In the Premier League, Manchester City have been almost unstoppable. After ten games they are still unbeaten, having won nine and drawn against Fulham. The Champions League has thrown up more of a challenge, but it appears to be one that Roberto Mancini’s men are starting to get to grips with.
After a draw against Napoli and defeat versus Bayern Munich, back to back wins against Villarreal at the Etihad Stadium and El Madrigal have put City in a good position in the so-called Group of Death. However, in Spain on Wednesday it wasn’t just the football that Mancini had to worry about, as the Italian banged his head on the dugout.
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This week you can win a copy of The Smell of Football!
The Smell of Football is the brutally honest and utterly unputdownable story of how ‘Baz’ conquered his personal demons to build a life in the game.
From the terrified teenager who purposely tried to get injured in training rather than get picked for the first team, to the experienced pro who became Head of Medicine at Premier League Everton FC in charge of the treatment of the likes of Wayne Rooney, Louis Saha and Tim Cahill.
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Following on from part 1 of this list chronicling the 20 most valuable players in the Premier League, here comes part 2. I defined value in my earlier piece as a player of such importance to a side and their style of play, that it would be to the entire team’s detriment if they weren’t in the side. Sometimes it will be the club’s best player for obvious reason and other times it will not.
For some clubs it’ll be easier and for other more contentious. If I have made any heinous errors of judgement on your respective clubs’ most valued players let me know in the comments section below…
Click on Carlos Tevez to get the ball rolling for Part TWO
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Former West Ham United defender Calum Davenport has been cleared of assaulting his pregnant sister at a hearing held at Luton Crown Court on Thursday.
The Court heard that the 27-year-old centre-back head-butted Cara Davenport and bit her cheek after she announced she was pregnant at her home in Bedford, in the early hours of August 22 last year.
Davenport had earlier said he was defending his father, Curtis, after his sister started attacking him at the property.
Following the incident, Cara's boyfriend tracked down the former Coventry City, Tottenham Hotspur and England Under-21 international and stabbed him in his legs, leaving his life and career in the balance.
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In January of this year, his employers, West Ham United, suspended the payment of Davenport's wages for his role in the unsavoury incidents before his contract was terminated by mutual consent, allowing him the opportunity to resume his career elsewhere.Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
Another day and another gigantic bill faces the British taxpayer as the Government called off protracted buyout talks with West Ham United for the Olympic site. It means as first feared that the Stratford Stadium will become little more than an aging monument, no legacy and a whole bagful of regrets in a few years times. The bottom line is very few people care for Athletics in this country to warrant a stadium of such a size, in the post Olympic era.
The official word from Hugh Robertson is that the all the impending legal disputes, with regards to the potential acquisition of the stadium, had threatened to put the Olympic Legacy at risk. I maybe alone in thinking this but does anyone see the word ‘legacy’ as the simple way to justify the extortionate price this who event has cost. It is certainly the word that West Ham’s Karren Brady happily throws into every other sentence to ensure that the club’s intentions are looked on favourably. The fact remains that the decision to turn down West Ham’s bid has destroyed any hope of making this stadium a relative success and to ensure it doesn’t become little more than a relic.
Sentiment has paid far too big a price in the decision of what to do with this stadium. While Tottenham’s proposal to destroy the site in favour of a new state of the art stadium was met with such disdain; their promise to redevelop Crystal Palace and turn it into a world class Athletics arena for future events and meetings would certainly have fulfilled the legacy brief. Surely the whole purpose of a legacy was to ensure that budding athletes inspired by the Olympics will have the facilities in order to hone their skills, so why does this have to take place at the Stratford Stadium? Even with West Ham’s promises to ensure that the legacy is maintained, it appears it is not enough as the Olympic committee desperately trying to secure future events after 2012, as probably a way of appeasing the Government officials seething at the cost of the event.
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So where do we go from here? Apparently the committee will be seeking tenants for the stadium and West Ham have put their name in the ring, much to the pleasure of Hugh Robertson. I am not a Hammers fan myself, but this sounds a ridiculous situation where the football club will simply have no hold over the stadium, or be in a position to create an identity for themselves at the site. The club will be selling out big time, for the sake of playing in a soulless stadium. Maybe the Hammers would have been better off standing their ground here and refusing to bow down to the new terms on offer. The fact remains that due to Tottenham’s proposal being thrown out of the water that West Ham held the only hope of this stadium and surrounds being a profitable venture. The club should use that knowledge in their bargaining, to ensure this Olympic Stadium doesn’t become the relic I fear it will prove to be.
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Roy Hodgson is refusing to set West Brom a points target as he looks to drag the Baggies away from the relegation zone.West Brom are currently 17th with 28 points – just one off the bottom three ahead of Monday’s trip to Stoke. “It’s a little bit dangerous to start playing fantasy football and working out where you will get your points and other teams will drop their points,” Hodgson said.”For me the only thing we can do is take every game as it comes.””Traditionally we all think at the start of the season that 40 points will be enough, but there’s no guarantee, that 40 points will keep you in the league.”Stoke have built a reputation as a tough side to beat at home but Hodgson insists he will not change his tactics to suit their style of play.”Every week you play a team which has a slightly different focus to its play and normally when you start the week you tend to prepare your work around that focus,” he added.”It’s still important for us to do a load of things rights as far as we’re concerned, that we don’t change our game totally for the opposition, that we have a game of our own and a game plan of our own.”Hodgson has also reported he has no injury worries for the trip to the Britannia.
Chris Hughton is reported to have a very minimal transfer kitty accessible to him this summer. In order to make and add to his transfer funds, Hughton will have to sell his big name stars. However, if the Toon Boss doesn’t wish to do this, he can always scour the market for loan deals and of course free transfers.
With that being said, here are 5 potential loan deals that could bolster and improve the Newcastle squad as they prepare for their first season back in the Premier League since the 2008/09 season:
Jack Wilshere (Arsenal)
The18-year-old Arsenal wonderboy should be high on the Toon’s wish-list this summer. The young creative midfielder is unlikely to feature on a regular basis for Arsenal this season and didn’t last, which prompted a 6-month end of season loan move to Bolton. Whilst at the Reebok, Wilshere was able to gain valuable Premier League experience by appearing for the club 14 times and also managed to net a goal as well. The Arsenal youngster is wanted once again by Owen Coyle for the upcoming season and it looks as if Wenger will allow the midfielder to go out on-loan once again. Newcastle should definitely enquire about a loan move for him as Wenger is likely to accept any that is put on the table…If Bolton obtained him last season, then surely Newcastle could this year. Wilshere would offer youth, talent and creativity which would undoubtedly help the Magpies cause for the upcoming season.
Vladimir Weiss (Manchester City)
Vladimir Weiss is another potential loan target for Newcastle this summer, as it looks as if the Slovakian international will most definitely be overlooked at Manchester City once again this season. The 20-year-old, like Jack Wilshere, spent the last 5-6 months of last season on-loan at Bolton, where he managed to appear 13 times for the Trotters and became one of the team’s best performers. This summer, the attacking midfielder travelled to South Africa to represent his country in the World Cup finals, where he managed to appear in 3 out of the 4 matches in the tournament. The 20-year-old performed well and showed that he acquires quick movement off and on the ball, creativity as well as some form of attacking prowess, which Newcastle could do with. As Mancini looks to bring in more talent during the window, players, which will include Weiss, are more than likely to be overlooked and sent packing one way or another out of the club. Weiss does have premier league experience under his belt and looks to be a very promising footballer for the future. His pace and creativity would do wonders for the Magpies, and if they put a loan bid on the table for the midfielder this summer, Mancini would unquestionably accept it.
Jamie O’Hara (Tottenham)
Jamie O’Hara is out-of-favour at Spurs hence why the midfielder was loaned out to now Championship side Portsmouth for the entirety of last season. O’Hara is an industrious midfielder who possesses a good reading of the game, even at a young age. The 23-year-old Spurs man, has good ability and deserves to be playing football week in week out, sadly O’Hara hasn’t been able to do this under his current employers. Newcastle should look towards the Englishman this summer to add more bulk and steel to their midfield. O’Hara would suit the club well as he is tenacious, hardworking and is also a technically gifted for such a young midfielder. Jamie O’Hara is likely to be shown the door as Harry Redknapp looks to revamp his squad suitable for Champion’s League quality this season. O’Hara has done enough last year in Portsmouth colours to warrant a move away from White Hart Lane, whether it be a permanent one or a loan deal is up to him. Chris Hughton should try his luck this summer and table a loan bid for the disregarded midfielder for sure.
Continue to page 2 to see the rest of the list
Seamus Coleman (Everton)
Chris Hughton’s defence doesn’t look like it has many reinforcements…this is where Seamus Coleman comes into play. The Republic of Ireland U-21 and U23 international is a highly rated youngster who became known to the Premier League last season playing for Everton. The 21-year-old full-back was sent out on-loan to Blackpool in March 2010 where he impressed and helped the club win the Championship play-off to the Premier League a few months back. Coleman is strong, quick and a tenacious right-back who never stops running up and down the field. The defender loves to attack as well as defend and is certainly a star for the future. Seamus Coleman is second choice behind Tony Hibbert at Everton, and will probably be sent out on-loan again as David Moyes can not guarantee him first team football week in week out. The defender will definitely make more appearances going out on-loan this season, rather than staying put at Everton. The right-back would add depth, youth and determination to the Newcastle back-line; this of course depends on whether Hughton makes a bid for him this summer or not.
Victor Anichebe (Everton)
Having looked at the Newcastle squad, it’s evident that the Magpies lack the adequate firepower and experience upfront needed for the Premier League this season. Andy Carroll and Shola Ameobi are Newcastle’s most known forwards who have some Premier League experience in their bag. However, the rest of their strike-force are either very young or have not played at the top-flight of the English game. Everton’s Victor Anichebe looks as if he will either be sold or put on the loan market this summer following the arrival of Jermaine Beckord to Goodison Park a month ago. Chris Hughton will need to strengthen his attacking options, and a possible loan move for Anichebe would add the right depth and power the Newcastle boss requires. The Nigerian international is powerful, quick and the striker also has a good hold up play in his arsenal. At only the age of 22, Anichebe attains Premier League experience which will prove vital should Hughton make a swoop for him this summer. David Moyes may send the young striker out on-loan, as he has not been able to cement a regular place with the Toffees. A definite loan opportunity available here for Newcastle to exploit.
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Click on image below to see the GERMAN babes at the World Cup
Sir Alex Ferguson has rejected Burnley’s bid to to take young Manchester United midfield star Paul Pogba on loan The Mirror reports.
Clarets boss Eddie Howe identified the 18-year-old Frenchman as he looks to inject some quality into his struggling side after a disastrous start to their Championship campaign.
He has been tipped to achieve great things at Old Trafford ever since signing for the club from Le Harve in 2009 with his performances for the under-18’s and reserve side haven’t gone unnoticed.
First team football has yet to come his way although he was on the bench for United’s FA Cup tie against Crawley Town and it seems he’ll have to wait a little longer for his first taste after Ferguson poured cold water on interest from Turf Moor.
The United boss told The Mirror: “It’s more difficult to loan a boy of 18 who’s come from France.
“We prefer to keep him with us until we find he’s mature enough to possibly go on loan.
“Maybe next year that could be an option, but we’re definitely expecting him this season to stay with Manchester United.”With Pogba now staying in Manchester it’s likely Howe will turn his attentions to other targets in a bid to ignite his sides season.
You can see why Real Madrid are interested in signing Cesc Fabregas. He has shown he is a great player in the last few seasons. He is probably the only player, along with Xabi Alonso, who has the technical skill to rival Iniesta and Xavi.
If Mourinho is seeking to defeat Real Madrid’s biggest enemy, it will be on the battle ground of the midfield. With Xavi and Iniesta currently occupying both Spain and Barcelona’s midfield, Guardiola definitely has the upper hand. I doubt there would be many answers if I asked, who is better than Iniesta and Xavi at keeping possession in midfield?
A better two there may not be, but the pairing of Fabregas with Alonso at Real Madrid would be a great way to rival Barcelona. The two Spaniards are currently understudies in the national side, behind the Barca duo and would love to take over from them in the future I am sure. They may not be as light-footed as the current two, but they are equally gifted at passing the ball, and if anything more heavy weight in the tackle. The way Mourinho would like. With this in mind you can see why Real Madrid are so keen to sign Fabregas and stop him going to their fiercest rivals.
But, have Madrid chosen a bad time to declare interest?
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People this week have pointed out that it is a bad time for Madrid to declare their interest in Fabregas as it will only help their rivals, Barcelona, beat Arsenal. If Fabregas is unsettled Barca have a greater chance of winning.
But maybe Madrid are doing this with one eye on their long term goal; to sign Fabregas. They know that Fabregas is hungry to win some silverware; they also know that Fabregas is unlikely to stay at Arsenal if they don’t win anything this year.
If Arsenal beat Barcelona they have a good chance of winning the whole competition. Wenger has said that this week. So, if they win the competition Fabregas is likely to stay at Arsenal. Madrid will never be able to sign him.
You might think I am being tenuous, but I think Madrid have targeted Fabregas this week, of all weeks, because they want to unsettle him. They want Arsenal to lose and they want Fabregas to look for a transfer away from the Emirates in the summer. If Fabregas fires this week and Arsenal succeed, they may be unlikely to ever sign him.
Furthermore, if Arsenal do lose to Barcelona this week, Madrid have placed themselves in opposition to Barcelona at a time when Fabregas will hardly be their biggest fan. If you are going to try and change a player’s childhood dream, you may as well do it when that very club has just knocked him out of Europe.
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You might think that I am making this all up, but stranger things have happened. It would not be the first time that the sanity of the Real Madrid board has been brought into question. It is a great tactical move from the Madrid board and a play I would love to see pay off.
Real Madrid may be shooting themselves in the foot in the short-term, as they could help their rivals get to the next round of the Champions League. But it the long run, this could help secure the signature of one of the Premier League’s most prized assets.
For more speculation on the outcome of the ‘Fabregas Fiasco’, you can follow me on Twitter @joeaustin8
The World Cup’s opening day excitement was reserved for events in Johannesburg, where the hosts South Africa scored the first goal of the tournament only to be denied a win by a late Mexico equaliser, but there was something momentous about the evening game in Cape Town between Uruguay and France too.
At the age of 31, a dozen years after making his international debut, Nicolas Anelka finally appeared at a World Cup. Over the course of his career clubs have paid a combined fee of just under £90 million to acquire the striker’s services, but his selection for France in their opening game of the tournament was Anelka’s first ever at this level.
Chief amongst the factors behind the Versailles-born forward’s intermittent international record is the trail of acrimony that he took back and forth across European football for a whole decade. Anelka left Arsenal under a cloud in 1999 and then endured a miserable year with Real Madrid before rejoining Paris Saint-Germain, the club he had left at 17 to move to north London. Still only 22, he moved back to English football for a loan spell with Liverpool but did not do enough there to convince his fellow Frenchman Gerard Houllier to sign him permanently. He joined Manchester City instead, where he enjoyed the most prolific scoring period of his career to date, but in 2005 the striker’s nomadic ways took him east to Fenerbahce in Turkey.
Anelka scored twice in a friendly against England at Wembley in February 1999 and, although the World Cup the previous year had come too soon for him, a long and successful spell of international football with France looked to be stretching out ahead. Inclusion in France’s European Championship-winning squad of 2000 followed but then his club form floundered and he was dropped by the new national coach, Jacques Santini. Anelka rejected a recall in 2002, saying that Santini would have to get down and beg, and he would remain in the international wilderness until November 2005.
Sidney Govou, the player who missed France’s best chance against Uruguay on Friday night, was chosen ahead of Anelka to replace the injured Djibril Cisse at the 2006 World Cup, but that summer Bolton broke their transfer record to bring the Frenchman back to England for his fourth spell in the Premier League. Anelka was on the move yet again at the beginning of 2008, when Chelsea needed another striker, but in west London he finally seems settled. In his first full season with Chelsea he was the Premier League’s top scorer and this year he won the league and cup double, as he did with Arsenal as a teenager in 1998.
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Anelka was withdrawn late on against Uruguay for Thierry Henry. Entering the fray in the 71st minute, France’s former captain was earning his 122nd cap and taking to the field at his fourth World Cup. Anelka is at last regarded as his country’s finest forward but, with Henry being only 18 months older than him, the player they used to call Le Sulk must surely covet the international record of his fellow former Arsenal striker.
Liverpool have rejected an offer of £17 million from West Ham for out-of-favour striker Andy Carroll, The Daily Mail report.
The England international has failed to live up to expectations after his £35 million deal to move to Anfield from Newcastle in January 2011.
With Brendan Rodgers now in charge at the Merseyside club, a more swift attacking style is expected and Carroll is thought to be surplus to requirements.
Following the signing of Italian striker Fabio Borini from Roma, the Northern Irish coach is ready to allow Carroll to leave the club, with a return to Newcastle or switch to AC Milan potentially on the cards.
However, Rodgers is eager to sell Carroll rather than send him out on loan, and the Hammers have made an offer for the frontman.
As Sam Allardyce looks to strengthen his squad for the Upton Park club’s return to the top flight, an offer of £17 million for Carroll is thought to have been rejected.
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