Swansea’s Michael Laudrup and Cardiff boss Malky Mackay have played down being linked to the Everton job to replace David Moyes.
Both managers are thought to be in Everton’s radar to replace Moyes, who will take over as Manchester United manager from July.
Blues owner Bill Kenwright says he will take his time to find a suitable replacement for Moyes but several big names are thought to be in the frame, including Swansea boss Laudrup and Cardiff’s Mackay.
Both managers have had impressive seasons, Laudrup leading the Swans to Capital One Cup glory and Mackay securing the Championship title with the Bluebirds.
However, the pair have insisted they want to continue the good work they have each done at their respective clubs next term.
Laudrup, 48, said: “It’s always flattering when you’re being connected with clubs. After a great season with Swansea, we know have a very important next year.”
Mackay, meanwhile, admitted it was nice to be linked but is looking forward to the challenge of being in charge of Cardiff in the top flight.
“It’s certainly very flattering to be linked to such a job like that but I’ve got something that we’ve built and we’re really looking forward to coming into the Premier League,” he said.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
“I’ve got an awful lot of hard work over the summer.”
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has his sights set on three more big name summer signings as he attempts to build a squad capable of challenging for the top four, reports the Sunday Mirror.
The club are hoping to clinch a £22million double signing from Dutch giants Ajax, with Belgium defender Toby Alderweireld and Danish midfielder Christian Eriksen emerging as the clubs prime transfer targets.
Rodgers is also eyeing a move for Chelsea full back Ryan Bertrand, who he believes he can tempt to Anfield having previously worked with the player at both Chelsea and Reading.
However the Eriksen deal currently looks the most likely, with Ajax manager Ronald De Boer admitting the club will not stand in the midfielder’s way should they receive a satisfactory offer for the £15million rated midfielder.
De Boer said: “I would want nothing more than having Christian with us for a few more years.
“But we realise that the interest in this kind of player is huge. And I can also understand that he wants to make another step in his career. I can’t stop him.”
“If Liverpool go back to really good possession play, it can be a success for Christian. But it does mean that their entire way of playing has to change. It is up to Christian what he wants. If he feels good going to Liverpool anyway, then it is up to him.”
Alderweireld meanwhile has rejected the chance to discuss personal terms with Norwich City after the club had a £7million offer accepted – leaving the door open for a move to Liverpool.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
“I am keeping all my options open,” said Alderweireld. “I am not rushing out the door. The whole picture of my next club has to be perfect. With every offer I am receiving this summer, I look at the pros and cons. The total package of my next club has to be right for me.”
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has heaped praise on midfielder Mesut Ozil following his side’s weekend win over Stoke.
The German international was key in the 3-1 victory, laying on assists for all of the goals.
Ozil has settled well at the Emirates Stadium following his £42.5m deadline day arrival from Real Madrid and earned much applause from fans and pundits.
Wenger is now convinced that the impish playmaker can help his side make a real push for the Premier League title this term and that he will continue to improve over the coming weeks:
“He gave a lift to everyone at the club. He will be the point of our team work, team play,” he told The Mirror.
“He will get better when he fully integrates into the pace of the game. It is not just him, the whole team. We look solid. My job here is to make everyone happy, hopefully they are happy at the moment.
“When you play against Stoke you don’t expect to score from three set-pieces, it shows how important [Ozil’s] delivery is.
“He’s a player, when you look at his numbers, the assists are not a coincidence, they are a reality of his game. He is a great player.
“Football is football, good players make good passes, bad players make bad passes. Same in England. He has good pace as well, he plays a lot focusing on passing but he can create.
“We are in position (at the top) where we can focus on improvement in a stable environment. Mathematically everyone is together in the table.”
Ozil set up goals for Aaron Ramsey, Per Mertesacker and Bacary Sagna against Stoke, all of which came as the result of set pieces.
The 24-year-old arrived in North London after seeing his role at Real called into question following the arrivals of Isco and Gareth Bale at the Bernabeu.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Tottenham’s critics have been fast to cast doubt over the effectiveness of their striking options. Blunt and toothless, Spurs have failed as yet to score the goals to really emphasise their dominance in possession over the majority of sides they have faced.
£26m man Roberto Soldado has failed to really recapture the form that saw him become such a coveted name last summer and some have been quick to talk up a move for Manchester United favourite Javier Hernandez in the January window.
A move which in my opinion is as ridiculous as it is unlikely.
Chicharito has found himself well down the pecking order at the Premier League club and for a player of his undoubted class United may well see fit to cash in on him come January. The Mexican has already voiced his concerns, citing the lack of playing opportunity as a genuine concern going forward. He made the following comments to Mexican TV station Deportes Telemundo recently:
“I strive for that [to start more games], I am working towards that – earning a spot as a starter. I know that my performance on the pitch will allow me to achieve that goal someday either here [in Manchester] or elsewhere for any other club.”
He went on to mention the intense competition that exists at Manchester United:
“I just need to be given more opportunities to showcase what I can do, because all of us want to be able to contribute our part so this team can win championships.”
“The competition inside the team has always been really healthy and I think that helps the team a lot, because there are so many quality players that every one of them wants to earn a starting spot.”
[ad_pod id=’tui’ align=’center’]
Hernandez’ loyalty is as admirable as it is unsurprising, a firm favourite who would appear to love the club as much as they love him. However, there always comes a point when a player needs to consider their own careers above all else, and unless the situation drastically changes the Mexican may well look towards pastures anew.
Hernandez would make an excellent signing for a top club, an accomplished finisher whose goal poaching and ability to turn a game for United has almost become legendary. His stats tally with this, and a goal conversion rate of 25% easily eclipses Van Persie’s at 20.6% for the last couple of seasons. Similarly a goal every 114 minutes make him the most deadly of all United’s attacking options, and to many it is shocking that he finds himself in the position that he does at present.
Taking all this into consideration I still cannot see the point of Spurs shelling out for Javier Hernandez. Likely to cost in the region of £20m he would represent a significant outlay and possibly prevent the club from bolstering themselves in more pressing areas like at wing-back.
Where would Hernandez fit in if at all?
Spurs already have two excellent poachers at the club in Defoe and Soldado, the latter already costing a then club record fee. The reality is that Hernandez wouldn’t offering anything too dissimilar to what they already have, Adebayor is the change-up striker that they crave and I think his re-introduction could be as influential as a new signing.
People have been too quick to criticise the Spurs strike-force this season. Attributing a lack of goals to the strikers alone is lazy, clearly the issue has been as much supply as proficiency in front of goal. Feeding a £26m man with what one or two half chances a game just isn’t good enough for a club with the ambitions of Spurs.
Spurs were unsurprisingly linked with Hernandez before they got Soldado, but his capture simply means this transfer is no longer a feasible one. His apparent availability has just allowed certain journalists to reel out the same rumours that were doing the rounds many months ago. They just aren’t realistic anymore.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
In my view United would be mad to sell Chicharito, because he is the closest thing they have to a genuine poacher and therefore an important option for Moyes this term.
The papers seem transfixed with his apparent January departure, and if this is the case he could well be the signing of the window for whichever club he ends up at. Logic would heavily suggest this wont be Spurs and I would be incredibly surprised if they did rekindle their interest in the Mexican international.
Do you agree that Hernandez would be an unnecessary addition to Spurs?
Chris Hughton breathed a sigh of a relief as he saw his Norwich City side respond perfectly to their 5-1 loss to Liverpool with a 2-0 victory away at West Brom.
Gary Hooper netted his fifth goal of the season in the 13th minute when he converted Leroy Fer’s lay-off from 18 yards. Later in the match as West Brom pushed for an equaliser, Fer made sure of all three points in the 89th minute with a goal of his own after a Norwich counter attack.
West Brom will be kicking themselves after enjoying the better of play for most of the game but were denied time and again by John Ruddy in the visitors’ goal.
Both Victor Anichebe and Youssouf Mulumbu were denied impressively by the England goalkeeper in the first-half, leaving Clarke with no option other than to introduce strikers Shane Long and Saido Berahino at half-time to strengthen his side’s chances of finding an equaliser.
But the Baggies were left frustrated again in the second-half, and even had a penalty shout waved away by referee Mark Clattenburg when Stephane Sessegnon’s effort was blocked on the line by what looked like Martin Olsson’s hand.
Sessegnon spurned another chance soon after when his effort was denied by Ruddy’s legs before Shane Long’s volley was straight at the Norwich keeper.
Chris Brunt and Mulumbu both failed to find the net with late efforts as the Baggies cranked up the pressure, but Hughton’s men broke free from their own half and midfielder Fer slotted past Boaz Myhil to ensure Norwich ended the day in 13th and four points clear of the drop-zone.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
West Brom have won just one of their last nine top-flight outings and find themselves just two points above the relegation zone after a strong start to their campaign.
Look back at our minute-by-minute commentary of the match here.
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.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
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.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
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.
[ffc-gallery]CLICK ON THE UNITED BOSS TO REVEAL ALL
[/ffc-gallery]
[ad_pod id=’footballfancast’ align=’center’]
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.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
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…
[ffc-gallery]
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.
[/ffc-gallery]
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
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
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.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
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!