Manchester United fans are eager to sign Fulham starlet Ryan Sessegnon after his latest performance in the English second-tier caught the eyes of supporters.
The 17-year-old was instrumental to Fulham’s play-off win against Derby County on Monday night, scoring the first of the two goals they needed to book their place at Wembley, before providing the assist for the second.
The youngster has had a phenomenal season in the Championship, scoring 16 goals and providing 7 assists from a variety of positions on the Cottagers’ left flank.
With United needing options on that side of their defence and midfield, could the teenager be a viable option?
Fans certainly think so, believing he has the talent to make it at Old Trafford, even if they have to send him back on loan to Fulham for a year or two.
Many are hoping that the Red Devils break out the cheque-book this summer and make him one of their big signings of the transfer window.
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Although Tottenham fans were sad to say goodbye to Gareth Bale in the summer of 2013, the splurging of multiple millions after his departure promised to see some top-notch players arrive at White Hart Lane.
Of all the new faces that were purchased by the North London club using the Welshman’s world record fee, Brazil international midfielder Paulinho was arguably the most exciting. Playing for Corinthians at the time, the box-to-box man was a regular fixture in his national team and was being linked to some of European football’s biggest clubs. Spurs landing Paulinho was seen as something of a coup; the midfielder had been an ever-present in the Selecao side that scooped the Confederations Cup the summer before arriving, and was even talked of as one of the tournament’s best players.
Fast forward two years and the South American has sealed his White Hart Lane exit, with the Brazilian making the move to Chinese Super League club Guangzhou Evergrande.
It is fair to state that Paulinho was a dramatic failure at Tottenham, but where did it all go wrong?
Initially the signs were positive, with hints that the samba star could be the driving force in the team’s midfield and help Spurs secure a top-four place. With good reading of the game and excellent movement off the ball, Paulinho regularly found himself in excellent goalscoring positions in his first campaign in English football.
However, despite the 26-year-old finishing the 2013-14 campaign with six Premier League strikes to his name, Paulinho was largely wasteful in front of goal. The number of chances that the Brazilian spurned throughout the season added up, with the White Hart Lane faithful becoming frustrated with his inability to capitalise on the positions that he took up.
In Andre Villas-Boas’ 4-2-3-1 formation, Paulinho was most commonly utilised in the centre of midfield – the same position that he took up for his country. However, despite the ex-Corinthians man building up something of a reputation for being an enforcer before moving to England, he failed to live up to the physical side of the game in the Premier League.
Missed tackles and being beaten in the air was the tip of the iceberg, and the Spurs supporters lost faith in him when it started to become apparent that he did not have the appetite to fully engage in 50-50 challenges. Ryan Mason has since become a fans’ favourite for his attitude in this part of the game.
Not trusted to feature in front of the side’s defence, Paulinho’s chances to play were minimal under Mauricio Pochettino; largely because Christian Eriksen commandeered the ‘No.10’ role that the Brazilian was seen as an alternative for.
The last nail in the coffin came in a dull 0-0 draw against Burnley at Turf Moor towards the end of the campaign, where the outcast was given a rare start, but put in a dire performance – his infamous dragged shot at goal seemed to sum up his entire spell in North London.
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Winning 32 caps for Brazil is no mean feat and with time Paulinho could maybe have adapted to the English game and won the fans over, but instead he becomes another Brazilian player to fail to make an impact in the Premier League.
He will now embark on a new challenge in Asia, with Spurs fans scratching their heads wondering what might have been.
Over the past few seasons, the Premier League title race has been a two team affair, with both Manchester United and Manchester City dominating the summit of the English top flight. But the summer’s managerial turnaround, with City, United and Chelsea all changing their head coaches, has seriously altered the landscape at the top of the table, and next term looks set to be a four horse – well, three and a half (sorry Arsenal fans) – race for the domestic title.
With that in mind, we take a look at the Premier League’s top four, and consider their chances of usurping Manchester United’s position as reigning Champions, in what could be the most exciting, unpredictable and groundbreaking campaign for a long while in England.
Arsenal – the half horse
The Gunners camp has been making a lot of noise about how they plan on taking the Premier League by storm next season, with Theo Walcott eyeing the title, and Arsene Wenger insisting his side are capable of competing domestically with or without new recruits.
But quite frankly, the North London outfit will be dead in the water if they can’t source a new front man ahead of next season; Olivier Giroud’s 11 goal haul last season was a healthy contribution, and the Frenchman could improve after settling well at the Emirates, but overall, Arsenal are too reliant upon goals from midfield, with Theo Walcott, Santi Cazorla and Lukas Podolski making the Gunners the only top flight club to have four players reach double figures in the scoring charts last term.
Either way, Arsenal need much greater depth in the strikeforce, with Giroud currently the senior squad’s only established and natural centre-forward, excluding Marouane Chamakh and Nicklas Bendtner. Arsene Wenger and Ivan Gazidis are doing their best to prize away Luis Suarez from Liverpool, in what would be a ground-breaking transfer for the Emirates outfit, but the Reds are unlikely to move on their £55million valuation for the striker, who netted 23 goals and provided five assists last season in incredibly individual and talismanic displays. Furthermore, the Uruguayan’s determined attitude could change the mild-mannered mentality at the Emirates.
The natural concern however, is that the Arsenal boss will baulk at the price-tag at the last minute, and with few alternatives on the horizon, the Gunners could end up with yet another stop-gap solution rather than the real deal.
But even if Wenger breaks the habit of a life time and finally spends big this summer, as he had previously promised, there are still too many issues at the Emirates for Arsenal to claim their first domestic title since 2004. Ideally, the Frenchman will source a new goalkeeper, a new right-sided central defender and a new defensive midfielder as well this summer, but at the moment three more additions remains unlikely.
When everyone is fit, the Gunners have a strong starting XI that can compete with any other in the top flight, but the lack of depth and flexibility will be Arsenal’s undoing next term. The first team look a different and worse side without the often-absent Jack Wilshere, whilst the outgoing Bacary Sagna, Andrei Arshavin, Francis Coquellin, Gervinho and Chamakh need replacing.
None the less, Wenger is now the longest-serving manager in the top flight, as well as just one of two – along with Jose Mourinho – currently in employment in England that have previously won the Premier League title. The Gunners should reap the benefits of the French gaffer’s experience on David Moyes and Manuel Pellegrini, but Wenger’s inability to take three points off the Chelsea boss domestically in the past is a worrying statistic.
Chelsea
Chelsea have emerged as the bookies’ favourite, for two main reasons.
Firstly, Jose Mourinho’s return has seriously altered the landscape at the top of the table, and many expect the Special One to take the Premier League by storm, just as he did in 2004. The Portuguese and the Blues are an ideal fit, and he has an already gifted roster to work with, whilst he is still one of the psychological masters of the beautiful game in the press as well as individually, often getting the maximum out of his players.
He’s well-acquanted with what it takes to claim a Premier League title, with two under his belt already, and in comparison to recent seasons, there will be a huge impetus on the English title in West London after two consecutive years of success on the continent, coming at the expense of domestic form.
Secondly, despite Chelsea finishing up in third place in rather stale fashion last term, the West London outfit do possess a stellar cast. Juan Mata, Oscar, Eden Hazard and David Luiz emerged as real forces in the Premier League over the previous year, and many anticipate they’re finally ready to push for the title, after undergoing a rite of passage last season with an incredibly taxing campaign, on and off the pitch.
Furthermore, despite only making three official signings so far this summer – Marco Van Ginkel, Andre Schurrle and Mark Schwarzer – there is a wealth of depth at Stamford Bridge and a strong contingent of young talent. Romelu Lukaku and Kevin De Bruyne return after incredibly successful loan spells at West Brom and Bayer Leverkusen respectively, whilst Michael Essien, returning from Real Madrid, in addition to John Terry, will be reinvigorated by Mourinho’s return, and could have a big impact next season. Overall, there’s great contrast and flexibility in the squad, as well as a strong starting line-up.
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But in my opinion, there is one piece of the jigsaw missing at the Stamford Bridge, and rather bizarrely, Manchester United hold the key. Fernando Torres, Demba Ba and Romelu Lukaku have the potential to be a formidable strike-force, but all are unknown quantities for respective reasons. Mourinho has described Chelsea’s transfer policy as ‘Rooney or bust’ this summer, and the England man would finish off a team that is one star short of being title-worthy.
The 27-year-old is about as tried and tested as you get in the Premier League, with 197 goals in 400 career games, never totalling less than 11 league goals per season, and the Blues boss is keen to work with him. A £40million bid is reportedly in the pipeline, which despite the large price-tag could be a real coup for the West Londoners, adding world-class quality, goals and flexibility in the final third, whilst also considerably weakening the top flight’s reigning champions.
Manchester City
Manchester City appear to have a marmite effect on Premier League pundits and fans alike, due to the wholesale changes at Eastlands. But Citizens supporters will be hoping the appointment of Manuel Pellegrini will re-energise Yaya Toure, Vincent Kompany, Sergio Aguero and David Silva after lukewarm campaigns compared to their usual standards, whilst the Premier League runners-up have been by far the most proactive top four club in the transfer market so far this summer, purchasing Fernandinho for £30million, Alvaro Negredo for £20million, Jesus Navas for £15million and Stevan Jovetic for £22million, and according to Pellegrini, there could be further additions before deadline day. All are expected to have a big impact next term, as they add to an already star-studded cast at City, packed with top-draw talent and depth throughout.
But much of Pellegrini’s hopes will depend on Negredo and Navas, both Spain internationals sourced from Sevilla, who contributed 32 goals and ten assists between them last season. Navas will provide City with some much needed width that they’ve lacked in the past, whilst his team-mate will bring a new, more direct dimension in attack. However, it remains to be seen whether or not they can successfully slot into the system at Eastlands, with Pellegrini seemingly just cutting and pasting them onto the right-hand side.
There’s been a lot of change for City and as a result, a lot of unknown quantities, including Pellegrini who came up short during his only other spell at a major club – Real Madrid. Their success next season will depend on how well the manager and his new signings settle and how quickly, but they have the advantage of doing their business early this summer and including their new recruits on the pre-season tour of Asia.
However, the Skyblues could get distracted by the Champions League, after two years of failure in Europe and a greater emphasis on the competition in comparison to United, Chelsea and Arsenal. Similarly, the City owners have spent over £1billion on transfers to get the club to where it is today, and Sheik Mansour could become impatient with Pellegrini if his appointment doesn’t have an immediately positive effect.
A title defence from Manchester United?
Many have written off Manchester United already this year, which, as history would suggest, is often a bad idea. The roster by no means outweighs that of City or Chelsea in terms of talent or star quality, but the Red Devils have a constant winning mentality spawned from the Ferguson ethos, and were ruthlessly efficient against the lesser clubs last term. They’re reining champions for a reason, and they rarely let bread-and-butter three points pass them by.
But the coming campaign will certainly put the Manchester United theory to the test- the idea that the correct structure of the club, from top to bottom, the institutionalisation of accomplishment and slow pace of change providing continuity will assure prolonged success, regardless of Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement.
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David Moyes is receiving a wealth of criticism for his lack of experience, as well as his handling of the Wayne Rooney affair, but there’s little doubt the Scot is Ferguson’s natural and rightful successor, who still possesses a cast of Premier League title winners, and is surrounded by some of the oldest, wisest and established heads in the game today, including his predecessor, who is staying on at Old Trafford in an advisory role.
The club don’t seem to fear losing Wayne Rooney, and many anticipate that Shinji Kagawa will be able to fill the void in the final third. The Red Devils showed a lot of faith to invest £24million in the attacking midfielder last summer, and his inaugural campaign in England showed promise, considering he struggled with the language barrier and niggling injuries last year.
But the Japan international is yet to prove his worth in the Premier League, and on paper at least, United will be short of star quality should Rooney depart for Stamford Bridge. The Premier League champions could find themselves left behind in the transfer market if they don’t find an adequate replacement, with their pursuits of Kevin Strootman, Thiago Alcantara, Mario Gotze, Cesc Fabgregas and Luka Modric all ending in failure this summer.
That being said, United have always favoured the sum of all parts pulling together rather than individual stars, and back-up targets Marouane Fellaini and Leighton Baines remain patiently in the wings. Both would add stability and improvement to the roster at Old Trafford, and would fit into the system without too many problems, with the added benefit of already working closely with David Moyes. Furthermore, there’s still a month to go before deadline day, and the Scot is bound to make a big-money offer at some point this summer, with the United transfer kitty still untouched.
So who’s going to win the title?
As I mentioned in my opening paragraph, it’s very much a three-and-a-half horse race, with Arsenal likely to improve but still short on quality and depth in comparison to City, United and Chelsea. Between the remaining three however, it’s almost impossible to call. My personal feeling is that City will struggle with too many teething pains, and will want to battle it out on all fronts, whilst the Blues and the Premier League champions are more focused on the domestic title. Similarly, there are too many unknown quantities at Eastlands at this moment in time to faithfully back them, but that could change by Christmas.
Between the two it’s practically a coin toss, although Wayne Rooney’s speculated move to West London will push the odds massively in Chelsea’s favour. That being said, never write-off Manchester United, and although they may be weaker in the top of the table clashes next season upon Rooney’s departure, they are still by far the Premier League’s best in meeting expectations against clubs outside of the big four.
Either way, it will be an enormously refreshing and memorable campaign, that by all accounts, should go down to the wire.
French international Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa looks set for a January transfer across the British Channel after rumours of interest from Arsenal and Newcastle for the defender were reported.
The Montpellier captain, who can also play in a defensive midfield role, was the subject of a £4.8million bid from AC Milan over the summer but has remained with the French champions as they look to retain the Ligue 1 title that they surprisingly won last season.
The 23-year old refused to sign a new contract over the summer and will be free to leave the club at the end of the season, and it is likely that his club will look to cash in during the next transfer window and not risk losing one of their main assets for nothing in the summer.
Alan Pardew and Arsene Wenger have both registered their interest in Yanga-Mbiwa and it maybe he himself that has to make a decision on where his future lies.
But who should he sign for?
Newcastle are certainly a team on the up due to the attacking flair and exciting football that former West Ham boss Pardew has brought to St James’ Park, but defence is an area where they could certainly improve.
Captain Fabricio Coloccini has been one of their standout performers since they returned to the Premier League in 2010, but he has yet to find a regular partner at the centre of defence. Stephen Taylor and Mike Williamson have both performed admirably but the man who was born in the Central African Republic would be confident of winning a place in the starting line-up ahead of them.
Arsenal, on the other hand, are not short of central defenders but may see the young Frenchman as someone who could cover in both defence and in midfield, especially after the sale of Alexander Song to Barcelona last month.
The Emirates Stadium outfit should still be in the Champions League by January after being given a favourable group draw (including playing Montpellier) and that could be the thing that turns his head towards the capital, although he may find regular football more forthcoming in the North East.
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According to reports by Football.London, Chelsea are ready to sell attacking midfielder Marco van Ginkel for £10m this summer, and Southampton must look to take advantage.
What’s the word, then?
Well, Football.London says that despite the fact the Dutchman only signed a new contract with the west London outfit before extending his loan with PSV Eindhoven last summer, the Blues are ready to cash in on a player they bought for £8m from Vitesse Arnhem five years ago.
The 25-year-old has enjoyed a standout season in the Eredivisie for PSV as they won the league title, but despite wanting the former Stoke City loanee on a permanent deal, Football.London says they have baulked at the £10m asking price.
Meanwhile, Southampton, who have been linked with a move for Celtic duo Tom Rogic and Moussa Dembele, boosted their Premier League survival chances by beating Bournemouth 2-1 at St Mary’s on Saturday, and they could be in for a busy summer transfer window whichever division they find themselves in next term.
How has Van Ginkel done this season?
He has been brilliant.
The Netherlands international has scored 16 goals and provided a further five assists in 32 appearances in all competitions for PSV this term, despite playing the majority of those games in a central midfield position.
The 6ft 1in Dutchman has also shown that he can be strong in the air by winning 87 of the 157 aerial duels he has faced in 27 Eredivisie outings during the current campaign, as per WhoScored.com.
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Would he be a good signing for Southampton?
He certainly would be.
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While his previous loan spell with Stoke City under Mark Hughes didn’t quite work out, it seems clear that Van Ginkel has matured and improved during his loan spell with PSV, and his statistics from an attacking point of view are certainly impressive for a player that could be available for just £10m this summer.
Saints may be looking for a long-term replacement for captain Steven Davis if they do stay up, and it would continue their recent strategy of signing fringe players from bigger clubs who should have a point to prove.
The dreaded Financial Fair Play restrictions have been lifted from Manchester City’s shoulders, allowing manager Manuel Pellegrini unlimited access to the reported £100m war chest afforded him by the Citizens’ owners. Summer transfer windows have been a funny thing for the blue side of Manchester since Sheikh Mansour took control of the club in 2008, yielding varying levels of success. Stellar signings have become a fixture at the Etihad Stadium, however, so to have frustrating flops. This summer is among the most important in City’s history, as the squad needs major work.
Get it right, and City can keep up with their rivals both domestically and in Europe. Get it wrong, and they’ll be left behind.
A pattern has emerged for the Manchester side of late. Step 1: Make some quality additions to the squad that will win you the league. Step 2: After winning the league, sign some distinctly average players who will lose you the league. Rinse. Repeat.
After securing their first Premier League title in the most sensational way you can possibly imagine, they were expected to crack on in the transfer market and build on their momentum. So of course, Jack Rodwell and Scott Sinclair walked through the door. City would then go on to lose their title to arch rivals Manchester United, after they, sensibly, signed Robin van Persie.
That year, City were the new kids on the block and some leniency must be afforded to them. It was their first transfer window following a title-winning campaign, and City were not well-versed enough in how to approach it. After relinquishing their crown, the Sky Blues signed a raft of players who would go on to spur them on to a second league title. The likes of Alvaro Negredo, Fernandinho and Jesus Navas were brought in and played their part in the 2013/14 title-winning campaign.
So City now had the experience in how to approach a title defence. They could now press on, leave struggling arch rivals Manchester United in the dirt and focus on building a successful team for many years to come. UEFA had other ideas, though, and imposed restrictions on the club’s spending that year, so City simply couldn’t go out and buy the players to fend off Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea (although FFP cannot be blamed for the fact £42m was spent on Eliaquim Mangala!)
City ultimately lost the title (shock), as Chelsea usurped them at a canter. But, with FFP restrictions now lifted, City can splash the cash. Top class names have been linked, and the likes of Paul Pogba and Raheem Sterling are reported to be at the top of Pellegrini’s wish list. Those are the sort of names City should be chasing, and this summer they have the chance to add them to their ranks. If City get their signings right, Chelsea can indeed be caught at the top of the league. There are no longer any excuses for the blue side of Manchester, they must get their recruitment right.
If the reported £100m is spent wisely, a rejuvenated City would add an extra edge to the Premier League. The idea of Arsenal, Chelsea and the Manchester clubs fighting it out with squads full of superstars at the top of the league is mouth-watering. In the age of European super squads, the right signings can make up for lost ground in the Champions League. City have the resources.
Should City mess up another transfer window, their Premier League rivals will overtake them. Arsenal are finally buying established stars, and Manchester United are building a team to once again compete at the top of the league. Chelsea will be long gone under the stewardship of Mourinho and Manchester City will be an afterthought.
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City have shown the difficulty in establishing a team as a footballing powerhouse. They’ve enjoyed success domestically, but their struggles in defending their title and early elimination in the Champions League show how competitive top level sport is. Signing expensive players is all well and good, but it’s clear establishing yourself amongst the European giants is not simply a case of making blockbuster signings.
The excuses have run out for City now, they simply have to get this summer right or face being left in the wilderness.
When Joe Hart arrived back to Manchester City after a successful loan spell with Birmingham City in 2010, one question faced boss Roberto Mancini.
To play the exciting young prospect, talked up by many as the England Number One for decades to come, or to field the experienced and well-respected Shay Given. An ever-present and ever-impressing Premier League goalkeeper, it would’ve been hard to say no to Given.
But that’s exactly what Mancini did. Since then, three years later, Hart finds himself a weekly fixture in the Man City eleven, and an established England international, with tournament experience to his name. The risk of opting for youth worked for Mancini, and it led to wide praise.
A similar headache faces Billy Davies at Nottingham Forest following the signing of the experienced Dorus De Vries to rival academy product Karl Darlow. A position that many felt didn’t need strengthening, but a move the manager has now made.
As he lined up at Pride Park against bitter rivals Derby County, it didn’t take long for Darlow to become a fans favourite. Furthermore, it didn’t take Jamie Ward long to court the opportunity and attempt to intimidate the youth keeper, shoving him into the post with Darlow in mid-air. Darlow calmly approached Ward, like a teacher to a pupil, placing his glove on his cheek as a form of belittlement and gave the Derby wind-up merchant a firm talking to, establishing control.
This incident was a clincher for a lot of Forest fans. Not only did he look sure of his ability, but he looked certain of himself. In his second league start for The Reds, in a local derby full of jitters and anxiety, Darlow was a breath of fresh air. Confidence and belief, with a walk that almost mirrored that of former Forest keeper Lee Camp, in his better days.
After the Derby game, Darlow continued to play brilliantly. Key saves at key times against the likes of Burnley, Leicester and a tense end at Sheffield Wednesday. All he had to do was breathe, and chants of ‘Darlow, Darlow’ could be heard circling around the City Ground.
A Forest youth product with much promise, a rare sight for supporters at the City Ground over recent years and something that is relished. The threat in De Vries then, isn’t welcomed by many.
Promotion with Swansea looks great on the C.V of De Vries. A double-relegation with Wolves though, doesn’t look so encouraging. Wanted by Brendan Rodgers a year ago at Liverpool, De Vries can be labelled a bargain after signing him on a free. But with the impact Darlow made, it would be harsh for De Vries to be made automatic Number One.
The mentality of Darlow will be put to the test in the coming months, as he observes the seething Billy Davies look in training. The confidence that can often cross the boundary to a slight arrogance needs to be converted to true desire and grit as he battles for his spot. Having been quoted as saying he one day hopes to play for Man Utd, he’s shown his biggest expectant is himself.
The approach of Billy Davies to young players has been questioned through the years, and his decision for the goalkeeping jersey will be one in the spotlight this summer. For Darlow’s critics, they point to his lack of experience in the league. But how do you get experience, if whenever the opportunity arises, you’re being dropped for someone in their thirties?
How is Darlow supposed to develop if he’s constantly chucked out to the League One scrap yard to play in front of 5,000 fans, when he’s already proven himself on the big stage, in front of the biggest crowd in a Championship game last season. With two relegations in two seasons to his name, De Vries has got some proving to do himself.
Opting for De Vries may be a ‘safe’ option. But Darlow’s emergence and popularity didn’t arise from a safe option, did it? A decision from McLeish to abolish Lee Camp from the scene was popular, but not something that was an inevitability. The decision not to find a replacement for Camp in January was a risk, and one that paid off.
Darlow is no longer a risk. He’s got a lot to learn, granted. The presence of a recent academy product shouldn’t be underestimated as a major motivator for supporters too, turning up for games in the knowledge they’re watching one of their own can be a huge incentive, especially coupled with his fantastic ability.
A formidable back five will be integral to Forest’s season, in a similar fashion to the core created by Man City and more recently Man Utd, as they took the option of a young keeper and took the positives with the negatives, which led to one big positive; a major trophy.
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A big decision for Billy Davies, and one that will be a major contributor towards hopeful success. Darlow or De Vries? Youth or Experience?
Manchester United are ready to drop Nani after his poor performance against Everton on Monday, The Sun state.
The Portugal international failed to impress in the Red Devils’ opening day loss to the Goodison Park club and as such will be replaced in the starting line-up by Ashley Young for the game against Fulham this weekend.
The Portugal international’s future is in doubt after contract negotiations broke down, and a United insider is said to believe that Nani could be looking for a new club in the near future.
“The club did not think his form at the end of last season put him in a very strong bargaining position over a new deal. Monday was hardly his best either,” the United representative stated.
Sir Alex Ferguson has a plethora of wingers to choose from currently, with Antonio Valencia and Young all available.
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With their English Premier League status hanging in the balance, planning for the upcoming transfer window is a tricky proposition for manager Mark Hughes and the other decision makers at St Mary’s.
With just three games remaining, the Saints are one point from safety at the bottom of the league table, but still hold their fate in their own hands with a mammoth relegation tussle against Swansea City on the horizon.
The cause of their woes this season has undoubtedly been a lack of attacking ambition, having scored just 35 goals in 35 matches in the top-flight.
That may be more than the teams immediately around them, but it’s less than the likes of Watford, West Ham Bournemouth and Crystal Palace, who have all been left in their dust over the past three seasons.
One man reportedly on their radar that could help fix that lack of attacking edge next season is Celta Vigo’s Danish international Pione Sisto. The Sun say that he could be available for around £18m this summer and that Hughes is keen to add him to his squad if they manage to survive the drop.
Helping Celta Vigo to a mid-table finish in La Liga, Sisto has demonstrated this season he could be an upgrade on Southampton’s left flank, with the St Mary’s side struggling to find a consistent performer in that area.
Nathan Redmond has been the player most reliably picked in the left-wing position but as shown by WhoScored.com has failed to score a single goal in 2017/18 and has provided just three assists.
In contrast, Sisto has 14 direct goal contributions consisting of five goals and nine assists. His ball retention is better too, with an 84% pass accuracy rating, which is better than every single one of Southampton’s attacking wide players.
His 2.2 dribbles per game also demonstrate his ambition to take players on is as strong as the likes of Sofiane Boufal and Mario Lemina, who are regarded as two of the most exciting players in the Southampton team when they’re on their game, leading the squad in dribbles per game. With a better end product though, Sisto can be a player that provides even more of an impact than both.
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While there would obviously be a period of adjustment between La Liga and the English game, it’s clear that the Danish international is a viable target for the Saints this summer and at the reported £18m, could go a long way to ensuring they aren’t stuck in a relegation rut next season.
Arsene Wenger’s best signing of last season was Alexis Sanchez, so you’d see why Wenger would feel protective of the Chilean attacker.
Sanchez is meeting up with his Chile teammates this month ahead of the start of the Copa America this summer, and the Arsenal manager is wary of his prized asset suffering from overexertion. He’s even promised to give Sanchez four weeks off at the start of next season. Burnout is a problem very much a la mode in modern football, but it’s a very real problem.
Wenger does love a whinge, but this time he’s quite right.
Sanchez is part of a large group of players blighted by the modern way. He’s a superstar, one of the best players in the world who plays week in and week out for a top club. He’s a hero in his country, and a hero to many who have no links even to his continent. He flies around the world to fulfill sponsorship obligations and everyone wants a piece of him.
And then there’s the football. Apart from the physical exhaustion of playing and training – not to mention fixture pile-ups – he also plays for his country. But games for Chile take him all over the world – he doesn’t simply get to stay within a short plane ride of his base.
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But that’s not the main problem. All of that is simply an unavoidable part of modern sport. He’s Chilean, Chile’s games are in South America, so Sanchez has to play some games there.
But that’s not quite what Wenger is worried about. Wenger is not so worried about the intensity of Sanchez’s schedule, more about the length of time he’s had to keep it up.
Sanchez played a full season for Barcelona the season before last. Then went to the World Cup with Chile. He was crucial for Arsenal this season and will now fly off to South America once again to play in another tournament. That’s almost three years without a break.
And that’s the modern way. Football is such big business that the big players need to play all the time. The game reaches so many people that we want to see it on our screens all of the time. Sanchez is paying the price for this, and his body might pay the price much later in his life.
There’s no sympathy for footballers who earn tens of millions of pounds per year, and that’s fair enough – if Sanchez is paying the price for his part in modern football, modern football is certainly giving him a fair salary in return.
But sympathy is not what Wenger is complaining about either. He’s complaining about burnout. Fans might not have sympathy for tired players, but their managers have to. Not from a kind and caring point of view, but simply from a pragmatic point of view. One of Wenger’s responsibilities as a manager is to protect his players.
And that’s also a responsibility for football administrators too. In England there is no winter break, players play at a high intensity throughout the whole season. Then the best players go off to summer tournaments and continue that workout. Then it’s pre-season and fitness work and then it’s a new season.
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Surely if Sanchez only played in half of those games he’d be a much better player – even two thirds of those games. Wenger isn’t worried about tiredness as such, he’s worried about how tiredness affects performance. And for South American players this summer, who have played in a two full seasons and a World cup already over the last two years it’s going to be a hard summer.
And by the middle of next season, when the rest of Europe gets some sort of break, Sanchez will surely be feeling the effects of two and a half years without an extended period of rest. It’ll be a huge feat of professionalism – and indeed of man management on Wenger’s part – if Sanchez can perform for a whole season next year. And given how crucial he was to Arsenal this season, it’s easy to see how Wenger could be upset.