Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer has confessed that he is unsure of his future at Craven Cottage.
The Australian international’s contract with the Londoners in set to expire at the end of the month, and he is yet to agree a new deal.
The longer the situation remains at a stalemate, the less likely it appears that the 40-year-old will be staying put, and he has confessed that his future is far from certain:
“There’s no new developments; there’s no new discussions; there’s no nothing,” he is quoted by ESPN.
“I’m confident my club situation will resolve itself one way or another.
“Something will be sorted out – I’ve got no worries about that. I’ve got no idea at this stage where I’m going to be. I’m open to anything.”
Schwarzer signed for Fulham in 2008, and has gone on to make in excess of 150 appearances, becoming a fans’ favourite in the process.
But his future with the club is in serious doubt, with manager Martin Jol said to be keen on bringing Roma stopper Maarten Stekelenberg to Craven Cottage.
Reports suggest that a deal between the two clubs has been all but agreed, which puts the veteran’s place in the squad in serious doubt.
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Fulham have been active in the transfer market already, agreeing deals from Derek Boateng and Fernando Amorebieta.
According to reliable West Ham news website Claret & Hugh, West Ham United could be ready to sell Aaron Cresswell, rated at £10.8m by Transfermarkt, this summer if they retain their Premier League status.
What’s the word, then?
Well, Claret & Hugh says that the east London outfit believe that the 28-year-old’s defensive game has slipped this year, and he could be moved on at the end of the season even though he is their top assister this term.
Cresswell has often been playing as a left-sided centre-back in a three-man defence in 2018 following injuries to Winston Reid and James Collins – as well as the departure of Jose Fonte to the Chinese Super League in February – but he has struggled to make too much of an impact given the Irons have the worst defensive record in the top flight, with 67 goals conceded.
Claret & Hugh say that while Manchester City and Chelsea have shown an interest in the former Ipswich Town man in the past, they are unlikely to still be interested now following his dip in form – Everton could be a potential destination however, after the Toffees were linked with him last month.
How has Cresswell done this season?
As we mentioned previously, he has struggled from a defensive point of view.
While it is perhaps a little harsh to judge him on his displays at centre-back given it is not his natural position, it isn’t exactly as though he has done well when he has played as a left-back or left wing-back either – as shown in the 4-1 defeat against Man City at the London Stadium this weekend.
That said, the 28-year-old scored his first goal of the campaign against Pep Guardiola’s men with a fine free-kick, while he has seven assists to his name in 33 Premier League appearances during the current campaign, although his crossing and delivery in general still often leaves a lot to be desired.
Should West Ham look to sell him this summer?
It’s difficult to say.
While he has certainly been a great servant for the Irons and has shown that he can be key in the future because of his assists record, the fact that he struggles from a defensive point of view is a huge issue.
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With Arthur Masuaku potentially establishing himself as a first-choice wing-back and the east London outfit likely to bring two new centre-backs in this summer, it could leave the 28-year-old surplus to requirements – especially if they do receive an attractive bid from a potential suitor.
Goals win games, and although each effort is ultimately equal to any other in terms of outcome, some are more equal than others. Below are NINE of the best from the 2014/15 campaign… have a watch and vote for your favourite!
Angel di Maria vs. Leicester
Back at the start of the season Di Maria was showing why he was signed by United for a record-breaking fee. This wonderful scooped effort – albeit they lost to the Foxes on the day – was amazing!
Bobby Zamora vs. West Brom
We all love a chipped effort, and this one was staggering. From the angle of the area the veteran forward produced the sort of effort that any ‘keeper on the planet would have been unable to stop.
Charlie Adam vs. Chelsea
Adam may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but what he lacks in pace and fitness he makes up for in technique. This effort from inside his own half against eventual champions Chelsea was one of the moments of the season…
Matt Phillips vs. Crystal Palace
WHACK! It may have counted for little in the end, but this Phillips effort was, arguably, the best blast of the season.
Jermain Defoe vs. Newcastle
A big goal to win a big game. Sunderland’s January gamble, Defoe, popped up with this Tyne-Wear effort… He’ll never have to buy himself a pint in the red and white half of the North East again!
Alexis Sanchez vs. Man City
Every list needs a top class volley, and Sanchez’s crafted strike against Man City was a perfect illustration of technique.
Phil Jagielka vs. Liverpool
Although Gary Neville questioned Simon Mignolet’s positioning, this stunning shot to level the Merseyside derby is a thing of beauty from the Toffees’ centre-back.
Juan Mata vs. Liverpool
Scissor kicks are always joyous to see, and this neat goal from Mata was a big one as United trampled over Liverpool at Anfield
Philippe Coutinho vs. Southampton
From two against Liverpool to one for. Coutinho is often criticised for his poor finishing and wayward shooting from distance… But this is the perfect response from the Brazilian.
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Vote for your Premier League Goal of the Season below…
Although I am a fan of Roy Hodgson, having been incredibly successful during his days at Fulham and West Brom, in addition to changing the world of Swedish football as we know it by introducing zonal marking in the 1990s, I’m still yet to be convinced by his tenure as England boss.
Despite being far more likeable than his predecessors Fabio Capello and Steve McLaren, and making some difficult decisions over questions that neither dared to answer, such as the eternal Gerrard-Lampard-midfield complex, I continually find myself frustrated at Three Lions performances. If it’s not a 1-1 draw and poor showing against Montenegro, it’s a casual victory against a European minnow, by scoring from a set piece or taking advantage of lacklustre defending, rather than creating a style of play which allows the England national team to assert dominance over their opponents, despite their often lack of ability.
Of course, the team’s failings should never be attributed to the manager alone. I think we’ve all accepted that our golden generation, the likes of Rio Ferdinand, John Terry, Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard, has been wasted, and now, with the majority of the squad either firmly into their twilight years, late 20-somethings who never reached their full potential, or early 20-somethings still yet to claim a place in the national set-up on merit rather than potential, Hodgson’s options are limited due to the overall decline in ability in comparison to the mid 2000s.
But is he using the best he’s got? And furthermore, is Hodgson actually playing towards our own strengths? While many a fan are confused by the constant inclusion of Tom Cleverley, either as a wide midfielder or even more disturbingly at the tip of a midfield diamond, my concern is in the striker department. Sam Allardyce recently raised an interesting point regarding his loaned-in star, Andy Carrroll.
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When quizzed upon the Geordie being given a more important role in regards to the Three Lions, the West Ham boss replied: “Roy [Hodgson] would be scared to do it because of the reaction he’d get. He would be accused of a direct approach and people would be on his case. But playing Andy does not make you a long-ball team, it just gives you extra options. He is good on the floor and others can play off him. Andy and Wayne Rooney together would work very well and it would benefit Wayne, who is often carrying England’s hopes all on his own.”
The words ring true. You get the feeling that even if the England team recorded a surprise victory against one of the bigger European powers, there would still be an adverse reaction had it been carried out in the style of Stoke rather than that of Manchester United, and any suggestion that it might become Hodgson’s long-term tactical policy would be sternly protested against by the British media.
Yet, the height, pace and power of the Premier League is undoubtedly our strength. Similarly, while other countries focus on passing, technique and movement from an early age, our youth system, which has potential wonder-kids playing on full-sized pitches by the time they’re teenagers, has been geared towards all things physical. It’s created a generation of James Milners, Micah Richards and Gareth Barrys, who may be incredibly athletic in one form or another, but in comparison to their foreign counter-parts, are sufficiently lacking in ability on the ball.
Yet, I still witness England teams on a regular basis woefully attempting to exert control of a match via the use of the football rather than our English hustle and bustle, which more often than not results in our version of ball retention of continually passing up and down the backline, Michael Carrick or Steven Gerrard exchanging a series of short passes with a central defender, before eventually trying to thread the ball to Wayne Rooney who, due to our lack of mobility, is completely isolated as a lone striker.
In addition to playing to our strengths, the biggest advantage I can see from making Andy Carroll an England regular would be to get better use out of Wayne Rooney. The Manchester United forward has been amongst the goals on international duty this season, with seven in his last eight appearances for the Three Lions, yet apart from being able to find the net, Rooney goes absent for most of the game, and rather than being the first port of call to build an attack, he spends the majority of the match wrestling with the ball and unable to find anyone within twenty yards of him to pass to.
Playing Carroll would allow Hodgson to deploy the 27-year-old further back, in a similar position to where he is used for United, and without the requirement to spearhead the attack, Rooney would be given the freedom to find space, drop into midfield when required and play off the front man, which furthermore would make him considerably harder to mark in comparison to him being often doubled-up by opponents, limiting his capability to truly affect the game.
Furthermore, the amount of goals that Carroll creates through his presence alone far outweighs his unspectacular record of six goals and two assists in 20 Premier League appearances during his season in exile at Upton Park. His partnership with Kevin Nolan works on the simple premise that defenders will be naturally drawn towards the lanky Geordie, often attempting to block him off in front as well as behind him, which leaves space that the former Bolton and Newcastle man can then exploit and subsequently find the net.
I could never understand why Liverpool never mastered the same concept, by either using Steven Gerrard – who is essentially a rich man’s Kevin Nolan – or Luis Suarez. Similarly, I believe the simple process could be used with Wayne Rooney for the England national team.
But it all depends on your opinions of Andy Carroll in terms of quality, and whether a striker who has scored 26 goals in 103 Premier League appearances throughout his career warrants such a pivotal role in the national set-up. Whilst he has shown glimpses of his ability during the latter half of the season, with one his goals – a volley with the ball travelling over his shoulder – required exceptional skill and technique, the majority of what we’ve seen from the 24 year old has been a lot of hard work with very little end product.
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Similarly, I feel Jermain Defoe’s 11 domestic goals this season, in addition to him being an ever-consistent performer throughout his career, give him as much right to be starting for England as Carroll, and additionally, Daniel Sturridge has been exceptional for Liverpool, with five goals and two assists in seven appearances since signing in January, and more than anything I’ve found myself impressed with the 23 year old’s all round game – a stark deviation to his selfish, trigger-happy manner during his Chelsea days.
Perhaps it is too soon to be discussing the Hammers’ target man’s role in the England squad, considering he is still not at his peak as a footballer, and we are yet to see a full season of him bursting with confidence and free of spells on the sidelines. But with the 2014 World Cup just over a year away, the England team desperately need to find some sense of identity in time for the international tournament.
While perhaps Carroll would not be our most skilled footballer, or even our most efficient striker, he is the epitome of the Premier League. Although he requires an ugly style of play, which even West Ham fans still often disagree with, it is the only slim advantage we have on paper over our more technically gifted, more creative and more tactically astute European rivals. If we finally played to our strengths, rather than playing to get a result, perhaps the England team will finally put in a performance to be proud of.
Manchester City fans would have been rejoicing on Wednesday when Sergio Aguero was named in the PFA Team of the Year for the first time.
The Argentina international has been playing in the Premier League since 2011 and has found the back of the net 143 times in the division, but has never before been included in the TOTY first XI.
This season, the striker has scored 21 league goals to help City lift their third title in seven campaigns.
However, he has had to take a bit-part role at times under manager Pep Guardiola, with Gabriel Jesus being confirmed.
Unfortunately for Aguero it seems that he may not complete the season with City due to injury.
A knee problem has been troubling the 29-year-old for five weeks, and according to BBC Sport has undergone keyhole surgery to rectify the problem.
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The same report claims that as a result, Aguero is likely to be sidelined for a month.
Since hearing the news, City fans commented on Reddit.
Comment from discussion Agüero out for a month with a knee injury [@10JoseAlvarez].Comment from discussion Agüero out for a month with a knee injury [@10JoseAlvarez].Comment from discussion Agüero out for a month with a knee injury [@10JoseAlvarez].Comment from discussion Agüero out for a month with a knee injury [@10JoseAlvarez].Comment from discussion Agüero out for a month with a knee injury [@10JoseAlvarez].Comment from discussion Agüero out for a month with a knee injury [@10JoseAlvarez].
Clubs up and down the Premier League are set for intriguing summer transfer windows, but Manchester United’s possible business looks to be more intriguing than most teams’.
The Red Devils are firmly on course to return to the Champions League and have been linked with a host of talented players in recent times, which, given their financial muscle, could mean that comings and goings will be commonplace in a few months’ time.
Louis van Gaal has his feet firmly under the Old Trafford table after a shaky start and looks to have settled on a system, which could see players tailored to his plans coming in, rather than big money vanity purchases such as Angel Di Maria.
Of course deadwood will be chopped, too… so here are THREE we at FFC Towers feel United should buy, and THREE they should offload.
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In – Memphis Depay
https://vine.co/v/eBMKU9vzmH7/embed/simple
This one looks to be turning into a transfer saga already, with both United and Liverpool chasing the PSV Eindhoven sensation.
The Merseysiders appear to be leading the way, but the Red Devils should be seriously looking at getting a deal done, as all the signs point towards him being a top talent and one suited to Old Trafford.
For a start, Louis van Gaal coached him in the Netherlands set-up prior to taking change at United, so he knows his game inside out. Second, he’s netted 21 goals this season for the Dutch champions.
Third, he’s just 21, so he has his best years ahead of him.
Out – Radamel Falcao
Hailed by many as one of the signings of last summer, Falcao has been a disaster at United.
Once prolific, the Colombian has netted paltry four goals in all competitions, with a serious knee injury having robbed him of the explosiveness that made him so feared at Porto and Atletico Madrid.
United are lucky in the fact they are only loaning Falcao, so he should be Monaco’s problem in a few months’ time, but there is the lingering issue surrounding a clause in the deal which could allow United to keep him, which hasn’t been officially rules out yet.
In – Edinson Cavani
His struggles at PSG – competing with Zlatan Ibrahimovic for a striker berth – led many to suggest that the Uruguayan had lost his touch, however, anyone who watched the Parisians knock Chelsea out of the Champions League will testify that he hasn’t.
‘El Matador’ was excellent against the Blues, showing his pace, power and eye for goal in a compete performance, particularly in the first leg at the Parc des Princes.
United have since been linked with a £55m move, and although that’s a lot of cash, Cavani has the talent to lead the line and offer a very different threat than the likes of Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie.
Out – Robin van Persie
Although the Dutchman wants to stay put, it may be time for Van Persie to be shifted on.
The 31-year-old appears to lack the pace and physicality he once had, while his role in Louis van Gaal’s 4-3-3 looks uncertain with Rooney very much the best option the Dutchman has now.
Bringing in a substantial amount of cash for the ex-Arsenal man is unlikely, but removing his salary and freeing up space in the squad are both positives.
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In – Nicolas Otamendi
Although Man United fans have been screaming for Mats Hummels, Nicolas Otamendi appears to be a genuine top target for LVG.
The Argentine, albeit not as adept on the ball as the Dortmund ace, offers more physicality and leadership from the back, which have both been on show in an impressive Valencia side this season.
United lack a commanding presence at the back, which Otamendi would certainly be able to offer. He can also play at right-back, which is a bonus for LVG.
Out – Rafael
Perhaps the player to have looked most out of his depth during Van Gaal’s tenure, this summer could be the end fir Rafael.
Once such a promising talent, the Brazilian’s shortage of positional awareness, ill-discipline and general lack of development are alarming, and with Antonio Valencia regularly chosen ahead of him to play at right-back, the writing is very much on the wall.
Chris Hughton says his Norwich side must believe they can get a positive result when they travel to Arsenal this weekend.
The Canaries are sure to be up against it at the Emirates when they tackle Arsene Wenger’s top-four chasing side but Hughton wants points from the game to help with his own team’s relegation fight.
“The most important one is the Arsenal game – that’s the next one. And of course we’ve got to go to Arsenal and look to get something there, as we will do in all of these last six games,” he said.
Norwich are currently just four points clear of the relegation zone and take on fellow strugglers Reading, Aston Villa and Stoke among their remaining games, with Hughton insisting they will approach them all with the same plan.
He added: “The fact we are playing the teams around us has a different bearing on it because any points we get are points they don’t get.
“But it’s going to be over these six games, three at home and three away, and our approach to the away games has to be exactly the same as the home games and must give us the opportunity to get something.”
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Manchester City travel to Wembley on Saturday, fearing Tottenham may well postpone their title celebrations for at least another week. Three games ago, Pep Guardiola’s side still enjoyed an aura invincibility, but a Champions League showdown with Liverpool and a shock comeback from Manchester United in the Manchester derby has shown how surprisingly beatable this usually dominant team is when not quite at their imperious best.
So, will Mauricio Pochettino’s side deliver City’s fourth consecutive defeat, or will Saturday’s visitors provide the right response to recent tribulations? This week’s experts, Spurs-mad Sean Cook from The Sun and Bluemoon’s Ric Turner, share their thoughts and predictions ahead of the 7.45pm kickoff…
Spurs’ last defeat in the Premier League was indeed against Manchester City, but that came all the way back in December at the Etihad Stadium. Since then, Tottenham have won eleven of 14 in the English top flight, dispatching some huge key rivals in the process – Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United. And yet, with Liverpool excelling in Europe and United always in the headlines, there hasn’t been much coverage of what is Tottenham’s longest undefeated run in the top flight since 1967.
What have been the key factors behind that run and why hasn’t there been much media coverage?
Sean: “The current crop of Spurs players hate losing, particularly the likes of Eric Dier. They’re passionate and genuinely care about our club, so losing to Man City only would have motivated them further. Regarding the media coverage, that’s no surprise. Spurs haven’t spent much money, they haven’t got a rich owner and they’re doing it with English players. This success is largely why we get under the skin of rivals fans. We’re doing it the right way.”
But does this Spurs side still have weaknesses City can exploit?
Ric: “Spurs are a very strong side, and there aren’t many obvious weaknesses in their team. Hopefully they will try to go toe to toe with us, as they did at the Etihad Stadium where they were comprehensively outplayed. I think Raheem Sterling and Leroy Sane could get some joy running at Kieran Trippier and Ben Davies.”
City, meanwhile, find themselves in unfamiliar and uncertain territory heading into Saturday’s clash. This is actually the longest losing run of Guardiola’s career, and a far cry from the impeccable standards City have set themselves this season. At least in terms of results, anyway – barring chaotic sets of 15 minutes in each of their last three matches, City have been in pretty much full control.
Soccer Football – Champions League Quarter Final Second Leg – Manchester City vs Liverpool – Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain – April 10, 2018 Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola sat in the stands Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff
Where has it all gone wrong for the Citizens?
Ric: “This run of games was always going to be tough, but to suffer three consecutive defeats has been disappointing. We’ve actually played extremely well at times in those games (notably the first halves against United and Liverpool at home) but some profligate finishing and poor refereeing decisions have cost us dearly.
“Clearly the Champions League was the priority, and we paid the price for fielding a weakened team against United. But Guardiola knew that was a game we could afford to lose, even if many fans felt differently. No excuses for the Champions League games though. Liverpool were deserved winners over two legs. Klopp seems to have the measure against Guardiola in head-to-head meetings, if not over the course of a full league season.”
And can Tottenham take inspiration from those wins for Liverpool and United?
Sean: “Spurs can take inspiration from their own performances against the top six this season. We’ve beaten Man United, Liverpool and Arsenal all convincingly at Wembley, with only Chelsea slipping through our fingers. Particularly in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final, Liverpool flooded City going forward. If we can match that energy and attacking threat on Saturday, I’m sure we can pull off something special.”
Clearly though, Tottenham will need to be at their best to beat City. Which Spurs stars will be key in that?
Sean: “The obvious answer would be Harry Kane, but we’ve seen against the top six this season that opposition defences are very good at isolating him. Christian Eriksen has by far been one of the highlights of our season, and would be a far bigger casualty than the likes of Dele Alli and Toby Alderweireld, should another club try to poach him. If he is at his best, City can do little to stop him.”
Guardiola used some intriguing formations in the defeats to Liverpool. The Anfield clash saw City line-up a 4-5-1 system that became more of a 3-4-3 with Leroy Sane often slipping into the wing-back role, while Guardiola fielded his side in a 3-2-4-1 for the return leg at the Etihad Stadium. For much of the match it had the desired effect, but at times it felt as if the City gaffer had over-complicated the game-plan against a team relying more on natural speed and energy.
Should Guardiola go back to City’s basics this weekend by reverting to the 4-3-3 setup we’ve seen for most of the season?
Ric: “The players looked dead on their feet towards the end of the Liverpool game, and there will surely have to be some rotation at Wembley. I’d be tempted to play three centre halves to compensate for the absence of the suspended Fernandinho, who is integral to the way we play, but I don’t think that’s the Guardiola way. We’ll try to play our usual attacking game, which will most likely see us line up in a 4-3-3.”
Where will this game be lost and won?
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Ric: “I’m fairly apprehensive about our chances on Saturday. The last three games have taken their toll, and the absence of Fernandinho could be crucial. Spurs have a very physical, powerful midfield and I think that could be the factor that swings the game in their favour.”
Sean: “The midfield, as always, will be crucial. Guardiola has some of the best midfielders on the planet in his squad, with a vast selection to choose from. But defensively, Spurs need to be clever. We’ll need pace to match the likes of Leroy Sane and Raheem Sterling on the wing, so Trippier and Davies will need to be at their best.”
And finally lads, let’s hear your score predictions…
Sean: “2-1 to Spurs.”
Ric: “Hope I’m wrong, but I have a feeling we’ll lose this 3-1, sadly.“
There’s not a week that goes by without some sort of rumour surrounding the future of arguably the world’s greatest player. Continuously linked with a return to his former club Manchester United, it seems that Cristiano Ronaldo’s future with Real Madrid could be in some doubt if recent speculation is to be believed.
Despite scoring a hatful of goals, as well as winning all the major trophies during his six seasons with the club, the Spanish giants are being urged by some to consider selling their star man. And with the Portuguese forward cutting a disgruntled figure in recent weeks, now could be the time to consider cashing in on the three-time Ballon d’Or winner much to the delight of Manchester United.
Speaking on Sky Sports, Spanish football expert Terry Gibson last month suggested that Real should sell Ronaldo in the summer for the good of the team, with the 30-year-old’s obsession with individual achievements hindering the performances of the side. And he has a good point.
Ronaldo’s form has certainly dipped since the start the year, with his main rival Lionel Messi surpassing him in all areas during the last few months. The first signs of unrest came in January when he failed to score at the Bernabeu in the league for the first time in 15 months. His frustration was clearly visible after reacting badly to his team-mate Gareth Bale when the Welshman chose to shoot instead of pass to him.
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February saw Ronaldo fail to score three consecutive La Liga games for the first time since 2011, and after a petulant sending off in another blank with Cordoba he drew more criticism when failing to celebrate an Isco goal off the back of an open-goal miss, clearly annoyed that it wasn’t his name on the score sheet.
And in his latest game there was more unrest as Ronaldo was left disappointed to see his acrobatic effort rebound to Bale to net the opener in a 2-0 win over Levante.
Ronaldo’s focus appears to be on his goal-scoring record and for the good of the team now could be a good time to cash in on the star. Having passed 30-years-of-age, his days at the peak of his game won’t be around for too much longer, and if they don’t sell him in the next couple of transfer windows they risk losing out on a lot money through transfer fees.
Still one of the world’s best, there would be no shortage of clubs queuing up for his signature, and Madrid would be more than capable of recouping the majority of the £80m they spent on him back in 2009. Manchester United would no doubt be prime contenders, and there’s no doubt he would be welcomed back with open arms.
His departure would help to bring the best out of the likes of Bale and James Rodriguez, who have more than enough talent to help fill the void he would leave. There’s no hiding the fact he would be a significant loss to any team, but Madrid are not short of attacking quality, and they would certainly be able to recruit further quality to bolster their front line with his transfer fee.
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Messi aside, there isn’t a player who can match his record in front goal. But no matter how important a player is, when they fail to embrace the spirit of the team in celebrating goals, it certainly leaves the club with a big decision to make about what outcome will be most beneficial to the team and their success going forward.
It’s important to take note of the rise of Italian football since Juventus reclaimed the Serie A title last season in emphatic fashion. Sure, Italy’s league might not be as fashionable as it once was, with many outsiders looking to it as defend first, excite later. But you can’t hide from the rise in talent over recent years, with a great deal of players attracting attention from foreign clubs.
Both Arsenal and Tottenham will be in need of addressing a number of weaknesses in their squad, and the Italian league could prove to be a good hunting ground this summer. It’s the need to look to a market which can be exploited for one reason or another; Serie A may be experiencing a renaissance, but that doesn’t mean other clubs have to look on without taking action.
Juventus will prove to be the runaway club for the second consecutive year, and there is much to admire about the Champions League quarter-finalists. But they’re the tip of the iceberg, and there is plenty of talent to be found especially for teams like Arsenal and Tottenham.
Click on Marek Hamsik to see the full list of transfer targets