Is Arturo Vidal The Most Complete Midfielder In The World?

Chilean born Arturo Vidal plays for Serie A side Juventus.  He originally signed for a bargain price of €10.5 million from Bayer Leverkusen  in 2011, spurning interest from Bayern Munich in the process.  His final season at Leverkusen was very impressive, in 29 appearances he scored 9 made 10, averaged 4.97 tackles and 2.69 interceptions per game.  He has come on even more at Juventus and was named their player of the season in 2012/13, which was his best season to date.  He scored an impressive 14 goals over the course of the season and was hugely influential in the sides success.  It has been an upward trajectory for him, his first season at Juventus was very good and the one just gone, outstanding.  The Italian press nicknamed him Il Guerriero (the warrior) due to his style of play and tenacity.

 

 

 

Vidal is a joy to watch, he has drive, technique, strength, pace, power and a lethal shot.  His energy levels are outstanding, with a side featuring the glorious Andrea Pirlo- energy is a necessity. A box to box player in style, he offers and does so much more. This season he has been playing in a more advanced role for his club. Playing further up the pitch has instantly translated into more goals. He has three so far in six appearances, which includes the Super Cup. Linking well with new signing Tevez, Juventus are looking strong and believe they could do well in the Champions League. There are not many midfielders in football at present that are as complete as he is. There is a rich abundance of specialist midfielders, particularly attacking ones.  It is probably why he stands out so much.  Box to box midfielders seem to have gone by the wayside due to modern changes in tactics and formations.  Have heard some fans draw comparisons to Roy Keane, albeit a more skillful version.  But you can definitely see characteristics such as drive in Vidal that Keane had in abundance.  Due to his reputation, Keane's qualities as a player can be too easily overlooked.  He was a top player, leader, energetic and underrated passer.  Vidal's character looks strong, he leads by example and puts everything into games.  Over the summer he often lead training sessions in pre-season.  It was a suggestion by manager and fitness coach that players should volunteer themselves to keep training more interesting.  His ability is there too see, but that he can and does have the power to motivate and drive those around him for club and country.

 

 

 

 

Up until recently it was always my favourite German, Bastian Schweinsteiger who I believed unequivocally to be the most well rounded midfielder.  Having watched a great deal of Juventus in recent years, the form of Vidal has made me re-think it a bit.  Schweinsteiger, played a significant part in Bayern Munich's incredible successful 2012/13 season.  The German has consistently done it for years, both for his club and country.  He is versatile, energetic, a greater reader of the game, leader and has everything you would want a midfielder to have.  It is certainly true that Vidal has more to prove and needs to continue playing at a high standard to be considered above Schweinsteiger.  Feel that Schweinsteiger is the better footballer, he generally makes more passes in a game and his passing is much superior to the Chilean's.  Vidal in comparison is more mobile and has a better eye for goal (crackers they are too).  He also covers more ground than Schweinsteiger as the stats prove.    

 

 

 

 

 

Over the summer it was reported that Real Madrid were very interested in signing him.  Being Madrid, they were also prepared to pay big money to do so.  Juventus fans will be pleased to hear that he is set to sign a new contract, which should keep him at the club beyond 2016.  Reports also suggest that he is very happy at Juventus and life in Italy.  Not too long turned twenty six he has plenty of years ahead of him.  One of the best games seen this season was not a club game but an international- Spain vs Chile friendly.  It was  a fantastic match to watch.  It is a given that the midfield and possession is going to be dominated by Spain, often heavily so.  However, Chile did very well in disrupting Spain and outplayed them for much of the game.  Vidal played a big part in that.  Akin to the above mentioned Schweinsteiger, Vidal's form also translates onto the international stage.  His importance to the national side his increased significantly over the last year.

Manchester United vs Liverpool Preview

 

 

United are desperately needing to bounce back after a humbling weekend defeat versus Manchester City.  It made for frustrating and sore viewing.  Plenty of subsequent panicky reactions from United supporters have followed.  After a tough run of fixtures, an nice easy one was what was hoped for.  Unfortunately for United, they drew at team that pretty much always plays well against them in Liverpool.  The match on Wednesday has another edge to it, due to the return of a certain rat toothed striker Luis Suarez.  The script writers will have their pens poised, it is his first game back following his ban.  Liverpool fans are optimistic that he can have a similar impact as Eric Cantona did upon his own return from an even more lengthy ban.  Cantona, came on as a substitute in a League match at Old Trafford versus Liverpool.  He was hugely influential in the game, scoring the penalty to draw 2-2 it was a great result for United, who weren't at the races that day.  That season he went on to score the winning goal against them at Wembley to secure the FA Cup.  In his press conference, Rogers hilariously said that Suarez is "champing at the bit" to get back playing.  Fine choice of words there!  Laughter aside, he is a quality player and he'll be feeling confident having a go at a United defence that has been leaking goals.  There is something a bit personal for him when it comes to facing United too.  Liverpool fans are still angry with him over his behaviour and wanting out over the summer but that will very much be put aside if he plays a part in beating United.  Two want-away strikers vs another, who is going to come out on top?  You would certainly expect the pair to be hugely influential in the match and for their respective sides.  Rooney has been in excellent form and without wanting to jinx it, is looking a bit more like the Rooney of old. 

 

 

Weighing in on the Gerrard, Scholes and Lampard Debate

Last week, Jamie Carragher made the claim that Steven Gerrard was a better player than Paul Scholes.  The debate rolled on, on Sky Sports Monday Night Football Show and Frank Lampard came into the mix also.


  The three are undoubtedly amongst the best midfielders England has produced.  Also three of the greatest and most memorable midfield players of the Premier League era.  They have all had impressive careers in which they have been part of winning teams and trophy wins.  It is not an entirely fair comparison as they are all very different players with their own respective strengths and weaknesses.

Football On The Big Screen

The Damned United

  It charts legendary Brian Clough's tumultuous tenure managing Leeds United.  Following success with Derby County, Clough arrives at a Leed's United formerly coached and fiercely loyal to previous manager Don Revie.  Revie's style was certainly not for Clough and the Leeds team had a number of dirty and bad habits despite being successful.  

Clough attempts to revolutionise but struggles with the characters in the team who dislike their new manager's ideas.  It is very funny in places, the film.  Iy also gets across well the dislike Clough and Revie have for one another, included in the film is footage from that famous interview between Revie and Clough.  Clough and his ahead of the times ways come across well, as does his reliance and relationship with his assistant Peter Taylor.

  There are some factual inaccuracies and embellishment in the film.  I didn't know any of the details around that Leeds side, apart from them being dirty.  Not much of a stickler for those things personally so it did not affect viewing in any way.   Also, it is a film, not a documentary.  The highlight of the film is the fantastic cast including Timothy Spall, Colm Meaney and Stephen Graham.  It also starred Jim Broadbent, brilliant character actor- so adaptable.  A superb film and Michael Sheen excelled in his portrayal of Clough.   

Random Footballing Stories This Week

 

 



Love on Horizon For Marin? 

Sevilla Fans Turn matchmaker in a bid to keep loanee Marko Marin at their club.  Presently at loan from Chelsea, Marin has enjoyed a good start in Seville and has quickly become a fans favourite.  So much so that they're trying to find him a wife- Full Story
 

Transfer Window Conclusion & Thoughts

 

 

Well, thank god that is over...  It is not something I really get excited about, deadline day.  The whole process of transfers is so drawn out.  It is quite frustrating, particularly in those barren months when club football takes a break.  It dominates and the rise of social media has only made the whole thing 100 times worse.  Media frenzy, constant rumours and attention it gets is all too much.  Can see why people love it and the whole excitement of it.  From the prospect of your club landing a star name, to the hope of addressing weaknesses in the team with new blood.  It is the time too that the transfer muppets come out in force and it often brings out strong reactions.  That side can be fairly entertaining.