After a transfer deadline day which could be best described as underwhelming, Leeds could well benefit from a few new faces to improve the mood at Elland Road.
Even with the transfer window closed there are options available, with the free agent list heavily populated for now. A host of experienced players and stars who have endured difficult spells are looking for new homes, with the Whites potentially in a position to benefit.
Here are six freebies for Leeds to consider…
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CLICK ON CHRIS EAGLES TO REVEAL THE SIX
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Joseph Yobo
Released by Fenerbahce at the end of last season after a brief spell with Norwich, Yobo was a shock decent performer at the World Cup. The big Nigerian is physically imposing and has bags of experience, making him a potentially top class Championship player.
His wages may be an issue, but Leeds could gamble on him.
Tomasz Kuszczak
The former Manchester United stopper has been starring for Brighton in recent seasons, but his spell on the South Coast came to an end over the summer. Marco Silvestri is a new arrival, but the Pole could be used to keep the Italian on his toes given his vast experience in England.
Chris Eagles
After falling out with Dougie Freedman the ex-Manchester United youth star found himself released a few months ago and in search of a new club. With pace and trickery in his armoury, the winger could be a wise addition for Leeds, who with big club status could tempt him to Elland Road.
Jermaine Pennant
Pennant has been searching for a new club for much of 2014 after being released by Stoke, and he may well be a good signing for Leeds. The 31-year-old has had a troubled past, yet his talent has been shown in the Premier League and in Spain.
He may prove to be a unsalvageable now, but Leeds could attempt to get something from him with a short-term deal.
Jack Collison
Injuries curtailed the once promising Welshman’s progress and he has never really recovered from them to regain full fitness. West Ham lost patience with him over the summer, and a switch to the Championship could be a good option.
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He spent some time at Wigan recently, where he showed glimpses of his talent.
Matt Etherington
Once a Stoke and West Ham hero, at 33 Etherington no longer has the pace that made him a handful for defenders in the top tier, but his technical abilities are still evident.
One last push for another stint in the Premier League may tempt the veteran to Leeds, who could benefit from his know-how.
The January transfer window has never been the ideal time to buy players, but it does give Premier League clubs an important opportunity to offload some deadwood before the campaign’s final run in.
That’s something Arsene Wenger should bear in mind – his Arsenal squad, although clearly blessed with talent throughout, is tremendously imbalanced and the fat can certainly be trimmed off a select few departments.
Thus, here’s a list of FIVE players the Gunners could look to move on when the transfer window reopens. Some aren’t getting enough game time, others would add some serious cash to Arsenal’s transfer kitty and a few are simply surplus to requirements.
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FRANCIS COQUELIN
Once tipped for greatness as a youngster in Arsenal’s academy, Francis Coquelin is now 23 years of age and arguably further away from the Gunners first team than ever before.
Indeed, the Frenchman has only ever made 21 Premier League appearances for Arsenal, whilst loan spells with Lorient in 2010/11 and Freiburg in 2013/14 were hardly inspiring. For the latter, he managed just 16 league outings.
So far this season, the defensive midfielder has made just one appearance – drafted in as an emergency left-back during Arsenal’s Capital One Cup tie with Southampton, which ended in a 2-1 defeat. Here’s the highlights:
//www.youtube.com/embed/f7qDnwseHZg?rel=0
Injuries have certainly taken their toll on Coquelin throughout the years, but at this point, it’s abundantly clear that Wenger simply doesn’t fancy him.
Despite being one of a rare few genuine holding midfielders on the Emirates roster, he’s not even being considered as an alternative to Mikel Arteta or Mathieu Flamini, whilst youngster Hector Bellerin appears to have overtaken him in the pecking order at No.2.
It’s time for the Gunners to cash in on Coquelin or at least send him out on loan. QPR were reportedly eying a temporary deal on deadline day:
And Harry Redknapp could reignite his interest in January if Rangers’ midfield injury crisis, that’s already seen Joey Barton, Sandro and Jordan Mutch sidelined for extended periods this season, continues.
JOEL CAMPBELL (on loan)
Joel Campbell received rave reviews during the World Cup, as the brightest spark in a Costa Rica side that surpassed expectations by reaching the quarter-finals. Here’s a look at the South American highlights:
//www.youtube.com/embed/w8ACcND8cOU?rel=0
And that followed an impressive loan spell with Olympiacos last season, where the young forward netted this stunner against Manchester United in the Champions League.
//www.youtube.com/embed/ATcwmXJYbDU?rel=0
So as Arsenal resisted the advances of a number of top European clubs during the off-season…
…many assumed the 22 year-old would be given a significant role in the first team squad this year.
But he’s thus far made just two appearances for his parent club – a Capital One Cup outing and a substitute stint in the league, consisting of just 16 minutes.
Campbell looks like a real prospect that clubs in the Premier League and yonder would love to get their hands on. Wenger needs to secure a loan move for the forward in January, before his development begins to stifle.
LUKAS PODOLSKI
If there’s one player almost certain to leave the Emirates in January, it’s unquestionably Lukas Podolski, with the German international recently revealing he’s been left frustrated by a lack of playing time:
Podolski has proved a decent acquisition for Arsenal, netting 19 times in 56 Premier League appearances since moving to north London in summer 2012. Here’s a look at some of his goals:
//www.youtube.com/embed/xfB7id7N_g0?rel=0
His experience is important too, having claimed 118 caps for Germany, featured in the World Cup-winning side during the summer and previously plied his trade with Bayern Munich.
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But the winger-forward is now 29 years of age and has managed just 37 minutes in the Premier League this term from three substitute outings.
Arsene Wenger clearly doesn’t favour him as a candidate for the lone front-man role and starting opportunities out wide will be equally hard to come by, following the Gunners’ summer swoop for Alexis Sanchez.
A few clubs have been linked with the German in recent weeks but common consensus views a move to Inter Milan as the likeliest scenario:
NACHO MONREAL
Admittedly, the last thing Arsenal need right now is further reductions to their defensive depth – clearly Arsene Wenger is light on bodies at the back and should be recruiting for that department, not making cuts, when the transfer window reopens.
But second-choice left-back Nacho Monreal has hardly hit the heights expected since the Gunners paid Malaga around £8.5million for his services back in January 2013 – in fact, he’s often the north London side’s biggest liability in defence.
Never comfortable with the power and pace of the Premier League, it’s probably time Arsenal cut Monreal loose, having never truly replicated the attacking performance of his impressive debut against Stoke City eighteen months ago:
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//www.youtube.com/embed/SqalemDf0Hw?rel=0
The Emirates fanbase don’t seem too fond of him either.
But squad depth and potential suitors are both major issues. Resultantly, it’s more than likely that Monreal will remain with the Gunners until at least next summer.
SANTI CAZORLA
Arsenal’s midfield is overloaded with offensive players – in truth, probably a couple too many.
And although Mesut Ozil, Alexis Sanchez, Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilshere have their Arsenal careers firmly cemented for the foreseeable future, Santi Cazorla may not be so lucky.
That’s certainly not a dig at the Spain international’s quality. Cazorla’s technical assets verge upon world class and his ambidextrous feet make him capable of taking up virtually any role across the middle of the park.
But now 29 years of age and having never truly replicated the form in his debut season, that saw him amass twelve goals and twelve assists in the Premier League and claim Arsenal’s Player of the Year award, he’s quickly becoming expendable at the Emirates. Here’s his highlights from 2012/13:
//www.youtube.com/embed/SqalemDf0Hw?rel=0
Cazrola rejected speculation regarding a move back to La Liga during the summer as he was linked to Atletico Madrid:
But could change his mind in January considering he’s no longer a guaranteed starter for the Gunners.
Despite investing in both Rickie Lambert and Mario Balotelli as ‘quick fixes’ to the loss of Luis Suarez, Liverpool are already considering a move to bring a strike hero back to Anfield. No, it’s not ‘El Pistolero’, but instead another summer signing, Divock Origi.
The Belgian forward truly announced himself as one of Europe’s top emerging talents at the World Cup over the summer with a neat goal against Russia, and was promptly snapped up by the Merseysiders in a deal worth around £10m. A part of the arrangement with Lille saw the 19-year-old head straight from Melwood back to France for a season-long loan, but reports are now suggesting that Liverpool are working on a deal with the Ligue 1 side to cut the spell short.
So, could it be a good idea to get Origi back? We at FFC Towers thinK so, and here are FIVE reasons to back it up…
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CLICK ON ORIGI TO REVEAL THE FIVE
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Goals, goals, goals
While Mario Balotelli, Daniel Sturridge, Fabio Borini and Rickie Lambert have notched just two goals between them this term, Origi already has five in all competitions for his club.
The teenage forward has been in great form for Lille so far this season demonstrating his skills and composure in both domestic and European action to further build on his burgeoning reputation. Here’s his most recent effort for Belgium…
And here are all of his Lille goals prior to 2014/15…
//www.youtube.com/embed/mM55i3Ye60M
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Lambert’s struggles
Football – West Ham United v Liverpool – Barclays Premier League – Upton Park – 20/9/14Liverpool’s Rickie Lambert looks dejected at full timeMandatory Credit: Action Images / Tony O’BrienLivepicEDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for furthe
As mentioned on the previous slide, Lambert has really struggled since making his dream summer move back to Liverpool – who released him as a teenager. The 32-year-old was snapped up after fighting through the Football League with Southampton, with many fans and experts at the time predicting that he would prove to be an astute signing.
However, the experienced hit-man’s lack of speed and mobility have been ruthlessly exposed so far in the red shirt, with his bulky frame appearing out of place alongside the Merseysiders’ wealth of tricky individuals in attacking positions.
As the stats show, he’s appeared laboured and out of sync during his 137 minutes of action so far, contributing very little aside from a bundled consolation effort against Manchester City. This is a far cry from the Lambert we saw on the South Coast:
Added Depth
Football – Liverpool Training – St.Jakob-Park, Basel, Switzerland – 30/9/14Liverpool’s Fabio Borini (R) and Mario Balotelli during trainingMandatory Credit: Action Images / Matthew ChildsLivepicEDITORIAL USE ONLY.
Daniel Sturridge’s much-publicised England injury really exposed the lack of quality options at Brendan Rodgers’ disposal. Without his second top scorer from last term, the Northern Irishman was forced to rely on an adjusting Balotelli, and seemingly past it Lambert and Borini – whom he openly wanted to sell over the summer.
With Sturridge’s tendency to pick up knocks, it’s likely that the same situation may occur again over the course of the season, so having Origi in reserve could be useful. The youngster will, likely, be content with a back-up position and could use his hunger to impress when handed opportunities.
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Versatility
While Origi is most comfortable as a striker, his pace and work rate have seen him used on the flanks at Lille through his fledgling career. This term he has spearheaded the attack on the bulk of occasions, yet he has been shifted to the right wing.
Last season the teen sensation also occupied a slot on the left flank, and such versatility is sure to appeal to Rodgers, who is known to favour a fluid attacking line in which his players drift into new positions.
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Allows for Borini to be sold
Even though Borini and his agent are publically stating that the Italian is going nowhere in January, a move away from Anfield looks to be on the cards. The 23-year-old was Rodgers’ first Liverpool signing back in 2012 as he arrived from Roma in a £10.5m deal, yet the switch hasn’t been a success.
Injury problems cut his first season short before a lack of European football on Merseyside saw him shunted out to Sunderland on loan ahead of a move away from the club during the last window being mooted. Liverpool accepted offers from the Black Cats and QPR and are likely to be presented with loan bids from clubs from Serie A in the new year, which will be tempting if Origi is back on the scene.
As the 2014-2015 season enters its second leg, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger will have the opportunity to make a few January changes to his squad.
Apart from looking to other leagues to bring in more reinforcements, Wenger can try making moves for players in the same league as some big name players are tipped to be on the move.
So, here are five Premier League players the Gunners should look to if they will want to regain their form and fight for a top four finish again…
Winston Reid
Name: Winston Reid
Age: 26
Position: Centre-Back
Nationality: New Zealand
Club: West Ham United
Price: £20million (asking price)
Arsenal have more than once shown that they are struggling to defend week in week out and with their added injury concerns in the back, another centre-back sure tops Arsene Wenger’s January shopping list.
Winston Reid has been in great form helping West Ham United achieve a great first half of the season as he is also being linked with moves to Liverpool and Manchester United. However, his huge asking price is still a factor in his purchase with Wenger not willing to spend such a high fee for his services.
Morgan Schneiderlin
Name: Morgan Schneiderlin
Age: 25
Position: Centre Midfield
Nationality: France
Club: Southampton
Price: £20-£25million
Apart from needing to buy a centre-back, Arsenal are also in desperate need of a central midfielder capable of slotting in right in front of the back four. Attack-wise, Arsene Wenger has a huge selection of players while both Mikel Arteta and Mathieu Flamini have been on the recieving end of quite a bit of criticism.
Morgan Schneiderlin has been linked with a move to the Emirates ever since the summer, but Ronald Koeman is doing all he can to retain his services. It is likely that the Gunners will put together one big offer to finally fill the void in their midfield.
Chris Smalling
Name: Chris Smalling
Age: 25
Position: Centre-back
Nationality: England
Club: Manchester United
Price: £10-£15million
Although this is a highly unlikely transfer, Arsene Wenger was linked with a move to try and sign Chris Smalling from rivals Manchester United. With Arsenal only having two actual centre-backs in their squad, signing another one is in the club’s best interest.
Smalling may even be open to a move if Louis van Gaal decides to reshuffle his entire defence given the way they have been playing lately. If United sign one or two centre-backs in January, Wenger may be cleared to make a move for the England defender sometime during the January window.
Moussa Sissoko
Name: Moussa Sissoko
Age: 25
Position: Centre Midfield
Nationality: France
Club: Newcastle United
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Price: £15-£20million
Moussa Sissoko is a player who fits the bill to fill the role Arsene Wenger is looking for and given Newcastle United’s struggle so far this season, he may be interested in a switch to the Emirates. He has featured in 18 out of 20 games for his side and is a constant powerhouse in the middle of the park.
With Alan Pardew about to leave the club, this could be the perfect time for Wenger to make a move as the future of a number of players will be uncertain given a change in management. His defensive capabilities and attacking abilities could be exactly what the Gunners need heading into the final months of the campaign.
Ron Vlaar
Name: Ron Vlaar
Age: 29
Position: Centre-back
Nationality: Netherlands
Club: Aston Villa
Price: £10-£15million
Ron Vlaar is another centre-back that has been attracting interest from a number of Premier League clubs, with Liverpool and Manchester United also linked. Arsene Wenger is in desperate need for an experienced defender to either take over from his current ones or serve as back up should someone get injured.
Having been forced to play both Calum Chambers and Mathieu Debuchy in the middle of his defence throughout the season, Wenger should be aiming to secure Vlaar in January so he has enough cover going into the second half of the campaign.
All good things must come to an end, and Darren Fletcher’s career Manchester United is no different.
The midfielder is out of contract this summer, and it is has been widely reported that West Ham are hoping to bring the 30-year-old in on loan until the end of the season.
Fletcher would be a great signing for a West Ham side pushing for European competition this season and would gain from the opportunity to be playing every week. United do understandably still value Fletcher, primarily for his professionalism and positive influence on the squad, with his being made vice-captain at the start of this season evidence of this.
The Scotsman has had a brilliant decade at Manchester United, but it would be a shame for that legacy to be tarnished by his career their petering out. He faces intense competition in centre-midfield from Marouane Fellaini, Daley Blind, Ander Herrera and Michael Carrick; and Louis van Gaal may look to strengthen even further in his position.
When called upon this season, Fletcher has failed to match his previous levels, starting rarely and losing the vice-captaincy. He was particularly disappointing against Aston Villa, but must be remembered primarily for his fantastic contributions to United’s success.
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Given the great affinity Fletcher has developed with United and their fans, their bias might lead to an ignorance of the fact that it is time for a change for both parties This is not a criticism of Fletcher – there is no shame in being not good enough for Manchester United’s midfield at 30. Add in a remarkable recovery from ulcerative colitis, which he was diagnosed with in 2011, and he deserves great credit for even playing football again.
Fletcher has won the League and FA Cup once, whilst claiming five Premier league titles across a decade. The midfielder unfortunately missed the 2009 Champions League final after being sent-off in the semi-final stages, to the despair of United fans due to his importance to the team at that year.
Typically for Fletcher, he came back fighting, making the Premier League team of the year the following season – and his extensive contributions to United under Ferguson should not be forgotten. At 30, and with this superb CV and consistent glowing references for his character and professionalism, Fletcher has plenty to offer Premier League suitors.
His title-winning experience alone is outstanding, and as a free transfer Fletcher would represent good value, particularly in the ever-inflating modern market. At West Ham, Fletcher would be a great asset as a leader of men but arguably he is capable of playing regularly for a club seeking a top six finish in the Premier League.
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Others might say Fletcher’s time is fading and this would be enough of a challenge but ultimately, the Scotsman has spent his entire career defying the odds. One would not bet against him managing this one last time, even if it is not at Manchester United.
Despite a frustrating 0-0 draw against Blackburn in the FA Cup at the weekend, Liverpool are looking like real challengers for a top four place and back to their very best under Brendan Rodgers.
With the post-Luis Suarez blues now firmly behind the Merseyside club, the Northern Irish manager will hope to qualify for the Champions League again next season and kick on with a title push in 2015-16.
Although the Reds have a number of top-class players in their ranks, arguably their most important are Jordan Henderson and Raheem Sterling.
Both are English, feel a connection with the club and are continually improving. They are some of the best players in their respective positions in the Premier League. And both are reportedly dragging their heels in signing new contracts at Anfield.
Although Rodgers and the powers that be will be looking at the transfer market for potential summer additions soon, the most important deals that the club needs to secure, and quick, are contract renewals for their key English duo.
Henderson’s potential new deal is the more urgent of the two, with his current deal with the Merseyside club running out next summer.
With Steven Gerrard set to leave for a new challenge at the end of the campaign, the former Sunderland box-to-box man is being eyed up as the Liverpool legend’s replacement both in central midfield and as the club’s captain.
With the slightest of whispers in the Spanish media that Barcelona are keeping an eye on Henderson’s contract situation, Liverpool would be advised to act quickly.
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There will be other players in Rodgers’ current squad that get paid more than the homegrown midfielder, but Henderson deserves to be in the highest bracket of earners at Anfield. With reports that initial talks over a renewal have run ashore, Liverpool should treat Gerrard’s replacement with the same respect and generosity that they showed his predecessor when it comes time to talk turkey.
Sterling’s current deal has an extra year on it compared to Henderson’s, with the flying attacker in contract until the summer of 2017. However, there is no doubting the fact that due to the Jamaican-born star’s rapid rise to prominence, he is currently underpaid.
Rodgers revealed recently that Sterling had been offered an impressive new deal but as yet pen and paper have not met and questions marks still hang over his head.
Just how much credence there are in claims that Real Madrid are interested in Sterling remains to be seen, but it is seems logical that one of the brightest young prospects in world football is being linked to one of the biggest clubs.
Sterling has the potential to be a world-beater if he continues to develop at his current rate and keeping him at Anfield is essential if Liverpool are to break up the established order at the top of the Premier League on a consistent basis.
Although Rodgers will ask his board to deliver a number of new players ahead of next season, keeping the current crop together is arguably more critical.
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The weekend’s first FA Cup semi-final between Arsenal and Reading had everything that the magic of the cup can bring.
For neutral fans across the country it was a fantastic game to watch. Arsenal were taken to extra-time by a Championship club for the second year in a row, having taken Wigan to penalties in last season’s draw.
After a slightly one-sided first half, Reading came back fighting, and Gareth McCleary’s goal could have been one of many for the Championship side.
A mistake by Federici took Arsenal to the final to defend their title but neutral fans everywhere we gutted for Reading who put up a stellar fight.
But what did we learn from Arsenal’s narrow victory at Wembley? Here’s four things to look back on…
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Football can be a cruel cruel game
Football – Reading v Arsenal – FA Cup Semi Final – Wembley Stadium – 18/4/15Alexis Sanchez (not pictured) scores the second goal for Arsenal as Reading’s Adam Federici attempts to saveAction Images via Reuters / Carl RecineLivepicEDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contac
Arsene Wenger said before the game that he knew it was going to be hard work, and he was right.
After an amazing 90 minutes, Royals goalkeeper Adam Fedrici made a mistake that will haunt hm for a very long time. The look on his face as he realised what he had done brought the gutting feeling into the homes of every Reading and neutral fan watching the game.
After such a skilful game of football by both sides it seems so cruel that Reading had to go out on a mistake.
Whatever Steve Clark said at half-time worked
Football – Reading v Arsenal – FA Cup Semi Final – Wembley Stadium – 18/4/15Garath McCleary celebrates with team mates after scoring the first goal for ReadingAction Images via Reuters / Carl RecineLivepicEDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representa
Reading looked like a different side in the second half, forcing Arsenal into their own half and Wojciech Szczęsny to make a number of important saves.
The Royals played superbly as a team and the sheer determination was clear to see on all their faces. They had 75% of the possession during the second half and Adam Federici made some fantastic saves, making him the main reason they took Arsenal to extra-time.
Mathieu Debuchy should not have started
Football – Reading v Arsenal – FA Cup Semi Final – Wembley Stadium – 18/4/15Arsenal’s Mathieu Debuchy in action with Reading’s Garath McCleary Action Images via Reuters / Carl RecineLivepicEDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further
Mathieu Debuchy’s first season at Arsenal has been blighted by injury, and the fact that throughout the game his running looked laboured and appeared very tired, suggested he really shouldn’t have started.
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Reading tried to utilise this weakness in the Gunner’s defence and made the majority of the attacks down the left. By the time it got to extra-time he was running on empty but Arsene Wenger didn’t have much option but to leave him on the pitch.
Alexis Sanchez showed us why he’s on the Player of the Year shortlist
Football – Reading v Arsenal – FA Cup Semi Final – Wembley Stadium – 18/4/15Alexis Sanchez celebrates after scoring the second goal for ArsenalAction Images via Reuters / John SibleyLivepicEDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further
Alexis Sanchez was superb for the Gunners at Wembley. Having been shortlisted for the PFA’s Player of the Year, it was clear to see why.
As Reading got tireder towards the end of the match, the Chilean was involved in every attack and didn’t seem to tire at all. He had a 87% pass rate for the game, the highest of anyone on the pitch.
An Aaron Ramsey and Alexis Sanchez-inspired Arsenal ran riot against Hull in the first half of last night’s Premier League meeting between the two, enabling the Gunners to record an impressive 3-1 win.
Ramsey’s strike was sandwiched between two Sanchez goals to hand Arsene Wenger’s side an unassailable 3-0 lead at half-time – their eighth away win on the bounce and the 200th Premier League win of the club’s history.
With the game being moved from a Saturday afternoon kick-off to a Monday night, the game left travelling fans in a difficult predicament given the lack of late-night rail travel options back from the KC Stadium.
Europcar – Arsenal’s Official Car and Van Rental Partner – showed their dedication to mobility by helping a number of Gooners arranging free coach travel to and from the game for the South Wales and Milton Keynes Arsenal Supporters Clubs.
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The move showed Europcar’s continuing commitment to make away-games more accessible for the club’s support. Just a few weeks back the Car and Van Rental Partner also made sure that the Scottish and North Wales Supporters Clubs did not have to miss out on the FA Cup win at Old Trafford by helping with their transport arrangements.
They say emotion is the nemesis of good analysis but I simply can’t contain my feelings towards FIFA’s ongoing corruption scandal, which has so far seen eight officials arrested, five more indicted and four enter guilty pleas as the investigations of the Swiss authorities and FBI continue – not to mention force the draconian Sepp Blatter into a shock resignation just days after his re-election as president of world football’s governing body.
Of course, rumoured corruption in FIFA has been well documented for the best part of two decades and the allegations have gone into overdrive since Qatar were officially awarded the 2022 World Cup five years ago. The FBI’s fraud and laundering investigation started way back in 2011.
But the arrests in Zurich, in which several FIFA officials were whisked from their hotel beds in the early hours of Wednesday 27th of May to face the possibility of extradition to the USA, in combination with the figure of $150million doing the rounds in the press, really put things into perspective.
Because whilst your local football club struggles to afford adequate changing room facilities, whilst grassroots football across the continent dies yet another death, whilst the stadiums of Serie A have been left to crumble as their corroding bricks become ad hoc weapons for the ultras, whilst the global credit crunch leaves La Liga facing the biggest collective debt in their history, whilst 1,200 slave labourers die building stadiums in Qatar, these furtive FIFA fellows have been skimming off the top; stepping over non-league football and dead bodies on the way to the ivory back-scratcher shop.
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It cannot be overstated, exaggerated or expressed too hyperbolically – believe me, I’ve tried – this is truly the most despicable, dishonest and treacherous act in the history of the beautiful game.
Of all football fans across the world, not even 1% will get the chance to work with or for FIFA in some capacity. To everyday people like you and me, it is an incredible honour; the opportunity to positively impact a sport that so many people forge their whole lives around, that creates harmony between divided nations, that binds complete strangers spanning Bristol to Beijing.
Yet Jack Warner, Jeffrey Webb, Aaron Davidson, Costas Takkas, the rest of the 14 men in the FBI’s crosshairs and their merry band of yet-to-be-revealed accomplices have turned working for FIFA and the organisation itself into something detestably sinister. A boys club of back-slappers continually selling out football for their own financial gain.
There’s a sickening irony in the fact it’s football – a phenomena that when reduced to its most basic state is purely two sets of jumpers laid ten feet apart on either side of a patch of grass – they’ve been ripping off; not the tax-payer, not the corporations, not even the consumer. Simply anybody who has a vested interest in the progression of a sport that belongs to everyone, by letting bribes control the direction its now heading in.
Worryingly, logic suggests this is only the tip of the ice-berg. In my opinion, it’s quite clear there’s a corruption culture at the top end of FIFA – not just a few bad apples. Those who have been questioned so far are for crimes the FBI feel capable of proving in a court of law; there are undoubtedly many more squeezing through loopholes and sneaking under the radar to avoid prosecution.
And you have to wonder the true motivation behind Blatter’s resignation. He’s never shown much consideration for the wider footballing public before, as long as his African and Asian voting blocs remain onside, so the mentioning of mandate in his speech yesterday afternoon is a little hard to swallow – he hasn’t had a legitimate, global mandate for years. It’s a final act straight from the Richard Nixon handbook, a bid to remove himself from the equation before any more wrongdoing is unearthed.
So here’s to you, Blatter, Warner and company, the men who committed the biggest and greatest atrocity in footballing history; the men who let greed turn the beautiful game ugly; the men who lead the most popular sport in the world down any route that lined their pockets the most abundantly; the men who happily shared out $150million that could’ve made a huge impact to fans, footballers, clubs and leagues across the globe between themselves.
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If there’s one positive to take from this, it’s the knowledge that FIFA’s politic and practices will be handled with far more scrutiny in the years to come. But the embarrassment of what the organisation has become, the manner in which it’s betrayed the sport it represents, will never quite wash off.
Tottenham have kept themselves relatively busy in the transfer market this summer, spending around £20million on defenders Toby Alderweireld, Kevin Wimmer and Kieran Tripper whilst offloading the likes of Paulinho and Etienne Capoue, but there’s still some work to be done on the inward front.
Indeed, many a Premier League manager would argue no squad is ever truly complete. So ahead of a season in which Spurs fans will be hoping their club hones in on a top four finish after ending last term in fifth place, the Lilywhites roster is still far from perfect.
But fear not Spurs fans, for Football FanCast is here to help. Using our god-given powers of transfer know-how, we’ve listed FIVE potential signings that could leave the north Londoners with a well-rounded, complete squad.
Would you like to see some of these FIVE turn up at White Hart Lane in time for Spurs’ opening Premier League fixture against Manchester United next month?
JAMES MCCARTHY
James McCarthy has already been mooted as a priority target for Tottenham and it’s not hard to see why.
Dynamic energy, enthusiasm and tenacity was the main reason Ryan Mason held down a spot in the Lilywhites starting XI for so long last season and the Ireland international is of a similar mould; never more than a few yards away from the action and seemingly covering every blade of grass twice over the course of 90 minutes.
If there’s one criticism of the 24 year-old, it’s that he doesn’t score enough goals – managing just 26 in 336 appearances throughout his tenures with Hamilton Academical, Wigan, current club Everton and the Irish national team.
But that aside, McCarthy offers an impressive all-round game, blending his renowned athleticism with enough technical quality to feature at the epicentre of two Roberto Martinez sides.
Spurs are attempting to broker a deal that will see Aaron Lennon go the other way; but Martinez has insisted the midfielder isn’t for sale.
JAVIER HERNANDEZ
Although Harry Kane’s role at the spearhead of Tottenham’s attack is cemented for next season, the Lilywhites are in dire need of some better back up for the England international, currently relying on flopped duo Emmanuel Adebayor and Roberto Soldado.
In terms of strikers with Premier League proven pedigree, they don’t come much better than Manchester United’s Javier Hernandez, who reached double figures in three league campaigns for the Red Devils despite predominantly featuring from the bench.
He’s got the pace to penetrate defences but it best known for his killer instincts inside the box – a real old-fashioned poacher who finishes as comfortably in the air as he does on the ground.
That could make the Mexico international an interesting partner for Kane, with their obvious contrast of styles, and I have little doubt Chicharito would comfortably score around 15 goals per season with enough game-time.
Spurs may have a tougher time than expected convincing the Old Trafford outfit to sell, however. Despite spending last term exiled to Real Madrid and now venturing into the final twelve months of his contract, reports today claim United want to hold onto the 27 year-old for at least another season.
RICKIE LAMBERT
A considerably cheaper and more available alternative to Javier Hernandez comes in the form of ex-Southampton front-man Rickie Lambert.
I know what you’re thinking; the striker is now 33 years of age and has just come to the end of a woeful season at Liverpool, managing just three goals in 36 appearances across all competitions – albeit predominantly reduced to featuring from the bench.
But not long ago the England international was one of the most impressive centre-forwards in the Premier League under Mauricio Pochettino’s direction at St. Mary’s, claiming 28 goals and 15 assists in 75 appearances during his top flight campaigns with the Saints.
Although Tottenham fans might not feel too comfortable with him starting regularly, the former Football Leaguer is still a better option from the bench than Adebayor or Soldado in my opinion, having already proved himself compatible with Pochettino’s philosophy.
Furthermore, having signed him for just £4million and since completely ruined his career, Liverpool will likely let Lambert leave for a pittance this summer – especially after wrapping up a deal for likeminded Aston Villa target man Christian Benteke.
THIAGO MOTTA
Due to their drastic overhaul of players during the last two summers, Tottenham are now left with an exceptionally young squad – which could be made even younger if Aaron Lennon, Roberto Soldado, Moussa Dembele and Emmanuel Adebayor are all offloaded as expected this summer.
Some experience and natural leadership certainly wouldn’t go amiss, at which point I direct you to PSG’s veteran enforcer Thiago Motta.
The 32-year-old is about as proven as it gets, boasting titles in La Liga, Serie A and Ligue 1 from with Barcelona, Inter Milan and the Parisians, alongside two Champions League titles and 23 caps for the Italian national team.
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Nabil Bentaleb is currently Mauricio Pochettino’s only real holding option, so in addition to balancing out Spurs’ youthfulness he’d also address a developing gap in their squad.
With his contract set to expire at the end of next season, Motta has already admitted he’s likely to leave the French capital this summer.
VICTOR MOSES
Another target allegedly already on the White Hart Lane radar is Chelsea winger-forward Victor Moses.
The Nigerian international’s intrinsic weakness has always been output, netting just 43 times in 261 career appearances throughout his spells with Crystal Palace, Wigan, Chelsea, Liverpool, Stoke City and the Super Eagles.
But blessed with great power, strength and dribbling ability, the 24 year-old’s contribution to build up play can be phenomenal; on loan with the Potters last season, he averaged 2.2 shots, 1.7 created chances and 3.3 successful dribbles per-match.
Mauricio Pochettino likes his winger-forwards to be dynamic and robust and Moses certainly falls into that category, whilst his all-round work rate is undoubtedly superior to the likes of Erik Lamela and Andros Townsend.
The tabloids claim Spurs have already launched a £7million bid – but Stoke boss Mark Hughes believes Moses could be in line for a surprise role in the Chelsea first team next season.