Manchester City, Arsenal, Tottenham, Chelsea and Liverpool – look to the Eredivisie for transfer targets this summer

April 21, 2013 by 2 Comments

The Premier League big boys will already have one eye on the impending reopening of the transfer market, with the likes of Manchester City, Arsenal, Tottenham, Chelsea and Liverpool looking to strengthen their squads.

A continued source of young talent is Holland’s Eredivisie, which has produced and nurtured such talents as Robin van Persie and Luis Suarez. Here are five exciting talents from the Dutch top flight that would make an impact in England.

Wilfried Bony

The Eredivisie’s top goalscorer this season with an unprecedented 30 goals in 27 games, Bony has been the catalyst for Vitesse Arnhem’s unexpected title challenge. The Ivory Coast international is the latest strong and quick forward from his nation, and looks sure to move to a bigger club this summer.

Wilfried Bony

Newcastle have been linked the African hitman, but the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham should both be monitoring Bony too.

Stefan De Vrij

Feyenoord’s captain and the leader of a home-grown revival in Rotterdam under Ronald Koeman. The assertive centre-half is one of the brightest defensive prospects in European football, and has made inroads into the Netherlands international set-up. At 21-years-old, De Vrij looks set to be a top performer and would suit the physical style of English football.

Stefan De Vrij

Arsenal, Liverpool and even Manchester United should be keeping tabs on De Vrij, who looks destined for greatness.

Alfred Finnbogason

The Iceland international has started to show up in scouting reports around Europe in the last 12 months due to his eye for goal and confidence on the ball. A loan spell with Helsingborg and 12 goals in 17 games earned him a move to Heerenveen in the off-season, and the Scandinavian has proved a bargain purchase. 24 Eredivisie goals in 28 outings is an excellent return for the 24-year-old.

Alfred Finnbogason

Heerenveen are very much a selling club and as such Finnbogason should be available at a bargain price. Liverpool and Tottenham could bolster their attacking options here, while a number of mid-range Premier League sides would have a prodigious talent on their hands.

Christian Eriksen

Arguably the best player in Dutch football at the moment, Eriksen has been repeatedly linked with a move away from Ajax, with England, Italy or Spain the destination. The Denmark international has played a significant role in the Amsterdam club’s title defence, and was influential in their recent 3-2 away win over PSV.

Christian Eriksen

Manchester United, Liverpool and Tottenham have been linked with Eriksen in the past, however the Dane has the ability to play at any of the big clubs.

Kevin Strootman

PSV’s central midfield of veteran Mark van Bommel and Strootman is much admired in Holland, and the 23-year-old continues to grow in stature. Now a firm fixture in the Netherlands international squad with 18 caps, the box-to-box midfielder has outgrown the Eredivisie and would be a fantastic purchase for a number of English clubs.

Kevin Strootman

Manchester United have not had a dominant central midfielder enforcer since Roy Keane – Strootman could be the man to fill the void. Arsenal would also seem like a match given that Arsene Wenger has failed to replace Alex Song.

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Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool – have a look at the Greek Lionel Messi

April 19, 2013 by Leave a comment

Ioannis Fetfatzidis has been donned the ‘Greek Messi’ by the press, and for good reason. The 22-year-old attacker continues to star for Olympiakos and has become a regular fixture for his national side. With Premier League clubs looking to bolster their squads this summer, the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool could do worse than make a bid for the sublimely talented playmaker.

Here is his latest offering in a recent game against Panthrakikos.

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Tottenham’s Bale, Liverpool’s Suarez and Manchester United’s Van Persie – but where is Swansea’s Michu?

April 19, 2013 by 1 Comment

The nominees for the Premier League Player of the Year award have been named, with a notable absence amongst the six candidates. All the discussion about the accolade have rightly focussed on Tottenham’s Gareth Bale, Liverpool’s Luis Suarez and Manchester United’s Robin van Persie, however the addition of Juan Mata, Michael Carrick and Eden Hazard leaves me scratching my head that a certain Spaniard missed out.

I am not saying that Michu of Swansea City should be awarded the Premier League Player of the Year awaed, however the versatile attacker has had a fantastic debut season in England and was certainly great value for a nomination. It will boil down to Bale, Suarez or Van Persie, however Michu’s excellent season should have been acknowledged with a nomination.

Michu

Carrick has long been the unsung worker in the United midfield, and is only now being recognised for the tireless work he puts in and the range of passing he brings to the soon-to-be champions. Juan Mata has grown in stature this season and deserves his place in the six. The ex-Valencia playmaker has been superb throughout the season and will play a key role in Chelsea’s attempts to forge a Premier League title challenge next season. Hazard at times has shown brilliance, especially towards the start of the season, however I feel he has not done enough to warrant a place on the shortlist.

It is unfortunate that bargain £2 million buy Michu is not included. He has netted 21 times in all competitions for Michael Laudrup’s men, 17 in the league, and been a figurehead in the Liberty Stadium side overcoming the often tricky second season to become a well-established Premier League side. He also played his part in the club winning the Capital One Cup, the first major trophy in the Welsh club’s history.

Michu was never going to be the Player of the Year, but a nomination would have been just reward for a cracking debut campaign. The fact that he plays for one of the less glamorous sides in the division has clearly worked against him, the powers that be should have widened their net to include the likes of the Spaniard in their shortlist.

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Premier League preview: A big weekend for Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham, Manchester City and Liverpool

April 19, 2013 by Leave a comment

This weekend features three massive games in the race for the Champions League places as the season enters its final few weeks.

Fulham v Arsenal

Arsenal’s late season charge to make the top four takes them to Craven Cottage. After a midweek draw against Everton, the Gunners will feel they need three points from this away trip before Manchester United come to the Emirates next weekend.

Santi Cazorla

After their surprise away win at Spurs a few weeks ago guaranteed their Premiership status for another season, Fulham’s season is drifting towards its conclusion with no win in their last three games, which included a crushing home defeat to local rivals Chelsea in midweek. Arsenal’s greater desire and need to win should be enough to see them to a comfortable three points at the Cottage.

Tottenham v Manchester City

A huge game at White Hart Lane as Spurs host the current champions. Spurs have been feeling the pressure once again late in the season with their last two home games ending in defeat to Fulham and a draw with Everton, whilst also crashing out of the Europa League to Basel. This is a big opportunity for them to get themselves back in a prime position for the top four against a Manchester City side who looked jaded in their 1-0 home win over Wigan in midweek.

Gareth Bale

The crowd will certainly be up for this game as well and with the likely return of Gareth Bale, Spurs will fancy their chances of getting a positive result out of this game. City know that they are not going to catch Manchester United and that they have second place pretty much sown up. For them all the focus is now on the FA Cup final and they may make a few changes after playing three games in a week. Spurs know a win is vital as they still have tough away games to come against Chelsea and two teams who are battling for survival in Stoke and Wigan.

Liverpool v Chelsea

Rafael Benitez returns to Anfield for the first time as an opposing manager with his Chelsea side. The Spaniard is sure to get a terrific reception from the home supporters and it will be interesting to see how it affects the Chelsea team. When Gerard Houllier returned with his Aston Villa team a couple of years ago and got an amazing reception Liverpool cruised to a 3-0 victory. This Chelsea team though are a lot more experienced than that Villa side and you would expect them to be able to cope with what is sure to be a passionate atmosphere.

Rafa Benitez

On the pitch Liverpool have won four of their last five meetings in the league against Chelsea and they drew the other. Liverpool have once again saved most of their best performances for games against the bigger clubs this season, even though this may not be borne out by results. Benitez continues to rotate his squad well to cope with their demanding fixture list and their 3-0 away win at Fulham in midweek was certainly impressive, whilst they were unfortunate not to take Manchester City to extra time in last Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final. Liverpool’s recent record against the Blues may well swing this game in their favour and Daniel Sturridge may well be out to prove a point against the club who he feels never gave him a proper chance to make his mark in his time there.

By Chris Newman

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Fabio Borini’s Liverpool career over before it has started?

March 22, 2013 by 1 Comment

Liverpool are under a transitional period under Brendan Rodgers, with new players arriving at Anfield and a push to get back into the top four reckoning. One such player brought to Merseyside in an attempt to bring back the glory days was Fabio Borini, the highly rated Italy international. However, after poor form and repeated injuries, will the Reds look to cut their losses this summer?

The 21-year-old looked like an astute signing when Rodgers brought him to England in the summer. The Northern Irish boss had worked with Borini at Swansea in a successful period in Championship football, and since then the forward was making waves in his homeland. A solid season for Roma returned nine Serie A goals and a claim for inclusion in the Azzurri national team.

Fabio Borini

With solid goalscoring records at age-grade level for Italy at under-19 and 21 levels, Borini looked to have all the attributes to make him a hit at Liverpool. However, the Kop were not impressed by their new striker at the start of the campaign, with Liverpool relying on Luis Suarez as a solitary outlet to bring goals.

Since then two long-term injuries have kept Borini out of action and on the treatment table. However, a Liverpool squad that looked devoid of attacking options at the start of the campaign is now sufficiently bolstered. With the additions of Philippe Coutinho and Daniel Sturridge in January and the emergence of Suso and Raheem Sterling, the Reds have more offensive impetus than at the start of 2012/13. Andy Carroll is also out on loan at West Ham and could yet return.

With this in mind there is every chance that even if Borini does get himself fit before the end of the season, he will struggle to command a starting place in the side. With Rodgers surely looking to bolster his squad further in the summer, a question mark hangs over Borini’s head. With players of superior quality in his squad, the Northern Irish manager may feel that the Italian has simply not worked out and would benefit from a move back to his homeland.

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Five players Liverpool should sign this summer

March 17, 2013 by Leave a comment

Liverpool have lurched around aimlessly in the transfer market for a few years now. They have swung from the La Liga based recruiting of Rafa Benitez to the domestic/awful signings of Roy Hodgson and Kenny Dalglish/Damien Comolli and now on to Brendan Rodgers who is signing players he has worked with or younger technical players. Over the last few years they can only defend the signing of Luis Suarez and the budding Philippe Coutinho. They’ve wasted an offensive amount of money on dross or more precisely, players who can’t possibly win them the Premier League. They’ve lost some of their lustre as an attraction to players so they seem to be shopping in that band below the elite players. They’ve spent a ton of money, and keep doing so though so there could be some available again. So baring in mind Rodgers’ preferences and the club’s needs, here’s who they could be looking to sign.

Lars Bender – Bayer Leverkusen

Scout Report Bender is a colossal presence in the middle of midfield. He has tigerish tenacity and a dynamic and ceaseless work rate. He operates best when able to get about the entire midfield, roaming around looking to cause havoc. He is able to be deployed as a shielding midfielder if needs be. Capable of tackling, intercepting and of solid passing, he is only 23 with plenty of room to improve. Brother Sven is tearing up trees at Borussia Dortmund.

Lars Bender

Where does he fit? With the constant injury problems surrounding Lucas Leiva, Liverpool have at times looked lightweight in midfield. Joe Allen is more of a passer where Jordan Henderson prefers getting forward. Bender would offer something entirely different, and entirely needed. Rodgers can put him in to a two deep midfield or with more roaming license in a three-man system and watch him wreck opposition attacks. Rodgers might feel he can smooth off the rough edges and turn him in to a complete player.

How much? A lot, maybe even over £20m. But for that they’re getting a guy they can put straight in and build the midfield around.

Ashley Williams – Swansea

Scout Report Williams in the captain and central defensive lynchpin of the Swansea side that has garnered such good reviews. He has adapted seamlessly to the rigours of the Premier League having been with the club throughout their rise up the leagues. Williams is strong, good in the air and tidy on the ball. He is an excellent communicator and plays with a rugged authority and assuredness.

Ashley Williams

Where does he fit? Liverpool need to sort out their central defence. Rodgers doesn’t seem to rate the rapidly regressed Martin Skrtel and the one leader and strong communicator back there is the retiring Jamie Carragher. Replacing Carragher simply has to be Rodgers’ priority this summer. Williams knows Rodgers’ system and can come in and lead a quiet defence. Rodgers knows him well and might be tempted to dip back in to the Swansea pool.

How much? This will be an interesting summer for Swansea with so many of their players desired elsewhere. They might feel Williams easier to replace than Michu so could be open to offers around £7-8m for their skipper.

Leonardo Bittencourt – Borussia Dortmund

Scout Report An opulently talented floating attacker, the 19-year-old Bittencourt is a big prospect for Borussia Dortmund. He is possessed of sublime technical qualities and is a ghosting, elusive runner. He is just breaking in to the Dortmund first team picture.

Leonardo Bittencourt

Where does he fit? This would be a similar signing to the move for Coutinho, plucking a technically accomplished player who is on the fringes of the first team a big club. Bittencourt could play in the position currently occupied by Stewart Downing or even be groomed to play further back as Steven Gerrard’s long-term successor. Rodgers will feel his coaching abilities can develop him further.

How much? Not quite as much as Coutinho as he has less first team experience but probably in the £6m region.

Scott Sinclair – Manchester City

Scout Report It’s easy to forget why City signed Sinclair as he has become synonymous with their bench. Last season Sinclair was Swansea’s leading attacking threat and was showing signs of blossoming in the talent he promised to be when he was a teenage hotshot. He has great pace and a very direct playing style. He isn’t afraid to dribble straight at defenders and give them things to worry about. He also got his fair share of goals and assists at Swansea.

Scott Sinclair

Where does he fit? Rodgers knows exactly what Sinclair offers. He likes players that can dribble and get a shot away as can be seen with his captures of Coutinho and Sturridge in January. He would offer real pace and directness and could play on the right of the three attacking midfielders. Liverpool need Suarez to keep nearer the goal and Sinclair would offer the natural width that Suarez sometimes tries to force.

How much? If Mancini stays at City then it’s hard to see a future for Sinclair in Manchester. A break even £7m or probably even less would be good for both sides.

Nicolas N’Koulou – Marseille

Scout Report N’Koulou is a quick and immensely strong central defender. At only 22 he is regarded in France as one of the elite defensive prospects in the country. Already a fixture in the Cameroon national team, he is a defender first, footballer second. Great positional sense and ability to block shots.

Nicolas N'Koulou

Where does he fit? The impending Liverpool defensive chasm caused by the retirement of Carragher has to be filled, and N’Koulou is a great option to achieve that. N’Koulou is the kind of rough diamond that should appeal to Rodgers who will surely believe he can coach him up in to one of the top defenders in the league. He is young enough as to fit their usual age requirements can fill the rugged defender spot in Rodgers’ tactical plans.

How much? Around about £10m but he could be worth double that in a year’s time.

You can read more by Max at the thefootballspace.com.

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Player of the Year: Manchester United’s Van Persie, Tottenham’s Bale or Liverpool’s Suarez?

March 15, 2013 by 5 Comments

Conventional wisdom says that the award for Player of the Year in the Premier League will be a three-way duel between the trio of Luis Suarez, Robin van Persie and Gareth Bale.

Paul Gorst takes a look at the pros and cons for each, as the season reaches its final quarter.

Robin van Persie: Manchester United

When Manchester United lost the Premier League title on goal difference to their bitter local rivals Manchester City last season, Sir Alex Ferguson simply decided to go and buy the top striker in the league. There was no deep-rooted analytical thinking behind the transfer other than the fact that Robin van Persie guarantees goals. His strikes have gone a long way to virtually ensuring that the title will return to Old Trafford in May.

Robin van Persie

The Dutch striker has helped himself to 19 goals in the Premier League this season and none were more important than his match-winning free-kick against City in the closing stages of the 3-2 win at the Etihad Stadium back in December. The former Arsenal man has 23 goals in all competitions and has usurped Wayne Rooney as the star man at Old Trafford.

It is also easy to forget that this is Van Persie’s first year at United, after making the switch from the Emirates Stadium for around £25m last summer. It feels as though RVP has been playing for the Red Devils for seasons and the way he has adapted to playing for one of the biggest clubs in the world has been seamless.

However, Van Persie has not scored since the win over Everton back on February 10 and has now gone 10 games without a goal. Will those stats count against him when the voting is decided?

Gareth Bale: Tottenham Hotspur

Gareth Bale is undoubtedly the man of the moment in the Premier League. The flying Welshman has helped himself to 10 goals in the last nine games for Tottenham Hotspur and is the side’s leading scorer with 16 goals in the Premier League.

Gareth Bale

The former Southampton man has also lit up the league with some memorable strikes such as his last minute wonder-strike to win the game against West Ham United last month, and his goal against Norwich City, which started with a run from his own half before he stabbed it beyond goalkeeper John Ruddy at the edge of the box, in January.

Bale’s form is such that he is even being compared by some, including team-mate Michael Dawson, to La Liga superstars Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. The comparisons to the planet’s two best players are somewhat misguided certainly, but the fact that he is drawing such evaluations is proof at least, of superb form.

The 23-year-old has netted 23 times for Spurs in all competitions this campaign. However, with Bale grabbing 10 in his last nine, that means that he was marooned on a fairly respectable, if not outstanding total of 13 goals before his wonderful effort against the Canaries back on January 30.

With the voting papers being sent out in February, has Bale done enough to convince that he should be awarded the title?

Luis Suarez: Liverpool

Luis Suarez has been the outstanding player for Liverpool this season and currently tops the Premier League scoring charts with 22 goals for the Reds.

Luis Suarez

Suarez was Liverpool’s top scorer last season, but has taken his exploits up a level this term with some breathtaking performances for Brendan Rodgers’ side. Suarez’s feats are all the more impressive when you equate in the fact that he was the Reds’ only recognised striker from September to January, when the club failed to sign a replacement for the loaned-out Andy Carroll and Italian forward Fabio Borini suffered a foot injury whilst on international duty.

The Uruguayan has toiled away admirably this season and is not only a supremely talented footballer; the former Ajax man is one of the hardest working forwards in the Premier League, which is a trait that does not go unnoticed by fans at Anfield.

Suarez has found himself playing slightly out of position since the arrival of Daniel Sturridge in January, but the tactical switch has not dulled his goal threat as the striker has helped himself to 13 goals in his last 13 games for the Reds, and has 29 in all competitions this season.

Unlike Van Persie, Suarez is operating in a team that has struggled this season during Rodgers’ first campaign in the Anfield dugout, yet he has still managed to top the goalscoring charts heading into mid-March, and will probably be the first Premier League player to reach 30 goals this season.

The forward is not as revered around the rest of England as he is in Liverpool however, with admissions of diving leaving a sour taste, and the race-row with Patrice Evra in 2011 still fresh in some minds.

Suarez’s simulation has unfairly been highlighted against Gareth Bale’s, who been booked four times this season for diving compared to Suarez’s one, but will this affect his chances when the votes are cast?

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Liverpool – an added spark in the race for the Premier League top four

February 19, 2013 by 2 Comments

Over recent seasons it has been predominantly five main teams fighting it out for the top four places in the Premier League. Manchester United, City and Chelsea have ambitions of winning the division, while north London rivals Tottenham and Arsenal battle each other for the fourth place and Champions League qualification.

Admittedly Newcastle were a result or two short of breaking into this tight-knit group last term, and Everton are now aiming higher this season. However, a real shot in the arm to the Premier League’s top-four race could be the seemingly rejuvenated Liverpool.

Since the Merseyside club dropped out of top-four contention in 2009-10 with a seventh placed finish, virtually at no time have the Reds looked like they have the quality or consistency to challenge for Champions League qualification; until now. With Brendan Rodgers’ principles starting to be adopted by the playing staff, slowly but surely, Liverpool are starting to look like a side that could play in Europe’s top tournament once more.

Liverpool celebrate

Since the start of the Premier League in 1992-93 until the 2009-10 season, the Reds finished in the top four 12 times out of 17. A club with such a massive fanbase, triumphant history and 18 top-flight title wins under its belt has expectation to live up to, especially amongst the Kop faithful.

Inconsistency is still not totally eradicated from Liverpool’s game, but results and performances are starting to look up. In seventh place currently and nine points behind fourth-placed Spurs, having played a game more, it will be a big ask for the Anfield side to make the Champions League qualification places this term, but not impossible. However, come next season the club will look to breach the top four.

Given the quality of players at the Reds disposal it is not inconceivable that they should be in the running for the top four. In Daniel Sturridge they have a proven goalscorer, Luis Suarez possibly the best striker in the land and Raheem Sterling a diamond in the rough. Add to this the potential of Philippe Coutinho, enterprise of Lucas Leiva and experience of Steven Gerrard. With a more-solid looking rearguard and the limitation of individual errors from Pepe Reina, Liverpool have the potential to be as good as they have been in years.

The 49 goals they have scored in the Premier League this term is more than Manchester City and Tottenham; the club is seemingly on the up and if another quality signing or two is added in the summer, Brendan Rodgers’ men will look to start better in 2013-14 and challenge for a place amongst the big boys.

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Liverpool’s new bright spark – Raheem Sterling a cause for optimism on Merseyside

September 7, 2012 by Leave a comment

It may well be all gloom and doom around Anfield after an uneventful and unsuccessful transfer deadline day, but there is cause for optimism at Liverpool. The fact that the Reds missed out Clint Dempsey and failed to bolster their attack has overshadowed the fact that four promising summer signings were made in the form of Joe Allen, Fabio Borini, Oussama Assaidi and in particular Nuri Sahin. Add to this a new superstar in the making in the form of Raheem Sterling and the Kop should not be getting down on themselves just yet.

Sterling made his Premier League debut back in March under Kenny Dalglish and his name has been on the radar of Liverpool fans since Rafa Benitez signed him from the QPR academy back in February 2010. Even given his impressive performances for England at under-16 and under-17 levels and holding his own when given his chance at the tail-end of last season, few would have predicted that the 17-year-old Sterling actually has a important role as part of Brendan Rodgers’ revolution at the club.

Sterling has been dropped in at the deep end this term by the Northern Irish coach, as the teenager has started for the Merseysiders against Manchester City and Arsenal and been one of the more impressive of Rodgers’ players. Sterling’s versatility is seemingly an asset that the Reds trainer values, as his ability to start anywhere down the left flank will be a feature of the side’s style of play in 2012-13. The teenagers has enthralled with quick feet, the willingness to attack opponents and a seemingly boundless energy; all attributes that Stewart Downing failed to offer on the left wing last season.

Sterling’s rise to prominence has been noticed and been recognised by Stuart Pearce, with the under-21 boss keen to fast-track the star. However, the speedy winger will make the logical step up to under-19 level first before representing Pearce’s contingent, which seems inevitable further down the track.

The fact that unfortunately the Reds are seemingly being outmuscled in the transfer market by some of the Premier League’s other top clubs will be a source of frustration for those at Anfield. That said, promising youngsters such as Sterling will be keen to adopt Rodgers’ possession and attacking mentality, and the England age-grade player certainly has the ability to play a part in the club’s push for Champions League football this season.

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Liverpool and Tottenham miss out on cut-price Milos Krasic

August 15, 2012 by Leave a comment

After a campaign of discontent in Turin, Milos Krasic sealed a move to Fenerbahce recently, ending a frustrating time with Juventus. The Serbian winger was once one of the hottest prospects in European football but after a season of being overlooked by Antonio Conte the eastern European flyer has switch to the Turkish giants for around £5.5 million. Despite Krasic not playing a lot of football in 2011-12, the Super Lig side have snapped up a bargain under the noses of a number of Premier League clubs.

Juventus relied on the likes of Claudio Marchisio and Simone Pepe last year to provide attacking impetus from midfield, and as such Krasic only made a handful of appearances in the Bianconeri’s Scudetto-winning campaign. However, the 27-year-old has proved himself as a dangerous and able wideman at CSKA Moscow, internationally and certainly in his first season in Italy. Under Luigi Delneri Krasic was one of the bright lights in an otherwise mundane Juve side in 2010-11.

Once it became apparent that Conte would not be utilising the talents of Krasic on a regular basis, the rumours of a move started to circulate. Chelsea, Tottenham and Liverpool were all speculated as suitors for Krasic, but for one reason or another a deal did not happen.

Chelsea have since strengthened their midfield with the signings of Eden Hazard and Marko Marin, who will play in similar positions to what Krasic would have occupied at Stamford Bridge. Spurs made a loan move for Krasic in the January transfer window, but the player opted to remain in Turin and fight for a place in the Juve side. As it stands Tottenham are blessed with the talents of Gareth Bale, Aaron Lennon and now Gylfi Sigurdsson, but Krasic would certainly have provided another attacking option for Andre Villas-Boas in his 4-3-2-1 system.

However, with Liverpool thought to be in the market for a bit of attacking dynamism from wide, an attempt to sign Krasic would have made sense. The Reds continue to be linked with the likes of Gaston Ramirez and Clint Dempsey, however Krasic’s pace and cutting edge would have added a different threat to the Anfield squad, especially after the summer departure of Maxi Rodriguez. Add to this the fact that Fenerbahce secured Krasic’s services for only £5.5 million, Liverpool may well have missed a golden opportunity to strengthen their squad.

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