KIDDYZA ACADEMY

One of the finest players and greatest celebrators of soccer, Franz Beckenbauer, has died at the age of 78. The Germany and Bayern Munich icon’s family confirmed the news via DPA, a German news agency, on Monday, revealing he had passed away peacefully in his sleep on Sunday night (January 7). Beckenbauer was not only one of the greatest of the game, he was also a trendsetter, the personification of the game’s unyielding spirit. Throughout his playing and coaching career, ‘Der Kaiser’, as he was affectionately called, trailblazed, inspired millions, and propelled his teams to unprecedented success.

Franz Beckenbauer: The Liberator

Beckenbauer revolutionized the way the game was played by reimagining the ‘Libero’ role. Until the German redefined it in the 1970s, the ‘Libero’ or ‘Sweeper’, only served as a defensive cover. They operated behind the defensive line, primarily coming alive when the original backline was penetrated and a body was needed to protect the goalkeeper. Beckenbauer gave the role a new spin at Bayern Munich, adding attacking traits to it. Instead of just sitting back and waiting to kick the ball away, Beckenbauer used his impeccable intelligence and ball-playing ability to drive into midfield. He would go on little adventures in every game, carrying the ball from defense to midfield, and even beyond at times. Teams rarely had an answer for ‘Der Kaiser’s’ driving runs down the middle, and, as a result, they were often outnumbered during a counter-attack.

Franz Beckenbauer: The Conqueror

Beckenbauer was a tactical mastermind, an impeccable ball player, and a fearless leader all rolled into one. His leadership and timely masterclasses instigated the golden eras of both the Bavarians and Die Mannschaft. He helped his country to the 1972 European Championship before guiding them to FIFA World Cup glory in 1974. At Bayern, he won three consecutive UEFA Champions League between 1974 and 1976, four Bundesliga titles, and four DFB Pokals. Beckenbauer’s heroics deservedly won him two Ballon d’Or Awards in 1972 and 1976. In 2000, Germany honored him with the Footballer of the Century title. Unsurprisingly, the Germany icon also had an impressive managerial career. In 1990, he took his country to the FIFA World Cup, becoming only the second player in history, behind Brazil’s Mario Zagallo, to win the esteemed trophy both as a player and manager. France’s Didier Deschamps joined the esteemed duo when France won the FIFA World Cup in 2018. Beckenbauer also won it all as Bayern’s manager, including nine Bundesliga titles, a Champions League trophy, and six DFB Pokals, amongst others.

Franz Beckenbauer: The Immortal

Might it be fair to say that the work that Ange Postecoglou is doing at Tottenham Hotspur is going under the radar? Or, perhaps at the least, the Australian manager's remarkable rekindling of the formerly struggling side has not received the praise it deserves after the dip before the festive period. Timo Werner is closing in on a surprise loan deal, while Postecoglou's "priority" to sign a centre-back backs up recent transfer rumours that the backline will welcome a fresh face.

Related Spurs in talks to sign £50m Werner partner who would supercharge Maddison Ange Postecoglou's side appear to be busy in the January transfer market. There is a hope that January transfers will ameliorate any problems that have risen from the fragility of the squad, and with talisman Heung-min Son and midfielders Yves Bissouma and Pape Matar Sarr all on international duty for the next month or so, Werner's signing will likely be backed up with an approach for a midfielder. In defence, Radu Dragusin is the prime target but whether Spurs will succeed in securing his services remains uncertain, with Napoli also interested; should they fail, other options have been lined up...

Spurs transfer news - Andreas Christensen

Last week, Spanish reports revealed that Tottenham are among the contenders to sign Barcelona defender Andreas Christensen, with the Premier League clubs attentive to the La Liga champions' fraught financial situation. Barcelona signed the Danish star on a free transfer at the start of last season after his contract ended with Chelsea, and while he holds a €500m (£430m) release clause, Spurs might be able to agree on a favourable fee given the circumstances.

But with Manchester United and Newcastle United also pushing for a deal, Spurs will need to decide quickly whether they wish to advance their intrigue or focus their attention elsewhere.

Andreas Christensen's style of play

Christensen made 161 appearances for Chelsea and won the Champions League, Europa League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup before joining Barcelona, where he played an important part in winning the league last term. As per Sofascore, Christensen played 23 times during the 2022/23 La Liga campaign and kept eight clean sheets, completing 94% of his passes and winning 69% of his aerial battles. There has been conversation surrounding the 27-year-old's sporadic role this season, but then he has started 14 of La Blaugrana's league matches and remains an important member.

However, should an enticing offer be put forth then Xavi and his transfer team may well be convinced to grant his departure, with Barcelona not short of first-class defenders. Postecoglou is building something at Tottenham and is understandably pursuing reinforcements in defence, with star defensive pair Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero both in and out of the team this season due to injuries and suspension for the latter. Christensen, as per FBref, ranks among the top 1% of central defenders across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for pass completion, the top 7% for passes attempted and progressive passes, the top 12% for progressive carries and the top 14% for shot-creating actions per 90. Clearly, he is among the finest passers of the ball within any backline across Europe and this is fitting given that he plays for Barcelona, but with Tottenham now refining their own technical play under Postecoglou's wing, he would be a fantastic acquisition. Andreas Christensen: Similar Players # Player Club 1 Jules Kounde Barcelona 2 Antonio Rudiger Real Madrid 3 William Saliba Arsenal 4 Danilo Juventus 5 Fikayo Tomori AC Milan *Sourced via Football Transfers The £149k-per-week ace is not naturally left-footed but he is at ease on the left side of the backline and has played there with regularity throughout his career, having been praised for his "intelligent" approach by one-time boss Thomas Tuchel. Given this, he would be the perfect alternative to the left-sided centre-half Van de Ven, whose injury absence over the past few months has forced left-back Ben Davies into his position. While the aforementioned Dragusin is the favourite to join the fold, there is indeed uncertainty regarding his move to north London, and while OGC Nice's Jean-Clair Todibo has also been of a vested interest, Christensen might just be the perfect fallback.

How Andreas Christensen compares to Jean-Clair Todibo