All posts by h79snht.top

When Liverpool take on Udinese in the Europa League tonight at Anfield, one Italian desperate to impress will be Liverpool’s new striker Fabio Borini.

The 21-year-old became Brendan Rodgers first signing in the summer, but goals have been hard to come by thus far, netting just once in a Europa League qualifier against Belursian side FC Gomel in August.

Liverpool fans are not quite sure what to make of their new number 29, unsure whether he has been bought as a wide man or a central striker.

It seems Brendan Rodgers and perhaps even Borini himself also remain unsure.

He has been in and out of the side since his summer move, most often featuring on the right of a front three. During Liverpool’s recent draw with Sunderland he started as the central striker, and gave arguably his best performance since his summer move, looking a constant threat and only being denied his first Premier League goal by some fine goalkeeping.

During Liverpool’s recent 5-3 victory over Young Boys, he tipped the balance of play in Liverpool’s favour. With his side trailing 3-2, he came off the bench to play in that central striker role, and his hard work and movement caused all sorts of problems. Liverpool ran out 5-3 winners.

But when featuring in the wide positions Borini has struggled. In the home matches against Manchester City, Arsenal and Manchester United he was virtually anonymous, and was let down by his final ball or finish when in decent positions.

What you can say for the Italian is that he does not lack passion or confidence. He has been seeing geeing up the crowd at every available opportunity, and celebrates each goal his side score as if its the winner in a World Cup final.

He has come out this week and said he is confident his goal drought will end sooner rather than later, saying : “it is just a matter of time”.

Brendan Rodgers is convinced Liverpool have got themselves a top player who is only going to improve.

“He is a young player I know very well and over time he will only get better and better,” Rodgers said.

“He is a good kid who wants to work and there is no doubt over the coming years he will prove to be a very good player for the club.”

It will be interesting to see if Borini features in his favourite position as a central striker tonight, as Rodgers will look to shuffle his pack once more.

The pressure is on for Liverpool’s strikers to fire following the departure of Andy Carroll, with Luis Suarez currently thriving in his role as Liverpool’s main man.

However Borini needs to start chipping in sooner rather than later. Let us not forget he is only 21 years of age, and started slowly at Roma last season, before firing ten league goals in the second half of the campaign.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Rodgers needs to do all he can to help his young forward and give him a run in the side playing as a central striker. A first Premier League goal could open the floodgates, but it is unlikely to come soon if he is continues to be shafted out wide.

The Europa League campaign could be seen as a chance to really show what he can do, playing in his favoured position.

Playing against European teams without the physicality of a Premier League side could be the opportunity he needs to score some goals and gain further confidence.

There have been some encouraging signs to suggest Liverpool have got themselves a decent player for the future, which is what he should be seen as at present. Goals are what’s missing to prove they have a decent player for the present.

What do you think of Fabio Borini? Follow me on Twitter @LukeGreenwood89 and let me know your thoughts. 

Footballers are often accused of being many things – egotistic, arrogant and self-centered – and for the most part, you would be right for thinking those things, but is part of the problem the way young players are hyped up from an early age? And should more be done to stop players switching clubs every other season while they are still too young to make such weighty decisions?

Manchester United have been bitten this summer by the departure of 19 year-old French international Paul Pogba, who departed to Juventus citing a lack of first-team opportunities at Old Trafford as the motivating factor behind the move. Setting aside the fact that the ranks at Juventus are swelled with Andrea Pirlo, Arturo Vidal, Kwadwo Asamoah, Mauricio Isla and Claudio Marchisio among others, which seems like a far better depth of talent than is currently occupying the squad at Manchester United, it should really come as no surprise to many in the way that he left the club, for without trying to be too patronising, it’s part and parcel of the game these days with younger players.

Upon completing his reported £20,000 per week move to the Italian champions, Ferguson slammed the player in question stating: “Pogba signed for Juventus a long time ago as far as we’re aware. It’s a bit disappointing because I don’t think he should us any respect at all. To be honest, if they carry on that way, I’m quite happy that he’s away from me anyway.”

The reaction is completely understandable, a naive young man has had his head turned by an agent, in this instance, the clearly detestable Mino Raiola, but we shouldn’t forget the circumstances in which Manchester United were allowed to sign the youngster in the first place, with any genuine outrage surely bordering on the hypocritical.

Signed as a 16 year-old from French club Le Havre, Manchester United were immediately accused of ‘tapping up’ the youngster and both clubs become embroiled in a bitter war of words.  Le Havre released the following statement after it appeared the then 16 year-old had move to England: “Le Havre want to express their indignation at the actions of Manchester United officials and their pursuit of Paul Pogba.

“Paul Pogba, his parents and Le Havre were bound to a contract called a ‘non-solicitation agreement’ from autumn 2006. At the end of that contract, the three parties agreed to sign a trainee contract when the player matched certain age and scholarship criteria, taking him through to the end of the 2009/10 season. However, the player and his parents have refused to fulfil the agreement because Manchester United have offered big money to the parents to get their son to England. While a lot of voices have started to be heard coming out of the EU, governments, Fifa and Uefa against ‘minor slave trade’, Manchester United have not hesitated to uproot a 16-year-old kid.”

Strong words indeed but the crux of their argument is sound, the rush for talent and the next big thing means that many major club all across Europe can often be accused of lacking morals in their pursuit of top young talent, this in turn creates an unrivalled and unwarranted sense of entitlement in the player. They think they have made it before they have even kicked a ball, you could call them big-time Charlie’s if you will, but the fact of the matter is what talented young kid would turn a huge club like United down?

It renders the investment that clubs at all levels all across Europe make with concerns to their academies somewhat pointless if a big club can swoop in at the eleventh hour and purchase a prodigious talent in such a manner. While I wouldn’t quite go down the ‘minor slave trade’ route that Le Havre clearly went for, it’s not too far off and these players need to be protected at such an impressionable age.

Ultimately, the decision will come down to them, not their parents or guardians or whoever else may be involved, but I can’t remember when I was 16 years old being of sound enough mind to make an objective and long-term decision about my career, so footballers should be no different. Freedom of movement laws obviously dictate that these players are well within their rights to make such moves, but at the end of the day, it’s not for the good of the game or even themselves, it’s for the vested interests whispering in their ears looking to make a quick buck. Smaller clubs are getting squeezed more and more financially, so to deny them the payday they richly deserve for developing and harnessing such a player seems a tad harsh.

The only proposition that I can think of that could potentially work as a blanket rule would be to raise the age by which footballers sign their first professional contract from 16 to 18 in the hope that extra two years experience, both on and off the pitch would act as a factor in their decision-making process and counter-balance their previous lack of maturity. I’ll be the first to admit, though, that while this may potentially take a degree of power away from those hegemonic clubs to an extent, it’s still a deeply flawed idea as the knock-on effect means it just then increases player power even further and the smaller club in question could be set to miss out on a payday still, just a couple of years further down the line.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Money is the predominant reason for such moves, with the requirement of guaranteed first-team football usually a secondary requirement. Pogba serves as a prime example of the ‘evils’ of the modern game to an extent and he’s now left two successive clubs under a cloud even though he has just seven professional appearances under his belt. Gambling on potential is fine, it’s done in all walks of life and various industries every day, but for the figures bandied about, it’s simply got into silly territory now and needs to be seriously looked at and addressed by people far smarter than myself.

You can follow me on Twitter @JamesMcManus1

[ad_pod id=’dfp-mpu’ align=’right’]

The brief international break is over and Manchester United resume their Premier League campaign on Saturday when they take on Norwich City at Carrow Road.

During this same fixture last season in February of this year, a Ryan Giggs stoppage-time winner – in his 900th appearance for the club – helped the Red Devils snatch three points. In the reverse fixture at Old Trafford in October of last year, goals from Danny Welbeck and Anderson led to a 2-0 defeat of the Canaries.

Manchester United enter the weekend top of the Premier League table with 27 points from 11 matches – 2 points clear of Manchester City and 3 clear of Chelsea. Since a late September defeat by Tottenham Hotspur, the Red Devils have won eight successive matches combined in league and in the UEFA Champions League. Their most recent victory came last weekend in a 3-2 defeat of Aston Villa at Villa Park. United have already clinched the top spot of their Champions League group with two group-stage fixtures to spare.

Norwich City currently sit 15th in the table with 11 points from 11 matches. It was a slow start for manager Chris Hughton at his new club and he didn’t find a league win until their eighth fixture – an impressive 1-0 defeat of Arsenal on October 20 at Carrow Road.

Since that match, the Canaries have gone four league games unbeaten with their last point coming from the weekend’s 0-0 draw at Reading. They have also reached the quarter final of the Capital One Cup.

It’s hard to look beyond United here – as long as the Red Devils can keep a lid on Grant Holt, three-points should be in the bag.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Prediction – Norwich 0 – 2 Manchester United

Celtic boss Neil Lennon admitted the UEFA Champions League win over Barcelona was one of the proudest nights of his career.

Lennon’s side wrote their names into the history books with their momentous 2-1 win over the Spanish giants at a buoyant Celtic Park.

“It is right up there, one of the proudest nights of my career,” Lennon told Sky Sports. “It’s just a monumental effort from those players tonight on the anniversary of the club. It is a very special occasion to do themselves justice tonight and they’ve just beaten the best team in the world. It is two of the stiffest examinations they will ever get in their careers and they’ve come through it with flying colours.”

Lennon admitted they pinpointed Barcelona’s weakness at set-pieces with their first goal coming from a corner as Victor Wanyama netted from Charlie Mulgrew’s cross.

“Charlie Mulgrew is one of the best dead ball players around and his delivery was magnificent and Wanyama, who just keeps getting better and better, scores a great goal for us and then you try and weather the storm and you know it’s coming and there is not a lot you can do about it but we saw it through. Young Tony Watt comes on and a few of them are dying on their feet as they’ve given everything and Watt gives us a new lease of life and scores a brilliant second goal and it is going to go down in the history books of the club.

Lennon believes the win gives them a real opportunity of reaching the knockout stages with Celtic in second place behind Barca and three points clear of Benfica.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

“It gives us a great chance,” added Lennon. “Benfica beat Spartak Moscow so they are still on our tails so we’ve got to go to Benfica and try to raise our game again and we will cross that bridge when we come to it and we will enjoy the evening and the moment.”

Manchester United and Manchester City are both understood to be in pursuit of Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Fernandinho in January, the Mirror reports.

It is believed the two Manchester rivals are poised to do battle for the signature of Shakhtar’s £16.5million rated Brazilian, with the player also stating earlier this month that he was set to leave the Russian champions in the winter window.

It had been suggested that City had become favourites to sign the 27-year-old however Sir Alex Ferguson is now ready to rival Roberto Mancini in a bid to bring him to Old Trafford instead.

The Ukranian champions have had an impressive Champions League campaign this season, qualifying in second place in group E ahead of current cup holders Chelsea.

Brazilian Fernandinho has been instrumental in this success, scoring in the 2-1 win over Chelsea last month and his performances in Europe have attracted interest from a host of top clubs, but it seems Manchester will be his destination.

He joined Shakhtar in 2005 and during his time has scored 51 goals in 273 appearances in all competitions while also earning his first international cap for Brazil in 2011.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Manchester United currently sit six points clear of City at the top of the Premier League. If they could snatch Fernandinho out of the grasp of their neighbours as well, then it would leave the Red Devils in an even stronger position to claim their title back.

David Ginola recently tipped Gareth Bale to be one of the very best in the world. The former Tottenham winger also said that Spurs would struggle to keep the Welshman at the club in the future. Both may be true, but with Barcelona reportedly interested in the player, it’s extremely difficult to see a successful partnership between the player and La Liga club in the future.

That’s not to suggest that Bale isn’t good enough for Barcelona, yet that also shouldn’t force the assumption that he is; plenty of the world’s best are not necessarily right fits for Barcelona. And that’s the main point: you can’t always pair a good team and a good player and expect it to stick.

Gareth Bale has terrorised defences both domestically and in Europe, with his elevation to stardom starting in that game against Inter Milan and specifically Douglas Maicon. Not a far shout to suggest the Brazilian right-back has not been the same since. Tottenham were said to have been playing the best football in England last season. It was quick, it was rampaging and it excited plenty of people. But it was very traditional of the English game; it was two wide players using their pace to their advantage with a target man in the centre. Obviously there was more to it, but that was where Gareth Bale shone.

He was used from a central position as well, and there may have been some reason to belief that he could make the successful transition from a wide player to a central player. But his natural game is suited to having plenty of room to run into on the flanks and using his pace and strength to beat his opponents.

Again, not to suggest that Bale is not quite good enough, but where do Barcelona fit in?

Bale is not a left-back, and using him there is a waste of his talents. But even if that was a fair suggestion, Barcelona have already spent a decent amount of cash on Jordi Alba, a player whose age suggests he’ll be the team’s left-back for many years. Dani Alves is certainly not looking his old self, and there are plenty of suggestions that he’ll be out the door at some stage in the near future. But suggesting that Bale could take up a right-sided position seems pointless.

I’ve already touched on the idea that Alexis Sanchez is not a great fit for Barcelona. Another very good player, of course, but his game doesn’t seem to work well or even consistently enough for him to be seen as a great addition to their starting XI. He brings with him plenty of attacking qualities, notably his pace and ability to get behind the defensive line, but he seems to be a precursor to what we may see if Bale moves to the Nou Camp.

Barcelona don’t play a counter attacking game, quite plainly because they don’t need to. They see so much of the ball that their game is based around patient build-up play (or boring football to some). When there is so much passing around the edge of the penalty area and the opposition defence are defending deep, where is the space for Bale to showcase his talents and play to his best?

Imaginings of a parallel world where Cristiano Ronaldo plays for Barcelona would raise equal concerns. Ronaldo is the perfect fit for Real Madrid and their game, but putting him into the Barcelona team would certainly change all that. You’ve got to wonder if the world’s best players should be able to adapt, but there are obvious and reasonable lines of thinking that would suggest Ronaldo and Barcelona’s qualities would clash.

Coincidently, Gareth Bale would be an ideal fit for Real Madrid. But you’ve got to believe that a move to the Bernabeu is a no-go: nothing would allow him to replace Ronaldo on Real’s left flank.

With Barcelona, however, it’s also worth looking at the pace they do have in the side besides Sanchez. Pedro and Cristian Tello both move incredibly quickly, but they are often players who move in and out of the side, changing things when the game needs stretching. They’re also a set of players who do not compromise Barcelona’s natural passing game and the focus that is placed on Lionel Messi.

Tito Vilanova may look to significantly alter the way Barcelona play, and there is certainly some notable changes from the team under Pep Guardiola. Perhaps Gareth Bale would be seen as a natural fit for them, but at this stage that’s just guess work.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Despite his age, It’s also important to refer to David Villa and his role in the Barcelona team. A striker who was moved out onto the left yet remains one of the deadliest finishers in European football. He was a huge miss last season, and there could be a decent argument that Barcelona would have retained their league title had Villa been fit.

But then even if Barcelona do acquire Bale and he adapts his own style, how would he fare in their passing game? His natural game would suggest he’s one of Europe’s best wide players, but does that mean he’s equally able to perform to Barcelona’s current system and be a success?

Zlatan Ibrahimovic didn’t fail at the Nou Camp, but it certainly didn’t work out for one reason or another. Alexis Sanchez has been mentioned and there were even suggestions that Cesc Fabregas was struggling. It just rounds out nicely to the fact that not every player can fit into every system, and that is the overriding reason why Gareth Bale to Barcelona makes such little sense.

[post_link url=” https://www.footballfancast.com/premiership/the-15-great-polar-opposites-within-football, https://www.footballfancast.com/premiership/football-fancast-paints-a-picture-of-the-modern-footballer, https://www.footballfancast.com/football-blogs/top-players-in-europe-who-would-be-the-perfect-fit-in-the-premier-league,https://www.footballfancast.com/premiership/the-football-quarterbacks-and-their-role-within-the-game,https://www.footballfancast.com/premiership/arsenal/the-ideal-role-for-theo-walcott” target=”_blank” type=”grid”]

Everton defender Phil Jagielka is adamant that uncertainty surrounding manager David Moyes’ future will not derail their season.

The Toffees have made a flying start to the Premier League campaign, and are still in with a chance of Champions League qualification with 12 games to go.

But, as the club enter the vital period of the season, Moyes’ future is far from clear, with the Scot delaying contract talks with chairman Bill Kenwright.

He is thought to be considering his future, and is keen to see whether Everton secure European football for next season.

Moyes has been linked with a number of jobs in recent times, with some suggesting he may be the long-term successor to Manchester United legend Sir Alex Ferguson.

It is also believed that he could be keen on moving abroad to further his abilities and reputation within European football.

Despite this, Jagielka is adamant that the squad are just focused on performing week in, week out:

“The manager has pretty much brought every single player in, so we are his players.” He is quoted by the Daily Mail.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

“He has made decisions that he wants to make. He has come out in the press and said he will not sign anything until the end of the season, which is fine with us.

[cat_link cat=”everton” type=”grid”]

Liverpool FC have entered the race to bring Feyenoord’s contract rebel Stefan de Vrij to the Premier League as concerns grow around the future of Sebastian Coates, reports the Daily Mail.

Liverpool’s Uruguayan defender has attracted the interest of several big name clubs in Italy with Juventus looking to replace their 34-year-old Brazilian, Lucio.

Speaking to German newspaper Bild, Lucio hinted that he was unsettled at The Old Lady saying, “I am unhappy at the moment because I don’t play much at Juventus.”

The Bundesliga and Wolfsburg are seen as Lucio’s next move, with the player admitting that, “VfL would definitely be an option for me.’

If Juventus finally replace the aging Lucio with Coates, Liverpool will be desperate to enter the race to sign de Vrij, who is currently being tracked by Chelsea.

De Vrij has thus far refused to sign a new contract at De Kuip, leaving technical director Martin Van Geel to consider the Dutchman’s departure.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

The young defender’s contract is up in 2014 and will be hoping for a swift exit to fulfil his ambitions elsewhere.

[cat_link cat=”liverpool” type=”grid”]

Charles N’Zogbia has said that he will “work harder” for boss Paul Lambert, to start for Aston Villa.

N’Zogbia, formerly a Wigan player, who signed for Villa in 2011, has found it a struggle so far at the team. He did not manage to start against Spurs or West Brom, as well as struggling striker Darren Bent.

However, N’Zogbia has praised his manager and seems keen to keep working to make the team more often. He said to the Daily Star: “It’s not about money, how many games you’ve played or international appearances. If he thinks you are not good enough to play at the time, you have to stick to it and work harder. It keeps you on your toes and it’s good to have a manager like this.”

He also believes that Bent will be able to fight to be picked by Lambert again. He said: “The manager will decide. What Darren has to do when he plays is to show a reaction. Darren Bent is a fighter, so this will not be a problem for him. Maybe he’ll miss the old game and be on the bench but when he starts playing, he’s going to score.”

N’Zogbia also admitted to Sky Sports News earlier this week that he had problems with former Villa coach Alex McLeish. He said: “The manager and I did not get along and sometimes this happens. We don’t have to like everybody in football. We are humans. We just have to move on and that’s it.”

Earlier this week, Aston Villa denied rumours of a problem between Paul Lambert and Darren Bent.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Highly rated South Korean midfielder Ki Sung-Yueng has become Swansea City’s record signing after putting pen to paper on a three-year deal from Celtic.

Ki, 23, will not be able to play for the Swans as they take on West Ham in today’s lunchtime kick off but he is clearly excited to have arrived.

“When I look at Swansea I see a club that is growing and growing, and the style here is very attractive to me,” he told the club’s official website.

“Last year I watched them a lot in the Premier League and they did things very differently to a lot of the other teams. They wanted to keep the ball and pass it around, which I love to do. When they didn’t have the ball they worked so hard to get it back quickly.”

“This is something I have dreamt about since I was a child – playing in the Premier League against the best players in the world. I can’t wait to play my first game.”

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

 

[ad_pod id=’writer-1′ align=’right’]