Former England and Tottenham boss Glenn Hoddle believes that Liverpool may actually be happy to be getting rid of Luis Suarez.
The Uruguayan ace is on the verge of completing a £75m switch to Barcelona, with the Spaniards having intensified their efforts to land him despite his World Cup biting controversy.
Suarez was the Reds’ talisman last season, firing 31 goals to take the Merseysiders within a whisker of a first title in 24 years on his way to being named as English football’s top player.
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Although he was a key man for the Anfield side on the pitch, Hoddle thinks that Liverpool may be happy to be taking a big sum to be rid of the divisive character:
“The baggage comes with him and wherever he ends up he’s going to have that baggage,” he is quoted by The Express.
“Off the pitch it might be ‘phew, we’ve got away with that a little bit and got decent money for him’.
“I think Liverpool will look at it and say it was out of their hands in many ways why he’s had to leave, but they move on.
“Liverpool’s a big club and there’s no one player bigger than any football club in the world. Liverpool have proved that over the years.”
Hoddle does however believe that Liverpool will need to delve further into the transfer market following the arrivals of Adam Lallana, Rickie Lambert and Emre Can to replace Suarez:
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“Brendan will go out and try and replace him with probably two or three players. He’ll have to look at it differently because you’re not going to find another Suarez to replace what he’s done.
“Maybe really two or three really class, top players will add to the squad and will make the squad stronger in a different way.”
Despite being thumped 6-1 by Legia Warsaw in a Champions League qualifier, Celtic will feel more than optimistic about their chances of retaining the Scottish title next season.
But with rumours that January signing Leigh Griffiths could be loaned out this summer, the Parkhead side are a little light on firepower. And if Ronny Deila is to make one signing between now and deadline day, it will almost certainly be an old-fashioned centre-forward.
With that in mind, here’s a list of FIVE front-men that would complete Celtic’s squad, maintaining their dominance of the Scottish Premiership and allowing them to compete in Europe.
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CAMERON JEROME
According to the Daily Mail, Celtic have made a £2million bid for Stoke City striker Cameron Jerome:
The 28 year-old isn’t the most dependable goalscorer, having found just nine goals in his last 77 Premier League appearances. But Jerome does possess the knack to pull of the sublime – this goal against Southampton in December 2012 being a classic example:
//www.youtube.com/embed/UWFa-NMPY4U?rel=0
The former Birmingham and Cardiff forward impressed on loan at Crystal Palace last season too, netting just twice in 28 outings but producing a number of important displays.
Famed for his power and pace, the 6 foot 1 striker would be a good fit for the Scottish top flight.
But the Bhoys’ interest is rivalled by Championship side Norwich, and it’s believed Jerome would prefer to stay in England:
CHRIS WOOD
Chris Wood netted this vital strike to clinch Leicester City a valuable point against Everton on the opening day of the Premier League season:
But after splashing out £8million on Leonardo Ulloa, it’s believed the Foxes would be willing to part company with the 34-cap New Zealand international this summer.
He’s been linked with Wolves, Fulham, Norwich and Derby to name a few, but his proposed Molineux deal collapsed, giving Celtic a fantastic opportunity to weigh in.
The 22 year-old netted 36 times in his last 107 Championship appearances, and measuring in at 6 foot 3, uses his height and strength well to bring others into the game.
Here’s a look at the former West Brom youngster in action:
//www.youtube.com/embed/VjqT9eiYUTE?rel=0
Wood would be more than at home in the SPL and allegedly valued at around £2million, represents fantastic value for money.
GRANT HOLT
Former Norwich favourite Grant Holt finds himself caught in transfer limbo this summer.
Indeed, the 6 foot forward moved to Wigan Athletic last summer, but after netting just twice in 16 Championship appearances was hastily moved on to Aston Villa in a loan deal, which in turn saw him find a single goal in nine Premier League outings.
Thus, it seems the 33 year-old’s time at the DW stadium is already coming to a close. He was left out of the Latics’ pre-season tour squad and Mirror Football claim Uwe Rosler is willing to let him leave on the cheap.
Holt may not offer much in the way of longevity but his goalscoring credentials are undoubted. He bagged 78 goals in 168 appearances at Carrow Road, including 15 goals in 36 league outings during the 2011/12 Premier League campaign.
Here’s a look at the striker in action:
//www.youtube.com/embed/N_F0PCNFxSs?rel=0
Rough, rugged, potent and available for peanuts, the former Nottingham Forest forward could be a decent stop-gap solution for the Scottish champions.
DANNY GRAHAM
Another Premier League forward caught between a rock and a hard place is Sunderland misfit Danny Graham.
After failing to find the net in his first 13 Premier League appearances for the Black Cats, the 28 year-old found himself out on loan to Hull City and Middlesbrough last season.
He’s been linked with temporary switches again this summer, with Leeds and Boro both interested. But it appears Gus Poyet wants a permanent move for the 6 foot 1 striker, giving Celtic an opportunity to muscle in:
Graham may have struggled at the Stadium of Light, but he bagged a vital twelve goals to assure Swansea Premier League survival back in 2011/12, and also found 38 league goals in two seasons at former club Watford.
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The former England U20’s scoring form is patchy but he’s a smart striker who finds good positions and often lays the ball off well.
Here’s a look at Graham in action:
//www.youtube.com/embed/5mLQ2_4xqH4?rel=0
ARON JOHANSSON
Celtic have been linked with USA forward Aron Johansson before, most notably ahead of the 2014 January transfer window:
The 23 year-old bagged 20 goals in 37 Eredivisie appearances during the 2013/14 campaign after joining AZ Alkmaar from Danish side AGF last summer.
Johansson is famed for his mixture of power, smart movement and clinical finishing, Here’s a look at the USA international in action:
//www.youtube.com/embed/0tmxOy4deLQ?rel=0
He’s a decent contributor in open play too, as detailed below:
But the Parkhead outfit may have to wait until January if they plan to reignite their interest in the AZ star. He’s just undergone groin surgery and is expected to be out of action until October.
The FA cup triumph at the end of last season, Arsenal’s first trophy for nine years, was meant to signify a new era at the Emirates; one where the club had rediscovered it’s winning mentality, shaken off the cobwebs of the last decade and started to produce prosperity both on and off the pitch.
It coincided with the activation of a sponsorship deal with Puma, improving Arsenal’s financial firepower by £22million plus bonuses per-annum, in addition to a three-year contract extension for Arsene Wenger, taking his stewardship of the club into an unprecedented third decade after silencing those who claimed he’d never again bring silverware to north London.
Plausible excuses for the Gunners not to awaken from their fourth-place malaise were quickly wearing thin.
Yet, just eight games into the 2014/15 Premier League season, less than half a year since the Wembley showdown against Hull City, and Arsenal’s ‘new era’ is already feeling eerily like the last.
Recurring themes are aplenty; a seven-man injury list, despite hiring German World Cup fitness guru Shad Forsythe during the summer. Poor performances and results against top sides as a direct consequence of Arsenal’s naively progressive philosophy. Mesut Ozil, the £42.2million club record signing, still proving he’s completely wasted out wide. The Gunners already eleven points off the pace set by Premier League leaders Chelsea as Wenger remains without a win against Jose Mourinho.
And it’s all underpinned by a summer in which Wenger, not for the first time, failed to use the transfer market to address any of his squad’s long-term flaws, barring locating a replacement for Bacary Sagna in Newcastle’s Mathieu Debuchy.
Indeed, the Gunners spent an incredible £80million this summer, marking the most lucrative transfer window in the club’s history, yet they’ve somehow still entered the season without a superior option to Mathieu Flamini and Mikel Arteta in holding midfield or enough defenders to see out even the most ordinary of injury crises. Against Hull City last weekend, Arsenal’s ad hoc backline included 5 foot 10 full-back Nacho Monreal at centre-half and 19 year-old Hector Bellerin starting at No.2, in his first ever Premier League outing.
Amid the rare euphoria of silverware in May, it was quickly forgotten that the only person Arsenal truly required to change had, over the years, become the most resistant to it – Arsene Wenger.
In fact, winning the FA Cup for the first time since 2005 appears to have only served as a justification for the Frenchman’s methods; his narcissistically arrogant view that the strength of Arsenal’s philosophy alone is enough to quash any high-quality opposition, his continual reluctance to add any genuine physicality to the squad, his perpetual disagreement that the Gunners’ midfield requires more balance, his unwavering faith in fate, his own intelligence and Arsenal’s academy overcoming any issues of squad depth.
At this point, as Arsenal find themselves at seventh place in the Premier League table after just two wins in seven, with Wenger already deflecting criticisms of his transfer policy, one has to question whether he’ll ever show a conviction to change, whether the Gunners will ever truly challenge for the English title under him and whether signing that new contract was actually a good idea.
Of course, you can’t blame Ivan Gazidis and the board for offering him one, as spineless as it may have been. This is one of the greatest managers in Arsenal’s and Premier League history, in theory reinvigorated by winning his first trophy in almost a decade.
Likewise, after witnessing the debasing effect Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement had on Manchester United last season – a club far more capable of handling such stresses financially than Arsenal – Gazidis was never going to take the gamble of throwing his club into the same downward spiral.
When Alan Curbishley stepped down as manager of my beloved Charlton Athletic in 2006, he taught me a lot about football, and indeed life. With tears in my eyes as well as his, he orated to the Valley crowd “it’s better to be clapped out of the front door than booed out the back.” He could sense the winds of change in south east London, he knew he could take the club no further.
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The FA Cup win would have been an enormous high for Wenger to leave on – one that fairly represented his servitude to the club over the last 18 years. Yet, as he appears as resistant to change as ever, as another Arsenal title pursuit seems over before it’s started, as transfer policy once again stands in the way of balance and consistency, it’s likely only a supporters’ revolt – a proverbially violent and bloody mess – will remove Wenger now.
And what a fantastic opportunity the Gunners could have presented a new manager with this summer; an Arsenal high on confidence after winning the FA Cup, a new sponsorship deal giving him enormous manoeuvre in the transfer market, a squad of young players ready to adapt and learn. If a Roberto Martinez, a Jurgen Klopp or a Mauricio Pochettino were brought in, Arsenal’s ‘new era’ might already be proving more successful than the last.
The oldest international fixture in world football returns tonight, and while the latest tie between England and Scotland may be classed as a friendly, the fans of both nations certainly won’t be treating it as such.
Clashes between these sworn adversaries have always been fiery affairs, stemming ultimately from historical conflicts which occurred in centuries past. This may no longer be relevant to 21st Century life, as the two nations have been in a (relatively) happy union for over 300 years, however the sense of animosity still prevails in a sporting context.
The Scottish still view the English with a tinge of jealousy – they are the despised Auld Enemy, ruthless, domineering oppressors who always seem to enjoy the greater amount of success – while from an English perspective, the Scots are the pesky neighbours north of the border who just won’t keep quiet.
To whet your appetite before the latest edition of this iconic fixture on Tuesday, here are five classic England vs Scotland matches which have taken place over the years..
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The First Match – England 1-1 Scotland, March 5th,1870
Football – England MerchandiseMandatory Credit – Action ImagesGeneral Merchandise
What better place to start than with the first ever meeting between the two sides, which kicked off more than 140 years ago. Although not officially recognised by FIFA as the first match due to the fact that the Scottish team comprised of players based in London, it was nevertheless the first time that both nations had competed against each other in a football match. The English side were considered favourites, boasting army officers and some experienced amateur footballers – including Charles William Alcock, creator of the FA Cup – while the Scots had William Henry Gladstone among their ranks, prominent MP and son of the then-Prime Minister William Gladstone. Played at The Oval in London, England snatched a draw with just a minute of normal time remaining as Alfred Joseph Baker cancelled out Robert Crawford’s 75th minute strike for the Scots. The match is believed to be one of the first times that the rule of changing ends at half-time came into practice.
Scotland’s Wembley Wizards – England 1-5 Scotland, March 31st, 1928
This match took place during the 1928 British Home Championship, and is regarded as one of the greatest results in Scottish football history. Although the Scots were unfancied going into the game, even by their own media (The Daily Record described the Scottish team as “not a great side”), they managed to stun an English side containing Dixie Dean, with Alex Jackson hitting a hat-trick on the way to a remarkable 5-1 victory. Scotland’s Alex James commented after the game that they “could have had ten”, which reflected their utter dominance over the English, and while Wales went on to win the tournament, the Scottish side who trounced England in London on that rain-sodden Spring day would nevertheless become immortalised as the Wembley Wizards.
England’s revenge – England 9-3 Scotland, April 15th, 1961
Football – Wembley Stadium – General View – 22/5/94Mandatory Credit: Action Images
Suitable revenge for the English would come 33 years later, as they savoured their heaviest-ever victory over the Scots at a packed Wembley Stadium – the venue of the Tartan Army’s most famous triumph in 1928. Jimmy Greaves emulated the caledonian wizardy of Alex Jackson by netting a hat-trick of his own, while Bobby Robson – who would later go on to enjoy a successful managerial career – was also on the scoresheet. Castigated for his performance in the Scotland goal, Frank Haffey decided to emigrate to Australia after the debacle. He would never represent his country again.
The Scots run riot – England 1-2 Scotland, June 4th, 1977
While it may have been another famous triumph on English soil for Scotland, this game will be remembered more for what happened after the final whistle was blown. Goals from Gordon McQueen and Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish in the second half had sent the Scots into delirium, and despite a late Mick Channon penalty giving the hosts some hope, Ally MacLeod’s side clung on to victory. Joyously flooding onto the pitch to celebrate, the Tartan Army proceeded to wreak havoc. The pitch was torn up, the goalposts were brought down, and the footage of Scotland fans climbing onto the crossbar of one of the goals, consequently causing it to break, aptly symbolised the demise of English football in the late 1970s. The damaging defeat played a large factor in Don Revie’s exit as England manager, as the Three Lions failed to qualify for the 1978 World Cup.
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Euro joy for England – Scotland 0-2 England, November 13th, 1999
The rival nations had met in Euro 96 as Paul Gascoigne inspired the tournament hosts to victory in a group stage fixture, and three years later they were paired together again in the qualifying play-off round for the 2000 edition of the competition. Two goals from Paul Scholes secured a crucial away victory for the superior English at Hampden Park – with crowd trouble inevitably flaring up in Glasgow city centre in the aftermath of the game – and although Scotland won the second leg at Wembley 1-0 four days later, the aggregate scoreline of 2-1 resulted in qualification for England at Scotland’s expense. The Scots have not come as close to qualifying for a major tournament since this traumatic defeat at the hands of the Auld Enemy at the end of the last century.
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The fixtures are starting to come thick and fast in the Premier League as we edge ever closer to the Christmas schedule; a much maligned period of the season for players and managers championing the benefits of a winter break, yet wholeheartedly embraced by fans who are able to enjoy a flurry of football before the year comes to a close. This list does not include Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho, who is somewhat of an anglophile when it comes to such traditions.
As well as a full round of fixtures this weekend, all 20 teams are also in action in midweek, giving us plenty to look forward to; focusing on Saturday and Sunday’s matches, here are FIVE things in particular you should watch out for:
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1. Southampton’s top four credentials put to the test
August 19th 2012, and Southampton faced Manchester City at the Etihad in their first game back in the Premier League since gaining promotion from the Championship. Although City went into the game as champions – having clinched their first Premier League title just three months previously – the Saints still gave them an almighty run for their money, and were it not for two late goals from Edin Dzeko and Samir Nasri, they may very well have taken all three points.
Since that game two years ago, Southampton have never looked back – while their eighth placed finish under Mauricio Pochettino last season was certainly impressive, their form under Ronald Koeman this campaign has been stunning. The South Coast side currently lie in second place in the league and come up against City once again this weekend, who are two points and one position below them. With Graziano Pelle scoring for fun and Dusan Tadic excelling as a creative playmaker, many are tipping the Saints to finish in the top four at the end of the season. Win against City, and they’d do their chances no harm.
2. Europa League hangover at White Hart Lane
Everton and Tottenham Hotspur were both in action in the Europa League on Thursday, and the two sides meet at White Hart Lane over the weekend. The infamous ‘European hangover’ is often the bane of teams competing in the continent’s secondary club competition, and coping with the demands of the Premier League and the Europa League has been especially hard for the Toffees and the Lilywhites this season – they have both won only once in the league after playing in Europe.
They will at least be grateful that they are facing opposition who are equally as fatigued as they are. Expect quality and intensity to be at a premium in North London on Sunday afternoon.
3. Burnley with a perfect chance to push on
At the start of the month, the general consensus was that Burnley were more or less dead and buried already, nailed on for the drop after failing to win any of their ten opening league games. However, back-to-back victories over Hull City and Stoke City has seen hope return to Turf Moor, and another three points this weekend could see them climb out of the relegation zone.
In Aston Villa, they could not face better opponents to continue their revival; Paul Lambert’s men are the lowest scorers in the top flight with just six goals, and confidence is clearly low after a winless run stretching back to September. Clarets boss Sean Dyche will be counting on Danny Ings – whose brace secured victory over Stoke last weekend – to carry on where he left off; points will be precious for Burnley throughout the campaign, and gaining all three against Villa would be much welcomed.
4. QPR v Leicester – a relegation six-pointer?
Another bottom-of-the-table clash is taking place this weekend at Loftus Road, where QPR – currently propping up the league with eight points – take on Leicester City, languishing in 18th place and seemingly in freefall. Although Rangers boss Harry Redknapp has described the tie as a game they “need to win”, this is perhaps more relevant to the Foxes than the London side.
QPR may be in last place, but their performances of late have been encouraging, and they possess a squad which is surely good enough to break away from the bottom and secure survival. Leicester, meanwhile, are in a worrying run of form – they have not won since September, and have found the net just twice in their last seven games. This drought has coincided with main striker Leandro Ulloa hitting a bad patch, which shows just how dependent the Foxes are on the Argentinian to provide them with goals. Leicester boss Nigel Pearson needs to get Ulloa back to goalscoring ways – and quick – otherwise his side could be in serious trouble.
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5. Intriguing reunions at Upton Park
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West Ham United versus Newcastle United promises to be an compelling match for a number of reasons. Not only are both teams led by managers who were under intense pressure before the season and have gone on to oversee impressive starts to their respective campaigns, but the two men in question – Sam Allardyce and Alan Pardew – were also in charge of the opposition at some earlier point in their managerial careers.
Pardew enjoyed a degree of success at West Ham, guiding them to the FA Cup final in 2006, while Allardyce’s tenure at Newcastle was an unhappy one, getting sacked in January 2008 for a series of poor results after just seven months in the job. Although the Upton Park faithful have slowly but surely warmed to Allardyce, largely due to the Hammers’ lofty league position, the Toon Army remain hostile towards Alan Pardew, even though his side are level on points with fourth-placed Manchester United.
It will be interesting to see if the 53 year-old receives a friendlier reception from the home end than from his own supporters on Saturday. What’s more, the added intrigue of West Ham’s Kevin Nolan and Andy Carroll facing their former club – especially the latter, who was born and bred on Tyneside and was once a fan favourite at Newcastle – should make this game a corker.
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It’s getting to that time of year when leaked images of next season’s shirts start doing the rounds on social media.
Earlier on we covered Man United’s latest leaked shirt, made by adidas, which is truly awful. But have Liverpool outdone their rivals already with their leaked kits for next season?
It had been revealed their Liverpool’s current kit manufacturer Warrior is being ‘wound up’ by parent company New Balance, which means the Reds will have to done the New Balance logo on their shirts from next season until the contract expires.
That news was revealed quite some time ago, although it seemed to have slipped the radar, presumably because Liverpool fans weren’t particularly prepared to shout from the rooftops about it. And it’s no wonder of the below images are the real deal.
The below images are apparently going to be Liverpool’s kits as of next season and, as expected, Liverpool fans are absolutely fuming about it…
As Millwall approach their biggest match of the season and perhaps since promotion back to the Championship in 2010, the general feeling amongst the fans is that manager Ian Holloway might be approaching the end of his time at the club. Millwall are currently 22nd, three points behind Rotherham and the two teams meet at the New York Stadium on Saturday, in a match that could go a long way in determining both club’s immediate futures.
A defeat for Millwall would be disastrous and a six-point gap could prove too steep a gap to overturn. It could also cost Holloway his job as fans were becoming increasingly frustrated with their boss after the disappointing 3-1 home defeat to Sheffield Wednesday, midweek.
With no home win in their last ten at the Den – the last coming in a 1-0 win over Cardiff in October – and Holloway seemingly unable to get the best out of his players, the Millwall boss has struggled since taking over in January 2014. The Lions managed to stay up last season by four points but he hasn’t been able to kick-start their Championship stay which other than their first season back, has been quite a struggle. Holloway has led his side to just 14 wins in 59 matches at a win percentage of under 24, where the club’s home form has been a real cause for concern.
Holloway is a manager who has a great track record in this league, since first arriving after leading QPR to promotion in 2004. After successful spells at QPR and Plymouth, Holloway joined Leicester where he was in charge when the Foxes were relegated to League One for the first time in the clubs history. Despite this, he took charge of Blackpool in 2009 and led them to an incredible promotion campaign in his first year as boss.
He couldn’t stop Blackpool from relegation in their first season in the Premier League, but won over a lot of people due to their gutsy performances throughout the campaign. After a heartbreaking play-off final defeat to Cardiff in 2012, Holloway left to join Crystal Palace where once again he led a side to the promised land and at the first time of asking. He decided to leave in October 2013 but since taking over at the Den, things haven’t quite gone as planned and he hasn’t been able to take them to the next level.
Whilst Millwall aren’t necessarily going to be a club that will challenge for promotion every season, they have shown they belong at this level. The team are usually hard to beat at home but under Holloway have an extremely poor record at the Den, which has left many fans calling for the manager’s head.
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Holloway has led two teams to promotion to the Premier League but has been in this situation before where he couldn’t save Leicester from relegation. A manager who has achieved great success in the Football League, his time at Millwall clearly hasn’t worked out and it might be the time for both parties to go their separate ways. The Rotherham clash on Saturday is one in which the whole season rests on and could potentially be Ian Holloway’s last in his feckless reign as Millwall manager.
Ben Kennedy may have only just signed his first professional deal with Stevenage but it looks like he could be heading out of the door and up a few leagues in the summer.
It seems quite a few Premier League clubs have been keeping an eye on the youngster who has made quite an impact since joing the League Two side. The striker has found the net three times in four appearances and he has been spotted by North London Premier League rivals Arsenal and Tottenham. They are not the only ones either, current Champions, Manchester City, are keeping tabs on the youngster.
All three teams are currently fighting for Champions League places and it looks like they are ready to fight for the 18 year old as well. The Gunners’ scout, Brian McDermott was spotted at a Stevenage match recently so it looks like the rumours that top flight clubs are interested are true. Would it be too much of a big step to jump in one go?
Whilst it seems like a big jump for a young player it could be the move he needs to boost his career. It is unlikely he would start in the first team straight away but he would be able to benefit from the amazing training facilities, physios and all the added bonuses being at a big club can offer. Many Premier League clubs like to keep an eye out for talent in the lower leagues and then make sure they get the players on their books before loaning them out again.
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Kennedy only signed for the League Two side in February and he has been enjoying his time there. While everyone wants to know what he thinks about the rumours and how he feels, Kennedy just wants to focus on his job at Broadhall Way. He has told reporters, “I just have to continue working hard, doing what I’m doing and hopefully I can push on.”
Arsenal have a long history of developing young players under Arsene Wenger and this season Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino seems to have taken a similar approach with first team starts for youngsters Nabil Bentaleb, Ryan Mason and Harry Kane. Both managers love finding hidden talent amongst the lower leagues and their development teams and it looks like Ben Kennedy could become the latest North London protégée.
But they are not the only teams who are interested in the Stevenage star. Manchester City certainly shouldn’t be ruled out. It is a well-known fact that City’s team are seen as an “ageing” one and Pellegrini is keen to bring in as many young players as possible. Their new top of the range training facilities means that the club are keen to expand their development and youth squads in a bid to be able to bring more youngsters up through the ranks like Arsenal and Spurs do on a regular basis.
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Stevenage still have 7 games left to play before the end of the season and they currently sit in 9th place just two points out of the play-off places. Kennedy’s main focus is to get Stevenage promoted, only then will he start listening to rumours and gossip about where he may end up. Carry on playing like this and a “promotion” of his own will most definitely be on the cards.
Even though Arsenal’s clash with Chelsea is perhaps the ‘glamour tie’ of the weekend, Southampton and Spurs dealt up a tie that lived up to it’s billing as the one that mattered. Both sides are firmly in the hunt for European qualification, and with Mauricio Pochettino returning to St. Mary’s Stadium there was plenty for the narrative lover to enjoy.
It appears both teams have their beach towels and flip flops firmly locked away after serving up a decent spectacle, which may have major connotations by the time the final whistle ends game 38. But what did we learn on the Hampshire coast? Here are THREE lessons
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The Europa League battle will go to the wire
Although the Europa League is often seen as a poison chalice, both Southampton and Spurs seem pretty keen to book a spot in it. Champions League qualification is realistically gone for both sides, and Liverpool look more likely to finish in fifth, so the pair could well be fighting for the last remaining qualification spot with Aston Villa in the FA Cup Final. Spurs sit on 58 points with Southampton on 57 with four games to go… it’ll be tight!
Spurs need a commanding defender
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Spurs are believed to be looking for a new centre-back this summer, and today summed up why. Both of Southampton’s goals were avoidable, with a lack communication at the back the difference between one and three points. Ben Davies, a left-back, was at fault at first, but Graziano Pelle’s header was perhaps avoidable had the Italian been rivalled in the air.
Pelle is back!
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After netting just once in the last four months of action, Pelle officially announced his comeback this afternoon. The big Italian was prolific for the Saints before Christmas, but as the club’s rampaging form dried up, so to did his ability in front of goal – or perhaps the other way around! Two goals today against Spurs will fill him with confidence, and while the first was a little on the fortunate side, his second was a vintage header.
The first part of Louis van Gaal’s brief at Manchester United has been completed, with the Old Trafford outfit successful in qualifying for next season’s Champions League.
However, with the Dutch maestro set to be handed a warchest to bolster his contingent this summer, the Red Devils will be widely expected to put forward a sustained title challenge next season.
Although there are a number of positions that United will need to consider strengthening if they are to consistently challenge the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City, centre forward looks like a priority.
The Red Devils started the campaign with what looked like an array of world-class strikers, but seemingly need to shake-up the pack ahead of 2015-16. Radamel Falcao’s loan stint from Monaco has been an unmitigated disaster, with the Colombian highly unlikely to be secured on a permanent deal after an underwhelming campaign.
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Robin van Persie is starting to show his age and with injury concerns still inhibiting the Netherlands international, United can no longer count on the former Arsenal forward to be their leading light in attack.
Wayne Rooney continues to be the club’s best attacking option, but the captain has also been deployed in midfield on occasion of late.
As such, a proven number nine that can lead the line and score consistently is needed. Looking at the options, United could well opt for someone like Carlos Bacca or Alexandre Lacazette, but one specific transfer rumour could well hint at the ideal solution.
The Red Devils have been linked with a move for Napoli forward Gonzalo Higuain this week, which ticks all the boxes for Van Gaal’s men. The Argentina international has scored consistently both at Real Madrid and at the Stadio San Paolo outfit, but his future looks up in the air for two main reasons.
Firstly, with Rafa Benitez having left Naples, Higuain has lost the man that brought him to the Italian club in the first place.
Secondly, with Napoli failing to qualify for next season’s Champions League, the South American hitman will be considering if a move would aid his career.
Arsenal were heavily linked with Higuain two summers ago but delayed their advances and Napoli stepped in.
This time round, United should strike quickly to bring this star striker to Old Trafford, as knowledge of his availability will surely see a host of suitors putting their hands up as potential destinations for this River Plate youth prodigy.
Higuain has excellent movement off the ball and the technique to link-up well with others. Strength, ability in the air and positional awareness add to his game, but the most appealing thing for United will be the fact that the Argentine is a lethal poacher and ruthless when given a chance.
His goal record both for Argentina and at all the clubs he has represented is excellent and as such United would be foolish not to consider a move for the 27-year-old.
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With compatriots Marcos Rojo and Angel Di Maria already at the club, it could well be an Argentine third time lucky if United splash the cash on this world-class striker.