All posts by h79snht.top

Louis van Gaal has an enormous job on his hands going into next season after becoming the next manager of Manchester United.

The focus has very much been on the Dutchman since David Moyes’ sacking – and since we got over that now-senseless idea of giving Ryan Giggs the job – but it’s at times forgotten just how much work is needed at Old Trafford. Van Gaal can bring trophies back to the club, but the changes needed – often described as an overhaul – must force trophies to the backseat, if only temporarily.

The football world can’t seem to make its mind up: can Manchester United be in transition? Can a club of that stature ever be in a position where trophies aren’t seen for a few years and in the stead of silverware rebuilding and a long-term vision takes precedence?

United’s last title win in 2013 masked the deficiencies of an ageing squad. The addition of Robin van Persie, himself 31 later this year, covered up for the fact that this team were running out of steam. The younger players, either brought up through the academy or via the market, weren’t developing or simply weren’t good enough. There was no bridge between the old and young. No continuity.

The easy thing for United and van Gaal to do this summer is spend big on established stars on the continent and immediately re-join the race the silverware. But it should be acknowledged that the Netherlands coach has a fantastic record of getting the best out of younger players.

His title win with AZ Alkmaar was built around youth and very little investment. At Bayern, Thomas Muller and Holger Badstuber were among the youth players promoted and afforded chances. The latter has been well out of the limelight due to long-term injury, but he, like Muller, can be considered a successful graduate of the team’s academy.

The key for United is in establishing a strong base that can be successful for the next decade. Alex Ferguson did it with Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney after going through what can be considered a transitional period, landing the League Cup in 2006 and using that as a springboard to further trophy successes. Much of the same is needed this time around.

Despite his record of burning bridges and holding short tenures at each of his clubs, van Gaal is the ideal manager to build from the bottom up at United. He certainly won’t see the end result or even the real fruits of his work midway through, but he can lay the foundation.

Luke Shaw is a name that has been heavily linked with United, and that’s the right way to go, even if it means splashing out £27 million on a teenage full-back. Wayne Rooney is now tied to United for the foreseeable future, and with van Persie still good for, say, two more seasons, the club need a younger forward to work with who can pick up that scoring responsibility in the coming years. Danny Welbeck isn’t that player.

And then there’s the midfield. United’s reserves may hold a few names who can come into the first-team and fill out the squad, but the club must decide now whether Nick Powell has what it takes to dictate play from the midfield or whether serious, youthful investment is needed. Van Gaal will obviously turn to what he knows best, but players like Wesley Sneijder or Rafael van der Vaart are not the answer. The younger Kevin Strootman and Daley Blind (who can operate at both full-back and holding midfield) serve different roles. Perhaps Feyenoord’s Jordy Clasie.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

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 point is United must be wary of becoming a club who work to short cycles, essentially having to start from scratch each time a new manager comes in because his predecessor only bought for himself and for the short term.

There is no strong base in the squad, no group of players who can become the spine of the team for the foreseeable future. Adnan Januzaj and David De Gea, yes; Juan Mata is still relatively young. But there are question marks over Phil Jones and Chris Smalling for varying reasons. The club need players who can learn from the remaining veterans in the team and then develop to a high enough standard whereby they can carry the torch.

[ad_pod id=’ricco’ align=’center’]

Belgium 1-0 Russia

Belgium leaves it late to secure a place in the last 16 of the World Cup after a 1-0 victory over Russia in what was a hard fought game.

Marc Wilmots’ side saw early pressure from the Eastern European side when Viktor Fayzulin’s strike forced a saved from Thibaut Courtois, but his team slowly found a way back into the match.

Dries Mertens was looking the likely candidate to make something happen for Wilmots with a majority of chances as he skipped pass defenders on more than one occasions. His failure to provide the killer ball or take his many chances resulted in a goalless first half. Aleksandr Kokorin should have given Fabio Capello’s men the lead with an unmarked header, which was probably the best chance of the match so far.

Both sides threw everything they had at each other, but to no avail as they battled for all three points. The breakthrough came in the 88th minute when substitute Divock Origi capitalized on a brilliant Eden Hazard run down the right flank before he received the ball just outside the six yard box and slotted home his nations winning goal.

 

Algeria 4-2 South Korea

Algeria and South Korea gave us another amazing encounter in this year’s World Cup. What was expected to be a tight affair turned out to be an all attacking display, resulting in a six-goal game. The African side took the lead in the 26th minute, when Slimani latched onto a long ball and hit a delicate chip over the out-rushing keeper.

Algeria then doubled two minutes later when Halliche towered above the Korean defence to put a thunderous header into the net.

Things got worse for the Asian side as they went 3-0, Djabou putting his side effort shot in the corner of the net.

But as the second half started, Korea got back into the game Heung-Min Son turned his defender and put his left foot shot between the legs of Rais M’Bohli. South Korea piled on the pressure and had an amazing pile-driver by Sunderland’s Sung-Yong Ki saved.

However Algeria grabbed hold of the game with their fourth, Brahimi cutting the defence wide open with a one two and smashing it into the bottom of the net.

Ja-Chael Koo added the game’s sixth in the 72nd minute, but it was only to be a consolation.  

Portugal 2-2 USA

In an almost must win game for Portugal, they went into the best of starts when the US defence were unable to clear a rather tame cross into the box, which landed to Nani who smashed the ball into the roof of the net just five minutes into the game.

And it looked like Ronaldo’s side were going to hold onto the points, before the US turned on the style in the 64nd minute when Jermaine Jones curled one from outside the area leaving Bento stuck to his spot.

The US, buoyed by the goal, pressed the Portugal back-line and finally got their reward when captain Clint Dempsey was in the right area to turn a cross over the line with his thigh.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Portugal were however not done yet, and with practically seconds to go in injury time, Cristiano Ronaldo sent a brilliant cross into the area for Silverstre Varela, whose powerful header was just too much for Tim Howard to handle.

The European outfit still have a slim hope of advancing in the next stage of the competition, but must hope that Germany beat the US by a large margin and they do the same with Ghana.

[ad_pod id=’ricco’ align=’center’]

Few teams in the Premier League were as racked by injury worries over the international break as Liverpool, whose fans have been refreshing Twitter and checking all over the web for days now to see how their stars are coping. It’s been a mixed bag in terms of good and bad news, which makes Brendan Rodgers’ selection dilemmas interesting for the coming weeks as the Reds embark on a kind set of fixtures including Aston Villa at Anfield on Saturday.

Here are the Liverpool ins and outs we at FFC Towers think may be wise…

[ffc-gallery]

CLICK ON ALBERTO MORENO TO REVEAL 

[/ffc-gallery]

[ad_pod id=’ricco’ align=’center’]

IN – Mario Balotelli

Perhaps the biggest loss in the Premier League from the international break was Daniel Sturridge. The injury-prone striker damaged his thigh while away with England and is now set to miss the majority of September with the problem. One man who could take advantage of this is Balotelli, who will surely be made the focal point of Liverpool’s attack in the absence of ‘Danny’.

The Italian has the physicality to lead the line and a proven goalscoring record, thus making him a tempting option with the Reds boasting one of the most exciting attacking set-ups in the league.

OUT – Daniel Sturridge

Naturally it would be wise to get rid of Sturridge for now. The striker is set to miss at least two league games and may be a doubt for the Merseyside derby at the end of the month and the vast amount of cash needed to keep him on the bench could be better used elsewhere in the meantime.

IN – Alberto Moreno

After two games, Moreno looks to be the real deal. The Spaniard’s lightening pace bagged him a goal against Spurs last time out and with a kind set of fixtures coming up he may well be able to get points at both ends of the field.

Unlike some big name full-backs, Moreno is fairly cheap, making him a decent option for the month of September at least.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

OUT – Martin Skrtel

Brendan Rodgers has shown a willingness to stick with his backlines from previous games in the past, so it looks as if Mamdou Sakho may keep his role alongside Dejan Lovren after their clean sheet at White Hart Lane. Skrtel has always been a threat from set pieces, but with a knock worrying his manager ahead of a crowded fixture list in the coming months, it appears unlikely that the Slovakian will be thrown back into the Reds’ XI.

IN – Raheem Sterling

Without Sturridge, Sterling looks likely to be the man Liverpool will turn to for inspiration. The 19-year-old has been, arguably, the Reds’ best player through 2014 as a whole, with the form his showed at the back end of last season having been carried into the new campaign. With electric pace and two goals to his name, Sterling is a cheaper and more productive alterantive to some of the Premier League’s biggest names, and he could thrive in a wide role with Balotelli up top.

When Arsenal completed the £16million capture of Danny Welbeck from Manchester United on transfer deadline day, the Gunners faithful felt cheated after being linked with almost every other top striker in Europe.

United fans, on the other hand, were in their element after seemingly replacing Welbeck with Monacao goal machine Radamel Falcao.

But now it’s Arsenal who are singing Welbeck’s name and raving about their new hat-trick hero, while the red side of Manchester continue to wait patiently for Falcao to find his shooting boots.

And Welbeck’s three goals against Galatasaray at the Emirates last night sparked something of an online onslaught from Arsenal fans who felt it was just the right time to taunt United and create some of the worst memes in football memes history.

WARNING: The below tweets and memes are obscenely cringy and could force you to bring up your lunch. You have been warned…

Fill out our survey and win a pair of PUMA EvoPOWER boots as worn by Mario Balotelli, Cesc Fabregas and Marco Reus!

Create your free online surveys with SurveyMonkey , the world’s leading questionnaire tool.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

[ad_pod id=’ricco’ align=’center’]

Sixteen seconds was it all took. Sixteen seconds to definitively destroy the perceived aura of impenetrability that had clothed Barcelona during the past few weeks of the La Liga campaign.

Sixteen seconds that allowed Real Madrid to once again showcase their exhilaratingly brutal counter-attacking threat. Sixteen seconds, most significantly, to lay down the first marker of the season.

With 60:09 on the clock, Ivan Rakitić’s very first touch was intercepted by James Rodriguez, who curled the ball toward the left-hand side of the halfway line. Six seconds later Isco, previously immersed in a foot race with Andrés Iniesta, somehow emerged with the ball and nudged it inwards having eluded the Barcelona playmaker and the onrushing Javier Mascherano. Cristiano Ronaldo was picked out as the clock read 60:21, and the Portuguese took one touch to swivel and another to feed James, who momentarily paused to allow Karim Benzema the time to advance beyond Sergio Busquets.

The Colombian released the Frenchman, who, without breaking stride, unerringly dispatched a low drive beyond Claudio Bravo via the inside of the left-hand post, sixteen seconds after Real Madrid had been defending a Barcelona corner-kick. Bravo, whose run without conceding in a Barcelona shirt had ended after 776 minutes earlier in the evening, was now being forced to pick the ball out of the back of the net for the third time in 26 minutes.

Real Madrid were, of course, leading 2-1 prior to that but the Frenchman’s strike – which was the first goal the visitors had conceded in La Liga in open play since Ángel Lafita’s injury-time equaliser for Getafe at Camp Nou in May – effectively ended the tie as a contest. Barcelona, overrun in midfield and with Lionel Messi muted, downed tools shortly afterwards, while Real Madrid eventually shut up shop, with Carlo Ancelotti introducing a trio of defensive substitutions as the game wore on.

Luis Enrique, whose arrival has arguably heralded the most significant new dawn at Camp Nou since Pep Guardiola’s emergence six years ago, is the first Barcelona manager to lose his maiden Clásico since Frank Rijkaard in December 2003. The concerns over Barça’s defensive vulnerability that were first aired this season after the 3-2 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain have now been magnified, with Gerard Piqué, notably, unable to arrest his slump. The Catalans have played two matches against ‘big’ teams this season and have lost both, conceding three times on each occasion.

Despite Rakitić’s impressive early season form, Enrique had reverted back to the classic midfield trio of Xavi, Iniesta and Sergio Busquets, the triumvirate that effectively encapsulated the ideologue of the team during the period of sustained success that came during the Guardiola-Vilanova era. Although Xavi’s recent mini-renaissance has reopened the debate over his relevancy in the Enrique era, he failed to impose himself on Saturday, while Busquets and Iniesta toiled with little success.

Meanwhile, on the opposite bench, Ancelotti was once again treated to another impressive display from his central-midfield pairing of Toni Kroos and Luka Modrić, whose combined assumption of greater defensive duties in the wake of Alonso’s exit have helped the Italian inch closer to the equilibrium he has consistently desired. And that sense of balance was further assisted by the hard work and diligence of Isco and James, leaving many to ponder whether the team functions better without Gareth Bale. Ancelotti has stated his belief that Bale warrants a first-team berth when fit but it would seem churlish to exclude the supremely gifted Isco in the form that he is currently in.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

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 unstoppable force versus the immovable object was how it had been billed; the team whose backline had not been breached in eight previous matches versus the team with thirty league goals since the start of the campaign. Barcelona still top the La Liga table, but Real have won the first battle of the new chapter of the eternal rivalry. And the immovable object is no more, while the unstoppable force continues to gather pace.

[ad_pod id=’ricco’ align=’center’]

Ho, ho, ho! Christmas is, almost, officially here, and like the rest of us, football managers are hoping for some lovely presents.Arsene Wenger is, perhaps, more in need than most of some thoughtful gifts, with Arsenal’s season having lurched from disappointment to disaster on a weekly basis so far.So what does the Frenchman need all wrapped up with a bow on top? Well, we’ve got a glimpse of his letter to Mr Claus, and here’s what we found…[ffc-gallery]

CLICK ON WENGER TO REVEAL THE FIVE

[/ffc-gallery]

[ad_pod id=’ricco’ align=’center’]

Defenders

The fans know it, the pundits are calling for it and anybody with a fully – or even partially –functioning pair of eyes is aware of the issue. Arsenal need defenders. Nacho Monreal’s woes at centre-back and a horrendous list of injuries have ruthlessly exposed a lack of depth at the back for the Gunners, who have changed their backline more often that we’d care to mention this season, with predictable results.

Money is thought to be in place, with a £20m minimum kitty deep enough to land at least one extra pair of legs to bolster their rearguard. Winston Reid and Virgil van Dijk of West Ham and Celtic respectively are options, with the pair well within Wenger’s budget. But will he move for them?

First class travel…

Scenes as Wenger boarded the train after his side’s shock loss in Stoke were, erm… a little unfair. The Frenchman was ferociously booed by disenchanted Gunners fans, who truly ran out of patience with their manager after the latest slip. But had Wenger plumped for better seats, he may have been able to slip seamlessly from the first class lounge (if there is such a location in the Potteries) and onto the train without facing a barrage of abuse. Surely some fan will chip in for an upgrade? No? Oh…

Some crocked stars back in action

Arsenal’s injury list is frankly embarrassing. Jack Wilshere’s latest blow means that he’ll be out until Spring 2015, while a host of other players are keeping the Gunners’ physios inundated with work through the festive period. The perfect gift for Wenger would be a fully fit and firing Mesut Ozil, some defenders back in action and at least one of his experienced goalkeepers to be okay for 90 minutes of aerial bombardment.

A new coat…

Wenger’s barrier against the cold has been a long running joke. From his hilarious zip issues, to sleeping bag references, opposing fans have been given nearly limitless ammo to fire pot-shots at the Frenchman. Surely some Love To Shop vouchers can be dug out for a new jacket…

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Wins…

Football is a result business, and Arsenal simply haven’t been picking up the points they need. With all of the traditional top four rivals stuttering, the Gunners had a real chance, and still have a good the opportunity, to get their quest for Champions League qualification on track early on, yet shock losses and the surrendering of leads have cost them big time. It’s not too late though, with the festive period presenting games thick and fast and the chance to focus on the league.

Some luck in the Champions League

Second spot in Group D awaits for the Gunners, unless Dortmund slip up, making the draw next week a potentially dangerous one for the Gunners. Over the course of the last few years a failure to top their pool has forced Arsenal to take on some of Europe’s big boys, which has always ended in disappointment. The draw may be tricky again this time around, but a slice of good fortune may be what’s needed for the Londoners to make a long-awaited continental impact.

With the January transfer window now closed, Arsene Wenger has six months of the season remaining to decide who does and who doesn’t have a long-term future in his Arsenal squad, before it reopens in July.

Barring the superfluous form of £35million summer signing Alexis Sanchez, it’s been a rather unspectacular season at the Emirates, with the Gunners currently fifth in the Premier League table and yet to hit top gear.

Resultantly, it seems the squad is in need of a reshuffle at the end of the season, swapping some of their lesser effective players for some fresh faces, so just in case Wenger is short on ideas, we’ve listed the FIVE players we think should be thrown on the transfer scrapheap this summer.

SANTI CAZORLA

Santi Cazorla, reinvigorated in his new central midfield role, has been in sensational form over the winter period, with a superfluous run of six goals and eight assists in his last 16 Arsenal appearances earning the playmaking maestro the PFA Fans’ Player of the Month award for both December and January.

Indeed, amid a rather unspectacular season at the Emirates, the Spain international has emerged as one of the only genuine contenders to rival £35million signing Alexis Sanchez for the Gunners’ Player of the Season award come the summer.

Now 30 years of age however and strongly linked with a move to Atletico Madrid via Sky Sports’ La Liga specialist Guillem Balague, the north Londoners would be wise to part with Cazorla on a high.

His sheer presence in the starting Xi tends to create more problems than it solves – especially regarding Mesut Ozil. Arsenal bought a £42.2million No.10 but Cazorla’s incredible form is continually forcing Arsene Wenger to field the German World Cup winner in wide positions, where he’s persistently struggled to prove effective in the Premier League.

Whether Ozil deserves to start over Cazorla centrally right now is certainly debatable, but there’s no dispute over who features heavier in Wenger’s long-term plans.

Similarly, this is the best form of the Spaniard’s career according to the Gunners gaffer, so selling him now will ensure maximum profit – an area of transfer policy the Emirates outfit have really struggled with throughout Wenger’s reign.

JACK WILSHERE

A suggestion arguably even more controversial than the last – but the fact of the matter is that Jack Wilshere has shown worryingly little progression since he first became an Arsenal regular at 19 years of age.

Of course, injures have played a huge part and even the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi would struggle to improve their games if they endured nine serious injuries in just six seasons like the England international has. Similarly, Wilshere’s passion for the club, having originally joined the Arsenal academy at just nine years of age, remains without doubt.

But the gulf in quality between the 23 year-old and the Gunners’ other midfield options is becoming worryingly noticeable. Compared to the quality of Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez for example, or the contributions of Santi Cazorla, Aaron Ramsey, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Mikel Arteta and even Tomas Rosicky over the last few seasons, Wilshere is lagging worryingly behind.

The tabloids have recently linked him with a move to Liverpool and although that may seem a rather unimaginable scenario, we’re getting to the point where the Three Lions playmaker’s development might be better served at another club. He’s certainly a long way shy of the Barcelona-standard playmaker he was once heralded to become.

NACHO MONREAL

The criticism often thrown Nacho Monreal’s way is probably a little disproportionate to his actual performances; although the Spaniard is a rather inconsistent character, he’s put in some important displays over the last two seasons and made the best of a difficult situation earlier in the season when a serious injury crisis obliged Arsene Wenger to throw the 5 foot 11 full-back in at centre-half.

Yet, the former Malaga star has never quite lived up to the billing of an attacking full-back capable of breeding a new sense of energy and dynamism into the Gunners left flank – now 28 years of age, his ability to get up and down the pitch is slowing diminishing.

Arsenal’s defence could do with something a little different – even if it’s in Monreal’s unenviable back-up full-back role – and in my opinion, Ipswich Town prodigy Tyrone Mings, whom Arsene Wenger admitted was on his radar during the January window, remains the perfect candidate to provide it.

The Tractor Boys defender is a quick, ambitious and progressive full-back, yet blessed with the towering 6 foot 5 frame of a Premier League centre-half. You don’t see too many of Mings’ ilk around in world football, and his physicality would add a new edge to Arsenal’s backline.

MATHIEU FLAMINI

With his contract set to expire at the end of the campaign, it’s likely Arsene Wenger is already planning for life without Mathieu Flamini.

But it’s worth reminding that adding a top-class holding midfielder to their squad is essential if Arsenal expect to be competing with the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City for the Premier League title any time soon – not to mention the Champions League title.

It’s a department that’s been neglected for seasons, with makeshift options such as Mikel Arteta, Abou Diaby and Francis Coquelin continually preferred over the more conventional, coveted and costly play-breaker on the market.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

With Flamini finally moving on, there’s no excuse for Wenger not to sign an upgrade this summer.

WOJCIECH SZCZESNY

With Wojciech Szczesny enduring a rather turbulent campaign both on and off the pitch, committing the most defensive errors, six, and the most errors leading to goals, three, of any player in the Premier League whilst simultaneously being caught smoking in the Southampton shower rooms, it’s time for Arsenal to strongly consider signing an upgrade.

That may seem like a rather harsh analysis considering the Poland international has now served as Arsenal’s No.1 for the best part of five seasons and for a goalkeeper aged just 24, has always performed to an acceptable level.

Yet, Chelsea’s Petr Cech will almost certainly be on the market this summer and for Arsene Wenger to ignore the availability of one of the greatest goalkeepers in Premier League history, purely for the sake of Szczesny’s Arsenal career continuing, would be an almost unforgivable sin.

The one-time Brentford loanee is a decent goalkeeper by all means – but he’ll never come close to paralleling the quality of a 32 year-old Cech with 331 games’ worth of Premier League experience under his belt.

It’s certainly a little cut-throat but for a club that prides itself on open, attacking football, a world-class goalkeeper is essential.

According to recent reports from Sky Sports, Mino Raiola – current agent of the ever-enigmatic Mario Balotelli among others – has claimed that Brendan Rodgers is doing more for the Italian striker’s career than any of his previous managers.

The 24-year-old front-man may be enduring a more than testing time with the Reds this season, especially with only four goals scored in all competitions throughout 2014/15 – yet Balotelli’s agent believes that his client’s season on Merseyside has been particularly good for his progression as a player and as a man;

“Right now, I think Mario has a very interesting development for his career,

“He has found a coach who asks of him things that had never been requested of him until now, including this discipline of running without the ball.

“This allows him to grow as a person and as a football player. He’ll come out even stronger. He is proud of his team [Liverpool] and that is the most important.”

Brendan Rodgers may therefore have gained a one up on the likes of Roberto Mancini and Jose Mourinho, who have seemingly been unable to have the same effect on the Italian striker.

If Mario Balotelli simply continues to underachieve at Anfield however – such statements will ultimately amount to very much in the grand scheme of things.

The Liverpool faithful are seemingly growing tired of their £16 million striker’s shortcomings this season, and as Balotelli really doesn’t have a great deal more time left to stake his claim with the Reds, the Italian’s Anfield career could be over almost as soon as it’s begun.

Win a pair of Puma football boots as worn by Cesc Fabregas and Super Mario by filling in this quick survey!

Create your own user feedback survey

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

[interaction ]

Even during the campaign that saw Liverpool come perilously close to lifting their first title in decades, the defence was a major issue. Probably the one that cost them the trophy come last May.

Brendan Rodgers thought he had addressed this issue with the acquisition of highly coveted Croatian centre back Dejan Lovren from Southampton. However, his nightmare start, combined with the injury to Daniel Sturridge at the other end, left them a shadow of the side they had been only months previous.

But Liverpool’s defensive salvation would come through another of their summer signings.

Emre Can, bought from German side Bayer Leverkusen for nearly £10 million was originally bought in as a cultured midfielder, someone, who along with Gerrard and Henderson could add more flair and technique into the central areas.

His early season form, like many of his counterparts was poor. Struggling to make the desired impact in a team which were doing the same.

Then at Burnley away, Rodgers made a change that would not only revitalise the team’s fortunes but kickstart the 21-year-old’s burgeoning Kop career. In the 11 league games since the switch, his side have only conceded a miserly six goals, recording seven clean sheets on the way.

Can has developed into a defender in the Daniel Agger mould, assertive and strong in defensive situations while attacking with real intent and quality.

Although, the switch to three at the back has been partly responsible for the upturn in fortunes at Anfield, the colossal performances of their new German defender have been the main reason for the dramatic turnaround.

While the fans on the Kop still have their reservations about almost every other defender (and keeper) in their squad, Can has become a mainstay. One that can be trusted and one that is becoming the first name on the teamsheet.

It may have been a stroke of luck, or the plan all along, but Rodgers has found a combination in defence that is as mean as any in the country. His calmness is the perfect antidote to the sometimes haphazard and calamitous Mamadou Sakho and Martin Skrtel.

As well as his abilities on the pitch, his leadership skills have come to the fore, first to console Lovren after his penalty miss and first to bring the team together after Balotelli’s penalty saga against Besiktas. An approach the real captain could only have wished to take. With the captaincy situation still yet to be clarified, the German could be the man with the armband come next August.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

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 manager had previously stated the former Leverkusen man could be world class, at the time it seemed an almost laughable presumption. Now Rodgers is the man who is laughing.

Ironically Jamie Carragher, one of the club’s great centre backs, has only just vacated the 23 shirt that Can now wears. If his upward curve in English football can continue, Liverpool may have inadvertently stumbled upon his ready-made replacement.

[ad_pod id=’ricco’ align=’center’]

Arsenal are enjoying a superlative end to a promising campaign, set to clinch runner-up spot in the Premier League and almost certain to retain the FA Cup upon facing Aston Villa at Wembley next month.

Yet, the Gunners still seem some way off achieving their ultimate aim of claiming their first domestic title since the Invincibles campaign way back in 2003/04, with monolithic table-toppers Chelsea standing firmly in the way.

And although Arsenal’s season is ending positively, it hasn’t always been smooth sailing. In fact, the north Londoners have spent just 13 out of a possible 33 match-days in the Premier League’s top four this season, and only two matches in the top two.

Clearly, some work needs to be done if the Gunners are to truly rival the Blues for next season’s title. But we at Football Fancast think some astute signings this summer could well be the ultimate difference – and just to prove it, we’ve listed FIVE signings we think will guarantee Arsenal next term’s crown.

PETR CECH

David Ospina has performed well since taking the No.1 mantle from Wojciech Szczesny, going on to record seven clean sheets in 13 Premier League appearances.

But Arsenal still need an upgrade between the sticks – a goalkeeper comparable to the talents on show at Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham – and there won’t be a better value-for-money ‘keeper on the market this summer than Chelsea’s Petr Cech.

The Czech international is indisputably one of the greatest goalkeepers in Premier League history, boasting three (almost four) league titles, a Champions League title and 332 top flight appearances, and at 32 years of age is still firmly within his prime.

After losing his starting role to the prodigious Thibaut Courtois, Cech is widely expected to leave Stamford Bridge this summer and Mirror Football believe Chelsea will demand just £10million for his services.

According to Goal.com, however, the Blues hierarchy won’t sell their decade-spanning servant to a direct divisional rival.

JAVI MARTINEZ

An audacious suggestion perhaps, but I believe signing Javi Martinez would be a major step in transforming Arsenal back into regular Premier League title winners.

The Bayern Munich enforcer represents everything they currently lack in the middle of the park – height, strength, aggression and natural defensive awareness – yet he’s also blessed with all the technical quality you’d expect from a Spain international plying his trade in a Pep Guardiola side.

Arsenal attempted to prize the 6 foot 3 battering ram away from the Allianz Arena last summer to no avail, according to The Telegraph, but they could find better luck in the coming transfer window.

After all, the 26 year-old has spent the majority of the current season out injured but the Bavarians have hardly struggled in his absence – in fact, they signed Mehdi Benatia and Xabi Alonso last summer precisely to fill his void.

Even so, widely regarded as one of the top defensive midfielders in world football – with the added bonus of being equally adept at centre-back – Bayern could command anything between £30million and £50million for his signature.

MORGAN SCHNEIDERLIN

A widely rumoured transfer target who’d also add some much needed physicality and defensive awareness to Arsenal’s midfield is Southampton star Morgan Schneiderlin.

The France international has emerged as one of the Premier League’s most formidable enforcers since the Saints’ top flight ascension in summer 2012, this season averaging the second-most tackles per-match, 3.7, of any player in the division.

Perhaps more importantly for Arsenal, he’s also consistent and confident on the ball; this term, the 25 year-old has averaged 61.2 passes per match (the seventh-most of any Premier League player) with a completion rate of 89.3%.

After three consistent seasons in the top flight, Schneiderlin seems destined to join one of the division’s higher powers this summer, with the tabloids mooting a transfer fee around the £20million mark.

But Arsenal are by no means the 6 foot 2 midfielder’s only suitors – he’s been linked with Chelsea, Manchester United and Spurs to name a few.

Mats HUMMELS

Mats Hummels is predominantly considered a Manchester United target, but there’s no reason Arsenal can’t register an interest in the Borussia Dortmund skipper too.

He is, after all, widely viewed as one of the top centre-backs in world football, affirming such status last summer by lifting the World Cup with Germany, and looks set to leave Westfalen in the coming transfer window after the Bundesliga outfit’s failure to qualify for next term’s Champions League.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

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 26 year-old combines an aerially dominant 6 foot 4 frame with the quality and confidence to join or instigate attacks from deep positions, often drawing parallels with Mannschaft legend Franz Beckenbauer.

That could make him and the more defensive Laurent Koscienly a very compatible partnership, and The Daily Mail believe he could be available for just £21.5million this summer.

As previously stated, however, a move to Old Trafford this summer is the likeliest scenario.

GONZALO HIGUAIN

Thierry Henry believes Arsenal need an upgrade on Olivier Giroud if they’re to claim next season’s Premier League title and I firmly agree. Although the France international has impressed this term, he’s still some way behind the Premier League’s top centre-forwards.

Enter Napoli’s Gonzalo Higuain, who Arsenal came close to signing in summer 2013 until a lengthy dispute with Real Madrid over his price-tag.

The 27 year-old boasts a career return of 212 goals in 447 appearances, throughout his spells with River Plate, Los Blancos, Napoli and the Argentina national team, but he’s no stranger to the assists charts either; he’s claimed eleven set-ups for Albiceleste in 47 appearances, and amassed a further 15 during his last two Serie A campaigns.

He’s expected to leave the Naples outfit this summer if they fail to qualify for the Champions League – they need to overcome a five point deficit on Roma in their last five league fixtures – and back in January, The Metro rated him at a more than reasonable £30million.