What is the Future of English Football?

Steven Gerrard in 2005

For a number of years the Premier League has been touted as the most entertaining football league in the World, but with the recent rise of La Liga and the decline of English dominance in Europe, where is English football heading? 

Over the years, the Premier League has been graced with footballs finest, with the likes of global superstars, Cristiano Ronaldo, Thierry Henry, David Beckham, helping to produce some of the greatest spectacles in World football.

At club level, England has dominated World football with Liverpool, Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea all succeeding in Europe's biggest club competition, the Champions League.

For the last six years, we have seen English sides reign supreme in Europe, with Liverpool winning the trophy in 2005 and the first all-English final in 2008 between Manchester United and Chelsea.

However, in recent seasons, the Spanish equivalent of the Premier League, La Liga has seen a massive growth in popularity following the re-emergence of giants Real Madrid and the growing supremacy of Barcelona.

La Liga has become a much more competitive and exciting league to watch with the arrivals of superstars like, Ronaldo and Kaka, giving it a new edge with easy on the eye football.

On the International front, Spain became the envy of the World after being crowned European Champions in 2008 and ending their years of hurt to win the World Cup in 2010.

Whilst Spanish football enjoys a renaissance, the sudden decline of English football could not have been more apparent than during the 2010 World Cup in South Africa as a troubled England side tumbled out during the knockout stages.

This was combined with the added disappointment that there were no English representatives in the Champions League final.

As English football dwindles on an International and club front the question must be asked what can be done to catch up to the excellence of Spanish football?

The FA appears to be dealing with the problem head on with new regulations in place this season to encourage home grown talent and transfer rules have been put in place to decrease foreign influence on the Premier League.

Whether these changes have a positive effect remains to be seen, but personally English football will reign supreme again!

Torres Saga Rumbles On

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Liverpool's star striker Fernando Torres produced one of the biggest shocks of the season after he handed in a written transfer request last night.

Just hours after the Merseyside outfit announced they had reached an agreement with Ajax for Uruguayan starlet Luis Suarez, the Spaniard signalled his intentions to leave Anfield.

An offer believed to be in the region of £35-40 million was rejected on Friday afternoon from rivals Chelsea and following his transfer request a statement from the club's website said: ''Fernando Torres submitted a written transfer request, which has been rejected by Liverpool.

'Fernando is under long-term contract and the club expect him to honour the commitment he made to Liverpool FC and its supporters when he signed the agreement'

Torres, who has endured a troublesome season, looked to be returning to form and fitness under new manager Kenny Daglish but appears to have set his mind on move away from Anfield.

Reds boss Daglish will face a tough test persuading the Spanish International to stay but will hope to hold out, at least until the summer.

However, the imminent arrival of Suarez will be a massive coup for his side as they look to get their season back on track.

You can see Liverpool's potential new signing on Wednesday as they face Stoke at Anfield but the real question is will he be partnered by Torres?

Premier League Round-Up

Berba completing his rout 

This weekend has provided us with some brilliant spectacles as the race for the Premier League Title hots up and the battle to stay up rages on.


Manchester United and Arsenal particularly impressed this weekend with some impressive displays and Liverpool roared past a weak Wolves side to give Kenny Daglish his first win as Reds manager but Manchester City fell to a Darren Bent inspired Aston Villa. 


United produced a fine result at Old Trafford by dismantling Birmingham City 5-0, as Dimirtar Berbatov capped a stunning display with his third hat-trick of the season.


Sir Alex's side, who are still unbeaten this season, breezed past their opponents who offered nothing in front of goal and continue to languish dangerously above the relegation zone.


The return of Robin Van Persie has given Arsenal a new lease of life as he grabbed a hat-trick, helping his side climb to second with a 3-0 demolition of a woeful Wigan side. 


Wigan have keeper Ali Al Habsi to thank for keeping the score to 3-0 after the Gunners scuppered numerous chances, including a penalty miss from RVP.


Liverpool recorded their first victory of the season under Kenny Daglish, with an excellent 3-0 display at Molineux.


Spanish starlet Fernando Torres scored two vital goals has he slowly returns to form but Raul Meireles stole the show with a glorious 25-yard volley.


24 million pound signing Darren Bent marked his first appearance in a Villa shirt with the match-winner against a miss-firing Manchester City who drop to third in the table.


City bombarded Villa with a continuous assault in the second half but held on to ease the growing pressure on  manager Gerrard Houllier. 

Final Days For Favre

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre has called an end to his glittering NFL career by filing for retirement.


The 41-year old is one of the industries most respected and decorated players, with a career spanning just less than two decades.


After falling to defeat in his last game against the Detroit Lions Favre stated: 'I know it's time and that's OK. It is. I hold no regrets, and I can't think of too many players off hand that can walk away and say that.'


Favre, who's called an end to his career twice before, insisted that he would not be reversing this decision following the Vikings failure to reach the post-season-play-offs.


A three time winner of the NFL's MVP award, Favre has succeeded in every aspect of the sport, smashing records along the way. 


As well as being regarded as one of the most influential quarterbacks to grace the NFL, Favre holds most major records with the highest passing yards, career touchdowns and wins.


The former Green Bay Packer encapsulates all that is good about American Football, with a glowing personality that earned him the respect of his colleges and everyone involved with the sport.


Minnesota will be keeping a close eye on this years draft picks as they search to replace the legend that is Brett Favre. 

Derby Day Blues For Daglish

Dirk Kuyt's Equalising Penalty 

Kenny Daglish made his Anfield return in dramatic fashion yesterday, as his side earned a vital point, playing out a pulsating 2-2 draw with fierce neighbours Everton. 


The game was all set up for a fairytale return for the 'King' as the home side dominated first half proceedings only for a frantic second half to diminish the red's chances of victory.


However, it was Everton who took to the occasion and looked dangerous in the early exchanges with neat passing interchanges. 


Liverpool, who were without Captain Steven Gerrard and influential defender Jamie Carragher, relied on the talents of their out of form forward Fernando Torres, who appeared to be in the kind of mood that has brought him 63 goals in 99 Premier League games. 


It did not take long for the Spaniard to make his mark on the game with a typical piece of Torres brilliance. 


In the 16th minute he intelligently anticipated the bouncing ball to race past defender Sylvain Distin and sharply twist past his defensive partner John Heintinga, only to see his rasping shot crash against the post. 


Daglish's side had a firm grip on the game and didn't appear to be the same team that has had a turbulent season.


Eventually, they made their pressure count as Raul Meireles smashed home from just inside the box to send the Anfield crowd into raptures. 


Eyebrows have been raised recently at the Manager's decision to play Glen Johnson out of position, however, his decision to play the England International left back was proved correct as he played a vital hand in the goal.


After cutting inside he played an accurate ball to the far post which was met brilliantly by the head of Dirk Kuyt but his effort rebounded off keeper Tim Howard, who quickly rose to his feet to save the Dutchman's follow up.


Howard must have thought his work done, only for the ball to drop on the edge of the box to Meireles, who gracefully powered the ball into the back of the net with a swerving effort. 


Meireles was having one of his best games in a red shirt and could of grabbed a second if it were not for the out stretched finger tips of Howard minutes later. 


Half-time sharply arrived and not only brought a change in personal, with the ill Daniel Agger being replaced by Sotirios Kyrgiakos, but also in momentum.


Just 42 seconds into the restart Everton equalised as Distin evaded Martin Skrtel to head home past Pepe Reina and silence the Anfield faithful. 


Liverpool were on the ropes as Everton took charge of the game and just 6 minutes later they edged ahead through Jermaine Beckford, who's curling effort, flew past the outstretched Reina.


Although, protests followed as referee Phil Dowd allowed play to continue after youngster Martin Kelly was sent crashing to the ground following a collision with Anichebe, during the build up. 


But just as Everton headed to their first double over their Merseyside rivals since the days of Joe Fagan, Howard bundled Red's winger Maxi to concede a penalty.


In the absence of Gerrard, Dirk Kuyt stepped up in front of the Kop to calmly slot the penalty to the left of Howard and ease some of the pressure on him and his team-mates.


Daglish and his side earned a vital point and he will hope that this result, along with the growing confidence of Torres, will allow them to push on and banish any unthinkable thoughts of relegation.