West Ham fans are praying the latest reports on David Moyes are true, after a report from the Telegraph claimed the manager must impress in the final games to keep his job.
According to the Telegraph report, both David Moyes and the West Ham owners are unsure whether the Scotsman is the right fit.
Now that Premier League survival is secured, Moyes must play positive football in the final two matches to prove he can keep the fans happy with entertaining football.
The former Manchester United manager has completed his objective by keeping West Ham in the Premier League, but fans have grown increasingly frustrated by his uninspiring tactics.
[ad_pod ]
The Hammers’ 2-0 win at Leicester on Saturday secured their top tier status for another season, but fans have been lining up new managerial candidates for several weeks now.
Moyes’ side host Manchester United on Thursday night, who could rest players with second place pretty much locked up and an FA Cup final on the horizon.
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 Hammers then welcome Everton to London, who will surely be there for the taking given the toxicity surrounding the Toffees and Sam Allardyce.
Some of the best Twitter reactions can be found below…
Since first breaking onto the scene under Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford just a few short seasons ago, Danny Welbeck is someone who has certainly seen his fair share of attention from within the English footballing community.
The 24-year-old striker – now plying his trade in North London under Arsene Wenger – has been spoken of rather highly during his brief career in the Premier League, with some even suggesting that the former Manchester United man is capable of becoming a true England great in the next few years or so.
Having totalled only four solitary league goals throughout the past 2014/15 campaign however, such grand plans for the still developing Danny Welbeck have seemingly been put on hold for now.
Such a meagre return last term simply wasn’t good enough for a player initially sourced for £16 million – and as the Gunners famously have strong competition for places among the many attack-minded players in their squad – the current Arsenal and England forward certainly has his work cut out next year if he is to impress in the English top flight once again.
[ffc-gal cat=”arsenal” no=”5″]
With such a notion in mind then, does the determined no. 23 still have something valuable to offer Arsene Wenger ahead of the 2015/16 campaign, or does his signing at the Emirates simply represent one of the few mistakes Arsenal have recently made in the ever precarious transfer market?
It seems the general option may be split. Some view Danny Welbeck as an extremely hard worker and someone more than willing to put in an adequate shift for his boss, as well as his teammates. He does certainly possess a quick turn of pace in the final third, and when playing with confidence up top, the unpredictable front-man is always eager to impress in front of goal.
Welbeck has played as an out-in-out centre-forward during his time in the Premier League, yet the former Old Trafford favourite has also proven willing to do the business out wide on the flanks often enough to be considered a versatile asset.
At the still promising age of only 24, Danny Welbeck certainly has enough time to make a real name for himself in the English game, and tie his performances down to a truly consistent level. It would definitely seem somewhat premature for anyone within the wider footballing community to completely write the England striker off now – but as the no. 23 is certainly no youngster anymore – time is seemingly running down for Welbeck as he looks to really assert himself successfully and maturely in the Premier League.
However, whilst the current Emirates favourite admittedly puts in the work and could never really be questioned in terms of effort and determination, huge question marks ultimately still surround the fate of Danny Welbeck at a club as high profile as Arsenal. Sure, the former Red Devils front-man would certainly not look out of place doing the business for one of the Premier League’s ‘lesser’ teams shall we say – but does that mean that Welbeck actually has what it takes to lead the line for England and the Gunners as his career plays out further?
The answer could well be no.
In the cold light of day, it does in fact seem like the 24-year-old has been somewhat over-hyped throughout his time in the English game. Yes, he’s relatively quick across the pitch and doesn’t lack confidence when given the chance in front of goal, yet because the striker is evidently lacking in terms of solid technical ability, sometimes looks short of ideas in the final third and often fails to display the footballing intelligence required to truly make it at the top, perhaps it’s fair to say that the current Arsenal front-man will never really become a great player in the modern era.
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.
Ultimately on the basis of last season in particular, the signs seemingly don’t look too promising for the 24-year-old at the Emirates going into the new campaign.
Of course, he’s an admirable trier, and yes his unpredictability can sometimes serve him well on the odd occasion – but as hard work simply doesn’t take you all the way within the ever competitive realms of modern day football – maybe we can suggest that Danny Welbeck will ultimately fail to hit the lofty levels many had expected of him upon his initial emergence within the English game.
The Liverpool tenure has been no easy task for Brendan Rodgers. Although the Reds have only managed to improve upon last season’s final standing by one place in the Premier League, the Northern Irishman’s inaugural season has been dogged with off-pitch complications and financial restrictions.
The papers have rumoured he will only have a small transfer kitty at his disposal in the summer, but nevertheless, the Anfield faithful will be expecting a handful of new recruits to raise the quality or add to the depth of the first team in time for their next campaign.
With every transfer, the planning behind the scenes, involving scouts, managers, chairmen, accountants and agents, has been going on a long time, and it will be no different with Liverpool’s future summer purchases.
Therefore, to keep you in the loop, we’ve created a shortlist of five potential signings already on Rodgers’ radar.
Click on Kevin Gameiro to reveal Brendan Rodgers’ summer wishlist
Arsenal and Theo Walcott have come to a short-term agreement that the player will not leave the club before the transfer window ends, Sky Sports claim.
The England international winger has less than a year left on his contract with the north London outfit, and has refused to pen a new deal as yet due to disagreements over wages.
With Liverpool and Manchester City loitering and ready to pounce should the Gunners opt to sell the attacker, rumours were rife that Arsene Wenger would cash-in on the player to avoid losing him for free in a year’s time.
However, it is believed that the latest round of talks have been more positive, and although a new contract has not been agreed upon, the two parties have agreed that a hasty sale before the end of the week is not the answer.
Arsenal had to sell Robin van Persie to Manchester United earlier this summer as the Dutch maestro was in a similar position.
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.
Arsene Wenger has earned plenty of respect from the football world for his two-decade service to Arsenal Football Club.
So, when the club were knocked out of the Europa League at the semi-final stage courtesy of a 2-1 defeat to Atletico Madrid, many felt sympathy for the Frenchman.
On any given season, the outpouring of support may not have been as plentiful, but due to the fact that the 68-year-old will leave his position as Arsenal manager this summer, many wanted the Gunners to go all the way.
The damage was done in the first leg at the Emirates when they allowed Atletico to nab an away goal through Antoine Griezmann, who cancelled out Alexandre Lacazette’s opener in the 1-1 draw.
In Spain on Thursday night, Arsenal played well in spells, but Diego Costa struck to score the only goal of the game and send Atletico into the final.
After the match, various journalists attending the press conference made a point of noting that Wenger was very emotional while delivering his post-game musings.
Unfortunately for the manager, a number of Arsenal fans, as well as supporters of other clubs, did not have any sympathy.
With the title race long since over, Chelsea and Manchester City will already be firmly focused on the summer and the chance to strengthen their squads when the transfer window opens after another absorbing season of Premier League football.
Having failed in the bid to regain the title, Manchester City are set to spend big once again, while newly crowned champions Chelsea will be looking to improve in order to fight off their rivals next season.
And while the saga surrounding Liverpool’s Raheem Sterling continues to dominate the back pages this week, another name emerged as a potential summer signing for two of England’s biggest clubs.
Barcelona midfielder Alex Song has been linked with another move to the Premier League over the coming months, with both Chelsea and City keen on the Cameroonian as they look to bolster their midfield.
The former Arsenal man has impressed this season while on loan at West Ham, and although it’s unlikely he will remain at Upton Park beyond the summer, his stay at the Spanish giants also appears to be nearing its end which has attracted interest from the Premier League’s top two.
Since his move to Barcelona from Arsenal in 2012, the midfielder struggled to hold down a regular place in the team, which saw him arrive at West Ham as a result.
And despite impressing with the Hammers, a season that saw them make a brief challenge for the top-four, the La Liga champions are willing to sell Song this summer as he doesn’t feature in their plans for next season.
And it’s not only is quality in the middle of the park that make him an attractive target for the two clubs in question, but that fact he is classed as a home grown player only increases his value to Chelsea and City and would certainly make him a shrewd summer signing.
Song has shown that he will certainly prove a decent option to have in the squad, and will provide much needed depth to the teams as they continue to chase trophies across a number of competitions.
And while he may not play week in week out, he is someone who can be relied upon to put in a decent performance when called upon.
A move to Chelsea or City must be one that tempts him, and a return to Champions League football, as well as the chance to win the title will surely prove a big lure.
Having arrived at Arsenal when he was just 17, Song ensured he played the three required years before he was 21 to qualify as a home-grown player, a trait that both clubs are looking for as they look to fulfil the quota for next 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.
And with suggestions the 27-year-old could be available for as little as £6m, this is a signing that makes a great deal of sense of for Jose Mourinho and Manuel Pellegrini.
Still three years shy of his thirties, Song still has plenty to offer at the top level, and judging by his performances this season, he could be classed as a real bargain should Chelsea or Manchester City win the race for his signature.
Wigan defender Gary Caldwell will be handed a crucial role in the club’s survival fight with Antolin Alcaraz out for three weeks.
The club captain had deputised for the Paraguayan earlier in the season when he spent a lengthy spell out on the sidelines through injury, and Martinez believes he will seamlessly slot back in to the backline.
A hamstring injury picked up by Alcaraz will see him missing for a large chunk of the crucial run in and possibly even the FA Cup final meeting with Manchester City.
The Latics have five games to fight for their Premier League status, as they currently sit in 18th spot and three points adrift of safety.
“It is vitally important to have Gary back with all the experience he brings and he looked sharp and ready for the end of the season,” said the Spaniard.
“Antolin had the scans and he has a bit of a tear in his hamstring, which is what we expected, but we got fortunate he stopped playing at the moment he did.
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.
“We will treat him and see how quickly he will respond but it will take the best part of three weeks.”
It seems unlikely that Aston Villa will be able to finish second in the Championship this season, but Steve Bruce’s side will fancy their chances of advancing through the playoffs.
There have been a number of impressive performers for Villa throughout the 2017-18 campaign, and there is no question that James Chester is up there when it comes to consistency.
The former Manchester United youngster has scored three times in 43 Championship appearances this season, and has been outstanding at the back.
There is no doubt that the presence of former England captain John Terry has helped him, but Chester has developed into a very good centre-back at this level of football, and will be keen to prove himself in the Premier League next season.
Villa’s official Twitter account was keen to pay tribute to the 29-year-old earlier this week, and the club’s supporters revealed their delight with the defender’s form ahead of a vital few weeks in the 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.
A selection of the Twitter reaction can be seen below:
With just a few weeks remaining until the end of the season, Premier League clubs are already busy planning for the next campaign and the transfer rumour mill is in full swing ahead of the opening of the summer window.
And, as ever, there’s expected to be plenty of comings and goings as managers look to strengthen their squads as well as get rid of those players who have failed to impress this term.
While there could be a few big deals done between Premier League sides, there are also plenty of names from some of Europe’s biggest clubs that have been heavily linked with a move to England’s top teams in recent weeks as speculation continues to grow.
With links to the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City; here a five of those players who could well be involved in one of the summer’s biggest transfers.
[interaction ]
Edinson Cavani
PSG striker Edinson Cavani is just one player who has been strongly linked with a move to Manchester United this summer as Louis van Gaal looks to strengthen his squad.
The Uruguayan has been one of Europe’s most sought after strikers since his Napoli days, and could require a similar fee to the £50m the French giants paid for him back in 2013.
Following their defeat to Barcelona in the Champions League this week, Cavani dismissed rumours he could be on his way to England stating that he would respect his contract. But as we know in football things can change very quickly.
Mats Hummels
Another player that has been heavily linked with a move to the Red Devils is Dortmund defender Mats Hummels.
United are keen to bolster their defence during the window, and German star Hummels is said to be top of their list amid speculation he is ready to quit the Bundesliga.
And these rumours have only gathered pace since the news that Dortmund boss Jurgen Klopp announced he will be leaving the club at the end of the season.
It now looks increasingly likely that Hummels could be following out the door, with United in pole position to land the centre-back.
Paul Pogba
Letting Paul Pogba leave Old Trafford is arguably Sir Alex Ferguson’s biggest mistake while Manchester United manager.
Since moving to Juventus, the Frenchman has become one of the most coveted midfielders in the world and it’s no surprise he has Europe’s top clubs chasing him.
Exactly the type of player they have been missing; United are said to be desperate to bring him back to the club, while Arsenal and Chelsea have also been linked with moves.
With a number of sides chasing him, Juventus will do well to keep hold of the youngster who could be at the centre of one of the most exciting transfer battles this summer.
Gareth Bale
Football – Andorra v Wales – UEFA Euro 2016 Qualifying Group B – National Stadium, Andorra La Vella, Andorra – 9/9/14Gareth Bale – Wales celebrates his goalMandatory Credit: Action Images / Peter CziborraEDITORIAL USE ONLY.
Football’s most expensive player Gareth Bale continues to be linked with a return to the Premier League amid criticism in Spain for some of his performances this 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 former Spurs man came under fire from both fans and media once again this week for failing to score in his side’s Champions League encounter with Atletico Madrid and he’s clearly having a difficult time winning them over.
Although Madrid have revealed they have no intention to sell the Welsh star, he continues to be linked with a move to Manchester United and Chelsea who could be set to test Real’s resolve wit a big bid in the near future.
Gonzalo Higuain
With his Napoli side sat seven points off the Champions League places in Serie A, Argentine striker Gonzalo Higuain could be set to leave the club if they fail to qualify.
Both Arsenal and Liverpool have been linked with a move for the former Real Madrid man who is believed to have told his side he has no plans to play in the Europa League again next season.
Higuain scored in a tremendous away win at Wolfsburg last night as the Italians all but secured a place in the semi-finals, but unless they win the competition to secure Champions League qualification; Higuain’s time at Napoli could well be coming to an end.
Frank Lampard believes that Rio Ferdinand is “not finished” as an England player.
The Manchester United centre-back pulled out of the Three Lions’ squad for the up-coming World Cup qualifying ties with San Marino and Montenegro, citing a personal training regime as his reason for doing so.
This snubbing of Roy Hodgson’s call has led some to peculate that Ferdinand’s days playing for the national team are over.
But, Lampard doesn’t think that the 34-year-old’s time in the national set-up is finished and that he could return at a later date:
“He is a top drawer player and he is certainly not finished,” he told Sky Sports.
“I don’t know the ins and outs of his future and where it is going, but the way he is playing at the minute, he is one of the top defenders in the Premier League for sure.”
Ferdinand’s withdrawal leaves England short of defensive cover, with Hodgson sweating on the fitness of Gary Cahill.
Joleon Lescott, Chris Smalling, Steven Caulker and Newcastle’s Steven Taylor have all been included in the squad, and Lampard is confident that there is adequate cover:
“These are the moments when you need a strong squad.” He said.
“It does happen in a funny way that you lose three or four players from the same position and that would test any squad, but we are very fortunate that we have got some very good young players and it will be time for them to stand up, and I am sure they can because they do it regularly.
England face minnows San Marino in the first of their clashes, and Lampard recognises that there is a need to be professional in order to achieve the desired result:
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.
“It is a game to be professional, where you are expected to win comfortably and don’t get much credit whatever the result.
“If we are disciplined and go about our job in the right way, then with the quality we have in our team with those attacking players you’d want to get the right result.”