Champions League runners-up Borussia Dortmund have confirmed the signing of former Sunderland striker Ji Dong-Won, as reported on their official site.
The South Korean international was released by the Black Cats last week after failing to make much of an impact on Wearside scoring just twice in 28 appearances.
Sunderland turned down a £4million bid from Dortmund in the summer for the striker when Paolo Di Canio was in charge at the Stadium of Light, but new boss Gus Poyet decided Ji was surplus to requirements.
The striker will officially join the Bundesliga club on the 1 July, the same date that current Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski will join bitter rivals Bayern Munich.
The striker will play for fellow German side Augsburg for the remainder of the season after enjoying successful loan spell there last year after he agreed a six month deal there, with Sunderland allowing their man to leave.
“Dong-Won Ji is a professional who is used on the offensive in several positions. We are pleased to be able to undertake these talented players free transfer to the new season,” says BVB sporting director Michael Zorc.
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Oh how the mighty have fallen. This time last year, Manchester United were celebrating an unprecedented era of dominance under Sir Alex Ferguson as the Scot announced his long-overdue retirement. Now however, they find themselves staring into the footballing abyss with the future incredibly uncertain, following the revelation this morning that David Moyes has been relieved of his duties after just 10 months at Old Trafford.
Admittedly, it’s hard to argue that Moyes’ single campaign with United wasn’t a complete catastrophe from start to finish. The Red Devils have now mathematically secured their worst points total of the Premier League era, and unless they claim four points from their remaining four games, United will also record the worst title defence in Premier League history.
Most worryingly, Moyes’ best patch in the Carrington dugout was a ten-match unbeaten streak, rather miserly in the grand scheme of things, and with his win record from Everton last season so disturbingly similar to his inaugural campaign with Manchester United, it seems the club’s board shared the growing opinion that the Scot had somehow ‘Evertonised’ the Premier League champions.
But in my opinion at least, the axed United gaffer should have been given more time. Manchester United were happy enough to stand proudly tall in the summer with a smug grin over their proverbial face upon the announcement that David Moyes had been issued a six year contract, as if to make their own poignant statement on the current state of managerial affairs in the English game, yet just ten months later, and rather hypocritically, they’ve found themselves committing the same sin they once mocked Chelsea, Manchester City and pretty much every other side in the Premier League for.
Likewise, Ferguson was famed for his many deconstructions of title winning teams, but despite implied assurances otherwise, Moyes hasn’t been allowed to do the same. I’m no great Moyes apologist, but I’m sure even the Scot’s biggest critics would be willing to admit that certain players have routinely let him down this season. We’ve heard of managers losing the dressing room before, in fact, many have argued that Moyes never won it at Carrington, but you wouldn’t expect that kind of buck-passing mentality from a squad bursting with prior Premier League winners.
Ten months ago, Manchester United were rest assured that the club’s experience, infrastructure and reputation could withstand any debasing tremor of Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement. So much so that they rejected notions of a Jose Mourinho or Carlo Ancelotti figure – the qualified custodian model of manager – taking their dugout, in favour of a head coach who had never made it to the Champions League proper or won a single trophy throughout a decade at his former club.
At the time, it was labelled as an inspired appointment, showing the faith that others daren’t in a British coach, but less than a year later, it feels almost as if their vanity, this belief in Carrington’s divine right, was perhaps their biggest motivation.
You can feel their sense of arrogance in the transfer market too, the idea that, despite losing the monolithic title credentials of Sir Alex Ferguson, his quality in the dugout didn’t need replacing on the pitch. Much has been made of Moyes’ two transfer windows as United boss and his limited ability to attract top targets. When a club are prepared to bid £30million for Ander Herrera but not meet his release clause of £36million however, it’s incredibly telling of the state of mind around the Carrington camp, as if the Red Devils’ prestigious past gives them free reign over transfer fees.
Indeed, whilst Chelsea and Manchester City have continually spent big and United have continually spent smaller over the last five years or so, this idea that the Red Devils view themselves as above others in the transfer market is certainly nothing new. Following the current campaign and the loss of their Champions League status, reverting that trend may be United’s only route back to the top.
Similarly, there’s something paradoxical about Sir Alex Ferguson’s involvement in the decision-making process surrounding Moyes’ appointment. This is a manager who has spent the last three decades making sure no player, no matter how talented, valuable or vital to the Old Trafford cause, became bigger than the club itself. Yet despite that being a core value of the Scot’s leadership, he was allowed to pick his successor, presumably seeing a lot of his own hard-nosed character in David Moyes.
If that’s not a glaring example of one man taking unhealthy autonomous authority over a football club, then I don’t know what is. And as we’ve witnessed over the course of the last ten months, the nature in which Manchester United institutionalised itself around Sir Alex Ferguson, in the long run, has done the club no favours. The instability in the Manchester City and Chelsea dugouts can hardly be considered commendable trends, but with none of their appointments – even Jose Mourinho – becoming too powerful for their own good, at least they can boast a consistency of results whilst switching between regimes.
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Manchester United have used the words ‘honesty’ and ‘integrity’ to describe David Moyes’ abrupt departure, yet the way in which the story seeped out of the Carrington Camp lacked either. They’ve fallen into the ancient trap of scapegoating a manager that less than a year ago was issued a six-season contract.
Are the Red Devils hypocrites? Perhaps that’s a rather scathing critique; the Glazers, assisted by Ferguson, clearly appointed David Moyes with the best intentions, yet, as with the vast majority of Premier League management gigs nowadays, it hasn’t worked out as expected. Admittedly, there’s been little to suggest in the last few weeks that a drastic change in on-pitch fortunes under Moyes was just around the corner.
But following a summer in which, through their own vanity, United turned their nose up at world-class managers and world-class transfer targets, as if they were somehow morally above it all and could maintain results without giving into modern temptations, perhaps this season has taught the Old Trafford outfit that they’re no different to any other club, with no divine right to success.
It was all going so well for Louis van Gaal until the season actually started.
The Dutchman warned it wouldn’t be a smooth ride for Manchester United as they transitioned towards a new 3-4-1-2 system, but few anticipated the former Premier League champions would be without victory in their first three games of the season – including a shock 4-0 defeat to MK Dons in the Capital One Cup last night.
Quite obviously, the quality of the Red Devils squad needs to be improved. And although there’s just five days of the transfer window remaining, that’s still more than enough time to get some business done.
So, with that in mind, here’s a list of SIX stellar signings to turn United’s form around and keep Louis van Gaal in the job.
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JAN VERTONGHEN
Why aren’t Manchester United smashing down Daniel Levy’s door, trying to work out a deal for Jan Vertonghen?
The Tottenham centre-back is one of the Premier League’s stand-out defenders and further showcased his qualities at the World Cup with Belgium, but the only rumours we’ve heard this summer are in regards to a new five-year contract.
Fortuitously, there’s been a lot of talk but the 27 year-old is yet to sign on the dotted line. After missing out on Mats Hummels, who is now Borussia Dortmund captain, Manchester United need to weigh in – Vertonghen is not only proven in the top flight but represents exactly the style of defender the Red Devils should be looking for this summer.
Firstly, the former Ajax product – extra brownie points with van Gaal – can play at centre-back or left-back, as he did for Belgium at the World Cup to great success, making him theoretically ideal for the left side of a back three.
Secondly, Vertonghen is a front-footed defender who gained his standing in England by playing out of the back and scoring goals during his first season at White Hart Lane, the vitals of which are detailed below:
Thus, he would suit the central berth in a back three well too. Here’s a look at the Spurs star in action:
//www.youtube.com/embed/LVgHB_IGKpk?rel=0
In my opinion, Vertonghen would be perfect for United, adding top quality and perhaps most importantly, leadership, to their struggling defence.
Admittedly however, this late in the transfer window, Tottenham will demand a small fortune for their key defender.
Another centre-back worth Louis van Gaal’s consideration is Brazil international Dante.
Manchester United have taken a look at the Bayern Munich defender before, and now that the German champions have secured a deal for Roma sensation Mehdi Benatia, the timing is right for the Red Devils to revive their interest.
Since moving to the Allianz Arena in summer 2012, the 30 year-old has claimed an incredible eight trophies, including back-to-back Bundesliga titles and the Champions League, whilst he also made it into the 2013 ESM Team of the Year.
Dante endured a disappointing World Cup, as he found himself at the heart of Selacao’s 7-1 semi-final defeat to Germany, but his club form over the last two years has been incredibly consistent, as detailed below:
Here’s a look at the 6 foot 2 defender in action:
//www.youtube.com/embed/-yO0SYaI-UQ?rel=0
As you can see, his greatest gift is winning the ball back and quickly moving it in the right direction. Manchester United need a defender like that right now, who can give a consistent supply to midfield.
Clearly however the German champions will only sell at the right price – they issued Dante a one-year contract extension in March to protect his value. How much can United justifiably spend on a 30 year-old?
JUAN CUADRADO
What I find most concerning about this current Manchester United side is the overall lack of pace and threat in-behind. Prior Red Devils teams have been filled with explosive wide-players or poachers, whilst Louis van Gaal had Arjen Robben stretching play for Oranje at the World Cup.
In my opinion, the best remedy for that would be Fiorentina road-runner Juan Cuadrado, whom the Old Trafford outfit have been strongly linked with for much of the summer:
United’s interest follows an impressive World Cup campaign, where the Colombia international claimed four assists – the most of any player at the tournament – including this set-up to James Rodriguez:
His form in Serie A last season was equally proficient, as detailed below:
Combining pace, athleticism, trickery and netting prowess, this goal typifies the South American:
//www.youtube.com/embed/DUlRxcSaxZo
He’s also incredibly versatile and was utilised in a plethora of positions by the Florence outfit last season:
Mooted as a potential successor to Dani Alves at Barcelona, the 25 year-old would be perfect for the right wing-back role in United’s 3-4-1-2 system.
And the summer window may be drawing to a close but the £32million-rated midfielder has offered Manchester United great hope in signing him after revealing a move could still happen before September 1st:
ARTURO VIDAL
There’s no two ways about it, Manchester United NEED to sign Juventus midfielder Aruto Vidal this summer. Not least because his aggressive, relentless box-to-box style, as shown in the below stats, is exactly what United have lacked in midfield for the last few seasons:
That ability to contribute in both defence and attack, whilst possessing the stamina to compensate for a lack of numbers in midfield, will be vital for the Louis van Gaal’s 3-4-1-2 plans. His goals are important too – Tom Cleverley, Marouane Fellaini, Michael Carrick and Darren Fletcher netted just twice collectively last season but no midfielder has bettered Vidal’s 28 goals in Serie A since joining the Old Lady in 2011. Perhaps most importantly, Vidal’s emergence as one world football’s most complete midfielders has come via his dominant, all-action displays at the heart of Juve’s 3-5-2 system:
The 26 year-old performed well in the same formation, albeit in a more advanced role, with his country at the World Cup too. That experience in a three-at-the-back system could prove vital amid Louis van Gaal’s philosophical revolution at Old Trafford. Here’s a look at Vidal in action: //www.youtube.com/embed/r8iKLIacxxw?rel=0 It’s no secret that the Red Devils have been chasing after his signature all summer, and recent speculation suggests talks with Juventus over the £50million-rated midfielder’s future are finally underway:
DALEY BLIND
Louis van Gaal needs an ally, a player who understands his direction and philosophy perfectly, and Manchester United need someone who can fill the multitude of gaps in their squad.
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Netherlands international Daley Blind fits both requirements perfectly. Following a Player of the Year award-winning campaign with Ajax, he excelled in the left wing-back role at the World Cup, as detailed below:
His defining moment being this assist to Robin van Persie against Spain:
But in truth, Blind is a utility man, capable of featuring in a variety of positions across the midfield and defence:
The 24 year-old’s arrival would significantly bolster the depth of Manchester United’s squad. Recent speculation suggests Ajax are prepared to let the Oranje star leave this summer:
But the Daily Mail claim the Red Devils are yet to make an official offer:
MARCO REUS
Jurgen Klopp has once again dismissed reports that Marco Reus will be allowed to leave this summer, but until Borussia Dortmund tie down their star forward to new terms, top clubs including Manchester United will be determined to prize him away from Westfalen. With the exception of missing the 2014 World Cup through injury, the 25 year-old’s career has continually soared since joining the Black-Yellows in summer 2012. Last term he was absolutely lethal in the final third, as detailed below, earning him the Bundesliga’s Player of the Year award:
The Germany international creates and scores goals, but his technical qualities are underpinned by his blistering pace. Here’s a look at Reus in action: //www.youtube.com/embed/rlYrndbblKk?rel=0 The former Monchengladbach star can play anywhere across the front or as a no.10. That would allow Louis van Gaal to switch to his more favoured 4-3-3 formation and also offer him another option up top. Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie undoubtedly remain first choice but Reus poses a different, more penetrating threat. Furthermore, as previously stated, Reus’ rumoured contract situation is incredibly enticing. The Mannschaft forward allegedly has a bargain-rate £20million release clause:
That’s not set to come into effect until next summer, but Dortmund will be well aware that they’ll get a much bigger mark-up on Reus if they sell now.
Despite their woeful defensive record last season – which ultimately cost them a first Premier League title – Liverpool appear to have done little to solve the problems over the summer. The weekend loss at West Ham illustrated all of the problems of last term, as Martin Skrtel struggled aerially while Simon Mignolet was once again erratic in goal.
It’s clear something has to be done, as the addition of Dejan Lovren – one of the division’s better centre-backs across 2013/14 – has done little to stem the flow of goals at the wrong end for the Reds.
Here are FIVE signings Brendan Rodgers could make to sort out the problems…
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CLICK ON VICTOR VALDES TO REVEAL THE FIVE
Football – Manchester City v FC Barcelona – UEFA Champions League Second Round First Leg – Etihad Stadium, Manchester, England – 13/14 – 18/2/14Victor Valdes – FC Barcelona Mandatory Credit: Action Images / Carl RecineEDITORIAL USE ONLY.
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It could be worse Nando, you could be one of these guys…
Liverpool may not have to wait until January to get Valdes on board, making him a potential quick fix to their goalkeeping woes. The Spaniard is currently a free agent after a knee injury blocked his Bosman move from Barcelona to Monaco over the summer, and Brendan Rodgers’ side are already thought to be close to agreeing a contract with him.
The 32-year-old has been erratic down the years at Barca, but having won just about every prize available to him at club and international level along the way, he would command a great deal more respect from Liverpool’s backline than Mignolet.
Joe Hart
Rumours over the weekend suggested that Liverpool are chasing Hart. The England international’s future at Manchester City is anything but clear, with Manuel Pellegrini having signed Willy Caballero over the summer to add further doubt to the stopper’s situation.
Contract talks with City are on-going, and Liverpool are said to be pondering a stunning bid to snatch him from their rivals in January. Like Valdes, Hart would gain more respect from the Anfield backline, which would certainly help to improve their organisation.
Sokratis Papastathopoulos
Football – Borussia Dortmund v Arsenal – UEFA Champions League Group Stage Matchday Four Group F – Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund, Germany – 6/11/13Borussia Dortmund’s Sokratis Papastathopoulos looks dejectedMandatory Credit: Action Images / Carl RecineLivepicEDITORIAL USE ONLY.
Arsenal were linked with the Greek utility man over the summer, and reports suggested that Dortmund were open to a deal. Should Brendan Rodgers be looking for cover in every position – which, let’s face it, he must be right about now – the Sokratis is a genuine option.
The 26-year-old can play in any role along the backline or in defensive midfield, and has bags of experience at international level as well as in Italy and Germany. Bids of around £10m-£15m could be enough.
Kevin Strootman
//www.youtube.com/embed/_Wq8cQ-ldJo
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This would double bubble for Liverpool, who could snap up a long-term replacement for Steven Gerarrd and get one over on bitter rivals Manchester United at the same time. The Red Devils are known to be chasing the Dutchman ahead of January, bit Brendan Rodgers could swoop to beat them to the punch.
Strootman is currently out with a knee injury, but should he return to full fitness before the winter period then a move away from Roma, despite their protestations, could be on. Champions League football at Anfield may tempt him to reject United.
Ron Vlaar
Football – Aston Villa v Parma – Pre Season Friendly – Villa Park – 14/15 – 9/8/14Ron Vlaar – Aston VillaMandatory Credit: Action Images / Craig BroughEDITORIAL USE ONLY.
‘Concrete Ron’ has enjoyed a fine latter half of 2014, performing well at the World Cup and slotting seamlessly back into Aston Villa’s impressive rearguard. Man United and Southampton were linked with Vlaar over the summer, and despite talk that the Villains won’t sell, he could be available for the right price.
The Dutchman would certainly bring a commanding presence to Liverpool’s backline, even if his pace may not suit Rodgers’ high-octane game.
Southampton have been the surprise package this season, and find themselves sitting in 2nd place in the Premier League table after ten games, having only dropped points in three of their games so far.
The Premier League has been crying out for an ‘outside of the top four usual suspects’ team to challenge for the title for a while now and it looks like if it is likely to happen at all, it will most likely be this season.
In recent history we have seen clubs like Manchester City and Chelsea, who’s records pre-billionaire ownership were not as fruitful until major money was invested, only then did they start to win various titles and trophies. However, it has been a while since we have seen just a normal team that have risen to the top on purely their own merit, hard work, and their own financial steam without any significant outside help.
Southampton are a great club who came up to the top tier of English football from League 1 with successive promotions and did a great job in getting to where they are now. Where many clubs would have been content with mere survival and a steady approach to life in the top flight, the Saints decided to take it one step further and aim even higher since their promotion.
They are a club on the rise, one that is always seeking to improve their current position rather than be content with having the same sort of season year in, year out and hope for the odd cup run to bring them potential glory.
Not many would have thought that their intention this season was to be a title challenging team, and by no means are they actually competing to win the Premier League crown, but more so aiming to win as many games as possible and finish as high up the table as their own merit allows them to.
No one would have given them a chance of even surviving this season before August, considering they lost their manager to Tottenham Hotspur after such a good campaign last season and then their best players were poached in what can only be described as a massive fire sale during the summer transfer window.
However, the new manager, the new players and the existing squad all came together, rolled their sleeves up and simply got on with it.
It would be foolhardy to think that at the start of the campaign Ronald Koeman sat his team down and told them to go out there and make sure they were competing for major honours. At the same time it would be pointless assuming that he told his team to make sure they survived the season at all costs and set them a target of anything above 17th place is a bonus.
What Koeman has done in fact is adopt a far simpler philosophy, one that should be in all the textbooks out there in manager training school (if such a thing exists) and in all the sports psychology books; the notion that each team of 11 players on any given match day scenario is a team of human beings who are both competing to win the game of football, and therefore both have an equal chance of being victorious.
You have not seen this Southampton team approach any game with fear, despite the fact they were weakened over the summer with so many key players leaving. They are not looking too far ahead, just one game at the time and they are looking to try their best to win every game they compete in regardless of the opposition.
It is exactly this that has propelled them to the position they are in now, and the correct, winning mentality that they possess will be the key to any success they may have.
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Granted that on paper they are no where near being considered for European qualification or should they be given a second thought in terms of the league title, but things that are on paper – well, they are only worth the paper they are written on.
Southampton have got a great togetherness about them presently that has stemmed from the days in the third tier of English football. They have got the right attitude of wanting to improve and they are showing that it does not always take a multi-billionaire to inject instant success to a club.
Are Southampton serious title contenders this season? Yes, why not? They are up there through merit and hard work, fully deserved. There is no reason why they cannot continue to maintain the same levels of performance and results, even if they dip in form from time to time, there is no reason that they shouldn’t be up there come the end of the season, despite what is “on paper” or what logic tells you to think. Watch this space!
Manchester United (3-5-2): De Gea, McNair, Smalling, Blackett, Valencia, Carrick, Fellaini, Young, Rooney, Van Persie, Di Maria
Manchester United are still suffering from their defensive crisis with seven players, five of them defenders, being unavailable for selection. Marcos Rojo, Rafael, Daley Blind, Luke Shaw, Phil Jones, Jonny Evans, and Jesse Lingard are all not able to feature against Hull City. Although Evans is back in training, he revealed that he is still not ready to step right into the action and could be rested for another week. Radamel Falcao is also fit to feature but could be introduced later on as he begins his return to full match fitness. Louis van Gaal opted to revert back to his initial 3-5-2 formation, a change which saw his side beat Arsenal 2-1. Ashley Young is likely to play at left-wing back as Angel Di Maria could be moved into a more attacking role alongside Robin Van Persie with Wayne Rooney lurking right behind.
Hull City (3-5-1-1): Harper, Chester, Dawson, Davies, Elmohamady, Livermore, Huddlestone, Quinn, Robertson, Ben Arfa, Jelavic
Hull City will be without Gaston Ramirez who was suspended in the 2-1 loss to Tottenham Hotspur last week and will join Robert Snodgrass on the sidelines with their new signing picking up a serious knee injury on his debut match. Some good news for Steve Bruce is that Mohamed Diame has declared himself fit to face Manchester United, but it is still unknown whether his manager will risk bringing back into the fold so soon. Similar to Diame, Alex Bruce is still a doubt but may start on the bench given he has only recently returned from a hamstring injury.
What the fans are saying…
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//www.youtube.com/embed/l427qAZKp7w
Towards the end of last season, Manchester United overcame Hull City at Old Trafford with a 3-1 scoreline thanks to James Wilson netting a brace and Robin van Persie striking the third. A win for the Red Devils this time around could see them continue their bids to secure a Champions League spot while Hull are also looking for three points so that they can avoid the drop zone.
It’s been a topsy-turvy season for Liverpool so far – after a very slow start, Brendan Rodgers’ side have upped their game and are now serious contenders for a top four spot. But how much of their recent turnaround in fortunes do they owe to their ever-improving defender Mamadou Sakho?
Since the start of the New Year, no top flight team have conceded less goals than Rodgers’ Liverpool. The Reds have kept four consecutive Premier League clean sheets, and the reason for their recent success in defence, has an awful lot to do with the return of Mamadou Sakho.
The centre-back, who made the eye-opening £18million switch from French side Paris Saint-Germain 18 months ago, initially struggled to adapt to the fierceness and intensity of the Premier League. In fact, many believed he was overpriced and not quite good enough for Liverpool. However, this season, Sakho has proved all his doubters wrong, as the 24-year-old seems to have settled into Anfield life with aplomb, and has been a real revelation for the Merseyside club this term.
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Due to an injury sustained in late September, the Frenchman missed over a month of first team action. But since his return to the side, Liverpool’s defence has tightened up significantly, and Sakho is starting to live up to the high standards he set at PSG. The France international has appeared regularly in the heart of the Liverpool backline since mid-December, and the Reds haven’t lost a single game in 90 minutes during that time. In the 12 games prior to Sakho’s return, Liverpool had only won four, lost five and conceded 15 goals – so it’s fair to say they really missed his dominant presence at the back and the turnaround since has been truly remarkable.
So what has been the catalyst for Sakho’s impressive pick-up in form this season? Well for a start, I think it’s clear for everybody to see that he has matured tenfold, not only has the defender rapidly caught up with the pace of the Premier League, he seems to be enjoying his football and has taken the responsibility of re-joining Rodgers’ first team in his stride.
Liverpool’s recent turnaround in form has seen them climb up to seventh in the Premier League table, and they now just sit four points off Southampton who occupy the final Champions League spot. Despite the heart-breaking loss to Chelsea in the League Cup Semi-Final recently, the Merseysiders should feel extremely optimistic about the way their season could potentially pan out. After finally seeing off Bolton Wanderers in the FA Cup on Wednesday, it’s imperative that the Reds keep their strong momentum going and finish the season staunchly.
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It’s undoubtedly been a campaign of ups and downs for Brendan Rodgers’ side this term, but they are certainly on the road to recovery. With the recent return of the influential Daniel Sturridge, as well as the impressive form of the majority of Liverpool’s senior players – including the outstanding emergence of Sakho of late – things are starting to look a lot rosier at Anfield.
There has been a flurry of excitement for England’s Euro’s qualifier at Wembley tonight against Lithuania.
While everyone is wondering whether or not Tottenham sensation Harry Kane will start this, evening there is also a lot of excitement when looking at the goalkeepers.
Joe Hart has been on fantastic form this season, pulling off some superb saves, but he is not England’s only goalkeeper who has been of form in recent months. It is great to see so much young talent in an England side who are really testing Joe Hart for his place in the starting eleven.
With Ben Foster and Fraser Forster now out with long term injuries, many believe it has now left England with “one world class” goalkeeper. Let’s have a look at those shot-stoppers who have been making the headlines this season.
With so much competition it will be interesting to see – are English goalkeepers in the best form of their lives?
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Ben Foster
Football – West Bromwich Albion v Southampton – Barclays Premier League – The Hawthorns – 28/2/15West Brom’s Ben FosterAction Images via Reuters / Andrew CouldridgeLivepicEDITORIAL 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 publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Ben Foster was impressive throughout last season, which earned him a call up for the 2014 World Cup squad.
He was the first West Brom player to represent England since 1970. This season he has carried on that form and it earned him another call up as Hart’s understudy.
This was until the game last weekend against Stoke where he suffered a cartilage injury, which has ruled him out until October.
Fraser Forster
Football – West Bromwich Albion v Southampton – Barclays Premier League – The Hawthorns – 14/15 – 28/2/15Southampton’s Fraser ForsterReuters / Darren StaplesEDITORIAL 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 publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Fraser Forster, Southampton’s leading keeper has had a fantastic season so far, which earned him a call-up for the England squad. Sadly just after his call-up, he was injured against Burnley, which has ruled him out of action for eight months.
Forster had only conceded 21 goals as part of the tightest defence in the Premier League so far this term before his injury, and he was really in form of his life. He was certainly giving Roy Hodgson a lot to think about. Such a bad timing for an injury!
Jack Butland
Football – England Training – Tottenham Hotspur Training Centre, Hotspur Way, Enfield – 26/3/15England’s Jack Butland during trainingAction Images via Reuters / John SibleyLivepicEDITORIAL USE ONLY.
Jack Butland has had quite a mixed season so far. In October he joined Derby on loan, where he was an immediate success.
He was soon called back by Stoke and has since been back-up for Asmir Begovic. Since returning to Stoke he has only played in FA Cup and League Cup matches, but he has recently signed a contract extension to keep him at Stoke until 2019.
Seems a bit of an odd choice to call him up for England when he has had so little game time, but what can you do when two of your top three choices are out?
Rob Green
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Rob Green has been at Queen’s Park Rangers since 2012 and, despite their struggles this season, he has been in excellent form for the struggling club.
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Rumours are currently circulating that Jose Mourinho has been keeping an eye on Green who, at 35, is nearing the end of his career.
It seems he is keen to sign Green in the summer to replace veteran Chelsea goalie Petr Cech. Now he has been called-up as Joe Hart’s number 2 and that certainly won’t harm his chances of moving to the Premier League leaders.
Joe Hart
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Joe Hart, number one for Manchester City, has been in unstoppable form in recent weeks after that unforgettable one man show against Barcelona. Lionel Messi hailed him “unplayable” at that match.
He had a slow start to the season but has really hit a peak of form. Let’s hope we see it at National level because he can be incredible to watch when he is in form.
It has been a while since we have had so many goalkeepers who are in decent form to choose from- it can only be a good thing. Come on England!
Steven Gerrard is a Premier League great. That much is obvious, and his place in the pantheon is assured.
But the Liverpool captain, the talisman of days gone by, is no longer the player that Liverpool need, and this weekend showed it all too clearly.
Liverpool have morphed into a Brendan Rodgers side over the last few seasons. He inherited a team that included an ageing Gerrard and Carragher, a magnificent Luis Suarez, and not much else. Now the last remnants of the old guard are leaving, and Rodgers has built a side that is young, suave and plays football exactly how he wants it played.
In fact, he has built a side that actually can challenge for the title.
But that challenge will come without Gerrard.
Gerrard will leave at the end of the season, so if they challenge next year it will indeed be without Gerrard, unless he comes back on loan. But the challenge will also come without a Gerrard type of player.
Liverpool’s side right now includes some frightening pace, but in the middle of the park, there isn’t too much in the way of power. Jordan Henderson is as close as they come, and while he has some similarities to Gerrard, he is more of a short passing midfielder who looks to bring others into play. Although he does enjoy a good blockbuster strike.
Joe Allen, Philippe Coutinho, Adam Lallana, Emre Can – these are all players who can play in the centre of the park, but none have the passion and intensity of Gerrard. Coutinho and Lallana, will never play centre midfield of course, but they are players who will drop into that space looking for the ball.
The truth is, this new Liverpool no longer need Gerrard.
They press with intensity – severe intensity – but they are much more measured on the ball than they used to be, and they can pull off some silky smooth moves.
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Last season Gerrard was used in ‘the quarterback role’ – that is, he played in the kind of role that Xabi Alonso plays for Bayern Munich or Andrea Pirlo plays for Juventus. If Gerrard were that kind of player, I feel sure that he’d still have a place in Rodgers’ team. But Gerrard isn’t that kind of player, he is sometimes guilty of being a headless chicken.
That’s not always a bad thing. When you think of Gerrard, you think of the comebacks he inspired in 2005 – against Olympiakos and against AC Milan in the final of the Champions League no less. You might even think of the 2006 FA Cup final, when Gerrard scored two goals and brought Liverpool back from the brink with possibly the most sensational strike in cup final history, just for sheer audacity and precision.
Gerrard, in a rage, is a beast that few teams can live with.
But Liverpool no longer rely on one man to provide intensity; they have a whole team who press in packs. And they no longer need one man to pull them out of trouble. The sale of Suarez shows that Liverpool are now a team who try to have 11 match-winners, not just one.
Gerrard’s 38-second cameo appearance in what might be his final game against the old foe Manchester United at Anfield was a fairly shocking sequence of events. He came on hugely fired up, made a crunching tackle in his typical ‘raging bull’ mode, became frustrated with a bad tackle in return and let his frustration get the better of him.
It was typical whirlwind Gerrard. He tried to do too much, trying to help his teammates, and as a result he left them right in it.
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The irony is, the teammates didn’t really need the help. They needed a lift at half time, sure, but they didn’t need that.
This isn’t the Liverpool of 2005 who need their talismanic hero to pull them from the depths of defeat and drag them to the sweet shores of victory. It’s a sad fact of life that every era must come to an end, but it would be sadder if Liverpool hadn’t planned for that fact.
Sir Alex Ferguson’s era ended at Manchester United, but the Red Devils hadn’t prepared for his departure, and their dominance fizzled. Liverpool, however, have transitioned superbly for the end of the Gerrard era. They now have a squad that is not reliant on him and sadly, they have outgrown their captain.
Gerrard’s final few games as a Liverpool player will probably not be the kinds of games he will have wanted and they won’t be the kinds he will flourish in. It’s the end of the line for a Liverpool legend and there’s no room for sentimentality in football.
If there is one thing missing from this stage of the Premier League campaign, it’s the fact that there is no real title race.
Chelsea are dominating the Premier League, and it seems no one else is going to challenge them for the top spot. If anything, there is more of a battle for the other remaining Champions League places. So is the standard of Premier League slipping?
At this point of the season, Chelsea are just a point better off than they were 12 months ago. But, as I am sure we all remember, it was not a dead cert that Chelsea would win the title. In fact, they finished their season in third place. The top four spots looked very different overall this time last year. Liverpool were in second with 71 points: now they’re in 5th with just 57 points.
Manchester City, on the other hand, were in third after 31 games in April last year. They’re in fourth now, but on a horrendous run of games. The points difference between the side then and now? A staggering nine points. City went on to take the title last year – now, they’ll just be glad to finish within the top four.
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Arsene Wenger’s north London side? Much of the same. At this point, they have just two more points to their name than they did last year, but it just happens to be the difference between sitting in fourth and now in second.
Are the teams getting worse and is the standard dropping? For some sides, the quality of their football has been sub par compared to last year. The current champions Manchester City are falling short of the side they one were. Their recent successive losses show no sign of slowing down, and their manager’s job hangs in the balance.
Liverpool were undoubtedly going to struggle this season. Following the departure of their top goalscorer Luiz Suarez to Barcelona, their attacking presence isn’t what it once was. And surely they have not quite recovered from the loss of last year, and of what could have been.
Manchester United are the new addition to the top four, being the only side to make a noticeable progression over the last year – unsurprisingly since dropping David Moyes for a competent manager. Twelve months ago United were a joke, and now they’re making their way back into Europe.
By next year, with some luck, there will be an actual title race to watch. Chelsea will still be one of the sides to watch, but should have some more serious competition. Manchester United will be looking to make a real mark next year as Louis Van Gaal will have a year’s Premier League experience under his belt.
And Arsenal will probably be in fourth.
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