Southampton are ready to make a £13m double move to sign Jack Butland and Davide Astori, according to reports from The Mirror.
The Saints have enjoyed a relatively solid start to the Premier League season, but find themselves in the relegation zone heading into the New Year.
This has led to speculation that manager Nigel Adkins will look to strengthen his squad, with their leaky defence – which has conceded 37 goals – being top of his list of priorities.
Birmingham’s Butland is seen as the ideal candidate between the posts, with current number Kelvin Davis failing to produce the required level of displays.
The England international is said to be available for around £5m, with his club keen to sell due to financial difficulties.
They may face competition from Liverpool, Manchester City and Everton, who are all thought to be keen on the 19-year-old.
As well as a new goalkeeper, Adkins is also keen to bring in another centre-back, and will turn his attention to Cagliari’s Astori.
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The 25-year-old Italian has been in impressive form for the Serie A side this term, attracting the attention of clubs such as Napoli and Juventus.
It is thought that a bid of £8m will be enough to persuade Cagliari to part company with one of their star men.
Southampton will look to boost their Premier League survival bid in a potentially season-defining clash against Newcastle United at St James’ Park on Saturday, on the back of a disappointing goalless draw against fellow strugglers Stoke City at St Mary’s last weekend.
The south coast outfit would have seen the match against the Potters as a must-win considering they only had three home games left this season after that one – with two of those against Chelsea and Manchester City – but they failed to make the breakthrough against Paul Lambert’s men which increased the pressure on manager Mauricio Pellegrino.
Saints have now not beaten any of their relegation rivals Stoke, Newcastle, Swansea City, Crystal Palace, Huddersfield Town and Brighton and Hove Albion on their own patch this term, and they will now likely be relying on results on the road to save them.
They lie just one place and one point above the relegation zone and one point behind the 16th-placed Magpies ahead of their fixture on Tyneside on Saturday, and they can certainly take some solace from the fact that the hosts have the third worst home record in the top flight.
Pellegrino will be considering making some changes to the XI that drew against Stoke given they didn’t get the three points they needed, and the Argentine boss will regret it if he fails to make a couple of important alterations to his team.
Here are two big changes the 46-year-old must make to his Southampton side when they face Newcastle…
Manolo Gabbiadini for Dusan Tadic
Tadic once again put in something of an anonymous attacking performance in the goalless draw against Stoke at St Mary’s, and it is about time that Pellegrino dropped the Serbia international from the starting line-up.
Despite scoring a late equaliser as a substitute in the 1-1 draw against Burnley last month, Gabbiadini was only picked to start on the substitutes’ bench against the Potters last weekend, and he has only made one Premier League start for the club since December.
With the attacking players that continue to start coming up short, it is time to give the Italy international his opportunity from the first whistle at St James’ Park to see if he can be more creative or add more of a goal threat than Tadic has, with Southampton fans bemused as to why he hasn’t been given more minutes by Pellegrino.
Shane Long for Guido Carrillo
Carrillo has started Southampton’s last five matches in all competitions following his January move from Monaco, but he is still yet to get on the score-sheet with his performances not suggesting that he is going to get the goals to help the south coast outfit in their survival battle.
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While he has looked decent in the air on occasions, he struggled from that point of view against Stoke last weekend and generally failed to have much of an impact at all, before he was replaced by Shane Long in the 79th minute.
While the Republic of Ireland is far from a prolific goalscorer with just one in the last year for club and country, his pace and the fact that he is a nuisance for defenders means he is particularly effective on the road, and that could be important to give Saints’ other attacking players more space in what is a season-defining clash against Newcastle.
Queens Park Rangers boss Harry Redknapp has admitted to being pushed over the edge by Adel Taarabt.
The Moroccan’s future in west London is all but over after the pair came to blows last week.
Redknapp said: “I have tried everything with him, it was the first time I had gone public with him, things happen that pushed me over the edge you can only keep your mouth shut for so long, I just got fed up with it.
“I just got the hump and when I had it all week; people questioning my job all week and every day.
“We got beat in the last minute at home to Liverpool and I said what I said. If it makes him want to show everybody I would be delighted – I wasn’t getting anywhere the other way.
“He is 25 – but that’s how it’s been. Hopefully he will come out and train and he will work on the training ground and get fit.
“People think I am mad trying to continue believing him. But the boy has talent.
“Ask Glenn Hoddle, Joe Jordan, Kevin Bond, Clive Allen, Neil Warnock, anyone who has worked with him.
“We need his Championship form and if he’s fit he can do it. Has he been badly advised? He’s very close to people, I could write a book on it.
“Why carry on? Well, maybe I don’t put up with it, maybe you get to the stage where you are fed up with.
“He’s not a Messi, a Suarez, a Bale or Ronaldo, they produce every week. You cant compare with them.
“There will be a time when he regrets it and will be a shame because he has great god-given talent but he needs to produce.
“I have without a doubt been his biggest ally and everyone who knows me knows that.
“I’m the one person who has stuck by him. I have had other people come in and say to me that I am off my head for sticking by him. They tell me he’s never going to do it.
“And I say ‘yes he will, we have got to make him do it, that’s our job’.That is how I’ve been with him since day one.
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“He claimed I am rarely on the training ground. That is not true. I am there every day around 7.30am and I defy anyone to say differently. I have no idea what he claimed it.
“Whatever I say now, I don’t need a big story blown up again, it’s history now, we need to move on and get on with the game and get a result against Villa on Monday.
“Why no fine? I don’t know what’s happening. I don’t know what chairman Tony Fernandes has done, I haven’t got a clue.
“I’ve not seen Adel all week, he hasn’t been here. He has had a sore throat and not been available to train since. But it is done and we have to move on. I’m looking forward to the Villa game now.”
QPR are still searching for their first Premier League victory of the season after coming from behind to earn a point against Aston Villa at Loftus Road.
Rangers had shown signs of improvement in Harry Redknapp’s first game in charge against Sunderland on Tuesday evening, leaving Wearside with a point following a goalless draw, and his home debut brought about a similar outcome.
Villa are also steadily progressing under Paul Lambert’s guide and extended their unbeaten run to three games in West London to move two points above the bottom three.
They did it without Darren Bent once again with the striker promoted to the substitutes bench after being left out of the squad completely for the trip to his former club.
A boisterous reception greeted Redknapp’s arrival in the dugout and it was expected such positivity would be mirrored on the pitch, but the home side were left dumbstruck when Brett Holman fired the ball past Rob Green from 25 yards to give Villa the lead after only eight minutes.
That seemed to snap the hosts into their rhythm and an equaliser was procured in the 18th minute. Jamie Mackie, who scored at Old Trafford last week, did brilliantly to evade his marker and meet Samba Diakite’s cross to power a header past Brad Guzaan.
They came close to a second when Shaun Wright-Phillips, brought in from the wilderness by Redknapp, forced Guzan into a save after racing clear of the away defence before clattering the post as the ball spun clear.
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Rangers lost Stephane Mbia just before the break after he was knocked out in a clash with Gabriel Agbonlahor. Both teams strived to find that moment of magic that would bright a winning goal.
And Villa were indebted to Guzan for stopping Ryan Nelson, Diakite and Park Ji Sung from finding the net as Rangers remained rooted to the foot of the table.
Newcastle United will hope to boost their Premier League survival chances when they face Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday.
The Magpies looked to be moving four points clear of the relegation zone when they were leading Bournemouth 2-0 with 10 minutes left on the clock at the Vitality Stadium last weekend, but they conceded twice to draw 2-2 which has left them two points above 18th-placed Swansea City.
Rafa Benitez’s men could find themselves in the bottom three by the time they kick off on Saturday evening, and they face a difficult task to get anything against the Merseyside outfit with Jurgen Klopp’s men in imperious attacking form.
The electric front three of Mo Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino all got on the scoresheet as they beat West Ham United 4-1 last weekend, taking their combined tally for the season to 63 in all competitions.
Benitez will know that his tactics need to be spot on and his players will need to be at their best if they are to take anything back to Tyneside, but they will certainly take some solace from the fact that Liverpool still often look suspect from a defensive point of view.
The 57-year-old stuck with the same XI that beat Manchester United 1-0 for the visit to the south coast last weekend, but given the tough task they look to have he may well be considering making some alterations against the Reds.
Here is how Newcastle must line up against Liverpool on Saturday, ahead of Martin Dubravka in goal…
Defence
Benitez understandably went with the same back four that kept a clean sheet against Manchester United at the Vitality Stadium last weekend, and the quartet of DeAndre Yedlin, Jamaal Lascelles, Florian Lejeune and Paul Dummett are likely to continue at Anfield.
The only change the Spanish boss could consider making would be to bring Ciaran Clark in for Lejeune, but he should choose to go with the settled backline he has used for the last few matches on what could be a difficult afternoon.
The Magpies will need their captain Lascelles to be at his best and giving plenty of instructions against the Reds if his team are to pick up at least a precious point.
Midfield
There may well be changes afoot for Newcastle in the middle of the park at Anfield considering Jonjo Shelvey is said to be a doubt after he picked up an injury during the draw against Bournemouth, which he was visibly struggling with in the closing stages.
Shelvey has formed a strong partnership with Mo Diame in the centre in recent weeks but if the former is absent then Mikel Merino should replace him, while Benitez should also consider bringing in Isaac Hayden in place of Ayoze Perez to ensure the Magpies have that defensive solidity.
Matt Ritchie and Kenedy should once again both start on the flanks.
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Attack
While Mo Diame has been excelling in a central midfield role in recent weeks, he is also capable of playing in a more attacking role through the middle and that would mean that he is the best player to start behind the striker against Liverpool.
The Senegal international would be able to use his strength to bring the ball forward, while dropping in to make a five-man midfield when the Magpies are defending, leaving Perez to drop to the substitutes’ bench.
Dwight Gayle is a doubt after scoring a brace against Bournemouth and while he must start if he is fit, Benitez will have a straight choice between Perez and Joselu for the striker spot if not.
Radamel Falcao, Angel Di Maria, Ander Herrera, Daley Blind. These are just some of the big names that have joined the Louis van Gaal bandwagon at Manchester United after a miserable 2013/2014 under the guidance of former Everton gaffer David Moyes. Looking at the players that the Dutchman has recruited, as well as the players already at the club, it’s safe to say that scoring goals won’t be a problem for the Old Trafford side.
However, on the basis of the start of the 2014/2015 campaign, a panic stricken backline has been the fundamental reason why the Red Devils have dropped vital points. After losing valuable experience in the shape of Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic and Patrice Evra to QPR, Inter Milan and Juventus respectively, the likes of Jonny Evans, Rafael and youngster Tyler Blackett have been exposed at the back on several occasions.
Although the club are in a transitional period, winning one game in six in all competitions, conceding 12 goals in the process is not the ‘Manchester United way’. With a mega spend on the frontline, splashing the cash on a world class defender should be the priority in order for the 20 times Premier League champions to at least bring Champions League football back to the red side of Manchester.
One notable centre half that would fit perfectly into the heart of the defence is Mats Hummels. The Borussia Dortmund centre back is your all round, complete defender. As well as revelling in the tackle and reading the game, the Germany international has the capability to compose players around him and play from the back. Strong in the air, and a decent target man from set pieces, the strong defender can also provide the occasional goal. In the 2012/2013 season, the Dortmund centre back made more tackles than any of his teammates and committed the second fewest fouls in the side. With reported interest already rife for Hummels, van Gaal should make the German signing on the dotted line at Old Trafford his main priority in January.
An alternative to Hummels, one of the best defenders in the world, is Atletico Madrid’s Brazilian defender Miranda. Probably a surprise to many not to be selected for Luis Felipe Scolari’s World Cup squad, the centre half had a magnificent 2013/2014 campaign, that included aiding Atletico Madrid win the La Liga title and reaching the Champions League final. Also being courted by Premier League rivals, the 30-year-old can bring vital experience to a youthful United defence that includes 18-year-old £27m left back Luke Shaw and youth prodigy Tyler Blackett. Despite not being the tallest centre half at 6”0, Miranda has an incredible leap, as well as good awareness and a quiet aggression.
United’s leaky backline is something that teams will look to exploit. However, despite the lack of experience, the potential is there for the likes of Shaw, Blackett and Rojo to establish themselves as players that can be relied upon. Nevertheless, with the undoubted quality of the forward line causing havoc in the Premier League, a world class and experienced centre half is desperately needed.
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star Mikel Arteta assures fans that their frustration is mirrored by the anger felt in the dressing room at the Emirates in light of the team’s recent poor form.
The Gunners are yet to pick up a win in four games after their 2-0 win at home to Montpellier in the Champions League, whilst their last Premier League game brought about a disappointing 2-0 defeat at the hands of Michael Laudrup’s Swansea.
Facing one of the toughest periods of Arsene Wenger’s reign as manager, Arteta declares that a change “has to come from us,” to move forward in the league. The comment reflects Wenger’s statement earlier in the week when he said that change needs to come from “within the squad” rather than a view to the January window.
Arteta continued to say that “People are hurting, people are upset with themselves, the players are angry. I think that’s a good thing. It’s not like players couldn’t care less, they know what they need to do.”
“At Arsenal you have a group of players who want to give 100 per cent and that makes things so much easier. I always see that in the dressing room. Always,” adding emphasis.
“You feel that disappointment from the fans because they expect better. We need to turn it round as quickly as we can because we’ve got a good period around Christmas where we can create a different atmosphere, everyone’s happy on holiday and there’s a lot of games,” said Arteta.
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One of those games sees Arsenal up against high-flying West Bromwich Albion at home, and the Argentine wants a “big reaction” against the Baggies, as do the fans.
Stoke City attacker Xherdan Shaqiri made a big impact and scored a brilliant winner in Switzerland’s crucial 2-1 win against Serbia in their second 2018 World Cup group game on Friday, and Newcastle United fans have urged their club to sign the 26-year-old ace.
According to reports in The Mirror, the forward is available for £12m this summer thanks to a release clause in his contract following the Potters’ relegation to the Championship.
Having scored just 39 goals in their 38 Premier League matches last term, the Magpies are certainly in desperate need of reinforcements in attack, and the Stoke man showed the quality he has when a fantastic curling effort hit the crossbar in Kaliningrad, before he ran from the halfway line to net a fine winner.
[brid autoplay=”true” video=”257647″ player=”12034″ title=”Three reasons we love to hate… Brazil and Argentina”]
Newcastle supporters, who are desperate for their club to keep a £9m first-team star this summer, were quick to have their say on Shaqiri’s latest display via social media, and while one said “we would be nuts not to take Shaqiri if we got the chance”, another said “buy him with the Mitro money”.
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Javier Hernandez recently revealed his new-found happiness at West Ham United.
The Mexican asked to leave the Hammers in January following a difficult spell towards the end of 2017, but the striker ultimately remained at the London Stadium.
That has proved to be a good decision, with Hernandez scoring three times in his last four Premier League appearances for the club that he joined last summer.
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Hernandez, who is valued at £16.2m by transfermarkt.co.uk, was always going to score goals for the capital club, with few strikers in the Premier League able to match the 29-year-old’s awareness in the penalty box.
Hernandez’s comments have come ahead of West Ham’s trip to Liverpool in the Premier League this weekend, where the Hammers will be looking for another three points.
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West Ham posted Hernandez’s quotes on their official Twitter page on Wednesday, and the club’s supporters were on hand to pay tribute to the in-form Mexican.
A selection of the Twitter reaction can be seen below.
His inaction proved to be the biggest answer to his detractors. Watching from the sidelines as Alexis Sanchez had been given the nod as Arsenal’s centre-forward for the trip to Everton, Olivier Giroud’s second half introduction for the Chilean gave weight to the importance of the French international to Arsene Wenger’s side.
Had it not been for Giroud’s involvement, it is unlikely Arsenal would have been able to mount a comeback that saw them leave Goodison Park with a point after going two-nil down in the first half. Alexis is the quicker, more inventive of the two, but his position as the team’s central striker doesn’t provide the balance offered by Giroud’s game. The Frenchman can appear rough around the edges, lacking the dribbling skills and speed to get away from defenders. But he gives focus to Arsenal’s attack, which looked desperately short of ideas for much of the first half.
There have been many who have alluded to Mesut Ozil’s positioning on the left of the front three, which allowed for Wenger to build his attack on the base of a midfield three. But the playmaker has shown recently for Germany at the World Cup that he can be effective playing from the wide positions. If the surrounding personnel are correct, Ozil can be dangerous from any area of the attacking third.
The real problem Arsenal faced in Giroud’s absence was the overall lack of ideas, movement and speed to the attack. It was laboured and predictable, allowing Everton to read the situation multiple times. That’s not to say Giroud is the answer to Arsenal’s problems, and that without him the team are far worse than they are with him; the French striker still has his shortcomings. It’s more to say that the midfield is lacking the kind of individual that sets the rhythm for the rest of the team, the one who controls from deeper positions and launches attacks.
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Jack Wilshere was again disappointing, though he wasn’t the only one. Had it not been for his goal, Aaron Ramsey would likely have come in for more criticism. But Wilshere can easily frustrate in his drawn out possession of the ball and his continued runs into traffic which amount to nothing more than a loss of the ball. Neither he nor Ramsey are conductors comparable to, say, Cesc Fabregas.
But it made Giroud’s involvement all the more important. Everton had time to organise themselves defensively amid Arsenal’s sluggish forming of attacks. There was no going through the home side’s defence, and pushing the play out wide left little in the way of a target man for Arsenal’s full-backs to aim for.
If Alexis is to have a purpose and a role as an alternative at centre-forward, it’s to mirror that of Theo Walcott’s best use: in open games where the team’s attack can get the ball from back to front much quicker than what they did at Goodison Park.
Giroud may not have been in the frame for Ramsey’s goal, but he won a rather one-sided aerial battle to secure a point and a 2-2 draw for the visitors. He can frustrate, of course, but few others in this Arsenal team are as good around the six-yard box, both with the ball on the deck or in the air.
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Arsenal’s game picked up significantly upon Giroud’s arrival after the break, as if they had a reference point for attack. There are still concerns going the other, and if Arsenal are serious about challenging for silverware this season, they will have to upgrade at centre-forward.
But Giroud has his purpose and he is good enough for Arsenal. Providing the equaliser and changing his side’s game for the better is more than enough proof of that.