Manchester United starlets set to prompt loan scramble
The news that Sir Alex Ferguson wants to loan out two of his bright young things will have several top-flight managers licking their lips.
Fergie has decided that both Danny Welbeck, 19, and Tom Cleverley, 20, will be available for loan to other Premier League clubs this season. The talented duo are currently away in America with the first-team squad and it was thought they could feature in Ferguson’s plans this season, but the United chief wants them to pick up more experience.
Welbeck went on loan to Preston last season but picked up an injury which meant he needed surgery and a full season in the Premier League could be what is needed to help the striker fulfil his huge potential.
Blackpool, Wigan, Bolton and Blackburn are all expected to be interested in Welbeck, who laid on United’s goal for Gabriel Obertan in the recent 1-0 win over Philadelphia Union. All four clubs are chasing forward options and all will allow Welbeck to feature regularly in the top flight.
The same quartet of clubs is also likely to be in the hunt for Bradford-born Cleverely, who spent a successful loan spell at Watford last season. The all-action midfielder was named the Hornets’ Player of the Year and Fergie is convinced the youngster will benefit hugely from a full season in the top flight. Keep track of where he ends up with Bets Player.
The exciting duo are sure to be in demand over the next month or so, but they still have a huge future at Old Trafford.
July 23, 2010
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Cole arrival lifts Liverpool gloom
The arrival of Joe Cole at Liverpool has sent the Anfield fans into raptures and already the doom and gloom has started to lift.
But new boss Roy Hodgson will need more than Cole to lift the ailing club’s fortunes in the season ahead. The 28-year-old does look a perfect fit for the side though, especially after Yossi Benayoun left Merseyside. He is the perfect replacement for the Israeli and will prove to be a huge hit with the fans on the Kop.
Cole left Chelsea at the end of last season after failing to agree a new contract with the club and has now signed a lucrative four-year deal at Anfield.
His arrival has been met by delirium on Merseyside and if Hodgson can now persuade Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres to stay put he will surely be given the freedom on the city. But the depth of his squad still looks perilously thin. In truth Liverpool’s starting XI is as good as any in the Premier League and they showed that two seasons ago when they went so close to the title. Their efforts came off the rails last term but, if you look at the first team Hodgson can put out, they should be challenging for honours.
With Pepe Reina, Jamie Carragher, Martin Skrtel, Steven Gerrrad, Javier Mascherano, Fernando Torres, Dirk Kuyt and now Cole, Liverpool have a strong starting XI, but when injuries and suspensions bite they look vulnerable. Hodgson is desperately short of cover and he has some serious work to do in the next month or so.
July 20, 2010
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Roy looking to take the Micah
Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson is ready to test the resolve of Manchester City and make a move for Micah Richards.
Hodgson is well aware of the need to bolster his Anfield squad and the former Fulham boss is keen on adding British players with the new home-grown player rule coming into force this season.
Eight home-grown players must be named in a squad of 25 and Hodgson is making sure he won’t be left short by the new rule.
Richards was regarded as one of England’s bright young things a few years ago, but he lost his way at Eastlands last term making 23 top-flight appearances and his action could well be limited even more this season with the arrival of Jerome Boateng from Hamburg. He is expected to cement a place at the heart of City’s defence meaning Richards could be tempted to move elsewhere.
Hodgson doesn’t have a huge transfer budget and Richards won’t be allowed to leave on the cheap, but he is keen to bolster the centre of his defence and sees Richards as the ideal recruit. The 22-year-old is believed to favour a central role and Hodgson is confident of persuading Richards his future lies at Anfield.
Spurs boss Harry Redknapp is also believed to be pondering a move for the player who broke into the City team when he was just 17 years old. Redknapp and Hodgson are both confident they can transform Richards into a top-class defender.
July 19, 2010
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