Opinion: Pochettino got no excuses [and he got to win trophies now]

There is no more jokes anymore or open questions about the possible talent in the Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) squad. This club got to conquer the Ligue 1 and possibly win the Champions League. The recent additions to an already great squad should be all the reasons for a cake-walk of a season. Not talking about the salaries and the spending on these players, which is vastly different from the rest of the French League.

This year, Mauricio Pochettino got to achieve greatness now. He better become a victor and not prolong the agony with another second place in the league. The manager better have a victory run unknown to men. This because the move of Lionel Messi should say it all. That the PSG is getting Messi should ensure the season and trophies.

However, the PSG have already gotten a world class recruits ahead of the season. They have gotten AC Milan’s goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma (free transfer), Real Madrid’s centre-back Sergio Ramos (free transfer) , Inter Milan’s Right-Back Achraf Hakimi and Liverpool’s Central Midfield Georginio Wijnaldum (free transfer). All of these players are winners and been vital players in their teams. They have all been victors and been successful. While Lionel Messi also on free transfer from Barcelona.

Not like the PSG got lack of talent before all of these players arrived to the French Capital. No, the team had already Goalkeeper Keylor Navas, Central Midfield Marco Verratti, Left Wing Neymar, Right Winger Ángel Di María, Centre Forward Kylian Mbappé and Mauro Icardi. This is just to mention a few and then leaving out Draxler and Gueye who is world-class as well.

Therefore, this team is packed and has a players who can change matches. The PSG should with all these player be superior in France and be able to challenge anyone in the Champions League. If they cannot do this with this squad. They never will succeed. Because, they have the stars, the experience and the possible goal-scorers to make a winning team.

The only question now with possibly Messi arriving in Paris. Will Pochettino be able to handle all this and the pressure put on him. He can skate away and linger on the lack of talent. It is not like he can complain that he doesn’t have a player or big enough squad to succeed. Because, this is the Football Manager or Champions Manager dream-team. It is the sort of trade-off and recruitment your dream of achieving in fantasy football. This is usually only happening in the virtual world. As the free transfers of PSG is so world-class. That you can wonder what happened to their teams and why they let these players go…

PSG has had the best transfer window any club can have. In a market and when other clubs are struggling financially. When European football is bleeding and lacking funds for salaries and transfers itself. At that time they are able to pick up stars for nothing and only paying additional sign-on fees and such. Which is something they would have if they had bought them as well. Therefore, the PSG has won this and now they got to win on the pitch too.

The Manager got to carry PSG and ensure the results are coming. He has a team to dream of and with such massive skills. That Pochettino has no excuses or say, if the results doesn’t goes his way. The Argentinian manager better show his tactical mind and use these player at full capacity. He has a defence, a magical midfield and strikers to end any opponent. Pochettino just got to execute and secure the win before the final whistle. Peace.

Opinion: Messi leaving FCB …. a legend is leaving the club!

Lionel Messi, the Argentinian footballer who has achieved everything possible in his career. A man who has been the centre of Futbol Club Barcelona (FCB) or Barça. He has been at the clubs since a youngster as the talent was picked up or bought from Newell’s in 2002. The rest is history.

Messi have been a key player, the MVP and the living legend at Camp Nou. Nobody is bigger or more well known right now. Except for Cristiano Ronaldo. The rest is not in the same league as him. It is hard to hate Messi, since he scores goal, win titles and excites every single time.

He has had a huge salary and other perks. The man has had advertisements centred around him just like managers has been picked by him or his team. The Barça formation and team has over the years been built around him too.

There is no wonder why, because in all competitions he has played 778 matches and scored 672 goals and 305 assists. He has several of La Liga titles, Champions League and other cup titles. Messi is an outstanding player and his stats says it all.

Lionel is now 34 years old, but still has more to give. It will be weird seeing him in another jersey than the ones for Barça. He is the embodiment of the club and has had his whole career here. Him playing for PSG or Juventus will not be same. Neither would it be to see him in Chelsea or anywhere else.

He just belongs to Barça. Anyone who has followed football and knows the sport knows this. Where does Messi play? Barça. We don’t need to ask and we just know this. We who follows knows that the economy and the financial situation of the club isn’t cracking. Even if it is one of the biggest earners and has a huge fan-base across the globe. Still, the financial constraints, the huge wage bill and cap-on this from La Liga is the reason for contractual trouble ahead. As Messi anticipates and has a “money-ball” vision, which isn’t fitting the current financial times. Since also other players on the rooster is making it hard to fit in with the wage cap the club has ahead of the season. Therefore, the contract has been the talk of town for a long time.

Now, today it is suddenly out of thin air that’s his leaving. We don’t know where… but where would he go? To a club who European Conference League? Well, I doubt that… even playing European League and not Champions League is out of bound. Secondly, the club has to pay him huge sums of wages, perks and additional fees. Because, his used to the finer things and getting paid as the superstar and extraordinary player he is.

It is just hard to imagine him wearing any other jersey than the ones his been wearing all his career. You know that FCB is broke when they are giving up having Messi. He is the club and been the front-runner all these years. Yes, the club has had other big stars and players which has been world class. It is a reason why they have been contender for the titles and Champions League. That is what is expected of this team.

Seeing a season without Messi in Barcelona is just weird. It is the end of an era. The Tiki-Taka is totally gone and the times of FIFA PlayStation Football is maybe over too. Because, who will carry his weight and his profile in the club? They have names and well known stars in club still. However, none of them can compare to Messi.

That’s why this is a shocker and it doesn’t really matter where he goes. He will forever be connected and be a legend in Barça. Peace.

Kenya: First Community Bank – “Business Re-Alignment” (04.11.2016)

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