Manchester City star Leroy Sane took some time to find his feet at the club following his switch to the Etihad Stadium last summer.The 22-year-old made the move from Schalke and was eased into the team by manager Pep Guardiola.This season, the attack-minded player who tends to play on the left-hand side, has come into his own.In total, the Germany international has created 14 assists and scored 13 goals in all competitions for the North-West outfit.https://video.footballfancast.com/video-2015/cfc-barca-moments.mp4Sane has been a key figure in City’s Premier League title-win, and that has certainly not gone amiss.On Sunday night, the winger was voted PFA Young Player of the Year in just his second season at the club.
It is difficult to argue with the vote given Sane’s dominance this season at such a young age.
The German beat off competition from his teammates Ederson and Raheem Sterling, who secured third place, while Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane snuck in at second.
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It is safe to say that City fans, who felt that Kevin De Bruyne deserved the main prize ahead of Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah, were happy for Sane.
Arsenal are about to embark on a new era; after 22 years under Arsene Wenger, someone new will take the reigns at the Emirates Stadium ahead of next season.
It remains to be seen exactly who that will be, but there has been a glimpse into how the Gunners will run out as an image of their new home kit has been leaked.
It is fair to say that, despite the excitement surrounding the post-Wenger era at Arsenal, there is not the same enthusiasm for the new kit and that has been reflected in the reaction of the fans.
The leaked Puma number has not impressed, with a number of fans calling for a new manufacturer to take over with the production of the kit in the coming years, such as Nike or Adidas.
We’ve taken a closer look at some of the angriest reaction from the Gunners fans on Twitter…
Everton fans hated yesterday’s links to Marco Silva, and they’ve come up with a much better candidate to replace Sam Allardyce.
As expected, Everton announced on Wednesday that Sam Allardyce would leave the club with immediate effect.
The relationship between Allardyce and the fans has become increasingly toxic in recent months, and it was only a matter of time before the former England man was forced out.
Reports this week suggested Marco Silva was the number one target to replace Big Sam, but fans hated the links, pointing to his records at Watford and Hull as reasons to avoid the charismatic Portuguese manager.
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Fans were concerned about the defensive frailties in Silva’s sides, so it’s somewhat surprising to see plenty of fans voicing their support for a move for Arsene Wenger.
Of course, the main issue fans had with Big Sam was his negative brand of football, so Wenger would certainly be an improvement in that regard.
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With no sign of a new manager in sight just yet, could Wenger be the man to help the Toffees mount a challenge against the top six?
Some of the best Twitter reactions can be found below…
Liverpool ended their English Premier League season in fine fashion on Sunday, thrashing Brighton & Hove Albion 4-0 at Anfield in a dominant display.
It was the perfect preparation for their UEFA Champions League final against Real Madrid on 26 May, also securing their qualification for the competition next season.
Goals from Mohamed Salah, Dejan Lovren, Andy Robertson and Dominic Solanke provided the victory, delighting supporters.
Fans were particularly pleased with the contribution from Solanke, who netted his first goal for the club on his 26th appearance.
The fringe striker has struggled to win a place in Jurgen Klopp’s talented side, but his effort on Sunday will be a huge confidence booster ahead of next season.
Supporters reckon there is a talented player there and only 20-years-old, has plenty time to develop and impress at the club. Many are now excited to see what he can do in the future.
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Jurgen Klopp is an exceptional manager. His teams are so modern, mobile and electrifying that they often feel like a glimpse into football’s future, one where every counter-attack is done at scintillating speed, every forward has no truly fixed position and each player has the technique, bravery and power to stage breakaways from every department. And yet, there’s a common theme surrounding the German that’s become hard to ignore – an unfortunate collection of near-misses in cup finals, including the two European finals he’s been involved in.
It must be said that in pretty much all of them he’s managed the underdog. Borussia Dortmund were always a lesser side to Bayern Munich, at least in terms of proven pedigree and resources, just as Manchester City were vastly superior to the Liverpool side Klopp inherited from Brendan Rodgers in the 2016 League Cup final. Even Sevilla in last season’s Europa League final boasted two consecutive titles heading to the 3-1 defeat. Perhaps the only real exception is a 3-1 loss to Wolfsburg in the 2015 German Cup, but that came at a time when Dortmund suddenly imploded to end the campaign in seventh in between runners-up finishes.
Nonetheless, it does highlight perhaps the biggest drawback with Klopp; while he’s capable of fashioning incredibly exciting teams, teams that often mould raw young talent into genuine superstars, he’s less capable when it comes to outwitting a specific opponent in one-off games. Sure, alterations are made here and there, but his overall approach is largely indiscriminate of the rival team. He focuses on playing his game to his own strengths rather than to the weaknesses of others.
Soccer Football – Champions League Semi Final First Leg – Liverpool vs AS Roma – Anfield, Liverpool, Britain – April 24, 2018 Liverpool’s Sadio Mane celebrates scoring their third goal with Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino REUTERS/Phil Noble
The closest comparison in that regard is with Arsene Wenger. Like Klopp, the Frenchman’s Arsenal teams once captured that futuristic, revolutionary feel. But like Klopp also, Wenger could never quite get over the line in Europe. His CV also includes two trophies missed from two European finals, although Klopp could make it a third on Saturday when Liverpool face Real Madrid in Kiev.
Pep Guardiola adopts part of that mantra too, but the key differentiation is adaptability compared to predictability. In 22 years at Arsenal, barring a brief flirtation with 3-4-3 Wenger stuck with various variations of 4-2-3-1 religiously; their 4-4-2 tucked Dennis Bergkamp behind Thierry Henry, just as their 4-3-3s nearly always had a No.10-esque creator at its heart. Guardiola has his preferred setup as well, 4-3-3, but whereas the Manchester City gaffer deviated from it three times in the Champions League this season, Klopp’s set up his team differently just once – using a 4-4-2 in the 7-0 demolition of Spartak Moscow.
The consequence is how easy Saturday’s starting XI is to predict. Injuries have been a factor in that as well, not to mention overall limitations of squad depth, but the personnel, mentality and shape of Liverpool’s starting XI has come to dictate itself, always trying to operate at lightening speed. That inevitably renders them much simpler to plan against, even if few have really come up with an answer for Mohamed Salah this season, whereas Zinedine Zidane has the ability to spring a few surprises. Will he match up with Liverpool’s 4-3-3? Will he use Gareth Bale as a centre-forward? Will he play a midfield diamond? There’s just a dose more ambiguity, but one that could make all the difference on Saturday.
Soccer Football – La Liga Santander – Real Madrid vs Celta Vigo – Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain – May 12, 2018 Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane REUTERS/Susana Vera
The other consequence is how Liverpool have never really overcome the same weaknesses that Klopp tried to eradicate when he first joined the club. Just as Liverpool failed to beat West Brom during Klopp’s first encounter with them in 2015, the Reds drew with the same team at the same ground using largely the same tactics less than a month ago. More important than the disappointing result at the Hawthorns is what it truly highlights; when Liverpool are allowed to play Klopp’s game they’re unstoppable, but when they’re made to play somebody else’s they quickly become unstuck.
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That problem was precisely at the heart of Wenger and Arsenal’s intertwined demise, and it will catch up with Klopp too. Just as his Dortmund side eventually suffered from becoming too predictable and one dimensional, Liverpool are treading a similar path. Ahead of Saturday, Real Madrid will be only too aware of how much the Reds struggle to adapt their game; if there’s one thing for Klopp to learn from his and Wenger’s two near misses in European finals, it’s that a few tactical surprises to catch the opposition off-guard can go a very, very long way.
Once Liverpool recover from the disappointment of losing to Real Madrid in the Champions League final, they will need to assess their transfer options.
Following Loris Karius’s costly howlers during the showpiece in Kiev, it is safe to say that a new goalkeeper should be on the list.
On top of that, manager Jurgen Klopp should perhaps consider recruiting another central defender to partner Virgil van Dijk, while a new midfielder is likely to be a requirement.
Emre Can’s future at Anfield remains unclear from an official point of view, but the fact that he has not signed a new contract suggests that the German will be on the move.
The midfielder’s current deal expires this summer, which means that if he does not put pen to paper on fresh terms, he will be eligible to leave on a free transfer.
With that in mind, we asked you whether the Reds should make a move for Sampdoria’s Lucas Torreira.
The 22-year-old has the qualities to play centrally, as well as in a defensive or attacking midfield role.
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This season, the Uruguayan made 38 appearances in all competitions, and contributed with four goals.
Numerous midfielders have been linked to Liverpool in recent weeks, but judging by our results, it seems that most fans would welcome Torreira.
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.
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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 from Manchester Evening News, contrary to popular belief, Tottenham defender Toby Alderweireld isn’t a top target on Manchester United’s shortlist. The Red Devils are allegedly unconvinced over whether the Belgium international has the right profile, and his potential price-tag probably has something to do with it as well.
But the chances of staying at Tottenham still seem uncertain. Not only has Mauricio Pochettino’s first team moved on in Alderweireld’s absence over the last few months, with Davinson Sanchez stepping up to fill the void, but his contract situation is yet to be resolved and a release clause is still set to come into effect next summer.
Which begs an interesting question – if not Manchester United, who should Alderweireld look to join this summer? Football FanCast lay out four suggested solutions…
Solution A – Chelsea
Tottenham fans certainly won’t look kindly on Alderweireld joining one of their London rivals but Chelsea were linked with the powerful defender back in April and he’d certainly suit their current game-plan of 3-4-3, having often excelled in the same setup during his time at Tottenham. In fact, having played at full-back for portions of his earlier career and being so adept on the ball, Alderweireld would be something close to a perfect fit for Chelsea’s back three.
The question though, is whether the Blues will actually use that system next season – it’s still unclear whether Antonio Conte will be in charge or someone else will bring in their own ideas – and overall, the west London club feels like its on the decline with Roman Abramovich not even able to get a working visa for the UK currently. It could prove to be an incredibly dangerous club to walk into, and at the age of 29 Alderweireld can’t afford to make a mistake with his next move.
Solution B – PSG
With Thiago Silva by no means the world class specimen he was a few years ago at the age of 33, PSG’s defence is certainly in need of another leading centre-half at the peak of his powers. Alderweireld can more than fill that remit, especially in Ligue 1 which isn’t hugely competitive outside of the top few clubs, with Marquinhos and youngster Presnel Kimpembe representing his only real competition for a starting berth aside from the ageing Brazilian.
But the big problem with PSG is how their season only truly rests on a few games, the rest being a mere formality. For the French giants it’s all about winning the Champions League and having yet to surpass the quater-finals, it’s created huge pressure at Parc de Princes that seems to suffocate the players in those campaign-defining contests. It’s a question of whether Alderweireld really thinks he can take the team to the next level, and how he wants to play his football – facing competitive teams week in, week out, or being asked to only really turn up for the make-or-break occasions.
The other issue is whether PSG can actually afford a deal for Alderweireld as the net of Financial Fair Play begins to close in on the big spenders.
Solution C – Barcelona
A few years ago, signing for Barcelona would have been every player’s dream. For some it still is, but there’s little doubt the Catalan club have gone in reverse over the last few years, falling some way off the pace in the Champions League and struggling to really refresh a team that has lost some key players – the likes of Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Javier Mascherano and Dani Alves – to age.
Perhaps Alderwerield could be a key player in arresting that decline, but it’s not quite clear where he fits into this team either. Gerard Pique is still one of the best centre-halves around and a crucial component of Barcelona’s ability to build from the back, while Samuel Umtiti is so widely coveted that Barcelona almost can’t afford not to play him because they’ll be awash with transfer bids from all over Europe.
Barcelona no doubt need another option, having depended on Thomas Vermaelen for parts of last season, but is Alderweireld really going to move clubs to become part of the squad rather than the starting XI?
Solution D – Stay at Tottenham
Not all bridges have been burned quite yet. Clearly there’s a disagreement over Alderweireld’s contract, which has resulted in some kind of fall-out with Mauricio Pochettino who left the Belgian on the sidelines for the vast majority of the second half of last season, even in Tottenham’s most important games. But Spurs still recognise the fact the former Atletico man is one of the best defenders around, and Pochettino will surely welcome him back into the fold if Alderweireld states his commitment to the club.
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That no doubt comes in the form of a new contract, eradicating the aforementioned release clause. But Alderweireld – who Transfermarkt value at £36million – may find it surprisingly tough to get back into Pochettino’s starting XI after such a strong debut campaign from Sanchez alongside Jan Vertonghen. The Lilywhites have moved on without him, so perhaps it’s best for Alderweireld to move on this summer too.
So, which solution should Alderweireld choose? Let us know by voting below…
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According to Turkish journalist Safak Malatya on his Twitter account, Wolverhampton Wanderers are interested in signing Besiktas centre-back Domagoj Vida, rated at £6.3m by Transfermarkt, this summer, and Wolves fans have been quick to react to the rumour and the Croatia international’s latest 2018 World Cup display.
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The west Midlands outfit’s manager Nuno Espirito Santo, who should be targeting a move for another 28-year-old World Cup defender as an upgrade on Matt Doherty, may well be looking to strengthen his central defensive options ahead of the club’s Premier League return, and while he has signed Willy Boly on a permanent basis he may not be finished there.
Vida, who shone in his nation’s brilliant 3-0 win against Argentina on Thursday night which ensured they qualified for the knockout stages with a group game to spare, has only been with the Turkish giants since January but could already be on the move.
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Wolves supporters have taken to social media to give their thoughts on the rumour and Vida’s performance, and while one said “class defender had Messi in his pocket”, another said he “would complement Coady and Boly”.
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