Chelsea took on Leicester City in the FA Cup on Sunday afternoon, knowing their final chance of claiming silverware this season was on the line at the King Power Stadium against a side with an impressive track record against the Premier League’s top clubs.
The Blues required extra time to get the job done. Alvaro Morata’s opening goal was cancelled out in the 76th minute when Jamie Vardy had the last kick in a goalmouth scramble, leaving substitute Pedro to grab the winner late on.
Morata impressed against the Foxes, getting on the scoresheet and often causing Leicester problems with his movement in the final third. But N’Golo Kante – who Transfermarkt value at £54million – was arguably Chelsea’s biggest influence on the match, keeping things solid in the engine room while creating two chances and completing four dribbles.
So, was the Frenchman Chelsea’s best player against Leicester? Let us know by taking part in the poll below and giving each player involved a performance rating out of ten…
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Former Manchester United defender John O’Shea is sure that his former club will achieve their aim of a top four finish this season despite their shaky rearguard.
While the Red Devils invested heavily in their attack over the summer, Louis van Gaal opted against addressing the losses of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic.
And with a series of injuries having hit more experienced players including Jonny Evans and Phil Jones, the Dutchman has been forced to use rookie starlets such as Paddy McNair and Tyler Blackett.
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As a result United have leaked 10 goals in seven games – including five away to newly-promoted Leicester City – which is the highest total in the current top six and level with top tier newbies Burnley.
Yet O’Shea – who netted a dramatic goal against Germany for the Republic of Ireland earlier this week is sure his old side will achieve their aims for the campaign:
“No I don’t think so.” He said when asked by talkSPORT if United’s defence will affect their ambitions.
“I think they’ve just been very unfortunate with injures, and consistency for a back-four is very important.
“If Jonny Evans stays fit he’ll be crucial for them, he’s a very good player, he talks and organises the defence.
“If they’re chopping and changing, with Phil Jones, Chris Smalling and the new signings as well, they can’t get a run of games together, and consistency is the key for any team aiming for the top-four.
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“A lot of people have been talking about the team’s experience as well, and with losing Rio [Ferdinand], Vida [Nemanja Vidic] and Patrice [Evra] it was always going to be tough for them this season.
“But it isn’t a question of personnel, I think they have the players there to get to the top four, without a doubt, so once they get their defence sorted I sure they’ll be fine.”
News of Tottenham Hotspur’s Scott Parker returning from injury has given Andre Villas-Boas a boost ahead of their Premier League game against Everton on Sunday.
Parker, 32, has yet to feature for the Lillywhites this term and hopes to be back in contention after a lengthy spell on the sidelines brought about by an Achilles operation in August.
Returning to action during a 5-1 defeat to Ipswich for the reserves at Spurs Lodge, the midfield stalwart completed a vital 90-minute’s and signalled his readiness for first team contention.
AVB will now monitor his progress to decide whether the Spurs man deserves a prolonged run in the first team. With Sandro impressing defensively, and scoring a 35-yard goal against Fulham last week, Tottenham now have a healthy selection headache ahead of their trip to Goodison Park.
Harry Redknapp is also keeping tabs on Parker and will be looking to swoop in for his former player if he is deemed surplus to requirements at White Hart Lane. Redknapp is in desperate need of steel in the middle of the park and sees Parker as the inspirational leader that QPR lack.
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The player now has two and a half years to run on his current contract at the Lane following a £5.5million move from West Ham United last August.
Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba was in imperious form at the World Cup on Saturday, helping France into the quarter-finals of the tournament with a 4-3 victory over Argentina.
In what was one of the greatest matches of the summer so far, the French fully deserved their win, with Pogba at the heart of all the action.
He had a tumultuous 2017/18 at club level with the Red Devils, failing to really find his peak form under Jose Mourinho, leading some to question what his long-term future at Old Trafford would be.
However, if he can bring his France form into the new season then there are unlikely to be many critics of his performances.
United supporters were hugely impressed with his showing against Argentina, ramping up their excitement to see him action in 2018/19.
Can the Frenchman show fans why the club paid so much money for him?
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These supporters took to Twitter to share their thoughts after Saturday’s display…
When Zlatan Ibrahimovic signed a contract extension at Manchester United in the summer, many fans hoped that the striker would play an important role in the season.
However, since returning from a knee injury in November, the 36-year-old has struggled for game time, mainly because of fitness issues.
There were concerns that the injury that he suffered towards the end of last season would end his career.
Even though the former Sweden international fought back to return to action, he has struggled to regain form.
In fact, Ibrahimovic has not played for United since Boxing Day and there no return date has been set.
Due to the forward’s limited minutes, assumptions have been made that the former Barcelona forward would be on his way out of the Old Trafford exit gates this summer.
Mourinho has all but confirmed that Ibrahimovic will not be a Red Devil next season.
During the Portuguese coach’s press conference, the manager told reporters:
“For Zlatan, we all think it’s his last season at Manchester United and it will be a very personal decision for him to play or to stop. I think he won the right of choosing his life and his future – he’s such an amazing player with such an amazing career that only that awful injury in the wrong moment broke a fantastic couple of seasons that he could, and should, have with us.”
United fans have been reacting to the news on Twitter.
As the start of the Premier League season draws closer, clubs will begin to make rash decision over potential transfers in hopes of secure their services before match day. With Arsenal already adding a few reinforcements to their squad, they don’t seem to need any more major signings.
However, with their rivals still active in the window, Arsene Wenger may begin buying just to make sure he has a lot of options available. More players equals more problems with team selection as well as extra unnecessary conflicts for the squad. This is often something that can easily be avoided.
With this in mind, we take a look at SIX panic buys Arsenal should avoid this month.
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Mario Balotelli
Name: Mario Balotelli
Age: 23
Position: Striker
Nationality: Italy
Club: AC Milan
Price: £20 – £25 million
Why they should avoid him?
Although Mario Balotelli is a prominent goal scorer, Arsene Wenger will find it hard to keep a lid on his outbursts that have affected his game in the past. A return to England can actually bring out the worst in him since he and the English media aren’t really a fan of one another. Wenger doesn’t seem to be the type of manager who can keep a firm eye on the 23-year-old.
Marco Reus
Name: Marco Reus
Age: 25
Position: Winger
Nationality: Germany
Club: Borussia Dortmund
Price: £40 – £45 million
Why they should avoid him?
To spend upwards of £40 million on a player that has just returned from a serious injury could be a huge risk. Arsene Wenger shouldn’t assume that Marco Reus will return to his top form right away and give him some time before reconsidering another move. In addition to that, Arsenal doesn’t need another winger who will just clog up their midfield while they bid for a regular berth.
Angel Di Maria
Name: Angel Di Maria
Age: 26
Position: Winger
Nationality: Argentina
Club: Real Madrid
Price: £40 – £45 million
Why they should avoid him?
Much like for Marco Reus, the signing of Angel Di Maria will cause nothing but problems in the Arsenal dressing room. As it is, the return of Theo Walcott will mean another regular player may be forced to return to the bench again. Arsene Wenger may also not want to make a second big money signing after recently splashing on new arrival Alexis Sanchez.
Daniel Agger
Name: Daniel Agger
Age: 29
Position: Centre-back
Nationality: Denmark
Club: Liverpool
Price: £10 – £15 million
Why they should avoid him?
Daniel Agger is very injury-prone despite his hard man defensive styles. In addition, he is a frustrated individual at Liverpool for not getting enough playing time, so a move to Arsenal won’t do any good for him in regards to keeping a first team place. Although Arsene Wenger needs another centre-back, Agger might not be the most ideal candidate, both due to his high expectations and price.
Douglas Costa
Name: Douglas Costa
Age: 23
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Position: Winger
Nationality: Brazil
Club: Shakhtar Donetsk
Price: £10 – £15 million
Why they should avoid him?
Douglas Costa is another wide player that has been linked with a move to Arsenal, but may not actually be someone they need. He is most effective as a right forward, a position that will have already been filled with the arrival of Alexis Sanchez. Without any football experience in some of Europe’s biggest league, a move to the Emirates will certainly be seen as a risk Arsene Wenger may not need to take.
Nani
Name: Nani
Age: 27
Position: Winger
Nationality: Portugal
Club: Manchester United
Price: £10 – £15 million
Why they should avoid him?
First off, signing a player from a direct rival which just cause a media storm, so a move for Nani from Manchester United has a lot more negatives that positives. His speed and dribbling abilities down the flanks is a great asset, but Arsenal already have a number of players with the exact same attributes. We have also seen a huge decline in form from him and could find it very hard to fit into the Gunners midfield.
What would happen if Phil Collins and Paul McCartney did a duet of Hey Jude which then ran into In The Air Tonight? It would be played on the radio over and over and over again, and when that wasn’t enough, they’d perform the 37-minute live version at a Royal party.
Now, one of the few things that can be equally as painful is the realisation that no one is accountable for anything at Arsenal. In fact, mix it in with an interlude of fourth place is a trophy. It’s tired and it’s largely infuriating. But a lack of accountability from anyone at the club is at the root of the bigger problem.
Arsene Wenger will never give his players the public thrashing they deserve. Actually, it’s hard to imagine the manager parting with some strong words behind closed doors. But the players know that it will never come to that, the Arsenal manager is far to composed to be seen as a man who shakes the foundations of the Emirates. For that, the players are given a free ride, and one that can be stress-free if they have no intentions of winning or a desire to keep their pride intact—which arguably some don’t.
Wenger has continued to talk up Arsenal teams in the past as individual players and as a whole squad who are far better than what they are. Maybe it has something to do with the players going on to fulfil this potential which the manager is so confidently preaching. Yet when they look into their reserves, there’s nothing in the tank for them to even rise to the occasion of a singular and very straightforward game.
Maybe we should look at it as these players being good enough but not trying when it matters. After all, how many Arsenal players in the current team were what you’d call “terrible” players at their former club? Gervinho won a title at Lille, Marouane Chamakh has a league title from his time with Bordeaux and Sebastian Squillaci has league titles and a Champions League final appearance from his time in France. That’s only the players deemed “terrible,” what about the good ones?
But it’s an easy life when you can perform so badly and not have to answer to anyone. And that’s the point, no one needs to answer or even has an answer when Arsenal begin to tumble down the league table. There’s far too much protection at the club for people who should be accountable, yet Wenger—even with his own managerial flaws—remains on the front line and as the first and only line of defence.
It would be great if for a whole month’s worth of games—because once just isn’t enough—if Wenger laid into his players after a poor performance. Some will ask what good that will do, well not saying anything at the moment isn’t exactly bringing rewards. When the manager finds excuses like fatigue, poor playing conditions, referees, the rain ruining players’ perfectly gelled hair, it makes the players believe that they’re doing nothing wrong. Above all, it makes them believe that their current poor state is the zenith of their abilities.
Is it ok for Wenger to want this peaceful environment at Arsenal, one where no one screams at anyone else for lack of application? Not really, because it just amounts to poor preparation for real football matches. But then comes the stubbornness, and maybe Wenger has done enough in his career to warrant the chance to do it as he pleases, but there’s no doubt that he’s having to take the hit for players who consistently let him down.
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I’m all for the argument that some players are just not good enough for Arsenal, but none of them are beyond or above hard work and a little more application. If the perfect passes can’t be found, then run a little harder to win the ball back. Yes, all of these players are Wenger’s buys, no one at the club would force any player on the manager. But a large collection of performances by most of these players are enough to make you question whether they’re even Premier League quality, let alone good enough for a team challenging on four fronts.
It’s the way it is at Arsenal and it will remain so until someone openly speaks about the damaging state the club are in. The squad as a whole may not be good enough, but their performances are reflective of the laid back attitude from the highest point. It’s unfortunate, however, that Arsene Wenger takes the heat from both sides’ failings.
Liverpool would be wasting their time if they tried to sign RB Leipzig midfielder Emil Forsberg this summer.
What’s the word?
If the media reports are anything to go by, the Reds are in the market for a new attacking midfielder.
Numerous names have been linked to the club, but Jurgen Klopp is yet to bring in another new face in that department.
There is one man who, in the past, has been touted as a potential target for the Merseyside outfit, and that is Leipzig’s Forsberg.
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In an interview with Fotbollskanalen earlier this week, the Sweden international, who has earned 36 caps for his country, has admitted that he is ready for “the next big step” in his career.
Why should Liverpool steer clear?
Forsberg is certainly talented, but he did not have the best season during the 2017-18 campaign.
For Leipzig, the midfielder scored five goals and created four assists in 33 appearances in all competitions.
The 26-year-old is currently at the World Cup in Russia representing Sweden, and he will hope to attract some suitors in the process.
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Liverpool need a more dynamic midfielder, plus they could struggle to land Forsberg given who he currently plays for.
The Merseyside outfit went through a drawn-out saga before finally acquiring the signature of Naby Keita from Leipzig last year.
They do not want to find themselves in a similar position.
According to Tuttojuve (via talkSPORT), Everton target Stefano Sturaro will have his future at Juventus ‘assessed’ in the coming months.
What’s the Story?
Speaking to the media in Italy, Stefano Sturaro’s agent Carlo Volpi has clarified his client’s position in Turin, following links with a move to Everton, stating;
“It’s only natural that Sturaro wants to play more, and there are several clubs that want him, but the lad is currently focused on the competitions he’s playing in and not the transfer market. Everything will be assessed during the final stretch of the season. Juventus, in these three-and-a-half years, have never mentioned the possibility of moving him on. Never. Until now…”
During the January transfer window, Everton had an approach for Sturaro rejected by Juventus. However, these latest comments could entice the Toffees to make a fresh bid for the Italian in the summer.
Would Sturaro be a good replacement for Morgan Schneiderlin?
Poor form, a substantial wage and a reported lack of effort in training has made Morgan Schneiderlin a decidedly unpopular figure at Goodison Park this season. The 28-year-old was roundly booed by Toffees fans during a 3-1 victory over Crystal Palace earlier this month.
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While Everton boss Sam Allardyce has defended the former Manchester United midfielder, his time on Merseyside could be over sooner rather than later.
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And if Blues fans are looking for a determined, committed, strong and passionate replacement, they should look no further than Stefano Sturaro.
The 24-year-old, who is valued at £8.1million by Transfermarkt, is improving with every passing season and should be considered by Everton in the summer, whether Schneiderlin is still part of the squad or not.
Only a few hours left until the summer transfer window slams shut, and there’s still plenty of business to be done, both good and bad.
It’s a well known fact that most of the business done on Deadline Day is pure gambling by managers desperate to bolster their squad in such little time.
But what are the worst Transfer Deadline Day buys in recent history. There’ve been so many it’d be unfair to keep you away from the final few hours’ of action for so long, so here’s just five of them for you to reminisce while you wait for your club to make an absolutely shocking buy.
Without further delay, let’s begin…
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5. Owen Hargreaves, Free Agent to Manchester City, August 2011
Owen Hargreaves was signed by Manchester City after being released by their rivals Manchester United earlier in the summer. City brought the player in after a thorough medical (which I think included watching the YouTube clip of him running on a treadmill!) and signed him to a one-year contract. The England international only made one Premier League appearance for City before being released on a free at the end of season.
4. Christopher Samba, Anzhi Makhachkala to QPR, January 2013
Described by Harry Redknapp as “a monster”, Christopher Samba was brought to QPR from Anzhi Makhachkala in order to help the side avoid relegation from the Premier League. QPR parted with £12m and gave the centre back a four-and-a-half year contract and £100,000 in wages per week to bring him to London.
He played 10 games straight but the team conceded 19 goals within that time period. Samba was dropped for the final four games and QPR were still relegated. He was sold back to Anzhi for the same fee the following summer. He now plays his football for Dynamo Moscow.
3. Marouane Fellaini, Everton to Manchester United, August 2013
Manchester United agreed a fee with Everton of £27.5m for Marouane Fellaini on last year’s transfer deadline day on a five-year deal. Throughout the summer, United targeted Cesc Fabregas and Thiago Alcantara to strengthen their weak midfield after the retirement of Paul Scholes and with Darren Fletcher still being injured.
The Red Devils could have signed Fellaini for his release clause of £23.5m earlier in the transfer window, £4m less than what they paid for him, but this release clause expired on the 31st July. He struggled to make an impact for United last season after only making 16 appearances and has recently been linked with a move away from Old Trafford.
2. Andy Carroll, Newcastle to Liverpool, January 2011
Liverpool broke the record at the time for the highest amount ever paid by one club to another club for a British player when they purchased Andy Carroll for £35m from Newcastle.
Brought in as part of the scheme to replace Fernando Torres, questions were asked if Carroll would do a decent job as he was yet to play a full season in the Premier League due to injury. Injuries followed him to Liverpool as he didn’t make his debut till March. He only managed to score 11 goals from 58 appearances before being loaned out for a season to West Ham.
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Carroll made a permanent move to West Ham in the summer of 2013 for £15m.
1. Fernando Torres, Liverpool to Chelsea, January 2011
Earlier on the same day as the Andy Carroll transfer, Fernando Torres had moved to Chelsea from Liverpool for a sum of £50m, a British transfer record at the time. Torres has only managed to score 45 goals in 172 appearances in the three-and-a-half years he has been at Chelsea, meaning each one of his goals has cost Chelsea around £1.1m.
His best goal tally in a single Premier League season for Chelsea was eight goals, which is poor when compared to the fact he actually scored nine goals for Liverpool in the half season he was there before his move away.
Torres is now playing his football for AC Milan on loan from Chelsea and in my opinion he has to go down as one of the worst deadline day signings in Premier League history.