I have always enjoyed watching Liverpool ’s Glen Johnson as a footballer. Although you sometimes want to close your eyes when he is backing away onto his own goal defending against a tricky winger, the England international is tremendously gifted when the ball is at his feet.
A precocious dribbler of the ball, Johnson can cause nightmares for many opposition full backs, always ready and waiting to provide an overlap for a winger so he can either force his way into the opposition box or unleash a shot on goal with either foot. The 26 year old has certainly added an extra dimension to the Reds attack since joining from Portsmouth a couple of years ago.
Still, you would be hard pressed to find a Reds fan who feels Johnson merited the £17million fee which Rafa Benitez paid in the summer of 2009. It could be said to be the going rate for an England full back, but like Andy Carroll, you always seem to have to pay a premium for an Englishman.
Although he may not have been worth the fee paid, it must be said that when fit, Glen has managed some very good performances in the last half of the season under Kenny Dalglish . Under previous manager Roy Hodgson , he was a shadow of his former self, and no doubt it was unwise of Roy to criticise the player in public for his poor displays. It was one of the many mistakes during the former Fulham boss’s ill fated 6 month reign, and it was speculated that Johnson was so unhappy about the remarks that he was considering leaving Liverpool in January.
Since the arrival of King Kenny however, along with the team’s performances, Johnson’s form has also picked up markedly. On many occasions Dalglish has asked Glen to fill in at left back due to injuries and the loan move away for Paul Konchesky . Rather than being uncomfortable in the position however, Johnson has looked quite at home. Although his attacking instincts have been curtailed due to the fact he is on his weaker side, the defensive aspects of his game have benefited as he is not caught out of position as often and is more focused on positioning, rather than getting forward.
Certainly, it will be good to see him return to right back next season once a left back is purchased in the summer, and we will again see some great marauding runs forward from the right flank. There is however a possibility that he could continue on the left side. After the emergence of both Martin Kelly and John Flanagan , it would be hard to believe that at least one of these two won’t get a great deal of game time next campaign.
I have no doubt the Reds will seek to buy a new solid left full back in the summer, but Glen Johnson can now be seen as another genuine option for the left full back role, especially if Kelly and Flanagan are given more opportunities next season by Kenny Dalglish.
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Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger confirmed the club has completed a deal to sign striker Gervinho from French club Lille.The Ivory Coast international, who scored 15 goals and contributed 10 assists to help the French side to their first league title in 57 years last season, arrives at the Emirates Stadium for a fee believed to be 10.6 million pounds.
Wenger revealed the news about Gervinho as his side arrived in Malaysia ahead of their lucrative pre-season tour of Asia.
The 24-year-old has not joined his new club on the tour, but Wenger will be keen to give him plenty of time on the pitch with his new team-mates prior to the start of the season.
The Gunners reportedly agreed personal terms with the striker last month, but have spent the intervening period in talks with Lille over his price.
Gervinho becomes the second off-season arrival at the Emirates Stadium after the signing of full-back Carl Jenkinson from Charlton Athletic, as Wenger looks to revamp his squad in a bid to end the club’s six-year trophy drought.
The Frenchman has also vowed to keep star duo Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri at the club.
There has been much speculation around the future of the pair, with both rumoured to be keen on a move away from London.
But Wenger insists he will be doing his best to keep the duo.
“Our position is always the same, we want to keep Cesc and I will fight as hard as I can to keep him,” Wenger said.
“Samir Nasri is exactly the same. We will do everything we can to keep him.”
Swansea’s unbeaten record at the Liberty Stadium will come under extreme threat on Saturday evening as they prepare to host Premier League champions Manchester United.
Brendan Rodgers side have won three and drawn two of their five games at home but will face arguably their toughest test of the season so far when Sir Alex Ferguson’s Red Devil’s come to town. The Swans have enjoyed a sterling campaign so far confounding the critics who tipped them to rock bottom and struggling to compete in the top flight. It couldn’t be any different though as the club have matched up to some of the leagues biggest clubs narrowly losing away at Arsenal and Chelsea whilst securing a memorable 0-0 draw against Liverpool at Anfield before the international break. It’s their form at the Liberty Stadium that has been most impressive though with 11 of their 13 coming on home soil whilst the defence has been breached just the once on their own patch. Welsh international’s Ashley Williams and Neil Taylor have been consistent members of the back four alongside Spanish full back Angel Rangel putting in some exceptional displays and the trio will relish coming up against the likes of Wayne Rooney and co. It’s not just in defence that the Swans have impressed with the likes of Scott Sinclair, Joe Allen and Nathan Dyer being peppered with plaudits after their tremendous start to life in the Premier League. Rodgers has implemented a fluid, passing philosophy that plays to his sides strengths with the pace of Dyer and Sinclair down the flanks allowing them to exploit teams on the counter attack. Record signing Danny Graham has also played his part with four goals in his last five whilst at the other end Dutch keeper Michael Vorm has performed numerous heroics between the sticks including a wonder save at the death against Liverpool last time out.
Swansea’s resolve to maintain their strong home record will certainly be put to the test against a United side who are unbeaten on their travels and are still spoiling after their derby day humiliation at the end of October. That 6-1 thrashing at the hands of rivals City has been followed by a run of four wins in all competitions as they look to salvage a title challenge that already looks a lost cause. Pegging back their noisy neighbours is an unenviable task with the Blues building up a telling five point lead at the summit but if there is anyone that can do it’s Ferguson. The Scot celebrated 25-year’s in charge of the club two weeks ago seeing a stand at Old Trafford named in his honour before watching his side labour to a 1-0 win over Sunderland. Despite winning their last four performances have hardly been inspiring with their last two Premier League victories coming in the shape of 1-0 wins. It’s always said that churning out results regardless of how your team is playing is the hallmark of champions and its those hard fought wins that could be the difference at the end of the season. However Ferguson will certainly be demanding a better display from his side as they make the long trip to Wales to take on the mid-table Swans. Injuries to several key players may force the United boss into rejigging his side with Javier Hernandez expected to be partnered with Rooney up front with the England striker searching for his first league goal since scoring against Chelsea in mid-September.
Swansea – 10th
Last Five
Drew 0-0 v Liverpool (A), Won 3-1 v Bolton (H), Drew 2-2 v Wolves (A), Lost 3-1 v Norwich (A), Won 2-0 v Stoke (H)
Potential Starting X11
1. M. Vorm 22. R. Angel 2. A. Williams 16. G. Monk [C] 3. N. Taylor 27. M. Gower 24. J. Allen 7. L. Britton 12. N. Dyer 11. S. Sinclair 10. D. Graham*
Injury News
No new injury worries for Rodgers with Alan Tate the only long-term absentee. The Swans boss could have striker Stephen Dobbie and on-loan defender Steven Caulker back although it’s thought both will have to make do with a place on the bench.
Key Player
Danny Graham – A slow start to his career in Wales had some fans querying the clubs decision to splash £3.5 million on the former Watford man but four in his last five have dampened fears over his ability to cope in the Premier League. He’s looked deadly in front of goal during the past month but his striking aptitude will be put through a thorough examination against United.
Match Fact
This will be the first meeting between the sides at the Liberty Stadium with the Swans desperate to protect an unbeaten run at their former ground the Vetch field. They’ve won six and drawn two of the eight games since coming up against United for the first time in 1931.
Manchester United −2nd
Last Five
Won 1-0 v Sunderland (H), Won 2-0 v Otelul Galati (H), Won 1-0 v Everton (A), Won 3-0 v Aldershot (A), Lost 6-1 v Manchester City (H)
Potential Starting X11
1. D. de Gea 4. P. Jones 15. N. Vidic [C] 6. J. Evans 3. P. Evra 25. A. Valencia 24. D. Fletcher 16. M. Carrick 17. Nani 14. J. Hernandez 10. W. Rooney*
Injury News
Ferguson has a treatment room full of key players with Danny Wellbeck and Michael Owen ruled out after picking up injuries this week. Tom Cleverley is also struggling with a foot injury whilst defender Chris Smalling could return in a few weeks from an ankle problem.
Key Player
Wayne Rooney – Whilst the goals may have dried up for Rooney his influence on the field continues to grown for United. The England man has been deployed in central midfield in recent weeks with Ferguson desperate to inject some creativity into his engine room. It worked wonderfully with Rooney given time and space to display his god given talents on the ball but expect to see him back in his natural position and in the hunt for goals this week.
Match Fact
United’s record at Swansea is a shocking one having failed to register a single victory in eight attempts. However the last meeting between the sides before Saturday’s encounter ended in the Red Devil’s favour as they ran out 2-1 winners at Old Trafford back in 1983.
Last Time at the Vetch Field
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Division One (old) 18th December 1982
Swansea City 0-0 Manchester United
Attendance: 15,748
Referee: Unknown
PREDICTION
Swansea’s strong home form will certainly stand them in good stead against United who are still licking their deep wounds after the thrashing they received from City. Their form on the road has been superb and the way they ground out a 1-0 in their last away trip at Everton is a measure of the Red Devil’s resolve. However they come up against a Swans side playing without fear and confidence in front of their own fans. The visitors will need their big hitters all firing if they are to overcome Rodgers’ side who will be going all out to provide the Premier League with shock win this weekend.
Inter Milan striker Samuel Eto’o believes Saturday’s Milan derby will not determine the eventual winner of the Serie A title.AC Milan have led the way for much of the 2010-11 campaign, but Massimiliano Allegri’s men have stumbled in recent weeks and were held to a 1-1 draw at home by bottom side Bari on March 13 before slumping to a 1-0 defeat at Palermo.
Inter, meanwhile, endured a difficult start to their campaign under former manager Rafael Benitez, but since he was replaced by Leonardo in December, the reigning Italian and European champions have gone from strength to strength.
Their league record since the Brazilian took over has been impressive, with 12 wins, two losses and a draw seeing them sitting just two points behind Milan with eight games remaining.
Eto’o has been a key man for Inter this season, with 19 league goals – including four in his last four Serie A games – and he feels that with seven games left after Saturday’s crunch fixture, there are still some twists left in the tale.
“The derby is a game that can change the course of the championship for just one week,” Eto’o told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
“After the game there will be another seven matches to go and only the last four rounds will decide who wins it.”
“But it all depends on Milan because they are first at the minute. If they win all of their remaining games then they will take the title.”
“They are the favourites, the favourites are always the team who are first.”
Milan will go into the game without the suspended Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but the former Barcelona player is happy with another absent striker for the league leaders, Filippo Inzaghi, who misses out with a knee injury.
“It’s good that my great friend Pippo Inzaghi isn’t available,” he said.
“He’s one of the best centre-forwards in the world, one who hurts you when you least expect it.”
Aston Villa have accepted a £20m bid for Stewart Downing in a deal that will take Liverpool’s summer spending close to the £50m mark. Kenny Dalglish clearly is looking for the best of British, as he aims to restore the Reds back to their former glories.
In the papers this morning there have been a mixed bag of stories that includes Patrick Viera taking up a coaching role at Manchester City; Arsene Wenger accuses Barcelona of a lack of respect, while Sneijder reportedly has agreed terms with Manchester United.
*
Modric hands in Spurs transfer request – Guardian
Villa offer £7m for Parker to rival Chelsea’s shock loan swoop – Daily Mail
Villa accept Liverpool bid for Downing – Mirror
Villas-Boas was like a 12th man – Sun
QPR line up Taarabt replacement – Sky Sports
Vieira to take up City role – Sun
Liverpool striker set to join Anderlecht… on his wife’s orders – Mirror
Wenger accuses Barça of disrespect – Guardian
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Yossi Benayoun could be used as bait in Chelsea’s attempts to sign Luka Modric the Daily Mail understands.
The Stamford Bridge club are still in the hunt for the Croatian midfield despite Tottenham insisting they aren’t selling.
A new bid of £30 million was rumoured this week but now it seems that Benayoun could be used as a makeweight.
Spurs boss Harry Redknapp is a huge admirer of the Israel captain and tried to snatch him from under the nose of Chelsea after he left Liverpool last summer.
It was a season to forget for the 31-year-old creative midfielder as he ruptured his Achilles tendon and spent seven months on the sidelines.
Despite his bright pre-season performances and ability to link up with former Liverpool room mate Fernando Torres, new boss Andre Villas-Boas is prepared to sacrifice him to snare Modric.
The Portuguese coach has already stressed the importance of players who can add a fluidity and unpredictability to Chelsea’s stiff system with both Benayoun and Modric fitting that profile.
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However Villas-Boas sees Modric as the one who is more adept at playing ‘between the lines’ and is prepared to tempt Spurs with the prospect of a cash-plus-player offer.
A move to White Hart Lane is likely to appeal to Benayoun who will struggle to break into the Chelsea midfield next season and Redknapp could be persuaded to take him and let the unhappy Modric leave.
Chelsea manager Andre Villas Boas has stated that he does not think that his job is under scrutiny and that he has Roman Abramovich’s backing.
The Stamford Bridge club are currently fifth in the Premier League standings, and face a battle to secure qualification for next season’s Champions League.
Despite this, the Portuguese coach does not feel that he would be dismissed should his team get beat by Birmingham in the FA Cup this weekend.
“I don’t think so, but it’s a question that you will have to ask the owner,” he stated in a press conference, published on Sky Sports.
“I think the owner has full trust in me and will continue to progress with the ideas that we have.
“In the end, that is the objective of getting us the best position possible in the league, plus these two trophies, which we are fighting for.
“It will be extremely good for us if we win against Birmingham to put ourselves in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.
“But we need strong progression in the league and to show our strength, so we strengthen a little bit more our contention for fourth place – as third is already 10 points ahead of us – so that we get Champions League qualification,” he admitted.
Villas Boas also revealed that he felt that all the Chelsea players did not back him fully, but that the owner’s approval was more important.
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“That is normal. They don’t have to back my project. It’s the owner who backs my project,” he concluded.
Australian captain Lucas Neill sees his decision on which direction to take his club career as crucial to his prospects of representing his country at the 2014 World Cup.At 33 and with the tournament in Brazil still three years away, it would appear time is against Neill playing in a third World Cup.
But the versatile defender, who is looking for a new club after completing his contract with Turkish outfit Galatasaray, is weighing up his options and will talk to Socceroos manager Holger Osieck about where he thinks Neill’s best interests lie in terms of his prospects with the national side.
“I’ll discuss it with the manager, talk about the options and which ones he may be able to give me some opinions on,” said Neill ahead of Tuesday’s international friendly against Serbia.
“I see this as new challenge for myself again.”
“I need to pick the right one because my goal is to be fit and playing well for the World Cup.”
“Some of you might think I might be too old, but I want to be part of that plan.”
“If the manager can assist me with that, then great.”
Neill, recently linked to promoted English Premier League club Queens Park Rangers, still believes he has what it takes to play in a major European league.
“I hope so. I still feel I have a lot to offer there and I want to be playing at the highest level possible for me to reward myself and my country with more opportunities,” he said.
Neill, who played English Premier League football with Blackburn, West Ham and Everton before moving to Turkey, expects his club future to be sorted sooner rather than later.
“I’m there or thereabouts. But I’m here with Australia now, so this week has been purely focused on that,” he said.
“I’m trying to get my fitness back up to where it was and when it is all said and done, I’ll have two weeks and that’s when I will start thinking about it.”
Neill has been battling a groin injury which kept him out of Sunday’s 3-0 win over New Zealand, but he is likely to regain the captain’s armband against Serbia, the only team Australia beat at last year’s World Cup in South Africa.
Antonio Valencia’s agent has confirmed that Juventus are interested in signing the South American in January, but he has no thoughts of leaving Manchester United.
The Ecuador international has found first-team opportunities more of a commodity this term due to the summer signing of Ashley Young, and reports in Italy have detailed that the Turin giants will make a move for the winger come the new year.
Despite this, the former Wigan wideman’s representative has confirmed that the player has no intentions of leaving Old Trafford, and is eager to fight his way back into Sir Alex Ferguson’s starting XI.
“I am aware of rumours of Juventus’ interest, but he is very happy in Manchester and I see it as very difficult that he leaves United,” Diego Herrera Larrea told Mirror Football.
“Antonio recently signed a new four-year deal, and both he and his family are settled and well living in the city, and playing for a big club.
“For my part, there is nothing concrete. There has been interest from Italy, but I don’t think that Juve has spoken with United because I was not informed – though I cannot exclude it as a possibility,” he concluded.
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Martin O’Neill will be hoping he can maintain Sunderland’s renaissance by leading his side to victory at Chelsea in a similar manner to that of his predecessor Steve Bruce last season.
The Black Cats ran out 3-0 winners at Stamford Bridge last season hammering the first nail into the coffin of former Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti. His replacement Andre Villas-Boas has endured a testing start to his tenure in West London seeing his side exit the title race before the New Year and perform way below the expectations of owner Roman Abramovich. Their form over Christmas was indifferent once again with three wins followed by a similar number of draws before the home defeat at the hands of Aston Villa put more pressure on the shoulders of Villas-Boas. However his side started 2012 off in the best possible manner as winning at Wolves to stay in touch with Tottenham in third. Despite securing victory the game highlighted their defensive vulnerabilities once again with David Luiz failing to inspire confidence yet again although Gary Cahill’s imminent arrival should push the Brazilian to the sidelines. Still, they’ll need to improve at the back if they are to avoid another embarrassing defeat at the hands of rejuvenated Sunderland.
Relegation is a forgotten term on Wearside after the arrival of O’Neill after he led them to four wins from six over Christmas to catapult the Black Cats into the top half. The Irishman has worked wonders since agreeing to replace in Bruce bagging the manager of the month award for December and providing a huge lift to both football club and city. Whatever the former Aston Villa man has done at the Stadium of Light the effect has bred instant results giving supporters cause to look up rather than down in 2012. Their rapid change in fortunes has stunned a lot of doubters who predicted O’Neill’s task would be harder than he had anticipated. Despite losing against Tottenham in his second game in charge wins over Blackburn, Wigan, QPR and sandwich the stunning victory over league leaders Manchester City on New Years Day. The sheer grit and determination displayed by Sunderland in that game was indicative of the effect their new manager has had on the players. His decision to promote youngster James McLean into the starting lineup has been inspired whilst his well-documented man management skills are now getting the best out of Lee Cattermole. The Black Cats skipper has been instrumental in the clubs rise up the table in December and will be expected to rough Chelsea up on Saturday.
Chelsea 4th : 37 points
Last six: W L D D D W
Team news: Chelsea will be without leading scorer Daniel Sturridge who has a thigh injury. Jon Obi Mikel and Branislav Ivanovic also remain out.
Key Player: Juan Mata
A terrific start to life in England has seen Mata become one of the most feared wide men in the Premier League and he’ll be hoping 2012 will be just as good. His intelligent movement from his left midfield berth causes mayhem and Sunderland will need to be wary of his penchant to drift inside.
Sunderland 10th : 24 points
Team news: Martin O’Neill will be without key defenders Wes Brown and Titus Bramble meaning Matt Kilgallon is likely to keep his place.
Key Player: Lee Cattermole
We’re seeing a new side to usually ill disciplined Cattermole with a change of management bringing the best out of Sunderland’s skipper. His bulldozing displays in a withdrawn midfield role gives the back four some much-needed protection that will be vital against a rampaging Chelsea side.
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PREDICTION
Although their title hopes are all but shot Chelsea still harbour ambitions of a top four finish and should have enough to see off a Sunderland side born again under Martin O’Neill.