Tottenham’s season has been as good as over ever since Benfica dumped the North Londoners out of the Europa League in Lisbon.
It has been a season of disappointment, with the investment of the summer holding Spurs back rather than proving to be the catalyst for a Premier League title push.
Tim Sherwood appears to be riding a tight rope at Spurs, and given Levy’s impatience for success you can expect there to be further upheaval this summer. Spurs fans will be desperate for some good news over the next few months, and with Daniel Levy at the helm you can expect your fair share of thrill and spill along the way.
So we’ve put together a list of the SIX things we can expect to see at Tottenham this summer.
Click on Tim Sherwood to reveal
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The fanfare of Radamel Falcao’s loan arrival last summer is now a distant memory, with the Colombian, who has netted just four goals, hardly the success that was predicted.
A fee of £6m was needed for the 29-year-old, who earns over £200,000-per-week, and a further £43.5m will have to be put forward to keep him for next season, and judging by his appearance for the Red Devils’ U-21 side earlier this week, that looks unlikely to happen.
We here at FFC Towers are getting a bit fed up of hearing about the creaky-kneed forward, though, despite his alarming fall from one of the world’s most feared marksmen to a bit-part player at Old Trafford, and we’re sure there are much more exciting tings happening at the Theatre of Dreams.
Well, it looks like there are, as well… and here are FIVE of them!
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James Wilson’s emergence
While Falcao’s career seems to be meandering towards its end, James Wilson is just starting out on what looks like it could be a great journey. Already picked ahead of his Colombian team-mate on multiple occasions this season, the 19-year-old is blessed with great pace and a good ability to finish off moves, which are, perhaps, the two most vital attributes a striker needs in the English game.
By no means the finished article, Wilson has plenty to work on if he’s to be an Old Trafford great, or even a cult hero, but it’s fair to say that the quest will be an exciting one to watch.
Summer spend predicted
£150m spent last summer… what will United do this time around? That’s right, spend again! The Red Devils may be out of the Champions League, but the cash is still flowing, with a mega Adidas kit deal, a huge stadium, Premier League TV rights and sponsorship streams all keeping some zeros on the end of their balance.
Memphis Depay, Mats Hummels Kevin Strootman and many, many others have been mentioned as targets, so this coming transfer window is likely to be a lot more exciting than January’s damp squib!
LVG’s breakdown…
Maybe not entertaining from United fans’ perspectives, but the way in which the pressure seems to be getting to LVG is captivating viewing for everyone else. The Dutchman is vastly experienced and has a medal collection many in the game would envy to call upon, but his tenure at Old Trafford has been, thus far, hard to judge. United appear to lack any dynamism in the final third, are slow in transition and shaky at the back, with goalkeeper David de Gea, arguably, their only creditable performer.
The dossier incident after Sam Allardyce’s long ball criticism was a bizarre one, and comments suggesting that Falcao’s four-goal return is promising is perhaps even odder. Maybe he’ll ne spotted eating Toblerones while driving to Dundee with no shoes on, a la Alan Partridge, soon…
The top four race
With Chelsea running away from the stuttering Manchester City at the top of the table, the battle for third and fourth – and entry to the Champions League – seems to be the really exciting one. Arsenal, with their record, would appear to be nailed on for it, so the scrap for the final slot appears to be one going on between United, Liverpool and Spurs – plus Southampton, if they can recover from some recent set-backs – which is sure to be enticing.
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Four points divide the four sides, and with a trip to Anfield coming up, LVG’s Red Devils are heavily embroiled in, perhaps, the major narrative of the end of 2014/15.
David de Gea!
While United’s attack, midfield and defence have all been criticised, David de Gea has been almost single-handedly holding it all together. Part man, part brick wall, the Spaniard’s reflexes, command of his area and proficiency in one-on-ones have been enough to claim multiple points for United, who may be down in midtable had it not been for their stopper.
The Capital One Cup has produced some quality football over the last 18 months, with huge upsets occurring late on and some wonderful winning goals. In fact, the League Cup has always thrown up some stunners, so with that in mind, here’s a look back at the top 10 goals from the Semi-Final stage of this competition.
Nigel De Jong – Liverpool 2-2 Man City 2011/12
[youtube dM1FUhq4u6g]
Nigel De Jong’s goal gave Man City the lead away at Anfield, with the Dutch international scoring a long range curling effort past the outstretched Pepe Reina. The goal levelled the score on aggregate and opened up an exciting encounter between the two Northern clubs.
Craig Gardner – Birmingham 3-1 West Ham 2010/11
[youtube 6shWClyw5B8]
Birmingham were trailing 2-1 after losing in the first leg, and after going a goal down in the return leg at home, they fought back to level the score, with Craig Gardner scoring the winner in extra time.
Carl Mchugh – Bradford 3-1 Aston Villa 2012/13
[youtube ocZ85u_Nc50]
Bradford were the surprise package in the Capital One Cup last season and Carl Mchugh’s header gave Bradford a vital 3-1 lead which saw them go into the away fixture at Villa Park with a real chance of reaching the Final. This goal was vital to Bradford nearly going all the way in the Capital One Cup that year.
Robbie Blake – Burnley 3-2 Tottenham 2008/09
[youtube gXWBh47Jar0]
Burnley went into the fixture having lost 4-1 at White Hart Lane and many fans could see another heavy defeat coming their way. Robbie Blake’s tremendous free-kick opened the scoring that night and staged a late comeback, giving the Clarets fans hope of reaching the Final.
Nicklas Bendtner – Arsenal 3-0 Ipswich 2010/11
[youtube sagFdkg8cnQ]
The first touch and brilliantly executed finish from Nicklas Bendtner opened the scoring in this 3-0 win over Ipswich and made it into the top 10 purely for the technique shown by the Danish forward.
Lee Bowyer – Birmingham 3-1 West Ham 2010/11
[youtube nJnzbrXC5LA]
This powerful strike from Birmingham City’s Lee Bowyer sparked the superb comeback, which saw them reach the Final and go on to beat Arsenal and lift the trophy.
Danny Graham – Chelsea 0-2 Swansea 2012/13
[youtube THZwwxNrbQQ]
The second goal away at Stanford Bridge snuck into the top 10, as Swansea went on to lift the trophy, after producing a magical display against Chelsea in the Semi-Finals and standing strong in the return leg.
Wayne Rooney – Manchester United 3-1 Manchester City 2009/10
[youtube zUO2GfEt8jY]
This 90th minute winner from Wayne Rooney saw United progress to the Final having conceded a late aggregate equaliser from former Red Devils striker Carlos Tevez. This goal would have meant a lot to United fans as they knocked out their fierce rivals and progressed to the Final.
Martin Olsson – Aston Villa 6-4 Blackburn 2009/10
[youtube 9dBOBHi9QH4]
One of the greatest games the League Cup has ever seen, Aston Villa progressed after a 6-4 win against Blackburn to reach the Final against Manchester United. Martin Olsson’s goal was the pick of the bunch, with an acrobatic finish to give Aston Villa their sixth of the game.
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Cesc Fabregas – Arsenal 3-0 Ipswich 2010/11
[youtube sagFdkg8cnQ]
The former Arsenal midfielder completes this goal fest with a delightful, delicate chip over Martin Fulop to put the icing on the goalscoring cake.
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Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is confident that the returning Fabio Borini from injury can make an impact on his side and add a spark to their attack.
Borini is nearing a return to full fitness following three months out after surgery on a fractured foot, and Rodgers believes the Italian can add fresh impetus to the Liverpool attack along with new signing Daniel Sturridge, who scored on his debut in with FA Cup victory at Mansfield on Sunday.
Luis Suarez has been in scintillating form for the Reds this term, surpassing his league goals tally of 11 for the whole of last season, with 15 already this time around.
Rodgers is now excited about the prospect of having a full compliment of forwards to choose from and was quoted by the clubs official website as telling the Liverpool Echo:
“Other clubs have the depth to bring people off the bench and make an impact.”
“We have been unable to do that in the opening months of the season, which gives incredible credit to the players who have kept us going until now.”
“We have Daniel here now and will have Fabio fit soon and that will give us that spark.”
“Hopefully over the years Fabio can develop into a top performer which I think he can be.”
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Borini is only 21-years-old so still a young prospect, and everyone associated with the club will hope he is able to fulfill the potential that Rodgers believes he has.
Newcastle are battling it out with Juventus for the signature of Toulouse midfielder Moussa Sissoko, according to reports from talkSPORT.
The Magpies have been tracking the French international for some time and could make a move during January with manager Alan Pardew keen to bolster his squad in a bid to improve their Premier League form.
Russian big spenders Anzhi Makhachkala were thought to be front-runners for his signature, but reports have now emerged that Juventus are Newcastle’s main opponents.
Sissoko is a key member of the Ligue 1 outfit’s squad, but with his contract set to expire at the end of the season, a transfer appears to be on the cards.
It’s unclear whether the St James’ Park club will look to force through a move in January, or simply attempt to agree a pre-contract agreement for a free transfer at the end of the campaign.
The Frenchman has made over 150 appearances for his current club since breaking into the first-team set-up during 2007.
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He has been on the radar of many of Europe’s top clubs for some time, with the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool having been linked with moves on numerous occasions.
Mario Balotelli’s name has been trending all over social media in recent weeks based on his poor performance, but is beginning to gather positive comments thanks to his goal against Swansea and most recently, for an amazingly huge act of kindness towards a Liverpool fan.
Jack Gandy, an 11-year-old Reds fan, along with his father climbed the wall at Melwood to watch Balotelli along with the squad in training as he recalls one of the most touching stories about the under-fire Italian striker you may ever hear.
Jack’s father, Lee, said “We just couldn’t believe it, he’s such a nice person. Jack’s a massive, massive Liverpool fan. He can tell you anything about every player.
“He broke up for half term last week and we went to watch them train over the wall at Melwood on Friday.
“Mario went to the far side and was doing longshots and we were watching him ping them in.
“Jack was clapping him as he went to go in and Mario turned and waved. The next minute he came round the back of the goal, scooped up a ball and signed it, before passing it to Jack and then told him ‘you be good’.
“I said ‘thank you so much Mario’ and he turned round, put his thumb up and said ‘no problem’.”
This wasn’t it as he continued the events which took place after they once again spotted the 24-year-old leaving the training ground.
“All the fans were outside afterwards and Mario stopped his car and told the security guard to let Jack come over.
“We went up to his car and he said to Jack ‘you couldn’t get a picture up there, would you like one now?’
He put his hand up to him and I said to Jack ‘he wants to shake your hand!’. Mario held his hand and I took the picture. Jack’s just so made up.
“I had the Swansea game on the radio on Tuesday and when Mario scored Jack was jumping around his room.
“He loves Mario now, he keeps saying to me ‘he’s such a nice person’. He’s put such a big smile on his face.
“You see him on the pitch and he looks angry all the time but he was so nice with Jack, I just think people should know about him doing things like this.”
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Former Chelsea striker Tony Cascarino thinks that Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Dele Alli would benefit from some time on the sidelines.
The England international has struggled for consistency this season and has so far failed to recreate the performances that helped the North London club to second place in the Premier League in the 2016-17 campaign.
Since moving to Tottenham from MK Dons in 2015, Alli has transformed into a first-team regular and established international, yet he is only 21 years old.
At the moment, the midfielder is suffering from a dip in form and he had an overall disappointing weekend in a 4-1 loss to league leaders Manchester City.
Not only did Spurs slip 21 points behind top spot, the midfielder attracted criticism for his challenge on Kevin De Bruyne, which reminded everyone of his ‘dirty’ streak.
Cascarino has suggested that manager Mauricio Pochettino should give Alli a rest away from the spotlight.
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The pundit told talkSPORT:
“I think he’s played too much football. When managers are rotating and leaving people out – I felt he should have been taken out of the firing line. He’s a young man. I’ve been there myself where you just struggle and you’re not quite on it.
“I haven’t seen Dele Alli really make an impact in the last month since the Real Madrid victory, and especially yesterday, where he was certainly second best.”
Newcastle United announced on Tuesday afternoon that Adam Armstrong had joined League One side Blackburn Rovers on loan for the remainder of the 2017-18 season.
The 20-year-old has only just returned to the Magpies following a loan spell at Bolton Wanderers, but has now been sent to Ewood Park for the next six months.
Armstrong, who is valued at £1.4m by transfermarkt.co.uk, has made 21 appearances for Newcastle in all competitions, but the forward has not scored a single goal.
He has a contract with the Premier League club until June 2020, and it is thought that the Magpies still have high hopes for the centre-forward.
The Newcastle fans are simply not convinced, however, with many claiming that another loan move for Armstrong is pointless due to his lack of goals.
The former England Under-20 international managed just one goal in 20 Championship appearances for Bolton in the first half of this season, and the Newcastle supporters believe that he should be sold rather than sent out on loan once again.
According to reports in The Telegraph, West Ham United are targeting a January move for Swansea City defender Alfie Mawson, but they may have to pay £25m to bring him to the London Stadium.
What’s the word, then?
Soccer Football – Carabao Cup Fourth Round – Swansea City vs Manchester United – Liberty Stadium, Swansea, Britain – October 24, 2017 Swansea City’s Alfie Mawson in action with Manchester United’s Chris Smalling Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publicatio
Well, The Telegraph says that Irons boss David Moyes has made bringing a new centre-half to the club during the January transfer window a priority, and he is ready to make a move for the 23-year-old.
The Telegraph says that managerless Swans would demand £25m if they persuaded to cash in on the former Barnsley man, and they would use the money to fund their own transfer business next month.
However, the report adds that the Welsh outfit are in talks with the England U21 international, who has 18 months left on his deal at the Liberty Stadium, over a new contract and they are determined to keep him for their fight against relegation.
How has Mawson done this season?
The centre-back only joined the Swans from Barnsley in the summer of 2016, and he made a huge impression in his debut campaign in the Premier League.
While the 23-year-old has struggled to replicate those displays with Swansea currently bottom of the table, but he is still highly-rated and has had plenty of defending to do this term.
According to Squawka, Mawson has won 65 of the 90 aerial duels he has faced in 18 top flight fixtures this season, as well as making 128 clearances, 15 blocks and 10 interceptions.
The defender is also comfortable in possession too, and he has successfully completed all five of the five dribbles he has attempted.
Would he be a good signing for West Ham?
He certainly would be.
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The 23-year-old has shown already that he is an accomplished Premier League defender with great potential, and the fact that he is good on the ball as well as performing his defensive duties will have impressed David Moyes.
The reported £25m price tag won’t be so attractive though, and the Scot will certainly hope to pay less than that for Mawson if he is to bring him to the capital next month.
It looks set to be an interesting summer at White Hart Lane, with Tottenham welcoming a new manager in Mauricio Pochettino.Indeed, the former Southampton manager has a number of crucial decisions to make – last season’s regular capitulations against the Premier League’s top sides proved that the Lilywhites currently lack the quality to stage a successful Champions League bid.And although the Argentine will be keen to add his own players to the mix at White Hart Lane, rumours have circulated that he will have to sell before buying.With that in mind, here’s a list of SIX Tottenham players we at Football Fancast believe deserve the proverbial transfer axe this summer.
[ffc-gallery]CLICK ON MAURICIO POCHETTINO TO REVEAL
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GYLFI SIGURDSSON
Occasionally capable of pulling off the sublime:
//www.youtube.com/embed/KI-tIKIMASQ?rel=0
Iceland international Gylfi Sigurdsson is a useful player to have around. He’s netted 13 times for the Lilywhites since joining them in summer 2012, including a decent return of eight goals in 58 Premier League outings.
That includes this wonder-strike against Hull City earlier this year, which won the Goal of the Year at White Hart Lane:
But too weak to play as a central midfielder and too slow to be considered a long-term solution out wide, the 24 year-old is fundamentally flawed.
The Tottenham management appear to agree, and have resultantly struck a deal offloading Sigurdsson to Crystal Palace:
MICHAEL DAWSON
Another Lilywhite that already appears to be on his way out of North London is ever-loyal centre-back Michael Dawson.
You can’t question the 30 year-old’s commitment, and after nearly a decade at Tottenham, amassing 322 competitive appearances, he’s very much become part of the White Hart Lane fabric. Who remembers this sensational strike from back in 2009?
But recently, the four-cap England international’s brand of absent-minded defending has become far more prevalent:
After somehow surviving the transfer axe for the last two summers and looking disturbingly out of his depth towards the end of last season, Dawson’s Tottenham tenure has surely run its course.
Hull City have emerged as keen suitors with the view to a £5million deal. But with the 6 foot 3 centre-back demanding added compensation for Spurs’ refusal to grant him a testimonial, Steve Bruce claims the transfer far from complete:
ANDROS TOWNSEND
After netting England’s Goal of the Qualifying Campaign (yes, that’s a real award) against Montenegro in October, many expected great things from Tottenham winger Andros Townsend:
//www.youtube.com/embed/RH3eV6eIx38?rel=0
But far from becoming the Three Lions’ answer to Arjen Robben, as once predicted by Harry Redknapp, the 23 year-old is looking more and more like the next Adam Johnson by the game.
As you can see, his dribbles-per-game and shots-per game averages are amongst the best returns of the White Hart Lane roster:
But having netted just once all season despite taking 56 attempts at goal, with this cross-shot somehow finding its way past Aston Villa’s Brad Guzan:
//www.youtube.com/embed/WGt9oZXxXp8?rel=0
…Townsend’s conversion rate for the campaign stands at an almighty 1.7%.
The England international is fast-becoming a one-trick pony, with that one trick being cutting inside to shoot, which he’s not even that good at!
Spurs should sell before the youngster’s market value begins to depreciate. A return to QPR, where Townsend impressed on loan at the end of the 2012/13 campaign, has been mooted:
KYLE NAUGHTON
Had Spurs not continually failed in their pursuit for a resident No.3 and a back-up No.2, I’m certain that 25 year-old Kyle Naughton would have been ousted from White Hart Lane several seasons ago.
As you can see, the dual-sided full-back once again endured an inadequate campaign with the Lilywhites, failing to replicate the form that earned such widespread plaudits during his 2011 loan spell with Norwich City.
Here he is getting absolutely destroyed in the Europa League by Dnipro talisman Yevhen Konoplyanka:
The Lilywhites faithful have made their feelings perfectly clear and Naughton himself alluded to a move away earlier in the season:
Recent viable suitors remain few and far between, but Aston Villa, managed by Paul Lambert who worked with the defender during his Carrow Road spell, were linked in January.
Paulinho
This suggestion may seem controversial to some, considering Paulinho only joined the Lilywhites ranks last summer in a then-club record £17million deal.
But the Brazil international endured a torrid World Cup campaign, as detailed below:
And although his first season at White Hart Lane contained moments of brilliance…
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the 25 year-old has hardly set the top flight alight as initially expected, and often feels a poor fit for the Premier League.
Bearing that in mind and Juventus reportedly willing to pay £20million for Paulinho’s services:
The timing feels right for Tottenham to cash-in.
ROBERTO SOLDADO
Roberto Soldado is clearly a talented striker. You don’t score 81 goals in 141 appearances at Valencia without boasting considerable pedigree.
But the Spain international struggled to adapt in his first Premier League season, scoring only twice in open play, and measuring in and 5 foot 10 whilst not offering any considerable power or pace, you have to wonder if he ever will.
The old adage of allowing a year to settle comes to mind. If the Spaniard could unleash this kind of form on the English top flight he’d be talismanic for Spurs:
//www.youtube.com/embed/jBHnymaOBe4?rel=0
But Tottenham don’t have that sort of time. Soldado is already 29 years of age and resultantly his resale value – in comparison to the £26million fee that brought him to north London – is continually shrinking.
The Express believe Spurs will accept an £11million loss on the striker this summer, whilst the Daily Mail speculate he may be used in a swap deal to bring Sevilla left-back Alberto Moreno to White Hart Lane: