Danny Ings was brought into a rotated Liverpool lineup for Saturday’s Merseyside derby as Jurgen Klopp prioritised the Champions League quarter-final second leg tie against Manchester City in midweek.
The Englishman – valued at £7.2m by Transfermarkt – has had a real struggle with injuries in recent years, which has blighted his Anfield career since his arrival from Burnley in 2015.
While that has been disappointing for the striker, it appears that he simply isn’t good enough for what Jurgen Klopp wants to do and with Divock Origi and Daniel Sturridge to come back from their respective loan deals in the summer, his days at Liverpool look numbered.
The numbers behind his struggles against Everton back that up. No shots on goal, no key passes and no dribbles are evidence of a man who was unable to influence proceedings at all, despite being handed a huge opportunity in a big game.
He was successful with just over half his passes, which is poor for a forward playing in a team that was largely able to dominate the ball without too much competition from the hosts until the closing stages.
46 touches also showed Klopp a man who couldn’t get involved in the Liverpool build-up and the German will surely be looking for an upgrade once the summer rolls around.
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There is a tendency in the football world for players to be linked with moves away once they start performing well at their respective clubs.
Harry Winks has become one of those individuals as the London Evening Standard reports that Barcelona sporting director Robert Fernandez has been left impressed by the midfielder.
The Barca chief is believed to have been in the stands when the 21-year-old helped Spurs earn a 1-1 draw with Real Madrid at the Bernabeu earlier this month in the Champions League.
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Winks was one of the stars of the show, and the midfielder put on another decent display when the team defeated Los Blancos 3-1 at Wembley on Wednesday.
The report does not state that Barcelona will swoop any time soon for the homegrown talent, but with the likes of Harry Kane and Dele Alli also getting linked elsewhere, it is no big surprise that Winks would attract similar interest.
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Tottenham fans, though, do not seem worried about the speculation.
Our Aston Villa fans here in the Transfer Tavern are hopeful of a successful 2017/18 with their club looking much more stable under Steve Bruce at the moment.
Bruce himself has suffered some tough times at the club but on the whole things have been positive and it really does look as though the club will be heading into next season as one of the favourites for the Championship title.
Of course, the summer window and who Villa can bring in will have an impact on those particular chances whilst it is also important that the key men at the club stay put.
Certainly, Villa will be eager to see Mile Jedinak staying into next year and it certainly appears Steve Bruce feels that way, too – as quoted by the club’s official Twitter:
How important to the club is Jedinak, Villa fans? Let us know below!
Gareth Southgate’s appointment as interim England coach has hardly set pulses racing but after an abject Euros and the farcical manner of Sam Allardyce’s early departure perhaps a conservative approach is required right now. Southgate is a steady hand on the tiller to guide the national side into calmer waters. A reliable company man.
Yet if the former Aston Villa and Middlesbrough defender has any political nous – and a career’s worth of riskless interviews and punditry suggests that he does – he will be perfectly aware that while continuity is expected of him he also has some scope for experimentation, with arguably far more leeway afforded to him than to his disgraced predecessors.
The reason for this – rather depressingly – is because the bar has been dramatically lowered in recent months. In fact the only way the likeable new incumbent of our hopes and dreams can come in for severe criticism would be if England somehow lose to Malta this weekend or if he demands a large sum of money per question in his pressers. Anything above and beyond that will be viewed as a bonus at present.
So don’t be surprised then if the hired straight-shooter throws in a curveball or two with his squad selections in the months ahead. We have already seen the unanticipated promotion of Burnley’s Michael Keane following the withdrawal through injury of an equally unanticipated choice in Glen Johnson.
This points to further left-field picks to come; this points to an U21 coach elevated into the hot seat and happy to bring along his recent charges for the ride.
If that is the case then these five should be on stand-by for a phone call in the not-too-distant future…
Ben Gibson
Commanding, intelligent, and left-footed – what’s not to like about the 23-year-old defender?
Ask Boro fans and they’ll insist it’s a negative perception of their club that has so far hindered their prized asset’s international hopes – or snobbery in short – yet that idea holds less water when you consider it was a Burnley player who Southgate turned to when Johnson pulled out.
Perhaps then it is Gibson’s lack of top flight experience that is currently going against him, a drawback that will be remedied soon enough with a solid 2016/17 so far, while a successful partnership with John Stones in the U21s under Southgate is a huge tick in the plus column.
James Ward-Prowse
With 23 appearances for the U21s – most under under Southgate’s tutorage – the talented midfielder would have fancied his chances of making this week’s squad were it not for limited first team opportunities so far under new Southampton boss Claude Puel.
There’s no questioning Ward-Prowse’s ability to tick over possession with the best of them – not forgetting too his reliable threat from set pieces – but when his best chance to impress comes in the Europa League then an international call-up seems remote for the time being.
At 21, though, he’s still just a babe in arms and Southgate evidently rates him highly. An injury to a team-mate here, a strong showing there, and the Saints youngster could still don the Three Lions on his chest before the year is out.
Will Hughes
The Derby midfielder has been talked about as a future England star for so long it genuinely jolts to be reminded that he’s still only 21. Tenacious in the tackle while always offering something going forward his lengthy absence through injury last year badly dented the Rams’ promotion hopes.
Now fit and firing again Hughes may find stiff competition ahead of him but being an integral part of Southgate’s lion cubs improves his chances enormously.
His uncanny resemblance to a White Walker from Game of Thrones doesn’t hurt either as it always offers up the possibility of unnerving opponents.
Jack Butland
A pre-season set-back to his recuperation after fracturing his ankle on international duty last year means the three qualifiers on the horizon – along with November’s friendly v Spain – will come too soon for Butland to re-establish himself as a notable threat to Joe Hart for the (mostly) yellow jersey.
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There is no doubting however that the 6ft 5 stopper would have been punching the air with joy at Southgate’s appointment after several years of being his number one at U21 level.
For now his main priority will be to regain full fitness and help haul Stoke from the clutches of the drop zone. Should Southgate secure his position permanently however Butland’s future looks very bright indeed.
Nathan Redmond
If the U21s is meant as a stepping stone to the big arenas then Redmond would be justified in wondering just how many step-overs he’s supposed to do before gaining full recognition.
His 31 appearances is the fourth highest at that level and the Southampton winger rarely failed to pose a danger with his pace and trickery.
The 22-year-old can count himself unfortunate to miss out on this occasion, especially with Sterling’s late withdrawal going to Andros Townsend instead. That can only be attributed to form and form is temporary. Redmond is class.
If you’d have said that Harry Kane would follow on from Gareth Bale and Luis Suarez to win the Players’ Player of the Year award last summer, there’s every chance you would have been carted off to the loony bin.
How could a striker not getting a game at Spurs, who’s flopped on a series of loan deals through the Football League and has not looked up to the task in the Premier League win the top individual prize? Madness.
However, the 21-year-old is very much in the mix after what can only be described as a sensational season. Kane has emerged from nowhere under Mauricio Pochettino this term, taking his chances in the Europa League and cup games to rise through the ranks and win a spot in the England team while scoring goals on a weekly basis.
There’s plenty of competition, but we at FFC Towers are firmly in Team Kane… and here are FIVE reasons why…
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Joint top goalscorer
19 goals this season puts Harry Kane at the top of the Premier League’s goalscoring charts, level with £32m Chelsea man Diego Costa. Add to that his eight goals in all competitions, and the 21-year-old really is English football’s top talent when it comes to finding the net. European achievements don’t directly contribute to the Players’ Player of the Year award, but the fact that he’s been able to score s regularly at such a young age in a variety of tournaments is testament to his skills.
Meteoric rise
Football – England v Lithuania – UEFA Euro 2016 Qualifying Group E – Wembley Stadium, London, England – 27/3/15England’s Harry Kane celebrates scoring their fourth goalAction Images via Reuters / John SibleyLivepicEDITORIAL USE ONLY.
At the back end of last season Kane was facing a move away from White Hart Lane. He was some distance from the first-team, had shown little sign of breaking through and was barely even spoken about by Spurs fans. However, Adebayor and Soldado’s woes opened the door, and the youngster has seized his chance. Kane is proof of what confidence and dedication can achieve, with the forward, no disrespect intended, not the most technically adept footballer out there. He has since risen from his fringe role to become Spurs’ key striker and an England international. Take a bow!
Lack of genuine competition
With the last two winners of the award, Gareth Bale and Luis Suarez both out of the way in Spain, Kane doesn’t have a great deal of competition. Eden Hazard is, perhaps, a better player, but the unlikable nature of Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea allied to a lack of goals and assists – 11 and six in the league – mean he’s not getting the hype he deserves, while fellow Blues star Diego Costa’s feisty streak and tendency to get involved in the dark arts have all but eroded the praise his 19 goals, without penalties, should be getting.
Sergio Aguero has spent too long injured, as has Daniel Sturridge, while no Manchester United player has truly shone. Alexis Sanchez looked to be a contender early on, but his form has dipped a little since Christmas.
Likable character
It may not be a characteristic that often gets brought up in the run up to such awards, but Kane is a genuinely liable bloke. He may not be the most intelligent person – he thought three points were on offer from a cup game earlier this season! – but he rarely gets caught up in controversy, works hard on the pitch and is always thrilled whenever he scores.
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Seems able to take on any challenge
From fringe player to England international. Every challenge Kane has been set, he’s come through with flying colours. He was tasked with getting goals in cup games at the start of the season. He did just that. Then set the aim of taking that form into the Premier League. Check.
Pochettino asked for consistency. He’s not top of the scoring charts at the club. And on Friday England offered him a chance. He netted in just over a minute into his debut!
It’s back to the bread and butter reality of the Premier League for Swansea who will undoubtedly be on a high after their Capital One Cup triumph last Sunday. It will be their first outing since thrashing Bradford 5-0 at Wembley and pits them against a resurgent Newcastle side. Soberingly for the Swans their trophy triumph has glossed over a run of two wins in the last six league matches that has put their ambitions of a top-half finish in danger. But with outside distractions now gone Michael Laudrup will be compelling his side to focus their efforts on pushing for the top-six. With the goal threat of top scorer Michu anything is possible for the South Wales club and they will be hoping to make home advantage count and do the double over the Tyneside club.
That being said the Magpies have been excellent in the last month with their new French signings signalling an upturn in form that has seen them take nine points from the last available 12. With significant daylight now between them and the relegation zone Alan Pardew’s men can start looking up rather than down and travel to the Liberty Stadium as one of the form teams in the division. Last season they recorded an impressive 2-0 victory against Swansea thanks to a Papiss Cisse brace but might have to settle for a point this time round owing to the fact they’ve won just once on the road this term and their hosts will be riding the crest of a wave after their cup success.
Team News
Chico Flores is out for Swansea so either Garry Monk or Kyle Bartley will partner captain Ashley Williams in central defence. Michael Vorm (flu) should start in goal.
Newcastle could hand a first Premier League start to Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa with Fabricio Coloccini struggling with a back injury. Hatem Ben Arfa is fit to return but only as a substitute
What the managers said…
“I still think we could at least arrive [at] 50 points. I think we have to do a little better than last season, to do better than 11th. We are ninth – we would like to stay there. That means 13 points more in 11 games. That should be possible. I admit we have some very very difficult games out there. We have to compete otherwise we could lose most of them. We’ve been competitive the whole season apart from Liverpool and two or three half matches. We can’t stop doing that now.” Reaching 50 points is the target Michael Laudrup has set for Swansea to reach before the season ends (BBC Sport)
“Tomorrow is a big game for us because we’re more competitive than where we were. We’re a much stronger team. We would probably need to beat Swansea to catch them in the league so it’s a good game for us. Probably if they don’t lose to us it’d be difficult to catch them (in ninth) but what we should be thinking about is winning there and trying to get them in our sights. It’s easier said than done, of course.” Alan Pardew wants his Newcastle side to maintain their recent form and catch Swansea in the table (The Journal)
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Pre-Match Statistic: From the 31 league games contested by both sides Newcastle have won 18 times to Swansea’s nine.
After the immense disappointment that was England’s Euro 2012 campaign, some respite could be offered by the Under-19 side currently competing in the European Championship in Estonia. Youngsters of Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea are all participating for the Three Lions in search of continental glory. Yet no matter what the outcome, the progression of these players into first team Premier League football is what really counts for the future of English football. But with no sign of an increase in the chances of young Englishmen breaking into the first team of many clubs, the nation will continue to lag behind on the international stage.
England qualified for the Under-19 European Championships by winning their Elite Round qualifying group consisting of Montenegro, Slovenia and Switzerland. A draw with the Balkan side was followed by the 5-0 trouncing of Slovenia and the Three Lions secured their spot in the tournament finals with a late win over the Swiss.
Chelsea’s Nathaniel Chalobah opened the scoring in that five-goal qualifying win and also rescued a point for England in their first game of the tournament against Croatia on Tuesday. Chalobah is looking to add to the glory he has already tasted this season after winning the FA Youth Cup with the Blues. He is a combative midfielder, but can also play in defence, and likes to get forward and contribute to the attack. Serbia and France await in the next two games which will be played on 6 an 9 July respectively and coach Noel Blake will need Chalobah at his best if England are to progress.
The stand-out name of the side however is unavailable for the tournament. Manchester United’s Will Keane had an excellent season in Manchester United’s reserves but suffered a potentially year-ending injury in the qualifier against Switzerland. His clinical finishing had garnered interest from Championship clubs and a loan move to offer first team football looked to be the next step. He has a great chance of potentially breaking into the first team set-up at Old Trafford assuming that the policy of blooding youngsters continues when Sir Alex Ferguson decides to call it a day. His twin brother Michael also plays for the Red Devils and England in defence.
Another duo in the squad with the same surname are Tottenham Hotspur’s Harry Kane and Chelsea’s Todd Kane. The difference being that the two London-based players are not related. Harry Kane, a forward, enjoyed some time in the Spurs first team during their Europa League exploits and bagged his first goal for the club in the 4-0 win over Shamrock Rovers. He then impressed during a loan spell at Milwall which eventually saw him voted as the club’s Young Player of the Season. The ongoing striker tribulations could see him continue to press on the fringes of first team action, but another loan move would probably prove more beneficial.
Todd Kane meanwhile is a marauding right-back with the essence of Ashley Cole in his heyday down the left. Another key part of the Blues’ FA Youth Cup winning side, his pace and willingness to get forward make him a very exciting player. He does not fall short defensively either but as always chances at Stamford Bridge will be severely limited to any prospective regulars from the academy.
Ross Barkley though has already made his Premier League debut. He was regularly included in the Everton squad last season but he only made six league appearances, four of which came from the bench. Nevertheless his potential was immediately recognised and speculation over the now-18-year-old has since been rife. Chelsea and Manchester United are reported to be following the very talented midfielder who is composed on the ball and technically very gifted. He is the kind of player who will just sit and pull the strings but he also possesses great power and a good work ethic.
Realistically though, opportunities for the majority of players in the England Under-19 squad will be limited. As Premier League clubs insist on purchasing new players from elsewhere, the focus on cultivating their own English talent has reduced. It is remarkable at how unaffected the fans have become by the sheer number of foreigners in the English game.
Nothing is as exciting as witnessing the advancement of a home-grown player taking their first footsteps at the professional level. There is an immediate sense of loyalty and pride in such an occasion, yet it is one that has become far too rare in the Premier League. Financial Fair Play help curb the spending of clubs and see a rise in the use of domestic players, but that should not be relied upon as not enough is done internally by the FA to promote youth development.
All these factors have no doubt played a part in the nation’s continued shortcomings on the senior international stage. Spain’s recent successes have been built on a rapid overhaul of their youth development system. Since 2001/02 the Spain Under-19 side have won the European Championship a staggering five times out of 10. Last season La Roja were triumphant at Under-21 level too. It puts into place the building blocks for the senior team, and so what England need in order to move forward similarly is their own footballing identity.
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Some of the squad may get lucky but the majority will not advance, or will be forced to take a long and hard path to Premier League football. England is the most prolific country in the Under-19 European Championship (which used to be an under-18), yet they have not won the trophy since 1993 when players with the calibre of Gary Neville, Paul Scholes and Sol Campbell taking part. From the current crop of players it is difficult to judge whether these players will match such icons of the English game.
Who are the brightest talents at your club and should more be done to get them in the first team? Let me know on Twitter.
Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy admires Vincent Kompany's style of play, and has now held talks with the Burnley manager, according to journalist Sacha Tavolieri.
Will Vincent Kompany leave Burnley?
The Clarets are on course to break the 100-point barrier in the second tier, having already sealed promotion back to the Premier League, and Kompany has already been linked with a move to a number of top-flight clubs.
West Ham United are interested in appointing the Burnley boss, according to a report from TEAMtalk, with Crystal Palace and Chelsea also named as potential suitors, although the latter club now appear to be edging towards hiring Mauricio Pochettino.
However, the report also details that Burnley are confident about keeping hold of their manager, as he is very much settled in the area, and they are keen to reward him with a pay rise, after a phenomenal first season at the club.
It remains to be seen whether the Belgian is tempted by a move to north London, however, Tavolieri has recently taken to Twitter to claim that contacts have been made, as Levy is impressed with his "unifying profile" and "style of play that would suit Tottenham's identity".
The journalist goes on to clarify the 37-year-old would bring a team of seven people with him, should he be tempted by the move, and he would get a say in who Spurs sign in the upcoming transfer window, although he is currently focused on the task at hand with Burnley.
Should Tottenham appoint Vincent Kompany?
The former Manchester City captain has been hailed by Pep Guardiola for the "unbelievable" job he has done in the Championship, but there are question marks about whether a move to Tottenham may be a bit too soon.
Although he had a great deal of success in the Premier League as a player, winning four titles, the Uccle-born tactician is yet to gain any experience in the top flight as a manager, so it would be a real risk to offer him the Spurs job.
Of course, it could be a gamble worth taking, as leading a team to 100 points in the Championship, as he is on course to do, is no mean feat, given that it has not been done since the 2013/14 season.
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However, we think Tottenham should look to bring in a manager with more experience at the top level, such as Julian Nagelsmann.
Liverpool fans here in the Tavern are desperate for their side to bring in a couple more players this summer after failing to make the most of a promising position in the Champions League final.
Indeed, many of our local Liverpudlians are still yet to get over the disappointment of the Champions League final, but a successful summer transfer window would be sure to get fans on board in time for the next campaign. Interestingly, it looks as if the Reds are looking to bring in another midfielder, as according to Le Progres, Liverpool are interested in signing Tanguy Ndombele.
Surprisingly, Liverpool are believed to be interested in signing Tanguy Ndombele from French side Amiens.
The 21-year-old spent the last season on loan at Lyon, where he greatly impressed.
Although, it’s understood that Lyon will immediately sell the defender to the highest bidder, with PSG, Juventus, Tottenham, Arsenal, Manchester City and Roma all interested.
Landlord’s Verdict:
Tanguy Ndombele looks to be a promising prospect having performed to a high level during his time at Lyon last season, so the Reds shouldn’t waste any time in bringing him to Anfield. The central midfielder played in the same side as reported Liverpool target Nabil Fekir last season, so it looks as if Liverpool may have turned their attention to the Frenchman’s former teammate.
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Liverpool fans… Thoughts on the news? Let us know down below!!!
Last March, a Dirk Kuyt hat-trick in Liverpool’s memorable and emphatic 3-1 defeat of Manchester United ensured the Reds remained in the chase for Champions’ League qualification and that the Premier League title race stayed interesting, at least until last weekend’s ‘showdown’ with Chelsea effectively secured United’s 19th title. The Anfield outfit’s best chance of European involvement now looks likely to be in next season’s Europa League, but Kuyt’s consistently committed performances have kept the club within reach despite an overall disappointing campaign for the five-time European Cup champions.
The Dutch forward received glowing praise for his performance that day and was hailed for his “unsurpassed work-rate,” according to the Independent. “He was in the right place to apply the finishing touches to complement the artistry of Luis Suarez. Looks like Kenny’s football philosophy has been assimilated by the whole squad, and Kuyt leads the way in showing what can be achieved through hard work,” the article continued. It isn’t the first time Kuyt has been acclaimed for his unrelenting work-rate, but why is this vague perception of the former Feyenord front-man’s abilities enough to detract from a shot’s to goal ratio similar to Emile Heskey’s? It is worth remembering that Kuyt was signed five years ago following a successful career in his native Holland where he scored 119 goals in 261 appearances for his previous club and Utrecht, but was soon transformed in to a wide player with questionable results.
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The issue isn’t whether Kuyt lacks Premiership pedigree, particularly as to date, he’s achieved 74 caps for his country and featured in three separate international tournaments, but that appraisals of his actual talents are heightened based on a single unjustified characteristic. The fact that he’s committed 12 more fouls than Darren Bent this season doesn’t necessarily mean he works ‘harder’ than the England striker, but then again the ex-Sunderland striker is generally considered lazy, despite scoring just under a goal every other game during his seven full Premier League campaigns for four different sides. They are both essentially forwards, a position which stipulates proficiency in front of goal and the making of offensive runs, so tackles are a luxury, or rather, unnecessary, within the confines of a forward’s job description.
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Kuyt has scored 12 times in the League this season, equalling his best ever campaigns in his first and third seasons in England, which doesn’t represent a good enough return bearing in mind he has also contributed only 29 assists in the league in five years as a ‘winger.’ All footballers are regularly trained athletes, and Premier League participants are the fittest representatives seeing as a large number can compete for 90 minutes over the course of a 50+ fixture season. Each position requires a different type or types of effort, and Kuyt has found a way to merge his duties with those of a defensive midfielder and still remain a fans’ favourite. Kuyt certainly doesn’t look out of place in a team of Liverpool’s standing, but we are too quickly fooled of his true gifts because of his inexorable desire to hunt down the ball.
If you think I’ve been too harsh on Kuyt, have your say on Twitter
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FootballFanCast.com WORLD Exclusive, Robbie Savage Face in a baby Scan