Arsenal are set to rest a number of their key players for their Premier League clash against Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday, and Gunners fans want Arsene Wenger to hand huge centre-back Konstantinos Mavropanos his full debut at the Theatre of Dreams.
The north London outfit signed the 6ft 4in defender from PAS Giannina during the January transfer window, and while he has featured for the U23 side in the Premier League 2, he is yet to make his bow for the first team.
The Greek centre-back was included in the travelling party for the long trip north – in what is going to be Wenger’s final match in charge of the Gunners at Old Trafford – and he could be given a shock start with Shkodran Mustafi and Laurent Koscielny both rumoured to have stayed at home in London ahead of their Europa League semi-final second leg.
Arsenal supporters, who have urged their club to sign Crystal Palace forward Wilfried Zaha, have been quick to have their say on Mavropanos via social media, and while one said he is “gonna pocket Sanchez”, another said “Mavropanos going to destroy Koscielny’s Arsenal career today”.
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West Ham have a rising star in the making as one of their youngsters was made captain of the U17 England team.
Sixteen-year-old Reece Oxford signed a professional contract with the Hammers in January and the defender will lead out the team in Tuesday night’s match against Spain.
The team’s defence of their UEFA European Championship title came to a crashing halt last week after a disappointing 1-0 loss to Russia but their next game is still equally important. It will determine who will qualify for the FIFA U17 World Cup in Chile later in the year.
Described as a “wonder kid” Oxford has pushed himself close to a long-awaited first team debut for the Hammers and in April he scored a fantastic goal against Manchester United’s U21s side in a 3-2 defeat. The goal pushed him into the West Ham news feed and as he had been regularly training with the first team it was hoped manager Sam Allardyce may give him his debut before the end of the season, but with only one game to go this is looking more unlikely.
Many fans have been calling on Big Sam to use some of the talented youngsters the club has in the run-up to the end of the season. The Hammers have been dropping points all over the place and have won only two games since Christmas, which has seen them plummet to 11th in the Premier League table.
While fans should still be happy with their position it seems a bit of a disappointment compared to the beginning of the season. With very little to play for in the table after it was clear they would not get a Europa League spot (unless through the Financial Fair Play League), many called for Allardyce to bring in some of the young players to give them a chance especially as some of the key players were struggling with form and fatigue.
Allarcye believes that previous attempts to bring in the young squad players a chance have always backfired. He said: “It is always difficult for me.
“If we were in a better position with our results it would have been a good thing to look at the odd player. But the pressure with us at the moment to get results means it would be difficult for me to do.
“If you put a youngster in and lose you get criticised, the youngster might get criticised, so it is difficult.”
While it is unlikely that we will see him in the Premier League for the Hammers. final game against relegation contenders Newcastle, it is certain that fans will see more of him as he develops as a player.
With him already playing international football and showing an impressive leadership quality in his interviews about the European Championships in Bulgaria, it is hard to believe that he is still so young.
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Oxford is one to watch and he may be leading England’s national side out one day.
Matthew Lowton (thigh) will undergo a late fitness test as he aims to be an ever-present for Aston Villa this season. Karim El Ahmadi (thigh) and Ciaran Clark (foot) remain out.
Eden Hazard (calf) and Victor Moses (leg) but are doubts for Chelsea, but John Obi Mikel (hip) is available. Frank Lampard will start as he continues to chase the clubs all-time leading goal tally.
Paul Lambert pre-game…”We’re in terrific form and in a good position – on Saturday we were three points off ninth! All credit to the team for the results they have produced in the last few months. The results have been outstanding. Everyone wrote them off and had a go at them. But the football we’re playing is really good.”
Rafael Benitez pre-game…”What I can say is that Lampard will play against Aston Villa. If he can score against Aston Villa, it will be easier for me in the last two games. I will do what I have to do to win games. If, at the same time, I can help Frank, I will do it.”
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Match Statistic: Fernando Torres’ last Premier League goal for Chelsea was the opener in the 8-0 thrashing of Villa in December.
With the exception of a potential European final, there’s only one matter on the minds of the Arsenal faithful right now – who could come in to replace Arsene Wenger for next season.
The Frenchman will leave an almighty void in north London, having reigned over the Gunners for 22 years, one that will require not only plenty of talent but also plenty of personality to fill.
With that in mind, we suggested a controversial potential successor earlier this week in Antonio Conte, whose Chelsea spell could come to an end this summer after a difficult season with the west London club.
And according to our poll, a whopping 80% of Arsenal fans would welcome Conte as Wenger’s replacement, despite the Blues being on course to finish just one place higher than the Gunners come the end of the campaign.
But is he your priority pick to replace Wenger, Arsenal supporters? Let us know who you want to get the job by commenting below…
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Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho believes that the Professional Footballers’ Association Team of the Year should have all come from his team, before insisting that the selected squad does not have the capability to win the Premier League, Mirror reports.
Despite having no less than six players – Eden Hazard, Diego Costa, John Terry, Gary Cahill, Branislav Ivanovic, and Nemanja Matic – in the all-star lineup, Mourinho was bewildered that star midfielder Cesc Fabregas was omitted even though the Spaniard made an incredible 16 assists during the campaign.
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‘The Special One’ did admit that he was biased, but when asked whether there should have been more Blues players in the squad, he replied that all of them should have gained the recognition.
He said: “Yes, all. I think so. But I know that this is the Chelsea manager speaking, and obviously I respect every one of the players in that team, and especially everyone that chose.
“The players from the other teams have the right to choose. Obviously great players were in that team, and great players were outside that team.
“But just as an example, the season Fabregas is doing, the number of assists and quality of his game – not to be there is a bit strange.
He then added that the selected team – which included Manchester United’s David De Gea, Southampton ace Ryan Bertrand, Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho, Arsenal winger Alexis Sanchez, and Tottenham’s PFA Young Player of the Year Harry Kane – can’t win the title due to a lack of balance.
“And I think that team wouldn’t win the Premier League. Because that team is four defenders, Matic and only five to attack.
“So it’s a team without any balance. That team is missing a midfield player, and I think that midfield player should be Fabregas.
“But this is not important. I look now as a fan not a manager. It looks like I’m in a pub discussing things that aren’t important, because the important thing is to be champions.”
Chelsea will clinch the title if they manage to beat Leicester City this Wednesday and then Crystal Palace on the weekend.
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After their Europa League exertions on Thursday what state will Tottenham be in by the time they kick off against Fulham on Sunday? Spurs were given a pasting by Inter Milan at the San Siro but somehow managed to sustain their European existence courtesy of Emmanuel Adebayor’s extra time goal. That additional 30 minutes, plus the travel time, will have hampered Andre Villas-Boas preparations for the visit of their capital rivals and he’ll have to guard against fatigue. One plus point is the return of Gareth Bale, who missed the trip to Italy because of suspension. A refreshed and fully recharged Bale should be a useful weapon for Villas-Boas as he attempts to pick his side up after defeat at Liverpool last week ended their 12-game unbeaten run.
Fulham’s chances of taking something away from White Hart Lane will rest on former Tottenham favourite Dimitar Berbatov. The stat rolled out before every one of their recent fixtures is that they’ve never lost when Berbatov has found the net. For Martin Jol, also returning to his former club, the Bulgarian is the focal point of his team and if they can get him into the game enough he will cause damage. That being said the Cottagers have struggled on the road their travels, racking up two wins from 14, and are winless at Spurs in the last decade. With that in mind it’s doubtful Jol would turn his nose up at taking a point back home to West London.
Team News
Aaron Lennon (hamstring) should feature for Tottenham, who have a fresh Gareth Bale back after he was suspended for the Europa League clash with Inter Milan on Thursday.
Steve Sidwell has shaken off a knock and could feature for Fulham but Mahamadou Diarra (knee) looks set to miss the remainder of the season.
What the managers said…
“I’m not sure it sets a pattern for the future. We speak about the game between Manchester United and Real Madrid and had United won they would have been in a good position to go on and win the trophy. Barcelona have won it three times since 2006 but we’ve still had Chelsea and United winning it in recent years. These questions come about because we demand more teams to be involved in the later stages but there isn’t a pattern. It changes every single year. We would have wanted to see more because it doesn’t look very good for the English teams but it can change. I don’t imagine Premier League teams will stop being able to compete in the Champions League. We had last year’s winners in Chelsea and not so long ago [in 2008] Manchester United, too.” Andre Villas-Boas believes leading Tottenham into the Champions League will illustrate the Premier League’s strength (London Evening Standard)
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“I hope Bale will stay at Spurs because it’s a very good club for him. Spurs have been getting better and better so why shouldn’t he stay there? They have a big support, they’re a big club with a big fan base and he could be a legend there. Being linked with going abroad is always nice but it could be a risk. When I look at other players from England or from Holland – big players – who have done that it doesn’t always come off. Whatever he decides to do he will have a big future because he is the best player in the Premier League at the moment.” Martin Jol admits he hopes Gareth Bale stays at Spurs (West London Sport)
Pre-Match Statistic: Fulham haven’t won a White Hart Lane since a Barry Hayles brace secured a 3-0 victory in 2003.x
According to Turkish Football, Everton are lining up a summer bid for Hannover 96 midfielder Marvin Bakalorz.
What’s the story?
A source close to Hannover midfielder Marvin Bakalorz has reportedly told Turkish Football that Everton will try again to sign the 28 year-old having been rebuffed in January.
Bakalorz has played 24 times in the Bundesliga this season, and would likely be a replacement for Morgan Schneiderlin.
The German midfielder, who is best in a defensive role, is out of contract next summer so would be available to the Toffees for a reasonable price.
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Good fit at Goodison?
There are plenty of problems at Goodison Park right now, and while there is definitely room for optimism, fans are tired of the leaky defence and lack of firepower up front.
Above both of those issues though is the fact that the current midfield is like a sieve, and when Idrissa Gueye does not play the Toffees simply do not have the energy to sniff out opposition attacks.
Bakalorz would be a good short-term solution to this problem, and is valued at just £2.2million by Transfermarkt because of his contract situation.
In 24 Bundesliga appearances for Hannover (19 starts), the 28 year-old is averaging 1.5 tackles, 1.5 clearances and one interception per game.
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The tough tackling midfielder reads the game fantastically and is great in the air, so basically everything Schneiderlin was supposed to do when he signed for Everton.
One obvious place for improvement is his passing ability, averaging just a 69.6 per cent completion rate this season, but the Toffees won’t find a much better solution to their midfield woes for a better price.
Everton fans, would you like to see a bargain deal for Bakalorz? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below…
With Chelsea’s disappointing elimination from the Champions League in midweek to Paris Saint-Germain, it is guaranteed that Roman Abramovich and Jose Mourinho will be even more motivated to be crowned European champions next season.
To achieve this, summer expenditure seems likely, but keeping the current star-studded Blues squad together will also be critical to the West London club’s chances of success.
Given the amount of money that Chelsea’s stars are paid and the likelihood of the Premier League title this term, seeing a first-team player leave seems unlikely.
However, the only real concern surrounds Branislav Ivanovic and his expiring contract.
The Serbian defender’s current deal culminates in the summer of 2016, with reports in the press that he has been offered an extension to take him up to the following summer.
There is no doubting Ivanovic’s importance to the Blues; versatile enough to play at either full-back or centre-back, powerful and determined, he is arguably the Premier League’s best defender.
However, an internal policy of offering players over the age of 30 a mere one-year extension could well isolate Ivanovic and play a negative part in ongoing contract negotiations.
The likes of Didier Drogba and Ashley Cole have left Stamford Bridge in the past, turning down 12-month extension options from the Blues in the process, and the last thing that Chelsea want is to enter a similar situation with Ivanovic.
The Serbian is seemingly confident enough at securing a new deal that he does not even need to employ an agent for assistance, but it would be somewhat surprising if the star is satisfied with extending his current contract for only one more year.
With the likes of Real Madrid accredited with a reported interest and a vast number of suitors surely available if Ivanovic did consider leaving Stamford Bridge, the 31-year-old could practically pick his next employers if he so wished.
As the Eastern European shows no signs of ageing and continues to contribute massively to the Blues’ chances of silverware, Chelsea will be tempted to break their one-year policy for over 30s this time round.
The last thing that the club needs is uncertainty and constant media speculation over the future of one of their top performers, similar to the will-he, won’t-he saga that has played out surrounding John Terry and Frank Lampard in recent seasons.
Chelsea will maintain that no single player is more important than the club – and that is true.
However, to keep Ivanovic happy, motivated and playing to his best, offering him a longer-term contract makes sense.
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Replacing the Serbian enforcer with a player of the same stature, physicality, awareness and experience would take some doing, regardless of their Russian owner’s endless financial reserves.
When young players are thrown into the breach the saying ‘if you’re good enough, you’re old enough’ is often applied – the same applies here to Chelsea’s integral elder statesman, who deserves a longer term deal as a reward for stellar performances.
Sunderland winger Adam Johnson has set his sights on regaining his spot in the England set-up, and says he will do all he can to force his way into Roy Hodgson’s plans.
The 25-year-old completed a £12m switch from Manchester City to the Black Cats last summer, with one eye on playing regular football after missing out on a spot in the EURO 2012 squad.
However, he has failed to impress in his 27 Premier League outings, seeing the likes of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Leon Osman moving ahead of him in the pecking order for England.
Johnson admitted that it is tough to be looking at the Three Lions’ set-up from the peripheries, and says that he wants to force his way back in:
“When you are playing for a winning team who are flying then I think it is a lot better,” he told Sky Sports.
“Obviously it is a bit difficult when you are in a bit of a battle and your personal form could be better.
“I think it has gone through a bit of a tough time as a club. All those factors have a bearing on the squad.
“It is difficult watching from the outside. It hurts watching England play when you are not there.
“I have got to work hard, try and do my best and get back in the squad.”
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Johnson made his England debut in 2010, after a series of impressive displays early in his Manchester City career.
As his game time dried up with the Sky Blues, so to did his chances of making the national team, with his last appearance midway through last year.
Harry Winks would do exceptionally well to prove his fitness to Gareth Southgate and force himself into the 23-man England squad that heads to Russia in June.
Yet, as recently as October, he was man of the match on his senior Three Lions debut, before starring as Spurs saw off Real Madrid the following month.
The young playmaker has qualities that both England and, to a lesser extent, Tottenham, lack; composure, an eye for a pass and quick feet that looked set to shove him to the front of the queue for both club and country this season.
Unfortunately for Winks, valued at £13.5m by Transfermarkt, injuries have put him off course and he has lost his way.
He has been unable to force his way back into Mauricio Pochettino’s plans – to any great degree anyway – which has seen his World Cup hopes all but evaporate.
That’s why we asked whether a loan move to Everton – who really could use some dynamism and creativity at the back of midfield – would be a good decision.
The response was mixed but 48 per cent of those we asked think that the England international should make the loan move to Goodison. Check out the full results of the poll below…
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