beautiful Football at Man City

By: j | November 19th, 2008

The term or idea of “beautiful football” seems to have accelerated in use over the last decade and with a taste of experience, I wonder “how” and “why” it has not only come into fashion but equally “what” does “beautiful football” precisely mean to Football public. It is a peculiar twist in the wind, this “beautiful football” that assumes which was played before…well wasn’t so beautiful at all. The notion of “beauty”, as in the art-world and all other matters in life is open for interpretation and subject to your own individual environment and whether a person finds the beauty in luminaries of the past such as Johan Cruyff, Franz Beckenbauer, Roberto Baggio, Eusébio, Pelé, Maradona or George Best or today’s stars is up to them. While my own opinion might be charred from memories of the past, I warrant to a new generation’s the notion of the beauty of the game might differ in some ways than of mine and there might not be such an easy answer.

However the aspect of “beautiful football” is one that equally irks me to some degree as someone who works in the industry and I question how much of the visual change of the game is related to the epic financial growth of the sport and how sometimes the kit sales and global broadcast rights far out-weigh the clubs concerns of actual performance on the pitch. While it isn’t generally said in the media, the selling of the sport has had a massive influence on tactical changes and style of play in-order to influence the consumer / observer as opposed to the true long-term fan. And while “beautiful Football” is a matter that I would leave for individual interpretation, fundamentals are not. Whilst the regulatory bodies of the game are slowly culling quality earmarks of the sport such as a strong sliding tackle or some coaches tactics throw aside defending in order to “throw” attackers forward, it is not winning Football but instead done for “marketing” purposes.

What this has to do with Manchester City at this time remains to be seen because quite obviously as we look at this club in mid November 2008, it is neither a “great” club nor is it in the midst of a memorable season. Truthfully it is not a very good club at this time and if wasn’t for the shower of financial support from its ownership the concern around Eastlands wouldn’t be of a European effort but concern of how close the club is to the relegation zone. It however is a “club of promise” for the most unusual of reasons given the owners apparent financial commitment for the future. This is of particular note in this year as many clubs are in dire financial straits and certainly a well appointed club such as Man City will be able to attract many top-flight players.

At this stage of the campaign the horizon bodes the luminescence of the “January transfer window”, a phrase City faithful have been waiting for since the ownership change and worthy of special consideration. As the club approaches said transfer window it will firmly define how it plays and the tactics it will employ. Of recent Mark Hughes has recognized the massive weaknesses in the defending aspect of play and as opposed to holding back with extra support in somewhat of a “best defense, is the best offense” ideology, he has chosen to do the opposite. It has created a fundamental nightmare and leads to erroneous reporting, as truthfully they are not playing a 4-4-2 or 4-3-3 but a 4-1-5 “ish” with all hands on deck pushing forward in the attack, without apparent discipline and young Vincent Kompany being asked to do the impossible and handle holding from line to line. While the natural attacking flair of Man City is quite obvious, if the club is to be successful, not only must Mark Hughes shore up the back-line and defensive midfielders, he must instill a results orientated plan of “beautiful Football” where defensive characteristics dictate the oppositions play, thus allowing your attacking decision process to evolve but equally possess a squad made up of players who demonstrate a higher work-rate than the present. However far beyond that, as the media swarm and Football pundits begin to stream through endless discussions of players to bring-in, never forget what you already have and support the academy. That is the true gem of the club and beautiful Football lays at the core of the game.