Sam Allardyce admits it’s ‘highly unlikely’ that West Ham will attempt to bring Rio Ferdinand back to Upton Park in January, the Mirror reports.
The Manchester United defender has looked a shadow of his former self this season and has been linked with a shock return to the Hammers, 12 years after leaving to sign for Leeds.
A new year swoop has been ruled out by Allardyce but hinted that he could make an approach next summer when Ferdinand will be a free agent, provided he hasn’t signed a new deal at Old Trafford.
“I think it’s highly unlikely that we would consider Rio Ferdinand at the moment,” he said.
“But if it’s at the end of the season and he hasn’t got a new contract and he is going to leave Manchester United then we would be interested if we can sustain our Premier League status. It depends entirely on Rio.
“The chairman likes to think big and it’s nice to have a chairman who thinks big.”
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West Ham will face competition for Ferdinand’s signature with Major League Soccer clubs Chicago Fire andNew York Red Bulls reportedly keen on the 34-year-old England international.
Newcastle fans are once again bashing their transfer policy, after former player Kevin Mbabu was linked to Manchester United.
The arrival of Rafael Benitez at Newcastle has completely changed the club’s fortunes, but some recent transfer links have once again highlighted just how poor some of the club’s business has been in recent years.
Of course, the number one scapegoat on Tyneside when things go wrong is Mike Ashley and the Newcastle board, and it’s not surprising given some of the transfer decisions the Magpies have made.
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Benitez has done a fantastic job with limited resources this season, but fans are still ruing missed opportunities, as Kevin Mbabu seems to have flourished since leaving St. James’ Park.
The Swiss defender joined the Magpies back in 2013, but made just three league appearances before being shipped off on loan, and eventually sold permanently to Swiss side Young Boys.
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A recent report has linked the 23 year-old with a move to Old Trafford, and fans can’t believe they were so quick to dump the youngster, who is expected to feature for Switzerland at the World Cup.
You can find some of the best Twitter reactions down below…
Borussia Dortmund forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was heavily linked with a move to the Premier League during the summer transfer window.
The Gabon international ended up staying put at the Bundesliga club, but now that the winter market has rolled around, Arsenal have been touted as potential suitors.
Sky Italy recently reported that Aubameyang is the Gunners’ amber-one choice to replace Alexis Sanchez if the Chilean departs this month.
However, when asked about the speculation during his press conference on Friday, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger told reporters that a deal was “not a possibility”.
The future of Sanchez remains shrouded in doubt due to the fact that he has not signed a new contract at the Emirates.
The attacker is free to pen a pre-contract agreement with another club this month because his current terms at Arsenal expire in the summer.
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With the uncertainty surrounding Sanchez and Wenger’s admission that Aubameyang is not a target, fans have been expressing their thoughts on Twitter.
Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner feels his reputation has been a hindrance in his search for a new club, according to the Guardian.
The Denmark striker is set to line up against England at Wembley tonight, and is expected to leave the Gunners in the summer.
However, he insists finding a new club has proved difficult as he has been forced to explain away a reputation where he “has been made into a pyschopath” in terms of the public’s perception.
“I have, for example, talked to clubs who say they have heard this or that story about me,” Bendtner said.
“So I have to tell them that it is not true. Of all the things that I have been associated with I have only done one thing wrong and that was in Copenhagen [an arrest for drink driving].
“Regardless of this I have, bit by bit, in people’s eyes been made into a psychopath.”
He remains hopeful of a fresh start with a new club where he is an unknown quantity, despite being quoted earlier in the season as saying he sees his next destination as Barcelona or Real Madrid.
“I would much rather take a club that is close to the Champions League, as a number five-to-eight in its league, where I know that I play,” he told the Danish paper Jyllands-Posten.
“If you are in an industry you surely want to reach the top. I am still the same but I have just not played the games. It hasn’t affected my self-esteem, apart from the fact that I can’t wait until I get a break – an opportunity.
“I am just waiting to be unleashed. This is why I don’t care about anything else but football. I just want to play football. I’m ready for a new chapter. For something completely different. A fresh start.
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“No team-mates who I know or know of me and the club does not know me and doesn’t have those stereotypical notions about me.”
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Michel Platini’s brainchild, the Financial Fair Play rules (FFP) are set to come into effect at the start of next season, but will Uefa be as good as their word at weeding out those that go by their own set of laws and ban them from European competition if they don’t meet the criteria?
The FFP rules are three-fold – every club will have a break-even requirement and they must not spend more than they generate over a period of time. There should be no overdue payments during the season towards other clubs, employees or social/tax authorities and finally, there must be the provision of future financial information, which means that clubs will have to deliver budgets for Uefa to make sure that they can fulfil their obligations in the future.
It’s common practice in businesses up and down the country all year round, but it seems in football, spending what you make is a brand new concept and in a global economic downturn such as this, the game cannot go on unaffected forever, and on the face of it, it all makes a lot of sense.
Platini told reporters last week: “We wanted to revolutionise European football when we first introduced this idea, we are never going back on this. It can happen at Málaga, it has happened at Portsmouth, it can happen everywhere. Many people are coming into the game to make business, to make popularity … some actually love football, but remember Uefa are there to protect (the clubs), not kill them.
“I just want clubs to spend money they have, not what they don’t have. I’ve spoken to football directors, chairmen and owners from all over the world, I’ve spoken to Manchester City’s owners in Abu Dhabi, and everybody has given their commitment to this plan. Some aren’t necessarily showing it, but we have been very clear with them. We have put the structure in place to implement these rules. If clubs do not respect the rules, they will get into difficulty, whether they are from France, from Italy, from England, from Georgia.”
The sanctions on offer which Platini gives a knowing nod to with the above veiled threat will range from warnings, reprimands and fines, to the deduction of points, disqualification or exclusion from competitions and withdrawal of titles. The aforementioned break-even rule above will only come into effect from the 2014-15 season, but this summer’s business is important, as they take into account the financial years of both 2012 and 2013.
The second rule about overdue payments regarding the transfer of players has already been in effect since last year and perhaps as a sign of things to come, AEK Athens, Besiktas and Hungarian outfit Gyori have already been banned from European competition this season for not abiding by it, while 27 other clubs are said to be under the spotlight regarding further future action and possible punishment. Suffice to say, Uefa mean business this time around.
The main worry, though, is whether clubs such as Chelsea, who have spent around the £80m mark this summer or PSG will be able to cope in the future as Uefa attempts to wean football off the influence of the super-rich, which along with Manchester City, have a habit of distorting the playing field in terms of competitiveness.
However, this week, Russian side Zenit St Petersburg appeared to contradict a lot of the above by purchasing both Hulk and Axel Witsel for a combined fee in the region of £65m, so lord only knows how they plan to meet the FFP requirements i the future and it shows that not everyone feels that Uefa will follow through on their threats.
While Manchester City have reigned in their spending to an extent, a flurry of late activity still saw them spend £54m this summer and they are thought to be one of the 27 clubs under review by Uefa at the moment. Platini said of them last week: “They were told to sort their finances out before June 30. Then they had until July 15 to discuss any problems. The next check on September 30 will be vital. For clubs who can’t follow the rules of the Financial Fair Play system, it is over and out of Europe. We are protecting clubs who have sold players and struggle to receive payment. A number of clubs have had to chase their money for years.”
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Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho has already declared a willingness for his club to abide by FFP going forward, while the fact that spending last January came in at €393m, down from €613m the previous year across Europe indicates that other clubs are taking the threat seriously, even if Zenit apparently are not.
The real question is whether Uefa would follow through on their punishments if a European giant failed to meet the criteria in the future – say Barcelona, Real Madrid or Manchester United – given how strict they have been so far and the effect that they have had on spending trends already, you assume behind closed doors that they have privately been told that any loss in sponsorship on their end will be well worth it in the long-run so much as they see every club meeting the requirements. If Barcelona weren’t in the Champions League next year, commercial sponsors would probably offer less, but it seems as if Uefa are prepared to take the hit for the good of the game at the moment.
There is genuine fear among some clubs that their financial records may not stand up to closer inspection, with Platini and Arsene Wenger in the past intimating that some clubs are taking the initiatives more seriously than others. While it may be good-intentioned, only an example and a big one at that of a club that fails to meet them will do, for we can’t see the half-measures that have become Uefa’s staple in the past this time around. Nevertheless, from initial signs, it seems as if FFP is here to stay and that it will have an undoubted effect on the game as we know it and I wouldn’t bet against Platini being as good as his word.
West Ham United confirmed the appointment of Manuel Pellegrini as their new manager on Monday morning, with the Chilean signing a three-year contract at the London Stadium.
The West Ham fans are absolutely delighted with the news, and it will be very interesting to see how Pellegrini fares in the English capital.
Transfer funds will have been discussed in the meetings between the two parties, although it is currently unclear what type of budget Pellegrini will have available this summer.
The West Ham fans have been discussing potential summer arrivals, and there are some very interesting names that have been thrown into the mix.
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Indeed, one particular fan account asked the supporters to identify one realistic signing that they want to see arrive in this summer’s transfer window.
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Sporting Lisbon and Portugal midfielder William Carvalho was quite popular, but there were also some surprise and indeed ambitious names in the list of responses.
A selection of the Twitter reaction can be seen below:
As reported by The Sun, Manchester United are ready to make David de Gea the highest paid player at Old Trafford in an effort to rebuff interest from Real Madrid.
What’s the story?
The Spanish goalkeeper has been at United for almost seven years now, but over the years has consistently been linked with a move back to his homeland.
Thus far the Red Devils have managed to keep him happy in Manchester, where he’s become one of the most important members of their starting eleven.
To ensure that continues, the club are prepared to make him their highest paid star, with an eye watering £300,000 per week wage set to be offered according to The Sun.
While his contract doesn’t run out until 2019, with the club holding a year extension option, the paper reports that Man United are set to open contract talks soon to up his current £210,000 per week deal.
Is he worth the money?
The shot-stopper is arguably one of the top three goalkeepers in the world and United are undoubtedly better off with him than without him. He’s bailed them out on numerous occasions and has a lengthy highlight reel of stunning saves, making 111 clean sheets in total.
Rated at £45m by Transfermarkt, handing him a new contract not only ties him down to more years at the club but protects his value too should he ever personally wish to make a move back to La Liga.
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Retaining him is key to Man United’s trophy ambitions over the next few years though and it’s no surprise to hear they are ready to throw money at him.
With close to 300 appearances for the club, he would be almost irreplaceable at this point, especially as he is heading into his prime years at 27.
It wouldn’t have taken much for the post-match interviews to be more dramatic than the drab hour and a half of football served up on Sunday at White Hart Lane, but few could have foreseen the storm that would be created by AVB’s parting comments.
In a remarkable attack on the Tottenham faithful, AVB criticised the fans for creating an atmosphere of anxiety not dissimilar to what is usually afforded to away teams:
“There was much anxiety present in the fans which transmitted to the players, so this victory is down to the players. We did it with no help today.”
“We need people to be patient and support the players and give them the extra energy to go through and not the negative energy.”
As revolutionary as some may want to make this, it has undoubtedly been an issue dogging most fans for a while and many greeted the manager’s comments with a degree of respect and understanding.
Tottenham are like so many Premier League clubs who have seen atmospheres wane ever since the turn of the millennia. Rather than a sense of liberal tribal warfare where fans would give everything for their side on a weekly basis, there is an increasing culture that is reminiscent of theatre goers across the West End. The whole ‘come lets be entertained’ ethos is beginning to dominate much of our football and it is a worry.
Now I know this is part of a more general debate and actually the pattern is understandable. Rising ticket prices that alienate the traditional footballing fan coupled with pressures to maintain safety and order on the terraces have created an environment bereft of heart and soul.
AVB believes Spurs fans can ‘do better’ and THST are inclined to agree:
“Responding to comments on our feed @SpursOfficial are working with us on the atmosphere at WHL. We recognise the need for work in this area.”
The relationship between fans and players runs both ways, fans pay good money in expectation that they will see entertaining free-flowing football. However, players appear unable to do this in an atmosphere of nerve and anxiety. In a way fans and players at Spurs are becoming each other’s worst enemies, an undesirable situation for either party
Spurs are a club who have some of the most loyal and ardent travelling supporters in the country, continually out singing fans up and down the land it is no surprise that Spurs play some of their most carefree and watchable football away from home. Players need their fans most at times of adversity and when you go a goal down that roar from the crowd is what gets the team going again, away from home Spurs could be 2 goals down and they would still receive that same vociferous support.
Contrast that to the Lane where after about 20mins without a goal the tetchiness increases and there is a general sense of unease. This isn’t a question of noise, I have been to both the Emirates and Old Trafford and I can assure you there are far more tranquil environments on match day, it is more the tone of the fans.
Too often though there is this feeling that any mistake may well prompt an outpouring of disapproval from the crowd, as such players appear less inclined to go for that incisive pass rather go for something a bit more simple and readily achievable. The fear of failure at home is stifling the creativity and tempo, is it really surprising that Spurs play at such a pedestrian and predictable pace?
Some have come down hard on Spurs fans, critical of the fact that AVB has guided them to their best ever Premier League start and they now have the squad to go on to more. The debate between results and style has always been a contentious one, especially at Spurs. Central to the Spurs philosophy is the whole idea that there is more than just winning, to quote the great Danny Blanchflower:
“The great fallacy is that the game is first and last about winning. It is nothing of the kind. The game is about glory, it is about doing things in style and with a flourish, about going out and beating the other lot, not waiting for them to die of boredom.”
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There is a feeling amongst some that AVB is going about things the wrong way that there is Spurs style that must be adhered to first and foremost. I don’t have any qualms with this way of thinking at all, in fact those that believe it has every right to.
My sense though is that this atmosphere issue isn’t something restricted to AVB era Spurs, it is much more endemic than that. It is refreshing that fans, club and players want to do something about it because in the modern era the tide seems to be going so much the other way; and who knows those that yearn for free-flowing football may finally get their wish when the White Hart Lane shackles are finally broken.
Connor Wickham is still in Sunderland manager Martin O’Neill’s thoughts despite having failed to make a senior appearance in the 2012/2013 season.
With injuries and Premier League fixtures coming thick and fast, the England under 21 international will be hopeful of playing a part in Sunderland’s league cup clash with MK Dons tonight.
The 19 year old netted twice against Newcastle United under 21s and was an unused substitute in the Black Cats 1-1 draw with West Ham.
O’Neill said to the Northern Echo, “He scored two goals for the reserves and had to be there in the right position to score them. Goals will give any centre forward a bit of a confidence and that is something he needs. All centre forwards do.”
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Still only September the Ulsterman’s squad could hardly be more stretched for the Tusday night fixture, Seb Larsson and Fraizer Campbell will miss out after picking up injuries on Saturday, while those who missed the tie at Upton Park are still unavailable. Titus Bramble will be rested ahead of Saturday’s league match with Wigan, while Danny Rose cannot play due to the terms of his season long loan deal from Tottenham.
Leeds fans are desperate for their club to turn it all around this summer, but which targets should they actually sign?
2017/18 was a long and painful season for Leeds fans, the promise of a positive start quickly died away after Christmas, and rather than looking forward to a playoff push fans were left just waiting for the season to end.
Paul Heckingbottom’s arrival in February had far from the desired effect, though to be fair to the former Barnsley man the current squad simply isn’t good enough.
Whether or not Heckingbottom stays at Elland Road, the club must make some major moves this summer if they truly want to push for the playoffs.
Kyle Bartley is the player fans are most desperate for. It is no coincidence Leeds got their first clean sheet in months with Luke Ayling back in the side, and a back four of Ayling, Bartley, Pontus Jansson and young Tom Pearce would be a marked improvement on this season’s catastrophe.
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Links to goalkeepers David Stockdale and Angus Gunn are interesting, particularly given the emergence of young Bailey Peacock-Farrell.
Carpi striker Jerry Mbakogu, branded “the new Drogba” by his agent, has been heavily linked with a move to Elland Road, but fans would much rather invest in the pacey Abel Hernandez, who is out of contract this summer.
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In fact, signing a Championship proven goalscorer like Hernandez should be Leeds’ absolute top priority this summer.
So, Leeds fans, who do you want to sign this summer? Let us know by voting in the poll below…