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THE MODERN
FOOTBALLER
THE GET FOOTBALL PERIODICAL
ISSUE ONE
A Get Football Group Publication - © 2020
CONTENTS 6 - UP FRONT: A selection of stories from around the leagues, in brief. 18 - Velodrome: Mohammed Ali on FFP issues for AVB’s resurgent Marseille. 21 - Il Biscione: Richard Hall talks Inter’s revolution under new ownership. 24 - Dream Team: Adam White compares the sackings of Valverde and Robson. 28 - San Paolo: Raphaël Jucobin worries about Gattuso's Napoli. 31 - 1970: Adam White hails Leonardo’s return to PSG as sporting director. 34 - Säbener Strasse: Daniel Pinder champions Bayern Munich striker Lewandowski. 38 - The Old Lady: Sam Brookes sees an opportunity for Matthijs de Ligt. 42 - Galacticos: Kieran Quaile looks at Zidane’s second (or third) coming in Madrid. 47 - Yellow Wall: Axel Falk sees issues ahead for Lucien Favre and Dortmund. 50 - Gerland: Eric Devin is excited about Lyon’s teenage stars.
54 - Drew Thompson highlights the importance of Sebastian Deisler. 58 - Adam White recounts Gary Lineker's Barcelona days. 63 - Tom Scholes looks back at Calciopoli. 67 - Adam White on Toulouse's great escape under Pascal Dupraz. 73 - Tom Fenton on the rise of Suat Serdar. 76 - Tom Wiseman confesses his love for Angers and Baptiste Santamaria. 79 - Sam Brookes profiles Juve new boy Dejan Kulusevski. 82 - Ryan Plant talks Fede Valverde's dramatic breakout season. 85 - Rich Allen looks back at Eduardo Camavinga’s spectacular year. 88 - Tom Fenton is in awe of Erling Haaland. 91 - Tom Canton evaluates Ferran Torres' chances of a Spain call up. 94 - Kaustubh Pandey compares Sandro Tonali to a couple of AC Milan greats. 97 - Cameron O’Mara considers giving Julian Brandt the benefit of the doubt. 100 - Kaustubh Pandey likes Marcus Thuram’s attitude, and his celebration. 103 - WRITERS: A look at every journalist who contributed this issue. Give them a follow.
UP FRONT
A selection of stories from around the
leagues, in brief. Featuring: Chimy,
Rennes, Iličić, Hansi, Getafe, Ferri, Zlatan,
Eintracht, Simeone, Reims, Eriksen,
Rheinderby, Copa del Rey, DF1 & Monaco.
HEARTBREAK FOR CHIMY ÁVILA secured, San Lorenzo agreed to
Having signed the Argentine striker extend his loan. A host of
from San Lorenzo in the summer spectacular goals and assists made
of 2019, Osasuna’s Ezequiel ‘Chimy’ him a local hero in the northern
Ávila has been one of the players city of Huesca and he quickly
of the season in La Liga. Ávila grew caught the eye of Osasuna, earning
up in Empalme Graneros, a poor a €2.7m move. Osasuna sporting
neighbourhood in Rosario, an director, Braulio Vázquez, said:
inland port city and home of Lionel “Chimy was born to play for
Messi. The 25-year-old would ride Osasuna.” A low centre of gravity
a horse to get to football training and thick-set thighs that make him
so his mother could use his bus explosive; he leads the line by
fare to buy food for a family of pressing hard. In 2019/20 he has
nine. Loaned to Segunda Division notched 11 goals, nine in the
side Huesca from San Lorenzo in league and two in the Copa del
2017, he helped the club achieve Rey. That goal-scoring run ended
promotion to the Spanish Primera abruptly however when he
Division. After swearing that he ruptured his ACL in a league match
would stay on if promotion was with Levante in January.
6
up front
Disappointingly for Chimy, that were involved in a recent game
same week his agent Jorge Bilicich away at Nice, eight were academy
was in the Camp Nou offices, players. Eduardo Camavinga has
speaking to club representatives obviously taken the plaudits this
about a potential €25m move to season, but the likes of Adrien
Barcelona to play alongside his Hunou and Yann Gboho have
compatriot Messi. made their marks too. Stéphan has
been all too aware of the need to
Kieran Quaile add experience to this group of
@kquaile90 talented youngsters. Defenders
Damian Da Silva and Jérémy Morel
plus recent loan signing and World
RENNES FIND BALANCE Cup winner Steven Nzonzi certainly
Two injury time goals for Rennes add that. When mixed with other
gave them a dramatic win in the established players such as
Breton Derby against rivals Nantes Benjamin Bourigeaud, M’Baye
at the end of January. The victory Niang and Édouard Mendy, it looks
ensured Rennes maintained their like a squad in good shape. Vital to
position in third place after an any coach is an element of good
impressive run of form. After the fortune and with goals in the 93rd
derby win, Julien Stéphan's side and 97th minute against Nantes, to
had lost just twice in their previous go with late winners against
12 Ligue 1 games, winning nine, as Toulouse, Saint-Étienne and Lyon
they took the lead in the race to recently, it is clear Stéphan has
keep pace with Marseille in managed to keep luck on his side.
second. Whilst performances might not
have been at the absolute top level
Despite the surprise dismissal of yet, Rennes results have been on
club president Olivier Létang in the whole more consistent than
February, Stéphan looks to be most and, although Monaco and
taking great strides in his push to Lille are right with them, the
take the team forwards, having realistic reward of Champions'
been in the job just over a year. League football is looking less and
Building on last season’s Coupe de less of a pipe dream for the Breton
France win, the squad has been side.
moulded carefully to reap the
benefits of the famous Rennes Rich Allen
academy. Of the 14 players who @rich_allen85
7
THE MODERN FOOTBALLER: ISSUE ONE
ILIČIĆ FINALLY GETS CREDIT League places once more. His
Atalanta have been the feel good recent hat-trick against Torino in a
story of Italian football in recent 7-0 win drew widespread attention
times. A relatively small club that as he netted a free-kick from the
has shot to prominence playing a halfway line. An extraordinary piece
brand of attacking football that can of improvisation, but that is simply
only be admired. At the heart of what Iličić does, and more and
their rise has been Josip Iličić. The more people are starting to take
forward arrived in Bergamo in the notice. As a 32-year-old, Iličić is
summer of 2017 having impressed finally starting to get the plaudits
at Fiorentina and Palermo. Yet that his undoubted talent has long
there were still questions about deserved.
whether he could find the
consistency to take his game to the Sam Brookes
next level. He has answered @FRcalcioSam
emphatically.
HANSI HERE TO STAY?
It is not easy to stand out in this “We have a good relationship with
Atalanta side. With Alejandro him, his tactical and footballing
Gómez shining on the left wing and knowledge is at a high level and, in a
Duván Zapata becoming a goal short time, he has shown us what we
scoring machine since joining in can do to improve our play,” said
2018, Iličić could be forgiven for Robert Lewandowski about Hansi
struggling to make his mark. That Flick when he took interim charge
has not been the case at all of Bayern Munich. Germany’s
though. former assistant coach has
certainly earned the respect of
Having scored 11 goals in his Bayern Munich players during his
maiden Serie A campaign for short tenure in charge of the
Atalanta, he followed that up with a Bundesliga club and it wouldn’t be
further 12 last season, and at time too far-fetched to say he could
of writing already has 14 goals with oversee the club beyond this
16 games remaining this year. season.
When Zapata was forced to sit on
the sidelines for three months The 54-year-old lost just two of his
through injury, Iličić stepped up, first 15 games in charge of Munich
ensuring that Atalanta remained in all competitions whilst he’s re-
firmly in the hunt for a Champions' energised this side who looked lost
8
up front
under former coach Niko Kovač. Having not previously managed in
Flick has established a possession La Liga, Bordalás developed a
based game, re-installing a Mia San reputation as a second tier
Mia (the club motto, meaning: ‘we specialist. Four years later, having
are who we are’) mentality back repeated the feat with Getafe -
into the squad. Bayern’s compact returning the Madrid outfit to La
midfield of Joshua Kimmich, Thiago Liga at the first attempt - the
Alcântara and a fit again Leon Champions' League now awaits.
Goretzka has allowed Alphonso
Davies to flourish at left-back - When Bordalás took charge in
another master stroke from Flick. September 2016, the Madrid club
He’s getting the best out of were second bottom of the second
Thomas Müller too, something division but, incredibly, at the start
Kovač failed to achieve. of February this year Bordalás’
band of misfits and unwanted
Under Flick, Bayern haven’t journeymen sat third in La Liga.
struggled to find the net and the This was no fluke. On the final day
goals are shared across the team of last season the unfashionable
despite what Lewandowski’s tally Getafe spent 20 glorious minutes
this season may suggest. Over the inside the top four. Although
course of Flick’s first 15 games, Valencia eventually squeezed them
Bayern found the net on 48 out, this season their form has
occasions, beginning Flick's tenure continued unchecked despite
with four consecutive clean sheets juggling a successful Europa
– including a 4-0 win over Der League campaign.
Klassiker rivals Borussia Dortmund.
Flick’s Bayern are on the charge Although Getafe are accused of
once more. being an overly aggressive,
streetwise and fiercely functional
Daniel Pinder unit, their results are astonishing.
@DanielJPinder Especially when considering they’ve
achieved their success with the
GETAFE CONTINUE TO SHOCK 16th biggest budget in La Liga (as
Having won the Segunda division in of last season) and with the most
2016 and returned Alavés to the eclectic group of players.
Primera for the first time in ten Uruguayan midfielder Mauro
seasons, José Bordalás was sacked Arambarri was unwanted by
amid tension with the club's board. Bordeaux but is now an ever
9
CLUBS
MARSEILLE 18
INTER 21
BARCELONA 24
NAPOLI 28
PSG 31
JUVENTUS 34
BAYERN MUNICH 38
REAL MADRID 42
DORTMUND 47
LYON 50
RICHARD HALL: INTER'S NEW DAWN
IL BISCIONE
Inter Milan have been reborn. An arduous
decade has culminated in a new and exciting
side, a revamped project and a promising future.
INTER'S old President Massimo policy all failed and produced some
Moratti, either got it wrong or of the worst Inter teams in recent
could not afford to address the years.
facts. Inter’s treble winning team of
2010 was the end of an era, not Eventually, Suning Holdings Group
the beginning. A decade on from and Chairman Steven Zhang, took
those incredible scenes in Madrid, control of the club. The marketing,
it is only now that the Nerazzurri PR and structure improved, they
finally believe they can break had to battle financial fair play yet
Juventus’ stranglehold on Serie A. they knew, if they succeeded, the
Even more than this, they have economic power behind the group
faith, that, with one or two more was immense. Perhaps the
transfer windows, they could even shrewdest move came when Zhang
push deep into Europe’s elite hired Beppe Marotta as CEO for
competition. What has changed? sport. The ex-Juventus executive
Arguably, everything. knew how to win - he had the
blueprint.
Ownership of a club can only affect
so much. When Moratti eventually Moratta only wanted one man.
parted with his family club in 2013 Whilst Luciano Spalletti had done
- his father was president between an incredible job by getting Inter
1955 and 1968 - the Indonesian into the Champions' League, he
businessman Erick Thohir, tried to had run out of ideas and oversaw a
build a club of the future but failed. disunited and fractious squad.
His choice in sporting directors and Enter stage left, Antonio Conte. The
coaches as well as his transfer serial Serie A winner and champion
21THE MODERN FOOTBALLER: ISSUE ONE
of the Premier League, a proof of this was in rocketing
disciplinarian with a clear idea of attendances. A corner had been
how to play and how to act. turned.
The change was immediate. All Recruitment as mentioned, has
teams, from the primavera to the also been improved. Romelu
first team to the kids, would all play Lukaku perhaps being the symbol
a version of his iconic 3-5-2. Conte of this. Reborn under Conte, his
too immediately identified the ‘bad relationship with Lautaro Martínez
apples’ and axed the likes of Ivan is an extra benefit that has brought
Perišić and Mauro Icardi. Both goals. Loan deals and big money
were exiled on loan, despite being have brought in quality. Alexis
two of the club’s best players, but Sánchez, Nicolò Barella, Christian
he didn’t care and Marotta was Eriksen, Stefano Sensi and Diego
right behind him. Now Conte was Godín are just some of the arrivals
able to recruit players with tactical that have impressed. Conte has
knowledge, intensity and work rate. been vocal about a deep squad
The results have spoken for and even Ashley Young and Victor
themselves. Moses have been brought in as
back up in January and have looked
There was one more thing that impressive early on. Now they are
Conte and his team wanted to close on the heels of Juventus and
change. The culture of the club. are putting up a serious fight for
Inter have been walking out to the the Scudetto.
song ‘Pazza Inter Amala’ for years.
Conte wanted to take the crazy out The Marotta blueprint has put the
of the Nerazzurri. After all, the Nerazzurri into overdrive. An
Milanese’s best periods in their interesting element for this new
history have come when they have Inter is that Suning were ranked
been organised and efficient. The second among China's top 500
reigns of Helenio Herrera, Giovanni private enterprises in 2018. This
Trapattoni, and José Mourinho are meant that they had an annual
testament to this. No longer would revenue of ¥557.875bn
Moratti be splashing money on (approximately €77bn). As a result
exciting front men whilst neglecting the Milanese will be able to
the back. That was the old Inter, compete with anyone in Serie A,
the new one will be modern, and most foreign clubs, in the
exciting and they would fight. The transfer market.
22RICHARD HALL: INTER'S NEW DAWN
The future is bright. The verge of becoming a European elite
transformation has been long club once more and a decade of
awaited and you can sense the discontent may soon be forgotten.
excitement in the city. Football is
fashionable again, Inter are on the Richard Hall
@RichHall80
Inter Milan Seasons Since 2010 Treble
SEASON SERIE A POINTS COPPA EUROPE
10/11 2nd 76 WINNERS CL - QF
11/12 6th 58 QF CL - R16
12/13 9th 54 SF EL - R16
13/14 5th 60 R16 -
14/15 8th 55 QF EL - R16
15/16 4th 67 SF -
16/17 7th 62 QF EL - GROUPS
17/18 4th 72 QF -
18/19 4th 69 QF CL - GROUPS
23THE MODERN FOOTBALLER: ISSUE ONE
DREAM TEAM
Although more than two decades apart, the
sackings of Ernesto Valverde and Bobby Robson
raised many of the same questions at Barcelona.
"FOR the worst coach in the world, brash and rather disrespectful.
it’s going really well.” Whistles after Robson’s success had become
6-0 wins, constant criticism from irrelevant, it was the method of
the press over a lack of identity that success that proved pivotal.
and his sarcasm aside, Bobby Building on his spell as a Barcelona
Robson was right. It was going well. player in the 70's under the
The English coach secured a Cup similarly influential Dutch coach
Winners’ Cup triumph, won the Rinus Michels, Cruyff’s playing style
Spanish Super Cup and led proved revolutionary as his ‘Dream
Barcelona to one of their greatest Team’ won the club’s first
ever victories - at least in an European Cup in 1992. During
emotional sense - as they lifted the Cruyff’s eight year reign as coach,
Copa del Rey at the Bernabeu. The Barcelona’s identity became
Catalan club’s famous anthem evermore fiercely entrenched and
blared over the speakers at the intrinsic to the club's ideology.
home of their eternal rivals amid Although Barça were trophy-less
wild celebrations. But Robson for the final two years of Cruyff's
survived just one season as Barça reign, Robson - perceived as old
manager. The problem was fashioned in Spain - could never
obvious - he wasn’t Johan Cruyff. stand up to Cruyff’s legend.
With Louis Van Gaal hovering and Although Robson was regarded as
the club’s intention to shuffle a father figure by many of his
Robson upstairs after the 1996/97 players - including Ronaldo Nazário
campaign a long-standing one, the - liked by those at the club and
Englishman’s ousting was public, handled himself with dignity
24ADAM WHITE: VALVERDE AND ROBSON
throughout, he simply became with Euro 2020 on the horizon.
collateral damage in the Barcelona And he knew that third choice
hierarchy's desperate search for an Quique Setién was all but
ideological successor to Cruyff. confirmed as his sucessor.
Although often at odds personally
with Cruyff, Van Gaal’s style was After two disastrous Champions'
more suited to Barcelona’s identity League collapses to Roma and
but, despite claiming the next two Liverpool, the 3-2 Spanish Super
league titles - although neither Cup semi-final loss (Barça had led
points total came close to the 90 2-1 with ten minutes left) to
point haul under Robson - further Atlético Madrid accelerated the
Champions' League success was club’s plans to replace Valverde
not forthcoming. The drought next summer. Although he had
eventually lasted fourteen years somewhat miraculously survived
and eight further managerial the last off-season, Valverde, like
appointments. Robson, had always been on the
edge. He too has long been
More than two decades later, criticised by more puritanical fans
Barcelona found themselves at a and journalists for not strictly
similar crossroads. A successful, adhering to that intrinsic Cruyffian
dignified coach, adored by many of philosophy despite capturing the
his players but berated for a lack of last two La Liga titles. Valverde’s
philosophy by fans and media, main problem? He wasn’t Pep
unceremoniously and publicly Guardiola.
sacked with his team leading La
Liga. Ernesto Valverde’s final Nearly twenty three years apart,
training session must have been a the dismissals of Valverde and
surreal experience. He, like his Robson raise the same question.
players and the rest of the world, What’s more important; winning or
knew that Xavi Hernández - the playing well? Despite being a coach
embodiment of the philosophy of who failed with mid-table Real Betis
Pep Guardiola, Cruyff’s true last term, Setién's style of play has
successor - had refused the led many a Barcelona traditionalist
chance to replace him. Valverde to champion him for some time.
also knew Netherlands coach Perhaps illustrating that winning is
Ronald Koeman - iconic scorer of less important than widespread ire
the only goal in the 92 final and over a lack of recent European
Cruyffian disciple - had also said no success had suggested.
25THE MODERN FOOTBALLER: ISSUE ONE
Transversely, despite the Messi- Messi, Iniesta, Piqué and Xavi.
Suárez-Neymar trio hitting form Valverde meanwhile has suffered
plus the likes of Andrés Iniesta and with frustrating returns from three
Sergio Busquests in their prime, nine figure signings; Ousmane
Luis Enrique was also painted as a Dembélé, Philippe Coutinho and, to
more direct, vertical and pragmatic some extent, Antoine Griezmann.
coach but his first season treble in Not to mention the decline of
2015 bought him time and capital Iniesta, Luis Suárez and Busquets.
he likely wouldn’t have been The extent to which Robson’s
afforded otherwise. success (and also, intriguingly,
'More than two decades later, Barcelona
found themselves at a similar crossroads.
A successful, dignified coach, adored by
many of his players but berated for a lack
of philosophy by fans and media,
unceremoniously and publicly sacked.'
Although it may be perfectly perhaps even his lack of style) is
understandable for a club like down to translator/assistant coach
Barcelona to demand both style José Mourinho’s embellishment of
and success, there has to be some his instructions when relaying
elasticity between the two and them to his players is also open to
some recognition that both can debate.
rely on factors besides managerial
genius. For example, although their Although Barcelona’s labyrinthine
pioneering status is undeniable, mesh of political, sporting and
Cruyff and Guardiola both enjoyed ideological motivations beyond the
outstanding generations of players; relative status of Cruyff and
Koeman, Laudrup, Stoichkov and Guardiola, such as Madrid’s relative
Guardiola (the player) versus European success, contributed to
26ADAM WHITE: VALVERDE AND ROBSON
both dismissals to varying degrees, and Valverde shouldn’t be so
the worst thing that happened to swiftly dismissed in favour of a
Valverde and, earlier, Robson was maniacal search for the next
still Guardiola and Cruyff. Although Guardiola or Cruyff. Although many
Robson boldly stated at his first Barça fans celebrated the exit of
Barcelona press conference: “I am Valverde, he came closer than they
not afraid to follow him. When the seem to recall to UCL success. A
president of the United States leaves, simple square ball from Dembélé
they have to get another president of to Messi in the final seconds of the
the United States.” he later wrote first leg of last year's Champions
that Cruyff still “haunted my early League semi-final and Barcelona
days” at the Nou Camp. would have gone to Anfield with a
4-0 advantage. Psychologically an
Future Barcelona coaches will feel insurmountable lead? Maybe. What
the same pressure. Although that is for sure is that another fourteen
devotion to style is admirable and year wait would be a disaster.
inexorably linked to the club, the
successes of the likes of Robson Adam White
@_Adam_White_
Select Barcelona Coaches
MANAGER GAMES WIN % TROPHIES LIGAs
Cruyff 430 58.1 11 4
Robson 60 65 3 0
Guardiola 247 72.5 14 3
Valverde 145 66.9 4 2
Trophies include Super Cups.
27THE MODERN FOOTBALLER
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THE MODERN FOOTBALLER: ISSUE ONE
More Than
A Distant
Memory
WHAT FOOTBALL CAN LEARN FROM the story of SEBASTIAN DEISLER.
THE annals of football history are Forest in the small city of Lörrach,
littered with stories of what could Deisler began his footballing
have been. We can all cite former education like most other kids, for
players who showed powers a small local side (FV Tumringen) at
beyond understanding, but never the age of five. After further stints
quite made it for one reason or with TuS Stetten and FV Lörrach,
another. Everyone remembers Deisler signed with Borussia
Denílson during his time at Real Mönchengladbach when he was
Betis; how he dazzled with his 15.
sheer mastery of a football. There
was also Ricardo Quaresma, who His introduction to top level
some thought to possess even football came at the age of 18,
greater potential than Cristiano when Deisler made his debut for
Ronaldo. There are other names as Gladbach in 1998. After making
well, both in recent memory and seventeen appearances and
from days gone by, but one in bagging one goal in the process, he
particular will be remembered in would move on to Hertha Berlin
Germany rather well; Sebastian the following summer after
Deisler. Gladbach failed to avoid relegation.
Unknowingly, his second season of
Born in the foothills of the Black professional football would be a
54DREW THOMPSON: DEISLER AND DEPRESSION
harbinger of things to come. to Bayern Munich in the Summer
of 2002. Even if, once recovered, it
As his reputation in German was presumed that he would not
football continued to grow - as be able to reach his full potential
evidenced by being capped at all while with the Bavarians. 259 days
German youth levels by 1999 - later, and now a Bayern player,
Deisler was hit with his first serious Deisler was finally able to try and
injury; a cruciate ligament rupture. establish himself and make good
It would not be the last time he on his potential. He would never
would lay on a treatment table. Just be successful in this endeavour.
a year later, Deisler tore muscle
fiber in his knee during the The following season he yet again
2000/01 ruckrunde, leading to one tore muscle fibers and, despite
of the most turbulent periods of being unavailable for only four of
his career the following season. Bayern’s fixtures, the mental and
emotional strain he began to suffer
By now he was being hailed as one on account of these recurring
of a new generation of German injuries and being under pressure
footballers; players who were to deliver as a player began to
meant to push the nation forward manifest itself in a serious struggle
in the new millennium. It was this with depression that would
potential and subsequent eventually spell the end of his
expectations and pressure placed career.
on him that he would struggle with
down the road. After months of treatment, he
would yet again return to playing
In October 2001 he suffered a duties for Bayern. But the storyline
capsular tear that would keep him would only read more heartbreak
out of contention for 25 matches as he - yet again - suffered another
for Hertha until March of 2002. serious knee injury, making him
After recovering, disaster would unavailable for over 240 days. One
befall him yet again; this time, month after finally recovering, a
damaged cartilage would result in final muscle tear would be the last
Deisler being sidelined for the he would allow himself to suffer. At
longest single period in his career. just 27 years of age, during his
prime playing years, Sebastian
Despite being injured, it would not Deisler retired from football in
stop him from completing a move 2007. Citing exhaustion and not
55THE MODERN FOOTBALLER: ISSUE ONE
being able regain confidence in his struggled with depression and
ability to stay fit, Deisler only alcoholism that took years to
logged 195 appearances in a control, if it could be controlled at
career that spanned nine seasons. all. And of course, the tragic death
of Gary Speed just two years after
Two years later, Hannover 96 and Enke’s.
German international keeper
Robert Enke committed suicide. Deisler is lucky, but also deserves
His wife later confirmed that he too an enormous amount of credit for
had been suffering from putting his well-being before a
depression ever since the death of sense of service that many players
his daughter three years prior. have regarding their club and it’s
Though not tied to football, Enke’s supporters. He would later remark;
death was not taken lightly; the “I always repressed things and
seriousness of depression among thought: ‘the club needs me to
professional footballers was soon perform.’ It could not continue like
to come to the fore. this.”
Many other high-profile footballers During his ascendancy, the little
have come out about their time that we were graced by
struggles with mental health in the Deisler’s presence on the pitch was
years since. Gianluigi Buffon, Aaron exciting. Supremely gifted on the
Lennon, Andrés Iniesta, Danny ball, ahead of his time, and hyped
Rose, Michael Carrick, Emmanuel to the point where he was dubbed
Eboué, and Francesco Acerbi are the saviour of German football,
just a handful of footballers at the Deisler's is a cautionary tale of the
highest level that have spoken pressures of the modern game.
about depression and mental
health awareness. Some have He would later reflect upon his
suffered because of injuries, others move from Hertha to Bayern, and
because of personal issues and the how he was not shielded from
loss of family, but all cases are targeted abuse while highlighting
compounded by the pressures of the role of Bayern director Uli
football at the top level. Hoeneß. “Instead he [Hoeneß] stood
by and watched as I was hounded
Paul Merson and Paul Gascoigne out of Berlin. That’s what began to
meanwhile, two iconic English spoil my view of football. That was
footballers of decades past, both my shot in the neck. I know today
56DREW THOMPSON: DEISLER AND DEPRESSION
that that’s the point at which I should technically the best player in
have stopped.” Germany” by Beckenbauer, and by
Rudi Völler as a player who “would
Supporters and clubs alike so often be influential for Germany for ten
forget that, though they appear to years,” Deisler’s career path should
be superheroes to young and old, be celebrated all the same.
footballers are very much human.
The constant spotlight, the Though he may not have reached
constant attention, and never the dizzying heights that many had
having a moment's peace - predicted him to hit, Sebastian
whether you are performing or not Deisler remains one of the most
- has been an issue for decades. influential footballers of his
Deisler’s tale was one of the first to generation. He showed what could
truly bring these issues to light. be possible in a period of football
that was in desperate need of a
After Deisler’s retirement, Hoeneß, refit. He showed us all what was to
the man who failed to protect one come.
of his own, would remember an
opportunity missed; “He is one of Drew Thompson
the best players Germany has ever @FMLehrer
produced and therefore it is so
difficult to comprehend. However, we
have lost this battle.” Franz
Beckenbauer would also weigh in
in the wake of Deisler’s decision to
hang up his boots, commenting on
his personality as a potential cause;
“Deisler came to our club an
extremely introverted person. But
nobody could have predicted that it
would have turned out to be a
psychological problem.”
But this isn’t just a tale of despair,
disappointment, and pain. When
thinking of Sebastian Deisler,
consider just how gifted he was.
Once described as “physically and
57PROFILES
SERDAR 73
SANTAMARIA 76
KULUSEVSKI 79
VALVERDE 82
CAMAVINGA 85
HAALAND 88
TORRES 91
TONALI 94
BRANDT 97
THURAM 100THE MODERN FOOTBALLER: ISSUE ONE
Baptiste Angers
Santamaria 24
ANGERS are known as a club that, game back in France’s top flight for
using their specialised and two decades. This is a rare
sophisticated scouting network, achievement in modern football
have have an impressive record but cannot be sustained forever.
recruit talented players from While Moulin’s tactics and setup
French lower league clubs. These can mask some of the individual
talents nestle under the wing of deficiencies of the defenders,
manager Stéphane Moulin whose Baptiste Santamaria is the primary
experience in developing young reason that the defence has
players is similarly highly regarded. enjoyed such longevity.
The club has a profile based on
continuity in almost every aspect Operating as the midfield pivot in a
from coach Moulin, a former 4-1-4-1, Santamaria is the sentinel
player, who has been back at the in black and white. The 24-year-old
club since 2005 and the first team is one of the best midfielders in
coach since 2011, to General France, his athletic endurance
Manager, Olivier Pickeu, also at the alone has earned him the
helm since 2005, and his brother, nickname “4X4”. With a passion for
Benoît, serving as fitness coach for horse riding, Santamaria’s stamina
almost as long. and endurance levels must have
been inspired by his own race
This continuity trope permeates horse, Déesse de Bouillon. In the
into the squad as well. The current 2018/19 season, no player covered
starting defence and goalkeeper more distance than the Frenchman
has cost the club a grand total of as he averaged 11.65km per match
zero in transfer fees and all, apart and this season he continued in
from 18-year-old academy grad that same trend.
Rayan Aït Nouri, started in the 2-0
victory in round one of the A hard working and organised side,
2015/16 season, the club’s first Angers players are always high in
76TOM WISEMAN: BAPTISTE SANTAMARIA
these types of athletic rankings but drive up field with the ball at his
Santamaria is the jewel in their feet and draw players towards him.
crown. However, it is not all Previously used as a winger before
mindless chasing of the ball. While joining the western outfit from
he can be bettered in a one on one Tours, his solid dribbling ability has
take on it is his ability to make lent itself well to this task. Now, as
recovering tackles and snuff out a concrete tackler, he knows how
danger that protects the defence. to read defensive actions and
His defensive role is primarily to makes himself difficult to
stop incoming attacks but he tends dispossess without being cut
not to overly commit and be down.
caught out of place or give away a
foul in the defensive half. Across There is almost never a drop in
his four seasons with Angers he performance from game to game
has fouled less often than he has from Santamaria, his consistency is
been fouled (1.3 per 90 minutes to one of his assets that people tend
1.4), he has never received a red to forget about. Since joining the
card and only been handed 11 club in the summer of 2016 he has
yellow cards. only missed seven league games.
No outfield player in Ligue 1 has
It is not only his defensive and missed fewer in that time. Despite
athletic abilities that continue to all the incomings and sales at
improve, Santamaria’s passing has Angers over the years, he has
always been centred around remained the cornerstone of the
keeping the flow of possession club’s over-performance.
smooth and comfortable. He has
kept these principles while There was interest in the summer
developing into an astute long from a host of clubs. Aston Villa
passer of the ball, able to switch made a €10m bid and offered four
play with ease and when under times his current wage, but Angers
pressure. Santamaria has become rejected this wanting more. Napoli
the prime source of distribution in were also reportedly an interested
a double pivot alongside veteran party. It is common to see a
midfielder, Thomas Mangani. player’s performances and their
intensity drop after failing to get
Even as a defensive midfielder, their desired transfer but there has
there have been times where been no sign of this whatsoever.
Santamaria takes it upon himself to Still, this will almost certainly be his
77THE MODERN FOOTBALLER: ISSUE ONE
last season at the club, with injury problems and has gained
Santamaria stating in recent four full seasons of experience in
interviews that he would like to the French top flight, developing
play at a higher level. into one of the most underrated
midfielders across the continent.
Recent interest from Atalanta Replacing him will be a hard task
reflects the notion that the 24- for Moulin, Pickeu and the
year-old deserves to be playing recruitment team. But if anyone
with a club in either European can do it, Les Scoistes can.
competition. Angers will most likely
aim to receive around €16m for Thomas Wiseman
him, a very reasonable fee for a @WYSAF1
player who has never had any
"It is true that it was a
special period and I was
well highlighted in the
transfer market, but I was
not destabilised. Quite the
contrary. It motivated me
to keep giving my best."
- Baptiste Santamaria on his good form
resulting in links to the Premier League.
78THE MODERN FOOTBALLER: ISSUE ONE
Erling Dortmund
Haaland 19
NO matter the size of the just about every physical attribute
achievement, there will always be you could hope for, big things are
detractors. Score 12 league goals always going to be expected of him
in 25 games as a 17-year-old? Well from the outset. This is especially
it’s only the Norwegian league. true, given that Erling is the son of
Score nine goals in one game? It’s former Leeds United defender Alf-
only the Under 20 World Cup. Inge Haaland. The Dortmund star
Become the third youngest player was actually born in the city of
to score a Champions' League hat- Leeds in 2000 - but it was back in
trick? It's only against Genk. Now his father’s native country of
though, the penny finally seems to Norway that the younger Haaland
have dropped. As Erling Braut took his first tentative steps into
Haaland tore his way through his the professional ranks.
first four opponents in Germany,
scoring eight times in the process, He started out at the relatively
few were doubting the talent they small Bryne FK, a second division
were witnessing this time. side, where he would feature 16
times for the senior team without
It seems safe to suggest that registering a goal. It’s interesting to
Haaland really isn’t your average note that, despite being earmarked
19-year-old. Here stands a forward, for the top from an early age,
who is not only 6’4, but is also Haaland wasn’t especially prolific
strong as an ox and can beat a during the early years of his career.
defender for pace. Such is his size, A £100k move to Norwegian giants
that former team-mates dubbed Molde FK followed in 2017, where
Haaland the 'man-child'; not he would again make a modest
maliciously, but because he was start, scoring twice in 14 league
baby-faced with the accompanying appearances. It wasn’t long before
frame of a comic book villain. When Haaland would announce himself
a teenage striker is blessed with however, with the following season
88TOM FENTON: ERLING HAALAND
proving to be a defining one. Hwang and Moanes Dabour. He
Under the stewardship of manager was going to have to bide his time.
and childhood hero Ole Gunnar Then, in the summer of 2019,
Solskjær, Haaland took the league came the perfect opportunity for
by storm, scoring 12 times in 25 the 18-year-old to showcase his
Eliteserien games. A record like talent to the RB hierarchy, and
that, from a player yet to celebrate indeed to the wider world. The
his 18th birthday, hadn’t gone Under 20 World Cup gave him a
unnoticed – the notoriously chance to follow in the footsteps of
shrewd RB Salzburg were already Paul Pogba, Riccardo Orsolini and
waiting in the wings. Fikayo Tomori, who all used the
stage to their advantage in
The decision to join RB Salzburg previous editions.
was, on the face of it, a simple one.
Few clubs are capable of honing While his Norwegian side largely
young talent better than the failed to impress, Haaland most
Austrian outfit, who in recent years certainly lays claim to the
alone have developed the likes of competition's most memorable
Sadio Mané, Naby Keïta, Marcel moment. In the history books,
Sabitzer, Dayot Upamecano and Haaland is listed as the 2019 top
many more. They are the masters scorer, what that neglects to
of signing promising young players mention though is that all nine of
from foreign academies and his goals came in just one game,
developing them, before finally against Honduras - his ruthless
selling them on for a hefty fee a finishing ability and razor sharp
few years down the line. Haaland penalty box instincts going into
was the latest low risk gamble overdrive.
made by RB, who paid €8m for the
young forward – a relatively small He returned to RB following that
outlay, if the move panned out as historic summer for what would
expected. prove to be another ground-
breaking campaign. His league
Once again, Haaland got off to a form was imperious, with 16 goals
solid, but ultimately modest, start in 14 Austrian league appearances,
to life in Austria. He played just five a staggering record for even the
times in his first six months at the most seasoned forwards. But it
club, in large part, due to the form was Haaland’s Champions' League
of regular forwards, Hee-Chan form that would truly astound
89THE MODERN FOOTBALLER: ISSUE ONE
onlookers. Eight goals in four Haaland possesses just about
games, including a superb hat-trick every attribute needed to succeed
against Genk, caught the attention at the highest level. As we’ve
of the entire footballing world. He already seen in his opening BVB
became the third youngest player salvo, he’s powerful, quick, has an
in Champions League history (after eye for goal, and makes intelligent
Raúl González and Wayne Rooney) runs between the posts. In his
to score three in one game. By league debut at Augsburg, Haaland
now, the jury was in. Haaland was a provided a stunning late cameo,
star in the making. the young Norwegian international
scoring a rapid fire, counter
Before long, Europe’s biggest clubs attacking hat-trick.
were beating a path to agent Mino
Raiola’s door. It may be Haaland’s Contrastingly, a week later at home
ultimate dream to win the Premier against Union Berlin, the striker
League one day, but he resisted proved to be just as effective
advances from England in favour of against a low block defence. The
the club most likely to take his early signs are ominous – no
game to the next level – Borussia matter the scenario, he always
Dortmund. Signing for €20m at the scores. Weaknesses remain, as he
end of December, it is a deal that still plays with the degree of
has the potential to radically alter rawness one might expect from a
the futures of both player and club. 19-year-old but if he continues to
For Dortmund, he may finally be a improve at the current rate, the sky
number nine capable of emulating really is the limit for the Leeds born
the likes of Robert Lewandowski sensation. The future is bright for
and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Haaland – and, for now at least, the
Haaland meanwhile gets to play for future is yellow.
a club with a remarkable track
record of turning raw potential into Tom Fenton
world class ability - Jadon Sancho @Tomfenton11
being just the latest example.
"It's f****** boring. I'm bored now.
How bored on a scale of 1 to 10? 9.9."
- Erling Haaland on tiresome transfer rumours.
90WRITERS Adam White is a European football writer, covers French football for the Guardian, is Chief Features Writer at Get French Football News, Football Radar's Senior Ligue 1 Analyst and editor/designer of this publication. @_Adam_White_ Mohammed Ali is a freelance writer for several publications including Goal, GFFN and the Evening Standard among others. @mohammedali_93 Raphaël Jucobin is an aspiring journalist currently based in London, studying a degree in modern languages and writing about European football. @rafajuc Cameron O'Mara is a neutral Bundesliga fan, although admittedly charmed by the Black and Yellow Wall, hoping to bring the latest German football news to fans around Europe. @Cameron_OMara Kieran Quaile is Editor-in-Chief at Get Spanish Football News. A fan of Spanish football, he is based in Madrid and regularly attends La Liga matches. @kquaile90 Ryan Plant has followed La Liga since being inspired by Real Madrid's Galácticos. He has watched and reported on football around Europe for some of the UK's biggest outlets and clubs, and has a rapidly-growing football shirt collection which includes both Barcelona and Real Madrid Ronaldo strips. @ryanplant1998 Sam Brookes is a senior football analyst, whose focus is on Italy's top division, Serie A. He has covered the league since June 2017. @FRcalcioSam Tom Fenton is a freelance sports writer and regular contributor at Get German Football News. He also writes for the likes of ESPN FC, AVTP and The Video Analyst. @Tomfenton11 Eric Devin has been writing about French football for the better part of a decade. His work can be found regularly on the Guardian, Get French Football News, and WhoScored.com. @ericdevin_ Richard Hall is Chief Correspondent for Football Italia and creator of The Gentleman Ultra. @RichHall80
Drew Thompson is a native New Yorker who has been football-crazed since childhood. He supports Arsenal, holds German football close to his heart, and continues to dispel the notion that Americans have no place in the football community. A seasoned coach at U14 to U18 level, you can find him chatting on Twitter or read his work on GGFN and You Are My Arsenal. @FMLehrer Kaustubh Pandey is a freelance football writer. Published at GGFN, GFFN and GIFN. He has also had bylines at the Times, Manchester Evening News, Man Utd, Calciomercato and more. @Kaus_Pandey17 Rich Allen is a writer and podcaster for Get French Football News. Having begun covering the French top flight in 2013, Rich has made appearances for many outlets including Sirius XMFC, BBC Nottingham and the Liverpool Echo amongst others. @rich_allen85 Tom Canton is a writer and broadcaster, host of the successful analytical Arsenal-specific YouTube channel The Gooner Talk and contributor to many fields surrounding European football. @TheGoonerTalkTv Daniel Pinder is the editor-in-chief of Get German Football News. With a keen interest in fan culture, Daniel attends several Bundesliga and Champions' League games throughout the year and has had work published in Deutsche Welle and FourFourTwo among others. @DanielJPinder Tom Wiseman's footballing interest began with a passion for African footballers. Following the legend of Cheikh Ndoye to Angers he quickly fell in love with the club and gained a greater appreciation for the French game. Don't be surprised to find him attempting to push Angers into the spotlight as one of the very few English supporters. @WYSAF1 Axel Falk is a Swedish sports writer with a love for German football as well as a passion for the philosophical side of the game. @Falkfurt Pierre-Paul Bermingham is a student of Political Science at Columbia University and an orphaned fan of Évian-Thonon-Gaillard. He joined GFFN in 2018 and hosts the GFFN Show. @PPBermingham Tom Scholes is a social media producer for the UK radio station talkSPORT & is also a published author with his book 'Stateside Soccer'. @_TomScholes
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