Manchester City are right in the hunt for a successive Premier League crown, with some big fixtures coming up which could determine which way the title falls come May.
Pep Guardiola is desperate to make it two on the spin at the Etihad, while the Champions League also remains a priority for the Spaniard.
However, despite lots of on field issues to worry about and concern themselves with, City also face a big challenge off the field in the coming seasons as they will eventually have to look to replace influential midfielder David Silva.
The 33-year-old cannot simply on forever at the level he is at, and while he will go down as a Premier League great and one of the best City have ever seen, replacing that sort of talent brings a massive headache.
Silva oozes class, class that a lot of the time money can’t buy. Looking back, he is an absolute steal in terms of what he cost City, and he truly has gone on to become the best Spanish player we have seen on these shores during the Premier League era.
But who do City go out and get to replace such a player?
It’s a huge question, and one at the moment that we here in the Tavern don’t think there is a direct answer too as yet.
Of course, there is talent out there, but Silva is treated like a god at the Etihad, and the pressure of filling the boots of the little Spaniard is something which any potential replacement is going to have to carry on their back for a short time at least.
One journalist believes a key member of the Leeds United squad could come under fire if things do not change quickly for him.
Joe Urquhart, who works for The Yorkshire Evening Post, has revealed that Luke Ayling appears to be struggling to cope with the demands that Marcelo Bielsa has in place on the Inside Elland Road Podcast (20:17).
The journalist stated that the 27-year-old had trouble getting into the flow of the game against Norwich City last weekend and had to take an extra couple of touches on the ball that would have displeased the Argentine boss.
Although he expects Ayling to play against Middlesbrough on Saturday, Urquhart did suggest that it would not be a surprise to see him dropped if he did not improve.
“Saturday’s game was the most evident it’s been that Ayling was struggling to get into the flow of what Bielsa is demanding from him,” he said.
“Every time he got the ball, he had a couple of extra touches. He seemed to slow everything down and that helped Norwich get back in numbers.
“I don’t see him dropping Ayling this weekend, but there is definitely something going on there. If he continues this form, there is certainly a discussion to be had.”
The Verdict:
Ayling has had a difficult season so far as he had to miss a large portion of it through injury, however, he has been a mainstay in the team when fit.
The right-back was playing some of his best football prior to that knee injury, but it appears to have taken its toll on the 27-year-old who has not looked as solid as everyone knows he can be.
With Bielsa not one to hold back from making the changes necessary, if things do not improve for Ayling performance wise, it would not be a surprise to see him out of the team for a little while.
According to reliable club insider ExWHUemployee on Episode 125 of ‘The West Ham Way’ podcast, West Ham United are reportedly considering a shock move to mutually agree to terminate Jack Wilshere’s contract just one year into his three-year deal.
The Irons brought the 27-year-old to the London Stadium on a free during the summer transfer window following his release by Arsenal, but he has only made five Premier League appearances for them thus far – with the last of those coming in December – because of persistent ankle issues.
Now ExWHUemployee says that the Hammers’ hierarchy are thinking about cutting their losses on the England international already, considering he has spent much of the campaign on the sidelines – something that has been the story of his career in recent years.
West Ham supporters have taken to social media to give their thoughts on the report and Wilshere’s potential departure, and while one said it’s “not nice to see this”, another said “this was always going to happen”.
Here is just a selection of the Twitter reaction…
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The arrival of Steve Bruce had an instant impact after officially taking the reins at Sheffield Wednesday as his side recorded a 1-0 win over Ipswich Town on Saturday afternoon.
It was a dream start for the 58-year-old after the weeks of anticipation which preceded his arrival. A typical, solid and Bruce-esque defensive performance provided the foundations for victory, but the entirety of the fanbase are not fully convinced by loyal servant Liam Palmer.
Indeed, the club’s official Twitter account paid tribute to the 27-year-old on Tuesday now that he has surpassed 200 appearances for the club.
Some of his admirers eulogised over his commitment to the cause and the quality of his performances in recent weeks, but not everybody shared that enthusiasm.
Palmer’s contract is due to expire this summer and Bruce will have plenty to think about due to the size of his squad, with a handful of supporters urging him to offload the academy product rather than offer him a new deal.
Considering his relative popularity amongst large sections of the supporters and the fact he has spent his entire career at Hillsborough, it would take a strong call from the boss to release him in the summer.
Here’s what a handful of Wednesday fans have had to say about Palmer’s future:
To describe Leeds United as a side in a rut might appear a touch unfair on the surface, but in the context of their excellent season so far they are certainly struggling for form.
When Leeds walked away from Elland Road on Boxing Day in a state of euphoria after scoring another incredible late winner against Blackburn Rovers – their second in the space of just three days – promotion appeared inevitable.
But that win was to be the last of their seven-match winning streak and results have been far from favourable ever since. Four defeats from seven fixtures – Leeds’ worst run of the season by some distance – have allowed Norwich City to go above them on goal difference.
An incredibly tricky looking trip to the Riverside Stadium to face Middlesbrough on Saturday lunchtime beckons for the Whites, and another defeat in that fixture will certainly trigger a few panic buttons amongst the supporters.
Bielsa’s task this weekend is to steady the ship and make a fresh statement to their promotion rivals by clinching a positive result in the north east. So how can Bielsa get his side back to top form as quickly as possible? Football FanCast outline our suggested solutions below…
Bring back Kalvin Phillips at the base of midfield
Bielsa has once again confirmed his starting XI for Saturday’s game but revealed he still has a choice to make between Kalvin Phillips and Adam Forshaw due to fitness concerns. But really, this one should be a no-brainer.
The midfield pairing of Forshaw and Mateusz Kilch was exposed by Norwich last weekend more times than Bielsa would care to remember. Every time Leeds surrendered possession it looked like the midfield would be bypassed with ease, such was the extent of the glaring lack of protection in front of the back four.
Phillips was a revelation in the anchor role during the early stages of the season, but injuries to a handful of central defenders have forced him to play a prominent role in the back four of late. That trend simply has to end against Boro if Leeds want to keep things tight and give themselves the best possible chance of returning to winning ways.
Use youth players from bench
When a side has positive momentum and results are coming naturally it is much easier for inexperienced players to look the part. Jack Clarke has been the best of the youthful bunch this season but, barring a scintillating showing against Derby County in January, his best performances have come from the bench.
Tyler Roberts had a decent game against Norwich last time out and showed some nice touches, but a player of his limited experience might be more valuable from the substitutes bench when legs are tired and Leeds are in need of some fresh impetus.
This is not to suggest that Bielsa should no longer start youth players. It does suggest, however, that Leeds need experience and solidity against a well-organised Boro side this weekend, so urging on the side of caution with a more proven line-up should be Bielsa’s strategy.
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Trust in the philosophy
Pontus Jansson gave the ball away prior to Norwich’s opener last weekend and, in a desperate dash to rectify his mistake, needlessly gave away the free-kick which Mario Vranic dispatched.
Moments later Jansson could be seen showing ice-cool composure, continuing to play out from the back and stepping forward with the ball at his feet at every available opportunity, leaving hearts in mouths with every sure-footed step.
There is an element of risk to Jansson’s style but it’s direct correlation with Bielsa’s philosophy cannot be separated. Now the going is getting tough it’s vital that Leeds players remember why they are in the promising situation they find themselves and continue, like Jansson did against Norwich, to champion the style of football which has worked for so much of the season.
It’s never been more important for the players to embrace the philosophy Bielsa has installed at the club and the extent of their willingness to trust in his methods will ultimately shape the final months of the season.
كشفت تقارير صحفية، موقف نادي ليفربول من التعاقد مع صفقة هجومية جديدة، خلال نافذة الانتقالات الصيفية الجارية، بعد ضم دييجو جوتا.
ليفربول كان أعلن السبت الماضي التعاقد مع النجم البرتغالي قادمًا من ولفرهامبتون مقابل 45 مليون يورو.
وارتبط ليفربول بإمكانية التعاقد مع الدولي السنغالي اسماعيلا سار من واتفورد، في ظل إعجاب يورجن كلوب بقدراته.
اقرأ أيضًا.. أدريان: ألكانتارا لاعب عالمي وسيتكيف سريعًا مع ليفربول
وذكرت شبكة “سبورتس مول” البريطانية، نقلًا عن “ذا أثليتيك”، أن ليفربول لا ينوي إنفاق أي أموال إضافية هذا الصيف.
وأوضح التقرير أن ليفربول لن يتحرك لحسم الصفقة رغم تقليل واتفورد لمطالبه المادية، حيث كان يريد النادي الذي هبط لدوري الدرجة الأولى الإنجليزي 45 مليون باوند، ووافق على بيعه مقابل 36 مليون جنيه إسترليني، ولكن الريدز قرر التراجع عن الصفقة.
وأشارت الشبكة إلى أن ليفربول قد يحاول التعاقد مع مدافع جديد، قبل نهاية سوق الانتقالات في 5 أكتوبر القادم.
يُذكر أنّ سار ظهر بشكل جيد مع واتفورد، حيث شارك في 30 مباراة سجّل خلالها ستة أهداف وصنع مثلها.
Tottenham Hotspur continue to be linked with a move for Adrien Rabiot, the PSG midfielder.
The Daily Star reported on Saturday evening that Spurs are still interested in the France international after being linked with the player throughout the January transfer window.
Spurs failed to make a signing at the turn of the year, having also refused to add to their squad in the summer.
However, the aforementioned report claims that Mauricio Pochettino’s side attempted to secure a £20million deal for Rabiot in January.
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A family bereavement saw the deal put on hold, however, and Spurs are now said to be worried about the prospect of the 23-year-old being poached by another interested party.
Indeed, the Daily Star claim that both Liverpool and Barcelona are also taking a keen interest in Rabiot’s situation.
And Tottenham fans are readying themselves for disappointment, with many insisting that it is unlikely Rabiot will end up in north London.
The Merseyside derby on Sunday was a disappointment – certainly from a neutral perspective – yet again. The recent goalless draw at Goodison Park between Everton and Liverpool was not the dramatic, titanic, tense clash we were promised (by the media build-up, at least). But, then again, that’s hardly surprising, as the Merseyside derby very rarely lives up to its own billing.
When considering the big derbies in English football, the Merseyside rivalry is up there with the first that spring to mind, along with Manchester, north London, Steel City, Tyne-Wear and Birmingham. However, where Liverpool and Everton’s showdown invariably differs from the others in that list is that it consistently fails to actually deliver the excitement and thrills that it should.
The reason for this is primarily Everton, and their lack of ambition. The Toffees haven’t beaten the Reds – in any stadium, in any competition – since October 2010. To really get a sense of how long ago that triumph was, remember that the goals came courtesy of Tim Cahill and Mikel Arteta. In the fixture, there have been four 0-0 draws since then, and three 1-1 stalemates.
By contrast, in the north London derby since 2010, there hasn’t been a single 0-0 draw. There have only been three draws in total in the Manchester derby in the same nine-year time period.
Of course, just because a game ends in a draw doesn’t mean it must have lacked excitement or drama. To judge the nature of these fixtures on the basis of final scores alone is reductive. The frequency of draws between Everton and Liverpool, it could be argued, simply suggests the two clubs are closely matched. But to say that would be to miss the point.
Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur have been closely matched in recent years. The reason they rarely draw is because, for both sides, a draw simply isn’t good enough. Winning is everything in these games. It’s all or nothing. The same goes for when Manchester United meet their City counterparts. Or when Newcastle take on Sunderland, or the Blades face the Owls. However, this is not the case when the Merseyside clubs meet – and that’s a huge shame.
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In their history, Liverpool have claimed eighteen top flight English domestic titles, as well as seven FA Cups and a record eight League Cups. Everton have triumphed in the league nine times and have been crowned FA Cup winners on five occasions. When these two local rivals meet it should be a clash of giants. Instead, all too regularly, we are served up a damp squib, as both clubs would simply prefer not to lose rather, rather than seek to win at all costs.
Everton, especially, are guilty of being delighted to merely draw. In fact, they celebrate it. Imagine Spurs celebrating a draw with the Gunners. Or Aston Villa cheering a stalemate at St Andrew’s. Of course, in the most recent case, there was an element of Everton fans celebrating the fact they’d dented the Reds’ title bid. But it’s March, and there’s only one point in it at the top, so they’ve hardly prised the trophy from their hands on the final day, have they?
It’s a shame that the Merseyside derby isn’t what it should be. It’s one of the recurring disappointments of the Premier League and effectively it comes down to a lack of bottle – they’d both rather not lose than risk it all trying to win.
Loads of Liverpool fans have been reacting to the latest transfer rumour, as reports claim they have made Barcelona outcast Malcom a “priority signing” this summer.
According to Le10Sport, via TeamTalk, Liverpool are “ready to make an approach” for Malcom, who has struggled massively since swapping Bordeaux for Barcelona last summer.
The 21 year-old has made just seven La Liga appearances and is yet to find his first goal in the Spanish top flight, though he did score in the Champions League against Inter Milan.
According to the report, Jurgen Klopp has identified the youngster as a priority signing this summer.
Malcom moved to Catalonia in a €41m (about £36m) switch last summer, after netting 23 goals and adding 16 assists in 96 Bordeaux appearances.
The Reds already have perhaps the most dangerous front three in world football, but they will need more depth this summer as first team players like Daniel Sturridge and Divock Origi are expected to leave the club.
You can find some of the best Twitter reactions down below…
Sheffield Wednesday seem to have a spring in their step since the start of February and it’s thanks to Steve Bruce that things are looking up.
They’re unbeaten in six since he’s taken charge, winning half, and they now sit 12th just six points away from the promotion places. Bruce has had a tough time with the passing of his mother and father in quick succession last season before he was sacked as Aston Villa boss, but after a spell on holiday, he’s clearly reignited his passion for the game and the Wednesday players’ too but the looks of it.
The Englishman was booked for leaving his technical area in his side’s impressive 2-0 over Brentford on Tuesday, but he brushed it off, saying: “This is the reason why I came back and off my holidays. It is what gets the juices flowing” (quotes sourced from The Star). It’s this enthusiasm which must have rubbed off on his side since his appointment.
The Owls’ city rivals Sheffield United are riding high in second place in the Championship so the pressure is on for them to up their game and bring some excitement back to Hillsborough. Their next game’s at home against United on March 4, and it’s come at just the right time for Steve Bruce and his men.
The Steel City derby will be vital in keeping spirits high in the dressing room and in the stands, but the game won’t define their season. It’s very clear things are looking up in their performances, not just in their results, so Bruce’s new-found enthusiasm must continue to get Wednesday back in contention for promotion.
Do you see Steve Bruce’s Sheffield Wednesday causing an upset in the Steel City derby?