All the Best Bits as Fans Return to Grounds Across the Football League

Supporters returned to grounds – many for the first time in nearly nine months – across the EFL on Wednesday evening following the changes to Covid-19 restrictions in the UK.

Bar a small sample of pilot events in August and September, this was the first time fans were permitted to watch professional league football in England since the game was suspended due to coronavirus on 13 March.

The new tiered system in England came into effect on Wednesday, and with six fixtures from across the Football League taking place in tier two regions, up to 2,000 fans were allowed into stadiums to watch the beautiful game in the flesh once more.

So sit back, relax and prepare to get nostalgic about turnstiles, tickets and clapping.

Luton versus table-topping Norwich was one of two Championship fixtures to be played in front of supporters, with up to 1,000 fans permitted at Kenilworth for the clash.

It was the first time the pair had met in the same division for 13 years.

Wednesday was a particularly emotional one for Wycombe supporters, as a lucky 1,000 were able to see their side live in the second tier of English football for the very first time.

So much has happened to the club since fans were last at Adams Park, with the Chairboys securing a famous promotion via the playoffs at Wembley in July to book their place in the Championship for the first time in their history.

The club paid tribute to supporters on the team sheet, and manager Gareth Ainsworth completed a lap of the pitch before kick off to applaud the Wycombe faithful.

Charlton were one of a selection of clubs to welcome supporters back at the start of the season in the shortly lived pilot events, and they became the first London side to host supporters for their League One clash with MK Dons.

The Addicks could move into the automatic promotion places with a win as they attempt to bounce back to the Championship at the first time of asking.

The second League One fixture permitting the return of supporters was Accrington Stanley’s visit to struggling Shrewsbury at New Meadow.

A full 2,000 fans were allowed to attend, with face masks mandatory.

The full 2,000 fans were also permitted at the Abbey Stadium for the League two clash between high flying Cambridge and struggling Mansfield.

The early kick off in League Two was the first fixture of the evening to welcome fans back as playoff contenders Carlisle and Salford went toe to toe.

The full 2,000 supporters were permitted at Brunton Park for the fourth tier clash.

Carlisle United v Salford City - Sky Bet League Two
Supporters at Carlisle United versus Salford City | Gareth Copley/Getty Images

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Wolves Doctor Reveals Raul Jimenez Should Be Ready to Leave Hospital Next Week

Wolves doctor Matt Perry has said striker Raul Jimenez should be ready to leave hospital early next week.

The Mexico international was rushed to hospital on Sunday after suffering a fractured skull in a clash with David Luiz during the Wanderers’ 2-1 victory at Arsenal. He was given oxygen on the pitch before being stretchered off and was later operated on.

Perry said in a statement on Wolves’ website: “Following Raul’s injury on Sunday, and the subsequent surgery, he has been recovering well in hospital.

“We are delighted with the reports from his specialist; he has made excellent progress. He should be ready to leave hospital by early next week.

“Once home, he will be reunited with his partner and young daughter who, because of Covid restrictions, he hasn’t seen since Sunday night.”

Any potential return date is still unclear, given the serious nature of the injury, and Perry reiterated Jimenez will need space and time in the short term.

Raul Jimenez
Medics responded quickly after Jimenez and Luiz clashed heads | Sam Bagnall – AMA/Getty Images

He added: “As his doctor I am not going to disclose any more details of his injury, his surgery or provide daily accounts of his recovery.

“Any injury of this nature is complex and timescales are uncertain but it’s safe to say that Raul’s most immediate needs are simple: space, rest and peace.

“Raul and his family are very thankful for the privacy they have been given, and for the overwhelming support they have felt from the football family and beyond.

“Raul is extremely grateful for all the messages of goodwill he continues to receive, which will certainly help him during his recovery.”

Wolves fans have raised money through fundraising for a banner in honour of Jimenez, which will be on display in the top tier of the Steve Bull Stand at Molineux. A target of £7,500 was reached in just two hours after the fundraising page was created and has since passed £17,000.

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Welcome to World Class: The Shortlist – Centre-Backs

At the heart of any great football team is often a top drawer centre-back.

A player who is able to provide structure, shape and solidity to the rest of the team, as well as a calming and authoritative reassurance.

But to be defined as world class, said player really does need to be a cut above. Often those individuals are the difference between success and second best, while a defence without a player of this calibre will often lack leadership, cohesion and quality.

Over the next month, 90min is running a series to find the five world class players in every position in the game today – and with the goalkeeper shortlist already revealed, it’s time to focus on centre-backs, all based on a scoring metric which you can read all about by clicking this link.

What you’ll see here is a shortlist of 15 of the world’s best central defenders, and why they’ve been included in the running to be told ‘Welcome to World Class’.

David Alaba
David Alaba has already mastered left-back & midfield roles | Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images

Club: Bayern Munich
Country: Austria

David Alaba hasn’t always been a centre-back and has easily been among the world’s best left-backs and central midfielders at various moments of his glittering career.

But his move into the centre of defence for Bayern Munich has been nothing short of seamless and his skills from mastering other positions have actually served to make him a better centre-back.

Rúben Dias
Man City see lots of long-term potential in Ruben Dias | Visionhaus/Getty Images

Club: Manchester City
Country: Portugal

Manchester City saw enough in Ruben Dias to agree a deal worth in excess of £60m for the rising Portugal star, who had been schooled at Benfica for 12 years.

He only turned 23 in 2020 and has enormous long-term potential, but is already regarded as an all-round modern centre-back that makes him a perfect fit for the Pep Guardiola model.

Matthijs de Ligt
Matthijs de Ligt still has most of his career ahead of him | Chris Ricco/Getty Images

Club: Juventus
Country: Netherlands

Matthijs de Ligt made history in 2018 when he became the first defender to win the Golden Boy award. He first played senior international football at 17 and was captaining Ajax to the Champions League semi-finals at 19.

Still only 21 even now, he has gone from strength to strength at Juventus and still has a decade or more at the top yet to come.

Stefan de Vrij
Stefan de Vrij has developed throughout his time in Serie A | Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images

Club: Inter
Country: Netherlands

Stefan de Vrij made his name internationally as part of the Netherlands side that finished third at the 2014 World Cup. He secured a move to Lazio soon afterwards and has spent his time in Italy, which saw him move on to Inter in 2018, continue to develop and take his game to new heights.

His ability to pass the ball out from the back is one of his best traits.

Jose Maria Gimenez
Jose Gimenez has been developing at Atletico Madrid since 2013 | Soccrates Images/Getty Images

Club: Atletico Madrid
Country: Uruguay

Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone has been polishing and moulding Jose Gimenez since the age of 18, when the raw defender was plucked from his native Uruguay.

He is known for his uncompromising and tough style of play, a trait no doubt further developed by working under Simeone for so long. He also learned off Diego Godin for years, who for years was one of the world’s very best.

Mats Hummels
Mats Hummels re-joined Borussia Dortmund in 2019 | DeFodi Images/Getty Images

Club: Borussia Dortmund
Country: Germany

Mats Hummels, back in his second spell at Borussia Dortmund after two spells at Bayern Munich in an illustrious career that has spanned a decade at the top level, is elegance personified at the back.

He has been compared to German legend Franz Beckenbauer more than once over the years and has won multiple league titles, as well as the 2014 World Cup.

Kalidou Koulibaly
Kalidou Koulibaly was an unknown when he arrived at Napoli | Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images

Club: Napoli
Country: Senegal

Napoli paid hardly anything by elite modern standards for a 23-year-old Kalidou Koulibaly in 2014 and have watched the Senegal international blossom into a mountain-like centre-back of global repute.

He has been wanted for years by Europe’s very biggest clubs, but Napoli have always resisted selling because they value him so highly.

Aymeric Laporte
Man City missed Aymeric Laporte when he was injured | Visionhaus/Getty Images

Club: Manchester City
Country: France

Aymeric Laporte’s long-term injury in the first half of 2019/20 was largely responsible for derailing Manchester City’s Premier League title hopes, proving in his absence how important he has become for one of the best club sides in the world.

Bizarrely, he is still waiting for his first senior France cap, having got injured on the cusp of finally making his debut in 2019.

harry maguire
Harry Maguire was quickly appointed Man Utd captain | Chloe Knott – Danehouse/Getty Images

Club: Manchester United
Country: England

Harry Maguire is officially the most expensive defender in history as a result of his £80m transfer to Manchester United in 2019.

The England centre-back was quickly named club captain at Old Trafford and actually enjoyed a perfectly solid debut season, despite the immense pressure and spotlight attached to one of the biggest clubs in the world.

Gerard Pique
Gerard Pique has won it all with Barcelona & Spain | Quality Sport Images/Getty Images

Club: Barcelona
Country: Spain (retired)

Gerard Pique is one of only a handful of players in Champions League history to have won the competition in consecutive seasons with different clubs – Manchester United and Barcelona.

He has enjoyed tremendous success since returning to Camp Nou in 2008 and has conquered Spain, Europe and the world with both club and country.

Sergio Ramos
Sergio Ramos remains a driven serial winner | Quality Sport Images/Getty Images

Club: Real Madrid
Country: Spain

Sergio Ramos is the full package when it comes to elite centre-backs. A winner of four Champions League titles, his competitive edge is second to none and he will do whatever it takes to win.

He also scores goals at a stunning rate for a defender, over 125 for club and country, and is in a race to become the first male player to reach 200 senior international caps.

Thiago Silva
Thiago Silva still has much to offer at the highest level | Marc Atkins/Getty Images

Club: Chelsea
Country: Brazil

Even at 36 years of age, Thiago Silva is proving he is far from finished at the highest level.

The veteran Brazilian won eight titles in 11 seasons in Europe with AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain and has now already helped eliminate Chelsea’s great defensive weakness since setting his sights on more success at Stamford Bridge.

Dayot Upamecano
Dayot Upamecano is being watched by several elite clubs | DeFodi Images/Getty Images

Club: RB Leipzig
Country: France

Dayot Upamecano is the young centre-back that everyone has their eye firmly on in 2020, with the 22-year-old one of the biggest success stories of the Red Bull club model.

He was first scouted by Salzburg at 18 and then passed on to Leipzig a year later – now, it is expected that he will have pick of elite clubs in the summer of 2021 when he moves on.

Virgil Van Dijk
Virgil van Dijk has transformed Liverpool since 2018 | Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images

Club: Liverpool
Country: Netherlands

Virgil van Dijk completely changed Liverpool’s fortunes when he joined them from Southampton in January 2018, proving to be worth every penny of the world record £75m fee.

Within five months he was playing in the Champions League final, within 18 months he had won it and two-and-a-half years into his Anfield career he was a Premier League champion.

Raphael Varane
Raphael Varane is still only 27 | DeFodi Images/Getty Images

Club: Real Madrid
Country: France

Raphael Varane has been there and done it all, winning the Champions League on four occasions, three La Liga titles and the World Cup – in 2020 he turned 27.

The Frenchman was the only player on the planet in 2018 that won both the Champions League and the World Cup that year, which should have made him a serious contender for the Ballon d’Or.

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Victor Lindelof’s Improvement Shows He’s Not the Weak Link He’s Made Out to Be

Since arriving in the summer of 2017, Victor Lindelof has often been the scapegoat of any defensive lapses involving Manchester United.

A £30m signing from Benfica under Jose Mourinho, Lindelof arrived from Portugal’s biggest club with a reputation of being comfortable on the ball and a very good defender.

After making his debut for the club in the UEFA Super Cup defeat to Real Madrid, Lindelof had to wait almost two months before making his Premier League bow as a late substitute against Liverpool. His first significant minutes came as a substitute for the injured Phil Jones (bet you’d never have guessed that!) in the next game against Huddersfield.

Lindelof came on in the 23rd minute of the game and within ten minutes, United were 2-0 down thanks to two errors from the Swede. He failed to react to a loose ball for the first goal and just backed off until it was too late, before misjudging a header and allowing the striker in behind.

He went on to make just 17 appearances in total in the Premier League in that season but was largely deemed not good enough, with that Huddersfield performance always the first thing to jump to people’s memory.

The following season he made 30 appearances in the league as Mourinho was sacked midway through the year and replaced by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. With United’s poor form coinciding with Lindelof’s added inclusion, many ran with the narrative of him being the reason for it. It was swiftly ignored when Solskjaer kept faith with him and the results took a swift upturn, which infamously led to the Norwegian getting the job permanently.

Since Solskjaer’s arrival, Lindelof has been first choice alongside £80m captain Harry Maguire. He featured 35 times in the Premier League last season as the Reds finished third and secured Champions League football, with him registering his best season yet.

Lindelof has been an automatic starter when fit under Solskjaer
Lindelof has been an automatic starter when fit under Solskjaer | Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Lindelof is much better defensively now than he was back in his first season. Positionally he has learned to drop off an extra yard to make up for his lack of speed and is now part of a better defensive set up than when he joined.

The key numbers statistically show that he now needs to make fewer tackles per game (1 vs 0.8), is dribbled past less (0.3 vs 0.1), catches his opponent offside more (0.5 vs 0.6) and commits the same amount of fouls (0.6) in the process.

His presence in the side is felt clearly too as shown in two games in particular this season. Eric Bailly started in Lindelof’s place alongside Maguire when Tottenham visited Old Trafford in October.

Both central defenders had absolute nightmares, with Maguire arguably the worst player on the pitch as the Red Devils were thumped 6-1 on their own turf.

Paris Saint-Germain v Manchester United: Group H - UEFA Champions League
Lindelof was brilliant against PSG in the 2-1 win this season | Xavier Laine/Getty Images

Compare that to when Lindelof led the defence as part of a back three when he was partnered by the inexperienced Axel Tuanzebe and left-back Luke Shaw in central defence. United were completely solid and kept Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and Angel Di Maria quiet for the most part, with their only goal coming courtesy of Anthony Martial’s head.

Lindelof is comfortable now playing in a higher line and has adapted his game tremendously to show that he isn’t the weak link that fans and pundits had him out to be. He has the skillset on the ball to play for a top side and if partnered with a top, athletic defender alongside him that could be the key to unlocking a top level defence for United.

Is he world class? No. Is he even close to the best defenders in the league? No. But is he good enough to be part of a successful defence? Most definitely. Let’s put some respect on Lindelof’s name going forward.

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Signing Samuel Umtiti Should Not Be the Answer to Any Club’s Injury Crisis

Reliability is arguably the most important virtue in a central defender. A manager needs to know what they’re getting from their centre backs – that is crucial.

So, would it be fair to say that Samuel Umtiti is not the answer to any problematic situation relating to injury for a top level football club?

Well, yes, it would.

Despite his history, the Frenchman has been linked with a number of clubs as a solution to widespread injury crises around Europe. The centre back has been identified by Andrea Pirlo’s Juventus as a replacement for veteran Giorgio Chiellini.

The 36-year old has struggled to stay fit this campaign, due to the frenzied schedule. While he looks likely to return soon enough from muscular problems, I Bianconeri want a solution to the possibility of him being sidelined again throughout the season.

Liverpool have suffered a great deal from injuries up to this point, and it’s no secret that they have been scouring the market for centre back options after long-term injuries to Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez. Umtiti has recently been identified as a possible acquisition to fill the void at the back for Jurgen Klopp.

Most heavily linked to the 27-year old are Carlo Ancelotti’s Everton. The Toffees boss reportedly wants to invest in better quality options in central defence, due to the significantly mediocre performances from Mason Holgate and Yerry Mina thus far this campaign that have led the Italian to look for starting options elsewhere.

There is no doubt Umtiti is a quality player. The centre back was a key component of Didier Deschamps’ World Cup winning side in 2018, and scored the only goal in a 1-0 victory over Belgium in the semi-final. Under normal circumstances, the Frenchman is an outstanding player to have in your squad, competing with other players for a spot in the starting XI.

However, these are not normal circumstances. You can’t help but see the irony when Umtiti, whose potentially world class career has been stifled with knee injuries, is being named as a solution to a number of clubs who find themselves in, well, severe injury-stricken times.

Samuel Umtiti has been held back by injuries in the past two years
Samuel Umtiti has been held back by injuries in the past two years | DeFodi Images/Getty Images

Since the 2018 World Cup, in which Umtiti was faultless alongside Raphael Varane, the Barcelona centre back has featured just 33 times for his club. The Frenchman has suffered on and off from knee problems, which has been the principle cause of his absences.

Those absences have paved the way for fellow Frenchman Clement Lenglet to assert himself as a firm favourite for club and country. With Umtiti playing catch up from a long way behind, there’s no doubt the former Lyon man is off speed and considerably lacking in match fitness as he concentrates on his rehabilitation.

On his road to recovery, Umtiti has been training with Barcelona B and is said to be steadily making his way back. However, with January just around the corner, it seems extremely unlikely that the Frenchman will be up to match sharpness for top flight clubs – especially given the busy schedule this season brings.

It’s a great shame that Umtiti’s career has led him to a situation of exile at Barcelona. The unfortunate nature of his spell at the Catalan giants has prompted his club to slash his selling price and make him available at around just £10m, depending on which outlets you trust.

While this is obviously a minimal fee for someone of his potential quality, the 27-year old comes with a hefty salary, as well as the possibility of a stint on the doctor’s table because of a dodgy knee – a prospect not even worth thinking about for most managers in current circumstances.

In a time where the maintenance of finances is a big priority, signings are having to become more and more shrewd. It’s safe to say that taking into account Umtiti’s wage and history on the sidelines to combat the severe crisis of injuries wouldn’t constitute ‘clever business’.

The Frenchman cannot be considered a viable solution to come in and fill defensive voids for clubs that are playing two matches a week. He’s just not reliable.

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