Two English Premier League bosses have got a positive review from at least one of their players apiece.
Nigeria midfielder John Obi Mikel has given a thumbs-up to the training methods of his Chelsea manager, the newly-appointed Andre Villas-Boas. On the other hand, Rio Ferdinand has said that Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has got the things right by getting in some youth to the Manchester United team for the next season.
Chelsea, the runner-ups to Manchester United in the previous season, sacked Carlos Ancelotti and appointed Villas-Boas as their new manager and at 33, he is the youngest that the club ever appointed.
According to Mikel, Villas-Boas’ attempts to sharpen the play had gone on well with the double sessions being hard work but fun. He added that things were looking great and the manager had a huge role to play in that.
Currently, Chelsea are looking to sign up Croatia midfielder Luka Modric, although, their bid of ÂŁ27m has been rejected by Tottenham Hotspur. Modric, who plays in the same position as Mikel could prove to be a competition if he joins in, but where he could get an opportunity is with the knee injury to Ghana midfielder Michael Essien.
Essien could be out of professional soccer for six months and that will allow Mikel to make it to the team as a regular.
Mikel said: “Unfortunately Michael Essien has been injured, and we all feel sorry for him and wish him well and hopefully he can come back very soon.”
On the other hand, Ferdinand expressed happiness in the signing up of Blackburn defender Phil Jones, England forward Ashley Young and Spain youth keeper David de Gea. They will replace the likes of Edwin van der Sar, who retired from the game and the exit of John O’Shea and Wes Brown. O’Shea and Brown made their move to Sunderland.
With Paul Scholes having retired from the game as well, there is a chance that one of Wesley Sneijder, Samir Nasri or Luka Modric could make it to the Manchester United side. Ferdinand has said that there was no doubt that getting in the youngsters was the right thing to do.
Ferdinand said, “It is just what the club needs. Three of our most experienced players have retired, so the manager has reinforced certain positions on the field. This club is always evolving. That is what has happened since I have been here. I was part of it.”
“That is what you aim to do. It is not about your personal feelings. It is about the club becoming better and more stable and continuing the success we have had over the years.”