Sports News and gossip http://www.4sportsake.com/blog199h Mon, 20 Jul 2009 09:11:41 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.2 http://www.4sportsake.com/blog199h Subscribe with My Yahoo!Subscribe with NewsGatorSubscribe with My AOLSubscribe with BloglinesSubscribe with NetvibesSubscribe with GoogleSubscribe with PageflakesSubscribe with PlusmoSubscribe with FeedLoungeSubscribe with The Free DictionarySubscribe with Bitty BrowserSubscribe with Live.comSubscribe with Excite MIXSubscribe with Yourminis.comSubscribe with Attensa for OutlookSubscribe with WebwagSubscribe with netomat HubSubscribe with Daily RotationSubscribe with Podcast ReadySubscribe with FlurrySubscribe with ParticlsAdd to Any Feed ReaderSubscribe with fwicki http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/4sportsake/~3/OL8dm5f5ZRg/index.php
Last season it was Hleb and Flamini that were not replaced, this year Adebayor. Wenger talked up the abilities of the rest of his squad, particularly Eduardo but Arsenal fans know that Adebayor was the one player in their squad that gave them a different dimension due to his size and strength in the air.

Expecting Eduardo, Walcott and Van Persie to fill that role is folly – and perhaps this is just a ploy to try to keep prices for any replacements at sensible levels.

Wenger needs to admit and realise he has, at best, the 4th best squad in the league and Arsenal fans expect him to compete for the league title.

Voluntarily losing a player of Adebayor’s quality means he has to be replaced by a player of similar quality.

He has the money now – he needs to spend it.
]]> Editor Football http://www.4sportsake.com/blog199h/index.php?entryid=3318 Mon, 20 Jul 2009 13:11:29 +0100 http://www.4sportsake.com/blog199h/index.php?entryid=3318 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/4sportsake/~3/llDTwYgUg_s/index.php
Owen spoke, after scoring the winner in a friendly over Malaysia, of the ‘nightmare’ he endured at Newcastle. He felt the criticism levelled at him personally was ‘ridiculous’ and that he gave up trying to understand it. Owen played in 33 games for Newcastle picking up huge wages as they were relegated in the shock of last season.

The player himself knows that he must put all that criticism behind him and prove everyone wrong, that he can make a difference for United next season. Indeed Alex Ferguson’s first choice was Benzema who ended up at Real Madrid so Owen knows he was very much second choice.

The chance to force his way back in to the England squad, something he has always cared about more than his club sides, will depend on his ability to put the chances that are created for him away.

No more excuses will do for Michael Owen. He has to deliver this season.
]]> Editor Football http://www.4sportsake.com/blog199h/index.php?entryid=3317 Mon, 20 Jul 2009 12:58:08 +0100 http://www.4sportsake.com/blog199h/index.php?entryid=3317 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/4sportsake/~3/AoN2lfHDpe8/index.php
Mark Hughes has openly said that he is interested in the player, a stance which has prompted Chelsea to look into whether they have a case for reporting the City manager for ‘tapping up’ their captain, although the chances of Chelsea actually reporting him are said to be low.

Hughes stance was summed up best by his own words – “We have other options and there may come a point where we concede – but I don’t think we are at that point as yet”. Clearly Terry is someone they rate very highly but also someone they realise is very strongly linked to his current club.

The only thing Manchester City can offer Terry is more money and a fresh start so the decision really will be up to him. Chelsea will not force the player to stay against his will.

Until he comes out and says either way whether he wants to talk to Manchester City, the rumours will continue to fly.
]]> Editor Football http://www.4sportsake.com/blog199h/index.php?entryid=3316 Mon, 20 Jul 2009 12:57:43 +0100 http://www.4sportsake.com/blog199h/index.php?entryid=3316 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/4sportsake/~3/Lfd2m1s1xpc/index.php
Interviewed after the sale of Adebayor was announced Wenger said that he retained enormous confidence in his young squad and sanctioned the transfer after assessing his attacking options and that Arsenal had options within the existing squad to cover this area. Wenger said, ““If you look at the offensive players we have, we have Van Persie, we have Arshavin, Rosicky, Walcott, Bendtner and Eduardo. We lost a great player but we have players coming through that play in the same position. The message is to trust the players we have.”

“I will be able to spend it [the Adebayor fee] if we find the right players and we feel it is needed, but we are not in a hurry now.”

The season is only 4 weeks away and Arsenal also have to begin their challenge for the European Champions Cup soon after that, so what are prospects looking like. Is it going to be another season of nice football but pity about the results? Or do you think Arsene Wenger clearly understands the situation and is playing a tactical game while he quietly goes out into the market to make those crucial signings?
]]> Editor Football http://www.4sportsake.com/blog199h/index.php?entryid=3315 Mon, 20 Jul 2009 12:57:17 +0100 http://www.4sportsake.com/blog199h/index.php?entryid=3315 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/4sportsake/~3/uyjo5ZHkLV4/index.php
Peter Crouch is known to want out of Portsmouth, having become dismayed at the disarray at the club due to the problems with the recent takeover. Crouch would jump at the chance to move to London to play for Redknapp, believing such a move would help his England chances in a World Cup year.

The potential problem is that Crouch is already in advanced stages of a £12 million move to Sunderland, with Steve Bruce better able to offer him first team football. At Spurs Crouch knows that aside from Defoe, White Hart Lane fans favourite Robbie Keane is also there and will not take too kindly to sharing a starting spot.

One thing is for sure: Crouch will not be at Portsmouth next season.
]]> Editor Football http://www.4sportsake.com/blog199h/index.php?entryid=3314 Sun, 19 Jul 2009 10:46:09 +0100 http://www.4sportsake.com/blog199h/index.php?entryid=3314 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/4sportsake/~3/nin61wo3DBE/index.php
With rumours about Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano not completely dead, Liverpool fans will be glad to hear about a player potentially coming in to the club, rather one potentially leaving it.

Ashley Young would be an ideal signing for Benitez. Young is pacy and can play upfront, on the left or behind a striker. He is also English, adding to Liverpool’s English contingent for any UEFA or future FA legislation on ‘homegrown’ players. The fee is believed to be around £20 million, with Tottenham also interested, although not expected to be able to compete with interest from a Champions League club.

It is not known if Ashley Young is eager to move but the chance to compete in Champions League football will certainly be a very attractive part of the offer.

Liverpool fans will be hoping that some positive transfer news is just around the corner as far as Ashley Young is concerned.
]]> Editor Football http://www.4sportsake.com/blog199h/index.php?entryid=3313 Sun, 19 Jul 2009 10:45:45 +0100 http://www.4sportsake.com/blog199h/index.php?entryid=3313 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/4sportsake/~3/WfJR4e6NdEY/index.php
Hull manager Phil Brown is a controversial figure himself and it fits that he would see Joey Barton and think he could control him and that the player would revel at the club.

Barton’s wages could prove a stumbling block. Currently Barton is picking up a huge £60,000 a week, with Hull knowing they can only afford perhaps a third of that.

It will be up to Barton to do the right thing, for once, for his career and take a substantial paycut to rejoin a team ready to give him a clean slate and another chance at a Premier League career.

Not many players get as many second chances as Joey Baton seems to.

]]> Football Editor today http://www.4sportsake.com/blog199h/index.php?entryid=3312 Sun, 19 Jul 2009 10:45:06 +0100 http://www.4sportsake.com/blog199h/index.php?entryid=3312 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/4sportsake/~3/U4y8qZlR9Ic/index.php
Mark Hughes had sounded bullish in his press conference to announce the signing of Carlos Tevez over his chances to sign the England captain, in what would have been one of the most audacious transfers in recent years.

Chelsea have rebuffed a £30 million offer and now feel increasingly confident that even when City returned with an improved offer, Terry will not be interested in the move. The club feel Terry is not willing to put in a transfer request and they are certainly not interested in accepting a bid in an attempt to encourage the player out of the club.

Hughes has already started looking elsewhere for defensive reinforcements, having made enquiries about Everton’s Joleon Lescott.

It looks as though John Terry will be captaining Chelsea next season after all.
]]> Editor Football http://www.4sportsake.com/blog199h/index.php?entryid=3311 Sun, 19 Jul 2009 10:44:40 +0100 http://www.4sportsake.com/blog199h/index.php?entryid=3311 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/4sportsake/~3/6qideKz8U9g/index.php
“It made me feel really welcome and special and I can’t wait to play for City’s fans and show them what I can do” was Adebayor’s reaction to the turnout to greet his unveiling by the club.

Sceptics will of course assume Adebayor moved for the reported £150,000 a week – just as was assumed with City’s other signings Gareth Barry, Roque Santa Cruz and Carlos Tevez.

It is hard to look past the money – after all at Arsenal Adebayor had the opportunity to challenge for the title and for the Champions League, not to mention to continue learning his trade under one of the best managers in the world.

As with Tevez and Barry, he spoke of excitement at joining a ‘project’ and the chance to ‘make history’. So far the only history City have made is one in spending money, nothing for a real player to be proud of.

It will be up to the likes of Adebayor to bring some success to go with the huge wages he is picking up.
]]> Editor Football http://www.4sportsake.com/blog199h/index.php?entryid=3310 Sun, 19 Jul 2009 10:44:14 +0100 http://www.4sportsake.com/blog199h/index.php?entryid=3310 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/4sportsake/~3/dzjb7LSWEzI/index.php
Barcelona had been heavily linked for a £30 million move for Villa, with his club side Valencia forced to sell due to financial problems at the club. With Madrid looking elsewhere, Barca seemed odds on favourites for his signature. So it is with some surprise that they announce they are in advanced stages of discussion with Inter Milan over a proposed move for their star Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, in a cash plus Samuel Eto’o move.

Eto’o had been offered to Manchester City, but the player rejected the move, not convinced that Manchester City were of a big enough status to warrant the move. He would be jump at the chance to move to Italy and play for Inter and have a chance to challenge once again for the Champions League.

Ibrahimovic is also said to be keen on the move – having grown despondent at Inter’s inability to win the Champions League.

With a move nearly tied up it puts David Villa back on the market – which will be of interest to Rafa Benitez and Liverpool – soon to be armed with £30 million from the sale of Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid.
]]> Editor Football http://www.4sportsake.com/blog199h/index.php?entryid=3309 Sat, 18 Jul 2009 12:54:53 +0100 http://www.4sportsake.com/blog199h/index.php?entryid=3309 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/4sportsake/~3/D94WFTgbyiU/index.php
Mourinho famously named nine players that he considered untouchable – Frank Lampard, Michael Essien, Claude Makelele, John Terry, Ricardo Carvalho, Ashley Cole, Didier Drogba, Michael Ballack and Petr Cech. This is known to have not sat well with the other players in the squad, who felt that open favouritism was unfair.

Under Ancelotti no such regime will exist and all players will start with a blank slate.

A fresh start could be just what Chelsea need as they look to go back to wining ways. Where Mourinho had an unlimited transfer budget to work his magic, Ancelotti must do it with the current squad using his own managerial nous. It will be interesting to see how he fares this season.
]]> Editor Football http://www.4sportsake.com/blog199h/index.php?entryid=3308 Sat, 18 Jul 2009 12:54:20 +0100 http://www.4sportsake.com/blog199h/index.php?entryid=3308 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/4sportsake/~3/FSWbMzrMqso/index.php
O’Neill favoured signing the striker now rather than wait until he had recovered from injury and the January transfer window had opened to be sure he got his man, and Middlesbrough were happy to do business to give them the cash needed for manager Gareth Southgate to rebuild his squad as he tries to bounce Middlesbrough straight back in to the Premiership.

The signing of Stewart Downing does raise the issue of Ashley Young. Reportedly a target for Chelsea, with a price of £25 million being suggested, Young played last season wide left, the position of choice for Downing too.

Is O’Neill really going to cash in on Ashley Young?
]]> Editor Football http://www.4sportsake.com/blog199h/index.php?entryid=3307 Sat, 18 Jul 2009 09:51:41 +0100 http://www.4sportsake.com/blog199h/index.php?entryid=3307 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/4sportsake/~3/WvknKfdSPNQ/index.php
Smith was largely disappointing for Newcastle last season s they were relegated despite a number of expensive arrivals at the club. Smith can play upfront although more recently has been converted into a tough tackling central midfielder and it is unsure which role Allardyce foresees for him at Ewood Park.

Smith’s wages of £60,000 a week are likely to be a stumbling block and Allardyce will be hoping and expecting the player will be willing to take a pay cut for the chance to return to England’s top flight.

With Everton and Stoke also interested in him, Alan Smith certainly won’t be at St. James Park next season.

So where will he be lining up?
]]> Editor Football http://www.4sportsake.com/blog199h/index.php?entryid=3306 Sat, 18 Jul 2009 09:51:11 +0100 http://www.4sportsake.com/blog199h/index.php?entryid=3306 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/4sportsake/~3/dMXYnCeTPys/index.php
Both David Moyes and Everton Chairman Bill Kenwright have stated that their neither the desire nor need to cash in on any players – but it is easy to say that before there is the offer on the table.

It is almost certain that Manchester City’s bid of £15 million is to be rejected almost out of hand, just as it is almost certain that they will be back with an even bigger offer to further temp Moyes into selling the England centre back.

Moyes will find it hard to replace Lescott with a player of the same quality, even for the money he receives.

So it is a straight choice between needing the player or wanting the money.

Which should he choose?
]]> Editor Football http://www.4sportsake.com/blog199h/index.php?entryid=3305 Sat, 18 Jul 2009 09:50:32 +0100 http://www.4sportsake.com/blog199h/index.php?entryid=3305 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/4sportsake/~3/B2kXxt5rsIg/index.php
Madrid have accepted a £15.5 million bid from Stuttgart for the striker but Huntelaar is known to be hesitant to move to Germany, hence his hope for another offer to Madrid from Spurs.

Spurs are the only English team to make their interest official, but an offer is thought to depend on them selling current striker Darren Bent with Sunderland said to be close to making an offer.

Huntelaar could yet join Jermain Defoe and Robbie Keane in the Spurs attack.
]]> Editor Football http://www.4sportsake.com/blog199h/index.php?entryid=3304 Thu, 16 Jul 2009 12:47:20 +0100 http://www.4sportsake.com/blog199h/index.php?entryid=3304 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/4sportsake/~3/AjTIOpzuOx4/index.php
However Bordeaux have firmed up their stance that the player will not be leaving on the cheap – demanding £7 million plus the aging defender Mikael Silvestre. Wenger had hoped to keep Silvestre for one more year to provide cover in defence but he will now have to balance that need with the more urgent need to replace the outgoing Adebayor.

Bordeaux have said they will keep hold of their player in the final year of his contract – raising the possibility of him leaving on a free next season.

Wenger is going to have to lose Silvestre if he wants Chamakh.
]]> Editor Football http://www.4sportsake.com/blog199h/index.php?entryid=3303 Thu, 16 Jul 2009 12:46:44 +0100 http://www.4sportsake.com/blog199h/index.php?entryid=3303 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/4sportsake/~3/zO_zV1Dflug/index.php
So what is it about poor old Crouchie that makes everyone get shot of him after a couple of seasons? It’s not like he don’t score a few goals, he’s a great target man and as long as he don’t try busting his moves in the dressing room, he seems like a decent bloke to have around.

But here we go again. Pompey are ready to offload him and if the Black Cats don’t do the deal, they reckon Fulham are interested. There’s gotta be something going on behind the scenes here.

Maybe it’s that Abby Clancy, distracting all the other players when she comes pick her Peter up in the stretch limo after training. Maybe he keeps his banging his head on the ceiling of the Pompey dressing room. Perhaps he’s got terrible BO.

Whatever the answer, you can bet your bottom dollar he ain’t going to finish his career at the Stadium of Light.
]]> Football topleft http://www.4sportsake.com/blog199h/index.php?entryid=3302 Thu, 16 Jul 2009 09:55:43 +0100 http://www.4sportsake.com/blog199h/index.php?entryid=3302 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/4sportsake/~3/qex02JMMuJA/index.php
Ever since his outstanding 2006/07 campaign – when the mighty AC Milan turned his head 360 degrees – the Togolese hit man has had his head in the clouds. The hard working front man that terrorised defences home and away all but vanished off the radar, replaced instead by a casual, lazy (albeit still gifted) forward that only felt like turning up one game in five.

I used to be a huge fan of Adebayor and was convinced that the Gunners needed him to stay but I have turned into a huge sceptic now. Players with attitude problems – and he has one – rarely change their ways and no matter how talented they are will always end up achieving far less than they should.

Manchester City are likely to discover this at their cost.

They have signed an excellent striker, no question, but they have also spent big money on a player that somehow manages to rival Nicolas Anelka in the moodiness stakes. Don’t let his big beaming smile deceive you – he is a player far more interested in himself than the team.

How will Ade react when he’s left out of the side in favour of Santa Cruz, Bellamy, Robinho or Tevez? Not great I suspect.

How will Ade react if City find the going a little tough this season? Badly I suspect.

Arsenal have had a stroke of luck in finding a buyer for Adebayor at that price and better still they are well equipped to do OK without him. With Van Persie, Eduardo, Walcott and co in place they may not even need to spend all the cash on a replacement.

If I were in Mr Wenger’s shoes I’d spend big on a world class midfielder and if there is much spare change pick up a hungry striker.
]]> All Sports Features http://www.4sportsake.com/blog199h/index.php?entryid=3301 Wed, 15 Jul 2009 13:40:53 +0100 http://www.4sportsake.com/blog199h/index.php?entryid=3301 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/4sportsake/~3/3N9ybI-JVf0/index.php
Zamora endured a disappointing season last year and is thought to welcome the chance at a fresh start at Hull, where he can be more certain of a regular start. Brown turned to Zamora after missing out on Manchester United’s striker Frazier Campbell, his first choice.

Hodgson’s move for Crouch is likely to depend on how quickly the stalling takeover at Pompey takes to be finalised. Crouch is known to be very unhappy with the chaos at Fratton Park, with the club seemingly in limbo as the proposed takeover by Sulaiman Al-Fahim is investigated by the FA.

Crouch would welcome the chance to establish himself under Hodgson, who he rates as a manager knowing that Hodgson over achieved with modest resources at his disposal last season. In a World Cup year Crouch knows that games – and goals – are particular crucial to his chances of cementing a place in Fabio Capello’s squad and first team.

Crouch could be the ideal signing for Fulham as they enter the Europa League.
]]> Editor Football http://www.4sportsake.com/blog199h/index.php?entryid=3300 Wed, 15 Jul 2009 12:53:42 +0100 http://www.4sportsake.com/blog199h/index.php?entryid=3300 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/4sportsake/~3/siKqd4sofL8/index.php
Describing Terry as both an outstanding player and person, Hughes confirmed they have targeted Terry after information that he is looking to leave his currently club. Hughes asid perhaps Terry had gone ‘stale’ at Chelsea and needed a new start and new challenge at a new club.

Despite Chelsea claiming repeatedly that Terry is not for sale they know that at 29, with injury problems likely to worsen, now is the ideal time to cash in on Terry to reinforce elsewhere.

The main problem for Chelsea, aside from the backlash from fans, is the urgent need to reinforce the defence. With Ricardo Carvalho also agitating for a move to rejoin former boss Jose Mourinho at Inter Milan, Chelsea could be looking at an entirely new partnership in the middle of their defence.

Worrying times ahead for Chelsea fans it would seem.
]]> Editor Football http://www.4sportsake.com/blog199h/index.php?entryid=3299 Wed, 15 Jul 2009 12:53:16 +0100 http://www.4sportsake.com/blog199h/index.php?entryid=3299