According to reports in The Telegraph, Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez’s talks over extending his contract with the club have stalled over owner Mike Ashley’s plans for the Tyneside outfit, and West Ham United fans have urged their board to act to bring the 58-year-old to St James’ Park.
The Telegraph says the Spaniard is keen to extend his deal with the Magpies, but he isn’t willing to do unless he receives assurances from Ashley about the direction they are going in – something that evidently hasn’t happened as of yet.
Meanwhile, West Ham preserved their Premier League status for at least another year following their 2-0 win against Leicester City on Saturday – coupled with other results going their way – but their boss David Moyes hasn’t been overly popular with the London Stadium faithful on Twitter in recent times.
West Ham supporters were quick to have their say on the latest on Benitez’s situation, and while one said “you need to act now David Gold and Karren Brady”, another said “get him now”.
It was a season of superiority for Chelsea in the Premier League as they stormed to a fourth title success and first since 2010; ending the campaign eight points better off than their nearest rivals Manchester City.
While the defence played a massive part in this success; particularly in the second part of the season, the Blues attacking prowess also went along way to ensuring the trophy headed back to Stamford Bridge last month.
Diego Costa was pivotal to the team, spearheading the attack and leading the line brilliantly grabbing 20 league goals; an achievement that earned him a place in the PFA Team of the Year.
However ongoing injury problems to the former Atletico Madrid star have become an issue for the Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho, and with preparations for next season already underway reports suggest a new striker could well be on their way to newly crowned champions.
Unable to rely on Costa, and with Didier Drogba leaving the club this summer; a lack of options in attack leaves the Blues with little choice but to bolster their front line.
But the impending arrival of a world class striker; perhaps Gonzalo Higuain who continues to be linked with a £30m switch to West London, could well spell the end of one man’s career at Chelsea with Loic Remy facing a big decision over his future.
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The Frenchman certainly proved to be a useful part of the squad when called upon, popping up with some crucial goals during the season. But the problem for the Frenchman in playing second fiddle to Costa was that these opportunities to impress were limited.
He will most probably remain below Costa in the pecking order, and should someone of Higuain’s calibre also join the Blues then it’s hard to see Remy’s time on the pitch increasing.
A striker of Remy’s quality needs to be playing week in week out and having proven himself at QPR, Newcastle and Chelsea; scoring goals on a regular basis, he has to consider a summer move to a side that can guarantee him this luxury.
Having made just seven league starts; six goals and nine in all competitions still marked a decent return and it’s no surprise to see plenty of clubs linked with a swoop for the 28-year-old.
The likes of Swansea City, Southampton and Crystal Palace are all believed to be interested in Remy, and for the benefit of his career he really should be looking to move on.
He may well be facing the prospect of playing for a team with less chance of winning trophies, but he can leave safe in the knowledge that he has a Premier League medal under his belt and has to have the attitude that regular first-team football is the priority at this stage in his career.
Southampton could certainly be an attractive option having secured European football next season and with even greater ambitions for the future they appear to be the perfect match.
But with next summer’s European Championships firmly on the horizon, his participation at the competition in his native France could rely on whether or not he leaves Chelsea, regardless of where he ends up.
He certainly has the ability to fire 15, 20 or even more goals given the chance next term; something that would give him the best platform to enjoy a successful summer at international level.
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Remy could well decide he wants to stay at Chelsea and challenge for his place in the team; a result that would certainly please Mourinho having shown he is a great striker to be able to call upon.
But realistically he has to realise being the third choice centre forward means much of his season will be spent on the bench, and sadly leaving the Bridge is the only way he can ensure he gets the opportunity to flourish and continue scoring goals.
Clinical Premier League goalscorers aren’t always easy to find, ensuring it promises to be an interesting race for Remy’s signature over the coming weeks. And for those clubs involved it looks a great race to win.
Last season it was announced that StubHub would become Tottenham’s first official secondary ticketing partner, in a three-year deal. Initially being granted exposure on the club’s electronic advertising boards, the full ticketing scheme will be rolled out for the 2013/14 season. But what does this mean for fans of the Premier League club?
StubHub are an eBay Inc. company who have until late offered a secondary ticketing outlet for mainly US-based sporting events. Fans who have tickets for games, but are unable to attend, can place these on StubHub for any price they wish and sell them on to another fan.
In the case of Spurs, the facility will open once all the general sale tickets have been sold. Then season ticket holders are able to list unwanted seats for whatever price they like on the site. It will replace the previous ticket exchange, which enabled seats to be re-sold with around a 25% deduction on face value to the season ticket holder.
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Commenting on this announcement Tracey Keenan, Head of Global Partnerships at Tottenham Hotspur said:
“We’re delighted that StubHub is set to become one of our official partners and are looking forward to helping develop its brand internationally.
“StubHub enjoys enormous popularity with fans of all sports in the United States and this is built on an understanding that the fan experience is paramount – a principle we share at Tottenham Hotspur.”
I simply do not share the deluded optimism of those close to the deal at Tottenham. Several years ago Spurs ran a campaign called ‘out the tout’, with the aim of preventing tickets being sold to fans for extortionate sums of money. The deal with StubHub casts serious doubt over the club’s motivation on eradicating touts. The facility allows fans to extort vast sums of money out of fellow fans and to make matters worse, the club are also likely to get a slice of the deal.
You may think I am sensationalising things a little bit here, so let me run you through what could feasibly happen next year. The facility will only come into effect when all general sale tickets are sold. Last season Spurs sold out almost every week and therefore the system will be used for most home games. Clearly an over demand for tickets (i.e. selling out) means the market price is too low. How high could a price for a Spurs ticket on StubHub rise to then?
It would not be out of the question for a North London derby ticket to rise to many hundreds of pounds, with all other ticket prices rising too. For an economist this really isn’t an issue because with StubHub the market rules. However, in an era where football is already becoming unaffordable for the average fan, StubHub is just going to make going to games something that only the wealthy can aspire to. The once great atmosphere of White Hart Lane, which ENIC have used happily as a marketing tool, reduced to a collection of champagne sippers and corporates. This is an ethical rather than financial question, so is “fan experience paramount”?
The deal may well be advantageous to those with season tickets who can happily profit from the demand of other Spurs fans. This is not a dig at season ticket holders and I imagine most in their position would happily sell tickets for whatever price they could get for them. The problem is for members who already pay enough for a place on the waiting list and a degree of priority over tickets. Would a season ticket holder ever give up their seat when they can profit through StubHub? StubHub doesn’t even allow members priority, and the general public are all treated equally.
So what even is the point of being a member now? It certainly isn’t the free subscription to Spurs TV that’s for certain.
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The optimists among you may be aware that Everton have had this scheme in place for a few years now and it seems to work well for them. Having spoken to a few Evertonians, the difference for their club is in the demand for tickets – Everton very rarely sell out completely and this means that tickets on StubHub fetch close to face value and in some cases below it. For a club like Spurs this kind of scenario is a fantasy.
While ENIC appear to favour conservatism regarding on-field investment, they are all too keen to extort vast sums of money out of their fans. The only difference between touting and StubHub is that Spurs as a club can control the facility and sell the rights to it. Joe Lewis didn’t want to regulate touting for the welfare of fans; he just wanted to make some money out of it.
The practicalities of the deal still remain vague. Perhaps there is still a chance that the club may heed some of the fans’ concerns. But I don’t hold out too much hope for a club that is all too ready to treat its fans like consumers.
Newcastle United signed Kenedy on loan from Chelsea during the January transfer window, and the 22-year-old, who earns £25,000-a-week with the Blues according to a report in the Daily Star, has made a big impression.
The Brazilian has scored two goals – both in the 3-0 win against Southampton – and provided a further two assists from the left side of midfield, to help the Magpies preserve their Premier League status for at least another season.
The versatile left-sided player – who can play as a midfielder, wing-back or full-back – may well be a summer target for Toon manager Rafa Benitez, who was also linked with a move for Saints defender Ryan Bertrand by The Sun on April 11.
It seems likely that the Tyneside outfit would only sign one out of the two, so we asked Newcastle fans to vote on our poll for which player they would prefer this summer, with a whopping 89% voting in favour of getting Kenedy over Bertrand.
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Given how the 22-year-old has impressed and how the England international could be part of a relegated side, that result is hardly surprising, and it will certainly be interesting to see what develops during the summer.
Gone are the days of Arsene Wenger penny-pinching, with top stars boasting experience and know-how at the very highest level now arriving at Arsenal on a yearly basis. Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez have made the trip to North London over the course of the past two summers, and now all the talk suggests that Arturo Vidal will be the next big name to arrive.
Reports claim that the Juventus man – who is set to start for the Old Lady in Saturday’s Champions League Final – will switch to the Emirates Stadium after representing Chile at the Copa America, which has been greeted well among Gunners fans. It’s easy to see why, too… and here are FIVE reasons Vidal would be an excellent signing for Arsenal.
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A proven winner
With four Serie A titles to his name – all won back-to-back – and a Champions League Final victory standing between the 27-year-old and treble winner status, Vidal certainly has all the credentials to suggest that he’s a winner.
A winning mentality is vital at the top end of sport, and Arsenal have been labelled ‘soft’ when it comes to the big games in the past. But with players such as Sanchez – A La Liga champions – Ozil – a World Cup winner – and Vidal in the same XI, Arsenal would boast a core of players who’ve done it at the very highest level.
Tenacity
If there’s one thing Vidal brings to a team it’s tenacity. The 27-year-old is very much a box-to-box midfielder, who thrives when given the freedom to get up and down the pitch, putting out fires and breaking into the penalty area to help his attacking team-mates.
Such a style lends itself to the Premier League, with the English game a little more physical that some of Europe’s other divisions.
A real statement of intent
Over the last two summers Arsenal have signed Sanchez and Ozil… and on the back of these purchases – at a cost of over £30m and £40m respectively – two FA Cups have made their way to the Emirates Stadium. It seems then that a shift in approach has brought success, so statement signings are the way forward.
Vidal could be just that, too, with the midfielder a genuine world-class option and one of the most feared players in his position around. His addition would be a boost to the Gunners’ current crop of stars, further breeding a mentality of success.
Chilean link
With Sanchez also hailing from the South American country of Chile, Vidal’s potential adaptation could be a lot easier. There’s a lot to be said for a strong international contingent within a club, with groups of players able to help one another settle off the pitch – after all, footballers are actually human beings.
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The arrival of Vidal could also benefit Alexis, who – as a key Gunners first-team player – is of the utmost importance.
Keep him from Liverpool or Man United
Perhaps not the best foundation to build a transfer on, but signing Vidal would keep him away from, potentially, rival teams. Both Liverpool and Manchester United have been aligned with the midfielder in recent times, so there’s every chance that if the Gunners pass on the Juventus man he could end up in other red shirts, which could come back to haunt Wenger!
The news of David Moyes being appointed Manchester United boss undoubtedly broke the hearts of many an Everton fan, and even distant admirers of the Merseyside club, including myself. Rather than it being a simple case of a team losing their manager, the Scot’s decision to depart for Old Trafford had a sense of inevitability to it, as if the huge efforts on Moyes’ part over the years to get the Toffees constantly performing beyond their means and make them regular attendees of the Premier League’s top six, would one day come back to bite the club, with the fatal flaw being that the United gaffer-to-be was always destined for a higher calling.
It could well be the end of the Toffees as we know it without Moyes at the helm. Furthermore, the team, now without a manager until Bill Kenwright completes the difficult task of deciding on an adequate replacement, are an open target for the coming transfer window, with many big clubs throughout Europe holding a vested interest in the future of Everton’s key players.
The most bitter of blows will be if the outgoing Goodison boss decides to take his two talismanic forces with him to Manchester; Leighton Baines and Marouane Fellaini. The former is coming to the end of the season of his life, recording five goals and five assists in the Premier League, in addition to being the division’s most creative player according to OPTA, but at the age of 28, the move to a big club will be now or never, whilst the latter’s career, the focus of this article, is set to hit full swing over the next few years.
The Belgian afro-bearer has undoubted ability – but is it the level of quality required at Old Trafford? Will Fellaini have the same effect on a big team that he currently has on the Toffees? And at a club like United, where all aspects of a new signing are considered; does his personality present a level of risk? Essentially, does Fellaini tick all the boxes for United?
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As previously mentioned, the boy certainly has skills. For a player whose traditional role is in defensive midfield, a return of 11 goals and five assists in 30 appearances is sensational, even if Fellaini has been deployed as a supporting striker for the majority of the season. The Belgium international’s height and power will ensure that the end product from set pieces will always be there, yet the majority of his successful efforts on goal have not been via his aerial ability, but rather the use of his surprisingly cultured feet – often not needing to be given the opportunity twice to shoot from the edge of the box when given space, and often not wasting his chance to find the bottom corner.
Furthermore, Fellaini’s chest control alone is a unique skill in itself that even if you took away the rest of his game, would still make him an effective force in the Premier League. During the first game of the season, rather fittingly against Manchester United, the Evertonian was out-jumping Nemanja Vidic, not to provide flick-ons with his head, but use his torso to bring the ball under his control, and went on to score the winning goal in a 1-0 contest. It’s not the first time Fellaini’s presence has put some of the Premier League’s biggest clubs to the sword, and his consistent performances in important games bodes well for his potential future at Old Trafford.
Furthermore, out of Chelsea, City and United, you’d argue the Red Devils’ need for Fellaini is greatest. Whilst I believe all clubs would consider the prospect of signing the Belgium international, there has been a soft underbelly in United’s midfield for years, and despite his admirers, the vacuum of a physical presence in the middle of the park has not been filled by the over-rated Tom Cleverley.
Sir Alex Ferguson was reportedly a huge fan of Lars Bender, a hard-working, technically gifted German international, but it could do David Moyes the world of good to deviate from his predecessor’s trail of thought and use the coming transfer window to stamp his own vision upon the roster at Old Trafford, by bringing in a player of good quality and utility that he is already well acquainted with.
Yet bringing Fellaini into the United midfield would require him to fulfil a far more subtle and less glamorous role than his current one at Everton. Whereas the 25 year old’s stock has risen following his first half of the season flurry of goals, undoubtedly a determining factor regarding the interest of the big clubs, he would be utilised much more defensively should he move to Old Trafford in the summer.
He’s certainly capable of doing the job and has all the attributes required in his locker -physicality, strength, height, reading of the game, ability to pass and get stuck in – but without the goals he provides from the forward role, is his apparent price tag, quoted by the papers of between £25million and £30million, justified? There may well be other targets out there, such as Victor Wanyama and Lars Bender, whose fees are far more cost-effective considering they can undertake the same tasks required in United’s midfield.
But it does provide Moyes with a sure-fire plan B. Wayne Rooney’s surprising transfer request, which may be u-turned following the appointment of the England man’s former boss from his Everton days, does leave a vacancy in attacking midfield. The role will most likely be given to Shinji Kagawa, giving the Japan international the opportunity to shine that he’s been waiting for, but Fellaini would be an effective stand-in when required to do so. Furthermore, the United gaffer will undoubtedly have some testing fixtures during his first campaign, and throwing the Belgian up front for the final minutes could well be the difference between a draw and a victory, between success and failure.
If Ferguson were still in charge however, you get the feeling that the potential transfer would be far less certain. The Belgian’s abilities are of a high enough standard, and furthermore, since his arrival on Merseyside in 2008, there has been a natural progression and improvement to his game, and due to his experience in the Premier League, you’d assume it could only extrapolate further upon moving to a bigger stage and playing regularly in Europe. But if there’s one thing Fergie could never stand for, it’s a questionable attitude, which is the biggest doubt cast over Fellaini’s head.
His three match suspension following a haunting display of ill-discipline against Stoke essentially cut the lanky midfielder’s season in two, being a much less prolific element during the latter half of the Toffees’ campaign. More alarmingly than his form however, is the danger Fellaini posed upon his future, by committing three acts that could have justified a straight red card had the referee seen him lash out with his fists at Ryan Shawcross and Robert Huth in off the ball incidents.
Similarly, his showing against Wigan in the FA Cup was an embarrassment to the footballing profession. Finding themselves 3-0 down at half time after a very poor display, the Toffees needed their best players, mainly Fellaini, to really up their game if they were to get anything out of the match. Yet the Belgian was lacklustre, lazy, selfish and seemingly not bothered, often operating at jogging speed and unwilling to get himself involved in the match, to the horror of the Everton faithful. He may be able to get away with such childishness at Goodison Park, but should he pull the same sort of stunts in a United shirt, the criticism from the fans and the media would be quick, harsh and condemning, and would furthermore reflect badly upon the new manager.
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I previously mentioned that an advantage to signing Fellaini would be that it would give Moyes the opportunity to step out of Fergie’s shadow and create his own path early in the next transfer window, but the Scot should still consider what his predecessor would do. The Belgium international is a fantastic talent and has already proved himself in the Premier League, but the former Everton boss must remember that he is paying for a defensive midfielder rather than an attacking midfielder, and furthermore, Fellaini’s temperament is a far cry from the standard currently set at Old Trafford.
On the surface, Fellaini appears to be the ideal fit, but scratch away and the cracks begin to develop. Considering it could well be Moyes’ first transfer as the official United gaffer, it’s success or failure will send out a message regarding whether the Scot has what it takes to manage at such an illustrious club, or if his talents will always be best suited a niche market of overachievement with limited resources.
The last thing Moyes needs is Fellaini to let him down, and judging by some of his controversial displays in an Everton jersey, showing his childishness and ill-discipline, that could well be the case. Furthermore, I’m sure United fans would not be too happy to go back to the days of losing a key midfielder to red cards and suspensions for all their big games, in echoes of the career of Roy Keane.
Nwankwo Kanu joined Arsenal from Inter Milan in the summer of 1999, and went on to make 119 Premier League appearances for the Gunners.
Widely regarded as one of the best players in the history of African football, Kanu also represented Ajax, West Bromwich Albion and Portsmouth during a successful career.
The forward actually only scored 37 Premier League goals during his time at Arsenal, but he is still remembered as a cult hero by the majority of the club’s supporters.
Standing at 6ft 5inches tall, Kanu was a towering figure. He captained Nigeria for 16 years between 1994 and 2010, and retired at the end of the 2011-12 campaign following a spell at Portsmouth which had seen him score 20 league goals in 141 appearances.
Kanu won two Premier League titles and two FA Cups during his time at Arsenal, and there is no question that he made a big impression at the London club.
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Arsenal’s official Twitter account paid tribute to the now 41-year-old on Tuesday, and the club’s supporters were on hand with their own words of praise.
A selection of the Twitter reaction from the Arsenal fans, who have also recently been reacting to rumours of Mikel Arteta replacing Arsene Wenger as head coach, can be seen below:
As Manchester City’s season rapidly descends into a nightmare, the autopsies will begin from both the fans and the decision makers at The Etihad. This City squad has arguably been one of the greatest in their history but on recent evidence it is a squad that needs disbanding.
As the players in Blue attempt to salvage what they can from their wreckage of a campaign, almost every player is playing for their future. Including their once inspirational leader Vincent Kompany, what has happened to their Belgian stopper?
Questioning the 29 year old was once an admission of insanity, not only one of the best defenders in the Premier League, but on a par with any in world football. Purchased in 2008, before the impact of the Sheikh’s money would completely change the club, Kompany has been a constant in one of the club’s most successful periods. Twice he has lifted the main domestic prize, more than any other City player in history, but his influence is waning, where once he was infallible, he now is facing serious questions for the first time in his career in England.
In three of the last four campaigns, the Belgian has been inducted by his fellow pros into the team of the season, but votes this season will be scarce.
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Injuries have not been kind to the former Hamburg man, an over reliance on him has led to him being rushed back into the fold when in hindsight more rest was required. Manchester City’s lack of depth in defensive areas and the failing of signings such as Mangala has meant Pellegrini has consistently had to play the Belgian whatever his physical condition.
Never has this been more evident than in the derby defeat to United, his dangerous tackle on Daley Blind should have arguably seen the City skipper partaking in an early bath. But the lateness of the tackle on further inspection all seemed to stem from his troublesome thigh. The grimace on his face was clear to see and he would be unable to complete the match.
Whether it is the manager or the player himself, Kompany is not being used in a way to bring the best out of him. Whether his injuries will have a more lasting effect, is yet to be seen; will he lose the pace that made him such an impressive defender? United has not been the only example of Vincent diving into a tackle, when previously he would have had the confidence in himself to overcome the attacker with his speed.
Of course he has played a lot of football, being a vital member of City’s title winning side followed by his country’s World Cup campaign; he is in need of a proper break. This summer will allow that and hopefully for Kompany and his team the break will revitalise the rock of The Etihad.
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Manchester City appear destined for a summer of upheaval and changes if they are to once again challenge Chelsea for the title. At this point their skipper is still central to their plans, his City career has earned a level of respect, but player, fans and club alike will be praying that we see the Kompany of the past, rather than the one we have seen this campaign.
England manager Roy Hodgson has refused to confirm whether or not Rio Ferdinand remains in his future plans.
The Manchester United defender withdrew from the Three Lions’ squad for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers against San Marino and Montenegro, citing a personal training regime as a major factor in his decision.
However, it has since emerged that the 34-year-old will be travelling to the Middle East to partake in media coverage of England’s fixture against San Marino.
Ferdinand defended his actions, stating that the arrangement will take place during pre-assigned down time, but it has been suggested that his decision has all but ended his chances of winning another international cap.
Hodgson refused to suggest that this was the case, but told Sky Sports he will “wait and see” if the centre-back will be in his future plans.
When asked about his decision to pull out of the squad, the England manager responded:
“The fact is I was disappointed when he couldn’t accept our invitation.
“What he actually does now and how he operates in the coming couple of weeks, that’s his business and his club’s business. I’m only interested in the players I’ve got here. That’s where I prefer to have my focus.”
Hodgson then went on to state that Michael Carrick will not be used as a centre-back in Ferdinand’s absence:
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“I’d be loath to start using someone like Michael Carrick, it would be enormously harsh on the four centre-halves we’ve got here.”
Newcastle United came from behind to beat Arsenal 2-1 on Sunday. The result surely secured the hosts’ Premier League status for another season but also means that the Gunners are still searching for their first away point of 2018.
In mid-April, that record for a top-six team is nothing short of a scandal. It has long since been a cliche that Arsene Wenger’s side lack backbone, leadership and a willingness to stand-up and be counted.
Despite some high-profile arrivals, those issues persist and Wenger’s prolonged employment – and this does not justify in any way some of the vitriol aimed his way, which often crosses the line – is at the root of the problems.
That contrasts with Newcastle, where the manager, Rafa Benitez, is really the only aspect of the club that is right.
But, where Benitez is an organiser, someone who has a plan for every game, tailored to the strengths and weaknesses of the opposition, Wenger does not.
His ‘play our game and we’ll win’ mantra does not work, for two reasons. The first is simply that Arsenal are no longer the best team in the league, capable of outclassing any opponent on any given day.
The second is that the modern Premier League, for all its faults, tends to suss systems out. The attention to scouting, planning and preparing a gameplan to counteract each side’s style has never been higher. A major aspect of Chelsea’s drop-off this season is due to scrutiny on how to deal with a three-man backline.
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On top of that, Arsenal players know that their individual performances will never be scrutinised to the same degree as their manager’s failings. They are by no means the only club where this is the case – Chelsea is another – but it removes a degree of accountability.
After an Arsenal failure, it is always Wenger who takes the stick. That, either consciously (if we’re being cynical) or unconsciously (to be generous) must affect the players’ performances.
Wenger’s removal would ramp up the scrutiny on the Gunners players and force them to prove themselves again. Otherwise, the cycle will continue, with many players underperforming but getting a relatively easy ride while the ire is directed at the manager.
Of course further summer investment is needed. Petr Cech is winding down. Granit Xhaka and Shkodran Mustafi were brought in at great expense to fill two problem positions and the jury is still out on both to say the least.
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But the issues run deeper than that. Wenger have to tailor their game to their opposition, especially on the road. Arsenal now have to shake off the psychological problem that comes with having an away day hoodoo.
Their players also have to stop hiding behind their manager and perform at a good enough level to finally get a win on the road.
Having such a poor away record is nothing short of a disgrace for Arsenal.