Joshua McEachran and Ryan Bertrand sign long-term deals with Chelsea
“It is good to be offered this sort of contract. It is what I wished for when I was a kid and hopefully I will spend my career at Chelsea. I have wanted to do that since I was a kid, since I joined when I was eight years old. It will be good if I do but I need to keep working. This season my target is just to play more minutes. Hopefully I will play more games and keep improving.” – McEachran
“I can see the manager is young and hungry and wants to take the club forward so I want to be part of that and I thought it was best for me to stay. Obviously Ashley [Cole] is number one left- back but hopefully I can get a game here and there. It gave me a lot of confidence that I can play for Chelsea and I’m aiming to get a few more games. I hope to stay here this season and hopefully catch the manager’s eye.” – Bertrand
THT Verdict: After a youth exodus to Hamburg, its good to see Chelsea reward two of their brightest prospects with long term deals. In January this year, Gael Kakuta had signed a deal, and now its Josh’s and Ryan’s turn. McEachran was a relevation last season, as the then 17-year old midfielder played quite a few times for the first team, impressing each time he touched the ball. In his age group, he plays as an attacking midfielder further up the pitch, while Ancelotti preferred to play him much deeper. He would be looking to cement his place in the first team, if not this season then surely in the next. On the other hand, Bertrand has spent most of his professional career on loan, as Ashley Cole had made the left-back position his own. However, Ashley wont be around forever and it will come down to the young Englishman and Van Aanholt, who had also previously signed a new deal, to fight it out for the left back slot. Bertrand began his career as a left winger, and we may see him play for that position for Chelsea in future. However, for that to happen, the player would have to continue to impress and be in the recckoning.
Juventus closing in on Giuseppe Rossi
Juventus is reportedly offering a deal worth 25 million Euros and Sissoko or Felipe Melo for the Villareal striker.
THT Verdict: Rossi seems to be a contingent plan after missing out on Aguero and Juventus must be careful in not overpaying for him. A deal in 30-32 million Euros will be fair. However, paying 25 million and letting Felipe Melo leave will be a big mistake.
Villa Agree Given Fee
According to Skysports, Aston Villa have agreed a fee with Manchester City for the transfer of Shay Given
THT Verdict: A good move by Villa. Given was pushed to the sidelines due to injury but could not make a comeback due to Joe Hart’s fantastic form for City. However, the 35 year old will now have a chance to go out there and prove himself once again.
Lukaku Edges Closer to Chelsea Move
News breaking out in the media is that Anderlecht officials have flown to London to finalize a transfer for Romelu Lukaku. Chelsea have reportedly tabled a bid of 20 million pounds for the player.
THT Verdict: Likely. Now that Falcao has signed a contract extension, those rumors will die down. Anyway, there was no place for a 30m target man who would have demanded a starting place, considering the presence of Torres and Drogba. However, a 15m move for an talented 18 year old centre forward who is a self confessed Chelsea fan and has modeled his game on Drogba. This transfer has been due for a long time and should be settled once and for all. Lukaku would not demand a starting place on the first team immediately and can be slowly made a part of the setup. Once Drogba and Anelka leave, which they will either this year or next, Chelsea will have Torres, Lukaku, Sturridge and Kalou as strikers – a good and versatile forward pool.
Blackburn Sign Argentine Ace
Former River Plate striker Mariano Pavone has agreed to join Blackburn Rovers on a free transfer, according to Sky.
The player bought out his contract with Real Betis which made him a free agent prior to his move to Ewood Park.
Juventus Join Tevez Chase
According to Skysports, Juventus are the latest club to be linked with Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez. The club is believed to have made a mammoth bid of 45 million pounds for the player.
THT Verdict: For 45 million pounds Aguero himself will be available. While Tevez’s quality is beyond doubt he is a ticking time bomb. There is no guarantee that after one season Tevez wont suddenly start feeling home sick or decide switching to one of Juve’s bitter rivals. If Juve is trying to invest 45 m on a player, the club should invest on one that guarantees service for next 2-3 season. Tevez, sadly, doesn’t.
Villa Line Up N’Zogbia Swoop
Aston Villa have official lodged a 10 million pound bid for Wigan winger Charles N’Zogbia after the Latics raised his asking price to over 9 million.
THT Verdict: Likely. N’Zogbia would prove a good replacement for Downing and Aston Villa have the wherewithal to buy the player now. It remains to be seen if Wigan will actually let go of the player.
Taarabt Heading To France
QPR midfielder Adel Taarabt is edging closer to PSG, according to his agent. Taarabt, a former Tottenham player, was instrumental in QPR’s campaign last season and helped the club secure promotion to top flight football. The player was believed to be targeted by several clubs across Europe but it now looks like PSG have taken a lead on the player.
THT Verdict: A good move for Taarabt. PSG are on the cusp of what can be regarded as a financial revolution after being taken over by Qatari owners and anyone who would be a part of their rebuilding process will surely be a vital player.
Borussia Dortmund Quash Nicklas Bendtner Talk
Bundesliga champions have poured cold water on any rumoured interest that they had on Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner.
THT Verdict: Dortmund have already signed a host players for the new season. Even though they lack an out and out forward apart from Barrios, they have Lewandowski and La Tellec who could easily fit in the team in a supporting role up front. Moreover, Bendtner’s price tag is another put off for the German champions. So, considering all aspects, it is a good decision taken by the Dortmund management to stay away from this deal.
Downing To Anfield & Now Cole to Villa?
Shortly after letting go of Stewart Downing to Liverpool, Aston Villa are now on the look out for a replacement and are reportedly interested in Liverpool’s Joe Cole.
THT Verdict: A sensible move from both perspectives. Joe Cole is one of those players forming part of the dead wood roster at Anfield and it is no secret that the club wants to offload the player. The only roadblock that Villa might hit is his wage demands. Cole was earning 90,000 per week as of last season and if his demands are still as high then it would be difficult for the Villans to bag a deal.
Falcao Signs New Deal With Porto
Columbian striker Radamel Falcao has quashed any chance that Chelsea might have had of landing him by signing a new contract with Porto which takes his release cause to 39.4 million pounds from 26.2 million.
It was widely reported that Falcao was a prime target for the Blues and many believed that the player would favour a move to the Bridge in order to reunite with his former manager but Chelsea will have to shell out much more if they are to bring in their target which seems unlikely.