Every team has a player who makes the fans, the manager and his team-mates very nervous. This could be for many reasons – a lack of talent, a proneness to errors, off-pitch behaviour or simply the prospect they could lose their heads at any moment. Their individual flaws tend to work to the team’s detriment, often throwing away results or causing rifts amongst the dressing room – sometimes with hilarious consequences.
This is a list of the Top 15 Premier League players, past and present, whose presence alone unsettles the rest of their team, with full details of why their team-mates can never fully relax around them. So read on and check out the stroppy stars, aggressive argumentalists and dubious defenders that are a constant thorn in their own club’s side.
Click on William Gallas to unveil the 15
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West Ham are set to have a goalkeeper conundrum next season following the signing of Lukasz Fabianski from Swansea City who could well push out fan-favourite Adrian.
Adrian managed to see off the challenge of Joe Hart last season and established himself as the Irons’ no.1, but with the arrival of 33-year-old Fabianski, it remains to be seen who Manuel Pellegrini wants as his first choice ‘keeper.
And according to the results of our poll, it seems like Adrian is still firmly who the Hammers faithful want to see between the sticks next season.
The Polish shot-stopper played every minute of last season for the Swans but could not prevent them being relegated to the Championship despite saving an impressive 70.83 per cent of shots on target.
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This doesn’t appear enough for the West Ham fans who still prefer the Brazilian as their preferred starter, but it remains to be seen who the new boss will select.
Newcastle United find themselves in an uneasy situation due to off-field matters and predicaments on the pitch.
Club owner Mike Ashley is yet to agree a sale after putting the club on the market in October.
On the pitch, Rafael Benitez’s side are not out of danger as they sit just two points above the Premier League relegation zone after 27 matches.
The team are unbeaten in their last three top-flight fixtures, but have only picked up one win in five.
This week, fans were given a treat when it emerged that former favourite Nolberto Solano had visited the club’s training ground.
The retired midfielder had two spells at St James’ Park, the first of which was between 1998 and 2004, while the second was for a season from 2007 to 2008.
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The Peruvian, who made 315 appearances for the Magpies in total, caught up with club staff and Benitez during his recent trip to the Benton training base.
As soon as news emerged that Solano had been back at the club, fans reminisced about their former midfielder.
After weeks of speculation, news finally emerged yesterday that Arsenal had confirmed the outright sale of Carlos Vela to Real Sociedad. The 25 year old Mexican forward has signed a four year contract with the La Liga outfit after a fee of £8.8 million was enough to convince the Gunners to renounce their modest buyback clause.
Having netted 47 times in 126 matches for Sociedad, there was a clamour amongst some sections of the Arsenal support for Arsene Wenger to bring Vela back to the Emirates Stadium. However, the forward himself has admitted in recent times that his game is not suited to the pace and physicality of the Premier League.
With the World Cup still rumbling on, Wenger will likely have to wait and operate in an inflated market to land an alternative wide forward. But the tournament is currently providing an excellent showcase for attacking talent and the stunning capture of Mesut Ozil last summer proves that the Frenchman is now willing to splash the cash on the right player.
Bearing this all in mind, here are SIX World Cup alternatives to Vela at Arsenal this summer.
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Click on Alexis Sanchez to start
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ALEXIS SANCHEZ
One of the most in-demand performers at the World Cup right now, Sanchez has been linked with a host of leading Premier League sides. Reportedly tired of playing second fiddle to Lionel Messi and Neymar at Barcelona, the Chilean forward is believed to be actively seeking a transfer away from the Camp Nou this summer.
The 25 year old is an exceptional individual talent, as Netherlands forward Jeremain Lens found out yesterday.
Despite having limited starts with the Catalan giants, Sanchez still scored an incredible 19 goals in La Liga last season. //www.youtube.com/embed/sOluboSGqQU It isn’t often that a player of the Chilean’s calibre becomes available and Wenger should do all he can to convince the 25 year old that his future lies at the Emirates Stadium.
JUAN CUADRADO
One of Colombia’s most impressive performers in Brazil so far, Cuadrado’s lightning pace has certainly caught the eye. Indeed, many newspapers are suggesting that Wenger is already trying to negotiate a deal for the 26 year old currently plying his trade with Fiorentina. Judging by this effort and spectacular celebration against Udinese, Cuadrado has a clear eye for goal. //www.youtube.com/embed/L8lOauNKeWM The Colombian notched 11 goals and 5 assists in Serie A this season, form which has inevitably attracted attention from across Europe. Having only recently acquired full ownership of the player from Udinese, Fiorentina are under no pressure to sell on the cheap. With Barcelona reportedly keen, Wenger would have to spend big if he was to land the 26 year old’s signature.
ANTOINE GRIEZMANN
There is the widespread belief that the Vela deal may help facilitate Wenger’s move for Real Sociedad’s Griezmann. Capable of operating on the left or right, the Frenchman helped himself to 16 goals in La Liga this season. //www.youtube.com/embed/mzcPUNgZ5AA Judging by the Gunners’ fans reaction on Twitter, Griezmann would be a popular signing this summer.
For a reported £18 million, the 23 year old also represents one of the most affordable options on this list too.
NANI
Arsenal fans may be shaking their head at this suggestion but it wasn’t long ago that Nani was one of the most promising wingers in European football. However, having fallen out with Sir Alex Ferguson and seemingly failed to impress David Moyes, the 27 year old has been on the periphery at Old Trafford for over a year now. Despite this, the Portuguese winger has proven pedigree in the Premier League and could be a relatively easy target for Wenger to obtain, despite the club’s storied rivalry. //www.youtube.com/embed/1bw-8KtVI_Q Although he wouldn’t be a popular choice, Nani could prove an astute acquisition for Arsenal should their pursuit of more high-profile targets fall through.
ANGEL DI MARIA
It seems impossible that Real Madrid would even contemplate selling Di Maria this summer, considering the Argentine’s form this season. In Ozil’s absence, the 26 year old evidently assumed a more creative responsibility in the side, racking up an impressive 17 assists in La Liga. Although Di Maria is certainly in the shadow of Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo at the club, the Argentine still pops up with crucial goals and man of the match performances in the big occasions. The Welshman’s winner in the Copa Del Rey final got all of the attention but it was actually the 26 year old who gave his side the lead. //www.youtube.com/embed/-BYHw0FFo2g Recent comments attributed to Di Maria indicate that the player is uncertain of what the immediate future holds. But if Madrid do decide that the winger is surplus to requirements, Wenger should do all he can to lure the Argentine to Arsenal. Even if it is just to make sure this one fan delivers on his promise.
LOIC REMY
Having netted 14 times in an impotent Newcastle side this season, Remy has no shortage of suitors in the Premier League and abroad. Although QPR have bounced back at the first opportunity, it seems unlikely that Harry Redknapp will be able to convince the striker to remain at Loftus Road.
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//www.youtube.com/embed/yIBzkBxpsss
Although there are plenty of interested parties, it seems unlikely that any will be able to match the appeal of a move to the Emirates. With a rumoured buyout clause of just £10 million, Remy would provide a versatile attacking threat more than capable of delivering in the Premier League.
In a manager’s ideal world, their players would play when and where they are told with minimum fuss, and constantly hold the thought that they are doing what is best for the team . However, with player power being what it is, this is highly unlikely to ever be the case.
Being played in your unnatural position is one of the pet hates of most top level footballers, or in fact anyone who has played the game. I personally, am still furious at being deployed at centre back for my primary school team, when it was obvious to everyone but my coach that I was more of a central midfielder.
Lukas Podolski is the latest to vent his frustration at being played in his unnatural position at Arsenal. The German was bought in over the summer with the idea he would be used as a central striker, however has spent the majority of the season playing on the left of a front three.
“I’d rather play as a central attacker,” Podolski admitted.
“On the left I have to do a lot of defensive work, constantly running up and down. I am not a classical winger.
“I am getting along well, for sure, but I demand more of myself. I want to play even better.”
This has simply added to Wenger’s selection headache, as Theo Walcott has also spoken of his desire to move from the wing to central striker on several occasions.
With the problems going on at Arsenal at the moment, the comments from Podolski could be viewed either as unhelpful, or as confidence in his ability to improve things for the Gunners. Speaking about it publicly could be viewed a desperate attempt to win a starting place in his favoured position as a central striker. However, it remains unlikely his manager will see it as favourably, and will probably not enjoy having his selection policy questioned publicly.
It all depends on how well the side is doing when it comes to judging if comments such as those made by Podolski are helpful to the cause. If the team is playing well and getting results, you do not want comments such as these as they can prove distracting to the team ethic. As in Podolski’s case, with Arsenal struggling for results, he perhaps feels he cannot benefit the team fully being deployed as a square peg in a round hole.
There are still those however who play where they are told with minimum fuss and fully for the benefit of the side. A perfect example of this is former Liverpool forward Dirk Kuyt, a man bought in as a striker but who was constantly deployed on the right wing for the duration of his spell at Anfield.
His former manager Rafael Benitez was not known for ever giving out individual praise during his time in the Anfield hot seat. However upon the news Kuyt would be leaving Liverpool for Fernabache in the summer, Benitez offered a glowing recommendation of the man he described as an “excellent professional.”
“I don’t know of many players who have played for the Liverpool shirt like he did from the day he arrived to the last second he played for that red shirt,” Benitez said.
“Never, not once, did he complain about having to play in a different role or out of position to help the cause. Not everyone can say the same. He was always the first to train, to improve, to progress and to set an example, he was a true team mate in all senses of the word on the pitch and a model human being off it.”
High praise indeed for a man who was often criticised for his lack of goals in the Premier League, with many overlooking the many aspects of his play that proved so crucial for Liverpool in their success under Benitez. He proved to be one of the most used and important players of the Benitez era. But again, Kuyt was unlikely to complain about being stuck out wide, with his side winning more often than not, and a certain Fernando Torres firing in the goals up top.
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In my opinion, if Podolski feels he can help the team by playing as a central striker, he should not have said so publicly as it undermines the manager. It may be an attempt to cover his back for his poor performances of late, and you can feel a certain degree of sympathy for him in that case.
But with all the problems going on at Arsenal currently, and the unrest felt by supporters, comments that could be seen to be undermining the manager would have been well advised to have been kept private.
While feeling frustrated, Podolski would do well to remember how quickly everything can change in football. A goal and a win for Arsenal this weekend, will make everything appear rosy once more.
Ahead of England’s first game at the 2018 World Cup, Gareth Southgate seems largely set on the line up he’ll field against Tunisia. At this point, the formation and the game-plan are pretty clear – build from the back using a quirky 3-1-4-2 system.
But there’s always time for a few subtle alterations and there are a few positions that still appear to be up for grabs.
Manchester United star Jesse Lingard is one of Southgate’s favourites from their England U21 games together and looks set to start alongside Dele Alli against Tunisia, but the attacking midfielder didn’t have much of an impact during the Three Lions’ warm-up friendlies.
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Chelsea’s promising youngster Ruben Loftus-Cheek, on the other hand, lacks experience and match fitness after suffering an injury midway through last season but grabbed an assist in a productive performance against Costa Rica. Compared to Lingard too, he brings real height and power to the midfield, measuring in at 6 foot 3.
So, England fans, which midfielder would you start against Tunisia? Let us know by voting below…
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With the ever-chaotic Christmas period out of the way, January should have seen the Premier League return to something close to normality. But in fact, it was the first month in which every member of the top four lost at least one game, while lowly Swansea City unexpectedly moved off the bottom of the table with their first consecutive wins of the season in the top flight. So which Premier League stars shone brightest during a an unpredictable start to 2018? Here’s a look at the nominees for the PFA Fans’ Player of the Month award for January…
Sergio Aguero
January was yet another high-scoring month for the ever-potent Argentine, netting five times from just 14 shots and grabbing one assist during four appearances to further extend Manchester City’s lead at the top of the Premier League table. That includes a customary hat-trick against Newcastle, who have now conceded 14 goals to the 29-year-old throughout his Premier League career, and goals in wins over West Brom and Watford.
Kasper Schmeichel
Had it not been for a 2-1 defeat to Everton on Wednesday night, January would have been a perfect month for the Leicester City goalkeeper, keeping clean sheets against Huddersfield, Chelsea and Watford while making an impressive 14 saves – more than three per match. His performance at Stamford Bridge was particularly noteworthy, the Danish international recording seven saves and even coming out of his box to win two aerial duels.
Heung-min Son
After spending his first two campaigns in north London floating in and out of the team, Heung-min Son has steadily grown in importance for Tottenham throughout this season and January was another fine month for the South Korean international, scoring against West Ham and following up with a goal and assist in a 4-0 demolition of Everton at Wembley. Also completing 13 dribbles, he’s given Mauricio Pochettino something more direct in attack, but if there’s one criticism it’s that the forward was somewhat below his best against Southampton and Manchester United.
Marko Arnautovic
Marko Arnautovic’s January was unfortunately cut short through injury and it didn’t quite match the potent goalscoring exploits of December when he netted against Chelsea, Newcastle, Stoke and Bournemouth. But the Austrian international still hit the onion bag last month and produced three assists in as many appearances, most notably inspiring an impressive 4-1 win away at Huddersfield. The summer signing can’t return from injury soon enough for David Moyes.
Leroy Sane
Manchester City’s Leroy Sane may have only found the net once last month before suffering a serious injury but he supplemented that goal with two assists and was a key part of Pep Guardiola’s relentless attack, also completing a whopping 13 dribbles. The German international has steadily improved during his time in the Premier League and now looks a real asset for the pace-setters, averaging one goal or assist per top flight start so far this term.
Eden Hazard
Although January proved to be a very disappointing start to the New Year for Chelsea, winning only one of their four games and unexpectedly losing 3-0 at home to Bournemouth, it certainly wasn’t for the want of trying on Eden Hazard’s part. The Belgian was at something close to his immaculate best last month, scoring thrice while completing an incredible 40 dribbles and creating eleven chances. The absence of a dependable striker has cost him dearly in terms of assists, though, and Chelsea fans will be wondering why he couldn’t find a moment of magic to get them over the winning line in a scoreless draw with Leicester City.
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Arsenal are supposedly planning a major summer rebuild after a roller coaster 2013/14 campaign, and PSG’s Italian wonder kid Marco Verratti should be at the top Arsene Wenger’s shopping list.
This season, Arsenal’s form in the Premier League has been about as consistent as David Moyes’ team selection. They have embodied the extreme oscillations in form and bizarre scorelines that have punctuated this bizarre Premier League campaign, and have once again lived up to their reputation as the division’s biggest bottlers.
They started the season in mouth-watering fashion, unbeaten in their first thirteen games, and sat very comfortably at the top of the Premier league pile in cruise control. Since then, things have characteristically taken a turn for the worse, and they now sit in fourth scrapping nervously for a Champions League qualification spot.
Evidently, inconsistency never arises without a reason: and for Arsenal, their disparate league form has originated out of, quite simply, inconsistency in team selection. Injury has been a key reason for this, with Theo Walcott, Jack Wilshere and until-recently, Aaron Ramsey, all experiencing the roubles of lengthy absences.
Furthermore, Ozil has come under fire this year for failing to deliver performances that live up to his billing, and he’s in desperate need of a dynamism that can take some of the heat off the German next year. Elsewhere, Mikel Arteta and Matthieu Flamini, though reliable, lack any sense of scare factor, and are not Premier League-winning midfielders.
Football – Paris Saint-Germain v Chelsea – UEFA Champions League Quarter Final First Leg – Parc des Princes, Paris, France – 13/14 – 2/4/14Paris Saint-Germain’s Marco Verratti Mandatory Credit: Action Images / John SibleyEDITORIAL USE ONLY.
To that end, the midfield is an area that does need strengthening, and PSG midfielder Marco Verratti, is supposedly being lined up as the answer.
The 21-year-old Italian took Ligue 1 by storm with his impressive, eye-catching performances during his debut season in the French capital, helping guide PSG to their first Championnat since 1994. And now in his second season, the former Pescara man is once again displaying just why he is considered to be one of the most talented young midfielders in European and world football.
A stylish and intelligent player, Verratti provides an effortless creativity that has complemented the workmanship style of the PSG midfield. Despite being just 21 years of age, he backs up this variety of passing with a calmness on the ball that belies his young age.
In PSG’s Champions League Round of 16 clash against Bayer Leverkusen, he completed 102 of 107 passes, and stood out as one of the French club’s star players, despite being the youngest. Many in France and Italy have compared him to Milan and Juventus legend Andrea Pirlo, which is by no means a small compliment.
When PSG signed French international Yohan Cabaye in January, many believed the former Lille midfielder would force his way into the side at Verratti’s expense. But the fact that Verratti is keeping an admired midfield maestro like Cabaye among the substitutes is arguably the biggest tribute that can be paid to him.
There is no doubt that Arsenal need to make changes to a squad that is looking increasingly tired; their resources are slowly being exhausted, and the team lacks the exciting dimension to their game that typified their style of play in the early 2000s.
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You would be hard-pressed to call Arsenal a step up from PSG in terms of quality at the moment. Nevertheless, if Arsenal were to make changes across the whole board, bring in quality up front, as well as in defence, Verratti may well be persuaded to cross the channel and join up with fellow Italian Emiliano Viviano, currently on loan from Serie B side Palermo.
An appearance and strong showing at the World Cup will unquestionably further Verratti’s already substantial standing in world football, and if Arsenal were to coax the youngster away from the French capital this Summer, they would have one hell of a player on their hands.
Mark Noble has been defending West Ham team mate Andy Carroll amidst claims that the striker does not try hard enough to stay on his feet during games.
Southampton’s Adam Lallana suggested that Carroll had won free-kicks that were “soft”.
He said: “Players are clever nowadays. You kind of draw fouls and it’s up to the referee whether he sees it as a foul or as a player being soft. Obviously they got a lot of free-kicks and put the ball in our area.
“But it’s not just down to that. We dealt with it fine first half but obviously not the second.”
However, Noble says that Carroll has to go down, because referees look at his size and build before making a decision.
“Andy’s a big man and if he doesn’t go down, he won’t win any free-kicks because the referees think that he’s too big to get a free-kick,” Noble told West Ham TV.
Carroll won many free-kicks during West Ham’s 4-1 Premier League victory against Southampton, with two leading to goals. Mark Noble had much praise for his team after Saturday’s victory, with the Hammers scoring all of their goals in the second half.
“You have to give credit to Southampton because they closed us down and made it very difficult for us. We defended very well and at 0-0 we were still massively in the game and knew we had a chance to go on and win it which thankfully we did.
“To get four against Southampton was fantastic but that is what can happen when you have quality players like Yossi Benayoun, big Andy Carroll and Nobby (Kevin Nolan). It was great for the lads,” he added.
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West Ham are currently seventh in the Premier League table with 14 points.
According to Turkish outfit Miliyet, Fenerbahce have approached Everton over a loan move for unsettled attacker Yannick Bolasie.
What’s the story?
Bolasie joined Everton from Crystal Palace in the summer of 2016, but the 29-year-old has found it difficult to make his mark at Goodison Park.
Indeed, the attacker has only made 32 appearances for the Toffees in all competitions – scoring just two goals.
A serious knee injury saw Bolasie miss more than 12 months of football between December 2016 and December 2017, but he also struggled to find his best form in the second half of the 2017-18 campaign.
According to Turkish outfit Miliyet, Fenerbahce want to sign Bolasie on loan this summer, and Everton are open to the Congo international leaving the club on a short-term basis.
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The Everton fans have recently been commenting on the future of the attacker, and it would be fair to say that the bulk want him to leave in this summer’s transfer window.
Should Everton loan Bolasie out?
To be honest, a loan move makes absolutely no sense for Everton.
Fenerbahce would be signing a player who has the potential to be a star in Turkey, but it is difficult to see where Everton benefit, other than having his wages off the books for one season.
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Indeed, Bolasie is no spring chicken at the age of 29, and he still has three years left to run on his contract with the Merseyside giants.
A poor season in Turkey would make it difficult for Everton to sell Bolasie in next summer’s transfer window, meanwhile, and the club are better off keeping him and seeking a permanent buyer ahead of the 2018-19 campaign.
There is certainly a player in there somewhere, and it might well be that new head coach Marco Silva decides to have a closer look at the speedster during pre-season.