Euro 2016 proved what many people have been thinking for a while, possession football may now be dead. Portugal winning against France in the final just summed-up the tournament and the latest football trend.
France dominated the ball for long periods of the final, but failed to find the net. Portugal did find the net in extra-time and won. Football really is a simple game at times.
Another good example was England’s campaign. The Three Lions dominated possession in all four of their four games in France, yet proved that it not the amount of possession a team it is what they do with it.
Roy Hodgson’s side showed their flaws, yet the likes of Russia and Iceland made the most of their little opportunities to punish the Three Lions.
Last season there was a perfect example of the new trend in the Premier League, as Leicester won the league despite having one of the lowest average possession ratios in the league. However they made the most of the little possession they did have by being clinical in front of goal.
Some teams are still likely to dominate in club football, with the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid still winning the majority of their games in La Liga by dominating possession, as will certain teams in the Premier League.
The new season will no doubt illustrate the point perfectly in the Premier League, especially after Leicester’s style of play proven so successful last season.
The tide has turned and having possession of the ball is no longer considered so important and no doubt that will be reflected in next season’s English top-flight.