After a surprising fifth-placed finish to their Premier League season, Everton are looking to add recruits to a squad which could suffer from the departure of three key loanees from last season. According to newspaper reports, Croatia’s attacking midfielder Ivan Perisic is to be the subject of an £8 million bid from the Toffees.
The Croatian has arguably been his country’s stand-out performer at the World Cup so far, and his eye-catching performances have further alerted Roberto Martinez to his qualities. Perisic only made his move to Wolfsburg last summer, but with the German club preparing to spend in order to boost other areas of the squad, Perisic could make way in order for them to do so.
Perisic netted his first goal of the tournament in Croatia’s 4-0 drubbing of Cameroon in their second game, but it wasn’t just his goal that caught the eye. He assisted Ivica Olic’s opener with a crafty through ball, perfectly weighted to put the ball on a plate for his teammate.
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With the departure of Gerard Deulofeu back to his parent club Barcelona, Everton are in need of players who can fill wider attacking positions. Perisic is the type of player willing to take the ball down and beat his opposite full-back, and he has the end product to make something in promising positions. He scored 10 league goals and contributed a further five assists last season at Wolfsburg, demonstrating his effectiveness in front of goal.
His goals tally is far more impressive than any of Everton’s current options. At £8 million he would cost a significant portion of their £20 million. But there is little doubt he would be a welcome addition to their roster. His goalscoring record and threat from the wing would help make up for the loss of Deulofeu, and add quality to a squad that is looking to progress even further from the success of last season.
We’re not so lucky in England as the Americans are to have four major sports on offer throughout the year, five if you want to include Nascar. But even then, the fortune of living in a winning market comes with the penalty of inflated ticket prices.
New York is one of the obvious markets, you’re going to pay big to go and see the Knicks, the Rangers or the Yankees. The Toronto Maple Leafs charge the highest prices in the NHL, while season tickets can be bought in Florida for the same price as one ticket to see the Leafs.
In England, it’s football or nothing. I’ve yet to come across a fan who shows as much passion for rugby or cricket as they do for football. And therein lies the problem. Leagues and clubs are not going to waver on prices just because a few don’t fancy paying it. If you’re a student or someone from the local area who struggles to go to at least five games a season, forget it, clubs will look to their foreign audiences and the injection of cash tourists bring. It’s no bother to them if local fans can’t get to games: largely stadiums will fill close to capacity.
I don’t blame Manchester City fans for sending back those tickets for the trip to Arsenal on the weekend. Some might argue that they’re playing with the big boys now and need to pay big prices. Others will argue that London prices warrant the inflated price for going to matches, as Arsene Wenger did in his pre-match press conference. But even then, the Arsenal manager shuffled uncomfortably before answering the question on ticket prices. He eventually did land on the matter that concerts in London are priced higher than those around England and specifically up north. But I’m not totally convinced that argument holds water.
I’ve been to big concerts in London and at arenas like Wembley, the O2 and Earls Court. The price is based on the fact that you pay for what you get, and I’ve rarely been disappointed when going to a big gig in London.
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But you get the big stadium atmosphere, you get the impressive stage production, the explosions, the fact that it is a big name on the music scene. Is that always the case for football? With Arsenal, you can certainly argue that you’re not getting what you pay for. I’ll also make the same argument for the New York teams and the Maple Leafs. The Leafs are the wealthiest team in the NHL but haven’t lifted the Stanley Cup since the 1960s – they’ve also failed to make the playoffs for the last eight seasons. New York? Well the Yankees are one of the biggest baseball teams in the MLB, but the Knicks are useless in the postseason and the Rangers haven’t wont the cup since 1994.
With clubs like Arsenal, the production is there with the big stadium, but there are no explosions, no performances that leave you breathless and more than willing to shell out the next time they come to town. And that’s another argument: going to see acts like Bruce Springsteen is totally different from going to watch a sports team every other weekend for nine or 10 months of the year.
Football matches have been lumped into the same entertainment category as going to concerts or the theatre, with the obvious case being that you’re going to pay big for the big names. Well that shouldn’t be the case. Football and sports on the whole is not and should not be seen in the same category as the rest of the entertainment industry, quite simply because it isn’t.
Arsenal have not created the tiered ticketing system themselves, however they surely think of themselves as a club who should be placed in category A. But that doesn’t represent the product many are paying to watch, and it hasn’t done for quite a few years. Yet unlike fan groups in America who are trying to persuade supporters to boycott games (especially in the case of the NHL now that the lockout is over) Premier League fans will never turn their back on the only sport they have. For that, clubs will take their time in attempting to lower prices, they’ll try to justify the reasoning as purely for the health and growth of the club financially or the need to pay wages. It’s nothing other than masked exploitation.
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I really can’t look back to days when tickets could be bought on Saturday afternoons and terracing was the norm — I’m too young. But how many of those fans, youngsters especially, grew up believing and knowing they had a club to support, a club which they could readily gain access to? How much of that is the case now?
And people shouldn’t be dismissed as moaning over something which will never change; the point is that ticket prices should never have reached these levels in the first place. Yes there’s inflation and various other factors that would necessitate the rise in ticket prices, but there is absolutely no way a club can justify charging over £100 for 90 minutes of football.
Few football clubs have had starts harder to gauge than Sunderland.
Martin O’Neill’s men have picked up seven points from their opening five games and are one of only three unbeaten Premier League teams; the other two are Chelsea and Manchester City.
So with four draws and just a solitary win last time out against Wigan Athletic it is still extremely difficult to know how far the Black Cats have progressed since finishing 13th last season.
Scoring goals were the North East outfit’s Achilles heel last year, but summer additions Steven Fletcher and Adam Johnson were roped in to improve that aspect at the Stadium of Light. Fletcher has hit the ground running netting all five league goals scored by the Wearsiders. While a groin injury picked up on international duty has restricted Johnson to just two starts in the league this term.
However goal scoring and dominating matches is still something Sunderland have barely done since O’Neill’s arrival. The excellent Ulsterman installed a feel-good factor and confidence around the Stadium of Light which had been missing since a home defeat to Newcastle in late August 2011. But emphasis on shape and counter attacking under the 60 year old still raise questions about whether Sunderland are playing the kind of football that allows them to score numerous goals, and beat the so-called lesser teams in the division.
Saturday’s fixture against Wigan was truly the first game to test this theory of whether Sunderland could conjure enough chances and play fluidly enough to dominate and beat a team with fewer resources. The Black Cats did triumph but not in a way which solved these under-lying issues. Athletic retained possession better than Sunderland something the Wearsiders have looked helpless at doing this term, and a now over-turned red card for Jordi Gomes, preceded the matches only goal. An early wonder-save from Simon Mignolet was also required to en route to a tough victory.
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In my opinion Sunderland look like a team that will struggle to win enough matches to truly get in and amongst the top eight and possibly even the top ten. Dominating matches remains a big ask for a team so dependent on organisation and resilience and I don’t see that changing any time soon. This is perhaps a premature statement to make with Sunderland’s two most creative player’s both still finding their feet in the 2012/2013 season. Johnson remains lacking in match-fitness due to his groin problem and could yet prove inspirational to the North East club. While last season’s star player Stephane Sessegnon has struggled after injuries meant he was unable to play any part in the Black Cats pre-season. Hopefully once these two start firing on all cylinders Sunderland can boost a deadly attacking quartet, with Johnson and Sessegnon hopefully developing an understanding with James McClean and Fletcher.
While progressing up an extremely competitive Premier League table will prove problematic and may expose the weaknesses of O’Neill’s developing team, cup competitions offer other areas for potential success at the Stadium of Light. Through to the last 16 of the league cup and facing winnable home draw against Middlesbrough, fans may eye this competition as Sunderland’s best prospect of major triumph this term. The Wearsider’s manager has already lifted the competition’s trophy four times, twice as a player and twice as a manager. The Irishman also reached the league cup final as recently as 2010 with Aston Villa. In the club’s favour also is feeling on their day they can beat anyone in the country. Victories over Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City under O’Neill will breed confidence for any future big game cup matches. Last year’s run and deflation at losing out two Everton in FA Cup quarter final replay should also motivate the Premier League side.
West Ham welcome Sunderland to Upton Park on Saturday hoping to maintain their 100% home record.
Martin O’Neil brings his side to East London in search of their first three points having drawn all three of their opening Premier League fixtures.
Whilst unbeaten, Sunderland know their creativity needs to improve, having averaged just five shots per game this season, the lowest in the division.
Allardyce see’s his side currently sitting in eighth, and knows a victory could see them leapfrog into the top four ahead of Sunday’s fixtures.
Carlton Cole is set to continue deputising for the injured Andy Carroll, although the on loan Liverpool striker has returned to light training. Jack Collison also remains sidelined with a knee injury, whilst Matt Jarvis could make his first start for his new club after finding himself on the bench for last weekends trip to Norwich.
Sunderland remain without the injured trio of Carlos Cueller (hamstring), Phil Bardsley (ankle) and Wes Brown (knee).
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A late decision is expected to be made on Adam Johnson, after the winger was forced to withdraw from the England squad a fortnight ago with a thigh problem.
They say you should never go back, but what if the crushing realisation that you’ve made a mistake hits you at the most opportune moment?
Manchester United’s sedated defence were once again picked apart last night and despite overhauling a two-goal deficit to emerge victorious, there is a growing consensus that Sir Alex Ferguson will seek to bolster his backline in January.
Vice-chairman Ed Woodward recently declared that the club ‘will continue to buy established stars’, but few could be surprised if they turned to the familiar face of Ryan Shawcross as they seek to reclaim their Premier League crown. The rumour mill sparked into life when Ferguson revealed his regret at allowing Shawcross to depart Old Trafford back in 2008.
“I was delighted to see him called up for the England squad because he is a quality player I have wished – particularly of late – was still at Old Trafford.” (Guardian)
The Red Devils have been worryingly reliant on Rio Ferdinand and Jonny Evans this season as their current injury crisis continues to hamper team selection. Even midfielder Michael Carrick has been shuffled back to deputise in the absence of others, which has presented visiting teams with the belief and confidence to lay siege upon a weakened defence.
To put United’s defensive woes in perspective, Braga’s opening goal last night means they have now conceded the first goal in eight of their 12 competitive games this season. The championed starlets of Chris Smalling and Phil Jones are still yet to return to first-team action but both have been unconvincing in the heart of United’s defence and their versatility may see them destined for other roles in the side.
Ryan Shawcross fits snugly into the mould of fan favourite Nemanja Vidic, as a tough tackling, no nonsense centre-back that dominates every aerial battle. The Premier League has recently witnessed an influx of ‘defensive enforcers’, especially at Liverpool where Martin Skrtel and Daniel Agger have been hailed as the best pairing in the division. Ferguson may see Shawcross as the perfect partner for his Serbian barricade or perhaps even as his successor, if reports of a move away possess any accuracy.
The Stoke City captain is more likely to be viewed as a replacement for the rapidly declining Rio Ferdinand, who saw his former team-mate effectively take his spot for the recent World Cup qualifiers. Whereas Rio can no longer go toe-to-toe with strikers, Shawcross boasts more speed than people give him credit for, which comes in handy when your defensive partner is nicknamed ‘The Berlin Wall’.
Arsenal fans will point to the tragic incident with Aaron Ramsey back in 2010 as evidence that Shawcross is merely the stereotypical battering ram that defines Stoke City. However, scratch beneath the surface and you are presented with a shy and endearing family man, who Gary Neville recently highlighted as a good role model for the younger generation.
Ferguson identifies his swarm of defensive options at the time for allowing Stoke to pick up Shawcross for a cut-price fee. Credit must go to Tony Pulis for enabling his prized asset to fulfil his potential, especially as fellow United graduates Paul McShane and Craig Cathcart have drifted into obscurity. Shawcross embodies the grit and steely determination of Terry Butcher, which is somewhat of a forgotten entity in modern football.
Popular culture dictates that the best centre-backs are the ones who can play with the ball at their feet, which perhaps highlights why Barcelona would rather convert a central-midfielder than go out and purchase an accomplished defender. Chelsea defender David Luiz certainly boasts formidable dribbling skills but he constantly looks clumsy and a little reckless during his defensive duties. I would much rather my centre-back was the king of the 5-yard, not the 50-yard pass.
Pulis moved quickly to quash any speculation of a move away from the Britannia Stadium while claiming: “We won’t see the best of him for another two or three years.” However, at just 25 years of age with a mere 18 months left to run on his contract, Shawcross would be a fool not to entertain the prospect of a move onwards and upwards.
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His realtively-muted reputation in English football means few teams are likely to pay the inflated fee attached to every home-grown player in this country, meaning it may be case of now or never for Shawcross.
Arsenal are set to expand their scouting network in Germany in an attempt to lure the next crop of talented youngsters to the Emirates.
With the country having produced some of the most skillful and coveted players of recent years not to mention Wenger’s reputation for developing players the club and chief scout Steve Rowley have been spending an increasing amount of time and money in order to further expand the scouting network.
The Daily Mail claim that the plans will be implemented soon, noting that “the Gunners have already found the country a valuable breeding ground for talent,” with Podolski, Mertesacker and youngsters Thomas Eisfeld and Serge Gnabry also at the club. Wenger is a known fan of other German internationals having monitored many of the current German crop including Ozil and Sahin extensively before missing out on their signatures.
With Podolski already making waves in the Premier League, Serge Gnabry is hot on his fellow countryman’s heels with the 17 year old set to make an appearance during the Capitol One Cup match on Tuesday night, with the player himself looking to build on his growing reputation, confiding “I hope I can create some chances of score goals and that will give them more to talk about.”
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The Gunners will however be without Gervinho, who is set to miss the weekend showdown with Manchester United after being ruled out with an ankle injury sustained in the previous game against QPR with the Mirror reporting that a second string will be fielded in the Capital One Cup with “Oxlade-Chamberlain unlikely to be risked even if he is fit.”
Morgan Schneiderlin has confessed that he could well be playing for Tottenham or Arsenal now if Southampton hadn’t blocked his wishes for a move.
The France international was expected to be one of the Saints’ high profile evacuees over the summer, with the north London duo having pushed hard to lure him away from the South Coast in what was a busy summer for the Saints.
Adam Lallana, Dejan Lovren, Rickie Lambert, Luke Shaw and Calum Chambers all left St Mary’s Stadium, which led to talk that Schneiderlin would follow them deep into the transfer window.
WANT MORE? >> Arsenal transfer news | Tottenham transfer news
But Southampton held firm to keep their midfield ace by slapping a £27m valuation on him, and despite reported bids from Spurs the 24-year-old is still plying his trade in Hampshire.
Schneiderlin admits that he was disappointed to not have been granted his wish for a move, but that he is fully committed to repaying the faith the club have shown in him since bringing him to England from Strasbourg as a youngster:
“My situation was simple: at the end of the season my goal was to take the next step and join a club playing in the Champions League or the Europa League.” He is quoted by Goal.
“There were offers on the table but Southampton made a clear choice, which was to keep me after the departure of certain players. They look to me for the future.
“I was ‘blocked’ but I must accept that because I have three years remaining on my contract. I could not afford to make a fuss and not play. I owe a lot to Southampton, who enabled me to make the France national team.
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“I could not afford to go and clash with supporters who have always been cool with me. It would not have cool for me to end up in an endless showdown.”
Leeds fans are all saying the same thing after Luke Ayling tweeted about their brutal opening fixtures, begging the defender to bring Kyle Bartley to the club.
Bartley was a hugely popular figure during his loan spell at Elland Road, and the Swansea defender has been heavily linked with a permanent move.
The Leeds defence is a completely different prospect with both Ayling and Bartley, as the Swansea man’s departure coincided with an injury to Ayling.
New manager Marcelo Bielsa usually opts for three at the back, so having both players back there with Pontus Jansson could be a formidable force.
[brid autoplay=”true” video=”257599″ player=”12034″ title=”Watch Leeds’ opening fixtures for the 201819 Championship season”]
Of course, this all implies Bartley actually joins, and fans are begging Ayling to make it happen.
The 26 year-old fan favourite tweeted his excitement about the club’s brutal opening fixtures, as Bielsa will open his Championship account with games against Stoke and Derby County.
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“Juicy start to the season,” said the defender, and fans are hoping Bartley is right there alongside him for it.
You can find some of the best Twitter reactions down below…
It’s kind to no-one. It can ruin careers. It can make you a laughing stock. Welcome to the cut throat world of the Premier League.
The toughest competition in the world. When men from foreign lands seek to try their luck in the English game, an immediate impact must be made in order to survive.For these unfortunate 15, the Premier League chewed up their careers and were spat back out into a world that they were no longer wanted in, thanks to their inability to adapt to the fast pace and physicality of football in England.
It must be hard to establish yourself in the league, especially given the demands of English fans, the brutality of the English press and the impatience of owners whose hard earned money was spent on you.
These are the exceptions. No excuses should be made for how awful these 15 players were. Some lasted a couple of years, some last 53 minutes. Regardless, most are players who came with expectancy on their shoulder and wholly failed to deliver.
Click on Andriy Shevchenko to reveal the full list of dodgy foreign players in all its glory
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West Ham manager Sam Allardyce has praised midfielder Kevin Nolan for his turnaround in form of late, as reported by London 24.
Nolan was sent off twice inside four weeks against Liverpool and Fulham over the festive period, and Allardyce admitted he questioned whether the former Bolton and Newcastle star would remain as captain of the Hammers, let alone get back in the side.
However, the 31-year-old has been in wonderful form since and has scored five goals in five games which has played a major role in West Ham now occupying a top half position.
Nolan’s form for the first half of the season was retched and the Hammers fans made their feelings clear on numerous occasions.
A lot has happened since then, though, and Nolan received a standing ovation when substituted in the second half during yesterday’s win over Southampton, and Allardyce is also appreciating the form of his skipper.
“I can believe the turnaround because I know his qualities,” he said of Nolan.
“What I like about it is that he has gone about his job and made sure he repays everybody at the club for what happened.
“It was the lowest point of his career, I think, because it was not just one sending off but two in a short period of time.
“The contribution now is massive and it is not just the goals, but the pass he made for the first goal – a top quality pass at this level, which split open a very resilient Southampton defence. Long may it continue.”