Frank G. Barnes, Author at The Trivela Effect

Paul Merson spit the take Chelsea fans have been screaming for a long time

11Oct

By Frank G. BarnesNo Comments

Analysis

Paul Merson spit the take Chelsea fans have been screaming for a long time

Chelsea star defensive midfielder Moises Caicedo was finally back in the starting lineup after several weeks out with a calf injury, and he was monstrous next to new signing Jordan Henderson as the Blues blew out the Cherries 5-1. Everyone around Chelsea has been praising Caicedo highly, and now pundit Paul Merson, a former Arsenal star, has joined in by effusively praising the Ecuadorian defensive midfielder on Sky Sports: "When you’ve got Henderson and Caicedo in there, they can just sit, and you just let the other three just get on with it. They shouldn’t let in too many goals, they shouldn’t be that open, because you’ve got them two that can hold in midfield and then you’ve got three that are as good as anything. Henderson’s got the experience and Caicedo, for me, is the best hol...

Levi Colwill admitted the issue every Chelsea fan can see

11Oct

By Frank G. BarnesNo Comments

Analysis

Levi Colwill admitted the issue every Chelsea fan can see

Chelsea have transitioned to a new formation with a back three under Xabi Alonso, and while Levi Colwill used to play in that formation, everyone can see that he is still adjusting to making his full impact defensively. Colwill told reporters after Chelsea's key win over Bournemouth, "I haven't played on the left of a three for maybe two years, and it's a lot different. So I'm still adjusting. I've still got to learn so much about the role and try to improve in the position..." While Colwill has looked good in one on ones, he isn't making enough plays defensively with fewer than a tackle and an interception per game for the Blues in a handful of starts as the left sided center back. Chelsea and Colwill are all adjusting to the new coach and new responsibilities, but as Colwill say...

Florian Wirtz is still hurting Liverpool with the same fatal flaw

11Oct

By Frank G. BarnesNo Comments

Analysis

Florian Wirtz is still hurting Liverpool with the same fatal flaw

Liverpool's 100 million pound attacking midfield signing Florian Wirtz has drawn the ire of fans around the league, including pundit Jamie Carragher, for his continued struggles, and he has been one of the worst players in the Premier League at maintaining possession. Well, Wirtz had another rough outing for the Reds this weekend in a 3-0 blowout loss to former title rivals Manchester City at Anfield, and, as WhoScored points out, he was the least secure player on the pitch with 16 possessions lost in the first half - double anyone else in the game. Wirtz only created two chances and won three fouls, winning zero dribbles and failing to do anything decisive as Liverpool were shut out in yet another important game. While losing the ball isn't the worst thing in the world for a play...

David O’Leary hammered home the uncomfortable truth about Bukayo Saka

11Oct

By Frank G. BarnesNo Comments

Analysis

David O’Leary hammered home the uncomfortable truth about Bukayo Saka

Arsenal superstar Bukayo Saka is still one of the best wingers in the Premier League, but when it comes to being a Ballon d'Or candidate, the England international has yet to reach that potential or become a true superstar. Former Arsenal legendary center back David O'Leary is the latest to drive that point home, and he made the claim to the media after Arsenal scrounged out another tough win, 2-1, over Leeds United. O'Leary said, “I'd love to give you an honest answer on that, the guy hasn't changed, we haven't got the arrogant side. He's not the player that he was, without a doubt. He's still a top player, but is he the player that got this fantastic new contract at Arsenal to make him one of the top-paid players in the country? I don't think so at the moment. I don't know what's h...

Gary Neville told the brutal truth about Youri Tielemans at Manchester United

11Oct

By Frank G. BarnesNo Comments

Analysis

Gary Neville told the brutal truth about Youri Tielemans at Manchester United

Youri Tielemans was one of the best midfielders in the Premier League for years at Aston Villa and Leicester City, but club legend Gary Neville is not impressed with the way he and Kobbie Mainoo fit together as the pairing at the base of the Manchester United midfield. Neville said of the duo after United's 1-1 draw with Tottenham,"Tielemans and Mainoo, I think we've seen enough now. I don't want to draw a definitive line, as that would probably be too radical, but I've seen enough to think that this midfield [the two of them together] isn't dynamic enough for the Premier League. Both are good players individually, but sometimes it just doesn't work together." Mainoo is having a career start to the 2026/27 season under Michael Carrick and is one of the leaders in passin...

Xabi Alonso said how every Chelsea fan feels about Moises Caicedo

11Oct

By Frank G. BarnesNo Comments

Analysis

Xabi Alonso said how every Chelsea fan feels about Moises Caicedo

Chelsea finally got defensive midfielder Moises Caicedo back on the pitch after being out for several weeks with a calf injury, and it is no coincidence that they won against Bournemouth with their all important defensive anchor. Xabi Alonso was like everyone else in the Chelsea fan base, just dying to see Caicedo, and he had this to say about having the Ecuadorian star back in his lineup, “I couldn’t wait to have him back to be honest because with Moi on the pitch everything looks more in place because he’s so important, so pivotal.” Caicedo had four tackles, two interceptions, and three clearances with three fouls drawn in a perfect No. 6's performance in the 5-1 blowout win over the Cherries. He was dominant, as ever, and, yes, it was great to see him back out there. E...

Liverpool fans will love what Andoni Iraola said about Lewis Koumas

11Oct

By Frank G. BarnesNo Comments

Analysis

Liverpool fans will love what Andoni Iraola said about Lewis Koumas

Liverpool got it handed to them by Manchester City 3-0 at Anfield on Sunday, but they have to take any positives they can with them, and there are high hopes for young forward Lewis Koumas. While Koumas was a bit out of place in a game of this magnitude, Kopites are excited to see what he can do going forward, and Andoni Iraola spoke a bit about him after the tough loss. Iraola told reporters, "His performances, how he's training, how he's given everything for the team. I trust that he can give us a good threat for City. We have some injuries but I trust 100 per cent my team. I think he's very mobile forward. He's playing all the positions – he can play wide, attacking more the spaces. I think it's quite complete. Obviously he's still young but these games also will be very good for ...

Senne Lammens keeps the Carlos Baleba hype train going

11Oct

By Frank G. BarnesNo Comments

Analysis

Senne Lammens keeps the Carlos Baleba hype train going

Manchester United were not able to close the deal against a 10 man Tottenham Hotspur, drawing 1-1, but they were able to get a positive in the form of seeing blockbuster signing Carlos Baleba on the pitch. And his teammates are hyped about him, too, with young star goalkeeper Senne Lammens raving to the press after the game about what the new No. 8 can bring to Old Trafford. Lammens said, “I think everyone saw the qualities he has—the qualities he can bring us. “Not only him, but I think also Josh [Zirkzee]. He played a pivotal role in the second half to help us get control of the game. One of the positive things about today, I'm very happy for them and hopefully in the future they can also help us a lot”. Baleba was a top class Premier League player for Brighton, and while he is ...

Bradley Barcola said exactly what Liverpool fans wanted to hear about his mentality

11Oct

By Frank G. BarnesNo Comments

Analysis

Bradley Barcola said exactly what Liverpool fans wanted to hear about his mentality

Liverpool forward Bradley Barcola has come with a 123 million pound price tag and massive expectations after winning two straight Champions Leagues with PSG, and while he hasn't scored or assisted yet, Kopites are high on his ability to be the true heir to Luis Diaz in the attack. Barcola has the right mentality, too, and he explained to Liverpool fans that he has told Andoni Iraola that his goal is to not only attack but also to help the team in defense. The Frenchman told Sky Sports in an interview, “When I spoke to him before signing, it was about playing out wide, doing what I do best and playing with lots of pace. That’s why he thought I was a good fit for this team. He knows I attack a lot but also defend a lot. He told me that’s exactly what he needed from me. I’m very happy a...

Martin Keown nailed what Bruno Guimaraes brings to the table for Arsenal

11Oct

By Frank G. BarnesNo Comments

Analysis

Martin Keown nailed what Bruno Guimaraes brings to the table for Arsenal

Arsenal spent a pretty penny to sign Bruno Guimaraes this season, and while he has not been fit enough to make his biggest impact, he was decisive for the Gunners in their tough 2-1 win over impressive underdogs Leeds United. The iconic Martin Keown waxed poetic about the personality the reigning champions showed in the second half of the win over the Peacocks, and he was particularly impressed with the signing from Newcastle United: “If you're gonna be champions again, to repeat it, you have to win these games. And Arsenal found a way to win. But, credit Leeds, I thought Leeds were outstanding, compact. In the duels they were tenacious. And then suddenly Bruno Guimaraes comes off the bench, and he plays with that electricity, a personality. Ok, Calafiori gets the equaliser, but it g...