According to reports in the Sunday Mirror, Manchester United are targeting a summer move for Paris Saint-Germain centre-back Marquinhos, rated at £49.5m by Transfermarkt, but only as back-up option to Real Madrid’s Raphael Varane.
What’s the word, then?
Well, the Sunday Mirror says that Red Devils boss Jose Mourinho wants to add some quality in midfield and defence at the end of the season, and he wants the £70m-rated Varane – whom he worked with during his time at the Bernabeu – with PSG’s Marquinhos a back-up option if he can’t bring the Frenchman to Old Trafford.
The Sunday Mirror says that Mourinho could move Paul Pogba on this summer after losing patience with him, and he believes that the Ligue 1 giants could be open to a deal that would see their club-record signing go to the French capital, with Marquinhos and his teammate Marco Verratti – whom the fans have urged the club to sign – coming the other way.
How has Marquinhos done this season?
He has impressed.
The Brazil international played every minute of PSG’s Champions League campaign, while he has been a regular for them in Ligue 1 too as they close in on another title.
According to WhoScored.com, the 24-year-old’s main strengths are his passing, his dribbling and ability to make blocks, and he has an incredible passing accuracy of 93.8% in 28 appearances in France and in Europe this term, while he has successfully completed both of the dribbles he has attempted.
Defensively, he has won 34 out of the 44 tackles he has attempted, while he has made 24 interceptions, 44 blocks and 121 clearances.
Would he be a good signing for United?
He certainly would be.
The 24-year-old is hugely experienced having appeared almost 200 times for PSG in Ligue 1 and the Champions League, winning titles, while he has 24 caps for his country.
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The fact that he is so good on the ball as well as being impressive defensively would certainly impress Mourinho, and he would be a huge upgrade on the options that the Portuguese boss has – the likes of Chris Smalling and Phil Jones.
In many ways, Marquinhos would probably be a better and more realistic addition for the Red Devils than Varane, and would help the club become contenders in the Premier League and the Champions League again.
Which England players impressed you the most vs the Netherlands? Let us know below…
Norwich City manager Chris Hughton is keen on bringing Brighton and Hove Albion forward Craig Mackail-Smith to Carrow Road in January.
The Canaries gaffa failed in an attempt to bring the Scotland striker to Norfolk in the summer but with Norwich missing too many chances in recent games, a natural goalscorer could be the missing ingredient.
Mackail-Smith rejected both Leicester and West Ham in favour of higher wages at Brighton, but it seems that Gus Poyet’s team will struggle to make the play offs again this season prompting their star man to jump ship.
Norwich are relying on the goals of Grant Holt and Steve Morison this season, but they are yet to deliver despite an impressive first half of the season.
The Canaries are a huge eight points clear of the relegation zone and are once again surprising a few of the big boys this season.
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However, a striker in January will be the final piece of the puzzle for Hughton.
Leeds United owner Andrea Radrizzani has made the headlines of late for being outspoken on a handful of topics.
The Italian’s latest outburst came during an interview with talkSPORT, in which he questioned the commitment and desire of the players, most of which signed long-term contracts earlier in the season.
The latest run of results, which has included just one win in 14, has left the businessman frustrated, but he is not the only one.
The fans have understandably been venting their disappointment on social media, particularly now that the club have drifted in the race for the playoffs.
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As it stands, the Whites are 13th in the Championship table, 11 points adrift of the top six following last weekend’s 2-2 draw with Reading.
Radrizzani has given his take on the situation, and now he is aiming criticism at the players, specifically referring to their recent 3-0 loss to Middlesbrough.
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He told talkSPORT:
“As a club we support them in everything – we gave them long-term contracts, we supported them going to a mid-season camp in Spain. We did everything they wanted, but we didn’t get back their commitment, passion and the spirit, particularly in the last game, the most important game against Middlesbrough away and we played very poorly.
“For me, that was the bottom of the season because there was no commitment, no passion and no spirit. I don’t want players in my team and representing Leeds United with this behaviour, so I hope they can learn and will be here with me next year playing better and with more commitment.”
Leeds fans have been reacting on Twitter to the owner’s comments.
Arsenal fans were just getting excited at the thought of seeing Theo Walcott and Mesut Ozil linking up together before this afternoon brought the news every Gooner was dreading.
Mesut Ozil has damaged knee ligaments whilst on international duty with Germany and is set to be sidelined for up to three months. THREE MONTHS!?
The German hasn’t exactly been the world class addition to the squad Arsene Wenger and the Emirates were hoping he would be, but a lot of that is down to Wenger playing him out of position.
But now he can’t play him at all and Arsenal fans just cannot believe it. Seriously, they’re devastated…
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West Ham are one of a few clubs linked with a move for Nicolas Anelka after it emerged that Shanghai Shenhua are in talks with the striker about terminating his contract with the Chinese club.
Anelka has not enjoyed life at Shanghai since leaving Chelsea last January to sign a lucrative three-year deal with the Chinese Super League side.
The former France international found the net just three times as Shanghai finished a lowly ninth in the league last season, and the 33-year-old even endured a difficult spell as caretaker coach.
The Daily Mail has reported that the striker is prepared to give up the final year of his contract, thought to be worth around £7million, on the condition that Shanghai grant him a free transfer, with the English Premier League his preferred destination.
The news will have alerted Hammers boss Sam Allardyce, who is looking to boost his frontline in the January transfer window, with Andy Carroll currently out injured amongst other attacking players.
Queens Park Rangers are also thought to be interested, while other Premier League clubs may return to the fold upon learning that Anelka could be a free agent.
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Shanghai Shenhua spokesman Ma Yue told talkSPORT: “The discussion is between the club and himself, I don’t know about the specific details. But so far we haven’t got the final result.”
Anelka has already played under Allardyce at Bolton Wanderers, where the Frenchman enjoyed a successful 18-month stint, scoring 22 goals, before moving to Stamford Bridge in January 2008.
Jose Mourinho has an incredible squad of players to choose from at Old Trafford, but that doesn’t mean that everyone isn’t expendable. To the contrary, there are a few players within the squad that should be facing an uncertain fate this summer, and one individual that must be having his future considered is Argentina ace Marcos Rojo.
Rojo, who is rated at £16.2 million by Transfer Markt, is currently away on World Cup duty in Russia, and he’s looked good, yet perhaps it’s time that the Red Devils cashed in on him.
After all, having enjoyed a stellar World Cup, his value isn’t likely to get any higher. He, of course, scored the goal that sealed Argentina’s progression, and what a strike it was. Aside from proving his potential to be a makeshift number nine, Rojo has also enjoyed a decent start to the World Cup with regards to his defensive form. Argentina have been far from the best team, but defensively they haven’t looked too bad – and Rojo has been one of their better performers. That said, he’s not quite a standout figure from this summer’s competition, and so a sale does make sense from that perspective.
His role in the squad is also worth considering, as he’s far from the star of the show at the back for Man Utd. He’s been a bit of an underwhelming signing since his arrival back in 2014, and he’s not been a regular starter at the club either. He’s shown moments of brilliance, of course, but he’s evidently not a Mourinho favourite.
What do you think of the World Cup so far? Let us know
Capitalising on his current form and selling him, then, could help Man Utd generate the required funds to bring in a worthy replacement – and an opportunity to finally upgrade their defence for good.
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Newcastle United striker Aleksandar Mitrovic maintained his impressive form for loan side Fulham as he scored twice in their 3-0 win against Sheffield United at Craven Cottage on Tuesday night, and Magpies fans all produced the same surprise reaction to the news.
The Tyneside outfit decided to send the Serbia international to the Championship outfit until the end of the season as he was struggling for first-team minutes under Rafa Benitez in the Premier League, and his double against the Blades means that the 23-year-old now has five goals in his last four league games for the Cottagers, with the attacker aiming a subtle dig at his parent club earlier this week.
Normally you would think that the St James’ Park faithful would be saying that the decision to let the centre-forward leave was the wrong one and that they want him back considering their team has only scored 27 goals in 29 top flight matches this term, but it isn’t the case.
Newcastle supporters were quick to have their say on Mitrovic’s latest display via social media, and while one said “he had plenty of chances and let us down repeatedly”, another said “Mitrovic is showing that he’s a Championship player”.
Here is just a selection of the Twitter reaction…
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Manchester United’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea on Sunday afternoon was an important result for the Red Devils. Unquestionably the biggest test of Louis van Gaal’s tenure thus far, United are only the second side to claim points off the Premier League leaders this season, after Manchester City.
Indeed, it will breed even further faith in the Dutchman’s qualities as Old TraffordÂboss, but his United side are still very much a work in progress, with a number of intrinsic flaws remaining evident even amid their score-draw with the West Londoners.
So with the January window slowly approaching, here’s FOUR key issues LVG must address via the transfer market in the new year.
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The fate of JUAN MATA
What does the future hold for Juan Mata?
No one can doubt the Spain international’s talent, whilst five goals and eight assists in 23 appearances for Manchester United is hardly what you’d describe as a substandard return. Here’s a look at some of his highlights thus far for the Red Devils:
//www.youtube.com/embed/h6OjNTMuh88?rel=0
But two managers and several different formations on from his then-record-breaking £37million move last January, the 26 year-old is still to forge a key role for himself in United’s starting XI.
His natural position remains at No.10, but that slot looks set to be dominated by club captain Wayne Rooney under Louis van Gaal, with the Red Devils boss casting doubts over the England international as an out-and-out strike-partner to Robin van Persie back in September.
And Mata has hardly excelled in Rooney’s absence through suspension over the last few weeks, finding no goals and just one assist in his last 229 minutes of Premier League action. Likewise, as Jose Mourinho had prophesised, the Spaniard’s lack of contribution defensively is a real burden on the rest of the team.
Mata certainly fits into van Gaal’s technically-demanding philosophy and one should bear in mind that he’s only been at Old Trafford for ten months.
But with United already planning major recruitment in January and next summer, amid the new era of Financial Fair Play, Mata’s potential departure fee would give the Carrington Club huge manoeuvre in the transfer market.
He’s already been linked to Juventus for the coming transfer window:
And Louis van Gaal must decide whether January is the right time to cash-in.
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FINDING AN ALTERNATIVE TO MATS HUMMELS
Mats Hummels has been linked with an Old Trafford switch for much of his career, and even more so under Louis van Gaal after winning the World Cup with Germany during the summer.
But clearly, United’s eternal interest isn’t reciprocated by the Bundesliga star, who accepted the captain’s armband at Borussia Dortmund in August as a show of loyalty and recently declared himself ‘not interested’ in joining the Carrington ranks:
Plausible alternatives need to be considered.The fact Louis van Gaal has already issued three academy centre-backs Premier League debuts this season tells its own story, and without a commanding, experienced centre-half arriving in the new year, United’s chances of claiming fourth spot will take a serious hit.
Tottenham’s Jan Vertonghen remains an option; the Belgium international is unquestionably one of the Premier League’s flagship defenders when enjoying top form and his White Hart Lane future is in serious doubt after recently rejecting a new contract:
Then there’s the more simple-yet effective Ron Vlaar, whose performances under van Gaal’s leadership verged upon world-class at Brazil 2014. Here’s the Netherlands international’s World Cup highlights:
//www.youtube.com/embed/KElFlYKBcUY?rel=0
The 29 year-old’s contract is up at the end of the season and it’s believed United could sign him for as little as £4million:
£24million-rated Atletico defender Miranda remains on United’s radar but the Carrington club have most recently been linked to Zenit defender Ezequiel Garay:
Here’s the Argentina international in action:
//www.youtube.com/embed/yc97AEevMos?rel=0
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More pace going forward
The likes of Robin van Persie, Wayne Rooney, Juan Mata, Radamel Falcao, Adnan Januzaj and Angel Di Maria forge a stellar attacking line-up, but with the exception of the Argentine international, it lacks mobility, pace and natural penetration.
Indeed, the limited speed throughout United’s starting Xi has become disturbingly noticeable compared to former title-winning Red Devils outfits – perhaps something Louis van Gaal failed to envisage after recently admitting he’s been surprised by the intensity of the Premier League – and an issue the Manchester United gaffer must address in January.
One potential solution comes in the form of Serie A star Juan Cuadrado, who has just weaved a new £27.5million release clause into his contract at Fiorentina:
The hard-working winger absolutely destroyed the Italian top flight last year and brought his form to the World Cup:
Famed for his endless stamina, work-rate and incredible top speed, the Colombian international is exactly what United need on the right-hand side. Combining pace, athleticism, trickery and netting prowess, this goal typifies the 26 year-old’s game:
//www.youtube.com/embed/DUlRxcSaxZo
Borussia Dortmund attacker Marco Reus remains an alternative – his form last season, detailed below, earned him a second Bundesliga Player of the Year award in the space of three campaigns:
The rest of the European elite appear to be waiting until next summer to lure the 25 year-old away, when his ridiculously cheap £20million release clause comes into effect. But United would be wise to beat the pack and test Dortmund’s resolve with a more lucrative offer in January.
A significantly cheaper option is Marseille’s Andre Ayew. The Ghana international netted twice at the World Cup, is famed for his versatility and, as shown in the below video, is outrageously good at heading for a 5 foot 9 winger:
//www.youtube.com/embed/0gIZogfsorU?rel=0
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More mettle in midfield
Marouane Fellaini’s impressive performances against West Brom and Chelsea, netting this stunner against the Baggies:
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…has unearthed an intrinsic flaw in Manchester United’s midfield – specifically, a lack of physicality compared to other Premier League sides. He not only levelled the scoring at the Hawthorns, but also made the Red Devils far more combative off the ball.
The Belgium international clearly isn’t a natural suitor to Louis van Gaal’s philosophy however, so another midfielder who can offer paralleled physical dominance needs to be brought in.
Kevin Strootman remains on United’s radar, but Roma are in no mood to sell and the Dutch international is still recovering from an ACL injury. Likewise, long-term knee issues appear to have put the Red Devils off Juventus star Arturo Vidal.
That could see van Gaal turn to Real Madrid’s Sami Khedira. A World Cup and Champions League winner, the 6 foot 2 enforcer is considered to be one of the top central midfielders in world football and looks set to leave the Bernabeu in January after refusing to extend his contract past 2015. Here’s a look at the German international in action:
//www.youtube.com/embed/RetIjHKY6pA?rel=0
But Khedira will be one of the January window’s hottest properties and there’s already a plethora of Premier League clubs queuing up for his signature:
Resultantly, the Red Devils may have to settle for Nigel de Jong. The 5 foot 8 ‘Lawnmower’ wants to finish his career with current club AC Milan, but the Netherlands international’s contract is set to expire at the end of the season, suggesting the San Siro side could be forced to sell.
His bone-crushing style may not be pretty…
…but it’s effectiveness is proven in the Premier League, having previously claimed the English title with Manchester City. Here’s another look at the kind of ball-winning service the 29 year-old provides:
When did it all go so wrong for Arsene Wenger? It is hard to locate the time, the place or the occasion, but in the period since Arsenal’s last trophy win in 2005 when they lifted the FA Cup, there has certainly been a turning point.
A man with his first name remarkably similar to his club’s name, an eloquent Frenchman who likes beautiful football; Arsene Wenger appeared to be the perfect fit for Arsenal, and it would have taken a brave man to suggest otherwise during ‘The Invincibles’ years.
But in my opinion, the Frenchman has been living off the past successes of a squad that are now all retired or firmly into their twilight years. It’s all well and good qualifying for the Champions League consecutively since the 1997/1998 season, but is that really an achievement? Surely, considering what The Invincibles accomplished around a decade ago, the knock-on effect should be a team that can consistently finish in the top four at the very least, not at best.
With Arsenal now tenth in the Premier League, rumours of dressing room bust-ups involving Steve Bould, and the Black Scarf Movement protesting against the commercialisation of the club, Wenger currently faces the most realistic chance to date of losing his job. Not that the Arsenal board would sack him – Wenger has been making the Arsenal politico and businessmen some serious money with his small-spending tendencies. Should Wenger resign, it would come through pressure from the fans, not because of the board.
The Arsenal first-team has become consistently worse ever since they last won the league, and furthermore, the Gunners are now a selling club – the Premier League’s answer to Ajax. Their best players have left after a couple of successful seasons at the Emirates, and often to sign for their league rivals. It doesn’t take a genius to work out that a team cannot progress or naturally better itself if their top players are continually leaving for clubs that Arsenal are meant to be competing with. Wenger tries to find the next young solution to the wavering quality in the squad, spending small or middle-ranging fees on potential stars, but the other side of the coin is that it leaves the team in permanent transition. Furthermore, those signings that prove successful subsequently leave.
The problems at Arsenal have been long-term, but something about this current season in particular seems to capture and symbolise them. In the summer, the two biggest stars left for teams Arsenal should be competing with. Robin van Persie jumped ship to Manchester United and Alex Song was a surprise signing for Barcelona. Wenger’s resolution to losing his only players that can truly be considered world class is the signing of Olivier Giroud – based on two good seasons in the French league – and the retraining of Mikel Arteta to play a deeper role in midfield.
Giroud’s price-tag should have been some indication of his abilities. Despite winning Ligue 1, with the French forward being the division’s top goal-scorer, Montpellier let their striker for leave for just £12million. I’m not one for all this big money spending that dominates the game nowadays but if Giroud was truly a world beater, he would have cost an arm and a leg. The same applies to Lukas Podolski and Santi Cazorla. It’s not that the new signings have been particularly poor, in fact Cazorla started the season in excellent form, but they have hardly reinvigorated the team. Arsene Wenger has already announced he will not be using the January transfer window as an opportunity to splash the cash and change his side’s fortunes – how unsurprising.
The fans are angry because it’s not as if the money hasn’t been there to invest in the team and replace the stars that have left the club. Arsenal charge the most for season ticket prices and match-day food out of any Premier League team. The club have collected sizeable fees for their exiting players, although they could have claimed even more had Arsenal won enough trophies to convince their players to sign new contracts. The move to the new Emirates stadium, leaving behind the Gunners’ historical home, has brought in huge revenues in sponsorship that the club should be benefiting from. Furthermore, no one seems to be taking responsibility for the club’s failings.
It feels like Arsene Wenger is steering a sinking ship down a tiny river, in the hope that he won’t submerge into the murky water or come unstuck in the muddy riverbeds. There is certainly a “damned if they do, damned if they don’t” feeling about Wenger potentially parting company with a club he has been with since 1996. But then again, he doesn’t look like a man capable of winning the league, or even capable of turning Arsenal back into title-contenders.
His transfer policy is out-dated. Not every player has to break the bank, but to maintain a level of quality in the modern game, large fees must be parted with to sign top-level talent. At the other end, too many good players have been allowed to leave to domestic and European rivals: Kolo Toure, Gael Clichy, Samir Nasri, Emmanuel Adebayor, Cesc Fabregas, Alex Song and Robin van Persie to name the most high-profile cases. Furthermore, Wenger has failed to win a trophy in nearly ten years. Since 2005, all of the top six apart from Everton have lifted silverware.
Now though, it appears that Wenger has finally lost the support of the fans. They are tired of the stalling progress, and with no real plan to turn the club’s fortunes around. With the board remaining muted by the large rolls of cash Wenger’s management style stuffs their mouths with, Wenger should listen to the fans and strongly consider his future before a peasants’ revolt has him and the board with their heads resting on the chopping block.
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Why have a messy divorce when you can walk away and remember the good times?