We are now heading towards the end of the January transfer window as the time left for Premier League clubs to buy and sell players becomes ever shorter. We have already seen a couple of big transfers, as collectively Manchester City and Aston Villa have shelled out over £50 million for strikers Edin Dzeko and Darren Bent respectively, but there is still sure to be plenty more transfer activity until the window slams shut at the end of the month.
Until it does there’ll be a whole host of transfer rumours as different clubs look to buy certain players and offload others. This will all come to a head on transfer deadline day as clubs scurry to do business and improve their squads for the final time in the 2010/11 Premier League campaign.
You can keep right up to date with all the transfer rumours right here…
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More bodies through the door at St James’ Park?
Last minute transfer dealings at West Ham?
New arrivals at Aston Villa?
Still business to be done at Tottenham?
King Kenny set to delve into the transfer market?
Last minute deals to be done by Arsenal?
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And revisit high profile transfers from the past…
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Top Ten January transfers of all-time
Top Ten transfers that shocked football
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Sir Alex Ferguson’s 10 transfer nightmares
Top Ten January transfer window disasters
Top 10 worst foreigners to grace the Premier League
As Spurs desperately tried to claw back their fading hopes of third place towards the tail end of last season, you would be hard pressed to pick out too many positives. But beneath the gloom and depression that Tottenham’s fate ultimately lured over White Hart Lane, there was one colourful figure that gave a timely reminder that the future isn’t written off just yet. There is a lot of talk that Sandro is the future of Harry Redknapp’s midfield. Forget that- the Brazilian needs to be the present.
It’d be fair to say that the 23-year-old defensive midfielder’s Spurs career is yet to really kick into gear. When the Brazilian first landed in England following his bargain £6.5million move from Internacional, it understandably took him time to adjust to the rigours of English football. A home debut in the 4-1 home defeat against North London rivals Arsenal in the League Cup had more than a touch of a baptism of fire and a well needed run of games was difficult to come by. Indeed, the now infamous incident that saw him turn up at Stansted to fly out for the Werder Bremen game, only to be told he wasn’t in Redknapp’s initial European squad, left the Brazilian, “really disappointed.”
But the dawn of 2011 saw Sandro’s luck change. The big watershed moment was his performance against Milan in the Champions League over two-legs. His relentless stamina, precision tackling and continuous haranguing of an esteemed Rossoneri midfield, saw Spurs fans, and the rest of Europe take notice. But it wasn’t just the display of defensive discipline and concentration that caught the eye. It was the touch of class and the effective distribution. Unlike so many Premier League ‘water-carriers’ who often seem to have a deficiency on the ball to compensate for being adept off of it, Sandro has both. It was now time to apply himself in the bread and butter of the Premier League.
And since then, the Brazilian has kicked on and impressed, even if he may not have completely solidified himself in the first XI at White Hart Lane. A superb, stinging 35-yard volley away at Chelsea, galvanized a decent run of games that showcased his defensive skills, even if he remained slightly inconsistent towards the end of his debut season.
But as so many foreign players do, Sandro hasn’t been riddled with it, but he most certainly had the symptoms of ‘second-season syndrome’. In parallel to Javier Hernandez’ fate at Manchester United, both had impressive showings in their debut season, but really needed a strong start and run of games in the season just gone. Injury bit both and as we’ve seen so many times, its always so, so difficult to regain match fitness through 20minute cameos. And in Sandro’s case, the looming figure of Scott Parker has proved a huge stumbling block.
This is where there is a sticking point for Harry Redknapp and Spurs. No one can deny the influence that Scott Parker, Sandro’s chief rival for a spot in the team, has had on Spurs this season. The England man was instrumental in their superb run that nearly took Tottenham to the Premier League summit and the fans have backed him to the hilt, voting him the members’ player of the season. But at 31, the ex-West Ham man isn’t getting any younger and as Spurs came off the boil, Parker began to show signs of fatigue which perhaps could have been avoided had Redknapp had more faith in Sandro. Everyone loves a local boy come good and it’s been refreshing to see Jake Livermore given game time. But this shouldn’t be at Sandro’s expense. The Brazilian is technically superior to both Parker and Livermore, but he is only going to succeed Parker if he is given game time. And that is what has to happen next season.
It is foolish to begin criticizing someone who, as previously mentioned, was voted player of the year and is set to start for England in the European Championships. But let’s not forget, Sandro has also been commanding a similar position in a far superior national team. Described by former national boss and defensive legend Dunga as a ‘future captain,’ Sandro has all the tools to succeed both internationally and in the Premier League. At face value it defies logic, but whilst Scott Parker is currently the better Premier League player, Sandro is the better footballer. If Redknapp altered formation to a 4-2-3-1 then both can co-exist with each other, but that doesn’t look particularly likely to happen at the moment.
But the only way Sandro is going to develop into the sort of player he most definitely has the potential to become, is through cold, hard, playing time. When Parker fell victim to an Achilles injury, Sandro was arguably Tottenham’s best player during their last four games. He ran the games against Blackburn and Bolton and gave everything for the shirt against Villa, even winning the subsequent penalty. He may not be as solid or rigid as Parker, but he showed a real dynamism in those final games and looked as if he didn’t want the season to end. He deserves the chance to find that sort of flow and form again next season.
Scott Parker is a superb player and fitness permitting, is likely to start from the off for Spurs next season. But if Redknapp is indeed still manager, he cannot afford to keep playing the 31-year-old for the sake of playing him. Especially not when there is player of the caliber of Sandro warming the bench. It’s a difficult decision to make. But Scott Parker isn’t getting younger and Sandro’s list of suitors definitely isn’t getting any shorter either.
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Do you buy the Sandro hype? Would you rather Scotty P played on till his legs fell off? Or can you fit them both in the starting line-up? Tell me and follow me on Twitter for all things Spurs @samuel_antrobus
Arsenal face a challenging examination against Udinese in the Champions League play-offs, while Bayern Munich are set to meet FC Zurich.Champions League regulars who have lost in the knock-out stages to Barcelona in each of the last two seasons, Arsenal have been forced to qualify after finishing fourth in the English Premier League last season.
And in Serie A side Udinese, they face arguably the toughest opponent of the unseeded teams featured in the ‘League’ route of Friday’s draw in Switzerland.
The first leg of the tie will be played at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium.
Bayern, who finished third in the Bundesliga last season, are also at home after a kinder draw paired them against Swiss club FC Zurich.
Danish side OB have a daunting engagement with Spanish club Villarreal, another team to feature regular in European competition.
In two more evenly-matched ties, Dutch side FC Twente face off against Liga Sagres runners-up Benfica.
And French Champions League experts Lyon tackle Russian club Rubin Kazan, noted for their admirable record of one win, one loss and two draws in four meetings with Barcelona between 2009 and 2010.
In the ‘Champions’ route to the group stage, contested between national champions in minor European leagues, Belgian title holders Genk are up against Israeli outfit Maccabi Haifa.
Swedish side Malmo are rewarded for their third-qualifying round triumph over Glasgow Rangers with a tie against Croatians Dinamo Zagreb.
Danish champions Copenhagen take on Czech newcomers Viktoria Plzen.
Polish club Wisla Krakow play Cypriots APOEL, and Belarusian side Bate Borisov tackle Austrians Sturm Graz.
Check out these 10 videos which are certain to have you smiling as you wait to welcome in the new year.
1. First up its Jimmy Bullard, Bullard never fails to have us laughing. Check out this vid and just see how much of joker this guy really is.
2. Who remembers former Liverpool defender Phil Babb’s horrific ball crushing collision with the goal post? I know its horrible laughing at others misfortune but this incident had me chuckling.
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3. I know some people love there job, but this is ridiculous. When I saw this it had me chuckling for some time.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86AJje3ElDc
4. Next up its Paul Gascoigne. In his playing days ‘Gazza’ as he is affectionately known kept the crowds entertained with his unpredictable behaviour.
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5. Check out this next clip, something is either seriously wrong or the ref has decided to have one too many before the match.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-nFTixyLgw
6. Another one from Bullard next. Look at the numpty larking about during his time at Wigan. I have no idea what he is doing but I do know it is very funny.
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7. I didn’t realize Patrice Evra had a sense of humour but check this video out. The Manchester United left back impressively shows us his high pitched voice which is pretty funny.
8. Gazza’s up again with this hotel prank. I’ve decided that if I could, I would make this whole list a Paul Gascoigne appreciation list.
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9. Remember prior to the 2006 world cup Rio Ferdinand televised pranks on his England team mates. This was my favourite. Check it out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Y1ExjNgh50
10. Finally, check out this interview with John Terry. Frank Lampard’s former wife calls the Chelsea skipper in an attempt to embarrass the central defender.
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England midfielder James Milner has sung the praises of new coach Roy Hodgson, stating that there is more to come as the players get acquainted with his effective methods according to Sky Sports.
Having only been appointed in May, expectations of Hodgson were low and many expected his team to face early elimination from the tournament. However, the former West Brom manager has guided England to the summit of a tricky looking group and the Three Lions are due to face Italy in Kiev on Sunday.
Milner, who has started every game of the tournament thus far, has paid tribute to Hodgson and his tactics.
“The gaffer hasn’t been in the job long and he plays a different style to the previous manager” said the 26-year old.
“He wants us tucked in, compact and tight and difficult to beat and it has worked so far.”
Milner has come under some criticism for his performances at this summer’s European Championships but stats show that the midfielder covers more ground than most other England players on the pitch. Regardless, the Manchester City star has promised even better performances from the whole squad in the next game.
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“There is still more to come from the team. The manager only came in just before the tournament and we had injuries during the build-up”, he stated.
“The lads have done a great job and, the longer we are together and with the manager, we will get better.”
With Birmingham City owner Carson Yeung’s assets frozen, acting chairman Peter Pannu admits he may have to sell players to keep the club afloat.Yeung, who completed a protracted takeover of Birmingham in October 2009, was arrested in Hong Kong on June 29 charged with five counts of money laundering.
Trade in the shares of Birmingham’s holding company have been suspended, paralysing the club following their already damaging relegation from the English Premier League last season.
And Pannu has now indicated that he may have to offload some of the team’s better players in order to stave off the demands of Birmingham’s creditor, HSBC.
“Upon my return I may have to make some unpopular decisions and I hope the fans will understand that I effectively don’t have a choice,” Pannu told the Daily Mirror.
“The club may need to do what is right and to buy time until Carson’s assets are dislodged from the clutches of the courts in Hong Kong.”
“But I am not aware of their plans as to how they propose to fulfil the financial distress posed by the relegation scenario and the freezing of Carson’s assets in Hong Kong.
“Carson had been trying hard to find new investors but the money laundering charges understandably meant that the progress had been slow.”
Birmingham, who appointed Chris Hughton to replace Alex McLeish as manager in June, begin life back in the Championship away to Derby County on August 6.
Like welcoming a former flame to a new place that wasn’t quite it was cracked up to be, it will be with some level of sheepishness that Roy Hodgson shakes Mark Hughes’ hand and takes his place in the Anfield dugout this weekend.
In all fairness, Liverpool have been very strong under Roy Hodgson’s guidance when playing at home this season, it has been their away form that has been nothing short of woeful. Fernando Torres will return to the starting line-up after missing the Europa League dead rubber in mid-week, and should provide the West Londoners with plenty of problems.
Fulham have struggled to replicate the siege mentality that was so in evidence during Hodgson’s two and a half year spell at Craven Cottage, and whilst there are moments of encouragement for Mark Hughes, the Cottagers are only outside of the drop-zone on goal difference. The injury to Bobby Zamora continues to bite deep, and for a side that has needed a lot of chances in order to convert, profligacy will be punished with a defeat if Liverpool respond well to home comforts.
Everyone’s still talking about Papiss Cisse’s stunning second goal for Newcastle United against Chelsea in their Premier League clash at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.
His first goal was good, but for his second the Senegalese striker used the outside of his right foot to hit a swerving, dipping shot into the far corner that left Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech with no chance.
Goal of the season? Well, Stoke’s Peter Crouch, Liverpool’s Luis Suarez and even Arsenal’s Robin van Persie might have something to say about that, but it is right up there.
It left many fans in the stadium in disbelief. Here is Cisse himself, and Chelsea defenders John Terry and Branislav Ivanovic watching as the ball is sailing over Cech’s head.
Can you come up with a funny caption for this picture?
Leave your suggestions below…
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This week you can win a Signed Chelsea Football!
This football has been signed by the 2011/12 Chelsea squad, a perfect gift for any Blue.
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After already angering supporters with the recent announcement that Player of the Season Joey Barton would not be offered a new contract, Newcastle United’s chiefs are again suffering the wrath of the fans after controversially selling club captain Kevin Nolan to recently relegated West Ham. However, are some ’Toon Army’ fans reacting prematurely in deciding this is a bad move for the club? My opinion is yes, they are.
Being a Geordie and lifelong fan of the club myself, I too understand the passion that surrounds NUFC, I too had my heart ripped from my chest when we were relegated in 2009 with a 1-0 defeat away to Aston Villa, and I too felt as proud as every other supporter when we were promoted straight back to the EPL after dominating The Championship the following season.
I also know that without any question there has been many major errors made at the club since the arrival of owner Mike Ashley and his ‘cockney mafia’, yet this time, I don’t believe they are making the same mistakes as in previous years. This time I believe the club are finally looking like they can progress to the next level, and if the fans get behind the team, rather than against, I believe the future looks to be a bright one at St James’ Park.
No follower of football would argue that ‘super’ Kevin Nolan hasn’t been a truly inspiring player in his last two seasons for Newcaslte, as well as being a great role model to all youngsters at the club. This will quite rightly see that he is remembered as one of the top captains in the club’s recent history, which is no understatement.
In our Championship campaign just a mere two seasons ago, Nolan scored an impressive 17 goals and was named as Championship Player of the Year at the Football League Awards, his goals and all round play were a key reason for the team making a quick return to England’s top flight. His brilliant season didn’t stop there, though; he followed that up with an outstanding 12 goals in the Premier League this year and hit an historical hat-trick against fierce rivals Sunderland, leading us to a respectable 12th place finish and winning him a place in the hearts of all Geordies across the world.
After reading that, it becomes very clear why so many loyal supporters have been infuriated at his reported £3m sale, yet my theory is that the club have offloaded a player, who although brilliant in recent years, will now surely see his playing attributes starting to decline. Nolan, who turns 29 in just a week’s time, has never been a player of great stamina levels, yet he was reported to be seeking a 5 year contract at St James’, which would take him up to the age of 34 and still see him earning a massive £50k per week, a wage that the Newcastle bosses understandably didnt think was warranted.
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Many fans will never forgive Sports Direct and United owner Ashley for the errors he has made in the past, me being one of them, yet I can’t help but think that many supporters now simply set out to aim abuse at him, and will use any excuse possible to do so, this being one. To sum it up, the way I look at this sale is simply that we have lost a cracking player, but having already signed a top class player in Yohan Cabaye from French champions Lille on a long term deal, and with the optimism now surrounding the club in the current transfer window, it won’t be too significent.
Some fans seem to have forgotten that we still have the massive £35m from the sale of Andy Carroll to Liverpool, which manager Alan Pardew has been promised is available to spend, and having already named a wealth of targets in mind, such as Swiss star Tranquillo Barnetta, Senegalese striker Demba Ba and Turkish international Mevlut Erding, the 2011-12 Premier League campaign may yet prove to be a very promising one for us Magpies.
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I may not have changed the opinion of many loyal supporters with this article, yet I can’t understand what is to be achieved by causing unrest or starting yet another protest against Mike Ashley. This time, I hope all of our amazing fans can simply get behind the whole club, and who knows, maybe propel us to challenge for a European spot in the forthcoming campaign. After all, who has as great an influence on their team as our famous black and white army?
Article courtesy of Gary Watson from This is Futbol
Roberto Mancini’s position at Manchester City was not even on the agenda at a club summit in Abu Dhabi a week ago. Roberto Mancini’s job is said to be safe for the rest of the season, and has been handed a reported £80m war chest for January.
Manchester City took the unusual step of revealing that substantial transfer funds – up to £80million – will be available again to chase primary targets Edin Dzeko, the Wolfsburg striker, and Benfica’s versatile Brazilian defender David Luiz.
How long can this go on for? Manchester City can’t keep adding players to the party and selling off players they don’t need. The squad needs continuity if they are ever to fulfil their ambitions. The Manchester City board and management need to give this squad a chance to both gel and show what it can do. If by the end of the season they haven’t met their goals, then of course there is a real reason to spend. To buy up to £80m worth of talent in January will only unsettle the squad and could have an adverse effect on a fragile team morale.
With the reports that Manchester City are set to sign Edin Dzeko and David Luiz, you think to yourself why? With the system that Manchester City play, where would Edin Dzeko fit in. He would not be the lone striker ahead of Tevez, nor would he play wide. With Emmanuel Adebayor and Mario Balotelli in reserve, it seems a waste of money on a player who has never proved himself on the top stage. In respect to David Luiz, he is a top player but again, is he needed. Vincent Kompany has been superb and Kolo Toure has looked a far better player without the captain’s armband. Is David Luiz better than the centre half’s Manchester City have already? Maybe, but it would disrupt the team ten-fold if either one was to be replaced in January.
Manchester City have to be patient. Along with being patient with Roberto Mancini’s management they need to wait and see what this team can do. The quality is their, without a doubt, and with a bit of tweaking the side could push on in the Premier League. The issue for Manchester City fans must be, can the management sit and wait for success. They will have to, Manchester City can’t run before they can walk. They need to get into the Champions League before they can really set their sights on winning the Premier League – it seems that Mancini knows this. Chelsea were different. When Roman Abramovich came to Chelsea, they were in the Champions League. City are different. It will take a little more time, but it will come. However, it will be a slower process if they keep changing the team around every six months.
Manchester City need continuity. They need to stick with both their manager and the team he has assembled. Sure, a few tweaks here and their but nothing to the tune of £80m. The squad is good enough to challenge and to get into the Champions League – and for now that has to be Manchester City’s primary aim. If Manchester City are patient and let this team grow then success isn’t far away. However, if they keep bringing players in and changing the dynamic of the squad every six months the process will take a lot longer. The madness has to end at some point.
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