According to reports in The Telegraph, Manchester United are on the verge of completing a £40m deal to sign Chelsea midfielder Nemanja Matic.
The Telegraph says that a fee was agreed with Chelsea on Saturday, with the Serbia international travelling up to Manchester to complete a medical on Sunday.
The 28-year-old, who turns 29 on Tuesday, will be reunited with Red Devils boss Jose Mourinho following their spell together at Stamford Bridge, and will become their third arrival of the summer after Victor Lindelof and Romelu Lukaku.
An exit for Matic had been on the cards since he was left home from the Blues’ pre-season tour of Asia in order to secure a move away from the Premier League holders, and it seems as though his transfer to Old Trafford is all but done.
Man United supporters were quick to have their say on the imminent arrival of Matic via social media, and they were divided with their opinions.
While some believe that he will be an excellent addition to the midfield, others “would have preferred Fabinho” with the Monaco star also being linked with a move to the Red Devils.
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Joe Hart is an apparent transfer target for Arsenal this summer as the Emirates Stadium side look ahead to life after Petr Cech, according to reports from the Daily Mail.
Cech is enjoying, or not so in this case, his worst season to date in an Arsenal shirt. The Gunners have conceded 28 goals in the Premier League thus far – one more than Middlesbrough – and are struggling defensively as they again slip away from the title conversation.
The Czech Republic international has been their No 1 since signing for £10m in 2015, joining after Thibaut Courtois became Chelsea’s first choice. However, after two brilliant seasons with the Gunners, where he has more than repaid the measly fee paid for him, it looks as if his time as first choice keeper at the Emirates could be coming to an end.
A number of options for Arsene Wenger are available as they look to potentially replace the former Chelsea man, including the aforementioned Hart, and Roma loanee Wojciech Szczesny, who remains an option heading towards 2017/18.
We think it would be the right thing for Arsenal to do, and here are FOUR reasons why …
Rivals
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Petr Cech hasn’t been really poor this season, but has he been good enough between the sticks for a side that should be challenging for the Premier League title?
If the stats are anything to go by, no. Cech has kept only eight Premier League clean sheets this season, fewer than rival ‘keepers Hugo Lloris, David de Gea and Thibaut Courtois. Manchester City are the exception to this rule, but in general it is not a good sign when your goalie in unable to keep the same amount of clean sheets as your closest title challengers. A solid man between the sticks is one of the trademarks of any title-winning side, something Cech himself will know perhaps better than anyone.
Goals Against
As previously mentioned, Cech has conceded 28 goals this season in the Premier League for Arsenal.
That alone doesn’t sound great, and comparatively it looks even worse. Kasper Schmeichel, Victor Valdes, Lee Grant, Darren Randolph and even the heavily criticised Claudio Bravo have conceded fewer goals this season in a similar amount of games played.
If you combine the fact that Cech has more clean sheets than all of these keepers, too, it shows us something interesting: this ‘keeper is prone to conceding more than one. Is it a confidence thing? Who knows, but when your goalie is conceding multiple goals-per-game, there is a clear problem.
Better Options
Football Soccer – Inter Milan v Torino – Italian Serie A – San Siro stadium, Milan Italy- 26/10/16 – Torino’s goalkeeper Joe Hart looks on as he warms up before the match. REUTERS/Alessandro Garofalo
One of the reasons Petr Cech simply isn’t good enough for Arsenal anymore is that they have better options.
Firstly there’s current No.2 David Ospina. Bar his battering in the recent 5-1 thrashing against Bayern Munich, the Colombian ‘keeper has been excellent when given the chance this season.
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Secondly, we have Roma loanee Wojciech Szczesny, whose form for the Serie A side has been a major factor in them challenging for their first title since 2000/01.
Lastly, Joe Hart has been linked with a move to north London, and the ‘keeper has out-performed Cech in almost all departments this year, including clean sheets kept, goals conceded, saves-per-game and distribution accuracy.
Age
Age is just a number, some may say. However when you are a professional footballer that fact is unfortunately not true, and age is certainly something that can begin to decide when a player’s career is coming to an end.
At 34, Cech has enjoyed a marvellous career at both Chelsea and Arsenal, however, his age is now beginning to show. His reflexes aren’t once what they were, nor is his speed off the line. While mentally he may still be on a level with most of the top most ‘keepers around, it is becoming evident that his physical powers is are fading.
Arsenal returned to winning ways after a dip in form with a relatively straightforward 2-0 win over plucky Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium today.
The Gunners, who had not scored in three games, closed the gap on table topping Leicester City to just five points with 13 games left to play.
With the Foxes up next in what could ultimately prove to be a title decider, it was all but imperative that manager Arsene Wenger made up ground on the top order.
Bournemouth provided a tough test in the opening stages, remaining as competitive as they have been all season.
However, the deadlock was finally broken within 20 minutes as Mesut Ozil expertly controlled a volley past the baying Artur Boruc in goal.
After waiting almost five hours for a goal, the North London giants had clearly gained a taste for it once more.
Just 90 seconds after, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain justified his inclusion ahead of Joel Campbell and Theo Walcott with his first ever Arsenal away goal.
Poor defending perhaps, but the England man did well to race through on goal and get his shot away.
With a two goal cushion, the visitors were largely in control for most of the game with their expert ball retention.
It wasn’t plain sailing by any means, with the hosts improving late on and forcing Petr Cech into a smart double save.
What did we learn? Well here are five things, at least.
GABRIEL A BETTER OPTION THAN PER
Per Mertesacker has a fine pedigree, though the towering German fails to wholly convince he is of the required standard to lead Arsenal to a first Premier League title in over a decade.
Since his sending off against Chelsea, it has afforded Gabriel a chance in the starting lineup. While the Brazilian isn’t the most comfortable on the ball, he is clearly a high quality defender.
Perhaps that’s exactly what the Gunners need. The 25-year old is a dying breed. A modern day defender who puts, well, defending first!
He’s far more mobile than his World Cup winning teammate, dealing with pace in a much more assured manner.
PETR CECH IS HUGELY IMPORTANT
Okay, this might be stating the obvious somewhat. However, the vastly experienced custodian proved impossible to beat as the hosts turned the screw late on.
There is simply no overstating just how important the former Chelsea stopper is to this team. In years gone by, the Gunners may have conceded late on and set up a nervy finish on the South Coast.
If Arsenal are truly going to challenge, the Czech’s mental strength will be of the utmost importance.
FLAMINI CAN COPE
With the greatest respect to Bournemouth, there will clearly be harder tests. However, Mathieu Flamini proved today he can cope in the holding role against a side with high tempo.
Question marks were raised over his inclusion in the side ahead of Francis Coquelin, but his countryman turned in a Man of the Match performance. His work ethic helped snuff out Cherries attacks, stopping the hosts from getting into full flow more often than not.
Granted, he might have sent off for two footed challenge on Dan Gosling, though grew into the game as things progressed.
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BOURNEMOUTH NOT YET SAFE
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The Cherries were by no means awful today, though the fear of relegation must still loom on the South Coast.
Arsenal have the ability to tear most teams in Europe apart, though their application sometimes lacks. While we must take that into account, Eddie Howe’s side made it far too easy for them today.
Especially for the second goal, where Oxlade-Chamberlain was afforded acres of space.
NEXT WEEK’S GAME TAKES ON EVEN MORE IMPORTANCE
Leicester City disposed of Man City with relative ease yesterday, adding extra importance to their imminent clash with the Gunners.
The North London giants will host the Foxes, aiming to close the gap to just two points at the top of the table. Should Wenger mastermind a win there, the dip in form will be well and truly forgotten.
The World Cup 2014 is suddenly upon us. Whilst the Champions League has seemingly overshadowed every other football competition on the planet, the sheer heritage and pomp of the Jules Rimet trophy has allowed it to maintain pole position amongst the tournaments.
And so the ceremony begins, the pouring over the groups, the fixture list and the potential squads, in an effort to try and map out just how the festival might pan out in reality. Permutations, permutations, permutations.
England find themselves in Group D, alongside Uruguay, Italy and Costa Rica. An obvious initial conclusion is that of the four combatants, it is England that will be most likely to suffer from the heat.
Geographical advantage is not to be overlooked. Once you look beyond the caricature of the dehydrated, pale skinned Brits, sunburnt by the time they reach the foot of the aeroplane stairs, there exists a grim reality that the English will not benefit from the heat in South America.
What fans of all sides want of course is “that” game, that epic match of the year that they will remember forever. This will of course, be final itself. No other tournament in the world produces finals like the World Cup. No other tournament in the world guarantees that final will be immense.
The ultimate game of the biggest tournament will be played in the ridiculously beautiful Rio De Janeiro, on the 7th of July.
The World Cup is so big, so all consuming, that every game is on the scale of a domestic final. There is little to no room for error, few second chances. To make the closing stages, sides must hit the ground running, there is no latitude for “growing into the competition.”
Roy Hodgson will be mindful of all of these matters (one hopes) when constructing his squad. His first game in will take place in Manaus on the 14th of June. The opponent will be Italy. This alone tells you all you need to know about the seriousness of Cup. There is no shallow end in which to become acclimatised.
So who to pick? Looking at the choice of goalkeepers doesn’t make for the most inspiring reading. Joe Hart is undoubtedly the stand-out man, despite his personal battle to retain the number one spot at Manchester City this season.
But beyond Hart, the alternatives are much of a muchness. Jack Butland made the squad for the 2012 Olympics, but the Stoke player has been on loan at Leeds, the very epitome of confusion in modern football. He has hardly excelled at Elland Road.
Fraser Forster is another contender. Whilst athletically intimidating, he unproven at the highest level. This may sound harsh, but having “Celtic’s goalie” listed as your occupation on your passport doesn’t quite set the world on fire, these days.
Looking at the back four, suddenly the options are broader, and more convincing. Leighton Baines, Tim Cahill, Kyle Walker, Ashley Cole, Luke Shaw and Phil Jagielka are all names synonymous with quality defending. Here, Hodgson is almost spoiled for choice.
The Everton pair in particular are in tremendous form and Everton, reinvigorated under Roberto Martinez look all set for at least a UEFA League qualifying spot this season.
England’s midfield is more of a conundrum. Some of the names that Roy would have had firmly underlined in his notebook last season no longer look like viable choices. Stewart Downing and Aaron Lennon are no longer of an international standard.
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However there have been positives to be found. Andrew Johnson has drastically improved since moving to Sunderland and despite being 26 years old, it might just be the right time for him to hit the big stage. Elsewhere, Gerrard and Lallana to name but just two look like “must haves” when it comes to contrasting experience and youth.
Hodgson’s striker headache appears to have somewhat dissipated as the current season unfolded. After staring at a names such as Agbonlahor and Carroll, wondering how on earth it might all come together, there was the little matter of Liverpool’s extraordinary season.
Sterling and Sturridge have netted 29 goals between them, so far and have to be the first two players on the plane. If you also factor in that team mate Steven Gerrard has also contributed 13 goals to Brendan Rodgers’ haul, England are looking remarkably blessed offensively.
England may feel the heat, but this could be a competition where they may just cause others to sweat.
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.”
Kenny Dalglish has backed Liverpool’s stance on fighting racism in the game, after the club came under scrutiny for their support of Luis Suarez.
The Uruguay international has been banned from action for eight matches and fined £40,000 for a racist slur aimed at Manchester United defender Patrice Evra, whilst an Anfield fan was arrested after racially abusing Oldham defender Tom Adeyemi in Friday night’s FA Cup clash.
Despite criticism by anti-racism sports organisations of late, the Scottish coach has backed the Merseysiders’ conduct.
“Over the past few weeks there has been a perception that the football club isn’t doing what it should be doing, but I don’t think the football club would ever go down that road,” Dalglish told the club’s official website.
“We will always support the official campaigns related to racism.
“Obviously there was a big issue with Luis. The players showed support for Luis, which was fantastic, but then some people interpreted that wrongly as the players saying they’re not interested in the fight against racism.
“That is totally and utterly rubbish.
‘If we can help to eradicate racism or discrimination from any part of the society, with the help of anybody at Liverpool Football Club, then that help will be forthcoming,” he confirmed
Meanwhile, in the latest incident of racism in the game in England, Everton striker Louis Saha has been insulted on his official Twitter page by a disgruntled fan, who wrote a racist comment on the social networking site.
Everton have confirmed that the authorities are investigating the incident.
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By Gareth McKnight
At sports.coral.co.uk they have all of the latest football betting odds from games taking place all over the globe, so why not come on over and check the site out today!
Leeds United are reportedly lining up a move for Fulham midfielder Harrison Reed, as reported by the Daily Mail.
The Lowdown: Leeds United eye new summer recruits
As Marcelo Bielsa’s men gear up for a second season back in the top-flight, they have seemingly turned their attentions towards the 26-year-old.
Despite not yet venturing into the summer transfer window, the Whites have been heavily linked with plenty of players, mainly left-backs like Nicolas Tagliafico.
Midfield strengthening will also be a priority for Bielsa ahead of pre-season it seems, following previous injury scares in the closing stages of the 2020/21 for star anchor man Kalvin Phillips [The Athletic].
The Latest: Reed has reportedly attracted attention from Elland Road
Leeds are now interested in Reed as they build towards next campaign thanks to his eye-catching performances for relegated Fulham last year [Daily Mail].
Looking to build squad depth, there could be a chance that the Yorkshiremen could acquire the former Southampton man for a favourable price, due to the inevitable valuation drop-off set off by Fulham’s relegation to the Sky Bet Championship.
The report does add however that the Whites are not the only ones tracking the midfielder.
The Verdict: Consistent performer
Undoubtedly, Reed would represent an intelligent signing for Leeds United as they build towards 2021/22.
Making 31 Premier League appearances across 2020/21 [Transfermarkt], he recorded an impressive 86.2% passing accuracy for his current employers, demonstrating his propensity to recycle possession effectively[WhoScored].
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He also showed his defensive qualities with nearly two tackles on average per 90 minutes [WhoScored], and was labelled as ‘tremendous’ by manager Scott Parker in January due to his consistent level of performance for the Cottagers [West London Sport].
An adaptable footballer, Leeds United should look to make Reed one of their first recruits of the new season. Possessing a diverse range of capabilities, the midfielder could slot in well to an already talented group of players.
In other news, Leeds United are reportedly interested in a flying winger.
No matter how much football there is, people always want more. It is an insatiable addiction that the wonderful people at Sky and ESPN are more than happy to feed. Every season the pre match euphoria heightens and the post match analysis deepens.
The working day is now a time to reflect on the action of the day before and prepare for the games to come. Football knowledge is at an all time high and people want more, they want to absorb it all.
For the many fans who just can’t get enough, here is a list of the top 10 innovations to keep you busy at those crushing moments when there isn’t actually any real football taking place.
Click on the image below to see the Top TEN
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With Andy Gray sacked from Sky Sports, and his mate Richard Keys having resigned, the attention now turns to the future and the question of who should replace Gray and take his job? There are plenty of contenders out there, including ex-players, managers and current pundits who would be keen to get a promotion and of course the pay rise that goes with that!
It will be interesting to see whether Sky Sports promote from in-house, with Jamie Redknapp the favourite in the online betting markets, or look to head hunt someone from one of their competitors. The other option is to go for a footballer still playing but set to retire in the near future. However, they wouldn’t have the experience of a seasoned pro that’s been a pundit for many a year.
So who do you think is the man (or woman) to step into Andy Gray’s shoes at Sky? Take a look at the contenders in our gallery below and then vote for your favourite and of course let us know if we’ve missed a major contender out!
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West Ham are by no means finished in this window as they continue to plot moves behind-the-scenes, with an African sensation now catching the Hammers’ eyes.
Their desperate fight for Premier League survival took another devastating blow when they fell to a 2-1 defeat against fellow strugglers Nottingham Forest at the London Stadium on Tuesday.
Morgan Gibbs-White’s late penalty delivered a cruel late winner which now leaves Nuno Espirito Santo’s side seven points adrift from safety and staring relegation squarely in the face.
The defeat represented their 13th loss in 21 league matches, extending their winless run to 10 consecutive Premier League games for the first time since a dismal 11-match stretch between December 2006 and March 2007.
The gap to safety has widened alarmingly following Tuesday’s collapse, with West Ham now seriously contemplating life in the Championship.
Player holds Tuesday exit talks after West Ham submit loan bid to sign him
He’s agitating to leave.
ByEmilio Galantini
The east Londoners have responded to their desperate situation by splashing £45 million on attacking reinforcements, despite their glaring need for a new centre-back.
David Sullivan sanctioned the double signing of strikers Pablo Felipe from Gil Vicente and Taty Castellanos from Lazio, with both players making their debuts in the Forest defeat.
Castellanos represents a significant gamble given the fee involved and mixed reactions from Lazio supporters regarding his sale.
The Argentine managed just two goals and three assists in 11 Serie A appearances this season, underwhelming numbers for a player West Ham desperately need to deliver immediately if they are to preserve their Premier League status.
However, West Ham’s recruitment drive shows no signs of slowing despite the mounting pressure on Nuno’s position.
The Portuguese is reportedly pursuing additional reinforcements across multiple positions, determined to provide West Ham’s squad with the quality needed to claw their way out of the relegation zone.
Now, one young midfielder has emerged as a concrete target for West Ham.
West Ham ready to make 'substantial' offer for Alpha Toure
Indeed, the club have made their interest in FC Metz sensation Alpha Toure very clear, according to Wiwsport.
Nuno’s side are said to have expressed their concrete interest in discussions with Toure’s entourage, and West Ham are prepared to put forward a ‘substantial’ offer to convince Metz to sell him.
However, negotiations will be complex and remain far from advanced, despite West Ham’s clear intentions.
Metz are not currently enthusiastic about the idea of separating from their number 12 during a campaign where they are battling to preserve their own Ligue 1 status, creating significant obstacles to any potential January deal.
The 19-year-old remains under contract with Metz until 2028, providing the French club with considerable leverage in negotiations.
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No discussions have been initiated between the two clubs either, with Metz maintaining their position that Toure is an important asset they cannot afford to lose midway through a relegation battle.
Toure came through the renowned Académie Génération Foot before joining Metz, being part of the pathway that has birthed numerous talented players for European football.
The Senegalese midfielder has featured in 17 Ligue 1 matches since the beginning of this season, establishing himself as a regular presence despite his young age and the pressure surrounding Metz’s difficult campaign.
That being said, West Ham desperately need their January signings to deliver immediately if Nuno is to survive in his position and guide the club away from relegation.
The pursuit of young talents like Toure demonstrates ambition beyond just short-term survival, but West Ham must first preserve their Premier League status before focusing on building for the future.
West Ham join race to sign "physical" defender amid Max Kilman criticism
The Hammers are looking to improve their leaky backline.