Barcelona make Manchester United’s Ander Herrera their number one target
New manager of Barcelona, Ernesto Valverde has made Manchester United’s Ander Herrera his number one midfield target ahead of a potential summer transfer.
Herrera was voted Manchester United Player of the Year for his performances in 2016 -17 but so far, no contract extension has been forthcoming.
His current contract ends in June, 2018.
According to Goal UK, Barcelona are ready to make Herrera the subject of a huge transfer after Valverde identified his former Athletic Club midfielder as a key component to his preferred Blaugrana line-up.Barca see the Man United man as the perfect addition in the engine room, with the likes of Marco Verratti, Thiago Alcantara and Isco all off limits in the summer market.
Valverde and Herrera forged a very close personal relationship during their time together at San Mames, and the new Camp Nou boss is ready to build his new Barca midfield around him.
The club were first thought to be ready to offer an improved contract in early April but so far none has been forthcoming.Barca see the Man United man as the perfect addition in the engine room, with the likes of Marco Verratti, Thiago Alcantara and Isco all off limits in the summer market.
Valverde and Herrera forged a very close personal relationship during their time together at San Mames, and the new Camp Nou boss is ready to build his new Barca midfield around him.
The club were first thought to be ready to offer an improved contract in early April but so far none has been forthcoming.
arsenal vs chelsea
Arsenal Vs Chelsea: Recap, highlights and analysis
by Andrew Dowdeswell3d ago
Arsenal took on Chelsea in the FA Cup final on Saturday evening. Here is the full recap, all the highlights and analysis from the 2-1 win.
What a win! Questions abound. Doubts engulfed. Uncertainty entangled. And yet, Arsenal were magnificent. Dominating in midfield, fluid in the final third and resolute in defence, Arsene Wenger’s side were phenomenal. They patrolled the pitch with great assurance and confidence, keeping Chelsea at arm’s length. They were vicious on the attack, determined with the ball and fantastic throughout.
Related Story: Arsene Wenger's Best Starting XI
Arsenal started the game in an excellent manner. They calmly moved the ball from side to side, with Granit Xhaka orchestrating proceedings from a deep-lying midfield role, waited patiently for their opening before grasping it with eager arms.
Alexis Sanchez, the eventual goalscorer, darted inside, tried to dink a pass into Aaron Ramsey, challenged for the resultant 50:50 with the ball squirming into the box. Ramsey, having made the run in behind the Chelsea defence, was at this point offside and started towards the loose ball. Sanchez, though, who had continued running after winning the initial challenge, ordered Ramsey to leave the ball before smashing the shot past Thibault Courtois.
Initially, the assistant had flagged for offside against Ramsey, but after prolonged discussions with Anthony Taylor, the goal was eventually given. Chelsea had arguments regarding a possible handball from Sanchez as he jumped for the ball and controversy and confusion reigned, but as the dust settled, it was the perfect start for the Gunners.
More from Pain in the Arsenal
Arsenal: 3 players immediately impacted by new Arsene Wenger deal2h ago
Arsenal: 3 reasons to believe in Henry Onyekuru4h ago
Arsenal should jump at £17.5 million Lucas Perez offer14h ago
Arsenal: Top 5 players of 2016/17 season16h ago
Arsenal: Half of John Hartson transfer advice wise18h ago
And the goal inspired confidence in the Arsenal side. In their two free-roaming roles, Mesut Ozil and Sanchez were masterful, finding the ball in between the Chelsea lines to great effect, Granit Xhaka continued to dictate play well from deep while Aaron Ramsey was his ever-busy self, buzzing around the park, linking up play, creating angles with his movement off the ball.
Ozil had a great chance down the right channel when released by a patient Sanchez, but his first touch took him a little wide and the dinked shot over the onrushing Courtois was excellently flicked clear on the line by Gary Cahill. Marcos Alonso was then forced into action, sliding in on Danny Welbeck after Ozil slid a cute pass down the channel, before the post was struck by a Welbeck header from the resultant corner with Aaron Ramsey unable turn home to awkwardly bounced ball.
But for all of Arsenal’s dominance, there were cautionary moments. Eden Hazard looked smooth on the ball, sliding it past defenders with his slithery, low centre of gravity, Diego Costa had an acrobatic effort, after out-muscling Rob Holding from a long ball, brilliantly blocked by David Ospina, who was hurt in the process, and they did engineer opportunities on the break that were wasted with a loose touch or untimed final pass.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)