As reported by The Scottish Sun, Celtic are set to be boosted by the return of Stuart Armstrong before the club face-off against FC Zenit in the UEFA Europa League.
What’s the story?
The Hoops are suffering something of a injury crisis right now with established stars from back to front suffering from injury lay-offs that have or will keep them out of multiple matches at a crucial time of the season.
One player on the mend and set to return soon though is midfielder Stuart Armstrong, who has been recovering from a hernia operation.
That’s according to The Scottish Sun, who say he is in line to return for the Hoops’ massive match against Russian Premier League side FC Zenit next Thursday evening.
With experience of scoring at this stage of the UEFA Europa League previously against Inter Milan, Armstrong’s presence is a big boost to Brendan Rodgers’ depleted first team.
Stumbling on
Celtic’s latest defeat to Kilmarnock undone the good work done in the early part of 2018 after faltering form in December, at a time when supporters thought Rodgers’ side were entering a new, extended period of good results.
However poor the performance was away to Killie, you’d have the say the Hoops have been exceptionally unfortunate with injuries with formerly key players like Mikael Lustig, Patrick Roberts, Tom Rogic, Craig Gordon and Leigh Griffiths all out of action.
It worsened during the match at Rugby Park too, with Dedryck Boyata and Kristoffer Ajer both having to go off with problems.
Rodgers badly needs established stars like Armstrong back as soon as possible, or their season risks being de-stabilised further.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
The midfielder may not be replicating his form of the 2016/17 season so far this term, but he can still play a big role when the Russians come calling.
Ipswich’s season was effectively ended on Saturday afternoon when they were beaten by a superior side in Burnley live on Sky.
Every manager wants to emulate what Sean Dyche has done at the Lancashire club, but how exactly can Ipswich transform themselves into a top side?
First of all it is important to consider the fact that the Tractor Boys will be finishing just outside the play-offs and have had a great season considering their financial constraints. Mick McCarthy is a manager that likes to build from the back and Ipswich have a solid back four at the moment that are probably good enough for next season.
The centre back partnership of Christophe Berra and Tommy Smith has been one of the main positives this season. Smith is also a player that is only getting better and Berra looks like he is in his prime right now.
We don’t know what the future holds of Aaron Cresswell after rumours that Premier League teams want him, but Tyrone Mings looks like a solid replacement if he is needed. It would be nice to see a more natural right back than Chambers but you can’t fault the former Nottingham Forest defender’s performances this season.
In midfield there are two solid defensive minded players in Luke Hyam and Cole Skuse, neither will do anything spectacular but they both do a job that is necessary. Further foward the strike partnership of Daryl Murphy and David McGoldrick looks good enough but the key area that needs improving is in-between the defensive midfielders and the strikers.
The likes of Paul Anderson, Jay Tabb, Stephen Hunt, Anthony Wordsworth, Paul Taylor and Frank Nouble are decent squad players but aren’t the type of players that will consistently threaten and create chances.
You could argue that the jury is still out on Wordsworth and Taylor but the truth is if they were training/playing well consistently then they would have featured more this season.
McCarthy has been given no money to spend at Ipswich and unfortunately you need money to buy creative offensive players. You can fill almost every other role with average championship players, make sure they have the right attitude/mentality and under a manager like McCarthy they will grind out results. However whilst this type of player won’t make mistakes and work hard they won’t offer much apart from that.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
That is the main difference between Ipswich and a side like Burnley. Neither team are overly technically gifted and rely heavily on hard working players but the Clarets have quality players just behind their strikers like Junior Stanislas and Michael Kightly. Having that extra piece of creative quality makes such a huge difference to a team and that is the type of player that McCarthy will be eyeing up over the summer.
The Suffolk side could also do with signing another central midfielder to replace Hyam when he is out of form and a natural right back would be a solid addition to the squad. However big changes are not needed; just a bit of extra quality in the right area would be enough to turn Ipswich into a Burnley.
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.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
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.
Tottenham are looking to steal a march on their rivals by putting a big bid on the table for young Dutch central defender Mattijis De Ligt.
Whats the story, then?
Italian news outlet Tutto Mercado Web are reporting that Spurs have beaten Juventus to the punch by putting in a bid in the region of €55 million (£48 million) for the 18-year-old.
It has been widely speculated that Toby Alderweireld is expected to leave the club in the summer after failing to agree to a new deal with Spurs, with Manchester United seen as one of the prime suitors for his services, according to The Express.
A strong footballing pedigree
De Ligt learnt his craft in the famed Ajax academy having joined at the age of nine and representing his country in under age football from fourteen.
De Ligt started his senior career with Jong Ajax, who are the reserve team of Ajax, and quickly progressed to the senior side where he looked completely at ease.
So much so, that after starting just two games, De Ligt was selected for the national team where he became the youngest Dutch debutant since 1931 – to this point he has made seven appearances for the Netherlands.
De Ligt made 33 league appearances in the recently completed season showing a level of poise well above his age and he averaged 4.4 clearances, 1.7 interceptions and 1 tackle a game as Ajax finished runners-up to PSV EindHoven.
A tough challenge
As many Dutch players would attest to, crossing over from the Eredivisie to the Premier League is a big gap to close and you have to be a pretty special talent to thrive in the unforgiving environment that is English Football.
For someone as young as De Ligt, that task is even tougher, especially when you think most players his age are still playing academy football.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
However, if a club such as Tottenham are willing to pay such a large fee for De Ligt, then you have to bow to their better judgement.
[brid autoplay=”true” video=”252976″ player=”12034″ title=”Watch 21 things that will definitely happen at the World Cup”]
West Ham United announced on Friday afternoon that they had completed a deal for Inter Milan midfielder Joao Mario.
The Portugal international has joined the Hammers on loan for the remainder of the season.
Manchester United were previously linked with a move for the 25-year-old, but it is West Ham that have brought the Euro 2016 winner to the Premier League.
It would be fair to say that the versatile midfielder, who is valued at £23.4m by transfermarkt.co.uk, has struggled at Inter since joining the club from Sporting Lisbon, but he has plenty of talent.
Mario told West Ham’s official website that he was ‘really happy’ to have joined the Hammers.
The Portuguese is expected to make his West Ham debut in Saturday’s FA Cup fourth-round clash at Wigan Athletic, and the club’s supporters cannot wait to see their new man in action.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Unveiling new signings on social media has become a thing over the last 12 months or so, and West Ham had something up their sleeve for the announcement of Mario.
A selection of the reaction to the announcement can be seen below:
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.”
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.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
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.
Tottenham Hotspur supporters are keen on signing Southampton goalkeeper this summer, after the player was linked with a move to London earlier this week.
The Mirror report that Spurs are interested in making him Hugo Lloris’ number two at the club, with Michel Vorm set to seek a new challenge.
McCarthy has emerged as an impressive shot-stopper at Saints this season, overtaking Fraser Forster in the pecking order at St Mary’s.
As number two signings go, there aren’t likely to be many better available. The 6ft 4in ‘keeper has just a year left on his contract at Southampton so may not command a massive transfer fee.
Tottenham fans certainly appear eager to get the deal done, with a massive 69% of respondents to a poll we published earlier this week believing that the club should sign him this summer.
Can Spurs now negotiate a favourable deal for the 28-year-old?
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Fernando Llorente joined Tottenham Hotspur knowing that regular first-team football was going to be unlikely.
Harry Kane is the star of Spurs’ show and is expected to be leading the line up front for years to come (unless he leaves).
Since Llorente made the switch to North London from Swansea City, he has made 13 Premier League appearances, but only one of those outings was from the starting spot.
In 22 games in all competitions, the Spaniard has scored just two goals and created an assist, but he has played a full 90 minutes just once this season.
The match was a 3-0 win over Champions League opponents APOEL, in which Llorente scored and created a goal.
A recent report by The Independent claims that Chelsea are considering reigniting their interest in the striker.
The Blues were rumoured suitors of Llorente in the summer before he opted to join Tottenham, and now this latest report suggests that manager Antonio Conte is considering another attempt this month.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Spurs fans have been giving their say on the speculation via Twitter.
Adnan Januzaj is a star that has sparkled so far this season among the relative mediocrity at Manchester United. A brace to snatch the points against Sunderland last time out allowed the rising talent to firmly announce himself on the Premier League scene.
Belgian born Januzaj has unsurprisingly earned himself quite a following, with all manner of people fighting tirelessly for both his domestic and international signature; the latter is possibly the more intriguing. Gone are apparently the days when you simply played for the country you are born in, the case of Januzaj is much more complicated. His ancestry allows him to have eligibility for a handful of nations including England and the precocious Januzaj could well have a big decision on his hands in the near future.
The Brussels born teen has been hard pressed to join the Belgian golden generation but an Albanian father and Kosovan mother may well make the decision a little more complicated. Add to this Serbian and Turkish grandparents and you can begin to see the difficulties that Januzaj has going forward. The link to England is slightly more tenuous, with eligibility stemming from employment above all else.
Standing over the precipice of international footballing failure, securing Januzaj as an England international would be quite the coup. At 18 he may still be far from the finished product but if his recent cameo’s and form in the development squad are anything to go by he could well be a major star for many years to come.
Januzaj though has made it clear that any decision over his international future will be delayed in favour of a focus on his current club Manchester United:
“At the moment, international football isn’t something that I’ve thought a lot about,” Januzaj is quoted by the Daily Mirror.
“I know that, first, I have to concentrate on what I do for United, because that is the most important part of my career right now.
“I want to play well for United and give everything for my club.”
[ad_pod id=’tui’ align=’center’]
This is certainly a lifeline for the English national team who looked set to fall behind the likes of Belgium and Albania for the United man’s services. The attitude of Januzaj is clearly as refreshing as it is prudent; this isn’t really a decision that should be taken lightly clearly. Personally I cannot help but feel a slight sense of unease that tempers the whole issue. Playing for your national team should come with a sense of pride and duty for ones homeland, it isn’t a question of choosing it is an allegiance that most people are born with.
Now obviously I don’t have quite as complex a family history as Januzaj, but people do. There are people that have travelled the world lived in all sorts of places and gained citizenship in a variety of states because of it. Very few people do however feel devoid of a homeland, there is always a sense of allegiance with a particular country.
Clearly he may be hard pressed between his country of birth and that of his parents, but a decision to represent England is plainly a ridiculous notion. This isn’t just an eligibility debate this is turning into a moral one and I doubt it is something that England will see as anything more than a nice idea.
As sensible it is for Januzaj to delay and mull over the issue, it does seem a little odd that there isn’t an obvious place that the youngster feels most at home with. If that is genuinely the case I actually feel a little sad for Januzaj.
Quality footballers are few and far between and clearly England would jump at the chance to have someone like Januzaj in their set-up. Passion is something that comes naturally and pride in playing for the three lions isn’t something that comes artificially. Whatever nation Januzaj decides to represent he may well have to deal with issues like this in the early stages of what is sure to be a budding international career wherever he chooses to ply his trade.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
I agree it is refreshing that the youngster wants to take time to think over the issue, however representing England at this stage lies within the realms of fantasy.