Newcastle United boss Rafael Benitez has insisted that unsettled forward Aleksandar Mitrovic will not be allowed to join another Premier League club this month.
Mitrovic, 23, has been strongly linked with a move away from the Magpies after struggling for football during the 2017-18 campaign.
The striker, who is valued at £7.2m by transfermarkt.co.uk, has only made six Premier League appearances this term, and has been widely tipped to leave Newcastle before the January transfer window closes for business.
Brighton & Hove Albion are the latest club to be linked with a player that has scored 11 times in 33 appearances for the Serbian national team.
Benitez, however, has insisted that Mitrovic will only be leaving Newcastle if the club sign a replacement, and even then, he will not be allowed to move to a Premier League rival.
Benitez told reporters:
“I have been clear with him and his agent that he will only leave if we sign players, and not to a Premier League rival.
“I see Brighton are interested, but we are not selling any player to any other Premier League club – unless they want to come with £50m.”
Newcastle have been strongly linked with both Leicester City’s Islam Slimani and Feyenoord’s Nicolai Jorgensen as they attempt to sign a new centre-forward.
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Long since the days of the emergence of Raul, Guti and Iker Casillas have Real Madrid been longing for some home-grown talent to grace the side.
Javier Portillo came and went. Francisco Pavon hung around a bit too long. Roberto Soldado and Dani Parejo moved on due to lack of first-team chances. But now the La Liga leaders have their wish. And Jese Rodriguez is a definite keeper.
When club president Florentino Perez announced the world-record signing of Tottenham’s Gareth Bale, Jese could probably be forgiven if he felt that maybe he would fall into the same basket as the rest of Madrid’s youth products of recent years. But as the season has progressed Jese has more than proven his worth to the side.
The 21-year-old was snapped up by Madrid at the age of 14 in 2007. The 2010-11 season saw him gain his first taste of professional football, and he hasn’t looked back since. Jose Mourinho briefly acknowledged his existence, handing him his first-team debut in 2011-12 but he was quickly thrown back into the shark tank that is the Real Madrid Castilla side to gain more experience. A record-breaking season later (22 league goals in 38 games) and he is a firm favourite of Madridistas.
Since the turn of the year, Jese has seemingly overtaken both Isco and Alvaro Morata in the Los Blancos pecking order. Ancelotti’s recent preference to play 4-3-3, and the current untenable position of Luka Modric has made fitting in Isco, a preferred ‘no. 10’, quite tough. And Jese’s form has made it even tougher. With a total of eight goals and four assists in 18 games Jese is flourishing in his breakthrough season.
As of 25th February, Jese averaged 0.81 goals per 90 minutes in La Liga whilst Bale was only averaging 0.75 goals. He also averaged 0.65 assists every 90 minutes played, placing him second in such La Liga statistics just behind Bale at 0.68.
Bearing in mind the majority of his appearances have been late cameos from the bench, this makes his statistics appear evermore impressive. Each of the three occasions he has completed a full game, he has scored in.
In a recent interview with el Larguero Jese revealed his lofty ambition to claim the coveted Ballon d’Or prize in just four years. Some may regard this as arrogant. Besides, he has received not wholly inaccurate comparisons in his style of play to Cristiano Ronaldo.
This may seem premature but, the young man from the Canary Isles, relishes the similarities. He plays predominantly from the left side as a right-footed attacker. He has phenomenal acceleration, excels in one-on-one situations and has a penchant for cutting in onto his lethal right foot. He even has a short sharp backswing which partially mirrors that of Ronaldo.
Ancelotti said in a recent interview that, “Jese isn’t a surprise anymore. He is already an important player for us.” Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque admitted that Jese remains in his thoughts prior to the announcement of his World Cup squad.
But Jese remains grounded and is eager to get as much game time for his club and to carry on making it more difficult for the manager. Carry on at his rate and it will be tough for Del Bosque to keep him out.
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The recent return of Gareth Bale to fitness and goal-scoring form has limited Jese’s opportunities to just two substitute appearances in the last three games. Prior to this, and during Cristiano Ronaldo’s three-match suspension, Jese had scored in two of three league starts.
But for now Jese remains very much the next best choice after Madrid’s two multi-million pound stars. Jese’s rapid rise from Madrid B to the first team gives hope to young hopefuls who may have found themselves marginalised in previous regimes. But Jese is no ordinary product of the academy. He has the potential to get to the top, and he knows it.
When Tottenham Hotspur make their seasonal trip to the Emirates next month for the first installment of this term’s North London derby, whatever the outcome on the pitch, they will have taken something of a beating, off of it.
On November 17th, supporters will be desperate to see Andre Villas-Boas’ side steal a march on Arsenal in the race for Champions League football and beyond. But for however much Spurs may try and match the Gunners on the pitch this term, off of it, there is simply no competition. And until that is rectified, Spurs are potentially hitting a glass ceiling in their development that is getting harder to break through with every passing season.
Although Arsenal went and eventually succumbed to Roberto Di Matteo’s Chelsea 2-1 at home, towards the end of last month, it wasn’t all doom and gloom in the red half of North London. Indeed, the match against the Blues represented the first ‘Category A’ game of the season at the Emirates, a price bracketing for the most desirable games of the season, with a minimum price tag of £62.
The Mirror reported that matchday income from the game – a few hundred seats short of a sell out – was near on, a staggering £6million. Spurs fans are set to contribute to at least matching that figure next month.
And no one should be under any illusions of quite how gloomy that reality check is for the Lilywhites. The most recent published accounts this year (which encompass the 2010/11 season) showed that Spurs made a relatively paltry £43.3million from matchday revenue, over 27 competitive matches played – working out at about £1.6million a match. If we include the fact that this figure includes Uefa Champions League matches, you can expect that number to shrink slightly when the next accounts are released. For those wondering, Arsenal made over double what Tottenham did for the same time period in matchday revenue – a cool £93.1million.
The elephant in the room here is of course Tottenham Hotspur’s dire need for an increase in stadium capacity, in order to compete with the likes of Arsenal and beyond. At just over 36,000, White Hart Lane simply cannot compete with a cash cow like the 60,000 seater Emirates Stadium – in both purely spectator terms and the holy grail of corporate hospitality.
With White Hart Lane selling out every week, Spurs have nearly hit the ceiling in terms of squeezing any more money out of their hallowed old ground. Their cheapest adult season ticket increased a further 5.79% to £730 this season, hopping above Liverpool as the second most expensive in the land. Even with 30,000 fans waiting for the chance to snap up one of 23,500 season tickets on a waiting list that seemingly refuses to budge, it appears difficult to see how much further the club can push prices up.
The statistics, in this case, have been written on the wall for a long time, but it’s putting them into context that appears slightly more difficult.
Tottenham cannot progress any further without some form of serious investment, most likely from foreign shores. And although it may not necessarily be in the guise of a Manchester City style buy out, the sort of capital the club need to raise to fund their Northumberland Development Project, still constitutes an enormous amount of investment. Daniel Levy and ENIC may well be looking for a naming rights partner to raise the money, but with The Telegraph’s Paul Kelso reporting an asking price of £400million spread over two decades, today’s economic climate renders that a very giddy amount of money indeed.
Some fans may shrug their shoulders at the level of investment and you can suggest that Spurs aren’t doing two badly for themselves at the moment. They’ve finished fourth twice in the space of three years, had a tasty little Champions League run and they’re looking to make another assault on European qualification this year.
The catalyst is however, in terms of need for development and the need for survival, the dark realm of Premier League wages. Some fans still seem to protest that Daniel Levy has stashed a chunk of their Champions League money under the sofa somewhere. What they don’t often consider though, is the extra £24million swell in wages, from 2010 to 2011. For all the jiggery-pokery of the summer transfer window and the smokescreen of Luka Modric, Tottenham Hotspur in fact made an initial net LOSS of £545,600, during the summer. Yes, that doesn’t factor in the Roman Pavlyuchenko sale in January, but this isn’t some form of Levy-defending propaganda. The club are operating upon their very limits.
With the new Premier League domestic television rights alone, securing up to £3billion to be shared around with clubs, Daniel Levy can afford to push the boat out on handing players like Gareth Bale a lucrative new contract. But such is the nature in the way broadcasting money is split between clubs, everyone is afforded a similar financial reprieve. Spurs have simply chosen to spend a chunk of theirs on securing their most valuable asset.
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Perhaps in some ways, the best way of analyzing your own strength is upon the strength of those around you. There was a school of thought with some Spurs supporters, that the club was only ‘two or three players away from challenging for the league’ last season under Harry Redknapp. If we accept that the notion doesn’t involve the weakening of the squad by selling any players, that means that in wages and transfer fees, the club would have had to find that money from somewhere to acquire those players. Spurs made a £7million operating loss last year, just for a bit of added context before we finish.
From the last available accounts (2010/11 season), Tottenham Hotspur finished fifth. The difference between their wage bill and Arsenal’s, who finished one place above, was £33million. The difference between third placed Manchester City’s wage bill and Spurs? An increased £83million. And to wrap up, the contrast between Spurs and second placed Chelsea’s wage bill was £98million.
Although 2011 champions Manchester United’s was a little lower, you get the point. The cost between bridging even one place in this league can be phenomenal and Spurs are running out of room for financial maneuver. Yes Financial Fair Play will help, but they cannot make serious developments without the construction of a new stadium. A fourth placed achievement this term would represent a stunning achievement and have fans celebrating and three points on Saturday would go a long way to achieving that in the short term. In the long term however, it would be the announcement of a naming rights partner, that the club needs just as much.
Do you feel Tottenham have hit a glass ceiling in being able to move further up the league? How do you feel about the implications of a foreign naming rights partner? Let me know how you feel on Twitter: follow @samuel_antrobus and bat me all your views.
Liverpool have not yet won a trophy under manager Jurgen Klopp, but they have come very close.
Since the German coach took over at Anfield in October 2015, the Merseyside outfit have reached three finals, but lost every one of them.
The most recent was the Champions League showpiece against Real Madrid in Kiev.
Hopes were high after the team blasted away Manchester City and Roma in the quarter-finals and semi-finals respectively.
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However, it turned out to be a difficult night for the team as Mohamed Salah was injured half an hour into the contest.
After tussling with Sergio Ramos, the attacker dislocated his shoulder and was forced off the pitch in tears.
Loris Karius was also emotional after the final whistle due to his mistakes that led to goals from Karim Benzeman and Gareth Bale.
In the end, Liverpool lost 3-1, but their performances this season have given fans plenty of optimism.
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Manchester City ran away with the Premier League title, but the Reds managed to beat Pep Guardiola’s side three times over the course of the season – once in the league and twice in the Europe.
We asked you whether the Merseyside outfit could push for the title next season, and even though the club finished 25 points adrift of City in the table, plenty of Liverpool fans think that the club will take that next step.
Southampton dropped points at home again and remained in the Premier League relegation zone as they drew 1-1 against fellow strugglers Brighton and Hove Albion at St Mary’s on Wednesday night, and Saints fans were left unimpressed with their captain Steven Davis’ performance.
The south coast outfit’s skipper has been less of a regular fixture in the side in recent top flight matches with Mario Lemina preferred in the middle of the park, but he started ahead of the Gabon international in a central attacking midfield role against the Seagulls.
The hosts fell behind to a Glenn Murray penalty before Jack Stephens levelled things up in the second-half, but Davis struggled on and off the ball throughout, particularly struggling with his passing accuracy.
Southampton supporters took to social media to give their thoughts on his display, and while one said “today was the worst I’ve seen him”, another said “our captain was woeful”.
Ah, the FA Cup. The best domestic Cup competition in the World. It still is right? Despite all the bashing it gets? Well, there’s certainly some eye-catching matches this weekend and Thomas Rooney of Footballtips.com has three essential bets.
Cardiff to beat Wigan
First up, I’m going for a bit of an upset on Saturday afternoon. Wigan are the FA Cup holders and they head to a Cardiff side that will be far too pre-occupied with their battle against relegation.
The Bluebirds (do we still call them that?) have done well to make it this far and picked up impressive FA Cup wins at Newcastle and Bolton. They would have enjoyed the decreased pressure that comes with playing away from home though.
At the Cardiff City Stadium, they will probably have a crowd that isn’t too enthusiastic and in all honesty, is getting a bit impatient after a run of just one win in the last five home games.
Are they REALLY up for the Cup? I don’t think so. Hence why backing Wigan – who have won their last seven on the road in the FA Cup – is the way to go.
Back Wigan to win inside 90 minutes @ 14/5 with Stan James
Man City to get Chelsea revenge
One of the best away performances you will see occurred when Chelsea travelled to the Ethiad Stadium a couple of weeks ago. They won 1-0 and thoroughly deserved the three points.
I have my doubts about whether they can replicate this though. I even doubt how highly Jose Mourinho values the FA Cup. Will the same motivation, preparation and determination go into this latest trip to Manchester? It’s doubtful.
Man City are then a team with a point to prove. They will want to come out all guns blazing and aside from wanting to progress in the FA Cup, there will be a feeling of revenge in the air.
Don’t forget they’ve had more rest too after their midweek game was postponed and I think it’s highly likely they will make less changes / rest less players than Chelsea.
I expect more goals this time too, with less emphasis on the importance of the match than last time.
Back Man City to win @ both teams to score @ 3/1 with William Hill
Luis Suarez to score first
It’s Arsenal v Liverpool on Sunday and I fully expect the Gunners to see their season continue to take a downward spiral. February is a famously bad month for them remember.
With one eye on Bayern Munich next week, Arsene Wenger might struggle to get his team selection correct. He doesn’t want burn out to occur (it has already to be fair) nor does he want to be knocked out of the FA Cup.
I expect a strange Emirates atmosphere and a positive start from the visitors. They are back in the title race, playing excellent football and hammered this weekend’s opponents 5-1 last weekend.
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Brendan Rodgers will play his best team, including former Arsenal target Luis Suarez who I’m backing to break the deadlock for his first goal since January.
Back Suarez to score first at 9/2 with bet365
Thomas Rooney is the editor of Footballtips.com, the best place for all your FA Cup tips.
Martin O’Neill has demanded that his captain, Lee Cattermole, improves his discipline after a fifth red card as a Sunderland player.
The 24 year old’s moment of madness over-shadowed the Black Cats 2-0 away win over the MK Dons and places the former Wigan Athletic midfielder in danger of losing both his starting position and the armband.
O’Neill told ITV Football: “I have had a wee bit more time to reflect on it, and certainly Lee has as well – he’s got most of the month.
“He is obviously very, very sorry, but ‘sorry’ doesn’t help us now, not only over that particular game itself, which we could have lost, but the games coming up now.
“We will see, but again, there are many qualities to him for one so young as a captain of the team. But you just can’t be stepping over the mark like that. He does so many good things for us, both as a player and a captain as well.
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“But you can’t be that rash, you can occasionally, but you have to learn, and more so than ever before now.”
According to The Sun, experienced defender Leighton Baines is ready to leave Everton this summer for the MLS.
Indeed, it is being reported that LA Galaxy and the newly-formed Los Angeles FC have been made aware that the left-back could be available in this summer’s transfer window.
Baines has spent the last 11 seasons at Goodison Park – making over 400 appearances – but he will be 34 in December, and his current contract with the Toffees will expire next summer.
A calf problem interrupted Baines’ 2017-18 campaign, but he still made 29 appearances for Everton last term – scoring three times and registering four assists.
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Everton are currently seeking a new manager, however, and it remains to be seen whether 30-time England international Baines fits into the plans of the incoming head coach.
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There is absolutely no question that the former Wigan Athletic full-back has been a wonderful servant for Everton, but it seems that the bulk of the club’s supporters feel that now is the right time for him to move on.
A selection of the Twitter reaction can be seen below:
According to various reports on Twitter, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp looks set to start Loris Karius ahead of Simon Mignolet in goal in the clash against runaway Premier League leaders Manchester City on Sunday, and Reds fans have been quick to have their say on the rumour.
The Germany international has largely played second fiddle to Simon Mignolet in the top flight this season, but after being named in the XI in the 2-1 win against Everton in the third round of the FA Cup last Friday, he could be set for just his third start in the league this term.
The Merseyside outfit know that a win – which would bring an end to the Citizens’ unbeaten campaign – would take them above Chelsea and into third in the standings, although new boy Virgil van Dijk is also rumoured to be missing out with a hamstring strain.
Liverpool supporters took to social media to give their thoughts on the early team news, and while one said it would be a “huge call from Klopp”, another described the potential decision as “unbelievable” in what is a big game.
For many the international break is a harmless stopgap between fixtures in the Premier League, but for the clubs seeing their players returning tired and in many cases injured, the fortnightly gap is becoming particularly arduous.
Just this last week we have already seen injury worries for both Jack Wilshere and Christian Eriksen, the latter much to Tottenham’s dismay will be out for around a month with strained ankle ligaments.
Now of course we all understand the value players place in representing their country, to force their omission from the international set-up would be wholly wrong. That said International managers have a duty of care to their players and from my perspective this involves sensible dialogue with respective clubs to ensure that players’ chances of being injured are minimised.
Of course some injuries are freak acts of nature, but in the case of someone like Jack Wilshere, the precarious nature of his fitness is well known. So when Arsenal say that the midfielder should be playing only one friendly, it is in both club and country’s interests that England themselves heed this advice, as it happens the knock to his thigh was pretty minor, but why was Wilshere involved in the Germany game at all?
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It isn’t even like these matches carry much, if any, importance, I can understand the need to play your very best in a competitive match but for an exhibition match it is just reckless. Wilshere realises the need to impress coming into a World Cup year, but most would acknowledge that selection is 90% down to league form and as such staying fit and firing for Arsenal is a much bigger priority.
The club versus country debate is extremely divisive, and regardless of which camp you place yourselves in there is always a need for a degree of common sense. Some may like to see England play their very best for every international, but this is just not a possibility. Clubs pay the players’ wages and international associations have a responsibility to ensure that the club’s assets are well looked after. It is a two-way relationship, there is great importance placed on maintaining a good relationship with clubs, or else risk not having players released for risk of exacerbating injuries.
Injuries can happen at any point, it doesn’t matter if it is an international or domestic game the chances are no doubt pretty equal. However, when you add a busy domestic workload to a full international schedule, you end up pushing so many of the best players close to the edge.
Roberto Martinez is right when he points to the Premier League being much more important for prospective world cup players, he made the following comments to the Daily Mail in relation to Ross Barkley’s involvement:
“It’s a waste of time to think what could happen in the future. The thing is to concentrate on the day-to-day. A week is an eternity so a few months is even more.”
His view being that players should knuckle down and ensure they give there best in the day to day grind for their club, rather than focus on the international set-up as a stand alone phenomenon.
Rather than be the battleground that is so often is, club versus country should be a much more mutually beneficial relationship. Countries should be keen to see their stars prosper at a club level, with clubs themselves keen to ensure their players are in a position to pursue their international ambitions.
As it stands both parties are at complete loggerheads, and to see players returning from international duty with injuries should really come as no surprise.
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Spurs may well be entitled to compensation for Eriksen’s injury, but the loss of the player is of greater value to both club and country than a simple cash sum can provide.
Is it time international managers were a bit more responsible with players?