It's that time of year again where clubs will be frantically rushing around in order to add and complete their squads ahead of what is already proving to be another breath-taking Premier League season. Here is who I believe need to spend and strengthen their side ahead of that 11pm deadline on Monday 1st September, starting from Arsenal to Everton.
ARSENAL
IN: Alexis Sanchez (Barcelona), Mathieu Debuchy (Newcastle United), David Ospina (Nice), Calum Chambers (Southampton)
OUT: Lukasz Fabianski (Swansea City), Bacary Sagna (Manchester City), Chuks Aneke (Zuite Waregem), Nicklas Bendtner, Chu Young Park, Wellington Silva (UD Almeria), Thomas Eisfeld (Fulham), Carl Jenkinson (West Ham United), Thomas Vermaelen (Barcelona)
One of the busiest summers in recent years at the Emirates has seen real optimism and belief flow round the team and fans that more success is to follow this season, following last years FA Cup. The recruitment of Alexis Sanchez is by far the biggest coup of the summer so far and he will add pace, flair and class within the ranks. Whilst Calum Chambers has impressed hugely since signing for the club from Southampton. Still though if Arsenal are to be genuine title contenders for this season then they are a couple of signings off being that. A defensive midfielder is still required to tighten up the midfield and stop them from being so vulnerable in the big games. Real Madrid's Sami Khedira and Sporting Lisbon's William Carvalho are the most likely candidates to fill that void. Whilst the Gunners have sold their captain Thomas Vermaelen to Barcelona, so a centre back is much needed. Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny are going to be certain starters for the season, so Olympiakos' Kostas Manolas or Schalke's Benedikt Howedes are perfect replacements to give the squad more depth to get through a testing Champions League and Premier League campaign.
ASTON VILLA
IN: Philippe Senderos (Valencia), Joe Cole (West Ham), Kieran Richardson (Fulham), Aly Cissokho (Valencia)
OUT: Marc Albrighton (Leicester City), Nathan Delfouneso, Nicklas Helenius (Aalborg),
Yacouba Scylla (Kayseri Erciyesspor), Antonio Luna (Verona)
Aston Villa could argue that their biggest signing of the summer is making Roy Keane assistant manager at the club, his influential figure and experience could have a huge impact on whether the club avoid relegation this season. Apart from that it has been fairly quiet from the Midlands club, which will rather worry the fans. Philippe Senderos will add experience from his time at Arsenal and Fulham, likewise will Joe Cole and Kieran Richardson. But Villa will have to keep hold of their captain Ron Vlaar if they are going to stay up, as he was immense at this Summers World Cup. They also need an experienced central midfielder, as even though Fabian Delph is coming on leaps and bounds, he needs an experienced, wise head beside him. Fulham's Scott Parker, would do a brilliant job in the middle of the park for Villa.
BURNLEY
IN: Michael Kightly (Stoke City), Matt Gilks, Marvin Sordell (Bolton Wanderers), Matt Taylor (West Ham United), Steven Reid (West Bromwich Albion), Lukas Jutkiewicz (Middlesbrough), Stephen Ward (Wolverhampton Wanderers)
OUT: David Edgar Released, Brian Stock Released, Keith Treacy Released, Nick Liversedge Released, Junior Stanislas Released, Chris Baird (West Bromwich Albion)
It is always hard for newly promoted teams when it comes to the transfer window as they are under the pressure to spend and bring in lots of new players to help them survive in the Premier League. And especially at Burnley where Sean Dyche has performed miracles to get his side up with the most limited resources in the Championship last season is just amazing. He is going to find it hard again to invest with the resources that they have, but they have bought in Premier League experience in Matt Taylor and Steven Reid, plus they also have the strike partnership up front of Danny Ings and Sam Vokes, who will be expected to deliver. Though I personally feel that Burnley are short in the midfield and defence department and they need some more quality and experience if they are to survive. A possible defender they could look into is Norwich's Michael Turner, who has bags of experience of playing in the Premier League. Whilst an ideal midfielder that Burnley should bring in is Crystal Palace's Barry Bannan, he is not getting much playing time at Palace and has proved that he has creativity quality in his game, which Burnley are lacking.
CHELSEA
IN: Cesc Fabregas (Barcelona), Diego Costa (Atletico Madrid), Filipe Luis (Atletico Madrid), Didier Drogba (Galatasaray)
OUT: Ashley Cole (Roma), Samuel Eto'o Released, Henrique Hilario Released, Frank Lampard (New York City), Demba Ba (Besiktas), Patrick van Aanholt (Sunderland), Romelu Lukaku (Everton) £28m, Ryan Bertrand (Southampton) Loan
Out of all the teams in this transfer window, I have been most impressed with Chelsea and they way they have gone about their business. They have bought in the midfield, creative quality they have been lacking for many years in Cesc Fabregas and that was evident on Monday night at Burnley where he shined in that role. Whilst Diego Costa is also again the signing and striker that all Chelsea fans were crying out for and he for me will be the top goal scorer this season, there is no two ways about it, he will get them goals week in, week out. I really personally believe that Chelsea are sorted for the season ahead and they don't need to strengthen any more as they have so much depth in their squad now it is untrue. Though there still maybe a few departures before the end of the window, so they might just have to dip back into the market to fill those voids.
CRYSTAL PALACE
IN: Fraizer Campbell (Cardiff), Brede Hangeland (Fulham), Martin Kelly (Liverpool)
OUT: Kagisho Dikgacoi (Cardiff City), Daniel Gabbidon Released, Dean Moxey Released, Jonathan Parr (Ipswich Town), Aaron Wilbraham Released, Jose Campana (Sampdoria)
What a turbulent summer and last few weeks it has been at Crystal Palace, the departure of Tony Pulis has completely rocked the club and has left it in a bit of a mess. One of the main factors behind the departure of Pulis was the lack of transfer activity and funds given to him. Though the three signings that they have made, I believe are very good ones. Fraizer Campbell will add more firepower and pace upfront, whilst the defensive recruitments of Brede Hangeland and Martin Kelly will only help improve an already strong Palace backbone. Though they still need to bring in more players if they are to survive another season in the Premier League. I think that they need another winger and striker to really bolster their squad. An ideal winger that they could go for is Manchester City's Scott Sinclair, almost a forgotten player now and a move to Palace would only resurrect a once promising and exciting career. Whilst up front, possible candidates could be Newcastle's Pappiss Cisse or possibly the loan signing of young Tottenham striker Harry Kane.
EVERTON
IN: Gareth Barry (Manchester City), Muhamed Besic (Ferencvaros), Romelu Lukaku (Chelsea), Christian Atsu (Chelsea)
OUT: Mason Springthorpe Released, Apostolos Vellios Released
A productive summer so far for Everton, which has seen them sign two of their main loan stars from last season with Gareth Barry arriving from Manchester City for free, which was an excellent piece of business, whilst Romelu Lukaku arrived from Chelsea with a rather hefty price tag of £28 million, still Everton have got their man that they believe will finally fire them to Champions League football. Everton still possibly need to strengthen their team just a bit more so that they can handle the requirements of both the Europa League and the Premier League. Daley Blind from Ajax would be an ideal signing for the club as his versatility around the defensive and midfield areas would be key for Everton when it comes to rotating the team. Whilst also other Dutch international Jordy Clasie would be another good signing as he offers creativity in the midfield department and with him playing alongside Ross Barkley would excite Evertonians hugely.
Saturday, 23 August 2014
Thursday, 31 July 2014
2014 Commonwealth Games, sadly hiding in the shadows of London 2012
Cast your minds back two years ago, where there was jubilation, pride and excitement filling the whole of the country as we were full swing into hosting the 2012 Olympic Games in our country, Britain. Two years on, the Commonwealth Games are now very much under away up in Scotland, with our stars from 2012 again shining and doing us proud. But I can't help but feel that these games are very much being overseen by the rest of the nation and also by the rest of the world.
The publicity surrounding the Commonwealth Games is subdue, low key and has a general non-existing feel to it. Whether that is because the 2014 World Cup in Brazil has just finished, and fellow Brits are not feeling very patriotic anymore due to England's dismal and embarrassing exit from the group stage, or purely because this current hot weather is keeping us well away from our TV screens. Truth be told I would imagine that 50% of the country and possibly more does not even know that we, Team England (currently) have won a staggering 113 medals, including 41 gold, 37 silver and 35 bronze which surpasses and beats the amount that we won back in 2012, which was 65.
New stars are emerging left, right and centre which we as a nation will very much expect to see excel in two years time at Rio for the 2016 Olympic Games. One of the brightest prospects for English athletics is Adam Gemili, aged 20 who claimed silver in the men's 100m on Monday, highlighting at just 20 years of age, the sheer talent that is coming through the ranks ready for Rio in two years time. Adam stated after his success "This is just a stepping-stone for the European Championships and then the Olympics in Rio".
The famous names from 2012 such as Greg Rutherford and Louis Smith are continuing to emulate their success from two years ago by both picking up gold medals in their respected sport, Long Jump and Gymnastics.
The most exciting prospect of this Commonwealth Games is that we as a nation get to witness new stars rise and at the same time watch heroes from 2012 prove to the country that they have come back stronger and even better ahead of Rio in two years time. Though, unfortunately this years Commonwealth Games is getting brushed aside by the rest of the country. Just because it isn't the 'official' Olympics, people are not taking an interest in what has been so far a hugely successful event for our country. It is the same stars that millions of people were glued to their screens to support and jubilantly celebrate when they won gold, silver and bronze back in 2012, so what is the difference this time round?
The publicity surrounding the Commonwealth Games is subdue, low key and has a general non-existing feel to it. Whether that is because the 2014 World Cup in Brazil has just finished, and fellow Brits are not feeling very patriotic anymore due to England's dismal and embarrassing exit from the group stage, or purely because this current hot weather is keeping us well away from our TV screens. Truth be told I would imagine that 50% of the country and possibly more does not even know that we, Team England (currently) have won a staggering 113 medals, including 41 gold, 37 silver and 35 bronze which surpasses and beats the amount that we won back in 2012, which was 65.
New stars are emerging left, right and centre which we as a nation will very much expect to see excel in two years time at Rio for the 2016 Olympic Games. One of the brightest prospects for English athletics is Adam Gemili, aged 20 who claimed silver in the men's 100m on Monday, highlighting at just 20 years of age, the sheer talent that is coming through the ranks ready for Rio in two years time. Adam stated after his success "This is just a stepping-stone for the European Championships and then the Olympics in Rio".
The famous names from 2012 such as Greg Rutherford and Louis Smith are continuing to emulate their success from two years ago by both picking up gold medals in their respected sport, Long Jump and Gymnastics.
The most exciting prospect of this Commonwealth Games is that we as a nation get to witness new stars rise and at the same time watch heroes from 2012 prove to the country that they have come back stronger and even better ahead of Rio in two years time. Though, unfortunately this years Commonwealth Games is getting brushed aside by the rest of the country. Just because it isn't the 'official' Olympics, people are not taking an interest in what has been so far a hugely successful event for our country. It is the same stars that millions of people were glued to their screens to support and jubilantly celebrate when they won gold, silver and bronze back in 2012, so what is the difference this time round?
Tuesday, 18 February 2014
Clever or just plain stupid? How Mourinho is treading on thin ice with his mind games
By Matt Sheppard
Jose Mourinho, one of the greatest managers to grace the football stage. His intelligence and tactical awareness has led to some of the greatest teams of this decade. But one of his key features as a manager is the cheek and confidence to play mind games with his fellow professionals and nine times out of ten he gets the better of them! Ever since he walked through the door to his first ever press conference as a Chelsea manager back in 2004 and branded himself 'the special one' just shows you the amount of self belief that is streaming through this unique and dare I say it 'special' individual. But on Friday afternoon at his most recent press conference he reacted to Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger's comments that he and his Chelsea side had a "fear of failing". Mourinho stated that Wenger was a "specialist in failure", which may have just blown open a brand new feud between these two greats.
Mourinho's comments may have backfired on him and Chelsea Football Club as saying to a fellow great and professional that their a "specialist in failure" is pretty stupid. Yes, Arsene Wenger and his Arsenal side have not won a trophy for eight years now, but that gives Mourinho no exception to come out and state that Wenger is a failure. He has changed the face of the Premier League ever since he arrived back in 1996, he led a title winning team to go a whole season unbeaten and he has brought and developed some of the Premier League's greatest names. So for Mourinho to say that he is a "specialist in failure" is quite embarrassing on his behalf and one Chelsea's behalf. There will be a few awkward faces in the Chelsea hierarchy after those comments as they will know that Mourinho was in the wrong with his comments and they know that it will slightly affect the name of their football club.
Wenger responded to Mourinho's comments after his sides 2-1 FA Cup 5th round victory over Liverpool by saying that Mourinho's comments were 'embarrassing' and 'silly', which in truth they were! Arsene Wenger is a very classy individual who has such a high reputation in the football world and these comments from Mourinho would of hurt him deeply. But Wenger is not that type of person to react and bite back at Mourinho's so called 'mind games' as he has too much class, and is that something that Mourinho lacks?
Mourinho has a great reputation among his fellow professionals, but you can't help but feel that these comments have dented his reputation and has made him come across as a bit of an idiot. One thing that is for sure is that we have not heard the last of this feud. This is just the start.
Jose Mourinho, one of the greatest managers to grace the football stage. His intelligence and tactical awareness has led to some of the greatest teams of this decade. But one of his key features as a manager is the cheek and confidence to play mind games with his fellow professionals and nine times out of ten he gets the better of them! Ever since he walked through the door to his first ever press conference as a Chelsea manager back in 2004 and branded himself 'the special one' just shows you the amount of self belief that is streaming through this unique and dare I say it 'special' individual. But on Friday afternoon at his most recent press conference he reacted to Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger's comments that he and his Chelsea side had a "fear of failing". Mourinho stated that Wenger was a "specialist in failure", which may have just blown open a brand new feud between these two greats.
Mourinho's comments may have backfired on him and Chelsea Football Club as saying to a fellow great and professional that their a "specialist in failure" is pretty stupid. Yes, Arsene Wenger and his Arsenal side have not won a trophy for eight years now, but that gives Mourinho no exception to come out and state that Wenger is a failure. He has changed the face of the Premier League ever since he arrived back in 1996, he led a title winning team to go a whole season unbeaten and he has brought and developed some of the Premier League's greatest names. So for Mourinho to say that he is a "specialist in failure" is quite embarrassing on his behalf and one Chelsea's behalf. There will be a few awkward faces in the Chelsea hierarchy after those comments as they will know that Mourinho was in the wrong with his comments and they know that it will slightly affect the name of their football club.
Wenger responded to Mourinho's comments after his sides 2-1 FA Cup 5th round victory over Liverpool by saying that Mourinho's comments were 'embarrassing' and 'silly', which in truth they were! Arsene Wenger is a very classy individual who has such a high reputation in the football world and these comments from Mourinho would of hurt him deeply. But Wenger is not that type of person to react and bite back at Mourinho's so called 'mind games' as he has too much class, and is that something that Mourinho lacks?
Mourinho has a great reputation among his fellow professionals, but you can't help but feel that these comments have dented his reputation and has made him come across as a bit of an idiot. One thing that is for sure is that we have not heard the last of this feud. This is just the start.
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