Cultured Football #34
The remarkable story of the player who went from Man Utd to Dog Poo Utd
Am I alone in feeling that the most riveting action we got during the international break that just ended where the Brazilian officials storming the pitch to apprehend the four Argentine players they claim had broken quarantine rules?
Newcastle goalkeeper Karl Darlow urges players to get vaccinated for Covid-19
You may have noticed that last week’s issue of Cultured Football came to you a day later than usual. The reason for that was that my father was taken to hospital after contracting COVID. He’s still there battling it out but, frankly, it isn’t looking good. So I just had to share this interview with Newcastle goalkeeper Karl Darlow who took weeks to get better having contracted COVID. A truly eye-opening interview.
Reading Time: 4 minutes
Juventus and project CR7
It is hard to find fault with a player who scored 81 times over three seasons but fact that many at Juventus were glad to see the back of Cristiano Ronaldo does raise the question as to whether their investment in him was justified. Having been signed to help them win the Champions League, he left having failed in that and with the club having lost €300 million during his time in Turin.
Reading Time: 5 minutes
We need to talk about Qatar
“To all the players, coaches and football federations.
To all the fans and journalists out there.
Actually, to anyone who simply cares about human rights.
Please keep talking about the Qatar World Cup.
Keep the discussion going. Continue to voice your support for the migrant workers. Write, blog or tweet about them. Publish statements. Speak up. Put more pressure on Qatar and FIFA.
Why? Because it works. And the workers — trust me — they appreciate it.”
Reading Time: 12 minutes
The Many Flaws With FIFA’s Biennial World Cup Plan
Speaking of World Cups, this week FIFA came out with a plan for a biennial competition that is, as far as I can see, fuelled by a desire for more power and money. The proposal would be fine were it not for the knowledge that the continental associations would still push to hold their own competitions (and probably do so every two years as well) meaning even more games for players who are already playing too much. The sad part, personally, is that someone like Arsene Wenger is driving this proposal.
Reading Time: 4 minutes
The remarkable story of the player who went from Man Utd to ‘Dog Poo Utd’
You’ve probably never heard of Julian Dowe and with good reason. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t read this interview about a crazy career that took him all over the world and included being asked by a manager to go dump his girlfriend in his place.
Reading Time: 10 minutes
Last Week’s Most Read
As the transfer window came to a close, Liverpool fans were among the most disgruntled. Whilst there had been murmurings of moves for midfielders or strikers all summer long, ultimately none materialised leaving plenty to feel that the team does not have the depth needed to battle it out at the top of English football. Yet, during the summer the club also managed to extend contracts of a number of key players and that, along with the harmony within the team could be more important than new signings.
Reading Time: 15 Minutes