Even with the insane striker shortage leaving his attack almost as hamstrung as a boxer with cotton wool fists, Arsene Wenger - as reported in today’s Telegraph - shall not be tempted to loan the services of Ruud van Nistelrooy in January. Oh no.
In fact, his quest for a decent frontman has taken a rather intriguing turn, which might yet find the Arsenal boss sitting at his bedside table feverishly scribbling a letter to a very fat old man with a beard.
“Let’s not dream too much in January that we can find a world-class player - that is what is needed to strengthen our team - who is not cup-tied in the Champions League and who is free. You need a good Father Christmas for that!”
Great idea!
Less talk, more penmanship, Wenger.
Elsewhere in the world, The Guardian reports that James Beattie didn’t turn up for training at Stoke today, following his well-documented bust up with Tony Pulis.
The striker, apparently, was feeling sore because the team’s plans to sleep off some rampant Crimbo drinks were scuppered. So Tony Pulis punched him in the face… or something… allegedly.
And over in beautiful sunny Spain, Ronaldo said this:
There has been much speculation over the last week or so about who Arsene Wenger should buy in the January window to plug the almighty gap in the Arsenal attack. A gap which began as a humble everyday manhole when Adebayor trotted up North, but now rather resembles a deep terrifying chasm with van Persie out.
Arshavin did a good job at the weekend, but pointed out to the Russian press:
“I can’t say that centre forward is my position, I am more of a second striker.”
Further fuel was spat on the flaming striker crisis at Arsenal last night, as they continued to craft chances without anyone able to just smash it into the net. The problem will, of course, go somewhere towards being solved during the January transfer window. And more names have already been added to yesterday’s list.
Two more to be precise. The whisper coming from various minicab offices in North London is that Monsieur Wenger will also be taking a long studious look at Wolfsburg’s Edin Dzeko, and another Frenchman - Andre-Pierre Gignac from Toulouse. You can see clips of both after the jump, as well as leave your own suggestions for Le Prof, should the mood take you.
In other Big Four transfer news, Sir Alex Ferguson is reportedly going back to square one in his quest for Ryan Giggs’ heir apparent. He’ll happily listen to offers of around £10 million for club rebel, Nani. And January should finally confirm what we all already know - Zoran Tosic is not Man United material.
Has the little guy earned a place in the starting XI?
With nothing of particular interest arising from England’s friendly victory over Slovenia at the weekend, the papers are awash with the debate surrounding the England frontline.
In-form Jermain Defoe has bagged eight goals in ten appearances under Fabio Capello, which is twice as good as Wayne Rooney’s rate of return in the same period, and better than the tally that Emile William Ivanhoe Heskey has managed in the past ten years.
Under Capello’s maxim of ‘form wins places’, the Tottenham star is a shoe-in for a starting role. However, the obvious counter argument is that Wayne Rooney needs a strike partner with Heskey’s strength, height and ability to hold up the ball in order to operate at his best. And considering how Croatia tried to kick seven shades out of their opponents the last time they visited Wembley, such a physical presence from the outset could prove crucial.
So, should the serial WAG boffer retain his highly successful ’supersub’ status, or should he get to wear number 9 at Wembley on Wednesday? Votes and comments below, please…
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Striker thinks Reds would benefit from a second striker
After fluffing away their chance to win the league last season by drawing countless matches that they really should have put to bed, Liverpool will once again look to claim the Premiership silverware that has so far eluded them in 2009/10. Fernando Torres, however, believes the club will only be able to go the distance if they bring in a player like Wayne Rooney:
“We lack players like Rooney and Tevez who can drop back between the lines of attack and midfield and cause havoc for opposing defences and midfields.
“We lost the title because of not winning enough home games against sides who ended up mid-table.
“Rooney and Tevez are the kind of footballers who pull defenders and holding midfielders into places they don’t want to be.
“At home, United and Liverpool get sides who just want to get men behind the ball and defend.
“The key to winning those precious home points is having someone to unlock and uncomplicate that kind of match.
Torres goes on to suggest some players who can fulfill this role, and you’ll never guess what nationality they are:
“Liverpool need a player like David Silva and Andres Iniesta - players who can drop deep, find unexpected space, use a bit of quality and open up a game.”
While most sides would benefit from a Rooney-type player, The Spoiler can’t see how he would fit into Rafa’s system at Liverpool. Isn’t the role that Torres is describing already occupied by Steven Gerrard? Is he suggesting that the captain and self defence expert doesn’t do enough defending?
Let us know your thoughts on Torres’ comments below…
Spanish press think Cameroonian could be Manchester bound
Manchester Utd have already aided Real Madrid’s 2009/10 title challenge this week, and they could be about to give it an even bigger boost, by weakening Barcelona’s strike force.
According to Spanish paper Sport, Manchester Utd are interested in using some of their £80m windfall to lure Samuel Eto’o to the Premiership. The Cameroonian - who scored the opening goal of the Champions League final against the Red Devils - is currently being courted by Inter Milan. They have offered the Catalan giants £30m, an amount that the Premier League champions would almost certainly have to eclipse.
Should the gaffer ‘man up’ and leave his best mate on the bench?
During his first press conference as Newcastle Utd manager, Alan Shearer defended his intention to play Michael Owen, insisting that he would show the Toon striker the same faith that Terry Venables showed him prior to Euro 96.
Many folks on Tyneside, however, are starting to question Shearer’s belief in a striker who last found the net nine games ago. During Sunday’s crucial tie at White Hart Lane, he touched the ball just twice in the Tottenham penalty area, and the Magpies only really threatened the opposing goal when Mark Viduka and Oba Martins came on in the second half.
So, should Shearer stand by the man who takes a helicopter to work, or should he pick his team on the basis of form, rather than reputation? Let us know below…
Reports in the British press suggest that 19-year-old Brazilian sensation Walter da Silva has caught the eye of Manchester Utd.
The striker scored five goals during the recent South American U-20 Championships and is considered Brazil’s next big prospect.
Walter currently plays for Internacional, who are quite insistent that their wonderkid is not for sale, but rumours of a £5m-£7m summer transfer to Old Trafford are abundant.
Manchester Utd aren’t the only European club intersted in the services of the ‘Brazilian prodigy’ - both Juventus and Barcelona are said to be monitoring his progress closely.
Spoiler bonus: Check out some video of Walter in action after the jump…
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