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Pepe has taken time to adjust at the Emirates following his move from Lille over the summer. Arsenal legend Martin Keown praised Nicolas Pepe following his brilliant performance against Vitoria on Thursday. The former Gunner reckons Pepe who has taken time to adjust at the Emirates following his move from Lille over the summer, can emulate the likes of Dennis Bergkamp, Thierry Henry and Robin van Persie after his two delightful free-kicks against the Portuguese club. Keown told BT Sport: "Every player needs that moment, that turning point. Even for the Bergkamps, the Henry's, Robin (van Persie) himself. "To settle, and hopefully now Arsenal can see what they paid for. £72m was seeming very expensive until tonight. "But this is just the start hopefully, and how he takes it forward, he runs with freedom, he can express himself. "I think, basically, he's kind of got that off his back now, that pressure, and he can release himself now and play."

The Ivorian was one of the major summer transfers but has struggled to find form since his move to the Emirates. Nicolas Pepe has admitted he has not yet lived up to his prize tag at Arsenal but he is happy Unai Emery believes in him. The Ivorian joined the north London side from Lille during the summer in a club record £70 million deal, and has struggled to find his feet at the Emirates, until his brace in Arsenal's Europa League win on Thursday. After his two late free-kicks helped Arsenal seal a 3-2 to comeback against Portuguese club Vitoria Guimaraes, the forward said: “As soon as I arrived Pierre {Emerick Aubameyang] and Alexandre [Lacazette] helped me. I talked a lot to them. “The manager trusts me. Even if I hadn’t been decisive, I had the manager’s trust. It is always important to have the manager’s faith. “Of course I knew it would be hard. This is a league totally different to Ligue 1. There is a different intensity. “I had to adapt quickly because expectations were high. Unfortunately, that is not what I did at the beginning - but I had the manager’s trust and the players have supported me. I keep working hard." The 24-year-old continued: “The key is to have good people around you. I have my family here with me so I could be good mentally when things were not going well. "I rely a lot on them. It was always going to be difficult to come here to the unknown, with a different language. “I am not at my best physically because I didn't have a proper pre-season. I was at the African Cup of Nations. I am trying to work hard to be stronger physically.”

The Blues are more exciting to watch without Eden Hazard. Robbie Savage has heaped praise on Frank Lampard, saying he “is doing what nobody thought was possible at Chelsea. The BT Sport pundit is convinced the west London side “are better to watch without Eden Hazard” - who left for Real Madrid in the summer transfer window. After enduring a stuttering start to the season, Chelsea have now won six consecutive games in all competitions and are fourth in the Premier League standings ahead of their crunch clash against Burnley on Saturday. “Frank Lampard is doing what nobody thought was possible – he is making Chelsea better to watch without Eden Hazard,” Savage wrote in his Mirror Sport column. “When Lampard took over in the summer, under a transfer embargo and after Hazard's £100 million move to Real Madrid, the popular consensus was that Chelsea would struggle to finish in the top four. But he has already turned them into the most watchable side in the Premier League behind Liverpool and Manchester City. “And a year after he brought Derby to Stamford Bridge in the League Cup, and narrowly went down 3-2, Lampard is in danger of turning Chelsea into everybody's second-favourite team – like Leicester four years ago – by promoting the virtues of youth. “He has not been afraid to adapt by playing different systems, from 4-3-3 to 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-2-1 and even when Chelsea lost 4-0 at Old Trafford on the opening weekend, it would have been a very different story if Tammy Abraham's shot had gone in, and not hit the post, at 0-0. “Nobody is better-qualified to encourage youngsters to maximise their potential than Lampard. As a teenager at West Ham, he always stayed behind for extra training, extra shooting practice and, even if he wasn't the most naturally-gifted player, he drained every last drop of ability through sheer endeavour. “Young lads coming through the system at Chelsea can look up to him as a role model for hard work reaping its rewards. I like the way he was brave enough to stick by Abraham when he missed a few chances earlier in the season and Olivier Giroud, a World Cup winner, was waiting in the wings. “I like the way he has put an arm round Christian Pulisic, telling the £58 million winger his chance would come if he worked hard, and has been as good as his word. “And I like the way he has been fearless in his promotion of youth. In Amsterdam, for instance, Callum Hudson-Odoi was the youngest Chelsea player to start a Champions League match since Josh McEachran in 2010. “Now his team is brimming with the verve and energy of Abraham, Hudson-Odoi, Mason Mount and Fikayo Tomori. “Suddenly, a team whose only academy graduate for 20 years was John Terry is full of kids – and that's a fantastic lookout for the future health of English football. “I thought it was going to be a huge ask for Chelsea to finish in the top four while under a transfer embargo – but look at them now. “They are only two points behind Manchester City in the Premier League, they are well on course to reach the Champions League knockout phase and this crop of young lads has the aura of Manchester United's famous Class of 92. “These youngsters already have a winning mentality because they have won he FA Youth Cup seven times in 10 years, and they are linking up with World Cup winners like Giroud, N'golo Kante and Pedro.“ Savage insisted that Lampard has shown clubs don’t need to spend a lot of funds to “turn promise” into points. “And they are doing all this after losing Hazard, their best player last season by a distance, in the summer. “Look at what's happened to Real Madrid since Cristiano Ronaldo left. They are nowhere near the force of old. “But Lampard has absorbed the blow of Hazard leaving – and turned it to his advantage by giving Chelsea's youngsters a platform to shine. “At some point, they will probably go through a sticky patch this winter because consistency only comes with experience, but rival big clubs must be looking at Lampard's fine start and simmering with envy. “In the past, there has probably been an element of bitterness and jealousy at Chelsea's spending power when money was no object for owner Roman Abramovich. “But Lampard has shown you don't need to spend £200 million in a single transfer window to turn promise into league points.”

The Premier League should never have made this move to shut down reddit streams and instead should embrace streaming as it is already the market’s choice for all entertainment except live sports. Last week, the moderators of the extremely popular subreddit, r/soccerstreams, announced they would cease all user and subscriber activity involving streams of live football matches including those from the Premier League, Champions League, and many more. This happened because the admins of Reddit threatened to ban the subreddit (a threat which actually came from the Premier League itself), and I speculate, the moderators and their accounts. If you aren’t familiar with Reddit, football streams, or how it all works, I’ll explain soon. But first, this is an absolutely idiotic, shortsighted move coming from the Premier League as it doesn’t benefit any parties involved - the league, the fans, the broadcasters, or any other stakeholders. Moreover, this move shows the Premier League higher ups do not understand the market, their audience, nor the future of broadcasting live sports. The Premier League should never have made this move to shut down reddit streams and instead should embrace streaming as it is already the market’s choice for all entertainment except live sports. Streaming is here to stay and will be the future of live sports. The sooner the Premier League embraces streaming, the sooner they will expand their reach, bring in more revenue, and please the fans. Reddit is a user generated news site to put it simply. Users can post links, photos, blogs, or anything else they want, usually categorized by subject called a “subreddit”, i.e. a subreddit for football streams, one for french food, one for new movies reviews, one for travel advice, etc. Other uses can see each and every post and either up vote it or down vote it pushing the post higher and lower in the rankings with the most popular ones eventually reaching the front page. One thing to keep in mind, reddit is a huge site. Currently (Jan 29th, 2019), it ranks as the 9th most visited site in the UK and 17th in the world, with 53% of the traffic coming from the US and 8% of visitors from the UK in a distant second place. So, reddit is a big deal. And over the past few years, a subreddit called r/soccerstreams has featured streams of virtually every live soccer game. This is not hyperbole. At the time the subreddit shut down, it had roughly 425,000 subscribers according to the Independent. To put that into perspective, the Premier League averaged 819,000 views on Sky and 692,000 on BT over the first two months of the 2017/18 season as reported by both sportspromedia and sportsbusinessdaily citing an article from the London Times. So, the subreddit wasn’t too far behind. Granted, not ever subscriber of r/soccerstreams exclusively watched the top flight in England, but it’s safe to say a lot did as it’s the most popular league in the world and the most popular league in the US, where a majority of reddit users are from. In the past few years, reddit became the go to site for football fans in the US to watch their favorite teams week in week out whether it was the league, domestic cups, or Champions League, as well as international games including the World Cup, qualifiers, and more. And this trend of streaming isn’t unique to the US. In the UK, The Guardian and the Independent cited a BBC survey from 2017 in which nearly half of supporters surveyed admitting to streaming a match at least once in the past. The most telling part of this survey though is the young fans, 18-34, where 65% stream at least once a month compared to older groups, only 33% of 35-54 year olds and 13% of 55+ admitted to streaming games. I too have used reddit for a long time to watch Chelsea, the Premier League on the whole, Champions League, El Clasico, Dortmund v Bayern, the US National Team, the World Cup, and any other competition and team you can think of. So, if a huge number of fans in the UK and US consume the Premier League and football in general through reddit, why would the Premier League want to shut down a major way that fans interact and connect with the league and their favorite clubs? Those watching on reddit and other streaming sites watch for free essentially because they don’t have a TV subscription. This is the main reason the Premier League went after them. But imagine if they did pay? The Premier League could increase their recorded viewership by 50%, 70%, or even 100% possibly as well as their revenue. More on this later. And on a side note, other streaming subreddits are already up and running so fans aren't going without. Technically though, these streams are illegal. Companies like Sky and BT, or NBC in the US, and others in their respective regions purchased the rights to broadcast the Premier League and they paid exorbitant amounts, to the tune of billions of pounds. Regardless of the money paid, they hold the rights to broadcast the games so no other company or individual can show the matches on TV or online. So, contractually and legally, I understand why the league pushed to shut down the streams. If a company paid me billions for this article and everything I wrote, I too would try to shut down anyone reproducing my content without having paid for it and gotten my consent. Again, I do know why and completely recognize the reasons the Premier League took this action. However, thinking practically, it was a stupid move that benefits absolutely no one. The big question and effort put forth by the Premier League shouldn’t be ‘how do we stop these streams?’. They instead should ask ‘why do so many fans stream?’ and ‘how can we reach these fans and turn them into paying customers?’ Live sports are behind the times as every other form of entertainment has moved to streaming online. Movies and TV? Netflix and Amazon. Stand up comedy? Youtube and Netflix. Music? Youtube and Spotify. Books? Kindle. The only form of entertainment that hasn’t moved to on-demand streaming over the internet is live sports as they continue to use an antiquated and outdated form of broadcasting to their audience. Sports leagues partnered with radio companies first and then TV companies in the 20th century for distribution because without radio and TV, the only other way to watch your favorite club was to attend the match… until the beginning of the 21st century. TV and radio distributed sports to reach as many fans as possible. And did that stop fans from going to matches? No. Premier League stadiums filled up then and continue to sell out now. Look at the league now as the lucrative TV deals turned it into the global behemoth it is. Reaching as many fans as possible benefited the league. Right now, the Premier League has two distinct audiences to cater to but only recognizes one, the middle aged, 35+ crowd who pays for cable. They completely ignore the younger, 18-35 group that should be their bread and butter as the league could have 30-50 years of these customers if they can hook and keep them now. Short term, stick with the 35+ crowd as they have the money right now. People in their 20s don't have squat. But long term, the younger generation is the golden ticket. In 2018, the number of streaming accounts in the UK on Netflix, Amazon, and Now TV overtook that of traditional TV subscriptions for the first time with that core group of 18-35 year old viewers are moving online and skipping out on TV. Not only does this group have a record number of accounts, but Ofcom’s report states that these younger viewers also spend more time watching non traditional broadcasts instead of TV. When the Premier League moved to shut down the reddit soccer streams, they sent a signal to other big streaming sites to stop or they’d face the same retribution. Furthermore, they told the market they won’t change their model nor pay attention to customers’ viewing habits. So what should the Premier League do? Let people and sites illegally show their matches and lose out on a ton of revenue? No. But that doesn’t mean they stick to their same model either. With two separate audiences, the Premier League can easily reach both. For those who still have cable, show the games on TV like they do now. No need to change. They're grandfathered in so keep it that way. For the younger audience, the league has to stream because although cord cutting (ending cable subscriptions) isn’t happening as much throughout Europe as it is in the US, the younger fans don’t watch TV. They prefer to stream. Netflix has nearly 150 million subscribers worldwide and nearly 10 million in the UK so clearly these people know how to set up an account and stream. No problems in signing people up to stream. When it comes to streaming, the league has two options. Either they can continue to outsource the broadcasting rights like they do now to Sky and BT to stream online or the league can do it itself. I think the most likely outcome would be outsourcing the streaming to media companies. Leave the distribution to distribution experts while the league focuses on creating the best product possible on the pitch. What I think is most important for the Premier League to convert young fans who are used to streaming for free into paying customers is two fold. First, they have to get the pricing right. What do young people pay to stream? Netflix. And what does Netflix charge? £6, £8, or £10 a month depending on the plan. The Premier League’s competition for young fans isn’t the cable companies like Sky and BT where monthly prices can easily reach £60 or even £100; it’s the other streaming entertainment providers. Imagine you’re opening a supermarket in a town that already has two other supermarkets. Old Man River’s Supermarket costs customers £100 on average a month with vegetables, fruits, meats, and then a ton of other stuff most customers don’t buy very often like motor oil, fertilizer, and children’s bikes. The other supermarket, Millennial’s, has fruit, vegetables, meats, and everything else customers need without all the extra fluff. And it comes out to only £5 or £10 a month on average for customers. At Old Man River’s, customer haven’t stopped coming, but new, young customers prefer to go to Millienial’s. Who are you competing with? Obviously the second one, Millennial’s. Especially long term. If the Premier League wants young fans to pay for their service, they need to get the pricing similar to Netflix, Amazon, and other online streaming providers. Second, the broadcasting should not have geographic restrictions. Sky and BT hold the rights within the UK to show the Premier League while NBC holds the rights in the US. If you go on vacation to New York and want to watch the weekend’s fixtures, you can only watch American coverage. It isn’t a big deal for a weekend or two, but what if you live abroad in a country that doesn’t speak English? In that situation, you need to watch TV broadcasts in a language you may not understand with presenters you don’t know or like. Now in fairness, what percentage of Premier League fans live abroad in a non English speaking country? Probably not a lot. But just as Netflix provides programming in several other languages, the Premier League could do it too. And regardless of where you live in the world, you can watch House of Cards as there aren’t any geographic restrictions. Sell rights to one, two, three, or more English language broadcasters and let them compete for eyeballs. If they want to have all British commentators and target the UK audience, let them. And if they want to use a mix of American and British commentators and target all English speaking countries, let them. And the same for other languages. Sell rights to one, two, three, or more Spanish language broadcasters and have them fight for customers. Restricting coverage based on region is outdated and doesn’t fit in today’s market. Fans want to watch the Premier League and limiting broadcasts to TV ignores millions of customers and how they prefer and actually do watch football. They’ve shown they’re willing to pay for quality content on Netflix and without a shadow of a doubt would do the same when it comes to live sports. The Premier League just have to give it to them. Remember that Sky and BT averaged 819,000 and 692,000 viewers for Premier League games in the beginning of the 2017/18 campaign. Could the Premier League sign up 100,000 people to a streaming service at £10 a month or £100 a year? Easily. 200,000? Probably. 500,000? That’s where it probably starts to get iffy on sign ups because people still pay for other services like Netflix, Amazon, and possibly TV subscription. Where streaming actually supersedes TV is when it comes to advertising. With personalized accounts, the broadcasters whether that be the league itself or a partner, can have highly targeted advertisements and probably charge more than they do now. No more all encompassing McDonald’s commercials because the ads aren’t just trying to reach anyone and everyone, but a specific target customer. Just like Facebook sells aggregated customer info to advertisers, the Premier League broadcaster can do the same. Regardless of if you like Facebook or other companies selling your information to advertisers like that, I’d rather have ads for products I’m interested in than nonsense that's wasting my time and I think most people would agree. During the World Cup, I streamed broadcasts from the US and saw the same damn Landon Donovan and Marco Fabian commercial at least 5 times a day and I’m never going to put my money in Wells Fargo. They wasted money on showing ads to customers like me that will never use their services. Or you know what? Don't worry about targeting ads and just simulcast the TV feed and online stream. Kill two birds with one stone and please every fan who wants to watch the games. I’ve been saying for years that I would pay for high quality, legitimate streams of my favorite teams. I’d pay $10 a month, $100 a year or something in that range to watch the Premier League, Champions League, and the US National Team. Would I like that $100 to include everything? Of course. But I know that’s unrealistic. $200 a year all inclusive? Probably. $300? Starting to get a little pricey. And why not do this….provide games on an individual basis. I don’t watch the German Bundesliga very often, but I do tune in to Bayern v Dortmund or Dortmund v Schalke and I’d pay $2 or $3 to watch that single game. This season, TNT started showing the Champions League on TV in the US and also had every match live on their partner’s streaming service B/R Live. They offer packages for the year, a month, and individual games. ESPN+ offers Serie A, the FA Cup, and more for only $5 a month in the US. Facebook streamed Champions League games before in the US and now has them in South America. The new rights cycle starts next year for the Premier League and Amazon Prime will show two full match days domestically in the UK. It may not have taken off yet, but streaming is the way of the future when it comes to live sports. If the Premier League started streaming games right now, how much could they make? £100 million is probably a safe estimate from both subscribers and advertisements. Now, that pails in comparison to the billions Sky and BT paid so that’s the reason they haven’t done this yet but they will need to. Just like embracing any new technology, first movers have their positives and negatives. Will the Premier League not make as much money in the beginning? Sure. Will they make more in the long run? Guaranteed. The upcoming rights cycle sold for less than the previous one and while one data point doesn’t indicate a trend, the overall picture does. Streaming is the future of live sports. The Premier League recently pushed to shut down the popular subreddit, r/soccerstreams, and it showed just how out of touch the executives are with the market and their audience. I, and others, won’t go without. We simply moved to another subreddit and will continue to stream while the Premier League continues its outdated and antiquated way of broadcasting matches. I want to give the Premier League and/or NBC money to let me watch their games but they’re too stubborn to do so and in the process ignoring and pissing off millions of fans like me. They are letting fans and revenue slip through their finger tips. At some point, they’ll have to change their ways and I hope it’s sooner rather than later. Written by Drew Pells [@Drewpells].

Petr Cech has remained one of the best goalkeepers in world football throughout his entire career, and this is still the case despite the 33-year-old losing his starting place to the highly talented Thibaut Courtois last season. 10 Best Chelsea Midfielders Of All-time. 10 Best Arsenal Midfielders Of All-time Cech has now made a high-profile switch to London rivals Arsenal in a quest for first-team football, and he will no doubt continue to impress and could prove to be a pivotal player for the Gunners next season as they look to challenge for the title. Chelsea could therefore rue the day that they sold a player of his talent to their fierce rivals. The 6’5 keeper from Czechoslovakia has had a long and fascinating career, playing for Chmel Blsany, Sparta Prague, and Rennes before joining Chelsea in 2004. Here he has gone on to have a remarkable career between the sticks and he has been a key figure in helping to transform them into 1 of the top teams in Europe. The Blues will be sad to see a club legend who is 6th on their all-time appearances list leave, particularly to a rival, but Cech still has a chapter of his career to finish and will surely walk away from the game as 1 of the all-time great goalkeepers. Here are 10 interesting facts about the man behind the mask, Petr Cech. 10.) He is a triplet Petr Cech was born on the 20th of May, 1982 in Plzen, Czechoslovakia. He was born a triplet along with his brother Michal and his sister Sarka, but sadly his brother would die at 2 years old after contracting an infection in hospital. Due to the fact that Cech is a triplet, it means that his skull is slightly thinner than the average person and it may have contributed to the severity of the head injury he suffered in 2006. It is also part of the reason why he now wears his famous head mask, but despite this, he bravely carries on playing and will not hesitate to put his body on the line. 7 Interesting Facts About Enzo Fernandez You Should Probably Know. 9.) He married in 2003 and has a son and a daughter Cech has gone from growing up under communism in his home country to becoming a world-famous professional footballer. He is also now a family man and his children will have a much different upbringing to him being raised in Surrey. Cech married Martina Dolejsova (also of Czech nationality) in 2003, and they now have a son and daughter together. Daughter Adela was born in 2008, whilst their son Damian was born in 2009 and they were both born in Petr and Martina’s home country. 8.) He is a keen drummer You do not have to watch Petr Cech in between the sticks for very long to realise that he is certainly a talented individual. His talents do not stop here, however, as in addition to being 1 of the best goalkeepers of his generation; Cech is also a talented drummer. He has a YouTube channel on which he regularly posts drum covers on, including “Best of You” by the Foo Fighters and “Magnificent” by U2. Now that he has joined Arsenal, they could perhaps start their own team band with Oxlade-Chamberlain also a keen drummer, and Alexis Sanchez a talented piano player. 7.) He can speak several different languages As well as being a highly talented goalkeeper and keen drummer, Cech can also speak several different languages. The exact number is not entirely clear, but in addition to his native Czech, it is thought to include English, French, German, Slovakian, Portuguese, Spanish, and Russian. Not only is this incredibly impressive, but it is also particularly valuable for a modern-day footballer. Clubs like Chelsea (and Arsenal) have players and staff from many different areas of the world, and this makes communication much, much easier both on the pitch as well as in the dressing room. 6.) He nearly moved to Arsenal in 2002 Petr Cech has just secured a move to Arsenal for a fee of £10 million. This is due to Cech losing his starting spot to Thibaut Courtois at Chelsea, and it is certainly a good bit of business by Arsenal who have lacked a high-quality keeper for many years. It is not the first time that Cech was on the brink of joining the North London side, however, as he almost signed for them in 2002 from Sparta thanks to his impressive international performances. The deal fell through due to work permit difficulties, and he instead joined Rennes. It is interesting to think how different things would have been for both clubs had he joined the Gunners in the early stages of his career. 7 Interesting Pele Facts You Probably Didn't Know 5.) He won the Champions League Best Goalkeeper 3 times It is not just in the Premier League where Cech has excelled, he has also proven his abilities in the biggest club competition in the world. The Champions League sees the top teams in Europe battle it out each year, and this means that this is a competition where all the best goalkeepers in the world play. Cech won the best goalkeeper of the competition 3 times (2005, 2007 & 2008), with the awards being stopped after the 2008/09 season. Had the awards continued, he surely would have added another to his tally after his heroics in 2011/12 when Chelsea beat Bayern Munich on penalties where he saved 2 efforts (as well as 1 in extra time). 4.) He holds the Premier League record for the fewest appearances to reach 100 clean sheets It is no secret that Cech has been 1 of the top keepers in the Premier League since arriving in 2004. He is an intelligent keeper who rarely makes mistakes, and he is also an excellent shot-stopper who will put his body on the line for his team. He holds the Premier League record for the fewest appearances to reach 100 clean sheets, achieving this in just 180 league appearances. Having a strong back 4 in front of you also helps, but it is certainly an impressive feat and 1 which will take some beating. 3.) He suffered a life-threatening injury in 2006 Whilst Cech is famous for his remarkable ability and the records and honours he has won over his career, he is also famous for suffering a life-threatening injury back in 2006. In a game against Reading in October, he collided with Reading’s Stephen Hunt in the 1st minute of the game. Hunt’s knee crashed into Cech’s skull, causing the keeper to remain motionless and it quickly became apparent that it was a very serious injury. Pep’s Revival of a Classic Tactic – & How it Could be Vulnerable Next Season. Cech would require emergency brain surgery after it was discovered that he had suffered a depressed skull fracture. Cech would return to football 3 months later and has since worn the famous head guard to offer protection to his skill which is already thinner than the average person. This life-threatening injury has not impacted his play, but it has helped to change the approach to head injuries sustained on the pitch. 2.) He set a Premier League record for minutes without letting in a goal in 2005 Between the 12th of December 2004 and the 5th of March 2005, Petr Cech cemented himself as 1 of the greatest goalkeepers in Premier League history by not letting in a single league goal in this period. This was a staggering 1,025 minutes of play and is a perfect example of the huge force that Cech is in-between the posts. Cech would win the Golden Glove at the end of the season after keeping a record of 21 clean sheets that season and Chelsea would also only concede 15 league goals that season. Cech’s whopping 1,025 minutes without conceding has since been topped by Edwin van der Sar. 10 Biggest Bargain Buys In Premier League History. 1.) He has won 13 trophies with Chelsea Petr Cech is somewhat of a legend at Stamford Bridge, and his consistency and reliability in between the posts has helped turn Chelsea into 1 of the top teams in Europe. Since joining in 2004, Cech has won a whopping 13 trophies during his time at Chelsea. This includes 4 Premier League titles, 4 FA Cups, 3 Football League Cups, 1 Europa League, and 1 Champions League trophy. Although he has lost his starting spot, he will be sorely missed around Stamford Bridge and it marks the end of an era. Follow Think Football Ideas across our social channels, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Out of the crop of new arrivals in the Premier League at the start of the season, none went on to have an impact as big as Diego Costa. The Spaniard arrived at Stamford Bridge from Atletico Madrid for the tidy sum of £32 million. 10 Best Chelsea Midfielders Of All-time. He wasted no time making a name for himself and settling in, unlike many other players, and his future looks very bright at Chelsea for the 26-year-old. From the get-go, Costa started scoring goals left, right, and centre, and he proved himself to be more than a handful for the opposition. No other player has managed to ruffle feathers quite like Costa this year, seeing him often make headlines for his antics which saw him get under the skin of almost every defensive line in the country. Considering Costa spent lengthy spells on the sidelines (a combination of suspensions and a niggling hamstring issue), the forward had a remarkable season leading the line for Chelsea. It is partly due to his goal-scoring ability, physical strength, and work ethic that Chelsea largely dominated the league and also lifted the Capital One Cup. Will We See More Stoppage Time in EPL Games? He may be hated by many and involved in every controversial moment on the pitch, but there is no denying his ability and it will be intriguing to see how teams try to contain Costa next season. Here are 10 interesting facts about the aggressive, hard-nosed, and skilled Chelsea striker Costa. 7 Interesting Facts About Enzo Fernandez You Should Probably Know. 1. He was not coached until the age of 16 Costa first learnt the game on the streets of his hometown playing against those much bigger than him. He then moved to Sao Paulo, where his uncle encouraged him to join the local team where he became an instant success despite never receiving any coaching. His physical style may well come from this early introduction he had to the game. 2. He was 18 when he joined his first professional club, Braga in Portugal Whilst in Sao Paulo, Costa met agent Jorge Mendes who took the teenager to Europe where he would sign for S.C Brage in Portugal. He would join the reserves before being loaned to F.C Penafiel in the second division, but he would soon be snapped up by Atletico Madrid in 2006. Costa would be loaned out over the next few years before returning to Atletico in 2010, as a backup for Sergio Aguero and Diego Forlan. 3. In domestic leagues, he has picked up 64 yellow cards Costa has a habit of getting under opponents' skin and he is famous for his hard-nosed, physical play. This sees him clash with the opposition (and the referees) often, and this means that he is booked on a regular basis. In domestic leagues, Costa has picked up a whopping 64 yellow cards but has only been sent off 3 times in league play. This includes 8 yellow cards in the league this season, and this will be something that Mourinho tries to address this summer to avoid another suspension. 10 Best Strikers In Champions League History. 4. He and Jose Mourinho have the same agent After a breakout season at Atletico Madrid, Diego Costa became a target for many of the top clubs in Europe. He would end up at Chelsea, and the fact that he and Mourinho share the same agent may have aided in this. Both are represented by influential agent Jorge Mendes, who has other clients that include Cristiano Ronaldo, David De Gea, Angel Di Maria, and Pepe. 5. He played 2 games for Brazil before changing to the Spanish national team Costa was born in Brazil before moving to Europe when he was a teenager, and he was granted Spanish nationality in July 2013. He played 2 games for the Brazilian national team, but upon being granted Spanish nationality he requested a change and now has made 7 appearances for the Spanish team (and 1 goal). He is consequently not popular in Brazil and was booed by the fans at the World Cup last summer. 6. He has won 6 trophies with Atletico Madrid and Chelsea The 26-year-old looks set to have a very bright future ahead of him and you can see him lifting plenty more trophies in the next few years. He already has 6 trophies to his name, doing the league and domestic cup double this season. Prior to this, Costa had lifted the La Liga title (2013/14), the UEFA Super Cup (2010 & 2012), and the Copa Del Rey (2012/13). Like most top players, Costa will look to add the Champions League trophy to his collection next season, having come close in 2013/14 when Atletico fell to Real Madrid in the final. 7. He fired Atletico to their first La Liga trophy since 1996 2013/14 proved to be a breakout season for Diego Costa, and his excellent goal-scoring helped fire Atletico to their first La Liga trophy since 1996. Costa scored 27 league goals, making him the 3rd highest scorer in the division. He would also score against his current employers in the Champions League, helping Atletico advance to the final for the first time since 1974. It was quite a year for Diego and Atletico, and he has not looked back since. 8. This season he had a minute-per-goal ratio of 104.1 Although Costa contributes more than just goals, this is a large reason that Chelsea spent so much money on the striker. In the league this season Costa managed an impressive minutes-per-goal ratio of 104.1, making him one of the deadliest and most efficient players in the league. He managed 37 shots on target and created 41 chances in domestic competition, and you can expect much more of the same next season. 7 Interesting Pele Facts You Probably Didn't Know 9. He scored 20 goals in his first season in the Premier League Many strikers take time to adjust to the Premier League (Soldado being the obvious example), but not Costa. He scored in his first 4 competitive matches for Chelsea, including a hat-trick in the 4th game, and also picked up Player of the Month in August. He would go on to net 20 goals in the league in 26 appearances, earning him a selection to the PFA Team of the Year along with 5 of his teammates. 10. He is Chelsea’s joint 2nd most expensive signing Diego Costa joined Chelsea from Atletico Madrid in July 2014 for a tidy sum of £32 million. This makes him the joint 2nd most expensive signing for the Blues along with Eden Hazard, with fellow Spaniard Fernando Torres topping the list at £50 million in 2011. Torres managed 20 league goals in 4 years at Stamford Bridge, with Costa matching that total in just 26 league appearances. Follow Think Football Ideas across our social channels, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Now that the 2014/2015 season is done and dusted, it is time to say goodbye to Chelsea and Premier League legend Frank Lampard (for real this time). He may have finished his Premier League career in a slightly different shade of blue from what we have become accustomed to, but he is one of the most loyal, respected, humble, and talented footballers of his generation. 10 Best Chelsea Midfielders Of All-time. Lampard has enjoyed a tremendous amount of success both individually and with Chelsea over the 13 years he enjoyed there, and he also enjoyed a successful loan spell at Manchester City which proved that he still has what it takes at 36 years old. Prior to this, Lampard began his career at West Ham and played a key role in helping them to their highest-ever finish. He has also been a key player in the England squad over the years, and although the team has not enjoyed much success, Lampard has proven his abilities at all the major tournaments and held his own against the best in the world, earning his place as one of the best midfielders in Premier League history. It will be strange not to have Lampard in the Premier League again, and regardless of where your loyalties lie, his incredible intelligence, skill, hard work, and friendly personality will be missed. He now begins a new chapter in his football career, lining up for New York City FC, where he will surely dazzle and inspire those lucky enough to see him play. Here are 10 Interesting Career Facts About One of The Greatest Midfielders The Premier League Has Seen, Frank Lampard. 1. He is a product of the West Ham academy Lampard’s long and successful career began at West Ham United (where his father played), after joining the youth team in 1994. A year later he signed his first professional contract and then went on loan to Swansea where he made 9 appearances and scored his 1st career goal. He broke into the West Ham starting 11 in the 1996/1997 season, but a broken leg would end his campaign early. He impressed the following season and scored his first hat trick, and in the 1998/1999 season, he was a key player and helped The Hammers to their highest-ever Premier League finish (5th). 10 Best Arsenal Midfielders Of All-time 2. He comes from a footballing family Frank’s father, Frank Lampard Sr, used to play for West Ham and was their assistant manager between 1994 and 2001 (when Frank Jr joined the club). In addition, Harry Redknapp is Lampard’s uncle and the 2 have remained close over the years, which also makes Jamie Redknapp a cousin of Frank’s. 3. He has a fiancée, Christine Bleakley, and 2 daughters from a previous relationship Lampard has been with his fiancée, presenter Christine Bleakley, since 2009. Prior to this, he was engaged to Spanish model Elen Rivas. With Elen, Frank had 2 daughters called Luna (2005) and Isla (2007). 4. He is 1 of 9 players to reach 100 caps for England Lampard retired from international football in August of 2014, stepping away with an impressive 106 caps. He is just 1 of 9 players to have 100 caps+ for England, and in his international career, he has been hugely valuable for the team. His debut came in October 1999, and over the years he contributed an important 29 goals for the squad. He netted 3 goals in 4 games in Euro 2004, earning him a spot in the Team of the Tournament. In the 2010 World Cup, Lampard famously had a goal wrongly disallowed which led to England being knocked out by Germany (this helped pave the way for the introduction of goal-line technology). He has now retired as England’s highest-scoring midfielder and their most prolific penalty-taker. 7 Interesting Casemiro Facts You Probably Didn't Know 5. He has dozens of personal accolades Lampard is famous for being a complete team player, and this has helped him to get plenty of individual accolades throughout his career. These include FIFA Player of the Year Silver Award, Ballon d’Or Silver Award, PFA Fans’ Player of the Year, FWA Footballer of the Year, 2 Premier League Player of the Season awards, 5 PFA Team of the Year selections, 2 England Player of the Year awards and plenty more. 6. He scored 8 goals in 38 appearances for Manchester City It came as quite a shock to the Premier League when it was announced that Lampard would be joining Manchester City in what was initially supposed to be a 6-month loan spell, particularly for Chelsea fans. Lampard proved to be a key figure for the club this season, despite the fact that they failed to defend their title and lost out to Frank’s former club. He made 38 appearances in all competitions for Man City, and he also chipped in 8 goals. This included a goal against his former employers to earn Man City a point in what seemed like a perfectly scripted story. Being a class act, Lampard did not celebrate the goal and left the pitch with both sets of fans chanting his name. 7 Interesting Things A Beginner Should Know About The Premier League. 7. He has an IQ of 150 When you watch Frank Lampard on the pitch, it is clear that he is a highly intelligent player and reads the game well. It is not just his football IQ that is high, however, as he also recorded an impressive IQ score of 150 during his time at Chelsea, recording one of the highest set of marks ever recorded by the company carrying out the tests. 8. He is Chelsea’s all-time leading scorer Lampard enjoyed 13 years at Stamford Bridge and played an integral role in helping them to become the force they are today. He made a total of 648 appearances for the Blues, and in this time he bagged a whopping 211 goals in all competitions. This puts him top of Chelsea’s all-time goalscorers list, where he looks set to remain for a very long time. This is particularly impressive seeing as Lampard is a midfielder, plus he is much, much more than just a goalscorer. 9. He has scored more goals from midfield than any other player in Premier League history Throughout his career, Lampard has proven to be a deadly goalscorer. He reads the game fantastically well, with many of his goals as a result of his trademark well-timed runs into the box. He also has a fantastic long-range shot on him and has scored dozens of powerful strikes from outside the box. There are few players better at free kicks and penalties, and his ability to score in these different ways has made him the top-scoring midfielder in Premier League history. He is 4th on the all-time list with 177 Premier League goals. 7 Interesting Bruno Fernandes Fun Facts Not Every Fan Knows. 10. He lifted 13 trophies in 13 years at Chelsea Chelsea have become an elite team in the Premier League in recent times, and the reliability of Frank Lampard is a big reason why. During his 13 years there, he helped the team to win an impressive 13 trophies. This includes 3 Premier League titles, 4 FA Cups, 2 League Cups, 2 Community Shields, 1 Europa League, and 1 UEFA Champions League. Bonus: Lampard 12 GCSEs, A in Latin Frank Lampard achieved an impressive feat by securing 12 GCSEs at Brentwood School, marked by A grades, with a notable proficiency in Latin. This accomplishment not only underscores his intelligence but also highlights his academic excellence both on and off the pitch. He once told Sky Sports: 'I got an A* in Latin more through diligence, aiming to please teachers and parents. Latin was one subject where I believe I simply immersed myself in a lot of revision at the right time and succeeded in securing an A*, which surprised everyone!'" 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Full Name: Xavier Hernández Creus Date of Birth: 25 January 1980 Place of Birth: Terrassa, Spain Height: 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in) Position(s): Midfielder Former Team: Barcelona [Retired] Current Role: Manager, Barcelona Xavi Hernandez, born on January 25, 1980, in Terrassa, Barcelona, to parents Joaquim Creus and Maria Mercè Creus, stands as a legendary figure in football. He shone more prominently as a player but has shown promising signs in his relatively short managerial career. Top 10 Barcelona Forwards of All Time. His illustrious playing career, marked by numerous achievements and accolades, has left an everlasting mark on the sport. From his early days at Barcelona to his recent endeavours as a manager, Xavi's influence and commitment to the beautiful game continue to resonate. Xavi is widely regarded as one of the all-time great midfielders and was integral to Barca’s dominance in modern times. He could effortlessly command the central areas of the pitch, and his abilities in this area and phenomenal vision and passing ability earned him the nickname “The Puppet Master”. Along with Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta and Sergio Busquets, this group of players mastered the tiki-taka style of play and this team was widely considered to be one of the best to ever play the game. 10 Best Arsenal Midfielders Of All-time. Early Life, Family and Youth Career Xavi, born in Terrassa, Barcelona, became part of FC Barcelona's La Masia youth system at the age of 11, progressing through various youth and reserve teams. His football upbringing was deeply rooted in his family, with his father Joaquim Creus, mother Maria Mercè Creus, and elder brother Óscar all contributing to his development. Xavi played a crucial role in Barcelona B's promotion under the management of Josep Maria Gonzalvo. While initially inspired by Pep Guardiola, he also admired English football and midfielders such as Paul Scholes and Paul Gascoigne. Breaking into the Barcelona senior team Xavi's early breakthroughs at Barcelona included his debut in a Copa Catalunya match in 1998 and scoring his first goal in the 1998 Supercopa de España. He gradually became a key player in the first team, contributing to their title-winning campaign under Louis van Gaal and earning the 1999 La Liga Breakthrough Player of the Year award as well as Xavi playing the role of Barcelona's principal playmaker in the 1999–2000 season due to an injury to Pep Guardiola. 10 Best Strikers In Champions League History. Midfield Mastery Amid Barca Challenges During the challenging period when Barcelona faced financial difficulties, Xavi played a pivotal role in midfield, contributing with 20 assists and 7 goals over two seasons. In the 2004–05 season, he was appointed vice-captain, helping Barcelona secure La Liga and the 2004 Supercopa de España, while earning the La Liga Spanish Player of the Year award in 2005. Symphony of Trophies During Golden Era Xavi's trophy-laden era with Barcelona showcased his brilliance, marked by winning the Player of the Tournament at Euro 2008. Instrumental in Barcelona's treble, he played a pivotal role in key victories, including a 6–2 Clásico triumph over Real Madrid in 2009. Xavi's exceptional passing and midfield prowess earned him accolades, such as the UEFA Champions League best midfielder, and he consistently topped assist tables. 10 Interesting Facts About Jude Bellingham. Ranking no.1 as Barcelona's best midfielders of all time, Xavi's influence extended to the 2011 UEFA Champions League Final, where Barcelona defeated Manchester United 3–1 at Wembley Stadium. Throughout his career, Xavi's impact, highlighted by goals and assists, solidified his status as one of football's greatest midfielders. Subsequent stages and the Treble Farewell In the later stages of his Barcelona career, Xavi renewed his contract in 2012 and played a pivotal role in the team's success, securing another La Liga title with a record 100 points. Despite a trophy-less 2013–14 season, Xavi was set to depart in June 2014 but decided to stay for one more season under new manager Luis Enrique. 7 Interesting Casemiro Facts You Probably Didn't Know. He became the club captain after Carles Puyol's retirement, reaching his 500th La Liga appearance in April 2015. Xavi bid farewell to Barcelona in a memorable event on June 6, 2015, making his final appearance in the Champions League Final against Juventus at Berlin's Olympiastadion. He lifted their third trophy of the campaign as the club captain, signalling the end of an illustrious era with 767 appearances for the club. International Career and Retirement Xavi's brilliance extended to the international stage, contributing significantly to Spain's victories in the 2010 World Cup and the 2008 and 2012 UEFA European Championships. He retired from international football in August 2014, leaving a lasting legacy with 133 appearances over 14 years. From Barcelona Glory to Al Sadd Triumph In May 2015, Xavi revealed his decision to join Qatari club Al Sadd on a three-year contract, incorporating roles as a player, ambassador for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, and the initiation of coaching qualifications. His tenure with Al Sadd included notable moments, such as scoring goals, achieving third place in the league, and winning the Qatar Cup in 2017. Ultimately, he officially announced his retirement from professional football in May 2019, expressing his desire to pursue a coaching career in Qatar. Unveiling Marcus Rashford: Childhood & Biography Insights. Managerial Inception Al-Sadd - Right after retirement, Xavi commenced his managerial career by signing a new two-year contract with Al Sadd. During his tenure, Al Sadd reached the AFC Champions League semi-finals, secured a third-place finish in the league, and won the Sheikh Jassim Cup and the Emir of Qatar Cup in 2017. Xavi then led the team to victory in the Qatar Cup during the 2019–20 season. Xavi's reign a Al-Sadd spanned two and a half years before departing for Barcelona [to replace Ronald Koeman] in November 2021, following a 3–3 draw against Al-Duhail in his final game in charge. Barcelona - Xavi returned to Barcelona as the manager in November, bringing an immediate impact by introducing stricter rules and leading the team to a victorious start, with a 1–0 win over Espanyol. Despite facing challenges, including a defeat to Real Betis and a third-place finish in the Champions League group stage, Xavi's strategic moves in the winter transfer window, securing key signings, led to a transformative 14-match unbeaten streak. Notably, he secured his first Clásico victory as a manager with a 4–0 win over Real Madrid. 7 Interesting Casemiro Facts You Probably Didn't Know. In La Liga, Xavi orchestrated a remarkable turnaround, guiding Barcelona from ninth to a second-placed finish. The 2022–23 UEFA Champions League campaign saw Barcelona finish third in their group, relegating them to the Europa League for the second consecutive season. Xavi's managerial excellence was highlighted with a Supercopa de España title in January 2023, defeating Real Madrid 3–1. The pinnacle came on May 14, 2023, as Barcelona clinched the 2022–23 La Liga title with a 4–2 victory against Espanyol. In September 2023, Xavi's commitment to Barcelona was reinforced with a contract extension until 2025. Below are The 10 Interesting Xavi Hernandez Facts From Childhood Ranking Chelsea's All-Time Top Goalscorers. 1. He Was An Ambassador For the 2022 Qatar FIFA World Cup Xavi Hernandez served as an ambassador for the 2022 Qatar FIFA World Cup, showcasing his dedication to the global football community. Beyond his on-field prowess, Xavi's involvement in promoting and supporting the prestigious tournament reflects his commitment to advancing the sport on a global stage. 2. He Has a Wife, Nuria Cunillera, They Keep Their Privacy Xavi married his partner, fashion journalist Nuria Cunillera, in 2013 at a ceremony that was attended by the majority of his Barca teammates. There is not too much information about the couple as it appears they both prefer to keep their personal lives out of the spotlight and away from the media. The couple had been dating since Spain’s victory in Euro 2012. 3. He Had the Most Accurate Passes in the 2010 World Cup Xavi Hernandez, a pivotal figure for Barcelona and a linchpin in Spain's success, showcased exceptional precision on the field. His remarkable talent was particularly evident in the 2010 World Cup, where he held the record for the most accurate passes. With unparalleled accuracy and strategic finesse, Xavi played a crucial role in Spain's journey to victory. 7 Bruno Fernandes Fun Facts Not Every Fan Knows. 4. He's The First Player To Assist in Two Euro Finals Xavi was the pass master, registering dozens of assists for both club and country over the years. At Euro 2008, he provided the crucial assist for the only goal scored by Torres in the final, leading Spain to victory over Germany. Making history four years later, Xavi became the first player to record assists in two separate Euro finals. In a stylish display, he set up two goals in a convincing 4-0 victory over Italy, further showcasing his exceptional playmaking abilities. 5. He Won FIFA Ballon d’Or of The Year 3rd Place 3 times Xavi achieved the noteworthy feat of securing 3rd place in the FIFA Ballon d'Or of the Year three times (in 2009, 2010, and 2011). Despite his undeniable brilliance as one of the premier players globally, finishing in third place repeatedly, particularly with teammate Messi consistently winning the top spot, might have been somewhat frustrating for Xavi. His excellence in orchestrating plays from the central midfield, rather than scoring goals, occasionally led to his overshadowing by Messi's goal-scoring prowess. 6. He Won 4 Consecutive IFFHS World’s Best Playmaker Award Each year, the International Federation of Football History & Statistics presents an award to the player they consider the best playmaker globally, and Xavi astonishingly earned this accolade four times. Exceptionally, he achieved this feat in four consecutive years (2008, 2009, 2010, 2011), showcasing his unparalleled dominance during that period. The award, instituted in 2006, has seen Xavi's midfield partner Iniesta as the only other player to secure more than one honour (2012, 2013). 10 Biggest Bargain Buys In Premier League History. 7. He holds the record for the most trophies won by a Spanish player When Spain clinched the Euro 2012 title, Xavi secured his 23rd trophy in total, surpassing Paco Gento's record of 22 trophies as the highest number by any Spanish player. Xavi played pivotal roles for both Barcelona and the Spanish national team, leaving his impact as a legendary and loyal servant. His contribution led to significant success for both teams, characterised by an entertaining brand of football. In his final season at the Camp Nou before joining Al Sadd, Xavi added three more trophies to his illustrious career. Xavi's major honours throughout his career are listed here. 8. He Lifted 25 Trophies in His 17 Seasons At Barcelona Barcelona have won a staggering amount in modern times, and Xavi has been integral to all of this. Messi may get most of the plaudits, but Xavi’s abilities in the middle of the park are immensely valuable and it has been a full team effort to lift so many trophies. Xavi’s haul, which he can add another 2 to at the end of the season, includes 8 La Liga titles, 2 Copa Del Rey’s, and 3 Champions League titles plus plenty more. 9. He Registered 238 Assists Across His Career Xavi tallied an impressive 238 assists in his professional career. With 186 assists for Barcelona and 24 for the Spanish national team, his influence extended seamlessly from club football to international competitions. A key figure in the famed tiki-taka style, Xavi's enduring impact also resonated during his stint with Qatari side Al Sadd. 10. He Had Only Two Red Cards in 20 Seasons Xavi's extraordinary career at Barcelona was not only defined by his masterful playmaking but also by his discipline on the field. Throughout 20 seasons and 785 official matches with the club, the ex-midfield maestro received only two red cards. This exceptional display of sportsmanship underscores not only his technical prowess but also his ability to navigate the rigours of the game with poise and control. Xavi Hernandez, a football maestro and Barcelona legend, profoundly influences the sport, both as a coach and a former player. His legacy extends beyond the pitch, reflecting excellence, leadership, and a commitment to success. Follow Think Football Ideas across our social channels, on Facebook, [X] Twitter and Instagram.

Full Name: Steven George Gerrard Date of Birth: 30 May 1980 Place of Birth: Whiston, England Height: 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) Position: Midfielder Former Club: Liverpool, LA Galaxy (Retired) As the curtain closed on the 2014/15 season on the 24th of May, we bid farewell to Liverpool, England, and Premier League legend Steven Gerrard, widely acknowledged as a remarkable footballer. His legacy persists as it is written in the annals of football history. The Best Liverpool Forwards in History. 10 Best Arsenal Midfielders of All-time. No matter where your loyalties lie, his class and talent in the middle of the park could not be denied. He remains a much-missed figure around the league, particularly at Anfield, where he spent 17 years in the heart of their midfield, playing alongside and against some of the best players in the world. While he famously never lifted the Premier League trophy (despite coming agonisingly close in the 2013-14 season), Stevie G relished an immense amount of success at Liverpool and departed the club with countless fantastic memories. Additionally, he was a longstanding presence in the England setup, emerging as a leader and serving as the team's captain for several years. 10 Biggest Bargain Buys In Premier League History. Having been the linchpin at one of England’s biggest clubs for many years, Gerrard was never far from the public eye. Despite this, he was not a player who made headlines for the wrong reasons; instead, he was and still is renowned for being a class act both on and off the pitch. Serving as a positive role model for youngsters aspiring to enter the game, he continues to be an important figure for both Liverpool and England. Here Are 10 Interesting Facts About The Liverpool Legend Steven Gerrard 1. His Career Was Nearly Over Before It Began During a kickabout with friends as a youth, Gerrard sustained a freak accident that nearly cost him his career. After the ball got stuck in a hedge, he went to kick the ball out but instead kicked a garden fork. This went through his shoe and into his big toe. One doctor said that his toe would need amputation, but the doctors at Liverpool FC decided that it would heal with treatment, which it fortunately did. Pep’s Revival of a Classic Tactic – And How it Could be Vulnerable Next. 2. His Path To Stardom Started At The Age of 9 Gerrard originally started playing for his hometown team, the Whiston Juniors. Here he was spotted by Liverpool scouts, and he would join their academy at the age of 9. He had tryouts at a few different teams, including Manchester United, but he would eventually sign his first professional contract with Liverpool in 1997. He made his first-team debut on the 29th of November 1998, coming on as a substitute against Blackburn Rovers. It would mark the beginning of a long and storied career in England, which comes to a close on the 24th of May over 700 appearances later. 3. His Cousin, Jon-Paul Gilhooley, Was Killed In The 1989 Hillsborough Disaster The impact of the Hillsborough tragedy in 1989 is still felt around the league, and nowhere more so than Anfield. All of Liverpool are deeply affected by the tragedy, particularly skipper Steven Gerrard. Gerrard was just 8 years old at the time, and his 10-year-old cousin, Jon-Paul Gilhooley, was killed in the disaster and is the youngest of the 96 victims. Gerrard ended his autobiography with the powerful message “I play for Jon-Paul”. Top Premier League Goalscorers of All Time - Striking Gold 4. He Has Accumulated Dozens of Trophies In His Career In his distinguished career, Steven Gerrard has secured numerous honors, including FA Cups in 2000–01 and 2005–06, Football League Cups in 2000–01, 2002–03, and 2011–12, FA Community Shield in 2006, UEFA Champions League in 2004–05, UEFA Cup in 2000–01, and UEFA Super Cup in 2001 with Liverpool. Individually, the midfielder has won dozens of awards, including PFA Young Player of the Year, PFA Players’ Player of the Year, UEFA Club Footballer of the Year, and FWA Player of the Year, including Goal of the Season plus dozens more. These numerous triumphs reflect Gerrard's exceptional skill and leadership, solidifying his status as one of the most decorated footballers of his time. 5. He Is Married To Fashion Journalist/Model Alex Curran & Has 3 Daughters After dating fashion journalist/model Alex Curran for 5 years, the couple got married in 2007. Curran has launched her own fashion line, written a fashion column for the Daily Mail, and has experience in modelling. The couple have 3 daughters, Lilly-Ella (2003), Lexie (2006), and Lourdes (2011). 6. He Was Awarded an MBE in 2006 In 2006, Steven Gerrard was awarded an MBE in the New Years’ Honours List. This was for services to sport and followed Liverpool’s stunning come-from-behind Champions League Final victory over A.C Milan where they overturned a 3-0 deficit to win the game on penalties. Upon receiving the award, Gerrard stated “I’m absolutely thrilled and honoured to receive this recognition for playing a game I’ve loved all my life”. 7. He Knocked Down a 10-Year-Old with His Bentley in 2007 Gerrard was involved in an unfortunate, low-speed collision in 2007 when schoolboy Jamie Hellawell stepped into the road in front of the Liverpool skipper’s car, resulting in minor fractures. Gerrard stayed with the boy until the ambulance arrived, he apologised to the family and visited the boy in the hospital. Upon finding out that the boy’s favourite team was Man United, Gerrard got in touch with England teammate Wayne Rooney and got him to sign a pair of boots. He then stayed behind to sign autographs for the other patients. 10 Best Strikers In Champions League History. 8. He Is 4th on England’s All-Time Appearances List Gerrard has an impressive 114 caps to his name, putting him 4th on the all-time appearance list. He became the 6th player to earn 100 caps back in 2012, and although England have not enjoyed a huge amount of success, Gerrard has been a solid fixture in the setup for over a decade and has been a terrific leader. He has appeared in the 2000, 2004 and 2012 Euros, as well as the 2006, 2010, and 2014 World Cups (captaining the team in 2010 and 2014). 9. He Scored 186 Goals in 710 Appearances for Liverpool Gerrard has been a constant goalscoring threat for the Reds, regardless of where he is playing on the pitch. As well as the ability to score from open play, he has scored dozens of unforgettable free-kicks and he is also an assured penalty taker. He scored 186 goals, with 120 of them coming in the league, placing him in the 21st spot on the English top flight all-time list. Pretty impressive stuff from a midfielder, with Frank Lampard being the only midfielder to top this. He is also Liverpool’s 5th highest scorer of all-time, having recently overtaken Robbie Fowler. 10. He is the 3rd player to make 500 or more Premier League appearances for 1 club Loyalty is not too common in the modern game, but Steven Gerrard has stayed with Liverpool his entire career and enjoyed a long and successful career there. On the 25th of April 2015, Gerrard became just the 3rd player to make 500 more Premier League appearances for 1 club. He joins Ryan Giggs of Manchester United and his former teammate Jamie Carragher. Bonus: He Balanced Academics and Leadership on the Pitch Achieving a balance between academics and leadership on the pitch, former footballer Steven Gerrard demonstrated his unwavering determination to excel by securing a mix of one C, six Ds, and two Es in his GCSE exams. English Football's Trophy Dominance - Which Club Reigns Supreme? Steven Gerrard Net Worth Steven Gerrard's net worth, estimated at £71 million ($90 million) in 2023, is a testament to his enduring success both on and off the football pitch. From his early days with Liverpool to a strategic move to MLS side LA Galaxy in 2015, Gerrard's financial journey reflects a combination of playing prowess and astute career decisions. His managerial roles at Rangers, Aston Villa, and his current position as Al-Ettifaq's manager contribute significantly to his wealth. With a reported annual salary within the range of £15 million, along with lucrative endorsements, Gerrard firmly solidifies his position among football's financial elite. Follow Think Football Ideas across our social channels, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

No matter whether he is on the pitch or off, you can be sure that Zlatan Ibrahimovic will entertain. The PSG and Sweden striker is an astonishing goalscorer on the pitch and he has scored dozens of jaw-dropping goals over his career, which has seen him play at huge clubs such as Juventus, Inter Milan, A.C Milan, Barcelona, and now PSG. 10 Best Chelsea Midfielders Of All-time. Off the pitch, he has become famous for his incredible self-belief and entertaining quotes, with the striker often referring to himself in 3rd person as “the Zlatan”. Whilst this level of confidence usually makes an individual not particularly popular, Ibrahimovic’s humour and sharp wit ensure that he is a fan favourite with many around the world. However, his attitude and a few controversial incidents have earned him several enemies, including opponents, managers, and even his teammates. Zlatan Ibrahimovic has had a remarkable career for both club and country, and he is certainly one of the finest strikers of his generation. His dazzling ability on the pitch and his humour and antics off the pitch ensure he is one of the most talked-about and intriguing stars in the modern game and never far from the spotlight. Here are 10 interesting facts about the PSG and Sweden talismanic striker. 1. He and his long-term partner have 2 sons At the age of 20, when he was playing for Ajax, Zlatan met and started a relationship with Helena Seger (a model/actress and former TV presenter). The 2 are still together today and have 2 sons together named Maximilian and Vincent. When asked what he got Helena for her birthday in an interview, Ibrahimovic famously replied “Nothing. She already has Zlatan”. 10 Best Arsenal Midfielders Of All-time 2. He helped rebuild the pitch he learnt on to encourage a new generation to play Zlatan learned the game on an old gravel pitch near his mother’s house, and since turning professional he and Nike had the pitch completely remade with rubber ground and goals painted gold. It is now called “Zlatan Court”, and many of Sweden’s youth flock to this pitch to learn the game in the same place that Zlatan once did. 3. He has many tattoos Zlatan is heavily inked and has several interesting designs. In addition to the birthdates and names of his loved ones, he also has a large red dragon meant to symbolise his warrior-like personality. He has a Koi fish on his shoulder, which is a fish that swims upstream and represents him going against the grain. He has the ace of hearts and clubs on his rib cage which represents good luck, as well as the Five Deva Faces Yantra, which is a Buddhist image of the elements that are believed to fight off illness. 4. He has a black belt in Taekwondo In his hometown of Malmo, Ibrahimovic became a black belt in Taekwondo when he was 17 years old. In addition to ensuring that nobody dares get in a fight with Zlatan, these abilities have also clearly helped his game. When you watch him play you will notice that he can pull off a range of acrobatic and overhead kicks despite his size, and this is thanks to his martial arts abilities. Most famously, Zlatan scored a breathtaking overhead kick against England a few years ago. 5. He could have played for Bosnia and Croatia but chose Sweden Although born in Sweden, Zlatan also could have played for Bosnia or Croatia. He was born to a Bosnian father and a Croatian mother, but they immigrated to Sweden where they would meet and have Zlatan. When a choice had to be made, Zlatan chose the country where he had been born and raised, and he has gone on to become their all-time leading scorer. 10 Best Strikers In Champions League History. 6. He won Swedish Footballer of the Year 9 times Ibrahimovic has been the face of Swedish football for many years, and his presence has made them a difficult match-up for anyone. Despite this, they, unfortunately, were unable to qualify for the summer World Cup which was a great shame for many fans. In his career, Zlatan has picked up the Guldbollen (Swedish Footballer of the Year) a remarkable 9 times, including the last 8 consecutive awards. Freddie Ljungberg won in 2006 after Zlatan won his first Guldbollen in 2005. 7. He is in the dictionary Ibrahimovic is certainly a fan of his name, and he uses it so often that the term “to Zlatan” has been added to the Swedish national dictionary. This is widely used around the world and means to dominate something or do something with extreme talent and skill. In addition to this, “Zlatan” and Zlatan Ibrahimovic” have been trademarked by the man himself, meaning he has exclusive rights to the name for products. 8. He is the only player to score with 6 different clubs in the CL Zlatan has played for some of the greatest clubs in the world, and he has proven what an incredible goalscorer he is by scoring in the Champions League in 6 different shirts. In Europe’s finest competition, he has found the back of the net for Ajax, Juventus, Inter Milan, Barcelona, A.C Milan and PSG, making him the only player to score in the competition with 6 different clubs. Despite this, Zlatan has yet to get his hands on the Champions League trophy. 10 Biggest Bargain Buys In Premier League History. 9. He has the highest combined transfer fee in football history Having moved around frequently and played for the top clubs in Europe, Zlatan has the highest combined transfer fee in football history. The fee totals a staggering €171 million and is built up of his move from Malmo to Ajax for €7.8 m, Ajax to Juventus for €25 m, Juventus to Inter Milan for €24.8 m, Inter Milan to Barcelona for €69.5 m, Barcelona to A.C Milan for €24 m and lastly to PSG for €20 m. It also seems unlikely that PSG will be Zlatan’s final stop, so you can expect to see him adding to this remarkable fee. 10. Since arriving at Ajax he has won domestic titles at every club he has played for Zlatan has proven his abilities at every single club he has played for, particularly in their domestic campaigns. Since joining Ajax, Zlatan has helped each team to a league title and he has won a remarkable 11 league titles in 13 years. Pep’s Revival of a Classic Tactic – And How it Could be Vulnerable Next Season. Although all great clubs, this cannot be a coincidence and Zlatan has helped each team with his goalscoring ability. Many players struggle greatly when they change to a different league, but not Zlatan. There is 1 notable omission from his domestic trophy cabinet, however, the Premier League trophy. Perhaps this will be the talented striker’s next stop. Follow Think Football Ideas across our social channels, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

It has been a stellar few years for Germany and Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos, who many believe to be one of the best central midfielders in the world right now. After breaking into the Bayern Munich team as a youngster, Kroos has gone on to dominate in the Bundesliga, as well as in the Champions League, and after a brilliant World Cup, he has now made the move to Spanish giants Real Madrid where he is a key player in their midfield. He has achieved all of this at just 25 years old; there are few players who have enjoyed this much success on both the domestic and international stages at such a young age. Kroos plays with the composure of a veteran, and he excels in several areas of the game. He has fantastic vision and passing ability, and playing in the middle of the park means he is always in the thick of the action and he is a supreme playmaker. He is also a tenacious player and one who knows how to put in a challenge, and this makes him versatile and extremely valuable for both club and country. There have been few players that have performed as highly as Toni Kroos over the last couple of years, but there is also not a huge amount known about the 25-year-old. Here are 10 interesting facts about Germany and Real Madrid's midfield master. 1. He started out at Greifswalder SC Toni Kroos has played for Bayern Munich and Real Madrid and lifted countless trophies in his career. It all began at Greifswalder SC in his hometown, and at age 12 he joined Hansa Rostock’s youth team where his father was coaching. After impressing them here, Bayern Munich scouts soon took notice and he was snapped up by them in 2006. 2. He became the youngest player to ever play for Bayern Munich professionally After just 1 year in the Bayern Munich youth setup, Kroos had impressed enough to train with the senior team and make a few friendly appearances. He made his Bundesliga debut shortly after, coming on in a 5-0 victory over Energie Cottbus and assisting on 2 goals. This made him the youngest to play professionally for Bayern Munich at 17 years, 8 months, and 22 days, but this has since become Denmark’s Pierre Hojbjerg. 3. He broke through on loan at Bayer Leverkusen In 2009, Kroos was loaned to Bayer 04 Leverkusen for 18 months, and it is here where he would show his potential and become a key figure in their attack. He appeared in all but 1 game in their 2009/10 season and would win back-to-back Player of the Month awards. He finished the season with 9 goals and 12 assists in 33 matches, and upon returning to Bayern Munich he soon earned his spot in the starting line-up. 4. He has a son called Leon with his long-term partner Jessica Farber Kroos has been with his partner Jessica Farber for many years, and in 2013 she gave birth to their son, Leon. Unlike many other wives and girlfriends of professional footballers, Jessica Farber keeps herself to herself and keeps a low profile. She can occasionally be seen at Real Madrid and Germany matches with Leon, cheering on the talented midfielder. 5. He was Player of the Tournament at the U17 World Cup in South Korea in 2007 After Kroos’ hugely impressive 2014 World Cup he became one of the most talked-about footballers on the planet, but it is not the first time that he has been impressed on the international stage. During the 2007 U17 World Cup in South Korea, Kroos won player of the tournament and helped Germany to a 3rd placed finish whilst chipping in 5 goals. A few years later he broke into the senior team, and he made a few appearances in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. 6. He lifted 5 trophies in 2014 with 3 different teams 2014 was a remarkable year for Kroos, and he impressively lifted 5 trophies with 3 different teams. With Munich, Kroos won the DFB Cup and Bundesliga, before having a fantastic summer and lifting the World Cup trophy. He then made a famous move to Real Madrid, where he would win the UEFA Super Cup in his debut match. To cap things off, Kroos played in the 2014 FIFA Club World Cup Final in December, beating San Lorenzo 2-0 for his 5th trophy in 2014. 7. This season he has a pass completion rate of 92% Kroos is a fantastic all-around central midfielder and he excels in many areas. Most notable is his passing accuracy, and it is extremely unlike him to lose possession on a pass. This season he has a remarkable pass completion rate of 92%, and this is a combination of short passes, long balls, and through balls. Having a player with such excellent passing accuracy is a luxury for a manager, as you can rely on this player to retain possession, get others involved and advance up the pitch. 8. He has been given the nickname “Garcon” So brilliant is Kroos’ passing ability, that he earned the nickname “Garcon” or “The Waiter” during the summer World Cup. Kroos was feeding his teammates such appetising passes and setting them up so well throughout the tournament, that the host nation felt that he deserved the nickname after completing 76 out of 79 passes in a group match against Portugal. 9. Statistically he was the best player at the 2014 World Cup According to the Castrol Index (FIFA-approved ranking), there was no player better in the tournament in Brazil than Toni Kroos. The criteria include passes, tackles, the ground covered, and goals, with Kroos scoring a remarkable 9.79 out of 10. Kroos was in fine form throughout the competition, most notably against the host nation where he scored twice in a shock 7-1 thrashing. Despite his Castrol Index ranking and fine play, it was Lionel Messi who won the Golden Ball for the competition. 10. He won the 2014 IFFHS World’s Best Playmaker There are many terrific playmakers in the world right now, including Eden Hazard, Yaya Toure, James Rodriguez, Andres Iniesta, and of course Lionel Messi. None were better in 2014 than Toni Kroos however, according to the International Federation of Football History and Statistics, who crowned him the World’s Best Playmaker for the year. Kroos broke the trend of Barcelona players winning the award as they had won the last 6, and he narrowly beat Messi to the award. After such an impressive year in Munich and then on the biggest possible stage at the World Cup, it is hard to argue. Follow Think Football Ideas across our social channels, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Over the years Rooney has become the poster boy for English football. He plays like a classic English footballer with plenty of passion and grit, and he is the captain and linchpin for both England and Manchester United (one of the most popular clubs in the world). Rooney possesses many great attributes, including tenacity, strength, guile, vision, passing ability and finishing. Where he plays best is a hotly debated topic of conversation, and over the years he has excelled when leading the line, in the number 10 role, as well as in central midfield. 7 Interesting Bruno Fernandes Fun Facts Not Every Fan Knows. This is a testament to his greatness, and although he has sometimes been criticised over the years he has also been a phenomenal player and one that has enjoyed tremendous success. He has played alongside some of the best players in the world at United, and he continues to be the rock in the team despite the major transformation they have undergone in recent years. Since he arrived at Everton as a fresh-faced youngster he has never been far from the public eye, and this means that an awful lot is known about the Red Devils star both off and on the pitch. There have been plenty of ups and downs on the ride, but you cannot deny that Rooney is one of the greatest players of his generation and is an important figure in English football. Here are 10 interesting facts about the poster boy for English football, Wayne Rooney. 10. He met his wife at secondary school Many professional footballers are famous for changing partners as often as Premier League teams change managers, but Rooney met his wife, Coleen, when they were in secondary school. They began dating at age 16 and they married in 2008, and they now have two sons together named Kai and Klay. Pep’s Revival of a Classic Tactic – And How it Could be Vulnerable Next season. 9. His brother is also a footballer Talent clearly runs in the Rooney family, as Wayne’s younger brother John is also a footballer. John, 24, has played for Macclesfield, Barnsley, and Bury and he now finds himself at Chester. John has also played in the MLS alongside Thierry Henry at the New York Red Bulls. Unlike Wayne, John has expressed a desire to play for the Republic of Ireland. 8. He made his Premier League debut at 16 A fresh-faced Wayne Rooney played his first Premier League game for Everton when he was 16 years old, playing against Spurs. He proved himself coming through the academy, and it did not too long for him to make an impression on the senior team. Early in the season, Rooney scored a sensational goal from 25 yards out which ended Arsenal’s remarkable 30-game unbeaten run. 7. He is England’s youngest-ever goalscorer For many years now, Rooney has been the linchpin in the England side. There have been ups and downs along the way, but he now finds himself 3rd on the all-time goalscoring list with 47 to his name, 1 behind Gary Lineker and 2 behind Bobby Charlton. Rooney opened his account in the match against Macedonia in 2003 at the age of 17 years and 317 days, making him England’s youngest-ever goalscorer. 10 Best Arsenal Midfielders Of All-time. 6. He is a devout Catholic Rooney’s faith is an important part of his life, and it can be traced back to his youth when he attended Catholic school. He preys before matches in the physio room, praying for the health of himself and everyone else on the pitch. Wayne also has a few tattoos that allude to his faith, and Coleen and her family are also devout Catholics. 5. He has a number of tattoos Wayne has a few tattoos over his body, but his kit covers most of them so they are not seen too often. As mentioned, he has a few that allude to his faith; these include praying hands on his back and a Celtic cross on his arm. He also has “just enough education to perform” on his arm, and this is a reference to an album by the Stereophonics (his favourite band), but it could also be a reference to Rooney not taking any GCSEs. He also has a St. George’s flag on his shoulder with “English and proud” beneath the flag. 4. He almost quit football when he was 14 Rooney considered quitting football when he was just 14, which is a strange thought as you can tell how much he loves the game when you watch him play. He found himself no longer enjoying the game and was being told to do things that he did not want to do, and he was also heavily into boxing at this time. Fortunately, a discussion with former Everton club boss Colin Harvey helped him to fall back in love with the game, and from here he decided that football was what he wanted to do and he stopped boxing training. 3. He scored a sensational hat-trick in his Man United debut In the summer of 2004, Rooney made a famous switch to Man United for £25.6 million when he was just 18 years old. This meant there was an immense amount of pressure on his shoulders at a very young age, but Rooney would rise up and make himself a United legend after just 1 game. On his debut in a Champions League game against Fenerbahce, Rooney scored a sensational hat-trick and set up a goal in a 6-2 thrashing. This was a sign of things to come for Rooney and United. 2. He has won 12 trophies in 10 years at Manchester United Rooney has enjoyed a tremendous amount of success with the Red Devils over the years, and there are not many active players that have lifted as many trophies as Rooney. In 10 years at Old Trafford, Rooney has lifted 5 Premier League titles, two League Cups, 3 Community Shields, a FIFA World Cup, and a memorable Champions League trophy. A lot of this can be attributed to playing under Sir Alex Ferguson, but Rooney has also been privileged to play alongside some of the best players in the world such as Gary Neville, Paul Scholes, Cristiano Ronaldo, Dimitar Berbatov, and Robin Van Persie. 10 Best Strikers In Champions League History. 1. He is 1 of just 4 players to score 200 goals for United There are few clubs as prestigious as Manchester United, and over the years Wayne Rooney has cemented himself as one of the all-time greats to don the famous red kit. A lot of this has come down to his goalscoring antics, as he is 1 of just 4 players to find the back of the net 200 times. Jack Rowley is the 4th with 211, Rooney is then in 3rd with an impressive 230, Denis Law is just ahead with 237 and Sir Bobby Charlton leads the way with 249. Rooney has proven he can score regardless of what position he plays in, so it seems inevitable that Wayne will soon become their all-time top goalscorer. 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