As reported in this morning’s edition of the Daily Mail, Liverpool star Raheem Sterling has picked up the prestigious European Golden Boy award for 2014.

The individual accolade, first introduced  by Italian Newspaper Tuttosport back in 2003, is awarded each year to the continent’s most impressive player under the age of 21, with the decision process including a lengthy shortlist and a voting system involving 30 independent publications. Previous winners include Lionel Messi, Cesc Fabregas and Sergio Aguero.

The attacking midfielder earned the award for his vital role in Liverpool’s Premier League title bid last season and emergence at the heart of the England national team since the turn of the year, making him the first British winner since Wayne Rooney in 2004

Stelling told Liverpool’s official website this morning; ” It’s a great achievement to win such an award, It’s a really happy feeling for me and my family, of course.

“Something I’ve always wanted to do is to work hard playing football and try to be recognised. I’m really grateful that people have shown me this recognition.

“It’s down to hard work. I’m really happy that people are recognising that I’m trying to work hard and do my best for this football club. I’m really grateful for this award.

There’s always room for improvement. At this moment in time, I should have a few more goals, but I’ve not taken some of my chances. But I’m young and learning all the time.

“This award just shows that hard work gets you where you want to be, and that I’m on the right track for where I want to be in my career. Hopefully I can just keep working hard and try to take my game to the next level.”

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Liverpool take on Arsenal at Anfield tomorrow afternoon, with the 20 year-old expected to feature as an unorthodox centre-forward.

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After his goal-scoring exploits against a luckless Hull City side this weekend, Sammy Ameobi may have just found himself a permanent place within Newcastle United’s folklore.

The brother of former Tyneside ‘legend’ Shola Ameobi purposefully took the ball on the edge of the Tigers’ box, made use of the space given to him by Hull’s seemingly unconcerned defence, and sent a rocket of a shot straight into the back of Allan McGregor’s net.

It was simply a great goal that many thought the England U21 international previously wasn’t capable of. Newcastle United fans may well now look to Ameobi as the potential provider for similar feats in the future however.

Now that the 22-year-old attacker seemingly has the attention of the Premier League after his fine finish on the weekend, does Sammy Ameobi have what it takes to really solidify himself within this current Newcastle set-up, or will this fine goal already be the pinnacle of what could be no more than a flash-in-the-pan career?

Whilst the wide-man’s time with the Magpies has so far been pretty uneventful on the whole, as the brother of Tyneside favourite in Shola, a loyal striker who amassed over 300 appearances for Newcastle, Sammy has had that bit more time and flexibility to work with over his counterparts in a similar position.

The Newcastle no.28 has made it through the ranks at St. James’ as a completely different player to his older brother, however. Sammy may be of a similar height to Shola, but his lean build and quick feet make him a different prospect all together. Although the execution of his play has often left a lot to be desired, the latest Ameobi has built his game around daring flair and quick pace on the break. The exciting attacking midfielder loves to take on defenders, put his skills on show, and simply hope for the best.

As Shola Ameobi had several key flaws to his game however, it comes as no surprise that Sammy’s style isn’t short of a few problems either. Yes, the 22-year-old loves to challenge the opposition with all manner of skills, flicks and deft passes, but the ultimate result of Ameobi’s choices often involve giving possession away, missing an easy pass, or simply sending the ball out of play when it should have been kept on. Sammy is just as likely to skill himself up as he is to beat the opposition, and as such unreliability hardly has a place within any Premier League side, should Newcastle really see him as a long-term prospect?

Perhaps that remains in question for now, but after a few seasons of top-flight experience under young Sammy Ameobi’s belt, such problems may well be ironed out, leaving only skill and confidence in their place. Newcastle are a side who have unfortunately seen their better stars move on in recent years, so in order to maintain a degree of loyalty between the club and its players, perhaps the Ameobi legacy really should continue down at St. James’.

If more goals like his one against Hull are on the cards however, Sammy Ameobi might just become a deserving all-time cult figure with the Magpies for many seasons to come.

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From an outsiders point of view West Ham United appear to be having an extremely good season.

The Hammers sit 9th in the Premier League and in December fans were dreaming of the possibility of a Champions League or Europa League place next season. Even though they have now slipped to mid-table, they seem to have overachieved, so what on earth could be wrong?

Last week West Ham’s Vice Chairwoman, Karren Brady, was reported to have said she was unhappy with Hammers boss, Sam Allardyce saying that the club are under-achieving and if things did not improve he could be facing the sack.

Talking in her column for the Sun newspaper she wrote:

“Someone says in the press today that we flattered to deceive up to Christmas – but I 100 per cent disagree. The fact is that West Ham are underachieving and it is Sam Allardyce’s task to identify the reason and rectify it. He would wish it no other way.”

So is Brady right to be concerned about the slip in form or should she be happy with where they sit in the League?

The team started really well but they do not appear to be finishing well. The Hammers are on a dismal run of form which has seen them fall from European contention to mid-table in the space of two months. If the League table showed current form they would sit in 15th only 2 points above the relegation zone. Before beating struggling Sunderland 1-0 last weekend, the Hammers went eight games without a win.

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Things have been getting tougher for Allardyce as people involved in the club got frustrated that the high bar he set could not be maintained. They expected that bar to remain constant throughout the season but the standard has started to slip. Allardyce’s contract is up at the end of the season and he was obviously hoping for it to be extended but talks haven’t even begun towards a new deal.

West Ham have been growing from strength to strength since they were promoted in 2012. After finishing 13th last season, the club was hoping to carry on improving – and they have! This season has seen them beat Manchester City as part of a 100% unbeaten October record and they have achieved some great results playing attractive football. Sam Allardyce has really made his side work and while their form has slipped it is important to remember this is only their third season back in the Premier League.

What we see at West Ham is what we see most seasons in the Premier League: they have been found out. Other teams didn’t know how to play against them during the first half the season. West Ham could offer up a surprise. But now that teams know their style they can defend against it.

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I think Brady needs to remember where West Ham came from, and while it is important to dream and aim for the highest possible outcome, it is also important to be a little more grounded.

I think it would take a while to adjust if Sam Allardyce was no longer in charge. In the last few years he has made that job his own and what he is doing is clearly working. Every year they have gone one step better. Perfection takes time and they are getting closer every year.

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Well, there we go…. The summer’s biggest transfer saga looks to be over before the summer transfer window has even opened. Manchester United all but sealed the arrival of Memphis Depay yesterday, ending weeks of rumours and speculation surrounding one of Europe’s finest young talents.

As well as securing one of the most talented emerging players, United also beat bitter rivals Liverpool to the punch, with the Merseysiders having held talks with Depay and made him one of their major targets! It’s all looking rosy at Old Trafford then, and here are FIVE reasons fans in Manchester will fall in love with the 21-year-old. [interaction ]

He’s a pretty good footballer!

Depay🔥 pic.twitter.com/zY2DyoEAYV

— Steven Gerrard (@Gerrard8FanPage) April 29, 2015

21 Eredivisie goals and a champion’s medal, it’s been a good season for Depay. Those achievements don’t come without talent, which the 21-year-old has plenty of. As the above video shows, he has skill, pace and energy and is also capable of scoring from almost any distance.

Although performances don’t always translate from the Netherlands’ top flight to the Premier League, Depay looks to have a bit more about him than others such as Alfonso Alves and Mateja Kezman!

Passion!

Memphis Depay celebrating with a random fan after winning the Eredivisie title. Class! #MUFC pic.twitter.com/2EGcAEPdaJ

— Yakatak Football (@YakatakFootball) May 7, 2015

The above video shows Depay celebrating with a fan after PSV clinched the Eredivise title recently – ending Ajax’s four-year dominance of the division. The passion on the attacker’s face is there for all to see, which is sure to endear him to United fans, who appreciate desire and the willingness to give something back to the crowd almost as much as individual brilliance on the turf.

He’s already wound up Liverpool

Depay was joining Liverpool last week… well according to his Facebook account. Okay, the youngster’s profile only ‘liked’ a comment welcoming him to Anfield, but that brought a feeling of ecstasy among Kopites! Whether or not the act was genuine we’ll likely never know, but it certainly got hopes up on Merseyside, which were then cruelly dashed by Louis van Gaal.

Rejecting Liverpool is sure to have endeared him to the Old Trafford faithful already.

The ‘New Ronaldo’

https://vine.co/v/eaEZgHQAEKE/embed/simple

“He is one of the biggest talents in Europe. He has skill compared to a young Cristiano Ronaldo. He is very lively, technically unbelievable, very skilful, very fast, he has a great goalscoring record, he can shoot from every distance – he has everything.

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“For me, he is without doubt one of the best talents we have.â€

The words of Ronald de Boer – he certainly has some clout in the footballing world. As the Dutch legend says, Depay possesses excellent levels of pace and skill, while his finishing ability and powerful shot from distance are reminiscent of Cristiano Ronaldo, who was pretty popular at Old Trafford.

Should work well under Van Gaal

After working together at the World Cup, Depay and Van Gaal should hit the ground running. The United gaffer certainly knows the youngster’s game, which could be vital in ensuring he makes a quick impact, while his faith – he’s signing him, after all – in the starlet may be enough to ensure that the attacker goes all out to impress, even if the adjustment period is a tricky one.

It is not often that we hear of football players suing each other because of an accident, but it does happen sometimes.

It is difficult for players to prove that their accidents were caused by negligence or that injuries were intentionally caused, and without this proof, a club will not be able to win a case.

All players have a responsibility to behave in a safe manner and try to avoid injuring other players, but this rule is not always abided by. We have listed the top three cases where players have sued other players for injuries that have occurred during a match. Some have been successful and some have not…

1. Manchester City vs Manchester United

In April 2001, City’s Alf-Inge Haaland was carried off the pitch at Old Trafford after a tackle from Roy Keane playing for Manchester United.

In August 2002, City revealed that they were filing for a massive £5 million lawsuit, leaving fans and the media in uproar. Haaland’s right knee was trampled on by Keane during the match, although it was his left knee that had caused him problems leading up to the end of his career and eventually hindered him from being able to play football after the accident.

He retired in 2003 following numerous matches that he was unable to play for the full 90 minutes due to his knee injury.

This feud has now been going on for years – with Keane stating in his autobiography that he intended to injure Haaland during that football match.

It seems that Keane’s heartless statements regarding his intention and non-existent signs of remorse encouraged Haaland and Manchester City’s decision to sue the United player.

It was a nice try, but Haaland had been complaining about the injury in his left knee for a few months before the accident and eventually admitted that it had not in fact been caused by Keane.

Keane received a five game ban and a £150,000 fine after he published his autobiography that revealed he had tackled Haaland on purpose.

2. Manchester United vs Middlesborough

Ben Collett broke his leg when he was playing for Manchester United at the age of 18 and the injury ended his career as a professional footballer.

Gary Smith and his club, Middlesbrough, accepted liability of the injury when it went to court and Collett won a £4.3 million pay-out. During the tackle on Collett, his leg was broken in two places, causing him to lose a three-year professional contract with Manchester United.

It was because of this loss that he was awarded £4.3 million.

You can read more about this case here.

3. Nottingham Forest vs Cardiff City

Nottingham Forest’s striker Dexter Blackstock suffered a knee injury after a tackle from Cardiff City’s Seyi Olofinjana resulting in him being unable to play for over a year.

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It was during this match in 2010 that Blackstock claimed Olofinjana’s negligence towards the player.

Blackstock is currently trying to seek damages for not being able to earn bonuses and potentially having to end his career early.

The amount he is claiming is not known but exceeds £50,000 and he has been able to play since the accident, having transferred to Leeds.

Dexter was, however, unable to play for 15 months and is seeking damages for not being able to earn bonuses during this time. He returned to Forest in December 2013 and was ruled out of some of the season due to his knee injuries.

Everyone will agree that Everton have had a poor season, but while some chalk their particularly bad showing in the Premier League down to the distraction of competing in Europe, perhaps the answer is actually much, much simpler.

Maybe Roberto Martinez just isn’t that good of a manager? The Spaniard joined from Wigan in 2013 when David Moyes ended 11 years of loyalty to the Toffees after securing the Manchester United job. Martinez strangely received the Everton gig after failing to save Wigan from relegation. He admitted to their chairman Dave Whelan that he didn’t feel he was the right man to bring the side back into the Premier League and yet Everton were happy to trust him with their climb up the table. Is it any wonder now that they sit in 11th?

Following their 3-0 destruction of Manchester United, the Toffees have failed to use that momentum to improve their end to the season as they have now lost their last two matches. Games against West Ham and then Tottenham will see out a disappointing campaign where they have recorded 14 defeats, the majority of which have come on their travels.

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At the start of March Everton were preciously close to the drop zone with only six points between them and the dreaded drop zone. While they don’t have to worry about being drawn into that fight now, the fact that they were only three defeats away from the drop surely can’t sit well with supporters who were expecting Everton to be right in the mix for Europa League qualification.

But perhaps they have been put off of playing in Europe’s second competition, as supposedly their participation this season has negatively affected their domestic campaign. Funnily enough, teams like Tottenham, Liverpool and Chelsea didn’t find themselves struggling to stay up when they added the Thursday fixtures to their timetable.

Actually, Chelsea not only won the competition in 2013 but also finished third, three points off of second and with Champions League qualification secured for the following campaign.

Everton supporters need to accept that Martinez is not the right manager to guide their club into Europa League contention season after season, and will definitely not help them crack the top four any time soon.

The current holders of those coveted Champions League places have the money and experience to maintain their choke-hold on those positions and the teams just below them have more convincing squads than the Toffees.

Just in case last season’s fifth place finish wasn’t just a fluke, Martinez deserves one more season to prove he is capable of helping a team thrive and not just stay afloat. But if he fails then the club need to replace him.

Everton don’t want to chop and change their manager like some other clubs do but if they want to realise their aim of consistently climbing the table, then they need to accept that Martinez is probably not and has never been the man to make that happen.

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A change this summer might turn out to be the best choice to make before their best players completely lose faith in the club and flee like they should have done last summer.

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Will he go? Will he stay? David de Gea’s future is about as clear as mud right now, with the Spaniard’s situation altering on a daily basis. The latest suggestions are that Real Madrid are willing to wait it out and sign him for free next summer, but this could just be a scare tactic to force Manchester United into doing a late deal.

Typically, Real get their own way in the transfer market, so there’s every chance that De Gea will be plying is trade at the Bernabeu in just under a month’s time, so Louis van Gaal’s Red Devils need a contingency plan… and they appear to have one in the shape of Spurs’ Hugo Lloris.

Interestingly, United face Tottenham this weekend in the opening game of the Premier League season – albeit Lloris may be on the bench due to fitness concerns – which adds another interesting narrative to an already enthralling clash.

Is Lloris the perfect replacement? We at FFC Towers think so, and here are FIVE reasons why…

Prem experience

Manchester United cannot afford a sluggish opening few months to the campaign. A start akin to that of last term could see the title race fade away, with sides such as Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal all looking strong. Although goalkeepers are not the most vital of cogs, their importance is still significant, and in Lloris, United could land a replacement ready to slot straight into the action.

With three years of Premier League experience, the Frenchman is well-versed in the style of the English game, thus reducing the threat of the ‘adjustment period’. As United know all too well from De Gea’s first season, it can take time for foreign imports to transfer their form.

Proven quality

Building from the last point, Lloris is a proven stopper at the very highest level. Although Spurs have not finished in the top four during his spell at White Hart Lane, the classy stopper has been among the best goalies in English football, with his reflexes, reading of the game and all-round ability between the sticks impressive to say the least.

On top of this, Lloris is the captain of the French national side, illustrating his quality and skills as a leader.

Eager to move

Lloris has talked up his desire to play in the Champions League in the past, and with Spurs’ summer having been quiet on the transfer front, the Londoners look further away from doing so than they have entering campaigns over the course of the past few years. Although there are no suggestions that he desperate to move on, surely the chance to perform in top-level European competition could sway him before the window closes, and United appear on course to be able to offer him just that… so long as the can make it through a potentially tricky qualification play-off tie with Club Brugge.

‘Sweeper keeper’

The modern game demands more from goalkeepers. Gone are the days of a goalie of questionable athletic prowess, with stoppers now called upon to help with building attacks from the back and cutting off opposition threats early.

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Manuel Neuer is the high-profile example of the ‘sweeper keeper’ phenomenon, but Lloris is not dissimilar in his approach to the game. Such an approach comes with inherent risks, but the Frenchman’s speed across the turf and impressive technical skills make him a useful component in a more progressive system.

Spurs are a selling club…

Spurs fans may not be happy to hear this, but the Londoners are a selling club. Dimitar Berbatov, Luka Modric and Gareth Bale are three prime examples of the willingness to offload key players for profit, so the right offer for Lloris will surely be entertained by chairman Daniel Levy.

With United possessing spending power on a par with any club side on the planet, there’s every chance Van Gaal could pay whatever is needed for Lloris – especially if a sizable sum is received for De Gea.

The Sun reports that Arsene Wenger believes that Jack Wilshere has avoided the worst of his injury issues and he’s prepared to hand the 25-year-old a new contract.

Following an injury-free season on loan at Bournemouth last season, the English midfielder has successfully established his place in Wenger’s Arsenal squad this season, with the former Cherry amassing 16 first-team appearances for the North London team.

What’s the story?

Arsene Wenger is prepared to offer Jack Wilshere a contract extension having impressed with his performances this season. Even though Wilshere completed an entire season with Bournemouth, mostly devoid of injury, it is believed that Wenger is unimpressed with his performances and was prepared to sell the England international in the summer.

Nonetheless, the Arsenal academy graduate – valued at £13.5m by transfermarkt.com – has displayed great commitment and willingness this season that has ensured he has regained his place in the squad. Over the entirety of his career, Wilshere has missed more than three years of action, yet it is reported that the midfielder is keen to stay with the FA Cup winners.

He is facing a similar predicament to team-mates, Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil, whose contracts at Arsenal expire at the end of the season. From January the 1st Wilshere will be free to discuss terms with overseas clubs, yet Wenger is allegedly eager for him to extend his contract.

Should he stay, or should he go?

The 25-year-old is currently experiencing a period of his career that isn’t blighted by injury, and thus he should look to capitalise on the opportunities he’s been given at Arsenal. If he opts to depart the Gunners, it is unlikely that he’ll be able to sign for a club of similar pedigree.

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To prolong his progression, he should stay at Arsenal.

It’s hard to pick out any individuals from Liverpool’s stunning victory over Manchester City on Sunday, such was the nature of the performance from Jurgen Klopp’s side. Although individual quality was a factor, especially when it came to finishing chances, the manner in which the Reds pressed, harried and broke forward as a cohesive unit was the defining element behind them becoming the first side to beat City in the Premier League this season.

Accordingly, choosing a Man of the Match is a rather difficult task. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was at his robust and offensive best in midfield, Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah netted superb strikes, Roberto Firmino was his ever-industrious self between them and Andrew Robertson gave much-maligned former Red Raheem Sterling a torrid afternoon from left-back.

So, Liverpool fans, who do you see as the crucial influences behind that huge win? Here’s the perfect chance to have your say by giving each Reds player a rating out of ten for their performance vs City…

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Delve into West Brom’s history and there is a lot to love and a lot to admire. A roll call of alumni ranging from Jeff Astle to the incomparable Laurie Cunningham evoke a warm smile while the more seasoned supporter will recall Vic Buckingham’s magnificent, free-flowing side that illuminated the nineteen-fifties. Then there was that yellow and green kit. You know the one, the one that rightfully still makes grown men swoon decades on.

Now though, what are they? Who have they become? After finally shedding their yo-yo status and enjoying seven consecutive years in the most lucrative league on the planet what adventures have they delighted in? What model of entertaining excellence have they aspired towards?

Well, they exist; that’s one thing we can definitely say about them. They exist and they breathe and they show up each weekend on the dot dulling whatever passes for the Premier League’s soul that little bit more with every fulfilled fixture.

Aside from that I’m done bar the occasional splendidly taken goal thrice a season and that 5-5 draw with Manchester United a few years back. In comparison to the swashbuckling sides of their past they are Fun Bobby from Friends and where once they were the party now they only deign to poop it.

Year after year the TV bonanza continues to pour in and their top flight credentials grow ever stronger yet there is scant evidence of the Baggies loosening their firm grip on caution, a strategy that amounts to safety first, second, third and so on with little consideration to contributing anything meaningful beyond survival.

The campaign that saw them promoted in 2010 also brought Blackpool up and though the Tangerines plummeted thereafter they could be said to have made more positive impact on the Premier League in that one rollercoaster season than West Brom have in seven. If you believe that to be a deeply flawed correlation, in effect counter-intuitive praise for Albion’s pragmatism given that the Seasiders are now residing in the third tier while Alan Pardew’s men have gone to-to-toe with Arsenal and Manchester United in recent weeks, then consider too other clubs who have hauled themselves into the elite in that time period.

There was Swansea six years ago, Southampton and West Ham five years ago, Crystal Palace four, Leicester three, Bournemouth two and Burnley in 2016. If I was writing about their stints in the highest echelon within a much shorter time-frame – how they have developed and progressed and took flight with ambitious verve – then even discounting the Foxes’ incredible title triumph I would be spoilt for choice, picking out exciting individual talent and memorable moments.

With West Brom nothing comes to mind unless I Google, and that would be cheating. Nothing but banal mental images of James McClean and Chris Brunt mouth-breathing like Sunday League cloggers and an endless sequence of set pieces.

Seven years is an eternity in top class football yet in that whole time West Brom’s brand has never deviated from being muscular and industrious and this perhaps isn’t very surprising when it’s factored in that former chairman Jeremy Peace loves nothing more than to employ stolid fare in the dug-out. From Roy Hodgson to Steve Clark, from Alan Irvine to Tony Pulis it is a litany of uninspiring choices that lays down a template for competency and little more. And now there is Alan Pardew, which is just perfect.

Imagine being in a pub with all of them. They’d probably line up at the bar in a 4-4-2 formation, each ordering the craft ale and paying just for their own, before indulging in a twenty minute conversation about spark plugs.

Presently rooted to the bottom of the table it’s starting to look ominous for the Baggies this term. Relegation looms and should they indeed ensure the drop will there be any regret at eking out their tenure in the Premier League without ever daring to explore what might have been possible had they rolled the dice?

Probably not, after all this is a club who have had fifteen attempts at domestic cup competitions since becoming one of the ‘big boys’ – each an opportunity to discard the suffocating pressure of league commitments and chase a dream – and with the exception of a singular quarter final appearance all have resulted in early exits, usually as a result of fielding severely weakened line-ups.

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Whoever is in charge this is a club happy to get by, do enough, and all the while take up a spot in the top flight rota over a club who might have admirable ambitions to expand and enthral.

In their third most successful era, West Brom have only succeeded in devaluing their past becoming the team that deflates enthusiasm when they’re scheduled for Super Sundays or paired with your club. They’re the ad break in the greatest show on earth.

There’s no accompanying pleasure in saying this, but perhaps it’s time that West Brom boinged again.