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Sokratis Papastathopoulos has recently been linked with a move away from Arsenal, but fresh reports suggest that the player will not be going anywhere in the summer.

According to The Telegraph, via Daily Express, the Gunners would be keen to sell him in the transfer window, but the defender does not want to leave the club.

He has no desire to leave Arsenal before the end of his contract and, if he were to leave, his wages would also be a problem for any teams interested, as he is on a reported £92,000 per week.

Sokratis only has one year remaining on his contract, so if the Gunners want to recoup some of the £14.40m that they paid for him, they would have have to sell him this summer. Therefore, the player’s stance is not a very helpful one for manager Mikel Arteta, who is set to be hamstrung by limited finances this summer.

The Greece international has only made one appearance since 18 January due to a combination of injury and being unfancied by Arteta over his other options in the squad, and it seems like he could still struggle to get game-time even if he stays.

This is a very annoying stalemate for Arsenal but hopefully they are either able to offload him this summer or start to utilise him more. If he stays and remains a peripheral figure, the club will be wasting roughly £4.7m on his wages next season until his contract expires.

Gunners fans, are you dismayed that Sokratis is seemingly content to be a bit-part player at Arsenal? Let us know your views below!

Key information about Vale Park

Vale Park was built in 1950 and is now the home of Port Vale FC, a League Two club. The ground is located in the North-West city of Stoke-on-Trent in Staffordshire and was once dubbed The Wembley of the North.

Its current capacity stands at 18,947 and it has a pitch that measures 104m by 70m. The surface is covered with grass and it has no running track surrounding it.

The record attendance at Vale Park was set on 20 February 1960 with 49,768 fans watching Port Vale’s match against Aston Villa.

A history of Vale Park

Before they moved to Vale Park, Port Vale have been playing their football at the Old Recreation Ground. However, as soon as they found out they would be evicted from their home, the ideas of building an entirely new stadium emerged. In 1944, they chose Hamil Road as the site for building their new safe haven.

Interestingly enough, the location was just opposite of Burslem Park, a ground where the club had played its football back in the day. With the size and ambition of the project – seeing how the proposed ground was supposed to have an 80,000 capacity with room for 1,000 parked cars – it was dubbed The Wembley of the North.

Even though some of the initial features were remarkable, such as the most expensive pitch ever laid in the country at that time, the real capacity stood at 40,000, only 360 of which were seated, and it had only two stands. The first game ever played at Vale Park was a 1–0 victory over Newport County on a rainy 24 August 1950, watched by 30,196 supporters.

In the early 1950s, Vale Park was redeveloped with the Railway Terrace getting new seats and the erection of the Railway Stand, both boosting the capacity of the ground. In 1958, the first floodlights were added and two years later, in 1960, the club finally installed new drainage which was a problem for many years, even to the point games had to be postponed multiple times over time.

Sometime later, in the 1980s, the capacity had to be reduced due to safety reasons following the Bradford City Fire but by the end of the decade, Vale Park would see big refurbishments and modernisation with upgraded floodlights, electronic scoreboard and an overall £250,000 improvements to the ground. In 1989, they even added a disabled stand – the country’s first purpose-built facility of its kind.

The ‘90s saw more work being done with the demolition of the all-standing Lorne Street, which was to be replaced by a new, modern facility, although this is yet to be fully finalised. In fact, it took them until 2020 to finally add seats to the new stand but the new owners still managed to further improve the stadium after taking the club out of administration in 2012.

Interestingly, that was also when Vale Park was separated from the club, the ownership returning to Port Vale only in May 2019. Five months later it was declared as an “asset of community value status” by Stoke-on-Trent city council.

Tickets to watch Port Vale at Vale Park

All tickets to watch Port Vale play at Vale Park can be found on the club’s official website. The cost of an adult ticket is either £21 or £20, depending whether you choose the Lorne Street – the more expensive one – or any other area.

Of course, Port Vale also offer season tickets to their fans and more information can be found on the aforementioned website.

Related links

https://www.port-vale.co.uk/ – Official website of Port Vale

According to The Athletic, Sandro Ramirez “remains on a list of players” Marcel Brands must move on before Everton can start signing players for next season.

What’s the word?

The Spaniard joined the Toffees for around £5.2m back in the summer of 2017, when Ronald Koeman was still in charge of affairs at Goodison Park.

The striker has endured a difficult time since then, failing to make the grade at Everton, before being sent out on loan. Now, The Athletic claim that Brands will have to move on Ramirez this summer in order to free up funds for current boss Carlo Ancelotti, although his £85k-a-week wages are likely to be a stumbling block.

How big of an Everton fan are you? Can you spot Mikel Arteta from Graham Stuart? This quiz will test your knowledge, try it if you’re brave enough…



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The report adds that Real Valladolid, with whom he the previous campaign on loan at, can’t begin to afford him on a permanent basis, and that another loan to the club “may not be an option until later in the window”.

A painful Steve Walsh reminder

That ill-fated summer of 2017, in which Everton’s then director of football Steve Walsh orchestrated a spending spree that ended up delivering very little on the pitch, continues to haunt the Toffees even to this day.

Looking for the perfect Everton Gift? Take a look at the Everton Fan Gifts site for the latest reviews, shopping advice and links to shop. They have everything from the latest Shirt as well as memorabilia, toys and gifts.

The Merseyside club’s inability to get Ramirez off their books has cost them dearly, and now, with the whole financial struggles that teams across Europe are facing, that will be even harder.

But if Brands is given any opportunity to cut their losses on the Spaniard this summer, then he simply must take it. At £5.2m, Everton are not going to lose big money based on the transfer fee. However, the relief they would get in terms of freeing him from their growing wage bill could be the difference-maker when it comes to delivering new signings for Ancelotti.

Ramirez is a painful reminder of Walsh’s failings, and Brands must show no mercy him to this summer.

Speaking exclusively to the Evening Standard, ex-Manchester City defender Micah Richards has claimed that summer signing Joe Hart is ‘exactly’ what Spurs need ahead of the upcoming Premier League season, going on to state that he is an ‘inspirational’ character who could motivate the dressing room. 

Hart has gone to enjoy an illustrious career with plenty of highs and lows since he signed for the Sky Blues from Shrewsbury Town back in 2006, winning five major trophies, including two Premier League titles, and making 348 appearances for the club before parting company in the summer of 2018 (Transfermarkt).

After being deemed surplus to requirements by manager Pep Guardiola upon his arrival in 2016, who was after a sweeper ‘keeper who could help implement his tiki-taka philosophy, Hart suffered through a less than impressive spell at Burnley before being allowed to leave the club as a free agent.

Pleading to new clubs in a BBC interview, Spurs opted to give Hart a chance, snapping him up on a free deal.

Richards, who helped City to their first Premier League triumph in 2012 along with Hart, has now stated that he is ‘exactly’ what the club need if Tottenham are going to cement a top four place and challenge for silverware.

“He won’t be going as a No3 [goalkeeper],” Richards explained to Standard Sport.

“He knows he’s going to be No2, that’s the reason he has gone there. Joe is an inspirational character. I couldn’t speak any higher [of him]. When he was England keeper he was always knocking on your door.

“When I was at City, there were big characters. For Spurs, that is exactly what they need. Every time they get to a big game they freeze a little bit.

“They have the quality but it is just the characters to get them over the line. Joe Hart, whether playing or in the dressing room, is a massive character.”

Whether or not the 75-cap international proves to be a coup remains to be seen, but signing an experienced motivator like Hart on a free transfer could be deemed a good bit of business from Levy.

Spurs fans, is Joe Hart ‘exactly’ what you need? Have your say in the comments below…

A couple of years back, Liverpool were on Jeremy Doku’s tail but in the end, the transfer didn’t happen and for a while, the rumours have gone quiet on that front. However, it seems that Jurgen Klopp could be back to finish what he started in 2018.

According to a recent update from Het Nieuwsblad (via Sport Witness), the Reds have renewed their interest in the 18-year-old star and could indeed be looking to acquire his services in the ongoing summer transfer window.

However, even if they manage to get him, which at this point is not exactly a guaranteed operation, they would then be willing to loan him back to Anderlecht for the upcoming season.

That way, the youngster could still develop and play regularly while he waits for his real opportunity at Anfield. But the same source states Vincent Kompany’s side are aware of the interest but are not exactly thrilled about it.

Ideally, they don’t want to sell their rough gem but given the current financial situation at the club, every player could indeed be moved on for the right place, Doku included.

But in case of the young star, the report states it would have to be a bid in tens of millions – so not exactly cheap for such a young player.

We don’t know how strong Klopp’s interest is but the Reds are adamant on not spending too much money this summer. Would they be willing to make an exception for the Belgium ace?

Only time will tell.

Verdict

With eight goals and three assists across all competitions in 2019/20, Doku has certainly been on fire. So it doesn’t exactly come as a big surprise to see clubs like Liverpool wanting to take him to the Premier League.

But Anderlecht would also love to keep him. After all, he’s a huge asset for them.

Needless to say, this could complicate the situation for the Reds.

Leeds United’s recent rise back to the top league in English football is, to many people, expected. Any long-term fans of the club will tell you that the Premier League is likely to be just another stop in the road for the team. After all, they were already winning trophies and leagues before ‘top-flight’ even existed.

Known equally for having one of the hardest football firms around as well as its incredible trophy cabinet, Leeds is a team that many people underestimate. They’ve won nine trophies in total so far, including victories at the FA Cup and League Cup over the years. However, what’s most memorable about United is, of course, the fact that they were the last team to win the Old First Division before the Premiership came in.

Let’s take a look at how that came to pass.

The Non-Stop 90s

Anyone who remembers English football in the 90s will tell you how frantic the whole period was. For Leeds, it started with pretty much the ultimate glory – being crowned the top team in England.

Even more remarkable is the fact that Leeds’ 91/92 season title arose in just their second spell in the top division. Of course, the Premier League would roll out for 92/93, but to clinch the First Division title on your second attempt is nothing short of inspiring. Even Leeds naysayers have to agree.

Leeds’ 91/92 campaign was a masterclass. Their relentless title pursuit was aided by their lack of goals against. In the whole season, the team only allowed four goals to get past their defences. Manchester United may have conceded just two more, but the figures start drifting out from third-place Sheffield Wednesday downwards.

Leeds’ Golden Squad

Many people will likely call the 91/92 season triumph the work of coach Howard Wilkinson’s magic. However, we really need to look closely at the teamwork on offer here.

This was the season that Leeds – for the briefest of periods – played host to Eric Cantona. Cantona would only be a part of the squad from February through to conclusion that season. However, you don’t take on one of the greatest forwards of all time without scoring a few triumphs.

However, we also need to consider the world-class midfield section. Gordon Strachan – who is probably better known now for trying to get Scotland’s national team on the world stage – was an integral fixture. So too, were the likes of internationals Gary McAllister and Gary Speed.

You’ve also got to give an incredible amount of credit to John Lukic – with the cleanest sheet in the league for the whole season, and still one of the cleanest keeping records of the past 30 years.

Rags to Riches

Anyone looking back on the Leeds story will also find it’s a real rags to riches encounter. While the players definitely made the magic happen, it was the dynamic duo of Wilkinson and Bill Fotherby behind the scenes who got the club moving in the right direction.

Specifically, it was Wilkinson and Fotherby’s relentless pursuit of the perfect team that reaped rewards. After all, Leeds was still a fledgeling unit running into their second season of top-flight. The big bucks didn’t roll in for United just yet, but they got by – creatively, it would seem.

So – can Leeds learn a thing or two about their 91/92 season? Absolutely. Still regarded as their shining moment – amongst many big wins – we’ll have to wait and see if the team pulls together to replicate this season on their return into the Premiership. By the end of 2021, we might have seen an incredible renaissance.

Micah Richards believes Jack Grealish would continue to improve his game if he was to join a top side in the Premier League. In a recent Daily Mail chat with Chris Sutton, the former right-back has highlighted Liverpool amongst those the Aston Villa captain should consider moving to.

“He is a top Premier League player. When he plays with better players, it lifts him. Imagine if he was at Man United, Chelsea, Liverpool, Man City or Arsenal,” Richards said whilst analysing Grealish’s recent England performance.

A lot of sides have been interested in snapping up the 25-year-old recently, with the Reds named by Coral amongst the favourites to secure his signature window (via Tribuna).

Why Liverpool should sign Grealish

Liverpool have plugged their leaks this window despite seemingly being hesitant with their funds. The long-awaited arrival of Thiago Alcantara will help improve their midfield struggles and Naby Keita’s recent turn in form will also give the reigning Premier League champions a boost in the engine room.

However, cult hero Gini Wijnaldum looks like he’ll be leaving the club next summer due to not yet signing a new deal. With less than 12 months left on his current contract, his time at Anfield could be coming to an end. This could open up the opportunity for a more attacking midfielder to come and slot into his place.

Grealish is a left-winger by trade but boasts extreme versatility. Last season he played across five different positions for Villa, including in the No.10 role and as second striker. He popped up with an impressive ten goals and eight assists across all competitions last campaign and is on track to beating those numbers already this term (via Transfermarkt).

A partner for Thiago

New addition Thiago may not have the best goal contribution stats, but his passing percentage will be crucial in Liverpool’s midfield. He has played just one game for his new club so far but his performance against Chelsea saw him maintain a 90% passing accuracy, which in turn created a key pass towards Liverpool’s attack (via Sofascore).

Paired up with a heavy threat like Grealish, the two could strike a great partnership. Protected by Fabinho in the defensive midfield role, Thiago could pull the strings with his creative passes whilst Grealish ventures further forward to help out the front three.

The beauty of Liverpool’s attacking trio could also make for a lot of free roaming to catch the opposition off-guard. Roberto Firmino enjoys dropping deep which will leave room for Sadio Mane to drift in front of goal, opening up Grealish’s more preferred left-wing position for him to dominate.

With Fenway Sports Group looking at a potential huge investment, Liverpool could be willing to splash some cash next summer and land the £60million-rated Aston Villa star.

In other news, Liverpool handed huge boost ahead of Merseyside derby…

Leeds United had a brilliant summer transfer window by all accounts.

They spent nearly £100m on new talent and the marquee addition was undoubtedly the club-record signing of Rodrigo from Valencia.

The Whites splashed out £27m on the Spain international this summer, but it seems as though he may not be utilised in the best way going forward.

Indeed, Marcelo Bielsa alluded to the fact that he sees him as more of an attacking midfielder than a striker in his pre-match press conference ahead of the Aston Villa game, saying:

“Just to make a reference, for example, we have Bamford and Roberts up front, Rodrigo and Pablo in attacking midfield. Poveda and Costa, Raphinha and Harrison [on the wings].”

Rodrigo is certainly capable of playing as an attacking midfielder, after all, he has played there twice already this season, but prior to joining Leeds, that is a role he had never actually played in.

The saying goes that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, and Rodrigo is a man with well over 350 senior appearances to his name with at least 200 of those coming as a centre-forward.

Asking your club-record signing to play out of position in order to accommodate Patrick Bamford and Tyler Roberts makes very little sense, and Darren Bent’s opinion on the matter perfectly shows why it may not be the best idea.

“It might be difficult but sometimes you’ve got to understand the situation of the team. At times it can be frustrating,” Bent said.

“I always wanted to play centre-forward but early on in my career, I was asked to play wide at times or positions I wasn’t comfortable in.”

Bent is right and Rodrigo could quickly get frustrated by being shackled to a position that he isn’t familiar with. When you add into that the fact that there’s an argument to make that Pablo Hernandez is actually the better option in attacking midfield, it looks as though Victor Orta’s hard work to get Rodrigo in at Elland Road is in danger of being wasted.

Indeed, Hernandez has a lot more experience playing in that role and he’s a lot more suited to playing under Bielsa, winning the club’s Player of the Year award in each of the last three seasons.

Fingers crossed the Argentine starts to use Rodrigo as a striker in the near future as that’s the position he’s played for the majority of his career.

Leeds United’s decision to release James Tavernier from their academy set-up in 2008 has turned out to be an absolutely mindless piece of business from former chairman Ken Bates.

The 6-foot right-back failed to impress having been picked up from local non-league outfit Farsley Celtic in 2001 as a midfielder, but after six seasons in Yorkshire, he was free to leave for Newcastle United.

After six loan spells away from the Magpies, Tavernier joined Wigan Athletic before Scottish Premiership giants Rangers took a punt on him in 2015.

But how has he fared since?

Where is Tavernier now?

Well as captain of the Teddy Bears, he’s done rather well for himself. It would’ve been easy to fall out of the game following rejection so early on in his career, but instead, he will have used it as motivation to make a mockery of Bates’ decision.

In the senior game, the 29-year-old valued at £4.5m has directly contributed to 152 goals in 362 appearances, via Transfermarkt, which is quite outrageous considering he’s now a right-back.

Tavernier has also played 42 times in the Europa League, so you could call him a regular in the competition – it’s certainly more European matches than what Elland Road has witnessed in the past decade, that’s for sure.

His performances north of the border have often led to suggestions of a return to the Premier League.

According to the Daily Record, he’s been on the radar of West Ham in the last two windows alone whilst Newcastle have also been linked with bringing him back to the club.

Scottish journalist Scott McDermott once claimed that the Gers shouldn’t entertain bids unless they were around £15m – so you can only imagine what his worth would be if he stayed at Leeds and made it to the top with them.

The former Thorp Arch graduate is so important to Steven Gerrard, lauding his consistency as “outrageous” to Rangers TV as well as dubbing him a “powerhouse.”

Leeds got this one badly wrong, but at least they now have Luke Ayling in the role otherwise the club really would have egg on their face.

AND in other news, Leeds favourite badly let Marcelo Bielsa down during Foxes mauling…

Danny Graham offered another ineffective performance from the bench for Sunderland in their 2-2 draw with Rochdale on Tuesday night.

Black Cats boss Phil Parkinson once again opted to only name his summer capture among the substitutes for their visit to the Crown Oil Arena, having seen the 35-year-old fail to open his account over the opening seven weeks of the League One season.

Parkinson will be hoping to see better from Graham over the remainder of the campaign, as the forward released by Blackburn Rovers this summer has so far continued his struggles in red and white after striking just twice in 42 appearances during a spell at the Stadium of Light between 2013 and 2016, following a £5million move from Swansea City.

Parkinson was pleased to have welcomed Graham back to the North East as a free agent this summer, noting via quotes by the Chronicle: “I’m delighted to welcome Danny to the club.

“He provides us with another option and more competition at the top end of the pitch, and he is another excellent addition to the squad.”

Graham was unable to demonstrate his excellence at the Crown Oil Arena where a brace from Rochdale’s Matthew Lund countered Charlie Wyke and Bailey Wright’s efforts and ensured Sunderland were held to a third draw of the league season and fell from the play-off positions.

The Black Cats are now seven points down on early league-leaders Lincoln City, too, and boast one of the third-tier’s most average offences with 10 goals scored over eight games the 11th-best record among the 24 teams to date.

Parkinson opted to wait until the 82nd-minute before calling on Graham to try and salvage a win at Rochdale on Tuesday, but would have been left disappointed by how the veteran centre-forward failed to make a positive impression on proceedings.

Graham managed to register just two touches of the ball during his time on the field, with which he played just one pass and took one shot, which SofaScore marked as being a big chance to score but one that he wasted.

Their data also shows that the Gateshead-born forward lost each of his only ground and aerial duels and committed one foul whilst spearheading the attack.

But Graham was actually marginally more effective against Rochdale than he was against Portsmouth on Saturday. The former Swansea hitman failed to register a single effort on goal, a touch of the ball, was caught offside once and committed one foul during his eight minutes on the field as Sunderland’s unbeaten start to the season reached its end.

Another slack performance, however, will ensure Parkinson is in no rush to hand Graham his third start of the League One season when the Black Cats hit the road and visit Gillingham on Saturday.

AND in other news, a promotion rival has pinpointed a major flaw in Phil Parkinson’s tactics that could spell dire consequences for Sunderland.