In this week's Premier League review, we look at what's eating Diego Costa (and, more importantly, what other clubs should do about it), why Brendan Rodgers is feeling “absolutely incredible," how to interpret claims of a resurgent Manchester United and more.
We’re about a year and a half removed from Neymar’s dazzling performance at the 2013 Confederations Cup, which saw the then-21-year-old score four goals in four matches to secure the Selecao their 4th pre-World Cup tournament title. Since then, the new number 10 for Brazil moved to Barcelona on a $74 million transfer fee and led the 2014 host country to the semifinals of the World Cup before a back injury ended his (and his country’s) run.
The18 considered titling this article “The Master vs. The Apprentice,” but, knowing what an avid reader of ours he is, we feared Jose Mourinho would spectacularly lose his sh*t at even the mildest suggestion of deference towards Louis van Gaal. Neither man, however, could quibble at being labelled a Super Ego: how else are we to describe two managers who refer to themselves without the slightest hint of irony as “The Special One” and “The Best Coach in the World?”
Yesterday, we wrote about our predictions for the coming weekend of match play in the Premier League. Today, we drill down into the particular dramas to look out for in the coming days.
1. Chelsea To Keep A Clean Sheet (For The Sake Of Jose’s Mental Health)
Behold the new kits for the 2014 Premier League. From new sponsors to complete kit redesigns, we put together all 20 teams' new kits below.
Arsenal- Arsenal left long-time sponsor Nike for Puma this season as part of a five-year deal worth up to £170m.