Jordan Henderson divides opinion but Gareth Southgate again named him as England captain for the 1-0 victory over Holland on Friday night.
There are some who think that Henderson is a limited player, nothing more than an energetic runner who lacks the guile and passing range to make an impression at the highest level.
Southgate’s England are committed to short passing, taking their time on the ball and playing their way out of trouble. That might not sound like Henderson’s natural game but he appeared to cope well with those demands in Amsterdam.
He was constantly involved, having the most touches of any England player and was able to dominate proceedings alongside club team-mate Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in the middle of the park.
95 per cent passing accuracy from 91 passes is hugely impressive and they are numbers worthy of comparison with any central midfielder that played across Europe this weekend.
Of course, Henderson lacks the class and consistency that some of those may offer but it is a good sign for Southgate nonetheless.
One shot and three interceptions shows that the Liverpool skipper was involved at both ends of the pitch; the demands placed on him in terms of controlling things in the centre didn’t impact too much on his ability to cover round and get involved.
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Only 16 long passes shows the commitment of Henderson – valued at £22.5m by Transfermarkt – to playing the ball short and along the floor and while Henderson should face stiffer challenges this summer, the early signs are promising for Southgate.
Has Henderson done enough to be named captain on a full-time basis? Let us know your thoughts…
Any Southampton fans thinking the appointment of Mark Hughes would provide an instantaneous bounce to steer them clear of the battle of survival were brought crashing down to earth on Saturday as Saints were thumped 3-0 by relegation rivals West Ham at the London Stadium.
The Welshman’s utilisation of 4-4-2 appeared the much-needed solution to Southampton’s lack of goal threat this term and although it had the desired effect in a 2-0 win over Wigan before the international break, it backfired spectacularly in east London as the visitors failed to register a single shot on target.
Southampton still have enough games left to make amends; they have a game in hand on the rest of the bottom five and seven fixtures remaining in total, so the two-point difference between themselves and 17th place is certainly surmountable.
But the pivotal question is where Southampton go from here tactically after Hughes’ brave adoption of 4-4-2 resulted in such a humbling performance. Football FanCast outline four potential solutions…
Solution A – 4-4-2
Southampton looked miles off the pace using 4-4-2 on Saturday but the performance was so bad that it’s almost simplistic to put it down to merely the formation.
This side is clearly low in confidence and a back-to-basics approach will surely be required to turn their form around. 4-4-2 certainly falls into that remit and while it does leave Southampton more open defensively, they’ve reached a point in the season where they need to score enough goals to win games.
Having two strikers on the pitch could be key, however creativity and penetration from out wide is just as important in 4-4-2 – Dusan Tadic and Nathan Redmond didn’t offer much of that on Saturday.
Solution B – Diamond
Claude Puel’s persistent utilisation of a diamond midfield last season drew criticism but Southampton’s results were almost incomparably better than they have been so far this term.
It certainly addresses how Saints’ wide players have struggled to impact the more the season’s gone on, by simply taking them out of the side altogether and moving the creative hub to the tip of the engine room – a role that may suit the ageing Dusan Tadic far better.
It also allows the full-backs, who are good going forward, the natural space to join the attack while keeping two centre-forwards on the pitch.
Solution C – 4-2-3-1
Fans grew increasingly frustrated with Mauricio Pellegrino’s almost unwavering insistence on 4-2-3-1 but Southampton did at least look far more solid in the setup compared to last Saturday when the openness of their midfield was continually exploited by West Ham.
It always seemed a little too conservative under the Argentine but Hughes can give it a more offensive feel if he pushes Redmond and Sofiane Boufal much higher up the pitch, creating space for Tadic in the central role. The big problem, however, is how isolated the striker can become in these systems.
Charlie Austin’s hold-up play isn’t the best anyway, so he’ll definitely need support from out wide and the midfield.
Solution D – 3-4-3
Southampton briefly flirted with a three-man defence earlier this season but after losing both of their games quickly reverted back to 4-2-3-1.
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Perhaps it’s time to give the setup another try, especially with Maya Yoshida back on the mend and Saints undoubtedly requiring defensive improvements from their last performance. Ryan Bertrand and Cedric Soares have the attacking flair and industry to operate as wing-backs, while utilising Boufal and Tadic as inside forwards should at least ensure there’s some support for Austin up front.
It’s a seismic shift to experiment with at this point in the season though, and could backfire.
So, Southampton fans, which formation do you see as crucial to your side’s survival? Let us know by voting below…
London rivals Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United are set for a summer transfer tussle over Barcelona midfielder Andre Gomes, as per Spanish outlet Sport.
While the Portuguese international would likely be a cover player in North London, at West Ham, he could help usher in a new wave of younger, more expansive footballers to take the club towards where they want to be, in a style that pleases the fans.
What’s the story, then?
The report claims that this is not the first interest West Ham have taken in the 24-year-old; the Hammers tried to sign him last summer.
Gomes is valued at £13.5m by Transfermarkt but reportedly has a Nou Camp contract until 2021 and a release clause of 100 million euros.
The deal that brought him to Catalonia from Valencia could apparently rise to as costly as 55 million euros if all the add-ons are reached.
West Ham need him more than Tottenham
Obviously, Spurs look likely to be able to offer Gomes Champions League football and a better crack at silverware but it is hard to see him becoming central to Pochettino’s plans.
At the London Stadium, where the fans are becoming frustrated with the functional style under David Moyes, Gomes – who has genuine technical ability – could help the Hammers become the high-tempo passing side their fans want them to be.
Another man who has been linked with the Irons is Tom Cairney. He is the best passer in the Championship and the Fulham captain, alongside Gomes, would bring incredible technical quality to the party.
It feels like a move towards technically gifted, younger players is being made behind the scenes at West Ham and beating local rivals Spurs to sign Gomes would be an enormous first step.
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Leeds fans are starting to worry about what is taking so long as talks continue over a new contract for the brilliant Pablo Hernandez.There hasn’t been much joy at Elland Road since Christmas, but the form of fan favourite Pablo Hernandez has certainly been a bright spot in an otherwise miserable season.The flying Spaniard showed his importance once again in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Sunderland, curling in a wonderful equaliser for his seventh league goal of the season.The 32 year-old now has nine goals and eight assists in all competitions this season, and is regularly the source of all things good for Paul Heckingbottom’s side.[ad_pod ]Hernandez could have added an assist shortly after his goal on Saturday, as his wonderful cross nearly sat up perfectly for Ezgjan Alioski.Talks were opened last month over a new contract for Hernandez, with his current deal set to run out this summer.Fans were excited when talks began, but are growing increasingly nervous as they await news, with Garry Monk thought to be trying to lure the Spaniard to Birmingham.Some of the best Twitter reactions can be found below…
West Ham fans are absolutely furious with David Moyes and his team for their 4-1 capitulation at Arsenal on Sunday.Hammers’ fans may have felt Arsenal were there for the taking on Sunday, but three late Gunners goals blew the visitors out of the water, and fans are not very happy with their manager.Moyes’ side travelled to the Emirates off the back of a rather deflating draw with Stoke, and they could have taken the lead against a lacklustre Arsenal in the first half.Arsenal went in front after the break though, when Nacho Monreal converted from a corner.Marko Arnautovic’s beautiful equaliser turned out to be only a consolation, as two goals from Alexandre Lacazette and one from Aaron Ramsey secured the Hammers’ fate.Fans weren’t happy with their manager when he set up rather negatively against Stoke last week, and they’re growing increasingly frustrated with the Scotsman’s team selection and game management.Thanks to the poor form of Stoke and Southampton, the Hammers are still six points clear of the bottom three, but that hasn’t stopped fans from venting their frustrations, and some of the best Twitter reactions can be found below…[ad_pod ]
Everton’s ambitions are lofty but at the moment their aging defence is not fit for purpose for the goals the club wants to achieve, under Sam Allardyce or another, more stylish manager.
Phil Jagielka, Leighton Baines and Ashley Williams have seen better days and that is why the absence of Seamus Coleman for large swathes of the season has been so keenly felt.
Whoever is in charge at Goodison Park next season will need to address the defensive situation as a matter of urgency, so it is little surprise to see the Toffees linked with Rangers man James Tavernier, as per the 21:41 entry of the Mirror’s Transfer Liveblog for 28 April.
Valued at just £675k by Transfermarkt, the Rangers defender would be a cut-price option and we’re asking you whether he would be a good buy for the Toffees?
Let us know by voting in the poll below and keep your eyes peeled for the results…
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There is constant taunting between rival football fans over the course of the season, particularly when it comes to the North-West enemies Liverpool and Manchester United.
Jose Mourinho’s side have the bragging rights as far as the Premier League is concerned given that they finished second in the table, six points above fourth-placed Liverpool.
The Red Devils are also one win away from lifting the FA Cup, but their Merseyside rivals will trump them if they come away with the Champions League trophy on May 26.
Jurgen Klopp’s men will take on Real Madrid in Kiev in the hope of claiming a sixth European crown for the club.
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Understandably, United fans are praying that Liverpool fall short against Los Blancos, but an interesting article by Scott Patterson for ESPN shows a deeper insight into the rivalry.
In the piece, it is claimed that the Red Devils are just as keen to see their rivals lose in the Champions League final as they are to witness their own team win the FA Cup.
In a discussion on Reddit, Liverpool fans were not hugely surprised by the opinion, and in fact, some of them mirrored it while others embraced the rivalry.
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Not that long ago, many Tottenham Hotspur fans would have wondered whether Erik Lamela would ever regain form.
The Argentina international spent a year on the sidelines with hip problems that required multiple operations.
This season after making his comeback, Lamela made 33 appearances in all competitions, provided four goals and two assists.
The traditional winger struggled for regular game time, though, as he was named in the first XI only 12 times by manager Mauricio Pochettino.
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Lamela predominantly plays on the right wing, but fans are wondering whether his positioning should be tinkered with.
On occasion, the Argentine has played more centrally in attack, just behind Harry Kane, but he has also been farmed out to the left.
On Reddit, some supporters suggested that Lamela, who is valued at £22.5m by Transfermarkt, should be used as cover for Dele Alli.
Plenty agree, while some fans had other suggestions for the ex-Roma star.
Lamela better in a central attacking role/ backup to Dele? from r/coys
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According to Italian reports, Newcastle are one of a number of teams to have enquired about Juventus midfielder Stefano Sturaro.
What’s the story?
Newcastle will go head to head with Genoa and Valencia for the signature of Sturaro this summer, according to a report from Calciomercato.
The report claims Juventus are interested in Genoa goalkeeper Mattia Perin as a long-term replacement for the departing Gianluigi Buffon, and that Sturaro could be used as part of the deal.
Newcastle and Valencia have also enquired about the midfielder though, who would surely prefer Premier League action with Newcastle or Champions League action with Valencia over a move to Genoa.
Made to be a Magpie?
Newcastle stumbled across a formidable partnership in midfield this season when Mo Diame suddenly remembered he’s actually quite a good player, but that shouldn’t stop them from going after Sturaro.
Diame had a fabulous season for the Magpies alongside Jonjo Shelvey, but the Senegalese midfielder will turn 31 this summer, and the 25 year-old Sturaro is too good to pass up on as a long-term replacement.
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The midfielder will certainly be seeking a move away this summer, as he has only played 614 minutes in the league for Massimiliano Allegri’s side this season.
Sturaro would offer the Magpies defensive stability in midfield, and his versatility would be a huge weapon for Rafael Benitez. The Italian international, capped four times by his country, has played everywhere across the midfield for the Italian champions this season, even spending some time at right back.
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If Benitez is serious about guiding the Magpies towards a domestic cup run while maintaining their form in the Premier League, then a midfield quartet of Sturaro, Diame, Shelvey and Mikel Merino would give him no end of options both in personnel and system.
Furthermore, his tough tackling, hard working style would be a perfect fit on Tyneside. The Italian international also has title winning experience, which might just provide that winning mentality needed to push Newcastle to the next step.
So, Newcastle fans, would you back a summer swoop for Sturaro? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below…
West Ham United supporters are eager to sign full-back Ryan Fredericks after watching him play for Fulham in the English Championship play-off final on Saturday.
Fredericks is now out of contract at Craven Cottage and could have played his last game this weekend, but helped his side gain promotion to the English Premier League at Aston Villa’s expense.
The right-back has had an excellent 2017/18 season, creating seven assists for his side and being almost ever present throughout their promotion bid.
With pace, creativity and a desire to impact the game in the final third, he could be the kind of attacking full-back that could revitalise the Hammers’ right flank next season.
It’s been a problem position for the club and Fredericks comes with the added bonus of potentially arriving on a free transfer.
Fans are eager to get the deal done, believing he could be an important part of Manuel Pellegrini’s side.
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They took to Twitter to share their thoughts after Saturday’s match…