HERE ARE THE good, the bad, and the unlikely football moves being talked about today…
Manchester City may have missed out on Alexis Sanchez, but it looks like they will be adding Brazilian international Fred (not that one) to their ranks.
The 24-year-old defensive midfielder, who will reportedly cost around £50 million, impressed while playing against City in the Champions League this season, and Pep Guardiola sees him as a long-term replacement to compatriot Fernandinho — another player who joined from the Ukrainian champions back in 2013.
Yesterday, reports in Italy claimed Inter Milan are after Liverpool’s out-of-favour centre forward Daniel Sturridge — initially on loan with the option to buy. Now it seems the Nerazzurri could be offloading Italian international Eder to Crystal Palace in order to make way. The Eagles are in talks with the Serie A club about bringing him to England.
Javier Hernandez has not enjoyed the best of times at West Ham since arriving from Bayer Leverkusen last summer. The Mexican striker has five goals in 18 league appearances but could be shipped off to Turkey this month with Besiktas believed to be interested.
Chelsea winger Kenedy has arrived at Newcastle this morning to undergo a medical ahead of his loan move. The 21-year-old Brazilian has found first-team action hard to come by and he will give Magpies boss Rafa Benitez another option going forward.
Meanwhile, the Blues’ £45m double swoop for Roma duo Edin Dzeko and Emerson Palmieri is edging closer.
And here’s a blast from the past. Scottish Premiership side Ross County have announced that French forward David Ngog will join them until the end of the season.
Ngog, 28, spent three years at Liverpool before current Ross County boss Own Coyle paid £4 million to bring him to Bolton Wanderers in 2011.
He was most recently with Greek outfit Panionios.
Retro Deal of the Day: Emile Heskey to Liverpool
In March 2000, Liverpool shelled out a then club record fee £11m to sign Emile Heskey after the young striker had shown real promise at Leicester City under Martin O’Neill.
Reds boss Gerard Houllier was a big fan of Heskey’s work rate but admitted he wasn’t yet “the finish product”.
Reunited with former England U18 strike partner Michael Owen, the physical centre forward proved a handful for opposing defences in his first full season — scoring 22 goals in 56 matches as Liverpool did an FA Cup, league cup and Uefa Cup treble.
But that was to be his best return at the Merseyside club and Heskey came in for heavy criticism due to his lack of goals. He managed returns of 14, nine and 12 in the following three seasons before leaving for Birmingham City in May 2004.
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Injuries at the wrong time of the season unfortunately but team playing with confidence and could still get a result but a lot more difficult now. No Carrick in front of Mc Nair or Blackett either,
How is it the wrong time of the season?
Top 4 in the bag, no more cups, & not challenging for the league.
disaster. Kompany should have been sent off for that tackle on Blind the prcik. christ, rooney will be dropped back to midfield no doubt. hopefully moral will get us a win. will take a draw here in our fight for top 4.
2nd or 3rd is definitely there for the taking but in the scheme of things 4th is the minimum we were hoping for this season so a point away to Chelsea should be a valuable one come the end of season but LVG won’t be sitting back for the draw I think.
Mourinho will set his team up for a draw. It’ll probably be a snooze fest
United have every right to go for a win. Even with injuries we look rejuvenated in the way we are playing and should be able to leave with a positive result
Young left back, Di Maria left wing, with herrara Fellaini and mata in the middle and right. Rooney and falcao upfront
Who is going to replace Carrick as the holding midfielder Jason and who will play centre back instead of Jones?
McNair cb. Don’t need holding mf. 4-4-2.
It seems united now must plot a new game plan. I’d like to see herrara tried at cdm with di Maria and felliani ahead of him. That way there’s still energy in the side and herrara does pass the ball quite well. This would allow Rooney to stay where he plays best , genuinely don’t believe he’s effective at cm or cdm and herrara would support the defenders just as much. As for the defence that’s a problem , Valencia , smalling , McNair and shaw .. Isn’t going to be solid but then again Chelsea don’t have costa. Chelsea have to favourites at present but I wouldn’t be surprised if United got at least a point.
I’ll wait to see the team sheet on Saturday LVG is as slippery as …..