No sense of a quiet January in football, even if the FA Cup doesn't excite as much as the Premier League these days. It really has been straight into one of the most relentlessly busy periods, and that's without actual transfers happening yet. The last week has seen two managerial sackings in the Premier League, two big Carabao Cup games and what appears to be an open market at Manchester United. And there is, of course, much more to all that behind the scenes... |
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| Written by Miguel Delaney |
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We wrote last week that Arsenal want a forward and that continues to be the case, but it of course stems from ongoing issues in attack. While the entire project is obviously on course, it is like Mikel Arteta's side have gone through a slight regression due to multiple issues, but also a recent focus on defensive players rather than attackers. That has had considerable effect, that we discuss here. |
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With United willing to look at all offers, they can look to Arsenal |
Arteta can still pride himself on how far he has come, in contrast to Sunday's rivals. One of the stories of the week - and, potentially, the year - has been the news that Manchester United are open to listening to offers for virtually any player, but there are a few dimensions to that. One is the sheer difficulty the club now have in player trading, after a build-up of multiple issues over years. Another is Ruben Amorim wanting to totally overhaul the dressing. Arsenal went through all of this five years ago, so there are lessons you can read about here. |
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A West Ham-Everton merry-go-round |
There was considerable surprise at the timing of Sean Dyche's departure, and not just because of the old-fashioned way that it came just hours before a match. Everton had been considered strong contenders to lure Graham Potter back to work, with many thinking it was close to a done deal. That's why it was all the more striking that they finally acted on Dyche - after a lot of rumours for weeks, and especially the last few days - on the day after Potter was confirmed at West Ham United. Many insiders believe that the reason the London club gave him a longer contract, when the initial intention was for a short-term deal until the end of the season, was because he had the alternative option of Goodison Park. There, Everton have been talking to West Ham's last manager before Julen Lopetegui and their own former boss: David Moyes. As regards Lopetegui, he is understood to be unimpressed by how the last few days played out. |
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The window not yet prised open, but handles are being opened |
No major transfers have yet happened but there are some movements to try and make things happen. Chelsea do indeed have interest in Kobbie Mainoo, but his preference is naturally to stay at Manchester United. It would take a huge fee, close to £100m, to test that. The asking price for Alejandro Garnacho isn't quite so high, with the player having been mentioned in talks between United and Paris Saint-Germain over Nuno Mendes. The Old Trafford club are a way off his fee and wages, unless they sell of course. Marcus Rashford has fielded a lot of loan interest, with Borussia Dortmund among the strongest. Manchester City want a forward alongside at least two other signings and, should the move for Eintracht Frankfurt's Omar Marmoush fall apart, some believe that tentative interest in Aston Villa's Jhon Duran could be strengthened. One of the early 'sagas' is Chelsea's attempt to resign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace. There is currently a huge gap - understood to be around £25m - between the two clubs' valuations, especially with the centre-half only having 18 months left on his contract. Chelsea would likely need sales to up that, and West Ham are interested in Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. They are also one of a number of Premier League clubs - as well as PSG - alert to the sudden possibility of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia leaving Napoli. Manchester United and Liverpool are looking but the reality is anyone would be keen if it is a live option. |
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The FA Cup third round is always a bit double-edged in terms of journalists and the games they cover. The greatest attractions tend to be the vintage mismatches - preferably where a Premier League club has to go away from home to a fourth-tier or non-league side - but the problem is that they are only interesting as long as the wealthier team is kept at bay. One goal is usually sufficient to turn these classic ties into immediately forgettable wins. Then you suddenly find yourself covering a match no one really cares about any more, other than as regards the financial impact for the lower club. Of course, that's also why upsets are so uplifting: they're rare. |
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| The temptation is to give it to Alexander Isak for the second week in a row, but a sense of variety and also the player's performance means it's Archie Gray. He was so composed in Tottenham Hotspur's Carabao Cup win over Liverpool, something all the more impressive given his mere 18 years and the context. Spurs were under huge pressure, with so many players out, and badly needed assurance. Gray offered it. |
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| Manchester United surprised everyone last week - including this section - but I expect a bit of momentum to continue. There'll be a boost from the 2-2 draw at Liverpool, and it looks like it might suit Ruben Amorim to play better teams right now. With Arsenal also likely to change a lot of players amid an intense schedule, the chance is there for United to claim a big win. |
Every week I'll make one prediction or talking point for the week. Feel free to email in with thoughts. |
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In the Premier League era, 12 managers have taken over the same club twice, with at least one of those serving as a permanent or interim role. Name the 12 managers and clubs. Note: one of the appointments can have been a caretaker but not all of them. All of the spells have to have involved Premier League fixtures - so Kenny Dalglish's first period at Liverpool doesn't count, for example. |
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