independent-minded person. In regards to Football, these individuals has gone against the rules set by clubs, organisations (e.g. F.A) and even those that fans expect any other player to follow. Some are loved and some are hated, and in this mini-series of posts, I will be looking at how they have become a Maverick and what this means for them on and off the pitch.

Name: Dimitar Ivanov Berbatov

D.O.B: 30th January 1981

Club: POAK

Career Information: CSKA Sofia (1998- 2001), Bayer Leverkusen B (2001), Bayer Leverkusen (2001-2006), Tottenham (2006 - 2008), Manchester United (2008- 2012), Fulham (2012- 2014), AS Monaco (2014-2015). POAK (2015 - Present)

Honours:

Club
CSKA Sofia
Bulgarian Cup 1998-99

Tottenham
League Cup 2008-09

Manchester United
Premier League 2008-09, 2010-11
League Cup 2009-10
FA Community Shield 2010, 2011
FIFA Club World Cup 2008

Individual
Bulgarian Man of the Year 2009
Bulgarian Footballer of the Year 2002, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
UEFA Cup Joint Top-Goalscorer 2000-2001
DFB-Pokal Top Goalscorer 2001-02
AS Monaco Player of the Year 2014
Fulham Player of the Season 2012-13
Tottenham Club Player of the Year 2006-07
Bayer Leverkusen Player of the Season 2005-06
Ligue 1 Player of the Month April 2014
Premier League Player of the Month April 2007, January 2011
PFA Premier League Team of the Year 2006-07, 2010-11
Premier League Joint Golden Boot Winner 2010-11
FIFA FIFPro World XI Nominee 2007, 2008, 2010

Keep Calm and assist Berbatov?
Football fans, especially ones who live on Twitter, hate lazy players. They want their players to be drenched in sweat and truly give all they can do all they can for the club and the cause of the club. But there is nothing worse than being a lazy striker in Modern Football. Fans get on your case in a hurry, social media accounts such as The SportBible share a funny but serious image of you and football stat accounts, such as Opta, provide an interesting yet embarrassing account of your personal performances. There is however, one player that has escaped through this judgement from Football fans as he has built his reputation as one of the most talented yet unfortunately for some, laziest strikers in the game's history. His name is Dimitar Berbatov.


Compared to some obvious Mavericks in World Football, Berbatov isn't nearly as much a Maverick as loud-mouthed players. I am focusing on Berbatov's extremely relaxed approach to the striker role at some of the World's best teams and how he has largely become a cult hero despite wasting the easiest goalscoring opponents but then scoring amazing goals from ridiculous angles and positions.


Growing up, Berbatov's favourite team was AC Milan and he modelled his Marco Van Basten. However, quite ironically actually, he would 'model' his skills after England and Newcastle striker Alan Shearer's performances at the 1996 European Championships. His mother said he slept in a Newcastle shirt after watching Shearer. So clearly even at a very young age, Berbatov set his own rules going against the mainstream rules of supporting one team as a kid. Signing for CSKA Moscow in 1998, it was the following season when he made his name, scoring 14 goals in 27 league games. Bayer Leverkusen then bought him for €1.3 million in January 2001 and the following season scored 16 goals and added a massive contribution to Bayer as they lost the Champions League final 2-1 to Real Madrid, second in the Bundesliga to Borussia Dortmund and losing the DFB- Pokal final to Schalke. He then established himself as a first-team player in the 2003-04 season and followed this up with 46 goals in the league in the next two seasons, including scoring five times in the 2004-05 Champions League campaign.


In May 2006, Berbatov's selectively clinical finishing earned him to the promised land of Football, the Premier League. Tottenham bought Berba for €16 million (£10.8 million) and making him the most expensive Bulgarian footballer ever. During his time at White Hart Lane, Berba actually break a convention of being a Maverick in Football by forming a strike-force with Robbie Keane and this was shown when they both won Premier League Month of the Month award for April 2007. Berba won the Tottenham Hotspur Player of the Season award of 2006-07 season, having scored 12 goals in 33 appearances, as well as a place in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year. Berba scored his first Premier League hat-trick on 29th December 2007, scoring four against Reading in a 6-4 win and won the Football League Cup 2-1 (after extra-time) against Chelsea. He ended the season with 15 league goals. At the start of 2008-09 season, Berba was dropped for Sunderland and Chelsea due to rumours that Sir Alex Ferguson was extremely close to signing the Bulgarian for Manchester United.


Berba did instead to Manchester United on 1st September 2008 for £30.75 million. Tottenham accepted a bid from Manchester City but Berbatov said that he 'would have never have thought about City'. When United won the Premier League on 16th May 2009, Berba became the first Bulgarian to win the English Premier League. Following a poor 2009-10 season, which he only scored 12 goals in all competitions, Sir Alex Ferguson denied reports that Berba would be allowed to leave the club. The cool Bulgarian scored his first hat-trick for United against Liverpool on 19th September 2010, the first treble by a Manchester United against Liverpool for 46 years. Yet again, Berba was making history like any Maverick takes in their stride. Berba then shared the Golden Boot for 2010-11 with team-mate with Carlos Tevez. He then had quite a slow start to the 2011-12 season but recovered to decent form. Berba was linked with Bayern Munich in 2012 but killed this rumour dead when he signed a year extension with United.


On 31st August 2012, Berbatov signed for Fulham, on a two-year contract, for a undisclosed fee. He had quite an average time at the London club and moved to Monaco on January deadline day 2014 in order to replace the injured Radamel Falcao. It was first thought to be a loan move but Fulham stated that they had released Berbatov. After a decent season, Berba signed a one-year extension but was released on 1st June 2015, with the club stating that "He is clearly among the greatest strikers who have played for Monaco". POAK then signed the Bulgarian on a one-year deal, and the club owner Ivan Savvidis added that he had been trying to sign Berba for three years. On an international level, Berbatov scored 48 goals in 78 games for Bulgaria, making him Bulgaria's record goalscorer.


Some facts that you may find interesting about Berbatov is that he learnt English from watching the Godfather film series, he sponsors five care homes in Bulgaria and is the founder of the Dimitar Berbatov foundation, which is aimed at advancing young children's talents in Bulgaria (and I have seen the wonderful things it has done when I visited Burgas this previous summer, allowing children of all talents to have fantastic opportunities both domestically and internationally). Like many Footballers, and a few Mavericks, Berba appreciates his privileged position in the World and has focused his life outside Football to giving others opportunities that can change their lives.


For me, personally, Berbatov is one of the best all-time out-and-out strikers for the sheer fact that he doesn't have to be draining in sweat to gain goalscoring choices and finish a few like it's a training session. So how do I conclude how much of a Maverick Berbatov is? Simple to be honest, an example of Berbatov's classy attitude on the pitch during his time at Fulham. Scoring for Fulham on Boxing Day in 2012, Berbatov pulled up his shirt to show a T-shirt that said "Keep calm and pass me the ball".

 

Modern Football Mavericks: Andrea Pirlo

Modern Football Mavericks: Andrea Pirlo

What is a Maverick?

A Maverick is an unorthodox or independent-minded person. In regards to Football, these individuals has gone against the rules set by clubs, organisations (e.g. F.A) and even those that fans expect any other player to follow. Some are loved and some are hated, and in this mini-series of posts, I will be looking at how they have become a Maverick and what this means for them on and off the pitch.

Name: Andrea Pirlo

D.O.B: 19th May 1979

Club: New York City FC

Career Information: Brescia (1995- 1998), Inter Milan (1998- 2001), Reggina (on loan, 1999- 2000), Brescia (on loan, 2001), AC Milan (2001- 2011), Juventus (2011- 2015), New York City (2015 - Present). 

Honours:

Club
Brescia
Serie B 1996- 1997

AC Milan
Serie A 2003-04, 2010-11
Coppa Italia 2002-03
Supercoppa Italiana 2004
Champions League 2002-03, 2006-07
UEFA Super Cup 2003, 2007
FIFA Club World Cup 2007

Juventus
Serie A 2011-12, 2012-13, 2013-14, 2014-15
Coppa Italia 2014-15
Suppercoppa Italiana 2012, 2013

Country (Italy)
FIFA World Cup 2006
UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship 2000
Olympic Bronze Medal 2004
UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship Runner-Up 2012
FIFA Confederations Cup Bronze Medal 2013

Individual
UEFA European Under 21 Championship Golden Player 2000
UEFA European Under 21 Championship Top Scorer 2000
2006 FIFA World Cup All-Star Team
2006 FIFA World Cup Bronze Ball
2006 FIFA World Cup Most Assists
2006 FIFA World Cup Man of the Match

IFFHS World's Best Playmaker: Third place 2006, Second place 2007, 9th place 2009, 4th place 2012

FIFPro World XI: 2006

Ballon d'Or: 2006 (9th place), 2007 (5th place), 2012 (7th place)

FIFA World Player of the Year: 2007 (7th place)

ESM Team of the Year: 2011–12

Pallone d'Argento: 2011–12

Pallone Azzurro: 2011–12

Guerin d'Oro: 2012

UEFA Euro 2012 Team of the Tournament

UEFA Best Player in Europe Award: 2012 (4th place), 2015 (7th place)

Juventus Player of the Season: 2011–12

UEFA Team of the Year: 2012

2011–12 Serie A Top Assist Provider

Serie A team of the Year: 2011–12, 2012–13, 2013–14

Serie A Midfielder of the Year: 2012

Serie A Italian Player of the Year: 2012

Serie A Player of the Year: 2012, 2013, 2014

Premio Nazionale Carriera Esemplare "Gaetano Scirea": 2013

FIFA Confederations Cup Team of the Tournament: 2013

FIFA Confederations Cup Castrol Index Top XI: 2013

UEFA Europa League Team of the Season: 2013–14

UEFA Champions League Team of the Season: 2014–15

A.C. Milan Hall of Fame

All-time UEFA European Under-21 Championship dream team: 2015

The Coolest Midfield Technician?
Being a Maverick in Football don't always mean that you are a player who has raw talent but is easily distracted by off the pitch activities or the various supermodels that follow the sport (at least for the best-payed professionals!). There are a few Mavericks that retain a high-level of class that is recognised by colleagues and fans from across the world. One of these players is arguably the best and most successful Italian Midfielder of all-time, Andrea Pirlo.

Ask anybody about Pirlo and they will tell you that he is the most-relaxed midfielder they have ever seen. Recently, Pirlo went to score direct from a corner-kick for New York City and was denied by a very surprised goalkeeper. The 36-year old then walked off from the corner not in the slightest bothered that a potential goal of the season had been saved. He also said "Football is played with the head. Your feet are just the tools". Pirlo is one of very few who reach the highest mental level of understanding the game and all the different perspectives of the central-midfielder position. So how has Pirlo reached the top of the game, by having a unique luxury lifestyle off the pitch but also a commanding and serious agenda on the pitch. The answer is that Pirlo mastered his style early on his career, collected silverware and then established his cool persona towards the end of his twenty year career in his homeland. In this post, I will be looking at Pirlo's achievements that have lead him to be being one of the world's most respected players and the fantastic dead-pan quotes and eye-catching decisions that spring boarded him to being called the coolest Midfield technician in Football history.

It was clear that Pirlo had a serious attitude towards the game from an early game. In 1992, a five stone 13-year Pirlo, on the way to Voluntas U15's tournament (yes he was playing two years above his age group), set his team-mates' minds straight by saying "This is not a school trip. We're here to win, so you'd better behave". In the quarter-finals of the tournament, penalties, Pirlo was chosen to take the decider. Win or bust at such a young age and low-level of the game. His coach, Roberto Clerici, recalls the penalty perfectly. "He went towards the keeper with the ball under his arm. He took his run-up, He slowed down. He caressed it. Scooped it. We nearly dropped dead. Andrea was like that: even though you couldn't tell him anything". Pirlo's technique on penalties is now known as the 'Pankea' and is clear that he had a unique and excellent plan, even at a tournament that had no serious prize. Clerici highlights Pirlo's style in his role in-between the number 10 midfielder and the defensive midfielder "He never made many fouls, because he wanted to play football and didn't want to stop the others from playing, either. He did the hardest things almost without ever making a mistake". Even at under-15, 16, 17 level Pirlo was re-defying the midfield technician role in the center of a team. It was as if he had an old head on young shoulders and was set for a glorious career.

In his 2014 autobiography, I Think Therefore I Play, Pirlo wrote "From an early age, I know I was better than the others, and for that very reason tongues were soon wagging. Everyone talked about me, too much as a matter of fact, and not always in a good way." Seemingly others around the future World Cup winner were amazed and dreadfully jealous of the spectacular ball skills that would later define his career. It was proven when he was training with the pros at Brescia and starting pre-season friendlies after just a year of being at the club. Brescia were worried when they won the Serie B in 1997 as they feared Pirlo would jump ship and it was apparent alot of top Serie A clubs would be looking at the Italian because of his fantastic, unique ability to find a pass and space, without breaking a sweat. Like any Maverick, Pirlo reflected on his self-ability by saying "I'm abit of a wandering gypsey on the pitch. A midfielder continually on the lookout for an unspolit corner where I can move freely, just for a moment. All I'm after is a few sqaure metres to be myself. A space where I can continue to profess my creed: take the ball, give it to a team-mate, team-mate scores. It's called an assist and it's my way of spreading happiness." I don't think any player has ever described an assist as 'happiness' but that is how Pirlo described an act that he has done hundreds of times across a few yards of grass. Following the title win and Brescia, Inter won the race for Pirlo's signature in 1998, the club he had supported as a child, and he would be playing with Ronaldo (Brazilian), World Cup winner Youri Djorkaeff and childhood hero Roberto Baggio. Andrea looked to be in the perfect setting to bring his techincal abilities to one of Italy's most famous club.

Comfort at the black and blue half of the San Siro was in short supply for Pirlo. After one season, Pirlo's future Italy boss, Marcello Lippi, sent him on loan to Reggina. It was there that Pirlo first gripped Serie A by the neck and made the league his stage for all fellow colleagues to stare in amazement. His coach, Franco Colomba, said he had to turn the generator off in order for the Italian to go home from training. This further implies the fact that Pirlo is not a Maverick in the sense that creates chaos and anger among the Football community, but one that provides a key insight into how midfield masterminds, such as Xavi, Ozil, Gotze, Scholes, Cazorla and of course the man himself Pirlo, take the world by storm with their swagger both on and off the pitch. Having saved Reggina from relegation, captaining Italy Under 21's to European Championship glory (as well as winning both the Golden Boot and Golden Ball for being the compeition's top goalscorer and best player), Pirlo returned to Inter in 2000 but only started four league games. He then returned on loan to Brescia, and then-coach Carlo Mazzone postioned Pirlo as a regista, a master passer in front of the back four. "I talked to the team about it, too, saying that from now on we had to have faith in Pirlo, who was the director of play. He didn't need much convincing. I just told him the story of my other teams who played in this way."

Sick of warming the bench, Pirlo signed for city rivals AC Milan for a very cheap £9.6 million, yet he did have to prove his worth against his coaches in three-on-one training games before he could become Milan's regista. He described Ancelotti as his father figure at AC Milan (which almost lead him to leading Ancelotti Chelsea in 2009, with Branislav Ivanovic going the other way). The trophies finally matched Pirlo's reputation and ability in Serie A and eventually on the International stage (2003 Champions League, Coppa Italia, UEFA Super Cup, 2004 Serie A, Italian Super Cup, 2006 World Cup, 2007 Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, Club World Cup and a 2011 Serie A title). He then moved to Juventus that summer and won four successive four titles, Coppa Italia and two further Italian Super Cups. There are references through Pirlo's autobiography towards the decision by Milan to not re-new his contract in 2011 and Pirlo refers to Galliani as 'The Pen Guy' or 'Mr Biro', due to their final conversation being Pirlo given a pen for a decade's service (as well as the millions payed by the Italian super-giants). Well as they say, one man's poison is another man's dessert. Juve captain Gianluigi Buffon said when he heard Pirlo was signing for his side "Great!Then when I saw him play, I thought: There is a God! This is the deal of the country." Quite rightly Buffon should have been excited as they went on to dominate Serie A and become a team with house-hold names such as Carlos Tevez, Paul Pogba and the legend of Juventus Gianluigi Buffon.

Pirlo then asked Juventus to release him in the summer of 2015 so he could join New York City, and the growing number of old European players moving to the MLS. Many people, including me, thought that Pirlo would retire with Juventus but the techican felt he wanted to crack America before he hungs up his boots. Some have not liked this decision and have publicly expressed their disappointment at Pirlo's final career transfer (such as New York Red Bulls holding up a banner at their derby game with city-rivals New York City showing Andrea Pirlo and ex- Chelsea legend Frank Lampard in a retirement home, looking very old, with the banner above saying 'City Retirement Home'). Regardless, Pirlo is one of, if not the best, holding midfielder in Italy and on the Champions League stage. If you need visual proof, look above again at his achievements, both personal and team, or YouTube his name and be amazed by the coolest midfield technician there ever was or ever will be.

So, how much of a Maverick is Pirlo? As I said before it is clear that Pirlo is not a classic Maverick that constantly causes mayhem off the pitch and has very inconsistent performances on the pitch. He is a Maverick that makes fans amazed by his ability on the pitch and brilliant, truthful quotes about the beautiful game. My favourite Pirlo quote is when he describes how he prepared for the 2006 World Cup Final against France "I don't feel pressure... I don't give a toss about it. I spent the afternoon of Sunday July 9th 2006 in Berlin sleeping and playing the PlayStation. In the evening, I went out and won the World Cup." Andrea's side did win the World Cup but didn't just walked out and win it like Pirlo says (as they won it on penalties and had some help from Zidane's head). On moving to New York City, Pirlo said "I have been wanting this experience for a long time and now that the opportunity materalised I wanted to take it. New York City is a club on the rise and shares my same hunger to achieve important results in the league. I aim to win. I hope to play for as long as possible but I don't want to be tolerated in the team. When I realise its over, it will be over." I'm sure New York City are extremely happy with the signing of Pirlo and they have a player that would have walked into 99 percent of the World's Football teams. Pirlo is a player who has an unbelievable amount of class and this can be proven by Pirlo being the only Juventus player to clap Barcelona as they lifted the 2015 Champions League in Berlin. That little gesture shows you how valuable Pirlo is to Football and how to further fantastic sportsmanship in Football. I, like many other Football fans, will be very sad when Pirlo hangs up his boots but until then, be sure to watch this space for more unorthodox quotes and passing wizardry from the one and only, Andrea Pirlo.