Can Alexis Sanchez be Arsenal’s new Van Persie?

Another summer in north London, another marquee signing. The once-famously stingy Arsene Wenger has returned to Spain to make another big-money purchase – though, if last year’s club-record buy, Mesut Ozil, might be considered somewhat overpriced after a largely underwhelming maiden campaign, then the £31.8 million capture of Alexis Sanchez could even stray into bargain territory. The Chile international was one of La Liga’s standout performers last season, out-scored by just three players in the division as well as providing 10 assists – only Lionel Messi had a more productive season for Barcelona. He also brings an electric pace and quick-footed trickery of which Arsenal were severely starved last season, especially while Theo Walcott was sidelined. It finally feels as though the Gunners have found the attacker they need to mastermind a title challenge that lasts beyond February, a player with the dynamism and venom to fill a void that has existed since Robin van Persie moved to Manchester United two years ago.

Sanchez ticks swathes of boxes that their much-maligned and barely mobile spearhead, Olivier Giroud, has failed to since Van Perse’s departure. The former Udinese man has the speed and movement to create a more fluid, interchanging front line, he is a far more clinical finisher than his new team-mate (almost a third of his Primera Division shots last term resulted in goals) and he is less of a choker than Giroud, converting 52 per cent of his big chances compared to just 27% for the Frenchman. It is easy, therefore, to see why Wenger is already hatching a plan to convert Sanchez into a line-leading frontman, just as he did with Van Persie and Thierry Henry previously.

On the surface, that makes an enormous amount of sense: Sanchez has the athleticism and predatory instincts required, while his output last season more than matched Van Persie in his prime. The Chilean scored from open play just seven minutes less regularly than the Dutchman did in his final, 30-goal season at the Emirates Stadium and he also boasted better shooting accuracy and conversion rates. However, moulding Sanchez into an out-and-out forward feels like a waste of his exhilarating and ultimately creative talents. The 25-year-old is an assists machine in the red-and-blue of Chile, dovetailing wonderfully with the nippy Eduardo Vargas. Sanchez thrives when there is movement ahead of him, runners to pick out, but would be denied that luxury if pushed into the most advanced role. There is a sense that he prefers setting goals up to scoring them, too – which is partly why his conversion rate is so strong, predominantly shooting when no other options are available. In fact, Sanchez took just 66 shots last season; across Europe’s top five leagues, 127 players attempted more, but only 10 out-scored the Chilean.

Since moving to Europe, Sanchez has never averaged more than 2.3 shots per game in a single season. For comparison, last term’s Premier League top scorer, Luis Suarez, has averaged 4.8 shots per game since joining Liverpool, while Van Persie, in 2011-12, averaged 4.6. The Chilean, not necessarily a hugely instinctive player around goal, would have to become significantly more selfish to reach that level. Moreover, despite his wonderful low centre of gravity and bullish, powerful physique, there are question-marks over how suited he is to leading the line in the Premier League, even if the pace and intensity of matches should be a perfect fit. At 5ft7in, he is significantly shorter than Van Persie and Henry and many forwards of his build – Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero, for example – have needed a more rugged strike partner alongside them to flourish.

Perhaps, then, the only transformation Wenger needs to work on is extracting more of the risk-taking flair and unshackled responsibility that Sanchez shows for the national team and which has been chipped away by Barcelona, to ensure that his latest recruit becomes the leader of the Arsenal attack, if not the leader of the line. Playing off the right wing for the Catalans, Sanchez was part of a structure built for, and around, Messi. Barca’s attack lives to serve the Argentine, while there is a degree of caution about the way the side use the ball, declining to take risks. That has particularly stifled Sanchez’s willingness to take players on; in his three years at Barcelona he dribbled past an opponent, on average, just 0.9 times per match, over three times less than he did in his final season at Udinese.

But for La Roja he is a different beast entirely, more adventurous, more boom-or-bust and more talismanic. His greater willingness to take risks and ownership of matches was evident at a World Cup in which he shone. Only Messi (5.5) averaged more dribbles per match than Sanchez (five), while no player was dispossessed more often (29 times in four outings) or fouled more regularly (six per match) than the Chilean either.

Curiously, the ultra-efficient, more conservative Sanchez that has ultimately existed in the shadow of Messi might have appealed more to Wenger just a few years ago but the Frenchman has progressively become less obsessed by ball retention and more enveloped by a speed and intensity, the kind that was bred into Sanchez by Marcelo Bielsa and harnessed further by Jorge Sampaoli.

Sanchez can add an extra dimension to the Arsenal attack, more pace and a ferocity in transition, and the prospect of the Chilean linking with the cerebral Ozil, deprived of a player of Sanchez’s similar cunning in attack, as well as the lightning-quick Walcott is frightening. The latter could be Sanchez’s new Vargas, a player who will welcome his new team-mate’s quick, incisive passing, having previously seen his darting runs go unseen, or even ignored. That said, it is hard to escape the feeling that Giroud is far too static a target for this new-look Arsenal – he moves almost as slowly as the London Eye, which he adorned on Thursday night as part of the club’s new kit unveiling.

Sanchez, then, has the capacity to transform Arsenal’s attack. He might not complete the puzzle entirely on his own – and could prosper more in a freer, supporting role behind a more traditional No.9 rather than leading the line as Wenger intends – but he brings a combination of goal threat, trickery and explosiveness that could light the fuse on a serious title tilt next season.

Written by Nadeem – @nadz_robbani//@100PercentAFC

Follow us on Twitter – @futbolafterdark

Is Hazard the Premier League’s last superstar?

No Ronaldo, no Bale and soon no Suarez – is Hazard the Premier League’s last superstar standing? With the Liverpool striker set to join Barcelona, is Chelsea’s Belgian winger capable of taking up the mantle to become the poster-boy of England’s top division?

It is a strange situation, where the Premier League has rarely been more glamorous yet its pin-ups keep abdicating their prestigious position. When Gareth Bale decamped for Real Madrid, Luis Suarez slotted seamlessly into his shoes, scoring glorious goals, destroying defenders and waltzing off with the Footballer of the Year awards.

Now Suarez is following the well-trodden path to Spain. Now there is a vacancy. In theory, there are candidates aplenty. Steven Gerrard was gaining support as a contender to Suarez for the end-of-season honours before a certain slip. Yaya Toure scored a career-best 24 goals last year. Robin van Persie, whose finest form tends to come for managers he respects, may well return to his stellar peak when Louis van Gaal takes over at Manchester United. Yet these runners and riders, estimable as they are, have a little less pace now they have entered their thirties. So, too, the prematurely ageing Wayne Rooney. Sergio Aguero’s case falters every time his calf or hamstring injuries recur. David Silva remains the discerning choice but is too understated for the majority to nominate him. The English preference for basing judgements on goal tallies may rule out Mesut Ozil, too, while Aaron Ramsey has to prove that he can maintain his magnificent form of last season.

Can the Welsh wonder replicate his magnificent form of last season?

Which brings us to Chelsea. In Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas they have two stellar additions but the Stamford Bridge star is Eden Hazard. He finished second to the Barcelona-bound Suarez in the PFA Player of the Year voting. Will he be the one to take over the Uruguayan’s throne? It is the logical path of succession. Earlier this year Jose Mourinho said, while arguing that the “monsters” Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are on a different planet to everyone else, that the Belgian ranks first among his generation.

“He is special,” the specialist in failure claimed. “I don’t want to compare him with the monsters because the monsters have 10 years of their careers, winning trophies, scoring goals; I think it’s not fair for the monsters and it’s not fair for the kid to make that comparison but I don’t see a better young player. I think in this moment he’s the best young player in the world.”

At 23, Hazard, unlike the Premier League’s more seasoned superstars, ought to improve. He has had two years to adjust to the physicality of English football and a season to get used to the defensive demands that Mourinho places upon his flair players. He should be playing in a more powerful team, too, with the presence of Costa offering the promise that his creativity will result in more assists.

And yet there are reasons to doubt his chances. Hazard has had a reasonable, not remarkable, World Cup. He has supplied two winners, for Dries Mertens against Algeria and Divock Origi versus Russia, with well-placed passes but Kevin De Bruyne, rather than Hazard, was the driving force and Romelu Lukaku, not his Chelsea colleague, was the difference-maker in the last-16 victory against United States.

Hazard has failed to shine in Brazil so far.

It is not a case of finding fault, more that, by the very highest standards, by the levels that Messi, Neymar, James Rodriguez and Arjen Robben have reached, he has fallen a little short. It is a reminder that the truest test of the dominant players is whether or not they deliver in the major matches. Hazard excelled, and scored, in Chelsea’s December win over Liverpool. He struck in the Uefa Super Cup final against Bayern Munich and converted a pressure penalty against Paris Saint-Germain. He has shown enough glimpses of his talent to be twice shortlisted for the PFA Player of the Year award.

Yet he has not stamped his authority in such games, or a campaign, in the way Van Persie did on United’s 2012-13 season. It is something that past poster-boys, whether Ronaldo, Thierry Henry, Eric Cantona or Alan Shearer, did.They gravitated from the very good to the great. That is the challenge for Hazard. Wearing Chelsea’s No.10 shirt, managed by Mourinho, he has the chance to join them in an exclusive club. He will face plenty of competition for the title of the Premier League’s shining light but Hazard is the favourite to inherit Suarez’s mantle.

Written by Nadeem – @nadz_robbani//@100PercentAFC

Follow us on Twitter – @FutbolAfterDark

Andre Herrera: The €30M man

The 24-year-old officially completed his transfer from Athletic Bilbao on Thursday and will provide a dynamic all-round option for the new United manager. There are a lot of things that Manchester United would like to have done differently about the transition out of the Sir Alex Ferguson era. Though there were plenty of increasingly hideous moments on the pitch throughout David Moyes’s disastrous reign, the revelation that there were imposters of some kind in Spain looking to tie up a deal for Athletic Bilbao’s Ander Herrera without the club’s knowledge might have been the true nadir. United’s identification of the Spaniard as a central midfield target ended in a rejected £25.5 million bid and a comically unprofessional chase from whichever representatives ended up talking to Athletic. But it is telling that they have moved quickly after the appointment of Louis van Gaal to go back and do the deal properly this time. The 24-year-old arrived at the club’s Carrington training ground on Wednesday afternoon, with a team doctor on the scene, and the deal was completed a mere 24 hours after. Herrera was now, at long last, a Manchester United player.

A New Herrera?

Though not called up by Vicente del Bosque to the Spain squad for World Cup 2014, Herrera might have added some much-needed zest to a midfield which turned surprisingly stale in Brazil. As is the case for so many of his compatriots, he would probably have earned dozens of caps for any other nation by this point.

The Red Devils have been searching for presence and class in the centre of their midfield arguably since Roy Keane’s retirement. Though Herrera is probably one or two steps below some of their other reported targets – Toni Kroos or Arturo Vidal, to name but two of an almost embarrassingly long list – he looks like exactly the sort of player required. The 24-year-old is most notable for his creative side but, despite being rather slight of build, does not shy away from the defensive side of midfield duty and enjoys getting stuck in. Four red cards in his career to date suggest that he has not yet mastered the art but he is certainly ready to hold his own in a Premier League midfield.

Herrera’s skills with the ball at his feet are, naturally, what will likely excite fans the most. A member of the Athletic team who exposed United so classily in the Europa League under Marcelo Bielsa in 2011-12, Red Devils fans know only too well his fine technique and teamwork. As keen to shoot as he is to dribble – which is to say, quite keen indeed as only six midfielders made more attempts on goal than him in La Liga last season – the Spaniard made a key contribution as Athletic finished fourth despite being shorn of star striker Fernando Llorente. The midfielder is quite capable of making an impact in big games, as evidenced by his opening goal in Spain’s 2-0 triumph over Switzerland in the Under-21s European Championships final in 2011, and offers a more dynamic all-round midfield package than the likes of Michael Carrick and Marouane Fellaini.

Herrera is not about to solve all of United’s problems on his own but it is a promising sign that the first signing of the Van Gaal era is a central midfielder of his qualities. If they continue to buy well, the young Basque should prosper at Old Trafford.

Written by Nadeem – @nadz_robbani//@100PercentAFC

Luis Suarez: The Genius and The Madman

Much has been said about Luis Suarez in his career. Much of the talk has been good, and how prolific and exquisitely beautiful the Uruguayan plays with the ball; 31 goals in 36 games for Liverpool last season underline that fact. However, the actions he has ridiculously implemented on others, and indeed himself, without the ball, are shameful. He has bitten Otman Bakkal, Branislav Ivanovic and now Giorgio Chiellini without anyone knowing why. Not only does Suarez face an incredibly long ban and his future at Liverpool hanging in the balance, he faces an impossible task to change the views of the people angered by his behaviour. In this case scoring goals might not be enough.

Luis Suarez was born in Salto, Uruguay on the 24th January 1987. He moved to Montevideo when he was aged seven. Suarez, like many other great footballers such as Ronaldinho and Maradona, learnt his football on the streets. Nacional, a Montevideo based football club, were impressed by Suarez’s skills and, after a trial, he signed for them aged 14. What occurred next was the Uruguayan’s first controversy. When he was 16 years old he, allegedly, head-butted a referee after he was shown a red card. This is Suarez in a nutshell; a person who seems like he is humble and talented but produces moments of madness. I’m not sure that he actually understands how severe his actions can be.

Does the background that he was brought up in affect that though? Maybe it does. Suarez’s parents split apart when he was nine years old, and that is tough for any child to take. His grandmother also used to call her husband “Mi Negrito”. That is the term that Suarez used against Patrice Evra, when the Manchester United left back accused him of racism. It was racism, but he was brought up in an environment where that was acceptable to say. However, Suarez did not apologize on that incident. That is where he is flawed; his temperament is blemished.

Suarez came to Europe to find his childhood love, Sofia Balbi. It was also where he started his footballing career, playing for Dutch club Groningen before moving on to Ajax. At Ajax he was prolific scoring 81 goals in 110 games; a goal scoring record synonymous with the textbook football that the Uruguayan plays. However, with Suarez controversy is not far away.

Although he head-butted a referee when he was 16 years old that was only in front of around 20-30 people. His first incident, at Ajax, was in-front of around 35,000 people. The match was Ajax vs PSV. The date was 14th March 2010 and Ajax won the game convincingly 4-1. However, it was marred with controversy. Luis Suarez appeared to bite Otman Bakkal in the shoulder, and video footage confirmed it. Blood was drawn from the shoulder of the PSV player and Suarez was banned for seven matches. We would have thought, at this point, it was a mistake, and Suarez did indeed apologize after this incident. That is where he should have stopped his unprecedented behaviour there.

For the same incident to happen twice, or three times in Suarez’s case, is completely unforgiving. The second time the incident occurred was when Liverpool played Chelsea at Anfield in 2013. Again, Suarez was brilliantly influential in the game, equalizing in the 92nd minute to save a point for the Merseyside club. Albeit, he shouldn’t have even been on the pitch by the time he scored. Ten minutes earlier Suarez and the Chelsea right back, Branislav Ivanovic, were in a tussle together and what seemed to filter onto the many cameras around Anfield was truly shocking. Suarez seemed to get hold of Ivanovic’s arm and tried to bite it. Memories were brought back from the Ajax – PSV game and this time Suarez was banned for eight matches by the English Football Association (FA).

Then, in the summer of 2013, Suarez stated he wanted to leave Liverpool but Brendan Rodgers turned his mind around, and the boy who grew up in Montevideo around the time of Liverpool’s demise nearly captured their first title since 1991, with his truly astonishing goals.

So, now, we would have thought that Suarez would have no more controversy surrounding him, as the time was leading up to the biggest sporting event on the planet; although Olympians might disagree. A World Cup in Brazil and Suarez was fighting to be fit, but a half fit Luis Suarez is better than a lot of other players. That’s what we saw. Against England he had two chances and scored twice, making sure he made his mark.

In the next match though, he made his mark on Giorgio Chiellini. The world was astonished. How can such a decorated footballer perform such travesty again? In any other job Suarez would have got immediately sacked. The reaction of the public wasn’t this time more in anger, but in shock that “you would have thought he would have learnt his lesson by now”.

One similarity to this incident is when Mike Tyson bit Evander Holyfield’s ear. Tyson at that time was not just the biggest name in boxing, but he was one of the biggest names in sport. To do that was an outrage in the public eye, and Tyson lost his boxing license. Four years later the American retired.

People will also say this is similar to the Eric Cantona situation as well but the Frenchman learnt from his mistake; Suarez hasn’t. It has now got to the stage where Suarez probably doesn’t just need a long ban, but he needs psychiatric help urgently. Dr Steven Peters works at Liverpool and he has to help the Uruguayan understand the severity of his actions, but also; why is he doing it?

We know Suarez is a passionate footballer who loves his job and he once said “Whenever my team loses I see it as a threat against my family”. That’s brilliant for the game. We need passionate people like that playing football nowadays. However, has it now got to a stage where the chapters are running out and the story is ending for Suarez due to his ludicrous actions?

His future at Liverpool hangs in the balance, and just because he is a good footballer he is not immune to the punishments that others would receive if they did the same thing. For me, Suarez needs to take a break from the game for at least a year and get psychiatric help. Paulo Coelho once said “When you repeat a mistake, it is not a mistake anymore; it is a decision”, and that quote epitomizes this situation.

Written by Nadeem – @nadz_robbani//@100PercentAFC

Needs For Teams (BPL Edition Part 3)

Welcome to the third instalment of the Needs for Teams segment on our blog. Sorry for the lack of articles recently. We have been able to post because we have all had exams. Today is the third of the series and we are sticking with the Premier League but this time doing another 5 teams. This is mainly focusing on the teams that finish in and around the lower mid-table. Before we begin, make sure to return in two more days where I do the next 5 teams in the Premier League. So lets begin!

Crystal Palace:

Crystal Palace have had an amazing return to England’s top flight finishing in 11th with 45 points. Since Tony Pulis has taken over from Ian Holloway, Palace have gone from strength to strength. Their more open style of football saw them beat the likes of Chelsea. Anyway, more to the point. Who do they need? They have a vast amount of wingers including Gayle, Puncheon and Bolasie. So I can see them going for more dominant players such as centre-mids or centre-backs. Leroy Fer from relegated team Norwich City would be a good option as he has the capability to both attack and defend. The 24 year old could add stability to the Palace midfield. Now for a centre-back. Maybe someone like Ashley Williams from Swansea who is reportedly looking for a move away from the Swans. He would fit in nicely being a commanding centre-back and he would join fellow countryman Joe Ledley.

Swansea City:

Swansea had a fairly decent season finishing comfortably in 12th with 42 points. Well, decent enough for a team that sacked their manager halfway through at least. So who do they need? I would say a goal keeper but they recently signed Łukasz Fabiański from Arsenal. So maybe a commanding centre-back and possibly a pacey winger. For a centre-back, maybe Steven Caulker? The Cardiff City player has only been playing in Wales for one season but Cardiff got relegated possibly prompting a move elsewhere. However I am not sure if it is a wise move moving between the two Welsh giants. So maybe instead Fabricio Coloccini from Newcastle. The Argentine has been linked with a move away from the club for a while. A winger. Tom Ince? He hasn’t signed for Inter yet so maybe he’s a decent shout. Or more realistically Nathan Redmond who showed positive signs last season for relegated team Norwich City.

West Ham United:

West Ham had a disappointing season finishing in 13th with 40 points. At the start of the season I would have guessed that they would have finished in 10th. But 13th is still a comfortable finish above the relegation zone. So who do they need? A clinical striker because they missed Andy Carroll when he was out injured. Well I don’t need to take a guess because Mauro Zárate has already been confirmed as West Ham’s new signing! He scored 19 times in 29 games last season. Great buy Mr Sullivan and Mr Gold. Also West Ham may need a holding midfielder. They have been linked with former Hammer and Napoli’s Valon Behrami who played 58 times for the Irons between 2008 and 2011.

Sunderland:

The Black Cats had a strong end to the season after spending most of the campaign at the foot of the table. They finished in 14th with 38 points, 5 points above the drop zone. Who do Sunderland need? I would again say a wide midfielder and/or an attacking midfielder. However they have already secured the services of Jordi Gomez for next season. So instead maybe a commanding centre-back. Again I’ll say Swansea’s Ashley Williams who may be looking for a way out of the Liberty Stadium. Apart from that they may be looking for a striker and a holding midfielder. If they could loan Borini back to the Stadium of Light again that would be amazing for them as he impressed last season. Also if they did want to sign a holding midfielder, Jake Livermore would be a perfect loan option.

Aston Villa:

Finally we will move onto the last club. The Villans. They finished 15th this season, level on points with Sunderland with 38 points. They had a season to forget as nothing too special happened. However they did not get relegated so there is a positive amongst the negatives. Villa have a young squad and I think that they need to buy experienced players during this summer. Despite saying that, Andros Townsend would be a good buy for them, providing width and pace to their attack. A centre-midfielder in Leroy Fer would be a decent buy as he would be cheap, coming from a relegated team. Even Jack Rodwell from Manchester City, but I doubt Villa would be able to pay his wages. I would recommend an experienced centre-back. Maybe someone like Michael Turner or Sébastien Bassong who would add experience to their back-four.

That concludes this edition of ‘Needs For Teams’. Thank you for reading. The next episode should be up in the coming 2-3 days. These take an incredibly long time to write as they are quite long. Anyway, thank you again.

Follow us on Twitter for all the up-to-date news regarding football – @FutbolAfterDark
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Defenders Liverpool need to sign

After conceding 50 goals last season, Brendan Rodgers has to look at improving his back line for the coming season. Parts of the defence were on loan, some were ageing and some were lacking experience. All these factors accumulated meant problems for the defence which ultimately meant goals leaking in all over the place.
For neutrals, Liverpool’s games where entertaining and fun as they were filled with goals, goals and more goals. This is evident as when Liverpool’s defence were not on point, their games ended 3-3,4-3,5-3 and 6-3. To ensure that those games are only entertaining and fun for only Liverpool fans, Liverpool have to improve their defence and here are some names they should be considering to sign.

Michel Vorm
Simon Mignolet’s first season at Liverpool started with a bang; saving a penalty on the first day of the season almost ensured legendary status on Merseyside. However from then on, his season fluctuated. Mistakes in vital matches against Man City and Aston Villa meant Liverpool dropped points when they shouldn’t have. Lack of competition for the number one spot meant Mignolet started all games for Liverpool last season. This is where Michel Vorm comes in. The arrival of the Swansea goalkeeper means that there would be competition and also means Liverpool have the luxury of choosing a goalkeeper with both world-class quality. The signing of Vorm would be good for parties all round seeing as Swansea have signed Arsenal’s FA Cup hero Lukasz Fabianski.

Albero Moreno
As of the 29th of May, Liverpool have made a £16million bid for the young Spanish left back. This is good news for Liverpool as they will finally have a full back which is young, speedy and eccentric. His lightening pace would add more fear into the opponents as his attacking prowess would add to the already frightening attack.

Dejan Lovren
After a good debut season in England, the Southampton centre back has already caught the eyes of several managers; Brendan Rodgers being one of them. He would add star quality to the some what lacklustre Liverpool defence. The Croatian’s defensive abilities would make the Reds defence strong again; just in time for the Champions League.

Javi Martinez
In what would be a coup of a signing for the Reds, signing the Bayern centre back would be a dream. His defensive work and skills is exactly what Liverpool need and is exactly what Liverpool need to make them one of the great sides in the world. He can play in the centre of defence or midfield, but either way he would be one to restore the order in Liverpool’s backline. Just imagine it: a defence containing Mamadou Sakho and Javi Martinez with an attack containing the likes of Luis Suarez, Daniel Sturridge and Raheem Sterling. Scary.

Micah Richards
Some may like him, some may not. But everyone would agree that the out-of-favour full back at Manchester City would certainly add depth to the thin squad of Liverpool’s. His strength and pace combined would be useful for Brendan Rodgers just in case someone is injured or suspended. Much like Philipe Coutinho and Daniel Sturridge at their previous clubs, Richards isn’t seeing alot of playing time as of late. Rodgers along with Dr. Steve Peters will try their best to bring back Richards to the best he can be and also make him world-class just like they have with Coutinho and Sturridge.

Pochettino: Spurs New Boss

Spurs new boss Mauricio Pochettino

Yesterday Spurs appointed new coach Mauricio Pochettino from Southampton on a 5-year deal, keeping him at White Hart Lane until 2019 (under contract mind you).

Last season Pochettino guided Southampton to eighth place in the Premier League, their highest league position.

Mauricio Pochettino at Southampton saw the rise in home grown payers such as Luke Shaw, Adam Lallana and Jay Rodriguez who are now top transfer targets for the Premier League giants.

Mauricio’s early managerial career started in Spain with club RCD Espanyol, he had a win rate of 32.92% winning 53 games in 161 games. Since his appointment in Southampton in 2013, Pochettino’s win percentage was 38.33% winning 23 games in 60 games.

Pochettino is known for his high pressing attacking brand of football and his youth developement.

Daniel Levy: “In Mauricio I believe we have a Head Coach who, with his high energy, attacking football, will embrace the style of play we associate with our Club. He has a proven ability to develop each player as an individual, whilst building a great team spirit and winning mentality.”

Possible summer targets that Pochettino may buy to strengthen his new squad:

Jay Rodriguez, Southampton. Jay Rodriguez enjoyed a successful season in 2013/2014 under former boss Pochettino with a total of 17 goals in 39 appearances. He may be the answer to Spurs’s winger problems, providing a few goals.

Adam Lallana captain of Southampton may follow his former boss Mauricio Pochettino to Spurs as they have a great manager to player connection. Southampton rejected a £20mil bid from Liverpool earlier this year and may leave for a fee around £25mil. Pochettino may buy Lallana as his first major signing under new his new club.

Romelu Lukaku, Chelsea. Everton loanee in the 2013/2014 season proved to be a vital signing for Everton and their chances of Champions League football he scored a total of 16 goals in 33 appearances. Lukaku is unsettled at Chelsea following his £17mil move from Anderlecht to Chelsea in 2011, being loaned out twice since his arrival at West Brom and Everton. Lukaku has premier league experience and will help Spurs fight for Champions League football with Soldado failing to prove his £26mil value.

Thank you for reading, make sure you follow @FutbolAfterDark for the latest up-to-date football new.

Shaquille – @ShaquilleJ29

Needs for Teams (BPL Edition Part 2)

Welcome to the second instalment of the Needs for Teams segment on our blog. Today is the second of the series and we are sticking with the Premier League but this time doing another 5 teams. This is mainly focusing on the teams that do not finish in the top 4 regularly but do finish high up in the league. Before we begin, make sure to return in two more days where I do the next 5 teams in the Premier League. So lets begin!

Everton:

Everton had one of their best ever seasons in the Premier League finishing 5th with 72 points, 7 points behind 4th placed Arsenal. The Merseyside club traditionally do not spend much in the transfer window but maybe under new manager Roberto Martínez things might change. They will be needing a few fresh faces in certain positions which I will quickly run over. Let’s start with the striker position. Everton need a big, main target man which they have been missing for a number of seasons. In the season just gone they solely relied on Lukaku who was on loan from Chelsea. He banged in 15 goals and this is where the goal problem begins for Everton. Lukaku was the only Everton player to score more than 10 goals so they will need to buy a new striker. I can’t see Lukaku returning,  so maybe someone such as Welbeck or Bony. Can I see either of them fitting in? No, but they are the type of player Everton needs. They have also been linked with former Toffee, Jack Rodwell or Manchester City. That would be a great signing as he has talent, he is young and he knows the Everton philosophy. He would also be pretty cheap seen as he hasn’t had a breakthrough at City. Gerard Deulofeu impressed on loan last season and Everton would love him back but Barcelona have said no. This had led to links between Everton and James Forrest from Celtic, another young, pacey winger.

Newcastle:

The Tyneside club struggled this season, finishing 10th with 49 points. With talisman striker (Loic Remy) leaving due to the end of his loan from QPR, Newcastle will have to replace him. As of today (27/5/14) Newcastle are looking to get rid of the dead wood at the club such as Steven Taylor. They will need to replace these players. Most likely with new young players. Honestly I can’t see any big names joining Newcastle this summer, mainly because of their lack of success in recent years. However if I was Mike Ashley I would have a punt at Welbeck or Bony. Welbeck isn’t getting the game time he deserves and Bony is at Swansea who failed to finish in the top 10 this season! Can’t see any of those two transfers happening though. Also a pacey winger, maybe have a look at Tottenham’s Andros Townsend or Barcelona’s Cristian Tello. Again I can’t see any of these going through but they are the type of players that Newcastle need. If any action does happen up Tyneside I think it will be in the managerial position where Alan Pardew isn’t admired by the majority of Newcastle fans…

Southampton:

Now onto a more promising club. Southampton managed to finish 8th with 56 points under manager Mauricio Pochettino who has resigned and joined Tottenham Hotspur today (27/5/14). Now with key players Adam Lallana, Luke Shaw and Jay Rodriguez having links away from the club it makes sense to replace them with other talent. Now I’ve said Andros Townsend for other clubs on this blog but I seriously think he would fit in at Southampton. He’s young, pacey and would be the perfect replacement for Jay Rodriguez who is linked to Townsend’s Tottenham Hotspur. Replacing captain Adam Lallana is difficult but I have someone in mind. Someone along the lines of Miralem Pjanic, the Bosnian attacking midfielder from Serie A side Roma. He has been described as an “old fashioned playmaker with huge technical abilities”. His main attributes are his dribbling skills and passing. Much like Lallana he is also good at shooting. A replacement for Luke Shaw, maybe Erik Pieters from Stoke. He is slightly older at 25, but had the 10th highest tackles per game ratio in the whole Premier League, ahead of all the top defenders in the league. Doesn’t that say something? Perfect replacement in my eyes. Striker wise, Emmanuel Mayuka is returning to the club from a loan spell away in France. He will bring pace to their attack. Plus he is only 23! Likely to be a busy summer on the south coast of England!

Stoke:

Stoke had a strong season when you consider how they changed managers and their play style. They finished impressively in 9th with a solid 50 points.They brought in a few fresh faces at the start of the season including Austrian winger, Marko Arnautovic. He impressed in his first season with his pace but his shooting let him down as he only scored 4 goals. Another transfer like him would be ideal for Stoke. Someone like Oussama Assaidi who was on loan with them from Liverpool last season. If they manager to place a bid they might be able to acquire his signature on a permanent deal. Which I can see happening. Now Stoke need a striker. With their recent transfer history being all over the shop in terms of leagues, I would recommend 15-goal-a-season Mattia Destro from Roma. A lot of Roma players have popped up today but Destro I feel would fit into the Stoke philoshoy easily. He’s only 23 and he’s 6ft 1! Amazing header of the ball and is strong at finishing. Just someone who Stoke need. Honestly that’s about it. I feel as though Stoke have a reasonably strong squad which is more than capable of finishing in the Top 10 once again!

Tottenham Hotspur:

Now onto my team. Tottenham Hotspur. I’ll try not be biased which I usually am not as I am more of a realistic fan instead of the usual optimist. To be honest I’ve been waiting to do this one for ages. So let’s begin. Tottenham today (27/5/14) have confirmed manager Mauricio Pochettino as their new manager. This has heightened links between Tottenham and Southampton winger Jay Rodriguez who could follow Pochettino to the club. In my opinion this would be an amazing signing as currently Spurs have a major winger problem. Let’s begin the list of last seasons failed wingers…. Lamela, Townsend, Lennon, Eriksen (who would drift into his native CAM position)… this list could go on but this is future transfers not failed players. So who else do we need? A striker, a left back, a centre back and maybe a goal keeper if Lloris decides to leave. So a new left back… If you have been following me on my Spurs Twitter account (@AllAboutSpurs) you would have noticed that I have often showed my admiration for left back’s Mattia de Sciglio and Criscito who are both Italian. They would be perfect at our club as they are true defenders who know how to attack. For a centre back? Well we could be lazy and re-sign Steven Caulker from Cardiff City. I can see this happening. This reminds me of the old Spurs days. Sell Kaboul, Defoe and Keane and then buy them back the next season…. Anyway now to the striker position… Soldado is not the greatest and I can see him moving to Atletico Madrid as Diego Costa looks to be on his way to Chelsea. I would love Jackson Martinez, Wilfred Bony, Lukaku or Benteke. Just one of those four could be the thing that we are missing. Adebayor and Kane could alternate if Pochettino decides to play 442. Striker sorted. With rumours of Lloris leaving to French giants PSG we will be left with Friedel. He’s by far no means bad. He’s just getting on. If you know what I mean. So lets presume that Lloris has gone and Courtois has returned to Chelsea. Cech won’t want to be an understudy like Cassilas. So why don’t we have a punt at signing him? He won’t have to move house, he’ll just receive a lower pay check. Hopefully we replace our players with good alternatives unlike last summer. Only 2 out of our 7 signings actually proved to be worth it. Eriksen and Paulinho who is debatable… So for next season all I ask for is that Levy can you please listen to the fans? Oh and also sign players that will either win us a cup or finish in the Top 4. Thanks. – Louis

Thank you for reading our transfer predictions coming up for this summer. We will try to post one of these every other day for the next week or two depending on the amount of teams we decide to do.

Follow us on Twitter for all the up-to-date news regarding football – @FutbolAfterDark
And follow me personally – @ItsLouiis // @AllAboutSpurs

Manchester United at the World Cup

13 red-devils are going to Brazil this summer, and are trying to create the form they didn’t show in the recent 2013-14 campaign. A disappointing campaign for the 20 time Premier League champions meant they finished 7^th; their worst finish in the modern era. The men from Manchester will be looking to prove their worth and show new manager Louis van Gaal why they can be a pivotal figure next season.

David De Gea

Man Utd’s player of the season sees David De Gea go to his first World Cup. The 23-year-old had the best season of his career despite his team’s overall campaign. However the former Atletico goalkeeper will be mostly sitting on the sidelines as captain of national side Spain, Iker Casillas, will be the one to start the games for the reigning world champions. De Gea will be looking to gain experience from others in his camp and have the feel of going to a major tournament.

De Gea will be looking to wear Spain’s 2014 World Cup Jersey.

Juan Mata

The £37million buy from Chelsea in January was supposed to give Man Utd the push they needed for Champions League. This isn’t what they got as Mata only showed few glimpses of what he could do. This disappointing form may mean that Vicente Del Bosque may not even start Mata in Brazil as well as the star power Spain already have such as the likes of David Silva, Andres Iniesta and Xavi.

Juan Mata playing with Spain.

 

Patrice Evra

Before going to meet up with his French teammates, Evra signed a one year extension with Man Utd. This may be his last season with the club and will be looking to make the most of it. With France, he will be looking to start in his favoured left back position; however he does have healthy competition with the likes of Lucas Digne and Eliaquim Mangala also fighting for a spot in the starting eleven.

Evra playing with France.

Nani

An injury-filled season saw the right winger make 13 appearances for Man Utd. Surprisingly, he was picked by Portugal head coach Paulo Bento ahead of Porto winger Ricardo Quaresma, who has seen more playing time. He will be looking to do what he couldn’t with his national side and shine along the likes of Joao Moutinho, Danny and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Nani with Portugal.

Phil Jones

One of four with England to Brazil, Phil Jones will be looking to improve his game and gain experience in the summer. His much favoured position of centre back looks to be taken up by the likes of Gary Cahill and Phil Jagielka, but he may have a chance to play at right back where there isn’t much competition; Liverpool’s Glen Johnson being the main starter on the right side.

Chris Smalling

The 24-year-old, like teammate Phil Jones, will also be looking to fight for a start in Brazil. England boss Roy Hodgson has started Smalling in recent friendlies and this may be a sign of things to come should Hodgson put his trust in the highly-rated defender.

Both these defenders will be looking to play in Brazil.

Danny Welbeck

Used mainly as a substitute this campaign, Welbeck managed 9 goals from a central position for his club. He has been deployed in wide positions but to no effect as he didn’t manage to contribute when in those positions. This unfamiliarity for Welbeck may continue as the spots for a central position has been taken up by more experienced and skilled players. This may means that when playing, Welbeck will play on the wide left or wide right.

Wayne Rooney

The talisman for Man Utd, much like David De Gea, has had a great season; scoring 17 and assisting 10. His all round technical ability has been one of the few highlights for the Man Utd fans and people will be looking for more of the same in the summer. People have questioned his ‘world-class ability’ and at the biggest tournament football has to offer, Rooney will be looking to prove his critics wrong.

Rooney and Welbeck.

Robin van Persie

The lethal frontman for Man Utd has been the lethal frontman for the Netherlands in recent tournaments and will be looking to cement his position once again. His 42 goals at international level shows that he can do it at a different level and after a disappointing follow up season from his debut season; van Persie will want to replicate the form he did in the latter of the seasons.

Van Persie will be looking to celebrate in Brazil.

Antonio Valencia

Ecuadorians will want the right-winger to be in the form of his life as they would want their nation to get as far as they can. Tough opponents in their group means that Valencia has to do better then what he did at club level which was 2 goals and 3 assists. Improving his game in Brazil may give Louis van Gaal food for thought on who to be his side’s main right winger.

Valencia with Ecuador.

Shinji Kagawa

Despite being disappointing in his first two seasons, Shinji Kagawa still remains as one of the popular figures in Asian part of the footballing world. Despite making over 50 appearances for Japan, the 2014 edition of the World Cup will be the no.26’s first and will want to replicate the form he had back in Germany with Borussia Dortmund.

Kagawa with Keisuke Honda.

Marouane Fellaini

High expectations were made for the Belgian international when signing on deadline day 2013 from Everton for £27.5million. These expectations weren’t met as throughout the season, as Fellaini only managed 1 assist throughout the whole season. This lacklustre season will be one to forget for the Belgian as maybe with his national side he will prove his worth.

Adnan Januzaj

The promising 19-year-old made an impactful first season as he took the footballing world by storm. Comparisions were quickly made with great wingers such as former star Cristiano Ronaldo, but Januzaj will want to improve on his game and make sure he can be the best he can be. In Brazil, he doesn’t have the greatest of chances of playing, but he may make a cameo appearance which may make him gain experience after playing football at the highest level.

Fellaini and Januzaj training with the Belgian squad.

Hamza – @_H_H_H_H_H_H_H
Or follow the team – @FutbolAfterDark

Liverpool at the World Cup

Overall, there are 11 Liverpool players going to Brazil for the 2014 World Cup. Some are on loan, some haven’t even featured for Liverpool this campaign; but they are still with Liverpool officially. How will the men from Merseyside do on the pitches of Brazil? Hopefully they will be the ones who impact their team positively.

Kolo Toure
Aged 33, the elder of the Toure brothers has made over 100 appearances for Ivory Coast since his debut back in 2000. He was part of the squads that went to Germany and South Africa and although his nation haven’t gone far in those campaigns, he was still a vital part of the team. He will be looking to help his team on and also for himself, he will be looking to not create calamitous mistakes he did which affected Liverpool’s season.

Pepe Reina
Still contracted by Liverpool, the Spanish goalkeeper played the 2013-14 season with Napoli under former boss Rafa Benitez. It was a great season for Benitez and co, winning the Coppa Italia and securing a Champions League spot. His playing time may’ve stopped for now as his chance of playing for Spain are looking slim. Captain Iker Casillas will be the one to start as he did in the last World Cup and a goalkeeper of his calibre won’t be benched that easily. Unfortunately for Reina, he has to cheer his side from the sidelines and hope that they repeat their success in 2010.

Simon Mignolet
Much like Reina, Simon Mignolet’s chance of playing for his nation Belgium are small. This is due to on loan Chelsea ‘keeper Thibaut Courtois being favoured by manager Marc Wilmots favouring him over the Liverpool man. You can’t blame Wilmots after seeing the season Courtois had; his impact led to winning the La Liga and becoming runners-up in the Champions League with Atletico Madrid.

Mamadou Sakho
There were high hopes in August 2013 for Mamadou Sakho when he signed for Liverpool from French champions PSG. The 23-year-old was brought to bolster the defence and as the season went on he provided us glimpses of what he could do. Some say he didn’t give that good of a season due to the language barrier; but this excuse won’t come into play when he plays with his French teammates. He has the chance to prove to the world that he can be that ‘monster’ or ‘beast’ in defence with his national side. Also, his two goals in the qualifying is the reason why France are in Brazil in the first place, and they have the Liverpool man to thank.

Sebastian Coates
The towering defender didn’t make an appearance for Liverpool this recent season due to a cruciate knee ligament injury he suffered last August. While recovering he had some playing time with Nacional back in Uruguay, and this hopefully gives him a chance to play in the World Cup.

Raheem Sterling
The boy wonder has had a monumental season for Liverpool, as his speed, dribbling and sheer determination was one of the factors of Liverpool’s surprising title chase. He has received many plaudits over the course of the season and will be looking to do so in Brazil. Hopefully Roy Hodgson starts him as his pace and trickery will be needed to get past the worlds best.

Jordan Henderson
This season proved why Jordan Henderson was worth the money payed all those years ago. His unlimited stamina and his never-say-die attitude has made him a fan favourite all over Liverpool. In the hot climate in Brazil, players such as Henderson will be needed as they will be the ones chasing lost causes and never giving up to give their team a boost.

Glen Johnson
His fluctuating form has angered Liverpool fans as the fans needed him on top form to help push for the title. At times Johnson has shown what he can do, but he has also shown the bad sides of his game. Hodgson will be looking for the Johnson who has the right frame of mind and the Johnson who will be unstoppable on that right flank.

Daniel Sturridge
21 goals in the league has made Daniel Sturridge one of the most feared strikers in the world. Since joining Liverpool, his career has turned for good after troubled spells at Chelsea and Manchester City. With 4 of his Liverpool teammates in the England squad, Sturridge won’t have to change his style a lot in order to create the form he did with Liverpool at England.

Steven Gerrard
‘Captain Fantastic’ is not only captain at Liverpool, he is the captain of England. Being captain of England is quite hard seeing as you have the whole country’s expectations hanging over you. However Gerrard is used to it, and has the experience and leadership to lead England to glory; just like he nearly did with Liverpool. This recent season showed that Gerrard still has the abilities to play at world-class level and also shows no sign of ageing and fatigue.

Luis Suarez
The last Liverpool player I am going to talk about is the prodigal son of Uruguay. Luis Suarez. His performances over the season has given commentators struggling to find enough superlatives to describe his genius. Suarez was named Player of the Season after consistent performances and most notably, 31 goals and 12 assists. The latter shows how much of a team player Suarez can be as well as showcasing his independent ability. Uruguay will need Suarez to continue his form and also to form a good partnership with PSG striker Edinson Cavani; just like his partnership with Daniel Sturridge at Liverpool. If Suarez does continue to shine at the World Cup he will surely be up there with the best.

Hamza – @_H_H_H_H_H_H_H
Or follow the team – @FutbolAfterDark