Top 5: Players Chelsea Should Move For In January

skysports.com

After being spotted last week in Brussels watching Columbia’s 2-0 triumph over Belgium, rumours have been rife that Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho is on the prowl for potential January signings.

 

The name ‘Falcao’ is one Chelsea fans will be very familiar with in transfer market discussions; but he is certainly not the only player turning heads on the world stage.

 

Chelsea have kept pace with the leading pack thus far this season; but reinforcements may be necessary come January, with key areas of the pitch in need of strengthening.
The striking conundrum remains alive at Stamford Bridge; and despite a host of stellar names occupying the attacking midfield roles, options for deeper lying operators are scant.

 

Click here for my Top 5 of potential signings for the Blues, come the January transfer window - on football-talk.co.uk

Team of the Weekend: Man Utd Back in the Title Race; Liverpool Smash Fulham

The Daily Telegraph

With all of their closest rivals dropping points, the weekend belonged to both Liverpool and, more interestingly, Manchester United; the current champions, and arguably sleeping giants so far this season.

It was a monumental step for United on Sunday, as they defeated current leaders Arsenal, 1-0 at Old Trafford. It was a hard fought, chess-like encounter, with chances few and far between; and it was Robin Van Persie’s first half header that ensured all three points went to the Red Devils.

Liverpool saw off a flailing Fulham, 4-0, with Luis Suarez amongst the goals once more, as the Anfield outfit closed the gap on Arsenal to just two points.

Newcastle keeper, Tim Krul was a man-possessed at White Hart Lane, keeping Spurs at bay almost singlehandedly, earning his side an unlikely 1-0 win.

Manchester City’s troubles on the road continued, with a 1-0 defeat to lowly Sunderland the latest in a string of damaging away losses for Manuel Pellegrini’s side.

Jose Mourinho came mighty close to losing his astounding Premier League undefeated home record against West Brom on Saturday. Were it not for a contentious penalty given in stoppage time, converted by Eden Hazard, the Portuguese would have had to have bid farewell to an unbeaten run stretching back to the very start of his first spell in charge.

Click here for the ‘Football-Talk’ Team of the Weekend for Gameweek 11

Team of the Weekend: Arsenal, Man Utd & City Stars Dominate

yahoo.com

 We are now over a quarter of the way through the current Premier League season; doesn’t time fly! Having reached the ten game mark, it is Arsenal who continue to lead the way. The Gunners opened up a five point lead at the summit following their impressive 2-0 win against Liverpool on Saturday.

Brendan Rogers’ side remain second, despite the defeat, equal on points with Chelsea, themselves beaten convincingly by a revitalised Newcastle at St James Park. Tottenham joined them on the 20 point mark on Sunday, after their dour stalemate at Goodison Park against Everton.

The Manchester boys were the talk of the town this weekend after scoring 10 between them, lighting up the league in separately devastating attacking displays. City racked up seven without reply against a desperately poor Norwich; while Utd continued their Premier League ascent with a 3-1 away win at Fulham, dominated by their attacking duo of Van Persie and Wayne Rooney.

Click here for the ‘Football-Talk’ Team of the Weekend: Gameweek 10

Going Against the Grain: Wilshere’s comments hit home, but not as intended

 

Jack Wilshere’s comments on Wednesday on what it means to be an English footballer were blunt and hard hitting,

“We have to remember what we are.

“We are English. We tackle hard, are tough on the pitch and are hard to beat.

“We have great characters. You think of Spain and you think technical but you think of England and you think they are brave and they tackle hard. We have to remember that.”

Patriotic to say the least, but Wilshere may have bitten off more than he can chew with his remarks. To cite cliché and stereotype is always a dangerous game, regardless of the subject matter.

Young Jack has inadvertently  highlighted the England national side’s core problem once more, and with his proud pigeon-holing, the Arsenal man seems worryingly blind to it.

Click here to read my article on Wilshere and the blinkered view of the English, on soccerlens.com

Photo: The Daily Telegraph

‘Strikers’ the flavour of the month, as Premier League clubs join the bandwagon

The movements in this summer’s transfer window have certainly highlighted the importance clubs have placed on the art of the striker.

We have been blinded by the inordinate amounts of money thrown around by the world’s wealthiest, with a stunning array of transfers having already gone through this summer.

New-money Monaco have certainly turned heads, and their acquisition of the Columbian predator, Radamel Falcao, has been a precursor for a market dominated by the movements of the world’s brightest striking talents.

Click here to check out my article on major striker movements, on soccerlens.com

Pic: worldinsport.com

Wayne Rooney – Chelsea’s Missing Jigsaw Piece? How He Would Fit In At Stamford Bridge

As the Rooney transfer saga rumbles on, I take a look at how he may fit into the Chelsea side, and examines the impact he may have on the Blues.

Check out the article here, on football-talk.co.uk