No matter what allegiance, when a footballer suffers a career-threatening injury, there is nothing but sympathy.
In January, Everton midfielder James McCarthy broke his leg in two places during a challenge with West Bromwich Albion striker Salomon Rondon.
The timeline of recovery is a lengthy one in these cases, and all the 27-year-old will be hoping is that he regains form when he eventually returns to competitive action.
McCarthy is no stranger to injuries having struggled with hamstring problems before, and this season he has only made six appearances in all competitions.
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Everton have had a difficult season with plenty of inconsistency, and at the moment the fans are losing faith with manager Sam Allardyce.
There was some positivity at the weekend, though, as the Merseyside outfit ended a run of two straight defeats by overcoming Brighton at Goodison Park.
Another boost for the club was provided by McCarthy when he took to social media to provide an update on his injury.
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In a post on Instagram, the Republic of Ireland international claimed that he is taking steps towards returning to fitness.
Newcastle United didn’t have any English Premier League action to contend with at the weekend but have had the opportunity to go on a four-day training camp to Spain.
On the final day they faced Belgian side Royal Antwerp in friendly action, drawing 1-1 in a match that was split into three 45 minute periods.
For Rafa Benitez it’s all about preparing his side for the final stretch of the league season, with the Magpies still not completely safe from relegation back down into the Championship.
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However, the friendly was also a chance to have a look at some youngsters in a first team setting and one teenager that caught supporters’ eyes was Victor Fernandez.
The 19-year-old winger played in the last 45 minute segment of the match and impressed with some skills and ball control, leaving fans excited about his future potential at St James’ Park.
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Toni Kroos has been linked with a move away from Real Madrid in recent months and Manchester United are one of the interested parties.
Jose Mourinho reportedly faces a battle with old adversary Pep Guardiola in the race to sign the 28-year-old midfielder, who is valued at £72m by Transfermarkt.
If the German did make the move to Old Trafford, it would be likely that he would slot into a 4-3-3 formation alongside Nemanja Matic and Paul Pogba, adding the balance between midfield and attack that has been lacking under Mourinho.
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Yet, after another dominant performance as Madrid swept aside last season’s finalists Juventus 3-0 in the first leg of their quarter-final clash last night, it was clear that he could well put Pogba in the shade if he made the move to Old Trafford.
Under the most intense of pressure, he had 107 touches – the most of any Madrid player – and ran the game from the deep playmaker role. Pogba is yet to do similar in a United shirt, and there is no doubt that is what he has been brought in to do.
That included 98 passes, with 96 per cent pass accuracy as he yet again proved his ability to dominate proceedings in the most refined company.
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Two key passes and four tackles shows that he is making an impact at both ends as well; he is not just a playmaker who doesn’t impact play.
Even at 28, he is the real deal and he should show Pogba that he is on the next level to him if he arrived at Old Trafford.
At the start of the season, not many would have predicted that Liverpool would be the only English club left standing in the Champions League.
As it turns out, Jurgen Klopp’s side are the only Premier League outfit that have made it into the semi-finals of the elite competition.
The Merseyside outfit executed a 5-1 aggregate victory over Manchester City, with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino getting on the scoresheet, while man of the moment Mohamed Salah netted twice.
The quarter-finals threw up some surprises as Barcelona relinquished a 4-1 lead and were knocked out by Roma.
Unsurprisingly, Liverpool fans took the opportunity to make fun of Philippe Coutinho, who left the Reds to join Barca in January.
On Wednesday night, Real Madrid were given a scare as Juventus drew level on aggregate 3-3 at the Bernabeu, but a late penalty by Cristiano Ronaldo ensured that Los Blancos progressed.
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The Reds could face either Madrid, Roma or Bayern Munich in the semi-finals, and former England Under-21 manager Stuart Pearce believes that Liverpool have the edge.
During Sky Sports’ The Debate, Pearce said:
“I think out of the quarter-finals they looked like the most impressive team heading into the semi-finals. I personally would put them in near enough as favourites from what I’ve seen over the last couple of nights in regards to the opposition they are up against.”
Leeds have announced voting is now open for their player of the year, and let’s just say fans aren’t all that happy about it.
After a torrid run of form, Leeds’ season has gone from pushing for a playoff place to just waiting for the season to end.
Paul Heckingbottom’s side have won just twice since the ex-Barnsley man took over, and fans aren’t happy with the player of the year nominations.
Pablo Hernandez seems the obvious winner. The Spaniard is averaging the most chances created per 90 minutes in the league, and has nine goals and eight assists in all competitions.
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Samuel Saiz and Ezgjan Alioski are also up for the award, both of which can be wonderful one weekend and non-existent the next.
Kemar Roofe is the final player nominated. He enjoyed some great form before his injury, and leads the team with ten Championship goals.
Fans are also annoyed at the inclusion of Toby Nye in the nominations, as they feel the young hero should have his own award.
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Toby is a five year-old Leeds fanatic who is battling stage four neuroblastoma, and fans feel the club is using the courageous young lad as PR.
Whether it’s bashing the club or bashing the players, fans are not impressed by the player of the year nominations, and some of the best Twitter reactions can be found below…
The transfer rumour mill will be in full swing in a matter of months when clubs up and down the country will be free to buy new players.
Tottenham Hotspur may have plenty to sort out due to the ongoing uncertainty over the futures of Toby Alderweireld and Mousa Dembele.
With regards to incomings, The Independent reports that manager Mauricio Pochettino will be handed £120m to spend on new players this summer.
According to TeamTalk a report in Portuguese publication A Bola has claimed that Spurs have moved ahead of Liverpool in the race for Benfica winger Andrija Zivkovic.
The report states that the North London club are prepared to meet the £52m asking price for the 21-year-old, who was watched closely by scouts from Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United during last weekend’s match against Porto.
This season, the attacking midfielder has started 13 league matches, as well as three in the Champions League.
Zivkovic, who can play in all positions across the midfield as well as in an advanced role on the right side of attack, has contributed with three goals and four assists in all competitions.
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Tottenham fans have had their say on the latest transfer rumour.
Comment from discussion Tottenham move ahead of Liverpool for £52m Serbian winger Andrija Zivkovic.Comment from discussion Tottenham move ahead of Liverpool for £52m Serbian winger Andrija Zivkovic.Comment from discussion Tottenham move ahead of Liverpool for £52m Serbian winger Andrija Zivkovic.Comment from discussion Tottenham move ahead of Liverpool for £52m Serbian winger Andrija Zivkovic.Comment from discussion Tottenham move ahead of Liverpool for £52m Serbian winger Andrija Zivkovic.Comment from discussion Tottenham move ahead of Liverpool for £52m Serbian winger Andrija Zivkovic.Comment from discussion Tottenham move ahead of Liverpool for £52m Serbian winger Andrija Zivkovic.
Manchester United are considering a loan deal for Victor Lindelof in the summer transfer window after a difficult debut season in English football, as per the Sun.
However tempted Jose Mourinho might be to send him to develop away from Old Trafford, he should keep him around the club as that would be beneficial for both the club and player.
What’s the story, then?
The report states that Mourinho is a big fan of the man who is valued at £22.5m by Transfermarkt but has doubts about his ability to contribute in the short term after a shaky debut season.
It goes on to say that there would be no shortage of suitors at home and abroad for the Swedish international, who looks to be behind Chris Smalling and Phil Jones in the Old Trafford pecking order at present.
The fact it is reportedly a loan deal Mourinho is interested in and not a sale may encourage Lindelof that he has a future at Old Trafford, but he will likely want to contribute more next season.
Mourinho should keep him at the club
One reason why United move the ball so slowly is their defenders’ lack of competence on the ball and Lindelof is probably their best option at centre-half in that regard.
He is a man Mourinho clearly has immense faith in and you can’t say that about Jones, Smalling or even Marcos Rojo; surely the Portuguese’s plan is for a long-term pairing of Lindelof and Eric Bailly, his two defensive recruits from his Old Trafford reign.
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A major factor in Lindelof’s development is getting used to the more hostile and high-tempo environment of English football and the best place for him to learn is at United. Mourinho needs to keep him around.
It’s hardly a surprise to see Manchester United presently being linked with the crème de la crème of European talent, from its most coveted starlets to the household names of Gareth Bale and Antoine Griezmann.
With the 2017/18 season all but done, of course a club with such a vast fanbase is being paired up with an array of exciting names because for the media and transfer rumour industry it boils down to simple math in that A + B = C. The ‘C’ stands for ‘clicks by the gazillion’.
Just don’t believe that any of it will happen, not in the real world, because it won’t.
Lazio’s Sergei Milinkovic-Savic is not heading to Old Trafford this summer even for a fee way over his estimation. Gareth Bale meanwhile will do everything in his power to remain in Madrid but if the expected overhaul at the Bernabeu has him firmly placed in the out-tray he will explore every other alternative before committing to joining the 13-times Premier League champions.
Why? Because the institution that used to be any player’s dream destination is now on a downward trajectory and in charge is a busted flush.
We can stereotype footballers all we like for their avarice but when it comes to committing three or four years of a short career to a new employer money – in most instances, not all – becomes a secondary concern. Whether you are already an elite talent or en route to becoming one frankly it makes little difference if you join United, Real Madrid or even a club residing a tier below in terms of global status because if your agent is happy with his slice and your wages exceed a ballpark expectation then £190,000 a week compared to £175,000 a week is, to an extent, neither here nor there.
What matters more, in that rarefied stratosphere of top clubs competing to pay an individual the biggest fortune is which of those clubs additionally offers the best chance of winning trophies. Is it remotely plausible that United can secure a Premier League title next term, with their neighbours set to dominate English football for the foreseeable future and Liverpool putting together an exhilarating package to challenge that domination?
Is a Champions League medal a realistic proposition should you put pen to paper at Carrington and claim that you owned a United top as a child? Or is it more likely that you would have to settle for an FA Cup every two or three years? The latter is hardly an insignificant reward, for sure, but in comparison to what is possible elsewhere it swiftly pales to a consolation prize.
Qualification via the Europa League provides the excitement of a cup run, the opportunity for fans to travel to follow each passing stage, where belief and anxiety grow in equal measure.
The world’s most sought-after players don’t settle for consolation prizes.
Next up the managers are assessed. If you’re the next Paul Pogba it would naturally greatly concern you what Jose Mourinho has done with thr real Paul Pogba. That could be you: a king without a kingdom. Similarly if you’re a free-spirited attacking dervish it would be remiss if you didn’t factor in what Mourinho has reduced Anthony Martial to and then compare that to Leroy Sane’s explosion of potential down the road under Pep Guardiola. If you’re a highly regarded full-back meanwhile it doesn’t require a huge flight of fancy to put yourself in Luke Shaw’s boots and recoil at the mere hypothesis.
The latter example can be extended to almost any player that United are eying up this summer. Mourinho’s habit of throwing his boys under metaphorical buses to avoid personal criticism or blame is unsavoury on its own terms but can equally be considered immensely damaging to his club’s transfer aspirations in the forthcoming window.
With some of the world’s most thrilling guiding lights available would you choose to work for a boss who is poisoned to the marrow? Who only looks after number one? Who traditionally implodes in his third season in situ? Elsewhere a number of other coaches genuinely excite.
Lastly we come to the playing style of a perspective buyer. Should you stay at that club for three seasons that is upwards of 150 games barring injury. Why would purposely choose to commit yourself to 13,500 minutes of being shackled to a stolid, negating mandate? Why would you opt for becoming a pawn in a never-ending chess game rather than being better taught in how best to express yourself?
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The reluctance of football’s leading talents to join United is already very evident and conversely the most prominent example ended up there. It was never part of Alexis Sanchez’s masterplan to actually sign for the red half of Manchester. His intention – his dream – was to reunite with Guardiola and United was simply dragged into proceedings as a bargaining tool.
It was a scheme that spectacularly backfired when City refused to play along and pulled out of the race and desperate to leave the Emirates the Chilean had no other option but to sacrifice professional happiness for a burgeoned bank balance. In doing so he became a mercenary.
In the post-Ferguson flailing of a once mighty club United have had to resort on several occasions to over-spending in order to attract the highest standard of players. This summer it’s entirely conceivable that this recent dream destination for the world’s elite will reach phase two of their prolonged downgrading. A phase where not even the lure of lucre will suffice.
It seems that the wait to discover who Arsenal’s new manager will be is almost over after Unai Emery basically confirmed it himself on his official website.
However, the Spaniard had clearly jumped the gun as the page now displays an ‘error’ message when clicked on.
Emery spent the last two years at Paris Saint-Germain, but was sacked earlier this month due to the club’s failings in the Champions League.
In his relatively short spell at Parc des Princes, the 46-year-old guided the team to five trophies, including the Ligue 1 title.
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Prior to that, Emery was in charge of Sevilla for three years, in which he helped the team win the Europa League crown each season.
According to The Telegraph, Arsenal have informed Emery that he can bring in four members of his own backroom team.
The publication states that Juan Carlos Carcedo is expected to join him as assistant manager, while a goalkeeping coach will also be added to the staff.
Arsenal fans, in particular, are excited about the idea of a new goalkeeping coach as many have been disappointed in Petr Cech’s performances between the sticks this season.
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Some, though, are not too thrilled about the new addition due to the form of PSG goalkeepers Kevin Trapp and Alphonse Areola.
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You wanted attacking football? Well, you’re going to get attacking football.
West Ham’s defence – which conceded ten goals in its first three Premier League games this season – will hardly be helped by the arrival of all-out-attack’s Manuel Pellegrini, but that’s far from the point: at this stage, Hammers fans really just want to *feel* something. They’ll certainly feel it with the former Manchester City manager who loves a risk in attack. With a bit of luck, the whole Premier League will, too.
There are some within the game whose eyebrows will rise at the prospect of that. A team who have been in a relegation battle for much of the year should be sorting out its defence before worrying about the attack, you can imagine them arguing. In many cases they’d be right, but at the London Stadium a bit of joy might go a long way.
Pellegrini’s teams provide that.
He’s not like a Kevin Keegan figure, a coach famed for attacking at the expense of his defence. But what he does have is a very clear idea about how football ought to be played – with the ball at your feet and bounding flat-out towards the other team’s goal.
That sort of attacking mindset will – hopefully – lead to a happier atmosphere around the London Stadium. The creation of a team with a positive, attacking identity may go some way to healing some of the wounds opened up by the move to the new ground.
The bigger question might be whether or not West Ham are simply attempting to attract a big name in order to paper over the cracks. That might be a more accurate charge and we’ve seen that it doesn’t always work: we’re living in an era of super clubs, and that’s brought with it a collection of super managers. Pellegrini – whose recent jobs include Manchester City and Real Madrid – is one of those men. But the Hammers aren’t currently one of those clubs.
The key, then, is what success looks like for the Chilean.
Given the top six dominance over the league, a spot in the Champions League looks well out of reach. Indeed at least two members of the top six will miss out. And that probably leaves seventh place as the glass ceiling. That is likely to bring with it a Europa League qualifying spot, though only if the domestic cup competitions are won by top six clubs, too. West Ham don’t have the best memories of those qualifying rounds.
Pellegrini, however, has a track record at managing at that level.
His biggest success is arguably with the Villarreal side of the mid-2000s. Taking over at a small club from well outside the footballing hotbeds of Spain, he brought them to a Champions League semi-final where they lost to Arsenal in 2006 and turned them into one of the most recognisable names in European football.
More recently, at Malaga, he negotiated some choppy waters with an erratic board and a dysfunctional squad to create a side who came within seconds of making a Champions League semi-final.
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There’s no doubt that this is an exciting appointment for West Ham, and indeed for football lovers throughout the league. The question marks will be around his suitability for the role of a club who, just a few weeks ago, looked like they could easily have been relegated if they lost at home to Southampton.
This might be an appointment to stimulate a fanbase starved of entertainment since they first arrived at the London Stadium, but if the Hammers board have taken a risk appointing Pellegrini, his attacking style and his track record with ambitious, overachieving clubs make him the safest choice they could possibly have made.