Todd Kane signs new Chelsea contract

   

Chelsea have today announced that 21 year old, Todd Kane has signed a new three year contract with the club.

Chelsea have announced that young right back Todd Kane has penned a new contract with the club, keeping him at Stamford Bridge until 2018.

The Englishman has been with Chelsea ever since joining the academy at the age of eight, and has successfully progressed through it, making appearances for both the Under-18 and 21's squads.  

Experience 

The young right back spent part of last season away from London, on loan with Championship side Nottingham Forest, however after receiving several starts from Stuart Pearce, his game time lacked under his replacement Dougie Freeman. This meant Kane didn't get as much experience as he had hoped for from the loan move.  

Kane has had experience on his other loan moves so far in his career, appearing for Bristol City, Preston North End and Blackburn Rovers, where he scored his first ever professional goal.  

He does also have plenty of experience in a blues shirt too. Kane was apart of Chelsea's 2012 FA Youth Cup winning side whilst also having captained the clubs U-21's.

New deal

Having signed a three year deal, it shows that Chelsea have been impressed by his dedication to the club and his growth in ability, this was shown by the his selection as back-up substitute for Chelsea'sChampions League Final in Munich three years ago.

The length of the deal gives Kane plenty of opportunity to continue improving and attempt to gain much needed experience, with a loan deal likely to be in his future, it could prove pivotal to his Chelsea career. 

Bright Future 

With the ability to not only play right back but also on the left hand side and in more attacking wide roles, Kane has plenty of flexibility which will only increase his chances of impressing his manager.  

Having impressed enough to earn a contract extension, Kane will certainly be looking to follow in fellow right back and new club vice-captain Branislav Ivanovic's footsteps and earn his way into the first team.

Should Olivier Giroud start in the bigger games?

With Theo Walcott starting against Chelse,a and perhaps not having the biggest impact upon the game, the question has to be asked, does Giroud deserve to be Arsenal's main striker against the bigger teams?

At one point last season, Olivier Giroud was arguably the most irreplaceable striker in the Premier League.

The Arsenal forward was scoring goals for fun and earned himself the Barclays player of the month award for his efforts. However, after his valiant goal scoring efforts, Giroud predictably succumbed to a goal scoring drought in which he lost his place as the focal point of Arsenal's attack to Theo Walcott.

Walcott made a big statement to be Arsenal's leading striker in the F.A. Cup final scoring the opening goal and playing a crucial role in a mobile Arsenal attack which picked Aston Villa apart. Giroud scored the fourth and final goal that day, but now it seems that question marks are being raised as to who should be the Gunners' forward in the bigger games.

Giroud's hold up play and presence

In bigger games it seems logical that Arsenal should operate with a striker of Giroud's physique and presence. His ability to hold the ball up and win a large percentage of aerial duels allow our creative technicians to push up the pitch putting more pressure on the opposing team.

It was noticeable that during the Community Shield Walcott was struggling to hold the ball up effectively and subsequently Arsene Wenger's men were put under periods of sustained pressure byChelsea.

A fine example of how Giroud's attributes greatly help Arsenal during games in which they are put under pressure was the 2-0 victory at Manchester City. All throughout the game Giroud was the perfect out ball which meant Arsenal pushed up the pitch and exploited City with pace in attacking areas.

He can be a very effective weapon at times but questions over his finishing and mobility will always crop up, so is Theo the answer?

Theo provides the variety

Walcott brings with him a completely different style of play with his pace and clever runs in behind defences. This style means that teams will often sit deeper to accommodate these factors allowing more space for midfielders in attacking areas, who can be lethal.

He makes teams reconsider their approach to the game, defenders will often be nervous because of the athletic attributes Walcott possesses and this can in term effect their performance.

Giroud's play can often be predictable whereas Walcott can provide a variety of options making the Arsenal front line more fluid and mobile as we saw in the cup final.

So who should start?

Giroud has been a consistent goal scorer from Arsenal and is one of the very few players to come from Ligue 1 in recent years to properly settle in the Premier League.

However, Walcott has finally made a big statement in the centre forward department, which he has been seeking to do for years. He makes Arsenal a more potent attacking force bringing more penetration and sheer pace which team's all across Europe will fear.

Arsenal have formed a crucial defensive spine in the form of Petr Cech, Laurent Koscielny and Francis Coquelin which now gives more freedom to the offensive players, which Walcott should thrive off.

Walcott is more of a game-changer, someone who only needs one chance whereas Giroud far too many times has squandered chances during crucial matches.

His hold-up play and physique is something Arsenal should be introducing later in games to see out victories, not something to start out with.

Rafael set to join Lyon from Manchester United

Rafael is set to undergo a medical at Lyon on Monday after Manchester United and Lyon agreed a fee for the right back according to French newspaper L'Equipe

According to reports in France, Rafael da Silva is due in Lyon on Monday to undertake his medical ahead of a move from Manchester United.

French newspaper L'Equipe say that fee is agreed between Lyon and United for €3million which will bring to an end Rafael's seven years at Manchester United.

Rafael's time at United was cut short by too many injuries

Rafael joined Manchester United from Fluminense in 2008, but his time at United was cut short by a number of injuries which was a huge shame for Rafael as he definitely has immense talent and will be a good signing for Lyon.

It has been clear for a while now that Rafael could be leaving and from the reports in France, United fans started tweeting Rafael wishing him all the best on his move and Rafael thanked the fans on his official Twitter account, so Rafael confirmed that he is leaving the club.

United have already signed Darmian this summer

United recently signed Matteo Darmian from Torino which meant that Rafael's time at the club was coming to an end and was allowed to leave this summer, especially as Rafael only had one more year left on his United contract.

Rafael is a huge fan favorite at United

Rafael is certainly a fans favorite at United and they will be disappointed that it never really worked out for United as they felt Rafael could have been special for the club.

Arriving at United in 2008, Rafael was seen as a replacement forGary Neville and he showed glimpses of his attacking talent, but always got told off for not defending properly which was a huge shame.

Rafael always showed huge passion when playing for United and always give it his all and will be missed by the fans, but it is not a surprise that Louis van Gaal decided it was time for the club to sell him as injuries caused him big problems, but all fans wish Rafael the best of luck on his move to Lyon.

Kolo Toure admits to being 'happier' with Benteke on his side

Liverpool's Kolo Toure has said that he's much happier to have Christian Benteke on his side now, and insisted that his team are ready for the new season.

Liverpool defender Kolo Toure has gladly admitted that he's 'happier' to have Christian Benteke on his side, after the Belgian striker scored his first goal for the Reds.

After completing his £32.5million move from fellow Premier League side Aston Villa earlier this summer, Benteke didn't take long to show his talents, rifling in a superb volley after taking the ball down on the chest during the 2-1 win over Swindon Town.

It wasn't the first chance that Benteke has taken to show the Liverpool fans his skill, as he has put in matchwinning performances against the Reds over the past three seasons.

Happier to have Benteke

This was something which Toure, who lined up alongside him in the Swindon game, conceded, admitting that he was "happier to have him on my side!"

On the goal itself, Toure complimented it, describing it as "a fantastic goal", and praising Benteke for playing "a good game". The experienced Ivorian defender also added that getting off the mark was "important" for Benteke, saying that it will "give him confidence"ahead of the ever-closer league season.

Many have questioned whether Benteke has all the required skills to make an impact on L4 this season, however Toure gave his seal of approval on the signing by telling the media that "It's always difficult to play against him" and that "he scores goals".

Liverpool are gearing up for the opener

Liverpool's season begins in just six days time, as they begin where they left off last season, with a daunting away trip to Stoke City'sBritannia Stadium.

Toure was positive in saying that Liverpool were "looking forward" to their opening game, and that he feels they are "well prepared", something they'll have to be if they are to avoid another 6-1 upset.

However, he did add that "This will be a crucial week," because it's"very important to start the season well."