Monthly Newsletter - June 2024
Hello ballers,
Welcome to my monthly newsletter, June 2024 edition. If you missed any of the previous months, you can check them out here: https://strivefootballacademy.com/blog
The summer months are always crazy for coaching, with most teams winding down meaning people are looking for more personal coaching and or pre season sessions - and I’ve been loving it… despite the weather.
Summer Football Camp
For the first time ever, we are running camps for 4 of the 6 week summer break: two at the start and then two at the end. There are discounts available for bookings of 3 weeks or more - for details and to book hit the link below.
https://strivefootballacademy.com/football-camps
What I’ve been watching
It’s impossible not to talk about the Euros, which I have loved. Let’s start with the good - I think the only two teams who have looked as good as they hoped they would are Spain and Germany, with the latter being knocked out by the former. However, this is tournament football and many would argue that how you play is irrelevant - winning is all that matters, which England have managed to do thus far. England play against the Netherlands tomorrow in what should be a cracking game - my gut says that England will win but I do think it could be decided by a flip of a coin. In the other semi-final, the so far underperforming France play the in-form Spain side - Spain are the favourites, but if France can get Mbappe firing and at his best, anything is possible.
For those who follow me on Tiktok (https://www.tiktok.com/@the_jwl) you may have seen me do a couple of videos for Sure - and courtesy of them I will be going to the final this coming Sunday, which I am so excited for. Let’s hope England can make it!
In regards to the transfer market, it’s been pretty quiet - which is usually the case while major international tournaments are going on, paired with the fact that a lot of clubs are still trying to comply with financial fair play rules. It will be interesting to see if there will be any major signings come the start of the season. That being said there was one deal that I found interesting… At the end of June, Douglas Luiz made the move to Juventus from Aston Villa and just 6 days later, his girlfriend Alisha Lehmann also made the move to the same club from Villa - is this the first ever ‘couples transfer’?!
Away from football - Le Tour de France is currently on which I absolutely love. If you’ve not given it a go, watch a highlights package on YouTube, you might be swayed!
Ask me a question
This months question from Jerry:
You inherit a Premier League club with unlimited money and can sign ANYONE, who you getting?
This is a tough question… You could answer this in a few ways. Lionel Messi is my first choice; he’ll bring in the crowds, you will sell incredible amounts of shirts and you can say that you had the GOAT play for your team, but he only has a couple of years left at his level.
I think the three best options player wise would be: Haaland (guaranteed goals), Bellingham (spine of the team, work horse) and Mbappe (electric pace and play style). For me, I would go for Mbappe - in an age now where the top level is all about electricity and ability to create and finish off chances - Mbappe is the most well-rounded option.
It’s crazy to me what Real Madrid’s team will look like this coming season - and if they will all be able to gel and work together… as we’ve seen in the past you can’t always throw the best players together and expect results.
Agree? Let me know…
Worth a watch
Here is a highlights package of one of Le Tour de France stages, give it a go…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oATe-1TYihY
Arne Slot has started his role at Liverpool, I love these behind the scenes videos: