Toni Martinez has been the name on the majority of West Ham United fans’ lips this season, despite the 20-year-old not being part of the first team.
The Spanish forward caught the eye quickly by excelling in the club’s development side.
The youngster only joined the Premier League outfit in 2016, but supporters have been calling for a first-team start for a while.
This season, former manager Slaven Bilic opted against giving the forward a chance, while current boss David Moyes seems to be taking a patient approach with youth.
Over the weekend, though, Martinez eventually made his debut when he came on as a substitute in Saturday’s FA Cup third-round tie against Shrewsbury Town.
The Spaniard replaced Javier Hernandez in the 71st minute, but he was unable to affect the scoreline as the match ended in a goalless draw.
Even though fans were frustrated by the result, many were pleased to see Martinez get some minutes.
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Some, though, are baffled that it has taken this long for the youngster to be given an opportunity.
David Beckham has admitted he still pines for Manchester in an interview at the National Football Museum in Manchester, where he also opened up about the his red card in the 1998 World Cup, reports the Manchester Evening News.
The former Manchester United and England midfielder is now one of the most famous men in the world, and has homes in London and Los Angeles.
However, Beckham has revealed he still gets bleary eyed whenever he heads north, and admits he will always miss the place where he enjoyed the best time of his career.
The 38-year-old was chatting to an enthralled audience at the National Football Museum in Manchester, and revealed he regarded his spell with the Red Devils as ‘the best in his career’ and held fond memories of the city, adding: “I will always miss it.”
Beckham went on to discuss his departure from United in 2003, and could not disguise his hurt over the incident and the famous falling out with Sir Alex Ferguson.
He told the audience: “You never know when it’s going to end. I never expected to leave Manchester United. I never wanted to leave Manchester United but I had to come to terms with that. They were the team I wanted to play with my whole career.”
Beckham also opened up about his famous red card against Argentina in 1998, and revealed how the support of the United fans got him through the torrent of abuse he was receiving across the country.
“Coming back to England was the hardest thing for me.
“I was expecting a hard time, but for my family to get it, for my grandparents, for my parents that was the hardest thing for me.”
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“I had Manchester United, I had Sir Alex Ferguson, and most of all I had the Manchester United fans. I blocked out all the noise from the away fans and all I could hear was the United fans saying my name and standing up for me when I took a corner.”
Liverpool forward Fabio Borini has stated that he is confident that he will end his goal drought in the near future.
The Italy international moved to Anfield in the summer, and along with Luis Suarez is one of only two recognised forwards at the Merseyside club.
However, the diminutive attacker has not lived up to goalscoring expectations as yet, but feels that it is only a matter of time before he starts to hit the net.
“It’s just a matter of time for me. The same thing happened last season,” Borini explained to The Telegraph.
“I scored one goal before October, then got injured for three months and after that I scored my second goal in January. From January until March I scored ten goals. I know from past experience that the goals will come.
“In Swansea I scored six goals from March until May. I am always late. The position I have been playing at Liverpool has been different as well. It hasn’t been as the main striker.
“I know I have been bought to score goals but I don’t feel the pressure. I don’t need to rush my performances. I’m working hard every day in training and the goals will come. I feel good. I’ve settled in quickly and everything is going well for me. It has probably been easier for me to settle in because I’ve had so many different clubs in the last few years.
“I’ve moved a lot so I know what it needs to settle in quickly. You can’t wait for things to happen, you have to make things happen quickly for yourself,” he concluded.
Liverpool face Udinese in the Europa League on Thursday night.
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Tottenham fans are absolutely loving the latest transfer links, as Geoffrey Kondogbia is reportedly on the list of midfield targets this summer.
According to a report from Sky Sports, Kondogbia is one of four midfielders the North Londoners are targeting, as all three of Mousa Dembele, Victor Wanyama and Moussa Sissoko could leave this summer.
The report from Sky claims Lille enforcer Yves Bissouma, Red Bull Salzburg’s Amadou Haidara, and Watford’s Abdoulaye Doucoure are all being monitored ahead of a busy summer for Mauricio Pochettino and Tottenham.
Bissouma is young and inexperienced, Doucoure has only had one season performing at a high level, and Haidara has been superb recently but in an inferior league, which just leaves Kondogbia.
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The giant Frenchman has spent this season on loan at Valencia, where he has found his niche as a box-to-box midfielder.
The 25 year-old has typically always been an out and out defensive enforcer, but he has added more balance to his game, on top of his typically impressive defensive stats.
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The colossal Kondogbia averages 2.8 tackles and two interceptions per game this season, but is also pitching in an average of four long balls per game, and completing passes at an impressive rate of 87 per cent.
Fans clearly like the links to the Frenchman, and some of the best Twitter reactions can be found down below…
Manchester United failed to win in the English Premier League on Saturday, drawing 2-2 away to Leicester City.
The Red Devils were well on their way to victory after Juan Mata scored a double to put the away side ahead after Jamie Vardy’s first half striker, however they were eventually punished for a string of missed chances when Harry Maguire scored in stoppage time.
The result means they fall even further behind Manchester City, also failing to open up a bigger gap over Chelsea, who drew earlier in the day away to Everton.
Manchester United fans were left fuming with the result and had sharp criticism for the players who missed chances to put the game beyond doubt.
Anthony Martial and Jesse Lingard were most culpable, failing to convert glaring opportunities in the second half, with substitute Marcus Rashford also proving to be wasteful in the final third.
Supporters took to Twitter to share their thoughts…
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce believes that Ravel Morrison is thriving at Upton Park.
The youngster moved to East London from Manchester United last year after developing a reputation as a troublesome influence, and has eased into the Hammers’ first-team with a string of impressive displays.
Morrison is set to face his former club this weekend, with the Irons keen to condemn David Moyes’ Red Devils to a third straight league defeat.
Allardyce believes that the 20-year-old has been a huge hit for his side and that giving him a chance to prove himself has been key in his transformation:
“There was a few bigger clubs than ours that were mooted to want him,” he is quoted by the Daily Star.
“But that would have been a mistake had he gone to those sort of clubs, because that might have ended up with him having the same problems that he had at Manchester United.
“His football is his all, it’s all he wants to be and all he wants to do, but he wants first-team football. That’s his mentality.
“If he’s not playing first-team football, he wouldn’t be happy wherever he is, whether it be here or Manchester.”
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Morrison has been making an impact in England’s U-21 side of late, with some suggesting that if he maintains his current level of performance he could force his way into the senior side ahead of the World Cup.
Liverpool are most certainly a side in transition under new manager Brendan Rodgers, but aside from the disappointing start to the new league season, there have been seeds of hope sown by the performances of several youngsters in the side with Jonjo Shelvey in particular displaying maturity well beyond his years with performances reminiscent of a young Steven Gerrard.
The 20-year-old midfielder already boasts a wealth of experience considering his age, having featured in exactly 100 first-team games at club level for Charlton, Blackpool (on loan) and Liverpool in his fledgling career so far. While his sending off against Manchester United is still a divisive topic among both sets of supporters, there’s no denying that the the player is certainly a huge talent.
This rashness of thought is common in young players and he will inevitably still make mistakes, with his dismissal against the club’s bitter rivals something of a doosie, but Gerrard was equally as guilty of similar sorts of challenges early on in his career and he eventually matured into a fantastic, world-class player.
Shelvey has quickly developed into a starting regular under Rodgers and his performances have seen Gerrard switch to a deeper-lying role as a result, which has coincided with a return to form for the skipper, who had looked lost at the tip of the midfield triumvirate at the start of the season.
To do the role justice, you need to not only have sound positional and tactical awareness to be able to flit between the dual demands that the role requires – supporting the lone striker and helping the side dominate possession – in the managers system, you have to be able to keep your composure and combine both power and precision.
The club’s pursuit of both Clint Dempsey and Gylfi Sigurdsson this summer suggested that Rodgers had reservations about Gerrard’s effectiveness in the role and whether he had the legs for it anymore, which over short spells he may well do, but he can struggle to influence the game over long period, but Shelvey has excelled there, just as he did against Manchester City behind Gerrard when he came on to replace the desperately unlucky Lucas Leiva, who went off with injury just five minutes into the game.
It was his performance coming off the bench against Young Boys in the away Europa League tie that really caught the attention, though and it was not only his confidence, or as Rodgers will insist on calling it in his new managerial jargon ‘game arrogance’, but the way he seemed like the best player on the pitch just moments after he took to the pitch.
Rodgers praised the midfielder after the game stating: “He has been outstanding. He is still only 20 years of age and is developing and growing all the time and you saw his confidence when he came on. His (first) goal, we worked it very well and he did what he can do very well and I think he will be a big player for Liverpool.”
He’s one of those rare players that just looks like he knows what he’s doing; he’s intelligent with his movement both on and off the ball and while his passing can be wayward at times (see the performance against Hearts at home), that’s been the exception rather than the norm at the moment and he deserves a place in the side on merit at the moment.
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The real test, though, will be how he copes when the side is at full strength. Lucas will certainly return to the starting eleven when he recovers from his spell on the sidelines and Joe Allen is practically undroppabale simply because his metronomic passing is key to the teams style, which could see Gerrard pushed further forward again, which would mean Shelvey being dropped to the bench. The form of Nuri Sahin and Jordan Henderson, while consigned largely to cup games at the moment, is also worth of consideration.
Replacing a club legend is an impossible task in many fans eyes as you’re often held to the same standard, but the terraces are likely to be far more lenient if the player in question boasts the work-rate and ability of Shelvey, particularly given his age. He’s not shown quite the same consistency that Gerrard displayed during his peak years yet, nor the game-changing ability to drag the side by the scruff of its neck, but positionally and the way that he looks to drive forward from midfield with the ball, always looking to play the forward pass has shades of Gerrard in it and at the moment, he is the unquestionable heir apparent.
Real Madrid attacker Gareth Bale scored his side’s second-half equaliser in their 2-2 draw against Barcelona in the latest episode of the El Clasico at Camp Nou on Sunday night, and Arsenal fans have urged whoever their new manager is going to be to sign the Wales international.
The forward, who currently earns £350,000-a-week after tax, according to The Guardian, has endured another injury-hit campaign, but has been a regular in the team in recent months.
The versatile Welshman, who can play on either wing or as a centre-forward, has scored 16 goals and provided a further eight assists in 36 appearances in all competitions for Zinedine Zidane’s side this term.
Arsenal supporters, who showed their emotions on Twitter following Arsene Wenger’s final home match on Sunday, were quick to have their say on his latest display and goal via social media, and while one said “Arsenal next manager: Sign Bale”, another said “Arsenal sign him up ASAP”.
Controversial pundit Alan Shearer has been at it again offering up his highly contentious views on all things football.
The dome-headed ticket-donator may be paid a ludicrous amount of license fee money for his opinions but when they’re so damn insightful they make us ordinary mortals reassess our very core beliefs; when they’re so utterly profound our doors of perception are blown clean off their hinges….well, how is that not worth every penny and more?
This time out the sagacious human think tank was asked by the BBC for his thoughts on the season ahead. His answers were rightfully given a prominent spot on their website, dwarfing Celtic’s Champion’s League travails and two Norwich City transfer coups.
Having read them our eyebrows are now permanently transplanted onto our crown so a warning here might be appropriate. Buckle in your brains people because we’re in for a bumpy ride where everything you once thought true will be catapulted into the ether.
Chelsea, according to forthright Al, will once again be the team to beat. Madness, we admit, but bear with him because he’s going somewhere with this. And let’s not forget his loads of goals for Newcastle and England that give his debate-stirring standpoints a great deal of weight.
If Liverpool fail to win any silverware this season then Brendan Rodgers may find himself under a bit of pressure. Mind. Blown. Shut the back door and let’s take a moment to recover from that one.
Okay, it took a lot quicker than we thought to recover. In fact let’s whizz through the rest because all this liquid gold is starting to sear.
Arsenal need a centre-forward while there is still work to be done for Manchester United. The top four from last term meanwhile will all inhabit the Champion’s League spots once again only “not necessarily in that order”.
Ah that is brilliant, quoting Eric Morecombe like that. Only Wor Al probably didn’t realise he was quoting Eric Morecombe. One genius’ famous punchline is another man playing it safe.
It could be argued that this bombardment of erudite truth-bombs could equally be gauged from a budgie having skim-read a few tabloid headlines left at the bottom of its cage but that would be quite, quite wrong.
Alan is a soothsayer and a seer and frankly in these trepidous times his wisdom is wasted on mere footy.
We that in mind we asked the Premier League’s top scorer (we didn’t really) to offer his unique insights on all manner of things ranging from this Sunday’s big game to global issues.
This should really have been titled ‘Alan puts the world to rights’. Here’s what he had to say (not really)…
Alan on….the Community Shield
“I think it’s going to be between Arsenal or Chelsea for this one. Look out for Diego Costa who is a big bustling centre-forward type of player – some might say similar to myself (laughs). He’s going to be in the thick of the action for sure. Then there’s Rooney? No? Are you sure?
“Fabregas! That’s it, Fabregas. He’s a midfielder and a good one too. I think he is good at what he does.
“On the touchline will be Jose Mourinho who likes to stir things up with some comments here and there. He certainly speaks his mind. As for Wenger…he doesn’t like to spend money does he.”
Alan on….ISIS
“It’s cheap and cheerful but decent quality to be fair. Though you wouldn’t get away with wearing their stuff in a Newcastle changing room that includes Rob Lee let me tell you. That man’s banter was legendary…”
(We remind Alan that we’re not talking about the online clothing company of a similar name)
“Oh bad people. The government will be disappointed and there’s still a little bit of work to be done. But they are definitely bad people.
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“Handbags is one thing but….well, I’ll say it…they’re taking it too far now. Is disgraceful too strong a word? Perhaps.”
Alan on…the Labour leadership contest
“It’s going to be close. You can quote me on that. It’s going to be close. And I would say it’s between Andy Burnham, Yvette Cooper, Jeremy Corbyn, and Liz Kendall for me.
“All four need to do well in the weeks ahead and they will be looking to do that. They certainly have it in their lockers.”
Marmite
“It’s like golf. Some people like it and some people don’t. There are those who like it on their toast or in a sandwich whereas with others…and I’m going out on a limb here…they really don’t like the taste. Can I have that big cheque now?”
It takes a certain type of bond for a club and its star player to turn a page and start afresh following a rough, rocky and ugly patch. With Liverpool and Luis Suarez, there may be something positive to work with, now that signs indicate the player will be staying – for the time being at least. But it’s doubtful that it’s a completely new page in the Suarez-Liverpool story.
An indictment of the modern game is that clubs need to prove their worth to their own players. Arsenal have been down that path many times in the past, with the most recent episode culminating in Robin van Persie publically outlining the difference in view for the way in which the club should move forward.
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With Suarez, the player clearly wants Champions League football, but importantly also a future away from Anfield. As talented as he is – for some, among the best in the world – he has never had a full campaign in the Champions League. There is a desire to battle alongside the leading names in European football, with international teammates both echoing and voicing their own opinions on the matter.
But obviously Liverpool don’t have that on offer at this time. The club are spending wisely and look to continue to do so before the window closes on September 2nd, but does the player have that affinity with the club to alter his views on the immediate future? He wants Real Madrid above all else, much like many from South America do. Based on what’s formed the basis of this transfer saga, Champions League football is at the head of his priorities, not forming part of a building project to attain that in a few years. Though for a player of his calibre, a consistent charge on league titles would also be a priority, probably even more so.
You’d certainly feel that Liverpool would accept a sizeable bid from Real Madrid, something in the region of £60 million. The club have continued to work on the field without the Uruguayan, despite appearances in preseason, and the formation of a promising, young attack is keeping him out of mind for now.
But Liverpool and Suarez’s ambitions simply do not fall in line with one another – similar ambitions, obviously, but both are not on the same wavelength. The club have followed a formula in the market and sought to strengthen their climb up the Premier League table. Even with the apparent U-turn in the saga, Liverpool still appear to be chasing a big-money signing, suggested by their interest in Willian. You’d have to ask whether the club would sound out players like the Brazilian if they felt Suarez would be a long-term fixture in the team.
Steven Gerrard may have acted as peacemaker between the player and Brendan Rodgers, and sure, Liverpool will have an even better chance of securing a place in the top four this season with the Uruguayan in the squad, but that doesn’t mean that this story has been put to bed. Suarez doesn’t strike you as a player who will remain settled for a prolonged period of time. Sure, he spent nearly five years at Ajax, but his previous two clubs only saw a year of him each, while Liverpool could lose him two-and-a-half years after signing him. He has no prior affiliation with Liverpool, and with Real Madrid extremely prominent in his mind, it doesn’t appear that there is a basis for a long-term future with Liverpool, with or without Champions League football.
Has Rodgers done enough to convince Suarez to stay?
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