If you mention Newcastle United strikers only one name comes to mind, that of club legend Alan Shearer. He was Mr. Newcastle, the most worshipped man in the North East and the club hasn’t been the same since he retired in 2006.
Shearer is the club’s leading goalscorer on 206, and they have never managed to find a proper replacement for the former England man.
Players like Papiss Cisse, Andy Carroll and Obafemi Martins have all tried to fill the striker’s boots, however no-one never looked anywhere near the legendary forward’s ability.
The closest they came was with Demba Ba, who showed incredible promise early into his time at the club, before Chelsea came calling and he was quickly moved out the door.
Yet, it now seems with the club’s latest signing that they may have actually found Shearer’s long term successor… Serbian striker Aleksandar Mitrovic.
The transfer comes at the perfect time. Newcastle have been a club in turmoil during recent seasons with fans unhappy at their team’s ownership. The signing can finally bring the focus back to what is happening on the pitch.
The North East side surprisingly fought off interest from a number of Europe’s top clubs, and Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho is known to be a big fan of the young striker.
When watching the player during his time at Partizan Belgrade, Jose said: “Mitrovic was the best player on the pitch. He managed to keep the ball well and that was the key. That boy has everything to be a European star.”
A glowing report from one of the best managers on the planet.
The 20 year old has joined on a five year deal, from Belgian side Anderlecht for around £13m, and it looks to be a very impressive piece of business from manager Steve McClaren.
Mitrovic was clinical during his time with Anderlecht, scoring 41 goals in 74 appearances, he also finished the top scorer in the league last season. The forward is a complete menace in the penalty area, causing nightmares for defenders with his predatory reactions and impressive aerial ability.
His main strengths are his remarkable work rate and his ability to always get in a position to fire an effort on target with his first touch. He has a very bright future ahead of him.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Let’s not forget he is not the finished article either, at 20 the player is still learning his trade and will only improve as time goes on. Regular Premier League football can only help develop the striker’s game and turn him into one of Europe’s best forwards.
Obviously the Belgian league is nowhere near the quality of the English Premier League, but Mitrovic has proved he can handle performing against some of the best defenders in the world. The youngster has scored nine career goals in the Champions League, including vital strikes against Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund during last season’s competition.
Fans of the Magpies should be starting to get excited about their new signing. Provided Mitrovic gets the service he can thrive on from the likes of Ayoze Perez, Moussa Sissoko and new signing Georginio Wijnaldum in behind him, the striker will fast become the hero Newcastle fans have long been searching for.
Everton suffered defeat in the English Premier League for the first time since Sam Allardyce arrived at the club on Saturday, losing 2-1 away to Bournemouth.
Allardyce has struggled to pick up wins since becoming manager, but had at least brought defensive stability to the club and stopped his new side shipping goals and slipping to losses prior to Saturday.
However, defensive frailties came to the fore in a match that Everton looked to win on the counter, rather than showing the ambition to bring the game to the home side.
Ryan Fraser struck in each half to sink their hopes of a point after Idrissa Gueye equalised after half-time, leaving the away fans deeply disappointed.
There was particular criticism for some of the club’s summer signings, including Gylfi Sigurdsson, who struggled to have the kind of impact on the game that fans thought they were buying with big money in August.
They’re looking for more from the Icelandic international and took to Twitter to share their thoughts on his Saturday performance…
If Rangers ever needed a win against Celtic it is right now. Currently 11 points behind the reigning Scottish Premiership champions in the league table, the Light Blues are again struggling to keep pace with Brendan Rodgers’ side.
Even when looking more vulnerable this season than last, the Hoops have surged ahead at the top and victory against their visitors on Saturday would surely end all hope of Rangers closing the points gap in the second half of the season.
All hope is not lost yet however. If Rangers can muster what it takes to defeat their arch rivals in the derby on Saturday and the top-flight heads into the Scottish winter break with an entirely different complexion to it.
Not only would it give Aberdeen renewed purpose, potentially finding themselves just five points behind with plenty of football left to play, but it would cut Celtic’s lead over Rangers into single figures, a far more manageable obstacle for Graeme Murty’s men.
Celtic are on the brink of securing another league title before the new year is here, their seventh league title in a row. This is again Rangers’ last chance saloon, the only opportunity they’ll get to bruise the green machine.
How do they go about defeating a team that has been almost unbeatable for over 18 months?
Celtic have had a long tumultuous December, already dropping five points and losing a European game in a month that has seen them play eight matches already with another energy sapping 90 minutes set to come on Saturday before the break allows them to recharge.
There are few teams around Europe who have played the 37 matches that the Hoops have racked up so far since the start of July, almost a full season’s worth by most other standards.
Rangers must capitalise on that potential tiredness with a high tempo, high pressing game. It needs to be physical within the laws of the game, the kind of display that saw the Light Blues themselves defeated against Motherwell in the League Cup semi-final, or that saw the Hoops blown away by Hearts at Tynecastle.
Celtic may be sitting atop Scottish football but they are at their most vulnerable on Saturday as they have ever been under Brendan Rodgers. It would be silly not to make them favourites, but in order to get something out of the match, Murty’s side must have belief in themselves and their ability to finally win one of these matches.
The Murty factor is an interesting one, since the only time Rangers have gotten close to Rodgers’ outfit is when he took interim charge of the Light Blues in the wake of Mark Warburton’s departure back in March.
Celtic huffed and puffed at Celtic Park, looking unconvincing despite holding a lead well into the second half thanks to Stuart Armstrong. However a late Clint Hill effort sent the away support into raptures. It was arguably the most like a cohesive unit Rangers have looked like in all of 2017 and credit has to go to the new Rangers appointee for that draw. While not an important match on Celtic’s march to a treble, it did prevent a whitewash and gave the Ibrox side a small nugget to cling onto.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Under Pedro Caixinha, Rangers looked lost during these derby matches, devoid of any belief or strategy and completely overwhelmed by dominant Celtic performances. It’s time to see whether that draw in March was a one off or whether Murty is a man who knows what it takes to get a result in these high stakes, high pressure matches. The recent double header wing against Aberdeen, while a test below the level of Saturday’s, points to a man who can get the job done in difficult circumstances.
If Celtic turn up and play to the best of their abilities, they will likely win, but that hasn’t happened enough for most fans’ liking so far this season and Rangers need to be ready to capitalise if they are again below par. Failure to do so will see a seventh title fall out of their grasp, do the unthinkable and they’ll take real momentum heading into the new year.
As reported by The Scottish Sun, Celtic are not interested in signing experienced international defender Dusko Tosic this January.
What’s the story?
Celtic had earlier this week been linked with a move for the Besiktas man by Turkish media outlet Aksam, with the Hoops thought to have even tabled a bid for the UEFA Champions League stopper.
However, latest reports from The Scottish Sun suggest that not to be the case.
The paper say there is absolutely no interest in the player from the Scottish champions, shutting down the prospect of the Serbian international arriving in Glasgow this month.
Rated at £1.8m by Transfermarkt, the player could have been a cost effective solution to the Hoops’ defensive problems this season, but it seems Brendan Rodgers is either happy with what’s available or will look to new targets.
Do Celtic need a player like him?
On paper, Tosic certainly appeared to fit the bill for the Hoops. With over 200 appearances for clubs in France, Serbia, Turkey and elsewhere in his career, he’s consistently played at a level that would suggest he could make an impact in the Scottish Premiership.
He also has extensive European experience and has shone for Besiktas in the group stages of the Champions League this season, helping his side into the last 16 of the competition.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
If not him, then Celtic should be looking at players who have similar experience and quality. Perhaps new signing Marvin Compper will play a similar role, but with defensive improvement needed, bringing in another senior first team defender at that level can only be a benefit to the treble winners.
Tottenham have at least 17 games left to play before the end of 2017/18. And yet, the next five, taking place between now and the 13th of February, will have the most significant impact on determining the success of their campaign.
It will be an invaluable litmus test of how competitive this Tottenham side is, how resourceful Mauricio Pochettino is and whether players linked with summer moves to alluring destinations are as focused and dedicated as they were during the last two seasons when Spurs pushed hard for the Premier League title. It will also tell us whether, over the course of this term, Tottenham have improved or worsened.
That’s not least because there are so many games in such close proximity. From hosting Manchester United on Wednesday night to travelling to Juventus Stadium in two Tuesdays’ time, Spurs will have five games in the space of a fortnight – roughly one every three days. Much more than simply a question of durability for a club that has used just 24 players in the Premier League this season (two of which have now left on loan), the third-lowest amount in the top flight, however, is the manner in which the next five games combine the only three fronts Tottenham have left this season.
Soccer Football – Champions League – Real Madrid vs Tottenham Hotspur – Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, Madrid, Spain – October 17, 2017 Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo with Tottenham’s Harry Kane after the match REUTERS/Paul Hanna TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
A good run in the Champions League will be something of a bonus for Tottenham, who have already produced some of the most unforgettable nights in the club’s history this season – holding Real Madrid to a draw at the Bernabeu, romping them at Wembley and ripping apart Borussia Dortmund in the Group Stages. Likewise, although their initial encounter proved to be a niggling, awkward affair, the wide expectation is that Newport County won’t be able to repeat their FA Cup heroics in the Fourth Round replay on Tottenham’s patch – the pitch will be wider, the atmosphere will be different and Spurs are unlikely to be so complacent twice.
But that FA Cup clash is nonetheless an added obstacle at the worst possible time, coming three days after a visit to Anfield and three days before the north London derby. It gives Tottenham less time to recover and less time to prepare; even if Pochettino fields a much-weakened side against Newport as expected, his attentions will inevitably be directed elsewhere during a make-or-break period of their Premier League campaign. What’s more, if Pochettino doesn’t give the FA Cup his full focus, Tottenham’s only likely chance of silverware this season will evaporate against League Two opposition.
That’s where Tottenham’s fates in all three competitions suddenly appear to intertwine. It’s a delicate balancing act for Pochettino, and the consequences could be devastating. If Tottenham are knocked out by Newport County, all the worse in extra time or penalties, they’ll have just three days to recover physically and mentally for the North London derby, knowing their season – at least in terms of trophies – is over already. Pochettino prides himself on always fighting to the end, but we have seen Tottenham collapse before when they know the jig is up – it was vastly different circumstances, but the obvious example is the 5-1 defeat to Newcastle at the end of the 2015/16 season.
Of course, losing to Newport County is a very big if, one that Tottenham fans won’t spend too much time fretting over. But Tottenham’s three next Premier League fixtures, two coming before the end of this week, are vitally pivotal as well – especially now that the north Londoners are looking upwards at the top four, sitting two points behind Liverpool. In terms of the race of Champions League qualification, their next three games are all invaluable six pointers that could either put them in the driving seat for a top four finish or leave them marooned in the Europa League positions.
In addition to that, however, each game will tell us something about where Tottenham are at right now and whether Pochettino has provided the improvements you’d expect of a manager with an exponentially rising reputation. Perhaps the most significant of those is the trip to Anfield, not least because Tottenham appear to be in a direct battle with Liverpool for fourth; during his time in north London, Pochettino has masterminded just one Premier League victory against a big six side away from home, also losing 11 of 18, while Klopp has just lost once at home to the same calibre of opponent since replacing Brendan Rodgers. To get something on Merseyside, Spurs will have to remedy a four-season habit.
Soccer Football – Premier League – Liverpool vs Manchester United – Anfield, Liverpool, Britain – October 14, 2017 Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp and Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho REUTERS/Phil Noble 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 represe
Upon facing Manchester United too, Tottenham will need to arrest misgivings from earlier in the campaign. When Jose Mourinho reduced their meeting at Old Trafford to a one-goal game, it was the Red Devils who held their nerve and took the late chance that came their way.
There is every likelihood the Portuguese will try the same trick at Wembley, a ground where Spurs have struggled at times against sides defending deep this season. Spurs have only actually scored two goals or more on four out of 12 occasions at Wembley in the Premier League and there was a common approach between the sides they’ve failed to beat there this term – Chelsea, Burnley, Swansea, West Brom and West Ham all claimed at least a point with less than 33% possession.
And then there’s the north London derby, another encounter where Tottenham will look to make amends after losing the reverse earlier in the campaign. That was billed as a definitive moment for Spurs, one where they would announce themselves as the new kings of north London, but Pochettino’s team didn’t truly turn up at the Emirates Stadium and the performance felt like something of a choke. Suffer defeat again to the Gunners, and Spurs could quickly find themselves dragged into a battle to avoid sixth place.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
It all creates a tapestry of make-or-break for Tottenham’s 2017/18, but the ramifications could be felt far beyond this season. With Harry Kane and Pochettino reportedly in Real Madrid’s sights, Dele Alli the object of admirations from many rivals, Toby Alderweireld’s contract situation yet to be resolved and Danny Rose’s fate uncertain, these next two weeks and the questions they pose of Tottenham’s credentials as a major force could well determine whether they see their immediate futures in north London or elsewhere.
If Spurs fall flat and their season unravels by the end of their Champions League clash with Juventus on February 13th, the summer transfer window won’t come soon enough for some.
As reported by The Daily Star Sunday, Arsenal have joined the race to sign Leicester City talent Riyad Mahrez this summer.
What’s the story?
Mahrez was the subject of intense transfer speculation towards the end of the January window after the Foxes were reported to have knocked back a £60m bid for the winger.
That’s resulted in the player failing to turn up for training in the wake of deadline day, throwing into doubt his future at the former Premier League champions.
The Daily Star Sunday report that Arsenal are a number of clubs chasing his signature this summer, claiming that Arsene Wenger has been keeping close track of his progress, even going so far as to asking about how he trains and his character.
Will he improve Arsenal?
There’s no doubting that Riyad Mahrez has been an impressive force in the English Premier League over the last few seasons. During Leicester’s title-winning campaign, he was almost unplayable in the top flight, contributing an unbelievable 17 goals and 10 assists. This season alone he has provide nine goals and nine assists for his club.
However, it’s not as if Arsenal are lacking creative talent of their own and after securing Mesut Ozil to a new contract and bringing Henrikh Mkhitaryan to the club, they have two creative kings that can provide the assists and goals that the Gunners need to compete at the top end of the table.
With direct striking talent like Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette at the club too, there’s fierce competition in the team’s front four.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Shelling out what it would take to Mahrez doesn’t seem like smart business from Arsene Wenger’s perspective and perhaps this is one reported race they should bow out of.
Manchester City are probably the only Premier League club that didn’t really need to strengthen their squad last month.
Although Pep Guardiola has faced a mounting injury list in recent weeks, the Citizens are still miles ahead of the opposition in this season’s Premier League title race and have undoubtedly played some of the most scintillating football in Europe along the way – suggesting they’ll make significant progress in the Champions League as well.
Nonetheless, City still felt compelled to make an addition to their first team squad with a swoop for centre-back Aymeric Laporte, while they also took efforts to look further into the future – snapping up promising youngster Jack Harrison from New York City FC.
That came at a combined cost of £62.1million according to Transfermarkt, while the club also secured loan deals for Harrison, Eliaquim Mangala, Erik Palmer-Brown and Marlos Moreno.
But they did miss out on the services of Alexis Sanchez to bitter rivals Manchester United, while a late pursuit of Riyad Mahrez failed to evolve into a deal for the Leicester City talisman.
So, City fans, were you pleased with your club’s efforts in the transfer market last month? Let us know by voting below…
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Leeds United director of football Victor Orta has provided a fresh update on the future of Pablo Hernandez.Over the last few weeks, fans have been wondering about the 32-year-old’s position at Elland Road.Hernandez will come to the end of his contract this summer and as it stands, the attack-minded player has not agreed fresh terms.In a recent press conference, which was covered by theÂYorkshire Evening Post, the former Swansea City player admitted that he wants to stay at Leeds, but that talks are yet to take place.https://video.footballfancast.com/video-2015/leeds-relegation.mp4During a Q&A session with the fans, Orta, who was joined by chairman Andrea Radrizzani and managing director Angus Kinnear, the director of football gave some insight into the situation involving Hernandez.
While there may be no significant developments, it seems that the player’s future is on the club’s list of priorities.
The majority of fans are keen for Hernandez to stay following his recent performances on the pitch.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
The Spaniard has played in 31 Championship games this season and in that time has netted four goals and created six assists.
As reported by The Daily Star, Everton are plotting a bold move to bring Arsene Wenger to the club as manager, replacing Sam Allardyce at the end of the season.
What’s the story?
With results failing to improve under Allardyce, with the Toffees most recently falling to a 2-1 defeat away to Burnley, the long-term future of the former England boss at Goodison Park is in doubt.
The Star report that Everton owner Farhad Moshiri, already preparing for life without Allardyce, believes Arsene Wenger is the ideal man to lead the club forward and is waiting in the wings to lure the Frenchman to Merseyside should he leave the Gunners.
It certainly appears to be a far-fetched outcome but given the cash available to the Toffees right now, it’d be silly to rule anything out.
[ad_pod ]
Would he do a good job?
There’s no doubt that Wenger will go down as one of the greatest managers in Premier League history, but his ability to lead a team at the top level in 2018 is in doubt, with many Gunners fans feeling he is struggling to adapt to the modern game.
With tactics and recruitment failing to inspire, there are question marks about Wenger’s ability to be an effective manager in the Premier League full stop, not just at Arsenal.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
At 68 years of age, he isn’t exactly the most long-term of choices either and perhaps Everton should be thinking about appointing a young, forward thinking manager in the vein of Eddie Howe, rather than the fanciful notion of bringing Wenger to the club.
He could end up making things worse at the club, rather than better.
Aston Villa are flying high at the moment following their recent win over Championship leaders Wolverhampton Wanderers.The club were slight underdogs, even though they were on home soil at Villa Park.The fans had to witness Nuno Espirito Santo’s side overcome Leeds United at Elland Road 3-0 a few days prior.It is understandable if the supporters were not feeling too confident for the match, but the team did them proud.Steve Bruce’s side ran out 4-1 winners on home soil thanks to goals from Albert Adomah, James Chester, Lewis Grabban and Birkir Bjarnason.The club remain third in the Championship table, but are just four points adrift of second-placed Cardiff City with 10 games left to play.[ad_pod ]Robert Snodgrass has been a fan favourite ever since his move to Villa from West Ham United on loan.The winger joined the club in August and has gone on to start 30 of the club’s 36 Championship games, scoring seven goals and creating 12 assists.Spirits are clearly high in the camp as Snodgrass posted a video on social media of his teammates pulling a dressing-room prank.