If reports in Mirror Football are to be believed, Manchester City are lining up a huge £50million swoop for Tottenham left-back Danny Rose this summer.
The England international has been superb for Spurs this season and it was only a matter of time before he was going to be linked with a move away from White Hart Lane as a number of far bigger clubs sit up and take notice of his performances.
However, a £50m fee will raise a few eyebrows. It’s arguably a drop in the ocean for City who clearly have money to burn by overspending on players purely to ensure they win the race for their signature.
Danny Rose is certainly the best left-back England has to offer right now, and we all know that English players’ values are mysteriously inflated during transfer windows.
But fifty million quid? You’d think Man City will have learned their lesson after paying a similar fee for Rose’ fellow England teammate John Stones last summer. Clearly not.
In an attempt to slap some sense in to Pep Guardiola, the video below offers a number of alternatives he could spend £50m on…
The vice-captain of Manchester United is as intelligent and as poised as they come.
Carrick’s extraordinary footballing IQ, brilliant positioning and majestic ball distribution ability is the benchmark for any young midfielder. Unlike most deep-lying midfielders, Carrick relies on his intangible, mental attributes perhaps even more so than his physical abilities.
He will be the first to admit that he is not the fastest or strongest man on the pitch (although he is certainly no slouch at the latter), but his capacity to read the game and anticipate where his next pass will go before the ball even gets to his feet, has allowed him to consistently get the better of his opponents.
Carrick began his career in the West Ham Youth Academy in 1997. After several loan spells he secured a spot in the first team and in 2004 completed a transfer to Tottenham.
After a brief stint in North London in 2006, Carrick moved to Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United in a deal reportedly worth £18million. From the out-set Carrick was a regular starter. He quickly proved himself to be a crucial part of Ferguson’s formula for success. Carrick’s mastery for maintaining possession and dictating the tempo of football matches proved to be invaluable for United. Through Carrick’s adept ability to control the centre of the pitch, Manchester United were able to gradually wear down opposing defences.
Carrick’s flexibility was also integral in United’s success. His adeptness in all areas of the midfield are a dream for any manager. He even played several games as an emergency centre back for Ferguson, David Moyes and Louis van Gaal.
It is no surprise that United won the Premier League in each of Carrick’s first three seasons at Old Trafford (2006-2007, 2007-2008 and 2008-2009). Carrick even lead United to a Champions League title in 2008, playing all 120 minutes of the final and converting from the spot in the penalty shootout.
Michael Carrick has overcome an incredible amount to carve out a successful career. Since his early youth days, he has been plagued by some frustrating injuries. Carrick’s relentless nature has allowed him to overcome all his setbacks and return stronger each time.
Carrick is currently in his 11th season at Man United. During his time at the club he has helped lead United to five premier league titles, six FA Community shields and an FA Cup last season. It has just been announced that a testimonial game will be held this summer to honour all that he has done for the club.
Carrick, the epitome of a professional, on and off the pitch, is often seen as the blueprint of the modern, English holding midfielder – both as a creator and a destroyer. The stability that Carrick has given Manchester United serves as the foundation for the dynasty they have built in the last two decades. Many managers and players have come and gone at United, yet Carrick remains.
And now Carrick will be using his experience and consistency to help England beat Rest of the World in the ICONS of Football golf tournament in The Belfry in June.
Tickets for Icons of Football 2017 are available now at icons-series.com
It seems a shame to narrow down the PFA Player of the Year Award to just six nominees, considering the wonderful array of talent football fans are treated to on these shores every week.
Still, few would argue with the six individuals selected following their exploits this year. Chelsea’s Eden Hazard has returned to his very best form as the Blues march to what looks like another league title, though teammate N’Golo Kante will surely run him (or anyone) close.
The Frenchman has continued the excellent form he showed last season following his move to west London and will be many people’s choice no doubt. Elsewhere, it’s a tale of superstar forwards across big clubs.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic of Manchester United has proven he can indeed cut it in England, while Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez are carrying Everton and Arsenal respectively, despite links away.
Meanwhile, Tottenham’s Harry Kane continues his wonderful goalscoring form as Spurs look to overtake bitter rivals Arsenal in the league. Surely, the England international is now one of the best in Europe.
So, with all this in mind, here’s a closer look at how the nominees line up.
The Manchester derby is always a must-see occasion, and it’s one of those emotional times when an entire city is divided, and yet still united in their common interest for the match.
Both clubs may be out of the title race and so this derby may not match the title-deciding significance of previous derbies, but with both clubs enduring tough seasons in varying ways, this is could actually be one of the most important for a few years. Whoever wins can dream of Champions League football, whoever loses will be under huge pressure to make sure they qualify for the big European competition over the next few weeks.
Ahead of the big game, PUMA has today unveiled Sergio Aguero’s evoSPEED Derby Fever boots delivering them in style in a customised 3.8 litre Nissan GT-R.
The boots are part of the ‘Derby Fever’ series, a series of boot designs made especially for some of the world’s biggest derbies, and “which celebrates the the epic meetings between local football foes.” Aguero’s special boots are designed not just in City sky blue, but delivered to City striker with the speed he himself is known.
The customised car had the boots personally delivered by Yianni Charalambous, owner and founder of car customising company, Yiannimize.
Travelling from London to Manchester the car stopped off at iconic spots in the city including Old Trafford, The Etihad Stadium, Salford Lads Club and Manchester Town Hall before being hand delivered to the man himself.
We know that this derby on Thursday night could well be decisive in the race for the top four, and it remains to be seen if the boots will help Aguero to be decisive in the game – but they’ll certainly add to the spectacle.
After all, this is a big occasion and Aguero is a big player. As a goalscorer, he will be hoping to fill his new boots.
PUMA has today unveiled Sergio Aguero’s evoSPEED Derby Fever boots delivering them in style ahead of the Manchester Derby in a customised 3.8 litre Nissan GT-R. Get yours NOW at prodirectsoccer.com #PlayLOUD
To fully get a sense of how amazing a season Celtic have had against Rangers, consider this ahead of their expected win at Ibrox on Saturday: if they do pick up all three points they will have won both league matches at Ibrox for just the third season in history.
To emulate the achievements of 1982/83 and 2003/04, the Bhoys must be at their best. There’s no room for error now as they close on the ridiculous feat of going the entire domestic campaign across three competitions unbeaten.
It’s a frankly unprecedented season for Celtic. Brendan Rodgers has done an unbelievable job. To slip to a defeat now would be a crying shame. If that defeat does happen then Ibrox may just be the most likely place.
These derbies are a leveller every now and again and while they are coming off the back of one of their most dominant wins over the Gers ever, the prospect that Rangers produce the performance of a lifetime on Saturday cannot be discounted.
How does Brendan Rodgers ensure that doesn’t happen?
This is our plan for the Hoops this weekend that we think will ensure victory…
The easy decision: The undroppable midfield
Britain Football Soccer – Celtic v Rangers – Scottish Cup Semi Final – Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland – 23/4/17 Celtic’s Callum McGregor celebrates scoring their first goal Action Images via Reuters / Lee Smith Livepic
The midfield trio of Callum McGregor, Stuart Armstrong and Scott Brown simply can’t be tinkered with in any way, shape or form this Saturday. Their display at Hampden was perhaps the best Celtic midfield display of the entire season, absolutely destroying their opponents, especially in the first half.
The work ethic of all three is on a different level to the rest of Scottish football and in Armstrong and McGregor they have a duo who are no slouches going forward either.
It’ll be a harsh spell on the bench for Tom Rogic, who is still recovering for injury, but Celtic can’t risk players with a lack of match fitness in the cauldron of Ibrox.
Perhaps Rodgers’ biggest decision this Saturday will be to make no changes to this trio that can again slay Rangers in their own backyard.
The difficult choice: Forrest in for Roberts
A more difficult Brendan Rodgers on Saturday will be which attacking blend to go for in the final third on Saturday. There’s an argument to say that Patrick Roberts is just as undroppable as others in the Celtic team but for us the Ibrox fixture is a day made for James Forrest.
Patrick Roberts took some heavy challenges on Sunday, often bamboozling the likes of Myles Beerman and Andy Halliday. He could do the same at Ibrox but would actually be much more impactful coming off the bench after James Forrest has tested their legs.
The direct pace and work ethic of Forrest would be an massive asset in a match where Rangers are expected to at least have a couple of good spells buoyed by their home support. He can track back well, something he’s improved on this season and in winning back the ball can counter quicker and more effectively than Roberts.
By the team Forrest has stretched the Rangers defence, Roberts should be just about ready to come on in the closing stages and run riot.
What to watch out for: Complacency
The one thing that may trip Celtic up on Saturday is themselves. Complacency is a real issue for teams who have already won things and while they were massively up for Sunday Scottish Cup semi-final, the same may not be true for the league fixture between the two sides.
Since securing the Scottish Premiership at Tynecastle against Hearts, the Hoops have drawn two league matches against Ross County and Partick Thistle, doubling the amount of draws they’ve had this entire season in a short space of time.
Brendan Rodgers needs to be very aware of this and spot the signs early doors. If any of his team are running below par he either needs to go through them at half-time or make some key changes.
There’s no doubt that if Celtic turn up and perform to the best of their abilities on Saturday they will win, the key will be making sure they are motivated for that task.
Chelsea supporters are on a high after sealing the Premier League title last Friday with a 1-0 win over West Bromwich Albion, so it is no shock that they are looking down on their rivals.
On Sunday, Tottenham Hotspur, whose title campaign crumbled when they were beaten by West Ham United, had their own celebrations but for a very different reason.
The North London club waved goodbye to their home of 118 years, White Hart Lane, after the team earned a 2-1 triumph over Manchester United.
After the final whistle, fans invaded the pitch to celebrate, while the club welcomed numerous former players onto the field for a farewell ceremony.
It was a big moment in Tottenham’s history, but Chelsea fans took the opportunity to mock their London rivals, with some drawing on the flag-waving antics..,
Mauricio Pochettino’s men have now fallen at the final hurdle two years in a row.
Last season, they handed the crown to Leicester City with two games left to play following a 2-2 draw with Chelsea.
West Ham have had a number of problems to deal with across their first season at London Stadium, from crowd trouble to performances on the pitch and transfer sagas to HMRC investigations.
However, sticking purely to matters on the pitch, there are plenty of areas which need beefing up over the summer months if they are to return next season as European contenders.
One area which Slaven Bilic will be paying particular attention to before next season is at the back with injuries having left him alarmingly thin at times over the last nine months.
And according to Reports from The Sun, the Hammers are set to battle Premier League rivals West Brom over a deal for unwanted Manchester United man Chris Smalling.
The England international, rated at £17m, has fallen down the pecking order under the guise of Jose Mourinho and the Red Devils boss, having criticised his mental and physical strength earlier in the season, is now ready to sell as he looks to continue his Old Trafford revolution this summer.
Fans in east London, however, appear split over the rumours…
Bournemouth striker Joshua King has told the Bournemouth Echo that he hopes to remain at the club next season, despite interest from Premier League big-boys over the latter weeks of last season.
What’s the word?
Having enjoyed his best goal-scoring season of his career to date bagging 16 goals in the Premier League, with 13 of those coming in this calendar year, the Norwegian international has attracted interest from both Tottenham and Everton.
However, speaking to the local paper, the former Blackburn Rovers man has said that whilst he had noticed the links, he hopes to stay on the south coast next season having settled in the role up top.
“I was focusing on the season and finishing it strongly,” said King.
“But I would be a liar if I said I hadn’t noticed it. It was in most papers in England and you have got people tagging you and sending you links here and there.
“I was intrigued even being mentioned in the same sentence as Spurs, a big team who play in the Champions League.
“It is the summer holiday now and I’ve learned so much from the gaffer here.
“You never know in football but, hopefully, I will be here next year and I’m looking forward to working with the gaffer because he’s been brilliant with me since the day I set foot on the training ground.”
Refreshing decision
Money talks these days and, time and again we’ve seen players heads turned by big offers from bigger clubs and, whilst some moves will progress their career, it is refreshing to see King opt against the move.
A deal talking him to Spurs would almost certainly result in the 25-year-old playing a bit part role behind the likes of Harry Kane, Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen.
Having just enjoyed a stellar season, King is in no place to be going into a side where he will not be playing week-in, week-out and risking going backwards.
According to reports in the Birmingham Mail, Aston Villa will have to beat off competition from the likes of Anderlecht and FC Twente if they are to sign FC Oss striker Tom Boere this summer.
What’s the word, then?
Well, Villa manager Steve Bruce could be looking to sign a new attacker before the start of next season to take some of the pressure off of last term’s top goalscorer Jonathan Kodjia, even though he already has the likes of Scott Hogan and Gabby Agbonlahor at his disposal.
Despite only joining Dutch second division side FC Oss last summer, Boere could already be on the move following an impressive campaign in the Eerste Divisie with Villa listed among the interested clubs.
How well did he do?
The 24-year-old, whose agent Mino Raiola famously looks after players such as Paul Pogba and Romelu Lukaku, scored 34 goals and provided a further six assists in 39 appearances in all competitions last season.
Having showed how prolific he can be and what a lethal finisher he is, he looks set to move on to pastures new just a year after joining from FC Eindhoven.
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Would he be a good signing for Aston Villa?
He certainly could be, yes.
While it may be in the Dutch second division, you have to be impressed by Boere’s goalscoring record last season and he certainly looks to have all of the attributes to be a success in English football.
One of the main reason’s Villa didn’t compete for the Championship play-offs last season was their lack of goals, and Bruce will want to ensure that he has enough through his team next time around.
In addition, he shouldn’t cost a huge amount and that is something that will appeal to Bruce, who knows he can’t afford to spend big until he has sold players this summer.
Will Villa get him?
It’s difficult to say and could depend on whether he is keen to play English football.
FC Twente could hold the advantage if the player is keen to stay in the Netherlands, while Belgian champions Anderlecht would be difficult to turn down and joining Serie A new-boys SPAL could be an exciting challenge.
What’s the verdict, then?
Well, there is no doubt that Steve Bruce would be keen to add more firepower to his side and Boere could be a low risk option to do that after a brilliant season, but it could all depend on whether the player wants to move to England.
Celtic’s pre-season has started with the vast majority of the squad back at Lennoxtown and being put through their paces by Brendan Rodgers ahead of a massive summer of action.
The first bit of business to take care of is the UEFA Champions League qualifiers and they come quickly, with the first match due to be played in just a few weeks’ time.
Rodgers has only made one signing so far this summer with Jonny Hayes making the switch from Aberdeen to the Hoops. While recruitment at Celtic this summer does not need to be done in bulk, it’ll be a case of signing real quality that can enhance the first team.
They may have dominated domestic football last season but now it’s all about making sure they have the depth and ability required to make a statement in Europe too.
To that end they may want to think about bringing in a quality loan player than can bolster the ranks on a temporary basis. Over the last 18 months we watched Patrick Roberts grow and develop into a player who is capable of playing at a high level and bringing in another top English Premier League prospect could be brilliant for Celtic.
Here are THREE such players we think could make a big impact in Glasgow…
Tammy Abraham
Tammy Abraham has shown great promise at the tender age of 19, and he could well thrive for the Hoops next season if they went for him.
His opportunity to get first team action at Chelsea would appear to be limited given the kind of talent they already have at their disposal at Stamford Bridge and the fact that you’d expect them to bring in even more attacking talent over the summer.
However, with 26 goals in all competitions on loan at Bristol City last season it’s clear he knows his way to goal against a decent standard of opposition in the English Championship.
Celtic already have talent in the forward area with Moussa Dembele and Leigh Griffiths both capable of scoring consistently. However there were occasions last season when both were injured and signing Abraham temporarily would add significant depth with the kind of quality needed to be a success in the Scottish Premiership.
Joshua Onomah
Having just turned 20 years of age, Josh Onomah is entering a critical stage of his development at Tottenham Hotspur and while he is on the fringes of the first team, he really needs regular week-to-week action to bring his game to the next level.
He was recently a stand out for the U20s side that won the World Cup for England and appears to be maturing into the kind of midfielder that can shine for a top four side in the English Premier League.
With Spurs having big ambitions next season, he’s not quite there yet in terms of getting consistent football in a title-contending side and we can’t think of anywhere better in the UK right now than Celtic to head out on loan to.
The Hoops are well placed to offer young talent not just regular first-team action but exposure to massive matches in the form of the UEFA Champions League.
With 32 appearances for the London club so far in his career, including 12 last season, he does have some first team experience that would serve him well at the Hoops and his dynamic midfield play would see him compete with the likes of Stuart Armstrong and Tom Rogic.
Tosin Adarabioyo
Tosin Adarabioyo recently signed a new contract at Manchester City after it looked like he may let his deal expire and leave the club this summer.
However, The Daily Mail reported on Thursday that while he has signed a new deal to commit his future to to the Citizens, he will be allowed to leave on loan next term as he seeks the first team football he needs to develop as an elite player.
Man City and Celtic clearly have a good relationship with both Jason Denayer and Patrick Roberts coming north for spells at the club in recent years. It’s a trusted place for City to develop their best talent and a year in the first team of the Scottish champions could do wonders for Adarabioyo too.
A strong central defender with UEFA Champions League experience, he could provide big competition for the likes of Jozo Simunovic and another former Man City prospect, Dedryck Boyata, in the heart of the Hoops backline.