A superb strike from Everton substitute Gerard Deulofeu dashed Arsenal’s chances of victory today at The Emirates despite going ahead through German star Mesut Ozil.
Everton went into the match on a high after dispatching Manchester United at Old Trafford earlier in the week. The visitors started strongly, threading passes together and keeping possession against a side that are usually renowned for their ability to keep hold of the ball. The first chance came through Kevin Mirallas, who streaked down the wing and crossed the ball along the Arsenal six yard box, narrowly in front of strike man Romelu Lukaku.
After a slow start to the game, The Gunners began to move the ball around nicely with Tomas Rosicky and Santi Cazorla linking up nicely with Aaron Ramsey. A counter-attack, led by Ozil broke through the Everton ranks and defender Kieran Gibbs was just a few inches too slow when Cazorla eventually crossed the ball into the area.
Ross Barkley, Everton’s key man in midfield, put in a strong performance and in the first half was not afraid to take on the Arsenal defence. But it was the home side who had the best chance of the game in the 43rd minute through Olivier Giroud, who couldn’t lift the ball past Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard when through on goal.
It wasn’t until the 80th minute that Arsenal finally broke the deadlock. Rosicky picked out Walcott on the right wing, who headed it back across the area. Giroud hit nothing bu air with his effort but luckily Ozil was aware and managed to smash the ball from close range into the top of the net.
Four minutes later though Deulofeu struck. The ball was crossed in from the left hand side and made its way to the Spaniard who slammed it in.
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Giroud nearly grabbed Arsenal a win at the end when he smashed a left-footed volley into the bar from 25 yards out.
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With all of the World Cup play-offs decided and the 32 teams revealed for next summer, attention really can start to shift towards England’s chances in Brazil. Although expectation surrounding Roy Hodgson’s men is expected to be slightly reduced when compared to the hysteria that met the ‘Golden Generation’s’ campaigns in 2002, 2006 and, to an extent, 2010, there is still a real sense that England have to show at least a glimpse of being one of the planet’s elite footballing sides.
Defeats to Chile and Germany have revealed the extent to which fans and the media can jump on the team in the face of disappointment, so Hodgson will be aware of just what is needed when he flies his side to Rio De Janeiro to take on the very best sides the sport has to offer.
It may be slightly cliché, but games are often won and lost in midfield, with the players in the engine room often dictating possession and they general flow of the tie. Despite having had some illustrious names occupying the centre of the field in recent years, England have rarely had a man that can calm the play and build a game in which the ball is kept. But, Jack Wilshere’s emergence on the international scene really looked to have ended that quest, with the Arsenal ace a genuine top class talent who is comfortable in possession and able dictate games.
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However, with the prospect of the biggest tournament there is looming, the 21-year-old hasn’t been quite at his best. At club level he is currently struggling to force his way into Arsene Wenger’s midfield-heavy starting XI, while on the international stage he was fairly ineffective against Chile and Germany – although he, arguably, wasn’t England’s worst performing player in either tie.
It would be foolish to suggest that one player has the whole nation’s hopes pinned on him ahead of the World Cup, but Wilshere is already just as important to Hodgson’s side as skipper Steven Gerrard and the talismanic Wayne Rooney. The Mersey duo may grab the headlines if England perform well, but the Arsenal number 10 well be crucial in seven months’ time.
For the first time in his career, Wilshere looks to be getting clear of injury. Despite being nearly 22, he has often struggled to get a run of performances together, with a series of fitness problems often curtailing any momentum gathered. Now, he has the ability to play regularly, which could be just what is needed to get his rocky form back on track.
Although Wilshere has been far from disappointing for Arsenal, he has often been rotated around Wenger’s midfield, with the ever-impressive Mesut Ozil holding down the spot at the point of the midfield, while Aaron Ramsey, Mathieu Flamini and Mikel Arteta have all been fighting for the two deeper roles. Perhaps a victim of his versatility and ability, Wilshere has often been deployed in a wider position to cut in and link with Olivier Giroud. This worked excellently to produce, according to some, the goal of the season so far, as the Londoners’ attack played their way through Norwich’s defence at the Emirates Stadium with a dizzyingly accurate string of short passes before the midfield man fired past a bewildered John Ruddy. Even in a period where he is being described as ‘below par’, Wilshere has the ability to link the play and finish off moves, demonstrating the level of his ability.
With the media circus surrounding ‘cigarette-gate’ now depleting and Arsenal playing the best football they have for a while, it’s only a matter of time before Wilshere returns to the form the fans have grown to expect of him. Fitness issues aside, he is virtually guaranteed to play a key role in most of the Gunners’ fixtures between now and the end of the season, including their Champions League campaign.
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Although his performances may be causing a slight amount of concern as it stands, there is a lot of time between now and the big kick off in Brazil next year. WIlshere is undoubtedly a key man for England, and will almost certainly make the squad and feature alongside Gerrard in midfield. As the old adage goes, class in permanent and form is temporary. As it stands, England don’t have many classier footballers at their disposal than Wilshere, who is sure to return to his best in the build-up to the tournament.
Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers feels that his team are capable of battling for the Premier League title after their 3-2 win over Fulham.
The Reds trailed twice at Craven Cottage against the rock-bottom Cottagers, but managed to steal all three points courtesy of a Steven Gerrard penalty-kick in injury time.
The result came on the back of a stunning 5-1 demolition of Arsenal at Anfield over the weekend, and moved the Merseysiders to within four points of leaders Chelsea after they could only draw at home with West Brom earlier this week.
Rodgers says that his side are reliant upon their rivals slipping up between now and the end of the season, but that they have a chance of lifting the league trophy later this year:
“We knew this was important,” he told Sky Sports.
“I said to the players these are the games where you arrive in the Champions League – games like this here. You’re playing a team who are fighting, trying to stay in the division.
“We’ve come off the back of a brilliant performance at the weekend and tonight we’ve again got another three points in a different way.
“So it really shows that this team has improved in every facet of the game.
“Seeing Steven (Gerrard) take off his shirt and show off his muscles was great.
“We’re just going to keep pushing and I think we’ve shown enough times that we’re a very good side. We’re chasing, but we need some of them (the teams above) to drop points before anything else can happen.
“We know we have Chelsea and Manchester City to play at home which we’ll look forward to because we’ve been outstanding at home but we’ve just got to take it game by game.
“I’m enjoying watching the team improve and develop as a coach.”
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Daniel Sturridge and Philippe Coutinho twice pulled Liverpool back from behind after a Kolo Toure own goal and Kieran Richardson effort had put Fulham in the driving seat.
But a mistimed challenge from Sascha Riether on Sturridge gave Gerrard the chance to convert from the spot late on.
You wouldn’t think, by looking at their results this season, that Liverpool are anyway in need of extra attacking firepower to add to their 101 Premier League goals this season. Well Brendan Rodgers thinks otherwise.
Adam Lallana has emerged as transfer target number one in what promises to be a crucial summer for Liverpool. There are suggestions that Rodgers is looking to get a deal completed before the England side jet off to complete their World Cup preparation.
Having worked his way up from League One to the Premiership in just two years, Lallana has taken like a duck to water to top level English football. A solid 2012-13 campaign was blown out of the water this year as he was nominated for the PFA Player of the Year award, whilst also gaining a place in the PFA Team of the Year.
Under Mauricio Pochettino, Southampton have grown rapidly into a Premier League force to be reckoned, with Lallana pulling the strings. His nine goals and five assists were a major contributor to the Saints’ eighth-place finish this season.
For all the goals and glory that Liverpool have provided their awed spectators, there is a worrying lack of depth to the squad. The major attacking quartet – Luis Suarez, Daniel Sturridge, Raheem Sterling, Philippe Coutinho – remained largely free of major injury. Whilst they performed spectacularly throughout the vast majority of the 2013-14 season, they had no burden of European football. If the same squad were to continue into the next, then Rodgers will be having to rely on unproven and, so far, underwhelming prospects of Iago Aspas, Luis Alberto, and Fabio Borini.
In gaining the signature of Lallana, Rodgers would add quality whilst increasing the depth of the squad. And this isn’t just any old quality. This is individual, match-winning quality in his own right.
Lallana is as comfortable with his two feet as you will see a current English footballer. This allows him to play in an advanced role anywhere on the field, making him unpredictable and difficult to defend against. He can spot and execute a tricky pass, glide past defenders with consummate ease, and finish calmly in front of goal – each of the last two aspects are demonstrated perfectly by his goal against Hull this season earlier this season. As attacking players go in the Premier League, there are few who could currently claim to touch the all-round capabilities of Lallana.
When you look at Liverpool’s current attacking quartet, each of them are almost equally adept at drifting in and out of spaces, occupying multiple defenders, and drawing fouls through their dangerous running. Whilst Rodgers will be looking to improve defensively this season, he won’t wish to compromise the attacking style. Lallana’s willingness to run at defenders – successfully completing 70 take-ons in the league – and draw fouls – fouled 76 times – will allow him to fit like a hand to a glove if he is to join Liverpool this summer.
One thing which could quite easily go unrecognised in Adam Lallana is his fantastic temperament and attitude. He is an intelligent and thoughtful guy – from seeing him interviewed – and he is focused. Southampton have a history of not only developing their youngsters into outstanding footballers, but also into good men. The likes of Gareth Bale, Theo Walcott, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are testament to this. Lallana’s attitude would fit in nicely with the team and collective ethic that Rodgers has instilled within the current Liverpool side.
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If there is an agreeable fee, then it is likely that Liverpool will face much competition to win Lallana’s signature this summer. If Lallana had been at a bigger club, or with the Saints in the Premier League for a longer period of time, I have no doubt that there would be some big foreign clubs sniffing around Southampton. Luckily for all, there probably won’t be.
What’s more with Lallana, his move wouldn’t constitute much of a risk. In terms of the fee, OK it may be. But that fact that Lallana is proven in the top division means that there would be no period of adaptation. He would fit right into the Liverpool side with little trouble. If Rodgers can convince Southampton to part company with him, the move really is a no-brainer.
While the decision amongst the England fanbase as to whether Danny Welbeck is worthy of a starting place against Italy is almost unanimously against him, he still harbours the favour of the one man who really matters. Roy Hodgson looks likely to pick the Manchester United striker to fill a role on the left of midfield as England kick off their World Cup campaign on Saturday – a widely contested decision.
Welbeck hasn’t impressed consistently on the occasions he has played for United this season, and he hasn’t performed too much better when in the white of England. But while the form of Raheem Sterling has been far superior to that of Welbeck, there must be something Hodgson sees in him to keep him higher in the pecking order than his, ultimately, more talented teammates.
This something is widely thought to be down to Roy’s more conservative leanings – in the football, not political, sense. He’s renowned as a manager who tends to play it safe, and Welbeck presents a ‘safer’ option than Sterling. His reputation as a particularly dogged worker is opposite to the flamboyance of his colleagues.
One thing that must be made clear though, is that Welbeck is first and foremost a striker. His preferred role is as a ‘number nine’. With this in mind, he is a bigger misfit for the role than Sterling. Because of the belief that he constitutes a more secure option, that doesn’t make him any more of a defensive selection.
Numbers-wise, Sterling largely outstrips Welbeck defensively, but this is simply down to the fact he has had far more game time than the United man. But even when you whittle their statistics down to what they do per 90 minutes, Welbeck hardly fairs any better. For instance, Sterling makes 1.30 tackles per 90 minutes compared to Welbeck’s 0.98.
With the system Sterling has been incorporated in this season, he has had to shoulder his fair share of defensive responsibility. As Liverpool look to win the ball back in quick bursts, Sterling has become accustomed to harrying his opponents into mistakes. And even in games where Liverpool sat slightly deeper, using their superior speed on the counterattack, Sterling excelled as he won the ball back on numerous occasions in front of his back line before breaking at pace – such as away at Manchester United.
With the England squad containing so many more gifted players – in a technical sense – than they have had the privilege of in the past, it seems odd that Hodgson would opt for a player who doesn’t possess the same kind of abilities on the ball. Sterling attempts, and successfully completes, far more take-ons, draws more fouls, and creates far more chances than Welbeck.
While neither are defensive players, Welbeck is no more defensive than Sterling. But it is a mismatch between the two when it comes to attacking efficiency.
While you would expect Sterling to have better attacking figures, having played in a far better side last season, he has to shoulder his fair share of responsibility in defence alongside Philippe Coutinho and Jordan Henderson, and thus the conjecture that he doesn’t contribute defensively is undair.
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Ultimately, it feels as though Welbeck is considered a safer defensive option purely because he is less dangerous going forwards. Because Sterling provides so much in attack, there are reservations over the amount of work he puts in defensively. The statistics suggest that this is an unfair assumption, especially if compared to Welbeck.
Whilst selecting Welbeck ahead of Sterling may appear like an err on the side of caution, the numbers really don’t give any indication as to why this should be the case. Defensively, there aren’t any notable differences between the two, but in attack, it is hardly worth a discussion.
During his time at Arsenal, manager Arsene Wenger has only lost six of the 44 North London derbies he has been a part of. If there was any time for Arsenal to prove their title credentials, it would be with a satisfying win in tomorrow’s game against Tottenham. Arsenal has won four of their last five meetings with their local rivals, including both of their meetings in the league last season.
The Gunners have not had a bad start to the Premier League season, but things could be better. One of only two sides still undefeated in the league this season (the other is Chelsea), they sit in 4th place with two wins and three draws. The draws against Leicester and Manchester City could have been wins if Arsenal kept tighter at the back, so making sure no repeats of the mistakes that happened in these games will be important this Saturday.
Resilience has been shown this season by Arsenal, after coming back from 2-0 down against Everton to draw 2-2 and picking up a good 3-0 win away at Aston Villa last time out.
Arsenal fans will be hoping their side repeats their performance from the Villa game this weekend. Their passing was accurate with a 90% passing success rate, they were dominant in the air with 79% aerial success, and they had a possession percentage of 71%. They were effective at creating goal scoring opportunities from through balls and from the flanks and they were strong at finishing.
Playing the German Mesut Ozil behind Englishman Danny Welbeck worked perfectly as it helped Arsenal score three goals within the first half of this game. Ozil is beginning to show his value that he is a key player in the squad, forming a good combination with Welbeck which could become deadly force and a big problem for opposition defences in the future.
After picking up his first goal in Arsenal colours against Villa, fans will hope Welbeck can continue his goal scoring, as he has been dubbed by some to follow the same path as Arsenal legend Thierry Henry.
Tottenham haven’t had a satisfying win since the second game of the season and Arsenal should exploit their mistakes with Ozil and Welbeck to pick up a vital three points. A dominant win against Spurs will show the skill class between the two sides and can prove to some doubters that always think Arsenal will be out of the title race come February time.
Arsenal had a horrendous record against the Premier League’s top clubs last season and humiliating defeats at Chelsea, Liverpool and City ended their hopes of winning their first Premier League title since 2004. So far this season though, Arsenal have achieved a home point against Manchester City, which can be seen as two points off a title rival, proving their own title credentials even further.
The Gunners may have been knocked out of the League Cup mid-week after losing 2-1 at home against Southampton, but this shouldn’t damage the confidence of the side in the league.
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Not only is this a must win game because it’s the North London Derby, but also because their next two games, vs Galatasaray in the Champions League and Chelsea in the Premier League, are tough and not far apart from one another. This close game proximity may take its toll on the side and could ultimately cost them points in the league later if they don’t win. Winning the game against Chelsea, a fellow title contender, as well as the game this weekend would prove their title credentials even further as well and sending some of the doubters straight.
Yes, there is still a long way to go in the season but any time is the right time for Arsenal to prove their worth and title credentials.
Crystal Palace boss Neil Warnock has revealed that Wilfried Zaha is desperate to prove his worth to Manchester United this season.
The young winger returned to his boyhood club late on during the last transfer window on a season-long loan after being told that his game time at Old Trafford would be limited by manager Louis van Gaal.
Zaha had only made his switch to the Red Devils proper a year before, but a disastrous season under David Moyes saw him barely given a starting opportunity before he was shipped out to Cardiff for the latter half of the campaign.
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After a difficult spell, the 21-year-old is back in regular action with the Eagles, and speaking ahead of today’s win with Everton, Warnock made it known that Zaha is desperate to ensure that he has a future with his parent club:
“I don’t think his career is in jeopardy,” he is quoted by the London Evening Standard.
“I wouldn’t say we need to save his career, we just need to get games under his belt now and he needs to put himself back in the shop window (for England).
“To do that he has got to consistently be good, week in, week out. That has to be his aim this season.
“He is in that age-group that is breaking into the England squad. He is definitely looking at all these young lads – they deserve it, they have worked hard and done consistency well. It will motivate him.
“The problem has been he has not had enough games. He needs games, last week he ran out of steam a little bit but he is putting the work in on the training ground. Ability and confidence is nothing he has ever been missing.
“He has come here to try and convince the (Man United) manager that he works for that he is good enough to give him a go – that is his aim.
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“His attitude has been spot-on since I met him – there were three or four clubs after him and we got him, but his intention is to try and go back there and get in the team and I think that is great for the young lad.”
Burnley are a ‘nice’ team, but is that worth anything during a relegation battle? Sean Dyche seems like a respectable manager, and he doesn’t get drawn into any slanging matches with other managers or ever try to pass the blame. His squad is built entirely of British and Irish players with one English born Austrian – a remarkable achievement.
Except the quality of their squad quite simply isn’t good enough for the division that they have found themselves in. As expected, of any promoted side, the majority of the squad are of a ‘Championship level’ and it can take a season or two of hard-fought survival to turn that around. In their 25-man squad for the Premier League season only 13 have any previous experience of playing in the Premier League, with most playing around 10 games or fewer in the competition. Compared to that of fellow promoted team QPR who’s 26-man squad contains 19 players who have previous Premier League experience, and a further two loanees from Italy’s top division, Serie A.
Credit where credit is due, Burnley finished 2nd in the Championship last season and fully deserved their promotion. However, after being the final team in England’s professional divisions to pick up a victory this season, it’s clear they are in for a season of struggle. With eleven games gone the Clarets are rock bottom of the league having scored just six goals. One positive note for them so far this season is the fact that they can effectively shut off some opponents, so the lack of goalscoring isn’t completely painful. Early on in the season Dyche’s men managed three bore draws in a row against Manchester United, Crystal Palace and Sunderland, before conceding four to West Brom. After scoring in the opening weekend defeat to Chelsea, they went six games in all competitions without another. And to be fair to them, they’ve hardly had the easiest run of fixtures to start off with.
Having a squad with no standout quality isn’t necessarily a bad thing, as a squad of team-players can sometimes be enough to survive in the top division. But should Burnley stick with Sean Dyche through what seems like an impending relegation?
Any manager who gains promotion from the Championship will be very much aware of the trouble that the following season will create, and although one of the promoted sides usually overachieves the other two ultimately struggle to survive. Then again, is football all about surviving? Burnley supporters will cherish the victories in the Premier League this season even if they are relegated, more than they cherished the 26 victories during the last campaign in the Championship. Dyche led his men up and with little resources made the best squad that he could. It was a fantastic achievement and automatic promotion in the Championship shouldn’t be undervalued.
I believe that Dyche has taken this squad to it’s absolute peak by reaching the Premier League and they inevitable relegation is looming. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean that his days are numbered. The money earned and the players gained will only make Burnley stronger for next season should relegation arrive, and the problem isn’t of anyones fault. It’s a rare thing in football for nobody to pick up the blame for poor performances, but the manager is aware of how difficult the Premier League is and how much greater all the other sides are in terms of quality – and he’s right.
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If Burnley do get relegated – as seems most likely – it will be through no fault of the players or the manager. Not the fault of any trouble maker or lazy individuals. But a squad of almost entirely British and Irish players just not being good enough. Perhaps the best way to go down, but still, come on Burnley – it would be one of the greatest triumphs in the Premier League if Sean Dyche can mastermind this rather average squad of players to survive relegation this season.
Roberto Martinez undoubtedly had an excellent first season at Everton. The Toffees finished fifth in the Barclays Premier League and qualified for the Europa League. This season though, despite comfortably progressing into the Europa League knockout stages, Everton have struggled to replicate their fine league form from last term, and currently occupy 11th spot.
It seems to be a case of one step forward and two steps back for the Toffees. Everton have secured just one win in their last six games in all competitions. After an impressive 3-1 home victory over Queens Park Rangers a week ago, the Toffees travelled to St Mary’s, to face a Southampton side, who were also struggling for consistency. The Saints ran out comfortable 3-0 winners, leaving Martinez bemoaning his defensive woes in his post-match interview.
Everton, who were tipped to ruffle the feathers of the top four this season, certainly have to pick up their form if they are to better their 5th place finish from last year. Too many of Martinez’s senior players have let him down so far this term. We take a look at the FIVE players who have disappointed the most at Goodison Park.
Sylvain Distin
First and foremost, Sylvain Distin has been a great servant to Everton over the years. The defender has been at Goodison Park for over five years and has played over 160 league games for the Toffees.
Unfortunately for Distin, at the age of 37, his best days seem to be well and truly behind him. Anyone at his age would struggle to keep up with the pace of the modern game, especially the relentlessness and speed of the Premier League. Due to John Stones’ injury, the 37-year-old is probably playing more games than he would have anticipated this season. Martinez has also utilised him in the Europa League and the Capital One Cup this term.
On Saturday, Distin struggled to keep up with the pacey Shane Long, and the Saints’ striker is not the first, or the last, who will give the Frenchman a tough time this season.
Phil Jagielka
Staying with the current defensive problems, if Distin is going to come under scrutiny, then so should the Everton skipper too.
Phil Jagielka hasn’t been anywhere near his best for the Toffees this season. The England international issued a public apology after the disastrous 3-0 defeat at St Mary’s on Saturday. He and his defensive partner Distin had a difficult time against Southampton, and they were both caught out on a number of occasions.
Like Distin, Jagielka is another player who’s been an excellent servant at Goodison Park. But the Toffees skipper needs to stand up and be counted, and prove why he’s the captain of Everton and England’s first-choice centre-back.
Steven Pienaar
The South African has struggled to make an impact at Goodison Park this season. The 32-year-old has only made eight Premier League appearances for Martinez’s side so far.
With the emergence of Ross Barkley, and players such as Kevin Mirallas, Muhamed Besic, Gareth Barry, Aiden McGeady and James McCarthy – all packing the midfield, Pienaar, who’s in his second spell at Goodison Park, could be on his way out of Everton sooner rather than later.
When he has had his chance to shine this term, he hasn’t done enough to make a significant impression to stamp down a place in the Everton starting line-up. Pienaar can expect some appearances in Everton’s cup exploits, but his Premier League chances are surely going to be very few and far between.
Tim Howard
Tim Howard is another senior player who has underperformed for Everton this season. The American stopper hasn’t been as consistent as the Goodison Park faithful have become accustomed to.
Howard seems to be struggling with the defence in front of him and is majorly suffering as a consequence. The 35-year-old, who has been an ever-present for Everton thus far, has conceded 27 goals in 17 Premier League games – only Queens Park Rangers and Leicester City have let in more. That’s a worrying stat for the Everton fans, and it just confirms Everton’s current defensive frailties.
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Howard has now failed to keep a clean sheet in his last seven Premier League outings, and it’s certainly an area that Martinez’s side have to improve on drastically – if they are to hunt down a European spot.
Gareth Barry
Despite being one of Everton’s better performers in the 3-0 defeat at Southampton, Gareth Barry hasn’t been as effective for the Toffees this season as he was last.
Barry was suspended for the match against Queens Park Rangers last week – but Everton barely missed him – and won the game comfortably. But Martinez shuffled his team around against the Saints to accommodate the former England international. When on-loan from Manchester City last term, Barry flourished in the heart of Everton’s midfield. But the 33-year-old has yet to score since making the permanent move to Goodison Park, and seems to be far less effective in the Everton side.
Barry was a huge part of Everton’s success in the last campaign, but if the Toffees are going to start climbing the league, he must start replicating his form as soon as possible.
It may feel like it’s winter counter-part only slammed shut yesterday, but the January transfer window is already upon us, in what often constitutes a rather chaotic time of year for Premier League clubs.
And it looks set to be a busy one for Tottenham; they’re reportedly planning a winter clear-out to make way for new signings, so we should see some movement on both the inward and outward front at White Hart Lane this month.
There’s certainly some lingering transfer issues that require Maurico Pochettino’s attention and, being the helpful bunch we are at Football Fancast, we’ve outlined the FIVE we view as the most important. So without further ado…
SHIFTING THE DEADWOOD
Football – SL Benfica v Tottenham Hotspur – UEFA Europa League Third Round Second Leg – Estadio da Luz, Lisbon, Portugal – 13/14 – 20/3/14Tottenham Hotspur’s Nacer Chadli (L) and Aaron Lennon applaud the fans at the end of the gameMandatory Credit: Action Images / Paul ChildsEDITORIAL USE ONLY.
Tottenham’s squad is far too large and before the Lilywhites can consider bringing more bodies in, having already added summer signing DeAnre Yedlin to their roster (officially) this month, they need to get rid of the ever-mounting deadwood.
Spurs now have five players capable of playing at left-back for example, Jan Vertonghen, Danny Rose, Ben Davies, Kyle Naughton and Benoit Assou-Ekotto, which is far too many, and in my opinion the latter two should be cut loose this month to make way for new recruits. There isn’t too much interest in the Cameroonian, but Swansea have been linked with a £4million bid for Naughton this week – not a huge sum, but certainly a decent contribution to the kitty.
Likewise, Aaron Lennon appears to be edging closer towards the White Hart Lane exit door with Stoke City mooted as likely suitors. The occasional England international has perhaps been unfortunate to slump down the pecking order over the last 18 months with many positive attributes to his game – particularly, work-rate, pace and experience – but he’s clearly not to Mauricio Pochettino’s specific taste and for that reason alone, may as well be moved on.
Moussa Dembele, linked with Everton earlier this term, is another candidate for the scrapheap, having made just four Premier League starts this season, as are defenders Vlad Chiriches and Younes Kaboul, whilst few tears would be shed if the Lilywhites said goodbye to goal-shy striker Emmanuel Adebayor this month.
CUTTING LOSSES
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Paulinho, Erik Lamela and Roberto Soldado constitute the three largest signings in Tottenham history, but none have hit the heights expected since moving to White Hart Lane in summer 2013 and it might be time for the north Londoners to consider cutting losses – before their market values depreciate even further.
Indeed, the former Spain international has gone on to record just three goals from open play in the Premier League, the Argentine has only ever shown glimpses of his true ability and the Brazilian, in addition to enduring a terrible World Cup campaign, tends to be a rather anonymous figure compared to the dynamic nature of your average Premier League midfielder.
Lamela’s future seems safe for now; he’s struggled to adapt to the Premier League but the 22 year-old was always viewed as a long-term investment.
Soldado and Paulinho, however, may not be so lucky. Combined, they cost Spurs a whopping £43million and the Lane outfit need some of that money back.
The former has been linked with a move to Sevilla this month, as part of a swap deal for Los Che’s star centre-forward Carlos Bacca, which would at least save Tottenham some face even if it doesn’t improve their bank balance.
Meanwhile, there’s quite a bit of demand for the latter this month, with The Independent claiming Inter Milan, Schalke and former club Corinthians could all be interested in the £12million-rated midfielder.
Admittedly however, the Lilywhites may be better off waiting until the summer.
Signing players that fit Pochettino’s philosophy
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Tottenham can be considered more guilty than most of making signings that don’t fit any particular philosophy, in-part due to them having three different managers in the last year.
The current complexion of the starting XI says it all, with Harry Kane, Nabil Bentaleb and Ryan Mason regularly included over players the Lilywhites spent untold fortunes on in transfer fees and wages, such as Mousa Dembele, Paulinho, Etienne Capoue, Roberto Soldado and Emmanuel Adebayor, predominantly due to them lacking the energy and mentality to perform well under Mauricio Pochettino’s high-pressing ethos.
The Argentine wasn’t given the support he needed during the summer window, operating on a budget of just £30million and many signings seemingly made beyond his control. But after a string of impressive results in his first six months at White Hart Lane, he deserves full licence to land targets of his own discretion this January.
So who could Tottenham sign, better fitting of the Pochettino ethos? In my opinon, Aston Villa star Fabian Delph, who shares the gritty, lung-bursting styles of Mason and Kane, would be a perfect addition.
He’s developed hugely over the year or so, earning the Villain of the Year award last term and more recently a spot in the England squad, and could be snapped up on the cheap this window, with just six months remaining on his current contract.
According to Mirror Football, Liverpool are plotting a £7.5million bid for the tenacious contract rebel – a figure the Lilywhites can easily match.
Sign another striker or rely on Harry Kane?
The story of the season so far at White Hart Lane has, of course, been the sensational rise of Harry Kane, emerging from the peripheries of the squad to become the club’s top scorer with 18 goals across all competitions, including eight in the Premier League.
Yet, Kane’s superfluous form can’t last forever; right now he’s high on confidence, seemingly fuelled by his undying support from the White Hart Lane faithful, but eventually he’ll hit a dry patch.
At which point, the Lilywhites will be forced to depend upon Emmanuel Adebayor and Roberto Soldado (assuming they aren’t sold this January), who have scored just three Premier League goals combined this term.
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Thus, Mauricio Pochettino must decide whether he’s prepared to rely upon Kane’s form for the remainder of the campaign or needs to bolster his striking options this January.
One target already mooted is Fenerbahce forward Emmanuel Emenike, who boasts a strong return of 14 goals in 40 league outings for the Turkish club.
The Express alleged an £8million bid last week, whilst, adding further weight to continuing speculation, the Nigerian international has been spotted in London this month with his agent.
Goodbye to another Spurs skipper?
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Tottenham said goodbye to long-term captain Matt Dawson in the summer as the former England international made his way to Hull City, and they could do so again this month in the form of Younes Kaboul – just five months after his official appointment.
Indeed, Maurico Pochettino gave the Frenchman the nod at the start of the campaign but he’s not started a Premier League fixture since the beginning of November, with the Spurs gaffer preferring centre-back partnership Federico Fazio and Jan Vertonghen – the defensive bedrock behind Tottenham’s improved results in recent weeks.
I’ve never been too fond of Kaboul, a centre-half prepared to rely on his pace and strength to make up for mistakes, rather than preventing them with the subtler powers of positioning and anticipation, so I wouldn’t mind seeing the Lilywhites skipper leave this month.
He’s already been linked with a move to Besiktas by the Daily Mail as part of Tottenham’s alleged winter clearout, but the report claims Spurs will have to reduce their asking price somewhat to complete the deal.