Chelsea’s need more players, that much is clear. The Blues lack quality depth up and down the pitch, and that’s particularly true of the Blues’ attack. Between Alvaro Morata and Olivier Giroud, the Blues fall well below par when you consider the quality of their rivals’ forward lines.
Perhaps, then, Maurizio Sarri should opt to bring a few new faces in, and one man that could be available at the end of the season is Andy Carroll. He’s stated, as per Sky Sports, that he wants to stay at West Ham, but his contract technically expires at the end of the season, meaning that the door could be ajar for him to move across London.
Chelsea fans are sure to see his name and shout ‘no!’, but in reality, a move for the Englishman may not prove to the worst idea in the world. He’s never going to come in and be the first choice forward, but he would represent an option for the club.
Carroll has a limited set of skills, granted, but what he does do, he does it incredibly well. He’s a great threat in the air, both from set pieces and otherwise, whilst he’s also got a brilliant shot on him.
He’s not the sort of player that will dribble past players or run the lines, but he wouldn’t need to be. If Chelsea bring him in to do that, he’s the wrong man. However, if Maurizio Sarri wants an alternative option in the middle, he’d struggle to find someone better than Carroll.
Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino officially poured cold water over any potential reprieve for Vincent Janssen following his side’s 1-0 defeat against Manchester United at Wembley on Sunday.
What did he say?
Following the loss to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men and with Son Heung-Min jetting off to represent South Korea in the Asia Cup and Harry Kane suffering an ankle injury just before the full-time whistle, the Argentine boss was asked whether he could reintroduce Janssen and according to quotes vis Football London, he replied:
“He is not in my plans”.
What will Pochettino do now?
The response wasn’t too surprising as it has been clear for a while – and certainly since the Dutchman missed out on being named in Spurs’ 25-man Premier League squad back at the beginning of the campaign – that he wasn’t in the 46-year-old’s plans.
Seemingly nothing was going to change that and despite the potential loss of Son and Kane, the north London outfit still have plenty of options to cover the absences.
Obviously, Fernando Llorente could fill in as a centre-forward while Lucas Moura has shown in the past that he is capable of playing the false 9 role if needed, with Dele Alli and Erik Lamela surely two more options who could also step in.
The news will obviously come as a huge blow to Janssen who may still have harboured some hope that he could still salvage his Tottenham career, but it appears the only path the 24-year-old is taking before February 1 is through the exit door.
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It’s been quite some time since football has been played up at White Hart Lane. It was 620 days ago, to be exact, when Tottenham played their final match at the historic ground in May 2017, and as delays continue to pile up for the unveiling of Spurs’ new stadium it’s unclear when football will return there.
But on Saturday, the football-starved fans of North London will have a chance to catch a taste of the White Hart Lane experience when Hashtag United host White Ensign for a top of the table clash in the Thurlow Nunn League. It will be the cosy confines of North London’s Coles Park on White Hart Lane that serves as the site for the massive match, and with major title ramifications on the line there is bound to be plenty of excitement and intensity come kickoff at 3pm.
In Hashtag United’s first season as a member of Division One South, the YouTube Channel turned football club have created plenty of buzz, shooting up as league leaders at the midway point of the season while building on an already robust social media following. As the squad have found success this campaign, attendance has grown with it. The club boasts a home attendance record of 500 supporters in 2018/19 and several weeks ago, a whopping 700 fans travelled to see Hashtag United visit Benfleet.
“Our fans this season have been great,” team founder Spencer Owen said. “We didn’t know what to expect as it is our first proper season and we’d never opened games up to the public so regularly before. But we’ve got a really good group of committed ‘super-fans’ who are attending games home and away. They’ve even made up some hashtag-specific songs. I think they have a song for every player now.”
Want to join in on the fun?
Tickets for Saturday’s match are £4 for adults and £2 for concessions (seniors and ages 13-17), while children aged 12 or under can gain entry for free. Better yet, each Hashtag United match includes a prize draw featuring items such as team merchandise, Adidas boots and copies of Football Manager.
Saturday’s meeting with White Ensign promises to be another exciting chapter in this inaugural league season for Hashtag United, and with Tottenham away for an FA Cup tie this Sunday, it’ll be among the best spots in North London to get your fix of live football this weekend.
“If you can come down then you should join in,” Spencer said. “They are a very approachable group of young guys and the more the merrier!”
According to The Daily Record, Rangers have offered Dundee £50k to sign midfielder Glen Kamara this month.
The 23-year-old former Arsenal player is set to join The Gers in the summer, but Steven Gerrard is keen to bring him to Ibrox as soon as possible.
The Glasgow club have set their sights on the midfielder this month, but now only have a few days to secure his immediate arrival. This is something that Rangers need to do if they want to send a message to their bitter rivals Celtic in the chase for the Scottish Premiership.
A lot of the time signings are about the status of a club- a way of flaunting who you can and cannot bring into your club. With Celtic liberally signing new players this month from some of the biggest clubs in Europe, Rangers need to send a message to keep up. Of course, Dundee does not compare to European giants PSG, who Celtic signed Timothy Weah on loan from, but it sends a message out nonetheless.
Should Rangers fail to recruit the Finland international it suggests that The Gers do not wield as much power in Scotland as they once did, and makes them appear inferior to Celtic. Land him, and they are not only keeping up with Celtic in the transfer window, but cement their place as a titan of the league.
Rangers now sit three points behind Celtic in the league; Kamara will be a great addition to the team in pursuing The Bhoys, but most importantly, his signing lays down a marker to the rest of Scotland.
Arsenal will not buy a replacement for Petr Cech this summer according to fellow goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, per Football.London.
Cech is set to retire at the end of the season, but the Gunners are not set to dip into the transfer market to replace him.
What’s the word?
Cech will bring down the curtain on a trophy-laden career at the end of the season.
He has won four Premier League trophies, along with four FA Cups, the Champions League and the Europa League.
But the Czech Republic international has fallen out of favour under Unai Emery and has made just seven league appearances this season, per Transfermarkt.
He has been usurped in the pecking order by Bernd Leno, signed from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer.
And Martinez has now revealed that the Gunners intend for him to become Leno’s deputy once his current loan spell with Reading ends.
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“I have three years left on my contract at Arsenal,” he said. “Now Cech is retiring I was told when I came to Reading that next year they want me to be the backup. But I’m not thinking about next season yet.
“I am not thinking about what may happen in the summer, we will look at it then. All I know is Reading is my team now.”
Lack of funds?
Emery was restricted to just one January signing, a loan deal for Denis Suarez of Barcelona.
And while that deal is said to include a purchase option, per BBC, Martinez’s words may set alarm bells ringing for Gunners supporters.
The 26-year-old has made just 14 appearances for the Gunners in total, per Transfermarkt, but may now be relied upon to be Leno’s No.2.
If the German picks up an injury, few at Arsenal even know if Martinez will be able to replace him.
This certainly appears to be a worst-case scenario option for the Gunners, who may eventually have to sell before they can buy.
Whatever happens, there does not appear to be a lot of money available to Emery at the Emirates Stadium.
All that follows is with the benefit of hindsight but it could be argued that the severe limitations placed upon Tottenham Hotspur this season through choice and circumstance have actually helped rather than hindered.
Here’s the theory and it’s a theory that necessitates simplifying the reasons why Mauricio Pochettino finds himself threadbare of options as his squad approaches the ‘business end’ of a so far impressive campaign. Let’s simplify it solely to the protracted, costly, and substantially distracting stadium build.
Of course there are other factors that have resulted in the Argentine coach employing eleven of his most trusted troops in three-quarters or more Premier League games this term, with rotation a luxury beyond him.
Soccer Football – Premier League – Tottenham Hotspur v Fulham – Wembley Stadium, London, Britain – August 18, 2018 Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy in the stand Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representativ
Daniel Levy’s infamous parsimony – or, if we’re being kind, cautious conservatism – in the transfer market is right up there as a root cause, suggesting as it does that even without the new White Hart Lane draining the club’s capital Spurs would hardly have been spendthrift last summer and this despite possessing a group of players just one or two shy of achieving potentially great things.
A prohibitive wage ceiling should also be considered; a self-imposed handicap that makes it extremely difficult to lure elite talent when there is serious competition for their signature.
Even so, how can we look past the imposing, state-of-the-art abode when explaining why the north London giants were the only club across Europe’s top five leagues not to recruit a single player last summer, an abstinence repeated in January.
It is hard to gloss over that point, just as it would be a fool’s errand to try convincing anybody that it was in Tottenham’s best interests not to sign some of their rumoured summer targets. With no stadium demanding their every resource some top talent could conceivably have joined Project Pochettino and this would have given an already highly accomplished squad some much needed strength in depth.
Soccer Football – Premier League – Tottenham Hotspur v Watford – Wembley Stadium, London, Britain – January 30, 2019 Tottenham’s Fernando Llorente celebrates scoring their second goal with manager Mauricio Pochettino Action Images via Reuters/Matthew Childs EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publ
With that greater number of options would Spurs have endured such a horrendous injury record? Probably not, and furthermore we can all-but-dismiss the debilitating situation of players growing stale through over-use, something that we’ve seen this year on occasion even when results have gone their way.
There is no getting around that. There is no denying that the building of a stadium to further their cause in the future has genuinely hampered them in the present.
And yet a counter-argument arises all the same, suggesting that it is precisely Tottenham’s tethered restraints that has indirectly propelled them this far, to the over-achieving zenith of still being viewed as title contenders with spring mere weeks away.
Because what it has forced Pochettino to do is essentially revert to the old-school mindset of yesteryear; before football became a ‘squad game’, when a select nucleus of players competed all season long. From this consistency is forged, that shows itself in an individual sense as players build up a momentum of form and confidence and as a collective too. More so, it fosters an esprit de corps mentality, a togetherness that explains better than anything else why Spurs currently boast the best away record in the top division.
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Throw in an against-the-odds mind-set that Pochettino will have surely taken advantage of and what you have is a lean, mean gang of players highly attuned to each other’s movements and desperate to prevail.
Could the same be said had Tottenham brought in more competition for places? Probably, possibly, maybe not.
It would be quite outstandingly stupid to claim that having two great players fit and available for each position is a negative, and that is absolutely not being posited here. Yet while the evolution of modern football into a squad game has ushered in benefits galore for clubs and coaches it should not be forgotten that the exclusivity of times past – where leagues and European Cups were won from a roster of fourteen players from August to May – had its plus points too.
Through necessity it may be but the wily and pragmatic Pochettino has tapped into this clearly. And Spurs are reaping the rewards.
This article is part of Football FanCast’s Injury News series, which considers the impact of the latest updates on players’ fitness.
Allan Saint-Maximin has been one of Newcastle’s most exciting players this season and his injury creates a big headache for Steve Bruce.
What’s the latest?
The tricky winger left St. James’ Park on crutches following his substitution in the 2-1 victory over Southampton, raising fears that he could face a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
Those fears have been realised somewhat through the news that he faces a month out after suffering a hamstring injury, though the Magpies’ fans and management alike will be relieved that it isn’t worse.
He is likely to miss seven games across a busy festive period, including matches against Manchester United, Leicester and Everton, with the clash against Wolves on the 11th of January perhaps targeted as a possible return date.
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Challenge for Bruce
While Newcastle are on a good run of form, many of the matches won have been closely-fought, narrow victories, and without a flair player like Saint-Maximin to unsettle the defence it is possible that those points would not have been won.
The Frenchman was really coming into form with an assist against Bournemouth and a headed goal against Sheffield United, which proved his quality in the attacking final third.
The Magpies have had to rely on goals from defenders and set-pieces for much of this campaign and although that means they have other sources of goals, Bruce will have to rely on the likes of Christian Atsu and Miguel Almiron to step up and prove their worth in the 22-year-old’s absence.
Bruce now faces his toughest test yet but he could combat it by varying his style a little and perhaps playing two up-front, particularly against Burnley where the aerial threat of Joelinton and Andy Carroll could be the best method to overcome the Clarets’ physical defence.
Those two have averaged 5.4 and 4.2 aerial duels won per game this season, and if Bruce can get Shelvey into more attacking areas on a regular basis then he should find some joy, as the 27-year-old has five goals and achieved an average of 0.8 crosses per game.
If the manager can continue to find a winning formula then it is a testament to the system Bruce has put in place as well as the belief he has installed in his players. In theory, Newcastle should struggle without a player who has managed 4.5 dribbles per game.
Bruce can call upon Atsu who is a like-for-like replacement, and his stats this season suggest that losing Saint-Maximin may not be too much of a worry after all.
Wolverhampton Wanderers succumbed to their first defeat in 11 matches on Sunday afternoon after Tottenham Hotspur came away with all three points at Molineux.
The west Midlanders will certainly feel hard done by as the game looked to be teetering out for a 1-1 draw after Adama Traore’s finish from the edge of the box cancelled out Lucas Moura’s opener.
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But Jan Vertonghen popped up with the winner in injury time as he headed home Christian Eriksen’s corner.
It means Wolves sink to eighth in the table, two points off Spurs who leapfrogged them into fifth.
Despite the agonising manner of the defeat, plenty of the Molineux faithful were waxing lyrical on social media about the team, with Joao Moutinho coming in for particular praise.
‘Superb’, ‘quality’ and ‘outstanding’ were three superlatives used by fans to describe just how good the 33-year-old was in midfield while one supporter specifically said he was the best player on the pitch.
The Portuguese playmaker has been lighting up Molineux all season having scored one goal and assisted nine others, per Transfermarkt, leading to other members of the old gold faithful to hype him up to be the best they’ve ever had at the club.
One fan said he was easily the best player he’s seen in the west Midlands in 40 years, so much so that not even Spurs’ England midfielders of Eric Dier and Dele Alli were even close to him while another labelled him ‘unbelievable.’
Moutinho was rewarded with a two-and-a-half-year contract extension only a few months ago so fans at the club will be delighted to see him continue to thrive in their midfield, and just like a fine wine, he appears to be getting better and better with age.
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John McGinn has become a popular figure since joining Aston Villa in the summer of 2018.
He helped Villa reach the Premier League through the play-offs, before going on to perform in the top tier, scoring three goals and two assists.
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The 25-year-old has also been impressive on the international stage, as is best shown in the European qualifiers, as he scored seven goals in seven starts and one substitute appearance.
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Many Villa fans have shown that they are delighted for the 25-year-old, with one calling him the “steal of the decade”.
They also feel that this is deserved, as one referred to him as the “best Scottish player in a very long time”.
It says a lot about how impressive the midfielder has been that he has managed to win this accolade after making 21 appearances for his country.
However, Liverpool supporters are not feeling too impressed about Andrew Robertson missing out on getting the award.
The left-back won the Champions League last season and has played a total of 34 games for Scotland, getting three goals during that time.
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He has also been integral to Liverpool’s league form this campaign, making 16 starts and one substitute appearance, getting a goal and five assists.
In other news, one Villa man put in a highly encouraging performance against Liverpool.
According to Foot Mercato, Wolverhampton Wanderers have made an offer of ‘over €50m’ (£47.2m) for Lille anchorman Boubakary Soumare, and it’s a move that would benefit Nuno Santo greatly.
What’s the word?
Reports from France claim that Wolves have made the 20-year-old a ‘priority’ target with Premier League rivals Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur also keen.
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Although, it has been the west Midlands outfit to make the first move for Soumare with them offering to pay out the remainder of his current contract, in addition to loaning him back to the Ligue 1 side.
The same source states that Wolves had a lower bid rejected during the summer.
Neves impact
It is widely known that Nuno wants to bolster his squad options in January, but this case offers an interesting long-term plan with the club reportedly planning to send him back to Lille until the summer.
Regardless of whether that happens, Soumare’s arrival can only spell wonderful things for Ruben Neves.
A few months ago, BirminghamLive claimed that the club were pursuing central options in midfield, and that has to be in order to allow the Portugal international to thrive further up the pitch – Neves’ xG is down from last year, decreasing to 0.04 from 0.1, per Understat.
That has been something done in recent weeks, but by only playing a two-player midfield, Nuno could do with greater defensive stability, and that’s what Soumare brings.
His former teammate, Arnaud Luzayadio, once said: “He has always been above our generation. He managed to do high-level things for his age. It was easy for him. All of his matches were great matches.”
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While another ex-Paris Saint Germain player, Metehan Güclü, believed his career could “go a long way; a Pogba-like trajectory.”
This season in Champions League, the young Frenchman is averaging three dribbles, two interceptions, 1.5 clearances and one tackle per game, via WhoScored.
It only goes to show he can do it on the big stage and thus would be a very welcome addition at Molineux.
In other news, this Wolves ace has quadrupled his transfer value according to club legend Kenny Hibbitt