Category Uncategorized

FC Porto are a decent side – they’re top of the Portuguese league this season with a game in hand and coordinated their way through a tricky Champions League group that also included Red Bull Leipzig and Monaco – but Liverpool made exceptionally light work of them last night, recording a 5-0 win at Estadio do Dragao.

It was a blistering attacking performance that saw all members of Liverpool’s front three find the net – in most instances, in incredibly pomp fashion – and essentially puts the Reds into the quarter-finals of the Champions League excepting an incredible turnaround in the second leg at Anfield next month.

[ad_pod ]

But Jurgen Klopp might find himself most pleased this morning with how Liverpool performed at the opposite end of the pitch. The Reds’ defensive frailties have been discussed continuously during the German’s time at the club but Liverpool now boast three consecutive clean sheets away from home in all competitions – which is half of all the clean sheets they’ve managed on the road during the entire campaign.

And central to that last night was January signing Virgil van Dijk, who performed both aspects of his dual role for Liverpool exceptionally well. Klopp hasn’t invested in the Dutchman simply to improve Liverpool’s defensive solidity, but also to help retain possession and build attacks from the back with his quality on the ball.

Although Porto did make chances early on, the Netherlands international’s dominance eventually shone through, making three tackles, three interceptions, five clearances and blocking one shot at goal while winning two aerial duels.

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 addition to that though, van Dijk made the most passes and had the most touches of the ball of any player on the pitch.

Van Dijk hasn’t wholly convinced since arriving at Anfield, especially in light of his gigantic price-tag with Transfermarkt valuing him at £45million – around £30million less than what Liverpool actually paid Southampton. But the 26-year-old was at his best last night and Liverpool’s flurry of goals at the other end only highlighted the importance of the platform he provides from the heart of defence.

After Jack Wilshere has been deployed in an advanced midfield position for Arsenal of late, he has been been given a deeper role for England.

Arsene Wenger has made it publicly known that he is not pleased with Roy Hodgson’s decision to play him in a deeper role, and has suggested that the England boss is wasting Wilshere’s talent. But where is Jack’s most effective position?

Last season for Arsenal Jack was also only sixth in The Gunners’ assists chart and the England international made two appearances in the 2014 World Cup and, despite the deeper role, he failed to control the game (in the short amount of time he was given) compared with his teammates.

For England against Switzerland, Wilshere was of course played in the deep holding role but he certainly didn’t seem comfortable there. When he picked up the ball in the deeper position he wanted to run forward with it and drive towards the defence, but he was caught out many times by the Swiss midfielders and he was the main cause for a few Swiss counter attacks. Not what you want from a holding midfielder. Jack has acknowledged that he naturally wants to get forward more but states that he is happy to play in either position for club or country.

The 22-year-old has seemingly not quite got the ability to control the game under his belt just yet, but he is undoubtedly growing in quality. He plays for a club side who are known for their excellent possession ability, while England are also a side that prefers to  control the possession against the weaker opposition. He therefore rarely goes a game without completing more than 50 passes and is very much used to playing a passing style, whether it be from deep or in and around the box.

‘The future of English football’ isn’t proving his talent through his attacking statistics and he isn’t showing any real class with the ball retention side of his game either. So far this season, Gunners teammate Aaron Ramsey has been the best passer, having completed an average of 89.8 passes per game in his four appearances. Wilshere (53) is also behind Ozil (66), Flamini (56.3), and Cazorla (53.3). This level of ball retention is only really necessary in the holding midfielder role, and it’s penetration and key passes that really define an attacking midfielder.

Chelsea’s ex-Gunner Cesc Fabregas leads the way so far for key passes per game (4). In terms of how Jack competes against his current teammates, he has been relatively disappointing. Cazorla (3), Alexis (2.8), Ozil & Ramsey (both 2.3) are all in the top 13 for key passes per game in the Premier League so far, whereas Wilshere (1) is sitting in 72nd thus far. Not a great stat for an ‘attacking midfielder’. Wilshere generally plays a deeper role than all of the aforementioned players, so it’s a mystery why Wenger thinks that a holding role is that much different to the role he gives the England man. If his talent is ‘wasted’ deep then Arsene better hope he catches his teammates in his advanced play soon.

The season may only be 4 games old, but Wilshere (81.8%) is a long way short of The Gunners’ most successful passing midfielders of Arteta (95.3%) and Flamini (94.7%). It may be too early to say, but it seems that in this Arsenal squad he doesn’t have a particular role, he’s not retaining or winning back the ball as well as the defensive minded midfielders but also isn’t creating the amount of chances as the attacking midfielders.

Wilshere is learning his trade and trying out some new positions but at the moment he is in the transition phase and is seemingly a Jack of all trades but a master of none.

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.

[ffcvideo file=”TopFiveVideosoftheWeek” type=”mp4″]

[ad_pod id=’fr2rumours’ align=’center’]

defender Jose Enrique has revealed he and Luis Suarez had planned the move that resulted in the Uruguayan’s outstanding goal against Newcastle.

Suarez calmly chested down Enrique’s 60-yard pass before rounding Newcastle keeper Tim Krul to equalise in the 1-1 draw at Anfield yesterday.

And the Spanish defender has admitted that he and Suarez had discussed the move before the game and that he was not surprised with the way his team mate finished.

He told Liverpool’s official website: “I spoke with Luis before the game I told him, if you have a chance and see a space behind the Newcastle centre back, just try.

“We tried that and it worked. I know his movement is really, really clever and that he is a great player. The goal was all about the control from Luis. And his finish was 10 out of 10. It was amazing.

“We all know Luis already though, so [the quality of the goal] was no surprise.”

But Enrique also revealed his disappointment at the 1-1 draw, claiming Liverpool deserved to take all three points to make it back-to-back home wins.

“We were disappointed with the result because Newcastle only had two chances to score and one of them was their goal,” he added.

“We deserved to win and we know we have to start to get points. Afterwards the manager told us to try to keep doing what we are doing. And I think we are doing well.

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.

“We feel good and we will  go into the games with the same mentality and that is to try and win.”

[post_link url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/premiership/coloccini-red-card-laughable-says-owen,https://www.footballfancast.com/premiership/liverpool/brendan-rodgers-delighted-with-liverpool-display,https://www.footballfancast.com/football-news/liverpool-1-1-newcastle-united-match-review,https://www.footballfancast.com/premiership/liverpool/liverpool-eye-up-6m-bargain-move-for-dutch-ace,https://www.footballfancast.com/football-blogs/the-ten-premier-league-transfers-of-the-season-so-far ” target=”_blank” type=”grid”]

Unai Emery had many tasks to carry out when he became Arsenal manager, and one was the future of Jack Wilshere.

The midfielder has been part of the club fold for the past 17 years, but injury problems have hampered his progress.

After spending the 2016-17 season on loan at Bournemouth, Wilshere eventually forced his way back into contention at the Gunners, but he did not do enough to warrant a regular first-team spot.

[brid autoplay=”true” video=”257236″ player=”12034″ title=”Watch Five things we learned from England 21 Tunisia”]

In an

/BkOCXr9B43r/?hl=en&taken-by=jackwilshere” rel=”nofollow” data-lasso->Instagram post on Tuesday night, the 26-year-old confirmed that he will be leaving Arsenal when his contract expires next month.

The England international, who missed out on a place in the squad for the World Cup in Russia, admitted that he felt he had “little choice” but to walk away.

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.

Wilshere revealed that discussions with new boss Emery ultimately led to his decision as he learned that he would not be getting regular first-team action this season.

Plenty of Arsenal fans were keen for the midfielder to stay put, but after the player’s confirmation, some are backing Emery, while others are angry at the coach.

Javier Hernandez has revealed that he is now enjoying his football at West Ham United after a difficult period with the Hammers.

Hernandez has not been afraid to hide the fact that he asked to leave the London Stadium during the January transfer window.

Indeed, the Mexico international found himself out of the team in the latter stages of 2017 due to the form of Marko Arnautovic at centre-forward.

The 29-year-old has scored three times in his last four Premier League appearances, however, during a strong spell.

Hernandez has claimed that he can feel himself returning to his best form as the Hammers prepare for this weekend’s trip to Liverpool in the Premier League.

Hernandez told West Ham’s official website:

“I’m happy, not only because I’m playing my game, but because I can feel my sharpness coming back.

“You can see the same has happened with Marko [Arnautovic]. Now, I’m going to try and keep that smile on my face.”

Hernandez, who is believed to collect £140,000-a-week in wages at the London Stadium, has seven Premier League goals in total for the Hammers this season.

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.

David Moyes’ side will enter Saturday’s clash with Liverpool in 12th position in the Premier League – just four points clear of the relegation zone.

Brazil are the most successful national team in world football. Their style of football is attractive, with fans from almost every other country wishing their nation could play the game with such beauty.

They are known as the Samba Stars and they’ve been able to boast some of the best players ever in the world. Pele, Ronaldo, Rivaldo, Ronaldinho, Neymar… to name but a few.

But what England players could’ve made it into the Brazilian set up over the years? Have we had players as good as Brazil’s?

Well here’s EIGHT that could’ve had a chance…

[ffc-gallery]

Click on Gazza to reveal

[/ffc-gallery]

New Brazilian BBQ Steak Flavour! In stores now!

Paul Gascoigne

On his day, Gazza was as good as any player in world football. He was instrumental to England’s ’90 and ’96 major tournaments.

His control of the ball and general midfield dominance meant he would have walked in to any Brazil squad during his best years. Some would argue he is the most talented English footballer of all time. That’s how good he was.

[ad_pod id=’memegen’ align=’center’]

Stanley Matthews

For 30 years, Matthews was known as the best dribbler of the ball around. He loved the ball at his feet and he loved to beat a man, which is why he would have been the perfect foil to Brazil’s tricky stars.

They didn’t call him the Wizard of Dribble for nothing, after all.

[ad_pod id=’memegen’ align=’center’]

David Beckham

Brazilians are well known for their dead ball abilities. So there’s no reason why one of England’s best ever-dead ball takers couldn’t be South American.

David ‘Golden Balls’ Beckham will always be remembered for the free-kick against Greece that took England to the 2002 World Cup – a goal any samba star would be proud to call his own.

[ad_pod id=’memegen’ align=’center’]

Glenn Hoddle

Hoddle was the player Gazza was compared to on many occasions. He was something of a luxury player for England – something Brazil have had many of over the years.

Many fans that watched him play will tell you how delightful and entertaining he was to watch and with a left foot to die for, and a footballing brain that was way ahead of its time, it’s not difficult to see why he wouldn’t of looked out of place in the yellow of Brazil.

[ad_pod id=’memegen’ align=’center’]

John Barnes

When given the freedom to play, Barnes was one of the best players in the world.

Barnes was both skillful and exciting, which is pretty much all you need to be if you’re going to make the Brazil squad.

He loves music too, so he’s bound to have a few samba-style moves for the pitch as well as the dance floor.

[ad_pod id=’memegen’ align=’center’]

David Dunn

Obviously a joke inclusion, but he certainly thought he had the silky skills to make it as a Brazilian.

Remember the Rabona he tried when playing for Birmingham against Aston Villa? If not, here it is…

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.

Ronaldinho would’ve been proud.

[ad_pod id=’memegen’ align=’center’]

Joe Cole

On his day, Joe Cole was arguably the most skillful and talented player of his generation. A product of West Ham’s famed youth academy, it didn’t take long for Chelsea to realise his potential and bring him to Stamford Bridge.

He was just as good for England as he was for the clubs he played for and, had he been Brazilian, he could’ve got on the team sheet.

[ad_pod id=’memegen’ align=’center’]

Matt Le Tissier

The didn’t call Matt Le Tissier a genius for nothing. He was technically gifted and scored some of the most extraordinary goals you’re ever likely see – the kind that normally come from the feet of Brazilians.

He could take a penalty, too – scoring 47 out of 48 penalties throughout his career.

[ad_pod id=’memegen’ align=’center’]

Manchester City will be hoping to put their midweek horror show in Amsterdam behind them, when they welcome Swansea City to the Ethihad on Saturday evening.

Roberto Mancini bravely took the blame for his side’s poor display in midweek, and will be hoping for three Premier League points to keep the pressure on Chelsea at the top of the table.

Swansea ended their run of five games without a win, by beating Wigan 2-1 at the Liberty Stadium last Saturday.

The result especially came as a relief to Michael Laudrup, who had to quash rumours of dressing room unrest ahead of the fixture.

David Silva will remain absent for Roberto Mancini, as he is still suffering with a hamstring injury.

Pablo Zabaleta, Javi Garcia, Maicon and Jack Rodwell are also absent, while James Milner is suspended following his red card in last weekend’s dramatic win over West Bromwich Albion.

Swansea have no new injury concerns to deal with ahead of the trip to Manchester.

Prediction: Manchester City 3-0 Swansea City

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.

[post_link url=” https://www.footballfancast.com/premiership/the-15-great-polar-opposites-within-football, https://www.footballfancast.com/premiership/football-fancast-paints-a-picture-of-the-modern-footballer, https://www.footballfancast.com/football-blogs/top-players-in-europe-who-would-be-the-perfect-fit-in-the-premier-league,https://www.footballfancast.com/premiership/the-football-quarterbacks-and-their-role-within-the-game,https://www.footballfancast.com/premiership/arsenal/the-ideal-role-for-theo-walcott” target=”_blank” type=”grid”]

[ad_pod id=’tv’ align=’center’]

According to reports from The Independent, Jose Mourinho is unlikely to sign a new left-back this summer – despite it being the biggest problem position of his Manchester United tenure – to ensure he can afford to bring in back up for Romelu Lukaku.

With that in mind, Football FanCast recently outlined five potential solutions in the form cut-price striker signings that would add quality and depth to United’s forward line but also leave the Red Devils with enough in the bank to sign a top-class No.3.

And while there was no unanimous winner from our poll, which suggested Andy Carroll, Mario Balotelli, Salomon Rondon, Danny Welbeck and Bas Dost, it was the latter who came out on top with 41% of the vote.

The Dutchman is now effectively available on a free transfer, having terminated his contract with Sporting Lisbon after being attacked by fans at their training ground despite netting 34 times across all competitions last season.

[ad_pod ]

Which left-back would you like to see arrive at Old Trafford this summer, United fans? Let us know by commenting below…

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.

[brid autoplay=”true” video=”255883″ player=”12034″ title=”Watch Man United’s opening fixtures for the 201819 Premier League season”]

Philippe Coutinho’s departure in January hit some Liverpool fans hard, but it was not completely unexpected.

The Brazilian playmaker was heavily linked with the Catalan giants in the summer, but the Reds held firm and did not sell.

Once the January transfer window opened, rumours reignited about Coutinho’s possible switch to the Camp Nou.

It was not long before the 25-year-old was bidding farewell to the Merseyside outfit, where he had transformed into arguably the team’s best player.

Coutinho has now revealed some detail about the manner in which the deal was struck.

Interestingly, the former Inter Milan star suggested during an interview with Fora de Joc on Catalan channel 8tv that an agreement had been put in place for the player to join Barcelona in the winter following their interest prior to the start of the season.

“Everyone knows that I wanted to come to Barcelona. It wasn’t possible in the summer, but we worked so that it could be done in winter. I really want to win big titles, it was one of the reasons that made me sign for the club. I want to win as many as I can, I don’t have preferences.”

Liverpool fans have since taken to Twitter to discuss their former player’s admission, and not everyone is best pleased.

Manchester United manager David Moyes may have pulled off a 1-1 draw with Bayern Munich in the Champions League but there are still glaring holes to be filled within the Man Utd ranks come the summer transfer window.

The likes of Toni Kroos, Luke Shaw, William Carvalho, Ilkay Gündogan have all been touted as potential summer targets and would bolster the withering United ranks, but with an unproven track record so far this season at the helm of United, trust is still a major issue for many fans.

The discontent at United this season is unprecedented, to the extent that a bewildered bunch of so-called “fans” dished out £840 on a “Moyes Out” banner to fly over Old Trafford during the Aston Villa match last week. It’s troubling times to be a United fan and with a potential 200m war chest to work with in the summer, many fans are seriously questioning whether Moyes knows what to do with that amount of cash.

It’s difficult to argue with the anti-David Moyes brigade when you look at the quality he brought in back at the beginning of summer. Quality might be a wildly loose term to describe Marouane Fellaini, who has looked out of his depth all season and completely off the pace. You just need to search “Fellaini” into Twitter to see a torrent of abuse towards a player who has shown himself to be decidedly “mid-table” in his performances. Throw into the mixer that a player such as Shinji Kagawa started on the bench against Bayern Munich and again the anti-Moyes hoard get your vote.

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 can he make the key tactical purchases required to take United back into title contention next year? Nemanja Vidic, who scored against Bayern, will be out in the summer, as will Wilfried Zaha, Javier Hernandez and Rio Ferdinand, so we scoured Twitter to find out what the fans think of Moyes’s potential summer spending spree: