Sam Allardyce's Brazilian

West Ham have signed Brazilian forward Nene on a free transfer. The former- PSG man signed a short term deal that will last until the end of the season.

At 33 years of age, Nene arrives from his exotic adventure with Al Gharafa, a club based in Qatar, a expedition that was motivated by finance.

 Nene at his peak was a star performer for the then newly rich PSG, so much so scored 21 goals in one campaign in France.

Although Nene was out of the footballing spotlight while in Qatar, during his time in Europe he was renowned for being a very talented footballer. If he still has the technical ability and skill he produced so often in France, Nene could be a real asset to manager Sam Allardyce.

Nene put pen to paper at Upton Park

Due to his age, he may have lost a bit of his pace that allowed him to skip past defenders but that was never his major strength. Nene is a clever player who can use his vision, anticipation of the game and creativity to culture scoring chances for himself and team mates. While the physical side of his game may have declined, his mental attributes should have developed with experience.

Nene originally left PSG after finding himself no longer a first team player as world stars like Ezequiel Lavezzi, Lucas and Jeremy Menez now of AC Milan got the nod. Disillusioned with life at the Parc des Princes, Nene opted to leave Europe for Qatar.

However, Nene is now back and could become a tactical master stroke from "Big Sam." West Ham aren't blessed with a number of attackers especially after Andy Caroll has now been ruled out of action for the rest of the season due to knee surgery. That leaves Carlton Cole as cover for first choice strikers Diafra Sakho and Enner Valencia.

Nene's former employers include Monaco and Celta Vigo

While Sakho has been one of the stand out players at Upton Park this year, he can often frustrate by making the wrong decision. Enner Valencia's strong start to the season seems to have slowed and has three goals to his name in 22.

Nene can offer something coming off the bench if Allardyce wants to continue with Sakho and Valencia as first choice starters. Whatever role the English manager has in mind for Nene, it will be sink or swim as he returns to Europe as he looks to prove he can still produce at a competitive level of football. Will this be a savvy bit of business from Allardyce or a big no-no, sorry should that be ne-ne?

Van Gaal's summer wishlist revealed

"I'm looking for balance and I need it in midfield." Manchester United manager Louis Van Gaal today revealed his top priority for this summer's transfer window. Reinforcements in the creative midfield department are necessary according to the Dutchman and following Manchester United's summer splurge last year a household name may be on their way to Old Trafford.  

Previous target Arturo Vidal is obviously someone the club would ideally want and may try to land him again however, the Chilean won't come cheap and is happy to stay in Turin. Other names floating around the rumour mill include Paul Pogba but, a return to Manchester United is unlikely following his torrid time there and seems destined for a big money move to one of the Spanish super powers Barcelona or Real Madrid. 

So who should Woodward and co consider? It really depends on what sort of midfielder Van Gaal is after. Whether it be a midfield hard man to break up play, a player to dictate tempo and recycle moves or a creative number 10?  

Van Gaal dropped hints that he was after a creative midfielder in his latest interview, one that did not involve tactical dossiers or references to a "twitchy ass." The Dutchman said: "In the last games, I played with Adnan Januzaj and Angel Di Maria in the midfield positions and you need a certain balance for those kind of creative players.

"So when you have these creative players and you think that [Radamel] Falcao and [Robin] van Persie are also creative, then you have four creative players. Then you have to look for balance in your team."

If its the tempo-setting creative type, step forward Miralem Pjanic of Roma. Anyone that has watched the little midfielder's development under Rudi Garcia will know that he is apt fit. Assured on the ball, blessed with great vision and not shy to drive forward from midfield, the Bosnian international should be top of the wish list.   

However, he is in the mould of a Ander Herrera, a player who was signed for £29m but has slipped down Van Gaal's pecking order. Van Gaal is also shown he is willing to play Wayne Rooney in midfield, a player who has looked comfortable in the middle of the park but is probably better suited upfront where he can do more damage. Daley Blind, another summer signing has been favoured as the holding midfielder in the diamond, impressing his first season in England. 

Van Gaal has already lauded Michael Carrick and is clearly a huge fan of the English midfielder, so much so handed him the vice captain role. Carrick when fit, challenges Blind for spot sitting in midfield. While it is often Pjanic's team mate Kevin Strootman reportedly being courted by Van Gaal since his appointment, Pjanic would be a better suit to Manchester United given the players they already have.  

Strootman was not his usual all action self when he returned to Roma following knee surgery that ruled him out of the world cup. Cartilage damage was suffered as a result of the surgery and has now forced Strootman to sit out the remainder of the season, casting doubt over the long term fitness on the midfielder and if would he be worth the gamble. 

Van Gaal has recognised his squad still needs to be improved and a reluctance to delver to much into the January transfer window suggests Van Gaal is not interested in quick fixes. This summer could see Manchester United test the resolve of long term targets and yet more blockbuster names in the world of football could be courted into turning out at Old Trafford. Watch this space! 

Ibracadabra

In a era where media coverage of sport has never been so great, few sportsmen are able to define their media image. When you think of some of the greats in sporting history, for example Muhammad Ali, some were able to portray their own character and reputation rather than just become another sportsman moulded by what the media write.

Step forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Arrogant, funny, rude, misunderstood are all common descriptions of PSG's talisman. While it is obvious the Swede has the talent on the pitch, he is just as entertaining outside of football. How he reacts to the press in his manner has become something of much interest and is one of the reasons why he is so popular on the sporting stage.

Quips like telling team mates not to talk to the media as he "is the boss" and how he would not get his wife anything for her birthday as "she already has Zlatan" make the striker iconic. Few sportsmen let alone footballers are willing to drop the media visage and interact as themselves.  

However, his most recent act is the perfect example to how footballers of mass popularity to can use the game as a stepping stone to raise awareness for important global issues. David Beckham, Lionel Messi and Didier Drogba to name a few do wonders for global causes like Unicef, Kick It Out, etc.

Although, Ibrahimovic's latest stunt is arguably one of the most eye catching and touching gestures during on a sporting stage for some time. Having just scored against Caen, Ibrahimovic walked to the middle of the centre circle, to reveal 50 temporary tattoos that covered his entire torso of names of 50 starving children from different countries for the World Food Programme.

While sporting demonstrations are so often a driving force to have world issues recognised and to say that global issues, politics and sport do mix could not be more wrong, Ibrahimovic has most certainly raised the media profile of a fantastic organisation.  

No stranger to ink, Zlatan spoke on the demonstration:  "I had 50 temporary tattoos on my body. They were the names of real people who suffer from starvation in the world. Even if the tattoos are gone today, these people are still there. There are 805 million starving people in the world. I want you to see them, through me, to help the World Food Programme."

Sportsmen and women will forever continue to make bold political statements on sporting stages and with the media coverage that exists today it is impossible for the views not to be seen or heard. That said, it is unlikely to see a athlete raise awareness for a cause in such a bold way that Ibrahimovic did, doing so in a way that really summarises his character.

Kane and able for England?

England manager Roy Hodgson peers down from the directors box at White Hart Lane as Harry Kane once again delivers for Tottenham Hotspur, this time in what is the biggest game in the footballing calender for Spurs.

In front of the home fans, Harry Kane scored twice for Tottenham in the north London derby and notched his 12th Premier League goal this season. Kane running over to the Tottenham faithful in jubilation has become a familiar sight as he has won points for the side on his own.

But, does Harry Kane warrant a call up to the England set up? Hodgson has been casting his eye over the forward for some time this season and Kane's performance against rivals Arsenal may well have put him in contention for England's upcoming European qualifier with Lithuania on the 27th of March.

Kane emerged from the Tottenham youth ranks

"One of our own" chant the Tottenham fans as Kane has repaid the faith placed him since his emergence from the Spurs youth ranks. It was ex-manager Tim Sherwood that first gave Kane his chance to shine and did impress towards the end of the season. However, the forward has really flourished under manager Manuel Pochettino and is now regarded as a key player.

Kane has the ability to hold up the play with his tall frame and be a real handful for defenders. Blessed with a good touch to match, Kane has an eye for goal and despite being just 21 years of age, oozes confidence. 22 goals in total this season is hard for Hodgson to ignore, becoming the top goalscorer in all competitions, pipping the likes of Sergio Aguero and Diego Costa.

Having represented England at U21 level, Kane's objective this year must be to break into the senior side. A call up would cap off what has been an incredible year for the striker. 

Kane celebrates a goal at U21 level with Luke Shaw 

In what can only be described as a front line lacking depth in goal shy Roberto Soldado and the lackadaisical Emmanual Adebayor, Kane carries the burden as the goal scorer for the side despite his youth. Kane could well challenge for a spot in the England squad but faces a challenge to get ahead of now fit again Daniel Sturridge. 

Kane may well be a useful option off the bench for Hodgson to employ but also faces competition from another emerged striker this season who has been in red hot form, Charlie Austin. Hodgson has watched QPR a few times this season and the striker will certainly deserves to be in contention.

It will be exciting to see who Hodgson brings into the England squad for the upcoming matches. It could be a time for a series of players to make international debuts as the national side enters a transitional period following high profile retirements of players who have been ever present such as Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole. Kane he replicate his form for England?

Best of the business in January

The January transfer window has slammed shut for another year and amongst the movers and shakers, which clubs did the best bits of business?

AC Milan
A club lacking real financial fire power due to debt, the red side of Milan have been restricted in transfer windows. No longer able to compete with the European super powers, AC Milan often have to make do with short term quick fixes that don't force the likes of Berlusconi to dip too deep into his pockets.The Rossoneri however have acted in savvy business fashion and tied up some very clever loan deals.

The club secured Fernando Torres on a permanent deal for nothing from Chelsea following his "flop" status at Stamford Bridge and immediately loaned him out to his boyhood club Atletico Madrid. In return, manager Filipo Inzaghi got ex-Torino attacker Alessandro Cerci. The Italian had been out of favour in Madrid following his big money move in the summer despite his creative exploits last year.

AC Milan then brought in Mattia Destro on loan from Roma, a move that surprised a few considering the Rome club were willing to let a player of his calibre leave the side. While Destro does not offer to much to the team in his play, the Italian striker does score goals and can be a real predator in the box. An out and out striker is something Inzaghi's side has really lacked this season and have had to rely on the creativity of Jeremy Menez as an unorthodox number 9 for goals.

Regarded as a bright talent at Anfield, Liverpool let their Spanish attacking midfielder Suso leave the club for a undisclosed fee. While Diego Lopez has been in great form for AC Milan, the Spaniard can only do so much as his defence so often lets him down, creating needless pressure for the goalkeeper. Inzaghi felt it was necessary to sure up his defence, bringing in  4 defenders in the form of Gabriel Paletta from Parma, Luca Antonelli from Genoa, Krisztian Tamas of AS Varese and Salvatore Bocchetti from Spartak Moscow.

Inter Milan
Whereas in the blue side of Milan, cross town rivals Internazionale have followed suit and pulled off some of the finest coups in Europe. Arsenal's left sided forward Lukas Podolski arrives on loan with a view to permanent deal to provide some creativity in the final third. The German international joins in search of first team football and could be a real success at the San Siro, suiting manager Roberto Mancini's narrow style of play.

Roberto Mancini also welcomes one of Europe's most exciting talents in Xherdan Shaqiri, whose development has stalled since his arrival at Bayern Munich after struggling to get game time. Bayern's Pep Guardiola is happy to let him leave with Inter Milan managing to install a view to permanent deal once the loan finishes. The Swiss star is a signing fans can be delighted about and may be one of the few highlights of what is set to be a disappointing season.

AC Milan have swapped and chopped their side around

Davide Santon returns to the San Siro on loan from Newcastle, with the side lacking in full backs as Mancini looks to stamp his style of play into the side, moving away from previous manager Walter Mazzari's preferred trio of centre backs in defence. Defensive midfielder and one time Arsenal target, Marcelo Brozovic arrives from Dinamo Zagreb. Big things are expected from the 22 year old and his development is something Inter Milan fans will be watching with anticipation.



Chelsea
Unlike both Milan clubs, Chelsea have the financial muscles to flex in the transfer market. However, the Blues cannot go spending outrageous amounts of money due to Financial Fair Play Regulations. Manager Jose Mourinho has seemingly abolished the Chelsea of old who were willing to spend big and not recuperate their losses. The sales of fringe players like David Luiz, Romelu Lukaku and Juan Mata has generated over £100m over the last year.

Keeping with this trend, the "Special One" saw fit to sell Andre Schurrle for £22m in an effort to capture Fiorentina's Juan Cuadrado in a deal totalling to £27m on top of letting Mohammad Salah go the other way on loan. While the club have had to let go of Schurrle, a player many regarded as a player with a future at the club and a dangerous option coming off the bench, Mourinho saw it a necessary sacrifice.

Cuadrado has been one of the expensive purchases of the window, however there are question marks of what role the winger will fulfil at Chelsea . His pace and flair will make him the player to watch and will no doubt be a handful for defenders. Ryan Bertrand, a champions league winner with the club, left on a permanent deal to Southampton following his initial loan for an excessive £10m. Bertrand has impressed in his short stay at St Marys and has been a welcome remedy following the departure of Luke Shaw.

Inter Milan have bolstered their attack in January

Roma
The third Italian club to make clever business transactions this January, Roma are playing catch up to league leader Juventus and saw it necessary to add reinforcements. As Mattia Destro left the side to join AC Milan on loan, manager Rudi Garcia added Seydou Doumbia to the ranks to replace the Italian. The pacey forward will join up with the side once his African Cup of Nations duties are over with the Ivory Coast.

Caligari's Victor Ibarbo is also welcomed to Roma, although initially on loan with a view to a long term deal. Ibarbo will add even more speed to Roma's attacking front three however, is most likely to act as cover to first choice Juan Iturbe and Gervinho. Garcia holds the Columbian in high regard too, saying: "For me, Ibarbo can become a champion, but I have to consider whether he's ready, I won't take risks with him."

Roma have also built for the future, securing 18 year old Jonatan Lucca from Internacional. Lucca was a player catching the eye of many European clubs and was brought in for a fee just under £1m. 17 year old Perth Glory midfielder Daniel De Silva also was signed but, will remain in the Australian league for the season. Newcastle's Mapou Yanga-Mbwia has been signed permanently after impressing for Garcia's side in the early days of his loan.

The January window has slammed shut and there seems to a common misconception that this window was a dud. Across Europe it is clear clubs have acted in a direct business fashion, working in a conservative manner during what can only be regarded as a difficult and frantic time to purchase players. January was not a boring window, business has been flowing!

Love Lampard

On July 24th 2014, Frank Lampard's love affair with Chelsea ended as he left as a free agent signing for the newly formed New York City FC. Today, he returns to Stamford Bridge in the colours of title rivals Manchester City.

There is a divide among the Chelsea faithful on how to receive a player they once lovingly dubbed "Super Frank." Some rightly feel he should be honoured upon his return whereas others feel that a special treatment should be out of the question for a player helping direct rivals Manchester City.

However, Chelsea really should be ashamed if Lampard does not getting anything but a warm reception full of respect. The Englishman is a player that was forever present in Chelsea's most successful years in history and was a cornerstone in their successes which included a first Premier League title in 50 years, a first Champions League trophy amongst the silverware.

Frank Lampard returns today to Stamford Bridge

During a time of constant change in owner Roman Abramovich's reign, Frank Lampard was one of the few players that was always in the side. He was part of the Chelsea backbone which included John Terry, Petr Cech and Didier Drogba that was considered untouchable by the Chelsea faithful.

Frank Lampard spent a majority of his career at Chelsea, having arrived from West Ham in 2001 for a fee of £11m, a price tag that was regarded at the time as a gamble. Since then Lampard became the clubs all time leading goalscorer with 211 goals for the side and the fourth in number of appearances in history for the side. Many forget that during his prime, Lampard was voted second in the Balon d'or ceremony behind none other than Ronaldinho.

One of the greatest to ever pull on a Chelsea shirt, Frank Lampard should be credited by the fans and club when he arrives with Manchester City today. It would be a touch of class for the club to do something similar to when Drogba returned with Galatasaray  and present him with a commendation.

Lampard was so often a player Chelsea turned to

The free-scoring central midfielder was ever graceful in his time at the Blues, someone many looked to as a model professional. Before the boo boys label him a traitor, they must remember that it was not Lampard who wanted to leave Chelsea, it was the other way round. The club deemed him a player that was not needed and at times looked like they were poorly treating a club legend.

Lampard's perfectly timed runs on the edge of the box, dictating of play and long range strikes became trademark Lampard at Chelsea and was so often a sight fans were use to seeing. It is strange to have him in anything but a Chelsea shirt but, even if it is in the colours of a direct rival he should still get the respect a record top scorer, model professional and legend should get upon a return home.

Lusting for Lacazette

"What is the name of that Welshman at Real Madrid? I think Alexandre is much better than him." This is the verdict of Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas when discussing his prized asset. In France, there is one man taking the plaudits for his form in the first half of the season. You would be forgiven for thinking it was one of the usual suspects from PSG's star studded line up such as Zlatan Ibrahimovic or Edinson Cavani.

 However, Alexandre Lacazette of Lyon's form has seen him develop into Ligue 1's man to mark and has even caught the eye of some of Europe's heavyweights. A January move is unlikely due to a thigh injury picked up ruling him out for the coming weeks but, the likes of Liverpool, PSG, Tottenham and Arsenal are suggested to be lining up bids for the Frenchman.  

Lyon are currently sitting pretty at the top of Ligue 1 and their form has been massively down to the heroics of their star striker Lacazette. The pacey little forward has 21 goals to his name in just 22 league appearances and Lyon's title credentials will be very much tested now Lacazette faces a period on the sidelines.

Lacazette is hot property 

While Lacazette has been one of the more exciting players in France for sometime now, it is this year the 23 year old has really grabbed the headlines. On the ball, Lacazette is a natural dribbler twinned with his flair he can give defenders nightmares. Quick and able to change direction with blistering acceleration, the Lyon front man is comfortable out wide on the left, right or playing through the centre. 

But where will he end up? Lacazette has even had to speak out about his future following months of intense speculation. He said: "Between England and Spain, I don't have a preference. I dreamt about Barca when I was little, but once you grow up you know you cannot be on just one club."

Lacazette is a French international and has four caps

However, there is hope for clubs outside of France in their pursuit. Lacazette soon addressed links to the Parc des Princes and said: "PSG? We will see, it is hard the answer that now. To play with Ibrahimovic and Lucas, I cannot say that I cannot see myself in this attack but it would more likely be a departure abroad. Afterwards, you never know what might happen." 

Where ever the destination Lacazette ends up, he will not come cheaply. Both president and manager of Lyon know that he is hot property and if they hold him in the same regard as Gareth Bale, who knows what sort of astronomical fee they could ask for. At 23 years of age the French international has his career ahead of him and is likely to move in the summer as his form suggests he has outgrown Lyon. Should Lyon be saying their au revoirs soon?