Tag Futebol

It’s that time of the year again, the transfer window is open and the rumour mill is in full flow, but who should Everton sign this summer?

Last season was a major disappointment for Everton fans, as the summer transfer window that was supposed to push them towards the top six only pushed two managers out the door.

Sam Allardyce replaced Ronald Koeman and did exactly what he was asked to do by keeping the Toffees up, but at the expense of his relationship with the fans.

Big Sam has of course now left the club, but the lack of a new manager appointment isn’t stopping the constant flow of transfer rumours.

Marcel Brands joined the Toffees last week, which could hopefully mean a new dawn for the club, with the Dutch transfer wizard looking to fix the mistakes of last summer.

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Brands has an excellent reputation for spotting talent on the cheap, so with a larger budget than his previous clubs he could work wonders, but who should the Toffees actually target this summer?

Links to Stoke’s Xherdan Shaqiri and Watford’s Richarlison seem to suggest the Toffees are after a new winger, perhaps no surprise given the form of Yannick Bolasie. Brands would be much better served looking to his former club though, with the electric Hirving Lozano, who has 19 PSV goals this season, a far superior player to the other linked wingers.

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One would have to think the new manager will want a new central midfielder as well, with Sporting CP’s William Carvalho one of the names linked with a move to Goodison.

So, Everton fans, who do you want to sign this summer? Let us know by voting in the poll below…

Alexis Sanchez’s form has been pretty dire this season as the Chilean prepares to run down his contract with Arsenal before leaving the club on a free transfer.

The majority of Arsenal fans seem to have accepted that Sanchez will leave, but the situation surrounding a certain Mesut Ozil is a little bit more complicated.

Ozil, who is valued at £45m by transfermarkt.co.uk, has been impressive for the Gunners in recent weeks, and he scored the only goal of the match in the team’s 1-0 win over Newcastle United in the Premier League last weekend.

Manchester United have been strongly linked with the German international, but it does appear that he could yet sign a new contract at the Emirates Stadium.

Ozil, like a number of his teammates, paid tribute to the retiring Tomas Rosicky on Wednesday with a message on his Twitter account.

As expected, the talk among Arsenal fans was whether Ozil would indeed sign a new contract with the Gunners.

He has been urged to do so by a number of the club’s supporters, but it seems that an awful lot still has to fall into place for that situation to occur.

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A selection of the Twitter reaction in relation to Ozil’s future can be seen below:

The sale of Steven Caulker to Cardiff City saw the most promising Tottenham academy star in recent times leave the club. A deal that appeared strange by way of exposing the bare bones of an ailing Premier League defensive line; it also begged serious questions about the faith the club places in its youth setup. Do Spurs take their academy system seriously?

Spurs’ academy appears to be in the best shape in recent memory. A recent move to the state of the art Hotspur Way has provided the ultimate proving grounds for the next crop of talents. A U-21 Premier League final and an impressive run by the U-18s in the European NextGen series would suggest that prospects are very much on the rise. But if you look back at the last 10 years who has really ever made it? Club legend Ledley King appears to be a one off, and currently the only player to be retained beyond their early 20s is Jake Livermore. Hardly the class of player to get fans pulses racing is it?

The issue for me is either that the academy simply isn’t good enough, so in that case scrap it, or that it just simply isn’t being utilised in the right way. It would be unfair of me to pass judgement on the current pool of players’ futures because they are all at early stages in their careers. However, what I do know is that Spurs have a long history of seeing future talents placed on the lower league scrapheap. The likes of Johnnie Jackson, Dean Parrett and Lee Barnard are names that are never likely to be heard again at the summit of English football.

My view is that in general the academy players just simply aren’t used or integrated properly. Too often a loan to lower league opposition is deemed sufficient, but in my mind there comes a point where this stops being effective. Players like Jon Obika and Adam Smith appear to just be on a continual cycle of loans, when will their time ever come?

This isn’t a dig specifically at Spurs because I believe the majority of academies are guilty of the same failings. In an era where instant-gratification dominates club policy, it is easy to see why that multi-million pound instant hit is the more enticing ahead of an academy graduate who may take a number of seasons to grow into a role. The hope is that the inception of FFP may go some way to changing the onus back towards an academy focus, but I believe the willingness must be there from clubs as well.

Or perhaps the perception of an effective academy needs to be changed? Do players necessarily need to make the first team squad to be deemed a success? A number of players have made their name for other clubs having graduated from Spurs and the Caulker transfer just represents the most financially fruitful of the lot. Personally I don’t see the financial or footballing benefit to the club being enough to justify the investment as it stands. So what can be done to help encourage academy players into the first team?

It would be ridiculous to suggest that 18-year-old academy players should be fielded for 90 minutes in games, as that would probably do more harm than good for their future. What I do think is pragmatic is a phasing in of prospects over a number of years. Currently the academy just looks like a road to nothing apart from maybe a career down in League 2.

I think it will be interesting to see how the career of Tom Carroll progresses in this regard. Probably the most promising that remains of academy graduates, his first team opportunity has been on the increase in the last few years. My worry is that he will eventually hit a wall where he becomes no more than a second string squad player. For a man of Carroll’s ability this would be a waste and would no doubt see the young Englishman move on.

So no of course Spurs do not take advantage of their academy, millions of pounds invested to see only a tiny return on that investment is actually quite bizarre. It sometimes occurs to me that an academy is just a PR requirement of any football side these days, but its use is not a necessity. The rumoured link-up with Swindon Town could be curious in this respect. Would having Swindon Town as a feeder club act as a replacement to an academy if the relationship were to grow?

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Spurs along with the majority of top English clubs fail to capitalise on the plethora of talents their respective academies afford them. As much to do with the environment as individual club beliefs, the current situation is a sad indictment of our game.

Should Spurs be making better use of their academy system?

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Mauricio Pochettino has always seemed completely committed to the project he has built on a slender budget at Tottenham Hotspur, even in the absence of trophies at present.

That has been a major factor behind the willingness of both players and fans to buy into the as yet potless project under the Argentine but following the 2-1 Wembley defeat against Manchester United in the FA Cup, the mask began to slip for the very first time.

Pochettino’s comments that Spurs need time “under him or another” to further their progress belied for the first time the previously unthinkable prospect of the former Southampton manager walking away from the project he appears so committed to.

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In the wake of that, French outlet Presse Ocean have reported that former Leicester City boss Claudio Ranieri, 66, has emerged as a contender to replace Pochettino, following his departure from Nantes.

So, that’s why we’re asking Spurs fans a question that would have been unthinkable a month ago; should Ranieri replace Pochettino?

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Let us know by voting in the poll below and look out for the result in the days around Spurs’ meeting with the Foxes on the final game of the season…

Free spending French giants Paris-Saint Germain look set to add Manchester United winger Angel Di Maria to their squad in the very near future. The flying Argentine failed to settle at Old Trafford and seems ready to make the move across the Channel and sample life in the French capital. Zlatan Ibrahimovic has welcomed the move, suggesting the former Real Madrid midfielder’s stock hasn’t plummeted that much despite a disappointing year in England. Angel the Red Devil could take Paris to Champions League heaven it would seem.

On the face of it, selling your record signing after one year at a loss suggests the player has been a complete and utter flop. However, Di Maria has been plagued by niggling injuries and his family have not been able to get settled in England after they were burgled at the start of the year. It is hard to doubt his class after his stellar final season in Madrid, and a spectacular start to life at Old Trafford, though. The Parisians’ Qatari owners clearly see the value in the 2014 Champions League final Man of the Match, and are set to splash the cash to secure his services.

Much like the situation at Chelsea, the men in charge in Paris are hell bent on securing the top European prize for their club. After three consecutive domestic title wins, the European Cup has become the Holy Grail for Laurent Blanc’s men. Viewed mainly as a typical quarter final team, PSG undoubtedly have the class to hold their own against Europe’s elite – think Chelsea last year – but lack that extra something to win the cup outright.

Adding a player like Angel Di Maria will go a long way to rectifying that. The squad assembled since their takeover is top class, blending a mix of exciting younger internationals and world class talent. However, players like Ezequiel Lavezzi and Lucas Moura can be exposed when squaring up to the likes of Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Real Madrid.

The impending arrival of Man United’s No.7 adds another layer of class to an otherwise stellar squad. The sight of him lining up alongside the maverick Swede Ibrahimovic is a lot more menacing, even for the best defences in the world.

Another potential team-mate in David Luiz praised Di Maria as he prepares for life in Paris, describing him as ‘one of the top three wingers in the world.’ The prospect of lining up with him clearly excites the Brazilian centre back: ‘Di Maria is a player who can help us go up another step.’

In fact, he is exactly the sort of player Manchester United are missing, funnily enough. Louis van Gaal earlier this week declared his intention to buy a game changer. ‘We at Manchester United have to compete with these clubs’, the Dutchman mused as he discussed the likes of Chelsea, Barcelona and Manchester City, ‘so we have to look also for those kind of players.’

The Argentina international is that kind of player. He’s a fast, technical winger who can conjure up something out of nothing. The Manchester United manager earlier this week lamented his lack of world class players, praising the ‘fantastic’ Ashley Young (who replaced Di Maria for much of last year), but adding ‘he is not Neymar.’

It is a great shame that Di Maria move never truly worked. If United are going to take on Europe’s big boys, a Di Maria on song lining up with the likes of Mata, Rooney and Schweinsteiger would no doubt add that extra quality.

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Both PSG and Manchester United appear to be a step below Europe’s elite in their quest for the ultimate prize. Securing the services of an in-form Angel Di Maria may allow the latter to take that step, though.

Newcastle United may have to sell striker Papiss Cisse this summer, due to the forward’s religious beliefs, according to the Daily Mail.

The club have signed a new sponsorship deal with money lenders Wonga. But Cisse informed the club several weeks ago that he does not want to wear the sponsors branding on his shirt next season because of his beliefs as a Muslim.

Under sharia law, it is prohibited to benefit from lending money to another person, which is how payday loan company Wonga operate, who have an annual percentage rate of 4,214 per cent.

However, fellow Muslims Hatem Ben Arfa and Cheick Tiote haven’t protested the deal so far, meaning Cisse is the only player to do so.

The club may offer Cisse an unbranded shirt to wear to avoid the forward leaving the club. But the Toon have no interest in cancelling the sponsorship deal, something that Bolton Wanderers did with similar company QuickQuid.

Cisse, who has been linked with a move to Anzhi Makhachkala this summer, could well leave the club because of the sponsorship deal. Managing director Derek Llambias intends to discuss the issue with Cisse when he returns from World Cup qualifying duty with Senegal.

The forward came off the bench in Senegal’s 1-1 draw with Angola, and could feature in their next match against Liberia on Saturday.

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Would you be devastated to see Cisse leave? How should Newcastle solve the issue? Join the discussion below.

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When Sunderland finally succumbed to relegation after a number of shambolic years in the Premier League, there can’t have been many people who expected them to make an instant promotion charge.

However, there was a school of thought that being demoted may actually allow the club to stabilise itself; having hit rock bottom, they could begin to move forward.

It turns out that relegation wasn’t rock bottom and both Simon Grayson and Chris Coleman have been unable to arrest the slide, despite a high turnover of players.

Under Coleman’s guidance, the Black Cats have been unable to get themselves out of trouble and they will finish the season bottom of the league, just as they did in the top flight under David Moyes last season.

With one game of the season to go, the club has also made the decision to relieve Coleman of his duties, much to the surprise of many fans…

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With 30 goals in all competitions this term, Harry Kane has enjoyed the kind of breakthrough season that many players could scarcely dream of. However, as the trophies have piled up on the 21-year-old’s mantelpiece, the goals have begun to dry up.

With one goal in the last seven and none in the last three, Kane’s debut season is in danger of fizzling out. But it is through no fault of his own, he has been overused, overworked and is in danger of being burnt out.

Since Mauricio Pochettino finally gave into the clamour to play the England international in late November, he has become an almost ever present in the Spurs’ line-up. From being a young man who had spent his footballing life on the fringes, he is now the man, the only man.

Of course Tottenham have not been helped by his striking partners total inadequacies; both Soldado and Adebayor have been totally incompetent which has led his manager to have to place all the goal scoring burden on his young star.

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For almost all of the current campaign Spurs have been totally indebted to the 21 year old, he has carried the team on his young shoulders and finally it may be starting to show.

Pochettino’s reliance on the striker became even clearer when away at Burnley, he was given the captain’s armband. Instead of the additional duties lifting his performances to even greater heights it seemed to have the opposite effect, burdening their leading scorer, suffocating him.

In recent weeks Harry Kane has looked a shadow of the player who was terrorising defences only weeks previously. Of course it is not just him, his team mates have almost retired to the beach for the last few weeks and maybe his powers are finally running low.

This summer of course could spell even more football for the forward; there are calls for him to be on the plane to Czech Republic in the coming months for the U’21s. Although there is a temptation to argue that he could benefit from experiencing tournament football, there is a greater one to say that he needs rest now more than ever.

He has the potential to carry both his club and nation for years to come; but he is at a pivotal point in his career. Burn the candle at both ends now and risk his proficiency for years to come.

Pochettino and Tottenham have had  little choice but to be solely reliant on their new hero, but for the sake of the national game, England must look for long term success over short term.

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This may all prove to be irrelevant, for if Harry Kane has taught us anything this year it is never to write him off. He has overcome every obstacle that has been put in front of his burgeoning career thus far and a short goal drought should be an easy one to over-come.  In fact it would surprise no one should he notch more than once before his well -deserved summer break.

But boy has he earned himself a break.

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Reading boss Nigel Adkins says he has begun planning for next season and has held talks with the club over potential transfer targets.

The former Southampton and Scunthorpe boss was unable to save the Royals from relegation having taken over from Brian McDermott in March and is now planning for life in the Championship.

Adkins says he has already held talks with owner Anton Zingarevich, director of football Nick Hammond and head of recruitment Steve Head on who he wants to bring in and let go once the transfer window opens.

The Royals boss says he was pleased with the outcome of the discussions and is beginning to make plans for next season in the hope of getting Reading back into the Premier League at the first time of asking.

Adkins said: “Now we know what division we’ll be in, we can start to put in process our decisions for next season. We’ve had good conversations with the regime, the owner, and there’s a lot of ambition about the football club. Since we joined we’ve known potential targets for each division.

“And in terms of players moving on, we will do the business that we want to do, that’s the important message.

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“We’re in a position whereby yes we’re in the Championship but it’s a well-run club and whatever business we do it’s because we want to do it.”

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There seems to be a power shift in North London, particularly where the Premier League is concerned.

Tottenham Hotspur are on course to finish above their enemies Arsenal for the second consecutive season, although their fans are not too jovial about it.

In fact, the Gunners are also likely to miss out on Champions League qualification for the second year in a row.

At the moment, Spurs have a 13-point advantage over Arsenal with four league games left to play, while Wenger’s men have five left in the calendar.

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While Tottenham may be dominating the league table in comparison to their neighbours, it is the other half of North London who have a healthier trophy cabinet.

Arsenal have scooped 13 league titles, as well as 13 FA Cups and two League Cups, while Spurs have two top-flight titles, eight FA Cups and four League Cups to their name.

Many have criticised Wenger and his team for not winning the league since the 2003-04 campaign, but the club have taken home four FA Cups since then.

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Former Tottenham midfielder Gus Poyet believes that it is unfair to blast Arsenal when their local rivals have not picked up a piece of silverware since their League Cup triumph in 2007-08.

While speaking to talkSPORT, the 50-year-old said:

“We cannot talk about a great season [for Tottenham], we can talk about a good season. It’s a good season if you get in the Champions League – it’s very difficult to get there – but for a great season you need a trophy. I think we can’t always criticise Arsenal for not winning trophies, but then go to the other side of London and say that it’s okay not winning trophies.”