Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho is relaxed over speculation regarding a new contract for Eden Hazard and believes the Belgian can develop into one of the club’s all-time legends.

The Portuguese boss acknowledged Hazard’s future during his presser ahead of the Blues’ trip to Stoke, as noted by Chelsea’s official Twitter account: 

Hazard is reported to be on the verge of inking a new five-year deal at Stamford Bridge, as highlighted by The Sun‘s backpage (via Nick Sutton of BBC Radio 4):

Mourinho‘s side enter Monday’s match after getting back to winning ways against Hull City. Talk of an invincible season was ended by Newcastle United during their last Premier League away trip, but Mourinho‘s team have proved largely resilient across all competitions so far this season.

Stoke City beat Arsenal in a 3-2 thriller last time they stepped onto the Britannia Stadium turf, suggesting Mark Hughes’ men have the quality to further dent the Blues’ title credentials.

The in-form Peter Crouch scored when the Potters beat Chelsea by the same scoreline in last season’s corresponding fixture, with goals from Stephen Ireland and Oussama Assaidi overcoming Andre Schurrle’s double.

Chelsea’s social media feed remembered a more straightforward win for the side:

The club’s also highlighted a difficult run for the current leaders, while Miguel Delaney of ESPN FC provided an additional quote from Mourinho:

Delaney also tweeted a snippet of information which could prove pivotal this season:

Mourinho understands the dangers of facing Stoke and has earmarked former Barcelona star Bojan as one of their key threats. The manager remembered the Spaniard’s controversially disallowed goal against his Inter Milan side in 2010, per Delaney:

The boss believes Hughes had added to an already solid foundation at Stoke, per Chelsea’s account:

It’s likely Chelsea will head into this fixture with back-up players Kurt Zouma and Didier Drogba—both of whom were injured during the 3-1 Capital One Cup win over Derby County—back in the squad:

Thibaut Courtois‘ inclusion is yet to be confirmed and could go either way:

Mourinho‘s team will drop down to second on goal difference if Manchester City beat Crystal Palace by four clear goals on Saturday.

While Mourinho‘s squad have proven themselves to possess a focused mentality—their workmanlike efficiency often outshines the need for great style—Manuel Pellegrini’s side can put the pressure on with victory during Saturday’s early kick-off.

Stoke are no pushovers and have the natural grit, not to mention added skill this season, to cause an upset.

from Bleacher Report – Front Page http://ift.tt/16z5vxn
via IFTTT http://ift.tt/eA8V8J

Juventus moved provisionally four points clear atop Serie A with a 3-1 victory at Cagliari on Thursday.

Carlos Tevez fired the visitors ahead in just the third minute, Arturo Vidal doubling the lead 12 minutes later with a fine curling strike. Fernando Llorente netted Juve’s third in the 50th minute before Luca Rossettini pulled a goal back for Cagliari 15 minutes later.

The result took Juventus on to 39 points from 16 matches, extending the Bianconeri’s lead atop the Serie A table to four points over AS Roma. That four-point advantage will hold until at least Saturday, when Roma host AC Milan.

Regardless of the outcome of the Roma-Milan match, Juventus will head into the winter break in first place.

The Bianconeri’s next league match is set for Jan. 6, at home to Inter Milan. Nearing the halfway point of the season with just one loss, Massimiliano Allegri’s men are in a good position to claim a fourth consecutive Serie A title.

The home supporters at the Stadio Sant’Elia were in fine voice at kick-off, creating a noisy atmosphere for their illustrious opponents. Juventus silenced them quickly with a fast start and an early goal. 

The Bianconeri’s first chance came in the third minute as Llorente placed a low header on target from a Claudio Marchisio cross. Cagliari goalkeeper Alessio Cragno saved, pushing the ball around the post for a corner.

Juventus took the lead from the ensuing set piece. Andrea Pirlo took the corner short, trading passes with Arturo Vidal. The latter then played the ball into the box, where Angelo Ogbonna backheeled deftly into the goalmouth. Giorgio Chiellini was unable to turn the ball in at close range, but a mis-touch by Cragno sent the ball to Tevez, who swept in at the back post.

Gianluigi Buffon preserved Juve’s lead with a good save in the ninth minute, diving to his left to keep out an Albin Ekdal header after Victor Ibarbo crossed from deep on the left.

Six minutes later, it was 2-0. Juventus moved forward at pace, attacking down the left through Patrice Evra. The French full-back crossed into the middle, but the danger seemed to pass as Cagliari cleared. The ball rolled directly to Vidal, who curled his first-time shot around Cragno and into the net at the far post.

Leading comfortably by two goals, Juve cruised through the rest of the first half. Shortly after the restart, Ekdal had a curled shot deflected just wide of the bottom corner as Cagliari searched for a way back into the match.

Instead, Juventus netted for the third time in the 50th minute, taking advantage of another Cragno miscue. 

Pirlo played a pass over the top for Llorente, who held off his marker in the box, turned and shot low at Cragno. The Cagliari goalkeeper should have saved, but the ball trickled underneath him and crept into the net for a 3-0 Juve lead.

The visitors were in full control, but Cagliari pulled a goal back in the 65th minute. Andrea Cossu curled in a free-kick from the right, and Rossettini nodded in at the back post to give the hosts hope at 3-1.

At the other end, Cagliari’s Godfred Donsah made a timely interception in front of goal to cut out a dangerous Roberto Pereyra pass intended for Marchisio at the back post. In the 77th minute, Cragno saved at his near post to keep out Pereyra’s low drive.

Juve continued to attack as full-time approached, but with the result secure, the visitors were able to see out the final 10 minutes in relative comfort.

Grades

Reaction

To follow…

from Bleacher Report – Front Page http://ift.tt/1AkVUF0
via IFTTT http://ift.tt/eA8V8J

With Southampton tentatively linked with a January move for Galatasaray midfielder Wesley Sneijder, this signing would significantly strengthen a stretched Southampton attack, but would not solve the problems manager Ronald Koeman has faced of late.

The report, courtesy of the Daily Mirror‘s Neil McLeman, claims that “Koeman shares an agent with his fellow Dutchman and Saints are ready to buy as five straight losses threaten to take the shine off their strong start.”

As this suggests the Saints have lost their last four Premier League games, as well as their recent Capital One Cup quarter-final against Sheffield United, in a run that has seen their stock dwindle.

Southampton now sit fifth in the Premier League table on 26 points, having relinquished their hold on the top four to Manchester United (31) and West Ham United (28).

A timely transfer window, then, and as McLeman claims “[Sneijder] is one of several Galatasaray players to have had issues with the club over their pay in recent weeks,” Koeman can capitalise on a unstable situation in Turkey.

Furthermore, Sneijder “is willing to be realistic about any wage demands in the Premier League.”

Although The Independent have since claimed “there is no chance Sneijder will be leaving Galatasaray for Southampton,” the move still remains an intriguing prospect.

This would surely sound like an attractive prospect to Koeman as he heads into the January transfer window, as Sneijder is a formidable talent with a pedigree in European football.

Wesley Sneijder

Sneijder was reportedly targeted by a plethora of top sides before making the move to Galatasaray in 2013.

The then-Inter Milan midfielder was highly touted with a transfer to Brendan Rodgers’ Liverpool, for example, with the Liverpool Echo reporting the club’s interest.

At the time, Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard called Sneijder a “top player,” again per the Echo.

Gerrard continued: “I think we’ve seen at every major tournament he delivers. He’s done it in the Champions League for years.”

With this serving as one of the highest levels of praise, coming from such a successful and widely lauded contemporary, Sneijder has supplied the performances to back this up in the Super Lig.

Last season Sneijder scored 12 goals in 28 league games, per SoccerBase.com, including a hat-trick in Galatasaray‘s 6-0 victory over Bursaspor.

This season, Sneijder has scored just three in 14, but still possesses that flourish, as evidenced by an exceptional free-kick goal in the side’s 4-1 home loss to Arsenal in the Champions League.

A moment of pure brilliance, this is what a player of the calibre of Sneijder is regularly coveted for.

Furthermore, Sneijder is a capable creative talent, with his average of 1.8 key passes per Super Lig game this season second to only Dusan Tadic and James Ward-Prowse in the Southampton squad.

Despite now being 30 years old, Sneijder can still cut it at the highest level, and would provide a welcome addition to an area of Koeman‘s system that has contributed to their recent poor form.

Supporting Graziano Pelle

Southampton’s early Premier League surge was aided by a great run of goalscoring form from striker Graziano Pelle, one of many summer signings which saw Koeman take to English football comfortably.

Pelle scored six goals in his first eight Premier League games, and Southampton soared.

But with the striker facing a major slump in form, with just one goal and one assist in the following eight league games, this points to a jaded lone figure lacking vital support.

Tadic, another summer acquisition, was a huge factor behind Pelle‘s early success, as the midfielder made six assists in those first eight league games, including a phenomenal showing in Southampton’s 8-0 mauling of Sunderland, where he created three goals and scored another.

But with the No. 11 failing to create anything of note since—with his zero assists in the last eight league games evidence of this—it is abundantly clear that Southampton cannot rely solely on the pair when it comes to goals.

Support from elsewhere came largely in the form of Shane Long, Steven Davis and Sadio Mane in the attacking-midfield positions, but each of these has suffered a dip in form that has coincided with the Saints’ overall slump.

Sneijder, with his abundant creative abilities and a knack for finding the back of the net, would both take the pressure off Pelle and Tadic, and could spark a return to form.

With Sneijder adding to the likes of Tadic, Long and Davis in supporting Pelle as Southampton’s lone striker, Koeman would expect a return to form in the new year; however, this doesn’t address one glaring issue.

Covering for Graziano Pelle

At this juncture, Pelle stands as Southampton’s only recognised, and trusted, centre-forward option.

Long started for the Saints in their recent 1-0 loss to Sheffield United and, despite the No. 7 being arguably the side’s best player on the night, he failed to truly cover for Pelle‘s absence.

The 27-year-old ably compensated for the lack of Pelle in terms of aerial prowess, winning an astonishing eight duels in that area, but he failed to make his mark on goal—Long made no attempts on goal on Tuesday night.

Long has proven to be an able foil for Pelle, and when played together they generally prosper, but he is an unlikely solution for when the Italian is out of the side or out of form.

In January, Southampton should make signing a back-up centre-forward a priority, and the signing of Sneijder fails to address this.

With Ward-Prowse impressing despite that cup loss this only further bolsters Koeman‘s midfield ranks, perhaps highlighting a need for focus elsewhere, although Mane will join the Senegal squad for January’s African Cup of Nations.

Either way, a player like Sneijder is hard to pass up, and he would surely boost Southampton in January.

With Koeman aiming for European qualification in the Premier League this season, claiming, per the Daily Mail that “maybe [the Europa League is] the realistic situation for our team,” such a signing would underline Southampton’s credentials.

But if Southampton are to sign Wesley Sneijder in the January transfer window, manager Ronald Koeman must add to his considerable creative, attacking talents with the signing of a back-up centre-forward to take the load off struggling striker Graziano Pelle.

Statistics via WhoScored.com, unless specified.

Follow @LusbyLatest

from Bleacher Report – Front Page http://ift.tt/1AuCf3G
via IFTTT http://ift.tt/eA8V8J

With less than two weeks to go before the January transfer window opens, the rumour mill is working overtime, linking a host of players with moves to or away from Manchester City.

The defending Premier League champions are among the richest clubs in the world, and it would be a surprise not to see the Citizens complete at least two or three deals in January.

Whether those deals are for some of the players who are currently the subject of speculation remains to be seen, so let’s have a look at the latest rumours coming from the Etihad.

Wesley Sneijder‘s Annual Link to Manchester

Dutch international Wesley Sneijder is reportedly unhappy in Turkey and already involved in talks to move from Galatasaray to Manchester City, according to The Sun (h/t Daily Star‘s Nick Lustig).

The 30-year-old has been linked with a move to rivals Manchester United for the past several seasons, but the player’s agent is now reportedly talking to City to complete a transfer in January, for a fee well below his £12 million buyout clause.

The Dutch midfielder joined Galatasaray in January of last year, and with the Turks crashing out of Europe this campaign, it’s not inconceivable that he would want to leave for a new club.

A transfer to City appears unlikely, however. For starters, this is a rumour we see every year—it just happens to be the “other” part of Manchester that is being discussed right now, as shared by Jan Aage Fjortoft:

Sneijder is still a big name in world football, but the veteran midfielder is no longer the player he was three years ago. Dutch football expert Marcel van der Kraan told talkSPORT he believes Sneijder wants to leave, but he’s targeting a more realistic destination—Southampton:

I would not rule out Sneijder moving somewhere in the south where there is another Dutchman. Ronald Koeman could do with a player like Wesley Sneijder. He knows him, he has used him in the past. Don’t forget the agent who brought Koeman to Southampton happens to be the same agent to Wesley Sneijder.

Fernandinho and Yaya Toure have the central areas in Manuel Pellegrini‘s side locked down, and a healthy David Silva is the designated playmaker. Sneijder would join the club as little more than a bench player, and the Dutchman will likely be looking for a role as the star man if he leaves Turkey.

The Race for Ivan Rakitic

The Daily Express‘ Anthony Chapman believes Barcelona could be planning on moving summer signing Ivan Rakitic in January, after the Croatia international failed to make a big impression in his first few months at the club.

City and United are both ready to offer £20 million for the midfielder, who has started 11 of the club’s 15 La Liga fixtures so far, according to WhoScored.com.

There’s no denying Rakitic‘s first few months with the Blaugrana have been rough, but Bleacher Report’s Aleksandar Holiga believes many of his struggles have to do with Luis Enrique’s consistent changes to the club’s system and tactics:

Trying to find a remedy for this malaise surely was one of the reasons why Rakitic was bought—certainly not a better playmaker than Xavi was in his prime, but a more complete midfielder. If Barca persist on the midfield triangle and Dani Alves on the right, then they should probably persist in playing Rakitic and not Xavi as first choice, like they did at the start of the season.

The 26-year-old was always going to require time to adapt to Barcelona’s intricate way of playing the game, and as Xavi‘s replacement, it’s only a matter of time before the long-time club legend moves on and the spot in midfield becomes his, uncontested.

Barcelona will have no interest in giving up on one of their marquee signings of the summer after just half a season, and with the Catalans still facing a transfer ban, they have no way of replacing the Croat, either.

This transfer has about as much chance of happening as Sneijder‘s—little to none.

Matija Nastasic Rumours Gathering Pace

Italian newspaper Tuttosport (h/t Football Italia) believe new Inter Milan coach Roberto Mancini has identified Matija Nastasic as his primary defensive target in January, opening the door for the Serbia international to return to the Peninsula.

The 21-year-old hasn’t seen the pitch since the Community Shield loss against Arsenal and is expected to leave the club in January, with a return to Serie A looking like the most realistic option.

At Fiorentina, he emerged as one of the world’s most promising young centre-backs, and as shared by StatsBomb’s Ted Knutson, he looked very impressive in his first season at the Etihad:

A series of injuries and the arrival of Manuel Pellegrini saw him tumble down the pecking order, however, and with the Chilean manager clearly not rating his young defender, Nastasic‘s time with the club appears all but over.

It’s a sad ending to what once looked like a perfect marriage, but the youngster is in need of a fresh start and will likely receive it come January.

Follow @ReverschPass

from Bleacher Report – Front Page http://ift.tt/1x0EvlR
via IFTTT http://ift.tt/eA8V8J

Liverpool appear set to start their forensic rebuilding of their front line with the news they could be about to bid for Lyon’s Alexandre Lacazette—with Mario Balotelli shown the Anfield door.

David Maddock of the Mirror says Brendan Rodgers is considering the French attacker who has been in prolific form during the current campaign.

Maddock writes the 23-year-old is valued at £15 million by his club, and Liverpool could push Balotelli and Fabio Borini out of the club to make way for new goalscorers in their crumbling squad.

The Anfield team believe they can still sell Borini for around the £14 million mark to Sunderland, per Maddock, and will replace him like-for-like with Lacazette.

The striker has been on fire in Ligue 1 in recent months, hitting 15 goals in just 18 appearances, per WhoScored.com.

If he continues this form after a move to Liverpool, Rodgers may finally have a player to supplement the goals of Daniel Sturridge—who has missed most of the campaign with repeated injuries. 

Balotelli has been a huge flop on Merseyside in his second attempt at life in the Premier League. The Italian had been linked with a move back to Inter Milan, but the San Siro club’s vice president Javier Zanetti has played down the claims in a comment to Sky Italia, per The Herald: “A Balotelli return? We all know Mario is a great player but I think it’s difficult because he only just arrived at Liverpool. In any case, after our game against Lazio (Dec. 21) we will hold meetings to see what we can do and what is needed in terms of the (transfer) market.”

However, Rodgers has not given up on his summer capture and appears to want the Italy international to stay with his club, at least for now.

Rodgers was quoted by Liverpool Echo reporter Phil Kirkbride—saying he will work hard to get the best out of Balotelli in the immediate future:

But Liverpool legend John Aldridge disagrees with Rodgers and says Balotelli should be sold at the first possible opportunity.

The former striker has heavily criticised Balotelli‘s contribution since arriving at Anfield and believes both he and Borini should be sold to fund the purchase of two additional forwards, speaking in his column for the Sunday World:

Get rid of Mario Balotelli (if anyone will have him) and get rid of Fabio Borini. It is pretty clear neither are going to give Liverpool what they want in terms of goals, so get penalty box operators in who can save this season for Liverpool.

What none of us doubt is something has to change to halt the slide at Liverpool and Rodgers knows more than ever before that he has to find a solution very quickly.

Aldridge’s words are very strong but fully represent the feelings of most Reds on Merseyside. Last season was a happy time for the fanbase as the club finally put together a credible title challenge—exploding Rodgers’ stock across Europe as one of the continent’s top young coaches.

But a team devoid of Luis Suarez appears to be a team short on heart and soul, and the identity of Rodgers’ team has been compromised by the arrivals of the likes of Balotelli.

The Italian can be a brilliant operator when on top form, but as was witnessed at Manchester City, he is all too often caught strolling around the pitch in a world of his own.

Liverpool do need to offload Balotelli and Borini, but after some depressing performances, the club may find it is harder to sell than they hoped.

from Bleacher Report – Front Page http://ift.tt/1wG1csd
via IFTTT http://ift.tt/eA8V8J

Carlo Ancelotti has hopped from Chelsea to Paris Saint-Germain to Real Madrid; from Roman Abramovich to Nasser Al-Khelaifi to Florentino Perez.

Three men who like their clubs to have the world’s best players and three men who are prepared to spend to get them.

Ancelotti was also previously at AC Milan, another one of Europe’s super clubs, but their owner, Silvio Berlusconi, has different vices to those of Abramovich, Al-Khelaifi and Perez.

Despite the funds he’s had available to him over the last five years, though, you get the feeling that Madrid’s boss isn’t one to go all guns blazing to pay over the odds for a football player.

That may seem crazy, considering James Rodriguez and Gareth Bale have arrived since he’s been at the Bernabeu, but there is a line of thought that he wasn’t necessarily behind those deals.

He works well with what he’s given; it just happens that he’s given a lot of expensive footballers.

He’s not often given them in January, mind—but he will always be linked to one of the winter transfer window’s most memorable splurges of money.

People had just celebrated the turning of the year from 2010 to 2011; football was a slightly different place back then, although not entirely.

Spain were the World Cup holders, Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona could not be beaten, Manchester City had never won the Premier League and Chelsea, who were bossed by Ancelotti, were the holders of it.

Still, spend while you’re on top is the motto of some and Abramovich certainly thought that was the case that January.

Not only did Stamford Bridge welcome David Luiz for £25 million—which can now be considered good business considering they doubled their money selling him to PSG—but they also handed over £50 million to Liverpool for Fernando Torres.

The Spanish striker’s arrival rocked the boat, though. He scored just one goal in 18 appearances under Ancelotti, who would leave at the end of a trophy-less season.

Torres, as has been well documented over the last two years, and constantly too, never did recover the Liverpool form that made him the best No. 9 in the world.

That January aside, Ancelotti has never been lavish in the winter.

He notably signed David Beckham twice—once at AC Milan (2009) and then again at PSG (2013) —but on neither occasion was a fee involved.

In 2007 he did shell out around £6 million to take Ronaldo from Real Madrid to AC Milan at a time when the Italian club were getting themselves a reputation for hoovering up talented players from years gone by.

He signed a goalkeeper, Marco Storari, that same window and the year before had signed the Brazilian Marcio Amoroso.

Ancelotti‘s first January window at PSG, with Al-Khelaifi’s Christmas money, was fairly active, although that may have been because the Italian only took the job in December and activity was necessary.

However, he was unable to land any big targets, possibly because of reluctance from the very best, at that point at least, to go and play in France’s Ligue 1.

Alex followed him from Chelsea, Maxwell came from Barcelona and Thiago Motta was pinched from Inter Milan, all for a total spending of less than £20 million.

Goalkeeper Ronan le Crom also arrived to boost numbers.

The following January, before he swapped the French capital for the Spanish one, Beckham, as mentioned, arrived on a free and Lucas Moura joined for close to £30 million—the deal had been agreed the previous summer, though.

At Madrid, business tends to be done in the summer.

Last season there was no need for reinforcements in January and Ancelotti hinted that would again be the case this time round.

“I’m happy with the squad that I have, so we have no need for anyone in January,” he said earlier in December, per Goal.

However injuries to Luka Modric, Sami Khedira and James Rodriguez have forced a rethink and Ancelotti is no longer so certain that there will be no need for signings.

“We have to wait for the Christmas period, when things will be much clearer; then we’ll make a decision,” he was quoted as saying to Real Madrid’s official website, per Sky Sports.

“We are interested in the Lucas Silva, but also in other players.

“After the Club World Cup we will make a decision by evaluating the situations of the midfielders who are injured at the moment.”

History suggests Ancelotti, personally at least, is not one to make waves in the January window.

But if it’s necessary, he may take the chance to add to Madrid’s ranks in the New Year.

from Bleacher Report – Front Page http://ift.tt/13tNTl2
via IFTTT http://ift.tt/eA8V8J

Tottenham Hotspur and the Europa League have had a turbulent relationship in recent times.

The selection of Fiorentina as their round-of-32 opponents will reinforce the mixed feelings towards playing in it that have their roots in the north London club’s recent history.

The initial return to what was still known as the UEFA Cup back in 2006 was a mostly pleasant experience for Tottenham. After only one brief run in Europe in the previous 13 years (following the 1999 League Cup success), a new generation of supporters and players at last had a chance to enjoy meetings with exotic/glamorous/strange opposition like those before them.

Martin Jol’s Spurs did not replicate the continental success of Bill Nicholson’s teams of 1963 and 1972, nor Keith Burkinshaw’s in 1984. Still, resplendent in the traditional all-white kit generally reserved for European competition, the likes of Dimitar Berbatov, Jermain Defoe and Robbie Keane lit up White Hart Lane again. The sense of ambition extended to memorable away wins over teams like Besiktas and Braga were also enjoyed.

The quarter-final exit to Sevilla was a disappointment, but the Lane rocked even in defeat. Champions League football was still longed for after successive fifth-place Premier League finishes, but European football of any kind was not to be sniffed at.

Gradually, though, things changed. As Spurs’ league form dropped off in the following two seasons, the UEFA Cup provided scant relief, and more argued, a distraction.

Harry Redknapp viewed it as much when a second-round meeting with Shakhtar Donetsk had to be negotiated in the run-up to the 2009 League Cup final. He fielded a weakened team and Spurs were knocked out.

With a cup final ahead and given they were still struggling in the league at that point, the prioritising was understandable. Yet, it established an idea of the UEFA Cup/Europa League as more work than something to enjoy, one that has only intermittently been deviated from since then.

After the memorable Champions League run of 2010-11, Redknapp‘s focus in the following campaign was getting back there. Subsequently, Spurs attacked the competition with less than their full might and fell out of the group stage.

The next two managers Andre Villas-Boas and Tim Sherwood treated it more seriously. There were memorable wins over Olympique Lyonnais, Inter Milan and Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk. But these two-legged knockout rounds also proved gruelling affairs.

Spurs’ spring struggles in the league were not directly because of their extra-curricular adventures. But the effort put into extra-time games with Inter and Basel in 2013 did not help either as Villas-Boas’ side narrowly missed out on fourth place and Champions League football. Spurs did not reach the quarter-finals last season, but the run to the last 16 stretched the squad’s resources again for sure.

All this informs the present because the prospect of playing Fiorentina is ideal, or perhaps suitable, in a couple of respects.

Tottenham’s difficulties against Besiktas in the Europa League group suggested Mauricio Pochettino’s young side might not be quite equipped for a deep run in the competition (or at least that they have plenty to improve). One which, starting with la Viola, would necessitate them beating some strong sides.

Even with a Champions League place at stake for the winners, if Spurs are not going to be good enough to win the whole thing, it would be better for them to find out sooner rather than later. It would avoid their domestic affairs suffering on account of ultimately unnecessary fatigue.

While only eighth in Serie A, Vincenzo Montella’s side possesses considerable talent which will test Pochettino’s men. Spurs would do well to overcome an experienced side that includes the firepower of Mario Gomez, the skill of Juan Cuadrado and the creativity of midfield men Alberto Aquilani and David Pizarro.

Indeed, the opposite, more positive outlook to this draw is Fiorentina might just be the opponents to spark Spurs into life in the Europa League this season.

Bar the 5-1 home win over Asteras Tripolis which saw Harry Kane score a hat-trick and Erik Lamela net a couple of stunning goals, little has seemed to excite the players. The Besiktas defeat which sent them into second place in Group C might inadvertently have sent them on a route of opponents who will provide the kind of challenges which bring the best out of this side.

Tiredness moving into 2015 could still prove problematic, of course. But should Tottenham embrace the Europa League, a good run could galvanise the side as they continue to realise their identity under Pochettino’s management. At least to the extent they might overlook a few knocks and niggles.

February is a couple of months away, and Tottenham have a lot of football to play before then. We will see what shape they are in by that point, and how that too will inform their approach to the knockout stages of the Europa League.

from Bleacher Report – Front Page http://ift.tt/1sv8dOi
via IFTTT http://ift.tt/eA8V8J

With Manchester United manager Louis Van Gaal reportedly willing to sanction a January loan move for young midfield prodigy Adnan Januzaj, this switch could see the 19-year-old reignite the blossoming development which saw him become such an important player last season.

David Wright, of the Express, claims that “Van Gaal is keen to loan out [the] winger.”

Wrights continues that “[Januzaj] has failed to nail down a regular position at Old Trafford this term despite a number of injuries to key players,” and “Van Gaal is ready to let the 19-year-old go out on loan to earn some valuable first-team minutes.”

Surprisingly, former manager David Moyes‘ new side Real Sociedad are linked with a move.

These may be speculative reports, but with just 409 Premier League minutes to his name so far this season, it would be fair to suggest that a switch could be on the cards for the talented teenager.

Interest in Januzaj would surely be high, with Wright suggesting that Serie A sides Napoli and Inter Milan are also keen on a loan, and, chosen carefully, such a move would benefit both player and club.

Obvious Talent

The clear benefit for a side prepared to offer Januzaj the requisite game time would be the acquisition of a high-potential, sporadically brilliant midfielder.

Last season’s performances perfectly outlined his burgeoning powers.

Sir Alex Ferguson, before giving the ultimate recognition to Januzaj by naming the midfielder on the team-sheet for his final game in charge of the club before retirement—a remarkable 5-5 draw with West Bromwich Albion—described him as “a beautifully balanced player.”

Ferguson continued to tell club magazine Inside United (h/t ManUtd.com) that: “He’s only 18 and still to grow into his frame. But he has good balance, good acceleration and he’s a very good technical player.”

Moyes continued to show the club’s faith in Januzaj by giving him 27 appearances in the league, which saw the midfielder score four goals and make three assists.

Arguably his finest performance came in last October’s 2-1 away victory over Sunderland, which saw him score both of United’s goals and Moyes describe him as “a special player,” per The Independent.

Any potential loan club would be receiving a player capable of, at such an young age, turning a game on its head, and in particular the comparatively languid styles of La Liga and Serie A would see Januzaj‘s raw flair excel.

However, the form that made him so invaluable last season has been hampered by Van Gaal‘s fevered summer transfer business.

A Cluttered Midfield

For all of their continued defensive deficiencies, United’s pre-season spending saw them considerably strengthen their midfield and attacking ranks.

Ander Herrera, Daley Blind and Radamel Falcao joined to bolster the ranks from the base of the midfield to the tip of the attack, and United now stand well stocked when it comes to offensive options.

Perhaps Januzaj‘s most direct competition came in the form of British record signing Angel Di Maria, who, joining from Real Madrid, demands a place in Van Gaal‘s starting line-up by virtue of his sheer footballing prowess; in his 11 league appearances so far, Di Maria has scored three and assisted six.

Furthermore, Di Maria is by far United’s most all-round creative player, with 2.8 key passes on average per game so far in the Premier League—this is double second-placed Juan Mata‘s output.

Mata, however, stands as another player blocking Januzaj‘s path to the first team, and in particular his contribution to United’s recent 3-0 victory over Liverpool underlines his importance.

Under Van Gaal, Mata is a revitalised figure, and the manager has shown this quality, too, in sparking a revival in the formerly maligned Marouane Fellaini.

With even previously marginalised figures standing in the way, how much chance does Januzaj have?

While consistent substitute appearances—Januzaj has featured six times from the bench this season—will aid the player’s development, this will do little to prepare him for the rigours of regular football.

With the likes of Di Maria, Herrera and the resurgent Fellaini and Mata vying for roles in Van Gaal‘s midfield, Januzaj‘s role has been understandably minimised, and a spell away could see the player continue his development uninhibited by such myriad talent.

Gain for Player and Club

As obvious as the profits for the potential loan club are, Januzaj joining the likes of Real Sociedad or Napoli would vastly benefit United and their young midfielder, too.

United would see their player likely develop in a half season which could offer 20 to 30 full appearances, depending on the club’s European and domestic fortunes.

This would offer Van Gaal the chance to monitor his future prospect, while continuing his charge for the Premier League title—in what can be described as a transition season, the manager is wise to focus purely on results despite his insistence, per Sky Sports, that the side need to “improve our playing style.”

With United not competing in Europe this season, there is less opportunity for fringe players such as Januzaj.

Therefore, the move would benefit the player by, naturally, gifting him regular, invaluable game time.

Januzaj can experience the demands of consistent first-team football in a competitive league—alongside Sociedad, Napoli and Inter, the likes of Ajax would be an ideal destination for the midfielder.

The result would likely see Januzaj return to United next season a significantly improved player.

With so little game time so far this season at Old Trafford, Manchester United midfielder Adnan Januzaj leaving the club on a temporary loan in January would likely see him return for the following season a stronger, more suitable option for Louis Van Gaal‘s first team.

Statistics via WhoScored.com.

Follow @LusbyLatest

from Bleacher Report – Front Page http://ift.tt/1BOWnBq
via IFTTT http://ift.tt/eA8V8J

Somebody needs to tell Nemanja Vidic and Manchester United to make up their minds. Barely hours ago, the Serbian centre-back appeared destined to return to Old Trafford to help his old club relieve its current defensive woes.

Sections of the press were very confident the deal would happen. But a potential glorious homecoming for the defender, who currently plies his trade for Serie A outfit Inter Milan, was soon quashed by his agent Silvano Martina.

The player’s representative delivered some damning quotes almost as the ink was still drying on the initial reports, per Italian journalist David Amoyal:

In case you were still in any doubt, or perhaps didn’t see the word “lies” as strong enough, Martina emphasised his point:

Now all that’s left is to sit back and wait for somebody to say Mr. Martina is protesting a little too much.

The carnival started earlier when Vidic was supposedly “on the verge” of re-joining the Red Devils, according to Daily Star reporter Chisanga Malata:

Reports earlier today suggested that Red Devils boss Louis van Gaal was eager to re-sign the Serbian, who made over 300 appearances for the Red Devils, due to the team’s current defensive crisis.

But fresh reports suggest the Dutchman has already held talks with Inter and agreed a deal to bring him back.

The merits of bringing Vidic back to English shores were obvious. United have been hemorrhaging central defenders this season.

Manager Louis van Gaal has been forced into relying on raw and unproven youngsters in the form of Tyler Blackett and Patrick McNair. He could certainly use a player with Vidic’s experience and ability to organise what has been a chaotic defence, even if only on a short-term basis.

Sunday World and ESPN writer Kevin Palmer believed that’s exactly what Vidic would represent:

But Vidic’s Nani-esque backflip, not something you’d ever seem him do on the pitch, regarding a potential return is a mild blow for United. It’s one more potential reinforcement for an inexperienced and threadbare defence that has been snatched from Van Gaal‘s apparent grasp.

Perhaps the cash-rich Red Devils can now devote their full attention to pursuing a big-bucks deal for Atletico Madrid defender Diego Godin. B/R’s Guillem Balague has already discussed what Godin would bring to United’s flailing rearguard.

Van Gaal will know he needs to move quickly because he’s running out of options for reinforcements at the back.

French publication Le10 Sport (h/t Squawka writer Jack Watson) has revealed that AS Monaco have no intention of selling talented young full-back Layvin Kurzawa:

Manchester United and Arsenal target Layvin Kurzawa is staying put in Monaco for the time being according to the club’s vice president Vadim Vasilyev.

The 22-year-old has impressed at left-back for the Ligue 1 club that finished runners-up last season, which earned him his first call-up to France’s senior squad under Didier Deschamps. He has gone on to win two caps for Les Bleus and his performances for club and country has attracted a number of admirers.

As a stout and athletic defender versatile enough to flip-flop between full-back and central defender, Kurzawa would be a steal for Van Gaal. He would afford the Dutchman the option to adopt three- and four-man structures depending on the opponent.

Van Gaal loves that sort of tactical flexibility. However, it’s easy to believe that a continuity of system, since injuries are preventing one of personnel, might be the real tonic for United’s issues at the back.

Of course, no matter what formation he plays, Van Gaal needs numbers and quality for the United defence. That’s going to require a cessation of an alarming injury list, as well as an influx of new talent.

For the latter at least, it seems Van Gaal will have to keep looking.

from Bleacher Report – Front Page http://ift.tt/1vUKHd5
via IFTTT http://ift.tt/eA8V8J

Nemanja Vidic nearly missed out on the move to Manchester United that would see him become one of European football’s most respected defenders.

In 2006, and already coveted since his time with Red Star Belgrade, the then-Spartak Moscow centre-back seemed destined for Fiorentina until a hold-up at the Serie A outfit (they didn’t have an available EU spot) allowed United to swoop in.

They spent £7 million on him, and the transaction would go down as one of former manager Sir Alex Ferguson’s finest pieces of business.

In eight-and-a-half years at the club, Vidic won five Premier League titles, three league cups, the Champions League and the Club World Cup. Alongside Rio Ferdinand, he formed one half of a formidable defensive pairing, and just last week Edwin van der Sar, who backstopped United between 2005 and 2011 picked both players in his best-ever XI.

“I think we formed the backbone to a very successful Manchester United team,” the now-retired goalkeeper told Sky Sports.

Last spring, his contract having expired, Vidic joined Inter Milan on a free transfer. United had just finished a disappointing seventh in the English top flight, and as he told MUTV in July, as per the Daily Mail, he fancied the rebuilding project at San Siro.

“Inter will get bigger and bigger,” he remarked, “and I hope I can help them achieve their aims.”

Needless to say, he won’t have anticipated the Nerazzurri’s disastrous start to the season, nevermind the dismissal of manager Walter Mazzarri and the reappointment Roberto Mancini.

Since the latter’s Inter return in mid-November, Vidic, who has a history of knee and leg-muscle problems, has either struggled for fitness or been an unused substitute. He hasn’t played in Serie A since a 2-2 draw at home to Hellas Verona on November 9 and, according to Gazzetta dello Sport, as relayed by Eurosport, will consider his options in January.

Tuttomercatoweb has even reported a return to Manchester United could be in the cards, according to Football-Italia.

It’s a reunion the club would do well to resist, however enticing the idea might be. Which is to say, quite.

With Phil Jones still at least 10 days off from making his United return (injury data courtesy Physioroom.com) and Chris Smalling having picked up a groin injury on Monday against Southampton, the Red Devils could do with one or two additional defenders.

Paddy McNair’s nervy showing at St. Mary’s will have only added to manager Louis van Gaal‘s concerns, and while Jonny Evans is back after missing 10 games with an ankle problem, it’s more than likely United will look to strengthen the position next month.

Vidic, however, is not the cure for what ails them.

Although the 33-year-old possesses no shortage of experience, he simply can’t be counted on to come up with meaningful performances in high-pressure situations—the sort of which United will be facing week in, week out as they look to get back into the Champions League.

Besides, Vidic cut his ties to Old Trafford upon joining Inter Milan. And if he can’t displace either Andrea Ranocchia or Juan Jesus in Mancini’s system, he certainly can’t serve United’s ambitions.

Yes, Van Gaal will have to address his defensive corps in either the upcoming transfer period or the one after that; and yes, Vidic is a legend—and a recent one—at the club.

But his time at the highest level of the game is well and truly past, and United’s best course of action involves looking to the future.

They must not allow sentiment to get in the way of practicality.

from Bleacher Report – Front Page http://ift.tt/1GkmnCu
via IFTTT http://ift.tt/eA8V8J