I think Manchester United are experiencing the Ten Hag effect, I will clearly agree that Erik Ten Hag has impacted positively to the team with his disciplinary measures, his tactics and style of play is now proving productive which we can obviously see on the team's outstanding performance lately, the most surprising part of it for me is how well he has transformed Marcus Rashford to be more lethal in front of goal.

I expected to see the name Dortmund in the starting three and it is not which is really disappointing. Talking about in form teams in the Bundesliga and Dortmund is not mentioned doesn't look good in any way. I wonder what the priorities of the club management are, because for a big team like Dortmund this level of performance is not acceptable and should be looked into. I also hope they will be able to make top four at the end of the season.

I think the current situation with the club now is very much similar to early parts of the season with Tuchel, same injury troubles and Tuchel wasn't so lucky to get the amount of new signings Potter had got since he joined. This are really trying times for the club and I just hope the management will learn from the mistake they made by sacking Tuchel without giving him enough time to settle in and find a solution to the problems at the time.

Memphis Depay is still talented and experienced player, a very important characteristic that will be needed in every team. Before the world cup I would have doubted this news but after putting up a good performance at the world cup with Netherlands what would you expect. Atletico Madrid seem to be very interested in the player judging by the number of times and places I see this headlines. Depay will fill in for Joao Felix if he joins.

The most current rumour going round is the Vincent Aboubakar to Besiktas rumours. It is so disappointing to see his contract with Al Nassr terminated after the signing of Ronaldo to the club. At this point the former Al Nassr striker will be looking for a possible destination in this January window so if Besiktas are really interested in the player I think it is likely that the deal can happen for the right wages and contract conditions.

I wouldn't underrate any team in the Champions league. There is still lots of action, Manchester City might be at top form now and winning games in the English Premier league but when it comes to the Champions league it a whole different case. Every team gives their best and surprisingly Manchester City could be knocked out of the race as the competition goes into the finals.

It will be a big achievement if Messi can win the champions league with PSG, Messi fans have high expectations and praying that their GOAT wins the Champions League too. That will be Messi making another history at this stage of his career, if this happens he will go down in the history of the club as one of the greatest.

Chelsea have been so unlucky with picking managers in recent years and the it seems now that sacking Thomas Tuchel was a very wrong move for Chelsea because he has been the only successful manager for the club in recent years. I have always argued the sacking of Thomas Tuchel came too early and he should have been given more time to figure things out and try to turn the situation around but Chelsea opted for Potter who until now is still struggling to get results. I really doubt Zidane will be open to a move to Chelsea especially at this tough times, he wouldn't want to risk being sacked like others.

Indeed Harry Kane is the most valuable player Spurs have on their side and it will be so difficult for them to let him leave the club. Spurs are struggling this season and they need their key player in the team. Despite the many options Kane has, I will also like Harry Kane to remain at the club because he will always be a competition for other strikers in the league and make them put in their best to be in the race for the golden boot trophy.

Lewandowski's stats just keep going up, he never stops scoring. At this age and level in his career I was expecting a massive decline because of his age but it turns out age isn't a barrier for the Polish star with 21 goals already to his name in all competitions for Barcelona. Whoever says Lewandowski is not good enough does not know what’s he is talking about.

I’d also advice that Chelsea's board should give Graham Potter more time to try to solve the issues resulting to poor performances and poor results in the team. Guardiola is right, we can also sight example from Mikel Arteta, things weren't so smooth at the beginning but with time and patience he was able to bring the team to it's current level and it took 3 seasons to get to this stage and he is still working so this thing goes through phases and it just required a little patience and trust in the manager.

Though it is almost certain that Manchester City is likely to win the game, I have faith Manchester United to put up a good fight against Manchester City in this fixture. Manchester United have an attitude of playing very well against top teams, just the same way Manchester United defeated Arsenal and Liverpool this season  even in their average level form. Manchester United could surprise everyone by winning the game or even a draw is likely.

Benzema is back and made headlines in yesterday’s game. Real Madrid advances to the finals after defeating Valencia in a penalty shoot out. I will say Real Madrid were lucky the game finished in a draw. I couldn't believe they let a goal slip in, in favor of Valencia, I expected them to defend the goal they got and try scoring more but I was disappointed at their performance tonight. It wasn't the best of Real Madrid we saw last night and I hope they won't repeat this kind of performance in the Super Cup finals.

Atletico Bilbao did their best to get a more positive result in the game, they controlled ball possession and the tempo of the game but couldn't convert their chances in the game and finished the game in a goalless draw. It wasn't a bad result in the end but either team would have cherish a win in the game. Osasuna on the other hand were very impressive defensively and didn't conceive.

At this time of the season which is the second half of the season, it requires so much focus and determination to fight through until the end of the season. Napoli have been outstanding this season and need to stay consistent and focused to achieve the seasons objectives. The race for the title is still open to contenders and if Napoli happen to lose their focus, then winning the league this season will not be achievable.

I think he ended his international career on a high note, winning the world cup once and finishing as finalist in the just ended Qatar 2022. Even though I wish to see more of his heroic performances for France I have to accept that his time has come to an end. France will have to make a new goal keeper selection to take over in his position and Areola happens to be the next suitable candidate to step in as Lloris's replacement.

To be honest I am getting tired already with this whole Arsenal-Mykhaylo Mudryk business. The negotiations are taken too long, today we hear he is close and the next day we hear that Shakhtar Donestsk are staying form to their decision to let the player leave for a fee lower than their asking price. I think Arsenal should just issue Sharkhtar Donetsk an ultimatum to agree to the deal or not so we can move on with other targets if Mudyk cannot be purchased in this transfer window.

Both players are very clinical strikers who are capable of inflicting pain to Arsenal.  Their last meeting was a victory for Arsenal who have been in fine form this season. I predict Arsenal will win again in the London Derby to keep their league dominance alive,they have the quality and ability to get a win in this meeting. I'm pretty sure Arteta has his tactics and strategies already planned out for this game.

Yes I also confirmed the news on Facebook via Fabrizio's page that Chelsea and Atletico Madrid have reached verbal agreement on a loan move for Joao Felix for €11m which Arsenal considered too much for a 6months loan move. It looks like Chelsea are hijacking the deal already and are confident they can get the deal completed in few days. Too bad Manchester United will be missing out on yet another good player in this window after missing out on Cody Gakpo to Liverpool, maybe Manchester United were not really interested in the deal after all.

Tottenham started very well and at the beginning of the season they seemed to be contenders and of the teams voted as favourites to win the league trophy this season but things seem to have changed and Tottenham have dropped drastically in form and are now struggling. The london Derby comes with much expectations from fans of both teams, Arsenal look to be in position to win this game except it becomes one of those bad and unlucky days and they lose. Manchester City also have an advantage in the game against Manchester United but I doubt Manchester United will make any easy for Manchester City.

Newcastle are having a fine season, one of the best season they have had in a very long time which has been made possible by the change of ownership of the club which has seen Newcastle making some big signings in recent transfer windows and have strengthened the team to a level they can now compete even against top teams in the league for the top four spot.

Arsenal are still a strong side despite failing to win Newcastle and ending in a goalless draw. Manchester City facing Manchester United in the weekend as Arsenal face Spurs this fixtures will do so much in deciding if Arsenal will extend the gap or Manchester City will close up the gap. Indeed the race for the title this season is getting so interesting as everyone is anticipating to see if Arsenal can really beat Manchester City in the race to win the trophy and stop Guardiola's intended record.

It was unexpected to hear Gareth Bales will be retiring so early in his career, although it is understandable, at this stage of his career he is not getting the kind of play time as he would have wished for and probably he has decided to embark on a journey with a different career other than football, he’s decided to hang the boots now to pursue his plans and other endeavors. I wish him all the best, he has impacted positively to the game.
Same here I also thought he was retiring from international football only to be hit with the news he was retiring from professional football, it is still a shock to me at age 33 most players are still playing for top clubs and still keeping good performances and form for their various teams. We can only wish him all the best in whatever journey he takes on from here.

Manchester United need a second choice goal keeper. Last month, I heard De Gea was to leave Manchester United at the end of his contract but now I hear he is considering accepting a contract extension to continue at the club, I'm not so sure how much truth there is to this but the signing of Jack Butland after the departure of Dubravka clearly indicates  Jack will be replacing Dubravka as the second Choice goal keeper for Manchester United.