One of the main talking points so far this football season has been the potent “SAS” partnership of Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge at Liverpool.
It has sparked much discussion about striking partnerships, which have become rarer in recent years since the 4-4-2 formation went out of fashion. However off the pitch, there has been hardly a murmur about a relationship that has endured for over a decade — Barclays and the Premier League.
By the time the current deal expires — at the end of the 2015-16 season — Barclays will have sponsored the Premier League for 15 years, including the period when Barclaycard was the sponsor of the Premiership in 2001.
With climate change, commercial overload and endless fixtures, footballers are being pushed to breaking point. It’s time their unions became a more powerful, unified force, writes JAMES NALTON
Joao Pedro’s emotional goals against Fluminense captured the magic of an international club competition. But even as fans bring colour and passion, the Club World Cup’s deeper issues loom large, writes JAMES NALTON


