Spartak Moscow midfielder Sofiane Hanni has told Belgian publication Sport Foot that heard Everton, as well as Southampton, were interested in signing Quincy Promes in January.
What’s the word?
The Spartak winger was linked heavily to the Saints throughout the winter window, but a move was never agreed.
Mauricio Pellegrino’s side have lacked flair up front this season, and Promes would have certainly provided that.
While speaking to Sport Foot, Hanni, who joined the Russian club in January, revealed that a bid in the region of £26m was rejected.
He also suggested that Everton were in the market for Promes, who has scored 10 goals and created six assists in 17 league matches this season.
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Will Everton, Southampton reignite their pursuit?
Promes is an attractive option for any time in need of an injection of pace and creativity.
This summer’s activity for Everton and Southampton will depend upon how their seasons finish.
However, the Toffees strengthened their attacking ranks in January with the arrivals of Cenk Tosun and Theo Walcott.
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The Saints recruited Guido Carrillo, but there is still a sense that an attacking presence is missing.
Last month, talkSPORT reported that Promes has a £31m release clause, which means that the club could not stand in the winger’s way if the valuation is met.
If it ends up being about money, then Southampton could struggle to match the financial clout of Everton.
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.
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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.
Norwich will be looking to continue their encouraging run of form when they welcome Stoke to Carrow Road on Saturday.
The Canaries go into the game on the back of a dramatic Capital One Cup victory over Tottenham in midweek, and completed a run of three games without defeat.
The run began with a 1-0 win over Arsenal in their last home game, whilst a 1-1 draw against former manager Paul Lambert at Villa Park was another step in the right direction.
Stoke City have been the draw specialists so far, and need a win in order to kick start their season. Last weekend saw them draw 0-0 with Sunderland in a game that was far from memorable.
Norwich defender Russell Martin is making a good recovery from his back injury and could be fit after missing the midweek win against Tottenham.
Andy Wilkinson is set to fill in at left back for Stoke, following the news Marc Wilson is set to miss three months with a fractured fibula picked up in the draw with Sunderland.
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Southampton fans and neutrals alike may have expected the south coast outfit to be active in the summer transfer market having only narrowly avoided relegation to the Championship last month, but it hasn’t been the case.Saints took their time to bring in Mark Hughes on a permanent basis after he kept them up in the final eight matches of the campaign, and there have been no major ins or outs since that moment even though some of their Premier League rivals have been busy both being linked with new additions and bringing them in.The Daily Echo reported on Wednesday that the club has only just started looking at potential new additions this summer, and perhaps they feel that it would have been difficult for them to get any deals done before the World Cup with some of their targets also potentially featuring in Russia.[ad_pod ]Those Southampton supporters who have been moaning on Twitter and expecting to see and overhaul and five or six new faces arrive should trust in the club and Hughes though, because if they keep the majority of their squad together it doesn’t actually need too much work.
While the south coast outfit, who should hijack Brighton’s £22m bid to sign an attacker with 36 goals and assists in 2017/18, were really poor under Mauricio Pellegrino, it perhaps had something to do with how bad the manager was rather than the team as a whole not being good enough.
Those players certainly showed in the closing stages of the 2017/18 campaign that they do have the quality in the locker if they have a boss that organises them and keeps their fitness levels high – which is what Hughes did – and with a couple of tweaks they could be a force again.
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Towards the end of Pellegrino’s reign, fans may have been expecting Cedric Soares, Ryan Bertrand, Dusan Tadic, Mario Lemina and Manolo Gabbiadini to leave St Mary’s whichever division they found themselves in come what May. However, the situation and mentality of those players may well have changed under the tutelage of Hughes, and those individuals who looked almost certain to be on their way out may now stay for at least another year.
Sofiane Boufal is one name that could be on his way out however after he fell out with his Welsh boss following the defeat against Chelsea in April, before being excluded from first-team training and their final few Premier League fixtures.
If Saints manage to keep hold of Bertrand, Cedric, Tadic and Lemina in particular – who may not attract too many admiring glances from other clubs considering they were involved in a relegation battle last term – then they don’t need too many signings.
As things stand, they have a good goalkeeper, two decent full-backs, strong central midfield options and strength in depth when it comes to strikers.
The areas where they do perhaps need some strengthening are at centre-back and on the wings, where they lacked experience and quality and pace, respectively.
While a priority must surely be to bring in an experienced centre-half and leader to help the likes of Wesley Hoedt, Jack Stephens and Jan Bednarek with Jose Fonte and Virgil van Dijk sometimes sorely missed in 2018, a wide forward who can score and create is also a must – something Southampton haven’t really had since they sold Sadio Mane with Boufal and Nathan Redmond often struggling.
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Yes, Southampton do need a couple of quality additions to push on next season, but the St Mary’s faithful shouldn’t be panicking or getting too downhearted about their lack of business just yet.
Celtic have had a long winter to reflect on their European football hopes. Through domestic ups and downs, they’ve maintained their stranglehold over Scottish football for the most part, but this Thursday again invite one of Europe’s elite sides to Celtic Park.
This time it’s the turn of Russian Premier League side FC Zenit, providing Celtic’s first test in the knockout stages of the UEFA Europa League for the first time in three years, when they went up against Inter Milan.
Since their underwhelming loss to Anderlecht at Celtic Park in their final Champions League group stage match in December, worries amongst the Celtic support about their team’s ability to compete in continental competition have intensified, to the point that many are now dreading the match on Thursday night.
There’s a bleak truth to those worries given their defensive frailties and, according to OddsChecker, the Russian side are slight favourites heading into the match despite having not played a competitive match for months and having to travel the breadth of Europe and several time zones to arrive in Glasgow.
However, Thursday match should again be seen as an opportunity for this Celtic side to reach their potential and prove to supporters that aren’t simply happy sitting atop Scottish football and being the best side in an under performing footballing nation.
What is the benchmark?
Oddly, it’s quite difficult for Celtic fans to either feel aggrieved by the current status of Brendan Rodgers’ side, or feel enthused. Usually football fans feel one or the other, it’s that kind of black and white environment.
Well on their way to domestic treble of trophies for a second season in a row and virtually assured of a seventh successive league title, it might appear churlish to some for Celtic fans to have any complaints whatsoever right now.
Still, their form this season has been well below the extreme highs of Brendan Rodgers first term in charge and there are signs of complacency and stagnation creeping into many aspects of the club.
A lack of ambition in the transfer market despite hugely positive interim financial results has also led to questions about what Celtic’s long-term view is.
Are they simply content to be a few steps ahead of Rangers? Are they the benchmark? Or do Celtic truly harbour ambitions to make a success of themselves in Europe?
For many, keeping their foot on the throat of their city rivals will be more than enough, but in order to progress and achieve their potential under Brendan Rodgers Celtic must strive for more and this Thursday’s Zenit clash is a time to show fans they are learning at European level.
What constitutes success?
To be clear, it’s wrong to expect Celtic to progress against the Russian side. They have resources far beyond the Scottish champions and are a side that will be looking to reach the deep end of the competition. There can be no doubt about the size of the task facing Brendan Rodgers’ men, especially in the away leg.
Still, apart from one result against Anderlecht this season, Celtic have failed to impress anyone, not least their own fans. Celtic Park used to once be a fortress, even in times when dwarfed by the riches of visiting clubs.
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For years now there’s been a fear in Celtic’s game at this level, something which has failed to be improved under Brendan Rodgers despite his successes domestically.
It’s a gap that has proved insurmountable but for one night only, Celtic have to prove they are capable of at least competing with an elite side in Europe. They have to raise their game, play to their full capabilities and stop the basic errors that have littered their European matches this season. Even in defeat it’s a night can prove to be positive for the club.
If they are as passive as against Anderlecht last time out, it’ll only fuel the suspicions that the club aren’t interested in being a force at this level but simply eager to bank the cash from the group stages of the Champions League and use it to maintain control over their Scottish opponents.
Success is not about progression but about the manner of performance and proving to fans there’s hope of football feasts beyond their bread and butter.
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.
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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.
and Chelsea’s scouting networks have been busy over the last couple of months, with three talented players arising as transfer targets for the London duo according to Mirror Football.
It is believed that both Andre Villas-Boas and Roberto Di Matteo will look to bolster their squads when the opportunity arises in January, with a number of potential targets on the continent.
The first name to pop up is that of Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Patrick Herrmann, who is also wanted by Inter Milan.
The Germany under-21 box-to-box midfielder impressed last season in helping his side to a third-placed finish in the Bundesliga, but with a number of other leading players leaving Monchengladbach, Herrmann could well be next.
Tottenham are thought to be especially keen on Feyenoord midfielder Jordy Clasie also.
The 21-year-old has made two full international appearances for Netherlands of late, and is part of a younger generation of Dutch players coming through the ranks in Holland.
The defensive midfielder is thought to be available for around £5 million and has been watched by Juventus and Roma also.
Finally, Lazio midfielder Senad Lulic has caught the gaze of Chelsea in particular, and is thought to be available in January after a standoff with the Stadio Olimpico outfit over a new contract.
The Bosnia international has played against Spurs in the Europa League this term, and both the Blues and German powerhouses Bayern Munich are weighing up a bid for the talented eastern European in January.
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Lazio have other options in the centre of the park, and are thought to be responsive to the opportunity of offloading Lulic.
West Bromwich Albion are set to rebuff a £25m offer from Burnley for Craig Dawson and Jay Rodriguez, according to the Express & Star.
What’s the word?
Whenever a club gets relegated from the Premier League, attention turns to the playing squad and possible departures.
The Baggies are in that current situation, and it seems that Burnley are trying to test their resolve with bids for Dawson and Rodriguez.
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The Express & Star claims that West Brom will turn down an offer worth £25m as they have no plans to sell the pair.
In today’s market, the bid is relatively low considering that Dawson still has two years left on his contract and Rodriguez’s terms do not expire until 2021.
In fact, the publication states that the club would be after between £12m and £15m for the defender and more than £20m for the ex-Southampton attacker.
How should West Brom handle this?
The biggest problem that the Baggies face is trying to convince their key men to remain at The Hawthorns for the Championship campaign.
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If a Premier League club comes calling, it is understandable that a player will get his head turned, but West Brom need to be careful.
Manager Darren Moore is already without a defender having allowed Jonny Evans to join Leicester City, so it is imperative that the club do not weaken that area of the pitch even more.
Ross Barkley’s first outing for Chelsea was a frustrating affair. After replacing Willian against Arsenal with an hour left on the clock, the 22-cap England international struggled to truly impose himself on the match, and eventually ended up on the losing side.
But it would have been unfair to expect instant fireworks from the Blues’ January signing. He’s been sidelined with injury since the start of last season, and still hasn’t had long to ease into life in west London.
A starting berth would surely help that process though, so we asked Chelsea fans earlier this week whether the former Everton playmaker should be included in the XI that takes on Newcastle in the Fourth Round of the FA Cup on Sunday.
And according to our poll, a whopping 90% of Chelsea supporters would like to see Barkley start against the Magpies in the 1.30pm kickoff. How would you line up Antonio Conte’s side? Let us know by commenting below…
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Arsenal legend Thierry Henry says that only Arsene Wenger knows whether or not the Gunners need to sign anyone in January.
Speaking at the launch of Puma’s latest evoPOWER football boots, the 36-year-old also backed his former manager to end the club’s trophy doubt and lead them to Premier League glory this season.
“I am not Wenger, I do not know best, the boss knows best,” Henry said.
“A lot of people give him a lot of stick because he has not won anything in a very long time.
“They’ve been expecting Arsenal to collapse recently but they haven’t. Why can’t they win the league? They’re in the position to.
“The future will tell us if they are good enough or not but right now I think they are.”
The New York Red Bulls striker also questioned FIFA’s decision to award the Ballon d’Or to Cristiano Ronaldo in favour of Bayern Munich ace and fellow countryman Franck Ribery, adding that the governing body “kills the spirit of football” when making these judgements.
“Yes I do [think Ribery deserved to win], not because he is French or anything, I just think he deserved it,” he added.
“I was disappointed for him and was disappointed for French football. For a very long time now we haven’t had a winner – we had Zizou and Michael Platini but that’s it.
“I really thought he was going to win, I mean as well as him being a great footballer, just look at what he has done!
“For me it kills the spirit of football because you have to be able to perform, but perform with a team that wins things.”
The Frenchman believes that this year’s World Cup may come too soon for a young French side, but that glory in the European Championships in France in 2016 could be a more realistic goal. However, after a very public falling out with the press, would his countrymen be able to handle the pressure inflicted on Les Bleus by the French media?
“I have travelled everywhere, I remember when I was back in France I thought it was going to be better somewhere else.
“Then I arrived in England and I always had a good relationship with the press. But on personal life some papers back in the day could be really bad – as we have seen now in the news.
“Then you go to Italy and realise it wasn’t that bad in France. Then you come and play for Barcelona and you eat in a restaurant and they put what you ate in the restaurant in the papers the next day!
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“It is not a French thing or Italian thing or Spanish thing – when you give joy to people you have to expect it.
“But don’t get me wrong, the French press will still tell you exactly what they think, like in 98 when they thought we wouldn’t even get past the first round!”
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