Gary Cahill has been linked with move to many Premier League clubs throughout the season – but it appears that Liverpool and Spurs will be leading the chase for his signature this summer, according to reports in The People.
The Bolton centre half has been in superb form for the Trotters and his performances has seen him called up by Fabio Capello for England’s recent games against Wales and Ghana. His stock is certainly rising and Owen Coyle has a job in trying to persuade his big centre half to remain at the Reebok.
Whether Bolton will be able to resist large bids remains to be seen, given the financial losses the club have recorded this season and while Phil Gartside has been bullish that the debt will not see them having to cash in on their top players, any bids in the region of £15m+ would certainly given the money men at the Reebok food for thought.
Gary Cahill is their most saleable asset at the Reebok and with both Tottenham and Liverpool unlikely to be the only interested parties this summer, maybe Bolton will see this as the ideal time to sell him on.
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Whilst a 2-1 victory over a side who is currently bottom of the Premier League is rarely something worth celebrating with much gusto, I’ll forgive those Manchester City fans who are feeling fairly pleased with themselves following the Blues victory over West Ham on Sunday. There were great performances all over the pitch and even Mario Balotelli looked fairly impressive despite toiling away without much reward.
I was disappointed with one performance however, from a man who has failed to impress me throughout the course of this season. City may well have one of the best defences in the country, but as far as I can tell at the moment it has one major weakness and his name is Aleksandar Kolarov.
It may be a little harsh to judge the Serbian left-back after just one season in the Premier League, but thus far I’ve seen little to suggest that he has the ability to make it in a team that hopes to challenge for silverware. Kolarov joined City last summer from Lazio for a fee of £16m and he came complete with an excellent reputation.
Watching him play, however, has been another matter entirely. He’s not as great going forward as was originally believed and he lacks conviction in his defensive duties. Just look at his half-hearted challenge in the build-up to West Ham’s goal on Sunday. Can you imagine Vincent Kompany or even Joleon Lescott make such a weak attempt to win the ball?
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If it weren’t for Micah Richard’s injury it’s highly unlikely that Kolarov would be getting the chance he’s currently getting and he’s hardly grabbing at the opportunity with both hands is he? Richard’s injury necessitates Zabaletta playing at right-back and opens up a space in the left-back position.
As far as I can tell Kolarov isn’t a good passer, needs to work on his tackling, doesn’t read the game too well and can often lose track of his man. He’s distinctly lacking in pace and doesn’t get up and down City’s left-flank anywhere near as fast as is desirable. On the positive side, I will grant that the Serbian has a ferocious shot. It’s rare, however, that he manages to get these shots on target.
There will be fans who argue that it’s unfair to judge a player after just one season in the Premier League. To some extent, I’d agree, but for me to support Kolarov I’d have to have seen more from him this season that what he has offered up. You’re more inclined to grant players time to adjust if they show ‘signs’ or ‘flashes’ of brilliance or ability, but that’s simply not the case with Kolarov.
I wouldn’t be surprised at all if the Serbian was moved on in the summer and a replacement was brought in to add more competition in City’s defence.
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Luka Modric might be playing very well this year, but if you cast your minds back to 2008, you might remember that Modric did not have the best of starts at White Hart Lane. In his first season at the club Tottenham won just two points from eight games. When Ramos signed the Croatian, there had been questions over how effective Modric would be in the Premier League due to his size. Luka Modric started his Tottenham career playing in the centre of Ramos’s midfield and there was no doubt about it; he looked lightweight.
The first rise of Luka Modric came when Harry Redknapp took over and moved him to the left wing. In this more attacking position his form improved and so did Tottenham’s. I remember at the time, Redknapp received a lot of praise for getting the best out of Modric. But it seems that even then, Modric’s best was still to come.
This season has seen the second rise of Luka Modric, as he returned to the middle of the midfield as a ‘deep lying play-maker’. In the second half of last season, Modric’s place on the left wing came under threat. Gareth Bale’s rapid improvement meant that he had to play on the wide left. But Redknapp was determined to fit Modric into the formation somewhere.
A benefit of Bale and Lennon is that they stretch defenders which allows room for van der Vaart, but it also exposes Tottenham to the counter attack. These days, Tottenham need two central midfielders to sit a bit deeper to offer balance to the attacking wingers. It was a stroke of genius to choose Modric as one of these deep sitting midfielders.
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Modric may have been a revelation to Tottenham back in 2009 on the left wing, but he is even more effective in his current position. When he was higher up the pitch he was marked more tightly and saw less of the ball. The benefit of him playing deeper is that he sees the ball more often, when he is on the ball Tottenham look in control. Modric might not posses the range of passing of a Huddlestone or a Gerrard, but his choice of pass is excellent. He rarely loses the ball because his touch is so good, and he has the ability to find space in even the most congested areas of midfield. These attributes, combined with his awareness and composure, make him an excellent choice for a central midfielder.
Oddly enough, I don’t think Ramos played him out of position back in 2008, he just paired him with the wrong type of player. In his first spell in central midfield, Modric played mainly with Jermaine Jenas. Jenas is an attacking-minded midfielder who likes to get forward. That did not benefit Modric who had to do more defending than he ideally would. However, this season, he has played alongside Huddlestone, Palacios and most recently Sandro. They all sit much deeper than Jenas did and look after Modric a bit more, allowing him to play in a more creative role.
With the way Tottenham play, which sometimes verges on cavalier, occasionally they need someone to slow the tempo down and just keep possession for a while. Modric does this perfectly. Maybe I am being a bit sentimental now, but I cannot think of any player in the Premier League who would do a better job for Tottenham than Luka Modric. If you can think of someone, your suggestions are welcome…
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The five Arsenal young stars set to feature in the first-team next season; in my opinion anyway.
Aaron Ramsey
Since he broke into the side at such a young age, it seems to have been forgotten quite how young he actually is. His career was brutally interrupted by a dreadful injury at the hands of Ryan Shawcross last year, but now seems to be on the comeback trail. Ramsey was magnificent in Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Manchester United at the Emirates, managing to score the winner, and has put in competent shifts ever since. The key for Ramsey is whether he can gain a high level of consistency in his play – week in week out – which is always the hardest thing for a young player to achieve. The 20-year-old is the stand-out player to look out for next season, regardless.
Henri Lansbury
The 20-year-old recently stated that there would be nothing more satisfying for him than to break into the Arsenal first-team next season. His ambition is not to merely use this club in order to be more attractive to lower league sides should he not make at Arsenal. He wants to be successful at the North London club, and that can only be a good thing. He was limited to only one Carling Cup appearance this season for Arsenal, but he excelled in the game. Out at Norwich, Lansbury soon became a first-team regular in a side which gained promotion, which says a lot about his ability and talent. He could make some appearances next season.
Jay-Emmanuel Thomas
The 20-year-old is an erratic player, one who can do things of great skill and intuitiveness whilst also having an uncanny ability to look like the worst player on the pitch at the same time. He was out on loan at Cardiff, where he was jeered off in the play-off second leg against Reading. Although extremely harsh from their supporters, his performance was not up to scratch. Wenger is known to rate him extremely highly, and the youngster will be hoping to play some sort of role in the Arsenal squad next season. It seems more likely he will be sent out on another loan though.
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Emmanuel Frimpong
Before a serious knee injury right at the start of last season, there were various people who deemed Frimpong good enough to challenge Alex Song for a place in the Arsenal midfield, and there were many others who believed he was good enough for a place on the bench. The 19-year-old is physically incredible, with perhaps slightly less technical ability than his peers, but a talented player nonetheless. He has now fully recovered from his injury and is certain to be a member of the squad next year.
Ryo Miyaichi
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Arsenal did not just sign this youngster to sell shirts in Asia. The 18-year-old went out on loan to Feyenoord, simply because he could not gain a work permit for England. A talented winger, with great flair and drive, Miyaichi is certain to make it at Arsenal in at least some role – the club will re-apply for a permit this summer, hoping to get more success this time round. He is a fantastic talent, and one whom the rest of Europe were chasing. He’s in good hands with Wenger, and Arsenal are lucky to have him.
Read more of Alastair’s articles at Gunnersphere
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Italian giant’s Inter Milan are vying for the services of Liverpool’s Portuguese midfielder Raul Meireles in possible £14m swoop.
Merieles, 28, eventually enjoyed a successful first season in the premier league after a slow start. Helping Dalglish’s men gain a credible Premiership spot after a troubled spell under Roy Hodgson.
Despite only being at Anfield for a year, Meireles was voted PFA fans player of the year. The creative hub of Liverpool’s midfield play during Gerrard’s considerable lay off now faces stiff competition for his place. With the signing of England prospect Jordan Henderson and the potential transfer of Charlie Adam from Blackpool, the former FC Porto player’s starting place is by no mean assured.
Inter failed to replicate the scintillating form shown under Mourinho during their Treble winning campaign last time out. The faults which have haunted the side throughout the season were on show in the 5-2 capitulation at the hands of Schalke in the first leg of their Champions League quarter final.
The over reliance on Wesley Sneijder to dictate the play in the middle of the park has meant that the former European champions have become all too easy to stifle. The likes of Cambiasso and Motta can protect a back four as well as anyone but lack the imagination and ability to contribute in an attacking sense to the side’s play.
According to Talksport, Inter president, Massimo Moratti has welcomed any deal bringing the Portuguese ace to the san siro. As the once formidable Nerrazuri search out a creative spark to ease the burden on Sneijder’s shoulders.
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Santos starlet Neymar wants to remain in Brazil for now but is refusing to rule out a move to Europe in the future.Neymar, 19, is reportedly being heavily courted by Real Madrid and Chelsea after an exceptional 2010 Brazilian Serie A season with his Brazilian club in which he scored 17 goals.
The flashy striker already has plenty on his mind given Santos will contest the second leg of the Copa Libertadores final against Penarol on Wednesday.
But pressed for a hint as to his whereabouts in August, Neymar said he is happy to put off the lure of Europe and the Champions League for the time being.
“At the moment my thoughts are only on winning the Copa Libertadores,” he told AS.
“My first thought is to stay here (with Santos) as well because happiness is everything, for the club, for my family, for the fans – the most important thing is to be happy.”
Asked if he wants to play in the Champions League, he said: “Of course it is (a dream), just like it is for all the players in the world.”
“To play in that competition is a privilege and I hope to do so one day. I want to play in World Cups and play in the best leagues.”
Neymar has formed a close relationship with his idol and international team-mate Robinho, who has imparted to him the joy of his spells at Real Madrid and Manchester City.
“He said very good things of his time in Europe, of playing in that country (Spain),” Neymar said.
“But I have a contract with Santos and I’m very happy here.”
“I believe my future belongs to God. (A move to Europe) could be tomorrow or in two or five years’ time – I don’t know. I would have to think about it with my father, with my mother – with everyone.”
Reading boss Brian McDermott has conceded that star striker Shane Long could be sold next month alerting both Newcastle and Everton.
The Republic of Ireland international hit 25 goals for the Royals last season catapulting them to within inches of promotion to the Premier League.
Despite the play-off final defeat against Swansea City condemning Reading to another season in the Championship the 24-year-old may get his chance in the top flight after all.
McDermott is eager to keep Long at the Madejski Stadium but a promise made in January has left him conceding defeat in the battle to hold onto his hitman.
“He’s the best striker in the Championship” McDermott told The Sun.
“I said to him in January that if we didn’t go up, I’d do my best to find him a Premier League club.”
Long won’t be short on interest from the top flight with Newcastle and Everton holding a vested interest in the player.
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Both clubs are looking to bolster their striking department and it seems that an imminent battle for Long’s signature will ensue once Reading make the player available.
It would provide a boost to Newcastle in particular with manager Alan Pardew failing to secure any of his prime striking targets this summer.
Midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger said Bayern Munich are desperate to make it to the Champions League final at the Allianz Arena this season.The German giants made it to the same stage in 2010 when they were beaten 2-0 by Inter, while the Italians proved to be too strong in the round of 16 last term.
Nevertheless, Schweinsteiger is aware of the fact that they have to qualify for the group stage of Europe’s elite club tournament first and admitted that the road to the final at their home stadium is long.
“It is our goal to qualify for the Champions League final in Munich,” Schweinsteiger said. “However, we know that it won’t be easy. We have to qualify first.”
“We don’t have any influence on who will be our opponents in the play-offs. Nevertheless, I think that our upcoming opponents have more reasons to be disappointed than we with the draw.”
“I think that we can go a long way once we’ve managed to progress to the group stage. We don’t feel any pressure to go all the way though.”
“We dream of making it to the final and it’s our objective, but we realise that it’s still a long way to go.”
The midfielder then went on to discuss his side’s domestic ambitions and made it clear that Bayern want to regain their Bundesliga trophy after a disappointing campaign last season.
“The domestic trophies are very important for us,” he said. “Everybody expects us to win the Bundesliga again this year.”
“That won’t be easy though and we have to take it one game at a time.”
Bayern will learn their Champions League play-off opponent after the draw on August 5, with their Bundesliga campaign kicking off two days later with a home match against Borussia Moenchengladbach.
Sir Alex Ferguson has offered a glimpse into how he intends to deploy his latest Manchester United signings.Ashley Young, Phil Jones and David de Gea have all moved to Old Trafford since the club’s 3-1 defeat at the hands of Barcelona in the 2011 Champions League final.
Young, 25, arrived from Aston Villa in June for an undisclosed fee, and Ferguson is pleased with the options the versatile England international can give him.
“Ashley can play in more than one position,” Sir Alex told Inside United.
“He can play wide right, left, even behind the striker, so we have options there. But, initially, we’ll start him as a wide left player.”
The United boss also managed to beat rivals Liverpool to the signature of 19-year-old defender Jones from Blackburn Rovers.
The England Under-21 representative can play at centre-back or defensive midfield. Ferguson believes that – despite being primarily a player for the future – Jones has the talent to break into the first-team immediately.
He said: “We first identified Jones when he played for Blackburn’s youth team against us a couple of years ago when they beat us 3-0. He was absolutely magnificent.”
“You might think he might not play, but the ability he’s got and the determination he’s got, he could quite easily play. He’s the future obviously, but he could certainly come in right away.”
De Gea will compete to be first-choice goalkeeper with Anders Lindegaard, who performed impressively during the club’s pre-season tour of America.
The 20-year-old Spaniard will likely be regarded the first choice to replace retired shot-stopper Edwin van der Sar, however, and Ferguson is up front with his admiration of the young goalkeeper.
“We worked hard to get the deal done because it wasn’t easy,” the 69-year-old added.
“Atletico Madrid obviously regarded him very highly. But we managed to get it done and we’re delighted he joined us.
“The past is the past and Edwin (van der Sar) is part of the past. He had an incredible career with us, he was an incredible goalkeeper. But, hopefully, the future belongs to David De Gea.”
Yet another transfer window carried out in the dark by Newcastle United leaving their fans wondering infuriated and at boiling point with the clubs lack of communication as to their policy on signing players. Toon fans were hoping that by Wednesday’s deadline they’d be welcoming a new striker to St James’ Park and waiting patiently in a queue stretching out of the club shop clutching a black and white shirt ready to have their new number nine’s name emblazoned on the back.
Yet in a style that most fans have now become accustomed there was no striker despite attempts over the summer and on deadline day to land one. Another regular occurrence that comes with Newcastle United’s summer transfer window is a statement from Managing Director Derek Llambias with this particular one giving a brief outline of the boards policy and why they failed to land their targets before the window snapped shut. As expected the statement was met with great disdain by a majority of the Geordie population. The question begged is whether Llambias is right to release another statement, angering fans and risk putting Newcastle back into the headlines.
To be perfectly honest as a fan myself I’ve lost all hope that Llambias and owner Mike Ashley will ever speak publicly to the press and give fans the face-to-face communication that they crave. But on the flip side the duo know they need to broadcast information from the boardroom to their customers and have chosen to release statements as a medium. The old adage ‘beggars can’t be choosers’ springs to mind when this subject inevitably crops up at the end of every transfer window. It’s a well-known fact that Ashley doesn’t talk to many people outside his circle of friends and confidants, while Llambias is equally uneasy in speaking to television cameras and into a reporters Dictaphone.
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Whatever Newcastle fans are expecting from the hierarchy they will never get it. The way I see it is that the fans were spoiled by former chairman Chris Mort who was openly vocal about everything Newcastle United and even went as far as appearing in guest talks and interacting individually with the Geordie faithful. Don’t get me wrong Mort was a fantastic chairman and he certainly built up a superb rapport with the fans. However since he left and Llambias was appointed things went downhill with the Kevin Keegan debacle, relegation, sacking Chris Hughton and now the supposed asset stripping all counting against him and Ashley.
I do feel for them and the mind-set that some fans have towards them is ridiculous. They aren’t trying to ruin the club and certain events that have coincided with their time at the club have seen their stock plummet in the eyes of Newcastle fans. But let me pose this question. If Mort stayed and decided that releasing statements instead of interacting with the fans was a better way to communicate would they be so hasty in their derision and criticism of him? I severely doubt it. In my opinion Llambias hasn’t done anything wrong in preparing a document that offers fans an explanation and keep them informed of what they are trying to do at the club. Fans still crave the days of Mort and the open discussions that would take place on a regular basis. What the current regime doesn’t understand is that Newcastle United is more than just a football club to the people who reside in the area. It’s a religion, a way of life and they want to know what is going on a their club. Whether they are entitled to that is a different matter but the feeling that their desires aren’t met is how it comes across.
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Personally I don’t mind if Llambias and Ashley release a statement every so often giving me an insight into what’s happening at the club. It’s not exactly making the headlines for the wrong reasons and I honestly think fans are starting to make mountains out of molehills when it comes to things like this. The problem is that they want to here it straight from the horse’s mouth, which is something that will never transpire. What they have to realise is that they’ll never get anything more and just learn to accept it.