As reported by The Daily Record, Rangers striker Jason Cummings is targeting victory against Celtic next week, believing his teammates can’t wait to square off against the reigning champions.
What’s the story?
Cummings was in lethal form yesterday against Falkirk in the Scottish Cup, netting his first career hat-trick and giving Graeme Murty a positive selection headache for the visit of Brendan Rodgers’ side this Sunday.
Now the striker wants to put the pressure on Celtic and let them know they’re in a title race.
As quoted by The Daily Record, the former Hibs man said:
We’re going to go and try to beat them, that’s what we’ll set out to do and push them as far as we can. Of course, we don’t want to see Celtic winning trebles and winning all the time. We’re trying to put a bit more pressure on them and I feel like we are. We can just take it week by week and win every game we can and we’ll see what happens. The boys are buzzing, these are the games you want.
Whatever happens this weekend, it’s guaranteed to be a frantic and exciting 90 minutes. It’s undoubtedly the biggest match for the Ibrox side in years and their first opportunity to get within touching distance of the Hoops in the league since promotion from the Championship.
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Will Cummings start?
Despite his excellent goalscoring turn against Falkirk, you’d still fancy Alfredo Morelos to get the nod over Jason Cummings next week, especially if Graeme Murty opts to play one up front.
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Morelos is better at combining with teammates in the final third and while not as clinical in front of goal, still has 17 goals to his name this season. Cummings is also an excellent option to bring on from the bench if needed.
Despite Murty’s side having scored 23 goals in their last six matches, their path to victory against Celtic will likely be inspired by an exceptional defensive performance first and foremost, get that right and it’s anyone’s game.
Last season marked Hull City’s most successful campaign in their 110-year history. After recording their highest league finish of 16th in their second spell in the Premier League – a position which is closer to the trapdoor of the relegation zone than the summit of the league or even mid-table safety, though in truth the Tigers were never seriously threatened by relegation – the club then went on to compete in their first ever FA Cup Final, running Arsenal close in a thrilling five-goal game in which Hull scored twice in the opening ten minutes.
The famous trophy was beckeded in the red ribbons of the North London club rather than the amber and black of the Humberside outfit as the referee called time on the game, and with it the season, though the Tigers could still reflect on a memorable and undeniably successful campaign, despite the prospect of a first piece of silverware being agonizingly snatched from their grasp in the depths of extra time.
Many Hull City fans could be forgiven for being satisfied with a slightly less memorable season this year, with Premier League survival the one modest wish. Reaching the cup final saw another milestone for the Tigers as they qualified for a European club competition for the first time, and though this was a source of pride and excitement for the club, there were worries that a demanding European campaign could have a detrimental effect on their domestic performances. As it happens, Hull exited the Europa League in its early qualifying stages to Belgian club Lokeren, which for many came as both a disappointment and a blessing, allowing the club to focus on their primary aim of consolidation in the league.
Hull City manager Steve Bruce, however, is not one to rest on his laurels. After a miserable spell in charge of Sunderland which was destined to end badly, this is a man who still feels he has a point to prove, despite having overseen two successful campaigns at the KC Stadium. Bruce knows that he possesses the tactical nous to cope with the challenges of Premier League football, with his tinkering between a back three a conventional back four impressing many last season. His astute dealings in the transfer market also caught the eye, with the excellent Tom Huddlestone – a £5million signing from Tottenham Hotspur – bringing composure to the Hull midfield, whilst January acquisitions Nikica Jelavic and Shane Long showed early signs of becoming an effective striking duo.
Long’s stay at the club ended up being short-lived following his move to Southampton in the summer, and knowing full well that strengthening would be needed to see the club develop on their promising second stint in the Premier League, Bruce wasted no time in delving regularly into the transfer market. After early deals for Robert Snodgrass, Jake Livermore, Tom Ince and Michael Dawson – useful additions no doubt, but unlikely to generate much attention outside of Humberside – Hull City became one of the stars of Deadline Day, the transfer window’s grand finale.
Their quartet of last-minute signings suddenly sees the Tigers boasting a seriously impressive squad for a recently promoted side – with the vastly underrated Mohamed Diamé, the mercurial, fleet-footed Hatem Ben Arfa and the skilful Uruguayan duo of Gaston Ramirez and Abel Hernandez, Hull now possess players who have the potential to show that an FA Cup Final appearance does not have to be the apex of the club’s achievements.
This influx gives Bruce a wealth of options with regard to his formation and his starting eleven, though with such an array of wide attacking players a 3-5-2 may no longer be best suited to the team. A provisional 4-2-3-1, however, would allow Hull’s new recruits to slip seamlessly into the side, with the experienced Dawson and club captain Curtis Davies forming a central defensive partnership, a midfield pair of Diamé and Huddlestone to protect the back four, an attacking midfield trio of Ben Arfa, Ince and Ramirez – the latter occupying the number 10 position – and a lone striker in the form of Hernandez or Jelavic.
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It must be remembered that Hull City’s impressive outlay in the transfer market – Hernandez was a club record signing at £10 million – has only been made possible due to the generosity of owner Assem Allam and his continued faith and belief in Bruce’s vision for the club. If Allam could only abandon his universally derided plans for a rebranding of the club, then Hull City fans may be able to look forward with cautious optimism and see last season’s exploits as a mere stepping stone to further success, rather than the absolute limits of the Humberside club’s capabilities.
Tottenham slumped to an embarrassing 5-2 defeat to Arsenal at the weekend, the second in as many seasons by such a scoreline, with Emmanuel Adebayor’s dismissal proving absolutely pivotal in turning the tide against the visitors, but how much can we truly glean from the two teams first meeting this season and will the balance of power ever definitively shift?
Make no bones about it, Arsene Wenger’s side so far this season have struggled at both ends of the pitch, and for a 2-minute period against ten-man Tottenham, shortly after half-time, they seemed baffled by Andre Villas-Boas’ brave and bold tactical shift, and an element of panic was clearly present. After a poor recent run of results, confidence and belief are obviously in short supply, but never has a game turned so much on one decision, with Tottenham in the ascendancy prior to Adebayor’s crazy and reckless red card challenge.
Praise must be attributed to Arsenal for the way that they went about their business after that point, though, and they were ruthless, persistent and clinical, driving home their man advantage, while Tottenham once again, and not for the first time this Premier League season, displayed a worrying tendency to capitulate under pressure.
That all three of the club’s summer signings in Lukas Podolski, Olivier Giroud and Santi Cazorla all scored, on a day when a Robin van Persie-led Manchester United side slumped to a deeply disappointing 1-0 defeat away at Carrow Road is symbolic, and all three appear to be more than finding their feet in their relatively new surroundings. Cazorla was absolutely outstanding throughout, Podolski is an intelligent, unselfish, instinctive player, while Giroud has hit a purple patch of form in front of goal at a time when it was greatly needed.
We are often told that Arsenal are a team in decline, and they may well be, but performances like this one, with the added caveat that it was against ten men, must remind observers of the frightening attacking threat that they still possess. If only they could defend with even the slightest measure of conviction, then they’d surely be assured of a top four place.
That the club have clung quite so readily to the hope that Financial Fair Play (FFP) is going to be implemented strongly speaks volumes of the steady but gradual slide from the pinnacle of the English game that the Gunners have suffered in recent times. This current squad is vulnerable in several areas and mentally fragile, but the fact that they are still just four points off fourth place in the league points to two things – that the competition throughout the league is fierce but that the spot still remains up for grabs, and that despite their struggles at both ends of the pitch and failing to find their best form, they are still within touching distance.
Look at Tottenham and it’s clear that they were missing several key players and their inability to properly replace Luka Modric in the summer with a like-for-like player capable of dictating the tempo from deep has hurt them badly, as does the continued absence of the team’s driving force from midfield, the increasingly important Moussa Dembele, through injury.
Elsewhere, Benoit Assou-Ekotto, Scott Parker and Younes Kaboul were all missing, which is pretty much the spine of the side, and when you approach it from that perspective, their start which sees them lie in eighth in the table, two points behind their rivals, isn’t that bad a start.
Villas-Boas’ assertion that they were the better team during the game was patently ridiculous and can be seen as little more than an attempt to deflect attention away from Adebayor’s terrible challenge on Cazorla. They are a team in transition, more so than Arsenal, still coming to terms with life after van Persie, and the change in style and formation will take time and lead to several more frustrating performances.
When you analyse both squads, it’s pretty much a dead heat in terms of quality and the two have certainly grown closer in recent years. When everyone is fully fit, Tottenham perhaps have a slightly better, more balanced starting XI but Arsenal have more deadwood but also more strength in depth and over the course of a long campaign, as it proved last term when Harry Redknapp’s baffling refusal to rotate his squad caught up with the side down the home straight, it can certainly play a part.
The 1994-95 season was the last time that Tottenham finished above Arsenal in the league, and quite how they threw such a big lead away last term to end that run beggars belief, but signs of progress are there for all to see. Nevertheless, while Wenger’s side are a declining force in terms of silverware, they still remain competitive and on their day, capable of beating almost anyone in the league.
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It’s an extremely difficult question to come to a definitive conclusion with, as one club is at the beginning of a new cycle and another looks to be coming to the end of one. In terms of ability, there’s barely anything between the two teams, but it’s all about that crucial consistency against the other teams in the league, which both have struggled with this term.
You sense that any power shift over the next few years will be temporary and it may switch back and forth several times, but just so long as Arsenal retain bragging rights and a higher league finish, it’s hard to look anywhere else for the time being.
Craig Dawson and Ben Foster have given huge indications that they want to leave West Bromwich Albion after refusing to go on the club’s pre-season tour.
The newly-demoted Championship outfit arranged a six-day trip to Portugal to begin preparations for the new campaign.
However, Dawson and Foster opted not to be part of the travelling party, with BBC Sport reporting that the pair will be fined.
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Foster is believed to have been attracting interest from numerous Premier League clubs.
Dawson, on the other hand, is reportedly wanted by Burnley, who have also been linked to Jay Rodriguez.
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The Baggies are yet to bring in some new faces to The Hawthorns, which is concerning given that a handful of players are said to be on the way out of the club.
This news has not been warmly welcomed by the fans, with some taking to Twitter to hit out at the duo.
According to Calciomecarto, Manchester United are prepared to rival Barcelona in the race to sign Gremio’s highly-rated Arthur.
What’s the story?
Reports in Spain state that Barcelona are keen to complete the signing of Arthur from Gremio as soon as possible, while reports in Italy state that United are still hopeful of beating the La Liga leaders to his signature.
The 21-year-old has risen to prominence with Brazilian side, Gremio. In 51 appearances for the club, the midfielder has scored two goals while also lifting the Copa do Brasil and the Copa Libertadores.
It is reported that Jose Mourinho is unhappy with his current midfield options, and he’s eager to sign midfield reinforcement in the summer transfer window.
What will he bring?
Indeed, one of Arthur’s primary talents is his versatility. The Brazilian player can operate as a defensive midfielder, a central midfielder or even as an attacking midfielder – such flexibility is useful for any team.
His most accomplished talent is his passing ability, which he exercises to terrific effect during games. Furthermore, he has developed a tendency to lay off the ball. Without question, he’s an exceedingly talented and promising player.
Does Mourinho need him?
Except for Paul Pogba and Scott McTominay, United’s midfield options are either approaching 30 or have already reached 30 years of age. Moreover, Marouane Fellaini is widely expected to depart United at the end of the season. Thus, it is logical for United to sign another midfielder.
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At the age of 21, Arthur will provide United’s midfield with youthful exuberance and treasured squad depth. Alongside Paul Pogba, the duo could prove to be an effective long-term partnership for the Red Devils.
Arthur is unequivocally talented and is widely tipped to become a global star, a move for the Brazilian would be excellent business from United’s perspective.
After their dismal season, Manchester United are planning a big summer of transfers, to get themselves back to the foot of the Premier League table. Whilst Louis van Gaal may be busy with his attempts to leading Holland into the knockout stages of the World Cup, back in Manchester Ed Woodward and his team will be busy lining up targets, just a month after the season ended.
One of the big names being linked with the Red Devils is Arturo Vidal. The Juventus midfielder scored 11 goals in Serie A last season, whilst setting up another 5 for his teammates. The Chilean continued his scoring form in the Champions League too, scoring 5 goals from their 6 group games.
One of the key players in Chile’s squad that has made it through the group stage of the World Cup, Vidal is one of the hottest midfielders right now, and would light up Old Trafford next season. So who else could move with Vidal and change United’s fortunes after their last campaign? Here are 6 players who could follow the midfielder to M16 this summer.
[ffc-gallery]Click on Toni Kroos to reveal
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Toni Kroos
United have been heavily linked with the Bayern Munich midfielder even before the two teams played each other in the Champions League back at the start of April. Despite having to fight for a place with Thiago, Robben, Ribery, Shaqiri, Javi Martinez and Schweinsteiger, The 24-year-old actually made more appearances in the league for Bayern than the rest, as the Bavarians dominated the Bundesliga. It’s not just Pep Guardiola who is a fan of the midfielder. Joachim Löw has picked Kroos for all 3 of Germany’s World Cup fixtures so far, as the nation topped Group G, titled the group of death.
The 24-year-old’s current deal at the Allianz Arena expires at the end of next season, meaning this is Bayern’s only chance to receive a transfer fee for the midfielder should Kroos look to leave the Bundesliga champions. Bayern want the midfielder to extend his deal, but have refused to exceed financial boundaries in order to keep the midfielder. With United ready to pounce, could they be adding one of Germany’s best midfielders to their squad?
Mats Hummels
Another German, and another top player that could join United. Hummels is one of the best defenders in the Bundesliga, with two league titles and a Champions League runners-up medal to his name. Strong at the back and tough in the air, Hummels would be an ideal replacement for Nemanja Vidic, who has moved to Inter Milan this summer. With United looking for a new captain and new leader at the back, the 25-year-old would certainly fill the gaps left by Vidic, and secure up United’s leaky defence.
Now Dortmund’s time at the top of the Bundesliga has passed, with Guardiola’s Bayern Munich dominating the league last season, Hummels could easily be tempted to change things up and join United, especially as they are about to start a new chapter with van Gaal in charge. With everybody around Old Trafford anticipating an enjoyable future with the Dutch manager, Hummels may see this as the perfect time to try life in England.
Paul Pogba
Possibly Fergie’s biggest embarrassment, although we’re sure he had his reasons, Pogba was allowed to leave Old Trafford for free in 2012, but is fast becoming one of the hottest youngsters in world football. Vidal’s teammate at Juventus, the Frenchman has become a star player for the Old Lady, at just 21-years-old. Pogba scored 7 goals in Serie A last season, as he won his 2nd league title with the club, and Ed Woodward could be easily entertained by just watching some of the Frenchman’s stunning strikes on YouTube.
It would be a fantastic story for Pogba to return to Old Trafford, two years after leaving on a free transfer. An exciting prospect, the Frenchman definitely wouldn’t be a free transfer this summer. Juventus would be reluctant to lose such a promising midfielder, who has helped France reach the knockout stage of the World Cup. Fergie made the mistake of letting Pogba go, but van Gaal could fix things with a summer bid.
Diego Godin
Both Vidic and Rio Ferdinand have departed Old Trafford this summer, meaning the Red Devils are light on centre-backs. But a fantastic replacement for the two would be Diego Godin. The Uruguayan has been constantly under the radar from most clubs for the last few seasons, as he’s helped Atletico Madrid win the Europa League in 2012 and the Copa del Rey in 2013. But it’s been during Atletico’s incredible campaign this year that has earned him the headlines he deserves. Godin scored the vital equaliser against Barcelona that won the club the league, scored in the Champions League final, and scored the header to beat Italy and qualify Uruguay for the knockout stage of the World Cup.
So as well as being an arial presence going forward, Godin is also one of the top centre-backs in Spain. Strong with a great eye for reading the game and anticipating danger, the Uruguayan could make life much easier for goalkeeper David De Gea. A born leader and inspiring defender, the 28-year-old would be an ideal fit for United, and a great role model for Phil Jones and Chris Smalling.
Arjen Robben
The Bayern winger is lighting up Brazil as we speak, tearing up defences with his pace and trickery. Sergio Ramos is still out of breath after being left for dead by the Dutchman during Spain’s humiliating 5-1 defeat to van Gaal’s men. Robben has scored 56 Bundesliga goals for Bayern since joining them back in 2009, winning 3 league titles and the Champions League during that time. But is it time, 7 years since he last played in the Premier League for Chelsea, that he moves back to England?
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With morale high in the Dutch camp at the World Cup, van Gaal could easily tempt Robben to join him at Old Trafford this summer. A new chapter for van Gaal could be made much easier by a familiar face with the pace and ability Robben has. At 30-years-old, the former Real Madrid winger will soon have to think about whether he has unfinished business in England, with the opportunity to play against Chelsea in their rivals’ colours.
//www.youtube.com/embed/e5lsUmAQ_5o
Alexis Sanchez
The Barcelona winger has been heavily linked with a move away from the Camp Nou this summer, with Liverpool the favourites to pick up the attacker. But United could swoop in and steal their rivals’ target, adding some well needed pace and flair to their attack. The Chilean lit up the La Liga stage last campaign, scoring 19 goals for the Catalan side, enjoying the time without Lionel Messi in the side. 3 seasons for Barca, 38 goals. Not a bad return for the 25-year-old.
As he prepares to face his club mate Neymar in the knockout stages of the World Cup, Sanchez could bring some needed consistency to the attacking midfield at Old Trafford. Nani has rarely been reliable in a United shirt, whilst Kagawa has struggled to get regular first-team football, be it under the management of Ferguson or Moyes. But Sanchez could easily make himself a key member of United’s attack, linking up with Mata to cause mayhem for opposition defences.
Former Everton striker James Vaughan admits his time at Goodison Park was filled with both pride and pain.
Seven years ago the Birmingham born striker scored his first goal for Everton at just 16 years and 271 days old, netting his team’s fourth goal against Crystal Palace back in 2005.
With that goal, it inevitably drew similarities between himself, and another former 16 year old scorer, Wayne Rooney, however what followed unfortunately did not live up to the early hype that the goal had created.
Vaughan failed to live up to early potential on Merseyside due to an unfortunate amount of injuries that he picked up.
“Being Everton’s youngest ever scorer still makes me proud, Vaughan told the Liverpool Echo.
“I grew up at Everton after starting in the academy at the age of six, so to do that was a dream. I’d already been on the bench a few times before the Palace game and read in a paper that if I scored I’d break Joe Royle’s record as the youngest.
“When we were 3-0 up on the day I thought I’d get a run out.”
Vaughan was a prolific striker at Everton as he progressed through the ranks, but was not able to reproduce his form in the first team scoring just seven goals in 47 outings.
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The striker is now 24 and is currently on loan at Championship side Huddersfield Town from Norwich – the club he signed for after leaving Everton back in the summer of 2011.
As reported by The Daily Mail, Southampton are one of the sides interested in signing Belgian international Anthony Limbombe this summer.
What’s the story?
While the World Cup rumbles on in Russia, back at club level teams are preparing their first team squads ahead of the English Premier League season with teams like Southampton and Newcastle eager to add the kind of quality that will see them avoid any relegation battles next term.
One player that could end up in England is Club Brugge winger Anthony Limbombe.
That’s according to The Daily Mail, who report that both Southampton and Newcastle are interested in signing him, alongside clubs like Huddersfield Town and Leeds.
The paper say that Huddersfield have already made a £13m offer for the player.
Is he a player that Southampton to should be trying to bring to St Mary’s this summer?
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Good enough to make the step up?
Despite being just 23 years of age, Limbombe has impressive experience in the Belgian and Dutch leagues so far in his career, making his debut at the age of 16 for Racing Genk.
Since then he’s made close to 200 career appearances and even won a cap for Belgium recently against Saudi Arabia, part of their preparations for the World Cup in Russia.
However he is largely untested at the kind of level you would expect of a Premier League signing in 2018, with limited European experience. His direct goal contribution isn’t at stand-out levels either, scoring six and assisting six more in the Belgian top-flight last season.
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While that’s a decent return, it doesn’t represent the kind of break out performance you would expect of a player ready to make the move to a higher level.
At the reported £13m, Southampton should take a pass on this one and let Huddersfield or Newcastle bite on his signature. There may be a player there, but Saints are able to attract better targets.
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Harry Wilson scored his first Hull City goal against Nottingham Forest on Saturday afternoon.
The 20-year-old is on loan at the KCOM Stadium from Liverpool, and found the back of the net for the Tigers in his second appearance since joining the club at the end of last month.
Wilson made his first-team debut for Liverpool in the FA Cup last season, but he is yet to make a Premier League appearance for the Reds.
It was not a surprise that Liverpool took the decision to send Wilson on loan during the January transfer window, and he will look to continue finding the back of the net for Hull in the final months of the 2017-18 campaign.
Wilson, who is already a Wales international, took to Twitter to reveal his delight at opening his account for Hull.
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As expected, a number of Liverpool fans were on hand to hail the winger, who many cannot wait to see potentially make his mark at Anfield next season.
A selection of the Twitter reaction can be seen below:
Manchester City midfielder Fernandinho has stated that he was shocked at how awful Manchester United were in the last derby, Mirror reports.
The Citizens thrashed their neighboring rivals 4-1 at the Etihad Stadium last September, a score-line the Brazilian doesn’t believe will happen again as easily.
Fernandinho was a £30million signing from Shakhtar Donetsk last summer and going into the first derby against champions United, he expected them to put up much more of a fight.
However Fernandinho has promised that the Sky Blues will attempt to cut through United once again at Old Trafford tonight.
“It was the first time I’d played them after joining City,” he said.
“United are a club with history, with very good players and they were the champions. So I was surprised at how badly they played, how easily we won.
“The situation is different now, because we’re fighting for the title and they’re not. They’re just fighting for honour now. But a derby is the same whichever country you are in – each team wants to win.
“We’ll go there expecting to win, but we know in a derby a lot of things can happen. We’ll be ready for it and have to play well because it’s a very important game for us.”
Fans and critics watching Manchester United will point to their weakness in midfield, with City’s far superior.
Yaya Toure has 20 goals for the Citizens this term – Fernandinho with four – while Manchester’s top midfield goalscorers are Michael Carrick and Tom Cleverley – with only one goal each.
And Manchester United boss David Moyes has pointed to City’s midfield scoring threat, which could provide the derby match-winner.
“They have goalscoring midfield players and it’s important to have goalscorers all over the field,” he said.
“That contributes a lot to your goals. But we’ve got good midfielders. We still think Marouane Fellaini can get goals and he was unlucky on Saturday against West Ham.
“He should have scored with a header and then you could argue it was a penalty with the one where he went through. So I think he’s beginning to show signs he can get some goals for us as well.
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“But I do agree they’ve got very good midfielders who are goalscorers.”