Former Liverpool midfielder Mo Sissoko is set to sign for Crystal Palace until the end of the season, according to Sky Sports.
The 29 year old has been a free agent since his contract at Paris St Germain was cancelled at the start of the summer and the Mali international is now keen on a return to the Premier League.
Italian side Fiorentina decided not to sign Sissoko after a loan spell with them at the back end of last season and the players’ wage demands have stalled clubs from taking him on so far.
Palace want to sure up their midfield and the vast experience and quality of Sissoko is seen as the ideal signing for Tony Pulis who tried and failed to sign the holding man when Stoke boss.
Sissoko is set to join Palace on a six month deal with an option to extend that further at the end of the season should everything go well until then.
The Eagles have struggled to add to their squad so far this month but Sissoko could be the first name in and considered a bargain as he was valued at £10million when he left Liverpool.
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Tottenham Hotspur boss Tim Sherwood has spoken for the first time since the club were forced to deny making an approach for Ajax manager Frank de Boer.
The Eredivisie side claimed Spurs had approached them about the availability of de Boer earlier this week, but that was strongly denied by the North London club.
And Sherwood, who signed an 18-month contract in December, admits the whole situation was a little strange for him but he will not let it get in the way of Spurs’ final two games of the season.
He told SkySports: “It was a strange situation, when a club has come out and said they’ve been spoken to and so has the manager and the club that I am working for is coming out and denying it.
“That’s where we are with it and I’m no further forward with that. The people upstairs will know whether I’m good enough to take on this club and if I’m the person they want to take on this club.
“The next two games won’t make any difference.”
And Sherwood also admits he is unsure of whether he will be the manager at White Hart Lane next season, but will be sitting down with chairman Daniel Levy at the end of the season to find out whether his position is untenable or not.
“We play West Han and then we play at home to Aston Villa. After that I will sit down with the chairman and we’ll decide what the plan is moving forward,” he added.
“Whatever will be, will be at the end of that. I’ve just got to carry on with my business, show my personal pride and professionalism, and make sure that the lads are prepared to win for team, for the fans and for this great club.
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“What will happen at the end of the season? Who knows?”
It’s over and done with now. Cesc Fabregas is a Chelsea player.
Trying to find logic in Arsene Wenger’s thoughts on this one is a pointless task. The Arsenal manager keeps his cards so close to his chest that few at the club appear to have an idea of where he’ll move next. It’s to an extent that some have even questioned whether Wenger himself knows what his next move will be.
But this one is entirely on him, not the player, who apparently wanted a return to the club that rounded out the final years of his education and made him the player he is today.
I’m not buying the argument that the signing of Mesut Ozil last summer offsets the need for a player in the mould of Fabregas this year. How can having too many world-class players be a bad thing? Are Arsenal really in a position where they can turn their noses up at a player who will make them better in every sense?
Here’s the thing about Ozil: he doesn’t have the personality to be a leader, at least not a vocal one. He can lead with his performances, but he generally strikes as a kind of introverted genius. At Real Madrid his numbers were outstanding, but the focus was on Cristiano Ronaldo. Ozil helped pull the strings at the Bernabeu, but Xabi Alonso was equally as important at getting Real to play.
Of course, Arsenal have Aaron Ramsey, Jack Wilshere and Santi Cazorla, but Fabregas is something else. Ramsey was phenomenal last season when he made it onto the pitch, but let him have an injury-free 38-game season where he replicates that form before we declare players of Fabregas’ quality wholly unnecessary.
The popular defence of Wenger’s refusal to re-sign Fabregas is in questioning where he’d fit into the current Arsenal side. He’d play in midfield, obviously, in the central position he held for much of his time in north London; there’s no ambiguity about that. Sarcasm aside (ask a silly question, get a silly answer), no one can say Fabregas would never have gotten a game (or Ramsey or Ozil) when the club’s horrific injury record is staring back at them.
Arsenal’s problem in every title race they’ve been in since moving to the Emirates is the running out of steam sometime around the three-quarter mark; the big injuries always seem to hit during or after January, with cruel, humorous consistency. You look to other clubs in England like Manchester City and Manchester United who have gone the distance in recent seasons, but better examples would be those from the continent.
Bayern Munich’s midfield talent pool is ludicrous. Thiago Alcantara’s injury last season was more an annoyance that one which would derail their campaign. Mario Goetze stole the headlines last year ahead of his switch to Bavaria, but he was in and out of the side. Pep Guardiola had the option of fielding either Philipp Lahm or Javi Martinez in the midfield, both to much success. The point is, that team never ran out of energy; ideas maybe, or just became far too entrenched in Pep’s ideals, but they never looked like they were running on empty.
Barcelona were the same when they signed Fabregas in 2011, Real Madrid’s swelled midfield department brought them two trophies last season, while Juventus had the luxury of being able to rotate Paul Pogba, Arturo Vidal, Andrea Pirlo, and Claudio Marchisio. Strength in depth and depth in quality did nothing to damage those clubs’ pursuit of silverware and ultimate success.
The other annoyance about this Fabregas situation is that the Spaniard is an Arsenal player. Not in the sense that he was once on the books of the club, but in his style of play. Wenger doesn’t stray too heavily from the possession-based game, essentially wanting to walk the ball into the net, and Fabregas would have continued to improve on the current product. It’s a similar statement made following Ozil’s signing: Arsenal didn’t really need him. Well they did, because he has obviously helped to better the team’s play. What Arsenal definitely didn’t need was a lumbering Marouane Fellaini sitting in front of the back four, yet his signing was trumpeted by a large group.
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Part of Arsenal signing Fabregas for a second time would have been in keeping him away from a rival team, but the majority of it should have been because a world-class player came on the market for what was, relatively speaking, a very good price, at £27 million.
There’s no other way to paint this other than an incredible loss to Arsenal, a reckless decision that will without doubt come back to haunt the club somewhere down the line.
Dortmund’s ‘lost son’ Shinji Kagawa has returned home after an unsuccessful two seasons of bench warming at Manchester United, but will they regret selling him back to the Germans?
The first Japanese player to play for United, originally signed by Sir Alex Ferguson, struggled at his new club since his arrival. He came with a lot of promise after helping Dortmund to winning two Bundesliga titles in 2011 and 2012 and the high expectations where not lived up to. Sir Alex was in his last season as United manager and used the midfielder sparingly, choosing to focus more on his desire to win the title in his last season as manager than help blood the talented Asian youngster into the team.
When given a chance however, the Japanese star did well and earned himself the records of first ever Asian to score a Premiership hat-trick and the first Japanese player to win a Premiership title. He scored six times in total for United and put in his fair share of assists as well. It was no secret that the boy came with bags of talent and it was obvious to see every time he did get to play, and his former manager Jurgen Klopp had rated him highly.
It wasn’t to be for him in his first season and it was even worse for him under David Moyes who also found himself having to focus more on getting results than taking time to integrate any young promising future stars into the team.
It was hard for the Scotsman to try and do any sort of re-building at United, having been thrown in at the deep end as the ‘chosen one’ he wanted to hit the ground running and make a good impression. So Kagawa was put on the back burner yet again and made even fewer appearances under Moyes than he had done under Ferguson.
Since returning to Dortmund the player has received a hero’s welcome from the fans and repaid them as early as his first match by providing them with an assist and a goal. First he set up Kevin Grosskreutz, whose cut back found Adrian Ramos for the lead, then the attacking midfielder fired in from 12 metres in the 41st minute as hundreds of Japanese flags were unfurled in the stands. His manager spoke after that game, a long term admirer of the talented Kagawa who was surprised to have had the chance to re-sign him from United in the first place. He said: “Shinji played an outstanding game and he had cramps at the end which is a good sign, we know very well that he can play football and also create a special atmosphere”
The Dortmund fans absolutely adore him and with the sort of faith that his manager shows in him he has been given the chance to truly flourish. He will have a fantastic season at the German club and no doubt play a very big part in their push for a league title and their chase of European glory as well.
Man United will definitely regret selling him, as if he had been given the chance he needed when he was there then he would no doubt have shown what he was capable of doing and become a big part of the setup at Old Trafford. Moyes should have given the player a chance, it’s not as if his team were playing very well last season anyway and he might have added that magic that they were lacking and helped them win a few more games. You cannot blame Fergie for not using the player as much in his last season in charge, but Moyes would have benefited greatly from using him, as would new United manager Louis Van Gaal who decided to ship him back to where he came from in favour of his new super star summer signings.
If he had stayed, even after all the players they have recruited he would still have made a big impact over there this season. United’s loss is Dortmund’s gain by a mile and it is a shame for English football to lose such a promising star. At least Man Utd won’t have to worry about him scoring against them in Europe this season.
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When Chelsea hosted Arsenal in the Premier League, it looks that both set of players and even the manager were on opposite sides of the battle, but somehow Mesut Ozil found time to share a warm embrace with his former boss, probably much to the anger of the Gunners faithful.
Once again, the World Cup winner is being blasted for his form as Arsene Wenger saw his side suffer a 2-0 defeat to their title rivals with the French manager also seen shoving Jose Mourinho in the technical area.
However, a Blues fan seemed to have uploaded a picture of Mourinho sharing a few words after the game, hinting that Ozil may not be doing himself any favours in regards to his manager given his recent clash with the former Real Madrid boss.
We can all but wonder…is Ozil the next star to join their rival club? Better hope not!
LoadingMourinho & Özil after the game. #CFC View on Instagram
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Arsenal have always been known for nurturing and producing top quality foreign talent. Emmanuel Petit, Patrick Vieira, Robert Pires, Cesc Fabregas and Thierry Henry are just a few names whom enhanced their career while playing under the guidance of Arsene Wenger. However, the Gunners have also unearthed some great English players, whether from their fantastic academy or brought in from another club at a very young age. The likes of Tony Adams, Martin Keown, Ray Parlour, Kieran Gibbs and Theo Walcott spring to mind immediately.
As well as Walcott, Wenger saw great potential on the famous Southampton conveyor belt in Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, snapping him up for £10m in 2011. Without even thinking, this signing was better than signing Walcott. Moving from a big club at such a young age can be daunting for some youngsters, and as a result, their footballing careers often take a dramatic downhill spiral and they end up plying their trade in the lower tiers of English football attempting to resurrect their careers. On the other end of the scale, ‘The Ox’ has been a revelation for the North Londoners, and is a role model for any young and aspiring footballer hoping to make it in the professional game.
Walcott and Oxlade-Chamberlain both signed for Arsenal at a young age and for similar price tags, the difference between the two is versatility. It has been widely known that as well as operating as a winger, Walcott has openly said of his desire to play as an outright striker. In the handful of games he has played as a striker at the Emirates, proof is there that Walcott should stay out on the right wing. Meanwhile Oxlade-Chamberlain, who also plays on the wing, is extremely capable of playing across all positions of the midfield. His strong stature and physique prove that playing in the heart of the midfield is where he could belong.
Despite his unfortunate injury record – which forced him out of the majority of England’s World Cup campaign – the Ox can prove to be vital for both club and country in centre midfield. Last season in the Champions League game against German champions Bayern Munich, Wenger gave the England international a free role. This turned out to be extremely effective for Oxlade-Chamberlain, who completed 10 successful dribbles in the match – the same amount as the whole of the Bayern Munich team in the entire 90 minutes. The young Englishman caused Pep Guardiola’s players headaches on the night, and overshadowed £40m signing Mesut Ozil. Despite Munich taking control, Oxlade-Chamberlain was his usual self by giving 100% in the game, and looked the visitors’ best chance of a surprising comeback in the Allianz Arena.
As well as his domestic duties with Wenger, Three Lions gaffer Roy Hodgson should also take note of Oxlade-Chmberlain’s new found position on the pitch. With the international retirement of Steve Gerrard, the young Arsenal man is the ideal replacement, both in an attacking and defensive aspect, to spearhead England back to the glory days. Hopefully he can achieve something brilliant for both club and country in the centre of the park.
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On the verge of an Anfield exit over the summer, Lucas now, once again, looks to be a vital cog in Liverpool’s starting XI. Two wins on the bounce may not sound all that impressive, but the Reds’ shocking start to the 2014/15 season means that victories against Stoke and Leicester have been gleefully greeted on Merseyside, where the ecstasy of last season is now a fading memory.
Lucas has been back in the team for the vital six-point haul, and it’s fair to say that he’s had a big influence. Not convinced by the Brazilian?
Well here are FIVE reasons he’s as crucial as the likes of Steven Gerrard, Raheem Sterling or Daniel Sturridge right now…
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The stats don’t lie…
Last night Lucas occupied the holding role against Leicester, and Liverpool won. It may sound a bit simplistic, but with the Brazilian in the side this term, results have been better than when he’s absent – which just proves that he’s doing a decent job, even though he’s not the sort of player to earn praise with raking passes or driving runs.
In the 10 games Lucas has played this season, the Reds have won seven and lost just two. Conversely, the 11 in which he has not featured have garnered two wins and seven losses. Okay the stats can be a little misleading as the South American made winning cameos against West Brom and Ludogorets and was taken off while the Southampton game was poised at 1-1, but his impact should not be taken lightly.
A better genuine holding midfielder than Gerrard
Steven Gerrard may be getting a lot of flack recently, but the system being deployed by Brendan Rodgers and the lack of confidence in the side is rather hanging him out to dry. Although a top quality midfielder, ‘Stevie G’ has never been the most defensively responsible player, and with his pace now fading, putting him up against clever attackers is lamb to the slaughter stuff. Last season he got away with it thanks to the high pressing from Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge, but with opponents having more of the ball and time against the Merseysiders now, Gerrard is often exposed.
Conversely, Lucas is comfortable sitting in front of his backline, and uses his reading of the game and know-how to cut out through balls and win back possession efficiently.
Frees up Gerrard to push forward
Building on the last point, using Lucas allows Gerrard to be deployed further up the pitch. Although the 34-year-old’s powers are beginning to wane, he is still, arguably, the best finisher in the Reds’ team – aside from the unfit Sturridge – and can pick out the right pass at the right time – as his assist record from last season backs up. A first goal from open play since early 2013 – against Man City – is testament to his reduced powers from deeper, and he’s likely to build on this tally if kept nearer the final third.
Resilient
Lucas’ Liverpool career has been one of peaks and troughs. Signed from Gremio in 2005 as a promising attacking midfielder, his failure to produce ‘samba flair’ on a regular basis led to cries for him to be shipped out to anybody who would take him from an unforgiving crowd. But after reinventing himself as a more defensively minded central player, his stock once again rose to the point that he was named as Liverpool’s Player of the Season in 2010/11.
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Injuries have once again seen his reputation slide recently, but he’s already shown that bouncing back is what he does best.
Keeps it simple
There’s a lot to be said for doing your job effectively and quietly. While Raheem Sterling, Adam Lallana and Gerrard grab the headlines, Lucas was, arguably, the Reds’ best player against Leicester. Four key incepts, six clearances – the joint highest in the game – 59 passes and a host of tackles make for positive reading and ensured that the Foxes only goal came rather fortuitously.
Lucas now leads the stats (in terms of averages) in his own squad for tackles, clearances and incepts, which are all areas in which the Reds have needed to improve after a porous opening to the season. He may not be reinventing the wheel, but sometimes going back to basics is what’s needed.
The footballing equivalent of those dreaded celebrity gossip magazines that quote ‘inside sources’ on Kim Kardashian’s alleged argument with her postman, the British tabloids’ constant spewing of fact-less transfer rumours rarely produces a true story.
But every now and then, the odd rumour comes to the surface that appears to have some weight behind it, providing you’re prepared to read between the lines.
And we may be amid the Premier League’s silly season, with the January window now upon us, but there’s a few stories involving Manchester United this month that might actually materialise into something genuine.
Just to prove it, here’s FIVE we at Football Fancast are tipping to be the real McCoy.
VICTOR VALDES
This deal appears to be all but officially confirmed; former Barcelona No.1 Victor Valdes has been training with Manchester United since October and reports this morning claim they’re on the verge of agreeing an eighteen month contract with the Spain international.
The 32 year-old left the Nou Camp during the summer, boasting six La Liga titles, three Champions League titles and five Zamora Trophies (Spain’s goalkeeper of the year award) from his eleven campaigns as the Catalan outfit’s first choice keeper.
Since without a club, there’s no fee involved, and Valdes is seen by many as the ideal understudy to the ever-improving David De Gea.
MATS HUMMELS
A transfer saga that just won’t go away, Manchester United launched several bids for Borussia Dortmund defender Mats Hummels during the summer and are expected to follow up their interest this January.
The Red Devils’ desperate need for an established, top-quality centre-half is no secret, with Louis van Gaal forced to depend upon academy centre-back duo Tyler Blackett and Patrick McNair on a combined 17 occasions already this season, out of a possible 20 in the Premier League.
A World Cup winner, famed for his blend of aerial dominance, anticipatory defending and a Franz Beckenbauer-esque ability to join or instigate attacks, the German international fits the bill perfectly.
The 25 year-old denounced United’s interest during the summer, instead accepting the club captaincy at Westfalen. But with the Black-Yellows now joint-bottom of the Bundesliga table after an unprecedented slump in form, Hummels may be reconsidering his options this January.
Italian journalist Gianluigi Longari claimed earlier this week that the Red Devils have already made another offer for the Bundesliga star, and even if this deal doesn’t happen by the end of the month, it will more than likely take place in the summer.
RON VLAAR
Failing that, don’t be too surprised if the Red Devils seek a cheaper alternative in Aston Villa defender Ron Vlaar.
The 29 year-old may not be the most talented defender to ever grace Old Trafford but his experience and dependability should bring a new sense of calmness to the chaotic heart of Manchester United’s defence.
Furthermore, the Netherlands international looked like a world-beater under Louis van Gaal’s direction at Brazil 2014, especially as the central figure in a back three – a system the United boss has found himself reverting back to on countless occasions this term.
Most interestingly of all, Vlaar’s contract is set to expire at the end of the season and unless new terms are agreed by the end of the month, Villa will be forced to sell. Speculation this afternoon, courtesy of The Express, claims United are already testing the waters with a £1.5million offer.
KEVIN STROOTMAN
Another transfer target that will be of no secret to Manchester United fans, Louis van Gaal practically admitted his interest in Roma midfielder Kevin Strootman back in July, and had it not been for a World Cup-ending knee injury, he would likely have arrived at Old Trafford during the summer.
The Red Devils desperately need a midfield enforcer and van Gaal knows Strootman well, having worked closely with the 24 year-old through the Oranje set up over the last few years and even issued him the captain’s armband on occasion.
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Referred to as the Dutch Roy Keane and unique in his authoritarian-yet-progressive style, in short, a feast of feisty tackles and goals, the Roma star seems like a natural fit for United.
The only real issue is one of price-tag. Having only moved to the Stadio Olympico 18 months ago, Roma appear in no mood to sell and have rated Strootman as highly as £79million in the past.
DARREN FLETCHER
As reported by the Daily Mail, amongst others, in November, the current transfer window could bring an abrupt end to Darren Fletcher’s Manchester United career.
The Scotland international’s commitment remains undoubted and he has seen a fair bit of action this season – 365 minutes in the Premier League to be precise. But he’s not been the same player since his unfortunate illness and has often looked out of his depth over the last 18 months.
There are reports of interest from Hull City and with his contract entering it’s final six months, the timing feels right for the 30 year-old to move on. He was replaced as vice-captain by Michael Carrick back in December.
Whether his departure takes place this month or in the summer however, will likely depend on United securing another central midfielder first.
Having lost Luis Suarez to Barcelona in the summer, things were looking bleak for Liverpool as the Anfield side struggled to replicate last term’s extraordinary form in the first half of this season.
With Mario Balotelli and a host of other summer signings seemingly not fitting the bill, the Reds exited the Champions League after several underwhelming performances, and were off the pace in the battle for the Premier League’s top four.
However, Liverpool have looked like a new team of late and are right back in Champions League qualification contention after an impressive run of form. Sunday’s 2-1 victory over champions Manchester City was reminiscent of the devastating attacking play that captured the imagination last term and the Reds are now a much more daunting proposition.
Despite a number of the side’s key players stepping up of late, the major credit for the Merseyside outfit’s revival must lie with manager Brendan Rodgers.
Under extreme pressure in the first half of the campaign, the Northern Irish coach has made some brave decisions that have reaped rewards – here are THREE of his best:
A change in formation to get best out of players
With Liverpool clearly not playing to their potential, Rodgers opted to switch to a back three in the 3-0 defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford. Despite the scoreline and defeat to the Reds’ rivals, signs were there that the Merseyside outfit were more comfortable in his bespoke 3-4-2-1 system.
Since that game in Manchester, Rodgers’ side have gone on a winning streak, are more solid at the back, and most importantly; have got the best out of the supreme attacking talent in their squad. Credit where it is due – since the change in formation Liverpool’s season has been rejuvenated.
Recalling Jordon Ibe
Following the success of Raheem Sterling in breaking into the starting XI, Jordon Ibe has been touted as the next homegrown hero to make the breakthrough. This season the youngster was farmed out to Derby County, with common logic indicating that regular first-team football would prepare the winger for Premier League action next season.
However, with right wing-back being the only area where the club lacked comprehensive options, Rodgers recognised Ibe’s development and brought him back to Merseyside early. Rodgers recognised the fact that the youngster was ready to star in the Liverpool side and it’s a decision that has paid dividends already.
Moving Can to centre-half
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When Germany under-21 star Emre Can was brought to Anfield, the former Bayer Leverkusen star was being lined up as a potential replacement for Steven Gerrard, and another option for Rodgers in the centre of the park. However, with the switch to a three man defence, Can has been deployed in a deeper role – a move which so far has proved to be a masterstroke.
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Not only has the German looked assured as a defender, but his range of passing and confidence on the ball means that Can has started Liverpool attacks from deep. When he steps out of defence in possession it also pulls members of the opposition out of position to deal with his threat, which creates space for the Reds.
In the long run Can may well be seen as a sweeper or defensive general, but Rodgers must be given the kudos for getting the best from the cultured and versatile German.
Having only returned from Derby over January to make a handful of outings for Liverpool, the fact fans are happy to see Jordon Ibe back in the starting XI from an injury lay-off really does sum up the club’s lack of attacking options. The 19-year-old shone prior to his fitness issues, and without him the Reds haven’t been quite the same team.
However, his increasing importance has been reflected this evening, with Brendan Rodgers having pushed him straight back into his starting team upon his return. Some faith he’s showing in the starlet.
Pacey, direct and good for a goal – he netted a few for the Rams – Ibe is a promsing player, and fans of the Reds are certainly excited to see him back in, what looks like, an attacking three with Philippe Coutinho and Raheem Sterling. Here’s the best reactions to the news from Twitter…
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