The last minute scramble is beginning and the panic buys are starting to appear, players who’ve sat on the shelf unwanted all summer long are now once again being considered. Joe Cole is the subject of interest from Tottenham, Wayne Bridge is rumoured to be off to Liverpool. You can see that we’re nearing the last days.
In a time of hyper-inflated prices there are still deals to be had. Like the QVC shopping channel, the longer you wait, the cheaper players become. Prices are slashed as the bulging squads need to be cleared. It is in these final moments that clubs working with limited budgets can make their moves.
So who are the few remaining bargains? Who are the players going for considerably less than they were bought for? Who does the manager or chairman never want to see again? Who’s wages are so high they’re blocking out the sun? This is a list of the Top ten bargains that are still available to Premier League managers. All the players on this list could do with a new owner so consider this the footballing equivalent of an advert for Battersea Dogs Home. If you know anyone who wants to buy a jinking winger who’s been sleeping on a bench for a year, just call in, if you could take in a lame, depressed, former England midfielder, we want to talk to you.
Click on Joe Cole to see the top 10 bargains this summer
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Most football fans spend the off-season tracking, at least loosely, the transfer dealings of their favourite team. There’s always one player – a Wesley Sneijder, or a Sergio Aguero – whose situation takes the entire two months to resolve, and who eats up a large portion of your summer with endless column inches and rumour bulletins dedicated to them. But at the same time as we get excited about who’s coming in, there’s often a player many fans want to see going the other way.
It may be for any one of a wide variety of reasons. Perhaps the player is, despite several years of good service to your club, no longer capable of contributing to the first team. Perhaps he’s a foreign import who hasn’t gelled with the squad, or adapted to English football; or perhaps the manager gambled on a signing who has turned out to be a dud. Whatever the reason, you want them out.
In the gallery below, FFC brings you a collection of the ten players in the Premier League right now who have most outstayed their welcome. Time be moving on, fellas.
Click on Wayne Bridge below to see the top 10
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Brazilian starlet Lucas Moura has played down a potential move to either Liverpool or Tottenham Hotspur.
Moura, who currently plays in his homeland with Sao Paulo, says that he wants to concentrate on winning titles in Brazil before moving on to a big European club.
“I’m very happy that big European clubs are interested in me, as it shows I’ve been doing my job well,” said Moura, 19, who has been linked to both Liverpool and Tottenham in recent months.
He added: “But I’m still very young and I’ve got a lot to learn.
“Right now, my mind is fully focused on Sao Paulo. I want to win titles here, write my page in the club’s history and only then will I think about a move abroad.”
Moura has won 10 caps for Brazil so far and is gradually establishing himself as a regular in the squad.
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Article courtesy of Matt Wood from the excellent Clean Sheets All Round
The European Court of Justice have stated that fans are legally allowed to watch English football through a foreign satellite feed, despite complaints from the Premier League that it is an infringement on their rights.
Portsmouth landlady Karen Murphy was fined £8,000 for using a Greek decoder to show games in her pub, but after a ruling by the ECJ has been proved to be within her rights to do so.
Sky Sports and ESPN are the rights holders within the United Kingdom, but are currently not allowed to show Saturday 3pm games as part of their programming.
The new ruling will mean that fans will be able to see Saturday afternoon fixtures through the use of foreign satellite feeds, which was previously illegal.
The Premier League sees this as a detriment to the game, as it may encourage supporters to watch the game on the television rather than attend in person at the stadium.
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Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has stated that his team must win against Otelul Galati in the Champions League on Wednesday night in order to have qualification to the next round in their own hands.
The Premier League champions have shown inconsistency in their European campaign so far this season, and sit in second place behind Benfica in Group C currently.
A Wayne Rooney brace gave the Old Trafford outfit a 2-0 victory over the Romanian champions in the corresponding fixture two weeks ago, and the Scottish coach is hoping for a similar result this time round.
“We have to win on Wednesday, without doubt,” Ferguson told the United official website.
“We’re at home and I expect us to win and, if we do that, qualification is in our hands when we play Benfica at home.
“I expect Benfica to beat Basel as they’re in a bit of disarray with Thorsten Fink going to Hamburg. We’ll hopefully win our game and, when we play Benfica at home, it’ll be the decider in our section.
“Having watched [Galati], I knew nobody turns them over. Their games against Basel and Benfica had been tight and they were exactly that way against us. Galati set out their stall to make sure they weren’t going to be embarrassed.
“They were well organised, really determined defensively and they got stuck right into us. Some of the tackles in the second half were very aggressive. It made it a difficult type of game but I think we improved enough after half-time to be the better team,” he stated.
With Benfica in good form currently United need to be careful not to finish as runners up in their pool, and Ferguson is eyeing top spot.
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“It’s always better to finish first than second. After getting the first result against Galati and then playing them again at home, we’ll hopefully go into the Benfica game with eight points. That will be an important match,” he concluded.
Resurgent Arsenal host Everton on Saturday knowing that a win could take them into the Premier League top four for the first time this season.
A run of seven wins from nine games has seen the Gunners rise from bottom of the table to the cusp of a Champions League place within the space of a few months. The loss of key players Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas in the summer proved to be disastrous for Arsene Wenger’s side. They won just one of their five league games but since losing 4-3 to Blackburn in September they’ve tasted defeat just once more since then. Wenger’s summer signings have are all starting to come good with Mikel Arteta and Gervinho, in particular, shining in last week’s 4-0 win at Wigan. Former Everton playmaker Arteta has slotted into the Fabregas goal with aplomb proving to be the creative hub in Arsenal’s side. Gervinho has also started to live up to the star billing afforded to him during his time at French club Lille. The Ivorian was a constant threat at the DW Stadium with his languid strides down the left causing problems all afternoon. The emergence of the duo along with Theo Walcott and Aaron Ramsey has taken the burden off captain Robin Van Persie to lead the side and hit the back of the net. Many suggested that Arsenal were a one man team after the Dutchman’s free scoring start to the season but the improved form of those around him has put paid to that theory. More of the same will be expected against Everton this weekend having remained unbeaten in the last eight meetings with David Moyes’ side.
Defeat at Stoke last Sunday put a halt to the Toffees revival after they won their previous two games against Wolves and Bolton. Moyes and his men went in search of a third successive victory at the Potteries only to travel back to Merseyside empty handed. Despite starting the game in eight Everton played nothing like a top half Premier League team with their lack of invention and potency in the final third proving rather distressing for the blue shirts sitting in the stands. Scoring goals has been a problem for the cub all season long with Louis Saha’s age finally starting to catch up on him whilst Tim Cahill has scored in over 11 months. With limited transfer funds available to strengthen his forward line Moyes may have to rely on rookie Apostolos Velios who has proved his effectiveness with a few important goals from the bench. The young Greek striker looks like one for the future but his aerial presence and knack of finding the presence means he could be pressed into action sooner rather than later. A trip to North London is the last thing the Toffees want to deal with especially as Arsenal are in blistering form at the moment.
Arsenal – 5th
Last Five: Won 4-0 v Wigan (A), Drew 1-1 v Fulham (H), Won 2-1 v Norwich (A), Won 3-0 v West Brom (H), Won 5-3 v Chelsea (A)
Potential Starting X11: 13. W. Szczesny 6. L. Koscielny 4. P. Mertesacker 5. T. Vermaelen 18. S. Squillaci 17. A. Song 14. T. Walcott 8. M. Arteta 16. A. Ramsey 27. Gervinho 10. R. Van Persie [C]*
Injury News: Left back Andre Santos joins the long list of players currently in the treatment room with the Brazilian out with a sprained ankle
Key Player: Robin Van Persie
Goals have flowed for Van Persie this season with the Dutchman finding the net 18 times in all competitions thus far. He’s been Arsenal’s savior in a majority of their games with his predatory form up front seeing him get his side of a few sticky situations. He’ll be expected to provide the goals this weekend against Everton and fire the Gunners into the top four.
Match Fact: Arsenal have lost only once in their last 10 meetings with Everton with that solitary defeat coming way back in 2007.
Everton – 10th
Last Five: Lost 1-0 v Stoke (A), Won 2-0 v Bolton (A), Won 2-1 v Wolves (H), Lost 2-1 v Newcastle (A), Lost 1-0 v Manchester United (H)
Potential Starting X11: 24. T. Howard 2. T. Hibbert 5. J. Heitinga 6. P. Jagielka* [C] 3. L. Baines 23. S. Coleman 26. J. Rodwell 17. T. Cahill 7. D Bilyaletdinov 21. L. Osman 27. A. Velios
Injury News: Everton are missing key players Royston Drenthe and Louis Saha for the trip to North London.
Key Player: Phil Jagielka
Despite being linked with a move to Arsenal in the summer captain Jagielka has brushed off any transfer talk to once again prove his worth to the Toffee’s with a string of top-drawer performances. His pace and strength in the air will be vital to Everton as they look to keep out the Gunners ruthless attack.
Match Fact: Everton don’t enjoy their trips to North London having won only once in 19 visits with that victory coming over 15 years ago in 1996.
Last time at the Emirates Stadium
Premier League 1 February 2011
Arsenal 2-1 Everton
Arshavin (70) Koscielny (75)
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Saha (24)
Attendance: 60,014
Referee: Lee Mason
PREDICTION
Arsenal are flying at the moment and last week’s 4-0 win over Wigan will only have boosted their confidence even further. Everton on the other hand will have to rebuild their morale after losing to Stoke and will head to the Emirates looking to bounce back from that defeat. However with Van Persie and co playing out of their skins it will be a tough task for Moyes’ boys to grab some points.
Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed that the Glazers will dig deep in January if United want to bring in new faces, but at the moment he is happy with his lot. The Scot suggested that if a world class player was available at the right price then he would consider it, but he won’t buy players for the sake of it like others seemingly do.
Elsewhere in the news Mancini spells out his transfer policy; Steve Kean gets backing from rival bosses, while Arsene Wenger warns Robin van Persie.
Mancini reveals Manchester City must sell before he buys – Guardian
Dalglish sees red over yellows for Bellamy – Independent
Adebayor: call-ups could cost rivals – Guardian
Ferguson: Glazers will dig deep in January – Daily Telegraph
Kean backed by rival managers – Daily Telegraph
McLeish admits: I could sell Bent – Mirror
Moyes hopes for response from Cahill – Guardian
AVB claims ‘radical’ move has Chelsea back on track – Independent
Sess-express on time to boost Cats – Sun
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Wenger’s warning over red hot Robin’s goal record – Daily Mail
AVB’s £150m Xmas present – Sun
Spurs keen to tie Modric down as Man United circle star – Daily Mail
Sir Alex Ferguson has backed Steven Gerrard’s call for calm, ahead of tomorrow’s FA Cup clash at Anfield. It is the first time that Liverpool and Manchester United have played each other since the race incident with Luis Suarez and Patrice Evra and Fergie called upon the players to set an example to the fans by ensuring they remain disciplined on the pitch, to ensure the game passes without incident.
Elsewhere in the news Theo Walcott has suggested that it is the players that deserve the flak for Arsenal’s woes; Mancini feels that referees are victim of fatigue at times, while Chris Samba is keen to leave Ewood Park before Tuesday’s deadline.
The FA has warned the players of Liverpool, Man United, Chelsea and QPR to behave themselves ahead of this weekend’s cup fixtures. It will be the first time both clubs have faced-off since the infamous race rows – Guardian
Sir Alex Ferguson sees himself as a one-off and doesn’t believe that any other manager will remain at a football club for 25years. The Manchester United boss feels he has mellowed over the years, although still has the fire in the belly to win more silverware at Old Trafford – Guardian
Roberto Mancini believes that a lot of the bad refereeing decisions could simply be down to fatigue. The Italian suggests that like players, refs could equally be affected by refereeing too many games in quick succession – Guardian
Chris Samba has attacked the Venkys and believes that the Blackburn owners have little understanding of football. The Congolese defender has also revealed his desire to leave Ewood Park and can no longer guarantee to give 100% for the Rovers cause should he have to stay until the end of the season – Daily Telegraph
Kevin Bond reveals it has been business as normal at White Hart Lane this week, despite Harry Redknapp being away from the club as he fights tax evasion charges in the high court. The Spurs assistant revealed that he is in regular contact with Redknapp and he has been made fully aware of what has taken place on the training pitch this week – Daily Telegraph
The Premier League is in talks to give the FA Cup final its own day, following last season’s clash. The decision to play the final on the same day as league matches brought much criticism among the football purists – Independent
Chelsea are looking to gazump both Arsenal and Manchester City by putting in a £3m bid for United’s contract rebel Paul Pogba – Daily Mail
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Tottenham are in talks with Sao Paulo over the loan signing of Brazilian U21 defender, Bruno Uvini – Daily Mail
Theo Walcott believes that the Arsenal players should take the flak for recent poor performances and not Arsene Wenger – Sun
Blackburn have released an official statement confirming that captain Christopher Samba is not for sale.
The central defender has impressed for under-performing Rovers over the last number of seasons, and has emerged as a transfer target for QPR and Tottenham.
Despite signing a new long-term contract recently, Samba has expressed his desire to leave Ewood Park, and stated that he felt his time in Lancashire was over.
However, Blackburn have confirmed that Samba is not for sale, and will not be leaving the club.
“Blackburn Rovers reiterate that team captain Chris Samba is not for sale,” the statement reads.
“The player signed a new contract with the club less than a year ago which runs to June 2015.”
Steve Kean had confirmed that the club received offers for Samba last week, most likely from QPR, but turned away the advances.
Samba missed the game against Fulham last weekend, supposedly due to illness, and it remains to be seen whether or not he will feature against Everton this Saturday.
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Andre Villas Boas has stated that he hopes that Frank Lampard stays with the club next season, despite the relationship between player and manager being strained.
The veteran midfielder admitted this week that his relationship with the Portuguese coach has not been ideal, amid rumours that he may leave the Stamford Bridge outfit in the summer.
Despite this, Lampard started the game against Bolton on Saturday, and scored a goal in the 3-0 win.
Villas Boas wants to keep the England international in West London, and was full of praise for him after the game.
“I hope so,” the tactician told reporters when asked if Lampard would stay.
“It does not depend on me. It depends on three parts – I want him, the person wants to stay and the club wants him.
“Frank goes on and on breaking the club’s records and that is important for him. I congratulate him for that.
“He is a player who has been involved with all managers before and played in most of the games.
“The only difference this year from the years before is that we have more competition in midfield and things become more difficult for everybody.
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“But Frank is now in the top five of players most used so he is up there with the best,” he concluded.