Sunderland fans are furious with their club once again after the club announced there will be no cash turnstiles for Tuesday’s clash with Norwich.The Black Cats looked like possibly rescuing their season at Elland Road on Saturday, but an equaliser from Leeds’ Pablo Hernandez has left Chris Coleman’s side dangling by a thread.With five games to play, Sunderland are now seven points adrift of safety, and it doesn’t seem like they’ll be much of an atmosphere at the Stadium of Light on Tuesday to help them out.[ad_pod ]Sunderland’s home form has been truly torrid this season, and the club have today announced there will be no cash turnstiles in operation for the clash with Norwich, and fans must have a purchase history to get tickets.This is presumably to stop Newcastle fans turning up to cause trouble, which has happened in the past, but fans are still understandably annoyed at the decision.Effectively, fans who simply turn up to the games on a whim are now unable to get in, and some of the best Twitter reactions can be found below…
According to reports on HITC, Newcastle United could reignite their interest in Hamburg midfielder Lewis Holtby after he was left out of their squad for the win against Stuttgart on Saturday.
ESPN FC reported in June of this year that the Magpies were keen to bring the former Tottenham Hotspur and Fulham man back to the Premier League, but a move never materialised.
While the 27-year-old was a regular for the Bundesliga outfit earlier in the campaign he has found first-team opportunities harder to come by in recent weeks, and with his contract due to run out next summer the latest blow of missing out on the 18-man squad suggests he is definitely on his way.
Meanwhile, after a fine start to their Championship campaign Leeds United have hit a real poor run of form – losing seven of their last nine league games – and manager Thomas Christiansen could be looking to add to his squad during the January transfer window to ensure their promotion bid doesn’t falter for the second successive season.
Here are three reasons Leeds should hijack Newcastle’s interest in Holtby…
Attacking midfield competition
While summer signing Samu Saiz has probably been Leeds’ standout player so far this season, the likes of Pablo Hernandez, Kemar Roofe and Ezgjan Alioski haven’t really done enough in the attacking midfield positions.
It seems clear that more competition and quality is needed in those areas if the Whites are to turn their season around and challenge for promotion, and the versatile Holtby would certainly bring that as he can play on either flank or as a number 10.
Prime/Potential
At 27 years of age, Holtby should be in or approaching the peak years of his football career and if Leeds could sign him at this stage of his career then it could prove to be quite the coup for the Championship club.
With Premier League experience with Tottenham and Fulham – albeit he struggled to make an impression with the former in particular – the three-capped Germany international would also be ready to make the step up to the English top flight at the end of the season if the Yorkshire outfit do finally make a return there after a 14-year absence.
Transfer fee
Soccer Football – Bundesliga – Hamburg SV vs Borussia Dortmund – Volksparkstadion, Hamburg, Germany – September 20, 2017 Borussia Dortmund’s Lukasz Piszczek in action with Hamburg’s Lewis Holtby REUTERS/Fabian Bimmer DFL RULES TO LIMIT THE ONLINE USAGE DURING MATCH TIME TO 15 PICTURES PER GAME. IMAGE SEQUENCES TO SIMULATE VIDEO IS NOT ALLOWED AT ANY TIME. FOR FURTHER QUERIES PLEASE CONTACT DFL DIRECTLY AT + 49 69 650050
With Holtby’s contract due to expire at the end of the season and with little sign that the 27-year-old will sign a new one with the Bundesliga outfit, an exit seems highly likely either in January or next summer.
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The midfielder will be able to sign a pre-contract agreement with clubs in the New Year if that is the path that he wants to go down and if a team wants to sign him for free, but a cut-price fee may also be enough to get him for the second-half of the current campaign.
That is an option that could be tempting for Leeds as they look to mount a promotion push, and they have plenty of money left in the bank following the big-money sale of Chris Wood to Burnley during the summer.
According to reports from Corriere dello Sport (via Sport Witness) Serie A side Napoli are considering a summer move for Chelsea’s on-loan forward Bertrand Traore after he impressed with Ajax this season.
What’s the word?
When it comes to Chelsea’s loan system, people either love it or they hate it, but you cannot deny that it works for the Premier League champions.
As the Blues were crowned champions in Antonio Conte’s first season as manager, no less than 37 on-loan players will have been watching on from their respective temporary bases having been deemed surplus to requirements for the season back in August.
The west Londoners are often criticised for shipping out too many players, however, in the long run the club always seem to benefit from a healthy sale price having given their youngsters plenty of first team experience elsewhere, and it seems another could be on his way this summer.
Having scored 13 goals and picking up a further six assists in all competitions for Ajax this season 21-year-old Traore is attracting Serie A big boys Napoli, who are looking to add depth to their squad in the wide areas ahead of next season, with reports suggesting that Roman Abramovich could land €20m (around £17m) for the Burkina Faso international.
Furthermore, officials at Stamford Bridge will have been buoyed by the claims that Napoli president Aurelio de Laurentiis would ‘gladly go after’ their youngster.
A future in London?
One gripe for some Chelsea fans is that it has been far too long since they have seen ‘one of their own’ come through the ranks and really establish themselves in the first team squad, no one since soon to be departed captain John Terry has truly made it.
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Having broken into the side at the back end of last season and featuring heavily in Conte’s pre-season plans there was a sense that this could have been the year for Traore. However, having been shipped out on loan and with his parent club persistently linked with some of the top attacking talent in Europe, a future at the Bridge seems a long way off.
Arguably, Liverpool’s biggest test so far this season is upon them this weekend.
Yes, they’ve played Spurs, Chelsea, Arsenal and Leicester but the Reds have a very good knack of turning up for those big games – it’s the ones against Burnley, and this Saturday against Hull, they need to be wary of.
If the Reds are serious about challenging for the top four or even the title they need that consistency that has left them wanting for so long. Sure, they can go an outplay Chelsea but if they don’t beat Hull this weekend that’ll all have been for nothing.
These are the games that define a season arguably more than the ones the TV companies pick and Jurgen Klopp’s men need to show this weekend they understand that with a win.
Here at FootballFanCast we’re expecting a Reds triumph and reckon this line-up should do the business, providing they perform how they can…
Loris Karius
Karius kept a clean sheet against Derby in the EFL Cup and will surely start this weekend.
Nathaniel Clyne
If he’s fit, Clyne starts – it’s that simple.
Joel Matip
Matip is growing into the role at Liverpool and looks a shrewd buy.
Dejan Lovren
Lovren is a nailed on starter, highlighting his progress.
James Milner
Liverpool’s first choice left-back, who’d have thought it? He’s done well though.
Georginio Wijnaldum
Wijnaldum put a top performance in against Chelsea and is looking very at home for the Reds.
Jordan Henderson
Britain Football Soccer – Chelsea v Liverpool – Premier League – Stamford Bridge – 16/9/16Liverpool’s Jordan Henderson celebrates scoring their second goal Reuters / Dylan MartinezLivepicEDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further detail
Nearly ripped the net against Chelsea, Reds fans will be wanting more of the same.
Adam Lallana
Lallana is key to how Klopp wants the Reds to play, so must start.
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Sadio Mane
Mane has started very well but now needs to do it against every side, not just the big ones.
Philippe Coutinho
He must be the first name on the team-sheet. He must play.
Daniel Sturridge
Roberto Firmino is back but Sturridge could get the nod after his last performance at Anfield, it’s a nice problem for Klopp to have anyway.
You’d be forgiven for adhering to the bout of pessimism prevalent at the moment given the state of English football clubs’ performances in Europe.
Chelsea’s away goal Champions League exit to PSG, combined with Arsenal and Man City’s precarious second-leg tie status, are again damning evidence for another year that English football is dwindling on the European stage.
To add to that, Liverpool and Tottenham are both out of the Europa League and only Everton, rooted to 14th in the Premier League, six points above relegation after 29 games, have any attachment left to the continent.
The hypothesis that you deduce from that is fairly straightforward; for all of the glamour and decadence that the Premier League arrogantly portrays in it’s multi-billion pound television deal swag, the best club team’s in Europe are residing abroad.
The whole aura of disappointment comes partly from our (very high) expectations. Such are born primarily from, one, the financial might that England’s top teams possess (be it from investing oligarchs or the financial efficiency of the league itself), and two, the incredible run of success that English teams maintained between 2005 and 2012 in getting to the Champions League final.
Indeed, in 2005 it was Liverpool, 2006 Arsenal, 2007 Liverpool again, 2008 Manchester United and Chelsea, 2009 and 2011 United, and 2012 Chelsea. In 2013/2014, not a single English team made it to the quarters, and last year only Chelsea made it to the semis.
It’s that recent success, combined with the assumption that the Premier League is the finest of it’s kind, that makes us believe that an English team should challenge every year. In reality, English expectations in Europe are slightly miss-guided, because a bracket of ultra-exceptional clubs now compete every year.
Jonathan Wilson outlines this basic (but applicable) analogy in this article, but to paraphrase, Europe is now dominated heavily by a string of ‘superclubs’- a collection of around eight teams who have a chance of winning the Champions League every year.
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Why? Primarily because of Financial Fair Play, but also because of the changing structure of the tournament itself, which demands more knockout games than it used to. That is beside the point, though.
While the notion of there being exceptionally strong clubs in Europe may feel familiar, it has never been the case in the past. Madrid won it five times in a row in the sixties and Ajax three times in the seventies – the last side to retain it was Arrigo Sacchi’s Milan in the nineties. Essentially, the Champions League is more competitive in the sense that a different team will win it every year, but it’s effectively significantly less competitive because the same eight or so teams will always make it to the final rounds. Never again will you see an ‘outlier’, a Steaua Bucharest (winners in 1986) or a Red Star Belgrade (1991) shock the tournament again.
Either way, the overtones of this change is that the European stage has never been so vehemently contested by that collection of ludicrously strong teams. A superclub will always use their might to stay absurdly strong – Spurs, for instance, had a 2011 surge with Luca Modric and Gareth Bale, but both players eventually migrated to Madrid and won the tournament three years later in a different strip. Liverpool, once the stronghold of the world’s finest collection of players ceded their golden booted Luis Suarez to Barcelona in the summer for a monolithic figure that only the very privileged can outlay.
Of course, this dominance has clearly coincided with some shortcomings in the English game – the ‘superclub’ analogy doesn’t wholly explain why England itself hasn’t produced a team of un-nerving quality in the last couple of years.
But overall, recent trends as a whole are more representative of the fact that English teams have continued on their projected rise in the last couple of years. They’ve steadily got better, while the boat of European elite have all soared exponentially into mega giants. Have so many world class players ever resided within so few clubs?
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In light of that, our maligned expectations ought to change. Barcelona, Madrid and Bayern are all undeniably in a superior state at the moment. The tide will inevitably turn back in England’s favour at some point. In fact, it would be pertinent to remember that a country’s European dominance appears to happen in phases; in the nineties Italian teams had their heyday; at the turn of the Millennium it was Spanish; the mid to late noughties was the time for the English and recent years has seen a minor German revival and a profound Italian decline. Pinpointing when England will have it’s fightback is an elusive task.
But if anything is certain, Europe’s next big challengers will only be one of those superclubs – so it’s down to England’s elite to buck up their ideas.
Everton youngster Hallam Hope will be hoping that he’s done enough for a new contract at Everton this season.
The Manchester born striker signed a full-time scholarship with the Toffees’ having joined from Manchester City back in 2005.
The striker, who is eligible to line-up for both England and Trinidad and Tobago, has been described as somewhat of a silent assassin on the pitch due to his ability to go un-noticed in the box until he is ready to pounce.
The youngster has been a regular goalscorer throughout the Everton youth teams since his move, including causing an instant impact in the Under-16’s 2009/2010 campaign.
His good performances that season helped earn Hope a number or call-ups to the Under-18 youth squad as well as becoming a big part of Everton’s 2010 FA Youth Cup Squad.
These performances earned the youngster a call up to International level, as he made his debut for England Under-17’s in the Victory Shield back in October 2009.
He followed up this cap with a brace in England’s 3-1 win over Ukraine in France’s Montaigi Tournament in 2010.
Despite the fact the Hope has represented England at International, he is still eligible to represent Trinidad & Tobago.
Hope celebrated his England appearances by being somewhat of a revelation for the Under-17’s the season after.
He scored seven goals in nine appearances during that 2010-2011 season as he helped the side qualify for the European Championship Finals.
The sides good form continued all the way to the semi-finals in Serbia before eventually falling to defeat at the hands of Holland.
Hope achieved a school-boy dream during the summer of 2011 as he scored a goal of great importance on a personal level.
The striker found the net during the Mexican Under-17 World Cup, helping them reach the quarter finals of the competition.
That 2010-2011 season was also a big one for Hope at club level.
Everton romped the national academy title that season and was rewarded for his progression at both club and international level by being named in the reserves on a regular basis.
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Since then Hope has earned yet more caps at both Under 18 and Under 19 levels, the latter saw him named in the European Championship Finals in Estonia, after a call-up from Noel Blake.
Hope, who’s current contract ends in June 2013, will be hoping that he’s done enough to earn himself a new deal.
However the youngster may have to wait until David Moyes signs his contract extension before one arrives for himself.
Everton have announced that they have resigned Steven Pienaar from Tottenham on a four-year contract.
The South Africa international moved to White Hart Lane in January 2011, but failed to hold down a regular starting position with the north London side.
After spending the second half of last season at Goodison Park the Toffees were keen to bring the playmaker back to Merseyside on a permanent basis, and Pienaar is glad that a £4.5 million move has been wrapped up.
“I am happy to be here. It took a few weeks to sort out but I am delighted to be back and excited to play for Everton,” he told the club’s official website.
“There was no doubt in my mind that I would be back here. At the end of the season, I told the manager how I felt and I am happy now it is all done.”
Pienaar joins Steven Naismith as Everton’s new players acquired this summer.
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Newcastle United have both Romeo Lavia and James Ward-Prowse on their summer radar as potential options to bolster their midfield.
Who is on Newcastle's summer transfer radar?
The Toon are on the brink of securing what would feel like a huge stride forward in the club's progression under their new ownership.
Champions League football will have been on the list of targets for the Saudi Arabian-based consortium, however, doing it within the first 18 months of taking over may have been merely a dream.
But that is exactly what Eddie Howe's side look set to achieve over the coming weeks having secured a nine-point gap over fifth-placed Liverpool with just five games remaining.
The Magpies aren't quite able to celebrate yet, but with games against the likes of Leeds United and Leicester City on the horizon, it does feel like they will get themselves over the line.
And victory over Southampton on the weekend also provided Dan Ashworth and Howe an opportunity to view two potential summer targets in person.
Indeed, speaking on his YouTube channel after the game, journalist Craig Hope claimed the Toon have identified Lavia and Ward-Prowse as potential options for the summer:
(9:15) "Now I will just mention two players because they were playing out there playing for Southampton: Romeo Lavia in midfield, the young midfielder who I thought was very good. Of course, dispossessed Bruno [Guimaraes] for that goal. He's someone that they like. I think they've liked him for a while now. And also James Ward-Prowse. Now I'm told, James Ward-Prowse is on the list, but probably very low down the list."
Who would be the better signing for Newcastle?
It is apparent the Toon are in need of further strength in depth after the January transfer window left the 45-year-old manager frustrated with his dwindling options.
If Newcastle are looking to add an attacking threat to their ranks, then Ward-Prowse will stand out between the pair as the more suitable option.
The Englishman has provided more than double (3.34) the shot-creating actions that Lavia has offered this season (1.66) as well as six more goals and two more assists (via Fbref).
Southampton's James Ward-Prowse
However, defensively, Lavia has proved more of a dominant force in the Southampton side. Hailed an "absolute monster" by journalist Benjy Nurick, the 19-year-old has returned just under 2.5 tackles per 90 minutes this season.
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The Belgian teenager – who has a £40m buy-back clause with Manchester City – has also racked up considerably more (80.1) progressive yards in carries per 90 minutes in comparison to Ward-Prowse (54.8).
Southampton's precarious position in the league could potentially see the Saints look to offload some of their valuable players with Lavia one of those in demand.
Indeed, it is reported the likes of Chelsea are also showing an interest in the 19-year-old with Manchester United credited with an interest in the £50m-rated Ward-Prowse.
Tottenham fans are mocking West Ham’s chase for Juan Quintero, as reports claim the two London rivals will battle it out with Real Madrid to sign Colombia’s rising star.According to various reports, Tottenham, West Ham and Real Madrid are all eyeing a summer swoop for Quintero, who will become a River Plate player this summer.The Colombian playmaker has been on loan in Argentina from Porto, and River Plate are expected to make the mover permanent this summer, but reports in Argentina say he will have a new release clause of just €22m (£19.5m).[brid autoplay=”true” video=”255896″ player=”12034″ title=”Watch Tottenham’s opening fixtures for the 201819 Premier League season”]His incredible performances at the World Cup will have more than a few clubs sniffing around such a low release clause, and River Plate could be tempted to cash in for a tidy profit on a player who has been blasted for attitude problems at Porto.The 25 year-old is an excellent dribbler, and loves popping up in various positions between midfield and defence to look for incisive forward passes.His assist for Falcao’s goal against Poland followed a superb free kick goal against Japan, and the Hammers would love to bring him on board as a Lanzini replacement.[ad_pod ]Spurs fans are bashing West Ham’s interest though, and you can find some of the best Twitter reactions down below…
It’s been 47 years since a West Ham United player was named Footballer of the Year. And never in the award’s history has a player won it with a club staring relegation in the face. So Scott Parker’s achievement is a towering one – well deserved and extremely hard earned.
Voters in the Footballer Writers’ Association or in the PFA Player of the Year will always look at clubs doing well in the league or cups before they even consider a player from a struggling club. So Parker is perhaps the most remarkable Footballer of the Year of all time. My great friend Bobby Moore was the only previous Hammer to win it, back in 1964. Those knights of the realm Sir Geoff Hurst and Sir Trevor Brooking never won it, neither did Martin Peters nor Billy Bonds – a player so influential he could have won it almost any year of his career.
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But more impressive than that is Parker has shone so brightly in what has been such a wretched spell for his club. Back in my day – before players had proper freedom of movement – it was far more likely that an outstanding player would be with a club playing at the wrong end of the table. Tom Finney was Footballer of the Year at Preston in 1957, but even an all-time great like Johnny Haynes never received the gong, possibly because he was usually fighting relegation with Fulham. I never won the Footballer of the Year award myself and, as a result, have always been convinced that the Great British Press have no taste whatsoever!
But I have to say that they have come up with a better recipient for their award than the players this year – but because they vote later than the PFA, they often do. Gareth Bale won the players’ award on the back of an excellent first half of the campaign, but the Spurs winger has suffered with injury and a dip in form of late. Parker has been a true captain in a season when West Ham have sorely needed leadership and fully deserves his place in the England team. Particularly since Owen Hargreaves got injured, Parker is the player the Three Lions have been crying out for in midfield.
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For his sake, you hope West Ham stay up this season, but if they go down, I hope there are no hard feelings when he does move on as he surely will. Some are bound to say that in days gone by, a top player would have stayed at a relegated club and helped them try to win back promotion. That’s true – but chiefly because players didn’t used to have a choice in the matter.
Parker will probably not have to move far. Harry Redknapp at Tottenham has seemed desperate to sign him for some time. In my playing days, we always believed the FWA award had a northern bias and, looking back at previous winners, there aren’t too many cockneys at London clubs who have won it before. Parker joins Clive Allen, Steve Perryman, Frank Lampard and dear old Mooro himself in that band of players. He’s in good company and I can’t think of anybody who deserves the accolade more.