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18-year-old John Flanagan was a surprise inclusion in the Liverpool side that faced Sunderland last Saturday. With Glen Johnson out with a hamstring injury, Dalglish chose Liverpool’s Young Player of the Year, Flanagan over the older and more experienced defender Martin Kelly demonstrating the sort of faith Kenny has in the home-grown youngster.

The teenage right-back has enjoyed a meteoric rise in Liverpool’s first team after making his debut in the Red’s 3-0 victory over Manchester City in April. He was so impressive in keeping Man City’s strike force quiet that he was able to keep his place for the last seven games of the season and was then rewarded for his fine performances with a new four year contract in the summer.

Flanagan may have had a difficult game on Saturday up against the impressive Sebastian Larsson but this will only help him develop as a footballer. He has had some moments of uncertainty for Liverpool, including giving away a controversial penalty against Spurs last season but this has to be expected from an inexperienced youngster. The good news for Liverpool fans is that he has age on his side and should only improve with first team football. He looks unfazed by the pressure put on him by Dalglish with some mature displays last season and if he can cut out the errors out of his game it is possible he could soon be worrying Johnson for a starting place and not just at Liverpool.

He has already been called up to the England U19 squad and can expect further national honours in the future. If he can fulfil his potential at Anfield, he might just be the long-term answer to the right-back weakness for England. With no obvious second choice to Johnson in the national team, it is possible we could see the right back position dominated by Liverpool players, highlighting the strength of Liverpool’s academy.

The youngster may have been guilty for some inexperience in recent matches but it is time to lay off the criticism as how often does an impressive young English right-back come through in the Premier League? It is one position where England are seriously lacking and hopefully Flanagan will be the long term answer.

He has versatility in his game with the ability to play at left back, despite being right-footed, and even in midfield as he recently in Liverpool’s pre-season friendly against Valencia. This means he is likely to get more game time this season even when Johnson returns from injury, giving Liverpool options across the pitch.

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He has already followed in the tradition of the tough tackling Scouse defender Carragher who worked his way through the youth setup to become such a vital player at Anfield. If Flanagan can take on Carragher’s mantle in the future and achieve what the England international has in his career then it is understandable to see why hopes are so high for the Liverpool youngster.

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When I first read the new that Chelsea were interested in signing Ross Barkley for £20 million I’d have to say I was rather flabbergasted. A 17-year-old and with only a handful of first team game under his belt it seems rather deranged that the new Blues boss Andre Villas-Boas would be prepared to pay that amount of money for such an inexperienced player. With Manchester United also interested in acquiring the teenagers signature and Barkley’s status as a supposed ‘wonder kid’ it seems likely that a bidding war will ensue between the Premier League giants.

It’s plausible to say that Everton will, in all probability, accept any bid for Barkley that matches or exceeds what Chelsea are reportedly ready to offer due to their perilous financial state. With the Toffees latest prodigy likely to leave Goodison Park in the near future and two of the countries leading clubs vying for his services, a big decision will have to be made over who will offer the best platform for him to achieve his potential. Would Barkley be better off moving to Old Trafford or Stamford Bridge?

He has certainly warranted the interest in him after putting in some eye-catching performances in the opening weeks of the season with many fans and pundits already tipping him to reach the pinnacle of English football having already broken into Stuart Pearce’s under-21 side. His stock sky-rocketed since he made his debut against QPR in August where he displayed a feather light tough, razor sharp vision and determined attitude that is absent in a lot of young players these days. With his eighteenth birthday fast approaching it’s amazing to think he is being linked with a big money move just weeks after his Premier League bow. At his age he is still a rough diamond that needs to extensively polished if he is to become the player he is prophesized to be.

With Man Utd and Chelsea on his tail there is only one place Barkley should think about going should an offer from either team ever materialises. It’s a club who has nurtured some of the best players on the planet turning them from hot prospects into world-class footballers. They have a manager who knows the ins and outs of refining young talent, putting them on the right track to global stardom and helping them achieve more in their careers than most others will.

In my opinion Barkley should look no further than Manchester United if he aspire to reach footballs top level. You only have to look at the faces who have graced Old Trafford in the last 20 years that have gone on to be recognized as some of the finest players that have ever stepped onto a football field. Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, David Beckham, Gary Neville, Cristiano Ronaldo, Nicky Butt, Wayne Rooney, Nani, Darren Fletcher, Paul Ince, Roy Keane and Ole Gunnar Solksjaer are just a few names that roll off the tongue who have come through the academy or signed for the Red Devils at a relatively young age and benefitted from the tutelage of Sir Alex Ferguson. The club is recognized as having one of the finest youth setups in the world along with a clutch of quality coaches and Barkley should take this into account if he ever has to make a decision over who to join.

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Chelsea are a good club but their track record of bringing through quality players pales in comparison to their rivals. The constant chopping and changing of managers in North London won’t benefit Barkley in the long run with Man Utd able to offer him a solid, consistent environment and a manager who knows the club from top to bottom. Ferguson is conscious of exactly what it takes to develop a young player with Barkley’s rare talents after 25 years in the Old Trafford dugout and will take the necessary steps to ensure he fulfills his promise. There are always calls from fans who think it’s imperative hot prospects like Barkley need first team games to gain the imperative experience that will transform them into world beaters.

Unfortunately for a player of his tender years being forced to play too much could result in burnout and injuries, which could then seriously hamper his development. Ferguson isn’t that naïve and Barkley will benefit massively from an approach that will see him given time to develop on the training field before he becomes regularly active in the first team. Just look at Ronaldo and Rooney who were bought when they were at a similar age to the midfielder. The Scot moulded them into world-class players with the former now the best and expensive player in the world after his £80 million move to Real Madrid.

There’s no guarantee that Barkley will reach the same level as the Portuguese winger or that of Rooney but from his early displays at Everton there is cause to say he could should he be given the right platform to flourish. Manchester United have a proven track record of giving young players a stage on which they can mature and prosper as footballers. A move to Chelsea certainly wouldn’t be the worst thing Barkley could do and ultimately the choice will come down to him should both sides solidify their interest. Where he decides to move will determine the direction his career goes. Red or blue?

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Arsenal attacker Andrei Arshavin has admitted that he has had a drop in form this season, and that the club’s supporters are right to demand more from him.

The Russia international has scored only one goal in his last 18 games for the Emirates outfit, and his below-par performances have coincided with a poor start to the campaign for Arsene Wenger’s men.

With so much ability and the fans still holding memories of Arshavin scoring four goals against Liverpool at Anfield back in April 2009, he admits he can play better.

“They should expect more from me, of course,” he told the side’s official website.

“They should expect more tricks, goals and unbelievable passes. To be honest, I am still expecting more from me as well. But, believe me, I do everything I can do. I just must give everything I can at the moment,” he stated.

Meanwhile, Arsene Wenger has stated that he is happy with his summer signings, and that he has total belief in his players, despite the slow start.

“Overall, we have more experience and this could be important if we are in a strong position should we have interesting challenges in March or April. That could have a big part to play.

“I’m very happy with the signings we made and my challenge now is to prove that I made the right decisions. I have great belief in the players I bought in and I am convinced they will prove me right,” he concluded.

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Arsenal host struggling Sunderland on Sunday, and The Gunners supporters will hope for three points to stop the rot.

By Gareth McKnight

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Top ten surprises of the 2011/12 Premier league season so far…

In English football we tend to pride ourselves on having a league in which every season is a unique. Where the only thing that is predictable is unpredictability, clichés, and unbearably poor commentary from David Pleat. Why should this year be any different? Answer: it’s not. In fact with so much foreign money and outrageously out of hand egos flying around the League, this year promises to be more entertaining than ever. The league has never been so competitive at the top with at least six teams competing for the Champions League places this year. Not to mention a bottom half of the table where nobody is too good to go down. The tempestuous nature of the League makes being a fan difficult, and being a betting man impossible but that’s why we love it; and so with that in mind, and after a quarter of the season has already been played, what have the tope ten most surprising moments been so far?

Click on Steve Kean to see the top 10 surprising moments of the season

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Follow me for more news on Twitter @H_Mackay

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Roman Pavlyuchenko has stated that he will ‘100 per cent’ ask for a move from Tottenham come the January transfer window, as his limited first team opportunities at White Hart Lane are threatening his international chances.

The Russian has become a bit part player at the North London club as Emmanuel Adebayor, Jermain Defoe and Rafael van der Vaart are preferred to him in attack.

With Euro 2012 on the horizon, Pavlyuchenko has admitted that he wants a transfer when the window reopens in the new year.

“I have to do something in the transfer period. We’re ahead of the European Championships. If I don’t change (my club) then Euro 2012 will be played without me,” he told football-express.com.

“I was fighting and fighting but it was useless. Does Redknapp believe in me? Now I don’t think so.

“I do the training as good as the others. I do everything with 100 per cent effort. I don’t cry and I don’t say that everybody is bad but I’m a good footballer. If I score in each game then I can play. But it’s not a reality to score in each game. That’s all.

“Will I ask the club to sell me in December? Yes, it’s 100 per cent.

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“I’d rather go back to Russia. If I sign to Anzhi or not – we shouldn’t go too far. Maybe I’ll have only one possibility and that will be Anzhi and nothing else,” he concluded.

By Gareth McKnight

Steve Bruce has become the first Premier League manager of the season to be sacked, as Sunderland have dismissed him from his post.

The Black Cats have had a slow start to the campaign, and find themselves in 16th place and only two points above the relegation zone after 13 games.

Bruce led the Wearside club to only two wins in the league this season, and a 2-1 home defeat to Wigan at the weekend was the final straw for the former Birmingham boss.

The news of Bruce’s axing was released by chairman Ellis Short, who feels it is time for a change.

“This has been a difficult time for everyone at Sunderland and is not a situation that any of us envisaged or expected to be in,” the executive told Sky Sports.

“It is my job as chairman to act in the best interests of our football club at all times and I can assure everyone that this is not a decision that I have taken lightly.

“Sadly results this season have simply not been good enough and I feel the time is right to make a change.

“Steve has acted with honesty and integrity throughout, which is testament to the character and commitment he has shown during his time at Sunderland.

“I would like to personally place on record my thanks to him for his significant contribution to our football club over the past two and a half years and everyone here at Sunderland naturally wishes him the very best for the future.

“I would also like to thank our fans, who have endured a trying start to the season. Their support continues to be the driving force behind our club and is vital as we now look to the future,” he concluded.

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Immediate favourites for the vacant position include Martin O’Neill and Mark Hughes, but Short gave no indication of timescales in regards to hiring a new manager.

By Gareth McKnight

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Everton boss David Moyes has stated that he hopes Jack Rodwell opts to stay at the Goodison Park club, but knows that they could face a battle to keep him should Chelsea make a bid.

Reports in the British press on Tuesday indicated that Chelsea were preparing a £20 million offer for the England international midfielder, whilst Manchester United are believed to be long term admirers of Rodwell also.

Moyes knows the player’s quality and hopes that despite the interest of leading English clubs, he decides to continue his development on Merseyside.

“His development here has been good. He came on the scene very early but I’ll always think players will be better served being at Everton,” the Scottish coach told The Daily Mail.

“I don’t think we’ll be selling because we need the money for the bank or anything like that. But there have been some really big players sold.

“Ronaldo was sold by United and Torres went to Chelsea. If those players are available then most other clubs will have to be thinking about their players.

“There comes a point where we don’t want to become a club preparing players for other clubs. We’ve tried not to be that (a selling club). But times have changed. In the past there weren’t players at Everton good enough for the top teams. Everton have that now,” he concluded.

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By Gareth McKnight

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Wayne Bridge’s career at Manchester City seems to be coming to an end as we approach the transfer window, and it is hardly surprising given the lack of games he has had. Loaned out by City to West Ham last season, Wayne failed to make his mark at Upton Park and has been unable to reach the top-level that he seemed to be nearing at one stage of his career. Bridge has been linked with a move to Arsenal in recent weeks, but whether that move reaches fruition remains to be seen.

Off the field however, it seems as though Wayne has been more successful. Currently going out with Frankie Sandford from the Saturdays, it can’t all be doom and gloom for the 30-year old. The distraction of Frankie, 22, may well be the reason for Bridge’s lackluster performances on the pitch, and if we’re honest, we can’t really blame him!

Click on Miss Sanford below to see her in all her glory

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West Ham supporters love to worship a player that has entertained them with passion, flair and ability and if you were to ask any Hammers fan who their favourite player has been at Upton Park in the past 20 years the majority would repeat the same name. When I was growing up I was fortunate enough to be able to get to Upton Park each week and watch my footballing hero become a legend in the East End whose name is still heard from the stands today.

You may have heard this said before, but I was sitting directly behind ‘that goal’ against Wimbledon that was voted the best ever Premier League goal that only confirmed what I had known for a while; Paolo Di Canio is a genius.

When Avram Grant was sacked after doing a wonderful job to get West Ham relegated last season from the Premier League, a certain Italian’s name was popping up on a regular basis to be his successor. Hammers owners David’s Gold and Sullivan were quick to dismiss Di Canio from being a contender to return to his second home due to one key issue, a lack of experience. The level headed owners were able to take a  step back and view the decision without rushing in to please the supporters which has to be admired.

The former Celtic, Sheffield Wednesday and Charlton forward though, took that on board and after discussions with a few Football League club’s he was offered the managers role at Swindon Town, where he immediately became a fans favourite with the Robins supporters. In the script, Paolo would be showing his passion, making pundits and supporters fall in love with him once again, and steer the talented Town to automatic promotion. Once that was done, Di Canio would be a viable option and favourite to take over at West Ham once Sam Allardyce had got bored of the constant criticism from the terraces and left to take over at Blackburn Rovers again once the Venky’s got rid.

However, having spent a lot of money in the summer bringing in plenty of talent to the County Ground, Di Canio’s side suffered a slow start in League Two following relegation last season and doubts were beginning to grow as to whether the 43-year-old could really cut it in English management. But the turnaround is well and truly on and Swindon are now just outside the automatic promotion places after losing just once in a remarkable 22 games in all competitions that included victories over Premier League Wigan and League One high flyers Huddersfield Town in the FA Cup.

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Unfortunately for Di Canio, his exuberance and passion has spilled over on many occasions this season and his pile of letters from the FA will trump even Joey Barton’s after regular dismissals and fines while on the touchline.  Di Canio has to learn that he is going to be under the spotlight every time he emerges from the tunnel, even more so than when was a player, and biting his tongue may affect his passion but may also move him up the Football League ladder.

As a player, Di Canio was never far from controversy whether it was shoving referees to the ground, fighting over the taking of a penalty or giving up an open goal to score because the opposition goalkeeper was injured, he has clearly not lost any of that personality, which made him so endearing to the majority of football fans but stepping over the mark is becoming far to regular and expensive for a lowly club.

So for a club such as West Ham to take the risk of bringing Di Canio to Upton Park in the next year or so is unnecessary and could end terribly for both parties, with his legendary status being hindered and the club slipping back to the second tier of English football. It may take time for the ageing Italian to adapt to management in England and learnt not to attract so much attention to himself but hopefully one day it may all come together for him.

I would like nothing better than the smart Italian to come running down the touchline at Upton Park celebrating a last minute winner in the Premier League as manager of West Ham, but Irons supporters and other club’s who may have a look at Paolo next year must take a step back and think, is it really worth the risk? Give him another two years or so to mature and learn in the managerial game and the answer to that question may be very different!

Would you like Di Canio as your manager now or next season? Let me know on Twitter: @Brad_Pinard

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Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish has stated that his task of turning the club’s fortunes around is his biggest challenge in football, but that he has no intentions of leaving the Villa Park hotseat.

The Midlands club have had a poor season by their own standards, and although they are in not in direct threat of relegation, the side’s fans have made their distain known.

The Scottish coach is ready to fight to help Villa improve, and will not give in despite being under pressure.

“Is this my biggest test in football? Yes, it probably would be,” he stated in a press conference, recorded by Sky Sports.

“Rangers was a very tough challenge as well because they expect to win every single week, every single game. It was a different kind of challenge there, if you like.

“There was a spell at Rangers when we weren’t winning and again it was difficult with the finances at times.

“We offloaded a lot of quality players one summer and we didn’t really do the right thing replacing all of them but then, the next season, we did and it was all rosy in the garden again.

“I knew when I came to Villa that there were going to be some demanding times ahead and that changing the squad around would take time.

“But I took the challenge up and I’m certainly not going to quit it now.

“I want a bit of respite and I know how hard I work here. I’ve not got a magic wand and I don’t think there are a lot of managers who could do a lot better than the job I am doing just now,” he concluded defiantly.

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Villa take on Blackburn at Ewood Park on Saturday.

By Gareth McKnight

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