Barcelona's New Middle Force, Denis Suarez

Barcelona have had a complicated start to the 2016-17 campaign. They are currently in fourth place, losing two of their seven matches, raising questions on what changes coach Luis Enrique will make.

The injury of Lionel Messi has forced Enrique to count on new players for results. This new reliance has therefore displayed tactical confusion within the star studded squad. The excessive rotation of players has not collectively favored Barcelona, but it has shed light on new talents, particularly on transfer Denis Suarez.

Suarez is a returning playing that was a part of the Barcelona B team before joining Villarreal in 2015. The 22-year-old proved his potential last season, showing outstanding technique, passing and vision. This season he has appeared in eight matches and has contributed with two assists. His style of play has shown resemblance with that of Andres Iniesta’s, who the world calls “El Maestro”. Suarez possesses that same architectural effect, something that midfielders of Barcelona have historically been known for. (ESPNFC)

As Iniesta approaches an exit to his glorious football career, due to the injuries endured by longevity, Suarez is looking more and more of a candidate to become a long term replacement. Suarez is fully aware of the responsibility and hard work that comes with the mere idea of replacing Iniesta. “I’m pleased with how these first months have gone. The coach has put a lot of faith in me . . . I should take advantage of it all the best I can to earn my place and be here for many years.” Suarez is well off to a great start.  (Sport-English)

Arfa and His Familiar Spell.

French talent, Hatem Ben Arfa, left OGC Nice this summer to join the Ligue 1 leaders Paris Saint-Germain. Arfa, who has had troubling seasons in his careers, has found himself on the bench in his new club, despite his remarkable 2015-16 season with Nice.

Many fans believe that this transfer will finally give Arfa the chance to receive the recognition he deserves at the world-class level, since he has joined a team with title success. Unfortunately, he is off to a rocky start, averaging 10 minutes of playing time per game. He has been warned by his coach, Unai Emery, that hard work will determine his impact on the team. "He needs to work to improve himself, so that if he plays a good 10 minutes, he can play 20 minutes the next time and so on" (ESPNFC).

Arfa has been called up for individual training and has remained positive, even though he was dropped by Emery for the clash against Arsenal. With his first month underway, he has managed to tally up only one goal for PSG. Arfa, has a long season to go and hopes to find the "right mentality" that Emery seeks, so he can transform this spell into the magic he created with Nice during his last season (DailyMail).


                              

Dani Alves and the Italian Giants

Brazilian star, Dani Alves, has signed with Juventes of Italy on a two year contract. Alves had one more year with Barcelona, but the Spanish Premier team allowed him to transfer early.

Alves spent eight seasons with Barcelona and achieved much success during his time in the Spanish Premier League. Alves sought a change of scenery because he thought that life in the Nou Camp was "too easy" (ESPN).

Alves stated that, "I want to win in Europe and in Italy; I have won a lot of trophies with Barcelona, but the time has come to enjoy Italy and to try to bring Juventus back to the European top" (ESPN).

Alves won six La Liga titles, three Champions League, and 23 honors with Barcelona. He also has made the second highest amount of appearances with Barcelona for a foreign player; but he now he seeks more adventure and new challenges. Alves believes that to improve, he must expose himself to a different environment. Despite this, he avows to return to Barcelona one day.


                                       

Morata Shows and Proves

Alvaro Morata has returned to Real Madrid after two years with Juventes. Fellow competitors Arsenal and Chelsea were greatly dismayed, as Morata was unveiled at the Bernabeu in front of thousands of fans. These two teams have trailed Morata for the later part of his career and have sought him to play for them.

Morata believes that he needed time away from Real Madrid to mature as a player, but is extremely grateful to have returned. Morata grew up in Madrid, and he started his professional career in the Bernabeu. There are few players who know Real Madrid as well as Morata.

Morata will have his chance to shine as he works with Karim Benzema to create a formidable attack for Real Madrid. Right now, Christiano Ronaldo is not playing because of an injury, and Gareth Bale is currently easing his way back into La Liga, after the Euro 2016 tournament. With the two absences of these stars, Morata will have the opportunity to demonstrate his scoring ability. Within only two terms, Morata scored 37 goals (the Sun).

Morata has begun his second start with Real Madrid with a positive attitude. He believes that he has found his niche and wishes to stay with the team for as long as possible: "It’s a very happy day for me as I return home" (the Sun).
                                           

Pogba Falls Short of Expectations (part 2)

Paul Scholes, former Manchester United player, believes that Pogba " '[is] trying to do too much on the ball. He’s trying to beat three or four players, a lot of the time he’s running with the ball'" (Mirror).

Some speculate that Pogba's playing style is not compatible with the current formation. Pogba played in a three man center mid field in Juventes, where he was very successful. Now he plays within a two man system. They conclude that Pogba cannot take as many liberties in a two man system, and that within the three man system, he had another center mid to act as an anchor, while he would dribble the ball into the opponent's final third.

Others believe that for Manchester United to be successful, they have to organize their formations and strategize off of new players like Pogba, rather than try to force them to play according to the personalities of long time players. They affirm that Wayne Rooney has exhibited too much influence on the team, and has prevented players like Pogba and Ibrahimovic from shining.

Pogba Falls Short of Expectations (part 1)

Paul Pogba was recently signed to Manchester United for a world record 90 million Euros. This transfer brought Red Devil fans hope for the new season, but unfortunately, they have been met only with crushing disappointment.

Pogba has been subject to much scrutiny, as he has under performed in his recent matches. He has yet to score, and has made only two assists, which is a considerably small contribution from a center mid fielder. Many fans believe that he must prove himself soon, before he is dropped from the team. One fan stated that Pogba, " 'was missing' " during the first game of the season (Mirror). Another believes that he was not playing his natural game because he tried too hard to compensate for his expensive fee.

Manchester United's coach, Jose Mourinho, has been understanding towards Pogba's poor performances. He does not think that his recent shortcomings have defined his playing ability for the season, as it is still too soon to determine the impact that Pogba will have on his new team. He also has provided explanations for Pogba's seemingly invisible impact on the field: " 'He had no-pre season, played in the final of the Euros, had a holiday and then came back' " (Mirror).

Back to Being Blue

On August 31, 2016 David Luiz returns to Chelsea after signing a three year contract for approximately 34 million pounds. Luiz came from Paris Saint Germaine, where he had signed for 50 million pounds, which set the world record transfer price for a defender.

This transfer has been greatly criticized by many sports observers. French journalist Julien Laurens believes that Luiz, "is a worse player now than when he left Chelsea" (BBC Sports). He went on to say that he, "can hardly remember four games where he was actually good [on PSG]".

 On PSG, Luiz faced much humiliation when Luis Suarez megged him in the quarter finals of the Champions League. Despite this embarrassment, David Luiz managed to help his team win the Ligue 1 championship, Coupe de France, Coupe de la Ligue, and the Trophée de Champions for the two seasons that he played for PSG. 

Some reporters believe that Luiz will add quality to Chelsea's defense. They recall the moments on Chelsea in 2012, where he played with a hamstring injury to help his team win the Champions League. Luiz also had a 90% passing accuracy and 83.33% tackle success during the 2015/2016 Champions League (Skysports). 

All of the criticism regarding his transfer has not fazed Luiz. In recent reports, he demonstrated excitement for his return, "It will be an amazing opportunity to show the fans again how I love this club and how I love to play for this club. I cannot wait to wear the shirt and play at Stamford Bridge [the Chelsea Stadium] again" (ESPN FC).
                               

Manchester United Moves Forward

The Swedish soccer star, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, left the French side Paris Saint Germain to join the English Premier League giants Manchester United this summer. He entered the "Theatre of Dreams" (their stadium) and has already surpassed his expectations at the club in just four games. He has averaged one goal a game and has the most shots on goal with an impressive seven.

For reasons unrelated to soccer, Ibrahimovic is a man of much controversy; his reputation has gained him significant attention throughout his career, and this season should be no different.

In an effort to disparage Ibrahimovic, Eric Cantona, known as the "King" of Manchester United, recently stated that Ibrahimovic could become, "the prince at Old Trafford (the stadium)". Ibrahimovic retorted with, "I admire Cantona and I heard what he said . . . . But I won't be King of Manchester. I will be God of Manchester"  (ESPN FC).

Ibrahimovic will add just as much excitement to the field this season. In the past couple of years, Manchester United fell in the very standings that they had once dominated, With Ibrahimovic's scoring ability, they will become a top competitor once again. He brings an intensity that the team has lacked the past few seasons. With his energy and clinical finishing skills, he will provide the keys to  the team's success.
                                            

Every year from June 1st to September 1st, there is a transfer window for the Spanish, French, Italian, American, and German soccer leagues.  During these times, soccer fans are eager to know which players their favorite clubs have signed or which players are leaving. It is a time frame where soccer fans should tune in to foresee the events of the upcoming seasons.

Unlike many other major sports, soccer allows for transfers to occur between leagues. For example, if a player is on a French team, he can transfer to a Spanish team. He is does not have to transfer to a team within the French league. Transferability can be international.

Earlier this season, soccer fans saw this concept put into practice. International star, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, left Paris Saint Germaine to play for Manchester United. This English Premier team also gained Paul Pogba, who had formerly played for Juventes of Italy.

With these new transfers, Manchester United will be better equipped to succeed in the upcoming season.

These types of transfers occur all throughout the world. They bring unparalleled excitement to professional soccer and add an element of unpredictability to each season.