The Premier League has removed SIX candidates from this year's Hall of Fame shortlist amid controversy.
The league has released its Hall of Fame shortlist of 15 players, including Rio Ferdinand, Ashley Cole and Yaya Toure to name a few.
The 15-player shortlist is down from 25 nominees last year, with SIX icons removed - including former Southampton player Matt Le Tissier and Manchester United defender Patrice Evra.
Le Tissier has been dropped from the candidates after facing scrutiny for his controversial stance on Covid-19, the vaccine and the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Image:
Premier League
Evra was also removed from the shortlist after being convicted by a Paris court of making homophobic remarks about Paris Saint-Germain. Legendary Dutch trio Ruud van Nistelrooy, Edwin van der Sar and Robin van Persie as well as Teddy Sheringham along with Le Tissier and Evra have been dropped from the shortlist.
According to Premier League sources, the nominees have been reduced due to a smaller number of referrals.
The federation said: “New players become eligible each season after retiring from football.
“A number of other factors are also taken into account by the Premier League and the League Awards Jury.
"These include past voting data for players previously shortlisted by the Hall of Fame, eras, player locations, and achievements. "Each player will be considered based on these factors when compiling all future shortlists."
The Premier League Hall of Fame starts in 2021 and features 16 iconic players.
The first selection in 2021 sees David Beckham, Dennis Bergkamp, ??Eric Cantona, Thierry Henry, Roy Keane, Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard and Alan Shearer inducted.
Sergio Aguero, Didier Drogba, Vincent Kompany, Wayne Rooney, Peter Schmeichel, Paul Scholes, Patrick Vieira and Ian Wright were then introduced.
Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson and former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger have become the first coaches inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Read More
Real Madrid are believed to have been linked with a summer move for 30-year-old Liverpool striker Mohamed Salah.
A report from Defensa Central claims that Real Madrid are looking to bring in reinforcements at the end of the season. And they are tracking a number of strikers including Mohamed Salah, Harry Kane and Victor Osimhen.
It will be interesting to see if Los Blancos make a concrete proposal to sign the 30-year-old Egyptian winger at the end of the season. Salah has performed brilliantly for Liverpool since his move to the Premier League, helping them win every club title. Despite an unsatisfactory season for Liverpool this season, the Egypt international has 22 goals and 11 assists in all competitions. Real Madrid could certainly use someone like him on the right wing of their attack. Meanwhile, Salah dreams of joining Real Madrid.
Carlo Ancelotti had to use Federico Valverde on the right flank. But the Uruguayan midfielder is more suitable for the central midfield role. Salah's arrival will allow Valverde to play his natural role. and that will strengthen Real Madrid as a unit.
Salah's contract at Liverpool expires in 2025 (Image by Paul Ellis/AFP via Getty Images)
Moreover, the Spanish giants have been too dependent on Karim Benzema in recent seasons. But the French player is in the late afternoon, so Real Madrid needs more goals. Benzema therefore needs more help and support from his teammates. Salah can share the creative burden and score with the Frenchman. The Liverpool forward has consistently proven himself at the highest level and could prove to be a quality deal for Real Madrid.
However, he has a contract with Liverpool until the summer of 2025 and the Red Devils may not be ready to spend money on him. Furthermore, recent reports have claimed the 30-year-old is not ready to leave Liverpool.
Liverpool will struggle to replace a player of their quality, especially if they miss out on the Champions League. Therefore, it seems unlikely that Real Madrid will be able to take him away from Anfield this summer. Players like Harry Kane and Victor Osimhen could be more accessible targets for the Spanish giants.
blogpay
Total Comments: 0