Tottenham must stop selling their big name players if they are to fulfil their top four ambitions, according to their former star, Micky Hazard.
Spurs have made a habit of offloading top performers at their peak in recent seasons, with Gareth Bale having left to sign for Real Madrid in a world record £87m deal last summer.
The Welshman is latest in a long line of players to have exited White Hart Lane for a large fee, following the likes of Luka Modric, Dimitar Berbatov and Michael Carrick.
WANT MORE? >> Tottenham transfer news | Latest transfer news
Hugo Lloris recently signed a new contract quelling fears that he would become the next to head away from north London, but with Michel Vorm having been since signed there is still talk of the Frenchman going to Paris Saint-Germain.
Mauricio Pochettino was drafted in with the aim of getting Tottenham back into the top four, and Hazard believes that the Lilywhites will only have a chance of achieving this aim if they stop offloading key players:
“Lloris has just signed a new contract, so I hope the club will keep hold of him for at least another year.” He told talkSPORT. “But, as we found with Bale, if he wants to leave he will do.
“Bale behaved in the same manner, he signed a five-year deal and then we got £87million for him from Real Madrid, so if the same happens with Lloris then fine. But I hope he stays because he’s absolutely top draw, Lloris is the key for Spurs.
“One of the problems the club has had in recent years is that we’ve let all our best players go. If we had been able to keep hold of the likes of Bale, Modric and Berbatov we could have qualified for the Champions League and maybe even challenged for the Premier League.
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“It’s a problem the club has to address, we can’t keep letting our top players go because they always go on to be successful somewhere else.”
The big question on everyone’s mind is whether Liverpool can continue their previous season form which saw them finish second place in the English Premier League without the services of prolific striker Luis Suarez.
However, after his sale, Brendan Rodgers has reinforced the club which quite a large number of new faces as he looks to continue to build his perfect squad.
With planning for next window already said to have begun, here are SIX transfers the Reds could complete when the January market reopens.
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CLICK ON CHRISTOPH KRAMER TO SEE THE FULL LIST
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Dani Alves
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Name: Dani Alves
Age: 31
Position: Right Back
Nationality: Brazilian
Club: Barcelona
Price: £10 – £15 million
News of Dani Alves making a switch from Barcelona to the Premier League has recently been circulating the media with Liverpool and Manchester United rumoured to be preparing a bid.
Regarded as one of the world’s best right back, Alves has had huge success in the La Liga with many trophy-filled years. Not normally known for his defensive game, he is very devastating in the attacking side with his ability to dribble, shoot, and cross from anywhere along the right flanks.
Antonio Candreva
//www.youtube.com/embed/PPTrhWQVpIA
Name: Antonio Candreva
Age: 27
Position: Right Wing
Nationality: Italy
Club: Lazio
Price: £18 – £24 million
With Liverpool opting to play down the flanks, the addition of Antonio Candreva will only make them stronger. Squad depth is a key asset to any side having to compete in the Champions League as well as in the domestic league and competitions.
Candreva is known for his ability to dribble the ball with pace along the wings and hopefully build a relationship with fellow countryman Mario Balotelli who can convert his crosses into goals.
Marco Reus
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Name: Marco Reus
Age: 25
Position: Left Wing
Nationality: Germany
Club: Borussia Dortmund
Price: £19.8 million (summer release clause)
Although Marco Reus has picked up yet another lengthy injury, a host of clubs will still be trying to take advantage of his £19.8 million release clause that will be triggered next summer therefore Dortmund may need to sell him or offer him a new contact.
Liverpool had already negotiated a move to bring him to Anfield, but it was said that his ankle injury halted any big money moves. The German club will need to do all they can do make sure he is back to full fitness or risk seeing a huge drop in his market value ahead of the summer.
Xherdan Shaqiri
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Name: Xherdan Shaqiri
Age: 22
Position: Right Wing
Nationality: Switzerland
Club: Bayern Munich
Price: £15 – £20 million
Another winger that Liverpool has been tracking throughout the summer is Xherdan Shaqiri, someone who could add even more depth along the flanks. His pace and physical ability would be a perfect fit for the Premier League with many believing the move would have taken place.
With the Reds still said to be monitoring the player, it is high likely that they will continue their spending to try and land the Swiss attacker. His role at Bayern Munich is also quite limited given their world class forward line, adding to the chance that he could make a switch to the England.
Christoph Kramer
//www.youtube.com/embed/uYPQbZJaAII
Name: Christoph Kramer
Age: 23
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Position: Defensive Midfield
Nationality: Germany
Club: Borussia Mochengladbach (on loan from Bayer Leverkusen)
Price: £8 – £13 million
Liverpool have already signed a defensive midfielder in Emre Can, but could decide to add yet another player to the role after being linked with a move for Christoph Kramer. His move to Anfield could spell the start of a huge battle in the deeper midfield role to play alongside club captain Steven Gerrard.
Having already represented the German national team with an appearance in the World Cup finals against Argentina, he seems to be able to excel under large amounts of pressure as he is said to have become the heart of his team’s midfield.
Martin Odegaard
//www.youtube.com/embed/-8d1yoqryTU
Name: Martin Odegaard
Age: 15
Position: Attacking Midfield
Nationality: Norway
Club: Stromsgodset
Price: £10 – £12 million
Liverpool were prepared to make a £10 million offer to try and sign Martin Odegaard from Norwegian club Stromsgodset on deadline day, but to no avail. He has already made 11 appearances, scoring three despite being only 15 years old.
Odegaard was also called up to make his Norway national team debut recently, picking up large interest from many of Europe’s elite clubs including Manchester United, Chelsea, Real Madrid, and Barcelona.
West Ham co-chairman David Sullivan has confessed that the Hammers may be unable to keep Liverpool target Alex Song at the club beyond his season-long loan move.
The Cameroonian ace completed a surprise switch to Upton Park over the summer after a difficult two years at Barcelona following his transfer from Arsenal.
Although the deal is only a temporary one, Song is not expected to return to the Camp Nou, with playing at West Ham seen as a ‘shop window’ ahead of a permanent agreement.
WANT MORE? >> West Ham transfer news | Liverpool transfer news
The Irons are already being linked with a move to tie down the 27-year-old – who has captained the club in the absence of Kevin Nolan and Mark Noble – but Liverpool are now lurking after being impressed with his form so far this term.
And Sullivan has now revealed that should Song’s aspirations prove to be too great for the London club they could be unable to keep him next year:
“First of all, I think Alex has been terrific but we haven’t seen the best of him yet.” He told the London Evening Standard. “He has admitted he needs more matches before he will be 100 per cent. I believe he could be the best player at the club.
“We have a season loan and there is no break clause. At the end of the season we will look at things. It might be he has higher aspirations than us but he may love it at West Ham. I know him and his wife love London.
“It’s very premature to talk about what we will do — I think you must look at it later in the season. We’d love him to stay but maybe a club in Turkey will offer him a crazy salary tax-free. It’s hard to compete with that financially if the player is willing to play in Turkey or Russia.”
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Even though CSKA Moscow have opened talks regarding a new deal with Seydou Doumbia, a January move for the impressive Ivory Coast international is not yet off the table.
The highly-rated striker has been in terrific form in Russia for some time, and looks, at 26, to be at the correct stage of his career to make the ‘big move, which has alerted Liverpool. The Reds’ forward issues have been well documented in recent times, so getting Doumbia in now would make some sense, right?
We at FFC Towers think so, and here’s why…
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CLICK ON SEYDOU DOUMBIA TO REVEAL THE FIVE REASONS
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Proven goal record
Okay, Doumbia may have only played in Switzerland and Russia since his move to European football, but with a goal record of around two in three at Young Boys and CSKA he has certainly showed that he has what it takes when it comes to putting the ball in the back of the net
.
His performances in both ‘legs’ against Manchester City in the Champions League this season really showed that he can do it on the biggest stage, so it cannot be a coincidence that interest in his signature has increased on the back of his destruction of Manuel Pellegrini’s Sky Blues.
Pace & Power
Raw speed and physicality are two key traits for top class strikers. Too slow and you’ll struggle to work the space needed, too weak and you’ll find it difficult to escape bullying centre-backs. Doumbia may not be the finest technical player around, but his pace and power make him a real handful for defenders – as was, again, on display against Man City.
Such a playing style could work well with Daniel Sturridge, whose movement opens up space for his striker partner.
Better than Liverpool’s crop of strugglers
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It may be a bit early, but Rickie Lambert and Mario Balotelli look like write offs. The Merseyside-born ace is more of a competition winner than a Reds player, while ‘Super Mario’ has certainly not lived up to his nickname. It would be no surprise to see one, or both, out of the door at Anfield by this time next year, so drafting in a newbie makes sense.
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Doumbia has a better work rate than Balotelli and is more mobile than Lambert, making him a much, much better option to support Sturridge.
Won’t cost a fortune
CSKA have opened contract talks with their man recently, but should their aim to tie him down end in disappointment, bids of around £15m may be enough to lure the 26-year-old away from Moscow. In the modern transfer market such a fee is minimal, making him a genuine alternative to more pricey options such as Gonzalo Higuain – who is likely to move for upwards of £30m if he is sold by Napoli.
Keep him away from rivals
Liverpool are not the only English side in the hunt for the Ivorian, with Chelsea, Spurs an Arsenal also monitoring his situation. Should the Reds opt against a deal, it’s possible that the CSKA man could show up another club in the Premier League, which will come as a body blow to Brendan Rodgers – who has lost out on numerous targets to divisional rivals in recent years.
It may not be a wise transfer policy on the whole, but snapping up Doumbia to prevent him turning out for a direct competitor could be sensible this time.
There has been a lot of speculation surrounding imminent bids from Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur for Southampton’s star man Morgan Schneiderlin in January.
The Frenchman has been in impressive form so far this season and could be exactly what the north London duo need should they make a move for him in the winter window. Schneiderlin does the simple things extremely well for Southampton, he has recorded the team’s second-highest pass total so far this season with 858 (Jose Fonte leads the way with 961) which is an impressive stat considering his recent injury struggles. He is also Southampton’s second highest Premier League goalscorer with three goals, trailing Pelle’s tally of eight. The Frenchman has also made 37 tackles so far this season, with Victor Wanyama the only Southampton midfielder producing more (43).
If Schneiderlin does opt to move away from St Marys, he will almost certainly be deployed in a defensive midfield role, a position Tottenham and Arsenal desperately need to strengthen. Firstly, Arsenal’s defensive midfield options have been quite weak this campaign. Mathieu Flamini has managed 28 tackles this season and has completed 715 passes so far. The other defensive option of Mikel Arteta is not good reading for Arsenal fans either, as he has only made nine tackles and produced 400 passes in the Premier League this term. Schneiderlin is stronger in the air compared to Flamini as well, with the Southampton midfielder winning 22 headers compared to Flamini’s 19. In fact, Morgan Schneiderlin completely dominates the stats when put head to head against the likes of Flamini and Arteta. The defensive midfield area has been highlighted as a problem position for Arsenal for a long time now and Schneiderlin will offer much improvement in that particular area.
A similar story lies with Tottenham. Both Etienne Capoue (23 tackles) and Ryan Mason (33 tackles) cannot match Schneiderlin’s figures. Capoue also registers the second-highest passing statistics at Tottenham with 676 successful passes, which is still way off the Frenchman’s total. The combined total of headers won by both Mason and Capoue only amounts to 17 so again, Schneiderlin is the better option in the defensive midfield role. Tottenham fans will argue that Ryan Mason isn’t exactly a defensive midfielder and that he has been in impressive form this season. This is completely true but it also reveals Tottenham’s desperate need to strengthen in this particular area of the pitch. Although Capoue is a competent performer, he is not a better option than Southampton’s midfield man.
Although stats are not always the best way to determine the ability of a player, a complete dominance from Morgan Schneiderlin suggests that the midfielder will improve the midfield of both Tottenham and Arsenal. This will worry Southampton as the player himself wanted to leave the club in the summer. However, their recent run of form may persuade the Frenchman to stay until the end of the season at least.
Also, Ronald Koeman will be determined to keep hold of his best players after a turbulent summer transfer window; the Dutchman will want to avoid the panic of replacing star names once again in January. Southampton will be doing all they can to keep hold of the 25-year-old, whether they can do it or not remains to be seen but Schneiderlin is a very attractive proposition for the two North London clubs.
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It has been a miserable season for Wigan Athletic, currently occupying the relegation spaces in the Championship and they are in real danger of relegation to League One.
Malky Mackay’s men are 23rd after 26 matches, five points from safety. Whilst defensively they haven’t overly conceded – 10 teams have conceded more – it is the lack of goals that is severely hurting Wigan. The Latics have only scored 26 times in the Championship, with Callum McManaman the top scorer, netting just five times.
This has resulted in just four league victories all season – one in their last 12 – and Wigan really do look like a team lacking in confidence heading towards the third tier of English football. Malky Mackay was brought in under controversial circumstances in November but hasn’t managed to stop the rot at all, winning just one of his eight league matches in charge.
The club’s fortunes are vastly different from last season. In their first season since relegation from the Premier League, Wigan finished in very respectable fifth position. This was before narrowly losing to QPR 2-1 on aggregate, thanks to a Charlie Austin extra-time winner in the play-off semi-finals. But this summer saw a number of key players leave, which took the spine out of the side.
Jordi Gomez left for Sunderland, which was a big blow, as the midfielder racked up over 150 appearances for the club. Jean Beasuejour returned home to Chile after two years with the Latics, while James McArthur went to Crystal Palace for £7million, with Wigan evidently missing his control in the centre of the park. On-loan Manchester United striker Nick Powell was the club’s top goalscorer last season and losing him has left thim with a lack of fire power up front this term.
Demonstrating this fact is how strikers Marc-Antoine Fortune, Martyn Waghorn and young Andy Delort have scored just three goals between them so far this season. This is a damning statistic that has to be addressed in this transfer window by Malky Mackay.
The Latics still have the services of Callum McManaman and James McClean, but only smart recruitment is likely to save the club from a second relegation in three seasons.
Defensively Wigan aren’t as bad but they could do with tightening up. They miss Gary Caldwell’s leadership and experience, with the defender suffering an injury-ridden past couple of years. Despite this, there is still plenty of Premier League and international experience at the back.
Former England goalkeeper Scott Carson has now become a regular between the sticks since his move in 2013. He has plenty of Premier League experience that makes him crucial to Wigan’s fortunes, while the likes of James Perch and Captain Emmerson Boyce also add vital Premier League knowhow.
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With the addition of former West Brom and Aston Villa defender Liam Ridgewell, there should be enough quality at the back to make it difficult for teams to break them down. Ridgewell has recently been playing in America and hasn’t played football much in the past couple of months but once he finds his feet, he could prove to be a smart signing for the Latics.
The FA Cup glory of 2013 already feels like a distant memory for Wigan fans, but it could become even more distant if the Latics succumb to yet another relegation.
There has been a lot of talk about who could replace Sam Allardyce as manager of West Ham United at the end of the season. From Slaven Bilic to Michael Laudrup, there has been an influx of names that are suddenly linked to the job at Upton Park, despite the fact that it is being occupied by a perfectly capable Premier League manager at present.
The frustration after West Ham’s 4-0 FA Cup exit at the hands of West Bromwich Albion was understandable as the Hammers were simply awful. However, what is not understandable is the fact that Allardyce’s job is immediately surrounded with speculation as soon as one result does not go West Ham’s way. Since he became manager back in 2011, Allardyce has successfully completed all the managerial expectations the club has asked of him. Whether that’s gaining promotion to the Premier League, staying in the top flight or challenging for European football, Allardyce has successfully achieved the goals that the West Ham board have set him throughout his time at Upton Park.
One of the main reasons as to why Allardyce’s future could be in the balance is the fact that the manager is yet to be offered a new deal at the club. His current contract expires this summer but the board have been quick to admit that like last season, a review of the manager’s position will take place when the 2014/15 campaign is over. This is where West ham must tread carefully. When the season is looked at overall, it looks as if the Hammers will finish the campaign in the top half of the Premier League, representing another improvement under Big Sam. At times this season, the Hammers have been a joy to watch, playing good football with new signings that have added extra quality to the squad that allows the team to compete with the very best in the league. If a similar margin of improvement takes place next season under Allardyce, West Ham will be one of the best teams in England.
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Although there have been points where the Hammers have struggled this season, they still look like a very solid outfit that are hard to beat, a trait typically associated with Sam Allardyce’s managerial philosophy. Another injury to Andy Carroll and the continued demise of Kevin Nolan has almost forced the manager to change things at Upton Park and on the whole, West Ham play good football without the former Newcastle United teammates. If Allardyce continues to embrace the attacking, entertaining style of play that was so prominent at Upton Park in the earlier stages of the season then he should be rewarded with a new contract. In fact, even if Allardyce doesn’t produce excellent attacking football, isn’t it wise to stick with him in the last season before the move to the Olympic Stadium, just to make sure the Hammers are playing Premier League football in 2016/17 and beyond?
The key to a long-term success at a club like West Ham is stability. Bringing in a new manager at the end of the season could be something some West Ham fans want but it is clearly an unnecessary risk. If Allardyce dragged West Ham through this current season, battling relegation and playing negative football, it would be understandable that fans may be calling for his head at the end of it all.
However, the irony of the situation is that Allardyce has, yet again, done everything that was asked of him in pre-season. West Ham can become the club they want to be under Allardyce’s leadership as they are showing a steady improvement under the manager’s leadership. Although there are times when the former Bolton boss’ tactics are questioned, there are also games when West Ham overachieve and play fantastic football.
The manager will never be lauded at the club but he should never be disrespected considering the job he has carried out in East London so far. If he is moved on at the end of the season, it is a bold move from the owners and it is one that needs a lot of thought and care before any rash decisions are made.
The board stood by their man last summer when things were looking bleak for Allardyce and they should stick with him again at the end of this season. West Ham fans may think that a new manager could change things for the better but parting company with Allardyce could be one of the biggest mistakes the club could make amidst the impending move to the Olympic Stadium.
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Forget the romantic, ‘final season at the Boleyn’ managerial appointment, Allardyce is still the right man for West Ham United.
As the Premier League enters its final stages, there are still plenty to issues still to be resolved over the next few weeks.
With the relegation battle hotting up, the race for European places is also in full swing and the pressure is beginning to grow on some Premier League managers.
While some teams have hit a bad run of form at the wrong time, others look like they are already thinking about their holidays with little left to play. But for the managers every game is crucial and could have a big impact of not just the team but their own futures.
There are certainly a few Premier League managers that will be starting to feel the pressure as results continue to go against them, and for some their time in charge of their respective clubs could be coming to an end.
Here are five top flight managers that could soon be facing the exit door…
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Manuel Pellegrini
Just a few weeks ago Manchester City were locked in a two-horse race as they battled Chelsea for the Premier League title. But not only have these hopes been extinguished, they are also in danger of missing out on a top four place after a terrible run of form; an unthinkable yet possible prospect for the club.
Three straight league defeats on the road to Liverpool, Burnley and Crystal Palace mean Manuel Pellegrini’s future looks increasingly unstable and it would be no surprise to see him get the chop come the end of the season.
Their failure to build on a title winning season has once again been disappointing, and having failed to make a serious impression in the Champions League has proved frustrating.
An ageing squad and poor signings have not helped his cause, and the City hierarchy could be set to make a change, with Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti said to be high on the shortlist.
Brendan Rodgers
Football – Brondby IF v Liverpool – Pre Season Friendly – Brondby Stadion, Denmark – 14/15 – 16/7/14Liverpool manager Brendan RodgersMandatory Credit: Action Images / Anders KjaerbyeEDITORIAL USE ONLY.
Two successive league defeats to their top-four rivals meant all the positivity surrounding their long unbeaten run was soon replaced with negativity as their hopes of regaining Champions League football began to slip away.
Disappointing defeats to Arsenal and Manchester United once again led to questions about Brendan Rodger’s role as manager after failing to capitalise on a superb campaign that saw them narrowly miss out on the title last season.
Having failed to replace Luis Suarez in the summer, some disappointing signings have only added to the pressure on his shoulders and with the uncertainty surrounding Raheem Sterling who is reluctant to sign a new contract, Rodgers needs to turn things around quickly or his job could be on the line.
Sam Allardyce
After a fantastic start to the season that had some talking about West Ham as possible Champions League contenders, a poor run of results has seen them drop down the table where they now find themselves just three points off the bottom half.
A frustrating few months for the Hammers continued with defeat to Leicester last weekend and with each poor result comes further doubt over the future of Sam Allardyce.
Having struggled to win over many of the fans during his spell at Upton Park, he is nearing the end of the contract and there appears no sign of a new deal being agreed to extend his stay into next season.
With just over a year to go until they move into the Olympic Stadium, the board are said to be considering a change of manager in order to bring about a more attractive style of football that would be welcomed by the supporters, and Glenn Hoddle is one name being linked the role to replace Allardyce should he, the club or both decide the time is right for him to step down and move on.
John Carver
Most Newcastle fans were pleased when Alan Pardew left the club just over three months ago to take over at Crystal Palace. But since John Carver took over the role as Magpies head coach it’s been down hill ever since.
After revealing his ambition to manage the club on a permanent basis, Carver was looking to end the season on a high and hopefully earn himself the position on a full-time role beyond the summer.
Having dropped to thirteenth place in the table, a derby defeat to Sunderland last weekend will not have helped his cause and there’s still work to be done in order to ensure their Premier League survival after just one win in eight games.
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Very few if any will be hoping Carver remains in charge come the start of next season, and it’s hard to see him not being replaced with a new manager in the summer.
Roberto Martinez
Having narrowly missed out on Champions League qualification last season, much was expected of an exciting Everton side this campaign as they once again challenged towards the top end of the division. But it has clearly not gone to plan.
Aside from some decent performances in the Europa League, their form domestically has been dreadful and at one point they appeared to be in danger of falling into a relegation battle.
Thankfully for the Goodison Park faithful, sitting twelfth with a gap of 11 points means this disaster has been averted, but the prospect of missing out on even a top-half finish is hugely disappointing.
Fans have become increasingly disappointed with Martinez and he is another that could be in danger of losing his job.
He faces a tough task in convincing some of his star players to remain at the club without the guarantee of European football, and although Everton are not one to sack their manager as soon as things start to go wrong he will certainly be feeling the pressure after this season’s failure.
Reports are slightly confused at Manchester United on whether David de Gea might be leaving or not.
The club’s No. 1 goalie has been linked with a move to Barcelona and ex-Red Devil, Gary Neville believes that if he is going they need to arrange a swap with the Nou Camp. Dani Alves has been linked with the club a few times already this season and it appears his time at Barcelona is now up. The Brazilian’s agent has confirmed he will leave in June when his contract expires and this has brought great excitement to Manchester. But, would he be the right signing as a swap for their best goalkeeper?
According to a Spanish newspaper, Man United have put forward a three-year contract for the 31-year-old. Alves has been a long standing player for Barcelona and his talent and knowledge would bring a new standard to the Red Devil’s defence which has been remarkably weak so far this season. A three-year contract would bring a change in van Gaal’s approach. Since taking over as manager he has not offered more than a one-year contract for a player over 30. This deal could show just how much the Dutchman rates Alves.
As good as he has been in his career, Alves would be 34 by the time his contract is up at Old Trafford and as he gets older he is likely to lose some of his skill and pace. As a long term solution he isn’t the right-back they will want.
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Southampton’s Nathaniel Clyne has been named as a top target for United to become a permanent right-back. With it looking like Rafael is on his way out in the summer, the gaffer is wanting to improve the weak link in his team – the defence. The English international would be a great signing for United but it is unlikely they will sign both Alves and Clyne. Alves may be getting to the end of his career but he isn’t the type of player who wants to finish is sat on the bench.
Alves might not be a long term solution for United but someone with that much knowledge of playing in Europe brings more than just his football skills to the club. The defender will bring an understanding of how to play against the bigger clubs and as van Gaal hopes to challenge in Europe as well as in the Premier League, Alves will be able to show the younger defenders skills and a mind-set they need.
van Gaal wanted the Brazilian to make a decision by the end of the month but with de Gea’s future still uncertain there is a lot more talks that need to be made before clubs start swapping their players around.
In Alves, United would get talent, skill and a good knowledge but his age is against him where as with Clyne van Gaal would gain a young, talented Englishman who has many more years of football ahead of him.
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There is no way a decision has been made yet but it is hard to see both these right-backs signing for the club. van Gaal has to work out where his priorities lie and start narrowing down the targets. United have been named with that many players they could start their own league if they signed them all. As the transfer window draws closer it’s time to shorten the list.
The successes of Brendan Rodgers at both Swansea and briefly at Liverpool should not be overlooked. How he steered a squad with that defence to within a game of the title deserves great credit, but his transfer dealings have left a lot to be desired to say the least.
The relative success of 2013/14, albeit without a trophy, has been put down to the brilliance of Suarez by many. It seems unfair to take total credit away from Rodgers as his tactical ambition allowed a free flowing attacking game that saw the rise of Raheem Sterling as the third in the attacking triumvirate.
Rodgers the coach helped his side to within 90 minutes of an unbelievable title even with the continued misbehaviour of Suarez. The short-termism of football is not shown better than the plethora of Liverpool fans asking for Rodgers to be replaced so soon after providing a season of breath-taking attacking football and nearly their first title in over two decades.
The real criticism for Rodgers comes for much more than his brilliant 2013/14 season, but his job at managing the transfer market has been abysmal.
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Going into the 2014/15 season, Rodgers had just lost Luis Suarez for mammoth fee and was left with the chance to reinvest into a balanced squad. Unfortunately, Rodgers couldn’t live true to his comments when Tottenham were in a very similar position. Occasional patches of improved form and the loss of Daniel Sturridge for the majority of the season put a lot of pressure on Rodgers’ signings.
Adam Lallana, for instance, came into a team playing without a recognised centre forward and has only been given fleeting opportunities in a variety of systems and positions. This season has been an opportunity for Rodgers to shape Liverpool to a team in his image and regardless of excuses, he has failed in that task.
Even previous trust in his tactical ability has dropped with continued naivety towards creating a stable defence that has seen his side ship goals at an alarming rate. Not to mention the use of one of their best central midfielders as a centre-back.
Emre Can is one of the transfers that can be considered more of a success than most. This is not to say much from a manager who has signed Aspas, Alberto, Lambert and Allen. Adam Lallana certainly has the ability to succeed but regular football has been difficult to come by, whilst we all know the difficulties of Mario Balotelli and Rodgers’ bizarre attempts at man management.
In many ways, Rodgers’ biggest failings for transfers have been the lack of ambition often shown and this is starting to show in this window. Milner and Ings are perhaps shrewd additions, but unless they are the start of more ambitious signings it could be a truly underwhelming summer for the Anfield faithful.
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Although the dark times of Damien Comolli were equally disappointing in the market, Liverpool’s entire transfer system has been dysfunctional for years. The bargains of Sturridge and Coutinho are often quoted in defence of this regime, but their talent was known across Europe and Rodgers’ success in their cases is again down to his coaching. As Raheem Sterling appears to be edging closer to Manchester, there may be a chance for Rodgers to redeem himself with some big investment over this summer and put right his mistakes from Borini to Kolo Toure.
Along with the small task of replacing Steven Gerrard.