Top Premier League Transfer Stories
The Battle for Schneiderlin
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The most important transfer story of the January transfer window is the four-way tussle for Southampton holding midfielder and French International Morgan Schneiderlin. Schneiderlin is the axis of a team that is unexpectedly competing for a Champions League place, and is currently sitting in fourth place with 33 points, leading Arsenal by six goals on goal difference.
During the 2014 summer transfer window, Schneiderlin submitted a transfer request in an attempt to leave for a bigger club, but after having sold multiple first team players, Southampton refused his request and all other transfer offers. Losing Schneiderlin would effectively end Southampton’s Champions League ambitions, and they have to convince him that they can reproduce their first half form throughout the rest of the season.
Arsenal — who are reportedly preparing a €15 million bid — Liverpool, and Tottenham Hotspur all have massive holes in their defensive midfield and the addition of Schneiderlin would provide stability, while bringing the technical ability that all these sides require for their attacking style of play.
Manchester United’s attempted additions
“Manchester United, a club that has prided itself on player development, seems prepared to spend large sums of money to fix the multiple holes that €196 million could not fill during the 2014 summer transfer window…”
Manchester United, a club that has prided itself on player development, seems prepared to spend large sums of money to fix the multiple holes that €196 million could not fill during the 2014 summer transfer window.
Along with Clyne, Louis Van Gaal — United’s manager — is targeting Everton right back Seamus Coleman to fill a position currently manned by winger Antonio Valencia, who plays as a right wing back when United play a back three, and Rafael, who is not a favorite of Van Gaal, when United play a back four.
Longtime United transfer target Kevin Strootman — who played under Van Gaal with the Dutch National Team — would add physicality and discipline to a central midfield line which is now manned by Wayne Rooney, a converted forward, and Juan Mata, a lightweight attacking midfielder. It has been reported that United are preparing a €30 million transfer to bring Strootman to Old Trafford.
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Mats Hummels, a world-class center back — who is a technically skilled and physical player — is a €45 million target to marshal a defensive line that has conceded the most goals of any of the Top-4 Premier League sides. United’s defense is built around talented but injury prone center backs Jonny Evans and Phil Jones. With these injuries United has been forced to play center backs Chris Smalling, and Tyler Blackett and Patrick Mcnair — who lack experience.
Finally, United have also reportedly undertaken an audacious mission to bring attacking midfielder Gareth Bale back to the Premier League from Real Madrid with a supposed €90 million transfer bid being readied. In return, Madrid are asking for goalkeeper David De Gea, who has developed into one of the best goalkeepers into the world.
Jul 30, 2014; Bronx, NY, USA; Liverpool FC manager Brendan Rodgers after a game against Manchester City FC at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Can Rodgers get a window right?
“The failures that have left Brendan Rodgers’ job on the line can be primarily attributed to his inability to add quality transfers to his squad during transfer windows…”
The failures that have left Brendan Rodgers’ job on the line can be primarily attributed to his inability to add quality transfers to his squad during transfer windows. During the Liverpool manager’s tenure at the Anfield club there have been five transfer windows, three during the summers in which he has failed to procure the needed quality, with center forward Daniel Sturridge and attacking midfielder Phillipe Coutinho being the only additions that have lived up to or exceeded their expectations.
Most notably, his failed attempt to compensate for the loss of Luis Suarez with recent transfer Mario Balotelli — an addition that has predictably underwhelmed, and his inability to plug the holes in his defense — have left Liverpool already out of the 2014-15 Champions League, and barely in touching distance of qualifying for next seasons tournament.
Along with Schneiderlin, rumors of Rodgers attempting to sign West Bromwich Albion forward Saido Berahino are swirling, suggesting that — in an attempt to salvage this Premier League season and save his job — Rodgers prefers to return to the 4-4-2 diamond attack heavy formation which guided Liverpool to a second place finish during the 2013-14 season.
Arsenal Chase Cavani?
Do you honestly think that Arsene Wenger is about to spend €50 million in January?…maybe in the summer.