Everton fans are pleading with their club to sign Jamaal Lascelles, after the Newcastle captain said he was impressed by the Toffees.
Theo Walcott’s second half goal grabbed all three points for the Toffees on Monday night, as Allardyce’s side edged out Newcastle without ever stepping out of first gear.
The match was a scrappy, turgid affair, rescued only by Walcott’s moment of composure, but Jamaal Lascelles seems to have been impressed by the Blues’ performance.
“Sometimes you’ve just got to hold your hands up and say fair play to Everton, because we gave our all,” the Newcastle defender said after his side’s 1-0 defeat at Goodison.
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“They started the game really well and made it hard for us. We struggled to get out of our own half at times.”
Lascelles’ comments have certainly got the attention of Everton fans, who are now pleading with their club to make a move for the 24 year-old.
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The former Nottingham Forest man has developed not just into a fine defender but a fine leader under Rafael Benitez, and he would certainly make a brilliant partnership with the ever-improving Michael Keane.
Some of the best Twitter reactions can be found below…
Raheem Sterling has been stalling on his Liverpool contract for quite a while now. It’s a saga that has run and run, and doesn’t look like ending until the summer.
His interview with the BBC is telling in many different ways.
He doesn’t want to be seen as ‘money-grabbing’, he doesn’t talk about cars and houses, and all he wants to do is win trophies.
Fair enough.
But when you’re turning down a £100,000 a week contract, it’s hard not to see it as a little bit money-grabbing.
Let’s look at it from a pure performance point of view, though.
Sterling is only 20 years-old. He has a whole playing career in front of him, and is one of the hottest properties in the Premier League. He still has 2 years left on his £35,000 a week contract at Liverpool, who are very much a club on the up right now.
They haven’t managed to kick on in terms of league position last season, but a poor start as they dealt with the departure of Suarez and the injury to Sturridge looks to have stopped them from claiming a Champions League place for next season again. They lost to Manchester United and a defeat at Arsenal on Saturday would make Champions League qualification very difficult indeed. In fact, it would give Southampton and Tottenham below the chance to pip them to even a Europa League place.
So although Liverpool are starting to gel after buying so many players and having to replace a player of the calibre of Suarez, they look like they still have some climbing to do before they actually get to the top.
If they are to get there, Sterling will be crucial to their rise, and that’s why Liverpool are prepared to offer a 20 year-old such an astronomical wage.
But, if we take him at face value, it’s the rise to the top that Sterling is worried about.
He wants to win trophies, and that’s fair enough. Most players do, and to have played with someone like Steven Gerrard who has lifted aloft the Champions League trophy must surely inspire a young player – especially one who is tipped for such big things.
But even if he isn’t ‘money-grabbing’, when he turns down such a big contract he certainly runs the risk of being seen that way.
Liverpool, despite their poor start, look certain to be able to build on this year’s success – this calendar year – in a way that they couldn’t last time. If Sterling wants trophies, he should take the contract and help Liverpool win the FA Cup this season for a start. And if he doesn’t leave the club won’t need to replace another star this summer.
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Liverpool are very much a team looking up the table, and eyeing success everywhere over the next few years. They have a young team, and one that is starting to show just how good it is right now, never mind the potential of the youngsters on display.
If Sterling really does want to win trophies, he could do a lot worse than to stay at Liverpool and help them win a few.
Put in some good performances at a club that doesn’t win trophies and you can guarantee a young player with the skill and potential of Sterling will get a move to a club that does win them, and the big contract will surely follow too. Sterling can have it all, but he needs to keep his head down and play – otherwise he will be tarred as ‘money-grabbing’, and trophies may be harder to come by than they are now.
Last week’s Champions League match between Manchester United and Real Madrid was destined to provide a bounty of high profile headlines. The match didn’t disappoint.
Hours before the players took the pitch, the first of many heated debates started. Some fans were fuming over Sir Alex Ferguson’s decision to keep Wayne Rooney out of the starting XI, while others trusted their legendary manager.
However, fans quickly forgot this seemingly trivial managerial decision in the 56th minute. The turning point of the star-studded match did not come from either squad, but rather referee Cuneyt Cakir. His decision to show Nani a questionable red card transformed the momentum at Old Trafford. United, who held a 1-0 lead at the time, would concede twice in the next 13 minutes.
When the final whistle blew, the score was 2-1. Manchester United was eliminated from Champions League play, and the debate began. Was Cuneyt Cakir right to send off Nani?
After a week of polling, FootballFanCast.com readers have spoken. The fans have decided the red card was unwarranted. The debate was close with 54% disagreeing, with Cakir’s call and 46% supporting the referee’s decision to send Nani off.
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Manchester fan Karl Kjærvik suggested Real Madrid’s Alvaro Arbeloa was the guilty player in the collision. He commented, “Nani watched the ball – Arbeloa came in partly from behind. He saw the situation coming up and could have avoided it.”
Tim Finnie, a Manchester City fan, argued it was irresponsible for the referee to play such a large role in a highly anticipated match. He sympathised with City’s fierce rivals, commenting “The referee has to think about the game that is being played. It was United against Real Madrid. how often does that happen? Do I want to destroy the spectacle that is this game? Having looked at the incident many times, I do not think Nani should have been red carded.”
Akinola Aleke represented the minority decision and fully supported the referee’s decision, commenting “It’s a straight red, Nani’s spikes were up.”
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As reported by The Scottish Sun, former Celtic boss Gordon Strachan has back Leigh Griffiths to shine in this weekend’s massive derby against Rangers, if he’s selected by Brendan Rodgers.
What’s the story?
Returning to goalscoring form against Hamilton at the weekend, Leigh Griffiths again looks fit, healthy and ready to shine on the big stage after a frustrating couple of months out with a calf injury.
He could be in line for a start in this weekend’s Scottish Cup semi-final and former Hoops manager Gordon Strachan, who also managed Leigh Griffiths when in charge of Scotland, believes he can get the job done.
As quoted by The Scottish Sun, Strachan said of Griffiths potentially being selected:
Of course there’s a case for Griff. He’s never let them down when he’s played. You can say in terms of defending and attacking set-plays you lose a bit of height, but actually in free play, when the ball goes in the box, he’s good in the air.
He’s become far better in the air over the last three or four years. You need to be brave to do that.
He’s come on brilliantly in that regard. Big games, they might go for power but Griff gives you something else.
When you play him, I think you are guaranteed four shots a game, unless you’re playing someone exceptional like a Barcelona.
With a similar scoring record to Moussa Dembele this season, is he the man Rodgers should turn to on derby day?
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Dembele’s Day
Closing in on 100 career goals for the Hoops, Griffiths is on the verge of becoming the first striker to reach that milestone since John Hartson and like Strachan says, has rarely let down his team.
Despite his obvious attributes and contribution over the years, Moussa Dembele is still the prime choice if only one of them start the game and the Frenchman may be better served with creative talent like Patrick Roberts and Tom Rogic around him.
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Dembele’s all round game is still superior and unluckily for Griffiths both Dembele and the Scotland international seem to have been injured and fit at the same times this season.
Off the bench Griffiths could pose a threat on Sunday, just like last season at Hampden when he set-up a winner for Dembele in the semi-final of the League Cup against the Light Blues.
Paul Scholes – now working as a TV pundit after eventually calling an end to his time as a player – has become the latest high profile figure to test the nerve of Arsene Wenger, according to reports from the Mirror.
The recently retired Old Trafford midfielder has been one of several this season to aim criticism at current Arsenal and Germany star Mesut Ozil, for his perceived lack of effort in big games for Arsenal this season. Whilst widespread opinion maybe split over the creative play-maker, Paul Scholes has nonetheless made his opinion clear.
The former England international has claimed that; “Since he [Ozil] has been there you cannot doubt his quality but at times he looks like he is going through the motions, however much ground he covers.
“At Real Madrid he had a chance of winning league titles. At Arsenal that is not on the cards.”
In expected defence of his £42 million World Cup winner however, Wenger has been quick to counter-act the former Manchester United man;
“I think a player like Paul Scholes would have loved to play with Mesut Ozil.
“Having said that, I believe about Ozil it’s a wrong statement [from Scholes]. He works very hard and he’s a great player.
“You can be cheated a little bit by his style of play, because he is fluent, easy, subtle and he does not look like he puts the effort in, but he does.”
Such discussion comes in the build up to Arsenal’s dramatic FA Cup tie with Manchester United this Monday – a match that could potentially see the Gunners extent their run in the competition, and maybe even defend their trophy in the process.
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If such a notion does in-fact take place, Mesut Ozil’s critics will largely be silenced to the widespread joy of the Emirates faithful.
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There’s eight fixtures left in the Premier League and, while the title is more than decided in Manchester United’s favour, the race for fourth place promises a thrilling end to the season, with Spurs, Chelsea and Arsenal fighting it out for the two places the Mancunian teams will leave among the top-four. Benitez, Wenger and Villas-Boas’ sides remain confident to achieve the goal, but one of them will fail in their aspirations.
Missing out on Champions League football next season will be a failure for any of the three teams given their current circumstances, but for which one of them would fifth place mean the biggest loss?
We have seen almost everything in football and, of course, there is still a chance that Roberto Mancini’s squad could see their Champions League dreams vanish, but that would be such a shock that no one would argue they are the team that have more to lose. Taking City out of the equation, then, which one of the remaining trio could face the biggest disaster?
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The current table sees Arsenal in fifth place, but taking a look at the remaining fixtures, Wenger’s boys should be the ones obtaining most points out of the games left to be played. The Emirates still has to host the leaders, United, and Europa League-pursuers, Everton, but home wins are a must at this stage. Besides, Alex Ferguson’s side could already visit the Gunners as league champions – a scenario that could tip the balance in The Gunners’ favour.
Victories against mid-table teams – West Brom and Fulham – are also an obligation, and the clashes against bottom-three teams – Wigan and QPR – at the end of the season could be the real threat should those squads still hold any hopes of survival in the Premier League.
Chelsea and Tottenham have a more complicated calendar ahead, starting by a crunch game between each other at Stamford Bridge that could have a decisive influence on the final outcome. Apart from that, the Blues will have to visit the always complicated grounds of Anfield and Old Trafford, while Spurs will have to make the most of the visits from Everton and City to White Hart Lane.
Arsenal are the team with the least amount of points at the moment, but a relatively favourable calendar should neutralise that gap and give the Gunners certain advantage to finish among the top-four, and the fact that the squad is out of every other competition should somehow be reflected in the final amount of points they gain during the final stretch. Tottenham and Chelsea are still alive in the Europa League, and the Blues have to add in The FA Cup semi-final – at least – to their busy schedule.
Looking at the consequences of failing to reach the Champions League, the ability to secure signings in order to be competitive in the next season could considerably affect the three clubs. Chelsea are aiming to sign big names this summer, with Radamel Falcao as the main target, but the Colombian might not see Stamford Bridge as an attractive destiny if the current champions fail to qualify for Europe. Also, managerial target Jose Mourinho would surely not feel quite like The Special One if he had to play in the Europa League next season.
Spurs’ main concern on that front will be keeping Gareth Bale in the squad. With the flying winger being tracked by Real Madrid and other European giants, Champions League football will be needed to retain the Welshman at White Hart Lane. Even if the club received an irresistible offer for the 21-year-old, a top-four finish will be crucial to luring stars like Gonzalo Higuain to N17.
Arsenal, for its part, seem determined to strengthen the squad by taking the cheque book out and proceeding to make a big investment while keeping a number of key players. However, the doors to big signings could close should the Champions League anthem not sound through The Emirates’ speakers next season.
Beyond signing prospects and the financial wealth that top European football brings, every fan will surely find reasons to think their team need to qualify for the Champions League more than any other. For Arsenal fans, failing to do so after fifteen consecutive seasons would be a major disaster, and the section of fans against Wenger would increase considerably. Chelsea supporters would probably wonder once again why Di Matteo was sacked with the team in third place to end up the season fifth, while the Spurs crowd would be gutted to see the fall of a team that have delivered the best football in years, at the time they ask themselves what else is needed to finish above Arsenal for once since 1995?
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From a neutral perspective we could arguably say Chelsea are the team with more to lose. They are the reigning champions in Europe, their transfer aspirations could badly be reduced by the top-four failure, and the fact that it happened after sacking a manager idolised by the fans in the middle of the season could turn the fans’ anger towards the highest echelons of the club.
Arsenal and Tottenham fans will surely disagree, as drama is always more potent when it hits you closely, but for now, let’s leave the debate open, enjoy the end of the season and leave the tears – of joy and sorrow – for May 19th.
New Southampton manager Mark Hughes will look to pick up his first Premier League win in his first top flight match in charge of the south coast outfit when they face fellow strugglers West Ham United in a potentially season-defining clash at the London Stadium on Saturday.
A 3-0 defeat against Newcastle United at St James’ Park in their previous top flight clash saw Mauricio Pellegrino relieved of his duties and has left Saints in 18th position and two points from safety with eight matches of the season remaining.
Hughes did triumph on his bow as he guided his side through to an FA Cup semi-final tie against Chelsea as they beat League One high-flyers Wigan Athletic at the DW Stadium prior to the international break, and the Welshman will hope that result will have brought some much-needed confidence to the squad.
The 54-year-old will know the tough challenge that lies ahead of him considering his team still have to come up against Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City during the run-in, and he will know that realistically the encounter against the Irons is must-win.
Saints may fancy their chances against the club that lie one place and two points above them in the table too, considering David Moyes’ men have lost three successive Premier League matches by a three-goal margin, while they suffered crowd trouble in the 3-0 defeat to Burnley at the London Stadium last time out.
Hughes went with a 4-4-2 system instead of the commonly-used 4-2-3-1 formation against the Latics and made two changes with Sofiane Boufal and Manolo Gabbiadini coming into the starting XI in place of Nathan Redmond and James Ward-Prowse, and he may be considering making further alterations to his XI on Saturday.
Here is how Southampton must line up when they face West Ham, ahead of Alex McCarthy in goal…
Southampton have started with the same settled back four for much of 2018, and if the quartet are all fit then they should be in the XI at the London Stadium.
While Wesley Hoedt and Jack Stephens remained at Staplewood during the international break, Cedric Soares flew off for international duty with Portugal, and while he featured against Egypt on Friday he didn’t play a single minute of his country’s 3-0 friendly defeat against the Netherlands on Monday, and should have returned unscathed.
There could be some doubt over Ryan Bertrand’s participation at the London Stadium however given that he pulled out of the England squad with a minor back problem, with Sam McQueen the 28-year-old’s likely replacement if he doesn’t make it.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Mario Lemina have got the nod in the middle of the park ahead of Oriol Romeu in Southampton’s previous two matches, and Mark Hughes has another big decision to make in what is such a huge clash against West Ham.
While Lemina is probably a certain starter because of how good he is on the ball and his ability to bring it forward, the 54-year-old manager could be tempted to bring the more defensively aware Romeu in alongside the Gabon international at the London Stadium.
That would be harsh on Hojbjerg, who received great praise from the fans for his Wigan display, after he really stepped up against Wigan last time and scored his first goal for the club however, and Hughes should stick with the duo in centre, once again flanked by two of the club’s main creators in Sofiane Boufal and Dusan Tadic out wide.
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Hughes went with club-record signing Guido Carrillo and Manolo Gabbiadini up top against Wigan, but he should look to take both out of the starting XI for the trip to face David Moyes’ men.
The former failed to make much of an impact at all at the DW Stadium and is without a goal in his opening nine games for the club, while the latter looks shot of confidence after missing a decent one-on-one chance and then seeing his penalty well saved by Christian Walton in the Latics goal.
Southampton fans will hope that top goalscorer Charlie Austin is fit enough to start after recovering from a hamstring injury, while Hughes should start Shane Long next to him with the Republic of Ireland international able to press and put pressure on a West Ham defence that has conceded 11 goals in their last three Premier League matches.
Arsenal look odds on to finish in the top four this season, having turned their Premier League form around since a damaging defeat to Southampton on New Years Day.
Arsene Wenger’s men have lost just once since then – although that was to a Harry Kane inspired Tottenham at White Hart Lane – and now have their sights set on a Premier League runners up spot.
It has not been the ideal season for the Gunners however, with a title challenge doomed by October, and a shock Champions League exit at the hands of Monaco earlier in the month.
Arsenal still look a long way off the standards they set more than a decade ago, when they became the only season to manage a Premier League season unbeaten.
We have a feeling that few of the stars of that season may well pop up in the best Arsenal XI of the 21st century.
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Click on Arsene Wenger to reveal the best Arsenal XI of the 21st century
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Jens Lehmann
The German goalkeeper is often remembered for his childish antics on the pitch, so it is easy to forget just how good he was for Arsenal.
Lehmann was the man in goal for that historic unbeaten season in 2003-04, whilst his performances during 2005-06 were particularly outstanding as Arsenal made the Champions League final.
He was unfortunate to be harshly sent off against Barcelona in that final in Paris, but his penalty save in stoppage time against Villarreal in the semi final is what got the Gunners to that position in the first place.
Lauren
Football – Stock 04/05 , 26/12/04Lauren – Arsenal Mandatory Credit: Action Images / Andrew Couldridge
Signed as a midfielder originally in the summer of 2000, Cameroon star Lauren would go on to become a key player for the Gunners in the successful years that followed.
He made his home debut in crunch clash with Liverpool at Highbury, where it took less than 10 minutes for him to open his account as the Gunners went on to a 2-0 victory.
Lauren eventually ended up at right back, where he was a fixture in the Arsenal side that won the double in 2001/02 and the ‘Invincibles’ team of 2003/04.
A crucial match winning penalty against Tottenham will also be remembered as one of his Arsenal highlights.
Sol Campbell
Football – Arsenal v FC Barcelona – UEFA Champions League Final – Stade de France, St Denis – 05/06 – 17/5/06Arsenal’s Sol Campbell celebrates after scoring the first goal with team mates Emmanuel Eboue and Ashley ColeMandatory Credit: Action Images / Alex Morton
In his prime, Sol Campbell was considered the first defender on the team sheet for both club and country.
Commanding, physical and a leader, it could be argued the Gunners have not had a centre back to replace him sufficiently since he left the club.
A key member of two title winning sides under Arsene Wenger – including the invincible side of 2003-04 – Campbell was also just minutes away from writing his name into Arsenal history with what would have been a winning goal against Barcelona in a Champions League final, had the Catalan’s not managed a late turnaround in the 2006 final in Paris.
Kolo Toure
Another player originally signed as a midfielder by Arsene Wenger, Kolo Toure endeared himself to Gunners supporters with a goal against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge during his first season.
He would go on to form an excellent centre back partnership with Sol Campbell, and become one of the most popular players at the club with his consistent and passionate displays, as well as his infectious personality.
Toure also earnt the club some big money with his transfer to Manchester City in 2009, having made over 200 Premier League appearances during seven years in north London.
Ashley Cole
No doubt an unpopular choice given the way in which Cole departed Arsenal for bitter rivals Chelsea.
Never-the-less, the former England international was exceptional during the time in which he played for the Gunners, and was a key player during the 2003-04 invincibles season.
Arsenal have not had a better right back since his departure.
Robert Pires
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The Frenchman was one of the top wingers in the game for a few years before injuries took their toll.
His pace and trickery down the flanks were crucial to Arsenal’s style of play in the early 2000’s, whilst he had a habit of scoring plenty of important goals – some of which were spectacular.
He will surely be remembered as one of the bargains of the Premier League era, with Arsene Wenger paying just £6million to secure his services.
Patrick Vieira
The French midfielder will be considered one of the best foreign imports the Premier League has ever seen.
Captain of the invincibles in 2003/04, Vieira typified everything the modern day midfielder should be.
A natural leader in the middle of the park, Arsenal have not had a player quite like him since he left for Juventus in the summer of 2005.
He was a key member of the title winning side of 2002 also, whilst his last kick in an Arsenal shirt was the winning penalty against Manchester United in the 2005 FA Cup final – not a bad way to bow out.
Gilberto Silva
The World Cup winner proved to be another piece of inspired transfer business by Arsene Wenger, signing for the Gunners in the summer of 2002, and making an immediate impression with the winner against Liverpool in that summer’s Charity Shield.
Goal-scoring was not the Brazilian’s forte however, as he went on to become an outstanding defensive midfielder for the Gunners.
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Often an unsung hero, Gilberto was highly thought of by teammates, his manager and the supporters, and it could be argued he has never been properly replaced.
Freddie Ljungberg
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The man for the big occasion.
Nobody played a bigger part in Arsenal’s double success of 2002 than the Swedish midfielder, whilst his spectacular goal against Chelsea in the FA Cup final win that season will be remembered as one of his best moments.
His habit of coming up with a crucial goal at a crucial time is what Arsenal have been missing this season, with too many league draws proving costly during the first half of the season, and a lack of big characters producing big moments in tight matches.
Robin van Persie
Football – Arsenal v Sparta Prague – UEFA Champions League Third Qualifying Round Second Leg – Emirates Stadium – London – England – 07/08 , 29/8/07Robin Van Persie – Arsenal dejectedMandatory Credit: Action Images / Scott Heavey
Similarly to Ashley Cole, Robin van Persie will not be a popular choice amongst Arsenal fans when you consider the way in which he left the club for Manchester United.
Having signed him in 2004 however, van Persie developed into the best striker in the Premier League during his time with the Gunners, firing 96 goals in 194 league appearances.
He was often the driving force for the Gunners, and captained the side for his final two seasons, before recouping £20million for the club with his switch to Old Trafford.
Thierry Henry
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Saving the best until last.
Surely the greatest striker in Arsenal’s history and perhaps even the Premier League era.
Henry scored all kinds of wonderful goals, helped Arsenal to league titles, FA Cup’s and a Champions League Final and left as their record goal scorer.
Not bad for a player who cost just £12 million from Juventus back in 2000.
The Premier League have confirmed that clubs will be punished with a points deduction if they are to breach new financial regulations which are to be put in place.
No team will be allowed to have a loss of over £105million over a three year period and must limit their wage bills from next season.
“If people break the £105millon limit we will look for the top-end ultimate sanction range – a points deduction,” Premier League boss Richard Scudamore told BBC Sport.
The plans come in to improve financial sustainability for clubs and will be modelled on the Financial Fair Play regulations set by UEFA for sides in European competitions.
The Premier League are set to be more lenient however, as the FFP only allows a loss of £38million, substantially smaller than the £105million set out by the English top flight.
Agreeing to cost controls is a major move for Premier League clubs who made an accumulative loss of £361million in 2010-2011.
“As with all things in our rulebook, you will be subject to a disciplinary commission,” the Premier League chief executive added.
“Normally we stay silent on sanctions as the commission has a free range but clearly if there is a material breach of that rule we will be asking the commission to consider top-end sanctions.”
By putting in these guidelines it will hopefully allow clubs to perform on a more sound financial position, eradicating scenarios such as Leeds and Portsmouth where clubs operated out of their means ultimately ending bankrupt.
The decision will certainly spark interest from Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool, the only clubs in the Premier League to report a loss of more than the £105million over the last three years.
The vote to put the financial regulations in place couldn’t have been any closer, with 13 out of the 20 clubs voting in favour, triggering the two thirds majority vote.
Fulham, West Brom, Manchester City, Aston Villa, Swansea and Southampton voted against the regulations. Chelsea who were reported to vote against it eventually voted in favour.
While there is a limit in place, Scudamore believes it won’t stop major investment to improve club squads.
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“A new owner can still invest a decent amount of money to improve their club but they are not going to be throwing hundreds and hundreds of millions [of pounds] in a very short period of time.
“I think at £105m you can still build a very decent club with substantial owner funding but you have to do it over time, not in a season.”
By bringing in these new regulations we might see a league operated on a leveller playing field making for a much more open Premier League while bringing in the threat of a points deduction will make teams severely think about breaking the new regulations.
As reported by The Daily Mail, Aston Villa are interested in signing Kilmarnock winger Jordan Jones this summer.
What’s the story?
Whether the Villans gain promotion to the English Premier League this season or not, Steve Bruce’s task this summer will be building a team capable of competing at that level.
No doubt plans are already being made and targets identified ahead of the transfer window opening.
One player that could make the move to Villa Park is Kilmarnock winger Jordan Jones.
That’s according to The Daily Mail, who say that Aston Villa had scouts to watch the player in action on international duty recently, with his performance against South Korea said to be impressive enough for the club to put him on their summer shortlist, rivalling Brighton & Hove Albion.
Rated at £450,000 by Transfermarkt and with just a year left on his contract, he’s well within reach of Steve Bruce, but is he the right kind of signing to either boost their Premier League squad or help them gain promotion next season?
Good enough?
There’s no doubt that Jones has shown impressive form in the Scottish Premiership this season under Steve Clarke at Kilmarnock, good enough to be rewarded with international caps for Northern Ireland.
With four goals and seven assists, he’s been a stand-out in the division on the left flank.
However, is that a goal contribution good enough to match where Villa want to be next season? Whether in the top-flight or pushing for promotion, they need to think about bringing elite players to the club and the jury is out on whether Jones is that or not.
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At 23 years of age he is still fairly early in his career and has failed to make an impact at Middlesbrough previously.
Steve Bruce may see potential in him, but Villa need to find the finished product.