Arsenal defender Hector Bellerin is set to miss the rest of the season following an anterior cruciate ligament injury picked up in a recent 2-0 Premier League victory over Chelsea at the Emirates.
As a result, the north London club could now move for a new right-back with Napoli’s Kevin Malcuit said to be a possible option.
The Breakdown
According to the Daily Mail, Arsenal have been offered the chance to sign £11.25m-rated (Transfermarkt) Malcuit, despite the 27-year-old only joining Napoli last summer, in a deal that probably would have made sense even before Bellerin’s serious injury.
The Gunners brought in Stephan Lichtsteiner on a free transfer last June to provide cover at right-back, but the former Juventus man has looked absolutely atrocious at times. And at 35 years of age, he was never going to be a long-term option.
Meanwhile, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, who has rarely let Arsenal down when forced to fill in at right-back or right wing-back to his credit, probably sees his future in central midfield.
Does that mean Malcuit, specifically, is the solution? Only time will tell if he actually does end up making the move from the San Paolo to the Emirates.
One thing that is for sure, though, based on Lichtsteiner’s performances this season, Arsenal could definitely do with a new right-back.
When JP Duminy had his first chance to play for South Africa it was through injury. Ashwell Prince’s fracture on the eve of the Perth Test in 2008 gave Duminy his chance. To say he took it with both hands would explain both what kept Prince out of the side and how Duminy stayed in it.Four years later, Duminy was picked again because of an injury – twice. Jacques Kallis’ stiff neck in Wellington gave Duminy an opportunity in the batting order. He responded with a century. He would have probably lost his place despite that hundred immediately afterwards but when Mark Boucher’s career ended with a freak eye injury, Duminy earned a more permanent spot in the Test XI and is a certain starter in Australia.To the folk down under, it will be as though nothing has changed. Duminy is now, as he was then, in sublime touch. They may not know that for a while he was a batsman interrupted by poor form, clear weaknesses and a closing out of his spot in the team.In 14 innings after the 2008-09 series in Australia, Duminy managed just 272 runs at an average of 19.43. The statistics were damning enough to result in him being dropped. What they don’t tell is that Duminy had consistent problems against the short ball and off spin and was regularly dismissed by either.His limited-overs game did not suffer similar setbacks and he continued to feature in that format, but in the longer version he was sent back to the first-class game to develop. A double hundred against Dolphins in December 2010 was a signal that Duminy had come full circle and he became a fringe player in the Test squad again. He had to join a queue, behind Prince and Jacques Rudolph and has only now become a regular again.”It was tough at times. I was coming off such a high [in Australia] and it’s difficult to maintain those sorts of performances,” Duminy said, reflecting on his match-turning century at the MCG. “You will go through ups and down and I was fortunate enough to have good people around me to work through those problems. The circumstances of being brought back into the team were also tough with Boucher getting injured but it was about taking the opportunity as well.”His chances have come in an unusual fashion as the composition of South Africa’s Test line-up has changed. Since Boucher retired, team management have opted to go with seven front-line batsmen to allow AB de Villiers to keep, although that does not seem to be a long-term option. Duminy slots in at No.7, behind Rudolph.It lengthens South Africa’s batting to the envy of other countries. Duminy has to play a bridging role between the batsmen and the tail, different to his usual middle-order batsmen. “One thing I have learned batting at No.7 and with the tail is that bowlers tend to forget about you,” he said. “With bowlers not worrying about you, you tend to get more lose deliveries. They are happy to get you off strike.”That much was evident at Lord’s in August when Duminy and Vernon Philander combined to take South Africa out of trouble. The England attack seemed to think they had got through the big guns but there was more to come. Duminy scored a half-century and Philander helped him ensure the bowlers had something to defend.It is that sort of strength that South Africa are trying to develop and Duminy said he understands that he will be required to operate as both mender and match at No.7. “You get let off by some bowlers but you can find yourself in difficult situations with the team 100 for 5, so there are two ways to look at it. I think I have grown in that role in the last three Tests and I want to start cementing a long career in Test cricket.”There would be few places as illustrious to do that as Australia, especially since it was the scene of Duminy’s breakthrough. He knows the hype will be around that but does not want it to dominate his mindset. “This is a starting point for me again. What’s happened in the past is in the past.”Already it has been a successful second coming, he has had four innings, scored 271 runs at45.17. It must be remembered that includes one not out, something that may become a more prominent feature in Duminy’s statistics given his position in the batting order. Whether he will stay there or get bumped up a place when South Africa either decide to play a specialist gloveman or are forced to because of de Villiers’ recurring injury, is a question for later on.Duminy likes to talk about the future because he sees his as bright, starting with the current tour of Australia. He is looking forward to the new challenge, especially since the complexion of the hosts’ bowling attack has changed since the first time he faced them. With young seamers stealing the spotlight and no Mitchell Johnson, South Africa may fancy their chances even more.”This time, there is a little less experience,” Duminy said. “With saying that, they have a quality attack. We’re going to have to play well against them. If we can get through the initial parts of the Test match and be positive in the first innings we can do well.”
West Ham continue to struggle at the wrong end of the table.
The Hammers are still in 16th place in the Premier League table, currently level on points with Bournemouth, who occupy 18th place. Despite spending nigh on £100m this season, the London outfit are actually far worse off this campaign than they were during the previous one. With just nine games of the season remaining, they are still in danger of a dropping down to the second tier.
There have been plenty of problems for both Manuel Pellegrini and David Moyes this term. Defensively, they have been one of the worst sides in the entire league – only three sides have conceded more than their 50 goals – and, although they have been slightly better going forward, they would have expected to be far more prolific than the 35 strikes they have managed considering they broke their transfer record to bring in forward Sebastien Haller last summer.
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Perhaps more importantly, though, and often overlooked, is the lack of creativity in midfield. This term, Mark Noble and Declan Rice have been most often used in the centre of the park, but they both have their limitations.
The former is a club legend for the Irons, whilst the latter has been the subject of interest from Manchester United in the past, yet they are both struggling to provide playmaking ability from that area of the pitch. Noble has averaged 0.8 key passes per match in the Premier League this season, whilst Rice has managed 0.4, and they have amassed just three assists between them. However, they both find themselves in the team’s top three in terms of touches.
That is a worry for West Ham. It is not as though they are lacking creative players – Felipe Anderson and Pablo Fornals are players who can average well over one key pass per game – but Rice and Noble’s lack of vision makes it hard for them to have a strong impact.
If they can secure top-flight status in this term, a new recruit in that role is necessary for them to progress.
Elsewhere, Davids Gold and Sullivan’s big call has done little to improve West Ham.
Across London, at the Olympic Stadium, West Ham United fans are rebelling against the ownership of the club. There were protests before their 1-1 draw with Everton, with supporters calling for David Gold, David Sullivan and Karren Brady to leave the club and allow new owners to take over.
There is something similar brewing at Spurs. An admittedly small minority of fans unfurled a banner at the club’s 2-1 FA Cup win over Middlesbrough, reading: “Thanks for no memories. Time to say goodbye. Levy out!”
Spurs die-hards are getting 70% on this Ultimate Tottenham Quiz. Can you beat them?
Now, ignoring the stupidity of the statement – these fans surely remember that incredible Champions League semi-final win over Ajax, the title challenges under Mauricio Pochettino and the 3-1 thumping of Real Madrid at Wembley – this is significant.
All of a sudden, there is a possibility that a movement could take hold at Spurs and that Levy could well see his stint as chairman – it must be said that Joe Lewis, who is not often seen at matches, is the actual owner of the club – called into question.
It is telling, too, that this protest has started in the January transfer window. Thus far, Levy has done a deal for midfielder Gedson Fernandes, bringing him in from Benfica on an initial loan.
The lack of a striker has sharpened the focus on the seldom nature of investment in the squad. There is nothing to say that Levy couldn’t have signed an alternative to Harry Kane in the summer; now the England captain is injured, Spurs have left themselves scrambling around the transfer market.
A number of options have been offered to the club according to FFC sources, from Borussia Dortmund’s Paco Alcacer to Crystal Palace’s Christian Benteke, and now comes an acid test.
Spurs remain in contention to qualify for the Champions League this season but they will need to improve their form.
They sit six points behind Frank Lampard’s Chelsea in fourth but this is a club operating without an out-and-out centre-forward.
There has long been a suspicion that Levy does not pay the going rate for players and that his haggling can cost the club in the transfer market. That would certainly explain how Spurs went two whole transfer windows without bringing in a single player.
As the January window winds down and comes to a close, he needs to pull a rabbit out of the hat, for the sake of Spurs’ season and for his own reputation.
Failure to do so will surely see more banners and more protests.
Meanwhile, Spurs fans have debated the signing of a global superstar!
According to the Yorkshire Post, Sheffield United are set to reject an offer worth £4million from West Ham United for midfielder John Fleck.
What’s the story?
The Blades are set to turn down the Premier League club’s offer, as Fleck is considered key to Chris Wilder’s plans, as per the aforementioned report.
The midfielder has been in fine form at Bramall Lane so far this season, and has played a central role in the Blades’ climb to the upper reaches of the Championship table. His exit at this stage in the campaign would constitute a major blow to Sheffield United’s promotion hopes.
Be sure to check out the incredible story of the man who rose from a Tanzanian refugee camp to become one of Australia’s biggest football stars in the video below…
However, the 27-year-old could have his head turned by the prospect of a shortcut to the top flight, and the Hammers ought to return with another offer for the Scot.
A major setback
£4million would have been a bargain price to pick Fleck up for, and West Ham will likely be disappointed with the Blades’ apparent decision to turn the offer down. For one of the finest and most reliable midfielders in the second tier, that would have been a fantastic deal for the Irons to strike.
The Championship club’s rejection of West Ham’s advances is certainly a setback for the east London club, as they need to bolster their midfield contingent in this January transfer window. The long-term injuries suffered by Jack Wilshere and Carlos Sanchez makes it imperative that some quality midfield cover soon arrives at the London Stadium.
Fleck would have been the ideal candidate to provide that extra depth in the middle of the park, but a deal to bring him to the club now is not going to be straightforward. Nonetheless, West Ham shouldn’t give up just yet and table an improved offer for the Scotsman before this week’s deadline.
Liverpool have a handful of youth players out on loan this season and a selection are impressing.
Harry Wilson joined Derby County on a season-long arrangement in the summer, and he has certainly made some headlines.
Under the guidance of manager Frank Lampard, the 21-year-old winger has scored four goals and one assist in 14 appearances in all competitions.
On Saturday, Wilson scored his latest strike from a free kick in the Rams’ 3-1 victory over Birmingham City at Pride Park.
The Wales international has been a Liverpool player since 2005 when he joined the club’s academy.
Jurgen Klopp is open to bringing through young talent, but at the moment the club’s objective is sustaining a Premier League title challenge.
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For that to happen, the Reds need to field their best players, and with the likes of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane in the squad, it is that much harder for Wilson to break through.
However, plenty of Liverpool fans have expressed a desire to see the youngster in the set-up next season when he returns from his loan spell.
Comment from discussion Here’s Wilson’s great free kick goal against Birmingham from yesterday.Comment from discussion Here’s Wilson’s great free kick goal against Birmingham from yesterday.Comment from discussion Here’s Wilson’s great free kick goal against Birmingham from yesterday.Comment from discussion Here’s Wilson’s great free kick goal against Birmingham from yesterday.Comment from discussion Here’s Wilson’s great free kick goal against Birmingham from yesterday.Comment from discussion Here’s Wilson’s great free kick goal against Birmingham from yesterday.Comment from discussion Here’s Wilson’s great free kick goal against Birmingham from yesterday.Comment from discussion Here’s Wilson’s great free kick goal against Birmingham from yesterday.Comment from discussion Here’s Wilson’s great free kick goal against Birmingham from yesterday.
Loads of Liverpool fans have been having their say on their only deadline day business, as Danny Ings joined Southampton on a one-year loan deal.According to James Pearce, Southampton came out of nowhere to make a shock swoop for Ings late on Thursday.The ex-Burnley striker has had a torrid time with injuries since switching to Anfield, and will hope to revive his career on the south coast.There’s no question about his goalscoring ability, but he’s not the type of world class player that’s going to push the Reds towards trophies, and fans are thankful to get him off the wage bill.[brid autoplay=”true” video=”276881″ player=”12034″ title=”Rafa’s Pub Facts The Kings Of Season Openers Revealed”]The deal is only a one-year loan deal, but the Saints are expected to make the deal permanent at the end of the season.The 26 year-old has scored three Premier League goals for Liverpool in three years, having played just 14 times due to consecutive knee injuries.Loads of fans have been giving their verdict on the move, and you can find some of the best Twitter reactions down below…
On Friday, Divock Origi gave an interview to Sky Sports where he insisted that he would return to Liverpool a better player after a loan spell at Wolfsburg.
The 22-year-old managed 11 goals in 43 appearances for Liverpool last season, but was deemed surplus to requirements for the 2017-18 campaign.
Origi has scored once in five Bundesliga appearances for Wolfsburg, and was widely praised for his performance in the 2-2 draw with Bayern Munich last month.
During the interview, the Belgian revealed that the plan is to stay with Wolfsburg for the 2017-18 campaign, before returning to Liverpool as a better footballer next summer.
Origi, who is valued at £10.8m by transfermarkt.co.uk, has actually hit double figures in each of his two full seasons at Liverpool, while there is no question that he has shown promise.
There are many of the English club’s supporters that feel Origi could make a difference this season, but there are also those who feel that the forward is not quite good enough.
It would be fair to say that the Liverpool fans are split when it comes to the former Lille attacker. A selection of the best Twitter reaction can be found below:
Such is the nature of Manchester United these days, every time the summer transfer window is remotely in sight, fans online seem to clamour for big name arrivals.
Last summer, the Red Devils showed the world that no transfer was beyond them, as they splashed out a world record sum to bring Paul Pogba back to Old Trafford from Juventus. While the Frenchman is currently struggling to get to grips with life back in the Premier League, his arrival only wet the appetite of fans all over the globe.
So, with the links to the likes of Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann doing the rounds ahead of what promises to be another earth-shattering summer at the Theatre of Dreams, social media users have taken to Twitter to back Ed Woodward and company in landing such big name talents.
Though Woodward hasn’t always convinced in the transfer market, last summer proved United remain big players on that front and the support behind him is obvious.
With that in mind, here’s a look at how Manchester United fans on Twitter begged Woodward to land further huge names this summer.
The summer transfer merry-go-round is in full swing north and south of the border.
With Celtic installing Brendan Rodgers as boss, speculation around who will come and who will go at Celtic Park has rarely been more fervent.
One of the attributes Rodgers brings to the Bhoys is his in depth knowledge of English football. Having worked in the English game for 12 years at all age levels, there aren’t many who will know the available talent more this summer.
Alongside the lure of a top name manager, Celtic are also in the mix for a slot in the Champions League, albeit they have a few qualifying rounds to negotiate, while Scottish football hasn’t been as exciting as it is now for a few years, with Rangers back in the big time and Aberdeen a genuine force.
Here are FIVE English Premier League stars sure to be on on Celtic’s transfer radar…
James Wilson
Football Soccer – Brighton & Hove Albion v Reading – Sky Bet Football League Championship – The American Express Community Stadium – 15/3/16James Wilson celebrates after scoring the first goal for BrightonMandatory Credit: Action Images / Tony O’BrienLivepicEDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player
James Wilson was heavily linked with a loan move to Celtic before he headed to Brighton in November. The only stumbling block preventing him from joining the Bhoys was said to be his contract situation at Man United, but he’s now signed up until 2019.
The Bhoys have a proven track record of developing talent before they go on to make an impact in the Premier League and that reputation is only enhanced by the arrival of Rodgers.
With Mourinho likely to be looking at big name signings up top at Old Trafford, another season out on loan could be the ideal situation for the young striker. The new Man Utd boss is of course well aware of Rodgers, with the two having worked together for years at Chelsea.
Celtic would be getting an exciting young striker hoping to prove himself at the highest level.
Bersant Celina
Celtic have had a curious link-up with Man City in recent years with Jason Denayer, Patrick Roberts and Dedryck Boyata all coming north from the Citizens.
The Hoops reportedly wanted Celina in January, but the young midfielder went on to make his Premier League debut, appearing against Leicester in February.
With Roberts developing nicely so far in his loan spell, Celtic could have another opportunity to take advantage of City’s young talent and pick up their third loan signing from the club in three seasons.
Steven Fletcher
Steven Fletcher continues to be a name that Celtic are reported to have an interest in. The Sunderland Echo reckons the Bhoys are favourites to sign Fletcher, whose contract at Sunderland runs out this summer.
With Colin Kazim-Richards said to be on his way to Brazil and the likes of Ciftci and Scepovic unlikely to have a bright future at Celtic, Fletcher offers the Bhoys plenty of experience in a position they need more bodies for.
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Eunan O’Kane
Republic of Ireland cap Eunan O’Kane has seen first team appearances limited at Bournemouth in their fairytale debut campaign in the English Premier League.
He does, however, have over 100 appearances for the Cherries over the last four seasons to his name and would offer the Celtic midfield plenty of heart and tenacity. He broke through to Martin O’Neill’s Irish team this year but has just missed out on EURO 2016 selection despite being named in the provisional squad.
Both Celtic and Rangers are reported to be interested in his services.
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Fankaty Dabo
According to The Sun, Brendan Rodgers is already leveraging his contacts at former employers Chelsea in order to bolster his backline by signing young full-back Fankaty Dabo on loan for the season.
20-year-old Dabo has been at Chelsea since the age of 12 and has been a mainstay for their U-21 side since 2013. He’s also an England youth internationalist and is thought to have a bright future in the game. Having not yet to make a first-team appearance at Chelsea, a move to Celtic would offer him the chance of making his senior professional debut.