At the end, Liverpool were able to get their man when they signed Virgil van Dijk from Southampton last January.
However, the Reds were unsuccessful in their initial pursuit in a development which resulted in the Dutch centre-half not being in the right frame of mind to play for the Saints going into the 2017/18 season (Guardian).
Van Dijk, though, in a recent interview, has insisted he always gave his everything during his time at St. Mary’s.
The Breakdown
“After the end of August [and the transfer window] I put my head down, played for Southampton and gave everything,” the Liverpool defender told the BBC (via Daily Echo).
“I was happy to play because I came back from an eight-month injury. When everything happened over the summer, people doubt you. For me, I really didn’t care as I gave everything in games and training.”
On the pitch, it is hard to argue against what van Dijk has said with the 27-year-old having truly put in some colossal performances at the back for the Saints.
However, to say he gave everything to the club entirely after effectively going on strike following his failed summer transfer to Liverpool is absurd and likely to leave some Southampton supporters feeling a little disgruntled.
Given the project Jurgen Klopp has going on at Anfield, you can understand van Dijk’s frustration at being denied his dream move at first. But making yourself unavailable for the club who pay your wages is not the classiest of ways to go about things, making the above comments that have followed more than a year later far-fetched.
Liverpool midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has been sidelined with injury since he was forced off the field in the Champions League semi-final last year, but a return to full fitness looks set to arrive during the final months of the campaign after he was added to the club’s Champions League squad, as per the London Evening Standard.
What’s the word?
Liverpool’s injury list has been piling up in recent weeks but the latest development concerns the return of a lengthy absentee.
According to a recent report from the London Evening Standard, Oxlade-Chamberlain has been added to Liverpool’s Champions League squad ahead of the last-16 tie against Bayern Munich.
The England international had initially been expected to return in the summer, but the progress he has made behind the scenes is pushing him towards a return this season.
Ki-Jana Hoever has also been added to the list, replacing Nathaniel Clyne following his loan move to Bournemouth, as per BBC.
A game-changing boost for Liverpool
Liverpool’s typically rampant, free-flowing and fearful midfield has become uncharacteristically devoid of creativity in recent weeks.
The combination play in midfield has become rather predictable, but the injection of dynamism Oxlade-Chamberlain would provide could transform the effectiveness of Jurgen Klopp’s midfield trio.
With Liverpool still in the hunt for both the Champions League and the Premier League, the German manager will need as many quality options as possible at his disposal, and the return of the Ox will effectively feel like a new signing.
It may take the 25-year-old a few games to find his feet once again, but his performances – whether they be off the bench or from the outset – could represent a game-changer for the Reds.
Brendan Rodgers wants to sign Aston Villa midfielder John McGinn for Leicester City, per the Daily Mirror.
The new Foxes boss wanted to secure the 24-year-old’s signature when he was Celtic manager but failed to strike a deal.
What’s the word?
The aforementioned report claims that Celtic tabled a £3million bid for McGinn last summer, when he joined Villa from Hibernian.
Rodgers has not given up, however, and is now said to be eyeing yet another swoop for the Villa man.
McGinn has enjoyed a productive season at Villa Park, playing 30 Championship games and scoring two goals, while also providing eight assists.
Rodgers also wants to sign Celtic defender Dedryck Boyata, per the report, as he eyes a raid on his former club for the centre-back.
Villa are currently 11th in the table, though they are only six points behind Bristol City, who sit sixth and occupy the final play-off position.
Moulding squad in his own image
Rodgers is attempting to mould the Leicester squad into his own image.
There is a lot for him to work with at the King Power Stadium; the likes of James Maddison, Jamie Vardy and Harry Maguire are all remarkably talented Premier League players.
But Leicester perhaps lack a bite in midfield and McGinn would offer that if he can be lured away from the second-tier.
The Foxes arguably offer a greater pull than Celtic, with the carrot of playing in the Premier League sure to appeal to the 13-cap Scotland international.
A summer of investment can be expected once this season ends and McGinn may well be the first through what could be a revolving door.
Loads of Leeds fans have been reacting to a rather stunning piece of managerial news, as Paul Heckingbottom is in line for another job.
Leeds fans have blocked out all memories of last season, but it’s all flooding back after the latest news about their former boss.
Heckingbottom, who left the club back in June two weeks before the arrival of Marcelo Bielsa, is in talks to become the new Hibernian manager, per Sky Sports.
Who are the best away fans in the Championship? Pl>ymaker FC’s Thogden gives his top 10 in the video below…
The 41 year-old has been out of football since leaving Elland Road in the summer, but Hibs are desperately searching for a new boss after the suspension of Neil Lennon.
The Scottish outfit have lost three of their last four league games and won just once in their last seven outings, currently sitting 7th in the Scottish Premiership.
Heckingbottom doesn’t exactly seem like the man to turn it around though, as he mustered just a 28 per cent win ratio in the manager’s post at Barnsley, a number that dropped to 25 per cent with Leeds.
You can find some of the best reactions from Leeds fans down below…
Brendan Rodgers has pencilled in next Sunday’s SPFL clash with Motherwell for Kieran Tierney’s return from injury.
The defender has been out injured since suffering a hip knock in the Europa League match against RB Leipzig but has been back in full contact training for over a week.
Tierney has been watching his team-mates from the stands alongside his pals but is now closing in on a return to competitive action.
After today’s 1-0 win over Kilmarnock, Chick Young asked Rodgers if Tierney would be back to face Valencia on Thursday but the Hoops boss told Radio Scotland…
“I think that Motherwell is the game that we are targeting Kieran for.”
Jonny Hayes put in an impressive shift today at Kilmarnock but the return of the first choice left-back will give Celtic a major boost at an important time.
Emilio Izaguirre has been the regular deputy but suffered an ankle injury in the first leg defeat from Valencia – as well as a very uncomfortable night against the Spanish side.
While his team-mates prepare to climb a mountain in the Mestalla on Thursday, Tierney will remain behind at Lennoxtown as he completes his recovery from injury.
أعلن المدرب الفرنسي، زين الدين زيدان، المدير الفني لنادي ريال مدريد، قائمة فريقه المُستدعاة، لخوض أولى مباريات الملكي في الدوري الإسباني.
ريال مدريد يحل ضيفًا على ريال سوسيداد بالجولة الثانية من الدوري الإسباني على ملعب “أنويتا” مساء الأحد المقبل.
وشهدت قائمة النادي الملكي، غياب النجم البلجيكي إيدين هازارد، لعدم الجاهزية إلى جانب فرانشيسكو إيسكو، بينما تواجد لوكا يوفيتش، والعائد للوس بلانكوس من الإعارة مارتن أوديجارد ولونين، فضلًا عن ضم الثنائي الشاب، سيرجيو أريباس كالفو، ومارفين بارك.
أقرأ أيضًا.. زيدان: لا أعرف موعد عودة هازارد وريجيلون يستحق اللعب لـ توتنهام
كما تم استبعاد ماركو أسينسيو، وماريانو دياز؛ بالإضافة إلى المدافع البرازيلي إيدير ميليتاو. قائمة ريال مدريد لمباراة ريال سوسييداد
حراسة المرمى: كورتوا، لونين، ألتوبي.
خط الدفاع: كارفاخال، فاران، سيرجيو راموس، ميندي، ناتشو، مارسيلو، أودريوزلا.
As per the club’s official website, Premier League outfit Crystal Palace sealed a last-gasp move for Michy Batshuayi late on in the January transfer window. The 25-year-old had been playing his football at Spanish club Valencia on loan from Premier League giants Chelsea in the first half of the season, only for struggles in front of goal at the Mestalla to call into question his future at the club as the winter window progressed.
And it was Roy Hodgson’s Palace who officially sealed a Deadline Day move for the striker as they sought the reinforcements they desperately needed in the final third of the pitch, with the arrival of the Belgium international potentially going some way to securing the Eagles another season of Premier League football.
The Breakdown
Ultimately, while one look at the Palace squad suggests a side full of talent and one that shouldn’t be in relegation trouble, their evident struggle for goals means that the Londoners are indeed embroiled in a battle near the bottom, what with Hodgson’s men currently sat 15th in the table and just four points clear of safety.
And their meagre tally of 24 goals from their 24 matches is without doubt a key factor in their struggles to put daylight between themselves and danger this term – after all, their top-scoring striker this season is on-loan man Jordan Ayew with a paltry two goals to his name.
But with supremely talented attackers in Wilfried Zaha and Andros Townsend, the Eagles are always likely to create ample goal-scoring opportunities just waiting to be converted by the predatory and lethal striker the club have been crying out for – and they may finally have that man in Batshuayi.
Yes, the 25-year-old has endured a tricky time in Spain recently with only one La Liga goal to show for his endeavours in Valencia, but one only need look at his goal-scoring record at Chelsea, Marseille, and Borussia Dortmund to suggest that Palace appear to have pulled off something of a masterstroke.
The Belgian ace has netted 19 times in just 53 appearances for Chelsea following his move from Marseille back in 2016, which given his lowly number of starts at Stamford Bridge equates to a goal every 93 minutes of action – that is a staggering return.
And with 33 goals in only 78 appearances in France for Marseille, and then nine goals in 14 games for Dortmund last season, it’s pretty clear that his time at Valencia was a one-off – on the whole, the 25-year-old will more often than not have an impact when on the field.
And that ability to get into the right place at the right time in the penalty area, and thus get on the end of goal-scoring opportunities, is exactly what Palace need to start moving up the Premier League table – it’s difficult to see where the goals were coming from were they not to sign the striker.
As it happens, the 25-year-old made the Deadline Day move to Selhurst Park, in turn equipping Hodgson with the goal-scoring forward the Eagles so desperately need to move clear of danger – thus, his arrival might well have just saved their season.
Crystal Palace fans… what do you think? Let us know!
Arsenal are interested in the prospect of signing Jean-Philippe Gbamin from Mainz this summer, per The Daily Express.
The Gunners, according to the report, tabled a bid for the 23-year-old last summer as they looked to bolster their defence.
And after failing to secure a defensive reinforcement in the January transfer window, it is reported that the club have reignited their interest in Gbamin.
Mainz, the Express report, value Gbamin at around £40million and it remains to be seen if Arsenal will be willing to match that asking price.
Football FanCast look at the potential consequences of the Gunners securing the defender’s services…
Mustafi sold
Shkodran Mustafi has been a walking disaster zone in recent seasons.
The defender has done nothing to mark himself out as a Premier League-level centre-back since his move from Valencia in 2016.
Arsenal paid £35m to take him away from the Spanish club and, after a half-decent start, his stay in north London has been characterised by hesitant defending and a number of high-profile gaffes.
Check out Neymar’s controversial new haircut for 2019 and Xherdan Shaqiri as you’ve never seen him before in the video below…
Bringing in Gbamin is something of a risk, as he has never played Premier League football, but it would allow Unai Emery to move Mustafi on.
Arsenal are not likely to turn a profit on the Germany international, but they can shift him off the books and ensure they do not have to suffer many more mistakes from the 26-year-old.
Arsenal turn to youth
Arsenal have a history of signing young players and embedding them into the first-team. Gbamin is just 23 and his signing could mark something of a change in recent transfer strategy.
The likes of Stephan Lichtsteiner, Sokratis, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang are all over the age of 28 and have joined the club in recent seasons.
But securing Gbamin would be more akin to the signing of 19-year-old Matteo Guendouzi, offering fans hope of a potential switch to bringing in younger, more promising players.
It must be said, of course, that the defender already has an international pedigree – he has won five caps for the Ivory Coast and has also made over 80 appearances for Mainz, who are understandably keen to hold onto one of their prized assets.
Emery allowed control over transfers
Soccer Football – Premier League – Manchester City v Arsenal – Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain – February 3, 2019 Arsenal manager Unai Emery reacts Action Images via Reuters/Carl Recine EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further
After the departure of Sven Mislintat as the club’s Head of Recruitment, it appears that some of his responsibility may well fall to Emery.
And that would be good news for Arsenal fans.
Emery has been trying to implement a very specific style in recent months and has repeatedly had to place round pegs in square holes.
Allowing the manager the chance to have the final say on transfers offers up the prospect of Arsenal recruiting players who suit his style, and who can instantly adapt to life in the Premier League.
Gbamin may well be one such acquisition. He was pursued by the club in the summer and Emery now appears ready to go back with another bid.
That is a high recommendation for the young Ivorian, but it remains to be seen if the deal gets done. If it is, Emery deserves a lot of the credit.
[ad_pod ]Troy Parrott has become a keen figure of interest for Tottenham Hotspur supporters in recent weeks, with the injury to Harry Kane serving to increase intrigue surrounding his development.
What’s the word?
The 17-year-old attacker has been in electric form the U18 side this season, scoring 11 goals and providing three assists from just seven appearances in the U18 Premier League.
It’s the type of form which gets supporters talking, particularly during a period of time in which quality options beyond Kane are at a premium.
That Parrott only celebrated his 17th birthday earlier this week, the day when he also penned terms on a senior contract with the club, suggests that he has a long way to go before breaking in to the senior squad, but football.london’s Tottenham Hotspur correspondent, Alasdair Gold, has hinted that he has already made positive strides towards making the step up.
Indeed, Gold delivered his verdict on Parrott’s development at Spurs, as per football.london, and suggested that the teenager has made a huge impression in training this season.
‘Next season could see the talented striker make his breakthrough after impressingÂPochettinoÂand the first team players.’
Seeds planted for big Tottenham future
Ten days after Kane collected an ankle injury against Manchester United, Parrott was pictured in Spurs first-team training in January on the club’s official Twitter account – an image which stirred plenty of excitement amongst the supporters.
Aged 16 at the time, the step up to senior training was a huge statement of Pochettino’s faith in his ability, and the fact he impressed both his manager and the first team players suggests he has planted the seeds for a future breakthrough.
Exactly how soon that will be remains to be seen but his involvement with the senior squad hints that he is being prepared for a career at the top level.
Spurs fans will certainly be hoping Parrott can live up to his enormous potential in the coming years, and under a manger of Pochettino’s expertise it’s fair to say he is well placed to smash through his ceiling.
Arsenal fans have taken to Twitter to react after Mesut Ozil made just his second start of 2019, against BATE Borisov in the Europa League Round of 32 tie at the Emirates.
The Gunners had a job to do as they looked to reverse a 1-0 deficit from the first leg, but found the task at hand an easy one as they romped to a 3-0 win in front of their home support.
In Ozil’s case, the former Germany international and 2014 World Cup winner managed to play 90 minutes for the first time since December, and appeared to make the north London-based side’s attacking play tick.
There has been something of a power battle between boss Unai Emery and the 6 foot midfielder for the most part of this season, but with results suffering without the former Real Madrid playmaker, the Gunners manager has a decision to make over the 30-year-old.
It appears to be a situation that is dividing the fanbase too, if you were to take a look at the Arsenal fans’ reactions to his performance on Twitter…