As reported by The Sun, Arsenal are interested in signing Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Julian Draxler in the January transfer window.
What’s the story?
With Alexis Sanchez’s contract situation still not resolved, it’s important that Arsenal have potential replacements lined up in January to come in should the Chilean leave. Sanchez’s current deal runs out at the end of the season meaning the Gunners could be forced to sell him next month.
The Sun report that one potential replacement is Paris Saint-Germain player Julian Draxler, who Arsene Wenger sees as the ideal candidate.
The paper say the Gunners have even already made initial enquiries into making the deal happen.
There’s a snag though, with Arsenal only willing to pay up to £30m for the German, with the French club holding out for a £40m fee, according to the report.
Does he have what it takes to replace Sanchez’s contribution at the Emirates?
Big boots to fill
Sanchez’s direct goal contribution to Arsenal over the years has been quite incredible. The former Barcelona man has scored or assisted 124 goals in 162 appearances for the Gunners, being one of their most important players for years now.
While Draxler is obviously a capable player, he doesn’t have that kind of raw direct goal contribution in his locker, failing to reach double figures for goals since the 2013/14 season when he still played for Schalke. He’s also spent the majority of this season playing in a more central midfield role for PSG.
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Still just 24, he could grow into the elite, Sanchez-level talent that Wenger is reported to see him as, but he’d have a lot of work to do to replace what the Chilean currently offers.
Transfer deadline day offers fans the chance to once again build their team up, stating that there is nothing to stop them from glory this season. Having finally made that big purchase, Arsene Wenger can claim to have delivered on his promise for a world star to be brought to the Emirates, and it has come in the form of Real Madrid player Mesut Ozil.
Of course, this would lead to sensational scenes on Twitter, and quite a storm it did indeed create. It is alleged that Ozil’s name was tweeted over three million times over deadline day, and therefore there is bound to be plenty of cracking tweets which are hidden among the avalanche of 140 characters.
Some will be from adoring Arsenal fans who can’t wait to see there new king donning the famous red and white kit of The Gunners, while others will come from rivals saying everything from the sensible, to the ridiculous.
Either way, below see some of the best tweets which emerged regarding Ozil’s move to Arsenal…
Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas is already under a degree of pressure, just three games into the new Premier League season, but the club’s chairman Daniel Levy needs the former Chelsea manager’s long-term vision, as they continue to recover from the short-term approach of predecessor Harry Redknapp.
The media, by and large, do not like Villas-Boas very much, which increases this sort of fictional pressure from outside; he doesn’t win friends easily, he has a cold demeanour and he doesn’t indulge journalists with quote after usable quote like Redknapp used to.
The fact that during transfer deadline day, I heard the Sky Sports News journalist by the name of Gary actually mutter the words “we’ve had none of when Harry was manager, driving in, winding down his window and telling us who would be leaving and who might be coming in. We miss him” says it all really. This self-serving attitude pollutes the media when objectively judging managers.
There’s also the club’s new style of play which the Portuguese manager is trying to implement which will take time to gel. Villas-Boas wants his side to press much higher up the pitch and win the ball back early, while under Redknapp, it was simply a team-sheet with the players names on it and they were told to go out and play.
A poor start to the season has already seen many ex-pros trying to play amateur psychologists, claiming that the likes of Gareth Bale and Aaron Lennon are already ‘not playing for their new manager’ and that they ‘don’t like all the tactical work’. Former players now who say things like this are often the sort of players themselves that didn’t like tactical work, you see, they don’t understand it all that well, so they believe that they are speaking on behalf of every professional footballer, which whenever this happens, they end up only speaking for themselves.
The deadline day scramble and the way that the club missed out on Joao Moutinho as Luka Modric’s replacement will have also hurt Villas-Boas’ plans and the fault lays squarely at the door of Daniel Levy, and the club appear to have strangely prioritised securing the signature of Hugo Lloris instead.
Out went Rafael van der Vaart on deadline day too, as he returned to Hamburg, confirming his status as a luxury player, and he simply didn’t fit the side’s new style, seemingly either far too unfit, lazy or both to fit into it, even if he still has a wand of a left foot.
Emmanuel Adebayor, the focal point of their attack last term to the tune of 17 goals and 12 assists, is still in the process of getting match fit after dragging his heels during negotiations and the team have been forced to field their only senior striker, Jermaine Defoe – a player that doesn’t suit playing as a long front-man and is far too easily pushed off the ball.
At the back, Ledley King has retired, Younes Kaboul has been ruled out for three months with injury and Jan Vertonghen is new to the league, while just in front of them, Scott Parker has been ruled out through injury so far and he was a mainstay in the side Right through the spine of the side there has been change, some forced upon Villas-Boas, others he’s made as he looks to tinker with the side and stamp his own authority on their style, making them more disciplined in the process.
As manager of Chelsea, Villas-Boas was accused of trying to change too much, too fast, but that was the remit which he was brought in under, so it’s hardly his fault that the goalposts were moved midway through the campaign. During his short tenure at White Hart Lane so far, the pace of change has been equally as dramatic, but it was certainly needed as they fell away terribly last season, finishing fourth in a three-horse race, but the same criticism has lazily been levelled at him.
Every manager always pleads time upon taking over a new club, but Redknapp only ran it last season knowing that he wanted the England job in the future; he was biding his time, waiting for an approach from the FA over the England job and their January business shows both him and Levy knew that.
Now the team has a young, forward-thinking manager willing to implement a vision for the future and stick around for quite a few years. His doubters has an agenda and those fans which booed them off the pitch against Norwich should be embarrassed of themselves.
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Rome wasn’t built in a day and the fans need to be patient, despite the cringe-worthy overkill of the word ‘project’ by many. Levy came up short on deadline day, not Villas-Boas and he needs to back his manager both on and off the pitch now and make sure that they present a united front despite the obvious early teething problems.
The transfer fees in modern football rise from year to year, and we are now in an age where players are being bought for more than £100m.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has seen the bloated costs first-hand during his 22-year spell in charge of the Gunners.
The Frenchman will step down at the end of the season and hand the reins to a successor at the Emirates.
According to the Metro, the 68-year-old told reporters that the current Arsenal squad does not need much improvement.
However, he did warn the incoming coach that when he does dip into the market he should be prepared to spend big due to the inflated market.
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Even though Wenger did not name Liverpool directly, he did use the club’s world-record £75m purchase of Virgil van Dijk from Southampton as an example of the ridiculous spending.
“There’s a good basis. We need two or three additions and this team will compete for the title next season. We don’t need massive spending. You are seeing defenders go for £70million. It is difficult to know what is a lot.”
Liverpool fans have hit back at Wenger by reminding the manager of his own expensive buys, as well as other ludicrous amounts spent by other clubs in the window.
It’s been a bit of a quiet transfer window for a club like Tottenham, who are so used to wasting money on players they either don’t really need or that eventually went on to being Premier League flops.
So far they’ve made careful, calculated signings in the shape of Atletico Madrid defender Toby Alderweireld, Kevin Wimmer and Kieran Trippier for a combined fee of just £19.5million.
Is Daniel Levy feeling ok?
Perhaps he’s finally learned that throwing a load of money at several average players isn’t the way to go about achieving top four football, because six players have been offloaded this summer, three of which initially arrived at the club thanks to the money Spurs received from the sale of Gareth Bale a couple of summers ago.
This summer, though, Spurs are still very much in need of reinforcements. Particularly up front. Harry Kane surely can’t do it all on his own again.
So last week we asked Spurs fans to vote on the players they wanted Mauricio Pochettino to sign the most before the end of the transfer window.
The results aren’t that surprising, though one of the top five players has no chance of signing for the north London club this summer.
Here’s who Spurs fans actually want this summer…
5. Sven Bender
Spurs have been linked with a move for the Germany international for some time now.
And this summer was no different as reports suggested they were eyeing up a move for the Borussia Dortmund midfielder.
Trouble is, new Dortmund boss Thomas Tuchel has ruled out any possibility of selling his midfielder.
But Spurs fans really want him to turning out for them next season – 438 of them, in fact.
4. Javier Hernandez
Soldado can’t score for toffee, Adebayor doesn’t really care and Harry Kane could well be just a flash in the pan after a superb campaign last season.
So the possibility of signing someone like Javier Hernandez would obviously be an attractive proposition not just for the club, but also for the fans.
Trouble is, they’re yet to make an official move for the striker, while London rivals West Ham appear to have made their move and look close to making him a Hammer.
Pochettino might want to pull his finger out with this one.
559 Spurs fans gave him a thumbs up in the poll, while 154 claim they’re not too keen on him.
3. Christoph Kramer
The defensive midfielder is another German being linked with a move to White Hart Lane.
The 24-year-old Bayer Leverkusen star is thought to be high up Pochettino’s wish list as he seeks to provide adequate cover just in front his back four following the departures of Etienne Capoue and Benjamin Stambouli.
And 547 Spurs fans believe he’s the perfect player to come in and strengthen that area of their team – but the rumours linking him to the club appear to have gone quiet.
2. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Earlier this summer the Borussia Dortmund striker was being heavily linked with a move to Spurs.
For a brief period of time Spurs fans had gotten their hopes up of seeing him doing his thing at White Hart Lane this season.
But then he went and signed a contract extension at Dortmund and put an end of the dreams.
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Still, that didn’t stop 591 Tottenham fans voting for him as the second transfer they want to see happen this summer.
Shame it’s not going to happen…
1. Saido Berahino
West Brom’s top scorer for last season has recently claimed he wants out of The Hawthorns and wants to sign for a ‘big’ club.
Tottenham believe they can be that ‘big’ club, according to reports, are are considering an official bid for him.
Signing Berahino would make sense given the striker’s successful partnership with Harry Kane for England U21s.
Pochettino appears to have identified him as the ideal man to help create a formidable striker force at White Hart Lane – but he won’t come cheap with reports claiming it’ll take bids of at least £25m to tempt the Baggies in to selling him.
And 738 Spurs fans really, really want Levy to part with that kind of money in order to bring the striker to White Hart Lane before the window closes in a few weeks’ time.
Borne out of the ashes of the Hicks/ Gillett era, the purchase of Liverpool Football Club by the Fenway Sports Group (FSG) marked a significant day in the history of the Premier League club. An escape from the tumultuous relationship between fans and the board prompted optimistic belief that this could spell the return of the club to the heights of English and indeed European football again.
The American group took over at Anfield in October 2010 having had no previous experience of football, with their primary interest being in Baseball. Managing Director Ian Ayre, whilst talking to Sports Illustrated, described the first year for FSG as “a leap of faith”, with the new investors canvassing opinion largely from other people. Their first transfer window saw the now infamous acquisitions of Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll for a combined fee exceeding £50m. Ayre saw this period as somewhat transitory suggesting to the American magazine that:
“Within that year we then get to a situation where the dust has settled and people start to see what is and isn’t working.”
“I think the fundamental shift particularly around player acquisitions and disposals was that we took the view that it needs to be more of a science.”
“Your biggest expenditure line can’t be the whim of any individual.”
Lessons learnt by FSG during that first year in charge manifested themselves in the transfer policy of today. Current policy dictates that there will be no transfer expenditure on players over the age of 30. Instead there is now a continued focus on cost effective youth recruitment, with players of perceived future talent passing into Melwood. The hope being that the likes of Raheem Sterling and Coutinho will be the stars of successful Liverpool teams in the future. Contrast this to buying purpose built players at the peak of their powers or those that have previously proven their worth but are now approaching the latter stages of their careers. The sentiment of FSG is something to be applauded, with the clamour for a youth-centric base already in evidence amongst many fans. However, is this utopian brainchild simply a naïve attempt by an American sports franchise to revolutionise football in this country?
Strict adherence to the policy laid out by FSG will unfortunately lead to an inevitable period of short-term mediocrity for the Merseyside club. In an era of instant gratification this has naturally led to many harsh criticisms, with many fans unsatisfied with a mid table standing for a club of their stature. By sacrificing short-term success at the club, FSG is aiming to trade off the rebuilding period with a goal of long-term success for generations to come. Borussia Dortmund fans will have faced exactly the same anguish during their rebuilding years, and hopefully their current successes are something Red’s fans can look to for inspiration.
[cat_link cat=”liverpool” type=”list”]
Youthful teams often exhibit their potential when circumstances are favourable but are often rudderless in the face of adversity. The trials and tribulations of an exceptionally promising Aston Villa side this year illustrate the fact perfectly. Many that actually support their ambition rightly criticize FSG here for their inflexibility. If the side could contain a balance weighted towards youth whilst containing a few older players, the transition for the club could be a lot less painful. Supporters seem baffled that the likes of John W. Henry appear totally unaware of the key influence that legends such as Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher have on the fortunes of the club. These extend further than simply in a playing capacity, with the aforementioned icons able to inspire a generation off the pitch.
On the other hand it is worth considering whether Liverpool are actually missing out by not signing older players. Are there actually any feasible over 30 options for Liverpool to consider? In reality the options are extremely sparse in the current transfer market. Over age players that are currently being touted include Xabi Alonso and David Villa. With asking prices reported to be in the region of £10m, the clubs owners would likely block both moves. Would a non-recoupable outlay reaching into the tens of millions represent good business? In the case of Alonso it is important for FSG to remain detached from the emotional side of any prospective transfer and to react with their heads rather than the clubs hearts. Aside from these players, the over age transfer market is pretty bleak and I suspect may Red’s fans would baulk over a potential move for a player of Scott Parker’s ilk.
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Liverpool fans may contend this policy by looking at clubs who have found success in an older squad. The Abramovich era Chelsea squad has been littered with older stars such as Lampard and Drogba, which have seen the clubs ambitions totally transformed. However, at a club like Chelsea money seems to be no object when those at the helm are unconcerned with making losses on players. Liverpool like many other clubs simply cannot afford to conduct their business in this way. Avoiding crises that include the decade long collapse of AS Monaco is shrewd business and not something to be criticised for a lack of ambition.
With wages in the modern era ever encroaching on turnover, the precarity of football clubs is financially unprecedented. Whilst FSG’s policy is stifling instantaneous success at Liverpool, they should be applauded for bringing an era of stable growth to the club. In 5 or 10 years time Liverpool fans may not look on this period with angst but instead with a sense of gratitude for forging a successful future for the club.
Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva is out for three months with a knee injury.
The Brazilian missed six months of last season with knee ligament damage and is now sidelined again following a knock which forced his early exit from Liverpool’s 2-2 draw with Manchester City.
It remains unclear as to whether or not surgery will be required on the injury.
On Twitter, the 25-year-old had this message for his followers: “No words to describe my feelings at the moment. It is been hard to be positive but I am sure better days will come. YNWA.”
It is arguable whether anyone at Anfield offers the same protection to the Reds’ defence from midfield, but despite the former Gremio man’s absence Brendan Rogers still has a plethora of midfield options.
Nuri Sahin arrived at Anfield following a season-long loan from Real Madrid, while Jonjo Shelvey impressed replacing Lucas against City. Out of favour Kenny Dalglish signings Jordan Henderson and Charlie Adam could also be brought in provided they aren’t offloaded before the closure of the transfer window.
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Tottenham Hotspur have made notable progress over the last few seasons under the stewardship of manager Mauricio Pochettino.
The club have established themselves as a regular top-four side having qualified for the Champions League in the last two campaigns, and look on course to do so again.
However, Tottenham are yet to fill the trophy void as their 10-year wait for silverware goes on following a 2-1 defeat to Manchester United in the FA Cup semi-finals.
For the 2018-19 season, Pochettino and his men will be at a new home as the construction of their stadium is due to be completed.
Pressure will be on the team’s shoulders as they try to compete with the elite clubs of the Premier League.
The likes of Harry Kane, Dele Alli, Christian Eriksen and Jan Vertonghen have been key players for Spurs, but the club will need to strengthen this summer if they want to take that next step.
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On Reddit, Tottenham fans have been discussing what they expect from the team in the coming campaigns.
Comment from discussion What are your expectations for next season, and what positions need improving?.Comment from discussion What are your expectations for next season, and what positions need improving?.Comment from discussion What are your expectations for next season, and what positions need improving?.Comment from discussion What are your expectations for next season, and what positions need improving?.Comment from discussion What are your expectations for next season, and what positions need improving?.Comment from discussion What are your expectations for next season, and what positions need improving?.Comment from discussion What are your expectations for next season, and what positions need improving?.Comment from discussion What are your expectations for next season, and what positions need improving?.Comment from discussion What are your expectations for next season, and what positions need improving?.
Sunderland are so close to the line now. Two points clear of the relegation zone with a game in hand, they look close to safety. Especially when you look at third-bottom club Hull’s remaining fixtures – Tottenham and Manchester United.
But of course, you can’t bank on other teams losing.
So Sunderland need another win, and this weekend could be key to their survival. They play in-form Leicester at home, but the Black Cats are in fine fettle themselves. This match could be a clash of two teams who have performed a great escape, but the loser will still be looking over their shoulder on the final day.
And that’s because they know how unpredictable the bottom of the table can be in May. They know first-hand, actually. Both teams have had some great results of late, results you wouldn’t have predicted two months ago. It looks like backing these two teams into a corner has been the catalyst for their good form. They work well under pressure.
Sunderland have beaten Southampton and Everton in their last two games, Leicester have won six of their last seven, with only a defeat to champions Chelsea a blot their copybook. That’s almost title-winning form.
And so both of these teams know that they can’t rule Hull out just yet. They might have two tough games, but Leicester and Sunderland have won tough games themselves.
Yet Leicester can afford to feel safer than Sunderland. The Foxes’ last game is against already-relegated QPR – a team in turmoil at the moment given their uncertain financial future and the allegations of ‘bad eggs’ in the camp. Sunderland, meanwhile, have a tougher game at the Emirates Stadium when they face Arsenal.
So if Sunderland lose to Leicester, they may have to go to the Emirates to beat Arsenal, and that’s not a situation Dick Advocaat will be hoping for.
Either way, Sunderland need another win to be safe. No one can rule out Hull regardless of their tough remaining fixtures.
So how should Advocaat go about this game?
Last time out Everton were certainly the more active side in terms of attacking. Sunderland set up to take their chances on the counter attack, and they did it very well. They ran a big risk of losing the game completely, but the nicked their win. And it was a big win.
Against Leicester, though, it’ll be a different proposition. Leicester aren’t a team who will look to control the game and play in front on Sunderland. They’ll be looking for chances to get behind the defence and counter attack, too.
With both teams needing a win to make their situations much easier going into the final game, and with both teams having worked so hard to climb out of the relegation zone, this will be a cagey game. The penultimate match of the season for both of these teams, it’s a little like a semi final – just make sure you don’t lose it and you’ll get where you want to be.
But, being at home, with their fans roaring them on, Sunderland shouldn’t make the mistake of sitting back and allowing Leicester to come on to them. They should start brightly and attack the Foxes.
It would take a brave performances from the Black Cats to beat the Foxes by attacking from the off, but the home team almost has a duty to attack – the longer the game goes on with the opposition defending well, the more anxious the fans get. Sunderland don’t need that
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It’s not often that Sunderland vs Leicester looks like a bigger game than Manchester United vs Arsenal, but it appears that way this weekend. Both teams need something, it should be cagey between them, they’ve managed only one more goal than ‘boring’ Chelsea. So this game will definitely end 3-3.
Norwich manager Chris Hughton says his team can’t afford to slack off as he fears Wigan could still spring a surprise.
The Canaries’ 2-1 win over Reading took them to 38 points with four games remaining – seven clear of the 18th-placed Latics, who have a game in hand.
But Hughton appears to believe Roberto Martinez’s side are capable of a repeat of their spring survival acts of recent seasons and thinks his team need to add to their current 38-point haul.
“I think it (safe total) will be more than that,” Hughton said. “If you look at the team that is furthest away from us, apart from QPR and Reading, it is Wigan.
“They have a game in hand. It is about possibly what they can do. When you look at these teams, they are capable of winning games.
“All the teams around are capable of winning games. The simple answer is I don’t know, but I think it will certainly be around that 40-mark.”
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