Everton are keeping a close eye on West Bromwich Albion defender Craig Dawson ahead of a potential summer move, according to The Sun.
What’s the word?
The Baggies’ chances of staying in the Premier League look bleak as they are rooted to the bottom of the standings, eight points adrift from safety.
With that in mind, The Sun reports that a host of first-team players could leave The Hawthorns, including Jonny Evans, Jay Rodriguez, Ben Foster and Dawson.
The newspaper adds that Everton, as well as Burnley and Crystal Palace, are keeping tabs on Dawson, who has been a West Brom player since his 2010 move from Rochdale.
The Toffees attempted to strengthen their defence last summer with the signing of Michael Keane from Burnley, but the team have still encountered problems.
[ad_pod ]
Is Dawson a good option?
The Englishman’s name may not carry the same gravitas as others, but Dawson has proven time and again that he is a reliable figure at the back.
The 27-year-old is versatile in that he can also play at right-back, but in the centre of defence is where he performs best.
If Everton were to nab his signature, they would get a calming presence, but Dawson can also be an asset when it comes to set pieces at the other end of the pitch.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
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 Merseyside outfit already have a handful of players vying for the centre-back position, including Keane, Ashley Williams, Phil Jagielka, Mason Holgate and Ramrio Funes Mori.
In order to bring in a new man at the back, a few others may need to be shipped out.
For better or for worse, MK Dons are here to stay. The circumstances which led to the creation of the Buckinghamshire-based club in 2004 are controversial and well-documented. The relocation of Wimbledon FC to Milton Keynes 11 years ago, eventually leading to a complete rebranding of the club under its current name, was a universally unpopular decision which prompted a large section of Wimbledon supporters to form their own ‘phoenix’ club, and which rendered ‘Franchise FC’ – as the fledgling Dons were pejoratively known by supporters of many clubs – one of the most loathed football clubs in English football, an apparently soulless embodiment of the greed and exploitation which dominates the modern game.
However, the reality is that MK Dons, for all their haters, detractors and enemies, are one of the best-run clubs in English football. Chairman Pete Winkelman may be known for being brash and antagonistic at times; his claims in a question and answer session with FourFourTwo magazine in November 2004 that his side were “the real child of Wimbledon” and that the founders of AFC Wimbledon had betrayed their club were unnecessary and unwise at a time when tensions were understandably still high. Nevertheless, under his guidance the Dons have established 16 disability football teams and have given first-team debuts to an impressive 12 academy graduates; their ticket prices for children are among the most affordable in the football league; whilst in the past year 11 players have been selected to represent their countries at youth level. The painful truth is that while Wimbledon FC’s demise was brought about by financial mismanagement, the club that replaced them in the football league is run in a responsible and stable manner.
Despite its status as a ‘new’ club, longevity is not alien to the Dons – in fact, it is a philosophy which the club has embraced. Winkelman remains the club’s first and only chairman, while manager Karl Robinson is one of the longest reigning current managers in the football league, having been in charge since May 2010. Indeed, the club has an admirable, if somewhat recent, reputation of hiring young, unproven managers and giving them an early taste in management – as well as Robinson, Roberto Di Matteo’s first job was at Stadium mk, while Paul Ince was also in charge in the early stages of his own coaching career. This dual recognition of the importance of time and the potential of youth with regard to the managerial setup at MK Dons is something to be lauded.
The watershed moment came in last month’s sensational League Cup drubbing of Manchester United. As the Dons put on an excellent display against Louis van Gaal’s men – scoring four goals without reply – social media, television studios and radio shows were awash with praise for the team from Milton Keynes for having the temerity to relentlessly attack and dominate supposedly superior opponents. Although football loves an underdog victory, a triumph of David over Goliath – especially when the monstrous brute in question happens to be wearing a red shirt emblazoned with horned, trident-wielding devil – the newfound respect shown towards the Dons was in purely footballing terms.
MK Dons will never be fully viewed as a legitimate football club by some supporters, particularly in the eyes of AFC Wimbledon fans who still feel that its place in the league at the expense of the ‘real’ Dons is a case of a monumental miscarriage of footballing justice. Presently, however, the good very much outweighs the bad at Milton Keynes. The tireless work it has done over the past ten years to promote inclusivity in the area cannot be scoffed at, and it continues to boast healthy attendances – last season’s average of 8,611 was the fifth-highest in League One. Time heals all wounds, as the saying goes, and although the wounds caused by the birth of MK Dons run especially deep, there are signs that ‘Franchise FC’ are finally being accepted into the footballing community.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
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 announcement earlier this month that it is planned for Euro 2020 to be spread around 13 different European cities has faced much protest from fans.
A survey by fan organisation Football Supporters Europe found that 82 per cent of fans asked rejected the plan. Many, understandably, are worried about the cost of flying around Europe if they want to go to several games.
So, can the idea of having the competition spread across different cities work? Or could it turn out to be a big disaster?
A concern that has been brought up about the idea is if staging the matches in different cities around Europe could mean that it may lack the character of other normal competitions.
Could it be said that not having the competition in one or two specified countries might wreck the atmosphere of the competition? For example, what would the London 2012 Olympics have been like if it had been held in 13 different cities? One of its great successes was the enthusiasm of people in this country who were excited to have the Olympics being held in London.
Additionally, it seemed that those in Poland and Ukraine during Euro 2012 were excited to have the competition. Could it be said that one of the beauties of this kind of competition is looking at a particular country or two in greater focus, the culture of the host country or countries and learning more about them?
Is it also a risk that less people may come to some group games? A worry has been put across already that increasing the number of qualified countries from 16 to 24, a change which comes in from 2016, may decrease quality of play.
Some football fans may want to go to as many games as possible, but it is not hugely possible for all these fans to go to all the games they would want to attend. Some fans may usually go to all of the group matches their home team are playing in, but would people do this if they were all in different countries? And if fewer fans go to some games than in previous competitions, can UEFA be sure that local people where the venues are will suddenly go to matches which they do not have a direct interest in? It could be said that the atmosphere of the competition could be damaged if fewer fans attend matches.
The idea could also pose problems for sponsors; however it could give them more exposure commercially. Additionally, it could cause problems for broadcasters, who would need to organise coverage around the number of locations.
However, it could be said that having matches in various locations around Europe would reduce the financial cost of having one host country, if those organising the venues had to build new stadiums and airports, with some European countries suffering financial difficulties. UEFA general secretary Gianni Infantino said: “It will be a lot easier from a financial perspective for all the countries … the fact that the Euro moves to 24 teams bears additional burdens on the host nations, the requirements are becoming bigger and bigger.”
However, could it also be said that maybe a better option in the circumstances would be to give it to a country that can provide the right finances to host such a competition.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Although potentially one advantage of the arrangement is that one of the host cities could be in a country that does not usually get to have a competition like this. Additionally, could it be said that an element of excitement does exist around the idea of having different European locations?
Michel Platini has said that UEFA has had contact with fan groups over concerns. However, we will have to wait to find out whether the idea turns out to be successful.
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.
[brid autoplay=”true” video=”257603″ player=”12034″ title=”Watch West Brom’s opening fixtures for the 201819 Championship season”]
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.
What do you think of the World Cup so far? Let us know and win any World Cup shirt of your choice.
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.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
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…
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
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.
[ffc-gallery]CLICK ON FALCAO TO REVEAL ALL
[/ffc-gallery]
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:
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
//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.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
For more Argyle talk, you can follow me on Twitter.
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.
[brid autoplay=”true” video=”255848″ player=”12034″ title=”Watch Liverpool’s opening fixtures for the 201819 Premier League season”]
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.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
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…
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
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.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.