Key events
“Rodri should have been sent off at least twice yesterday,” says Titan Tempura Ox, “so in my opinion he should shut his wonderfully talented pie hole, please and thank you.”
The desire to blame biased officiating for bussing a 2-0 lead against Spurs is bizarre.
I’m looking forward to seeing how Jacquet goes because he comes with such a high reputation. We’ll need to remind ourselves that progress is often not linear, and he’s not necessarily a signing for next season, but for those which comes after. At some point, though, he might well become one fo the best centre-backs around.
Andy Hunter
Liverpool’s £60m deal for Jeremy Jacquet (£55m plus £5m in add-ons) is in keeping with long-held plans to rebuild their central defence with some of the most promising young talent in Europe. Leny Yoro and Dean Huijsen – who Liverpool missed out on – and Giovanni Leoni, who did arrive at Anfield last summer but whose debut season has been ruined by an ACL injury, were also part of that strategy.
Several young defenders have been signed to the club’s academy in recent weeks too.
Jacquet, the 20-year-old Rennes defender, will undergo his Liverpool medical today and join the club in the summer, when both Ibrahima Konate and Andy Robertson could depart on free transfers.
Liverpool had also tried to sign Lutsharel Geertruida from Sunderland to cover more immediate concerns at right back but a loan deal for the Netherlands international, who played under Arne Slot at Feyenoord, is off. Sunderland were unable to sign the replacement they needed to allow their loan signing from Leipzig to complete the move to Anfield that he wanted.
As things stand, Jacquet is expected to be the only incoming at Liverpool today so Slot will have to make do without an established, recognised right-back until Jeremie Frimpong returns from the groin injury he sustained against Qarabag. Frimpong is likely to be absent for a few weeks.
On SSN, Merse has just said that he doesn’t see Elliot Anderson running the midfield for Forest. I’ve not a clue how one might arrive at that conclusion – he’s in the top few for pretty much every relevant metric.
Jacob Steinberg
Everton had an enquiry for Harry Wilson knocked back by Fulham. The winger has been in stunning form and is out of contract at the end of the season. Fulham obviously don’t want to lose him today but there is plenty of interest. Aston Villa are said to be considering a move for Wilson this summer. Meanwhile Fulham appear to have failed with an attempt to sign PSV striker Ricardo Pepi.
In other Everton news, they are poised to sign Chelsea winger Tyrique George on loan.
“Totally get your point about Glasner,” returns Mark Beadle, “and I think it was a mixture of things, a lot of frustration and emotion and a lot of people didn’t appreciate just how important Guéhi was to the whole club, selling him just before a game was crazy.”
I guess the question remains, but: was he promised funds to strengthen that were then denied him?
Here’s this morning’s Rumour Mill.
Jacob Steinberg
Axel Disasi is heading to West Ham to undergo a medical before joining on loan from Chelsea.
Not directly related to the transfer window, but accusing the ref of not being neutral? I daresay PGMOL will be contacting the authorities, and rightly so.
‘It’s a CLEAR FOUL! They don’t want us to win.’ 😡
Rodri was left absolutely fuming after believing Spurs’ first goal should not have stood.
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“On Liverpool,” begins Alex Ecob, “not forgetting they also lost Darwin Nuñez, and sent Harvey Elliott (who would often sub in for Salah on the rare occasions prior to this season when he was rested) out on loan. They went from having an attacking set of Salah, Gakpo, Diaz, Jota, Nuñez, Chiesa and Elliot to one comprising just Salah, Gakpo and Chiesa (who I adore, but has made no real claim to suggest he should be a regular starter for a top-level team).
I agree the signing of Ekitike and Isaac is a little strange given they’re a similar profile of player in the way they play, and were both bought for big big money but, though nobody was expecting Salah’s drop-off to be quite so sudden, I don’t think you can really argue that the forward line wasn’t in need of massive reinforcement.
The defence clearly needs an overhaul, though we now know that Konate was playing with a lot of personal baggage this season (and had his best game of the season at the weekend), they brought in Kerkez, Frimpong, and Leoni as a young backup, and had Guehi in the welcome sweet before the plug was pulled by Palace
If anything the issue this season has been too much overhaul, rather than not enough.”
I actually think Salah’s drop-off began last season and reminded me a lot – I wrote it at the time, so not being wise after the event – of Robin van Persie in 2012-13. He did enough to secure the title August-January, but was at an age where that level of performance was obviously unsustainable.
Having watched Liverpool last season, the midfield and defence is where I’d have started strengthening, and though full-backs were purchased, they effectively replaced two who were good going forward and not great the other way with more of the same. That being the case made centre-back and midfield in even greater need of reinforcement, and failing to do so is why Liverpool have conceded 33 goals in the league, losing seven matches.
It transpires that Jérémy Jacquet is expected to have his Liverpool medical this morning. After that, he’ll return to Rennes, then join in the summer.
This is an interesting development. Everton is a good place for George to develop, I think, because the vibes are nice and he’ll get a run of games. I’m keen to see how he gets on.
Andy Hunter
Chelsea forward Tyrique George is expected to undergo a medical at Everton today before a proposed loan move to Merseyside.
The 19-year-old enjoyed a breakthrough season at Stamford Bridge under Enzo Maresca last year and almost joined Fulham for £22m in September. That deal collapsed, however, and George has been limited to only 11 first team appearances this season. Everton have agreed a deal in principle to sign George on loan with an option to buy in the summer.
David Moyes has been looking to strengthen in attack and at right back this month but the Chelsea academy product is viewed as a potential replacement for Jack Grealish, who is expected to miss the remainder of the season with a stress fracture in his foot.
“I’m wondering why Arteta can’t just rummage in the back of the cupboard and find the Norgaard that he allegedly signed last summer,” emails Simon Cherry, “if he needs a filler for the Merino hole? Or is the existence of the forgotten player just a myth?”
Norgaard played nicely in Europe in midweek, I think, but i guess old Artetz wants a different, er, profile. And given where Arsenal now are, six points clear in the league and still in all three cups, chucking just a bit more at things might seem worth doing. Saka aside, he’s been bought two whole teams, pretty much, and if they do win one of the big pots, that depth will be a major reason why.
I’d be interested to see Angel Gomes back in England. I thought he was unfortunate not to get more opportunities at Manchester United because you could see he could play, and at 25 he’s in his prime. More or less, he’d be playing for move in the summer, and will want to prove that physically, he can hack it in the Prem.
Ben Fisher
Leicester City are looking for a new head coach, technical director, chief executive and commercial director. But that isn’t stopping them scouring for players too, with the Championship club keen to dip into the market before the deadline. Jamaal Lascelles, Newcastle’s longstanding club captain, Southampton midfielder Joe Aribo and Manchester City teenager Divine Mukasa are all options being pursued. Leicester are 16th in the second tier and facing a points deduction for allegedly breaching profitability and sustainability rules.
The big deal at Wolves centres on Jorgen Strand Larsen, who is expected to join Crystal Palace in a deal worth up to £48m. For Wolves, that would be £25m profit on the £23m they paid to sign the striker seven months ago. In terms of incomings, Wolves hope to finalise a £9m permanent deal for Southampton striker Adam Armstrong and a loan move for Marseille midfielder Angel Gomes, who has fallen out of favour under Roberto De Zerbi. Wolves retain an interest in Che Adams, the former Southampton striker now of Torino, but the Serie A club are reluctant to sell.
And relatedly:
“The problem with suggesting that Palace should simply have bought more quality players last summer is that there was no way they could have done that and complied with Uefa’s financial rules,” writes Mark Beadle. “They were effectively penalised for winning a trophy as a mid-table club. Anyway, new financial year and a little more wriggle room, let’s see what happens…”
So why was Glasner so upset, alleging abandonment and broken promises?
“The Jacquet signing has something of the Leny Yoro about it,” reckons Kevin Wilson. “I’m not sure either side should be blowing that much money on guys who’ve played a full season of Ligue 1 football. Better to sign someone with a few more seasons under their belts.”
I don’t know about that. Both Yoro and Jacquet are considered elite-level talents and, for what it’s worth, Ligue 1 is probably the next-most physical after the Prem. If clubs don’t sign these players when they’re young, they’re entrusting their development to someone else, then paying loads more for them, if they’ve not already gone elsewhere.
Specifically on Yoro, he’s learning the position – centre-backs take longer to mature than players in other areas of the pitch – but the raw materials are all there.
Jacob Steinberg
West Ham are pushing to complete the loan signing of Chelsea defender Axel Disasi. Talks between the clubs are moving in the right direction but it remains to be seen if the player chooses to go to the London Stadium. West Ham have other centre-back options lined up.
What a player. I don’t think she’ll be short of suitors.
Indeed. Since this time last year, Pep Guardiola has signed an entire XI – with a sub keeper! – for a cost of roughly £500m. He’s earned himself plenty of credit, of course, but third last season, 13 points off the top, now second this, six points behind, makes it fair that questions be asked if neither big pot arrives at the Etihad in May.
Jamie Jackson
From the blue zone of town there is a firmer word that Manchester City will have no major incomings today – as Antoine Semenyo (£62.5m) and Marc Guehi (£20m) have been signed in the window, this is no major surprise.
This is a slightly strange one as he’s a decent player, so why are Brighton sending him away? Perhaps the loan fee is deemed worth it, but the player may be trying to force his way into the Germany World Cup squad, and more game-time, in the Bundesliga, might help him in that regard.
Brajan Gruda joins Leipzig on loan from Brighton until the end of the season
“Is a Red Bull” – dearie me, dearie us.
Ed Aarons
Matt O’Riley looks set to return to the Amex after Marseille agreed to end his season-long loan early.
Bouaddi is meant to be very serious, though I’m not sure where he’d fit in Arsenal’s midfield nor if, given the options he’ll have, he’ll pick a team where he’ll not be behind Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi.
Otherwise, Neves is a good player but slow; he’d not offer the goals Merino somehow has, but he’s a better footballer, likewise Tonali, though I’d be shocked if he could be plucked from Newcastle.
Ed Aarons
A suspected broken foot suffered by Mikel Merino during their defeat to Manchester United last weekend could have major implications for Arsenal’s plans on deadline day. It was confirmed on Sunday evening that the Spain midfielder will have surgery in the coming days and is expected to miss a substantial part of the season, with Mikel Arteta keen to replace the player who has also filled in as a striker in recent months.
He may be regretting allowing Ethan Nwaneri to join Marseille on loan earlier this month but Arsenal have been linked with Ruben Neves – the former Wolves midfielder who is at Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia – and Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali. They are also understood to have targeted Lille teenager Ayyoub Bouaddi, although any move for the 18-year-old is likely to cost in excess of £40m after he signed a new contract in December.
Acheampong would be a decent acquisition if Palace can get him, and I think Ordóñez is also decent, from the little I’ve seen. With Dougie Freedman gone, though, we can’t quite rely on their signings in the way we could previously.
Ed Aarons
Ah, more on Mateta and Palace from our man in the kna.
Jean-Philippe Mateta’s move to Milan is in doubt after complications during his medical on Sunday. The France striker is due to have further assessment from Milan’s doctor this morning in Paris before they decide whether to proceed. It is understood that Palace have no concerns that it may fall through and are still planning to proceed with their £48m move for Jorgen Strand Larsen of Wolves.
Oliver Glasner’s side are also in the market for a centre back to replace Marc Guehi and have seen an offer of £30m for Ecuador international Joel Ordóñez rejected by Club Bruges. They have an interest in Chelsea’s Josh Acheampong.
Email: “It’s not really that odd that Liverpool invested in forwards this summer,” reckons Edward Wheatley, “given that Salah was 32, Diaz went to Bayern (a move he agitated for) and Jota died.”
I don’t see they needed Ekitike and Isak, given the work that needed doing elsewhere – and we’ve seen the results of their summer decisions on the pitch, all season long.
No surprises there, then. Given Casemiro is off and Ugarte not good enough, they need at least two, perhaps three midfielders, and it seems strange that they can’t find one of requisite standard available now – especially with United now ion Champions League contention. If they make the top for or five, it’ll have a huge impact on what they can do in the summer, but by the sounds of things, Carrick will have to make do with what he has – which really, should be enough.
Jamie Jackson
The word emanating from Manchester United is that it is unlikely Michael Carrick will be boosted by any new additions today. As always, never say never, of course, on transfer deadline day.
So what should Palace do with him? Well, he’s technically secure enough to play into and off – they can get the two 10s around him – and if they give him crosses, he can be a big player at the front post.
To replace Mateta, Palace appear to be signing Jørgen Strand Larsen and his one league goal so far this season. For what it’s worth, I think he’s a much better all-round player than Mateta and platformed correctly, might still develop into a really good player.
The centre-forward to whose leaving I refer is Jean-Philippe Mateta. You can’t argue with numbers, I don’t suppose, and he’s done a fairly good job in patches, I just can’t get on board with a striker so bad at finishing one-on-ones. If Milan are seriously prepared to give £30m for a 28-year-old, I’d say thank you very much.
In an effort to save themselves – an effort that ought, perhaps, to have been made in the summer, strengthening a team doing brilliantly to give it a chance of performing both domestically and in Europe – they’ve taken Evann Guessand on loan from Villa. I can’t say I like what I’ve seen so far, but perhaps Oliver Glasner’s system suits him more than Unai Emery’s.
Are Crystal Palace in trouble? They’re nine points above West Ham, who are third bottom, but they’re in woeful form, the captain has left, the centre-forward is likely to, and the manager is off in the summer. Meantime, below them, teams are improving.
Something to read:
And might they begin the process today? Er, probably not, but there may be an outside chance of a loan signing to take a bit of pressure off the wonderful Casemiro. When he came off yesterday, United struggled – yet again – and given he tends to be withdrawn after 60-70 minutes, they could do with a finisher who isn’t Manuel Ugarte.
Similar is so of Manchester United. They couldn’t get the midfielders they wanted – data systems, scouts and a DoF came up with Carlos Baleba, Elliot Anderson and Adam Wharton, incredible knowhow – so sorted the front of the team. And guess what? It’s working. We’ve said this before, over more than a decade now, but surely this is the summer they finally fill the hole that’s been in the middle of the pitch since before Fergie left.
It’s strange, really, that Liverpool spent so much money on forwards last summer, the part of their team that was working, and ignored the midfield and defence, which were not. I guess the way they’ll see it now is that they’re sticked in attack for the next few years – if Isak can stay fit and Wirtz get used to the physicality of the league, and not everything going through him – and they’ve now started overhauling the rest of the squad.
For those wanting to know a little more about him, these lads’ breakdowns are excellent.
I’ve heard great things about Jacquet…
Preamble
Morning all! It’s that day again on which, just for a little while, we get to forget all that peripheral stuff like football, goals, and support, to focus on what’s really important, and why we all fell in love with the game: transfers, money and contracts.
I say that but, at the same time, the window – and its final day in particular – bottles hope. Can ailing seasons be salvaged? Will decent seasons become great ones? How do we invest today to share glory tomorrow?
Let’s see…
