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When Liverpool lost their enigmatic striker Luis Suarez to Barcelona last summer, it was expected the mantle of striking responsibility would move on to his more than able deputy Daniel Sturridge. However, a year after the Uruguayan’s departure, Sturridge has failed to have the impact he would have desired, injuries have continuously and consistently held back the England international.

Sturridge has struggled to get any sort of run of games together and it has hurt both his team and the player greatly. With the striker having again been ruled out for a number of games, questions are beginning to be asked.

As Brendan Rodgers prepares to complete a rejuvenation of his faltering Liverpool team, a striker appears to be pivotal to his summer shopping. Can Daniel Sturridge still be relied upon to lead the line at Anfield?

The partnership that Suarez and he struck up last year took Liverpool to the precipice of the unthinkable, bringing the league title back to Merseyside after nearly two decades. Sturridge managed to net 21 times in a blistering season where only his strike partner outscored him. However, this term only 18 times has the former Chelsea and Manchester City forward managed to be fit enough to perform for Rodgers’ team.

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In his limited time this campaign he has still shown the kind of abilities that finally saw him realise his potential last year. His performance at White Hart Lane was a particular highlight of his turbulent season where he and Mario Balotelli tore Spurs to shreds in one of the few times Liverpool have resembled anything like the attacking force they were last year.

His manager still clearly rates him, as do the adoring fans on The Kop, but as the niggling injuries continue to eat away at his time on the pitch, Rodgers has sent out the first signs that his patience may be wearing thin when he said “I need a striker who will be playing at the top level every week.”

Now this is not to say Sturridge’s time at Liverpool is coming to a close, far from it, but the time may be coming where the 25 year old cannot be trusted as Liverpool’s main man. As Rodgers has recently alluded to, for all of his striker’s abilities, he has not been able to showcase them consistently enough to truly be classed as one of the elite strikers in the division.

It took the move to Anfield for Sturridge to finally feel like he was important to a team, no longer a man on the peripheries, shipped out into positions he derides. It is a cruel twist of fate, or several of them in fact, that may lead to him again being a man on the edge.

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His form at Liverpool has earned him more time before he is completely ruled out, but this summer’s transfer dealings may show the willingness his manager still has to invest in the man that helped take him so close to the greatest prize in English football.

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Hello folks and welcome to transfer silly season.

We’ve started a little earlier this year because, quite frankly, there are only a handful of games across Europe that anyone really cares about anymore.

We will have a Champions League final with fairly nailed-on favourites in Barcelona, a couple of Premier League games with relegation importance, and a few Europa League-chasing teams will be in action. I guess we’re all feeling a little underwhelmed just now.

So we’re entertaining ourselves with the hope that this summer will see Manchester City carve out a new squad over the summer. One which can challenge Chelsea right to the end of next season. And so we’ve been subjected to a lot of Paul Pogba speculation over the last few weeks.

Pogba, they say, is a Yaya Toure replacement, a literal translation of the big Ivorian. He combines strength and power with a vision and coolness that Yaya brings to the game, and if City are to lose their African icon this summer – and bear in mind he’s now on the wrong side of the big three-O – the Pogba stories will just simply intensify.

The truth is that he’s a little different. He doesn’t have the swagger of Yaya, he’s not as ‘classy’ but he’s every bit as good.

The young Frenchman has suitors galore, though. PSG look to get their greasy, oil-slick mits on any young Frenchman and Pogba is surely on their radar. Real Madrid and Barcelona appear to be Pogba’s preferred destinations – in fact, countryman Zinedine Zidane is said to have been in contact with the beefy starlet.

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And like just about any big player with big potential, he’s been linked with Manchester City too. There’s a lot of hoo-ha about Pogba.

In the English media at least, City is the most heavily-suggested choice for the Juventus midfielder. As a direct replacement for Toure, they say, he’s worth every penny. He’d get the chance to prove his worth in Manchester, a City where he was never given a chance, of course.

He’d fit right into the Premier League with his power and physicality, and he’d come into a side who – with Komany, Mangala, Fernandinho and Bony – seem to be based upon a mix of brutal, US-style overwhelming force and silky finesse around the box. A dreamy cocktail for the Premier League indeed.

But that ageing cocktail is what gives City such banging post-title hangovers.

The squad is one of the oldest in the league and has little to boast about in the way of young talent. City’s ‘holistic’ approach to club-building, appointing made-in-Barcelona directors and trying to create a club that includes a title-winning trio of elite men’s, women’s and youth sides is a wonderful vision to have.

But the insatiable thirst for immediate success in the men’s department has – paradoxically – left City with a squad without a future.

Saudi billions could work their magic, but City will have to work within the Financial Fair Play constraints. Put simply, they’ll have to sell before they can buy.

And what do they sell? What asset do City possess that could possibly net them the (hundreds of?) millions they need to revamp the squad? The only answer, it seems, is Sergio Aguero. And they can’t/won’t get rid of him.

City would be lucky to get over £30million the out-of-favour Samir Nasri, the wantaway Yaya Toure or even an ageing yet electric David Silva, whose next birthday will be his 30th. So if they want to buy young stars like Pogba or Kevin De Bruyne who could become mainstays of the side over the next decade, they’ll need to offload quite a few of the old guard.

This is the conundrum floating above east Manchester this summer. And papers have been reporting that a deal for Pogba could include a part exchange including Toure, Nasri, Jovetic or Dzeko. Maybe even a combination of these.

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One thing is certain, though. City need a refresh. They can’t afford to simply add players to the squad as they did last season. They cannot simply add another Fernando or Mangala – players who have warmed the bench a fair amount this season. They need starters, they need better than what they already have and most importantly, they need to be young.

Silly season has come early this year, but with good reason. City need it. We’re stuck for excitement in the Premier League, mostly because City couldn’t handle the Chelsea pace.

Chelsea’s little horse is the younger horse, and City’s is ageing gracelessly. It’s time to put the horse out to pasture, and bring in some new prize-winners.

Maybe then we’ll get a real horse race next time around.

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There’s been a lot of buzz around Emirates lately, with chatter that Arsenal’s acquisition of Petr Cech from rivals Chelsea was the final nail in the coffin for the defending champs.

But if swiping Cech didn’t do it, this target surely will.

The Gunners are locked in another transfer battle with Chelsea, this time over ‬£21m Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette.

Should Arsenal win the race for his signature, it would be just the addition to bring them one step closer to mounting the ever-elusive title challenge spoken about in North London.

Lacazette netted a career-high 31 goals across all competitions for Lyon last term, topping his previous best by nine. Twenty-seven of those goals were in Ligue 1 matches, making him the French league’s top scorer.

Arsenal’s leading scorer, Alexis Sanchez, notched 16 Premier League goals.

Lacazette is a supreme finisher, and flourishes inside the penalty box. Eight of his goals in the last campaign were penalties, and he draws fouls often to get his side free kicks.

But that’s not all there is to his game. The Frenchman can score from set pieces, long shots, and one-on-one situations. You thought Theo Walcott’s FA Cup volley was cool? Watch Lacazette put forth just as pretty a finish (below).

Besides raw goal-scoring ability, the 24-year-old striker also fits perfectly with the Gunners’ rhythmic passing game. His style is distinctly in line with the rapid ball movement Arsene Wenger values, demonstrated by the short passes and through balls that led to eight assists.

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Though he may be small in stature, he has enough upper body strength to hold off defenders and maintain possession. Lacazette started every game he played in, and was dispossessed an average of 2.5 times per game. Olivier Giroud’s dispossession average was 4.4.

If Wenger wants to add a reliable striker with stamina, speed and finishing ability, Lacazette is the total package.

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According to Don Balon, Real Madrid are prepared to sell Toni Kroos at the end of the season, which has alerted the attention of Manchester United.

What’s the story?

Real Madrid might have retained the Club World Cup in recent weeks, but Los Blancos are a massive 14 points off La Liga leaders Barcelona after a difficult start to the 2017-18 campaign.

The Spanish champions failed to adequately replace the likes of James Rodriguez and Alvaro Morata last summer, but it is understood that the club will spend big at the end of the season.

Neymar continues to be linked with a spectacular return to Spain, and according to Don Balon, Real Madrid are prepared to sell Kroos to the Premier League in order to balance the books.

Manchester United are believed to have a long-standing interest in the German international, and the Red Devils could seemingly be ready to launch a bid at the end of the current campaign.

How would Kroos fit in at United?

First and foremost, Kroos, who is valued at £72m by transfermarkt.co.uk, is one of the best central midfielders in world football.

The 27-year-old won three Bundesliga titles and one Champions League with Bayern Munich before moving to Real Madrid, where he has enjoyed remarkable success.

Two Champions League crowns, one La Liga title and three Club World Cups have been added to Kroos’ trophy cabinet during his time at the Bernabeu, whilst he is a key figure for a Germany team that won the 2014 World Cup on Brazilian soil.

The thought of Kroos playing alongside Nemanja Matic and Paul Pogba in the United midfield is an exciting thought for the club’s supporters.

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Kroos’ arrival would potentially allow for Pogba to push into an advanced position, knowing that he has one of the best passers in world football behind him.

If Real Madrid do decide to sell Kroos to raise funds for Neymar, United should jump at the chance to sign one of the best midfielders in the world.

While every top-class footballer goes through dry spells, Alexis Sanchez’s dip in form has unavoidably coincided with the January transfer window. The Chile international’s contract is due to expire at the end of the season and a return of just one assist in his last four appearances suggests Sanchez is struggling to maintain his usual standards amid doubts over his future.

Accordingly, many Arsenal fans have criticised the forward for a lack of commitment in recent weeks, and the Gunners’ 4-0 demolition at Anfield back in August highlighted how important it is to have every player fully focused against Jurgen Klopp’s side.

With that in mind, we asked Arsenal fans earlier this week whether Sanchez or Danny Welbeck should start when Liverpool travel to the Emirates Stadium on Friday night. The 36-cap Englishman may pale in comparison to Sanchez in terms of ability, but his industriousness and energy can never be faulted.

And our poll has revealed that a staggering 76% of Gunners supporters would prefer to see Welbeck in Wenger’s starting XI on Friday evening, rather than a half-committed Sanchez. How would you field the Gunners against the Merseysiders, Arsenal fans? Let us know by commenting below…

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Liverpool are weighing up a move for Real Madrid midfielder James Rodriguez, according to Don Balon.

What’s the story?

The Colombian international is currently on a two-year loan at Bayern Munich after dropping down the pecking order at Real Madrid.

The 26-year-old earned himself a transfer to the Bernabeu in 2014 following his scintillating display at the World Cup.

However, he has struggled to hold down a regular spot in the team, which led to his temporary departure.

At Bayern this season, Rodriguez has made 20 appearances in all competitions, scoring three goals and creating five assists.

According to Don Balon, Liverpool are interested in making a move for the Colombian, but a deal could be tricky due to the player’s current loan agreement at Bayern.

Is Rodriguez the right man for the Reds?

There is a Philippe Coutinho-shaped hole left in Liverpool’s team and the Merseyside outfit have the funds to find a replacement.

Rodriguez certainly has the ability to shine at Anfield, but due to his lack of regular game time, there is a question mark over his head.

A major positive is that the Colombian has versatility and can play in a variety of attacking positions.

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He can perform up front, on the left side of attack, or deeper in midfield, which is where he could be positioned to provide balls for Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino.

Manager Jurgen Klopp has proven that he can get the best out of players in an attacking sense, so it may be worth Liverpool taking a slight risk with Rodriguez.

According to reports in The Telegraph, Southampton are keen to complete a £30m deal to sign Spartak Moscow forward Quincy Promes before the January transfer window slams shut.

Saints turned their attentions to the Netherlands international after missing out to Everton in their bid to re-sign Theo Walcott, with the 26-year-old proving to be an influential figure during his time with the Russian outfit – he won the Russia Player of the Year award for 2017.

The south coast club currently lie in the bottom three after scoring 24 goals in 24 Premier League matches this season, and manager Mauricio Pellegrino will be determined to boost his attacking options before next Wednesday to boost his team’s survival chances.

Meanwhile, the Daily Mail reports that West Bromwich Albion are showing an interest in signing out of favour Borussia Dortmund attacker and former Chelsea star Andre Schurrle before January 31, with the Bundesliga giants ready to let him leave on loan this month.

The report adds that Dortmund are also willing to pay part of his current £140,000-a-week wages, and Pellegrino could be making a shrewd move by bringing him to St Mary’s.

Here are three reasons Southampton must forget Promes and sign Schurrle instead…

Experience

While Quincy Promes looks to be an exciting potential addition on paper, he has never played in any of the top five leagues in European football and bringing him to St Mary’s would be a big £30m risk.

The same can’t be said for Schurrle, who has played in the Bundesliga for the majority of his career and has Premier League experience with Chelsea too, for whom he scored 14 goals in 65 games despite the majority of those outings coming from the substitutes’ bench.

The 27-year-old was also part of Germany’s World Cup winning squad in 2014 – providing the assist for Mario Gotze’s goal that saw his nation lift the famous trophy – and he has scored 22 goals in 57 caps for his country.

Point to prove

Schurrle will be frustrated that he has rarely been given a consistent run in the Borussia Dortmund side following his move from Wolfsburg in 2016, and he will have a big point to prove to his current employers if he leaves on loan before the end of the month.

The 27-year-old will also feel that he has unfinished business in the Premier League having encountered a similar scenario with Chelsea, and he also has the added motivation of trying to earn a place in the Germany squad for this summer’s World Cup.

All of those factors combined should see an attacker on a mission, and that would only be a good thing for Southampton if they brought him to St Mary’s.

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Lower risk element

Quincy Promes has a brilliant goalscoring record with Spartak Moscow but Southampton would need to smash their transfer record to sign the 26-year-old, and there is no doubt it would be a risky move considering the situation they find themselves in.

Bringing Schurrle – who has experience of playing in the Premier League and knows what the English game is all about – in on loan instead would certainly be a more sensible move financially, and it could be a deal that pays dividends in the short-term.

Do you agree, Saints fans? Let us know below.

The January transfer window have have only just closed, but Leeds United fans are already considering what business should be done at the end of the season, continuing to harbour ambitions of making a big return to the English Premier League.

Their season has gone off the rails in recent weeks, resulting in the sacking of Thomas Christiansen and appointment of Paul Heckingbottom.

Striker Pierre-Michel Lasogga is at the heart of recent transfer discussions between supporters, after his latest interview with German outlet Sport Bild.

On loan from German side Hamburg, Lasogga has had an up and down season at Elland Road, initially starting superbly and banging in the goals before injury hampered his progress.

He’s scored seven and assisted four goals in 18 Championship appearances, leading many fans to believe he has the quality to propel them back to the Premier League, if they can keep him fit.

Supporters are keen on signing him permanently if they can sort out the financial aspects of a potential deal, with many believing he’d have to take a massive pay cut.

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They took to Twitter to share their thoughts…

According to a post on Ladbrokes’ official Twitter account, Arsenal have reportedly offered midfielder Aaron Ramsey a new contract worth £250,000-a-week and the captaincy too in order to keep him at the club, but Gunners fans are all saying the same thing about the prospect of him being their new skipper.

The Wales international has less than 18 months remaining on his current deal and there has been no progress over extending his stay at the Emirates yet, although Ladbrokes suggest that the north London outfit are ready to show the 27-year-old how much they want to keep him – especially after his hat-trick in the 5-1 win against Everton on Saturday.

Jack Wilshere is another of those that would likely be in contention to replace Laurent Koscielny as the skipper in the future, but that could depend on whether he remains with the club with his deal expiring in the summer.

Arsenal supporters were quick to have their say on the Ramsey captain rumour via social media, and while one said “he’s selfish and plays for himself, not the club”, another said “good player but has nothing to offer as a captain”.

Here is just a selection of the Twitter reaction…

Paul Pogba seems to have been dividing opinion ever since he returned to Manchester United from Juventus in the summer of 2016.

The £89m man has, at times, put in some stellar displays for the Red Devils during his time at Old Trafford.

On other occasions, the Frenchman has struggled to influence from the middle of the park, and many have argued that it is down to positioning.

In some games, manager Jose Mourinho has required Pogba to play deeper and start plays closer to the defensive line, but that does not play to the 24-year-old’s strengths.

According to The Independent, the former Juventus star feels that he is being misused because he plays better in a more attacking role.

In his last three Premier League outings, Pogba did not play a full 90 minutes, and there are rumblings that there is unhappiness behind the scenes.

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The Independent has gone as far to say that the midfielder was open to leaving the club following United’s 2-0 loss to Tottenham Hotspur, but his reaction was more heat-of-the-moment than anything else.

United fans have been tweeting their thoughts on the situation and how it can be resolved.