This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…
When Arsenal signed Denis Suarez on loan from Barcelona back in January, it reeked of a club with little funds trying to get a player through the door just for the sake of it.
Incidentally, it was little funds that the Gunners had. Boss Unai Emery revealed that they could only sign players on loan, which is worrying from a financial aspect.
But why did the north Londoners even waste money on paying Suarez wages when they already had players in his position from the academy?
Perhaps if they had listened to Sven Mislintat before bringing Suarez to the Emirates, they would be doing better with players who they actually own instead of temporary solutions.
Check out 5 reasons why Arsenal need Wilfried Zaha in the video below…
The transfer guru, before his sudden departure, was reportedly ‘dismayed’ at the arrival of Suarez when he felt youngsters in the same position such as Bukayo Saka and Joe Willock should have been afforded more opportunities.
He was spot on. Suarez made just four substitute appearances and played a combined 67 minutes in what was a practically useless loan spell – the Spaniard himself admitted that he wasn’t even at 50% fitness.
Mislintat was ultimately proved right about the youngsters as it was Willock who appeared in the Europa League final with Suarez nowhere to be seen – the 5 foot 10 teenager impressed hugely in his brief cameo against Chelsea and some Arsenal fans adored his performance.
The 19-year-old tends to look bright and lively whenever he appears for the Gunners, as does Saka, who made his debut for the club in the Europa League group stage last term and dazzled fans with his direct showings as well.
Arsenal need to trust these players instead of dipping into the market just for the sake of it.
Just take a look at what Liverpool have done with Trent Alexander-Arnold. Jurgen Klopp needed a right-back and threw the impressive youngster into the side – he has since become one of the league’s best and is worth a whopping £72m according to Transfermarkt.
Additionally, Crystal Palace also placed their trust in a young Aaron Wan-Bissaka, before moving him on for £50m just roughly 18 months after handing him his debut. 100% profit and a sustainable business method.
Especially during a time in which finances are tight – Emery’s transfer budget is believed to be just £45m – the quality in Arsenal’s academy setup needs to be maximised at every opportunity.
Mislintat appeared to appreciate that and even though he went on to leave the club, his take on the Suarez situation came into fruition anyway. Maybe the failed loan move for the Spaniard won’t be the only thing Arsenal go on to regret from that mid-season saga.
[ad_pod ]According to Sky Sports, Watford have agreed a £5.5m fee with West Bromwich Albion for the transfer of central defender Craig Dawson.The 29-year-old has been with West Brom since 2010, making 225 appearances for the Baggies in all competitions.Last season, the centre-back made 45 appearances in all competitions, including 41 in the Championship as his club made the playoffs.According to Sky Sports, the defender is nearing an exit as Watford have agreed a £5.5m deal for the Rochdale-born ace.However, it would be fair to say that the West Brom fans feel that the reported transfer fee is far too low.Dawson’s current deal with the Baggies will expire next summer, which goes a long way to explaining the price.Watch West Bromwich Albion Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below
He has plenty of experience at Premier League level, though, and will not turn 30 until the end of the 2019-20 campaign.
A selection of the Twitter reaction from the club’s fans can be viewed below:
What an exciting transfer window this is shaping up to be for Everton supporters.
After signing Andre Gomes from Barcelona permanently following his successful loan spell last season, the Merseyside club could be about to do the same thing with Kurt Zouma.
According to BBC Sport, they have made the 24-year-old their next top transfer priority, with Chelsea likely to demand in excess of £30m.
The Blues, however, would be crazy to sanction a deal before bringing in their new boss. Winning 3.1 aerial duels per game in the Premier League last season (as per WhoScored), Zouma would maintain a real aerial presence to the team’s backline.
If Chelsea’s next manager has other ideas, though, selling Zouma could prove to be a smart bit of business.
At £30m, the west London club have the chance to make just under £17m profit after buying the Frenchman from Saint-Etienne for just £13.14m back in 2014 (as per Transfermarkt).
And it is not like Chelsea will be short of options at the back. They already have David Luiz, Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen to call upon while Fikayo Tomori is also there for back-up.
Whatever the case, it will be interesting to see what the next man in the Stamford Bridge dugout does. But for £30m and with his approval, Chelsea could end up playing a blinder here.
Chelsea fans, would selling Zouma for £30m be good business? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below!
This article is part of Football FanCast’s Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news…
According to The Daily Mirror, Manchester United have no interest in making a double swoop for Sporting CP’s Bruno Fernandes and Lille’s Nicolas Pepe this summer amid speculation of potential moves for the pair.
What’s the word?
The report claims that the Red Devils feel clubs have used the side’s desire to strengthen their squad this summer as a way of hiking up the prices of players they want to sell.
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It adds that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side are not interested in either Fernandes or Pepe and that the constant rumours surrounding the duo potentially joining United has begun to “irritate” the Red Devils.
A public battle
One of the biggest issues that his blighted United’s summer transfer window this summer has simply been that every club in Europe is aware of the Manchester side’s desire to sign players. It puts the Red Devils at a distinct disadvantage as selling clubs know that the club are desperate for new signings and know they can use that to their own benefit.
The Daily Mirror’s claim that there is a suspicion amongst the club hierarchy’s that agents and clubs are trying to use speculation to increase the asking price of players certainly feels like it has a lot of weight to it. United have been linked with what feels like every player on the planet, and yet they have only managed to sign two this summer.
Fernandes and Pepe are fine footballers, but are they the kind of signings that United feel is a priority? The moves for Harry Maguire and Sean Longstaff feel more in line with the supposed thinking at the club to sign young, British players, and a major contrast to the kind of European bidding war you would expect with a swoop for either Fernandes or Pepe.
As the transfer window deadline inches ever closer, The Daily Mirror’s report certainly raises the need to take rumours with a pinch of salt and a touch of caution.
This article is part of Football FanCast’s Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news…
Tottenham Hotspur could offer Fernando Llorente a fresh contract this summer, per The Guardian.
What’s the word?
The Spanish World Cup winner played an integral role in Spurs’ run to the Champions League final, scoring the winning goal in the quarter-final second leg against Manchester City, and proved an adept back-up to Harry Kane throughout the 2018/19 season.
However, his contract at the club has expired and, while there has been no communication from the club, he is no longer a part of their squad.
However, The Guardian claims that Spurs would be open to keeping him if he is unable to find himself a new club, having entered into free agency.
Llorente, the report states, earned £100,000-per-week in north London but he would have to accept a pay cut to be kept on for next season.
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A no-brainer
Spurs should be keeping him around.
Llorente was an excellent deputy to Kane throughout the campaign and Spurs would never have reached the final without him.
He has rarely complained about a lack of playing time when the England captain is fit and he offers a completely different threat from the bench. Add to that the fact that the only possible alternative to Kane at this point is Vincent Janssen, and the case is only strengthened; Janssen made just three Premier League appearances last season.
A barrel-chested forward who is a genuine nuisance in the air, there are few strikers like him in England and he always gives opposition defences a headache.
His goal against City should have sealed the deal but he was then excellent in the semi-final second leg versus Ajax, as Spurs overturned a 2-0 deficit to book a final showdown with Liverpool.
Even if he only plays five games next season, keeping him around makes all the sense in the world, particularly if he is willing to take a hit on his old wages.
New West Brom manager Slaven Bilic will be doing all he can to get his squad ready for the upcoming Championship season, so with that in mind, here is today’s Albion transfer roundup.
It includes a new deal offered to an up-and-coming star, the first signing of the window reportedly completed and an interest in a Premier League defender.
Barry offered three-year deal
According to Express and Star, West Brom have offered 16-year-old Louie Barry the equivalent of a three-year contract to keep him at the club. He has been offered a one-year scholarship and then a two-year professional contract when he turns 17. Barcelona are reportedly interested in the youngster.
Windsor is first signing
The Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard is reporting that West Brom have made their first signing of the season in Owen Windsor. The 17-year-old has reportedly joined on a three-year deal from non-league outfit Cirencester Town.
Jenkinson talks started
West Brom are in talks with Arsenal in regards to the signing of right-back Carl Jenkinson according to Sky Sports News. Jenkinson played just eight games for the Gunners last season and could leave in search of first-team football.
عاد فريق برشلونة بريمونتادا قوية أمام مضيفه غرناطة وتغلب عليه بنتيجة (5-3) ليتأهل لنصف نهائي كأس ملك إسبانيا.
وحل الفريق الكتالوني ضيفًا على غرناطة في ربع نهائي كأس ملك إسبانيا، على ملعب “نويفو لوس كارمينيس”.
وأحرز كينيدي هدف غرناطة الأول في الدقيقة 33 بعد خطأ فادح من قبل أومتيتي، الذي يحاول الخروج بالكرة، ونجح سورو في قطع التمريرة ومرر ليسجل كينيدي.
ثم أضاف سولدادو الهدف الثاني لغرناطة في الدقيقة 47 مع إنطلاقة الشوط الثاني، بعد وصول تمريرة طويلة له لينطلق ولم يتمكن أومتيتي من اللحاق به ومع خروج تير شتيجن سدد سولدادو في الشباك.
وبحلول الدقيقة 88 سجل أنطوان جريزمان هدف برشلونة الأول بعد خطأ من آرون إسكانديل. أهداف مباراة برشلونة وغرناطة
ثم أحرز جوردي ألبا هدف التعادل لبرشلونة في وقت قاتل بالدقيقة الثانية من الوقت المحتسب بدلاً من الضائع.
وتتجه المباراة للأشواط الإضافية، وفي الدقيقة 100 يتمكن أنطوان جريزمان من تسجيل ثاني أهدافه والثالث لبرشلونة، من رأسية بعد وصول كرة له من جوردي ألبا.
ثم احتسب حكم المباراة ركلة جزاء لغرناطة، بعد الرجوع لتقنية الفار واتضح وجود خطأ من ديست على نيفا، ونجح فيدي فيكو في تسديدها ليسجل الهدف الثالث في شباك برشلونة بالدقيقة 103.
عقب ذلك يتمكن فرينكي دي يونج من تسجيل الهدف الرابع للبلوجرانا في الدقيقة 108 بعد تمريرة من ميسي.
ويعود جوردي ألبا من جديد ويسجل ثاني أهدافه والخامس للبارسا في الدقيقة 113.
وتحسم المباراة بفوز برشلونة على غرناطة (5-3) ليتأهل للدور نصف النهائي لكأس ملك إسبانيا. هدف غرناطة الأول فى مرمي برشلونة
هدف غرناطة الثاني أمام برشلونة
هدف جريزمان في مباراة برشلونة وغرناطة
هدف جوردي ألبا في مباراة برشلونة وغرناطة
هدف جريزمان الثاني في مباراة برشلونة وغرناطة
هدف فيكو من ركلة جزاء في مباراة برشلونة وغرناطة
هدف دي يونج في مباراة برشلونة وغرناطة
هدف جوردي ألبا الثاني في مباراة برشلونة وغرناطة
حارس غرناطة يتألق وينقذ فريقه من هدف محقق لبرشلونة
حارس غرناطة يمنع هدف رائع لميسي من ركلة حرة
العارضة تحرم ترينكاو من تسجيل هدف رائع لبرشلونة أمام غرناطة
Ayoze Perez joins Leicester City from Newcastle United in one of the most surprising deals of the summer to date.
The £30m fee spent by Leicester is questionable considering it’s fair to ask what they’ve actually bought for that price.
That’s not a question of Perez’s ability, as the diminutive playmaker has shown over many years at Newcastle that he possesses both the quality and grit to succeed at Premier League level.
No, the doubts arise more in search of the answer to an even more pertinent question: what are they signing him for?
While boasted qualities that eluded the majority of his less technically gifted teammates, the lingering question that has hung over the Spaniard has always concerned where he fits into the attack.
And with that, it’s difficult to understand why Brendan Rodgers has opted to spend such a huge sum of money to bring him to the King Power Stadium.
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The forward has played a variety of different positions, from right to left wing, number 10, second striker and even as a number 9. There’s no doubt he’s got the attributes to succeed in any of these roles, but Leicester are a side who boast tremendous and, crucially, young talent that you’d assume a progressive manager like Rodgers would want to exploit and develop.
Harvey Barnes, James Maddison, Demarai Gray, Mark Albrighton and potentially Youri Tielemans – should he return to Leicester in a reported £40m deal – could be in contention to occupy the starting three spots behind a striker, most likely Jamie Vardy, so it’s difficult to envisage where Perez fits into the squad.
Perhaps he will merely be a squad player but, given the size of his price-tag, it seems that he will be much more than a body to bolster squad depth.
With that said, it might be time for Jamie Vardy to look over his shoulder in fear of his place in the starting XI rather than to watch his teammate thread a through ball into his path.
Soccer Football – Premier League – Leicester City v Arsenal – King Power Stadium, Leicester, Britain – April 28, 2019 Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers, Leicester City’s Jamie Vardy and James Maddison celebrate after the match Action Images via Reuters/Carl Recine 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 clu
Vardy has typically thrived in a counter-attacking side.
This isn’t a criticism of his ability on the ball, nor his final product or creativity, it’s simply fitting of his finest attributes – his pace and goal scoring instinct.
He thrives when running in behind and exploiting space, running directly at goal, the sort of thing he did relentlessly under Claudio Ranieri. The way Rodgers likes to play, however, won’t necessarily allow for this to happen.
Naturally, it’s pertinent to acknowledge that the Northern Irish manager enabled Vardy to rediscover his form shortly after he replaced Claude Puel. Spaces were suddenly prised open for the lightning-quick forward to exploit and he scored 10 goals in 11 Premier League games to finish the 2018/19 season.
But at 32 years old Vardy is moving towards the back end of his career and a contingency plan is needed to prepare for life after the Foxes legend, one which Perez may well be at the centre of.
Rodgers has been renowned throughout his managerial career in the top flight for playing short, incisive and attractive football.
He led Swansea to the Premier League with it and immediately caught the eye with his brave style, one which was later lauded by Luis Suarez, per Sports Mole, after he accepted the Liverpool job: “They always tried to play football with short-pass combinations and didn’t care what zone of the field they were at.”
He came agonisingly close to winning the Premier League with Liverpool and won a double treble with Celtic while adhering to his possession-based principles. He appears to believe in this approach and is refining it with every year that goes by.
Vardy doesn’t fit the remit as well as the former Newcastle star, which could see the fresh recruit adopting a centre-forward role in the side, where he can carry his team up the pitch, dribble past players, hold up the ball, create and score.
Perez can combine with midfield options effectively as well, and his stats suggest he enjoys this side of the game. Last season he proved to be far more involved with overall team play, registering 779 league passes compared to Vardy’s 416, and averaging 21.05 passes per game to the Englishman’s 12.24.
Perez also completed more key passes per game on average with 1.2, while the former non-league star completed just 0.9. This has been achieved despite playing in a team finishing lower in the table.
The stats points towards a fundamental stylistic difference between the two players, one which will at least offer Rodgers a fresh option in attack.
“It reminds me of a bus seat!” – Watch a damning verdict on Chelsea’s new kit in the video below…
Yes, Perez’s position in attacking midfield certainly contributed to the Newcastle man’s involvement in build-up play, but his side were also adopting a very pragmatic style under Benitez, so it can’t all be explained by positional differences.
Quite frankly, the Spaniard has a very different way of helping his team up the pitch.
Who knows, the two forwards may form a great partnership, and with Leicester in a rebuilding phase, there are certainly times when Vardy’s fantastic strike rate, pace and hunger will be required, but the club’s long-term future under Rodgers looks set to champion neat and complete players like Perez, Maddison and, if Leicester fans’ dreams are turned into reality, Tielemans as well.
It’s hard to see how the Spaniard will displace some of Leicester’s finest young talents, but with Vardy ageing – though showing little sign of it – perhaps this signing adds a weapon to Rodgers’ armoury that could see the veteran phased out.