Brazil Legend Carlos Alberto

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One of my favourite interviews ever. Brazil legend and World Cup winning captain Carlos Alberto is so candid with his opinions on the beautiful game. From Messi and Ronaldo, to Neymar and the current Brazil squad, he didn’t hold back with his thoughts. It was a dream to get to speak to him. Another legend gone.

http://talksport.com/radio/extra-time/130425/carlos-alberto-brazils-world-cup-chances-their-premier-league-stars-and-196344

NBC Sports Premier League Host Rebecca Lowe

NBC Sports Premier League Host Rebecca Lowe joins the junkie crew for a good old natter about Jose Mourinho and the new unauthorized book on The Special One written by Rob Beasley. Did Beasley break the journalist code? Will Mourinho trust a journalist ever again?

Plus we are giving away two signed copies of Liverpool legend Stevie Nicol’s new book “5 League Titles and a Packet of Crisps. Look at us talking books and stuff! Who said reading books was dead?!

Velvet Voice Arseblog Talks Gunners

Part II of our special on Arsene Wenger and Arsenal. The USA Today’s EPL Junkies are joined by Andrew Mangan, founder of Arseblog and one of the most influential voices when it comes to all things Gunners. We talk mental strength, transfers, old players, current players, George Graham, the managers that could’ve been, lobster dinners, cheese sandwiches and much more!

Is this Arsenal’s year? Can they really win the Premier League? Will anything change? Join the conversation. Have your voice heard!

Liverpool Legend Steve Nicol Talks Klopp, Dalglish & More

We have Liverpool legend Stevie Nicol talking all things scouse house. Over 56,000 listens as we cover the entire pitch talking a little Klopp, Dalglish and more! Who in today’s Liverpool side makes the team Stevie played in?

Oh and be sure to look out for @SteveNicol61 book “5 Titles & a Bag of Crisps” on sale September 8th! Put the kettle on. Put your feet up. Join the conversation! Get stuck in.

Man Utd Break Bank for Pogba

Paul Pogba becomes the first 100 million pound Premier League player and the most expensive footballer in the world! Really? More than Messi, Ronaldo, Suarez and Neymar? Do you think Paul Pogba deserves the tag?

Will his return to Manchester United be different this time around? Can he become the next hero at Old Trafford? Will he ignite the Red Devils the same way he did Juventus? So many questions. Why not put your feet up and join the conversation.

Happy New Year…

PY460161_393high Happy New Year fellow football fans. It’s around this time of year we reflect on how our team has played thus far in the first act of the season and pray to the football Gods they put in a performance of a lifetime as we approach the final act!

It’s so close at the top and undoubtedly one of the most thrilling Premier League season’s in years. Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool are all the ones to chase, with Everton and a few others still sniffing around. Manchester United are in an unlikely position. Not sure anyone has seem them adrift at the top since the late 80’s!

Buckle-up folks. It’s going to be a bumpy ride. If the title race goes to the wire, I’m not sure I can watch with both eyes open.

Enjoy and may your year be filled with health, happiness and sexy football!

Soccerdiva Soundbite…Arsenal’s First Game…

Arsenal-v-Aston-Villa-Premier-League-2179159 A sad start to the new football season for Arsenal Football Club.

How the mighty have fallen. How the once great club has regressed. Eight years going on nine without a trophy. Losing to Aston Villa at home on the opening day of the season. That hasn’t happened in 20 years.

No transfers. No fresh blood. Just the same old story for Arsenal fans to eat. Well the Gooner nation is full from the club’s nonsense. They won’t be fed the PR lines for one more game. They don’t want to hear the lies any longer. They don’t want to be shined.

Football. Soccer. Call it what you want. It’s just like being down the pub with your mates.

Your Crystal Football & Inner Footydamus…

nostradamus5-206x300 The return of the greatest game in the world is upon us. The hope. The dreams. The anticipation. The love. The hate. The rivalry. The passion. The despair. The elation. The sweet smell of victory. The bitter taste of defeat. Football is back. How did we make it through the summer?

With every new season come changes. New managers. New players. New tactics. New style. New kits. New boots. New everything. But the one thing that remains the same is what every team is fighting for. To be crowned champions. To win trophies. To be the best of the best.

Who will win it all? Who will disappoint? Who will rise as a new star? Who will fade into the football wilderness?

Join in the fun and share your predictions. From Premier League champions, to relegation, the golden boot, Champions League places and more, British Soccer Diva leaves no stone unturned. You too can look into your crystal football, channel your inner footydamus and give us your predictions for the season ahead.

The transfer market is still open. Who knows where Suarez will end up? Who knows if Rooney will be wearing blue next season? And who knows if Gareth Bale will be living in Madrid? These predictions are based on how each team is made up right now.

This is how we see the Premier League Table at the end of the season…
Chelsea
Manchester United
Manchester City
Tottenham Hotspur
——————-
Arsenal
Liverpool
Everton
Swansea City
West Ham
Sunderland
Southampton
West Brom
Aston Villa
Norwich City
Newcastle United
Fulham
Cardiff City
——————-
Stoke City
Hull City
Crystal Palace

Premier League Accolades…
Golden Boot = Sergio Aguero
Golden Glove = David de Gea
Player of the Year = Juan Mata
Young Player of the Year = Romelu Lukaku
Manager of the Year = Jose Mourinho

Miscellaneous…
Steal of the Summer = Etienne Capoue
Comeback Player of the Year = Andy Carroll
Most Hat-Tricks = Luis Suarez
Manager to be Sacked First = Alan Pardew
Most Yellow Cards = Stoke City
Most Red Cards = Sunderland

Other Trophies…
F.A. Cup Winners = Chelsea
Carling Cup Winners = West Ham United

Legend Roy Keane…

roykeaneLeader. Warrior. Fighter. Provocative. Brash. Critical. Fearless. Winner. Champion. These are just a few words that would describe the many layers of Premier League legend Roy Keane.

Keane won everything with Manchester United. The fiery midfielder joined the Red Devils from Nottingham Forest as a budding footballer with huge potential. It was at Forest where Keane learned the art and craft of football. Under the masterful eye of legendary manager Brian Clough, Keane evolved into an intelligent, talented and passionate player.  It was only a matter of time before a big club swooped in for his services and Sir Alex Ferguson was happy to take the young Irish lad to Old Trafford.

Following the departure of fellow legend Eric Cantona, Keane was handed the captain’s armband after impressing Sir Alex Ferguson with his exceptional leadership skills. At the time the baton was passed, even Keane would never have believed how many trophies he’d lift with Manchester United. He relished the responsibility of being captain and was an inspiration on the field. He would fight for every ball. He would never give up and many times, Keane would carry the burden of victory on his own shoulders. He was always accountable, win or lose. He is one of the best captain’s the Premier League has ever seen.

There are so many highlights in Keane’s Premier League career, but there are also some low lights. The lowest being his tackle on Norwegian player Alfe-Inga Haland. It was cruel and intentional and he admitted in his autobiography that the tackle was an act of revenge following a past incident involving the two that had led to a major injury for Keane. That tackle on Haland pretty much ended the Norwegian’s career, but Keane never apologized and had no remorse for his actions. This is the darker side of a great footballer. It’s definitely a blemish on his career, but in the Irishman’s eyes, it was justice.

Keane’s passion was often misunderstood and criticized as prima donna behaviour. Whether it was the prawn sandwiches comment aimed at Manchester United fans for lack of support at Old Trafford, the 2002 World Cup tantrum aimed at Republic of Ireland manager Mick McCarthy, or the dig at Rio Ferdinand and fellow teammates on MUTV following a 4-1 whipping to Middlesbrough, Keane said what he felt and had no filter when delivering his message. Was he wrong to challenge his teammates desire to win? Was he wrong to point the finger at the fans for not throwing their support behind the team? Was he wrong to question his country’s preparations for the world’s most important football competition? Perhaps he went about things in the wrong way, but his overall message was generally honest and his ultimate point was about winning and being a winner. He was fearless and challenged players and anyone else involved at club or international level.

His brash approach however wore thin at the club where he was beyond revered. The comments against his teammates following that loss to Middlesbrough was the last straw for the one person he couldn’t cross at the Theater of Dreams, Sir Alex Ferguson. Once his mentor and once his biggest believer, Keane’s rant after the Middlesbrough game and his admission on MUTV that he would play for another club were too much for football’s greatest manager. His relationship with Sir Alex Ferguson had deteriorated to a point where it was completely irreparable. The love affair was over. His departure was abrupt. He was shown the door. The Roy Keane chapter in the Manchester United history books was closed.

Keane did go on to play ten games for Celtic and won the Scottish Premier League and the Scottish League Cup. Even he would admit that these don’t count for much and after retiring, he will always be recognized as a Manchester United player. Nothing more, nothing less.

The bottom line is Keane made 323 appearances for Manchester United scoring 33 goals. He was part of the incredible treble winning side in the 1998-99 season. He won seven Premier League titles. He won four F.A. Cups. He won the Community Shield four times and the Intercontinental Cup once. He was voted Footballer of the Year and Players Player of the Year in 2000. In 2004 he was inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame. He became a football icon. He also won a Champions League trophy but because he didn’t play in the final due to suspension, he never truly felt he’d won Europe’s biggest prize. He actually called his medal worthless. Can you imagine John Terry saying that? You certainly didn’t see Manchester United’s captain lifting the trophy at the end of that incredible match versus Bayern Munich. Some might say that’s bitterness, but it could also be the mark of a true winner.

Since hanging up his magical midfield boots, Keane has gone into management and experienced promotion success with Sunderland, taking them to the Premier League. However, the love affair between Sunderland and Keane ended after numerous bust-ups with players and disagreements with potential new owners and the board. Eventually, he walked out. After a little time away from the game, he joined Ipswich Town in the Championship but was sacked after only twenty games in charge. It will be some time before we can discuss his managerial legacy. It all depends on whether or not he will accept another challenge. Many have questioned his methods and approach. Perhaps he learned a thing or two watching Brian Clough.

Despite his flaws, Keane was a talented and fascinating football talent. He is now fascinating fans and the media as an exceptionally entertaining football pundit with ITV. No player or manager is immune to his honest feedback and analysis. One man he did finally make nice with in his new role on TV is former manager Sir Alex Ferguson. Upon retiring, Roy Keane praised Sir Alex for his incredible achievements and contributions to the game. Their relationship since his playing days is certainly not the same, but at least he took the high road and showed respect to the man who gave him his big break.

Roy Keane’s career has been captivating. Whether you are in the media, a Manchester United fan or a neutral, he has definitely provided good fodder for column inches and talk in the local pub. Whatever you think of the man, the player was one of the best we have seen. There is no doubt Roy Keane is a Premier League legend.

The End of an Era…

article-2326429-19DC48F0000005DC-327_634x422 It’s that time of the week where I send my weekly verbal memo to the lads over @TheFootyShowKCC. In a nutshell…

Twas the season where everyone retired. Sir Alex Ferguson, Paul Scholes, Jamie Carragher, Michael Owen and of course David Beckham. All legends in their own right. All have had signature moments in football. Sir Alex the best at his craft in England. He’s won it all. He’s managed great players. He leaves a legacy like no other.

This week’s memo however is all about Mr.Beckham. Father. Footballer. Global sports icon. Beckham has had an illustrious career and leads a dazzling life. A phenomenal ambassador for his country and for his sport, he leaves the game having cemented his name in the football history books.

If you agree or disagree with anything outlined in this week’s memo, lob or header us @soccerdiva.
Football, soccer, call it what you want. It’s just like being down the pub with your mates.