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…
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CLICK ON ALBERTO MORENO TO REVEAL
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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.
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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…
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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.
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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.
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
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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…
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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.
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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.
Finally, an England performance to get excited about. It was by no means flawless from the Three Lions – Phil Jones’s defensive horror show indicates there is plenty of work to be done by Roy Hodgson and Gary Neville to improve the team’s shaky backline – but the attacking verve and fluidity which was on display in the 3-2 Euro 2016 qualifying win against Slovenia was certainly encouraging, and was all spearheaded by one man.
Jack Wilshere doesn’t make life easy for himself sometimes, but his stellar, two-goal display on Sunday went a long way to convincing his doubters – somewhat belatedly, one could argue – that he is a footballer who possesses supreme talent. While his first goal was a wonderfully taken strike in its own right, blasting the ball into the top-left corner from outside the box to level the scores on the hour mark, it was his second finish 15 minutes later that really showcased his abilities.
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By now thriving in a more advanced attacking midfield role having initially started the game in a deeper position, Wilshere completed a magnificent England team move – and credit must also go to Liverpool duo Jordan Henderson and Adam Lallana for the part they played in this – by launching an absolute humdinger of a shot which seared past the hapless Slovenian goalkeeper and into nearly the exact same area of the goal as his earlier effort.
To produce such quality once in a game is impressive; to do so twice shows that what we are dealing with here is a special player who, on his day, can turn games around single-handedly. For all the talk of Raheem Sterling being their next best hope and most skilful footballer, it is easy to forget that in Wilshere, the Three Lions have someone with exquisite technical footballing ability that is rare to see in an England player.
And yet, the reasons as to why the 23-year-old is perhaps under-appreciated when it comes to his country are understandable, and indicate that the Arsenal youngster may still need time to mature before he can emerge as one of England’s finest footballers.
A succession of lengthy spells on the sidelines through injury has impacted his still-fledgling career, and he cannot be blamed for this, however when fit, the times when Wilshere has dazzled for either club or country have been too seldom, too irregular. The fact that his brace against Slovenia marked his first two senior goals for his country on his 28th cap – not to mention his meagre return of six goals in 100 league appearances over seven seasons at Arsenal – shows there is much work to be done.
Nevertheless, he remains an exciting footballer with ample time on his side. Wilshere has won Match of the Day’s Goal of the Season competition for two years running, while the show’s host Gary Lineker – England’s all-time second highest scorer and one of their finest-ever players – claimed his second strike against the Slovenians was one of the top ten goals in Three Lions history. His ability to score such spectacular efforts suggest his most effective position is as an advanced central midfielder; Roy Hodgson and Arsene Wenger may very well have taken note of this.
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If Wilshere can produce such moments of magic on a more regular basis (and maybe avoid getting in trouble with the FA for once) then he could soon receive the backing of a still-sceptical England fanbase and ultimately be remembered as one of the country’s most celebrated – rather than most underrated – footballers.
Spurs have had a familiar season. A Cup final with such a young team was a good learning curve, as was the amount of starts and the encouraging performances of youngsters like Eric Dier, Nabil Bentaleb and Ryan Mason. And then there’s Harry Kane – far beyond encouraging he’s been sensational.
What’s been frustrating, however, has been the form of players like Christian Eriksen and Erik Lamela. They’ve shown in very small glimpses what they can do, they’re clearly world class players, so why can’t they show that more often? This is a make or break season for both of these players. If they can do it, Spurs could be on course for something special. If not, it’ll be same old, same old at White Hart Lane.
On the basis that Spurs aren’t that far off the Champions League, perhaps the key is their form more than their personnel. This is perhaps more of Pochettino’s dream XI, but if gets Champions League football, who cares?
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Hugo Lloris
This is a big one. If they can keep hold of their goalkeeper this season they’ll have kept hold of one of the best in the league. The France captain is now vastly experienced and established as a very good Premier League goalkeeper.
If Manchester United are forced to see David De Gea, though Spurs may have to fight hard to keep their number one. If they don’t manage to it’ll be tough to replace him. If United come calling, keeping Lloris would be like the signing of the summer for Spurs.
Kieran Trippier
One of Burnley’s stars of the season, Kieran Trippier is a new Spurs signing, and he’ll probably get the chance to prove his worth to his new club right from the off.
It’s a little harsh on Eric Dier who has done well this season and is still very young. Dier, however, is probably more of a centre back than a full back and someone more suited to this position would do Spurs’ defence a world of good.
Toby Alderweireld
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The rumours are that Spurs are about to complete the signing of Toby Alderweireld. Perhaps he’s not the most exciting addition to a Dream XI, but if he’s on his way, he’ll probably be in the starting XI come September.
He also knows Jan Vertonghen quite well from the Belgian national team, and perhaps Pochettino is counting on the two Belgians forming a bond in the centre of the Spurs defence.
Alderweireld is an accomplished defender who was part of one of the league’s best defences last year at Southampton. He’d be a good fit for Spurs.
Aymen Abdennour
So if Alderweireld comes to Spurs it would be natural to see Vertonghen alongside him. Spurs have also signed former Cologne centre back Kevin Wimmer, and Pochettino probably sees him as the man to play alongside Alderweireld.
But this is a Dream XI. We know that Spurs need to sort out their defence – they conceded more goals than relegated Hull and the same amount as relegated Burnley – and a sought-after centre back like Abdennour from one of the meanest defences in Europe would be a great signing.
Monaco conceded only 26 goals last season and Abdennour is one of the main reasons why.
Danny Rose
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If Spurs can sort out their back line they’ll be a force to be reckoned with next season. Pochettino has gambled a little bit, if Wimmer and Alderweireld are his starting centre backs and Kieran Trippier will be his right back, he’ll be using at least two players who aren’t accustomed to life at the top of the league – and that’s where Spurs are hoping to be.
Danny Rose, however, has been a rare standout player in Spurs’ defence this season. He’s done well from full back and is certainly progressing into a good player. It’s not quite make or break this season for Rose, but he is getting to a point in his career where we expect him to be an established full back.
At 24, he’s not a kid anymore and he’ll be 25 before the end of next season. It’s a big season for Rose especially if he hopes to be England’s left back after Leighton Baines retires from internationals – but he has stiff competition from Luke Shaw. But play well this season and he might find himself in the Euro 2016 squad, that might be the motivation he needs.
Nabil Bentaleb
Bentaleb has come on really well over the last year or so and has created a partnership with Ryan Mason that has got Spurs fans excited. They’re both young and promising and that could be a midfield pairing for the North London side for years to come.
It’s a big season, though. Like Harry Kane, many people will be watching to see if they are just a flash in the pan rather than the real deal. Pochettino will give youth a chance as always, but if Spurs are to kick on and mount a serious challenge to the top four then they need to have their midfield playing well.
Morgan Schneiderlin
Well it’s been on the cards for a while.
If Spurs can sign Schneiderlin they’ll have to sacrifice one of the youngsters in the centre of midfield, but they’ll be replacing him with real proven quality.
The Frenchman is well-known to Pochettino of course, and if he takes over from Ryan Mason Spurs fans shouldn’t be too disappointed. After all, they’re not far off a Champions league spot, and improvement is just what they need.
Christian Eriksen
This is a huge season for the Dane. Eriksen has shown in fits and starts that he’s a good player, he even looked to be showing it towards the start of the season.
But he faded after the Capital One Cup Final. He wasn’t the only one, but he’ll need to do it for the whole of next season if Spurs are to challenge for the Champions League.
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He’s well capable of taking the game by the scruff of the neck, and if Spurs can get him firing he’ll be like a new signing. We said that last year, though.
Erik Lamela
Another player who we all know is quality but who needs a big season to prove it. We all remember the rabona he scored in the Europa League, we know he’s quality, we just need him to show it!
Just like Eriksen, if he gets going he’ll be like a new signing, but just like Eriksen we said that last year too. These two are like the Spurs side in microcosm – if they do well Spurs will do well.
Yannick Ferreira-Carrasco
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Spurs have been linked with the Argentine youngster currently plying his trade at Monaco in Ligue 1. He’s a tricky, speedy player and has done well in a Monaco side that came good towards the end of the season to nab a Champions League place ahead of one-time title challengers Marseille.
With Moussa Dembele, Nacer Chadli and Andros Townsend still at the club he’d be taking the place of an established player, and as always with this type of signing there’s a risk to be taken – just look at the flops that Spurs bought with the Gareth Bale money! But if he does it in the Premier League Spurs could have a player on their hands.
Harry Kane
It’s going to be hard for Kane this season. The eyes of the world are going to be on him and they’ll expect him to display the Midas touch that he exhibited last season. You just know that’s not going to happen, though. Not unless he gets some help from those behind him.
The trick will be how he deals with dry spells. Everyone striker has them but that doesn’t mean they aren’t good players. Kane will no doubt have to deal with that this season, but if Spurs find Lamela and Eriksen on form too then it won’t be so much of a problem.
And without the whole of the Tottenham expectation weighing on Kane’s young shoulders then he’ll have the chance to recover from any dry spell. He’ll do well this year, but only if the media and even the fans let him.