Boss Mauricio Pochettino claims there is no ill-feeling between himself and the former Southampton manager Nigel Adkins.
The Argentine replaced Adkins in controversial circumstances back in January just after his predecessor had overseen a 2-2 draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge and with Saints enjoying a decent run of form.
But since the ex-Espanyol boss took over he has led the club to notable victories over the likes of Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea.
Adkins returns to St Mary’s on Saturday, however, with his new club Reading after he took over from Brian McDermott at the Madejski Stadium when the 51-year-old was sacked last month.
“I have no problem with Nigel Adkins,” Pochettino told the Sun.
“I have full respect for him and for what he achieved at Southampton.”
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Adkins’ and his assistant manager Andy Crosby’s main issue is thought to be with Saints executive chairman Nicola Cortese, with the terms of their release still thought to be unsettled.
Paolo Di Canio has hit out at criticism of his political beliefs, after being named as Sunderland’s new manager.
The controversial Italian was brought in by the Black Cats to replace Martin O’Neill over the weekend, with defeat at the hands of Manchester United leaving the North East club perilously close to the relegation zone.
His appointment has led to ex-foreign secretary David Milliband’s resignation from his role on the board at the club, and criticism from some supporters.
Di Canio has previously spoken of his admiration of former Italian dictator Benito Mussolini and was pictured making a raised-arm salute to the crowd whilst playing for Lazio toward the end of his career.
But, the former Swindon Town boss believes his reputation is unfair and that his previous comments were exaggerated by the media:
“What I can say is that if someone is hurt, I am sorry. But this didn’t come from me, it came from a big story that people put out in a different way to what it was.” He said in a statement on the club’s official website.
“I never have a problem in my past. I expressed an opinion in an interview many years ago.
“Some pieces were taken for media convenience. They took my expression in a very, very negative way – but it was a long conversation and a long interview. It was not fair.
“I know it is a part of my job to do interviews because I am well-known, but sometimes it suits their purpose to put big headlines and a big story.”
Some of his comments and actions have led to allegations of negative racial beliefs.
But, Di Canio insists that this is nonsense, and that those who know him can vouch for his character:
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“Talk about racism? That is absolutely stupid, stupid and ridiculous. The people who know me can change that idea quickly.
“When I was in England my best friends were Trevor Sinclair and Chris Powell, the Charlton manager – they can tell you everything about my character.
Manchester United and Tottenham Hotpsur face an uphill battle to sign highly rated Benfica winger Nico Gaitan after Inter Milan opened talks with the Portuguese club, according to talkSPORT.
Gaitan has impressed United in recent seasons and the Red Devils were set to tempt the Argentina international to England in the summer to replace the departing Nani.
Spurs were also keen on the £15million rated winger with Gareth Bale taking up a more central position in recent months, but it seems the Premier League pair have missed their chance.
Inter Milan are set to offer Benfica £12million plus winger Ricky Alvarez for Gaitan and talks are set to continue this week.
Mega rich Russian outfit Anzhi Makhachkala are also reported to be interested in the winger and have the funds to be able to outbid the three other sides in the running for his signature.
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Wigan striker Arouna Kone has set his sights on a summer move to Everton, according to reports from Sky Sports.
The Ivorian has been linked with the Toffees, as well as both Liverpool and Swansea, over the course of the last few weeks, following the Latics’ relegation to the Championship.
And even though he only arrived at the DW Stadium a year ago, Kone is already keen to move on to avoid a season in the second tier.
Everton are said to be his first choice, with former chief Roberto Martinez now in charge at Goodison Park.
The Spaniard brought the 29-year-old to England and made him a key part of Wigan’s FA Cup winning squad.
As a result of their good relationship the front-man is keen for a reunion.
Everton have already made an enquiry, but it is thought that his employers are holding out for £6million, a sum which would activate a release clause in his contract.
Kone netted an impressive 11 Premier League goals in his debut campaign, but could not do enough to drag Wigan clear of the drop zone.
The striker has a wealth of experience, having played for clubs in Belgium, Holland, Spain and Germany.
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Is Arouna Kone to Everton a good deal for everybody involved?
I’ve stated before that Arsene Wenger is the king of compromise when it comes to the transfer market, and this summer is the perfect example.
At the end of last season, if you asked the average Arsenal fan what his or her side needed to acquire in the transfer window, they’d tell you a goalkeeper, a central defender, a holding midfielder and a striker. And if Arsene Wenger fulfilled all the wishes of the said supporter, bringing added quality in all departments mentioned, you’d suggest the Gunners would have a good chance of reasserting themselves in the Premier League title race.
But as the Frenchman spent the summer adamantly denying he needed any new players, never truly committing to the level required in his pursuits of David Villa, Gonzalo Higuain, Luis Suarez, and Luiz Gustavo, the impetus changed from improving the team that Wenger himself claimed were capable of claiming the Premier League title without changing a single member of personnel, to simply spending some money, on anybody, in any position, as long as the Gunners didn’t finish up with 20 year-old bosman signing Yaya Sanogo from Auxerre to show for a whole summer’s worth of opportunities to buy.
Granted, Wenger did come through for the fans in spectacular style with his club-record-fee-breaking £42million acquisition of Mesut Ozil from Real Madrid. The German international is one of the best attacking midfielders in Europe, claiming more assists than any other player throughout the continent for his previous four seasons combined. But will buying yet another light-weight attacking midfielder actually get the Gunners any closer to the title race? They’ve already got so many on the books that they’re being transformed into holding midfielders, to the detriment of Arsenal’s back four.
[cat_link cat=”arsenal” type=”tower”]
And the fans’ price for getting their long-desired marquee signing is to accept Wenger’s other choice of squad additions without kicking up a fuss. Mathieu Flamini has been brought back to the Emirates after his contract expired with AC Milan, but when fans speculated as to what defensive midfielder could be signed at the start of the summer to sure up the middle of the park, I doubt the Frenchman was at the forefront of their thinking, or even considered as a viable option.
After leaving North London for bigger money in Italy, it’s safe to say Flamini’s career took a downward turn. During his five years in Milan, the 29 year old managed just 96 Serie A outings, and was hardly held in high regard. He missed almost the entire 2010/2011 campaign through injury, and last term made only 18 league appearances. It doesn’t suggest a player on top of his game, but convinced that his squad only requires bolstering, not improving, Wenger re-signed Flamini at no cost to serve as his only natural holding midfielder in the whole squad, unless you include captain sicknote Abou Diaby.
Perhaps I’ve been a bit unfair. The former France international, who hasn’t got close to the national set-up since his last outing in 2008, is a well-experienced professional, capable of playing in numerous positions, that will go some way to address the imbalance in Arsenal’s midfield if he’s used on a regular basis.
He doesn’t help the Gunners’ height issues, and he’s by no means improved the quality of the first team, but a useful player to have around none the less, even if there were far more talented and promising defensive midfielders out there this summer, such as Maroaune Fellaini, now with Manchester United, who was available for just £23million until mid August, or highly-rated Lyon captain Maxime Gonalons, or former PSV prodigy Kevin Strootman.
But if the re-hiring of European mercenary Flamini is understandable, the decision to bring Danish problem child Nicklas Bendtner back into the first team fold is certainly not. Earlier in the summer, the Gunners were apparently pursuing Luis Suarez and Gonzalo Higuain – two of the most prolific strikers in Europe – to bolster their attacking options, but now, Wenger is turning to a player that he’s been trying to get off the Emriates wage bill for the last two years.
Since declaring that he’d never play for Arsenal again in 2011, Bendtner has spent the last two campaigns of his career in exile, first joining Sunderland where he netted just eight goals in 30 appearances, and then Juventus, only to make nine Serie A outings in a whole season without claiming a single goal, despite the Italian club’s striking woes, and find himself banned from the Danish national team for six months after being arrested for drink-driving. Even before the 25 year old was farmed out, his Arsenal record of 22 goals in 99 Premier League appearances was hardly what you’d call Champions League material.
And it’s not as if the Ozil deal left the Gunners without funds for a new striker. If the much-documented £70million figure of Wenger’s summer war chest were true, capturing the German left £28million in the kitty to bring in a quality forward, or for that matter, a defender, a midfielder or a goalkeeper.
Carlos Tevez joined Juventus at the start of the transfer window for £10million, David Villa was available to Arsenal for just £2million before signing for Atletico Madrid according to Spanish journalist Guilleme Balague, and even more recently, Chelsea acquired Samuel Eto’o, one of Europe’s most talented and experienced front men, for a nominal fee as Anzhi held a firesale of their expensive foreign imports.
But missing out on these opportunities was Wenger’s own decision, stating after losing to Aston Villa, with less than two weeks until deadline day; “The transfer market starts for me now. From August 21 until September 2 you have 12 days, so a lot will happen. It starts now.”
Something did happen; he bought one of the most talented attacking midfielders under the age of 25 in Europe, and I have no doubt the Gunners will be a far better side now that they’ve made their first marquee signing in the best part of a decade. But it’s come at the expense of other parts of the first team that required improvement, and upon improvement, would have put Arsenal back in the title race rather than comfortably assuring them Champions League qualification, which is all Mesut Ozil will do.
The Gunners boss had a huge opportunity to capitalise this summer whilst the rest of the Premier League’s summit struggle with the teething pains of new management, and it’s been the greatest chance Arsenal have had to effectively awaken from their dormant state for some time. In his eternal stubbornness however, Wenger spent the transfer window insisting he didn’t even need to sign a new player to compete for the title, before bringing in a has-been midfielder who hasn’t been a first team regular for the best part of five years, and re-instating Nicklas Bendtner as his back-up centre-forward.
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Arsenal fans will be revelling in the satisfaction that their club has finally broken it’s big-spending duck by acquiring a player who can rival any other leading talent currently in the Premier League.
But if we look at the bigger picture, it’s still a great opportunity missed for the Gunners to rebuild, and the Emirates faithful should not be accepting two former players, both suffering all-time career lows, as the only other additions to a squad that could have competed this year if it was significantly improved in a few key departments – none of them being attacking midfield.
I mean, what’s going to come next from Arsene Wenger? A third stay for Sol Campbell, another free signing in the form of Arsenal academy product David Bentley, the re-acquiring of Alexander Hleb, or is Kanu going to come out of retirement once Bendtner’s found wanting? It seems more likely than another world class signing being made any time soon.
Should Arsenal fans be happy about Flamini and Bendtner returning to the Arsenal first team?
Tottenham may have equalled their best ever start to a Premier League season, but this isn’t enough to mask the attacking inefficiencies that are holding the club back. 8 goals from 8 games certainly isn’t the return of a potential Champions League side, and for AVB this is an area of specific concern.
The then club record signing of Roberto Soldado was meant to help Spurs capitalise on their plethora of attacking talents in and behind their frontline. Many have been quick to jump on the Spaniard’s back, but for me the issue is one of a lack of service rather than a loss of form. Soldado has had at best a handful of chances all season, and when you spend the vast sums on a world-class striker this just isn’t good enough.
Spurs are one-dimensional in attack, opposition know what is coming. Too often AVB has favoured a deliberative and highly centralised passing game that has enabled other teams to stifle Spurs. It doesn’t matter if AVB plays Defoe or Soldado, the same problems exist because neither is readily findable under the current system.
The frustrations become most noticeable when you end up seeing the likes of Dawson booting balls up to Defoe, simply because there is no other means of finding him. West Ham put up a masterful blockade against Spurs in the recent 3-0 drubbing, and AVB appeared clueless as to how to break down the Hammers.
This is an issue that is going to become more and more important to the Tottenham challenge. Spurs are now regarded as one of the Premier League high rollers, and opposition largely treat them as such. Expect more and more teams to park the proverbial bus and frustrate the North Londoners.
Whether you like it or not this sort of ploy is natural for lesser teams in football and a club like Spurs just need to deal with it.
Some may argue that investment is needed again in January to widen the range of striking options, but for me Spurs already have a ready-made options waiting in the wings.
Emmanuel Adebayor has been subjected to footballing exile in recent months under AVB. Personal trauma or simply being overlooked, it is difficult to see what the exact reason is behind the Togolese frontman’s omission.
Adebayor suffers the same inconsistencies of most top frontmen but on his day he is up there with the very best. Only 8 goals last term really underlines the frustrations of many Spurs fans, but if he can recapture any of his Redknapp era form then you can be sure to see him become a big part of the new regime.
Strikers are in general the most sought after and therefore most expensive of purchases on world footballing markets. Very few genuinely world class frontmen exist and therefore you expect to pay upwards of £20m for them with similarly high wages to boot. If you are a club like Spurs who do quite rightly try to balance the books, why would you see the need to re-enter the striking market in January?
Adebayor offers the club something completely different to both Soldado and Defoe, a target man with exquisite touch and an ability to involve others in the game, he is the man to help Spurs unlock the most tightly packed defences.
Fans may love the excitement of a new transfer and who can blame them? Personally though the re-integration of Adebayor back into the first team wouldn’t be too dissimilar to buying a whole new player. We haven’t seen the best of him for a number of seasons now, and if AVB really is the prodigious manager that we are always told he should be able to find a way to bring Adebayor in from the cold.
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Adebayor has in fact joined up with the squad in Moldova, and this is a sure sign that AVB is sensibly heeding the cry for his return. Don’t expect Adebayor to be a regular starter, more an important option off the bench or in certain games, he could well be that change up that allows Spurs to pick teams apart.
Fans are of course divided by Adebayor, someone that has polarised opinion at almost every club he has played at.
Even with that in mind, it is important for fans to consider the financial ramifications of buying someone else in as opposed to making the best of what you have.
England U-21 international Will Hughes’ recent form is reported to have drawn attention from Premier League champions Manchester United, according to the Independent.
Following a below par transfer window, in which the Red Devils struck out with almost every imaginable transfer target, and only managed to sign Marouane Fellaini on deadline day, David Moyes now wants to seal a deal with the Derby County youngster as soon as January.
Steve McClaren admitted to the Independent that holding off Premier League interest could prove impossible, and underlined that Derby have the player’s own interest as a starting point of reference.
“Our job is to make sure he makes it,” said the newly appointed manager.
“Eventually he will be too good. What we need behind that is players coming through to replace him.”
Hughes has made an impressive start to his professional career, and has already reached the 50-game milestone for the Rams.
However, it remains in doubt whether the teenager is ready to fill the gaping void in midfield at Old Trafford.
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Having recorded the worst start to a season in 24 years, Moyes appear to have been given a green light to strengthen his squad when the transfer window reopens in 2014.
Dynamic box-to-box midfielders will surely be his main priority after seeing the champions get hammered 4-1 at the Etihad Stadium before a quick and organised West Bromwich midfield got the better of his team at home.
Yohan Cabaye is one of the Premier League’s most sought-after transfer properties this January, following an incredible first half of the season for Newcastle. It remains to be seen whether any of his many suitors, including Arsenal, Manchester United and PSG, will take the reported £22million bait before the end of the month. But either way, the 28 year-old has proved this term that he’s destined for a higher calling than the Magpies – no offence Toon fans.
To suggest the Frenchman wasn’t highly thought of before the current campaign would be untrue. Arsenal launched an ill-fated £12million bid for Cabaye back in the summer, suggesting they felt that after two years at Newcastle, he was ready to handle life at a major club.
But they resisted the Magpies’ valuation of £20million, which, at the time, would have broken the Gunners’ record transfer fee by a few million.
Bizarrely however, I’d suggest another playmaking midfielder is the last thing the Premier League table-toppers need right now, and although Arsenal are the calibre of club I believe Cabaye is more than capable of playing for, his contribution would go relatively unnoticed at the Emirates.
That being said, for £20million, or £22million to take the player on midseason according to the tabloids, the France international remains an absolute steal. A record of 17 goals and 15 assists in 79 Premier League appearances is an unbelievable return for a deep-lying midfielder, even if a significant proportion of his output is currently being sourced from dead-ball situations.
That’s only 15 goals and one assist less than Yaya Toure, who has made 30 more Premier League outings than the Magpies star in a far more accommodating Manchester City side. It’s also just two goals less than Steven Gerrard in the last three years, despite the England international’s willingness to shoot from any range and any angle.
Not that output is the only impressive part of Cabaye’s game. This season he’s averaged 2.4 tackles and 2.4 interceptions per match, showing that the 5 foot 9 midfielder is more than competent when it comes to defensive contribution and is by no means a ‘luxury’ player, whilst in possession, he’s made 33 key passes in 17 Premier League starts, illustrating his core ability to unlock opposition defences with telling balls.
But as previously stated, Cabaye’s ability has been known for some time. The difference this season however has been in the great versatility and flexibility he’s shown by changing and modifying his role into the Magpies’ No.10.
Traditionally considered a playmaker of the more Miralem Pjanic, Luka Modric or Paul Scholes variety, finding pockets of space from deep and producing a mix-ranged passing game, Alan Pardew has fielded Cabaye at the tip of midfield of six occasions this season and in return the Frenchman has provided four goals from his new role, including a stunning brace against West Ham at the weekend.
Some would argue it could be a case of a big fish asserting his dominance in a small pond, and transitioning to the ocean of a major club could see Cabaye eaten alive by a shark that won’t even notice the 28 year-old inadvertently swimming down his predatory gullet.
Rather, I’d argue the France international has been a whale the Newcastle puddle for some time.
There’s been an obvious correlation between Newcastle’s league standing and the midfielder’s fitness over the last three years; upon his first campaign in England, in which Cabaye made34 league appearances, the Magpies finished in fifth, and with their talisman operating at full throttle again this term, they possess an outside chance of another continental qualification, currently sitting in eighth place in the English table.
But last year, when Cabaye spent a significant chunk of the season sidelined through injury, missing from November to February due to groin surgery, Newcastle’s form decisively tanked, recording 19 league defeats and lucky to finish the campaign with their top flight status intact. In my opinion, that’s no coincidence and is a fantastic testament to Cabaye’s vitality on Tyneside. No wonder the Magpies few him as a player worth in excess of £20million, which will be their biggest sale since Andy Carroll in 2011.
Of course, the other factor for major clubs to consider before making an acquisition is personality. Back in the summer, Cabaye’s professionalism was tested, as Alan Pardew informed reporters his ‘head had been turned’ by the Gunners’ transfer interest. It seemed Cabaye was set for six months of sulking at the Magpies’ training ground, driving down his value until another club snapped him up in January for a fee that didn’t justify his abilities or facilitate for the rupture his departure could have at St. James’s Park.
But refraining from playing the transfer market to his advantage rather than the beautiful game itself, Cabaye has used his actions on the pitch to prove to his suitors that he’s worth the £20million Newcastle have been asking for, producing the most prominent form of his Premier League career to date. If there was ever any doubt over what quality bracket the Frenchman belongs to, and whether or not he has the temperament or drive to up his game to the next level, surely this season, following a disruptive end to the summer window, is all the evidence one needs.
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Producing free kicks that verge upon artistry, long-range goals that leave one foaming at the mouth, donning a mixed passing game so intelligently orchestrating in its destructive efficiency and a level of work-rate and anticipation out of possession we’d more frequently associate with a natural ball-winner, now demonstrating he’s capable of any role required of him in the middle of the park including at the attacking pivot of the midfield, and a player who has consistently proved himself over three years in the Premier League – what more could a major club want this January for a mere £20million?
David Moyes, Laurent Blanc, Tim Sherwood, Arsene Wenger, Brendan Rodgers – it’s time for Cabaye to answer his higher calling.
Click below to see Arsenal, Fulham and Everton in action this weekend!
A quick search for #LambertOut on Twitter reveals the depth of unrest amongst a number of Aston Villa supporters with their manager. A more than disappointing 2-1 loss to Fulham at Villa Park inevitably produced a number of tweets upon the matter, with disgruntled fans calling for the removal of the former Norwich manager.
Unfortunately for Paul Lambert, it seems as though the majority of Villa’s fanbase have become far too blinded by the Martin O’Neill years or the club’s former glories to recognise the club’s current situation. Without serious financial backing in the modern Premier League, the realistic ambitions of any club in the division are severely limited, regardless of their relative size or prestige.
Considering the number of sackings from clubs occupying the lower reaches of the Premier League, Randy Lerner’s commitment to his manager is proving to be the exception to the rule. Certainly, there have been performances which could have prompted the American owner to think seriously upon the matter.
After the loss to Fulham, Lambert’s side have chalked up a club record ten defeats at home this season, the worst in the club’s 140 year history. Any ambitions of a decent run in the FA Cup were dashed almost immediately when League One Sheffield United emerged triumphant from Villa Park at the third round stage.
Reports that talks are ongoing for a new contract for Lambert has drawn severe disdain from many of the Villa faithful that have been disgusted by what they have seen this season. Currently sat in 13th with a seven point cushion, the club realistically needs at least one more victory to secure their Premier League status for next season. For fans that became accustomed to Villa’s frequent challenge for Europe under O’Neill or remember the glory years in the early 1980s, simply treading water in the top flight is seen as unacceptable.
But the recent O’Neill years came at a price.
Whilst nowhere near comparable to Leeds United’s misguided extravagance, Villa essentially swung for but missed the Champions League spots. Substantial transfer fees and hefty wage packets were sanctioned in pursuit of the promised land, a policy which the club is now likely cursing at this point.
Having pumped much of his own fortune into the club, Lerner is now intent on steadying the ship and transforming Villa into a financially self-sustainable entity. Whilst this approach is undoubtedly frustrating for the club’s fans, it is logical considering the fact that the American recently waived approximately £90 million worth of loans.
Critics of Lambert will point to the fact he has spent an estimated £40 million in the past two seasons as an indicator that the club should be achieving more. But when Gareth Bale alone is transferring for £86 million, Villa’s transfer investment under Paul Lambert is a relative pittance in modern football.
With the club’s well documented financial restrictions, Lambert is forced in his attempts to improve the squad to either purchase on a budget from abroad or from England’s lower divisions. The Scot largely went with the former, a policy which has inevitably delivered mixed results. For every Christian Benteke, there will always be an Antonio Luna.
It may be difficult for some Villa fans to accept but in the Premier League as it stands, their club simply doesn’t have the money or the pull to attract the top calibre of players. Lambert’s options in the transfer market were limited and having chosen to go abroad, players such as Libor Kozak, Nicklas Helenius and Aleksandar Tonev require time to settle before they truly can be judged.
Unfortunately for the Scot, Villa have been plagued by a series of injuries which any Premier League club would struggle to cope with. Kozak and the highly-rated Jores Okore, Lambert’s biggest summer signings, have both suffered serious long-term injuries. Benteke’s recent achilles injury has already ruled the Belgian out of the World Cup and could see him out of action for up to eight months.
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To compound Lambert’s woes further, many individuals in his side have struggled for form. Even before his injury, Benteke had struggled for large periods of the season to replicate last year’s heroics. Matthew Lowton, a full back who had previously been praised for making the step up to the Premier League, is another that has struggled for consistency this term.
In such circumstances, Lambert has performed respectably to have Aston Villa sat in 13th position. There is a frustration that greater progress in the current campaign hasn’t been achieved and to an extent they are understandable. The club’s dreadful home form and performances in cup competitions need to improve fast, whilst the style of football on offer leaves a lot to be desired.
But with one of the weakest squads in the top flight which has also been afflicted by injuries, Lambert is only a couple of victories away from securing a mid table finish. It may not excite the club’s fanbase, but for now the Scot is getting the best out of a bad situation.
It’s time for the footballing world to weep a collective tear, as perhaps the greatest World Cup of all time has come to a bitter-fought end. In case you’ve had your head stuck in a vase for the last 24 hours, Germany beat Argentina by a 1-0 scoreline in the final yesterday evening.
But we at Football FanCast are not prepared to relinquish the memories of Brazil 2014 just yet. Perhaps we are too needy, perhaps we are seeking closure, perhaps we simply can’t accept reality, but resultantly, we’ve conjured up this list of the FIVE World Cup finalists Manchester United would love to – and realistically could – sign this summer.
So join in our reminiscence of an event that happened less than a full day ago while also discussing Louis van Gaal’s summer transfer plans.
[ffc-gallery]CLICK ON ANGEL DI MARIA TO REVEAL
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MATS HUMMELS
Following the bosman departures of Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand, Manchester United have been linked with Germany international Mats Hummels yet again this summer:
The 25 year-old was one of the stars of Brazil 2014, netting Mannschaft’s second goal of the tournament as well as the winner against France in the quarter-finals:
It caps off a campaign of continually strong form for the commanding centre-back, as detailed below:
The 33-cap international is famed for his ability to play out of the back and link-up with midfield, often leading to comparisons with Mannschaft legend Franz Beckenbauer, best represented by these attacking and passing statistics:
Here’s a vid showing Hummels’ impressive all-round game:
//www.youtube.com/embed/BitBv8B48UQ
The Metro claim talks to bring the defender to Old Trafford have already reached ‘advanced stages’, but other sources speculate interest from Barcelona could stand in the way:
ANGEL DI MARIA
//www.youtube.com/embed/G-nxcCsvDUQ?rel=0
Amid their desperate need for better quality out wide, Manchester United are reportedly considering a bid for Real Madrid’s Angel Di Maria:
The Argentina winger missed the World Cup final through injury, but netted this vital winner against Switzerland in the round of 16:
And only two players completed more dribbles than the Los Blancos star at Brazil 2014:
At club level, a surprise transition to more central role saw the 25 year-old finish up as La Lia’s top creator last season:
Whilst he also claimed the Man of the Match award in last term’s Champions League final.
The Express alleged a £48million bid last week, but recent speculation suggests United will be trumped to Di Maria’s signature by PSG:
SAMI KHEDIRA
Real Madrid appear prepared to offload Germany international Sami Khedira this summer and Manchester United have emerged as one of the more interested Premier League parties:
The 27 year-old missed the World Cup final after picking up an injury in the warm-up, but remained a vital performer for Die Mannschaft throughout the tournament, as detailed below:
And netted his country’s fifth against Brazil in their famous 7-1 semi-final victory:
Here’s some of the former Stuttgart star’s highlights for Real Madrid:
//www.youtube.com/embed/LfHD8yuihyQ
Khedira would certainly address Manchester United’s absence of quality in the middle of the park, but recent speculation suggests he’s about to join Arsenal:
BASTIAN SCHWEINSTEIGER
Another Germany midfielder known to be on the Old Trafford radar is Mannschaft centurion Bastian Schweinsteiger, following rumours earlier this summer that Pep Guardiola wants to axe the Bayern Munich veteran.
The Bavarians boss allegedly views the 29 year-old as too slow for his side’s new-found tica-taca style. But a Bundesliga, Champions League and now World Cup winner, Manchester United are more than prepared to take him off Guardiola’s hands:
The powerful midfielder put in a committed and bloodied performance during the World Cup final…
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…where he made four tackles and over 100 passes. There’s no doubting Schweinsteiger’s quality, just take a look at his Top Five Bundesliga goals:
//www.youtube.com/embed/gvkLo5-5TN8?rel=0
But the £25million-rated midfielder, despite allegedly enjoying a good relationship with Louis van Gaal, could be put off by a lack of Champions League football at Old Trafford.
MARIO GOTZE
Mario Gotze may have just scored the winning goal in a World Cup final, and quite a sterling effort it was. But things aren’t going quite so well at current club Bayern Munich, with the attacking midfielder struggling to impact following his controversial move from Borussia Dortmund last summer.
In May, he made his disappointment over a lack of first team football – Gotze made just 20 starts in the Bundesliga last season – public, and potential suitors across Europe are hardly in short supply. Manchester Evening news claims the Red Devils have revived their interest in the 22 year-old:
The Germany international is an impressive young talent, just take a look at some of his career-best strikes:
//www.youtube.com/embed/sZJkUFstMpc?rel=0
And despite struggling for game-time last season, Gotze still enjoyed strong form, as detailed below:
Capable of adopting virtually any position in attack and widely regarded as one of European football’s hottest prospects, the former Black-Yellows star would be a sensational addition for United.
But whether he’s prepared to quit on Bayern Munich after just a single season remains to be seen.