I am not here to argue that the quality of Major League Soccer (MLS) in the USA is anywhere near the same level as the top flight in England, but one day, in the not too distant future it could be. More and more quality players are signing up for the American experience after David Beckham proved that it could be done successfully after leaving Real Madrid and Europe behind.

It may have been a quiet January in the transfer window in England, but the three biggest names to arrive have been from across the Atlantic. Landon Donovan’s return to Goodison Park has been met with joy on Merseyside and Robbie Keane snapped up the chance to play for his boyhood club Aston Villa for two months while the off-season continues in Los Angeles. Obviously you can’t forget Theirry Henry’s much publicised return to Arsenal, where he has already shown that he hasn’t lost any quality in sending the Gunners through to the FA Cup fourth round.

The quality of these players in not in question and although it is assumed that a player will only move to America at the end of their career, the national team are a young, improving side and players like Robbie Keane still have a good few years left in him yet and will represent Republic of Ireland in the Euro’s this summer.

David Beckham revealed last week that he expects to stay in Hollywood and sign a new contract after big spending PSG declared their interest. The likes of Tottenham Hotspur have also been publically interested in the former England captain in recent times and he is expected to be involved with team GB at this summers’ Olympic Games in London.

More well known, quality players that European clubs will no doubt want in their sides such as Rafael Marquez, Fredy Montero and Torsten Frings also grace the MLS and the likes of Dider Drogba, Allesandro Del Piero, David Bentley and Michael Ballack are heavily linked with a move there in the near future, so the quality is only going to increase as the sport grows in the States.

One problem that ‘soccer’ has had in the USA has been the supporters’ interest, as the likes of Baseball and American Football are huge all over the country and will take some beating. Fans are choosing to go with their more prestigious sports which is completely understandable but with attendances rising at ‘soccer’ games in the past 12 months, slowly but surely it can compete.

MLS games in 2011 averaged 17,870 fans per game in contrast to last year’s 16,675 per game. Take a look at Wigan Athletic in the Premier League if you want a comparison. The improvement in attendance has propelled the MLS to the third-most attended sport in the United States, placing it in front of the NBA (17,319 average) and the NHL (17,126). The MLS has also become the 10th most watched league in the world, above Brazil’s Serie A and the Scottish Premier League which can only be good news for the fans.

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An improvement in quality, an improvement in funding and an improvement in support –  the MLS is starting to have what it takes to compete with other sports in  America and also top European Leagues and it may not be too long until matches between teams from the MLS and Europe become competitive.

Would you like to see the MLS become as big as the Premier League, let me know on Twitter: @Brad_Pinard

Arsenal will be gunning for revenge at the Emirates tomorrow afternoon as the Champions arrive in North London. Arsene Wenger was particularly disappointed at the manner of their 3-2 defeat at the Liberty Stadium and suggested, at his Friday Press Conference, that referees have it in for the Gunners more than any other team in the country. Whether that is true remains to be seen but you can’t help feel that they Wenger’s men do get the thin end of the wedge at times.

Arsene Wenger also suggested that the failure to land a Champions League spot at the end of the season would be a devastating blow to the football club because anything other than rubbing shoulders with Europe’s elite year on year would be a letdown.

This week at FFC we have seen a mixed bag of blogs that include, time to stop this crisis talk; the ideal signing for Arsene Wenger, while it may be time for Arsene to change his ways. We have also added new features to our summary article that includes Arsenal’s quote of the week and a full match preview ahead of the United game.

 

Best of FFC

Arsenal’s top TEN wonderkids that proved anything but

A ‘super-signing’ can do so much for Arsenal’s future

Time for a change of ways Arsene

Does Arsene actually make a vaild point over January signings?

Time To Stop All This Crisis Talk

The ideal signing that both Liverpool and Arsenal should battle for

Will the Premier League’s top stars find the allure of Spain too hard to resist?

Interest in Berbatov as Arsenal weigh up more for wonderkid

Arsenal brace themselves for Lazio bid

Once a liability, now indispensable at Arsenal

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Best Arsenal Blogs on the WEB

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Beaten by Swansea in possession, points and budget | Wenger mess deepens at Arsenal – Le Grove

A year is a short time in football – Online Gooner

Arsenal: False Idols, Falsehoods and Victorian Abattoirs. One Of Speaks… – A Cultured Left Foot

Summer of Change as a Mass Exodus on the Cards…. – Highbury House

So the fans’ feelings count for nothing then Hill-Wood? – Gunnersphere

Arsène Wenger must end austerity drive to break Arsenal’s drought – Guardian

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Arsenal Quote of the Week

“I feel that the players technically are very good, but sometimes they don’t sense danger or show a ruthlessness in certain situations to win games,’

“When Arsenal lose control of the game, it just goes disastrously wrong for them.” Nigel Winterburn told talkSPORT.

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Match Preview v Manchester United

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Arsenal will be gunning for revenge when they meet Manchester United on Sunday as they aim to get even with champions following the humiliating 8-2 thrashing in August.

Arsene Wenger’s side were humbled at Old Trafford in the opening weeks of the season as crisis gripped the Gunners following the departure of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri. Since then the Frenchman has steered the club into calmer waters and to within four points of the top four despite suffering losing two of his key players and having to deal with a never-ending succession of injuries. One defeat in 12 since mid-October had put Arsenal in with a great chance of achieving Champions League football next year but two defeats on the trot has seen them drop further behind Chelsea in the New Year. Wenger will have been unhappy with his side after they were blown away by Swansea at the Liberty Stadium last week and they’ll need to cut out the reckless mistakes that cost them in South Wales. With Johan Djourou and Ignasi Miquel continuing to fill in at full back they’ll need Andriy Arshavin and Theo Walcott to double up and minimize the threat of United’s wide players if they are to exact retribution for the embarrassing defeat suffered six months ago.

The Red Devils will be well aware that Arsenal will be vengeful going into the game but need to approach their trip to North London with a sense of trepidation. A 3-0 win at home to Bolton came after two consecutive defeats with Paul Scholes scoring on his return to Old Trafford. Whilst the veteran midfielder will probably be relegated to the bench at the Emirates his return to the club has provided a visible lift. Michael Carrick’s improved performances in central midfield will have delighted Sir Alex Ferguson who will more than likely recall Ryan Giggs to the starting line-up. The 38-year-old continues to defy the ageing process and his experience will be key to beating the Gunners who have been forced into fielding a number of teenagers and young players this season. Getting Wayne Rooney into the game will be key for United along with Antonio Valencia and Nani on the wings. The duo will come up against two inexperienced full backs on Sunday and Ferguson will make it clear to Valencia and Nani that they could be the difference in the game. Keeping Van Persie quiet will also be a high priority fo the Scot and it’s anticipated that he’ll charge Phil Jones with marking the prolific Dutchman.

Arsenal 5th : 36 points 

Last six: L L W D W L

Team news: Thierry Henry and Thomas Vermaelen are both doubts for Arsenal who have 11 players out injured.

Key Player: Robin Van Persie

His first goal of 2012 wasn’t enough for Arsenal to see off Swansea last week but there is no downplaying Van Persie’s importance to Arsenal. The Dutchman will be going all out to gain revenge after playing and scoring in the 8-2 thrashing back in August.

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Manchester United 2nd : 48 points

Last six: W L L W W W

Team news: Phil Jones, Chris Smalling and Danny Welbeck are all doubts for Manchester United who have 10 players on the sidelines.

Key Player: Wayne Rooney

Despite having failed to score in the league since before Christmas the Red Devils forward still poses a major threat up front. Rooney’s playmaking ability, energy and determination to win will be key to United’s chances at the Emirates Stadium.

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Manchester City players David Silva and Joleon Lescott have welcomed temperamental striker Carlos Tevez back to their squad,

The Argentina international has recently returned from a self-enforced exile in his homeland, and after apologising to the club will be considered for a place in Roberto Mancini’s squad once more.

David Silva has hailed the potential impact of the returning attacker, and feels Tevez is an important player for the Etihad Stadium outfit.

“I just saw him this morning for the first time at training,” the Spain international told Sky Sports.

“I just wished him all the very best before he left. He was a very important player for us. If he is back with us, then perfect.

“Carlos is a great player and if he is physically fit he would be a very good player to have.

“But it will be down to the coaches and the technical team to decide who plays and who doesn’t,” the playmaker stated.

Despite Tevez’s reputation for scandal and controversy, Lescott does not feel the forward will make any waves upon his return to the team.

“No-one here sees Carlos as a disruption.

“If we can all get together and push in the same direction I am sure it’s a positive for the club.

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“With us, Carlos has never been an issue, and we are confident that if he does get his chance, he will score a lot of goals,” the England defender finished.

By Gareth McKnight

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Four different groups of investors have bid to become the new owners of toiling Scottish champions Rangers.

The Ibrox club went into administration last month due to unmanageable debt, and were docked ten points by the SPL.

However, administrators Duff & Phelps have revealed that four bidding parties will battle it out for the club’s ownership.

“Following our announcement on March 30, that best and final bids for control of Rangers Football Club should be submitted by April 5, I can confirm we have received four bids by close of business today,” joint administrator David Whitehouse told the club’s official website.

“The bids are structured in various ways but I would describe them as positive and constructive.

“The administration team will now analyse these bids over the forthcoming days and hold discussions with relevant parties to gain further understanding of the details of their bids.

“It will be our intention to accept an offer next week and this will be followed by a period of due diligence and exclusivity.

“At this stage, we cannot be precise in timescale but estimate that an exit from administration before the end of the season is achievable.

“We appreciate the need to conclude this process as quickly as possible.

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“It is, however, most important to secure the best possible outcome for creditors, Rangers Football Club and its supporters,” he concluded.

By Gareth McKnight

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QPR have given themselves every chance of staying in the Premier League, after a 3-0 win over Swansea on Wednesday night moved them two points clear of the relegation zone.

Goals from Joey Barton, Jamie Mackie and Akos Buzsaky sealed a home win for the Loftus Road club, and Mark Hughes was delighted with the victory after the game.

“We had a game plan tonight and I thought the players were excellent,” the Welsh manager told Sky Sports.

“They got the job done. We’ve just got to get on with our business, and if we can do that we can be a match for anyone.

“You saw by the manner of our performance tonight that we can take on anyone here and that’s what we have to do – take maximum points from our home games and then take that form away with us.

“People looked at our run-in and told us it was too hard, but we’re getting good results at the moment. There are going to be twists and turns, but that will happen at the top and the bottom,” he admitted.

QPR have West Brom at the Hawthorns on Saturday next.

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By Gareth McKnight

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Liverpool owner Tom Werner has hinted that the club would be interested in signing Fulham star Clint Dempsey this summer.

The United States international has had his best season in England to date this term, and has taken the goalscoring responsibilities at Craven Cottage on his shoulders this campaign.

With the north American’s contract expiring in the summer of 2013, rumours have it that Martin Jol’s men may well have to part with Dempsey when the transfer window reopens, with Arsenal a potential suitor.

However, with Liverpool expected to strengthen in the summer also, Werner has praised his countryman.

“We never talk publicly about our transfer targets, however, any team would be lucky to have Clint Dempsey playing on their squad,” he told Mirror Football.

Liverpool’s lack of clinical finishing has been on of the reasons for their poor league form this term, and Dempsey would certainly add a threat on goal if acquired.

By Gareth McKnight

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Tottenham are officially back in business. Two wins in as many games has reignited their hopes of securing a Champions League place. The catalyst? Roy Hodgson’s appointment as England boss. It’s fair to say Harry Redknapp was distracted by the media hype surrounding the role with the entire country (apparently) pinning him as the national teams saviour. So when it was announced that Hodgson was the FA’s first choice to succeed Fabio Capello it must have felt like a camel had removed from Redknapp’s back. Whilst the 64-year-old will admit his disappointment at missing out on what he described as ‘the ultimate job’ he can now concentrate on his original task. Spurs responded with two storming performances against Blackburn and Bolton that were throwbacks to their early season form and are on course to bag a seat on Europe’s top table. The big question now is whether ‘Arry will remain at White Hart Lane beyond the current campaign.

This week on FFC we have seen a variety of blogs that include Harry Redknapp buying into his own hype, while brutal honesty could prove the inspiration for Tottenham.

Best of FFC

The Top 15 Players Who Only Look ‘Good On MOTD’

Is Redknapp a victim of his own hype?

The Rise And Fall Of Harry Redknapp

Players should be more respectful to the clubs that moulded them

Brutal Honesty Could actually Prove Inspirational for Tottenham

Spurs set to be offered players to tempt them to sell

‘A Lack of Respect’ – The Football Coffee Break

Tottenham and Arsenal set for £7m transfer battle

Tottenham set to return with renewed bid

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Best of WEB

Harry might not be staying long. – Spurs musings from Jimmy G2

At Four O’Clock The Dream Is Over – Harry Hotspur

Paradox – Dear Mr Levy

Two Down, Two To Go – Tottenham on my Mind

Will Harry stay after England snub? – Spurs musings from Jimmy G2

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PSG Are The Latest Side Linked With A Move For Luka Modric – Transfer Tavern

I know we all must make sacrifices for success — Kyle – Sun

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Quote of the Week

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“I don’t think it will ever happen now. Roy has four years, and I hope he sees it out and has great success at the Euros. I didn’t wake up on Monday morning and think: ‘What’s happened to my life, I’m not the England manager’.“It’s saved me making a decision, because I’m very happy at Tottenham. I’m fed up of hearing my name mentioned. I’m history with that job. It’s Roy Hodgson’s job now, and I wish him the best.” Harry Redknapp acknowledges he’ll never manage England after Roy Hodgson’s appointment this week.

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Aston Villa Preview

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Liverpool’s quest for success has led to them appointing former Swansea City manager Brendan Rodgers this summer. After only a season in the top flight and with no European experience, Rodgers was a surprise choice for many so how much work does he have to do to make Liverpool a success again?

After a disappointing season where 8th place represented their worst league finish since 1994, the situation couldn’t be much worse for the Northern Irishman. The gap between Liverpool and the big boys is widening ever further and even their European qualification is tainted by having to play in the dreaded Thursday night UEFA Europa League. Their league form is bound to suffer and it’ll be a steep learning curve for the new manager. To make matters worse the squad he’s inherited is lacking quality throughout team with only Pepe Reina, Steven Gerrard and Luis Suarez good enough to get in any of their rivals’ first XIs. It would appear he’s got his work cut out but Rodgers has signed a three year contract and he believes that should give him enough time to introduce his methods.

“This is long-term, that was important to me, to come into a project over a number of years.

“For me, the attraction is to defend the principles of this great club — offensive football with tactical discipline and to retain the values of the club.

“That was the attraction, along with the history of the club.

Rodgers clearly understands the challenge he’s undertaken for the Anfield job is particularly sought after. With names like Pep Guardiola and Fabio Capello apparently being overlooked, placing such an inexperienced man in charge is a clear sign of faith from the Fenway Sports Group but he remains confident of working his magic.

“We might not be ready for the title but the process begins today.

“It’s a new cycle and that is something that we will work towards in the years to come.”

If Rodgers is to revamp Liverpool’s fading ambitions then the main stumbling block would appear to be the owners’ level of patience. After all Rodgers blended a group of relative unknowns into an attractive passing unit at Swansea and Liverpool’s current squad is far better on paper than the Welsh side. If Rodgers can persuade his new cohorts to follow his ideas then there’s no reason why the Reds can’t improve on last season. Merely improving on last season is perhaps the minimum requirement given how disappointed fans were with their league form but re-establishing themselves above Everton would be a good start and help convince the owners they’re on the right track.

Their chances of success will be greatly improved if Rodgers is given money to enhance his squad and time to implement his philosophy. Realistically Liverpool need a new centre back, striker and some decent wingers but as many as 7 of the current first team plus the majority of their squad needs to be replaced if they’re ever going to compete with the top 4 again. It will require large sums of money to attract the calibre of player needed and fans will also have to tolerate the time it takes for them to settle in. The Northern Irishman insists Liverpool can challenge for major honours but has warned fans it may take time before his philosophy comes to fruition.

“It is going to take time for how I want to play and the philosophy I want to introduce to happen.

“But we will make our first steps and, hopefully over the next couple of years, we will be ready to challenge and ready to compete.”

The job is evidently doable but will Rodgers be given enough money to revamp the squad and then subsequently have enough time to shape them into the decent side?

There’s a lot of work to do but three years isn’t a lot of time to do it and the increasingly competitive Premier League has seen managers like Andre Villas-Boas come and go because they’ve failed to gather momentum early on. Rodgers will have to contend with these factors if he’s to be a success but he proved himself last season with the Swans and Liverpool supporters seem willing to give him a chance.

The pressure at Anfield is a huge step up from the Liberty Stadium and Rodgers is facing a major transformation if he’s to remodel his new side into title challengers. Some clever signings and a strong start could see Liverpool return to their rightful place at the top but another year of overpriced flops and poor league form will leave Rodgers walking alone in Merseyside after another false dawn.

Do you think Rodgers will be given enough time to be a success at Anfield? Are Liverpool making a mistake appointing an inexperienced manager? How long will it be before Liverpool at challenging for the league again?

Let me know your views and opinions by following me on twitter – Tweet me @Alex_Churcher

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The reaction Spain received at this summer’s Euros from English football fans (predominantly) was enough to say it all about the way football is viewed in this country. Some might want to take offence to it, and that’s fine, but why should Spain have to apologise for excelling at the technical aspect of the game? Their performances and ability far outweigh anything England has been able to produce, and yet English football seemed to be the standard that the Spanish were failing to live up to.

Worryingly, this view isn’t just concentrated to a select few who prefer a more direct approach to the game—again, something which is fine. But the view of football in this country has and may continue to severely hamper the wider football education of young people.

At some point it has to reach a bigger audience that pace and power and lumping the ball up to the big man is a horrible way to educate youths on the game. It encourages people to disregard any real technical ability and composure, and discourages smaller kids from pursuing the game.

The changes the FA proposed earlier in the year was hugely refreshing to see. Instead of the regular 11 a-side games dominating football from all ages, the changes will see younger players in the correct environment of smaller pitches and teams and a great emphasis on seeing more of the ball. A good start and something which should pave the way for a much improved level of ability over the next few decades.

But is it enough? The Premier League should also consider launching a league that sees youth players in much more competitive environments, rather than lending each club the choice of whether to compete in a reserve league or not. While it is important for younger players to be educated in a manner which flies in the face of the win at all costs approach, they also need to be made aware of competitive matches that aids them in their development toward top-flight football.

Spain operate in an interesting way, whereby clubs have their youth teams playing in the lower divisions and in weekly competitive matches. It forces the issue of players working to the ideals of the first-team and eases the transition from one level to the next. However, that proposal may not be as easy to introduce into English football, but it’s worth looking at the positives it brings.

With the Premier League launching an academy league that mirrors the top-flight of football, it will also give less importance to clubs loaning out their younger players for competitive action. For example, Tottenham’s reserve team last year were playing games that certainly didn’t compare to the type of football youths at that age should be exposed to. Yes it’s good to receive match time, but where’s the significant level of competition that allows the players to progress.

The Next Gen series was hugely successful this past season, opening up the door to genuine interest into youth football. The participation of a number Europe’s biggest clubs next season will also be a great bonus for the competition and, of course, the competitive nature that youth players need. There was certainly a feel of a European competition to the tournament, and the interest does appear to be growing. However, it would be a good move to see domestic leagues build on that and force the issue of needing to reignite youth football closer to home.

Youth football in this country is undoubtedly flat, and with the Olympics approaching, Team GB (horrible name, by the way) do not create the same type of buzz and excitement that you’d find from other nations. If the younger players in this country are truly found out, it really does just give another incentive for youth football to be taken a little more seriously.

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America is currently, and has been, thriving off minor or youth leagues across a number of sports. The NCAA is fantastic, whereby college students compete nationwide for trophies and personal accolades. Of course, there is also a great deal of emphasis on being drafted into the major leagues, but college basketball and football do have an extremely large and loyal following. The facilities are outstanding, as is the coaching. It would be great to see youth football in England take off in a similar way in the future.

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Luka Modric’s behaviour towards Spurs has been ill advised, immature and totally disrespectful, but it hasn’t been surprising. That so much financial and emotional faith and resources are invested into these players appears to make little difference to their moral compasses.

For all of Levy and Tottenham’s supposed fury at the Croatian’s recent absences from training there seems to be little they can really do about it. If anything, the longer he remains at odds with the club the more untenable his position in north London becomes, thus weakening Tottenham’s hand in negotiations.

When a club has a player tied down to a long contract they can always use the threat of holding him to the end of his deal in order to raise the price of that player. That is of course until it becomes clear that it is impossible for that player to remain at the club. Luka Modric might not quite be at the point of no return, but he’s not far off either.

Ever since Jean-Marc Bosman won his court ruling against the Belgian Football Association in 1995 player-power has been increasing. The threat of leaving for free at the end of their contract has been enough for countless players to either hold their club to ransom or move on to another team without opposition. However, recently we have begun to see that regardless of whether or not a player has multiple years left of their contract they still have the ability to manipulate almost any situation to their advantage.

Modric is the perfect example of this. He signed a six-year contract just two years ago; how then does he have any power of his club? How is it acceptable that he should miss training for a team that pays him a considerable amount of money? The problem for the clubs is that in any other industry you would simply terminate the contract of the individual. That, however, does far more harm to Tottenham than it does to Modric – who would then be able to join whomever he pleased.

Modric isn’t the only high profile player to forced a move to a bigger club whilst in theory the club could have prevented it. Robin van Persie is currently trying to do the exact same thing, but with slightly different tactics. Instead of not turning up to training the Arsenal captain released a statement saying how he disagreed with the way in which the club was run and that he was looking to leave.

Or you could look back to how Rio Ferdinand forced his way out of Leeds in 2002, or how Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas left Arsenal in 2011 or how Berbatov forced a move to Man Utd in 2008.

However, the question that needs to be asked is: are we really talking about player power here or is it more an issue of agent power? It is impossible to deny that player agents are having a negative effect on the game. Only yesterday Alex Ferguson revealed that Eden Hazrd’s agents’ personal demands were £6m and he said that it was the same with Samir Nasri’s agent the year before. If these people are in a position to demand that sort of money it is clear their power has got out of hand.

Moreover, their ability to destabilise relationships between players and their clubs has got to a point whereby UEFA and FIFA really should be considering some kind of cap in terms of how much these agents can earn.

Ultimately the Bosman ruling in ’95 set the tone for things to come. As soon as players had power to move freely at the end of their contracts then clubs had lost the upper hand. The power had shifted, perhaps not irreversibly but certainly to a significant degree. Edgar Davids and Steve McManaman set a precedent with their moves from Ajax and Liverpool respectively, since then a host of players have used the threat of following in their footsteps to force the hand of their clubs.

The problem is that now we have reached a stage where the length of the contract is barely even relevant. If a player kicks up enough of a fuss he can still force a move away from the club and with wages as inflated as they are it is rare that a club can afford to keep that player on the books but in the reserves as punishment.

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Player power does not always succeed. If you ask Niko Kranjcar or Gio Dos Santos whether they have the power to force a move away from a club and they might think a little differently. Nevertheless, it is plain to see that the potential for a club to dictate a player’s career is diminishing every year. With every Tevez and Modric comes a dangerous precedent, an example for others to follow. Clearly players should have a say in how their career pans out; agents, though, are manipulating this situation for their own benefit more than anything.

Follow me on Twitter @H_Mackay

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