Arsenal could have been staring at a shock exit from the Europa League on Thursday night had it not been for the quality of Mohamed Elneny.
The Egyptian international has not always been a regular starter in Arsene Wenger’s team, but he proved in Russia that he is an important cog in the machine.
Following a few days of dramatic results in Europe, specifically Barcelona’s collapse against Roma in the Champions League quarter-finals, Arsenal came close to suffering a similar fate.
The Gunners headed into the second leg with a 4-1 lead from the contest at the Emirates, but they were 2-0 down in Russia after 50 minutes.
[ad_pod ]
Had CSKA hit the back of the net for a third time without reply then they would have progressed into the semi-finals on away goals.
However, Arsenal prevented that from happening thanks to Elneny, who fed the ball to Danny Welbeck.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
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 striker slotted it home, and in the closing stages of the contest Elneny, who signed a new contract in March, was involved again as Aaron Ramsey scored a delightful chip.
It is safe to say that Arsenal fans were impressed with Elneny’s display.
David de Gea was handed the captain’s armband for Manchester United’s Premier League clash with Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium on Wednesday night.
Michael Carrick is still the club’s full-time skipper, but the Englishman has hardly played this season, and will retire this summer to become a coach.
Antonio Valencia has worn the armband throughout the 2017-18 campaign, but the right-back was absent on Wednesday as United boss Jose Mourinho shuffled his pack ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final with Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley.
Instead of Chris Smalling, Paul Pogba or Ander Herrera being handed the armband, it was De Gea that led his team out.
The 27-year-old has again been in outstanding form for the Red Devils this season, but he is yet to sign a new contract at Old Trafford, with his existing deal due to expire next summer.
The United supporters have told Mourinho to officially appoint De Gea as the club’s new captain next season, and they would obviously like a new contract to go with it as Real Madrid continue to closely monitor proceedings.
A selection of the Twitter reaction can be seen below:
‘We are United – An Evening with Norman Whiteside and friends,” is taking place this Friday at 7.30pm at the Loop Bar, 19 Dering Street, Mayfair, London, W1.
Norman will talk about his career, United today and a Q&A, with a preview of the semi-final against Spurs. We’ve billed it as Norman and friends as we have a number of celebrities attending including Alex Best, Gary Webster and Ron Brand who has intimated that Russell may possibly come with him. All the celebs will be available for selfies and autographs and mingling with the audience. After we have finished the show , there will be music and a bar which will stay open until 3.00am. Thank goodness the game on Saturday doesn’t kick-off until 5:30!!
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
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 following link will take you to the ticketing page where there is further details of the night.
Ragnar Klavan has been at Liverpool since the summer of 2016, but he has failed to hold on to a first-team position.
The 32-year-old had to compete with Dejan Lovren and Joel Matip for a starting spot, and that challenge was made even harder when Virgil van Dijk signed in January.
The Dutchman became the world’s most expensive defender when he completed a £75m transfer from Southampton midway through the current campaign.
Van Dijk slotted into Jurgen Klopp’s back four with ease, and immediately, Klavan fell further down the pecking order.
In fact, the Estonian has made just 26 appearances in all competitions, 20 of which have been starts.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
On Saturday, the centre-back played the full 90 minutes of Liverpool’s goalless draw with Stoke City at Anfield, and afterwards, Klopp was asked by reporters about his player’s future.
The manager’s desire to keep Klavan at the club has been met with a mixed reaction from supporters.
Tottenham Hotspur could be in for a busy summer in the transfer market having failed to compete for the Premier League title like they did in the two seasons previously, while also falling at the last-16 hurdle in the Champions League.
The Mirror reported last month that Mauricio Pochettino is willing to sell Danny Rose, Toby Alderweireld, Mousa Dembele, Moussa Sissoko and Victor Wanyama in order to raise funds for new additions, and it wouldn’t be too surprising given all of those players apart from Dembele have only played a fringe role in recent months.
The Argentine boss will certainly be looking for a big improvement in both the top flight and in Europe next term, and he will be looking for individuals that can make an instant impact with the north London outfit now going more than a decade without winning a trophy.
With the World Cup little over a month away and with the window closing on August 9 – before the 2018/19 campaign gets underway – Spurs will need to get their business done earlier than they usually do, and the fans would surely love to see the new faces arrive early in the summer.
Here are three players we can see Tottenham signing before July 1…
Whether Fulham succeed in the Championship play-offs or not, they are going to struggle to hold on to Sessegnon this summer following an outstanding campaign for the teenager.
The versatile left-sided player – who can play as a full-back but has primarily played as a winger in recent months – has scored 15 goals and provided a further six assists in 46 league games for the Cottagers this term.
The 17-year-old is already showing the huge potential that he has and that he has is ready to make an impact in the Premier League, and having seen how Dele Alli has performed under Mauricio Pochettino, joining the north London outfit could be his preference should he leave Fulham.
With it looking increasingly likely that contract rebel Toby Alderweireld will leave Tottenham this summer, Pochettino will be well aware that he needs to find a top-class replacement for the Belgium international.
De Ligt may only be 18 years of age, but like Sessegnon he has shown with his performances for Ajax and the Netherlands national team that he is ready to make a big impact for them now, and the fact that he is an impressive defender and good on the ball mean that he would be perfect for Spurs’ style of play.
While he may not come on the cheap, the north London outfit have a great relationship with the Dutch giants having signed Christian Eriksen, Jan Vertonghen and Davinson Sanchez from them before, and they can use that to their advantage to get an early summer deal done for the teenager.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Tottenham have long been linked with a move for the Crystal Palace winger, and his performances this season may just convince Spurs to splash out the money to bring him across the capital.
The Ivory Coast international has been hugely influential in the Eagles going from relegation certainties to survival before the final day, scoring eight goals and providing five assists in 28 Premier League appearances.
His pace and trickery would give this Spurs side something that they don’t really have, and he could be the perfect replacement for Erik Lamela – who was destroyed by his own fans on Twitter for his display in the defeat against West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.
Marouane Fellaini appears to be on his way out of Manchester United this summer.
The midfielder will see his contract with the Red Devils expire at the end of next month, and Italian giants AC Milan have been strongly linked with a move in recent days.
United boss Jose Mourinho has spoken on a number of occasions of his desire to keep Fellaini, but it is looking increasingly likely that the Belgium international will leave Old Trafford ahead of the 2018-19 campaign.
Now 30 years of age, Fellaini has spent the last five seasons at United, but he made his name in the English game at Everton between 2008 and 2014.
[ad_pod ]
Fellaini scored 33 times in 177 appearances for the Toffees – including 11 Premier League goals during an impressive 2012-13 season.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
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 Merseyside outfit are not believed to be in the running for his signature this summer, but the Everton fans would certainly welcome the former Anderlecht youngster back.
A selection of the Twitter reaction in relation to Fellaini’s future can be seen below:
According to reports in The Mirror, West Ham United are targeting a summer move for Burnley centre-back James Tarkowski.
What’s the word, then?
Well, The Mirror says that new Irons boss Manuel Pellegrini has been handed a £75m transfer war-chest following his appointment as David Moyes’ successor on Tuesday, and Tarkowski is on his and the club’s list of targets – another it has been confirmed exclusively that another reported target won’t be arriving at the London Stadium.
It is no surprise that a new central defender could be a priority for the east London outfit seeing as they had the joint-worst defensive record in the Premier League this season – 69 goals conceded in their 38 fixtures – and with Jose Fonte leaving for China in February and James Collins set to follow him out when his contract expires next month.
The Mirror adds that another centre-back in Winston Reid could also go following a number of injury issues in recent years.
How has Tarkowski done this season?
He was brilliant, and his impressive performances – which included him dominating Marko Arnatuovic in the Clarets’ 3-0 win at the London Stadium in March – at the back helped Burnley secure a seventh-place finish in the Premier League that ensured they qualified for the Champions League.
According to WhoScored.com, the 25-year-old, who made his England debut in March thanks to his form with the Clarets, showed his strength in the air by winning 147 of the 209 aerial duels he faced in 31 top flight appearances.
He also won 46 tackles, and made 59 blocks and a remarkable 219 clearances.
[ad_pod ]
Would he be a good signing for West Ham?
He certainly would be, yes.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
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 25-year-old showed how good he can be from a defensive point of view for Burnley this season, and he would likely thrive in the Irons backline if Manuel Pellegrini gets them more organised ahead of the 2018/19 campaign.
Tarkowski may not be the best on the ball, but he isn’t afraid to put his body on the line for his team when it comes to tackles and blocks, and he would become an instant fans’ favourite with the London Stadium faithful because of that fact.
Manchester City have reignited their January interest in Leicester City winger Riyad Mahrez over a £60m deal, according to the Telegraph.
What’s the latest, then?
The Telegraph report that there is still an expectancy that Mahrez will be a City player next season, even in spite of the collapse of his January move to the Etihad.
They go on to say that the Foxes are planning for next season without the Algerian wideman and with that in mind, they want Patrick Roberts to come the other way in any deal for Mahrez.
It also claims that while Guardiola rates Roberts highly and values him at £15m, he is prepared to sacrifice him in order to sign Mahrez.
[ad_pod ]
Bad news for Sane?
Leroy Sane suffered a major and unexpected blow when he was left out of the Germany squad for this summer’s World Cup, with Joachim Low prefering Julian Brandt instead and he could be set for another piece of bad news if Mahrez signs.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Guardiola won’t be spending £60m on a player – not to mention letting one of City’s brighest prospects leave – to sit on the bench and it might well come down to a straight fight between the two left-footed creators for a place in the side.
Sane enjoyed an outstanding season, so he’s surely the man in the driving seat – and squad depth is essential – but losing his international spot will not count in his favour in the race with Mahrez, if the move materialises.
Southampton fans have been reacting to the news that striker Manolo Gabbiadini could be heading to Parma this summer, as was reported in Italian football site Calcio Mercato.
The Italian forward scored five and assisted five over the course of a season in which the Saints struggled and narrowly avoided relegation, but supporters have stuck behind their striker.
Southampton fans are worried about the prospect of one of their star players leaving the club, as Gabbiadini has gained a reputation for clinical finishing and a predatory instinct inside the box that is often difficult to find.
It is no surprise that newly-promoted Parma are interested in the 26-year-old who could be available for as little as £13million according to the report.
Southampton have become known as something of a selling club in recent years, and fans are clearly eager for this to change as Hughes looks to make his mark on the squad over the summer…
[brid autoplay=”true” video=”252976″ player=”12034″ title=”Watch 21 things that will definitely happen at the World Cup”]
Manchester City are yet to announce any new signings this summer, but there is one that is believed to be on the horizon.
Seventeen-year-old midfielder Adria Bernabe agreed to join the Premier League champions in April, according to City Watch, and now the move is imminent.
[ad_pod ]
The teenager has been developing his game in the famous Barcelona academy, but it seems that he feels he will make more progress at City.
Youngsters at the Catalan club face a huge battle trying to break into the prestigious Spanish team.
[brid autoplay=”true” video=”255859″ player=”12034″ title=”Watch Man City’s opening fixtures for the 201819 Premier League season”]
At City, Pep Guardiola is shaping his own lineup of stars, but the club have put plenty of emphasis on developing young talent at their state-of-the-art academy.
It is sure to be a good few years before Bernabe is pushing for a first-team start, but he is certainly in good hands at City.
On Instagram, the midfielder bid farewell to Barcelona, and now City fans are wondering whether they have a top player on their hands.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Some are curious as to whether he will match the progression of 18-year-old Phil Foden.
Of course, it was only Panama but England produced a performance that their fans will remember for a long, long time by smashing in six goals for the first time in a World Cup match on Sunday.
Gareth Southgate’s side played better against Tunisia in their opening game but were more clinical in the 6-1 thumping, secured by a Harry Kane hat-trick, a John Stones brace and the goal of the game from Jesse Lingard.
The only change from England’s first Group G match to their second saw Dele Alli, valued at £90m by Transfermarkt, drop out due to injury and replaced by Chelsea starlet Ruben Loftus-Cheek in midfield.
How far will England get in Russia? Tell us now and win any World Cup shirt of your choice.
Loftus-Cheek did not put in eye-catching display but he was steady and did what he needed to do as others seized centre stage around him, yet there is a growing argument that Alli needs the gametime ahead of the knockout stages.
With both teams already into the knockout rounds, there is the prospect for wholesale changes on either side but we’re asking you which man should get the nod to start in the England engine room?
Let us know by voting in the poll below and keep your eyes peeled for the results on Thursday, the day of the game…
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.