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.
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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.
Who remembers Ravel Morrison? You know – the guy that was once Manchester United’s best young talent and the same at West Ham. Just another wasted talent?
Sir Alex Ferguson once described Ravel as the most talented player he’d had during his time with United – quite an accolade when you consider the wealth of talent that has come through the ranks during that time, especially the ‘class of 92’.
Morrison then moved to West Ham after Sir Alex finally lost his patience. After moving to Upton Park and after an initial struggle to settle, he exploded onto the scene with a wonder goal vs Spurs. His performances were incredibly exciting to West Ham fans as he was far and away the standout player during the early part of a dismal season. Morrison was also finally receiving the mentoring and guidance under the wing of Kevin Nolan.
Following a loan spell towards the end of the season to QPR, Ravel returned to West Ham and was involved in the pre-season with the Hammers. However, after coming on as a substitute against Southampton he was deemed surplus to requirements as the Irons changed their formation and subsequently excluding the need for another attacking midfielder.
He was effectively chosen behind Kevin Nolan, and he’s not the most liked man in East London so Big Sam was criticised for his decision to let Morrison out on loan as he joined Cardiff City up until December.
Yet, so far, the 21-year-old has started only one game for Cardiff and made five appearances as a substitute. Unsurprisingly, during that time, he has failed to score or assist a single goal. The Bluebirds are currently sitting mid-table of the Championship and yet Morrison is yet to convince Russell Slade that he is worthy of a starting place.
Meanwhile, West Ham have had a somewhat dream start to life this season and sit joint on points with Arsenal after the first 10 games. When things are going so well, there’s nothing to moan about, and even Allardyce is starting to get some praise. Consequently, you rarely hear Ravel’s name murmured around the Boleyn Ground anymore – a shame really.
I, along with many West Ham fans, was a massive fan of the 21-year-old and had not seen a youngster with as much potential as Ravel at West Ham in a long time. However, despite still being a West Ham player and possibly due for return as a Christmas present, he’s starting to become a distant memory.
At the end of the day, if he can’t prove himself at Cardiff in the final two months of his loan spell then he certainly won’t be getting back into this West Ham side anytime soon.
He’s gone from the best of a bad bunch, to a fringe player not deemed worthy of a place on the bench. That may tell more about the improvements of the club over the past year than of the player himself, but a lot has been said about his attitude and there is no other reason why a player of his ability shouldn’t be cutting it in the Premier League.
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Watch below to see Ravel Morrison’s latest antics as he got only a yellow for slapping Bolton’s Darren Pratley during Cardiff’s 3-0 defeat on Tuesday.
Norwich defender Sebastien Bassong is confident that his side can achieve a positive result in their weekend clash with Manchester United.
The Premier League clubs will meet on Saturday, with both carrying good form into the encounter.
United have been free-scoring of late, with summer arrival Robin van Persie netting eight league goals already for his new team.
Norwich on the other hand have been solid defensively, keeping clean sheets in their last two matches and beating Arsenal at home.
Bassong believes that his side have nothing to fear as they host the Red Devils and must continue with their current game plan:
“We don’t have to focus on them too much, just on ourselves and doing the best game we can then we will see what happens.” He is quoted by SkySports.
“Manchester United can scare some people before the game has started, but I am sure it will not be the case with us.”
“Our defensive performances have been spot on, but that is because the team have been playing all together – we have been tight from the front to the goalkeeper.
“We just have to keep that going and with a bit of luck, maybe we can do something.
“When you are solid at the back, you will always get a chance to score.”
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Although he did admit that United have star names that they must deal with:
“Van Persie has great touch, great quality on the ball. Even if he does not have time he can score goals, he can smell the football and knows where to go, just like Rooney, they know where to move on the pitch. They are high-level players.
“It will be really hard to stop them, but I think we can do it.”
For a team who would have been happy with a good showing in a valiant semi-final defeat, England are fast rivaling the favourites for this World Cup.
Playing a tape to the end is an exercise that the 2018 edition of the tournament has shown to be futile, as some of the biggest favourites have been dumped out of the competition, but England remain – and their potential path to the final could hardly be easier.
It might be hubristic to speak in such terms, but the facts are there for all to see – England are the biggest name team in their side of the draw, and a place in the final should be their minimum aim for the rest of the campaign.
And yet there is a worry about the Three Lions. The same one we could have raised about Spain, Germany and Argentina: have England really convinced?
A 6-1 victory over Panama was certainly convincing, but then that was only Panama. A last-gasp win over Tunisia sounds bad, but arguably that was England’s best game of the tournament; certainly it was in the first 30 minutes. And then there was Belgium – a game which told us absolutely nothing about Gareth Southgate’s team and its ability to go far in this tournament.
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So onto a knockout round where England could well be tested seriously for the first time, and in a game where failure means the plane home.
We might also see the steel the Three Lions hold within.
Much has been made of the fact that the countries Pep Guardiola has managed in have won the last two World Cups: Spain when he was in charge of Barcelona and Germany when he had the reigns of Bayern Munich. But England’s spine doesn’t come from Manchester but further south – in north London.
England are a side filled with Tottenham players, and that’s part of what makes them so exciting – Mauricio Pochettino’s side are one of the most exciting in the world and they undeniably fit together as a team.
And yet, you wonder if that will just make England Spursy.
For the last two years, those Tottenham players in the squad have shown promise only to come up short. They’ve been to the semi-finals of the FA Cup only to lose at Wembley both times. They’ve dazzled in the Champions League only to see a wiley old team of grizzled pros manage to somehow get themselves over the line.
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Most worryingly for England, 2016 could be the omen.
2015/16 was the year Leicester City won the Premier League title. They did so in remarkably similar fashion to what we’re witnessing in this World Cup. The biggest and best teams fell by the wayside and Leicester found themselves in a title race with Tottenham. Spurs themselves weren’t established as a top team that season, but they should still have been finishing above the Foxes.
This year, if England are relying on Tottenham players to get them over the line in a World Cup Three Lions fans really are salivating over, you wonder if that isn’t a worrying turn of events.
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.
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There’s only four days remaining of the summer transfer window but plenty of work is still to be done at Manchester United.
The Red Devils wrapped up a record-breaking deal for Angel Di Maria earlier this week, yet few would argue, following a shock 4-0 defeat to MK Dons, that United’s squad is ready for the Premier League campaign.
As deadline day looms however major deals become less and less likely, forcing clubs to seek last-minute viable alternatives.
So with that in mind and Jim White filling up the gas tank on the Sky Sports News helicopter, here’s SIX deadline day deals – some surprising, others less so, that the Carrington outfit could (and should) make.
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DANTE
A suggestion fuelled by conjecture perhaps, but could we see Manchester United make a late bid for Bayern Munich centre-back Dante?
Manchester United have taken a look at the Brazil international before, and could be enticed to revive their interest now that the German Champions have wrapped up a deal for Roma sensation Mehdi Benatia.
The 30 year-old endured a disappointing World Cup, with his only appearance coming amid Selacao’s 7-1 semi-final thrashing at the hands of Germany. But he’s been incredibly consistent after moving to the Allianz Arena in 2012, as shown in the below statistics, notching up an incredible eight trophies since:
Here’s a look at the 6 foot 2 defender in action:
//www.youtube.com/embed/-yO0SYaI-UQ?rel=0
As you can see, his greatest gift is winning the ball back and quickly moving it in the right direction. Manchester United need a defender like that right now, and the Bundesliga veteran would further add crucial experience to an incredibly young Red Devils defence, the oldest member being 26 year-old Johnny Evans.
Dante signed a one-year contract extension back in March but that suggests more that the Barvarians are protecting his value, rather than warding off viable suitors. The South American is still rated at around the £20million mark however and United will be reluctant to spend such a costly sum on a 30 year-old.
RON VLAAR
Paul Lambert claims he’s yet to receive an offer for key centre-back Ron Vlaar, but after an impressive World Cup campaign with the Netherlands, he’s been billed as a potential Manchester United target for much of the summer:
Concrete Ron may not be the most talented centre-back to ever grace Old Trafford but he’s as tough as, well, concrete, and Manchester United’s youthful three-man defence is crying out for a dominant figure to take on the central centre-back role.
The Aston Villa skipper would fit that requirement, having shone as the inside centre-back in Holland’s 3-5-2 formation at the World Cup. As viewable below, he showed outstanding form in Brazil:
Here’s a look at the defender in action for Oranje:
//www.youtube.com/embed/KElFlYKBcUY?rel=0
He may not be the world-class centre-back United fans are hoping for but they’re a bit of a rare breed nowadays. And after losing out on Mats Hummels, who is now Borussia Dortmund captain, the 29 year-old would be an interesting short-term alternative.
NIGEL DE JONG
Another budget Dutchman reportedly in Manchester United’s transfer crosshairs is AC Milan defensive midfielder Nigel de Jong:
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The 29 year-old, affectionately known as ‘The Lawn-mower’ for his bone-crunching tackles, was one of the better of a bad bunch at AC Milan last season and enjoyed a solid World Cup campaign with Oranje, as detailed below:
United’s midfield lacks physical menace but De Jong offers it in abundance. His Premier League experience is a major advantage too, having spent four seasons and won the English title with noisy neighbours Manchester City.
Here’s a look at the kind of ball-winning service De Jong provides:
//www.youtube.com/embed/Y-TeFK8uNGI?rel=0
Admittedly, sometimes he can be little overzealous:
And Manchester United will expect to land De Jong on the cheap, with the midfielder’s San Siro contract set to expire at the end of the season. It’s been alleged they could prize the Netherlands international away for as little as £8million.
ALEX SONG
Manchester United’s midfield is in serious need of reinforcements, so it’s rather fortuitous that Barcelona have placed a talented midfielder virtually in their laps.
Allegedly, after struggling to impress during his two seasons at the Nou Camp, the Catalans are prepared to let the 26 year-old leave on a loan deal this summer – no fee required – with the view to take his services permanently for £8million.
Song’s no world-beater but he’s well proven at Premier League and Champions League level, having amassed 217 appearances during a seven-year stay with Arsenal. And in his last top flight campaign, the Cameroon international claimed an impressive eleven assists.
Here’s a look at Song in action for the Gunners:
//www.youtube.com/embed/b8khiA5Io1s?rel=0
There are certainly more attractive targets on Manchester United’s radar but if their arduous pursuit of Juventus star Arturo Vidal comes to no avail, expect their interest in Song to rapidly increase.
MARCO REUS
Jurgen Klopp has dismissed reports that Marco Reus will be allowed to leave this summer, but until Borussia Dortmund tie down their star forward to new terms, Manchester United will be determined to prize him away from Westfalen.
The 25 year-old unfortunately missed the World Cup through injury, but he was in absolutely lethal form last season, as detailed below, earning him the Bundesliga’s Player of the Year award:
Reus can adopt the roles of scorer or creator, capable of playing anywhere across the front or as a No.10. But his immense technical qualities are underpinned by his road-runner pace – something which the current United squad is desperately lacking in. Here’s a look at Reus in action:
//www.youtube.com/embed/rlYrndbblKk?rel=0
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The Germany international would give Louis van Gaal great options in attack – paralleling the goalscoring exploits of Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney, or allowing him to return to his more favoured 4-3-3 formation, used at Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Ajax. Perhaps most importantly, his pace would add a new, more direct dimension to the Red Devils going forward.
And as previously stated, Reus finds himself in a rather unique and appealing transfer situation. A £20million release clause was revealed earlier this month, and although it’s not set to come into effect until next summer, Dortmund will be aware that they’ll get a significantly greater mark-up on the Mannschaft forward if they sell now. Or more specifically, on deadline day.
Juan Cuadrado
It was assumed Manchester United’s pursuit of Juan Cuadrado was left dead in the water following the signing of Angel Di Maria, with the Carrington club’s transfer attentions firmly set on other targets, namely Arturo Vidal.
But the Fiorentina winger has given United a way back in, should they choose to take it, after refusing to rule out an Old Trafford switch earlier this week:
The Colombia international was nothing short of incredible in Serie A last season, as detailed below, and did his price-tag no harm at the World Cup, tipping the tournament’s assists charts:
That includes this rather special set-up to James Rodriguez:
Combining his pace, trickery, athleticism and ability to finish from long-range, this goal typifies the 26 year-old:
//www.youtube.com/embed/DUlRxcSaxZo
Furthermore, Cuadrado is incredibly versatile. He’s predominantly considered a winger, but featured in a plethora of positions for Fiorentina last season and has also been billed as Dani Alves’ successor at Barcelona.
That could make him the perfect choice as the right wing-back in Louis van Gaal’s 3-4-1-2 system, and the midfielder is rated at around £32million.
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The first few months of 2012 didn’t look too favourably upon Newcastle United striker Demba Ba. After suffering a demoralising exit from the African Cup of Nations, Ba mustered a solitary goal in the remaining four months of the season, as he was forced to live in the shadow of his shiny new strike partner.
However, since the beginning of the new Premier League campaign, Ba has rediscovered his elusive shooting boots and begun trading blows with Robin van Persie at the top of the goalscoring charts. It seems that every time he finds the back of net the tabloids force him closer to the exit at St. James’ Park, but would a transfer to the reported destination of Liverpool really benefit either party?
There’s no denying that Demba Ba is idolised on Tyneside and has far exceeded the expectations placed upon him since joining from West Ham, despite the fact his clinical nature in front of goal nearly spared the Hammers from relegation. Ba has even helped fill the void exposed by the departure of talisman Andy Carroll as the club re-established their place on the European stage.
Many fans will question why Ba would consider destabilising what appears to be an ideal set-up at Newcastle. Alongside the mutual affection with the supporters, he is surrounded by a gifted array of team-mates, many of whom also speak French and share the same religious beliefs.
Yet, scratch the surface and the unmistakable stench of frustration hangs in the air as manager Alan Pardew struggles to craft a winning formula that involves both his lethal Senegalese pairing. Last month Ba emerged from the bench to bag a brace and rescue a draw against Everton before publicly declaring his disappointment – via his agent – at his apparent part-time role within the team.
“Since returning from the Africa Cup of Nations, Demba doesn’t understand the management.
“If he continues to be a substitute all season, we’ll look at other solutions.
“How could you put your best striker with full confidence on the left wing?” (Daily Mail)
Ba has been an unforeseen victim of Papiss Cisse’s success, after he was effectively made impotent on the wing in order to support his new free-scoring compatriot. This season has seen Ba return to his preferred position as the fixed point of attack, which has reopened the flood gates although it now means he is competing for a single place alongside Cisse and Shola Ameobi. Ba clearly likes to be the focus the attention, what striker doesn’t? But would he merit such a status at Liverpool?
For better or worse Brendan Rodgers’ strike force currently consists solely of Luis Suarez. As much as it pains me to say it, Suarez is one of the most gifted players in the league. His movement off the ball is surpassed only when he finds the ball at his feet and as Burnley defender Kevin Long pointed out on Twitter, the man could nutmeg a mermaid. His brilliance has forced new signing Fabio Borini onto the wing, hindering the Italian much in the same way that Ba was last season.
However, neither Suarez nor Borini are notorious for their prolific nature in front of goal. Ba is natural finisher, a player who harbours a similar degree of strength and aerial presence as Andy Carroll coupled with a greater potential to conform to new tiki-taka tactics on display at Anfield. Brendan Rodgers will surely be deliberating a potential move in January alongside a number of other candidates, but he is unlikely to be able to offer a path straight into the first-team.
If Liverpool can’t offer a distinguished spot in their starting XI, what can they offer? Both teams are currently enjoying/enduring life in the Europa League and neither side are likely to achieve Champions League qualification this time around. As obnoxious as it sounds, Liverpool are perhaps more willing to present Ba with the significant pay rise that the striker has been desperately chasing.
Pardew has reportedly told Ba that contract discussions will not happen until the summer, which also means that his £7m release clause will remain in effect. However, despite his infamous injury troubles, Ba will no doubt feel aggrieved that his manager has been rewarded for his efforts with a new long-term deal and he has not.
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At 27 years of age Ba is entering his physical prime and will perhaps have one eye on that ‘career defining’ big move. His reputation as a player that can fashion goals out of thin air will always prove a desirable trait and one that Brendan Rodgers could well perceive as invaluable.
However, it strikes me that this is simply another typical ‘power play’ episode, which we witness at clubs on a regular basis. Unlike with Ashley Cole and Theo Walcott, Ba’s contract doesn’t expire until 2014, which means the club still hold all the cards. Pardew will be reluctant to let his prime source of goals leave, especially to a league rival but you can guarantee that head scout Graham Carr has already earmarked a portfolio of exciting replacements.
Join me on Twitter @theunusedsub where the antics of Manuel Neuer failed to help Bayern Munich preserve their unbeaten start to the season
When Jack Wilshere announced that he will be leaving Arsenal this summer when his contract expires, many began to debate where the midfielder would be moving to.
Numerous Premier League clubs have been linked to the 26-year-old’s signature, but it seems that he has chosen a surprising destination.
On Thursday, Turkish-Football reported that Wilshere is poised to hold talks with Fenerbahce regarding a transfer.
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The England international, who has had a string of injury problems over the years, is available on a free.
If he does opt to move to the Super Lig club, it would be a rather strange decision in terms of his future prospects with the national team.
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The midfielder failed to make it into Gareth Southgate’s World Cup squad, despite spending the majority of last season at Arsenal injury-free.
Playing in Turkey may not increase his chances of making it back into the England fold, but he could achieve regular minutes on the pitch.
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Arsenal fans have been giving their thoughts on Reddit, and some have been left confused.
Comment from discussion Wilshere move to Fenerbahce is set to be announced on Monday..Comment from discussion Wilshere move to Fenerbahce is set to be announced on Monday..Comment from discussion Wilshere move to Fenerbahce is set to be announced on Monday..Comment from discussion Wilshere move to Fenerbahce is set to be announced on Monday..Comment from discussion Wilshere move to Fenerbahce is set to be announced on Monday..Comment from discussion Wilshere move to Fenerbahce is set to be announced on Monday..Comment from discussion Wilshere move to Fenerbahce is set to be announced on Monday..Comment from discussion Wilshere move to Fenerbahce is set to be announced on Monday..Comment from discussion Wilshere move to Fenerbahce is set to be announced on Monday..
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.
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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.
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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.
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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 Premier League is represented by 110 players in the World Cup – more than any other league in the world. And whilst we, in England, have a selection of the world’s greatest names in the sport, we look set to welcome a whole host of new stars to our shores come the start of the 2014-15 campaign.
During World Cup season, transfer speculation is rife, with everyone getting the chance to assess their team’s next top transfer target almost every day.
With unprecedented levels of excitement – attacking football, end-to-end games, goals galore – it’s hard to argue against the 2014 World Cup being the best on record.
Despite many big moves already having been made in the transfer window this summer, many more look set to occur, including a host of the World Cup’s top performers.
Here is a list of the top Premier League-bound performers this summer.
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Guillermo Ochoa
Football – Croatia v Mexico – FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014 – Group A – Arena Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil – 23/6/14Mexico’s Guillermo Ochoa warms up before the matchMandatory Credit: Action Images / Paul ChildsLivepicEDITORIAL USE ONLY.
Mexico’s sturdy defence was greatly assisted by the heroics of Guillermo Ochoa. The Mexican stopper put in a man-of-the-match performance against Brazil, shutting out the hosts in a hard-fought 0-0 draw. Ochoa is currently a free agent after being released by Ajaccio following their relegation to Ligue 2. Liverpool and Arsenal are both reported to be seriously considering a move for him.
Ivan Perisic
Croatia were unable to progress beyond a tricky group, but this didn’t stop Perisic from doing what he could. The Wolfsburg winger was by far and away his country’s best performer in their three games, netting twice and getting one assist. He provided a constant threat from the left wing, impressing in the final third. Roberto Martinez has been strongly credited with an interest in Perisic as he looks to bolster Everton’s squad ahead of European football this season.
Alexis Sanchez
Football – Spain v Chile – FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014 – Group B – Estadio do Maracana, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – 18/6/14Alexis Sanchez – ChileMandatory Credit: Action Images / Paul ChildsEDITORIAL USE ONLY.
Chile were one of the surprise packages this summer, and found themselves very unfortunate to be eliminated on penalties against Brazil in their last 16 tie. Amongst their star players, Barcelona’s Alexis Sanchez was the brightest as he scored twice, and beat players at will. The Spanish club are looking to cash in on the Chilean, with Manchester United, Arsenal, and Liverpool all being keen admirers.
Memphis Depay
Three substitute appearances have resulted in two goals so far this World Cup for PSV’s Memphis Depay. The lightning-fast winger has demonstrated his eye for goal in his three cameo roles, with game-changing performances each time. Manchester United are in serious need of fresh ideas, with their wide midfielders not providing enough creativity and goal threat last season. Depay has links with van Gaal, and could be on his way to Old Trafford.
Joel Campbell
Technically, Campbell is already a Premier League player, having been on the books of Arsenal since 2011. However, work permit issues have prevented him from making his club debut. Now, however, Campbell looks ready to step up to the plate for the Gunners. He is Costa Rica’s most potent threat up top, and put in a match-winning display as they upset the odds, beating Uruguay 3-1 in their opening match before topping the ‘Group of Death’. He will be given a chance to impress with the Gunners in pre-season, and could finally make his mark in England this year.
Enner Valencia
The tragic passing of Ecuador’s captain and star striker, Christian Benitez, last year struck the nation deeply. Enner Valencia was tasked with shouldering much of the vacated attacking burden, and he performed admirably as Ecuador fell at the group stage. Three goals in as many games, and some powerful displays to go along with his goal return, have alerted the likes of Newcastle and West Ham. Currently based in Mexico, Valencia will no doubt be intrigued by Premier League interest.
Jefferson Montero
Another Ecuadorian who took the chance to shine in Brazil was Jefferson Montero – also based in Mexico. The left winger’s speed and fast feet in possession caused problems as Ecuador briefly threatened to qualify through to the last 16. He has recently announced he will come to Europe this summer, with both West Ham and Arsenal having been attributed with an interest in bringing the £4 million-rated winger to the Premier League.
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Xherdan Shaqiri
It took until Switzerland’s final group game for Shaqiri to come to the fore, but when he finally arrived, it was worth the wait. A classy hat-trick against Honduras, including a wondrous 25-yard strike, helped secure his country’s progression into the first knockout round. The diminutive winger is Switzerland’s primary creative threat, but he doesn’t have the same importance at club level. Liverpool are hot on his case, and look certain to finalise a deal for him this summer.
Emmanuel Emenike
Nigeria managed to progress from Group F with favourites, Argentina, and the industry of Emmanuel Emenike up top has been no small contributory factor. He tormented Bosnian defender, Emir Spahic, all evening as the Super Eagles triumphed 1-0, virtually securing qualification. The combination of physical might and powerful running is a nightmarish prospect for any defence. Chelsea have been strongly linked with the Fenerbahce man as Jose Mourinho tries to strengthen a weak front line at Stamford Bridge.
Divock Origi
In a team full of Premier League stars, Belgium’s biggest threat this summer has been 19-year-old striker, Divock Origi. The Lille man was an unknown quantity for most in England until the past few weeks, but three substitute appearances have alerted the likes of Liverpool and Tottenham to his talents. He has the pace to run in behind defenders, and likes to pick the ball up and beat his marker. A winner to secure qualification against Russia capped off what has been a great World Cup so far for Origi. He looks destined for a Premier League switch in due course.