The first silverware of the season is on offer on Sunday as Arsenal and Manchester City square off in the Carabao Cup final.
While most of Pep Guardiola’s team seems set in stone, the sheer depth of attacking options has left the Spaniard with a selection headache ahead of Sunday’s clash. Kevin De Bruyne, David Silva, Sergio Aguero and Raheem Sterling are all likely to start, so that just leaves one attacking spot left to fill.
Leroy Sané, who started last time out against Wigan, would have been the clear first choice earlier in the season, but an injury to the German speedster against Cardiff opened the door for Bernardo Silva to make his mark on the first team.
Silva has scored or assisted in six of his last ten games in all competitions, and is tailor-made for a Pep Guardiola team. The Portuguese midfielder, valued at £36million by Transfermarkt, had a slow start to his City career but has made up for lost time with some superb performances.
The nine-cap winger endured a similar start to life under Pep Guardiola, who clearly has no problem taking his time to bed players in. Like Silva, the 22 year-old Sané has since proved his worth with his electrifying pace and clinical finishing.
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So, Manchester City fans, who should Pep Guardiola opt for on Sunday? Let us know by voting below…
Arsenal are said to be one of two teams in the Premier League chasing Federico Fazio. The Sevilla centre-back has been a regular for his club in recent seasons, helping them to the Europa League title last season.
There are obvious concerns about Fazio, notably his defensive awareness to counter a severe lack of pace. His stature is very similar to that of Per Mertesacker, but the German has looked far more comfortable than the Argentine.
Fazio has improved over the past 12 months, however. Initially he would have been a considerable risk, but he has shown more composure in his game than what was regularly seen from him in the past.
If Arsenal do wrap up a deal for the 27-year-old, where he’d possibly replace Thomas Vermaelen in the squad, the club will need to continue to invest.
These are six players who could follow Fazio to Arsenal.
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Click on Antoine Griezmann to reveal all
Football – Ecuador v France – FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014 – Group E – Estadio do Maracana, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – 25/6/14France’s Antoine Griezmann (L) in action against Ecuador’s Frickson ErazoMandatory Credit: Action Images / Carl RecineLivepicEDITORIAL USE ONLY.
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Alexis Sanchez
Football – Spain v Chile – FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014 – Group B – Estadio do Maracana, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – 18/6/14Chile’s Alexis Sanchez warms up before the matchMandatory Credit: Action Images / Paul ChildsLivepicEDITORIAL USE ONLY.
Recent rumours of Alexis Sanchez heading to Liverpool should send Arsenal scrambling. In a summer where there is little clarity about who Arsenal’s star striker purchase will be, they can’t afford to pass on the availability of the Chile international.
Alexis is everything Arsenal need as a centre-forward. He allows for a completely different approach to what Olivier Giroud offers, able to inject pace, trickery a consistent source of goals. Considering Arsenal targeted Luis Suarez last summer, Alexis would make a lot of sense as the club’s prime target this year.
Alexis has had one of the best season’s of his career, and by staring at the World Cup for Chile, this is the best time to sign a player who was recently struggling for form and confidence.
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Mathieu Debuchy
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Mathieu Debuchy is said to miss the Champions League, in what is a not-too-subtle indicator that he’s thinking about life away from Newcastle. The French international signed for the club for a bargain fee of £5.5 million in January 2013 and has adapted well to the Premier League.
The 28-year-old was a part of Lille’s title winning side, and, being a French international, does have the quality to replace Bacary Sagna as Arsenal’s first-choice right-back.
It isn’t too clear where Arsene Wenger will be moving in order to address the right-back position in his squad; Carl Jenkinson is too far off from being given the starting role. But Debuchy could be a low-cost, high-quality addition for the club, certainly if other targets prove to be unattainable.
Serge Aurier
Football – Greece v Ivory Coast – FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014 – Group C – Estadio Castelao, Fortaleza, Brazil – 24/6/14Greece’s Lazaros Christodoulopoulos (R) in action with Ivory Coast’s Serge AurierMandatory Credit: Action Images / Jed LeicesterLivepicEDITORIAL USE ONLY.
Serge Aurier has reportedly agreed a contract with Arsenal, and with the Ivory Coast now out of the World Cup, expect more to emerge on this story in the coming days.
The 21-year-old full-back has done a lot to impressive over the past season, and this World Cup will do a lot for his reputation outside of France. Aurier is quick, strong and comfortable at both ends of the pitch. He’d be considered a step up from Bacary Sagna in the attacking third, with Aurier appearing to have a superior delivery to the former Arsenal full-back.
There seem to be very little complaints among Arsenal supporters about giving the starting role to a 21-year-old, knowing full well that Aurier is a starter for both Toulouse and the Ivory Coast. This is a player with a high ceiling who could be set to thrive at the Emirates. If the reports are accurate that he could be had for less than £10 million, Arsenal should be looking to tie up this deal as quickly as possible.
Loic Remy
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Talk of Loic Remy to Arsenal has gone extremely quiet in recent weeks. Interpret that however you like. Arsenal were said to be strong favourites to sign the French international prior to the start of the World Cup, but there have been few signs following that to indicate where Remy’s future lies.
Arsenal fans appear torn on the subject. While most are in agreement that a player of his experience and quality in front of goal is needed, he shouldn’t be an alternate option to a genuinely world-class centre-forward. There are doubts about whether Remy is good enough to lead Arsenal to the Premier League title.
But his versatility and ability to play on the wings makes him an attractive option. In addition, the transfer fee in the region of £10 million would be considered a bargain for a full international of Remy’s age. This one remains a possibility.
Antoine Griezmann
Football – Ecuador v France – FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014 – Group E – Estadio do Maracana, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – 25/6/14France’s Antoine Griezmann (L) in action against Ecuador’s Frickson ErazoMandatory Credit: Action Images / Carl RecineLivepicEDITORIAL USE ONLY.
Antoine Griezmann was regularly linked with a move to Arsenal ahead of the World Cup in Brazil. It appeared that the club were looking to tie up a deal for either Griezmann or his Real Sociedad teammate Carlos Vela.
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Going into this World Cup, Griezmann was being tipped to have a breakout tournament in the absence of Franck Ribery. After two hugely impressive seasons in La Liga, this was set to be the summer in which the Frenchman really established himself as one of Europe’s top young forwards.
There’s no doubt Griezmann would be an asset in the Arsenal team. Not only does he have the speed Arsenal are desperately in need of, he is also, surprisingly, an aerial threat in front of goal.
This would be an exciting buy for Arsenal if it goes through this summer.
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Hector Moreno
Football – Brazil v Mexico – FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014 – Group A – Estadio Castelao, Fortaleza, Brazil – 17/6/14Brazil’s Neymar in action with Mexico’s Hector Moreno Mandatory Credit: Action Images / Jed LeicesterLivepicEDITORIAL USE ONLY.
Hector Moreno is a centre-back that has really flown under the radar in recent seasons, despite being in excellent form for Espanyol over that period. The Mexican has carried over his good domestic form to the World Cup in Brazil, where he was one of the best players on the pitch in his side’s 0-0 draw with the host nation.
Moreno is a powerful centre-back who is ideally suited to the Premier League. Others in England have been linked with a move for the 26-year-old, but Arsenal should really be looking at a player of his quality. Thomas Vermaelen may be moved on this summer, and Moreno would represent a step up in quality, with Arsenal undoubtedly needing depth at the heart of their defence.
It has emerged that Manchester United have shown an interest in signing Celtic midfielder Victor Wanyama, according to the Daily Mail.
The 21 year old put himself firmly in the shop window for Europe’s elite clubs following a commanding performance against Barcelona, as Celtic secured a shock 2-1 win.
United have apparently had an interest in the ace since July, but this most recent performance has convinced the Old Trafford hierarchy that Wanyama has what it takes to make it to the very top.
Celtic Manager Neil Lennon came out last week and told any potential suitors that his transfer value would be £25 million.
Despite this being a slightly unrealistic figure it is reckoned that Sir Alex Ferguson is willing to test the waters with a bid for around half that amount in the region of £12 million.
Wanyama’s contract is set to expire in 2014 with the Scottish club believed to be keen to extend his current deal, but the player is thought to have already rejected improved terms.
The Kenyan who made his international debut at just 15 years of age is seen as a traditional box to box midfielder with a high intensity and work rate, something Ferguson has been craving to find.
Now that Carrick and Paul Scholes are no longer in their years of peak performance, Sir Alex has been eyeing up central midfield reinforcements.
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Tom Cleverley certaintly has showed encouraging signs of development, whilst Anderson and Fletcher remain viable options, but it reckoned Wanyama would add real steel to the midfield that Manchester United have been searching for.
Newcastle have once again been linked with a move for Andros Townsend, but fans are adamant they don’t want the winger back on Tyneside.
Newcastle fans weren’t impressed by the recent links to Townsend, and they’re sticking to their principles after reports suggested he could be “offered” to the Magpies.
According to the Chronicle, Newcastle had already enquired about the winger this summer, and now Crystal Palace are open to selling the 26 year-old.
The Eagles originally quoted a £20m price tag for the winger, but as their move for Michail Antonio heats up they are looking to offload Townsend.
The report claims Townsend has maintained a positive relationship with Rafael Benitez, and he certainly produced some moments of magic during his first stint at St. James’.
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After just six months in the northeast though, the Englishman jumped ship to Crystal Palace to keep his hopes of an international berth alive.
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Townsend has scored just five times in 72 league appearances for the Eagles, but Benitez is on the hunt for a new winger, so if the Magpies are priced out of a move for Kenedy it would make sense to make a bid for Townsend.
Fans clearly haven’t forgiven him for leaving before their season in the Championship though, and you can find some of the best Twitter reactions down below…
According to reports in the Daily Mail, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is increasingly confident that midfielder Jack Wilshere will sign a new contract worth £80,000-a-week before the summer.
What’s the word, then?
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Well, the England international’s current deal with the north London outfit is due to run out at the end of June, but because of his injury problems in the past the Daily Mail says the Gunners are only willing to offer a new contract that would see him take a £20,000-a-week pay cut from his current £100,000-a-week wage, but would also include performance-related add-ons.
However, they are running out of time to convince the 26-year-old to stay at the Emirates as he can of course leave for nothing at the end of the season, while he is free to negotiate with clubs from abroad now.
The Daily Mail adds that while the midfielder’s representatives are pushing for a better deal with a higher salary, Arsenal are confident that an agreement will soon be reached between the two parties.
How has Wilshere done this season?
Following his loan spell with Bournemouth last term and the fact that he struggled to get much game time in the Premier League early on in this campaign, it seemed as though the 26-year-old would be on his way out of the Emirates.
However, things have turned more in his favour in recent weeks and months and he has made 24 appearances in all competitions in total, with 14 of those coming in the top flight even though he didn’t start for the first time until the 0-0 draw against Arsenal in December.
The midfielder has scored two goals and provided a further five assists in total, while according to WhoScored.com he has made 23 key passes across 20 outings in the Premier League and the Europa League, while he has successfully completed 57 of the 78 dribbles he has attempted.
How much of a boost would it be if he signed?
It would be a huge boost.
The 26-year-old is loved by the supporters and there was never any doubt about his ability, it was solely his injury record that had put his future at the Emirates into doubt.
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Wenger will be desperate to see the midfielder do well if he does put pen to paper on a new contract, and he has the ability to be a key first-team player for Arsenal for many years to come because of the quality he has and the fact that he loves the club.
Louis van Gaal doesn’t believe in egos and superstars, which probably explains why he has failed to get on with some of the biggest names in football in the past. He abhors those who oppose his managerial techniques – players and board members – and, as described by Zlatan Ibrahimovic, behaves like a dictator.
You have to wonder how far Wayne Rooney’s most recent contractual saga would have stretched. Had van Gaal been in charge at United, it’s likely the England forward would either have been made to stay on the coach’s terms, or he would have been sold.
But van Gaal is a winner. He’s meticulous in his approach to management. He knows exactly what he wants from his players and forces them into his system, rather than adjusting his methods to suit the players in his squad.
The current Netherlands coach is known to prefer the 4-3-3 formation, or a variation of it, seen at Bayern, with each player holding very specific duties on the pitch. What should be said about van Gaal is that he doesn’t allow passengers in his team. He wants defending and teamwork from the front (Luca Toni and Mario Gomez weren’t favoured by the Dutchman while at Bayern), he wants wide players to follow his oft-rigid instructions exactly – and based on his success rate in the past, it’s hard to argue against his methods. Intelligent football comes first.
What United desperately need at this time is a manager who can whip this squad into shape, or a modification on this squad following acquisitions this summer.
Van Gaal is known for having guided both Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola in the early stages of their managerial careers, and the model currently in use at Bayern Munich is one that was introduced under the Dutch manager during his tenure from 2009 to 2011.
Does that mean United, if they land van Gaal this summer, are set to strut through next season and beyond with the swagger currently held by those in Bavaria and previously at Barcelona? Not quite. It’s no secret that it takes years of planning to develop a style currently on display at both FCBs. But what is absolutely certain is that van Gaal will make the players at United better, while also improving on the dire displays of much of this season under David Moyes.
Not only does he have a track record of getting the best out of his players, he’s also capable of working miracles, as seen by his Eredivisie triumph with an under-resourced AZ Alkmaar, who were closer to relegation than the title the season before, and, of course, the European Cup success with a youthful but immensely talented Ajax team.
Van Gaal’s success stories with youth in the past will bode well for United’s youngsters. Players like Tom Cleverley may simply be seen as expendable and not good enough. That interview held with The Mirror back in February won’t have helped the United academy graduate, with Cleverley unable to define what exactly his role is in the United midfield. As already mentioned, there are no passengers in van Gaal’s teams.
But it does mean that Phil Jones and Chris Smalling may finally get their careers at United off and running, both in and out of the team since arriving at the club, both suffering from injuries and inconsistency. The talent is there, notably in Jones, and a manager like van Gaal will be invaluable in their development.
Van Gaal isn’t without his shortcomings, though. For all the praise that can be lavished on the veteran coach, there are also concerns about his style that may rumble to the surface if he arrives at United this summer.
The Dutchman rarely leaves a club without first having made at least one enemy. It doesn’t matter if it’s a player, members of the boardroom or the local media. Van Gaal’s approach to management, strictly adhering to his principles, can land in him hot water, too.
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What can be noted is the criticism Pep Guardiola has faced following Bayern’s 1-0 loss away to Real Madrid on Wednesday night. The Catalan coach is said to be doing too much to disrupt an effective winning machine, tinkering with a system to suit his own. As evidenced by Wednesday’s loss, it can be detrimental.
Van Gaal has suffered from similar problems in the past. It goes without saying that not every footballer can adjust to every tactical setup, while for those who can, it naturally takes time. Don’t be surprised then if van Gaal arrives at United and isn’t immediately racking up the wins.
Former Liverpool FC midfielder Dietmar Hamann believes the club and its fans must protect young starlet Raheem Sterling.
Sterling made his Liverpool debut towards the end of last season and has become a permanent fixture in the Anfield side’s starting XI so far this Premier League season.
The German, who appeared 253 times for Liverpool between 2000 and 2006, admitted that the 17-year-old has impressed him so far this season but claims that the club must be prepared to support him through times when his form may dip.
Hamann told Sky Sports: “He is very impressive. I think to play at this level when you’re 17 years of age, he scored his first goal on Sunday, and I think it is fantastic to see him being in the first team.
“When these kids come in, you only see how good they are when they start playing for the first team and certainly he doesn’t look out of place. I think he has got a tremendous future ahead of him.
“But at the same time I think the club and the fans have to protect him because there will be a time when his form will dip, because he is only a kid, but at the same time the way he has been playing at the moment has been fantastic.”
Hamann also believes that, ahead of the 219th Merseyside Derby on Sunday, that Everton are now a force to be reckoned with in the Premier League and that Marouane Fellaini is a big threat.
“Everton are playing like a top four team at the moment, there’s no reason to believe they can’t finish in the top four,” he added.
“I think their squad now is bigger and stronger than it has been over the last few seasons.”
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“If Fellaini doesn’t play on Sunday that could slightly swing it in Liverpool’s favour.”
West Ham United are interested in signing defender Marlon Santos from Barcelona, according to Spanish newspaper Sport, as cited in SportWitness.
What’s the story?
The 22-year-old centre-back is currently one year into a two-year loan deal at Nice, but Barcelona are prepared to cancel the agreement for a transfer, according to the report.
The Brazilian defender notched up 23 appearances in Ligue 1 this season and his form has brought him to the attention of other clubs.
Santos is valued at £5.4million on Transfermarkt, but Barcelona want a fee around £14million for the young defender.
Is he worth it?
Marlon Santos has not had loads of first-team experience so far in his career, but he did impress on loan at Nice last season.
He can play as a centre-back or on the right of a back four and would be a useful addition to the squad.
It is unclear yet whether new boss Manuel Pellegrini sees Santos as an immediate first-team player or someone to grow into the role, as he is still relatively inexperienced.
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With the addition of Fredericks, West Ham are clearly going about reshaping their leaky defence and that can only be a good sign for the Hammers for the season ahead.
[brid autoplay=”true” video=”253217″ player=”12034″ title=”Watch The FM18 Two Minute Challenge Pellegrini at West Ham”]
Serge Aurier is a statistician’s dream. Boasting an action-packed style of play and deployed in one of modern football’s most action-packed positions, practically the 45-cap Ivory Coast international’s every performance is greeted with a dose of numerical goodness hinting at a vibrant display.
This weekend was no different, as Aurier started Tottenham’s 1-1 draw with Southampton at St. Mary’s. Before being taken off in the 71st minute, the former PSG man won the most aerial duels, made the second-most interceptions, the second-most tackles and the second-most chances of any Tottenham player.
And yet, statistics can never tell the full story. While Aurier’s returns on Sunday highlighted the dynamism he offers Tottenham down the right flank, they didn’t represent how erratic his game can be as well, and how that often has a knack of costing his side dearly.
The most obvious example is the red card he received against West Ham during his Premier League debut, a dismissal that could well have cost his side the match. Against Southampton on Sunday, meanwhile, Saints’ opening goal was a direct consequence of Aurier’s positional error; as he pushed up tight on Dusan Tadic, an unchecked Ryan Bertrand galloped free on the overlap and slotted a ball across goal that Davinson Sanchez turned into his own net.
It was a split-second mistake, but that’s how fine the margins are in the Premier League. And while Aurier continues to be an impressive asset for Spurs, his all-action style does tend to cause problems as well as solve them. In many ways, Spurs saw the best and the worst of the 25-year-old against Southampton. So, Spurs fans, do you see Aurier or Kieran Trippier as your club’s best right-back option? Let us know by voting below…
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The tenure of Tottenham Hotspur’s manager Tim Sherwood has from its inception been an unnecessarily tenuous affair, to objective observers at least.
Taking over from former boss Andre Villas-Boas, Sherwood had no previous managerial experience whatsoever but, on the face of it appears to have steadied the ship, acquitting himself well in his new and unfamiliar role.
Yet it would appear grumblings of discontent are emerging from the stands at White Hart Lane, with many supporters feeling that their former midfielder’s reign in charge would be best confined to the history books at the end of the season, a view that has sparked gossip-mongering over who could be next in line to take the job.
Here, we examine whether Sherwood should stay on or undertake a new challenge come May.
It was a surprise to many in the world of football when experienced Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy handed Sherwood an 18-month contract as head coach.
Having been working as technical-director, he undertook the role of interim boss following the sacking of Villas-Boas, guiding his side to a 3-2 victory over Southampton at St. Mary’s. It appeared then that Levy had seen enough, with the announcement that his role would be permanent, coming the following day.
Things started off well, with the seemingly rejuvenated Spurs losing just one of their next six matches, with doubts that had been expressed regarding Sherwood’s appointment appearing unjustified.
These were brought racing back to the surface, however, following a 5-1 home defeat to Manchester City, which has sparked a period of uncertainty, with the side losing three of the subsequent five games.
Focus will similarly not have been aided by the speculation that former Barcelona, Bayern and current Netherlands manager Louis Van Gaal is being lined up to take charge of the North Londoners.
The Duthcman made clear that he would not be in charge of his national side come Euro 2016, stating “maybe there will come a new challenge, I have said before that a challenge should be a club in the Premier League.”
Sherwood though has remained dignified throughout, to a point that it is not unreasonable to expect his services to be in demand if he is released from his current role.
Whether or not that would be fair though, is up for debate, as his record thus far must be assessed in its right and proper context.
For one thing, the former Blackburn midfielder is working with a side that is entirely of his predecessors making, having made no additions in January and losing experienced striker Jermain Defoe in the process.
Indeed, the only ‘signing’ that he has been able to make has been the reinstating of Emmanuel Adebayor to the side, who to his credit has notched up eight goals for his new boss.
Furthermore, it has to be said that the influx of players that occurred during the summer has included some questionable acquisitions, with Erik Lamela, Nacer Chadli and Roberto Soldado all putting in performances of dubious quality.
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It is a testimony to his impact then, that his current record has seen his side picking 23 of the available 33 league points since he took charge, compared to 17 under Villas-Boas when he took over, and 15 in the 11 league games prior to his sacking. It would seem then, that based on his results so far, which is of course all he can be judged upon, Sherwood is doing better than the former incumbent.
But Spurs fans appear, dare I say it, to have a rather lofty opinion of their club whose record since the Premier League began in 1992 has been pretty ordinary. In 20 seasons they’ve only finished in the top 4 twice, won the League cup twice and got to the quarter finals of European competition twice. The majority of this, granted has been achieved within the last 5 years, however, if the Premier League has proven anything it is that nouveau success among clubs outside of the big 5 can be fleeting.
This is not to say that the supporters are unjustified in their thirst for success, more that it should be moderated by an element of realism regarding the facts of their club. Are they a big club? Well that depends how you would define that rather broad statement, in terms of fanbase, yes, but in terms of performance and trophies the answer would at best be a weak ‘kind of’ at worst, a pretty resounding no.
In summary then, Sherwood, if given the time to formulate the side into something of his own, with tactful signings and little more experience, could well prove to be the man for Spurs, a side who’s season appears to have been largely undone by the sale of star-man Gareth Bale. If though, the club opts not to persevere with him, one can only hope they do so for his replacement, after all, in building a enduringly successful team, stability can often prove to be nine tenths of the law.