Wed Nov 11, 2015 9:18 am
DEPAY HITS BACK AT CRITICS
Manchester United winger Memphis Depay has hit back at questions over his attitude, stressing he is a team player who is working hard on "getting back to the top".
He said: "I think I'm a team player and the other players in the team also think that. I don't think I'm in a difficult path of my career as the media talk, but I just think my form isn't very good right now.
"I'm still working hard. Just because I don't show the exact form that I showed at the World Cup or last year, it doesn't mean I don't work hard.
"Right now, I feel good again. Other people don't see what I'm doing in training so people think I'm not busy with football but that's not true."
OUINN: NEWCASTLE DON'T NEED CAROLL
Ex-Newcastle striker Mick Quinn thinks his former club need to buy a new striker in January – but he doesn’t believe it should be Andy Carroll.
Writing in the Newcastle Chronicle, he said: “I do believe Newcastle need to sign another striker during the upcoming transfer window - Papiss Cisse doesn’t look like he wants to be there to be perfectly honest - I just don’t think it should be Carroll.
“Not only has the 26-year-old been struck down by a series of unfortunate injury problems, but he also plays the game in an extremely similar way to Aleksandar Mitrovic.
“Both of them are six-foot-odd battering rams who, though good on the ball, are there to act as important target men. I just cannot see a way to fit both of them into the same side. If anything, they’re going to get in one another’s way.”
BARCA ADMIT NOLITO INTEREST
There is a “real possibility” that Barcelona could sign Celta striker Nolito in the January transfer window, according to the Camp Nou club’s technical secretary Robert Fernandez.
Barca have been tipped to reinforce their attacking options in January and Nolito, who has been in stunning form for Celta this term, is reportedly top of their wishlist.
Robert Fernandez, Barca’s technical secretary, was asked about the prospect of snapping up 29-year-old on Spanish radio station RAC1 and said: “He is a real possibility. We know what the player’s situation is, but there are many more possibilities.
“I am not going to talk about how Nolito is as a player. He is a good player, he’s in a sweet moment and in the national team, which is always an important fact.”
OSCAR TO JUVE?
Juventus are interested in signing Chelsea forward Oscar, according to Tuttosport.
The Serie A club will reportedly look to open negotiations with the Blues over a summer deal when they meet to talk about a permanent deal for winger Juan Cuadrado.
JONES JOINS GRIMSBY
Birmingham striker Alex Jones has signed for Vanarama National League side Grimsby on a short-term loan deal.
The 21-year-old will stay with the Mariners until December 12 in a bid to secure regular first-team action.
LOFTUS-CHEEK TO SEEK LOAN DEAL?
Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek will seek a loan move away from Stamford Bridge in January, according to The Times.
The report suggests the 21-year-old will not be short of offers from the Premier League, the Championship and even clubs from around Europe, but it is not certain whether Jose Mourinho will allow him to leave Stamford Bridge.
MIRALLAS READY TO QUIT EVERTON
Kevin Mirallas has warned boss Roberto Martinez he will look to quit Everton in January if he does not get more time on the pitch.
The Belgium international has started just one Premier League match and two Capital one Cup ties, but Everton are reluctant to let him leave in January.
However, the 28-year-old, who signed a new three-year-deal in August, has admitted he will be forced to have a re-think if his situation at Goodison Park does not change.
“It’s not easy to live such a situation but it happens like that in the world of football,” he said.
“I don’t think in terms of my place in the national team. But in January, if my situation has not changed, I will ask questions and perhaps consider a departure.”O