Tag Futebol

The Hammers are in striking disarray again and desperately need one, if not two, new strikers before the transfer window closes.

They are down to the bare bones with just Modibo Maiga and Diafra Sakho as the main striking options, with Mauro Zarate more of a number 10 than a central focal point for the attack.

The ‘significant’ knee and ankle injuries Enner Valencia sustained against Astra Giurgiu last Thursday look as though they will rule the Ecuadorian forward out until October, which has further emphasised the Hammers’ need for a new front man.

Slaven Bilic need strikers, so here are five possible targets the East Londoners should be considering…

Raul Jimenez

It has been suggested by the Telegraph that West Ham are eyeing up a loan move, with a view to a permanent deal, for Mexican forward Raul Jimenez, depending on a work permit hearing later this week.

The striker had an unsuccessful season at Atletico Madrid last year, scoring just one goal in 27 games, but the former América striker had a good record in Mexico, scoring regularly, and he has scored eight times for Mexico already.

Charlie Austin

The Hammers have been linked with the QPR forward all summer and a move across London could well be on the cards for Austin as rumours suggest the striker would prefer to stay in London, rather than move to Newcastle – the other strongly linked club.

We all know how successful Austin was for the R’s last season, scoring eighteen times for the relegated Londoners showing he already has Premier League pedigree.

However, the rumoured £15m price tag on the forward is a stumbling block as the Hammers don’t rate Austin as highly as that fee, so the Hoops will have to drop the price if a deal is to be done.

Javier Hernandez

The Hammers are rumoured to be ready to make a move for the Man Utd forward, who is out of favour at Old Trafford after he was loaned out last season to Real Madrid.

There is strong interest in the Mexican forward from London rivals Spurs, so the East Londoners are going to have to move fast to secure the striker’s services.

Hernandez would be an ideal signing as he would add some real finishing know-how to the West Ham attack, and for £9m a deal for the striker is certainly a possibility.

Dimitar Berbatov

A bit of a left field target for the Hammers, but the Bulgarian striker is still a classy performer, even at the ripe old age of 34.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

He could certainly still do a job in the Premier League but, even though the former Spurs man is still a talented performer, he couldn’t be considered as the one single striker to solve West Ham’s striking dilemmas.

However, with the Bulgarian out of contract after finishing his time at Monaco, he is attainable and could well be signed as a decent back-up option for the Hammers.

Loic Remy

The Chelsea forward has looked like he is set to stay at Stamford Bridge this season, but a move for the Frenchman could still be on the cards for the Upton Park based club, especially after the striker’s uninspiring performance in the Community Shield on Sunday, which may persuade Jose Mourinho to move the striker on.

Chelsea will need to sign another forward before they will be letting Remy leave however, but if they do the Hammers could resurrect a deal for the striker.

Arsenal are looking to sign England defender Micah Richards, according to the Mirror.

The Manchester City right-back has been linked with a move out of the club, despite having two years left on his contract.

But Richards, who only played 7 Premier League matches last season, is considering handing in a transfer request, after learning that Roma and Inter Milan are interested in his services. The right-back’s chances of getting into the first team are limited by the fact he is fighting for a place with club captain Pablo Zabaleta.

Arsenal are monitoring Richard’s situation, and could line him up as a replacement for Bacary Sagna. The Frenchman has been heavily linked with a move to France, with Monaco and PSG reportedly interested.

The 25-year-old is valued at £12million by Inter Milan, but he could be offered a chance to stay in the Premier League by Arsene Wenger.

Richards could be just one of many big names moving to the Emirates this summer, after Wenger was given a £70million transfer kitty to spend this summer. The right-back would fit Arsenal’s style of attacking fullbacks.

City are keen to offer Richards a new contract, but the 25-year-old is believed to be considering his options first.

Would Richards do well at Arsenal? Should he leave City?

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Join the debate below!

‪[cat_link cat=”arsenal” type=”grid”]

Tuesday night’s penalty shootout win over Plymouth Argyle was unquestionably full of more negatives than positives for Eddie Howe and the fans.

Ten changes from Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at Huddersfield – by all accounts a poor display in its own right – meant a chance for the second string players to put themselves into contention for a first team starting spot.

Charlie Austin was the only man to feature from the weekend, and it’s a good job he did or we could have been looking at an embarrassing second round exit at home to League Two opposition.

With practically no service throughout the hour he spent on the field, he stuck away the one chance he was presented with, and that represents encouraging signs for the rest of the season. He now has four in five games this year, on the back of a prolific pre-season, and you have to feel that his goals are the key to any chances we have of challenging the top six.

Eddie Howe must have been disappointed with the performances of the majority of players on the pitch on Tuesday. The two full backs, Danny Lafferty and Luke O’Neill looked ponderous on the ball and slightly off the pace.

I was looking forward to seeing Brian Stock in the midfield before the game, but he too was a disappointment and barely featured in a game which you would expect a player of his experience to have dominated. Alex MacDonald showed promise with his constant movement up front, but too often he squandered possession. I can’t help but feel he was too anxious to please; firstly because he is trying to break into the side and secondly because he was up against his old teammates from last season. Whatever the reason, it was a frustrating evening for him and he admitted as such on Twitter after the game.

The one player who did the most to make a strong case for inclusion in the first team was Marvin Bartley. He chased and harried in midfield and never let up, and the one quality ball into the box to produce the goal for Austin came from his boot.

Young Steven Hewitt also looked fairly assured; even if it may not come off all of the time you can see that he is making the right decisions and trying to do the right thing, and the fans will always appreciate that.

Ben Mee did what was required of him at centre half, and the manager and the fans know that he can play at Championship level after last season. Michael Duff, partnering him at the back, gave the ball away too often and I would be surprised if his one year contract is renewed next summer.

Brian Jensen had a quiet game before saving three out of five in the penalty shootout – unfortunately he didn’t save the penalty in normal time or we might all have been spared another half an hour – to again show what he can do when given a chance in the side.

But overall, there were worrying signs for the fans. The first eleven looks decent and should compete comfortably enough this year but based on Tuesday night’s showing, the second string are not up to the same standards by comparison. Kieran Trippier and Joseph Mills will not be worried by Lafferty or O’Neill, and neither will Dean Marney or Chris McCann by Stock.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

I appreciate that these players have seen little competitive action, that they have played very little football together and obviously that the game going into extra time in just the second week of the season will not have helped matters. But in reality we were up against a decidedly ordinary opposition, and the players on show should really have had enough to run out comfortable winners by two or three goals.

The disjointed nature of the performance will have worried Howe. Should we suffer any serious injuries, it seems to me that these players would struggle to make much of an impact on the Championship. I hope that I am wrong and that it was just an early season blip for a rusty group of players. But if the finances allow, I would like to see the manager bring in a couple of new faces before the window shuts to improve the depth of our squad.

 [ad_pod id=’writer-1′ align=’right’]

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has given an update on the fitness of four first-team players following this afternoon’s goalless draw with Stoke City.The Reds had a frustrating day at Anfield as they were unable to break the deadlock, which is unheard of nowadays given the scintillating form of the club’s attacking force.Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino left their shooting boots at home, but their course for a top-four finish remains on target as they need three points from their final two matches of the Premier League campaign.Next Wednesday is the most important fixture for the Reds, though, as they prepare to build on their 5-2 advantage in the semi-finals of the Champions League against Roma.Liverpool have a few injury niggles heading to the Stadio Olimpico after Trent Alexander-Arnold and Jordan Henderson suffered knocks against Stoke.Sadio Mane was left out due to a thigh problem, while Joe Gomez, who received plenty of criticism from fans following today’s game, also picked up a problem.

Liverpool fans have been posting their reaction to the updates on social media.

Comment from discussion Jurgen Klopp says Trent Alexander-Arnold suffered a dead leg v Stoke, Joe Gomez twisted his ankle early on and Jordan Henderson turned his ankle. Hopes all 3 ok for Roma though. Sadio Mane will be fit for Weds..Comment from discussion Jurgen Klopp says Trent Alexander-Arnold suffered a dead leg v Stoke, Joe Gomez twisted his ankle early on and Jordan Henderson turned his ankle. Hopes all 3 ok for Roma though. Sadio Mane will be fit for Weds..Comment from discussion Jurgen Klopp says Trent Alexander-Arnold suffered a dead leg v Stoke, Joe Gomez twisted his ankle early on and Jordan Henderson turned his ankle. Hopes all 3 ok for Roma though. Sadio Mane will be fit for Weds..Comment from discussion Jurgen Klopp says Trent Alexander-Arnold suffered a dead leg v Stoke, Joe Gomez twisted his ankle early on and Jordan Henderson turned his ankle. Hopes all 3 ok for Roma though. Sadio Mane will be fit for Weds..Comment from discussion Jurgen Klopp says Trent Alexander-Arnold suffered a dead leg v Stoke, Joe Gomez twisted his ankle early on and Jordan Henderson turned his ankle. Hopes all 3 ok for Roma though. Sadio Mane will be fit for Weds..Comment from discussion Jurgen Klopp says Trent Alexander-Arnold suffered a dead leg v Stoke, Joe Gomez twisted his ankle early on and Jordan Henderson turned his ankle. Hopes all 3 ok for Roma though. Sadio Mane will be fit for Weds..Comment from discussion Jurgen Klopp says Trent Alexander-Arnold suffered a dead leg v Stoke, Joe Gomez twisted his ankle early on and Jordan Henderson turned his ankle. Hopes all 3 ok for Roma though. Sadio Mane will be fit for Weds..Comment from discussion Jurgen Klopp says Trent Alexander-Arnold suffered a dead leg v Stoke, Joe Gomez twisted his ankle early on and Jordan Henderson turned his ankle. Hopes all 3 ok for Roma though. Sadio Mane will be fit for Weds..Comment from discussion Jurgen Klopp says Trent Alexander-Arnold suffered a dead leg v Stoke, Joe Gomez twisted his ankle early on and Jordan Henderson turned his ankle. Hopes all 3 ok for Roma though. Sadio Mane will be fit for Weds..

[ad_pod ]

While Arsenal’s record-breaking 12th FA Cup win against Aston Villa may only have happened just over a week ago, the Gunners will doubtless be preparing for the new season already, with the minds of Arsene Wenger and co firmly on the task ahead rather than the glories of the past.

After a highly successful campaign in which they lifted a piece of silverware for the second season in succession and were close to ending up as Premier League runners-up, there are signs that the north London club are re-emerging as a genuine top flight superpower, capable of making a credible challenge for the Premier League crown.

Here are five reasons why the Gunners can be serious title contenders next season…

[interaction id=“none”]

Silverware becomes a familiarity, rather than a distant memory

Prior to their FA Cup victory last season, it had been nine years since Arsenal had lifted a trophy.

That one came against Manchester United in 2005 in the same competition, and the drought that followed was evidence, according to many (including a significant number of Gunners fans) that Wenger had lost it, that the club would be unable to seriously compete for the top honours while the Frenchman was still in charge.

The win against Hull City at Wembley in May of last year broke the duck, and by retaining the famous cup against Aston Villa this time around, Wenger has shown that the ‘perennial loser’ jibes were without any foundation whatsoever.

The Frenchman remains a supreme tactician and manager, and the feeling of lifting a trophy two seasons in a row will have given his players the confidence and belief that they do have what it takes to deliver in the biggest games.

Arsenal players now know that they belong to a squad full of winners and champions; this mentality can help them aim for higher glories next season.

Wenger is finally splashing the cash – and successfully

Like it or not, money rules football.

To become successful, you need to spend big. As admirable as Wenger’s anti-extravangance approach was for many seasons as he put all his faith into developing the club’s young, homegrown players, it didn’t bring the club any success.

While the long-serving manager probably still feels like splashing the cash is a bit of a cop-out, that seeing a team transform from plucky youngsters to legendary winners is football at its purest, he is unlikely to have been preoccupied with scrutinising his principles when watching Alexis Sanchez lift the FA Cup at Wembley.

Wenger has belatedly realised that the spending of money – and lots of it – is the only realistic way of winning silverware, yet it is one thing to blindly bring in expensive imports, another thing entirely to make sure they are a success and fit in the team’s system.

Wenger’s signing of Sanchez – Arsenal’s best player by far last season – was a masterstroke, and if the Frenchman can be equally as effective in this summer’s transfer window, the Gunners could begin to have the makings of a formidable force.

Time is on their side

It’s hard to believe that Jack Wilshere – who seems to have been around for a long time – is only 23-years-old, yet this is only because the midfielder was exposed to first team football at a very young age.

The same can be said of Aaron Ramsey (24), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (21) and Theo Walcott (26), all of whom have been involved with the senior side for a number of seasons now, but whose peaks years are still to come.

Every successful team needs older, experienced players, but by identifying a core group of players and ensuring that they grow up and develop together from their teenage years and into their twenties, Wenger is establishing a continuity and sense of stability which can only be beneficial for the club when these players reach the prime of their careers.

Time is certainly on Arsenal’s side; they just need to make sure their chicks don’t leave the nest.

They have the strength in depth

Arsene Wenger will almost certainly be active in the summer transfer window, with a new goalkeeper, defensive midfielder and striker believed to be his top priorities.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Assuming he delivers in all three positions – and there’s no reason why he wouldn’t – then Arsenal’s squad has the look of one that is capable of coping with the gruelling demands of a ten-month marathon season.

As well as a wealth of players in the centre of the park – including the hidden gem that is Francis Coquelin, who proved to be a revelation at the base of the Gunners’ midfield last season – they have impressive backup options in all other areas of the team.

This, coupled with the new recruits they will bring in this summer, stands them in good stead for the new campaign.

Chelsea’s closest challengers?

With Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini clinging onto his job by the skin of his teeth after a dismal second season in charge and Louis van Gaal’s Manchester United still a work in progress, it may very well be the case that Arsenal head into the new season as Chelsea’s closest competitors for the title.

The Blues will rightly be healthy favourites, but the Gunners may relish the challenge of being the team with the best chance of toppling their London rivals.

Last season showed they are able to record crucial victories and credible results against their closest rivals – especially away from home – and if they can begin the campaign in impressive fashion (which they have admittedly failed to do in recent years) then their traditional late-season purple patch could see them remain relevant in the title race right up until the final ball is kicked.

Edin Dzeko’s first half goal guaranteed Manchester City a top-three finish this season after they beat West Brom at the Etihad Stadium.

City warmed up for the FA Cup final with Wigan on Saturday by edging out the Baggies in a competitive game that saw Roberto Mancini’s men ensure they will be competing in the Champions League group stages next term.

This was a far from vintage performance from the recently dethroned Premier League champions, although with eight alterations to his starting lineup, Mancini certainly had one eye on the trip to Wembley.

Despite having nothing left to play for the Baggies started brighter and Romelu Lukaku threatened three times in the opening five minutes without dirtying Joe Hart’s gloves.

Carlos Tevez and Aleksander Kolarov then went close for the home side, before the Argentinian striker rattled the crossbar with a sweet strike from outside the penalty area.

The opening goal came 10 minutes before the break when Tevez nipped down the right flank and floated a delicious ball into the path of Dzeko, who proceeded to send a controlled volley past Boaz Myhill in the West Brom goal.

City went close to doubling their lead when Jack Rodwell had an effort cleared off the line and James Milner drove against the foot of the post before the break.

West Brom came out refreshed after the interval and Markus Rosenberg was inches away from equalising when his free kick rebounded off the bar, before James Morrison had an effort tipped wide by Hart and Shane Long drilled into the side netting as City held on.

Roberto Mancini post-match… “Edin Dzeko has scored important goals this season. I think he can do better. I think he is one of the best in Europe for me but he can do better than this year. With his goal we are in the Champions League and probably in second position.”

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Steve Clarke post-match…” The way the players applied themselves was excellent. We played well and were unlucky not to get something. In the first half we had a spell where we lost our way a little bit, we lost momentum, made a few mistakes and encouraged them into the game.” 

Good night for…Edin Dzeko: An impressive showing from the Bosnian in the lone striker role and took his goal with real aplomb. Might have played himself in to a starting role for Saturday’s FA Cup final.

Bad night for…Markus Rosenberg: After a superb showing at weekend against Wigan the Swedish forward retained his place in the Albion side but looked awfully out of his depth at the Etihad Stadium.

Harry Kane has been a dominant figure in the Premier League this season, and seemed unstoppable in front of goal for Tottenham Hotspur in the early stages of the campaign.The 24-year-old seemed to be a shoe-in for the Golden Boot, but now Liverpool star Mohamed Salah has eclipsed him as top scorer.In fact, in our recent poll, the majority of fans think that Kane will fail to earn his third success individual award as he currently sits five adrift of his opponent’s tally.The last couple of weeks have not been the best for the Tottenham hitman as he has been regularly ridiculed for claiming Christian Eriksen’s winning goal against Stoke City.https://video.footballfancast.com/video-2015/harry-kane-100.mp4Kane swore on his daughter’s life that the ball from his teammate’s free kick brushed his shoulder before it hit the back of the net.Tottenham launched an appeal and were successful, but as a result, the England international has been the butt of the jokes.Even PFA chairman Ben Purkiss got involved by making a comment during Sunday’s PFA awards in London, according to The Times journalist Henry Winter.

Tottenham fans have since given their reactions on Reddit.

Comment from discussion Comments by the PFA Chairman about Harry Kane.Comment from discussion Comments by the PFA Chairman about Harry Kane.Comment from discussion Comments by the PFA Chairman about Harry Kane.Comment from discussion Comments by the PFA Chairman about Harry Kane.Comment from discussion Comments by the PFA Chairman about Harry Kane.Comment from discussion Comments by the PFA Chairman about Harry Kane.Comment from discussion Comments by the PFA Chairman about Harry Kane.Comment from discussion Comments by the PFA Chairman about Harry Kane.

Failure and flop are both words continually being hurled at Radamel Falcao this season. He must be seriously wondering what alternate universe he is currently living in.

Just eight months ago he signed a lucrative one-year deal with Manchester United worth a ridiculous £6million for just one season’s worth of work.

He was always likely to struggle to produce enough goals to be considered value for money but few would have predicted that he’d have only found the net four times, and become the laughing stock of English football.

Falcao was once the Europa League’s top goal scorer two years in row and was praised by Lionel Messi, who admitted he’d like to get the chance to play with him. But his fall from grace has been shocking and doesn’t look like improving anytime soon. So is he just a bad player now, or is there another reason?

The 29-year-old featured for United in their last league match against Everton, where they were beaten 3-0. Falcao was given all of the second half after ex-Toffee Marouane Fellaini was taken off and like always things didn’t go to plan. In the 82nd minute Falcao got on the end of a Daley Blind ball and pulled back a consolation. Or at least that’s what would have happened if his goal hadn’t been ruled out for offside.

Even when Falcao gets the ball in the back of the net the fates convene to take the goal away from him.

Now the Colombian has only four games left to convince manager Louis van Gaal that he is worth a permanent contract with the Red Devils, though you’d think his time has been up for a while even if it has been luck rather than a talent which has been holding him back.

I guess it is inaccurate to say that it has only been a lack of chances which has stopped Falcao from making a decent impact for United as he has missed the sharpness in front of goal that most would associate with him, but he has been playing for a new club in a new country for only one season and maybe he just needs more time to settle.

Also, Falcao suffered a serious knee injury last year which put him out of action for around six months, and some have questioned whether he has fully recovered physically and mentally from the incident. Similarly, teammate Fellaini picked up a wrist injury soon after he joined United, which led to some hesitancy in matches and made his first season at the club quite dismal. He was rumoured to be moving on last summer but Van Gaal kept faith in him and his contributions have helped United reach the top four.

Maybe Radamel Falcao has been unlucky. Unlucky to have damaged his knee, unlucky to not have fully healed before signing with a major club and unlucky that his contract fee is so expensive that it almost sets him up to fail. If his parent club AS Monaco were willing to sell him for a reduced rate then there could be a chance for a permanent transfer, but I’m sure all they care about is getting as much money for him as possible.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Perhaps Falcao can have a better season next time around but the likelihood of him staying at Old Trafford is low. With interest coming from rivals Liverpool let’s hope that the Red Devils don’t regret being too trigger happy with the Colombian.

[ad_pod id=’ffc-video’ align=’center’]

[ad_pod id=’ricco’ align=’center’]

Sunderland goalkeeper Simon Mignolet has revealed that new boss Paolo Di Canio is engineering team spirit and mirroring the Belgium side.

The new Black Cats boss has only been in situ for a couple of weeks but he is already changing a few things behind the scenes in an effort to stop the free fall down the table.

One of the things he has changed is that he makes the whole squad do everything together – even when it comes down to eating in the canteen.

Mignolet told the Sun: “The gaffer wants us all to be together and to go out as a team onto the training pitch.

“He wants us to do everything together, just the same as his tactical work he does on the pitch.

“He wants us to eat in the canteen together as a group – if we eat, he wants us to eat all together.”

“It’s similar to what I know with the Belgian national team, how we do it in Europe. He brought that over from Italy, probably,” he added.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

“He wants us to win games not by individuals, but as a whole team.”

[cat_link cat=”sunderland” type=”grid”]

It’s been a difficult season for everybody at Southampton, one that could well end in the club’s relegation to the Championship, and according to The Sun that will result in a summer transfer battle for the services of Ryan Bertrand – with Tottenham one of the four clubs interested in the England international as they eye potential replacements for Danny Rose.

But that doesn’t mean the former Chelsea youngster’s individual form should be excused and considering his reputation as one of the Premier League’s most consistent full-backs outside of the Big Six, Bertrand’s efforts this season have certainly underwhelmed.

Indeed, there’s an almost superficial assumption that Bertrand is one of the Premier League’s most proven and dependable left-backs, but the statistics this season don’t quite back that up.

The 28-year-old has averaged only slightly more than one tackle and one interception per match this term, although he’s only been dribbled past on eleven occasions – only six players to make more than 10 Premier League appearances at left-back this season boast a better return in that regard.

Offensively too, there should be key doubts for Tottenham. The Lilywhites should surely be eyeing an offensive-minded and dynamic left-back this summer to compliment the more solid and sturdy styles of Ben Davies, someone who is of a similar mould to Rose like Ryan Sessegnon or Luke Shaw.

While Bertrand has made important contributions going forward this season, particularly in terms of chance creation, he lacks that ability to surge on the counter-attack and beat a man in quite the same way, as shown by his modest dribble return.

Considering how important attacking full-backs are to Pochettino’s game-plan to the extent that he often utilises them as wing-backs, that could prove to be a real problem in terms of the balance of the team.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

So, Tottenham, with The Sun valuing Bertrand at £25million, would you back a summer swoop for his services? Let us know by voting below…

[ad_pod ]