Showing posts with label Ligue 1 Orange. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ligue 1 Orange. Show all posts

Wednesday, 14 September 2011

Lille Starlet Eden Hazard Would Be a Great Signing for Arsene Wenger

Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images
(Bleacher Report) If the Gunners could find a way to pull it off, the signature of Belgian starlet Eden Hazard would be one of the best moves they could make. His ability to cut through a defense as well as pass around one makes him an ultimate forward.

The Arsenal target scored two goals this weekend as he looks up and ready for the clubs opening round of the UEFA Champions League that kicks off this week. He will be an influential part for their possible success and will need to continue to be on the top of his game.

However, if not in January, Hazard could be a strongly chased target over the summer with Arsene Wenger eager to find a player that can take the place of Andrei Arshavin who has at times acted like he wanted out.

So far his performances for current side Lille have helped to show that the defending French Champions are still strong despite losing Gervinho to Arsenal already.

At only 20 years old Hazard is in the age bracket that Arsene Wenger like to buy in. The recent signatures of multiple players over 21 was one of them most aggressive offensive gambles that Arsene Wenger has taken in a long time, but it should pay off.

For once the Frenchman has purchased players that are experienced and they are the kinds of players that are versatile and interchangeable. Their experience and advice could go a long way to assisting a young incoming player like Hazard if Wenger can get him in the summer.

Earlier in the summer Hazard was rated as £26 million, but giving his recent continued high octane form that price could raise to £30 million plus by next summer.

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Monday, 12 September 2011

Joe Cole Makes a Splash on Loan Debut

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(Bleacher Report) Joe Cole arrived on Merseyside just over a year ago with high hopes, a big contract and tons of belief that he was going to help lead the Reds return to the promised land that they have been so long removed from.

However, that did not happen as Cole continued to fall off the wagon and was left to fill mostly a fringe role last season as the Reds chased fifth place but could not claim it at the death last year.

The new season had a different twist to it as new faces streamed into the Reds Melwood camp, and Joe Cole was allowed to take his leave on loan for the season to France.

Having never been based with a club outside of England a loan move to France made since for Cole much more than one in England. His injuries over time have caused him to lose a step or two and he looked no longer able to cope with the pace and physical nature of the English game.

The French league would allow him to rely more on his skill and finesse and that is exactly what he got to use when he set up Eden Hazard in Lille's most recent game of the weekend as he helped to keep the defending champions in the top four of Ligue 1.

Cole looked totally revitalized during the match, and it looks like both he and Liverpool made the right decision. It is uncertain if he will return to Liverpool at the end of his loan spell, I expect that if he continues the way he has started he will remain in France.
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Thursday, 1 September 2011

Jole Cole: 5 Reasons Liverpool Should Have Blocked His Move to Lille

Matthew Lewis/Getty Images
(Bleacher Report) Joe Cole is officially a Lille player for their already underway Ligue 1 Orange campaign in France.

The defending French champions will hope that Cole can bring back some magic from his younger days at Chelsea and West Ham before injuries caused his form and overall ability to suffer.

His time at Liverpool has been a mixed bag of form from a player past his prime in the physically toughest league in Europe as far as pace and overall demand go.

A loan to a league, such as the one in France, could benefit the player and give him perhaps the time he needs to improve his form and regain his confidence......Click to View Slideshow.

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Wednesday, 31 August 2011

Liverpool Deadline Day Transfers: Joe Cole Moves to Lille, His Anfield Days Over

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(Bleacher Report) Joe Cole has endured a rough time at Anfield. From a red card on his debut to spending the season on the fringe with just not enough quality or luck to break into the side, he has simply had enough.

Earlier this week Kenny Dalglish said that he would not stand in the player's way of making a move in order to have first team football on a regular basis and the manager looks to have kept his word.

Cole was originally thought to be making a move to Tottenham after those reports were circulated much of late April and May. However, Harry Redknapps admiration's were only in voice and not purse.

It then looked as though a loan move to Queens Park Rangers would pan out, but alas that one failed as well.

But now it looks as though Cole finally has his wish as defending French Ligue 1 Champions Lille have just agreed to take the former Chelsea sensation to France.

He will most likely be on the opposite wing to Eden Hazard in the position once occupied by now Arsenal winger and attacker Gervinho.

A move to the French or Italian League was just what Joe Cole truly needed as his pace and physicality have gone away to much for the English league, but he could be a massive star in France.

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Monday, 22 August 2011

Yoann Gourcuff Could Be Arsenal's Best Bet for Another Frenchman in the Midfield

Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images
(Bleacher Report)If you want to trade apples for apples or Frenchmen for Frenchman, Arsenal could look no further than Olympique Lyonnais 25-year old Yoann Gourcuff. The former AC Milan player found his feet while on loan at Bordeaux in 2008-09 and has been a sensation in Ligue 1 ever since.

He scored 24 goals and provided 26 assists in 95 total appearances for Bordeaux in his two seasons at the club and proved that he was a top class talent. His performances earned him a move to Lyon at the start of last season.

However, his first season at Lyon saw his form drop as he struggled to fit in with his new teammates and only scored four goals and dished out five assists.

With his career in need of a boost Arsene Wenger could possibly get him for a much better price than Modric as he would likely cost around £15 million, which is £10 million less than Modric.

The sticking point for the player could be his remaining four years of contract that could cause the Gunners to try and meet a buyout clause which would most likely see the deal squashed.

Wenger could be the one manager to truly get his young fellow countryman back on his path to success. His proven scoring ability is a need for an Arsenal midfielder as his ability to provide the creativity as well. Gourcuff could be a total package in disguise if Wenger were to go after him.

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Friday, 12 August 2011

Eden Hazard Still a Fringe Target for the Reds

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(Bleacher Report)Kenny Dalglish and Liverpool have been tracking Eden Hazard since January just as Arsenal. The Reds have been hoping to pull off an end around for the player and steal him out from under the Gunners nose if at all possible.

That same strategy seems to have paid off just recently as they beat the Gunners to Jose Enrique. However, Hazard more than likely will not be leaving Lille in the near future.

With Gervinho already gone and in Arsenal Red as well as Yohan Cabaye having left for Newcastle United, Lille will be keen to hold onto their last remaining play maker for the time being. The loss of two of their best players this summer will most likely see them struggle to repeat or succeed in the Champions League.

That possibility could see Hazard on the market next season with a better chance of him moving if he is frustrated after a poor title defense thanks to a partially dismantled team.

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Monday, 8 August 2011

Dalglish Looks to Sell Joe Cole for More Transfer Cash

Matthew Lewis/Getty Images
(Bleacher Report)Joe Cole has been at the middle of Liverpool's exit rumors since the opening of the summer transfer window. The English winger was brought in with high hopes that he could regain his top class form that saw him become a much hyped international before a series of injuries shot him down.

However, last season he did not prove to be worth but a small portion of the £90,000 per week deal that was laid at his feet when he completed a free transfer from Chelsea. After a preseason where he still failed to truly impress, he looks once again to be a hot topic of discussion.

Tottenham Hotspur and Paris Saint Germain both look to be possible suitors for the Anfield disappointment, and perhaps a move to France might be the best option. It could give him a chance in a less physical league with a lower level of top to bottom competition which could see him return to full form.

Another possible destination could be newly promoted Queens Park Rangers. QPR could use the extra depth and experience, and Cole would have a better chance to shine in a club where he could become a primary focus.

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