Interview with York University's Top Scorer Jarek Whiteman

The York University Lion's top goal scorer this season with 15 goals in all competitions. Jarek Whiteman won the CIS (Canadian Interuniversity Sports) Championship in his rookie year back in 2008 and played a few games in 2009. Since then, the forward went M.I.A. from varsity football. Whiteman came back this season and boosted the YorkU soccer team to an unbeaten season. Intelligent on and off the ball, Whiteman is the star of the Lions' squad for this season. I caught up with the player after their final home game at home against the Laurier Golden Hawks. 

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JT: Is this your final season at York?

JW: Well, depends. I have another year of eligibility. I don't know if I might come back for graduate school after this.

JT: Top scorer for the Lions, second in the OUA and third in all of Canada. Did you expect things to go this well at the start of the season?

JW: With the team we have, we always expect to do well, but nobody expected us to do this well. We have a lot of goals for and very few against. So at well rounded, it's me scoring but it's a team effort. There's eleven guys at the pitch, so it's not just me. It's everybody.
JT: What made you decide on joining York?

JW: I had very close ties with Carmin Isacco, the head coach, from when he was working at TFC because I was with the academy team. I knew they (York) would be the top programs in the country, so it was a no-brainer to come here if I were to stay in Canada.

JT: What is your favourite memory so far being with the Lions?

JW: It will have to be an away win when we won the national championships. It doesn't come better than that. We had a bit of a sour loss in the OUA finals, but then we bounced back and won the national championship. That's the main thing.

JT: In 2008, you joined the Lions and won the CIS championship as a rookie. In 2009, you appeared in eight games and scored a goal. Between 2010 and 2013 there was a gap. Then, you came back this season and dominated every single team in the OUA. What happened in those 3-4 years that made you improve as a player?

JW: The reason why I took those years off is that I was trying to make the leap into professional football. I was trying to find different avenues. I went over to Asia and South America, but wasn't able to make it. But those experiences helped me grow as a player. Now I come back and I'm more composed and more intelligent. My physical attributes are still here, but I gained mental attributes. That's where I grew in that time.

JT: And now you're currently associated with the summer league club K-W United?

JW: Yeah, that's my PDL (Premier Development League) team. It's funny because we were housed at Laurier. And pretty much, I stayed on campus there, I would train at their fields all year long for the summer.

JT: You started playing at a young age. How old were you when you realized you wanted to take the sport seriously?

JW: I was probably 16 or 17. That's when I got my first real call-up to the Canadian national team. And since then, it's something that I enjoy. To be honest, I'm very competitive and I like winning. This is what I do best, so I might as well keep playing it.

JT: How would you describe yourself as a player?

JW: Mostly, I would like to think of myself as a hard-working, intelligent player. I try to think of myself as unselfish. I like to pass first, and shoot only if I must. But this year I got a little edge of shooting more and taking more of the goalscoring responsibilities on my own.

JT: Is there any professional player you emulate according to your playing style?
JW: Well to be honest, the reason why I wear the number 14 is because Thierry Henry is my favourite player. When I first came here in '08, I didn't get my number 9 shirt, which is what I wore all the time. So, I took 14 as a backup and since then, I just had it.

JT: How do you consider his playing style similar to yours?

JW: He has a lot of pace, but he's still technically sound and doesn't mind beating people 1v1, which is something I like to do as well.

JT: Which goal is your favourite?

JW: It would have to be the second goal against Guelph. The one that turned the tide when we were losing. There's nothing more satisfying than scoring a goal and changing the whole outlook of the game for the positive of your team.

JT: Do you have any advice for the incoming youth players in the sport?

JW: Well, the most important thing is to stay focused. Like I said, there are a lot of negative things that go on with Canadians so far like the league and the world, I guess? Just stay focused. The TFC academy is helping a lot of young players. Hopefully if you can get into there, then you can have a nice avenue to go play professional soccer and make your dreams come true.

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The York University Lions went on to win the OUA (Ontario University Athletics) playoffs and the CIS Championship. 

One Month Through: Premier League Update

It has been a month since the transfer window closed shut. The English Premier League has been progressing for five games while the teams get their chances to show off their new signings. All eyes are on the Premier League’s ‘Big Five’, namely Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea. Which team has succeeded in signing the right players for their ‘perfect squad’?

Let’s start with Manchester United, the club that set a British transfer record fee at £60 million for Argentinian ace Angel Di Maria from Real Madrid. The former Real Madrid star has scored two goals and two assists for United. Despite the fact that Manchester United signed playmaker Juan Mata last year, the squad still lacked the sharpness and speed to kill off games when needed. Taking into consideration that this is still the early stages of the competition, Di Maria’s signing has proved to be a decent one at best. 

To every soccer fans’ surprise, Manchester City did not sign any big names over the summer. However, City did shock fans and pundits alike when they signed former Chelsea legend Frank Lampard on loan. The commotion in West London did not settle, especially after Lampard scored his first goal for City against his former club to equalise the scoreline. To be fair, City did not need to sign anymore players after last season’s performance. The signing of Frank Lampard is just a deal they could not refuse. 

Liverpool lost a valuable talisman in Luis Suarez when the Uruguayan transferred to Spanish giants Barcelona. Taking his place is Mario Balotelli, who signed for a mere £16 million from AC Milan. Liverpool has lost three games so far with their new signing yet to score a single goal. Fans can only hope that the clubs’ new signings would bring in the success that Suarez was able to bring. 

Having a reputation of not spending much in transfer windows, Arsenal managed to surprise their fans by signing Barcelona star Alexis Sanchez for £30 million. The Chilean forward has scored two goals and an assist. The club has won only two of their games and drew the other three. Despite Sanchez’s heroics, Arsenal still needs to fill the gaping hole which is their striking options. 

Finally, there is Chelsea. No fans or pundits would argue when stating that Chelsea made the best signings of the transfer window. In the previous season, Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho made several references to the lack of clinical strikers at the club. The West London club has managed to fill that role with the signing of Diego Costa from Atletico Madrid. The new striker now has seven goals to his name having scored a hat-trick in the game against Everton. In addition to this, Chelsea replaced Frank Lampard with Cesc Fabregas from Barcelona. The Spanish midfielder has six assists, the highest in the league. The combined price tag of £59 million for Costa and Fabregas seems like a bargain, considering the inflated prices of world-class players today. Well done, Chelsea, you have won the Premier League transfer window. 

Fan Interview with Feroze Ali (Feroze17)

Feroze Ali (otherwise known as feroze17) is arguably one of the biggest Chelsea fans. His videos are well-known to Chelsea fans who are active social networkers. His Champions League video "Against All Odds" (parts 1 and 2) has over a million views combined. Feroze has graciously agreed to an interview...

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JT: How long have you been a Chelsea fan?
Feroze: Been supporting them since 2002! Wow... Hard to believe it's been 12 years.
JT: Wow, so that's even before the 'Abramovich' era, huh?
Feroze: Yeah... Just a couple of years before Roman bought the club. Thing is, even without Roman, the club wasn't just a mid-table club. Chelsea used to come around 4th back then.

JT: Do you play football on a regular basis as well?
Feroze: I used to play football a lot, kicking the ball with friends around, etc.

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(This is for you, Ian)
JT: Did you get to play with Ian? So hard to keep up with him on the field...
Feroze: Surprisingly I've never played footy with Ian...! But I heard he's really good..
JT: Haha he's like a little Asian Messi. ;)
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JT: Who's your favourite Chelsea player?
Feroze: I would have said Lampsy [Frank Lampard]... but he doesn't play for Chelsea anymore. Right now it's between JT [John Terry] and Drogs [Didier Drogba], after that Gaz [Gary] Cahill, who in my eyes is very underrated, followed by Eden Hazard.

JT: What's your take on Drogba's 'second coming'? Do you think he'll contribute a lot of goals in the coming season?
Feroze: Love that King Drogs is back. His influence off the field can make Chelsea win trophies alone this season. Considering Chelsea lost a legend this season (Lampsy), glad we got Didier back. He won't play much but I think it was a great decision to get him back. Also, I am sure he will be a coach the following year if he isn't a player...

JT: Did you choose the username feroze17 because of Hazard or did you like the number 17 even before Hazard's transfer?
Feroze: Haha 'nickname' has been feroze17 for quite some time now. Around 2000 I chose it because my birthday is on the 17th of February, nothing to do with Eden! All a coincidence. Glad Hazard has picked number 10 this season though.

JT: So now about your videos... When did you start learning how to edit videos and how/where did you learn it?
Feroze: I started making videos 10 years ago... in 2004. My brother used to edit videos so I gave it a try for a few years... but then stopped. But then when Chelsea won the double in 2010, I decided to make a video on it and the feedback I got was unreal so I continued. I learned it from my brother...
JT: So was that the first Chelsea video you've ever created?
Feroze: Nope, the first video I ever made was on Damien Duff... Got decent feedback for my first video.

JT: Which of the videos you made is your personal favourite?
Feroze: Against All Odds one.. Don't think I can ever top that.

JT: Have you ever watched a Chelsea match live in a stadium before?
Feroze: Yeah. Sadly only pre-season. Last year when Chelsea played vs AC Milan in New York.

JT: From the pictures you posted, you seem to have met quite a few well-known footballers. Which of them do you think is the coolest/friendliest?
Feroze: Fernando [Torres] by far. I wasn't expecting him to be this nice. Also remembered me and told me about his future trips, etc... Met his entire family, really nice people. Alex (former Chelsea player) really nice as well, along with Willian! Luiz and Oscar are good people too but I would have to say Fernando. Really friendly and loves to joke around. Non-Chelsea players I would say El Sharaawy, Niang, Paulinho and Hulk...

JT: Are you currently working on another Chelsea video?
Feroze: Yeah. Probably going to be my toughest work... a video on Lampsy.
JT: So Lamps is gonna be playing in New York now. And since we're in Toronto, do you think you'll catch a Toronto FC vs New York City FC game next MLS season?
Feroze: Definitely... Will go to that game for sure! Need to meet up with Lampsy as well.

JT: And of course I can't leave without asking you about our new signings... So we've got some big names in Fabregas, Costa, Filipe Luis and Drogba. How far do you think Chelsea can go this coming season?
Feroze: Last year I said City were clear favourites.. Didn't expect Liverpool, but this year I think we will win the title. Reason being because Matic is going to be playing from day 1 where as last season he joined in January. Luis is very underrated, for me one of the best left backs in the world right now, surprised he didn't get called up for Brazil. Cesc is class as a deep lying playmaker, I'm sure he'll play there with Matic, or a 4-3-3 with Oscar and Matic. Diego Costa is not a 1 season wonder, he is one of the best number 9's in the world. Didier is Didier, he won't be as influential on the pitch but I am sure he will contribute. My prediction is Chelsea to win the league, and for the Champions League we will make it to the semi-final again, can see the FA Cup though. League Double is what I think Chelsea will win.

JT: Well Feroze, thank you for your time and good luck with your endeavours!
Feroze: No worries Justin! Was a pleasure.

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Don't forget to check out Feroze's YouTube channel, follow him on Twitter, and like his page on Facebook!

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A Busy Summer Window

Chelsea finished the previous season at third place, a spot the Blues were all too familiar with in recent years. Jose Mourinho failed to make an immediate impact by winning a trophy at his first season back. However, this does not mean his season was a failure. Chelsea made it to the semi-finals of the Champions League before losing out to eventual runner-up (and La Liga winners) Atletico Madrid. The squad that seemed to lack chemistry in the 2012/13 season are finally bonding together to create a formidable team. With the help of a few summer signings this year, Chelsea would prove to be the strongest European team this upcoming season.

1. Cesc Fabregas - Barcelona to Chelsea
This is probably one of the most shocking transfers of this summer. It took Chelsea just one week after the media reported of the Blues' interest in Fabregas before eventually signing him. What's most shocking is Arsenal's refusal in signing him. The midfielder used to be the captain of the Gunners until 2011. When Barcelona signed him, his contract states that Arsenal gets first dibs on re-signing if the club wishes to sell. This was the only obstacle Chelsea had to go through. So here he is now, playing for his former London rivals.

2. Mario Pasalic - Hajduk Split to Chelsea
This youngster would prove to be a future prospect for Chelsea, especially after the departure of Chelsea legend Frank Lampard. His aerial ability, along with his clinical finish, would be an asset to the squad.

3. David Luiz - Chelsea to PSG
A whopping £50 million for a defender sets a record in the history books. This deal was done before the World Cup went into full swing. Jose Mourinho proved himself to be a master at managing because David Luiz went on to perform horribly at the crucial games of the World Cup. If Mourinho had made the deal AFTER the Cup, David Luiz's price would have deflated significantly.

4. Demba Ba - Chelsea to Besiktas
Signed in January of 2013, Demba Ba has appeared in games as Chelsea's substitute striker. The Senegalese international is now a forward for Turkish club Besiktas.

5. Filipe Luis - Atletico to Chelsea
Ashley Cole's exit in the summer left a huge hole in the Chelsea line-up. Cole is arguably one of the world's best left-backs in history. Filipe Luis would attempt to emulate Cole's performance for Chelsea this coming season. The Brazilian was not called up to the World Cup squad this year; however, his outstanding performance at Atletico was not overlooked by Mourinho.

6. Diego Costa - Atletico to Chelsea
After years of finding the right replacement for Didier Drogba, Chelsea has finally signed a world-class talent in Diego Costa. Fernando Torres, Samuel Eto'o, and Demba Ba have all failed to reach the standard that Drogba has set in the club. Although Costa was overshadowed by Radamel Falcao in past years at Atletico, the latter's departure in 2013 gave Costa the opportunity to shine last season. The Spanish international finished the previous season with 36 goals, a stat that Chelsea fans are hoping he would carry on to the Premier League. With this signing, Jose Mourinho has expressed his intent on winning trophies this season.

7. Exits of Lampard & Cole
Champions League winners Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole have decided to end their term at Chelsea to pursue their careers elsewhere. Lampard, Chelsea's all-time goalscorer, has yet to announce his decision on which club he would join. New York City FC are touted to be among the favorites to sign him. Ashley Cole has signed for AS Roma. Chelsea fans around the world would express their deepest gratitude to the contributions made by these two club legends.

8. Returning loanees Courtois, Bamford, Lukaku
Despite the failure of winning trophies last season, Chelsea has stacked a number of exciting talents from their young signings. Thibaut Courtois won the Spanish La Liga with Atletico last season while winning his second Ricardo Zamora Trophy (an award for conceding the least amount of goals to the amount of games played). Courtois made his impact in the World Cup with Belgium and took the team as far as the quarter-finals before losing out to Argentina. Jose Mourinho had stated his intent on keeping the 22-year old world-class goalkeeper in the club for the upcoming season.

Along with Courtois, striker Romelu Lukaku played his part in the World Cup. Lukaku failed to impress during his stint at Chelsea in previous seasons. Nevertheless, he proved to be an asset in the loan clubs he was assigned to, namely West Bromwich Albion and Everton. Pre-season matches would help Jose decide whether to keep the striker or not.

One exciting, homegrown prospect is Chelsea's 20-year old Patrick Bamford. In just half a season with Derby, Bamford scored 8 goals in 14 league appearances. So far, the Chelsea youngster is enjoying a good pre-season after bagging the club's first goal against Wycombe Wanderers. It looks like a loan to another Premier League club or Championship club would help with the striker's experience.

The preparations for the new season had begun. Looking at all the signings Chelsea made, this would prove to be an interesting year for the Blues. Fans all over the globe would expect nothing less than prestigious titles this season. Keep the blue flag flying high!

Fine Time to Be In-Form

It's past halfway through the season with 13 games left to play. On the top of the table, we have... CHELSEA!

That's right. A win from this past weekend's game against Newcastle saw Chelsea take the lead for the first time this year with a total of 56 points. On second place, Arsenal trails closely on 55 points with their next game facing United at the Emirates. On third, Manchester City dropped points with a draw with Norwich to take them up to 54 points. It's a tight race between the three teams. Arsenal have been fortunate to face less difficult (I wouldn't say "easy" because it's the Premier League, after all) fixtures in the start of the season. As a result, they have been leading the table for the majority of the first half of the season. Manchester City, on the other hand, has been on fine goal-scoring form with all their strikers at their peak form. City is blessed with prolific forwards such as Aguero, Dzeko, Negredo, and Jovetic; however, injuries in the squad might damage their chances in this title race.

Now on to Chelsea... We dropped necessary points to West Ham last week by drawing 0-0 at home. If we had won that game, we could have taken the lead much sooner. But I can't complain. The fixture after that saw Chelsea beat Man City at the Etihad while at the same time keeping a clean sheet. A strike from Branislav Ivanovic saw the Royal Blues halt City's goalscoring record at home (they have been thrashing opponents with 3 or more goals). It was a showdown between the Premier League's highest rated offensive team and the League's highest rated defensive team. In the end, defence proves to be the best offence. Manchester City 0-1 Chelsea.

Eden Hazard. This lad has been our best squad member since the beginning of the season. He works hard, he scores goals, he provides assists, he wins fouls... YOU NAME IT! Last season, I was pessimistic about his proposed transfer to Chelsea. I thought he was this hot-shot player who's a diva in being so highly rated by players and pundits. Boy, was I dead RIGHT. But the difference is, he proves it on the pitch. He has talent and skills - we saw that in his first few games at Chelsea. As the 2012/13 season progresses, Chelsea fans (me included) began to look at him in a different way. He IS a hot-shot, but he is a team player. Beautiful assists and beautiful goals. In addition to that, we enjoy watching his interviews because he's just a fun guy. Under Mourinho, Hazard flourished to a rising star. Right now, he's our top-scorer. He gained his first hat-trick for Chelsea in the Newcastle game. It was well-deserved. Eden Hazard is currently Chelsea's cornerstone of attack. Now it's up to the Premier League to give him the awards...

Winter Transfers 2013/14

So it was quite a dramatic window last month... Chelsea saw their two-time Player of the Year move to rivals Manchester United for a fee believed to be around a record-breaking £37 million. On the bright side, we made quite a few good signings as well. So here's the rundown...

OUT:

Juan Mata - to Manchester United

Kevin De Bruyne - to Wolfsburg

Michael Essien - to AC Milan

IN:

Nemanja Matic - from Benfica

Mohamed Salah - from FC Basel

Kurt Zouma - from St Etienne (loaned back for the season)

Bertrand Traore - free

The news of Juan Mata's transfer might come as a shock to Chelsea fans, who considers him as a fan favorite. Mata expected more playing time but Mourinho has other plans in mind. It was inevitable. Personally, this is one of the most emotional windows I've ever had to witness #InJoseWeTrust #ThankYouMata