By Ellis Lander

This weekend saw Loris Karius once again involved in a moment to forget as he failed to keep out a Dimitri Payet free-kick that he seemed to have covered. It came just 7 days after the German spilled a tame Steve Cook effort that led to Bournemouth completing a miraculous comeback, condemning Liverpool to their first league defeat since August. So with two blunders in as many games, Karius has come under a lot of criticism from fans and pundits alike. It hasn’t been the most convincing start to the Liverpool career of the young keeper, who was signed off the back of a Bundesliga season that saw him high praise from experts of the German league. So why the sudden dip in form? I personally look the one man, John Achterberg. When the former Tranmere keeper became first team in 2011, he described it as a dream, but the reality for all Liverpool goalkeepers since that year has been nothing short of a nightmare. Let’s take a look at how the men between the sticks at Anfield have fared since Achterberg was brought.

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Pepe Reina

Pepe Reina will go down as one of the best keepers in Liverpool history. The Spanish stopper was truly outstanding in a 5 year period that saw him win 3 golden gloves, a European Championship, a World Cup, and ultimately become a Liverpool legend. His success at Liverpool was partly down to his great relationship with his goalkeeper coach, fellow Spaniard Xavi Valero. When Valero left and was replaced with Achterberg, it was beginning of a major dip in form for Reina that eventually lead to his departure from Merseyside just 2 years later.

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Simon Mignolet

It was a convincing start to the career of Simon Mignolet, as he made a debut 90th minute penalty save which was followed by a string of clean sheets. But as time went on, questions started to be asked of the Belgian keeper as he gradually started making regular mistakes as Liverpool’s failed title bid was put down to their leaky defence. He lasted just two more years as first choice keeper at Anfield. In that time, he made a blunder in the League Cup final, was dropped temporarily for Brad Jones, and continued to look like a keeper lacking in confidence and ability. The biggest issue with Mignolet is that in his 3 years at Anfield, he has barely improved, gaining him the standard cliché title of ‘a good shot-stopper’. For a keeper to show little sign of improvement in 3 years, there has to be questions asked of the man who coaches him week in, week out.

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Loris Karius

After a highly successful spell at Mainz 05, Loris Karius was brought in with Jürgen Klopp believing he had found the long term solution to Liverpool’s keeper problem. Karius made a shaky start to his Anfield career, with a few unconvincing displays that had fans scratching their heads. But it wasn’t until the trip to Bournemouth that Karius made his first major mistake, which was then followed up with this weekend’s blunder that has seen the German come under scrutiny.

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Is this is all just a coincidence? I think not. Even Liverpool reserve goalkeepers have seen success since leaving Anfield. Brad Jones has just been awarded the Eredivisie Goalkeeper of the Year, whilst Péter Gulácsi is thriving in Bundesliga with RB Leipzig who are taking the league by storm. I get the opportunity to watch John Achterberg warm up the Liverpool keepers most weeks, and it is not an enjoyable experience. He struggles to kick accurately and he is not the most agile of men, which makes the pre match warm up look very awkward for Karius and Mignolet. With no European football to distract them, Liverpool have a genuine chance at their first league title since 1991. But with their keepers performing the way they are under the guidance of John Achterberg, they stand little chance. Surely it’s only a matter of time before Jürgen Klopp brings in a German goalkeeping coach he trusts to communicate with and guide Loris Karius to become the keeper he believe he can be.

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Merseyside Derbies

Down the years, meetings between Liverpool and Everton have produced late drama, red cards and incredible goals. Despite the clash being dubbed ‘The Friendly Derby’, there is certainly no love lost between the two clubs, with the fight for bragging rights in the city a big factor when the teams meet.

Ahead of Monday night’s 227th Merseyside derby, I wanted to take a look at the top 5 greatest clashes between Merseyside’s two great clubs.

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Liverpool 4-0 Everton – 28 January 2014

On a chilly night at Anfield, Liverpool ran out 4-0 winners to record their biggest win at home over their great rivals since 1972. It took 21 minutes for the reds to get off the mark as captain Steven Gerrard headed home from a Luis Suarez corner. This was then followed up with two fantastic Daniel Sturridge goals within three minutes of each other just after the half hour mark to send Liverpool into the break with a three goal lead. 5 minutes into the 2nd half, and the home side had a fourth thanks to a wonderful breakaway goal by Luis Suarez.

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Everton 3-0 Liverpool – 9 September 2006

On a disastrous evening for the reds, Everton recorded their biggest win over their rivals in 42 years. It was a day of defensive struggles for Liverpool as Tim Cahill took advantage of a struggling backline

to finish from close range just 12 minutes before Andy Johnson doubled Everton’s lead after a Jamie Carragher mistake. The away side’s misery was confirmed with just minutes to go as Pepe Reina fumbled a long range Lee Carsley effort to allow Andy Johnson to grab his second of the day.

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Liverpool 2-1 Everton – 14 April 2012

On a sunny Saturday afternoon at Wembley, it was the Liverpool that emerged victorious as Merseyside’s two great clubs met for the first time since the stadium reopened. It wasn’t always looking that way though, as Everton took an early through Nikica Jelavić who slid a tidy finish past Liverpool third choice keeper Brad Jones. It took Liverpool until the hour to get the equaliser, which came courtesy of Sylvain Distin’s weak backpass that saw Luis Suarez run through on goal and beat Tim Howard. The winner came with three minutes to go as Andy Carroll glanced home Craig Bellamy’s inswinging free-kick to send the red half of the stadium into delirium.

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Everton 4-4 Liverpool – 20 February 1991

In complete contrast to the 0-0 the two sides endured just 3 days earlier, this FA Cup fifth round replay saw fans enjoy an absolute goal fest. A last minute equaliser from substitute Tony Cottee took the game into extra-time before John Barnes curled in a screamer from 30-yards. With only five minutes remaining in added time, it was Cottee who beat Bruce Grobbelaar for the second time to force another replay and ultimately end Kenny Dalglish’s first reign at Anfield.

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Liverpool 3-2 Everton – 20 May 1989

It was an emotional time for Merseyside as almost the whole city descended on London just five weeks after the Hillsborough disaster. After much debate about whether the match would even go ahead, it was decided the fixture would enable a unique opportunity for the healing process of the great footballing city. It took just four minutes for Liverpool to take the lead through John Aldridge but it wouldn’t be until stoppage time that Stuart McCall would pop up to send the final into extra time. Ian Rush came off the bench to score two goals either side of a McCall screamer to send the cup to Anfield.

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By Max Kiddle

With  January fast approaching, who could go where once the festive fixtures are over and the transfer window opens?

Saido Berahino

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Saido Berahino is probably known as the ‘bad boy’ of the transfer window now. He’s tried and failed to move away from West Bromich Albion for the past three transfer windows and this will be his fourth; this may be the one where he finally does move on though. The England international is out of contract in six months and looks very unwilling to sign a new one after rejecting an improved deal in the summer and is not in the team due to being ‘overweight’. His most likely destination is Stoke City who tried to sign him in the summer. The Potters will be keen to secure his services as strikers Mame Biram Diouf and Wified Bony go to the African cup of nations in January, only leaving them with veterans Peter Crouch and Jon Walters up front. Surely The Baggies will want to get something for the 23 year old after rejecting offers in excess of 30 million in the past.

Daniel Sturridge

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The England international continues to be linked with a move away from Liverpool after falling out of favour with Jurgen Klopp due to the new style of play he has brought to Merseyside with Roberto Firmino playing as a false 9. West Ham would be the most likely decision if the striker was to leave as they’re well short in the striking department after a poor summer transfer window. Flops Gokan Tore and Simeone Zaza look to be returning to their parent clubs after not adapting to life in the Premier League.

Mamadou Sakho

Another player that could well leave Merseyside is Mamadou Sakho. Jurgen Klopp has repeatedly said that he is not part of his plans and is free to leave in January. Stoke City had a loan bid accepted in the summer however the player rejected the move in hope that he would earn his place back into the Liverpool side. Other potential suiters have come in the shape of West Bromich Albion as they have an aging back four in Gareth McAuley (37) and Jonas Olsson (33). Italian giants AC and Inter Milan have also both shown interest in the player however the Frenchman is thought to prefer a move back to his homeland in France.

Memphis Depay

Since the arrival of Jose Mourinho, Memphis Depay has been only a bit part figure for Manchester United after falling behind the pecking order. The Dutchman has only made seven appearances all season, four of which have come in the Premier League as a substitute. Depay is odds on to join Everton on loan after The Toffees declare their interest in the player. Juventus have also shown interest in the 22 year old however Depay is keen to stay in the Premier League according to his agent.

Cesc Fabregas

The Spaniard has fallen out of the starting line up at Chelsea under Antonia Conte. There have been suggestions of a rift between manager and player however many of the West London club fans believe he has lost his place due to the fact the team is in splendid form. The new system Chelsea are adapting to is a 3-4-3 which requires two holding midfielders in the shape of Nemanja Matic and N’Golo Kante Fabregas is more well known for his excellent passing ability and assist making rather than making the tackles and interceptions that the two in the side do so well. Nevertheless, when Fabregas has been called upon, he has impressed so there will be no shortage of suitors if the player would like to leave. West Ham are the bookies favourites to sign the 29 year old although AC Milan are also rumoured to be interested.

By Max Kiddle

Newcastle United

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The Rafael Benitez empire is truly underway with Newcastle sitting happily at the top of the Championship. After heavy summer recruitment, you would have expected Newcastle to be at summit of the Championship despite their slow start. Dwight Gayle is the top Championship scorer but it’s Newcastle’s depth in squad that makes them the front runners. Their four strikers of Gayle, Mitrovic, Perez and Murphy have the fire power to promote them as well as the quality in midfield provided by the likes of Jonjo Shelvey, Mohamed Diame and Matt Ritchie. A very decent defensive line consists of Jamaal Lascelles, Grant Hanley, Ciaran Clark and Paul Dummett.

Brighton and Hove Albion

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Having just missed out on promotion last year, you would have expected Brighton to be challenging again this season; they haven’t disappointed so far. The Seagulls are currently second in the table and have the best home record in the league. Their key men are certainly firing as well, Glenn Murray is the second top goal scorer in the league with 11 to his tally already. Him alongside talisman Anthony Knockaert, who’s deal they made permanent after a successful loan spell from Premier League champions Leicester, are the stand out men who can push Brighton over the line.

Aston Villa

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After their poor start under Roberto Di Matteo, ‘The Villa’ have been revived and reinvented under Steve Bruce. The former Hull City manager has won promotion three times to the Premier League so it’s fair to say he knows how to get out of the league. With a solid centre half pairing of summer recruits in the shape of James Chester and Tommy Elphick, as well as the quality in midfield they have through Mile Jedinak and Ashley Westwood, plus the firepower of Jonathan Kodjia, Aston Villa’s spine of their team could well give them the best chance of their hopes for promotion.

Derby County

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Derby County looked to have made a very good appointment in Nigel Pearson after the Englishman guided Leicester to promotion and survival in the Premier League however, it did not work out. The team were the lowest scorers in all four of the professional divisions in England which prompted the board to bring back Steve McClaren to the club. His brand of free flowing football has seen Derby rise to just two points off the play off places. It seems Derby’s flair players containing the likes of Tom Ince, Jonny Russell and Will Hughes could be the ones that see The Rams claim their place in the top six.

Norwich City

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Norwich are fast replacing West Brom as the ‘yoyo’ team between the Premier League and the Championship. It seems that they have enough quality to get out of the Championship but not avoid relegation. However after Alex Neil’s side achieved promotion in the 2014/15 season, they know how to get out of the league and with the firepower of the likes of Cameron Jerome and Jacob Murphy as well as the creativity of Alex Pritchard, they’re firm contenders to go up.

The surprise packages: Leeds United and Reading

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Gary Monk’s Leeds United won’t have been on many people’s promotion contenders after their slow start however they are the form side in the Championship after five wins in their last six, their only defeat coming from Newcastle. Chris Wood could be the man to keep owner Massimo Cellino’s promise of a guaranteed play off place or season ticket holders get their money back.

Reading are very much the surprise package of this season. The Royals currently sit third in the league and Jaap Stam has got them playing a possession based style of football that has seen them branded as ‘the Man City of the Championship’.

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By Joe Heslop

On Tuesday night a massive game takes place in the English Sky Bet Championship with strugglers Cardiff City and Wolverhampton Wanderers facing each other at the Cardiff City Stadium with just three points separating the sides.

Cardiff will be without their standout performer of this season Sol Bamba after he saw red against Ipswich in his last game. The defender has will be out for at least two games as well as being fined by the club for violent conduct after attacking manager Neil Warnock following his dismissal. He also knocked over the physio and fourth official in a rampage that has left him feeling ‘devastated’.

Both teams have replaced the managers who started the season in charge following poor results which leave both clubs lingering near the foot of the table, however, fans can be positive with the new managers displaying positive signs they can turn their fortunes around.

Form Guide

In Cardiff City’s last six games they have won one, drawn two and lost three. Among those results, however, was a hard fought loss against Newcastle, a loss to rejuvenated Aston Villa and a draw with high-flying Seagulls Brighton and hove Albion.

Wolverhampton Wanderers have a marginally better record going into the game than the bluebirds with one win, three draws and two losses. Their latest result was a 4-4 thriller against Fulham at home with Wolves pulling back two goals in the dying minutes of the game.

Previous meetings

Cardiff City came out on top in both meetings between the two clubs with the welsh side winning 2-0 at home thanks to goals by Kenwyne Jones and Sammy Ameobi. When the game was played at Wolves’ Molineux stadium the bluebirds nicked the three points thanks to a 3-1 win with Craig Noone bagging a brace on the day and Joe Ralls adding to their misery. Polish midfielder Michal Zyro scored for the home team but it wasn’t enough on the day.

Key Players

Cardiff have scored the majority of their goals this season from set pieces. Midfielder and veteran of the Welsh club, Peter Whittingham is best known for his wicked deliveries, as a result of this he has three assists and three goals to his name in 17 appearances this season with three coming from the bench.

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Wolves’ danger man is Portuguese winger Ivan Cavaleiro, a 23 year old winger who is believed to be destined for big things according to those around the club. The winger won man of the man in the draw with Fulham and has recently signed a new five year deal with the midlands club. Cavaleiro has scored two goals in his last 15 games for Wolves and also got two assists for the club. His pace could cause Cardiff’s defence some problems and will be Wolves most dangerous player on the day.

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Who are the favourites going into the game?

Cardiff head into the game as favourites with Sky Bet, however, it is close, Cardiff edge it at 13/10 to win while Wolves have odds of 21/10, a draw Is 9/4.

By Michael Rietdyk

There are some incredible young footballers emerging. The majority of major clubs in Europe aren’t holding back on releasing their talents into the senior game, far too many to name. Here’s my choices to who will make it to the big stage:

Gianluigi Donnarumma

At the age of 14, Gianluigi Donnarumma was signed for €250,000 by AC Milan, the team his elder brother Antonio had already played for. Standing tall at 6ft 4in, he is an incredible goalkeeping talent who has already secured his place as Milan’s number one.

The 17 year old has been long considered one of Italy’s most exciting prospects, Donnarumma is widely regarded as the successor to Gianluigi Buffon. Buffon praised the teenager’s physical and technical abilities, mental composure and decision making. He communicates with great authority to his defensive line and is particularly agile for his huge frame.

“A youth system produces one goalkeeper in a million like Donnarumma.” Former Milan defender Filippo Galli, head of the Rossoneri’s youth system.

Unbelievable potential.

Breel Embolo

In June 2016, Breel Embolo was described by FourFourTwo as “one of Europe’s hottest prospects”.

Not many 19 year old footballers have around 100 club career appearance, Embolo is certainly one of them. The left footed, Swiss international has 15 caps and two goals for his country. The youngster signed for German side Schalke for 20m euros plus add ons, after performing for Basel and the Swiss national team for a number of seasons.

UEFA.com writer, Steffen Potter, praised Embolo as a complete striker: “He is powerful, technically strong and decisive. He has explosive pace and is a composed finisher”. He likes to lurk between defenders using his physical prowess to get the ball under and play. Embolo can also play roles in midfield and on the wing, proving he’s very much an excellent all-round footballer.

Certainly one to watch.

Martin Ødegaard

Martin Ødegaad joined Real Madrid at the start of 2015, just after turning 16. He became a world renowned phenomenon just a year earlier with Strømsgodset in his native Norway. Unsurprisingly, before his multimillion euro deal, Ødegaard trained with first teams at Bayern Munich and the top four in England.

Nearly two years after he signed for a reported fee of 4-8.5m euros, he made his first professional ever start for Real Madrid playing a full 90 minutes in the Copa del Rey. The 17 year old attacking midfielder who can dribble, pass and shoot, already has eight caps for his country.

Lee Seung-woo

Dubbed as the new Lionel Messi, the South Korean forward was just 13 when he scored 39 goals in 29 games for Barcelona’s Infantil A team, breaking a record set by Messi himself.

Due to his La Masia upbringing, the 18 year old plays with freedom and flair just like the Barcelona legend. The attacker decided to stay at Barca during their transfer ban, when Real Madrid were prepared to snap up the youngster for big money.

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Youri Tielemans

At just 19, Youri Tielemans is already a household name in European football having made over 150 career appearances for Anderlecht, many of which have been made in the Champions League. He’s the third youngest player to play in the competition at the age of 16 years and 148 days, when he featured against Olympiakos.

Tielemans is two-footed, which is important for an all-round midfielder like himself. His passing range is second to none and he is blessed with pace meaning he can just about cover every role in his department.

He has been at his boyhood club since the age of 12 and this along with his fantastic leadership skills means he’s next in line for the captaincy at Anderlecht, unless of course he gets snapped up by a European super club.

Huge talent.

By Stefan Dagher

The Chapecoense Football Club was one of the greatest storylines in Brazilian sport this year. Just seven years ago the small Santa Catarina, based team played in Brazil’s lowest division. In 2016, it became a solid member of the national Serie A Brazilian League and on track to becoming the country’s most successful team at international level.

However, last week the world heard the tragic news that a plane carrying the Chapecoense team crashed, killing 71 people and now the very existence of Chapecoense is in jeopardy.

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The accident has brought back heartbreaking memories of previous air crashes such as the Manchester United crash in Munich in the late 1950s, a tragedy which rocked English football. Eight Manchester United players were among 23 people killed, when their British European Airways flight 609 crashed on its third attempt to take off from a slush-covered runway at Munich-Riem Airport, West Germany.

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The flight was taking the Manchester United team back home from a European Cup match in Belgrade, Serbia. A host of United greats, including Duncan Edwards, Tommy Taylor and Roger Byrne, died following the disaster. The 21 survivors included Sir Bobby Charlton, who was 20 at the time and went on to become one of England’s finest players, winning the 1966 World Cup.

After their tragic crash it was rebuilding time for the Manchester club. The FA exempted the team from relegation for a year in order for them to recruit and rebuild. The signings after the crash of Albert Quixall, Maurice Setters, Denis Law, Pat Crerand, and Noel Cantwell helped the club to get back on its feet. Although they were short-term investments, the arrival of fresh blood failed to give the club an immediate leg-up in the league. Munich survivors Harry Gregg, Bill Foulkes and Bobby Charlton were nevertheless all with the club for many years afterwards.

However, the crash did not destroy the club’s ambitions as only ten years later, after several years of rebuilding the team and making it strong again, Manchester United managed to lift their first ever European Cup in 1968 against Benfica, one of the greatest stories in sport at the time.

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“But could the same thing happen for Chapecoense?” Brazil’s top football clubs have promised a full year of free player loans to rebuild the Chapecoense team. They have also called for a three-year grace period without relegation. This means that if Chapecoense finishes in the last four of the 20 teams in the national league, the Brazilian FA would instead relegate the fifth-to-last team to Serie B.

Also in solidarity, the Colombian Copa Sudamericana finalists Atlético Nacional requested that CONMEBOL give the Copa Sudamerica title to Chapecoense. The title comes with a $2 million award and a spot at Copa Libertadores (the equivalent of the Champions League in Europe) South America’s most prestigious and profitable competition.

Like the Manchester United team of the 1950s, Chapecoense were growing as a team and had become one of the teams to beat in the competition. Next season the Brazilian club will be playing in the Copa Libertadores. It would be unlikely for them to win it, the season following the crash but having recruited wisely over the past few years it would be unreasonable to rules them out for the following years.

Even if it doesn’t happen right away, could Chapeconense, like United, win a major title only a few years after the tragedy? What a remarkable story it would be it they did.

By Ellis Lander

In a world of money, mansions and flash cars, footballers often have a very negative stereotype placed on them, mainly influenced by the media. This weekend, we saw Alexis Sanchez take selfies with the excited West Ham ball boys, and even give his shirt to one of the lucky lads after his hat-trick at the London Stadium, which showed that despite the way many are portrayed in the media, there are certainly some nice guys in football. Here are some of the more kind hearted footballers around.

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Jack Wilshere

Jack Wilshere has received his fair share of negative press down the years. He’s been kicked out of nightclubs, caught spitting, and caught smoking during his injury plagued career. But the side of Jack Wilshere that the media don’t always show is a positive one. In 2011 he struck up a friendship with six year old football fan Jack Marshall, who was suffering with a brain tumour. He frequently visited the youngster in hospital and even invited Jack and his family to his house for barbecues. Later that year, Wilshere became a St John Ambulance ambassador, taking part in a series of short films which encourages viewers to learn basic first aid skills that could save lives.

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Juan Mata

Juan Mata is certainly one of the more well-known nice guys in football, and has shown great maturity on and off the pitch during his time in England, a trait that has gained him huge popularity amongst Manchester United fans and players. He is one of the rare few that openly speak about his views on the money footballers earn, he recently said, “it’s like we live in a bubble. Compared to the rest of society, we earn a ridiculous amount. It’s unfathomable… compared to 99.9% of Spain and the rest of the world, I earn a silly amount.” Back in October, as the United players trudged out of Old Trafford to board their team bus after a disappointing 1-1 draw with Stoke City, Mata made the bus wait as the Spaniard spotted young United fan Jon Nield, who has cerebral palsy. Mata spoke to the lad and posed for a photo with him before getting on the bus, but that wasn’t the end as the Midfielder then contacted the club the next day to arrange free tickets to a match for Jon and his family.

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Mario Balotelli

Despite the never ending list of controversial incidents Mario Balotelli has been involved in, he certainly has a nice side behind his ‘bad boy’ persona. He is a huge dog lover and during his time in Manchester, adopted two strays and donated a five figure sum to a Manchester dogs home that saw 60 dogs killed in a fire at the home. He was also said to have been walking past a school in Manchester when he stepped in to defend a young lad who was being bullied, and he also once walked into a pub and paid for everyone’s drinks.

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Jonas Olsson

During his eight years at West Brom, Jonas Olsson has established himself as one of the most popular characters amongst players and fans alike. In 2012, after his daughter Iris survived being born seven weeks early, Olsson auctioned off a variety of his match shirts and boots, which raised over £15,000 which he donated to the Winnicott Foundation, which helps raise awareness for premature births.

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John Terry

John Terry has certainly been involved in a variety of high profile incidents during his time at Chelsea, but it’s his charitable side that rarely gets a mention. He has done lots of work for charities such as Great Ormond Street Hospital, Make-A-Wish Foundation and Small Steps Project, and earlier this year, paid for the costs of young Chelsea fan Tommi Miller’s funeral, after he lost his battle with leukaemia.

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By Tom Mison

Former world number one Tiger Woods made his long awaited comeback to golf last weekend at the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas.

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Although Woods finished third from last in the event, his return was about more than the final placings, as we started to see a shadow of the man who had once spent 683 consecutive weeks as the best ranked golfer in the world.

On the brink of retirement a year ago due to injury, Woods proved to himself, and the world, that he can still compete at the highest level. Coming through four rounds of golf at a competitive level without having to withdraw due to injury was a bonus in itself for Woods, who, over the past year, had multiple back surgeries.

Of course, finishing with six double-bogeys and eight bogeys overall are things that Woods needs to work on as he continues his revival. However, he scored 24 birdies over the course, two more than anyone else. There was also a change in the way Woods was swinging the club. It was more subtle and smooth, as a pose to the fierce lash he used to use in an attempt to get maximum distance out of his ball.

At the end of day two, Woods was just two shots off the lead. However after spending 16 months out of the competitive game, his fitness and focus naturally tired. If Woods can use the momentum gained from his performance in the Hero World Challenge and take it forward, there is no reason why he can’t make a real stamp on the PGA Tour in the coming months. It certainly seems that this beast is back on the prowl.

By Tom Mison

Football has never been too far away from a scandal. Many have shaken the footballing community in the past, be it fixing matches or corruption within the governing body FIFA. However, the latest problem may change the face of football forever.

Claims of child sex abuse in English football first became known in November 2016. Former professional player Andy Woodward came forward and spoke out about serial offender Barry Bennell. Bennell, already serving time in jail for sexual offences, is said to have abused players during his time as a coach at Crewe Alexandra. Since Woodward spoke out, up to six other former players also accused Bennell of abusing them.

Away from Bennell, other coaches have also been accused, in something which has been described as a problem on a scale ‘as big as Jimmy Savile’. Savile was a former TV personality who, after his death, was revealed to be one of the most notorious sexual predators in history. Now, with everything coming to light, football faces a serious problem.

The FA have launched a full investigation into the claims, with numerous police forces across the country also involved. As of the beginning of December, over 350 cases have been reported to police via a phone hotline, with more expected to come to light. The FA now have to find out how to deal with and move forward from one of the most controversial and damaging criminal cases in its history.

By Tom Ryan

Mikel Arteta

In 2010, Mikel Arteta was being touted as a possibility for the England squad for the World Cup even though he was born in San Sebastian, Spain. Having played in England since 2005, Arteta was eligible to be granted UK citizenship after residing here for five years. This led many to believe Arteta would be eligible to play for England having never featured for Spain’s senior team.

This wasn’t to be. With the FA very much excited over the prospect of Arteta being able to represent England, they decided to investigate whether or not it would be possible. However, the FA found article 18.1.a within the FIFA statutes. Article 18.1.a states that any player wanting to change the country they wish to play for, would need to have held a passport for the nation they wanted to switch to at the same time as representing their country in an official competition.

For Arteta, this has denied him the chance of playing for England because he represented Spain in the Under-16 European Championships and the Under-17 FIFA World Championships. Due to Arteta not being able to hold a UK passport at the times of the tournaments, this would lead FIFA to reject his application for a nation swap automatically.

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Phil Jagielka

Phil Jagielka was a latecomer to the international scene having spent many years of his career in the Championship with Sheffield United. In 2012 Jagielka was called into the England team for Euro 2012 in Poland taking him back to his roots. Jagielka’s grandparents are from Poland but fled the country to England in 1948 which gives him his Polish roots. Speaking before Euro 2012 Jagielka said: “I could have played for Poland but I don’t see myself as Polish. I was born in England. I speak with an English accent. Thankfully I got to play for England. Maybe if I’d been nowhere near the team I might have chosen Poland.”

Things could have turned out very different for Jagielka had he not been called up to the Three Lions team, with that statement implying that he would’ve given Poland a thought if he didn’t think an England call up would have happened.

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Dele Alli

Dele Alli is one of many footballers who have a dual-nationality of an African and European nation. With this type of dual-nationality becoming more and more common in modern day football, it has turned into a fiercely contested battle for the young players. Alli is able to represent both England and Nigeria through being born in Milton Keynes and having Nigerian parents respectively.

In a time where Nigeria is trying to tie down many youngsters to the countries national team, such as Alex Iwobi, Alli seems to be a player that has slipped through their fingers. Alli got called up for England on the 9th October having played less than 400 minutes in the Premier League following a move to Tottenham Hotspur. With this being a competitive game it meant that England had tied Alli down for the future of English football.

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Ross Barkley

Ross Barkley is another bright, young England international that could have taken a different path. Just like Alli, Barkley has Nigerian roots through his grandfather, which means he would have been eligible to play for Nigeria had he not already made his England debut. Barkley made his debut in 2013 which then ruled out the possibility of him representing Nigeria in the future and has since gone on to gain 22 caps for the England national team.

This would have been a real coup for Nigeria as Barkley is rated highly by the England management team and many football fans. If Barkley had made the switch he would have joined the likes of Victor Moses and Victor Anichebe in going from England to Nigeria for international football. With there being many young players with dual nationalities, battles like this for Barkley and Alli will become more prominent in modern football due to international teams wanting to gain the best youngsters possible for the future.

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Paulo Dybala

Paulo Dybala is one of the biggest talents in world football today, currently plying his trade in Serie A with Juventus. Due to his family’s heritage, Dybala was eligible for three nations, Argentina, Italy and Poland. In 2014, then Italy manager Antonio Conte said that he was hoping he would be able to persuade the youngster to opt for Italy at international level. Dybala shortly came out with a statement claiming that his dream was to play for Argentina but if Conte ever called he would have a think about it.

In 2015, Dybala revealed plans to obtain a Polish passport but stated his intentions to play internationally for Argentina. The reasons behind the gaining a Polish passport is to play in the Polish league and with the ultimate of embracing his Polish roots. Dybala went on to make his debut for Argentina on October 13th, coming off the bench in a World Cup Qualifying match and has since added five more caps to his name.

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