Since making just over 10 starts for Manuel Pellegrini’s champions throughout the course of this season, former Arsenal man, Bacary Sagna, is apparently ready to end his spell at the Etihad – according to reports from The Mirror.
As the 32-year-old Frenchman only signed for Manchester City last summer, any potential move linking Sagna away from his current employers would largely indicate that things haven’t gone well for him at his new club.
Within the context of Pablo Zabaleta’s somewhat un-droppable form of late however, it perhaps comes as no surprise that Arsene Wenger’s former favourite – who incidentally spent seven years playing at the Emirates – has been forced to play second fiddle to the Argentinean throughout this season.
Yet Bacary Sagna’s initial arrival in Manchester was in-fact met with some suspicion. Arsenal could have offered him a great deal more first team football, as well as the chance to be part of their grand plans for the 2014/15 campaign – but as working with Manuel Pellegrini’s star-studded squad outlined a more likely chance to win silverware this season, Sagna’s Gunners career had seemingly come to its natural end.
If the French international does to decide to move on from the Etihad come the end of term nonetheless, high flying Serie A outfit AS Roma, are thought to be strong admirers of the former Arsenal man and would be reportedly willing to offer Sagna a new life away from the Premier League.
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Chelsea star Diego Costa has hit out at English defenders for kicking him during Premier League games, according to reports from the Daily Star.
Costa made a £32million move from Atletico Madrid during the summer and has settled in nicely with the Blues, scoring 19 league goals in 23 games for Jose Mourinho’s men.
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However, the Spain international has been involved in several incidents this season, including a three-game suspension for a stamp on Liverpool’s Emre Can and a tunnel bust up with Reds co-captain Jordan Henderson.
Now the Chelsea striker has come out to insist that he is trying to control his temper in the hopes of avoiding any more confrontation with the referees, but that he isn’t helped by his opponents constantly hacking him during the games.
“Some players try to put me out of the game,” he said.
“But I’m getting to control my temper better all the time, and I just set out to play my normal game.
“When I think about English defenders the word nobility doesn’t come to mind. They kick me all the time, just like they did in Spain.
“But I don’t complain. They go in hard on me, but over here the refs don’t give me free kicks whereas they do in Spain.
“The Premier League is not over-rated. It is a tough league, with huge teams, and the small sides can beat you.”
The 27-year-old is now sitting out of Spain duty with a hamstring injury, which has been largely criticised by the Spanish media as the player not showing enough commitment to the national set-up.
But Costa thinks otherwise, and feels he has just been unlucky not to be at full fitness for La Furia Roja.
He added: “I was in good form, I thought everything was finally going to work out. I really wanted to prove my form and my worth…
“My history with the national team is that it still hasn’t really started. I haven’t done anything yet.
“Sometimes it angers me that they put in doubt my commitment.
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“I already proved that I’m enthusiastic and that I want to achieve success with the national team.
“The best way to silence the critics is to play and to do things well. But I haven’t done that yet and hence, I have to listen and swallow it.”
For the first time since Sir Alex Ferguson left Old Trafford, United go into a Manchester derby as genuine favourites. Louis van Gaal has ensured his new side have recovered from their early season slump to such an extent that they now find themselves ahead of their city rivals for the first time in what seems like an age.
On the Blue side of Manchester, there is a full blown crisis; the wheels have fallen off the City title challenge quicker than a Jesus Navas cross being intercepted by the first man. Three defeats in their last five have left them not only out of the title race, but with question marks surrounding their chances of remaining in the top four.
Vincent Kompany has recently suggested that they are playing Man United at the perfect time. “It’s the perfect place for us to go and try rectify what we’ve done.” As the old cliché goes, form goes out of the window on the derby day. So where are the best value bets to ensure you can navigate the madness of the Manchester Derby?
United’s captain, the leading scorer in the fixture, is surely desperate to put smiles back on the faces of those wearing red and ensure bragging rights are with his fans.
The reverse fixture in November saw Manchester City run out 1-0 winners following Chris Smalling’s first half dismissal. City, similarly to now, found themselves in a poor run of form at the time, but managed to win the tie with the solitary goal. That game was a rarity compared to recent fixtures as in the four previous encounters goals had flowed feely, with two fixtures seeing three goals and the remaining seeing a whopping five.
With Manchester City’s recent frailties at the back, twinned with Wayne Rooney’s return to form in his favoured forward role, goals could be on the cards come Sunday afternoon.
Back over 2.5 goals @ 5/6
Without the creaking Van Persie and the stuttering Falcao, Wayne Rooney has finally been given free rein to show his attacking license in his preferred position. Simply put, he seems back to his best for both club and country, with six goals in his last eight games. United’s skipper’s record against their neighbours is one to strike fear into the bluest heart – he has managed to notch 11 times in this fixture. He is so often the man for the big occasion, expect to see him step up once again.
Back Wayne Rooney to score anytime @ 6/4
The final recommendation for this weekend’s big game is on the most basic of markets. Although they have lost the last four against their ‘Noisy Neighbours’; Manchester United are absolutely flying at the moment and for the first time in Van Gaal’s tenure they seem to be playing the kind of football the Old Trafford faithful longs for. City on the other hand are desperate for the solace of Test Cricket and beach holidays. If they can scrape a top four place it will be all they can wish for. Expect Manchester United to increase the pressure on Pellegrini come Sunday evening.
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Legendary Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech is expected to leave Stamford Bridge at the end of the season but many were surprised as to who he has been linked with.
After playing understudy to Thibaut Courtois this season it is time for the long-standing to decide on the next chapter in his career. Jose Mourinho has agreed that the 32-year-old has many years ahead of him and after seasons of faultless displays, and he is in demand this year.
Among the many names that have been linked are local rivals Arsenal. Many Blues fans were dismayed when it appeared their star goalkeeper could go to their closest rivals.
The Gunners’ regular number one Wojciech Szczesny has struggled to get back into the team after a number of poor performances meant he was dropped to the bench. The Pole has only made 17 appearances in the Premier League this term, with David Ospina being impressive in his place. Many don’t believe Ospina is a long-term solution for the club, thought, and they are now on the lookout for a new shot-stopper.
[ffc-gal cat=”chelsea” no=”5″]
It does seem highly unlikely that the Blues would sell such an important player to the team who have challenged them for the title this year. Mourinho has always been very clever when he has sold other players – Didier Drogba, Nicolas Anelka and Saloman Kalou were all sold overseas so they couldn’t do any damage against their former club in the Premier League.
Former assistant manager Ray Wilkins is adamant that they will do the same again with Petr Cech. He said: “If you look at Chelsea’s actions over the last few years, I am sure Jose Mourinho will do the same with Petr Cech.”
Cech has been at Stamford Bridge since 2004 and has won four Premier League titles and the Champions League with the London club, but it is now time for him to move on. While no one believes he could really head to the Emirates, Arsenal are extremely confident that Cech will be allowed to join them in the summer.
It is understood that the Czech has been given permission to speak with the Gunners, and if he is allowed to go it will be one of the most shocking signings in recent years.
The Special One has never before allowed his key players to go to a rival club but speaking after they were crowned champions he told reporters that this team was better than the one that had won the league with him back in 2005 and 2006. He said: “We’ve shown everything since day one.
“Everything football demands from a team we have had. We had fantastic attacking football, fantastic domination, high percentages of ball possession, low percentages when we let the opposition have the ball strategically and times when we have defended amazingly well.
“We did everything the team needs to do. That’s why we’re champions.”
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If Mourinho is so confident that his team are the best and they are already looking at bringing in even more star quality then he should sell his goalkeeper to Arsenal.
It would be a way of showing the rest of the Premier League just how confident they are. Jose likes to be brash and he has never been afraid of saying what he thinks before, so why stop now?
The last decade has seen Manchester City go through some incredible changes. The club has gone from mid table mediocrity to a side considered as regular title challengers.
This is all down to the club’s owner Sheik Mansour, who since 2008 has been bank rolling mass spending sprees that transformed the club completely.
During this time City have won two Premier League titles, one in the 14/15 season, when Liverpool infamously threw their lead away, and most notably in 2012/13 after that unforgettable Sergio Aguero goal.
However, for a side that has spent over £700million on players during that time, a crazy amount for any side, City are not in the position they should be and currently look as if they are stepping backwards.
This summer has highlighted this fact in particular, with manager Manuel Pellegrini completing some pretty average business thus far.
The squad at the Etihad has gotten dramatically weaker, with a number of first team players, including James Milner, Stevan Jovetic, Frank Lampard, Alvaro Negredo and Matija Nastasic, all departing on a permanent basis. Additionally, there are ongoing rumours that Edin Dzeko will also be joining the exodus.
Incomings at City have been affected by the side’s lack of home grown talent, too. The club were falling short of the required quota and needed to add several players that have been trained in England from a youth level.
Raheem Sterling, Fabian Delph and Patrick Roberts have all been bought in to solve this problem, with Sterling becoming the club’s record signing, costing £49m. None of these three are the world class players that should be playing week in week out for supposed Premier League title challengers.
Delph has been a good player in a very average Villa side, but should be nothing more than a back up at City, Roberts was playing in the Championship last season and is only a youngster who needs time to develop further, without the pressure of filling a first team role.
As for Sterling, £49million is ridiculous. The ex-Liverpool player has been fairly average since Luis Suarez departed Liverpool. Suarez made the whole Liverpool side look like world beaters, and when he left Sterling was looked to to help fill the void. Though it’s fair to say he failed to live up to that challenge.
Unless Manchester City are planning a swoop for the Barcelona star to help improve the England international, it remains questionable about how good Sterling can be at his new club.
All of the club’s main league rivals have been very active in the transfer window, improving their squads a significant amount. Arsenal have bought in Petr Cech, Manchester United have signed Bastian Schweinsteiger, who is one of the best midfielders in the world, and Chelsea have bought in Falcao who, once he regains his form, has to be regarded as one of the best strikers on the planet.
Even Liverpool have bridged the gap between the sides with some of their business. Christian Benteke, James Milner and Nathaniel Clyne are equally as good as the likes of Wilfred Bony, Fabian Delph and Pablo Zabaleta, all players considered first team players at City.
No wonder Pellegrini’s position is under such constant pressure and scrutiny.
Looking at the existing City side, there are two stand out individuals – David Silva and Sergio Aguero. Both are incredible talents and easily up there amongst the best in the world.
Many of the other ‘stars’ at the Etihad, like Vincent Kompany, Joe Hart and Yaye Toure, are very hit and miss and lacking any real consistency in their performances.
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It is evident from last season just how much the team rely on both Aguero and Silva. There is no plan B for when things go against the side. If either player were to get a serious injury that rules them out for a long time, then the Manchester side would certainly struggle.
For a title contender they don’t have a real impressive strength in depth in any position, which is very surprising and ultimately worrying for fans.
Whilst their best backup stars like Navas and Bony are good players, none will strike fear into opponents in the same way Aguero and Silva do, If they had to step up to fill a gap, it wouldn’t be with much confidence.
City face a massive season and have their work cut out to maintain a title challenge against so many improving rivals. Something has to change and soon, otherwise it won’t be long before City are falling even further behind.
Man United are exploring the possibility of signing Paulo Dybala, Malcom and Thomas Lemar, the Daily Star and MailOnline claim.
What’s the story?
Jose Mourinho is plotting a sensational swoop to sign three of Europe’s most exciting players.
Juventus’ Paulo Dybala is fast becoming one of the hottest properties on the continent having helped the Old Lady win three trophies in his first season, and the Daily Star claim Mourinho is eager to bring him to Old Trafford in the summer for a fee of around £60m.
To add to that, MailOnline believe Man United are hoping to close a deal for Bordeaux wonderkid Malcom, who is catching they eye of Europe’s elite clubs with his dazzling performances in Ligue 1 this term.
A deal is reportedly being discussed where United will complete the transfer in January but would loan him back to Bordeaux for the remainder of this season. The report claims Bordeaux are holding out for £50m.
And finally, journalist Duncan Castle’s revealed on the Transfer Window podcast that Monaco’s Thomas Lemar – valued at £27m by transfermarkt.com – is a winger who Mourinho is extremely interested in bringing to the Premier League, but he will have the fend off competition from a number of other clubs.
“Lemar is a player Manchester United are very interested in for that left-wing position, or that left-footed winger, that Mourinho desperately wants to add to the squad to add to his tactical dimensions.
“At least those three clubs want Lemar but there’s still other clubs who come in for him because he’s probably the highest-regarded winger in football at the moment and Monaco will sell him for the right price.”
Duncan Castles, Transfer Window Podcast
Do Man United need all three?
Mourinho does have a wealth of devastating attacking options available to him, but a lack of consistency has held Man United back this season.
The likes of Marcus Rashford, Romelu Lukaku, Anthony Martial and Jesse Lingard have all scored goals this term but have failed to produce in the big moments and have have more alarmingly lacked consistency.
Mourinho and United will be looking at their rivals on the other side of Manchester and wondering how they can replicate the kind of attacking potency City have displayed in all competitions this season, and perhaps Mourinho believes a complete reshuffle in attack is what’s needed – even if it does cost more than £150m in transfer fees to do so.
Dybala, Malcom and Lemar would add pace, width and a clinical touch in front of goal, all of which Mourinho’s side has lacked in recent months.
Soccer Football – Serie A – Juventus vs S.P.A.L. 2013 – Juventus Stadium, Turin, Italy – October 25, 2017 Juventus’ Paulo Dybala celebrates scoring their second goal REUTERS/Massimo Pinca
It may also represent a change in formation for Mourinho’s United next season. The Portuguese has come under a lot of criticism for his very pragmatic and sometimes ultra-defensive approach to games this season and while that proves he is doing his best to ensure his side aren’t losing games, it also suggests he isn’t ready to place full trust in his attacking players to blow teams away like Man City do.
Signing all three would undoubtedly give United the chance to return to the top of the Premier League and challenge rivals City for the title. City’s dominance in attack has fired them to a 13 point lead at the top of the table at the halfway stage of this season and Mourinho will know that in order to stay in touch with them he’ll need to consider replicating their successful all-out-attack approach.
What does it mean for Man United’s current attackers?
If all three targets are secured then the likes of Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Jesse Lingard and Anthony Martial will all be worrying for their Old Trafford careers.
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While the trio have produced for Man United in their own right, they have equally been too inconsistent and have let down Mourinho too many times as a result.
Additionally, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic no longer a spring chicken, Mourinho needs to inject young, hungry and consistent attacking options in order for him to succeed in the Old Trafford dugout.
You would have to think Martial will be one of the first to be sold while Mkhitarayn is another player not expected to survive a reshuffle in attack.
As reported by The Mirror, former Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has criticised Jose Mourinho for not using Daley Blind more than he has done this season.
What’s the story?
The Dutch defender hasn’t started an English Premier League match since August, leading to questions about his long-term future at the club.
Now the manager who brought him to Old Trafford has rushed to his defence and suggested he move to Barcelona.
As quoted by The Mirror, Louis van Gaal said:
He is not even on the bench for United sometimes. Daley can play in more than one position and at Barcelona he would never be sat in the stand. I think Daley would fit in better at Barcelona anyway. His level and his style of play is more suited to Spain than England. He can operate as a central defender who builds up the play. He can be a defensive midfielder or an attacking left back. Daley can do it all.
Is Jose Mourinho under-utilising him or is van Gaal simply showing his bitter side after leaving the club?
An important role
Despite not playing much English Premier League football this season, Blind has still been utilised in important matches, playing every minute of United’s UEFA Champions League group stage.
With the knockout stages to follow and FA Cup action due to start soon, he will be needed for matches in all three competitions and although it may be frustrating for the defender to be sitting on the bench, Mourinho still recognises he is excellent back-up in a variety of positions.
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He could fit in at a number of elite clubs and if he wants a move, he’ll likely get it, but until the end of the season at least he should bide his time and take his opportunities when they come.
West Ham United fans were given a treat at the weekend when Spanish forward Toni Martinez was finally handed his first-team debut in the FA Cup against Shrewsbury Town.The club’s supporters have long been demanding for the 20-year-old to be given his chance, and now the fans want fellow youngster Martin Samuelsen to sample some first-team action.Samuelsen has impressed for West Ham’s Under-23 team this season, and he was on the scoresheet in their 3-0 win over Manchester United Under-23s on Monday night.The midfielder is already a three-time Norway international, but he has not represented West Ham since the early stages of the 2015-16 campaign.He has turned out for Peterborough United and Blackburn Rovers on loan over the last two seasons, however, and now looks ready to be given some action in the FA Cup this term.On Monday night, the West Ham fans called on head coach David Moyes to hand Samuelsen some minutes in the coming weeks.A selection of the Twitter reaction can be found below:
Southampton forward Shane Long has not been in the best of form this season as he has struggled to meet expectations in front of goal.
In fact, the Republic of Ireland international has found the back of the net just once in 17 Premier League outings.
Manager Mauricio Pellegrino continues to keep faith with the 31-year-old, but the arrival of Guido Carrillo from Monaco could force Long down the pecking order.
Today, though, the 31-year-old was given the nod to start in Southampton’s 1-0 victory over Watford in the fourth round of the FA Cup.
Once again, though, Long drew a blank as he missed a handful of opportunities in front of goal.
Jack Stephens was the difference as he netted on what was his 24th birthday.
Carrillo eventually made his debut by coming off the bench in the 83rd minute, but the forward did not have enough time to show what he is capable of.
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Much of the focus on Twitter from Southampton fans was the frustrating display of Long.
Rangers’ quest for major silverware continues on Sunday with a trip to Ayr United in the fifth round of the Scottish Cup.
Facing lower league opposition is always a banana skin, especially one which is having a good season relative to their aims when it all kicked off in August. Ayr are currently second in League One, pushing for promotion against the likes of Raith Rovers and Arbroath.
They’re dreaming of a famous cup upset and it’s on Rangers to produce the kind of professional performance that will ensure progression into the quarter-finals of the competition.
After a strong January transfer window, Light Blues boss Graeme Murty has a number of options to choose from for the match and it’s a good opportunity for some of their new signings to impress.
These are the THREE selection calls that Rangers must make…
Greg Docherty
Greg Docherty was one of the signings in January that excited Rangers fans most but they haven’t yet seen what he can do on the pitch from the start of the match.
There have been calls for him to selected for matches against Ross County, Fraserburgh, Hibernian and Partick Thistle but thus far he’s been limited to just 39 minutes of action across the four encounters.
A match against League One opposition is a good platform for him to show what he can do in the middle of the park. Rangers have been crying out for a central midfielder than provide drive and creativity towards the final third and Docherty could be that man having directly contributed to nine Hamilton goals this season.
It’s time for Rangers fans to see what he has to offer.
Jason Cummings
Jason Cummings is already proving popular with supporters since joining on loan from Nottingham Forest, despite managing just a single goal in his five appearances so far.
Only two of those appearances were starts however and he deserves the chance to show what he can do in the Scottish Cup after hard working performances up to this point.
Supporters have bemoaned the lack of chances created by his teammates for the striker but perhaps the introduction of Greg Docherty can help relieve that problem if the two play together.
There’s also the option of playing him as part of a two-man attack with Alfredo Morelos, which we’ve seen little of so far.
Cummings has a strong record in the Scottish Cup to this point, scoring five times in seven appearances for Hibs in the competition, also helping lift the trophy in 2016.
Andy Halliday
Andy Halliday’s Rangers career looked all but over last summer when he was shipped out on loan under Pedro Caixinha, but has been involved in Graeme Murty’s plans since his return last month.
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He got a full 90 minutes against Fraserbrugh in the last round of the Scottish Cup and came off the bench to replace Declan John against Partick Thistle mid-week.
John is again a doubt for this weekend’s clash and Halliday is the best option to replace him at left-back with the continued absence of Lee Wallace.
The boyhood Rangers fans has played at left-back on multiple occasions for Middlesbrough and Blackpool in the past is more than adequate cover for the challenge of Ayr United.
Can he prove himself in a new role at the Light Blues, enhancing his value to Graeme Murty in the months ahead?