Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Frimpong will be out of action for two months after receiving surgery for a knee injury.
Frimpong picked up his injury during a loan spell with Fulham, being forced off during the 3-0 victory over Swansea City on the final day of the season.
The Ghanaian has struggled with a number of injuries in his career and he made only five appearances for Wolves in 2012 before he suffered a previous knee injury which also required surgery.
The 21-year-old was scheduled to represent his country during the summer as they aim to secure qualification for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Frimpong tweeted: “I had surgery yesterday night and am expected to be out for 8 weeks. It saddens me that I couldn’t go play for Ghana in the World Cup qualifiers next month but i wish the coach and the players good luck for the matches.
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“I Hope we get maximum points from the games. I wanna thank everyone at Fulham for their support but it is a great feeling to be back at Arsenal.”
When a club has won the Premier League and the Carabao Cup, it is unlikely that fans would find many negatives.
However, it appears that Manchester City’s following are different as they have listed the mistakes that were made throughout the campaign.
Pep Guardiola’s side wrapped up the league title with around a month left to go before the end of the season as they took an unassailable 16-point lead.
City, who have lost just twice in the top flight so far, blew their opponents out of the water early and never looked back.
The FA Cup proved to be a sticking point for the North-West outfit, though, while the Champions League remains their Achilles heel.
Guardiola failed to guide his team beyond the quarter-final stage as they were thumped 5-1 on aggregate by Liverpool.
It was a hugely one-sided tie as Jurgen Klopp’s attacking stars ran riot to send the Merseyside outfit into the semi-finals of the elite competition.
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City were roundly mocked by their rivals for falling to Liverpool, and that failure has has stuck with the supporters.
In a discussion on Reddit, fans discussed what the club’s biggest mistakes were this season.
Comment from discussion What is a mistake from this season that needs to be avoided in the future?.Comment from discussion What is a mistake from this season that needs to be avoided in the future?.Comment from discussion What is a mistake from this season that needs to be avoided in the future?.Comment from discussion What is a mistake from this season that needs to be avoided in the future?.Comment from discussion What is a mistake from this season that needs to be avoided in the future?.Comment from discussion What is a mistake from this season that needs to be avoided in the future?.Comment from discussion What is a mistake from this season that needs to be avoided in the future?.Comment from discussion What is a mistake from this season that needs to be avoided in the future?.Comment from discussion What is a mistake from this season that needs to be avoided in the future?.Comment from discussion What is a mistake from this season that needs to be avoided in the future?.
On the 2nd April, Leeds United’s assistant manager Steve Thompson was suspended from his position with immediate effect. It was widely reported but nobody in the media had any idea what it was for.
After keeping quiet for so long, Thompson has finally broken his silence to tell FootballFanCast.com exactly what went on.
He said: “I will have my say on the matter, I have been quiet for two long now but there was no incident. I was suspended for no reason what so ever.
“I got suspended and I am still waiting for the reason why,” he added.
With things happening in the background for Thompson, there are certain things he must keep quiet but it seems clear he has had enough. The news about his suspension was broken on Sky News and that was the first he had heard that he had been “suspended.”
Thompson told us: “It has been very upsetting. I can say with 100% accuracy that I did absolutely nothing wrong.”
The Former Blackpool caretaker boss is waiting to see what happens next but he is not planning to go back to Leeds. “I won’t be going back. There is no way. Leeds United is a big club, you don’t have to sell anybody the club’s history, but no one treats me like that, especially when I have done nothing,” he added.
“Thats the disappointing thing for me. If I had done something wrong, I would have held my hand up and walked away but to suspend someone for nothing – I don’t work for people like that.
Neil Redfearn and ‘Thommo’ took charge at Leeds United when they were just two points from the relegation zone and eventually guided them to Championship safety, but Redfearn hasn’t secured his job for next season. Last week it was announced that Uwe Rosler was the new manager at Elland Road and Thompson was deeply disappointed by the news.
“I think he wanted to stay. It’s disappointing how it has all happened,” he admitted.
It is still unknown as to whether Redfearn will take up his previous position as Head of Youth Development but Thompson doubts it.
“Neil has kept his dignity in how he has handled things. He deserves a lot of credit for the academy and the young players that have come through. I have been at clubs where they have got amazing young players, but these are the best I’ve seen and it’s all down to Neil.”
There have been many rumours surrounding owner Massimo Cellino’s involvement in the club and Thompson hinted to us that the rumours the owner may insist on picking the team could be true: “You cannot work under those circumstances and how things in the dressing room were. There are many things that are not right at that club.”
The 50-year-old still wants answers to why he was suspended but now he is looking forward to a future and starting afresh at another club: “I’m waiting to see what happens with this stuff in the background but I just hope that people [at other clubs] look past the suspension.
“I just pray it doesn’t tarnish the work I have done. It’s just a case of waiting for the phone to ring and I can move on and make a fresh start.”
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Manchester City appear on course to appoint Manuel Pellegrini following Malaga’s admission the manager is free to leave.
Reports in Spain over the weekend linked the Chilean manager with a move to Manchester City, and Roberto Mancini was then axed as City boss on Monday following Saturday’s FA Cup final defeat to Wigan.
Malaga have now confirmed that Pellegrini is free to leave the La Liga side in the summer and the local press have claimed that a 4million euro buy-out clause has been waived by the Spanish outfit.
Pellegrini has impressed since taking charge of Malaga in 2010 despite their financial concerns.
Pellegrini guided the club to the quarter-finals of the Champions League this season, where they were beaten in controversial circumstances by finalists Borussia Dortmund.
It would now seem a case of when and not if Pellegrini will take charge at the Etihad Stadium, despite reports linking Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho with a move for City in recent days.
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As reported by The Scottish Sun, Rangers goalkeeper Wes Foderingham has been ruled out of Sunday’s clash with Celtic, while defender Bruno Alves is also a major doubt.
What’s the story?
Rangers visit Celtic Park this weekend hoping to stop the Hoops win the league title at their expense.
Having not defeated a Brendan Rodgers side since he arrived in Glasgow, the Gers have a massive task ahead of them and losing two first team defensive players in the build-up is not ideal.
The Scottish Sun report Foderingham could be out for the rest of the season, likely leaving the inexperienced Jak Alnwick as his replacement in Sunday’s massive clash.
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How much will he be missed?
Foderingham has made a number of crucial saves for Rangers this season and at Celtic Park in December made two outstanding saves to keep the scores deadlocked at 0-0.
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Losing his shot-stopping ability is undoubtedly a blow, even if other areas of his game have been found lacking at points this term.
Throwing the relatively untested Alnwick into a high pressure situation like Celtic Park on Sunday could be a massive weak spot for Graeme Murty’s side, who will be giving it everything to try and stop the Hoops’ title party.
Only two games left in the red shirt. When the final whistle of the 2014/15 season sounds, it will be the end of an era not only for Liverpool, but the whole of the Premier League, as Steven Gerrard will have, probably, have played his last game in English football.
The 34-year-old Anfield captain is set to head off to California to see out his career with MLS champions LA Galaxy, with a new contract on Merseyside having not been agreed.
Despite the ribbing he gets from opposing fans, there’s no denying that he’s one of the best midfielders to have ever played in English football, and the standing ovation he received from Chelsea supporters at Stamford Bridge is testament to the respect he’s earned.
His career has been littered with amazing moments, and here are FIVE that defined the man…
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Captain Fantastic
“I have thought long and hard about this. This is not something which should be seen as against Sami. He has been a good captain for us. He has lifted six trophies as captain.
“But I have considered a number of issues. Firstly, I think Stevie has certain leadership qualities which I spotted very early in his career.
“When he was young, all he needed was time to mature. Now he is 23 and he is ready. There has been a maturing in his game and his personality.”
What a decision this was from Gerard Houllier in 2003, and one that kicked off an era that moulded one of the best young talents England has ever produced into, arguably, the finest all-round midfielder to pull on the red jersey of Liverpool and the white one of the Three Lions.
The Frenchman’s decision truly elevated Gerrard’s game, with the added responsibility helping him to make the leap to greatness. Although not a ‘barking orders’ style of performer, the Merseyside No. 8 leads by example.
Pucker up!
The Premier League title is the one prize to evade Gerrard through his career, but as was the case last season, he came agonisingly close in 2009.
During that season with Fernando Torres in the form of his life, the now 34-year-old skipper was playing some of the best football of his career, and enjoyed one of his great moments at Old Trafford.
The Kop hero netted a penalty against Manchester United before unleashing one of the most iconic celebrations of the Premier League era by kissing the TV camera in the corner of the pitch.
Oh, ya beauty!
‘Ohhhhhhh, ya beauty! What a hit, son. What a hit!” Andy Gray may not be the most popular figure in the world of football nowadays, but that moment of commentary as Gerrard leathered the ball into the Kop net will go down in folklore.
The Reds were on the brink of elimination from the 2004/05 Champions League in the final game of the group stage, and needed to beat Olympiakos by two clear goals.
With the score at 2-1 in the dying minutes, Gerrard produced a moment of magic. A nod down from Neil Mellor on the edge of the 18-yard box teed up the midfielder, who unleashed an unstoppable half volley that fizzed into the onion bag.
Too tired to pass…
West Ham were just seconds from lifting the FA Cup.
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Leading 3-2 at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium. The Londoners looked to be in little danger as the ball dropped to Gerrard 35 yards from goal. Ordinarily the midfielder would have recycled possession, but with cramp setting in he opted to whack it goalwards… with predictable results. The ball simply arrowed past Shaka Hislop.
The game went to extra time and Liverpool won on penalties, with Gerrard netting from the spot.
That night in Istanbul
The one. That night at the Ataturk Stadium will be remembered forever and surely goes down as the greatest Champions League comeback of all time.
3-0 down to an AC Milan side boasting names like Hernan Crespo, Kaka, Paolo Maldini, Dida and Alessandro Nesta, the Reds looked to be on course to suffer the highest defeat recorded in a European final.
But half-time changed it all. Shortly after the restart Gerrard headed a John Arne Riise cross into the net. Consolation, maybe? Then Vladimir Smicer rasped the ball home.
Surely not! And just moments after Gerrard broke into the box only to be tugged to the floor by Gennaro Gattuso. Penalty. Xabi Alonso converted – albeit from the rebound – and Liverpool went on to win on penalties.
Liverpool and Everton have spent the season chasing dreams of finishing fourth in the Premier League and making it into the Champions League. Although both Merseyside clubs are still in the mix, it would be safe to say that they’ve become outside contenders compared to Arsenal, Tottenham and Chelsea.
Reaching Europe’s most prestigious club competition will no doubt be the target next season for both clubs, not only for the pride, but also the financial rewards that accompany the tournament, which both the Reds and the Toffees desperately need as David Moyes and Brendan Rodgers struggle to keep a firm grasp of the purse strings while improving their squads.
Both Liverpool and Everton are expected to bring in new recruits in the summer to fulfill their ambitions, but which players are on the clubs’ radars?
Here’s a list, compiled of realistic transfer targets from across Europe, that could soon be gracing a pitch on either side of Stanley Park.
Click on Scott Sinclair to see the ten potential new recruits that could propel Everton or Liverpool to the promised land of the Champions League
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Marcus Rashford is one of the Premier League’s most exciting young players, yet there are worrying blockades to his development at Old Trafford.
On the one hand, only Romelu Lukaku has made more appearances for Manchester United in all competitions this season; on the other, that’s translated to just the tenth-most minutes on the pitch of any Red Devils player – less than Lukaku, Jesse Lingard and Juan Mata, three attackers the youngster is essentially competing with for a place in the starting XI.
Then there’s Anthony Martial and Alexis Sanchez, two players who are older than Rashford and cost the club money to bring to Old Trafford.
Albeit still aged just 20, it feels like Rashford has reached something of a crossroads. While he could bide his time with United and remain patient with his development, he would probably be in the starting XI every week at most other Premier League clubs. So, what’s the best scenario for Rashford as an individual, rather than United as a club?
Football FanCast lay out three suggested solutions…
Solution A – Stay at United
For all the concern over Rashford’s limited involvement, particularly since the turn of 2018, he’s still made phenomenal progress at first-team level for a 20-year-old and is probably much further along the development curve than he expected when Louis van Gaal gave him an emergency debut in the Europa League three years ago.
Likewise, Jose Mourinho is clearly fond of the youngster – the Portuguese has never been the type to give chances to young players just for the sake of it – so although game-time has dried up of late, it appears the England international is still in his manager’s long-term plans.
Lingard too, is testament to how young players can still come good if they wait patiently for opportunities and are given games at the right time. There’s also the Michael Owen argument – why exactly should Rashford be playing regular football at such a tender age, when it could eventually bring a premature end to his career?
Solution B – Leave United this summer
There will be almost countless takers for Rashford should he decide to leave the club this summer, as recently suggested by Jamie Redknapp, and Paul Pogba has shown that talented youngsters are more than capable of forging careers for themselves at other major clubs even if they can’t get game-time with the Red Devils.
Any club outside the Big Six would find room for Rashford in their starting XI each week and the youngster has already proved what a handful he can be at this level, in terms of both direct dribbling from the left flank and scoring goals as the central striker.
While training with the very best around is important, there’s nothing quite like getting minutes on the pitch – and even if Rashford does have to drop down a level this summer, maybe joining a club like West Ham or Everton, provided he maintains the level of potency we’ve already seen from him, he’ll surely return to the top end of the Premier League sooner rather than later.
In that regard, he can take inspiration from Lukaku; unloved at Chelsea, he moved to Goodison Park and scored the goals to earn a massive switch to United.
Solution C – Go out on loan
It’s the compromise everybody seems to have overlooked amid all the talk about Rashford leaving his boyhood club this summer. Going out on loan has been a common tactic to get young players game time for decades now, but there appears to be an assumption that Rashford too good to be loaned.
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Yet, it actually makes perfect sense; if Rashford is as good playing week-in, week-out as most United fans think he will be, then proving it elsewhere is probably the best chance he has to dislodge the likes of Lukaku and Sanchez from the starting XI on a permanent basis. At Old Trafford next season, he’ll still only get the odd cameo outings here and there – not enough to really show he’s as dependable as those team-mates.
Once again, clubs will be queuing up to sign Rashford on loan if he’s made available, and choosing the right club to loan him out to could help United’s Premier League campaign as well. A club like Everton, for example, could take plenty of points off United’s divisional rivals with the England attacker – who Transfermarkt value at £45million – leading the line.
So what’s the best solution for Rashford as an individual, rather than United as a club? Let us know by voting below…
Liverpool’s surge towards the Premier League’s top four took a massive boost yesterday, with the Anfield club proving their credentials with an impressive 2-1 victory over champions Manchester City.
The win makes it 11 Premier League games without a defeat for Brendan Rodgers’ men, with the feel-good factor certainly coursing through the veins of the Kop.
At times in yesterday’s clash Liverpool’s quick passing, lightning-fast tempo and desire to win was reminiscent of the club’s superb form during the second half of last season, where the Merseysiders captured the imagination of the English footballing populace.
At the heart of this free-flowing, penetrating football was attacking midfield pairing Philippe Coutinho and Adam Lallana, whose contribution was the most positive feature in a very good day for Rodgers’ men.
The Brazilian will claim most of the plaudits, and rightly so, with a sublime long-range winner nestling in the corner of Joe Hart’s goal to make it two spectacular (and vastly important) strikes in two domestic games. Coutinho was the match-winner in the corresponding fixture last season, but has ebbed and flowed this terms at times, largely down to finding his feet after a change in formation at Anfield in my opinion.
However, in recent weeks the former Inter playmaker has been in irresistible form and exuded confidence from the first whistle yesterday.
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Despite Manuel Pellegrini’s men having arguably the most complete central midfielder in English football in the boiler room, Yaya Toure, and designated enforcer Fernandinho, the Liverpool schemer repeatedly eluded the pair to take up excellent positions between the City midfield and defence.
The way the Brazilian found free space and quickly utilised it to link-up with Lallana and Raheem Sterling was a joy to behold, with Coutinho the standout player on the pitch despite illustrious company. Liverpool fans will be glad to see the South American bolster his goal tally to four Premier League strikes in recent weeks, while on Sunday’s showing his assist total will surely rise in upcoming fixtures.
Coutinho has laid on four goals for team-mates this season and with Liverpool looking back to their best of late, the Brazilian attacking midfielder will be charged with orchestrating the side’s attack in important upcoming fixtures.
Meanwhile, Lallana’s influence is starting to grow after a slow start on Merseyside due to injuries, with the England international full of running and showing real poise in possession yesterday. The former Southampton man displayed his versatility to fill in at wing-back late in the game, but having the 26-year-old alongside Coutinho behind a central striker is surely Lallana’s best position.
As the pair continue to play together their mutual understanding will improve, while having the visionary pair behind a number nine appears to have nullified the creative void left by the summer exit of Luis Suarez.
With lightning-quick Sterling continuing to impress and Daniel Sturridge back in the mix following injury, all of a sudden Liverpool look like one of the most devastating and potent attacking units in the Premier League.
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However, with four stars and only three attacking berths in Rodgers’ bespoke formation, the Northern Irishman has selection decisions to make in upcoming weeks.
That said, despite the penetration of Sterling and the clinical finishing of Sturridge, the attacking midfield partnership of Coutinho and Lallana could well be the creative fulcrum that continues the club’s great recent form and secures a top-four finish.
Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini believes he is currently the best manager in England and doesn’t fear the sack.
City are currently second in the Premier League but 12 points off leaders and rivals Manchester United and they also suffered an early exit from the Champions League.
Despite getting through to the Quarter-Finals of the FA Cup it has still been hinted that Mancini could get the boot at the end of the season.
Last season saw City win the league in the closing moments of the final game after closing an eight point gap on United but this year they face a tougher challenge with 12 points to claw back and they don’t seem to have maintained their impressive form. There has also been some behind the scenes changes with Txiki Begiristain taking on the director of football role which have only served to fuel the speculation.
However the Italian remains confident about his position at the Eithad and believes he will still be in charge at the end of the season.
“In the last 15 months I am the best manager in England, I won one Premier League, one FA Cup, one charity shield, there is not another manager that’s won like me in the last 15 months,” he told BBC Sport.
“Someone says for six months that Manchester City would change manager, Guardiola would come in, and after Guardiola went to Bayern Munich, now another manager.
I can do nothing but it is the reality.”
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Pep Guardiola had previously been rumoured for the manager’s position but he takes over Bayern Munich in the summer, however Jose Mourinho who confirmed last week that he is Premier League bound for his next job is rumoured to be replacing Mancini in the summer.