Fulham are plotting a double raid on fellow relegation battlers West Ham for Ravel Morrison and Mohamed Diame, according to reports from The Express.
Cottagers chief Rene Meulensteen is rumoured to have significant funds at his disposal for the current transfer window, and is ready to strengthen his squad further following the loan arrival of Clint Dempsey.
Morrison and Diame have emerged as his top targets, and he is hopeful of snapping up the duo for around £7.5m
Morrison is Meulensteen’s top target, and he is ready to launch a £4m offer for the unsettled youngster.
The pair worked together at United, with the Dutch coach known to be a massive fan of the trouble starlet.
It’s likely that their opening offer will be rebuffed by West Ham, yet Morrison may push for a move with reports suggesting that he is looking to quit the club.
Diame is seen as a more realistic target, with the holding midfielder having a £3.5m release clause in his contract.
Fulham are ready to trigger this, and are confident that they can tempt him to make the short trip across London to join their battle against the drop.
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Their hopes will be further boosted by speculation that the Senegalese ace is unsettled at Upton Park with the Hammers unwilling to meet his £75,000-per-week wage demands.
For possibly the first time since David Moyes took charge of Manchester United he revisited his Everton days. If there was one thing Moyes could never be faulted for, it was the organisation of his defence. As a result, the foregone conclusion many expected in the first leg of United’s Champions League quarter-final tie with Bayern Munich turned out to be anything but that.
At a club like Manchester United, with the weight of expectation, Moyes will be required to attack. But at times, as against Bayern, all his team could do at times was defend for their lives. And defend they did.
Bayern Munich enjoyed 74 per cent of the ball, made 698 passes in comparison to United’s 166 and the Germans attempted 16 shots to 6. If the stats were heavily in Bayern’s favour the scoreline, 1-1, was not so much.
For all Bayern’s domination, they failed to create as many clear-cut opportunities as you would have come to expect. Led by the once outstanding duo of Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand, Manchester United’s defence were steadfast in their approach. The two rolled back the years and were almost at their impenetrable best once more. Even in their heyday, neither Ferdinand or Vidic had experienced an onslaught quite like this.
Bayern were relentless in their pressing, and like clockwork in the way they recycled possession. They squeezed the space and United’s central midfielders – already the weakest link of the side – struggled to retain possession.
But, the possession didn’t come without issues for Bayern. They lacked a serious cutting edge. For all their intricate passing in and around the penalty area, they only achieved three shots on target. Bastian Schweinsteiger’s well-worked equaliser, following Nemanja Vidic’s header, was as good as it got for Bayern. An Arjen Robben 18-yard curler and a snapshot from his weak right foot were as close as they came to any success other than the goal.
In truth, the best chances of the match fell to United. Danny Welbeck had the ball in the net after just four minutes, only to be penalised for a high foot, and he found himself one-on-one with Manuel Neuer just minutes before half-time but couldn’t fool the German with his crafty attempt to beat him.
When Arsene Wenger declared this Bayern Munich side to be more vulnerable than last year, after his side had seen themselves eliminated by them for a second year running, most people laughed off his claims. Maybe the word ‘vulnerable’ was misused, but they look to lack the ruthlessness of last season.
They feel very much like a Pep Guardiola side, more intent on suffocating the opposition than blowing them out of the water. The counterattacks launched against Barcelona in last year’s semi-finals were brutally efficient. Every opportunity Bayern got to break when United had committed men forwards they failed to capitalise on, more often than not allowing United to regroup behind the ball. At times it felt like a refusal, from Bayern, to do what was necessary. Their tiki-taka football would bring the just rewards, nothing else would do.
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Despite their strong defensive showing, United face a mammoth task at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday. They can expect much of the same in terms of ball possession. Bayern won’t change for anyone, so neither should United. Any hope for the second leg and they’ll have to perform at least as well as they did at home. They’ll be relying on haphazard and sporadic counterattacks, whilst for the vast majority of the game, easing pressure on David De Gea’s goal.
You’ll be hard pushed to find anyone except the most optimistic of United fans who believe they stand any hope of progression to the semi-finals. But you’d have been hard pushed to find anyone who believed they could perform as they did in the first leg. Contrary to popular belief, Manchester United’s Champions League dream remains alive. After the CPR performed in the second-leg against Olympiakos, United’s heart hasn’t stopped beating yet.
Manchester United’s year-long pursuit of Atletic Bilbao midfielder Ander Herrera looks finally to have come to a pleasing conclusion for all involved with United, as they have activated the 24-year-old’s £28 million release clause.
The Spaniard is set to become Louis van Gaal’s first signing of the summer since, and he will hope that Herrera will be able to fill the void left by Paul Scholes’ retirement – a position the club have struggled to adequately fill.
With a possible £200 million budget for the summer, van Gaal will hope Herrera is going to be one of many incoming recruits.
The Dutch boss is in the ideal position to cast his eyes over the talent on show at the World Cup, with a number of names being thrown around the transfer speculation network.
Here are SIX players who look set to be joining Herrera at Old Trafford next season.
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Click here for the SIX players to follow Herrera to United
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Memphis Depay
In Depay’s two substitute appearances so far this World Cup he has contributed two goals and an assist. His impactful displays have caught the eye of many around the world, but they won’t come as a shock to van Gaal. The United boss knows Depay well from his time in charge of the Dutch national side, and he has used the youngster to great effect so far in Brazil.
With 12 goals and seven assists in the Eredivisie last season, Depay has contributed effectively from the left side last season for PSV. His speed in possession and ability to cut inside and shoot from distance makes him a direct threat on goal, and a nightmare for his opposition defence. United may face a battle for his signature this summer, but with van Gaal on-board, few would bet against the Red Devils securing his transfer.
Luke Shaw
Southampton’s 18-year-old has yet to feature this World Cup, with the experience being used as more of a learning curve for the youngster. However, he is set to make his competitive bow as England face up in their final group game against the World Cup’s surprise package, Costa Rica. Shaw’s burgeoning reputation has received admiring glances from United, with the club looking set to make a big-money move for him this summer.
Shaw’s positional awareness and his discipline on the left have seen the youngster’s price skyrocket this season, with it believed he will cost as much as £30 million. Shaw’s potential move won’t hinge on his World Cup display, but it could just confirm for those who are slightly unsure as to his future role for his country. Van Gaal will no doubt be a keen observer.
Hector Moreno
Mexico have been one of the most impressive all-round sides so far in Brazil, with their mixture of defensive nous, ball retention, work-rate and devastating attacks down the wings all making for an intriguing prospect for the last 16. Arguably their finest defensive performer so far has been Espanyol’s Hector Moreno.
The Mexican has been Espanyol’s stand-out performer for the best part of two seasons now, and the continuation of his good form on the global stage has done his stock the world of good. His strength in the air, and composure in passing the ball out from defence have been key features of his play so far. Van Gaal will get his chance to face up against Mexico in the last 16, so he can get a real sense of what Moreno is all about.
Daley Blind
The three-man defence that van Gaal has tended to deploy so far this World Cup has allowed for his wing-backs to impact each game in an attacking sense, and none more so than Ajax’s Daley Blind. The 24-year-old has even filled in at central defence as a result of the injury to Bruno Martins Indi, demonstrating his phenomenal versatility.
Blind’s pinpoint crossing and his energy up and down the left side have gained much credit from pundits this summer, most notably during his performance in the Netherlands’ outstanding 5-1 demolition of Spain in their first game. With United looking to the future for a replacement for Patrice Evra, Blind looks like another option for van Gaal to select from in the summer transfer window.
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Thomas Vermaelen
The Arsenal captain (in name only) lost his starting role in the club’s centre of defence to the pairing of Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny, and has been unable to regain the position. A particularly disappointing campaign for the Belgian was compounded in lifting the FA Cup trophy, without having featured in the final. Van Gaal is believed to be interested in bringing Vermaelen to United in order to revive his career.
The ex-Ajax man was a prolific goalscorer in his first two seasons at Arsenal. Despite his lack of height, his athleticism more than made up for it, making him a formidable opponent for the toughest of strikers. With just one year left on his Arsenal contract, the club will likely look to cash in on him this summer as opposed to risk losing him on a free next year.
Nigel De Jong
Despite his popularity in the blue half of Manchester, van Gaal is reported to be looking to bring the ex-City destroyer to Old Trafford this summer. United lacked a lot of physicality and solidity in central midfield this season, and De Jong’s aggression would help add the much-needed bite for the start of the next.
De Jong has been outstanding for the Dutch in Brazil, with his ability to sniff out mistakes in midfield often seeing him win the ball back in areas to release Arjen Robben on his rampaging runs forwards. United’s conservative approach in midfield last season was one of many much-maligned features of their stagnant play, and De Jong’s physical style would help eradicate the problems of yesteryear.
Now the dust has settled and we’ve all had a sleep, the events of Deadline Day can be processed. Twice every year Sky Sports go into a yellow frenzy as we fans wear out our thumbs and keyboards with overuse of the refresh button just to check our clubs’ latest nuggets of transfer information.
So who had a good day, and who had a day they’d rather forget? We’ve assessed the stats, opinions and put on our football thinking caps at FFC Towers, and here’s who and what rocked our Transfer Deadline Day…
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CLICK ON DANNY WELBECK TO REVEAL THE WINNERS & LOSERS
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WINNER – The money men
With Champions League money massive and the Premier League’s TV revenue having once again received a big boost, a vast spend across the board was expected. True to form, the English top tier’s sides did not disappoint, as the 20 combined to blow records out of the water and keep those in charge of swapping the cash around in work.
With the last minute deals included, the Premier League’s spend rocketed to around £850m (over $1 billion), with the figures carrying across the board. Whatever the weather, the sums exchanging hands were monumental, and firmly established the division as Europe’s prime spot for chequebook waving.
LOSER – Sky Sports’ Alan Irwin
Spending your night outside of Everton’s Finch Farm training ground is never really going to be majorly enjoyable, but Mr Irwin had an even worse experience than expected as a rowdy fan attacked him… with a sex toy. The presenter remained admirably calm as the purple phallus stroked his right ear for a few seconds before the offending individual was escorted away. How can fans up the ante next year? Not sure we want to know! Here’s a classic (which may have inspired the Toffee) from Norwich last year…
WINNER – Southampton
After the transfer window started badly for the Saints, deadline day, and the weeks before, was a success for the club. With a £30m profit overall, the South Coast club managed to replace a raft of their departed stars, hold onto Morgan Schneiderlin and set up a real ‘feel good’ factor after an impressive start to the season.
Arguably their best deadline day capture was Toby Alderweireld from Atletico Madrid, with the Belgian loanee rumoured to have overlooked interest from Arsenal to relocate to St Mary’s Stadium. Saphir Taider was also shipped out after just a month, which may avoid some disharmony after the Algerian failed to settle following his temporary switch from Inter Milan.
LOSER – Louis van Gaal’s tactics board
Let’s just hope LVG doesn’t pop a spirit level on his new tactics board. The signings of Radamel Falcao and Daley Blind look to have given United a weirdly lopsided team, with much of the focus now on the left flank and up top.
Don’t get us wrong, the Colombian and Dutchman are great buys, as was Angel di Maria, but it’s rather like, for want of a better phrase, rolling a turd in glitter, with Van Gaal’s side still crying out for an authoritative midfielder and a top class centre-back.
WINNER – Chelsea, Liverpool & Man City
While Manchester United and Arsenal were scrabbling around at the last minute to fill holes in their squad, bigwigs from Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City were in front of the telly with a nice mug of cocoa.
The big trio had all got their business done early doors and were not forced into any late moves, which will do their managers no world of good as they focus on tactics over the course of the international break. While Liverpool and City spent big, Chelsea can take even more positives after making a profit. Yes, that’s right, A PROFIT. Things are changing at The Bridge.
LOSER – Harry Redknapp
Ol’ ‘Arry loves deadline day, but yesterday was one of mixed feelings for the baggy-faced gaffer. Niko Kranjcar (is he somehow related to Redknapp after following him again?) and Sandro arrived to beef up the Super Hoops’ midfield, but deals for Fabio Borini and Jermain Defoe couldn’t be done. The Liverpool man wanted a staggering £90k-per-week (cue jokes about how much you would need to be paid to work at Loftus Road), while Defoe’s move back to England from Toronto was blocked by the MLS side.
WINNER – Javier Hernandez
If ever there was a player who needed a move, it was Javier Hernandez. The Mexican goal-getter burst onto the scene in 2010, but has since had to content himself with a bench role under various managers. But despite this, Real Madrid snapped up the penalty box predator, giving him a fresh chance at, arguably, the biggest club on the planet. Talk about landing on your feet. Well done, Javier. //www.youtube.com/embed/B9TTldk12fA?list=UUWV3obpZVGgJ3j9FVhEjF2Q
LOSER – Arsenal fans
Even with Arsene Wenger strolling the streets of Rome in what was a bit of a PR disaster for the Gunners, the club did get a deal over the line. However, it was one that annoyed a few Arsenal fans, as Danny Welbeck switched from Manchester United in a £16m deal. The England international is by no means a bad player, but for the same fee Mario Balotelli could now be at the Emirates Stadium, it’s underwhelming. To make matters even worse the fee funded, well part funded, United’s loan move for Radamel Falcao, who was the player many Gooners were crying out for…
WINNER – Swansea & Aston Villa
It’s not so much what Swansea and Villa managed to do, but what they avoided that makes them both winners. The pair entered the day with the slim chance of losing Wilfried Bony and Ron Vlaar respectively, but as we now look at their squads the striker and defender have been kept.
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Bony was wanted by Liverpool and Tottenham after an impressive debut season in England, while Southampton (openly) and Manchester United (not so openly) chased ‘Concrete Ron’ following his World Cup heroics. Good work for the Welsh outfit and the Midlanders.
LOSER – Petr Cech
Big Petr may well have more splinters in his behind than first-team appearances to his name by January after a move away from Chelsea failed to materialise. The Czech stopper is now Thibaut Courtois’ backup man, which is a state of affairs unlikely to change anytime soon, given the youngster’s fine start to life at Stamford Bridge.
A move to PSG or Monaco in in 2015 may be on, but for now Cech will be hoping that Samuel Eto’o left those hot water bottles behind…
According to multiple reports, Vedad Ibišević would be a West Ham United player had VfB Stuttgart been willing to sell him during the last transfer window.
The 30-year-old claimed that he had many offers from various clubs and that “West Ham also wanted me, but Stuttgart did not want to sell this summer.” The Hammers were in the market for goals given the loss of Andy Carroll again. Enner Valencia, Diafra Sakho, and Mauro Zarate were forward options who were signed – and then there’s Carlton Cole of course. But perhaps West Ham should have made it their priority to sign Vedad Ibišević during this window and, depending on how the new signings get on, they still shouldn’t give up on him.
Ibišević, a Bosnian international, has not given up on a move away from Stuttgart in the near future however.
“I stayed but you never know, if a good offer comes in I may leave… the club [Stuttgart] have made some changes and the goal is a mid-table position… I have bigger ambitions so that is why I may leave,” he said.
What would Vedad Ibišević offer to West Ham should he get the move away which he is seemingly longing for?
First of all, he doesn’t come across as the most loyal of players but he did spend five years of his career with 1899 Hoffenheim, where he netted 48 league goals in 123 appearances. His move to Stuttgart has been a successful one for him so far. In all competitions, prior to the current season, he has so far scored 47 goals in just 95 appearances – almost a ratio of a goal every other game. All these goals for a side who haven’t finished above mid-table in the Bundesliga since he joined them, and who finished one place above the relegation play-off place last season.
So he certainly has the ability to score goals, but how would his style of play fit into Sam Allardyce’s?
Ibišević stands at 6ft 2in, making him slightly shorter than Carlton Cole but taller than Valencia, Zarate, and Sakho. He certainly ‘fits the bill’ for a Big Sam side, but as we know he has been told to change his style and his striker signings are testament to that. Ibišević can effectively use his height and last season he was the 23rd best player (out of 253 players who made a substantial amount of appearances) at winning aerial duels (4.7pg) in the Bundesliga.
However he’s not quite as effective in the air as Andy Carroll, who won an average of 8.9 aerials per game, which I would imagine is largely due to the differing style of play between the two clubs. Based on last year’s statistics, Ibišević would have been 6th in the Premier League list for average aerial duel wins per game. Right up Big Sam’s street, then?!
Vedad has proven his goalscoring ability in the Bundesliga and his aerial ability is certainly a big part of his game. The Hammers were after a goalscorer and you would assume that Allardyce wanted a player with strong ability in the air. It could have been a match made in heaven, but it clearly wasn’t to be.
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Of course every player has his price and Stuttgart wouldn’t have declined every sum of money offered by West Ham. There is no confirmed amount that was offered, but but some reports have mentioned a fee of around £12m, which is what the Hammers ended up spending on Enner Valencia.
It’s little strange that West Ham weren’t willing to commit to a substantial amount for the 30-year-old Bosnian striker, but perhaps looking to the future was the priority. The Hammers need goals now, however, and if the new boys don’t get them then perhaps West Ham will rue not committing to the signing of Vedad Ibišević.
Real Madrid signed some more world class talent in the last transfer window, in the form of James Rodriguez and Toni Kroos. Along with having Bale and Ronaldo, Madrid ran out of space for one of their best performers.
Angel Di Maria was snapped up by Manchester United for just shy of £60m – a huge fee, but a proven talent who is still only 26-years-old. Di Maria’s time at Real Madrid was good enough for the player to make the 2014 Balon D’or 23-man shortlist that has just been released.
Once again, Madrid are hardly going to notice Di Maria’s absence if the shortlist is anything to go by. The 10-time Champions League winners have 6 current players on the shortlist (Kroos, Rodriguez, Bale, Benzema, Sergio Ramos, Ronaldo), including the most probable winner in Cristiano Ronaldo.
Still, Man United’s squad is nowhere near as strong as Madrid’s and they’ve certainly gained from that fact. Di Maria has got off to a flying start at Old Trafford and for a man without a particularly strong scoring record at any of his previous clubs, he’s certainly found his scoring touch.
We all know by now that this most certainly isn’t Man United’s strongest squad, yet we are also aware how good they are offensively. Rooney, Falcao, and Van Persie have all been outscored by Di Maria thus far, not bad considering he’s also their leader in the assist charts also. Not only is he supplying the strikers but he’s taking some chances for himself. Perfect wing play.
Cristiano Ronaldo, George Best, Eric Cantona, Bryan Robson, David Beckham – some big Man United ‘legends’. All have worn the now famous number seven shirt. So who’s the latest wearer of the number seven? Di Maria of course. After a few years on from Michael Owen and Antonio Valencia, the number seven is back on a key player at Old Trafford, and Di Maria is United’s current best player.
Every time I watch the ‘new’ Man United, Di Maria stands out as a class above the rest. His talent is beyond everyone else’s currently at the club. It may not be the accolade now as it once was, but there is still many top players at the club. Angel is confident, quick, and clinical – attributes which are very much needed at Old Trafford right now.
The Argentine winger believes in himself and his ability. Many professional footballers have that mentality but not all have the ability to back it up. The tricky 26-year-old has the ability and the belief – as did all the previous number seven legends.
It’s rare in football to find a player with such a high level of ability, who is willing to work as part of the team. Di Maria is certainly a rare find and although he was incredibly expensive, he is the talisman who is going to bring the good days back to Old Trafford.
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He is in a class of his own despite playing alongside some top Premier League and world class strikers – a bargain at £60m.
We’re now just days away from the official opening of the January transfer window and Manchester United fans – in fact, most football enthusiasts in England – will be hoping it’s as exciting as the last.
The Red Devils spent an incredible £150million during the summer, marking the second-most expensive transfer window in the history of the sport, and recent speculation claims they could be splashing the cash equally as lavishly in the New Year.
Indeed, United look a formidable outfit under van Gaal but they’re still a level behind Chelsea and Manchester City in terms of the Premier League title race. Some expensive winter acquisitions could change that however, so with that in mind, here’s a list of FIVE well-known, highly-priced targets the Red Devils should break the bank for.
MATS HUMMELS
//www.youtube.com/embed/cOlTY9h1IsA
Age: 25
Positions: Centre-back, defensive midfield
Teams: Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, German national team
Honours: Bundesliga titles in 2011 and 2012, Champions League finalist 2013, World Cup 2014
Linked clubs: Arsenal, Manchester United, Barcelona, Real Madrid
Likely transfer fee: £47million, according to the Express
Manchester United’s first port of call this January must be securing the services of a top quality centre-back and their priority target remains Borussia Dortmund’s Mats Hummels.
The German World Cup winner is considered to be one of the leading centre-halves in world football, through his blend of aerial dominance, anticipatory defending and a Franz-Beckenbaur-esque ability to instigate or join attacks from deep positions.
That makes him an ideal fit for Louis van Gaal’s progressive philosophy and likely a natural suitor to a three-man defence as well. The 25 year-old dismissed United’s interest during the summer, instead accepting the club captaincy at Westfalen.
But with Dortmund now lingering just a place above the bottom of the Bundesliga table on goal difference alone, recent reports claim he could be tempted into jumping ship when the transfer window reopens.
Honours: Eredivisie tiles in 2010/11 and 2011/12, Ajax Player of the Year 2011/12, Premier League Team of the Year 2012/13
Linked clubs: Arsenal, Barcelona, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United,
Likely transfer fee: £17million, according to Mirror Football
An alternative to Mats Hummels comes in the form of Tottenham’s Jan Veronghen. He’s never quite matched the sensational form of his first season in the Premier League, as detailed below:
But the Belgium international’s progressive, front-footed style – not to mention his footballing education at the Ajax academy – should particularly strike a chord with Louis van Gaal.
He’s experienced, versatile and – in theory – perfect for a back three, and although Vertonghen’s form can often be turbulent, on his day, the 27 year-old is unquestionably one of the Premier League’s best centre-halves.
Spurs are often reluctant to sell to divisional rivals unless there’s considerable compensation involved. But having recently rejected a contract extension at White Hart Lane, the Lilywhites might be convinced into letting Vertonghen go in January.
JUAN CUADRADO
//www.youtube.com/embed/lajEptHUxD0
Age: 26
Positions: Almost a utility man, virtually any position except for defensive midfield, centre-half and centre-forward
Teams: Independiente Medellin, Udinese, Fiorentina, Colombian national team
Interested clubs: Chelsea, Barcelona, Manchester City
Likely transfer fee: £27million release clause
In comparison to prior United sides, the current crop is worryingly light on width and penetration going forward; Fiorentina star Juan Cuadrado could be the perfect remedy.
The South American’s blend of pace, stamina and tenacity has seen him tear apart Serie A over the last 18 months, amassing 16 goals and eight assists in his last 45 league outings. He brought his form to the World Cup in Brazil too, finishing up with the joint-most assists of any player alongside United’s own Daley Blind.
Perhaps most importantly, Cuadrado is exceptionally versatile, as detailed below:
With Antonio Valencia’s contribution going forward often leaving a lot to be desired, the 26 year-old could prove a far more effective and adventurous option in the right wing-back role.
SAMI KHEDIRA
//www.youtube.com/embed/RetIjHKY6pA
Age: 27
Positions: Central Midfield
Teams: Stuttgart, Real Madrid, German National Team
Honours: Bundesliga title 2006/07, La Liga title 2011/12, Copa Del Rey 2010/11, 2013/14, Champions League title 2013/14, World Cup 2014
Interested clubs: Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea
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Likely transfer fee: €18million, according to Inside Spanish Football
Manchester United are still lacking balance in the middle of the park and an energetic enforcer of the Sami Khedira variety certainly wouldn’t go amiss.
The German international is undoubtedly up there in Europe’s central midfield elite, having won a Champions League title and a World Cup in 2014. His undying stamina and ability to contribute at both ends of the pitch is exactly what United should be looking for.
Rather conveniently, Khedira looks to be on his way out of the Bernabeu too, with his contract set to expire at the end of the season and an extension becoming increasingly unlikely. That could result in him leaving on the cheap in January, but some reports claim he’s already agreed a move to Arsenal.
KEVIN STROOTMAN
//www.youtube.com/embed/_Wq8cQ-ldJo
Age: 24
Positions: Central Midfield
Teams: Sparta Rotterdam, Utrecht, PSV, Roma, Netherlands National Team
Interested clubs: Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea
Likely transfer fee: £30million, according to The Express, £79million according to Roma
A firm favourite of Louis van Gaal during his time as Netherlands boss and often referred to as ‘the Dutch Roy Keane’, it’s likely Kevin Strootman would’ve signed for Manchester United during the summer had it not been for a World Cup-ending ACL injury.
The 24 year-old ticks all the boxes for United; he’s industrious, tidy on the ball, a regular contributor to the goal tally and a natural leader, having served as PSV captain and even worn the armband for Oranje on occasion.
The only issue is that he joined Roma just 18 months ago, and that’s understandably made them very reluctantly to sell. With continual hints at an exit from the Stadio Olympico however, it seems inevitable that the Dutch enforcer will turn up at Old Trafford at some point over the next two transfer windows.
There were many surprising things about Arsenal’s 2-0 away victory against Manchester City last night. Barring the result itself, this was a game that was extraordinary in contradicting our pre-conceptions on both teams. The resulting permutations of such are significant, and this game may be seen as a turning point in both teams seasons.
Arsenal had clearly learnt from the maulings they had suffered to the Citizens, Chelsea and Liverpool last season as they looked to prove that finally, after years of trying to return to the upper echelons of the footballing world, that they were ready.
Was this a turning point or a false dawn for the Arsenal fans?
[ffc-gallery]To find out what we learnt, click on the tussling South Americans below[/ffc-gallery]1) Santi Cazorla is a complete midfielder, and needs to be played centrally
Man of the Match in both halves and dynamic in attack and defence, Santi Cazorla was undeniably the best player on the pitch.
We’ve been used to seeing him play on the left since Mesut Ozil arrived, where he’s neither been incredible nor poor, but somewhere in between. This wasn’t a return to his previous no. 10 role – Arsenal were playing a 4-3-3 and didn’t actually play with one – but more a screening support midfield role with a license to burst forward in patches.
Most impressive was his defensive awareness; he was perfectly in sync with the impressive Francis Coquelin, who together completely isolated David Silva out of the game. You’ll need to do a lot of homework to find a game where Silva had such a negligible influence on a game since he arrived in Manchester.
Yesterday we learned that the nimble Spaniard is far more than just a creative no. 10.
2) Arsene Wenger may finally be steering away from his dogma
Not to get carried away with the usual surprising-result-post-match-hysteria, but this game may genuinely be a turning point in Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal reign.
For too long Wenger’s dogma – that of matching any team he comes up against pound for pound with the staunch belief that he’ll win – has derailed Arsenal’s seasons in big matches. Barring the first fifteen minutes of the second half where Arsenal went for the jugular on the break and inadvertently nearly let their opponents back into the game, City found absolutely no way through Arsenal’s rigid shape. That shape, for once, did not lay its foundations in keeping the ball, but to keep City and Silva out. Their 35% possession is the lowest since Opta started recording stats.
For too long Arsenal have taken on their big game rivals with a naive belief that they’ll win on their terms. Away from home, that’s never the case. Today will act as a blueprint for the rest of the season. This group of players, instructed by Wenger, can be reactive and rigid.
3) Stop Silva, stop City?
Let’s not beat around the bush, though, this was a worryingly haphazard performance from a title-chasing side. Silva never got on the ball with any space around him.
There are of course alternatives to playing through your no. 10 on every single attack. But City rarely threatened by alternative means. James Milner’s not an exceptional ‘attacking’ winger in the purest sense, and failed to make any individual impact on that flank versus the inexperienced Hector Bellerin whilst Jesus Navas is good with space to run in behind but is stifled against a deep-lying full-back.
In the end, City looked so out of ideas that Fernando or Fernaninho were regularly allowed time on the ball with no route through. It’s telling that Gael Clichy attempted double the amount of dribbles (6) than anyone on his team. Arsenal were happy to let him have the ball, with the centre impenetrable.
Relaying too much dependence on Silva would be naive, though – City are far more than a one man team. The defeat, if anything, highlighted the loss of Yaya Toure, someone who could shaken up the middle of the pitch with some physicality against Arsenal’s core. He would have tested Arsenal’s resolve significantly, and let Silva get back into the game.
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4) Mesut Ozil doesn’t deserve to start in the big games
The German started on the bench and was rightfully an unused sub. In the big games you might think his outstanding ability to pull open the best of defences would be an asset, but if today proved anything, Arsenal are much better off setting up with no luxury players in their midfield.
For one, they should continue with this 4-3-3, which omits having a designated no.10 outright. You could play him alongside Cazorla but he’s not really a screening support type, and playing him on the left in a restricted role would omit their defence of the sharp edge that Alexis Sanchez offers.
Ozil is best off saved against bottom 13 opposition where he can pull apart weaker oppositions. Whilst his defensive contribution is hardly terrible, Arsenal have sturdier, more defensively-conscious options available in their array of attacking players.
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5) Francis Coquelin is a dependable holder, and deserves a new contract
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Both Coquelin and Cazorla’s performances ask a big question over the necessity of physicality in a defence. Neither are big, neither are strong, and both were outstanding. The ongoing calls of signing a big man to anchor the defence look less assuring now.
The most impressive thing about Coquelin’s performance was how he didn’t appear to actually do that much. Such was his chemistry with Cazorla (and Ramsey to a lesser extent) that he rarely had to make any tackles or interceptions. Instead, he filled pockets of space, screened his centre backs, and barked orders out at those around him, pulling the strings and being the heartbeat of his side’s shape.
This performance probably confirmed to Wenger what he already intended – to stick with what he has in that department until ‘super quality’ rears its head in the transfer market. That said, Coquelin’s contract runs out in five months and Wenger should be getting him wrapped up before his stock rises too much.
6) Arsenal will finish in the top four, Mourinho will take the title
The permutations for the league are significant. City go to Chelsea in two weeks and may well find themselves eight points behind heading into February. That would be a difficult deficit to over-turn against a Mourinho team.
Arsenal have re-affirmed that they’ll probably get the top four like they always do. The bigger question probably lies in who joins them- United or Southampton, the latter of whom continue to defy expectations.
Speculation has been rife for the last month as to whether Hollywood actor and director Russell Crowe could really be considering to take over Leeds United.
Leeds have been hampered this season by bad press after owner Massimo Cellino was banned from the club when documents about tax evasion were leaked. It now appears the owner will not be returning to have anything else to do with the Championship club when his band expires at the end of the season and his shares have been sold to an unknown buyer.
After one fan tweeted the actor asking him to buy the club, suspicions of this actually happening have become more apparent. What started as a joke could actually end up happening. Crowe is currently in the UK promoting his latest film, The Water Diviner, but instead of asking him about the film everybody wants to know whether he could really take over Leeds United.
Crowe is already the co-owner of NRL Premiers side South Sydney Rabbitohs who were last year’s champions and famously thrashed St Helens in the World Club Series earlier this season. Crowe has been a Leeds fan since the 70s when he used to watch Match of the Day with his brother. He chose to support Leeds and his brother chose Liverpool and he has followed them ever since.
So could Russell Crowe really become Leeds’ new owner?
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After the fan tweeted him, he asked his twitter followers if it was a good idea. Needless to say everyone said yes. Could this Hollywood actor be the right man for the job? The 50-year-old has been spotted at a few Leeds games this season and his appearances have caused quite a stir, adding to the speculation.
One thing is certain, they cannot wait to see the end of Cellino. He has brought nothing but upset and shame on the club. With Crowe being a lifelong fan, there is a hope he would only ever want what is best for the club. Fans of struggling clubs often wish they could take over the running of the club but few are in a position to do so like Crowe.
Speaking to BBC Breakfast on Wednesday he told the reporter he wasn’t commentating about buying Leeds as he didn’t want to upset the current regime but his answer made it very clear: the idea wasn’t out of question.
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What started as a joke tweet by a fan has ended up as an idea that cannot be forgotten. I think there are many more twists to go in this story yet and I would be very surprised if Russell Crowe doesn’t become more involved in the club.
One thing is for certain, after the mess Leeds have had this season with their current owners they deserve better.
Danny Murphy believes that the “arrogance” of Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal is having an adverse effect on Angel di Maria’s form.
The Argentina international became British football’s all-time most expensive player when he joined the Red Devils from Real Madrid last year after helping to fire Los Blancos to the Champions League.
Initially the switch looked to be a good one for both club and Di Maria, with the silky attacking midfielder slotting straight into the starting XI and repaying the Premier League giants’ investment with goals and assists.
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However, his form has tailed off dramatically since the winter, and he was hauled off by LVG against Newcastle last night and Sunderland over the weekend – he was subbed at half-time against the Black Cats.
Murphy – a legend at bitter rivals Liverpool – cannot work out why the Dutchman is shattering Di Maria’s fragile confidence and feels that his actions are not fair on a player of such quality and experience:
“Angel di Maria wasn’t doing that badly against Newcastle,” he told talkSPORT. “If you’re a player struggling, there are two ways to go about fixing it. The manager can either keep you in the team and let you play through it, or he takes you out and gives you a breather.
“Van Gaal has taken him off at half time against Sunderland, so the press is already all over him. He’s obviously said to Di Maria before the Newcastle game, ‘you start the game, get through it, perform, show me what you’ve got’.
“He wasn’t bad but he wasn’t great. Van Gaal decided to take him off after 55 minutes. Now, as a young player, you could accept it because you’re learning and it might just be a bit too much for you.
“But Di Maria’s a brilliant footballer, who is going through a hard time. He’s had some off-the-field issues, and surely Van Gaal needs to help him out, put an arm round him and let him play through it.
“It’s hard to read Van Gaal sometimes. Maybe it’s an arrogance and he wants to show people he’s the boss, whether you’re a 19-year-old or the superstar in the team. It might just be the case that the team comes first and you’re not playing well enough.
“Managers have a stubbornness to prove people wrong. I haven’t seen Van Gaal manage for long enough to see whether it is stubbornness or whether he genuinely thinks he’s doing this for the best interests of the team.
“Surely the best interests of the team are having a flying fit Di Maria. By doing what he’s done to him in the last few games it’s a very difficult place to come back from.
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“They only have 10 games to go though in a brilliant fight with Tottenham, Liverpool and Arsenal for those remaining two Champions League places. You need your best players. Di Maria’s spirit is not going to be high at the moment, the next game he plays he’s going to be under enormous pressure because of what Van Gaal has done to him.
“I don’t think we’ll see the best of Di Maria until next season.”
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