West Ham midfielder Jack Collison has urged his team mates to end the season on a high with victory over Reading on Sunday.
Sam Allardyce’s side lost 2-0 away to Everton last Sunday, and the 24-year-old believes that they must give the fans something to be proud of in their final game of the term.
Victory over Nigel Adkins’ side on Sunday will guarantee the Hammers a top-half finish in their first season back in the top-flight.
The Wales international also revealed he is excited for next year and feels that the club has responded well to relegation two years ago.
Collison said: “We’re really looking forward to the Reading game, back at home, in front of our fans and hopefully we’ll have reasons to celebrate. It has been a magnificent season for us. Safety was the main aim and we’ll look to finish as high as possible and put on a real show for our fans.
“Reading have been our bogey team over the last two seasons and obviously we’re going to try to send out a statement and score as many goals as we can.”
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After helping Aston Villa secure Premiership football for another season, there has been a lot of speculation regarding Christian Benteke’s future. The Belgian forward is wanted by a host of top clubs.
Benteke has revealed that he would be tempted to leave if Villa receive an offer from a top club. His decision is simple. Either he stays at Villa Park and continues to play every week and learn, or he moves to a top side and tests himself.
Benteke can do a job for a host of sides. The big striker has good feet, is strong, very good in the air and has become clinical in front of goal.
He is wanted by Arsenal and Spurs as they both look to bolster their attacking options. He’s also wanted by Atlético Madrid after they sold Radamel Falcao to heavily invested AS Monaco. Borussia Dortmund are also keen, but will only consider making a move if Robert Lewandowski leaves the club.
Benteke arrived at Aston Villa after an £8million move from Belgian side Genk. Paul Lambert decided that Benteke was going to lead the line for Villa and not £24million man Darren Bent.
This decision confused some fans. When times were bad, an unproven striker was being preferred to a proven Premier League goal scorer. But how Villa have now reaped the rewards of the managers faith.
Benteke got 19 league goals this season. The most ever by an Aston Villa player, beating the previous record of 17 held by Dwight Yorke. His goals helped Villa beat the drop.
But Lambert is not happy after Benteke revealed he would be tempted to leave. He told talkSPORT.
“He’s had one of those seasons where he’s never been injured or hasn’t been suspended, except the last day. He’s got to remember that he’s only 22 years of age, he’s got so much to learn.”
“He’s only a kid starting out and he’s going to have ups and downs. Once he’s played 400-500 games, then you can start to think, yea, he’s a good player.”
“I think sometimes we need to have a reality check. He’s only been in Britain 10 months.”
Lambert is right. Benteke has had a great season. But many players have had good first seasons in the Premiership and then gone on to struggle. It would be more impressive if he stays at Aston Villa for next season and gets 19 league goals again. He has got so much to learn still. He’s far from a complete player. If he moves to a top side and isn’t first choice, his development could be hampered and his confidence might get knocked.
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But playing in Europe and playing with better players will help Benteke improve.
Aston Villa won’t be willing to sell their star player. The front three of Benteke, Gabriel Agbonlahor and Andreas Weimann have been brilliant in the second half of the season. Benteke is vital to that three. He is the vocal point of the attack and Agbonlahor and Weimann feed off him.
It’s a tough one for Benteke. He needs to prove he isn’t a one season wonder. But he also wants to get the most out of his career. He wants to play for his country in the World Cup. If he feel he has a better chance of improving as a player and being Belgium’s main striker at a top club, then Villa should get the most amount of money they can for him.
An impressive if not sparkling start to the season has seen Liverpool rise to the summit of the Premier League table. A comprehensive victory over Manchester United last time out has gone a long way to dispel the fears of those that thought a resurgence would be a long time coming.
Liverpool are a club famed for their European exploits, and therefore to suffer the ignominy of European exile will be a painful experience for many this season. A club that have been on the decline following season after season of mediocrity, is it dangerous to underestimate the sleeping giants of English football?
Too many have been quick to discount the red half of Liverpool as Premier League also-rans this year, with many seeing them as possible contenders for best of the rest. I think this has played well into the hands of the Merseyside club.
Overshadowed by the extravagant spending of clubs like Manchester City and Spurs, Brendan Rodgers has gone about his transfer overhaul both shrewdly and quietly. Quick to offload the deadwood of previous failed regimes, the departures of Shelvey, Carroll and Downing are as much a masterstroke as the clubs various acquisitions this summer. Keen to avoid the upheaval caused by mass change, Rodgers has gone about his reshuffle in both a precise and methodical manner.
Long gone are the days of knee jerk panic and short-termism, instead Rodgers has looked towards a certain style of footballer with the onus heavily on youth. This has manifested itself in a slick attack minded passing game that has looked to promise so much without perhaps delivering the goals it should. A resurgent Henderson along with the youthful flair of Aspas and Coutinho has already seen the backlines of Villa, United and Stoke terrorised this season.
I count myself amongst those who tipped Liverpool to struggle without the talismanic Luis Suarez, but few could have foreseen the meteoric rise to prominence of Daniel Sturridge as the centrepiece of the Liverpool attack. We may only be three games in but many are already touting the Englishman as the player to build the national side around going forward.
A week or so ago you may well have been right to suggest this squad just simply didn’t have the depth to maintain its form. If you discount the sensationalised Ozil deal, Liverpool were probably the most successful club in the last few days of the window. The addition of Mamadou Sakho is a standout buy for me, £16m may seem like a hefty price but the Frenchman offers both international and Champions League experience which may just be priceless to Liverpool going forward. Add to this the captures of Victor Moses and Tiago Ilori and you get an idea of the depth Rodgers has added to a squad that could previously be criticized as being a bit bare.
So how seriously should we be taking Liverpool?
I think a title tilt is for the delusional this season but comparing the club to those in and around them a Champions League berth is certainly not out of the question. For me the battle to dine at the top table of European football this year is between four clubs looking at two places. To argue Liverpool are the best placed is not as unreasonable as it might sound.
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Arsenal fans are still probably celebrating the Ozil deal like it’s a trophy, but for me they are simply papering over the cracks. A side that desperately needs a destructive midfielder and some defensive cover going out to buy an advanced playmaker just smacks of a misguided transfer approach. Spurs by contrast have spent big but spent well. Clearly success isn’t going to be immediate and a certain teething period could well benefit a more settled squad like Liverpool’s. Then we come to United, a club who appear to be embroiled in a desperate political vacuum that only looks like worsening before getting better. I actually believe their struggle against Liverpool last time out may well be a sign of things to come.
So yes if you haven’t already, take Liverpool seriously. If their early season form isn’t enough to convince you, just look at their squad strength compared to their nearest challengers. Of course it is easy to sensationalise Liverpool’s start, but for me it really isn’t a fluke.
For too long this great bastion of English football has been resigned to the doldrums. Is this the season for the sleeping giants to finally awaken from their stupor?
With 12 games played in the Championship this season it is safe to say that a reasonable amount of matches have been played.
As a result many will see now as a good time to use what they have seen so far to predict how the rest of the season will pan out.
Right now Ipswich sit in 12th place, seven points off the play-offs and seven points from the relegation zone, which suggests that they are set for another mid-table finish.
The Tractor Boys are one of the most unpredictable teams going forward for a number of reasons. First of all if Mick McCarthy is snatched up by the Republic of Ireland then the team is likely to be rebuilt and the season becomes one of transition rather than aspiration.
Some fans believe that if McCarthy leaves then the club will be unable to adequately replace him but whilst I am a huge fan of the former Wolves boss I do not think this is completely true. A few of the names mentioned are decent managers that have great potential, they just aren’t as solid and reliable as the current man at the helm.
However, the main point is – if a new manager comes in it is likely that he will have to replace most of his team as a large amount of the players only joined the club because of McCarthy. This will instantly move the team into a transitional phase where results will be inconsistent and finishing anywhere above the relegation zone will be a good achievement.
Of course this is only one scenario, if Ipswich can keep their current boss then I firmly believe that the only way is up this season. It is true that 26% of the season has been played but some of the most difficult games have already been crossed off the list.
The other good news is that McCarthy will be given money to spend in January if he does stay. Additionally, when Ipswich have played the likes of Reading, QPR and Burnley they have only narrowly lost and performances have remained reasonably consistent.
As I said before the start of the season; Ipswich are looking like they will finish just outside the play-offs but could sneak in if they make one or two top signings and get a bit of luck. The one thing you can be certain of with McCarthy at the helm is that the team will certainly not be around the relegation zone.
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I would love to reassure fans that McCarthy will be staying at Ipswich but I can’t. From what he has said to the media I think if he is offered the Republic of Ireland job there is a good chance that he will take it.
My reasoning is based upon the fact that if he was not going to accept then he would have said as much in order to stop the headlines having a negative effect on his team. The question isn’t whether he would accept or not, it is all about whether the FAI are prepared to pay out close to £1 million in compensation to Ipswich.
The Premier League is the richest football league in the world and it’s no surprise that it’s biggest stars are amongst the wealthiest athletes in the world. Here are the top 10 richest Premier League footballers.
10. Sergio Aguero – £24m net fortune
As the youngest player on this list at 26, Aguero has years ahead of him to add to his colossal fortune. The Manchester City striker is on a £200,000 a week deal, but is willing to share the wealth. Last summer Aguero offered to buy five players for his former team Independiente last summer, only for no one at the Argentine club to get back to him.
9. Yaya Toure – £25m net fortune
Aguero’s Manchester City teammate signed a new four-year contract last April, which will net the 29-year old £45m at £210,000 per week. Toure’s fortune could be even greater but for his charitable nature. He receives no money for his boot deal with Puma, having instead negotiated a deal whereby football equipment is distributed to underprivileged children in West Africa.
8. Fernando Torres – £26m net fortune
Torres might not have hit top form since joining Chelsea from Liverpool in a £50m deal, but he did hit the jackpot. Torres signed a five-year contract in 2011 worth £175,000 a week plus bonuses, which might hint at the reason why Chelsea have yet to sell the misfiring striker.
7. Ryan Giggs – £27m net fortune
At 40-years old it’s no surprise that Ryan Giggs’ current salary of £75,000 a week is dwarfed by some of the other names on this list. Giggs earnings at Manchester United have been supplemented by lucrative endorsements with the likes of Reebok and Fuji, allowing him to build a huge fortune over a long career.
6. Steven Gerrard – £29m net fortune
The Liverpool and England captain enjoys a £140,000 a week salary and his high-profile has won him endorsements with the likes of Adidas and Persil. Such off the field earnings could continue to grow if the veteran leads England to a successful World Cup campaign.
5. John Terry – £29m net fortune
John Terry may have to take a pay cut from next season, as his £165,000 a week Chelsea deal comes to an end, but his recent windfall in the property market should soften the blow. Terry sold his Surrey mansion for £5.25m last year, moving to a newly built property within the grounds of his former home, only to unexpectedly receive a £16m offer for his new house from the Sultan of Oman.
4. Frank Lampard – £31m net fortune
Lampard is another Chelsea star to use the property market to boost his bank balance. The midfielder is now on £50,000 a week after renegotiating his previous £150,000 a week contract but is very wisely putting his money into bricks and mortar. Lampard lives in a £10m Chelsea house with his fiancé Christine Bleakley and also owns multiple properties across London, Surrey and Cambridge.
3. Rio Ferdinand – £37m net fortune
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Like Lampard, the Manchester United defender also had to take a pay cut when renegotiating last summer, but looks to be assured of a new deal for next season following recent assurances from David Moyes. Off the field Ferdinand is also a busy man, with a restaurant in Manchester and a media empire that includes his #5 Magazine.
2. Samuel Eto’o – £39m net fortune
Eto’s £75,000 a week salary at Chelsea is not to be sniffed at but it’s dwarfed by his wages at his former club Anzhi Makhachkala, where he was the world’s highest paid player on £364,583 a week and the second highest-earning athlete in the world behind Tiger Woods, when endorsements were taken into account. The striker is another African footballer with his own charitable foundation, which helps to provide basic healthcare and works on improving social inclusion.
1. Wayne Rooney – £45m net fortune
Rooney has just signed a five and a half year contract with Manchester United, who will pay him £300,000 a week. The England striker had held endorsements with the likes of Nike, Nokia, Ford, Coca Cola and has a five-book deal with Harper Collins for which he received a £5m advance. Off the field Rooney has recently been investing his money in racehorses without much success. The striker’s £60,000 thoroughbreds Pippy and Switcharooney were trained at the stables co-owned by Rooney’s former teammate Michael Owen and Betfair founder Andrew Black, but were retired last year having only won one race between them.
Liverpool owner John W Henry has made various comments regarding the Suarez to Arsenal transfer saga of 2013 and how he took a gamble by refusing to let Suarez leave.
Suarez had a buyout clause of £40m and Arsenal met those terms by offering £40m + £1 to legally trigger the buyout clause. The Liverpool owner sees Suarez as an important player and refused to let him leave for Arsenal. He stated that he would rather take Arsenal to court than to let his star man leave.
Here’s what John Henry had to say about this:
“Luis Suarez is the top scorer in the English Premier League, which is arguably the top soccer league in the world. He had a buyout clause of £40m. Arsenal, one of our prime rivals – this year we’re tied for 2nd … we’re actually 2nd because of goal difference.
“They offered £40m+£1. What we’ve found … is that contracts don’t seem to mean a lot in England – actually, in world football. It doesn’t matter how long a player’s contract is, he can decide he’s leaving.
“We sold a player, Fernando Torres, for £50m, that we did not want to sell, we were forced to. Since apparently these contracts don’t seem to hold, we took the position that we’re just not selling [Suarez].
“It’s been great for Luis, it’s been great for us, and what will happen at the end of the year I think we’re going to make the Champions League, we have a small chance of winning the Premier League this year.
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“We have 3 gentlemen up front Suarez/Sterling/Sturridge, [they] are young, I think Luis and those three could be together for a long time.”
You have to hand it to Arsenal, though. That’s one clever way to activate a buy-out clause without paying over the odds. Bravo.
It would be impossible to attend a Newcastle United fixture right now without noticing a banner or hearing a chant echoing these sentiments. The Magpies defeat at home to Swansea City was the club’s fifth consecutive loss in what has so proven to be a miserable calendar year.
In the Premier League form table since the New Year, Newcastle sit in nineteenth position with just four victories from their last seventeen matches. Any hope of a rousing run in the FA Cup was extinguished at the earliest possible stage at home by Cardiff City, the only team which find themselves below the Magpies in the form table.
For an ill-advised onlooker, the club’s current position of ninth in the league wouldn’t justify such a fan backlash, especially when relegation was so narrowly avoided in the previous campaign. But with so many of the Toon Army so clearly disgruntled with events on Tyneside, is it getting to the point where something has got to give?
Journalists from local media outlets such as the Evening Chronicle have been banned for portraying the club in an allegedly unfair manner. Alan Pardew’s decision to apportion some blame to these publications for his side’s recent performances led the Sunday Sun to mockingly publish a distinctly damning “apology.”
With Joe Kinnear no longer present to draw the ire of the Geordie faithful and Mike Ashley retreating further into the background, the manager is now exposed to the full brunt of the fans’ resentment.
Jamie Carragher recently defended the Newcastle manager in his column and with some justification. Undermined by a clueless Director of Football and a Chairman that is positively appalled by the prospect of unnecessarily investing in his side, Pardew had performed admirably in his role to have the club in touch with the European spots at Christmas.
But the downturn since is simply inexcusable.
Fans have quite rightly grown sick and tired of the constant excuses and the insipid performances which has seen the club limp towards the season’s finish. A blunt attack and a porous defence has meant that the club have been subjected to a number of humiliations in such a short space of time. A third consecutive derby defeat to Sunderland epitomised a side absent of any real desire or passion.
Even with the sale of Yohan Cabaye and a number of injuries, Pardew cannot escape the blame. At a time when his side have lacked any creative ideas, the manager has failed to bring the best out of his flair players. The likes of Hatem Ben Arfa and Sylvain Marveaux remain out in the cold amid rumours that Pardew has lost control of his dressing room. The 2012 LMA Manager of the Year has his shortcomings and these flaws have been brutally exposed since the turn of the year.
But where the “Pardew Out” brigade always falters is when attention turns to identifying a successor. Pardew certainly isn’t the best manager in the world but it is difficult to name a realistic candidate who could succeed where he has failed. Tony Pulis is the latest name linked to the hot seat on the basis of his revival of Crystal Palace, but Sam Allardyce’s ill-fated spell suggests that the Welshman’s trademark approach would not last long on Tyneside. After his somewhat surprising dismissal at Swansea, Michael Laudrup’s name was another thrown into the ring.
But why would any upcoming manager be realistically willing to take the role on?
Under the current regime headed by Mike Ashley, the prospect of this slumbering giant being awoken to challenge for silverware once again remains a distant fantasy. Ambition is a dirty word and the soul of the club has been traded for the balancing of the books. In a time of ludicrous excess in football, a commitment to financial fair play is admirable and should not be wholly condemned. But unfortunately for Newcastle, medals will not be awarded come May for impressive financial statistics. Just ask Arsenal fans about that.
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Pardew has failed to inspire and the players haven’t delivered all too often in the New Year. But with Ashley’s objective of mid-table mediocrity essentially secured by the New Year, what was left to play for? In the owner’s eyes, the club could successfully afford to cash in on Cabaye and yet still earn the riches that participating in the Premier League next season will bring.
As long as Ashley remains, this is the grim reality for the Toon Army. Without any prospective buyers, Newcastle will continue to operate in a similar fashion for the foreseeable future. Money will continue to line his pockets whilst the club will merely play to retain a spot in the most lucrative footballing division in the world. Players will continue to view St. James’ Park as a shop window, an opportunity to impress and earn a transfer to a club where ambition isn’t actively repressed.
In the eyes of so many of the Toon Army, something simply has to give and it has done for a while now. But unfortunately for them, the potential for change remains unlikely.
Following the arrivalsÂof Jack Colback and Ayoze Perez, Newcastle UnitedÂyesterday confirmed Siem De Jong as their third summer signing. ÂThe 25 year oldÂagreed terms on a six year deal and has moved from Ajax for a reported fee of £6 million.Capable of playing as a playmaker or an outright striker, many view the signing of the Dutchman as the long-awaited replacement for Yohan Cabaye. But with Papiss Cisse the only other senior forward currently contracted to the club, more attacking reinforcements are desperately required at St James’ Park.After the disappointments of the last few transfer windows, Newcastle fans aren’t anticipating many further arrivals at their club this summer. But following such a dismal run of form in 2014, Mike Ashley may finally be ready to put his hand in his pocket or delve into the club’s recent impressive profits.Bearing this in mind, here are SIX signings to follow De Jong to Newcastle this summer.[ffc-gallery]
Click on Remy Cabella to start
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REMY CABELLA
The six month transfer saga that shows no signs of abating any time soon, Newcastle are still believed to be in the hunt for Cabella. The 24 year old racked up fourteen goals and five assists in a struggling Montpellier side this season.
In spite of Newcastle’s troubles in 2014, the Frenchman is still believed to be keen on a move to Tyneside. Capable of fulfilling a central or wide role, Pardew will be keen to add Cabella to his ranks if Montpellier can be negotiated down from their lofty £16 million valuation.
However, some Newcastle fans fear that the arrival of De Jong may spell the end of a prospective deal for the Montpellier playmaker.
ALEXANDRE LACAZETTE
De Jong has been brought in to create and supply but there is currently a dearth of striking talent at the club. Shola Ameobi has been released, Papiss Cisse has been ruled out through for an extended period and no permanent deals for Luuk De Jong or Loic Remy seem to be in the offing.
Enter Alexandre Lacazette.
//www.youtube.com/embed/qJOs1MYekzg
Lyon may have struggled in Ligue 1 but the 23 year old still managed to net fifteen times in the league. Newcastle will hope to profit from the French club’s financial woes but will likely face strong competition for Lacazette’s signature. If Luis Suarez departs for Barcelona, many expect Liverpool to move for the Frenchman this summer.
DANNY INGS
A striking solution much closer to home, recent rumours on social media have strongly linked the Magpies with a move for Ings. The 22 year old’s return of twenty one strikes played a massive part in securing Burnley’s promotion from the Championship this season.
German duo Bayer Leverkusen and Wolfsburg have surprisingly been credited with an interest in the striker, along with the likes of Everton, Liverpool, Newcastle and Southampton. Burnley are understandably reluctant to part company with Ings and are believed to be holding out for £7 million for the Englishman.
Pardew may try and find better value on the continent but most Newcastle fans wouldn’t be disappointed with the signing of the 22 year old.
CLEMENT GRENIER
With the arrival of De Jong and the continued pursuit of Cabella, talk of a move for Grenier has cooled in recent months. The Magpies launched an unsuccessful “substantial” bid for the 23 year old back in January in a last ditch attempt to replace Yohan Cabaye.
Judging by these spectacular efforts, the Frenchman certainly seems capable of filling the PSG midfielder’s boots when it comes to free kick duties.
//www.youtube.com/embed/5kGa5gnC6xw
//www.youtube.com/embed/uaqJKiW2YgU
As it stands, Newcastle look set to pursue other targets ahead of Grenier this summer. But with the club worryingly short of creative attacking talent, the 23 year old will surely remain on the club’s radar for the foreseeable future.
SERGE AURIER
Although attack is most certainly the priority, a replacement for Mathieu Debuchy may be required this summer. Speculation linking the full back with a move to Arsenal continues to gather momentum and a £12 million deal has been mooted in some circles.
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Even though the Ivory Coast flattered to deceive once again, Aurier impressed in Brazil and managed to pick up two vital assists in the victory over Japan. Strong defensively and a potent offensive outlet, signing the 21 year old Toulouse full back as a replacement for Debuchy could turn out to be a smart piece of business.
Indeed, it is a scenario which many Newcastle fans themselves have suggested on Twitter.
STEVEN CAULKER
0-3. 0-4. 0-4.
This horrendous sequence of results at the beginning of April not only emphasised the club’s blunt attack but also their frailties at the back. Fabricio Coloccini has established himself over the years as a reliable performer but lacks a solid defensive partner.
Lauded by many as one of England’s most promising centre backs, many were surprised by Tottenham’s decision to sell Caulker last summer. The defender moved for first team football but may be looking for a new club once again following Cardiff’s relegation into the Championship.
Attack may be the priority this summer but for a rumoured £8 million, Pardew would do well to strengthen his leaky defence with this 22 year old centre back.
Liverpool and Aston Villa’s meetings in recent seasons have been fascinating affairs, with the Reds often struggling against their Midlands foes despite both clubs having been operating in different areas of the Premier League table.
And this term’s instalment at Anfield looks to be another promising one with both clubs back fresh from the international break. Villa are currently unbeaten on seven points after three games and will travel to Merseyside full of confidence to take on Brendan Rodgers’ side who signed off before the mini hiatus with a thumping 3-0 victory at Tottenham.
Something has to give, right? So here are three players from both XIs who could have a big influence on the result…
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CLICK ON RAHEEM STERLING TO REVEAL THE SIX
Football – Liverpool v Southampton – Barclays Premier League – Anfield – 17/8/14Raheem Sterling celebrates after scoring the first goal for LiverpoolMandatory Credit: Action Images / Carl RecineLivepicEDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for
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Mario Balotelli
Balotelli may have missed a few clear-cut chances for Liverpool last time out at Spurs, but there’s no doubting that the madcap Italian will find his form in the red shirt. While the majority of his Liverpool team-mates travelled away for the international break, the 24-year-old – dropped from the Azzurri’s squad – stayed on Merseyside and looks to have used the added time to build on his fitness and get match sharp.
With Daniel Sturridge a doubt for the clash, Balotelli could be the focal point of a front three for Brendan Rodgers, which may see him receive decent service from the likes of Raheem Sterlin, Lazar Markovic, Philippe Coutinho or even Adam Lallana.
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Ron Vlaar
With Liverpool a free-flowing attacking force at Anfield, ‘Concrete Ron’ will need to be at his dominant best at the heart of Villa’s defence. The big Dutchman was excellent at the World Cup and has impressed in the Premier League so far, but he will face a big test against the enigmatic Balotelli and the drifting talent that is Raheem Sterling.
Vlaar may not have the ability on his own to nullify Liverpool’s attacking threats, but his never say die attitude could inspire his team-mates to wade in help man the gates.
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Raheem Sterling
The teenage prodigy has emerged as one of the world’s best young footballers in 2014, drifting in from a peripheral figure at Anfield to one of Liverpool and England’s key performers.
A tactical shift enforced by Daniel Sturridge’s injury woes may see Sterling shifted from his new ‘Number 10’ role, but he has shown that he can be just as much of a threat from wide on the left or right flank. The 19-year-old already has two goals in three Premier League games this term and will be determined to add to his tally.
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Andreas Weimann
Another attacker with a two in three ratio so far this term is Weimann. The Austrian ace has summed up all that’s been good about the Villains in recent weeks, with his flea-like darting runs and electric movement having troubled opposition defences.
The 23-year-old has netted twice in his last two league trips to Anfield, making him a threat that Brendan Rodgers must cater for this time around.
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Dejan Lovren
Despite having seen his goalkeeper beaten four times in three games, Lovren has been impressive since his move to Liverpool from Southampton. The big Croatian has been tasked with commanding the Reds’ backline after last season’s horror show in terms of goals conceded, and a promising partnership with Mamadou Sakho looks to have been born following the Merseysiders’ clean sheet at Spurs.
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Lovren will need to be at his best to nullify Villa’s intelligent attacking set-up and he cannot afford any lapses in concentration.
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Charles N’Zogbia
Back in from the cold, N’Zogbia has started all three of Villa’s Premier League clashes so far, and looks to be returning to the sort of form he showed while at Wigan. The Frenchman may blow hot and cold, yet his pace and flair will be a threat to Liverpool’s full-backs on both sides – with the 28-year-old able to drift to either flank.
One problem is N’Zogbia’s fitness – he has not played a full 90 in his three aforementioned outings – but he could damage Liverpool before an almost inevitable second half trip to the bench.
The majority of the Premier League appears to overlook the Championship as a viable recruitment pool, often favouring talents from foreign top flights.Breaking that mould however, Newcastle United snapped up two of the Championship’s hottest prospects last summer, wrapping up deals for Nottingham Forest duo Karl Darlow and Jamaal Lascelles, set to move to St. James’ Park in summer 2015.With that in mind, here’s FIVE more second-tier stars the Magpies should be keeping an eye on after their impressive starts to the current campaign.
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PATRICK BAMFORD
Technically not a Championship player but certainly one worth keeping an eye on, Chelsea’s loanee striker Patrick Bamford has amassed an impressive return of 29 goals in 69 appearances throughout the Football League.
That includes a prolific loan spell at MK Dons, where the 21 year-old produced a one-in-two strike rate amid his 37 League One outings.
He’s yet to reproduce that lethality in the second tier, albeit often reduced to more of a cameo role, netting eight in 21 on loan to Derby County for the second half of last season and three in eleven since moving to Middlesbrough in the summer.
Many of the England U21’s finishes have been noteworthy however, such as this strike against Brighton last season:
Or this diving header against Yeovil Town:
//www.youtube.com/embed/c9_2Y-S7WK8?rel=0
Bearing no outstanding height, strength or power, the former Nottingham Forest product would need some beefing up to be effective in the top flight – something he admitted to last February.
But technically, he’s a real talent and if first team opportunities remain slim at Bamford’s parent club, Newcastle would be wise to take the young poacher off Chelsea’s hands. Here’s a look at the 6 foot 1 striker in action:
//www.youtube.com/embed/EZdfvQFwSgM?rel=0
The Blues are infamous for their money-making loan machine and would likely be prepared to sell Bamford for any sum that significantly improves on their original £1.5million investment.
NATHAN REDMOND
Newcastle were linked with Nathan Redmond during the summer and it could be worth reviving their interest after the Norwich City winger’s impressive start to the season.
The 20 year-old’s no goals and three assists in 15 Championship appearances may be rather ordinary output, but statistically, he’s one of the most impressive attackers in the division. Redmond’s not only at the top of the Championship’s dribbling charts:
But his 3.2 chances created per match (represented as key passes) is the third-best return in the league:
A regular for England across the junior levels, amassing nine goals and 54 caps from the U16s to U21s, the former Birmingham youngster’s development has been monitored by top Premier League sides for some time, including Manchester City and Liverpool. Here’s a look at Redmond in action:
//www.youtube.com/embed/AY_DSHljAyI?rel=0
Having shown glimpses of his quality in the top flight last season, amid the Canaries’ relegation campaign, and now excelling in the Championship, if Norwich don’t bounce back to the Premier League this year its likely Redmond will leave.
The Magpies could certainly do with some added quality out wide. But having attracted interest from a variety of clubs over the last few years, Newcastle could quickly find themselves eclipsed in the pursuit for Redmond.
TYRONE MINGS
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When Ipswich Town lost star full-back Aaron Cresswell to West Ham this summer, many feared the worst. But the Tractor Boys have already found a more than adequate replacement in 21 year-old Tyrone Mings.
A superfluous run of form at the start of the season saw the left-back claim the Championship’s Player of the Month award for September having bagged assists against Brighton and Wigan, but his performances at the other end of the pitch have been equally impressive, as detailed below:
Indeed, it’s the former Chippenham Town youngster’s ability to contribute equally in attack and defence, creating 22 scoring opportunities in 16 appearances, that’s earning him such rave reviews.
Measuring in at a whopping 6 foot 3, Mings already had the physique to handle the rigors of the English top flight. Resultantly, he’s attracting interest from a number of Premier League clubs, including Arsenal, Manchester United and Everton:
There’s still time for the Magpies to weigh in, but having only penned a three-year contract in September, convincing Ipswich to sell will likely take a large fee.
IGOR VETOKELE
There are certainly better-known strikers in the Championship but Igor Vetokele has been like a one-man team since joining Charlton Athletic from FC Copenhagen in the summer.
Indeed, the Angola international has netted 40% of the Addicks’ league goals this season as they sit just a point off the play-off standings, a contribution only matched throughout the Championship by Ipswich’s Daryl Murphy:
The 22 year-old has bagged eight goals in 13 starts, despite continually battling injury problems, and a run of five goals in his inaugural five Championship outings won Vetokele the Player of the Month award for August.
That includes this powerful header against Reading last weekend, securing Charlton a 1-0 win:
Here’s a clip of Velokete in action for Copenhagen, where he amassed 16 goals in 43 appearances in the space of two seasons:
//www.youtube.com/embed/KhamlNPGq_I?rel=0
Charlton are currently enjoying strong form under new manager Bob Peeters, but the chances of promotion remain relatively slim.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
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Considering how exceptionally the 5 foot 8 forward has already taken to the English game, Vetokele represents a transfer punt that could pay off dividends for the Magpies.
TOM CAIRNEY
Blackburn Rovers are one of the favourites to go up this season and the performances of midfielder Tom Cairney, who won the Player of the Year award at Ewood Park last season, will be a significant factor in their promotion push.
The 23 year-old playmaker has started the season strongly, bagging two goals and four assists in 16 appearances – including this wonder-strike against Cardiff City:
He’s also amongst the Championship’s best when it comes to creating chances from the middle of the park:
…and boasts an impressive pass completion rate of 87.5%.
Cairney’s been knocking on the Premier League door for some time, having previously gained promotion with Hull City in 2013, before being sent on loan to Ewood Park and subsequently joining Rovers permanently last January. Here’s a look at the former Scotland U21 in action:
//www.youtube.com/embed/fAgcMqnLufY?rel=0
If Blackburn don’t make it to the top flight this season, Cairney may feel compelled to seek pastures new. But the Lancashire side are backed by some impressive financial muscle and will feel under no obligation to sell.