Marc Wilmots admitted that if it wasn’t for the untimely injury of Cristian Benteke, then Lille’s 19-year-old prodigy, Divock Origi, wouldn’t have stood a hope of making the Belgian squad. But two games into Belgium’s World Cup, and two impactful substitute appearances have got people talking about the young Belgian striker.
Spurs and Liverpool have been credited with interest in Origi, especially after his Lille future was put into serious doubt in January when he made clear he was looking elsewhere to secure more first-team football. According to the Daily Mail, Liverpool are likely to pip Tottenham to Origi’s signature, with an agreement to loan the Belgian back to Lille being the deal-breaker.
Origi’s lightning pace has been his most notable asset so far during his two cameo roles in Brazil. His impact has been even more astounding due to the underwhelming performances of Romelu Lukaku. Lukaku has been wholly ineffectual, looking laboured in his movement and unsure in his touch on the ball. Origi has been the opposite, with his energy and speed giving his midfielders the chance to put balls in behind defenders into the channels for him to chase down.
Following his match-winning goal against Russia in Belgium’s last World Cup match, Origi expressed his desire to follow in the footsteps of Benteke and Lukaku and play in the Premier League. Tottenham would seem an ideal destination. With Mauricio Pochettino’s willingness to give young players considerable amounts of playing time Origi would doubtless be given his chance. Add the lack of movement from Roberto Soldado and perennial inconsistence of Emmanuel Adebayor into the equation, and a move to Spurs would seem fitting.
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Origi has earned his chance to start in Belgium’s final group game against South Korea, and if he continues taking his opportunities, then a big Premier League move surely beckons.
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Mesut Ozil has been taken a lot of the stick for Arsenal’s various poor performances since the Premier League season got underway. However, with the German flourishing in his favoured No.10 position against Villa, Rambo didn’t exactly justify his inclusion over Jack Wilshere with several wayward passes and a lack of influence on proceedings.
Mesut Ozil is back
Maybe a slight exaggeration but the German international will certainly have silenced a few doubters with a goal, an assist and a Man of the Match performance. Arsene Wenger must surely realise that he has to play the German as a No.10 or not at all, right?
Danny Welbeck can be Arsenal’s main man
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It was always going to be vital for the striker to grab his first Arsenal goal quickly to avoid the doubts creeping in and the criticism. The former Manchester United striker showed a natural forward’s instincts with a tidy finish and Arsenal fans will be hoping for plenty more of those as the season progresses.
Manchester United supporters are ready to protest against the Glazer family if the club fail to sign world-class players before the transfer window closes at the end of the month, Daily Mail reports.
The Red Devils are facing a threat from their own fans who have become extremely angry at the Glazer family’s lack of investment in the rebuilding the squad.
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After the appointment of new boss Louis van Gaal supporters were expecting an influx of players this summer, especially after executive chairman Ed Woodward claimed they are willing to break the bank for star names.
However with only 10 days left in the transfer market, United’s only main signings have been £28million midfielder Ander Herrera from Athletic Bilbao and £30million Southampton left-back Luke Shaw.
The supporters are therefore furious that heading into the new campaign, United have still yet to resolve their transfers when they were led to believe that most of the key targets would have been brought to the club before the season kicked off last weekend.
And after another dismal performance in the Premier League – losing 2-1 to Swansea at Old Trafford – social media has been swarmed by #GlazerOut messages.
“United supporters worldwide have hit out in huge numbers against the Glazer family’s ownership of Manchester United via Twitter and Facebook,” said Sean Bones, member of the Man United Supporters’ Trust.
“It’s obviously something that will be a huge concern to the current sponsors who have invested a lot of money in Manchester United as a brand.
“There will be a lot of attention to see how the New York Stock Exchange views the negative reaction by supporters in terms of the Glazers’ handling of United.”
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Man United are currently linked with moves for Argentine duo Marcos Rojo and Angel Di Maria, who they are hoping to sign before September 1st.
Whether it’s ‘the next Ronaldo’, ‘the African Neymar’, ‘Sol Campbell reincarnated’ or ‘a Lionel Messi/Luka Modric hybrid’, there’s nothing football fans enjoy more than rumours of the next big thing joining their club.
Indeed, the Premier League and yonder has become more obsessed with young players than ever before, and thus, so has the rumour mill that eternally surrounds it.
With that in mind, here’s a list of FIVE hotly-tipped youngsters, ‘world prodigies’ if you will, who the tabloids claim have muscled their way on to Arsenal’s transfer radar.
Could we see some of them move to the Emirates in the new year?
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ADRIEN RABIOT
Young midfielder Adrien Rabiot has made quite an impression at Paris Saint-Germain, making 34 appearances across all competitions last season, netting thrice, as the French big-spenders marched their way to a second consecutive Ligue 1 title.
The 19 year-old, who once spent an ill-fated season at Manchester City’s academy, is an industrious yet cultured midfielder, combining the physicality of his wiry 6 foot 2 frame with a consistent and varied passing game. Here’s his vitals from the last two seasons, based on per-90-min metrics:
Rabiot’s also represented Les Tricolores 35 times across the junior levels, further underlining his pedigree and highlighting how highly-rated he is within the France set-up.
The one-time Toulouse loanee refused to extend his contract during the summer, with his current deal set to expire at the end of the season, which has unsurprisingly caught the attention of a number of top European sides, including Arsenal:
Here’s another look at the French playmaker in action: //www.youtube.com/embed/G5B_WaR6Eb0?rel=0 The Gunners’ midfield could certainly do with some added physical menace of Rabiot’s variety, but it appears the youngster is favouring a move to Roma, having almost joined the Serie A side during the summer:
The rumoured fee is an incredibly reasonable €5million.
PACO ALCACER
Lacking in genuine quality and depth up top, the Gunners have been linked with La Liga trailblazer Paco Alcacer:
Indeed, the21 year-old Valencia starlet has been nothing short of potent over the last twelve months, as shown below:
That proficient form has seen the striker muscle his way into Vincente del Bosque’s Spain squad, and he’s now netted three times in four appearances for La Roja since his debut in August. Here’s a look at Alcacer in action: //www.youtube.com/embed/RCKK3deKD2w?rel=0 Fernando Torres-esque dare I say, demonstrating no particular defining attribute but an impressively varied all-round game. The Spaniard looks like a real talent and his current contract with Valencia includes a £15million release clause, leading one Spanish publication to recently dub him ‘the bargain of Europe’. But Alcacer reportedly has no plans to quit the Mestalla in January, whilst Los Che intend to bump up his buy-out fee to an eye-watering £40million:
AYMERIC LAPORTE
Another La Liga starlet known to be on the Arsenal radar is Athletic Bilbao stopper Aymeric Laporte. Speculation over the last week even claims the Gunners are prepared to pay his £34million release clause when the transfer window opens:
Big money indeed, especially considering Laporte is still just 20 years of age and yet to reach 100 league appearances in his senior career. But he’s regarded as one of the most exciting defensive prospects in world football, earning such status with a plethora of strong performances over the last two seasons, as shown below:
Indeed, no player has averaged more interceptions per match in La Liga this term:
And Laporte is now demonstrating a high level of performance at Champions League level too:
Throwing such an audacious sum – equally as much as the Gunners spent on Alexis Sanchez this summer – at such an inexperienced player is hardly the norm in regards to Arsene Wenger’s transfer policy. But the north Londoners are clearly light on bodies at the back and Laporte appears a wise long-term investment, regardless of his transfer fee. Here’s a look at the France U21 in action: //www.youtube.com/embed/vXqN7EieWVs?rel=0
JULIAN DRAXLER
It seems ill-fitting to describe one player as the future of German football, when Die Mannschaft keep churning out generation after generation of incredible talents. But if there’s one German youngster truly standing out against the grain, it’s unquestionably Schalke prodigy Julian Draxler. A creative forward with exceptional dribbling skills, a lethal eye for goal and an unusual 6 foot 2 frame, the 21 year-old is reminiscent of a young Zinedine Zidane. Here’s a look at his top five strikes in the Bundesliga: //www.youtube.com/embed/wnImymrd_60?rel=0
Draxler’s output of just two goals and six assists in the Bundesliga last season was rather slim compared to the year before, where he found the net 13 times across all competitions. But still impressing, he averaged 4.1 successful dribbles per match last term- the fourth best return in the entire division:
Arsenal’s interest in the 15-cap Germany international is no secret – they allegedly launched a bid for him in January 2014, which failed to meet Schalke’s asking price, and have been linked once again this week, with rumours that Draxler could come in for the misfiring Mesut Ozil:
Of course, there’s just the issue of his £37million release clause and the fact most top clubs in Europe will also be baying for his signature.
KEITA BALDE DIAO
Keita Balde Diao may only have made 23 league appearances thus far for current club Lazio, but he’s already emerged as a prime transfer target for the Europe’s elite sides, particularly Liverpool:
The powerful winger claimed five goals and five assists in Serie A last term, demonstrating a real dynamism and explosiveness from wide positions, as shown in the below video:
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//www.youtube.com/embed/_fIoFt6WyIM?rel=0
Originally a product of Barcelona’s famous La Masia youth system, Keita has attracted interest from Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus before and only left the Nou Camp after a bizarre prank involving ice cubes.
He’s currently disappointed with his amount of playing time at Stadio Olimpico, which has apparently caught Arsenal’s attention:
If Lazio are to sell in January however, they’ll expect a huge return on their original £300k investment.
He may have found it difficult to adapt to the demands of Scotland’s dominant football club at first, but it seems that things are beginning to click for Ronny Deila at Celtic. As the successor to the immensely popular Neil Lennon, who left the Scottish champions at the end of last season, Deila’s first task was to win over the support of the Celtic Park faithful.
Elimination from the Champions League play-off round and an inconsistent start to the domestic campaign were not ideal, but Celtic had clearly seen potential in the young manager. Last year Delia led Norwegian side Strømsgodset to their first league title in 43 years, and it seems that the methods which brought him such considerable success in Scandinavia are beginning to work for Deila across the North Sea.
As well as replacing surprise pace setters Inverness Caledonian Thistle at the top of the Scottish Premiership with the added luxury of superior goal difference and a game in hand, Celtic also eased into the fifth round of the Scottish Cup with a thumping 4-0 victory over Hearts on Sunday. The club have already qualified for the last 32 of the Europa League despite losing to Red Bull Salzburg at home on Thursday.
However, while this may have been Celtic’s only defeat in ten games – suggesting that the players are beginning to understand Deila’s philosophy – it is telling that it came against opposition from outside Scotland. So dominant are Celtic in the top flight – especially with Rangers still working their way up through the lower divisions – that delivering a 46th league title would have been the absolute minimum requirement for the Norwegian in his debut campaign.
Outside the comforts of Scottish football, Celtic have been found to struggle. One could argue that a team that has already been eliminated from European competition not once, but twice (they were reinstated into the Champions League following Legia Warsaw’s disqualification despite losing to the Polish side 6-1 on aggregate, only to be defeated again by Maribor) does not deserve to be participating on the continent at all. Yet, for better or for worse, Celtic are still competing in the Europa League.
Indeed, it is in Europe’s second tier club competition that Deila can prove that he is the man to lead Celtic to greater success than they managed under Lennon. It will undoubtedly be challenging; the Bhoys have essentially become a selling club, and are significantly weaker compared to the halcyon days under Martin O’Neill when they reached the final of the competition in 2003. However, one still gets the feeling that they are a club that should be far more competitive in Europe.
Having secured qualification from the group stages, Ronny Deila must prepare his side for the last 32 of the Europa League, where there will be no easy tie. Do so successfully, and he may be able to convince the doubters that Celtic are still able to compete on the European stage – a stage on which a club of their size surely belongs.
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Manchester United star Jonny Evans has claimed that his teammates are starting to understand manager Louis van Gaal’s philosophy and tactics, according to reports from the Express.
Upon being given the Old Trafford hotseat, Van Gaal insisted that it would take time for players to get used to his formation and style of play, but the fans and some squad members have already grown frustrated with the Dutchman’s approach.
The former Bayern Munich manager has changed his formation several times but now seems adamant on playing a 3-5-2, which resulted in the supporters shouting for a change to 4-4-2 during United’s 2-0 win over QPR a few weeks ago, while youngster Adnan Januzaj has publicly admitted that he’s struggling to adapt.
But centre-back Evans believes that, following a run of 16 games with only one defeat, Van Gaal’s methods are starting to pay dividends.
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He said: “The lads have had to take a lot on board. At times, you know, it has been tough and it takes time.
“We’ve been used to playing a certain way for a number of years then the change happens and the new manager wants us to play a certain way.
“It takes time for those things to become second nature but I think you are starting to see that now.
“The fact that the formation has changed a lot has taught the lads an awful lot. Using three at the back against Spurs and Liverpool for instance really suited us because of the way those teams play.
“The experience of using different formations can only benefit us in the long run.”
And the Northern Ireland international has suggested that Van Gaal is aiming for a slow possession style of play, one that is different from the Red Devils’ former quick-passing attacking mentality.
“I think when you get as many attacking players on the pitch as we’ve got you are always going to entertain,” he added.
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“But the manager has done a lot of work in trying to steady the team and making sure everyone knows their jobs. Once we get that nailed on, and everyone knows their defensive jobs, then I think we’ll be able to push on from that and be really entertaining again.”
United continue their fight to stay in the Premier League top four when they visit West Ham United this weekend.
St Patrick’s Day is here, making it a time to celebrate all that comes from the Emerald Isle. While the Republic of Ireland have not truly been a dominant force in football, the nation have supplied the Premier League with a one-man entertainment show… Roy Keane!
The no-nonsense ex-Manchester United man is one of the true characters of the English game, and while his approach is not always orthodox, he has created some moments all footy fans will remember.
We’re sure he’ll be enjoying the festivities of this special day later, and here’s some advice we thing Keano would dish out…
Don’t take any s***
Keane takes no prisoners, it’s key part of his whole persona. If something’s wrong, he’ll let you know, just like he did with Republic of Ireland manager Mick McCarthy in 2002. According to team-mate Niall Quinn, Keano hit back at his boss with this outburst when criticised in a squad meeting…
“You’re a f****** w*****. I didn’t rate you as a player, I don’t rate you as a manager and I don’t rate you as a person. You’re f****** w***** and you can stick your World Cup up your arse. I’ve got no respect for you. The only reason I have any dealings with you is that somehow you are the manager of my country! You can stick it up your b*******.”
He also hit out at Alan Shearer!
Revenge is a dish best served angrily!
If someone wrongs you, let them know! Man City’s Alf Inge Haaland fell foul of Keane, literally, after the then Man City man had inflicted an injury on the Irishman years before…
“I’d waited long enough. I f****** hit him hard. The ball was there (I think). Take that you c***. And don’t ever stand over me sneering about fake injuries.
“Even in the dressing room afterwards, I had no remorse. My attitude was, f*** him. What goes around comes around. He got his just rewards. He f***** me over and my attitude is an eye for an eye.”
Say it how it is…
Don’t pull any punches… here are some examples of Keane doing just that!
“I don’t think some of the people who come to Old Trafford can spell football, never mind understand it.”
“Sometimes you wonder, do they understand the game of football? They have a few drinks and probably the prawn sandwiches, and they don’t realise what’s going on out on the pitch.”
Let any idiots know they’re idiots
Anyone says something stupid, let them know! As Roy did with Adrian Chiles when debating how much rain constitutes a downpour…
Have a laugh!
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At the end of the day, have a good time. Keane can be serious, but even the Irishman had a good laugh when chatting on air with Gareth Southgate about a ‘clash’ the pair had in their playing days
Saturday’s win over struggling Sunderland was West Ham’s first Premier League win since January 18th, putting an end to a dismal run of form that was in stark contrast to the Hammers’ start to the season. More importantly though, it has put paid to their hopes of European football for next year.
The West Ham fans have never warmed to manager Sam Allardyce. His style of football doesn’t match the Hammers fans’ expectations of how their team should play. Maybe this is fair enough, though it’s possibly a picture of Allardyce that is coloured by his time at Bolton and his pragmatic approach to getting the teams he inherits to achieve their objectives.
Either way, the locals aren’t happy, and now even the club’s top brass are starting to pile pressure on the manager.
Karren Brady, who is West Ham’s vice-chairman, is reported in the Telegraph to have written that West Ham are ‘underachieving’ and that it is up to Sam Allardyce to ‘identify the reason and rectify it.’ Clearly she is not happy with West Ham’s current form, and she feels that the high league position that West Ham occupied until Christmas was not overly inflated for their current squad.
Sam Allardyce responded to these comments after the win on Saturday, telling Sky Sports that although his team haven’t been getting the results, their performances have been very good. He said: “We’re not under-performing, we’re under-results-getting so she’s wrong in what’s she’s saying.”
Big Sam’s comments seem to rest on either a misunderstanding or a misquotation of what Brady said. She didn’t say that the team were ‘underperforming’, but that they were ‘underachieving.’
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Allardyce is probably right to a certain extent – West Ham’s performances in defeat haven’t been terrible of late, though they haven’t been at the same level as they were before Christmas. But Brady did say underachieving – nothing to do with performance. If they are playing well enough to win and not managing to do so, that is almost a perfect definition of underachievement. If the team has been performing well, only one win since mid-January is definitely underachievement.
But there’s a bigger issue at stake here, and that’s Big Sam’s contract and his future at the club.
The mirror are reporting that Eddie Howe, the manager of (maybe overachieving?) Bournemouth, is being eyed up by the West Ham board as a replacement for Allardyce in the summer. Howe’s team have been wonderful this season in the Championship, playing attractive and attacking, passing football, retaining possession when they can and looking to release strikers with through balls. Surely that’s the kind of football Irons fans have in mind for their team, and the principle reason that Allardyce is unloved is because he doesn’t provide that. With Big Sam’s contract up in the summer, this move makes a lot of sense.
But in that Sky Sports interview, Allardyce seemed to drop a hint that he is eyeing new recruits in the summer. He suggests that the poor run of results recently is down to the size of the squad he has at his disposal, and that means they need to strengthen in the summer.
Maybe Allardyce is simply stating a truth here. Maybe he’s not looking to buy in the summer, and instead will just leave at the end of his contract and find somewhere new, though it is strange that he’d say something like that – it’s the kind of thing managers say when they’re looking for the owners to dig into their pockets and stump up some cash. But maybe he’s just defending his record and defending his players.
Either way, there is certainly much intrigue at the Boleyn.
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Sam’s position doesn’t seem to be a tough one, though. If the board and the fans are both against him and his contract is up in the summer, what does he stand to gain by staying?
A solid end to the season would keep his stock as a Premier League manager high, and ‘the most sophisticated manager in the league’ may well himself have some new suitors come May.
Arsenal’s 2015 has been terrific. The Gunners are now on the back of an eight-game winning streak, which has brought the possibility of the Premier League title very much into view… despite their stuttering start to the season.
Although 1-0 at Burnley may not appear to a breath-taking result, such a win against a relegation-threatened team battling for safety makes it a momentous performance, especially with the gap to Chelsea at the summit of the division having been closed to four points with it.
So aside from the title dream still flickering away, what else can we take from the victory? Well, here are THREE interesting points.
[interaction ]
Ramsey could be a great…
https://vine.co/v/euZmY9nrHuZ/embed/simple
150 games. Despite being just 24-year-old and having endured a horrific leg break, Aaron Ramsey ahs already notched 150 appearances for the Gunners. A fair few stars down the years have failed to reach such a tally, which shows just how good the Welshman is. And on the momentous occasion he netted the vital goal, showing great composure to smash in a finish Olivier Giroud would have been proud of.
Could he be a potential Gunners great? Maybe…
Ozil is back
He may not have been ‘headline grabbing’ in his performance, but Mesut Ozil quietly went about his job at Turf Moor, and looked impressive. The German has always been a technically adept player, but he finally looks to be physical enough for the English game, which is shown by a good performance away at a battling, relegation—threatened side.
Coquelin is getting better and better
When he went back to the Emirates’ Stadium from Charlton in December, few, if any, fans predicted the performances he’s produced since. The Frenchman has provided the anchor Arsenal have lacked for so long now, performing well in the often thankless anchor role. Today he was stunning again, mobbing up in front of his defenders, while keeping his distribution solid. Top job, Francis.
Manchester United target Ilkay Gundogan has denied claims he has agreed a deal with the Red Devils, and insists his future will be decided following Germany’s clash with Gibraltar, reports the Manchester Evening News.
The Borussia Dortmund star is expected to feature in Saturday’s Euro 2016 qualifier, and only then will contemplate his future having been linked with a move to both United and Barcelona.
The 24-year-old has just one year left on his current contract with the Bundesliga outfit, and the club have already confirmed he will leave this summer for a fee.
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However, the midfielder has quashed rumours that claim a deal is already in place with Manchester United and insisted he has yet to determine where he will spend next season.
“Normally I do not address media reports, especially not on Facebook. I want to this time to explain some things and give you a better insight,” said Gundogan on his Facebook page.
“In recent weeks, I, like you, read again and again that where I was signing was already agreed.
“Today I am in contract negotiations here, tomorrow I’m having a medical check there. At first I could still smile about it, but when there was talk of “contract poker” and “rip-off”, that painted me in a bad light.
“Yesterday an ominous number [regarding wage demands] appeared in the media and so I have now decided to say something about it.
“The 2014/15 season strictly speaking only ends on June 30 2015. Although so far there have hardly been any transfers completed in Europe, rumour to rumour I was supposed to have demanded more and more, putting off making a final decision.
“Forgotten was this: I have one more year on my contract with BVB. What is important to me is that I’m not gambling financially or using delaying tactics.
“What’s next for me personally, I will reveal as soon as possible. But only after the season and our important game for the European Championship qualifier with the national team will I decide.”
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Gundogan has spent four years at Dortmund and was a key part of the club’s double winning side of 2012 and also played a pivotal role in their path to the Champions League final in 2013 where he scored in a narrow 2-1 defeat to Bayern Munich.
He returned from a back injury earlier this season that had kept him out of action for a year, but was unable to help Dortmund reach the Champions League after a somewhat disappointing campaign for the Bundesliga outfit.