The FA Daily - A Professional Soccer Blog providing you with the latest in World Cup News

Steven Gerrard has confirmed how serious his injury struggles truly war, as he pondered whether his illustrious career was at an end.

His troublesome groin joins a long list of injury problems in the history of Liverpool’s great talisman, but following his surgery in March this year he worried he may have played his last game.

“I think it’s only natural you have doubts and different things do cross your mind.

There were times when I was as low as I’ve ever been as a footballer.”

You wouldn’t have known it on Saturday against Manchester United.

Is there a better player in big games than Steven Gerrard in world football? I honestly don’t think so.

“Basically, I knew that wasn’t right.

I was missing training sessions and coming in the day before a game trying to get that last session in or having injections to play the next day.

You can only do that for a certain amount of time before your body gives in – and mine gave in.

My groin packed in on me and, when it happened, I was down and I was low.

I knew it was going to be a serious one, something I wasn’t used to. I had to try to be positive but I will admit that I was down.”

Gerrard is one of the greatest players in the history of one of the world’s greatest teams and it would be unfathomable to see Liverpool FC without their inspirational leader.

I will never forget what he did in that FA Cup Final in 2006, playing injured and out on his last legs and almost single handedly pulling Liverpool back into that game, including one of the most amazing goals I have ever seen.

I am not a Liverpool fan, but I am a great admirer of the team and even more so of him. He is such an honourable player and can literally do everything on the pitch.

How glad we all are that his worst fears were wrong.

Sergio Aguero tapped in a literally last second winner against Villareal to give Manchester City their first ever win in the UCL, 2-1.

Napoli and Bayern Munich drew 1-1 in a promising result for the Italians in the group of death.

CSKA Moscow put 3 past the most enjoyable team name to say in football, Trabzonspor.

Inter headed to Lille and beat the French side 1-0.

10 man Benfica beat FC Basel 2-0 away from home, strong result for the Portugese side.

Both Manchester United and unknown Romanian side Otelul Galati ended the game with 10 men, but two Wayne Rooney penalties ensured the English Champions took all 3 points on their first trip to the country.

Ajax scored an impressive 2-0 win away to Dinamo Zagreb.

Real Madrid were in irresistible and punishing form against French powerhouses Lyon, winning 4-0 at the Bernabeu.

In arguably the best piece of news so far this year for Arsenal, vice captain and by fair their best defensive player, Thomas Vermaelen, has resigned with Arsenal in a long term deal.

Vermaelen made a quick name for himself upon his Premier League debut from the Dutch powerhouse Ajax, and found himself in the EPL team of the year in just his first season. He has struggled ever since with two significant injuries including an achilles problem which wiped out nearly his entire 2010/2011 campaign.

His presence was clearly missed.

Whilst he has struggled again with injuries this year, Vermaelen has grown significantly as a player but more importantly as a leader. He was given a leadership role over the off season and his hard work was rewarded as he was named as the club’s vice captain.

Vermaelen plays way out of his weight and height class and can match it with any striker or midfielder in the Premier League.

He is one of the finest defenders in Europe when healthy and this is a significantly positive step forward for Arsenal.

In the last few weeks talk has emerged of the possibility of removing the traditional promotion and relegation system from the Premier League.

I can honestly say that if this were to happen, it would be the greatest disaster in the history of football.

I do not wish to dwell on why this is so, because I believe I can say with 100% confidence that everyone out there agrees with me.

I can’t understand how these rumours came to be and why the FA has not immediately dismissed any chance of this happening.

Wigan Chairman Dave Whelan summed it up best:

“If it was to happen I would resign Wigan from the Premier League and go back and play in the Football League,” the Wigan chairman told talkSPORT.

“It’s the most stupid suggestion I’ve ever heard in my life.”

Absolutely the most stupid suggestion I’ve ever heard in my life too Mr Whelan.

Sir Alex described it as “suicide” and I do not believe you will find a single player, manager, coach or official involved in English football that would say otherwise.

It is a travesty that this is even been tossed around as a consideration.

We all know the farce that is the FA, but this is just ridiculous.

I refuse to be drawn into discussing why this would very quickly kill the world’s greatest domestic competition because I don’t feel I need to convince nor educate anyone of this injustice.

I am not a fan of a team that flirts with relegation, nor who plays in a lesser league (although I certainly have a very soft spot for Southampton), in fact my team holds the record for the longest period in England’s highest footballing competition, so it has no real affect on my team.

That in no way changes the indescribable anger I have experienced in first hearing and attempting to forget this proposal.

There would be chaos the likes of which we cannot imagine and do not wish to contemplate if this were to happen.

By no means is that an exaggeration.

Tottenham were surprisingly held by the surprisingly good Newcastle at St James’ Park drawing 2-2.

West Brom downed Wolves 2-0 at home.

Arsenal looked to rid the memory of their heart breaking North London derby loss to Tottenham as they hosted the feisty Sunderland and were well on their way after a truly unbelievable opening 20 minutes from Robin van Persie as he scored after 29 seconds and was denied a further two which could have easily resulted in a hat trick after less than a quarter of an hour. van Persie’s effort which clanged off the bar on the 12th minute may have be the most sublime piece of skill you will see all season, sadly it won’t make future highlights because the post was unkind. Seb Larsson responded like only he can, curling in a shot from directly in front about 20 yards out and it looked as though Arsenal would be again frustrated until captain fantastic Robin van Persie stepped up from 25 yards and curled in a free kick to secure all 3 points for the gunners and yet another goal for the freakish Dutchman.

Manchester City flew to the top of the EPL with a devastating 4-1 win over Aston Villa. A sensational goal from Milner, and two others from Johnson and Kompany were overshadowed by a sensational bicycle from Mario Balotelli who is starting to show why Manchester City paid so much for the controversial and outspoken Italian.

Norwich beat fellow new boys Swansea 3-1, QPR and Blackburn drew 1-1, Stoke City knocked off Fulham at home 2-0, Bolton finally got a win beating Wigan in Wigan 3-1, and Chelsea were much too strong for Everton, easing to a 3-1 win.

The game of the weekend was easily Manchester United’s visit to Anfield.

The first half was without incident and excitement but Steven Gerrard, as always, got Liverpool going upon his first start of the season with a stunning curling free kick around the wall (despite some poor work from Ryan Giggs) to set Anfield alight and look to continue Liverpool’s recent dominance in the fixture. It didn’t take long for United to respond and Hernandez scored a typically scrappy headed effort off a corner as United pulled out yet another great escape to earn a somewhat undeserved point. Liverpool were denied a penalty and had several other chances to win but to no avail.

LeBron James became a minority owner of Liverpool FC, perhaps England’s greatest club football team in April this year.

James’ new association with the Fenway Sports Group, headed by John Henry who not only owns Liverpool FC, but also the Red Sox, led him to buy shares in the football team.

The English Premier League aligns almost exactly with that of the NBA season, previously making it impossible for LeBron to head to Anfield to watch a game. This is one of the very few good things that has emerged form the lockout.

He has picked a hell of a game to see as well.

James seems to get it as he tweeted:

“Wouldn’t miss this one! Biggest game in the world probably.”

Probably is.

Keep a look out for LeBron James on Saturday afternoon, I believe he may have been trying to learn the words to You’ll Never Walk Alone.

That would be something to behold.

The emergence of a new era of Manchester United has been met and embraced by their new stars in a dream-like fashion, seeing the club off to a blistering start to their Premier League campaign.

Several thought the retirement of Paul Scholes, Edwin van der Sar and Gary Neville, combined with the lesser role of Ryan Giggs, would be the beginning of a decline in Manchester United’s unequalled English dominance over the past few decades.

How wrong we all were.

The emergence of youth players such as Danny Welbeck and Tom Cleverley combined with signings such as Phil Jones, Rafael, Fabio, Smalling, Anderson, Nani and Ashley Young have given the Red Devils a complete face lift and an identity that is something much different than is normally seen wearing the red of Manchester.

Chris Smalling and Phil Jones have played all over the back four this season and have done as good a job as their better known and much more experienced colleagues who were unavailable due to differing reasons. Both Anderson and Nani are beginning to turn into the players United hoped they would and Fabio and Rafael look to hold a lot of potential at the wing back positions. Cleverley was mightily impressive in his opening games and Welbeck has been nearly faultless in his performances.

However there were only 2 outfield retirements last season, and I have already referenced 9 young players who have made an impact for Manchester United this season.

See the problem?

No one has made a big deal of the fact Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic and Patrice Evra are seriously under fire to retain their positions. These are three of the top players in the world at their respective positions. Vidic is the captain of Manchester United.

Giggs too is getting much less minutes, which is expected given he is 72 years of age, but still won’t be satisfying for him. The mould that has grown on Michael Owen grows denser and denser each week and the 30 million pound walker that is Dimitar Berbatov cannot take minutes from a Sunderland loanee.

If I know anything about professional footballers it’s that every single one of them is a major prima donna and each have an overwhelming ego. Being a first team player for Manchester United would only heighten both.

Which brings me to the point I am trying to make. It is great for the future and, if they keep playing as they are, the present for Manchester United to have players of such a young age and little experience playing so well they are keeping real superstars of the game on the benches, and admittedly some of their opportunities have come through injury rather than form, the pressure is real and everyone is well aware that Ferguson will not be scared to start Phil Jones and Chris Smalling over Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic.

Evra’s recent comments about losing his place have an underlying feeling that sums up everything I am trying to say. You can see the nervousness and the uneasiness in what he is saying when discussing his role at the club. A man that has captained the side in the past, he now has to reassure himself that he can do everything they can do and better to justify his position in the squad.

“I’m only 30 but I feel like the oldest player in the team. I just have to show the young players that I’m still here and I want to play every game.

I need to prove I am still fit because they are young. Maybe they have more energy and think they can steal my place.

Of course, though, you also have to help them and talk to them if anything is wrong. We are here to protect them and to show them that it’s easy to reach the top, but to stay there is the most difficult thing.

But before we can say anything to the young players, we have to show our own example on the pitch because the competition is really fierce. The boss is not afraid to put the young lads in and it’s working well.”

Given that this is not Chelsea that we are talking about and the players do not run the show in the United half of Manchester, yet Ferguson has had trouble juggling heavy egos in the past and may not have expected his youth to come on as fast as they have, giving him a really complicated task to balance the locker room.

Perhaps I am wrong and the veterans will be selfless team players and will relinquish their normal amount of games and minutes they experience over the course of the season to ensure the greater future success of the club.

How many of us really believe that though?

Liverpool and Spanish goal keeping master Pepe Reina has caused quite a stir with his upcoming autobiography, recounting indiscretions with teammates, managers and also failed transfers.

Earlier this week it was revealed Arsenal offered an astonishing (for them) 20 million pound bid for Pepe Reina last year, just before Hicks and Gillete sold the club to John Henry. Hicks and Gillete refused the bid from Arsenal, not because the fee was below their valuation, but because they wanted to keep Reina at the helm at least until they sold the club because he was rated as one of their most valuable assets and the club would be more attractive with him still at the club.

As an Arsenal fan I cannot explain how upset I was in hearing this given both; we never spend anything of that amount on a player, especially a veteran player and it may have opened the door to more higher fee transfers AND Pepe Reina is truly one of the best goal keepers and best leaders in Europe.

Details of a spat between Reina and vice captain Jamie Carragher have emerged from his book, also citing memories of disagreements with the controversial Rafa Benitez.

“The veins in our necks were bulging, our faces were red with anger and neither of us were going to back down.

The row between me and Jamie Carragher started during the game – I can’t even remember who we were playing against – carried on in the dressing room and didn’t come to an end until we sent each other text messages apologising.

He went crazy at me, screaming at me, and I was screaming back at him. We were like that for fully five minutes shouting at one another and getting our point across. When we got back into the dressing room the row started again and it was even rougher than it had been on the pitch.

The other players were just totally silent, watching us giving each other hell. It wasn’t even over anything major. It was just a difference of opinion over whether I should knock the ball long or [if] he should give me an angle for a short pass.

I ended up kicking the ball out wide to where I thought Carra should be, but he wasn’t there and it went out of play. He shouted at me: ‘You really think you’re Franz Beckenbauer and you’re always trying to play short passes when you should just empty it.’

I responded: ‘If I know one thing it’s that you definitely aren’t Beckenbauer, but just give me a bit of support when I’ve got the ball so we can try and play instead of just kicking it down the pitch.’”

He then went on to discuss his former manager and another meaningless quarrel they had.

“The biggest argument I had with Rafa was about a beer. We had lost 2-1 to Besiktas and not played too well. I decided to have a beer. I don’t see a problem with that because for me it is healthier to do that than it is to have a glass of Coca-Cola or a drink like that.

Suddenly, the bartender turned up and said: ‘The club doctor, medical staff and manager have made it clear to me they do not want you to have a beer.’ I still don’t know why this was the case but whatever the reason, I was fuming. I grabbed my bags and stormed off to my room without even having dinner. That is how upset I was.

For me, Rafa was in the wrong. It suggests the manager does not trust you to look after yourself in the right way. He saw it differently and, if he has a small weakness as a manager, it is that he did not have a massive career as a player before he moved into management.”

It seems a professional football player cannot be a part of any type of biographical book without it causing a complete ruckus and changing the opinion forever of several players. Ashley Cole is one that immediately comes to mind for me.

The man that is responsible for taking Chelsea from an average team on the Champions League outer to a perennial trophy threat and one of the best clubs in football.

His previously unmatched and unseen spending power (matched and surpassed now by City) helped Chelsea to come within a few penalties of achieving every major trophy available to them over his short spell as the West Londoners owner.

However the coaching carousel that has become a feature of Chelsea has increased scrutiny on the controversial owner and the obvious influence of the locker room to override coaching and board room decisions has the club in a mini crisis. They are moving further and further away from Manchester United in terms of trophy credentials and have now been seemingly overtaken by the new kids on the block in the title of England’s second best, Manchester City.

Their reckless spending has seen them bring in major flops for ridiculous prices but it has not altered Abramovich’s mentality when considering transfers. Tottenham’s refusal to give in to their spending power may have signalled something more interesting than first thought.

Chelsea’s once unquestionable influence over both English and world football is decreasing.

The most recent example is Abramovich’s offer to buy their spiritual home, Stamford Bridge, in an attempt to construct a new, much larger stadium. He has offered a payout and a promise to relocate no further than 3 miles from the Bridge should they find a home before 2020.

It is strongly believed the Chelsea Pitch Owner’s Association will veto the offer from Abramovich, meaning the Russian will face a tough task in his plans to follow Arsenal’s highly successful transfer into their new era.

Whilst on the outside these can be viewed as simple disagreements based on a number of valid reasons, to me it is all pointing to the greater idea that Abramovich is losing his strange hold on the West London club and that Chelsea as a whole are beginning to slip form their position of dominance within club football.

The ageing, egotistical squad is beginning to show it’s frailties and Chelsea face a tough task in overhauling the team to ensure it’s long term success. It is a poorly kept secret that Abramovich does not have the money he once had and despite blowing a ridiculous and since unwarranted 50 million pounds on Fernando Torres, the Chelsea owner may prove to be much tighter on the purse strings in the future.

Unlike Manchester United, Chelsea have failed to integrate youth into their experienced system, which will greatly delay the new era of Chelsea football. Manchester United perfectly introduced players such as Chris Smalling, Fabio, Rafael, Nani, and Anderson over the past few years giving them consistent roles with the first team around the ever-present experience seen through Ryans Giggs, Paul Scholes, Rio Ferdinand and Patrice Evra. Combine that with United’s timely loan opportunities to Danny Welbeck and Tom Cleverly, combined with new signings Phil Jones and Ashley Young has United perfectly ready to continue their reign at the top of English Football.

Chelsea have an entirely different mantra, rather pursuing established talent, regardless of age and price tag, to continue their current dominance rather than preserve their future.

Whilst in no way, shape or form am I saying Chelsea will fall out of the top 4 this season, nor any time in the coming few seasons, the long term ramifications of Chelsea’s irresponsible transfer dealings, managerial farces and failure to take control of their playing group may condemn the club back to their previous days of obscurity.

Whilst Abramovich’s ambition and money may have been enough to stop that from happening thus far, that may not be enough to ensure his success and influence is sustained in the future. He will not go down without a fight, but if he begins to lose faith from the players and fans, the situation is likely to snowball and it may get to a point where Chelsea is in a place it has not been for some time.

Out of Roman Abramovich’s hands.

It has emerged over the weekend that Arsene Wenger holds the power in Arsenal and should he decide to hang up the boots, or should I say hang up the puffy jacket, the decision to implement a new manager will be largely placed in his hands.

Arsene has cemented himself as one of the greatest managers in the history of English football and is widely regarded as the greatest at identifying and nurturing young talent. He turned little known squad fill ins into some of the greatest players the game has ever seen and has defined the modern era with a playing style as beautiful as anything the game has conjured.

Lately he has come under a lot of intense scrutiny, and as a hugely frustrated Arsenal fan I understand why this is so, but the majority of the flak has been unnecessary and unfair.

Whilst it is easiest to put the blame for trophy-less seasons on the manager, and in most cases fair to do so, we have no idea what is happening internally at the club and it is widely known the board and owners have failed to have an impact on the club and that they have lost their way since long time member David Dein left several years ago.

People, myself included, have been very hard on Wenger for failing to spend money and refusing to by established talent, rather pursuing youthful additions, but whilst the current financial position of the club on the outside seems positive, the club is something like 6th in terms of generating revenue through sponsorships and other sources. Selling players for a profit is no way to function a club.

Nonetheless Wenger holds a level of respect and superiority within Arsenal perhaps matched only by Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United. It would be assumed he would also have a dominant impact on his successor at Old Trafford.

Wenger has a lasting relationship with Barcelona’s Pep Guardiola, who has publicly admitted to having studied Wenger and Arsenal’s style of play and adapted that to fit his Catalans.

Guardiola has also stated he is unsure if he can take the club any further than he already has and his refusal to sign anything more than a one year deal means there will be speculation over his future every 12 months. He may be interested in a new challenge and no greater challenge in football than the Premier League. His relationship and similar philosophy with Arsenal may be the perfect fit for him.

There is no doubt every club in the world will be after him given the success he has had, but Guardiola is a classy guy and won’t be taken in by the hype.

Other names that have been mentioned with taking over from Wenger when HE decides to call it a day have been Laurent Blanc, Steve Bould, Pat Rice and club legends such as Dennis Bergkamp and Tony Adams.

Either way let’s hope the club is in no need for a new manager for at least a few more seasons.

Wayne Rooney probably shouldn’t have played against Montenegro on the weekend following the arrest of his father, but for the most part he seemed to have his often irrational emotions in check.

However in the 73rd minute he had a trademark Rooney brain snap which earnt him a straight red card and doomed England to a hugely disappointing 2-2 draw.

Joe Hart had sympathy for his club arch rival and believed the red card was, to say the least, the wrong call.

“I saw it all. It was pretty pathetic. It was supposedly a kick but it was pathetic. It was the most pathetic sending-off I’ve seen in my life.

I feel for Wayne, who is disappointed, because 10 minutes later I saw Danny Welbeck take it on the jaw and nearly have his head knocked off.

I was thinking ‘what’s happened there?’ and ‘why is that not a red card?’

That’s football and that’s what we have to deal with these days. There was nothing we could have done at the time”.

I actually watched Hart in the background as the referee made the decision to send Rooney off and at the time Hart looked resigned to see his striker leave the pitch. Whether he fully saw the incident or not is unknown to us, but he didn’t put up anything of an argument on the pitch so perhaps his comments were nothing other than support for his national teammate.

For someone that plays in the same team as Nigel De Jong, I think it’s probably best he keeps his opinions on bad challenges to himself.