
West Ham have built an efficient roster in their own way. The emphasis isn't running or pressures, but in winning aerial battles, intercepting passes, and controlling the uncontrollable elements that define the Premier League.

In examining the relationship between a domestic league and its national team, you could even argue an inverse strength with exported players able to bring back different experiences to international play.

What's happening at Inter is happening all over the sport. Some new badges and kits and color schemes are better than others and some old badges and kits and color schemes were pretty lousy in the first place, but everything smells strongly of disinfectant and money.

It's not the results that ruin seasons from the inside out, but the attempt to keep up within the trappings of billion-dollar television deals and European places. Chris Wilder and United lost their way in the transfer market, then lost each other altogether.