14.18 GMT: talkSPORT are reporting that Arsenal have made contact with Nemanja Matic's agent Dejan Mitrovic about a move for the highly-rated Benfica playmaker. Arsene Wenger has ample cover in midfield, but the midfielder's form is attracting the likes of Manchester United, Manchester City, and his former club Chelsea
He's 27 mate. Talented player, but little end product & has an ego the size of Glasgow. But he's defo an upgrade on poor Naismith
14.30 GMT: Bayern Munich forward Mario Mandzukic has again been linked with Juventus, according to Tuttosport. ESPN FC reported on the Italian club's interest in November, and speculation appears to be mounting on a move for the Croatian striker.
Seriously I'm usually a big sceptic of young English talent touted as the next best thing mate but I've tried to watch Derby since he became so heavily linked with us and he's got something different about him than most young English talent. He is one of those who can spot the pass that others don't see (and not in a Joe Allen kinda way). He will run the ball out from deep too a bit like Wilshire does, rarely shirks a challenge, decent with both feet too. There are never any guarantees that a player can step up the level between Champ and Prem but when a young player can look consistently silky playing in that league then you know he's got something about him. Still a rough diamond (bit like McCarthy) but one I'd be only too happy for us to take a gamble on.
He's working under a good coach at present, someone who's capable of getting the best out a good youngster. I'll have to look out for him next time they're on the box. I'm intruiged
Might amuse you that the Everton supporter I live with has developed some sort of cult of personality, hero worship complex towards Naismith... calls him the 'blond wizard', always plays with him on FIFA, sings about him when he's drunk, always brings him up in conversation etc. EDIT: Mata to PSG seems the logical choice... although he doesn't seem the sort to want to piss away his career in Ligue 1.
Yes, we've signed a new contract with Staples for a fresh supply of Bic Pens! Used up the last batch putting all those Zeros in Suarez's contract
16.21 GMT: Kevin De Bruyne's agent has confirmed that the midfielder wants to leave Chelsea, according to Sky Sports. "Another loan wouldn't be good for the player or the club," Patrick De Koster told Press Association Sport. "The player and his family would like to secure a permanent solution because he has been out on loan already twice. It's a World Cup year and for this reason he needs to play." Well........
wouldnt he be playing if it was a loan deal anyway? , dont like the fact he doesn't want to have to prove to buying clubs he is good enough taking him on loan first, sounds more like fat pay check is what he wants and doesn't care if he plays or not, no more fat Joe Coles please. pass on him for me.
ON his last loan... 2012–2013 → Werder Bremen (loan) Apps:32 Goals: (10) After a successful loan spell in the German Bundesliga with Werder Bremen, De Bruyne was linked with a move to stay in Germany with either Borussia Dortmund or Bayer Leverkusen. Incoming manager José Mourinho, however, assured De Bruyne he was a part of Chelsea's plan for the future, and the player officially was returned to Chelsea on 1 July 2013. De Bruyne's agent, Patrick De Koster, explained, "We didn't receive any guarantees, but that's normal in a club like Chelsea. It's up to him [De Bruyne] to prove, like he did in the last 18 months De Bruyne was capped by Belgium at under-18, under-19, and under-21 level. He made his debut for the Belgian senior team on 11 August 2010 in an international friendly against Finland in Turku; the game ended in a 1–0 loss for Belgium.[22] De Bruyne became a regular member of Belgium's team during the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign, where he scored four goals as the Red Devils qualified for their first major tournament in 12 years.
Given a choice of him or Allen I know who I'd take Suspect he'll be off to Germany if/when he leaves though.
Maybe he just wants some stability for himself and his family. Can't be easy going out on loan to a different country every 6 months.
He must be about his only fan then mate, as poor old Naismith is almost universally viewed by Evertonians as a nice fella, who works hard, but is total pish.
