Alrick

Why Does the Brazil FIFA Ranking Keep Dropping?

It was recently announced that Brazil dropped 4 spots in the latest FIFA rankings to 14th place, it’s lowest ranking since the FIFA World Ranking system was introduced in 1992. Twenty years – that’s a long time – and what a coincidence Brazil is hitting such “poor form” right before they host the next major tournament of the sport in their home country.

Looking at the rankings alone, it’s easy to conclude Brazil have been playing poorly. Falling another two spots to your worst ranking in two decades? Normally fans would be calling for the manager’s head and players would be questioning the future and talent around them. This couldn’t be further from the truth. As Brazil prepares to host the World Cup they are thrashing minnows like China and Iraq, not to mention a victory over Argentina with squads compiled mainly of South American talent. They look like world beaters with stars such as Neymar, Thiago Silva, Marcelo, David Luiz, Oscar, Hulk… the list goes on smiling for Instagram photos and having a good time, as Brazilians tend to do.

Any fan of the sport who even remotely follows in the international scene knows that on paper Brazil is better than Greece and Croatia. Yet these two teams are ranked ahead (Greece 10th, Croatia 11th) of Brazil, who is doing all they can to hold off Switzerland (yes, Switzerland) to keep the spot of the 14th best team in the world.

So why exactly does the Brazil FIFA Ranking keep dropping? Let’s look at how FIFA calculates their rankings… (taken from their site, my comments in parenthesis)

Alrick

Luiz states Manchester fate

“Don’t forget that either Manchester United or Manchester City will finish the season by winning nothing.” – David Luiz  (Sky Sports)

Alrick

United – Chelsea stats recap

[fbshare] [tweetmeme]

A tough draw for Chelsea after having a 3-0 lead, here are some of the key stats from the United – Chelsea match…

Chelsea today against United: 20 shots (8 on target), 80% (274/344) passing, 8 crosses (22 attempted), 7 tackles, 27 interceptions.

It’s interesting to note the defensive styles: United had 21 tackles to Chelsea’s 7, but Chelsea had 28 interceptions to United’s 13. This was likely due to the fact that Chelsea did not have their two top tacklers (Ramires and Romeu) and had traditionally good anticipators of the game in Cahill, Ivanovic and Meireles on the pitch…

Cahill in his Chelsea debut against United: 1 shot, 82% (18/22) passing, 4 interceptions, 1 block, 2 clearances.

Meireles today against United: 3 shots, 89% (47/53) passing, 1 chance created, 2 crosses, 6 interceptions.

Ivanovic today against United: 82% (23/28) passing, 1 chance created, 1 tackle, 5 interceptions, 4 clearances, 4 fouls committed.

Some more player stats…

Torres today against United: 2 shots (both off target), 86% (18/21) passing, 1 assist, 3 chances created.

Mata today against United: 1 goal, 3 shots, 86% (38/44) passing, 3 chances created, 2 crosses, 2 interceptions.

David Luiz today against United: 1 goal, 67% (18/27) passing, 1 tackle, 1 interception, 5 clearances (4 headed).

Malouda today against Chelsea: 3 shots (0 on goal), 78% (28/36) passing, 4 chances created. A case where stats don’t tell it all.

Despite being critical of Torres recently I will say he played better against United and is still one of the better forwards in the game at creating chances for others. Mata and Luiz both had great goals and with Malouda it’s a case where stats don’t tell the whole story as the Chelsea attack slowed to a halt whenever he touched the ball.

Finally I will leave you with this tidbit about Howard Webb as the streak continues…

Chelsea are now winless in 7 matches Howard Webb has officiated against Manchester Clubs (0 wins, 3 draws, 4 losses).

The next Chelsea match will be on February 11th as they travel to Everton.

Alrick

Gary Cahill to Chelsea – How I Squashed the Rumors

[tweetmeme]

Gary Cahill wasn’t always destined to be a Chelsea player – with Arsenal hot on his tail only a few months earlier, the deal fell through hours before the transfer window shut – and Arsenal settled on Per Mertesacker instead. As Cahill remained a Bolton player for the first half of the season, the team struggled dramatically, hovering around the bottom half of the table. With Bolton trying to scrape together player and avoid relegation and Cahill’s contract set to expire at the end of the season, it seems inevitable Gary would be moved somewhere during the January transfer window.

Gary Cahill will be wearing blue this January

Rumors of Cahill to Chelsea really started to pick up steam when Alex was removed from training with the first-team by Andre Villas-Boas for allegedly speaking to other clubs. The delinquency of Alex coupled with injuries and suspensions to David Luiz and Branislav Ivanovic meant players such as Jose Bosingwa were forced to play alongside John Terry in the center of defense, which given Bosingwa’s defending ability (or lack thereof) is certainly far from ideal.

Here is a timeline recapping the entire Gary Cahill to Chelsea transfer saga:

December 30th – It’s announced Bolton and Chelsea agreed to a fee for the transfer of Cahill to Chelsea, confirmed by Bolton manager Owen Coyle.

December 31st – AVB confirms the fee has been agreed upon but Chelsea and Cahill’s agent were  “miles apart” from reaching a deal.

January 6th – Cahill was rested for Bolton’s FA Cup third-round trip to Macclesfield, which would have cup-tied him, sparking serious rumors the deal to Chelsea was close.