According to reliable West Ham United insider @ExWHUemployee on the latest episode (83) of the West Ham Way radio show, the east London outfit will look to sign players from the teams that are relegated from the Premier League this summer, and Irons fans have been quick to have their say on the rumour.
David Moyes’ men moved a step closer to retaining their top flight place for another year with a 1-1 draw against Stoke City at the London Stadium on Monday night, which left them seven points above the bottom three ahead of 18th-placed Southampton’s trip to Leicester City on Thursday night.
Saints, the Potters and West Bromwich Albion are certainly the favourites to go down right now, and @ExWHUemployee has suggested that the Hammers could target new additions from those particular clubs, although the fans are split on Twitter regarding a potential move for City’s Xherdan Shaqiri.
West Ham supporters took to social media to give their thoughts on the news, and while one said “welcome Shaqiri”, another described the strategy of signing UK-based players as “so dull”.
Here is just a selection of the Twitter reaction…
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Alexis Sanchez has been hugely important for Arsenal this season proving that he is worth every bit of his £35m fee.
The forward fell out of favour with Spanish giants Barcelona who felt that he was too unsure in front of goal after scoring only eight times in La Liga during his second season at the Camp Nou but the Chilean has reinvented himself in North London.
With only a handful of games left this campaign, the Gunners should finish once again in the top four providing important Champions League football for their roster of stars next season. But that is a given now. Arsenal always finish fourth or higher but they have not managed to reach the Premier League’s pinnacle since their unbeaten invincible’s season of 2003-04.
Arsenal have been missing that certain something and they may just have found it in Sanchez.
A lot of foreign players struggle in their first year of English football. The league is very demanding and unlike other countries we do not indulge in a winter break where if anything it is the busiest fixture period.
Sanchez hasn’t been as explosive as say Chelsea’s Diego Costa but he has been more consistent. Likewise the Chilean won’t be winning the league’s highest goal scorer award with his current 13 league goals but his ability to adapt so quickly to our domestic game looks good for next season.
Sanchez and strike partner Olivier Giroud make a good team and are sure to further solidify their partnership next season. With both in fine form Arsenal can truly challenge for the title even when facing stiff competition from teams like Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United who are likely to all be contenders once again.
Sanchez was an inspired signing by manager Arsene Wenger and supporters are fortunate that the 26 year old ended up with them rather than rivals Liverpool where he could have been successfully leading their attack this season instead. Brendan Rodgers was hoping he would be an ideal replacement for the loss of Luis Suarez but Arsenal hijacked their deal and have benefited enormously. Liverpool really could have used a player with the Chilean’s attacking qualities this season and if they end up missing out on the top four then they really will rue their mishandling of last summer’s window.
Sanchez’s 19 goals in all competitions has helped Arsenal to currently sit third in the league, be in the running to retain the FA Cup and they almost progressed through to the Champions League quarter finals when they beat Monaco 2-0 on the night but lost overall on away goals. Definitely not a bad season for the Gunners and next year looks set to be even more productive.
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Arsenal still need to strengthen their squad just like every other club and their focus should be on signing a holding midfielder such as Morgan Schneiderlin or James McCarthy, both of whom Wenger is reported to be interested in, rather than looking at any forwards.
Upfront Arsenal are blessed with a whole host of attacking players to chose from. Sanchez, Giroud, Theo Walcott and new boy Danny Welbeck are all fighting to lead the line so Arsenal can focus their money this summer elsewhere safe in the knowledge that they have several stars now who next May might help them finally lift that cup again.
Amid all the outrage of Reading’s decision to sack Brian McDermott the enduring figure of Sir Alex Ferguson continues to act as the benchmark for every manager in the game. Both in terms of longevity and success. Bringing the Premier League trophy back to Old Trafford remains Ferguson’s key objective especially after United were eliminated from the Champions League. With a healthy 12-point lead over rivals Manchester City, that could rise to 15 if they lose at Everton, it already looks a forgone conclusion but the 71-year-old won’t take anything for granted after what happened last season. Most will view the visit of managerless Reading as a sure, fire banker but Ferguson knows better and will be expecting a backlash from the Berkshire side.
The Royals were left shellshocked after McDermott, who guided them back to the top-flight, was dismissed after a 2-1 home defeat to fellow strugglers Aston Villa last week. The club’s Russian owner Anton Zingarevich has been criticised for his decision and rightly so. Given their precarious position in the table instigating a managerial change so late in the season effectively gives Reading little chance of avoiding the trapdoor and a return to the Championship looks inevitable. Five consecutive defeats in league and cup strengthens that assertion and the players need to draw upon the fighting spirit instilled by McDermott if they’re to perform a miracle and survive. Not just in terms of relegation but the trip to Old Trafford!
Team News
Phil Jones and Paul Scholes are unavailable for Manchester United as is Phil Jones due to a hamstring injury.
Reading will have to do without Adam Federici and Jimmy Kebe, while Pavel Pogrebnyak serves the last of a three game suspension.
What the managers said…
“The timing is surprising. If a new manager comes along, they can’t buy anyone. What he has got he has got. If they had done it in December or January maybe I would have understood it because it would have given a new manager time to bring players in during the window. He spent something like £1.2million and £7.4million has come in, so financially he has been successful,” added Ferguson. He also got them promoted to the Premier League. I don’t know what more you can do. He was manager of the month in January – I hope I am not manager of the month this month.” Sir Alex Ferguson admits he is perplexed by Brian McDermott’s sacking (ITV)
“Brian is a great friend of mine, I have spoken to him every day. He’s just a great man. Training will be good today but at the begging of the week the players were on the floor. They respected Brian and to me that’s just a natural, human emotion. The next natural thing is to be professional, try and get a result on Saturday and stay in this league. We’ve done what we’ve always done at Reading and what Brian and Nigel Gibbs used to do, and that’s work hard. They are a great group of players and they realise the importance of being in the Barclays Premier League next season.” Reading caretaker Eamonn Dolan says the players were ‘on the floor’ at the start of this week (Reading Chronicle)
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Pre-Match Statistic: A 2-1 win in the FA Cup in January 1927 ranks as Readings’s only success against Manchester United in all competitions.
Manchester City had plenty of work to do heading into Wednesday night’s Champions League quarter-final second leg against Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium.
The team were trailing 3-0 from the fixture at Anfield, but given the club’s dominance in the Premier League this season, some supporters were hopeful of a turnaround.
Initially, a comeback looked to be on the cards due to Gabriel Jesus scoring after the first minute following a mistake by Virgil van Dijk.
Pep Guardiola’s side outplayed Liverpool in the first half, but they were unable to build on that goal and eventually lost 2-1 on the night, and 5-1 on aggregate.
The complexion of the game may have changed entirely at the end of the first half had Leroy Sane’s goal not been ruled offside.
The Germany international poked the ball into the back of the net from close range, but it was disallowed.
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Replays showed that the linesman made the wrong call as the ball bounced off of James Milner and into the path of Sane following Loris Karius’s punched clearance.
Now that City fans are coming to terms with the fact that their team will not be competing in the semi-finals, many have been left frustrated by the disallowed goal.
Comment from discussion Sane Goal Wrongly Called for Offside.Comment from discussion Sane Goal Wrongly Called for Offside.Comment from discussion Sane Goal Wrongly Called for Offside.Comment from discussion Sane Goal Wrongly Called for Offside.Comment from discussion Sane Goal Wrongly Called for Offside.Comment from discussion Sane Goal Wrongly Called for Offside.Comment from discussion Sane Goal Wrongly Called for Offside.
Deadline day is over. The calm returns after the storm. I sit amongst a dozen writers from Palace fan sites ruminating about the deals that did and did not happen, preparing to meet a man who knows more than most about the chaos it can bring. Joe Ledley.
The Welsh international joined Crystal Palace from Celtic in a deadline day deal in February 2014, but a year on is enjoying far more relaxed circumstances. Settled at Selhurst Park now, over a coffee and baked goods we got to know the man himself at the Neteller Ledley Live event.
Having already played in an FA Cup final for Cardiff and the Celtic side that famously defeated Barcelona, Ledley has become an integral player for Palace. The Eagles have been excellent since the arrival of Alan Pardew, gaining 10 points from five Premier League games to move clear of the relegation zone.
We’ll get to that, whilst discussing the Welsh mafia at Palace, Yaya Sanogo’s dress sense and Ledley’s international exploits.
Firstly we must start by asking – how do you maintain that magnificent beard?
I go to a grooming place in central London and I’ve got a few oils to put on it to keep it trim – I’ve got more hair on my chin than my head at the moment! I thought it was going to end on 1st January but had a vote on twitter and the majority wanted to keep it so we’ll get to the end of the season and see.
What was moving from Palace to Celtic on deadline day like?
It was probably the most stressful thing in my life. I didn’t know what I was doing whether I was coming or going – it was a big decision to make within a few hours. I made the right decision playing in the Premier League – it’s the best league in the world.
So you would place it above La Liga and The Bundesliga?
I think it is the best, I think you’ve got better players in La Liga with Messi, Ronaldo and Bale so players wise it is brilliant but the sheer love for the game, the broadcasting and publicity, everything means the Premier League is the best.
Have you ever thought about playing abroad?
Before I signed for Celtic I got linked with a few clubs in Italy, Spain and Russia but it’s different when you have family and friends. Hopefully I will spend as much time as possible in the Premier League- though you never know what will happen when you are older you have to put family first.
So will you take some time out when your career ends?
I think I will have some time out of football for at least a year. I started playing at a very young age and football is great but I’ve never had a Christmas at home with my family, never got out of bed and had family time. Then I’ll just get bored and hopefully do my badges and get into football because even if it’s just the academy I’d love to do that.
More immediately, what do you believe Palace can achieve in the next few years?
When I signed I believed in our squad and I knew we would stay up with the manager, players and belief we had. The second year is always harder and hopefully this year we can stay up and just keep improving, and be a Stoke in staying in the Premier League for years to come. That’s what the fans want, and hopefully one year we can make Europe.
On Europe, how was being involved in the Champions League and beating Barcelona?
It’s the best competition in the world with the best teams in the world and luckily I had the chance to do that, to make the last 16 of the Champions League was a great honour and to beat Barca was the icing on the cake. To be on the same pitch as Messi, Iniesta and to hold our ground and win the game was fantastic for us.
Who was the toughest opponent you faced in midfield from those experience?
There’s a lot of players like Xavi who I couldn’t get anywhere near. In terms of being physically tough. Pogba was good, he was up for a battle. He was very good at Juventus – it’s always good when you have players who are willing to fight like that, so Pogba.
What has Alan Pardew changed to create this upturn in results since arriving?
When I arrived we had Tony (Pulis) and never really had much of the ball possession wise, same with Neil Warnock and if you look at recent games our possession has been higher. He (Pardew) wants us to play more football and play in the right way, get it down and play through midfield which is great for myself. The more of the ball you have the higher chance you have of winning.
Relaying the pitch must have helped this change of style?
Yes especially with the new manager now possession has been higher than before, you see at the beginning of the season the pitch was not in a playable state at all. People could have got serious injuries on it with ankles turning etc – it has allowed us to do much better with the ball.
What do you think went wrong under Neil Warnock?
We went through that run being undefeated for a few games but couldn’t get that win, he’s got to be unlucky because we were grinding out performances but not getting that win. For instance we were 2-0 up at West Brom then they get that goal that was clearly a free-kick on Jules (Speroni) and we end up missing three points away from home.
What was you say is the best atmosphere from your time at Palace?
Even though we didn’t win, I think Liverpool at home, especially being 3-0 down. Many people didn’t fancy us and just thought ‘keep it down-not 5 or 6’ and especially being our last home game, it was a sell-out. All of a sudden when that one goal went in you could feel the home stadium lifting and to get it to 3-3 was a fantastic achievement. It was a great atmosphere and a great occasion.
Celtic vs Rangers must have been… (Ledley interrupts)
It was unbelievable, we used to do a huddle before the game. You couldn’t hear a word the captain was saying when he was a yard away, it was loud. It was shaking – those are the games you always want to play in and it was a great honour.
On big occasions, what was the FA Cup semi-final and final experiences like with Cardiff?
A fantastic occasion and it was the winner to put us on the way to the final and we are still in that and hopefully we can do it here. The hunger is there, those are the best days of your life, those are the days you remember – the occasion of the final, even though we lost.
If Palace were in the cup final, penalty shoot-out time, who are your five takers?
It’s got to be Mile (Jedinak), he does well, then Gayley, Muzza (Murray) is good aswell, I might even put my mate Hennessey in and I’ve got an 100% record (3 from 3) so myself.
Have the Palace fans surprised you in terms of how loud they are?
I was shocked at the atmosphere when I came here especially in the game against Liverpool, last home game of the season it was electric, I saw that at Celtic but I didn’t expect to see it down here as well. To be here is a fantastic honour, the supporters have been great here at Selhurst Park, I think they are probably the best in the PL.
You must be delighted with the support they have given you?
I have always respected the fans and they pay a lot of money to come and watch you play, you have to respect that and hopefully I have the same feeling with the fans here as I did at Cardiff and Celtic. The fans here have welcomed me from day one so I will always remember that.
Is there a Welsh mafia at Palace?
We’re taking over! Especially last season when we had Gabs (Danny Gabbidon) here too. It’s like a club when you meet up with Wales it’s a great feeling, we didn’t have that not many years ago so all of a sudden we are all long, have a bit of experience and are tight as a unit. When you meet up and you go away for 10 days you rely on your family to have a laugh with and mix around with is great.
How do you see the upcoming Welsh trip to Israel?
It’s massive – we’ve had a great start, we’re second in the group, one point behind them but away. We have a strong squad and you can never know in football so we just have to hope that it’s our time to qualify. I don’t think we will ever have a better chance.
Do you think the squad depth could survive an absent Gareth Bale?
I think there is not long ago against Scotland Gareth went off injured when we were behind and little Johnny came on, did great and we won. Obviously you want Gareth in the team because he’s a world-class player but in the squad now there’s a lot of us playing in the Premier League with plenty of experience for such a young age, so I think we would cope.
When did you first see Bale and what were your thoughts?
I remember seeing him on TV and then met up with him for the Welsh squad and it you could just see that he had something special. The more he went to Spurs and gained experience he reached the next level, he was quick and just had everything.
Is he the best player in the world for you?
Gareth will not like me saying this but for me I’d go for Messi.
With the big issues addressed all things Crystal Palace are delved into, starting naturally with what captain Mile Jedinak brings to the Eagles…
He’s a great captain, great leader and great player for us, he’s been fantastic this season and when he went away he’s won a tournament with his country. Everyone looks up to him – his discipline on and off the pitch is great.
Julian Speroni is another leader at Palace, thoughts on his testimonial year?
Everyone at the club looks up to Jules, with his age as well to keep going the way he is has been remarkable, playing at the highest level. It’s a great achievement and he’s a great stop stopper who has still got it for me. It feels like he can just keep going for years to come – he’s been brilliant since I’ve been here.
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Who is the worst dressed?
There’s a few, Sanogo has come in and he has been awful his dress sense has been shocking. He will try and wear tracksuit bottoms but with a smart tracksuit and running trainers and it just doesn’t go, but I won’t tell him to his face though!
Who are the best skills merchants at Palace?
It’s out of Wilf (Zaha) and Bolaise, there just at it all training session trying to get as many megs as they can, trying loads of tricks, we just let those two get on with it. Punch is good, he has some skills too, so those three.
Glenn Murray comes across as a bit grumpy often, is he always like that?
That’s just him in general life, to be fair me and Muzza get on we have a bit of a laugh but I can understand why people think he’s grumpy. To be fair you just need to get into him, give him a bit of banter but ye he is quite miserable!
Have any of the outfield players tried their hands in goal?
Wayne (Hennessey) fancies himself outfield – he thinks he can do a better job than me in midfield but they don’t let us in so we don’t get injured. When he’s on the ball he actually seems like an outfield player as he’s so casual with the ball at his feet.
Who is the best trainer?
Since I’ve joined I’d say it’s the hardest I’ve probably ever seen a group of boys work off the pitch we are in the gym, professional, everyone always wants to some more. I think Wardy (Joel Ward) is a good pro so I will say him.
Who do you play as when on FIFA?
I used to be mad with FIFA but with the little one (his child) running around now I don’t have time for it anymore, but I would be Barcelona.
Last but not least, have you tried to start a trend for beards at Palace?
I’m trying to make as many of them grow beards as possible, but I don’t think many of their wives and girlfriends are having it. Mile is finally growing his back so I think there could be a good few beards going on. Hennessey is trying but can’t do it – hopefully we can get a few more out there.
Amen to that, Premier League survival and some great beards, what more could one want? The midfielder and his beard have been great company at the Neteller Ledley Live event at Selhurst Park.
It might seem impossible for Tottenham to successfully replace Gareth Bale and what he’s achieving at White Hart Lane. No one could have foreseen his rise in English football, and yet the future remains muddy at best once he finally calls it a day in North London.
Real Sociedad meanwhile continue their march towards next season’s Champions League group stage. A thrilling 2-2 draw at the weekend against Espanyol might have been considered a minor blip, but once again the young stars shone bright, namely Antoine Griezmann.
Talk of replacements for Bale do not get as good as Sociedad’s young Frenchman. Griezmann has seen a similar rise in his development this season, taking on far more responsibility and adapting his trade in prominent central roles. It’s been a mature season from the midfielder, repaying the faith the club has had to show in him and the rest of their academy graduates.
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Next season might not be the right time, as with Sociedad so close to European football, no one is clamouring for the exit door. Yet that could be exactly what Tottenham need. As of now, you really don’t get the sense that Bale is definitely on his way out this summer – next year’s summer transfer window could be the perfect time to replace with a youngster who is tested in UEFA’s elite club competition.
And let’s make no mistake here, this isn’t one of those underwhelming signings that is sure to crumble under the expectation. Griezmann is one of La Liga’s brightest midfielders and a player who is more than good enough to make a big step up.
As mentioned, his game has developed exceptionally well this season. He’s no longer just a wide player with pace and tricks in his locker; he knows how to provide this Sociedad side with creativity and goals when operating through the middle. In a false 9 role that is steadily creeping around European football, Griezmann has all the attributes, including the intelligence, to adjust to that formation. It’s not real surprise, then, that both Barcelona and Bayern are reportedly looking at him.
Griezmann is an incredibly exciting player to watch. His talent and progress this season suggests that there is so much more to come, while you’re unlikely to see a better goal than the second of his two against Valladolid last month.
And then there’s the joy Tottenham can take from all of this. Real Sociedad are no different to many other Spanish clubs, and like most others they’ll be powerless to stop clubs coming in and taking what they want. The fact that Sociedad are a team who rely heavily on youth tells much of the story, and like with other La Liga teams in the past, you have to wonder how long manager Philippe Montanier can keep up this steady ascent.
Even with the potential purchase of Griezmann, it might not necessarily just be about replacing or replicating what Bale did at Tottenham. This is a player who took up central midfield roles earlier in the season, which then gave Montanier all the more reason to use Griezmann in various positions in attack. Carlos Vela and captain Xabi Prieto standout as some of the important names of this campaign, but prior to this season Griezmann was always considered the leading talent to come through the youth system.
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This is a player good enough to help a club like Tottenham reinvent themselves and develop the counter-attacking game. Not to completely suggest Griezmann could line up in Luka Modric’s old position, but the Frenchman does offer more of a creative spark than Bale, meaning a variety of formations will be available.
Moving on from Bale might not require much searching and it certainly won’t necessitate breaking the bank. A move up and away from the Anoeta was always on the cards for Griezmann, and Tottenham should be one of the many clubs fighting for a place at the front of the queue.
West Ham United took a massive step towards English Premier League safety on Saturday with a 3-0 thrashing of fellow relegation candidates Southampton at the London Stadium.
After three consecutive heavy defeats before the international break, the pressure was on David Moyes’ outfit to secure a result and they did so in style, banging in all three goals before the interval.
Fans were left absolutely delighted by the result and performance, impressed with the improvement from recent matches.
One player that should particular progress was midfield Cheikhou Kouyate, who was impressive in the first half, assisting Joao Mario for the side’s opening goal of the afternoon.
Fans had lost patience with the Senegal international, with some even hoping earlier this week that he might be missing for today’s clash. However, his performance has surely ensured his place in the side in the weeks to come?
Supporters took to Twitter to share their thoughts…
Louis van Gaal has claimed that his Manchester United side are the best team in the Premier League right now, ahead of the likes of Chelsea, Manchester City and in-form Liverpool.
The Red Devils currently occupy third spot and look to be on course to book a return to the Champions League, but the campaign, as a whole, has been far from convincing.
Even though LVG oversaw a £157m investment in new players last summer, United have stuttered in league action – the loss at Leicester City was a low point – and their cup form has been relatively poor, with Capital One Cup elimination at the hands of the MK Dons, while it took a replay to overcome League Two outfit Cambridge United in the FA Cup.
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As well as this, critics have labelled Van Gaal’s side a ‘long ball’ team and record signing Angel di Maria has struggled since the turn of the year.
However, the Dutchman has been bullish, claiming that United are the best team in England’s top flight right now:
“As you know, when you see the score of the last 19 or 20 matches we are the best team in the league.” He is quoted by The Mirror.
“Now I believe that every player knows the philosophy of me and my staff. Everyone wants to follow that philosophy and you can see that in the team spirit of the team which is unbelievable.
“Mostly I have told them (the players) after the matches that we can play better, but I have also said it was already 70 minutes good, this match, or 45 or 60, but we have to do it 90 minutes.
“I don’t believe we have been able to do it for 90 minutes, so I think we have a long way to go. You don’t have to exaggerate that we are playing well.
“But, very important is that we continue to win and that we don’t lose so much anymore and that the results are more stable.
“You never know (how far away you are from being the best team in the league), but it is the right question because I want to improve the performance.”
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The transfer market is a battleground where Premier League titles can be lost and won. At Chelsea and Manchester City money may be no object but they will be all too aware that an abundance of riches does not guarantee success.
One thing it does ensure though is that when any world class players become available both clubs are always near the front of the queue, due to their financial backing.
This is where Edinson Cavani steps in. The Napoli striker has been in scintillating form in the last two and a half seasons in Serie A. He has struck the back of the net 67 times in the League alone. The Uruguayan looked more than comfortable on the Champions League stage also. Chelsea will be all too familiar with how he tore their defence to shreds in the first leg of their last 16 encounter in Europe’s elite competition last season at the Stadio San Paolo. Man City will remember him as well for the role he played in their early Champions League exit too.
When the transfer window re-opens on July 1st it appears that now will be the time when the 26 year old will finally leave after intense speculation for the last few summers.
The list of clubs that can afford him is very short. The interest from abroad has been very tentative as clubs have winced at the transfer fee involved. This won’t scare off Chelsea or Man city though. There is a strong suspicion that one of these two Premier League giants will finally flex their financial muscles and meet the £52 million release clause that would ensure Cavani’s move to the England. They both desperately need him too.
There is a clear awareness at Chelsea that they need a centre forward to fill the missing piece to their jigsaw puzzle. Fernando Torres still flatters to deceive in spite of receiving numerous chances, and Demba Ba is merely holding the fort until a star walks through the doors.
Manchester City clearly possess stellar names in their front line capable of magnificence on their day in the shape of Sergio Aguero and Carlos Tevez. Roberto Mancini though is aware that he is one striker light. Mario Balotelli has left a void to be filled, but this won’t be a main motivator for Man City to not miss out on signing one of Europe’s hottest properties this summer. Robin Van Persie has constantly provided painful reminders this campaign, how costly missing out on a truly sensational striker to a title rival can come back to haunt you.
Should both clubs pursue Cavani as expected which option would suit him best? This is a very close call.
If he were to move to Chelsea he would instantly be the protagonist of the piece. He would be the fulcrum of the forward line at Stamford Bridge. The £50 million + transfer is not something that would weigh on his shoulders either. The fans in West London will know that he can’t do any worse than the last signing they splashed this sort of money on.
Cavani would also have a superb supporting cast in the shape of Oscar, Mata and Hazard. Chelsea are re-building a team for the future and one striker could once again make them a formidable force.
It would not all be rosy though. If he needed another world class striker to share the work rate from time to time, he would not be afford this luxury for the Blues. He would constantly be expected to save the day when Stamford Bridge expects a goal.
There is also the uncertainty over the managerial situation at Chelsea currently. If he was to sign before a permanent manager was appointed he could be taking a huge risk that he may not like the style of play under the boss appointed. Even if he was to like his new manager at the Bridge how long do they even last under Abramovich?
Manchester City too have uncertainty over the future of Roberto Mancini but the managerial situation is nowhere near as tenuous as it is for Chelsea.
Sheikh Mansour is highly likely to give his Italian boss another crack of the whip at the end of the season and a chance to achieve success.
This would be influential factor in Edinson Cavani’s decision, you suspect, as Mancini has regularly stated his desire to bring the forward to the Etihad, which must be a huge lure for the South American ace.
Whilst a move to London may represent being part of a rejuvenation project, this is not what a move to Man City would be.
He would be amongst a clutch of stars and he definitely would not be the only headline name at Manchester City. What he would provide is another option they are certainly missing up top.
Cavani offers a direct aerial threat as well as the capability to provide efficient link up play should he play with either of the Argentine duo of Tevez and Aguero. The fact that effective forwards currently reside in the blue half of Manchester means that the Uruguayan international will by no means be expected to do all the work himself.
The support cast at Chelsea is strong but so too is the one they possess at Man City with Yaya Toure, David Silva and Samir Nasri. He would not lose out on service at either club.
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At Man City there was no certainty that Cavani would be needed or used at the end of last campaign.
This Summer he will be aware that he could provide a final push to a club that is destined for stardom.
Once they crack the Champions League which you suspect they will next season Man City will be a force to be reckoned with.
At Chelsea there is far less guarantee of success and he need look no further than to the transfer of Eden Hazard to see how moving to Stamford Bridge as one of Europe’s most wanted assets does not always work out immediately.
Cavani would need to hit the ground running at either club he would transfer to and at 26 years of age he has hit his peak. If he wants a club that can instantly satisfy his desires in the Premier League though then he should look no further than Manchester City.
Liverpool have already had a Torres in their midst, and the gossip pages are suggesting that another one could be on his way to Anfield.
According to the Daily Mail, the Merseyside outfit are keeping tabs on Valencia winger Ferran Torres ahead of the summer transfer window.
The youngster’s name does not quite carry the same weight as Fernando Torres did when he joined the Reds for a three-and-a-half-year spell between 2007 and January 2011.
However, that is mainly because the Spaniard is only 18 years old and is only just beginning to prove himself on the elite stage.
The Daily Mail claims that Liverpool have been tracking Torres since last year and have kept a close eye on his 10 appearances for Valencia so far this season.
The publication adds that Chelsea, Real Madrid and Barcelona also have an interest, but it will cost any suitor around £21.9m to trigger the youngster’s release clause.
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Spanish football expert Guillem Balague has also spoken about the rumours, telling Sky Sports that Liverpool are interested in the winger, who can play on either side of the pitch.
On Reddit fans discussed the speculation.
Comment from discussion Liverpool and others are keeping a close eye on Valencia’s 19 year old Ferran Torres. He is a dribbler, fast on the wing, can play on either wing, and he has got ability and intelligence. He can also play inside if needed, so he is a modern winger. Has a €25m release clause- Guillem Balague.Comment from discussion Liverpool and others are keeping a close eye on Valencia’s 19 year old Ferran Torres. He is a dribbler, fast on the wing, can play on either wing, and he has got ability and intelligence. He can also play inside if needed, so he is a modern winger. Has a €25m release clause- Guillem Balague.Comment from discussion Liverpool and others are keeping a close eye on Valencia’s 19 year old Ferran Torres. He is a dribbler, fast on the wing, can play on either wing, and he has got ability and intelligence. He can also play inside if needed, so he is a modern winger. Has a €25m release clause- Guillem Balague.Comment from discussion Liverpool and others are keeping a close eye on Valencia’s 19 year old Ferran Torres. He is a dribbler, fast on the wing, can play on either wing, and he has got ability and intelligence. He can also play inside if needed, so he is a modern winger. Has a €25m release clause- Guillem Balague.Comment from discussion Liverpool and others are keeping a close eye on Valencia’s 19 year old Ferran Torres. He is a dribbler, fast on the wing, can play on either wing, and he has got ability and intelligence. He can also play inside if needed, so he is a modern winger. Has a €25m release clause- Guillem Balague.Comment from discussion Liverpool and others are keeping a close eye on Valencia’s 19 year old Ferran Torres. He is a dribbler, fast on the wing, can play on either wing, and he has got ability and intelligence. He can also play inside if needed, so he is a modern winger. Has a €25m release clause- Guillem Balague.Comment from discussion Liverpool and others are keeping a close eye on Valencia’s 19 year old Ferran Torres. He is a dribbler, fast on the wing, can play on either wing, and he has got ability and intelligence. He can also play inside if needed, so he is a modern winger. Has a €25m release clause- Guillem Balague.Comment from discussion Liverpool and others are keeping a close eye on Valencia’s 19 year old Ferran Torres. He is a dribbler, fast on the wing, can play on either wing, and he has got ability and intelligence. He can also play inside if needed, so he is a modern winger. Has a €25m release clause- Guillem Balague.Comment from discussion Liverpool and others are keeping a close eye on Valencia’s 19 year old Ferran Torres. He is a dribbler, fast on the wing, can play on either wing, and he has got ability and intelligence. He can also play inside if needed, so he is a modern winger. Has a €25m release clause- Guillem Balague.