Most teams that head into a two-legged tie 3-0 down from the opening fixture, will not feel too optimistic about their chances of progression.
Manchester City supporters, though, are not giving up, and it is hardly a surprise given how scintillating the team have been this season.
Pep Guardiola’s men have a 16-point lead at the top of the Premier League table, and will tie up the title with a win over Manchester United this weekend.
The Cityzens have been beaten just once in 31 top-flight games, and that was by Liverpool, who are the ones holding onto a 3-0 advantage over their fellow North-West outfit in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
City were stunned in the first 45 minutes of the encounter as Jurgen Klopp’s men went 3-0 up thanks to goals from Mohamed Salah, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Sadio Mane.
City did not register a single shot on target, and frontman Gabriel Jesus suffered plenty of criticism from supporters as a result.
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Ahead of next week’s second leg, some fans are hopeful that Raheem Sterling, who was brought on to a chorus of boos from the Liverpool crowd on Wednesday night, will be the saviour.
The England international is heavily disliked by Liverpool supporters due to his decision to leave them for City in 2015.
Comment from discussion When Sterling makes it 4-0 at the Etihad in the second leg.Comment from discussion When Sterling makes it 4-0 at the Etihad in the second leg.Comment from discussion When Sterling makes it 4-0 at the Etihad in the second leg.Comment from discussion When Sterling makes it 4-0 at the Etihad in the second leg.Comment from discussion When Sterling makes it 4-0 at the Etihad in the second leg.Comment from discussion When Sterling makes it 4-0 at the Etihad in the second leg.Comment from discussion When Sterling makes it 4-0 at the Etihad in the second leg.
West Ham’s revival this season has been down to several important factors; Big Sam’s boys have been rejuvenated by their new signings who have brought about a distinct improvement in front of goal, and solidified by strong leadership at the back which is in no small part down to Winston Reid.
The New Zealand international has gained many plaudits throughout his time in the Premier League for his tough tackling and solid aerial qualities, despite an uneasy start to his East end career back in 2010. With the January transfer window now upon us and West Ham’s defensive leader slowly moving out of the shadows and into the spot-light, would a reported move to Arsenal really suit Winston Reid? Or would it simply be a step too far for the towering centre-back?
The Kiwi star didn’t exactly have the greatest start to life at Upton Park, as playing at right-back under Avram Grant, his Premier League debut ending in a resounding 3-0 defeat to Aston Villa. Since West Ham’s timely relegation to the Championship that season however, Reid has come on in leaps and bounds to be one of the most promising centre-backs in English football.
The 26-year-old, who previously plied his trade with Danish outfit Midtjylland, has subsequently become a main-stay in the West Ham back four for his more than solid performances. His reading of the game is near flawless, he has the calmness necessary to make it in the Premier League, and his strength in the tackle would leave even the most burly strikers bruised.
One area of Reid’s game that has not received as much praise however is his often unpredictable distribution from the back. The New Zealand star isn’t exactly the most confident on the ball and he lacks the pace to get himself out of tricky situations, with the defender’s touch often cause for concern around Upton Park.
Such technical deficiencies would seem to throw his potential move to Arsenal remain in doubt. We all know that Arsene Wenger prefers players who are comfortable on the ball and can be categorised as ‘proper footballers.’ Whilst Reid may be one hell of a ‘proper defender’, it takes a certain style and finesse to play at the very top. At this current stage in time, that particular area of Reid’s game may be holding him back.
The West Ham man would nevertheless provide the Gunners with some much needed tenacity and resilience at the back. Wenger’s side have displayed a distinct lack in defensive meanness in recent years, with some pundits even going as far as labeling them as push-overs. In that respect, the promising centre-back could be the perfect addition down at the Emirates.
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Perhaps Arsenal will decide to wait until the summer on this one as with Reid’s contract with the Hammers is due to expire. Wenger could be shrewd enough to pick him up on the free should an club not come in for the Kiwi first.
Wherever Reid eventually ends up he will likely prove a success, even if that means he loses the hero status he currently has at Upton Park. With any move to the Emirates requiring the utmost ability with the ball however, perhaps Winston Reid’s defensive qualities won’t be enough to see him make it to the Emirates this January.
There’s a strange obsession in football whereby people want to see this Barcelona team—arguably the greatest any of us have ever seen—play in England to prove one thing or another. Barcelona performing a full league campaign in England will either legitimise the claim that Barcelona are indeed the best football side we’ve seen, or it will hammer home the idea that this team have been cuddled and comforted to glory through the lack of fight from La Liga teams.
Underneath it all, in waters that aren’t as muddy as people would like them to believe, Barcelona’s dominance is an indirect attack on English football. It’s a claim that the greatest team, the greatest player and the most breathtaking football didn’t come from English shores. Fans want to be proved right that the Premier League is king and that the kings of football would become mere peasants when thrown in against the heavy-hitters from the English game.
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Well I’m not having any of it. I’m not saying Barcelona could win the Premier League, I’m saying they could do so in equally convincing fashion as they have done in the past when they lifted the Spanish crown. They won’t like it “up ‘em” when they go up north and the rain beats down a little harder? Quite the opposite: they’d thrive under it, they’d play faster and with greater ferocity. The stakes would be raised and so would their game. The idea that Barcelona have never played a difficult, tough or physical opponent is wrong. And more often than not they’ve won.
Who has been the greatest threat to Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona? Jose Mourinho. The Portuguese manager ruffled their feathers when he was in charge at Inter Milan and during that two-legged Champions League semi-final. Barcelona could have won, maybe they should have won. Julio Cesar was one of the world’s best goalkeepers that night in the Camp Nou. Bojan should have converted while at the same time not having his perfectly legitimate goal ruled out. The most important factor of that game is that Barcelona didn’t shy away, they didn’t hide when a physical team came to town and they still played their fantastic brand of football.
Would their style of play work in the Premier League? Why not? Many clubs have tried to emulate what they’ve done, either by adding players who they believe are good enough to recreate that level of football, appointing managers who follow that line of thinking to the Catalans and the Dutch, or going on to hire people who held significant roles in the conversion from theory to practice.
The idea that Barcelona wouldn’t like to travel to Stoke City or square-up to one of Sam Allardyce’s teams is nonsense. Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Everton, and whoever else you want to name have gone to places like that and won. Manchester United is and will remain for a long time the highest standard of Premier League football – they’re the best England have to offer and have been so for the best part of two decades. Barcelona toyed with them, drew them in and delivered crippling blow after crippling blow. United, Chelsea and City are the standards Barca have to live up to in England, not Stoke. Barcelona have beaten the best England has to offer and will continue to do so in the future.
And lets look to another important factor in the current makeup of this Barcelona team. Tito Vilanova’s team are greatly different to Guardiola’s. Ok, the principles remain the same but this is Vilanova’s team now. They’ve played against the most lethal natural no 9 in the game and their closest rivals in the La Liga title race and annihilated them. They enjoyed the occasion, it was something different and it was an Atletico Madrid who weren’t afraid of the obvious gulf in class in various areas of the pitch.
Barcelona have to travel to Pamplona every season and face the always tricky and noticeably English style of Osasuna. Barcelona have to travel to Sam Mames and face the noisy crowds in Bilbao. They’ve had to face Mourinho’s “dirty” tactics and his decision to deploy Pepe as the destroyer in midfield. They came through each of those hurdles not unscathed, but with further evidence that they can do it against the rougher sides in the game.
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Guardiola was far too meticulous, far too aware and far too good to allow his sides to fall at the hands of physicality. They have their enforcers in the team, but Barcelona’s group as a whole are far tougher than they may look.
It would be an interesting experiment to see the results of Barcelona in English football. But as I’ve said time and again in the past, it’s not needed. Would they win the Premier League? They’re the best team in Spain, the best team in Europe, former world champions. English football is not that special.
As reported by The Sunday Post, former Celtic striker John Hartson believes that Brendan Rodgers will stay at the club for another season at least amidst reports he could be set for a return to the English Premier League.
What’s the story?
Rodgers has been linked with various jobs in English football over the past couple of months, including the Arsenal post, a sign of his enormous success at Celtic Park since arriving in the summer of 2016.
However, one former Celtic favourite believes he is unlikely to entertain any thoughts of leaving this summer, despite the tempting nature of a job at the Emirates, should Arsene Wenger leave.
As quoted by The Sunday Post, John Hartson said:
There would also be a transfer budget of more than £150m. That is bound to be attractive to many, many people. My feeling is that he will stay at Celtic for at least one more year. I think he will want to stay to try to achieve eight titles on the trot. He will maybe then review his position. But he also has a long-term contract with Celtic, and I don’t imagine he will be in any rush to leave. Only time will tell.
It’s been a rare occurrence for Celtic managers to have a multi-year deal over the last decade, with a rolling contract the norm before Rodgers signed a new deal.
Will he see it out and guide the club to a famous ten titles in a row?
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No signs of discontent
Rodgers has had nothing but praise for the club and the people he works with on a daily basis, whether it be staff at Lennoxtown or the decision makers like Peter Lawwell. The Celtic boss is a forthright guy so if there was any unhappiness at all, there may have been signs of it in press conferences and the like.
The fact is the manager loves the club, loves his current job and is eyeing significant success in Celtic colours.
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There’s an argument to be made that it doesn’t get much better than the double treble the club will potentially win this season, but there’s improvement to be made in Europe and if he can guide the Hoops to 10-in-a-row he will go down as a club legend for decades to come.
That’s worth more than the riches of the Premier League.
Crystal Palace’s tricky winger Yannick Bolasie has been in fine form for the Eagles yet again this season. His league performances so far this term have been exceptional. Should the Premier League big boys be eyeing up a move for Bolasie in the January transfer window?
After signing for Palace from Bristol City in August 2012, the 25-year-old has developed into one of the Premier League’s best wingers. Bolasie really caught the eye in his first season at Selhurst Park, which culminated in the Eagles gaining promotion to the top-tier via the play-offs. The winger made a total of 48 league and cup appearances for the south Londoners in his first season with the club.
Since Crystal Palace’s time back in the top-flight, the Eagles’ number seven has upped his game to an even higher standard. Despite failing to score last term, Bolasie played in 29 of Palace’s Premier League games in what turned out to be a very successful campaign that saw the London club finish the season in 11th place under the management of Tony Pulis.
After Pulis shockingly parted company with the Eagles in the summer, Neil Warnock took over a few games into the campaign. But that hasn’t hindered Bolasie’s fine form. He has started in all but one league game under Warnock – and scored what turned out to be the winner in the 3-2 victory over Everton at Goodison Park in September.
Bolasie has shown all season long just how important he is to Crystal Palace. His performance at White Hart Lane last Saturday proved that. He was superb throughout – showed some audacious bits of skill, and the Eagles would have felt hard done by leaving North London with just a point to show for their efforts.
Bolasie has very quickly turned himself into one of the Premier League’s most exciting wingers. He has incredibly fast feet, he’s extremely skilful and has recently added an end product to his game too. The 25-year-old has flourished in Crystal Palace’s first-team over the last few seasons, and would undoubtedly be an asset to any big club. Despite being eligible to play for France or England, Bolasie eventually chose to represent DR Congo – and went onto feature in their 2014 World Cup Qualifying campaign.
Bolasie’s fine performances would have no doubt put the Premier League top clubs on red alert – although Neil Warnock has recently gone on record to say that he wont be leaving Selhurst Park anytime soon. When asked in a recent interview with talkSPORT, the Palace boss said: “Oh no, he wont be going anywhere in January, no chance. He’s a great lad anyhow. The top clubs won’t know what he can or can’t do, how can they come in for him. I think he’s made to measure at Palace if I’m honest.”
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If I was Neil Warnock I would be doing everything in my power to try and persuade the Palace board to not sell their star man if indeed a substantial offer is made in January. After all, someone with the ability of Bolasie’s could end up being the difference between relegation and survival come the end of the season.
Norwich City have had an ‘undisclosed bid’ turned down by Celtic for their main man Gary Hooper.
The Canaries are keen to land the striker after their bid for Swansea City forward Danny Graham was also snubbed yesterday.
Celtic manager Neil Lennon is desperate to hold on to his star player this month and was left frustrated that the offer became public knowledge.
Hooper has 18 months remaining on his current deal but the SPL champions have offered the former Scunthorpe forward an extension that he is yet to sign.
Many have pinpointed Hooper as a surprise selection in Roy Hodgson’s England squads for upcoming friendlies this year after notching double figures so far this season and he helped Celtic progress to the knock out stages of the Champions League.
Lennon has admitted a bid was rejected and that he is hopeful a positive meeting with the player could resolve the contract issues.
“The bid has been rejected,” Lennon told BBC Sport.
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“We had discussions with his representatives this morning and we are waiting to hear back from them.”
Jurgen Klopp raised a few eyebrows by giving Dejan Lovren a start at Old Trafford but it is fair to say that the gamble backfired as the Croatian failed to repay his manager’s faith.
Romelu Lukaku made a point of targeting the former Southampton defender and it led to both Manchester United goals as the Red Devils raced into an unassailable two-goal lead, eventually winning the match 2-1.
The arrival of Virgil Van Dijk in the January transfer window got Reds fans excited about the partnership he could strike up with Joel Matip but it hasn’t quite materialised.
Klopp clearly didn’t trust the partnership to the extent that he wanted to subject it to the Old Trafford pressure but we’re asking you the question; should Matip be reintroduced for the visit of Watford to Anfield in Saturday’s late game.
The threat of Troy Deeney is a similarly physical one to the one posed by Lukaku and Lovren’s – valued at £15.3m by Transfermarkt – confidence is surely likely to be dented after Saturday’s defeat.
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Joel Campbell is adamant that he’s not looking to leave Arsenal in January and that he wants to stay and fight for his first-team future.
The pacey striker returned to north London over the summer after a loan stint at Olympiakos and was expected to be given playing time after his stunning displays for Costa Rica at the World Cup.
However the 22-year-old has managed just 53 minutes of action in the Premier League and Champions League, plus one start in the Capital One Cup – a game the Gunners lost.
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This has prompted speculation that the Central American ace is ready to leave the Emirates Stadium, which is further backed up by his agent’s angry reaction to a summer loan switch to Benfica being called off by Arsene Wenger.
Leicester, as well as a host of clubs from across Europe, are rumoured to be keen, but Campbell says that he’s not looking to move:
“What they have been saying is not true, I’m very calm. I have not been furious,” he is quoted by The Express.
“Obviously, yes, I would like to be playing, but that’s something that has to be earned day by day. I have to keep training and waiting for the opportunity, I know it’s a very competitive team.
“Arsenal is one of the best teams in the world where there are many important players. I have to be patient, keep training and I know my chance will arrive and I’ll have to take advantage of it when it comes.
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“[I’ve learned] a lot [from Arsene Wenger]. He is a coach who has many years in football and with Arsenal. I am learning from him and from my peers every day in training. I’m doing my best to be a better player every day.”
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has warned fans of the club not to expect all of their issues to be solved in January.
It’s widely believed that the Reds will be in the market for a number of players next month, with a striker and wide midfielder thought to be top targets to aid their Premier League campaign.
The Reds have been heavily linked with Daniel Sturridge in recent weeks and are also said to be closing in on a deal for Blackpool starlet Thomas Ince.
However, Rodgers has played down the significance of the winter window, hinting that the real work will be done next summer:
“All our problems were never going to be solved in this window because the January window is one of the least ¬productive, and the least ¬movement goes on there.” He is quoted by The Mirror.
“I see lots of names bandied about and, with all due respect, they’re names that are pie in the sky because there won’t be too many top players moving about in January, as clubs want top money.
“There is a bigger picture, for sure, and it goes back to ¬affordability. The reality is, for all the names bandied about, are they going to be ¬available?
“It will come down to two things: the availability and affordability of players, and in the January window you don’t get either.”
But, he did hint that money is in place to bring in some attacking reinforcements to ease the burden on Luis Suarez:
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“There is no doubt we will get reinforcements in and we will get the backing and support from the owners,
“We want to bring in goals and we want to bring in players who can assist in scoring goals.”
Birmingham City are looking to offload high-earning players and will listen to offers for Cheikh Ndoye, according to The Birmingham Mail.
What’s the story?
Having only been appointed in March, this summer will be Garry Monk’s first transfer window in charge of Birmingham and the former Swansea manager will be looking to rebuild his squad in the hope that the Blues can better their 19th place finish in the Championship last season.
In order to free up funds to bring in his own players, Monk has already moved on a number of players including Robert Tesche and Cheick Keita. He has also told goalkeepers David Stockdale and Tomasz Kuszczak that they can leave the club.
Ndoye joined Birmingham on a free transfer from French Ligue 1 side SCO Angers last summer and played 40 games for the club in all competitions last season.
Reed on loan?
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Birmingham will be hoping that having appeared, albeit briefly, in two games for Senegal at the World Cup, Ndoye’s asking price will have increased and they will be able to either sell the 32-year-old or loan him out.
Some of the money that this would free up on Monk’s wage budget could then be used to fund a loan deal for a player such as Southampton’s young central midfielder Harrison Reed.
The 23-year-old was on loan at Norwich last season so has experience of playing in the Championship. He featured in 39 league games for the Canaries, providing four assists and scoring one goal in a 2-0 win over QPR.
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Reed would certainly be a sensible loan-signing for the Blues as they look ahead to next season and he would surely be willing to move away from Southampton in search of another season of regular football.
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