Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes has questioned Roberto Mancini’s decision to banish Carlos Tevez from the Manchester City first-team, and feels the omission will benefit the rest of the Premier League.
The Argentina international refused to come off the bench against Bayern Munich in the Champions League in mideek, and Mancini told the press that Tevez’s time at the club was finished.
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Despite the striker’s petulance, Scholes feels City are a better team with Tevez playing.
Carlos Tevez is set to attend an enquiry with Manchester City officials on Monday, as the Premier League club try to get to the bottom of the incident in the Bayern Munich Champions League game.
Citizens boss Roberto Mancini has claimed that the Argentina international refused to come off the bench at the Allianz Arena whilst his team were 2-0 down against the Bundesliga giants.
The South American forward has denied these accusations, but has been suspended for two weeks by the club as they look to clarify the details of what actually happened.
City HR staff and lawyers are set to quiz Tevez on what happened on Monday, according to Sky Sports, with the attacker’s future in England in jeopardy.
Tevez handed in a transfer request over the summer, stating he was unhappy at The City of Manchester Stadium, but the Premier League team failed to find a suitable buyer and he was forced to stay at the club until January at least.
Due to the bitter taste this has left, and the form of strike pairing Sergio Aguero and Edin Dzeko, Tevez has not had much time on the pitch this season, and looks increasingly likely to leave the side once the transfer window opens in the new year.
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Rafael Van Der Vaart scored two superb goals to hand Tottenham victory against Blackburn at Ewood Park to further increase the pressure on Rovers boss Steve Kean.
The classy Dutchman scored in each half to hand Tottenham their sixth win in seven games which keeps them in the hunt for fourth place also continuing his hot streak in front of goal. Mauro Formica had given Rovers fans hope after he equalised but they were once again left frustrated as their side were outclassed by Spurs in every department. The Ewood faithful vented their frustrations in the direction of Kean with several protests, posters and banners calling for his exit despite it being only his 30th game in charge since taking over last November. Their dissatisfaction is justified though with Kean presiding over six wins during a reign that has seen the club slump to the foot of the table.
Despite their winless run stretching to four games on the back of last weeks 1-1 draw with QPR the home side were bight in the early exchanges with Junior Hoilett going close firing the ball over Brad Friedel’s crossbar after a jinking run. Tottenham threatened themselves and youngster Jason Lowe produced a superb block to deny Gareth Bale before Gael Givet thwarted Emmanuel Adebayor. Spurs were far from their best but they needed only 12 minutes to break the deadlock with Van Der Vaart finishing off a delightful move. Adebayor sent the galloping Walker away down the right before cutting the ball back for the Dutchman to finish past Paul Robinson. The visitors were now in the ascendancy and should have been two up minutes later only to be denied by some fine goalkeeping from Robinson who was alert to keep out Bales cross the nicked off Martin Olsson. Rovers rallied and were looking dangerous from set pieces with Christopher Samba’s height causing problems and when he came to meet a Morten Gamst Pedersen free kick the ball fell to Formica who showed great feet to work space and drive the ball past Friedel.
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Spurs threatened again before the half was out with Luka Modric seeing his 25-yard strike turned around the post by Robinson before Hoilett threatened at the other end testing Friedel with a stinging strike. The scoreline remained level going into the second period until Van Der Vaart popped up again to put Spurs into the lead for the second stroking the ball home from 20-yards after picking up a loose ball. Rovers weren’t going to go down without a fight continuing their aerial assault and should have had a penalty after Formica was fouled by Benoit Assou Ekotto following confusion with Friedel. The veteran American keeper showed he hasn’t lost any of his agility despite slowly poking into his forties superbly tipping Samba’s header over the bar. Substitute Yakubu then failed to covert a teasing Olsson cross as Rovers supporters intensified their protests at the final whistle as Kean failed once again to guide his team to victory.
Newcastle United have surprised everyone this season and sit third in the league going into the November international break, with Alan Pardew putting together a hard working, talented side that are confident of beating anyone in the division. 25 points from 11 games is a stunning return from the side that sit just one point behind the Champions and are comfortably in the Champions League places.
A summer of signings and speculation was captivating for a neutral as St James Park was once again the home to controversy and negativity. The summer began with the shock departure of captain and former top scorer Kevin Nolan to Championship side West Ham as he once again linked up with former Toon boss Sam Allardyce. The fee is still undisclosed but though to be around £5million, Nolan went cheap in the Geordies eyes and doubts began to fill the supporters’ heads.
The outspoken midfielder Joey Barton was the first to slam the club for this transfer policy and he soon found himself in the reserves and not having a future at the club after comments made about the clubs hierarchy. Pardew made his feelings clear, that he wanted Barton to stay in the reserves until he felt he was committed to the North East club once again. After seemingly been forgiven, Barton played in the opening game of the season against Arsenal and was once again in the thick of the action.
Just days later Barton was released formally on a free and with interest high in the aggressive midfielder, QPR snapped him up on a five-year-deal and his time at Newcastle was at an end. The Geordie fans clearly appreciated what Barton had done for them and gave him a standing ovation when Newcastle travelled to QPR just weeks later.
Both Barton and Nolan were considered two of the best players in the Newcastle side last season, hard working, goal-scoring midfielders that are not easy to come by in the English game. However, the attitudes of the players and the ego that was building around them could have been a valid reason for Pardew getting rid of the players during the summer.
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Nolan scored 30 goals in his 91 games for Newcastle, making him a valuable member of the side who on to be captain when they returned to the Premier League two years ago. His top moments will have been lead by a hat-trick against rivals Sunderland in October 2010. Nolan publicly criticised the clubs sacking of much loved manager Chris Hughton before Pardew came in and this may have been a point that Nolan did not let go of in the summer.
Barton became a first team regular last season and the supporters loved his aggressive, passionate attitude that was clear for all to see. His off the field comments and actions did not go down well with the club’s board and management however, and he was often getting into trouble with the FA about his controversial posts on Twitter. It was eventually them comments that left him looking for a new club.
The former West Ham and Charlton manager, Pardew, has built his reputation on gathering hard working, team players that will work 100% every game causing minimal fuss along the way. Taking West Ham from a mid table Championship side to Uefa Cup football in three years, bringing in Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano on the way, it is fair to say Pardew has been successful in his fairly short managerial career.
His shrewd transfer business has been the main reason for his success; both at West Ham and now at Newcastle, as the departure of Andy Carroll in January followed by Barton and Nolan in the summer have proved a catalyst for great results, form and team spirit. The need to replace such players was obvious and fantastic signings such as Demba Ba and Yohan Cabaye have come in and been excellent in the first quarter of the season, with Ba’s goals firing the side up the table and Cabaye’s composure in midfielder taking over the role of Barton and to a degree Nolan too.
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The team spirit at St James Park is clear to see and the unbeaten Magpies will look to extend that run after the international break when they visit Manchester United, Manchester City and host Chelsea in the space of three weeks. Tough games that will really show the quality and spirit of Pardew’s side, but even if the results do not go to plan, Newcastle will still be above their expectations going into the busy Christmas period and January transfer market, where do not be surprised if two or three more shrewd deals happen at St James Park.
Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher will take an extended break away from the game, as the club have revealed that he is suffering from a chronic inflammatory bowel condition.
The Scotland international missed two months at the end of last term and the club’s pre-season trip to North America due to the illness, before returning to action.
However, the Premier League champions have revealed that Fletcher will be given time to return to health before training or playing again.
“On behalf of Darren Fletcher, Manchester United wishes to announce that he is taking an extended break from football for health reasons,” a United statement reads.
“Over the past year he has had several absence periods which we have attributed to a viral illness in order to respect his right to medical confidentiality. Darren has, in fact, been suffering from ulcerative colitis (a chronic inflammatory bowel condition) for some time preceding this.
“Whilst he was able to maintain remission of symptoms for a considerable period this has proved more difficult recently and Darren’s continued desire to play and his loyalty to both his club and country has probably compromised the chances of optimising his own health and fitness.
“He has therefore accepted medical advice to take an extended break from the demands of training and playing in order to afford the best chance possible of achieving full remission once again.
“We request that his privacy is respected and hope that the removal of the additional stress associated with speculation regarding his health will also aid his recovery,” it concluded.
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The news will be a blow for Sir Alex Ferguson’s men, who are already without Anderson and Tom Cleverley due to injury.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has appeared to make a complete U-turn on his decision not to buy a striker in the January Transfer Window, according to the Metro.
Just last week Wenger told the press he would not be replacing Marouane Chamakh and Gervinho who are departing for the African Cup of Nations in the New Year, but it seems he could be keen on a short term signing to cover the prolific Robin van Persie.
Arsenal have relied on van Persie for the majority of their goals this season and the covering players have failed to make much of an impact at the Emirates. Wenger has been linked with big money moves for the likes of Lukas Podolski and Mario Gotze in recent weeks and either of them would fit well into the North London clubs plans for the second half of the season.
“We lose players like Chamakh and Gervinho to the Africa Cup of Nations so hopefully, touch wood, we do not get any injuries to our strikers,” Wenger told a supporters’ Q&A at the Emirates Stadium.
“But if an opportunity turns up in that department then we will buy.
“Economically the whole environment has changed and people suffer more. The clubs will suffer more financially and it’s much more difficult.
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“Maybe we will have some opportunities because we are in a good financial situation.”
Alex McLeish has once again reiterated that Darren Bent will not be going anywhere in the January transfer window. The Aston Villa striker has been heavily linked with a move to Liverpool, but Villa fans can be assured that their star striker is going nowhere.
Elsewhere in the news Rooney is fined for ill-discipline; Van Persie hails Thierry Henry, while Luis Suarez is urged to drop appeal.
News
Luis Suarez urged to drop appeal
Van der Vaart talks up Tottenham
Cech gives his backing to Andre Villas-Boas
Rooney fined for ill-discipline
Van Persie hails Thierry Henry
Moyes praises goalscorer Anichebe
Argentine cools Chelsea transfer talk
McLeish rules out move amid Liverpool talk
Zlatan keen for Tevez to come to Milan
[divider]
Other Transfer Talk
[divider]
Spurs plot £8m raid for Blackburn stopper – Mirror
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Moyes eyes midfield reinforcements as Everton boss targets Gibson swoop – Daily Mail
The latest Fad will cost Coyle £1m – Sun
Villa to offer Robbie Keane shock Prem return – Mirror
Newcastle have announced that they have signed striker Papass Cisse from Freiburg for £10 million.
The Senegal international has a big reputation after excellent performances and an impressive goal-scoring record in the Bundesliga, and has put pen-to-paper on a five-and-a-half year deal.
The attacker will be given the legendary No.9 shirt, and will partner countryman Demba Ba up front.
Cisse, and Ba, are currently away on African Cup of Nations duty, so it will be at least a month before the Tyneside fans catch a glimpse of their new signing.
Despite this, Cisse is pleased to have moved to the Premier League club, and is eager to get started.
“I would like to thank everybody for their welcome and for inviting me to sign for the club,” he told the Newcastle official website.
“It is an honour to play for such a big club and I am looking forward to it.
“I want to pay back the confidence the club have shown in me and give the supporters something to be proud of.
“I am aware of the huge importance of the No.9 shirt and when I spoke to the manager he made it very clear how important this shirt is.
“I will treat it with respect and I hope to do my very best in this shirt,” he concluded.
Toon manager Alan Pardew has admitted that the club have been on Cisse’s trail for some time, and is glad to have landed his long-term target.
“Ever since Andy Carroll left, Papiss was my first choice in the specific role he has at the end of the play,” the coach revealed.
“He is a finisher with an already-established CV in the Bundesliga, where we have monitored him for the best part of two years.
“Unfortunately he was out of reach, financially, for us in the summer, but it recently became apparent that Derek Llambias and Lee Charnley could do the deal in this window.
“It has become obvious this season that the team and the club have done exceptionally well and Mike Ashley has backed me to bring this player to the club.
“I would like to thank Mike, Derek and everyone involved for getting this deal over the line.
“I spoke to Demba about Papiss and he cannot wait to join up with his team-mate in Newcastle.
“In the short-term, of course, he is at the African Cup of Nations, but the competition he will bring to our squad when he joins up with us should inspire the players and reassure them of this club’s ambition.
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“Our fans know that this shirt brings its own pressures. One of the iconic numbers in world football – the No.9 of Newcastle.
“It will be only fair that Papiss is given time to understand the responsibility it brings.
“As the manager, I wish him all the luck in the world to bring success to himself and this club,” he stated.
This weekend’s Barclay’s Premiership action promises to produce some mouth-watering encounters. We start off with a pulsating match between Liverpool and Arsenal, with both sides fighting to secure the 4th Champions League place. Sunday sees Spurs host Man Utd, a match which could prove vital in the race for the Premiership title. And let’s not forget that local pride is also at stake in the North East as Newcastle and Sunderland prepare to do battle in the Tyne-Wear derby.
But there is another match that will undoubtedly intrigue the masses this weekend and it’s not a fixture that would usually stand out as a mouth-watering encounter.
At Ewood Park, there are bound to be banners and placards-a-plenty as Blackburn Rovers, a club that has been forced to endure season-long protests from its long-suffering supporters over the running of the club, face an Aston Villa side whose fans are beginning to show the same level of frustration against their club’s hierarchy.
Blackburn Rovers are, as they have been all season, in a complete mess.
On the pitch, they have a very average squad that currently sit in the relegation zone, having recorded just five wins all season. They have shipped 59 goals, meaning they boast the Premier League’s worst defence and they are the only team in all four divisions not to have kept a clean sheet all season.
Their 11-year stay in the top flight is in serious danger of coming to an end and their bid to avoid relegation has recently been dealt a huge blow, as arguably their best player, Christopher Samba, was recently sold to Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala.
The club’s precarious situation on the pitch has resulted in major problems off the pitch.
When Venky’s Group took ownership of the club in November 2010, the future looked very promising for the Lancashire club. But the decision to sack Sam Allardyce and promote the little-known Steve Kean as full-time manager has turned out to have had a hugely negative impact on the club.
Kean is not and has never been the experienced, world-class manager that the owners ensured the club would get and his record speaks for itself. His win ratio as manager is just 26% and the club have lost half of the games they have played during his tenure.
This has resulted in a vote of no confidence against the manager and the owners. Almost every match this season has been accompanied by supporters protesting against the running of the club and Steve Kean has been the subject of abusive chanting from the terraces and hate campaigns that have been condemned by the League Manager’s Association.
There are strong rumours that the club’s supporters will stage their biggest protest yet prior to the Villa game. One can only hope that when 3:00 comes around, the supporters turn their attention away from the owners and get fully behind their team.
And it has to be said that the timing of this fixture could not be better for them, given the dire situation that their opponents currently find themselves in.
Aston Villa have, for a while now, been heading down a very slippery slope. The club have never really got over the departure of Martin O’Neill as manager over 18 months ago. During this time, two managers have been at the helm, with the current manager, Alex McLeish, proving to be the most unpopular manager for years.
The club’s supporters have always made their feelings clear about the controversial appointment of McLeish from arch rivals Birmingham City.
The club currently lie in 15th place and, while they currently have some breathing space between them and the teams below them, they look set for yet another season of under-achievement. Judging from this, it would seem the supporters are justified in their protests.
On the pitch, star players such as James Milner, Ashley Young and Stuart Downing have all moved on and the club has been unsuccessful in replacing them.
On top of this, top scorer Darren Bent looks set to miss the rest of the season through injury, Robbie Keane’s successful loan spell has now come to an end and this now means that their strike force is looking very sparse for the remainder of the season. Taking Bent and Keane out of the picture, it has been four months since one of Villa’s other available strikers has scored a goal. It’s now got to the point where they may have to rely on Emile Heskey to actually score a goal or two!
To add insult to injury, this week the club has announced annual losses of almost £54 million. Truly these are the most worrying times in recent years for Aston Villa and you can’t help but feel that the protests against McLeish and owner Randy Lerner are only going to become more frequent.
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Needless to say, there is plenty riding on this match. Blackburn need a win to help them in their battle against the drop and Villa need a result to prevent themselves from being dragged into the same battle.
Blackburn vs Aston Villa is unlikely to be one of the most attractive games this weekend, but it is sure to be one of the most competitive and a 0-0 draw will simply not do.
Forget the title race. Forget Champions League qualification. Forget local derbies. This match is a battle of the two unhappiest teams in the Premiership.
Liverpool look set to go head to head with arch rivals Manchester United in the pursuit of Brazilian international Dede, according to the Daily Mail.
Liverpool’s chief South American scout Diego Caniggia reportedly watched the 23-year-old score Vasco’s second goal in their 3-2 victory against Allianza Lima.
Dede is highly regarded in his native country, with the defender widely tipped to star when Brazil host the World Cup in 2014. His impressive performances have not gone unnoticed across Europe with the likes of Juventus and Besiktas also said to be monitoring the £15m rated player.
The burly Brazilian is widely considered as Rio Ferdinand’s long-term successor at Manchester United and speculation has intensified after it was revealed that he derives from the same area of Rio de Janeiro as twins Fabio and Rafael.
However, Dede has insisted that no formal offers have been made and he is entirely committed to his current club.
“No offer has come yet,” he told Globo Esporte.
“I was at the national team when a reporter asked me if I will join Juventus. I said I like them as they are a big European team, but at this point I am focused only on Vasco.”
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