B/R Gossip Roundup: Isco Form Sparks Bale Talk, Hummels and Gerrard in Demand
The football rumour mill is still churning out stories and speculation as we move within two months (two months!) of the January transfer window opening.
Steven Gerrard, Pedro, Mats Hummels and even Gareth Bale have all been the subject of discussion this week, although none of them are likely to move in January—a summer switch being the more likely possibility.
Elsewhere there is talk of a reshuffle behind the scenes at Tottenham—not the first time Daniel Levy has embarked on something like that.
Let's take a closer look at the week's headlines.
Theo Walcott Has the Quality to Spark Arsenal to Life
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As is often the case when a team struggle, it is players on the sidelines whose stock tend to increase.
That has certainly been the case with Theo Walcott. When he picked up his serious knee injury in January, Walcott was in the middle of a fine run of form—at a time when Arsenal were firmly in the Premier League title mix.
Walcott spent the following nine months working on getting back to full fitness, while having to watch Arsenal drop off the pace.
The current campaign has been a tough one so far for Arsenal, and Walcott’s return has been hugely anticipated.
After seeing his side beat Sunderland at the weekend, Gunners boss Arsene Wenger spoke in positive terms about pairing Walcott with fellow speedster Alexis Sanchez.
Simon Bird of The Mirror had the quotes: "Yes, my imagination works like yours, but I have to prove it works on the pitch and that is what I will try to do when everybody is back."
Pace strikes fear into defenders, and Walcott and Alexis have it in abundance.
Wenger will be mindful not to rush Walcott back into action following such a serious injury, but the forward was on the bench against Sunderland and is close to competitive action.
It has been a tough start to the season for Arsenal—they are nine points behind Chelsea—but the weekend’s results were very much in their favour.
It is something of a stretch to suggest the return of Walcott could spark a title charge, but once fit and firing, he will add a fresh dimension to the side.
Believability Meter: Medium to High
Arsenal are well short of the class of Chelsea, but the chasing pack seem fairly well matched. If Walcott can take Arsenal forward, they will have a productive season.
Isco Emergence at Real Madrid Fuels Gareth Bale to Manchester United Rumours
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Sometimes, injuries simply happen at the worst time for a footballer—and Gareth Bale is beginning to feel that old adage.
The Real Madrid forward appeared to be heading back into form after a shaky start to his second season at the Bernabeu until a gluteal muscle injury blocked his progress before the game at Levante on Oct. 18.
Bale sat on the bench for that 5-0 La Liga win but subsequently missed the crushing Champions League win at Liverpool and the Clasico victory over Barcelona last weekend.
Coming into the side to replace the 25-year-old has been Isco, who has taken full advantage to forge his place in Carlo Ancelotti's starting line-up.
All of which has lead James Dickenson of the Daily Express to claim Manchester United's move for the Wales international is now on.
Bale spent Tuesday morning basking in his nomination for the FIFA Ballon d'Or, but Dickenson's article offered a viewpoint that things might not be quite so rosy for the former Tottenham man at his club.
The emergence of Isco must also leave a question mark over Bale's future with Los Blancos.
As part of a counter-attacking movement, few players are more dangerous than Bale, but maintaining possession has not been a strong point of his game.
Spain international Isco, though, does offer a more measured element to Real's style and, arguably, works better in tandem with the club's marquee summer signing, James Rodriguez.
Isco truly came of age against Barcelona last weekend as his attentions in midfield regularly broke up the work of Andres Iniesta and Xavi—not something Bale could offer in his game.
United's need for a defender might be paramount, but few Old Trafford supporters are going to baulk at the thought of Bale joining the club, despite a more-pressing need for defensive reinforcements.
Alex Harris of the Daily Star Sunday has since reported Bale and Real will not be considering a move, but this season could prove to be an interesting one for all parties.
So that should be it. Shouldn't it?
Believability meter: Low
Not so long ago, we might have laughed off this rumour—perhaps we still should—but even with reports that Bale is going nowhere, the form of Isco will dictate whether the speculation does disappear.
Mats Hummels' Future Dependent on Borussia Dortmund Form
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Another week, another Mats Hummels transfer rumour.
This time it was Arsenal being linked with the Borussia Dortmund defender, as Chisanga Malata of the Daily Star reported.
According to Malata, the Gunners have been given the "green light" to pursue the Germany international after Manchester United pulled out of the race to sign him.
The report claims United manager Louis van Gaal has turned his attentions to Zenit St Petersburg defender Ezequiel Garay instead of Hummels, leaving the north London club as possible favourites to sign the World Cup winner.
Much of the article rests on the current malaise at the Westfalenstadion, however, with Dortmund struggling to find form in the Bundesliga.
Far from threatening Bayern Munich's chase for a third successive title, Jurgen Klopp's team are flirting with the drop zone after just two wins this season before Saturday's trip to the Allianz Arena.
Hummels has been a stalwart of the Dortmund team under the charismatic Klopp, winning two Bundesliga title and reaching the Champions League final in 2013.
These have been halcyon times for the club, but the loss of star names such as Mario Gotze and, more recently, Robert Lewandowski has seen the club's domestic form come off the rails.
As such, Hummels finds himself at a crossroads in his career, with major clubs across the continent watching Dortmund's current form with a vested interest.
At the age of 25, the central defender will have options and admitted last month he would only leave the Westfalenstadion for a club which plays football the way he wants to play, as Ashley Clements of the Daily Mail reported.
And that must surely be good news for Arsenal.
Believability meter: Medium
This is another one to watch. Hummels has expressed previously his contentment at Dortmund, but their loss of form will be a concern, even if the club's Champions League form has been successful.
There is unlikely to be any movement in January, but this will be worth keeping an eye on throughout the season.
Barcelona and Pedro Should Keep Faith with Each Other Amid Transfer Talk
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When your competition for a first-team place is Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez, you could be forgiven for considering a move away.
So it came as no surprise to see Barcelona forward Pedro being linked with an exit from the Camp Nou, as Charles Perrin of the Daily Express reported this week.
According to the article, Arsenal are the suitors in question, and the 27-year-old has handed in a transfer request in a bid to force a transfer in January.
It is no surprise to see the Gunners linked with the forward—it is not shocking to see the Gunners linked with anyone, to be fair—as their attacking threat of Danny Welbeck and Olivier Giroud is just one injury from impotency.
At his age, Pedro is, understandably, looking to enhance his first-team prospects away from the Camp Nou, where he faces a relatively unique three-pronged threat to his hopes of making an impact.
Pedro has been with Barcelona for 10 years and has won two Champions Leagues during that time, while also adding a World Cup and European Championship medal with Spain during the same time.
To any other player, that would represent reason enough to be given a regular first-team chance, but Pedro has now fallen behind a trinity of world greats in his quest to prove himself.
However, as an experienced member of the Barcelona squad, the forward is doing himself few favours if he has submitted a transfer request.
With former team-mates such as Xavi on the wane and Carles Puyol retired, Barca head coach Luis Enrique is looking for a long-term presence as the team transitions.
Pedro would be an ideal figure in his squad to provide that—as well as a more direct running style—and the current transfer ban hanging over the club is another reason why this stalwart of the squad should remain at the club for the moment.
Believability meter: Medium
Pedro has enjoyed phenomenal success during his time with Barcelona but now faces a genuine fight for his place.
By handing in a transfer request, the Spain international is giving up too easily on a fight he could end up winning with application.
Stephan Lichtsteiner Would Put the Fight Right Back into Arsenal
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If there has been one thing missing from Arsenal's team in recent seaons, it is a bit of grit and determination.
So when news emerged from the London Evening Standard that Arsene Wenger was considering a move for Stephan Lichtsteiner, there will have been a few smiles around north London.
The Switzerland international is heading towards the end of his contract with Juventus after this current Serie A campaign and would therefore be able to sign for the Gunners for free in January.
That fact in itself should be enough to ensure interest from Wenger and the Arsenal hierarchy.
But the 30-year-old also possesses a wealth of experience from his career to date, with Lichtsteiner having played for Grasshoppers, Lille and Lazio before his move to Turin in 2011.
Arguably, the right flank is well stocked at the Emirates Stadium at the moment, as Mathieu Debuchy recovers from injury and Calum Chambers filling in for the France international. Mathieu Flamini is another possibility on the right-hand side.
Lichtsteiner also has some versatility to his name after playing experience as a right-winger under his belt, which makes him a more attack-minded option than Chambers.
Before this weekend, the Juventus man had one goal and two assists in Serie A to his name, as recorded by WhoScored.com, and an advanced role ahead of Chambers could be a benefit to the former Southampton youngster.
The Swiss star is renowned as a defensive-minded player for Juventus and his country, and Graham Corking of Squawka.com notes that the player has won 82 percent of his take-ons in league action this season.
At 30, Lichtsteiner would have little sell-on value for Arsenal, but plugging a potential gap while helping younger players develop could offset that.
Believability meter: High
With Lichtsteiner and Juventus still to agree a new contract beyond the end of this season, this rumour could be the work of an agent.
But Wenger will be wise enough to recognise the experience of the Juventus man and what he could bring to the Gunners, at least in the short term.
Change Is Needed at Tottenham, but Levy Has to Look at Himself
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Changes are afoot at Tottenham if Neil Ashton of the Daily Mail is to be believed.
In his piece on Friday, Ashton claimed that Spurs chief Daniel Levy is planning an overhaul of the club’s scouting and recruitment system.
"Daniel Levy will begin a major restructuring of Tottenham’s scouting and recruitment procedures after their poor start to the Barclays Premier League season.
The Spurs chairman is planning the overhaul to help manager Mauricio Pochettino’s short-and long-term transfer activity.
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Ashton suggests Levy is deeply upset by the way the club spent the £86 million transfer fee they received from Real Madrid for Gareth Bale.
The Mail scribe claims Levy is looking to bring in new faces to work alongside sporting director Franco Baldini and coach Mauricio Pochettino.
It is quite possible that Levy is looking to overhaul things, but this has been spawned by Spurs' disappointing start to the season under Pochettino.
If Levy is unhappy with how the Bale money was spent, no blame can be placed on the shoulders of Pochettino as he was not at the club at that time.
Of the people still at the club, the finger should be pointed at Baldini and Levy himself.
Baldini was brought in to help in the recruitment of players, while it is unlikely that Levy did not have a say in the way the Bale money was spent.
Believability Meter: High
Change is needed at Spurs, but those in power must learn from the mistakes they have made in the past if they are to avoid a repeat.
Liverpool Facing a Fight to Keep Steven Gerrard a 1-Club Man
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Reports on Sunday suggested that Liverpool will face competition to retain the services of Steven Gerrard, as the club legend's contract comes closer to expiration.
Gerrard kicked off a renewed round of speculation about his future during the week, after telling the Daily Telegraph in an interview that he would definitely not be retiring at the end of the season—but that an extension on Merseyside would be "up to Liverpool."
Reds boss Brendan Rodgers subsequently confirmed to reporters (per the BBC) that he had held discussions with Gerrard's representatives over the past week and had made it clear to both them and the Liverpool owners that he wanted to keep the midfielder.
On Sunday, however, the Mail on Sunday reported that Manchester City are interested in the 34-year-old, after Manuel Pellegrini praised Gerrard's qualities. Pellegrini is quoted as saying:
"I don’t ever rate players on their age. It depends on the money they cost and the number of years they can play for.
Like Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard is a top player and he can continue at a high level for a couple more years.
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This would seem to be the first of a number of such stories likely to emerge until Gerrard's future is resolved, with the ex-England captain likely to be coveted by a number of big sides. Gerrard's name has already also been linked with the MLS, seemingly the destination of choice these days for experienced, high-profile players looking for a new opportunity.
Gerrard's situation means he can talk to foreign clubs in January about a contract—Liverpool will surely want to secure his future before then to avoid any unwelcome complications arising.
Believability Meter: Medium
The big question for Gerrard is: What does he still want to achieve in his career? Considering his age, quality and experience, this might be the last opportunity he has to attract a real wealth of exciting offers from clubs all over the continent (it is not ridiculous to consider that the biggest clubs from Italy, Germany and Spain might all offer him the chance to experience something different in his career).
Of course, Gerrard's driving force seems to be to try and win the Premier League with Liverpool—but performances this season make it very much feel like another title challenge is at least a few seasons away.
Is Gerrard's commitment to Liverpool such that he would happily toil in a mediocre team? Might another offer not give him a greater chance of fulfillment?
The overwhelming probability is that Gerrard will sign an extension at Liverpool (indeed, his comments this week made it clear Liverpool hold the keys to everything), whether that be for one year or two.
But it remains possible another proposal could catch his eye at this late stage in his career—perhaps it is worth Gerrard's while to wait and see what other proposals come up.
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