Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has ruled out the possible sale of forward Javier Hernandez in the summer.
Hernandez has struggled to break into the United first team with Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney the understandable favourites at Old Trafford but even Danny Welbeck and Shinji Kagawa have jump ahead of him in the pecking order.
The Mexican striker has already notched 16 goals this season despite not being involved in the majority of games.
Even if the 24 year old became disillusioned at Old Trafford, Ferguson has ruled out the possibility of the striker leaving the club claiming that it is extremely difficult to leave him out each week.
“I’ve said to him it’s not easy to keep leaving him out because a 16-goal tally in the number of games he’s started is a brilliant record,” Ferguson told the Telegraph.
“And he’ll always have that because he’s fantastic in the box.
“But it’s difficult when you’re up against a player of Robin van Persie’s form, then you’ve got Welbeck, Rooney, (Shinji) Kagawa – that’s the benefit of having a strong squad.
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“It’s given us an advantage. We are working with 26 first-team players – probably the biggest in the league.”
West Ham midfielder Gary O’Neil claims the side need just one more win to ensure they are playing in the Premier League next season.
The Hammers are on the road again on Saturday when they travel to Southampton, who are also looking for a win to take them past the magic 40-point barrier, but recent away form has taken an upturn and the midfielder is looking to pick up a win at St Mary’s.
The midfielder says he is expecting a hostile reception due to his association with Portsmouth, where he started his career, but he’s looking forward to the clash.
“I think we’re looking for one more win,” O’Neil told the official website.
“Hopefully it can come this week but Southampton are in great form and they have had some fantastic results at home – I think they have beaten Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool at home recently.
“It’ll be a tough game because they’ve got some good players. We’ll go there and hopefully we’ll have a couple more players fit and the gaffer will have stronger squad to pick from.
“I’m looking forward to it, even though I’ll get a bit of stick coming from Portsmouth. It’s another chance to go and get three points.
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“Our away form has picked up with a win at Stoke and draw at Anfield after five straight defeats on the road. Hopefully our improved form can continue.”
He is yet to return to England and there are already headlines involving Jose Mourinho. It wasn’t to be too much of a surprise to uncover the details of the latest story, with Arsene Wenger and the Portuguese manager’s spikey history still fairly prominent in the mind. But it was an unnecessary call for Wenger to bring up the situation well before the time was right. Even more so, you worry to a degree about Arsenal’s summer activity, with the story likely setting up a few months of excuses and disappointments.
In fairness to Wenger, he was probably asked about the possibility of Mourinho returning, rather than opting to explore the subject himself. I have no issue with him stating what many view as the obvious: that Chelsea will spend heavily once again this summer. It’s nothing new really, and anyone could have suggested it.
Yet it’s the manner, tone and use of specific words that are likely to irritate Arsenal fans. Wenger says he’s “afraid of what Chelsea can do in the summer,” almost giving up the fight well before it’s begun. With so much still to play for in the remaining games of Arsenal’s season, as well as the enormous and unmistakable importance of this summer for the club, it is vital that Wenger concentrate fully on his own house, ensuring that Arsenal are not made to look much smaller and weaker than they actually are.
It’s the words you’d expect from a club much further away in terms of size, importance and resources to that of Chelsea. Arsenal, should they choose to use their own resources to its maximum, have nothing to fear from what goes on in west London. I’ve heard Wenger talk up the Premier League on numerous occasions, going along with the well-known chorus of it being the leading football league in the world. Well this is what you’re likely to face, and this is exactly what Arsenal fans especially have seen for the best part of the last decade.
Mourinho is not the insurmountable challenge he once was. Borussia Dortmund is currently the best example of that, with Jurgen Klopp arguably beating Mourinho at his own game. Dortmund did not speak of their fear in Bayern Munich when the Bavarians spent heavily on Javi Martinez, Dante, Mario Mandzukic, and Xherdan Shaqiri last summer. Klopp understands how good and how strong his own club is, and there is every likelihood Dortmund could prevail in an all-German Champions League final. Despite the shock of the Mario Goetze story, it’s about keeping your status and focus intact.
Are Wenger’s words an admission that perhaps Arsenal will not be so free in their spending this summer? Many, many smart clubs and manager could stretch £70 million a long way, putting together a team good enough to take on the very best in Europe. Dortmund’s team of Wednesday night was put together for just over £30 million. It will be about Wenger rediscovering that element that made him such a genius in the transfer market. Very good players are scattered around Europe, all of whom can take Arsenal to the next level. But we need to see a little more action and progressive thinking from the club in the transfer market. Honestly, why should Arsenal fill themselves with worry over who Mourinho could buy? Luka Modric cost upward of £30 million and has yet to transform this Real Madrid side into something of equal or better quality to their team of last year. At the same time, Santi Cazorla was brought in for half of that fee and has gone a long way to replacing the void left by Cesc Fabregas.
There’s a level of frustration in the manner that Arsenal conduct their transfer business, and you sense small hints of what may come this summer in a few of Wenger’s words. What we’ve come to know from Arsenal is that they will not enter into bidding wars with other clubs. They will also not shake too far from their own valuation of a player. For a club of Arsenal’s stature, that is the defeatist mentality that keeps the team cruising along at a predictable and unimaginative pace.
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The winning mentality comes from the top, and despite what Wenger said, I don’t believe he has anything to fear in terms of what Chelsea can do in the summer market. Arsenal are a club with plenty in the way of attracting top players, and with the right attitude this summer, it really shouldn’t matter what goes on at other clubs.
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?
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.
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.
Take a look back at our live commentary right here
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.