All posts by h79snht.top

Sometime over last summer I was speaking off-the-record with a Manchester City employee about the ongoing Alexis Sanchez transfer story. This is not me claiming to be an in-the-know incidentally; let’s make that clear off the bat. It’s just that by writing about City on a regular basis for various publications it occasionally affords me such an opportunity.

What I was told directly tallied with the narrative that was prevalent in the media namely that the player desperately wanted to come to the club – and was willing to turn down offers from elsewhere to achieve that aim – but there was a big disparity between what City were prepared to pay per week and Sanchez’s wage demands. As for Arsenal, they were playing hardball, procrastinating and putting up roadblocks, but it was clear they had reluctantly ceded to the inevitable. Regardless, they would absolutely not countenance letting their star talent go before a suitable replacement was secured.

That was last August and I’d love it if somebody could tell me what has changed up this this week’s developments bar the minutiae of each aspect. The answer, give or take the odd inconsequential detail here and there, is nothing.

Now for a follow-up query. Since September 1st when the high-profile switch fell through – or more accurately was postponed – how many articles have been written on the subject? How many slightly adjusted figures have been posted and rehashed variations on the same simple tale passed off as fresh and new before being regurgitated ad nauseum on one-man sites by those slightly strange folk who want strangers to think they have access to immensely private information.  A thousand? Two thousand? What is certain is that virtually every day since (134 and counting) it is impossible to scroll down your Twitter timeline without encountering another luke-warm take or Wenger quote or a Chilean journalist being sought for his insider scoop (because he’s from the same country and they all know each other really well over there). All designed to get us to click, all telling us fundamentally nothing new.

There are transfers and then there are transfer sagas and though the latter directly focuses on the former it is necessary to separate these two things and view them as individual entities. The first propagates speculation, rumour and reportage. They’re quire fun in the main. Sagas however are an industry in their own right that takes a perfectly ordinary transfer, wrenches it from its moorings and repeatedly batters us about the head with it until we’re too jaded and dazed to realise that it is no different to the other numerous business transactions taking place throughout each and every window. Put another way, it is a storyteller with only one story and we listen over and over again just in case the phrasing is a little bit changed from the last time.

This is nothing new. There was Bale and Fabregas and John Stones – all three sapping our will to live before eventually concluding exactly how they were always going to – and that’s before we get to the drawn-out affairs that only waste our time such as the repeated suggestion that Ronaldo might return to Old Trafford.

It is a storyteller with only one story and we listen over and over again just in case the phrasing is a little bit changed from the last time.

Speaking of United, they too have now reportedly joined the chase for the Gunners’ chunky-thighed attacker and even as a City fan I am delighted at this turn of events. After all, a change is as good as a rest and this welcome twist momentarily recharged a modicum of interest in a straightforward plot that has now been recounted more times than a Top Gear special on Dave.

Ultimately it doesn’t matter, of course – I still firmly believe that by this summer at the latest Alexis Sanchez will be a Manchester City player – but yesterday’s alternative headline was, to us all, a brightly feathered bird landing on our prison cell windowsill.

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By far the most frustrating aspect of transfer sagas is that the solution to ease our prolonged pain lies not in actually doing something but in doing less. Basic market forces dictate that the fewer clicks sagas receive the fewer articles will be written, and maybe then the countless other potential transfers that have intrigue and interest attached might get a look in too. It would be win-win for all concerned and should we ever reach a place and time where transfer news is not solely dominated by a singular player the media would be full of brightly feathered birds, so many that our eyes will widen with curiosity. And we would finally be free.

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Mooted as Manchester United’s top defensive target for January, Diego Godin may be one, well another one, to escape their grasp.

Atletico Madrid are believed to be holding out for a release cause-triggering £28.5m offer for their key defender, which may put off the Red Devils… even though the fabled ‘war chest’ has been spoken of.

But with Louis van Gaal’s side’s clear weakness being at the heart of their backline, something needs to be done, which means that another target is needed. But don’t fear United fans, here are FIVE others to consider…

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CLICK ON LVG TO REVEAL THE FIVE

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Winston Reid

With rumours suggesting that the Hammers ace is holding out on committing himself to a new deal in east London, talk of a cut-price January switch has been doing the rounds. The New Zealand ace has been impressive for the high-flying Irons this term, which has attracted a host of teams at the upper end of the Premier League, including United.

Although not a name that’s likely to get pulses at Old Trafford racing, Reid is a definite upgrade on the likes of Paddy McNair, Tyler Blackett and Chris Smalling, with his composure and experience something the Red Devils currently lack at the heart of their backline. To boot, he will only cost around £8m, which will keep funds in place for a central midfielder.

Joao Miranda

If Godin is off the menu, then his defensive partner Miranda may be an option. The 30-year-old centre-back is known to be on United’s agenda, with scouts from the club rumoured to have been watching him in action in recent times. A key member of Atleti’s backline over the course of the last few campaigns, Miranda has helped the Rojiblancos to domestic cup and League successes, as well as their impressive journey to the Champions League Final earlier this year.

Although entering the back end of his career, the Brazilian is certainly an upgrade on LVG’s current choices, and could be worth a punt at around £20m.

Pepe

The Portuguese hard man is another enforcer to have found his name aligned with United in the past few weeks. The Real Madrid ace is known for his ‘robust’ style of defending, which, although risky, could add a new dimension to the Red Devils’ backline, which has been criticised for a lack of conviction.

For around £15m, the 31-year-old is a decent short-term option, and could provide a greater level of leadership and influence from the back.

Aymeric Laporte

While Real Madrid’s Raphael Varane is widely seen as the best young centre-back in Spanish football, Laporte has emerged as a genuine rival for that crown in recent times. The Athletic Bilbao the 20-year-old is already a regular first-teamer for the Basque side since moving up from their youth ranks, and has been capped at U-21 level for France.

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Manchester City, Arsenal and Chelsea are other names to have been aligned with Laporte, meaning that a bidding way is expected for the £30m-rated starlet.

Nemanja Vidic

Even though he was released by United over the summer, Vidic has already been mooted as a ‘quick fix’ for Van Gaal. The Serbian is certainly not at the peak of his powers anymore – just ask anybody who has been watching Inter Milan this term – and is already available for a cut-price move, according to some rumours.

Although not the force that captained the Red Devils to league and cup successes, Vidic would offer guidance to youngsters and leadership at the heart of United’s backline, which may appeal to LVG.

There were plenty of winners and losers at Brazil 2014. German football, Brazilian football, James Rodriguez, Luis Suarez, Louis van Gaal, spray-can technology, all left the World Cup with their reputations either greater or lesser than before.

But one undoubted victor of the tournament in Brazil that has thus far slipped under the radar is the re-emergence of 3-5-2. The formation saw Chile annihilate Spain, aided Costa Rica’s against-the-odds march to the quarter-finals and even facilitated for a rather ordinary Netherlands side to reach and win the third-place play-off. Does that make Hull City’s Steve Bruce one of international football’s leading contemporaries? Maybe not.

Former Oranje gaffer Louis van Gaal now wants to bring 3-5-2 to Manchester United – a system which actively defies every philosophical tradition at Old Trafford, most notably the exclusion of natural wingers. He’s used the formation during both of the Red Devils’ pre-season fixtures against La Galaxy and Roma, and has subsequently suggested the club’s recruitment this summer will be done baring it in mind.

In turn, the question must be asked; can 3-5-2 succeed at Manchester United?

Opinions on the system remain fairly divided in England. 3-5-2 is often seen as a foreign formation, particularly taking root in Serie A, with Steve Bruce and Glenn Hoddle amongst the few top flight managers who have championed the system in recent times. Even amid the utmost injury crises, most Premier League managers will resort to deploying midfielders as full-backs before they even consider the notion of constructing a three-man defence.

The last major club to attempt to adopt it was Manchester City during their infamously poor 2012/13 title defence campaign, a season which eventually cost Roberto Mancini his job. Following a 3-1 defeat to Ajax in the Champions League, Micah Richards summarised the opinions of the players; “We’re used to a straight four and it’s twice we’ve gone to a back five and conceded, The players just want to play. It’s a hard system because we’re not used to it.”

Gary Neville soon followed by declaring 3-5-2 ‘alien’ in the Sky Sports studio, citing his own experiences that adapting from a conventional, typically English system to a considerably more continental one with completely different individual roles, especially in defence, was the biggest challenge. For a club that that has implemented back fours and two widemen at every age group throughout Sir Alex Ferguson’s reign and yonder, adaption will be Manchester United’s ultimate obstacle too.

But Louis van Gaal’s ability to implement his ideas on the training pitch is renowned throughout world football. Endorsements such as Raymond Verheijen’s – “He’s an extremely good team builder, a good technical teacher. If a club wants to start from scratch and build a new team then he’s the perfect candidate,” the Holland coach recently told BBC World Service – are not hard to find.

And van Gaal has already undergone a practice run of training a squad around the values of 3-5-2 with Oranje. Before the 2014 World Cup, his Netherlands side had never used the system before but by the end of the tournament they were its leading champions, with the 62 year-old even converting Arjen Robben into an out-and-out centre-forward and Dirk Kuyt into a wing-back. Clearly he has a strong understanding of how 3-5-2 must be taught and the players who suit it best.

Furthermore, as van Gaal has argued himself, United find themselves venturing into the realms of 3-5-2 through necessity rather than design. The Red Devils squad is tremendously unbalanced, or in the 62 year-old’s own words, ‘broken’ – they have four strikers all capable of holding down starting roles, five No.10s and despite United’s enormous heritage otherwise, no wingers that can claim to be amongst the European elite.

Rather, 3-5-2 allows for Robin van Persie, Wayne Rooney and Juan Mata to be on the pitch at the same time – a disturbing conundrum that both David Moyes and Ryan Giggs failed to find a solution to last season – whilst also accommodating for the natural strengths of Luke Shaw and Antonio Valencia, who has become far more defender than midfielder over the course of the last few seasons.

Likewise, a three-man centre-back set-up would hide the inadequacies of what has now become United’s weakest department following the bosman exits of Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand. As the Dutch demonstrated in Brazil, when quality is in doubt, strength in numbers becomes the safest policy.  Furthermore, capable of playing at centre-back, full-back or even midfield, Phil Jones and Chris Smalling should transition to a 3-5-2 well.

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But the most prevailing benefit will be that it gives United a clear direction and sense of identity – something they tellingly lacked under David Moyes. Whether it’s the best system for the Red Devils is open to debate, but more important is the fact 3-5-2 creates a separation between United and their past, and a strong, fresh philosophy that the players can believe in.

Of course, the ultimate test will be whether the system can work in England, with a top flight more ferocious, instinctive and competitive than any other and a footballing culture firmly entrenched in variations of 4-4-2.  3-5-2 is by no means incompatible with the Premier League – it took Hull City to an FA Cup final and a 16th place finish last season, despite the Tigers being widely tipped to go back down. But we are yet to witness a club at the top end of the Premiership adopt the system successfully. That uniqueness could prove to be the Red Devils’ defining blessing, or equally their intrinsic curse.

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Before Arsenal’s 5-2 victory over Tottenham in the North London derby two weekends ago, Arsene Wenger announced that his minimum requirement would be a top four finish in order to qualify for the Champions League.

The Gunners have been inconsistent to say the least this season, producing convincing victories over Spurs, West Ham and Liverpool, but have come up short against Norwich and Fulham, as well as Premier League big boys Chelsea and Manchester United. Currently, the North Londoners sit in sixth place, ten points off league leaders Manchester City, suggesting they wont be launching a title bid any time soon – even if Arsene Wenger breaks the habit of a lifetime and buys big in January.

But considering the performances of Everton and West Brom, in fifth and third place respectively, not to mention competition from old rivals Tottenham and high-flying West Ham, would finishing in the top four prove to be a successful season for the Gunners?

It’s certainly very close in the mini-league between fourth and eighth place. West Brom are currently third but it would take a brave man to bet they will finish there at the end of the season and will most likely drop down at least one position in the coming weeks as Chelsea, City and United reassert their dominance over the Premier League.

Steve Clarke has tweaked his inherited team to make them even more efficient as they rack up the points. Their game against Chelsea on November 17th was very much the prequel to that famous 3-0 Champions League defeat to Juventus that cost Roberto Di Matteo his job, and the Baggies have made light work of lower table opposition this season. But whether Steve Clarke can maintain his team’s good form will depend on crucial six pointers against those surrounding West Brom in the league, including when they face Arsenal in two weekends time.

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Everton too are considerable rivals to getting into fourth spot. Bucking the trend, the Toffees have started well for once, but have perhaps missed out on achievable points since their fantastic form at the beginning of the season. But the mood has somewhat changed at Goodison Park. Usually, Champions League qualification is somewhat of an idealist fantasy, the kind of half-joke you make around this time of the year to your mother about getting you a PS3 and a HDTV to play it on for Christmas.

This season however, the players and the manager appear much more focused on making it a reality. Marouane Fellaini – the man running the high-flying Everton team and who could soon be on his way to Chelsea – has told the press he wants to get his club into the Champions League before he moves on, and similarly David Moyes has put pressure on himself by resisting the urge to sign a new contract until he has a better idea of whether Everton can make it into Europe’s top competition. At the start of the season, Tim Howard commented on how the current Toffees squad was the best he had seen in terms of first team quality and depth since signing from Manchester United in 2006.

Arsenal’s closest rivals Tottenham have tended to be their main competitors for fourth spot, and last season missed out on Champions League qualification to the Gunners by a single point. Despite the traditional local and league rivalry, Everton and West Brom could prove to be a bigger stumbling block than Spurs this season.

The new boss at White Hart Lane has failed to take the club forward, as Tottenham continue to struggle to take points against top four teams and it seems the chances of Spurs breaking into the top four are about as likely as they have ever been, despite being level on points with Wenger’s side. A £20 million January kitty could change all that however as Andre Villas-Boas drafts a shortlist of Europe’s rising stars to turn around Tottenham’s fortunes – Christian Eriksen, Joao Moutinho and Willian to name a few – and the Portuguese coach will soon have Moussa Dembele back at his disposal.

Arsenal themselves have had to forge a team out of the ruins of the old one, losing Robin van Persie and Alex Song in the same transfer window. Then again, claiming Arsenal are in a transition season seems to be an all too repetitive analysis since the club last lifted the Premier League trophy. In my opinion, Wenger has bought well; Santi Cazorla, Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud have all proved to be decent signings, but then again, the latter two are yet to perhaps live up to the hype initially surrounding their transfers in the summer. Both men contribute well but have also been found lacking in certain fixtures, whereas Santi Cazorla along with Mikel Arteta and Jack Wilshere are a formidable midfield three that are as capable as any other in the Premier League.

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Arsenal’s problem is clearly depth. When the surface is scratched away, the Gunners are left with a string of consistent under-performers in Andrey Arshavin, Marouane Chamakh, Sebastien Squillaci and Andre Santos. Despite Wenger’s money-clutching ways, I believe the Frenchman will try to bolster his squad in January, especially if Theo Walcott continues his refusal to sign a new contract.

So all things considered, Arsenal fans should not turn their noses up at a fourth spot finish, even if it is one place backwards from last season. The stars have gone, and their replacements are decent but are by no means world beaters. Furthermore, until the board splash the cash on some top level quality, it would be wrong to assume the squad can naturally improve.

In the league, Arsenal face truly stiff competition from Everton and West Brom, and although the latter club’s form may fall away, beating both to fourth spot and batting away Tottenham, despite being Wenger’s minimum requirement, will be no easy feat.

Liverpool are closing in on Reading defender Alex Pearce after he turned down a new deal to stay with the Royals.

The Royals have been trying to tie the 24-year-old down to a new deal all season, but he has refused to sign and is reported to have told Nigel Adkins over the weekend he wants to leave.

Liverpool have long been linked with a move for the central defender, who has not been a regular in the Royals starting XI this season, and a move looks to be on the verge of going through.

Reds boss Brendan Rodgers is on the look for Jamie Carragher’s replacement as the veteran stopper is set to retire at the end of the season and Pearce could be the man.

Rodgers is also being linked with a move for Royals goalkeeper Alex McCarthy and a double swoop could be on the cards following Reading’s relegation from the Premier League.

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Pre-season tours have gained more importance in recent years. Travelling to foreign countries allows clubs a great opportunity to expand their brand and helps players get ready for the upcoming season. Here are some of the Premier League’s top Asian tour for this upcoming summer:

Arsenal:

13/14 July: Indonesia national team (Jakarta)

22 July: Nagoya Grampus Eight (Japan)

Arsenal’s 2013 Asia tour will take manager Arsene Wenger to familiar territory. The Gunners will square off against Japanese club Nagoya Grampus, who Wenger managed for 18 months in the mid ’90s. Arsenal will play the Indonesian national team in Jakarta before heading to Japan.

Chelsea:

17 July: Singha Thailand All Stars XI (Bangkok)

21 July: Malaysia XI (Kuala Lumpur)

25 July: Indonesia XI (Jakarta)

Chelsea’s “Here to play, Here to stay” tour will aim to spread the value of football to the Far East. The reigning Barclays Asia Trophy winners hope to spread their Blue Pitch in the City programme while training for their upcoming season. The three-game tour culminates with a match in the 88,000-seater Gelora Bung Karno Stadium.

Liverpool:

28 July: (Bangkok)

Liverpool decided to tour Asia this summer, after signing a three-year deal with Asian airline Garuda Indonesia. The Reds’ players are looking at the summer tour as an opportunity to add to their massive global following.

Jordan Henderson told lfctour.com, “There’s massive support worldwide for such a big team like Liverpool. I probably first noticed it when I first came away in pre-season – the support was unbelievable and we had more fans than the home team.”

Manchester United:

13 July: Singha All Star XI (Bangkok)

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23 July: Yokohama F-Marinos (Yokohama)

26 July: Cerezo Osaka (Osaka)

29 July: Kitchee FC (Hong Kong)

Manchester United, one of the Premier League’s most global teams, has planned an extensive Asian tour. United will play four matches in four different cities. The Reds are perhaps the most popular club in the Far East. Footballers look forward to this opportunity to showcase their talents to new fans.

Defender Phil Jones told mfc.com, “It’s important to give something back to those fans and show our support to them.”

I’d hate to blow smoke up the proverbial of a young, obviously talented, but relatively unproven home-grown talent, yet once again I find myself committing that cardinal sin in regards to Everton’s defensive wizz-kid John Stones.

The 19 year-old has dazzled Toffees supporters in recent weeks, amid Phil Jagielka’s sidelining through injury, with his most pinnacle performance to date coming in a Man of the Match display against Sunderland last weekend, where the right-back-come-central-defender made more clearances (9) and blocked more shots (5) than any player on the pitch.

The Wearside club may not be the most potent side we’ve seen in the Premier League this season, rather, their 29 goals for, averaging at under one goal per match, is the worst scoring return in the entire division. But regardless, it’s incredibly telling of Stones’ reading of the game that he was required to make just a single tackle throughout the ninety minutes, whilst Everton managed to record a clean sheet away from home in the 1-0 encounter.

In fact, from Stones’ nine Premier League starts in the centre-back role this season, the Goodison outfit have conceded just five times in his presence, claiming clean sheets against the Black Cats, Arsenal, Newcastle and Norwich and racking up 19 points out of a possible 21 in the process.

Resultantly, there have been calls for the young defender to receive a late ascension into Roy Hodgson’s World Cup squad, which begs the question,  should the England manager be taking this Toffees hotshot to Brazil, or is this a tournament too early for Stones?

The Everton youngster is clearly a talented player, and far from being the defensive stalwart his prominent clean sheets haul might suggest, it’s Stones’ ability to link up with midfield, personifying the core, purist values of the Roberto Martinez ethos, that has produced such sudden and widespread acclaim.

Predominantly considered as a right-back at former club Barnsley, Stones comes with a unique skill set for the centre-back berth, donning pace, agility and the natural technique you’d expect of a modern full-back. Resultantly, the teen defender boasts a pass completion rate of 90% this term, on average making around 33 passes per match. Far from a sideways stat-whore whoever, the vast majority of Stones’ passes have been in a positive direction, whilst he’s also shown enormous confidence in simply picking up the ball and driving up the pitch with it, keenly and responsibly taking possession in difficult areas.

I haven’t seen a home-grown centre-back do that since Rio Ferdinand, and the buzz surrounding Stones can certainly be sourced to his rather exclusive style of defending, perhaps more in line with those from the continent.

But let’s not be rash here. This is a player whom, impressive or not, has made just 17 Premier League appearances in his entire career. This high praising of a foreign style of play is the kind of thing we said about Jack Wilshere during his first full season at Arsenal and Manchester United’s Tom Cleverley. This is a similar level presumptuous hyping once received by such illustrious Three Lions alumni as Michael Ricketts,  Seth Johnson and David Nugent.

Indeed, the coming World Cup could be a tournament too soon for Stones. Despite recently declaring during a Sky Sports interview that the 19 year-old had been the Toffees’ best trainer this season – a title decided by Roberto Martinez’ method of awarding points to his players on a weekly basis, with the highest recipient in line for a prize at the end of the year – the Everton manager admitted that Stones still had a long way to go before representing his country at a major tournament.

But if there’s one lonesome World Cup strategy that’s undoubtedly served England well over the years, it’s the customary tactic of bringing one budding youngster to the major tournament ahead of schedule. A 19 year-old Rio Ferdinand went to France ’98, Joe Cole went to the 2002 World Cup at just 20 years of age, and in 2006, to much surprise and criticism, Sven Goran Eriksen included a 17 year-old Theo Walcott in his World Cup roster. Most recently, Jack Butland and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain got the nod from Roy Hodgson for Euro 2012, despite their exceptionally limited exposure to top flight and international football at the time.

It’s a trick which is yet to throw its first curve-ball. All, with the exception of Jack Butland, have emerged as key players for club and country since their premature England inclusions, and as much as one can credit prior England managers for spotting future stars, one can’t ignore the obvious benefits of experiencing the unique World Cup atmosphere at such a tender age has had on the careers of these players.

Many will argue that if Roy Hodgson is to follow suit at the coming tournament in Brazil, then the ceremonial position in the England squad should go to Southampton’s Luke Shaw, who by far and large has been the most impressive home-grown youngster over the last two seasons. But England’s heart of defence currently faces a grim future; if Gary Cahill, Phil Jagielka and Joleon Lescott were slim pickings enough, then their current most likely successors – Ryan Shawcross, Steven Caulker and Chris Smalling – send a macabre chill down one’s spine. With the exception of Phil Jones, the Three Lions’ golden age of world-class centre-halves appears to have come to a rather abrupt end.

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Could John Stones emerge as a timely saviour?  Inclusion in the World Cup squad, albeit in a non-playing capacity, would certainly put him on the right path.

Hodgson has declared however that his 23-man roster will include no abrupt surprises. No maverick Adam Johnsons, no cult-hero Gareth Barrys, no Championship wonder-kids of the Danny Ings variety. Therefore, much to my personal disappointment, a late call-up for the Everton prodigy appears incredibly unlikely, especially considering his place in the Toffees backline will presumably be returned to Phil Jagielka once the 31 year-old has recovered from his sideline bout.

But fear not young Stones; with Jagielka at 31, Cahill 29 and Lescott turning 32 by the end of the summer, Euro 2016 is already loudly calling your name.

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Those already feeling withdrawal symptoms from the end of the 2014/15 Premier League campaign will undoubtedly have refocused their attentions to the Copa America already.

It may not be quite as exciting as Premier League football – or for that matter its European counterpart – but the South American tournament (this year featuring Mexico and Jamaica for added measure) boasts some of the most exciting talents in world football, not least including Champions League-winning Barcelona stars Lionel Messi and Neymar.

They’re just the cream of the crop, however; every nation has one or two stand out performers, and South American footballers in general are impacting the European domestic game like never before.

So with that in mind, we at Football Fancast are doing a bit of scouting on behalf of the Premier League’s top clubs – in other words, using nightly football matches as an excuse to turn up late to work in the morning.

Here’s a list of FIVE Copa America stars Manchester United should be keeping their eye on…

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JOSE GIMENEZ

Jose Gimenez has just come to the end of an incredible breakthrough campaign at Atletico Madrid, proving himself a worthy centre-back partner to Diego Godin with impressive averages of 2.1 tackles, 2.7 interceptions, 5.6 clearances and 3.4 successful aerial duels per match from his 20 La Liga outings, and is now carrying his impressive form into the Copa America.

Accompanying Godin once again, the 20 year-old played a pivotal role in Uruguay claiming a clean sheet against Jamaica on Saturday, continuing to demonstrate a maturity and awareness beyond his years.

Gimenez faces one of his toughest tests to date this evening as he squares up against Lionel Messi’s Argentina. But if the 6 foot 1 defender manages to keep the four-time Ballon d’Or winner relatively quiet, clubs of Manchester United’s stature will undoubtedly take notice.

A Vincente Calderon departure this summer seems unlikely; the Mattress Makers are attempting to flog veteran centre-back Miranda to make room for Gimenez in their starting Xi long-term.

But the Copa America provides the perfect platform for Giminez to continue proving he’s one of La Liga’s most exciting prospects – and the Red Devils would be wise to monitor his progress from afar.

CARLOS BACCA

Carlos Bacca may not be the greatest striker to ever grace Old Trafford but he’s certainly got enough firepower to keep the Red Devils ticking over for a season or two, amid copious rumours Robin van Persie could soon follow loan flop Radamel Falcao out of the Carrington exit door.

He’s just fired Sevilla to a second consecutive Europa League title, producing 49 goals in 106 appearances during his two campaigns at Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, and looks more than capable of upping his game to Champions League level.

Admittedly, at 28 years of age the former Club Brugge star represents a bit of a gamble – even with a release clause of just £21.5million.

But in terms of his stocky build, power, pace and unorthodox style, the 5 foot 11 striker seems almost tailor-made for Premier League football. Impressive performances for Colombia at the Copa America could convince the Red Devils to activate Bacca’s buy-out fee.

ROBERTO FIRMINO

Some sources claim Manchester United have already agreed personal terms Roberto Firmino, so impressive performances at the Copa America will almost certainly get the deal over the line.

The attacking midfielder has been in sensational form over the last two campaigns, bagging 23 goals and 21 assists in 66 Bundesliga outings for Hoffenheim, whilst proving equally proficient in a variety of roles, spanning both wings, central midfield and centre-forward.

He’s had a huge impact on the international scene too since first emerging in Dunga’s plans for Selecao in October 2014, with three goals in his first six outings for Brazil despite never representing his country at youth level.

The 23 year-old struggled to impact in Brazil’s Copa America opener against Brazil on Sunday, but he’ll get another chance to impress against Colombia on Thursday evening.

Meanwhile, Firmino’s agent has confirmed he’ll be moving to the Premier League this summer.

Nicolas Otamendi

Manchester United have already been linked with Argentina international Nicolas Otamendi – the only problem is Valencia’s refusal to budge on his £35million release clause.

No doubt, domestically the 6 foot centre-back has been in emphatic form this season, netting six times in 35 La Liga appearances whilst averaging 2.9 tackles, 3.1 interceptions, 7.3 clearances and 3.5 successful aerial duels per match.

But the 27 year-old’s progression at international level leaves a little more to be desired, managing just 19 appearances since his Albiceleste debut six years ago.

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The former Porto star, who claimed three Primeira Liga titles and a Europa League title during his three-and-a-half years with the Dragons, was given his chance at the weekend during a 2-2 draw with Paraguay.

If Otamendi can maintain his starting berth whilst showing the quality and experience United currently lack at the heart of defence, Louis van Gaal might deem his lucrative buy-out fee worthwhile.

Arturo Vidal

Manchester United came close to signing Arturo Vidal last summer only for a knee injury to stand in the way – which also prevented the Juventus star from dazzling as brightly as the rest of the Chile national team at last summer’s World Cup.

But Louis van Gaal still wants a world-class addition to United’s engine room and the 28 year-old’s performances so far at the Copa America, bagging three goals and one assist in just two outings, suggests he firmly belongs in that category.

Of course, this is nothing new. As a industrious, athletic, technical and goal-scoring centre-mid, Vidal is widely viewed as one of the most complete midfielders in world football – illustrated by his pivotal role in Juve claiming four consecutive Serie A titles since joining them from Bayer Leverkusen in 2011, not to mention reaching this season’s Champions League final.

The Old Lady announced the signing of Real Madrid’s Sami Khedira on a free transfer earlier this month, so they might be willing to part with Vidal during the current transfer window.

Performances at the Copa America could convince the Red Devils to revive their interest.

Everton have been alerted by the availability of Ireland winger Aiden McGeady, according to The Daily Star.

The 27-year-old is desperate to leave Spartak Moscow, and is trying to force a move to the Premier League.

McGeady has refused to sign a new contract with the Russian club, as he looks to move back to the UK.

“I have ambitions to play in England and have made it clear I won’t be signing a new contract,” saiMcGeady.

The Irish winger’s contract at Spartak Moscow has just one year left to run, and McGeady is hoping the club will cash in on him now, or risk losing him on a free transfer next summer.

Everton have been heavily linked with the winger, as new manager Roberto Martinez continues to add to his inherited squad. The former Wigan boss has brought Kone and Alcaraz with him to Goodison Park, as well as tying up a loan deal for Barcelona youngster Gerard Deulofeu.

McGeady made his name in a six-year spell at Celtic and earned himself a £9.5m to Spartak in 2010. But now the Irish international is keen to prove himself in the Premier League, as he eyes up a move to Merseyside.

Would McGeady do well at Everton? Is he what the club needs?

Share your thoughts below!

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‪[cat_link cat=”everton” type=”grid”]

There is often a chasm between reality and what a manager says for the betterment of his team.

Alex Ferguson is a good example, with his praise of Phil Jones more than raising a few eyebrows. Most can see the talent and potential in the young defender, but to label him as potentially Manchester United’s greatest ever player is a stretch too far.

The thing is, though, you can understand what Ferguson’s intentions were. He raised the bar and set a goal, beyond others, for Jones, as well as adding the confidence that is absolutely vital for a young player.

Brendan Rodgers is no different. He too may have parted with words that would have left many scratching their heads, and how far can even he believe the idea that Daniel Sturridge and Luis Suarez, after two games played this season, are the most lethal strike partnership in the Premier League?

I don’t blame him, but I far from agree with him. Both Manchester clubs have a far more potent strike force when everyone is on form, and of course each have players who, combined, have done far more for the clubs in their careers than Liverpool’s duo. Maybe that doesn’t matter to some, but it really should.

Edin Dzeko may walk the line between very good and world class – and there is certainly a debate – but the Bosnian striker has won a German club the Bundesliga title, beating off the far stronger powers in the league at the time. Adding him to a forward line that already includes Sergio Aguero and is supplemented by Alvaro Negredo makes for one of, if not the most impressive in the league, and certainly part of the reason why City are among the favourites to win the Premier League this season.

Liverpool’s forward line have pace, trickery and goals – the need for power in a Premier League attack is diminishing as more and more foreign players with varied ideals join English football. But there are obvious flaws to Rodgers’ praise of his attackers. For one, Sunderland are bottom of the league, and while the best clubs need to take maximum points from those who are deemed mid-table and below, it’s not too groundbreaking to take three points from the Stadium of Light at this time.

The other point, of course, is that Sturridge, unlike Suarez, is not yet the finished article. Maybe that points to how good he could be in the future; maybe it doesn’t. There is a good chance that Sturridge has reached his peak, and while he may be scoring freely at the moment, it’s more than likely that he’ll come across a scoring drought that prevents him from ever breaking the barrier into world-class status. It’s a debate, but the point is we just don’t know, so to say categorically that Liverpool’s forward line could be the best in the league is wide of the mark. The strikers at Manchester City and Manchester United are far more proven than those at Anfield.

But ultimately, Rodgers’ message wasn’t for the media or the fans, despite the fact that his words will be scrutinised and debated for much of the season. Instead, the Liverpool manager was lighting a fire of belief beneath his two forwards, urging and placing responsibility between them to take the club onto the next level.

We don’t have to believe it, but it’s important that Rodgers’ players do.

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Can Suarez and Sturridge be the best strike partnership in the Premier League?

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