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.
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Following a largely inconsistent loan spell with Leeds United, parent club Everton handed a contract extension to young defender Matthew Pennington, securing his services until 2021.
That suggested the Toffees had high hopes for the 23-year-old, but recent reports hint that the appointments of Director of Football Marcel Brands and new manager Marco Silva have seen the situation drastically change.
Indeed, Mirror Football claim Brands is aiming to offload around twelve players, and Pennington is one of those whose future hangs in the balance despite signing a new deal.
With that in mind, we recently asked Leeds fans whether the club should move to re-sign the former defender during a transfer window which could well see the much-revered Marcelo Bielsa take the managerial reigns at Elland Road.
But according to our poll, the vast majority of Leeds fans are happy to see the back of Pennington, with a whopping 83% voting against the notion of a summer transfer swoop. Which defenders should the Whites target instead? Let us know by commenting below…
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It’s been an impressive start to 2018 for Aston Villa. Other than a shock defeat to Peterborough in the F.A. Cup, Steve Bruce’s men have been imperious, claiming victory in all three of their league games so far in January.
With ambitions to return to the Premier League as soon as possible, owner Tony Xia has spent liberally on a number of quality players.
However, one of the mainstays of the team in recent years is Alan Hutton. The defender, who has earned 50 caps for Scotland, has been a useful, versatile option in a number of positions across the backline.
During his time at Villa Park, Hutton has become a favourite with fans, especially this season where his performances have earned him numerous plaudits.
It was therefore a surprise when reports surfaced on Tuesday suggesting that the 33-year-old would not be given a new contract when his current one runs out this summer. A number of Villa fans took to Twitter after the report surfaced and were angry with the decision…
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The biggest mistake Bayern Munich have made this season – probably the only major mistake they’re likely to make in what is sure to be another sublime campaign for the Bavarians – is opening the door, allowing the chasing pack a peek inside to the possible availability of one of Europe’s star midfielders.
Bayern Munich have allowed the contract negotiations with Toni Kroos to spill into the open market, not so much saying that they’re in an impossible position in the way Borussia Dortmund were with Robert Lewandowski, but just giving outside parties enough of a sniff to send relevant individuals scrambling in order to tell the 24-year-old what is available outside the walls of the Allianz Arena if Bayern don’t yield to his demands.
It’s still a little troubling that it’s gotten this far. Not that Manchester United and Chelsea are hot on Kroos’ trail and have reportedly offered him eye-watering figures that surpass what he’s asking for from his current club, but that there is an idea very much out there that Bayern would be willing to let a player of his importance go so easily.
Unlike Dortmund, Bayern sit atop numerous Bundesliga mountains: champions, status, financial. FC Hollywood, for the most part, get exactly what they want.
They were ruthless when dealing with Athletic Bilbao a little under two years ago in the chase for Javi Martinez. Where Manchester United were so feeble in their attempts to lure Ander Herrera from San Mames, the Bavarians stumped up exactly what was required to free Martinez from his contract, with the club later going on to admit that they had indeed paid over the odds for the Spanish international, but that he was worth it and was vital to their cause. A quick glance at Pep Guardiola’s side would show that Martinez was well worth the €40 million.
So the impression that Bayern would be so powerless in keeping Kroos on board just doesn’t fit with the image of the club. Kroos’ contract comes to an end in 2015, and while the player isn’t speaking out of grand new adventures elsewhere, his goal is clear: financial parity with those who he believes he’s on equal footing with in terms of importance to the club.
In terms of playing personnel – Pep Guardiola is on €17 million and well, well above the club’s next highest earner – it’s no surprise to know that Franck Ribery is the club’s top dog. After that Mario Goetze, and then the usual suspects of Philipp Lahm and Bastian Schweinsteiger.
Kroos is looking for €8 million a year, double his current wages, which would leave him on par with Thiago and Arjen Robben, who is said to be closing on a new deal.
And then come the reasons why Bayern simply won’t allow a player like the midfielder to leave at this time, no matter how much the Premier League’s best talk up a position of royalty.
The 24-year-old is one of the most complete midfielders in Europe. Not only that, but he’s ideally suited to the needs of this Bayern team. He’s an attacking midfielder who was aided in his development through a two-year loan spell at Bayer Leverkusen, where, naturally, he was one of the team’s best players during his second year, demonstrating not only his precision as a creator but his lethal touch from set pieces.
Now at Bayern, he’s learnt to drop deeper in the midfield, playing regularly in any three-man combination. His ball retention is phenomenal, so too is his calmness under the pressure of major European and domestic clashes.
But what is absolutely vital is his rightful place as one of Bayern’s own, another in the line of Lahm and Schweinsteiger, something Ribery, Goetze and Lewandowski obviously aren’t. For a club who pride itself on tradition and continuity – look to the positions of ex players in the club’s hierarchy – they won’t let a player like Kroos go over something he is unquestionably deserving of.
Bayern are a financial behemoth in the modern game, but they’re still well short of paying the kinds of fees Real Madrid have for Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale, or indeed Barcelona’s recently revealed total expenditure on acquiring Neymar from Santos in the summer.
If Bayern sell Kroos, and in spite of the strength of their midfield, they’ll have to replace. Even if money isn’t an issue, how do you find a player as well-rounded and influential as that?
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For that, are we supposed to believe that the club will simply allow Chelsea or Manchester United to arrive in Germany, fling Kroos over their shoulder and carry him back to England?
Allowing the contract negotiations to drag is an unfortunate position Bayern have put themselves in. But it’s far from one they can’t easily wriggle out of.
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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.
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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.
According to reports in the Daily Mail, Everton are one of the Premier League clubs considering making a summer move for Aston Villa midfielder Jack Grealish, who is valued at £40m by the Championship outfit according to Sky Sports.
The Daily Mail says that Villa need to sell players this summer in order to stay in line with FFP regulations having been beaten by Fulham in the play-off final at Wembley last weekend, and the 22-year-old is one of their most valuable assets.
The report says that the Toffees, along with Leicester City and West Ham United, are all keen on the England U21 international, who scored three goals and provided a further five assists in 27 league games to help Villa secure a top-six finish.
The arrival of Grealish, who usually played in the centre and provided runs from deep but can also play wide on the left, at Goodison Park would certainly have plenty of consequences in terms of new manager Marco Silva, the formation, their current players and the fans, who don’t believe the club need to sign a Euro 2016 winner this summer.
Here are three things that will definitely happen if Everton seal the huge £40m deal…
The new Toffees boss proved with the likes of Richarlison, Nathaniel Chalobah and Will Hughes during his time with Watford that he can get the best out of young and promising individuals, and there is no reason why the same won’t happen in Grealish arrives at Goodison Park.
The 22-year-old has a similar playing style to Hughes as he is cultured on the ball and capable of making those strong forward runs from a deep-lying position in the middle of the park, and Silva will know exactly how to make sure he thrives for the Merseyside outfit.
While Everton will hope to get Grealish for less than £40m if they do push ahead with a move to sign him, it seems certain that he will be in starting XI at the beginning of next season if he does arrive on Merseyside in a big-money deal.
The England U21 international would obviously need to prove himself in pre-season and would have plenty of competition from the likes of Gylfi Sigurdsson, Tom Davies and Yannick Bolasie, but the fact that he can play in a range of different positions should ensure he is named on the team-sheet when the new campaign gets underway on the weekend of August 9-12.
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The 2017 summer signing from Ajax may well have been hoping for a second chance to impress under Silva next season following a disastrous debut campaign at Goodison Park where he found himself largely excluded from proceedings by Ronald Koeman, David Unsworth and Sam Allardyce.
However, the arrival of Grealish, who primarily plays in a similar position to the Dutchman, would surely seal his fate once and for all, and bring an end to what has been a nightmare spell on Merseyside for the 25-year-old who arrived with such promise and potential.
Arsenal’s seeming Euro-dabble of choice to replace Alexis Sanchez perhaps puts them at the front of the queue this week, whilst Tottenham and Liverpool have been linked, too.
In such a situation, you could envisage a scenario where all were interested in his signature, but wanted to wait until the summer to make a move. With Arsenal’s current pressing need to replace the Chilean winger who looks set to depart, either they’re now in pole position, or they’ve forced the hand of their top six rivals to act as soon as possible.
Either way, it’s a lot of fuss about a player not many people in England will have paid much attention to, barring a few mentions in gossip columns and a passing glance at Ligue 1 for most. That’s a shame, though. Because Malcom deserves a closer look. We might well get one this month, but whatever happens this is a player with some potential.
Only 20 years old, he signed for Bordeaux from Corinthians two years ago where he had already amassed dozens of senior appearances. Since then, he’s been growing in stature and since the end of last season, he’s been playing a crucial role for his team.
He’s pacey, direct and tricky, as you might expect from a Brazilian attacker who’s making the headlines around Europe. As a result, any one of the top six teams might be willing to take a punt on him given it’s not quite as risky as it would be were he, say, a centre back.
From the Brazilian’s point of view, though, there’s much to consider. When your name seems to be linked with all the big clubs, making the right choice is vital – so many have failed in that one small matter over the years.
Do you join Arsenal, the club who may be the most willing to take your immediately? They’re the lowest ranked of the top six and are currently stagnating. On the other hand, that might give you the chance not only to make an instant impact, but to become a fan favourite overnight.
Indeed, if this is to be Arsene Wenger’s final season in charge, who knows what might happen at the club next season. It could – on a very optimistic reading – be the perfect time to rock up at the Emirates.
Liverpool, too, would seem to be a good bet for minutes. Despite being just 20 years old himself, Dominic Solanke has already made 14 Premier League appearances for Jurgen Klopp’s side this season even if most are from the bench and the cumulative minutes on the pitch is just a little over 300.
But that’s all down to the extreme squad rotation that Klopp has employed so far this season. As competitions like the Champions League and FA Cup take precedence over the league – where the Reds will still have to make sure of Champions League qualification – that might be a chance to really get into the team despite the form of Roberto Firmino, Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane.
And then there’s Tottenham. If you’re looking for a club who will develop youth, you could do far worse than find a club with Mauricio Pochettino in charge. And, indeed, Spurs could be doing with a pacey player with a bit of flair about him. That’s arguably the final piece of the Tottenham jigsaw.
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So what do you do when you’re just a lowly wonderkid with the world at his feet? Which path do you choose? It’s clear that he’ll add something to each of the three sides who are said to be after his signature, and all he’ll have to do, then, is shine once he gets there.
If it’s a three-way battle, do you gamble that Arsenal is a club suffering at the moment but with potential very soon? Do you attempt to break into a front three he’d fit very well but might not be able to dislodge for the biggest games at Liverpool? Or do you go with Tottenham hoping that Mauricio Pochettino develops you just like he did with Dele Alli, and not like Clinton N’Jie or Georges-Kevin N’Koudou?
Doom and gloom seems to very much be the order of the day when talking about England’s World Cup hopes recently. Injury to Theo Walcott in the recent North London derby was for some the final straw, and has left many with little hope going into a pivotal year on the international stage.
I don’t contest that the injury to the Arsenal winger was anything but a major blow, but given the plethora of young talent looking to break through isn’t this a huge opportunity?
The name on everyone’s lips following a series of sensational recent performances is that of Raheem Sterling. The talented 19 year old has been on the cusp of breaking through with just the sole full international cap to date, but if recent form is anything to go by this could all be about to change.
Sterling has been an integral part of the Liverpool title charge, and it is his pace and cutting edge that have seen the ‘Reds’ tear apart opposition in the blink of an eye. At 19 he is clearly a player that needs nurturing, but on merit his inclusion on the plane to Rio is a must.
His club captain Steven Gerrard echoed this sentiment in a recent Telegraph interview:
“He’s in top form at a fantastic time,” Gerrard said. “I’m obviously disappointed for Theo with his injury but I’m sure Roy Hodgson is looking out for who is going to replace him and Raheem’s performances of late have been sensational.
“There are many candidates. Aaron Lennon’s playing well. There is Andros Townsend and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s back, but if you are looking at like-for-like – pace down the wing and someone who can make, score and create – then Raheem has got a fantastic chance.”
If there were a squad announcement next week, it would be hard for Hodgson not to select the precocious Sterling. With his near rivals only just returning form injury, it has been the Liverpool based winger who has shone and staked him claim. But the problem for Sterling in what has so far been a short career has always been consistency. Dogged by off-field dramas throughout, it is unsurprising that Rodgers has treated his development with caution. Yet ever since his dropping back down to the U21’s we have seen a totally different side to Sterling, especially in domestic football.
His 16 Premier League appearances this term have returned 3 goals with a remarkable 24 clear-cut chances created. Rather than the volatility of old, we are starting to see the young Englishman turn in performances week in and week out. With the likes of Lennon and Townsend still struggling for regular game time as well as failing to produce on weekly basis this could be the time for Sterling to nail down a place.
Gerrard was again quick to underline the way in which Sterling is beginning to deal with his meteoric rise to stardom a little better:
“You’ve got to understand his age. He’s learning the game. He’s got a fantastic manager to help him through that,” he said.
“He’s only 19 and you are going to suffer a dip in form. Who doesn’t have a dip at 19 years of age? But the mark of a good player and how good any player is going to be is how they come back from that. Can he react? To come back the way he has, he’s been one of our most consistent players in the last couple of months. He’s been brilliant.
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“I think he knows what the situation is. I said to him after the Stoke game ‘if you keep your performance at that level and you are going to make it very difficult for Roy Hodgson not to take you’.”
Sterling clear has the talent to be a star for club and country, but as he finally starts to knuckle down under the excellent tutelage at Liverpool is it finally time he gets that regular call from England?
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.
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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.
It is safe to say that Moussa Sissoko is not the most loved figure at Tottenham Hotspur.
The midfielder was under immediate pressure when he signed for the club from Newcastle United on deadline day in the summer of 2016 for a £30m fee.
However, he was unable to impress and struggled to hold down a place in Mauricio Pochettino’s team.
When he did venture out onto the field, he struggled to win over the fans with his performances.
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This season, the 28-year-old started 15 Premier League games and came off the bench in a further 18.
Sissoko has often been criticised by the fans for not making an impact when on the pitch, so it did not come as a huge surprise that he was not selected to represent France at the World Cup.
The former Newcastle United player has, though, been included on the reserve list for the tournament.
Once Didier Deschamps announced his squad for Russia, Tottenham fans posted sarcastic and playful comments regarding Sissoko’s axe.
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