Welcome to Fergie Time, a roundup/newsletter type deal that delivers news, opinion and links directly to your screen. As the name suggests, there will be some exaggeration, nsfw moments, canceled press conferences (oh, who are we kidding) and late, late, late scoring of points. You’ll like it, trust me.
WINTER BREAK:
For 50 and a half weeks of the year, the Premier League is a great place to be a professional footballer. For the two weeks immediately after Christmas it must be an absolute nightmare. Because while colleagues in other countries are enjoying some festive time off, Premier League players are working double overtime.
Prem teams are in action on the 26th/27th of December, 28th/29th December, 1st/2nd January and 4th/5th January. That’s a month’s worth of fixtures crammed into eleven days.
I’m also a total hypocrite. Because even though I think four games in 11 days is too much to ask, and the Premier League should have a winter break, I also can’t wait to sit down and watch all those games over Christmas and New Year. But if I was a player, I’d be praying for more snow.
WINTER WORLD CUP:
Speaking of winter breaks, it seems we may be getting an enforced one twelve years from now anyway, with players union FIFPro supporting FIFA’s suggestion that the 2022 World Cup in Qatar could take place in the winter. Because they’d like to make it through the tournament alive please.
I’m all for it. Seriously. Just because the World Cup has always been in June/July, doesn’t mean it always has to be. We all thought the world was definitely flat and the sun revolved around the earth. Until we found out that it wasn’t and it didn’t. So why not a winter World Cup? The alternative is watching the world’s best players melt before our eyes in June/July 2022.
FANTASY FOOTBALL:
All those games mean lots of fantasy football game. And your chance to win back some of that money you’ve spent on presents by winning the weekly cash prizes in the Soccerlens Fantasy Football Game. Round 19 begins Boxing Day, so start picking your team now.
THE AWARDS:
Most damage to Club World Cup: Inter, who fired coach Rafa Benitez just days after he’d won the competition. FIFA can talk the competition up all they like, but if managers are winning it and then losing their jobs, it’s not a cup worth winning.
Worst acceptance speech: Edited highlights of what came out of Mario Balotelli’s mouth, after he won Tuttosport’s Golden Boy trophy for best Under-21 player:
“There’s only one that is a little stronger than me: Messi. All the others are behind me.”
…
“I am delighted to receive the award, but who should have won it but me?”
…
“What’s his name? Wil … ? No, I don’t know him, but the next time I play against Arsenal I will keep a close eye on him. Perhaps I can show him the Golden Boy trophy and remind him that I won it.”
Best overhead kick of the winter: Wesley Sonck, for Genk. His goal had everything needed to win this category. Snow on pitch? Yes. Orange ball? Yes. Overhead kick volley from edge of area? Yes. Enjoy:
PODCAST:
European football expert Andy Brassell joins the 3 Up Front crew to present a special Christmas podcast, and discuss the best young players in Europe. Listen to episode 19 and then subscribe via iTunes for more.
FINALLY, DON’T FORGET:
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