Barcelona are set to test Tottenham’s resolve with a summer bid for Gareth Bale, according to The Telegraph.
The Welsh winger has shot to superstardom over the last 24 months, with excellent displays in England and in the Champions League last season.
The current PFA Player of the Year is one of a number of Spurs stars being tracked by bigger clubs, and it is believed that the European champions are ready to make a move for Bale.
The Camp Nou outfit are said to want to strengthen defensively in the summer, and the versatility of Bale is believed to be a key attraction for the Spanish giants.
Barcelona have identified Bale as a possible replacement at left-back for the ill Eric Abidal, who recently had a liver transplant for the second time.
Tottenham are sure to slap a hefty price tag on their star man, with Daniel Levy previously stating that they wouldn’t sell Bale for less than £50 million.
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We all know that it has been non-stop controversy since Carlos Tevez arrived on our shores in August 2006, whether it is third party ownership, contract disputes or just refusing to take part, Monday night’s possible title deciding Manchester derby could well be added to that list.
It may well have been overhyped by the media, especially Sky Sports, but it does appear that whoever wins at the Etihad Stadium will be in the driving seat for this year’s Premier League title as it is weirdly in both clubs’ hands with just a few games remaining.
But one outcome that I can see or dream about is the last minute Carlos Tevez winner. Off the field, the Argentinean has been nothing but trouble, but on it, there are few better at what he does. In tandem with Sergio Aguero, the South American strike-force has impressed since Tevez’s return from his golfing holiday, clawing back their nearest and dearest from down the road to set up Monday’s game as a winner takes it all, something that didn’t look possible a few weeks back.
I was at Old Trafford when Tevez scored against Manchester United for West Ham to keep them in the Premier League on the final day of the season many moons ago, so he certainly has a taste for this occasion and I can genuinely see the outcome being along those lines.
With Mario Balotelli’s desperately disappointing season perhaps over and Edin Dzeko leaving his shooting boots back in 2011, the all-Argentine forward line could run rings around Jonny Evans and Rio Ferdinand given the opportunity, something that I am sure Sir Alex is worried about.
Tevez scored 34 goals in 99 appearances for Manchester United during a two year spell at Old Trafford, but despite cries of ‘Fergie, Fergie, sign him up’ coming from the Stretford End, Sir Alex wasn’t convinced. Tevez was reportedly offered a contract by United, only opting to pull out of negotiations and move to Man City instead with plenty happening behind the scenes that I am sure we don’t know about.
The ‘cupped eared’ celebration (above) was clearly aimed at Sir Alex repeatedly and there was clearly some bad feeling between the two parties which I am sure has not yet fully passed. While Sir Alex has more important things to worry about than his personal feelings towards Tevez, I wouldn’t be surprised if it topped the Argentine’s list going into the game with a goal being his main importance rather than a team victory.
I am desperately hoping that Roberto Mancini does start with Aguero and Tevez up front to really have a go at United, with a win being a must for the hosts. There won’t be another massively high scoring game like at Old Trafford this season; in my opinion; and one goal either way could be the decider. That one goal, a Manchester City winner from their number 32’s right boot is my bet!
I am also going to be interested in Gary Neville’s thoughts on a player that called him a ‘boot licker’ just a few years ago after being team mates at United, while the former Red Devils skipper is working on the Monday Night Football on Sky – you may have seen it advertised? Whether he is just analysing the game or if he is in his co-commentary position, that in fairness he has adapted to well after his orgasmic shouts in the Nou Camp on Tuesday night.
Either way, it is going to be a great game of football, one for the neutrals, with everyone at home siding with one half of Manchester or the other to perhaps put an end to this season’s title race.
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Any thoughts on Carlos Tevez’s impact on Monday night’s game? Let me know on Twitter: @Brad_Pinard
Atmosphere at football is often seen as a defining aspect of a club’s identity; the rapturous nature of the Kop at Anfield, Old Trafford’s Stretford End and the Holte End at Villa Park are all enshrined in club folklore, exemplifying their character, unity and originality. However, with the introduction of all-seater stadia, the squeezing out of fans of a low income and the notable sanitation of British football grounds, atmosphere has markedly suffered as a result.
Subsequently, there has in recent years been a up-swell of enthusiasm for the recapturing of what is a quintessential part of being a football fan. The seductive bluster of a feverish crowd in full voice is what first attracts many to the game in the first place – without atmosphere, we risk being pulled into an American-style form of spectatorship, devoid of passion but bristling with superficial theatrics.
With this prospect all too apparent, the emergence of various ‘Ultra’ groups have become a prominent feature of many British clubs, emulating the Italian model of groups established with the intention of improving atmosphere at grounds. Often misconceived to be associated with racism and violence, whereas in reality only a small percentage of groups or members are politically motivated or harbour extremist views. This association, however, is hard to shake off; as a result, many are unwilling to embrace the idea of Ultras in UK grounds. If they were able to extend their perspective beyond narrow fallacy, they would see a group of like-minded people who are bringing colour, noise, passion and intensity back into football.
Perhaps the first group to emerge were Aberdeen’s Red Army in 1999, and since then many supporters have followed suit in establishing Ultras sections at their club. Following some years later, Celtic’s Green Brigade have established themselves as one of the most visible entities of the Celtic matchday experience. Declaring themselves as ‘anti-fascist, anti-racist and anti-sectarian’, the group were recently heralded my manager Neil Lennon and despite occasionally courting controversy, remain a gratifying example of the Ultra model.
In the lower leagues of English football particularly, we have seen an exceptional increase in Ultra activity: supporters of Aldershot, York, Accrington, Oxford and Crystal Palace in particular have made great effort to improve matchday atmosphere, often partaking in mass sychronised displays of banners, giant flags and smoke bombs alike as well as generating noise seldom seen in many English grounds, both at home and away.
Taking increasing influence from the South American model of exhibitionist ‘tifos’, British ultras are bringing much needed vibrancy to our stadiums, often injecting new life into the soulless, duplicate arenas that many grounds have now become. Regulations, however, have made the functioning of Ultras groups progressively more difficult: many clubs now forbid flags or banners on draconian Health and Safety grounds, whilst the stigma attached to the term means many clubs are reluctant to engage with groups in fear of being tarnished. As thus, the co-ordination of displays is made discernibly more troublesome and groups are unable to develop positive relationships with their club, at the detriment of both parties.
Interestingly, there is a growing verve for Ultra activity higher up the ladder, as supporters grow weary of the commercialised, desolate demeanour which characterises many top flight grounds. At times, nowhere was as desolate than Villa Park this season – yet Brigada 1874, of permanent residence in the corner of the Holte End, have made resolute efforts infuse a greater sense of positivity and partisanship to Aston Villa. Likewise, supporters of cross-city rivals Birmingham City are using the recently established Forza Blues group as a means of reigniting passions at St Andrews.
Though making significant progress in the moulding of negative perceptions, Ultras groups still remain on the fringes of the football world in the UK, something which must be altered if the decline of atmosphere at British grounds is to be halted. Too often tarred with the hooligan brush, the limited vision of authorities, clubs and commanding figures is prohibiting the rightful spread Ultra culture, as archaic assumptions prevail before reasoned judgement.
Increased co-operation between clubs and groups does mark notable improvements, yet more needs to be done to promote assimilation of Ultras into mainstream British footballing culture in order to prevent our grounds falling further into the stagnant, stale and passive quagmire.
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You can follow me @acherrie1 for discussion on this or any other topic
Rio Ferdinand fears that his England career could now be over, following his omission from the Euro 2012 squad and the subsequent furore it has since caused.
The Manchester United defender believes that the fact he isn’t getting picked, even with players out injured, therefore suggesting that he is no longer fancied for selection.
“If I’m not getting picked now, especially when people are out injured, then it is unlikely I will be picked again.
“I really hoped I would get 100 caps, but for various reasons it hasn’t happened. It is a disappointment.
“I won’t discuss what Mr Hodgson has said to me but he knows I wanted to be in the squad.”
Ferdinand refuses to quit the International scene and revealed that he is fully behind the national team and will be among the crowds cheering them on to success.
“But just because I am not there, don’t think I want them to fail. I am not bitter. I know how much the boys want to succeed.” Daily Mail
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Idealism appeared to play little part in West Ham’s appointment of Sam Allardyce as manager last summer. A club whose history is a monument to the ‘right’ way to play football seems almost diametrically opposed to the ‘win-at-all-costs’ approach of the former Bolton, Newcastle and Blackburn manager.
The 57-year-old may have attained promotion at his first attempt for West Ham but few supporters were enamoured with the way in which it was achieved. Considering the quality of the squad and the money available to Allardyce, to win promotion through the playoffs was hardly ideal, especially considering they relied on an 87th minute goal to achieve the feat.
The West Ham manager’s penchant for players over six foot, and football to match, had Hammers fans grumbling and groaning for large periods of the season whilst much of their football between Christmas and March was some of the ugliest on offer in the top two tiers of the English game. The five draws of March, in particular, inspired the voicing of concern from fans. Although The Hammers ended the season with a run of eight wins from their last nine matches, scoring twenty-five goals along the way, criticism of the manager’s style has remained.
Upon achieving promotion, Allardyce has now split opinion amongst the club’s supporters. There are those who appear to have detracted previous statements about only playing attractive football, who are merely grateful for their swift return to the top flight, especially considering how close they came to not realising that goal.
Some, however, are not swayed by such a view. They would sooner believe that if a manager had, as Allardyce did last year, the best squad in the league and still refused to play attacking football then he doesn’t belong at West Ham.
However, considering they are a newly-promoted team, and considering that, comparatively, West Ham have gone from the strongest squad in the league to one of the weakest, is it too much for fans of the club to expect both style and substance from Allardyce?
The first thing to remember is that, although their fans might feel as though there is a ‘West Ham way of doing things’ in reality that means little. Admittedly, some teams, like Barcelona, do have a continuous ethos at the club in terms of how the game should be played. Yet even the big clubs can turn on such inherent beliefs. Real Madrid and others have been known to sacrifice style for substance in order to achieve their goals. They proved that with the appointment of Fabio Capello and then Jose Mourinho.
Or if you’re looking for an example a little closer to home then you could take Arsenal. Their reputation as a free-flowing, attacking team belies the fact that for nine years under George Graham they were perpetrators of a defensive, direct style of football that was not totally at odds with the philosophy of Sam Allardyce.
Generations of fans become accustomed to witnessing a style of football that they enjoy or appreciate and when a manager tries to change that they object.
But that doesn’t mean said style is entwined with the club’s identity.
Ultimately, Allardyce is utilising his squad in a way that he feels is most effective. I’m not defending his style of play, or his personality, but it does seem that those West Ham fans that criticise Allardyce should realise that he is not really to blame.
Allardyce’s teams have always prioritised winning over stylish football; that is his managerial identity. Anybody who expects him to change this is dreaming. The fans may be unhappy with his style, but don’t use the excuse that it is unbecoming for West Ham to play as such because it is incredibly ignorant of any team to claim they are too good for a certain style of football when they have been relegated.
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The second point to be made is that, if the fans are looking for somebody to blame, why not vent anger at the owners who chose Allardyce as manager in the first place. In appointing him, they were the individuals responsible for choosing to abandon the attacking principles of West Ham. I don’t like his style of play, and I wouldn’t want him managing my club but to criticise Allardyce’s managerial style seems a little unfair considering it was that style that earned him the job in the first place. It might be possible to expect both style and substance from some managers, but Allardyce isn’t that man.
Ledley King has decided to call time on his footballing career, after finally conceding defeat in his long term battle with knee injuries.
The Tottenham captain was one of the few one club players in the modern game, notching up 323 first team appearances and scoring 14 goals – since making his debut back in May 1999.
Unfortunately a series of knee injuries has hindered King’s opportunity to play more games not only for club, but for his country as well where he gained 23 England caps.
Thierry Henry once hailed him as the ‘best defender he ever played against in England’ and you don’t receive many accolades that are better than that.
Spurs have announced that Ledley King will continue at the club in an ambassadorial role and be a champion for the regeneration of Tottenham, while also granting him a testimonial so fans will have the opportunity to give him a proper send off. Daniel Levy believes it will be a special night and the chance to celebrate one of the most gifted players to ever don the Tottenham shirt:
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“It will undoubtedly be a special night at the Lane, the chance for fans and teammates to pay tribute to our longest-serving, not to mention one of the most gifted players in the history of the Club.” Official Site
UEFA President Michel Platini has turned his nose up at the option of pursuing goal line technology in next season’s UEFA Champions League and Europa League competitions. The International Football Association Board and the Games Lawmakers have given the green light for both methods of technology to be used – Hawk Eye and GoalRef, but Platini insists his competitions will not go down the technology route in the foreseeable future. We’ve long awaited technology in football to be available and with two options now accessible why would we not seize this opportunity to finally have fair play in football?
Technology unquestionably outweighs the human judgement and with football’s current financial climate there is too much to be lost and won in terms of allowing or disallowing controversial decisions. We’ve all witnessed them happen and as fans it is horrendous to observe for your team and as a player it must be torture to get a well deserved goal taken away from you. We all remember Frank Lampard’s astonishing disallowed goal against Germany in the 2010 World Cup. Yes, okay, we did lose 4-1 but if that clear goal was given, we would have gone into the break 2-2 potentially changing the momentum, especially after scoring two goals in two minutes. The only objective in football is to score goals. It’s as simple as that. And when they’re being disallowed for poor judgement in vital competitions, it’s time to change the dynamic of the game. There is so much to play for in competitions and especially in competitions like the UEFA Champions League and Europa League. The Champions League not only title’s you the best team in Europe, but allows your team access to millions in cash prizes throughout. There is too much to play for to not have or even want the best possible standards in the game. Competitions fundamentally desire precision, so why would Platini not require precision in his games?
Every goal counts as we saw the Premier League title was won by Man City last season through goal difference. The Premier League is getting tighter and tighter every season and every goal counts in title winning and avoiding relegation. While some disallowed goals can prove irrelevant to a match result, others can play a huge role in the race for a league title. AC Milan and Juventus were both scrapping it out for top of the league last season. When it came to oppose each other it saw a controversial result as the two dominant teams drew 1-1. A goal to the good and dominating play, three points looked in the bag for AC when Sulley Muntari nodded a close-range header over the goal line. Unfortunately, Buffon’s tentacles flung the ball back out into play and the ref was none the wiser. This arguably could have lost Milan the title. It is just very difficult to understand why Platini is still so against precision.
Technology has been introduced in many other sports already worldwide and has already proved to be very effective. Hawk-Eye, one of the options available for football, is already popular in other sports like tennis and cricket. Hawk-Eye’s system works by using six cameras, focusing on each goal, to track the ball on the pitch. If it crosses the goal-line an encrypted radio signal is sent to the referee’s wristwatch to indicate a goal has been scored. In line with Fifa’s requirements, the whole process takes less than a second to complete. Who can argue with that? Platini needs to understand that goal line technology is now becoming a necessity rather than an inconvenience. Bearing in mind this is the same man that warned players of bookings for racism protests during the European Championships earlier this year. This man is delusional when it comes to understanding the importance of football and the effects it has on society. There is too much to lose to poor human judgement, when are we going to take advantage of the options available to us to help progress the beautiful game?
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Arsenal and Theo Walcott have come to a short-term agreement that the player will not leave the club before the transfer window ends, Sky Sports claim.
The England international winger has less than a year left on his contract with the north London outfit, and has refused to pen a new deal as yet due to disagreements over wages.
With Liverpool and Manchester City loitering and ready to pounce should the Gunners opt to sell the attacker, rumours were rife that Arsene Wenger would cash-in on the player to avoid losing him for free in a year’s time.
However, it is believed that the latest round of talks have been more positive, and although a new contract has not been agreed upon, the two parties have agreed that a hasty sale before the end of the week is not the answer.
Arsenal had to sell Robin van Persie to Manchester United earlier this summer as the Dutch maestro was in a similar position.
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Chelsea winger Florent Malouda looks set to return to his former club Lyon in January after being snubbed by Blues boss Roberto Di Matteo according to the Daily Mail.
Malouda has enjoyed five successful years at Stamford Bridge but it seems his time in West London may soon be over after he was forced to train and play with the Under 21 squad when Di Matteo confirmed he wasn’t in his plans.
Di Matteo signed plenty of attacking players in the summer and the likes of Eden Hazard, Oscar, Daniel Sturridge and Marko Marin are all ahead of Malouda in the pecking order at the Bridge so it seems it is time to move on.
The 32-year-old left winger has been in contact with his former clubs coaching staff and it seems Lyon would be more than happy to take the French international back home.
“Our door is always open to former players,” Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas admitted.
“Malouda has been in contact with our coaching team very recently.”
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“We’ve also spoken with Jeremy Toulalan who has been having problems at Malaga.”
Liverpool arrive at Carrow Road this Saturday desperate for a first Premier League victory under Brendan Rodgers.
The Reds were unfortunate to lose at home to Manchester United last weekend, and will be without Jonjo Shelvey following his controversial red card in that fixture.
Martin Kelly will also be missing, following the news he will be sidelined for six months with a knee injury sustained in the closing stages of Sunday’s defeat.
Although centre-back Daniel Agger has a good chance of being fit for Liverpool despite being carried off on a stretcher last weekend.
The Denmark international sustained bone bruising in the defeat by United but could retain his place in the starting line-up, although forward Fabio Borini (ankle) is rated at 50-50, after he was withdrawn at half time of the same game.
Norwich will be without on loan Tottenham forward Harry Kane, who looks set to miss six weeks after damaging his ankle in the 1-0 win over Doncaster in midweek.
Nuri Sahin is set to make only his second Premier League start for Liverpool since joining on loan from Real Madrid. The Turkish international grabbed both goals as Liverpool recorded their first domestic win of the season at West Brom in the league cup on Wednesday evening.
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The corresponding fixture last season saw Luis Suarez steal the show, scoring a sublime hat trick as Liverpool ran out 3-0 winners.