All posts by h79snht.top

Arsene Wenger finally got it right—with Theo Walcott at least. That’s not to say he hasn’t been doing good by the player, but Walcott was never cut out to be a winger.

What’s the promise and hope? Well that’s one more player who isn’t struggling to squeeze into a position that isn’t ideal for him. Yes, Walcott has looked great at times in the past, most notably last season with Robin van Persie to aim for in the penalty area. But the inconsistency of the player is attributed to playing out of position.

Where’s the other hope? For now, it’s just another player that keeps the ineffective Gervinho away from striking duties for the team. When the manager pays a reported £12 million for Olivier Giroud, a top scorer in France last season, there has to be a few questions raised as to why Gervinho is played out of position and ahead of more obvious members of the squad.

But it’s been like this for years under Wenger, all over the pitch there were players in unnatural positions. Maximum points weren’t coming in and fans would look to the market to fix the problems. There have even been suggestions that the manager places far more importance in the development of his players than the results of the team. Sometimes it goes hand in hand, but there’s no reason for Wenger to sacrifice the short-term stability of the club just to prove a point. Not even he is that stubborn.

[post_link url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/football-news/the-runners-and-riders-to-replace-arsene-wenger,https://www.footballfancast.com/premiership/arsenal/being-stabbed-in-the-back-at-arsenal,https://www.footballfancast.com/premiership/arsenal/arsenal-fans-must-accept-that-the-cycle-wont-last-forever” target=”_blank” type=”tower”]

But he can be that frustrating. The Aaron Ramsey on the wing project isn’t working. The player, like Walcott, doesn’t have the makeup to be effective from the wide positions. It could be in an attempt to prepare him for the demands of the central position. The protection from the flanks is a logical tool in aiding in Ramsey’s development, but it does cost the team come the final whistle.

Once again you have to ask whether Wenger is being forced to make do with what he has, thus requiring the need to use ’square pegs in round holes.’ Despite recent revelations (albeit a very subtle one), we’ll never know.

Wenger’s desire to experiment has had mixed results in the past, however. Early decisions to play Robert Pires, Alex Hleb and Tomas Rosicky on the flanks and seemingly out of position might have appeared baffling, but each of those players became successes to varying degrees from the wide positions.

The other end of the scale has seen disappointments such as Andrey Arshavin, who initially started his Arsenal career extremely brightly. The Russian was an example to Wenger that forcing another dimension out of a player won’t always bring the same response as it has done in the past.

Would Arshavin’s career have turned out as it had if he were regularly played in his correct central position? The same can be said for a number of other players, many of whom have played a role in Arsenal’s poor performances on the pitch and subsequently found themselves on the fringes or out the door.

It’s a need from Wenger to see players moving around the pitch, rotating positions and seeing goals from more than just one or two individuals. But using players in unfamiliar positions can also have a negative effect of their confidence and development. One mistake is overanalysed and sooner than later the player goes into meltdown. It’s not to say that Aaron Ramsey’s performances, for example, are totally due to the frustrations from the fans, but it can’t be a good thing either.

Wenger has always tried to identify certain traits in players and put forward an experiment by which he can successfully turn them into something the team needs. It’s regularly been the case, most notably with shocking results such as Emmanuel Eboue appearing on the right-wing for the majority of a season.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

But the manager seems motivated by past achievements such as Thierry Henry and Kolo Toure, remaining confident that he can continue to pull off the incredible almost every season. The key factor is that many players are not the quality of Henry.

[youtube 5fOqsx2HQqM]

Despite handing in a transfer request this weekend, West Brom striker Peter Odemwingie will not be sold this month according to The Sun.

The Nigerian forward has been the subject of a January bid from Queens Park Rangers but the Baggies are in no need to sell one of their key players to a Premier League rival.

The Midlands club have rejected the strikers written transfer request and are not backing down that his long term future is at the Hawthorns.

QPR are set to return with an improved £3million bid for the 31-year-old who has hit double figures for goals in his previous two seasons in England and is on course to do so again this time out.

Odemwingie and West Brom may now become entangled in a messy stand-off over the deal that will not benefit either party, so a solution may have to be found before Thursday’s transfer deadline.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

[cat_link cat=”west-bromwich-albion” type=”grid”]

Arsenal face an uphill battle to qualify for the Champions League for the 17th successive season this term under manager Arsene Wenger and if they do fail, it could come to represent not only a hammer blow to the man at the helm from a personal perspective, but a potential tipping point that sees them finally drop out of the league’s elite in a similar fashion to the way Liverpool have over the past few years.

It has to be said that Liverpool’s fall from grace was largely down to financial mismanagement and in Rafa Benitez’s final season, where the side finished 7th in the league in 2009-10, the club came worryingly close to declaring bankruptcy under the corrupt ‘leadership’ of Tom Hicks and George Gillett, which saw the side move from title challengers to a top eight side in just one dramatic season and Arsenal’s slide away from the pinnacle has been an altogether more gradual and some would say, more painful affair because it’s been dragged out over a number of disappointing seasons.

Of course, that is not to say that great amounts haven’t been spent in the pursuit of restoring them to the top four over the past few years, but the quality of player brought in to replace the likes of Xabi Alonso, Javier Mascherano and Fernando Torres has never been the same and while the situation has been somewhat foisted upon them, they are not without blame themselves for their under-performance on the pitch and the subsequent failures of both Kenny Dalglish and Roy Hodgson in charge.

There are plenty of parallels to be found between the two clubs; Arsene Wenger has also seen his biggest and best names leave year on year ranging from Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri to Robin van Persie, robbing them of the precise quality they need to truly challenge not only for trophies but to maintain their current status. The established four of Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool were once referred to as the ‘Sky Four’ due to their domination of television coverage and how comfortably they saw off challengers, but only the first two clubs now remain, with Manchester City’s millions helping them crash the party and a consistent Tottenham side finally pulling their finger out and stepping away from a penchant for internal implosions of a season-defining kind.

Replacing departing players has proved to be a real problem for Wenger in recent years and his record in the transfer market has been filled to the brim with panic buys and people of insufficient quality. It’s simply been a penny-pinching exercise at times in the pursuit of Financial Fair Play (FFP), but this has seen them become less and less competitive, further highlighted by the fact that they’ve taken just one point from a team in the top three in the league this season. A gap has opened and it’s quickly turning into a chasm due to the squad’s failing confidence.

This is a situation completely of Wenger’s own making. He has had money to spend but has largely chosen not to and to operate within net spend means. Arsenal are currently one of the most financially sound clubs in Europe but it’s come at a price to their chances of success. Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has always been keenly aware of the need to strengthen from a position of strength and sometimes players cost a lot of money, but like Liverpool were forced to for years under Benitez, Arsenal have operated the majority of their deals around the bargain bucket range of the £8-12m value market and you really get what you pay for in the long run.

Under Brendan Rodgers, Liverpool slowly but surely look as if they are making progress, but is has been slow at times and every step forward has inevitably been met with a shock result and two steps back. It’s been that sort of season for the club, which was to be expected of a side in transition, but they require stability above all else and patience. On the flip side, Arsenal fans have been hugely patient with Wenger and they are a club that is the very model of stability behind the scenes, and they present a united front even when supporters groups are clamouring for change and a more representative board. Nevertheless, it has been eight years since the club’s last trophy under Wenger now and the naysayers for the first time during his tenure look in the majority rather than the minority now.

There is talk of the Frenchman being handed a £70m transfer kitty to spend in the summer, but given his recent record, there are no guarantees that he will even spend it wisely. There are plenty of noticeable flaws and gaps within the squad that need addressing and to make them a side truly capable of challenging the Manchester duopoly again, they would need an even bigger budget than that, because they are that far adrift in terms of the sort of mentality and quality needed to sustain a squad capable of competing on multiple fronts over the course of a whole campaign.

The one major downfall that Wenger has made in the last few years has been the amount of trust he has placed in his players who have then only served to let him down, whether it be in terms of their poor performances out on the pitch or the fact that they’ve negotiated moves away to rival clubs in the pursuit of silverware. To an extent, you have to feel slightly sorry for him as he cuts an increasingly agitated figure on the sidelines, but from the club’s failed experiment with their playing style, which they look completely incapable of adapting away from, to their flawed transfer policy, everything comes from Wenger and should they finally fall out of the top four this term, the blame must rest squarely on his shoulders.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

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 simply didn’t have to be this way and as much as Liverpool’s fall from grace was unexpectedly quick, set against the backdrop of the financial problems at the club, it was inevitable, whereas Arsenal are mainly suffering from self-inflicted wounds and a remarkable degree of stubbornness that their approach is the right one at senior levels.

The state the club find themselves in now, four points adrift of Tottenham and with no silverware hopes as early as February, was avoidable and having crashed out of the FA Cup and all but sealed the same fate with a disappointing 3-1 home defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League. A repeat of the run that clinched them third in the league last season looks a long way off and as Liverpool have shown in recent seasons, finding your way back to the top is easier said than done and a path best avoided at all costs.

[youtube 4w5H7nIaStE&list=UUKu98HLF5fkdLOlns9VE96w&index=2]

Tottenham winger Aaron Lennon has quickly become part of a rare breed of performing wide-men in the top flight this season, but is the decline in effectiveness part of a wider European tactical trend that’s gripping the English game or simply a consequence of the poor individual form of plenty of the bigger names in the league this year?

The 25-year-old has been a key component of Andre Villas-Boas’ counter-attacking style at White Hart Lane this season and he’s absolutely integral to the overall balance of the side, just as he was under Harry Redknapp, with Gareth Bale increasingly given more freedom and license to roam inside in that role just behind the lone striker. Without Lennon in the team now, they can often be found lacking any sort of threatening shape in the final third.

You only have to look at who Lennon’s replacements have been out wide when he’s been missing through injury this season to notice the decline in status and esteem with which the the position is currently held in across the top flight – Moussa Dembele, Lewis Holtby and Gylfi Sigurdsson – all very good midfielders in their own right when played in their natural, more central position, but they can best be filed under the ‘can do a job’ bracket. As much as this exposes the relatively fragile and thin nature of Tottenham’s squad and their need for more strength in depth, it also points to the fact that a lack of width is becoming common practice more and more in the Premier League.

Glancing at the assist table for the league this year tells you everything you need to know about how game is are approached these days, with most sides carrying the majority of their threat through the middle as opposed to out wide – Juan Mata leads the way with 10, Steven Gerrard is on nine, with Lukas Podolski, Wayne Rooney, Santi Cazorla, Eden Hazard, Robin van Persie and David Silva all completing the top ten. Only Theo Walcott (who has spent a lot of time up front this season ) and Damien Duff could be said to be wingers in some degree, at least in the more traditional sense, out of all those players listed.

Sure, Podolski lines up out wide, while Hazard, Silva and Cazorla all drift into positions on the flank during a game, but they don’t hug the touchline, often choosing to move inside in search of the ball. Lennon takes his place with six assists in joint-12th place on the assists table, behind Jobi McAnuff and level with Jean Beausejour and it seems as if out-and-out wide midfielders are now confined to the lower mid-table teams now.

Part of this is the way formations have changed in England over the past few years; Sunderland’s recent struggles under Martin O’Neill just go to show that playing with either a traditional 4-4-2 or any other variant of that where you rely predominantly on width is a recipe for disaster in the long run, even if Adam Johnson and James McClean have hugely underperformed this term to compound that tactical error even further.

[cat_link cat=”premiership” type=”list”]

The in-vogue system of the moment is 4-2-3-1, with Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United and Arsenal all found using it at various points this season, while Manchester City often prefer a narrow 4-2-2-2 formation. This places a heavy emphasis on the team’s threat coming from the middle of the pitch, with the success of the smaller-framed playmakers like Silva, Mata and Cazorla this term a direct result of them finding those pockets of space between the opposition’s midfield and back four in a central position. It’s a hybrid role between the old-fashioned no.10 role, of which Juan Roman Riquelme was perhaps the last link between the modern game and the past and the function a winger may have performed 10 years ago. They are quick, technical players that look for space inside a team rather than going on the outside and when used correctly, the can often prove the difference.

The reason for this is that wingers are more often than not used to draw teams out and stretch them, whether that be on the break or when the opposition has men behind the ball; this  then allows more room inside to operate and pick a pass in behind the back four, which will always have a higher success rate, particularly given the quality of the players mentioned above, than a hopeful cross into the box ever will.

All across the top flight, wingers are enduring difficult seasons from a personal perspective – Antonio Valencia, Nani, Ashley Young, Johnson, Matt Jarvis, Matthew Etherington, Walcott (since he signed a new contract in January at least), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Hatem Ben Arfa, Scott Sinclair and Charles N’Zogbia all serve as prime examples as those that have struggled through a mixture of indifferent form, a lack of first-team opportunities or issues with their fitness.

The bright sparks have been few and far between – Nathan Dyer, Wayne Routledge, Pablo Hernandez, Victor Moses (occasionally), Shaun Maloney, Jason Puncheon and Ashkan Dejagah – while plenty of players we’ve been accustomed to seeing play out wide in years gone by have reinvented themselves as central players, often in a four-man midfield such as James Morrison, Chris Brunt, Leon Osman, while Routledge has done well off the lone striker for Swansea this season.

Of course, as Brendan Rodgers has shown at Liverpool, the craze at the moment is to play with inverted wingers, with people like Stewart Downing often seen drifting inside onto their stronger foot from the opposite flank, an approach which Norwich, Swansea, Southampton and Wigan have all utilised for the most part, leaving their full-backs to bomb on forwards ahead of them instead. Those teams that rely mainly on their wingers to provide width such as Newcastle, Sunderland, QPR, Reading, West Ham and Stoke have all found a consistent and steady stream of goals and chances hard to come by and that’s not a coincidence by any stretch. It’s increasingly looking like they’re simply regarded as an out-dated and limited option in the modern game; teams are much narrower now than they were even two, three years ago.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Lennon represents a shining example for others to follow, though, and he provides hope that they still have a part to play and that they can still be relevant. When the balance is struck (and he remains one of the best in the business at tracking back well), they can still provide a useful outlet, just so long as they’re not the only outlet. If traditional wing-play is going to survive this latest tactical shift in the game, they’re going to have to adapt in order to survive and start to contribute just as much off the ball as they do on it, with a more fluid continental approach becoming the sought-after norm.

This means becoming more adaptable to different formations and more versatile when keeping new roles and styles of play in mind. Raw pace alone is a precious commodity, just as it has always been, but it has to be used in the right and most effective way for it to be considered dangerous and this is where the Tottenham man stands out among his peers, in what has represented a disappointing season across the board for the winger’s fraternity.

[opinion-widget op width=”full”]

With the Premier League season coming to an end, clubs like Manchester United, Manchester City or Liverpool can start focusing in planning the next season while the likes of Arsenal, Tottenham or Chelsea fight until the end to achieve their goals. It’s time for scouting in search of young talents to build exciting squads and engage the fans with new faces to bring more glory to the club, in some cases, or recover the lost one, in others.

I will turn my eyes to sunny Spain in order to find five of the finest under-23 players of La Liga, in the hope that the likes of Mata, Michu or Cazorla are not the last ones that changed the flip-flops for the umbrella.

Alvaro Vadillo

The latest starlet from the Real Betis youth academy. This precocious winger made his first appearance with the first team at the age of 16 in 2011, although a clash against Sergio Ramos in his Santiago Bernabeu debut weeks later ruled him out for six months with a ligament injury. A year and a half later, Betis boss Pepe Mel has given him a permanent spot in the senior squad, a move Vadillo is justifying by showing a great form on his return to La Liga.

Quick, skilful and with ability to perform in both wings, Vadillo called the attention of clubs like Barcelona and Manchester United before his injuries, reason why Betis chiefs urged to raise his buy-out clause from £2.5 million to £17 million last January before he made his reappearance. Definitely a player to watch, and the club could be willing to negotiate his transfer for a lower fee.

Geoffrey Kondogbia

Without a doubt, one of the most desired midfielders in Europe, as Wenger recently pointed out by saying “everyone is after him at the moment”. Sevilla signed this strong holding midfielder last season from Lens for a £3.3 million fee, and could be ready to sell him this summer, as his price tag has raised to £17 million after impressing in La Liga with a fine display of tactical skills and stamina. However, the investment group that owns half of the players’ rights could be interested in keeping the player at Sevilla at least one more season to continue his development.

Kondogbia has called the attention of Real Madrid, Arsenal, Chelsea or Manchester City, among others, and although the player himself has expressed signing for Los Blancos would be a dream come true, Sevilla chief Jose Maria del Nido has always been reluctant to strengthen Real or Barcelona with his young stars, circumstance top Premier League clubs could take advantage of.

Ruben Pardo

This young midfielder is considered in San Sebastian as Xabi Alonso’s successor. Growing at Real Sociedad’s youth academy with the Real Madrid ace as a reference, the 21 year-old gained notoriety in Spain after commanding the Under 17’s midfield in the 2011 European Championship success, where he played a key role in Julen Lopetegui’s squad.

Slowly gaining a spot in Philippe Montanier’s starting XI at Real Sociedad, Pardo has featured in 24 games this season and the Txuri Urdin club has rushed to seal a £25 million buy-out clause to ensure negotiation before seeing the starlet go. In his first season as a regular first-squad player, Pardo is improving the numbers of his idol Alonso in some of the areas the veteran player has been mastering for over a decade – such as passing accuracy (82.3% for Pardo against Alonso’s 82.2%) or long pass accuracy (70.2% against 67%).

Ander Herrera

A key player in Marcelo Bielsa’s line up – he has started the 25 games he has featured in this season – Herrera has been a crucial piece in Athletic Bilbao’s attack during the last two seasons. Normally acting as an attacking midfielder, the 23 year-old has in his dribbling skills and ability to combine with other team-mates his main assets, as he is not precisely a scoring prone player. Despite being an offensive player, Herrera also helps in the defensive duties, as his 6.6 ball interceptions per game testify.

Although his buy-out clause is simply unreachable – £33 million – this tends to be a habit at Athletic, as their policy of playing with only Basque-origin players reduce notably their chances of signing new talents. Nevertheless, his price tag would be substantially lower. Herrera is also a regular for La Rojita, the Spanish Under 21 team, and senior coach Vicente del Bosque has pondered a call for the first team in previous occasions.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Antoine Griezmann

One of the main players responsible of the outstanding season Real Sociedad are completing in La Liga, Griezmann has formed a devastating duo of wingers with former Arsenal player Carlos Vela. Fast-paced, extremely creative and with a powerful left foot, this talented Frenchman counts 8 goals and 3 assists on his league tally.

Griezmann has publicly admitted his desire of Champions League football, and should Malaga or Valencia end up taking Real Sociedad’s current fourth place, a summer exit could be a predictable ending to his excellent season. Both Arsenal and Tottenham have been reportedly linked to the French winger.

[cat_link cat=”premiership” type=”grid”]

QPR boss Harry Redknapp says Joey Barton is enjoying his loan spell with Marseille and thinks the midfielder wants to stay in France.

Barton is on a season-long deal with the French side and he has admitted he would be keen to sort out a permanent switch if a transfer can be agreed in the summer.

Redknapp has watched the controversial star in Ligue 1 and has been impressed with his performances. The R’s boss thinks the former Manchester City and Newcastle man is happy in France and, even though he would be happy to see him return, it looks unlikely.

“Joey has done well, he’s been excellent at Marseille. He’s had a great season for them,” said Redknapp.

“He’s been good. I’ve seen Marseille play this year and he’s done ever so well for them. If you saw where Joey lived in Marseille, I think it would be very difficult to get him back.

“You watch Marseille and see the mountains in the background and you drive through the town and see all the boats. Joey has a nice lifestyle there. I’d be surprised really if he wanted to come back.”

Despite his well-publicised disciplinary problems, Redknapp would welcome Barton back into the fold if a permanent move does not materialise over the close-season.

He added: “I’m not saying I don’t want Joey back. He belongs to the club. If he has to come back, he has to come back.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

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 it doesn’t work out then he has to come back, he’ll be a good player here. He can play, he’s a good footballer. If there’s no deal there, he’ll come back.”

[cat_link cat=”queens-park-rangers” type=”grid”]

At 22, is there much time for Aaron Ramsey to become the creative midfield dynamo that he promised to be back in 2008 when he made the switch from Cardiff to Arsenal? Of course there is. Was the whole world aware of Andrea Pirlo’s abilities as the creative hub of an undefeated title-winning side at 22? Probably not, and the same can be said for Xavi, who, despite being hugely important for Barcelona in the early part of the last decade, really came to prominence as the best midfielder in Spain’s history in his late twenties.

However, Ramsey doesn’t quite have time on his side at this stage of his career to slowly rebuild that aspect of his game following that injury in 2010. Even following a very, very good end to last season, the Welshman hasn’t won over all his doubters. For every flash of brilliance, some are eager to see a stray pass or a lapse in concentration just so it can be said that the player is still no good.

But Ramsey, and with plenty of credit to Arsene Wenger, has reinvented himself as an industrious midfielder in the midfield two. Where he was once talked up as one of the possible heirs to Cesc Fabregas’ throne – and he offered plenty of evidence early on that he could do it – the player he is now post-injury just doesn’t possess the quickness of thought or the consistency to be a creative centrepiece in a top team like Arsenal.

[cat_link cat=”arsenal” type=”list”]

Yet there have been monumental strides forward, even since the turn of the year. Midway through last season it was suggested that Ramsey should go out on loan again, largely because he needed a run in a team, but importantly to get away from the vitriol – as harsh as it sounds, it’s true – of the Emirates.

Now, however, the Welshman could be staking a claim as a regular and even important member of the starting XI. Let’s not completely remove ourselves from the idea that Ramsey can offer creative flashes here and there, because he can. How much of a benefit to Arsenal’s game is it to have an extra player in the midfield who has the mind of a creator, even though he may not have it in his body to execute the decisive passes with precision every time?

Ramsey is as dogged as anyone in the Premier League – and English football should be lapping it up. On his day, he can be that absolutely perfect combination of rugged toughness associated with the Premier League and the ingenuity of those on the continent. Despite it only being a pre-season friendly against a vastly inferior opposition, Ramsey was fantastic against the Indonesia Dream Team. The flicks, tricks and party skills are all memorable, but the fact that Ramsey had the confidence to pull it off is hugely encouraging.

But then that’s the fortune of him being only 22: there is still so much more to come from him in the future, and this should be the season where we see it begin the fall into place.

The problem with the 2011-12 campaign is that too much responsibility was placed in his hands too quickly. He was often played just behind Robin van Persie in Fabregas’ old role and given instruction to pull the strings for the rest of the team. The fact that he failed on the whole to do so is an indictment of the poor decision to offer such responsibility to a player who had just recovered from a career-threatening injury. He only recorded five assists in that campaign.

More so, last season saw Ramsey deployed in unfamiliar roles, often playing on the flanks and offering very little other than industry.

Going into this season, the fortune is that there is so little emphasis placed on Ramsey that he can fly under the radar and quietly continue his development. The focus is on a new central midfielder, possibly two. Everyone understands the need for a new striker, while some discussion is also being had about how to accommodate both Santi Cazorla and Jack Wilshere.

For Ramsey, it’s a case of continuing where he left off last season, putting forward his best abilities but in a role that suits him. Alongside Mikel Arteta, he’s continued to develop his awareness and defensive responsibility, as well as offering an outlet for Arsenal’s attacking game.

Ramsey was made a scapegoat in the past, though much of it was probably frustration at the club’s overall position at having lost its best players and offering little in the way of genuine encouragement for the future, rather than the player’s own ability. It made his continued path to recovery all the more troublesome, meaning there was no room for error.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Provided Wenger stays true to Ramsey’s current abilities, this coming season promises to be the player’s real awakening from the troubling past. A redefining of his character on the pitch and the makings of a truly world-class defensive midfielder.

Is there much more to come from Aaron Ramsey next season?

Join the debate below

[opinion-widget op width=”full”]

Roberto Soldado’s expected move to Tottenham is not done yet, after the striker refused to comment on his future, reports the Metro. 

The 28-year-old’s prospective move to White Hart Lane had looked all but done and dusted, but the official announcement is yet to be made, despite Soldado being replaced as Valencia captain by Ricardo Costa.

But despite the loss of the armband and widespread reports suggesting a £25million fee has been agreed with the North London club, Soldado has remained tight lipped over his future.

‘I do not know what is going on at the moment,’ he said. ‘At the moment, I cannot say anything.

‘We will wait to see what happens. When the right time comes, I will speak, as I always have done.’

Soldado has emerged as Andre Villas-Boas’ top summer target as the clubs hunt for a world class striker continues.

The club missed out on another Spanish forward in the form of David Villa earlier in the summer, who opted to join Atletico Madrid despite the deal being thought to be virtually done and dusted.

Tottenham will be desperate to ensure something similar does not happen with Soldado, with supporters being left frustrated at the clubs failure to sign a striker in the past two transfer windows.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

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 club are still confident however of having Soldado in their squad for their opening day fixture against Crystal Palace on August 18th.

[cat_link cat=”tottenham” type=”grid”]

There are many players in the Premier League proving age is just a number. Brad Friedel, at 42, has set records for his age. He is currently keeper for Tottenham Hotspur. He was been honoured with the U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year award. He is still one of the top ‘keepers in the league. Ryan Giggs, aged 39, is the most decorated player in English football history. He also holds the club record for competitive appearances. He is the only remaining player in the Premier League who played in the old First Division.

So, age is clearly no barrier and Nest Pensions have just launched a new competition for anyone who is over 60 and still likes to have a good time on the pitch or on the dance floor. The competition is part of their Still Got It Campaign and the lucky few can win an all-expenses paid day out with the stars.

To enter the competition click here

Five football fans could win:

The chance to meet living legends Joe Royle, Jimmy Case, Mike Summerbee, Howard Kendall and Ron ‘Chopper’ Harris at an all-expenses-paid trip on 4 December 2013 to the National Museum of Football for you and your nominee.

Joe Royle was recruited by his home team of Everton at the age of 16. For five seasons, he was one of Everton’s top scorers. In the Championship-winning side of 1969–70, Royle scored 23 goals. He then went on to lead Manchester City to win the League Cup in 1976. He also played with Bristol City, Norwich City, and the England national team. He was forced into early retirement at the age of 33 due to a knee injury. He was voted into Norwich City’s Hall of Fame by his supporters. Royle carried on his career as a manager for Oldham Athletic, Everton, Manchester City, and Ipswich Town.

Jimmy Case is known as a player with one of the hardest shots in the game. At the end of his first full season, he helped Liverpool to victory in the League and the UEFA Cup. He helped lead Liverpool to win their first European Cup. Case won the League and the European Cup twice more with Liverpool and also added a League Cup winners’ medal in 1981. He then went on to play for Southampton and was voted Saints player of the year for 1989-90. In December 1990, he was selected to represent the Football League against the Irish League. He later temporarily managed Brighton and non- league Bashley.

Mike Summerbee made his league debut playing for Swindon Town in 1959 at the age of 16. He later was picked up by Manchester City and started in every single match his first season. He was the only player for Manchester City to do so that season. Summerbee was one of the most influential players for Manchester City side which won four trophies in three seasons from 1968–70. Summerbee, also known as “Buzzer”, was known for his fiery temperament. After more than 400 appearances for Manchester City, he moved to Burnley, then Blackpool and Stockport County. Within a five year period, Summerbee played eight times for England including the 1970 World Cup. Summerbee is now the Club Ambassador for Manchester City.

Howard Kendall is most famous for his connection to Everton, a club that he both played for and managed. He played in the 1964 FA Cup Final for Preston North End against West Ham United. At the time, he was the youngest player to appear in a Wembley the final. Kendall joined Everton and moved into midfield with Alan Ball and Colin Harvey, the trio gaining the nickname “The Holy Trinity”. He moved to Birmingham City then Stoke City where he was appointed a player-coach. There, he was awarded as the inaugural player of the year. Kendall was player-manager at Blackburn Rovers and returned to play for Everton before he retired in 1981. He continued his career with Everton as a manager.

Ron “Chopper” Harris is regarded as one of the toughest players of his era. He played for Chelsea in the 1960s and 1970s. He now plays football regularly with the “Fat Dads” where his toughness and furious tackling continues.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

–

Winners can test their skills against the stars, hold the FA Cup and will be presented with their own #Stillgotit trophy by their footballing heroes. Finish off with a three-course meal in the museum’s private dining suite and an overnight stay in Manchester. Twenty runners up could also win £30 shopping vouchers and a #Stillgotit trophy.

Alongside Peter Lawell’s announcement that Celtic yesterday recorded their best-ever interim financial results, the bullish assertion that the club could also spend £8m on a single player this summer will prove a tantalising conversation piece for fans over the next few months.Lawell’s stipulation that a prospective £8m outlay needs to represent value to the club is par for the course and will spark up speculation surrounding a few of the more attractive targets linked with Celtic recently.“We would not buy a 29-year-old at £8m on a four year contract at £40,000 a week because that is dead money,â€said Lawell.“If there is value in signing an £8m player we will look at it.“The money is there to be reinvested in the squad.â€With the above in mind, Cenk Tosun would certainly have fitted the bill, had the 22-year old not been snapped up by Besiktas just a couple of days ago. However, there are multiple targets Neil Lennon will continue to keep tabs on in the forthcoming months. Here are top three candidates so far…Steven FletcherA short game of cat and mouse between Celtic and Sunderland hinted at Fletcher moving back above the border though this was quashed by Gus Poyet’s understandably inflated price for his top scorer, who commanded a £12m fee not so long ago. The availability of the forward will be largely dependent upon the Black Cats’ Premier League status, though with Fletcher in and out of the side, it would be surprising if an approach from Celtic wouldn’t turn his head. In terms of what he’d offer the club, Fletcher would seem the ideal acquisition: dangerous in the air, predatory around the box and armed with in-depth experience of Scottish football.
Alfred FinnbogasonIt was widely reported during the January transfer window that Celtic might be priced out of a move for the Icelandic striker. Not anymore. Heerenveen’s front man has been banging them in in the Eredivisie this term, with 22 goals in 20 games in all competitions. Such form has attracted a host of Premier League suitors, though the Hoops will certainly have the financial clout to compete in a crowded marketplace now and their long-standing interest will definitely appeal to a player who is keen to escape Holland as soon as possible.
Aron JohannssonU.S. striker Johannsson was another one looked at by Lennon on a recent scouting mission to the Netherlands. The 24-year old has caught the eye with a series of athletic displays at AZ Alkmaar and it’s likely that his value has increased beyond the £5m being touted last summer. With the man himself teasing in a potential move to Glasgow on Twitter just before Christmas, it’s obvious that playing at Celtic Park is on his radar.