According to reports, Liverpool are front-runners to secure a summer swoop for Norwich City’s breakout star James Maddison.
What’s the story?
Norwich City playmaker James Maddison has told a source close to Anfield Edition that he “expects” to move to Anfield this summer.
The 21 year-old is close friends with Trent Alexander-Arnold, and has drawn interest from plenty of Premier League clubs.
The report also claims Liverpool are entering crunch talks to secure the signing of Fulham wonderkid Ryan Sessegnon.
Smart move to Merseyside?
Before the arrival of Andy Robertson, Liverpool fans would probably turn their noses up at relatively cheap signings from Championship clubs, but the success of the Scottish full back has earned Jürgen Klopp some transfer leeway.
Fans now trust that the German manager will work his magic with whatever young star he sets his plans on, so why not Maddison?
Maddison has impressed with the England Under-21 side this season, but has been quite simply remarkable for his club.
Playing mostly as an attacking midfielder, the 21 year-old has registered an incredible 14 goals and eight assists in a struggling Norwich side.
One has to think his arrival would mean the end of Adam Lallana’s Liverpool career, which would be a serious upgrade for the Reds.
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Maddison is faster and fitter than Lallana, and has already proven he has better end product in his brief career so far.
Liverpool fans, would you like to see a summer swoop for Maddison? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below…
Despite admittedly never managing one of the Premier League’s top-four teams throughout his managerial career, Alan Pardew’s name still commands a certain reputation within the English footballing community.
He either comes across as a purposeful kind of coach with a clear emphasis on winning games in style – or perhaps more cynically – as just another average English manager who seemingly acts as if he’s above his own station with his various touch-line spats.
Either way, no one can really discredit the job the former West Ham, Southampton and Newcastle manager has achieved so far with Crystal Palace. The Eagles simply look like a completely transformed outfit under the refreshed guidance of the 53-year-old.
Although it’s definitely still early days for the passionate boss and his new role at Selhurst Park, with the distinct lack of other successful English managers plying their trade in the Premier League at the moment, would it be right to suggest that Alan Pardew is already in contention to be named the next England manager after Roy Hodgson departs?
The response to such a claim may shine Pards in a more deserving light than most would expect…
Under the somewhat stagnant management of Neil Warnock, and to some extent Tony Pulis before him for that matter, Crystal Palace weren’t exactly a team who were easy on the eye. Rightly or wrongly, the South London based outfit went about their business in a largely physical manner, with not a great deal of priority placed on technical flair or free-flowing moves across the pitch.
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However, now under the much more revitalized supervision of Alan Pardew, the spirit in and around Selhust Park couldn’t be much higher. The team have become a far better side to watch in general, their ability to break down the opposition’s moves and convert them into fast moving counter-attacks has certainly been impressive – and with the side recording four wins in their last four matches – the Premier League seems to have found itself a new threat for the top sides to contend with.
Even if this amounts to no more than an enjoyable honeymoon period for the new man in the dug-out, this is just the kind of management the English national team is in desperate need of at the moment. Nevertheless, there are still those who really won’t be signing themselves up in the pro-Pardew camp anytime soon – just ask the majority of Newcastle United fans who paid witness to the man in question throughout the beginning of the season.
Despite his recent turnaround in fortunes with the Eagles, St. James’ Park simply wasn’t a happy home for Alan Pardew. The supporters didn’t initially take to him after the shock sacking of Chris Hughton, he has faced constant criticism for being far too negative in his approach with the Magpies – and although he managed to take Newcastle to the brink of Champions League football at the end of the 2011/12 campaign – a great deal of the St. James’ faithful are more than happy that they don’t have to deal with their former boss anymore.
Having said that tough, working under the testing conditions set by Newcastle chairman, Mike Ashley, would be a tough task for anyone. The controversial club owner not only sold off the best talent Pardew had available whenever he had the chance, but he also completely failed to reinvest that money back in the team and often left his manager to hang out to dry when it came to explaining away such a situation.
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Alan Pardew’s ill-fated reign in the North East therefore deserves some consideration before any truly damning statements are made – but as this is the man who famously went head-to-head with Hull City’s David Meyler, gave a fourth official a clear push when things didn’t go his way, and also reportedly called Manuel Pellegrini a ‘f****** old c*** for his troubles – it remains hard to see the FA being brave enough to ever select such a character for national duties.
No, Roy Hodgson certainly remains their man for now. He is the calm, safe bet after all, regardless of the potential on offer from someone such as Pards. If things continue to go well down at Selhusrt Park next season however, then you never know what could soon be on the cards for the somewhat opinion splitting manager in the not too distant future…
Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert has revealed that the club are yet to open talks with striker Christian Benteke over an improved contract.
Benteke still has three years left on his Villa deal after the £7million move from Genk on transfer deadline day last summer.
The Belgian striker has been in phenomenal form for the Premier League strugglers and a number of big clubs from around Europe are said to been keen on snapping him up in the summer.
Lambert has admitted that he will struggle to hold on to his prized asset if the Midlands club are playing Championship football next season but the Scot is hoping it won’t come to that.
Villa won away at Stoke last weekend and have a winnable game at home to Fulham today to pull further clear of the relegation fight and Lambert is not willing to discuss contracts until they’re safe.
“I think the most important thing is the league until the end of the season, I heard somebody say he’s been promised a new contract but I can’t have been a part of those conversations,” Lambert told Sky Sports.
“I speak to him all the time, not about contracts, I just tell him to keep it going really. And he’s never once mentioned anything to me about contracts.
“He’s got a contract here anyway as it stands, but I think it’s important we stay in this league and do as well as we’ve been doing.
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“As I said before I’ve never had one conversation with him regarding contracts or anything like that, he’s not that type of lad. I’m sure come the end of the season we’ll sit down and it’ll be just Chris and a few others.”
Arsenal have once again had their problems this season, and they look set to miss out on a top-four finish in the Premier League for a second year running.
Manager Arsene Wenger has come under fire from the fans for the senior team’s dismal away form.
Following Sunday’s defeat to Newcastle United at St James’ Park, it emerged that the Gunners are the only club in England’s top four divisions not to pick up a single point away from home in 2018.
The North London outfit are sixth in the standings, but with five games left to play they are feeling pressure from seventh-placed Burnley, who sit just two points behind.
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The only shining light for the senior team is their Europa League campaign, which sees them competing against Atletico Madrid in the semi-finals next week.
If Arsenal win the second-tiered European competition, then they will secure a place in next season’s Champions League.
Elsewhere at the North London club, the Under-18s are in the mood to celebrate having secured their place in the FA Youth Cup final against Chelsea.
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The promising stars of the future earned a 5-0 win over Blackpool, and they head into the showpiece next month with the aim of ending Chelsea’s four-year dominance in the competition.
Understandably, Arsenal fans were delighted for the youngsters, but they also could not help but throw digs at the senior team.
With just a few weeks of the season remaining, the Premier League campaign is nearing its conclusion and attention is already turning to the summer and the next transfer window.
The gossip columns are full of rumours linking some of the biggest names with potential moves, and it promises to be another exciting pre-season for every club as they look to improve their squad.
And while we have reached that time of year where individuals are recognised for their contributions to the team, it’s also a good time to reflect on those players that have not been so fortunate this season.
While the likes of Alexis Sanchez and Diego Costa have proved to be big hits since arriving in the Premier League last summer, others have struggled and failed to live up to expectation since joining their new club.
Here are five of the worst summer transfers that so far haven’t gone to plan…
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Angel Di Maria
Having splashed out a club-record £60m for one of the world’s best players, Real Madrid star Angel Di Maria was expected to be a huge hit at Manchester United.
But unfortunately for the Red Devils his performances haven’t justified his price tag and having struggled to adapt to the Premier League he’s starting to look hugely overpriced.
He showed glimpses of his ability early on in the season, but these have been few and far between and he hasn’t proved to be the match winner that United would have hoped for.
Louis van Gaal is likely to stick with him for next season in the hope he can regain the sort of form that saw him named man-of-the-match in last year’s Champions League final, but the Argentine has a lot of work to do in order to silence his critics.
Mario Balotelli
Mario Balotelli was given the impossible task of replacing 31-goal star Luis Suarez in the summer but his career at Anfield really hasn’t worked out.
At £16m, the Italian was considered and astute signing by Liverpool despite the obvious baggage he brings, but he’s failed to live up to expectations and has found it difficult to hold down a regular place in the side.
The striker has been unable to produce the form that saw him become so vital to AC Milan last year, and with just one Premier League goal to his name has to go down as one of the worst signings of the season.
Rickie Lambert
Another of Liverpool’s summer recruits that unsurprisingly has also failed to make any significant impact since his arrival is Rickie Lambert.
Despite impressing at Southampton, it came as a bit of a shock when the Reds splashed out £4m for the striker given the fact he had spent most of his career in the lower divisions and had already past his thirties.
Like Balotelli, Lambert hasn’t been given much of a run in the side and has primarily been used as a substitute particularly when his side are chasing the game.
With just three goals to his name the England striker will surely be eyeing a move away from Anfield this summer.
Filipe Luis
Part of Atletico Madrid’s famous title-winning side that came within minutes of securing the Champions League, Filipe Luis was one of the stars that won a move to the Premier League off the back of the successful campaign.
But despite a hefty price tag of just under £16m, he has been used sparingly at Chelsea since his move to Stamford Bridge and has failed to earn a significant run of games in Jose Mourinho’s team, starting just seven league games.
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The Brazilian has found himself behind Cesar Azpilicueta in the pecking order and has mostly been limited to appearances in the cup competitions which won’t have pleased him.
Reports are already linking him with a return to Madrid in the summer, something he may well consider given his lack of football this season.
Eliaquim Mangala
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When you fork out £32m for a central defender, it would be fair to expect a far better level of performance than those displayed by Manchester City defender Eliaquim Mangala this season.
The former Porto man was highly regarded during his time in Portugal and had a number of clubs chasing his signature. With the Blues keen on finding a worthy partner for captain Vincent Kompany, it finally looked like they had their man, but it’s safe to say from a defensive point of view, this season has been a disaster for the Citizens.
The Frenchman has looked like a constant weakness in the back-four as the sky blues have slipped to fourth place in the league, albeit he has hardly been helped by Kompany’s dip in form.
It could just be a case of the famous first-season syndrome that many foreigners find when they arrive in the Premier League, and City will certainly be hoping he offers a better return for their money next season.
Arsenal full-back Andre Santos is excited about the prospect of joining Gremio.
The 29-year-old has slipped down the pecking order with the Gunners in recent times, following a series of underwhelming Premier League performances.
This, coupled with the signing of Nacho Monreal, has led to speculation that he may be allowed to leave the London club, with a return to his homeland mooted as a possible solution.
Gremio are thought to be in pole position for his signature and are keen to tie up a deal before the registration deadline for the Copa Libertadores passes on Tuesday.
Santos, who cost Arsenal £6.8m from Fenerbahce back in 2011, revealed that he is close to a move and is eager to switch clubs:
“I have the best expectations,” he is quoted by Sky Sports via Lancenet.
“They are one of the biggest clubs in the country.
“I’ve come to Gremio to be a champion. I am very excited about this project.
“I have dreamed of working with Luxemburgo. He is a top manager in our football.”
Santos signed for Arsenal on a long-term contract on the deadline day of 2011’s summer transfer window, as Wenger set about addressing immediate concerns regarding his squad.
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After forcing his way into the Brazilian national team, much was expected of the defender, but he failed to adapt to Premier League football.
He had been linked with a return to Turkey with Galatasaray, but a move would be unable to be sealed until the summer.
After a dismal four-game winless run in the Championship, Leeds United restored some faith in their campaign with a much-needed victory over Bolton Wanderers on Good Friday.
The Yorkshire outfit remain outsiders to push for a playoff spot as they reside 10 points adrift of the top six, but the triumph provides a boost to the team ahead of their final seven matches of the season.
This evening, Paul Heckingbottom’s side are back in action as they take on Fulham at Craven Cottage.
The team have somewhat of a disadvantage given that the manager will be without seven players, according to the Yorkshire Evening Post.
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The publication claims that Liam Cooper could miss the rest of the season due to a muscle tear that he suffered last week.
Adam Forshaw will also be unavailable this evening due to a calf problem that has hampered him on and off since January.
The fans have been left frustrated by the midfielder’s injury, but that feeling is expected to worsen when they consider that seven players will be missing tonight.
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As well as the aforementioned pair, the Whites will be without Laurens De Bock, Tyler Roberts, Conor Shaughnessy, Luke Ayling and Kemar Roofe.
Ahead of the match, Leeds supporters have been tweeting their thoughts on the growing injury list.
At West Ham, manager Sam Allardyce is more loathed than loved. From bobbing around the top four at the start of the season to now sitting in their typical mid-table position Big Sam might once again find himself out of a job come the summer.
Early wins against Liverpool and Manchester City, combined with their composure to steadily pick up draws along the way, had helped West Ham build an enviable points haul before the Christmas period. But it wasn’t to last through to the New Year as Allardyce’s men buckled under the pressure. Now 28 games in, West Ham are sitting in tenth. Last season they finished 13th and, with ten games to go, the Hammers might find themselves with no progress to boast come May.
After a summer of plenty of new arrivals – namely Alex Song from Barcelona, who intelligently controls their midfield – and forwards Diafra Sakho and Enner Valencia tasked with racking up the goals, West Ham looked set for a good season. Senegal international Sakho, who joined from French Ligue 2 side Metz, has so far scored nine Premier League goals, making him the Hammers’ top scorer. Not bad for his first season. So why have they not kept up with the likes of Southampton when they have these quality new additions?
I guess the painfully short return of striker Andy Carroll may have played a part in why West Ham have not pushed on from last season. Carroll is considered to be their number one strike option but injuries have plagued his time at Upton Park. Since joining from Liverpool back in 2012 Carroll has been unable to make the big impact expected, scoring only two league goals last season and five this one.
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The poor guy has been blighted by injury and suspensions, including missing the first 11 games of this season, only to briefly return before picking up another injury, which has completely ruled him out for the rest of the season. Again.
Perhaps Allardyce should take blame for placing so much faith in a striker who has yet to prove he is worthy of that faith. It has seen West Ham struggle with consistency, especially considering both Sakho and Valencia are still adapting to both their new team mates and the Premier League in general.
Long gone is the gratitude towards Allardyce for pulling West Ham up from the Championship only three years ago and they’ve now been replaced with calls for him to lose his job. With Allardyce’s contract up for renewal at the end of the season it may not be long before some fans get their wish. Word is that West Ham’s board are ready to make that change and have drawn up a list of names that include Dutch duo Michael Laudrup and Frank Rijkaard.
The fashion these days appears to be that clubs look to the continent in order to find a decent manager.
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I get the impression that West Ham supporters are just a bit fed up. No longer do they want to see their team put in so-so performances. They want more attractive, competitive football instead of the dull, long ball style their beloved club has become associated with under Allardyce. As they prepare to move to the Olympic Stadium in August 2016, West Ham could swiftly grow to become one of English football’s emerging forces. A team ambitious enough to emulate what their fellow London rivals Tottenham, Arsenal and Tottenham have achieved in recent years.
So with only three points taken from a possible 18 in their last six games, Allardyce really isn’t proving that he is the right man to take West Ham forward and now, after four seasons at the helm, I guess it is the right time to give the fans what they want – a fresh start.
Ten years is a long time in football, but it has been a whirlwind period for Swansea City. As the South Wales club prepare for their Capital One Cup semi-final with Arsenal, few outside of the Swans’ loyal band of supporters will know just how close the club came to disappearing for good not too long ago.
But, here we are, with the white and gold clad team on the verge of reaching a domestic final. If you’d have told any fans in the stands at Vetch Field during their 1-0 defeat to Boston United in 2002, that their team would be competing in the top tier and on the verge of making the League Cup final in just over ten years, you may have seen some confused faces. However, these are the circumstances now faced by the Swans, whose feet have barely had time to touch the ground.
Swansea were staring into the abyss as poor form left the club at the bottom of the Football League during the 2002/03 season. A hat-trick from James Thomas inspired a last day 4-2 victory over Hull, which saved Swansea from relegation, at the expense of Exeter City. From here their climb up the football ladder began.
Brian Flynn guided the team to mid-table safety the next season, but was replaced by Kenny Jackett, who was unable to maintain their push for a play-off spot. However, after drafting in a number of talented defensive players, the now Millwall coach saw his side secure third place with a 1-0 win over Bury and subsequent promotion to League 1.
With their move up to the third-tier of English football, Swansea bid farewell to their home Vetch Field, moving into the council-run Liberty Stadium facility. It looked like being a fairy-tale first season at their new home, as the Swans’ impressive form saw them reach the play-off final, however a penalty shoot-out defeat at the hands of Barnsley ended all hopes of a move to the Championship.
Jackett resigned the following year, and Swansea took a chance on Spanish manager Roberto Martinez, offering him his first senior position. Initially it looked to be an inspired decision, as the club made a real push for a second successive play-off appearance. But, it was not to be, with a 6-3 defeat to Blackpool seeing them narrowly miss out.
Martinez’s methods saw the birth of the Swansea we now see on a weekly basis, with a real focus on maintaining possession and playing football the ‘right’ way. Jackett’s side had played in a moderately attractive style, but the Spaniard’s approach was the catalyst for a change in philosophy. It wasn’t all style over substance either, with his first full season in charge bringing promotion to the Championship and the League 1 winners trophy to the Liberty Stadium.
After guiding the team to mid-table safety in the second tier, Martinez left to take the managerial post at Wigan. Paulo Sousa stepped in to steady the ship, but left after just one season. Despite this, he is still held in high regard for his impact on and off of the pitch.
The dream of promotion was achieved the following year, with Brendan Rodgers guiding the team to a 4-2 play-off final win over Reading, his former club, at Wembley.
Swansea’s appearance in the top flight made them the first Welsh team to appear in the Premier League since its formation in 1992. With memorable wins against the likes of Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal the club to achieved a safety in their first season, and also won the hearts of many neutral football fans.
Rodgers left during the summer for the vacant managers position at Liverpool, but once again the team brought in a progressive coach in the shape of Michael Laudrup. The Dane has maintained the core principles of the team and now has the chance to cap their meteoric rise with one of the most coveted trophies in English football, the Capital One Cup.
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The turn of the New Year will see Swansea prepare for their semi-final clash with Chelsea, and although they are underdogs, they have every chance of making a cup final appearance at Wembley.
Even if they fail to lift the trophy, the Swansea story is a miraculous one. One that shows that with the right attitude and a core set of principles anything is possible. From the brink of destruction, the Swans are now on the brink of greatness.
Harry Kane is widely regarded as the talisman at Tottenham Hotspur due to his scintillating form in front of goal over the last few seasons.The England international has been the Premier League’s top scorer over the past two campaigns and he could claim his third in the coming weeks, but he will have to overcome Liverpool star Mohamed Salah.The Egyptian currently leads the way with 29, five more than Kane, who recently had a spell on the sidelines with injury.Even though the striker is deemed Tottenham’s best player, former defender Graham Roberts believes that another member of the team deserves to be named the club’s Player of the Year.https://video.footballfancast.com/video-2015/harry-kane-100.mp4On Twitter, the 58-year-old suggested that Jan Vertonghen should be handed the accolade for his performances in defence this season.Much of the campaign has been focused on the centre-back’s partner Toby Alderwerield due to the Belgian’s ongoing contract situation.Vertonghen has been going about his business away from the radar but his consistently strong displays in the Premier League have not gone unnoticed.