Long term Manchester City transfer target Stevan Jovetic has insisted that he is happy at Fiorentina despite being flattered by the English clubs’ interest, according to talkSPORT.
Jovetic has started this season as he finished the last, already netting five times and that has only fuelled rumours that he could be on his way to either Manchester City or Real Madrid when the transfer window reopens in January.
However, Jovetic felt the need to talk to the press and commit his allegiance to the Florence club who have helped the 22-year-old make a name for himself over the past few seasons.
Jovetic is one of the hottest youngsters in Europe at the moment but the level headed Montenegro star is clearly happy where he is, although admitting his head may have been turned.
He told La Nazione: “When a big club considers you, it is always nice. But I’m happy here and I chose Fiorentina – that’s what counts.”
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Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius had a Saturday night to forget after contributing heavily to a 3-1 defeat to Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League final.
Gifting the Spaniards’ opener after throwing the ball into the path of Karim Benzema, he then failed to deal with a Gareth Bale shot, palming it into the net for the third and fatal goal.
After months of consistent form between the sticks for the Reds, it was a cruel end to the season and hearkened back to periods when the goalkeeper was under pressure on a weekly basis due to mistakes.
No-one was more disappointed with the performance than the shot-stopper himself, visibly emotional at the end of the game and seen trying to apologise to the thousands of travelling supporters.
While there was obvious frustration from Liverpool fans around the world at his display, many have, perhaps surprisingly, taken to social media to offer him support and their backing, believing that he should not be singled out for the errors.
Can he put this mistake behind him? Or is it the beginning of the end of his Liverpool career?
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Supporters took to Twitter to share their thoughts…
Mauricio Pochettino will have to do an excellent job of balancing out his resources this week as Tottenham prepare for two huge clashes in the context of their battle to finish inside the Premier League’s top four.
Indeed, Manchester United make the trip to Wembley this evening, but it will be the Lilywhites’ turn to travel on Sunday when they face Liverpool at Anfield – a ground where they’re yet to lose in the Premier League so far this season.
Some players will inevitably be unable to feature in both fixtures and Mousa Dembele seemingly falls into that category. He never seems to be fully fit and has lasted the full ninety minutes during just four appearances since September.
Accordingly, we asked Tottenham fans earlier today whether the 70-cap Belgium international should start against Manchester United tonight or Liverpool on Sunday, and our poll showed Spurs supporters are somewhat divided on the issue.
While 60% would like to see him start tonight, 40% think he should be spared for the trip to Merseyside. How would you line up Pochettino’s side against the Red Devils? Let us know by commenting below…
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Julian Draxler to Arsenal doesn’t make sense. Or it makes all the sense in the world. Stockpiling is one thing, but this is slightly different.
Draxler at Arsenal wouldn’t have a defined role, and that’s part of the worry for some people. “Where would he play?” is the question that followed Cesc Fabregas to Barcelona and Mario Goetze to Bayern Munich. Even Mesut Ozil’s arrival in England had most wondering what the point was of his pricey capture.
Draxler is an attacking midfielder. For now. He has all the subtlety and ingenuity of those currently in the Arsenal team, but he’s cut from a slightly different cloth. In the past when it looked like Arsenal were heading the race to sign the Schalke youngster, it made sense as a means to lift the weight of responsibility off Jack Wilshere, at the time Arsenal’s leading light heading into the future.
Now, the onus is different. The picture has changed somewhat. Arsenal are a fantastic attacking team with a manager who allows for a limitless horizon. Draxler at Arsenal, playing through the middle, reads from the script currently in play in Spain and Germany. It’s not beyond logical thinking. It just needed someone in England to go against the grain and get the ball rolling.
And it shouldn’t be forgotten that a Draxler “project” is the norm for Wenger. He’s done it in the past, either from the point of view of transforming wide players or midfielders into centre-forwards – Thierry Henry and Robin van Persie – or simply looking to youngsters with immense talent to build for the future – Aaron Ramsey, Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Wenger’s perceived stubbornness can be a good thing. He knows what he wants from Arsenal and how to take them there. With the club’s recently available wealth, that task has been made easier, allowing for the very best pieces that fit the puzzle to be acquired.
No one would say no to seeing Schalke’s 20-year-old midfielder at Arsenal. It just so happens that this latest storm of transfer discussion arrives at a point where Arsenal are in need of an “anti-project” to aid in their charge on the Premier League title. A player defined by his qualities in and around the penalty area and one who leaves no doubts about what he is capable of on the pitch. So while Draxler would be a great buy for Arsenal one way or another, it’s understandable if the excitement level on this proposed move hasn’t quite reached its peak.
But Arsenal are in need of a player who possesses the qualities of the German: tall, skilful, good in front of goal with a hammer of a shot. And then there’s the matter of talent. Draxler is the crown jewel at Schalke, one of Germany’s absolute finest at this time, possibly only surpassed by the youngster who made the stunning switch from Dortmund to Bayern last summer. The image of Arsenal, one that was crafted through the signing of Ozil, would only be enhanced further.
The plea for Wenger to buy an established striker will only get louder, and with it you feel the Arsenal manager will do the exact opposite. In fact he’s already played that card, by acquiring Ozil from Real Madrid when many fans, I’m sure, would have settled for Karim Benzema or indeed Gonzalo Higuain if given the option. Primarily because the two strikers fit a more obvious need. It almost seems like Wenger is toying with supporters, such is the humour in their clamour for one thing, only to be offered something else, yet with equal or greater star-status.
Draxler may not even become a centre-forward in the traditional sense if he arrived at Arsenal, and I don’t particularly see that as Wenger’s aim in this. Draxler is a complement, another piece, someone who can play alongside the ensemble of attacking midfielders Wenger has assembled but offer that much-needed cutting edge for the final phase of play.
In the German, Wenger has clearly identified a player who he believes he can mould into the perfect player, the perfect Arsenal player. For Wenger, it’s not about creating something that others want; it’s about fine-tuning what he already has.
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It doesn’t make a great deal of sense due to the obvious pressing need in the team. But this is Wenger’s way, dealing with a problem in a far less obvious manner.
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Manchester United made amends for their defeat last season at St James’ Park with a thumping victory over Alan Pardew’s side this afternoon. The away side were comfortable for the majority of the game after two early goals.
Jonny Evans powerfully headed Manchester United in front after just eight minutes from a Robin van Persie corner that was poorly defended and almost an identical corner led to the visitors doubling their lead through Patrice Evra’s header.
Tom Cleverley sealed the three points with a curled effort from the wide position that surprised Steve Harper in the Newcastle goal; he did appear to be crossing rather than shooting though.
Papiss Cisse had a header palmed away by David De Gea but it appeared to have crossed the line after Demba Ba hit the crossbar. Howard Webb continued to infuriate the home fans with decisions, but in the end the call seemed to be correct.
Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney were a constant threat and their partnership seems to be flourishing with all three goals coming from their assists.
Manchester United have closed the gap at the top of the table to Chelsea and jumped ahead of rivals Manchester City into second. Newcastle continued their average start to the season and sit 10th going into the international break.
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Newcastle will hope that their performances and results the weekend after a Europa League tie will not continue the way they are.
West Ham are one of a number of clubs interested in a summer swoop for the relegated pair of Alfie Mawson and Lukasz Fabianski.
What’s the story?
According to a report in the Guardian, Swansea City are resigned to losing Mawson and Fabianski this summer, and there are a whole host of Premier League clubs queuing up for their star duo.
A whopping 85 per cent of West Ham fans said this week they would back a move for Mawson, and a double deal could solve two of the Hammers’ problem positions at once.
The Hammers are joined by Tottenham and Southampton at the front of the chasing pack, while Rafael Benitez’s Newcastle are also showing interest.
The perfect double swoop?
If West Ham fans were to pick out three areas they most need to improve this summer, they would likely all be down the spine of the team – goalkeeper, centre back, centre midfield.
Signing Fabianski and Mawson would be a huge step in the right direction for the Hammers, and the Swans’ relegation means the pair could be available for as little as £25m.
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24 year-old Mawson, who led his side in passes, long passes, aerial duels and clearances this season, was one of the few bright spots in an otherwise dark season for the south Wales club.
His quality on the ball, instincts, and downright fearlessness make him a fit for pretty much any Premier League team, and a partnership with the ever-improving Declan Rice could solve the Hammers’ defensive crisis for years to come.
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Plenty has of course been made of the goalkeeping situation at the London Stadium this season, and a bargain deal for the 33 year-old Fabianski is the perfect short-term fix.
The report from the Guardian claims multiple top six clubs are interested in making the former Arsenal man their number two, but guaranteed playing time could sway the odds in West Ham’s favour.
So, West Ham fans, would you back a summer swoop for the Swansea City pair? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below…
Manchester United had to work hard for victory in the English Premier League on Saturday, narrowly defeating Burnley 1-0 at Turf Moor.With Chelsea winning in the day’s kick-off, it was vital that United picked all three points and although not at their best, Jose Mourinho’s side delivered.United are now undefeated in their last six Premier League matches away from home, winning five of them. That’s a drastic improvement on their away form prior to the current run.Frenchman Anthony Martial was the Red Devils’ goal hero, netting just after half-time after fine work from Romelu Lukaku in the build up.With just two shots on target, it was a day of limited chances for United’s attacking players with the likes of £27m-rated Juan Mata failing to play at their creative best.Supporters were disappointed with the Spaniard’s performance and feel that with the imminent arrival of Alexis Sanchez, he could either be benched consistently or even leave the club.They took to Twitter to share their thoughts on his place in Jose Mourinho’s starting eleven after the Burnley match…
The dust is beginning to settle after the controversial release of Sir Alex Ferguson’s My Autobiography, and recent results suggest that Manchester United has escaped the media storm brought on by the former manager with minor difficulties. Yet, just as we are forgetting about the uproar caused by Fergie, another autobiography containing revelations about the Red Devils and the knighted Scot himself hits the shelves. Albeit, one less likely to have a significant impact on Manchester United’s campaign.
Tuesday November 5th will see former England manager Sven Göran Eriksson release his latest book My Story. This may not seem to concern United at first, but an in an extract printed in the Mail on Sunday, Eriksson reveals that he was in line to take the helm at Old Trafford. In fact, the deal was as good as done.
“I knew it would be tricky. I had a contract with England until the 2006 World Cup and I would be severely criticised if I broke that contract. But this was an opportunity to manage Manchester United. A contract was signed – I was United’s new manager,” writes the Swede.
This begs for an interesting thought experiment – where would Manchester United be right now if Fergie had indeed stepped down and left the club in the hands of the worst hairline in world football?
United’s decision to hire Eriksson at the time is understandable. Fergie announced in the early stages of the 2001-02 season that he would end his managerial career after one last conquest, and the board was searching Europe for a worthy successor. ‘Svennis’ had just been appointed the England manager, and would lead the Three Lions in the 2002 World Cup in South Korea. His club record was among the European elite back then. Following successful spells at IFK Göteborg, Benfica, Roma, Fiorentina and Sampdoria, he went on to manage Lazio into the peak of their existence.
With the Swede in the hot-seat, I Biancocelesti became a leading force in Italian football. In 2000 they brought home only the second Scudetto in the club’s history, and Eriksson won two Coppa Italias and two Supercoppas. After winning the UEFA cup winner’s cup in 1999 they came up against Fergie’s treble winning Man United in the Super cup – and won. Needless to say, Svennis deserved the admiration from Old Trafford – at the time.
This is, however, where the successful story of Sven Göran Eriksson ends. He took Three Lions to a valiant 3-1 semi-final defeat to eventual world champions Brazil, but since then, England have failed to make a real impact on international football, despite the so-called golden generation all reaching the peaks of their careers. In hindsight, Man United fans can look back at the club’s Svennis dodge blissfully aware that this might be the single most important incident of the recent success.
So let’s pretend that Eriksson did step into the void left by Sir Alex in 2002, and attempted to recreate his title-winning traditions. He would doubtless had taken over a strong team. A team that where only narrowly beaten 6-5 over two legs by the Real Madrid Galacticos, in the quarter final of the Champions League. However, they where approaching the biggest transition in Manchester United’s modern era. The trophy less period between 2003 and 2007 saw Fergie patiently nurturing the emerging talents of players like Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo. Had the same period been directed by Mr Eriksson, I doubt it would produce a pay-off of five Premier League titles, one FA cup title and a Champions League win.
Svennis did have a brief managerial spell in the premiership eventually, though, with the Red Devils’ neighboring rivals Manchester City. Despite spending big on summer transfers and having promising start to the 2008-09 season, the Blues failed to show any form of consistency, and finished ninth. This suggests that Svennis struggle with the unforgiving nature of the Premier League. No other top flight is as demanding in that respect. There are no easy games, and if your team is incapable of performing on a weekly basis, a host of points will be dropped. In spite of an impressive record prior to his England spell, Eriksson is not the top drawer appointment Manchester United were looking for at the time.
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Since 2008 he has drifted across continents, spending brief periods at Notts County and Leicester in the lower English leagues, and having short appointments with the Mexican and Ivory Coast international teams, never staying put for a full season. Is there one thing Manchester United emphasized in their search for a Fergie successor, it was the prospect of finding a subject capable of producing another 20-year reign of dominance.
Now Svennis has migrated to China in order to manage Super League side Guangzhou R&F. Only thinking about the potential damage his appointment could have had, and was close to having, for the club will send violent chills down many a Man United fan’s spine. As so many times through his 26-year reign at United, Fergie got it right in his decision to stay another decade.
Considering he’s only 25-years-old, it would seem bizarre that Hatem Ben Arfa’s age would be of any real prominence, when dissecting the Frenchman’s career. Indeed, Newcastle United’s prodigious winger has years left ahead of him, including his peak ones, surely destined to be spent in the top flight and perhaps challenging for top honours, too.
But Ben Arfa’s journey from a raw French wonderkid to an unstoppable Premier League menace, has been an arduous one and in some ways, well overdue. But where as many felt that taking a chance on the former Olympique de Marseille man was a gamble too far, Alan Pardew is now reaping the rewards of his considerable talent.
In this case, perhaps good things do come to those who wait after all. And for all at St. James Park, Hatem Ben Arfa has been most definitely worth that wait.
Match of the Day pundit Alan Shearer was infamously ridiculed in 2010 after uttering the now immortal line, “No one really knows a great deal of him,” upon viewing Ben Arfa’s barnstorming highlight sequence from Newcastle United’s 1-0 win away to Everton. But despite showing remarkable ignorance for a man paid by the taxpayer to display an extensive footballing knowledge, it does in some ways represent quite how much the Hatem Ben Arfa story had stalled at that point.
Because Ben Arfa wasn’t some unknown, mysterious Gaelic talent when he signed for what was at the time, Chris Houghton’s Magpies – initially on loan- in 2010. His Champions League debut in the colours of Lyon serve as a relatively poignant reminder as to quite how long ago it was, when he first burst onto the scene. The scores were evenly matched at 2-2 during Lyon’s tightly contested Group D fixture with Manchester United. As a young, and rakish Ben Arfa came on to replace Sidney Govou, he found himself playing against a United side that started with both Eric Djemba-Djemba in midfield and one Tim Howard in goal. The date was 15th September 2004. Not far off eight years ago now.
And in some respects, it seems really quite remarkable that it has taken the Clamart-born winger so many years to really start fulfilling his true potential.
Because a look at his contemporaries suggests not all has gone quite as planned in the time that’s passed since that Champions League debut. Ben Arfa was widely recognised as one of the biggest hopes of French football if not the biggest, during the mid-noughties. He was the one touted to reinvigorate Les Bleus and gravitate them back towards international success, even more so than his youth team colleague Karim Benzema. Yet today Benzema, a year younger, currently plays for Real Madrid and beholds 52 caps for his country. Ben Arfa has only 13.
Abou Diaby is another of his countrymen who wasn’t of thought to be able to posses quite the levels of talent that Ben Arfa had, yet still has more caps for his country – even with his arguably dire injury record. Yet it is into an old French documentary that ironically featured both Diaby and Ben Arfa as teenagers, in which we get an insight as to quite why the Newcastle winger’s career seems to have taken so long to truly flourish.
In the documentary titled À La Clairefontaine, cameras were allowed into the now famous French footballing hub, where they followed the fortunes of several fleeting young players- including the pair of Diaby and Ben Arfa. And in an excerpt that you can view here, even at a young age, we’re exposed to the volatility that has plagued Ben Arfa’s career.
And unfortunately for both Lyon and French fans, it was seemingly a character trait that Ben Arfa was unable to shed. Clashes with both Benzema and now Arsenal defender Sebastien Squilacci, only weeks after singing a long-term deal at Lyon, put an end to his carer at the Stade de Gerland and signalled the start of a new one at Marseille. But yet again, his career continued to be scorched by an abrasive attitude that has continuously overshadowed his extraordinary talents with a football. Clashes with Modeste Mbami, Djibril Cisse and managers Eric Gerets and Didier Deschamps marred his time at the Stade Velodrome – the latter culminating in Ben Arfa going on strike, resulting in his move to Tyneside. At this point, none of Europe’s top clubs were even thinking about taking a persona like Ben Arfa’s onto the pay reel.
But what was their loss was undeniably Newcastle United’s gain. His first season was of course curtailed almost as soon as it began, after Nigel de Jong’s controversial tackle inflicted a compound fracture of the left leg. But even then, Newcastle had seen enough to turn his loan from Marseille into a permanent move. And since his return to full fitness, he’s not looked back.
Ben Arfa has began to show the sort of form and showcase of ability that made Europe stand up and take notice all those years ago. The Frenchman has a genuine gift and possesses a level of skill that perhaps ranks amongst the highest tier in the league. Alan Pardew has described the winger as having “magic in his feet,” and last season, we finally started to see it appear on a regular basis; he ranked up a highly reputable five goals and seven assists in 26 Premier League games. This season, he already has two goals from four.
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By his own admission, Ben Arfa has taken a long time to mature as much as a person as he has a footballer. Indeed, Armand Garrido, a former youth coach at Lyon, once said that he “always thought Hatem was a couple of years behind in some respects.”
But most importantly, Ben Arfa seems to feel in himself that he’s turned the page. Talking before the European Championships this summer, the Frenchman said:
“I’ve evolved, I grew up.
“I am calmer, quieter. In the field, I feel much better. I’m really much more committed to the collective. I think now more than ever, I’m a competitor.
“With experience, it made me better. I give everything now because I am responsible for my actions.”
And with that change in attitude, the only way is surely forward, for both Ben Arfa and Newcastle United. In a strange way, the pair seem to resemble something of a perfect match. Both club and player have had their fair share of issues in recent years. But at full capacity and with no further distractions, they can both help each other to attain the sort of success that their standings deserve.
How do you feel about Ben Arfa’s future on Tyneside? Still worried about his volatile persona or are you confident the problems of the past are behind him? Tell me what you think on Twitter: follow @samuel_antrobus and bat me all your views.
Abdoulaye Doucoure is expected to be hot property in the transfer market this summer, and West Ham should be at the front of the queue for his signature.
What’s the word?
Everton fans have been debating a move for Watford’s Abdoulaye Doucoure this week, after Soccer Saturday pundit Charlie Nicholas said the Toffees “will surely be looking to snap him up”.
Arsenal and Spurs have also been linked with a move for the Frenchman, but he would be much better suited moving to West Ham, where he would be guaranteed the playing time he wouldn’t get at a top six club.
The Hammers desperately need a new spine to their team this summer, and with Manuel Pellegrini looking likely to take over, could Doucoure be the former Manchester City man’s first signing?
A much needed upgrade?
Every club and fan base has a scapegoat when things aren’t going their way, and for many Hammers’ fans this season that scapegoat was Cheikhou Kouyate.
The Hammers will probably need to sign an entire new spine to their team this summer if they want to move up the table, and upgrading Kouyate to the more technically gifted Doucoure would be an excellent start.
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Doucoure has been the standout performer for Watford this season, grabbing seven goals and three assists from midfield.
The 25 year-old has also impressed in a defensive sense, averaging 2.1 tackles per game and 1.5 interceptions per game. Kouyate actually betters the Frenchman’s tackling at 2.2 tackles per game, but has less interceptions.
Where the contrast between the two players is really stark is on the attacking end, where Kouyate has added just two goals and three assists in 32 league starts.
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The Senegalese international averages just 0.5 key passes a game, less than half of what Doucoure offers, averaging over one key pass every game. Doucoure also averages more successful dribbles and a better pass success rate.
The Hammers have more than one position they need to upgrade on this summer, but hijacking Everton’s interest in Doucoure would be an excellent starting point, and Pellegrini will no doubt prefer more technically gifted players given how his Manchester City side played.
So, West Ham fans, would you back a move for Doucoure? Would he be an upgrade on Kouyate? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below…