The Brazilian national championship is teeming with talent. Be it burgeoning youngsters with world class potential such as Neymar and Lucas Moura or former icons of the European game in the likes of Deco and Juninho Pernambucano. While it is these players who grab much of the attention, there are a countless number of players who may have slipped through the net in the early stages of their career but still possess the ability to compete in the European game. There are of course also other young players who are yet to have their name spread across the continent attached to mass hyperbole. Nevertheless, the improving quality and rapid development of the league is unquestionable, and while a move across the Atlantic may have lost some of its appeal in recent years the prestige of playing in Europe remains the greatest draw.
From an immensely competitive league where a huge number of clubs can challenge for the title there are of course many names that the everyday fan will be unlikely to have heard of. So here, we take a look of some of the talents currently on show in Brazil who possess the ability, but not the media spotlight, to be able to compete in the Premier League.
Click on Arouca to unveil the top 10
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Luka Modric’s representatives are set to meet with Real Madrid on Monday, after the player failed to turn up for Tottenham’s tour of the United States, The Telegraph reports.
The diminutive playmaker is eager to leave White Hart Lane after the club failed to qualify for the Champions League for the second season in succession, with the Spanish champions keen to add the midfielder to their ranks.
With the north London club departing England to go on a tour of the United States ahead of the 2012-13 campaign, Modric was nowhere to be seen and it appears that the player has gone AWOL.
Andre Villas-Boas had criticised Modric’s decision, whilst chairman Daniel Levy is thought to be livid at the midfielder’s petulance.
Modric’s agent and advisers will meet with Madrid representatives in Spain on Monday, but Levy is said to be eager to recoup as close to £40 million as possible to allow the star to leave White Hart Lane.
Madrid are said to have offered £27 million plus add-ons for the player, which Tottenham have rejected.
Meanwhile, The Guardian state that Spurs are ready to fine Modric two weeks wages for his absenteeism.
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They say ‘never go back, you will only be disappointed’, the odds of replicating former glories are slim and you risk tainting such treasured memories.
Does this famous proverb exist in the world of football? Barely a day goes by without a headline linking a player with a ‘romantic return’ to a former club. During this summer alone we’ve seen Joe Cole linked with a move back to his beloved East London whilst Xabi Alonso’s recent contract stutters at Real Madrid sparked deluded Liverpool fans into life.
The homecoming of Thierry Henry proved that such moves could benefit a club beyond the sentimental value whilst Sir Alex Ferguson’s decision to liberate Paul Scholes from his retirement home was labelled “inspired”.
What about those players who aren’t in the twilight of their career? Those unfortunate few who have fallen foul of a high profile transfer or have simply been stifled by their new team’s playing philosophy. With this in mind I have compiled a list of ten players who could prosper by returning to their forming stomping ground.
Click on Jordan Henderson to unveil the 10
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We’ve all got a fans favourite, or know of a player that the manager simply adores to pick every week. Then there are those players who you simply cannot work out why they make the team on a regular basis. Perhaps these individuals possess images of an explicit nature of the club’s manager or Chairman, or perhaps large bribes may be changing hands.
Either way, there are plenty of footballers in the Premier League that are overrated, either by reputation, price tag or simply as an overhyped youngster coming through the ranks. These days, most English footballers are overpriced of course, but some ridiculously more than others. You take a look round the starting XI’s of the Premier League clubs and wonder how some of the names on the team sheets are still getting a game in the Premier League. We’ve picked our current overrated Premier League XI, and found enough individuals to make up a bench as well!
Click on Rob Green to unveil the Premier League’s overrated XI
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If Arsenal’s recent exploits in the transfer market could be defined in one simple phrase, it would read ‘from invincible to incredibly vulnerable’. Whereas the likes of Manchester United are ruthless in their pursuit of targets and similarly defiant in thwarting any unwanted bids, it would appear that every Arsenal player has his price. Without wanting to seem callous, it strikes me that rival managers often bully Arsene Wenger into granting them the freedom to lure away his best players.
Arsenal are no longer the most desirable club to play for in the Premier League, which is why their trend of allowing contracts to run down into their final year continues to baffle. The once popular figures of Samir Nasri and Robin van Persie have effectively exploited their contract situation in order force a move away, with Theo Walcott looking like he could soon follow suit. The club’s ability to attract the crème de la crème is made increasingly difficult by the financial restrictions of their self-sufficient business model. The priority should therefore focus on maintaining of the services of their existing personnel, but it seems the foundations for a title winning side are continually ripped away.
Of course when players do commit to long-term contracts, it doesn’t guarantee loyalty but it does put the club firmly in a position of power during negotiations. Wenger deserves a lorry load of praise for extracting £20m+ from both Manchester outfits, but it’s of little consolation when you’re enhancing the title hopes of your rivals as your own chances suffer in the process. It’s such a shame that Wenger is continually placed in impossible situations when his superiors fail to tie down the club’s best assets.
Arsenal’s strict financial policy warrants as much criticism as it does praise. The club can be commended for continuing to ensure its future wellbeing, but the harsh reality of the modern game is that the best players in the world come with the biggest price tags. When the club pulled out of a deal to sign Nuri Sahin due to a dispute over the percentage of wage contribution, it highlighted how their cost conscious strategy doesn’t allow for flexibility in any circumstances.
It’s painfully obvious that Wenger doesn’t possess the same working relationship with chief executive Ivan Gazidis as he once did with David Dein. The two seem to have been forcefully put together, working towards a distant and unrealistic goal while under constant scrutiny. Gazidis reminds me of a seedy politician when he conducts an interview, constantly evading direct questions to deliver generic and often broad statements. In a recent exposé with the Mirror he was asked whether the club can keep “top players happy and on top contracts,” but diverted away from the topic by insisting the club was on a “really positive path” and that the “financial capability is growing.” This is a man blessed with a business but not a football brain.
Gazidis however, is not in charge of negotiating deals, that’s the role of Dick Law who I have been careful typing into Google ever since learning of his existence. He must accept a portion of blame for the recent misfortunes, especially considering his main contribution last summer consisted of an alarming amount of time spent in Costa Rica completing the signing of Joel Campbell and insulting Bolton with a derisory bid for Gary Cahill. Somewhat bizarrely, the ‘charming Texan’ has his office in the training ground complex, in the same area where the press conferences are held. It’s hardly the best environment to conduct private, delicate negotiations, especially as agents and journalists are likely to rub shoulders in the corridors.
According to reports both Emmanual Frimpong and Andrei Arshavin will see their contracts expire next year alongside Theo Walcott. The Russian winger will be no great loss – other than financially – having tumbled from the limelight after an impressive start to his Gunner’s career. Frimpong on the other hand, struck an instant rapport with the fans after a series of tenacious displays. His departure would be mourned but there are doubts regarding his professionalism and how he will overcome his current injury.
If Arsenal want to avoid repeating the same mistakes then they should already be looking forward towards 2014 with three key players up for renewal. Revered full-back Bacary Sagna, who recently criticised the club for their summer transfer activity may already be a lost cause with Wenger insisting, “If he is not happy, he has to go elsewhere”. However, the club need to move quickly to retain the services of Kieron Gibbs and Wojciech Szczesny, who many believe are the future of the club.
It’s also worth mentioning the role agents play in enabling a players contract to run down to the point of expiry. Their job is to get the best deal for the player (and therefore themselves), and the most effective way to do this is by shifting the balance of power. As soon as the possibility of a player leaving for free becomes a reality, then the agent can slowly crank up his demands as the club becomes more and more desperate. I can’t imagine there are too many agents eager to sit down when there is a significant amount of time left to run on a contract, unless of course a significant pay rise is involved.
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Ironically the only contract that looks like being signed in the near future involves Arsene Wenger, who Gazidis hailed as the “best man to lead us forward”. I can’t help but think the phrase “with one hand tied behind his back” should be added to the end of that sentence.
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And it’s Steven Gerrard, what a beauty and he wheels away to celebrate in front of the Matthew Harding stand! I know what you’re thinking; probably something along the lines of ‘I beg your pardon’, ‘excuse me’ or maybe something more expletive!
Alas, Mr Liverpool himself may have completed a move down south to London with Chelsea on a couple of occasions during Rafael Benitez’ reign but opted to belong in his hometown and has since gone on to accumulate legendary status at Anfield and amidst the loyal Kop following.
Speaking of Chelsea, their latest whizz kid Eden Hazard revealed this week that he could have ended up at Tottenham Hotspur following an impressive campaign last term, but opted for the Blues given their Champions League triumph and subsequent qualification.
Given the Belgian’s impressive start to life in England, Spurs fans may be forgiven for thinking ‘if only’ but they are certainly not alone in the ranks of those clubs who let that player get away or lost out to a rival bidder with just minutes to spare in true eBay fashion.
Let us embark on a journey through yesteryear as we document the top ten ‘if only’ transfers in the Premier League.
Click on Yaya Toure to unveil the top 10
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Blackburn managing director Peter Shaw has stated that Alan Shearer is in consideration for the vacant manager’s position.
The Lancashire club sacked Steve Kean recently, and are currently looking for a replacement that can lead the side back to the Premier League.
Shearer fired Rovers to the Premier League title in 1995, and Shaw has admitted that the BBC pundit could well be in the frame.
“I’m sure it would be a popular appointment, but even more than getting fans excited we need a good manager who’ll get us to the Premier League and keep us in the Premier League,” Shaw told Sky Sports.
“Obviously someone with Alan’s football record, he’ll be on the list that we have a good look at.
“I wouldn’t confirm anything at this moment in time. There’s a number of names being put forward for our job, those names have been forwarded on to the owners with comments.
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“We’re possibly getting a little bit nearer the interviewing stage but there’s no one ruled in and no one ruled out at the moment, so I can’t really comment any further,” he concluded.
Roy Keane and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer are also names being speculated as candidates in the press.
Newcastle United centre back Steven Taylor is primed for another meeting with Sunderland at the Stadium of Light this Sunday.
Whilst his namesake Ryan Taylor is still held in high regard for getting his free kick ‘over the wall’ and in the back of the net, in a 1-0 victory at the Black Cats ground last season, the magpies central defender wants to make his own derby day history.
The ace has been kept out for the last few fixtures but is now back in full training alongside Coloccini and Tim Krul, who are both also recovering from injuries.
It is an encouraging sign that all 3 players took part in United’s latest training session at their Benton training centre. Their returns will be extremely well received ahead of such a crucial clash.
Newcastle’s hierarchy has been challenged in recent times for not adding more reinforcements to the squad in the summer, than just Vurnon Anita for £6.6million from Ajax.
Many fans hoped that qualification for the Europa League would mean that the club would open up its coffers to make some marquee signings, in order to push on towards the top 4.
Perch and Williamson though have performed admirably under the injury circumstances recently, with both having to play as part in Premier League and Europa league sides.
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Despite this, the fans will be delighted their defensive stars are in back in the first team fold. The spine of the team has returned at a perfect time for the Toon’s supporters. They will be hoping the players won’t be rusty first game back, with Tyne-Wear bragging rights at stake.
Juventus are set to up their efforts to sign Arsenal transfer target Fernando Llorente, according to The Daily Mail.
The Spain international forward is in the last year of his contract with Athletic Bilbao, and has signalled his intent to leave the San Mames club for a new challenge.
The Turin giants are in the market for a big-name striker, and are thought to highly-rate Llorente.
With his contract expiring, it is believed that the Serie A champions will offer the Spaniards £5 million in the January transfer window, and are ready to make him their highest paid player on £145,000 per week.
Arsenal are still in the market for a new frontman as a long-term replacement for Robin van Persie, who left the club to join Manchester United in the summer.
The Gunners did sign Olivier Giroud, but Arsene Wenger is eager to provide competition for a starting place for the France international and bolster his options in attack.
The Emirates Stadium outfit are also an admirer of Llorente, who they have had their eye on for some time.
Arsenal are hoping to take advantage of Llorente’s expiring contract, but now must fight the financial might of Juventus if they are to convince the targetman to move to north London.
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Llorente had a training ground bust-up with Bilbao boss Marcelo Bielsa earlier in the season, and it is believed that the Basque side are ready to cash in on him to avoid losing their star on a free transfer at the end of the campaign.
It doesn’t take a lot to constitute a crisis in modern football. Sunderland entered September, possibly even October on track to achieve the season’s goals and now a couple of demoralising home defeats leave a miserable cloud hanging over Wearside.
Manchester City are also edging towards the dreaded ‘c’ word, such is the madness of football. The league champions, who remain undefeated in the Premier League’s European failings leave the manager players feeling the heat. My point is in this crazy sport where the difference between success and failure is so minimal does the timing of when you play certain teams impact a team’s long-term results?
Bolton Wanderers weren’t among the favourites for relegation but ended the season in the drop-zone after picking up six points from their first nine games. During this tough tenure Wanderers met five members of the traditional top six of the league. A torrid start de-railed the ambitions of a team looking to build on a 14th place finish and a FA Cup semi-final appearance. After a momentum draining start, the Trotters lost winnable games against Sunderland, Swansea and West Brom putting them directly into a dogfight.
Other factors were at play, the influential Stuart Holden missed the entire season, while Lee Chung Yong had been an important player for the club and missed a majority of the season through injury. When Gary Cahill left in January the club were also left with a sub-standard back four, with centre backs Zat Knight, Tim Ream and David Wheater lacking the quality needed at Premier League level.
However, going against this trend, bottom club last year Wolverhampton Wanderers picked up 11 points from their opening nine games and enjoyed a relatively manageable opening quarter before fading badly. Blackburn Rovers the other club relegated that term met three of the traditional top teams in their opening nine fixtures. They managed just five points however they were always among the favourites to go down and matched people’s expectations throughout the season. Wolves weren’t many people’s favourites for relegation but were also not expected to be far away from the drop-zone perhaps not making the two clubs the best examples.
The biggest over-achievers last year were Norwich City. Guided by the highly rated Paul Lambert, the Canaries reached 12th spot in the Premier League rarely close to the relegation places all term. They managed a solid total of 12 points in their opening nine matches. This came against a steady level of competition including three of the traditional top six teams in the division. Losses to Manchester United and Chelsea didn’t halt the momentum of a well-organised squad who caught many by surprise last year. Birmingham City were perhaps the surprise package in the 2010-2011 relegation zone. The Blues over-achieved finishing the previous year in the top half and showed their team contained genuine quality, winning the league cup in the same year they exited England’s top division. That year the Midlands side started steadily with 12 points from their first nine playing two top six sides in the process.
While my small Premier League sample shows that many factors are in play during a season and the fixture list is perhaps low in ranking among the problems a football club faces. I do believe Sunderland to an extent are a victims of a tough start. Taken individually prior to defeat at Villa, Sunderland had acquired good away points and only tasted defeat at the hands of the league champions.
Plus the two draws at the Stadium of Light were against difficult opposition in tough circumstances. But failure to win matches combined with a demoralising cup defeat meant the Black Cats couldn’t play with any real confidence or conviction against Villa. Liverpool FC are also victims of the fixture list to an extent. The Reds are going through a transitional period under Brendan Rogers, and the Ulsterman has had a torrid run, playing four of last year’s top six already. The Merseyside club are currently in an unsatisfactory 12th.
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However if my findings are accurate and the cliché of things evening themselves out over a season is true, both Rodgers and O’Neill should take comfort and remain defiant in trying to lift their teams up the Premier League table.