Make no mistake about it, transfer fees have gone through the roof over the last few years. While that’s unquestionably true at the top end of the transfer market, the world-record fee being broken three times in the last four years, it’s affected those lower down the pecking order as well.
Reported West Ham target Alfie Mawson represents a fine example. The Swansea centre-back is yet to be capped by England, plies his trade with a relegation-threatened side and only has 18 months’ worth of experience in the Premier League. But according to The Sun, signing him this January would set the east London club back a whopping £40million.
That would constitute a record transfer fee for the Hammers but it appears Irons supporters have become accustomed to such extortionate deals. When we asked West Ham fans earlier this week whether they’d back a £40million swoop for Mawson, our poll revealed that almost half – 48% – would.
Would Mawson be a good signing for David Moyes’ first transfer window at the London Stadium? Let us know by commenting below…
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West Ham United will have to endure an FA Cup Third Round replay after failing to beat League One outfit Shrewsbury Town on Sunday.
The underdog home side actually dominated large portions of the game and were unlucky not to secure a massive cup upset, but David Moyes managed to hold out to bring the tie back to the London Stadium.
The Hammers failed to create much on the afternoon despite a strong side being named, with only four changes from Thursday’s draw against Tottenham Hotspur.
Fans were disappointed with the result and performance, with plenty of criticism aimed at striker Javier Hernandez in particular.
The Mexican international looked far below his best and now hasn’t scored since October, a run of nine matches without hitting the back of the net.
Supporters are looking for more from the striker but some have lost patience completely, believing he should move on to a new club this month.
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They took to Twitter to share their thoughts on his performance…
Usually all fans have to deal with during the January transfer window is major squad overhaul at their clubs, but Leeds United have gone one step further today and changed a major part of the team’s identity.
After six months of research, the Elland Road side have unveiled a new club crest for the eleventh time in their history.
It’s a huge change from what came before with the club claiming it “depicts the ‘Leeds Salute’, which over the decades has been an expression of the passion that connects Leeds United’s fans and players on and off the pitch and all over the world.”
They also say they consulted 10,000 fans before deciding to go with the new design.
However, supporters aren’t happy and the reaction has been fierce on social media today with many absolutely hating the change.
Some can barely believe it, while others are suggesting the 10,000 fans must have been from rival clubs.
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They took to Twitter to share their thoughts on it all..
Leeds United appointed Paul Heckingbottom as their new manager on Tuesday, and Whites fans have already told him that he should strip Liam Cooper of the captaincy and give it to new boy Adam Forshaw instead.
The 40-year-old has been tasked with getting the Yorkshire outfit back into the promotion race, with a 4-1 defeat against Cardiff City at Elland Road on Saturday seeing them drop to 10th, seven points adrift of the play-off positions.
Cooper was named as the skipper by former boss Thomas Christiansen, but he has been sent off on two occasions in 24 Championship appearances this season, including in the 4-3 loss against Millwall last month which subsequently saw him miss the goalless draw against Hull and the reverse against the Bluebirds at the weekend.
Leeds supporters have now urged Heckingbottom to give Forshaw, who made his debut against Neil Warnock’s men following his move from Middlesbrough at the end of last month, the armband, with one saying “I’d like Forshaw as captain”, while another said “Forshaw for me plays and acts like a captain”.
It is safe to say that Tottenham Hotspur fans revel in Arsenal’s misery, and the same goes for some former players.Graham Roberts, who played in defence for Spurs between 1980 and 1986, is one of those ex-professionals who rather enjoys poking fun at the Gunners.On Thursday night, Arsene Wenger’s men took on little-known Swedish side Ostersunds in the second leg of their last-32 Europa League tie.The Gunners had a 3-0 advantage from the first leg, but they suffered disappointment at the Emirates as they were beaten 2-1 on the night.Hosam Aiesh and Ken Sema stunned the home crowd by going two goals to the good within two minutes of each other in the first half.Sead Kolasinac managed to pull one back for Arsenal, but they ended up on the losing side.[ad_pod ]Despite the result, the North London outfit progressed into the last 16 stage of the competition.It was difficult to ignore the outcome of the game, and Roberts rubbed salt into Arsenal’s wounds by launching a dig at Wenger.Many supporters wanted the manager to call time on his two-decade tenure last season, but the Frenchman ended up signing a new two-year contract.With results like these, the likes of Roberts and his fellow Tottenham fans want Wenger to remain at the helm for as long as possible.
Arsenal’s domestic season essentially rests on what takes place at Wembley this Sunday. Already eliminated from the FA Cup and incredibly unlikely to claw their way back into the Premier League’s top four, the Carabao Cup – ironically, the competition Arsene Wenger has shown the most indifference towards during his Gunners tutelage – represents Arsenal’s only chance to claim some form of success for their domestic 2017/18 campaign.
Standing in their way though, are perhaps the biggest obstacle in English football right now – Pep Guardiola’s relentless, almost invincible Manchester City. The Citizens unexpectedly came unstuck against Wigan last time out, but that only raises the likelihood of the Premier League champions-in-waiting looking to make a statement in their first cup final under Guardiola.
So can Arsenal become the second team to conquer City in as many games, or will they inevitable succumb to the Etihad outfit’s almighty flowing football? London Evening Standard’s James Benge shares his thoughts and predictions ahead of Sunday’s Carabao Cup final…
As perhaps the most important fixture of Arsenal’s season, Arsene Wenger needs to get his team selection perfectly right this weekend. But the absence of cup-tied signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang inevitably creates a headache for Sunday’s clash, and the Gunners’ game-plan isn’t completely clear at this point. The last two Premier League games have seen 4-2-3-1 and 4-3-3, while it wasn’t long ago Wenger was still experimenting with 3-4-3.
How would you line up the Gunners on Sunday?
James: “I guess the challenge for Wenger so far has been that he hasn’t been able to play Aubameyang in the Europa League so he’s only had two league games in which to use his strongest attack. That’ll continue on Sunday; Mkhitaryan is ineligible for the EFL Cup after playing 21 minutes for Manchester United earlier in the competition.
That should mean any lingering doubts Wenger has over which system are extinguished and he uses a 4-3-3 with Mesut Ozil as the right-sided playmaker, Aubameyang through the middle and either Alex Iwobi or Danny Welbeck on the left. Of the two I suspect Iwobi will shade it, though Welbeck tends to enjoy his best performances for Arsenal on the biggest stages.”
Soccer Football – Premier League – Arsenal vs Everton – Emirates Stadium, London, Britain – February 3, 2018 Arsenal’s Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang celebrate after the match REUTERS/David Klein EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account r
Arsenal have been nothing short of abysmal away from the Emirates Stadium this season. The Gunners are currently ninth in the Premier League’s away table, just one point above relegation-threatened Newcastle who have played one less game, and suffered on the road in the FA Cup too – eliminated at the City Ground by Championship outfit Nottingham Forest. Of course, Wembley will be a neutral venue this weekend, but Arsenal struggled there last time out in the North London derby as well, losing 1-0 to Tottenham.
Why have Arsenal been so poor on the road this season, and will those problems affect them in a neutral ground as well?
James: “Wenger insists he can’t understand why Arsenal struggle on the road but the answer seems simple – an inability to dictate games. That’s still an issue at the Emirates but when a rival crowd gets on their back the Gunners seem to lose all composure. That’s why they’ve contrived to throw away wins against Watford, Bournemouth and Swansea.
“Arsenal didn’t look at home in the north London derby earlier this month but the players would definitely tell you they do feel more settled at Wembley so Wenger will be optimistic that his side will rise to the occasion at a ground where they went unbeaten in nine before losing to Tottenham.”
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Arsenal can take some comfort from the fact City’s aura of invincibility domestically took a blow for the second time this season on Monday night. Following on from Liverpool’s 4-3 victory at Anfield, League One Wigan dished out the second defeat of City’s domestic campaign, eliminating them from the FA Cup.
In terms of approach and tactics, how can Arsenal stop City on Sunday – and what can they learn from Wigan and Liverpool?
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James:“I have my doubts as to whether Arsenal have the quality to replicate Liverpool’s intense press, though Aubameyang at least should be familiar with its requirements. If they learnt anything from both of City’s recent defeats it will be that you have to take your chances, have a goalkeeper on top form and be lucky.”
Soccer Football – FA Cup Fifth Round – Wigan Athletic vs Manchester City – DW Stadium, Wigan, Britain – February 19, 2018 Wigan Athletic’s Will Grigg celebrates scoring their first goal with Max Power REUTERS/Andrew Yates
And which Arsenal player will have the most important job at Wembley on Sunday?
James: “He may not be the most popular player in the Arsenal team but if they’re to have any success Granit Xhaka needs to do a lot of the defensive work he all too often fails to do. That means tracking runners, in particular Kevin De Bruyne, and not roving from his position as he so often does. If Arsenal are to threaten City it’ll be on the counter and Xhaka can be the one to launch attacks with the sort of direct, incisive passing that Aubameyang can thrive off.”
Finally James, let’s hear your score prediction…
James: “Arsenal invariably raise their game in cup finals (at least since the Birmingham City debacle) but I don’t think it will be enough. City will win this quite comfortably, probably 2-0.”
Everton youngster Callum Connolly has hit out at his parent club for their lack of contact during his loan spell at Ipswich Town.
The 20-year-old joined Everton in 2006, and progressed through the various age groups before making his first-team debut for the Toffees during the 2015-16 campaign.
Connolly has not turned out for the Merseyside club since, however, with loan spells at Barnsley, Wigan Athletic and now Ipswich in recent seasons.
The former England Under-20 international has impressed for Ipswich this season – making 28 appearances in all competitions for Mick McCarthy’s side.
The youngster has hit out at Everton for not providing support during his loan spell, and has suggested that he will look to leave the Toffees at the end of the season.
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Connolly told The Green ‘Un 24:
“I’ve had contact with Everton, but not as much as I expected. The ultimate aim is to play in the Premier League – whether that is with Everton or somewhere else. That’s what I am working towards.
“There hasn’t been as much support as I’ve wanted to be honest, but obviously it’s a man’s game and I’m learning the game on my own.”
Connolly, who was part of the England Under-20 team that triumphed at the 2017 Under-20 World Cup, has been converted from a centre-back to a central midfielder since arriving on loan at Ipswich.
According to reports in the Sunday Mirror, Manchester United are planning to make a summer move for Juventus left-back Alex Sandro, who could cost £70m, and they are ready to use Italy international Matteo Darmian as a makeweight in the deal.
What’s the word, then?
Well, the Sunday Mirror says that Red Devils scouts have been watching the Brazilian full-back closely this season, who has become one of Europe’s most coveted defenders over the course of the last 12 months.
The Sunday Mirror says that while United boss Jose Mourinho wants to keep Luke Shaw at Old Trafford, he also wants a more experienced left-back too with Ashley Young’s days as a stand-in in that position over and someone like Darmian, who has been criticised for his performances by the fans this season, out of favour.
The report adds that while he could cost £70m, the large fee won’t deter the club as they look set for another big summer of spending in order to try and compete with rivals Manchester City for the Premier League title – they would be also be willing to double the 27-year-old’s £145,000-a-week wages.
How has Alex Sandro done this season?
It has been another solid campaign for the Brazilian with the Serie A giants, and he has made 29 appearances in all competitions.
The 27-year-old has played in a range of different positions on the left-hand side – although usually as a left-back or left wing-back – and he helped his club see off Tottenham Hotspur in the Champions League during the week.
While he is good defensively, he does also like to get forward and try and make a difference in the final third too – two of the main reasons why Mourinho will see him as a good buy for United.
Would he be a good signing for United?
He certainly would be.
The Brazilian showed the qualities he has in the Champions League against Tottenham and looks to have all of the attributes to be a success in the Premier League.
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The potential price tag of £70m seems high, but if Mourinho thinks he is the player they need then United have to get him.
The purchase of him would surely throw further doubt onto the future of Shaw, despite what the report says.
Manchester City have been in a league of their own this season as they are just two wins away from being crowned English champions.
After a transitional first season, Pep Guardiola has transformed the North-West outfit into an unstoppable unit.
In fact, in 30 Premier League games, City have suffered just one defeat and that was in the form of a 4-3 loss to Liverpool at Anfield.
The club currently hold a 16-point advantage over the rest of the pack, and Arsenal reside a mammoth 33 points adrift of City.
At this stage, the Gunners are unlikely to claim a top-four place as they are 13 points off the pace with eight games left to play.
Sol Campbell, who spent just under six years at the club across two spells in his playing career, has suggested that the ‘Invincibles’ would not have been scared of the current City side.
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The Arsenal team that Campbell is referring to is Arsene Wenger’s 2003-04 squad, who went the entire Premier League season unbeaten.
Planet Football quotes the retired defender as saying:
“Do I think our team from 2004 would have beaten them? We would not have been afraid of them, that’s for sure. I’ve seen too many teams looking scared of City this season. That is one reason why they have won the league so easily. They are playing the possession game, the Barcelona way, but I think more teams need to go toe-to-toe with them when the time is right, and we haven’t see that too often this season.”
Manchester United continued their march towards a top four finish in the English Premier League on Saturday with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Swansea City at Old Trafford.
Goals from Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez provided the win that made sure the Red Devils strengthened their grip on second place in the top-flight.
Jose Mourinho’s outfit are now 12 points ahead of fifth placed Chelsea, who are looking increasingly unlikely of finishing in the top four this season.
Fans were pleased with the win and performance, paying special tribute to the side’s clean sheet and the performance of Victor Lindelof, who was getting a rare opportunity in Mourinho’s starting eleven.
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The Swedish international has started just 10 matches in the Premier League this season but impressed throughout the 90 minutes, leading to calls from supporters to partner him up with Eric Bailly going forward.
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They took to Twitter to share their thoughts on his display after the match…