Ligue 1

Javier Pastore - On the move? 
Posted by Sam Cox.


Javier Pastore was one of the first to make the money guzzling trip to France when Paris Saint Germain joined the European riches, but what lies next for the Argentine midfielder? His career in the French capital has spluttered along, with brief interludes of the play that warranted his 40 million Euro move from Palermo in the summer of 2011. Pastore’s career has reached a hectic cross roads, with the latest comments suggesting some time to win over Paris’ finest, whilst others seem to look at another money move on the cards with the Premier League touted as a likely destination for the 6 foot 2 inch play-maker.

Pastore’s next move – assuming he leaves the riches of Paris – could be the defining point in his career (although his journey to France was meant to be fulfilling that purpose) and the question lies to where he should go, and who should take him on, is he a gamble, or potential bargain? Not only for Pastore, but which clubs around Europe could do with a player of his ilk – the attacking midfield market is in somewhat of a bulge over recent years with the adoption of a 4-2-3-1 formation but many.

The career of Javier Pastore has yet to take off in Paris, despite the chance to feed to of the best strikers in the world – Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Edison Cavani – he has not particularly excelled himself, although this has yet to scare off many potential new clubs for Pastore in the upcoming January window. Having only been credited with 12 assists, now into his third year at the club, perhaps a change of scene and league would do the Argentine’s career good, several clubs have been in the reckoning – but who needs him most?

A player capable of much, fails to impact a game far too frequently – but seldom does that effect the biggest

clubs from pitching for a player, as the very best manager’s seem to hold an inherent self belief of making the most flamboyant and inconsistent players into efficient winning robots; see Ferguson with Ronaldo and Berbatov. Does this open a move to Manchester United? Well with an accepted weakness in midfield it wouldn’t be a terrible move for either party, although Moyes’ style and desire for hard working play may see a Kagawa-style low minutes count for Pastore but the creative edge would surely help at Old Trafford, similarly at Anfield where Pastore has been heavily linked with a potential move.  Although the situation at Anfield remains similar, there are entrenched differences in the issues that could face the lanky creator. With the Sturridge and Suarez partnership seeming an ideal target for any willing creative midfield player, the ability to fit Pastore into a 3-5-2 system would be difficult at the best of times, particularly with the competition posed by Philippe Coutinho. Javier Pastore’s ability is not in question, but perhaps is suitability to many systems in the ever-competitive number 10 market rules him out of the running for some clubs, with Liverpool seeming a likely destination, his on-pitch time may not markedly increase.

A market for a player of Pastore’s quality seems to be always swimming with big club predators but often fails to make the impact or the transfer, perhaps destined to be a bench player by his very nature his talent and ability should make much more of a potentially shining career, a move to the Premier League could be his ultimate chance – and he may just grasp it with both hands.

By Sam Cox.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic - Ballon D'Or in waiting.
Posted by Sam Cox.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is one of the most fascinating and headline making personalities in football – the towering Swede is never found lacking of confidence, can you blame him with the records he holds? A magical footballer at his best who has perhaps suffered for his persistence in jet-setting between what seems like every club under the sun, Zlatan Ibrahimovic is a unique individual, football aside he is a character that the game would be worse off without – then add his style and magnificent footballing quality to that and we have quite a character.



Whether it be his galactic skill or goal scoring heroics, ‘Ibra’ is renowned for more than his football – as with any iconic personality – this can leave him splitting opinions with confidence greater than imaginable and ever more so controversial quips on anything that takes Paris Saint Germain striker’s fancy. His season with PSG and Sweden has been pretty magnificent even by his own world beating standards, strongly justifying his inclusion on the Ballon D’or shortlist with more goals for Sweden as they failed to make the world cup in a play-off defeat to a Cristiano Ronaldo inspired Portugal. Having been mistakenly under rated by many in the UK, Zlatan showed them the player that many have been expecting to flash into the English game with a match winning master class in a home friendly against England last year – tormenting an English defence and single handedly winning the game for Sweden, is there a better striker than him in the world?

He has it all, a claim for the Ballon D’or may well be far from the mark – but putting that down to his on field activities wouldn’t be fair, personality will play a part and he’s not the most popular around the game – having played across mainland Europe and now finding himself striding Ligue 1 like a colossus having lead the line to hand Ancelottis’ PSG the title in 2013. His play is complete, drops off to feature as a 10 at times, back to goal, distance shooting, headers, volleys, tap ins, link up play, holding the ball up, Zlatan is the most complete centre forward in the world – only rivalled by Robert Lewandowski on his all round game. After a year like his, ‘Ibra’ should be far further up the pecking order for the Ballon D’or, a better and more influential player than Ribery and if looking at the award with true pragmatism – Lionel Messi hardly qualifies to be contesting on his performances in the twelve months.

Not only the flooding of middle-eastern money into Parisian football, but the stature of the players that have arrived have given Ligue 1 another level of prestige that they have lacked for some time. Ibrahimovic’s arrival was one of the most poignant in this, along with former AC Milan team mate Thiago Silva they have significantly increased the status of both PSG and Ligue 1, followed by the phenomena of AS Monaco’s investment in bringing in Radamel Falcao and PSG’s further signings of Edison Cavani amongst others – Ligue 1 holds some of the best players in the world right now and in this 6 foot 5 inch Swede they have a real contender for the Ballon D’or who has been restricted on his chance by his flamboyant and arrogantly blessed personality.