Leeds United are interested in signing Liverpool winger Harry Wilson on loan, according to the Yorkshire Post.
What’s the story?
21-year-old Wilson spent the second half of last season on loan at Hull City where he enjoyed a successful spell, scoring seven and assisting three goals in 13 appearances for the Tigers.
The tricky winger took Gareth Bale’s record of the youngest player to ever play for Wales and is considered a potential star of the future.
According to the report, Leeds will have to see off unnamed Premier League interest in Wilson who is valued at £900,000 on Transfermarkt.
A real coup for Leeds
In his brief spell at Hull, Wilson showed he has real talent that belies his young age.
He runs directly at defenders and has a great end product as well, as shown by his strong goal and assist ratio.
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He would inject real pace into the Leeds side and would be a very exciting prospect to watch embarrass Championship defences next season.
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Arsenal could be lining up a move for Lyon’s star forward Nabil Fekir after his agent hinted that the Frenchman might not be at Lyon next season, as reported by Telefoot via The Mirror.
What’s the story?
Jean Pierre Barnes told Telefoot: “Will Fekir still be at Lyon next season? It’s too early to talk about it.
“After considering my relationship with (Lyon president) Jean-Michel Aulas, we will make the best decision.”
Fekir himself has refused to rule out a move away from Lyon, and has listed Arsenal as one of the clubs he could see himself playing for.
What would he bring to Arsenal?
Arsene Wenger has said earlier in the season that the attacking options he has at his disposal are a ‘luxury’, and the Gunners have compensated well for the loss of Alexis Sanchez with the additions of Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in the January transfer window.
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Nevertheless, Fekir could provide a different kind of attacking threat to that provided by Alexandre Lacazatte or Aubameyang. Who Scored lists Fekir as having a pass success rate of 84.1%, which is a whole 9% higher than Lacazette and even higher still than the more midfield-oriented Mkhitaryan.
Arsenal have a wealth of attacking options, but Fekir could provide the level of passing accuracy that would make him a potent threat in Wenger’s system.
It’s to no one’s great surprise that Andy Carroll is injured again. Not only that, but the striker will miss the next four months, returning sometime around November, though you’d be brave to bet on that.
West Ham, in the meantime, will be in need of plugging that gap and bringing in someone who can work effectively in the Premier League until the striker’s return.
The club have already brought in Enner Valencia and Mauro Zarate, but between them they have half-a-season’s worth of experience in the English top flight. Bringing in someone already based in the Premier League should be a must.
Here is a rundown of five options to replace Andy Carroll in the West Ham squad.
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Danny Welbeck
Danny Welbeck’s future at Manchester United isn’t really in danger or any great doubt, but the striker hasn’t done enough to be a regular in the team’s starting XI, failing to hit the back of the net with the regularity that’s expected of him.
Welbeck could be the perfect short-term answer for West Ham. The England international is good enough to be a starter in Sam Allardyce’s team, with the versatility and work rate to be deployed anywhere across the front line.
Welbeck could have a good career at Old Trafford, but now he really does need to develop further as a forward. A loan move would suit all parties.
Jordan Rhodes
There are surely some who are still waiting for Jordan Rhodes to make the step up from the Championship to the Premier League.
The Scotland international has scored over 20 goals in each of his two seasons with Blackburn and very much looks capable of producing in the top flight.
West Ham will find trouble in negotiating with Blackburn, who will not want to lose their star forward. But while it is a gamble, if Sam Allardyce can land the 24-year-old, it could pay off in a big way.
Nicklas Bendtner
Nicklas Bendtner is currently a free agent after seeing his contract at Arsenal expire. The Dane hasn’t the best of reputations in England, but that’s largely due to his off-field actions.
Bendtner may have frustrated Arsenal supporters in the past, but his form for Denmark has generally been very good – and that’s what his next club will need to unlock, the consistency to perform effectively at the highest level.
The Dane would be a good signing for West Ham, provided they can get round his wage demands. Bendtner is a good footballer who, on his day, can produce far more than many of the mid-table strikers currently in the league.
Connor Wickham
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Connor Wickham arrived at Sunderland in 2011 with plenty of promise, but hasn’t featured as much as many would have expected over the past few seasons, seeing a couple of loan moves during that period.
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But most would have been reminded that he still plays for the club during their stunning run of form at the end of last season, in which the 21-year-old scored against Manchester City and Chelsea.
Wickham wouldn’t be a bad shout for West Ham this summer, even as a loan signing from now until January.
Marouane Fellaini
Marouane Fellaini doesn’t look to have a future at Manchester United with Louis van Gaal now in charge. The Belgian international had a hugely disappointing season at the club last term and will more than likely be shown the door at some stage this summer.
Even though he isn’t a striker, he’d be a perfect replacement for Andy Carroll at West Ham, with experience of having played in an advanced role during his Everton days.
Fellaini ticks all the boxes of a typical Sam Allardyce signing, and if the club can get a loan move off the ground at the very least, he should be able to kick start his career, which is currently going nowhere at Old Trafford.
There was a feeling that last weeks antagonistic contest with the Blues was an early title decider despite the season being only eight games old. Coming away with all three points was a massive boost to United as they closed the gap on the West London club at the top and finally worked themselves into some sort of stride that has eluded them thus far. Defensively there is still some work to do with goals being shipped thick and fast, but with Jonny Evans and Rio Ferdinand the only two fit centre backs available to Sir Alex Ferguson at the moment there is not a lot the Red Devils boss can do to correct those problems until his options are boosted by players returning from long spells on the sidelines. That will certainly hinder Ferguson’s hopes of taking charge at the top of the table during the exhaustive winter period and ultimately thwart his ambition of finishing the campaign at the top-flight’s apex.
This week on FFC is Wayne Rooney being wasted in his new position and which veteran Uruguay defender is Ferguson targeting for a January move.
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Five Things We Learned – Chelsea vs. Manchester United (Capital One Cup) – Red Flag Flying High
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Quote of the Week
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I don’t believe Mark Clattenburg would make any comments like that. I refuse to believe it. I think it is unthinkable in the modern climate. I just don’t believe it – simple as that. There is no way a referee would stoop to that, I am convinced of that. I think in the modern game, the way we see the game today rather than how it was 25 years ago, it has completely changed.” Sir Alex Ferguson doesn’t believe Mark Clattenburg was racist towards Chelsea midfielder Jon Obi Mikel
David Luiz was a crucial member of the Chelsea team that won the Premier League title in the 2016-17 season, but the last campaign was a different story.
Arsenal have been linked to the Brazilian before, and now according to le10sport, Arsene Wenger’s replacement Unai Emery is keen on the centre-back.
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The French publication claims that the Gunners have tabled an £18m bid, which has been rejected by the Blues.
There is no doubt that Luiz has the qualities to thrive in England’s top flight, but he had an injury-plagued run last season.
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The Brazilian also fell out of favour with manager Antonio Conte, which resulted in him making just 10 league outings.
Due to the nature of the relationship between Luiz and Conte, the defender’s future could be decided depending on whether the Italian remains at Stamford Bridge or not.
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It is clear from Arsenal’s point of view that the defence needs to be improved, and Emery has taken one step to do that by recruiting Stephan Lichtsteiner from Juventus on a free transfer.
Judging by these latest reports, Luiz remains a target, which has pleased some fans, but others are not convinced.
Comment from discussion Le 10 Sport, criticised for its lack of reliability in the past, but proving impressively accurate so far this window, are reporting that Arsenal have had a £20m bid for David Luiz rejected by Chelsea..Comment from discussion Le 10 Sport, criticised for its lack of reliability in the past, but proving impressively accurate so far this window, are reporting that Arsenal have had a £20m bid for David Luiz rejected by Chelsea..Comment from discussion Le 10 Sport, criticised for its lack of reliability in the past, but proving impressively accurate so far this window, are reporting that Arsenal have had a £20m bid for David Luiz rejected by Chelsea..Comment from discussion Le 10 Sport, criticised for its lack of reliability in the past, but proving impressively accurate so far this window, are reporting that Arsenal have had a £20m bid for David Luiz rejected by Chelsea..Comment from discussion Le 10 Sport, criticised for its lack of reliability in the past, but proving impressively accurate so far this window, are reporting that Arsenal have had a £20m bid for David Luiz rejected by Chelsea..Comment from discussion Le 10 Sport, criticised for its lack of reliability in the past, but proving impressively accurate so far this window, are reporting that Arsenal have had a £20m bid for David Luiz rejected by Chelsea..Comment from discussion Le 10 Sport, criticised for its lack of reliability in the past, but proving impressively accurate so far this window, are reporting that Arsenal have had a £20m bid for David Luiz rejected by Chelsea..Comment from discussion Le 10 Sport, criticised for its lack of reliability in the past, but proving impressively accurate so far this window, are reporting that Arsenal have had a £20m bid for David Luiz rejected by Chelsea..
Losing Alexis Sanchez is a blow to Arsenal in purely footballing terms.
When the Chilean is at his very best he’s one of the best players in world football. But that wasn’t the case for the final few months at his time at the Emirates Stadium. The former Gunners wasn’t committed to the cause and no matter how good a player is, that’s unsustainable.
Not getting any money in return for him, would have been disastrous, though. So selling him in January rather than letting him go in the summer was clearly an important decision to make. But Arsenal didn’t get any money for him last month, either.
Arguably they got something better: and Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s performance against Everton goes some way towards proving it.
It’s hard to argue with three assists in a game. With both the Armenian and Mesut Ozil in the same side, the Gunners have two of the most prolific assist makers in the country. With new signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang leading the line, too, Arsenal now have two of European football’s most prolific finishers over the last few years, too. Even if Alexandre Lacazette isn’t always a guaranteed starter.
Add to those three assists with his three other key passes and you see the theme appearing here. Mkhitaryan may have been up against an Everton defence which may be most aptly described as ‘a shambles’, but if he can build on that form there could be something special brewing.
But there’s another side to consider, too. A grittier, less Arsenal-y quality to the former Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund attacker which Gunners fans may grow to love.
Not only did Mkhitaryan do the silkier parts of the game well on Saturday evening, but he also put in four tackles, showing that his qualities on the press could be important going forward, whilst his pass accuracy of 79% may seem low, but should actually be encouraging.
One of the problems with Arsenal over the years has always been their propensity to be beautiful but all too often ineffective. That wasn’t the case for Mkhitaryan, who took the risky passes and it paid off.
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Arsenal scored five against a team who were woeful in defence. But how much of that was down to the Gunners’ attacking brilliance? That’s the big question ahead of a trip to Wembley to play Tottenham next weekend.
Win that and a top four spot might be back on again. But more importantly, a top player like Mkhitaryan could help fire Arsenal to a Champions League spot next season through Europa League glory, too. There are still two trophies to play for.
James Milner says that following his Manchester City team’s domestic double this term the Champions League is their next major aim.
The Sky Blues secured the Premier League title with a last day victory over West Ham to add to their Capital One Cup success earlier this year.
Now the Citizens have won every competition available to them in England, yet success on the continental stage has evaded them.
City made it out of the group stage for the first time in their history last term, but were sent home after a two-legged defeat to Barcelona.
Milner – who has been a solid performer under both Manuel Pellegrini and Roberto Mancini – now has his sights focused on Champions League silverware:
“We have won two trophies this season and I came here to win trophies. I want to contribute to the club as much as I can and help us move forward.” He is quoted by the Daily Star.
“The next thing we need to win is the European Cup. I have been lucky enough since I have been here to win every domestic trophy – so that is the next one.
“If you look at everything City are doing on and off the field, they are a massive club in every way.
“You just have to look at how the club has expanded, the players that we have, so it has to be the next step.
“It was disappointing to go out to Barcelona this season but, had things been slightly different, you never know.
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“We beat the European champions in their own back yard. It shows we can do it.”
City are expected to spend again this summer to attract big name players, even with the prospect of a hefty £50m fine due to a suspicion of breaching Financial Fair Play rules.
At every Premier League team, there are players and managers who divide opinion, among fans, press and pundits. But there are those who so often flatter to deceive, and yet are still held in high esteem.
There are some who can fail to provide a goal, an assist, or any sort of consistent performance levels, and still escape criticism on Match of the Day. It leaves you wondering why this is?
Possibly because they have demanded a large transfer fee in the past? Perhaps they are a select few of media darlings? Or possibly because they are living off past reputations? No matter what the reasons, there is a large number who remain playing and managing at the highest level, despite being highly overrated.
Click on Nani for the countdown of the top 15 most overrated players in the Premier League today
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According to Foot.CD, Newcastle United are considering a move for Everton attacker Yannick Bolasie in this summer’s transfer window.
Bolasie has only made 32 appearances for Everton since moving to the Merseyside club from Crystal Palace in the summer of 2016.
A serious knee injury saw the 29-year-old miss more than 12 months of football between December 2016 and December 2017, but he did return to action in the second half of last season.
It would be fair to say that the attacker found it difficult to settle back into action, however, and he ended the 2017-18 season with just one goal in 17 appearances.
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Bolasie, who is valued at £16.2m by transfermarkt.co.uk, has a contract with Everton until the summer of 2021, but his future is being called into question.
The Everton fans recently revealed that they would be happy to see him leave this summer.
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And a move to Newcastle could well be on with the Magpies supporters claiming that they would be interested in signing the attacker ahead of the new season.
A selection of the Twitter reaction can be seen below:
Never quite at full physical fitness, Tottenham Hotspur will have to manage Mousa Dembele’s game-time this week as they take on Manchester United at Wembley and face Liverpool at Anfield in what will likely be two high-intensity games that could have a huge bearing on the Premier League table come the end of May.
Indeed, the 70-cap Belgium international has lasted the full ninety minutes on just four occasions since September and has been brought off in all of his last three appearances.
But the 30-year-old is still a key player for Tottenham, someone who offers them vital control in central midfield through his physicality and technical quality, so it’s essentially a question of which fixture needs him more and which game should take priority.
Manchester United will undoubtedly provide a tough test at Wembley, where Spurs have struggled against defensively-organised teams this season, but beating fourth-place Liverpool is arguably more important to the north London outfit’s hopes of Champions League qualification.
So, Tottenham fans, which opponent would you start Dembele against? Let us know by voting below…
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