Barcelona will bid £50 million to try and beat Chelsea to Juventus midfield sensation Paul Pogba. The Camp Nou club have identified the Premier League leaders as their only credible challengers in the race to lure Pogba away from Serie A.

That’s according to Catalan newspaper SPORT (h/t MailOnline writer Oliver Todd). The newspaper claims Pogba has even “listened” to an offer from the La Liga giants, but he is still mulling his future in Turin.

Pogba has established himself as the essential cog in the Juventus midfield. The 22-year-old has hit nine goals and four assists in all competitions this season, according to WhoScored.com.

But it’s the France international’s combination of natural strength and creative flair that is enticing for every top club in Europe. Pogba offers pure power in the middle, while also possessing trickery, guile and an eye for goal.

No wonder then that Chelsea have been linked with a potential move worth £74 million, with Blues midfielders Oscar and Ramires maybe even going the other way, per The Telegraph’s Matt Law.

But perhaps it isn’t the Stamford Bridge club Barca should fear most. B/R’s Matteo Bonetti believes the Catalan club’s archrival, Real Madrid, are the most likely winner of the race for Pogba‘s signature:

Neither Los Blancos nor Chelsea would have to make Pogba wait the way Barca would. The current La Liga table toppers can’t welcome any new signings until January 2016, under the terms of a FIFA-imposed transfer ban.

But that shouldn’t stop the club from pulling out all the stops for Pogba. He’s a complete midfielder, unlike any player currently plying his trade at the position for the Catalans.

But Pogba‘s arrival may not be the only shakeup of Barca‘s midfield.

Pedro to be Swapped for Mateo Kovacic

A team so often defined by pint-sized playmakers in the middle could be lining up their next. Barca reportedly plan to utilise little-used forward Pedro to convince Inter Milan to sell Croatian creative ace Mateo Kovacic.

Sport Mediaset (h/t talkSPORT) reports Barca are keen on the diminutive schemer who’s also attracted interest from Bayern Munich and Manchester City. Kovacic certainly possesses attributes suited to Barcelona’s stylish passing game.

He’s intelligent, technically sound and imaginative on the ball. Kovacic is a natural No. 10 who may soften the blow of Xavi Hernandez’s potential exit to Qatar.

Even Andres Iniesta will be 31 years old before this season finishes. Adding the 20-year-old Kovacic would prompt a necessary refresh of the midfield.

Pedro should certainly be enough to tempt Inter manager Roberto Mancini into a sale. He’s been a forgotten figure this season as Lionel Messi, Neymar Jr. and Luis Suarez have formed a truly awesome front three.

But Pedro is still a classy finisher who uses pace and some of the best movement in the game to seize on scoring chances. His agent recently indicated the 27-year-old could consider his options at the end of this season, per Metro’s Vaishali Bhardwaj.

If he’s no longer a feature of their plans, Barca should use Pedro to help land a precocious young playmaker who can redefine their midfield.

Speaking of redefining things in the middle, that’s just what Pogba would do. No battle to sign him will be won easily, but Barcelona would certainly regret seeing him end up in Madrid.

from Bleacher Report – Front Page http://ift.tt/1D55TQP
via IFTTT http://ift.tt/eA8V8J

When you follow Palermo, all you seem to read about is Paulo Dybala transfer rumours and how valuable he is.

Instead of boarding the Dybala hype train, you should give props to Palermo’s Italian central attacking midfielder Franco Vazquez, 26, who is largely responsible for Dybala‘s success.

That narrative has been usurped by Dybala being a budding superstar at just 21 years of age.

Selective Amnesia

There is no problem acknowledging Dybala is now one of the most exciting footballers in Europe, but do not gloss over the fact that he was once one of the worst centre-forwards in Serie A.

Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini risked looking like a fool paying Instituto €12/£9.3 million to sign Dybala.

“We spent €12/£9.3 million for [Dybala, who is] an 18-year-old,” Zamparini said in 2012, per Radio Sportiva (h/t Football Italia). “[Dybala] looks [like a] 15-year-old, but I saw footage of him playing and wanted to sign him, because I can see in him a player who can make the difference.”

Likened to Sergio Aguero, Dybala shied away from the resemblance to a world-class centre-forward.

“I like to be considered Paulo Dybala and that is all. I don’t want comparisons with Aguero,” Dybala said, per Football Italia. “In a club like Palermo, I can really grow as a player.”

In Dybala‘s debut Serie A campaign, he lived up to his words—he was nothing like Aguero.

• Paulo Dybala (2012/13): 3 goals/27 games, 10.3 shots per goal, 35.5 shooting accuracy percentage, 30.6 dribble success percentage, 40.7 starting percentage. 

Here is what Dybala proved in his first season at Palermo:

• Lacked goals.
• Inefficient shooter.
• Unable to consistently take the ball past opposing defenders. 

When Palermo were relegated to Serie B, Zamparini probably wondered if he had signed a flop in Dybala. 

Per Brian Homewood at Reuters: “Argentine teenager Paulo Dybala, heralded by president Maurizio Zamparini as ‘the new Sergio Aguero,’ managed a disappointing three goals in the whole campaign.”

Per Dan Riccio at Sports Net: “Paulo Dybala was dubbed by Zamaparini as ‘the new Aguero.’ The Palermo owner obviously did not help matters putting that kind of pressure on the youngster.”

Per Jeff Livingstone at In Bed With Maradona: “[Dybala] hasn’t looked anything special in Serie B at all. Clearly not the new Sergio Aguero so far then.”

Playing at a lower level in Serie B, Dybala scored five goals in 28 league games, while Abel Hernandez (14 goals), Kyle Lafferty (11 goals) and Andrea Belotti (10 goals) did the heavy-lifting for Palermo.

After two seasons, Dybala scored eight goals from 55 games, costing Zamparini around €1.5/£1.2 million-a-league goal.

Dybala was on course to be to Palermo what Bruno Fornaroli was to Sampdoria, what Caio Ribeiro was to Inter Milan and what Mido was to Roma.

Talented? Definitely.

Consistent? Definitely not. 

Kindred Spirits

Palermo signed Vazquez from Belgrano for €4.5/£3.8 million, perhaps hoping he would have a Javier Pastore-like impact. 

“I regret having to say goodbye and leave Belgrano, but I’m sure I will embark on a great adventure at Palermo,” Vazquez said in 2011, per Dia Dia (h/t Livio Caferoglu at Goal). “It is a dream [to play in Serie A].”

Vazquez’s dream turned into a nightmare.

He went 485 minutes without a goal or an assist in his debut Serie A season (2011/12).

The following season, he was loaned out to Rayo Vallecano, where he was a bit-part player and often shafted to the flanks. 

Vazquez started 44.4 percent of La Liga games he was involved in, averaging 42.1 minutes per game and was a peripheral figure throughout the season.

If you reflect back to Rayo Vallecano‘s 2012/13 season, you note Piti scoring, Leo Baptistao boosting his transfer stock, Alejandro Dominguez making Hollywood passes and Lass Bangoura going from goat to hero and vice versa.

Returning to Palermo to play the 2013/14 Serie B season, Vazquez was a role player, rather than a star, during the Rosanero’s promotion to Serie A.

Last May, during Palermo’s 2-1 Serie B defeat to Carpi FC, Vazquez inadvertently sabotaged himself by arguing vociferously towards referee Daniele Minelli.

Red card!

Nineteen minutes earlier, Simone Colombi pulled off an outrageous penalty save to deny Dybala from 12 yards out.

That game encapsulated the hardships Dybala and Vazquez went through trying to vindicate the trust Palermo management had placed in them.

2014/15

Prior to this season, Vazquez was a disappointment in Europe, like Dybala.

“I’d decided to go back to Argentina where I had already shown what kind of player I can be,” Vazquez said, per James Horncastle at WhoScored. “Then Iachini arrived and everything changed … he said to me: ‘I don’t get why you haven’t been playing. You’re back in the squad.’ No coach had ever spoken to me like that before.”

Palermo manager Giuseppe Iachini propping up Vazquez’s confidence would then go on to benefit Dybala greatly.

Vazquez is so assured in his technical brilliance that he can evade tackles at walking pace and then hit a through-ball to Dybala.

Thirty percent of Dybala‘s Serie A goals this season have been created by Vazquez, a 6’2″ and 179-pound No. 10, who is a genius on the ball.

Yes, Dybala is an underrated passer for a No. 9, but he lacks the ball-retention, range and vision of Vazquez.

• Franco Vazquez (2014/15): 9 assists/27 games, 45.7 passes per 90 minutes, 1.8 key passes per 90 minutes, 79.2 pass success percentage.
• Paulo Dybala (2014/15): 7 assists/27 games, 33.1 passes per 90 minutes, 1.5 key passes per 90 minutes, 82.1 pass success percentage.

Shooting wise, Vazquez is as profligate as Dybala, whose main job is to score, preferably at a more economical rate.

• Franco Vazquez (2014/15): 7 goals/27 games, 10.3 shots per goal, 30.6 shooting accuracy percentage.
• Paulo Dybala (2014/15): 12 goals/27 games, 8 shots per goal, 35.4 shooting accuracy.

Subjectively speaking, Vazquez is elegant on the ball, runs the show for Palermo and without his creativity, you can make a case based on Dybala‘s history that he would still be floundering. 

Then why doesn’t Vazquez receive more attention? 

The contentious, melodramatic and widely publicised falling out of Zamparini and Dybala dominates the Palermo storylines. 

“We had an agreement with Dybala for €9/£6.6 million-a-year but the next day everything changed … [now he wants] up to €15/£11 million,” Zamparini said in February, per Tuttosport (h/t Sky Sports). “I will not speak to Dybala again. I will appoint a company to negotiate Dybala‘s sale.”

Zamparini disclosing transfer information surrounding Dybala‘s proposed summer transfer window exit further increases media interest in the Palermo No. 9.

“Juventus and Arsenal have already made ​​offers … Dybala would prefer to stay in Italy, but among the English clubs, Arsenal is the first choice of the boy,” Zamparini said in April, per Radio Marte (h/t The Telegraph). “My request is more than €40/£29.4 million.”

Inevitably, you tend to focus on Dybala‘s highlight-reel moments, since you are anticipating him to be a big-money summer transfer.

This minimises the career-best season Vazquez is having.

If Dybala does end up transitioning into a world-class footballer, don’t revise history and say he was always destined for greatness.

He wasn’t. 

Vazquez is playing a crucial, invaluable and undervalued role in Dybala‘s resurgence.

+allanjiang.

When not specified, statistics via WhoScored.com. 

from Bleacher Report – Front Page http://ift.tt/1Fpyy2F
via IFTTT http://ift.tt/eA8V8J

Inter Milan are prepared to offer £43.5 million (approximately €60 million) to lure Manchester City goliath Yaya Toure toward the grasp of former boss Roberto Mancini.

This is according to La Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t Aaron Flanagan of the Mirror). Flanagan notes the Serie A side are “preparing to break the bank” for the Ivorian midfielder, who played a major role in Mancini landing the 2011 FA Cup and 2012 Premier League titles while at the Etihad Stadium.

Toure’s importance is yet to wane, as highlighted by City’s poor form during January. While Toure was securing the African Cup of Nations with Cote d‘Ivoire, Manuel Pellegrini’s men stumbled to Premier League draws against Everton and Hull, not to mention a loss to Arsenal. The side’s FA Cup hopes were also ended by Championship side Middlesbrough.

The immense standards of Toure’s 2013-14 campaign—in which he netted 20 Premier League goals and provided nine assists, per WhoScored.com—are not going to be matched this year.

He has seven strikes and a single assist this campaign but, more noticeably, has failed to consistently show the driving powerhouse style that makes him such a force. His size and presence in the centre remain key to City’s success, though.

At 31 years old, it’s possible he’s beginning to slow down. A move to Italy would be smart if this is the case, as the week-in, week-out intensity of midfield battles doesn’t match the Premier League. City could even be tempted to cash in on a player whose value is destined to drop quickly over the next couple of years.

Mancini recently made his plans clear by naming the players he’s interested in, as reported by Flanagan:

In the summer we’ll sign a top player, because we are Inter, a top team. I like (Torino’s Matteo) Darmian, James Milner’s contract is expiring – he’ll decide what’s best for him. Toure is a City player, (Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk’s) Yevhen Konoplyanka and (Genoa’s) Mattia Perin are both good players. Piero Ausilio is working on it.

It’s certainly a bold approach to highlight potential targets, but Mancini appears intent on quickly restoring Inter to the upper echelons of Italian football. Owner Erick Thohir doesn’t shy away from spending money, but his investment is yet to truly change Inter’s fortunes.

Marco Fassone, Inter’s director general, recently admitted the club would love Toure to arrive. He also suggested Mancini’s presence will go a long way in attracting such players, per Tuttosport (h/t Football Italia):

Who doesn’t dream of a player like Toure? He’d provide our club with something that we’re currently short of, but his price and his salary are serious obstacles. Of course Mancini can help us with him. In the last winter transfer window, several important players considered joining us only by virtue of his presence, regardless of the money.

Roberto is a magnet for the top players. He likes to take part in our summits and his knowledge about footballers is wide as the waters. Mancini is the heart of our engine.

Toure is not the type of player City can easily replace, but his situation is a reminder that the club’s biggest stars are rapidly heading toward the twilight of their careers. Pablo Zabaleta (30 years old) and David Silva (29) are among those who join Toure in the old guard. Inter’s alleged £43.5 million interest in Toure could fund new stars.

The player is synonymous with City’s new era of success, so it would be immensely difficult to let him go. Mancini appears determined to make an impact at the San Siro, however, which could eventually lead his former colleague along the road to Milan.

from Bleacher Report – Front Page http://ift.tt/1CB3ZGe
via IFTTT http://ift.tt/eA8V8J

Don’t expect Chelsea‘s Czech Republic goalkeeper Petr Cech, 32, to be Carlo Cudicini.

Arbitrarily dropped for Thibaut Courtois, who has a higher upside, Cech is evaluating his future at Chelsea.

Sure, Cech has been a stalwart for Chelsea, but it is unrealistic to hope he willingly accepts a Cudicini-like backup role.

Courtois vs. Cech 

“My future was already sorted but it’s nice to know I’m going to be here for another five years,” Courtois said last September, per ChelseaFC.com. “Now I can just concentrate on playing games.”

While Courtois committed to Chelsea, Cech remained even-keeled.

“I’ve been at [Chelsea] for 10 years, but the situation I am in is new to me,” Cech said last September, per Sport.cz (h/t Ben Jefferson at the Daily Express). “I have no reason to panic, pack up and leave.”

Despite being 10 years older than Courtois, who could become one of the best goalkeepers of his generation, Cech wanted to show his perseverance to Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho.

It was futile. 

Featuring in 86.2 percent of Chelsea’s Premier League season, Courtois is the clear No. 1, whereas Cech has only played five times. 

However, Cech’s displays over the last two seasons shows he is marginally better than Courtois’ current campaign from a statistical perspective. 

• Courtois (2014/15): 25 games, 60 saves, 2.4 saves per game, 2.4 saves per goal conceded.
• Cech (2014/15): 5 games, 8 saves, 1.6 saves per game, N/A saves per goal conceded*.
• Cech (2013/14): 34 games, 80 saves, 2.4 saves per game, 3.3 saves per goal conceded.

* has yet to concede a goal.

“I don’t think Petr is a guy to be persuaded,” Mourinho said, per Jeremy Wilson at The Telegraph. “If he tells me he wants to leave, I will tell him my opinion that he is one of the three best goalkeepers in the world, so huge money [is needed for his transfer].”

Contracted until 2016, you presume Cech is not going to be a huge money signing for a major European club, because he will be a free agent after the conclusion of next season.

What will likely happen is Cech running down his contract and exercising his Bosman right to a free transfer.

Or, Cech being sold to a major European club at a nominal fee, but this contradicts Mourinho’s stance of waiting for a huge money bid.

Unless, a club out of left field attempts to recruit Cech via a lucrative package.

You are looking at clubs from the Chinese Super League, Qatar Stars League and the UAE Arabian Gulf League.

Teams that generally would not have a realistic chance to sign Cech could potentially take advantage of an opening with Chelsea holding out for a significant transfer fee. 

Why would Cech lower his status?

He could be enticed by a career pay-day, which is a more attractive option than sitting out the rest of his Chelsea contract. 

If Cech wants to stay in Europe and get paid handsomely, how about RB Leipzig? 

Funded by Austrian energy drink billionaire Dietrich Mateschitz, RB Leipzig should consider making their first ever world-class signing by securing Cech, who will be an upgrade over Fabio Coltorti.

RB Leipzig are a sleeping giant in the 2. Bundesliga (German second division).

Wait, a world-class goalkeeper going to a small club—is there a precedent? 

Yes, you can draw parallels between Cech and Edwin van der Sar.

In 2001, Juventus tapped Van der Sar on the shoulder after going all-in on a once-in-a-generation prospect in Gianluigi Buffon, who is eight years younger.

One ambitious club pushed hard to sign Van der Sar—Fulham.

Spending €11.4/£7 million on Van der Sar, you assume Fulham paid him outlandish wages.

“It was not a nice ending of my career in Juventus. I felt betrayed,” Van der Sar said, per BBC Sport. “[Here at Fulham], I feel appreciated.”

Like Van der Sar at Juventus, Cech feels unappreciated at Chelsea.

“I don’t want another [season] like this,” Cech said, per Idnes (h/t Sky Sports). “When a specific offer comes, I will consider it.”

It is evident Mourinho is going with his intuition and backing Courtois as Cech 2.0, which was implied by cartoonist Omar Momani. 

Why Cech Is No Cudicini

“Arjen Robben and Cech were [signed] before I came here but I congratulate the people responsible for signing them,” Mourinho said in 2004 after arriving from Porto, per Gerry Cox at The Telegraph. “I am very happy to have them here.”

It was not lip-service.

Cech, signed under Claudio Ranieri, became Mourinho’s No. 1.

This was in spite of Cudicini being a statistically superior goalkeeper to Cech, per Duncan Alexander at Sky Sports:

Carlo Cudicini, the deposed goalkeeper, can feel hard done by.

He kept 14 clean sheets in 26 appearances for the Blues last season and was forced to make a save every 44 minutes on average, more often than the 55-minute ratio of Cech.

…

Few clubs in the world can boast such strength in depth in the goalkeeping department and if the Italian is happy to remain as second-choice, then it can only boost Chelsea’s chances of scooping some silverware in the coming months.

Cudicini’s agent Luca Bascherini refuted claims his client wanted out amid a proposed transfer to Manchester United.

“It’s a pleasure to be linked with such a big club like Manchester United,” Bascherini said in 2004, per ESPN FC. “[But] Carlo is happy to stay and fight for his place at Chelsea.”

That fight lasted another five years.

It is logical for you to ask why Cudicini essentially went into semi-retirement by accepting job security at Chelsea over being a regular starter at another club.

To answer that question, you need to understand the context of Cudicini’s career.

Overshadowed by legendary father Fabio, who won a European Cup and is in the AC Milan Hall of Fame, Cudicini failed to make the grade at AC Milan and Lazio.

“My father is my biggest critic,” Cudicini said in 2002, per John Ley at The Telegraph. “But I’m lucky to have a father who has done the same job. He can give me advice and help me a lot, as a father and a supporter.”

One crucial sliding doors moment which propelled Cudicini to stardom was the misfortune of then-Chelsea teammate Mark Bosnich, per the Sydney Morning Herald:

Bosnich grabbed his chance with both safe hands and for seven games was back to his brilliant best.

But, at the top of his form, the beginning of the end came against Everton in November 2001, when he tore his thigh muscle.

Since then, Chelsea manager Claudio Ranieri has favoured Cudicini, who was apparently nervous at the sight of Bosnich sitting on the bench.

….

Bosnich checked himself into the Priory Clinic [and] is still being treated for clinical depression.

Bosnich has just about lost the lot.

The Australian goalkeeper has been sacked by his English Premier League club, Chelsea, after testing positive to cocaine.

Cudicini knew what it was like to experience hardship and uncertainty. 

He was a reserve who overachieved to become a No. 1.

Instead of seeking a new challenge, Cudicini accepted a cushy job as a backup, which entailed stability.

“[Cech is a] good keeper with a bright future,” Cudicini said in 2004, per Andrew Warshaw at The Independent. “I haven’t got a problem because [Chelsea] has to look forward. In that respect, I honestly think they’ve done the right thing.”

Cudicini was right.

Do you know how much Cudicini cost Chelsea?

He was a bargain-basement €253,044/£160,000 signing from Castel Di Sangro in 2000.

What about Cech?

Beating out Inter Milan and Real Madrid, Chelsea signed Cech from Rennes for €13.2/£9 million in 2004.

This fundamental difference in their worth as professional footballers is why it is highly unlikely that Cech will be another Cudicini at Chelsea.

+allanjiang.

When not specified, statistics via WhoScored.com. 

from Bleacher Report – Front Page http://ift.tt/1yzi1Ex
via IFTTT http://ift.tt/eA8V8J

A moment of madness from Jozy Altidore cost the United States victory over Switzerland in their 1-1 friendly international draw in Zurich on Tuesday.

After Brek Shea had scored a superb free-kick from 20 yards on the stroke of half-time, Toronto FC striker Altidore swore at the match official in the 68th minute after having a foul given against him.

The match official immediately produced a red card and dismissed the striker.

With the USMNT down to 10 men, their previous dominance of the game was undone, and Switzerland equalised in the 80th minute through substitute Valentin Stocker.

Considering the circumstances, the result was a good one for the United States, but coach Jurgen Klinsmann will rue the dismissal of Altidore after missing out on the psychological advantage of victory ahead of the friendly against Mexico next month.

Michael Bradley was handed an advanced central midfield role in Jurgen Klinsmann’s team as they looked to bounce back from the 3-2 defeat to Denmark on Wednesday.

Shea, Danny Williams and Alfredo Morales were also restored to the USMNT starting line-up.

Inter Milan winger Xherdan Shaqiri was the major name in the Switzerland line-up, although it was his hairstyle that drew most attention as the game kicked off.

An early Gyasi Zardes run to the by-line offered the first threat on goal in the fourth minute, but his low cross was comfortably dealt with by the Swiss defence.

The host nation looked set to open the scoring in the ninth minute as Josip Drmic arrived in the USMNT area, but Tim Chandler and Michael Orozco combined to thwart his shot.

The United States produced a great 14th-minute move. Alejandro Bedoya chipped a cross into Zardes, who fired over the crossbar from 15 yards.

Mis-communication between Zardes and Bradley saw a potentially dangerous counter-attack break down at the crucial moment, and the 16th-minute opportunity was lost.

Bradley should have done better with a 28th-minute chance after Bedoya cut the ball back for him, but the midfielder’s effort was high over the goal.

Bedoya went close for USMNT in the 32nd minute with a close-range header, but his effort was held easily by Switzerland goalkeeper Roman Burki.

Shaqiri finally found some purpose five minutes before half-time with a dangerous cross into the six-yard box, but Admir Mehmedi was guilty of an awful miss in front of goal.

In the final minute of the first half, though, the United States broke the deadlock with a deserved strike.

After a foul on Morales, Shea lined up a free-kick from 20 yards and sent a beautiful curling left-footed effort into the top corner of Burki’s goal.

Shaqiri and Stephan Lichtsteiner were among three Swiss players to leave the game ahead of the second period.

But the changes did not stop USMNT almost adding a second early in the second period when Zardes headed just wide from a Chandler ball.

Bradley spurned another chance for the United States when he could not find his feet to collect a loose ball from a Burki clearance.

Switzerland had made a multitude of changes in the early part of the second period, and were looking to be a stronger unit giving USMNT greater threat to deal with.

The visitors were dealt a blow in the 68th minute as they were reduced to 10 men. After making a reckless challenge, Altidore reacted angrily to a yellow card saw the referee produce a second one immediately for the former Sunderland striker.

It was a ridiculous reaction from the forward, and the home nation sensed a chance to take advantage, and Pajtim Kasami went close with a back-post header from a Shaqiri cross.

And with 10 minutes remaining, the United States finally succumbed. Stocker, who had entered the game as part of the wholesale changes at half-time, was on hand to pounce on a loose ball inside the area after the visitors failed to clear a well-worked Swiss corner.

But Chandler was guilty of playing the Swiss player onside when a single step would have annulled the strike.

The goal lifted the Swiss, but the United States held out for a draw. 

Selected Player Ratings

Michael Bradley: B+

Appeared out of sorts in the No. 10 role handed to him by Klinsmann, and squandered an excellent early chance to open the scoring.

Alejandro Bedoya: A

A constant threat for USMNT throughout the game. Arguably, the best United States player of the past year and proved his worth once more in Zurich.

Xherdan Shaqiri: A-

The most high-profile Switzerland player on show from the start, but failed to live up to his reputation on the day. Seemed to be playing a roaming role but a lack of shape in Swiss midfield annulled his threat in the first half. Improved in the second period, however, in a right-sided role.

Post-Match Reaction

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

From Cordoba to Sicily, by way of Madrid, could Palermo attacking midfielder Franco Vazquez’s next career destination be London?

Tutto Mercato Web—via Metro.co.uk’s Simon Osborn—last week reported interest from Tottenham Hotspur in the 26-year-old. Since then, the Serie A club’s president Maurizio Zamparini has suggested a number of Europe’s top teams, including Arsenal and Chelsea, are leading the chase for his player, per the Pianeta Milan website (h/t ESPN FC’s Richard Jolly). 

Transfer speculation is to be treated skeptically at this time of year, certainly when the reportage is so light. If there is anything genuinely to it, it is easy to understand why a talent like Vazquez could be a target for Tottenham. But whether he would be the right fit is partly dependent on what head coach Mauricio Pochettino has planned for his current crop of attackers.

Vazquez’s name appearing in the rumour mill is the result of eye-catching work for Palermo this season. Seven goals and nine assists have led his contributions to Giuseppe Iachini’s side fixing themselves in a safe mid-table position on their Serie A return.

His prominence has grown with goals against high-profile opponents like Inter Milan and Napoli, and the crescendo has now included a call-up to Italy’s national team.

Argentine by birth, Vazquez qualifies through his Italian mother. Not involved in Saturday’s European Championship qualifier with Bulgaria—a 2-2 draw—he could make his Azzurri debut on Tuesday night against England in Turin.

If Vazquez’s increasingly impressive surface credentials are behind his name being mentioned with expensive moves to the Premier League and beyond, it is the considerable skill set which informs them that will convince one of them to ultimately buy him.

Pochettino and the relevant Spurs decision-makers deciding to pursue him will not be a decision they take lightly (and would of course require him being interested in joining them). Not because of Vazquez’s style—there is plenty about it which would suit his countryman’s team—but because its installation would likely mean diminished or changed roles for those already at the club.

There are shades of Erik Lamela in Vazquez’s ability to beat an opponent and dribble out of tight confines. He already possesses a strength in possession and a determination to win the ball back which the Spurs man has taken time to acquire in England (an attribute which would maybe lead to easier integration than Lamela experienced). His optimistic, penetrative final-third runs bare resemblance to Nacer Chadli‘s attempts to skillfully blast his way through a defence—albeit he is quicker than the Belgian.

In an analysis of Vazquez, ESPN FC’s Nick Dorrington noted “he can struggle when teams specifically focus on constricting space between the lines,” something Spurs have had issues with at times this season. Praised, however, was he and team-mate Paulo Dybala’s “solid job of closing down from the front and ensuring that opposition teams are unable to bring the ball forward comfortably out of defence.” A characteristic which would appeal to Pochettino, given the aggressiveness he asks of his team in making the opposition uncomfortable in their own half.

Vazquez’s standout quality is the one which would potentially have the biggest repercussion for the make-up of the Spurs attack: His inclination and want to be involved in the majority of his team’s play.

The dynamism with which Vazquez plays with the ball at his feet might be more similar to Chadli and Lamela. But both the level of his involvement in creating for others, and the eye for a pass which facilitates this, mark him as someone more likely to clash with Christian Eriksen.

The current Tottenham playmaker has enjoyed the best part of two fruitful seasons with the Premier League outfit. Though not yet consistently effective, the hope is the 23-year-old’s already considerable experience will lead to an even more impressive evolution of his talents soon enough.

Eriksen can play out wide. Perhaps in a deeper role he could work in conjunction with Vazquez operating further forward. Neither would be keen to concede the influence with which they operate, though, and diluting either seems counterproductive.

Spurs have put time in to developing Eriksen too. If signing Vazquez were to stunt that progression, it might be enough to put them off. The more logical move—one perhaps in the offing if MailOnline’s Sami Mokbel’s recent report is to be believed—will be to utilise academy product Alex Pritchard, currently impressing on loan at Brentford, as the Dane’s understudy.

Make no mistake, Vazquez has earned being discussed with a big, potentially career-advancing move. On paper Tottenham would be lucky to have him.

Past signings like Danny Murphy and Steven Pienaar—fresh from excellent spells of their own at Charlton Athletic and Everton respectively at the time—have shown talent alone does not make a good fit. Vazquez is the right man for Palermo, and would be for others too. At least as things stand, he might not be for Spurs.

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

The USMNT will be looking to bounce back from the disappointing 3-1 loss against Denmark when they travel to Zurich to play Switzerland on Tuesday. Fox Sports 1 will carry full coverage of the match, which starts at noon ET.

Like Denmark, the Swiss are part of the second tier of European football nations, a strong opponent with an eye on the upcoming Gold Cup.

Jurgen Klinsmann‘s side has taken a step back since their impressive display at the 2014 World Cup, and a strong performance in Switzerland would go a long way to restoring some momentum with the important Gold Cup on the horizon.

Date: Tuesday, March 31

Time: 12 p.m. ET/5 p.m. BST

Venue: Stadion Letzigrund, Zurich

TV info and live stream: The match will be broadcast on Fox Sports 1 (for U.S. viewers), with mobile coverage available via Fox Soccer 2Go.

Preview

Wednesday’s loss against Denmark highlighted some of the problems that have plagued the side in recent times, as the Yanks once again gave up a late goal to Nicklas Bendtner and struggled with ball retention.

The Danes have been in fine form in 2015, currently leading their Euro 2016 qualification group, and losing to such an opponent isn’t a disaster. Switzerland should pose a similar challenge, and former U.S. international Alexi Lalas is hoping for an improved performance:

At the 2014 World Cup, the U.S. presented itself as a strong, resilient defensive side with plenty of pace out wide. The worked hard in midfield, pressed well and made sure to keep hold of the ball wherever needed. None of those things were on display against Denmark.

It’s far too early to panic—the domestic players have only just started the MLS season and are still looking for their best form, while the guys based in Europe are understandably more focused on their club campaign right now. Klinsmann told USsoccer.com this trip is about more than just winning:

It’s frustrating because you put so much work into it. We don’t want to lose. We want to win, but these are also important experiences. We want to make progress in managing the game and taking the game to the opponent and winning away from home and not being in our comfort zone. We were out of our comfort zone [in Denmark], and were pretty much in the game until the last couple of minutes before the end. After Michael’s beautiful pass and Aron’s goal, we looked in control. We controlled the next 10-15 minutes completely, but then with the equalizer, it became a little bit shaky.

Ball retention should be the first issue Klinsmann looks to resolve, and there is a simple solution. Michael Bradley was very solid playing as a No. 10 against Denmark, but he’s the team’s best box-to-box midfielder. Using him further down the pitch to help in the passing game should help against Switzerland’s vaunted pressing game.

ESPN FC’s Steve Davis thinks it’s plain to see for everyone:

Switzerland field the likes of Gokhan Inler, Valon Behrami and Blerim Dzemaili in midfield, meaning every poor pass will likely result in the ball going to the Swiss. And with the speedy Xherdan Shaqiri out wide, they’re a tremendous threat on the counter.

Bendtner was wide open for his third goal which ultimately saw Denmark beat the Stars and Stripes on Wednesday, and he’s not exactly the most mobile forward around. Shaqiri could literally run circles around him, and giving the Inter Milan man that kind of space would be lethal.

The winger showed the kind of form he’s in during Switzerland’s 3-0 win over Estonia:

When everything’s clicking, Klinsmann‘s squad has the quality to keep up with the likes of Denmark and Switzerland. But form is not on the USA’s side, and the Swiss will want to make a statement in Zurich.

Klinsmann should hope for a better performance, but actually beating the Swiss on their turf will be difficult.

Prediction: Switzerland 2-1 USA

Follow @ReverschPass

from Bleacher Report – Front Page http://ift.tt/1C0aVZV
via IFTTT http://ift.tt/eA8V8J