All posts by h79snht.top

In September 2013 in his first speech new FA Chairman Greg Dyke set two rather ambitious targets: reaching the semi-finals at Euro 2020 and then winning the World Cup in 2022.

In the same speech back in 2013 he listed the various problems in English football, pointing out that twenty years ago 69% of all the players starting matches in the Premier League were qualified to play for England but in the 2011/12 season the figure was 32%. Two years ago in the 2010/11 just 37% of all new signings by Premier League clubs were qualified to play for England.

Whilst this figure did climb towards 40% last season, largely down to Burnley’s mainly British squad, it was nevertheless an early improvement. However, much more improvement needs to be made and the figure needs to get over the 50% mark at least if England are going to see any benefits in the long term.

Dyke’s aims could be easily derided. You could say his targets are a bit far fetched, but it is better setting a target like Dyke has done rather than sit back an accept England’s fate. He is actively trying to change things.

And obviously the target to win the 2022 World Cup is quite contentious in itself as it is quite unclear where it will be played yet due to the whole FIFA scandal.

But wherever it is, the target is so far away it does at least give England a seven year period in which players can develop and be moulded into a squad that is potentially capable of winning the World Cup.

Joe Hart will be 35 when the World Cup starts in 2022, so he may well be the ‘keeper between the sticks, or it could be Stoke City’s Jack Butland – both, by the time of the tournament, will be experienced, quality stoppers.

The England manager of the time will be able to call on Luke Shaw at left back and Nathaniel Clyne at right back, John Stones at centre back who could be partnered by Phil Jones.

Current England regulars Raheem Sterling, Ross Barkley and Jack Wilshere are all still young and by the time of that tournament will be experienced internationals and will provide the creative spark in the side.

Up front Daniel Sturridge would be 32 and a seasoned international by that point, Spurs forward Harry Kane would only be 28 and in his prime as well.

Of course this is all theoretical, as we don’t know how players will develop and who will break through, but there is at least a good nucleus for a solid England side that may be capable of winning the World Cup.

Some players that have not even been mentioned yet like Will Hughes, Jordon Ibe, Alex Pritchard, Nathaniel Chalobah or Ruben Loftus-Cheek are all promising young players who have plenty to prove and plenty of time to prove it. They could be shaping the basis of England’s side for the tournament in 2022, however we don’t know if these players will be given the time and football needed to develop and that is the problem Dyke is trying to deal with.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

But if the likes of these youngsters can get football, they could be part of the conversation to  make Dyke’s dream a reality.

The cynics will say Dyke’s dream is madness and England are miles away, and they may be right. But with the tournament so far away and with so much young talent that needs to develop over the years building up to the tournament it may well prove to be good judgement.

However now it is too hard to say, but if Dyke can get more English players playing in the Premier League the England national team will be much better for it.

[ad_pod id=’ricco’ align=’center’]

Celtic have a massive week of football ahead of them. It’s a week that in many ways will define what direction their season will take. Win all three matches against Aberdeen, Dundee and Rangers and they’ll be expected to coast to another Scottish Premiership title without much trouble in the new year. Defeats in one or two of the matches and they’ll have to contemplate the prospect of a real title race.

It all starts on Saturday with the visit of the Dons and although they have a massive derby against Rangers too look forward to on the 30th, this weekend’s match is arguably more important.

The Hoops are probably more vulnerable now than they ever have been under Brendan Rodgers and although they have a great record against Aberdeen in the manager’s time in Glasgow, Saturday is set to be a tough test.

Here are THREE reasons why this is Celtic’s biggest match of the domestic season so far…

They’ve just destroyed a difficult to beat Hibs team

Celtic have a struggled in the odd match against numerous teams over the last 12 months, but against Hibernian it’s becoming a bit of a habit with Neil Lennon’s side showing on two occasions they can be a match for Brendan Rodgers’ team. It’s perhaps rather disconcerting then that Aberdeen are coming into Saturday’s match with Celtic having just destroyed the Edinburgh side 4-1.

The Dons looked at their lethal best against Hibs last week, with former Hoops star Gary Mackay-Steven netting a hat-trick and generally terrifying what has been a fairly impressive defence this season.

Ever since Derek McInnes turned down Rangers they’ve been on a tear, winning three matches from three and capitalising on Celtic’s defeat to Hearts at Tynecastle.

Catching Aberdeen on an off day often results in a routine win for Celtic, but catching them in this form, after a long month, will this one an especially difficult 90 minutes.

They’ll likely be Celtic’s closest challengers again

Despite Rangers getting their act together a bit this season results wise, and defeating the Dons twice in a week recently, Aberdeen are still showing that over long stretches they are still the second most consistent team in Scotland and Celtic’s closest challengers.

A win against the Hoops on Saturday would put them to within just two points of the league leaders and with two home matches to follow while Celtic have to travel to Dens Park and face Rangers in a big derby, that gives them a decent chance of ending the year on level points or even ahead of the Scottish champions. A win of course puts them eight points clear, breathing room in the midst of a difficult set of fixtures.

If ever there was a time to show their dominance over Aberdeen, Saturday is it and the Hoops can’t slip up or risk heading into the winter break with their tail between their legs.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Derek McInnes has a point to prove

Derek McInnes recently committed his future to the club after making the massive decision to turn down Rangers and in doing so he is re-iterating his desire that Aberdeen can win trophies under his watch. He’s done an impressive job at the Dons but only has one solitary league cup to show for it and since Brendan Rodgers arrived in Scotland, they’ve looked even more unlikely to add to that.

McInnes’ record against Rodgers is poor, in the seven matches between the two, Rodgers’ side have come out on top in all seven, scoring 17 goals in the process and conceding just three. It’s been so difficult for the Dons to even get close to Celtic.

The difference in resources is of course huge but if McInnes is truly going to deliver success at Pittodrie, he needs to find a way to win against Celtic, and after showing loyalty to Aberdeen, this would be the time to do it, making his side even more dangerous this weekend.

Liverpool began the transfer window with a bang by signing Virgil van Dijk from Southampton, but they are yet to soften the blow of losing Philippe Coutinho by bringing in a new signing.

Schalke midfielder Leon Groteska was one of many names being linked with a move to Anfield.

The Independent claims that the Merseyside outfit were in contact with the midfielder’s representatives.

However, it has been confirmed today that the 22-year-old has agreed to join Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich.

The Bavarians confirmed on Twitter that Goretzka has signed a contract that will come into effect on July 1.

The news could affect Emre Can’s future at Liverpool given that Goretzka was tipped to replace his fellow German, who is out of contract this summer.

As expected, fans have taken to social media to express their thoughts in the Reds failing to convince the young player to move to Merseyside.

Meanwhile, Liverpool will try to extend their unbeaten run in the Premier League to 15 matches when they take on Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium on Monday.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

[ad_pod ]

Manchester United recorded a narrow 1-0 victory against Burnley at Turf Moor in the Premier League on Saturday to stay in second position, but Red Devils fans were left unimpressed with Marcus Rashford’s late contribution from the substitutes’ bench.

The 20-year-old forward is struggling for form at the moment with only one goal in his last 15 top flight appearances, and he replaced Jesse Lingard in the 80th minute of the clash in Lancashire.

However, the England international’s lack of confidence showed and while he decided to go on his own instead of setting up Romelu Lukaku for a second United goal because of some poor decision-making, he was also booked for a challenge on Georges-Kevin Nkoudou in injury-time.

Man United supporters were quick to have their say on the attacker’s latest display via social media, and while one said “I fear for him”, another said he “needs the Mkhi treatment”.

Here is just a selection of the Twitter reaction…

[ad_pod ]

As reported by The Scottish Sun, Rangers defender Danny Wilson is on the brink of an exit from Ibrox this week, with the player set to undergo a medical at Major League Soccer side Colorado Rapids later today.

The homegrown talent’s contract is set to expire at the end of the season and that’s forced the move, according to the paper.

Wilson has had his ups and downs at Rangers since rejoining the club from Liverpool in 2015, but recently has strung together some consistent performances with Graeme Murty making him a trusted member of his starting eleven.

Having made over 100 appearances for the Ibrox outfit, it appears his time in Glasgow is coming to an end, but it’s not an exit that supporters are particularly happy with.

Many would much rather he stay on and sign a new contract rather than move elsewhere, preferring to see fellow defenders like Bruno Alves make an exit instead.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Fans took to Twitter to share their thoughts on the exit reports this week…

Everton boss Sam Allardyce has said that January arrival Eliaquim Mangala will give the Toffees ‘better balance’ on the left-side of the field.

Mangala joined Everton on loan from Manchester City in the latter stages of January transfer window.

The 26-year-old has made 15 appearances for City during the 2017-18 campaign, but was deemed surplus to requirements following the arrival of Aymeric Laporte from Athletic Bilbao.

Mangala, who is valued at £13.5m by transfermarkt.co.uk, could make his Toffees debut in Saturday’s Premier League clash against Arsenal.

Allardyce’s side have had a problem down the left in recent weeks, and the former England boss is delighted to have been able to bring the Frenchman to Goodison Park.

Allardyce told reporters:

“He is naturally left footed, who will not only be defensively be better but also better in both areas. He will give us better balance.

“You can see the other night that our strength lay down the right hand side. Our left was pretty good but…”

Seamus Coleman and Theo Walcott impressed down the right during Wednesday’s 2-1 win over Leicester City in the Premier League.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

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 left-hand side of the field, however, has been the source of frustration for a lot of Everton supporters over the last few months.

As reported by Italian outlet CalcioMercato.it, Arsenal have recently sent scouts to the track the progress of Napoli attacker Lorenzo Insigne.

What’s the story?

With the departures of Alexis Sanchez, Theo Walcott and Olivier Giroud in January, Arsenal could do with summer reinforcements in attack, even after the arrivals of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Henrikh Mkhitaryan.

CalcioMercato.it report that the Gunners recently sent scouts to Napoli’s match with RB Leipzig, with one of the players they were there to watch being Lorenzo Insigne.

Rated at £54m by Transfermarkt, any deal to bring the Italian international to the Emirates would be significant, but is he the direct Sanchez replacement that could turn Arsenal into a top four force again?

How good is he?

While Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Mesut Ozil provide pure creativity and Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang offer raw firepower, Insigne is the kind of player that blends the two in a manner similar to Alexis Sanchez’s contributions at the Gunners.

This season so far the 26-year-old has scored 10 goals and provided eight assists, helping his side to the top of the Serie A table, following on from last term’s impressive return of 20 goals and 12 assists.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

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 Italian has been an absolute stand-out at Napoli for three years now and securing his signature would be quite a coup considering his potential to improve most teams around Europe.

A player who excels predominately on the left, a front four of Insigne, Ozil, Mkhitaryan and Aubameyang could provide the Gunners with an unstoppable attacking force next season if they follow up their reported interest.

Southampton moved out of the Premier League relegation zone when substitute Manolo Gabbiadini scored a late equaliser in his side’s 1-1 draw against Burnley at Turf Moor on Saturday, and it came when they had two strikers on the pitch.

While the 4-2-3-1 formation helped Saints achieve some of their best ever top flight campaigns and qualify for the Europa League twice in recent years, they haven’t looked the like the same team that played so successfully using that system when they had Rickie Lambert and then Graziano Pelle as a focal point.

Of course, the south coast outfit also had the likes of Adam Lallana, Jay Rodriguez and Sadio Mane supporting the centre-forward, but it’s fair to say that Southampton have been a completely different outfit since Pelle left for China in 2016 and Claude Puel took the reins from Ronald Koeman.

They certainly haven’t been the same from an attacking point of view and they have largely struggled to score goals in the 18 months since then, while the striker – whoever it may be – is often left too isolated with the attacking midfielders not close enough to them.

Whether that is down to those individuals or the tactics of the manager – this is a theme that has continued since Mauricio Pellegrino succeeded Puel last summer – isn’t entirely clear, but both bosses should take some of the blame for perhaps being too negative and not committing enough men forward.

Saints have already lost at home to Watford, Crystal Palace, Leicester City and Burnley and only drawn with Newcastle United, Huddersfield Town, Swansea City and Brighton and Hove Albion at St Mary’s this term, and in all of those fixtures they haven’t had the firepower required to break the opposition down considering they haven’t been as good defensively as in previous years.

Southampton supporters have often called out for Pellegrino to play two strikers up top to give them more of a threat, and that was even more apparent following the 1-0 home defeat against the Clarets on the south coast in November.

With the game goalless after 65 minutes, the crucial moment of the match happened as Manolo Gabbiadini was replaced by Charlie Austin for the hosts, while Sean Dyche saw an opportunity and decided to be bold by bringing on two strikers and taking one striker and a midfielder off.

[ad_pod ]

Burnley went two up top and they got their reward as Sam Vokes scored the winner nine minutes from time, to leave the St Mary’s crowd disappointed – a recurring theme this term.

It was clear from that incidence that putting two up top can be effective, but despite the fans wanting it and Pellegrino often being questioned about it at his various press conferences, he has never taken the plunge even though he will have Gabbiadini, Austin, Shane Long and new boy Guido Carrillo to pick from when everyone is fit.

Southampton had put in yet another poor performance on the road against Burnley at the weekend, and when they fell behind to Ashley Barnes’ 67th-minue goal Pellegrino decided to act by bringing on Sofiane Boufal for Oriol Romeu, Josh Sims for James Ward-Prowse and Manolo Gabbiadini for Dusan Tadic over the course of the following 15 minutes.

That left the visitors with Gabbiadini and Carrillo as the two strikers, as the Argentine boss finally took a risk to try and salvage a point.

It was something that the Saints fans have barely seen during Pellegrino’s time at the helm, and they would have been delighted when the decision paid off as Sims crossed to Carrillo, who nodded it down for Gabbiadini to fire home his first Premier League goal since October.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

For many supporters it would have been no surprise that the tactical change worked and it is something that they have been calling out for a while, but now their boss needs to learn from it too.

Southampton face a huge match against 19th-placed Stoke City at St Mary’s on Saturday, and in all honesty it is a must-win encounter if they are to secure their top flight status for another season given some of the tricky fixtures – mostly away – that they still have to come.

Pellegrino’s men need to have an attacking threat and take the game to the Potters, and Carrillo and Gabbiadini should be starting as a front two after their fine link-up for the goal at Turf Moor.

It’s not as though the Argentine boss doesn’t have the options to play 3-5-2 or 4-4-2 either because he does, and playing both up top on Saturday could be the difference between one point or three points, which could ultimately decide the south coast outfit’s fate this season.

The pressure increased on Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger on Sunday after his side fell to a 2-1 defeat away to Brighton & Hove Albion in the English Premier League.

It was the Gunners first defeat to the Seagulls since 1982 and the 11th successive match they’ve failed to keep a clean sheet in the top-flight, their joint longest run in the competition.

Fans are questioning the short and long-term future of the club under the guidance of Wenger with many, as you’d expect, now wanting him him to leave the club.

The players haven’t escaped criticism either though, with many established first team stars taking plenty of flak in the wake of Sunday’s result.

One of those most heavily criticised was Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny, who looked shaky at the back all afternoon and gave away possession which led to the home side’s second goal.

Supporters are wondering where it’s all gone wrong for the 32-year-old, with others hoping he is axed this summer as they look to improve on their current woes.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

They took to Twitter to share their thoughts…

[ad_pod ]

According to ESPN FC, Southampton are one of the Premier League clubs considering making a move for FC Basel forward Mohamed Elyounoussi, who is rated at £6.75m according to Transfermarkt, this summer.

What’s the word, then?

Well, ESPN FC says that Saints scouts, along with ones from their top flight rivals Arsenal and Leicester City, watched the 23-year-old attacker put in a man-of-the-match display in his side’s 2-1 win against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night.

The Norway international scored one and assisted the other in the victory, and the south coast outfit are said to be long-term admirers of the influential forward, as they look to bolster their attacking options over the summer.

The report adds that Basel are bracing themselves to receive offers for the versatile player, who could be the next Basel product to make a big impact in England.

How well has Elyounoussi done this season?

The left-sided player has been brilliant, and he has scored seven goals and provided a further 13 assists in 31 appearances in all competitions for the Swiss outfit.

According to WhoScored.com, two of his main strengths are his dribbling and his ability to play through balls, and he has successfully completed 17 of the 26 take-ons he attempted in eight Champions League outings this term, while he may three key passes.

Would he be a good signing for Southampton?

He certainly would be, and it isn’t the first time they have been linked with him.

Saints have once again come up short from an attacking point of view this season and they need wide players that are going to bring goals and more creativity.

Elyounoussi’s record certainly suggests that he can do that, and the fact that he played so well against Manchester City and Manchester United in the Champions League more than hints that he can be a big success in the Premier League too.

Will they get him?

Of course, a lot will depend on whether they secure their Premier League status for another year as they are in real danger of going down right now.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

In reality, even if they do stay up they may have missed the boat on bringing the Norway international to St Mary’s as now he has impressed in the Champions League and against Manchester City, he will likely be being eyed by much bigger clubs that Saints aren’t able to compete with.

[ad_pod ]