Category Uncategorized

According to reports in The Mirror, Everton are leading arch-rivals Liverpool in the race to sign £5m-rated Charlton Athletic starlet Ezri Konsa, whose current boss Karl Robinson rates him as the best young defender in England.

What’s the word, then?

Well, The Mirror says that the League One outfit have agreed to sell the 20-year-old defender for £5m before the January transfer window slams shut, and the Toffees and their local neighbours are both keen on the England U20 World Cup winner.

The Mirror says that Addicks manager Robinson rates Konsa extremely highly and Everton are said to be the frontrunners for his signature having bought Ademola Lookman from Charlton last January, and with chief scout Martyn Glover watching him in action against Blackburn last month.

The report adds that Liverpool are keen to team him up with another former Addick in Joe Gomez, with Robinson hopeful that the player could be loaned back to them for the rest of the season if he does go before the end of the month.

How has Konsa done this season?

He has done very well.

The 20-year-old has established himself as first-team regular across the last 18 months for Charlton, and he has already made 31 appearances in all competitions for them this term.

The versatile starlet, who similarly to Gomez at Liverpool is able to play as a centre-back or a right-back, has played 70 times for the Addicks in total.

Would he be a good signing for Everton?

He certainly would be.

Konsa looks to have a really bright future ahead of him, and with the likes of Leighton Baines, Phil Jagielka and Ashley Williams currently some of the Merseyside outfit’s defensive options, they need to start looking to the future.

Will they get him ahead of Liverpool?

It’s difficult to say.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Konsa may not be impressed that after impressing initially last season, Lookman’s first-team appearances have dried up this term while Joe Gomez has been something of a regular for Liverpool with their defensive troubles.

That said, the 20-year-old will still feel he will have more of a chance of playing regularly at Goodison Park, and at the end of the day it will be down to which club he wants to join as long as both offer the required £5m fee.

10 years on from the great ‘Invincibles’ side and Arsenal fans had begun to let themselves believe again. But their predicted season decline is underway, and they’re going to have to go some to stymie it. The doubters have been out in force all season, and following this weekend’s demoralising 1-0 loss at the hands of Stoke their voices are as strong as ever.

With Chelsea and Liverpool cruising to Premier League victories and the wayward Roberto Soldado giving Spurs three points, Arsenal find themselves desperately clinging to the coat-tails of those just above. But much worse, they hang over the Thursday night abyss as the Spurs sharks snap at their dangling nether regions. One more slip-up, and they’ll be within biting range.

The general consensus is that Arsenal crumble towards the end of the season. Their record over the past two seasons would put this strongly into disrepute. 2012-13 saw them pick up 26 out of a possible 30 points to pip Spurs to fourth place while in 2011-12 they put a run together to overtake their North London rivals into third place.

Arsene Wenger has maintained all season that the spirit within the squad is strong enough to see them through the toughest of times. It’s often said that the measure of a great side is how they respond to adversity. So far, if we are to accept this, Arsenal have proven themselves. The team went on a nine-game unbeaten run following the opening day defeat at home to Villa. They responded to an away loss at Old Trafford by beating an in-form Southampton side. And after a 6-3 loss to Manchester City they went on an eight-game league run, winning six. So far so good right?

The team has struggled to respond since THAT day at Anfield. The inability to beat what is probably the worst Manchester United side in Premier League history was disheartening. But the impotence of the defeat at Stoke this weekend was a real low point. Points that, despite history telling us otherwise, Arsenal should and need to be winning were allowed to drift away without a hint of fight.

When it comes to the crunch Wenger’s teams have a history of crumbling. February 2008 saw Arsenal placed a solid five points clear. Following a 2-2 draw against Birmingham, famous for Eduardo’s horrific leg-break, the Gunners went a further four games without victory and essentially waved goodbye to their title dreams.

In 2010 they once again self-combusted, seeing themselves slip from within touching distance of leaders Chelsea in March to 11 points back come May.

In 2011, the Gunners won just three of their last 11 Premier League fixtures after their last-minute defeat to Birmingham City in the League Cup final. Having once more been within touching distance of the leaders at the start of March they once again found themselves falling away without a trace. Beginning to see a pattern?

Since losing to Liverpool, Arsenal have drawn, won and lost. From being at their their slick, free-flowing, dominant best against Sunderland they quickly shifted to their impotent and one-dimensional worst away to Stoke.

The rot is beginning to set in. Mesut Ozil is struggling to recapture the form of his first months at the Emirates. Olivier Giroud hasn’t managed to accrue the number of goals a Premier League-winning side would like, nor has he managed to stamp his mark physically on games as he did in the early months of the season. Theo Walcott and Aaron Ramsey, the club’s next best goalscorers have been absent.

With away fixtures at Tottenham and Chelsea, followed up by a key home tie against the newly-crowned Capital One Cup winners Manchester City, the Gunners have a crucial month ahead. Sadly for Arsenal fans, they don’t boast a great record against the very best. Arsenal haven’t won at White Hart Lane in the league since 2007 and have yet to defeat a Mourinho side.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

This weekend coming they have a pivotal FA Cup quarter-final against Everton side who have proven at times to be tricky for the top dogs this season. Lose that and their bouncebackability won’t have a greater test than what lies ahead. Wenger may dispute the notion that Arsenal finish badly, but when it comes to the crunch in a title race, they inevitably come up short.

Think England can do it? Click below to get a 20% bonus on the World Cup winner!

Have England’s most successful domestic side lost their aura of invincibility at the Theatre of Dreams?

Old Trafford isn’t the sort of stadium you hear being described as a happy hunting ground for any team – any team apart from Manchester United. Under Sir Alex Ferguson, they have lost 50 league games at Old Trafford. That may sound like a lot but when you see that the Red Devils have avoided defeat in the other 451, you realise how good a record that is.

In recent years too, it has been excellent. When Ferguson’s side won the title in 2011, they only dropped Premier League points once at home, in a two all draw against West Brom. The home record from that season is the best they have ever had under Ferguson. Since then, it has unsurprisingly dropped off, most noticeably after THAT defeat to Manchester City.

It’s nearly a year to the day since Ferguson had what he described as his worst-ever day with United demolished 6-1 at Old Trafford. That result has set a precedent, even if United have gone onto win 13 of their next 17 home league games.

Away teams playing at Old Trafford don’t have the same inhibitions as they might have before. Look at how Blackburn, a team who went on to be relegated, managed a 3-2 win. Look at how Everton were able to come back from 4-2 down and secure a draw in April.

On the European stage, clubs coming to Manchester haven’t been afraid to attack either. Prior to their victory against Galatasaray in September, United had only won one of their last five European games at the Theatre of Dreams. In that run, they conceded 10. Let’s put that into context – in Ferguson’s other 90 European home games at United, they’d only conceded 70. The performance earlier this year against Athletic Bilbao was the most alarming: for Manchester United weren’t just beaten in both legs, they were outclassed, something that has been all too rare in Ferguson’s reign.

Premier League sides visiting Old Trafford this season have been more courageous too. Fulham, traditionally one of the most goal shy teams away from home, netted two. Wigan on the other hand didn’t score. In fact, they were beaten in the end, 4-0. It looks decisive but the Latics wasted some excellent first half chances before rolling over in the second half. The warning signs then were certainly there prior to Spurs’ visit a few weeks ago. André Villas-Boas’s side were quick and clinical with United appearing unable to cope defensively whenever Spurs drove forward.

Don’t be deceived – United are still an exceptionally strong team at Old Trafford. Last season the Red Devils may have had their worst defensive record at home in the league since 1979 but they also kept an impressive 11 clean sheets. Still, they are not as strong as they have been previously.

United have lost their aura of invincibility at what has been labelled “The Theatre of Dreams.” Indeed, it is many teams’ dreams to come and win at Old Trafford and there has been no better time for those dreams to come true than now. United will no doubt go and finish comfortably inside the top four this season and win a large percentage of their home games. That said teams who have the necessary skill must pluck up the courage to attack at Old Trafford, judging by the results of the last year. As the old adage goes, fortune favours the brave.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

*This author expects Manchester United to comfortably beat on Stoke on Saturday

 Article originally written @ Gone With The Rhind

One of the major tasks on new Arsenal manager Unai Emery’s to do list is to add the requisite bite to a midfield that has gone stale and become lifeless at times under Arsene Wenger in recent years.

Grant Xhaka was the man Wenger pinned his hopes on when he did finally spend big on a holding midfielder and it is fair to say that the jury is still out on the Swiss international.

Emery will hope to bring the best out of the midfield man and while work on the training field and perhaps his tactical scheme can do that, so will the personnel that the Spaniard recruits around him.

One man who has been linked with a move to the Emirates in recent days is Roma’s Lorenzo Pellegrini, so that’s why we asked you whether he would be a good signing.

It is clear to see that the Italian international would go down well in north London and you can check out the full results below…

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

[ad_pod ]

As reported by The Daily Mail, Celtic are interested in signing Chelsea duo Charly Musonda and Lewis Baker during this month’s transfer window.

What’s the story?

The Hoops have made just one addition to Brendan Rodgers’ first team squad this January, defender Marvin Compper.

With injuries mounting in other areas and big matches on the horizon, it’s a squad that could do with freshening up before the transfer deadline is up.

One player said to be firmly on their radar is Chelsea fringe star Charly Musonda, according to The Daily Mail.

The paper reckon that the club are interested in either a loan or permanent transfer deal, with the Belgian failing to win a regular start under Antonio Conte this season.

The report also says that the Hoops are interested in another young Blues star, Lewis Baker, who has spent the first half of the season on loan at Championship side Middlesbrough but could be recalled this month.

Problem solver

Now 21 years of age, Belgian youth international Musonda is at a critical stage of his development as a Chelsea player and it looks increasingly likely he will never make the vital breakthrough that will allow him to star regularly at Stamford Bridge. So far this season he’s featured just six times and has just 25 minutes of English Premier League action under his belt.

There’s no shame in not making the Chelsea team though and with loan spells at the likes of Real Betis behind him, he has the talent to make an impact in the Scottish Premiership.

A versatile player who has the ability to play through the middle or on either wing, he could provide much needed depth to attacking midfield areas, especially important considering Tom Rogic, Jonny Hayes and Patrick Roberts have all suffered long-term injuries this season.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

According to Transfermarkt, he’s rated at £4.5m, putting him within range of Celtic for a permanent transfer.

The Hoops have helped many young players develop in recent years and with a fine footballing education behind him and significant potential, Musonda could be an excellent signing indeed.

The Sky Blue half of one of England’s biggest cities has long lived in the shadow of its neighbours, but now City have recently emerged as, arguably, Manchester’s top force.

Their route to success has been fast-tracked by huge injections of money and the introduction of some of the planet’s finest talent – something that in the modern game is inevitable.

But lets get away from that, and focus on how good it must be to be a fan of City now. As mentioned before, dedicated followers of the Etihad Stadium side have been through the ringer over the years. City have long been nearly men, with promotion followed by relegation and off-field drama preventing them from taking their chances in the past.

All of this has occurred while across town United were scooping up lorry-loads of trophies and gracing television sets in some of European football’s top games and competitions. It must have been galling to turn up to work the next day to be confronted by a grinning United fan while your side was battling it out in the lower echelons of the game.

Thaksin Shinawatra’s takeover of the club in 2007 promised much, but ultimately failed to deliver, so City supporters were forgiven for greeting Sheikh Mansour’s arrival with a little pessimism. Yet, the Abu Dhabi billionaire has transformed the club with his vast resources, making them one of Europe’s strongest sides.

We can gloss over the FA Cup and Premier League wins – because lets face it if you follow football Sergio Aguero’s heroics are burned into your memory – and focus on where the club could be going ahead of the Capital One Cup Final.

As City prepare for their Wembley encounter with Sunderland, they are presented with the chance to lift the one English trophy that has evaded them since the new era began, and has actually not graced their trophy cabinet since the 70’s.

Manuel Pellegrini looks to be the manager they have long craved, and if he can nick a piece of silverware at the first time of asking, then it will surely serve to be a massive confidence boost for the Chilean himself and his talented squad.

Capital One Cup glory could really signal the start of a new phase in City’s development. The quadruple, albeit a distant dream, will still be alive, and in keeping such hopes burning then they really will have something to fight for between now and the end of the season

There is much to be excited about when it comes to this Man City team. The Capital One Cup could prove to be a turning point when we eventually look back on the Citizens story in the future – maybe this is when a footballing dynasty is born.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Sponsored by Capital One. The Credit Card that Supports the Supporters.

For exclusive content, competitions and more visit: Facebook.com/CapitalOneUK

For Capital One Credit Cards visit: www.capitalone.co.uk

Queens Park Rangers owner Tony Fernandes has asked for “patience” after a 2-1 home defeat against West Ham has kept Rangers rooted to the bottom of the Premier League.

With just two points from six games the London club are in genuine peril, following a large summer spending spree and players being enticed with lucrative contracts, the R’s ambitions were stationed well above a relegation battle.

Despite a disappointing start Fernandes has publicly backed his manager, taking to Twitter last night to show his support for the Welshman. The 48 year old said: “I’m calm I want to build stability which is what most fans want. There are many out there who are clueless.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

“Bad game but I expected it. Need all injured players back. After West Brom. And everyone back to match fitness. Patience. Keep calm. Six games does not make a season. I have learnt from many wise chairmen. Mark will sort it out look at his record. We would have won if we didn’t go down to 10. I am relaxed and confident. Let’s get all our players back and in form and fit and then let’s see.”

According to reports, Tottenham are tracking 21 year-old midfielder Yves Bissouma, but Manuel Pellegrini should steal the young midfielder for West Ham.

What’s the word?

Sky Sports claim both Everton and Tottenham are lining up a summer swoop for Yves Bissouma, with the young international also attracting interest from multiple European clubs.

Mauricio Pochettino is searching for a long-term replacement for Mousa Dembele, with the Belgian’s future in North London still uncertain heading into the World Cup.

The report from Sky Sports claims Spurs are also tracking Watford’s Abdoulaye Doucoure, Red Bull Salzburg’s Amadou Haidara and Inter Milan’s Geoffrey Kondogbia. However, it’s further added that no transfer plans can be finalised until Pochettino has held talks with the north London club’s chairman, Daniel Levy.

Although a central midfielder is reported to be one of Tottenham’s transfer priorities, that hesitance – which appears to have been generated by Pochettino’s doubtful remarks over his future on the final day of the season – could give West Ham a way in.

The east Londoners have not expressed an interest in the midfielder, but with Lille looking more and more likely to sell the youngster, who looks tailor-made for Premier League football, the Hammers would be foolish not to join the race.

Noble’s replacement?

Manuel Pellegrini was unveiled as the new West Ham manager on Tuesday, and one of the first things he said was he wants to bring “four of five” new players in.

These four or five additions will almost certainly be down the spine of the team, with the Hammers quite simply missing a backbone at the moment.

[ad_pod ]

Bissouma is a wiry, tough midfielder, who excels at reading the game and breaking up opposition attacks before they even begin.

The 21 year-old played 24 times in Ligue 1 for Lille this season, averaging 2.8 tackles and 1.3 interceptions per game.

The Mali international is also impressive with the ball at his feet, completing over two successful dribbles per game this season.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

The Hammers are desperate for someone who can link defence and attack, all the while possessing the energy and desire to dominate the midfield, and Bissouma could be the long-term upgrade on the ageing Mark Noble.

Pellegrini would have his work cut out for him convincing the youngster to ditch Champions League bound Tottenham, but the promise of a starting role could just do it.

So, West Ham fans, would you like to see a summer swoop for Bissouma? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below…

Arsenal’s defence of the FA Cup has ended in shocking fashion after being defeated 4-2 by Championship outfit Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on Sunday.

The holders were soundly beaten in one of the weekend’s big cup upsets, leaving fans again fuming at Arsene Wenger and his under performing side.

It’s the first time since the Frenchman became manager of the Gunners that they have gone out at the third round stage, another sign that perhaps the best years of his reign are far behind him.

With the English Premier League title looking beyond them, it leaves the EFL Cup and UEFA Europa League as the only opportunities for silverware this season.

Fans were disappointed with the performance and had sharp criticism for their defence, with centre-backs Rob Holding and Per Mertesacker failing to cope with the lower league side across the 90 minutes.

Holding hasn’t had many Premier League opportunities so far this season and based on this performance, it seems likely his appearances will be limited to secondary competitions going forward.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Supporters took to Twitter to share their thoughts on his performance…

Former Manchester United coach Carlos Queiroz is in the frame to replace Andre Villas-Boas as Tottenham manager, according to the Daily Star.

Queiroz is said to have revealed his interest in the vacancy, and Tottenham are understood to have enquired about his availability.

When asked whether the Tottenham job is something he would be interested in, Queiroz responded: “Absolutely. Tottenham is a club I really appreciate a lot and I have great admiration for.”

Iran chief Queiroz is eager for a Premier League return and has some ‘private connections’ with Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy.

“One of my coaching dreams is to get back to English football,” Queiroz added.

Tottenham bounced back from their 5-0 drubbing at the hands of Liverpool a week ago, by beating Southampton 3-2 at St Mary’s.

Interim manager Tim Sherwood spoke after the game about his desire to take on the job full time.

“I don’t want the job for 10 minutes. I want it long term or not at all,” the former Spurs midfielder said.

“I enjoyed it today, but one swallow does not make a summer. If we lose on Boxing Day, it is all doom and gloom again.

“I will talk to the chairman to see what happens. It has to be right for the club first, then worry about me.”

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Dutch pair Ronald Koeman and Frank de Boer have also been linked with the vacant manager’s post, along with former England bosses Glenn Hoddle and Fabio Capello.

Click below to watch Man City vs Liverpool LIVE!