Unai Emery is unlikely to want to re-sign Jack Grealish.

That is the view of former Aston Villa and Liverpool attacker Stan Collymore, who believes the competition summer signing Jeremy Doku is providing could be too much for City’s number 10 to contend with.

“Jeremy Doku is a serious talent and it looks to me like he’s going to be City’s main wide attacker for years to come,” Collymore said in an exclusive interview.

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“Phil Foden is one of the club’s own and a player who is still very young. He’s also super versatile in attack so he’s not going anywhere — so that does kind of beg the question as to what could happen with Jack Grealish. I do wonder if his time with City is coming to an end. He’s done well there and has the silverware to show for it but he continues to be linked with a return to Aston Villa.”

However, despite Collymore believing Grealish is destined for a new club, as well as being a boyhood fan of Villa, the now-retired forward isn’t convinced Manchester City’s number 10 will make an emotional return to his old stomping ground.

What has Stan Collymore said about Jack Grealish?

Grealish left the Villains in 2021 after being relentlessly linked with both Manchester clubs. Eventually settling on City as his next destination, the popular Brummie, who signed for £100 million (Sky Sports), has seen his career thrive at the Etihad under Pep Guardiola.

However, as Collymore rightfully points out, the 28-year-old remains linked with a possible early exit, and given his stature at Villa, Emery’s side often find themselves mentioned in the same breath.

“I really like Grealish – he’s a top player and an even nicer human being but as a Villa fan would I take him back? – No, I don’t think I would,” Collymore added.

“I don’t think Emery would embrace Grealish coming back. He did exceptionally well during his time there and most fans will always be thankful, but the club has moved on since then. We’re in a different position with different goals and I just think digging up the past rarely proves beneficial.”

During his years with Villa, Grealish, who was promoted to club captain in 2019, scored 32 goals in 213 games in all competitions. The Englishman has three-and-a-half years left on his contract with Manchester City.

The post Former Aston Villa star says Unai Emery won’t want to re-sign Jack Grealish appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Jeremy Doku has the potential to retire Trent Alexander-Arnold’s career as a full-back.

That is the view of former Aston Villa and Liverpool attacker Stan Collymore, who believes this weekend’s Premier League clash between Manchester City and Liverpool has the potential to determine where Alexander-Arnold plays for the rest of his career.

The Reds will travel to Manchester to take on last season’s treble-winners, and currently sitting second, just one point off Saturday’s opponents will be eyeing top spot in the table.

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It will be a challenge for the Merseyside giants though. Manchester City are in formidable form having remained unbeaten in their last six games, in all competitions, and scoring 21 goals along the way.

One of the club’s biggest threats is summer signing Jeremy Doku. The Belgian arrived in the Premier League from Stade Rennes less than six months ago and has hit the ground running. The 21-year-old international already bagged three goals and registered six assists from his first 14 games.

What has Stan Collymore said about Trent Alexander-Arnold?

And not only is Collymore a big fan of the Belgian, but the ex-Liverpool star is worried Liverpool’s Alexander-Arnold may not be able to cope with the ‘explosive’ wide-man, and consequently, could then be viewed as a player better suited to midfield, as opposed to at full-back.

“I am really, really looking forward to seeing how Trent Alexander-Arnold deals with the likes of Jeremy Doku,” he said in an exclusive interview.

“Doku looks to be one of the most exciting wingers in the country. He’s explosive, very quick with his feet and can create as well as score himself — another truly great buy from City.

“But can Alexander-Arnold deal with him? – I’m not so sure he can. Time will tell of course, but I think where the Reds could come undone is by Jurgen Klopp instructing Alexander-Arnold to manage Doku by himself because Liverpool cannot risk pulling a midfielder out of position to help double up. If they do that, they run the risk of being overrun in the middle of the park, and against City with the likes of Bernardo Silva and Rodri, you may as well just forget it.

“So it’s going to be really interesting to see how both sides approach those wide positions. Alexander-Arnold will either prove his critics, myself included, wrong and keep the likes of Doku at bay for the game, or he’ll effectively announce himself as a midfielder. Definitely one to watch this weekend.”

Saturday’s Premier League blockbuster, which is scheduled to kick off at 12.30 p.m. (UK time), will be broadcast live on TNT Sports.

The post Pundit says ‘explosive’ Man City star could retire Trent Alexander-Arnold as full-back appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Newcastle United will sack Eddie Howe and replace him with one of football’s most successful managers.

That is the view of former Aston Villa and Liverpool attacker Stan Collymore, who made a wild prediction in February that the Magpies would part ways with Howe by the end of the year.

And although it looks unlikely PIF will axe the popular Englishman before the year is out, Collymore remains adamant the club’s wealthy Saudi owners will be on the lookout for a top-tier manager to soon take charge.

“I do believe PIF will already be looking at candidates to come in and take over from Howe,” Collymore said in an exclusive interview.

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“Don’t get me wrong. He has done a remarkable job since he took charge. He’s taken the Geordies to Wembley and got them back into the Champions League. But there is a huge gap between being a club that qualifies for Europe and reaches a Carabao Cup final and being a club that is virtually nailed on to win the Carabao Cup, such as Manchester City, and a team that routinely competes for the Champions League trophy, again, such as Manchester City — and Newcastle’s owners will know this.”

Using Manchester City’s dominance since the side welcomed Sheikh Mansour as their new owner in 2008, Collymore compared at-the-time manager Mark Hughes to Newcastle’s Howe.

“Let’s not forget either – Manchester City, post-takeover, started with Mark Hughes and they’ve ended up with Pep Guardiola,” he added.

“The former has just been sacked from his role at Bradford City and the other has just lifted the treble. 

“PIF will show the same level of ruthlessness with Newcastle and Howe. They’re here to win and to win it all. Howe will not be able to do that. He’s a good manager but it’ll be one of football’s elite few that ends up in the St. James’ Park hot seat in the near future.”

Although Howe penned a new “long-term” deal last summer, the length of the 45-year-old’s deal remains unknown (BBC Sport).

The post Pundit uses brutal Man City comparison to double down on wild Eddie Howe prediction appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Erik Ten Hag could be about to make a career-defining decision.

That is the view of former Aston Villa and Liverpool attacker Stan Collymore, who has been left baffled by the Dutchman’s apparent eagerness to sell experienced duo Casemiro and Raphael Varane.

The former Real Madrid stars both joined United in the last two years for a combined fee of around £100 million.

However, despite being the Red Devils’ two most decorated players, recent reports have suggested Ten Hag is preparing to axe the pair. Varane has lost his place to the once frozen-out Harry Maguire and 36-year-old Jonny Evans with Casemiro a shadow of the midfielder he was last season.

What has Stan Collymore said about Erik Ten Hag?

Consequently, now set for a huge January window with both players thought to be attracting interest from Europe and Saudi Arabia’s Pro League, fans await to see if Ten Hag will follow through and offload two of the club’s biggest-named stars.

“It absolutely blows my mind that Erik Ten Hag might be considering selling two of his most decorated and experienced players during the January window,” Collymore said in an exclusive interview.

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“That never happens. You don’t prepare for the second half of a season and say ‘Right, these two players aren’t continuing’ – not when they’re Casemiro and Raphael Varane.

“If Ten Hag doesn’t see either of them as his first-choice defensive midfielder and centre-back, fine. But don’t sell them mid-season. That is career suicide because you just know that if he signs off both players’ departures in January and United goes on to finish the season poorly, the headlines will all be asking the same question — why did the manager get rid of two wise and experienced players? – You can just see it now, can’t you? – It makes no sense.

“I think all this level of uncertainty and constant mind-changing shows is, because let’s not forget, it was only a couple of months ago that Harry Maguire was more or less frozen out and now he’s one of Ten Hag’s most nailed-on starters, a total lack of decisiveness. Ten Hag does not have a clue who or what his preferred 11 is.”

Do you agree with Collymore? – Is Ten Hag showing signs of ruthlessness or naivety? – Let us know what you think in the comments below.

The post Pundit warns ‘clueless’ Erik Ten Hag major transfer decision could be ‘career suicide’ appeared first on CaughtOffside.

In his exclusive column for CaughtOffside, former Liverpool attacker Stan Collymore discusses some of football’s biggest talking points, including Eddie Howe’s time at Newcastle, Jack Grealish’s possible Aston Villa return and Erik Ten Hag’s risky January decision, plus much more.

———————————————————————————–

Football is fickle and Newcastle will prove it… 

I know I upset a lot of Newcastle United fans last year when I said that Eddie Howe could be sacked and replaced with a genuinely world-class manager. I may have got the timing wrong having predicted he’d be gone by now, but I stand by my original point. I do believe PIF will already be looking at candidates to come in and take over from Howe.

Don’t get me wrong. He has done a remarkable job since he took charge. He’s taken the Geordies to Wembley and got them back into the Champions League. But there is a huge gap between being a club that qualifies for Europe and reaches a Carabao Cup final and being a club that is virtually nailed on to win the Carabao Cup, such as Manchester City, and a team that routinely competes for the Champions League trophy, again, such as Manchester City — and Newcastle’s owners will know this.

Let’s not forget either – Manchester City, post-takeover, started with Mark Hughes and they’ve ended up with Pep Guardiola. The former has just been sacked from his role at Bradford City and the other has just lifted the treble.

PIF will show the same level of ruthlessness with Newcastle and Howe. They’re here to win and to win it all. Howe will not be able to do that. He’s a good manager but it’ll be one of football’s elite few that ends up in the St. James’ Park hot seat in the near future.

Everton to start their relegation-revival on Sunday against Man United…

I am fully expecting Sean Dyche to go into Sunday’s game against Manchester United promoting a ‘the world is against us’ mentality to his squad.

They’ve been deducted 10 Premier League points, and despite being unbeaten in their last four games, now find themselves back in the relegation zone. Dyche absolutely must do all he can to use this week’s events as a form of motivation for his players.

Everton don’t have the best record against United but I can see them pinching something from this weekend’s game at Goodison Park. Manchester United will not want to go there that is for sure — especially knowing the Toffees are a wounded animal and feeling sorry for themselves. I can see the home team pinching a point. I think United, although in decent form, are having big problems in the dressing room, which I will come onto a bit later on. But yes – I am backing Everton to pull off a bit of an upset. I am going to say it’ll be a draw and the points shared.

Also, for what it’s worth Everton fans — I don’t believe you’ll get relegated. I am expecting the team to come back from this week’s setback strong and wouldn’t be surprised to see them finish the season as high as 12th or 13th.

Jeremy Doku could decide where Trent Alexander-Arnold plays for the rest of his career…

The biggest game of the weekend comes in the early kick-off between Manchester City and Liverpool. Number one versus number two. Saturday’s game at the Etihad should be a great one – an attacking feast for every neutral.

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I am really, really looking forward to seeing how Trent Alexander-Arnold deals with the likes of Jeremy Doku. In my opinion, Doku looks to be one of the most exciting wingers in the country. He’s explosive, very quick with his feet and can create as well as score himself — another truly great buy from City.

But can Alexander-Arnold deal with him? – I’m not so sure he can. Time will tell of course, but I think where the Reds could come undone is by Jurgen Klopp instructing Alexander-Arnold to manage Doku by himself because he’ll know he can’t risk pulling a midfielder out of position to help double up. If Liverpool do that, they run the risk of being overrun in the middle of the park, and against City with the likes of Bernardo Silva and Rodri, you may as well just forget it.

So it’s going to be really interesting to see how both sides approach those wide positions. Alexander-Arnold will either prove his critics wrong and keep the likes of Doku at bay, or he’ll effectively announce himself as a midfielder. Definitely one to watch this weekend.

Jack Grealish back to Aston Villa?

As I mentioned above, Doku is a serious talent and it looks to me like he’s going to be City’s main wide attacker for years to come. Phil Foden is one of the club’s own and a player who is still very young. He’s also super versatile in attack so he’s not going anywhere — so that does kind of beg the question as to what could happen with Jack Grealish. I do wonder if his time with City is coming to an end. He’s done well there and has the silverware to show for it but he continues to be linked with an exit and a return to Aston Villa in particular.

I really like Grealish – he’s a top player and an even nicer human being but as a Villa fan would I take him back? – No, I don’t think I would.

I don’t think Unai Emery would embrace Grealish coming back. He did exceptionally well during his time there and most fans will always be thankful, but the club has moved on since then. We’re in a different position with different goals and I just think digging up the past rarely proves beneficial.

And not only that, who’s to say Grealish even wants to come back to Villa? – He might want to challenge himself in one of Europe’s big leagues, or he might have eyes on a lucrative Saudi deal. Who knows. Either way, a move back to Villa? – No, not for me.

Selling Casemiro and Raphael Varane in January is either very brave or very stupid of Erik Ten Hag. I hope the former but fear the latter…

It absolutely blows my mind that Erik Ten Hag might be considering selling two of his most decorated and experienced players during the January window. That never happens. You don’t prepare for the second half of a season and say ‘Right, these two players aren’t continuing’ – not when they’re Casemiro and Raphael Varane.

If Ten Hag doesn’t see either of them as his first-choice defensive midfielder and centre-back, fine. But don’t sell them mid-season. That is career suicide because you just know that if Ten Hag signs off both player’s departures in January and United go on to finish the season in an underwhelming way, the headlines will all be asking the same thing — ‘Why did the manager get rid of two wise and experienced players? – You can just see it now, can’t you? – It makes no sense.

I think if anything this level of uncertainty and mind-changing, because let’s not forget, it was only a couple of months ago that Harry Maguire was more or less frozen out and now he’s one of Ten Hag’s most nailed-on starters, shows is a total lack of decisiveness. Ten Hag does not have a clue who or what his preferred 11 is.

The post Collymore’s column: PIF will already be looking for Eddie Howe replacement, Everton have perfect weekend motivation, Jack Grealish isn’t needed back at Aston Villa and Erik Ten Hag’s January sales will decide his Man United future appeared first on CaughtOffside.

The Premier League have made an example out of Everton following confirmation the Toffees have been handed a 10-point deduction for financial rule breaches.

That is the view of former Aston Villa and Liverpool attacker Stan Collymore, who thinks Everton’s punishment could be used as an example when it comes to Manchester City’s possible punishment following 115 charges of Financial Fair Play breaches.

In February 2023, the Cityzens were charged by the Premier League for alleged breaches of financial rules. The case has been referred to an independent commission pending further investigation.

And Collymore thinks Everton’s recent breach, which includes a ‘harsh punishment’ for a £20 million deficit, could be used as ‘a baseline’ in future cases.

“The fact the Premier League have gone straight in with a 10-point deduction probably tells you that they feel they have a very strong case against Manchester City,” he said in an exclusive interview.

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“What they’ve basically done today with Everton is set the punishment’s baseline at a 10-point deduction.

“If the Premier League are going in hard, then they need to go in hard on any club that breaks the rules. Points deduction is one thing, but at what point do we start considering voiding silverware? There has to be an incentive there for clubs not to break the rules.

“What is the point in a club’s ownership group investing all that money if the end goal, which is to win silverware, gets taken away? – It’d have all been for nothing.”

Do you agree with Collymore? – Let us know in the comments below.

The post Pundit worried for Man City following Everton’s points deduction appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Jarrod Bowen and Trent Alexander-Arnold are two players capable of making England’s starting lineup in next summer’s European Championship.

That is the view of former Aston Villa and Liverpool attacker Stan Collymore, who believes both players have a chance of forcing Southgate to reconsider his preferred England squad.

Having both been called up to represent the Three Lions during the current international break, Southgate, who is preparing to take on Malta and North Macedonia in his last two competitive games of the year, will be demanding to see a good display as England aim to top Group C.

And in addition to predicting both Bowen and Alexander-Arnold will start on Friday night at Wembley against Malta, Collymore has suggested that playing well over the next six months could be crucial in the pair’s bid to become starters in Germany’s Euros 2024.

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“I’m expecting Jarrod Bowen to start on the right wing with Trent Alexander-Arnold playing in a midfield role,” Collymore said in an exclusive interview.

“I think if Bowen and Alexander-Arnold can play well from now until April time next year, they’re the two who could sneak into Gareth Southgate’s starting team for the Euros.”

Does West Ham’s Bowen and Liverpool’s Alexander-Arnold get into your England starting lineup? – Let us know in the comments.

The post Pundit names Liverpool star as outsider to make England’s Euros 2024 lineup appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Sir Alex Ferguson should stop being so involved in the day-to-day running of Manchester United.

That is the view of former Aston Villa and Liverpool attacker Stan Collymore, who believes the legendary former manager must relinquish his control amid reports he is going to work closely with Sir Jim Ratcliffe to ‘overhaul’ the club once his 25 per cent share in the club is confirmed (Telegraph).

Ferguson’s 26 years in charge of United yielded 38 major trophies, including 13 Premier League titles and two Champions League. The 81-year-old remains the sports’ most decorated manager.

However, with his career in management now over following his retirement at the end of the 2012-13 season, Ferguson now sits on the board of Manchester United and is one of the club’s global ambassadors.

What has Stan Collymore said about Sir Alex Ferguson?

Collymore believes the Scotsman’s huge influence is preventing the club from moving forward though.

“It’s time for Sir Alex Ferguson to let Manchester United move into a new era,” he said in an exclusive interview.

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“We all know what he is and what he did for, not only the Red Devils but the whole of football. The man is a living legend, but there comes a point when such powerful figures need to take a step back if something is to move forward.

“I am intrigued to see the changes Sir Jim Ratcliffe makes at Old Trafford but for him to reportedly be ‘guided’ by Sir Alex is a strange one. What does Sir Alex know about how to rebuild a modern-day football club? – With the greatest of respect, I would argue none.

“To be able to have Sir Alex at the end of a phone when you need advice and support is one thing, but to have him lead a total rebuild is another. I think if Sir Alex knew the answers to United’s problems, he’d have shared them by now — he’s been out of his management role for 10 years and the club have done nothing but go backwards ever since.

“So for me, I think it’s really just about Sir Alex enjoying his ambassador duties now he’s retired and letting the club go so it can move in a new direction altogether.”

Do you agree with Collymore? – Should Sir Alex Ferguson take a step back from Manchester United’s decision-making? – Let us know in the comments below.

The post Pundit urges Sir Alex Ferguson to ‘let Man United go’ so club can ‘move into new era’ appeared first on CaughtOffside.

In his exclusive column for CaughtOffside, former Liverpool attacker Stan Collymore discusses some of football’s biggest talking points, including Everton’s harsh Financial Fair Play punishment, why it’s time Sir Alex Ferguson let Manchester United go, and a look ahead to England vs. Malta, plus much more.

————————————————————————–

Everton’s punishment harsh but necessary…

My take on it is painfully simple. The Premier League are looking to shore up their defence against Manchester City. They know that City are going to be lawyered up to the hilt following 115 charges brought against them, so the Premier League need to make sure they come armed with an example and unfortunately for Everton, they’re it.

The fact the Premier League have gone straight in with a 10-point deduction probably tells you that they feel they have a very strong case against Manchester City. What they’ve basically done today with Everton is set the punishment’s baseline at a 10-point deduction.

In my opinion, to be deducted 10 points for a £20 million deficit is fairly harsh to one of English football’s founding fathers and I’m sure other clubs will sympathise with them.

From my perspective, it’s really simple though. I have absolutely no problem with Everton being docked points. I think 10 is a bit harsh, as I said above, but I wouldn’t have a problem with any team being docked points if they’d broken financial rules – and that includes Aston Villa, by the way. But if the Premier League are going in hard, then they need to go in hard on any club that breaks the rules. Points deduction is one thing, but at what point do we start considering voiding silverware? There has to be an incentive there for clubs not to break the rules.

What is the point in a club’s ownership group investing all that money if the end goal, which is to win silverware, gets taken away? – It’d have all been for nothing.

Manchester United can’t move forward…

It’s time for Sir Alex Ferguson to let Manchester United move into a new era. We all know what he is and what he did for, not only the Red Devils but the whole of football. The man is a living legend, but there comes a point when such powerful figures need to take a step back if something is to move forward.

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I am intrigued to see the changes Sir Jim Ratcliffe makes at Old Trafford but for him to reportedly be ‘guided’ by Sir Alex is a strange one. What does Sir Alex know about how to rebuild a modern-day football club? – With the greatest of respect, I would argue none.

To be able to have Sir Alex at the end of a phone when you need advice and support is one thing, but to have him lead a total rebuild is another. I think if Sir Alex knew the answers to United’s problems, he’d have shared them by now — he’s been out of his management role for 10 years and the club have done nothing but go backwards ever since.

So for me, I think it’s really just about Sir Alex enjoying his ambassador duties now he’s retired and letting the club go so it can move in a new direction altogether.

England’s two outsiders with a chance of starting in next summer’s Euros…

The priority is to top the group and qualify for next summer’s European Championship, and I am expecting the boys to get it done.

I wouldn’t be surprised if Marc Guehi started at centre-back and I am also expecting Jarrod Bowen to start on the right wing with Trent Alexander-Arnold playing in a midfield role.

I think if Bowen and Alexander-Arnold can play well from now until April time next year, they’re the two who could sneak into Gareth Southgate’s starting team for the Euros.

Watch this space.

The post Collymore’s column: Premier League have made example out of Everton in preparation for Man City, Sir Alex Ferguson must let Man United go and which two England outsiders could make Gareth Southgate’s Euros squad appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Manchester United should sack Erik Ten Hag and replace him with Roberto De Zerbi.

That is the view of former Aston Villa and Liverpool striker Stan Collymore, who doesn’t think Ten Hag is the right man to lead the Red Devils despite the Dutchman lifting the 2022-23 Carabao Cup in his first season in charge.

Eighth in the Premier League table and on the verge of being dumped out of the Champions League at the group stage, United, who have already been eliminated from the Carabao Cup, are enduring a dreadful run.

And with Luton Town next up for Ten Hag’s struggling side, the pressure on the United boss could be turned up a notch. Failure to beat Rob Edwards’ relegation-threatened Hatters would lead to serious questions being asked over Ten Hag’s position in the Old Trafford dugout.

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Irrespective of what happens at Old Trafford on Saturday though, Collymore thinks United should part ways with the former Ajax manager.

“Erik Ten Hag does not have the personality to carry Manchester United,” Collymore said in an exclusive interview.

“Being Manchester United manager comes with immense responsibility but whenever I look at Ten Hag on the sidelines, he just doesn’t fill me with confidence. It’s quite the opposite actually – he looks like a rabbit caught in headlights, especially whenever United fall behind.

“I know the club try not to sack their managers during a season but he has got to go. If the Glazers and Sir Jim Ratcliffe decide to stick with Ten Hag for the time being, fine, but come the end of the season they must do everything in their power to get Roberto De Zerbi out of Brighton and Hove Albion.”

Going on to explain why De Zerbi would be his pick to succeed Ten Hag at Manchester United, Collymore believes the Italian makes for a better man-manager and coach.

“Let De Zerbi come in and ship out all the deadwood. He’s a beast, he wouldn’t mess around,” he added.

“Not only that, but he would almost certainly get the best out of their underperforming squad. He can mould a team to play the ‘Manchester United way’, and make no mistake if he took charge at United and was in a press conference following a defeat he’d make it known to the players that their performance wasn’t good enough. No ifs or buts, if De Zerbi said they must improve, they would have to improve or risk being let go.

“It’s really simple for me – Ten Hag should get sacked, and if Manchester United are serious about changing to this coaching philosophy and having a proper managerial presence around the place then De Zerbi is their man.”

Do you agree with Collymore? – Would De Zerbi do a good job at Manchester United? – Let us know in the comments.

The post Pundit tells Man United to sack Erik Ten Hag and hire Premier League ‘beast’ appeared first on CaughtOffside.