West Bromwich Albion are considering making a move for Newcastle United winger Rolando Aarons due to the likely departure of James McClean, according to Wednesday’s transfer blog via The Mirror.
What’s the word?
The Baggies have been linked to numerous players since suffering relegation to the Championship at the end last season.
However, manager Darren Moore is yet to add a new face to his squad.
There have been a handful of departures, though, and one who could be on his way out of the club is James McClean.
If the Irishman leaves then the Baggies require a replacement, and according to The Mirror, Aarons is a potential target.
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Is he good enough?
The 22-year-old has been at Newcastle since 2012 where he developed his game before making his first-team debut two years later.
There was a lot of hype around the left-sided winger, who can also play on the right when required.
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However, he has been unable to fulfil his potential at the North-East outfit, which suggests that a move would be beneficial.
Last season, Aarons joined Hellas Verona in January on loan and made just 11 Serie A appearances.
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There is no reason why the winger could not thrive at West Brom, but it is a risk due to his lack if game time.
Leeds United attacking midfielder Samu Saiz returns from suspension for the club’s crucial Championship clash against Derby County at the Pride Park Stadium on Wednesday night, and Whites fans have begged Paul Heckingbottom to start the Spaniard.
The 27-year-old was arguably the Yorkshire outfit’s player of the season – he has nine goals and five assists in 25 matches in all competitions – before he was dismissed for spitting at an opponent in the FA Cup defeat against Newport County in Wales last month, and was subsequently handed a six-match ban.
United have sacked former boss Thomas Christiansen and replaced him with Heckingbottom since then, but they are in desperate need of a win in the east Midlands to reignite their play-off hopes as they currently lie eight points adrift of the top six with 14 league games left this term.
Leeds supporters were quick to have their say on Saiz’s potential inclusion against the Rams via social media, and while one said it would be “outrageous if he doesn’t start Saiz tonight”, another said “let him start and prove to us why we’ve kept faith in him”.
Here is just a selection of the Twitter reaction…
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According to the Independent, Liverpool are eyeing a move for Monaco striker Radamel Falcao.
The Colombian assassin, who boasts a career return of 200 goals in 302 appearances, only joined the French big-spenders last summer. But rumours since have insisted that the 28-year-old is disillusioned with the overall quality of Ligue 1 and Monaco’s attendances, which often come in at under 10k.
No doubt, Falcao would be a sensational signing for the Anfield outfit, who are still yet to find a direct replacement for now-Barcelona star Luis Suarez.
With that in mind, here’s FIVE ways the former River Plate and Atletico Madrid front-man would change the Reds for the better.
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GOALS
Of course, the obvious advantage to signing Radamel Falcao is that he’s undisputedly one of the most proficient strikers in Europe.
Above all else, the Colombia international is a sensational finisher, and that divine ability has seen him net a ridiculous amount of goals at his prior three clubs:
Even for Monaco, despite suffering a multitude of injury problems last season, the 28 year-old has bagged 12 in 20 across all competitions.
Here’s a look at what Falcao does best – making the onion bag ripple with goalscoring delight:
//www.youtube.com/embed/OO6hG9xsVow?rel=0
Variety
Football – AS Monaco v Tottenham Hotspur – Pre Season Friendly – Stade Louis II, Monaco – 13/14 – 3/8/13Radamel Falcao – AS Monaco Mandatory Credit: Action Images / Jed Leicester
And the beauty of Radamel Falcao’s goal getting is that he doesn’t need one consistent supply line – rather, the South American is capable of putting away a variety of chances.
Take a look at these statistics from his last season with Atletico Madrid for example:
As you can see, he’s comfortable with both feet, even gets a few headed goals and far from the goal-hanging Gary Lineker incarnate he’s often made out to be, can finish from long-range too.
Don’t believe me? How about this strike against Valencia:
//www.youtube.com/embed/DgJ2F3eFQWU?rel=0
Or this tidy effort against Dusseldorf:
//www.youtube.com/embed/FNF4xuFnzqQ?rel=0
A Marquee signing
Ever since Brendan Rodgers took the Anfield gig in summer 2012, Liverpool have eternally struggled to land a marquee signing.
Last summer, the Reds targeted Willian, Henrik Mkhitaryan, Bernard and Diego Costa to name a few, but all rejected a Mersey move, either joining other clubs or opting to stay put.
And although Liverpool have splashed out over £100million on new signings this summer, they still lack that premium purchase to make a statement of their intent in the transfer market.
Well, Radamel Falcao would remedy that in abundance. Not only did Monaco pay a ridiculous €60million for his services just over a year ago, but he’s also being targeted by Juventus, Real Madrid and Manchester City to name a few.
And of course, the beauty of making one marquee signing is that others are soon likely to follow. Arsenal for example, would unlikely have signed Alexis Sanchez this summer without acquiring Mesut Ozil in 2013.
Falcao is a target who really could put Liverpool back on the transfer map.
The star-studded fear factor
Following on from the need for a marquee signing, it goes without saying that in the absence of now-Barcelona striker Luis Suarez, Liverpool are lacking that fear factor – the kind of player who has opposition defences trembling from the open whistle.
Well, Radamel Falcao’s Merseyside arrival would address that in abundance. Not least due to a career return 200 goals in 303 appearances, but furthermore through the 28 year-old’s ability to pull of the sublime.
Take this goal for instance that went on to win the 2012 Puskas award – completely unstoppable:
//www.youtube.com/embed/uW28asAEA6o?rel=0
That kind of sensational strike would inject fear into the hearts of any defence. Falcao is a striker the opposition have to specifically prepare for, which is an enormous tactical advantage for Liverpool.
Here’s a look at the Colombia international’s ten best ever goals:
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//www.youtube.com/embed/YDfjYoW4Bvk?rel=0
He’s not Luis Suarez
The worst thing Liverpool could do this summer is buy a striker that draws too many parallels with Luis Suarez. Simply put, the Uruguayan is irreplaceable, a once-in-a-generation kind of player, and trying to replace him in a like-for-like manner would be an enormous waste of time and money.
Signing long-labelled Luis Suarez incarnate Luis Muriel for example, who has often been linked with an Anfield switch, would be an atrocious idea.
But Radamel Falcao on the other hand, although similar to the now-Barcelona star in some mannerisms, such as their sublime finishing and coolness inside the box, is a polar opposite in many respects.
For example, it’s well known that the Colombian doesn’t contribute too much outside the box, especially when you compare him to the former Anfield favourite:
But in my opinion, that can only be a good thing – there will be less pressure on Falcao to assist in open play, allowing new signings such as Adam Lallana and Lazar Markovic to take the creative mantle. Likewise, he won’t be expected to control games in the final third as Suarez often did, but is still capable of impacting them to a similar level.
Rather conveniently, here’s a video comparing Suarez and Falcao:
I’m going to start this by saying that I think Carl Fletcher is a great guy, a top bloke, and I believe that he genuinely cares about Plymouth Argyle. He showed great commitment to stick with us through the administration years as a player and did a marvellous job keeping us in League Two last season as manager.
Sadly though, I feel that Fletcher is no longer the man to take us forward, and barring a miracle run of results it is time we parted company with him.
Performances this season have been incredibly inconsistent and we have only really seen glimpses of the team at their best in the 4-1 dismantlings of Northampton and Barnet as well as the 3-1 victory over Rochdale.
Most fans ignored the wild claims coming from the boardroom in pre-season and accepted that this campaign would be one of mid-table ‘obscurity’, with little chance of promotion but more importantly an even smaller chance of being involved in yet another relegation battle.
One half of that realistic expectation has been achieved; it would took a godsend for Argyle to be involved in the end of season mix-up, but sitting in 19th place in the League Two standings, just four points above the drop zone, is far from the comfort many fans wanted this season.
A 3-0 loss at Fleetwood, the side’s fifth defeat in six games, means the Pilgrims have taken just one point from the last possible 15 whilst also bowing out of the FA Cup.
I wanted Carl Fletcher to be successful with us, I really did, but with the side slipping ever closer to the relegation zone something simply has to give. Fletcher might make a good manager in years to come, but at the moment he is far from the leader we all wanted him to be.
I struggle to see us getting anything from our next two fixtures against Bradford & Chesterfield and although many see the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy as a joke competition, I want us to take it seriously – we have a genuine chance of progressing to the area semi-finals with a tie against fellow strugglers Oxford United – I don’t want Fletcher to mess up that chance for us.
Following those games we then have a home tie against York, who have only lost once on their travels before the all important West country Derby at Exeter. Our rivals have been chortling at us for the last few years, so this game will be the first chance we get to reclaim some of our local pride, yet in the form we are in we may as well hand the Grecians three points and not bother playing to save face.
Calling for Fletcher’s head was one of the last things I wanted to do this season but if we lose to Bradford then surely it is time for change. Due to our early exit from the FA Cup we have a two week break from league games after the Chesterfield match, I’m starting to see it as a window of opportunity to remove and possibly replace the manager.
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Liverpool defender Dejan Lovren is no stranger to criticism, particularly when it comes from his own fans.
Ever since his switch from Southampton in 2014, the 28-year-old has struggled to impose himself as a solid presence in the back four.
Lovren has had spells in and out of the team due to his form, but last season he found a more steady rhythm following the arrival of Virgil van Dijk.
The Dutchman signed for Liverpool in January after forcing a move from Southampton and he was swiftly thrown into the deep end.
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The centre-back slotted in seamlessly, and his assured performances at the back bred confidence through his teammates, including Lovren.
Even though the Croatian’s displays have been better, he is still susceptible to errors, which has led to questions about whether or not the club should try to sign another defender this summer.
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On Saturday, Lovren was part of the Croatia team that earned a 2-0 victory over Nigeria in their World Cup Group D match.
On Twitter, Liverpool fans praised the performance of the defender, with some suggesting that he deserves to continue playing alongside Van Dijk next season.
Borussia Dortmund attacker Marco Reus scored a stunning winner for his side in their 1-0 victory against Borussia Monchengladbach on Sunday, and Liverpool fans have urged their club to sign the 28-year-old.
The Germany international was making just his third start of the season following his return from a cruciate ligament injury, and he certainly made a big impression in the Bundesliga encounter.
Former Chelsea forward Andre Schurrle laid the ball across the area for the attacking midfielder, and he took a touch before unleashing a shot that went in off the underside of the crossbar.
Having lost Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona during the January transfer window, Jurgen Klopp could be looking for a replacement during the summer and the Anfield faithful appear to be backing a move for Reus.
Liverpool supporters took to social media to give their thoughts on the German’s latest display, and while one said he is one of the ‘top 5 players in the world when he is 100% fit’, another said ‘I would still take him in a heartbeat’.
Here is just a selection of the Twitter reaction…
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England are now hanging by a thread in reaching the knock-out stages of the World Cup after a Luis Suarez inspired 2-1 defeat against Uruguay.
And the world has reacted via Twitter to the loss, as many were really hoping that this ‘Young and Brave’ squad can surprise and progress from a tough group.
England will now pray that Balotelli and co defeat BOTH Costa Rica and Uruguay for them to have any chance of progressing in the competition.
If the above scenario was to occur, England, Uruguay, and Costa Rica will all be tied on 3 points. Therefore the table will come down to goal difference, which England currently lie bottom with on -2.
Thus the Three Lions will need to win their last game by a rather large goal margin, or hope that Italy beat their opponents convincingly.
Here are the best Twitter reactions from last night’s encounter.
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Considered one of the greatest players ever to pull on a Swindon Town shirt, it’s no surprise that Don Rogers has a stand named in his honour at the County Ground.
If signing for the club just under the noses of local rivals Bristol City didn’t endear him enough to supporters, then scoring the winning goal in a League Cup final saw the exciting winger elevated to God-like status amongst the Robins faithful.
Joining Swindon on a youth contract as a 15-year-old in 1961, Rogers made his debut a year later and eventually went on to clock up 490 appearances and score 181 goals over two separate spells at the club.
By the 1965/66 season he had become a regular in the Robins first team and topped the scoring charts for three years in a row to cement his place as an integral figure for the club.
But it was in 1969 League Cup final that his finest hour arrived as he single handedly took Arsenal apart with a virtuoso display. With the game poised at 1-1 and in the midst of a tense extra time period, Rogers took advantage of a loose ball to fire home and hand Swindon a deserved 104th minute lead.
Five minutes later he sealed an extraordinary victory, springing a rapid counter attack and running unopposed towards the Gunners goal before rounding Bob Wilson and slotting into an empty net.
His performance that day attracted interest from clubs higher up the English football pyramid and just three short years later he was signed by Crystal Palace for £147,000. A mixed two-year spell at Selhurst Park was followed by a move to Queens Park Rangers that saw a certain Terry Venables and Ian Evans move in the opposite direction.
But by 1976 Rogers was back at Swindon, after making only 18 appearances for the Rs, but his stay didn’t last long and in November of that year he signed for then non-league outfit Yeovil Town on loan.
Two months later he returned to the Robins but retired in 1977 after suffering a hip injury that robbed him of the rubber like flexibility that allowed him to slip past defenders.
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After hanging up his boots Rogers went into the shop business opening a store in Swindon called ‘Don Rogers Sports’ supplying trophies and team wear to hundreds of sports clubs during the last 40 years.
A brief flirtation with management saw Rogers take over at Hellenic Football League side Lambourn Sports in the 1990s and guide them to the promotion.
He is currently president of the North Wiltshire Youth League team and manages a team called Shaw Under-14s. In March 2008 his loyal service to the club was recognised as the East Stand at the County Ground was renamed the Don Rogers Stand.
According to Italian media outlet GazzaMercato, new Arsenal manager Unai Emery is keen to be reunited with Sevilla midfielder Ever Banega this summer, but head of recruitment Sven Mislintat would be mad to sanction a move for the Argentina international, rated at £10.8m by Transfermarkt.
What’s the word, then?
Well, GazzaMercato reports that Banega’s agent Marcelo Simonian is going to travel to London this week to discuss a possible move for his client to the north London club, with Emery keen to link up with the 29-year-old again having signed him for Sevilla back in 2014.
The need for a new central midfielder has certainly increased following Jack Wilshere’s announcement on Tuesday night that he will be leaving the Emirates Stadium when his contract expires at the end of the month, but the imminent arrival of Sampdoria ace Lucas Torreira should fill the void.
How did Banega do last season?
Following one year with Inter Milan, the 29-year-old returned to Sevilla last summer and was once again a key man for them, making 50 appearances in all competitions and scoring five goals and providing a further six assists from central and central attacking midfield positions.
As well as playing at the top level in La Liga, the Argentine also has plenty of playing in European competition too, as shown by his nine Champions League outings for the Spanish outfit last term.
Why would Mislintat be mad to sign him?
Well, firstly Banega is a bit of a maverick and he made headlines for all of the wrong reasons back in 2012 when he injured his foot after being run over by his own car, while he has also been known as a bit of a party animal in the past.
However, the main reason that the Gunners, whose fans don’t want the club to sign another £47m World Cup star following his nation’s first group game, should avoid signing him is because they don’t really need anyone else in the centre of the park, especially if they do sign Torreira.
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With the Uruguay international, Mohamed Elneny, Granit Xhaka, Aaron Ramsey and Ainsley Maitland-Niles already among the names available in that area, it is hard to see how there is room for a player that turns 30 years of age at the end of the month, and Mislintat should concentrate on positions that are in greater need of strengthening instead.
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Patrice Evra made a surprise move on Wednesday when he joined West Ham United on a free transfer.
The Frenchman had been without a club since November after his contract was terminated by Marseille for an altercation with a fan.
Evra was caught on camera kicking a supporter prior to a Europa League game, and as a result, has been banned by UEFA from playing in European competitions until June 2018.
The left-back has been given an opportunity to revive his career thanks to West Ham.
Evra is already familiar with the Premier League having spent eight years at Manchester United, where he experienced plenty of success as part of Sir Alex Ferguson’s team.
The Frenchman won 10 trophies, including five Premier League titles and the Champions League.
In his final season before leaving Old Trafford for Juventus in 2014, Evra played under manager David Moyes, who is now in charge of the Hammers.
Former Premier League forward Craig Bellamy has put a dampener on the transfer by claiming that, at the age of 36, Evra could struggle at the London Stadium.
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During Sky Sports’ broadcast of The Debate, the Welshman said:
“He hasn’t been the same player in the past four or five years. His last year at Juventus was really poor, and he isn’t the same player he was when he worked [under Moyes] four years ago.
“Age catches up with you, and he’s in that position. It’s a great move for him and his experience will be great for a club like West Ham, but I don’t believe they’re going to get much out of him playing-wise.”